Chevrolet's CNY promotion and service campaign

                PETALING JAYA: In conjunction with Chinese New Year festive season, Naza Quest is offering 3 ‘ANG POWer Packed Deals’ that includes 3 Years/60,000km* free parts and labour service for the first 100 registered customers.

Existing Chevy owners also enjoy a RM3,000* loyalty reward for every registration of the All-New Colorado.

Truck lovers are not to be left out as well, a RM3,000* bonus is offered to 4x4 pickup truck owners of any brand for every successful purchase of the All-New Colorado.

There is also the Drive Safe Service Campaign promotion offered that’s not to be missed.

Current Chevrolet owners are encouraged to visit any of the authorised service centre for a Complimentary 40-point Inspection Check, Complimentary MDI Diagnostic Scan & Complimentary 1-year Chevy Assist Membership Renewal*.

Every service and repair job of RM450 and above done at Chevrolet authorised service centre during this period will entitle the customers to a chance of winning an exclusive 2D 1N Trip* lucky draw prizes.

1st Prize : Universal Studio Singapore

2nd Prize : Legoland Malaysia

3rd Prize : Lost World of Tambun

Consolation Prize : Sunway Lagoon (tickets only)

The service campaign promotion is applicable for all Chevrolet models.

The Chevrolet CNY 3 ‘ANG POWer Packed Deals’ & Drive Safe Service Campaign will run from now until Feb 28, 2017.

Interested customers who wish to place a booking on the all-new Colorado are welcome to visit authorised Chevrolet showrooms nationwide.

For more information on Chevrolet, call 1-800-2-CHEVY (24389) or visit www.chevrolet.com.my.

*Terms & Condition Apply.


S. Korea to help auto industry ride out coronavirus

                SEOUL: South Korea said it would provide logistical and financial support to help the auto industry through the coronavirus crisis, warning of disruptions to supply chains from Europe and the United States.

The government said Monday it would speed up customs clearance, arrange freight transportation and provide liquidity support for the industry which employs about 12% of South Korea’s workforce, according to official figures.

The coronavirus pandemic has led to shutdowns at auto factories and dealerships in the United States and Europe, which are expected to affect South Korean automakers such as Hyundai Motor Co and Kia Motors Corp.

“It’s time to prepare for the shock of a global demand contraction and European supply issues,” Industry Minister Sung Yoon-mo said in a meeting with parts supplier executives and industry associations, according to a readout from the ministry.

“Survival is the most crucial thing in this unprecedented crisis when both demand and supply contract at the same time.”

The ministry gave no details on how much liquidity support the government would provide or what form it might take. The assistance is part of 50 trillion won (RM173bil) in emergency financing announced last week to boost the economy.

South Korea has reported 8,961 coronavirus cases and 110 deaths from the disease.

Hyundai Motor closed its Montgomery, Alabama, assembly plant on Wednesday after an employee there tested positive for COVID-19. It also suspended production at its plants in the Czech Republic and India due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Europe and the United States account for about 70% of Korean automakers’ exports, and 54% of Korean parts exports, government data showed.

A trade ministry official said South Korean exports would deteriorate in April and May, after rising 10% year-on-year in the first 20 days of March. Car exports rose 13.7% in the period, customs agency data showed on Monday.

“For the time being, a drop in exports of cars and auto-parts are inevitable as car factories and dealerships are closing,” Sung said.

South Korean automakers had stocked up on inventories which could last up to two months, Sung said.


Vietnamese is 1st foreign winner of Subaru Car Challenge

                SINGAPORE: The grand prize of a new Subaru XV 2.0 i-S was won by Nguyen Phuoc Huynh in the recent MediaCorp Subaru Car Challenge 2015 in Singapore.

About 400 competitors, with 320 from Singapore and the rest from the region, had to keep their palm on a Subaru car - the last person standing wins the grand prize.

The 33-year-old engineer from Vietnam had clocked in 77 hours and 58 minutes at Ngee Ann City's Civic Plaza to win the grand prize, after enduring extreme fatigue and sleep deprivation over four days.

Phuoc Huynh also clinched the title of Asian Winner and walked away with additional S$5,000 (RM15,330) cash for his feat.

 Participants in the recent MediaCorp Subaru Car Challenge 2015 in Singapore.

First runner-up from Malaysia, Tan Hong Sheng and second runner-up Yip Yu Wai from Singapore, dropped out within three minutes of each other.

Hong Sheng and Yip won cash prizes of S$5,000 (RM15,330) and S$2,000 (RM6,132) respectively.

Presenting the grand prize to a beaming Phuoc Huynh was Tan Chong International Ltd executive director Glenn Tan and MediaCorp chief commercial officer Jack Lim.

“For the first time ever, an overseas contestant has won the Challenge. Phuoc Huynh kept his eyes wide open and outlasted everyone, as a result of his tenacity and perseverance,” said Glenn.

The Malaysia team was awarded the title of Country Team Winner, for achieving the longest combined standing time (accumulated total time of all 10 representatives from the same country) of 518 hours and 45 minutes.

They also won a cash prize of S$10,000 (RM30,605).

In recognition of the efforts by the regional contestants, the title of Country Winner and a cash prize of S$1,000 (RM3,061) went to the last standing representative from each country.


Toyota launches new C-HR in Japan

                TOKYO: Toyota has launched the new C-HR compact crossover SUV (sport utility vehicle) across Japan at prices ranging from 2.65 million yen (RM102,330) to 2.9 million yen (RM112,354).

The C-HR's name is derived from Compact High Rider and Cross Hatch Run-about.

The C-HR is the second vehicle that was developed with the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which aims to structurally transform automobile design in line with the company's goal of the making ever-better cars.

The C-HR shares the same platform with the fourth-generation Prius (the first TNGA-based vehicle).

In May 2016, the C-HR had completed the 44th 24 Hours of Nürburgring endurance race which was held in Germany.

In Japan, the four-wheel drive version of the C-HR is powered by a 1.2-litre turbo engine mated to a Super CVT-i (Super Continuously Variable Transmission-intelligent) with 7-speed sports sequential shiftmatic.

The two-wheel drive version has a 2ZR-FXE 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain.

The hybrid version boasts 30.2km per litre fuel efficiency, which is among the highest within the compact crossover SUV class.

On the other hand, the 1.2-litre turbo engine version achieved a fuel efficiency rating of 15.4km per litre.

All grades of the C-HR get Collision avoidance assist package "Toyota Safety Sense P", electric parking brake, three-spoke leather steering wheel, and Smart Entry and Smart Start system.

Higher grades of the C-HR get 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED front fog lamps, Blind Spot Monitor, and Front & Rear Parking Assist Sonar.


Tesla, Ford and VW sound the death knell for driverless car hype

                DETROIT: The autonomous-driving sector just endured a day that tech and automotive giants may well look back on the way Wall Street recalls March 16, 2008.

Whereas the day Bear Stearns collapsed was an epochal event in the global financial crisis, when flawed assumptions about the value of mortgages pushed banks to the brink - and some over the precipice — Oct 26, 2022, will go down as the date that seismic consequences emerged from years of faulty presumptions about driverless-vehicle technology.

First came the shock that Argo AI, the startup Ford and Volkswagen had each seeded with multibillion-dollar investments, was shutting down.

Within hours, Reuters reported that Tesla’s self-driving claims are under criminal investigation. A person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that Justice Department prosecutors in Washington and San Francisco have been probing statements by the electric-car company and its executives since last year.

It’s difficult to come up with two more polar-opposite approaches to a mission one Ford executive said Wednesday will be harder than putting a man on the moon.

Elon Musk put a target on Tesla’s back in 2016 by starting to charge thousands of dollars for what the company calls Full Self-Driving (FSD) capability.

Six years later, the CEO acknowledges the system still isn’t "feature complete,” and cautions customers to expect two steps forward and one step back.

By contrast, Argo CEO Bryan Salesky emphasised the need for safe and limited deployments of test vehicles and close partnerships with cities and stakeholders that its driverless cars would share the road with.

Neither the scorched-earth nor the nice-guy method is working.

Tesla is the subject of two defect investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and headed for the first of several potential trials over crashes blamed on Autopilot, its driver-assistance system.

California accused the company in August of misleading consumers, and a Golden State resident who sued last month is proposing class-action status for his claims that Musk has been stringing the public along with perpetual promises that the company is on the cusp of perfecting the technology.

Fans of the world’s richest man have gotten accustomed to frequent posts from the new Twitter owner about new iterations of FSD beta software beaming to their vehicles.

After Musk tweeted recently about a next major release coming this week, one follower replied with relief, writing that he’d been hesitant to use the latest version of FSD after his Tesla veered toward an oncoming car.

Ford thought when it first invested in Argo five years ago that it would be able to broadly market cars capable of going driverless in certain conditions by 2021.

Now, the automaker has concluded it needs to invest in driver-assistance technology that’s more achievable in the near term.

Its decision to switch gears led VW to walk away, too, according to people familiar with the matter, and Argo was unable to attract new investors.

The US$2.7 billion impairment recorded on its investment in Argo dragged Ford to an US$827 million net loss last quarter. VW, which reports earnings today, announced an almost identical injection in the startup in 2019.

"The team we have at Argo has been working on what I consider to be the hardest technical problem of our time," said Doug Field, who Ford hired away from Apple’s car project last year. "It's harder than putting a man on the moon.”

This is a world away from what car and tech leaders were saying when driverless-car hype was at its peak.

McKinsey predicted just three years ago that global revenue generated by autonomous vehicles could reach US$1.6 trillion annually by the end of this decade.

The head of General Motors-owned startup Cruise similarly talked in early 2020 of a trillion-dollar addressable market. Chris Urmson, who said while at Google that the goal was for his son to never need a driver’s licence, sent out a memo to staff at his cash-strapped startup Aurora Innovation last month laying out options including cost cuts and even a potential effort to sell to Apple or Microsoft.

Argo is arguably the most substantial casualty within the self-driving space to date, though it isn’t the first. San Francisco-based Zoox sold to Amazon in 2020, and Uber cut bait with its self-driving unit months later, offloading it to Aurora.

Early last year, GM’s Cruise acquired Voyage, a startup that had been trying the narrow use case approach to autonomy, operating in Florida retirement communities.

When GM reported quarterly results this week, analysts pressed Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt about the state of autonomy. He argued companies that are deploying and expanding now have game, and are distinguishing themselves from those that don’t.

"We're seeing increased separation between the companies operating commercial driverless services, and those that are still stuck in the trough of disillusionment,” Vogt said.

"What's happening here is that the companies with the best product have pulled ahead and are accelerating.”

Time will tell just how far along GM and Cruise will get in building a viable business.

The unit aiming for US$1 billion revenue by 2025 lost US$497 million in the most recent quarter, bringing its total deficit this year to US$1.4 billion.

Ford CEO Jim Farley is sceptical the industry is anywhere close.

"Profitable, fully autonomous vehicles at scale are a long way off,” he said Wednesday. "And we won’t necessarily have to create that technology ourselves.”


15 drivers arrested in Songkhla for fuel smuggling from Malaysia

                SONGKHLA: Soldiers and customs officials stopped 15 vehicles and seized some 5,100 litres of petrol and diesel allegedly being smuggled into Songkhla’s Sadao district on Wednesday morning at the Tha Khoi-Padang Bezar crossing.

The drivers of the five cars and 10 pickup trucks were arrested on charges of oil smuggling.

Officials said the vehicles had their tanks modified to increase capacity. The vehicles were stopped from 4am to 7am.

The officials said they seized 4,195 litres of benzene and 940 litres of diesel and each vehicle was carrying about 200 to 500 litres.

The customs officials said the petrol price in Malaysia is Bt19 (RM2.49) per litre and the smugglers sold it in Thailand for Bt23 (RM3.01) to B24 (RM3.15). - The Nation/Asia News Network


China greenlights second-hand car exports to boost sales

New cars waiting to be exported at a port in Lianyungang in China's eastern Jiangsu province in March. China now allows export of used cars. — AFP
BEIJING: China commerce ministry has started allowing exports of second-hand cars, marking the country’s latest move to drive domestic sales and promote trade in the world’s biggest auto market.

The move comes after sales in China contracted last year for the first time since 1990s. Amid worries of a further decline, Beijing handed out tax cuts earlier this year to spur consumer spending.

In its latest bid to prop up the auto sector, the Ministry of Commerce said it had started allowing used-car exports from ten Chinese cities and provinces including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong, and that it would offer more support to the sector.

The ministry will start identifying companies that can handle such exports and has also called for the development of tests to ensure the quality and safety of second-hand car exports, it said in a statement on Monday.

It described the potential for used-car exports from China as “huge”, saying that in most developed countries exports account for roughly 10 percent of used-car sales.

Such exports can “stimulate the vitality of the domestic automobile consumption market, promote the healthy development of China’s automobile industry, and promote the steady improvement of foreign trade”, it said.

China’s second-hand car market is still far smaller than that for new cars. In 2018, sales of used cars in China hit 13.82 million, less than half of sales of new cars at 28.08 million, according to the commerce ministry.

Allowing second-hand car exports “should be positive for the entire automobile market in the medium to long term”, said Alan Kang, Shanghai-based analyst at LMC Automotive.

“If used cars sales are accelerated it will help smoothen sales of new cars,” he added.


UK employers now able to offer staff a touch of 'luxe' with Mercedes eBikes

                LONDON: Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team have teamed up with N+ to create a collection of streamlined, lightweight, sleek, high performance electric bikes and they have launched in the UK.

Th new collection presents one of the most sophisticated eBikes on the market that have become the most sought after luxury item of 2022.

In the UK, the Green Commute Initiative is a simple salary sacrifice scheme whereby an employer can provide staff with an electric bike "tax free", providing employees with a health conscious and environmental aware form of transportation.

Now employers can offer staff a touch of "luxe" with the n+MercedesEQ eBike collection.

The collection showcases 4 models, Formula E, Silver Arrows, Silver Arrows Sport and new high performance Championship Edition with varying features to cater to the ride's style. Some of these are three times more powerful than any standard eBikes on the market.

Styling across the range maintains iconic minimalistic Mercedes-Benz design, concealed batteries and motor, setting the range apart from the industry's standard of thicker framing and external batteries on show.

The digital dashboard adds a level of technological sophistication, and along with all the usual data points (speedometer, battery indicator, range) includes a password activated security immobiliser, along with phone charging functionality.

The range has been designed to create a powerful yet smooth ride, with centrally positioned motors for efficient weight distribution.

The bikes are equipped with constantly variable technology to alleviate any "clunky" gear changes. This is paired with a carbon belt drive and a powerful motor for a breezy ride to work or leisure.


Toyota tops Fortune's list of World's Most Admired Companies

                AUSTIN (Texas): Toyota has again been named by Fortune magazine for the fourth consecutive year as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies.

The magazine also recognized the Japanese carmaker as one of the Top 50 “All-Star” companies surveyed, which moved up five spots from last year.

The list is widely acknowledged as the definitive report card on corporate reputation and is based on company surveys and industry peer ratings from senior executives, directors and industry analysts.

For each company, the survey measures nine attributes considered critical to a company’s global success, including quality of products and services, social and environmental responsibility, global competitiveness, and value as an investment, among others.

"Toyota is honored to be listed among the world’s most admired companies once again, and to be recognized as the most admired auto company in the world for the fourth year in a row,” said Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) CEO Jim Lentz.

“This ranking acknowledges the many successes of our global team who are committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility for our customers,” he added.

The full list appears in the magazine’s February issue and can be viewed online (http://fortune.com/worlds-most-admired-companies).

Fortune collaborated with Korn Ferry on this survey of corporate reputation, beginning with about 1,500 candidates.

The 1,000 largest U.S. companies ranked by revenue, along with non-U.S. companies in Fortune's Global 500 database that have revenues of US$10bil (RM40bil) or more.

They then winnowed the assortment to the highest-revenue companies in each industry, a total of 680 in 29 countries.

The top-rated companies were picked from that pool of 680; the executives who voted work at the companies in that group.

To determine the best-regarded companies in 52 industries, Korn Ferry asked executives, directors, and analysts to rate enterprises in their own industry on nine criteria, from investment value and quality of management and products to social responsibility and ability to attract talent.

A company’s score must rank in the top half of its industry survey to be listed.

To select the 50 All-Stars, Korn Ferry asked 3,900 executives, directors, and securities analysts who had responded to the industry surveys to identify the 10 companies they admired most.

They chose from a list made up of the companies that ranked in the top 25% in last year’s surveys, plus those that finished in the top 20% of their industry. Anyone could vote for any company in any industry.

The difference in the voting rolls explains why some results can seem at odds with each other.

For example, Deere fell off the All-Star list but moved up one notch within the construction and farm machinery category when votes from only those in that industry were counted.


Caltex Street Borne campaign is back!

                PETALING JAYA: Caltex Lubricants has announced the return of its Street Borne campaign.

The campaign, from now until Sept 30, features the company's lubricants and fuel system cleaners from its Havoline, Delo Sports and Techron line of products.

The products include Caltex Havoline engine oils and Techron Concentrate Plus for petrol-powered vehicles while Delo Sports lubricants and Techron D Concentrate are reserved for diesel vehicles.

Furthermore, they are available at the company's official online stores on Lazada and Shopee or the nearest Caltex service station and Havoline autoPro workshop.

Each product purchased will be accompanied by a free limited-edition Street Borne branded backpack, drawstring bag, chest bag or cap.

“These gifts are our way of saying ‘thank you’ and giving back to Malaysian motorists for always counting on Caltex Lubricants for their motoring needs," said Chevron Lubricants area business manager (Asia Pacific Cluster) Muhammad Najam Shamsuddin.


Volkswagen CEO warns factory closures may drag on for weeks

Diess says 'we need to be ready, to live with this threat for a long time - until effective medicines or a vaccination are available.' — Reuters
FRANKFURT: Volkswagen AG CEO Herbert Diess on Saturday warned that the coronavirus crisis may force the company to keep its factories shut for longer than initially planned.

“Most of our factories are closing for two weeks, in some regions for three. It is likely that these measures will last," Diess said in a LinkedIn post.

The company’s brands include Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Ducati, Lamborghini, Porsche, Seat and Skoda.

“The spreading of the virus will not have come to a standstill in several weeks from now. So that we need to be ready, to live with this threat for a long time - until effective medicines or a vaccination are available,” Diess said.

Volkswagen is taking measures to secure liquidity, its supply chains, and to continue with strategic projects such as the launch of the company’s ID.3 electric car and the supply of battery cells.

Germany’s number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose by 2,705 to reach 16,662, the Department for Infectious Diseases at the Robert Koch Institute said on Saturday.

Volkswagen on Tuesday said it was suspending production at factories across Europe.

It also said that uncertainty about the impact of the virus meant it was impossible to give forecasts for this year.


Beijing Auto Show (2016): new Renault Koleos SUV

                BEIJING: Renault has revealed the new Koleos at the 2016 Beijing International Automobile Exhibition.

The new Koleos delivers all that is expected of a D-segment SUV: powerful, muscular exterior lines; unparalleled four-wheel drive technology; real all-terrain ability thanks ground clearance of 213mm.

And hallmarks Renault’s know how include a refined, comfortable interior with seats including technology and design amongst the very best in its category. Class-leading cabin space, including 289mm of rear knee room and equipment shared with other high-end Renault models, like the R-LINK 2 multimedia tablet.

The new Koleos delivers a blend of robust SUV cues and the refinement and features associated with large saloon cars.

In addition to a package that positions the new Koleos as the reference of its class in terms of comfort and refinement, it completes Renault’s high-end range that now includes a crossover (Espace), a large saloon car (Talisman) and its estate variant (Talisman Estate), plus an SUV (new Koleos ).

Conceived and meticulously thought through to meet the demands of exacting customers on every continent, the new Koleos is destined for a global audience, with sales beginning in the third quarter of 2016 in Australia, Turkey, the Gulf states and some Latin American countries, followed by China at the end of 2016, then Russia and Europe at the beginning of 2017.

For Renault, the new Koleos comes at a time when SUVs are enjoying strong growth in many markets, and for many consumers, this will be their first opportunity to experience Renault in their segment of choice.


Polestar Engineered to pump up hybrid performance

                NEW YORK: Volvo Cars is launching an upgraded electrified performance offer called Polestar Engineered, for its 60 Series T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid cars.

The announcement comes a week before the company will reveal its S60 sedan at the inauguration of its first US plant in Charleston, South Carolina. The plant is the sole production site for the new S60, which is the first Volvo car made in the US.

Polestar Engineered, developed by Volvo Cars’ electric performance arm Polestar, is a complete offer, applying Polestar’s performance engineering expertise to the car’s wheels, brakes, suspension and engine control unit. The offer reflects Volvo Cars’ and Polestar’s commitment to electrification.

“Electric cars are our future,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president and CEO at Volvo Cars. “Today starts a new era of Volvo electrified models enhanced by Polestar’s performance engineering prowess. This strategy is firmly grounded in our shared belief in an electric future for the car industry.”

The offer is limited to the T8 Twin Engine and is positioned above Volvo’s R Design versions.

Polestar Engineered will also be offered on the V60 estate and XC60 SUV from next year, available globally in limited numbers via Volvo dealerships and Care by Volvo, the company’s car subscription service.

Volvo said it expects to generate half of all sales annually from fully electric cars, one third of all cars sold to be autonomous driving cars and half of all cars it offers to customers from its subscription service.

What Polestar Engineered does

New lightweight wheels have an open design to show off the eye-catching golden-painted brake callipers, the new hallmark colour for Polestar Engineered components. Polestar emblems, black chrome exhaust pipes and golden seat belts also identify Volvo cars equipped with Polestar Engineered.

The Brembo mono-block brake callipers are cast in one piece and optimised for rigidity. The brake pads have increased heat tolerance while the brake discs’ slotted design further improves heat reduction.

The Polestar Engineered multi-link front and rear suspension incorporates premium Öhlins shock absorbers with a dual-flow valve that allows stiffening in the springs and dampeners while retaining comfort. The strut bar and adjustable shock absorber design are shared with the Polestar 1 plug-in hybrid performance car.

Fine-tuning of the engine’s control unit increases the S60 electrified T8 Twin Engine output to 415hp (US specification) combined, with 670Nm of torque – the standard T8 Twin Engine delivers 400hp* and 640Nm combined. The software upgrades improve fuel consumption and emissions-neutral performance, and refines the automatic gear selection.


Karma GS-6 struts out in NY

                LOS ANGELES: Karma Automotive and Manhattan Motorcars, a retailer of luxury and performance vehicles, have partnered to showcase Karma’s latest vehicle at the New York International Auto Show, from April 15-24.

The 2022 Karma GS-6, a luxury electric vehicle will be featured in Manhattan Motorcars’ booth at the Jacob Javits Center.

Alongside the Karma GS-6, Manhattan Motorcars will also showcase other luxury brands, such as Bentley, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Porsche, and GTO Engineering.

Karma introduced the sleek and sexy-looking GS-6 Series in February 2021. It's a refined version of the Fisker Karma for those who know the company's roller-coaster history.

Under Chinese ownership, the Karma became the Revero, with the Karma monicker upgraded as the name for the new automotive company.

The GS-6 retains the same exotic design of the award-winning Revero GT, but will be offered at a more attainable price point for drivers who want the environmental benefits of an electric vehicle, without sacrificing design or performance.

To be specific, the GS-6 is a plug-in series hybrid electric vehicle or an extended range electric vehicle.

Under the long bonnet hides a BMW-sourced 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbo engine - the same one used in the BMW i8. The engine does not drive the rear wheels but powers a generator that charges a lithium ion battery. The 28kWh battery in turns feeds a pair of rear-mounted electric motors. This hybrid layout is meant to remove range anxiety as the car can keep on going with the battery power being replenished by the engine.

Alternatively, the battery can also be charged up using an external charger. A level 2 AC charger or 240-volt outlet will charge it fully in four hours. The battery supports level 3 DC charging and can top up to 80% charge from near empty in 34 minutes.

Electric range is 96km but with the engine and motors working in unison, the total range is 530km.

The two motors churn out 536hp and 746Nm of torque.

Karma also released the GSe-6 in 2021. It's the company's first all-electric vehicle, featuring an 85-kWh battery pack that provides up to 370km of range.


Hyperloop test shows it actually works!

                LAS VEGAS: A car-sized sled powered by electromagnets rocketed to more than 160kph through the Nevada desert on Wednesday in what the Los Angeles company developing the technology said was the first successful test of a futurist transit system called hyperloop.

Hyperloop One is among several companies competing to bring to life a technical vision by Elon Musk, the founder of rocket maker SpaceX and electric car company Tesla Motors, who suggested sending pods holding passengers and cargo inside giant vacuum tubes between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

It's a matter of debate how soon – or whether – passengers and cargo will ride the system at velocities approaching 1,200kph, but Hyperloop One already has raised US$80 million from backers including clean technology venture capitalist Khosla Ventures; high-speed railway SNCF, the French National Rail Company; and GE Ventures.

Brogan BamBrogan, a former SpaceX engineer who co-founded Hyperloop One, called the test a major milestone.

"Technology development testing can be a tricky beast," he said to a crowd of 300. "You never know on a given day if things are going to work exactly like you want."

The sled began on a train track and then was rocketed to 105 miles per hour by electromagnets as electricity was shot into copper coils. After a short ride, the sled ran into a sand trap, sending out silicon sprays. If all goes according to plan, sleds will levitate and carry pods in a test later this year. Gigantic tubes already are scattered around the Las Vegas area test site.

Company chief executive Rob Lloyd on Wednesday forecast a hyperloop would transport cargo by 2019 and passengers by 2021.

"We're practising large, fast construction that includes robotic welding. Techniques that allow us to create a perfect production level," he said. "What people think takes years should take quarters."

Musk created a stir by saying California could build a hyperloop from San Francisco to Los Angeles for around US$6 billion, a 10th of the cost of the state's high-speed rail project.

Sceptics say real-world challenges ranging from construction permits to making the new technology work mean the costs are likely to be far greater.

"The hyperloop might be promising, but it's still unproven and just an idea. High-speed rail is a proven technology that's been in use around the world for decades," said Lisa Marie Alley, a spokesman with the California High Speed Rail Authority.

A hyperloop, she said, will run into the same challenges of any other large infrastructure project, including funding, right of way, environmental permits, approvals and clearances. "None of it is easy," she said.

Alon Levy, a mathematician who writes about mass transit for the blog Pedestrian Observations, said the cost estimates from hyperloop backers do not fully take into account difficulties such as engineering turns at jet speed or even digging tunnels.

"I do think Hyperloop can be built. But making it work requires much more money than the builders think, and much more than conventional high-speed rail," he said.


Aug 4-10: RON97 petrol down five sen, rest unchanged

                KUALA LUMPUR: The retail price of RON97 petrol will drop by five sen from RM4.55 to RM4.50 per litre while RON95 and diesel prices will remain unchanged from Aug 4 to 10.

The Finance Ministry said to protect consumers from the effects of global oil price hikes, RON95 petrol and diesel would remain at RM2.05 per litre and RM2.15 per litre respectively although the market prices of the two products had risen beyond the current ceiling prices.

It said the prices were set based on the weekly retail prices of petroleum products in accordance with the Automatic Pricing Mechanism formula.


Genesis X Convertible a striking electric drop-top

                LONDON: Genesis has unveiled its new X Convertible concept as another look at the firm’s future.

Joining the 2021 X Concept and X Speedium Coupe concept, the new X Convertible has space for four people.

It uses a folding hardtop roof that incorporates glass panels above the front occupants, which means that even when the roof is closed, passengers can have a view of the sky.

The X Convertible incorporates many of the Genesis trademark design touches, such as the LED quad lights, which appear to flow into the front grille. However, that front grille isn’t used for cooling, with this taken care of by smaller openings lower down on the front of the car.

At the rear, there’s an integrated spoiler with horizontal lights that are similar to those found on the X Concept and X Speedium Coupe.

The exterior is finished in a shade called ‘White Crane’, while the alloy wheels feature Genesis’ G-Matrix design which incorporates aero dish concave sections that help to improve airflow.

Luc Donckerwolke, chief creative officer of Genesis, said: “With the Genesis X Convertible, we have built upon the stunning success X Concept and X Speedium Coupe to further propel the brand’s mission to create vehicles with even greater emotional resonance.”

Inside, the main colour used is called ‘Giwa Navy’, which takes its name from the roof tiles used on South Korean houses. Much of the cabin is trimmed in recycled wool fabric, too, while a contrast orange colour is used for a lot of the stitching.

Genesis has yet to confirm whether the X Convertible will enter production, though it has said that it gives another ‘glimpse’ at the future of the brand. - PA Media


BMW Group Malaysia partners three local industry players for more meaningful sustainability

                KULA LUMPUR: BMW Group Malaysia's partnerships with three industry players under the RE:GENERATE initiative are expected to develop impactful sustainable solutions on an organisational level to address pollution and climate change.

The three are Precious Plastic Malaysia, EV Connection and Pentas Flora.

BMW Group Malaysia managing director Hans de Visser said the prevailing question of current times is how technology could continue to enrich human lives and minimise, if not eliminate completely the cost to the environment.

“With the RE:GENERATE initiative, we are echoing the BMW Group’s ambitions of total climate neutrality by 2050 – a goal the Group aims to achieve across the entire value chain, from raw materials, production and all the beyond the end-of-life of components.

“Here at BMW Group Malaysia, we recognise that while sweeping change may be necessary to tackle the pressing issues regarding our environment, there are also many commonly overlooked issues in our everyday lives, such as plastic pollution, improper waste handling and so on,” he said.

RE:GENERATE x Precious Plastic Malaysia
Exemplifying BMW Group Malaysia’s solutions-focused direction, over 200 associates are putting words into action by working with Precious Plastic Malaysia – an organisation fights plastic pollution by converting and upcycling plastic waste into useable everyday items, to provide office, household and daily plastic waste a second, more meaningful life.

The project, which kickstarted in October 2021, will span well into the year ahead, with associates teaming up to upcycle collected plastic waste with Precious Plastic machines to make furniture for the Malaysia orang asli community.

The completed furniture will be placed in the EPIC Learning Hub that serves as a school for indigenous children in rural areas.

RE:GENERATE x EV Connection
In a first-of-its-kind initiative across the BMW Group, BMW Group Malaysia has partnered with EV Connection to introduce an EV battery second-life programme.

The partnership will see batteries that are at the end of their lifecycle be given a new lease of life in the form of portable vehicle chargers.

This initiative aims to pivot the mindset of recycling automotive waste to repurposing, giving the batteries a more meaningful second life that also encourages the development of sustainable innovation and sharing of technological know-how.

The portable chargers, designed and developed by EV Connection –a pioneer in the field of EV charging solutions, feature power inverters that convert direct current (DC) from the battery modules to alternating current (AC) usable by the EV charger.

Batteries retired from EV application usually still hold a substantial amount of energy remaining–suitable for less demanding applications, such as usage as a portable charger.

With this partnership, BMW Group Malaysia aims to divert all retired EV batteries to EV Connection to further expand on its electrification possibilities – including a roving EV charger and enabling rural electrification in the years to come.

RE:GENERATE x Pentas Flora
This lubricant recycling initiative with BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia and Pentas Flora aims to reduce irresponsible dumping by converting vehicle maintenance waste –such as oils, solvents and used drum IBC tanks – into reusable energy sources that will make its way back into the automotive industry.

This new initiative is a recurring programme at multiple BMW authorised dealership service centres across Malaysia and works to not only convert vehicle maintenance waste directly from the source but also to develop guidelines and provide training to dealers on proper waste management, based on DOE and Sustainability Standards.

Pentas Flora is one of Malaysia’s largest incumbent re-refined fuel oil providers, specialising in managing scheduled waste for clients across industries.

Their aim is to build a sustainable environment by providing end-to-end solutions towards hazardous waste management.


Volkswagen Malaysia launches UNITED limited edition cars

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has launched the limited edition UNITED range, consisting of the Passat and Tiguan models.

The UNITED models get two new unique Volkswagen original accessories; dynamic wheel hub caps with a self-levelling logo that stays upright while the car is in motion for the Tiguan and Passat; and LED door lights that projects the Volkswagen logo when the front doors are opened in the Passat.

The Passat UNITED is priced at RM193,856 and is fitted with accessories worth RM12,000.

Additional accessories include aluminium sports pedals and side scuff plates, new 19-inch Verona alloy wheels, VW Tint and the UNITED emblem.

Meanwhile, the Tiguan UNITED also features front sports bumper, rear spoiler, chrome trunk garnish, load lip protector, chrome exhaust tip, VW tint and the UNITED emblem, all worth RM4,000.

The Tiguan UNITED is priced at RM166,108.

Managing director Erik Winter explains that the UNITED range is introduced as a symbol of solidarity rooted within the brand.

“While there is a connection between our UNITED range and Volkswagen’s involvement in football, the significance of the name and what it represents could not be more relevant today, with the challenges we are facing. Additionally, a core principle of the Volkswagen brand is #wenotme, which emphasises on unity and togetherness.”

Also, those looking to book the UNITED models are invited to take advantage of the upcoming Volkswagen virtual Raya Open House on the 13th and 14th of June 2020.

Dealerships nationwide will be hosting the event on their respective social media channels and will be offering an additional RM1,000 rebate on any Volkswagen models booked over the two days.

Additional deals also include the Tiguan, which now comes with free six months instalment for units registered by 30th June, and the Passat, which is offered with one-year free insurance.

There is also the free home delivery service for customers within a 20km radius.

For more information, visit www.volkswagen.com.my/united-special-edition


Israel’s defence expertise drives tech boom for autonomous cars

                SHFAYIM (Israel): Technology that has helped Israel’s military drive tanks, guide and intercept missiles, and keep its computer systems secure is being redeployed in the development of driverless cars.

Investment from firms seeking access to Israeli expertise in automated driving, much of it gathered by engineers during their conscription, is pouring into startups.

US chipmaker Intel, German auto supplier Continental, Samsung, Daimler, Ford Motor Co and GM are among those to have bought startups or set up their own development centres in Israel.

Inexperience in car-making, distance from traditional auto centres and competition from other tech sectors for top staff are a challenge for investors.

Israeli auto tech startups still raised almost as much as similar US companies last year.

“A lot of the entrepreneurs are coming out of the Israel Defence Forces and they tend to be older than the traditional Silicon Valley (entrepreneurs),” said Ford executive chairman Bill Ford Jr.

“They have a lot of judgment and wisdom. Particularly in areas like cybersecurity, there's tremendous activity coming out of Israel.”

The United States attracts the most investment in the sector with companies raising US$1.2 billion last year, according to venture capital data provider CB Insights. Silicon Valley, Pittsburgh and Detroit are making efforts to be leaders in the driverless car era.

Israeli auto tech startups are not far behind. They raised US$814 million last year, triple the 2015 level, and US$182 million in the first quarter of 2018, in line with last year’s pace, according to Start-Up Nation Central.

Investment in Israeli autotech including venture capital, acquisitions and joint ventures, totalled US$3.5 billion in 2017, said Micki Shapira, a partner at law firm Weinstock Zecler & Co.

Startups elsewhere are making a push. Beijing has emerged as a hot spot, with strong backing from the Chinese government. But Israel’s innovation, often in elite military departments such as the cyber intelligence Unit 8200, wireless sensors, security, location finding and analytics software means it is well positioned to rival Silicon Valley.

Cybersecurity expertise ensures that the computers of driverless cars keep hackers out while radar, sonar, sensors and positioning systems are used to keep the cars on the road and stop them crashing into other vehicles or objects.

Cyber and fraud detection techniques are rooted in counterterrorism while breakthroughs in optical and sonar software may stem from missile defence, said Evercore ISI analyst Chris McNally.

Test drive

On an empty highway built by Israel’s government to test self-driving cars near Shfayim, north of Tel Aviv, a Samsung-backed startup called Imagry last month demonstrated its technology on a modified Kia Soul.

The five-seater, equipped with cameras, infrared and artificial intelligence, kept a safe distance from another car.
Autonomy - without relying on the expensive laser detection system known as lidar which Waymo and GM use - has become a quest for the industry.

“Cameras provide the most high resolution information and they are available and commoditized,” said Imagry’s chief executive officer (CEO) Adham Ghazali. His goal is to produce cheaper technology than lidar.

Another Samsung-backed startup, Innoviz, whose CEO spent 7 years in an elite technological unit of the IDF’s Intelligence Corps, wants to lower the cost of lidar rather than replace it.

Together with partner Magna it signed a deal last month to supply lidar to BMW. Innoviz raised US$73 million in 201.

With full autonomy - a market UBS estimates will be worth up to US$2.3 trillion in 2030 - a long way off, Ghazali aims to have 20 robotaxis operating in Israel and the United States next year at ”level 4” autonomy with a safety driver present.

Israel’s auto tech sector started to take off in 2014, the year after Google bought mapping firm Waze for US$1.2 billion.

Another big step was when Intel spent US$15.3 billion on autonomous vehicle technology firm Mobileye last year and moved all its operations in the field to Jerusalem.

“We were not known as a country that provides technology to the automotive industry and suddenly you have more than 500 different startups dealing with ... the automotive industry,” Mobileye co-founder Ziv Aviram said.

German auto supplier Continental bought cybersecurity firm Argus, whose CEO was a captain in Unit 8200, for about US$430 million last year. Samsung’s Harman unit acquired cyber firm TowerSec for US$75 million in 2016.
Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi , VW , Porsche and Honda also have interests in Israel.

“We are going to do more here,” said Nick Sugimoto, head of Honda Innovations.

Competing for talents

The government is keen to support the sector. It is building a simulator for test drives and working on regulation to balance safety with innovation, said Gil Shaki, head of energy, cleantech and transport at the Innovation Authority.

But there are still challenges for auto companies dealing with Israeli startups.

"You don't have tremendous knowledge about how to take a technology that's in a nascent state and take it down the path...to automotive grade," said Glen De Vos, chief technology officer of Aptiv, a major automotive supplier that is developing safety and autonomous driving systems.

The startups are sometimes surprised that it can take five years to get a product launched on a car, and a decade to achieve significant sales volume, he said.

Distance from other car centres can also be a problem.

"It's harder to get there," said De Vos, who is based in Silicon Valley.

A challenge for the startups is the competition for staff with giant international firms such as Google or Intel. The government forecasts a shortage of 10,000 engineers and programmers over the next decade in the tech sector in general which already employs 270,000.

 Baidu's Apollo autonomous cars are seen during a public road test for self-driving vehicles in Beijing on March 22. - Reuters

Many of the startups pivoted to autos from other fields.

StoreDot, which raised US$60 million from Daimler in September and another US$20 million from BP on Tuesday, developed a super-fast charger for cellphones before switching to automotives. The company, valued at US$750 million according to startup marketplace Funderbeam, says its batteries can fully charge an electric vehicle in five minutes.

“Both are big markets but we tend to think the electric vehicle market will be much bigger,” said Erez Lorber, chief operating officer of StoreDot.

Arbe Robotics, which has roots in the military and homeland security, built radar for drones before moving into cars, said CEO Kobi Merenko.

Interest in the sector has pushed up valuations, said Yifat Oron, CEO of Bank Leumi’s tech arm LeumiTech.
If a startup in an early fundraising round once raised US$3 million -US$5 million, it could now get US$20 million and hundreds of millions of dollars at later stages.

“There’s always over-excitement as happened with the cybersecurity sector,” she said. ”Maybe it will be corrected a little but we can’t see this happening in the near or mid-term.”


Malaysia may stage back-to-back F1 and MotoGP races next year

SEPANG: Malaysia could take centrestage as the first nation to host Formula One and MotoGP events on successive weekends next year.

But the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) are not keen on it.

The provisional MotoGP calendar for 2016 has listed Sepang as the host of the 26th edition of the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix on Oct 9, followed by back-to-back races in Motegi, Japan (Oct 16) and Phillip Island, Australia (Oct 23).

The FIA have also tweaked their provisional calendar for 2016, shifting the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix from March to Oct 2 – in between the Singapore Grand Prix (Sept 18) and Japanese Grand Prix (Oct 9).

SIC chief executive officer Datuk Razlan Razali has discussed with MotoGP promoter Dorna about shifting the 2016 Malaysian motorcycle race to the end of October instead.

“We are requesting to swap dates with Phillip Island,” said Razlan.

“Dorna have also indicated that they do not want to deal with the logistics of bringing in the equipment and bikes for MotoGP right after we’re done with the Formula One event.

“It could be a massive logistic problem for us. We should expect a favourable answer from them when they finalise the calendar.”

This year’s Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix also saw SIC registering an all-time high crowd attendance of 150,563 for the entire weekend. A total of 88,832 spectators watched Sunday’s dramatic MotoGP race, which saw Spaniard Dani Pedrosa’s victory being overshadowed by the acrimonious clash between Italian Valentino Rossi and outgoing world champion Marc Marquez.

About 45,169 fans attended Saturday’s qualifying while Friday’s practice session, which was free, attracted 16,562 fans.

“We were concerned about the haze but, thankfully, it did not affect our attendance,” said Razlan.

“I’m happy to see that MotoGP, not Formula One, has become our biggest event this year.”


Driving the Audi A6

                Lion-like power and luxurious appointments in a quiet, refined bubble are the highlights of the updated seventh-generation 3.0-litre Audi A6 sedan, which will burn a half-million ringgit hole in the deep pockets of the wealthy.

Launched in Malaysia late last year with new and enhanced features, the A6 sedan is also offered in a turbocharged 190hp/320Nm 1.8-litre TFSI engined variant, with a relatively more accessible price of RM327,900.

Our test drive unit this time, however, is the mighty supercharged 333hp/440Nm 3.0-litre V6 engined flagship unit, paired with a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive, which provides more traction and better control on twisty roads and tight corners.

Those who demand a high-quality interior should not have complaints; we found a sporty-looking black themed cabin with aluminium trim, plush Milano leather seats, four-zone automatic air-conditioning, powered front seats, a powered sun blind for the rear window, heat-insulating glass, rear air vents, push-start ignition and a space-saving electric parking brake.

For infotainment and connectivity on-the-go, the A6 has some very nice gadgets.

These include Audi's MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, which allows you to write letters or digits with your finger on a touchpad interface.

There's also Audi Connect with Google Earth and Wi-Fi Hotspot, which allows LTE high-speed mobile data connection via a SIM card.

Other hardware include a DVD drive, two SDXC card readers as well as an eight-inch colour display, paired to a Bose surround audio system with 14 speakers and a 12-channel amplifier.

Rear headroom is decent, and we found abundant legroom thanks to the 2,912mm wheelbase.

You also get a deep 530-litre boot for golf bags and weekend shopping excursions.

Where performance is concerned, the 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine has immense power and torque, which is delivered effortlessly via the 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic.

The S tronic has lightning-quick gear shifts, and this translates into instantly brisk and adrenaline-inducing propulsion, even with a full load of adult occupants.

This 3.0-litre A6 is a lively performer, and with quattro all-wheel drive and Yokohama Advan Sport performance tyres sized 255/40 R19, it feels right at home on twisty stretches.

As expected from a luxury business saloon, there was very little noise intrusion in the quiet confines of the cabin.

Even the exhaust roar was quite muted when we hit the rpm redline.

Drivers will also enjoy using the typical Audi drive select feature, which adjusts the characteristics of the engine, transmission and steering for drive modes consisting of "comfort", "auto", "dynamic", "efficiency" and "individual".

Audi drive select is something we have always enjoyed, as the sportiness and fun-to-drive character of the car can be better explored at the push of a button.

As an executive mover, this flagship A6 sedan is as smooth as cream on leisurely drives in quiet urban areas, but is also a punchy performer for long-distance motoring.

It's great for business class comfort, with its plethora of premium materials and gadgets.

This flagship A6 sedan delivers the goods when it comes to top-class refinement, prestige and a supple ride.


DRB-Hicom to explore collaborations on Tanjong Malim automotive hub

                KUALA LUMPUR: DRB-Hicom Bhd has inked memorandums of understanding with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Ltd and the state government of Perak for developing and promoting an automotive hi-tech valley (AHTV) in Tanjong Malim, Perak.

It said in separate bourse filings that it it was exploring partnerships with the two parties for the development of the AHTV, aimed to be a next-generation vehicle hub in Tanjong Malim covering extensive automotive and mobility solutions.

The value chain will include a full-fledged high-technology research and development centre, manufacturing cluster as well as supporting services and an associated ecosystem including logistics, a research university, training and learning institutions within a smart city.

"This strategic cooperation will add value to DRB-Hicom as it will become a strategic platform for both parties to explore means of collaborating towards the establishment of this comprehensive “Automotive City”, it said on Wednesday.

It added that the AHTV is intended to bring extended multiplier-effects through the set-up of an automotive industry cluster in Tanjong Malim, which will attract investors and vendors from China and other parts of the world.


Why a bike maker built the most important concept car of 2015

LONDON: It doesn't have the Porsche Mission E's guilt-free supercar performance or the Mercedes's ability to shape shift at higher speeds. It isn't even built by a car company, but the Yamaha Sports Ride, unveiled in October at the Tokyo Motor Show could well be the most important concept car of 2015.

It's a two-seat sports coupe with external lines that wouldn't look out of place at a McLaren or Ferrari dealership, and one that measures just 3.9m in length, 1.7m in width and stands just 1.17m tall. But what makes such a small car such a potentially big story is what lies beneath those lines -- a Gordon Murray-designed carbon fiber chassis.

Since leaving McLaren and having assured his place in automotive history as the mastermind behind the McLaren F1 supercar, Murray has been on a mission to revolutionise how cars are designed, developed and manufactured. His solution, called iStream, is an all-encompassing platform that cuts waste and vehicle weight, improves efficiency (of the car and the business) and can be used potentially by any company, big or small, to cost-effectively mass produce a host of different types of cars of different sizes and with different powerplant types.

"Light weighting is the final frontier in the automotive industry fight to lower emissions," said Murray of the platform and its use of affordable carbon fiber, a material that is traditionally out of reach for everyone but supercar makers and Formula One teams. "A step change in vehicle weight to enable downsizing of powertrain and components is all we have left in the armory. Light weighting is important for internal combustion engined cars, but even more important for hybrids and electric vehicles."

Although a concept, the Yamaha proves that the system is ready, and in 2016 further proof will arrive in the shape of the first all-new TVR sports car in a decade. Also designed by Murray, it will be an iStream production for rapidity of production, efficiency and for being able to react quickly to changing tastes and trends. One chassis could easily spawn a coupé, convertible and even a shooting brake with little or no extra work.


First drive impressions of 2014 Corolla Altis

As a long time favourite family car, the new Toyota Corolla Altis has been reworked and now offers better fuel economy as well as more cabin room, comfort and driving agility compared with its predecessor.

Imported from Thailand, there are three Altis variants with on-the-road prices in Peninsular Malaysia tagged at RM114,000 for the1.8E, RM123,000 (2.0G) and RM136,000 (2.0V).

UMW Toyota Motor provides a three-year or 100,000km (whichever comes first) warranty.

The 11th-generation Altis has grown slightly longer and wider, with its wheelbase increased markedly by 100mm to 2,700mm.

Its 470L boot space can accommodate four golf bags.

The powertrains remain the same from the previous model line-up, featuring the familiar 1.8- and 2.0-L four-cylinder in-line DOHC engines with dual VVT-i (variable valve timing - intelligent) from the ZR engine family, that are mated to a CVT (continuous variable transmission) with seven-speed sports sequential shift.

Although using carried-over powertrain systems, Toyota Motor Corp chief engineer Shinichi Yasui contends that the new model’s performance feel and fuel-efficiency have been improved.

According to Yasui, fuel economy has improved by up to 7% and 3% for the 1.8 and 2.0-L variants respectively.

“Despite the larger size, the kerb weight of the Altis (for all variants) is similar to its predecessor,” he said.

Yasui pointed out that the new Altis uses more high-tensile steel which is lighter but stronger, and has better aerodynamics while the CVT was tweaked for a more responsive and sporty driving feel.

“We also improved the acceleration response,” said Yasui.

Concerning the design and engineering approach for the new Altis, Yasui said it adopted the concept of Waku Doki – the Japanese expression for “pleasant anticipation and adrenaline excitement”.

Its frontal styling uses Toyota’s “Keen Look” design, which integrates the front radiator grille and headlamps, for a flowing-dynamic look and sharper-looking nose.

For higher body rigidity, which affects handling and ride comfort, Toyota engineers added rear reinforcement gussets to the rear floor panel.

To lower noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), the new Altis has a acoustic glass windscreen to reduce wind noise and improved positioning of insulating materials.

Features and options

While the top-grade Altis 2.0V has a fair bit of extra cabin comforts and safety features, the more affordable variants are also quite decently equipped.

Standard features for the 1.8E and 2.0G variants include 16-inch wheels, halogen headlamps, LED rear lamps, black fabric seats as well as front and rear parking sensors.

Only the 2.0L variants have reverse cameras.

All variants have six-speaker audio systems, but only the 2.0L variants get a 2-DIN head unit DVD player with 7-inch touch screen, tuner, MP3, AUX-jack, USB, SD card slot, Bluetooth, smartphone link and voice recognition.

The 1.8L variant comes with a 2-DIN head unit CD player with tuner, MP3, AUX-jack, USB and Bluetooth.

Features that are exclusive for the 2.0V variant include smart entry and start system, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED projector headlamps with auto levelling and daytime running lights, combi leather seats, a driver’s eight-way power seat with lumbar support, as well as cruise control, VSC (vehicle stability control) and TRC (traction control).

UMW Toyota Motor also offers optional equipment such as a seven-airbag system and additional passenger seatbelt warning indicators for the 2.0V Altis only.

This optional safety package will raise the on-the-road price of the 2.0V Altis by RM3,900.

Another option is an in-car navigation system upgrade, priced at RM1,800 for the 2.0L variants.

Buyers of the 1.8E Altis can opt to have the same in-car infotainment set-up found in the 2.0L variants, complete with a navigation system for RM2,990.

There is also an optional aerokit consisting of front and rear bumper spoilers, side skirts and a trunk lid spoiler, which is tentatively priced at RM2,350.

Test drive to Semenyih

UMW Toyota Motor recently organised a media test drive of the new Altis from Shah Alam to Semenyih, Selangor and Mantin, Negri Sembilan.

It was a 200km drive via trunk roads and tolled highways, with a few stops to switch drivers.

The units provided were the 2.0V variant.

We like the car’s sleek and dynamic-looking exterior style, and there is a sporty feel to its black-themed cabin fitted with leather upholstery.

The new Altis has generous dimensions for a C-segment sedan, and as expected, we found ample rear shoulder and legroom.

Regarding ride quality, we felt that it provides a somewhat sportier drive when compared with its predecessor, but still has a high level of occupant comfort in typical Toyota tradition.

Any discomfort from rough surfaces and road bumps on trunk roads, were much softened by the car’s well-tuned suspension which has a front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam set-up.

There was ample power on tap for quick highway sprints and overtaking manoeuvres, with three adult occupants in the car.

Rolling on 215/45 R17 Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres, our test drive unit did not have razor sharp handling, but it still performed with decent composure when we negotiated corners and bends on trunk roads in a spirited manner.

The new Altis design also aims to obtain best-in-class cabin quietness, and Toyota engineers had worked on improving aerodynamic efficiency which also lowers noise levels.

We think the company has succeeded, as wind, engine and road noise was quite muffled at highway speeds.

Based on our brief test drive, the new Altis comes across as a spacious, well-engineered sedan that has the stamp of the trademark Toyota consistency in making comfortable and practical family cars.


Apple self-driving car layoffs give hints to division’s direction

Apple is retrenching 190 employees in its self-driving car program, Project Titan. — AFP
SAN FRANCISCO: Apple Inc said on Wednesday it planned to lay off 190 employees in its self-driving car program, Project Titan, changes that provide a rare window into the automotive technologies the company has been pursuing.

The tech firm said in a filing with state regulators that it planned to lay off people from eight different Santa Clara County facilities near its Cupertino, California, headquarters, as of April 16. A company spokesman confirmed that the reduction was from the self-driving car program.

While the iPhone maker has acknowledged its interest in self-driving cars in broad terms, it has never detailed precisely which technologies it is working on and whether it seeks to build a whole vehicle or the sensors, computer system and software to control one.

The public documents filed with regulators provide some previously undisclosed clues.

Among those laid off were at least two dozen software engineers, including a machine learning engineer, and 40 hardware engineers, according to a letter sent by Apple to California employment regulators earlier this month.

Some of the positions hint at physical products for consumers: three product design engineers and an ergonomics engineer face layoffs. A machine shop supervisor was among the reductions, though it is unclear how many machinists reported to the supervisor and whether the shop fabricates automotive parts or smaller parts for electronics and sensors.

The layoffs appear to be the first major shake-up of Project Titan under Doug Field, who returned to Apple last year as Vice President of Special Projects after a stint at electric car maker Tesla Inc.

Apple operates the car project on a ”need-to-know” basis, with only about 5,000 of Apple’s 140,000 full-time workers included, according to court documents in a theft of trade secrets criminal case filed this year against an ex-Apple employee.

About 1,200 of those are ”core” employees that are ”directly working on the development of the project,” according to the complaint, which was unsealed in January.

Despite the headcount changes, the company appears to have ramped up its testing on California roads. In a filing with regulators earlier this month, Apple said it had logged nearly 129,000km of testing in its home state in 2018, far surpassing the less than 1,600km it had logged the year before.

It was, however, far fewer than Alphabet Inc’s Waymo unit, which logged 1.9 million kilometres in California last year.


Kia Niro EV arrives in Malaysia, priced at RM257K

                KUALA LUMPUR: The electric vehicle (EV) market in Malaysia just got a little bigger.

Kia distributor Dinamikjaya Motors Sdn Bhd today launched the fully imported Niro EV here, priced at RM256,668 (on-the-road without insurance).

The Niro arrives wearing new Kia badging on the front grille, the tailgate, the steering wheel hub and wheel centre caps.

Inside and out, the Niro presents a bold design inspired by Kia’s “Opposites United” philosophy that infuses inspiration from nature with aerodynamic refinement.

The second-generation model retains a compact footprint but is larger than the vehicle it replaces.

The front end features Kia’s signature “Tiger Face” that extends from the bonnet to the fender below.

Striking daytime running lights (DRLs) known as the “heartbeat” adds to the contemporary look, while the bold skid plate and cladding further enhances the vehicle’s ruggedness.

The stylish side profile comprises a high-tech two-tone body with a wide Aero C-Pillar at the rear, enhancing air flow to improve aerodynamics, that blends into a boomerang-shaped rear taillights for a sporty flourish.

A subtle feature that incorporates seamlessly with the exterior design is the active air flap within the grille which contributes to the new Niro’s competitive 0.29 drag co-efficient (Cd).

Panoramic, dual 10.25-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system and an eight-speaker sound system add premium touches to the interior.

The cabin comes with ambient mood lighting, available in a choice of 64 colours.

The Niro's 10.25-inch infotainment system supports Apple Carplay, Android Auto, and smartphone wireless charging.

The front passenger seat can recline to a comfortable angle at the touch of a button. USB-C ports are incorporated on the sides of the front seats and storage pockets cater to rear-seat passengers, while the slim headrests also act as jacket hangers.

Black leatherette seats are standard, while recycled materials are used in the cabin. The headliner is created out of recycled wallpaper, and the seats are made from Bio Polyurethane with Tencel from eucalyptus leaves. In addition, BTX-free paint is used on its door panels to minimise environmental impact and reduce waste.

Powered by a 64.8kWh battery and a 150kW (201hp/255Nm) motor with DC fast-charging compatibility as standard, the Niro is rated at a WLTP range of 460km.

It has a top speed of 167kph and a 0-100kph sprint in 7.8s.

When connected to a fast charger, the Niro can charge from 10% to 80% state of charge in 43 minutes, at a maximum charging speed of 85kW.

The Niro is based on Kia’s third-generation “K” platform, which is not an all-electric base.

Boot space is 475 litres and can be expanded to 1,392 litres with rear seats folded down. The EV has a frunk, like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, to store the vehicle’s charging cable and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) adapter as its location is close to its charging port at the front of the vehicle.

Kia’s Smart Regeneration braking system allows the driver to choose from a series of regeneration levels to slow the car down quickly and allows it to recuperate its kinetic energy to maximise the driving range.

This system can calculate the amount of regeneration required using its radar and road gradient information. It also allows the car to produce maximum energy from its brakes while bringing the vehicle to a gentle halt.

The compact SUV is equipped with a new suspension and steering system that has been improved to deliver an enjoyable and responsive driving experience. It gets a Macpherson strut-type suspension at the front, while the rear gets a four-link type set-up.

Both its front and rear geometry are said to have been tuned for improved responsiveness, stability and ride comfort, with an optimised steering gear ratio and a new tilt-type strut bearing that reduces friction to improve its steering feel.

Other additional convenience features include the vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality which is capable of discharging energy from the vehicle battery and is capable of operating lifestyle electronic accessories. The V2L function can supply up to 3.6 kWh of power.

The standard safety features of the Niro include 8 airbags (front driver & passengers, front side, side, curtain and driver’s knee), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) and Safe Exit Assist (SEA) system which automatically provides a warning if a vehicle is approaching from the rear side is detected within the blind-spot.

Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Traction Control System (TCS), ISOFIX child restraint anchor points and Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) are other standard features.

In terms of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features, the Niro is equipped with High Beam Assist (HBA), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Assist (RCCA), which detects oncoming vehicles approaching from either side when reversing out of a tight parking spot.

In addition, there is also the Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW) and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Junction Turning, which provides preventive safety when navigating through junctions. Completing the ADAS features are the Lane Following Assist (LFA) and Smart Cruise Control (SCC).

Colour line-up are Snow White Pearl, Mineral Blue and Cityscape Green.

The Niro is backed by a 5-year manufacturer warranty or 150,000km, whichever comes first. The battery gets an 8-year warranty or 160,000km on, whichever comes first.

The Niro EV sits alongside the EV6 in Kia's line-up in Malaysia. Globally, Kia plans to offer a line-up of 14 EVs by 2027. Its latest production EV rollout is the EV9.

Kia Niro EV SPECIFICATIONSKia Niro EV FAQ


Sales manager fined RM3,100 for obstructing cops, calling policeman 'idiot' at MCO roadblock

Tong admitted to the offences today, and was fined RM3,100.
PETALING JAYA: A magistrate’s court here has fined a 44-year-old sales manager RM3,100 over an incident where she shouted the word “idiot” to a policeman at a Covid-19 Ops roadblock more than a month ago.

Tong Poh Kim had earlier claimed trial, but changed her plea when the case came up for mention before magistrate Zhafran Rahim Hamzah here today.

She admitted to insulting Kpl Izuan Hasim Nor Hamzah by using the word “idiot” at Jalan Persiaran Surian at 9.40am on March 31.

The charge under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 carries a maximum fine of RM100 if convicted.

Tong also pleaded guilty to a second charge of obstructing Kpl Izuan from carrying out his duty at the same place and time.

The charge under Section 186 of the Penal Code carries imprisonment of up to two years, a fine up to RM10,000, or both if convicted.

Earlier, Tong’s lawyer Datuk Suraj Singh asked the court to impose a fine on his client and not a prison sentence on the grounds that her mother was in a coma since February 27 due to a stroke.

“My client is remorseful and apologetic towards everyone, including the police over the incident.

Her guilty plea has also saved the court’s time and cost from having to go to trial, ” he said.

Suraj added that Tong was emotionally and mentally distraught due to her mother’s condition and being trapped in a two-hour traffic caused her to act the way she did on the day of the incident.

“There is no violence in this case except for the word ‘idiot’ being uttered by the accused, ” Suraj said, adding that Tong was a first time offender.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Zubaidah Mahat, however, asked the court to mete out a just sentence as the accused had committed a serious offence when she failed to respect the police.

Zhafran then fined Tong RM100 for uttering the word "idiot" in default of a day in jail.

For the second offence of obstructing a public servant, the magistrate fined the accused RM3,000 in default of a month in jail.


BYD bets on self-developed chassis suspension system

                SHANGHAI: China's BYD launched on Monday a new chassis suspension system as the electric vehicle maker ramps up efforts to move upmarket with premium products.

The system, BYD DiSus Intelligent Body Control System, is similar to the chassis suspension systems available in premium and luxury cars, such as Porsche's Dynamic Chassis Control and Mercedes Benz's Magic Body Control.

The DiSus system will come in three variations and will be used in BYD's luxury off-road SUV Yangwang U8 initially, BYD said in a statement. It will also be available in BYD's Han, Tang and Denza models, it added.

The move underscores a shift for BYD, whose current car products are mostly concentrated in the mass market segment priced under 300,000 yuan (RM193,000), as it attempts to reach a more upmarket segment with its offerings.

BYD launched its first luxury car brand Yangwang in January with an off-road SUV and a sportscar priced above 1 million yuan.

BYD has benefited from its strategy to use self-developed batteries and powertrain systems.

The company last month reported an eleven-fold increase in fourth-quarter profit with 20.4% gross profit margin for automobiles and related products, well above its 3.7% margin in 2021.


2016 vehicle sales expected to dip to 648,000 units, says Frost  and  Sullivan

                KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's total industry volume (TIV) is  expected to decrease by 1.44 per cent to 648,000 units in 2016 from an estimated 657,500 units last year.

Vivek Vaidya, Vice President of Mobility of global growth consulting firm Frost  and  Sullivan attributes the decrease to economic pressures, the weakening ringgit, price increases and tightening of credit approvals. He said although it is a projected decline, when compared with regional  markets, Malaysia is still better off.

"I would say Malaysia is a steady performer. The percentage of 1.44 per cent is not a big decline to cause havoc to the market.

"Thailand and Indonesia are likely to decline by much bigger numbers," he said on the sidelines of a media briefing on Malaysia's 2016 automotive industry here today.

For this year's segment forecast, Vivek predicted Malaysia's passenger vehicles (PV) and commercial vehicles (CV) to decline at 1.3 per cent and 1.7 per cent respectively.

"New and exciting model launches coupled with promotions would be the go-to strategy for the Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), while price increases, reduction in credit approvals, deferment of open approved permits (APs) termination are key restraints for this year," he said.

"A lot also depends on how the ringgit performs against the US dollar and other key currencies. If crude oil prices continue on the downward spiral, the ringgit will also continue to decline. This will put immense pressure on OEMs as well as component suppliers," he added.

Vivek said if the B10 Biodiesel mandate is imposed in 2016, it would present environmental benefits and help in growth of the oil palm sector.

"However, it may be a setback to various auto makers as their vehicle engines are incompatible with B10 biodiesel. Mercedes-Benz, Fuso, Toyota and Isuzu have voiced concerns," he added.

On the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), he said it is positive for Malaysia, in helping local companies gain market access, create opportunities for skills, technology transfers as well as transparency and clarity to the industry. The TPP, he added, would not have any impact on the market in 2016.


Toyota to keep China plants closed through Feb 9 as virus spreads

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp’s production plants in China will stay closed through Feb 9, the Japanese automaker said today, in response to the spread of a new coronavirus following a sharp rise in fatalities.

Toyota, which runs plants in regions such as the northern city of Tianjin and the southern province of Guangdong, said the closures after the Lunar New Year holidays were in line with transport lockdowns in some places, and as it assesses its parts supply situation.

Many global companies from hotels and airlines to industrial houses are expected to have to foot the bill for disruptions caused by a new coronavirus in China, with epidemics usually excluded from insurance cover, experts said.

With 132 deaths in China and new cases being reported around the world, companies are set to face billions of dollars in losses linked to events and travel cancellations and closure of businesses, they said.

The virus originated in the city of Wuhan, forcing airlines to cancel flights and companies including Facebook and HSBC to suspend travel to China.

“For insurers, the bulk of the claims from this outbreak will come from businesses, mainly travel, hospitality and event firms, followed by mortality and healthcare costs,” said a Hong Kong-based insurance sector lawyer with a global law firm.

Risk modelling firm RMS said it was too early to estimate insured losses.

While some large global firms buy coverage for communicable diseases, most “standard insurance policies” exclude such outbreaks to keep costs low, said the lawyer, declining to be identified as he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Global insurers typically cover risks such as earthquakes and plane crashes, but have been paring back exposure to certain risks, such as shipping, to avoid huge losses.

Previous viruses, such as SARS, Ebola and Zika, have also led insurers to be more cautious about exposure, with specific virus exclusions added to most basic coverage policies, industry insiders said.


Jaguar XE

                http://www.newspress.co.uk/downloads/original/344297/JAGUARXE_FULL_RANGE_VNR.mp4

The Jaguar XE redefines the concept of the sports saloon and is the driver’s car in its class.

Its lightweight construction, streamlined styling, luxurious interior and outstanding ride and handling are testament to company founder Sir William Lyons’ vision: ‘The car is the closest thing we will ever create to something that is alive.’

The rear-drive XE is the only vehicle in its class to use an aluminium-intensive monocoque.

READ ALSO: New cars coming in second half of 2015

This extremely robust yet light structure, together with double wishbone front suspension and an Integral Link rear axle, is fundamental to the XE’s innovative benchmark vehicle dynamics.

Jaguar’s world-leading expertise in aluminium structure engineering enables exceptional fuel consumption and emissions figures.

Powered by the supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine from the acclaimed Jaguar F-Type, the XE S is capable of 0-60mph in just 4.9 seconds.

The cabin offers outstanding levels of comfort and spaciousness.

Jaguar’s new InControl infotainment system takes centre stage: its innovative 8-inch touchscreen brings fast, intuitive access to all features and functions – and iOS and Android smartphone apps.

All Surface Progress Control (ASPC), developed through decades of Jaguar Land Rover experience in off-road traction systems, can electronically gain traction in seconds and is ideal for use on low-grip surfaces, such as snow-covered roads.

Laser projection technology enables the XE’s optional head-up display (HUD) to generate sharp, high-contrast colour graphics (such as vehicle speed and navigation) from a module smaller and almost a third lighter than existing systems, retaining clarity even in direct sunlight.

A forward facing stereo camera is mounted behind the front windscreen to give the XE a 3D view of the road ahead: this highly accurate data is used for functions including autonomous emergency braking and a lane departure warning system.

As such, the XE is the stiffest, most aerodynamic Jaguar saloon car ever built. It is also the first Jaguar to be equipped with electric power steering, tuned to provide exceptional responsiveness and feel but with lower energy consumption than hydraulic systems.

Visit the local Jaguar website for more information on models.


New Putrajaya MRT Line free until March 31, says PM

                KUALA LUMPUR: The newly launched Putrajaya MRT Line will be free for all commuters until March 31.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said commuters looking to use the new line will be able to access it for free after its official launch at 3pm today, during his speech at the official launch of the line.

He added that a full one-way trip would take around one-and-a-half hours.

Additionally, feeder buses to the stations along the line will also be free during the period.

Meanwhile, a Prasarana representative said that the free rides would apply to any commuters who either enter or exit the Rapid Rail network through any station along the new Putrajaya MRT Line.

An example would be a commuter who entered the rail network from the Putra Heights LRT station but exiting through the new Putrajaya MRT Station or vice versa, would not be charged on their Touch N Go card or any other payment method.

For users paying by cash, they would have to ask for a special token from a station's customer service counter for the free ride.

The new line comprises 36 stations from Kwasa Damansara MRT station until the Putrajaya Sentral MRT station.

The line also features 17 Park and Ride facilities at seven stations along the line, which are the Kwasa Damansara MRT Station, Sungai Buloh MRT Station, Sri Damansara Barat MRT Station, Sri Damansara Sentral MRT station, Sri Damansara Timur MRT station, Metro Prima MRT Station and Jinjang MRT Station.

Commuters can expect a train frequency of one every four to six minutes during peak hours and one every seven to 10 minutes during non-peak hours.


Invention captures harmful car tyre dust, wins UK award

                LONDON: A group of students in Britain have invented a way of capturing tyre dust — a major contributor to air and water pollution — as a car drives along, winning them this year’s James Dyson Award in the UK.

Tiny particles of rubber from tyres are responsible for nearly half of road transport particulate emissions, according to the UK government, and they are the second largest source of microplastic pollutant in oceans after single-use plastic.

“Everyone focuses on air pollution being directly from the engines themselves and coming out of the exhaust pipe,” Hugo Richardson, one of four members of The Tyre Collective, said here.

“But what people don’t necessarily recognise is that tyre wear is a huge contributor to that, and that’s partly down to its microscopic size and the fact that you don’t obviously see it all the time.”

READ MORE: Road traffic microplastics flooding world's oceans, says study

The award-winning solution was to capture tyre particles at source by fitting a device that wraps closely around the edge of the tyre and using electrostatics and the aerodynamics of a spinning wheel to collect particles as they are emitted.

Richardson said the coronavirus lockdown, which reduced traffic significantly, had given people a glimpse of how clean a city’s air could be.

“I think we all realise that clean air in our cities is not a pipedream any more, but something that is immediately achievable with some clever innovation and some impetus from those in charge.”

The students say their prototype can collect 60% of all airborne particles from tyres under a controlled environment on their test rig.

The benefits to public health could be profound.

“These (tyre) particles are actually small enough to be inhaled,” said Siobhan Anderson, a member of the Innovation Design Engineering programme offered jointly by Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art.

“So they can cause different lung diseases and developmental issues and they also enter our water and eventually make their way through our food chain and come back to us.”

Each time a vehicle brakes, accelerates or turns a corner, the tyres wear and tiny particles become airborne, producing half a million tonnes of tyre particles annually in Europe alone, according to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

As the shift towards electric vehicles accelerates, exhaust emissions will fall, but tyre particles will continue to pollute the air and the wider environment.

The team believes tyre emissions may actually increase, as electric vehicles become heavier due to added battery weight.

The Tyre Collective will now progress to the international stage of the James Dyson Award, to be announced on Nov 19.

In the meantime, the team is working on securing a patent for their design and continuing the project as a start-up.


Tesla developing platform to allow car owners in China access data

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc said today it was developing a platform for car owners in China that will allow them to access data generated by their vehicles.

Tesla, which makes Model 3 sedans and Model Y sport-utility vehicles at its Shanghai factory, aims to launch the data platform this year, it said in a statement.

This is the first time an automaker has announced plans to allow customers access car data in China, the world's biggest car market.

Automakers for the past several years have been equipping more vehicles with cameras and sensors to capture images of a car's surroundings. Control of use, sending and storage of these images is a fast-emerging challenge for the industry and regulators worldwide.

China last month published draft rules to ensure the security of data generated by smart cars. Data collected from Tesla electric cars in China is stored in the country, a company executive said last month. read more

Tesla in April was targeted by state media and regulators after a customer, angry over the handling of her complaint about malfunctioning brakes, climbed on top of a Tesla car in protest at the Shanghai auto show. Videos of the incident went viral.

Tesla provided the data related to the brake incident to the customer complying with the local authorities' order.


First drive: Kia Grand Carnival

                If three’s company then eight is definitely a party. The newly launched Kia Grand Carnival is the MPV with the most as it seats eight people comfortably.

And what’s even more enticing is the price of these people movers staring from as low as RM153,888 for the entry level 2.2D variant while the mid-level 2.2 CRDI KX is priced at RM169,888 and the high-specced 2.2 CRDI EX at RM185,888. (All prices are on-the-road with insurance).

Not only that, the MPV boasts enough horses and twist for a smooth and effortless driving experience as we recently drove the new Grand Carnival from Kuala Lumpur to Bentong, Pahang and finally, taking the road-less-taken through very narrow, windy hill roads to Janda Baik.

This was a drive event organised for the members of the media and we were paired four to a car. The cars available for this drive was the mid-level KX and range-topping EX.

All the variants of the new Grand Carnival is fitted with the 2.2-litre CRDi turbodiesel four-cylinder engine which outputs 193PS at 3,800rpm and 440Nm of torque at 1,750 to 2,750rpm. And it is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Standard equipment includes projector halogen headlamps and LED daytime running lights (DRLs), front and rear fog lamps, LED-type rear combination lamps, electric-folding side mirrors and LED indicators, a 3.5-inch Supervision TFT-mono OLED instrument cluster, 4.3-inch TFT colour touchscreen entertainment system and a six-speaker audio system with USB and AUX-in connectivity.

And there’s plenty of safety equipment across the board as well such as six airbags, front and rear parking sensors, electronic stability control, anti-lock braking system (ABS) and hill assist control.

The KX and EX variants come with rear-view camera, power sliding doors, keyless operation with push-start and the EX gets the additional powered tailgate.

The noticeable differences between the KX and EX externally is quite minute as the EX gets a roof rack and chrome accents around the grille. Inside, the EX features a beige leather wrap interior in two-tone colours while the KX still maintains the two-tone but uses fabric instead.

The KX gets manual air-conditioning while the EX has a triple-zone automatic climate control but staying cool isn’t going to be a problem for your passengers as all three rows has its own air-cond vents.

The seating configuration offers a lot of options as the second-row seats can be folded in a 40:20:40 split and the middle seat can be removed completely if you only want seats for two passengers. Be aware though, the middle seat weighs up to 20kg.

The third row seats can be folded flat in a 50:50 split to accommodate more cargo.

The new Grand Carnival already has an impressive 359 litres of boot space with all the seats up and with the seats folded, offers a massive 2,718 litres of space.

Everybody took turns driving the new Grand Carnival to the designated destinations. We first got on a KX variant and used the DUKE highway to get out of the city and unto the Karak highway for our first stop at Chamang Waterfalls in Bentong.

During this route, I was riding shotgun and was impressed with the quietness of the cabin and the very comfortable ride.

Remember, the Carnival is a diesel engine but you don’t get a hint of that while you’re inside. The noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels were very low offering a smooth and relaxed environment.

The power sliding doors is a real treat in an MPV as it is really easy to get in and out of the car. And the Grand Carnival is a wide car at 1,985mm so you can park in tight spaces and still get out easily as the doors don’t swing out.

Getting into the third row is also easy as the second row seats don’t fold as most cars do but instead straightens upright which gives a wider opening to get to the back.

After the break at Chamang, we changed cars to an EX this time and I was behind the wheel.

Even though its a big car, it doesn’t drive like one as the steering makes it feel like you’re driving a smaller vehicle.

I was impressed with the Grand Carnival’s ease going uphill and hardly noticed the car struggling on the highway. And the same can be said when we got into the hill roads.

I found it really easy to manoeuvre this MPV along such roads. You have to keep in mind that the Grand Carnival is built for comfort, making it pliant and it does absorb a lot of the harshness on the road.

So if you’re going fast around the bends and corners, you are going to notice the body roll.

And that’s totally acceptable for an MPV which is meant to ferry your family around. It’s meant to be driven calmly and its very enjoyable when you take it nice and easy.

For the trip back, I sat in the second row seat and the car has so much leg and headroom, even for third row passengers. It has a wheel base of 3,060mm, so space (or the lack of it) is not an issue.

It was very relaxing seating at the second-row and the only complaint, which is very minor and hardly a deal-breaker, is the arm rest is on the left because it sits three people.

I really enjoyed driving and being driven in the Grand Carnival. It has the practicality and power for a people mover and for the price, offers a lot of value when you need space, comfort and convenience.

SPECIFICATIONSKia Grand CarnivalEngine: 2,199cc, CRDi turbodiesel four-cylinder
Maximum Output: 193PS at 3,800rpm
Maximum Torque: 440Nm from 1,750rpm to 2,750rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic

KX and EX Standard Features: Projector halogen headlamps and LED daytime running lights (DRLs), front and rear fog lamps, LED-type rear combination lamps, electric-folding side mirrors and LED indicators, a 3.5-inch Supervision TFT-mono OLED instrument cluster, 4.3-inch TFT colour touchscreen entertainment system and a six-speaker audio system with USB and AUX-in connectivity, six airbags, front and rear parking sensors, electronic stability control, anti-lock braking system (ABS) and hill assist control, rear-view camera, power sliding doors, keyless operation with push-start, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, foot parking brake and auto cruise control, rear-view camera.

EX variant additional features: Roof rack, leather wrap interior in two-tone
colours, three zone automatic
climate control and powered tailgate.

Price: RM169,888 for KX variant and RM185,888 for EX variant (on-the-road with insurance)


Harley-Davidson launches all-electric motorcycle brand 'LiveWire'

                MILWAUKEE: Harley-Davidson Inc  on Monday launched an all-electric motorcycle brand "LiveWire," the latest effort by the company to ramp up bets on the rapidly growing electric-vehicle market.

Named after Harley's first electric motorbike, which was unveiled in 2019, the "LiveWire" division is slated to launch its first branded motorcycle in July.

The company had said in February it would create a separate electric vehicle-focused division, as it aims to attract the next generation of younger and more environmentally conscious riders.

"We are seizing the opportunity to lead and define the market in EV," chief executive officer Jochen Zeitz said in a statement on Monday.

"LiveWire also plans to innovate and develop technology that will be applicable to Harley-Davidson electric motorcycles in the future."


Great Wall Motors introduces ORA brand for new energy vehicle

BEIJING: Great Wall Motors (GWM) officially released an independent brand of new energy vehicles - ORA.iQ, the first model of ORA will be launched in Chengdu Auto Show.Following the announcement of the joint venture with BMW it is another significant move made by GWM in the new energy sector.The Vice President of GWM and General Manager of ORA, Ning Shuyong said, “Ten years ago GWM established a research group of new energy vehicles, and made layout and devotion to R&D. GWM insists on positive research and development of new energy vehicles, instead of changing from oil into electricity or making policy cars. More consideration is given to the healthy development of the new energy vehicle market after the policy retreats.”ORA is the combination of Open, Reliable and Alternative:Open means open and win-win business mode;Reliable means being reliable, high-quality, motivation and mileage free of anxiety;Alternative means unconventional, intelligent network connection and automatic drive for pure electricity.ORA is positioned as a new generation of electric car. Different from traditional car-making enterprises and new car-making enterprises making power like changing from oil into electricity with difficult delivery and high pricing, ORA has a profound car-making accumulation and control of quality and safety which are not available in the new car-making enterprises.At the same time, it is an independent brand of new energy in traditional car-making enterprises, integrating the current leading intelligent network connection technologies.ORA is specially made for urban travel advocating more stylish, smarter and safer ways to travel. ORA’s vision is to become a No.1 brand in electric cars.ORA’s targeted users are the new generation of urban youth who have an open, friendly, happy and confident attitude to life, who love challenges, who are reliable and responsible, who have their own value judgments about life and work and who don’t go with the flow.


VW Passat R-Line arrives at RM203K

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passengers Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has officially launched its new Passat R-Line D-segment executive sedan.

The launch of the locally-assembled Passat R-Line was held via live telecast on social media and has been priced at RM203,411.18 (on-the-road without insurance and sales tax).

The introduction of the Passat R-Line finally completes the current Volkswagen R-Line range for Malaysia.

With a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, this executive sedan has been further decked out with special performance interior and exterior trims.

This includes new R-Line front and rear bumpers, side R-Line badge, chrome trims and 19-inch Verona alloy wheels.

Inside, the cabin features an R-Line trim consisting of Nappa carbon-style black leather seats, black roof headliner, steering wheel and aluminium sports pedals.

The Passat R-Line also comes with Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) and Driving Mode Selection with up to 15 driving style preferences.

For comfort and convenience, there is the personalised Digital Cockpit, wireless App-Connect Apple Car Play and 14-way powered front seats in Nappa carbon-style black leather with driver massage and memory functions.

“The New Passat R-Line will appeal to those who demand a certain level of aesthetics and driving satisfaction. If you appreciate the finer things in life and are a firm believer in expressing your own individuality, you’re going to want a ride that stands out from the sea of cars on the road. This is your car,” said VPCM managing director Erik Winter.

This weekend, from Oct 17 to 18, Volkswagen dealerships nationwide will be hosting a virtual event featuring detailed walkthroughs of the new Passat R-Line.

Customers are invited to send in their questions and interact with Sales Consultants via Facebook Live from the comfort and safety of their own homes.

Those who place a booking during this weekend will enjoy an additional RM2,000 rebate s well as RM3,500 exclusive savings on the full Passat range, via the Volkswagen eShowroom.

There will also be an additional RM1,000 rebate on other Volkswagen models, with the exception of the Polo.