Mercedes A-Class: Driving performance and satisfaction with Baby Benz

                THE Mercedes-Benz A-Class facelift cars might seem too tame for the Sepang racing circuit, especially as a family saloon, but the Mercedes-AMG variants such as the A 45 S 4Matic+ certainly felt right at home charging around corners.

That was how we came away after taking the latest and A 45 S and A 200 in succession around the full 5.54km of the Sepang Circuit last week.

And a small bonus was driving the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 one lap around the circuit, which was a wee bit too short to get to grips with the performance side of electric propulsion.

The latest A-Class line-up gets visual updates that are mostly in the aesthetics to add a fresh aura to the forward-sloping bonnet with two power bulges, a steep shark nose and flat headlamps (complete with High Beam Assist for both saloon variants).

The newbie here is the redesigned radiator grille with a geometry pattern for the A 200 and “star” design for the A 250 4Matic.

At the rear, a new rear diffuser complements the standard LED light assembly.

The interior sees new, three-dimensionally embossed Artico man-made leather upholstery.

 Mercedes-Benz A 200 Progressive.

The A 200’s Progressive trim features a new, dark carbon-fibre look trim element to enhance the already impressive instrument panel and doors.

For the A 250 in AMG Line trimming, the ambience leans towards performance and features light longitudinal grain aluminium trim and red contrasting top-stitching in the Artico/Microfiber seats.

The standard freestanding dual-screen display, both measuring 10.25 inches, appears to float with the wide-screen look.

The new A-Class hardware and software have also been enhanced with the latest generation of MBUX (NTG7).

The telematics is also revised and an additional USB-C port is added for further connectivity while all USB ports in the car offer fast-charging capabilities.

Safety assistance is also given an update and both variants come with LED headlamps and a Parking Package with a reverse camera.

This includes Active Parking Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Exit Warning Assist and Active Brake Assist while the A 250 has the additional Sports Brake System that delivers powerful deceleration even after repeated heavy use.

The power department is not overlooked either and the updates see the A 200 having a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to complement the 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine.

 Mercedes-Benz A 200 Progressive.

The A 250’s 2.0-litre engine is electrified and paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

As a mild hybrid, it is equipped with an additional 48-volt electrical system to support agility when taking off with 13.6hp (10kW) more power.

The Mercedes-AMG A-Class range sees the A 35 available as a saloon while the A 45 S remains as a Hatchback.

These models see revised headlamps, AMG-specific radiator grille, a new front apron and a new round badge with the AMG emblem instead of the Mercedes star with a laurel wreath to stamp its latest status.

The new AMG look includes a new wheel design, rear spoiler lip, revised rear light cluster and the hallmark round exhaust pipes (twin flow for the A 45).

At the Mercedes Sepang Drive Experience, the luck of the draw saw us taking to the circuit in the A 45 S, followed by the A 200.

We immediately selected Sport+ for the AMG Speedshift eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission as we believed the and A 45 S was best experienced driven hard and fast.

We liked the way the transmission downshifted while keeping the engine revs up as we braked hard for certain corners so that the car’s handling was smooth and predictable, and the uptake of speed on exiting the corner was strong and immediate.

 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+.

Body-roll was very nicely controlled and although we had the Michelin Pilot Sport 245/35 R19 tyres squealing at the tighter corners, the and A 45 S was very much at home driven in a robust manner.

We didn’t check out the AMG Dynamic Select options having chosen rather to just focus on the A 45 S’ prowess at the Sepang Circuit as it were.

The A 35 has a milder tuned 2.0-litre engine of 306hp/400Nm versus the A 45 S cranked out 421hp/500Nm.

It is said to accelerate from 0 to 100kph in 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 250kph against the A 45 S’ 3.9 seconds and a maximum speed of 270kph.

By the way, we saw slightly above 180kph on the head-up display along the Sepang straight before hitting the brakes hard for the approaching corner.

Our next go at the A 200 was a gentler drive by comparison although we had our share of tyre squeals too (tyres were Continental EcoContact 205/55 R17) at more or less the same tight corners.

Though the 1.4-litre turbo engine delivers a lower output of 163hp/270Nm, the output is still impressive for its displacement class.

 Mercedes-Benz A 200 Progressive.

Its top speed is 230kph and 0-100kph acceleration is achieved in 8.3 seconds; as a comparison, we managed slightly above 150kph on the Sepang straight before braking hard for the corner.

Nevertheless, we enjoyed driving the A 200 over two laps despite not having a Sports+ mode option.

It might lean a bit more than the A 45 S into the tight corners but we found its predictable handling much to our liking for an entry-level premium saloon.

The recommended retail price (on the road without insurance) starts from RM238,888 for the A 200 and goes to RM264,000 for the A 250, RM354,000 for the A 35, RM509,888 for the A 45 S Standard and RM539,888 for the Street Style Edition.

Our one-lap drive in the AMG EQE 53 EV gave us a hint of its performance potential from the huge torque charging through as we exited from a corner (we were on Sports+ mode here too).

By the way, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia also gave the media a preview of the AMG SL 43 at the Sepang circuit.

This is a 2+2 seater open-top roadster with a fabric soft top powered by a 2.0-litre turbo engine delivering 381hp and 480Nm of torque.

It sprints to 100kph in 4.9 seconds, has a top speed of 275kph and is yours for an estimated one million ringgit on the road without insurance.

 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+. Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+. Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+. Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+. Mercedes-AMG SL 43. Mercedes-AMG SL 43. Mercedes-AMG SL 43.


SEC examining Musk's tweets on taking Tesla private, says WSJ

                WASHINGTON, D.C.: US regulators are asking Tesla Inc why chief executive Elon Musk announced his plan to take the electric carmaker private on Twitter and whether his statement was truthful, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

Musk announced his plan on his personal Twitter account on Tuesday, and the US Securities and Exchange Commission has asked Tesla about the facts of the matter, why it was disclosed on Twitter rather than in a regulatory filing and whether it believed investor-protection rules had been met, the Journal said.

The agency declined to comment and Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Musk had dropped the surprise plan in a terse tweet, saying, “Am considering taking Tesla private at US$420. Funding secured.”

He has not provided details or evidence of the funding by Twitter or in a following blog posted on the Tesla web site, and several securities attorneys said Musk could face investor lawsuits if it was proven he did not have secure financing at the time of his tweet.

“The words ‘financing secured’ are the danger point – that’s a statement of fact and could set him up to be accused of a material misstatement if it’s proven false,” said Erik Gordon, an assistant professor at University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business with a background in law.

Using Twitter to announce materially important information is not common, but the SEC allows companies to use social media to announce key information in compliance with its fair disclosure rules if investors are alerted about which outlets will be used.

Musk is a prolific tweeter and Tesla alerted investors in a 2013 SEC filing that they should follow Musk’s Twitter feed for “additional information” about the company.

There is no reference to Musk’s Twitter account on the company’s investor relations page under “investor communication,” although Tesla’s Twitter feed is included.

Some Wall Street analysts were sceptical of Musk’s ability to gather the huge financial backing to complete such a deal, given that Tesla loses money, has US$10.9 billion of debt and its bonds are rated junk by credit ratings agencies.

“Who gives US$30 billion to US$50 billion to buy back the shares?” asked NordLB analyst Frank Schwope. “And if you stay as a shareholder you get less information than before and you depend more and more on Elon Musk.”

Tesla’s board on earlier on Wednesday said it was evaluating taking the company private, which would be the biggest leveraged buyout of all time.

In a statement on Tesla's website, six of Tesla's nine directors said the board had met several times over the last week to discuss such an idea and was "taking the appropriate next steps to evaluate this."

Musk’s plan for a price of US$420 a share would value a deal at more than US$70 billion.

Tesla said on Wednesday the discussions had addressed the issue of how to fund such a deal, but gave no details. The statement did not address how the US$420-per-share price was established.

Public companies have four days to report certain material events that shareholders should know about to the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

The deal would be the biggest leveraged buyout of all time, beating the US$45 billion record set by Texas power utility Energy Future Holdings.

The most obvious equity partners for Musk would be a sovereign wealth fund such as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which sources said on Tuesday had taken a stake of just below 5 percent in Tesla, or a major technology investment fund such as SoftBank Group Corp’s Vision Fund, bankers said.

SoftBank is currently not interested in a deal for Tesla after earlier this year taking a stake in General Motors Co’s self-driving unit, Cruise, Reuters reported earlier on Wednesday.

Musk and SoftBank held unsuccessful talks about a take-private deal in April 2017, according to a source familiar with the matter. Bloomberg News, which first reported on that meeting, said the talks failed to progress due to disagreements over ownership.

China’s Tencent Holdings Ltd, which took a 5 percent stake in Tesla last year, could also be a possible partner.

In a letter here after his tweet on Tuesday, Musk fleshed out his idea, suggesting shareholders would get the option to sell their shares or remain investors in a private Tesla, out of the glare of Wall Street and its need for positive quarterly results.

He said that would allow Tesla to “operate at its best, free from as much distraction and short-term thinking as possible.”

Some on Wall Street shared that view.

“They’re being bombarded with questions that we don’t think are as relevant to the long-term value of the company,” said Sam Korus, an analyst for ARK Investment Management, which had 443,874 Tesla shares as of June 30. Korus said he would need more details from Musk to judge whether a buyout offer would be practical and at what price it would be attractive.

Musk has been under intense pressure this year to turn his company into a profitable higher-volume manufacturer, a prospect that has sent Tesla’s valuation higher than that of GM.

The company is still working its way out of what Musk called “production hell” at its home factory in Fremont, California, where a series of manufacturing challenges delayed the ramp-up of production of its new Model 3 sedan, on which the company’s profitability rests.

Musk has feuded publicly with regulators, critics, short sellers and reporters, and some analysts suggested that less transparency would be welcomed by Musk.

The six board members who issued the statement on Wednesday included James Murdoch, chief executive of Twenty-First Century Fox Inc and Brad Buss, who was the chief financial officer of solar panel maker SolarCity until it was bought by Tesla in 2016.

Other board members mentioned in the statement included Robyn Denholm, Ira Ehrenpreis, Antonio Gracias and Linda Johnson Rice. Tesla’s other board members are Musk, his brother Kimbal Musk and venture capitalist Steve Jurvetson.


US boosts fuel efficiency rules as Biden reverses Trump rollback

                WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden's administration on Friday sharply boosted fuel economy standards for vehicles, reversing former President Donald Trump's rollback of US regulations aimed at improving gas mileage and cutting tailpipe pollution.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it will boost fuel efficiency requirements by 8% for both the 2024 and 2025 model years and 10% in 2026. That was a slightly bigger increase than the proposal outlined in August.

The NHTSA rules are about the same as rules previously announced by the Environmental Protection Agency for a fleetwide real-world average of about 40 miles per gallon in 2026 compared with 32 mpg under the Trump rules.

Some environmentalists along with electric vehicle makers Tesla and Rivian argued NHTSA should have adopted more aggressive requirements of 10% yearly requirements over the three-year period.

The new rules are expected to reduce consumer fuel costs by USUS$192 billion for new vehicles sold by 2030. The administration is eager to make the case that regulations will prod automakers to build more efficient vehicles and save consumers money at a time of near record pump prices.

Automakers say they will need to spend tens of billions to comply with the rules. NHTSA estimates consumers could save USUS$1,387 in fuel costs over the life of a vehicles but the rule will increase the average cost of a vehicle by almost that much.

The rule's total costs for automakers are pegged by NHTSA at more than US$200 billion through 2029, will increase the average cost of a vehicle industry wide by US$1,087, NHTSA said. The total cost for Detroit's Big Three automakers is estimated at more than US$100 billion for General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co, and Chrysler-parent Stellantis.

The Trump administration in March 2020 rolled back fuel economy standards to require only 1.5% annual increases in efficiency through 2026.That was much less than the 5% annual increases required by his predecessor Barack Obama.

The EPA in December finalized its vehicle emissions requirements that are parallel to the NHTSA rules. The EPA said its rules will result in 3.1 billion tons of avoided CO2 emissions through 2050. Major automakers on Wednesday backed EPA's revisions over challenges brought by some states and some ethanol groups.

EPA and NHTSA plan to write and adopt another round of vehicle standards that will cover 2027 and beyond that analysts believe will be so aggressive that automakers must build electric vehicles to meet them.

John Bozzella, president of the trade group Alliance for Automotive Innovation, said "increased regulatory requirements for automakers will require supportive policies, as well as regulatory alignment with the EPA to ensure that standards can be attained."

Legislation has stalled in Congress that would boost EV rebates to up to US$12,500 per vehicle and provide generous tax incentives for automaker EV production and business purchases of EVs.

Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Transport Campaign, said NHTSA's "rules only require automakers to reduce gas guzzling slightly more than they agreed to cut nine years ago."

NHTSA on Sunday said it reinstated a sharp increase in penalties for automakers whose vehicles do not meet fuel efficiency requirements for model years 2019 and beyond.

The decision was a victory for Tesla that could cost other automakers like Stellantis hundreds of millions of dollars or more.


Proton goes to town about its 8,000+ unit sales in July

                SUBANG JAYA: Proton kicked off the second half of 2018 by posting its strongest sales numbers for the last 30 months.

Sales grew by 31% over the previous month as 8,102 Proton cars were sold to local car buyers and export customers.

While Malaysian sales were driven by customers looking to take advantage of the zero rating for GST
and before the implementation of SST in September, the resumption of export activities by the company was what delivered a boost to the overall numbers.

Proton experienced a third consecutive month of market share growth with an estimated 11.7% of Total Industry Volume (TIV) for the month. This compares to the 9.6% market share it garnered in June according to numbers published by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

The Saga and Persona continue to lead sales, with the former breaking through the 3,000 unit barrier for the first time in 2018. The Persona also achieved a new high point for the year as more than 2,221 sales were recorded, marking the first instance it breached the 2,000 unit barrier since May 2017.

“July was a very good month for Proton as we had achieved our highest volume not just for 2018 but also for the last 30 months," said Proton Edar CEO Abdul Rashid Musa.

"We know that a big factor in boosting sales is the current tax holiday period with zero-rated GST prior to the implementation of SST in September but the numbers also prove that Malaysians are opening their eyes to the attractive buying proposition offered by the current range of Proton cars. We are therefore hopeful of carrying over this momentum even after SST has been introduced as we gear up for the launch of our first SUV later in the year.”

Proton resumed export sales last month with 517 cars shipped in July. Currently, the most popular export market for Proton cars is the Middle East with countries like Jordan, Iraq and Iran being the main destination. Sales in Egypt are set to resume over the final quarter of the year as the country recovers from the currency crises that had hampered its car industry over the last few years.


VW first auto maker to use quantum computers to tackle real-world issues

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen is using quantum computers to study traffic flow optimisation, making it the first car maker in the world to use such an IT platform.

It is working with quantum computing company D-Wave Systems on the research project.

The two companies will be anouncing their collaboration at CeBIT 2017 in Hanover, and also demonstrate a software program that optimises traffic flow on a quantum computer. In the course of this project, experts from the Volkswagen Code Lab in San Francisco and the Volkswagen Data Lab in Munich and used data from around 10,000 taxis in Beijing.

Quantum computers can solve highly complex problems many times faster than conventional supercomputers. To date, quantum computing technology has been used mainly by scientific institutes, government agencies, and in the aerospace sector.

In simplified terms, an optimisation problem considers how a specific resource (such as time, money or energy) can be used in the best possible way in a certain scenario. The complexity of the task and therefore the computing capacity required grow exponentially with the number of factors to be considered, taking conventional digital computers to their limits. Further projects with D-Wave are to follow.

“We are doing digital pioneering work. Quantum computing technology can bring tremendous progress to Volkswagen with respect to all the key IT topics of the future," said Volkswagen Group chief information officer Dr Martin Hofman.

"We are laying the foundation for the future by learning to make effective use of the strengths of a quantum computer. Our cooperation with D-Wave is a milestone on the way to the digital future of our group."


Accelerating towards the electric dream

                KUALA LUMPUR: As one of the leading automotive groups in Malaysia and Asia-Pacific, Sime Darby Motors has been laying its groundwork and ecosystem to support and sustain the local growth of electric vehicle (EV) usage.

In an email reply to Star CarSifu, a Sime Darby Motors spokesman said the auto group has its own initiative to build up the EV infrastructure in the country that saw it entering a Memorandum of Understanding with Tenaga Nasional Bhd.

"This partnership is currently exploring among others, the installation of EV charging infrastructure at strategic locations along key travel routes to better support the EV community," the spokesman said.

The group believes that the demand for EVs are also spurred by increased efforts by the automotive industry to set up a comprehensive EV charging infrastructure network and address a key concern for EV adopters which is range anxiety.

"There are also brand specific efforts to grow the country’s EV charging infrastructure, for instance, Porsche distributor Sime Darby Auto Performance pioneered the high-performance EV charging landscape by offering the first 175kW chargers across all Porsche centres nationwide.

 Shell-Porsche high-performance charging (HPC) station in Tangkak, Johor.

"To build on this, another milestone is a collaboration between Porsche Asia Pacific and Shell to offer Southeast Asia’s first cross-border high-performance charging network with 180kW high-performance chargers at six Shell Recharge stations in Malaysia that allow for rapid charging while travelling interstate or cross border, while in Singapore or Thailand," the spokesman said.

 Porsche Taycan.

The spokesman said as the dealer for over 30 marques across nine markets in Asia-Pacific, Sime Darby Motors has an array of EV offerings from its existing OEMs (BMW, Porsche, Hyundai, Jaguar) complemented by partnerships with new EV brands such as BYD, Nio, Weltmeister and Li Auto.

Previous generation EVs sold in Malaysia tend to have a single-charge driving range around 150km which limited their usability to city cars and reduced their appeal among typical drivers who are used to internal combustion engine vehicles that could go up to 400km or more on a single tank of fuel.

 Hyundai Kona Electric.

However, newer generation EVs are now offering a single-charge range of more than 400km, and among them are the Porsche Taycan; BMW iX, iX3 and i4, and Hyundai Kona Electric e-Max.

With more charging stations being set up at high traffic areas and strategic mid-points between large cities, electromobility with zero emissions travelling are expected to gain traction among consumers.

 BMW i4.

Budget 2022 also gave EV adoption a boost by allowing imported EVs to get full import and excise duty exemption for two years till the end of 2023, while locally assembled EVs will get excise duty as well as sales tax exemption for four years until the end of 2025.

EV owners will also be exempted from road tax and get a personal tax relief of up to RM2,500 for the costs in the purchase, installation, rental and subscription fees for EV charging facilities for two years from 2022 to 2023.

 BMW iX.

The spokesman said Budget 2022 incentives would go a long way to addressing pricing which is another hurdle to EV adoption.

He suggested additional government assistance could be in terms of planning for more public charging infrastructure and/or further incentives to set the stage for private investment for charging stations.

The spokesman said the auto group's exposure to China, the world’s largest and most sophisticated EV market, had provided Sime Darby Motors with unrivalled insight into EV market development that could be adapted to support the development of a robust EV ecosystem in Malaysia.

 BMW iX3.

The spokesman said the group's assembly capabilities at Inokom would also be a key enabler in helping increase EV adoption by offering new Chinese EV makers which are producing affordable EVs to roll out right-hand drive versions of their vehicles.

The spokesman also said the increasing demand for sustainable products along with government support and the falling cost of EV batteries which has narrowed the cost gap between EVs and internal combustion engine cars, had led to the accelerated global adoption of EVs.

"We are confident that as the market matures, the government will similarly adapt to the needs of the market and provide the relevant assistance to achieve the country’s low carbon mobility goals under the 12th Malaysian Plan," the spokesman said.


Volvo Trucks cuts fuel with new software and engine upgrades

                SHAH ALAM: Volvo Trucks is introducing new software functions and upgraded engines to help logistics companies and their drivers save fuel.

The upgraded D13 diesel engines for Euro 3, Euro 4, Euro 5 as well as energy-efficient vehicles (EEV) markets and the new software updates, can enable fuel savings of up to 3%.

“The new software and engine upgrades are introduced to help our customers optimise on fuel consumption and at the same time, save costs," said Volvo Malaysia managing director Mitch Peden.

A key feature in the software upgrade is the new Volvo Torque Assist (VTA) function which helps to reduce fuel consumption when cruise control is disabled on long haul operations.

VTA, which is only active when cruise control is deactivated, automatically adapts the truck’s torque and acceleration to the road's topography via engine load and speed.

Another feature of the function is that it keeps the amount of injected fuel constant after the engine’s ‘green range’ has been passed - slightly reducing engine performance, to help improve fuel economy.

Additionally, the pedal map has also been recalibrated by desensitising it for a smoother torque delivery to make the truck easier to control and maintain speed.

“The new software gives a more significant result with heavy loads, many slope changes or large speed variations, while drivers transporting lighter loads with constant speed on flat roads will save less fuel.

"Drivers who are less skilled or trained in economical driving can benefit from these upgrades. In field tests, we have actually seen examples of a larger potential for fuel savings than the 3%,” explained Volvo Truck director product of management Peter Hardin.

The hardware upgrades in the Euro 6 Step D versions of the D13 engine, released earlier in 2019, are also being used to raise the standards of the Euro 3 to 5 engines.

Internal friction has been reduced with new cylinder liners and new V-shaped oil scraper rings.

The turbo efficiency has been improved and the engine management system is upgraded to a newer version with better capacity.

These upgrades save around 1% of fuel, while the fuel-saving potential for the new software depends on driver experience and the operating conditions.

“Our goal at Volvo Trucks is to offer the most fuel-efficient trucks, anchored with a strategy that revolves around satisfied and productive customers, and these constant upgrades to our trucks portray the strong commitment that we have towards helping our customers’ business succeed,” added Peden.


VW Group sets aside US$11.8bil to develop, build China electric cars

                GUANGZHOU/BEIJING: Volkswagen Group plans to spend 10 billion euros (RM49.2bil) by 2025 to develop and manufacture so-called new-energy vehicles (NEVs), the group’s China chief Jochem Heizmann said today.

China has set stringent production quotas for NEVs which automakers must meet by 2019, a move that is prompting a flurry of electric car deals and new launches of battery electric and plug-in hybrid models as automakers in China race to ensure they do not fall short.

Volkswagen Group includes Volkswagen AG and Audi AG.

Heizmann said Volkswagen Group is confident that its group companies and their local China joint venture partners are going to be able to generate enough NEV sales volume to account for NEV quotas by 2019 and will not need to buy credits.


BMW warns US owners ‘do not drive’ 90,000 cars recalled over defective airbag

                NEW YORK:  BMW AG is the latest carmaker to upgrade its recall of vehicles with Takata airbags, telling owners to park the 90,000 affected sedans and SUVs until the defective equipment has been replaced.

The “do not drive” alert follows similar orders from Honda Motor Co., Ford Motor Co. and others about the Takata Corp. airbags, which can explode if they are deployed after long-term exposure to high heat and humidity.

The crisis triggered the largest recall in US history, affecting about 34 car brands. At least 25 deaths and more than 400 injuries in the US have been linked to the defect, according to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Three BMW model ranges with driver’s airbags from Takata are affected: the 2000-2006 BMW 3 Series (E46) including M3, the 2000-2003 5 Series (E39) including M5, and the 2000-2004 X5s (E53). The recall also covers the BMW 1 series, X1, X3, X5 and X6 models made in certain years, according to the auto maker’s website.

Owners are asked to check whether their vehicles qualify for a free repair by visiting BMW’s recall website, or call or contact a BMW service centre for assistance.

Investigations into issues with the Japanese airbags began in the early 2000s.

The company pleaded guilty to criminal charges and agreed to pay US$1 billion in penalties in 2017, with US$850 million set aside for automakers. Takata filed for bankruptcy the same year, and recalls have continued to this day.


Porsche trials cars that drive themselves around the workshop

                STUTTGART: Porsche is working on a new system that will enable cars to drive themselves into the repair shop and park up afterwards in readiness for customer collection.

The potential revolution in workshop practice is being pioneered by Berlin-based start-up Kopernikus at a joint testing area in Ludwigsburg near here.

The procedure is initiated by a technician who uses a tablet to summon the car and position it on the repair ramp. Once the mechanics have completed their task, the car is lowered back down and drives off automatically to a space in the car park where the customer picks it up.

The process is still in the prototype stage and to watchers at the Ludwigsburg test track progress does seem a little jerky. “This will take time but once it is up and running the pace is not so important,” said Stefan Jenzowsky from Porsche, adding with a wink “even if it is a Porsche.”

The remote control of cars in a workshop environment can save time and money. The system does away with human drivers and is governed by artificial intelligence and a computer which monitors all the vehicles on the site.

The working brief for Jenzowsky and his colleagues was simple. “The whole thing should be possible using technology which is already standard in the cars and which does not need to be developed first,” said the expert.

The vehicles themselves do not need to have full robot-driving capability. The AI system uses sensors on the workshop site to guide the cars to their destination. “This means we get away from sensors in the vehicle and relatively rigid programming towards data-based intelligent systems,” said Porsche project leader Alexander Haas.

Cameras in front of and inside the workshop scan the entire on site landscape. The software in the computer can recognise cars, people and other objects. The device calculates the optimal course of a car to its destination and passes on the commands to driving assistants in the car which are normally used by humans when piloting the vehicle.

The connection is made by Wi-Fi which all modern Porsches have on board as standard. “Actually this system is already very close to being used on a regular basis,” said Jenzowsky.

One aspect is particularly important to the Porsche man and his colleague Haas. Since the movements of other vehicles and pedestrians on site are anticipated and taken into account by the computer, the cars never follow a pre-determined path. This makes them flexible and able to respond better to obstacles.

The cars choose a different route around the site to suit the circumstances although that leads a lot of adjusting and shunting back and forth of the cars - at least in the initial non-production stage.

One thing is clear to the Porsche experts. Owners who have forked out a lot of cash to have driver-assistance and safety features installed in their cars will not be willing to be pay on top just to make things easier for mechanics at the workshop.

The cost is estimated per vehicle at around several hundred euros, according to Jenzowsky and this will have to be borne by participating repair shops. Naturally Porsche believes this will save dealers and repair shops a lot of money in the long run bearing in mind that hundreds and thousands of repairs are carried out each year.

“If you can save just a few minutes at a time that adds up to a lot of money,” said Jenzowsky.

Dominik Lutter, a digital expert at the German motor trade association, is keen on the idea. He believes it could be particularly useful for large repair and service companies which handle hundreds of vehicles a day. For smaller businesses with just a few cars in the yard the cost is likely to be prohibitive.

Kopernikus and Porsche are thinking on a larger scale and they believe the system is also ideal for large car parking garages. Daimler and Bosch are already using a similar system to remotely direct cars to spaces at the multi-storey car park of the Mercedes-Benz museum here.

Haas and Jenzowsky say they can envisage other applications at logistic centres or ports where vehicles are loaded onto trains or ships. “Thousands of drivers are employed at these places,” said Jenzowsky. Another advantage is that highway and other regulations do not apply at privately-owned sites which gives more scope for implementing AI solutions.

The Porsche system has already completed a million test kilometres in computer and real-life testing but trained drivers employed to manoeuvre vehicles around sites will not be out of a job soon.

The computer cannot yet replace the trained eye and steady hand of an experienced car or lorry shunter. The cameras are capable of positioning a vehicle to within 10 centimetres of its designated resting place, but that degree of accuracy is not enough when driving a car onto a hydraulic ramp for repairs.

Porsche hopes that by fine-tuning the system it can position a vehicle to an accuracy of within 1cm and that should suffice for most applications.


BHPetrol's Euro 5 diesel now also available in Tapah rest area

                PETALING JAYA:  The BHPetrol station at the Tapah rest area in Perak is the latest outlet to offer the Infiniti Euro 5 Diesel. The higher grade diesel would also start selling at more stations in Perak, Penang and Pahang over the next few months.

By mid-2016, there will be around 100 stations selling the fuel alongside BHPetrol Infiniti Advanced 2X petrol.

At present, there are 62 stations where motorists and commercial vehicle operators can obtain the fuel. The stations are located in Johor, Malacca and the Klang Valley. A complete and updated list of stations can be found at the BHPetrol site (http://www.bhpetrol.com.my/infiniti-diesel-euro5.html).

The majority of the stations (37) can be found in the Klang Valley where there is the largest number of diesel-powered passenger vehicles. There are 22 stations in Johor to serve commercial vehicle operators who travel into Singapore where there are tougher exhaust emission regulations.

The Euro 5 grade costs only 10 sen more per litre than the Euro 2 grade.

BHPetrol was the first in Malaysia to offer this cleaner, higher-grade fuel for diesel engines in November 2014. Today, it continues to have the most extensive network offering the higher-grade diesel.

The Infiniti Euro5 diesel is fully-imported, with fuel specifications that meet the Euro5 standard established in Europe. It is an ultra-clean fuel, with an extremely low sulphur content of only 10ppm – the standard specification for this higher-grade fuel – as sulphur causes vehicles to emit harmful pollutants, while also causing damage to the engine and emission control systems.

With an ultra-low amount of sulphur, Euro5 diesel ensures a vehicle’s diesel engine and emission control systems perform optimally. The result is reduced emissions,  extended engine life and improved vehicle performance. To enhance efficiency, the fuel includes performance additives from a German company which are at the recommended maximum dosage.


BMW clears the air on cars with national emblems

                PETALING JAYA: The six BMW cars with national emblems were not bought by the Government, said BMW Group Malaysia managing director Alan Harris.

“The cars are part of BMW Group Malaysia’s commitment as the Automotive Partner of the upcoming 26th Asean Summit taking place in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi from April 24 to 28.BMW Group Malaysia will be providing a fleet of BMW 7 Series and BMW 5 Series which will be utilised for the shuttling of all dignitaries, officials and VIPs for South-East Asia’s most prominent meeting later this month,” said Harris.

Harris had issued the statement in response to a statement made by the Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli on Wednesday morning.

 Harris

At the press conference in parliament lobby, Rafizi had said: “This morning, I received information and pictures of six BMW 7-Series in an outlet in Bandar Puteri, Puchong that did not have licence plate numbers. Instead, these luxury cars had the national emblems on them which invites speculation that they are owned by the Federal Government.”

Datuk Johari Abdul (PKR-Sungai Petani), who was present at the press conference, said that if the case was true, the purchasing of the cars had been done at a “wrong time”.

“It could also be that there are groups of ‘bad people’ misusing the emblem, and for what purpose? For all we know, this can be a syndicate which uses the national emblem for reasons unknown,” he said.

Responding to this, Harris said in his statement that BMW wished to clarify that the cars mentioned and photographed were not purchased by Putrajaya.


Aug 24-30: RON97 petrol up two sen, RON95 and diesel unchanged

                PETALING JAYA: The fuel prices of RON97 will increase by two sen, while RON95 and diesel will remain the same from Saturday.

The Finance Ministry said the price of RON97 would be increased to RM2.51 per litre, while RON95 petrol and diesel be maintained at RM2.08 per litre and RM2.18 per litre respectively.

This will take effect from 12.01am on Saturday until Aug 30.

"Based on the calculation under the Automatic Pricing Mechanism, the retail prices for both RON95 and diesel should be increased to RM2.21 per litre and RM2.25 per litre respectively," said the ministry's statement today.

However, they are capped at RM2.08 and RM2.18 per litre respectively, following the government's decision to stabilise fuel prices and to reduce the people's cost of living.

The ministry also revealed that the estimated subsidy borne by the government between Aug 17 and Aug 23 was about RM55.48mil.

The weekly fuel pricing mechanism was reintroduced on Jan 5 under the APM.

Under this system, weekly fuel prices are announced every Friday and remain in force for one week.


Shell FuelSave 95 gets thumbs up from 10 car clubs

                KUALA LUMPUR: Shell FuelSave 95, which is designed to give customers extra kilometres for their everyday journeys has been recognised as the fuel of choice by 10 car clubs in Malaysia.

This initiative is part of Shell’s “Ekstra Kilometer, Ternyata Berbeza” campaign, a refreshed look at Shell FuelSave 95, launched earlier this year.

Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd managing director Shairan Huzani Husain, in a virtual ceremony with representatives from 10 car clubs, officially stamped their approval on the robust capabilities of Shell FuelSave 95.

The clubs are Proton Ambassadors of Malaysia, Myvi Gen.3 Club, HR-V Club Malaysia, Civic FC Club Malaysia, Geng Alza Biru Malaysia, Vios Yaris Owners Club, Mazda 3 Owner Club Malaysia, Kelab AruzR Malaysia, Nissan X-Trail Club Malaysia and Volkswagen Club Malaysia.

The recommendation is a result of numerous engagements with several car clubs since 2019 to test the difference of extra kilometres with Shell FuelSave 95.

From the positive experiences, the car clubs unitedly formalised their confidence in Shell FuelSave 95 via an official recommendation.

Now, Shell FuelSave 95 will power over 50,000 car club members with an estimated drive of 75,000km accumulatively to showcase its ‘extra kilometres’ capabilities through specially curated drive events.

These events will commence when the government’s Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

Additionally, these drive events will allow members to provide immediate feedback on how Shell FuelSave 95 enhances their drive, which will help create a better experience for other Malaysian drivers alike.

The car clubs will also receive early access and first-hand trials to Shell’s latest products and services.

Shairan said Shell fuels were developed through decades of technological expertise, rigorous research and most importantly, the customers’ needs in mind.

“Not all fuels are created equal; this is why we are honoured to have so many passionate car experts choosing Shell FuelSave 95 for their cars as it reflects the confidence our customers have in our ability to continue delivering high quality fuels and extra kilometres,” said Shairan.

Myvi Gen.3 Club representative Mohd Affan Bin Mohd Aris said:

“We are very particular about fuel quality because we understand how important it is to maintain engine cleanliness and optimise vehicle performance. Shell FuelSave 95 has always been our fuel of choice – we recommend it to peers, friends, and family because we have complete faith in its capabilities. We are thrilled to join hands with Shell Malaysia and look forward to collaborating with them.”

HR-V Club Malaysia representative Mohamad Nazri Jamil added:

“Those who want the most efficient fuel need not look further because Shell FuelSave 95 assures you of extra kilometres. I am impressed because the fuel has provided me with extra savings as my fuel consumption is averaging better than other fuels that I have tried, and it gives me peace of mind when I am on the road.”

To celebrate the official recommendation from the 10 car clubs, customers can enjoy 5% discount for RM30 and RM50 Shell vouchers exclusively on Shopee for 10 days, from Aug 13 – 22, by using the promo code ‘EKSTRAKM’ during checkout (limited to 2,000 codes per day).

Additionally, Malaysians can tune in ‘The Ekstra Onz Show’ on ERA FM’s Facebook page to participate in exciting games, win extra rewards and get tips on extra savings.

For more updates and information on other Shell’s initiatives, visit www.shell.com.my.


Geely releases images of new sports coupe SUV

                HANGZHOU, China: Geely Auto has released photos of its  upcoming Sports Coupe SUV, codenamed the FY11, and billed as its most driver orientated vehicle to date.

It is the first Geely Auto model to be based on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) that was jointly developed with Volvo Cars in Sweden.

The FY11, which will be offered in front wheel and all wheel drive variants, has a powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that offers 235hp and maximum torque of 350Nm.

The car comes with both front wheel and all wheel drive configurations.

The FY11 takes full advantage of the flexibility and scalability of the jointly developed CMA architecture as its front and rear suspension systems have been lowered for better handling and aesthetic appeal.

From its side profile, the FY11 sports a fastback style.

The curved roofline combined together with its wide profile and muscular shoulders give the FY11 an image of a larger cat as it is pouncing, continuing Geely’s unique identity of having its designs centred on the family of cats.

Geely’s signature expanding cosmos grille is also present here but with a dynamic twist, along with a horizontal chrome strip that stretches the full width and then connects with the slim arrow headlamps, further emphasizing the strength of the vehicle.

When combined with the lower blade-like features, the front conveys a confident expression.

Compact Modular Architecture (CMA)

Meanwhile, Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) was jointly developed by Volvo Cars and Geely Auto at the joint research and development centre, China Euro Vehicle Technology Center in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Over 2,000 engineers worked for six years to make the CMA architecture which can be used by brands under the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group umbrella.

The Modular nature of the architecture means that it can be used to create vehicles that fit each brands requirements as luxury, premium or mass market and also allows for each brand to create vehicles based on their market segmentation, i.e. MPV, Sedan, SUV or crossover.

The flexibility of CMA also allows for multiple powertrain options, including pure gasoline, plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid and pure electric solutions.

Volvo Cars has used CMA to develop the Volvo XC40.

Also, CMA will underpin all upcoming cars in Volvo’s 40 Series, including fully electrified vehicles.

Geely Auto Group’s premium brand, Lynk & Co, has used the CMA architecture on all three of its current models; 01, 02 and 03.


Ceremonial Land Rover used by late Queen E to be auctioned

                LONDON: A Land Rover used as a ceremonial vehicle by the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip is going under the hammer later this month.

The 1968 Land Rover – a Series IIA model – was used in Northern Ireland in 1977 as part of the Silver Jubilee Tour, marking 25 years since the succession of the late Queen Elizabeth II to the throne.

The Land Rover was initially commissioned by the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) and was later modified with bespoke coachwork so that it could be used as a royal ceremonial vehicle. The main modification is a wraparound glass panel that would help provide shelter.

Gated doors at the rear, along with metal steps, allowed easy access into the vehicle. A ‘traffic light’ button system was also fitted, allowing the Queen to indicate if she wanted to stop or continue moving.

Originally wearing a military registration, the Land Rover was sold by the MoD at auction in 1983 and has been part of several private collections since.

Its latest owner, the Matson Martin family, bought the vehicle in September 2017 and it has resided at Baddow Park Estate near Chelmsford, Essex since, but has been used infrequently at events such as the Goodwood Revival.

The Land Rover is being sold by Bonhams at its Goodwood Members Meeting Sale in Chichester in southern England on April 16, with an auction estimate of £60,000 to £90,000 (up to RM492,000).

"With the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III fast approaching, we are delighted to present this historic vehicle at Goodwood, which played a significant role in the Silver Jubilee celebrations of his mother," Tim Schofield, head of Bonhams Collector Cars UK, said.

"Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh both had an enduring association with the Land Rover marque and this is an evocative piece of Royal memorabilia." - PA Media


Elantra springs a limited Sport Edition

SHAH ALAM: The Hyundai Elantra line-up in Malaysia has just expanded with the entry of a Sport Edition, limited to only 999 units.

The variant gets a full sport body kit which includes the front and rear bumpers as well as the side skirts; Twin Tail Pipes; a limited edition sticker to go with the sporty outlook of the car; and a 6.2-inch Audio Visual In Car Entertainment that has Audio, DVD and Bluetooth functions (with an option to add-on a reverse camera for RM300).

The RM91,928 (on-the-road without insurance) Sport Edition, only available in Creamy White and Phantom Black,  with a limited edition car decal design that incorporates a barcode and serial number that runs from 001 to 999.

The latest version is targeted at a younger generation of motorists.

The Sport Edition of the facelifted Elantra comes with the Gamma 1.6-litre MPI D-CVVT powerplant that is mated to a six-speed transmission,which delivers more horsepower while consuming less fuel. Its drag coefficient of 0.28 reduces wind resistance and contributes to better fuel economy. The Elantra also features the latest active and passive safety technologies to ensure maximum protection for its occupants such as the Ultra-high Tensile Strength body, ESC (Electronic Stability Control), ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), VSM (Vehicle Stability Management) and HAC (Hill-Start Assist Control) – applicable across all variants.

The other variants are Elantra FL 1.6 Elegance (RM85,928.47); Elantra FL 1.6 Executive (RM96,820.57); Elantra FL 1.6 Premium (RM101, 554.66) and Elantra FL 1.8 Premium (RM115, 616.20).

The Elantra is among a number of models and makes built by contract assembler Inokom Corp Sdn Bhd, which also assembles BMW, MINI, Mazda, Land Rover, Ford, Jinbei, and Foton cars at its Kulim plant.

In conjunction with the Hari Raya celebration, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors is introducing the ‘Glittering Raya’ promotion that offers customers up to six Limited Edition ‘Sonata 30th Anniversary’ Gold Coins with the purchase of any Hyundai models. The gold coins are made up of 999.9 pure gold and weighs 8g each.  The first 200 customers who buy the Elantra Sport Edition will be offered either two limited edition gold coins or cash rebate of up to RM3,500.


Automakers seek ways to help embattled airbag maker Takata, says German mag

                FRANKFURT: Automakers have held a crisis meeting to see how they can help Japanese airbag manufacturer Takata after the recall of millions of vehicles worldwide due to a fault in the airbags, a German magazine reported on Wednesday.

According to the monthly Manager Magazin, Takata is unable to produce a sufficient number of airbags to replace the faulty ones. And it was impossible to find an alternative manufacturer in time, the magazine said.

At the crisis meeting, it was discussed whether a buyer could be found for embattled Takata or whether to help it out financially, the report said.
Also at the meeting, German automakers in particular discussed a possible solution for Takata’s plant in Freiberg in eastern Germany, which has not been affected by the fault, the magazine continued.

Neither Volkswagen and its Audi brand, nor Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz nor BMW were willing to comment on the report.

A week ago, the manufacturers recalled a total of 2.5 million vehicles in the United States because of the fault.
The recalls became necessary after it was found that the Takata airbags can rupture and hit occupants of a car with shrapnel.

At least 10 deaths, including nine in the United States, have been tied to the faulty airbags. Automakers worldwide have been forced to recall more than 20 million cars to have the airbags replaced.

Investigators suspect that the airbag inflators and the propellant inside can deteriorate, especially in consistently hot and humid conditions, causing them to misfire.

Kyodo News reported that Takata is considering trimming its global air bag operations, including consolidating production plants in Europe and shedding overseas jobs.

Takata could also sell some non-core businesses as part of a plan to raise money to pay for the cost of recalls.

A Takata spokesman declined to comment on the report, which pushed shares in the company to a one-week high today.

Investigators are trying to identify the root cause of the defective air bags. If Takata, which has been criticised for the way it has handled the recalls, is found to be liable for the defect, it could leave the company with a recall bill already estimated at more than US$3bil.

Automakers including Honda Motor Co and Toyota Motor Corp, which have to-date been paying for replacement air bags, could also take this as a cue to cut off financial lifelines to Takata.

Reuters last month reported that Takata chairman and CEO Shigehisa Takada was willing to step down and take responsibility for the recalls as part of wider management reforms within the company.


BMW strikes deal with GreenTech Malaysia to widen hybrid and EV usage

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Group Malaysia and Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech Malaysia) today marked a partnership to offer the car maker’s new plug-in hybrid vehicles customers in the country access to its ChargeNow mobility services via the ChargEV platform.

As part of BMW 360° ELECTRIC program, customers of the i8, 330e and X5 xDrive40e are offered the new BMW ChargeNow service, a mobility service that makes everyday on-the-go charging a seamless part of owning a i or BMW Hybrid vehicle with eDrive technology.

Using the ChargeNow card that also grants access to partner charging stations like ChargEV, customers can enjoy 24/7 support and access to over 95 publicly accessible charging locations on ChargEV’s growing network.

 Sashi and GreenTech Malaysia CEO Ahmad Hadri Haris showing the partnership agreement today. With them are (from left) GreenTech Malaysia vice-president (Green Catalyst) Mohamed Azrin Mohamed Ali, BMW Group Malaysia aftersales head Stefan Sloboda and BMW Group Malaysia marketing head Natasha Karim.

“It is important that we ensure the necessary infrastructure is available to support the new technology as this is what will also increase consumer confidence in the viability of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles," said BMW Group Malaysia corporate communications head Sashi Ambi at the signing ceremony with GreenTech Malaysia at the 7th International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM).

"As of today, the demand for both the X5 xDrive40e and 330e continues to grow. We have already begun delivering both vehicles to our customers; the BMW X5 xDrive40e currently has a wait list until Q2 2017 while the order bank for the BMW 330e is healthily growing. We are confident that the progress of these vehicles will continue to be positive."

There are serveral ways to find participating public charging stations with ChargeNow. The first is by downloading the My BMW Remote app for BMW eDrive customers or the BMW i Remote app for BMW i customers to locate available public charging stations, check their availability, and send their locations directly to the vehicle. Owners can also use the onboard navigation system via BMW ConnectedDrive services to find public stations from their BMW eDrive or BMW i vehicle. Alternatively, customers can locate the stations by using the ChargEV online map, which displays the location of all ChargEV stations.

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Once a public charging station is located, simply tap the ChargeNow card over the reader symbol, press the handle button to remove the charging connector, and plug in. Upon full charge, simple tap the ChargeNow card to end the session before unplugging and returning the connector to its station.

GreenTech Malaysia targets to install 300 ChargEV stations by this year and will keep to its target of achieving 25,000 ChargEV stations by 2020 to support Malaysia’s target of deploying 100,000 EVs in the next five years.

BMW is offering the public a chance to experience and discover more about the BMW 360° ELECTRIC programme on Oct 8, the last day of IGEM, at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here.

 Ahmad Hadri posing with Kim of IEVE after signing their agreement

In a related development, GreenTech Malaysia has signed a separate deal with the organising committee of the International Electric Vehicle Expo (IEVE) to promote electric mobility on an international scale through strategic discussions and cross-promotional activities to increase understanding and interest for the growing electric mobility scene in Asia.

GreenTech Malaysia is expected to take part in the upcoming 4th IEVE to be held in Jeju, South Korea, next March; while Malaysia would be introduced into the IEVE EV leader roundtable, which represents top nations in the sustainable transport landscape.

IEVE, chaired by Daehwan Kim, is the world’s only expo dedicated to electric vehicles. It has attracted nearly 200,000 visitors over the past three years.


Ducati rolls out special deals for Hari Raya

                KUALA LUMPUR: In conjunction with the coming Hari Raya festivities, Ducati in Malaysia is offering several special promotions for local Ducatitis.

Valid until March 31, the Ducati Monster now comes with a complimentary Slip-On Termignoni Exhaust worth RM11,000 where riders will get to experience the power and sound of Italian engineering.

 Hypermotard.

Not only that, for every purchase of Ducati Hypermotard, buyers will receive a complimentary Peak V5 Helmet and Quickshifter worth RM5,000.

Orders can be placed at @ducati.pj, @ducati_welly, @ducati_kualalumpur, @ducati_johor, or @ducati_penang.


Toyota Copen GR Sport compact convertible sports car launched in Japan

                TOKYO: Toyota has rolled out the Copen GR Sport compact convertible sports car in Japan, armed with a 660cc turbocharged engine and a powered-folding hardtop.

The front-wheel drive car is priced at 2.435 million yen (RM94,165) for a 5-speed manual unit, or 2.38 million yen (RM92,038) for a CVT with 7-speed Super Active Shift and paddle shifters.

Built by Daihatsu Motor, the two-seater mini roadster with an electric power steering is the first sports car in the series "GR" developed by Toyota Gazoo Racing.

It combines the ideal driving experience of the GR with the Copen, a minivehicle, neither of which are in Toyota's product lineup.

Development was focused on body rigidity and suspension tuning.

The front face uses the "Functional Matrix" grille, which is the GR icon.

A large opening lower grille contributes to improved cooling performance while an under-spoiler-shaped front bumper contributes to improved driving performance.

The interior features special Recaro seats and a piano black-toned decorative center cluster.

Exterior

- Special front bumper and special radiator grille (functional MATRIX Grille)
- Special rear bumper (diffuser shaped)
- Exclusive BBS forged-aluminum wheels (special matte gray color paint)
- Special LED headlights + black extensions-toned decoration
- Special LED rear combination taillights + black-toned decoration
- Special LED fog lights / fog lights bezel
- GR SPORT emblem (front / side / rear)

Interior

- Special RECARO seats (GR embroidery logo)
- Dedicated self-lighting triple meter display (GR logo / red needle / red lighting)
- Special leather-wrapped steering wheel manufactured by MOMO (GR emblem + spoke part gun metallic-toned)
- Special piano black-toned (center cluster / door grip)

Body Rigidity

- Special front brace added
- Special center brace where we changed the shape (special spats beneath the floor panels included)

Driveline

- Front super LSD (manual car standards)


'Fast & Furious' game adjusts trajectory for August 2020

                LONDON: The studio behind intensely realistic racing simulator series "Project CARS" is lining up "Fast & Furious Crossroads" for an August 2020 release — though don't expect grounded tyre physics to form the main attraction.

Once anticipated for May, opposite the movie theatre debut of "F9," the video game is now anticipated for later in the year.

That puts it en route to the film's own delayed arrival in April 2021.

As its latest trailer shows, "Fast & Furious Crossroads" promises a new storyline with familiar characters at the wheel.

Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and Tyrese Gibson are voicing franchise counterparts Dom, Letty and Roman.

Sonequa Martin-Green from "The Walking Dead" and "Star Trek: Discovery" as well as Asia Kate Dillon from "John Wick 3" and "Billions" are joining them in new roles.

According to this latest preview, players can expect to face off against an armoured hovercraft, all-terrain turbo tank, desert canyon rock slide, open-pit excavation machine, and even, it would appear, a space rocket.

London-based Slightly Mad Studios appears to have resurrected some elements from 2010's "Split/Second" and the 2001-08 "Burnout" franchise, as created by fellow British developers Black Rock (now defunct) and Criterion (for a while transformed into a "Need for Speed," "Battlefront" and "Battlefield" support studio).

Whether it can live up to those two games' legacies — much less the blockbuster "Fast" saga — remains to be seen.

Initial public reaction to this latest trailer indicated that "Crossroads" could benefit from some visual polish.

When it lands in August, "Fast & Furious Crossroads" will be slightly ahead of rally motorsport sim "Dirt 5," from Slightly Mad's parent company Codemasters, and Milestone's motorcycle circuit racer "Ride 4," both due October.

Perhaps most relevant for the movie tie-in, there's the spiritual successor to "Burnout Paradise," "Dangerous Driving 2," on the horizon, announced for late 2020 across all three consoles.

Slightly Mad has its own "Project Cars 3" and mobile spin-off "Project Cars Go" in development, though both await release date announcements.


TechArt GTstreet R: A mean green driving machine

                STUTTGART: German Porsche tuning house TechArt is bound to get hearts racing with its latest 911-based creation that squeezes hypercar performance into an everyday sportscar's body.

For some, the Porsche 911 is already automotive perfection, but there are always those that want more: more power, more performance and of course more exclusivity. Thankfully for those clients companies like TechArt and its latest creation, the GTstreet R, exist.

Based on the current generation Porsche 911 Turbo or Turbo S, this car is equal parts show and go. Festooned in carbon fibre additions for better downforce - up to 321kg when the car hits 300kph claims TechArt - without diluting the car's drag coefficient. The new body panels also feed more cold air to the engine, its turbos and brakes for better performance and efficiency.

Generous lashings of carbon fibre also help strengthen the body and cut weight, meaning that owners will be able to make the most of the equally generous power upgrade. A Stock 911 Turbo has 540hp, a 0-100kph time of 3 seconds and a top speed of 319kph.

The GTstreet R will initially have 640hp (0-100kph in 2.7 seconds and 0-200kph in 9.2 seconds) but from early 2017 an even more advanced power upgrade kit will be available that can deliver 720hp - Lamborghini Aventador territory.

Keeping all of those horses in check is four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering plus a rear wing that raises and tilts automatically as the car accelerates.

However, TechArt claims to have achieved all of these engineering marvels without compromising the 911's unique selling point - it's still an everyday supercar.

There may be racing harnesses instead of seatbelts and a roll cage rather than the tiny rear seats when stepping inside, but the cabin is still packed with creature comforts.

Owners have the option of two different trim levels - Clubsport and Exclusive. Go for the latter and the cabin is awash in leather and contrasting hand stitching while the former offers Alcantara dashboard and seat trim plus headliner.

As for driving, the car should be equally at home on the track or on the road but clients can specify exactly the suspension and chassis setup they desire. Options include a lift kit that will raise the car's low-slung nose sufficiently to avoid scrapes and scratches on speed bumps or entering and exiting carparks.


Don't spoil your foil: How to clean your car's fancy new coat

                BERLIN: If you want to give your car a new colour or have something printed on it, foils are a great option instead of a permanent paint job. However, they tend to have special requirements when it comes to washing.

Cars with foil coatings can usually drive through car washes. But motorists are well advised to avoid hot wax treatment.

In the worst case, you'll later find your car has stains that cannot be removed, especially if there's a matt or structured surface. Even if you're hand-washing the car, wax is still a taboo, as foils require special cleaning agents.

Some foil manufacturers recommend only using car washes, which use textile washing elements to avoid scratches caused by nylon brushes.

If you want to use a high-pressure cleaner to clean your vehicle, you should do so from a distance of at least 50cm and not aim at the edges of the foil.

Foils usually are less expensive than new varnish coatings. A self-adhesive film is applied to the surfaces and can be removed again without damages. This allows you to quickly change the appearance of the car without having to repaint the vehicle permanently.

But this is not a solution for eternity. Depending on quality and use, the foil must be removed from the vehicle between two and 10 years after applying. For best results, get an expert to handle it for you.


BMW's Lucy prototype an electric 5 Series that produces 720hp and 1,153Nm of torque

                MUNICH: More details have been revealed this week about BMW's electric M550i xDrive prototype including the vehicle's high performance, low emission levels, and potential to become a production model.

BMW product manager Matthias Stangl spoke to CNET's Roadshow about Lucy, a modified all-electric M550i xDrive sedan whose name is a reference to Lucifer.

The prototype model has been outfitted with three electric motors which serve as "a test-bed for fine-tuning the dynamics of BMW's future electric powertrains." In short, Lucy will aid in the development of the company's upcoming electric projects, because her powertrain can be adjusted to feel like a sedan, SUV, or any other type of vehicle according to Stangl.

With all motors generating their maximum power, the car can produce up to 720hp — about 200hp more than Tesla's highest performing variant and over 100hp more than the petrol-powered BMW M5 Competition sedan — and 1,153Nm of torque. Stangl said its 0 to 100kph acceleration time is estimated to be 2.8 seconds, a measurement that's likely slower than reality.

CNET stated that after just six laps on the development track, the battery was nearly gone, "but only a couple minutes later, it's topped up and ready to go" thanks to the battery's quick charging capability. On the inside, the car is simply a G30 5 Series sedan.

While Lucy is a one-of-a-kind prototype right now, Stangl confirmed that "Everything that we're doing in development of this car will somehow lead into a series product."

 The already powerful engine of the M550i has been swapped with three electric motors to increase output and torque.


Elon Musk wants to put 10 rockets on Tesla Roadster

                SAN FRANCISCO: The new Tesla Roadster could come with not one or two but “10 small rocket thrusters” for “top speed”, company CEO Elon Musk said via his Twitter account.

Musk made a surprise unveiling back in November 2017 when he presented the new Roadster, a sports car that he claims will be able to go from 0 to 100kph in just 1.9 seconds, making it the “fastest production car ever” made.

The new Roadster is due in 2020 and is expected to cost US$250,000 (RM998,000), have a 200-kWh battery and supposedly drive 998km per charge. Already these are ambitious specs, and whether or not they factored in “rocket thrusters,” who knows.

On June 9, Musk tweeted that “10 small rocket thrusters” will come as part of the “Space X option package,” claiming they will “dramatically improve acceleration” and possibly even “allow a Tesla to fly.”

Apart from the rockets, no new specs were revealed on his Twitter thread, however Musk did include some of his background history and passion for cars.

He ended by saying “New Tesla Roadster will exceed all gas sports cars in every way.”


Upgraded Toyota Vios now open for booking

SHAH ALAM: UMW Toyota Motor kicked off the year by announcing immediate order-taking of the Vios, which sees exterior and interior upgrades for 2018 as Toyota seeks to fend off further erosion of sales from the highly successful Honda City.

With the 2018 Vios, Toyota is going on the offensive, offering new aerokit styling and a more premium interior. It is also introducing new accessories such as front & rear parking sensors, shark fin antenna, and illuminated scuff plates.

Toyota touts the Vios as the first model in its segment to have the full parking sensors and this item will be offered as standard for TRD, GX and G variants. A new DVD-AVX entertainment system with enhanced features is also available for the Vios and it is offered with a reverse camera as standard for all variants except Vios J (manual) and J (automatic).

Existing items such as panoramic view monitor and digital video recorder are still offered on top of the new accessories.

As before, there are six variants to choose from with prices starting from RM74,980 (excluding insurance, for private registration in Peninsular Malaysia). All the variants of the Vios qualify as Energy Efficient Vehicles.

Like all the latest Toyota models, the Vios comes with a five-year warranty and unlimited mileage. If the vehicle is sold off within the first five years, the warranty coverage will also be available to the next owner.

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Recall for Nissan Grand Livina, X-Gear and Navara

                KUALA LUMPUR: A recall campaign extension has been announced in Malaysia for the Nissan Grand Livina, X-Gear and Navara to replace the Takata front passenger airbag inflator module.

These include 83,263 units of the locally assembled Nissan Grand Livina and X-Gear, produced from April 2007 to December 2014.

Also affected are 14,953 units of imported and locally assembled Nissan Navara (D40) pick-up truck, produced from December 2006 to December 2014.

The recall was announced by Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM), the sole distributor and assembler of Nissan vehicles in Malaysia, together with Tan Chong Ekspres Auto Servis Centre (TCEAS).

Customers of the affected Nissan vehicles will be notified by letter through TCEAS and are advised to call the nearest TCEAS outlet for an appointment.

Selected TCEAS outlets have extended its operation hours and are now open 365 days.

All labour and replacement parts for this recall campaign will be at no cost to owners.

Customers may call the Nissan Customer Care Centre at the Toll-Free line: 1800-88-3838 or visit www.nissan.com.my (click on ‘Owners’ tab followed by ‘Recall Campaign’).


First drive of Mercedes-Benz E-Class in Portugal - VIDEOS

With arid and mountainous land unable to support large scale farming, Portugal of the 15th century had to rely on its fearless seafarers to bring home bounties from the Americas and Far East to enrich state treasury.

Facing competition from other maritime superpowers of that era and neighbouring Spain, the Portuguese had to innovate and design their ships to be quicker for exploration of the seas.

With much perseverance and bravery, the Portuguese became the first Europeans to set foot on Japan, a perilous voyage halfway around the world that had sailors pitting their skills against unforgiving seas. A similar theme of innovation and exploration was played out knowingly or unknowingly by Mercedes-Benz in Lisbon recently.

The Portuguese capital was the media test drive venue of the latest 10th generation E-Class (W213) premium sedan, the German carmaker’s frontrunner in its push for innovation and exploration of autonomous driving technology in production cars. Said to be the most “intelligent” vehicle in the world, the new W213 combines plenty of driver assistance features using sensors, radar and camera for safer driving with multimedia connectivity and passenger comfort in a classy package.

READ MORE: New Mercedes E-Class launched in Malaysia (Ning Baizura fan? Follow the link)

The new car reprises an instantly recognisable E-Class elegant styling with elongated bonnet, short overhangs, coupé-like rear windscreen and large wheels. Taillights are a single-piece design over the previous model (W212)’s two-piece units and the head lights are the new LED Multibeam type that uses 84 individually controlled high-performance LEDs to automatically illuminate the road with precision to avoid dazzling other road users.

Compared with W212, the new E-Class has softer edges and is longer by 43mm. Its wheelbase increase of 65mm gave more interior space, while height, width and bootspace of 540 litres remain largely the same. Handling is enhanced as the track at the front has been widened by 20mm and the rear by 7mm.

The new car also uses more aluminium and ultra-high-strength steel components than its predecessor for weight saving and increased body rigidity. Aside from our E 300 Avantgarde test unit which sports a large three-pointed star logo on the radiator grille, the other frontal styling are the Exclusive with a small free-standing three-star hood ornament and the AMG Line with radiator grille like the Avantgarde’s but features a more aggressive lower bumper look.

The dashboard, with its generous leather, metallic and wood trimmings, circular air vents, two 12.3-inch high resolution displays and an analogue clock, borrows its styling from the current S-Class (W222) which cranks up the luxury factor several rungs if compared with W212’s.

The E-Class also gets Blackberry-developed Touch Control interface on the steering wheel that allows the driver to control the entire infotainment system using finger swipes ala smartphone style. The driver can also customise his full-electronic instrument panel for the pre-set Classic, Sport or Progressive appearance.
Another new item is the interior LED lighting that can be personalised with a 64-colour option.

Setting out from Espelho do Agua arts centre on the bank of Targus River, our 28km drive to Estoril Circuit took us on congested city roads and highways. The suspension set-up of our test unit was sporty but could soak up shocks from cobblestone roads and railway crossings for a comfortable ride. Curves can be taken confidently at higher speeds as the Agility Control suspension system keeps body roll to a minimum.

While driving out of the city, we were impressed by the car’s intelligent features such as Steering Pilot which can help the driver steer the car in curves, and Traffic Sign Assist which uses a camera to read road signs and display them on the instrument panel. Another feature is Speed Limit Pilot which can re-adjust your cruise control speed so the car stays within the speed limit.

On highways, we were also wowed by the Lane Change Assist feature where we could change lanes by holding down the turn indicator for two seconds. We do not even have to turn the steering wheel as the E-Class would move to the next lane by itself after detecting no nearby vehicles.

The 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection engine’s 345bhp and 370Nm of torque provided more than enough grunt to bring the car up to speed effortlessly. Fitted with the new nine-speed 9G-Tronic transmission, gear shifts are seamless and refined.

With aerodynamics improved to 0.23Cd from 0.25Cd and better sound insulation, the cabin was whisper quiet as we went above 130kph on some highway stretches. At Estoril Circuit, we got to sample more smart features, among them Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic function that scans for cross traffic and autonomously brakes the car if the driver fails to do so, and Remote Parking Pilot in which the driver can download an app into his smartphone and use it to park the car in tight spaces without being seated inside.

We also got a few laps on Estoril Circuit’s track in the more extreme E 400 AMG Line 4Matic with 333hp and 480Nm of torque on tap. Setting the drive mode to Sport+, the all-wheel drive E 400 delivered a thrilling drive with grippy handling and a sporty exhaust note that easily raises the heartbeat rate.

With these hi-tech enhancements possible in the E-Class, expect full autonomous driving cars to be knocking on our doors in the near future.


Subaru unveils Eyesight driver assist technology

                SINGAPORE: Subaru has officially launched its driver assist technology, dubbed Eyesight, at this year's Singapore Motorshow.

The technology is a support system that uses a range of functions to assist the driver for a more safer driving experience and includes adaptive cruise control, lane sway and departure warning, lead vehicle start alert, pre-collision braking systm as well as pre-collision throttle management.

The technology uses stereo cameras to identify the surrounding vehicles, obstacles, traffic lanes and other items.

The company claims that it will be able to apply the brakes or reduce the throttle to minimise the risk of collision. under ideal circumstances.

Although the technology has the capability to help avoid unwanted circumstances, it does not mean that it can replace a driver's level of awareness and may not operate optimally under all driving conditions.

The six main functions of EyeSight includes Pre-Collision Braking which warns the driver with a buzzer and a light on the dash.

Should the driver not take any evasive action, the system can automatically apply the brakes to reduce any impact or, if possible, prevent the collision.

But, if the driver does perform an evasive action it can still help to prevent it by applying more brake force.

The Adaptive Cruise Control will help to adjust the vehicle's speed to maintain a set distance from the lead vehicle by adjusting the engine, transmission, and brakes accordingly to keep the vehicle in line with the traffic flow.

With regards to Pre-Collision Throttle Management, if Eyesight detects an obstacle in front of the vehicle when it is in Drive instead of Reverse, the system sounds several short beeps, turns on a flashing indicator and cuts the engine output to help avoid a frontal collision.

However, this system may not work in all situations and depends on the speed difference from the objects, the object's height and other conditions which may not allow it to work optimally.

When travelling at speeds of 50kph or more, the Lane Departure Warning system alerts the driver with a buzzer and a flashing indicator when it detects that the vehicle is drifting towards and is about to depart from the lane without signalling.

Working together with Lane Departure Warning, Lane Sway Warning (when at speeds of 60kph or more) helps the driver stay alert with a buzzer and a flashing indicator.

Lastly, while the vehicle has come to a full stop behind another vehicle, the Lead Vehicle Start Alert is able to detect that traffic has begun to move and will prompt the driver with a buzzer and a flashing indicator to take action.

"Eyesight completes Subaru's core technology pillars to present a wholesome and attractive package for customers who are looking for the highest standards of safety, driving performance and comfort in a car," said Tan Chong International managing director Glenn Tan.


Which are the safest assisted-driving systems around in 2021?

                BRUSSELS: The BMW iX3 is the car with the best-performing assisted driving system on the European market this year, according to Euro NCAP.

Its driving aids in semi-autonomous mode were rated as "very good."

Since 2020, the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) has published a series of tests specifically dedicated to assisted driving, in addition to its classic crash test results.

The German SUV has a powerful set of sensors as standard, which makes its entire driver assistance system particularly safe when drivers are not able to react to a dangerous situation by themselves.

Two other cars, the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Cupra Formentor, received a "good" rating, while the Polestar 2 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 were rated as "moderate."

The Toyota Yaris and the Opel Mokka-e, on the other hand, offer "Entry" level assisted driving systems.

Last year, Euro NCAP rated the Audi Q8, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes GLE as "very good," with the latter getting the highest scores.

Most of the other cars tested, including the Tesla Model 3, offered only "moderate" quality.

Still, software updates can correct and improve such systems.

Driver assistance systems help the driver maintain a constant speed, keep the vehicle in the center of the lane and keep a safe distance from the car in front on certain roads, such as highways, with tools like adaptive cruise control (ACC) and a lane centering system (LC).


Mazda bets on diesel-only car for Japan launch of key 2015 model

                TOKYO: Japan's Mazda Motor Corp will sell only diesel-powered cars in the domestic launch of its key model for 2015, gambling it can convince the country's army of hybrid petrol-electric drivers that the days of sooty, noisy diesels are long gone.

Masamichi Kogai, Chief Executive of Japan's fifth-biggest auto maker, placed his diesel bet in Tokyo on Friday as he unveiled the CX-3, a compact sport-utility vehicle (SUV).

"In Japan, more and more people are choosing to drive diesels," Kogai said. The CEO also said the greater power offered by diesel engines is a selling point for bigger cars, including compact SUVs.

 The CX-3 for Japan.

Mazda has high hopes for its new entry in a small but growing segment of the global auto market. Kogai said the compact SUV segment is expected to double in size by 2020, attracting stiff competition from the likes of Nissan Motor Co's Juke and Hyundai Motor Co's ix 35.

Though Mazda has aggressively promoted diesel engines in Japan, its second-biggest market after the United States, diesels still make up less than 3 percent of passenger car sales with just 79,000 sold in Japan in 2014.

Mazda has advanced technology that cuts emissions and sound, but diesel engines - once dubbed a health hazard by a former Tokyo governor - have suffered a lingering image problem in Japan.

With the weak yen making its exports more profitable, Mazda has performed well lately. It expects to sell 1.4 million cars in the financial year ending March - 225,000 of them in Japan - compared with 1.33 million a year earlier.

Yet with a comparatively small line-up, the company needs every launch, including the CX-3, to be successful.

Mazda plans to build about 150,000 CX-3s a year in its home base in Hiroshima, to be sold in 120 countries starting with Japan on Friday at a base price of 2.376 million yen (US$19,931).

The car hits showrooms in Australia next month, followed by Europe, North America and other markets. The CX-3 also comes with a 2.0-litre petrol engine in some markets.

To shed another negative image of the diesel engines as loud, Mazda said it has developed a brand new technology that reduces the "knocking" sound unique to diesels by installing a hollow, cylindrical pin in the piston.

The technology debuts as an option on higher-end versions of the CX-3.


OPen Road Asia and Permodalan Kedah to develop RM1.3bil motorsports-themed resort in Langkawi

                ALOR SETAR: OPen Road Asia Sdn Bhd and Permodalan Kedah Bhd has entered an agreement to develop a premier tourist and motorsports destination in Langkawi island.

The OPen Road International Circuit and Integrated Resorts will be built on a tract of 183 acres of sea-facing land in Bukit Malut.

The RM1.3bil mega development will not only encompass a FIA-sanctioned motorsports circuit but a fully-integrated resort which consist of luxury residential properties, high-end luxury retail outlets, 5-star hotels, 4S automobile dealerships, 900-cars storage facility, petrol refuelling stations as well as various tourist attractions and world-renowned restaurants.

OPen Road Asia founder and group advisor Datuk David Goh said the integrated development is expected to provide an immediate high impact economic boost to Pulau Langkawi and Kedah upon its completion in five years’ time.

"With a projected increase of high-spending and affluent tourists’ arrival both locally and internationally, it is envisioned that this project will help create an endless stream of business and job opportunities for Kedahans via the island’s economic expansion," he said.

The racing circuit, modelled after Germany's Nurburgring, will score a number of world’s first in racing circuit designs that will include one of the longest circuit straight in the world, as well as banked curves or carousel, and down-hill-elevation-drop multiple hairpins.

"This 5.8km-long racing track is poised to be the 'Nurburgring of the East'," Goh said.

 Abdul Rahman and Goh signing the agreement.

Upon ORIC’s completion by the second quarter of 2023, the world-class racing attraction will put Langkawi at the forefront of motorsports in Asia, providing a platform to nurture automotive research and development, testing ground and racing destinations for major automotive manufacturers, motorsports enthusiasts and racing teams the world over.

At the event, Kedah Mentri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said project which would boost tourism in Langkawi through a world-class racing circuit was very appropriate.

"I would like to invite every agency and department involved to help facilitate this proposed project between PKB and OPen Road Asia Sdn Bhd,” he said.

At the ceremony, Goh signed for OPen Road Asia while Permodalan Kedah was represented by its CEO Abdul Rahman Din.


Something to prove: VW ID.4 EV completes cross-country drive in US

                WASHINGTON: Volkswagen of America completed a drive across the US last week with the all-electric Volkswagen ID.4 EV.

Starting in New York City mid-March, the small team crossed the States on a predominantly southern route, wrapping up the drive on schedule in 18 days in Sacramento, California.

“We proved exactly what we set out to do with this drive, which was to show that with a little planning, covering long distances in an EV can be easy,” said Dustin Krause, Director, e-Mobility, Volkswagen of America.

“We met so many people on the road and were able to show off the ID.4 to the US, just as deliveries are starting to happen at dealerships. The ID.4 performed flawlessly and we’re hoping this trip reiterates that electric vehicles and EV charging networks are ready for the masses.”

The route included stops in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Cleveland, Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta, Savannah, Orlando, New Orleans, Dallas, Austin, Marfa, El Paso, Tucson, Phoenix, Joshua Tree, LA, San Jose, San Francisco and Sacramento, among other cities. The vehicle was charged at 32 Electrify America charging stations, among a few other opportunities that included overnight charging at selected hotels.

https://www.youtube.com/VolkswagenUSANews

The small team navigated more than 10,782km and created a daily vlog series to show highlights from each day. A short documentary showing a broader look at the trip will launch in the coming weeks as well.

Electrify America is the nation’s largest open DC fast charging network with more than 560 charging stations and more than 2,400 DC fast chargers, including two cross-country routes to take electric vehicle drivers from Washington, D.C. to LA and Jacksonville to San Diego.

To help meet current and future demand, Electrify America continues to expand rapidly, with plans to install or have under development 800 total charging stations with about 3,500 DC fast chargers by December 2021.

The ID.4 is Volkswagen’s first all-electric SUV and the brand’s first electric world car.

The vehicle is currently offered in the US with an 82kWh (gross) battery and a rear-mounted AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor with 201hp and 310Nm of torque. The EPA-estimated range for the ID.4 Pro S and 1st Edition models is 402km.


Toyota 'wood' like to introduce Setsuna

                TOYOTA CITY: The Toyota Setsuna will make its way to the April 12-17 Milan Design Week.

What’s different about the concept car is that it is made mostly of wood.

The car seats two persons and is 3m long with a wheelbase of 1.7m.

According to Toyota, the use of wood is meant to show the developing relationships between people and their cars.

With the Setsuna concept, Toyota is expressing the notion that, as a family uses their car, a bond is forged with it and when it is handed over to the next generation, that car will acquire a new type of value that only the members of that family can appreciate.

The car’s name Setsuna, meaning “moment” in Japanese, was chosen to reflect that people experience precious, fleeting moments together with their cars. Toyota believes that, over time, these collective moments make their cars irreplaceable to their owners.

To embody this concept, Toyota picked a variety of of wood for different parts of the car, including the exterior panels, frame, floor, and seats.

Japanese cedar was used for the exterior panels and Japanese birch for the frame.

Wood provides uniquely appealing characteristics that are not offered in conventional cars: it can last for generations if properly taken care of and it also changes in coloration and texture in response to its environment (particularly temperature and humidity) and conditions of use, taking on a unique character and depth.

Toyota engineer overseeing development of the Setsuna Kenji Tsuji said the car was assembled without using nails or screws through a a traditional Japanese joinery technique called okuriari.

The completed body line resembles the curve of a boat, he said.

The car includes a 100-year meter that will keep time over generations.


Restored classic Mini Cooper blends iconic shape with e-power

                MONZA: The classic Mini Cooper makes a great basis for an electric car and that is exactly what the crew at an Italian workshop thought when they transformed the time-honoured runabout into a quiet electric.

Out comes the petrol engine to be replaced with a retrofit 45 kW motor system linked to 14 kWh battery pack. With this setup, Aznom Automotive's restomod, branded as a Toys 4 Boys electric Mini, is capable of a covering 140 kilometres between charges - making it best suited to urban drives and shorter trips.

The electron-sipping Mini joins a host of other classics that have been electrified by various companies, including Fiat 500s, Volkswagen Beetles and even a Ferrari and a Rolls-Royce.

Finished in metallic blue with a yellow roof and pinstripes, the electric Mini bowed in at a June show in the wealthy principality of Monaco. The production version goes on sale from September.

Monza-based makers Aznom said the electric Mini bridges the gap between the iconic past of the quick Cooper and "green" contemporary electric cars. A Mini Mk5 was chosen for the prototype conversion.

The bright looks are inspired by classic 1960s rally visuals and inside the seats are trimmed in cool and comfy blue Alcantara leather.

There are three different driving set-ups to choose from, namely eco, normal and sport. A second open-top electric classic Mini version dubbed "Cote d'Azur" is in the pipeline.

Aznom said the electrification kit is compatible with all Mini cars built from 1982 onwards and will be developed for installation in many other vintage and classic cars too.

Pricing has not been announced and even owners with a combustion-engined Mini donor ripe for conversion will probably need to haggle a little.

In any case, expect this green Mini Cooper to cost a lot more than the US$29,000 (RM128,000) charged for by the manufacturer of the current new shape Mini Cooper Electric Hardtop.


Porsche to partner Sime Darby for first assembly plant outside Europe

                PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Bhd today announced that it will partner Porsche AG to assemble sports cars for the Malaysian market only.

Sime Darby’s motor vehicle production and assembly facility would be the first assembly plant of the German sports car manufacturer outside of Europe, with production scheduled to begin in 2022.

Sime Darby Motors, one of the leading automotive groups in Asia Pacific, has been partnering Porsche in Malaysia for the last 11 years.

CarSifu posted a report in February of rumours that Porsche was going to set up a Malaysian plant, citing The Edge Weekly.

Sime Darby Group chief executive officer Datuk Jeffri Salim Davidson said the partnership with Porsche marked a coming of age of its relationship with the brand.

“To be entrusted to assemble cars for one of the world’s most admired sports car brands speaks volumes of the highly qualified and competent Malaysian talent we have at Sime Darby and our ability to provide meaningful value to our partners.

“The assembly portfolio is a key element in our growth strategy, and we are pleased to extend our relationship with Porsche from retail and distribution to include assembly,” he said.
 Jeffri.

Jeffri also said every Porsche assembled by Sime Darby would go through the same rigorous standards and processes as its European counterparts.

“Quality will be a shared key commitment between Porsche AG and Sime Darby to all our customers, in assembling Porsche vehicles. We will continue our close engagement with Porsche AG to ensure that we meet the Porsche standard every step of the way,” he said.

Meanwhile, Porsche AG Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing, Detlev von Platen, said Malaysia and the whole Asean is a region of great potential and the German car maker was looking forward to the first locally assembled models reaching Malaysian customers next year.

“As Porsche is moving into a new era of mobility, Malaysia and the Asean region are gaining an increasing importance. This step now is part of a long-standing initiative to keep pace with rapidly evolving customer and market demands,” he said.

Sime Darby’s vehicle production and assembly facility is today a partner of choice for some of the world’s largest and most sophisticated automotive brands.

While a highly skilled Malaysian workforce drives Sime Darby’s assembly operations, which delivered 17,141 high-value units in FY2021, the company also partners with local vendors to provide seamless supply and production support.


Continental's 'Your Whee-lly Fun Day' carnival kicks-off this weekend

                KUALA LUMPUR: Continental Tyres Malaysia (CTM) will hosts its first 'Your Whee-lly Fun Day' carnival and will be held over three weekends and will start in Penang.

The carnival will be held across three weekends and over three venues, starting with Auto City Juru (Penang) from May 6 to 7, followed by 1 Utama Shopping Centre (New Wing) in Bandar Utama from May 13 to 14 and at Angsana Mall in Johor Baru from May 20 to 21.

There will be numerous activities such as a kids corner and ladies corner where respective visitors are able to take part in numerous challenges in winning exciting give-aways.

Additionally, those who purchased a minimum of any two Continental tyre will receive an exclusive driving experience at the event and will also be eligible to enter a lucky draw.

Visitors will also stand a chance to receive freebies from Hot FM and ONE FM Radio troopers who have been scheduled to visit 1 Utama and Angsana.

Lastly, there will also be free tyre safety checks by Continental's crew members and an opportunity to purchase tyres at all venues.

Continental Tyre Malaysia managing director Cameron Wilson said that the carnival is to help create awareness about tyre safety through a fun and educational approach.

"It is a family friendly event where everyone is welcome to learn more about Continental as a brand and what we have to offer to Malaysian society" he added.

For more information log on to www.continental-funday.com.my.


First images reveal distinctive design of Škoda Kodiaq SUV

                PRAGUE: Škoda has revealed images of the Kodiaq, its new, large SUV model. They give an impression of how ŠKODA will transfer the brand’s new expressive design language into the SUV segment.

The Kodiaq aims to impress: the wide, three-dimensional radiator grille gives the Kodiaq a striking presence. In combination with the narrow, raked headlights, which are available with full-LED technology for the first time, the brand’s first large SUV will be instantly recognisable on the road.

The side and rear views are also sharp: the doors are athletically shaped and the tailgate is expressively sculptured. The rear lights, with LED technology as standard, shine in the typical Škoda C-shape.

As expected of an SUV, the Kodiaq boasts a big interior. It has a boot capacity of 720 to 2,065 litres (with the rear seats folded down), offering the largest boot within its class. For first time, Škoda will offer a seven-seat option. Using the position of the seats and angle adjustment, Kodiaq can be adapted to offer a wide range of seating and loading solutions. With the front passenger seat down, the car can transport items up to 2.9 metres long.

The latest driver assistance systems ensure improved safety and comfort. Area View, using surround-view cameras with wide-angle lenses at the front and the rear as well as in the wing mirrors, displays various views of the car’s immediate surroundings on the in-car monitor. These include a virtual top-down view and 180-degree pictures from the areas to the front and rear. Tow Assist is also new to the range: When towing, the system takes over steering when reversing slowly. Additionally, while reversing, the new Manoeuvre Assist will brake as soon as an obstacle is detected behind the vehicle.

The Škoda Connect mobile online services are another innovation. They are divided into two categories: the Infotainment Online services ensure more information and navigation in real time, and the Care Connect services provide remote access as well as assistance.

The centrepiece of the Care Connect services is the emergency call following an accident: if an airbag is activated, a so-called Emergency Call (e-Call) automatically connects to an emergency call centre.

The Kodiaq will celebrate its world premiere on Sept 1 in Berlin.