NATIONAL carrier Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) and local attraction, The Empire Hotel and Country Club are both nominated for the 17th World Travel Awards, voted by travel agents worldwide.

The website stated that RBA is nominated for “Asia’s Leading Airline” while The Empire Hotel and Country Club is up for two awards, “Asia’s Leading Beach Resort” and “Asia’s Leading Resort”.

The awards pegs RBA against other leading airlines in the region like Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways, to name a few.

The Empire Hotel and Country Club, is going up against the likes of The St Regis Bali Resort, Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort, Conrad Bali Resort & Spa, Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, Resorts World Genting and Banyan Tree Phuket.

Leah Benrimoj, public relations executive of the group in an email interview said that this year’s World Travel Awards include a total of six regional events that take place in various locations across the globe.

Buffet breakfast at The Empire Hotel and Country Club. The hotel has been nominated for a travel award. Picture: BT file

The World Travel Awards website stated that there are three steps to the nomination process. The first being candidates for nomination are based upon the previous year’s voting. Winner and four qualifying runners up of the previous voting will automatically qualify into the following years nominations.

“Step two, the nomination is open for the self-nominations for any organisations who wish to enter and lastly, the nominations are then vetted and inspected by a group of industry experts. Issues such as customer relations to creativity, quality of service, standards, guest satisfaction, product innovation and business acumen.will be included in this review. The stringent process of vetting and qualifying takes place throughout the course of each year,” their website stated.

The nominations are decided in a timely manner, without bias or prejudice and the voting process is online which goes on for a year. The votes come from executives working within travel and tourism, but notably the majority are travel agents. In 2009 the voting has been open to the travelling public.Votes cast by travel agent voters count as two votes while the votes cast by non-industry voters count as one vote. All votes are internally audited to ensure the validity of each individual vote.

Since the World Travel Awards was introduced to the international travel and tourism scene 17 years ago, the organisation has been making steady and significant, long term impact. It has taken a global lead on one of the most important aspects of travel and tourism the quality customer experience.The Brunei Times
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THE decision on which Brunei landmark will be switched off to officially participate in the Earth Hour initiative will be made known to the public on March 19, said the appointed coordinator and organiser for Earth Hour Brunei.

“On March 19, they (the relevant authorities) will announce which landmark they will choose and a press conference will be held on March 20,” Md Rosmarimey “Rimey” Hj Osman told The Brunei Times..

He also underscored the importance for the public to enhance their understanding on observing Earth Hour.

Earth Hour, celebrated annually on March 27, is an energy-awareness initiative that began in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses in Sydney switched off lights simultaneously to highlight the cause of combating climate change.

A file photo of the launching of Earth Hour last year at Sheraton Utama Hotel, Bandar Seri Begawan. Picture: BT file

However, in order for Brunei to be officially recognised, one of the criteria needed is an official icon that represents Brunei being switched off.

In a recent report, the public has suggested either The Mall in Gadong or the Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah to become the icon, leading to a response from Earth Hour Brunei that only the relevant authorities were authorised to nominate any landmarks.

“Earth Hour is not (only) about switching off your lights, it is not only about switching off the landmark’s lights,” he said, adding that Earth Hour also means giving awareness, educating and uniting people to realise the risks of climate change.

He reminded the supporters of Brunei’s Earth Hour to switch non-essential lights and appliances during the event, a practice that should not only be done during the Earth Hour initiative, but preferably on a regular basis.

As the appointed coordinator for Earth Hour Brunei, Rimey also confirmed that, besides him they are five other official representatives of Earth Hour Brunei.

Another representative, Hj Md Zaim Azman Hj Ismail, said that Earth Hour Brunei was currently working with the relevant authorities on the landmark nomination.

“They have not specifically listed down any landmarks yet. We are still waiting for confirmation from them,” he said, adding the authorities should only come out to announce the landmark on March 19.

“Let’s put it this way, in that one hour, switching off your lights won’t save the world, but in that one hour, we can educate and give awareness to everyone about sustainability and energy conservation. We have a higher probability in the future of having a greener and safe environment.”

“It’s about behaviour change, it’s not about instant solutions,” Hj Md Zaim said.

The Department of Electrical Services (DES) in its statement said that it would be coordinating and lining up programmes on Earth Hour for Brunei.

The Brunei Times
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RECENTLY, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam voiced his concern about religious illiteracy that is leading to increasing social ills – drug abuse, crime and others. This concern also is shared by many parents and caregivers who are struggling hard with their teenagers to pray five times a day or to go to the masjid and perform the Solat with congregation.

The reason for such behaviour on the part of youth should be seen in the context of onslaught by global media and information technology that has affected the minds of the youth and regrettable taking over the role of parenting as well. This is why we have found out that most of youth today spend hours on the Internet chat rooms or Facebook, expressing their feeling openly to release the pressure that they are experiencing. At the same time the parenting role has weakened and the role of the masjid to attract youth is not effective. This is a global phenomena and the impact varies from one country to another.

The main reason is that parents today both are working and have no valuable time to spend with their children. They are also busy trying to manage their financial affairs because they spend more than what they can afford.

Similarly, for the imams in the masjid there is what is called “generation gap” between the two parties (youth and imams). Many youth today are not keen to go to the masjid and listen to imam’s speech because he does not provide them of what they need. Even those who go to Friday prayers their minds are diverted to sending SMS messages through mobile to his friends or playing games. This is because they have lost interest in what the imam is saying.

Masjid is a place for celebrations, socialising, consultation and exchange views and ideas. Picture: BT file

At the outset we need to understand the role of masjid during the era of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) from our Islamic history. Islam was viewed as a complete and comprehensive way of life and the masjid an active social institution.

The masjid also regarded as an important Islamic information centre. It was considered to be one of the most effective and successful means of da’wah and information. It was also a place for celebrations, socialising and amusement and consultation and exchange views and ideas.

So, it is our moral duty and responsibility to reactivate the masjid as social institution that caters not only to our spiritual needs but also material demands.

How can we achieve that?

(1) We need to undertake marketing research to identify what kind of problems youth are facing in the modern world and how to overcome them.

(2) Installation of saving/donation box in the masjid to finance good ideas that will motivate youth to work hard and appreciate the importance of reading and doing research to assist them to come up with business plan. We also need to set up a unit for monitoring and following up to ensure proper implementation of the project. If the youth succeed in his new venture then part of profit has to be returned to the saving/donation box so other youth with good business ideas can benefit. These new business ideas once implemented will bring new breed of venture capitalists that will have the potential to help the economy of Brunei Darussalam to grow.

(3) Once the young entrepreneurs who get funding from the saving/donation box succeeded, he or she will realise that the masjid has played a positive role in changing his/her life. Then they will be an active partner in any masjid business activities.

(4) The saving/donation box will lead to create new culture that is saving/donation for investment not for consumption. Islam taught us to rationalise our spending and control our human desires. The person who controls his spending habits is called “Moqtaseed” who spends money wisely according to his needs.

(5) There is also need to set up modern mobile libraries equipped with the latest technologies, books and magazines located near the masjid that will surely encourage youth to read.

The writer is senior lecturer at the Faculty of Business, Economics & Policy Studies (FBEPS), UBD. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of FBEPS, UBD. He can be contacted by email: salharran@gmail.com

The Brunei Times
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TRIPLE Star Enterprise has seen Bruneian through the progression of bicycles in the country since 50 years ago when bicycles were a simple mode of transportation. And now the third generation carries on the torch.

Lee Min Hwa, manager of the bicycle department, said that Brunei’s history with enthusiasm for biking reached a high between 1998 and 1999 when better brands and accessories started coming in. Prior to that, there was not much of a market and those who were interested would find them expensive. He has also observed that after 2002, the cycling trend began to drop.

Mountain bikes were once hot stuff but now only the more interested individuals would trudge through tracks and paths that would ruin an ordinary bicycle. But cycling as a sport has been on the rise and road bikes are the new flavour.

Lee pointed out that a majority of users, including his own customers, were worried about the dangers of riding on the roads alongside other vehicles. Although the risk of injuries could be cut down with proper equipment such as helmets, many still prefer to play safe. “Open burning is a problem,” Lee said. Cycling through clouds of smoke would seem counterproductive to someone who is cycling for his health. Litter also poses a threat to the enjoyment of riding, not just depriving riders from the beautiful sights of Brunei but also increasing the chances of getting punctures.

Lee attributed the popularity of cycling to peers and groups rather than the idea of going green unlike places such as Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore which promote the use of bicycles. Even the public transport system such as the MRT would allow cyclists to bring their bicycles aboard. He pointed out that in China, people are encouraged to use their “iron horses”as much as possible.

Although Brunei has not begun a massive transformation, with everyone cycling to school or work, serious cyclists are on the rise. Very aware of what is required to perform optimally, they tend to be more informed and even at times ahead of what is in stock. With the increase in locals joining in has also affected the sizes of bicycles coming into the country. “There are fewer westerners cycling in Brunei these days,” Lee quipped about the stock of smaller Asian sizes. “And getting a bicycle that is suitable for your build is important to reduce strain on the body.” Reasons why Bruneians don’t cycle as a habit:

Subsidised fuel makes driving relatively economical as compared to other nations.

There are no bike lanes that keep cyclists out of the way of other cars on the road.

The Brunei Times
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KUALA LUMPUR, 15th March 2010 – Tune Hotels.com’s plan for 15 hotels in Greater London in the UK by 2017 sets a very positive tone for its global expansion, says Group CEO Mark Lankester.

“The UK and London in particular is a crucial part of our expansion plan, on top of our organic growth in Asia. From London, we already set our eyes on Europe, the Middle East and America. The London profile lends us so much higher credibility and reputation and it plants a flagpole in one of the most visited cities in the world, which will be a springboard for further and more rapid potential partnerships globally,” said Lankester.

Tune Hotels.com recently entered into a strategic partnership with London-based Queensway Group Limited to invest in, develop and operate 15 Tune Hotels.com hotels across Greater London by 2017. The roll out of the RM746 million (£150 million) investment involving around 1,500 hotel rooms will commence with the launch of Tune Hotels.com-Westminster at 118 Westminster Bridge Road in the 3rd Quarter of 2010.

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

Lankester said: “Tune Hotels.com wants to be an important player in London’s hospitality and tourism sectors. We are pleased to be working closely with organisations such as Visit Britain, Visit London, Think London and Visit England, and will market our UK properties vis-à-vis our existing hotels in Malaysia, Bali and the rest of Asia in future. More importantly this strategic partnership signifies the close affiliation between Malaysia and Britain that dates back to hundreds of years.”

Apart from AirAsia which started flying to London-Stansted via its long-haul low-cost affiliate AirAsia X in Feb 2009, Tune Hotels.com’s fray into the UK market could be seen as another breakthrough into the UK by a home-grown Malaysian brand and helps to foster better economic ties between both countries, remarked Lankester.

“London will host the 2012 Olympic Games and Tune Hotels.com opening of its first hotel at Westminster later this year cannot be more timely. We believe our dynamic pricing model will provide a strong call to action that will be hard to ignore. With AirAsia flying daily between Kuala Lumpur and London-Stansted, guests now have greater options to derive really good value for their money via Tune Hotels.com in London,” he added.

Lankester noted that the fast developing economies of Asia have fostered significant increases in travel activity, and this was further catalysed by the increasing popularity of low-cost carrier services like AirAsia, an affiliate company of Tune Hotels.com. Tune Hotels.com has leveraged this by embracing the limited service model, passing on savings directly to its guests by eliminating costly, yet underutilised facilities like conference rooms, banquet facilities, swimming pools and gyms.

The upcoming Tune Hotels.com–Westminster, London hotel (see picture) will be located in the heart of London with a host of attractions nearby and just minutes away by tube from the entertainment area of Piccadilly Circus and the shopping district of Oxford Circus. The hotel is 10 metres from Lambeth North Station on the Bakerloo Line of the tube and just 5 minutes walk from the Waterloo Rail besides being a short walk from Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, London Aquarium and a host of museums.

Commenting on the strategic partnership, Queensway Group’s Managing Director Nick Jivraj said: “Queensway Group is extremely excited about partnering with Tune Hotels.com to develop the London hospitality market. Their association with AirAsia and Lotus Racing 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.”

The UK venture is part of Tune Hotels.com’s target of operating 100 hotels globally by 2015. Towards that end, it has forged strategic partnerships with Apodis Hospitality Group for 20 hotels in India by 2012 while 44 more will be opened across Thailand, China, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Indonesia under a partnership with Evolution Capital PCL, a real estate investment advisory firm listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

With Apodis, 5 hotels are targeted to be operational by December 2010 while the rest are scheduled for opening in stages up to 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.

Under its partnership with Evolution Capital, 24 of the 44 planned hotels are in development from early 2010 and targeted to be operational by 2012 with staggered roll-out of the subsequent 20 hotels through 2013.

Tune Hotels.com employs a self-service online booking system similar to low-cost carriers. Guests are encouraged to book as far in advance as possible on www.tunehotels.com to enjoy exceptionally low prices with rooms available from as low as RM9.99 onwards per night.

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 do provide housekeeping services, electronic keycard access into rooms, extensive CCTV systems, and prohibit access into the main lobby without a keycard past midnight to ensure guests’ security.

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, Selangor in Malaysia and Kuta – Bali and Double Six, Legian – Bali in Indonesia.

Bookings can be made online at www.tunehotels.com. For real time updates on Tune Hotels.com’s latest promotions and queries, follow Tune Hotels.com on Twitter (@tunehotels) and join our Facebook Group.

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THE National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) yesterday advised the public of a possible haze that might engulf the Sultanate anew this year due to the current rising temperatures causing bushfires.

Senior government officials in a press conference yesterday said hotspots identified in neighbouring countries along with the dry season and the El Nino phenomenon has led to the slight development of haze that is already visible in some parts in Brunei but added that the air quality in the Sultanate was still good and that the impact of the haze is not at all catastrophic yet.

The press conference, held at the NDMC headquarters, was chaired by the centre’s director, Yahya Hj Abd Rahman. Also present were Dr Hj Sidup Hj Sirabaha from the Meteorological Service Section and Hj Zakaria Hj Serudin from the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (Jastre).

Jastre reported that more than 100 hotspots have been identified in the northern and eastern parts of Borneo since early this month, based from reports from the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) in Singapore.

Hj Zakaria also said that the Pollution Standard Index (PSI) reading in the Sultanate has dramatically increased, but fortunately Brunei’s air quality was still good.

A personnel of Fire and Rescue Department attempts to stop bushfires from spreading when dry spells hit the country last year in this file photo. Picture: BT file

Dr Hj Sidup said that the dry spell which was influenced by the El Nino phenomenon occurring in the Pacific Ocean might last until the month of May. “We are expecting a reduction of rainfall from as much as 20 to 40 per cent,” he added.

Among the impacts of the dry spell in the country were the rising surface temperature that has reached over 33C, increased in dew and drizzle concentration in the morning which has drastically reduced visibility and the increased risk of forest fires and haze.

The Fire and Rescue Department has received an influx of calls regarding forest fires in the past two months. “Only 18 calls were received in January, but the figure rose drastically to 189 in February. This month alone, we have already received as much as 123 calls,” said Yahya.

The department has increased its patrol in all districts, and has increased the number of personnel on duty and equipment to fight fires.

The Brunei Times
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Your wedding day is usually a blur, and you don’t get time to soak it all up until a week after your wedding. When you are more relaxed and have more time, that’s when you sit down and browse through your wedding photos. You look through all the photos from pre-wedding to the wedding day. You get to see your wedding brought back to life but at least now you have the time to enjoy.

Pre-wedding photographs are a very important part of the Bruneian wedding tradition. There are weddings taking place in all areas of Brunei every weekend. My Bruneian friend is never around during the weekends as he is always attending a wedding.

When we established our charter business ‘Sailing in Brunei’, we saw the potential to provide wedding parties with a unique location for their pre-wedding photographs. Photographs in a natural setting with unique and wonderful views.

What better or more unique place can you get than the deck of a wooden yacht? So we decided to make SY Petima available for pre-wedding photographs.

Not only do you get unique photographs onboard our beautiful 25-year-old wooden yacht but all photographs are taken in a natural setting with unique and wonderful views of the Brunei River. You can choose your location and backdrop.

You can have your photos taken around Kampong Ayer, in the Kota Batu area with a mangrove and fish farm background or the most popular location, Serasa Beach. At Serasa Beach, you can have the beautiful backdrop of islands and beaches at Pulau Pelumpong and the fantastic sunset.

Recently, local bride and groom Mohammad Radzuan Jamil and Amal Hidayah Shahroni booked Dream Charters SY Petima for their very special pre-wedding photographs. Along with the beautiful bride and groom, came their personnel photographers Ahmad Eswadi Hj Mohd Taha and Khairul Nasrin bin Hj Awg Besar from CK Rul Enterprise.

We have taken a lot of pre-wedding photographs previous to this. But what made this photo shoot special was the length the photographer went to get extra special photos of the bride and groom. A lot of people aren’t sure of themselves on a yacht and not many photographers in Brunei have had the experience of taking photos onboard a yacht.

They are not so sure of where they can or cannot stand on and what props on the boat they can use. We encouraged the photographer to meet us beforehand so we can orientate him or her and let them know what to expect.

We try to give them some ideas, such as you can stand on the roof and the bride and groom can lie in the sails or you can use our lifebuoy and make some beautiful photos of the bride and groom looking through it.

This time I mentioned that the best photos you can get is when you climb the mast, not thinking in a million years that the photographer would be the least bit interested.

But much to my surprise, Ahmad Eswadi puts his expensive camera around his neck, strapped himself into our safety harness and we pulled him up the mast to take the most amazing photos yet of this lucky bride and groom.

Once he was up there and standing on our spreaders, he started to relax and feel more comfortable. We had both sails up and were still sailing along the Brunei River while he was up the mast. Ahmad Eswadi realised that he was taking photos from a superb and unique perspective and didn’t want to come down.

He eventually did after taking some fantastic shots and once the sun had set, the group moved inside to take some atmospheric shots of the bride and group from the interior of SY Petima.

‘Dream Charter’ and ‘Sailing in Brunei’ offer pre-wedding photographs for two hours for B$340.

This includes snacks and beverages and you can bring a maximum of five people with you. This is a fantastic opportunity for the most amazing photographs. Don’t miss it! Aideen Henry
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SLIDING down seven storeys down a spiralling tube of fabric is just one of the exhilarating activities that one can partake in at the Fire and Rescue Department’s Fun Fair and Charity Bazaar being held at its headquarters at the Old Airport, Berakas.

The “Escape Chute” is aimed to demonstrate how people can be evacuated from a building in the event that the lower floors are not accessible. The use of an escape chute is just one of the activities in which the public can get the chance to experience some of the extreme tasks the fire and rescue personnel have to carry out in an emergency situation.

Andikarmilawati “Andi” Hj Abd Karim from the department’s Public Relations Office told The Brunei Times that visitors on Sunday will be able to take part in this activity and others such as the flying fox, smoke house, fire vehicle ride, turntable ladder ride and life air pack jump.

“With these rides, the public will be able to get a hands-on experience to some of the extreme tasks in which our personnel has to handle and undertake during everyday emergency situations,” she said.

A large crowd of families turned up for the event yesterday, with many partaking in these activities. Andikarmilawati said that she was very happy with the response and turnout of the crowd.

A member of the Fire and Rescue Department uses of the 'life air pack'. The equipment is used to save people from long distance fall, such as off a building.Pictures: BT/Zareena Amiruddin, Fire and Rescue Department

The funfair and bazaar which started on Wednesday will end tomorrow. It is open to the public from 9am until 5pm with a total of 20 booths selling a variety of products for visitors, ranging from food to apparels to garage sale goods.

“So far the response has been positive today, but we are looking for more crowds by the weekend where we will have more games for everyone to play,” said Andikarmilawati.

Other activities visitors can look forward to included games and quizzes, such as the hose drill and the “donning the fire jacket” race.

Children will also be able to participate in a colouring contest for ages 12 and below.

A water curtain show by the Fire and Rescue personnel at the headquarters will also be set up for public enjoyment at 10am on the last day tomorrow where there will also be a walkathon, commencing at 7am which is open for public participation. The walkathon will have male participants walk for 5km and female participants walk for 3.5km from the headquarters to the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium and back again.

Yesterday, staff from HSBC bank were at the event to give out free T-shirts to the public to be used during the walkathon.

All proceeds from the charity bazaar and funfair will go to the Fire and Rescue Departments’ Orphans Fund.

In addition, the exhibition launched during the 50th anniversary celebration on March 9 will continue to be open to the public until the end of the bazaar.

“This is also an opportunity for the public to view our exhibition at the multipurpose hall, where they can learn more about what we do and have a close up glimpse at the various equipment we use in our operations,” said Andikarmilawati.

“Any inquiries regarding fire and safety hazards, the department’s operations and such can be obtained by our personnel during the exhibition,” she added.

At present, the department has more than 1,400 personnel and 17 fire stations strategically located around the country. The department’s operations cover both land and water.

The roles and responsibilities of the department are not limited to putting out fires but also include rescue, conducting fire investigations as well as raising awareness among the community on fire safety and disaster management.

The Brunei Times
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HIS gaze is fixed on the Chawan, a large bowl-like cup. What appeared to be a small, slender piece of bamboo called the Chashaku scoops out a pinch of powdered green tea, Macha.

After the hot water is poured, the Chasen, a whisk which is also carved out of bamboo, swiftly mixes the water and tea.

All the while, the amount of concentration and care he puts into the preparation of tea can only be deemed admirable.

Muhammad Shah Rainol Rizal @ “Atha” Asyhura Hj Mahmud places the chawan in front of his next visitor, smiles gently and bows ever so slightly. One after the other, he has been instructing them to grab it with their right hand and support with their left.

As they turn the chawan twice clockwise, he explains that the gesture pays respect to the maker of the vessel. After two silent sips, they let out a loud slurp to signify to their host that the tea was thoroughly enjoyed.

The mannerisms of the 23-year-old undergraduate from UBD may appear to be completely foreign to many especially when it involves drinking tea but yet it draws visitors in for its appeal.

The gracefulness and patience, according to him was what had him interested. When the Japanese Language and Culture Week was held in 2008, he saw for himself as a representative from the Japanese Embassy in Brunei Darussalam performed the ceremony on tatami mats.

Members of the public touring the exhibition during the Japanese Language and Culture Week held at University Brunei Darussalam. Picture: BT/Zamri Zainal

The Japanese Tea Ceremony, Chado, and the act of serving tea may not seem like much but seeing his guest enjoy the tea and enjoying the abbreviated and simplified version of the ceremony gave him a sense of self accomplishment, that he had “done it right”.

“I’m probably a weird person,” he quipped “that I don’t do what a normal boy does”. Laughing his comment off, he shared that his interest in different cultures has also extended to learning Korean and Mandarin languages on top of his Japanese.

Not too far off from his booth, 20-year-old Nurul Naziah Hj Abd Aziz beams proudly behind hers featuring an array of Japanese artists and bands. “I developed an interest in languages since 11,” she said.

Sticking to her roots, she has mastered Tutong Malay and Iban languages thanks to her parents’ ethnic backgrounds. But her discovery of Japanese began when she came across manga comics which were available here in Brunei.

At the time they were translated into Malay but she found out that they were originally Japanese. And that snowballed into her discovery of the world of Anime, Japanese animation. From there, opening theme songs and music that accompanied them introduced her to Japanese artists.

“It’s similar to Malay,” she said with regards to the syllabic nature of Japanese pronunciation. She shared that when she was in Form Six, she had ambitions to teach English in Japan. And having been to Tokyo and Kyoto as part of the Jenesys (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths) Programme, her passion for the country has only burned brighter. Among those strutting their stuff on stage for the Cultural Arts in Clothing Trends Competition was 21-year-old Muhammad Shahezam Zaini. His street style did not score as well as the Princess Lolita or Kawaii Black Cat but it was still a unique as Japanese fashion goes.

Pointing out that a geography lecturer once used his fashion sense as an example of globalisation, he said that the Japanese look is to stand out while looking good. Taking a page out of drama actors and musicians, Muhammad Shahezam is not shy to show his “youthfulness”.

Andree Asmara Hj Abidin, 32, has one more year to go in his Masters in Education specialising in Special Needs Education under the Asian Youth Fellowship Programme. Studying in Hiroshima University after seven months of intensive Japanese language classes at the Kansai Kokusai Gakuin (Japanese Language School).

He opted for further study in Japan as he felt it would be a good idea to “look at the east” as many tend to look to the West. Especially when it comes to teaching and learning, there was something that he could learn from Japan and could be applied back home.

Andree pointed out that Brunei and Japan share close business and economic relations but there are also other avenues that the two countries can work well with.

He spoke about “Lesson Study”, how once a year, a school would be open to other teachers to come in and observe lessons. Following that, those who attend would sit and discuss.

Whether a person is faintly interested in its sports, or obsessed with the language, Japan continues to mystify Bruneians and the Japanese Language and Culture Week hosted by Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) was a way for the public to learn more about the Land of the Rising Sun. Running from March 10 – 13, the four-day event was sponsored and supported by the Japanese Association of Brunei Darussalam, BJFA UBD Chapter, Misato Restaurant, Excapade Sushi Restaurant and V’s Restaurant.

The Brunei Times
Related News:

• Taste of Japan at UBD Chancellor Hall from March 10-13
• Japanese Culture Week on March 10
• Japanese students here to understand Bruneian way of life
• A taste of Japanese culture at UBD
• Opportunities in the Land of the Rising Sun
• UBD student completes JENESYS programme in Japan
• Korean Culture Week opens today
• Showcase of all things Japanese at UBD

Q: What are your hopes and aspirations for Lotus Racing?
A: Tomorrow, 13 March 2010, will be 6 months exactly since Lotus Racing got a slot in the F1. We’ve got 3 great drivers. I think the proudest thing is that even the Americans (USF1) didn’t get to the grid despite starting 3 months before us. It’s a great day for Malaysia that we can actually be on the grid and in a few hours the first practice will start.

For Kamarudin (Dato’ Sri Kamarudin Meranun, Deputy Team Principal) and me, the last 8 years have been non-stop excitement in building AirAsia. But Lotus Racing is something else; to be up there on Saturday qualifying with the likes of Ferrari, McLaren, Renault and Red Bull – teams that have been around for a long time. It’s fantastic to be able to have the Malaysian flag on the car and hopefully one day the Malaysian national anthem “Negaraku” will be played at the race. We hope all Malaysians are proud of this.

Q: What expectations do you have for your drivers?

A: I think the fact that we got 2 great drivers is a testament to the team itself. Heikki Kovalainen was in McLaren which has been world champion many times. For him to know that this year he will be at the back shows his belief in our ability to grow and hopefully he’ll get up there and compete with the front guys in the not too distant future. We have 2 great drivers but we obviously have to rely on a good machine as well. They sent me email yesterday and they are both very confident about getting the best out of the car.

Q: How do you think Michael Schumacher will perform?

A: It’s great for Schumacher to be back in F1. It also shows that our timing was perfect. It’s going to be great for Malaysia; the amount of branding that Malaysia got over the last 6 months has been fantastic for 1Malaysia. It really brings us together as well and it really fits in with the 1Malaysia concept. For us it’s good for Malaysia because there’s going to be a lot of interest in F1.

Q: What are your expectations in Bahrain?

A: An F1 car has a lot of moving parts in it and Bahrain is a hard race to start. It’s very hot, dry and there is sand; so it’s a baptism of fire for us. But hey you got to start somewhere so let’s hope that we finish the race. The great thing is that anything can happen.

For me personally if we can finish the race that will be great. Everything above that will be a bonus, whether we come last, second last or third last. But the important thing is we are on the grid. No Malaysians should be looking at where we come because no Asian country has done it with the exception of Japan and India, especially when you look at the size of our country. The key is to finish the race. Just like AirAsia, you start small and slowly build it.

From left – Sepang International Circuit CEO Razlan Razali, Lotus Racing Deputy Team Principal Dato’ Kamarudin Meranun, Lotus Racing Team Principal Dato’ Sri Tony Fernandes, Lotus Racing Deputy Team Principal SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin onboard the aircraft from Kuala Lumpur to Bahrain on Friday.

Q: Tell us about your Cosworth engine.

A: We are happy with the engine. Again there was a lot of concern about the engine initially. It’s a new engine. All the teams that are using Cosworth are very happy with the engine. It has given good power and good reliability. We are using Cosworth because they offer us a good deal at the time and there were already other teams using it. And Lotus has always been linked with Cosworth. The famous Lotus cars were Coswoth-powered.

Q: How important is the Malaysian race for Lotus Racing.

A: The Malaysian race is very important to us. It’s our homecoming. We haven’t had the chance to bring the car home to Malaysia yet as we only have 2 chassis and no show car. The Malaysian race is the most important in the season for us. We want the whole of Malaysia to see the car and feel part of it.

Q: Petronas will be doing something in KLCC. Do you have any such plans?

A: We’ll be doing something in the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur when the cars are here end of this month. Since we do not have a show car, we’ll put one up on the other teams as you’re going to be seeing the real car. This is the car that we will be racing in in Sepang. Other teams will bring show cars but ours is going to be the real car.

Q: Do you see Fairuz Fauzy a role model for young Malaysians?

A: I have known Fairuz for a long time but we obviously got to know him much better in the last 6 months. He’s a fantastic role model. He’s actually a role model for me – he’s so calm, very determined and I think he is a fantastic role model for all Malaysians. He’s been very professional, very positive, never let anything knock him down and I hope we can make his dream (to drive in the race) come true soon.

He is going to be the first driver to test the Lotus T127 in Bahrain, taking out the car for the first practice. He was also the first guy to drive the T127 in Jerez. The car was not fitted with power steering then but he drove 72 laps without power steering to get his super licence. He did a fantastic job; he never complained. He is very positive and he did some good times. He kept the car on the track and he’s a fantastic guy; a fantastic asset to the team. The 3 of them – Jarno Trulli, Heikki Kovalainen and Fairuz – get on so well. They are really working and helping each other and having some fun.

Q: Can you confirm if Firuz will be driving during Fiday practice in Malaysia?

A: Yes he is driving today in Bahrain and he will drive during Friday practice in Malaysia.

Q: How about sponsorships?

A: The good thing about sponsor source is that although they know you will be driving from the back, we are getting more publicity than even Ferrari. It’s probably what we’ve been good at – getting good PR and good mileage. We are getting a lot of response from sponsors, also because of the coverage we are getting. Also, Lotus is fantastic name. And I suppose the battle with Richard Branson will guarantee some coverage – yes, it is still on, there’s no going back.

Q: Why are you using Tune Group on the car instead of AirAsia brand?

A: AirAsia is already well established. And we already have a contract with AT&T Williams F1 Team. I don’t think AirAsia will be on a Lotus car anyway. AirAsia has reached a certain level but Tune Group is now up and coming. Tune Hotels.com is opening 15 hotels in London. Tune Money and Tune Talk are growing rapidly too.

Q: When will your merchandise be on sale?

A: We’ll start selling merchandise in Bahrain. It will be available in Malaysia in the next few weeks. We hope the Sepang circuit will be crowded with people who for the first time are going to wear something Malaysian and not an MU or Ferrari shirt.

Q: It’s all system go for the team but do you have any last-minute worries?

A: There are so many worries but we are just going to take it in our stride and enjoy the moment. There are so many things that can go wrong but let’s just enjoy the moment. A great day for Malaysia and who would have believed it! You’ve seen the problems with the other teams but we are there. Let’s motivate the youngsters that they can be world champions and be as good as the rest of the world. That’s what we are hoping. It’s great we are going to Bahrain and it’s going to be a great day.
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THE Barracudas welcome the possible inclusion of three new teams in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) next season.

The news of three new teams was announced by Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes, the ABL founder, during the championship presentation dinner at the Gardens Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday night.

“We expect Vietnam to join the ABL this October. We’re targetting participation from all the 10 Asean countries,” Fernandes told Bernama.

“That is the whole idea of the league. When it first started, it was trying to get all the Asean countries to participate and it is on its way to reaching that target,” said HD Suhaili, co-owner of the Barracudas, in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.

“Eventhough the number of teams is yet to be confirmed, it is bound to make the league more exciting,” added HD.

The Barracudas, Brunei’s first professional basketball team, are in the process of preparing for the upcoming season having ended their campaign in fifth place after the inaugural season.

ABL founder Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes (fourth from left) with inaugural season champions Philippine Patriots during the championship presentation dinner in Kuala Lumpur last week. Picture: Courtesy of Asean Basketball League

“We will have to train the local players harder and hopefully we can improve our standard to compete against the rest of the countries,” added Nadzaty.

The league kicked off last year with six teams – Barracudas, Philippine Patriots, Satria Muda BritAma, Thailand Tigers, Singapore Slingers and KL Dragons – from around the Southeast Asian region.

Meanwhile, the ABL presented the Patriots with championship rings and also the trophy during the dinner after sweeping Satria Muda 3-0 in the inaugural finals last month.

Jason Dixon, one of the American imports of the Patriots, pocketed the Best ABL import award but felt that there was others that deserve it.

“To be honest with you, I personally don’t feel I deserve it,” said Dixon to Redhoops.com.

“I personally feel there are various other guys who outperformed me, Gabe Freeman being number one. Nakiea Miller is a guy that you have to give him his credit,” added Dixon, who beat Kyle Jeffers of the Slingers and Miller of Satria Muda to the award.

Attaporn Lertmalaiporn of the Tigers bagged the ABL League Most Valuable Player award while Warren Ybanez of the Patriots was named the ABL Finals MVP pipping teammates Robert Wainwright and Jerwin Gaco for the award.

The Brunei Times
Related News:

• Let the ABL playoffs begin!
• No playoffs for Barracudas
• Philippine Patriots wrest ABL lead
• Barracudas shoot for second straight win
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• Barracudas flattened
• Barracudas had a bad day
• ABL: Barracudas release all imports

• 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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