'Bohemian Rhapsody' and 'Dancing Queen' are UK drivers' top in-car tunes, says survey

                LONDON: Some 90 percent of British drivers polled said that listening to music in their car gave them a feeling of happiness, according to a survey carried out by SEAT in Britain.

Their top in-car tunes were Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and ABBA's "Dancing Queen."

The majority of drivers polled in the survey (84 percent) said that they always or very often listen to their favourite songs while driving.

The Queen hit "Bohemian Rhapsody" topped the chart of favourite songs among UK drivers. In fact, big hits of the 1970s and 1980s proved particularly popular for in-car listening. The most popular recent tunes were "I Gotta Feeling" by Black Eyed Peas and "Happy" by Pharrell Williams.

Top 20 favourite songs for British drivers:

1. "Bohemian Rhapsody," Queen
2. "Dancing Queen," ABBA
3. "Livin' on a Prayer," Bon Jovi
4. "I'm Gonna Be (500 miles)," The Proclaimers
5. "Eye of the Tiger," Survivor
6. "Walking on Sunshine," Katrina and the Waves
7. "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go," Wham!
8. "Happy," Pharrell Williams
9. "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," Cindy Lauper
10. "I Gotta Feeling," Black Eyed Peas
11. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
12. "Don't Stop Believing," Journey
13. "Wonderwall," Oasis
14. "This Is Me," The Greatest Showman
15. "Roar," Katy Perry
16. "Hey Ya!," Outkast
17. "I Believe in a Thing Called Love," The Darkness
18. "Three Little Birds," Bob Marley
19. "One Kiss," Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa
20. "Hey Baby!," DJ Otzi

The survey was carried out by Seat UK on a sample of 2,000 drivers between the ages of 18 and 84.


Only 40 units of Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 to be created

BOLOGNA: Automobili Lamborghini presents the Essenza SCV12, the track-only hypercar in a limited edition of 40 units, developed by Lamborghini Squadra Corse and designed by Lamborghini Centro Stile.

The direct descendant of cars such as the Miura Jota and Diablo GTR, the Essenza SCV12 is fitted with the most powerful V12 naturally aspirated engine ever developed by Lamborghini, combined with aerodynamics inspired by racing prototypes and new technical solutions designed for the ultimate driving experience.

The V12 engine is able to deliver over 830hp, with a significant power uplift from the RAM effect at high speeds. The exhaust pipes were designed by Capristo to reduce the back pressure, improving performance and emphasizing the unique sound of the engine.

The power is handled by a new X-trac sequential six-speed gearbox as a structural element within the chassis, combined with rear-wheel drive to ensure compactness, structural continuity, and greater torsional stiffness.

The design of the Essenza SCV12 is the result of the creative work by Lamborghini Centro Stile, which has designed all racing cars produced by Lamborghini since Squadra Corse was established.

The essential nature of the car is underscored by the structure of the bodywork, formed by only three elements to enable quick replacement when necessary during pit stops.

The exclusive Verde Silvans, Grigio Linx, Nero Aldebaran Gloss and Arancio California launch livery displays the trademark logos of long-standing Lamborghini Squadra Corse partners, Pertamina, Pirelli and Roger Dubuis.

The design of the multifunction steering wheel with display was inspired by F1 single-seater steering wheels to offer the best ergonomics and a perfect feel, without the driver needing remove their hands from the rim with its futuristic yet rational design.

Stefano Domenicali, CEO and Chairman of Automobili Lamborghini, commented: “Essenza SCV12 represents the purest track driving experience that our brand can offer, an engineering feat that highlights the inextricable link between our cars and the asphalt of the track.

"Lamborghini is a brand constantly looking to the future and searching for new challenges, but we never forget our roots and who we are: Essenza SCV12 is the perfect combination of our unconventional spirit as a super sports car manufacturer and our true passion for motorsport.”

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


PM launches Sabah Eastern Zone Pan Borneo Highway

                KINABATANGAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Saturday (Nov 6) launched the Sabah Eastern Zone Pan Borneo Highway for the Sandakan-Kinabatangan-Beluran-Telupid alignment.

The Prime Minister said the project involves three packages namely package 28, 29 and 30 over 58 km involving a cost of RM877mil.

He said the scope of the project involved works to upgrade the road from a single to dual carriageway, construction of three bridges and a multi-level interchange.

"When completed, the route would provide a comfortable, efficient and safe land access to residents,” he said when speaking at the launching ceremony at Dataran Tamu Pekan, Kota Kinabatangan here today.

Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, Deputy Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, and Deputy Works Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup.

Ismail Sabri said construction for the project had started this month and it is scheduled to be fully completed in three years in October 2024.

He said the route would also facilitate logistics and marketing of agricultural produce in Telusid and would also help promote tourism around Sandakan.

"The implementation of the Sabah Pan Borneo Highway proved the commitment of the federal government in developing a planned, systematic and efficient road infrastructure network for the Malaysian Family here.

"It is to ensure better socioeconomic development to benefit the people in this state in line with the 12th Malaysia Plan which is the Malaysian Family- A Prosperity, Inclusive and Sustainable Malaysia,” he said.

On concerns of internet access problems in the rural areas in Sabah, the Prime Minister said under the National Digital Network (Jendela) programme, the government has allocated RM3.5bil to build 534 telecommunication towers in Sabah.

Ismail Sabri said the government assures that the Jendela project would be completed in two years.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said there are 105 new projects costing RM1.9bil for Sabah among them, upgrading roads, electricity supply and clean water.

He said also approved was the construction of a new multi-purpose hall in Kota Kinabatangan costing RM6mil, a RM3mil Kota Kinabatangan public market and a waste disposal centre in Kinabatangan costing RM3mil.

Meanwhile, in the media conference after the ceremony, the Prime Minister said the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) is among the methods being studied to expedite the implementation of the Pan Borneo Highway.

"There are delays in the implementation (project) as the previous government cancelled the PDP (Project Delivery Partner) concept, therefore this time we must find a way to ensure the project is implemented fast for the people among them, PFI is being studied and discussed,” he said


Fiat Ducato My20 gives a commercial van car-like tech

UPDATE: A completely electric version, which implements Fiat Professional technologies will be available in 2020. The Ducato Electric is being developed through a pilot project. Fiat claims there is no trade-off in terms of load and performance. The electric version will be available to pre-order later this year. This version will start with a pilot scheme working with major clients.

TURIN: Fiat Professional has unveiled the specs of the latest version of its best-selling professional vehicle, the Ducato My20, revealing its new set of high-performance features.

Late last week, Fiat Professional announced the pricing and specs of the Ducato My20, a commercial van "with car-like style."

As one of the most versatile models within the portfolio, owners will be able to choose between 2.3-litre engines with 120hp, 140hp, 160hp, or 180hp. For the first time offered with a Ducato, the My20 version is available with 9-speed automatic transmission. This model comes standard with the brand's new EcoPack which integrates the Start & Stop system, a smart alternator and an electronically-controlled fuel pump.

Drivers will be able to alternate between three drive modes — Normal, Eco, and Power — to optimise energy consumption "no matter the specific task and route."

The My20 edition of the Ducato comes with more tech than any previous model, donning the company's most advanced driver assist system yet. Among the features available on the Ducato My20 are blind spot assist, traffic sign recognition, a rain and dusk sensor and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Starting in the second half of the year, the company will optionally upgrade the present infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen and USB port to a new system with Apple CarPlay and compatibility with Android Auto.

The Ducato My20 starts at £24,670 (about $31,200) for the 120hp version and is available for order now.

 The electric Ducato.


Ford shifts Focus production to China

                DETROIT/WASHINGTON: Ford Motor Co said on Tuesday it will move some production of its Focus small car to China and import the vehicles to the United States in a long-term bet on low oil prices and stable US-China trade relations despite recent tensions.

The move suggests China could play a much larger role in future vehicle production for North America, perhaps eclipsing Mexico as a low-cost manufacturing source.

Ford painted the production shift from Mexico to China, slated for mid-2019, as a purely financial move that will save the company US$500 million in reduced tooling costs.

But Ford also expects to ship about 80,000 vehicles to China this year, including the redesigned Lincoln Navigator luxury sport utility vehicle, which goes into production this fall at Ford's Kentucky truck plant.

Ford's decision to import its first vehicles from China to the United States is also the first major manufacturing investment decision made by new chief executive Jim Hackett, who succeeded Mark Fields in May. Discussion about the small-car production shift from Mexico to China began "a couple months ago" under Fields, said Joe Hinrichs, president of global operations.

The decision also signals a shift in strategy at Ford, which is responding to dwindling US consumer demand for small cars in favour of more expensive and more profitable trucks and SUVs. Cars accounted for more than 50 percent of US auto sales as recently as 2012, but have fallen to just 37 percent of sales this year.

Ford on Tuesday said it would invest US$900 million at the Kentucky truck plant to build the redesigned Navigator and Ford Expedition. It has contingency plans to build more of the big SUVs at an Ohio plant if demand grows.

In January, after US President Donald Trump repeatedly criticised Ford for shipping small-car manufacturing to Mexico, Ford said it would kill plans to build a US$1.8 billion Focus plant in San Luis Potosi and instead produce the new Focus at an existing plant in Hermosillo.

"The Ford decision shows how flexible multinational companies are in terms of geography," US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said in a statement. Trump did not address the issue on Tuesday.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Trump "wants to create a tax system (so) that companies want to come back and bring back jobs in manufacturing here in the United States."

Although it is cheaper to build and ship cars to the United States from Mexico than China, "this was not a variable cost decision," Hinrichs said in a briefing on Tuesday. "It allows us to free up a lot of capital" because Ford now has to retool only one plant - the existing Focus factory in Chongqing - rather than two to supply North America.

The current Focus will be phased out of production in Wayne, Michigan, in mid-2018, according to Hinrichs. The Wayne plant will begin building a new Ranger midsize truck in late 2018 and a Bronco midsize SUV in 2020.

Ford executives told Trump last year that moving production to Michigan of bigger vehicles that were more profitable would secure the Wayne plant's future - a decision later praised by Trump.

No US jobs will be affected by shifting Focus production to China, Ford said, adding that it employs more US hourly workers and builds more vehicles in the United States than any other automaker.

The United Auto Workers labour union declined to comment.

Hinrichs said "the capital saving outweighs the risk" of having to pay a potential border tax, or import tax, on the Chinese-built Focus.

Ford US Focus sales have fallen 22 percent this year, as low gas prices have helped spur more buyers into larger vehicles. Ford's full-size F-series pickup truck remains the best-selling US vehicle by a wide margin.

Unlike many consumer products, few Chinese-made vehicles are sold in the United States.

General Motors Co has been exporting Buick and Cadillac vehicles from China to the United States since last year, as has Volvo Cars, a unit of Chinese automaker Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd.


Renault-Nissan doubles down on autonomous cars

                LAS VEGAS: Renault-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn told a tech gathering the automaker is committed to self-driving cars, as he unveiled a series of initiatives to advance the technology.

Speaking at the Consumer Electronics Show here on Thursday, Ghosn said the Franco-Japanese group would adopt an autonomous system which keeps a human in the loop if something goes wrong with the technology.

He said the company would begin deploying its Seamless Autonomous Mobility (SAM) system which uses artificial intelligence and is derived from NASA technology. Under this system “the autonomous vehicle becomes smart enough to know when it should not attempt to negotiate the problem by itself,” and brings itself to a halt to request human assistance, a company statement said.

Ghosn said the new system is part of an effort to accelerate deployment of self-driving cars.

 Ghosn.

”We invite others to join us, as well, from tech partners to e-commerce companies, ride-hailing and car-sharing platforms, and social entrepreneurs who can help us to test and develop new vehicles and services, and make sure everyone has access to the latest technologies and services that bring value to their lives,” said Ghosn.

Maarten Sierhuis, who heads the company’s research center in Silicon Valley said that autonomous driving “is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.” He said the technology can solve numerous safety problems such as passing a stopped vehicle while calculating the ability to avoid oncoming or parallel traffic.

Renault-Nissan is among several automakers showcasing autonomous technology at the giant tech show, with some calling for these systems to become fully deployed within five years.

Renault-Nissan said it would begin testing vehicles designed for commercial use in designated zones in Japan this year in collaboration with Japanese Internet company DeNA.

By 2020, the two firms hope to expand the tests of driverless technology in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Ghosn also said the next version of the Nissan LEAF electric car would be equipped with its ProPilot technology, allowing autonomous operation on a highway while remaining in the same lane. This system was an option on the Serena MPV sold in Japan.


Suzuki's ultra-quick Hayabusa now comes in all white

                BERLIN: A white motorcycle in the rear view mirror might mean the police are behind you - unless it's the latest version of Suzuki's Hayabusa hyperbike, which now comes in white overalls.

The brilliant pearl white edition joins the existing black and orange and matt silver and red models launched in 2020 and is sure to prove popular. It sold out in India earlier this year.

The third-generation Hayabusa- the name means peregrine falcon in Japanese - gets a host of gadgetry.

Features include 10 lean angle-sensitive traction control modes, lean angle-sensitive ABS, a bi-directional quick-shifter, cruise control and a speed limiter.

The bike has three stages of launch control which allow the rider to get the most out of the re-jigged engine which has new pistons, conrods, crankshaft and camshaft. The Hayabusa can now dash from 0 to 100kph in just 3.1 seconds.

The new white bodywork of the Hayabusa is sharper and more angular than before with chrome trim and metallic stellar blue accents.

The bike comes with a 190 horsepower-rated 1.3-litre engine and will touch 300kph in standard trim although it is governed down to 295kph in some markets. The white Hayabusa retails at US$18,599 (RM79,000).


Cops hunt MPV driver for driving dangerously on Karak Highway

A screen grab from a car camera capturing the Alphard driver driving in a reckless manner

UPDATE:  The 43-year-old driver has been arrested on May 1 and detained for three days.

PETALING JAYA: Police are on the hunt for the driver of a white MPV for driving dangerously following a viral video.

The Toyota Alphard was seen overtaking in the emergency lane and provoking road users.

In a statement today, Gombak police chief ACP Zainal Mohamed Mohamed said the incident occurred along the Karak Highway heading towards Genting Sempah.

"Dashcam footage showed the suspect cutting off motorists and constantly braking his vehicle in attempts to provoke them.

"A background check also found that the vehicle had 56 outstanding traffic summonses," he said.

He added that a police report was made while efforts to identify the suspect were under way.

The dashcam owner was also urged to give a statement at the Gombak police station.

Those with information on the incident can contact investigating officer Insp Mohamad Suhaimi Tukiman at 013-755 7556 or 03-6126 2222.


Germany aims to scrap hybrid car aid earlier than planned

                BERLIN: Germany’s economy ministry wants to end subsidies for plug-in hybrid cars earlier than planned at the end of this year and cut a cash bonus for electric vehicles by a third from 2023, according to a person familiar with the plans.

The move is part of attempts to gear subsidies more towards climate protection and the legislation is currently being discussed by the relevant government ministries, according to the person, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential information.

The plan was first reported by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper.

Under the ministry’s proposals, the subsidy for electric cars will drop to €4,000 (RM18,318) next year, from €6,000 (RM27,477) now, and fall to €3,000 (RM13,738) for 2024 and 2025, the person said.

The ruling coalition had agreed in its blueprint for government to only provide support from next year for hybrid cars that are considered to have “a positive climate impact” and halt them completely by the end of 2025.

“We want to sharpen the focus of our support for e-cars and focus more on climate protection,” Economy Minister Robert Habeck, a member of the Greens party, was quoted as saying by the Funke media group.

“In our opinion, plug-in hybrids are marketable and no longer need public funding.”

Industry pushback

Industry balked at the planned aid cuts. Ending subsidies for hybrids early would “endanger the ramp-up of electric mobility and ignore the realities of consumers in Germany,” Hildegard Mueller, who heads the VDA carmaking lobby, said last Thursday in a statement.

“Plug-in hybrids serve as trailblazers for the transition to electric mobility.”

Mueller also complained that aid is tied to vehicles’ delivery date, creating uncertainty about buyers’ final bill because they often have to wait many months for their car due to supply-chain issues.

The proposals from the Greens-controlled ministry also prompted pushback from one of the party’s partners in government, the pro-business Free Democrats.

The ruling coalition shouldn’t deviate from its original subsidy plan as plug-in hybrids also contribute toward attaining climate goals, said Bernd Reuther, transport policy spokesman for the FDP.

“We have to make a transition to these vehicles as attractive as possible and subsidize them accordingly,” Reuther was quoted as saying by the Rheinische Post newspaper.


Mercedes-Benz C 300 e showcased

                KUALA LUMPUR: Following Mercedes-Benz Malaysia's launch of its flagship S 560 e and the subsequent showing of the EQC all-electric SUV, the company also showcased the C 300 e plugin hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) as well.

Unfortunately, this particular W205 PHEV model has not been confirmed to be able to touch Malaysian shores but if it did, however, it would arrive with a 2.0-litre (1,911cc) turbocharged engine producing 208hp at 5,500rpm and 350Nm of torque from 1,200 to 1,400rpm.

While working in conjunction with a 121hp electric motor, its total system output has been rated at 315hp and 700Nm while a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox manages power delivery to the rear wheels.

This allows the C 300 e to sprint from 0-100kph in 6.5 seconds before reaching a top speed of 250kph, and just like the S 560 e, it also has a 13.5kWh lithium-ion battery as well as an all-electric range of up to 50km.

Also, it takes about six hours to fully recharged the battery via a conventional domestic power socket and almost an hour and 50 minutes with a dedicated wallbox.

With the car starting in Hybrid mode as standard, owners can also opt to further configure the vehicle in three other modes that include E-mode (full-electric drive), E-Save (reserves the battery for later) and Charge (recharges the battery while driving about).

With 19-inch AMG five-twin-spoke alloy wheels fitted with 225/40 series tyres, this German PHEV from Stuttgart also possesses a pair of front Multibeam LED headlamps - each using 84 LEDs, an Airmatic suspension system and a panoramic sunroof.

The cabin gets graced by the AMG Line interior that includes black leather upholstery as well as open-pore black ash wood accents and black roof-liner.

The infotainment unit uses an Audio 20 radio navigation unit paired to the Burmester sound system that comes integrated with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity and wireless charging among others.

Also, the C 300 e also comes with a 12.3-inch instrument display for the driver, a 10.25-inch central touchscreen display, keyless-entry with push-start button.

It is also accompanied by Dynamic Body Control (continuously adjustable front and rear axle damping) as well as Active Brake Assist and Pre-Safe Plus which initiates preventive occupant protection measures if a rear-end collision is detected.


Subaru charts milestone with over 20 million AWD vehicles produced

                NEW YORK: Subaru has produced over 20 million all-wheel drive vehicles as of June this year.

Subaru Corporation of Japan, parent company of Subaru of America (SOA), achieved this milestone in the 49th year since the company introduced the Subaru Leone 4WD Estate Van, Japan's first mass-produced all-wheel drive passenger vehicle, in 1972.

All-wheel drive models currently account for 98 percent of Subaru’s global sales, and all of these models feature Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD).

The most distinctive feature of the Subaru Symmetrical AWD system is a symmetrically-laid-out drivetrain paired with a longitudinally-mounted Subaru BOXER engine positioned in line with it.

The combination of the low centre of gravity provided by the BOXER engine along with the superior weight balance of the symmetrical drivetrain maximise stability and traction intrinsic to AWD, offering superb driving performance in a variety of weather and road conditions.

In 1975, the US was introduced to Subaru’s “On-Demand” 4WD when it became available for the DL/GL wagon.

The system allowed drivers to switch from front-wheel to four-wheel drive while on the go, by simply pulling a lever next to the shifter.

The second-generation system, called Full-Time 4WD, was available on most models from the late-80s to early 90s. The system eventually evolved into one of the manufacturer’s core technologies: Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

In 1996, SOA decided to include Subaru Symmetrical AWD as standard across all model lines. The decision underpinned the manufacturer’s commitment to safety, capability, and driving enjoyment. To this day, all Subaru models (excluding the BRZ sports car) are equipped with standard Symmetrical AWD.

Subaru has refined its AWD technology for nearly half a century and will incorporate it into upcoming electrified models, including the global all-electric SUV “SOLTERRA”.


Car and motorcycle makers are adding electric bicycles to their range

                PARIS: Some of the biggest names in car and motorcycle manufacturing are now getting involved in what is referred to as "soft mobility."

Many of them are producing their own electric bicycles, a phenomenon that has been growing steadily for the past two years. The latest example is Yamaha.

The Japanese giant, already involved in the construction of engines for other brands, is now launching its own range of electric bicycles or e-bikes. In the United States, there will be two models — an 'adventure' model and a 'commuter' model, set to be available this summer.

Yamaha is getting on board a trend that is already well on its way. A growing number of motorcycle manufacturers have already released their first e-bikes, such as BMW, Kawasaki, Ducati and even Harley-Davidson!

And it's a similar trend for car manufacturers.

Historically, many of them have already offered bicycles in the past, with varying degrees of success.

However, the rise of electric models is reviving this trend like never before. Among the manufacturers that have already taken the plunge are Mercedes, Peugeot and, most recently, Porsche.

Some, like SEAT, Mercedes and even Lamborghini, are even producing electric scooters.


Beam Mobility launches central warehouse in Subang Jaya

                SUBANG JAYA: Asia Pacific’s largest micromobility operator, Beam Mobility, has launched its Malaysian central warehouse in Subang Jaya, Selangor.

The 8,000 sq ft central warehouse services Beam's operations in Selangor, ensuring a steady supply of fully charged batteries and other hardware maintenance to its e-scooters' fleet.

It will be Beam's main distribution, repair and hardware testing hub in Malaysia, as well as the primary hub for receiving overseas shipment and dispatching spare parts to other Beam warehouses in Malaysia.

Beam currently operates in Kuala Lumpur, Ampang Jaya, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam, Kuantan, and Langkawi, and continues to bring its micromobility sharing services to different communities.

The new central warehouse is also expected to service an average of 30 Beam e-scooters daily.

This ensures that the micromobility provider’s fleet of e-scooters in the state is constantly in tip-top condition.

Each vehicle is embedded with a GPS-tracking Internet of Things (IoT) device so that Beam can keep track of each e-scooter’s systems that alert the Beam team when an e-scooter should be brought back to the warehouse for maintenance.

The IoT device also enables Beam to know exactly which e-scooters need to be tended to, its exact location for pick-up, and gives them the ability to takean e-scooter “offline” via the Beam App.

A team of full-time staff including technicians and supervisors run and operate the central warehouse.

“This warehouse enables us to have an efficient supply chain for Beam’s services and continue creating job opportunities, especially in the gig economy, ” said Justin Tiew, general manager of Beam Mobility Malaysia.

Tiew added that this creates more opportunities for local talents to find jobs as Beam Rangers, the on-ground operations team who regularly patrol the streets of Klang Valley to collect, distribute, and maintain Beam’s shared e-scooters.

Also, with the central warehouse, should unusable parts be found during the repair works, Beam will  actively source for reliable partners to have these parts recycled and effectively reduce wastage.


Bentley Continental GT First Edition gets a showing in Penang

                PENANG: The new Bentley Continental GT First Edition made its first public appearance at Penang Rendezvous today.

"We are very excited to present Bentley’s latest Grand Tourer in Penang in conjunction with Pen Marine and Princess Yachts Malaysia’s participation at the Penang Rendezvous. We expect our first GTs to arrive later in the quarter, with a limited number of cars available for the year that have not already been spoken for," said Wearnes Quest managing director Jerry Lee.

The high-performance luxury Grand Tourer (GT) is a limited-production vehicle touted to combine all of the finest features available to make it the most luxurious ever produced.

Being featured alongside the GT is the Princess S65 yacht that shares the same philosophy of blending luxury with performance.

“Princess Yachts are duteously crafted for those who demand a quality lifestyle and an unforgettable experience. The global partnership between Bentley and Princess Yachts enables us to come together to provide our customers with an exceptional experience beyond land and shores”, said Pen Marine (Official dealer for Princess Yachts in Malaysia) managing director Oh Kean Shen.

From now to July 29, the new Continental GT First Edition and Princess S65 yacht will be on display at the Penang Rendezvous, Straits Quay Marina, Penang.


A chaotic market for one sensor stalls self-driving cars

File pic of a Velodyne LiDAR sensor is seen mounted on a self-driving vehicle during a self-racing cars event at Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, California in 2017. — Reuters
GENEVA: Automakers and technology companies racing to develop self-driving vehicles are running into a problem: cars that can think are no good without affordable and reliable technology that allows cars to see.

With the notable exception of Elon Musk’s Tesla Inc, most automakers have said their self-driving cars will rely on a detection system known as lidar. The state of the art sensors use laser light pulses to render precise images of the environment around the car.

Pressure to launch self-driving cars is already pushing many players to place bets on the technology. General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co and BMW are expected to deploy sensors from well-funded lidar startups Velodyne and Innoviz on their initial self-driving cars over the next two years.

More than US$1 billion in corporate and private investment has been plowed into some 50 lidar startups over the past three years, including a record US$420 million in 2018, according to a Reuters analysis of publicly available investment data.

Velodyne and Swedish supplier Veoneer Inc will provide lidar for Ford’s first automated vehicle in mid-2021, according to a source familiar with the project. Velodyne President Marta Hall describes the program as “a billion-dollar-plus deal” for the privately held lidar pioneer, whose $75,000 HDL-64E can be seen on the roofs of many self-driving prototypes in Silicon Valley.

But automakers and large suppliers have yet to settle on a winning technology, meaning there are no real sector standards for the sensors to date that would encourage mass production and lower the cost.

The initial payoff for investors and startups looks thin. Automotive lidar is expected to generate only $2.5 billion in revenue by 2025, according to industry researcher IHS Markit.

“You can overcome certain things with additional capital, but you can’t overcome physics” in trying to rapidly develop, package and implement the latest lidar technology, said Austin Russell, chief executive and co-founder of lidar startup Luminar, which has funding from Volvo Cars and development deals with Toyota Motor Corp and Volkswagen AG’s Audi brand.

“That’s the fundamental barrier that’s holding the vast majority of the industry behind.”

Interviews with two dozen executives at startups, automakers, suppliers, investment and research firms underscored that there is plenty of chatter, but little consensus on lidar.

Toyota has partnered with several lidar startups, including Blackmore and Luminar, but the Japanese automaker continues to evaluate new sensing technologies and is not keen for a shakeout to start yet, said Ryan Eustice, senior vice president of automated driving at Toyota Research Institute.

“We want to see an ecosystem happen. There’s a diversity of technology that we’d like to gauge (and) different strengths and weaknesses in how you approach the technology. It’s also good to have competitive market pressure,” Eustice said.

Eventually, the lidar sector could be squeezed down to just five or six key players — as happened with the far more mature radar sensor technology. But that is not likely to unfold until after 2025 and perhaps not until 2030, executives and researchers told Reuters.

“It’s going to be a long runway,” IHS Senior Analyst Jeremy Carlson said.

That presents a big risk: investing in technology that may be obsolete by the time large numbers of those vehicles start rolling off assembly lines after 2025.

If a vehicle assembler gets “too wrapped up in a technology, you might be at a disadvantage” because a newer, less expensive system could come along, said Chris Heiser, CEO of automated vehicle software company Renovo.

Even experts do not seem to agree on the etymology of the name lidar, which is either a mashup of light and radar, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, or an acronym for light detection and ranging (or, in some references, laser detection and ranging).

Nor is there full agreement on whether lidar is really necessary to make self-driving cars work.

Tesla CEO Musk insists the electric carmaker’s so-called “Autopilot” system does not need it, relying instead on a combination of radar, cameras and software.

Lidar remains a relatively young technology that is still in flux, with bulky electromechanical devices such as Velodyne’s popular rooftop unit rapidly transitioning to newer, more compact and more capable solid-state devices designed to sell for less than US$10,000 in limited quantities, and eventually as little as US$200 in mass production.

“This requires quantum leaps in innovation in lidar technology,” Thomas Sedran, in charge of evaluating Volkswagen’s autonomous strategy in commercial vehicles, told Reuters Tuesday at the Geneva motor show of the need to cut costs.

Aptiv PLC has been among the most active suppliers in developing automated driving systems, investing in three lidar startups: Innoviz, Quanergy and LeddarTech. It is also a key supplier of automotive radar, a sensing technology often paired with lidar.

Glen De Vos, Aptiv’s chief technology officer, said lidar could follow radar’s extended maturation process, with technology, size, cost and reliability optimized over time as demand and production volume ramp up.

“It takes a few generations and iterations for that cost curve to come down,” he said. “It could be a five- to 10-year process.”


Geely and Volvo to launch powertrain venture after merger scrapped

                BEIJING: Geely Automobile and sister company Volvo Cars will abandon merger plans but launch a new entity to combine their powertrain operations and expand cooperation on electric vehicles, the companies said today.

A year ago, the two said they were planning to merge and list in Hong Kong and possibly Stockholm, giving Volvo access to public markets, as global automakers pursue alliances to respond better to the cost of the transition to electric cars, tougher emission rules and autonomous driving.

In a joint statement today, Geely Automobiles and Volvo Cars said they would perserve their existing separate corporate structures after “a detailed review of combination options”.

They said, however, they would launch a new company to combine their existing powertrain operations.

The new entity, expected to become operational this year, will provide engines, transmissions systems and petrol-electric hybrid systems for use by both companies as well as other automakers.

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, Geely Automobile’s parent, bought Volvo Cars from Ford Motor Co in 2010. Last year Geely Automobile sold 1.32 million cars while Volvo Cars sold 661,713 vehicles.


Jay Leno launches own car care line

                LOS ANGELES: Comedian, erstwhile talk-show host and life-long car obsessive Jay Leno is putting his name to a range of products for cleaning and detailing.

Developed in partnership with AP51, the cleaning and detailing line has taken eight years to perfect.
Branded "Jay Leno's Garage" after the comedian's immense car and motorcycle storage facility and the web series and subsequent TV show the garage has spawned, the range will initially launch as a seven-piece kit. However, it will eventually grow into a larger range of individual products and items including individual waxes, soaps, and dressings.

Leno and AP51 are quick to point out that the tie-in isn't a gimmick and that every product is about delivering best-in-class results while remaining easy to use.

"We've poured our blood, sweat and tears into formulating products that meet Jay's standards. It was a tough bar to reach. Most car-guys would only dream of showing their beloved baby at a show like Pebble Beach's Concours d'Elegance, [where professional detailing is a necessity] but Jay has upwards of five cars in his collection that have not only shown, but won at that event," said Jeremy Porrazzo of AP51.


US buyer gets first Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport

                PARIS: The first Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport has been delivered to a customer in the United States.

Bugatti Greenwich, official dealer partner of the French luxury brand in Connecticut, recently handed over to its customer the keys

Like every Bugatti, the first Chiron Pur Sport is unique and individualized by its new owner.

On the outside, the upper part of the vehicle is dominated by Quartz White with Pur Sport Split in Grey Carbon, while the lower part is also in grey exposed carbon.

The entire roof, rear wing, horseshoe and side mirrors are also in Grey Carbon, with accents in "Gun Powder". The icing on the cake: the optional Sky View, which gives the driver a view of the sky. The Pur Sport colour split contrasts with the "Italian Red" leather interior.

Bugatti has calibrated the Chiron Pur Sport for agility, handling and driving performance. In addition to immense power; it also offers a high level of comfort and is designed for everyday use.

It is powered by an 8.0 litre W16 engine delivering 1,500 PS and 1,600Nm that is designed for an engine speed of up to 6,900 rpm in the Chiron Pur Sport.

With the assistance of a 15 percent shorter transmission ratio, the Chiron Pur Sport accelerates even aster than the Chiron.

The Chiron Pur Sport catapults from zero to 100kph in just 2.3 seconds, to 200kph in 5.5 seconds and to 30kph in less than 12 seconds. Compared to the Chiron, the new model’s elasticity has improved to 3.4 seconds in the 60 to 100kph range and to just 2.4 seconds from 80 to 120kph. Grip-optimised tyres and sophisticated aerodynamics with a fixed rear wing ensure more downforce and lateral dynamics.

Only 60 units would be produced, each priced at €3 million (RM15mil).


Testers give airbag jackets high marks in protecting motorcyclists

                BERLIN: For motorcyclists, any chance to minimise damage from an accident is worth it, and according to a test by a European motoring association, airbag jackets fit the bill, offering extra protection.

The ADAC tested three different models, all of which it ranked as "good." The airbag jackets required about 80 milliseconds from the initial impact until full inflation. Were the motorcyclists to crash into a car, the protection would be there in time, found the ADAC.

The new models have their own independent sensor technology and can also be used autonomously - no more extra components on the bike.

There were just a few minor differences in handling and repair.

For example, the eVest from Held/In&Motion, which costs around 750 euros, can be repaired by the user after being triggered. The other two models - Tech-Air Street-e System from Alpinestars at 850 euros and the D-Air Street Smart JKT from Dainese at 600 euros - must be serviced by the manufacturer or a dealer.

It's worth noting that the model from Dainese is the only one that could also be combined with any suitable protective clothing.


Jaguar Land Rover makes it easier now to own, subscribe or rent

                LONDON: Jaguar Land Rover has overhauled its online website and now offers three ways for customers to use its vehicles: own, subscribe or rent.

Launched in early 2019, the online showroom and fully online purchasing facility of jaguar.co.uk and landrover.co.uk has evolved to offer customers the ultimate in convenience when making their dream purchase.

Customers can configure their new vehicle, selecting engine, specification and options – across any Jaguar or Land Rover model – and proceed to purchase that vehicle entirely online, should they choose.

A selection of payment options are available; cash payment, Personal Contract Purchase or Hire Purchase. Customers can get a valuation on their existing vehicle for part exchange, make a finance application and put down a deposit in one online visit.

Finance customers can even push the boundaries of personalisation; full visibility of monthly payments rise and fall when optional features are added or removed.

As part of the platform’s evolution, a sleek, sophisticated look and feel has been introduced to complement the clean and simple user journey, now with fewer steps.


JPJ issues 1,268 summonses in Johor ops

                JOHOR BARU: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) issued 1,268 summonses through Ops Topi Keledar from Nov 17 to Nov 19, with most being issued using the "invisible enforcement” method.

Acting Johor JPJ director Azmil Zainal Adnan said, from the total, 855 summons were issued after the department confirmed the offences were committed by motorcycle riders and pillion passengers using their phones.

He said the operation was conducted simultaneously in three districts, namely Johor Baru, Muar and Pontian.

“Johor JPJ is supplied with 11 Go Pro camera units, eight dashcam units and DSLR cameras to conduct “invisible enforcement:” It is to ensure our personnel’s safety in line with the new norms following the Covid-19 pandemic.” he told a press conference at the Johor JPJ headquarters on Monday.

He added that the digital equipment has been used previously, but its use by Johor JPJ had increased since the pandemic.

He said Go Pro cameras were placed on the helmets of JPJ motorcycle enforcement unit personnel while the eight dashcam units were installed in JPJ enforcement vehicles.

The equipment were used to record photos and videos of offences made by road users and the number of dashcams did not include those personally bought by Johor JPJ enforcement officers and personnel, he said.

According to Azmil, the digital equipment were used because most complaints to JPJ from the public include videos and photos about traffic violations which were unclear and blurry.

“We receive blurry video recordings which render it hard for us to take action, especially if we zoom in on the registration number, because we cannot see it clearly.

"We also can’t confirm complaints regarding vehicles overtaking other vehicles at double lines or from the left lane because the photos provided were static photos,” he added.

According Azmil, incomplete complaints had to be rejected because incomplete evidence would hinder the prosecution process in court.

He also advised anyone wishing to lodge a complaint to provide clear and detailed visuals relating to the offence committed to help the JPJ track down the culprit.

In the three-day operation, 1,240 offences were recorded, involving various motorcycling violations, the most being not wearing a helmet, with 1,150 summonses.

Other violations recorded include expired road tax, no insurance, cutting queues, not obeying traffic lights and using mobile phones.


JPJ to auction off 100 seized vehicles, including Merc and BMW

File pic of seized cars for auction.
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 100 seized vehicles, including Mercedes-Benz and BMW, will be up for auction next month, says Datuk Ismail Mohd Zawawi.

The Kuala Lumpur Road Transport Department (JPJ) director said the vehicles – 34 motorcycles and 66 cars – will be auctioned off on Oct 9 at the state headquarters along Jalan Genting Klang from 9am onwards.

"The auction book will be sold at KL JPJ's Financial Unit from Sept 25 till Oct 8 between 8.30am and 4pm.

"Auction documents will not be sold on the day of the public auction," he told a press conference at the city JPJ headquarters today.

Public viewing of the vehicles by those who bought the auction books would be held on Oct 7 and Oct 8 between 10am and 3.30pm, he added.

"On the day of the auction, there are limited number of places so only two people representing each buyer are allowed in the auction hall," he said.

Ismail said the auction items were categorised as licensed vehicles (which means they can be used on the road) and scrap.

“For the vehicles that must be scrapped, only licensed scrap metal operators are allowed to bid.

“The operators must bring the equipment to dismantle the vehicles to the JPJ office, and they will be provided space to do so, ” he said.

When cars are seized, the owner is given about three months to claim the car by paying the respective fines or summonses.

"If the owners fail to do so, the department will begin the process to strip and change the ownership of the car by the fourth month. However, such procedures are not applicable for cloned cars," Ismail said.

He added this was the second time this year that the department was holding such an auction, with the first one on April 30.

"A total of 100 vehicles, including 66 cars, worth a total of RM1,053,250 were successfully auctioned.

"Of the 66 cars, 64 of them were cloned cars," he said.

Ismail said many people opted to buy cloned cars, mostly supplied from Singapore as they were 40% to 50% cheaper compared to the authentic ones.

"It is still against the law, thus the people should not go down this easy route.

"It is very sad that some people even took personal loans to purchase the clone cars but in the end, as it is illegal, the car is seized. The buyers are strapped with debts for a car they cannot own and they also have to face the consequences of the law," he said.

Those interested to join the auction can contact KL JPJ Seizure Unit at 03-41450846.


Honda WR-V:  Seize the day

                Sales of subcompact SUVs are on a strong footing. And Honda wants a piece of the action.

It has decided to jettison the three-row, 7 seat BR-V in favour of an even smaller SUV it believes will prove to be one of its big hitters – if not the biggest.

Positioned below the HR-V, the new WR-V is Honda’s weaponry to go up against the Perodua Ativa – and even the ever-popular Proton X50.

This makes it the first mainstream Japanese automaker to introduce a small SUV in the non-national segment.

The WR-V is closer in size to the Ativa, being a good 7cm wider, while losing out in length, height and wheelbase. The size disparity with the larger X50 is even more pronounced, with the Proton beating it in every dimension.

Still for many people who prefer a non-national small SUV, the Honda alternative would be a fresh and interesting choice.

Honda Malaysia on Monday opened bookings for the WR-V ahead of its launch in the third quarter of this year.

Even before that, it had been busy preparing for the coming of its hot little four-wheeler.

Late last month, it organised a drive for the Malaysian media in Thailand, where journos got acquainted with the Thai-specced WR-V.

In Thailand, the WR-V is imported from Indonesia and offered in two grades, namely the SV at 799,000 baht (RM105,174) and RS at 869,000 baht (RM114,388).

Looks & features

All five test cars made available were the RS variant.

The 5-seat WR-V, now in its second generation, is based on the current City platform.

The WR-V is an attractive package and will appeal to a wide cross-section of the public beyond just the young demographic the vehicle is aimed at.

The WR-V has pleasing proportions and characterised by short overhangs at both ends for an athletic appearance. With 220mm of ground clearance, it rides high as befits an SUV.

The grille with chrome bits stretches to meld with the slim LED headlamps, underlined by LED daytime running lights. In fact, all RS exterior lightings are LED-based and that includes the front fog lights and sequential turn signals.

The side view shows off 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels framed by black plastic claddings, power retractable door mirrors and hidden rear door handles ala the HR-V. Too bad the roof rails are plastic and just for show.

The rear is clean and pleasant to look at with slim horizontal LED lights.

A newly designed RS emblem is affixed to the back and grille to tell everyone its owner is driving nothing less than the top model variant.

The interior is generally fine.

The dash is reminiscent of the latest BR-V, featuring air-cond vents sitting atop the dash with a smallish 7-inch infotainment touchscreen underneath that supports wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The instrument cluster comprises two analogue dials separated by a 4.2-inch TFT multi-information display.

Upholstery is wrapped in synthetic leather and fabric combo with red stitchings in compliance with the RS template.

Red stitchings on the leather steering wheel, red trim on the dash inserts as well as a dark interior amplify the sporty ambience of the WR-V.

The presence of a centre armrest in both rows and six cupholders are a nod to comfort and practicality.

While these are attempts to make the cabin feel premium, there are other elements in there that signal the WR-V is building to a price point.

These show up in the hard plastic door panels, manually adjustable front seats, a hand-operated parking brake, absence of air-cond vents in the rear and only the front passenger seat having a seatback pocket.

Boot space at 380l is not particularly spacious but it’s a good size for a small SUV. And it beats the Ativa and X50 in that aspect. More storage opens up with back seats folded forward in 60:40 configuration.

Hit the road

The WR-V is powered by a 1.5-litre 1.5L i-VTEC DOHC engine which produces 119hp at 6,600rpm and 145Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm. This is the same mill found in the City, BR-V and HR-V (S variant).

Power is put down to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The route from Bangkok to Pattaya and Rayong was mostly highways with short stints on trunk roads.

When driven sensibly, the WR-V is a picture of efficiency and quietness until it’s called upon to accelerate hard, whereby the CVT gets noisier as the car gathers speed.

Honda may have improved its CVT over the years but the rubber band effect from all those belts and pulleys still exists — where hard throttle input is not instantly matched by power delivery to the wheels. However, flipping the paddle shifters or switching to Sport mode takes the edge off it, injecting more pep and vigour in the drive.

The WR-V is comfortably refined and quiet at around 110kph but go faster and you start hearing wind noise being more noticeable around the A-pillars and wing mirrors as well as tyre roar.

There’s not much in the way of steering feel, and the ride is on the comfort side of firm as the SUV manages corners with restrained bodyroll.

The body remains composed at highway speeds without any twitchiness that may be expected of a lightweight high-riding vehicle.

Its 5m turning radius makes it easy to maneouvre in tight spots and high ground clearance keep potholes and speed bumps from doing harm to the undercarriage.

Visibility all round is good at the wheel. Front seats with side bolsters are supportive and holds the body in place especially when going at boisterous speeds.

Rear seat space has enough legroom, headroom and elbow room, with seatbacks angled back to provide comfortable support for the long drive.

A bit more thigh support for tall people would have been appreciated but averaged-sized adults would have no issue.

The WR-V is built to be fuel efficient. Combined fuel consumption is officially rated at 5.9l/100km but it’s still a fuel sipper if it turns in real world numbers of under 7l/100km as recorded in the media drive.

What will sweetened the deal is the fact Honda Sensing is standard kit in the SV and RS variants - at least in Thailand.

The Honda Sensing safety suite consists of Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation System With Lane Departure Warning (RDM with LDW), Auto High-Beam (AHB), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN).

The RS also gets LaneWatch, which uses a camera installed below the left, passenger-side mirror to relay an image of the area on the left side of the vehicle to the centre screen. This makes it easier and safer to change lanes or make turns.

To sum up

Honda says the name WR-V stands for “Winsome Runabout Vehicle”. After two days with the car, we are inclined to agree it’s winsome in more ways than one.

As Honda’s budget SUV, the WR-V makes for a great urban runabout and can do the occasional outstation run with aplomb.

It’s got a balance of power, features and road-going manners to make it worthy of consideration.

It’s now up to Honda Malaysia to price it right for it to capture the public imagination.


Mercedes-Benz E-Class gets a raft of upgrades

                STUTTGART: Mercedes-Benz has upgraded the E-Class for a more sporty styling, with the front sections in particular being given a fresh look.

The all-LED headlamps have been given flatter housings, while the interior of the LED tail lights has been reworked.

The technical enhancements include electrified petrol and diesel engines with integrated starter-generator, the next generation of driving assistance systems and the MBUX infotainment system (Mercedes-Benz User Experience). The new E-Class will land in European showrooms in autumn and the rest of the world after that.

With over 14 million Saloon, Estate, Coupé and Cabriolet models delivered since 1946, the E-Class is the best-selling model series in the history of Mercedes-Benz. Many regard it as the "heart of the brand".

The 10th generation of the E-Class set styling trends with its clean yet emotionally appealing design, and an exclusive, high-quality interior. The Saloon and Estate entered the market in the spring and autumn of 2016, with the Coupé and Cabriolet following in the spring and summer of 2017.

To date, more than 1.2 million customers around the world have bought a current-generation E-Class.

The E-Class line-up

The entry-level model now comes with the sporty Avantgarde Line exterior. As a result, the base model of the E-Class features a central star at the front for the first time. The grille of the Avantgarde Line was redesigned with two chrome louvres and vertical high-gloss black struts. Chrome and high-gloss black trim elements in the front bumper underscore the sporty and elegant appearance.

The Exclusive Line also comes with a special grille, with the upright star on the bonnet and the large chrome elements in the front bumper emphasise this positioning.

The AMG Line with a new bumper in the style of the AMG Performance models looks even sportier. In addition, Avantgarde, AMG Line and All-Terrain feature a bonnet with powerdomes. The E-Class features all-LED headlamps as standard. MULTIBEAM LED headlamps including ULTRA RANGE high beams are available as optional equipment.

The designers also updated the Saloon's rear end with a new bumper, two-section tail lights and a new boot lid. The inner design of the tail lights has been revised for all models.

 E 300 e 4MATIC; .

The All-Terrain is visually more similar to the SUV models. In addition, signature All-Terrain components such as the radiator grille or the simulated underguard now sport a high-gloss chrome finish rather than the previous silver shadow hue.

The three new paint colours available for the E-Class as part of the model refresh go by the names high-tech silver, graphite grey metallic and mojave silver. The wheel line-up has been expanded and now includes aero wheels, which also contribute to saving fuel and thus to sustainability.

With regards to the Cabriolet and Coupé, the front section design of these dream cars has been revised and sharpened. The more dynamic impression comes courtesy of flatter headlamps which, even in the entry-level models, feature all-LED technology. The inner workings of these LED High Performance headlamps are worth a mention. Among the hallmark Mercedes-Benz design features are the torch-flame effect and two non-illuminated pins. With the optionally available MULTIBEAM LED headlamps, the latter are lit.

The "A-shape" design of the new diamond radiator grille, which is likewise standard on all versions, adds a dynamic touch. The grille also features chrome-plated dots, a single louvre and the Mercedes star in the centre.

A new highlight of the muscular rear section is the completely redesigned inner workings of the two-section tail lights, featuring LED technology. The star module with integrated reversing camera is inset into the boot lid.

The four paint colours newly available for the E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet as part of the facelift go by the names high-tech silver, graphite grey metallic, mojave silver and patagonia red (designo). The wheel line-up has also been expanded. It also includes aero wheels, whose special design contributes to fuel economy and sustainability.

Latest MBUX multimedia system (Mercedes-Benz User Experience)

As standard the E-Class models include two large 10.25-inch/26 cm screens, which are arranged side by side to give a widescreen effect. Two 12.3-inch/31.2 cm screens are optionally available. The information in the instrument cluster and on the media display is easily legible on the large, high-resolution screens.

Powertrain electrification

For the first time, the four-cylinder diesel (OM 654 M) and petrol (M 254) engines feature a second-generation integrated starter-generator (ISG) producing up to 15 kW of additional output and 200 Nm more torque.

Both engines are highly efficient thanks to energy recovery and the ability to "glide". This technology is also standard equipment for the six-cylinder petrol engines available for the first time in the E-Class.

There are also seven plug-in hybrid variants of the Saloon and Estate. This EQ Power is available in combination with diesel and petrol engines. The line-up of high-efficiency, low-emission and powerful petrol engines will cover an output range from 115 to 270 kW, while the diesel spectrum spans from 118 to 243 kW.

Interior changes

The E-Class is fitted with an entirely new steering wheel as part of the facelift. This is available as a leather steering wheel and in a Supersport variant. The control surfaces sport a high-gloss black finish, while the trim elements and surrounds have a silver shadow finish.

The functions of the instrument cluster and media display are operated using touch controls, the physical principle of which has been changed from optical to capacitive.

Other advanced driving assistance systems include:

> Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC with route-based speed adjustment
> Active Stop-and-Go Assist
> Active Steering Assist
> Active Brake Assist; in the Driving Assistance Package now also with turning manoeuvre function
> Active Blind Spot Assist – now also with exit warning
> Parking Package in conjunction with 360° camera: newly expanded side view and for the first time automatic parking not only in parallel and end-on parking spaces, but also on marked areas.

New appointment colours and materials upgrade the interior of the Saloon and Estate. These include the new colour combinations magma grey/neva grey (Avantgarde), black/nut brown (Exclusive) and magma grey/macchiato beige (Exclusive), and trim in silver open-pore ash wood, fondant burr walnut wood, brushed aluminium and aluminium with a carbon grain. There are also new trim options for the Coupé and Cabriolet – grey open-pore ash wood and light aluminium with carbon-fibre grain.

The seats combine hallmark Mercedes-Benz long-distance suitability with avant-garde design. While providing a high level of comfort, they ensure good support in dynamic driving situations. The adaptive driver's seat adjustment is a particularly intelligent feature: when the driver's height is entered in the media display or via Mercedes me, the seat automatically moves into a position generally suitable for someone of that height, which then only needs to be fine-tuned by the driver.

In the Saloon and Estate, the design of the front seats accentuates the sporty aura of the interior. They offer strong lateral support as well as comfort. The seat contour follows the pronounced side bolsters and, depending on the specification, the centre section has sporty transverse or modern longitudinal seams. The colours of the centre sections of the seat backrest and cushion are matched to the overall sculpture of the seats. Numerous material combinations ranging from fabric to ARTICO man-made leather to embossed leather to nappa leather with diamond quilting are possible.

The integral-look sports seats of these two dream cars feature prominent side bolsters and integrated head restraints. The seat contour follows the pronounced side bolsters and, depending on the specification, the centre section has sporty transverse or modern longitudinal seams. The colours of the centre sections of the seat backrest and cushion are coordinated with the overall sculpture of the seats. Numerous material combinations ranging from fabric to ARTICO man-made leather, embossed leather, nappa leather with diamond quilting and even sun-reflecting leather (for the Cabriolet) are all possible.

URBAN GUARD protection

The optional packages URBAN GUARD Vehicle Protection and URBAN GUARD Vehicle Protection Plus are available for the E-Class. URBAN GUARD comprises an anti-theft alarm system, tow-away protection with visual and audible warning in case of a detected change in position, an alarm siren, interior monitoring and preinstallation for theft and parking collision detection. In addition, URBAN GUARD Vehicle Protection Plus is able to pinpoint the location of stolen vehicles.


Kia Optima GT launched

                KUALA LUMPUR: Naza Kia Malaysia, the official distributor of Kia vehicles in Malaysia, unveiled the all-new fourth-generation Kia Optima GT sedan priced at RM179,888 (on-the-road with insurance).

The all-new Kia Optima GT, which is only available in GT trim, is powered by the new Theta II 2.0 T-GDI turbocharged petrol engine, which is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain produces 242hp at 6,000rpm and an impressive 350Nm of torque from just 1,400rpm.

This makes the all-new Kia Optima GT one of the most powerful in its class and on par with some of the more powerful European sedans.

 George poses next to the new Kia Optima GT at the launch event.

The all-new Kia Optima GT is the fourth Kia model to be introduced locally this year, and picks up from the third-generation Optima which was popular among Malaysians.

“What you are about to witness today from Kia is the ultimate expression of performance and contemporary styling; a 'class above' the rest; a result of many months of hard work, research and development by our team with the collective support of Kia Motors Corporation”, said Group COO, Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd, Datuk Samson Anand George at the launch event held at Naza Tower, Platinum Park Kuala Lumpur.

The new car sports a more aggressive and sporty design that includes a new Dot Array Mesh Satin Chrome front signature grille, a sporty front bumper as well as a new rear bumper that incorporates dual exhausts and a diffuser. It also features LED headlights with Daytime Running Lights.

The headlights are primed with the new Dynamic Bending Light technology that turns the lights according to the angle of the steering wheel, illuminating dark corners and thus enhancing overall safety of the car.

“The GT spec gives the Optima a number of impressive features like the LED headlights that bend to illuminate dark corners. Customers will also appreciate the spaciousness of the GT, which is complemented by the electronically operated panoramic roof. There are other conveniences too like the smart trunk , smart phone wireless charger, automatic headlights and wipers, drive modes selection remote window control and electric seats with memory function, just to name a few,” said George.

The all-new Kia Optima GT has grown compared to its predecessor. It is 10mm longer, 30mm wider, 10mm higher and has a longer wheelbase of 10mm.

As such, the interior has more passenger space with 10mm more headroom, 25mm more legroom, 17mm more shoulder room at the rear and 20mm more shoulder space up front.

Inside the all-new Kia Optima GT is covered in  leather and high quality polymer while the door panels are lined with soft leather as are the seats.

The real aluminum trim around the centre console and the pedals gives the car a sporty ambiance. The centre fascia too has been angled towards the driver by 8.5 degrees, and the flat-bottom D-Shaped steering wheel also complements the sporty character of the car.

The driver's seat has memory function (Intelligent Memory Seat – IMS) and adjustable in 12 different ways while the front passenger has a 10 ways adjustable seat. The seats are also ventilated and blow cool air to the back of the driver and passenger.

Making its debut in the all-new Kia Optima GT is the new smart phone wireless charger, which uses an electromagnetic field to charge a phone. The charger also has an overheat protection that detects the temperature of the thermistor in the wireless charger module and turns it off automatically should the temperature get too high.

Other interior features include a 7-inch TFT LCD screen for the entertainment system with MP3, MP4, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity and a MirrorLink feature that mirrors the screen of the phone on to the centre-mounted display screen.

The new Optima GT clocks in at 7.4 seconds from 0-100kph and fuel consumption is rated at 8.5-litres for every 100km on the combined cycle.

Also contributing to the overall performance and efficiency of the car are 3 driving modes - Sport, Normal and Eco. Sport adjusts the sensitivity of the throttle for maximum performance and also the steering wheel feels heavier for precise control of the car at high speed.

Safety-wise, the all-new Kia Optima GT is fitted with 6 airbags – two for the front passengers, two side airbags as well as curtain airbags. There is also an arsenal of electronic safety nets such as the anti-lock braking system (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Control (VSM), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and an Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) which flashes the hazard automatically when emergency brakes are applied.

The all-new Kia Optima GT scored 5 stars at the EuroNCAP crash test rating, 5 stars in the Asean NCAP, 5.1 stars in the US NCAP and achieved a 1st grade rating in the Korean NCAP crash test.

The all-new Kia Optima GT comes with a five year warranty and is offered in three colors: Gravity Blue, Aurora Black and Snow White Pearl.


Fixed VW diesel cars failing pollution tests, says Aussie study

                CANBERRA: Volkswagen vehicles recalled and fixed after the worldwide "dieselgate" emissions cheating scandal are using more fuel and still failing pollution tests, according to a study by Australia's motoring body released Monday.

VW admitted in 2015 to equipping about 11 million cars worldwide with "defeat devices", which allowed them to deceive emissions laboratory tests but emit up to 40 times the permissible levels of harmful nitrogen oxide during actual driving.

The tainted cars were recalled by VW, but the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) said tests it commissioned on local vehicles before and after being updated showed they were still exceeding regulations in real-world settings.
"Emissions analysis... found an affected VW diesel vehicle to be using up to 14 percent more diesel after recall, and still emitting noxious emissions more than 400 per cent higher than levels observed in laboratory testing," the AAA said in a statement.

The emissions were lower than before the fix, but higher than the limits allowed in Australia, added the AAA, which conducted the tests in partnership with motorsports' governing body Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).

Volkswagen on Monday rejected the comparison and said Germany's KBA motor vehicle authority had approved its software update, and the fixed vehicles "continue to satisfy European and Australian emissions standards".

A spokesman said in a statement to AFP that automobile organisations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland had tested the updated vehicles and also found they "continue to perform as expected".

The AAA said the results showed that actual driving tests, rather than those carried out in lab settings, would allow policymakers to ensure regulatory settings reflect real-world conditions.

Some 42,000 VWs in Australia and more than six million across the globe have been fixed, according to the German auto giant.

The scandal has so far cost Volkswagen over 25 billion euros (RM120bil) in fines, settlements and remediation, and some VW executives have been charged or jailed.

Legal proceedings brought against VW over the scandal by Australia's consumer watchdog the ACCC and a class action on behalf of motorists both began in Federal Court last week.


2016 Detroit auto show: Lexus revs up US$100,000 sports coupe

DETROIT: Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus is rolling out its highest-performance model since the LFA supercar to burnish its reputation among buyers of prestige luxury autos.

The LC 500 sports coupe, unveiled Monday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, accelerates from 0- to-100kph in under 4.5 seconds, faster than the Mercedes SL550. The car will begin sales in early 2017 and start at just under US$100,000 (RM443,000), more for higher trims.

The four-seater adds momentum to president Akio Toyoda's push to build a more well-rounded reputation for Lexus among premium car buyers.

While the brand has come to be known for quality and reliability, the lack of sports cars or otherwise exciting models contributed to Lexus losing the US luxury sales crown in 2011.

“It's exactly where the brand needs to go,” said Karl Brauer, an analyst for Kelley Blue Book. “It's really the only thing left for them - there's nothing to fault Lexus for, except for passionate, emotional appeal, both performance and style-wise.”

Lexus plans to sell about 550 of the coupes per month worldwide, with the US market accounting for about 400 of those deliveries, said Jeff Bracken, a Lexus group vice president.

The automaker turned to lightweight materials including carbon fiber and aluminum for the doors and trunk floor to boost performance. Buyers also will have their choice between glass and carbon fiber for the roof. The last model in the Lexus lineup to feature prominent use of alternatives to steel was the carbon fiber-intensive, US$375,000 (RM1.7mil) LFA supercar.

Under the hood, the LC 500 will feature the luxury car industry's first 10-speed transmission, with the 5-litre V-8 engine found in the Lexus RC F and GS F performance cars.

“It's difficult to change images,” Jim Lentz, Toyota's North American chief, said in an interview. “Toyota had an image for a long time of being very stodgy on styling. I still hear that a lot today, it drives me crazy. They were right 10 years ago; they’re not right today. Lexus suffers a little bit from that as well, despite some great-looking cars. This will really set it apart for Lexus.”


How Audi turned an estate into a supercar with the speedy-roomy RS6

                INGOLSTADT: When Stephan Reil recalls his time as head of development at Quattro GmbH, Audi's former factory tuner subsidiary, the mighty RS6 immediately comes to mind.

"It was the right car at the right time," said Reil. The go-faster station wagon stands out as one of the maker's most successful achievements and become steadily faster and more sophisticated since the first production version broke cover in summer 2002.

The story started when Audi built a small series of two extremely sporty station wagons, the RS2 and its successor, the RS4, at Porsche. But these were all based on the humble, mid-class Audi 80 and A4.

Basing the next model on the roomier A6 was the secret of a car that continues to fascinate right down to the current fourth generation.

The first RS6 to appear is already a classic, still able to make ample use of Germany's largely speed-deregulated autobahn motorways. The 4.2-litre engine delivers a satisfying growl from 450hp on tap and develops the sort of power normally reserved for racing cars in touring championships.

Down the years, the RS6 has had a variety of engines and the latest edition boasts a 4.0-litre twin turbo V8, thumping out 592 bhp through the eight-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels.

Behind the wheel the driver of gazes at an array of instruments illuminated in red. Dab the accelerator and the analogue needles twitch across the dials as the RS6 shows that it is raring to go.

Slip the autobox into D for drive and before the navigation system has finished building up its pixelated map on the palm-sized screen, this squat, elder sportsman is bounding towards the horizon. Within 4.7 seconds the RS6 is up to 100kph, thanks to maximum 560Nm of torque and permanent all-wheel drive.

Sporty estates with this kind of grunt were virtually unknown before the Audi bowed in and although the car was unlike any Avant which went before well-heeled punters took to it straight away.

The Bavarians planned to make only 999 but 8,000 RS6 Avants had been manufactured by 2004, said Reil. The car carried a price tag of nearly €90,000 (RM407,000).

The RS6 was a global success story and the Quattro GmbH division of the company decided to up the ante with a bonkers, twin-turbocharged V10 engine that was so massive that it hardly fitted under the bonnet. With a capacity of five litres, this was the daddy of all RS engines, with 580 horses on tap.

Reil and his colleagues eventually opted to tame the beast, adopting a strategy of "less is more" for its successor two years and 4,000 cars later. The made-over model went back to a V8 albeit with 560hp under the bonnet.

"But it was also a lot lighter," said Reil before a showing a stats sheet which lists how the changes improved performance and even made the car 30% per more economical than its predecessor. The third incarnation of the RS6 became a best-seller and stayed in the catalogue for five years.

Combining a more thrilling drive with the ability to take the kids to school, the RS6 is a winning formula for drivers who do not want a chunky SUV. At the same time, it has no green credentials either.

When the new A6 arrived in 2018, Quattro GmbH didn't wait long to launch the fourth and youngest RS6 in 2019. The car is wider and has more width and presence than ever and comes with a new version of the trusty V8 engine.

Even the entry model now produces 441 kW/600hp from four litres of displacement, and the RS6 plus has not even been presented yet. Meanwhile, the price has rocketed to €165,000 (RM746,000).

With four generations and over 20,000 units sold, the RS6 Avant is not only an important pillar in the portfolio of Quattro GmbH, which has since been renamed Audi Sport.

It has also left its mark on an entire segment, says classic car expert Frank Wilke from Classic Analytics.

"The BMW M5 had always been considered the business express par excellence but frequent drivers and travelling salesmen suddenly had the choice between the saloon with the kidney (BMW) and the Audi estate with the rings."

Audi Sport is now also moving towards electrification too, so that the current RS6 Avant will probably be the last of its kind.

However, as Audi's electric car offering grows, the Audi Sport arm will take full advantage of electric powertrains – including legends like the RS6.

Sport boss Sebastian Grams said the company is developing a new A6 for petrol-heads, which could become a green RS6 with a particularly powerful hybrid drive.

A future electric version may look a lot like the gorgeous A6 Avant e-Tron concept. This one could accommodate massive batteries, with claims of a 700km-range range and a sub four-second 0-100kph time.


Polestar develops video streaming app for Polestar 2

                GOTHENBURG: Polestar has developed its own video streaming app for Polestar 2.

The beta app, which is available now in all European markets, brings web-based streaming content from various providers directly to the 11-inch centre display in the car – perfect for entertainment while parked or charging.

Content includes news services and national TV broadcasts where available, as well as a video playlist curated by Polestar. At launch, the app includes feeds from SVT in Sweden, TV2 in Norway, and GOPlay and RTBF in Belgium.

All European market also receive feeds from BBC Ideas, Al Jazeera English and Germany’s tagesschau. Additional feeds specific to other markets will be added over time.

“We have released the new Polestar video app in beta form so that our customers can start to enjoy the benefits of in-car video streaming sooner rather than later,” said Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath.

“We will receive feedback – both good and bad – that will help to refine the app based on thousands of use cases, rather than a small, defined set. We will also continue to add channels in the future, which gives the app huge growth potential since it is realistically able to integrate any web-based streams.”

One of the advantages of the Android Automotive OS in Polestar 2 is the ease with which the developer community can innovate. With streamlined development and testing possible thanks to an online emulator – available in Polestar’s developer portal and open to any app developer – Polestar is able to release new apps efficiently. As customer needs and desires evolve, so can the services and solutions Polestar provides, and without the typical long lead times demanded by the traditional car industry.

The Polestar video app can be used when the car is not in motion. However, when streaming and switching out of Park, audio continues in the background, allowing occupants to continue to follow the broadcast. Data consumed by the app is included in the car’s data plan, meaning no extra costs for owners.


Tesla to move its headquarters to Austin, Texas

A scenic view of Austin. — Photo by Pierce Ingram/VisitAustinTX
SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc. is moving its corporate headquarters to Austin, Texas, where a new factory for the Model Y and forthcoming Cybertruck is nearing completion, relocating from California after making the Golden State its home for 18 years.

Chief executive officer Elon Musk announced the move at the Austin plant Thursday during the electric-vehicle maker’s shareholder meeting.

Tesla has been based in Palo Alto, California, the leafy Silicon Valley suburb that’s home to Stanford University and several venture capital firms, since its founding in 2003.

But the company has grown from scrappy startup to the world’s most valuable automaker and Texas - centrally located between the two coasts - has become its centre of gravity in the US.

Musk’s decision to move the headquarters to Texas comes despite growing discomfort among some companies with the state’s policies, such as a recent abortion law - that’s been temporarily blocked - and efforts to restrict voter rights.

But Tesla is just the latest California company to move to Texas, which has lower taxes, a lower cost of living and fewer business regulations.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. has shifted its base to Houston and Charles Schwab Corp. moved its headquarters to the Dallas area from San Francisco.

"We welcome Tesla home!” Austin mayor Steve Adler said in an email. "It’s a tech company that creates the clean manufacturing, middle skill jobs Austin needs.”

 A Tesla factory is seen under construction in Austin last month. — Reuters

The carmaker joins a number of other tech companies with operations in Austin.

Dell Technologies was founded in the city, and Apple Inc. and Facebook Inc. have a large presence. Oracle Corp. said last year it was moving its headquarters to Austin from Silicon Valley, one of several transplants to the Texas state capital during the pandemic.

"This is the newest economic development trophy on Governor Abbott’s wall,” John Boyd, a corporate relocation consultant based in Princeton, New Jersey, said by phone on Thursday.

The move is important to the state’s efforts to attract tech talent and also to Tesla’s efforts to appeal to a wider swath of US consumers with the launch of its new pickup, he said.

"Tesla is trying to expand its brand and appeal to Middle America,” Boyd said.

Musk said Tesla isn’t abandoning California, noting the electric-car maker will continue to expand manufacturing in the state and aims to boost production at its vehicle factory in Fremont - and at its Nevada battery plant - by 50%.

"We will continue to expand our activities in California. This is not a matter of Tesla leaving California,” he said.

California governor Gavin Newsom’s office and the state’s economic development agency didn’t respond to requests for comment.

There have been several clues such a move was in the offing.

Musk, the world’s richest person according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, moved his private foundation to Texas in December.

Zachary Kirkhorn, Tesla’s chief financial officer, bought a house in a tony district of Austin and Tesla has datelined each of its last two press releases from Austin.

Musk moved to Texas himself last year to focus on two big priorities for his companies: SpaceX’s new Starship vehicle, under development on the Gulf Coast near Brownsville, and Tesla’s Gigafactory in Austin.

Texas has no personal income tax, while California imposes the highest personal income levies in the nation on its wealthiest residents.

Texas is the company’s third-biggest market in the US after California and Florida, though years of opposition from auto dealers mean it can’t sell its electric cars directly there.

In 2010, Tesla bought a shuttered auto plant across the San Francisco Bay in Fremont.

Roughly 10,000 people work at the plant, a former joint venture between General Motors Co. and Toyota Motor Corp., and scores of other Tesla employees work at showrooms, service centres and offices throughout the region.

Musk’s long-term relationship with California soured in the spring of 2020 during the first wave of the coronavirus.

When Alameda County ordered production stopped at Tesla’s plant in Fremont, Musk openly defied public health officials by closing late and reopening early, blasting the rules as "fascist” on an earnings call.

He briefly sued the county, but Tesla has continued to expand its footprint in the Golden State.

A new "Megafactory” that will make Mega packs - the energy-storage product Tesla sells to utilities - is under construction in the Central Valley city of Lathrop.


Porsche 911 GT3 RS is yours from RM1.8mil

 Bayer (right) with PCCA race drivers Chris Van de Drift (next to Bayer), Alif Hamdan and Craig Baird at the launch of the new 911 GT3 RS.

SEPANG: The new Porsche 911 GT3 RS is billed as breaking down the barrier between street-legal sports cars and race cars.

With a lap time of seven minutes and 20 seconds, the new 911 GT3 RS even beats the historic record of the Carrera GT super sports car of just under seven minutes and 29 seconds on the North Loop of the Nurburgring.

“The 911 GT3 RS models have always stood for top sportiness and emotional appeal," said Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) chief executive officer Arnt Bayer at the recent launch of the car at Sepang International Circuit.

The 911 GT3 RS is powered by a 4.0-litre six-cylinder engine with 500hp and 460Nm of torque, combined with a specially developed PDK transmission.

The engine, which has the largest displacement and most power of any naturally aspirated engine with direct fuel injection in the 911 family, accelerates the high-performance sports car from zero to 100kph in 3.3 seconds and to 200kph in 10.9 seconds.

Functions such as declutching by "paddle neutral" – which is comparable to pressing the clutch with a conventional manual gearbox – and speed limiting by the Pit Speed button have been customised for motorsport use.

This gives drivers more freedom in terms of driving dynamics.

For the first time, the roof is made of magnesium; carbon fibre is used for the engine and luggage compartment lids, and other lightweight components are made of alternative materials.

This makes the RS model around 10kg lighter than the 911 GT3.

Meanwhile, rear-axle steering and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus with fully variable rear axle differential lock increase agility and dynamics.

In addition, the 911 GT3 RS comes with the widest tyres of any 911 model as standard.

As for the interior, a new feature is the full bucket seats, which are based on the carbon bucket seats of the 918 Spyder.

Other standard features are the Club Sport Package with a bolted-on roll cage behind the front seats, preparation for a battery master switch, and separately provided six-point safety harness for the driver and fire extinguisher with mounting bracket.

The optional Sport Chrono Package, which features – in addition to its integrated timers – the Porsche Track Precision app for a smartphone.

The Track Precision app can be used to have lap times automatically measured via GPS, and to log data on a smartphone.

The base price for the new 911 GT3 RS starts from RM1.75 million including a 4-year factory warranty.


New by-law for micro-mobility vehicles in the works, says Dr Wee

                PUTRAJAYA: A by-law will be drawn up that will specifically deal with micro-mobility vehicles, including for users and suppliers to be licenced, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

He said amendment to the Road Transport Act to regulate the use of such vehicles had already been done in 2020 and the by-law will spell out details.

This included the type of vehicles that could be used and licence requirements to operate micro-mobility vehicles of certain speed limits.

"There are a lot of such vehicles. An ebicycle is not your typical bicycle because it can be operated with high speed and can be as fast as a motorcycle.

"We are looking at each micro-mobility vehicle to ensure that all are defined and governed by the by-law," he told reporters after launching a road safety campaign and Ops Hari Raya Aidilfitri today.

Companies bringing in these micro mobility vehicles would have to send them for Vehicle Type Approval and let the authorities vet their specifications.

Dr Wee said the by-law was necessary because the use of such vehicles need to be regulated in the interest of the public and that the ministry’s land division as well as legal adviser had briefed him on the issue.

On Aug 26, 2020, the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2020 was passed in the Dewan Rakyat to increase penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs and reckless driving.

According to the Bill, micro-mobility vehicles refer to those powered by electricity, an internal combustion engine, or human power, or human power combined with any of the previously mentioned two with a maximum speed of 50kph.

In his speech earlier, Dr Wee said that a total of 2,200 Road Transport Department enforcement personnel would be involved in the Ops Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Among enforcement initiatives taken was to monitor road use through enforcement based stations at 14 locations along the highway, to board express buses and disguise as passengers to ensure compliance by companies and drivers as well as to have special ops on motorcycles.


Electric VW ID.R takes record from F1 car at Goodwood

                LONDON: An electric Volkswagen has smashed a hillclimb record set by a McLaren Formula One car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 20 years ago.

The Volkswagen ID.R sportscar, already the fastest electric car around the Nuerburgring circuit in Germany and quickest car of any kind up the Pikes Peak climb in Colorado, added another record in southern England on Friday.

With two-times Le Mans 24 Hours winner Romain Dumas at the wheel, the car clocked 41.18 seconds.

The previous best of 41.6 seconds was clocked by German ex-Formula One driver Nick Heidfeld in 1999 in the previous year’s McLaren MP4/13.

Volkswagen already held the electric record at the Goodwood festival, one of the biggest and best-attended motoring events in Britain, with a time of 43.86 seconds set last year.

The German carmaker is spending billions on electric vehicles as it seeks to rebuild its reputation after a diesel emissions test cheating scandal.


Stick to Travel Time Advisory, motorists urged

                KUALA LUMPUR: PLUS Malaysia Bhd (PLUS) has issued a Travel Time Advisory (TTA) for this upcoming long weekend to reduce congestion with the expected increase in traffic volume on its highways.

PLUS, in a statement, today said the TTA issued on Dec 18 for Christmas and New Year holiday recommends the same travel time for journeys to be made until Jan 19, 2021.

“Highway users from the Klang Valley travelling up north to Perlis, Kedah, Perak and south to Johor are advised to enter the highway before 9 am.

“And for those travelling to East Coast, Melaka and Negri Sembilan to enter highway after 12 noon.

“Upon returning to the Klang Valley, PLUS TTA recommends all to enter the highway by 9 am,” it said.

PLUS also advises its customers to ensure they have sufficient balance in their Touch‘n Go card at all times.


UMW Toyota crowns Season 3 victors of the Toyota Vios Challenge

                SHAH ALAM: UMW Toyota Motor has presented prize monies amounting to RM360,000 to the overall champions of the Toyota Vios Challenge (Season 3).

During the ceremony held at the company's headquarters in Shah Alam, UMW Toyota Motor deputy chairman and Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Malaysia chief motorsports officer Akio Takeyama presented the prizes and trophies to the winners.

"Despite the Series being abruptly cut short (due to the pandemic), I would like to congratulate every single driver who demonstrated a high level of competitiveness, racing skills and sportsmanship. We will return bigger than before,” said Takeyama.

Takeyama said that the race series is all about providing competitors with a levelled playing field that emphasises on driving skills and experience.

He added that it was also about making it affordable for individuals and teams as well as to make the races more closely contested for the benefit of spectators and promised that the race series will return "bigger than before" in season four.

In the Super Sporting class for professional drivers, Tengku Djan Ley Tengku Mahaleel was crowned overall champion and was presented with a grand prize of RM100,000 - making it his second successive title in the race series.

Taking second and third place for the season in the Super Sporting Class was Mark Darwin of Laser Motor Racing and Freddie Ang of Telagamas Toyota who picked up RM50,000 and RM30,000 respectively.

Moving to the Sporting Class for amateurs, it was 16-year-old Hayden Haikal - the youngest competitor in the series, who took the overall top spot of the class, earning himself and his team RM100,000.

In second place was another teenager, 18-year-old Bradley Benedict Anthony who finished second overall (RM50,000) while Haji Sutan Mustaffa took third overall (RM30,000) in the Sporting Class.

Within the action-packed Promotional Class for celebrities, it was none other than musician and TV personality Shawn Lee who took the overall win.

 From left: (standing) Shukri Yahaya, Nabil, Mark Darwin, Freddie Ang, Bradley Benedict Anthony and Haji Sutan Mustaffa Salihin. (Seated) Takeyama, Shawn Lee, Tenku Djan Ley, Hayden Haikal and UMW Toyota Motor director of marketing division Mohd Shamsoor Mohd Zain.

Lee managed to clinch three race wins during the season and was clearly the most dominant driver on the grid as he secured his second championship out of the three seasons.

Actor Shukri Yahaya and TV personality Nabil Ahmad car in second and third overall.

Both Lee and Shukri have been rivals since the start of the race series and because the duo practically dominated the races, they were moved up to the Sporting Class for amateurs in season two. Season 3 saw the two racers return to the Promotional Class.

No prize monies are offered in the Promotional Class.

The third season of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival started in Kuala Terengganu (Sept 6 to 7, 2019) before moving on to Bandar Malaysia (Nov 9 to 10, 2019) and Batu Kawan, Penang (Feb 15 to 16).

The final round was due to be held at the Sepang International Circuit from April 17 to 19 but was cancelled for safety reasons and in accordance with the Movement Control Order's (MCO)  guidelines which came into effect on Mar 18.

The MCO was subsequently extended past the race date, forcing the event to be cancelled.

The series was originally planned for eight races to be held over four rounds and only managed to complete six races.

UMW Toyota consulted with the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) - the country's motorsports governing body and it was determined that since the series had completed 75% of its races, it was deemed sufficient to name the overall season champions.

The company added that this was consistent with the best practices of other international motor-racing events and in adherence to provisions underlined by the technical and sporting
regulations of the series.

The Toyota Vios Challenge is open to individuals, teams and Toyota dealers, and offer competitors a level playing field by competing in identical race-prepared 1.5-litre Toyota Vios cars.

“The spirit that is embodied in Gazoo Racing and the Toyota brand is all about advancing the potential of both vehicles and people. It is not only confined to building better products and shaping the strength, capability and creativity of our workforce but as our Series has proven, it is very much about developing new, young and talented drivers as well as cultivating greater public appreciation and interest in motor-racing,” said UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K.

With the new normal - post-MCO, plans for TGR Season 4 are in the works and promises to be more thrilling, exciting and nerve-wracking.


Cars on Hyundai’s electric platform can charge 80% in 18 minutes

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Group plans to build 23 electric vehicles on its new EV-dedicated platform, and is aiming to sell 1 million of the cars worldwide by 2025, the South Korean automaker said today.

Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. EVs made on the E-GMP platform will be able to charge up to 80% capacity in 18 minutes and add as much as 100km of driving range in just five.

They’ll have a top range of 500km on a single charge.

Automakers from Volkswagen AG to General Motors Co. are producing electric cars on dedicated platforms — basically the bottom structural framework of a car or chassis with the four wheels attached — to help them scale up production and provide more options to consumers.

Hyundai Motor last year pledged to earmark almost half the 20 trillion won (RM73bil) it plans to spend by 2025 on its electrification push.

Hyundai Motor’s new Ioniq 5 will be manufactured using the platform as will a handful of Kia models. The vehicles will initially be built in South Korea and could be produced at other locations later depending on demand.

The cars will also have the ability to charge at both 800 volts and 400 volts, allowing them access to more charging infrastructure.

"Our front-wheel driven Hyundai and Kia battery electric vehicles are already among the most efficient in their segments,” said Albert Biermann, president and head of R&D for Hyundai Motor Group.

"With our rear-wheel driven based electric global modular platform, we are extending our technological leadership into segments where customers demand excellent driving dynamics and outstanding efficiency.”

In May, Hyundai Motor and Kia selected LG Chem Ltd. to provide batteries for the EVs built on its dedicated platform.