Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/286290
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 30 MARCH 2014 42 MOTORING Jeep Renegade, new Cherokee premièred in Europe at 2014 Geneva Motor Show AFTER having set the new all-time global sales record for the second consecutive year with over 731,000 units sold across the globe in 2013, the Jeep brand has selected the 2014 Geneva Motor Show stage to showcase two important premières: the new Jeep Renegade and the new generation Jeep Cherokee. These two new models represent a further expression of the brand's constant evolution in terms of in- novation, technology and perform- ance, and consolidate the strategy of expanding the Jeep range world- wide. The new Jeep Renegade, dis- played in the Limited and Trail- hawk models, conveys its off-road capabilities and urban vocation by combining heritage with moder- nity. The Renegade Limited model features Alpine White exteriors and 'Ski Grey' leather interiors, and is equipped with the 1.4-litre petrol engine delivering 140 hp. The Trailhawk model, the best- in-class expression in terms of off-road performance and appoint- ments – ensured by the Jeep Active Drive Low full-time 4x4 system, f launts Omaha Orange exteriors with black leather interiors and is powered by the efficient 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine producing 170 hp, matched with the nine-speed automatic transmission. The new Jeep Cherokee reveals outstanding off-road capabilities that are specific to this trim level, featuring special bumpers and tyres and increased ground clear- ance. Distinctive also in the choice of the exterior colours, the Trail- hawks are displayed in Anvil and Deep Cherry Red with Black Mo- rocco interiors. Both are equipped with a 3.2-litre petrol engine deliv- ering 272 hp matched with the new nine-speed automatic transmis- sion. Beside the three previews un- veiled in Geneva, the Jeep stand hosted the models that mostly contributed to the extraordinary sales success the brand enjoyed in 2013. First and foremost is the f lagship, the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Undisputed leader also in terms of sales results - it was the top selling Jeep model globally in 2013 with 255,000 units – the Grand Chero- kee is displayed in two models of its top-of-the-range Summit trim level. The first has Granite Crystal ex- teriors and refined Grand Canyon Brown Natura Plus leather interi- ors, and is powered by the efficient 3.0-litre V-6 turbo diesel engine fitted with Multijet II technol- ogy and producing 250 hp and 570 Nm of torque. The second boasts Bright White exteriors and Black Morocco interiors, and is fitted with the powerful 5.7-litre V-8 pet- rol engine delivering 352 hp and 520 Nm of torque. With the interior, on the other hand, Mopar set out to prove that the current 'street' requirements can go hand in hand with some- thing no other brand can boast: the DNA that has made Jeep the authentic brand for more than 70 years. An entirely hand-made in- terior is precisely what was needed to reinforce this concept. EVS Race Truck smashes own personal record AFTER an absence of 6 years, the Express Trailers sponsored 1800BHP race truck, more popu- larly referred to as the EVS Race Truck, made a great comeback at the National Drag Racing Event when on Sunday the 16 March it managed to break its previ- ous record of 10.95 seconds over the Quarter of a Mile distance by clocking 10.8 seconds and reaching a top speed of 123mph. Just to put this into perspective, such timings are clocked by supercars, the likes of Ferrari 458, Nissan GT-R and the Bugatti Veyron. "I was very satisfied with the result especially when we take into con- sideration the fact that no upgrades or modifications have been made to the truck over the past six years and we just took off from where we left and chipped 0.15 seconds off the record. The only thing we did be- fore the race was clean up the truck and fill it up with fuel!" exclaimed Noel Vella, the engineer and driver of the truck, immediately following the event. Noel Vella is the Head of Fleet Maintenance and Director at Express Trailers. "Indeed, after six years, Noel lost none of his reflexes and skill and drove the EVS race truck to make a memorable comeback in great style, thrilling several enthusiasts and making us all proud," states Franco Azzopardi, Chairman and CEO of Express Trailers who operate the www.ShipLowCost.com service. "Our decision to bring the truck out of retirement had marketing motives but was based on parallel similarities in the inherent quali- ties of both the EVS Racing Team and Express Trailers - reliability, ef- ficiency and trustworthiness! These are the hallmark obsessions of both teams. We make conscious invest- ments to ensure we deliver up to the expectations of our client. The rac- ing team spares nothing to give the best performance." added Franco Azzopardi. Express Trailers is sponsoring the EVS Racing Team through the on- line delivery portal www.ShipLow- Cost.com, which has also gained a solid reputation as a reliable service being used by all those who buy online and wish to have their items delivered to their door by a reliable delivery service. The service puts no limit on size and weight and cus- tomers have been using the serv- ice to order anything from abroad. This service is in fact quite popular amongst car enthusiasts. For the video showing the EVS truck complete its record-breaking challenge and more photos visit ht- tps://www.facebook.com/EVSRac- ingTeam