Ford bets its future on new Detroit hub

                DETROIT: Bill Ford Jr., the great-grandson of the American carmaker's founder, stood in front of thousands Tuesday in Detroit, with an abandoned train station in the background, and entwined the company's future with that of the dilapidated building behind him.

"This station is a symbol," Ford declared. "We're making a big bet on our future."

The company - one of America's "Big Three" automakers - bought the Michigan Central Station building, a Beaux Arts gem opened in 1913 that has stood abandoned and decaying for three decades, to make it the centrepiece of a new urban high-tech campus.

 Bill Ford at Michigan Central Station.

The once proud building has faded, but is poised for much the same renewal that Detroit residents and businesses hope will mark the Motor City's post-recession, post-bankruptcy renaissance.

At an event, the Ford Motor Company unveiled its lofty plans: a space of 111,500 square meters spanning several city blocks, where the company's employees, and those of partner firms and startups, will work on innovations such as autonomous driving and electrification.

"Just as Detroit has had to re-imagine what it's going to be, we have to do the same, because everything is changing," Ford said.

Ford hopes to open the redeveloped train station in three to four years and make it a "magnet for high-tech talent," according to a company statement.

Part of the company's gamble is that, by moving its innovations divisions into Detroit's urban core, Ford can attract the technology-savvy millennials it needs. The company's main headquarters will remain in nearby suburban Dearborn.

"We want the best startups, the smartest talent, the kind of thinkers, engineers and problem-solvers who see things differently, to come and partner with us here in Detroit," Ford said.

The venerable American brand is facing the same challenge as other carmakers, which is basically an image problem, said Michigan State University marketing and communications professor Robert Kolt.

"I've never heard a student say, 'Well, I want to work for a car company.' They just don't say it," said Kolt.

"If you want to attract young people, you build a Silicon Valley-type of headquarters."

The train station project is a matter of survival for Ford, which has fallen behind its Detroit rivals GM and Fiat Chrysler (FCA) in developing self-driving cars.

GM plans to mass-produce autonomous cars by 2019, and FCA has an expanding partnership with Google parent Alphabet's Waymo autonomous car division.

But Ford won't have an autonomous car for consumers until 2021 - a full two years after GM.

Building a high-tech nerve centre can help the company down the road, said industry analyst David Whiston of Morningstar. He sees promise in initiatives such as Ford's Silicon Valley research facility.

"In the past couple of years, they've done all sorts of things showing that they're making the right investments," said Whiston. "They just need the time."

In some ways, Ford is actually ahead of many other car companies that realise they must evolve, but have not figured out how, said London-based analyst Philippe Houchois of Jefferies.

"To develop new mobility services and a new relationship with customers, they feel their traditional staff is not the right structure," said Houchois.

Carmakers need more coders, scientists and researchers.

They also need young, urban dwellers, who understand the needs of an increasingly-urbanised customer base that will require more car-sharing and delivery via autonomous fleets.

"The industry needs to balance being a manufacturer and service provider," Houchois said.

"Autos as product and as an industry will probably change more in the next 10, 15 years, than they have in the previous 50 or 60."


PLUS beefs up patrols to clear objects along North-South Expressway

                TAPAH: PLUS Malaysia Bhd will beef up its patrols to clear objects and obstructions along the North-South Expressway following complaints about motorists who suffered tyre damage.

The patrolling would be done every hour, said PLUS C1 Section manager Asnor Ali.

He said there were four patrol teams and two more would be deployed at the stretch between Ipoh and Bidor.

“We have also deployed our contractors, the Propel Intervention Team, to look for and clear obstructions on the road,” he told journalists yesterday.

PLUS and the Perak MCA Public Service and Complaints Bureau had met earlier after the bureau received complaints about obstructions on the expressway which led to damaged tyres.

Asnor said more than 50% of the objects found on the road were fragments from retread tyres.

“Other objects we’ve cleared included praying mats, steel rods, wooden planks, rocks and pipes.

“We believe most of these items came off heavy vehicles, like lorries.

“We have on many occasions advised the drivers to tie these objects properly so they won’t fall off,” he said, adding that PLUS has not received any complaints of mischief or acts of sabotage.”

Asnor urged road users and motorists to contact PLUS on its 24-hour hotline 1-800-88-0000 should they see objects lying on the road.

He also said that the road safety joint operation with the relevant authorities had begun.

“There will be patrol vehicles from the Civil Defence and Fire and Rescue Department on standby,” he said, adding that the operation would end on Feb 16.

Perak MCA Public Service and Complaints Bureau chief Jimmy Loh said he received two complaints from road users last week about the problem.

“Both the complainants had their car tyres badly damaged because of the obstructions. It was fortunate that they were unharmed.

“Chinese New Year is around the corner and there will be heavy traffic on the expressway.

“We urged PLUS to increase its patrol teams to clear away these obstructions to prevent accidents,” he added.


UPS tries out 'eQuad' electric bikes for urban deliveries

Wake demonstrating the use of the  eQuad. — Reuters

LONDON: UPS said today it was trying out a four-wheeled "eQuad" electric cargo bike for deliveries in densely packed urban areas, where bikes have better and easier access, to complement its push into electric vehicles.

The package-delivery giant is trialing around 100 of the bikes, designed and built by British firm Fernhay, in seven European markets and will also launch trials in the United States and some Asian markets, Luke Wake, UPS vice president of fleet maintenance and engineering, told Reuters.

As well as making public commitments to cut their carbon footprints, package-delivery companies are seeking new ways to cut the cost of last-mile deliveries amid soaring e-commerce orders.

UPS' eQuad has an electric-assisted top speed of around 25kph - if you pedal hard you can go faster - and can haul up to 200kg of packages. Its electric battery has a range of around 64km, which Wake said would be more than adequate for urban routes.

The vehicle is only 91cm wide, so can legally use bike lanes and enter pedestrian zones that UPS' vans and trucks cannot access. Under normal circumstances, drivers would have to get out of their vehicles, load packages on carts and haul them to customers.

UPS' Wake said the Atlanta-based company sees an opportunity to scale up the use of the bikes in "megacities" and complement its range of vans and trucks.

"There are more and more opportunities for zero-emission solutions like this that can alleviate inner-city congestion," Wake said while demonstrating the eQuad at a UPS package facility in London. "It can also help our operations be more efficient at the same time."

Rivals FedEx (FDX.N) and Deutsche Post unit DHL are also experimenting with electric cargo bikes as part of their own zero-emission vehicle plans.

UPS is also working with electric van makers like UK startups Arrival and Tevva, plus US truck maker Xos.


McLaren boasts all-new driver interface

                LONDON: The second-generation McLaren Super Series, which will be revealed this week at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show, will feature an all-new driver interface that offers a revolutionary approach to information display and promises high levels of driver engagement.

The McLaren Driver Interface will be complemented in the second-generation Super Series by switches machined from aluminium and the leather upholstery and trim.

Mclaren said the cabin would be designed to be light and airy and offers better visibility and space.

“The new McLaren Driver Interface is an example of advanced driver engagement built around two separate high-definition screens; a Folding Driver Display and a Central Infotainment Touchscreen,”said Mark Vinnels, Executive Director – Product Development at McLaren Automotive.

“The Folding Driver Display offers a choice of information shown and physical position, complementing driver preferences while furnishing a glorious piece of engineering theatre.”

In Full Display Mode, the default on vehicle unlocking as part of the ‘welcome’ sequence, the Folding Driver Display provides a comprehensive range of information on an upright TFT screen, the display format changing according to a driver’s choice of Comfort, Sport, or Track driving modes.

Slim Display Mode, either selected manually at the touch of a button or automatically deployed when linked to active dynamics functionality, sees the driver display slide down to show only essential information in a strip. This is the ideal condition for drivers wanting the minimum of distraction, either when on a track or for those who prefer simplicity of visual information.

The 8-inch Central Infotainment Screen comprises the other element of McLaren’s new integrated approach to sharing information. The driver’s portal to the all-new infotainment system of the second-generation McLaren Super Series, the screen will run multiple applications simultaneously on a vertical touchscreen carousel providing control of audio, media, navigation and other convenience features, as well as having several quick-access keys.

McLaren will reveal the full details and more images about the second-generation Super Series on March 7.


Ivan Tan new veep for Shell Malaysia and Philippines

                KUALA LUMPUR: Shell Malaysia announced the appointment of Ivan Tan (pic) as the new vice president for Malaysia and Philippines with effect from Feb 1.

He was also appointed managing director for Sarawak Shell Berhad and Sabah Shell Petroleum Company Ltd.

Tan, who will be based in Miri, joined Shell in 2001. A Sarawakian who grew up in Miri, his early career comprised a number of well engineering and well operations assignments in Malaysia; The Netherlands; New Zealand and China.

Following this, he had several leadership roles, including general manager wells operations and contracting & procurement manager for projects in Malaysia.

In April 2014, he was appointed as vice president Well HSE, based in The Netherlands. Nearly two years later, he moved to Australia where he was the technical lead of the Shell/BG integration team.

In June 2016, Tan was appointed as chief operating officer for Arrow Energy, one of Shell’s joint ventures.

He was responsible for the end-to-end delivery of capacity development, projects, wells, asset management and energy markets for Arrow’s business in the natural gas industry.

“It’s good to have one of our very own talent, who is known for his strong safety and operational leadership, leading our Upstream business. Ivan personally led a step change in safety culture and contributed towards a stronger and more

sustainable operational capability, in his previous role.

“I am confident that he will further drive our Upstream business in bringing value for our customers and for Shell, ” said Shell Malaysia chairman Datuk Iain Lo.

Tan holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) with First Class Honours from Imperial College, London and a Master’s in Business Administration with Distinction from Manchester Business School, Britain.


All-new Land Rover Defender spotted on local roads

                PETALING JAYA: With camouflaged units under going technical tests on public roads, expect the all-new Land Rover Defender to make its official launch locally soon.

The latest generation of the iconic 4X4 "go everywhere vehicle" made its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2019 and has experienced strong demand.

Available in the compact 90 and the long wheelbase 110 variants, the new Defender has also achieved critical acclaim and won at least 28 international awards.

The latest Defender comes with an ultra-stiff aluminium-intensive body construction engineered to cope with rugged landscapes.

It also gets advanced assisting technologies which include Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist and Rear Collision Monitor.

Even as the Defender is set to launch in Malaysia, Land Rover is already out testing a longer-wheelbase version in Europe.

Known as the 130, the three-row Defender will be 342mm longer  than the 110 and will be able to seat up to eight people. There are already spy photos of the largest Defender yet undergoing testing.


EVs may cut global refining capacity demand by half in 2050, says Rystad

                SINGAPORE: A global drive towards electrification of road transport to reduce carbon emissions may cut demand for the world's oil refining capacity by half in 2050, consultancy Rystad Energy says.

"Going forward we will be touching by 2050 somewhere very close to 90% of electrification," Mukesh Sahdev, senior vice president and head of downstream at Rystad Energy said, adding that this scenario would probably lead to a 50% decline in global refining capacity.

Electric vehicles will cut global consumption of gasoline and diesel, but demand for other refined oil products in aviation, maritime and petrochemical sectors could remain high because of urbanisation which will pose a challenge to the refining sector, Mukesh said.

"How are we going to meet those demands with a 50% scale down in refining capacity? I think that's a big signal that we might have a lot of shorts in the sectors which are coming with demand," he added.

"This is going to lead to a significant rationalisation of the downstream assets across the entire supply chain."

For example, cokers, upgrading units used to produce gasoline and diesel, would have to tweak their production to produce more petcoke for graphite in batteries, he said, adding that processing crude directly to petrochemicals is another trend.

Still, global oil demand could rise in the short term. The consultancy expects pent-up oil demand from the Covid-19 pandemic to drive up global crude processing to 80.1 million barrels per day in the second half of 2021 as refiners maximise gasoline output.


Doctors and nurses invited to closed Italian GP at Monza

                MONZA: Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix will be held behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic but 250 doctors and nurses will watch from the grandstands as guests, Ferrari said on Wednesday ahead of their home race.

The race at Monza, outside Milan, is the eighth round of a Formula One season that has so far been staged without live spectators, with teams operating in isolated "bubbles" and limited media in attendance.

Ferrari said the medics, who will keep socially distanced, were being invited as “a symbolic honour for their courage, sense of duty and altruism as front line workers in the fight against Covid-19.”

Italy is one of the European countries worst hit by the pandemic, with more than 35,000 deaths in an outbreak that peaked between March and April.

The race after Monza is the Tuscan Grand Prix at Ferrari-owned Mugello, north of Florence, and that will be the first to admit paying spectators.

Some 2,880 per day are set to watch from three grandstands over the three days.

Most of the races after that are also expected to admit limited numbers of spectators.


The Toyota Wow Road Tour is here

                PETALING JAYA: Fancy taking a once-in-a-lifetime exhilarating joyride with a professional stunt driving instructor in a Toyota 86 or Vios TRD Sportivo?

If your answer is yes then simply make your way to the Toyota WOW Road Tour which is taking place in six locations nationwide over each weekend starting May 30 to June 21.

The inaugural event will be held at the National Stadium Bukit Jalil (Car Park B), Kuala Lumpur on May 30 and 31 with a lot of festivities, fun and great deals galore.

The other events will be held subsequently at Juru Auto City, Penang and Likas Sports Outdoor Complex, Kota Kinabalu on June 6 and 7; East Coast Mall Outdoor Car Park, Kuantan and Sutera Mall Outdoor Car Park, Johor Bahru on June 13 and 14.

The final road tour will be held at Batu Kawah New Township, Kuching (June 20 and 21).

Members of the public will get to witness an adrenaline-driven stunt driving demonstration of the Toyota 86 or Vios TRD Sportivo or try out in taxi ride style.

For the intrepid, there are also challenging and exhilarating taxi ride experience with professional instructors on the Hilux in selected locations.

The routes are specially and carefully designed by our professional instructors for participants to experience in full the unique strengths of each model.

This is in line with Toyota’s global movement of injecting passion and excitement in driving.

There will be daily lucky draws of up to 20 shopping vouchers worth RM500 for members of the public who participate in the experiential test drive.

During the Road Tour, every member of the public who places an order for a new Toyota at the event will stand a chance to win a brand new Vios 1.5J (AT) in addition to a RM500 e-Service Voucher for each purchase on top of the current sales promotion.

Also starting this month, prospective buyers who place an order for a Vios or Hilux will get added value accessories package worth up to RM5,200 absolutely free!

Besides attractive packages, the current sales promotions also includes a Test Drive & Win contest where members of the public can take a Toyota car for a test drive and stand a chance to win an iPad Mini 16GB as there are 100 units to give away every fortnight.

The great deals do not just end there as prospective buyers who place a booking for a Toyota car in the month of June will stand a chance to win an all-expense paid trip for 2 to the Tokyo Motorshow.

There are 20 pairs of tickets to be won with 200 units of iPhone 6 Plus to be won as a consolation prize every fortnight.


Can carpooling be organised like bus routes? France thinks so

                PARIS: Carpooling today can take different forms. One innovative approach being rolled out in France is high-service-level carpooling routes. These routes are similar to the predefined lines operated by public transport companies, only here, they're adapted to suit carpooling. This French initiative has already been deployed in several large cities in the country, including Grenoble, Lyon and Rennes.

This system works just like a high-frequency bus line, with several fixed carpooling stops located at various points along the highway. A passenger makes themselves known via an accompanying application, or by a simple SMS, then shares the cost with their driver of the day.

And, like traditional bus lines, these high-service-level carpooling routes have fixed stops and predefined windows of passage. In rush hour, for example, there can be less than five minutes' wait between two cars.

Each stop is generally positioned near a car park or a station, facilitating onward journeys home with a personal vehicle or on public transport. The idea is to link up several strategic points within a given perimeter. In Lyon, for example, the Lane network provides links between the city center and Bourgoin-Jallieu station, the Villefontaine outlet mall and Lyon-Saint-Exupéry airport. Similarly, the M' Covoit - Lignes+ network provides an easy link to Grenoble from Voiron and Tullins.

These first carpooling routes — using specific, dedicated lanes — have been implemented by a company called Ecov in a global first. The aim is evidently to reduce traffic in and out of urban centers, while offering a reliable, high-performance carpooling service for everyday journeys, such as journeys between home and work. Carpooling lanes were one of the measures proposed by France's Citizens Convention for Climate.


Naza Automotive stays bullish, sets RM1bil revenue target

                KUALA LUMPUR: NAZA Automotive Group chief executive Rizal Jailan strongly believes the group is firmly entrenched on the growth path, as he sees huge potential in the niche vehicle market for Malaysia and his company this year.

In fact, he says that in this post-lockdown era, there are almost “no excuses” for the group to not expand its horizons, so much so that he is setting an ambitious RM1bil revenue target, which actually represents a 30% increase from what Naza Automotive has managed to achieve in 2022 – approximately RM700mil.

The group currently holds distributorship rights for four brands in Malaysia, namely Maserati, Mercedes Benz, Ducati and Suzuki.

“The opportunities to grow are always there. We are looking to bring in some new brands and we have developed aggressive plans to expand organically and otherwise.

“Of course, it goes without saying that we have to be mindful and tactful on what new models we would like to bring into the country,” Rizal told StarBizWeek.

Organic growth

Expounding further, the CEO says the first thing to do would be to lay out strategies to increase sales of the group’s existing brands, and one of these is by extending dealer networks, particularly for Ducati and Suzuki, to improve their customer reach.

On top of that, with Mercedes also rolling out its EQ models – the all-electric luxury sedan units – in Malaysia during the third quarter of 2022, Rizal says Naza Automotive is also looking to capitalise especially since the premium brand is also targeting more launches this year.

Furthermore, he says the group is by no means forgetting its reconditioned-car segment as he pledges to continue lending it commensurate support and focus, while reminding his colleagues with a chuckle, “Which is how Naza Group began 47 years ago!”

“With all these initiatives, I believe the RM1bil revenue goal is not far-fetched at all,” he says, before adding that Mercedes models are expected to continue being a major contributor to the turnover figure this year based on past records of volumes sold.

Turning his focus on Ducati, Rizal says Ducati Malaysia winning the award for Global Dealer of the Year in 2022 serves as a strong testament to the capability of the team in serving Malaysian customers and to promote the Ducati brand.

“In 2022, we launched five models at one go for the brand, which was rather aggressive. This year we are focused on product delivery, especially with the better supply situation globally at the moment.

“We anticipate sales to keep growing, so we are looking to increase the number of dealers to improve our customer reach for Ducati.”

Rizal acknowledges that Suzuki, one of the group’s other brands, can be seen as either a mass market label or a niche one.

However, he highlights that the Suzuki models Naza Automotive is bringing into the country are niche models, namely the Jimny and the Swift Sport, while also revealing that the group is not resting on its laurels but is also looking to get other models in the lifestyle segment under the Japanese brand.

The same strategy of increasing dealer network across the country also applies for Suzuki, says Rizal, especially with the intention to further improve post-sales customer service, as the group is focusing to expand further into the Klang Valley, Johor Baru and Penang.

“We already have a confirmed number of network branches to be opened, and we anticipate being able to roll out these initiatives by the middle of the year,” he says.

Inorganic growth

Arguably, the more interesting bits, however, appear to be in Rizal’s strategies for expanding Naza Automotive’s umbrella of brands, or what he calls “inorganic growth”, where the group is looking into branching into other brands.

A keen industry observer could make the case that this may also be a necessary step, especially as marquee brand Ferrari has terminated its distributorship deal in Malaysia with Naza Automotive.

Rizal is aiming to capitalise on the electric vehicle (EV) trend of the moment, saying that the group is already in talks with a number of potential partners, without revealing yet who these parties are.

However, he points out that Naza as a whole conglomerate is in a unique position to maximise on the EV opportunity on a much wider scope.

“We have other sister companies within the Naza Group that can complement us in EV projects.

“For example, Naza TTDI Sdn Bhd is a property and construction company within the Naza umbrella. So, for us as a group, we are not just focused on EVs as a product but also on the infrastructure such as charging stations to offer follow-up benefits to our potential customers,” Rizal explains.

Besides that, he says Naza Automotive is also in discussions with “an established EV infrastructure provider” in the country and would make an announcement regarding the cooperation soon.

On the other hand, Rizal reiterates his view that Naza Automotive is not “desperately” looking to replace the lost Ferrari distributorship rights, but instead affirms that the aforementioned strategies would be necessary anyway as the group takes a look at itself and where it plans to be in the next few years.

Looking to bring in one more niche automotive brand into the country on top of the EV brands the group is already in talks with, he is hopeful it would be able to make an announcement within this year or in early 2024 to confirm the new partnerships being forged.

Dealing with AP situation

Enhancing customer experience will also apply in how the group intends to deal with open approved permits (APs), moving forward, although this is not an entirely new issue since open APs have been implemented from Jan 1, 2019, the CEO remarks.

An open AP is an import permit facility given by the International Trade and Industry Ministry to qualified bumiputra companies to import reconditioned vehicles for sale in the domestic market.

Since dealing in reconditioned cars was what Naza was doing when it first opened its doors almost 48 years ago, Rizal believes automotive is deeply entrenched in the “DNA” of the conglomerate.

“There is no exclusivity now, so we have to keep asking ourselves why would customers persist in buying from us. Undoubtedly, over the years, Naza Automotive has established itself as a reputable reconditioned car selling company.

“One of the primary reasons why customers keep coming back to us is due to the quality of our products, because we pay personal visits to suppliers in order to secure the best cars at the most reasonable prices.

“We strive to ensure the buying experience is a pleasant one for our customers until the handover of the vehicle and of course now beyond with our post-sales service,” he adds.

General prospects

Viewing into the future with the group he helms from multiple angles, Rizal says one of the concerns Naza Automotive will always need to be aware of is the foreign exchange rate, especially in how the ringgit compares to the US dollar, the currency in which it trades most often.

Recognising that this will always be an uncertainty that would need meticulous attention, he says the group’s profit margins have been significantly impacted by the strong dollar last year due to the giant Federal Reserve hikes.

“This year we are better prepared, especially with our cost management, so hopefully we are going to have better results.

“On top of that, I think we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel as far as macroeconomic factors are concerned, as supply and logistic costs are also coming down to ‘normal’ levels,” he says.

He believes prospects are also buoyed by production capacities of the group’s principals returning to pre-lockdown volumes.

Furthermore, while the well-documented consensus view of the market this year is one of a slowdown from the bumper year of 2022, especially in terms of consumer spending, Rizal is confident that Naza Automotive would not be adversely affected.

“There are a few reasons for our optimism. First of all, we believe that the tech-savviness of the younger generation would mean there will be a market for EVs over the mid to longer term.

“Secondly, we maintain that the ball is in our court in terms of what cars we want to bring in, in order to serve the respective market segments, which then gives our customers options to purchase vehicles according to their budget levels.

“Aside from those factors, we are not forgetting the fact that we are already in the niche segment. We believe customers in this group are those whose purchasing power is less likely to be affected by macroeconomic factors, plus they have different expectations in terms of customer experience."

For example, he says, Naza Automotive is investing to upgrade its Maserati showroom, the only one in the country so far, to the latest "Gen 3 Corporate Image" status, targeted to be completed by the third quarter of the year, to improve customer satisfaction and experience.

One final focus point for the group, Rizal emphasises, is in staying relevant and keeping up with the latest technology in the automotive sector, which primarily involves maintaining a good relationship with all its principals to be updated on their product offerings.

“This is so we can form our thoughts about suitable products to be brought into the country because no one knows the Malaysian market other than we do ourselves as Malaysians.

“More importantly, this would enable us to prepare our infrastructure here in relation to the products we bring in,” he says.

While admitting he has not been given details of how performance brands such as Maserati and Ducati intend to branch into the EV market, Rizal believes they will do so.

“Although we are unclear now how they will do it, these brands will not stray far from their DNA. They are performance-driven, and will always remain so, regardless of how they intend to weave the EV agenda into their products.” — KEITH HIEW


Subaru Forester 2.0i-S EyeSight GT: Extra value and sportier looks

The top-of-the-range Subaru Forester SUV gets the GT Edition treatment and we took it for a ride out- of-state as travel restrictions were lifted recently.

Subtlety is rarely the thing one notices most - as it should - but in this case, it’s so obvious that it makes it difficult to ignore.

Surely he’s not talking about the Subaru Forester 2.0i-S EyeSight GT Edition sports utility vehicle (SUV).

Well, yes and no. If one were to simply look at the SUV from a distance or even up close, it’s not subtle physically.

In fact, one may be inclined to think of it as a big and beefy and not quite as appealing, design-wise, as the sportier-looking SUVs offered by the competition.

Enter the GT Edition which adds some new kit to up the sportiness of the Forester.

There’s a new roof spoiler, side skirts, front and rear bumper lip extension and new alloy wheels to spruce up the exterior.

This results in a subtle yet sporty refresh which is tastefully done.

You will be glad to know that the man behind this design update is Masahiko Kobayashi, the former Chief Designer at Subaru Corporation who is responsible for the likes of the WRX, WRX STI, Levorg, first-generation XV and more.

Meanwhile, on the inside, the GT Edition features special leather seats, a 360 degree camera system called the Superview Around Recognition Three-Sixty and a new 8-inch Panasonic infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

It’s a jungle out there

With the extra kit that comes with the GT Edition, the Forester offers you more bang for your buck at RM177,788 (on-the road without insurance).

This is the top-of-the-range variant of the Forester with EyeSight driver assist technology which includes Pre-Collision Braking and Throttle Management, Lane Sway and Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lead Vehicle Start Alert.

Other safety and useful features are the Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Side View Monitor and Blind-Spot Detection system.

And unlike its front-wheel drive competitors, the Forester comes with the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive which distributes power to all wheels for better steering response, high speed stability and increased traction.

It also has off-road capabilities with the Special X-Mode selector dial which one can switch depending on the terrain as the choices are between Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud.

And it also helps that the Forester has a high ground clearance of 220mm should you traverse off the beaten path.

Last but not least is its very capable powertrain consisting of the 2.0-litre horizontally opposed or also known as the boxer engine with direct fuel injection mated to the Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) gearbox.

This combination produces a powerful 156PS and 196Nm of torque for a smooth driving experience.

And speaking of driving ... Eyes on the road, hands on the wheel

The Forester GT has a spacious, comfortable and quiet cabin with plenty of head and legroom for rear passengers.

The driver and front passenger can adjust their seats with a touch of the button with the 8-way motorized system and it includes other automated aids such as the Auto Vehicle Hold function, auto headlamps and powered rear gate so one can shut the boot with the press of a button.

Since interstate travel was allowed, I drove the Forester GT south to Melaka and spent a night there.

On the highway, the SUV didn’t need a lot of coaxing to get it going.

It is an enthusiastic ride but considering the heavy traffic, I turned on the Adaptive Cruise Control function which allows you to set your speed as well as set the distance between the vehicle in front of you.

This is a wonderful function as you can keep your foot off the brake and accelerator and let the Driver Assist technology do all the work for you.

The SUV will automatically keep its distance by either braking or accelerating and all one has to do is steer.

You can think of it as a precursor to fully-autonomous driving technology.

It proved to be such a relaxing drive because of it and even when in a traffic jam, at very low speeds, the SUV will just tag along accordingly.

The only thing this system does not do is automatically move ahead once you have come to a full stop and the vehicle in front starts moving.

The SUV does alert you that the vehicle in front has moved ahead so you need to tap the accelerator and the cruise control takes over again.

Room for thought

The Forester GT Edition has a lot of creature comforts, safety and functionality that once you’re inside, you aren’t concerned with the looks anymore.

Remember how I spoke about subtlety in the beginning.

This SUV produces a lot of alerts from the approaching vehicles on your blind-spot, rear cross traffic, lane sway and departure among other things.

As an automotive writer who regularly tests cars I am used to all such alerts.

However, the Forester stands out because the volume level here is just right.

Its beeping is pleasant and loud enough without being annoying or scaring you half-to-death. It’s subtle things like this that makes one even more appreciative of the Forester.

So if you’re in the market for an all-round SUV with loads of usable technology, driving comfort and functionality, you definitely have to give the Forester GT Edition a try.

SPECIFICATIONSSubaru Forester 2.0i-S EyeSight GT EditionEngine: 1,995cc direct petrol injection, DOHC 16-valve, 4-cylinder boxer
Maximum power: 156PS at 6,000rpm
Maximum torque: 196Nm at 4,000rpm
Transmission: Lineartronic CVT
Features: Symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD), LED headlamps with automatic levelling, roof rails and spoiler, LED daytime running lights, LED front fog lamps, powered front seats, Auto Vehicle Hold, Electronic Parking Brake, keyless access and push-button start, paddle shifters, SI-Drive (Subaru Intelligent Drive), 8.0-inch Panasonic display with navigation, Apple Car Play and Android Auto, Bluetooth, powered rear gate with Memory Function, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, 225/55 R18 tyres
Safety features: Seven airbags, ABS with Electronic Brake-Force Distribution, all-round disc brakes, Brake Assist and Override, Active Torque Vectoring, Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), ISOFIX child seat anchors, Blind-Spot Detection, EyeSight Driver Assist, Lane Change Assist, Rear View Camera, Side View Monitor, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Steering Responsive Headlights
Price: RM177,788 (on-the-road, without insurance)
Note: There is a sales tax exemption of up to RM5,000 from June 15 to Dec 31, 2020.


Scania Driver Competition 2017 - winners take home RM36,000

                SERDANG: Following the conclusion of the recent biannual Scania Driver Competition (SDC) South East Asia 2017, six winners with their scalpel-like skills managed to take home a combined cash-prize of approximately RM36,000 as well as a trophy and a certificate each, within their respective bus or truck categories.

The regional event was held at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park in Serdang, Kuala Lumpur, with 19 finalists utilising a Scania G410LA6x2MSZ attached to a trailer carrying a 20-foot container for the truck category and a Scania Marcopolo K410IB4x2 coach for the bus category.

Also, for the first time, the event saw participants from Myanmar (two) and the Philippines (2) who competed against 10 drivers from Malaysia and six from Singapore.

It was Law Cheok Gheen who took home SEK20,000 (RM10,000) representing Zulco Sdn Bhd for the Bus category. The Malaysian also managed to earn his company a service voucher of SEK10,000 (RM5,000).

 From left: Marie, Soe, Law, Rahman and Michelin Malaysia commercial director Alexis Richard (Bus category).

Taking second place in the same category was Soe Naing from Myanmar, representing Aung Kyaw Moe Express, who took home SEK10,000 (RM5,000)while Singaporean Rahman Khan from Ducktours clinched third place with SEK6,000 (RM3,000)

The truck category saw Saraveswaren Srues from Malaysia representing Air Products emerged the champion and earned himself SEK20,000 (RM10,000) as well as SEK10,000 (RM5,000) service voucher for his company.

In second place was Singaporean Wong Yih Chien representing Transworld International winning SEK 10,000 (RM5,000) and Indonesian Kukuh Hendrawan representing PT Semen Gresik in third place with SEK6,000 (RM3,000).

 From left: Marie, Wong, Sarveswaren, Kukuh, and Michelin Malaysia commercial director Alexis Richard (Truck category).

During the competition, each driver's abilities were tested through a series of timed maneuvering tasks which included a 'Knock the Cone' precision test and 'Boardwalk' obstacle test.

"We have seen an increasing interest in the SDC and that is a good indication that it has been a catalyst in getting heavy commercial vehicle drivers to upgrade their skills and that means safer drivers, safer conditions for all road users and better fuel economy for operators," said Scania South East Asia managing director Marie Sjödin Enström.

Enrolment for the competition began in 2016 with more than 1,000 drivers within the region signing up who went through the elimination rounds that tested their knowledge of road transport laws and regulations, alternative fuels, fuel-efficient and safe driving skills, load securing, occupational risks and health, and emergency procedures.


How to react when your car starts aquaplaning

                BERLIN: In heavy rain and on wet roads, the threat of aquaplaning can pose a real danger. Cars can suddenly start to slip and slide along the road surface and cannot be steered to safety, since the tyres no longer divert all the water passing through their treads.

In the event of aquaplaning, a major German safety inspection agency advises drivers not to touch the steering wheel, take their foot off the gas or, in cars with anti-lock brakes, not brake too cautiously or tentatively. Only when the wheels re-establish proper traction on the road should the driver start steering again.

When there's a continuous film of water on the road surface, drivers should exercise extreme caution. Loud water sounds in the wheel arches or along the underbody can indicate a high potential for aquaplaning, as can spinning tyres or a jerking steering wheel.

In general, the inspection agency advises drivers to brake lightly here and there in wet conditions, as this can help dry off the brake coatings and discs. In case of emergency, the tyres will then be able to grip the road more quickly. Modern and more expensive car models often take this step automatically.

The deeper the treads in a car's tyres, the better they can cope with potential aquaplaning. A new tyre with a tread seven or more millimetres deep will still be able to divert water at around 80kph, whereas a 3-millimetre tread will only be effective up to 70kph. At a bare minimum depth of 1.6 millimetres, the tyres will lose traction at just 50kph.


Rolls-Royce invites isolated youngsters to design a luxury limo

                LONDON: Children cooped-up during the pandemic are being offered the chance to return to school in a Rolls Royce limo whenever the lockdown is lifted, as part of the British luxury car company's first Young Designer Competition.

All contestants need to do is let their imaginations run wild and come up with a design of what a future Rolls-Royce could look like.

The choice of materials for entries is not limited to pencils and sketch-pads either. Rolls-Royce said judges welcome anything from paintings to embroidery and art and design installations.

The competition aims to "encourage a new generation of aspiring designers to breathe life into their automotive dreams," says the luxury carmaker.

The challenge also serves as a welcome distraction to children and young people confined to their homes during the worldwide coronavirus pandemic.

Entries, from anyone up to 16 years of age from anywhere in the world, are to be submitted by Monday, May 18, 2020 and multiple entries with one design per submission are allowed.

The overall winner will receive a unique rendered illustration of the top design. Runners-up get a signed certificate from company CEO Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes.

The lucky top British entrant will also be able to enjoy a chauffeur-driven trip to school with a friend in a Phantom limousine once the coronavirus countermeasures draw to an end.

A new Greenpower electric car kit will be donated to the winner's school, enabling pupils to take part in the company's junior electric car scheme in Britain.


Porsche Macan S debuts, price starts from RM625K

                SEPANG: Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) has launched the Porsche Macan S priced from RM625,000 (excludes registration fee, road tax and insurance), inclusive of Premium Package as standard and a four-year warranty and maintenance package, including parts and labour.

The compact SUV has a new 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged petrol engine that has been up-tuned with an increase of 14hp and 20Nm compared to its predecessor, which means power is now rated at 354hp with maximum torque at 480Nm.

Standard features include a full LED lighting system, 14-way powered seats, comfort lighting package, Power Steering Plus, Park Assist including reversing camera, automatic dimming mirrors and a BOSE surround sound system.

Included in the latest facelift is a three-dimensional rear LED lightbar. The headlights are LED as standard, and the optional Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS Plus) system can be used to control light distribution adaptively.

The new Porsche Communication Management (PCM) now features a 10.9-inch full-HD touchscreen that includes mobile phone connection, two audio interfaces and intelligent voice control.

The central turbo layout of the latest twin-scroll turbocharger in the Macan S results in outstanding and immediate responsiveness, and higher performance

With the chassis rolling on staggered tyres, the Macan S is further equipped with Porsche Traction Management (PTM) for its all-wheel-drive system to boost its dynamic driving properties.

The Porsche Active Stability Management (PASM) active damper control system, which has been modified to adapt to the new model’s features, has a height-adjustable air suspension with optimised rolling pistons and new shock absorber hydraulics.

The Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) system is optionally available to improve driving dynamics and handling even further.

“The Macan S promises more power, more precision and better handling than before. Regardless of performance or comfort-oriented style of driving, customers can rest assured they will be treated to a class-leading Porsche experience,” said SDAP CEO Christopher Hunter.


Toyo Proxes Sport: A new flagship with advanced technology from Japan

                PETALING JAYA: Today’s drivers are highly demanding as they expect tyres to meet a lengthy list of requirements including good road handling and comfort, better durability, longer mileage, and comfort.

As advancing technology also keep improving vehicle performance, it is certainly a challenge for tyre manufacturers to design a tyre that can meet all the requirements.

When developing high performance tyres, Toyo Tires use “T-mode”, a digital design tool where virtually every driving condition, surface and variable of vehicle dynamics and power can be simulated on the computer.

Thus, tyre development parameters and objectives such as grip, cornering, wear resistance and noise generation can be optimally adjusted.
Toyo Tires also has its proprietary advanced material design technology called Nano Balance Technology which can develop advanced tyre compounds at the molecular level.

Toyo Tires has developed the Proxes tyre range that is designed specifically to meet the needs of the high-performance driver.

Among them is the world renowned Toyo Proxes Sport which uses the latest advanced technologies. The new Proxes Sport is a focused sports performance tyre which answers the need for superior handling demanded from today’s high-performance luxury vehicles.

The Proxes Sport was built using an all-new tyre compound that allows better grip in wet and dry conditions, and it leveraged on Toyo’s Nano Balance Technology with high-speed handling and wet grip driving as the design parameters.

The Proxes Sport’s tread features a reflect block and dynamic taper design which enhances handling and braking performance.

Its functional asymmetric and stiffer rib design also offers improved wet and dry traction, low noise emission, and stability during cornering - requirements demanded by sports drivers.

For drivers who push their vehicles to the limit, the Proxes Sport is the right tyre.

The Toyo Proxes Sport is now available at all Toyo centres, authorised dealers and Silverstone International Motorsports (SIM) centres in Malaysia.


New Land Rover Defender in the works

                NEW YORK: North American fans of the legendary Land Rover Defender will have much to look forward to as the new Defender is not only being resurrected but is already in the development and prototype stage.

Engineers are subjecting the vehicle to rigorous test extremes to make sure the new Defender is the most off-road capable Land Rover vehicle ever; operating in temperatures from -40F to +120F while driving the test vehicles on-and off-road at altitudes of more than 13,000 feet above sea level.

The Series Land Rover vehicles haven’t changed much since the idea for the first model was dreamed up shortly after World War II by the Wilks brothers on the shores of Red Wharf Bay, Wales, more than 70 years ago.

With each successive design – from the Series 1, 2, and 3 Land Rover vehicles, to the later “Defender” branded vehicles – changes were largely evolutionary, rather than revolutionary.

With an all-new exterior and interior design, as well as a suite of the latest driver assistance and connectivity features available, the next-generation Defender will be a revolutionary product for Land Rover with even broader public appeal.

When it debuts in 2019, the new model will represent 70 years of innovation and improvement in just one model year; honouring the model’s history for rugged durability, while thoroughly remaining a Defender for the 21st century.

“There are a handful of automobiles that are beloved around the world and stand for a brand, a country and a distinct way of life. The Land Rover Defender is such a singular vehicle," said Kim McCullough, Vice President of Marketing for Jaguar Land Rover North America.

"On behalf of Land Rover and our retailers, we are proud to announce the voices of American and Canadian customers has been heard: The all new Defender will be for sale here starting in 2020. This announcement is a holiday gift to our Defender fans in North America and a hint of what’s to come in the New Year.”

All will be revealed in 2019.


Quebec to ban sale of new gasoline-powered cars from 2035

The ban will bring Quebec in line with other jurisdictions such as California. — Reuters
MONTREAL: The Canadian province of Quebec says it will ban the sale of new gasoline-powered passenger cars from 2035, joining California and others in announcing moves to shift to electric vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Canada’s second-most populous province announced the ban on Monday as part of a C$6.7 billion (RM21bil) plan over five years to help Quebec meet a target of reducing its greenhouses gases by 37.5% by 2030, in comparison with 1990 levels, premier Francois Legault told reporters here.

The ban will bring Quebec in line with other jurisdictions such as California, the largest US auto market, which in September announced a move to electric vehicles starting in 2035.

Brian Kingston, president of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association, reacting by Twitter on Monday to Quebec’s announcement, said: “Consumers need more support to buy new (zero-emission vehicles) ZEVs, not bans on internal combustion vehicles.”

The Canadian province of British Columbia has already moved to phase out fuel-powered cars and trucks over a two-decade period, with a total ban on their sale or lease coming into effect in 2040.

Britain is also said to be working on a similar decision.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised sweeping measures to fight climate change and boost economic growth, including making zero-emission vehicles more affordable and investing in charging stations across the country.

While the coronavirus pandemic has forced the Liberal leader to focus more on emergency aid to help businesses and people get through the downturn, the government has committed to net-zero emissions by 2050 and is expected to begin earmarking investments in a fiscal update before Christmas and a separate budget early next year.


Toyota to show Ultra-compact BEV at 2019 Tokyo Motor Show

                TOKYO: Toyota today announced that it will display its new, production-ready Ultra-compact BEV (battery electric vehicle) at the Future Expo special exhibition of the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show ahead of the vehicle's planned commercial launch in Japan in 2020.

The next-generation mobility solution is designed to provide short-distance mobility while limiting impact on the environment.

"We want to create a mobility solution that can support Japan's aging society and provide freedom of movement to people at all stages of life," said Akihiro Yanaka, Head of Development.

"With the Ultra-compact BEV, we are proud to offer customers a vehicle that not only allows for greater autonomy, but also requires less space, creates less noise and limits environmental impact."

The ultra-compact, two-seater BEV is specifically designed to meet the daily mobility needs of customers who make regular, short-distance trips such as the elderly, newly licensed drivers, or business-people visiting local customers.
It can be driven a range of approximately 100km on a single charge, reach a maximum speed of 60kph, and features an extremely short turning radius.
Toyota is also pairing its planned 2020 launch of the Ultra-compact BEV with a new business model that aims to promote the wider adoption of battery electric vehicles in general.

This includes examining every step of the battery's life, from manufacture through sale, resale or re-use, and recycling to maximize its value.

In the near term, Toyota will focus on expanded leasing initiatives designed to recapture used batteries for evaluation and re-use as appropriate in pre-owned vehicles, as service parts, or even in non-automobile applications.

Toyota is also developing peripheral services for battery electric vehicles such as recharging stations and insurance.


TomTom banks on partnerships to help drivers escape traffic jams

TomTom is already working on traffic management systems with Siemens AG, Elgin and PTV AG, and is seeking more such tie-ups, Goddijn said. — Reuters
AMSTERDAM: TomTom NV wants to build more partnerships with infrastructure companies and cities as it carves out its role in a future where autonomous vehicles reduce consumer demand for satellite navigation devices.

The Amsterdam-based mapping company is already working on traffic management systems with engineering giant Siemens AG, roadworks monitoring company Elgin and transport planning specialist PTV AG, and is seeking more such tie-ups, chief executive officer Harold Goddijn said in an interview.

“We don’t control the whole value chain, we don’t do traffic lights, we don’t do big traffic control centres, but we have a lot of smart technology,” Goddijn said.

TomTom and its peers have come into increasing focus as the automotive industry races to build autonomous vehicles. With carmakers wary about leaning on tech behemoths such as Alphabet Inc’s Google, they have instead turned to others to supply the mapping data essential to developing so-called self-driving cars. In 2015 Nokia Oyj sold its HERE mapping business to a consortium consisting of Volkswagen AG, BMW AG and Daimler AG for €2.6bil (RM12.24bil).

Traffic management systems could become an attractive source of revenue. While at present they are used by cities to manage congestion by controlling traffic lights and other hardware to try to prevent blockages, the advent of autonomous driving means that centralised, cloud-based infrastructure management may play a greater role.

TomTom currently supplies that technology to places such as Berlin, Zurich and Amsterdam in many cases free of charge, which provides insight to local transport authorities. In return, the cities supply TomTom with traffic data it can use to improve its products, which it licenses to technology companies including Apple Inc and Uber Technologies Inc.

Goddijn said TomTom gets data from half a billion sources each day.

“Uber is very much relying on our technology and our data for routing, for traffic information,” Goddijn said. “We have a vast amount of data and experience, which helps them to tune their algorithms.”

TomTom doesn’t have the cash riches of other companies to pile into its mapping efforts. It had €144mil (RM677.92mil) in cash and equivalents at the end of December. In contrast, chief rival in the satnav sector Garmin Ltd had US$2.3bil (RM10.22bil), Google had US$92bil (RM409.12bil) and Apple had US$246bil (RM1.09tril). Apple last year opened an office in Hyderabad, India to focus on mapping, creating as many as 4,000 jobs in the city. TomTom’s total headcount is 4,700, including 3,100 in R&D roles.

TomTom is not alone in identifying traffic management as a growth opportunity. Panasonic Corp has started testing its technology in Denver. Even as TomTom shifts away from selling the satellite navigation gear on which it has built its business, and moves toward data, software and services, it still generates half of its revenue from hardware.

Goddijn is one of the co-founders and biggest shareholders of TomTom and said he has no desire to sell up. TomTom’s four founders jointly own some 45% of the company.

TomTom shares trade at around €8 (RM37.66), and are still valued well below its all-time high closing price of €53.56 (RM252.15), reached in November 2007. It hopes to gain shareholder appreciation with its recently outlined strategy goals of growing its business to business enterprise at around a 15% compound annual rate between 2016 and 2020.

TomTom’s founders, including its current CEO, 25 years later are still the biggest shareholders, jointly owning some 45%.

“Really, I am here to run the show, and run this company as well as I can,” Goddijn said. “That’s my duty and eventually that will hopefully translate in a higher share price.”


Feb 6-12: Fuel prices up across the board

                PETALING JAYA: The price of fuel will increase across the board for the period between Feb 6and Feb 12.

The Finance Ministry said RON97 petrol would be priced at RM2.23 per litre, up three sen from RM2.20 per litre previously.

The price of RON95 petrol will also increase by three sen from RM1.90 per litre to RM1.93 per litre.

The price of diesel will increase by four sen from RM2.07 per litre to RM2.11 per litre.


All-electric Lotus Evija with 2,000PS undergoes track testing

                LONDON: Lotus has revealed details of its Evija all-electric hypercar in a stunning new film.

The film features an engineering development vehicle testing on the 3.6km track at Hethel in the UK.

At the wheel is Gavan Kershaw, Lotus director of vehicle attributes, who provides extensive new commentary on key elements of the Evija project.

At almost five minutes long and using on-board cameras to reveal new views of the car, it’s the most detailed insight yet into the dynamic excellence of Britain’s first all-electric hypercar.

The film was launched as the Evija takes centre stage at this week’s Salon Prive Concours d’Elegance - the UK’s most exclusive motor show.

The show takes place in the beautiful gardens of Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside.

In the film, Kershaw reveals the goals for the Evija which was to create a hypercar with genuine everyday usability.

He further revealed that the new details on the progressive deployment of power and torque through the car’s five drive modes.

The first Range mode is limited to 1,000PS of power and 800Nm of torque.

This mode switches the Evija from four-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive to maximise the distance available from the battery and its intelligent power management system.

In City mode, there's better power control with a decrease in the level of regenerative braking for urban environments.

The third Tour mode automatically switches between four and rear-wheel-drive to deliver more than 1,400PS of power with torque-vectoring.

Lastly, Sport mode ups the performance figures to 1,700PS and 1,700Nm.

This is linked to the stability control systems to increase traction levels.

Lotus says that this mode is the most extreme of them all, boosting power delivery to the maximum of 2,000PS.

It delivers the highest level of torque-vectoring with the Evija’s Drag Reduction System (DRS) available on request and the chassis setting automatically switches to Track.

Also included in the film are exclusive dynamic views of the battery pack located immediately behind the two seats, echoing the classic mid-mounted powertrain layout of so many Lotus cars.

This creates an optimum weight distribution and makes the Evija exceptionally manoeuvrable when racing up past 320kph.

“Lotus cars are very nimble, inspiring great confidence when being driven, and the Evija is no different to that,” said Kershaw.


California to allow autonomous cars without driver

                SACRAMENTO: California officials have unveiled new regulations that would allow autonomous vehicles to operate on state roads in test projects without a human operator.

A revised regulation which could take effect in 2018 would eliminate a provision in an earlier draft that required "physical control by a natural person sitting in the vehicle's driver's seat" in any autonomous car.

The language was replaced with a requirement for "supervising the autonomous technology's performance of the dynamic driving task."

The California Department of Motor Vehicles said in the statement the change was made to remove a requirement which "could be unnecessarily limiting on the development of the technology" and to provide flexibility to allow remote monitoring.

The new rules come with a growing number of tech firms and automakers testing self-driving vehicles, and follows new guidelines from the federal government aimed at spurring the technology widely believed to improve road safety and reduce accidents.

"We are excited to take the next step in furthering the development of this potentially life-saving technology in California," said state Transportation Secretary Brian Kelly.

DMV director Jean Shiomoto said the agency hopes to finalize its regulations by the end of the year and noted that 42 companies have permits to test autonomous vehicles in the states.

"The department looks forward to seeing those companies and additional companies advance the technology under these new regulations," Shiomoto said.

But John Simpson of the activist group Consumer Watchdog said the proposed rule would allow tech and auto firms to "do whatever they want as they use our roads as private laboratories and threaten highway safety."

The state agency said any autonomous vehicles would need to meet federal safety standards.

But Simpson said that in the absence of strict federal regulations which apply specifically to autonomous cars, "it's imperative that California continue to protect us."


Teachers in Singapore to pay for parking in schools from August

                SINGAPORE: Teachers in primary and secondary schools as well as junior colleges will need to pay for parking from August.

Season outdoor parking will cost S$75 (RM223) a month during school terms, and S$15 (RM45) per month during the school holidays in June, November and December, The Straits Times has learnt.

For sheltered lots, they will have to pay S$100 (RM298) monthly during school terms and S$20 (RM60) monthly during the holidays.

Motorcyclists will be charged S$13 (RM38) per month for uncovered lots, and S$2 (RM6) during the holidays. For sheltered parking their fees will be S$14 (RM42) and S$3 (RM9) during school term and holidays respectively.

Teachers were briefed by their school leaders on Monday (March 26) on the car park rates, which are slightly cheaper than HDB parking. There are about 360 primary and secondary schools and junior colleges in Singapore.

Besides school teachers and staff, others who might need to pay for season parking include canteen stall operators, coaches and instructors who go to schools regularly. Parking fees will not apply to ad hoc visitors such as parents or volunteers.

The move comes after a review of free parking in schools started in 2015 by the Ministry of Education.

An Auditor-General's Office report had in the same year faulted some educational institutions for allowing their staff to park for free, or at fees below the market rate.

Such practices "are tantamount to providing hidden subsidies for vehicle parking", it had said in an annual report of financial lapses in public sector bodies.

All five polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education have started charging for parking on its premises since October last year.

Staff in those institutions are paying season parking rates of S$80 (RM238) and S$110 (RM327) per month for surface and sheltered car parks respectively. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network


As global traffic jams mount, cities try new ways to ease congestionm says study

Cars and public buses are seen in a traffic jam along a main street of Bogota in this 2015 file pic. — Reuters
SEATTLE: Many cities are working to reduce car travel as they try to cut carbon dioxide emissions and shorten commuting times.

Still, drivers in 2019 overall spent more time stuck in traffic than in previous years, according to a Monday study by US transportation analytics firm INRIX Inc, ranking congestion in more than 900 cities worldwide.

In the United States, drivers on average lost 99 hours last year due to congestion, the report calculated, two hours more than in 2017. Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York City and Washington led the ranking as the most severely congested US cities.

Overall, time lost in traffic cost the US economy an estimated US$88 billion last year, INRIX calculated using labour market and wage statistics.

On a global scale, the five most congested cities are Bogota, Colombia, Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, Turkey’s Istanbul and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Overall, the most congested cities are either older or rapidly growing, the report showed.

INRIX collected and analysed anonymous, aggregated location data from car makers, mobile apps and freight fleets.

Trevor Reed, INRIX transportation analyst and author of the report, said congestion fees in London, Sweden’s Stockholm and Singapore have significantly reduced car traffic.

New York will be the first US city to implement congestion pricing in 2021. Chicago and Los Angeles have commissioned studies on such charges.

Novel initiatives in New York and San Francisco to ban cars from main streets have also boosted bus ridership and reduced commuting times without causing gridlock on neighbouring streets, data showed.

Critics of the INRIX report say focusing solely on car traffic speed is an insufficient measure to improve commuting times for everyone.

Beth Osborne, director of Transportation for America, a policy organisation that includes US cities and transit authorities, said studies should also measure the impact of public transit and other transportation modes, including biking and walking.

The group on Thursday published a report finding that costly expansions of US highways over the past 30 years failed to decrease congestion.

“All too often, improving a driver’s commute comes at the expense of everyone else paying for the road,” Osborne said.


Calling for riders to World Ducati Week 2018 in Italy

                PETALING JAYA: Ducati Malaysia is inviting the public to the World Ducati Week 2018 Italy Adventure Ride in conjunction with the Word Ducati Week 2018 (WDW 2018) in Misano, Italy.

The WDW 2018 Italy Adventure Ride is a nine-day road trip, beginning from July 16 to 24.

The ride will cover approximately 1,350km and includes seven days of riding through central Italy.

The ride kicks off from Bologna and heads to Florence, Chianti, Rome, Gubio, San Marino, Misano and before returning to Bologna.

All riders will have the opportunity to visit the Ducati museum and factory in Bologna.

While in Misano, riders will be the special guest at WDW 2018 on July 20 to 22 and be among the first few Malaysians to test ride the soon-to-be launched Ducati Scrambler 1,100cc and the Ducati Multistrada 1,260cc.

For details, call hp: 016 2919 564 or 011 296 9667 or email info@bigboysadventure.my.


2017 Tokyo Motor Show: Honda passion for sports cars

2017 Honda Civic Type R.
On the sidelines of the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show, Honda Motor president and CEO Takahiro Hachigo spoke to journalists about the challenges in expanding green vehicle sales, his love for sports cars, and the automaker's efforts to reduce its environmental footprint.

Sports cars and environmental impact

Hachigo reiterated that Honda will continue striving to help improve people's lives and build cars they enjoy driving.

"Naturally, the joy of driving includes sports cars. Now, we have the new generation Honda NSX and Civic Type R and also, the S660."

"I personally love sports cars, and I was formerly an engineer in research and development - so I understand the love/passion of engineers in developing sports cars." However, Hachigo noted that demand for sports cars may not justify further development.

"The big question is - will the sports cars sell in strong enough numbers? Whether Honda will continue to develop sports cars in the future - it will depend on global market demand."

Hachigo also pointed out that Honda constantly strives to reduce its environmental footprint.

"We have a comprehensive environmental policy in place. The largest environmental footprint is our vehicles, but we try to reduce the environmental impact of our production flow process.

"For example, we try to leverage on the natural characteristics of our production sites by using renewable energy such as solar energy and wind power where possible. We have set targets for our global factories, and are working really hard to achieve these targets."

READ MORE:
2017 Tokyo Motor Show: Honda bullish on hybrids for Asians
2017 Tokyo Motor Show: Honda's electrification challenges


Proton X70 owners reach the home of Geely

                PETALING JAYA: Proton X70 owners have come together to organise an overland trip spanning four countries, 13 cities and 13,000km.

Their destination was Hangzhou, China, the most populous city of the Zhejiang Province and home to PROTON’s joint venture partner, Geely.

The trip to Hangzhou, China took 18 days, and 7,000km. Throughout the journey, the Proton X70 proved to be road worthy when handling different terrains with its 1.8 TGDI engine and various intelligent features.

The group travelled to Hangzhou and paid a visit to Geely Headquarters, where they toured the Geely Experience Centre.

The visit was part of Proton’s effort to build a lasting relationship with X70 owners, and learn more about how Geely transformed into one of the fastest-growing automotive companies in China.

They were also informed that Geely obtained its manufacturing licence from the Chinese government in 2001. In 2012, it became a Fortune 500 company.

Walking through the Geely Experience Centre was an enlightening experience as participants were shown the rapid pace of development that Geely underwent.

It was interesting to note the development of Geely products, from its first attempts to the Jia Ji, which is the newest car in its range and a testament to the progress the company has made.


Bentley design head quits, Audi man takes over

                BERLIN: Bentley has appointed a Volkswagen Group executive to replace  Luc Donckerwolke who has resigned as its design chief.

Stefan Sielaff, 53, who is the Volkswagen Design Centre head in Potsdam, will assume his new post from July 1. He will continue to be the Head of Group Interior Design Strategy.

Donckerwolke, 49, had been heading Bentley  design since September 2012.

 Donckerwolke Sielaff

Sielaff joined the Volkswagen Group in 1990, beginning his career in the interior design department at Audi. From 1995 the design graduate was entrusted with setting up the Group's Design Center Europe in Spain. In 1997 he was placed in charge of the Design Studio in Munich and was appointed Head of Audi Interior Design in the same year.

In 2003 Sielaff moved to DaimlerChrysler as Design Director of the Interior Competence Center, returning to the Volkswagen Group in 2006 to become Head of Audi Design before being appointed Head of the Volkswagen Design Center in Potsdam und Head of Group Interior Design Strategy in 2012.

In his new function as Director of Design at Bentley, Sielaff reports to Rolf Frech, Board Member for Engineering. In his function as Head of Group Interior Design Strategy he continues to report to Walter de Silva, Head of Group Design.


Interstate travel would be selective if approved, says minister

                PETALING JAYA: Interstate travel may be allowed by March 18 if the number of new Covid-19 cases is showing a downward trend, says Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.

The Health Minister said the ministry would put forward a recommendation to the government but it would not be a blanket reopening of state borders across the board.

He said domestic travel restrictions have also been imposed in other countries such as Australia, China, South Korea and Singapore.

“So we have decided that there will be no interstate travelling until March 18, ” he said, adding that the decision would be reviewed from time to time.

“After March 18, we will see if the data has shown any improvements as we have already succeeded in flattening the curve at the moment, ” he told a news portal.

Dr Adham said the government had learned from a year of imposing the movement control order (MCO) and its various levels such as the enhanced, conditional and recovery MCOs.

“We know that interstate travel restriction is one of the measures needed to reduce the number of cases, ” he said.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah previously said the interstate travel ban was likely to continue until at least 70% of the population was vaccinated.

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that inter-district travel was allowed except in Sabah starting Friday (March 5).

Dr Adham also said the travel ban was the most stringent “maximum measure” to be imposed but the government intends to balance life and livelihoods.

“We will take measures to allow interstate travel based on certain matters. This is important. We will try to develop green bubbles to allow travel between states under the recovery MCO.

“We will ensure that if the public can abide by the SOP, they can carry on. If they are using MySejahtera, they can find out and identify hotspots, ” he said.

The minister added that travellers must be aware whether the areas they want to visit have been categorised as green, yellow, orange or red zones.


Volkswagen South Africa boss Schaefer takes over at Skoda in shake-up

                PRAGUE: Volkswagen’s Czech carmaker Skoda Auto named VW’s South Africa boss Thomas Schaefer as its new chairman today as part of a wider shake-up at the German autos group.

Schaefer replaces Bernhard Maier, who left the Czech firm last month after nearly five years during which he led the 125-year-old Skoda to record profits.

Skoda is the central European country’s biggest exporter, but its success has sometimes caused friction within Volkswagen, whose labour boss has criticised it for cannibalising sales.

The Czech company delivered 1.24 million cars globally in 2019, with China and Germany as its top markets. Like other carmakers, Skoda is battling to get back from shutdowns due to the coronavirus crisis and now faces uncertainty over demand.

However, it said last week it saw signs of recovery, after first-half deliveries crashed 31% and group chief executive Herbert Diess told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) that Skoda - one of VW’s 12 brands - needed to do more to compete with South Korean and French rivals.

Labour unions, traditionally strong at Skoda Auto, said it was unclear what Schaefer’s appointment would mean for the direction of the Czech carmaker.

Schaefer, who takes up the post with immediate effect, joined Volkswagen from Mercedes-Benz in 2012 and has since 2015 led Volkswagen Group South Africa, which produces vehicles and engines mainly for export. It hit record output in 2019.

Schaefer also ran VW’s broader African business and spearheaded the development of production hubs in countries including Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya.


Judge rules in favour of Porsche in Paul Walker crash

                LOS ANGELES: A California judge has thrown out a lawsuit against Porsche filed by the widow of a man who died alongside “The Fast and the Furious” star Paul Walker in 2013.

Roger Rodas’s widow Kristine had alleged in her wrongful death suit that several defects in the 2005 Porsche Carrera GT her husband was driving caused the fatal crash.

However, US District Judge Philip Gutierrez dismissed the claims on Monday, saying they were not supported by any evidence.

“Plaintiff has offered no competent evidence that Rodas’s death occurred as a result of any wrongdoing on the part of defendant,” Gutierrez wrote.

After the fiery crash — in which the Porsche slammed into trees and a lamp post on a street in Santa Clarita, a suburb north of Los Angeles — investigators concluded that Rodas had been driving at an unsafe speed and lost control of the car.

But Kristine Rodas alleged in her lawsuit that the Porsche had a poor suspension and side impact protection, and that it had exploded into a fireball because it lacked a crash cage or a fuel cell.

Gutierrez rejected those claims, saying an autopsy had determined that Rodas’s fatal injuries were caused by blunt trauma, not fire.

The automaker, which has denied any wrongdoing in the rare car’s design, is facing two more lawsuits related to the crash filed by Walker’s daughter and father.

Paul Walker, who gained fame in the street-racing action franchise “The Fast and the Furious,” was on a break from filming the seventh installment when he died.


Smart reveals its first grown-up electric in concept trim

                MUNICH: The first product of a 50:50 joint venture between Daimler-owned Smart and Geely from China is a compact SUV with four doors unlike anything seen before from the brand.

Smart is thinking bigger and the smooth-looking Concept #1 four-door SUV on display at the IAA in Munich shows the maker intends to renew itself with much larger cars than the tiny ForTwo and the only slightly bigger ForFour.

So how much larger is it? Well, the pure-electric Concept #1 measures 4.29 metres in length, is 1.91 metres wide and stands 1.70 metres high. This makes the five-seater roughly the size of a MINI Countryman.

The Concept #1 sits on huge 21-inch wheels and has distinctive LED light bars front and rear. It looks completely different from any of the pint-sized Smarts that went before and is designed to project a "cool, grown-up image", say the makers.

Stand-out features include short overhangs at both ends, a glass panoramic roof for an airy interior, frameless rear-hinged doors and contrasting dark grey protective lower body elements.

Whether all the fancy styling effects on the concept make it to the production stage, is anyone's guess. The production version is set to debut in 2023.

Inside, a huge 12.8-inch touchscreen dominates the minimalist cabin and the new partners have promised a big leap forward in infotainment too, with over-the-air updates and a digital key as standard.

The technical specs of this electric remains under wraps but reports indicate that the new car will have much more power than previous electron-sipping Smarts along with rapid charging, a higher top speed and extended range.


Nissan Rogue Warrior Trail Project on track to adventure

                NEW YORK: The Nissan Rogue Warrior Trail Project is one of several unique takes on Nissan's best-selling Rogue crossover created exclusively for the 2017 New York Auto Show.

Two features dominate the appearance of the Rogue Trail Warrior. First, the exterior design treatment that combines a custom camouflage body wrap, khaki-painted tracks system and military-style yellow glassworks.

And then there are the snow/sand tracks. The DOMINATOR Tracks, from American Track Truck, Inc., are 48 inches long, 30 inches high and 15 inches wide, and they replace the Rogue's regular wheels and tyres.

The suspension and wheel wells were modified to fit the track system, but otherwise all drivetrain components, including the 2.5-litre DOHC 16-valve inline 4-cylinder Rogue powerplant and Xtronic transmission, are standard factory issue. The engine is rated at 170hp and 238Nm of torque, more than enough for climbing snow banks or sand dunes.

Filling out the Rogue Trail Warrior adventure equipment list are tinted headlights, custom fender flares, ARB Gear Basket, LED lights and a Warn 4K winch.

"This new Rogue Trail Warrior adds a new dimension to family adventures with its snow/sand tracks, gear basket, winch and camo paint," said Michael Bunce, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc. "If you want to stand out from the crowd during a day on the slopes or the beach, this is the vehicle to take."

The show runs from April 14-23 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.


Dog sled team vs Land Rover Discovery Sport

VESILEPPIS (Finland): With an estimated 50% of Land Rover customers owning or regularly travelling with a dog, Land Rover has put its canine capability to the test by transporting a team of sled dogs to an underground snow tunnel in Finland for a unique training challenge.

This year’s warm summer has left much of Northern Europe without snow. Land Rover took a team of husky dogs in need of training ahead of winter championships to the Vesileppis Ski Tunnel in Finland, for a much-needed sprint around a snow track.

The Discovery Sport SUV provided stiff competition for Finnish middle distance champion, Laura Kääriäinen and her team of six sled dogs. They went head-to-head in Vesileppis Ski Tunnel, Finland, in a unique 1km sprint around the dedicated underground tunnel.

The undulating tunnel is carved into the bedrock 35m below ground level and kept at constant -2°C to maintain a blanket of snow 20mm deep throughout the summer, making it the perfect place to put the Discovery Sport’s all-terrain capability to the test.

Setting off in opposite directions, the dogs had a straightforward task. Once they had negotiated the first incline they were able to pick up and maintain speed – typically around 35km/h. In contrast, the Discovery Sport’s path was blocked by a set of ice blocks, which put its wheel articulation and traction control systems to the test, on one of its laps.

Over two laps of the tunnel, the sled team and Discovery Sport were closely matched but the Land Rover, which was forced to negotiate a set of unique ice obstacles along the way, won the unique challenge by a dog’s hair.

Driver Karl Richards, Lead Engineer for Stability Control Systems at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “Snow is one of the most demanding surfaces drivers will encounter during winter around the world and Discovery Sport proved to be as comfortable in these conditions as the dogs. Land Rover’s advanced Terrain Response technology and intelligent four-wheel drive system ensure our premium compact SUV is in a class of its own when it comes to off-road driving – whether you’ve got two legs or four.”

Before the race, the Discovery Sport’s dedicated accessories ensured that lead husky Jami was safely transported to the snow tunnel to join his snow-starved pack. Land Rover’s full height luggage divider prevents pets from accessing the passenger compartment and easily fits into anchor points inside the vehicle, while a durable rubber boot mat protects the boot floor and even contains minor spills.

Convenience features including Land Rover’s Gesture Tailgate made easy work of getting Jami in and out of the premium compact SUV while the surround camera technology, accessed through the 10-inch central touchscreen, allowed driver Richards to keep an eye on the dogs when maneuvering inside the tunnel.


Taiwan battery maker ProLogium signs investment deal with Mercedes-Benz

                SHANGHAI: Taiwanese battery maker ProLogium Technology Co said today it has signed a cooperation agreement with Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz to build test vehicles equipped with co-developed solid-state batteries in the coming years.

ProLogium in a statement said it will receive "high double-digit" million euros in investment from the German luxury car maker which will also take a seat on ProLogium's board.

The battery maker said it will use the investment for battery technology development and to help establish production capacity in Europe.

The partners also agreed on milestones involving the use of solid-state battery technology in a range of passenger vehicles in the second half of the decade, ProLogium said, without elaborating.

"Solid-state technology helps to cut down battery size and weight," Markus Shafer, chief technology officer at the German automaker, said in the statement. "This is why we are partnering with companies like ProLogium."

Solid-state batteries use thin layers of solid electrolytes, which carry lithium ions between electrodes.

They are seen as a potential game changer for electric vehicles (EVs) as they can store more energy, charge faster and offer greater safety than lithium-ion batteries that rely on liquid electrolytes.

ProLogium has become the latest battery manufacturer to team up with Mercedes-Benz, as the German automaker works to make all of its vehicles all-electric by 2030 and catch up with EV leader Tesla Inc.

Other Mercedes-Benz battery partners include Factorial Energy, automotive Cells Co and Farasis Energy.

The latest tie-up comes as EV-sector companies compete to develop next-generation batteries to cut costs and reduce "range anxiety".

Chinese EV maker NIO Inc last January said it would deliver its ET7 sedan equipped with a 150-kilowatt-hour battery pack featuring solid-state cells from the fourth quarter of 2022.

ProLogium said it aims to accelerate development of a new plant by the end of 2022 to move towards mass production of its solid-state battery.

In October, the battery maker raised US$326 million in its latest funding round from investors including Primavera Capital Group and SoftBank China Venture Capital.


Scania to develop trucks with solar panels

                PETALING JAYA: Scania will develop a solar cell clad trailer to power a plug-in hybrid truck and initial tests indicate possible fuel savings of 5–10% in Sweden and twice that amount in sun-rich southern Spain.

The truck will be operated in daily transport assignments by the Swedish haulier Ernst Express which will operate an 18-metre long solar cell clad trailer with a total area along the sides and roof of 140 sq m. In total, the solar panels are expected in Sweden to annually generate 14,000kWh.

“Solar cells have previously been employed on boats and caravans but then only to power auxiliaries such as refrigerators and cookers and not the actual powertrain,” says Eric Falkgrim, Technology Leader in Vehicle Design at Scania R&D.The research project will also examine whether the trailer can feed electricity into the grid when the batteries are fully charged and the truck is parked, for example, over weekends.

In Sweden, there is enough sunlight from spring to autumn to generate energy and although the sun is weak except during summer, there are more hours of sunlight.

During the rest of the year , there is insufficient sun in Sweden. By contrast, southern Spain has 80% more hours of sunlight.

The project is publicly funded the Swedish government’s innovation agency Vinnova and aside from Scania and Ernst Express also engages Midsummer that manufactures the solar panels, Uppsala University, which conducts advanced research on more efficient solar cells, and the Dalakraft energy company.


McLaren 720S Spider arrives from RM1.2mil

                KUALA LUMPUR: It is official. The McLaren 720S drop-top Spider has arrived in Malaysia all dressed in a beautiful shade of Memphis Red.

Limited to just three discerning owners, the Spider is available for order from RM1,218,000 (before duties and options) and comes in three packages of Standard, Luxury or Performance.

Colour choices are plentiful with 23 colours in the palette which includes the newly added Belize Blue and Aztec Gold as well as Supernova Silver - a heritage colour first seen on the MP4-12C.

The Spider maintains its looks versus the Coupe variant with its top up as well as its wheelbase at 2,670mm at dimensions at 4,543mm-long, 2,161mm-wide (2,809mm with doors up) and 1,194mm-tall (1,953mm with doors up).

Power also comes from the same 4.0-litre (3,994cc) M840T twin-turbo V8 that's been mid-mounted between the cockpit and rear wheels - producing 720PS at 7,500rpm and 770Nm of torque at 5,500rpm and managed by a seven-speed Seamless Shift Gearbox for the rear wheels.

The Spider gets from 0 to 100kph in 2.9 seconds while the 200kph mark is reached five seconds later at 7.9 seconds - just 0.1 seconds off the Coupe's pace, before reaching a top speed of 341kph (325kph with the roof down).

With a power-assisted electro-hydraulic type steering system taking care of directional changes, outright mechanical grip comes from its 245/35 (front 19-inch) front and 305/30 (rear 20-inch) Pirelli P Zero tyres. Track-goers may want to opt for the P Zero Corsa or Trofeo R tyres from Pirelli as an optional extra.

Ride and handling are managed by the independent adaptive dampers with dual aluminium wishbones that work in unison with the Proactive Chassis Control II hydraulic suspension system.

The system provides three driving modes of Comfort, Sport and Track to help manage the 1,468kg (kerb) supercar's 42% (front) and 58% (rear) weight distribution.

For stopping power, the Spider has been fitted with six-piston (front) and four-piston (rear) callipers that clamp down on the 390mm (front) and 380mm (rear) cross-drilled carbon-ceramic discs.

While travelling at a stealthy altitude of 107mm, ramps can be attacked at a maximum of 8.3-degrees, but getting the optional lift system allows for a slightly more obtuse 10.4-degrees.

Like all McLaren cars, the new 720S uses a carbon fibre structure at its core, in this case, designated Monocage II-S where it is a development of the coupe variant - only without a 'spine' running down the rear above the cabin.

The rear section of the upper structure is where the Spider accommodates its retractable hardtop as has the header rail found across the top of the windscreen to integrate the central latching mechanism.

Even without the roof, the 1,468kg (kerb weight) supercar from the UK did not require reinforcements for the chassis.

Instead, the Spider received a beefed-up rollover protection system with the use of fixed carbon fibre structural supports integrated into the rear of the Monocage II-S that acts as the main anchor points for the roof system and seatbelts.

Overall, this has made the Spider 49kg (or just 4%) heavier than the 720S Coupe, but this is primarily associated with the addition of the retractable hard-top and tonneau system.

This hides a 58-litre storage space beneath it and takes all but 11 seconds to fully open or close while travelling at a maximum speed of 50kph -for more luggage room the front end has a more accommodating 150-litre storage compartment.

Further back, other than the slight protrusions of the dual tailpipes, a full-width active rear spoiler resides at the top and can automatically deploy to help increase downforce when needed as well as act as an airbrake under heavy braking.

Although the wing is identical to the Coupe's, its deployment mapping is bespoke to each body style in that the system can detect if the Spider's roof is up or down and will react accordingly.

The roof is a completely new design with a single carbon fibre roof panel as standard and uses electric motors to run virtually silent and can operate up to a maximum speed of 50kph - a carbon fibre-framed electrochromic glass roof that can switch between clear and tinted states at the touch of a button is available as an optional extra.

The canopy-like design of the cockpit is touted to provide an exceptional 360-degree vision and allows light to flood in - thanks to the low-profile glazed flying buttresses that help to guide airflow with its leading edges.

Lifting the dobule-skinned doors with soft-seal system presents the cabin that's been upholstered in the customer's choice of a two-tone colour combination with materials that include Alcantara or Nappa leather matched with machined anodised aluminium switches.

The high-resolution centrally-mounted 8.0-inch Central Infotainment Screen interface displays audio, media, navigation and climate controls among others, with all key applications shown on a vertical carousel as well as available via a quick-access 'hard' keys below the screen.

"As the most accomplished convertible supercar ever, the new Spider delivers across a remarkable spectrum of abilities to outstandingly high-levels, and as lightest in class with an increase of just 49kg over the 720S Coupe, moves us further ahead of our competition in the weight race," said McLaren Kuala Lumpur CEO Roland Chan.

With the arrival of the 720S Spider, it no joins its McLaren stablemates that include the 720S Coupe, 600 LT, 600LT Spider, 570S Coupe and 570S Spider.


VW to host GTI Meeting in Wolfsburg from 2024

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen announced that the legendary GTI Meeting at Lake Wörthersee in Austria would be held here from 2024.

Near the Volkswagen plant, the "GTI Coming Home" event will welcome enthusiasts and fans of sporty Volkswagen models.

The GTI fan community all over the world continues to grow up to the present day, and the fans of the cult brand meet regularly in clubs and exchange information with each other in dedicated communities.

Since 1982, the largest GTI Meet has traditionally taken place at Lake Wörthersee in Austria – but the local municipality Maria Wörth recently took the decision that it no longer wanted to host the annual event in future.

The event had been held every year except from 2019 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

For 2024, Volkswagen said that in addition to vehicle presentations, stage shows and club meets, there would be many other interesting events and surprises for GTI enthusiasts.

It said the areas and infrastructure in Wolfsburg offer ideal prerequisites for welcoming a large number of visitors with their vehicles.

“Our GTI fans are of great importance to Volkswagen and that's why the exchange with them is very dear to us," said Imelda Labbé, Member of the Board of Management for Sales, Marketing and After Sales at Volkswagen Passenger Cars.

"For this reason, after the GTI Meeting at Lake Wörthersee was unfortunately cancelled, we decided pretty quickly to offer the GTI fan community in Wolfsburg a new home for the event.

"When planning the event, we also want to take into account the ideas of the fans, because it should above all be a meeting for them. Accordingly, we will certainly be able to offer some highlights and surprises in the coming year."


Volvo XC40 promises to cut the clutter

                GOTHENBURG: When the XC40, Volvo's most compact SUV, makes its official debut it will do so packed full of ingenious internal storage spaces in order to help owners declutter their lives and instead enjoy the ride.

It may sound at first like little more than a gimmick to grab attention at a time when every major manufacturer wants to be noticed — an international auto show is just days away. But Volvo has conducted extensive research to understand exactly how drivers who live in urban areas use their cars and what they need to take with them every day.

"As we spoke to people about how and where they store the things they carry with them daily, it was quite clear that most of today's cars are falling short in this area," said Louiza Atcheba, Model Brand Manager for the 40 series at Volvo Cars. "Phones slide around in the mid-console, takeaway bags are at constant risk of falling over and people fumble behind the wheel as they try to get service cards out of their wallets."

As well as adding even more stress to the trials and tribulations of inner city driving, unsecured items can become projectiles flying around inside the cabin in the event of a collision.

So for the new XC40, Volvo has thought big when it comes to creating space. For instance, the front speakers, usually integrated into the front doors, have been ditched in favor of a dashboard-integrated amplification system. This has made room for spaces where a laptop computer and a tablet can be securely stored.

There are slots for credit cards in the dashboard for paying for parking and toll roads. There are dedicated spaces for loose change and mobile device charging cables, plus a phone holder that can keep your handset still and wirelessly charge it at the same time.

In the tunnel console that runs between the front seats, there is a small removable bin for disposing of waste and a space designed to perfectly hold a box of tissues. Even the glove box features an extending hook for holding a takeaway meal or small grocery bag.

The trunk has dividing panels with hooks and at the push of a button the rear seats fold down giving owners a large, perfectly flat floored storage space. There's also a hidden locked storage compartment under the trunk floor for storing valuables.

"A lot we have done with the XC40 is based on extensive consumer insight," said Atcheba. "It's about clearing the clutter so you can clear your mind."