Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/345566
39 maltatoday, Sunday, 13 July 2014 Opel Cascada: Athletic, glamorous midsize convertible HSBC Malta participates in Demo-EV Cars International is putting an- other stunner on the Maltese roads – the all-new Opel Cascada. The Cascada, Opel's new all-season con- vertible, is a classy four-seater with an elongated silhouette and a high- quality soft top. Heading to the top of Opel's line- up, the Cascada is a midsize con- vertible not only by its size, but also by its allure and the premium tech- nologies and features it offers. The Cascada provides a sharp driving experience thanks to its super-rigid body, High Performance Strut (HiPerStrut) front suspension and FlexRide adaptive damping sys- tem. Its driver and passengers can enjoy the open-air feeling thanks to the premium soft top that can be opened at the touch of a button in 17 seconds while driving at speeds of up to 50 km/h. Electric seat belt presenters, exclu- sive Nappa leather and ventilated, ergonomic seats as well as invisible, watchful safety systems make life serene and safe. With its broad stance and a flowing continuity of sculptured shapes that is typical for Opel, the Cascada de- sign reflects the classic and timeless elegance of the "Grandes Routières" of a bygone and glamorous age. Top quality materials selected from suppliers of the most prestig- ious premium cabriolets are used to build Opel Cascada's soft-top. It benefits from superior acoustic and thermal insulation thanks to a spe- cial layer of polyester fleece between the outside layer and the interior lining. The Cascada's cockpit offers a striking, sculptural yet sporty design highlighted by precise, handcrafted details. The lines of the wing-shaped instrument panel, which features real stitching on soft, wrapped surfaces, flow into the doors, dynami- cally embracing the front-seat occupants. All new richly trimmed seats are offered in sev- eral elegantly embossed fabrics and leathers. The up-level AGR cer- tified ergonomic seats are wrapped in rich, soft Nappa leather and ben- efit from heating and ventilation systems: on hot, sunny days, fresh air is drawn through the holes in the perforated leather to in- crease front occupants' comfort. Securing them is easy and com- fortable due to the electric seat belt extender, which brings the seat belt within close reach using a telescop- ing arm. An electric Easy Entry sys- tem makes access to the rear seat swift and comfortable. Have a look and book a test-drive today. Visit Opel in Mdina Road, Qormi, send an email to opelsales@ cil.com.mt or call 2269 2122. Visit opel.com.mt or Facebook page Opel Malta. HSBC Bank Malta has trial-tested a battery electric vehicle (BEV) as part of the EU Life+ project Demo EV. The project, managed by the Min- istry For Transport & Infrastructure, is intended to initiate a better aware- ness of electric vehicles in Malta by offering cars for trial drives, gather- ing data on their performance, giv- ing information to the general pub- lic, and installing a country-wide EV charging network. HSBC tested a Renault Fluence ZE for a period of 2 months. During this time, the Bank gave as many people as possible, particularly staff, the op- portunity to view the car and enjoy a quiet ride. Around 100 persons took up the invitation, from adults with children to profes- sional engineers and motor mechanics. The car travelled over 2,500 kilometres during the trial period. Comments about the car were positive and varied from the zero emissions and zero noise in terms of the car's si- lent electric motor to the car's comfortable drive and powerful perform- ance. According to statistics collated by HSBC dur- ing the trial period, the electric vehicle travels a maximum distance of around 130kms on a full charge, and takes around 10 hours to fully recharge the batteries when plugged to a domestic socket outlet. The batteries charge much faster if plugged to one of the one hundred charging points installed around Malta and Gozo. "The car takes 22kWh of electric- ity to fully charge the batteries. Costs works out at 0.027c/km to run com- pared to 0.117c/km for my 900cc pet- rol car – a saving of almost 80% on running costs" said one HSBC staff member who test-drove the car. CO2 emissions for electrical power to charge the car equate to 113g/km compared to 150g/km for an equiva- lent petrol car, and the EV's carbon footprint will go even lower with the planned upgrades in power genera- tion. This fact proves wrong a common myth that electric vehicles have a carbon footprint equivalent to an in- ternal combustion engine (ICE) car. "HSBC has always been on the fore- front in terms of sustainability, re- ducing its carbon footprint by more than 25% in the past 6-years. DEMO EV is another initiative which the Bank is fully supporting, together with the government's target of putting 5,000 electric vehicles on the Maltese roads by 2020," said Mark Watkinson, CEO of HSBC Malta. More information is available via www.electricvehiclesmalta.eu Middlesea Insurance has launched the MotorMax Road Safety Com- petition, a competition that rewards safe driving habits. The competition is part of the launch of Motor Max Insurance, Malta's very first intelligent insur- ance which enables the company to customize insurance premiums based on driving habits for young drivers aged between 18 and 30. The product and competition also form part of Middlesea's commit- ment to increase awareness of re- sponsible road usage amongst the young generation. A total of 33 participants, have in- stalled a telematics device on their car and for a whole month between 27 June and 26 July will be compet- ing based on their driving habits. As part of the competition, par- ticipants stand to lose points if they exceed speed limits or if they use the car excessively during the night. A portion of the points awarded is also related to social media, in order to increase awareness of this social- ly responsible product. The winner of the competition will win 3 years free motor insurance, the person who places second will win 2 years free motor insurance and the second runner up will win one year of free motor insurance. Alfredo Munoz, Middlesea Insur- ance President and CEO said that the competition would help to nur- ture safe driving ambassadors, who will motivate their peers to also put safety first when driving. "This is one of the initiatives we are taking in order to educate driv- ers as well as pedestrians on road safety. We have already sponsored nationwide advertising campaigns as well as educational activities in schools. Apart from this, we are making insurance more accessible to the young generation." "Getting a driving license, buying a car and paying for fuel are already major expenses for most young driv- ers. Insurance need not be another burden, so they won't be charged higher premiums simply because of their age," added Fernando Docam- po, Assistant General Manager at Middlesea Insurance. Tonio Darmanin, presenter of Paq Paq, who is synonymous with mo- toring in Malta also attended the launch event. "I am delighted about the introduction of this product and I am looking forward to seeing how these young drivers' interact with this latest technology. "I'm sure that the participants will enjoy it and learn some important skills in the process of the competi- tion. For some motoring is a passion, and for others just a daily necessity, but in any case safety should always come first" he said. More information about the com- petition and the product can be ac- cessed via the website www.motor- maxmalta.com Middlesea Insurance p.l.c. (C-5553) is authorised by the Malta Financial Services Authority to carry on both Long Term and General Business under the Insurance Business Act, 1998. COM NO 270614 840 This summer season, the Grand Hotel Excelsior is launching the Tiki Village as its newest breath-taking venue by the water's edge. The Vil- lage has been set up close to the Ma- rina, so guests can revel in stunning harbour views while relaxing in a beautiful and exotic ambiance. The Tiki Village is comprised of 10 Villas, which can be rented out by guests, and its unique Blue Ocean Bar. Each Villa seats six people and additional seating is available within the venue. Guests can enjoy light snacks at lunchtime, and deli- cious platters will be served in the evening. The inception of the Tiki Vil- las took place in The Philippines when the hotel owners visited self- employed carpenters who earn their living by producing indigenous products. The base of the Villas is comprised of bamboo, while the roof is made of Nipa, a species of palm native to the coastlines of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Indeed the Villas are typical to the style of carpentry commonly used in The Philippines. By opting to purchase the Villas from self-employed carpenters, as opposed to buying mass-produced products, the Grand Hotel Excelsior is able to offer a more authentic ex- perience to guests. Furthermore the hotel is promoting Fair Trade whilst assisting workers in The Philippines to make a living and improve their quality of life. It is a shining exam- ple of Sustainable tourism put into practice. Events The Tiki Village at the Grand Hotel Excelsior – A shining example of Sustainable Tourism put into practice HSBC Malta Demo EV Renault Fluence, which was tested mostly by HSBC staff for a period of two months. A total of 33 participants, have installed a telematics device on their car and for a whole month will be competing based on their driving habits. Middlesea Insurance launches the MotorMax Road Safety Competition