• The first in a range of high performance sports cars from the home of the world’s most successful racing car company
• McLaren MP4-12C set to re-write the rules of sports car design through Formula 1-inspired engineering, revolutionary chassis architecture, and absolute focus on efficiency
• Legendary McLaren F1 inspires concept; 21^st century demands drive McLaren MP4-12C execution
• McLaren MP4-12C represents ‘pure McLaren’; from unique engineering to bespoke design where everything is for a reason

The McLaren MP4-12C is revealed as the first in a range of high-performance sports cars from McLaren Automotive, the independent car division based at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, England. The 12C, and future models within the range, will challenge the world’s best sports cars, benefiting from the expertise and virtuosity of the McLaren Group.

Twenty years of sports car design, engineering and production combined with inspirational success in Formula 1 have driven Ron Dennis, McLaren Automotive Chairman, to announce his plans for the ultimate line-up of technology-led and customer-focused performance cars for the 21^st century. The rules in the sports car world are about to be re-written.

Through a rich modern history, McLaren’s automotive division has already built the world’s most critically acclaimed supercar, the McLaren F1 (1993-1998) and the world’s best-selling luxury supercar, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (2003-2009). McLaren Automotive now looks to the future with a new range of revolutionary sports cars.

“It is a long-held dream of mine to launch high performance sports cars that set new standards in the industry,” said Dennis.

“We began designing and building cars for aficionados of thoroughbred sports cars almost 20 years ago. Incorporating the leading edge technologies that the McLaren Group has built up within its various companies, I believe we are now perfectly placed to open up this new chapter in McLaren’s history as well as play a part in the regeneration of high-tech manufacturing in the UK and global automotive environment,” he concluded.

At its heart, the McLaren MP4-12C features a revolutionary carbon fibre chassis structure, the Carbon MonoCell: the first time a car in this market segment is based around such a strong and lightweight racing car engineering solution and the first time any car has ever featured a one-piece carbon fibre structure.

This step change in sports car design means that the 12C introduces new standards not just in handling, ride and outright performance, but also safety, economy and practicality in an already competitive sector.

Martin Whitmarsh, Team Principal of McLaren’s racing team highlighted the integral part that McLaren’s motorsport and road car experience played in developing the 12C: “McLaren has for years offered a potent mix of race car and road car technologies. This combination of McLaren’s performance heritage, and future demands on what is expected of high performance sports cars in the 21^st century, gave us a head-start when we embarked on this project. The 12C, and future variants, draws on the spirit of Formula 1 and delivers real-world technological advances.”

The first car from the new company, the McLaren MP4-12C, is a high performance two-seat mid-engine model in the ‘core’ sports car market segment for cars costing between £125,000 and £175,000. The 12C is pure McLaren, featuring no carryover parts from any other car, and will be produced by McLaren in the UK. It goes on sale through a dedicated, worldwide retailer network in early 2011.

“McLaren is already a car maker with maturity and experience, having produced iconic cars such as the F1,” said Antony Sheriff, McLaren Automotive Managing Director.

“The next step was to construct a range of pure McLaren high performance sports cars that are true to the company’s philosophy and reflect our position as an absolute technology and performance leader. So, when we embarked on the 12C project, we wanted to re-write the rules of sports car design. Indeed, the 12C offers performance and technology that exceeds that of the world’s most expensive and sophisticated supercars, while competing in a much more accessible market segment. And to achieve this result, we designed every component from scratch to meet the extreme goals of the 12C and avoid any compromise.”

“Forget what you know about sports car companies, McLaren is different,” he concluded.

Inside out

The heart of the new car is the Carbon MonoCell. McLaren pioneered the use of carbon composite construction in the 1981 Formula 1 MP4/1 model and set a trend that all Formula 1 teams have followed. The company brought carbon fibre to road cars for the first time with the 1993 McLaren F1 and then built on this experience with a carbon fibre chassis and body on the SLR manufactured to the same exacting standards, but in higher volumes.

So, until now, carbon chassis have remained the preserve of the most expensive exotic cars; a purchase for the super-rich where costs are driven by the complexity of carbon fibre chassis design and build.

The 12C changes this by introducing the advantages of carbon composite – light weight, high strength and torsional rigidity, and longevity – to a more affordable sector through its revolutionary engineering as a one-piece moulding. Never before has a carbon fibre chassis been produced this way.

The 12C MonoCell not only brings dynamic benefits, but also offers fundamental engineering opportunities that form the basis of the car’s unique character. It has been designed to allow a much narrower structure overall which in turn contributes to a more compact car that is easier to position on the road and more rewarding to drive.

Not only is the 12C unique in its class by offering carbon technology, it also has the highest specific power output as well as extraordinary power- and torque- to weight ratios. Furthermore, the Proactive Chassis Control system offers groundbreaking handling and ride comfort while an intense focus on occupant packaging offers new levels of comfort and everyday usability.

Antony Sheriff explained. “With the 12C we are redefining the relationship between performance and practicality, as well as performance and efficiency, achieving leading positions in both. We have designed this car from the inside out. We have a saying in McLaren – ‘everything for a reason’ and the 12C will surprise people in many ways.

“A clear illustration of its special qualities is in the efficiency of its power delivery. With the 12C’s power output of around 600hp and its low CO2 emissions, it delivers the highest horsepower to CO2 ratio of any car on the market today with an internal combustion engine…and that includes petrol and diesel hybrids,” Sheriff concluded.

Pure McLaren

All the parts of the McLaren MP4-12C are bespoke and unique to this car. Everything from the engine right down to the tailor-made switches and buttons is pure McLaren: nothing has come from another manufacturer’s parts bin.

The 12C is powered by a bespoke McLaren ‘M838T’ 3.8 litre, V8 twin-turbo engine producing around 600bhp, driving through a McLaren seven speed Seamless Shift dual clutch gearbox (SSG). It is targeting not only new standards for power and performance in its sector, but also class-leading fuel economy and CO2 emissions; supported by McLaren’s experience of active aerodynamics to aid cooling, grip, handling and road holding.

“The 12C is all about performance,” said Sheriff. “And in McLaren, we have a very broad definition of performance. We don’t just look at the traditional one-dimensional parameters like top speed, we focus equally on useable measures such as in-gear acceleration times, braking performance in all conditions, and efficiency of power delivery combined with the lowest possible fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Sure, 12C is very fast, but it is also the most efficient, most driveable high-performance sports car in the world.

“In the more subjective areas of road-holding, handling, comfort, driver involvement and day-to-day usability, McLaren is achieving new standards for a mid-engined high performance sports car in this sector,” he concluded.

Thorough engineering and market research led to concept development and a clear decision in favour of a mid-engined two door high performance sports car. Intensive work was carried out in the wind tunnel and the driving simulator to ensure that the new car would inherently have superb dynamic qualities.

Dick Glover, McLaren Automotive Technical Director, was closely involved with the development of these invaluable tools during his time with McLaren’s Formula 1 race team.

“There are so many examples of race car process and technology transfer in the 12C,” claimed Glover. “The car owes much to McLaren’s experience and success in motor sport. The advantage of technology transfer is only one element; speed of decision-making and development, F1 processes and people all make an important contribution.

“Brake Steer, for example, is a technology we pioneered on our Formula 1 car back in 1997. It helps to dial out understeer on entry to a corner and improves traction on the way out. Another is the Pre-Cog function on the gearshift rocker that effectively primes the gearbox ready for the next change, ensuring a more satisfying and faster gearchange. This is a high performance sports car with race car genes and teamwork at its heart.”

Adding lightness

Weight is the enemy of performance in every area of car design. It affects acceleration, speed, handling, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions – everything. McLaren Automotive engineers pursued weight saving obsessively. For example:

• The Carbon MonoCell not only reduces the weight of the structure but also allows for the use of much lighter weight body panels.

• The close position of the driver and passenger allows a narrower, lighter body while giving improved visibility with a clearer perception of the car’s extremities.

• Brakes with forged aluminium hubs save 8 kg and weigh less than optional carbon ceramic brakes.

• Lightweight exhaust pipes exit straight out the rear of the car, minimizing their length and weight.

• Airflow-assisted Airbrake deployment dramatically reduces weight of the Airbrake activation system.

• Small, compact downsized engine coupled to lightweight compact SSG minimizes vehicle length, weight and polar moment of inertia.

• Significant weight was pared off the alloy wheels through intensive Finite Element Analysis of wall thicknesses.

• The engine cooling radiators were mounted at the rear, as close to the engine as possible, to minimize the pipework, the fluids contained within them, and therefore weight. They were also mounted in car line to minimize vehicle width.

“We have spent most of the programme ‘adding lightness’,” said Mark Vinnels, McLaren Automotive Programme Director. “If the cost of reducing weight brought performance gains in speed, handling or economy, we did it. However, if the expense could deliver improved performance elsewhere we didn’t pursue it. We never set weight targets as such; we set cost-to-performance targets and examined everything in this way.

“A good example of this philosophy is that we considered carbon fibre body panels. They would have reduced weight but added little benefit as the new one-piece Carbon MonoCell provides all of the torsional strength the body needs. The costs saved were used elsewhere for greater weight reduction and efficiencies overall. This was the holistic approach to weight saving that we used all the way through development,” he concluded.

Design: everything for a reason

The McLaren MP4-12C design follows similar principles to McLaren’s Formula 1 cars, and the legendary McLaren F1, where everything is for a reason and all lines, surfaces, and details are designed with a job in mind as much as styled. This ensures that the 12C communicates its engineering through its styling and will remain timeless as a piece of automotive design.

Frank Stephenson, McLaren Automotive Design Director: “Many sports cars and super cars present an ‘in-your-face’, ‘look-at-me’ image that can become wearing and boorish; the ultimate backhanded compliment becomes, “…it was of its time”. Great design, however, is timeless and looks relevant years later. Take the McLaren F1 as an example. I hope that with the 12C we have produced a car that looks great today and will still look great in years to come.”

The 12C’s body has been styled to support sector-leading levels of downforce; downforce that then subsequently contributes to sector-leading levels of lateral grip and stability. Air flow has been manically managed to support all performance figures and light weight targets. For example, placing the radiators adjacent to the engine keeps the car narrow and reduces weight. However, this results in a huge challenge of ensuring ample air flow to the radiators. The result? The large side air scoops and integrated turning vanes that are dramatic, but purely functional. No larger or smaller than required.

The designer’s challenge is to then take that styling purpose driven by engineering aspirations and add personality. That’s why the air scoops resemble the McLaren logo in form, as do other features around the car.

Just two ‘pure’ lines flow round the car and, when combined with the integration of several dramatic convex and concave surfaces, present a car that looks compact, low and well proportioned.

The market opportunity for McLaren

“I am confident that now is the right time for McLaren Automotive to become a full line high performance sports car manufacturer,” stated Ron Dennis.

“Worldwide demand for high performance cars is strong, in large part because of great cars from great competitors. With McLaren joining that list, it will grow stronger still. What we are offering is a new approach to the market, through a skilled, solid, debt-free and risk-managed company. McLaren is right to take this step now and support future growth of high-technology manufacturing and engineering jobs in the UK,” Dennis declared.

The market for high performance sports cars has grown substantially since the turn of the century. McLaren divides the market into segments that encompass both more comfort–orientated GT cars and the hard-edged supercars for road and track use.

The ‘core’ segment runs from around £125,000 to £175,000 featuring such cars as the Ferrari 458, Lamborghini Gallardo, Porsche 911 Turbo, Bentley Continental GT and Aston Martin DB9. A second segment is the ‘high’ category with prices ranging from £175,000 to £250,000 and consists largely of front-engined GT cars such as Ferrari’s 599 GTB and 612, with just one mid-engined contender, the Lamborghini Murcielago.

The final segment is the ‘ultimate’ group, a sector more or less initiated by the McLaren F1 in 1993 and now populated by a select group of cars including the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, Bugatti Veyron, and cars from the likes of Pagani and Koenigsegg that followed legends such as the Porsche Carrera GT and Ferrari Enzo. In 2011, McLaren will bring technology and performance exclusive to this ‘ultimate’ sector into the ‘core’ segment.

Although the recent economic downturn has affected the performance car sector, just as it has the entire motor industry, McLaren Automotive believes that the ‘core’ segment’s growth from 8,000 sales in 2000 to more than 28,000 in 2007 highlights the potential that exists and that it will soon return to at least 2007 levels.

“By the time the 12C is launched in 2011 we expect the economic conditions to be much improved. We have already seen significant interest in the car and the supply of the 12C will be relatively scarce; in its first year we plan to produce just 1,000 cars which represents only 3.5 percent of the ‘core’ market,” explained Antony Sheriff.

“We have created ground-breaking new technology, lightweight engineering solutions, and harnessed real-world motor racing applications. It brings new levels of performance, fuel efficiency and practicality to the 12C’s segment. And it will be more exclusive than its principal competition with a price that reflects its lack of ubiquity,” he said.

McLaren Automotive will distribute the 12C and future models through a brand-new retail network in all global markets.

Exclusivity, exquisite design, and a passionate focus on delivering a wonderful ownership experience will ensure that the small number of retailers around the world are taking on an attractive new brand. This approach will drive excellent customer service and a virtuous circle that retains McLaren customers and brings in new converts as the range expands.

McLaren MP4-12C – what’s in a name?

The name of the new McLaren sports car is MP4-12C.

What does this signify? As one might expect at McLaren, everything has a purpose and the nomenclature is no exception.

• ‘MP4’ has been the chassis designation for all McLaren Formula 1 cars since 1981. It stands for McLaren Project 4, resulting from the merger of Ron Dennis’ Project 4 organisation with McLaren.

• The ‘12’ refers to McLaren’s internal Vehicle Performance Index through which it rates key performance criteria both for competitors and for its own cars. The criteria combine power, weight, emissions, and aerodynamic efficiency. The coalition of all these values delivers an overall performance index that has been used as a benchmark throughout the car’s development.

• The ‘C’ refers to Carbon, highlighting the unique application of carbon fibre technology to the future range of McLaren sports cars.

The elements of this name represent everything that the McLaren MP4-12C stands for:

-‘MP4’ represents the racing bloodline

-‘12’ represents the focus on complete performance and efficiency

-‘C’ represents the revolutionary Carbon MonoCell

“We are very proud of the McLaren MP4-12C and all the teamwork, intelligent thought and sheer effort that have gone into developing this car. What drives people at McLaren is ‘passion’ – if you cut them, they bleed McLaren. And there is no doubt in my mind that the 12C fully reflects that focus, drive and determination in its performance, style and ownership potential,” said Ron Dennis, McLaren Automotive Chairman.

“This is the start of an exciting new chapter in McLaren’s history, in British high-technology engineering and manufacturing, and in global sports car design. We aim to be the best, but will leave that ultimate judgement to our first customers in 2011. Until then, we will strive to put one name at the top of the ‘most wanted’ list for buyers of high performance sports cars; ‘McLaren’,” he concluded.

The McLaren MP4-12C:

inside and out, and in detail

A carbon fibre heart

Light weight and performance are defining philosophies at McLaren. But outright power alone is of little significance if a car’s weight saps output or if that power is unmanageable and compromises the driving experience or results in unacceptable emissions.

Fundamentally, it is critical to keep weight as low as possible. Increased customer demands for safety and advanced features all mean that shaving weight is ever more difficult. However, at McLaren saving weight remains a passion and at the heart of the McLaren MP4-12C is a carbon fibre composite chassis: the Carbon MonoCell.

This revolutionary structure is the automotive version of a McLaren innovation that started with Formula 1 back in 1981 and delivers both weight savings and performance gains. It is a technology cascade in which McLaren brought carbon composite technology from the aerospace industry to make the MP4/1 F1 car, the first Formula 1 car to benefit from the strength, weight and safety of carbon fibre.

McLaren’s Formula 1 carbon fibre technology then offered the company the opportunity of applying its expertise to road car applications. The first ever road car to be constructed of this material was the McLaren F1 produced in 1993, albeit in small numbers. The F1 was followed by the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren that also shared this rare expertise.

Only a handful of other cars in the market offer such technology today and all of them lie in the ‘ultimate’ segment. No manufacturer has brought the advantages of carbon composite technology to a more affordable sector of the market. But the 12C does, through engineering passion and a relentless pursuit of efficiency.

So, McLaren did it first with the F1, the world’s fastest car for many years, then in the highest volume with SLR, which almost doubled the volume of the next highest produced carbon fibre-based high performance sports car by selling over 2,100 units. Now, through revolutionary one-piece moulding of the MonoCell, McLaren brings a carbon composite chassis down to the ‘core’ category, where currently only traditional metal structures are offered.

The advantages this technology brings are light weight, high torsional rigidity, a very strong safety cell, low perishability, ease of repair and extreme dimensional accuracy.

The 12C MonoCell weighs less than 80 kg. Carbon fibre contributes to the car’s low overall weight and it forms the structural basis for the whole car. The tub’s torsional rigidity is considerably stiffer than a comparable alloy structure.

This inherent lack of flex means the unique front suspension system, which is mounted directly onto the MonoCell, requires less compromise for flex of the suspension itself. Therefore, it is easier to develop the unique balance between fine ride and precise handling that McLaren has targeted. The MonoCell also offers greater occupant safety. It acts as a safety survival cell, as it does for a Formula 1 car.

Carbon composites do not degrade over time like metal structures that fatigue. One is able to get into a 15-year-old McLaren F1 and there is none of the tiredness or lack of structural integrity that afflicts traditional cars that have suffered a hard life. The 12C will feel as good as new in this respect for decades.

And in the event of an accident, the light weight aluminium alloy front and rear structures are designed to absorb impact forces in a crash and can be replaced relatively easily. Aluminium extrusions and castings are jig welded into the finished assembly and bolted directly to the MonoCell. Cars with full aluminium chassis use their structure to absorb and crumple on impact, which implies more fundamental damage (and expense) to the whole structure, including the passenger cell, in a major accident.

McLaren has pioneered a new carbon fibre production process that allows the MonoCell to be produced to exacting quality standards, in a single piece, in only four hours, compared to the dozens of carbon components (and dozens of production hours) that normally feature in a carbon fibre chassis structure. This naturally brings huge efficiency and quality benefits. The MonoCell project is managed by Claudio Santoni, McLaren Automotive Body Structures Function Manager.

“It was clear that we needed to develop a car with a carbon fibre structure. After all, McLaren has never made a car with a metal chassis!” said Santoni.

“The whole 12C project is based on the concept of the MonoCell. This means that McLaren can launch into the market with greater performance than our rivals and a safer structure. To put it into perspective, if the costs and complexity of producing a McLaren F1 carbon fibre chassis are taken as a factor of 100, the 12C chassis production costs are reduced to a factor of seven or eight, without degrading the strength or quality of the carbon fibre structure. And this step-change in technology could make its way into more mainstream cars,” he concluded.

Getting the production process right is the result of five years of extensive research. Now that the process is perfected, it allows McLaren to produce the MonoCell repeatedly at very high quality.

“Not many people in the automobile world work to standards demanded by the aerospace industry,” claimed Mark Vinnels, McLaren Automotive Programme Director.

“Our ability to analyse and predict the performance of carbon fibre is in line with aerospace technology and is truly world class, particularly in the sense of predicting failure, which is obviously key in managing crash events and passive safety.

“We can now predict failure levels at individual ply level in the carbon composite and the results are absolutely correlating with what we predicted,” he concluded.

The finished MonoCell emerges in one piece and this new process could revolutionise car design. It avoids the need to bond different parts to make the whole structure, as with all other carbon fibre cars. It is hollow, saving further weight, and the integrity of production ensures the location of suspension and ancillaries is accurate to the finest of tolerances.

Powertrain: pure McLaren

The McLaren MP4-12C is powered by a twin-turbocharged, 3.8 litre 90? V8 engine – the ‘M838T’. This marks the start of a new era in ‘core’ segment sports cars – smaller capacity, lighter weight, higher efficiency and more economical power units. The engine has the highest specific power output in its segment which, when allied to its low weight carbon composite chassis, delivers exemplary power- and torque- to weight ratios.

’M838T’ is a unique McLaren power unit, developed specifically for the 12C. It is compact, lightweight, very stiff, and offers an uncompromising combination of very high performance and good driveability, with excellent economy and CO2 emission values.

Taking power and emissions in combination (measured by its horsepower to CO2 ratio), the 12C delivers its power at greater efficiency than any other car on the market with an internal combustion engine, including hybrids.

‘M838T’ features dual variable valve timing and produces around 600bhp and 600Nm of torque. A dry sump and flat plane crankshaft allow the engine to be placed extremely low in the chassis thereby lowering the centre of gravity and improving handling responses. It also features composite cam covers and intake manifolds, which reduce weight and heat transmission into the charge air, as well as Nikasil-coated aluminium liners for further weight reduction.

The McLaren engine revs to 8,500rpm, has quick transient throttle response and delivers its abundant torque throughout the rev range. A staggering 80 per cent of torque is available at below 2,000rpm, ensuring great driveability and no need to floor the throttle to deliver performance.

And it delivers a great soundtrack to highlight the engine’s performance, flexibility and driveability. The sound of the engine has been thoroughly engineered through exhaust manifold design and tuning of the exhaust and intake systems to deliver a unique engine note.

The high level exhaust pipes exit through a mixing box, rather than a conventional and heavy silencer box. All parts of the exhaust system up to the mixing box feature sandwich layer heat-shielding that helps reduce heat from the engine bay. In just an 18mm gap, exhaust gas temperatures reduce from 900^OC to 300^OC.

The engine drives the rear wheels through two wet clutches and a McLaren-developed seven speed Seamless Shift dual clutch gearbox (SSG).

The Seamless Shift technology offers variable programmes ranging from ‘normal’ for road use and ‘sport’ for quicker changes still, right up to a lightning quick high performance mode. In addition an ‘automatic’ mode, ‘launch control’ and ‘winter’ modes can be selected, the latter changing all electronic functions to suit low friction conditions and delivering maximum driver aid and support. There is no traditional manual transmission offered; the two pedal layout offered further scope to create a narrow, and therefore light, car.

The 12C’s SSG is a development on the automated and sequential manual gearboxes with paddle shifts that proliferate in the car market today. The character of the transmission will engage even experienced drivers with its responsiveness and its contribution to the whole dynamic package.

With minimal torque loss, there is none of the lurch, hesitation or unpredictability that characterise traditional automated-manual transmission systems.

Design of the SSG system was driven by a demanding mechanical package that not only reduced weight and improved dynamic control for the entire vehicle, but also delivered driver benefits.

It is lightweight and compact in design and positioned in exactly the best location. The input shaft lies very close to the output shaft to help position the entire powertrain low in the vehicle. Twin secondary shafts ensure any rear axle weight overhang is minimised and rear crash performance is uncompromised. The bespoke SSG is further complemented by an entirely new control system.

This obsessive attention to detail comes as second nature to McLaren, but is not just there to satisfy the engineers’ passions. McLaren’s designers have also engineered the system to work seamlessly with the driver.

The system reduces weight and benefits packaging targets, but also ensures that driving programmes and shift strategies take the driver’s own inputs and uses them to directly control the engine’s torque and speed to deliver performance, economy or comfort as requested.

Gears are changed using a Formula 1 style rocker shift that pivots in the centre of the steering wheel. It is actuated on either side of the steering wheel (pulling right changes up, pulling left down).

As with the McLaren Formula 1 car, a shift can be actuated either by pulling or by pushing on the rocker. The rocker moves with the steering wheel, rather than being mounted on the steering column, so that if a gearchange is needed while lock is being applied the driver does not have to fumble around to change gear.

The rocker itself incorporates an innovative feature created by McLaren engineers called Pre-Cog. The name stands for pre-cognition, literally ‘foreknowledge’. The rocker on the 12C has two positions with a slightly different haptic (or feel) for each. The driver applies first pressure to the rocker and it informs the gearbox to get ready to swap ratios, thereby saving time – latency – between the message being sent and the gearbox being primed to act. The second pressure confirms that the gear should be changed and the torque handover is completed in milliseconds.

“What Pre-Cog actually does is initiate the shift process by priming the clutch and torque handover – it takes significant time out of the process,” explained Dick Glover, Technical Director McLaren Automotive.

“It’s a little bit like the first pressure on a camera shutter button. There’s no requirement for the driver to use it but it is more satisfying and engaging if you do. The SSG also promotes seamless shifting in which the driver doesn’t have to reduce engine power at all – rather than the gearshift slowing you down, it actually speeds the car up by recovering the energy of the crank spinning as it drops engine speed,” he said.

In practice the latency of the shift is virtually zero, the actual gear change time is very fast and the level of impulse can be varied according to the gearbox mode. Considering that McLaren was the first Formula 1 team to introduce seamless shift gearchanges into motor racing, it was a natural step to develop such a bespoke transmission to its sports car project.

Chassis: Proactive control

The suspension for the McLaren MP4-12C breaks new ground, offering hitherto unseen levels of roll control and grip (an almost flat cornering attitude, depending on the programme selected).

Although such track-like responses would normally imply a rock-hard ride, the 12C delivers compliance and ride comfort more akin to an executive saloon car. The mix of occupant cosseting and sporting potential is truly unique. The 12C offers the driver both class-leading ride comfort and class-leading performance.

The whole chassis package produces not only a unique relationship between ride and handling, but also astonishing lateral grip and outstanding traction. The 12C is poised and balanced whether negotiating high or low speed corners, during direction changes, under heavy or light braking and on tightening or opening corners.

The trick behind blending such opposing objectives lies in the innovative Proactive Chassis Control system, uncompromised geometry, and weight distribution.

The suspension is based on double wishbones with coil springs. The dampers are interconnected hydraulically and provide adaptive responses depending on both road conditions and driver preference.

The Proactive system features adjustable roll control which replaces the mechanical anti-roll bars that have been a standard feature of road cars since time immemorial. It allows the car to maintain precise roll control under heavy cornering while decoupling the suspension in a straight line for excellent wheel articulation and compliance.

There are three suspension modes that are selected on the Active Dynamics Panel. As with the powertrain adjustment, there is a ‘normal’, a ‘sport’ mode and a high performance mode which adjusts numerous parameters in the system.

Not only is the Proactive suspension a unique application that delivers absolute benefits to driver and passenger, but it is also another example of McLaren’s drive to achieve all-round performance goals from core engineering targets.

For example, the unique blend of a compliant ride with ultra-sharp handling also delivers ownership benefits as it protects suspension bushes from wear and tear, with McLaren’s research suggesting a potential for up to ten times more mileage than on some competitor cars. Also, the hydraulic pump that supports the dampers is the same pump that supports the electro-hydraulic steering system. Why use two pumps when one – small and lightweight – pump will do?

The powertrain packaging also contributes to the 12C’s handling prowess.

The engine is mounted low down in order to lower the centre of gravity while the radiators are rear-mounted and reduce weight by saving on long piping to and from the engine (and the fluids they would hold). The value of rear-mounted radiators is key to the 12C’s handling and balance. The more weight that can be concentrated within the wheelbase and towards the centre of gravity, the lower the polar moment of inertia, thereby improving corner turn in.

Another feature that helps the 12C to handle at a new level is a development of an electronic system used by McLaren’s 1997 MP4/12 Formula 1 car, – Brake Steer. In essence, it is a system that brakes the inside rear wheel when the car is entering a corner too quickly to make the desired radius. Under normal circumstances the front would wash away wide of the apex the driver wants to touch: in other words, the car is in a state of understeer.

Brake Steer manages the tendency of a car to wash out and brings its nose back on line. It assesses the steering angle to determine the driver’s intended course and applies the inside rear brake to increase yaw rate and resume the desired course.

The system also works on acceleration out of a corner when the inside rear has a tendency to spin, allowing the driver to put power down more quickly. It controls what a limited slip differential would do and obviates the need for such a complex and heavy unit, thus saving more valuable kilos.

The standard brakes for the 12C reduce overall vehicle and unsprung mass. McLaren has developed a composite braking system that uses a forged aluminium bell that attaches to the cast iron disc. This solution maintained the excellent brake feel of a cast iron disc while saving 8 kg. Carbon ceramic brakes will be available as an option, offering fade-free braking performance during high performance driving, but the standard composite brake system is actually lighter than the larger carbon ceramic units.

The design of the standard cast alloy wheels (19” front, 20” rear) was driven by McLaren’s light weight objectives: the light weight styling was agreed in concept, then the wheel was tuned using Finite Element Analysis to take a further 4kg out of the wheels. Bespoke Pirelli tyres have been developed in conjunction with McLaren specifically for the 12C.

An array of electronic aids is fitted to the 12C that will assist and protect the less-experienced driver, or when conditions challenge even the best. These include ABS, ESP, ASR traction control, Electronic Brake Distribution, Hill Hold and Brake Steer. The level of intervention varies according to the handling mode selected.

Design: everything for a reason

The McLaren MP4-12C has been designed around a demanding mechanical package that puts emphasis on aerodynamics, compact dimensions, performance and efficiency, practicality and comfort. Although the design of the 12C was driven by aerodynamics, it aims to remain contemporary and elegant throughout its lifetime as well as distinctive among its peers.

Frank Stephenson, McLaren Automotive Design Director, helped finalise the design: “Like most designers it’s a boyhood dream to work with high performance sports cars. They are the purest expression of speed and purpose and, with increased consumer demand in this market and environmental aims to the fore, offer designers the ultimate challenge. The 12C design was therefore led by aerodynamics. At McLaren we have been able to use the Formula 1 techniques and the huge expertise that the company has amassed at the pinnacle of the sport,” explained Stephenson.

“All the fins, vents and the flat underbody are there for a reason. No styling addenda have been incorporated for appeal or style alone. This aerodynamic purity explains why this car can hit top speed with great stability without resorting to tea tray wings or deep front air dams. I really feel that the styling communicates the 12C’s engineering integrity and technical benefits and it is this purity that makes the design timeless.”

The overall design theme supports engineering aerodynamic ambitions. Purity of lines then give the car its character. Successful car design is based on proportions and McLaren’s styling team, whilst driven by the demands of the purest airflow, honed a mix of concave and convex surfaces that present balanced proportions and a feeling of lightness. Nothing is out of place on the car and surfaces interact smoothly and with purpose; surfaces that are integrated into the whole of the car along two continuous lines that flow round the body.

The front is very low since it does not have to house large engine cooling radiators, two of which are mounted longitudinally at the sides. This offers the added benefit of segment-leading space for storage under the bonnet.

The 12C’s face is dominated by large and distinctive air intakes and bi-xenon headlights with LED running lights inspired by the form of the McLaren logo. The McLaren logo itself also graces the bonnet of a car for the first time.

Illumination from the running lights bleeds into three distinctive gills just above the headlamps. The windscreen is deep and low for superb forward visibility and redolent of the McLaren F1: in wet weather it is swept by a single weight-saving pantograph wiper blade, as was the F1.

Stephenson again: “The 12C does not reproduce the F1 design but it unashamedly builds on its functionally-driven engineering and design highlights such as the large, deep windscreen and the low cowl to give the driver good visibility for accurate placement on the road. Any similarities are there for a reason.”

From the side, the 12C cannot be mistaken for another sports car. The dominant side air inlets act as turning vanes and help direct cooling air over the side radiators. This shape was designed and optimised using McLaren’s extensive computational fluid dynamics capability. Likewise, the scalloped shoulders drive airflow to the airbrake, thereby enhancing its effectiveness in the aerodynamic package.

The other prevailing design characteristics are the dihedral doors (a hereditary gene from the McLaren F1), which has a clear purpose, like every other element of McLaren’s design ethos.

The concept of dihedral doors is simply to allow the driver and passenger to get into and out of the car as easily as possible as well as allowing a smaller door opening than would otherwise be necessary.

The simple act of moving the door forward and upwards invites the driver to step across the sill and sit in the car more easily. In tighter parking situations, dihedral doors allow ingress and egress in a situation where another car has parked too closely. In traditional door systems a huge parking space is necessary to permit the doors to open wide enough.

With its single hinge, the dihedral doors offer weight-saving features and are unique to the McLaren brand. As is the unique handle-free door entry system.

The 12C’s rear is unique. It has an aggressive, business-like appearance with its downforce-optimised rear diffuser. The exhaust pipes exit high and in the centre of the car and the rear end is open to ensure efficient evacuation of hot air from the engine bay. The engine itself is visible through the top deck. The LED tail light clusters do not dominate the rear and are hidden behind horizontal black bars. They are only visible when illuminated: the two upper bars light up as LED brake lights and turn indicators.

Aerodynamic efficiency drove the 12C’s design. High downforce helps maintain traction, cornering ability and stability while low drag aids top speed and acceleration. It has a completely flat underbody and smooth upper body surfaces to yield a highly effective drag coefficient and generate very high levels of balanced downforce at high speed.

A nose splitter gives more downforce at the front while guide vanes near the front and rear wheels help to increase downforce with minimal drag penalty and direct air towards the all-important diffuser at the rear.

The active Airbrake is another innovation that made its debut on the F1 supercar and was also incorporated into the SLR. It deploys hydraulically under braking, or when the driver wants to trim the car for increased downforce by using a switch on the Active Dynamics Panel.

Under braking, a piston operated by transmission hydraulics raises the Airbrake to a certain angle. Once a small amount of wing angle is pushed into the airflow, the centre of aerodynamic pressure forces the bottom of the ‘wing’ back. In this way, it raises the airbrake to maximum angle using the ‘free’ airflow rather than relying on another mechanical device.

The Airbrake moves the centre of pressure of the 12C rearwards, whereas it would normally move forward under braking. It improves yaw stability under braking and allows the brakes to work more effectively due to increased downforce. It is also a weight-saving solution that took almost 50 per cent of weight out of the mechanism.

Overall, the 12C is lower, shorter and narrower than key competitors, but has much shorter front and rear overhangs due to its longer wheelbase – a layout that promotes stability and assists handling response.

Inside: it all starts with the driver

Packaging was fundamental to the McLaren MP4-12C design challenge. Externally, the car had to be compact, yet internally it had to offer an unparalleled driver and passenger environment where comfort and driving enjoyment at all levels were not compromised.

“With the interior, we have created a real step forward in the packaging of a sports car. Moving the driver and passenger closer together improves driving control and moving the pedals inboard improves the problem of wheel well intrusion. We also repackaged many of the major components that normally sit under the dashboard to allow for more space and a unique form. Packaging is one of the 12C’s really strong points,” said Frank Stephenson.

But the creativity of the interior design itself aimed to set new standards. The whole focus is on making the 12C cockpit a uniquely comfortable and functional space. The design offers a symmetry that wraps around the occupants and makes them feel not only physically, but also emotionally comfortable.

The interior is extremely space efficient and is designed to accommodate 98^thpercentile adults in comfort. This has been partly achieved by the 7 inch touch screen telematics system oriented in ‘portrait’ mode. This is a first for the automotive industry and is more intuitive than ‘landscape’ orientation – we read down a page and our mobile telephones and other personal information devices are configured this way.

This is one of the many reasons the 12C design is able to buck the trend towards ever wider sporting cars. The innovative information centre provides all normal telematics functions such as audio, navigation and telephony, while providing some new features never before seen in a car. Meridian, the renowned producer of state-of-the-art sound systems, is developing its first ever in-car system for the 12C.

McLaren designers paid great attention to all-round visibility for both safety and driving precision.

The low cowl gives a full six degrees downward vision from eye height and, importantly, allows the driver a clear view of the front of the car. The view of the top of the front wings, with the highest point positioned directly above the centre of the wheel, also facilitates perfect placement of the 12C in a corner. Rear vision is excellent too and an internal buttress with a rear three-quarter glass provides a clear rearward view.

The steering wheel is probably the most important sensory item for any driver. Apart from the feel and feedback from the front wheels, the actual grip and design of the wheel itself is paramount. The steering wheel is ‘clean’ – there are no buttons to distract the driver. It also needs to be small and very tactile.

McLaren designers and engineers found the solution to the steering wheel design challenge under their own roof. Having employed an advanced and compact airbag, the steering wheel design was then inspired by McLaren’s racing expertise.

The steering wheel grip of the 12C is as technically precise as a McLaren racing driver’s wheel.

This is because past Formula 1 championship-winning drivers’ grips were modelled and scanned and the most effective feel and thickness of their wheels was replicated for a high performance road car.

Such attention to detail is to be found throughout the McLaren 12C’s interior and the car does not suffer an over abundance of switches, knobs and dials.

The layout and ergonomics of the interior are aided by the 12C’s packaging. The driver and passenger sit closer together, giving the driver a better feeling of control for placing the car on the road accurately as well as leaving more room between the driver and the door panel. This allows not only more space for arm movements during hard driving, but also provided space for an additional ‘door console’.

Like the McLaren F1, the driver has controls on both sides, which allows for a rational positioning of switches:

• Climate controls on each door console

• Telematics on the upper centre console

• Active Dynamics Panel on the middle centre console

• Transmission and minor controls on the tunnel console

• Trip computer and cruise controls on steering column

As such, all groups of controls have their own place and are accessible within a hand’s distance from the steering wheel. The instrument cluster has a large central tachometer and digital speed readout. Behind the steering wheel (and moving with it) is a Formula 1-inspired rocker for changing gears. It has been engineered to deliver a Formula 1 haptic. The science of haptics has been applied to all the controls in order to generate a consistent and high quality feel. All the controls are bespoke, designed exclusively by McLaren, and not a single one has come from the parts bin of another manufacturer.

The Active Dynamics Panel provides two rotary switches and four push buttons:

• ‘Start/Stop’

• ‘Active’ activates all the dynamic controls.

• ‘Winter’ sets powertrain, suspension and electronic aids to maximum driver support.

• ‘Launch’ initiates the launch control system.

The two rotary switches control ‘powertrain’ and ‘handling’, each having three position settings for normal, sport and high performance driving modes.

• ‘Powertrain’ changes throttle response, gearbox strategy, shift times and impulse (how much one can feel the gearchange). The coaxial ‘Manual’ button controls use of manual gearbox functions.

• ‘Handling’ changes stability control, steering weight, suspension firmness and roll stiffness. The coaxial ‘Aero’ button allows the driver to deploy the airbrake for increased downforce.

The supportive, light weight seat is comfortable and electrically-adjustable for height. There is plenty of stowage space in the car with a shelf behind the seats big enough for small bags and a ‘floating’ centre console that leaves space beneath for a large storage container.

The interior’s simplicity belies a world-class level of comfort and safety features that will include a full quota of airbags, fully automatic dual zone climate control, sophisticated telematics and audio systems, parking sensors, trip computer, cruise control and electric memory seats.

Testing and simulation

McLaren has developed one of the most sophisticated driving simulators in the world. It is an immensely powerful tool that can be used to predict handling, performance, and a multitude of other dynamic properties.

The simulator was initially designed to improve the performance of the Formula 1 cars. But it has also been used intensively in the design and development process for the 12C, where modelling offers the opportunity to test likely outcomes without having to build a component that might turn out to be inadequate. It saves both money and time and it is perhaps the most effective technology transfer from Formula 1 to road cars; the handling and suspension of the McLaren MP4-12C was developed using exactly the same tools and techniques as the McLaren Formula 1 cars.

The crash test requirements are a good example of how simulation helps speed up development. Long before the first Carbon MonoCell had been constructed, the design had been through hundreds of passive crash test simulations. When the time came to submit a real world crash test, the 12C passed with flying colours.

“Outside of McLaren, it is almost unknown to meet our standards out of the box,” said Dick Glover, “but simulation worked out perfectly for us. It is difficult enough to achieve first time success like this with just a relatively predictable, ductile aluminium structure yet McLaren managed first time out with a its MonoCell and added aluminium structures. We are very proud of that.”

Simulation didn’t stop at the design stage. Although over 20 prototypes have been built for an exhaustive test programme around the globe, the simulator remains a key tool and a differentiator from most competitors.

Different engineering teams have cars undergoing specialized testing including hot weather in Bahrain in the height of the 2009 summer, cold weather testing in the Arctic, engine development, gearbox calibration, electrical testing and ride, handling and durability programmes.

Before the first prototype was available, the dynamic test team, aided by professional racing driver and McLaren test driver Chris Goodwin, tested early parts on the simulator as well as a development chassis and various engine mules. When dynamic testing started, development and constant refinement of engine, gearbox, tyres, aerodynamics, braking, steering and suspension began in earnest to match all projected values and targets.

The testing programme moved into a more ‘aggressive’ phase following the principles of Formula 1 testing where a car and dozens of people maximise track time during the day and work on improvements overnight. The principle is ‘why test one thing when you can do ten’. Prototypes went to a test track for six weeks with all the experts and suppliers. The car followed a rigorous regime of testing almost 24 hours a day, seven days a week for six weeks. This turbocharged programme accelerated the development time.

Production

The production process for the McLaren MP4-12C will enable McLaren to build on its recent success of record production volumes and quality for a luxury supercar with the SLR.

The McLaren Production System brings a large scale lean production mentality into a small-scale, flexible operation. The process is championed by Production Director, Alan Foster’s, experiences at Japanese and European car manufacturers.

“Quality is the most important thing to customers,” said Foster, “and quality management is a fundamental part of building a McLaren. For my team it is an absolute passion. It doesn’t matter whether a customer is spending ten thousand pounds or a million, it is their money and they rightly expect to have pride in their purchase and be satisfied with it. Our goal is to ensure that we exceed customers’ expectations,” he concluded.

12C volumes will remain low, but will require a change of mindset for McLaren’s production line teams as the company moves to higher volumes. But the build process will still focus on craftsmanship, a hand-built philosophy but with a lot of science behind it. Quality gates will ensure that a car cannot leave a work station until everything is completed perfectly.

McLaren will maintain its high standards of final approval before a car can be released.

The build of prototypes has already proven the robustness of this approach because investment in the manufacturing assembly fixtures that will actually be used in production has already prepared the team and shown the build process to be on track. The 12C station cycle times have already been reduced by almost a further 20 per cent through knowledge gained from building the prototypes. In short, the risk has been removed from the production process so that final production quality will be guaranteed.

Aftersales, retail distribution, personalisation

Not only is McLaren establishing a new company, a new production plant, an all-new high performance sports car engineered and developed in house….it is also building a global network of retail distribution partners.

This small number of super operators will deliver the dedication and purposefulness necessary to ensure an ownership experience for the 12C that is as good as the car itself.

Ease of repairability, low-cost of servicing and maintenance, and availability of parts are of paramount importance to this customer relationship and have been key targets since the beginning of the 12C project. McLaren aims to offer segment leading performance here too. The principle being that a high performance sports car should not just be a pleasure to drive, but also to own; a car that is efficient to run and own retains its residual value and ensures its owner becomes a repeat purchaser.

Early planning indicates that 25 per cent of sales will be made in the UK, 25 per cent in the USA and the remainder to the rest of the world, notably Germany and mainland Europe, the Middle East and some Far Eastern countries. Although the McLaren MP4-12C has a comprehensive standard specification, customers for such an exclusive car want to have the ability to specify bespoke items, interiors and special equipment for their own car. McLaren has extensive experience of meeting these needs for McLaren F1 and SLR customers.

For example, the 12C will be available in a broad range of exterior paint colours and interior colours and configurations, while carbon fibre components and lightweight forged wheels will reduce weight yet further.

In summary

Motor racing began the McLaren story, but the latest chapter sees the company take that inspiration and develop it further on the road – and track.

McLaren has a heritage that spans 45 years during which time it has won 164 Grand Prix, 12 F1 World Championship Driver’s titles and eight Constructor’s titles.

McLaren achieved the most dominant season ever in F1 (15 wins out of 16 races in 1988) just as it dominated the Can-Am championship winning five titles in the late 1960s and early 1970s. McLaren has also won three Indianapolis 500 races and the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours at its first attempt in 1995.

McLaren remains the only manufacturer to win the F1 World Championship, the Indianapolis 500 and Le Mans – the ’triple crown’ of the motor sport world.

On top of McLaren’s racing record it can lay claim to a road car heritage spanning 20 years, having produced the fastest production road car in history, the McLaren F1. Success does indeed breed success and McLaren intends to continue in this vein.

“McLaren Automotive is well on the way to offering not only an extraordinary new sports car but also to building an innovative new company,” explained Antony Sheriff, McLaren Automotive Managing Director.

“It is an exciting time for all of us at McLaren. We have built a new company, we are constructing a new global dealer network and a purpose-built production plant and, of course we are launching the first pure McLaren car for more than a decade. The best way I can describe the McLaren MP4-12C is to say it is not a ‘but’ car, it is an ‘and’ car:

• It offers class-leading performance and class-leading economy and CO2 emissions

• It has small dimensions and great packaging

• It is well-equipped with high safety standards and is lightweight

• It has dramatic dynamic potential and the ride quality of an executive saloon car

“When we embarked on the 12C project, we set ourselves ambitious targets. After all, building a car that matches the performance of competitors is not good enough for us. With a McLaren badge on the front, it needs to be the best.”

“So we developed everything from scratch because it was the only way we could ensure we met our ambitious goals and did not compromise the car- a new chassis concept, new engine, new gearbox, new suspension system, new telematics system; everything is new. As exciting as it has been for us, we hope the 12C will prove even more exciting for our customers,” Sheriff concluded.

“I am really proud of what the whole McLaren Automotive team has achieved with the 12C,” said Ron Dennis, McLaren Automotive Chairman.

“We respect and admire our competitors in the high performance sports car market, just as we do in the world of Formula 1, but I also believe that fierce competition drives technology and innovation and produces ever better products.

“With the McLaren MP4-12C we are determined to deliver the best car in its sector by almost any measure. It is our philosophy to push what is possible in car design and engineering and bring innovation and engineering excellence to the performance car world. We have an incredibly dedicated team at McLaren who continue to drive this company to ever greater achievements, and the 12C represents the passion within, as the first of this new range of performance cars from McLaren,” he concluded.
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However, yesterday morning the roads were entirely submerged in water that even trucks could not pass through. By nightfall, the conditions worsened. Several officials were stationed at the junction to not allow any cars to pass through the road.

“If any vehicle tries to pass through, it will be taking a hugerisks as it could be dragged away by the current,” they said.

They said even though the rain has subsided many hours ago, the river has been overflowing miles away deep in the interiors.

Villagers who were lucky to get out early before the floods got worse. - PHOTOS: ROSLI ABIDIN YAHYA

A family who lives just a few metres inside said they would not risk their lives by wading through the water to go to their houses.

“We will wait here. But we are worried about our relatives who are trapped inside the house.

“We just hope the situation will not get worse. For some of us we are lucky to get out early in the morning but we think we need to stay in the hotels at Limbang town tonight,” they said adding that the floods got worse by 7am.

Officials stationed at the road junction to stop vehicles from attempting to pass through.

• Over 500 people stranded at Limbang-Brunei border
• FLOODS WORSEN IN MALAYSIA’S SABAH STATE
• INDONESIA: FLOODS FORCE BANDUNG RESIDENTS TO CLIMB HOUSE ROOFS
• INDIA:33 RESCUED AFTER FLASH FLOODS IN JAMMU’S CHENAB RIVER
• Border control reports fewer travellers despite school holidays
• Pick up hits drain amid flash floods
• NUMBER OF EVACUEES RISE AS FLOOD WORSENS IN MALAYSIA’S SABAH STATE
• Rain or shine life goes on

Birth

Al-Marhum was born on 23rd September 1914 in Kampong Sultan Lama which was a ward of the famous Kampong Ayer (Water Village) in Brunei Town.

Education

Al-Marhum underwent a traditional Islamic education in the palace. It was an informal education based on reading and memorising the Holy Quran. Classical literary texts of ‘hikayat’ and ‘syair’ especially with historical and didactic themes were also taught.

Al-Marhum Omar Ali Saifuddien received his formal education from 1932-36 in the Malay College in Kuala Kangsar, Malaya (now Malaysia).

Early Career

When Al-Marhum returned from his studies in Malaya, he entered the state administrative service with the encouragement of R. E. Turnbull. His first appointment was as a cadet in the Forestry Department stationed in Kuala Belait. After a year he joined the Judiciary as a cadet. Here he was able to learn aspects of the Civil Procedure Code and the Criminal Procedure Code from the Assistant Resident Hughes Hallet. The young prince also attended court proceedings to acquire a practical knowledge of law.

In 1941, until the end of the Japanese occupation in 1945, Al-Marhum worked with Enche Ibrahim bin Muhammad Jahfar, as an administrator in the office of the British Resident. In February 1942, he was appointed to the State Council and at the request of the Japanese Sub-district Commander, Kimura, he began work at the Japanese Governor’s office.

Apart from working in the civil service, Al-Marhum was also active in the nationalist movement in Brunei. Al-Marhum was the president of the Kesatuan Melayu Brunei (KMB) which was set up in 1939. He was a strong supporter of Barisan Pemuda.

Al-Marhum Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien was installed as Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Pengiran Bendahara Seri Maharaja Permaisura by his brother Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin in 1947. Shortly afterwards, he was appointed chairman of the Syariah Court. Al-Marhum was the first member of the royal family to suggest fact-finding visits to the villages. This demonstrated Al-Marhum’s early commitment to improving the socio-economic standards and welfare of the people.

Accession To The Throne

On 4 June 1950 Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin died, leaving no male heir to succeed him. He was succeeded by Duli Pengiran Bendahara Omar Ali Saifuddien who was proclaimed the 28th Sultan on 6 June 1950. The coronation took place at Lapau DiRaja (The Royal Ceremonial Hall) on 31 May 1951.

It was during this ceremony that Al-Marhum was awarded the British medal, the Champion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG). When he visited London in 1953 to attend the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II of England, he was awarded the Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George which gave him the title ‘Sir’.

Family

On 6 September 1941, Al-Marhum Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien married Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Damit binti Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman, the grand-daughter of Al-Marhum Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin.

The royal couple had four sons and six daughters. The eldest son, KDYMM Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah is the present Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam. His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bolkiah, the second son, is the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Hobbies

When Al-Marhum was young he liked many games such as top spinning, ‘tarik kalat’ (tug of war), ‘pancak silat’, ‘kuit’ and ‘tatak garis’. This showed his penchant for the traditions and culture of Brunei. Al-Marhum always made sure to win and this helped him to develop a strong sense of determination. Later, Al-Marhum took a keen interest in football, hockey, squash and badminton. Besides playing games, he collected different types of kris and walking sticks.

Al-Marhum Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien had a considerable literary talent as well. Al-Marhum wrote a number of poems. Among them are ‘Syair Perlembagaan Negeri Brunei Darussalam’ which expresses his ambitions for Brunei to be a sovereign nation with full independence and ‘Syair Asli Rajang Hari’ which describes his hopes for his nation and his experience of hardship and pain. Other notable poetic works are ‘Syair Nasihat’, ‘Syair Perkakas Perkarangan’, ‘Rampaian Laila Syair’, ‘Syair Laila Cinta’, ‘Syair Laila Jenaka’ and ‘Syair Kemerdekaan’. Each of these poems is unique in conveying Al-Marhum’s vision for the future and his plans, advice and guidance. For Al-Marhum’s contributions in the field of literature he was honoured with the title of ‘The Royal Poet’.

Achievements

On his accession to the throne, Al-Marhum set out to work for an improved standard of living for all his people. His seventeen years of rule (1950-1967) witnessed economic, social and political development that took Brunei confidently as a modern country into the twentieth century.

Al-Marhum Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien’s concern for his people found expression in the First and Second Five Year Development Plans. The Plans provided for considerable expansion of the education system throughout the state. English schools were built, scholarships to overseas institutions were provided and school children were assured of at least one free meal a day. Religious schools were given utmost priority.

Hospitals, clinics were set up and dental services to schools were provided. Other improvements included programmes for the eradication of dysentery and malaria. The plan also covered a system for state electrification, development of roads and telecommunication systems, swamp reclamation and resettlement.

New industries proposed included manufacturing industries based on petroleum, natural gas, silica sand and forest products.

The Religious Affairs Department was established in 1955 and by the 1959 Brunei Constitution, Islam was made the official religion of Negara Brunei Darussalam. The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, an exquisite example of Muslim architecture, was built in the capital in 1958.

The Royal Brunei Malay Regiment (presently known as the Royal Brunei Armed Forces) was set up in 1961. The Currency Board was established in 1967.

Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien’s reign also marked significant changes in Brunei’s political development. Before the written Constitution was drawn up, the administration was in the hands of the British Residents. After consistent planning and effective diplomacy with the Colonial Office in London, he signed the first written constitution with Sir Robert Scott at the Lapau on 29th September 1959. By this Constitution, Brunei was responsible for its own internal administration. Thus ended the Residential System in Brunei.

Another important aspect of his rule was the 1961 Nationality Enactment. For the first time, law was written on national status so nationals could be registered.

One of the most important decisions made by Al-Marhum during his reign was to maintain and strengthen Brunei’s sovereignty, and he decided not to join the Federation of Malaysia on 8 July 1963.

Abdication

On 4 October 1967, Al-Marhum Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin III voluntarily abdicated in favour of his eldest son, Yang Teramat Mulia Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota Hassanal Bolkiah.

After the abdication, Al-Marhum was then known as Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Maulana Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien. His Royal Highness continued to be active and supportive, both as a father and as a statesman. He was untiringly involved in council meetings and discussions, especially those concerning the independence treaty.

At midnight on 31 December 1983, when Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah proclaimed the Declaration of Independence, the people joined Paduka Seri Begawan in chanting “Allahu Akbar”.

In 1984, when the Cabinet was established Al-Marhum became the Minister of Defence

Demise

Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien III passed away peacefully on 7 September 1986 and was laid to rest in the Royal Mausoleum bringing to an end an era of transition in Brunei. He had promoted peace, security and well-being among his people. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah provided a fitting eulogy, “His name will be a source of national pride and he will be talked about through the ages”. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II described his death as a “sad loss for Britain”. Other heads of state also remarked on Al-Marhum’s vision, foresight and generous service to his people.

During his reign, Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien managed to achieve extraordinary objectives and ensured the preservation of an independent Malay Muslim Monarchy in the modern world. He proved that small nations could survive. To commemorate the Sultan’s rule, Brunei Town was renamed Bandar Seri Begawan

References:
1. Leading The People to Happiness Forever.
2. Penyair Diraja – Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien; Brunei History Centre, 1987.

Researched & Compiled by:
Mrs. Shanta Singh
History Department
MSPSBS.

Source: MAKTAB SAINS PADUKA SERI BEGAWAN SULTAN
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HRH also witnessed two demonstrations, which involved freeing a victim from a mangled vehicle and saving lives from a burning building.

Fire & Rescue Cadets, comprising students from Berakas, Sayyidina Hussein and Awang Semaun secondary schools, showed what they were made of by demonstrating their fire-fighting skills. The cadets were led by Cikgu Muhammad Azhar bin Hj Md Salleh, the temporarily supervising teacher.

“Volunteering firefighters” from Kg Setia ‘B’ also took part in the day-long event.

The number 50 was prominently displayed by Fire & Rescue personnel during the grand finale of the Golden Jubilee celebration yesterday.

Earlier, HRH inspected a Royal Guard of Honour and toured an exhibition highlighting the accomplishments of the Fire & Rescue Department, as well as modern equipment used for fire-fighting and rescue operations.

The exhibition will be open to the public today.

The Fire Services Department, which was established in 1960, was renamed to Fire & Rescue Department on March 9, 2006 by the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Mohd Yusof.
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Also in attendance was the Minister of Communications, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Hj Awg Abu Bakar Hj Apong, who got up close and personal with the award winning coupe, introduced to the local market in August last year.

Perhaps Audi’s most popular feature is the LED daytime running lights. According to a European safety research, 50 per cent of all accidents, which occurs at junctions during the day, are caused by not seeing other road users in time.

Experts, as a solution to the problem, recommended switching on the dipped-beam headlights during the day or use additional daytime running lights. Due to this reason, all Audi models now have daytime running lights with LED light sources, which provide visibility to other road users.

A representative explaining the safety features to the Minister of Communications. - LYNA MOHAMAD

Audi Hold Assist is yet another feature in the line up of options that prevents the car from rolling away when it is driven on a slope and drive-off refinement is also enhanced. To find out more about the Audi A5 coupe or other Audi models, call 2390725 for further details or visit www.audi-brunei.com.
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Among the visitors were Minister of Communications, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong who took a closer look at the award winning coupe which was introduced to the local market in August last year.

Probably Audi’s most popular feature recently are its use of LED daytime running lights.

Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong (L) checking the new Audi A5 coupe. Picture: Courtesy of TCY Motors

Other safety highlights of the Audi A5 coupe include Electromechanical Parking Brake which holds the car at a standstill and includes drive-off assistance and emergency braking function when on the move at all four wheels.

Audi Hold Assist is another option that prevents the car from rolling away when it is driven off on a slope. Drive-off refinement is enhanced and there is a road safety benefit too.

The Brunei Times
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FIFTY of Brunei’s firefighters last night embarked on the first 50km, 10-hour endurance road march.

The number of the team members and the distance covered signified the 50th anniversary of the Fire and Rescue Department.

Thirty-seven male and 13 female fire personnel joined the march dubbed the “Fire & Rescue Endurance” to mark the department’s golden anniversary.

The team was led by Station Officer (SO) Mohd Rosdy Hj Abd Halim, Deputy Station Officer (SO) Pg Hashim Pg Hj Othman, Assistant Station Officer (ASO) Unding Anak Lagat and ABK101 Tahir Hj Ahad.

Policemen escorted the firefighters throughout their journey to ensure the safety of the marchers.

In addition the team also carried with them 30 breathing apparatus, six paraguard stretcher and six snap tank.

The march began from the Bandar Seri Begawan fire station with the Fire and Rescue Department’s headquarters in Old Airport, Berakas as their final destination.

Fire and Rescue personnel getting ready for the 50km, 10-hour endurance road march to mark the department's Golden Jubilee. Picture: BT/Zamri Zainal

The marchers’ expected time of arrival at the Fire and Rescue Department headquarters was estimated at 7am today.

The endurance march involved walking through the main road in Bandar Seri Begawan, Jln Kumbang Pasang, Jln Berakas, Jln Menteri Besar, Jln Kebangsaan Lama, Jln Salambigar, Muara-Tutong highway and Jln Lambak.

The firefighters would also perform subuh prayers at the Serusop Mosque before continuing their journey to the Fire and Rescue Department headquarters.

Ten checkpoints were designated along the marchers’ way.

Upon arrival at the headquarters, the team would further test their endurance by pulling a water tanker filled with 5,000 litre of water using a rope for a distance of 50 metres. This was to test the team members’ physical and mental endurance in the face of challenges that they faced in the line of duty.

The objective of the endurance march was to show the commitment to duty and country, and its mission to carry out its duty during emergencies.

Among those present to lend support was Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mohd Lufti Abdullah.

The Brunei Times

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Its a Windows application that allows the user to view the battery charging status. It allows attacker to remotely control a system, including the ability to list directories, send and receive files, and execute programs. The backdoor operates with the privileges of the logged-on user.

Picture: ZDNet

Source: US Cert
Ryan Naraine
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Designed to cater to all types of travellers, either leisure or business, Tune Travel is available in 2 options. The ‘Single Trip’ plan is ideal for non-regular travellers who make holiday or business passages within Malaysia or overseas on a short-term basis, while the ‘Annual Plan’ is targeted at frequent and medium-term business and leisure travellers.

“Tune Money is one of very few financial service providers that offers an annual plan for travel insurance. Tune Travel’s Annual Plan is perfect for corporate travellers who are always on the move, as well as holidaymakers who spend a lot of time overseas. Employers will find Tune Travel a very practical and economical travel insurance product for their executives criss-crossing the globe as we offer very competitive rates,” said Joyce Lai (???), CEO of Tune Money.

Tune Travel Inusrance is underwritten by Tokio Marine Insurans (Malaysia) Berhad. It is available for air, sea and land travel.

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Tune Money recently unveiled a new image for its products and services, portraying a fresher, more vibrant look that aims to capture the growing youth and working-class market. Via its insurance and takaful division, Tune Insurance, Tune Money works with partner underwriters to offer a wider range of insurance and takaful products to the market including ‘Tune Motor Insurance’, ‘Tune Personal Accident Insurance’, ‘Tune Home Insurance’ and now ‘Tune Travel Insurance’.

Takaful versions of these insurance products are in the pipeline. Tune Money also has plans to offer insurance and takaful products for hospitalisation and surgical, life and pets starting this year.

“Tune Money’s insurance products offer maximum coverage at a minimum premium. With customised plans, customers only pay what they need. They can also consolidate and track their portfolios with Tune Money’s personal online organiser. Working with renowned insurer partners means Tune Money offers high quality products along with quality customer service and claims service standard,” Lai said.

Apart from online insurance products, Tune Money also offers prepaid Visa cards called Tune-In and Pulse cards. These products are available online via www.tunemoney.com, the company’s web portal that provides simple, user-friendly and reliable electronic access to users, customers and visitors, giving a strong emphasis on safety and security in terms of customers’ data protection.

Tune Money was set up in 2005 as a one-stop financial services company which offers affordable prepaid cards under the Visa brand name and insurance products.
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MORE Bruneians are needed to support the cause of nature conservation as the Sultanate’s forests are threatened by infrastructure developments, said a committee member of the Panaga Natural History Society.

Peter Engbers said that the non-profit organisation (NGO) is facing the challenge of building interest in nature and its conservation among Bruneians.

“Currently, a majority of Panaga Natural History Society members and enthusiasts are expatriates who may only be in Brunei for a few years. While their passion and achievements in nature are strong, the wider community would benefit if more Bruneians championed such causes,” he told The Brunei Times in an email interview.

He said that Brunei’s forests are threatened due to ongoing and planned construction works such as building roads, dams and logging.

“Only a small amount of Brunei forests have some sort of conservation status. If Brunei is not careful, in 20 years time, only 10-20 per cent of its area remains virgin rainforest,” he added.

Some of the volunteers picking up rubbish during the beach clean-up along the E1 Panaga Beach yesterday.Picture: Courtesy of Panaga Natural History Society

“We also hope to raise the environmental awareness and commitment of the community. In addition, we hope to really achieve progress with the Heart of Borneo, so that more forests will be protected and a large area of beautiful virgin forests will remain,” he said.

The society is organising a survey of the Teraja hill area in Belait to evaluate its ecotourism potential by compiling information on its flora, fauna and folklore.

Engbers said that they hope to gather scientific evidence of the hill’s value for conservation and involve the community in the conservation effort and ecotourism development.

The NGO is also active with talks and organising excursions and environmental activities. The greatest achievement for the society is its contribution to nature education and raising environmental awareness, said Engbers.

“This is done through our events, but also through the many publications Panaga Natural History Society has made (Wildlife Watch, Winging the Bornean skies, Jungle trekking in Borneo, Birding in Brunei, The seashore life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo series of eight booklets) have all contributed to raising this awareness.”

“Our involvement with the Heart of Borneo initiative is a very important one in preserving the remaining natural habitat of Brunei,” he said.

The society had a beach clean-up at the Panaga Beach yesterday. About 30 volunteers collected rubbish along the beach. Plastics were the most common trash found.

Engbers said the activity was to “have a clean and safe beach and prevent all the garbage from entering the sea again and become a hazard for the marine life”.

He added the activity aimed to reflect on what are the trash, where it comes from, and whether it could have been avoided. “Are there changes in our lifestyle and consumer choices that could make a difference?”

“Regular beach users saw us diligently filling bags with rubbish, which helps them realise that littering does have consequences. Such messages help spread the much needed greater awareness of our impact on the environment and help all residents of Brunei consider ways to limit it.”

The Brunei Times

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MALAYSIAN real estate developers are wooing Bruneian businesses and the government to invest in properties in Cyberjaya, the ICT hub of Malaysia.

Pipah Mohd Nasir, head of business development at Setia Haruman Sdn Bhd, the master developer of the Cyberjaya, said that the planned city can offer investors as much as seven to 10 per cent annual return on their investment.

Speaking to The Brunei Times at the 1Malaysia Showcase yesterday at the International Convention Centre, Pipah said that Cyberjaya has a wide range of investment options, such as land, shophouses, office buildings and private residences.

The Cyberjaya booth at the Malaysia Showcase Expo at the International Convention Centre. Picture: BT/Ying Chia

Cyberjaya, which is 50km from Kuala Lumpur, encompasses over 7,000 acres of land which the Malaysian government is trying to develop into the region’s Silicon Valley.

Pipah said that Setia Haruman Sdn Bhd is trying to attract investment from the Brunei Investment Agency, which has shown interest in real estate opportunities in Nusajaya, seen to be the new administrative capital of Johor, and covers an area twice the size of Singapore.

With already 50 international companies in Cyberjaya, local businesses that want to penetrate the Malaysian market can invest in joint ventures with Malaysian companies to duplicate the success they have experienced in Brunei, Pipah said.

Corporate Communications Officer for Setia Haruman Sdn Bhd, Malini Perianan, told the The Brunei Times Cyberjaya has a day population of 40,000, as well as 12,000 permanent residents.

“There are many opportunities for individual investors. People often purchase semi-detached houses and rent them out to the growing number of residents which are made up of office workers, IT specialists and also the large student population,” she said. She added the city has three universities with a student population of 70,000.

When asked what the response has been so far to the investment opportunities presented, Pipah said that enough interest has been shown for them to make a return trip to Brunei.

“Because the exhibition this weekend is only a showcase, we cannot expect people to make hefty investments on the spot. However, we have received good feedback after our seminar this morning and the Brunei market definitely warrants further exploration,” she said.

The 1Malaysia showcase will conclude today at the International Convention Centre.

The Brunei Times

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This year, the commemoration held from Feb 8 to 12 was also attended by Bruneians, Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Hj Mohamad, his two sons and Hj Ismail bin Hj Ibrahim. In the ensuing investiture ceremony, Hj Ismail was awarded the honorary title Dato Patinggi Sri Astana by the Mempawah king. Last year Pengiran Hj Abu Bakar was awarded the honorary title of Dato Seri Paduka Astana by the same king during his birthday celebration in August 2009. Seven other people from Brunei also received various Mempawah palace titles last year.

The investiture ceremony was conducted in Amantubillah Palace, Mempawah Kingdom, Kabupaten Pontianak, West Kalimantan.

The bus journey from Bandar Seri Begawan last February 7 began at 4pm, a wonderful adventure passing control posts and crossing over various rivers in three countries of Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia. At last the bus arrived in Mempawah more than 24 hours later in time to attend the first itinerary ‘procession of heirlooms around Mempawah City and the washing of the heirlooms’.

The procession of the heirlooms of Mempawah Kingdom took place in solemn reverence around Mempawah City.

The procession carnival was meant to let people see the cultural heritage of Mempawah Kingdom. Amongst the heirlooms were spears, swords, kris and canons.

According to the palace minister of Foreign Affairs who is also the army commander of Mempawah Kingdom Karaeng Oe Saiful Ansari, each of the heirlooms has its own name.

The spears are called Tombak Lancar, the swords Pedang Mogul and Pedang Sterling, and the kris Tanjung Lada.

The three canons meanwhile were named Sigonda, Raden Mas and Maryam. Sigonda symbolised a man who was believed to come from Java’s Majapahit. Raden Mas, a woman from Bugis, the origin of Opu Daeng Menambon, the legendary king of Mempawah. Maryam meanwhile is a cannon symbolising a child of Sigonda and Raden Mas.

After the procession, the heirloom-washing ceremony was carried out in Amantubillah Palace.

A visit to the gravesite of the founder of Mempawah Kingdom; Opu Daeng Menambon was also done by the present king and palace officials where they held a tahlil ceremony and the recital of Surah Yaasin.

It was raining heavily but did not dampen the spirits of those attending the event such as Bupati Pontianak Drs H Ria Norsan and other invited guests including those from Brunei and Singapore.

It was during this ritual a descendent of Panglima Daud was possessed by the spirit of Panglima Daud who was a warrior from the Sambas Palace at the time of the first king of Mempawah Kingdom. The late Panglima Daud complained to the present king that his descendent has not been invited to attend palace functions for over 40 years.

The historical event also saw the launching of an album containing songs written by the present Mempawah king Pengeran Ratu Mulawangsa Mardan Adijaya.

In his speech the king said he had written more than 200 songs in less than 4 months. In 2010 the king said he wanted to set a goal writing up to 1,000 songs which he said he needed help and support from all people to make it happen.

A number of musicians featured on the occasion to play the songs. The king and his wife Permaisuri Ratu Kencanawangsa Dr (Ir) Arini Mariam MSc sang some songs on stage. There were also performances of some Mempawah traditional dances such as penambahan kudong dance at the historical event.

A number of Kabupaten Pontianak high officers led by Drs Ria Norshan and some representatives from the government of West Kalimantan province attended the occasion as well as invitees from Singapore and Brunei. Mempawah Kingdom is said to have diplomatic relations with Majapahit Empire in Java. Based on historical records, during the reign of Patih Gumantar in about 1380, Mahapatih Gajah Mada once visited the kingdom to bring some heirlooms as gifts for the king. Some said Patih Gumantar and Gajah Mada even set for a journey together to Thailand in attempts of anticipating attacks from the Mongolian Empire under the leadership of Kublai Khan.

The Mempawah Palace Minister of Foreign Affairs Karaeng Oe Saiful Ansari himself thinks that there was indeed some relation between Mempawah and Majapahit.

In his opinion Mempawah had not recognised the term ‘patih’, a title that was usually used in the tradition of Javanese Kingdom. It is strongly believed that ‘patih’ in the name of Patih Gumantar is one of the evidences that a long time ago, Mempawah Kingdom from West Kalimantan and Majapahit Empire in East Java had a close and harmonic connection. Moreover, there are elements of Javanese and Bugis as well as Dayak and Chinese culture in the malay traditions of Mempawah Kingdom.

This explains that the kingdom is indeed culturally rich and not compartmentalising the prevailing ethnic groups, races and religions. The Mempawah Palace Minister of Foreign Affair said there were other heirlooms which are not displayed to the public. They are now under the guardianship of the King of Mempawah, Pengeran Ratu Mulawangsa Adijaya Kesuma Ibrahim whose title is Penembahan XIII.

The arrival of Opu Daeng Menambon to Mempawah in a vessel was also restaged by the present king and palace officials where they first went to Mengkacak Sea before coming to Muara Kuala and received by the people. The king went to have lunch with the villagers at Muara Kuala.

The objective of the ritual was merely to preserve traditions and to get the people more familiar with the kingdom’s cultural heritage. It is expected traditional activities such as the Robo-Robo ceremony will show better the culture of Mempawah in particular and of other kingdoms in Kalimantan in general.

Traditional ritual of Robo-Robo is held annually as a form of tracing back the history of Opu Daeng Menambon’s first arrival in Mempawah. Opu Daeng Menambon, a Bugis nobleman is believed to have arrived at Mempawah on the fourth week in Safar of Islamic month.

Some literatures stated that he has been there since 1740 and later led Mempawah Kingdom, bearing the title Pengeran Mas Surya Negara. Opu died in 1761 in the month of Safar and was buried in Sebukit Rama. Based on this reason, Robo-Robo is held annually, precisely in Safar month of the hijrah calendar to remember the date of arrival and death of Opu Daeng Menambon.
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The interior is fitted originally with air conditioner that alleviates you as you drive.

Do not fret about silence, because there is a four-speaker with a factory fitted MP3 CD player and an optional iPod AUX connection to play your favourite tunes.

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The i20’s sleek line creates an effortlessly stylish look, further enhanced by neat detailing, including body-coloured bumpers and on the ‘Comfort and Style’ models, door hot ’supermini’.

Moreover, it has a keyless entry where you can control the locking and unlocking of your door from a distance.

The chrome grille and fog lamp at the front and power side mirror gives the car a sporty look.

Fitted with 1.4-Gasoline engine, i20 delivers a remarkable horsepower of 100 ps and a torque in excess of 13.9 kgm and also 13.9 lm/litre of fuel consumption.

It has a 16-valve CVVT cylinder head and all-alloy construction and a silent timing chain that holds lifetime maintenance.

The vehicle is further furnished by four discs ABS (anti-lock brake system) safety feature.

The i20 earned the five stars at Euro NCAP safety rating at the European crash safety test. By frontal impact, the passenger compartment of the i20 hatchback remained stable.

In the side barrier test, i20 scored maximum points, while in the side pole impact the vehicle provided an adequate protection.

Based on dummy readings, Hyundai i20 won maximum points for its protection of the one-year-old child in the side and frontal crash tests.

This distinctive and fashionable car earned the five stars, as it is equipped with airbags for passive safety and a three point safety belts for rear passenger.

The steering wheel and rear headrest is adjustable to your comfort.

The rear seats have a 60:40 split and fold function.

Passenger comfort and storage space have been maximised, without compromising the external dimensions that make the car so convenient to drive and park around town.

And Hyundai is the main corporate sponsors for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

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THE Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is applying for an investment management licence in Brunei as the bank eyes prospects in the wealth management segment, top executives said.

RBC Chief Executive Michael Lagopoulos told The Brunei Times earlier this week the bank’s strategy is to provide local access to the bank’s global network so clients are plugged in to all of the bank’s wealth management offices all over the world.

“There is a long-term strategy that involves Brunei as we are focused on institutional businesses and that’s our strategy. With that said, we continue to focus on trying to grow our share of the market in Brunei by being a good long-term partner, not only through servicing our clients well, but investing in Brunei, acquiring licences, hiring people and training people,” he said.

Matthew Yong, president of Royal Bank of Canada's Wealth Management in Asia. Picture: BT/Goh De No

In 2002, RBC became the first offshore bank in Brunei, servicing government agencies and wealthy individuals.

“Brunei is geographically located to 20 million potential clients or offices within a short distance. Brunei will be very appealing not only to Bruneians but to others as well,” Gunton said. He sees Brunei as an opportunity to be part of RBC’s Asian expansion plan and this would be part of the next revolution of RBC’s strategy that started many years ago.

“We are ready to go on to the next level. The application has been put through and we hope to hear back in the next 30 days or so. This is great for us and our clients,” Gunton explained.

Lagopoulos assured that once the investment management licence is approved the bank hopes to hire more staff and “get as big as we can”, but it all depends on the businesses the bank can attract and the clients.

“RBC will definitely be hiring Bruneians and as for diplomatic ties and the impact on Brunei, I hope it’s going to be positive. We always spend time with the Canadian High Commissioner to understand business relations and relationship between the two countries in a broader sense,” Lagopoulos said.

The executives called on Brunei’s Minister of Finance earlier this week to discuss tax information, talked about broader cooperation and exchange of agreements between Canada and Brunei.

Gunton stated that it was important to resolve any issues on taxation for trade agreements otherwise companies face double taxation in Brunei and Canada, not just from RBC’s perspective but oil companies, service companies and oil service companies.

Since its inception in 2002, RBC has spent a successful $1 billion out of Brunei through the assets they manage in the Sultanate, said Lagopoulos.

He said that the bank is pleased with the assets accumulated in Brunei, adding the bank had seen a good payback from the investments, in turn encouraging the bank to make a bigger investment and see what more it can develop.

With RBC’s expansion, Matthew Yong, president of RBC Wealth Management in Asia, believes Brunei can be a financial hub for the Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines East Asean Growth Area.

Yong, a Bruneian who was recognised as one of the World’s Outstanding Young Private Bankers by the Private Banker International Wealth Management Summit in 2009, said that besides Brunei’s ideal location, the Sultanate’s political and economical stability can attract investors from East Malaysia, Southern Philippines and parts of Indonesia.

Lagopoulos agreed with Yong saying that most clients look for a few important things when investing their money like political stability and financial safety.

“There are places where economy is strong but if they are changing political direction every couple of years, that makes people and institutions with money particularly nervous. Brunei’s got a great story to tell in terms of political stability, economic safety, positive economic direction and a growing economy,” he said.

Lagopoulos added that from that standpoint plus the flexibility of currencies and liberal currency policy is something that wealthy people and institutions would prefer as they like to avoid too much control where one can’t do to much with money in terms of growing or protecting wealth.

“So basically, Brunei ticks all those boxes,” he added.

When asked why it took RBC all this while to think of expanding in the Sultanate, Lagopoulos replied that is RBC’s standard approach “invest a bit, earn, invest again and earn more”.

He said RBC rarely goes in with a big-bang approach and get every licence possible then hope that clients will come to do business with them.

“So we tend to be more focused and make investments to see what kind of reception we get from the market and clients. With the market positive and people like the ideas, we can proceed further,” he said.

“Our products or services are focused on five core banking services, some include investment management, investment advisory and some structure solutions and not every client buy all five but many clients take either do more than one or two services,” he said.

The Brunei Times
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HANDICRAFTS and batik were the two most popular purchases that tourists make in Brunei, according to a study conducted by scholars at the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University (Unissa).

The study, conducted by Dr Mohamed Sharif Bashir, dean of the faculty and colleague Hjh Nur Annisa Hj Sarbini, showed an increase of $10 million in tourist expenditure last year from $475.5 million in 2008.

In 2009, tourist spendings in Brunei amounted to $485.3 million, based on figures from the World Travel and Tourism Council.

The study was conducted last year to identify the spending patterns of tourists in the Sultanate.

“We wanted to do this study because Brunei has plans to diversify the economy away from oil and gas and tourism is slated to be one of the industries to help this diversification,” said Dr Mohamed, in an interview on the sidelines of the recent International Islamic Conference organised by Unissa.

He added that his findings provided a general overview of the Brunei tourism sector. It sought to examine factors to improve Brunei’s tourism sector, investigate tourists’ profile and their expenditures in Brunei to help provide policymakers with information to implement more adequate and integrated policies in the specific segmented markets.

A questionnaire survey was given to 120 respondents in June last year in different locations in Bandar Seri Begawan, including hotels and shopping complexes in the capital.

“We found that in general, the tourists, were made up of females, between 20 and 30 years old, and that almost 29 per cent of them were Malaysians. The findings also showed that 86.8 per cent of the tourists recommended Brunei as a tourist destination,” said Dr Mohamed.

Survey respondents were visitors who made their own travel arrangements and were accompanied by their friends.

Based on the gender profile of the study, it showed that 52 per cent were female and 48 per cent were male. Tourists from Singapore, Indonesia, Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom also took part in the survey.

“Major items that were purchased was handicrafts, which was 45 per cent of the tourists surveyed, followed by batik, which accounts for 39 per cent of the respondents,” he said. In the paper, titled “Study on Tourists Expenditures Pattern in Brunei Darussalam”, the scholars showed that jewellery such as watches and gold, as well as computer and electronic appliances, also grabbed the interests of respondents.

The paper also said that 60 per cent of the respondents said the major attraction for picking Brunei as a tourist destination was because of its “safe environment”, as well as the curiosity to find out more about the Sultanate, due to word of mouth from friends and families who have previously visited.

Respondents also recommended improving shopping facilities and public transportation system.

“Another potential area to be developed is cultural events and more attractive activities for tourists, as many of them said that without these amenities, they wouldn’t return to Brunei, so there needs to be a reason for these tourists to want to come back a second time,” he said.

The dean also found that Brunei could establish a national brand identity, which could be based on the cultural and heritage background of Brunei. “What uniquely constitutes Brunei, must be promoted to keep the inbound visitors coming, and it also needs to improve many attractions including shopping complexes, transportation and hotel facilities,” said the report.

“Although there are about 40 licenced travel agencies in Brunei, only a handful were actively engaged in inbound ground handling operations for foreign tourists, while most licenced travel agencies deal in ticketing and outbound travel,” stated the paper. He said that the lack of competition in the inbound tourism sector is limited and has led to the aggressive promotional efforts by the Brunei Tourism Development Department of the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources.

“It is without a doubt that Brunei Tourism is targeting the upmarket, discerning and mature segments in the tourist source markets such as Southeast Asian countries like Singapore and Malaysia, have positioned themselves to be a destination for ecotourism, relaxation, wholesome family trips, honeymoons, golfing, and even for stop-over programmes,” said the study.

A woman weaving. A poll says handicrafts and batik are among the popular purchases of tourists visiting Brunei. Picture: BT file

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THE police officer pacing between family members obviously giving them a rough time after interrupting a night of celebrations could not have been any more than a mere teenager but “Inspector Goole” — playing his part interrogating people is something he does on a regular basis.

Jerudong International School’s (JIS) Year 12 presented “An Inspector Calls” on March 3 and 4, 2010, in the school’s Drama Room as part of their syllabus for the GCSE Drama.

In addition to studying a full play text, the students had to experience performing live to an audience. But even before they perform, they also had to manage other things such as the set design, props, lighting, publicity as well as costumes and makeup.

'Inspector Goole' interrogates 'Sybil Birling' during the Year 12 AS drama production of 'An Inspector Calls' at Jerudong International School (JIS). Pictures: BT/Nasroul Hizam

As the family dissolves into arguments and the breaking of Sheila Birling and Gerald Croft’s engagement, Inspector Goole reminds them (and the audience) that they live in a society, members of a larger body, that their actions have consequences and that they are all responsible for one another.

Just before leaving the scene, he says, “One Eva Smith has gone but there are millions and millions and millions of Evas … and John Smiths still left with us.” From the authoritative Arthur Birling and his morally hypocritical wife, Sybil Birling, to the “awakened” Sheila Birling, the Year 12 AS students played each of their parts well, keeping the drama’s tension tight up until the very end.

Even as Arthur and Sybil’s son, Eric Birling explodes in a fit of rage, one cannot help but fear that the anger was all too real. The Year 13 students then followed up the play that evening with one they wrote by themselves, “Little Boxes”.

Also an examination piece, for A Levels, it was a provocative one that centred around a doctor with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) coming to terms with herself and her other selves.

Ira Cruz, 17, played Eric Birling in “An Inspector Calls” and was in charge of the drama’s administrative affairs. Speaking to The Brunei Times, he said that one of the group’s challenges included putting together a believable setting as true as possible to the dated play. But because the play itself is quite old, the group needed much more work, researching and identifying themselves with the period in which it was written for. Ira said that a 1954 film adaptation of the play helped to gain a better perspective.

“Most people think that acting is simply pretending to be someone else,” he quips. But quite comfortable performing in front of an audience and camera, he finds that as an actor, he finds it is necessary to take in the character.

The Brunei Times
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AirAsia is kicking off the season with the ‘AirAsia GP Challenge’ , an exclusive online contest set to go live on 9 March 2010, where winners clocking the fastest times can win Grandstand and pit passes to five Formula OneTM circuits around the AirAsia Network – Melbourne, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, London And Singapore. To be the first to hear about the GP Challenge, simply log on to www.airasia.com and sign up for the AirAsia RedA!ert newsletter, or race on down to www.haveyouflownairasia.com.

To promote the ‘AirAsia GP Challenge’, there will be a road-show on 6 and 7 March 2010 at the Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur from 10am to 10pm. The public can have a go on the AT&T Williams race simulator and the winner of the fastest race time will walk away with the grand prize of an all-expense paid trip for 2 to the Melbourne GP, including grandstand tickets and exclusive pit passes to the AT&T Williams Garage.

AirAsia Regional Head of Branding, William Low said, “We are in our fourth year with AT&T Williams and this partnership has helped to define AirAsia as one of the most innovative airlines in the world. Our network has grown tremendously in each of those 3 seasons and now we’re proud to be able to fly our guests to five of the most exciting Formula One races around the world!”

The winner of the Melbourne GP leg will also be one of the first to experience the AirAsia X’s all-new premium ‘flat bed’ seats. The Premium flat bed seats featuring improved legroom, universal power ports, full recline and built-in personal utilities will also be on display for the very first time at the road show.

And for Facebook fans who are heading down to the Pavilion to try out the Premium seats, a mystery trip for two awaits them.

Fans can snap a photo of themselves with the Premium Flat bed Seats and upload it to Facebook AirAsia ‘lie-flat bed’ seat contest! (www.facebook.com/airasia). The most creative photo and caption wins! Contest will run from 6 March to 8 March 2010.

AirAsia’s vast network of over 70 destinations has been connecting fans to the hottest GP venues in Kuala Lumpur (Sepang), Singapore, China (Shanghai) Europe (Silverstone and Monza, via Stansted as the European gateway) and Australia (Melbourne), bringing the Formula OneTM experience closer to them.

Formed in 1977, AT&T Williams is one of the world’s leading Formula OneTM teams with 16 FIA Formula One World ChampionshipTM titles thus far. The AT&T Williams sponsorship is a part of AirAsia’s long term branding strategy to be a global brand.

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“aussieBum has a responsibility to continually research and develop new fabric technologies. Banana fibre characteristically enjoys good luster, is lightweight, offers strong moisture absorption and is considered one of the most eco friendly fibers in the world today. We are truly proud of our contribution to the development of this fabric. It’s exciting and once again, delivers Australia to the doorstep of the world!” Sean Ashby (aussieBum Founder)

Everyone knew this was bound to happen sooner or later, and it finally has . AussieBum has gone ‘Bananas’ on us – and we’re extremely satisfied with the result. This may sound strange at first, but the advantages of banana fibre are numerous.

Firstly, it produces a completely natural fabric, being made from the bark of the banana plant. Also, banana, being a relatively easy fiber to spin, provides the soft, smooth and extremely comfortable result people have come to expect from top quality underwear brands. In fact banana fibre has come to be recognized as one of the most comfortable eco friendly fibres ever made, setting the standard high for sustainable fabric’s.

This Banana range is also 100% Australian made. Thus ensuring an environmentally sustainable, top quality product and design in true aussieBum style.

All things considered it seems the aussieBum team have once again hit the nail on the head, research showing that consumers are increasingly demanding greater quantities of sustainable and eco friendly products.

Even Alan Greenspan has been quoted in using underwear as the main barometer for the economic climate, and what a way to start the New Year, one that will see Australia steadily coming out of the worst financial recession in recent decades and aussieBum coming out with underwear that is leading the way into a sustainable future.

Innovation and design have always been the creative mantras that propel aussieBum apparel into the future, and the company has once again taken it to the next level. As a growing brand – true to it’s humble beginnings- aussieBum are driven by the passion of ensuring their loyal customers’ continue to get cutting edge, fun, sexy and innovative apparel. Where do aussieBum come up with these ideas one wonders? Mostly, this type of innovation is made possible because the company communicates and engages with their customers’ invaluable feedback, acting upon suggestions and gathering community input using technology such as Facebook, Twitter and most recently ‘Four Square.’ If people today are demanding comfortable and stylish underwear, which also take into account concerns such as environmental and economic sustainability, then that’s what they will be getting.

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THE president of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BNOC) His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah yesterday called on the Department of Youth and Sports to intensify its efforts in assisting national sports associations.

His Royal Highness chaired a meeting between BNOC, officials from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and representatives of national sports associations at the Conference Room of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas to discuss several issues with cooperation the central theme.

“Among this meeting’s objectives are for us to discuss the preparations that will be made for the country to participate in regional and international tournaments to be held this year and the next.

(Top) The president of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BNOC) His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah at the meeting yesterday. (Above) Members of the BNOC and national sports associations attended a meeting with the BNOC president His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah yesterday. Pictures: BT/ Zamri Zainal

“This meeting is also for us to remember our responsibilities; be it members of BNOC or registered sports associations.

“To those sports associations who are not brave enough to voice their opinions, write BNOC a letter and I will look into it,” he assured.

The meeting also gave the associations a platform to air their grievances and concerns, with representatives of the national athletics, badminton, fencing and golf associations among those who spoke up.

The five-month period from August to December will see four major multisports events contested — the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, and the Asian Beach Games in Muscat and His Royal Highness said the country should start planning from now.

On the ministry’s national selection and evaluation committee that decides which sports and athletes can represent the country at international tournaments, the BNOC president called upon the ministry to heed the various recommendations from the associations.

“Some people in the ministry do not want to accept the coaches’ opinions,” he said.

“If that is the case then why should coaches be kept? I want to see changes which have positives results, that is what is important.

“Examine what should be done to help the associations and don’t be biased.

“That is all I am asking,” he said

The president hoped that such meetings would be held from time to time to nurture a more open, harmonious and united environment between the stakeholders as well as provide a clear goal.

“I hope this will kickstart the birth of a strong and unified partnership which is well-managed and respected as well as has direction … in our goal to create a vision that is outlined in the National Sports Policy book; especially for ‘High Prestige Sports’,” he said.

His Royal Highness also highlighted the two reasons why the policy was drafted saying that “the development of sports is the joint responsibility between the government and non-governmental agencies such as youth and sports associations” and “the desire to see sports in the Sultanate developed through the country’s participation at the international arena”.

“The question is are we really doing our jobs? Think about it …,” he said.

“The BNOC wants to see sports associations improve their performances in 2010. The athletes should show the country that they want to be better in 2010.

“To the athletes; ignore what people say. Train hard, work hard and you will succeed.

“That is my personal view as a former athlete who has represented Brunei at the SEA Games, not as BNOC president,” he added.

The Brunei Times
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Under the terms of the strategic partnership, Tune Hotels.com’s limited service concept of a ‘5-star sleeping experience at a 1-star price’ will be rolled-out across approximately 1,500 hotel rooms, representing £150 million of investment into the London hospitality sector. The roll-out will commence with the launch of Tune Hotels.com-Westminster at 118 Westminster Bridge Road in Q3 2010.

Queensway Group Limited is a UK-based private investment group owning and operating hospitality assets in the UK, Europe and United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Mark Lankester, Group CEO of Tune Hotels.com, said: “We believe Tune Hotels.com will significantly boost London’s hospitality sector. While this city’s global reputation as a leisure and business destination will be enhanced by the Olympic Games in 2012, sterling’s current weakness works in London’s favour in attracting overseas visitors and spend, and in times of continuing economic uncertainty, superior value for money remains key.

“We are pleased to be working with organisations such as Visit Britain, Visit London, Think London and Visit England; and believe our dynamic pricing model will provide a strong call to action that will be hard to ignore.

“Our limited service concept encourages guests to spend less within the hotel itself, driving more spend outside the hotel, within the local business community.

“More consumers are demanding a ‘5-star sleeping experience at a 1-star price’ so that they can spend their hard-earned income on shopping, dining and recreational pursuits outside the hotel. Tune Hotels.com creates a multiplier effect, growing overall tourism spend throughout the locations we establish. Understandably, our expansion requires strategic collaborations with solid local partners who share our vision and we’re delighted to have found the right partner in Queensway Group Limited for Greater London. “

The fast developing economies of Asia, with their major populations and innovative regional low-cost carriers such as Tune Hotels.com’s sister company AirAsia, have fostered significant increases in travel activity. Tune Hotels.com has leveraged this by embracing the limited service model used by low cost airlines, passing on savings from eliminating costly, yet underutilised facilities like conference rooms, food & beverage facilities, swimming pools and gyms, directly to its guests.

Tune Hotels.com focuses only on the high quality basics of great beds with ensuite Power Showers; implementing a pay-as-you-use system of optional add-ons for energy-consuming amenities. It encourages guests to book early online to enjoy exceptionally low prices, with rooms available from as low as RM9.99 per night in its Malaysian and Indonesian hotels.

Tune Hotels.com’s healthy occupancy figures confirm it has hit upon a concept that resonates with today’s modern traveller. Until recently, much of Asian travel activity was intra-regional. However, with the AirAsia-X launch of low-cost, long-haul flights between Kuala Lumpur and London in 2009, there is now a truly affordable bridge between a key Asian hub in Kuala Lumpur and a Europe-American hub which can be found in London. Tune Hotels.com therefore see it a logical step to enter the London hospitality sector with a limited service product that has already been embraced by over half a million guests in South East Asia, in addition to the expected customer base from the United Kingdom and Europe.

Nick Jivraj, Managing Director of Queensway Group Limited, said, “We’re extremely excited about partnering with Tune Hotels.com to develop the London market. Their association with AirAsia, AirAsia-X and Lotus F1 through the Tune Group provides a unique platform for marketing synergies, and their strong brand and marketing expertise in generating room nights online aligns with trends revealing the internet as the prime channel for travel purchase decisions.”

He continued, “Queensway Group Limited views Tune Hotels.com’s brand presence in Asia Pacific as positive for the medium to long term as we expect Asia Pacific to become a major incoming market into London. In addition, we appreciate the strong match of cultures and values fostered in both teams – highly entrepreneurial, people-focused companies for which the Customer is King. By leveraging on Tune Hotels.com’s proven brand, team expertise, and operational model, Queensway Group Limited expects that our investment into the brand will present significant growth in the near future.”

Despite the challenging global economic environment, the partnership with Queensway Group Limited forms only a part of Tune Hotels.com’s aggressive expansion plans. Mark Lankester, Group CEO of Tune Hotels.com, says, “By 2015 we will have invested in over 100 hotels in key cities across the world.”

The global roll-out involves recent strategic partnerships in India and Thailand. On 11 September 2009, Tune Hotels.com announced a strategic partnership with Apodis Hospitality Group to invest in, develop and operate 20 Tune Hotels.com hotels across India by 2012. Under the terms of the strategic partnership, 5 Tune Hotels.com hotels are targeted to be operational in India by December 2010 with a staggered roll-out of the subsequent 15 hotels to be completed by the end of 2012. Initial hotels are likely to be located in and around Amritsar, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Indore, Jodhpur, Kochi, Mumbai, Pune, Pipavav, Raipur, Thiruvananthapuram and Tiruchirapally.

On 17 December 2009, Tune Hotels.com announced a strategic partnership with Evolution Capital PCL, a real estate investment advisory firm listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, to franchise a roll-out of 44 Tune Hotels.com hotels across Thailand, China, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Under the terms of the strategic partnership, the first 24 Tune Hotels.com hotels are targeted to be in development by early 2010 and operational by 2012 with staggered roll-out of the subsequent 20 hotels to be completed by 2013.

Tune Hotels.com employs a self-service online booking system similar to low-cost carrier airlines that encourages guests to book as far in advance as possible on www.tunehotels.com to enjoy exceptionally low prices.

All Tune Hotels.com hotels feature space-efficient, streamlined rooms focusing on high-quality basics: 5-star beds and powerful hot showers. Though minimally priced, the strategically located hotels still provide housekeeping services, electronic keycard access into rooms, extensive CCTV systems, and no access into the main lobby without a keycard past midnight. Through Tune Hotels.com’s ‘Less Waste, More Earth’ pay-as-you-use system of add-ons for air-conditioning, laundered towels and other energy-consuming facilities and amenities, Tune Hotels.com aims to help guests conserve both their funds as well as the earth’s resources.

Since Tune Hotels.com was first launched in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2007, more than 500,000 guests have stayed in one of its properties, currently totaling 9 hotels located in Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, KLIA-LCCT Airport, Penang, Danga Bay, Johor and Kota Damansara in Malaysia and Kuta – Bali and Double Six, Legian – Bali in Indonesia.

Tune Hotels.com has also launched its Makes Sen’s campaign by offering its guests all their rooms from RM0.01 onwards. Bookings can also be made for its 2 new hotels in Danga Bay, Johor (opening on 15 May 2010) and Kota Damansara, Selangor (opening on 1 June 2010).
Guests can expect a 5 star sleeping experience for a 1 star price in all of Tune Hotels.com’s locations in Downtown Kuala Lumpur, KLIA-LCCT Airport, Downtown Penang, 1Borneo Kota Kinabalu, Waterfront Kuching, Kuta Bali, Double Six Legian Bali hotels. The booking period is from 3 to 12 March 2010, and guests will be able to enjoy great value for the stay period of 1 November 2010 to 31 January 2011, 15 May 2010 to 31 January 2011 (Danga Bay, Johor) and 1 June 2010 to 31 January 2011 (Kota Damansara). For more information and bookings visit www.tunehotels.com or call +62 21 5697 0060 (Mon – Fri 9.00am – 9.00pm excluding public holidays) for Indonesian hotels +603 7962 5888 (Mon – Fri 9:00am – 9:00pm excluding public holidays) for Malaysian hotels. Bookings can be made online at www.tunehotels.com.
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