New clicketty-click turn signals make car 'faces' more expressive

                HAMBURG: Whenever a driver activates a turn signal, a rhythmic clicking sound comes on; without having to look at the display, any driver knows that their blinker is flashing.

The clicking sound used to be inherent in an electrical component, but has been long since unnecessary from a technical point of view, since modern-day turn signals operate electronically. But the blinker noise has been kept because it is familiar.

Similarly, the LED technology featured on today’s new cars opens up a whole new array of configurations, movement and locations on car’s chassis, but some traditions may have to be respected.

As automakers strive to develop unique and striking designs, turn signals have become important design features, and a place for manufacturers and suppliers to take advantage of greater leeway and invest more personality in their products.

Philipp Schreiber of a major German safety inspection agency notes that sonic indicators are not legally required on cars and "an optical signal would suffice, but the sound is most definitely useful."

Lane changes are a good example: even after changing lanes, the clicking sound continues, reminding drivers to switch the signal off again.

Indicators on vehicles evolved in the 1920s. Suppliers developed turn signals, which consisted of electromagnets and 20-centimetre-long illuminated indicator arms that emerged from a vehicle’s body at the sides. These were regular features of traffic until the 50s, when electric turn blinkers rendered them obsolete.

"LED technology has undoubtedly brought about the greatest change in vehicle lighting technology," says Steffen Pietzonka from supplier Hella. This applies both to lighting technology itself, as well as to lights’ arrangement and shape.

"In the past, the direction indicators were always installed at fixed positions in the wing or in the bumper," says Pietzonka. These days, flexible LED technology offers far more placement options.

LED lights are flat, which means that they require minimal space and are easily customizable. As a result, turn signals now appear as waves and flows, which can be moulded into the vehicle lines and can decisively influence the "face" of a car.

"Individualisation plays a very important role for the car manufacturer when it comes to turn signals," says Pietzonka. One example is the "sliding" turn signal from Audi, while animated lighting has become a general trend.

A further advantage is being able to add lateral turn signals to the casings of side mirrors. Since the space-saving LEDs have come to market, almost all new cars have acquired extra turn signals on these rear-view mirrors.

As a consequence, tinkerers and DIY specialists have a lot less to do: the regular replacement of an incandescent lamp is no longer necessary, since, according to Pietzonka, "today's generation of LEDs usually last a lifetime."

In addition, the technology is also energy efficient.

According to Pietzonka, a single red LED would suffice to light up a tail lamp, but even so, manufacturers usually use a large number of LEDS to make the lights so each car will have its own trademark lighting shape.


Aston Martin DBS nameplate makes comeback

                LONDON: Aston Martin announced today it is bringing back the DBS moniker, which will be used in the British marque’s flagship Super GT, which will be revealed in the second quarter of 2018.

The DBS Superleggera completes the brand’s ambitions to replace each of its existing two-door sportscar models as part of its Second Century Plan. Sitting at the top of the sportscar line-up, DBS Superleggera will feature the highest levels of performance, craftmanship and design.

First coined for the iconic 1967 William Towns’ designed-model, the DBS nameplate has been a key part of the brand’s heritage for over 50 years. Resurrected in 2007 for Aston Martin’s then range-topping model, designed by current chief creative officer Marek Reichman.

Along with the resurrection of the DBS nameplate, Touring’s famous mark – Superleggera - will once again be seen on the bonnet of an Aston Martin. The DBS moniker helped pave the way to the DB4, 5 and 6 Mark 1. It will once again pay tribute to the historic super lightweight construction technology of Touring. The name also provides a hint as to what can be expected of this upcoming model.

“When you hear the name DBS Superleggera, you know what it is," said Reichman.

"It’s the definitive Aston Martin Super GT. It’s an icon, a statement and this one will be no different. We’ve pushed the boundaries of performance and design to give this car a distinct character and ensure it’s worthy of the heritage and weight that this name carries.”


Petrol-powered Citroen Grand C4 Picasso and updated C3 break cover

                KUALA LUMPUR: Naza Euro Motors, the official distributor of the Citroen brand in Malaysia, has previewed its latest petrol-powered Citroen Grand C4 Picasso and an updated Citroen C3.

The new Citroen Grand C4 Picasso Petrol and Citroen C3 are currently available for pre-booking with an estimated price of RM183,000 and RM105,000 respectively.

The seven-seater multipurpose vehicle from France has a newly designed front and rear-end, motorised tailgate and rear 3D LED lights.

Inside, the cabin possesses a loft-inspired interior, which comes with a panoramic windscreen and a large glass roof, amongst others.

The interior possesses Citroen’s 'créative technologie' that features a seven-inch touch screen driver interface, 12-inch HD panoramic screen with navigation system, rear view camera and massage function for both driver and front passenger seats.

Initially available with a 2.0 BlueHDi turbodiesel engine, the Picasso should arrive with a 1.6-litre Turbo High Pressure (THP) mill that meets the new Euro 6 emissions standards.

Meanwhile, the updated Citroen C3, which formed the basis of the smaller DS3 comes equipped with single-zone climate controls, automatic headlights and wipers, touchscreen with GPS navigation and 17-inch wheels as standard.

It also has a Zenith windscreen that stretches as far back as the B-pillars, which Citroen calls a ‘Visiodrive’ experience that enhances visibility for all occupants.

The C3 has a 1.6-litre VTi engine with 120bhp for the four-speed automatic transmission to manage before sending it to the front wheels.

Both petrol variant Grand C4 Picasso and facelifted C3 are available for viewing at Citroen showrooms nationwide.

For more information call 1800 222 808 or log on to www.citroen.com.my.


Breakage, bad brakes common for most electric scooters on market

                BERLIN: There's been a boom in rentable electric scooters in cities across the world, thanks to companies like Lime or Bird. However, the current market for buying e-scooters looks quite a bit different.

For one, few companies are selling e-scooters that are actually approved for road use. And secondly, many of them just aren't that good quality, a test by a German consumer goods tester found.

The goods tester, Stiftung Warentest, looked at seven e-scooters that ran between US$380 and US$1,270 (RM1,646 to RM5,500). "All but two models failed. And only one was rated as good," reported Stiftung Warentest.

Breakage, bad brakes and possibly carcinogenic pollutants in the handles were among the factors that led to five of the models being rated as "poor." Two of the models were even broken beyond repair.

Stiftung Warentest recommended only two models.

The one rated "good" was the Walberg The-Urban #BRLN V3, which retails for US$1,030 (RM4,460). The raters were especially impressed by its durability and riding style. While the ability to fold the scooter could be a positive factor, its relatively heavy weight — 15.3kg — as well as a lack of a carry handle and the inability to lock the handlebars — made it hard to carry around.

The IO Hawk Sparrow-Legal, the cheapest e-scooter in the bunch, made second place, being graded as "satisfactory." Its non-slip footboard got a mediocre rating for handling and riding comfort; testers didn't like the fact that the brakes didn't work well when it was wet out.

Similarly to the other top-ranked scooter, it also didn't allow for the handlebars and steering to be locked when it was being carried, which, at 13.5kg, didn't win it favour with the testers.

Stiftung Warentest limited its test subjects to only models that could be folded up, thus making them more appealing to commuters.


Fleet operators hail move to open up vehicle inspection services

                PETALING JAYA: The decision to liberalise vehicle inspection services will help commercial vehicle operators such as bus, taxi and freight companies save time and travel costs, say various transport industry stakeholders.

However, they added that stringent standards must be maintained in order to ensure that public safety was upheld.

Following yesterday’s announcement by the Transport Minister that Puspakom would no longer be the sole provider of vehicle inspection services beginning Sept 1, 2024, the government has decided to open up this area to other qualified parties.

Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali said that the lack of a vehicle inspection services centre had caused the operators from the small towns to travel further, inconveniencing them.

“Drivers from the smaller towns are forced to travel a distance to inspection centres to have their vehicles checked, and they have to return a second time when something is found to be non-compliant.

“When a test can’t be completed in one day, it is a massive waste of time. There is always congestion at the inspection centres, which is again costing us a lot of time,” he added.

Mohamad Ashfar said that the “slow pace” at inspection centres also hampered their businesses, especially during festive seasons when bus operators needed to increase the frequency of services.

However, he suggested the government impose stringent guidelines when allowing more parties to enter the vehicle inspection business.

“We do not want fake vehicle inspection certificates that endanger public safety.

“All procedures must have checks and balances mechanisms.

“The government can adhere to the United Kingdom’s vehicle inspection system,” he said.

Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association has 120 members and over 3,000 buses nationwide.

Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Taxi and Car Rental Operators Association president Siti Faradilah Aslah said Puspakom’s online service had been satisfactory and highly efficient in recent years.

“However, due to a lack of inspection centres, some taxi drivers have had to wait for extended periods, with the inspection time (for each taxi) being about 30 minutes, while larger vehicles, such as lorries and buses, take longer.

“Drivers must travel to the inspection centre to wait in line with the larger vehicles, which takes up an entire day,” she added.

Ehailing Drivers Association president Daryl Chong also welcomed the government’s decision to break up the monopoly.

“This could lead to greater competition and ultimately result in better services and lower prices for ehailing drivers.

“In the absence of a monopoly, businesses would be incentivised to provide more efficient and effective services in order to attract customers.

“This could also lead to quicker and more streamlined inspection processes, allowing drivers to return to the road faster,” he added.

Chong said competition among companies could also lead to increased innovation, with companies developing better ways of providing vehicle inspection services.

“This could lead to the development of new technologies and methods that could improve the safety and efficiency of ehailing vehicles,” he added.

Gabungan Pertubuhan Teksi, Kereta Sewa, Limosin dan Teksi Lapangan Terbang SeMalaysia president Kamarudin Mohd Hussain said the government’s decision would benefit millions of service providers and public transportation users in the country.

“We had no choice previously and had to put up with the antics and inclinations of some Puspakom vehicle testers.

“This is in addition to having to wait so long for a vehicle inspection, even after making a reservation,” he said.


Tesla launches US$250 Tequila, runs out in hours

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc chief executive officer Elon Musk made good on his promise to sell “Tesla Tequila” - two years after teasing the plan in a tweet, and the US$250 (RM1,032) bottles quickly flew off the virtual shelf.

Pictures revealed a sleek, lightning bolt-shaped bottle, a lot different than what Musk teased when he touted the Tequila.

The Silicon Valley billionaire is no stranger to selling quirky products in limited one-time sales.

He sold flamethrowers at US$500 (RM2,065) a piece in early 2018, raising US$10 million (RM41mil) for his high-speed tunnel venture The Boring Company. Musk has also sold 50,000 Boring Company hats previously.

He tweeted the idea of "Teslaquila" on April Fool's day in 2018, which many of his followers considered to be a joke. However, Musk's efforts to trademark the drink in October of that year were frowned upon by Mexico's tequila producers.

Mexico’s Tequila Regulatory Council had at the time argued the “name ‘Teslaquila’ evokes the word Tequila ... (and) Tequila is a protected word.”

According to the website, Tesla Tequila will be available only in selected US states, including New York, California and Washington.

The website describes the drink, produced by Nosotros Tequila, as agave tequila añejo aged in French oak barrels, “featuring a dry fruit and light vanilla nose with a balanced cinnamon pepper finish.”


To Atlanta for a BMW X5 drive

                Did you know the CNN headquarters in downtown Atlanta offers a guided tour? For US$15 (RM63) per admission, it delivers an illuminating behind-the-scene look at how it reports the news to Americans and the rest of the world 24/7.

It's an "aquarium" tour of under one hour, where some parts of the news operations are open to visitors via a see-through partition as they walk up and around the CNN complex along a perimeter route.

A store selling CNN merchandise on the ground floor rounds off a memorable visit to one of the world’s largest news organisation.

Cross the nearby Centennial Olympic Park and you would run into a museum dedicated to Coca Cola; it could be worth your while to check it out if you are a history buff or a fan of the fizzy sugary drink.

Some say no trip to Atlanta is complete without stepping into Mary Mac's Tea Room, an institution in itself, having been around since 1945. Known near and far for its classic Southern food, it is a pitstop that has to be explored.

Mary Mac's offers a casual and laid-back experience as we dug into Pork Barbecue with Brunswick Stew and grilled catfish.

The food was hearty, flavourful and satisfying. It was with a twinge of regret that this writer had to give the pecan pie dessert a miss after a heavy dose of Atlantan grub.

 The latest X5 (blue) is framed with the previous three generations of X5.

With all that touristy stuff out of the way, it was drive time in the Deep South. In this instance, a bevy of the latest G05 BMW X5 were the vehicles of choice.

The ride was held in tandem with the international media launch of the fourth-generation X5, which a small group of Malaysian writers were invited to in late September.

Atlanta is not too far away from where the bulk of the X-series vehicle are built for North America and the rest of the world. Note that the F15 X5 sold in Malaysia is locally assembled and that is likely to be the case for the G05 X5 moving forward following its local debut.

Spartanburg, in the adjoining state of South Carolina, is under 3-hour's drive away, and it's where the X5s were sourced from and presented to the world's media. The Spartanburg plant happens to be BMW's biggest facility in its global manufacturing network, and from where 70% of production vehicles are exported.

As is typical of SUV makers, the X5 has grown bigger with each generation. In the latest round, it's also all the better to fit two more passengers in third row as an option to make this one a 7-seater.

You will know this is the latest X5 simply because it has the biggest BMW kidney grille in an X5 to date.

The new mid-size luxury SUV (or Sports Activity Vehicle as BMW likes to call it) has grown more luxurious, more connected and more off-road capable. There's more sophisticated electronics crammed into the body to ensure it’s an X5 with expanded talents.

To give an idea of how the X5 has changed since 1999, the earlier three generations of the model were also presented on the side at the new X5 media reveal. Joining them on static display was a prototype G05 plug-in hybrid - the xDrive45e iPerformance.

 The X5 PHEV.

As per BMW SOP for such major events, its key project staffers were on call to present the new product and explain the finer points about the vehicle and the technologies embedded in it.

Among those present were X5 product manager Marco Möller, X5 driving dynamics project manager Claus-Dieter Groll and Connected Drive/Digital Services specialist Carolin Raabe.

BMW also hired a team of photographers and videographers for members of the media who wished to use their services.

The new X5 showcases a pared-back design language as illustrated by clean surfacing and precise lines to highlight its robustness and authority.

LED headlights are standard but BMW Laserlight with Adaptive LED Headlights can be specified as an option to optimise the high beam function.

The new X5 is the first X model to get a host of chassis systems such as two-axle air suspension, Integral Active Steering and an Off-Road package to enhance the car’s versatility, dynamic ability and comfort levels.

Driver assistance systems have been expanded to include Driving Assistant Professional and Parking Assistant Plus with Reversing Assistant. In addition, the BMW Live Cockpit Professional aka digital display cluster is standard, which allows the display and control system to be geared more precisely to individual driver needs.

Closely linked to the digital display is the BMW Operating System 7.0 display and control concept. The systems software makes its debut in this new X5 and focuses on optimising attention control. With its clear presentation and structuring, plus customisable and personalised displays, it sets out to provide drivers with the right information at the right time.

BMW has already released abundant details on the X5, so we will just refer you to additional highlights of the SUV as posted in a June 6 CarSifu article.

The worldwide rollout of the new X5 began last month. It is available at market launch with a choice of one V8 and three six-cylinder in-line engines. All will team up with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission.

The fourth-generation X5 is expected to arrive in Malaysia in due course. Until then, our test-drive report is put on hold at BMW's request.

 A BMW instructor briefing participants on how to set up the new X5 for offroad terrain before they head for the hills and the forest (below). A BMW photographer is enlisted to take dynamic shots of the new X5 on an isolated road outside Atlanta, Georgia. A security patrol car (not shown) tags along to ensure safety at all times.


Toyota to start selling small electric sedan in China by year-end, say sources

                BEIJING: Toyota Motor Corp plans to start production and sales of a small electric sedan powered by BYD Co Ltd batteries by year-end as part of an ongoing collaboration with the Chinese company, three people close to the Japanese carmaker said.

The for now China-only bZ3 sedan co-developed with BYD will be the second model in the new "Beyond Zero" (bZ) series of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from Toyota, which has been criticised by activists and green investors for not embracing BEVs fast enough.

The first bZ car - the bZ4X sport-utility vehicle - was to hit the market in China earlier this year, but a global recall of the car forced Toyota to suspend production of the model globally.

Toyota had planned to unveil the bZ3, which uses BYD's less bulky Blade batteries, at the Beijing auto show in April, but the event was cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the sources said. They declined to be named because the plan is not public yet.

A Toyota spokesman in Beijing declined to comment.

The car is roughly the same size as Toyota's Corolla model but with a bigger back-seat section, the sources said.

 The bZ3 sedan is Toyota's first all-electric sedan. — All images from carnewschina.com

The pricing of the bZ3 could not be determined, but one of the sources said it would likely sell for around 200,000 yuan (RM128,000), nearly 30% below an entry-level Tesla Inc Model 3.

The bZ3 will be produced in Tianjin at a pace of 30,000 vehicles a year on the same assembly as the bZ4X, two of the sources said. The plant is jointly operated by Toyota and one of its two Chinese partners, FAW Group.

There are no plans for Toyota's other joint venture with GAC Motor to produce the bZ3, the three sources said.

Toyota has long advocated a small car that does not compromise on comfort as the best way to popularise BEVs, but it has struggled to produce one.

The need to stack bulky batteries under the floor has typically eaten up interior space unless the roof is raised, which is why many EVs are taller SUVs.

The bZ3's smaller sedan configuration has become feasible chiefly because of BYD's thinner lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) Blade battery technology.

One source said earlier a typical Blade pack is about 10 centimetres (3.9 inches) thick when the modules are laid flat on the floor, roughly 5 cm to 10 cm thinner than other lithium-ion packs.


Land Rover makes most powerful Defender yet with 525 hp and V8 engine

                LONDON: Land Rover is now among the many manufacturers targeting an all-electric line-up in the coming years.

But before the British maker phases out its internal combustion engines, they want to give the Defender one last chance to flex some old-fashioned muscle with a newly fitted V8.

It's anything but cheap. According to the manufacturer, the price of the three-door Defender 90 starts at €117,600 (RM589,000) in Europe, while the five-door Defender 110 costs €121,200 (RM607,000).

Then again, the achieved performance is unheard of in the Defender, and with 5 litres of displacement and supercharging, this mud-plugger has increased to an unprecedented 525hp.

The V8 engine, a good 25 per cent more powerful than the previous top engine, meanwhile thrusts drivers into the back of their seat with a maximum torque of 625 Nm, according to the manufacturer.

All this enables driving performance that was previously unseen in a Defender: It now accelerates from 0 to 100kph in 5.2 seconds and the top speed is 240kph.

The steep pricetag certainly won't come with a clean conscience in terms of environmental impact, however, and Land Rover puts fuel consumption at 12.8 litres/100km and CO2 emissions at 290 g/km.

Although the Defender is on a par with the GLE 63 AMG from Mercedes or the X5M from BMW in terms of price and performance, Land Rover isn't giving the V8 Defenders a bodybuilder redesign. Apart from the 22-inch wheels and the four-pipe exhaust system, the looks of the most powerful Defender to date are comparatively tame.


Toyota to reproduce spare parts for 40 Series Land Cruiser

                TOYOTA CITY: Toyota Gazoo Racing has announced that it will reproduce spare parts for the Land Cruiser in celebration of its 70th anniversary on Aug 1.

The parts will be reproduced for the 40 Series Land Cruiser, which was produced between 1960 and 1984, as part of the GR Heritage Parts Project.

The project reproduces spare parts that have been discontinued and sells them as genuine parts through a special collaboration with suppliers, in order to support customers who wish to continue driving older vehicles that are full of memories and that they truly love.

The Land Cruiser has long promised "to take people anywhere and everywhere and come back alive and safe."

Even models whose production has been discontinued for several decades continue to be cherished by large numbers of customers all over the world, and continue to actively support lives, livelihoods, and more fulfilling lifestyles. However, recent years have seen a shortage of spare parts, with Land Cruiser owners expressing fears they will no longer be able to drive their vehicles.

For this reason, Toyota Gazoo Racing has made the decision to reproduce parts for which there is greatest demand and need, so that customers can continue to drive their cherished vehicles in safety and with peace of mind.

The company has carried out preliminary surveys with exclusive Land Cruiser dealers and fan club representatives from across the globe and, as a result of these activities, it is advancing preparations to reproduce and sell parts related to the critical functions of driving, turning, and braking for the 40 Series Land Cruiser. These parts will be supplied as "heritage parts," and will include engines, drivelines, and exhaust systems. Availability of parts will be launched as preparations have been completed, with a target launch date at the beginning of 2022.

Additionally, Toyota Gazoo Racing is preparing a questionnaire form on its website* where customers can submit their reproduction requests. This feedback will be used in the selection of the next parts to be reproduced.

Toyota Gazoo Racing has previously supplied heritage parts for the A70 and A80 Supra, and the 2000GT, but this will be the first time it has reproduced spare parts for the Land Cruiser. In addition to the 40 Series, the company intends to discuss reproduction of parts for later generations of the model.


Mitsubishi celebrates CNY with up to RM12K Prosperity Bonus

                PETALING JAYA: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles in Malaysia, is offering prosperity bonus for this Chinese New Year (CNY) 2019.

The award winning Mitsubishi Outlander comes with 2 years free maintenance and 5-years unlimited KM warranty. Customers who book and register a new Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre will enjoy prosperity bonus up to RM8,000.

The Outlander 2.0-litre is priced at RM137, 888 and the Outlander 2.4-litre is priced at RM152, 888.

Customers who book and register a Mitsubishi Triton 18MY will enjoy prosperity bonus up to RM12,000! Promotions for all Triton 18MY variants are as follows:
NoModel VariantOTR Price without insurance SST inclusive (RM) in Peninsular MalaysiaProsperity Bonus (RM)Warranty1Triton VGT Adventure X129,270.0012,000All Triton variants except Triton Quest: Five years warranty or 200,000kmTriton Quest: Five years warranty or 100,000km2Triton VGT AT Premium118,560.0012,0003Triton VGT AT GL105,990.0012,0004Triton VGT MT109,600.0011,0005Triton MT95,610.008,0006Triton Quest78,890.005,000
Remark: Promotions are not applicable for New Triton 19MY.

The New Mitsubishi Triton 19MY is now open for booking and be one of the first 1000 customers to receive an exclusive Thule Subterra luggage worth RM2000.

Book online here and stand a chance to win GoPro HERO7 Black from now until Jan 20 2019.

Last but not least, the Mitsubishi ASX Compact SUV 4WD or 2WD is also up for grabs with prosperity bonus up to RM8,000. The ASX 4WD is priced at RM133,336.00 while the ASX 2WD is priced at RM118,866.00.

Not forgetting our loyal patrons, Mitsubishi customers who service their vehicle from Jan 15 to Feb 15 2019 will stand a chance to win an iPhone XS. Terms and conditions apply.


Bentley Q1 profit soars despite cars lost at sea and stuck in China

                LONDON: Luxury British carmaker Bentley said today its first-quarter operating profit jumped 162% versus the same period last year, as soaring vehicle prices offset the loss of some cars at sea and pandemic-related delivery problems in China.

The Volkswagen unit said high customer interest in new models resulted in a record order book of just under 10,000 vehicles for the 102-year-old carmaker.

Bentley CEO Adrian Hallmark said that about 200 cars, around 75 of them highly customised orders for specific customers, bound for the US market went down on a ship that caught fire off the Azores in February.

Hallmark said those sales were largely recovered in April.

Chinese sales were hit by pandemic shutdowns, which also affected the ability to transport cars inland by truck.

"The crises that we've had with COVID, semiconductors and now the tragedy in Ukraine have not dented customers' willingness to invest in high luxury goods and certainly not in Bentleys," Hallmark said.

"We're really doing well."

The sales dip follows a record year for Bentley in 2021, as pandemic travel restrictions left wealthy consumers with more disposable income, lifting premium and luxury car sales in key global markets like China and the United States. read more

Hallmark said absent any further supply chain issues, the company could produce around 15,000 cars this year, compared with the 14,659 it sold last year.

First-quarter vehicle sales fell 5% to 3,203 units from 3,358 a year earlier, with sales down 9% in the Americas and 29% in China.

But the average revenue per car rose 15% to 212,000 euros from 184,000 euros a year earlier, as customers opted for more personalized options.

Hallmark said customers have embraced the ability to personalise seat leathers, stitching, seating configurations and a myriad of other options.

"Dealers are doing limited editions, special packages for individual customers, and it's just getting more and more popular," he said.

Revenue at Bentley was up 41% at 813 million euros versus 578 million a year earlier, and the carmaker's operating profit rose to 170 million euros from 65 million euros.

Profits were also partly lifted by a restructuring program that began in 2018.


Mitsubishi opens showroom in Sitiawan

                SITIAWAN: A new Mitsubishi Motors 3S centre (sales, service and spare parts) was opened in Sitiawan, Perak recently by authorised dealer Lofty Ambition Sdn Bhd.

This is Lofty Ambition’s third Mitsubishi Motors showroom in Perak, with the first two showrooms in Ipoh and Taiping respectively.

Lofty Ambition’s outlet in Sitiawan is the first showroom in the Northern region with Mitsubishi Motors’ new corporate brand; represented by its global tagline ‘Drive Your Ambition’.

“Mitsubishi Motors and Lofty Ambition have been business partners since 2014. In a short time, Lofty Ambition is able to grow and strengthen the Mitsubishi brand presence in Perak,” said Tomoyuki Shinnishi, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM).

 Exchange of token between CEO of MMM, Mr Tomoyuki Shinnishi (left) and executive director of Lofty Ambition, Mr Sam Chang

The 3S centre is located at No. 1, Jalan Medan Serdang 1, Medan Serdang, 32000 Sitiawan, Perak.

The new 3S centre houses a customer lounge, and a fully-equipped workshop and has advanced diagnostic tools and Special Set Tools (SST).

MMM is now represented by 52 showrooms (out of which 47 are 3S centres) and 54 service outlets in Malaysia.

In East Malaysia, MMM is represented by 15 showrooms (7 in Sarawak and 8 in Sabah).

The Triton 4x4 pick-up truck are imported as CBU (Completely Built-Up) units from Thailand while the ASX Compact SUV and Outlander are locally assembled (CKD) in Malaysia.


Continental presents new wheel concept for electric cars

                BERLIN: German automotive supplier Continental has come up with an innovative new Optimized Wheel which is designed for state-of-the art electric cars.

The new composite Optimized Wheel comes with corrosion-free aluminium brake discs which provide a larger friction radius and improve braking performance.

The calipers are also smaller and lighter, contributing to lower emissions and a reduction in fine dust particles.

Continental also promises reduced brake pad wear and says the discs should last for the life of the vehicle.

Normal steel brake discs suffer from wear-and-tear and often develop grooves which make it necessary to replace them regularly.

The Continental wheel is an eye-catcher which could enhance the look of many cars as much as a set of alloy wheels.

The Conti wheel is especially suited to electric cars, since these do not rely on regular pedal-operated friction brakes but use engine and recuperative braking.

Since they are used less, the traditional brakes fitted to electric vehicles until now are apt to start rusting, which reduces their efficiency.

Continental has not said when the new wheel could enter production. It will be showcased at the Sept 14-24 Frankfurt IAA Car Show.


Who really needs a four-wheel-drive vehicle?

                BERLIN: Cars with four-wheel drive are becoming increasingly popular with each passing year.

The number of four-wheel-drive vehicles in a country like Germany has has increased from 2.95 million to 4.33 million in the last five years, based on data from the country's federal transportation ministry.

This increase is partly due to slick marketing from carmakers, according to the ADAC, Germany’s largest automobile club. But it's also a result of constantly improving four-wheel-drive systems. At the same time, the ever-increasing popularity of SUVs is also pushing forward four-wheel-drive development.

But who really needs four-wheel drive in everyday life? And who else can get by just fine with electronic traction assistants?

When it comes to driving behaviour, four-wheel drive has some clear advantages over front and rear-wheel drive, namely that it generally offers better traction and safety, says Joern Getzlaff, a professor of vehicle technology at the Zwickau University of Applied Sciences.

Due to the distribution of forces over four instead of two wheels, more driving force can be transmitted by the engine. Four-wheel-drive cars handle better when turning, and offer much better acceleration, adds Getzlaff.

On the other hand, four-wheel-drive cars are more expensive than their front or rear-wheel drive counterparts. "Since they need a cardan shaft, a transfer gearbox and more differentials, they are quite mechanically complex," says Getzlaff, which also makes the cars heavier and increases their fuel consumption.

In short, a four-wheel-drive car offers advantages in handling in exchange for increased weight, greater fuel consumption and a higher up-front cost. So for whom is it worthwhile?

"All-wheel-drive has advantages in many situations," says Christian Anosowitsch from Mercedes-Benz, noting that it offers improved safety in adverse conditions, such as when driving on wet roads. Dieter Weidemann, head of all-wheel system development at Audi, agrees, noting that all-wheel drive offers added value in any day-to-day situation.

In the ADAC’s view, however, four-wheel drive is not necessarily beneficial in just any situation; it mostly depends on where you live and what you drive. Four-wheel drive is the clear choice if living near mountains or on steep slopes, while those who regularly pull heavy loads such as horse trailers or caravans, can reap the benefits of its better traction.

But in terms of having proper traction under normal circumstances, the ADAC considers rear- or front-wheel drive to be sufficient for the usual, everyday routes that drivers will tend to cover. Getzlaff sees things similarly: in the majority of driving situations, two-wheel drive is enough.

All-wheel-drive systems aim to distribute torque to the four wheels as effectively as possible, and the majority of modern four-wheel-drive vehicles use electronically controlled multi-plate clutches for this purpose.

"They have established themselves because they work with ESP," says Getzlaff. Opel, for example, has installed two multi-disc clutches in the four-wheel variant of the Insignia, which precisely direct the required force to each wheel.

Multi-plate clutch systems are primarily intended for occasional off-road operation, says Getzlaff. For longer off-road trips, however, classic all-terrain vehicles may make a better choice, featuring "traditional systems," as Getzlaff notes. These systems have individually controllable limited slip differentials.

And what about electronic aids? Since late 2014, says Getzlaff, Electronic Stability Programs (ESP) have been mandatory for every newly registered car in Europe. While electronic aids can indeed improve traction, they cannot replace four-wheel-drive systems, explains the ADAC. According to Getzlaff, they can help a car perform better as it approaches its limits – but cannot push these limits further.

 All-wheel drive is vital in offroad conditions such as this.


VW starts telling customers if affected by emissions scandal

                BERLIN/BRUSSELS: Two weeks after it admitted to cheating diesel emissions tests, Volkswagen provided the first information on Friday allowing customers to find out if their vehicles are affected.

The German carmaker, which has said it will have to refit up to 11 million cars and vans containing illegal software, rolled out a website page that tells owners who input data about their vehicles whether they will have to bring them into the garage.

Volkswagen is under huge pressure to get to grips with the biggest business crisis in its 78-year history, which has wiped more than a third off its share price, forced out its long-time CEO and rocked both the auto industry and German establishment.

The head of its U.S. business has been called to testify before lawmakers next Thursday, and Germany's KBA watchdog has set an Oct. 7 deadline for it to come up with a refit plan.

While the company started provided information on Friday, customers will not yet know whether the refits will leave their vehicles with diminished fuel economy and performance -- problems that could potentially multiply lawsuits against the Volkswagen and further sully its reputation.

Volkswagen, Europe's biggest carmaker, said earlier on Friday it was taking time to come up with solutions because automatic and manual vehicles and models with different engine categories needed different fixes.

In a sign of the complexity, Belgian car importer D'Ieteren told Reuters it had not heard any technical details about the refit yet, and that Volkswagen had committed only to having a plan set by the end of this month.

In the meantime, customers and dealers have been seething.

"There's been no news whatsoever from Volkswagen, from the dealer, any letter, any phone call, nothing whatsoever," said Giacomo Corrado, who lives outside San Francisco and leases a diesel Golf.

Bradley Hoffman, chairman of the American International Automobile Dealers, said Volkswagen had not communicated well "out of the gate", although he was confident they would ultimately make things right with customers.

"I want them to get off their you know whats and handle this thing swiftly and correctly. But I know they will," he said. "This is urgent for them because it's a public relations nightmare ... They're still in assessment mode."

Volkswagen said on its French website that it would set up a toll free phone number on Monday for customers wanting to call.

The company's shares, which dropped to a 4-year low of 90.70 euros earlier in the day, closed down 4.3 percent at 92.36.
The scandal has exposed inadequate regulations, particularly in Europe where the importance of the car industry to jobs and exports has given it a powerful voice in policymaking.

"Consumers are rightly aggrieved and frustrated. Politics must no longer tolerate this situation in such an important consumer market," Klaus Mueller, head of the Federation of German Consumer Organisations, told Reuters.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which announced Volkswagen's cheating in diesel emissions tests on Sept. 18, provides detailed information on vehicle performance in tests. Published data from German counterpart KBA, upon which some other countries rely for tests on Volkswagen vehicles, does not break down the test performance of individual models.

Asked whether there was any way, other than asking the manufacturer, for people to find if a specific model complies with EU rules, a KBA spokesman said: "I don´t think so."

U.S. authorities have generally been quicker to respond to the crisis too.

The EPA, which said on Sept. 25 it would toughen tests for all carmakers, will scrutinize at least 28 diesel models made by BMW, Chrysler General Motors, Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz, the Financial Times reported on Friday.

A U.S. congressional oversight panel said on Thursday it had called Volkswagen's U.S. chief, Michael Horn to testify on Oct. 8, while more than 30 U.S. state attorneys general have banded together to conduct an investigation into Volkswagen, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said on Friday.

Although European authorities are seeking answers as well, the response has generally been slower.

French prosecutors only opened a preliminary inquiry into

Volkswagen on Friday, whereas the U.S. Department of Justice was reported on Sept. 21 to have started a criminal investigation.

European carmakers are lobbying hard, fearing costlier regulations and a fall in sales of diesel vehicles -- which account for around a half of sales in Europe compared with a small fraction in the United States.

In a letter dated Sept. 29 to the European Union's council of ministers, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association said manufacturers would need until 2019 to fully meet some new pollution limits.

It also suggested U.S. authorities had an ulterior motive. "We understand that the U.S. want to challenge the leadership role that the European manufacturers have taken globally in this technology," said the letter, seen by Reuters, referring to diesel cars.

The car industry is particularly important to Germany, Europe's largest economy, where the likes of BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen employ more than 750,000 people. Berlin has in the past lobbied the EU against tougher regulations on carmakers.

German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel, who once sat on Volkswagen's board, said on Friday investigations into the company should not turn in to a campaign against the industry as a whole.

However, Philippe Lamberts, co-chair of the Greens group in the European Parliament, said the auto industry had to change.

"They should shut up and put up with it. It’s not a question of profits, it’s about health, it’s about the rule of law," he told Reuters.

Jos Dings, director of campaign group Transport & Environment, said the EU should set up a new Europe-wide vehicle inspection agency akin to the EPA, but was not optimistic.

"Member states will try their utmost to keep that power with their national type approval authorities -- despite the fact that it is clear they have not done much more than indeed approve vehicles," he said.


Dealerships huff and puff to keep up with car owner demands, says study

                SINGAPORE: Vehicle owners in Malaysia are expecting more out of their dealer service experience, and authorised service centres are struggling to keep pace with those rising demands, according to the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2015 Malaysia Customer Service Index (CSI) StudySM released last week.

The study, now in its 13th year, measures overall service satisfaction among owners who took their vehicle to an authorised service centre for service maintenance and/or repair work during the first 12 to 24 months of ownership. Service satisfaction is examined exclusively in the mass market segment.

The study evaluates new-vehicle owner satisfaction with the service experience by examining dealership performance in five factors (in order of importance): service quality (32%); service initiation (22%); vehicle pick-up (18%); service advisor (15%); and service facility (13%).

Satisfaction among mass market brands averages 749 index points (on a 1,000-point scale) in 2015, which is a 5-point decline from 2014. Customers are expecting to receive a higher level of service, overall satisfaction averaging 815 among the 12 percent of customers who indicate they had a“better-than-expected” service experience, compared with 842 in 2014.

Mazda ranked highest in customer satisfaction with dealer service among mass market brands.

The greatest drop in satisfaction is in service facility, where satisfaction has declined to 773 in 2015 from 785 in 2014. Ease of approach to and convenience of service centers contribute to the decline in satisfaction in the service facility factor.

Among the 3 percent of customers who indicate having a “worse-than-expected” service experience, overall satisfaction is558, down from 590 in 2014.

“Clearly, customer expectations are on the rise; hence, it is critical for service centers to provide a positive experience throughout,from service initiation, which is gaining importance,to delivering the vehicle back to customers,while remaining focused on delivering service quality,“ said Rajaswaran Tharmalingam, country head, Malaysia, J.D. Power Asia Pacific.

The study also shows the importance of satisfying customers to improve loyalty and repeat visits.   Among mass market vehicle brand owners who are highly satisfied with their service experience (overall satisfaction scores of 815 and higher), 42 percent say they “definitely would” revisit their service dealer for post-warranty service, compared with 12 percent of those who are highly disappointed (scores of 698 or lower).

Among the 22 identified service standards thatenhance the overall customer service experience,notifying customers for routine maintenance and contacting customers after the service visit have the most significant positive impact on satisfaction (+22 points and +15 points, respectively). Overall satisfaction among the 18 percent of customers who indicate their service centre executed both of those standards averages 778, compared with 737 among those whose service centredid not deliver on both of these services.

“Service centres must strive to always enhance their service standards, specifically in offering the value-added standards to their customers,” Rajaswaran said. “This is precisely what delights customers with their service experience.”

 Click J.D. Power infographic below to expand


Hyundai unveils new compact and light central airbag

                SEOUL: Hyundai has just published the first images of its research on a new airbag that opens between the driver and front-seat passenger in order to prevent collisions between them, especially at head level.

Thanks to a new patented technology, Hyundai Motor Group has developed a central side airbag that is one of the most compact and light in the world.

The central airbag is installed in the driver's seat and deploys when an impact is detected. According to Hyundai, it will reduce head injuries caused by collisions between the car's front-seat passengers by 80%.

Central airbags aren't new (General Motors initiated the concept a few years ago) but Hyundai's is now more compact and lighter than its competition. Because of its small size, its installation in the front seats will be more flexible in the future.

The group hopes to be able to integrate the new airbag in all of its future models under both Hyundai and Kia brands.


Citroen unveils camper van designed for motorcyclists

                PARIS: Motorcycle owners hoping to test their pride and joy on some faraway race track are often faced with a challenge: Do I return home afterwards or find a place to stay nearby?

French manufacturer Citroen has a solution. Their new Jumper Biker van, made in collaboration with the motor home manufacturer Flexebu, updates the standard Citroen Jumper transporter to include space for two motorcycles and a sleeping area.

A kitchen block with a fridge is also available in the diesel vehicle, with additional cabinets providing storage space for accessories such as helmets and luggage.

The fold-down sleeping berths can also be extended to host up to four people with an optional pop-up roof. Using a rail system and an electric winch, two motorcycles can be brought on board and secured in the rear of the 6-metre-long vehicle.

Since all furniture can be removed, you can quickly convert the Jumper Biker into a normal van and maximise its storage potential.

Prices for the model, which goes on show at the Caravan Salon in Duesseldorf from Aug 25 to Sept 2, start from 54,264 euros (RM259,000).


Isuzu D-Max 1.9: Bring on the miles and smiles

                When it comes to delivering brute force, the old adage that there is no replacement for displacement is slowly on the way out.

With modern technologies, turbocharging along with better engine design allows smaller blocks to punch above their weight.

For example, Isuzu’s latest D-Max 1.9 Blue Power 4X4 Premium which gets a new downsized 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine, delivers higher performance compared with the 2.5-litre block in the previous line-up.

Power from the breakthrough 1.9-litre RZ4E turbodiesel engine is higher at 150hp (up by 36hp) and maximum torque now stands at 350Nm (up from 30Nm).

In addition, the engine also claims an improvement of 19% in fuel efficiency, making the D-Max 1.9 Blue Power the first pick-up truck in Malaysia to be certified as an energy efficient vehicle by the Road Transport Department.

Exterior

Reprising the typical pick-up look with an imposing bonnet and high ground clearance, the D-Max 1.9 Blue Power gets an updated black-chrome grille with new front bumper and bi-LED headlights and daytime running lights.

It also gets stylish 18-inch alloy wheels to give a trendy appearance.

Other optional accessories to spice up the exterior include pull-out cargo tray (RM700), sports bar (RM1,320), tailgate assist (RM650) and side steps (RM1,000).

Inside

To appeal to private and commercial users, Isuzu has taken efforts to make the D-Max 1.9 Blue Power more comfortable and a tad more upmarket.

Being major touch points for the driver, the centre arm and door armrests are padded to make long distance driving more relaxing.

The dashboard also gets some soft touch materials.

The Multimedia DVD player is an 8.0-inch touchscreen display type that supports GPS navigation, smart mirroring, Wi-Fi, AM/FM, MP3, AUX, USB, iPod and Bluetooth with eight speakers to boot.

Sound delivery is clear and much better than most audio systems seen in pick-up trucks of the past.

Also available are two USB charging ports - one for the front and the other for passengers at the rear.

Seating position is easily higher than crossovers and passenger cars, giving the driver a commanding view of the road ahead.

The combination leather and fabric seats is a good move by Isuzu Malaysia to make pick-up trucks more appealing than before to private buyers.

As with all double cab pick-up trucks in the local market, rear legroom is adequate.

However, the backrest of the rear seats can be rather upright to those new to the pick-up truck scene.

At night, the bi-LED headlights which are mounted higher than those on passenger cars, throw white light further and easily brightens up a greater portion of poorly lit roads.

The drive

Like any turbodiesel pick-up truck, the 1.9-litre engine fires up strongly through a push start/stop button before idling down to the usual diesel engine “clatter.”

Engage the six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift into “D” and the 1.9-tonne vehicle takes off effortless without having to floor the accelerator.

As for the suspension, which has been tuned predominantly for carrying heavy payloads in the cargo area, the ride is naturally much firmer than that of passenger cars.

The plus point is that the D-Max 1.9 Blue Power, with its ground clearance of 235mm, can easily tackle rough roads and demanding terrain with much aplomb and confidence.

During highway driving, the vehicle handles well but don’t expect it to carve up fast corners like a sports coupe.

On straight stretches, the D-Max 1.9 Blue Power can easily reach and exceed the legal speed limit without the need to stomp the throttle.

A good level of noise insulation made the cabin surprisingly quiet and muted from outside noises when driven at cruising speed.

The dial to set drive mode to 2H, 4H or 4L is conveniently located on the centre console and is easy to use.

As Isuzu Malaysia conservatively claims the D-Max 1.9 Blue Power has a frugal fuel consumption of 8.0 litres per 100km, its fuel tank capacity of 76 litres should be able to provide a driving range of 950km.

Even after using up to half the fuel in the tank to travel some 500km, which includes city driving and a round trip from Petaling Jaya to Muar, Johor, we were quite delighted that the trip computer showed we still have another 500km of driving range available.

This way better than average fuel consumption for pick-up trucks is going to be a strong attraction for high mileage drivers.

Best of all, the 1.9-litre Blue Power turbodiesel engine can run on cheaper Euro 2M diesel as well as the more premium Euro 5 grade. Other key features include dual front airbags, anti-lock braking system with electronic brake distribution, brake assist, hill start assist, hill descent control, electronic stability control, traction control system, reverse camera with parking guide and reverse sensors.

Verdict

Priced at RM115,799, the D-Max 1.9 Blue Power is well-specified and is a value-for-money consideration for private and commercial users wanting a double cab pick-up truck that is among the very top in delivering miles and smiles.
SPECIFICATIONSIsuzu D-Max 1.9 Blue Power 4X4 (A)Engine: 1,898cc, 4-cylinder VGS turbodiesel intercooler, 16 valves, Direct Injection Electronic Commonrail
Maximum power: 150hp at 3,600rpm
Maximum torque: 350Nm from 1,800 to 2,600rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic with Sequential Shift
Features: Two airbags, Bi-LED Projector headlights with manual levelling, LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), front fog lamps, auto folding wing mirror with LED turn indicator, anti-lock brake system (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Hill Descent Control (HDC), Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control System, Side Door Impact Beams, Collapsible Steering Column, e-LUMAX with Advance Multi-Information Display, Reverse Camera with Parking Guide, Reverse Sensors, Multimedia DVD Player with 8-inch Touch Screen, GPS Navigation, Smart Mirroring, Wi-Fi, AM/FM, MP3, AUX, USB, IPod & Bluetooth and eight speakers, bedliner and 255/60R18 alloy wheels with Highway Terrain tyres
Price (on the road, without insurance): RM115,799.20


Maserati bakes up F Tributo Special Edition series

                MODENA: Maserati is celebrating its racing past with F Tributo Special Edition series.

The special series is available on Ghibli and Levante in two exclusive colours - Rosso Tributo and Azzurro Tributo.

The reference to the glorious past is obvious. Red is the colour of Italian motorsports, and historically Maserati cars always raced in paintwork of this hue, which represented Italy in motor racing in the early years of the last century.

The bright, vibrant blue of Azzurro Tributo, on the other hand, reminds us that blue is one of the colours (together with yellow) of the City of Modena, the brand’s historic home.

There are F1 references to Juan Manuel Fangio’s 250F of the 1950s, which had a distinctive red and yellow livery, in the yellow brake calipers and the wheel trims.

To complete the exterior look, Levante F Tributo is fitted with Anteo 21” wheels in black and Ghibli F Tributo with 21” Titano wheels in glossy black. There is a specific badge in glossy black on the wheel arch and the trident logo in body colour on the C- pillar.

Finally, the shades of the exterior details are reflected on the interior in the red or yellow stitching combined with the Black full-grain “Pieno Fiore” leather.

Maserati’s racing debut was exactly 95 years ago; it was on 25 April 1926 that the first racing car to bear the Trident on its bonnet, the Tipo26, won the 1,500cc class at the Targa Florio with Alfieri Maserati at the wheel.

Twenty-eight years later, on Jan 17, 1954, Maserati made its debut in F1 and entered the pinnacle of world motorsports with the 250F driven by Fangio.

The brand’s history in competition and its connection with the racing world inspired the new F Tributo Special Edition, which received its world premiere at the 2021 Auto Shanghai.


Nissan Bluebird turns into one-off electric 'Newbird'

                LONDON: Celebrating 35 years of production at the Sunderland plant, Nissan has commissioned a special conversion of the Nissan Bluebird – the first car off the factory’s production line in 1986.

Called "Newbird", the one-off project car is powered by the 100% electric drivetrain of a LEAF, the pioneering mass-market EV that kick-started the global trend towards electrification of mobility.

The "Newbird" connects 35 years of manufacturing heritage at Sunderland, as Nissan accelerates towards an electrified future through Ambition 2030, the company’s long-term plan to empower mobility and beyond.

The Bluebird was extensively modified to integrate the LEAF’s electric drivetrain.

The original petrol combustion engine and gearbox were removed and a LEAF motor, inverter and 40kWh battery pack installed, with the battery modules split between the engine bay and boot for optimised weight distribution.

Updates and modifications were made to the power steering, braking and heating systems to enable them to be electrically powered. A custom suspension was also installed to support the additional weight from the battery packs.

As a nod to the car’s electric updates, the original Nissan bonnet badge received a LED backlight (for when the vehicle is static).

The car is recharged through the original fuel flap, which provides access to the charging port. The battery can be recharged at up to 6.6kW and the original driver instrument panel has been connected to the EV system to enable the fuel gauge to show the battery state of charge.

Although not homologated, the vehicle’s range from a single charge is estimated at around 209km (subject to environmental factors and driving style) with a 0-100kph time of just under 15 seconds.

For the exterior of the vehicle, Nissan Design Europe, based here, created a new graphic motif inspired by design cues of 1980s consumer technology, combined with a 21st century aesthetic.

The conversion was project-managed by Kinghorn Electric Vehicles, a family-run company based in Durham, North East England (just 24km from the Sunderland plant).

Kinghorn EV specialises in the conversion of classic cars to full electric using second-life LEAF motors, inverters & batteries.


Ford raises price of F-150 electric truck as inflation bites

                DETROIT: Ford Motor Co is raising the price of its electric truck F-150 Lightning Pro for the 2023 year model by nearly 11%, seeking to cushion the hit from ongoing supply chain snags and decades-high inflation, a spokesman for the automaker said on Wednesday.

The price of the new model has been set at US$51,974 (RM241,000) compared to US$46,974 (RM218,000) earlier, due to "ongoing supply chain constraints, rising material costs and other market factors," the spokesman said.

US automakers including EV giant Tesla Inc and Rivian Automotive Inc have also raised prices for their vehicles this year, squeezed by tough economic conditions that have been worsened by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In August, Ford raised prices for its F-150 Lightning lineup for the first time since it was revealed last year, by a range of US$6,000 and US$8,500 depending on the variant.

The Pro model, the cheapest of the variants, was priced nearly 18% higher than before, amid a surge in costs of raw materials such as lithium that is used in EV batteries.

The Ford spokesman said those who have already scheduled their order, including commercial and government customers, will not be affected by the latest hike.

On Tuesday, Ford reported strong demand for new vehicles in the United States, saying retail orders were rapidly expanding, but warned that supply issues continued to weigh on sales. read more

Demand for cars and trucks may lose steam in the coming quarters as rising interest rates discourage consumers from paying more money for vehicles, analysts have said.


Two held for allegedly stopping traffic to allow bike convoy to pass

                PORT DICKSON: Police have detained two suspects who allegedly stopped traffic to allow a convoy of high-powered motorcycles to pass through a traffic light junction near here on Sunday.

Port Dickson OCPD Supt Aidi Sham Mohamed said police also seized two superbikes and helmets from the suspects.

The duo were arrested here at Bandar Springhill early this morning.

One of the suspects worked as an assistant in a legal firm while the other was a factory supervisor.

The traffic light was red when the suspects allowed the convoy to pass through.

"We are still looking for four others who were captured directing and stopping traffic in a clip that went viral on Sunday," Supt Aidi Sham said in a statement today.

In the viral 70-second clip, several individuals could be seen stopping and directing vehicles at the Sua Betong traffic light junction.

The motorcyclists were heading towards Bulatan Sunggala in Telok Kemang from the Seremban-Port Dickson Highway.

Supt Aidi Sham had said previously that traffic can only be stopped or diverted when a police officer is present.

The case is being probed under Section 21 of the Police Act and Section 79(2) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

Under Section 21 of the Police Act, offenders can be fined up to RM200 or up to three months' imprisonment, or both, upon conviction.

Those convicted under Section 79(2) of the Road Transport Act can be fined up to RM300.

Supt Aidi Sham said those with information on the incident can call the district police station at 06-647 2222.


Continental edges closer to making tyres from dandelion

                HAMBURG: The tyres on your car, motorcyle and bicycles all depend on one kind of tropical tree for rubber.

But now, in an effort to reduce CO2 emissions and find an alternative to rain forest-sourced rubber, Continental is stepping up its research into making rubber out of dandelions.

The tyre manufacturing giant believes the milky substance inside the plant could prove vial in transforming the current dependence on tropical rubber trees in the production of car tyres.

Scientists have been trying and failing to render rubber from the flower since the 1930s, including in the Soviet Union and during the World War II (CarSifu posted a story on the topic in 2014)

Now Continental has opened a laboratory in the German city of Anklam for the purpose of researching how rubber can be sustainably manufactured from Russian dandelion roots.

The lack of suitable plants and a reasonable extraction process has left researchers empty-handed until now, Professor Dirk Pruefer, head of the research team in Aklam, explains.

The technology to extract the rubber is being developed by the University of Muenster, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft institute and the Julius Kuehn Institute.

Plastic from tyres has been determined as a major source of ocean pollution, while debris from tyre abrasion is particularly harmful to the environment.

 The traditional source of rubber is not yet under threat from alternative avenues for the natural product.


'RM' number plates fetch RM7mil in bids

                ARAU: The total amount offered by 1,507 bidders across the country to get vehicle number plates with the letters 'RM' reached RM7 million, which is highest amount achieved in bids by the Perlis Road Transport Department (JPJ) so far.

RTD Perlis opened the bidding on Feb 23 and closed it on March 10 to enable the applications to be processed from March 11 and ended today.

Speaking to reporters at his office here in Jejawi Monday, State JPJ director Zulhasmi Mohamad said number plates with the letters 'RL' offered before this only accumulated RM1.7 million in successful bids.

According to him, the total number of bidders for the 'RM' number plate was 6,272, comprising individuals and companies from within and outside Perlis, accompanied with a deposit of 50 per cent from their bid values.

All bidders would be informed if they had succeeded or failed in their respective tenders through letters which would be sent out beginning today. Those who have succeeded would be required to pay the remaining 50 per cent of their bid values within a month, and would then be given another six months to register the number plate.

"If the numbers plates are not registered within the period, the registration will be opened to others and the winning bidder will not be entitled to make any claims after that," he said.

Zulhasmi added the remaining 8,491 number plates using letters 'RM' will be opened to the public as soon as the remaining number plates using the letters RL (648) have all been issued to the applicants, which is expected to be later this month or in early May.

Zulhasmi said that the 'RM 1' number plate belonged to the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail under his existing quota and it is understood that the number plate would be given to the Raja Muda, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail to be used for his vehicle.

The 'RM 7' number plate has been given to a member of the state administration under the quota granted to the Mentri Besar.

The number plate which attracted the highest bid was 'RM 8' with a tender of RM297,000 from a company outside Perlis.


Ghosn gone as Mitsubishi Motors joins Nissan in ousting chairman

                TOKYO: Within a week of his arrest, Carlos Ghosn, a towering figure in the auto industry, has been removed as chairman by two of the carmakers in a three-way global alliance.

The board of Mitsubishi Motors Corp ousted the 64-year-old today, following in the steps of its biggest shareholder, Nissan Motor Co. In contrast to Ghosn’s swift removal by the Japanese firms, France’s Renault SA has kept him on, while replacing him temporarily as chief executive officer.

The downfall of Ghosn, who built the alliance between Renault and Nissan, looks set to ignite a power struggle as the Japanese partner seeks to strengthen its position.

The Franco-Brazilian executive, accused of understating his income and misusing Nissan’s assets, has denied wrongdoing, according to NHK, Japan’s national broadcaster. The board of Mitsubishi, the newest member of the world’s biggest auto alliance, voted unanimously to remove him, a company filing showed.

“Continuing to keep Ghosn as our chairman would present a reputational risk to our company,” CEO Osamu Masuko told reporters, echoing remarks from Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa last week.

“I was honestly, absolutely shocked and struck with a sense of disbelief” at the allegations against him, he said. Masuko will take on the additional role of chairman.

The offences Ghosn is accused of carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail, Japanese prosecutors say. He remains in detention.

With Ghosn gone, Nissan’s Saikawa is already plotting a review of the alliance to make it more equitable, according to people familiar with the plans.

Renault owns about 43 percent of Nissan with voting rights, while the latter holds a 15 percent non-voting stake in the French company. After turning around Renault and a teetering Nissan in the late 1990s, Ghosn added the beleaguered Mitsubishi Motors to the group in 2016.

“Mitsubishi is firmly in the Nissan camp, because Nissan is their main shareholder,” said Janet Lewis, an analyst at Macquarie Capital Securities in Tokyo.

“Masuko has made it clear the future of the alliance is important to them and they will go along with supporting Nissan.”

 Masuko. - Reuters

The three carmakers are due to meet in Amsterdam this week. Nissan doesn’t expect that shareholding changes will be discussed at the meeting, a person familiar with the matter said.

Nissan views that negotiations about rebalancing ties should be done with mutual understanding, and that first the two companies must share an understanding about the need to dismiss Ghosn, the person said.

Nissan today accelerated its bid to redress imbalances in the alliance, seeking to limit the power of its French partner to nominate officials to its board, people familiar with the plan said.

In an address to Nissan’s global employees today, Saikawa said Ghosn held too much power at the company. Conversations between Nissan and Renault had to go through Ghosn, who also had the final say on such matters, making their communications less meaningful, Saikawa said. Saikawa also said he feels he enjoys the trust of Renault’s top management, having worked with them frequently.

The structure has become increasingly controversial in Japan due to Nissan’s improved performance. Nissan sold about 5.8 million cars last year - compared with just 3.7 million for Renault - and provides links to China, where Renault only has a small presence, and the US, where the French carmaker is absent.

 Ghosn's fall from grace is as shocking as it is spectacular.

“The bigger issue is Nissan was in recent years contributing more to the alliance than you are seeing from Renault,” Macquarie’s Lewis said. “In that sense, it’s logical that Nissan doesn’t want to be controlled by Renault.”

Nissan has also long resented what it sees as the French government’s meddling in the alliance. The French state owns 15 percent of Renault. A Nissan spokesman declined to comment.


GM gets boost from smaller pickups, but doubters question for how long

                General Motors Co's return to selling smaller pickups in the United States has resuscitated a moribund market segment, but new data highlights the risk that the automaker's new trucks are cannibalising sales of higher-priced models.

Since the launch last autumn of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, the midsize pickup segment has grown to more than 2 percent of the total US car and light truck market from 1.4 percent last summer. Some industry executives believe the segment could double annual sales to 500,000 vehicles, which would have been 3 percent of last year's market.

However, beneath the encouraging numbers for the Colorado and Canyon are some less positive trends, said IHS Automotive analyst Tom Libby. Nine of the top 10 vehicles previously owned by buyers of the Colorado and Canyon are GM cars and trucks.

Owners of full-size Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks made up more than 16 percent of the consumers who switched into both smaller GM pickups, according to IHS data.

"That was ominous," Libby said. "There may be a deeper issue here” related to the potential for undercutting sales of higher-margin models.

 The GMC Sierra (also below).

Libby said it was early in the life of the new midsized trucks and the actual number of consumers who switched from other GM vehicles was small by comparison.

GM officials said the IHS data fails to take into account new buyers and Canyon marketing manager Kenn Bakowski said more than half of all the sales of the new trucks are buyers new to the company.

GM's new trucks have taken a bite out of long-time midsized pickup segment leader, Toyota Motor Corp's Tacoma. Last month, GM president Dan Ammann called the smaller trucks "a very good investment."

"It's a sleeper segment with huge opportunity," Rich Latek, GMC's director of marketing, said in an interview. GM recently added a third shift at the Wentzville, Missouri, plant where their trucks are built because demand is so strong. The automaker plans to offer a diesel version to expand the appeal of the models.

The Colorado and Canyon represent one leg of what GM executives call a "three-truck strategy." The other two are the large and heavy-duty versions of the Silverado and Sierra trucks, which are bigger and sell at higher prices.

The Colorado and Canyon, like the Toyota Tacoma, are aimed at people who want the utility of a pickup, but more for recreation - such as carrying bikes or camping gear - than for hauling lumber or oil field gear. The Colorado starts at about US$20,120, about US$6,000 less than the larger Silverado pickup.

Dealers say they are happy with the new trucks. "It's the right truck at the right time," AutoNation Inc Chief Executive Mike Jackson said. "They saw something that others doubted."

Still, it is not clear that demand will soon surpass the 1986 peak, when smaller pickups made up more than 9 percent of the market with more than 1.4 million sales, according to GM.

Midsized trucks generate less than the US$10,000-US$12,000 in profit per vehicle of the full-size models according to analysts, but GM officials said they are money-makers and a component of their strategy to achieve 10 percent profit margins in North America. Since their launch last fall, GM has sold 37,351 Colorado and Canyon trucks through March.

Demand for larger pickups remains much greater, however. Chevrolet sold 45,193 Silverados in March alone.

LMC Automotive sees the midsize segment hitting 2 percent of the overall market this year but slipping back under that by 2020. LMC forecasts Colorado sales to hit just over 74,000 this year but to fall by 8.4 percent over the next five years, and Canyon sales to hit almost 29,500 this year but slide almost 21 percent in the subsequent five years.

Susquehanna Financial Group analyst Matthew Stover said GM's smaller trucks will generate decent profit, but the smaller trucks are more significant for Latin America and Asia.

"Too many other products have emerged in the market to fill the place of the midsized pickup truck," Stover said.

Toyota, meanwhile, is gearing up to defend its position in the United States with a redesigned Tacoma due to launch this fall. The Tacoma has lost share in the segment, but its sales are still up almost 13 percent so far this year.

"Our biggest issue right now is trying to keep our dealers supplied," said Bill Fay, group vice president for Toyota's US sales. Toyota added a third shift at its truck plant in Baja, Mexico.

Fay predicts the midsized truck segment could rise as high as 500,000 US sales, which would be double last year's level. Tacoma sales could improve by more than 6 percent this year to about 165,000 trucks, he said, and rise another 10,000 or more next year.

And the segment will likely grow more crowded. Hyundai Motor Co is eyeing the smaller end of the market, and Daimler's Mercedes has said it will focus initially on non-US markets.

However, GM's US rivals - Ford Motor Co and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles - are still unconvinced of the viability of smaller trucks.

"We are investing in and expanding our F-Series lineup for the North American market," Doug Scott, Ford Truck group marketing manager, said of the company's full-size truck. "The compact pickup segment in the US has been declining."


Jakarta family living in narrow alley recorded as owners of several luxury cars

File pic of a Bentley Continental GT interior. Abdul's son, Zulkifly, is listed as the owner of a Bentley, for which nearly RM32,000 in taxes was owed.
JAKARTA: In an apparent case of identity theft, a family in Tamansari, West Jakarta, have found out they are recorded as the owners of several luxury cars and that substantial taxes are owed on one of the vehicles. The only problem is that they live in a narrow alley through which no cars can pass.

The family was made aware of the fact after officials from the West Jakarta Vehicle Document Registration Center (Samsat) and the Jakarta Tax and Levy Agency (BPRD) came to their house to collect the overdue taxes.

Abdul Manaf, 64, the head of the family, is recorded as being the owner of a Mercedes-Benz (model not stated in original story), while his wife is apparently the owner of a Toyota Harrier.

His son, Zulkifly, is recorded as the owner of Bentley Continental GT, for which taxes amounting to Rp108mil (RM31, 484) have been owed since Sept 30 last year.

“I was shocked […] I don’t have the money to afford such luxury cars as my house is small,” Adul was quoted as saying by kompas.com.

He claimed that he had been the victim of identity theft, saying that two years ago a stranger had asked for a copy of the identity cards of his neighbours in exchange for some basic needs. There had been no talk of car purchases, he added, noting that it was the last time he had spoken with the man.

“At first, he said he would buy the basic needs for me if I gave him a copy of my ID card. In the end he only gave me Rp 125,000,” he said.

The Samsat officers have asked Abdul’s family to block their ownership of the luxury cars so the real owners will have to pay the vehicle ownership transfer fees.

Abdul is not the first victim of identity theft related to luxury car ownership. The authorities have found two similar cases in the past two months.

Ilham Firdaus, 23, another Tamansari resident, was recorded to have evaded taxes on his Ferrari car for a year, amounting to Rp 69.4 million.

Ilham, who also lives in a narrow alley, said he had lost his ID card and he believed it may have been used illegally.

The second case involved Aliyah and her husband, Andi, residents of Grogol Petamburan district in West Jakarta, whose identities were used by their non-Jakarta resident boss to purchase a Jaguar and a Porsche Cayman, on the latter of which was owed Rp 28.2 million in taxes.

BPRD Jakarta acting head Syafruddin said the body would work alongside the Jakarta Police’s traffic division to investigate the cases. – The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network


Ford and GM upgrade their heavy-duty pickup profit machines

                DETROIT: Ford Motor Co on Tuesday took the wraps off the latest version of its Super Duty pickup, providing a look at how the US automaker will manage one of the biggest challenges confronting Detroit.

The problem: How to modernis e the largest combustion pickups to keep demand strong and profits flowing, without over-investing at a time when automakers need to spend on developing electric vehicles and battery factories.

At Ford, many of the newest things about the new Super Duty relate to connectivity and business productivity software that Ford hopes will generate revenue over the life of the vehicle.

Ford chief executive Jim Farley has stressed the importance of software-driven features and is hiring more executives with digital commerce experience.

Ford will install 5G modems in 2023 model Super Duty trucks to enable services such as driver behaviour monitoring and digital paperwork systems for fleet operators.

Dashboards have been re-programmed to make it easier for companies that install specialised equipment such as hoisting arms to connect controls for their gear into the truck's displays. Onboard scales will measure payloads and the new Super Duties will have more power plugs.

The Super Duty, General Motors Co's rival Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD heavy duty pickups and heavy duty versions of Stellantis NV's Ram pickup are among the most profitable vehicles sold today by the Detroit Three automakers, or any rival.

Ford said the Super Duty franchise generates "more revenue than many Fortune 500 companies, including Southwest Airlines, Marriott International or Nordstrom." Southwest reported US$15.8 billion in revenue for 2021.

Powered by big diesel or gasoline engines, Super Duty prices start at US$41,240 (RM191,000), but can range up to more than US$100,000 (RM462,000) for a fully loaded model.

Heavy-duty pickups such as the Super Duty and Silverado HD do dirty work in oil fields and on construction sites. But many are sold to individuals who use them to tow large trailers, and want the same connectivity and comfort features they would expect in a luxury SUV.

For now, battery electric powertrains cannot provide the same towing capability and driving range for heavy-duty pickups as combustion powerplants.

Both Ford and GM are upgrading existing engines and transmissions, but not investing what it would take to develop new powertrains from scratch.

Ford on Tuesday unveiled the latest generation of the Super Duty at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky, not far from the factory where most Super Duty trucks are built.

Ford said Tuesday it will spend US$700 million (RM3.3bil) modernising the Kentucky Truck plant, and expects to hire another 500 workers at the plant to support Super Duty production. read more

One day ahead of Ford's Super Duty reveal, Chevrolet outlined a list of improvements to its Silverado HD heavy pickup line, which trails the Super Duty in sales.

Chevrolet said it will now offer only a 10-speed Allison transmission on its heavy duty Silverado trucks. The 6.6 litre diesel engine's horsepower and torque get a boost, and certain models get upgraded interiors with bigger display screens.

Ford Super Duty Chevrolet Silverado HD


DS design boss aims to banish screens from the car cabin

                PARIS: DS design chief Thierry Métroz wants to get rid of screens in future cars from the marque, claiming that the present fad of having multiple large screens in the interior is "a little bit stupid."

He told UK-based Autocar that tacking on large screens in cabins is neither sexy nor luxurious as many automakers are wont to think.

Métroz said he is working to remove all screens in future DS models. But then how will the car provide necessary information to the driver?

Metroz went on to say the avantgarde marque is looking at new technology that are less intrusive and that would help create an environment of serenity in the cabin.

 Métroz.

That all sounds like what BMW would call "shy tech" (as seen in the BMW iX) that refers to a set of discreet tech features that remain in the background until called upon by the user.

"The problem with the screen is when you switch off your screen, you’re just left with a rectangular black surface with all the fingerprints. It's not very sexy; it's not very luxury," said Metroz.

It remains to be seen how Metroz would execute his vision of a screenless DS while complying with regulations. For now, all models under DS, which is part of the Stellantis group, come with displays by default.


Thatcham chips in to boost vehicle cyber security

                LONDON: Establishing standards to promote consumer confidence around vehicle cyber security is high on the agenda for Thatcham Research, as the British insurers’ research centre focuse on fighting future car crime as the newest members of the Cyber Security Consortium for Connected Vehicles (CCV).

Connected vehicle technology provides the basis for many emerging driver assistance and comfort systems yet it’s this convergence between automotive and computer technology that could also provide opportunity for cyber attackers. However, according to Thatcham’s chief technology officer Andrew Miller, the key to keeping thieves at bay is in a joined up approach to creating robust standards.

“There are a wide range of stakeholders with an obvious interest in this area from the likes of Google and Apple who are increasingly moving into the automotive space to the more traditional vehicle manufacturers. With this mix of interested parties it’s critical to quickly establish a set of robust security standards and protocols around cyber security that everyone can agree and work to and which will avoid the kind of fragmented approach that hackers could exploit.”

“No connected computer system can be 100% guaranteed, and as technological development in the automotive industry continues at pace so that security threat potentially increases,” said Miller. “However, Thatcham have demonstrated previously how a collaborative approach can help the authorities stay one step ahead of the criminals.”

Thatcham’s has been responsible for evaluating security levels on all new vehicles destined for British roads, both as a basis for insurance grouping and as a consumer guide to vehicle security standards.

Since Thatcham established its specialist security team in the mid-90s cases of vehicle theft have fallen to less than 100,000 per year, down from over 600,000, whilst insurers are saving an estimated £300m in claims costs per year compared to the figure at its height.

Now as part of the Cyber Security Consortium for Connected Vehicles Thatcham will provide their experience in the development of new standards around Cyber Security, as well as in their influence on vehicle and product manufacturers to establish a coordinated approach to future security solutions.


Bentley Flying Spur First Edition revealed

                LONDON: Bentley will announce the arrival of the Flying Spur First Edition at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Gala, where it will be auctioned in support of the fund-raising charity at the inaugural Midsummer Party, Picozzi’s Villa Dorane, in the French Riviera, on July 24.

The Flying Spur First Edition, limited to just 12 months of production, has an acceleration rate of 0-100kph in just 3.8 seconds.

It features an active all-wheel drive system and all-wheel steering that ensures maximum surefootedness.

It has a state-of-the-art W12 engine mated to a 8-speed ZF dual-clutch transmission.

This limited edition model will display a First Edition exterior badge and a First Edition Fascia badge – a Union Jack flag with the numeral 1 in the centre; a choice of First Edition Bentley Winged Emblems embroidered into the headrests; and First Edition treadplates – presenting the Union Jack flag with First Edition written through the centre.

The electronic Flying B mascot, undoubtedly one of the most iconic elements of the new model, has been exquisitely redesigned and is featured for the first time since 1959. The wings illuminate and the mascot deploys electronically when the owner approaches and unlocks the car.

One truly distinctive feature is the Bentley Rotating Display, which enables switching between technology and classic design, allowing you to choose either. A technologically progressive touchscreen display, controlling apps, media and vehicle systems; a clean and beautifully veneered fascia; or three classic analogue dials – one for temperature, one which is a compass, and one which is a journey timer (chronograph). So you can take a technology break if you want to switch off at any time.

The Touring Specification enhances every journey by the fitting of cutting-edge systems, including lane assist, night vision, head-up display and adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist.

New wheel designs add to the perfect proportions of this luxury sedan with 22 inch Mulliner Driving Specification alloy wheels included in the First Edition, resulting in an assertive, contemporary look with unparalleled levels of execution in the detail.

There is also a panoramic sunroof, where the front panel tilts and slides rearwards over the top of the fixed panel to open.


Maserati Grecale prototype teased at road trials

                MODENA (Italy): Maserati's new Grecale sports utility vehicle (SUV) prototype has been photographed outside the Italian luxury carmaker's plant on Viale Ciro Menotti, Modena.

The employees were the first to release the images of Maserati's second SUV after the Levante on social networks.

Innovative by nature, Maserati decided to allow the photos of the new model to be shared exclusively with the Maserati family.

The prototype units are currently undergoing a period of intensive road, circuit and off-road tests, in various conditions to acquire vital data for the preparation of the SUVs final set-up.

The Grecale will be built at Cassino, Italy, where an investment of about 800 million Euros is planned.

The performance SUV is expected to make its World Premiere before the end of the year.


Volvo recalls 167,000 cars worldwide, second in weeks

                GOTHENBURG: Volvo Cars, owned by Chinese group Geely, said on Wednesday it was recalling 167,000 cars worldwide because of a problem with the power-operated tailgate.

The announcement came just two weeks after Volvo recalled 219,000 vehicles to fix potential fuel leaks in the engine compartment.

On Wednesday, the company informed XC60 customers who own 2018 and 2019 models that "a faulty component on cars equipped with power tailgate" could potentially cause "personal injury".

"In cold climate, the tailgate lifting arm may separate, causing noise or loss of function," it said, stressing that it had not received any reports of "significant injuries".

"This is a preventive action to avoid any future issues," Volvo said.

Affected customers are to receive a letter instructing them to contact their dealer for a free repair.

Since Geely acquired the Swedish company from Ford in 2010, Volvo Cars has made a spectacular return to profits.

It has now begun to focus on autonomous vehicles and those powered by electric or hybrid motors.

In 2017, when it posted record sales, it announced it would only launch electric or hybrid models as of 2019.


MINI shows off living concept in Milan

                MILAN: For all things MINI, this year's Salone del Mobile event in Milan is featuring a joint living concept between the iconic British carmaker and London-based architects Studiomama.

On a surface area of just a few square metres, the third installation has been created to reflect the automotive brand's "creative use of space" as its core principal.

“MINI LIVING provides creative solutions for collaborative urban living – on a small footprint but offering many possibilities and a high degree of flexibility,” explains MINI head brand strategy and business innovation Esther Bahne.

“Our first large hub, containing over 50 apartments and communal/public spaces on an area twice the size again is currently being constructed in Shanghai. As with BUILT BY ALL, the residents are co-creators of their space,” she added.

The concept adds the principal of participation to the underlying themes of MINI LIVING, involving creative use of a small living area, publicly accessible space and the reciprocity of private and communal living.

“Today’s standardised housing market is limited in its ability to meet the requirements of the individual,” said MINI LIVING creative lead Oke Hauser.

“So MINI LIVING – BUILT BY ALL turns people into active creators and puts them at the heart of the design process. We believe that ultimately the quality of a living space is determined by how well the residents identify with their home.”

Visitors to Design Week can explore the benefits of MINI LIVING for residents in the future and moving beyond the installation, they can become creators themselves in the FACTORY OF IDEAS.

In keeping with the idea of participative architecture, visitors have the opportunity to create their own visions of urban living spaces in the form of small conceptual models.

These will be displayed on a Wall of Fame over the course of the installation - viewed as a single entity, and they symbolise a constantly expanding micro-neighbourhood.

This year’s MINI LIVING installation is located in a connecting room at the Zona Tortona complex where visitors, some of who will be architects, can experience the full-size realisation of four different living space concepts designed in collaboration with Studiomama.

Covering a surface area of just 15-20 square metres, but on very different floor plans and in different forms, colours and materials, are four contrasting living units.

The approach underpinning the design allows each unit to express the individual personalities of their residents at the same time as underscoring the concept’s variety and scope.

The living units are embedded in a shared space incorporating functions such as a communal kitchen, fitness area and atrium.

The installation adopts existing structures such as pillars and struts, as well as complements them with additional functionalities.

The result is a standalone, living micro-neighbourhood in an old factory hall.

The installation highlights that even the inside of an empty building can be used to enrich the future of urban architecture and demonstrates how unused warehouses, abandoned shopping centres and offices can be transformed into potential living spaces.

The installation will be on show during the Salone del Mobile at Via Tortona 32 in Milan, Italy from April 17 to 22.


Holden Special Vehicles signs off with 635hp GTS-R W1

                MELBOURNE: It's always a little sad when a vehicle model comes to the end of its lifespan and goes out of production, but it's even sadder when an entire manufacturing facility turns out the lights. But that's only a small part of the story behind the final limited edition 635-hp VF II Commodore-based GTS-R W1 in "Light My Fire" orange that's just rolled off the Holden Special Vehicles production line here.

Around 30 years ago, Holden Special Vehicles (HSV), with help from motor racing legend Tom Walkinshaw, produced a 241hp limited edition VL Commodore Group A SS sedan. A lot of stunning vehicles have come out of the facility since then, but the GTS-R W1 is not only the fastest, most-powerful and most expensive model Australia has ever produced, it's also the 90,114th and very last car the facility here will ever produce.

The car in question was number 275 of 275, and although a lot of collectors would probably love to pay a very high price to make it their own, it will now join the company's heritage fleet alongside the first W1 produced. In total, 298 GTS-R W1s were produced, with 20 of them going to New Zealand, 275 staying in Australia, and the other three being "final engineering" models.

But if this car was just representing the end to HSV's current business model and the end to car production at the Melbourne facility it would be significant enough, but it's considerably more significant than that. In fact, following on from the closure of Toyota's, Ford's and Holden's factories in Australia, the LS9-engined GTS-R W1 will be the last new car built in Australia.

HSV will continue, but not in anything like its current form. In future, it will occupy a larger location in Clayton where the company will be tasked with converting imported models such as the Chevrolet Camaro and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD to right-hand drive for the Aussie market.


Ducati looking for seven riders to go on 90th anniversary world tour

                BOLOGNA: You could be one of seven globetrotters Ducati will pick to go on a world tour in conjunction with its 90th anniversary.

The trip will be divided into seven stages, to be completed by seven riders. Applicants need to be competent motorcyclists with wanderlust and will also need to have a good level of English. Another key quality will be a natural gift for storytelling, in both written and photographic form. Ducati is thus looking for bloggers or travellers used to writing and talking about their experiences on both traditional and social media, people with a talent for sharing their experiences, emotions and passion for adventure.

Initial candidate assessment will give rise to 14 finalists. These will then go through a secondary selection process involving evaluation of riding skills and psycho-aptitude testing under the supervision of a professional team that includes former Paris-Dakar racer Beppe Gualini. This second phase will decide the names of the 7 globetrotters to ride the new Multistrada 1200 Enduro, relaying the Ducati torch along some of the world's most beautiful, enthralling roads.

The 30,000km 120-day odyssey will pass through places that have played a key role in the firm's history.

Starting out from Borgo Panigale, the route will head east across Europe. It will then follow the legendary Trans-Siberian route, taking in Russia, Mongolia, China and then Japan before crossing the ocean to the United States and heading back home across Western Europe. Before returning to Borgo Panigale, the closing miles of this round-the-world trip will include the bends of the Futa Pass near Bologna (where many Ducati bikes have been developed and tested over the years). The expected return date is Dec 15.

Applicants can apply for a shot at the Ducati site.


TOC Aylezo Racing Academy opens its doors

                PETALING JAYA: Following the formation of the TOC Aylezo Racing Academy in late March, the facilities have been readied and are now waiting for students to enrol.

Intakes for the eight-week course are in February, April, July, August and November for anyone with a valid driving license, some basic automotive and/or motorsport knowledge and RM9,500 (RM8,500 for TOC-students) for the course fees.

So far, 15 have already signed on and being new students, they will receive two round neck T-shirts, two polo T-shirts, a pair of racing gloves, balaclava and one notebook for classes that run from Monday to Saturday from 8.00am till 12,45pm with 30% of the course focused on theory and the remaining 70% on practical.

The course is being taught by professional drivers and will cover motorsports fundamentals such as seating position, braking techniques, accelerator control, how to manage field of vision, increase fitness levels and learning about the performance aspects of car setup and modifications as well as how to communicate with engineers, to name a few.

 Entrance to the Go-Kart area with the cafe located upstairs.

In addition to the exposure of being a race driver, students will also get to experience managing a race and gain insights into being a member of a race crew.

The partnership of TOC Automotive College and local professional race team Aylezo have brought about the creation of the academy, which now sits within 3Stone Park’s eight acres of land located in the precinct of Glenmarie, Shah Alam, and is also open to the general public with various other businesses available.

Moving simulatorGym facilityGo-Kart track210cc Go-karts

The facility is equipped with a restaurant / cafe, gym, a re-configurable go-kart track with 210cc four-stroke karts for rent, briefing room / classroom, and a moving simulator for aspiring race drivers to gain exposure to different international racetracks.

“Individuals are given an excellent opportunity to obtain professional guidance and knowledge from the Aylezo racing team. The team members of Aylezo have been involved in motorsports for nearly 20 years and the experience will definitely benefit those who aim to go further in this industry,” said TOC founder and CEO Adelaine Foo.

For more information or for course registration, log on to www.toc.edu.my or call 03-7955 2855.

Gym facility   Moving simulatorGo-Kart track 210cc Go-karts