Features

Launched globally in recent weeks, the Hyundai Palisade is the giant automaker’s largest SUV to date. Effectively taking over from the Azera saloon as Hyundai’s post-Genesis flagship model in the wake of the Korean auto group setting up a separate luxury brand, the 7/8-seat Palisade combines a distinctly assertive design with sensible functionality and features. 

With palatial cabin space, thoughtful and high tech features, a classy up-market interior, useful off-road ability and smooth yet robust performance, the user-friendly stress-free Palisade is designed with what Hyundai dubs ‘maverick families’ in mind.

Imposing identity

Playing the role of “king” in what Hyundai describes as the chess set that makes up its roster of cars and SUVs, the focal point of the Palisade’s design them is its huge cascading grille. Stepping away from the “cookie cutter” familial corporate design approach so popular with many automakers in recent years, Hyundai now views the cascading grille as more of a springboard. Sharing a unifying starting point, the Palisade has a different “classical temple”-like design quality, distinct from low-slung and edgy new Sonata and upcoming Elantra saloon models.

Dominating its fascia with its broad and scale-like mesh grille, flanked by lower recessed headlight pods and dramatically slim and browed top running lights, the palisade has an imposingly sculpted presence, enhanced by its muscular wheel-arches, prominently ridged side character lines and jutting sills.

With short front and long rear overhangs, thick rear pillars and relatively level waistline and roofline, it has a grounded, statuesque and somewhat conservative stance, complemented by a big rear tailgate spoiler and vertical wrap-over rear lights, and huge standard 18-inch or optional 20-inch alloy wheels.

Progressive peaks

Almost alligator-like from front view, the Palisade is powered by a direct injection 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine under its bulging bonnet, as driven in top specification. Naturally-aspirated, the Palisade’s power delivery is progressive and eager. Responsive from the get-go, it builds to its maximum 262lb/ft torque by a peaky 5,200rpm and onto 291BHP at 6,000rpm.

Seamless and smooth yet urgent when pressed hard the Palisade’s powerful V6 delivers both effective mid-range flexibility for brisk on the move acceleration at speed, and a rewarding willingness right up to its rev limit.

Squatting slightly as it pounces from standstill, with additional traction provided by its variable four-wheel-drive system, the Palisade briskly carries its minimum 1.9-tonne frame through 0-100km/h in 7.7-seconds, and can attain a maximum 210km/h.

Confident in high wind on the highway and responsively versatile, the Palisade returns comparatively moderate 10.4l/100km combined fuel efficiency under ideal conditions. Driven through a smooth, slick and quick 8-speed automatic gearbox, the Palisade’s HTRAC four-wheel drive meanwhile is road- and front-biased for efficiency, yet seamlessly splits torque between front and rear for confident stability and road-holding.

Comfort and control

Riding on MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, the Palisade is built using a high proportion of Advanced High Strength Steel and construction methods intended to enhance torsional rigidity at better cost efficiency that with exotic materials. Additionally, it employs lighter aluminium suspension components to reduce unsprung mass. The net effect more precise suspension and steering, which is felt is when driven. For such a comfortably supple, high riding vehicle, the Palisade feels responsive, smooth and settled, with direct in-class steering and manoeuvrability, not to mention enhanced collision safety.

Turning in with little understeer and good grip, the Palisade feels tidy, manoeuvrable and well-controlled for its height and size, while body lean through corners is similarly well-managed given its comfortable ride characteristics. Through corners, the Palisade can meanwhile re-apportion more power to the rear wheels for better agility and balance. Light yet accurate, the Palisade’s steering is quick through corners, while its ride quality well absorbs most bumps, lumps and cracks, even when fitted with larger, firmer optional 245/50R20 tires rather than the ultimately more pliant standard 245/60R18 tyres.

Palatial accommodation

Reassuringly stable at speed and settled on rebound through dips and crests, the Palisade features numerous underbody covers to help it achieve comparatively low 0.33 aerodynamic drag co-efficiency, which helps noise reduction and efficiency. A refined drive with a comfortable cabin and well-adjustable, large front seats and driving position, the Palisade’s cabin offers terrific mid-row seating space, easy cabin access through wide swing angle doors and generous minimum 509-litre cargo volume behind the third row seats. Ambiance inside is airy, while its level waistline allows for comparatively good road visibility.

Inside, the Palisade has a distinctly premium feel, with good quality materials, uncluttered layouts, soft textures and an expansive horizontal emphasis including large infotainment and instrument screens.

Well-equipped with numerous infotainment, convenience and safety features including forward, blind spot, rear cross-path, lane keeping, safe exit, rear occupant and other assistant systems, it also features smart stop/go cruise control and a unique blind spot monitor view, which activates along with the indicators.

For off-road driving, it can lock four-wheel-drive at lower speeds and features Multi-Terrain Control System that adjusts various systems for different off-road conditions.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 3.8-litre, aluminium block/head, inline V6-cylinders

Bore x stroke: 96 x 87mm

Compression ratio: 11.5:1

Valve-train: DOHC, 24-valve, continuously variable valve timing

Gearbox: 8-speed automatic, four-wheel-drive

Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 291 (295) [217] @6,000rpm

Specific power: 77BHP/litre

Power-to-weight: 152.9BHP/tonne

Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 262 (355) @5,200rpm

Specific torque: 94Nm/litre

Torque-to-weight: 186.5Nm/tonne

0-100km/h: 7.7-seconds

Top speed: 210km/h

Fuel consumption, urban/extra-urban/combined: 14.4-/8.1-/10.4-litres/100km 

CO2 emissions, combined: 248.5g/km

Length: 4,980mm

Width: 1,975mm

Height: 1,750mm

Wheelbase: 2,900mm

Tread, F/R: 1,708/1,716mm

Headroom, F/M/R: 1,035/1,019/959mm

Leg room, F/M/R: 1,120/1,077/798mm

Shoulder room, F/M/R: 1,555/1,545/1,402mm

Seats: 7/8

Luggage volume, behind 3rd/2nd row: 509-/1,297-litres

Kerb weight: 1,903-2,021kg

Steering: Electric-assisted rack and pinion

Suspension, F/R: MacPherson struts/multi-link

Brakes: Ventilated discs

Tyres, standard/optional: 245/60R18/245/50R20

By Sheela Sheth
Food Expert

Concealed amidst the grassy meadows and mountains is this hardy and most versatile grassy herb chive plant native to Central Asia. Chives, packed with nutrients, help us maintain youthful-looking skin, strong bones, healthy digestion and so much more.

Hidden treasure 

This aromatic herb grows from a bulb and is the smallest member of the onion family. The slender leaves grow about 30 centimetres with pinkish-purple globular flowers, which spurt out in early spring and are often the first ones to be seen in my kitchen garden even before the cherry blossoms. 

Chives are the best companion to flowers and vegetables due to their rich sulphur content and often serve as a pesticide. The plant creates a stunning garden display and helps control soil erosion.

Health treasure and mood enhancement

Its antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antibiotic properties work towards destroying harmful microbes and aids in the treatment of yeast infection. 

Vitamin K, which is vital to bone density and strength, is found in traces in chives. It contains folate, which is present in folic acid and helps prevent congenital disabilities.

Chives also contain carotenes lutein which is known to reduce oxidative stress in the eyes; it slows the development of cataract, so it helps improve vision. 

The presence of potassium may boost heart health and the organic compound called allicin also reduces cholesterol levels; it is known to lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. 

Men who take allium vegetable rich in oregano sulphur compound have the lowest risk of prostate cancer. 

Chives contain choline, an important nutrient for sleep, muscle movement, learning and memory. 

Beauty boost

Chives’ contribution in boosting skin radiance is a result of beta-carotene, an antioxidant present in this miracle herb. It also helps treat acne as vitamin C content contributes to anti-ageing and aids in treating yeast infections. 

A Chive face mask acts as a powerful moisturiser and improves the dryness of the skin. A chive oil mask application to hair can improve dryness and strengthen hair roots and split ends.

Culinary delight

Its pungent flavour makes chives a popular culinary craze. Chives add flavour to recipes with eggs, cheese, curry, dips, soups and quiche. You can jazz up refreshing drinks in summer with finely trimmed chives. 

You can also decorate with chive flowers. They taste almost like freshly ground peppercorn with a mild onion flavour and a wonderful garnish for soups. 

Infuse young chive flowers to plain white vinegar — the rosy concoction will burst with tantalising flavour.

People who need to avoid onions should not consume chives. Too much of it can cause indigestion and abdominal discomfort.

Reprinted with permission from Family Flavours magazine

TOKYO — A breakthrough technique harnessing two methods to target disease-carrying mosquitoes was able to effectively eradicate buzzing biters in two test sites in China, according to research published on Thursday.

The mosquitoes targeted are a type that is particularly difficult to control called Aedes albopictus — more popularly known as the Asian tiger mosquito — which are a major vector for diseases including Zika and dengue.

The study “demonstrates the potential of a potent new tool”, wrote Peter Armbruster, a professor at Georgetown University’s department of biology, in a review of the work.

Researchers harnessed two population control methods: the use of radiation — which effectively sterilises mosquitoes — and a strain of bacteria called Wolbachia that leaves mosquito eggs dead on arrival.

They conducted a two-year trial at two sites on river islands in Guangzhou, where Asian tiger mosquitoes are to blame for the highest dengue transmission rate in China.

The results were “remarkable”, wrote Armbruster: the number of hatched mosquitoes eggs plunged by 94 per cent, with not a single viable egg recorded for up to 13 weeks in some cases.

And the average number of female mosquitoes — which transmit disease to humans when they bite — caught by traps fell by between 83 and 94 per cent.

In some cases, none were detected at all for up to six weeks.

The results were also borne out by a decline of nearly 97 per cent in bites suffered by locals — which in turn shifted attitudes among residents, who were initially sceptical of the project’s plan to release more mosquitoes into the local area.

Radiation and bacteria

The research builds on two existing methods: radiation-based sterile insect technique (SIT) and incompatible insect technique (IIT).

SIT works by releasing radiation-sterilised male mosquitoes into an environment to mate with wild female mosquitoes, reducing the size of the population over time as females fail to reproduce.

But irradiation of male mosquitoes tends to reduce both their mating competitiveness and their survival rates, undermining the technique’s effectiveness.

The IIT method involves a bacteria called Wolbachia. When males infected with it mate with female mosquitoes that aren’t infected, their eggs don’t hatch.

The technique doesn’t work if the female mosquitoes are infected with the same Wolbachia strain, and successful mating by mosquitoes that both carry the bacteria undermines the technique by producing more female mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia that are resistant to the process.

Preventing the release of Wolbachia-infected female mosquitoes is difficult, with sex-sorting techniques usually resulting in a “female contamination rate” of about 0.3 per cent.

To overcome that, researchers decided to subject their Wolbachia-infected lab-reared mosquitoes to low-level irradiation, which rendered the females sterile but left the males able to reproduce.

This allowed the team to avoid the onerous sex-screening process and meant they could release significantly more mosquitoes at a time: in some cases more than 160,000 male mosquitoes per hectare, per week.

‘Striking results’

Lead researcher Zhiyong Xi, a professor at Michigan State University’s department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, compared the technique to “producing insecticide”.

“Our goal is to use this technique to build a protected area that is disease vector-free,” Xi told AFP.

Armbruster, in a review commissioned by the journal Nature that published the research on Thursday, said the study produced “striking results”.

That the trial “almost eliminated notoriously difficult-to-control vector mosquitoes from the test sites is remarkable”, he wrote.

The results weren’t a universal success — populations in areas with more traffic, near construction or roads, shrank less than those in isolated zones, likely as mosquitoes migrated in from elsewhere.

But Xi said the technique still holds promise if “natural barriers” like highways are used to limit the arrivals of outside mosquitoes.

And he said it could be used against mosquitoes that carry disease, including malaria.

The next steps will involve developing a “highly effective and practical release strategy” suited for urban settings”, he said.

NEW YORK — An American study has explored the link between the stigma regularly experienced by overweight individuals and the effects on their mental health, especially in terms of self-shaming.

Suffering pointed looks from passersby or receiving “well-meaning” commentary from friends and family about body weight is often associated with self-devaluation, leading to increased risks on mental health.

While this effect has long been observed, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have looked into whether some people were more likely than others to be vulnerable to “self-stigmatising” about their own weight.

Published in Obesity Science and Practice, the study was directed by Rebecca Pearl, PhD, an assistant professor at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

This new study synthesised survey results from 18,000 people who participated in a commercialised weight-loss programme offered nationwide by the Weight Watchers International company.

The study’s participants responded anonymously regarding their experiences of stigmatisation and weight-shaming from other people, noting frequency and the impacts on their psychological state.

They assessed whether that led them to self-shame regarding their own physical and mental characteristics.

Greater internalised stigma when weight criticism dates to childhood.

Nearly two-thirds of the participants affirmed having been confronted with weight-related criticism at least once in their lives.

The study showed that nearly half experienced this criticism during childhood and adolescence. The study also showed that women, young people, and those with a high body mass index were most vulnerable to self-shaming, while those of African-American descent and adults in couples were less.

According to the study, people who experienced stigmatisation over their weight were more likely to devalue themselves than others, especially those who had suffered from these disagreeable experiences from childhood.

Individuals who received commentary about their body weight from members of their family, friends, colleagues, or health professionals were also more affected.

“We don’t yet know why some people who struggle with their weight internalise society’s stigma and others do not,” said Pearl.

“These findings represent a first step toward helping us identify, among people trying to manage their weight, who may be most likely to self-stigmatise.

People who are trying to lose weight may be among the most vulnerable to weight self-stigma, but this issue is rarely discussed in treatment.” 

Some call it the brain, others the heart, some refer to it as the core. The fact is that a computer’s processor or CPU (Central Processing Unit) is still the essential element in any system, and by far the most important one in machines and various digital, computer-like devices of all sizes and sorts.

Several companies manufacture computer peripherals of all sorts, from hard disks to printers, scanners and monitors. Millions of people in the world write software programmes, or apps in some cases, as fashion has it now. Also, millions design and develop websites. Only a very limited number of companies can make CPUs; and all the other aspects of technology in the world would be nothing without the processor.

When it comes to making the essential chips, only a handful of companies are able to design and manufacture CPUs and have the required human, technical and financial resources to continue doing it through the years. To say that they rule the world of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is hardly an exaggeration. By extrapolating one would even say that they rule the world.

At the top reigns Intel, with an impressive 80 per cent of the world’s market share, considering all computers processors made. AMD follows with 20 per cent. These are the average figures for the last 12 months.

In the news earlier this week, and according to cnet.com, “Intel packs 8 million digital neurons onto its brain-like computer. [ ] the company takes a notable step toward a digital brain.” As impressive as this sounds, the consumer has gotten familiar, not to say blasé, with similarly sensational news about ever more powerful CPUs every couple of year or so.

The name of the game has not changed. It is all about being able to do more, to run a greater number of applications at the same time, and to do it faster than the previous season. Now Intel’s well-known range of consumer-oriented CPUs (i.e. not servers), namely the i3, i5 and i7 are in their 10th generation. Intel also shines in the domain of server computers with its Xeon CPU range that address the requirement of high-demand, data-intensive machines.

There are naturally a few other manufacturers, but they mainly target mobile devices, graphics processors (GPUs) and wireless hardware. These are ARM, Qualcomm, Huawei, Samsung and NVidia, to name only the main ones. Huawei, in particular, has excellent reputation in the field of professional wireless networking equipment, perhaps as much if not more than in the world of smartphones where the name is more often heard, thanks to the company’s aggressive advertising.

The CPU therefore is the element to start with when you are shopping for a computer, be it a desktop, a laptop or a mobile device. Getting the one that is right for you and for the applications you intend to use is critical. Of course you can then give your machine some extra boost, some vitamins, in the form of more central memory or a fast SSD disk, but they will only be, well… supplements. For the good health of your computer, the main diet, the core issue remains the CPU. Choosing the right one is like building your home on solid ground. The rest matters less.

LOS ANGELES — The divisive final season of “Game of Thrones” smashed the record for most Primetime Emmy nominations by a drama series in a single year, earning a whopping 32 nods on Tuesday.

HBO’s fantasy epic enraged fans with its bumpy conclusion but still trounced the competition to strengthen its iron grip on the small-screen equivalent of the Oscars.

“The Marvelous Mrs Maisel” — Amazon’s story of a 1950s housewife-turned-stand up comic — was a distant second with 20 nominations.

“Thrones” is the most decorated fictional show in the awards’ seven-decade history, and now has 161 nominations overall — including 47 wins. 

“For those who will be adding 2019 to their long list of nominations and or wins from other years — it never gets old!” said Television Academy chairman and CEO Frank Scherma.

The show about families vying for the Iron Throne broke a 25-year drama series nominations record held by “NYPD Blue”, which earned 27 nods in 1994.

Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington were recognised in the lead acting categories, while eight other “Thrones” cast members swept the board in the supporting and guest acting categories. The shortened eighth and last season also won a slew of technical awards.

“Thrones” capitalised on a threadbare year for drama, with several big hitters such as “The Handmaid’s Tale” missing from the main categories. The next highest-placed drama — AMC’s “Breaking Bad” prequel “Better Call Saul” — managed just eight nominations. 

HBO’s acclaimed limited series “Chernobyl” placed third overall this year with 19 nominations, ahead of perennial Emmys powerhouse “Saturday Night Live” with 18.

This year’s nominations saw HBO reclaim its title for most-nominated network from web streaming giant Netflix, which last year had ended its 17-year winning streak.

HBO claimed 137 nods to Netflix’s 117 — a record for each, meaning the pair tighten their joint stranglehold on the prestigious awards.

“Sure, things could look very different next year when HBO will be without both drama ‘Game of Thrones’... and comedy ‘Veep’”, wrote The Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Feinberg. “But for one more year, at least, HBO is tops in TV.”

Netflix’s “When They See Us”, the true story of five men wrongly accused of raping a Central Park jogger, picked up a stunning eight acting nods.

“Thank you to the real men for inviting me to tell their story... Love you, brothers”,    Tweeted series creator Ava DuVernay.

Amazon Prime also enjoyed a stellar year, more than doubling its haul to reach 47 nods, just behind NBC with 58.

As well as “Maisel”, dark British comedy “Fleabag” performed well for Amazon, with five of its actresses receiving nominations, including lead Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Waller-Bridge, who is currently rewriting the upcoming 25th James Bond film, also received a writing nomination for “Fleabag”.

But there was disappointment for the traditional big four broadcast networks — CBS, NBC, Fox and ABC — which were left “hanging on for dear life”,  said Feinberg.

In particular, the final season of CBS ratings smash “The Big Bang Theory” failed to register in any main categories.

A-listers Julia Roberts and Jim Carrey were shunned by voters, who ignored their respective performances in Amazon’s “Homecoming” and Showtime’s “Kidding”.

While Netflix/BBC thriller “Bodyguard” earned a drama series nod, its lead actor Richard Madden was a surprising omission.

The Emmys recognises shows that were on in the 12 months to May 31.

That meant several voters’ favourites were absent from main categories this year, including Hulu’s new season of “The Handmaid’s Tale”.

The 2017 drama series winner still managed to pick up 11 nominations in technical categories, for episodes submitted from the tail-end of its previous season. 

“Big Little Lies” and “Stranger Things” also just missed the cut-off this time around.

The Television Academy’s 24,000 members sifted through a record number of entries for this year’s Emmys.

The nominations were announced in a live-streamed presentation from Los Angeles hosted by “The Good Place” actress D’Arcy Carden and “The Masked Singer” panellist Ken Jeong. 

Final-round voting will now begin to pick winners who will be revealed at a glitzy Los Angeles show on September 22. 

People with high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol before age 40 are more likely to have a heart attack later in life than other adults, a new analysis suggests.

The analysis pooled data from six studies involving a total of 36,030 people. Starting when participants were 53 years old on average, researchers tracked them to see who had heart attacks, strokes, or heart failure. 

By the time half of the people had been tracked for at least 17 years, participants who had high levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol before age 40 — that is, higher than about 129 milligrammes per decilitre of blood — were 64 per cent more likely to have had events like heart attacks compared to people with low LDL levels in early adulthood. 

The upper limit of normal blood pressure is 120/80. Younger adults who had high systolic blood pressure — the “top number” — were 37 per cent more likely to develop heart failure later in life. And young adults who had elevated diastolic blood pressure — the “bottom number” — were 21 per cent more likely to develop heart failure later on. 

“Many young adults feel OK, or they’re willing to think — I’m OK now, I will make healthful choices later when I’m older,” said Dr Andrew Moran, senior author of the study and a researcher at Columbia University Medical Centre in New York City. 

“This study shows that healthy choices matter even in young adults,” Moran said by e-mail. “This means not smoking, eating a healthful diet and exercising regularly.” 

And for some high risk young adults, starting medication to manage risk factors at a younger age — something that currently isn’t done as a matter of course — may be worthwhile, Moran added. 

Very few people in the study had high blood pressure or high cholesterol during young adulthood, researchers report in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 

During follow-up, 4,570 participants had events like heart attacks, 5,119 had heart failure events, and 2,862 had strokes. 

The study can’t explain whether or how high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol in early adulthood might directly cause heart attacks, strokes or heart failure later in life. 

One limitation of the analysis is that because the smaller studies used in the analysis didn’t have blood pressure and cholesterol measurements across the lifespan, in some cases researchers had to estimate how many younger adults had these risk factors based on the data they had for participants at older ages. 

“Heart failure and heart attacks are the result of years of exposure to risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol,” said Dr Samuel Gidding, coauthor of an editorial accompanying the study and medical director of the FH (Familial Hypercholesterolemia) Foundation in Pasadena, California. 

“Both cause the buildup of fat in the coronary arteries beginning in childhood; this leads to heart attack later in life,” Gidding said by e-mail. “High blood pressure puts extra strain on the heart and adapting to that stress leads to heart failure.” 

Helped by a global search through sewage, San Diego State University researchers have found that a benign gut virus appears to be older than the human race itself.

Moreover, different strains of this common virus can be traced to countries or even individual cities, said study leader Rob Edwards. Travellers rapidly pick up the local strain, providing a genetic map of their journey.

“For example, we can detect San Diego vs. New York,” Edwards said.

There are also hints that the virus might be usable to treat certain diseases related to imbalances of intestinal bacteria, he said. There’s no evidence the virus causes any human disease.

The study was published Monday in Nature Microbiology.

This virus is a bacteriophage or phage, a group of viruses that kill bacteria. Called a cross-assembly phage, or crAssphage, it infects Bacteroidetes, a genus of anerobic bacteria. The virus was first reported in 2014, by a group including Edwards.

The virus might be used to alleviate disorders such as Crohn’s disease, and possibly diabetes and obesity, he said. There are hints that imbalances in the gut bacterial population are involved in such disorders. So strains of the phage might be engineered to deliver medicines.

“Presumably, because the phage has been around so long, it’s adapted to our immune system, so it’s not going to cause a big response,” Edwards said. “This is a really exciting area of opportunity for us right now, to understand how we can shape the human microbiome with the bacteriophages that we have available to us.”

However, he said a fuller understanding of these gut microbial interactions will first be needed.

Phage therapy has been around for more than a century. In recent years, it has received more attention, as bacterial resistance to antibiotics proliferates. The University of California, San Diego has established a centre for phage therapy.

With the help of colleagues around the world, Edwards was able to get the genetic sequences of crAssphage from their locales. This greatly simplified the task.

“We put out requests by email and Twitter for scientists to get samples from their local sewage plants,” Edwards said. “It was kind of a global coming together where everybody got their own samples, sequences them and sent us the data by e-mail. So we have sequences from 67 countries.”

The virus was found to be widespread, and also related to other phages found in Old World and New World primates. This pattern suggests that crAssphage and its ancestors were present in primates before the human lineage split off, Edwards said.

Positioned between similarly sized Japanese competitors like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, and rugged, slightly smaller, and more affordable “world car” saloons like the Peugeot 301, Renault Logan and its own Sunny sister, the Nissan Sentra offers the best of both worlds.

Contemporary in design, yet spacious, it doesn’t sacrifice practicality at the altar of fashion, nor is it overburdened with what is unnecessary, but instead offers a “just right” package for Jordanian roads in terms of size, price, comfort, design and driving dynamic.

Styled to more cohesively fit in Nissan’s design language when first launched than smaller Sunny and Tiida sister models, and to better channel Nissan’s larger Altima and Maxima design elements, the Sentra offers similarly elegant and flowing lines.

Most similar in its fascia treatment, sporty wraparound front and rear lights, curvy front wheel-arch and subtly muscular bonnet, the Sentra’s roofline is cleverly design to flow towards its high-set boot. Nevertheless it retains a roomy, upright cabin with a generous glasshouse for visibility and an airy ambiance.

Seamless and efficient

Powered by either 1.8- and 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engines regionally, and with a choice of continuously variable transmission (CVT) or a 6-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels in the latter version, the Sentra offers progressive delivery, decent refinement and sound insulation.

Driven in 1.6 guise, it develops 113BHP at 5600rpm and 113lb/ft at around 4000rpm, and is estimated to be capable of 0-100km/h in around 11-seconds. During extensive, varied and sometimes demanding test drive conditions on Jordanian roads, it also delivered frugal real world fuel efficiency.

Responsive from idle, versatile in mid-range and confident keeping pace on highway and in town, the Sentra’s engine seems perky and willing to rev high in its own right. Ultra smooth, highly fuel efficient, and one of the better CVT systems, the Sentra’s CVT transmission inherently trades off some element of driver control in regards exact ratio changes, for efficiency, and is tuned to favour maintaining mid-range engine speeds in most situations. However, selecting “L” mode, it more readily unleashes higher revs for more power.

Unexpectedly engaging

More suitable for most drivers in Jordan for its seemingly seamless ratio changes and fuel efficiency, the Sentra’s CVT well suits what a first impression of a mild-mannered, comfortable, smooth and easy daily drive saloon. However, given more sporting handling abilities that became more apparent on narrow, snaking and textured Jordanian roads, compared to straight, smooth and wide Dubai roads where first driven in 2013, it becomes tempting to trade some CVT benefits for the manual gearbox Sentra’s greater driver involvement and performance, and lower price.

Seemingly shrinking around the driver and becoming sharper once put through its pace on narrower country lanes, the Sentra isn’t overtly sporty but soon instils confidence in its unexpected handling ability and eager in-segment clarity. Turning in tidy and crisp with little indication of under-steer, the Sentra happily tucks and weaves through switchbacks, with its good visibility, relatively narrow body making it easy to place. Predictable yet nippy and fun, it well copes with tight and fast corners, while comparatively narrow tyres help steering accuracy and feel.

Supple and spacious

Well-damped on centre for reassuring highway stability, the Sentra’s light yet tall-geared steering however becomes more delicate and communicative when loaded through corners. Refined and settled if slightly alert at speed, the Sentra is set up for supple comfort over lumps, bumps and cracks, yet doesn’t alienate the driver from road conditions and remains alert through corners and vertically settled on rebound, while cornering lean is well managed. Restrained 195/60R16 tyres meanwhile also well absorb road imperfections and durably cope with rougher patches of tarmac.

Pleasantly airy and unostentatious inside, the Sentra’s cabin features nice subtle and functionally user-friendly design elements and layouts. Materials include soft surfaces in prominent places and more discrete hard plastics. Driven in entry-level S trim with comfortable fabric upholstery and best in dark cabin colours, standard equipment includes A/C, electric windows and mirrors, CD player, remote central locking and more. Comparatively spacious in front and rear head and legroom and with generous 510-litre luggage capacity, the Sentra betters many competitors and some larger, fancier yet lower roof cars.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Engine: 1.6-litre, transverse 4-cylinders
• Bore x stroke: 78 x 83.6mm
• Compression: 9.8:1
• Valve-train: 16-valve, DOHC
• Gearbox: Continuously variable transmission (CVT) auto, front-wheel-drive
• Transmission ratios: 4.006:1-0.550:1
• Reverse/final drive: 3.771:1/3.754:1
• Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 113 (114) [84] @5,600rpm
• Specific power: 73.7BHP/litre
• Power-to-weight: 93.8BHP/tonne
• Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 113 (154) @4,000rpm
• Specific torque: 96.3Nm/litre
• Torque-to-weight: 127.8Nm/tonne
• 0-100km/h: 11-seconds (estimate)
• Fuel capacity: 52-litres
• Length: 4,615mm
• Width: 1,760mm
• Height: 1,495mm
• Wheelbase: 2,700mm
• Track, F/R: 1,545/1,540mm
• Minimum ground clearance: 165mm
• Aerodynamic drag co-efficiency: 0.29
• Head room, F/R: 1000/932mm
• Legroom, F/R: 1079/950mm
• Shoulder room, F/R: 1389/1369mm
• Hip room, F/R: 1292/1272mm
• Luggage volume: 510-litres
• Kerb weight: 1,205kg
• Steering: Electric-assisted rack & pinion
• Lock-to-lock: 3.3-turns
• Turning circle: 10.4-metres
• Suspension, F/R: MacPherson struts/torsion beam
• Brakes, F/R: Ventilated discs/drums
• Tyres: 195/60R16

Price, on-the-road, no insurance: JD17,600

By Tamara Jalajel
Children’s Physiotherapist 

Participation in sports helps improve not only your child’s motor skills but their overall development. Children’s social, communication and behavioural skills, and even their academic performance, are proven benefits of engaging in sports.

What sport to choose for your child?

Child’s interest

Exploring your child’s preference in physical activity is a priority. What type of activities does he or she enjoy? Does he or she like competitive games? At this stage, you can try various physical activities at home by using modified sport skills such as throwing at targets, racing, gymnastic movements and so on. 

After trying many activities, your child could choose a sport to explore further.

Sport characteristics

Each sport has its elements and skills that your child has to learn to master. For example, football involves the lower body while upper body motor coordination is necessary to play basketball and tennis. Kickboxing and jiu-jitsu involve sufficient motor coordination between the upper and lower body.

I recommend avoiding focusing on one sport and specialisation in it. By this, I mean that your child will learn the specific skills necessary for that sport only and will miss the opportunity to learn other essential skills. 

If your child wants to specialise in a sport, he or she can play two sports, such as football and boxing. Another solution to sports specialisation at a young age is to engage your child in a comprehensive exercise regimen prepared by a specialist.

Team or individual sport

Taking into consideration your child’s interest whether to play in a team setting or as an individual basis will help to narrow down options. If your child has trouble in coordinating his or her movements or has a short attention span, an individual sport like swimming is an option. Children who need motivation and encouragement tend to enjoy team sports.

Coach specialisation

Teaching children sports skills is not easy, and a coach has to know how to teach these skills gradually. 

Look for a coach with knowledge and experience to teach your child a particular sport. At team sports classes, you may also wish to ensure that the coach involves your child in the class if he or she has a short attention span or motor coordination difficulties. 

Even with its advantages on children’s overall development, sports is not always a good option to start with if your child has delays due to any specific reason. 

Forcing your child to participate in sports may lead to psychological stress. 

If you find a child rejects sports, let’s first determine the reason for withdrawal or stress. 

A children’s physiotherapist can help your child unpack and process the reasons, and then prepare your child to engage in his or her preferred sport. In the meantime, you as parents can support by playing with your children, watching sports as a family, ensuring that your child is enjoying his or her time while playing and avoiding overtraining or stressing him or her to train.

Reprinted with permission from Family Flavours magazine