EDITOR-IN-CHIEFDr. Khalid M Al-Shafi

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTWEDNESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2021PAGE 03 PAGE 04

Next Generation Mazda 3: Find the unique in you

Eclipse Cross 2021: Elegant and sporty

Japan is bolstering its autonomous driving ambitions with a new project to expand the use of self-driving vehicles in more than 40 locations around the country by 2025. The "Road to the L4" project aims to popularize advanced mobility services including Level 4 autonomous driving, wherein vehicles can operate without a human at the wheel.

It will include demonstrations of the technology to promote acceptance and understanding, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. One of the goals is to help revitalize communities.

"People including the elderly don't have ways to get around in rural areas," said Tatsuki Izawa, an assistant manager in the ministry's autonomous driving division. "If there are city-circular autonomous buses, they will be able to go shopping and have outings."

The government has earmarked about 6 billion yen ($55 million) for developing autonomous-driving services this fiscal year, including for the L4 project, which comes as many elderly Japanese give up driving. Almost 300,000 people aged 75 or over returning their licenses in 2020, according to the National Police Agency. The figure was even higher the previous year.

While companies such as Toyota and NEC are testing highly autonomous vehicles, this will be one of the first Level 4 government projects. One of its goals will be ensuring autonomous vehicles operate safely and effectively where there are other vehicles and humans.

"It's a big challenge" to transition to Level 4 from 3, Izawa said. "We will have to show people, through experiments, that safety can be assured as we're heading into a technologically tough area."

There's no perfect accident-proof technology and it takes major infrastructure investment for autonomous cars to become a reality, even in closed operating environments, said Takashi Oguchi, a professor of traffic engineering at Tokyo University who is part of the project. "No one has figured out an answer" on who takes responsibility and compensates in case of an accident, he said.

German lawmakers agreed in May to allow some Level 4 vehicles on public roads as soon as 2022. Japan revised laws in 2019 to allow Level 3 cars, which are capable of automated driving under certain conditions, to run on its roads.

Safety and consumer acceptance are the main barriers for autonomous vehicles, according to a recent study by Nottingham Trent University and

Qatar University researchers. A collision between a Toyota self-driving vehicle and a visually impaired Japanese athlete during the Tokyo Paralympics left him unable to compete in his event, reinforcing concerns over safety.

"It shows that autonomous vehicles are not yet realistic

for normal roads," Toyota President Akio Toyoda said in a video on Aug. 27 following the incident at the Paralympic Athletes' Village. There still aren't any rules for deciding whether autonomous cars or safety operators take responsibility, he said. Bloomberg

Japan steps up self-driving to revive rural areas, help elderly

MANAGING EDITORMohammed Osman Ali

SUPPLEMENT EDITORPramod Prabhakaran

ADVERTISING CO-ORDINATORMuhammad Shammas

DESIGNAbraham Augusthy

WEDNESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 20212

The MG ZS EV is the MG Motor’s first ever all-electric SUV available in Qatar. A stylish, compact SUV, the MG ZS EV is based on the

popular Middle East seller, the MG ZS, and is the first all-electric car from the British-born brand. MG’s first pure electric SUV represents the ideal opportunity for environmentally aware buyers to take their place among the region’s motoring trailblazers and is already making waves in markets around the world.

The all-electric MG ZS EV is available now in Auto Class Cars Showroom, the authorised distributor of MG in Qatar, on Salwa Road.

The new MG ZS EV is a highly ver-satile vehicle, capable of travelling for 335km NEDC on a single battery charge and is equipped with fast charging which allows up to 80 per cent of the battery to be re-charged in just 40 minutes. Power is delivered by a single electric motor that drives the front wheels and delivers 148bhp and 350Nm of torque – accelerating it from 0 – 100 km/h in just 8.2 seconds. The ternary lithium battery is based on Intelligent Power Balance Management with low pressure casting shell of war-ranty for 8 years/150,000km.

Sheikh Faleh Bin Nawaf Al Thani, Managing Director – Auto, NBK Group said: “MG Qatar and Auto Class Cars continue their effort to bring in the best cars to the Qatari market. Thanks to the all-electric SUV MG ZS EV, cus-tomers can drive now an efficient and friendly-environment car with latest technology features. Our strategy of supplying the latest electric and hybrid vehicles supports the environmental pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030 that promote sustainability, and we will continue our effort to accomplish our goals in presenting friendly envi-ronment vehicles with zero emissions”.

Qatar’s infrastructure is developing to support the demand for new electric vehicles. For customers’ convenience, the ZS EV comes with a home charging kit compatible with any power outlet at both home and office.

Tom Lee, Managing Director of MG Motor Middle East, said: “With the new

MG ZS EV, we want to encourage new car owners to join us on a bright and exciting journey into the future, built around a sustainable lifestyle. We want to spread an important message about sustainability, emphasising that each one of us can really make a difference. This is why MG is launching its #Start-Somewhere campaign, and why we are offering our first-ever 100% electric vehicle to customers”.

Based on the popular 1.5L petrol version of the MG ZS SUV, the new electric model is the perfect option for buyers looking for a stylish, reliable car with an affordable price tag, while simultaneously positioning them at the forefront of cutting-edge, new energy technology. As befitting a MG, it is well-equipped too. feature an advanced infotainment system with 8” touch screen and parking sensors, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assistance, and a push start engine button.

MG ZS EV is distinguished with its

luxurious, comfort and spacious interior with leather steering wheel with D-shaped flat bottom, in addition to soft touch, dash console material and premium finish. It is equipped with 360° turbo air vents that help air flows

anywhere you want.Providing peace-of-mind in terms

of safety, the five-star Euro NCAP-rated model is equipped as standard with ABS, EBD, EBA, hill assistance, auto hold, a tyre pressure monitoring system and

six airbags. The range-topping LUX model adds further neat touches such as a rear camera with dynamic guidance lines, panoramic sunroof, electrically adjustable driver’s seat, Warning system and 17” two-tone alloy wheels.

The ZS EV has a seatbelt reminder for the front and rear seats. A speed assistance system uses a camera to determine the local speed limit. This information is presented to the driver who can set the limiter to the appro-priate speed. A lane support system helps to prevent inadvertent drifting out of lane. During tests of the AEB system against another vehicle at highway speeds, low-speed impacts with the target meant that the radar had to be re-aligned and the system re-set several times. Such repeated activation of the AEB system and impact with a target is unrepre-sentative of the real world and the per-formance of the system was rated as good, with collisions avoided or miti-gated in most circumstances.

MG Motor unveils all-electric SUV MG ZS EV in Qatar

Volvo XC90 Recharge plug-in hybrid electric vehicle available in Qatar

The XC90 is Volvo’s large, seven-seat SUV and the company’s flagship. It was the first car to be launched on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), Volvo’s advanced modular product

platform that underpins all Volvo cars in the 90 and 60 Series.

Like its siblings S90 and V90, the XC90 carries the proud and confident face of Volvo’s design language, along with classic Volvo styling cues. Key features include the iconic “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlight design and the Volvo word mark on the rear. The car’s exterior design was upgraded for the 2020 model year with new wheels, exterior colors and a modern new grill, among other details.

In the cabin, the XC90 provides a calm and balanced environment with a blend of high-end materials such as wood, crystal and metal in a sophisticated Scandinavian design.

The XC90 is available as a seven-seat family SUV with premium Nappa leather interiors.

Connectivity and infotainment The XC90 is equipped with an intuitive

touch screen interface that combines car func-tions, navigation and a Harman Kardon sound system. The portrait-oriented touch screen enables easy and fast access to a host of func-tions and features. Smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also available.

Powertrain technology The XC90 is powered by Volvo’s Drive-E

powertrains, in a petrol variant as well as a T8 Twin Engine AWD petrol plug-in hybrid that delivers as much as 407hp. Its 4-cylinder engine is supercharged and turbocharged that

accelerates from 0 – 100 km/ hr in 5.8 sec.

Volvo’s Twin Engine plug-in hybrid delivers all the benefits of a high performance, low emission petrol engine with an electric motor that delivers power on demand with ultralow CO2 emissions and more than 40 km of pure electric range.

Safety and driver assistance Volvo’s leadership in the field of auto-

motive safety is confirmed in the XC90. The SPA platform has resulted in the strongest Volvo cars to date because of extensive use of boron steel, as well as numerous safety systems designed to protect people inside and outside the car.

Volvo’s City Safety technology, standard on all Volvo models, combines automatic braking functionality and collision avoidance

systems to cover a range of potential accident scenarios and help keep you safe. City Safety is the only system on the market that detects pedestrians, cyclists and large animals such as moose and deer.

The Pilot Assist driver assistance system works up to 130 km/h on clearly marked roads.

Volvo cars are distributed in Qatar by Doha Marketing Services Company (DOMASCO), a leading multi-brand company in Qatar and a member of the Al-Futtaim Group. It has a diversified portfolio of passenger cars, motor bikes, commercial vehicles, marine and power products, watches and electronics representing some of the world's most visible and award-winning brands. Al-Futtaim Automotive is one of five divisions within the Al-Futtaim Group which provides quality products and services that enrich people’s lives and aspira-tions each and every day.

WEDNESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2021 3

Next Generation Mazda3 embodies two characters. Sporty curves elicit a sense of excitement and freedom in the Hatch.

Sleek and elegant proportions give the impression of a single, dignified brush-stroke in the Sedan. Both feature a per-fectly crafted premium interior, cutting edge Skyactiv Technology and the latest in safety features. The result is an unparalleled connection to the road and the car.

An entire range of the new Mazda 3 sedan and hatchback models are on display at the Mazda showroom located at Al Nasr, Doha. National Car Company (NCC), the sole agent for Mazda in Qatar for over 4 decades, encourages its customers to take test drives and offers exclusive buying packages including 5 Year/Unlimited Km warranty on the entire range of sedans and SUVS.

Evolved Driving DynamicsNew Mazda 3 is the first among the

next generation models to lead Mazda into a bold new era. Blending beautiful design and exhilarating driving dynamics, Mazda3 was developed to inspire and create an emotional bond with its customers in two very distinct ways.

A completely new design approach was taken when styling the sedan and hatchback, each embodying strikingly different personalities. Mazda styled the hatchback with a more emotional design, while the sedan aims to present more elegant proportions. Both the hatchback and sedan models feature Mazda’s SKYACTIV-G 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter engine options providing class leading performance and driving pleasure.

Stunningly StylishMazda’s further-evolved KODO

design is skillfully applied to the sedan’s hood, cabin and trunk and evokes an air of elegance and sense of sleekness. The body features a hori-zontal flow that accentuates the look of a wide and low stance, while pre-senting a calmness that appeals to a sophisticated audience. In contrast, the hatchback is meant to be sportier and

more emotional, featuring aggressive body sides and C-pillars that do away with traditional body lines and adopt constantly shifting reflections. The hatchback design is topped with a roofline that suggests speed and helps express a powerful presence. Exclusive to the Mazda3 hatchback, Poly metal gray is a newly developed exterior besides the stunningly beautiful Soul red crystal and elegant and sophisti-cated Machine grey metallic.

Safety Above Everything ElseMazda3 features advanced levels

of safety for the ultimate in driving confidence. Mazda 3 comes with standard 7 Airbags including the knee airbags among many other active and passive safety features distinctly proving the leadership in passenger safety.

With an advanced suite of pro-active safety technologies, driver and the passengers can enjoy the drive with an assurance that you're being looked after with vigilant warning systems and responsive hazard protection, with more safety features than ever before now standard across the range.

Mazda’s i-ACTIVSENSE safety fea-tures in the Mazda3 Sedan and hatchback models include an all-new, first for the brand Driver Attention Alert that displays an alert and sound when it detects driver fatigue or decreased attentiveness, along with Smart City Brake Support, Smart Brake Support, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning with Lane-Keep Assist, High Beam Control and Mazda Radar Cruise Control.

Intuitive TechnologyThe new Mazda Connect info-

tainment system features Apple CarPlay® and Android® Auto dis-played on an 8.8-inch widescreen that faces the driver and is perfectly placed to keep focus on the road.

Mazda3 adds the latest technology to give you maximum driving enjoyment. An all-new Mazda Connect infotainment system with smartphone capability, new LED instrument panel and Active Driving Display are all just the beginning of a continuous series in the line up.

Also, standard is an all-new 3-way

layout 8-speaker sound system, new steering wheel design featuring illu-minated controls and switches, 7-inch TFT reconfigurable gauge cluster display, LED headlights and taillights, Bluetooth phone and audio pairing, remote keyless entry, push-button ignition, electronic parking brake, rearview camera and two USB audio inputs, amongst a long list of other standard features.

More Than Just a Colour Mazda’s new soul red crystal

exterior colour is an exclusive feature of the next generation Mazda 3. Cre-ating Soul Red Crystal was a chal-lenging process, and it required Mazda to reinvent the way cars are painted. Like any beautiful object, the way light dances across its surface are part of the beauty. The interplay of light and form inspired Mazda to create a paint with exceptional depth and reflective quality. To ensure such visual per-fection, new process called Takuminuri was developed, painting robots were effectively taught to duplicate the tech-niques of Mazda’s best craftsmen to achieve such a deep, lustrous finish to

get the feel of the cars as if they were painted by hand.

Premium RedefinedBuilding upon the features found in

standard models, the Mazda3 premium models are equipped with a BOSE premium 12-speaker audio system with custom tuning to provide more powerful bass and higher audio quality. Other upgrades to the audio are an aluminum speaker grille and shark fin antenna. The driver is comforted with 8-way power driver’s seat, power lumbar support and 2-position driver memory system, while also including heated front seats. This package also features new memory position door mirrors.

Mazda3 sedan comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, fabric seats and door trims, power windows with one-touch down/up feature. Mazda3 hatchback is standard with a rear roof spoiler, 18-inch alloy wheels, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto infotainment technologies, leather seats and door trims, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, automatic dual-zone climate control, power windows with one-touch driver down/up feature, rain-sensing windshield wipers and Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry.

Mazda3 Premium package grades also feature windshield-projected Active Driving Display, leather seats, power moonroof, signature front and rear LED lighting and Adaptive Front-lighting System. Mazda3 Premium package sedan includes paddle shifters while Mazda3 Premium hatchback offers 18-inch black finish alloy wheels and paddle shifters and is equipped with SKYACTIV-DRIVE six-speed auto-matic transmission.

The next generation Mazda3 offers two new interior color options. First is a new Greige interior color that com-bines the cool tones of gray with the soft feel of beige to create a pleasing sensation of vitality, warmth and sophistication. The refined red leather interior color is exclusive to the Mazda3 hatchback and offers a deep, vivid appearance that helps heighten the emotion of the exterior design.

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

Next Generation Mazda 3: Find the unique in you

WEDNESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 20214

The new crossover SUV Eclipse Cross 2021 offers dynamic performance and enjoys an overall enhanced exterior design, extended body length,

upgraded sleek and elegant interior, advanced technology, and intelligent safety features.

It is available now at the show-rooms of Qatar Automobiles Company, the authorized distributor of Mitsubishi in Qatar, on Salwa Road and in Al Khor.

Since its global debut in 2017 and coinciding with Mitsubishi Motors’ 100th-anniversary, the Eclipse Cross has sold over 270,000 units worldwide in over 100 countries. In a short period, the Eclipse Cross earned top honours by several prestigious global and regional award programs and scooped a total of 16 awards.

The Exterior Developed under the design

concept “Daring Grace”, the restyled front and rear design coupled with the extended body length create a more unified, sophisticated, sleek and sporty look of an SUV.

The front design of the new Eclipse Cross adopted Mitsubishi Motors’ elegant and sporty Dynamic Shield to express the powerful performance of an SUV. To complete the sharp-looking design, the refreshed lighting layout consists of dauntless front combination lights with daytime running lights and turn signals that emphasize a broader look. The pentagonal headlights (available in halogen and LED types) and fog lights are combined into two characteristic cylinders.

The elegant yet sporty form con-tinues to the rear. The double rear windows are merged into a single one for sleeker styling and clearer visibility.

The Eclipse Cross’s iconic three-dimensional combination taillights, which house signature lights, taillights, spotlights, turn signals and backup lights, are also placed higher for a dis-tinctive rear look that is easy to spot. The sculpted hexagon design expresses the robust stance of an SUV.

The vehicle’s profile is further enhanced with an optional newly designed ten-spoke two-tone 18” alloy wheels.

The Interior The interior of the Eclipse Cross is

as sophisticated and stylish as its exterior. The seats now enjoy a new light grey colour option in addition to the existing black one. The upgraded seat materials include a new black fabric pattern, new grey fabric, new synthetic leather (combination of suede

and artificial leather) and new genuine light grey leather.

Passengers can now enjoy a more comfortable ride, thanks to several upgrades in the rear seat's elements. The shape of the headrests is modified and larger, and the seats are 9-step adjustable to match the angle pref-erence and offer improved body posi-tioning for rear occupants.

The cargo area is more spacious and versatile. Large enough to fit four golf bags easily, even with five occu-pants inside, the luggage capacity is

increased by 19% compared to the pre-vious model. The rear seats can go flat with a 60:40 split foldable seatback to transport more items.

The new Eclipse Cross comes with an improved infotainment system that helps drivers operate safely on the road. The 8-inch Smartphone-link Display Audio (SDA) is now mounted and positioned closer to the driver for improved touchscreen operability and visibility. The SDA is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and allows intuitive operation of music,

calls, maps, messages and more. 2 USB ports are fitted below the AC control to make it more accessible and con-venient for both the driver and front passenger. A full-colour Head-Up Display (HUD) presents dashboard information, alerts and navigation signals that help drivers acquire infor-mation safely and quickly.

Performance Available in 2WD option, the

Eclipse Cross comes with two types of engine capacities; a 1.5L DOHC MIVEC turbocharged engine and a 2.0L DOHC MIVEC engine. MIVEC, which stands for Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic Control system, facilitates a more dynamic driving performance.

Boosted road performance is further strengthened by Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC). S-AWC offers inte-grated control of Active Stability Control (ASC), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), and Active Yaw Control (AYC) to reg-ulate braking force and torque. The control combined of these systems with fine-tuned rear suspension produces highly stable vehicle behaviour that is true to the driver’s intent.

Drivers can select different driving modes according to road and driving conditions. The Normal Mode provides the appropriate steering and stability for a broad range of driving scenarios, Snow Mode maintains stable vehicle movement on slippery surfaces, and Gravel Mode generates superior road handling and stability on poor surfaces.

Intelligent and Advanced Safety For the drivers’ peace of mind, the

Eclipse Cross enjoys intelligent and advanced safety features including Forward Collision Mitigation system (FCM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Multi Around Monitor, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mit-igation System (UMS), and parking monitor and sensors. The other active safety features include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Active Stability Control (ASC) with Traction Control (TCL), and Hill Start Assist (HSA).

Eclipse Cross 2021: Elegant and sporty with dynamic performance