Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

In gear

We take Porsche’s first diesel offering for a spin and discover the latest green option for city travel

Text Lisa Curtiss
Image Corbis

Cool commuting

Avoid traffic jams with the latest electric bikes

Driving to work through city centre traffic and finding somewhere to park can be a nightmare, but sitting on stuffy buses and trains is often not much better. The latest, hippest and probably greenest alternative is to go to work by bike.

However, if you’re not up to a strenuous daily cycling workout, snap up one of the new A2B electric bikes from Ultra Motor to carry you with ease wherever you need to go.

Stylish and lightweight, there’s a choice of the Metro – a ‘power-on-demand’ model you can choose to either pedal or cruise under power, and the Hybrid, a ‘pedal-assist’ bike, which you need to pedal but has an electric motor to boost your pedal input – perfect for those who want to keep fit but like to take it easy from time to time.

The Metro can travel at up to 25km/h and its battery, when fully charged, can run for 32km. The Hybrid does the same speed, but its battery can run for up to 80km. Recharging either costs just a few cents. There are several colour choices and a range of accessories available to enable you to carry laptops and other work items.

The A2B Metro costs around €2,300; the A2B Hybrid around €2,030.

www.ultramotor.com

Blood on the tracks

Motorsport rules cause mayhem as top teams threaten boycotts

Formula One, the World Touring Car Championship and Le Mans Series seem to be dogged with drama this year, thanks to the introduction of new rules and regulations. Ferrari and other teams have threatened to pull out of F1 next year unless the proposed budget capping is dropped, while WTCC leader Seat is also considering dropping out as it feels its competitiveness will be compromised thanks to a new turbo pressure limit being enforced.

Seat says the constant changes and technical restrictions, which affect only its cars, are breaking the stability, crucial balance and competitiveness between all participating makes. The team also claims the lack of clarity in the regulations and constant changes in the implementation by the FIA are hindering participants from fighting on an equal basis. “It’s impossible to race like this,” said Antonio Rodriguez, Seat Sport’s team manager.

As of the end of May, the impact on the drivers’ and manufacturers’ championships has been slight, with Seat Sport’s Yvan Muller and his team both in top spot. The pressure is now on for Seat to find a competitive solution before the next batch of races.

Feel the need for speed?

Bentley launches the ultimate car for summer driving

When it comes to glamorous drop-tops launched this year, the winner has to be the Bentley Continental GTC Speed.

Effortlessly marrying absolute luxury with serious performance, this is the carmaker’s most powerful convertible ever, and was inspired by the legendary Speed models from the 1920s.

Powered by a twin turbo-charged W12, it has 447kW with an enormous 750Nm of torque, delivering a top speed of 322km/h and a super-fast sprinting pace of 0-100km/h in just 4.8 seconds. It’s available from around €150,000.

In the news…

Jacques Villeneuve to return to F1?

Speaking to journalists at the Monaco Grand Prix, ex-Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve said he wouldn’t rule out a return to the grid and we might be in for a surprise. Part of the appeal, he said, is racing on slicks, which makes competing more exciting. One of F1’s naturally gifted and more colourful – not to mention outspoken – characters, his return would be welcomed by most.

JULY DIARY DATES

12 F1, Nürburgring, Germany;
26 F1, Budapest, Hungary;
31 Le Mans Series, Portugal; World Rally Championship, Finland

TEST DRIVE

Lisa Curtiss puts the first ever diesel-powered Porsche through its paces and finds the Cayenne a suprisingly versatile and agile beast

We all know Porsche as the creator of some truly special sports cars. Blisteringly fast beauties such as the 911 GT2, GT3 and Boxster S lead the class for power, pace and handling, luxury and quality of build. As to whether such cars are practical, you could be forgiven for assuming Porsche would rather leave the more mundane stuff to Mercedes and Audi. But, after decades of defiantly producing only petrol models, the first diesel Porsche has just hit the showrooms across Europe: a 176kW, 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel Cayenne, with fuel economy that’s almost twice that of any other Porsche.

Hailed as a spacious 4×4/luxury SUV with sports car performance and handling, the Cayenne is expected to be snapped up by families who want a car that’s engaging and good to drive. It’s reasonably priced for the quality and kudos of car and complement of equipment you get at around €45,000.

In the flesh, its imposing bulk means it isn’t as eye-catching as its sleeker sports car siblings, but it does allow you to carry three people in the rear and enough luggage for a family’s long-haul trip. To drive, it’s remarkably agile despite its size and two-ton-plus weight, and handles exceptionally well.

Precise steering and a limpet-like grip enable you to corner tight and true, making it more akin to a hot hatch than large SUV.

The ride is comfortable and firm without any hint of roll or wallow still commonly found in this type of car, and it’s an effortless cruiser. A hefty helping of torque enables it to pull away with gusto and overtake at ease, and the six-speed auto box is slick and refined. Perfect for both long journeys and the school run, it’s a versatile beast.

There’s no official word as to whether Porsche is planning to offer diesel in more models, although it’s said to be planning the launch of hybrid drivetrains as soon as 2010.

Spec

Displacement V6, 2,967cc
Maximum power output 176kW
Maximum torque 550Nm
Top speed 214km/h
0-100km/h acceleration 8.3 secs

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