The all new Audi Q7. Lighter by over 325kg over the precious model #TheGreatQ

Audi’s new Q7 has earned a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS, despite requirements being tightened for 2016.

To qualify, winners must earn “good” ratings in each of the IIHS’ five crash-worthiness tests, the small overlap, moderate overlap, side and roof strength and head restraints tests, and to have an “advanced” or “superior” rating on front crash prevention system.

The German SUV did “good” in the five crashworthiness evaluations and scored a “superior” rating for front crash prevention, as the model has standard Audi pre sense city with automatic emergency braking, which can detect moving and stationary vehicles as well as pedestrians, at speeds up to 52 mph (84 km/h) and initiate braking if potential collision is detected.

“This year’s Top Safety Pick+ award for the 2017 Q7 represents our brand’s longstanding commitment to bringing innovative technologies to the market.”, said President Audi of America, Scott Keogh.

The new Audi Q7 also recently earned the top 5-star rating in the Euro NCAP safety rating in January.

The new Audi Q7

 

Photography by Toby Canham. Image from Getty Images.

Who’s gonna take the major awards in the Oscars today? So far Mad Max has six wins out of 10 with two more left to go – Best Direction and Best Picture. I’m hoping it gets another two. I don’t mind Revenant taking the awards too especially for Leonardo DiCaprio for Best Actor. This will be his fourth nomination in the Oscars but he failed to win any. His previous ones were in The Aviator, Blood Diamond and The Wolf of Wall Street. I believe he deserved this moment to win his performance in the Revenant.

It’s a bit awkward though the atmosphere in the Oscars as it has been some controversy due to the whites versus blacks situation in the nominees. Chris Rock is the host of the Oscars and the #OscarsSoWhite is trending on social media. Let’s hope for more coloured representatives in the next Oscars.

 

Royal Brunei (RB) is set to host its 11th travel fair, featuring various promotions, packages and activities.

The news was announced yesterday, in a press conference at the Royal Brunei Recreational Club (RBRC), which was chaired by Ali Rahim bin Haji Abdul Rani, the Marketing Manager of RB.

Seven travel agents are participating in this year’s fair: Pan Bright Travel Services, Darussalam Holdings Sdn Bhd, At-Taqwa Travel Tours Sdn Bhd, Anthony Tours and Travel Agency Sdn Bhd, Century Travel Centre Sdn Bhd, Freme Travel Sdn Bhd and Southern Cross Travel Agencies
Visitors purchasing RB fares at the two-day Belait Travel fair are automatically eligible for RB’s Grand Draw, with a chance to win two return economy-class tickets to Dubai and Melbourne.

Meanwhile, visitors purchasing RB tickets with full payments are eligible for the lucky draw held at 12pm and 8pm on both days. Winners will receive prizes in the form of an economy-class ticket to Shanghai, Bangkok, Jakarta or Bali; and some RB merchandise.

Ali Rahim Hj Abdul Rani, Marketing Manager of Royal Brunei, (2nd from right), chairing the press conference last week

And those purchasing RB tickets in full payment, and a minimum spending of $500, are eligible for “The Betterfly Game”, with a chance of winning a five per cent discount voucher.

In the meantime, one of the exhibitors at the fair, Pan Bright Travel Service, has lined up attractive deals for customers, which will last until March 27. Among the prizes on offer during the promotional period will be a Hyundai Accent, and RB-sponsored flights to London, Melbourne and Bali.

Among the other exhibitors at the 11th Belait Travel Fair are Baiduri Bank, Tourism Malaysia, Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), Data Stream Technologies (DST) and Sabre (formerly Abacus).

The Belait Travel Fair will be open to the public at the Pusat Insani in Seria, from 9am to 8pm on March 5-6. Text by Rokiah Mahmud of Borneo Bulletin.

Meanwhile, this picture became viral on social media as it was being shared from Royal Brunei’s Facebook Page. They are RB’s first ever female trio at the flight deck: Captain Sharifah Czarena, Senior First Officer Sariana and Senior First Officer Dk Nadiah in the flight deck prior to operating flight BI081 from Brunei to Jeddah. The image has reached at least 2 million views.

RB associates during the National Day parade last week

The photo opp for both Australian Leah Gander and her opponent Chong Ming Rui. The Australian won her semifinal match last night

The semi finals ended on a high note for all the participants. It was the first time I watched a top billing match between Aiman Abdullah and Billy Wong. I have heard many good reviews of their previous matches and to date, Billy Wong is Aiman’s toughest opponent to date.

It was the first time that I’ve seen Aiman (my unofficial coach) in a competitive match and yes, he was stretched to the limit by 4th seed Billy Wong. The rallies were just awesome to watch and it reminds me of the rivalry between Pete Sampras and Jimmy Courier in the 90s. End to end stuff and I do agree with Aiman that the scores 6-1 6-2 in favour of Aiman wasn’t a proper reflection of the match display by Billy. He had great ground strokes and not forgetting his powerful backhand. Good job to both players and I can’t wait to see more matches like this.

In the other semi-finals, Rajvir Jutla needed three sets to overcome Filipino Juliano Licup 1-6 7-6 (4) 6-2 last night. He will now face No.1 seed Aiman Abdullah in the finals tonight. Both have met on a few occasions but Aiman is the man to beat for the tournament. The match will be slated for tonight’s game at 7pm at the National Tennis Centre.

In the ladies’ semi-finals of the Brunei Darussalam Tennis Association Open Singles 1st Leg, Australian Leah Gander beat Chong Ming Rui while Japanese Hiromi Okochi beat Sin Yi. The ladies’ finals will take place tonight also at the same venue.

Chong Ming Rui and Monica Okochi

Rajvir Jutla in action in the semi-finals

Sin Yi in her semi-final match

Hiromi Okochi wining her semi-final match last night

Lena Ang won her maiden match in the consolation category

Ben Sii also winning his consolation match

Aiman Abdullah upped his game against a tough opponent

Billy Wong giving his best he could last night. Love his powerful ground strokes and back hand too.

 

Drop by The Mall, Gadong, to check out the new Peugeot 308

The soft launch of the Peugeot 308 was marked with a mini Roadshow at The Mall, Gadong. Experience the new hatchback’s modern aerodynamic shape and detailing, with its compact dimensions and a much reduced weight compared to its predecessor.

Its driving experience is unprecedented and its CO2 emissions represent a record by leading the market sector (from 82g/km and 3.1 l/100 km / 91.1mpg). The aerodynamic properties, like the effect of weight, are key factors for reducing the vehicle’s environmental footprint.

Sleek and dynamic, the new Peugeot 308 has well-balanced proportions. Pure lines which follow the engineering structure create a sturdy appearance and a precise balance between elegance, sportiness and high-quality.

At the front, a large centrally-placed grille, surrounded with chrome, emphasises the upmarketelegance of the new PEUGEOT 308. Full LED headlamps are specified as standard on the higher levels of finish.

It also prioritises safety with features such as cruise control, emergency collision alert and braking system, park-assist function and blind spot monitoring. A highlight is its i-Cockpit, which includes the head-up instrument panel. This feature, based on the Peugeot website, displays the necessary information while helping to ‘keep eyes on the road’.

For more information, sales representatives of the sole distributor of Peugeot in the nation, TCY Motors Sdn Bhd will be at the showcase, which ends March 2. The company is also giving a five-year free service to anyone who purchase the Peugeot 208 and 408.

The back rear view of the Peugeot 308

The interior view of the Peugeot 308

 

New dishes at Pepper Lunch

As part of the celebrations for their official launch, Pepper Lunch has launched a new dish on the menu, the Cheesy Teppan Risotto.

The rich delicious dish, available from now til the end of April comes in two varieties, a choice of salmon and prawn or chicken and prawn. Priced at $13.90, the risotto is a hearty and decadent meal for your tummy, and for a top-up of $3, you can enjoy it with a drink and a side dish.

Pepper Lunch is located Setia Kenangan 2 Building, Kiulap and operates from 10am to 10pm daily. You can follow ‘Pepper Lunch Brunei’ on Facebook or Instagram @pepperlunchbn