Mazda - Credential Check

So Mazda will provide the basics for the next Alfa Romeo Spider! Is this a good choice?

You betcha!

Let’s look at Mazda’s sports car design and production credentials. With almost one million MX-5 roadsters on the world’s roads, it’s a fact that this car is a winner - of hearts, minds and competition trophies. It’s DNA began creation as a the ‘idea’ of a pure sports car. This was no cheap hatchback, modified for use as a roadster - it was specifically-designed for the job and the team which produced it, did so with impressive integrity of purpose.

The popularity and commercial success of the car has of course generated many ‘fathers’ of the concept - but, I turned to my good friend Bob Hall for real facts.

In 1978 Bob Hall, then an automotive journalist with MOTOR TREND, was on a private visit to Japan. Like many of us, whose automotive industry careers started as auto magazine journalists, Bob had begun close friendships with senior industry figures, in this case, the head of Mazda’s Product Planning department, Kenichi Yamamoto. During the visit Yamamoto-san asked Bob what sort of cars Mazda should look at building, to expand its model portfolio. Bob suggested a very basic, wind-in-the-hair, low-cost sportscar like the iconic British marques.

Bob Hall

In 1980 Mazda hired Bob Hall for its Californian design centre, and whilst working on some more mundane, but commercially vital models, Yamamoto, who by then was Chairman of Mazda, reminded Hall about his sports car idea, and suggested he get serious about the project (but, only as an after-hours job).

After a few back-of-an-envelope sketches, the first concept design was produced by Mark Jordan and  Masao Yagi. Despite alternative ideas, thrown in by two other teams, it was the Jordan/Yagi design which became the NA Mazda MX 5. During the viewing of the model (below), the team removed the hardtop, and the leader of a competing team said: "Let's build this one!"

1982, on the morning of the original Jordan/Yagi NA MX-5 presentation

The production engineering was led by Mazda’s highly-respected product development chief Toshihiko Harai. The detailed chassis and suspension work was done by Takao Kijima, who went on to develop the later NB and NC versions.

 Many of us reckon the Lotus Elan must have been a great source of styling ideas, because the first NA model certainly emulated many of its design characteristics, but Bob Hall says that was almost coincidental. The design team certainly used inspiration from cars like the MG A, MG B, Sprite, Austin Healey and Triumph Spitfire, but as Bob Hall said, if they slavishly followed those design cues the car would never have enjoyed the popularity it did, for being different.

1966 Lotus Elan

In any case, the Lotus Elan was already relegated to a niche in the sports car market, and was relatively more expensive, so it did not enjoy the sort of mass appeal of the more familiar British makes. That alone gave it a sort of snob appeal, so being ‘like’ the Elan is faint praise really.

I’ve spent many hours driving MX5’s in Australia and the USA, and it is a great car, with real sports car blood in its veins. So, combining Mazda’s excellent Skyactiv technology with Italian design and handling traits can only mean that Alfa Romeo made a great choice when it was decided to team up with Mazda.

Thanks, Bob. I think you guys did a swell job!

スパイダー = Japanese for SPIDER!

The idea of Alfa Romeo teaming up with Mazda, maker of the world's most successful sports car, seems like a profitable business plan created in automotive boardroom heaven!

In today's post-GFC climate, the cost of developing an all-new car for FIAT's poor cousin is astronomical, and FIAT Chairman Sergio Marchione is nothing if not incredibly pragmatic and practical.

 



Sergio Marchionne





Alfa Romeo has been losing money for years (decades, probably), but despite Ferdinand Piech's interest in acquiring the Milano Marque, Marchione is determined to hang onto the trademark, the badge, the image and the customers.

So, if you need to inject some spirit, dazzle and fizz into the brand, why not a new Alfa Romeo Spider? Now, who could we team up with to get a new car at the lowest possible cost? Why not Mazda? Exactly!

Peter McKay en Italia

Here's a company which has developed a sports car with verve and brio! Just ask my mate Peter McKay, seen here lapping the Colosseum!

2015 Mazda MX-5 concept

Mazda's new (2015MY) MX-5 will benefit from the highly-efficient Skyactiv technology, which means the basic structure will be light and strong, and combining this with Alfa Romeo's engine technology, and Italian design flair will mean a winner on all fronts.

The most recent Spider was a reworking of the Giugiaro design for the Alfa Romeo 159, by Pininfarina.



Alfa Romeo Spider by Pininfarina

 

However, the inspiration for the new car is thought to be the famous 1966 Duetto, which was unique enough to win a legion of fans, and be documented in celluloid with a starring role in "The Graduate" as Dustin Hoffman's car.



1966 Alfa Romeo Duetto

Naturally, at this stage there's nothing official from the company, but there have been plenty of skilled, amateur and professional, artists who want to put forward their ideas of what it may look like.

 

Alfa Romeo Duettotanta by Pininfarina

 

Beginning with a concept car called the 'Duettotanta', by Pininfarina, which celebrated 100 years of the marque, there have been quite a few computer-generated images.
 
In addition there's a rendering based on the open version of the 8C Competizione.
 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The list of proposed concepts is long indeed! 

Road & Track rendering

Including two from the American magazines, Road & Track; and Car and Driver.

  

Car and Driver rendering

 

However, I think the renderings from the UK's Auto Express look a bit closer to the mark, because in size and perspective they more closely match the concept renderings of the 2015 Mazda MX-5.

 

 

2015 Mazda MX-5 concept

Alfa Romeo has some great in-house engines to choose from including its own 1.75, and FIAT's Multi-Air 1.4, both turbocharged. There is a new FIAT diesel about to debut, which will appeal to Europeans, although I'm guessing the Italians will prefer the petrol engines, matched to either a six-speed manual, or a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.

Either way, the new Alfa Romeo Spider, with its Japanese heritage, promises to be a real highlight for the Alfisti.

Bentley at Bonneville

I think the most impressive thing about Bentley’s high speed run over the Bonneville Salt Flats in 2012, where it maxxed out at 307 km/h, was the amount of preparation the car received.

RAF jet fighter pilot and world land speed record holder, Andy Green, who drove the Bentley Mulsanne flagship sedan said: 

“Race prep of the car consisted of putting the tyre pressures up from 2.6 bar to 3.3 bar – nothing else. That’s it!”

However, as he pointed out, although cars traveling at high speed are a common sight at the Bonneville Salt Flats, Andy explained there was a lot more to the top-speed run than simply holding the accelerator to the floor.

While filming the high-speed run a helicopter unexpectedly moved position, creating a 100km/h cross-wind.

Helicopters have previously blown cars off course at Bonneville with disastrous effect, but there was no time for Andy to change course or brake.

“The Bentley twitched ever so slightly, maybe one degree, a tiny tweak of the steering wheel and it just kept going at 300km/h,” he said.

The salt surface at Bonneville actually gets wetter throughout the day so grip under the Bentley reduced as the day progressed

Andy explained that driving at high speeds on salt makes cars prone to oversteer and many land-speed cars can suddenly spin out without warning.

“Salt is a slippery surface. The coefficient of salt is about 0.5 – that’s about half what you get on dry tarmac. So it's just like driving fast on tarmac in the pouring rain!”

Andy Green is currently preparing for another tilt at the land speed record in 2016 and this time he wants to hit 1000mph!

Jay Leno and Andy Green discuss driving the Mulsanne at 307km/h !

The Force of India?

The Force India Formula One team's excellent results in the recent British Grand Prix back up claims made by its owner Vijay Mallya, back in 2007, that he would ensure the team had the resources and commitment which would push the team into the Top Ten.

Adrian Sutil's 7th, and Paul di Resta's 9th places, pushed Force India to fifth place in the 2013 Constructors' Championship - 22 points ahead of McLaren Mercedes!

I met and interviewed Vijay Mallya at Albert Park in 2007, Force India F1's debut outing, and I took an immediate liking to him.

He's down-to-earth, and one of India's commercial princes. He has built on the fortune created by his father in brewing, spirits and chemicals to make UB Group one of India's biggest conglomerates.

Known for lavish parties aboard his luxurious yacht, the Indian Empress, and over-the-top hospitality at IPL cricket matches when his Royal Challenger Bangalore team is playing, Mallya has unfortunately become a figure of fun in India thanks to the grounding of his Kingfisher Airline in 2012.

Kingfisher Airlines owes a total of USD$2.5 billion to banks, suppliers and employees and was stripped of its flying licence last December.

Mallya apparently did what all free-wheeling capitalists indulge in - debt-leveraging. The raison d'etre behind the creation of Kingfisher Airlines was so he could advertise the Kingfisher 'brand' as he is not allowed to advertise Kingfisher Beer in India. Mallya says: "I can't advertise, so I have to live my brand!"


However, the airline business in India fell on hard times in 2010-11, and heavily debt-laden Kingfisher was unable to dig itself out of the hole its massive debts created. Stranded passengers, cancelled flights and Banks banging on the boardroom door has seen Mallya's vision dissolve. He is stubbornly hanging on, hoping the banks will help Kingfisher's recovery, but so far they have steadfastly declined, and are now selling off pledged shares!

In a 2010 interview, Vijay admitted to me that his lifestyle, and his association with Formula One created a fair number of critics in India who, he says, are just jealous of his position.

Bernie Ecclestone holds him in high regard because of Mallya's ability to bring Formula One to India.

They combined to create an Indian Grand Prix and Bernie says Mallya's parties on board the Indian Empress in Monaco don't hurt the sport's image - but that's all froth and bubble!


Force India F1 is doing well, and Mallya is managing to hang on to the team, but for how long? Clearly Mallya has every division of UB Group leveraged against each other to create enough cash flow to keep all the balls in the air, but it could end up with Force India going the way of all the other teams which have found the cash-sucking sport too hard to fund.

Especially with USD$2.5 billion of Kingfisher Airlines' debt hanging over its garage.

Hang in there Vijay, don't let the critics beat you. Maybe Bernie would stand you a loan?

BTW, I suspect Marussia may be the next F1 casualty, because the team, which is now last on the points table is in deep financial poo. It's almost impossible to find out how many Russian-built sports cars it has actually sold (if any), and despite its dire position Marussia F1 has rejected talks aimed at merging with Caterham F1, and may not appear on the grid in 2014!

Driven Personalities - Peter Arcadipane

CONCEPT TO REALITY - ONLY TOOK 13 YEARS!

Back in 1997 a young Aussie car designer called Peter Arcadipane pushed a concept sketch to his then employer, Mercedes-Benz, for a coupe-sedan version of the CL coupe, to be badged the CLS.

Mercedes-Benz CLS

The management thought it was a bit radical, but then it took the brave step of greenlighting the car for production - after all Peter had designed original CL coupe.

Mercedes-Benz CL 600

Just three years later I'm told, Peter came up with another concept, which, although it went right through to what the car industry calls a 'see-through' model, it never made it into production.

But more on this later.

The significance of the development to the 'see-through' model stage needs an explanation. In the car design business the first concept sketch is often ignored. It's not seen as being important.

What was important with the CLS coupe-sedan concept - is that it went through all the processes of the system, from an initial sketch; then tape drawings; to a 'clay' model and finally to a full-size model which you can 'see right through' giving the viewer an accurate idea of how the car will look, full-size.


That last step is an important one for the car maker, as it's very costly, but almost guarantees the model is headed for volume production.

Porsche Panamera Clay (at rear), and first-stage 'see-through' 

This is the final and very important stage because, from a distance, the results look just like a real car. See-through models are hard models - either made from a light (almost balsa-like) plywood, or fibreglass/carbon fibre. They have a fake interior-- which removes all the mass and weight, that the clay model presents. 

'See-through' motor show concept car

They also have a much better painted finish, that the clay model lacks, but can cost upwards of a million bucks!

*   *   *   *

Peter and I first crossed paths back in 1973 when I was the Editor of MODERN MOTOR magazine and he was a budding young designer with Ford Australia. We spent many hours both in my Sydney office, and in various coffee bars in Melbourne talking about car design and the possibilities.

Even at that time his somewhat radical ideas for Ford's then-current range got turned down by management, but it didn't deter him. Peter's great skill was something that years later turned out to be much needed - he was an expert at conceiving NEW designs off existing platforms - thereby avoiding unecessary investment in developing all-new cars!

Then in 1981, when I was PR Director for Jaguar in Australia, he even presented me with a fantastic concept to turn the Jaguar XJ-S coupe into a hatchback, almost like the E-type!

Of course, the Jaguar design team in Coventry sniffed at the idea, but in the meantime Peter had won a place in the movie Hall of Fame by producing the car which garnered global fame, the 'Mad Max' special - built off a standard Falcon coupe platform!

The 'Mad Max' Special

Peter Arcadipane, I must say, was/is(?) a bit of a rebel. He clashed many times with senior design staff at various car companies, pushing his 'crazy' ideas, but here was a guy who really did think outside the square - every time.

I really admire his originality, his thorough thought processes, which worked around the financial advantage of preserving the basic platform and putting a new 'top hat' on it.

That's not to say he only thought about extending the life of existing models. He led the design team on the innovative Kia KCV II, shown in Paris in 2002.

Kia KCV II sketch

Kia KCV II Paris motor show concept

Mitsubishi Lancer 'Evolution X'

Peter has worked at Peugeot, Mitsubishi, Ford, Kia, Stola and a number of other companies, developing interesting, all-new cars, like the stunning Evolution X for Mitsubishi, but I believe he wrote his name in the automotive history book when he produced the smooth CL coupe for Mercedes-Benz.

Serious designers around the world stood back and took a deep breath when it debuted.

So, rewind to the start of this Post.

In 2000, Peter presented a design sketch and tape drawings for a 'Shooting Brake' version of the CLS to the Mercedes-Benz design management (that's a station wagon to you and me).

Sportbrake Tape Drawing

They liked it, and it too went the full distance, from sketch to 'see-through'. However, management was super-cautious about such a radical model, so it went on the back burner. 

To the basement of the design studio actually!

The whole box and dice was moved to the basement - not just the concept sketches, but the tape drawings, the full-size clay AND the see-through model! 

Guess what? Thirteen years later (after scouring the collection of deferred designs in the basement!) it's made it to the market.

Mercedes-Benz finally made the decision that this was a variant which could make money! So here it is - at last! Now, that's some gestation period.

The Mercedes Benz Sportbrake!

Recently Peter Arcadipane was appointed Head Designer at China's BAIC, with a brief to completely overturn the current model catalogue and thrust the company into global recognition, with models which compete in EVERY worthwhile segment, including territory currently occupied by Audi, Benz and BMW! What a juicy job for an innovative designer!

I wish him luck with this daunting challenge, and trust that having headhunted him, the BAIC management back his judgment.

Few car designers have enjoyed the breadth of experience, and the challenges of competing in a variety of segments which Peter Arcadipane has racked up, and I think his new post is a fitting reward for someone who has given us many memorable cars.

From the Mad Max madness and the Mercedes Benz CL and CLS - not forgetting the Shooting Brake of course! Just 13 years after he presented the concept sketches!

Better late than never!

Alfa Romeo 159 Replacement?

Sign Me Up!

If this rendering represents the replacement for Alfa Romeo's Tipo 159 then I think I want one!

Alfa Romeo Giulia Concept

The 159 has been a solid success for the FIAT Group and has soldiered on since it's Geneva reveal in 2005. However, it was not one of Alfa Romeo's finest cars. You could describe it as a 'Bit of a Bastard'!

World Premiere Tipo 159, Salon de l'Auto, Geneve, 2005

When the FIAT-General Motors merger was on the cards FIAT was looking to replace the Tipo 156, which had been very beautfully-styled by the now VW Group Chief Designer, Walter de Silva (who also produced the 147).

Alfa Romeo Tipo 156

At the time FIAT did not have a suitable 'platform' in development and GM offered the Italians a platform it had concocted, and intended to be used by Saab and Opel-Vauxhall.

GM's European companies kindly declined the offer, because they felt that the American-inspired platform was a bit clunky (meaning overweight). So this platform, which came from the USA, plus a bit of European input (a bit of this, and a bit of that) failed to find a home at GM.

FIAT jumped at the offer, and was not worried about the 'overweight' issue, as Alfa Romeo had indicated it might use the design as the basis for a Maserati V8-powered race car for the European touring car races (the platform strength being a bonus in controlling rigidity caused by the torquey V8). As it turned out Alfa Romeo could never raise the budget to go racing, so this platform ended up just being too heavy.

So the rather 'lumpy' platform was sent off to Torino to Ital Design for father and son, Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro, to weave some kind of magic, to produce the 159.

The Master! Giorgetto Giugiaro

And they did weave magic! As far as I'm concerned the Tipo 159 could be one of the most beautiful Alfa Romeo sedans ever conceived. It's a hard act to follow.

Especially considering that this Giulia concept was initiated within Alfa Romeo's Centro Stile studio - by the same guys responsible for the truly awful Mito and Giulietta - which are sad-looking cars (IMHO).

Having somewhat redeemed themselves with the 4C coupe, I think this 159 replacement is a pretty snappy looking car. We'll have to wait and see what transpires.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Concept - Photo from AUTO EXPRESS

On Safari

From humble, post-war beginnings in 1950, when Toyota launched the Jeep BJ (its own version of the successful Willys Jeep),

Jeep BJ by Toyota

through until the present day, the Land Cruiser (renamed in 1953) has been sold all around the world in ever-increasing numbers, and in developing nations has become almost ubiquitous.

The first Land Cruisers were exported to Africa in 1958, when eight 4x4 trucks were imported into Angola. Since then the Land Cruiser has become the “4x4 du jour” across the continent, 

and there is now a major local assembly plant in Kenya.

In the early 1960s Toyota sent a small Land Cruiser project team to Africa to study the market and advise HQ on important modifications to improve its suitability for a country with poor, or non-existent, roads. Together with other small teams in Australia and the USA, the Land Cruiser has evolved from utilitarian workhorse to an 'accessorised' family car in many homes.

But, back to Africa. Today, anyone planning a vacation at one of the many private game reserves, can expect to get close-up to the animals perched in the back of a Land Cruiser.

It was so for me, in April 2013, when I visited the Kariega Game Reserve, just north of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.

The Author, at an Elephant afternoon tea

Kariega’s story is one of enterprise, love and respect for nature, and the determined resolve of two families (Rushmere and Fuller) to develop a prime model of a conservation-based game reserve. The re-introduction of a wide variety of animals native to the Eastern Cape, and successful regeneration of the land to pre-farming splendour has been going on since the first 660 hectares was purchased in 1989. Kariega now occupies 10,000 hectares and is home to Africa’s Big Five (Lion, Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra, Rhino).

We stayed at the rustic River Lodge, on the Kariega River, and with just ten accommodation places we joined small groups venturing out twice daily to catch the sights and get up close, and personal, with the animals.

I’ve selected just a small portfolio of photos from my ‘camera safari’ - but my memories are not limited by lack of space to share the results.

Lion Cubs waiting for a feed

"Look dear, this grass is yummy for white Rhinos"

Standing guard over the pride

Each day (6:30am and 4:30pm) we mounted the dark green Land Cruiser trucks to explore the reserve.

Early-riser

The roads are just tracks made by the trucks, and frequented by the animals, so the surface and condition is ‘variable’ - by that I mean, from relatively smooth, to deep ruts forcing us to slowly grind up and down steep hills in Low Range.

Animal Freeway!

The Land Cruisers handle the terrain easily, but the stiff spring rates ensured that our bums needed the padding of the seats! Somehow, that wasn’t what I would call comfortable. I’d say the padding was barely adequate, as we bounced around the reserve.

But, our ranger Zolani, skillfully navigated us across rolling plains and dense bush to find healthy and beautiful examples of the Big Five!

One day we parked just three metres from a big male Lion devouring the carcass of a Blessebuck!

Lion feast!

Post-lunch repose - It's Good to be The King!

Another day we stopped the Land Cruiser in the middle of a track as a family of elephants brushed past the truck, just millimetres from our jacket sleeves!

"Excuse us. Coming through."

Another day Zolani spent 30 minutes tracking a rare Black Rhino for us to photograph, 

Black Rhino

and later we sat, silently, waiting for a pair of hippos to raise themselves from the bottom of a bush pond.

"This is our pond. Right?"

It was a revelation to be able to sit safely in the company of such beautiful animals who are living in their natural surroundings, without fear of hunters. Sadly, not without fear from poachers, who manage to strike in even the most well-protected reserves.

Champagne at Sunset - Great way to end your day

One thing I should point out is that ‘professional hunting’ still goes on in Africa, and before animal rights activists rush to protest, it performs a useful service. The hunters pay a considerable amount of money to ‘remove’ old and ill beasts, and the money goes into improving conservation of the species’.

Mind you, I can’t fathom the personality of people who want to be led to a lonely bush location where they can kill a defenseless old lion! It takes all types!

Giraffe - at their most vulnerable

South Africa is a beautiful country, with many great assets, both natural, and man-managed. However, from my observation the post-apartheid period has seen the needle swing back as far to the other extreme as possible.

The economy is badly mis-managed, and the majority of the societies still suffer from tribal tensions and favouritism, lack of skills and job opportunities, as well as political populism. There are few skilled caucasian managers left, and many caucasian families, are leaving South Africa in droves, taking their skills, experience and expertise with them.

Despite the potential offered by some excellent universities, I believe it will continue to be the country’s biggest challenge; to properly educate (both academically and socially) the majority of its peoples, and to ensure the development of less opaque political management which can deliver stability and opportunity. If that doesn’t begin to happen soon, we will see an explosion of youth unemployment on a scale the world has never before witnessed.

However, let me tell you, all these serious matters pale into insignificance when you’re face to face with a roaring lion just metres from your Land Cruiser!