Video: All You Need to Know About the 2018 BMW M5’s M xDrive System

So, as we
reported last week
, the much anticipated sixth-generation BMW M5 is upon us, all set to make its global debut at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
Expected to come with many ground breaking features at least as far as the M moniker is concerned, one of the main highlight of the new M5 is the M xDrive system.
What this system does is that it enables fully variable front-rear torque distribution and works in tandem with the Active M Differential that helps shuffle power between the rear wheels - unlike what is currently employed in the X5 M and X6 M models.
Sounds complicated?
Well don't worry folks, as BMW has released a video in order to give us a clearer picture on how the aforementioned M xDrive system works in its full glory.
Powered by a 4.4-litre V8 engine, the new M5 is said to be significantly more powerful than the outgoing model, thanks to new turbochargers, improved lubrication and also a modified and lighter exhaust system.
The company revealed that the direct injection system has also been beefed up to squirt fuel into the combustion chamber at higher pressures.
No output figures were revealed, but our guess that the car might be able to complete the century sprint in less than 3.8 seconds, maybe quicker. Let us wait and see.


Goodyear Launches EfficientGrip Performance SUV Tires

In an effort to provide SUV owners with quiet and comfy tires, Goodyear unveiled its latest range of tires called the ‘EfficientGrip Performance SUV’.
According to Goodyear, the launch is in line with the growth of the SUV segment in the Asia Pacific region, which has grown by 26% over the last five years.
Featuring Goodyear’s QuietTred Technology, the EfficientGrip Performance SUV tire’s noise dampening tread design has an increased number of pitches and optimized sequence, coupled with closed shoulder grooves design to deliver optimal quiet performance.
It is said that the tires are also equipped with FlexContact Technology, designed with a shock absorbing cushion layer compound with optimized formulation that promises a more comfortable drive. These technologies are paired with new innovative polymers tread compound for increased grip in wet road conditions, ensuring superior wet performance in the region’s unpredictable weather.
Fitted with new innovative polymers from Germany within the high-performance cap compound, the EfficientGrip Performance SUV has optimized microstructures for increased grip in wet road conditions. It also has wider and reinforced shoulder blocks with wider centerline sipes that offers increased contact area during braking, providing shorter braking distances thus making it safer.
For the Malaysian market, the new Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV tires will be offered in 17-inch to 20-inch rim diameter variants, with up to 20 sizes available.
Consumers can purchase the EfficientGrip Performance SUV tires at Goodyear Autocare or Servitekar outlets, as well as authorized Goodyear dealers nationwide from October 2017 onwards.


Petronas Introduces New Syntium With CoolTech Engine Lubricant Range

Petronas Lubricants Marketing Malaysia today introduced its new range of Petronas Syntium with CoolTech engine lubricants which have been specifically formulated to fight against excessive engine heat in order to improve engine efficiency and performance.
The complete range of Petronas lubricants with CoolTech is as follows:
Syntium 500 (Mineral): SAE 5W-30, SAE 15W-40, SAE 10W-30
Syntium 800 (Semi-Syn): SAE 5W-30, SAE 10W-40
Syntium 3000 (Fully-Syn): SAE 5W-40
Syntium 3000 E (Fully-Syn): SAE 5W-30
Syntium 5000 E (Fully-Syn): SAE 5W-50
Syntium 7000 Hybrid (Fully-Syn): SAE 0W-20 (Ultimate Series)
Syntium 7000 (Fully-Syn): SAE 0W-16, SAE 0W-20, SAE 0W-40 (Ultimate Series)
Retail prices to be announced
The highlight Syntium 7000 Hybrid is also the company’s first engine oil specifically developed for Hybrid engines. All Petronas lubricants meet the latest API SN Plus specifications; protecting against Low-Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI) for turbocharged direct-injection petrol powered vehicles.
Formulated for modern driving conditions, Petronas’ CoolTech technology is developed with strong oil chains that effectively absorb and transfer heat away from critical engine parts and maintain the oil’s structural and protective integrity, so vital engine components remain protected with a stable oil film.
Tests conducted by independent testing organisations have shown that Petronas’ Cooltech range offers 8 percent better thermal resistance, over 50 percent better resistance to engine wear, and up to 15 percent better protection against deposit build-up.
Also present at the event was Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 driver and five-time (FIA) Formula One World Champion, Lewis Hamilton, on a quick pit-stop in Malaysia after the Singapore GP, “Petronas Syntium Lubricants plays such a crucial role in the cooling of our engines and supports us in achieving results on track. The teamwork between our technical organisations has been outstanding, and it’s reassuring to know that we have the best and most reliable fluid for our engines,"
He added, “It makes it easier to stay focussed on our ultimate goal and achieve the best result for the team on the race track.”


Banjir KL, Selangor - Adakah Ramalan Cuaca Lambat Mengesan Atau Kita Yang Tidak Bersedia?

Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia (MET Malaysia) telah memberi Amaran Hujan Berterusan sejak November lalu, namun masih ramai tidak bersedia?

Lantas, ketibaan
banjir dalam skala besar ini mengakibatkan banyak kerugian harta benda
.

Lebih mengejutkan, di sekitar Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor, ada jalan utama yang turut ditenggelami air menyebabkan penduduk tidak berkesempatan menyelamatkan kenderaan mereka, apatah lagi harta benda di dalam rumah yang dimasuki air.

Adakah MET Malaysia lambat mengemaskini data ramalan cuaca atau kita yang tidak pandai menilai kemungkinan bencana besar seperti banjir kilat akan berlaku?

Kenapa cuaca buruk ini lambat diramal?

Rata-rata komen pengguna di laman Facebook rasmi MET Malaysia kesal dengan ramalan cuaca yang dianggap lambat mengeluarkan amaran bahaya, sehinggakan ramai penduduk KL dan Selangor khususnya, tidak mengambil tindakan segera dalam menangani kemungkinan banjir terjadi.

Jika dilihat pada gambar di atas, amaran yang dikeluarkan adalah pada tahap buruk (kuning dan jingga) pada 17 Disember, berbanding tahap bahaya (merah) yang hanya dikeluarkan pada 18 Disember setelah kebanyakan kawasan sudah mengalami banjir.

Bukan sahaja kereta tidak sempat dialihkan ke lokasi yang selamat, bahkan rumah juga habis ditenggelami air pada 18 Disember lalu.

Lebih menyedihkan, terdapat
kes kematian akibat terperangkap dan lemas dalam banjir kilat
 yang ‘tidak dijangka’ di Selangor ini.

*Kredit foto: MStar

Jawapannya adalah...

Dalam satu temubual khas bersama Astro Awani, Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang, Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian Alam Sekitar Dan Air menegaskan, data ramalan global yang diperolehi sebelum bencana kilat pada 18 Disember adalah lemah dan tidak konsisten.

Hanya pada 17 Disember, barulah data-data yang diperolehi lebih konsisten dan menunjukkan amaran yang jelas terhadap kawasan di Lembah Klang.

Penulis beranggapan perkara melibatkan data ini adalah sesuatu yang tidak boleh dijangka dan tidak terjadi kerana kecuaian mana-mana pihak.

There's a larger force at play here
. Ujian untuk kita semua.

Kenapa banjir kilat ini terjadi?

Menurut Dr. Zaini,
banjir yang melanda kebanyakan negeri
 ketika ini adalah disebabkan oleh luruan monsun (
monsunal surge
), juga depresi tropika dan taufan Rai yang memberi impak besar buat kawasan rendah.

Kita sudah sedia maklum tentang angin monsun atau musim tengkujuh yang melanda negara pada penghujung tahun. Bezanya, ia kerap melibatkan kawasan pantai timur dan bukan pantai barat, seperti apa kita alami ketika ini di KL dan Selangor.

Depresi tropika pula berlaku pada kawasan tekanan rendah mendadak dengan halaju angin tidak lebih 54km/j. Ditambah pula dengan pemanasan global (
global warming
) menyebabkan permukaan laut semakin panas. Haba panas itu menyebabkan lebih banyak wap air naik ke atmosfera, hingga menyebabkan lebih banyak kawasan tekanan rendah.

Tetapi apa yang berbahaya, kawasan tekanan rendah ini boleh menyebabkan ribut tropika dan seterusnya ribut taufan, yang mana fenomena berkenaan menimpa persisiran pantai Vietnam dan Sabah. Taufan Kategori 5, dinamakan Rai (juga dipanggil Odette) menghentam kepulauan Filipina dengan menyebabkan 208 kematian.

Ketiga-tiga faktor ini adalah di luar keupayaan kita untuk mencegah, terutamanya apabila berlaku dalam sekelip mata sahaja.

Jangan pandang remeh amaran cuaca

Kedudukan Malaysia yang dikelilingi laut
memerlukan kita sentiasa bersiap siaga
 dalam menghadapi ancaman perubahan iklim dan bencana.

Masyarakat Malaysia perlu sentiasa peka dengan permasalahan di dalam persekitaran kita dengan membina keupayaan kendiri, bermula dengan pengetahuan dan kesedaran yang boleh diperoleh di hujung jari.

Kerajaan menyediakan maklumat melalui pelbagai sumber, antaranya portal laman sesawang MET Malaysia, Jabatan Ukur dan Pemetaan Malaysia (JUPEM) dan Pusat Hidografi Nasional Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM).

Menurut penulisan pakar kaji cuaca, Prof. Wan Izatul Asma Wan Talaat untuk Berita Harian, pihak berkuasa tempatan dan pemaju juga perlu menjauhi garis pantai bagi mengelakkan risiko kehilangan harta benda dan nyawa untuk perancangan pembangunan masa depan.

Jadi selepas ini, jangan pandang remeh pada amaran cuaca, semoga kejadian buruk ini tidak akan berulang lagi.

Penulis menyokong penuh #kitajagakita #rakyatjagarakyat


Selangor Targets 24-Hour Pothole Fixes With New Filler Premix, Senator Says KL Road Repairs Are A Shambles

Called Cold-Mix Carboncor, this new premix formula is what road maintenance contractors in Selangor will be using to patch up potholes within the state, which during its launch at the JKR office in Gombak was cited to allow potholes to be fixed within 24 hours of being reported.
Zaidy Abdul Talib, State Infrastructure and Public Facilities Committee chairman, said that concessionaires would be instructed to patch up every pothole within their respective areas as soon as possible, with a loose time frame set at within one day. Using the excuse of low or insufficient funding would not be accepted, writes The Star.
“In the past, concessionaires only patched up potholes based on a budget but now they have to patch up every pothole,” Zaidy said, adding that the bidding process for the new five-year agreement have already begun as the current concession agreements will end on December 31st.
“This time we have decided to open it to three concessionaires, for better check-and-balance. This way if one of the concessionaires fail to fix the potholes, we can pass the task to the other two,” he said.
An infamous pothole to the residents of Bandar Menjalara in Kuala Lumpur, causing some cars to have broken rims along with burst tyres.
The new premix uses water as a binding mechanism, which allows for quicker and easier resurfacing even during the rainy season. Industry experts say that water binding will help ensure the rain does not damage the repaired roads, which is a common problem with the brand of premixes used to fill in potholes previously.
JKR Selangor director Datuk Hamizan Mohd Inzan, who attended the launch and demonstration for the new Cold-Mix Carboncor premix, said they were still conducting tests and comparisons with other Cold-Mix brands for road repairs.
Also in attendance was Subang Jaya municipal council president Datuk Nor Hisham Dahlan, who said that MPSJ has ordered 300 bags of the substance and will begin patching holes in Puchong to test its durability and claims of ease.
“We do not want to wait, we will test it out immediately and monitor it for a month. If this works, we will load it up in the lorries and drive around looking for potholes to fix,” he added.
Meanwhile, Bernama reports that a senator during a debate in the Dewan Negara yesterday, called into question the quality of roads in the national capital, Kuala Lumpur. Senator Shahanim Mohd Yusof said there are many cases of roads being in bad condition again not long after they were claimed to be repaired - a condition that many KL-ites that attest to experiencing and also one that tarnishes the image of Kuala Lumpur, especially to visitors.
"I am perplexed at the roads in Kuala Lumpur. They are repaired today, but tomorrow, the day after or even this evening, they are damaged again. Are the ministry and the parties responsible monitoring the appointed contractors?”
"I thought the problem only occurs in the kampung areas when in actual fact, it is the same in Kuala Lumpur," she asked during a debate on the 2016 Supply Bill.


2017 Ford Ranger FX4 Goes Official, Priced From RM121,888

Ford Malaysia has officiated the new Ford Ranger FX4, now with some exclusive interior and exterior enhancements.
Up front, the 2017 Ford Ranger FX4 receives an exclusive new grille with revised mesh pattern. There is also the new matte decal that goes across the bonnet. Towards the bottom of the front bumper, the Ranger FX4 is distinguished by its blacked out fog light surrounds.
The matte decal continues to the sides, with its FX4 wording separating itself from the regular Ranger variant. The 18-inch wheels finished in Stark Grey and black sports bar adds to the Ranger FX4's appeal as well. The exterior design is completed by a blacked-out decal with the Ranger word in negative space.
As for the Ford Ranger FX4's interior, the new model is adorned with darker finishes and leather upholstery unique to the Ranger FX4. Other Ford Ranger features, like Ford SYNC in-car connectivity system are also present here, on top of the driver assistance technologies like reverse sensors with reverse camera, leather-wrapped steering wheel and manual air-conditioning.
Under the bonnet is the same 2.2-litre Duratorq turbodiesel that delivers 158 hp and 385 Nm, mated to a six-speed automatic. Sime Darby Auto Connexion says that the Ford Ranger FX4 can be had in either Aluminum Metallic or Meteor Grey. Priced at RM121,888 excluding insurance, the Ford Ranger FX4 costs roughly RM15,000 more than the regular Ranger 2.2 XLT.


Closure Of Jalan Ampang, Sultan Ismail For KL City GP Resurfacing Until July 4

Starting Wednesday, July 1st until Thursday July 2, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will be shutting down Jalan Ampang, Jalan P. Ramlee, and Jalan Sultan Ismail from 10pm until 6am to accommodate resurfacing work.
This comes from a City Hall statement and is one of the preparation steps for the upcoming KL City Grand Prix, according to a report by
Bernama
, which is due to be held in the capital city for three days starting August 7.
The closure will start from the intersection of Jalan Binjai (KLCC Excursion) to Jalan Sultan Ismail. The Jalan P. Ramlee closure, however, will start from the intersection of Jalan Pinang to the intersection of Jalan Ampang and, as stated, will last for two days within that 8-hour window.
From the 3
rd
 to the 4
th
 of July, the news agency also reports that Jalan Sultan Ismail will be closed starting from the intersection of Jalan Raja Abdullah to the intersection of Jalan P. Ramlee as well as Jalan Ampang from the intersection of Jalan P. Ramlee to Jalan Sultan Ismail.
Appropriate diversions will be put in place to reduce the impact of traffic flow as much as possible.
You can read more about the inaugural KL City Grand Prix from our previous coverage
here
 and
here
.


Loud Exhaust Pipes - Salah Siapa Sebenarnya?

Is it fair for PDRM to put you behind bars and charge you a hefty summon for having loud pipes?

The recent reminder by PDRM that motorists who have excessively loud exhaust systems will be punished with a jail term of up to six months or given a fine of up to RM2,000 has really tickled those who see this punishment as an injudicious act.

According to Rule 103 of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Rules 1959 (LN 170/1959), exhaust pipe installed on motorised vehicles must be maintained at all times so that it's in good condition and must not be modified to cause excessive noise.

Mostly targeted towards motorcycles but not excluding cars, Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department Director Datuk Azisman Alias has come out and reminded people that modifying exhaust pipes to the point of disturbing public peace will be a punishable offense and that the authority has the right to seize vehicles found to breach the rule to prevent repeat offenses under the provision of the Road Transport Act 1987 according to a report published by Bernama.

While this reminder has made some of those
pop-and-bang
 equipped vehicle owners nervous, people have suggested that enforcement agencies should target the sellers of these loud aftermarket exhaust systems instead of the end-user.

The problem with this is that this area of automotive componentry mostly operates in an open market manner, which means it trades under little to no barriers. Yes, there is importation tax, but that's about it.

Also, some of these loud aftermarket exhaust systems clearly state on the packaging that it is for use in a track or off-road environment- which eventually creates a grey area as the buyers can simply stipulate that they will be purposing these aftermarket systems for those specific uses.

By having such warnings attached to the exhaust systems, manufacturers and sellers pretty much relieve themself of any wrongdoing that is against the law. Although the manufacturers and sellers clearly are aware that certain buyers of these aftermarket exhaust systems will be using them on the roads instead, ultimately money talks, bulls**t walks!

But what about those loud pipes that come as factory standard, you ask? Well, since every vehicle that gets imported or made needs to go through official homologation, they would have been deemed worthy for on-road use according to the official standards. So if your car or motorbike came with loud pipes and were sold through official channels, there's nothing you should be worried about as you can always prove that you bought it that way.

So as you can see, if you do end up behind bars or be at the receiving end of a hefty fine, no one is liable but yourself. Still, we think the prison sentence is a bit excessive, and perhaps a hefty fine would be more than enough to deter motorists from breaking this particular law.

A few years ago PDRM was mulling a fine of RM100,000 and/or a jail term for five years for this offense, so considering that it's now RM2,000 and 6 months behind bars implies that they have considered fair consequences for breaking this part of the law.

But what brought about this law and why now? We'll explore that in another piece.

Till then, we'll leave you with some figures from Malaysia's Department of Environment, which gives you a rough guide to what is allowed. This is where it gets really interesting.

Noise Emission Limits For Two Wheelers

Category

Maximum Sound Level dB

PMR < 25

73 (Urban)  - (WOT)

25< PMR <50

74 (Urban)  79 (WOT)

PMR > 50

77 (Urban)   82 (WOT)

We don't blame you if you don't understand the table because even we had a hard time digesting it!

From our understanding, these are the new regulations that came into effect beginning 1st January 2020. In the category section, PMR is the motorcycles' power to mass ratio index while in the Max Sound Level section, Urban means the sound decibels of the bike when in a constant speed and full acceleration and WOT is the sound the bike emits in wide-open-throttle (WOT).

To calculate whether your bike has breached the law, enforcement agencies must first figure out your bike's PMR (which is its weight over its official kilowatts) and then do the roadside sound test to see whether it has exceeded the stipulated limit.

To be quite frank, a roadside sound test is not the most accurate of tests as it is not done in a controlled environment. If that doesn't disqualify your bike, surely figuring out its PMR by the roadside during a roadblock will, because firstly they will have to figure out the weight of the bike and secondly, they will have to figure out its official power. Now of course the weight of your bike at a roadblock may not be the same as when it left the factory especially if you've added panniers, safety bars, a top box, etc.

To do all of this by the roadside, during roadblocks sounds inaccurate and inefficient to us, but more than that this new ruling once again comes across as rushed without proper consultation and consideration. It's just convoluted without proper guidelines. How long will this 'enforcement' last or is it just another passing fancy?


Nissan Terminates Tan Chong’s Vietnamese Joint Venture

Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd (TCMH) has recently announced that Nissan Motor Co Ltd has issued a notice of termination of its joint-venture agreement with Tan Chong’s wholly-owned subsidiary, TC Motor Vietnam (TCMV), thus losing its rights to import and distribute Nissan vehicles and spare parts in Vietnam.
According to a report by
The Edge Markets
, the termination will see TCMH losing its import and distribution business in Vietnam from September 10
th
 next year.
Back in 2010, the agreement was signed after TCMH bought a 74% charter capital contribution from Denmark-based Kjaer Group A/S in the joint venture company, Nissan Vietnam Co Ltd for USD 7.4 million then.
Nissan owns a 26% stake in the joint venture firm, and the JV firm has the exclusive rights to import and distribute Nissan vehicles and spare parts in Vietnam for 30 years, starting from November 2008.
TCMH said that the termination will have "no significant financial and operational impact on the group for the current financial year" and TCMH "remains open to further discussion with Nissan to explore alternative solutions and business opportunities for mutual benefits in Vietnam".


Honda Malaysia Presents Honda Jazz To Grand Prize Winner of ‘SMS & WIN' Contest

In conjunction with Chinese New Year this year, Honda Malaysia held a ‘SMS & WIN’ contest to celebrate and reward all its customers. Honda Malaysia today celebrated the winners of the recently concluded ‘SMS & WIN’ contest.
An official handover ceremony was held at Tiong Nam Motor (M) Sdn Bhd for the Grand Prize winner and five Golden Prize winners. Honda Malaysia presented the Best Selling non-national hatchback, the Honda Jazz 1.5L to the proud Grand Prize winner, Ms. Hasmawati Bt Hussin. Five Golden Prize winners also walked away with an iPhone X each.
The Chinese New Year ‘SMS & WIN’ contest which was held between 22 January 2018 and 11 March 2018 was open to all Honda owners*. The contest garnered a total of more than 43,000 submissions. From these participants, 1,006 of them were selected to win various prizes worth a total of RM198,255. The prizes included a Honda Jazz, iPhone X and Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) Premium Savings Certificate.


Ten Million Toyotas With Safety Sense Have Been Sold Globally

Toyota has achieved the milestone of delivering 10 million vehicles globally equipped with the company’s
Toyota Safety Sense
 (TSS) preventive safety package, approximately three and a half years after its 2015 introduction.
First launched on the Auris, Avensis, and Aygo models in 2015, Toyota Safety Sense has since grown, and is now equipped in approximately 90 percent of Toyota and Lexus vehicles for the Japanese, United States, and European markets; Toyota anticipates that nearly three million vehicles in Japan and five million vehicles in North America will have Safety Sense by the end of 2018.
At present, TSS has been introduced in a total of 68 countries and regions, including China, ASEAN, the Middle East, and Australia with planned expansion to approximately 100 markets by 2020. Locally, the
Toyota Harrier
 and
all-new Camry
 are equipped as standard with the Safety Sense Suite.
Toyota Safety Sense comprises the following three preventive safety technologies:
Pre-Collision System (PCS): Helps prevent and mitigate rear-end collisions involving vehicles and/or pedestrians
Lane Departure Alert (LDA): Prevents vehicles from deviating from their lanes and head-on collisions
Automatic High Beam (AHB): Contributes to the early detection of pedestrians and the reduction of accidents during night-time driving
In certain models fitted with a millimetre-wave radar system, TSS can be expanded to include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and PCS with a pedestrian recognition function.
The second-generation Toyota Safety Sense, introduced in January 2018, makes improvements in detection and performance compared to the previous version and allows the package to respond to night-time pedestrian and/or bicycle accidents.
Further development is focusing on expanding adaptability to traffic accidents involving fatalities and/or injuries, such as with pedestrians and head-on collisions with oncoming traffic at intersections.
The 2nd-generation TSS package debuted with the facelifted Japanese-market Alphard and Vellfire models at the end of 2017. Additionally, the
2018 Prius C
 (Aqua in Japan) model received a Daytime Pedestrian Detection function update that works with the car’s Lidar and single-lens camera system earlier this year.


Fiat 500 Electric in Malaysia For RM250k?

It looks like someone in the Malaysian grey import industry is bringing in the
Fiat 500 Electric
 or 500e into the country.

The photos you see below carry the
Hamza Motors
 plate, and the three Fiat 500 EV models are said to be the special Fiat (500) RED variant. Three Fiat electric units are coming in August in three colours, but what about the specs?

320km EV range?

Fiat's partnership with (RED) is part of its efforts to help fight global health emergencies such as AIDS and COVID-19. Spec-wise, its
87kW
 electric motor is connected to a
42kWh lithium-ion battery
 that offers a
320km
 WLTP range.

0-50km/h can be completed in just 3.1 seconds, 0-100km/h is achieved in nine seconds, and it goes on up to a top speed of
130km/h
. Provided that you don't test these figures out all the time, you may just be able to hit that 320km EV range.

What's this RED edition?

This particular
Fiat 500e
 model comes with a touch of that iconic (RED) accents inside and out. You'll see the (500) RED logo plastered all over the car, which looks nice and all, but the specs are more or less the same as the regular Fiat 500e.

You'll also find its 16-inch burnished alloy wheels fitted with centre hubcaps that also come with the new RED logo. It's basically a way for you to roll in style while saving the world from the use of fossil fuels, and tell everyone that you're concerned about the global health crisis without saying a word.

Estimated price range?

We've asked, and the Fiat 500 EV model is going to be priced around
RM250,000
. It's probably going to fluctuate a lot depending on which grey import dealer is selling it (and also the fact that there's no official Fiat distributor here in Malaysia).

The Fiat 500e supports 50kW or 85kW fast-charging, which translates to 0-80% in 30 minutes. Or if you're in a hurry, 10 minutes will give you 50km, but only if you manage to get it fast-charged.


Mazda Ignores Dieselgate, Announces Diesel Engine for US

Mazda Motor Corporation has announced at the ongoing Los Angeles Auto Show that it will be offering a 2.2-litre SkyActiv-D ‘clean’ diesel engine in the
all-new
Mazda CX-5
for North America.
Well, the engine is not that new actually. It is in fact, the same one that is offered here in the
diesel variants of the CX-5 and the Mazda 6
.
Set to be available from the second half of 2017, the introduction of the diesel engine turns out to be a big deal because it will be
Mazda
's first diesel engine model in the North American market.
According to Mazda, it will meet the American region's strict emission standards and make the all-new CX-5 one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in its class.
It is said that the engine also adopts a ‘Natural Sound Smoother’ and ‘Natural Sound Frequency Control’, which are proprietary technologies that reduce diesel knock sound for a quieter and more pleasing sound.
"We're confident this engine offers a smart new option for North American drivers who want both performance and fuel economy," said Akira Marumoto, Mazda's Executive Vice President and Representative Director.
Well, let us hope that the engine is really as clean and efficient as Mazda claims it to be, and doesn't end up breaking any rules like a few other brands that shall not be named at this moment.
Looking for a Mazda? Find one now at
Carlist.my


All-New 2018 Lexus LS Goes On Sale In Japan - 9.8 Million Yen to 16.8 Million Yen

With all the hype surrounding the all-new Lexus LS, it's finally being launched in its home market of Japan. There are two powertrains on offer: a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 in the Lexus LS 500, and a 3.5-litre V6 paired with a multi-stage hybrid system in the LS 500h. While these are wildly different in operation and performance, both powertrain options are available in 5 different variants, with both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive layouts.
The number of options and features available for the Lexus LS is staggering. In addition to the plain-jane LS 500 and LS 500h, buyers can opt for the "I package", an "F SPORT" line (one familiar to Malaysian consumers), the "version L", and the "EXECUTIVE". Each brings a progressively longer equipment list, with the price increasing steadily as you go from former to latter. Getting a base model rear-wheel drive LS 500 will set you back 9,800,000 yen (RM 367,504), while the most expensive LS on offer would be an all-wheel drive LS 500h EXECUTIVE that goes for 16,800,000 yen (RM 630,007).
It's clear that the price nearly doubles between the two variants, but what is it that the EXECUTIVE variant has that makes it so much pricier? The all-wheel drive system is a consistent 400,000 yen (RM 15,008) premium for each variant, so the brunt of the price increase lies in the features. Standard for the EXECUTIVE trim line are the massaging seats for both the front and rear, exclusive targeted heaters for the rear seats, and a Mark Levinson Reference 3D Surround Sound System.
But this is only on top of whatever else the other variants receive. For the majority of the variants, the front seats are 28-way power adjustable, while the rear seats are 22-way power adjustable- even with a setting for easy ingress and egress. There's even the Lexus Climate Concierge which will constantly monitors the temperature in the cabin through the use of infra-red sensors to detect body temperatures of occupants, and adjusts accordingly to keep the climate stable. It's an extremely nifty system that makes the ride or drive that much more pleasant.
When it comes to safety, Lexus isn't skimping either. With the exception of the base model LS 500 and LS 500h, the other LS models receive the Lexus Safety System +A, which is a holistic package that includes PCS with pedestrian detection function and active steer assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Lane Keeping Assist, as well as Automatic High Beams. In addition to this, there is the Driver Emergency Stop System that's connected to the Land Transport Authority and Front Cross Traffic Alert. It's basically as all-encompassing as what you would find on a modern Volvo, but adapted for the purpose of the Lexus LS.
Unique to the rear-wheel drive F SPORT variants are co-ordinated control of the active stabilizers, but this can be specified for other model variants as well as an option. The F SPORT is still a rather unique form for the Lexus LS as it's a bit of a tongue-in-cheek reminder that Lexus doesn't forget about those who enjoy driving as well. Most executive limousines in this class are very much passenger oriented, but the Sport variants of the LS have been known to be surprisingly fun to drive.
To learn more about the all-new Lexus LS, read our world debut article
here
 and our interior detailing article
here
. This all-new Lexus LS has been a long time coming and has stayed true to its roots while evolving and adapting to fit shifting consumer expectations. With a new platform and both turbocharged and hybrid powertrain options, it will likely be competitive in an apples-to-apples comparison, while remaining unique within the segment.


Perodua Offers to Supply Engines and Transmission to Proton

Perodua
 has offered to supply its range of engines and transmissions for use in
Proton
 models, President and CEO Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh revealed.
Speaking to the media whilst announcing Perodua’s first half
sales performance
 at the company’s flagship showroom in Petaling Jaya, Aminar said that Perodua had, with the support of its technical partner Daihatsu, offered to supply the latest-generation 1.3- and 1.5-litre NR-series four-cylinder engines to Proton.
According to Aminar, Proton has yet to officially respond to the offer, and there is no indication on Proton’s interest to the matter either way.
Perodua currently operates two engine manufacturing facilities in Malaysia. The new NR-series Dual VVT-i engines are being manufactured in the newly-launched joint-venture plant with Daihatsu located at Sendayan, Negri Sembilan.
The 1.3-litre NR engine was newly introduced in the
Bezza
. Its 1.5-litre sibling currently powers the
Toyota Avanza
, and is expected to feature in the facelifted
Toyota Vios
 to be introduced later this year. There are no announced plans for
Toyota
 to source engines from the Sendayan plant.
Proton's current range of engines consist primarily of derivatives of the Campro family in 1.3- and 1.6-litre displacements. The newly-launched
Proton Perdana
, meanwhile, is powered by
Honda's
 2.0- and 2.4-litre i-VTEC engines. Earlier this year, Proton themselves had announced a
RM600 million engine programme
 slated to develop no less than six new engine variations.


One Number For Volvo Roadside Assistance

As part of its efforts to streamline operations, effective November 1st, 2018, Volvo Cars Malaysia have designated
1800-88-1728
as their only toll-free number for all customers who are in need of any roadside assistance nationwide.
The secondary toll-free number 1800-80-6060 will be discontinued effective 1st, November 2018.
However, all calls made to this number will be forwarded to the primary toll-free number throughout the month of November to ease the transition.


Nasim announces pricing for Peugeot 308 THP Active and CNY promo

The
Peugeot
 308 THP Active variant's price has finally been announced by Nasim Sdn.Bhd – RM119,888.
Priced RM13,000 less than the
Peugeot 308 THP
, the Active variant is basically a lower-specced version of the hatchback. While the 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged engine which produces 150hp and 240Nm and the AT6 six-speed torque converter automatic gearbox are shared by both variants, the 308 THP Active comes with halogen reflector headlights instead LED, different bumpers, and 17-inch wheels.
Features that are in the 308 THP but not available in the 308 Active include keyless entry, reverse camera, chrome window lining, and the panoramic roof. Meanwhile, the Active variant gets a monochrome display on the dashboard, and fabric seats without electric massage or lumbar.
The car also features a 9.7-inch HD touchscreen infotainment unit, 3D Arkamys sound system, electronic parking brake, six airbags, and Electronic Stability Program.
Available in five colours (Pearl White, Rouge Red, Mocha Brown, Artense Grey, and Nera Black), the 308 THP Active comes with five-year warranty with unlimited mileage, Nasim’s 24-hour Peugeot Assistance service, as well as complimentary access to the Peugeot Lounge at Subang Airport and Peugeot Privilege membership.
The 308 aside, Nasim also announced that customers can save up to RM32,888 on the
Peugeot 408 Turbo
 as part of the Chinese New Year festive season.
It is said that the offer is part of Peugeot’s Prosperity Drive campaign which aims to give buyers of selected Peugeot models several incentives such as five years free servicing including parts and labour costs, five years of Peugeot Protect and five years unlimited mileage warranty.
Besides the 408, models that are part of this campaign include the
Peugeot 508 THP
,
Peugeot 5008 MPV
,
Peugeot 308 THP
 and
Peugeot 2008 Urban SUV
.
Looking for a Peugeot? Find yours at
Carlist.my
 now!


Review: New Mazda 6 2.5 Sedan – Who Pays BMW 318i Money For A Mazda?

It’s a Mazda and it costs over RM200k. For most people, that alone is enough to make them walk away - and towards a
RM198,800 BMW 318i
, never mind if the BMW makes a lot less power. The Mazda is priced at a disadvantage because it’s imported from Japan. The BMW 318i is locally-assembled and thus is taxed lower. The BMW's smaller capacity 1.5-litre engine helps too.
But what if we were tell you that a range topping Mazda delivers more driving pleasure than an entry variant BMW, with a better interior than a Mercedes-Benz C-Class? It’s not an argument that many can accept, so if a car’s badge is a top priority for you, move along.
For the select few who are willing to look beyond the badge, the Mazda surprises with its superior driving dynamics (yes) and more luxurious interior finishing (yes too), with Japanese reliability thrown in as a bonus.
Specifications for Mazda 6 2.5 Sedan
Engine: 2.5-litre direct injection naturally aspirated, SkyActiv-G
Power: 192 hp at 6,000 rpm
Torque: 258 Nm at 4,000 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, front wheel drive
Safety: Six airbags, ABS, electronic stability and traction control, hill start assist, ISOFIX, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, 360 degree parking camera, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, autonomous emergency braking (Smart City Brake Support)
Price: RM204,723 excluding insurance
Origin: CBU, Imported from Japan
As this is the range-topping 2.5-litre variant, upgrades over the entry 2.0-litre variant (from RM167,215) include an 11-speaker Bose audio system, adaptive LED headlights, a 360 degree parking camera, a sunroof, a colour heads-up display, and the i-Active-Sense suite of advanced driving aids.
There is, however, no adaptive cruise control, which both the
Accord 2.4 Vti-L
 and
Toyota Camry 2.5V
 have. That being said, the Mazda fights back by being the only one with a sunroof.
The Sensing-equipped Honda Accord 2.4 VTi-L Advance (locally assembled) starts from RM168,998 while the Thailand-made Safety Sense-equipped Camry starts from RM189,900, so there’s no denying that the Mazda is the most expensive.
There’s also the RM195,390 Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI, which is also locally-assembled. The Passat misses out on advanced driving aids but the punchy Golf GTI-sourced 220 PS and 350 Nm engine simply blows the competition away.
Exterior
This is the second and final update for the 6 before it retires early next decade. Compared to the initial launch model, the changes are subtle but highly effective in making the 6 a far more refined car. More on that later.
The latest 6 is identifiable by its new mesh grille with a 3D floating effect Mazda logo. The wing-like chrome surrounds now extends the width of the front bumper. Similarly the tail lights are also new and the boot now has a chrome strip that extends into (rather than over) the tail light housing.
Interior
The dashboard is also new, as are the front door panels, both of which have new designs that now wrap around the cabin in a more cohesive manner.
The selection of expensive materials and the aesthetics of the execution are also far more refined than a
BMW 318i
 or a
Mercedes-Benz C200
, and that’s a huge claim - polished aluminum knobs and switches, a finely stitched leather wrapped dashboard, impeccable ergonomics, and much more.
Compared to the all-new Camry, the new Mazda 6’s interior is neater and better laid out, making the Camry look unnecessarily cluttered. As for the Accord and Passat, both are starting to show their age.
Behind, the Mazda’s sloping rear roofline is as you would expect, slightly compromising ease of access and headroom. In this aspect, it is the Accord that still boasts of having better leg and shoulder room. However, the Mazda counters with a larger 489-litre boot, 28 litres more than the Accord. Plus, the Mazda’s rear seats split folds in a 60:40 ratio too versus the Accord’s one-piece folding item.
However it’s not all perfect scores for the Mazda. For a car with very high premium ambitions, the cabin lacks proper ambient lighting. At the very least, there should be a pin-hole light above the centre console, something which its European rivals do very well.
There’s also no master door lock switch and the controls on the driver’s side door panel are not illuminated.
The 360-degree parking camera is another weak point. Image resolution is very poor and the images are so crudely stitched together that even a Toyota Vios does a better job, which is a shame because everything in the car is of very high quality.
Driving Experience
Until you sit in the driver’s seat of a Mazda 6, you won’t realize how wrong the seating position in so many other cars is.
Due to complexity of mechanical packaging, most cars will make you sit at a slightly offset angle. It’s something that everyone subconsciously adapts to until they sit inside one with a perfect seating position; the Mazda 6 is one of those cars.
You sit almost like you are driving an MX-5. Your feet stretch out evenly to both sides, and the steering wheel points directly at the middle of your chest. It’s something that Mazda tries very hard to achieve and takes great pride in because there can be no Jinba Ittai (oneness between car and driver) if the seating position is anything short of perfection.
Once settled in, the pedals and steering wheel work as an extension of your arms and legs. The car handles beautifully and intuitively. The new G-vectoring control (GVC) function adjusts the engine’s torque for smoother turn-ins, and rewards smooth driving.
There’s a certain lightness to the way the Mazda drives. On the move, it feels smaller than it actually is. It doesn't shock you into submission with its immense torque in the way a Passat 2.0 TSI will, but instead it rewards and encourages drivers to work harder in exploiting it's superior balance and revel in the more emotional experience. If the Passat is a sedan GTI, then the Mazda 6 is a sedan MX-5.
The steering rack is new and it now tracks straight roads in a calmer manner. However when compared to the all-new Camry, the Mazda’s steering still felt a bit busier - a trade-off for its superior handling and a more communicative steering rack.
This updated 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine makes a very pleasing note when pushed hard. Increase throttle pressure and a deep but sweet sounding note is piped into a cabin. It's a sweet sound that none of its turbocharged peers can hope to reproduce.
Throttle response is brilliant, and being naturally aspirated, the linearity of its power delivery makes it a real joy to drive on twisty roads. It’s an engine that reminds us why the best engines are usually naturally aspirated.
The six-speed automatic transmission's lock-up clutch engages early so changes are quick and it offers a very direct feel, almost like a manual transmission. However as a direct result of that, it’s also not very smooth in stop-go traffic.
Compared to the turbocharged Passat 2.0 TSI (220 PS, 350 Nm), the Mazda doesn’t shove a truck load of torque early in the rev range but oddly it’s the Mazda that feels more rewarding to drive, even if it’s slower. If you understand the appeal of an ‘underpowered’ MX-5 or even a Toyota 86, then you will appreciate the Mazda.
The BMW 318i is decently equipped and has an impressively agile yet comfortable chassis. However the shortcomings in power become apparent after you spend more time in it. It makes just 136 hp and 220 Nm, but the very responsive 8-speed automatic transmission does an excellent job of masking the engine's shortcomings.
The more expensive RM260k Mercedes-Benz C200 also has the same engine displacement as the 318i but it has one more cylinder. It also makes more power, at 184 hp but its suspension struggles to cope with anything other than smooth and straight roads.
The C200's 9-speed transmission sounds good on paper but doesn’t live up to expectations in real world driving. Compared to the Mazda’s superior dynamics, the C200 doesn’t match up.
Ride Comfort
The biggest criticism of the previous 6 was its noisy cabin. This new 6, however, finally gets the level of noise insulation and vibration damping it deserves.
It now hums along quietly at highway speeds. It’s definitely quieter than an Accord, on par with a Passat, but still slightly poorer than the
all-new Toyota Camry
.
Vibrations from road surface are now better damped and the new suspension has fixed our biggest criticisms of the previous 6 – the ride is no longer unnecessarily busy, especially at the rear.
The Bose sound system was a bit disappointing. Despite boasting a speaker count of 11, the clarity of its sound reproduction isn’t as good as the 9-speaker JBL system found in the Camry.
Fuel Economy
Claimed fuel economy is 14.3 km/litre (UNECE R101 combined highway/urban cycle) but 90 percent of our driving time in the 6 was spent in the city, including lengthy idling for photo shoots.
Even so, the trip computer showed an average fuel economy of 10.7 km/litre. We have few reasons to doubt Mazda’s claim.
Conclusion
Anyone who buys an RM200k Mazda must be prepared to explain their decision to their friends and family, so this is clearly not a car for you if you care a lot about how others think of you.
For the select few who truly understand what they want, rest in the knowledge that the new Mazda 6 is objectively the more rewarding car to drive than any similarly priced premium German model, and it feels more luxurious inside too.
The new 6 is an incrementally better car than when it was first launched five years ago - quieter and more comfortable while retaining its title as the segment’s benchmark in handling.
Of course, there is no perfect car and the Mazda 6's weak spots include the low resolution image of the 360-degree parking camera, lack of ambient lighting for the cabin, and the less than stellar Bose audio system.
As a long distance cruiser, the all-new TNGA platform Camry is a marginally better car but in every other aspect, the Mazda has the upper hand. Against the bigger name Germans, the Mazda can confidently stand tall. Snob appeal aside, the entry-level BMW 318i and Mercedes-Benz C200 don’t offer much to trouble the Mazda. Pit it against a
certified pre-owned
, nearly new C200 or a 318i however, the decision becomes a bit more complicated - but that's another story for another day.


Shanghai 2019: Toyota Alphard To Get A Lexus Twin - Lexus LM 350?

It appears that Lexus is finally going to address the obvious gap in its product line-up – business-class MPVs. According a Facebook post by Lexus Taiwan, Lexus is going to present a ‘new type’ of vehicle at the upcoming 2019 Shanghai Auto Show.
Accompanying the sole teaser photo is a tagline that says ‘The Luxury of Space.’ Elsewhere, it has also been reported that Lexus has registered the LM name, which we would guess to mean Luxury Minivan/MPV, analogous to the LS nameplate’s Luxury Sedan.
The fact that Lexus had carefully chosen the word ‘new type of vehicle’ and the choice of using the word ‘space’ in its tagline suggests that we will finally see a Lexus-badged alternative to the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire.
Asia’s affinity with business class MPVs, which in the West is known simply as minivans, is something that European car makers find it very difficult to understand.
The reality is that Asian consumers see these luxury MPVs as a legitimate alternative to an S-Class or a 7 Series. Wealthy Asian buyers don’t care about handling or how their vans handle autobahn speeds. Instead, they appreciate the additional space that these cars offer and the ease of access/exit, thanks to the sliding door’s large aperture and the seat’s high hip point, allowing occupants to simply step in/out of the vehicle.
This is a segment where the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire twins reign supreme. Even in Japanese cars averse Korea and China, American alternatives to the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire are preferred by socialites and businessmen. K-pop stars often travel in modified and stretched Chevrolet Express vans, which the Koreans use it very differently from their American counterparts. Meanwhile in China, businessmen often travel in a Buick GL8, which is designed solely for China.
The Alphard/Vellfire twins are known are their luxurious airplane business class-style seats and rear seat entertainment but the cabin materials are still very much Toyota-class. It’s something that Asian buyers have willingly look away but this upcoming Lexus version however, should be equipped with materials befitting of a premium car, perhaps featuring the
Lexus LS’ handcrafted
 Kiriko glass and hand-folded pleated door trim?


BMW Malaysia Adds Five New Charging Bays at Sunway Pyramid

BMW Group Malaysia, in partnership with ParkEasy, Shell Malaysia, and Sunway Group, has unveiled the new ‘Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays’ at Sunway Pyramid shopping mall.
The new Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays forms part of BMW Group Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to drive e-mobility forward in Malaysia and grow the broader infrastructure of Plug-In Hybrid and EV charging facilities in the country. Over 20 BMW i Charging Facilities are available across Iconic Hotel, Penang, Weil Hotel, Perak, Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, Perak, Ramada Plaza, Malacca, and most recently,
Bangsar Shopping Centre, Kuala Lumpur
.
Located at Level CP2 (Preferred Parking zone) of Sunway Pyramid, the five charging bays in Sunway Pyramid are part of a total of ten charging bays that will span three major Sunway Group properties: Sunway Pyramid (5 Bays), Sunway Pinnacle (3 Bays), and Sunway Velocity (2 Bays).
The five charging bays are equipped with second-generation BMW i Wallbox Plus (Type 2) units, which are optimised for 22 kW three-phase (fast-charging) operation. A full charge for a car like the
BMW 740Le xDrive
 will require between 3-5 hours.
ParkEasy, on the other hand, with the support from Shell Malaysia will offer PHEV/EV owners an easy-to-use mobile application to reserve, unlock the charging bay, and charge their vehicle. The app also offers map guidance to charging facilities.
The Park Easy app allows owners to reserve a spot up to 60 minutes ahead of their arrival, assuring drivers of parking and charging availability. The app offers real-time updates of locations with charging bays, as well as charging bay availability. Each charging bay is equipped with an automated barrier that can only be lowered once the designated customer has reached the bay, and unlocks the barrier via the app.
The ParkEasy application uses credits which are deducted for the reservation and hourly use of the parking bays. ParkEasy credits can be topped up on the app using a debit or credit card. Normal parking charges still apply depending on the location. This cashless transaction also intends to cultivate ethical charging behaviour among EV and PHEV users.
Starting July, owners of BMW PHEVs will be entitled to exclusive BMW Privileges at the Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays. The package includes an e-starter pack for new BMW PHEV owners and an e-gift card to existing BMW PHEV owners for the use of the facilities at the Sunway Group properties. Using the promo code “
BMWMY
”, customers can redeem five ParkEasy credits for use at the Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays. The promo code is available from now to 31st July 2019 and is limited to 2,000 users.
In addition to the Reserve + Shell Recharge facilities, BMW PHEV/EV owners can also utilise the existing ChargeNow service, which is offered as part of the BMW 360° Electric programme, which also 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.


Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Launch Engine Oils Engineered For Hyundai Vehicles

Hyundai
-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has collaborated with Shell to launch the Shell-Hyundai Helix HX 7 AH and Shell-Hyundai Ultra AH engine oils, both are specially formulated for optimum use in Hyundai vehicles.
These oils are available in semi-synthetic and fully synthetic version, and is claimed to optimise the performance of Hyundai engines by increasing fuel economy, cooling performance, lubricity under extreme temperature as well as offering excellent oxidation protection.
These oils are deemed suitable for engines that run on petrol, diesel, NGV, bio-diesel, and ethanol blends - which is a good thing we suppose, but we haven’t yet seen a Hyundai running ethanol.
According to Shell Lubricants General Manager – Malaysia and Singapore, Leslie Ng, the decision by HSDM was a clear endorsement of the premium quality of Shell Helix motor oils and part of a global partnership with Hyundai Motor Company that saw Shell became the exclusively recommended aftermarket motor oil supplier for Hyundai vehicles worldwide.
“We are delighted to supply HDSM with high-quality motor oils that offer proven benefits to Hyundai owners in the form of superior engine performance and protection; cleaner engines and better fuel economy.  Malaysia will be among 70 markets around the world that will see co-branded motor oils manufactured by Shell recommended in Hyundai workshops and made available to customers,” he said.
For owners interested interested in using these specially developed oils on their Hyundai vehicles, HSDM will be rolling them out to all Hyundai authorised service centres in Peninsular Malaysia starting from December 2015 and in East Malaysia starting in January 2016.


How To Find The Right Wipers For Your Car?

How to find out the type and size of wiper blade for your car?

Vehicle maintenance is more than just visiting the mechanic a couple of times a year for that regular engine oil change. There are many parts of the car that need attentions, including your good old
windscreen wipers
.

As simple as they sound, windscreen wipers play a crucial part in car safety, especially when it comes to the time where you need to
drive in the rain
. They are the difference between what you can and cannot see, so it's essential to make sure they are properly maintained.

But how do you find out the type and size of wiper blades your car needs?

All vehicles require different size wiper blades, so check the length via the car's user manual which usually sits in the glove compartment. To cross-check, most wiper blade manufacturers also have recommended sizing that covers almost all car models, but your manual will probably be the best guide. The reason for this is because sometimes, the two wiper blades for your windscreen might come in different sizes.

If you replace your wiper blades with the wrong size, you will find that one will hang from the side of your windshield and hit the top of the windshield when it is in a completely vertical position. Not only can this lead to rapid wear of the wipers, but it can also cause the blades to hit and damage each other, which in turn might also damage your expensive windscreen and its surroundings.

To have the best chance of removing dirt, dust and other particles from the windshield, the lengths must be exact to the vehicle manufacturer recommendation.

The rear wiper will be a different size compared to the front, with most being smaller than your windscreen wipers. Even if you think a larger wiper blade might cover more area in the rear, it's best not to do so at it will protrude out of the glass area and hit the vehicle's body, so it's best to keep it to manufacturer specification.

Once you have figured out what size your wiper blades are, you should also consider and know what type of connectors they use as it isn't one type fits all. Vehicle manufacturers use a variety of connector styles to attach the wiper blades to the wiper arm. Knowing the difference between them is helpful when you need to buy new wiper blades.

While the three most common connector styles are J-hook, side pin, and bayonet, you might be surprised by the manufacturers' variety of designs, as some are proprietary. In the past, this would mean that you would need to buy original equipment or original equipment manufacturer wipers, but in the modern-day, most wiper manufacturers include a connector adaptor which makes it easier for wipers to be accepted on most cars.

If all fails, you can always do a physical inspection of your car's wiper blades, but it's best to look it up in a manual, parts book or using an online resource. Except for the manual, you will typically need to know the year, make, and vehicle model to identify which ones fit your vehicle.


Honda's Revolutionary Driving Simulator Will Help Future R&D Activities

Honda now boasts one of the most advanced driving simulator technology among car makers, based on a revolutionary new architecture called DiM250 (Driver-in-Motion).
The DiM250 system has been designed by software developer VI-Grade and uses a unique electrically-driven nine-actuator platform which is engineered and manufactured by automatic controls specialist, Saginomiya.
Yasunori Oku, Executive Vice President, Honda R&D Europe, said: “We expect to use DiM250 primarily for vehicle dynamics and ride applications, as well as using it as a crucial tool to develop and test our ADAS, HMI, powertrain and autonomous driving technologies earlier in the design process. The DiM250 technology will provide an ideal common development platform for our research and development activities, where all teams involved can work together in one single collaborative environment.”
The DiM250 system is more advanced than conventional ‘hexapod’ designs, and the whole system moves by sliding on ‘Airpads’, rather than using additional mechanical rails. The airpads counterbalance the high payloads and dynamic loads and help to make the simulator extremely responsive, silent and reliable.
Likewise, nine actuators versus the traditional six as used in most flight simulators, allow a greater range of motions to accurately reproduce vehicle ride, handling and acceleration characteristics.
The driving simulation solutions are based on the ‘VI-DriveSim’, it provides the core software environment for all driving simulation solutions from VI-grade.
The integration of Software-in-loop (SIL) and Hardware-in-loop (HIL) applications within the simulator will enable designers and engineers to evaluate advancements in the vehicle development cycle before physical prototypes are built. It will also allow the simulator to more accurately imitate problem scenarios to test safety systems and controls.
The new simulator will be installed at Honda R&D Europe’s technical centre in Offenbach, Germany, in the second half of 2018.


Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W213) LWB Launched In India – E200, E350d, From INR 56.15 lakh

The long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz E-Class, initially developed exclusively for China, as made its way to India – the first right-hand drive market in which the car is marketed.
Compared to the
regular W213 E-Class
, the long wheelbase model puts an extra 140mm of metal between the wheels, pushing its wheelbase past three metres to measure 3,079mm and its overall length past five metres to 5,063mm.
All that extra cabin volume is dedicated to the rear-seated passengers, who get 134mm of additional leg room. The rear legally accommodates three passengers, although the outer two seats are designated as ‘luxury seats’ that can be tilted up to 37 degrees.
Two engine variants are offered for the Indian market. The 184hp 2.0-litre petrol of the E200 requires no further introduction for our audiences. It lines up alongside the E350d which gets a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel pushing out 258hp and 620Nm.

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Both engine variants are paired with Mercedes-Benz’s current generation 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic transmission. Reports from various Indian automotive media are also speculating on the possible arrival of the E220d which gets Merc’s latest-generation 2.0-litre OM654 turbodiesel with outputs of 194hp and 400Nm.
Multi-chamber air suspension is standard on the E350d. Besides being able to vary damper rates, the system has self-leveling function and able to raise its ride height by as much as 25mm for added ground clearance.
In appearance, the E200 is decked in Avantgarde trim whilst the E350d carries the more conservative-looking Exclusive trim. Omitted, however, is the wide cockpit virtual instrument cluster that we get as standard
here in Malaysia
. Instead, Indian customers will have to make do with conventional instruments placed adjacent to a single 12.3-inch central display.
According to Indian media reports, prices of the E-Class LWB in India start from INR 5,615,000 for the E200 to INR 6,947,000 for the E350d, both prices ex-showroom from Mumbai. At the present exchange rate of INR14.75 to RM1, these convert to about RM380k to RM471k.
For the Indian market, the E-Class is assembled locally at Mercedes-Benz’s Pune plant in Maharashtra, India.
The E-Class LWB was first introduced at last year's Beijing Auto Show and began rolling out of Daimler's JV plant with BAIC in Beijing from June 2016.


Review: 2020 Mazda CX-30 - Genetically Engineered Zoom-Zoom

The CX-30 is
Mazda
’s newest model as well as their newest SUV/crossover - hence its name was given CX prefix. Since its Malaysian launch earlier in 2020, it has clearly been responsible for the bulk of customer attention at your nearest Bermaz Motor showroom. Is it worthy of all that attention?

In fact, the same assertion could also be said of many of the CX-30’s competitors. The simple fact is that small SUVs are becoming the default vehicle type sought after by most new buyers, no matter the marque, whether its the Honda HR-V, Subaru XV, or Peugeot 3008.

Not even counting the premium manufacturers, this space is about to get even more crowded and the task of choosing one much more complicated. Kia is soon to launch the Seltos, which might be countered by the Hyundai Kona, and we can’t disregard the looming presence of the Proton X50 and Toyota Corolla Cross - all potential market shakers in their own right.

With the landscape around the CX-30 about to get even more treacherous, Mazda will need to keep their messaging clear and concise to maximise any advantage. With prices starting around the RM140,000 mark, the CX-30 isn’t exactly the most budget-friendly option.

However, Mazda is quick to point out that they’re not interested in pursuing the lowest common denominator here, but instead are focusing on specific types of buyers that already resonate with the brand and its values: premium quality, outstanding design, driving pleasure. To those individuals, how well does the CX-30 score in these criteria?

Why It’s Here: 2020 Mazda CX-30

I do have to wonder why the CX-30 exists at all, if not to merely fill a gap in the market, however potentially lucrative. Of course, I am not doubting that Mazda has all the right in the world to engineer and sell a car specifically to take advantage of consumer demand. It even seems like this bet has done nothing but pay off judging by how popular the new model is now relative to everything else in Mazda’s line-up.

If you think about where the CX-30 fits in, which is sandwiched in between CX-3 and CX-5, it does so almost too perfectly. In case you weren’t counting, that gives buyers the option of 3 separate models when buying a small Mazda SUV that seats five while still being relatively compact. Three!

Then again, you could also argue that Mazda really did need a more competitive offering like this. The CX-5 is already established as their go-to family fits-all SUV while the CX-3 might be a little too small and ineffectual. Instead of calling this new in-between model a CX-4 (already taken), the bigwigs in Hiroshima decided to add another zero to the CX-3 nameplate, and the CX-30 was born.

Where It Excels: 2020 Mazda CX-30

Drive -
 Having gotten to drive the CX-30 immediate after the Mazda 3, I had expected them to feel almost identical from behind the wheel. While there are natural similarities, they do feel quite distinct, so this isn’t just a high-riding version of the 3 hatch. Mazda’s suspension experts have definitely made the crossover more supple and comfort-oriented, at the slight expense of front-end response. It’s still very composed but direction changes do feel a little lazier, making everything slightly less immediate. However, over its competitors, the CX-30 is still the one to get if you enjoy driving.

Dominant Diesel -
Perhaps contributing to the more muted front end sharpness is the heavier 1.8-litre SkyActiv-D turbodiesel in our test car, but it’s a price well worth paying in my opinion. The 114hp figure is underwhelming, but its the 270Nm of peak torque that transforms the CX-30. The oil-burner isn’t as lively compared the 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine, but is so much more gutsy in the real world. From 2,600 rpm, the engine shoves you along the road with mild fury and even lets out an angry snarl if you push it hard. Best of all, it’s an absolute fuel-sipper and the perfect combo to cap off the CX-30’s accomplished credentials as a luxurious highway cruiser. If your budget can spare it, the diesel is a worthy upgrade over the petrol option.

Interior Quality -
 For the past decade, Mazda has been stepping up their game - and their cars now feel about as premium as anything German, albeit with ample Japanese flair. They know that interior quality and materials have the biggest impact on this perception, and luckily the CX-30’s well-insulated cabin benefits from the Mazda 3’s tiered and sculpted dashboard and ergonomic layout. In higher grades, the leather is supple and the colour palette tasteful. Fit and finish is also a strong point, and coupled with the tactile appeal of the cabin, elevates the CX-30 above the competition.

Body Appeal -
 It looks good. And why wouldn’t it? It’s a Mazda, after all, and they’ve been peddling their “Kodo - Soul of Motion’ design philosophy for a good while already, evolving it as the years have passed. The CX-30, again, borrows much from the Mazda 3, which is one of the best looking new cars on our roads at the moment, and that certainly lends a real world presence to it despite being relatively compact in scale. However, some might not appreciate the oversized grey cladding that surround its lower perimeter, myself included.

Safety -
 In late 2019, when the CX-30 first made its global debut, EuroNCAP were quick to put the new crossover through its gauntlet of smashing and crashing, awarding it their coveted '5-Stars' and declared it as the safest passenger car they’ve ever tested. If you’re familiar with the rigour and ridiculously high standards their tests regimen involves, you’d know how monumental that statement was. Add to that, the i-ActiveSense safety suite does deliver everyday benefits such as Lane Keep Assist. Smart City Brake is perhaps the most important feature (which is Mazda lingo for Automated Emergency Braking), and one I hope never to need but feel more assured by its inclusion. That said, it has overreacted to a fluffy bush I got too close to while reversing, unexpectedly slamming on the brakes.

Where It Falls Short: 2020 Mazda CX-30

Space + Practicality -
 There’s a price to pay for that slightly sloping roofline and sportier silhouette. The CX-30’s footprint isn’t terribly large to begin with, so we hope you weren’t expecting world-beating cargo space or a cavernous interior, and the rear seats in particular are clearly meant to seat two on either side comfortably with a centre passenger given less than ample shoulder space and legroom. It’s not all bad though, with a very useful 430-litres of space in the boot and rear seats that fold flat. The lip is a little high though, and we’ve seen larger load apertures. The Honda HR-V is still the undisputed champion in these respects.

Price -
There’s yet another price to pay - literally. It’s no secret that Mazda has some ambitions around being perceived as upmarket, a campaign which does succeed on many levels when experiencing the CX-30. On paper, there’s not much to truly dispute this Mazda from being labelled ‘premium’ as there are many attributes that go above and beyond the mass-market competition, perhaps justifying the Mazda’s higher asking price. You cannot force the pace of consumer perception to change, however, and it’s the brand image that needs to catch up. With prices starting at RM141,649, it’s hard to ignore that its main rivals are less expensive. We tested the 1.8L High SkyActiv-D, which goes for a steeper RM167,673. Bermaz would be well advised to capitalise on the CX-30's popularity by having it locally assembled just like the CX-5 and CX-8.

Wrapping Up: 2020 Mazda CX-30

The CX-30 is undeniably a great addition to the Mazda line-up. In my opinion it goes so far as to render the CX-3 altogether redundant, but its presence feels somewhat artificial, like it was genetically engineered to fill a gap in the market. A lucrative one, at that, which partly explains their reasoning.

To their credit, it would have been easy for Mazda to repackage the CX-3 as an enlarged version of itself during a mid-life refresh or for full-on successor, but the choice to have it sold alongside the CX-30 is both commendable and quite puzzling.

There’s also no denying the overwhelming similarities between the CX-30 and the 4th-generation Mazda 3 hatch. As is common practice, both cars sit upon the same basic architecture and pluck from the same engine range, but the deja vu effect here is much more pronounced, for better and for worse.

Any car purchase is emotional to some degree, but the difference with the CX-30 is that this is a crossover you could buy with more sway from your heart, and Mazda does a good job to capitalise on your right-brain impulses with its stylish design, agile drive, and upmarket feel. Is that enough to justify its higher asking price, though, is a question you'll have to answer.


How Much Does It Cost To Travel To Space?

You'd need a lot of money to experience space travel for now but just how much does a ticket to space cost?

While the recent
Fast and Furious movie
, F9 showed that you could go to space by strapping a couple of rockets onto a car, it's probably best not to do so because we most likely don't share the same good luck as the Fast 9 family.

No matter how fictitious their attempt to enter space was, they were on to something there as the private travel space race is well and truly on. Richard Branson's recent successful travel to space via the Virgin Galactic spacecraft just added commercial astronaut to one of his many accolades.

Just like Roman and Tej from the F9 family, the British entrepreneur beat fellow billionaire Jeff Bezos to the edge of space. Mr. Bezos, the founder of Amazon, is also set to embark on his own space flight later this month aboard his Blue Origin LLC's rocket, another space vessel that is set to bring space travel to the masses.

While their efforts to bring commercial space travel to the masses is a valiant effort, we really can't see it being for the masses, even if their venture provides space access beyond the reach of government and research missions.

The big problem, you guessed it, is price! You have to pay a hefty sum to be on board one of these space crafts as current prices only seem feasible for the billionaire boys club instead of the masses.

With that being said, let's take a look at some of the ticket prices quoted for space travel.

Commercial space travel is a new area that is in its infancy. Because of this reason, there is no one company offering the same type of commercial space travel experience. Instead, all three offer different kinds of prices and experiences based on their mission statement.

Virgin Galactic

It will cost you USD250,000 (RM1.05mil) to go to the brink of space on the Galactic spacecraft, VVS Unity. This ticket gets you a one-hour trip and includes training and a spacesuit. So far, about 600 people across 58 countries have already reserved a ticket on VVS Unity, including celebrities such as Tom Hanks, Justin Bieber, and Lady Gaga.

Blue Origin

The Blue origin ticket price is decided through an auction-style bidding system. Instead of the company setting a price itself, it lets the market determine the value of a seat on its spacecraft, the New Shephard. You can bid for a ticket on Blue Origin's bidding platform. The money raised by the auction will go toward Blue Origin's STEM education foundation, Club for the Future.

The flight on the Blue Origin spacecraft, New Shephard will last a mere 10 minutes where the crew will experience weightlessness and views of a distant Earth before descending back to earth.

SpaceX

Elon Musk's Space X is the best option if you would like to spend more than an hour in space to feel like a proper astronaut. The ticket price is USD55million (RM230million), but you do get to spend ten days in space, eight of which will be spent on the Axiom International Space Station, where you will help conduct experiments.

The price is all-inclusive, covering training, launch, and the daily cost of living on the International Space Station. So far, three individuals have signed up.

As you can see from the options, the most affordable commercial space experience belongs to Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic. Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin sounds more like a philanthropy project, while Elon Musk's SpaceX is a full-blown space experience which is why it probably commands the highest price.

So, for now, space travel does seem catered only for the billionaire boys club, but it is an important step in commercial space exploration. If you can't wait, you can always strap on some rockets to your car, and see what happens! Just be sure to record it all so we'll get to enjoy it too!


Why You Should Look Forward To The New Mazda BT-50

Mazda doesn't do mediocre, so we expect the BT-50 to be something exceptional!

The global debut for the third generation Mazda BT-50 is set for tomorrow. The reason why you should be interested in Mazda's upcoming ute over any other utilitarian vehicle is the same reason why many other motorists prefer to buy Mazda - and that reason is the fact that Mazda doesn't do mediocre and that its design language at the moment is one of the slickest around.

If you don't know it by now, Mazda has completely redeveloped the BT-50 and has shed the Ford Ranger underpinnings and replaced it with a new one from Isuzu. While the foundations will be carried over from Isuzu D-Max, the BT-50's styling will be all Mazda, and we're mightily pleased about that.

When interviewed in the past, Mazda's chief designer Ikuo Maeda did mention that he will try his best to make the BT-50 look more stout than ever and stick to the Kodo design language as much as he can. He also said that the Kodo design is a bit softer, but he will try his best to create a tough-looking truck following Kodo's design language.

With that in mind, the new BT-50 will have the best of both worlds, especially when you consider that the new BT-50 will be pretty like all other Mazdas and unbreakable like all other Isuzus. It is also expected that the new BT-50 will come with a tweaked and more powerful version of the tried and tested four-cylinder 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine from Isuzu.

Although it is less potent than the unit borrowed from the Ranger, it still kicks out a respectable 188 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque, sent to the road via a six-speed manual or 6-speed auto. There could be a lesser capacity engine like the 1.9-litre diesel currently in the Malaysian D-Max, but for now, the introductory engine is expected to be the 3.0-litre diesel.

If the underpinning of the BT-50 is like for like from the new D-Max,  we can also expect a lockable rear differential, wading depth of 800mm, as well as hill descent control and hill start assist.

The expected interior of the new BT-50 is less clear, but usually, when companies share platforms they tend to share the interior as well. We hope that Mazda proves us wrong here as Mazda's interior is also one of the nicest, with its simple, classy yet functional layout. However, the interior in the new D-Max is not all that bad, with its 9.0-inch tablet-style central touchscreen with Apple Car Play and Android Auto, and 4.2-inch digital dash display taking centre stage.

Could the new Mazda BT-50 be a game-changer and give us another option on top of the Ranger or Hilux? We certainly hope so, variety is after all the spice of life!


Rinseless Wash Revolution: Still Cleaning Your Car The Hard Way?

Lots of water, buckets, a hose, and plenty of time are the usual ingredients to a DIY car wash. Not anymore....

Most of the time, keeping your car clean in Malaysia seems like fighting a losing battle. The weather is always working against you, either spewing dirt, grease, and grime onto your freshly perfected paint during a rainstorm or burning any wax protection off under the scorching sun, revealing the vulnerable clear coat underneath.

Naturally, when you have a dirty car, you get it washed. But washing itself can get tiresome if the results are so quickly made meaningless the next time a storm rolls in (and that won’t be a long wait). For a lot of us, the reason we get the ‘malas nak cuci’ feeling comes down to how inconvenient it is - either to do it ourselves or drive somewhere (and wait) while someone we pay does it for us.

It’s also a little intimidating. There’s all this gear you might need to get, techniques to learn, products to buy - all to do a half decent wash job. And what if you live in an apartment or condominium with no access to free flowing water near your car? Can’t break out the hoses and buckets there…..

This is where rinseless washing fills the gap. To me, it’s a miracle method, a game changer, and it’s what I’ve been using to regularly wash my car in about 30 minutes (45 if I take my time; about 15 minutes is my recorded fastest). It’s so quick and easy that going back just doesn’t make sense.

Unfortunately, rinseless washing in general hasn’t penetrated the mainstream yet, but has become very popular with the enthusiast community, therefore products for this wash method aren’t available over the counter. It’s ironic that only detailing enthusiasts seem to be familiar with rinseless car washing because (you'd think) its convenience and ease would appeal to the average consumer much more than the usual car wash products.

What Is A Rinseless Wash?

Wash. Dry. Done.

It’s basically that - like a normal wash process but minus the usual rinsing. It involves mixing a highly concentrated product with (usually) just a half a bucket of water as your wash solution. I’ll get into  product recommendations later, but they all share a common instruction set. Learn how to use one, you can use them all.

The rinseless wash product, once diluted with the correct ratio of water, both lubricates the paint surface as you wash and neutralises the dirt/grease/grime that’s on the surface, then allows it to flow down off the car onto the ground.

By just removing the
rinse
 part of the process, there’s so much you get back in return. Much less water is used, obviously, and you’ll also need much less time and effort set aside to clean your car. All things considered, you’re also spending much less money on a rinseless wash. Again, why would I go back?

Rinseless vs Waterless

It’s surprising to learn that more people have heard of a waterless wash but not a rinseless wash, but both work on the same core principles. The primary drawback of waterless washes is the cost, because you could be burning through an entire spray bottle of waterless wash liquid for a just couple of uses or less.

In the case of a waterless wash, this is because all the bottle’s content (and only that) is what is used for both lubrication and cleaning. Without lubrication, you’ll be abrading the paint and causing scratches and swirl marks, so it’s even recommended to be extra generous with the waterless wash liquid, and each bottle could cost between RM60 to RM100 per bottle - for just a couple of washes!

With a waterless wash, you spray it on and gently wipe away the dirt as it is soaked in, but because a rinseless solution is meant to be diluted in clean water anyway (which amplifies the lubrication), much less of the
actual product
 is used.

How To Use A Rinseless Wash

This is usually where a long list of
dos and don’ts
 follow, with specific instructions on how you’re to avoid scratching the paint along the way. However, rinseless washing couldn’t be more different, because it’so much simpler.

There are, of course, variations on how to perform a rinseless wash, but after about 2 years of this being my dedicated wash method, I’m just going to detail what I think to be easiest and most trouble-free.

Step 1:
Let’s start with tools and equipment. You’ll need your actual wash solution, so dilute this in a bucket of water filled with about 2 litres of water. Certain products vary with this ratio between product and water, but about one capful of product should be enough, at least for my product of choice: Optimum No Rinse.

Step 2:
 You’ll need a clean microfibre wash mitt for the wash and a large microfibre towel to dry the paint afterward (an absorbent and plush high quality one made for soaking up water is recommended). And that’s pretty much it. Let the mitt soak in the rinseless solution for about 5 minutes before starting.

Step 3:
 Squeeze some water out of the wash mitt before going making first contact with the car itself, but don't wring out too much. You’ll still want it dripping droplets (not streams of water/solution) and clean the car with it, going over every surface panel by panel. Try not to press down as you’re gliding the mitt over the car, using instead the weight of mitt and the fluid it’s holding to apply pressure. I usually start with the top portion of the car and work my way downwards.

Step 4:
Once you’re done with a panel or certain portion of the car, or if you need extra lubrication (or if the wash mitt is getting a little too dirty), dunk it back in the rinseless wash solution and make sure the dirt particles are agitated out from the mitt into the solution before carrying on to the next part of the car.

Step 5:
You don’t want the rinseless solution to dry on your car’s paint, so it’s a good idea to use your drying towel to dry off that cleaned portion of your car before proceeding to the next. This is also dependent on ambient temperature, humidity, and exposure to direct sunlight.

Step 6:
 I always keep a couple of cheap microfibre towels handy for the wheels, and leave this part as the final step in the wash process since they’re always the dirtiest part of any car. Using the same process as the wash mitt, I’ll first let my dedicated wheel cloths to soak in the rinseless wash solution before squeezing out any excess waster from those cheap towels, and get to work on wiping the wheels. You’ll notice that you might need a little more wash solution to lubricate the wheel cleaning process, so feel free to go back to your bucket for more. Once clean, dry as normal.

What It Can’t Do

Unfortunately, as versatile rinseless washes are, it cannot replace conventional car wash methods in a few instances. First of all, a car should already be
relatively
 clean before attempting this wash method, which is probably why it’s so popular with enthusiasts like me who wash their cars at least once a week - we never let it get properly filthy.

Some off-roaders might cry out that “we don’t even know what a dirty car is”, and that’s probably half true. Really dense dirt and grime should use dislodged with a pressure washer and perhaps a good snow foam wash, but once the heavy stuff is off, rinseless washes can definitely take over the more regular, less intense ‘maintenance washes’.

Products

This is left for last intentionally, because it's also the most important part of the equation. Being relatively obscure apart from some detailing enthusiasts, rinseless wash products aren’t so easily found. In Malaysia, the number of products you can source can probably be counted on one hand.

However, luckily for me, a product called Optimum No Rinse (or ONR) is available through online purchase via Lazada or Shopee. It’s made by an American company called Optimum Polymer Technologies and is regarded as one of the original pioneers in this category. Even after many years on the market, I would argue that it’s still the best out there.

One 32 fluid ounce bottle (946ml) of this should cost around RM70 to RM80, but even with regular washes, it will last me over a year if used in the correct manner. That’s an incredible value especially considering how simple it has made my car wash process and the other off-label uses it has, which I’ll cover in a follow-up article. It really is the Swiss Army knife of car washing/detailing.

It lets me spend less time washing my car and more time enjoying it. I love that.


The Mercedes-Benz GLC Gets A Facelift

One of our favourite models in the Mercedes-Benz line-up has finally received a facelift, in tandem with the changes afforded to the new C-Class and the launch of the all-new A-Class. As is the nature of progress, the two main aspects in which improvements are made are fuel consumption (through the use of a 48V on-board electrical system) and functionality (through the most updated form of MBUX).
Visually, the changes aren't particularly obvious - which isn't a bad thing, because even the GLC we have right now is a gorgeous looking machine. There's a little more chrome from front to rear to provide a sportier aesthetic, with new standard-fit LED High-Performance headlamps across the range. The rear end gets a revised bumper and tail lamp design, for a signature look that you can spot from a mile away.
On the inside, the aesthetic changes reflect that of the C-Class facelift with slightly different material choices and a different steering wheel. The party piece is the MBUX, which can be controlled through touch control on the multimedia display, touch control buttons on the steering wheel, a multifunction touch pad on the centre console, gesture control with the interior assistant, or voice control.
Mechanically, the differences are subtle but important. There are five variants from launch, and all of which will come with Dynamic Body Control adaptive suspension as standard. Of the variants, two are petrol and three are diesel. What Mercedes-Benz highlights is the fact that they all produce more power than the powerplants they replace, but with significantly lower fuel consumption. Most likely destined for our market are the GLC 200 (197 hp, 280 Nm), and the GLC 300 (258 hp, 370 Nm) - both of which have the belt-driven starter generator to assist when necessary.
Rounding out the changes are improved safety features. The Driving Assistance Package, as it's known, as an optional extra depending on variant and country, but the standout features are Active Distance Assist Distronic, Active Steer Assist, Active Speed Limit Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist. All of these features are fairly self explanatory in nature, and they're not the items you really appreciate until they save you when you absolutely need it.


How Lah To Find More Proton Parts Now After Another Flood?

An evening of incessant rain has once again left thousands of Klang Valley residents having to deal with the ravaged aftermath of a flood. You’ve probably seen the many images and video footage on social media of cars either partially or fully submerged in dense urban centres.

Naturally, being a car-focused website, we’re more interested in how it impacts motorists. As Proton continues to boast the best-selling B and C-segment SUVs on sale with over 16,000 units of the X70 and nearly 29,000 units of the X50
sold in 2021 alone
, the chances are rather high that quite a number of them have found themselves unlucky enough to be caught in the
Monday flood of March 7th
.

The dangerously high water level seen that evening left many stranded on the roads or unable to reach their vehicles altogether. For this reason, and having gone through an even worse flood in December 2021, many of us Malaysians have been rudely awakened to the importance of opting for
special perils insurance
, for example.

More Flood, More Parts Backlog

However, even with the most comprehensive of coverage plans, the need for a steady supply of parts are needed for any repair to be carried out. And if you’ve been paying attention, you’d know that Proton’s overall inventory of replacement components is already stretched worryingly thin as it is after the floods that hit the Klang Valley and the east coast states of Peninsular Malaysia just a few months ago.

There seemed to be little reprieve for owners who have waited multiple weeks, even months for repair and maintenance work to resume on their car, not to mention the pending deliveries and a dauntingly long waiting list, but in the after-sales department, it looks like the gulf between demand for parts and an actual steady supply of it is only growing wider with the influx of newly damaged units after the early March ’22 floods.

We’re not sure if there’s a Malaysian or more Asian version of the Murphy’s Law adage which roughly states: “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.”

Due to their popularity, a Proton customer’s path to ownership has become characterised typically by an extended wait time between booking and delivery. Past this point, yet more waiting is involved in repairs and maintenance due to a lack of parts at service centres. Not the most virtuous of cycles.

Passing The Buck Onto Dealers

Maybe the worst part of flood damage is the sheer variety and severity of problems it can give a car; from spawning electrical gremlins that will never leave, to irreparable damage to vital engine components. That’s a lot of parts to have ready on hand and it seems Proton were already finding these difficult to source to build new cars with much less to pass onto the service centres.

Speaking of which, there was a higher level of anticipation for last week’s press release (4 days before the March flood) which announced that Proton saw a sales 107% rebound in February including a statement on the ongoing parts shortage crisis.

However, many saw their official response on the matter to be lacklustre, providing no clear timeline for its resolution nor did it detail tangible action steps that are being taken to solve these real on-the-ground issues.

Though the acknowledgement of the problem at hand is well and truly appreciated, only vague mentions of the supply chain “bottlenecks” and “operational issues” that have been identified and require fixing were covered.

Furthermore,
Proton also outlined a new mandate
 that will require dealers to keep 3 months (at least?) worth of holding stock on 22 fast-moving parts. With increased demand caused by the flood and now dealers themselves having to clamour for parts to keep in reserve, it begs the question of where these parts will actually be coming from. And when?

It essentially takes some of the responsibility off of Proton Cars since a lack of parts in the future can, in theory, be blamed on dealers not having enough on hand. Of course, Proton themselves are the gatekeepers of any and all parts supply.

Clearly, official service centres operated by Proton’s new car dealer network will waste little time in passing along any parts they receive onto the customer cars that urgently need them. Only when the backlog of work orders are settled can a given dealer/SC even think about hoarding parts for itself.

In accruing this parts stockpile, they’ll be competing with each other and trying to selfishly grab any incoming allocation they can as their own customers are no doubt putting them under pressure to get their cars fixed and back on the road.

At least in the short term, Proton’s decision to artificially increase the demand for spare parts (by getting the dealers involved and accountable) seems counterproductive and might only cause more frustration while
the core issue of supply persists
.

More pointedly, making it a dealer’s responsibility to gather an already limited commodity won’t make these parts any less scarce. In fact, it might hasten the opposite outcome, prolonging the resolution to this parts crisis.

Winning Us Back (Yes They Can)

Never before has Proton enjoyed sales prosperity at this magnitude, so it’s somewhat understandable that they are a little unprepared for the torrent of vehicles they’d need to both assemble and deliver to customers, but also to maintain and repair over the longer term.

So far, while things might seem a little bleak, the ball is in Proton’s court and they can still do plenty to weather this storm and emerge with customer confidence (mostly) intact.

Merely admitting there’s a problem is a good start but it happened much too late in this case. Spare parts were already a major issue well before any ‘acts of God’ got in the way, but the automaker remained publicly undisturbed.

An official statement addressing the matter only emerged (on March 3rd) when the volume of dissatisfied customers reached a crescendo that could no longer be ignored. Instead, clear, frequent communication and transparency must be practised to ensure that these customers are having their voices heard.

Proton’s PR department will have to pull some extra weight to rehabilitate buyer/customer faith. The positive changes here will not be immediately obvious but can go a long way in restoring favourable perception, especially if it’s obvious the outreach comes from a place of genuine concern and a desire to improve.

And a further warranty extension past the current 5 year period or additional free maintenance can’t hurt either.


Ford Gives Us The Low Down On Its Carbon Fibre Wheels For The Shelby GT350R

When
Ford
 took the wraps off of its
Mustang Shelby GT350R at the 2015 Detroit Motor Show
, they said that the track-focused machine will be fitted with 19-inch carbon fibre wheels, something only done by exotic super/hypercar maker Koenigsegg. However, where the Swedish company does so in low volumes,
Ford
 decided to turn things around, crafting the first mass-produced, track-capable carbon fibre wheels as standard equipment for the Shelby GT350R.
To do this,
Ford
 Performance partnered up with Australian supplier Carbon Revolution to develop and produce the carbon fibre wheels. So how do they make carbon fibre wheels? Step one, create a preformed internal carbon structure, made up of precisely manufactured carbon strands arrayed into woven fabrics. Next, the elements are then placed into a mold.
Ford
 then embeds a uniquely-numbered RFID chip in this structure so they can track it in their quality assurance system. Once the structure is assembled, it is infused with resin and cured at high temperatures and pressure. The final result is a one-piece wheel weighing just 8.16kg.
As the wheel cures, it goes through a thorough quality examination – 61 individual checks, 246,000 data points are logged, 18,000 X-ray images are taken using a 3D computerized tomography (CT) imaging process. Only when it meets the quality level expected does it undergo machining for the valve stem and mounting hardware holes before it gets painted, coated, assembled, dimensionally checked and shipped to Flat Rock Assembly Plant for installation on a new Shelby GT350R Mustang.
The finished wheels must be capable of meeting a certain level of performance and be durable at the same time.
On the track, the wheels will be subjected to extreme levels of heat in excess of 900 degrees Celsius from the braking system. To cope with this, Carbon Revolution’s thermal barrier coating system uses a plasma arc gun to liquefy a ceramic material, the wheels are coated at critical points around the inner wheel “barrel” and on the back of the spokes. The result is an incredibly thin, nearly diamond-hard coating that reliably shields the resin from heat.
Much like a traditional wheel which experiences curb strikes, the carbon fibre wheels on the Shelby GT350R also goes through a development process involving striking a curb at speed. Thanks to the advanced construction methods and resins used, along with the car’s MagneRide dampers, it will not experience serious wheel and tyre damage.
These carbon fibre wheels will also need to fight off the elements as well. Extreme exposure to harsh UV environments, corrosive salts, and road chemicals warrant the use of a special coating, developed to protect the resin from the environment.
All this translates to a wheel which weighs almost half that of an equivalent aluminium one (8.16kg vs 14.96kg). This light weight meant the springs and MagneRide dampers had to be recalibrated because the suspension can now respond considerably faster. The wheel also provide a reduction in rotational inertia of more than 40 percent, which positively impacts acceleration and braking performance. Pair that to its stonking 5.2-litre
V8 engine that features a flat-plane crankshaft with 526hp
 on tap and you've got a real track monster.