BMW: Lessons From California For Successful EV Introduction

In the quest to commercialise electric vehicles, incentivising customers at point of sale is far more important than formulating high level strategic industrial policies, said BMW Group’s head of steering government, external affairs and sustainability Andreas Klugescheid.
Taking example of BMW’s experience in California, which is home to over 150,000 electric and plug-in hybrid (PHEVs) vehicles, and contrasting it against the lukewarm reception towards such vehicles in Germany, Andreas concluded that EVs succeed in California because it had a the right mix of forward thinking, environmentally conscious consumers, backed up by attractive incentives – which knocks about USD10,000 off an EV’s list price.
A BMW i3 starts from USD42,400 in the US. Buyers are eligible for a USD7,500 tax credit US federal government. On top of that, i3 owners residing in California are entitled for another USD2,500 rebate. This effectively brings the price of the BMW i3 down by USD10,000!
Over the in Germany, the government placed too much emphasis in high level strategic thinking, focusing on creating complex industrial policies to spur the manufacturing of EVs, conducting in-depth research into consumer behaviours and driving habits, without actually doing much to spur the demand for EVs.
Between 2010 and 2013, Andreas was attached to the BMW Group’s representative office in California and was responsible for government affairs activities in the West Coast states in the US. There, he witnessed first-hand the stark differences in response.
“Their (California) approach was a very typical American way - ‘Show me the money, right?,’ and that was the key thing required,” said Andreas to Carlist.my during the sidelines of the E-Mobilia World 2015 conference in September.
“California has a long history with health issues, specifically Los Angeles. In the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, it was city that was really affected by the issue of smog. And that was one of the drivers, and people say we need to get rid of it,” explained Andreas.
“What makes things happen in California is a general openness towards technology. People in California are really keen to go for the latest and newest technology. The other thing was a more developed understanding of sustainability as a value – it’s a question of mindset right? California is also a very important market for car manufacturers. It’s also market where customers are able to spend their money – people in California are generally quite wealthy.
“So they go for technology, they are interested in things that make the environment better. Yes there was government support, but it was less about the mandate but more of the clear decision of the Californian government to incentivise and to put public infrastructure into place,” said Andreas.
EV and PHEV owners are also incentivised by other non-monetary means like access to car pool lanes on the highway, which is a major attraction for many commuters.
On government policies to promote EVs, Andreas said, “Mandates don’t make markets. Let’s say the government decides the country needs to have a certain number of EVs. But the customer will ask – why should I buy an EV?”
Taking the example of Germany, Andreas said the Germany gave very minimal incentives to EV buyers, but the German government targets to have 1 million electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on the road by 2020. To date, they have only succeed to have about 40,000 on the road.
“In a typically German way, we decided – let’s do strategy. So, we set up a National Platform for Electric Mobility. Then, we formulated a goal of one million EVs on the road by 2020. And, we have to do research – understand the potentials in terms of industry policy, battery manufacturing, user behaviour, how to integrate renewable energy into the grid, etc, etc.
“What we didn’t do, was directly incentivising the customer. There is a vehicle tax break for EVs, but given that German car taxes are relatively low, this is not really important for the German EV buyer,” lamented Andreas.
“So in California, you have a population of around 36 million but it has over 150,000 electric and plug-in hybrids on the road. In Germany, we have a population of 80 million, more than double that of California’s, but less than a third the number of EVs (and PHEVs) in California,” said Andreas.
It is interesting to note that Andreas is a real car guy. Prior to his current position at BMW, Andreas was handling corporate communications for BMW’s classic cars activities.
“I am historian by degree, and a car nut, so that’s really why I am with BMW and not a washing machine producer. Keeping the automobile, keeping invidual mobility sustainable for we can keep cars enjoyable for the next 20 30 years is very motivating for me.”


Jakarta 2017: Wuling Confero S - Made-in-Indonesia Chinese 8-Seater MPV

The introduction of the
Indonesian-made
 Wuling Confero S small-MPV has come full circle at the ongoing Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show. The Wuling Confero S, which is claimed to accommodate up to 8 occupants, is set to challenge established Japanese models in the Indonesian market – such as the Toyota Avanza and Daihatsu Xenia and more recent arrivals such as the
Honda BR-V
 and
Mitsubishi Xpander
.
Three main variants are offered at the outset – Standard, ‘C’ and ‘L’, priced between IDR 128.8 million (RM41k)  and IDR 165.9 million (RM53k).
The Confero S measures 4,530 mm in length (C and L variants, entry level 4,493 mm) width 1,691 mm and 1,730 mm in height (inclusive roof rails) which is 340 mm longer, 31 mm wider and 35 mm taller than the Toyota Avanza. A wheelbase of 2,720 mm beats the Avanza’s by some 65 mm.
Power is supplied by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with DVVT that produces 107hp at 5,800rpm and 142Nm of torque at 4,400rpm. The Confero S is only offered with a 5-speed manual gearbox which sends power to the rear wheels.
Given its Chinese origins – the Confero S is no pushover when it comes to offering a conclusive suite of comfort features. The entry level Standard variant highlights 2nd and 3rd row USB charging, one-touch tumble third-row seats and even an electric actuated fuel-cap.
The mid-range ‘C’ variant adds on steering wheel controls, rear parking camera, dual-blower air-conditioning, and piano black interior highlights. The range-topping ‘S’ variant adds amenities such as a remote control boot release, dual 8-inch rear infotainment screens, centre armrest, and keyless entry.
Safety kit starts off with just one airbag in the entry-level variant and adds ABS and EBD and two airbags in the ‘C’ and ‘L’ variants respectively.


2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS 400 Previewed At Petronas Formula 1 Driver Meet And Greet

Mercedes-Benz
 Malaysia today held a preview of the new Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, specifically in its CLS 400 form, during an exclusive dinner jointly organised with Petronas in conjunction with the 2015 Malaysia Formula 1 Grand Prix happening this coming weekend. On hand to introduce the CLS 400 are Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team drivers, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.
The preview is not only a showcase of the car, but also a signal of intent from MBM to have this model launch in Malaysia this year. However, no prices nor estimates were shared with us.
Powering the stylish four-door coupe is a 3.0-litre V6 bi-turbo petrol engine that churns out 333hp and 480 Nm torque, sent through the brand's all-new 9G-Tronic torque converter automatic transmission.
The front end of the CLS 400 adopts Mercedes-Benz's latest styling cues, distinguised by characteristics such as the diamond grille found on the smaller
Mercedes-Benz A 250
, as well as large air intakes with a lower front bumper lip. The brand’s MULTIBEAM LED headlights are also seen on the preview model here.
The rear sees dual exhaust tips on opposing ends of the bumper. Large AMG alloy wheels complete the stylish look.
Step inside and you’ll be greeted by the familiar Mercedes-Benz interior, with acres of leather upholstery and trim in place all-round. A three-spoke steering wheel faces the driver along with an 8-inch display unit for the COMAND Online infotainment unit. The AMG Line Plus tags on additional equipment and comes standard in the CLS 400.
MULTIBEAM LED
A key highlight on the CLS 400 is its MULTIBEAM LED headlights that comprises of four control units, dedicated to ensure the 48 LEDs (24 in each LED module) adjusts the light distribution automatically to virtually any road and traffic condition. The ideal light pattern is calculated 100 times per second to make this possible and each LED is dimmable in 255 stages.
The MULTIBEAM LED headlights also contain a low-beam module that works in tandem with a camera to swivel up to 12 degrees, illuminating bends or curves in the road. This features works even when the driver has not turned the wheels.
One last feature to note is the headlights’ “welcome” home function where in addition to providing daytime running lights, side lights and turn signal lights via multifunctional fibre-optic cable, it also casts a blue light when the vehicle is unlocked to welcome the driver.
Safety
The CLS 400 isn’t short of safety features either. Fitted as standard include COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS that applies autonomous braking to avoid rear-end collisions. Other safety systems that have also trickled their way down from the flagship S-Class are DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot, BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, PRE-SAFE Brake with predestrian detection, PRE-SAFE PLUS, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC including parking in end-on spaces.
Infotainment
Handling the infotainment and navigation needs, the COMAND Online system is displayed on an 8-inch head unit and can be controlled by voice. The unit comes with a hard-disc navigation feature, displaying topographical maps with 3D buildings and map rotations.
To handle your music needs, the system can be connected to an iPod or iPhone and will replay your tracks through a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. The system is equipped with a digital signal processor (DSP) to control the frequency response and ensure a harmonious acoustic sound.


Review: BMW 330i M Sport (F30) – The Best Raises its Game

It may seem at a glance that you are looking at a regular mid-life update of the
BMW 3 Series
, but actual changes implemented by Munich’s engineers on their compact sedan are far beyond skin deep; with competition heating up from the
W205 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
 and
soon-to-come B9

Audi A4
, Munich’s most important model needs, more than ever, to be at the top of its game.

Technical alterations in this
Life Cycle Impulse
 (facelift in BMW parlance) of the F30 3 Series are considerable. Knowing that both
Mercedes-Benz
 and
Audi
 have the edge over them in cabin ambiance,
BMW
 has resolved to further tighten the 3 Series’ already-ironclad grip on the segment’s dynamic throne. A complete overhaul of the rear suspension architecture to a new five-link configuration is demonstration of Munich’s considerable resolve in maintaining its dominance in this area.

The entire
F30 LCI model range
 is spanned by an all-new family of engines, and whilst it’s regrettable Malaysian buyers are no longer offered the option of a six-cylinder engine this side of the
M3
, the available palette adequately spans the required performance spectrum. The range starts at 136hp for the entry-level 318i rising all the way to 252hp in the 330i as tested here.

Specifications:

Price: RM297,800

Engine: 2.0-litre, longitudinal inline-4, turbocharged, petrol direct injection

Power: 252hp @ 5,200 – 6,500rpm

Torque: 350Nm @ 1,450 – 4,800rpm

Transmission: 8-speed torque converter automatic with paddle shifters, RWD

Safety: 6 airbags, ISOFIX (rear), ABS, Cornering Brake Control, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control

Origin: Locally-assembled at Kulim, Kedah

Overview

The 330i directly replaces the outgoing pre-LCI 328i. Once upon a time, a ‘30i’ badge on a BMW would have translated to painful annual road tax bills in excess of RM2k. Today, thanks to turbocharging and direct injection, the F30 330i produces roughly the same power and 50Nm more torque than the
E90
 equivalent which ran a thirstier but admittedly sweeter-revving 3.0-litre naturally-aspirated inline-6.

If your performance requirements are more modest, the same 2.0-litre B48 engine is detuned to 184hp and 290Nm in the 320i. That 68-horse sacrifice helps you save a not inconsiderable sum of RM66k. Further south comes the entry-level 318i, a model that marks Munich’s first ever use of a three-cylinder engine in the 3 Series. Diesel power is not currently on the menu; the 320d is for the moment discontinued in our market.

As reported earlier, the entire 3 Series range now qualifies for EEV incentives from the Government, meaning even in our test car’s range-topping 330i M Sport trim, you get back change from RM300k excluding insurance. In this form, it goes head on against the newly-launched Mercedes-Benz C 300, which prices itself RM10k further north but offering an additional 20Nm of twist. We await news from the Audi camp on their upcoming all-new A4.

The gap that currently separates the 320i and 330i is curiously huge, big enough for Mercedes to squeeze three variants of the C-Class in between. It is a void that BMW may potentially want to fill in the future; perhaps a higher trim grade for the 320i, or a new 220hp-thereabouts derivative of the same B48 modular engine. The space is certainly there to accommodate such an addition. Curiously, a 320i M Sport variant which BMW introduced during the F30 LCI launch has been axed from the line-up.

Exterior

BMW facelift exercises are typically subtle, with stylistic changes that are easy to miss even by trained eyes. Yet, once your mind is keyed in on the alterations, they have the distinct and uncanny ability to make the pre-facelift model look decidedly out of date.

The F30 follows that time-honoured template. You get re-profiled bumpers with light clusters that whilst restyled, still fit into identically-shaped slots. From the front, the clearest tell-tale that you’re looking at an updated F30 is the new double-C illumination signature of its LED daytime running lights.

At the rear, redesigned lighting elements of the LED tail lamps follow a more intricate pattern that decidedly defies BMW’s usual flavour of straight-faced understated tail lights.

Consistent with typical M Sport setups, the 330i wears staggered tyre sizes; 225/45 rubber up front complements wider 255/40 items fitted at the rear, both shod on 18-inch diameter rims.

Interior

One of the most noteworthy aspects of the F30’s chief rival, the
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
, is its cabin that seems to be built to extraordinarily high standards of luxury. Sitting inside, one can’t help but marvel at Mercedes’ immaculate selection of materials and impressively meticulous attention to detail. It seems like an expensive cabin to assemble, but from the plaudits, it’s hard to argue that it wasn’t a worthwhile investment. Certainly, it made the F30’s cabin feel second-rate in comparison.

Whilst stung by the C-Class’ superlative excellence, BMW wasn’t panicked into making wholesale interior changes. The existing layout from the pre-facelift model is carried over with minimal changes, but gains in material quality are noticeable. Surfaces display improved texture and overall assembly feels more solid than before. It still lacks the C-Class’ glam and posh, but the gap in perceived quality is narrowed to avoid outright embarrassment.

Some may question BMW’s seemingly lack of effort in this area, but Munich’s reluctance to drastically overhaul the F30’s cabin is understandable. Ergonomically, it is a configuration that works – there is a functional clarity to its instruments and controls that make for intuitive operation. The learning curve to familiarize with its control scheme is considerably less steep than it is in the Mercedes.

Typical of BMW cabins, space for small items is at a premium. You get a decently-sized glovebox at the passenger side plus a smaller lidded box at the driver side to stowaway your Smart Tag, but along the centre console, all you get is a pair of cup holders and a shallow tray forward of the gear lever. Further aft of the tunnel, the lidded centre console box that is designed to be a phone docking station, is too shallow to swallow anything much bigger than your wallet and plus a bunch of keys. Door pockets are deeper, thankfully.

For your outstation trips, BMW provides 480 litres of boot space. There is no folding facility of the rear seats, but the aperture is shaped smartly enough with sides usefully compartmentalized to hold smaller items.

How does it drive?

Whilst displacement is unchanged and on-paper gains appear to be minor compared to the 328i, the 330i's engine from BMW’s new B-series modular engine family is an all-new development from ground up, completely unrelated to the outgoing model's N20 mill. Here it mates with the familiar 8HP 8-speed automatic transmission from ZF that continues to impress as one of the best calibrated slushboxes in the business.

It works like a good automatic should – imperceptible, decisive, and barely requiring any manual intervention. BMW provided shift paddles, but the only decision you really need to make with this transmission is whether to use ‘D’ or ‘S’ driving modes – the actual business of selecting ratios are best left to the computer and it does a darned fine job of it too. It’s not often we take test cars on a spirited drive up and down Genting Highlands without once having to tell the transmission what to do; it’s that intelligent.

Together, the engine and transmission forms a partnership with a suitably wide range of talents. Availability of maximum torque from 1,450rpm means that you can cover long distances at a decent clip without needing to touch 2,000rpm on the tachometer. Give the throttle a wider opening, and the accumulation of speed becomes accordingly more urgent and accompanied by a pleasantly deep-sounding note. Delivery of power itself is seamless, perhaps too seamless if you are looking for some excitement, but make no mistake, this is a rapidly quick car.

Unavoidable due to its aggressive boost profile, there is a slight lag before the turbochargers kick in and sweep you forward with its torrent of torque. The delay is fleetingly brief but noticeable enough that it needs to be factored in when planning your overtaking. Remember that when you boost a 2.0-litre engine to deliver 3.0-litre outputs, something has to give.
Gun the throttle a fraction of a second before making your move
, if possible.

Whilst BMW claims to have engineered substantial changes in the F30 LCI right down to the chassis level, we did not detect any significant enhancements of the vehicle dynamics from its pre-LCI predecessor. Then again, the most important news perhaps is that there’s no regression to report either. The 330i drives exactly like how one expects of a 3 Series, which is to say it is sharp at the helm, alert in its responses, and confidence-inspiring in most situations. Steering is perhaps not as feelsome as you would find previous-generation BMWs, but it’s nevertheless accurate and predictable in its responses. We should note, however, that the 330i’s rack has variable ratios and comes fitted with Servotronic, a specification that is not replicated in the lower models.

How comfortable is it?

For a car that is geared toward sporty driving, the 330i has very commendable sound insulation. Indeed, on a lazy highway cruise, road and wind noises are notable for being extremely well subdued.

Ride comfort feels less settled than in pre-LCI non-M Sport F30s, though this is perhaps attributable to our test car’s M Sport setup which features the combination of stiffened suspension and lower profile 18-inch tyres, runflats no less. It’s far from jarring and still generally well-composed, but topography of poor surfaces can be felt quite acutely.

Dialling the adaptive M Sport dampers to Sport helped minimize rebound somewhat to provide even tighter body control, but we feel that the option of a more comfort-oriented setting in the Eco Pro and Comfort modes would have made the 330i M Sport a truly well-rounded car. As it stands, our intuition tell us that the lesser non-M Sport models are better balanced for day-to-day use.

All being said, our resident eco-warrior
Hans Cheong
 testifies that this car rides more pliantly than his
Toyota Prius
.

How economical is it?

‘Banyak Makan Wang’
 – It is a famous adage used by Malaysians to describe BMWs as being costly to maintain. It is a perception that the people at BMW Group Malaysia are doing hard to overturn. For starters, your purchase price of the vehicle now covers periodic maintenance for the first five years and with BMW’s Tyre Warranty Programme, you don’t have to worry about paying for damaged tyres in the first two years.

Further enhancing the ownership experience is BMW's one-of-a-kind Concierge Service, a facility introduced in all new BMWs launched from the
F48 X1
 onwards. Part of the bigger BMW ConnectedDrive umbrella, the Concierge Service hooks you up to a centralized call centre (without needing a phone) that will attend to your various needs such as locating specific hotels, F&B outlets, or other facilities. If needed, the trained operator will even call ahead and make a reservation for you at the venue.

Official consumption of the 330i in the European combined cycle is claimed to be 6.1 litres/100km. Such figures are always going to be ambitious, but our average 9.9 litres/100km recorded on the on-board trip computer over a 470km test route with mixed urban, highway, and uphill driving is extremely commendable for a car with 252 horses at its disposal. Interestingly, the front-wheel drive X1 with this same engine in a lower state of tune and mounted transversely proved thirstier in similar conditions, hitting 10.5 litres/100km. We expect the 318i and 320i to be even more frugal.

Thanks to its 2.0-litre displacement, annual road tax for private registration in Peninsular Malaysia of the 330i adds up to just RM379, compared to RM2,077.50 and RM2,120.00 respectively coughed out yearly by the small band of
E46
 and E90 330i owners.

Conclusion

The sheer excellence of Mercedes’ W205 C-Class, the imminent arrival of Audi’s new B9 A4, and
Jaguar’s entry into the equation with the XE
; the 3 Series’ long-held crown as the definitive premium compact saloon is under threat like never before. Faced with such unrelenting pressure, BMW went back to basics and did what they do best; make the 3 Series even better to drive, albeit by minor increments here and there. Qualities which we’ve come to define the 3 Series nameplate, and indeed the BMW brand in general, remain present in abundance.

Tweaks on the inside have partly helped address a major criticism of the 3 Series; a cabin which, whilst impeccable in its ergonomics, lacks the sense of occasion which you would expect for the money. Sitting in the newer car, improvements in material selection is immediately noticeable, although it still does not significantly elevate the cabin ambiance to a new level of perceived luxury. Simply put, if you want an interior to impress your peers, address your cheque to the Mercedes dealership.

Backed with the experience of leading the segment for 40 years, BMW is evidently and justifiably confident in knowing what it takes to make a good premium compact saloon. We await the opportunity to try the lower-spec 318i and 320i variants before delivering on a definitive verdict, but based on evidence from the 330i, the message from BMW is clear – Munich’s biggest seller will fight tooth-and-nail to retain its segment leadership.


Prices of Affordable MPVs To Go Up – Excise Duty Now Up By 5 Percent

If you are looking to buy a budget seven-seater priced below RM100,000, we suggest that you do it soon. Effective immediately, the Malaysian government has unexpectedly raised the excise duty rate for seven-seater multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) / private-use sliding door window vans with engine capacities not more than 1,500cc, by 5 percent, from the current 60 percent to 65 percent.
In other words, the government will be raising taxes on affordable 1.5-litre seven-seater models like the Perodua Alza, Proton Ertiga, Toyota Avanza, Toyota Sienta, and
Honda BR-V.
 The Nissan Grand Livina, which uses a larger 1.6-litre engine, will see no change to its tax rate, as it is already taxed at 65 percent.
Thanks to a tip from our friends at
Automachi.com
, we’ve learned that on 31-March 2017, the Malaysian government had revised its excise duty rates, as detailed in its Excise Duty Order 2017 document. Among the consumer goods affected are seven-seater MPVs.
The announcement caught many car makers by surprise. What’s more confusing is that document released on 31-March 2017 also clearly states that the new excise duty rates will take effect from 1-April 2017, talk about April Fools.
At the moment, Carlist.my understands that the individual car makers are still seeking clarification from the government on the matter, and none of the affected brands – Perodua, Proton, Honda and Toyota - have revised prices of their MPV models yet, but you can be certain that there will be an increase in prices in the coming weeks.
The government’s move to raise taxes on affordable MPVs flies in the face of its other initiatives to encourage rear occupants to belt up and educating parents on the need to use proper child seats.
Below is a summary of import and excise duties in Malaysia.
By the way, does anyone remember this poster?


AD: CIMB e-Bidding Auction – Bid Online From Anywhere For The Best Auction Deals

CIMB Bank through its esteemed auction partners has now made it possible for members of the public to take part in real-time, online property and motor vehicle auctions. Now more than ever, everyone can have a safe, transparent and unified platform that offers a vast selection of real estates and motor vehicles at unbeatable prices.
With
CIMB Auto and Property Mart's
 online e-Bidding platform, interested bidders don’t even have to be present at the auction centre – simply use your smart devices to start hunting for the biggest bargains for vehicles and properties.
Here's a brief guideline on how to start bidding on your dream vehicle:
1. Get the latest vehicle listings, Proclamation of Sale (POS), and Conditions of Sale (COS) from the CIMB Auto & Property Mart website.
2. View your interested vehicle at the appointed store yard on the designated viewing date.
3. Seek professional advice on the vehicle.
4. Create a user account at CIMB’s appointed auctioneer website.
5. Select the vehicle that you want to bid online, pay fees and complete the e-bidder registration.
6. On auction day, log in to the auction site using your ID and PIN.
7. Once the auction starts, place your bids using the e-Bidder application.
8. After the highest price is called out 3 times, no more bids are allowed.
9. Upon successful purchase of the vehicle, download/print the Certificate of Sale.
10. Pay the balance of purchase price within the stipulated time frame stated in the Certificate of Sale.
11. Unsuccessful bidders are refunded deposits via online transfer after the auction day.
(i) POS and COS are subject to availability.
(ii) This guide has been prepared for general information and as a source of reference only. It may vary depending on the appointed auctioneer’s process.
(iii) The auction vehicle is sold on an ‘as is where is’ basis and is subject to the terms and conditions stated in the Conditions of Sale. Terms and Conditions apply.
With the option of online banking, final payment can also be made securely and quickly. Most importantly, the CIMB Auto & Property Mart e-Bidding Auto Auction is conducted in a transparent manner; which protects genuine buyers and eradicates any unwanted form of gerrymandering and price manipulation.
Upcoming Auto Auction:
*Auction dates are subject to change.
Click below to sign up as a member and get updates on the best deals from CIMB Auto & Property Mart.


All-New 2017 Suzuki Swift Debuts For Japan Market

Suzuki has unveiled an all-new version of its Swift hatchback, ahead of its debut in the Japanese domestic market on 4 Jan 2017.
Although the nameplate dates back to the 1980s, the Swift in its current well-loved concept as a solidly-engineered, fun-to-drive, yet affordable compact hatchback came to being in 2004, after which 5.3 million units were sold worldwide.
A full model change took place in 2010, but owing to the success of the preceding model, Suzuki opted for an evolutionary path of growth – retaining much of the previous model’s styling cues despite heavily revising its underpinnings.
The new 2017 Swift gives the familiar styling a more radical make over. The frontal fascia is completely revamped sporting the large trapezoidal grille now popular across the industry.
The distinctive glass area from the past two generations is retained, but the rear doors now have their handles flushed into the window lines. The tail lights roughly follow the existing template, its upper edge pointing forward, but made wider overall – giving it a more squarish appearance.
Under its sheet metal, Suzuki has taken a clean slate approach, creating a light and rigid new-generation ‘Heartect’ platform as basis for the new vehicle. For the Japanese market, a new 1.2-litre mild hybrid petrol engine with 90hp and 118Nm forms the base powertrain available with either 5-speed manual or continuously variable transmissions. In manual transmission guise with front-wheel drive, the Swift 1.2 has a rated fuel consumption of just 3.6 litres/100km.
The more powerful RS variant, meanwhile, features a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol direct injection engine. Paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, this engine is rated with outputs of 101hp and 150Nm of torque available from 1,700 to 4,500rpm. Fuel consumption of this model is rated at 5.0 litres/100km.
Also for the Japanese market, an optional ‘Safety Package’ offers autonomous driving aids including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and high beam assist.
At present, info available on the all-new Swift concerns only the JDM versions. Export-oriented models designed for a global audience will be shown for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2017.


Wanita Perlu Tahu - 6 Tips Elak Pembuli Jalan Raya

Wanita perlu tahu cara terbaik elak
si pembuli jalan raya
.

Sejak dulu lagi, ada bermacam kes kekerasan melibatkan pengguna jalan raya. Kadangkala hanya sedikit kesilapan dan perselisihan kecil, tetapi sampai boleh
mengakibatkan pergaduhan besar
.

Tidak kiralah wanita atau lelaki, kedua-duanya boleh menjadi mangsa dan si pembuli. Namun, golongan wanita kerap menjadi sasaran kerana mungkin ramai beranggapan wanita itu lemah dan senang dibuli di jalan raya.

Stigma itu dah ketinggalan zaman lah. Hakikatnya, sesiapa pun akan mudah menjadi sasaran apabila berdepan situasi mencemaskan, seperti pemandu kereta sebelah yang sedang memaki hamun anda ketika sedang memandu di lebuh raya.

Bagi wanita yang jarang memandu seorang diri dan berdepan si pembuli jalan raya, boleh ikut tips yang kami senaraikan ini.

1. Sentiasa jaga jarak kereta depan

Ini mungkin salah satu penyelesaian bersifat pencegahan yang harus dibuat pada bila-bila masa. Menjarakkan kenderaan sendiri dengan kenderaan di depan dapat meminimumkan kecelakaan dan kejadian berdepan pembuli jalan raya.

Apa yang penting ialah jaga emosi supaya tetap tenang ketika memandu kerana anda sendiri faham dengan sikap tipikal pemandu di Malaysia yang sukar diduga.

Ada yang agresif, angkuh, tidak beri signal, suka menyelit, membrek pada saat akhir, termasuk kerap membrek walaupun jarak kenderaan di depan masih jauh. Memang menguji keimanan!

Seperti
kes pemandu Myvi (2017)
 yang dipercayai memotong
queue
 ketika menukar lorong. Mangsa sempat membunyikan hon kereta selepas pemandu tersebut memperlahankan kenderaan dibawanya secara sengaja untuk memotong barisan. Tindakan mangsa itu menyebabkan si pemandu samseng naik marah dan memandu secara berbahaya sebelum membrek mengejut di depan keretanya.

2. Pasang kamera dashcam/ rakam video

Ini perkara biasa apabila berlaku kemalangan. Pertengkaran akan berlaku dan masing-masing saling menyalahkan. Situasi sebegini memerlukan bukti kukuh dan
jika anda ada dashcam ataupun rakaman video, ia dapat membantu siasatan polis
.

Peranti dashcam kini semakin banyak, murah dan mudah didapati. Anda boleh terus sambungkan kepada kenderaan dan aktifkan secara automatik setiap kali memandu.

Sudah banyak kali kita lihat di media sosial akan rakaman dashcam yang boleh ‘menceritakan’ keadaan sebenar jika anda atau sesiapa di jalan raya berdepan situasi yang buruk. Jadi, laburkan sedikit kewangan untuk peranti ini demi keselamatan anda.

3. Hafal nombor penting

Ini bukan nombor kekasih atau tadika anak yer, tetapi nombor kecemasan orang yang anda boleh harapkan seperti pasangan atau rakan baik.

Jika telefon pintar anda boleh hubungi nombor kecemasan dengan fungsi
speed dial
, boleh simpan nombor tersebut mulai sekarang.

Apabila terlibat situasi yang berpotensi mencetuskan pergaduhan fizikal atau reaksi emosi melampau, lebih baik dapatkan bantuan orang tengah dengan
menghubungi nombor kecemasan anda
. Ini bagi mengelak sebarang kejadian tidak diingini berlaku.

Anda juga boleh menghubungi polis dan kebiasaannya, si pembuli akan berfikir panjang sebelum bertindak lebih agresif terhadap anda.

4. Bersikap tenang

Okay, ini paling sukar dalam kes pembuli jalan raya. Kenapa? Ini kerana pemandu angkuh dan agresif akan memilih untuk memaki hamun terlebih dahulu sebelum dapat berfikir waras. Kalau kita pun jenis kepala angin, memang sekejap sahaja pergaduhan akan meletus.

Cara terbaik adalah
bersikap tenang dan mendiamkan diri
 jika si pembuli sudah hilang amarah. Jika anda sedang berhenti di bahu jalan, jangan turun dari kenderaan selagi bantuan tidak tiba.

5. Jangan membalas tindakan si pembuli

Di jalan raya, ada saja pemandu yang memandu agresif bak berlumba di litar sambil menyelit di celahan kenderaan. Lebih menyakitkan hati, aksi cucuk kereta dari arah belakang. Rasa nak pijak jer brek tu kan?

Memang dalam hati akan timbul rasa panas dan mahu memberi ‘pembalasan’. Itu lumrah, tetapi kita sebenarnya ada dua pilihan - membalas atau abaikan dan memandu seperti biasa. Jangan mengambil sesuatu tindakan yang boleh membahayakan nyawa anda dan anak anda di dalam kereta.
Let it go!

6. Buat laporan polis

Jika berdepan pembuli jalan raya, jangan bimbang dan gusar. Pandu macam biasa walaupun kenderaan itu mengekor rapat dan mula bertindak agresif.

Jika tiada dashcam, catat nombor pendaftaran kenderaan tersebut dan terus ke balai polis berhampiran untuk buat laporan tentang si pembuli. Kalau dia mengekori terus ke balai polis pun lagi bagus!

Sikap sentiasa bersedia ketika berlaku kecemasan dapat membantu anda untuk mengambil tindakan yang sewajarnya. Tiada guna untuk bertikam lidah jika akhirnya menyusahkan diri anda dan keluarga.

Semoga bermanfaat!


F10 BMW 5 Series Is World’s Best-Selling Business Model

Despite its age, the current F10 generation
BMW 5 Series
 continues to lead the premium ‘business segment’ for the sixth year in a row, said the BMW Group.
Launched in 2010, the BMW 5 Series is now the oldest model in its class, with the all-new
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
 and
Audi A6
 offering a more current alternative.
Still, that hasn’t stopped BMW from delivering more than 347,000 units of the 5 Series to customers worldwide in the last financial year 2015. This compares to 306,000 units of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and 293,675 units of the Audi A6 over the same 12-month period last year.
The numbers include deliveries of the BMW 5 Series Sedan, Touring and Gran Turismo models.
Compared to the previous generation E60 generation 5 Series, sales of the current F10 generation model has risen by more than 42 percent, making it the most successful 5 Series generation to date.
“Since its market launch in 2010, the sixth generation of the BMW 5 Series has been best in class in terms of design, driving dynamics and efficiency. As a result, it has become the most successful BMW 5 Series generation to date, also clearly leading the world’s bestseller lists in the segment for the last six years,” said BMW Group in a press statement released earlier today.


5 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Proton X50

The Proton X50 is nothing short of a national phenomenon. With over 25,000 bookings since its preview in September, it would seem, not even a global pandemic can stop the Proton X50 from becoming one of, if not the most successful model of 2020.

Why you ask?

Well, it’s a recipe that’s hard to beat. It’s a superbly designed urban SUV, well equipped with convenience and safety equipment across its variant range, and that's before we get to its award-winning three-cylinder turbocharged engine.

We have four variants on offer, at the following prices:

X50 1.5T Standard: RM79,200

X50 1.5T Executive: RM84,800

X50 1.5T Premium: RM93,200

X50 1.5 TGDI Flagship: RM103,300

All Prices are OTR Excluding Insurance, and include government-mandated Sales Tax Exemption, valid until the 31st of December 2020.

Under the hood, all four variants are powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine in two power levels – the lower-powered ‘port-injected’ power plant, dubbed 1.5T outputs 150 PS and 226 Nm of torque, while the more powerful ‘direct-injected’ 1.5 TGDi (High Output) outputs 177 PS and 255 Nm of torque.

But the question we keep coming back to on social media especially is, what is the monthly repayment for a Proton X50, what is the
minimum gaji
 I must have to buy one?

1. How much are the monthly installments for an X50?

Let’s assume you place the typical downpayment of 10 percent, monthly installments vary depending on how long you choose to repay your loan amount – be it 5-, 7-, or 9-years
.

Figures may vary after the current SST-exemption period

Financing calculations based on prevailing interest rates, interest rates vary depending on individual scoring and lender bank requirements

Insurance rates are based on capital insured sum stipulated by the manufacturer

Downpayment amounts can vary depending on additional accessory packages or equipment

From the table above we can see the breakdown for the X50 across variants and loan tenure. Of course, it’s always better to repay your Hire Purchase loans in the shortest tenure possible, as that will leave you with better options down the line, should you wish to upgrade your vehicle.

A simple rule of thumb one can apply to know if a lender bank will give you a loan for your X50 is to ensure your monthly salary/earnings are at least three times the repayment of the Hire Purchase loan. As an example, if you intend to take a 7-year repayment tenure on a Proton X50 1.5T Standard (at around RM1,014.50 per month), your salary at the very least, should be approximately RM3,042 or more. If on the other hand, you would like to spread the payment over a longer period of 9 years for the Standard variant, then you should be earning approximately RM2,460 per month.

2. What are the interest rates for a Proton X50?

Prevailing interest rates from most commercial banks for the Proton X50 currently vary from 2.2 – 2.3 percent/annum, depending on the loan tenure. Typically the shorter the loan tenure, the higher the interest rates, so a 5- and 7-year loan repayment will incur a 2.3 percent interest rate per annum, while a 9-year loan tenure will normally be offered with a lower 2.2 percent interest rate.

The table above was established using the 2.2 – 2.3 percent/annum interest rate structure.

Also note, that there are a plethora of conventional and Syariah (Islamic) based Hire Purchase products, so do consult your Proton authorised dealer on the best rates.

Your personal credit scoring can also affect the interest rates you are offered on a Hire Purchase loan. Personal credit scoring is largely dependent on your financial health. The more in control you are of your money, the higher you will score. These are some factors that influence your credit score:

Late payment of loans or commitments

High credit card utilisation

Previous debt restructuring exercises

Owing payments for utility and telco bills

3. Buy now or buy next year?

This is a commonly asked question but is largely a moot point now and there are 2 reasons for this.

Firstly, given the staggering amount of bookings for the X50, and the finite capacity of production. It is unlikely that even if you put a booking down today, that you will receive your X50 by year's end. There are some exceptions to the rule, as certain variants with lower demand might have ready stocks, but for the most part, the X50 is pretty much sold out for the year 2020.

Secondly, of course, there are benefits of booking your X50 earlier, one may still be able to capitalise on the SST tax exemption period, which lasts until the end of the year – which reduces the overall price of the car by around RM3k, but do not fret even if you choose to book your X50 next year. This is because regardless of paying a slightly higher price next year, you’re still getting a new car that will hold a price advantage over an older vehicle if you decide to sell it a few years later.

This is a simple example of what we mean, let us say there are two customers who buy the exact same X50 variant – one received theirs in 2020, the other in 2021 – and both of them choose to sell their X50 in 2027.

Customer A: Purchased and was delivered a Proton X50 1.5T Premium for RM93,200 (OTR Excl. Ins with SST discount) in 2020.

Customer B: Purchased and was delivered a Proton X50 1.5T Premium for RM96,200 (OTR Excl. Ins without SST discount, assuming an RM3k price hike) in 2021.

In 2027:

Customer A: Sells his Proton 7-year old Proton X50 1.5T Premium for RM50,000

Customer A: Sells his Proton 6-year old Proton X50 1.5T Premium for RM53,000

Of course, this is an oversimplification of the subject and is subject to the overall condition of the used vehicle, but a ‘newer’ used car will usually hold a price advantage over a car that is a year older. Therefore, the slight price hike incurred by buying your X50 next year evens itself off when you choose to resell it later on.

4. Test drive it first!

Of course, this is the best part.

You can test drive a Proton X50 at any authorised Proton 3S/4S outlets. A test drive will further allow you to experience the sublime value of the X50 and help you finalise the variant that suits your requirements and budget best.

A test drive also allows you to meet with a Proton service advisor who can help you with your financing needs and place your booking.

5. Do I have to get that accessory package everyone seems to be talking about?

No, you don’t, but it does have its benefits.

There’s been some uproar on social media channels about Proton dealers forcing customers to take on accessory packages if they want to get their X50 sooner. For the most part, this has been quashed.

Most of the X50 models right up to the first 2 months of next year have been spoken for, and there’s no chance of “cutting that que”. The accessory packages include a powered boot lock, a SmartTag reader, and other interior equipment such as floor mats, which of course, offers added convenience but again is not compulsory.

These accessory packages are optional and retail for an additional sum of approximately RM3k.

For more latest car news, reviews, car buying guides and videos visit us at Carlist.my
Auto News
.

Check out all the best new & used car deals in Malaysia at
Carlist.my.

Sell your car fast with the best offer? Visit us at
CarlistBid.my
.


2016 Volvo S90 Will Fight With 5 Series, E-Class With Its Own Unique Talents

Volvo
 is obviously far from resting on its laurels after introducing the second-generation XC90 SUV. One of the Swedish company's coming models is reportedly going to be the 2016 Volvo S90 that will take over from the current and aging
S80
.
When the new Volvo sedan comes into the mid-sized premium saloon market, it will face stern competition from household names such as the
BMW

5 Series
,
Mercedes-Benz

E-Class
 and

Audi

A6
. Add in the all-new
Jaguar XF
,
 and the new Volvo S90 will have its work cut out for it.
Starting with its underpinnings, the company’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) will serve as the platform for the S90 with powertrain options likely adopted from the all-new XC90 and its T8 ‘Twin Engine’ plug-in hybrid along with other smaller turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and diesel mills from its new Drive-E range. It's also expected that an estate bodystyle of the S90, likely to be known as the V90, to be introduced following the sedan version's debut.
As for the styling, the S90 could draw inspiration from some of Volvo’s more recent concepts that include both the Volvo Concept Estate and Coupé you see here.
However, before you look to compare the upcoming Volvo S90 against its hot rivals, Volvo UK managing director Nick Connor spoke to
Autocar
 saying that, "Volvo now has the self-confidence to go its own way - we have no interest in copying the German brands," he said. "There is no point in trying to outhandle the 3 Series or whatever, we have our own values around exterior and interior design, safety, comfort and powertrain advancements that stand out for their own qualities."
Which is not to say the S90 would be inferior, but expecting it to handle like a BMW 5 Series or be more powerful than a full-bored AMG E-Class isn’t on Volvo’s priority list. Instead, expect a saloon that exudes comfort, luxury and the brand’s unique design to draw in the crowd. Add those qualities to the company’s explicit
focus on safety
 systems and you’ve got quite the package.


Kangaroos Confuse Volvo’s Animal Detection Software

With the majority of carmakers perfecting hardware, software and algorithms preparing for the day cars will pilot themselves – Volvo has hit a snag in its autonomous driving program with kangaroos. In a report by
ABC Network Australia
, the unusual way a kangaroo moves seems to perplex Volvo’s animal detection systems.
Volvo Australia's technical manager David Pickett told ABC, “We've noticed with the kangaroo being in mid-flight ... when it's in the air it actually looks like it's further away, then it lands and it looks closer. Because the cars use the ground as a reference point, they become confused by a hopping kangaroo, unable to determine how far away it is.”
According to Pickett, the challenge lies in identifying a kangaroo – the shape of a kangaroo , when it sits, stands and hops are substantially different.
Likewise, the system identifies a human by how it walks, but there are different types of humans – short, tall or ones wearing a coat, the same applies to a kangaroo.
Volvo has mostly completed the testing and development of their large animal detection software, for animals such as a moose, but it seems Australia’s lovable marsupial poses an interesting, yet daunting challenge for the experts at Volvo.
The same report claims that there are roughly 16,000 accidents involving kangaroos every year, according to the National Roads and Motorists' Association (NRMA), Australia – making the solution to this two-legged problem critical indeed, according to Pickett.
However, this may not be a problem isolated to Volvo alone; as carmakers develop more advanced systems, the future of autonomous driving systems would rely on their robustness and adaptability to various driving situations from across the world.
Our very own editor Kon, recently discussed the past, present and future of autonomous driving on the Torque Show. Check out more in the video below.


Formula One's 2015 Thriller. We'll Bring You Up To Date On Who's Racing What For Whom

The Formula One season is about to begin, starting with the familiar season opener in Albert Park of Melbourne, Australia on the 15
th
 of March 2015. There’s been a whole lots of chatter about what this year holds for the sport. The other teams have had time to catch up after
Mercedes
’s commanding advantage last year, but have they caught up enough?

Going into the new season, we’ve got all the information to get you up to speed about who is racing what for whom.

The paint has dried over the winter testing months concerning the shakeups that were brewing mid-season 2014. First of all, Fernando Alonso has stepped away from
Ferrari
 to join McLaren and their returning engine partner,
Honda
, enabling Sebastian Vettel to take over his place alongside Kimi Raikkonen at the Maranello outfit.

Williams, much like Mercedes-AMG, found a great formula in 2014 and has pretty much chosen to not fix what isn’t broken; Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas return as teammates this year.

At Red Bull, Daniel Ricciardo’s impressive pace has earned him a top dog spot, second to Daniil Kvyat. Torro Rosso’s driver lineup consists of young up-and-coming drivers with racing lineage: Max Verstappen (son of former F1 racer Joss Verstappen) and Carlos Sainz Jr (son of WRC champion Carlos Sainz Sr). We’re curious to see what the new blood does with the opportunity.

There are some notable omissions as well, the most noticeable being the shortened list of teams, with just 10 in 2015, down from 11 last year, confirmed to make it to the starting grid at Melbourne – Caterham didn’t make it. New team entrants Forza Rossa and Haas F1 have chosen to defer their debut to the 2016 season.

Here’s all you need to know about the teams, drivers, and cars that will be competing in the 2015 Formula One season.

Mercedes-AMG Petronas, F1 W06 Hybrid

They had the winning hand in 2014, and do not wish to alter the formula for the next season. Mercedes has stated that 2015 would be an evolution of the strategy and technology they put forward last year. Both drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg have been locked in by the team at least until the end of the 2016 season.

Infiniti Red Bull Racing, RB11

With Sebastian Vettel now at Ferrari, Daniel Ricciardo has to continue to drive well as
Infiniti
 Red Bull’s past dominance has been eroded by the changes of the V6 turbo era, especially with a new team mate Daniil Kvyat that is hungry to prove himself. And if last year was any guide, the team will continue to lean heavily on driver talent and advantages in aerodynamics to remain competitive. The RB11 will likely be a good performer and will hopefully be enough to fend off its rivals.

Williams Martini Racing, FW37

Williams, in addition to having one of the best looking liveries on the grid with its minimal paint scheme and Martini accent colors, had one of its best seasons of late during 2014. They have kept the formula relatively untouched, opting to refine the advantages they found last year. Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas return as the two drivers, and the team is very confident they’ve got winning ingredients.

Scuderia Ferrari, SF15T

Kimi Raikkonen has a new teammate following the departure of Fernando Alonso in the form of four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel. Ferrari has had some internal shake ups after a less than stellar 2014 season, and the pressure is on the squad to be in serious championship contention from the very beginning.

McLaren-Honda, MP4-30

Honda returns as McLaren’s engine partner, with previous endeavors in the 1990s leading to a few of the most impressive cars, and thus races, the sport has ever seen. It won’t be an easy comeback though, as other engine manufacturers have had more experience at extracting the most out of their hybrid power units. Fernando Alonso replaces Kevin Mangussen (now in a testing role) as teammate to Jenson Button, a crucial move as Honda needs all the experience it can get to make a strong showing.

The injuries that Alonso sustained during a pre-season test have pulled him out of the starting grid at Melbourne, where reserve driver Kevin Magnussen steps up, but the double world champion is expected to be recovered in time for the Malaysian Grand Prix later in the month.

Sahara Force India, VJM08

Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez will drive the VJM08, with the latter signing a multi-year contract with the team. The team was consistent in their pace for last season, even keeping pace with the championship leaders on some laps, and intends to build towards better results this in 2015.

Scuderia Torro Rosso, STR10

'New blood' is the term most apt to describe Torro Rosso in 2015, as the combined age of its two drivers – Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr – being just 37 years old. The Red Bull Racing junior team is known for fostering talents such as Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel, so the fruits of their decision may only make itself known to us further along the season.

Lotus F1 Team, E23 Hybrid

Lotus
 is eager to shake off the 2014 season as much as it can where the team suffered through many retirements and a few crashes. The Enstone-based team is eschewing the Renault power unit in favor of a Mercedes engine and is confident that that combined with changes for its E23 Hybrid will be enough to put its drivers Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado into points contention.

Sauber F1 Team, C34

Sauber’s new driver lineup for 2015 includes Marcus Ericsson – formerly of Caterham – and Felipe Nasr, who is making his F1 debut after three seasons racing in GP2. The C34 bears new liveries and color schemes over what we saw last year but retains a Ferrari powered engine. In the days leading up to the season opener in Melbourne, Sauber’s 2014 driver Giedo van der Garde won a ruling against the team who he accused of reneging out of an agreement that assured him a racing seat in 2015. Sauber’s subsequent appeal did not overturn the court decision, leaving the status of the team’s starting lineup unknown at the time of writing.

Manor Marussia F1, MR03

Speaking of unknowns, the Marussia F1 team of 2014 has reemerged in 2015 as Manor Maussia F1 with little known about its car, sponsors, or drivers. Its mere presence on the grid is a surprise, as the team’s woes were well documented leading up to the final grid confirmations. Rookies Roberto Merhi and Will Stevens will be driving a car that only recently was cleared for participation after passing mandatory crash tests. Our guess is that it is very similar to Marussia’s 2014 car, but we haven’t seen it in during winter testing and cannot reach any worthwhile conclusions.


Volkswagen Will Soon Own 100 Percent of Audi With Stock Squeeze-Out

In an effort to consolidate its many entities and increase synergies between brands, the Volkswagen Group will soon acquire all 100 percent of Audi AG stocks, in a recently voted on stock ‘squeeze-out’ operation.

The ‘squeeze-out’ will result in the transfer all the Audi shares of the remaining shareholders to Volkswagen AG, which already holds 99.64 percent of the share capital of AUDI AG.

The move is meant to strengthen Audi’s role within the Volkswagen Group, reorganise competencies and elevate economies of scale to a new level.

For the remaining transfer of the shares, Volkswagen AG set the cash compensation at EUR 1,551.53 per Audi share. In the relevant three-month period before the announcement of the squeeze-out request, the average share price was EUR 813.15 – meaning the remaining shareholders will enjoy returns of approximately 90 percent above the average share price.

Arno Antlitz, Board of Management Member for Finance and Legal Affairs of AUDI AG during the Annual General Meeting added, “Market capitalization of EUR 66.7 billion shows the earnings power and thus substance behind the brands of the Audi Group, the product portfolio and the company as a whole. These are very good preconditions for us to master the transformation over the long term,”

Under the restructuring, several key positions and business entities will be reorganised. Among them are:

Markus Duesmann, CEO of Audi, has taken over responsibility for Group research and development. He will also be in charge of software development.

Duesmann to lead new entity Car.Software-Organization, in Ingolstadt, to increase proprietary software from 10 percent to 60 percent (by 2025). This-means less software borrowed from third-party companies and more unique capabilities.

Audi project incubator Artemis will accelerate the development of EV vehicles. Artemis will have access to the full array of technologies from the VW Group.

Artemis will reveal its first concept in 2021, and the first electric series-production model by 2024.

While this is not your typical M&A and might have very little knock-on effects for us here in Malaysia, we are excited to see what Artemis comes up with next year from the world's largest car company.


Honda Debuts First VTEC Turbo Engine In All-New  Step WGN

The much talked about 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo engine from Honda has finally made its way into production, making its global debut in the Japanese market Step WGN and its sportier twin - the Step WGN Spada.
The engine, the first of several more turbocharged engines to come from Honda, produces 150 PS at 5,500 rpm but the most impressive bit is its torque, 203 Nm between 1,600 to 5,000 rpm. That's quite close to a 2.4-litre naturally aspirated i-VTEC engine from the Honda Accord, which produces 225 Nm at 4,000 rpm.
Fuel economy is rated at 17 km/litre when tested under the Japanese JC08 driving cycle regulations (different from the more rigorous NEDC/ECE R101 driving cycle that's more commonly used elsewhere).
More than just a matter of adding a turbocharger to a small capacity engine, Honda's engineers took advantage of the engine's clean slate beginning to improve several basic designs of the engine. Among them is a new bearing cap design that is said to be more rigid and will reduce engine vibration from the crank/crankshaft.
Fuel system is a direct injection type while variable valve timing control is applied on both intake and exhaust valves. To improve response at low engine speeds, the turbo uses a small diameter turbine.
In the Step WGN and Step WGN Spada, the engine is paired to a new CVT developed for this particular engine.
Aside from the engine, the other highlight of the Step WGN is its 'Waku waku' tailgate - an original Honda design that allows the tailgate to be opened in two ways - swinging the entire tailgate upwards or opening only half of the tailgate sideways.
When opened sideways, the tailgate can be used as a door for occupants to enter/exit the third row seats. It also allows for easier access to the cargo area when the vehicle is parked in tight spaces.
The third row 'Magic Seats' come with a 60:40 split folding feature and can be stowed away under the boot floor.
Prices in Japan start from 2.28 million Yen.


AC Schnitzer Makes The G80 BMW M3 A Bit More Of A Wild Animal

Famed BMW performance tuners AC Schnitzer might have a name fit for a bread company, but they’re not to be trifled with when it comes to making Munich’s finest even finer. To no surprise, they’ve got their paws on
the newest G80 BMW M3
 Competition and have announced their upgrade package is “almost fully developed”.

Schnitzer is pretty much the polar opposite to Alpina, preferring to focus on every possible method to make a given base car go faster and handle better, aesthetics be damned. Here, the G80 emerges from the factory with
a face most unfortunate
, but the rest of the car’s look is rather well sorted.

The tuners have added the requisite carbon aero package comprising of front splitter, canards, side splitters, new rear diffuser, and a fixed rear wing that works in tandem with a modest roof spoiler for a combined 90kg extra downforce at 200km/h. There’s also a new exhaust system - also carbon fibre.

All par for the course, so far, but under the skin they’ve given the M3 new suspension components at all four corners, fitting it with their in-house RS coilover kit with lowering springs only for the front which takes ride height down 20mm.

Forged AC3 lightweight 20-inch wheels replace the stock set from BMW M, necessary to fit the much wider 285mm section front tyres and 295mm rears. Though they have not confirmed it, we suspect these to be track tyres instead of the more commonplace Pilot Sport 4S or Continental Sport Contact 6.

Beneath that vented bonnet is BMW’s S58 twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine, but here AC Schnitzer has worked in some upgrades to take peak power and torque to 582hp and 750Nm or respectively, an additional 72hp and 100Nm.

Naturally, as the upgrade package is still being worked on and yet to be finalised, no performance numbers are forthcoming to quantify how much more potent this tuned M3 Competition is over the stock unit.

Also still a mystery is how much they’ve added (or most likely removed) or customised from the interior. Weight saving will play a factor as to how they’ve gone about it, but we’re more likely to see even more bits replaced with carbon fibre instead of an outright stripped cabin.

BMW themselves are probably going to be giving the M3 much the same treatment if a more hardcore CS (Competition Sport) version of the car is part of their G80 roadmap, so it’ll be interesting to see how this AC Schnitzer version stacks up against that if and when it arrives.


Subaru BRZ tS Launched In Japan: STI Tuned, Limited Production Model

Subaru
 recently launched the BRZ tS in Japan that receives significant performance components developed by the car maker’s motorsport division and customising arm, Subaru Tecnica International (STI).
That’s right, the ‘tS’ in the name refers to ‘tuned by STI’ and only 300 units of this limited-edition model will be sold at a cost of 3,990,000 to 4,071,000 yen (RM121,803 to RM124,295) depending on the specifications chosen.
The new
BRZ
tS employs STI-developed suspension and chassis upgrades which include, among other things: lateral link with pillow ball bush (front inside, rear inside), front suspension (inverted-strut front suspension) and coil springs, rear damper and coil springs, flexible V-shaped bar, flexible draw stiffener (front), and large-diameter drive shaft.
STI has also gone to work to tune the BRZ tS’ Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) and for a better aural experience, did the same for the Sound Creator filter as well. The car also receives 18-inch aluminium wheels wrapped in 225/40ZR18 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres which are stopped by Brembo brakes front and rear.
Under the hood, the familiar FA20 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine still produces 200hp and 205Nm of torque. Transmission options include a six-speed manual or automatic transmission with the former allowing for the more affordable price tag.
On the outside, the BRZ tS receives a few cosmetic updates. New front and rear bumpers, LED lamps, black coloured door mirros and roof antenna, and a generous garnishing of STI badges complete the look.
The cabin receives a similar treatment as well with new Recaro-designed front bucket seats that are upholstered in black leather and Alcantara including parts of the door trim for starters. Elsewhere, the steering wheel, gear knob, instruments, and push-start button are all designed by STI and feature the STI logo on them. A “tS Limited Edition 300” ornament indicates to passengers that this is something special.
Subaru is looking to make the STI performance brand as recognisable as BMW’s M or Mercedes-Benz’s AMG brands are and with the introduction of the Subaru BRZ  STI Performance Concept in New York and this BRZ  tS is a good start.


VIDEO: 2015 Honda Civic Type R Preview & Nürburgring Record Lap Footage

Honda’s reveal of the 2015 Civic Type R
 in full VTEC turbo glory has taken centre stage in the auto industry, and the bliss is far from over. Soon after the Japanese manufacturer unveiled the car in full,
Honda
 also released the following videos.
The first is the Type R’s global debut video, which showcases all the new curves of the car, inside and out.
The second, is where Honda gets a bit ‘fighty.’ Beating the Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy-R’s 7:54:36 lap time around the Nürburgring is no easy feat, but Honda has done one better with its development mule of the Type R, beating it by a whole four seconds for a time of 7:50:63.
Honda tells us that the lap time was achieved in May 2014, and effectively, this makes the pre-production
Civic
 Type R the fastest production FWD hatchback to ever lap the Nurburgring. While the pre-production model was nearly identical to the production-ready one, the Japanese manufacturer will be returning to the ‘Green Hell’ later this year with the actual road-ready vehicle to give it another go, and officially claim the throne.
In any case, here is the mighty 2015 Honda Civic Type R absolutely nailing it around the Nurburgring with its new 2.0-litre VTEC turbo four-pot powerplant. Enjoy.


Protect Your Vehicle From Floods And Other Natural Disasters With Etiqa’s Vehicle Insurance

Living in a country in tropical climate has its ups and downs. While we have access to the Sun all year long, there is also the infamous Malaysian rainfall, which sometimes translates into flash floods which appear out of nowhere, putting our vehicles in the risk of being damaged.

There is no denying the fact that it is very important to make sure that our vehicles are well protected and covered from floods and other natural disasters.

While some of us are well aware of this fact, and have purchased added protection against floods and natural disasters through our
our
insurance service provider
s
, many motorists out there are still unaware of this risk, and have no protection for their vehicles from floods and other natural disasters.

So, if your vehicle is not protected from natural disasters, Etiqa is here to save the day with their Comprehensive Private Car Insurance, which provides coverage for:

Third party bodily injury and death

Third party property loss or damage

Loss or damage to your own vehicle due to accidental fire, theft, or accident

In addition to the coverage, other key benefits of Etiqa’s Comprehensive Private Car Insurance includes:

Instant 10% discount upon renewal where you can earn extra 10% on top of your No Claim Discount (NCD) when you renew your car insurance online.

Fast and easy online renewal in just 3 steps.

Agreed Value, where you will be reimbursed according to the agreed value in the event of a claim.

Automatic coverage for all authorised drivers, where there is no need for you to put in any named drivers, as all your authorised drivers are automatically covered.

Nil excess, where there will be no more claims excess when you make a claim.

24-hour Emergency Road Assistance, with a dedicated Claims Careline and Auto Assist App that offers 24/7 emergency assistance.

On top of all of the above, Etiqa’s Car Insurance also offers complete Add On Coverages such as the Oto 360 Personal Accident Cover, Windscreen Coverage, Cash Relief, New Spare Parts at no additional charges, Private Hire Cover, and most importantly, Coverage from Damage Caused by Weather and Riots.

Once you’ve got the add on coverage for your vehicle, Etiqa will have your car covered against loss or damages that is caused by floods, thunderstorms, landslides, or any other natural disaster for that matter.

So, with the add on and the comprehensive vehicle insurance coverage, it is safe to say that fixing and getting your vehicle back in action in the event of a flood or a natural disaster, is well taken care of, thanks to Etiqa.

For more information, contact Etiqa Oneline at 1-300-13-8888, or visit Etiqa’s official website
here
.


MOBE 2018 To Bring Online Businesses And Consumers Together

Online Shopping has become a big part of our busy lives in this day and age, simply due to how convenient it is.
Ranging from clothes, food, to even vehicle service packages and groceries, everything can be bought online.
However, as convenient as it is to buy something online, there is no denying that there is limited communication between the consumer and the people behind online businesses.
Although many online businesses have social media pages and what not to communicate with consumers, whether it will be as effective as interacting face-to-face is questionable.
So, in order to provide an interactive face-to-face platform between online business owners and consumers, a massive exhibition called the Malaysian Online Business Expo (MOBE 2018), is taking place this weekend (1 – 3 June 2018) at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre.
MOBE is an all-inclusive online business type fair which provides a platform for online business owners and entrepreneurs to physically exhibit and sell their products/ services.
Besides exhibiting and selling to consumers, business owners will also be educating the public about the online market, their business, and their products in detail through talks and demonstrations.
One of them is none other than Bernard Lee, iCar Asia’s Country Manager (Malaysia) who will be giving a talk about digital transformation, titled “From Bricks to Clicks”  on Friday, 1st June at 3pm.
Other special guests who will be present at MOBE 2018 are Jack Lim (MY FM), Dato’ Norman Pang (NPG Group), Jeff Chin (Socialmex), Harith Iskander, and Elizabeth Tan among others.
With “Bringing online to the real life” as the theme and the main objective, MOBE 2018’s organisers said that the exhibition’s targeted visitors include consumers, business owners, young entrepreneurs, as well as those who are unemployed.
By bringing online businesses to real life through avenues like MOBE 2018, the organisers believe that they can reveal more about online business to the public, and prevent online fraud cases.
Besides that, it is also a chance for online business owners to communicate directly with consumers and get to know what consumers expect from online businesses.
Consumers aside, online business owners will also be able to get to know each other, exchange ideas, contacts, and maybe even explore the possibilities of joint ventures in the near future.
Last but not the least, MOBE 2018 also aims to raise awareness among all participants and visitors about Malaysia’s cyber law as well as government agencies such as the Malaysia Cyber Security, and how they protect consumers in the e-commerce industry which will be playing a major role in shaping Malaysia’s economy in the future.
That being said, more than 100 exhibitors will be present across the 50,000 square feet exhibition space at MOBE 2018 this weekend, which expects over 50,000 visitors over the three days.


Stand A Chance To Win A Volvo XC40 With A Minimum Fuel Purchase of RM40 At Caltex

Chevron Malaysia Limited today announced the “Caltex Fuelled to Win” campaign, where customers stand a chance to win amazing prizes when they pump a minimum of RM40 worth of petrol or diesel in a single receipt at any Caltex station nationwide from now until October 31st, 2019.
All customers have to do upon pumping fuel is submit their entries via WhatsApp to 018 299 9980 with the following details:
Full name (as per NRIC)
NRIC
Transaction date
Transacted amount in RM
Clear image of receipt
Caltex® Journey Card Membership No. (if applicable)
Prizes include:
Grand prize: Volvo XC40
Second prize: Caltex® StarCash Petrol Card worth RM5,000 each (x30 winners)
Third prize: Caltex Journey Card with 5,000 points + Techron Concentrate Plus + Havoline Pro DS Fully Synthetic (x30 winners)
Third prize winners will also win the following prizes monthly:
Dashcams (x10 lucky draw winners for month of August 2019)
GoPro Cameras (x10 lucky draw winners for the month of September 2019)
Michelin tyres worth RM2,000 (x10 lucky draw winners for the month of October 2019)
“Here at Caltex, we constantly find ways to enhance our relationships with our valued customers, to make certain that they have a smooth and exciting journey, no matter the distance. As our recent record-breaking feat was met with positive response, we decided to leverage on the achievement to bring people together and reward our valued customers for their loyalty and faithful support for Caltex, apart from encouraging them to break their own records,” said Shahid Ahmed, Chevron Malaysia’s Country Chairman.


Lembah Klang: Semua Lorong Tol Bakal Hadir Dengan Pelbagai Kaedah Pembayaran

Jika cadangan Kementerian Wilayah Persekutuan (KWP) ini diberi lampu hijau, semua lorong di
plaza tol
 seluruh Lembah Klang akan dilengkapi dengan semua teknologi dan kaedah pembayaran tidak lama lagi.

Menurut Timbalan Menteri Wilayah Persekutuan, Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias, cadangan itu merupakan antara inisiatif
Task Force
 Kesesakan Jalan Raya di Kuala Lumpur yang diketuainya
bagi mengurangkan kesesakan lalu lintas di ibu kota terutama ketika waktu puncak.

Lorong Tol Berbeza Jadi Punca Trafik Sesak

Dalam satu sidang media yang diadakan, Jalaluddin berpendapat bahawa perbezaan kaedah bayaran mengikut lorong di plaza tol menjadi punca kesesakan trafik kerana:

Pemandu terpaksa menukar haluan ke arah lorong yang ditetapkan mengikut kaedah pembayaran pilihan mereka

Pengguna
RFID
 perlu melalui lorong RFID yang kebiasaannya hanya satu lorong disediakan

Sikap pengguna yang
memotong barisan
, berebut ruang untuk membayar tol

Menurut Jalaluddin, pihak KWP telah membincangkan perkara ini dengan syarikat konsesi lebuh raya yang terlibat dan keputusannya akan dimaklumkan dalam mesyuarat akan datang yang dijadualkan dalam tempoh sebulan.

*Kredit foto: Astro Awani

Cadangan Lain Bagi Mengurangkan Kesesakan

Selain menawarkan semua kaedah pembayaran di semua lorong tol, Jalaluddin turut mencadangkan kaedah lain untuk mengurangkan kesesakan seperti:

Membuka pintu tol buat sementara ketika waktu puncak bagi membolehkan trafik bersurai lebih cepat

Anggota pasukan petugas akan digerakkan ke 85 kawasan hot spot trafik untuk mengawal lalu lintas di jalan-jalan utama ketika waktu puncak

Sebanyak 72 lokasi akan dipantau polis manakala 13 lagi akan dikendalikan oleh pegawai DBKL

Larangan kenderaan berat melebihi 7.5 tan daripada memasuki ibu kota pada waktu puncak berkuat kuasa serta merta

Meletakkan papan tanda di lokasi strategik bagi memberi amaran kepada kenderaan berat agar tidak memasuki bandar pada waktu tertentu – 6.30 pagi hingga 9.30 pagi dan 4.30 petang hingga 7.30 malam setiap hari

DBKL bakal mengalih keluar semua tempat letak kereta di tepi jalan dan peniaga secara berperingkat

Lorong bas di Kuala Lumpur mungkin bakal diaktifkan semula

Penyepaduan antara syarikat konsesi lebuh raya yang berbeza

Langkah melarang
kenderaan berat
 daripada memasuki pusat bandar ketika waktu puncak telah diambil kerana pihak KWP mendapati kemasukan kenderaan berat tanpa mengira waktu menjadi punca kesesakan jalan.

“Sekiranya mana-mana kenderaan berat dikesan masuk ke bandar ketika waktu yang dilarang, tindakan penguatkuasaan kompaun mandatori di bawah Seksyen 79 Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1987 akan dikenakan oleh polis dan JPJ tanpa kompromi,” jelas Jalaluddin.

Bayar Tol Guna Debit, Kredit Sedang Diuji

Berdasarkan informasi yang dikongsi oleh Lebuhraya PLUS di laman web mereka sebelum ini, ujian rintis bagi pilihan pembayaran tambahan menggunakan kad kredit dan kad debit sedang dijalankan di plaza tol terpilih.

Jika cadangan memperkenalkan lorong tol dengan pelbagai kaedah pembayaran ini diluluskan di KL, diharapkan agar kaedah pembayaran menggunakan kad debit dan kad kredit turut diperkenalkan bagi melancarkan lagi pergerakan trafik di sekitar plaza tol di Lembah Klang.


World Debut: Skoda Kodiaq – The Czech Carmaker’s First 7-Seater SUV

The covers have come off Skoda’s first seven-seater SUV, the Kodiaq - bringing together the company’s firebrand of affordable luxury, technology and simplistic style. The world debut in Berlin comes a few months ahead of when the SUV is scheduled to go sale in Europe – early in 2017.
The 4.70m long SUV is based on the VW Group’s MQB modular platform architecture boasts a spacious interior for five (optional third row to seat seven) and the largest boot space in its class – at 2,065 litres with the second-row seats folded. The Kodiaq’s wheelbase stretches 2791mm, just 16mm shy of
Audi’s Q5
 premium mid-size SUV.
The key rivals for the Skoda Kodiaq in the European markets include the
Kia Sorento
,
Hyundai Santa Fe
 and
Land Rover Discovery Sport
.
The design echoes Skoda’s blend of angular edges and contours - matched to overall clean-cut proportions. The Skoda Kodiaq SUV achieves a coefficient of drag (Cd) value of just 0.33.
Heated, ventilated and powered front seats can be ordered optionally, the rear seating offers 18cm of horizontal adjustment with backrests that are individually adjustable. The second-row seats offer 60:40 folding capability.
An impressive suite of driver assistance functions for the Skoda Kodiaq also enlists Tow Assist - the system takes over steering when reversing slowly with a trailer on-tow. ‘Area View’, a surround-view camera network is offered as standard, as is Active City Brake, which uses radars to detect a dangerous situation, and can apply partial or full braking up to 34km/h.
Three petrol (TSI) and two diesel (TDI) engines from the VW Group’s portfolio will be made available. All engines also feature Stop-Start, brake energy recovery and thermo-management systems - contributing to lower fuel consumption.
The 2.0-litre diesel TDI power plants are available in 150PS and 190PS guises. The petrol range starts off with two 1.4-litre TSI engines with 125PS and 150PS respectively, while the range topping 2.0-litre petrol operates with a new combustion process for higher efficiency, delivers 180PS and 320Nm at the crank.
The Skoda Kodiaq is supplied with a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The all-wheel-drive system with electronic control is available for most engine variants – delivering drive to all four wheels through an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch.
The Skoda Kodiaq comes with 17-inch wheels as standard (18-inch alloys offered in more premium guises) controlled via a MacPherson setup at the front and a four-link setup on the rear axle. Another cool feature offered on the Kodiaq is the ‘XDS+’ electronic differential lock (a function of the ESC system) which also sees duty on the hallowed
VW Golf GTi
.


Mercedes-Benz Reveals Plug-In Hybrid Versions Of The A-Class And B-Class

Mercedes‑Benz Cars is further pushing the development of its plug-in hybrids under the EQ Power label with the introduction of the A250e, A250e Sedan, as well as the B250e.
All three models mentioned above will be powered by the M282 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine which produces 160 PS and 250 Nm of maximum torque, which is paired to an 8-speed 8F-DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Also part of the powertrain package is a 75 kW electric motor which makes 102 PS and 300 Nm of torque which brings the total system output to 218 PS and 450 Nm, and a 15.6 kWh lithium-ion battery used as an electric energy storage unit.
The A 250 e and B 250 e can be charged with alternating or direct current at a 7.4 kW Wallbox with alternating current (AC) within 1 h 45 min from 10-100 percent. For direct-current charging (DC), the battery can be charged from 10 - 80 percent in around 25 minutes. The high-voltage battery which is water-cooled, weighs approximately 150 kg.
Capable of reaching 140 km/h in pure electricity mode, the A250e, A250e Sedan, and the B250e come with a pure electric driving range of about 70 km.
In terms of performance, the A250e and A250e sedan are able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds and 6.7 seconds respectively, and clock a top speed of 235 km/h and 240 km/h respectively. The B250e on the other hand does the century sprint in 2.8 seconds, and is able to achieve a top speed of 235 km/h.
All 3 models come with five different levels of energy recuperation (D Auto, D+, D, D- and D–) in Electric mode, which can be selected via the paddles behind the steering wheel. Besides the Electric mode, Comfort, ECO and Sport modes are also available.
One of the key highlights of Mercedes-Benz’s compact PHEVs is how the components are packaged innovatively to maximise space, in order to store the battery pack without seriously compromising boot space.
For example, the exhaust system ends in a centrally positioned outlet under the vehicle floor instead of the rear, the rear silencer is housed in the transmission tunnel, and the fuel tank is integrated into the axle installation space.
As a result, the boots of the A250e, A250e Sedan, and the B250e are only slightly less spacious than the ones of their non-PHEV siblings.
Other noteworthy features include the pre-entry climate control that can be activated via smartphone, and  of course, the MBUX infotainment system.
Looking for a new Mercedes-Benz? Get the best deals
here
.


Maserati Will Get BMW's Autonomous Technology

With news of Ferrari no longer supplying engines to Maserati, it's a little surprising then that BMW has stepped up to the plate - albeit in a different way. While Maserati uses the ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox in some of their vehicles (while not manufactured by BMW, it's something we heavily associate with them), their onboard systems have always been a little bit sketchy. Perhaps this may no longer be the case, as BMW is going to be supplying Maserati with autonomous driving technologies.
It will be the first of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) brands to be receiving this technology. For now, it will be limited to assisted driving on highways - although there has yet to be an official release date for such functionality in Maserati vehicles. FCA joined a self-driving technology consortium led by BMW back in 2017, but they also have partnerships for vehicle development with Google affiliate Waymo and auto supplier Aptiv.
As a company, however, Maserati isn't feeling so good. The Italian brand has seen a sharp decline in sales - around 32% in the first three months of the year. Much of this is due to massive drops in demand from China, as other manufacturers ramp up their offerings in both conventional and electric powertrain forms, which has left Maserati in a bit of a pickle.


PDRM Bans Hands-free Autopilot Systems In Malaysia

Autopilot systems or self-driving systems are now banned in Malaysia as per PDRM.

Ever since the Singaporean and Malaysian borders opened on April 1, various stories have spread on social media sites about Singaporeans traveling to Malaysia.

They have been seen carrying out extraordinary acts, not limited to dangerous driving,
subsidised petrol stealing
, and using
Tesla's hands-free
 automatic driving assistance system.

Tesla Autopilot

A Singaporean driver shared his experience of driving his
Tesla Model 3
 to Penang, where he apparently used Tesla's automatic driving assistance system for most of the journey up north.

What was surely an innocent move to
show off the ability of his Tesla
 is now getting some attention from Polis DiRaja Malaysia (PDRM), as nobody is apparently allowed to use a self-driving system like the one in the Tesla in Malaysia - at least for now.

Road Laws in Malaysia

According to a report made by Guang Ming Daily, Bukit Aman Chief Assistant Director of Traffic Investigation and Enforcement (JSPT) Superintendent Dr Bakri Zainal Abidin has issued a statement that drivers are prohibited from using such Autopilot systems in Malaysia. In fact, his team has opened an investigation on the matter.

He explained that although Malaysia does not have any regulations related to automatic driving assistance systems, drivers in Malaysia are supposed to drive according to the Land Traffic Act 1959, which says that drivers
must drive well, be careful
and concentrate on the road ahead.

"The autopilot feature in Tesla cars is helpful to drivers, but it doesn’t mean that drivers can completely take their hands off the steering wheel and mistakenly think that the system can automatically and safely control the car,” Bakri said.

What the Tesla driver did was allow the Autopilot system to control the driving of his vehicle, and this is an offence and a violation of the ordinance because the driver should always control the movement of the steering wheel.

"Even as a country conducting research and development related to this automated driving assistance system, the United States still imposes a ban on its use in most of its states, and the latest research report from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) shows that the use of this automatic driving assistance function can cause drivers to be negligent and insensitive to road conditions, ”he added.

One of the examples that are used to show the problem with wholly trusting the Autopilot system can be referenced back to an accident in California in 2019. The driver of a Tesla utilised the Autopilot function and ran a red light and slammed into another car.

The driver was charged with two counts of manslaughter in January 2022 as two people died.


Perodua Issues Public Service Announcement On Scammers

Following the recent arrest of a suspect in connection with a scam involving the sale of Perodua vehicles, Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd urged the public to be extra careful when making vehicle purchase transactions.
According to a media report today, the police have arrested a man who, posing as a Perodua sales representative to sell Perodua vehicles on a popular online marketplace portal, caused losses of tens of thousands of ringgit to victims.
Do check Carlist's used car buying guide for more information on
 prices that are 'too good to be true'
  as well as
common tactics employed by scammers
.
“This scam involved the sale of new Perodua vehicles as well as Perodua Pre-Owned Vehicles (POV),” said Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd Managing Director Dato’ Dr Zahari Husin.
“Perodua and the affected parties lodged a police report on the matter and are extending our full cooperation to the relevant authorities. Perodua urges the public to be cautious in order to avoid becoming victims of such scams,” he added.
He also advised the public to not make payments to individual accounts as the standard operating procedure is to make payments to Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd or its authorised dealers. Dato’ Dr Zahari is asking all customers to insist on original receipts when making any payments.
“We would like to inform the public that at present, genuine Perodua Certified POV cars are only available for sale at our Perodua Kuala Lumpur outlet located along Jalan Pahang,” said Dato’ Dr Zahari.
Perodua POV officially opened for business in October 2017, offering affordable pre-loved Perodua vehicles up to seven years old that have been 165-point-checked and refurbished by Perodua themselves. For added peace of mind, the cars come with up to 18 months’ extended warranty for the engine and transmission.


New MD And CEO For Honda Malaysia – Toichi Ishyama To Succeed Katsuto Hayashi

Honda Malaysia announced today that Mr. Toichi Ishiyama will be succeeding Mr. Katsuto Hayashi as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
Ishiyama is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Honda Atlas Cars (Pakistan). He will assume his new position in Malaysia effective 1 November 2017.
The 48-year old Ishiyama has been in Honda for 25 years, of which, more than 20 are spent in researching markets and product planning. He has served various positions in Japan, USA, Thailand, China and Pakistan.
The incumbent Hayashi has served in Malaysia for the last one and a half years, and will be returning to Honda Motor’s headquarters in Japan to assume his new position as General Manager, Overseas Operation Division (Americas), Regional Operation (North America).
Under his leadership, Honda Malaysia became one of the Honda’s most successful markets in the world, with a market share (cars only, excluding Honda motorcycles) that’s second only to Indonesia. For some months, Honda Malaysia held the highest market share for Honda’s automobile operations worldwide. The company achieved the highest local market share in history in March 2017, at 20.5 percent.
Hayashi oversaw several key product launches for Honda, including the Civic, CR-V, new Jazz and City (including hybrid variants – the first for any market outside of Japan) – all of which became market leaders in their respective segments.
We would like to wish Hayashi all the best in his new position in Japan, and thank him for his short but impactful tenure in Malaysia.


PDRM traffic summons compound rates according to offence

This article aims to help you understand the price you must pay for violating traffic rules in Malaysia. This is just a list of prices for tickets handed out by PDRM, but different enforcement agencies will have different rates.

Nobody likes to receive traffic summonses. Not only are they inconvenient, but they also carry financial consequences and potential negative impacts on your driving record. Fortunately, being aware of the penalties associated with traffic violations can help you avoid receiving one in the first place.

Traffic summonses, also known as 'samans' or citations, are issued by enforcement officers for various violations such as speeding, running a red light, illegal parking, or driving without a valid license.
The penalties for these violations can vary depending on the severity of the offence and enforcement agencies.

The summonses issued by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) are not arbitrary but rather based on various road and traffic violations committed. Consequently, each offence carries a different compound value.

We're not saying you are a lawbreaker, but this article aims to help you understand the price you must pay for violating traffic rules.

Hopefully, the list will help make you a more responsible driver and prevent you from recklessly breaking road regulations. It should be noted that the PDRM compound prices may change occasionally. You are advised to contact the police for the latest information.

Roadblocks, SJR, PDRM, summonses

Offence (A)

Speeding (Not exceeding 40 km/h above the specified limit)

Making a U-turn in unauthorised areas

Inefficient brakes

Stopping on the yellow box

Disobeying the "No Entry" sign

Failing to obey traffic lights

Not wearing a seatbelt

Cutting queues

Using emergency lanes

No driving license

Compound rates for all types of vehicles:

1-15 days = RM150

16-30 days = RM200

31-60 days = RM300

Compound rates for motorcycles under 250cc:

1-15 days = RM100

16-30 days = RM150

31-60 days = RM300

Offence (B)

Non-functioning lights

Malfunctioning brake lights

Failure to install lights

Failure to install side mirrors

Carrying inappropriate cargo

Compound rates for all types of vehicles:

1-15 days = RM100

16-30 days = RM150

31-60 days = RM250

Compound rates for motorcycles under 250cc:

1-15 days = RM50

16-30 days = RM100

31-60 days = RM150

Offence (C)

Expired driving license

Failure to attend PUSPAKOM inspection for commercial vehicles Failure to transfer ownership

Failure to display the 'P' plate

Compound rates for all types of vehicles:

1-15 days = RM70

16-30 days = RM120

31-60 days = RM150

Compound rates for motorcycles under 250cc:

1-15 days = RM40

16-30 days = RM70

31-60 days = RM120

Offence (D)

Speeding (Exceeding 40 km/h above the specified limit)

Taxi drivers not using the meter

Compound rates for all types of vehicles, including motorcycles under 250cc:

1-60 days = RM300

PDRM, traffic police, summonses

Original Compound Prices According to Offenses (Original prices will increase according to days)

Not wearing a helmet - RM100

Dangerously cutting queues - RM150

Driving in emergency lanes - RM150

Running a red light - RM150

Obstructing traffic flow - RM150

Making unauthorised U-turns - RM150

Non-functioning vehicle signal lights - RM100

Parking restrictions - RM150

Prohibited overtaking on the highway - RM150

Exceeding speed limit (exceeding 40 km/h above the speed limit) - RM300

Exceeding speed limit (less than 40 km/h above the speed limit) - RM150

Not wearing a seatbelt - RM150 No vehicle/motorcycle license - RM150

Driving while using a communication device - RM150

Failure to display "P" (Front/Rear) - RM70

Now, if you ever find yourself to be at the receiving end of one of these, you can easily pay to clear your name of summonses online via MYEG or RILEK.


How To Keep Your Car Battery From Mati During Lockdown

How do we keep our car battery from mati during lockdown? Especially if we have more than one car.

When we enter the month of August in just a few days, it'll be our second month in lockdown (movement control order). Apart from having our freedom restricted, this lockdown has also immobilised our vehicles in the last sixty days, which has caused their batteries to be
drained
.

This is especially true for those who could not find the opportunity to run their vehicles once in a while, because a
car's battery
 only gets recharged when the alternator is working.

The alternator is a belt-driven generator that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. When the engine is on and moving, the battery gets its power and recharges from it, but since this has not happened much in the last couple of months, the battery has lost most of its voltage, which is essential for the operation of the starter motor and the reason why your car will not start.

While you can go to the trouble of
jump-starting
 your car and driving it around for a couple of hours to recharge its battery, there's a more effortless and better way to keep it powered up.

It requires a bit of investment, but it guarantees to charge your battery fully, unlike the jump-starting and driving around method.

The easiest way to charge your vehicle's battery under the current lockdown situation is through a battery charger. It's relatively cheap and a worthwhile accessory to have given the situation we are in.

A trickle charger is a type of car battery charger designed to be left on a car for an extended period of time to recharge its battery slowly and safely. It adds charge to the battery at a snail's pace (overnight) to preserve the battery's life.

It takes electricity from your home's electrical mains and transfers it to the vehicle's battery through positive and negative leads that clip onto the battery or battery posts. By doing this, it keeps the battery from being depleted from disuse.

Yes, you could have many trickle chargers for every car at home to keep their batteries charged constantly, but one should be enough if you keep rotating them around.

Many battery chargers are available on e-commerce stores such as Shopee and Lazada, but if you want assurance that they have been designed and tested under the most rigorous tests and engineering, choose a battery charger made by a reputable company like Bosch.

Bosch offers many types of battery chargers to suit one's budgets and needs, and the cheapest out of them all is the Bosch C3 battery charger, coming in around the RM200 price point if you shop around.

The C3 is an intelligent four-stage automatic battery charger with pulse charging and trickle charging capabilities. Its trickle charging mode enables the charger to monitor and keep the battery at a high level of charge which helps to reduce self-discharge.

The C3 is ideal for charging and maintaining lead-acid wet, gel, AGM, and VRLA/ SLA batteries up to 120Ah (12V) / 14Ah (6V). It is also IP65 rated so is dust and splash-proof. It comes with a built-in fuse to prevent damage to the charger in case of any power surge or short circuit.

The operation of the C3 is as simple as plugging it into an electrical main and then hooking the clamps up to the car's battery or satelite battery terminal points in your car.

The C3 will then automatically recognise the type of battery the vehicle is equipped with and start charging them. Since it is a trickle charger, it does charge the battery slowly and, in most cases, will take overnight to fully charge them.

For cars that have near to empty batteries, it will take longer than that. It can also be used to charge motorcycle batteries that use 6V systems. Since it is a smart charger, it will auto-detect and calibrate the amount of energy needed itself.

The only negative of the C3 charger is that it will not charge the battery if the battery is completely flat. You'd have to get the mid-tier C7 version which has a battery recuperation mode.

However, we did find a way around it, where we jump-started the car first and drove it around for a while and gave the battery a bit of life.  Since it has a bit more juice, you can then attach the C3 to the car to recharge the battery.

The battery charger is a good way to maintain a healthy battery because even a relatively new battery can go flat if it is not given a chance to recharge itself.

While the charger might set you back around RM200, it will however save you from forking out around RM500-RM1000 for a new battery, so it can be considered a good investment.  This way you can ensure your car is
well looked after
 while you sleep.

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Post-SST: Perodua Slashes Prices By 1-3%

Perodua has released updated prices for all its models in-line with the government’s reintroduction of the 10% Sales and Service Tax (SST), which came into effect on 1 September 2018.
Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd Managing Director Dato’ Dr Zahari Husin said, “Based on the new tax structure, almost all Perodua models see price reductions compared to the GST price structure.”
“We wish to thank all Malaysians, especially our 3.3 million valued customers who have chosen Perodua as their brand of choice. We will continue to offer the best value in the Malaysian market with our new prices,” said Dato’ Dr Zahari. Back in July, the Finance Ministry announced that the SST would be set at 10% for sales and 6% for services.
Below are the updated prices.