‘Unseen’ Shows Porsche’s Most Epic Unhinged Creations

Last week, Porsche straight up just dumped a whole bunch of images and information about their previously secret concept cars and prototypes at a rate and intensity that was almost overwhelming. Aptly, they called the campaign ‘Porsche Unseen’.

I’ve counted a total of 10 cars that we, the public, have not yet seen - everything from oddball offshoots of the 911 to street-legal versions of mid-engine Le Mans LMP1 racers - but we’re going to narrow our focus to the 5 most interesting ones.

It was wild to see Porsche rolling back the curtain to their most prized skunkworks creations, and there might be many more still kept underground, behind tight security and Zuffenhausen blood oaths.

We can’t possibly cover all the technical aspects of the cars revealed here but from what we know, many of them are already beyond the point of mere concept study and are working prototypes running on tweaked versions of existing hardware. Typical Porsche.

Before we delve into it, to my mind these cars serve as love letters to the weird and wonderful machines that the company truly is capable of, quelling any notion that Porsche is losing their identity in the pursuit of electrification and lower emissions. Even if they’re forced to submit to the dullness of increased regulation, at least this is some proof that Porsches will never be boring while doing so.

Porsche 919 Street (2017)

This prototype, as the name clearly denotes, is a street-legal hypercar that traces its DNA from the Le Mans winning WEC series LMP1 class
919 Hybrid race car
. Proper doors have been added as us mere mortals need such things, but the underlying structure and dimensions have been retained.

If Porsche felt the need to compete with the
Aston Martin Valkyrie
 or
Mercedes-AMG Project One
, this would be the car they’d deploy. This version here merely a painted clay model, though, but the company says a working version would utilise the same 900-ish horsepower 2.0-litre turbocharged V4 hybrid powertrain from the race car, albeit modified for road use.

Porsche Vision Renndienst (2018)

On the opposite end of the ‘go fast’ spectrum, we have this. The name translates to ‘Racing Service’ from German and is an homage to the red VW Type 2 vans used as support vehicles for the marque’s legendary racing efforts of the 1960s.

Sleeker and much more hunkered down over the original, Vision Renndienst matches the rounded design of the original rear-engine air-cooled vans and their lack of pronounced front cooling by being fully electric.

This allows for clever interior packaging and a modular cabin that can seat up to 6 or reconfigured to carry as much race gear as possible. The curved wraparound windscreen, large alloys, and flared wheel arches are a nice touch.

Porsche 911 Vision Safari (2012)

The weird factor is turned up another notch here with a
991-generation 911
 that’s been modified to better flourish off-road in similar fashion to the 1978 car that competed in the epic East African Safari Rally.

It looks like it started out life as a GT3 but has been through some thorough reworking. Armed with a lifted suspension, reinforced wheel wells, beefier front and rear bumpers, and a set of chunkier Goodyear Eagle LS all-season tyres.

Fans have been asking for a factory-prepped modern-day 911 Safari for ages but, for branding purity, it’s been easy to see why Porsche has withheld from fulfilling this wish. The one-off proves that they were listening, though. This car used to spend its time between the Weissach test facility’s gravel track. Now, it will reside in the Porsche Museum.

Porsche 904 Living Legend (2013)

This Porsche’s seductive looks might reel you in, but the engine lover in you might be surprised to learn of its outlandish powertrain. The original 904 name (also known as the Carrera GTS) has also been resurrected for this lightweight concept, due to it resembling its unique aerodynamic shape and lightweight ethos.

Underneath, though, lies the carbon fibre chassis and mechanicals from Volkswagen, who were developing the XL Sport concept at the time, sharing its
Ducati
-sourced 200hp 1.2-litre V2 engine.

The unit could rev to 12,000rpm and would be an ideal match to this car’s sub 900kg kerb weight. The lack of a flat-six here is easily forgivable had Porsche continued development, unlike the 718. This modern day 904 could’ve been a wonderful little thing, but sadly the car’s story ended not long after this concept was conceived.

Porsche 960 Vision Turismo (2016)

This car is pretty much the precursor to
the Taycan
, though it was created the year following the Mission E’s unveil. While the
Panamera
 is perhaps a bit too bulky for its own good, the 960 Vision Turismo is much more slender and sports car-like.

The idea of a four-door high performance model existed well prior to Porsche’s foray into EVs, and the 960 Vision Turismo borrowed cues from the 918 Spyder alongside some Cayman DNA around the rear.

Speaking of which, this car would also have adopted a mid-engine layout - perhaps a flat-six - evidenced by the huge side air intakes. Makes us wonder what the line-up would be like if the 960 would have materialised into a production model, perhaps even alongside the Taycan.


Hentikan Kereta Di Lorong Kecemasan Lebuhraya Temiang - Pantai - Ahli Kelab FCCM - FC Club Malaysia Dipanggil Polis

Kira-kira 48 buah kereta
Honda Civic FC
 dari FCCM - FC Club Malaysia dipanggil polis bagi merekodkan keterangan gara-gara berhenti di lorong kecemasan Lebuhraya Temiang - Pantai.

Konvoi kereta bukan perkara baharu di Malaysia, setiap hujung minggu pasti ada sahaja kelab-kelab kereta konvoi ke Genting, Ulu Yam, Bukit Putus, Bukit Tinggi - sama ada bagi aktiviti bersama rakan-rakan atau bagi sesetengah orang bagi menguji jentera dan kebolehan masing-masing.

Pertama sekali aktiviti berlumba atau konvoi secara laju di atas lebuh raya dan jalan raya awam patut dihentikan. Nak test power, litar
Sepang
 ada, atau pun anda boleh sahaja mengaturkan sesi
gymkhana
 bersama kawan-kawan. Tak mahal mana pun dan ianya akan dijalankan di kawasan yang selamat atau
controlled environment
.

Tempat terbaharu dalam senarai konvoi bagi kelab kereta merupakan Lebuhraya Temiang - Pantai. Setiap hujung minggu ada sahaja gambar yang dikongsi oleh kelab-kelab kereta melalui laman sosial. Maklumlah pemandangan cantik, lebuh raya yang kosong pasti memikat kaki-kaki lenjan.

Akan tetapi yang
special
 bagi ahli kelab FCCM - FC Club Malaysia ialah apabila mereka berhenti di lorong kecemasan lebuhraya tersebut bagi aktiviti bergambar. Bukan setakat satu dua kereta, tapi menerusi rakaman video yang telah tular di media sosial ketika ini, jelas nampak berpuluh kereta parkir di lorong kecemasan di kedua-dua belah lebuhraya tersebut.

Memetik laporan Bernama, menurut Ketua Polis Daerah Nilai, Superintendan Mohd Fazley Ab Rahman, "Untuk permulaan kita akan panggil ketua kelab itu dahulu, kita dah kenal pasti kira-kira 48 kereta setakat ini. Berhenti dan meletakkan kenderaan di lorong kecemasan tanpa sebab yang munasabah seperti yang tular itu merupakan satu kesalahan kerana boleh mendatangkan bahaya kepada pengguna jalan raya lain.

Tindakan undang-undang boleh diambil ke atas individu mengikut Kaedah 53 (1) Peraturan-Peraturan Lalu Lintas Jalan 1959 iaitu tiada kenderaan daripada apa-apa kelas diletak atau ditinggalkan tanpa jagaan di mana-mana lorong kecemasan kecuali dalam kes kecemasan."

Dia turut menambah yang hukuman denda boleh dikenakan ke atas individu yang terbabit mengikut Seksyen 119 Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1987 yang membawa denda maksimum RM2,000 atau penjara tidak melebihi enam bulan.

Nak berkonvoi tak salah, nak enjoy bersama rakan-rakan seminat pun tak salah tapi apabila anda menganggap lebuh raya atau jalan raya awam sebagai
your father's road
 dan menyusahkan pengguna jalan raya yang lain, itu salah!

Berani buat, beranilah tanggung!

Kredit gambar konvoi di Lebuhraya Temiang - Pantai: FCCM - FC Club Malaysia


VIDEO: Rubbish Driver Recklessly Ruins A Gorgeous Porsche 918 Spyder

As rare as rare hypercars come, is the
Porsche
 918 Spyder:
already out of production
 after finishing off its run of 918 examples.
We had the rare opportunity to get up close to the vehicle at
Sime Darby Auto Performance’s new Porsche Centre Sungai Besi not too long ago
, and what a thing of beauty it was: as much of a jaw-dropper as the performance figures suggested on paper.
887hp and 1,275Nm of torque gets this 1,700kg monster from standstill to 100km/h in just 2.5 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 340km/h. And yes, it beats the heart of a hybrid within.
Aggravating then, is it to see rubbish drivers abusing it as they do in this video. Clearly, this driver has missed the Spiderman movies that repeatedly droned on about great power coming with great responsibility.
In a parking lot, shirtless, and with a pretty lady he’s trying to impress, smarty-pants here attempts to speed off by impressing his friends with some wheelspin. Naturally designed to not do that (unless you switch off the safety systems), the 918 typically assumes an intelligent driver with appropriate intentions is behind the wheel, and does its best to maintain maximum traction.
The car then launches forwards, nearly hits a few bystanders in the parking lot, and meets an untimely fate that leaves it with a broken front end.
Watch…


The Mercedes-Benz EQA Shows How Cheap BEVs Have Become

Are all premium Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) needlessly too expensive? Just for the sake of going electric?

Having recently celebrated its world debut, the Mercedes-Benz EQA, the brand’s smallest BEV SUV now goes on sale in its home market with official prices rivalling that of its conventionally powered GLA sibling. The key takeaway from this is just how comparable in terms of pricing, a BEV is compared to a conventionally powered car of the same size and equipment in this day and age.

As you might surmise, an apple to apple comparison is rarely possible given that most BEVs are normally built on specially prepared platforms that may or may not be used in other cars of a manufacturer’s range.

However, a new rung of BEV such as the
Volkswagen ID.3
 (which is a BEV parallel to the likes of the VW Golf),
BMW iX3
 (electrified sibling of the X3), and most recently the EQA (basically an electrified GLA) now provides a more straightforward measurement of the cost of buying or owning a full-electric vehicle versus a conventionally powered one.

First, a bit of background about the EQA

The EQA is the newest fully electric vehicle in Mercedes’ expanding EQ sub-brand range. The EQA joins the
larger EQC
, which by Mercedes-Benz standards, are parallel to the
GLA
and GLC SUVs.

Both GLA and EQA share the MFA2 platform, albeit with certain structural adaptations, which were designed from the start to be powertrain-agnostic and allow support for floor-mounted batteries. A brilliant approach that allows the company to save a bundle by not having to develop a dedicated electric platform, but also, because they're so similar at the surface level, broadening the EQA's appeal to new or existing GLA customers.

The rear of the EQA (above) versus the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA (below).

The initial variant offering of the EQA is the
EQA 250
 – powered by a single motor on the front axle producing 188hp and 375Nm, supplied by battery array with a total reserve of 66.5kWh. Mercedes claims the EQA will return 420km according to
current WLTP standards
.

Performance stats read 8.9 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint onto a top speed of 160km/h.

As for charging – Mercedes claims an 80 percent fast charge will take just 30 minutes, or around 6 hours to fully rejuice the battery using an 11kW charger.

How much does it cost?

The Mercedes-Benz retail website in Germany lists the GLA 250 at EUR43,238, and the GLA 250 4Matic at EUR45,452. By comparison – the EQA 250’s sticker price is EUR48,712 for private ownership inclusive of taxes.

However, according to MercedesBlog – the retail prices shown do not take into account substantial bonuses/rebates for Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) and electric models applicable across EU markets.

“If we take the example of Germany, electric models with prices between EUR40,000 and EUR65,000 benefit from a net bonus of EUR7,500 (EUR8,925 euros with 19%  percent VAT), and PHEVs with prices between EUR40,000 and EUR65,000 also have a bonus of EUR5,625 (EUR6,694 with 19 percent VAT).”

Taking into account the bonuses, the purchase prices are as follows (as sold in the German market)

Mercedes GLA 250: EUR43,238

Mercedes GLA 250e: EUR39,489

Mercedes EQA 250: EUR38,615

This makes the all-electric EQA 250 currently one of the cheapest Mercedes-Benz SUVs you could buy in Germany. Also note, that in its standard form, before adding optional accessory packages such as the AMG Line and Progressive Line packages, the EQA 250 is better specified and carries more equipment.

Key takeaways

The key question is if you’re getting essentially the same car, at much lower running costs, and better equipment at cheaper prices (at least in Germany for now) is it simply better to just go electric?

Are long-distance journeys still a challenge in an electric car, however? With a range of over 400km, the EQA 250 would cover nearly 90 percent of most SUV owner-type journeys (even ones with slightly longer distances than the vehicle's range), given the advanced infrastructure at the ready in most EU countries.

Also, this shows a clear snapshot of how much cheaper it is for manufacturers to make full-electric cars today, and in the case of Mercedes-Benz, actively exploiting the benefits of tax benefits to provide premium vehicles, at lower prices.

All said and done, these are exciting times for the automotive industry, and from a local perspective, can Malaysia adopt
similar taxation and policy structures
 (move away from its archaic legislation) to
spearhead BEV and PHEV
 vehicles in the country?


Perodua Announces Finalists for Eco-Challenge 2017

The Perodua Eco-Challenge is a competition that has been going on for close to a decade now, and it aims at offering local institutions a chance to showcase their skills in a competitive environment. For the first few years, the challenge was centred on improving the fuel efficiency of existing Perodua models and competing to see which team was the most efficient.
For 2017, the focus has shifted completely. It’s not that it isn’t exciting to see these cars competing, but rather that Perodua has decided to include a larger real-world element in the program. This coming year, the ten finalists will be conducting research and development in tandem with Perodua’s own R&D team and vendors in order to produce a prototype component for Perodua’s next model.
This kind of challenge is incredibly important and highly relevant to those participating and Perodua itself. For the participants it’s a chance to show true competency when it comes to creating something that works in the real world, and it’s likely that the component they produce will be mass-produced and in use for cars across the region.
For Perodua, it’s a great way to give back to the community. The prizes are naturally quite lucrative, but it is the trust that they place in these local institutions that matter more. “These ideas must incorporate the ‘unique Malaysia’ element in their design as to make them truly stand out from other model offerings,” Datuk (Dr) Aminar said.
Once the prototype is completed, the component will be reviewed by a team of judges in December 2017. Marks will be given on a stage basis where the institutions will be evaluated based on their progress and team participation.
Perodua Eco-Challenge 2017 finalists
Participants:
Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)
Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UNIKL)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)
Politeknik Ungku Omar (PUO)
Universiti Malaya (UM)
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTEM)
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
 Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP)

Category & Prizes
 No
 Category
 Prize
 1
 Design
 1st – RM2,000
 2nd – RM1,500
 3rd- RM1,000
 2
 Product proposal paper
 1st – RM7,000
 2nd – RM5,000
 3rd- RM3,000
 3
 Development of parts
 1st – RM10,000
 2nd – RM8,000
 3rd- RM6,000
 4
 Overall
 1st – RM20,000
 2nd – RM12,000
 3rd- RM8,000


Tun Mahathir – Prospect Of Third National Car Garnering Interest Well

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said that Malaysia has garnered a lot of interest at the idea of a third national car.
“We want to build a third national car, but a lot of people said no way ... not my way,” he told
NST
 after receiving the Lifetime Automotive Award at the 2018 Malaysia Car Of The Year award ceremony.
According to Tun Mahathir, a lot of people have been asking him if Malaysia is going to start the third national car project. “Interest is persistent, if we are also persistent,” he told reporters.
Tun Mahathir also added that Malaysia is in the business of designing, engineering, and producing cars.
Thus far, the government has received 21 proposals for the third national car, comprising of both local and foreign companies. The International Trade and Industry (MITI) Deputy Minister, Dr Ong Kian Ming also
added
 that the third national car project is not affected by Dyson’s recent decision to build a new electric car plant in Singapore.
The first prototype is expected to be
revealed
 in 2019, according to Economics Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.


Spyshots: 2018 Mercedes-AMG E43 Coupe And Cabriolet Caught

Mercedes-AMG is is about to release coupe and cabriolet versions of the AMG E43, joining the sedan and wagon variants. Europeans spy photographers caught both upcoming two door variants undergoing testing on public roads.
As seen on the AMG E43 sedan and wagon, the coupe and cabriolet versions are expected to receive similar styling cues, though with some subtle changes. The test mules here wear a redesigned side skirt plus a more pronounced rear spoiler. These spyshots also indicates that the quad muffler set up is near identical to its sedan sibling.
All Mercedes-AMG 43 models are powered a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 available in two states of tune. Standard transmission is a nine-speed 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels via the company's 4Matic system.
Currently, Mercedes-AMG E43 sedan and wagon get the more powerful 401 hp state of tune. Other AMG 43 models receive a lower 367 hp tune.
Locally, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is expected to introduce the range of AMG 43 models in coming months, though it is unclear which exact models are being slated. Mark Raine, MBM Vice President of Passenger Cars had
mentioned this
 to the Malaysian media last year.

Related Articles

Plug-In Hybrid and Full Electric Mercedes-AMG Road Cars Possible

Auto News

May 01, 2017

The AMG Speedway Is Mercedes-AMG's First Racetrack

Auto News

May 14, 2018

No More Mercedes-Benz Engines After 2039, So What Will Happen To AMG Motorsports?

Insights

May 30, 2019

Yesterday, speaking to Carlist.my, he confirmed that Mercedes-Benz Malaysia will be introducing new AMG products come Q2 2017. Whilst he did not mention the exact models, it is safe to assume that the AMG 43 line is expected to be introduced here.
"First of all, I can confirm that we will have fireworks to celebrate 50 years of AMG. It will involve events, products, special highlights. So we will have fireworks of new AMG products coming to the market, to keep customers and the public in suspense of what that would be, happening in Q2. We will have an exciting array of product launches for the AMG brand plus many highlights to celebrate this momentus occasion which will involve the customers," he said.
Pics:
 SM-Medien


BYD Atto 3 stomps competitors for title of best-selling EV in Thailand in Q1 2023

BYD Atto 3 outsells every EV in Thailand, with sales numbers that dwarf every other EV.

The BYD Atto 3 is a small electric car that is making waves around the world. It's gaining popularity thanks mainly to its affordability, but not forgetting of course, its efficiency and practicality.

It recently helped BYD overtake Volkswagen as China's best-selling brand. If we look closer to our region, it's also
one of the hottest-selling electric vehicles in ASEAN
, even doubling the sales of Teslas in Thailand.

AutolifeThailand.TV recently published an article with the exact number of BYD Atto3 units sold in Thailand for March. While we're not surprised that it's popular, we are a bit shocked that it's selling around 80 per cent more than the Tesla Model Y.

Picture credit: Autolifethailand.tv

Even when you combine all the sales figures for all different Tesla Models for that month, the BYD Atto3 still dwarfs them by a mile. Yes, we understand that Teslas are pricey, which makes them premium and inherently less accessible to the masses, but it's still amazing to see how well it has been received.

Interestingly, the sales of electric vehicles in Thailand have gone up by 173 per cent. They nearly had a 60 per cent increase in 2021 and shot up to 160 per cent in 2022 when compared to 2020's sales figures.

By March 2023, the number of units sold has surpassed the number of electric vehicles sold for the whole of 2022. We're not just talking about by a small margin, as units sold from Jan - March 2023 is 14,777 units, whereas 2022 saw 9,729 units sold for the entire year.

It's safe to say that the BYD Atto3 contributes to this sharp rise in EV sales, as more and more of it gets sold every month than the previous month. It'll be interesting to see the number of
EV sales in Malaysia
 with the breakdown of models.


Do You Buy A Car With Your Heart Or Your Mind?

It’s is perhaps the most defining question in the corporate capitalist world that we live in! From property to high fashion, luxury vacations to tech gizmos – in this day and age of instantaneous gratification – buy today, shipped tomorrow, online everything; the lines between our wants and needs are more blurred than ever. It is no different when it comes to cars, so how do you
choose between a car your heart desires and the ideal vehicle
 that will suffice 95 percent of the time?

Buying a car is quite a bit different from buying a smartphone or a watch – for one it’s the second-biggest financial decision after property for a large portion of the market. Add to that the
tie-down of loan tenure
, monthly instalments and maintenance costs, and you begin to understand why a car is perhaps not something you should gamble with unless you have a good amount of auxiliary funds.

Is a cool car your best calling card?

Besides getting from A to B, a car has come to mean so much more in our current social constructs – for one it signifies your financial and career success, it exhibits your personal style, some buy cars because of how they perform, and in some cases, it’s even a simple case of one-upmanship. How many times have you heard, “I bought the
Honda Accord
 because my neighbour bought the Honda Civic”?

Therefore, it is always a case of
getting bigger, cooler, and more powerful wheels
. However, there is always a balance between what you can comfortably afford (and gets the job done) versus financially stretching yourself to scratch an itch you might have or gain the adoration of your peers. Though we are not telling you that you should not strive for better things in life, and drive awesome cars – you have to factor in some considerations before you choose to buy with your heart and not your mind.

What do you mean by buying a car with your heart versus your mind?

I’ll give you an example, for my small family of three, I KNOW the perfect car for me and my family is a
Honda HR-V
 – it offers sublime practicality and packaging, its well-priced, great to drive, offers good performance and fuel economy, and is extremely easy to maintain. This is the pragmatic option.

However, for the approximate price of a new HR-V, I COULD get a
used (F30) BMW 328i
 M Sport – this is what my heart wants! Hey, it still has four doors and a boot, and when the mood takes you – 245hp of stellar turbocharged power, hallmark BMW driving dynamics and all the presence when I need to
bawa ke majlis
. What’s not to like?

However, as we all know, the BMW 330i will be more expensive to maintain, fuel and run, it may require immediate repairs because it’s a used car, and will suffer from more depreciation because, well…
it’s a BMW
 and
not a Honda or Toyota
.

So, which should I choose?

Well, that’s up to you – as a rule of thumb whatever car you buy – we believe it should not cost more than 15-20 percent of your
income/salary every month to finance, maintain and keep running in a safe orderly fashion
. This means if you earn RM4,000 a month – it should cost no more RM600 - RM800 every month to keep your car going.

Let’s break that down, for RM800 a month:

Car financing/instalments: RM400

Fuelling costs: RM200

Maintenance costs/month: RM100 (
save this every month, regardless if you need to service your car or change your tyres, you already have cash on standby)

Miscellaneous costs: RM100 (
perhaps for toll charges and car washes, etc.)

From the above figures, you can already see that even if you earn RM4,000 a month, the sensible car for you to own is a
Perodua Axia
 or
Myvi
. Now if you buy something that is more flashy or faster – it is wise to double or even triple that maintenance cost allocation.

To hell with sensibility, ‘YOLO’, how do I know if I can afford my dream car?

Ask yourself two simple questions:

Can I afford to change the tyres of my dream car? By this, I mean, buying the
(manufacturer rated) CORRECT tyre and type
 from a notable tyre manufacturer for your dream car.

Let’s use my example again:

The second question is what good is having my dream car
 if I cannot maintain it properly
 to truly enjoy what it can do?

In conclusion…

It pays to do your homework before you decide to buy with your heart because regardless of how it may make you look or feel, your finances, for the most part, is finite and money doesn’t grow on trees, as they say!

Before buying your dream car, also consider if you have the resources to maintain and source parts as needed to ensure its upkeep.

What about getting a compromise between the two?
 Well, you might be surprised, but there is a car that balances what I personally need and the car that I want: it’s called the
Honda Civic
 (no, we were not paid to say this). For about the same price – I could get a sleek-looking turbocharged four-door sedan, with a spacious interior for the family, palatable maintenance costs and driving dynamics and performance that 90 percent of the time – will still put a smile on my face. Voila!

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
.

Get the latest new car promotions at
New Car
 website now.


Interview With Calvin Luk, Exterior Designer For BMW 1-Series LCI and All-New X1

What were you doing when you were 10 years old? Watching David Hasselhoff’s talking Pontiac Trans Am reversing out of speeding trailers, doodling M.A.S.K’s flying Chevrolet Camaro with guns pointing out, or rolling Matchbox cars enacting Takumi Fujiwara’s duels on the mountains of Akina?
For the then-10 years old Australian-born Calvin Luk, he was busy sketching BMW cars. Unlike many Asian parents, the Hong Kong-born Mr. and Mrs. Luk didn’t stop their young son Calvin from ‘wasting time’ drawing cars, or told him that drawing is a waste of time and that he should instead study science and mathematics, so he could pursue a typical degree in law, accounting, engineering or medicine in one of the Ivy League schools.
Twenty years of sketching and persistence later, Calvin is now one of youngest Exterior Designers at the BMW Group, responsible for the
1-Series LCI
 and the
all-new X1
.
Looking at the gleam in his eyes when talking about his work at BMW, Calvin is certainly very satisfied with his job. Definitely far more satisfied than if his parents had forced him to pursue a conventional professional degree.
His journey to pursue his dream with BMW and how he managed to secure a scholarship to study in the prestigious Art College of Design in Pasadena, California – the MIT and Harvard of automotive design - is an inspiration to any budding car enthusiast looking to pursue a career in automotive design.
Genius Is Overrated - It’s Persistence and Good Mentoring That Matters
In 1993, Swedish psychologist K. Anders Ericsson published his research paper titled “The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance” in the journal Psychological Review. It argued against traditional believes that geniuses are born. Instead, Ericsson's research convinced him that not only genuises are not born, but genius is the result of continuous practice under a good mentor.
Ericsson quantified the threshold for one to become an expert is 10,000 hours of practice – 20 hours every week, for 10 years. Ericsson’s work laid in obscurity within the walls of academia for over a decade before Malcom Gladwell pushed this theory into popular consciousness when he promoted the so-called ’10,000 hours rule’ in his book ‘Outliers.’
Gladwell cited examples of Mozart, The Beatles, Bill Gates, and several top-class athletes, all whom had good talent but they were certainly not the prodigy that people later assumed them to be.
The 10,000 hours theory attracted a lot of controversy within academic circles, but many of the counter-arguments ignored the fact that both Gladwell and Ericsson advocated not just 10,000 hours of deliberate practice, but also practicing under the guidance of a mentor (else taxi drivers would’ve been top-class racing drivers).
Back to Calvin, whether he knew it or not, his path to BMW fitted Ericsson’s and Gladwell’s description of a young prodigy in making.
He started sketching cars from a very young age, and continued doing so weeks after weeks. By 16, he already had a wide portfolio of design work compiled into a book. Later on, his persistence put him in touch with a senior designer at BMW, who soon became Calvin’s mentor, guiding his work and told him that he needs to find a way to California to study in Pasadena.
Opportunity Favours The Prepared, Don’t Be Shy To Ask
Recalling the beginnings of his interest in cars, Calvin, who turns 30 this year said “I have always been interested in cars and when my parents bought a 3-series, an E36. I loved it so much. I kept drawing and drawing it and I knew I wanted to become a designer for BMW.”
“I was 10, and I thought that car was so cool,” said Calvin of his parents’ E36.
Throughout his teens, Calvin continued to sketch cars, honing his artistic skills and reading up everything he could about cars. By 16, he had already completed a wide range of sketches of cars, compiled into a portfolio like a serious designer, ever ready to be presented to anyone who cared.
“I was in high school when they had the Sydney Motor Show and someone from the (BMW) headquarters was in the stand. Together with my friends, I asked if we could fit as many people as we could into the back of the MINI and take a photo. We squeezed about five of us in there and took a photo. Later I asked the guy at the stand if he was from Germany, because I could hear his accent. He said he was from Munich. I asked if he would be kind enough to pass on a letter for me to the Head of Design at BMW at that time, Chris Bangle.”
To his surprise, the guy at the stand obliged, prompting the young Calvin to literally run home and typed his letter, asking Bangle how he could get a job at BMW.
“It was a letter that I wanted to write for a long time but I never knew how I could send this. And then I met this really nice guy at BMW, he is still at the headquarters office today. I ran home because I live not far away from the expo centre, typed it all out really quick and attached them with my sketches.”
Calvin’s letter did not reach his idol Chris Bangle, but he did get a reply from David Carp, who was then a Senior Designer at BMW (currently at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars).
“He recommend that I pursue my studies in Pasadena because a lot of car designers graduate from there.”
Many the best car designers – BMW’s Chris Bangle, Aston Martin’s Henrik Fisker, Ford’s J. Mays, Tesla’s Franz von Holzhausen, GM’s Larry Shinoda and Ferrari’s Frank Stephenson – graduated from Pasadena’s Art College of Design.
The entry requirements into Pasadena is extremely difficult. Every year, budding car designers from all over the world vye for a place there.
When asked about what it takes to secure a place in Pasadena, Calvin said “You have to prepare a portfolio, with a lot of your sketches. Thanks to the mentorship of David Carp, who gave me a lot of feedback on my sketches, I was able to improve my portfolio. I looked up to a lot of references from sketches at the time – the BMW X Coupe Concept for example, and sketches from Christopher Chapman (E53 X5) were really inspiring to me. I tried with Photoshop, tried with markers, and just kept trying. I put my sketches together into a book and sent it over. Thankfully they offered me a scholarship because it’s a very expensive school to attend. You also need to write a letter and answer one question, which changes every time and I can’t remember what it was. That was how I applied,” said Calvin.
From A Sketch To A Production Car
Prior to this, Calvin had already worked on several design projects for BMW but the 1-Series LCI was his first production car project, and the F48 X1 was his first project for an all-new model.
Calvin says it takes about two to three years to translate a sketch into reality. “It takes a bit of time to develop them into a three-dimensional model on a computer, and then it goes to the clay phase where we work with a team of sculptors who will build a full size (clay) model, before going into the technical feasibility stage – making sure all the technical bits are working well, the aerodynamics are good, and the stamping is good and everything works perfectly.
When asked about the 1-Series LCI, specifically about when a new design (LCI) team takes over from the launch model team, Calvin explains that there is no one particular milestone to mark the handover as each project is fluid and treated differently.
“It’s treated as a separate project, and the whole background to the project is always changing so it becomes its own project really,” he explained.
Compared to the frumpy looking launch-model 1-Series, the updated 1-Series LCI that Calvin penned looks much better. When asked about idea behind the new design, Calvin said “There were many things that were cool about it (launch model 1-Series). It was a very fresh design but it’s just that we had a lot of new technologies coming in. As soon as you have a new technology like the new light module, the new engine’s requirements. It changes the whole project. You have to change the front, the rear, so we took advantage of this and made a new car.”
The major challenge for every car designer is maintaining the harmony between the design team and the engineering team. A design that looks good on a clay model might turn out to be very difficult, or very expensive to produce on a large scale.
Complex surfaces on the body for example, can be difficult to produce as production engineers will have to ensure the steel sheet is able to withstand the bending and twisting of the steel press without tearing, all while keeping the cost manageable.
Designers might want a flushed body, low and swooping front-end but engineers need a high hood height to meet pedestrian crash safety regulations, while powertrain engineers want as much air as possible for the engine’s breathing, and to accommodate all the required components under the hood.
The tension between design and engineering is a characteristic of every car project and is something that both teams have to learn to compromise.
When asked about how he manages the tension, Calvin laughed, telling me that I have prodded a sensitive area for designers. “Oh that’s a good question. It’s always a balance. I think responsible design at BMW, we take into account the Freude am Fahren – Sheer Driving Pleasure. That means good technical and also ease of use as well. So good design is really a holistic approach and must account for the technical and also look good. If it just does one or the other then it does not take care of the entire product.”
Some designers opined that it is more difficult to design a small car (like the 1-Series) than a big car, as small cars lack the necessary length, depth and width to express a designer’s intention. However Calvin doesn’t see it that way.
“They’re just different. Different scale, obviously. They are just different projects really, different feeling.”
You Won’t Know The Final Result Until You've Started It
Unlike other designers who look to certain sculptures or works of art for inspiration, Calvin is a free-spirited designer who looks to anything and everything for inspiration.
“For me in terms of the process (for inspiration or ideas), I think of it like playing music, like in a jazz group. If you play jazz, often you don’t know how the final song is going to sound like. It just starts to happen. One person plays one thing and you start to react. You know that it works because you have the confidence that the creativity will work itself out. Design is sort of like that. You don’t know the final result before you start it, obviously. As you go you develop it, one step leads to another, and leads to another and leads to another and then you have the final picture. You bring new ideas into the song and make current ideas stronger and it’s always a balance of how you play these two elements,” said the former drummer of a jazz group.
Calvin also plays piano but does not quite like the more structured manner of playing piano, as compared to drums.
“You won’t know the final result until you've started it” – Calvin’s approach to every design is also mirrored in the way he pursues his dreams. Had he not been bold enough to walk up to the BMW guy at the Sydney Motor Show, he probably would not be have gotten his dream job.
Advice For Aspiring Designers
Calvin’s message to aspiring designers who want to pursue a career in the automotive industry is that they must be passionate about their job.
“It starts with your passion for cars. Obviously if you are not interested, then it’s probably the wrong career.
“I know a lot of people, including myself, they just love sketching. Car designers start from a very strong base on 2-dimensional sketches. I think maybe in some other fields of industrial design they get very early into 3-dimensional computer modelling but car design is very emotional. That’s why the sketching is very important because it comes from your hand. To sketch out the lines to express the surfaces, through the shading and to really create a character is a very special thing.
“So for aspiring designers, it is important to sketch a lot and just to be interested in cars, to study things you like about cars, and to be generally interested in artistic sculpture and creativity.”
At the end of this, what struck me was the approach that BMW takes in nurturing young talent.
Calvin’s personal journey with BMW shows the other side of BMW. We all know that BMW is extremely good at marketing, and knows how to stoke our desires for stylish, high performance cars.
What is less said however, is that BMW is a company that genuinely values young talent and the same attitude can be seen in their staffs, as shown by David Carp's personal mentorship of the young Calvin, to actively nurture young talent on their own initiative.
There are not a lot of brands out there that can tell such a compelling story – of sowing dreams to a 10-year old fan of the brand, giving him positive influences, providing him direction and a purpose throughout his teenage years, motivating him through his adulthood before granting him an opportunity to show his talents to wow the next generation of BMW fans. Now that’s a genuine brand story that no amount of marketing spending can craft.
Read also:
BMW M135i - Final Call To Own A Future Classic?
2015 BMW X1 Review - Coming To Malaysia Q4 This Year


SPYSHOTS: Getting Up Close With The Toyota Corolla Altis Hybrid

Pictures of what appears to be the
Toyota Corolla Altis
 Hybrid has surfaced online on
the Altis Club Malaysia Facebook page
. Very little details are known at this point of where the picture was taken, but it does reveal plenty about what to expect from the Corolla Altis Hybrid.
From the images we can see that the Altis Hybrid will sport a more sophisticated styling with a bank of small lighting elements housed in the new front headlights, and a more elegant looking rear taillight arrangement.
Contrary to earlier reports from the Chinese media
 that the Altis Hybrid will use the 1.5-litre hybrid unit, the pictures reveal a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain lifted from the current-generation Prius and European-market Auris Hybrid, though it is uncertain about what battery pack this particular Altis will use to power the electric motor.
Similar to the
Camry Hybrid
, the Altis’ conventional instrument cluster has been switched to the hybrid instrument cluster, which features a dial that shows status of the hybrid powertrain instead of a rev-counter.
If you are interested in what basically is a sedan version of the Auris Hybrid, don’t get your hopes up just yet. To the best of our knowledge this particular Altis Hybrid will most likely be sold in China, and as far as we know it is highly unlikely that this model will appear in the South East Asian market.


Lexus Just Went Full ‘Feng Tao’ With the ‘Lit’ IS

As part of a collaboration between
Lexus
 and video streaming service Vevo to promote UK singer Dua Lipa’s new video, “Be The One”, the Japanese car maker took things to a whole new level by covering a 2017
 IS Sedan
 with 41,999 programmable LED lights. Yes, you read that right. This car will put your cars with a few LED strips here and there to absolute shame.
The car, dubbed the LIT IS, is so cool that it can change colors in response to human gestures and music.
According to Lexus, all 41,999 LED lights were actually placed by hand, and if placed end-to-end, they would stretch for about 800 metres in length.
The highlight about the Lit IS is that it features three different modes – ‘Attract’, ‘Music Viz’, and ‘Gesture’.
In ‘Attract’ mode, the LEDs on the light play loops of colorful graphics, while the ‘Music Viz’ mode is designed to respond to music, as the LEDs will create custom, responsive displays that perfectly sync to any song.
Last but not least, ‘Gesture’ mode allows the motion of the LED animations to be controlled by users’ hand movements with the help of a gaming console, where the car directly connects with the driver, allowing him or her to send a signal and see the car respond.
As cool as it is, Lexus has announced that the car is a one-off project and will not be available for sale even if you want to throw a million dollars at them.


Toyota Launches The 2021 Corolla Cross - 2 Variants From RM124k

Through the newly launched
Corolla Cross
, UMW Toyota Malaysia has finally plugged up a gaping chasm in their arsenal of vehicles offered here, but just because this newest model to join their line-up has arrived, its success is far from guaranteed.

That said, from what we know so far about the compact SUV, it does come into the ring ready to fight. With
prices
 starting at
RM124,000 (on-the-road without insurance)
, the Corolla Cross is simultaneously a rival to other C-segment class contenders like the Mazda CX-30, Subaru XV, and Peugeot 3008, but also the larger varieties of B-segmenters like the
Honda HR-V
.

2021 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8G - Automatic -
RM123,240.60

2021 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8V - Automatic -
RM133,240.60

Visually, it doesn’t take too many cues from the E210
12th-generation Corolla sedan
, so despite the derivative relation, it could be perceived more independently as a standalone product. If anything, it resembles the handsome RAV4 most evidently among the other members of the Toyota stable. Uniting the two, however, are most notably the shared
TNGA
 (GA-C) underpinnings as well as that 1.8-litre naturally aspirated 2ZR-FE engine.

Even dimensionally, the two models don’t correspond so neatly. Surprisingly, its the four-door sedan that’s longer overall (by 170mm) and has a longer wheelbase (by 60mm). However, the Cross is taller by 185mm and has 33mm more ground clearance.

Power and torque are equal here at 139PS and 172Nm, which should match up to fairly identical pace on the road given very similar kerb weights between the sedan and Cross. Drive is sent to the front wheels exclusively via a CVT, though manual override is available through 7 preset ratios.

At launch, UMW Toyota presents two variants starting with the 1.8G and more fully equipped
1.8V at RM134,000 (OTR without insurance)
. For the moment, both are fully imported but locally assembled units are confirmed to appear by the end of 2021.

Between the duo, only a few items worth mentioning set them apart. First of all, there are the wheels with the 1.8G receiving smaller 17-inch alloys on Bridgestone tyres. Meanwhile, larger 18-inch dual-tone ones are fitted to the 1.8V along with Michelin tyres for good measure.

Besides that, the entry-level G also misses out on those much nicer LED headlights and ‘Light Curtain’ type daytime running lights, having to make do with decidedly lower-rent looking halogen projectors and DRL bulbs instead.

Inside, both variants get a black interior with standard leather seats, though only the driver receives electric power adjustment. It’s no
Lexus UX
 but there’s still an air of the ‘upmarket’ when sat in either of the Corolla Crosses. The dashboard, control layout, and general ergonomics are, again, a dead ringer for the Corolla sedan.

The 9-inch infotainment screen is a particularly impressive bit of kit given the sharpness of the LCD touchscreen panel and the responsiveness of the interface itself, which is also quite intuitive to use. Aside from the USB and Bluetooth audio support,
smartphone connectivity
 is provided via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There are some omissions that stood out, though. It would have been nice for a more sophisticated climate control solution, but it’s a single-zone only for either the G or V, but at least there are rear air conditioning vents. Also, those looking to impress their friends with fancy graphics on their digital instrument display might be disappointed to discover a more old-school analogue cluster. Personally, we prefer the latter.

There are 7 airbags, anti-lock brakes, and stability control. As you’d expect, Asean NCAP has given the Corolla Cross a 5-star safety rating. That said, one area where the Corolla Cross went above and beyond was in regard to active safety features. Typical practice for most mass-market automakers is to provide active safety (and/or driver aid) functions to upsell their most expensive variant, leaving the lesser specified ones empty handed.

Here, even the 1.8G receives a very impressive 360-degree around-view monitor with 3D perspective augmentation, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert as standard. Upgrade to the 1.8V, and the full
Toyota Safety Sense
 suite can be enjoyed, adding such things as Pre-Collision (AEB), Lane Departure Warning, Lane Tracing Assist, and Dynamic Cruise Control, among others.

The more comprehensive list of safety features, clearly, is where the bulk of the 1.8V's extra RM10k asking price was spent.

Against its class competitors
, the Corolla Cross’ practicality and credentials make it a rival most worthy. Rear passengers get ample leg and headroom with a bench that’s also reclinable by 6-degrees and folds down in a 60:40 split, behind which is a commodious 440-litre boot with a convenient kick-operated tailgate as standard.

Right now, there's no telling how exactly the buying public will respond to this new contender in an already packed SUV marketplace with so many good options. It very convincingly ticks all the boxes, but may lack that unique X-factor to seal the
deal
. The Corolla Cross certainly might be UMW's best - albeit late - foot forward, but is it Toyota's?

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
.

Get the latest new car promotions at
New Car
 website now.


Unconscious Toyota Hilux Driver Causes Chaos, Slams Into Kajang Shop Lot

A video has been circulating on social media showing a silver
Toyota Hilux
 seemingly out of control, despite being stationary for most of the incident.

The stuck vehicle seemed to be spinning its wheels, blanketing the immediate area around it in thick white smoke after being pinned by the curb and a maroon
Perodua Alza
 in Taman Jenaris, near Kajang around 6pm on Wedesday.

Bystanders and some food delivery riders were seen trying to access the vehicle’s interior, bashing on its dark tinted windows to make contact with the driver who had seemingly lost consciousness leading to the accelerator being fully depressed.

Eventually, by sheer force, the Hilux managed to push the MPV out of the way and careened into the concrete wall of an empty shop lot just ahead, finally stopping it. Luckily, no one was injured. The driver and passenger of the aforementioned Alza, aged 39 and 37, were also unharmed despite the damage to their car.

Police arrived at the scene shortly after and later confirmed that the driver of the Toyota Hilux was travelling to Kajang from a market in Prima Saujana. Kajang district Police Assistant Commissioner Mohd Zaid Hassan said he had fainted due to hunger.

The driver was also tested for alcohol and drugs but both returned a negative result. This case is currently being investigated under Rule 10 of the Road Traffic Rules Act 1959.


This Fiat EV Can Charge 'Wirelessly' AND On The Go

Stellantis
 together with its project partners have successfully demonstrated its latest tech in electric vehicle (EV) charging called the 'Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer' (DWPT). In short, this will allow electric cars to
recharge their batteries wirelessly
 while driving on special roads.

The "Arena del Futuro" circuit has been conducting months of testing in relation to the dynamic induction wireless charging tech. Located in Chiari, Italy, the test bed involves a
Fiat New 500 BEV
 model that has been fitted with a special 'receiver' that allows it to transfer energy from a system of coils positioned under the road's surface directly to its battery.

Self-charging EVs?

In theory, this system will allow all adapted EVs to recharge their batteries while driving, which will help in extending their range while conserving battery charge all at the same time. In other words, future EVs travelling on roads with DWPT technology won't lose any battery charge throughout the travel duration.

In testing, Stellantis has proven that the Fiat New 500 BEV was able to maintain all of its battery's energy while travelling in the "Arena del Futuro" circuit at typical highway speeds. The efficiency has been compared to a fast-charging station, which also meant that the driver didn't have to stop the car to recharge. How cool is that?

According to Anne-Lise Richard, Head of Global e-Mobility Business Unit, Stellantis, "Working with this incredible group of partners, we have proven that inductive recharging technology can power our
electrified future
. These joint projects are exciting steps as we work to achieve longer battery lifespan, lower range anxiety, greater energy efficiency, smaller battery size, outstanding performance, and lower weight and cost."

Maserati is also looking to test out this high-tech circuit using their upcoming
Maserati Grecale
 EV model, the
Grecale Folgore
. We might see the first-ever electrified model from Maserati in 2023 and by 2025, all of their model offerings will be electrified.


Hap Seng Opens 11th Mercedes-Benz Autohaus

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) together with authorised dealer partner Hap Seng Star (HSS), have opened the doors to the Mercedes-Benz Hap Seng Star Setia Alam Autohaus (HSS Setia Alam).
With the addition of HSS Setia Alam, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia now expands its retail network to 35 authorised dealerships from nine dealer groups.
HSS Setia Alam was built at a cost of RM2.8 million, and is the latest part of the on-going RM294 million total investment by Hap Seng Star to enhance its customer touchpoints nationwide. The launch of HSS Setia Alam brings the total of Mercedes-Benz Hap Seng Star Autohauses to 11 locations across the nation.
HSS Setia Alam is a fully-fledged 3S Centre managed by 39 certified personnel based in sales and after-sales roles. With eight work bays manned by Daimler AG certified professionals, the Autohaus is capable of a service throughput of up to 500 vehicles per month.
HSS Setia Alam is built in accordance with the Mercedes-Benz Presentation System II (MPS II) design concept and occupies a built-up area of 10,730 sq ft. The showroom can accommodate six showroom vehicles. In addition, the Mercedes-Benz Hap Seng Star Setia Alam Autohaus also houses a Star Lounge, helping to deliver a holistic and welcoming experience to every customer who walks into the Autohaus.
Located in Setia Alam, the Autohaus extends the Mercedes-Benz brand reach in the vicinities of Setia Alam, Puncak Alam, Kuala Selangor, Tanjung Karang, and Sekinchan.
HSS Setia Alam is an interim facility – similar to
HSS Puchong South
 – and is located at Lot 5, Jalan Setia Murni U13/AH, Seksyen U13, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor. For more information, call 03-33595585.


Contra Flow On The NSE From The 6th To 20th April 2015

A
24-hour
 contra flow will be activated on the North-South Expressway (NSE) from the 6
th
 to 20
th
 of April 2015. Projek Lebuhraya Usahasama Berhad (PLUS) informs that the contra flow will occur at KM451.2 and KM 451.8 which is between the Rawang Selatan Interchange and Hospital Sungai Buloh Interchange.
The purpose for the contra flow is to facilitate pavement works at the area. Drivers are advised to follow all the traffic signages and instructions given by PLUS personnel at the area.


Perodua On The Rebound With 21,250 Cars Sold In June

Proton
 sells 9,623 vehicles, Perodua sells 21,250 cars in June. Our national carmakers are definitely back in stride!

Perodua announced an estimated 21,250 cars sold for the month of June 2020 which is their highest monthly figure so far this year. If we were to compare that against June 2019 where they moved 16,037 cars, is it fair to assume that buyer confidence has returned buoyed by a recovering economy? Or is this merely the ripple effects of curbed spending during the height of COVID-19 and numbers will drop in July?

“The government’s
sales tax exemption
 move has had many benefits. Buyers can enjoy reduced vehicle prices – in Perodua’s case, 3%-6% less – until end-2020.

“The sizeable volume increase we’ve had as a result of that allows us to help the supplier and dealer ecosystem in this time of need – we purchased nearly RM500 million worth of local components in June alone,” Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad said.

Perodua managed to sell 8,601 cars in March before the MCO came into effect. They officially restarted operations on 19 May, managing to sell 7,886 cars before the month-end.

Perodua's year-to-date (YTD) stands at 74,000 units.


Petronas Dynamic Diesel Euro 5 Now Available In Klang Valley

Petronas today announced that the Euro 5-compliant Dynamic Diesel fuel is officially available in the Klang Valley.
The fuel will be available at six stations for now, namely:
Petronas Technology Park Malaysia 1
Petronas Mutiara Damansara (North-bound)
Petronas NKVE (Damansara-bound)
Petronas Solaris Putra,
Petronas Solaris Serdang (South-bound)
Petronas Sprint Highway
The company added that it has identified another 25 stations in the Klang Valley which will be offering the new diesel within this year. This is in addition to the two stations in Johor along the Pasir Gudang Highway 2 and in Gelang Patah, which were among the first to introduce the fuel in December 2014.
According to Petronas, the sulphur-free fuel enhances protection and efficiency of Euro 5 vehicles equipped with the latest exhaust after-treatment devices.
Mohd Ibrahimnuddin Mohd Yunus, Managing Director and CEO of Petronas Dagangan Berhad (PDB), said, “The Dynamic Diesel Euro 5 is developed through Petronas’ Dakar Rally experience to deliver engine protection, power restoration and cleaner combustion for superior fuel economy and protection allowing drivers to experience maximum performance from their engines.
He also commented that Petronas’ new offering aims at catering to the shift in consumer demand following the introduction of newer car models that would gain the most benefits from Euro 5 diesel.
“We thank our loyal diesel customers for their support and we hope that they will look forward to experiencing the Petronas Dynamic Diesel Euro 5,” said Ibrahimnuddin.


Perodua Launches GearUp Exterior and Interior Accessory Packages

Perodua has launched its own brand high quality of car accessories that will be available as an add-on option for new customers before they take delivery of their vehicle, or purchasable separately to be fitted to supported existing cars.
This is Perodua's first real foray into the accessories market, a move brought on due to customer's increasing desire to have their cars reflect their personal style and set it apart from the other vehicles out there. They want their car to have a sportier look and more premium feel inside but at the same they demand quality products that have been properly designed and built to fit and work with their cars without having to rely on third-party products that may or may not be of good quality. This way, Perodua can better ensure a consistently positive customer experience.
What Is It?
Perodua has chosen to call it 'GearUp' and attached it with the slogan “Make It Yours”. This new brand of official accessories is planned to eventually be offered for all vehicles in Perodua's range that includes both exterior and interior cosmetic enhancements. However, upon launch the upgrade packages are only available for the Axia.
For the exterior, they include body kits for the front grille and front bumper, rear bumper, and side skirting.
Inside, most packages also include new door trim and premium seat covers with sporty patterns (diamond or honeycomb) with contrasting red stitching.
There is also a Driving Comfort pack that includes extra insulation around the hood and door to minimize heat and noise.
How Can I Get It?
Customers buying a new Axia can include a GearUp package before placing their order to have the car come installed with it once the owner takes delivery. Alternatively, existing Axia owners can purchase the packages separately at all Perodua sales and service centers from 17th April onwards.
Myvi owners will have to wait until May, which is when Perodua said they will expand their GearUp range to include upgrades for it. Its safe to assume the buying process will be identical to the Axia and apply to new vehicles and owned vehicles of the most current generation.
What Does The Packages Include?
There are a total nine packages to choose from that are made for the Axia range, with prices varying slightly between Peninsula and East Malaysia. They can come as separate packages for the body kit pack, interior trim pack, and comfort insulation pack. Combo packs include all three categories.
For the Axia SE and Advance variants:
Sporty GearUp Bodykit – Front grille bumper kit, rear bumper kit, side skirtings.
Trendy GearUp Interior - Honeycomb design seat covers (front and rear), door trim with double-stitch finish.
GearUp Driving Comfort – Noise and heat insulation of door and hood.
For the Axia Standard:
Elegant GearUp Bodykit – Front grille and bumper kit, rear bumper kit, side skirtings.
Stylish GearUp Interior – Diamond design seat covers (front and rear). Door trim with grey double-stitch finish.
GearUp Driving Comfort - Noise and heat insulation of door and hood.
How Much Will It Cost?
The GearUp range was conceived with price in mind to make sure that it is as affordable as possible for Perodua customers. Packages will be priced from RM260 to RM3,600 and there will be a special launch period discount of 15% until the end of August.
What's more, should you select a GearUp package when buying a new car, the cost can be spread out over
the loan repayment period. Perodua has done its best to ensure that the added sum would not come to more than RM50 per month on a typical loan period. For peace of mind, these packages also come with a 6-month warranty from Perodua. Here are the prices:
Peninsula
Sporty GearUp Bodykit (Axia SE & Advance):
RM2024.60
Elegant Gearup bodykit (Axia Standard):
RM2459.20
Trendy Gearup Interior Accessories (Axia SE):
RM1110.90
Stylish Gearup Interior Accessories (Axia Standard):
RM1110.90
Type A – Combo Package (Axia Standard):
RM3545.70
Type B – Standard + Package (Axis Standard):
RM2535.50
Type C – Combo Package (Axia SE):
RM2838.70
Type D – Comfort Package (All variants):
RM546.75
Type E – In-Style Package (Standard Variant):
RM380.95
East Malaysia
Sporty GearUp Bodykit (Axia SE & Advance):
RM2068.10
Elegant Gearup bodykit (Axia Standard):
RM2512.25
Trendy Gearup Interior Accessories (Axia SE):
RM1132.80
Stylish Gearup Interior Accessories (Axia Standard):
RM1132.80
Type A – Combo Package (Axia Standard):
RM3619.50
Type B – Standard + Package (Axis Standard):
RM2589.60
Type C – Combo Package (Axia SE):
RM2897.55
Type D – Comfort Package (All variants):
RM555.40
Type E – In-Style Package (Standard Variant):
RM386.90
The prices above do not reflect the discounted launch price.
Please note, too, that the prices listed above do not include the cost of labour and GST.
“This new entity caters to the unique taste of our customers that wishes to have his or her own special Perodua even before its sold,” said Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh, Perodua President and CEO today.


The Schumacher Name Is Back In F1 - Mick To Race For Haas in 2021

Mick Schumacher signs for Haas F1 team - putting the Schumacher name back into Formula 1.

It's been eight years since we last saw the Schumacher name gracing Formula 1, but that's about to change because Micheal Schumacher's son, Mick is about to put the family name back into the world-renowned sport.

It was confirmed yesterday that Mick, son of legendary F1 world champion Michael Schumacher would drive for American racing team Haas in the 2021 season.

'The prospect of being on the Formula 1 grid next year makes me incredibly happy and I'm simply speechless," said Mick.

He continued on by thanking the Haas Team, driving academy and his parents in what must be an emotional moment. 'I would like to thank Haas F1 Team, Scuderia Ferrari and the Ferrari Driver Academy for placing their trust in me. I also want to acknowledge and extend my love to my parents – I know that I owe them everything. I have always believed that I would realise my dream of Formula 1".

This announcement by Mick was made after he completed his seat fit at Haas, and the earliest chance he will get to drive a Haas Formula 1 car officially will be during the first practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 11. There will also be another chance for Mick to test out the car at the end-of-season young driver test at the Yas Marina Circuit four days later.

Mick is currently leading the F2 World Championship with a 14 point lead, and he may extend that lead even further as there is one more race to go before the season ends.

Seeing the Schumacher name in F1 next season will bring back some good old memories, created by Michael Schumacher who is a seven-time F1 world champion. Michael last raced in 2012 and is regarded by many as the sport's most significant driver.

Michael made his debut for Jordan at the Belgian GP in 1991, qualifying seventh on the grid, matching the team's best ever grid-position that season. Unfortunately, he had to retire on the first lap due to clutch problems. Will Mick go one better than his father?

Tragically in December 2013, Michael suffered a severe brain injury caused by a skiing accident, and his health has been a closely-guarded secret ever since.

All we can hope for is for Mick to fly the Schumacher name high once again and give Lewis Hamilton some much-needed competition.

The Haas F1 team was established in 2014 by NASCAR Cup Series team co-owner Gene Haas. The Kannapolis, North Carolina based team first made their debut in 2016 and have been a mid-table team ever since. Their best season so far was in 2018 where they came in 5th in the Constructors' Championship. 21-year-old Russian, Nikita Dmitryevich Mazepin will be Mick's partner for the 2021 F1 season.


BMW X2 Heads Out Into the Urban Jungle Decked in Digital Camouflage

We're used to seeing test beds and prototypes heading out into the world with that swirly 3M camouflage and body cladding in an effort to obfuscate lines and details, but never before have we seen a company send a near-production-ready model into the world in what amounts to a camouflage wrap.
BMW has done just that with their soon to be released X2, decking it out in an orange and black camouflage wrap and sending it out into the "urban jungle". Sports Activity Coupes, as BMW calls them, are a niche that still represent a huge number of sales for the brand. The X6 did surprisingly well as a counterpart to the X5, and there's no doubt that the X2 will be a nice curvy alternative to the soccer-mom X1.
Details on the X2 aren't officially available, but it isn't hard to predict what will be on offer. The standard TwinPowerTurbo engine variants should be around, from 1.5-litres to 2.0-litres in displacement, and the platform should be the same UKL platform that the BMW X1 and MINI Clubman are based on.


Volvo's Chengdu Factory Bids Farewell To The XC60

Every company has its various phases and evolutions, and re-evolutions if need be. Volvo is one of these companies, and one of the phases that was important for the brand was one that was led by the XC60. When the XC60 was first launched, it was a product that made the Swedish brand relevant again, and the demand for the mid-sized SUV was huge. It was so huge that factories around the world were adapted to produce the XC60- but it's finally time to say goodbye. Production of the first-generation XC60 has come to an end, making way for the second-generation model.
Whenever a model comes to the end of production, it can be a very emotional moment for factory workers. It may be a car they've been assembling for the better part of a decade, and they may have become familiar with it, both inside and out. In the case of this Volvo factory in Chengdu, China, many of the workers feel attached to the first-generation XC60 and are sad to see it go- and this short video showcases the production of the last first-generation XC60 in the world, and the memories and sentiments of various different workers from the factory.


Daihatsu Malaysia Holds First Ever Driver Safety Training For Fleet Customers

In an effort to encourage safe driving behavior among its fleet customers, Daihatsu Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (DMSB) launched its first ever Drivers Safety Training Program last week to address road safety concerns in Malaysia.
Held in collaboration with Yamato Transport (M) Sdn. Bhd, The program was conceptualised exclusively for Daihatsu fleet customers through the recently launched Daihatsu Business Fleet Program that provides SMEs, company fleet purchasers, and renewal customers with solutions and service support to maximise their fleet’s potential.
It is said that the partnership also leverages both companies’ safety-related experience and capabilities from Japan and Malaysia by incorporating Driving Aptitude Test (DAT) which assesses the driver’s personality, safe driving Behaviour, danger perception, speed estimation, selected reactions, and also steering wheel operations.
According to DMSB, YTM is the only training provider in Malaysia that incorporates the DAT psychology method into any road safety training.
Through the program, DMSB hopes to assist drivers in improving their driving skills and techniques, thus contributing to lowering the risk of road accidents occurring among commercial vehicle drivers.
Arman Mahadi, Managing Director of DMSB says, “Road safety is something that we take seriously at Daihatsu, and together with YTM, we believe the Daihatsu Drivers Safety Program will benefit our customers as well as others on the road. Safer driving behaviour begins with the drivers themselves, and we hope that this training will raise awareness on the importance of being safe on the roads and how to ensure that they play their part.”
Better driving habits and skills would also result in maintaining a vehicle in optimal condition, prolonging its uptime and lowering maintenance costs – eventually working to maximise vehicle uptime and minimise vehicle lifetime cost of the customers’ vehicle.
The full-day program was carried out at the Hino Total Support Customer Centre (HTSCC) in Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan, where the upgraded circuit track and facilities allowed for professional-level exercises in a safe environment.
Participants were also taught to carry out the 7-step Daily Vehicle Inspection Routine to ensure that their vehicle is in good condition to prevent accidents and reduce maintenance and repair costs.
Finally, participants were introduced to the practical circuit training and a safety demonstration on-site. The circuit training included emergency brake training on wet roads and driving uphill and downhill to enhance their gear shifting skills when the vehicle is loaded and vice versa.


Takata Recall: Honda Malaysia Hits 70% Completion; Full Replacement Stock Availability

Honda Malaysia, which has been actively replacing affected Takata front airbag inflators since 2014, announced that the overall completion ratio for both driver and passenger front airbag inflators replacement is at 70% as of August 2017.
Individually, the completion ratio for Takata driver airbag inflators and front passenger airbag inflators stand at 81.2% and 59.5% respectively.
The company added that stock availability for the Takata driver and passenger front airbag inflators is at 100% as of August 2017.
Efforts to replace affected airbags will continue at Honda Malaysia mobile hubs located at selected shopping malls and Petronas stations nationwide every weekend.
Affected customers are strongly encouraged to make an appointment at any Honda authorised service centre to avoid delays, but those who visit the mobile hubs can just walk-in as they do not require advance appointments.
Customers can check their vehicles recall status either by logging on to
www.honda.com.my
 or
www.productrecall.honda.com.my
 or by calling the Honda Toll Free number 1-800-88-2020.


Family MPVs Below RM100k Review – Proton Exora, Perodua Alza, Nissan Grand Livina

Our friends at Roda Pusing recently compared three family MPVs priced below RM100,000. Watch their video review below.
We generally concur with Hisham Jahudi, who in case you didn’t know, is an advanced driving instructor and used to race at the Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race, as well as ex-technician Albakry Salehuddin’s.
Our thoughts
Before deciding on any of these models, consumers must be realistic about their budget and understand that this segment is all about compromises. Buyers must understand that each model has their pros and cons, and there is no such thing as an ideal family MPV for everybody.
To find the model that best suits you and your family, buyers must first make a list of their requirements.
You can’t expect to have an MPV that is large enough to fit seven adults comfortably and yet still offers the same fuel economy as a compact hatchback. Such a car doesn’t exist. So between space and fuel economy, you have to choose one over the other.
What we believe you should ask yourselves is how often would your MPV need to carry seven occupants. If the third-row seats are just going to be used three times a year, then it Is unwise to buy a larger MPV that is going to be under-utilised most of the time. For such usage needs, considerations like ease of access to the third-row as well as legroom in that area shouldn’t sit very high on your priority.
On the Proton Exora:
We love the Proton Exora’s spacious cabin and its user friendly second-row seat’s one-touch seat fold and tumble mechanism. Among the trio, the Exora is the easiest to get into the third-row seats. So if you are full seven-seater functionality sits very highly on your list of priorities, the Exora is the one to get.
We also like its decent list of safety features. Where possible, we highly recommend the Premium model (RM74,618) as it comes the all-important ESC feature.
Read this
 to understand more about ESC.
The Exora is also the only MPV in this segment to come with ESC, so if safety and space is at the top of your list, look no further than the Exora. Just remember to avoid ordering one in ‘Elegant Brown,’ lest you want to be mistaken for a TEKS1M taxi.
Don’t expect it to be economical to run though. Real world fuel consumption should range between 8 to 9km/litre, depending on driving habits and the sort of traffic conditions you encounter. Proton’s servicing cost aren’t exactly cheap either.
On the Perodua Alza:
The Perodua Alza is a decent alternative for the economically-minded, and don’t mind sacrificing a bit of space (which is still fairly decent). The third-row seats are good enough for short distance trips, and its more compact size makes it the easiest to park and drive in urban areas.
Peroduas are generally very
cheap to service
 and if you are smooth enough, fuel cost is not going to be that far off from a similar engine capacity 1.5-litre Perodua Myvi.
What about the Nissan Grand Livina?
We used to be fond of the Nissan Grand Livina, but this is 2015 and the Grand Livina is showing its age. Compared to either the spacious and safety conscious Proton Exora or the economical and the easy to drive Perodua Alza, the Nissan doesn’t have anything unique to offer.
Maintenance cost for the Nissan isn’t cheap either. In fact,
Nissan’s servicing cost
 is the highest among the Japanese Big Three (Toyota, Honda, Nissan).
Over a 100,000 km interval, the Nissan would cost RM3,625 to service, versus the Perodua’s RM2,994. We don’t have the same information for the Proton but would expect it to be higher than either of them.
The Nissan also had the worst third-row access. To climb into the third-row, you must first fold and tumble the second-row seat by pulling a strap on the seatback, which can be rather difficult to work, especially if your hands are full.
If you do manage to haggle a good deal that would make up for the differences in servicing cost between the Nissan and the Perodua, and then a bit more, the Nissan is still a compelling purchase, especially for those who don’t need a larger MPV but at the same time don’t want a Perodua.
Start shopping below:
Proton Exora – Find from over 4,000 deals for a
new Exora here
.
Perodua Alza – Find from over 1,600 deals for a
new Alza here
.
Nissan Grand Livina – Find from over 700 deals for a
new Grand Livina here.


Review: F90 BMW M5 Driven On Sepang

If the BMW M3 is for the young executive, then the larger BMW M5 is designed for the successful family man who wishes to chauffeur his family quickly.
Now in its sixth iteration, the BMW M5 has grown up quite a lot, both physically and in terms of performance. The F90 BMW M5 is now roughly 300 kg heavier than the first generation E28 M5, though the former is also twice as powerful as its predecessor.
Also new to the BMW M5 lineage is the addition of AWD, in this case, M xDrive. In the past, all BMW M5 models had their power sent exclusively to the rear wheels. Now with the addition of AWD, all 600 hp and 750 Nm can be deployed efficiently to the ground, allowing for much superior performance.
During the recent
launch of the F90 BMW M5
, BMW Malaysia gave members of the media the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to
hoon
, sorry, sample the F90 M5 on the Sepang Circuit. Naturally, we jumped at this opportunity to try the RM942,000 super saloon.
Being an M car, the F90 M5 features two bright red M shortcut buttons on the steering wheel that allows for a specific profile of the vehicle’s drive mode.
To keep things brief, for this quick review of the F90 M5, we’ll focus sorely on the mode that matters most – 4WD Sport.
Right after we switched from the mundane 4WD to 4WD Sport mode, we noticed that M5 transformed into a completely different beast altogether. Throttle response has been sharpened, while more rear end slip is allowed than in 4WD mode. This allows for a much more engaging drive than what we would have imagined, and lots of self-control is needed to ensure that we don’t smear Sepang’s barriers with the F90 M5’s Marina Bay Blue colour.
4WD Sport mode aside, we also noticed how nimble and agile the F90 M5 truly is, despite its massive 1.9-tonne weight. Turn in is precise for a saloon this huge, while traction from its Michelin PilotSport 4S rubbers never once gave up, even when giving it the beans through turn 3.
Then there’s the engine note. While the three-pointed star marque from Stuttgart offers their performance models with a similar V8 that roars muscularity, the F90 M5 does it with sheer elegance, while pulling you with all 750 Nm of torque. Thankfully the F90 M5 does without artificially creating the engine note through the car’s audio system.
Last but certainly not least are the massive 395 mm M Compound six-piston front brakes and 380 mm rear brakes. These brakes, which come as standard fitment, offer massive stopping power. We managed to hit slightly above the 200 km/h on the final straight of Sepang, before braking really hard for turn one. Despite repetitively braking hard on the track, the factory-standard brakes never once faded. However, if the M Compound brakes are by any means insufficient for your needs, you’ll be glad to know that BMW Malaysia offers M carbon ceramic brakes as a RM95,000 cost option.
In a nutshell, the BMW F90 M5 has got to be one of, if not the best car we have driven on Sepang to date, as this super saloon encompasses all that we love from Munich – great looks, massive performance and class-leading driving dynamics.
No wonder M remains as the world’s most powerful alphabet.
For a more in-depth review,
check out Arvind's story here
.


Kia Motors To Build Manufacturing Plant In Andhra Pradesh, India

Kia Motors have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the State Government of Andhra Pradesh, India to build a new manufacturing facility in the Anantapur District.
Construction is scheduled to begin in Q4 of 2017 and represents a USD 1.1 billion investment from Kia. The manufacturing facility is expected to begin mass production in the second half of 2019 with a total capacity of up to 300,000 units each year.
Han-Woo Park, President of Kia Motors added, “We are delighted to announce that Kia’s newest manufacturing facility will be here in Andhra Pradesh. It will enable us to sell cars in the world’s fifth largest market while providing greater flexibility for our global business. Worldwide demand for Kia cars is growing and this is our latest step towards becoming a leading global car manufacturer.”
The Anantapur plant in India will occupy around 23 million square feet and incorporate facilities for stamping, welding, painting and assembly. The site will also be home to numerous supplier companies’ facilities.
Kia plans to produce a strategic compact sedan and compact SUV especially for the Indian market at the new plant. Kia plans to commence sales of locally produced vehicles towards the end of 2019.
India is the fastest growing major new car market and currently the fifth largest in the world, with more than 3.3 million new cars sold in 2016. Construction of the new manufacturing facility in India will enable Kia to benefit from localising sales and bolster growth, both locally and internationally.


How To Choose The Right Car Workshop In Malaysia?

We always hear of people sending their cars to a 'bengkel' where it comes out at the other end with many more problems than it originally came in with, so how do you choose the right workshop in Malaysia?

Finding a reliable workshop is actually
one of the biggest challenges
 a vehicle owner can face. With workshops left, right and centre, it's pretty hard to determine which ones are good and which ones are bad.

Vehicle owners go to workshops not only for
periodic servicing
 but also for parts replacement as well as
emergency or breakdown purposes
, so it's essential to find a workshop that can get you back on the road swiftly without creating more problems for you or your car.

When looking for a workshop, the crucial aspects you need to consider are the experience, knowledge, and reputation - so how do we recognise these aspects in the first place?

1. Call a friend

The most effective way is referrals, where friends, family, or neighbours recommend a workshop. Make sure they have been going to the workshop for a long time, we'd recommend a minimum of at least 3 years. If the relationship between them and the workshop is new, then take their recommendation with a pinch of salt.

2. Check online

There are many websites and forums that discuss the problems specific to vehicle brand and even model. From here, you can get good recommendations for which workshops are best for your vehicle brand as well as the ones to be avoided.

If you also find information regarding your vehicle's problem, you will be better prepared when meeting a mechanic. Most importantly, you know the estimated damage to your pocket, which will help avoid you being conned by a workshop.

The internet has also made it difficult for service providers to silence the consumer, so a general search would usually give you telltale signs of whether the workshop is reputable.

There are many honest workshops out there, but not all of them will be able to satisfy all their customers. If there are 40 reviews and only a few are unhappy, try researching the problem first. Often, bad reviews come from car owners who
don't understand their car's
 problems themselves and in turn accuse the mechanic of cheating.

3. Ask the car club

Not all car clubs are full of know-it-all members because there are some out there who are willing to go out of their way to help you out like
CarTell
.

These clubs are useful because they know about their car problems and are willing to share experiences.

They definitely know which mechanic is the best and from where to get genuine and cheap spare parts. Most interestingly, club members can advise you to be prepared for upcoming problems.

4. Pay the recommended workshop a visit

If you already know which workshop to go to based on recommendations, make a visit and check if their handiwork satisfies you. The condition of the workshop is also important because if you have to leave your vehicle there, you have to know whether it's safe.

There are also many workshops that take in too many cars, so be sure that the workshop you are visiting does not have cars littered on the side of the road where your car is at risk of being hit or stolen.

5. Ask for a quote and compare prices

Before leaving your vehicle at a workshop, ask the mechanic for an estimate of the cost, preferably itemised. There are cases where the mechanic gives a low estimate, but when ready, the bill doubles, and you are not informed beforehand of the addition. If you feel that the price is steep, then compare prices with other workshops just to be safe - because sometimes good things are not cheap and cheap things are not good.

So here are some tips that we can recommend to help with the workshop hunt, but we're pretty sure there are others too. So what tips and telltale signs do you have to spot a suitable workshop for your needs?


Why Do Windows Fog Up And What You Can Do?

In recent times, given the rainy seasons and cooler temperatures – some if not most of us might have experienced condensation or fogging of our windows and windscreens.  A fogged-up windscreen or window reduces the visibility of the outside, which makes it a
hazard when driving
.

So in this report, we hope to shed some light on why your car windows fog up, and what you can do to prevent it from happening.

Your car windows fog up because of a physical process call condensation.

What is condensation?

Condensation forms when warm air containing moisture comes into contact with a cold surface, such as your car window. When the warm air meets the cold air, the moisture in that warm air condenses onto that cold surface.

On a car windscreen or window, this moisture takes the form of hundreds of tiny (microscopic) water droplets that, from a driver’s perspective, will look like a blurry fog.

What causes condensation inside a vehicle?

In Malaysia, condensation inside your car mostly happens when the interior temperature is warmer than the colder temperature outside (such as when it rains) – causing the windscreen/window to become cold.

One or a number of the following things could cause condensation inside the car:

Wet clothes/shoes/spilled drinks – moisture from these items will slowly evaporate into the cabin air or, if heavily soaked, cause the seats and carpet to become wet.

A water leak – this is mostly caused by leaking body seals.

Breath – this is less of an issue in Malaysia, but exhaled air contains a large amount of water vapour which is released into the cabin.

No circulation of fresh air – such as when your car is parked for long periods.

Modern cars have much better seals (between the doors and body, and between the windows), meaning they tend to be more watertight. However, this also means that it’s more difficult for any air inside the vehicle to get out. Increased insulation also allows modern cars to stay warmer/cooler longer after being parked; the longer the air inside the vehicle is warmer than the air outside, the more condensation will appear on the cold windows of the vehicle.

As condensation collects in the air inside the cabin, the level of moisture will increase. If this air is not vented to the outside then more condensation will build upon the window surfaces.

What do I do when my windows are fogged up?

The most efficient way to remove moisture from the air is to use the vehicle’s air conditioning system. This system draws air from the cabin through an evaporator, which causes moisture in the air to condensate in a controlled way and drain out of the vehicle.

If the cabin air is not regularly refreshed then condensation will accumulate, as the moisture-filled air will not be removed. However, you can force this by changing the re-circulation feature from internal to fresh air.

You can also use the demister function which is designed to clear the windscreen of condensation. This works by directing fresh air onto the windscreen, which has the effect of drying the inside of the glass.

Believe it or not, one of the easiest ways to keep condensation at bay is by simply keeping the insides of windows, particularly the windscreen, as clean as possible. You can do this by using a good glass cleaner and wiping window surfaces thoroughly dry with a paper towel or old newspaper.

A thorough clean of the windscreen will lessen the likelihood of condensation forming and ensures that any that does form is removed quicker by the demisters.

Is there anything else I can do?

Well yes, there are a number of things you can use (even household items) that can reduce the effects of fogging in your vehicle, here are some examples:

Car dehumidifier bag: This is a small bean bag full of silicone balls that sits on the top of your dashboard and soaks up moisture from the air inside your car at all times

Anti-Fog Glass cleaner/protectant: There are several anti-fog glass cleaners on the market. Simply spray onto the glass surface and wipe dry with a microfiber towel.

And a few household item hacks:

Shaving cream: shaving foam contains surfactants which once applied, leave behind a protective coating which prevents condensation.

Toothpaste: toothpaste contains chemicals, which like shaving cream, leave a protective coating on the glass surface. We advise to use sparingly and with caution as toothpaste’s other cleaning compounds can also scour the glass surface.

Kitty litter – “Unused” of course, but kitty litter is also made from Silica-based chemicals like dehumidifier bags, simply place a scoop in an old sock (or the like) and place it near the glass surface to prevent fogging.


Long-Serving Japanese Toyota Dealer Netz Opens Shop In Malaysia

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) today announces that two of its own outlets in Penang and Prai have been transferred to a foreign partner Netz Toyota Tama Co Ltd with effect from November 1, 2018.
Netz Toyota Tama has been associated with the Toyota brand in Japan for almost 60 years. It has 29 outlets throughout Tokyo operating in the Toyota Netz sales channel which focuses on younger buyers. It also has another 33 outlets operating the Corolla sales channel in the western part of Tokyo.
This follows UMW Toyota’s announcement in October last year that it would be transferring the majority of its branch retail operations to its dealers and other relevant parties.
With this partnership, S&D Tama Malaysia, the locally incorporated arm of Netz Toyota Tama Co Ltd will be officially taking over operations of UMWT’s existing branches in Prai and Penang.
The two dealerships account for a sales volume of around 2,000 units and manage an aftersales throughput of up to 50,000 units per year.
Mr. Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor added, “A year ago, we announced that our retail operations would be transferred to dealers to increase the focus on operations and customer care, while UMW Toyota Motor would concentrate on high value-added activities such as product development, marketing and dealer network support. As of today, the majority of our existing branches have been transferred,”
The two outlets managed by S&D Tama Malaysia are located at Jalan Jelutong on Penang Island and the Prai Industrial Estate on the mainland. Both 3S outlets offer a full range of sales and aftersales services, including Body & Paint facilities.


2015 Toyota 86 Style Cb: Curious Name, Major Restyling

Have you ever felt that the Toyota 86’s front-end design is a little too aggressive? Wished it was less sharp angles and more curves? Then you’ll be glad to hear that the company has recently introduced a new variation of the sports coupe called the
Toyota
 86 Style Cb.
About the ‘Cb’ portion of the name, after translating the press release which was in Japanese, we found out that it actually stands for ‘Cool beauty’. So if you had that particular thought running in your head, it’s not what you might think it means.
Its name aside, we move on to the design of the 86 Style Cb, which originated from the Toyota 86 x Style Cb concept developed by Toyota’s Gazoo racing division for the 2013 Tokyo Auto Salon.
Right off the bat, the new front bumper and grille is a standout from the car it is based on with a longer nose and new oval-shaped headlights. The fenders also adopt LED-illuminated triple fins and a two-tone paint job can be seen. ‘Cb’ badging is also found around the vehicle.
The interior changes consists of a leather steering wheel and new instrument panel with wood grain materials. Aside from that, everything else is familiarly 86.
Toyota say the new variant is meant to attract the fairer sex. So if your girlfriend or wife has a thing for cars, this would be the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. Prices start at 4,180,582 yen (RM 125,737) for a six-speed manual and 4,263,055 yen (RM 128,217) for a six-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic. Both gearboxes are mounted to the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder FA 20 unit.
2015 Toyota 86 Gets Updated
Along with the introduction of the new variant, the
Toyota 86
 on which the Style Cb is based on gets a few enhancements as well, with a revised electric power steering and interior colour trim. No engine or performance changes were made.


Ford Hosts Hari Raya Open House at Showrooms This Weekend

As part of the ongoing Hari Raya festivities, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) will host a ‘Raya Get Together with Ford Family’ open house at all Ford showrooms nationwide from 22 to 24 July.
The open house celebration is aimed at fostering closer ties among all Ford customers as well as showing customer appreciation during the month of Syawal, with dealers serving Raya refreshments from 10am to 6pm each day.
Customers who place a booking and register a
Focus
,
Fiesta
 or
EcoSport
 at the open house or any time until 31 July will also be offered attractive cash rebates, including up to RM14,000 for Focus, up to RM13,000 for Fiesta and up to RM12,000 for EcoSport.
The open house will be made even more special as prizes will be given away to winners of last month’s Ramadhan Raya Lucky Draw contest. Five lucky customers will be presented with a 10g gold bar, while 50 customers will take home a GPS navigation unit.
“Ford and SDAC would like to show our appreciation to our loyal customers by hosting the Hari Raya open house. We want to spread the Raya cheer and celebrate diversity among our customers, and all Malaysians,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, managing director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion.
Looking for a Ford? Find one in
Carlist.my
 today!


Nissan Teases Next Generation Juke

We don't really have much to go on here, except for the fact that Nissan has just created a page teasing the next generation Juke, which is due to be unveiled on the 3rd of September, 2019 - just a week or so ahead of this year's Frankfurt Motor Show. For those unfamiliar with the name, the Juke was a funky little crossover that was largely marketed and sold in Europe and the Americas, as well as a couple of smaller markets around the world.
Powered by a range of engines, from diesel to turbocharged petrol, the Juke was one of the earliest forms of crossovers from Nissan that was aimed at a younger demographic. It abandoned the more utilitarian nature of models such as the Qashqai (also known as a Dualis), and is said to have been succeeded by the Kicks - although this is a model destined for emerging markets rather than established ones. Details are scarce for the moment, but you can be sure that the return of the Juke will be far more well received in this day and age when crossovers are all the rage around town.
For the best deals on Nissan models, click
here
.


Toll Plazas At Jitra And Bukit Kayu Hitam Go Fully Electronic On 9 September 2015

Beginning 9 September 2015, the Jitra and Bukit Kayu Hitam toll plazas on the North-South Expressway (NSE) will handle all toll transactions electronically via PLUSMiles cards, Touch ‘n Go cards or SmartTAGs.
In light of this, PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) will be conducting various promotions to ensure a smooth transition for users at both toll plazas to pay toll electronically. These include the sale of RM5 PLUSMiles cards (with pre-loaded RM5 value) since July until 31 December and sales of SmartTAG units at RM96 per unit (inclusive of GST) at both toll plazas (as compared to the normal price of RM127.30 (inclusive of GST) elsewhere) until 30 September.
Additionally, motorists paying toll electronically at the Jitra and Bukit Kayu Hitam toll plazas will enjoy a 20% toll rebate for electronic toll transactions between 1 September and 31 December.
PLUS Chief Operating Officer, Mohammad Fuad Khusairi said as of current, only 50% of users at both toll plazas are paying toll electronically. Going with a full electronic toll system is aimed at facilitating smoother transactions at toll plazas.
Ten other toll plazas across the country which include the Penang Bridge toll plaza, the Lunas and Kubang Semang toll plazas on the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (BKE), Dato’ Keramat toll plaza (AKLEH), Ayer Panas, Batu and Sentul Pasar toll plazas (DUKE highway) as well as Gombak and Bentong toll plazas on LPT1 will implement this initiative on 9 September.
These will add on to other areas where the electronic toll collection initiative was successfully implemented at the Sultan Iskandar Building (2008), Linkedua highway (in stages since 2009), Kempas toll plaza (2014), Batu Tiga and Sungai Rasau (November 2014) and Mambau and Lukut toll plazas on the Seremban-Port Dickson Highway (SPDH) in June.


Syrian War Decimates Man's Vintage Car Collection

As the saying goes – in war everyone loses, but undeniably, the Syrian Civil War has cost Mohammad Mohiedine Anis far more than his freedom and civil rights, it has lost him one-third of his priceless 30-strong classic and car collection.
Previously, Anis’ collection boasted some 30 beautiful classic and vintage cars from the 40s and 50s, now depleted to just 20, over six long years of fighting between anti-government rebels and Syrian forces, that have ravaged the city of Aleppo.
Due to the pristine condition of his vehicles, many of his cars were also used in local film productions.
Anis’ dream was to open a vintage car museum but hope of that is all but lost for now. Unperturbed, Anis plans to repair and restore what he can of the cars that were damaged. From one petrolhead to another, we hope he keeps the fight.