Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

In gear

Skoda turns green, while Mazda launches a sporty little number and Honda bids au revoir to F1

Skoda so good

The low emissions market just got a Superb new addition
Skoda continues its quest into the low emissions market with the introduction of its Superb Greenline – following hot on the heels of the Fabia Greenline launched earlier in the year. Without compromising unduly on performance, its 1.9-litre TDI turbo diesel engine manages a hugely respectable combined figure of 5.1 litres/ 100km with the benefit of lower Co² emissions too. This has been achieved through weight reductions, low resistance tyres and improved aerodynamics. Available throughout Europe now from around €18,000.

Honda pulls out of F1

Takeo Fukui, President and CEO, Honda Motor Co, Ltd has confirmed the organisation has decided to withdraw from F1 and will not take part in 2009.

In an official statement issued he said: “This difficult decision has been made in light of the quickly deteriorating operating environment facing the global auto industry, brought on by the sub-prime problem in the United States, the deepening credit crisis and the sudden contraction of the world economies. Honda must protect its core business activities and secure the long term as widespread uncertainties in the economies around the globe continue to mount. A recovery is expected to take some time.

We will enter into consultation with the associates of Honda Racing F1 Team and its engine supplier Honda Racing Development regarding the future of the two companies.  
This will include offering the team for sale.

He added its “been an extremely difficult decision for us to come to this conclusion without having been able to fully meet the expectations of our fans. We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our fans and all those who have supported Honda’s Formula One efforts, including everyone in the world of Formula One.

All-new Mazda3 launched

Sporty and spacious the new Mazda is a joy to drive
Following the launch of the new Megane comes another bound-to-be-popular supermini – the second generation Mazda3. Sporty, spacious and much fresher in looks than its predecessor, it will be available in the new year in both 4-door saloon and 5-door hatchback forms with new, more power-efficient, frugal engines.

The new engine line-up has been tailored for European customers and now includes the newly developed 185PS or 150PS 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine in addition to the existing 1.6- and 2.0-litre petrol engines and the popular 1.6-litre turbo diesel.

All petrol engine versions of the new Mazda3 will offer advanced environmental performance, including the world’s first vehicle catalyst to be constructed using single nanotechnology. This new development enables Mazda to significantly reduce its use of scarce resources such as platinum and palladium.

In the news

Montoya not tempted to return to F1
With the 2009 driver line up being confirmed, fans will be disappointed that one of the most colourful characters in recent F1 history has turned down offers of a comeback. Juan Pablo Montoya now settled in America’s premier NASCAR series insists he’s “not interested in returning to F1.” Saying in an interview with Spanish news agency EFE: “I am very happy in the US, and so is my family. Truthfully, it has never gone through my head to go back to Formula One. What’s more, even if McLaren or Ferrari wanted me, I would not go,”

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