Luxury cars are embracing the 'drop' model favoured by Supreme, Nike

                NEW YORK: Rolls-Royce knows that for some clients, the US$330,000 Wraith—in all its 12-cylinder, 3,800-pound art deco glory—is not enough. The model is six years old, after all, and usually cruises rather reservedly down the street in a shade of navy or noir.

On the other hand, the Kryptos edition of the Wraith, which was released in July, comes with computer-generated ciphers stitched into the buttery leather door panels. Fibre-optic bulbs that have been woven into the ceiling depict an in-motion data stream.

The quirky name is a reference to cryptography, the art of using codes. And details such as glowing fluorescent light threads and flecks of green paint are clues to a hidden message for owners to solve.

This version will cost US$450,000; only 50 will be made. It’s the latest in a fresh spate of cars that high-end automakers are producing with unique colorways (and gimmicks) in limited quantities, and at price premiums tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars above standard.

These special editions—Aston Martin’s DBS 59, Bugatti’s Chiron Noire, McLaren’s 600LT Spider Segestria Borealis, Lamborghini’s Huracán Avio, Land Rover’s Range Rover Fifty—are to car collectors what the Air Jordan 11 25th Anniversary is to sneakerheads.

And as with the sneaker retail and resale markets, where a 14-year-old can build an empire with bots, the game is often rigged.

Special editions of cars sell out quickly to hand-selected friends of the brand who’ve proven their devotion with their purchasing power. Even so, just like the exclusive sneaker drop, the limited-edition release serves a dual purpose: It generates big hype for the brand—and big money.

These are volatile days for the makers of high-end autos and supercars, most of which deliver fewer than 10,000 models worldwide each year. (Ferrari sold 10,131 in 2019.) Although some brands have tentatively optimistic outlooks for 2020 and beyond—Bugatti still has plenty of orders in the pipeline—others face the threat of obsolescence, even extinction.

On May 13, Aston Martin said it would need more cash to fulfill a crucial restructuring plan, even after Ernesto Bertarelli, whose family’s US$18.1 billion fortune derives mostly from pharmaceuticals, acquired a 3.4% voting stake in the company.

His investment followed a US$670 million capital infusion in April from a group led by Canadian investor Lawrence Stroll. Then, on June 4, Aston announced it would cut as many as 500 jobs, or 20% of its workforce, to help cope with lower demand amid the pandemic.

A powerful headwind against these companies is the strong preference among car buyers for light trucks such as SUVs, which made up 75% of car sales in the U.S. through the second quarter of this year.

Bentley, Lamborghini, and Rolls-Royce each recently added an SUV to their lineups, but it’s not a cornerstone of their brands—rather, it’s an add-on to their existing sports car collection. (Ferrari says it will have an SUV soon.)

The special edition allows these brands to play to their strengths, by making fast sports cars with enviable looks.

Here’s how it works: Porsche AG decides to make a special “Heritage” model of its 911 Targa top convertible and limits it to 992 units. That car costs £38,000 (US$48,344) more than the standard Targa—a number that’s almost pure profit, because the special edition doesn’t require the company to make any truly new design elements or mechanical components.

Just as there’s no real technological difference between a Nike Air Max LeBron VII Superman and a “Ring Ceremony” LeBron 10 PE, the only differences between these cars and the base model are in the colours, finishes, and small aesthetic flourishes.

“That is where Porsche makes its margin,” says Michael Dean, head of Bloomberg Intelligence’s European automotive analysis. “The same goes for Ferrari and its limited edition and specials.”

Brands build enthusiasm on such machines much the same way Nike or Supreme do before a drop: They release teasers of the colourways and vague body lines to the media months in advance and produce polished videos showing an edge of the grille. They drop hints like breadcrumbs across social media about the name, pricing, and quantity of the special object.

It all serves to push the company’s name and design prowess into the public eye in the weeks leading up to the release, penetrating (the companies hope) the din on news and social media for the duration of the buildup.

By the end of the push, it matters not that 99.9% of the brand’s fans won’t get one—the attention lavished on the object of desire has more than paid for the effort and marketing expense.

It’s no surprise, then, that automakers have been churning out special editions in increasingly frequent intervals at higher prices than ever. In 2017, Rolls-Royce added dozens more workers to the bespoke shop where all its special-edition vehicles are made.

It went from zero limited-edition series in 2010 to producing the Cullinan Black Badge, the Wraith Eagle VIII, and the Zenith Collector’s Edition of the Ghost in 2019 alone.

The Rolls-Royce range has extended significantly since 2011, when it came out with a modern example of a special series, the Spirit of Ecstasy Centenary Collection. Gerry Spahn, Rolls-Royce’s head of communications for North America, says, “We are doing more real, different, cool collection cars than ever before.”

At Aston Martin last year, production on special projects went from the normal 50 delivered up to 70, says vice president and chief marketing officer Peter Freedman. (That was before the coronavirus hit, of course, causing production delays across the board for the enterprise, headquartered in Gaydon, England.) Freedman says he noticed more enthusiasm for such cars starting six or seven years ago.

“There is more wealth,” he says, “and it’s something that’s driven by the wealthy people who always want something unique.”

Interest in a car that’s special to one’s self is a grand tradition in automaking, even if it’s never been as widespread as it is now. Ferrari was building limited-run 250 GT Berlinettas outfitted by the builder Zagato as far back as the 1950s.

By the 1980s, Porsche was creating small batches of its special 930 Turbo LE (limited edition) 911s—hand-finished with such small flourishes as a deep spoiler. In 2000, Ford released the Mustang Cobra R, limited to a run of 300.

Profits on such expensive machines, as noted, can be huge. It takes roughly a billion dollars to develop a new car from scratch. But for a special version of a Rolls-Royce or a McLaren or even a Range Rover, that money has already been spent. Moreover, consumers must pay for the bulk of the car even before it’s built, when they preorder.

“These types of vehicles can be hugely lucrative for luxury and premium manufacturers,” says Ian Fletcher, principal automotive analyst at IHS Markit. Profit margins at some brands can approach 40% across the board, thanks to consumer appetites that “throw rationality out the window.”

“We create a business model for everything we do,” says Lamborghini chief commercial officer Giovanni Perosino. “We try to avoid having any car that loses money. For cars like this, even before we start production, we already have customers with a down payment and a signed letter of intent.”

If you ask collectors why they buy them, you’ll get a varied response. For some it’s strictly business: Residual values of such special rarities remain strong throughout global setbacks.

“It’s been happening where the limited-edition cars, because they are so limited and so sought-after—the values go up,” says David Lee, a prominent Ferrari collector and businessman. “The market values are a lot more than a standard model, and you feel so good that you made money. I see it as an investment, not an expense.”

Freedman echoes this sentiment: “They always appreciate,” he says. “If you look at the last financial crisis and what has happened to the value of historical cars after that, they have exponentially increased.”

Others simply love owning something so distinguishable from the norm.

Lee compares it to having a customised Birkin handbag. “It’s something not everybody sees all the time, and they know it’s hard to get, so that compliment feels good,” he says. The latest addition to his stable, a Ferrari 488 Pista edition, is set for delivery this summer. “And then of course knowing how hard you worked in order to achieve that,” he says. “It’s a sense of personal achievement in getting one.”

Because not just anyone can get these cars. Only the most dedicated fans—and in this case, “dedicated” means those with a habit of spending—will even be offered the chance to get one.

“An invitation to buy a limited-edition supercar means a customer probably already has at least five Ferraris,” Dean says.

And if you want to buy the Lamborghini Sián, you had better have bought a few of the brand’s Huracáns or Aventadors or Gallardos first.

“Not everybody honestly can take a Sián,” Lamborghini’s Perosino says.

“We select first those who are closest to us, who can keep the car and care for it. I have 8,350 customers, and I know which kind of cars they have, which kind of other cars they have. We select those who are our best customers.” He adds, “We have requests for three to four times more than we have availability.”

As for the Kryptos, Rolls-Royce says there are “a few”—fewer than 10—left to be had.


New rates for vehicle registrations, ownership transfers by foreigners from April 16

                BATU PAHAT: Foreigners will have to pay higher rates for vehicle registration, ownership transfers and their probationary and competent driving licenses (PDL and CDL respectively) from April 16 onwards.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Ab Aziz Kaprawi announced the increase today during the Road Transport Department (JPJ) Day national celebrations at the Batu Pahat Mall here.

Under the new rates, the current RM5 registration fee for motorcycles of all engine capacities will go up to RM20 for engine capacities of 500cc and below throughout the country, while those above 500cc will be charged RM100.

Likewise, vehicles other than motorcycles with 1,500cc engine capacities and below, which are currently charged RM150 and RM60 in Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia respectively will also see charges raised to RM350 and RM120.

“A lot of foreigners are living here, we have our My Second Home programme where they are exempted from taxes on their vehicle,” said Ab Aziz.

He added that as foreigners residing here, they could not enjoy all the same benefits as citizens.

The same treatment was applied to Malaysians overseas, he said.

The deputy minister added that the rate increase is estimated to increase government revenue by up to RM31mil annually without burdening citizens.


Geely impresses local Proton dealers

                PETALING JAYA: In early March, a group of 33 Proton dealers got the opportunity to visit one of Geely’s dealer outlets in Shanghai.

The dealer visit was established with the focus to enable Proton dealers to have a real look and experience Geely’s dealer set up and how this experience could be helpful in setting up similar facade and feel here in Malaysia.

 Proton dealers group photo in Shanghai.

For Lum Hon Yoon, of Gagah Murni Sdn Bhd, “It is a good experience being here. We get to see closer how a Geely dealer outlet looks like. There is a good use of space. More importantly, it has different areas for customers to feel comfortable, there are coffee area, discussion area, children area and reading area as well.

“This means that this place is catered for the whole family. Parents do not have to worry so much as the kids will have a play area, or if the wife needs reading time, then she can occupy the reading area, hence anyone can come and be occupied with something and not be bored while waiting for the car to be serviced,” Lum further explained.

These areas serve its purpose and many of the dealers liked the idea, and view it as a modern family needs.

 Geely customer waiting area.

“People are always busy and the idea to send in a car for service for a few hours seem like a whole day. With built-in areas such as the discussion area, this could also serve as a meeting point where two or more people can come and have a small discussion. Moreover, the existence of a coffee area means that you do not have to run to the nearest Starbucks or Coffee Bean just to get your morning or afternoon coffee fix to get your day going,” observed Aw Chiew Soon, of Warna Bestari Sdn Bhd.

Razali Ahmad, of Erakars Sdn Bhd shared similar views. “The showroom area is more or less like the ones we currently have in Proton outlets. What separates it is the spacious waiting area and the comfortable rest area that looks like your home living room, which is what I anticipate customers will like the most. The additional facilities becomes the pull factor in attracting customers to come service their cars. At least patrons can occupy their time in the most productive ways, so overall it is a plus factor”.

 Geely showroom area.

For some other dealers, what impressed them was the smart uniform, and their professional ways of greeting the Proton  entourage.

“As for me, the spaciousness of the waiting area is an appealing idea. More so, what impresses me is their uniform. The guys and girls all look so smart. This is also good for business. Customers who come in, could feel the ‘one ness’ in their approach. For us, it is all about attracting customers to showroom,” explained Azizulmu’min Mohd Hussein Malim, of Rohamas Corporation Sdn Bhd.

“Furthermore, when sales and service staff speak the same language, be it in terms of uniform, or approach, it confers a lot of confidence amongst the customers, hence selling a product becomes easier, aside from good product knowledge,” Azizulmu’min explained.

 Geely service center.


Mercedes-Benz teams up with SSAB to explore fossil fuel-free steel for cars

                STOCKHOLM: Swedish steelmaker SSAB said today it had partnered with Daimler's Mercedes-Benz to introduce fossil fuel-free steel into vehicle production, with prototype parts for body shells planned for next year.

SSAB plans to supply the market with fossil-free steel at a commercial scale in 2026, using the HYBRIT system to replace coking coal, traditionally needed for iron ore-based steelmaking, with electricity and hydrogen.

Green steel venture HYBRIT (Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology) is created and owned by SSAB, Swedish state-owned utility Vattenfall and Swedish miner LKAB.

Mercedes-Benz expects that by 2039 its new passenger car fleet will become carbon dioxide-neutral along the entire value chain.

SSAB had in June partnered with Volvo Cars to jointly explore the development of fossil-free steel for use in the automotive industry.


Dive into Ferrari Purosangue's unique suspension system

                TORONTO: A Canadian company has set an industry first with its TrueActive Spool Valve Dampers, which debuted in the recently launched Ferrari Purosangue.

The Purosangue is Ferrari's first SUV, which it rather you not call it that.

Multimatic's TrueActive Spool Valve Dampers is unique because it integrates an electric motor directly coupled to the damper rod to supplement passive suspension spring and spool valve damping forces with parallel force actuation, capable of moving the vehicle body and suspension independent of road inputs.

In the Purosangue, it is called the Ferrari Active Suspension Technology (F.A.S.T.) system.

All passive and adaptive dampers are reactive elements designed to absorb energy imparted by the road surface and g-forces resulting from driver inputs to reactively control subsequent suspension movements and tyre forces.

Multimatic said its new damper technology has redefined the role of dampers, transforming the suspension into an active system capable of exerting enough force to move the entire vehicle body in anticipation of a road disturbance or driving manoeuvre to achieve optimal handling performance and ride comfort in all conditions.

Spool valve damping is at the heart of the technology, and is the basic core of every Multimatic damper.

Inside each damper are two spool valves independently controlling compression and rebound motion, providing precise and predictable control in all driving conditions.

The Multimatic system is the first production active suspension in the world to integrate an electric motor with spool valve damping to supplement vehicle springs with parallel force actuation through the damper.

This eliminates the need for any anti-roll devices and additional mechanisms for dynamic ride height and rate adjustment. It can also control vehicle wheel motions with more authority and at higher frequencies than adaptive or semi-active suspension systems.

The dampers use a unique liquid cooled 48V three-phase brushless electric motor to deliver supplemental force through a bespoke twin-lead ball screw and gearbox assembly into the damper shaft.

The system is designed to minimize package space, weight, and rotational inertia.

On the Purosangue, each damper actuator assembly is equipped with an onboard motor control module that receives direct commands from a vehicle dynamics controller based on control strategies that optimise the performance envelope of the vehicle and the ride-comfort of its occupants.

“This technology makes it possible to continuously control the vehicle body to achieve targeted vertical, roll and pitch dynamics at any speed.” said Multimatic engineering vice president Michael Guttilla.

“For example, the system can actively lower the vehicle’s centre of gravity and control pitch and roll stiffness under acceleration, braking and cornering to maximise traction and dynamically optimise under/oversteer handling balance. It can also optimise tyre contact with the road as the vehicle drives over rough surfaces, delivering exceptional ride quality and stability.”

Multimatic said its damper system is "the breakthrough technology that enables achievement of the elusive goal to give a vehicle ultimate handling performance and ride comfort without compromise".

“TrueActive Dampers were created to empower the suspension system with the ability to simultaneously deliver what the driver wants, what the tyres want, and what the vehicle needs to attain a performance envelope and level of vehicle control far beyond what is possible with electronically adaptive and semi-active systems,” said Multimatic president and COO Raj Nair.


Porsche Macan production starts

                STUTTGART: Series production of the new Macan has begun at Porsche's Leipzig site after parts of the factory were specially adapted for the German compact luxury performance sport utility vehicle (SUV).

The first vehicle emerged dressed from the assembly line in Mamba Green Metallic and goes to a Chinese customer.

“In 2011, the plant in Leipzig was expanded into a full-sized facility to accommodate the compact SUV, featuring its own body shop and paint shop," said Porsche Leipzig Gmbh executive board chairman Gerd Rupp.

China has become the top-selling market for Porsche vehicles and with more than 100,000 deliveries since its market launch in 2014, the Macan is particularly popular.

The company estimated that by the beginning of September, production of the new Macan at its Leipzig site will increase to over 420 units per day - matching the production rate of its predecessor in just a few days.

“When the factory was put into operation in February 2014, the plan was to produce 40,000 units per year. Today we produce more than 90,000 units per year for markets around the world, and since 2014, approximately 350,000 units of the compact SUV have been delivered to customers worldwide,” he added.

A number of optimisations were applied to the Macan's exterior for an even sportier and modern look.

The rear has been completely re-designed - building upon its with a three-dimensional LED light strip to provide a characteristic Porsche design feature.

The body shop at the Leipzig plant was expanded specifically to create a dedicated area for the production of the rear lid.

In addition, various parts of the assembly line have been optimised and adapted to accommodate the new production levels of the compact SUV.

The new Macan celebrated its world premiere in Shanghai at the end of July and is touted to have been significantly enhanced in terms of its design, comfort, connectivity and driving dynamics,

From now on, the new LED technology will also feature in the headlights as standard.

The most striking innovations inside the vehicle include the 10.9-inch touchscreen of the new Porsche Communication Management (PCM), re-designed and re-positioned air vents and the GT sports steering wheel from the 911.

The PCM enables access to new digital functions, such as intelligent voice control and the online navigation system provided as standard.

The vehicle’s range of comfort equipment has also been expanded to include a traffic jam assistant, an ioniser and heated front windscreen.


Jaguar E-Pace gets a 200ps Ingenium petrol engine

                LONDON: The Jaguar E-Pace sporty compact SUV gets new updates like ‘self-learning’ Smart Settings technology, an Adaptive Dynamics suspension set-up and a 200PS petrol engine.

Smart Settings learns the driver’s habits and anticipates their needs to make their life easier.

The Jaguar E-Pace recognises the approaching driver, based on both a key fob and smartphone Bluetooth signal.

The vehicle will then adjust the seat, climate and infotainment system based on the driver’s normal preference.

Over time, algorithms tailor settings based on time, location, weather and behaviour patterns – for example, pre-heating the steering wheel and seats on a cold day, or changing the media source on a particular day of the week or time of day.

Up to eight profiles can be set up on the Jaguar E-PACE, making it a worthwhile offering for fleets users and those who share their vehicle.

Adaptive Dynamics offers improved handling response, body control and ride.

Adaptive Dynamics uses continuously variable damper technology with a triple-tube design and externally mounted hydraulic valves.

Adaptive Dynamics monitors vehicle movements every 2 milliseconds and calculates the required damping force every 10 milliseconds to respond instantly to the driver’s inputs and road surface changes, providing greater control and minimising body roll.

Rough surfaces and off-road conditions are sensed immediately, and the damping adapts accordingly.

The Jaguar E-Pace also gets a 200ps 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbocharged Ingenium petrol engine for the first time.

The new engine features twin scroll turbocharger, Continuously Variable Valve Lift and variable cam timing which work to enhance power and efficiency as well as drivability.


Toyota plans to roll into China's EV market in GAC Motor vehicle

The GAC Toyota ix4 is a battery-powered compact SUV based on GAC’s Trumpchi GS4.
BEIJING: Toyota is taking an unprecedented route to meet China’s stringent green car quotas: its showrooms will sell an electric vehicle without the Japanese company’s distinctive triple-oval logo.

Instead, it will feature the label of GAC Motor, Toyota’s Chinese partner, and will be built around GAC’s lower-cost technology.

The move - a first for Toyota - will give GAC access to the Japanese carmaker’s stringent quality control, prestige and sales channel. For Toyota, it presents a quick way to meet Beijing’s requirements that such vehicles represent 10 percent of an auto manufacturer’s production by 2019.

According to two company executives familiar with the matter, Toyota plans to start selling the GAC Toyota ix4 by the end of the year. The car is a battery-powered compact SUV based on GAC’s Trumpchi GS4, and has been in development for two years.

Selling a car derived from a Chinese partner’s vehicle would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. But the idea gained momentum at Toyota because of the Chinese government’s push to get more electric vehicles on the road, the executives said.

The government mandates have spurred other new alliances, such as Ford Motor Co’s agreement to develop electric vehicles with Zotye Automobile Co.

Ford is waiting for regulatory approval for its partnership, which calls for designing and manufacturing several jointly developed no-frills EVs and selling them through a new China-only brand.

It wasn’t immediately clear which parts of the ix4 Toyota would provide, or which company’s design standards were used. Quality experts say GAC cars rate relatively high.

According to Jeff Cai, a Beijing-based senior director at JD Power & Associates, some of GAC’s cars, such as the Trumpchi GS8 crossover SUV, already stack up well head-to-head with vehicles marketed by global automakers.

“The GS4 is a good car with acceptable quality,” Cai said. He added that the GS4 ranked No. 1 among Chinese brands and No. 3 among all brands for initial quality in the compact SUV category.
One question, however, is GAC cars’ longer-term reliability and dependability, Cai said.

Under the new Chinese regulations taking effect next year, carmakers must amass credits for so-called new-energy vehicles equivalent to 10 percent of annual sales by 2019. That level rises to 12 percent for 2020. New-energy vehicles are defined as all-electric battery and plug-in electric hybrid cars.

Although the ix4 gives Toyota a cheaper and quicker way to meet the quota, it also shows the company’s anxiety about getting a toehold in the Chinese EV market before its own all-battery vehicle is available in 2020, industry officials and experts said.

“It’s a creative solution to a critical issue all automakers face in China: how to meet the strict production quotas for electric cars,” said James Chao, Shanghai-based Asia-Pacific head of consultancy IHS Markit.

Until recently, Toyota was one of the industry’s major hold-outs against full electrification. The company had planned to more or less skip battery-powered cars and turn instead to hydrogen fuel-cell technology as a mainstream alternative to gasoline-fueled cars.

But China’s seemingly inexorable drive towards electric cars changed that attitude.

At the Beijing auto show last month, Toyota unveiled plug-in electric hybrid versions of its Corolla and Levin, due to go on sale in 2019. The company is also developing an all-electric battery car of its own, which the company has said should hit the market in 2020.

“All this means our partnership has entered a new phase,” the second Toyota executive said.

The GAC-Toyota joint venture, established in 2004, has always produced and sold Toyota vehicles modified to sell in China or China-only Toyota cars.

To be sure, industry officials and analysts believe GAC Motor cars such as the Trumpchi GS4 have been developed through studying global brands’ cars, including those from its partners Toyota and Honda Motor Co.

Toyota is negotiating to execute a similar EV deal with its second partner, FAW Group, but nothing has been finalised, according to the first Toyota executive.

Both executives declined to provide other details, including a target sales volume for the all-electric car or a pricing strategy for it. Toyota will assemble the vehicle at a factory in Guangzhou.

The second executive said, however, that Toyota and GAC Motor would have to sell a “fairly sizable number” of ix4s to help the Toyota-GAC joint venture meet Beijing’s quotas.


NAWA promises a leap in battery tech

PARIS: NAWA Technologies presents the Ultra Fast Carbon Electrode, a breakthrough nano-based innovation that unlocks next-level performance for all types of batteries, particularly those used by electric vehicles.

Currently one of the major limitations of battery power, energy and lifecycle is the design and material used for the electrode.

Based on inefficient powders, existing electrodes have low electrical, thermal and ionic conductivity, along with poor mechanical behaviour when discharged and recharged, and can also suffer from early delamination and degradation leading to safety and lifecycle issues.

But based on NAWA’s patented vertically-aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) design, which is also the basis of its next-generation ultracapacitors, the revolutionary Ultra Fast Carbon Electrode combines the highest ionic conductivity – thanks to a 3D fully accessible nanostructure – with the highest electrical and thermal conductivity, provided by its arrangement of 100 billion nanotubes per sq cm, all vertically aligned.

This new 3D electrode geometry can solve the vast majority of performance constraints faced by global battery makers, boosting battery power by a factor 10, energy storage by up to three, lifecycle by up to five and reduce charging time down to minutes instead of hours.

All types of batteries can benefit from the Ultra Fast Carbon Electrode, but with the automotive industry now consuming 75% of lithium battery production and electric vehicles requiring ever-improved range, charging times and lifecycles, NAWA Technologies sees this sector as a major target.

Ulrik Grape, CEO of NAWA Technologies said: “NAWA’s Ultra Fast Carbon Electrode will allow us to charge batteries faster, go further and for longer – and all with a product based on one of the world’s most abundant and green materials: carbon.

"Our technology can help to dramatically reduce the environmental impact of battery systems, so much so that we believe this electrode innovation could halve the time in which an electric vehicle pays back the CO2created in its manufacture – as well as being able to recharge in the same time it takes to refuel, and drive the same distance on electricity as a tank of gas.”


Honda Civic Type-R goes on sale in the US

                LOS ANGELES: Honda's high performance track-ready Civic Type-R is officially on sale in the US for USD$33,900 (RM147,500).

It's 2.0-litre direct-injected turbocharged engine produces 306hp at 6,500rpm and 400Nm of torque from 2,500 to 4,500rpm while mated to a six-speed short-shifting manual gearbox that manages power delivery to the front wheels.

A pre-production version of the new Type R claimed the title of the world's fastest production front-wheel-drive (FWD) car on April 7, setting a record lap time of 7mins 43.80 seconds on Germany's legendary Nürburgring Nordschliefe (North Loop) - more than three seconds faster than the previous record.

The Type R possesses a helical limited slip differential hooked up to 245/30ZR20 Continental SportContact 6 high-performance tyres on 20-inch black-finished aluminum wheels.

Keeping speed in check are the front 13.8-inch cross-drilled discs with 4-piston Brembo aluminum calipers and rear 12.0-inch discs with a single-piston caliper.

The Type R chassis features a dual-axis strut front suspension and multi-link rear, front and rear anti-roll bars, Type-R exclusive springs, bushings and damper mountings and a newly designed Adaptive Damper System. that's fed information from the three on-board G Sensors, four suspension storke sensors and a steering angle sensor.

The Adaptive Damper System, along with the dual-pinion variable-ratio electric power steering, drive-by-wire throttle, and brake system, are tied to the Type R's three selectable driving modes of Comfort, Sport and +R.

The throttle ECU also features driver-selectable automatic rev matching with two profiles, one for Comfort and Sport modes and another for +R mode, to assist drivers in making smooth downshifts without the need for 'heel and toe' downshifting.

Additional performance-enhancing Type-R exclusive features include a weight-saving all-aluminium hood (-5.3kg) and the application of structural adhesives to the body for added rigidity, as well as a high-flow exhaust system with three centre-mounted outlets, and an aerodynamic package.

Aerodynamics package consists of a front splitter, side winglets, air-stabilizing vents, large rear wing and roof-mounted vortex generators.

It's also been fitted with an Acoustic windshield, Unibody structural adhesive at key points, Triple door sealing, Advanced Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) countermeasures.

Other conveniences include an electric parking brake, automatic wipers and keyless entry with push-start button and walk-away door locking system, a multi-angle reverse camera with guidelines and an Indirect tyre pressure monitoring system.

Furthermore, LEDs have been used for the daytime running lights, automatic headlights, fog lights, turn signals, taillights and brake lights.

Inside, the cabin gets fitted with a 7.0-inch Display Audio touchscreen with integrated HVAC controls, 7.0-inch Driver Information Interface (DII) with selectable performance content as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility for in-vehicle connectivity.

Also fitted is a 12-speaker 540W sound system with Honda's Satellite-Linked Navigation System and Android operating system that's compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto platforms as well as Bluetooth connectivity, Voice Recognition and Honda HD Digital Traffic as standard equipment.

The Type R's red-illuminated meter cluster features a 7.0-inch Drivers Information Interface (DII) that includes a range of selectable real-time information designed to support performance driving.

The system can display throttle and brake application in a graphic percentage format, turbocharger boost pressure, lap time (for use on closed circuits) and shift lights and a G-meter to indicate acceleration, braking and cornering forces.

For safety, the new Type-R comes equipped with active safety features such as vehicle stability assist with traction control, four-channel anti-lock braking system, electronic brake distribution, brake assist and hill start assist.

Lastly, passive safety comes in the form of its advanced compatibility engineering (ACE) body structure and energy-dispersing crash stroke front frame rails and six airbags with rollover sensor.


2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS is king of SUVs

ATLANTA, USA: The new 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS is billed as the "S-Class among SUVs." and the only full-fledged seven-seater in the European premium SUV segment.

Compared with its predecessor, the new generation features extra DYNAMIC SELECT transmission modes, improved air suspension system (AIRMATIC) with enhanced damping system (ADS), nine-speed 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission, and new Mercedes-Benz telematics which includes internet access and remote-start capability.

With the 2017 model year facelift, designers have adapted the full-size luxury SUV to the current Mercedes-Benz design idiom.

On the exterior, focus has been placed on a redesign of the front end, while the rear has been modernised around the bumper and with full LED tail lamps.

Eye-catching highlights in the interior include a newly designed instrument panel with Media Display, new 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel, modified center console with touchpad and new trim options.

The powerful GLS550 4MATIC with V8 biturbo engine featuring direct injection now generates 449hp, some 20hp more than the preceding model, and a maximum torque of 700Nm.

The 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine, also featuring direct injection, is used in the GLS450 4MATIC.

This engine produces 362hp and 500Nm of torque from 1,800rpm, and like all GLS models has an ECO start/stop function.

As the top-of-the-range model, the Mercedes-AMG GLS63 now has 577hp, over 27hp more than its predecessor.

The peak torque of 761Nm is now available from just 1,750rpm.

Alongside the petrol engine offerings, in the GLS350d 4MATIC offers a proven V6 diesel engine rated at 255hp and with ample torque of 617Nm.


Proton Jan-Oct sales hit 115,366 units, exceed 2021

                KUALA LUMPUR: Proton Holdings Bhd has recorded its highest sales volume of 115,366 units in the Jan-Oct 2022 period, surpassing 114,708 units sold for the whole of 2021, boosted by local market success and its export division.

In a statement today, the national car maker said the 13,013 units (domestic + export) in October pushed sales to 115,366 units, making it the best sales result since 2014.

This means year-to-date (YTD) sales increased by 33.6 per cent for the first 10 months of the year and the figure is expected to rise with two months remaining in 2022, it added.

Compared with the rest of the market, Proton finished second in the sales table with an estimated market share of 21.1 per cent in October 2022, while YTD market share retreated slightly to 19.9 per cent.

"Overall, total industry volume (TIV) for October is estimated to exceed 60,000 units for a third consecutive month as the Malaysian automotive market remains on target to break the record for total sales," it said.

Proton said the best-selling Proton model continues to be the Proton Saga, with another 5,262 units delivered in October, pushing its YTD total sales to 45,965 units.

"This marks a 42 per cent increase over the previous year and proves that the updated model launched on May 12 is even more popular compared to its predecessor," it said.

Deputy chief executive officer Roslan Abdullah said Proton's fourth consecutive year of volume growth coincides with the brand’s entry into the sports utility vehicle (SUV) market with the Proton X70.

"It’s an achievement the company is proud of and despite the launch of newer rivals, it remains a class leader and was even named Best Large SUV at the 2022 Carsifu Editors’ Choice Awards.

"Therefore, to celebrate its upcoming fourth birthday, we are offering customers gifts comprising accessories worth RM1,499, interest rates as low as 2.52 per cent and many other surprises from our dealerships if they purchase a Proton X70 in November,” he said.

Proton X70 total volume now stands at 15,536 units, while overall Proton SUVs of 48,729 units have been delivered thus far in 2022.

Roslan said the growth in Proton's export division in 2022 is in line with the company's intention to penetrate more overseas markets.

"While Malaysia will be the company’s main market for some time to come, export sales has more

untapped growth potential that fits in with our long-term growth targets to be a major regional automotive brand,” he added.


Automakers’ green push lifts use of hemp, citrus peel

                DETROIT: Survey the latest at the Detroit Auto Show and you will find fibers from water bottles in car seats, hemp in the dashboards and citrus peel in the tyres.

Automakers, in a continuing quest to develop lighter and more environmentally-friendly vehicles, are making increased use of sometimes unlikely materials in their cars and trucks.

US auto giant Ford has set a requirement that the seat fabrics sold on all vehicles in North America must have at least 30 percent recycled content, said Barb Whalen, Ford’s colour, material and design manager.

There will be no relaxation of this rule due to low crude-oil prices, which have made petroleum-based components cheaper, she said.

“It’s the right thing to do, for the environment, for ourselves and our customers,” Whalen told AFP. “Even though oil prices are cheaper, it’s still the best thing.”

Automakers are also using more plant-based items, such as eucalyptus fibers, which are going into dashboards of the BMW i3, a plug-in hybrid.

Faurecia, a French automotive parts supplier, sees growth in its “bio“ business, even if it remains small, said Pierre Demortain, a sales executive in the joint venture Faurecia APM, which specialises in those materials.

Natural materials tend to be lighter than synthetic ones, he said.

“Hemp is a plant that doesn’t need irrigation or pesticides to grow and can reduce door weight by 25 percent,” he said.

Faurecia currently combines hemp with petroleum raw materials as a component in its plastics. But in two or three years, the plastics are expected to be 100 percent natural-based, Demortain said.

Some key car parts face challenges before they can increase their use of natural products. Tyres are today composed about 75 percent from petroleum-based products and 25 percent from natural rubber trees.

Michelin would like to increase the share from vegetable sources, but “it’s difficult to imagine doubling the number of rubber plants, “ said Thierry Willer, a spokesman for Michelin specialising in materials.

For that reason, Michelin is researching ways to make synthetic rubber from sugars derived from biomass. Rival tyre maker Continental is also trying to solve the rubber riddle with Taraxgum, a perennial plant sometimes called “Russian dandelion” that it says has similar properties to latex from rubber trees. Pirelli is exploring yet another option with rubber-like qualities: the guayule, a flowering plant native to the deserts of the US Southwest and Mexico.

Michelin’s Willer said the tyre company also uses other renewable and environmentally-friendly materials.        These include sunflower oil, which can lend flexibilty to the tyre at low temperatures, and resins from lemon peels, which gives “the tire more rigidity,” he said.

Renewable materials must work as well as synthetic materials to make it into the tyres.

“But if you can get the same performance, you choose what’s natural,“ Willer said.


Mercedes-Benz launches three compact plug-in hybrids

                STUTTGART: The Mercedes-Benz compact-car family gets three new plug-in hybrids, namely the CLA 250 e Coupé, CLA 250 e Shooting Brake and GLA 250 e.

The new compact cars with a third-generation hybrid drive system highlights:

> Electric operating ranges of 71-79 km (NEDC)
> Electric output 75 kW
> System output 160 kW
> System torque 450 Nm
> Alternating-current (AC) charging system up to 7.4 kW
>Direct-current (DC) charging system at max. 24 kW
> Hardly any restrictions on the load compartment

They feature transversely mounted engines, and a compact hybrid traction head was developed for the 8G-DCT dual clutch transmission.

For the first time on a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, the combustion engine is started by the electric motor - the compact hybrids do not have a separate 12-volt starter.

The electric tech achieves 75 kW, and together with the 1.33-litre four-cylinder engine, this produces a system output of 160 kW (218 hp) and a system torque of 450 Nm.

The new compact cars can be charged with alternating current or direct current.

This means that the compact plug-in hybrids can be charged at a 7.4 kW wallbox with alternating current (AC) within 1 h 45 min from 10-100 percent SoC (State of Charge).

For direct-current (DC) charging at 24 kW, the battery can be charged from 10-80 percent SoC in around 25 minutes.

The batteries are supplied by the wholly owned Daimler subsidiary Deutsche ACCUMOTIVE.

The high-voltage battery is water-cooled and weighs 150 kg.


Toyota returns to World Rally Championship

                TOKYO: Toyota will return to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2017, to compete in the series for the first time since 1999.

The rally vehicle will be based on the Yaris hatchback and will be developed and tested by Toyota Motorsport GmbH.

The Yaris WRC car will have a 1.6-litre direct-injection turbo engine.

Between 1973 and 1999 (with a temporary suspension between 1996 and 1997), Toyota won 43 WRC rallies and won the championship three times.

Meanwhile, Toyota Racing will continue to race in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and play a supporting role for teams competing in U.S. NASCAR, Japanese Super Formula and the Dakar Rally.

Lexus Racing will compete in Japan's top-level Super GT and provide the Lexus "RC F GT3" globally for use in grass-roots motorsports.

This year, GAZOO Racing will again take part in the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race, as it has with a team of employees since 2007 with the aim of personnel development.

It will now increase these activities by entering a staff team in the All Japan Rally Championship and having Toyota mechanics participate in Japan's Super Taikyu series.

In addition to providing a full range of grass-roots motorsports events such as the GAZOO Racing 86/BRZ Race and GAZOO Racing "Waku-Doki" driving, it has also established a support program to nurture professional rally drivers.


Germans still driving fast on autobahn despite energy squeeze

                BERLIN: A leading German car club has joined a chorus of voices in the country urging a speed limit on Germany's autobahn amid the current energy crisis sparked by the Russian military attack on Ukraine.

The Auto Club Europa (ACE) said the speed limit on German highways should be reduced immediately to a maximum of 100kph. This would be a rapid and unbureaucratic way of saving fuel and dependence on oil imports from Russia, said the organisation.

The call comes amid signs that Germans are not slowing down on fast roads to save fuel despite a massive hike in prices at the petrol and diesel pumps.

"Russia's attack on Ukraine, in addition to the dramatic humanitarian consequences, has made it clear that we in Germany and Europe have an important decision to make," said ACE chairman Stefan Heimlich.

Senior Greens politician Ricarda Lang recently said a speed limit on the largely limitless highway was a good way to ensure Germany's independence from Russian oil supplies.

"Since hardly any other measures would work quickly, we now need a temporary speed limit on highways - for example for nine months and thus until the end of the year", said Lang whose party rules in Berlin with the social democrats and liberals.

Both the Deutsche Umwelthilfe environmental organisation and the huge DGB trade union congress have urged speed limits on highways.

The subject of highway speed limits comes up regularly in Germany where around two-thirds of the highway network is deregulated. This means that drivers of fast cars capable of 250kph or more can use the performance to the full.

The high cost of petrol in recent weeks has also not led to a noticeable slowdown, according to figures from navigation data companies Inrix und TomTom.

"Our speed analysis of several stretches of highway in Germany does not currently indicate any change in driving habits due to the price of fuel," said Bob Pishue of Inrix.

"However, on some stretches of highway we have seen an increase in traffic volume during peak hours and, as a result, slightly lower speeds than in the historical comparison," he said.

The liberal FDP party recently again rejected a highway speed limit and opponents of such a measure claim the fuel savings would be only minimal. Car industry lobbyists claim a highway speed limit would put the brakes on technical innovation.

Three weeks ago, the Federal Environment Agency proposed various measures to use energy much more sparingly.

These included driving less and, above all, more slowly.

If drivers reduced their speed on highways to a maximum of 100kph and to 80kph on roads outside built-up areas, this would save about 2.1 billion litres of fossil fuel and thus about 3.8 per cent of the fuel consumed in the transport sector, according to the agency.


2017 New York Auto Show: Koenigsegg RS1 makes global debut

                NEW YORK: The latest bespoke hypercar creation from Swedish engineering genius Christian Von Koenigsegg, the Agera RS1, dazzles on its New York Auto Show debut.

Built specifically for an American client to his and his son's exact specifications, the Koenigsegg RS1 is finished in a combination of Arctic White with a unique shade of blue applied to the side skirts and rear wing to provide exterior contrasts.

The cabin is swathed in blue Alcantara while the instrument cluster and door panels are finished in polished carbon fibre and black anodized aluminium.

Once it leaves the Auto Show and goes home with its owner, however, most people who see it will never notice any of these details, due to the fact that this is one of the fastest cars any amount of money can buy.

Behind the front seats is a 5-litre V8 engine built entirely in-house by Koenigsegg which, thanks to some very generous use of turbocharging, outputs a remarkable 1360hp and 1370Nm of torque.

Channelled through the car's seven-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels via the company's own raft of electronic traction and stability control systems, the RS1 will rocket to 100kph in 2.8 seconds, to 300kph in 12.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 355kph.

Much of this incredible performance comes down to how light the car is. It tips the scales at just 1395kg - just 53kg short of offering the ultimate performance Holy Grail of 1hp per kg in weight.

The RS1 is also a convertible. The hard top roof unclips and slides into a slot in the luggage compartment, but when removed, there are no ill effects on the car's handling or to its torsional rigidity.

And unlike, say, a Lotus which removes absolutely every item that could add weight in order to attain lightness, this car still offers a host of creature comforts including a full infotainment system including navigation, climate control, electrically adjustable seats, and even a hydraulic lift system so that the car can be raised higher off the ground when encountering speed bumps or raised kerbs.


Korean truckers return to work as strike ends but hurdles remain

Members of the Cargo Truckers Solidarity union taking part in a protest in front of an electronics factory in Gwangju on Tuesday. — Reuters
SEOUL: South Korea’s truckers began returning to work and factories resumed deliveries of goods from cars to steel after a weeklong strike, yet a return to normality still faces hurdles.

Companies including top steelmaker Posco immediately began deliveries of goods that had been piling up at warehouses, though several petrochemical firms including LG Chem Ltd. said production will normalise more gradually.

And while road transport is being restored, the backlog of containers at ports may take a while longer to clear.

More significantly, despite the agreement reached late Tuesday, the union and government officials still need to iron out major issues.

A spokesman for the union said it’s prepared to hold another round of strikes if details of the settlement aren’t adopted more permanently.

Economic risk

The agreement came after production of Korea’s main exports was significantly curtailed, raising concerns that a prolonged strike would force more severe shutdowns.

South Korea’s economy was at risk with the trade ministry estimating that key industries have seen production disruptions worth about 1.6 trillion won (RM5.3bil).

The drivers and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport agreed to extend a freight rate system guaranteeing minimum wages.

The union is now pressing the government to remove the sunset provision that automatically terminates the system every three years, and also to apply it to shipments of all items, not just containers and cement.

"There’s definitely a chance for the union to resume the strike as they’ve warned, because they made a success this time,” said Ahn Dong-Hyun, an economics professor at Seoul National University.

"The problem is that the Korean economy is already facing a very difficult time with rising inflation and global supply-chain disruptions.”

He added that the agreement gives confidence for other unions to stage work stoppages. Delivery workers for Korea Post announced a strike starting Saturday as they seek to negotiate on wages and employment conditions.

‘Thin ice’

Newly elected President Yoon Suk Yeol, who faced one of his first economic challenges with the strike, echoed similar concerns in comments early Wednesday.

"It’s like we’re walking on thin ice, as we face high inflation and economic crisis,” Yoon said.

With the return of the drivers, most companies affected by the strike started to normalise their operations.

Posco began shipping out products from Wednesday afternoon with a plan to resume operations at some of its plants from Thursday.

Hyundai Motor Co. also said that production has been normalised at its Ulsan factory.

One of the hardest hit sectors by the strike was petrochemicals. LG Chem, Hanwha Totalenergies Petrochemical Co., Lotte Chemical Corp. and Kumho Petrochemical Co., all said they expect production and shipments to normalise gradually.

Seoul National University’s Ahn said conglomerates may adopt lessons from the past week’s event in case of further work stoppages.

"The big companies are not foolish,” he said.

"They may hire truckers on their own if this kind of strike resumes, or employ other shipping companies whose truckers are not union members.”


Spend with Boost and stand a chance to win a Nissan Navara Pro-X

                KUALA LUMPUR: Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) recently joined home-grown eWallet Boost to celebrate its 4th anniversary by rewarding one lucky Boost user with a brand new Nissan Navara 2.5L Pro-4X pick-up truck.

Themed 4th Birthd4y Bash, Boost eWallet is packing the month of October with exciting rewards, cashbacks and surprises worth up to RM1.4mil the grand prize of Navara 2.5L PRO-4X can be won by one lucky winner when they spend with Boost and participate in the BoostUP Pick & Win.

Other prizes include mobile phones, smart gadgets, home appliances and many more.

The new Navara 2.5L PRO-4X pickup – a first for the Navara nameplate, delivers more rugged, yet stylish and smarter features, while continuing Nissan’s 80 years pick-up heritage of durability, reliability and versatility.

Famously known as the Mother Trucker in Malaysia, the radically redesigned Navara Pro-4X comes with many best-in-class technologies, including an array of Nissan Intelligent Mobility driver assisted features and safety systems, making it the most advanced Navara
ever.

Don’t miss out the chance to participate in BoostUp Pick & Win from now to Dec 31 to win the rugged, stylish and smart Navara 2.5L Pro-4X.

On behalf of ETCM, Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd Group CEO Daniel Ho said:

“It is our pleasure to collaborate with Boost as the eWallet service provider embraces digital lifestyle that offers consumers the convenience in online and offline retail payments, bill settlement, insurance, transportation and many more.

“We would like to congratulate Boost on its 4th Birthd4y Bash anniversary celebration and we believe the New Nissan Navara 2.5L PRO-4X will provide the lucky winner an adventurous ride, both on-and-off road,” he said.


Sinkhole swallows car along KL road

                KUALA LUMPUR: A 3m wide sinkhole swallowed a car along Jalan Maharajalela here last night.

City Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Asst Comm Zulkefly Yahya said the incident occurred at 11.35pm.

"A 42-year-old woman was driving her car along the road when the sinkhole appeared. She could not avoid it and the vehicle fell in," he said when contacted today.

ACP Zulkefly said the driver was not injured in the incident.

"Kuala Lumpur City Hall is in the midst of filling in the sinkhole and repaving the affected road," he said.


Renault previews 4th-gen Scenic

                PARIS: Renault is previewing the Scenic ahead of its Geneva debut.

The new design brief for the fourth-generation Scenicwas to have a completely fresh take on the compact MPV.

Like the new Espace, the model features a three-part windscreen that provides a panoramic view and enhanced visibility.

Compared with the last Scenic, its ground clearance has been raised and the rear overhang has been shortened, while a wider track at both the front and rear provide the vehicle with a particularly solid stance.

The new Scenic comes with a distinctive lighting signature in the form of C-shaped head lights that benefit from LED Pure Vision technology like higher-end models.

The veil will come off the new Scenic on the Renault stand at the Geneva Motor Show  on March 1 with Renault chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn and Renault design chief Laurens van den Acker on hand to offer more details on the car.


Lamborghini earns YouTube award for reaching 1 million followers

                BOLOGNA: Lamborghini’s exponential growth on social media has been recognised with the presentation of the "Gold Creator Award" from YouTube, given for the achievement of 1 million subscribers on the video platform.

Among various Lamborghini social media channels, the YouTube channel, which now has nearly 1,1 million subscribers, has seen together with Instagram the highest growth in the last 12 months: +50%.

With a fan base of over 38 million fans around the world, many of them very young, Lamborghini is highly successful on Instagram, that is its most clicked channel with 22,5 million followers, followed by Facebook with 12,7 million fans.


Contractor, subcontractor fined RM180K over SUKE construction mishap

                KUALA LUMPUR: The main contractor and subcontractor of the Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Expressway (SUKE) project have been fined RM180,000 for failing to ensure safety at the construction site in a Sept 19 incident in which a concrete slab fell from the elevated highway and crushed on a passing car.

Bernama reported that a Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) statement on Tuesday (Nov 3) said the main contractor, MRCB Builders Sdn Bhd, would be fined RM80,000, while subcontractor Makna Setia was slapped with a RM100,000 fine.

Both contractors were fined under Section 34B (1) (c) and Section 34C(1) of the CIDB Act 1994 (Act 520), which states that it is the contractor's duty to ensure the safety of building and construction works either during or after construction.

“The CIDB investigation found that the subcontractor also did not follow the proper work procedures and has a site supervisor with no accreditation.

“Therefore, the subcontractor is instructed to make improvements in safety procedures including sending employees, site supervisors and construction managers for accreditation, ” the statement said.

CIDB also ordered the subcontractor to conduct a security audit by a third party on project safety, work procedure and operation, as well as construction site management.

“Throughout the investigation, both the companies cooperated, including by pledging to improve procedures and safe workplace practices, ” it said.

On Sept 19, a woman cheated death when a concrete slab fell on her car as she was driving along Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2), which resulted in her car being crushed, injuring her left arm.

SUKE is a project owned by Projek Lintasan Kota Holdings Sdn Bhd (Prolintas).

In September, the Works Ministry ordered the relevant parties in the incident to review the design to ensure risk minimisation to workers and the public, tighter scrutiny of the related consultants and contractors, as well as the enlistment of experts to manage risks during work that took place over existing roads, before work can resume.


DRT service to improve first- and last-mile connectivity in Bandar Puteri Puchong

                PETALING JAYA: The Selangor government plans to expand the Demand-Responsive Transit (DRT) service that is now at Bandar Puteri Puchong in Selangor to other areas within a month or two, after the first trial run started this month.

The DRT service uses vans to provide ride-hailing services for selected neighbourhoods.

It is now free on a three-month trial basis in Bandar Puteri Puchong. Kumpool also provides a similar service.

State local government, public transportation and new village development committee chairman Ng Sze Han said the neighbourhood was picked because it fit well with the DRT concept.

“A key element is proximity to public transport as the DRT service aims to improve first- and last-mile connectivity.

“The next location for the project could be in Ampang or Gombak.

“By implementing more trial runs in different locations, we hope to improve the DRT system,” he said.

Ng, who is also Kinrara assemblyman, said the DRT was part of the RM25mil Selangor Mobiliti initiative to improve the state’s transport ecosystem as announced in the state budget for 2023.

“Mobility not only encompasses public transport such as trains and buses, but also other ways to move a person from one point to another using transport modes like bicycles and ride-hailing vehicles.

“A key difference is that a DRT service is restricted to one zone or a shorter distance.

“The system also uses intelligent software to ensure the estimated time of arrival is as accurate as possible for both pick-up and arrival.”

The trial run in Bandar Puteri Puchong uses vans and covers 17 residential and 20 commercial stops.

The stops include the Bandar Puteri and Taman Perindustrian LRT train stations.

Those interested must sign-up to take the free rides, said Ng.

“The sign-ups from residents have been very good so far, although we don’t have the exact figures yet because registration has just started,” he added.

“I encourage those residing and working within Bandar Puteri Puchong to sign up.

“The DRT is a shared service so its fees will be quite low when it is implemented,” he told reporters during the “Sweat It Out: A Celebration of Women” event that was held at Taman Wawasan Recreational Park in Puchong.

Ng said local councils in Selangor have also been instructed to improve walkways in their areas, especially those that connect to train stations.

“There are plans to launch a state-wide DRT service.

“We are in the process of getting proposals from several vendors,” said Ng, adding that vendor Trek Rides proposed Bandar Puteri Puchong as the location for the project’s trial run.

In a social media post, Ng described DRT as being similar to ride-hailing, but made for public transport.

“It is also similar to van pooling, but has added software intelligence to help you get to your destination on time,” he stated.

The United Kingdom’s Department of Transport in its website defines DRT as “a flexible service that provides shared transport to users who specify their desired location and time of pick-up and drop-off.”

DRT can complement fixed route public transport services and improve mobility in low-density areas and at low-demand times of the day, it said.

For details or to sign up for the DRT trial run in Bandar Puteri Puchong, visit www.trekrides.com


BMW Welt hosted over 3,000 guests for Drone Racing League

                MUNICH: Last Saturday, BMW Welt was closed to visitors for a very good reason: 12 Drone Racing League (DRL) pilots raced custom-built drones FPV (First Person View) around a competitive course inside the building, right through the heart of the vehicle exhibition, at well over 100kph.

More than 3,000 enthusiastic guests watched the trend sport spectacle live.

About 1,000 fans took up position in the public galleries around the BMW Welt Plaza; more than 2,000 took advantage of the perfect summer weather to view for free in the outdoor fan zone.

“The drone races certainly provided me and the viewers at BMW Welt with some exciting moments. This is where innovative dynamic performance, fascinating technology and digital connectivity come together. It is a perfect fit for the BMW brand and BMW Welt,” explained Helmut Käs, head of BMW Welt.

“By hosting the Drone Racing League Semifinals at BMW Welt, we are introducing our visitors to this exciting trend sport. We provide a great venue for drone racing, just like many other events. BMW Welt is a meeting point for a wide variety of innovative topics and events.”

 DRL Allianz World Championship Semifinals - Friday July 27, 2018, BMW Welt Munich, Germany. Foto: Sebastian Widmann

“We loved hosting our ‘Level 6: BMW Welt’ event at BMW Groupe’s iconic multisensory brand and product experience center. It was incredible to watch elite DRL pilots fly high-speed racing drones through an elaborate three-dimensional course, weaving around BMW cars, darting through a BMW branded gate, and zooming past a thousand cheering fans,” said DRL CEO and founder Nicholas Horbaczewski.

The winner of race will compete against the other 2018 DRL Allianz World Championship Season winners in their final event in Saudi Arabia.

Throughout the autumn, fans and anyone else who is interested can follow the competition on ProSieben MAXX, which will broadcast the entire Drone Racing League series every Thursday from 13 September until mid-December.

Trend-sport event in the heart of Munich

This year, for the first time, BMW is the official partner of the Drone Racing League (DRL), which organizes one of the futuristic trend sport’s biggest racing series, the “DRL Allianz World Championship 2018”.

The experienced FPV (First Person View) pilots steer their individually-built DRL drones through complex three-dimensional courses.

German drone-racing stars McStralle and UpsideDownFPV lined up against one another at BMW Welt to attempt the challenging and meticulously calculated course through the building’s award-winning architecture.

The Munich audience cheered the two Germans on, round after round, with people clearly holding their breath during particularly complex sections of the course, such as the hairpin bend in the northern wing of the building or on a power loop through the first gate of the course.

At the end of each round, the pilots had to steer their brightly-lit projectiles through the BMW Gate in the shape of the iconic BMW double kidney, where they were greeted every time by thundering applause.

The event was also an all-round success for the host: Within days of tickets going on sale, front-row seats inside BMW Welt were sold out.

For those unable to buy tickets, the fan zone outside BMW Welt provided a free and varied programme with food options, live music and various opportunities to experience drone racing hands-on.

The absolute highlight of the fan zone was the VR flight simulator set up by Allianz.


Aston Martin Residences starts ascent in Miami

                MIAMI: You may recall CarSifu writing back in 2016 about Aston Martin being the first car maker to team up with a property developer to create a luxury condo branded with its name.

Well, here's an update. The foundation works are done and the building here is starting to take shape.

Half of the luxury apartments have already been sold ahead of the 2022 completion. Ranging in size from 700 to 19,000 square feet, the luxury residences and penthouses are priced from US$750,000 to upwards of US$50 million (RM3.1mil to RM210mil) .

The new development at 300 Biscayne Boulevard Way in downtown Miami broke ground in late 2017 and since then the painstaking work of creating the foundations for the 818-foot condominium tower has taken place.

On June 30, a huge concrete pour was completed, distributing the 26,000 tonnes of concrete that would create the necessary base to sustain the 66-storey tower.

Aston Martin’s design team are designing the amenity spaces throughout the building, led by EVP and chief creative officer, Marek Reichman. He said: “One of the greatest joys of design is seeing your work come to life. As this is Aston Martin’s first foray into real estate, we are especially keen to see the tower start to take shape.”

“Very soon, we will complete the ground floor and we expect the first floor to be in place by the end of August," said G&G Business Developments CEO German Coto.

"By Christmas, we expect to have eight floors completed and from there the only way is up until we reach the 66th floor!”


More details on the McLaren hypercar

                LONDON: McLaren Automotive has released a new design sketch of its forthcoming ‘Hyper-GT’. Codenamed BP23, the car will be the most powerful and most aerodynamic road-going McLaren ever produced.

Development of BP23 is under way at McLaren Special Operations (MSO), the bespoke division of McLaren responsible for designing and crafting the luxurious new addition to the McLaren Ultimate Series product family. The BP23 codename is taken from the car being MSO’s second Bespoke project and it having three seats.

Production will be limited to 106 examples, the same volume as the McLaren F1. BP23 owners will work alongside MSO to select colours, trim materials and other points of personalisation unique to them.

The first examples of BP23 are expected to be delivered in 2019.


Chevrolet Colorado X Edition enters, starting from RM113K

                PETALING JAYA: Naza Quest, the sole distributor of Chevrolet vehicles in Malaysia, has unveiled its latest Colorado X Edition of pick-up trucks in three variants and are aesthetically differentiated.

The trio os pickup trucks are the entry-level X, X-Urban and range-topping X-ADV and are priced on-the-road with GST and insurance from RM113,250, RM131,800 and RM145,600, respectively.

As standard, the Colorado feature an improved EURO4 2.5-litre turbodiesel mill with a variable geometry turbocharger, producing 180hp at 3,600rpm and 440Nm of twist from 2,000rpm, and is mated to a six-speed manual (a six-speed automatic will require a top-up).

The entry-level X variant features a black bowtie emblem at the front and rear, a X-brand hood and bed liner decal, black hood decal, black chrome fuel cover, black tailgate decal with enlarged 'Colorado' branding and black coated wheels.

As for the X-Urban, it gets larger 20.0-inch black wheels (each with a rim cone) instead and are fitted with HT tyres as well as black fender flares.

The more rugged-looking X-ADV is fitted with a sports bar, smaller 16.0-inch Black Fuel wheels with mud-terrain tyres, black side-steps and black fender flares, front grille, rear bumper, side mirrors and door handles.

Also, all variants come with an electric power steering system, automatic headlights and wipers, park assist and a reverse camera.

In terms of safety, there's three airbags, traction control panic brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic stability control, hill descent control, hill start assist, lane departure warning, forward collision alert and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Colorado X

Colorado X-Urban

Colorado X-ADV


May vehicle sales up 6% to 44,669 units

                KUALA LUMPUR: Sales of total industry vehicles (TIV), which comprise passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles, rose 6% to 44,669 units in May from a month ago, a trade body said as it expects June to record higher sales.

The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) said today that the 44,669 units sold in May comprised 38,699 passenger vehicles and 5,970 commercial vehicles.

While the 6% on-month increase accounted for 2,492 units, this was a decline from a year ago. May sales fell 12.8% or 6,583 units.

For the January-May period, sales were 218,101 vehicles of which 193,953 were passenger vehicles and the remaining 24,148 units were commercial vehicles. This was a 17.6% decline from the 264,818 units in the previous corresponding period.

“Sales volume for June 2016 is expected to be better than May due to the Hari Raya festive season sales campaign by car companies and the introduction of new models,” said the MAA.

The MAA said vehicle production in May also declined, slipping 6.6% to 47,650 units from 51,024 units a year ago. For the five months to May, production fell 19.6% to 222,035 units from 276,355 in the previous corresponding period.


BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia honours stakeholders

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia recently hosted an appreciation night for 200 esteemed guests comprising its top corporate customers, business partners and dealership network.

Matthias Schlesiger, CEO of BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia said, “Despite the challenges of the last few pandemic years, we have successfully journeyed through an upward trajectory with the unwavering support and contributions of our customers, associates, and partners.”

“We look forward to more prosperous partnerships in the future. Our heartfelt thanks extend also to our dealership partners for their steadfast approaches in ensuring that we remain the No. 1 choice in the premium automotive segment. As we work towards becoming the most sustainable automotive brand by 2050, with Malaysia as the electric and automotive hub for the BMW Group, we hope to continue working together with all our stakeholders to ensure we offer sustainable solutions through the entirety of our business,” Schlesiger added.

In celebration of BMW Group Malaysia’s lead in electrified mobility, the event showcased the fully-electric BMW iX and the highly-anticipated all-electric BMW i7, complemented by lucky draws, good music and photo opportunity sessions.


Yamaha FZ150i a satisfying ride

                The 150cc segment is a rather hotly contested segment in the Malaysian motorcycle market.

In the good old days, there were a bunch of two-stroke contenders in the form of the Yamaha TZM (not forgetting the 135cc RX-Z as well), the Suzuki Panther, the Kawasaki KIPS (several variants), and the Honda NSR150.

All these are history now as tighter emission standards worldwide mean that they cannot meet modern requirements for cleaner air.

This leaves us with the four-stroke option, which is still a rather crowded field.

There are the Suzuki Belang, the Honda PCX150 (a 153cc scooter), the Kawasaki KLX150L, a few Vespa/Piaggio scooters, just to name some.

Once in a while, something that is truly needed enters the market: a commuting bike that offers silky smooth gear changes (with manual clutch), excellent fuel-efficiency, good range, and one that hits decent speeds (but not too fast, thank you).

This requirement is met by the Yamaha FZ150 that was launched in January 2008, and it sold like hot cakes, with Hong Leong Yamaha Motor Sdn Bhd saying that it averaged about 30,000 units a year.

This well-received motorcycle was given a much needed boost in April, when Yamaha gave it a few important tweaks, chiefly being the replacement of the carburettor with a fuel injector, as well as a brand new engine.

Briefly, engine output has been bumped up to 12.2kW (11.1kW previously), with torque correspondingly upped to 14.5Nm (13.1Nm previously).

Ride experience wise, the bike accelerates smoothly, and is good enough to keep up with traffic flow up to 90kph rather easily.

Those who ride aggressively will find it rather easy to full-throttle the FZ150i, as there is not much reserve on tap when you want to hit triple digit speeds quickly.

It takes quite a while for this five-speeder to hit 120kph, which is pretty much the upper limits of the cruising speed (with safety in mind).

But this is not necessarily a bad thing as this ride is more suited for urban commutes, rather than lightning-speed transits between cities.

This bike gives a solid feel when travelling up to 100kph.

Anything faster and you would be buffeted by the wind blast. There is not much point in having too much of top speed for extended periods when the rider suffers in the process.

The Delta Box frame performs adequately when mated with the mono rear suspension, even when carrying a pillion.

Ridden sensibly, the FZ150i will reward you with more than 34km/L, even when you mostly traverse through urban settings.

The inclusion of a rear disc brake increases rider confidence in stopping power, other than giving the illusion that this bike can go fast enough to justify having a rear disc.

Need I say that a disc at the rear also lends an overall sportier appearance to the bike, regardless of whether you need the additional stopping power.

The instrument cluster features a digital speedometer paired to an analogue tachometer that are both easy to read, and give a more contemporary look compared with the 2008 model that were fully analogue. A digital fuel gauge and tripmeter plus odometer also come in useful, though having a gear indicator would complete the joy (sadly, not even a top gear indicator light is present).

The tyres on cast rims complete the entire package of worry-free riding.

There is also a double stand, a rarity on motorcycles nowadays, and this feature is also appreciated as it facilitates maintenance, especially when lubricating the drive chain.

I have two complaints about this bike, with the first being the design of the helmet hook, which is practically unusable for me as it was too broad to allow any standard helmet strap ring to fit in.

How Yamaha got this wrong is just beyond me.

Just as annoying is the spacing of the shifter (or shift peg), which does not provide adequate space for my left foot to fit under when upshifting (I am only a size 7 US, so it is by no means super large feet).

This is another mystery to me considering that other Yamaha bikes I tested earlier came perfectly proportioned.

That said, these two shortcomings are not insurmountable, as those who are determined enough to modify them could certainly do so.

Yamaha claims that the old FZ model sold at an average of 30,000 units a year when it was first launched in 2008 and given the overall package, it is not difficult to understand why, given that it costs less than RM9,000 on-the-road.

With so many boxes ticked (economy, handling, manoeuvrability and low maintenance), I conclude that this is as close to perfection as you could get when you are on the lookout for a commuting bike that can double up as an inter-city ride occasionally.

And when crude prices resume their climb towards US$90 per barrel, you will be smiling as you refuel this bike.

Need more reason than this?


Ducati Scrambler 1100 revs in from RM83K

                KUALA LUMPUR: Next Bike, the sole distributor of Ducati motorcycles in Malaysia, has unveiled the larger Scrambler 1100 to complement the 800 and 400cc Sixty2 model.

The Scrambler is available in two variants, starting with the Special at RM83,000 (on-the-road without insurance and 0% GST) in ‘Custom Grey’ livery - gold-coloured anodised adjustable front fork sleeves with black frame as well as 18-inch (front) and 17-inch (rear) black-spoked aluminium wheels.

The Sport is priced similarly at RM85,000 and features a ‘Viper Black’ livery - yellow side tank trims, dual centre yellow strips for the tank and mudguards, black frame as well as 18-inch (front) and 17-inch (rear) 10-spoke black alloy wheels.

The bikes are covered by a two-year warranty with unlimited mileage and Ducati Smart Service Programme.

The programme includes free service for parts and lubricants only for up to 30,000km as well as Demodromic service. Owners will need to pay for labour charges.

Additionally, customers who place a booking during the Art Of Speed (July 28 to 29) and Ducati Reddest Weekend (Aug 4 to 5) will enjoy a special SST exemption.

With a wet weight of 211kg (206kg - Sport), the bike has a wheelbase of 1,514mm (front 24.5-degree rake with rear 111mm trailing arms), and stands 2,190mm-long, 920mm-wide and 1,290mm-high (810mm saddle height).

The exhaust is a 2-1-2 system with twin stainless steel mufflers, aluminium covers and end caps fitted with a catalytic converter and two lambda probes.

The engine's 55mm throttle-body is managed by the Ride-by-Wire system and is married to a six-speed (wet-clutch) manual transmission, which can be further tailored via its four-level traction control (including off) and three riding modes of Active (86hp), Journey (86hp) and City (75hp).

Regardless of variant, the Scrambler 1100's standard fitment includes front and rear LED lights, digital instrument cluster (with gear and fuel-level) that's reminiscent of the original 1970’s.

The Special uses a 45mm fully-adjustable Marzocchi up-side-down front fork and a Kayaba rear monoshock with adjustable pre-load and rebound.

The Sport variant on the other hand uses a larger 48mm front up-side down fork and rear monoshock with adjustable pre-load and adjustable rebound from Öhlins.

For safety, both variants come with Cornering ABS (Bosch) integrated with Dynamic Traction Control.

“The Scrambler 1100 aims to meet the needs of even the most demanding motorbike enthusiast. Global sales have soared past 46,000 units since its introduction in 2015 and now, the Ducati Scrambler 1100’s arrival in Malaysia completes our Scrambler line-up," said Naza Corporation Holdings (Automotive Group) group CEO Datuk Samson Anand George.


Monterey Car Week in California: Vision EQ Silver Arrow

                PEBBLE BEACH (California): Mercedes-Benz is unveiling the Vision EQ Silver Arrow show car during Monterey Car Week, which is being held from Aug 18 to 26, 2018.

The one-seater vehicle is also an homage to the successful record-breaking W 125 car from 1937.

The paintwork in alubeam silver is reminiscent of the historic Silver Arrows which, for weight reasons, did not have a white paint layer. The interior is dominated by traditional, high-quality materials such as genuine leather, polished aluminium and solid walnut.

The digital cockpit, meanwhile, points directly into the future: It includes a curved panoramic screen with back projection, as well as a touchscreen integrated into the steering wheel.

The EQ brand is shaped by the avant-garde, distinct aesthetic of 'Progressive Luxury'. This arises from the combination of a previously unknown beauty, the conscious clash of digital and analogue elements as well as the seamless merging of intuitive and physical design.

The exterior: sporty silhouette

The show car's body structure is made of carbon fibre. The multiple layers of paintwork in alubeam silver appear like liquid metal over the top.

This concept represents the design polar opposites of "hot" and "cold".

Other highlights include the driver's cockpit, which can be folded forwards, and the partially free-standing multi-spoke wheels.

The non-rotating hub caps and the partial trim on the wheels are other stylish and innovative highlights. The 168 spokes per wheel are made of lightweight aluminium and are painted a rose gold colour as is typical for EQ.

Offering exceptional traction and correspondingly fast acceleration, the Vision EQ Silver Arrow has slick 255/25 R 24 tyres at the front and 305/25 R 26 tyres at the rear. Attesting to the attention to detail, tyre partner Pirelli has helped to realise a star pattern on the tread.

The rear diffuser is reminiscent of motorsport. Two extendible rear spoilers act as an air brake by increasing the wind resistance when deceleration is desired.

Interior: between tradition and modernity

The interior of the Vision EQ Silver Arrow represents the values of Progressive Luxury. The design idiom combines timeless aesthetic appeal with futuristic visions.

When the driver's cockpit is folded forwards, it provides a view of the surprisingly wide interior. A contrast brings it to life: On the one hand, it uses traditional, high-quality materials. These include saddle brown genuine leather on the seat and steering wheel, polished aluminium throughout the interior and solid walnut with darker coniferous wood pinstripes on the floor.

A four-point seatbelt inspired by motorsport holds the driver securely in place. The pedals can be adapted to the driver's specific stature, with a controller located on the seat for adjusting the pedals.

To match the exterior paint finish in alubeam silver, the side walls of the interior are covered in a luxurious, grey suede.

Double screen and virtual racing

The driver of the Vision EQ Silver Arrow is encompassed by a large panoramic screen on which a 3D image of the surroundings is projected from behind.

As a pointer to future possible charging technologies, the lane of the roadway on which inductive charging is possible is superimposed onto the screen.

There is also a touchscreen on the steering wheel. The driver can use it to select programs such as Comfort, Sport and Sport+, which offer different driving characteristics.

Sound settings can also be configured here: Choices include the sound of a current Formula 1 Silver Arrow or a Mercedes-AMG V8 engine.

Emission-free drive system

The Vision EQ Silver Arrow is conceived as an electric vehicle. This soundless Silver Arrow has an output of 750hp. The thin rechargeable battery in the underbody has a useable capacity of approx. 80 kWh and enables a calculated range of over 400km according to the WLTP. Side air vents help to cool the battery.


2016 Beijing Auto Show: Mercedes-Benz long-wheel base E-Class

                BEIJING: Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a new long-wheel base variant for the E-Class saloon at the Beijing Auto Show 2016.

"The two 12-inch displays in front are the largest screens in the segment. They are easily accessed via Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel," said Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co Ltd president and CEO Nicholas Speeks.

"Besides ample legroom, rear passengers can easily adjust the backrests of their seats. For more privacy and quietness in the rear compartment, we incorporated a third fixed window in the long-wheel base body design, inspired by our Mercedes Maybach S-Class."

Speeks also said the car marks a new milestone in autonomous driving, with features like DRIVE PILOT which allows the vehicle to follow cars ahead of it in stop-and-go traffic, and at speeds of up to 210kph.

"And with Remote Parking Pilot, it is the only car in the segment that can be parked from outside the car using a smartphone app - perfect for those tight parking spots."


BMW X5 xDrive40e: Plug and play in Munich

Since the X5 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) was announced last year, much has changed in the world of BMW. It’s marking its 100 years this year, and pronouncements from CEO Harald Kruger and his minions are painting a picture of a luxury car maker embracing an electro-mobility future.

If you haven’t heard by now, the so-called iNEXT self-driving connected electric model will replace the 7 Series as the brand’s flagship in 2021. And BMW is also busy this year upgrading its wares with improved engines and better connectivity.

BMW has every intention to stay relevant in a future where the combustion engine will continue to play a pivotal part of its business. What’s happening to the X5 is a sign of things to come. The SUV – or Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) in BMW lingo – will be remembered as the first core model to adopt a hybrid drivetrain. Since its 2015 appearance, BMW has also dropped a PHEV into the 3 Series, 2 Series and 7 Series with more to come. All PHEVs will soon be known as iPerformance cars, and are derived from technical know-how gained from the BMW i3/i8 development, which set out to deliver exceptionally efficient performance as well as all-electric mobility with zero tailpipe emissions.

READ MORE:
Malaysia gets CKD BMW X5 PHEV at RM389,000
CKD Volvo XC90 PHEV is yours for RM405,000

We got wind of the X5 PHEV in March last year and a few months later, we were on our way to Munich to test-drive it. As many readers would know, review articles are often timed to appear closer to the local debut of the model in question. Such is the case now with the fully imported plug-in hybrid set to start selling this month, so here we are going on about it. In fact, BMW Malaysia has started a campaign to signal that the PHEV is close at hand.

The all-wheel drive X5 PHEV represents one of the first go-anywhere vehicle that allows for electric driving. The closest rival in Malaysia is the  RM405,000 locally assembled Volvo XC90 PHEV. More will follow.

We reckoned the X5 hybrid would have won EEV tax perks for BMW to decide it’s time to bring it in. In the X5 xDrive40e, BMW has kept the hybrid expression as subtle as possible.  Externally, the latest X5 variant looks much like a regular X5, a model that is over 15 years old.  Now in its third-generation, it is smartened up with creases here and there, exuding an elegant yet commanding presence.

The base X5 features twin headlight units, which extends all the way to the kidney grille, and is combined with optional adaptive LED headlights and LED fog lights. Aerodynamic features include air curtains for the front apron, air breathers on the side walls and aeroblades at the rear of the car to help reduce drag.

Its hybrid status is marked out by the charging point flap on the left front wing and a twin-tailpipe design with trapezoidal tips. Besides the model badge at the front of the vehicle’s flanks, the “eDrive” logo is found on the tailgate, roof rails, doorsill strips and centre console.

The meter cluster has been modified with the lower part of the tachometer showing hybrid-specific information such as battery charge status, vehicle’s electric and total range. An eDrive button on the centre console allows the driver to change hybrid settings.

As the electric drive equipment goes under the boot floor, the plug-in X5 comes only as a spacious five-seater, not a seven. Boot volume is reduced by 150 litres to 500 litres, which is still a big space to load up. If more is needed, the 40/20/40 split for its rear-seat backrest opens up an even greater luggage capacity of 1720l.

There are more storage compartments at the front and rear door pockets – each able to accept 1.5-litre bottles and 1-litre bottles respectively. Further enhancing practicality, the X5 comes with a two-part tailgate while automatic tailgate operation of the upper section is also possible.

On top of the usual Comfort, Sport and Eco Pro drive modes common to the BMW range, the X5 PHEV comes with an eDrive button on the centre console that toggles between AUTO eDrive, MAX eDrive and SAVE Battery. In default AUTO eDrive, the motor gives the engine an added boost when accelerating or during occasional bursts of speed. MAX eDrive, best used in urban settings, is for driving in electric mode which offers a 30km range at up to speeds of 120kph.

But don’t be heavy-footed lest the “juice” runs out faster. BMW says that range is quite enough for most daily trips. The SAVE Battery mode can also be activated at the touch of a button, causing the high-voltage battery’s state of charge to be maintained or allowing energy to be accumulated again such as by means of recuperation, if capacity is low. In this way, electrical energy can be deliberately conserved for all-electric driving later in the journey.

The latest X5 is as easy to drive as its non-hybrid breathrens. The light steering, refined and responsive engine and gearbox, and good body control come together to induce a relaxing ambience in the cabin.

Permanent all-wheel drive provides high grip levels, ensuring most road surfaces don’t throw the car off-kilter. In addition, comfortable seats all round and luxurious surrounds mean travelling for hours is not an exhausting pursuit.

At 2.3 tonnes, this X5 is a much heavier car than its non-hybrid siblings because of the large Li-ion battery under the boot, making it tail heavy. But it’s no sluggard, managing the 0-100kph run in 6.8s. The respectable performance is not just due to the lump upfront but also the electric motor that feeds 250Nm of instant torque to help propel the car. The 9kWh electric motor is integrated with the 8-speed Steptronic transmission, which means all-wheel drive is available even in pure electric driving.

When driving conditions require handover of duty between engine and motor, the transition is near seamless, with the rpm pointer jerking back to life to indicate the engine is now running. When the car runs only electricity, it is silent and the engine is quick to intervene when electric power is nearly depleted.

The car uses the award-winning turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine. System output and torque are 313hp and 450Nm. Mating the electric motor with an already fuel-efficient engine is a recipe for even greater fuel efficiency.
The car claims a combined fuel consumption of 3.4 – 3.3 litres per 100km and a combined electricity consumption of 15.4 – 15.3 kWh over the same distance. CO2 emissions come in at 78 – 77 grams per kilometre.

You can still have your jollies in Sport mode when the car stiffens up and the engine and motor work hard to deliver driving fun. The tall beefy body exhibits a slight roll when placed into corners at speeds but the xDrive holds it to a steady course.

The engine or regenerative braking are not enough to fully charge the battery, so plug in you must. Charging from home socket takes about 4 hours or under 3 hours with BMW i Wallbox or free public chargers.

Once the X5 xDrive40e is launched, it will provide a third variant and the most fuel efficient one at that with a chance to go greener in daily motoring sojourns.

It would be remiss not to cross-shop the X5 PHEV with the XC90 PHEV as well and see which one gets your money.

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BMW M boss presents the M8 Gran Coupe

                MARBELLA (Spain): The BMW M8 Gran Coupe gets promoted further by none other than M president Markus Flasch in a video clip posted today.

The latest M8 variant is due for a world premiere at the LA Auto Show later this month.

In the clip, Flasch is seen in the Spanish resort city doing a walkaround of the M8 Gran Coupe, which is presented alongside the M8 Coupe and M8 Convertible.

The clip, posted up just 7 hours ago, has already raked up nearly 11,000 views.

Flasch also previewed the M8 Gran Coupe when he was in Johannesburg in October for the BMW M Festival. At the time, he glossed over the car without expounding as much as he did in this walkaround.

The M8 Gran Coupe is over 200mm longer than its Coupe counterpart.

It comes in two flavours: the standard M8 Gran Coupe and the M8 Competition Gran Coupe.

The high-revving 4.4-litre V8 M TwinPower Turbo engine of both variants produces 750Nm of torque, while the M8 Competition Gran Coupe has 25 horses more than the M8 Gran Coupe at 625hp.

The M8 Competition Gran Coupe goes from 0 to 100kph in 3.2 seconds, 0.1s faster than the M8 Gran Coupe.

Towards the end of the video presentation, Flasch revealed that his favourite perspective of the car was the rear and the sound.

Watch the 4-min plus clip above.


Uber to require drivers, riders to wear masks around the world

                SAN FRANCISCO: Uber Technologies, Inc. says it will require drivers, delivery workers and riders globally to wear a mask as countries around the world begin easing restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus.

Beginning next Monday, the company will require everyone using its ride-hailing service in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and most Latin American and Asian countries to wear some form of face covering and ask passengers to sit in the back.

The company will also lower the number of passengers allowed on its standard Uber rides to three from four.

Uber will release updates to its driver and rider app to inform users about the changes, executives said during a call with journalists on Wednesday.

Repeated failure to comply with the requirement can lead to account deactivation for both riders and drivers, the executives said.

Before starting their work each day, the app will require drivers to take a selfie with a mask, verify that they do not exhibit any coronavirus symptoms, confirm that they have sanitised their vehicles and agree to roll down windows during rides.

Uber’s senior director of product management Sachin Kansal said the company was also looking at adding selfie verifications for riders.

Uber chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi on Wednesday said that the company has allocated more than US$50 million (RM217mil) to buy masks and sanitisers for drivers.

Uber has acquired more than 20 million face masks and distributed some five million of them to date, Kansal said on the call.

Driver advocacy groups have criticised Uber and its smaller US rival Lyft, Inc. for placing the burden on drivers to buy disinfectants and ensure safety.

Lyft last week announced it would require drivers and riders to wear face coverings.

Asked whether Uber would provide financial assistance to drivers in need of cleaning supplies, Kansal did not provide a direct answer but said the company’s thinking was “constantly evolving.”

Kansal also said that drivers were free to pay for and install plastic division sheets in their cars.

Didi, a Chinese ride-sharing company, is paying to install plastic barriers in cars in Beijing to protect riders and drivers.

Uber’s ride-hailing service, which is available in more than 900 cities worldwide, is seeing a gradual increase in ridership in May from pandemic-induced lows in April, the company said last week.


BMW Malaysia updates sales tax holiday prices: big savings await

                PETALING JAYA: BMW Group Malaysia has released the reduced prices for BMW and MINI cars, in line with the sales tax holiday.

The sales tax incentives will run from June 15 till Dec 31.

Buyers will get savings of around RM7,000 for a BMW 320i Sport, to savings of RM31,388 for a 840i Gran Coupe M Sport. (Yellow highlights in BMW table show corrected prices)

For MINI buyers, savings range from around RM9,000 to RM14,000.

Updated Pricing for BMW Vehicles - June 2020MINI Malaysia Price List


Customer service satisfaction of EV owners lower than ICE vehicles, says J.D. Power report

                DETROIT: Customer service satisfaction among owners of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is lower than those who own internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, according to a study released today.

The J.D. Power 2023 US Customer Service Index (CSI) Study, which is in its 43rd year, saw a year-over-year score decline for the first time in 28 years.

Automakers are committing billions towards developing and building EVs and batteries as they shift their focus to cleaner mobility alternatives, but customer service satisfaction remains low.

Recall rates, which are more than double for BEVs than their gas/diesel counterparts, are a leading factor, the report said.

BEV owners' customer service satisfaction was 42 points lower than owners of ICE vehicles.

"As the electric vehicle segment grows, service is going to be a 'make or break' part of the ownership experience," said Chris Sutton, vice president of automotive retail at J.D. Power.

"The industry has been hyper-focused on launches and now these customers are bringing their electric vehicles in for maintenance and repairs."

The study shows a decline of 23 points in satisfaction when an owner has to bring their vehicle in for a repair after a recall rather than traditional maintenance and repair.

Since its report in 2021, the consultants have found that owners now have to wait longer for their vehicles to be serviced due to labour, loaner vehicle availability and parts shortages.

Lexus ranks highest in satisfaction with dealer service among all premium brands and Mitsubishi takes top spot among mass market brands, according to the report.