Hyundai Unveils HDC-2 Grandmaster Concept In Busan, Previews Brand’s Future Direction

Hyundai Motor has unveiled the HDC-2 Grandmaster SUV Concept, the Veloster N, as well as the new 2019 Tucson at the ongoing Busan International Motor Show, giving a glimpse at where the brand is headed to in the future.
The main highlight at the brand’s booth in Busan is the HDC-2 Grandmaster SUV Concept, which previews Hyundai’s ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ future design philosophy which was featured on the HDC-1 ‘Le Fil Rouge’ concept vehicle at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.
According to Hyundai, the HDC-2 Grandmaster concept reinterprets the brand’s design DNA, and is designed through harmonization of four key elements – proportion, architecture, styling, and technology – thereby bringing emotional value and desirability.
The concept name of Grandmaster is derived from the game of chess. While the world’s finest chess champion is called the grandmaster, the concept vehicle is named to indicate that just as the sum of all chess pieces completes the game of chess, all forthcoming Hyundai vehicles will come to form a harmonious vehicle line-up demonstrating the Hyundai Look while each maintains distinctive character and role.
The concept features light architecture, creates a ‘perfect’ silhouette to the front and the rear, and is expected to carry Hyundai’s latest technological innovation.
No specific details were revealed but all we know is that the Grandmaster will inspire the design of Hyundai’s upcoming full-size SUV aimed at the American market, which will have 3-rows, and a larger footprint than the Santa Fe.
Besides the Grandmaster, Hyundai also introduced the Veloster N at the Busan International Motor Show, laying out the blueprint for its High Performance N Brand.
Introduced at the North American International Auto Show in January 2018, the Veloster N is Hyundai’s second N model following the ‘i30 N’ launched in Europe last year, and the first model to be showcased to Korean customers.
Equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine paired to a 6-speed manual transmission, the Veloster N boasts a maximum power output of 275 hp and 353 Nm of torque. Complementing the powertrain package are features like launch control and rev matching.
In addition to the Veloster N, Hyundai said that it will further diversify its N brand product portfolio with new designs, performance-enhancing elements, and an ‘N’ option with customization parts for the entire Hyundai line-up.
In addition, Hyundai showcased the enhanced Tucson with a refined design and enhanced active safety features.
Sporting a redesigned grille, new lights, and new wheels, the 2019 Tucson now comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission and HTRAC all-wheel drive system for improved driving performance as well as better fuel economy.
Also, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) and Driver Attention Warning (DAW) are offered as standard.
SangYup Lee, Vice President and head of Hyundai styling said, “Making a big step forward in terms of design with the Hyundai Look strategy, we will move towards becoming a brand that customers can really relate to emotionally. Moving on from being a brand that provides a great value, we will aspire to also become a brand that is widely beloved by our customers.”


Rezeki Seorang Guru - Perodua Aruz Sebagai Hadiah Persaraan

Rezeki seorang guru yang berjasa untuk anak didiknya sehingga dihadiahkan sebuah
Perodua Aruz
 sebagai hadiah persaraan.

Ahmad Bidin, 58 tahun tidak menyangka perkhidmatannya selama 35 tahun sebagai guru matematik dan matematik tambahan di Kolej Tunku Kurshiah (TKC), diberikan balasan sebuah kereta Perodua Aruz.

Seorang pengguna Twitter @yaye_zaini menyatakan para pelajar dari kumpulan tahun 1980 sehingga 2021 telah membuat kutipan untuk membayar kereta tersebut secara sekaligus.

“Tidak terkata saya dibuatnya, namun saya ucapkan terima kasih kerana menghargai usaha saya yang tidak seberapa ini dalam mendidik mereka,” kata Cikgu Ahmad kepada Utusan Malaysia.

Tambahnya lagi, dia tidak pernah mengharapkan balasan dalam mendidik, cuma berharap pelajarnya akan cemerlang akademik dan kehidupan.

Cikgu Ahmad menyatakan majlis persaraan selalunya dianjurkan di sekolah. Namun bagi
mematuhi SOP
, majlis untuk kali ini telah diadakan di hotel yang turut dihadiri oleh bekas guru, ahli Persatuan Ibu Bapa dan Guru (PIBG) dan bekas pelajar.

Dia juga tidak menyedari kenderaan tersebut di parkir pekarangan hotel tersebut sehinggalah diserahkan kepadanya semasa dia mahu pulang sambil diiringi Pengetua TKC, Roslina Abd. Aziz.

Tahniah buat Cikgu Ahmad!


Audi Does Tearful Farewell Video For Mercedes-AMG After DTM Exit

After 30 years of racing in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM), Mercedes-AMG Motorsport has exited the iconic racing series.
One of their rivals, Audi, released this emotional video bidding Mercedes-AMG farewell, highlighting their rivalry, exhilaration, and emotions.
The 2 minute video also showcased some of the race rivalries between Mercedes-AMG Motorsport and Audi, including countless incidents of body contact, crashes, and near misses.
Ulrich Fritz, Head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport DTM said, “It’s amazing how fast the last few months have gone by, and suddenly here we are, facing our last DTM race weekend. At Hockenheim we have the chance to conclude this magnificent chapter in our motor racing history by scooping all three titles. We already wrapped up the manufacturers’ and team championships at Spielberg.”


Dress Up Your Mitsubishi With These Discounted Accessories From Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia

Mitsubishi
 Motors Malaysia (MMM) today, is offering discounts of up to 80% on body kits and other accessory items for car owners who are looking to add just that little bit more styling on their rides.
Among the items on offer are daytime running lights (DRLs), interior fixtures, body kits, and other accessories that can be applied on selected Mitsubishi models including the
Mirage
,
Attrage
,
Triton
,
Pajero Sport
, and
ASX
 (current and 12 Model Year)
Discounted prices starts from RM 68 and if you’re interested, head on over to authorised Mitsubishi showroom and service centres to purchase them.
The full list of parts on offer are as below:
Model
Part Name
Current Retail Price (RM)
New Retail Price (RM)
Discount Rate
Attrage
Daytime Running Light (DRL)
1100
459
58%
Front Airdam
1100
459
58%
Side Airdam
1500
626
58%
Rear Airdam
1000
418
58%
Rear Lip Spoiler
1000
500
50%
Mirage
Side Window Deflector
164
82
50%
Airdam Kit
1836
898
51%
Fog Lamp Garnish
228
107
53%
Front Bumper Plating Garnish (Lower)
225
106
53%
Plating Tailgate Plating Garnish
151
71
53%
Scuff Plate With Mirage Logo
197
93
53%
Fuel Lid Cover
150
74
51%

ASX 13MY & CKD Model

Chrome Plated Door Mirror Cover

700

490

30%
Scuff Plate
450
315
30%
Shift Knob
200
140
30%
Luggage Net
260
182
30%
Tailgate Protector
400
121
70%
Side Tray Lid
180
126
30%
ASX 12MY
Front Corner Extension
1230
372
70%
Rear Garnish
790
240
70%
Pajero Sport
Rear Garnish
900
360
60%
Rear Spoiler
750
300
60%
Cargo Tray 7 Seats (Pajero Sport)
250
100
60%
Scuff Plate (Pajero Sport)
300
120
60%
Triton
Door Handle Protector
450
135
70%
Pajero Sport & Triton
Mirror Cover W/ Led
695
209
70%
Lancer
Engine Cover, Lancer (Comes In A Set)
339
68
80%


One Of The Best Sounding V8s In Production Is From The.... Lexus LC 500?

If you've been trapped in a cave for the last half decade or so, you would be surprised with how the automotive landscape has changed in such a vast and unpredictable way. Gone are the glorious naturally aspirated engines that were first reserved for the upper echelon of automobiles, with more manufacturers turning to turbochargers to meet those ever important emission regulations. Feral screams have been replaced by the whistling and chirping of turbochargers as air ebbs and flows through them.
And more shocking than all of that is the fact that the manufacturer still holding on, still raging against the dying of the light, is Lexus. American automotive manufacturers and Lamborghini aside, Lexus is still holding on the no-replacement-for-displacement ideal - one you would never have expected them to adopt. Yes, their other models now come with forced induction - but the LC 500 remains a naturally aspirated beast of a machine, with a soundtrack to match.
The sound itself carries on from the spine-tingling wail of the LFA from oh-so-many years ago, which means Yamaha is back at it again with their microphones and multiple exhaust setups. If you think that tuning for a desired exhaust note is a form of trickery, let us not forget that even the naturally aspirated V8s in Ferraris of old and the E90/92 generation BMW M3 were also subject to the same treatment to produce their distinctive howls.
There's also the implementation of a sound generator, though one that doesn't operate using the speakers and rather pipes intake noise directly into the cabin. It's all real - no Beats by Dr. Dre here - and the combination of intake and exhaust notes overlapping gives rise to what the developers call the Cry of Angels. It's a melodious V8 engine note that sings through the rev range, and one uncharacteristic of Lexus - and yet, one that reflects their core principles superbly. If you're going to do something, do it right and do it well.
In this video, British rally driver Mark Higgins takes to the wheel of an LC 500 and pilots it around a car park, with the seductive engine and exhaust note reverberating throughout. Anyone with a half decent exhaust setup can relate, especially on those quiet nights when you're one of the last to leave a mall car park - and if you were behind the wheel of an LC 500, you'd probably want to spend a little more time rattling the concrete of an empty parking structure.


Don’t Panic! - A Quick Guide To Warning Lights

People often equate any kind of warning light appearing on their car’s instrument cluster as a sign of trouble. Even a harmless symbol about the parking/ hand brake illuminating could cause a little scare for the unfamiliar. It’s understandable, because certain lights can mean major problems, sometimes resulting in big repair bills.

Let’s remember, though, that your car is doing you a huge favour by giving off an early warning that something is wrong, even if you can’t see, hear or feel a problem, potentially saving itself from a far more serious issue if left unattended.

It’s unfortunate that some drivers still seem blissfully unaware of what these warning lights mean when they flash up, continuing to drive their car normally even if a problem is being highlighted and needs immediate attention. Don’t worry, and don’t be shy about not knowing, we’ve got your back.

Here’s the 5 most important warning lights you might see on your car and what they mean.

Traction/Stability Control

Panic Level: Ok lah….but keep an eye on it.

You might see this little guy pop up when your Traction Control or Stability Control systems detect loss of grip or control, using computer controlled sensors to monitor surface conditions and vehicle movement.

The most common cause is slippery road conditions where the vehicle is struggling to maintain adequate grip, hence why the symbol shows some squiggly lines behind the car. However, you’ll also see the symbol if the system is either fully or partially turned off (by you), though we recommend leaving it on at all times - at least while on public roads.

If the traction control system is on but the warning light remains persistently illuminated, there could be an issue with your ECU or the sensors associated with traction/ stability control, in which case a trip to the service centre is necessary.

Since 90 percent of the time, this warning light will turn on to warn you of slippery conditions or if you disabled the function yourself, there’s not all that much to be worried about. But we can definitely understand why it would be a little distressing.

Coolant Temperature

Panic Level: Macam serious ni….

This is a light you should definitely pay attention to. If it’s lit, that means your engine is getting too hot and that could be due to a number of factors. Coolant level should be your first port of call, so take note of the temperature gauge position and, regardless, quickly find a safe spot to pull the car over and turn the engine off to let the engine cool down.

If your car has a visible coolant reservoir or overflow tank, observe the level of fluid. Low coolant might just need a simple top up but could also be a symptom of a larger problem, and is most likely due to a hose or seal leak, which can be easily patched up. However, be wary of coolant leaking into the engine as that could cause internal corrosion, engine seizing, and other long term damage which could cost quite a bit in parts and labour to resolve.

It could also be a faulty fan that isn’t blowing air into the engine bay, an issue that isn’t noticeable while driving at highway speeds but gets very worrisome in traffic where heat can build up quicker than the radiator can dissipate it. Then again, if you spot this light coming on and pull over to find the car isn’t abnormally warm, then it could be a problem with the temperature sensors giving incorrect readings. Check with your service centre to be sure.

Gearbox Temperature

Panic Level: Can start to worry.

Apart from the motor, the transmission is the other mission critical component to your car, and with modern gearboxes, they’re often more complexly engineered than engines. And like an engine, heat can build up quickly, that requires a cooling system.

For example, a common torque converter automatic is filled with fluid which lubricates and is the medium by which the engine’s power is transferred to the gear set. In addition, this fluid also stores heat which is usually dissipated via the transmission oil cooler.

This fluid can get dirty over time, like engine oil, compromising its lubricating and heat retaining characteristics as well as causing premature wear, so it’s definitely advisable to also replace transmission oil according to the recommended schedule. Dirty fluid is also more abrasive, which could be the cause of the addition of friction and heat buildup, hence the warning light.

A transmission temperature warning light is a rarer sight, which indicates a more pressing issue may be at hand. Take no chances and stop driving the car as soon as possible before getting the car checked up by an expert.

Oil Pressure, Oil Level

Panic level: Serious jugak…

Oil can be thought of as the lifeblood of any engine, so when a this light comes on, you’ll know that it can be potentially catastrophic. Don’t worry, though, it usually isn’t.

The most common instance of this warning light coming on is, ironically, quick direction changes or long sharp corners that drag engine oil away from the sump and oil pump. It’s temporary and will normalise post-corner but with any duration with reduced oil pressure, the engine isn’t receiving the protective film of oil it needs to operate without eating itself. This metal-on-metal friction could lead to greatly accelerated engine wear and overheating components.

If it remains persistently illuminated, it is not advisable to drive the car as it could compound internal damage, so pull over where safe and turn off the engine as soon as possible to call for assistance.

Another common cause for loss of oil pressure is a faulty oil pump or clogged filter, and they both usually stem from dirty oil that’s full of metal particulates and other grit and can break down seals, o-rings, bearings, and quickly fill up an oil filter - rendering it useless.

Many engines also use variable valve timing and lift systems that rely on oil pressure to actuate, and dirty oil can clog up the channels and passages essential to their operation. Therefore, remember to change your oil at the recommended intervals to keep the engine clean.

If the oil level is low, checking it is as easy as pulling out that dipstick and measuring. Engines do burn oil at a slow rate, though, so don't worry if there's less oil in your engine after a lot of mileage. However, it's always recommended to top up the oil to get back into the 'sweet spot' as shown on that dipstick.

An abnormally high rate of oil loss is cause for concern as there could be a leak (check your parked car overnight for ground deposits) or, worse, oil seeping into the combustion chamber and being burned with fuel.

Service Light

Panic level: Keep it in mind….

Because a lot of a car’s problems can be prevented with regular maintenance, most ‘Service’ warning lights are just a mechanism installed by manufacturers to ensure that owners adhere to their recommended intervals by constantly reminding them.

Seeing it come on could incite some level of urgency to book your next service appointment, but it isn’t triggered by a magic monitor of a car’s health, rather it runs on a set rule. It could be programmed to flash every 10,000km from the last reset or a certain time elapsed (such as 6 months), which ever comes first. Even better, there’s usually always a quick way to reset it yourself if it really bothers you.

But seriously, service your car. And often.


Yang di-Pertuan Agong gives way to an ambulance in Pekan

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah demonstrated a great example of civic responsibility by giving way to an ambulance with its siren on in Pekan, Pahang on April 25th.

His Majesty, who was driving at the time (extra points if you can identify the specific SUV), made way for the ambulance carrying a patient who needed urgent treatment, while he was on his way to Istana Abdul Aziz in Kuantan as the emergency vehicle passed by his motorcade.

The 11-second video, which was first shared on the Istana Negara Facebook page, also serves as a reminder to everyone to be aware of their surroundings while driving and to prioritise emergency vehicles on the road, something ordinary Malaysian citizens occasionally have issue with.

Spoiler:
We’re pretty sure he was
behind the wheel of a Volvo XC90
.


N95 Filters To Come As Standard On All Proton Models Registered After July 9

We may be in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic control but Proton is putting steps in place to keep you safe in your car.

Fresh last week from celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the Proton Saga with a limited edition
Saga Anniversary Edition
, Proton also announced that all Proton models registered after July 9 will come fitted with the N95 cabin filter.

 The existing line-up of Proton models consisting of the Saga, Exora, Iriz and Persona registered after July 9 will all get the N95 cabin filter at no extra cost.

For those of you who would like to be equally protected, fret not, from July 9 until October 9 you can replace your cabin filter with a 15% discount. For the Saga, Exora, Iriz and Persona, it will set you back RM59 excluding labour, however, with the discount the price comes down to RM50.15. For the
X70
 pulak, the 15% discount applies till August 18, so from RM79, you instead get it for RM67.15. Not a heavy price to pay for another layer of security, is it?

According to Proton, the N95 filter is capable of filtering up to 95% of particles larger than 0.3 microns 98% of particles of PM2.5 particulates. This should keep your cabin free of smoke particulates, dust and bacteria at the very least.


2020 Mercedes Benz E-Class VS 2020 BMW 5 Series

Arch-enemies for decades now, the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5 Series have been at loggerheads for decades, but which one sits currently at the top?

Trying to choose between the Mercedes Benz E-Class (W213) and BMW 5 Series (G30) is like trying to decide whether to go on holiday at Seychelles or the Maldives. They are all dreamy, provide a ton of comfort and will always put a smile on your face.

Despite that, everyone always seems to find it challenging to choose between any of them, and in the end, It always comes down to what is the best deal on offer - or does it?

Back to the cars in question, one always has to choose what is more appropriate to their liking, so we thought we would try to simplify it and breakdown these two cars to help make that conundrum a little easier.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213/BMW 5 Series G30: Background

Debuting in 2017, both cars are a few years old now. The W213 is the fifth generation
E-Class
 and the
G30
 is the seventh generation 5 Series. They were both introduced to Malaysia as CBU units with the CKD built cars following some months later. They both received a facelift in 2020 which saw some cosmetic and interior changes. While the BMW really stuck to its predecessors' design, the W213 really did turn a new page compared to the fourth generation E-Class and by doing so, it started to look similar to that of its siblings, the C-Class and S-Class.

Exterior Design: 2020 Mercedes Benz E-Class 0 - 1 2020 BMW 5 Series

Like its 7 Series sibling, the G30 5 Series' design is an excellent example of a timeless bland design. Carrying that distinctive BMW look, the G30's design was more of an evolution rather than revolution. The W213 E Class on the other hand, was a revolution and in typical Mercedes Benz fashion, they just had to change its looks completely. Usually, you can tell the difference between a C-Class, E-Class and an S-Class, but this time around, they all look alike, just different in size. Some have said that all current Mercedes saloon cars have this droopy look going for it while the BMW has an evergrowing nose. Whatever anyone chooses to call any of the cars, we think that the timeless bland design of the BMW will come out of on top in the end, it is timeless after all.

Interior: 2020 Mercedes Benz E-Class 1 - 1 2020 BMW 5 Series

There are just no two ways about it, Mercedes have got the interior design in their current crop of cars right. They all have this retro yet chic design going for it. From the round air vents to the metal looking door card trims to the type of wood paneling they use, it all just works nicely - even the speaker grill looks nice. You'd easily mistake the interior in the E-Class for an S-Class, so a win there. Although BMW has caught up with Audi and Mercedes in the interior department, in the sense of what materials they use, their traditional luxury look is just all too... traditional. Yes, there is some modern tech going on in between all of that traditional luxury look, but it's just hard to say it looks better than the Mercedes. It is still nice, just not Mercedes nice.

Driving Dynamics: 2020 Mercedes Benz E-Class 1 - 2 2020 BMW 5 Series

Ahh, yes, this should be a straight forward answer, no? The BMW 5 Series should have the better sportier driving experience, whereas the Mercedes E-Class should be more comfortable, right? Not exactly because for once, we think that the tables have turned. Both utilise adaptive suspension, but the one on the Mercedes (Agility Control Suspension) helps make it feel sportier while the one on the BMW (Dynamic Damper Control) makes it float like a butterfly. We're not sure what the sentiments are on this, but in our opinion, if we were to buy large executive saloons that are not pumped with roids (M Cars or AMG), we prefer to err on the side of comfort. The BMW just seems to soak everything up while still providing driving pleasure while the Mercedes is rather on the stiffer side.

Engine: 2020 Mercedes Benz E-Class 2 - 2 2020 BMW 5 Series

Once upon a time, BMW had the more powerful and smoother engine when it came to the E Segment cars, but it seems that Mercedes are on a roll with their powerplants at the moment. Mercedes and BMW mainly utilise 2.0-litre turbocharged powerplants on their E Segment cars, but Mercedes seems to be able to push a lot more performance out of theirs. Even some of their AMG cars are pushing crazy horsepower from tiny 2.0-litre engines, so its no surprise here that the powertrain winner is Mercedes. Those downsized turbocharged F1 engine technology must have really trickled down to their cars. The lowest spec W213 E Class (E200) is more powerful than the lowest spec G30 5 Series (520i) and their highest spec E Class (
E350 AMG
) is only losing to the highest spec Malaysian 5 Series (530e) because of the 5 Series' electric powertrain.  But for most of the range, the E-Class Mercedes comes out on top.

Conclusion: 2020 Mercedes Benz E-Class 2 - 3 2020 BMW 5 Series

When it comes to price we believe the more value for money vehicle is the BMW 530e over the E-Class E350. It's got better fuel economy, it is also more powerful thanks to BMW's electric powertrain. If you are going for the lowest spec cars, the price and performance are comparable (520i vs E200) so it's down to preference for those two models.

All in all, these two cars are closely matched, but thanks to BMW's great price and package for the highest spec car, it's a pretty hard to beat proposition. Ultimately, they are both great cars, and only you can decide which one is better suited for your lifestyle and porch. As for me, I've given this one to the 5 Series for all the reasons outlined above. It was not an easy objective task for me as emotionally my heart lies with the Mercedes E-Class.


Fuel Price Update: 21 – 27 Sept – Petrol And Diesel Prices Drop

After three consecutive weeks of increase, both the prices of petrol and diesel per litre will see a drop.
According to the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives, and Consumerism (KPDNKK), the fuel price from 21 to 27 September 2017 is as follows:
RON95 – RM2.19 (down 2 sen from RM2.21)
RON97 – RM2.49 (down 3 sen from RM2.52)
Diesel – RM2.10 (down 4 sen from RM2.14)


Volvo XC90 Crowned 'Best of the Best' By Red Dot Award

Volvo's all-new XC90, the company's flagship product has recently been award the Red Dot Best of the Best Product Design Award.
The Volvo bested over 5,000 participating product designs across 31 product categories.
The Red Dot Best of the Best is the highest individual Red Dot award.
"For 60 years, the most respected design experts come to Essen in order to reward the best designs. This year we had just under 5,000 products a record number of entries - an extreme workload for our judges who evaluate each product, and due to the high numbers, this illustrates the special value of the awards. The winners of the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2015 have delivered an extremely high level of performance and have therefore been recognized by the largest design competition in the world," said Professor Dr. Peter Zec, initiator and CEO of Red Dot Awards.
Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President Design at Volvo Cars said: "The new XC90 is the vanguard of Volvo’s new design direction. In our work on this car we have been very much aware of Volvo’s heritage, the value of authenticity and Scandinavian design, but we have also taken some bold and progressive steps forward, aiming for a design style and execution level that pushes our boundaries. I am very proud that our new flagship has won the prestigious Red Dot: Best of the Best award."
The all-new Volvo XC90 is due to be launched in Malaysia within this year.


BMW Bets Backlash On Its Shady Subscriptions Will Go Away

In case you haven’t heard, premium automaker BMW are now selling trivial features such as heated seats, heated steering wheel, and even access to safety features
on a monthly basis
. Worse, they seem to think it’s the right thing to do.

This isn’t the first time BMW found itself becoming the butt of jokes but this fuss about them locking charging customers for inbuilt vehicle features via subscription or a heftier one-time fee is especially justified.

BMW charging you for heated seats. Justified?

Everyone seems to be wondering what’s happening behind the closed doors of BMW’s top management. Evidently, they’ve started copying the shady moneymaking tactics
from the video game industry
 by incorporating their own form of the dreaded micro-transaction (MTX) model into their cars.

This practice essentially robs the consumer of purchasing a fully finished and complete product in place of being bled of cash every month ad infinitum (….forever). The key difference here is the fact that these BMWs are already equipped with the ability and hardware for heated seats and such.

The Munich-based automaker must have known that there would be controversy, but are betting that the flak they’re taking is merely temporary. We, the buying public, just have to calm down and trust BMW. Because BMW.

They also expounded the typical company talking point about “offering greater flexibility”, that heated seats, for example, only need to be subscribed to during the winter or a trip to the mountains.

Spokesperson Torsten Julich told Bloomberg that “We know from our customers that their mobility demands are not as static as they used to be.”

The above line is true only for the fact that it’s always been true. Nobody ever bought a car to use for a single solitary purpose where nothing ever differed. Here, it’s being used as a crutch for their crumbling argument.

BMW evidently sees the revenue potential in these sorts of cash-grab corporate moves and is reported to estimate its “digital offerings” yielding 5 billion Euros in sales by the end of the decade.

Stellantis and Volkswagen to follow suit?

Sadly, more and
more automakers
 seem to be peering over the fence and observing how the marketplace reacts. Stellantis and Volkswagen Group are said to be targeting some 20 billion Euros in additional revenue from “software-driven features” by 2030 but who knows if their implementation will be as nauseating, or even more so.

Clearly, BMW and the wider automotive industry need a lesson in what customers will and will not tolerate. Years ago, they decided to make customers pay an additional and
recurring fee to use
 Apple’s CarPlay before overwhelming pushback forced them to backpedal.

This seems like a repeat offence, only much more severe in its implication.


LA 2018: Audi Unveils e-tron GT Concept

While Audi may have started down their all-electric path with their e-tron SUV, it's their next model that's truly breath taking. You see, SUVs and crossovers are, to coin a modern phrase,
trending
, but they will never be truly representative of a brand like Audi. That's where the e-tron GT Concept comes in, with Audi teasing it in the days leading up to the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, and finally whipping the covers off for the world to see.
We're a little late to the party with this coverage, but it's still a car worth talking about. This isn't a sedan so much as a four-door coupe, which is code for
sleek rooflines
 and
compromised rear headroom
. We're not complaining, because from these photos the e-tron GT Concept is a stunner of a concept vehicle. It's 4.96 meters in length, 1.96 meters wide, and 1.38 meters high - dimensions dictated by form and aerodynamic efficiency.
Electric cars, despite their environmentally friendly demeanour, have no choice but to lug their power sources with them no matter how charged they are. This in turn makes electric vehicles heavy, and if battery weight can't be immediately reduced due to current technologies available on the market, then Audi has to look in other places. Carbon and aluminium feature heavily in the construction of the bodywork and the chassis for that extra-light touch. Big 22-inch wheels sit at each corner, wrapped in 285/30 R22 size tyres to keep that heavy body in check.
Despite not having a conventional engine, the e-tron GT Concept still needs cooling for those battery packs. Ducting in the bodywork channels air to keep the systems cool, as well as to make sure the brakes don't start to cook as they work overtime to shed speed. After all, the e-tron GT Concept packs one electric motor at the front and the rear of the car, with a total system output of 590 hp. Theoretical 0 to 100 km/h sprints are dispatched with in 3.5 seconds, taking only a theoretical 12 seconds to hit 200 km/h.
Aggressive regenerative braking helps to recover up to 30% of the energy used, allowing the e-tron GT to keep a sane range even when pushing it hard. Charging the e-tron GT Concept to 80% capacity would take just 20 minutes with the right charging system, courtesy of a whopping 800-volt system. This would give it a range of around 320 kilometres, which makes it a highly practical proposition; you would have enough range to just about make it to Penang or Singapore if you're frugal - after all, these ranges also assume you sprint every now and again.
But looks and performance alone do not a car make - especially in the case of luxury brands like Audi. The interior also has to be up to spec, and the e-tron GT Concept has an interior that does the vehicle justice. It's a politically correct statement for this concept car as well, as the interior is
vegan
. That's right - no animal products were used - although the way interiors are going, brushed metal and high grade plastics do better than leather trim, while seat materials can be replaced with faux polymers that you would hardly be able to tell apart from the real thing. The layout is kept simple and Audi-familiar, a reminder that this car is probably closer to production than you'd think.
Expect to see this on the roads by 2020. Whether or not it'll come here depends on Audi's commitment to building the brand in our country, and our country's own infrastructure development. Electric cars have big potential here provided we have the right network - for now, a pithy three chargers are your local mall isn't going to cut it, especially for cars that have no choice but to charge up.


MySejahtera Sudah Jadi MyStress?

Aplikasi
MySejahtera
 sekali lagi mencetuskan kebimbangan pengguna apabila ada dalam kalangan mereka yang menerima pemakluman supaya menjalani arahan pengawasan di rumah (HSO) dan status orang di bawah pengawasan (PUS).

Berdasarkan maklum balas diberikan pengguna, pemakluman itu menimbulkan tanda tanya apabila mereka tidak pernah menjadi kontak rapat,
berkunjung ke kawasan panas
 atau pulang dari luar negara.

Malah, seorang pengguna Twitter berkongsi ciapan dirinya tidak dapat menaiki kapal terbang berikutan status di aplikasi MySejahteranya secara tiba-tiba bertukar menjadi PUS dan kemudian HSO.

Pengguna itu turut memuat naik beberapa keping tangkap layar aplikasi MySejahteranya yang menunjukkan dia kini di bawah HSO tetapi maklumat seperti lokasi atau alamat adalah kosong.

Pengguna tersebut, @avia_whiskey93 berkata, dia telah ke lapangan terbang kerana dijadualkan akan berlepas ke satu destinasi, namun sebaik tiba di sana dia tidak dibenarkan masuk kerana status tersebut.

Katanya, sebelum bertolak ke lapangan terbang, dia yang menaiki
Grab
 dan perlu mengimbas kod MySejahtera di dalam kenderaan tersebut dan status MySejahteranya ketika itu menunjukkan risiko rendah.

Penulis mendapati ramai pengguna yang meluahkan ketidakpuasan hati di laman Twitter rasmi MySejahtera akibat ralat yang dialami dan susulan itu, MySejahtera tampil memohon maaf atas insiden tersebut.

MySejahtera melalui hantaran di Twitter berkata pihaknya sudah mengenal pasti punca perkara itu berlaku dan status HSO telah dipadamkan manakala status PUS yang salah telah dibetulkan.

Hantaran tersebut memperoleh lebih 3 ribu tweet semula dan hampir 2 ribu komen dari pengguna Twitter yang rata-rata meminta penjelasan dari pihak MySejahtera berkenaan isu ini. Ada di antara mereka turut meminta
ganti rugi
 akibat terlepas menaiki kapal terbang, penginapan hotel dan lain-lain urusan melibatkan pekerjaan mereka.

Setakat ini, pihak Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (
KKM
) dan Menteri Kesihatan,
Khairy Jamaluddin
 belum memberikan komen walaupun kebanyakan pengguna turut tag akaun rasmi mereka dalam ciapan masing-masing.

*Kredit foto: Berita Harian

Aplikasi ini pernah dibelenggu kontroversi antaranya kelewatan
tarikh temu janji pendaftaran vaksinasi
, sijil digital vaksinasi yang tidak terpapar walaupun lengkap dos vaksin dan data yang lesap daripada sistem.

Sehubungan itu, pihak Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi (
MOSTI
) serta KKM telah melakukan pembersihan data bagi menyelesaikan masalah itu. Apabila ralat ini pula terjadi, timbul persoalan adakah perkara ini akan berulang pada masa hadapan?

*Kredit foto: Malaysiakini

Umum mengetahui, MySejahtera adalah ‘tiket’ untuk memasuki mana-mana premis di Malaysia dan ralat sebegini ternyata menimbulkan stres kepada pengguna kerana membantutkan aktiviti seharian mereka, terutamanya melibatkan urusan kerja.

Walaupun penulis kurang pasti berapa bajet yang diperuntukkan untuk pembangunan dan penyelenggaraan MySejahtera, tapi penambahbaikan harus dilaksanakan segera agar perkara ini tidak berbuah dua kali.

Yang kena tekan daftar keluar setiap kali keluar premis pun boleh menambahkan stres (sebab selalu terlupa check out), inikan pula masalah tiba-tiba status jadi HSO dan PUS. Aduh...

*Kredit semua tangkap layar: Twitter MySejahtera


The Nissan Navara Returns As The 2016 Rainforest Challenge Official Car

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has announced that it will once again, return to participating in the upcoming and much anticipated off-road competition, the 2016 Rainforest Challenge (RFC).
The Nissan Navara has been endorsed by the organisers as the official car for the gruelling nine-day 4x4 expedition, which starts off in Kuantan on the 27th of November.
The RFC is rated among the ‘Top Ten Toughest Motor Races in the World’, Malaysia hosts the 4x4 off-road racing finale event of the RFC Global Series with participating teams from over 30 nations.
ETCM will field three units of the Nissan NP300 Navara 2.5 litre that produce a maximum power output of 163PS and torque of 403Nm at 2,000rpm. Two of the three units are the 2.5L SE variants with the 7-speed auto transmission with the other 2.5L SE unit being a 6-speed manual transmission.
In keeping with the true potential of the vehicle, the three Nissan Navara units are kept standard as possible, only outfitted with equipment for contest such as bull bars, halogen spot lights, winch, protection bars, recovery kit, extreme tires, suspension and a snorkel.
ETCM Executive Director, Mr Tan Keng Meng  added during the key handover ceremony, “ETCM is honoured to be supporting the world renowned 4x4 event as it is a great platform in showcasing the performance of Nissan Navara through these challenging trails and in addition, as the official cars to assist in the overall RFC operational matters. The Nissan Navara is highly rated for its toughness, off-road capabilities and engine performance across the world that requires the ability to weather the drenching rain, mud, slippery slopes, deep ruts, gullies, flooded rivers, and landslides.”


Geely Is Bringing Lotus Back To Asia

In a marketing video released on Geely’s official Youtube page, the company has announced that it plans to bring the illustrious sports car manufacturer back to the Asian market.

The interview-style video with David McIntyre – Regional Director for APAC and China – at the wheel of a Lotus Evora GT 410 Sport, highlights some of the company’s plans to bring the Lotus name to the region, in particular, Japan and China, which are thriving markets in the premium and sports car segments.

Save for the introduction of the near-2000 bhp Lotus Evija, the first all-electric hypercar from the brand which made its debut at the Guangzhou Auto Show in December 2019 – there has been little news of Lotus marketing and expansion plans since the Zheijiang Geely Holding Group took majority ownership of Lotus in June 2017 from Proton.

Though the video is light on specifics – McIntyre reiterates that Lotus plans to market Lotus as a car “For the drivers” and build brand recognition with their prospective customers where it matters, and where Lotus cars shine – on a racetrack.

He goes on to add that the company have engaged in marketing activities such as track day experiences and on-road experiential drives to engage with customers and bring more likeminded enthusiast into the Lotus fold.

Now under Geely's stewardship, Lotus is going to go through a number of big changes – some of these have been administrative, additionally, early in 2019 Geely announced its plans build a 9 billion Yuan
(RM 5.5 billion) factory in Wuhan
 city, China. Though those plans would have been considerably delayed by the pandemic.

Currently, Lotus sells the Elise, Exige, and Evora models in addition to other special edition models. The Evija will be limited to just 130 units worldwide.


The AMG Speedway Is Mercedes-AMG's First Racetrack

It's not uncommon for car companies to buy over or sponsor racetracks for a little bit of branding in return, and the latest company to do so is Mercedes-AMG, with their AMG Speedway in South Korea. Being a budding market for AMG models, South Korea was the perfect place to take over a racetrack.
The 4.3-kilometre long circuit is only 38 kilometres from Gangnam, the upmarket district within Seoul city. In addition to the various branding around the circuit, Mercedes-AMG set up an AMG lounge for community discussion and personal exchanges with AMG experts.
The racetrack itself has been around since 1995, being a permanent fixture for South Korean motorsports. It was extensively renovated and reconfigured in 2011, with 17 turns and a bridge making for an exciting drive. There's no doubt that Mercedes-AMG will be using the track for performance days and roadshows as well as driver training in the future, not just for South Korea but for the region as well.


Toyota’s Hydrogen-Powered Mirai Takes Top Spot Among Automotive Innovations

At the German Centre Of Automotive Management (CAM) in Cologne, automotive innovations of the last decade were compared to select the 100 most disruptive out of 8000. Fuel cell vehicles topped the final list, with the Toyota Mirai ranked highest.
The honors given to the Mirai comes just weeks before the first European customers will be taking delivery of the hydrogen-powered sedan - it will be reaching owners in Germany, Denmark and the UK.
To plot out this ranking, Professor Dr. Stefan Bratzel led the CAM team to closely examine thousands of innovations within the last 10 years, 2005 to 2015. These innovations were then rated according to their market and industry relevance.
The Mirai emerged as the winner, being the first mass-produced fuel cell sedan to become available to the public. The Hydrogen stored within the Mirai is transformed in the fuel cell stack into electricity used to power the 155hp electric motor. When running, Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs) like the Mirai do not emit any pollutants into the atmosphere whatsoever, and the only by-product is water vapour.
In addition to the obvious environmental benefits, they are as easy to use as conventional cars and are able to go on long trips on a tank full of hydrogen which, much like normal cars, only needs a few minutes to refill at a station.
A third-place title holder of the CAM survey was another first-of-its-kind vehicle – also made by Toyota, incidentally: the Prius Plug-in Hybrid. It’s the first mass-produced plug-in car that can be charged using a standard household socket. With its electric motor and efficient petrol engine working in tandem, the Prius delivers class-leading fuel economy and C02 emissions figures.


Don't Even Leave Your Browser To Buy A BMW i3

You can buy just about everything off of the internet nowadays, with more being added to that list every day. But now you can even get a
BMW
 i3 while you’re browsing too - as long as you're in Japan, that is.
Fancy that, Amazon’s Japanese site has available for purchase a full i3 through BMW Japan. Oh isn't the 21st century astounding. This definitely blurs the line between the convenience of one-click ordering and the usual hurdles involved in buying a car.
The i3, even if it’s available online, is far from an impulse purchase. On the site, Amazon lists it with the accompanying price tag of 990,000 Yen, which equates to roughly RM30,000. However, this is merely the deposit for the vehicle. The monthly repayment comes to approximately RM2890 over a loan period of 5 years (or 60 months), bringing the total cost of the i3 to around RM203,500.
That’s a considerable sum keeping in mind that it’s very much a city car, albeit one of the most technologically advanced ever produced. A fully electric vehicle that features the ability to be charged from a wall outlet, made through a next-generation construction process using high-strength carbon fibre reinforced resin (CFRP), a 130kW electric motor, and an 18.8 kWh lithium-ion battery.
The model advertised on Amazon is equipped with the range extender (REx) option that uses a 647cc two-cylinder gasoline engine sourced from the BMW C650 GT motorcycle that engages only when the battery charge level drops past a certain point to, you guessed it, generate additional energy for the batteries, thereby extending the i3’s range to about 320km.
We’re not sure how fast this trend of buying our cars online will catch on (if at all), but it sure is an interesting idea. If you think about it, there’s really no reason why we don’t buy cars over the internet the way we’re able to with so many other products out there already. Maybe its just a matter of time.


First Drive: 2022 Proton X70 With 1.5L TGDI Engine - Less Is More Is Better?

At the heart of Proton’s largest SUV, the C-segment X70, is a
new-for-2022
 engine that’s lifted right out of the smaller X50. With identical outputs, can the
smaller 3-cylinder 1.5-litre turbo-petrol
 lug along a larger, heavier machine just as capably?

Since the introduction of the X50 in late 2020, the question of which other Proton models its compact but punchy motor could find its way into was being asked. Now, we have a definite answer with it being transplanted into a vehicle a full segment up the ladder.

2022 Proton X70 With 1.5L Turbo - Boleh Ke?

Alongside some visual tweaks, this year’s revision of the X70 was really about its powertrain. On paper, it’s hard to see this as an upgrade in the traditional sense with less power, torque, and a perceived reduction in mechanical refinement from its odd-numbered cylinder count.

However, it is a win in other areas. Its smaller capacity, that missing cylinder, and a number of design improvements over the ageing 1.8-litre unit mean improved efficiency as Proton claims fuel consumption reduced by as much as 7% in daily driving.

The bigger advantage here isn’t one felt by the customer, at least not immediately. Proton stands to shave a big chunk of change by offering both
the X50 (Flagship)
and now X70 with the same engine, meaning its powertrain supply chain, production and after-sales support will have a vastly reduced scope thanks to this streamlining exercise.

Keep in mind, though, that the 1.8T mill hasn’t been removed from the range entirely. You can still get it in the range-topping variant, which is about RM4,000 more than the 1.5T in Premium trim.

Engine Performance - On Paper

Last week, we got the opportunity to sample both on an organised drive event that took us on a variety of roads between Kuala Lumpur and Desaru, Johor. With decent time behind the wheel, we’ve now got a more fully formed opinion about how the engine feels in its new skin.

There’s no getting around the fact that outputs are identical to the X50 with
177PS
 arriving at 5,500rpm and
255Nm
 between 1,500 and 4,000rpm. Essentially, Proton is asking it to pull a larger, heavier load without any real tangible alterations.

Can it? Sure, why not….

Will it match it for performance? Of course not.

According to Proton, X50 Flagship’s published kerb weight is
1,370kg
 compared to the
1,615kg
 of the X70 1.5 TGDI Premium 2WD we were supplied with. Some
245kg
 of extra mass isn’t a trivial amount.

Compared to the larger 1.8T with its 184PS and 300Nm, the 1.5-litre 3-pot is down 7PS but it’s that 45Nm gulf in torque that’ll be the most sorely missed. Proton has clarified that it has a given unique calibration to the engine
and 7-speed dual-clutch transmission
 to cope with these deficits, but that can only go so far.

Engine Performance - Real World Driving

The good news is that the X70, for the most part, drives identically to the ones we’ve sampled before. We’ve always known the JLH-3G15TD to be a strong performer, and that hasn’t changed. From a standstill especially, it pulls strong even with multiple adult passengers and some light cargo in the boot.

In typical driving, you’ll rarely ever feel the engine strain to keep up with traffic, but it won’t be pinning you into the backrest either - this is pretty much true of the 1.8T as well. It’s no slouch at high speed either, managing to easily sail past the highway speed limit provided you have a clear stretch to build up speed.

Limitations of the 1.5T in the X70

Its on-demand roll-on acceleration, though, is where the 1.5T falls a little short. If given a window to perform an overtake at highway speeds, the X70 now feels considerably more hesitant and ponderous. That confidence an X50 might have at seizing that passing manoeuvre is absent in the X70.

The reason might seem obvious: less power/torque, more weight. However, I reckon the gearbox is more at fault, lacking the immediacy needed to deliver the cog swaps that’ll extract the most grunt from the engine. Standing on the accelerator pedal to pass a slow-moving lane hogger won’t unleash the fury you’d expect. In fact, it’s pretty anticlimactic, even if you happen to already be in Sport mode.

A solution to this is to take matters into your own hand: the left one. Only by engaging manual override, keeping revs high, and tipping the shifter back (downshift) or forth (upshift) can you remove the mask of lethargy that the overly conservative gearbox mapping has put on.

It turns out that its 255Nm can pull the X70 quite cleanly, but you’ll definitely be hitting that higher end of its 2,500 rpm peak torque ‘sweet spot’ to maintain a good pace, and fuel consumption will spike as a result.

Overall performance, therefore, is definitely comparable, but in certain driving situations takes a noticeable amount more effort to extract from the 1.5 than the 1.8.

Refinement - Two Thumbs Up

Here’s where the X70 truly does excel. That additional quiver and characteristic rattling engine note commonly associated with a 3-cylinder engine are almost completely absent here unless you put your ear right up to the front grille at startup.

The amount of vibration dampening measures and sound-deadening material Proton must’ve stuffed in feels….significant. Its engine cover feels as soft and absorbent as a yoga mat, so we can only imagine what else is wedged between the motor and the passenger cell to cancel out any ungainly shudder.

For all intents and purposes, there’s no perceivable indication that anything has changed under the bonnet over the X70s sold prior to June 2022. But rather than being characterful in less than flattering ways, Proton’s pursuit means the engine now seems very muted overall.

Whether it's low-speed acceleration or climbing to redline, the sensation as occupants that anything is happening up front doesn’t really exist. Luckily, that’s what the majority of buyers would much rather have than the alternative.

If I were to nitpick, it would be about the wind noise where the wing mirrors would whine at about 140km/h, or slower if encountering a strong headwind. Think of it as an audible reminder that you might want to slow down a little.

Bottom Line

Should you be familiar with the X70 at launch, you probably wouldn't be able to tell you were driving something with a smaller engine that's lacking a cylinder. The differences might remain elusive until you push the unit hard but otherwise at a high-speed cruise or from a standstill, the 1.5-litre mill delivers and on our 2-day drive did not disappoint.

That said, this is still essentially the same X70 that Malaysians already fell in love with. It has the same shortcomings (some newer, such as the at-times unalert gearbox) and continues to excel in areas it always had. What surprises us most is how the engine managed to recede into the background, allowing us to experience the car while meeting, though rarely exceeding, our performance needs.


My AutoFest 2016: 2016 Toyota Sienta Previewed For The First Time In Malaysia

At today's opening of
My AutoFest 2016
, organized by the Malaysian Automotive Associaton, UMW Toyota Motor has quietly pulled the wraps off the Toyota Sienta, a seven-seater MPV that is expected to make its Malaysian debut sometime between late-2016 and early-2017.
What is it?
The Sienta is a 1.5-litre front-wheel drive (as opposed to the rear-wheel drive 1.5-litre Avanza) seven-seater MPV with sliding doors. Think of it as Toyota’s follow-up to the now discontinued
Honda Freed
.
Unlike the Avanza, or even the Nissan Grand Livina, the Sienta’s taller body and sliding doors offers much greater utility than conventional hinged doors MPVs.
Power comes from a 1.5-litre 2NR-FE Dual VVT-i that’s shared with the Avanza (and
an upcoming improved Vios
), mated to a CVT-type automatic transmission with seven virtual speeds.
How much is it?
At the moment, UMW Toyota Motor isn’t saying much, as the Sienta is still making its rounds at road shows in Indonesia, where the Sienta is going to be imported from. However Toyota’s Indonesian arm have said that in Indonesia, the 1.5-litre Sienta will be priced between the 1.5-litre Avanza and 2.0-litre Innova.
Assuming that the same price positioning applies for Malaysia, buyers can expect the Sienta to be priced between RM100,000 to RM130,000. Assuming the all-new Innova (also due in 2017) will see a similar increase in price as its sister cars the Hilux and Fortuner, we don’t expect the Innova’s starting price to be anything below RM130,000 (about RM15,000 increase from the outgoing Innova).
What are the highlights?
Assuming that the Malaysian-market Sienta will mirror the ones sold in Indonesia, safety features will include anti-lock brakes (ABS), and stability control (VSC), but airbag count remains at just three - dual airbags for front occupants, plus driver’s knee airbag.
Inside the cabin, utility functions include a one-touch fold and tumble second row seats, air-conditioning blower for the second row, and flat-folding third row seats that collapses into the second row’s floor (with the second row seats tumbled forward).
Higher range variants are likely to include power sliding doors (both sides), LED headlamps, automatic air-conditioning, and infotainment screen for rear occupants.
The video below refers to the Indonesian market Sienta, and might be slightly different from the ones bound for Malaysia.


BMW Malaysia Unveils Two New i Charging Facilities In Melaka

As part of its ongoing commitment to e-mobility, BMW Malaysia introduced two new BMW i Charging facilities at the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Melaka.
The new charging facilities join BMW Malaysia’s growing network of charging points and the broader infrastructure, with the most recent being the ones at the Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, Ipoh, and Iconic Hotel, Penang, as well as the first BMW i charging facilities in Perak earlier this year at WEIL Hotel, Ipoh.
As for Melaka itself, Ramada Plaza is the third location with BMW i charging facilities following the ones in Holiday Inn Melaka, and Hotel Equatorial Melaka which were installed last year.
“With this partnership with BMW Malaysia and Seong Hoe Premium Motors, we can now look after the e-mobility needs of our guests with cutting-edge facilities, offering them peace of mind as they explore the fascinating City of Melaka and its surrounding areas in their electric vehicles,” said Klaus Sennik, General Manager of Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Melaka.
Chief Engineer for the hotel, Hj Abdul Rahman who spearheads the hotel’s green initiatives added, “this is also part of our hotel’s ‘green’ efforts to ensure greater environmental sustainability which is line with the Wyndham group of hotel’s green objectives.”
BMW Group Malaysia’s portfolio of iPerformance vehicles are currently supported by the ChargEV platform through its partnership with the Malaysian Green Technology Corporation.
The BMW ChargeNow service, which is offered as part of the BMW 360° Electric programme, grants straightforward access to partner charging facilities like ChargEV, where customers can enjoy 24/7 support and access to all charging locations in ChargEV’s growing network nationwide.


2016 Honda Accord Facelift Launched in Thailand; Hybrid Version to Follow

A facelift version of the current-generation
Honda Accord
 makes its first ASEAN appearance in Thailand, incorporating nifty updates for the well-received
D-segment
 sedan that has been with us since 2013.
Virtually identical in appearance to the
North American Accord
 that debuted State-side last August, the Thai-spec model foreshadows a similar update that we are expecting to hit our shores within this year.
In keeping with current trends, the facelifted Accord embraces full-on LED illumination – headlights, fog lights, daytime running lights, and tail lights. The redesigned tail lamps light up with a distinctive three-bar visual signature. The nose also receives a new grille design that is more chrome-intensive.

Inside, the existing cabin’s basic architecture is maintained but enhanced with a choice between wood grain and piano black inserts. A new Advanced Display Audi (A-DA) infotainment system features Apple CarPlay connectivity and smartphone MirrorLink function.
A notable addition to the kit count that would be in the wish list of many Malaysian buyers would be Engine Remote Start – a useful feature that can start the engine and activate air-conditioning remotely to cool the cabin before getting on board in a hot day.
Safety is covered by the fitment of six airbags and all-round visibility is enhanced by tools such as Honda LaneWatch, Active Cornering Lights, and Multi-angle Rearview Camera offering three viewing perspectives.
Under the hood, Honda’s
familiar pair of 2.0-
 and
2.4-litre four-cylinder i-VTEC
 engines continue their service in conjunction with Honda’s in-house developed 5-speed automatic transmission. Thai market vehicles are E85 compatible. Outputs are unchanged from current levels; 155hp/190Nm from the 2.0, 174hp/225Nm from the 2.4.
Mirroring the model mix offered in our market, the Thai-spec Accord is available in three variants:
- 2.0 E: THB 1,385,000
- 2.0 EL: THB 1,445,000
- 2.4 EL: THB 1,635,000
The above three variants will be joined in short order by a hybrid variant. The pre-facelift Accord was already offered in Thailand with a hybrid variant powered by Honda’s Sport Hybrid setup combined with a 2.0-litre DOHC Atkinson cycle engine to offer a net system output of 169hp and 307Nm.


BHPetrol Launches New Infiniti Petrol With Improved Formulation

BHPetrol has just launched the latest version of its Infiniti range of petrol. The new formulation aims to deliver better performance, improved fuel economy, and cleaner exhaust emissions.
The new Infiniti petrol, available in both RON 95 and RON 97 grades, has an advanced formulation using the latest generation of additives. The major elements of the new additive package are a new friction modifier, an enhanced corrosion inhibitor, and a deposit cleaning agent.
The dosage of the additive is at 800 PPM (part per million), which is twice the treat rate recommended by the German-based technical supplier.
Mr K. T. Tan, MD of Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd, said, “Over the years, in tandem with advancements in engine technology, we have also improved the formulation of Infiniti petrol so as to maintain the high level of performance and fuel efficiency,”
“Today, we are proud to once again announce even better Infiniti petrol with a further improved formulation which results in increased power and mileage, while also keeping the engine running clean,” Mr Tan added.
BHPetrol said that the enhanced corrosion inhibitor provides a layer of protection on metal surfaces, ensuring the engine performs at its peak long into its life.
The new improved formula Infiniti RON 95 and RON 97-grade petrols are available at all 380 BHPetrol stations starting from today. There is no change in retail prices to the consumers, which are based on prices announced by the government. For the month of November, RON 95 continues to be priced at RM 2.20 per litre, while the premium grade RON 97 is priced at RM 2.81 per litre.


New 2017 Honda Jazz Hybrid – All The Nerdy Stuff That You Need To Know

After a three-year hiatus, Honda Malaysia has reintroduced the Honda Jazz Hybrid, which will now be sold alongside the facelifted version of regular Honda Jazz models. Apart from Japan, Malaysia is the only country in the world to introduce (and locally-assemble) the new 2017 Honda Jazz Hybrid.
At the sidelines of this morning’s launch of the new Honda Jazz and Jazz Hybrid, we also had the opportunity to sit down with three key members responsible for the development of the new Jazz Hybrid – Project Leader Takahiro Noguchi, Assistant Large Project Leader Yoshihiro Akiyama and Chief Engineer Technical Research Division (HRAP-MA - Honda Research and Development Asia Pacific, Malaysia) Shinichi Watanabe.
Before we relay our two hours’ worth of learnings here’s a quick recap on the new Jazz Hybrid.
What’s New?
Unlike the previous generation Jazz Hybrid that ran on a mild-hybrid Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) setup, this new generation model uses a full-hybrid system, which Honda refers to with a rather mouthful name - Sport Hybrid i-DCD, which is short for Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive.
Without going too much into the details, the benefits of the new full-hybrid system can be summarized in two key points – ability to start off in electric drive mode for a smoother stop-go traffic driving, and an air-conditioning that will still run even when the engine is shut down, as all hybrids will when the car is stationary.
The Jazz Hybrid and its regular internal combustion engine powered siblings are priced at:
Jazz S, RM74,800
Jazz E, RM81,000
Jazz Hybrid, RM87,500
Jazz V, RM88,400
The Jazz Hybrid will follow a similar list of features as the Jazz E.
What’s Under The Bonnet?
The new Jazz Hybrid is powered by a 1.5-litre engine i-VTEC engine (110 PS at 6,000 rpm, 134 Nm at 5,000 rpm) paired to a 22 kW/ 160 Nm electric motor, producing a total system output of 137 PS and 170 Nm – the numbers are less than the numeric sum of the engine’s and motor’s outputs because the two peak at different rotational speeds.
The motor is powered by a 0.86 kWh lithium-ion battery located under the boot. In a compact B-segment car like the Jazz, it also means that there isn’t any space for a spare wheel. Drivers will have to make do with a tyre repair kit.
Compared to the previous model's 1.3-litre SOHC i-VTEC+IMA hybrid powertrain, this new Jazz Hybrid uses a new DOHC engine – a high efficiency (but low torque) Atkinson cycle engine (LEB-H1). The LEB-H1 engine is different from the more powerful (but less efficient) Otto cycle L15B engine (132 PS at 6,600 rpm and 155 Nm at 4,600 rpm) used in the regular new Honda Jazz, but both engines share the same block.
Claimed fuel consumption is 4.0-litre/100 km, but of course, how close you are to achieving this in the real world depends on your driving habits and route.
It’s worth noting that the Jazz Hybrid’s performance is very close to that of a non-turbo Civic 1.8S. As the little Jazz is also 93 kg lighter (1,158 kg), it also has a slightly better power-to-weight ratio on paper. Of course, it will be quite a stretch to say that the Jazz Hybrid is a faster car in real-world driving, as the Civic’s longer wheelbase and wider track will deliver a more surefooted drive, but the point here is that the little Jazz Hybrid is no slouch.
Drive is transferred to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual clutch (dry-type) transmission (DCT).
One key difference in the layout of the new model’s Sport Hybrid i-DCD over the previous model’s IMA is the location of the electric motor.
In the previous IMA Jazz Hybrid, the electric motor is installed within the crankcase, positioned between the engine and the CVT transmission. In this latest i-DCD Sport Hybrid, the motor is moved away from the engine, and is now integrated into the far end of the DCT-7 gearbox.
Interestingly, the electric motor only drives the wheels via the odd-numbered gears – 1st, 3rd, 5th  and 7th – all of which are fixed to the main shaft. The even-numbered gears are fixed on a secondary shaft.
The 1st gear is part of a planetary gear set, integrated into the electric motor. This allows the first gear to alternate between input/output functions within the electric motor, depending on whether the driveline’s energy is to drive the front wheels or reversing the energy flow to run the motor as a generator to recover energy via during regenerative braking.
This was a key breakthrough in allowing Honda to reduce the size of electric motor, integrating it within the tight dimensions of a DCT gearbox.
If you are accelerating from standstill, the car will take off in electric power alone, and assuming there is enough charge in the hybrid battery, and you are not accelerating hard, the car will continue to drive in electric mode, shifting from 1
st
 gear straight to 3
rd
 gear and 5
th
 and so on, skipping the even-number gears on the secondary shaft.
In some situations, both the main and secondary shafts are engaged, and two gears are actually driving the car - the even numbered gear transmiting power from the engine while the odd numbered gear transmitting power from the motor.
When the car is being driven in hybrid mode (electric+petrol power), the Jazz Hybrid will shift through all the gears sequentially, like any regular car.
During braking, when speed has been reduced enough, the clutches will disengage from the engine (which has already shut down anyway) to minimized energy loss, but the motor/generator remains connected to the front wheels via the odd-numbered gears along main shaft, thus explains the momentary shift to Neutral in the illustration below.
The braking system is still hydraulic (not brake by-wire) but the servo is electric so it keeps working even when the engine is shut down.
Can I start the Jazz Hybrid if the hybrid (traction) Li-Ion battery fails?
In a comparable Toyota hybrid model, say the now discontinued (in Malaysia) Prius C, you won’t be able to start the car if the hybrid battery, for whatever reasons, no longer works. This is because Toyota’s complex Hybrid Synergy Drive system uses two large, powerful traction motors – MG1 and MG2 – with the former doubling as a starter motor (there isn’t any regular starter motor). This motor is too big to be spun by the 12V battery. Without power from the hybrid battery, a Toyota hybrid simply won’t start, even if the 12V battery is working fine.
The new Jazz Hybrid uses only one traction motor and it retains a regular starter motor that’s spun by the regular 12V auxiliary battery. So in theory, and the keyword here is in theory, you will still be able to drive a Jazz Hybrid even if you have a failure with the hybrid battery.
We stress that this is only in theory, because if you have a serious issue like a failure with the hybrid battery, there could be other related failures within the system that will trigger the car to shutdown to prevent any further damage.
Remember that the hybrid battery powers not just the electric traction motor, but also the electric brake servo and electric power steering.
How much does it costs to replace the hybrid battery?
It will cost you about RM5,500 to replace the Li-ion hybrid battery, after discounts from Honda Malaysia, but unless if you have been very rough with the car, hybrid batteries are generally quite reliable, and are designed to last the lifespan of the car – which is about 15 years/200,000 km.
We should also add that the hybrid battery is covered by an 8-year/unlimited mileage warranty, which runs concurrently with the car's 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty.
If you are interested to know further, the battery is supplied by Blue Energy Co, Ltd., a joint venture between Honda and GS Yuasa.
How reliable is the dual-clutch transmission?
Dual-clutch transmissions don’t have a very good reputation here, especially those that use twin dry clutches, which is exactly the type of dual-clutch transmission that this new Honda Jazz Hybrid use.
Any mention of DCTs will trigger many Volkswagen and some Ford owners into a frenzy to type out hate-filled responses on social media.
Honda doesn’t hide the fact that DCTs are difficult to work with, and they too had their fair share of problems when the DCT-equipped Jazz Hybrid was first launched in Japan.
Problems with transmission jerking and juddering were serious enough for Honda to suspend production of all i-DCD Sport Hybrid equipped models (in Japan this includes the HR-V Hybrid, which is sold there as the Vezel) and delay those models’ overseas launch by two years.
Malaysia was one of the casualty of this delay, and this was why the previous generation’s IMA Jazz Hybrid did not have a successor when the all-new Jazz was launched in 2014.
It is also common knowledge that Malaysia has one of the highest rate of DCT failures in the region - something about the combination of driving habits of local drivers, and our hot and humid climate.
However the potential benefits of DCTs in delivering sporty performance and exceptional fuel efficiency was too good for Honda to simply abandon the technology, so the company persevered to find a solution.
While Honda suspended introduction of DCT-equipped models outside of Japan (the temporary fix rolled out in Japan was good enough for Japanese driving conditions, but it just won’t do for Malaysia), a small group of engineers were dispatched to Malaysia to test out their proposed permanent fix, evaluated under the toughest driving conditions that urban Malaysia has to offer.
For a period of slightly over two years, a prototype Jazz Hybrid was actually driving around on Malaysian roads, disguised as a regular Jazz. Throughout those two years, the little prototype Jazz Hybrid was intentionally driven into some of the worst traffic conditions that Malaysia has to offer – it was driven on highways during Hari Raya traffic, everyday morning and evening rush hour traffic, and even going up and down Genting Highlands.
The test car covered a total distance of 7,000 km, which at a glance seemed nothing much, but keep in mind that the intention was to subject the car to very severe stop-go traffic conditions under our punishing heat and humidity. As DCTs work very well in long distance highway driving there was little point in clocking high mileage in the shortest possible time.
The data gathered from Malaysia was then sent back to Japan and today, all Honda Jazz Hybrids sold in Japan have been updated with a permanent fix developed from their learnings gathered in Malaysia.
Honda won’t be drawn into specifics as to how they managed to make their DCTs work in our climate while other car makers couldn’t, they did suggested that it has to do with adjusting the gear ratios and engagement points to minimize clutch slippage between gear changes.
Of course, only time will tell if the updated DCT will work as well as Honda claims, but at least the Japanese marque’s response is a lot more confidence inspiring than the dismissive attitudes of the Europeans at Wolfsburg and Cologne.
The new Honda Jazz Hybrid isn’t the only hybrid to use a DCT, as the
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
 that we tested recently also uses DCT, albeit with one less ratio.
Does the DCT require a different automatic transmission oil?
Being a DCT, you obviously can’t use the same transmission oil for the Jazz Hybrid as the ones used by Honda’s other CVT-type automatic transmission equipped models like the City, Civic and HR-V.
However it does use a similar type of transmission oil as regular torque converter-type automatic transmission Honda models. It may or may not be exactly the same transmission oil as used by a Honda Accord, but it’s similar.
Any differences in chassis/suspension between Jazz Hybrid and regular Jazz?
The 1,158 kg Jazz Hybrid is about 60 kg heavier than the top of the range Jazz V (1,099 kg). The additional weight will certainly have an impact on the Jazz Hybrid’s dynamics but this is compensated by a retuned suspension and a strut bar that’s specific for the Jazz Hybrid and a tighter steering ratio (14.7 versus the standard Jazz’s 16.7).
Why isn’t this tighter steering ratio applied on a regular Jazz? Because achieving this tight ratio requires a more powerful electric power steering motor that’s beyond the limits of the regular Jazz’s electrical system but in the Jazz Hybrid, which has a larger capacity battery, it is possible.
There are also additional sound proofing materials installed behind the dashboard. While the additional insulation is only available for the Jazz Hybrid, it doesn’t make the hybrid variant any more quieter than the regular Jazz.
The reason why the Jazz requires additional sound proofing is because being a full-hybrid, there will be a lot of time when the Jazz is coasting/driving in electric power alone. Without the engine noise to mask out certain harmonics range, some noise that are not apparent in a regular Jazz will become quite obvious, hence the need for additional sound proofing.
More information on the list of features for all four variants of the new Jazz can be found
here
.


Bangkok 2017: Mazda Thailand Unveils 2017 MX-5 RF and 2017 CX-3 Facelift

Mazda Thailand unveiled the 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF and 2017 CX-3 facelift at the 2017 Bangkok International Motor Show. The company aims to collect more than 4,000 orders at this year’s BIMS.
For Thailand, the updated 2017 Mazda CX-3 can be had with a 1.5-litre SkyActiv-D diesel or a 2.0-litre SkyActiv-G petrol engine. The oil burner does 105 PS and 270 Nm, whilst the petrol variant does 156 PS and 204 Nm. Both engines are mated to Mazda’s SkyActiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission.
The biggest change for the new Mazda CX-3 is the inclusion of the G-Vectoring Control (GVC) technology. Other features include i-ActiveSense safety package and MZD Connect infotainment system.

Apart from the enhanced Mazda CX-3, Mazda Thailand also unveiled the new Mazda MX-5 RF for the Thai market. Similar to the one that quietly found its way here in January, the Thai-spec MX-5 RF receives the same 2.0-litre SkyActiv-G petrol engine that sends 160 PS and 200 Nm to its rear wheels via Mazda’s SkyActiv-Drive six-speed automatic.

Prices start from THB 835,000 for the 2017 Mazda CX-3, whilst the sporty 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF sees a price of THB 2.8 million.

For Mazda 2, Mazda 3, CX-3 and CX-5 customers, Mazda Thailand is offering free insurance premium and a 3-year Mazda Care Package. MX-5 customers can benefit from free insurance premium and a 5-year warranty.
Mazda Sales Thailand (MST) Co Ltd President Mr. Chanchai Trakarnudomsuk said that the company has achieved its sales target of 11,000 units for the first quarter of 2017, and completed its fiscal year with 42,500 units sold, an 8 percent increase from 2016.


Boleh Potong Rambut di Negeri-Negeri Fasa 1 Bermula 16 Ogos

Berita baik bagi anda yang dah rimas dengan rambut yang tidak terurus, bermula esok, 16 Ogos, anda sudah boleh potong rambut di negeri-negeri yang masih berada di dalam
Fasa 1 PPN
.

11 sektor ekonomi perdagangan dan pengedaran kembali beroperasi di Fasa 1 PPN bermula 16 Ogos.

Namun syaratnya ialah kesemua 11 aktiviti ekonomi ini hanya boleh dimanfaatkan bagi mereka yang telah lengkap vaksinasi lengkap sama ada 1 atau 2 dos seperti di bawah:

Vaksin Pfizer, AstraZeneca dan Sinovac - selepas hari ke 14 suntikan dos kedua

Vaksin Johnson & Johnson dan CanSino - selepas hari ke 28 suntikan

 11 aktiviti ekonomi tersebut adalah:

Kedai cuci kereta/ car wash

Kedai elektrik dan elektronik

Kedai barangan rumah dan peralatan dapur

Kedai perabot

Kedai peralatan sukan

Kedai aksesori kereta

Pusat pengedaran dan jualan kereta

Pasar pagi dan pasar tani sahaja

Kedai pakaian, fesyen dan aksesori

Kedai barang kemas

Kedai gunting rambut dan pusat/ salun kecantikan (perkhidmatan gunting rambut asas sahaja)

Bagi makluman anda yang mungkin tidak up to date, negeri-negeri yang berada di dalam
fasa-fasa

PPN
 ialah seperti berikut:

Fasa 1:

Kedah

Selangor

Kuala Lumpur

Negeri Sembilan

Melaka

Johor

Putrajaya

Fasa 2:

Pulau Pinang

Perak

Kelantan

Terengganu

Pahang

Sabah

Fasa 3:

Perlis

Sarawak

Labuan

*Cover image kredit Lowyat.net


Masih Ada Sekatan Jalan Raya Di Lembah Klang Meskipun Sudah Beralih Ke Fasa 2 PPN

Bermula 10 September lalu, Lembah Klang termasuk Selangor, KL dan Putrajaya telah beralih ke
Fasa 2 Pelan Pemulihan Negara (PPN)
 menyaksikan aktiviti rentas daerah kini dibenarkan tetapi kenapa masih ada sekatan jalan raya?

Kerajaan turut memutuskan bahawa ketiga-tiga kawasan tersebut untuk digabungkan sebagai satu kawasan jangkitan yang sama. Jadi segala pergerakan merentasi ketiga-tiga kawasan ini kini dibenarkan dan tiada lagi
Sekatan Jalan Raya (SJR)
.

Walau bagaimanapun, jika anda mengganggap bahawa
semua SJR
 telah ditutup ekoran peralihan Fasa PPN ini, anda silap. Menurut perkongsian yang dilakukan oleh PDRM, hanya dua SJR dalam daerah Petaling yang ditutup, manakala selebihnya masih dikekalkan beroperasi sehingga hari ini.

Sekatan di
Lebuhraya Persekutuan
 dan Taman Kanagapuram yang terletak di bawah laluan Lebuhraya Pantai Baru (NPE) merupakan antara SJR yang ditutup susulan peralihan Fasa 1 kepada Fasa 2 PPN di Lembah Klang.

Sementara itu, terdapat 4 lokasi SJR yang akan dikekalkan meskipun telah beralih ke Fasa 2 PPN iaitu:

SJR Plaza Tol Sungai Buloh

SJR Plaza Tol Kota Damansara

SJR Plaza Tol Damansara

SJR Plaza Tol Subang

SJR di kesemua lokasi disebutkan di atas akan terus beroperasi bagi mengawal laluan keluar dan masuk ke lebuh raya utama. Menurut Ketua Polis Daerah Petaling Jaya, Asisten Komisioner Mohamad Fakhrudin Abdul Hamid, pihaknya telah membuat sebanyak 41 tangkapan melibatkan warga asing dan tiga tangkapan melibatkan
dadah
di SJR dalam kawasan Petaling Jaya ini.

Sesiapa yang berada di Lembah Klang yang ingin
merentas negeri
 perlu menunggu sedikit masa lagi kerana SJR di sempadan Negeri Sembilan dan Perak masih lagi dikekalkan. Biarpun Lembah Klang telah beralih ke Fasa Dua Pelan Pemulihan Negara (PPN) dan kini tiada lagi SJR antara daerah, namun sempadan negeri masih dikawal ketat oleh pihak polis.

PDRM turut menasihati orang ramai supaya terus menjaga
prosedur operasi standard (SOP)
 serta tidak leka dengan kelonggaran diberi sehingga mengabaikan SOP dalam mengawal dan mencegah pandemik COVID-19 di sepanjang tempoh pelaksanaan Fasa 2 PPN di daerah Petaling Jaya khususnya.


Lexus LC 500 Convertible Launched - RM 1,350,500

For those who loved the LC 500 but wanted just that tiny bit more headroom, your prayers have been answered.

Lexus is not a brand known for going off the beaten path. Case in point, in the last 30 years or so, they have only ever produced two convertible models. The first was a drop-top version of the IS Coupe, limited only to the second generation. The second is what you see here today, whether you're reading this article or watched the virtual launch prior to this - it's the Lexus LC 500 Convertible, which will go for RM 1,350,500. In true Lexus fashion, that price is on the road, with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, and free service for the first 100,000 kilometres.

What are the big numbers? We'll start with the soft top roof, as that is arguably the star of the show. It goes down in 15 seconds, up in 16 seconds, and you can bring it up or close it at speeds of up to 50 km/h. The rest of the metrics follow that of the
LC 500 Coupe
: a petrol 5.0-litre V8 up front singing to the tune of 470 hp and 540 Nm of torque, paired with a direct-shift 10-speed automatic gearbox delivering power exclusively to the rear wheels. 0 to 100 km/h is done in 4.9 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited to 270 km/h.

Everything apart from the roof is pretty much identical to the coupe, and that's a good thing. The interior of the LC 500 had always been a bit of a benchmark for other manufacturers, with the ever exciting 8-inch Digital Combination Meter sitting front and centre for the driver, changing appearances depending on the drive mode you select. A large 10.3-inch screen offers multimedia functionality with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, delivering crisp audio through a 13-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound setup.

Luxury is achieved through the big ticket items just as much as the small ones. Adaptive Variable Suspension at each corner offers 650 contiguous steps of damping for truly precise ride and handling - but its value is just as important as the transparent wind deflector between the rear seats that reduces buffetting from the wind at speeds of up to 60 km/h. Lexus' attention to detail is no lower when it comes to a drop-top, even though it poses far more difficult engineering challenges than that of the coupe launched just a few years ago.

Perhaps that's a bit of poor wording, because the reality is that the convertible form of the Lexus LC 500 is arguably its truer form - from the early design stages, the LC 500 was provided with the necessary structural reinforcement and storage space for a convertible. This is very much in the same breath of companies like McLaren, where many of their current high-end performance models are also designed to be tough enough without a roof. There's even an active roll bar system that will deploy in the event of a, well, rollover - necessary to keep the car propped up and avoid injuring occupants.

Structural safety is only one piece of the puzzle. Active safety is the name of the game these days, and the LC 500 convertible comes with the Lexus Safety System + (LSS+). The Pre-Collision System naturally applies brakes or warns you to help avoid impending collisions, while Lane Departure Alert and Lane Keep Assist keep you from straying out of your lane without signalling. Dynamic Radar Cruise Control is always a great feature to have, automatically adjusting the car's speed to match traffic ahead.

If you order your LC 500 Convertible now, you can receive it sometime in February of 2021 - a pretty normal wait time given how special these cars are and how drastically global logistics have slowed down due to COVID-19. But with all the thunderstorms and rain in the coming weeks (it's monsoon season after all) perhaps dropping the top would best be reserved for a few months.


BMW Brings Augmented Reality To The Showroom

We've talked in the past about augmented reality making its way to showrooms, but BMW has finally released their version of the concept- specifically for their i3 and i8 models. Augmented reality is a way for a customer to "see" the car, even if the car isn't actually there. BMW's augmented reality technology is developed by Accenture and based off of Tango, which was developed by Google. The system will be rolled out across a number of BMW sales outlets as part of BMW Group's Future Retail program.
There are number of advantages to Google's system. It has a better understanding of space, so the car isn't presented in an unrealistic way. It's a realistic form of augmented reality, even allowing customers to customize the vehicle's colours and specifications to see what it would look like in their exact choices- real time. It's a great way to add value to the customer experience and it allows customers to get a better idea of what they're getting into. The BMW i Visualiser app will be available on the app store for customers to use with Tango-enabled phones, and will also allow customers to save their experiences and share them online.


Meet Honda’s Youngest Large Project Leader – The S660’s 27-year Old LPL Ryo Mukumoto

What were you doing when you were 22 years old? For the bespectacled, slightly geeky looking Ryo Mukumoto, 22 was the age when he was made Large Project Leader – Honda’s terminology for the lead engineer of a project - for the Honda S660.
Mukumoto was given five years to complete the project. His young age, and lack of an engineering degree made his promotion an unprecedented gamble by Honda.
Overview of the S660
A successor to the ‘90s era Honda Beat, the S660 is a very unique looking sports car. With merely 64 PS of power and 104 Nm of torque from a tiny 660cc three-cylinder engine, clearly we are being very liberal with the term ‘sports car.’
But it’s not as bad as you think, for the S660 is actually a very frisky little car – more Chihuahua than a Pit bull – ferocious but so small that it doesn’t intimidate. What it lacks in horsepower it more than makes up for it with
supercar inspired construction
.
Unlike the front-wheel drive, ‘all show but no go’
Daihatsu Copen
, the S660’s engine is mounted behind the driver – transverse, midship driving the rear wheels, just like the original Honda NSX. Breathing the engine is a pair of NACA ducts, just like a Ferrari F40. Like a Lexus LFA, the S660’s brake calipers are installed within the car’s wheelbase for optimal balance. Other heavy components like the 12V battery and fuel tank are also located within its wheelbase, close its centre of gravity. It also uses a brake-based torque vectoring system, like a McLaren P1.
We will have more on the S660’s on-road behaviour in the next post.
The S660’s diminutive size means that it would be quite out of place in long stretches of multi-lane highways. It does however, make a lot of sense in Japan - where roads are tight, a 100 km/h national speed limit is strictly enforced, with costly taxes and parking licenses for cars above 660cc. It is an environment where it’s better to own an S660 than an S2000.
Measuring just 3,395 mm long and 1,475 mm wide, the S660 slips just below the maximum permissible size for ‘kei’ cars – the Japanese term for minicars. Kei cars are exempted from parking license – a one-time fee charged by the local city council whenever a new car is registered. It also benefits from lower excise and weight tax, as well as lower insurance cost. Against this background, it is easy to understand why the idea of a kei sports car is very attractive to Japanese drivers.
It’s a genre of cars that can only work well within Japan’s legislative environment so don’t harbour any hopes of seeing the S660 here.
From modeller to LPL
At the sidelines of the 2015 Honda Meeting at Honda’s R&D Centre in Tochigi, Japan, Carlist.my caught up with Mukumoto-san.
Historically, the position of a Large Project Leader (LPL) - equivalent to an executive chief engineer or a program manager in other car companies – was almost always given to someone with a strong background in mechanical engineering.
Mukumoto-san however, joined Honda in 2007, as a hard-modeller at Honda’s Design Centre. Different from clay models, ‘hard models’ are 1:1 scale mock-ups made of plastics and resins.
When asked how did he made the career transition from being a modeller to become an LPL leading a group of engineers, Mukumoto said “Well, it’s a miracle!”
“There was an in-house competition commemorating the 50
th
 anniversary of Honda’s foundation in automobiles. Everyone working for Honda was encouraged to propose a new concept. I submitted a proposal for a kei sports car and my idea was eventually selected. The company decided to develop this concept into a real car, and I was assigned to be its Large Project Leader simply because I was the proposer,” said Mukumoto.
Mukumoto was only 22-years old then. Some say Honda was mad for trusting a 22-year old with no engineering background with the position of an LPL.
Fast forward to 2015, the S660, developed by a ‘green,’ inexperienced modeller, has been a runaway success in Japan. Within just five months, Honda had already sold out its 12-month allocation for the S660. Originally meant to be a Japan-only car, the S660 has been gaining a lot of attention worldwide, leading to rumours that a 1,000cc engine version for overseas markets is being considered – but it remains just that, a rumour.
More than just a car, the S660 is Honda’s way of developing young talent
Many decades ago, the late Eiji Toyoda, then the President of Toyota, once joked about Soichiro Honda, saying “There’s something wrong with that man and his company.” It’s a comment that the late Soichiro Honda relished to hear. In conformist Japan, Honda-san revelled in this eccentric, rebellious image that he has cultivated.
Even in his old age, Honda-san was a strong believer of young talent.
After Honda’s retirement in 1973, at a relatively young age of 65, one of his message to his young employees said:
“One thing I never say is, ‘Young people nowadays…’ After all, the same thing was said about me when I was young. The younger generation are naturally more advanced. Although I have reached the age of having to think of the landing of my life, a person gets a better feeling when he is pulling back on the control stick to lift the airplane. What I am trying to do is to help younger people fly safely. So my message to young people is this: ‘Have your own purpose in life, hold your control stick and fly high.’”
Degrees Don’t Matter That Much At Honda
Mukumoto-san’s age and lack of a suitable qualification might raise eyebrows in other companies but actually this is not the first time that Honda has been so bold with young talent.
The 1981 first generation Japanese-market Honda City (totally unrelated to our City sedan), the one with a sub-zero cool Motocompo foldable motorcycle in its boot, was developed by a team whose average age was only 27-years old.
In 1985, when Honda was building its first engine plant outside of Japan, it hired one Chuck Ernst, a young man with no engineering degree, whose closest experience with manufacturing plants is working at a steel mill. To Ernst’s surprise, Honda put him in charge of drawing up the plans for a motorcycle engine plant. Ernst had to teach himself on how to assemble motorcycle engines, and figure out the best layout for the new plant.
In later years, Toyoji Yashiki, manager of Honda's engine plant in Ohio explained that Honda can always teach new recruits on how to do things the Honda way, and that it prefers the original thinking of inexperienced but passionate young recruits, whose thinking are not constrained by any preconceived notions.
Until today, Honda’s new recruits are often told the story of the two Soichiros – Soichiro Honda and Soichiro Irimajiri, a brilliant aeronautical engineering graduate from the prestigious University of Tokyo, who had already designed a theoretical F1 engine while in university.
Irimajiri was put in-charge of the RA273 F1 car’s (above) engine for the 1966 Grand Prix season. At the British Grand Prix, the car’s engine blew and caught fire. The car was sent back to Honda’s R&D centre for analysis, where it was found that a faulty piston ring was the cause.
“Who made these piston rings?” shouted Soichiro Honda, whose temper was legendary. Irimajiri stepped forward. “Did you designed them to burn?” hassled Honda-san. “None of my calculations indicated that the rings would burn, perhaps there may have been other factors at play,” said Irimajiri, whose response irritated Honda-san even further.
“I am an expert in piston rings! Before the war, I ran a company that made nothing but piston rings. I’ve got patents on piston rings. And you’re trying to lecture me? This is why I can’t stand university graduates. Your heads are all swollen, but you still don’t know a damn thing!” shouted Honda-san, who had no engineering degree but he did attend classes on metallurgy to fill the gaps in his knowledge. However he skipped the exams because he considered a diploma to be worth less than a movie ticket. “At least with a movie ticket, you can still watch a movie and have a good time,” he once said.
“You have let everyone else’s hard work down. You are going to take these piston rings, and apologise to every single member in the team. It’s your design that got everyone into trouble. I will go with you,” Honda told Irimajiri.
With this baptism of fire, Irimajiri would later go on to become one of the best engineers in Japan, whose designs on the CVCC engine would later be licensed to Toyota.
Twenty four years after Honda-san’s passing in 1991, Honda today is still a strong believer in youth, passion and hardwork over qualifications.
Mukumoto added that it was not just him who was lacking in experience, as many key members in the S660’s development team were just as young, most of them were well below 30-years old.
“Maybe in news reports, I stand out as a very young project leader but as a matter of fact, our development team itself was very young. In Honda, usually projects are assigned in a top-down assignment manner. The top manager (LPL) will choose his development team in a top-down manner but in this case, we used a bottom-up approach. So we asked anyone who would like to join the S660 development team and most of the volunteers were very young. As many of us were young and inexperienced, we had many struggles, but we also had this group of veteran, very experienced engineers who were there to guide us. All other project leaders in-charge of chassis and body also faced many difficult challenges. We worked really hard together to overcome those challenges,” he said.
Why a kei sports car?
Enthusiasts will be keen to know that Mukumoto’s first car was a Honda S2000, which he bought right after getting his driver’s license.
“As a novice driver, I didn’t have enough driving skills to enjoy the high performance of the S2000 to its maximum. I always felt that I wasn’t driving the S2000, but the S2000 was carrying me. When I had to come up with an idea for this new concept, I remembered my high school days when I used to ride a Honda Super Cub, which was really light and easy to ride. I really enjoyed riding it, feeling its movements. I loved those moments. So I thought it would be really fun to have a kei sports car that people can concentrate on enjoying driving. This way, I hope I can lower the hurdle for people to enjoy a sports car,” he said.
Many might be surprised to know that few Japanese youths are interested in cars these days. The high cost of ownership, expensive fuel, plus Japan’s super-efficient public transport system has made private cars rather redundant. Many Japanese households now maintain only one car, usually a box-type MPV or a kei car. The number of licensed drivers in Japan aged below 40 has also fallen by over 40 percent over the past 10 years.
For a company whose core business is producing cars, it is in Honda’s interest to rekindle Japan’s youth in cars. As far as Japan is concerned, the era for an S2000 is already over. If Honda wants to encourage people to experience the joy of driving, it needs a smaller, cheaper sports car.
“As you pointed out, many young people in Japan are losing interest in automobiles, but there are still many who are interested in cars. In one of our events for the S660, I met an S660 owner whose car had a novice driver’s sticker (similar to our P-license sticker). It was his first car. His story convinced me again that the S660 could trigger more young people to experience the joy of driving,” he said.
While the S660’s ideals are aimed at younger buyers, the reality of Japan’s aging demographics, and fewer number of licensed young drivers mean that many S660 owners are above 40.
“One of my motivations in my car career is to encourage children to be interested in automobiles, and the fun of automobiles. To make children understand or feel the joy of driving, I have to attract fathers to drive sports cars. If a father enjoys driving, the children will naturally understand that driving is fun, not just their own children, but other children in the neighbourhood. Children will start thinking ‘Hey it’s cool to have a sports car.’ I didn’t target any particular generation, my target was anyone who likes driving. Car lovers are young at heart so that’s very important,” Mukumoto said.
So what does the LPL of an S660 drives? An S660 of course. But Mukumoto also keeps another car for his daily use – a Honda Element.
Who knew that putting a 22-year old with no engineering degree in charge of one of Honda’s most important new product in recent history can have such a big impact.
The S660 is one of several initiatives by Honda to promote young talent. The
4-motor EV CR-Z
 prototype that raced in this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb was another example. It was the result of Honda’s ‘Young Engineer’s Challenge.’
Soichiro Honda would have been proud.
More stories from the 2015 Honda Meeting:
Meet The Malaysian Chief Engineer Behind Honda’s SH-AWD System
The Honda Type-R Family – Its Origins And A Peek Into The Future Of Honda's Performance Cars
Acura NSX And Honda NSX – Same Same But Not The Same
2016 Honda BR-V Quick Review
Sampling Honda’s new VTEC Turbo Engine