10.6.2003
Half-way Round the World in a Daewoo Kalos

Belgian rally specialist set out on compact front-wheel drive Kalos for marathon expedition. That's the goal of UK author, Richard Meredith. The writer is taking a Daewoo Kalos on a 15,000 kilometer trip from Luton (England) to Seoul (South Korea).

Halfway round the world in eighty days. That's the goal of UK author, Richard Meredith. The writer is taking a Daewoo Kalos on a 15,000 kilometer trip from Luton (England) to Seoul (South Korea). The car has been whipped into shape by the Belgian Daewoo dealer and rally specialist, Yves Fourdain, to cope with the inhospitable conditions and the almost impossible terrain the driver will encounter along the way. He has kitted out the Kalos with the following extras in preparation for its marathon expedition (which set out on Whit Monday):

• Reinforced chassis and steering rack, as well as stronger, larger-diameter springs and shock absorbers from Bilstein
• Stone impact protection for the engine/transmission, fuel tank and fuel lines
• Sturdy cow-catcher on the front
• Extra fuel tank in the trunk (45 liters), giving a total of 90 liters; two fuel pumps
• Extra electrical circuit for additional headlamps and searchlights
• Modification of rear bench: behind co-pilot, space and attachments for two spare tires, behind driver, special seat for a third passenger.

"The assignment was a big challenge for me, because for a new car like the Kalos there are no special parts available yet to prepare it for a trip of this kind. And the car had to be ready within one month," recalls Yves Fourdain, who hails from the small town of Ath-Irchonwelz to the west of Brussels. "At the end of it all, around 300 hours of work went into the globetrotting Kalos." And the Kalos has benefited from all the experience Fourdain has had over the years with his company FAS, which is specialized in the preparation and maintenance of motor-rallying cars.