IWOC Motoring News

Friday 28th May 2004

NISSAN CONCEPT WINS DESIGN AWARD

Nissan's latest Concept car, the Qashqai, has won a prestigious award at this year's Sunday Times Motor Show Live at the NEC, Birmingham. It made it to the top of the judges' list in the best Concept/Prototype category of the Institute of Vehicle Engineers (IVehE) Motor Show awards. The Qashqai was first exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year.

A number of expert automotive engineers and designers, all members of the Institute of Vehicle Engineers, were chosen to study and inspect new cars and concept vehicles on display at the British Motor Show. A stringent scoring system was used as the panel of judges worked their way through the different categories.

James Walker, Executive Director of the IVehE, said: "The Nissan Qashqai was picked out for its high quality of design and execution. This vehicle has lots of innovative features with an excellent load carrying capacity, aided by an outstanding seat configuration, which when folded up vertically gives exceptional accessibility to a well-designed interior.

He added: "The Qashqai is an excellent example of a modern lifestyle car, sophisticated for city life and adaptable for rural sporting use, with the ability to carry sports equipment from bicycles to surfboards."

The leading judge of the Concept Category, Brian Horner, Chief Executive of Visioneering UK Limited, said of the Qashqai: "The vehicle is beautifully built. It could easily be developed for economic production.

"This is a truly excellent concept vehicle."

The designers of the Qashqai were delighted at the news of this award. Makoto Yamane, Studio Chief Designer, said: "Winning this award is a great start to Nissan Design Europe's performance. I feel that the Qashqai project captures the vibrant flavour of our new studio surroundings in London and the international team which worked on the car."

He continued: "The Qashqai is a unique concept giving dual role in design and execution offering a mix of urban qualities with off-road toughness, a sign that Nissan is exploring new market segments.

"Everyone at Nissan is extremely proud to receive this award."

And Mat Weaver, Senior Designer at NDE, said: "Designing a concept car is very often a case of burning the midnight oil, so as the fruit of our hard work I'm honoured that the Qashqai has been recognised and awarded by the Institute of Vehicle Engineers. This concept is the first work from our new London design studio to be seen and with this fantastic start I'm looking forward to what we can offer in the future. Qashqai as a vehicle offers a look which is unique in its solid yet very agile appearance both inside and out."

He added, "I feel it's a car you can see yourself in, which for a concept car is not often the case, but it goes some way in proving that we are trying to bring the future closer to today."

The Qashqai combines coupé-like styling with the stance and authority of an off-road vehicle. The concept has four-wheel drive and ground clearance closer to that of a typical off-road vehicle, yet retains the looks, feel and driveability of a sporting hatchback.

Qashqai has a number of special features. The front doors open conventionally but the back doors are rear hinged and there is no central 'B' pillar. As a result, access to and from the passenger compartment is exceptionally easy.

A unique seating arrangement sees all four individual seats attached to a central backbone chassis rail. The seats can be folded upright, flush with the central rail, which leaves enough space for a bicycle to be stored easily inside the cabin without it having to be dismantled first.

A boot area behind the rear seats houses a safe for valuables and is approached via a split tailgate. Another thoughtful touch makes access to the luggage area from outside as simple as possible: the lower portion of the tailgate slides away underneath the body of the car when opened.

No more sleepless nights

Almost one fifth of people find that road traffic noise interferes with their sleep and 53% of people feel irritated, fed up or angry because of road traffic noise according to the RAC Foundation, calling for quieter road surfaces to mark Noise Action Day today (27).

The comments from the RAC Foundation follow a survey of attitudes to environmental noise. The survey found that road traffic noise was the most commonly reported source of noise in the UK:

84% of people reported hearing road traffic noise.
81% of people reported hearing noise from neighbours and/or people nearby.
71% of people reported hearing noise from aircraft.
36% of people reported hearing noise from trains or railways.

The survey results also show that road traffic noise interferes with:

Resting - 15% of respondents.
Having Windows / doors open - 19% of respondents.
Listening to TV, radio or music - 10% of respondents.
Spending time in the garden - 9% of respondents.

Whilst engine technology has improved with car engines 50% quieter than ten years ago, the main noise from the road is produced by the friction between the tyre and the road surface.

The Highways Agency has a target to install quieter road surfaces over 60% of the trunk road network by March 31st 2011. Improved road surfaces can reduce noise by four to eight decibels - the equivalent of more than halving the volume of traffic. The RAC Foundation is today urging government to get on with the backlog in the resurfacing of our roads and is pressing for local authorities to also use new quieter road surfaces on their roads.

The RAC Foundation is also concerned that the introduction of road humps on some inappropriate streets adds to noise pollution. Although, where appropriately positioned, these measures are effective in slowing traffic, their impact in terms of disturbance to residents from vehicle noise and ground vibrations, should be taken into account particularly where humps are planned close to lorry depots.

Edmund King, Executive Director of the RAC Foundation said:

"We are fully supportive of the objectives of Noise Action Day, campaigning for a quieter, more tranquil UK. Everybody deserves a decent night's sleep and yet currently 18% of people have problems sleeping due to road traffic noise.

"Noise management should be a key element in any transport strategy. The current backlog of road resurfacing projects should be made a priority, our roads should be free of potholes, road humps should be positioned appropriately, and people should be able to get on with their daily lives without constant interference from traffic noise.

"Improved road surfaces can reduce noise by four to eight decibels - the equivalent of more than halving the volume of traffic. Road resurfacing would go a long way to ensuring the nation gets more peace at night.

"Motorists themselves, have a role to play in reducing noise on our roads, by turning down their car stereos, not over-revving their engines, and making sure their alarms are not causing a nuisance to neighbours."

INVESTMENT BOOSTS UK PRODUCTION CAPACITY

Burnaston, 27 May 2004. Toyota will invest around £50 million in its UK car manufacturing plant in Derbyshire boosting annual production capacity to 285,000 Avensis and Corolla vehicles.

The announcement follows continued record customer demand for models across Europe. Toyota European sales went up 22% in the first quarter of 2004, with Corolla sales up 20% and record new Avensis sales, up 157%, compared to the same period last year.

Originally, as announced last year, Toyota Manufacturing UK had intended to increase its capacity at Burnaston to 270,000. Now in response to increased demand, the company will accelerate and expand its equipment investment programme. As a result it will raise capacity from 220,000 to 285,000 vehicles a year while maintaining a two shift working pattern.

Recruitment started last year and it is estimated around 500 members are still to be identified. The continuing growth also means significant development and promotion opportunities at the plant for existing company employees.

The investment has been welcomed by the Government. The Prime Minister Rt. Hon Tony Blair MP said: "I warmly welcome Toyota's decision to increase their investment at Burnaston, and the additional jobs that this will involve. This decision affirms Toyota's commitment to manufacturing in the UK as a central location within Europe. This is good news, not just for the company but also for the UK automotive industry as it gears up for the challenges of developing new and cleaner vehicle technologies of which Toyota is at the forefront."

Bryan Jackson, Managing Director, Toyota Manufacturing UK, said: "This new investment is further endorsement of the commitment and dedication of our members to building superior quality cars and reflects the importance of the UK to Toyota's growth in Europe.

"Toyota has had a terrific start to the year with European market share passing 5% for the first time and sales at record levels. This is a great opportunity for Toyota Manufacturing UK and its members."

MAZDA'S RENESIS ROTARY ENGINE HONOURED FOR A SECOND YEAR

Mazda's revolutionary RENESIS rotary engine, which powers the exciting Mazda RX-8 sports coupé, has won the trophy for best engine in the 2.5-litre to 3-litre category at this year's International Engine of the Year Awards.

This is RENESIS' fourth trophy in the world's most coveted engine awards contest. Last year RENESIS won Best New Engine, best in the 2.5-litre to 3-litre Category and was named overall winner as International Engine of the Year, on its way to setting a new record by receiving 44 of a possible 50 votes.

Jeff Guyton, Vice President Finance and Systems, CFO, Mazda Motor Europe was on hand to accept the award at the Engine Expo 2004 in Stuttgart, Germany. "After last year's achievement, I am truly honoured to be able to accept a fourth trophy for Mazda RX-8's RENESIS rotary engine," said Mr Guyton.

"On behalf of all of us at Mazda, I would like to thank the organisers for this award and, of course, the journalists who voted for us in this category. This fourth award confirms the fact that Mazda's long history of rotary engine expertise has paid off, not only for us, but for customers around the world."

The International Engine of the Year Award is widely recognised as the Oscars for engines and is presented yearly by UK & International Press Automotive Magazines.

This year's panel of judges was made up of 56 highly respected automotive journalists from 24 countries around the globe, including Germany's Wolfgang Peters, Paul Horrell from the UK, and Massimo Nascimbene from Italy. Engines were tested in the cars they power, and were judged according to engine refinement, drivability, environmental-friendliness, fuel economy, performance and desirability.

With its unique centre-opening doors, room for four adults, dynamic design and Mazda's newest rotary engine RENESIS under the hood, Mazda RX-8 was an immediate hit when it was launched in October last year. And its popularity continues unabated. In April this year, Mazda RX-8 had 20 per cent of the European sports car segment.

This is reflected in the UK by a 19 per cent share of the non-premium section of the S segment, (excluding the premium supercars of the S segment), to the end of April 2004. Over 5,000 Mazda RX-8s have been sold since launch in the UK, and 3,598 in 2004 so far, over 60 per cent of Mazda's original sales target for the year.

Its revolutionary RENESIS rotary engine achieves what many in the automotive world felt was not possible. It meets the 2005 Euro Stage IV emissions standard, gets good fuel economy, while retaining the compact size, and high-revving, high performance attributes of its rotary predecessors. It achieves this by including features such as a side-intake and exhaust layout, with larger ports and an expanded air intake.

After test-driving the Mazda RX-8, judge Peter Lyon said of RENESIS: "The most compact little powerhouse on the planet. This superb feat of engineering will spin to 9,000 revs all day long."

Further proof of the sporty, high-revving characteristics of Mazda RX-8's RENESIS engine is the fact that, with 2.6-litre displacement, it was successful against larger 3-litre engines powering such cars as the BMW 730d and the Mercedes C-Class.

Category: 2.5-litre to 3-litre

1.
Mazda RENESIS rotary 2.6-litre (RX-8)
252 points
2.
BMW Diesel 3-litre (330d, X3, 530d, X5, 730d)
242 points
3.
BMW 3-litre 6-cylinder (Z4, 330i, X3, 530i, X5, 730i)
189 points
4.
Subaru 3-litre flat six (Legacy, Outback)
133 points
5.
Audi Diesel 3-litre V6 (A6, A8)
70 points
6.
Mercedes-AMG Diesel 3-litre (C-Class)
68 points