Ferrari works with Qualcomm to introduce digital dashboards

                MARANELLO: Ferrari NV will partner with Qualcomm Inc. to overhaul its car dashboards as new chief executive officer Benedetto Vigna tries to pick up the pace of the automaker’s shift towards batteries and digital technologies.

The companies will work together on a “digital cockpit” and explore opportunities to aid Ferrari’s tech shift, the Italian luxury-car maker said Tuesday. The partnership will extend to Ferrari’s esports activities.

“We expand our knowledge in digital technologies and Web 3.0, areas with great potential for automotive and motorsport,” Vigna said in a statement.

Forging closer ties with Qualcomm may come in handy for Ferrari when navigating the semiconductor shortage that’s poised to continue weighing on automotive production this year.

Qualcomm, the biggest maker of chips that run smartphones, is trying to diversify its client base and has been pushing its Snapdragon platform with automotive customers. Last month, General Motors Co. said Qualcomm’s chips will power its driver-assistance system Ultra Cruise.

Ferrari in January began revamping its organisational structure and hiring managers with experience in technology.

It’s also set up a department exploring opportunities in digital services.

The firm posted better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings last week as it managed to dodge the fallout from the supply-chain snarls that hit many of its competitors.

Vigna joined in September from chipmaker STMicroelectronics NV, where he led the division that supplies key sensors used in Apple Inc.’s iPhone and automakers’ navigation systems. Ferrari plans to detail its strategy for electrification at a capital markets day in June.


VW to stop doing business in Iran, says Bloomberg

                WOLFSBURG (Germany): Volkswagen has bowed to American pressure stemming from the US rejection of the multi-party nuclear deal and will end almost all business in Iran, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday.

The accord was reached Tuesday after weeks of talks between the German auto giant and the administration of President Donald Trump, said Richard Grenell, the US Ambassador to Germany, according to Bloomberg.

VW will still be able to do some business in Iran under a humanitarian exception, Bloomberg added.

In May, Trump pulled the US out of the deal it reached with Iran and five other countries in 2015. That accord lifted sanctions against Teheran in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program.

Now, the US is re-imposing those sanctions.

Bloomberg said VW has scrapped plans it announced in July last year to sell cars in Iran for the first time in 17 years.


2021 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman: Power-packed style

                MUNICH: The new 2021 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman is powered by a 4-cylinder turbo engine with 306hp and maximum torque of 450Nm, mated to a 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission.

Due to be launched from November 2020, it will come with ALL4 all-wheel drive and suspension technology designed using the race track expertise of John Cooper Works.

The most powerful engine ever used in a standard MINI, the all-wheel drive and the differential lock on the front wheels integrated into the 8-speed Steptronic transmission ensure superior performance.

The 0 to 100kph sprint is done in 5.1 seconds, and the tailpipes with an enlarged diameter of 95mm are real eye-catchers, too.

Highlights of this mid-cycle update are four doors and a large tailgate, five full-size seats, a variable-use interior and a luggage compartment volume that can be expanded up to 1,390 litres.

As an option, the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman can be equipped with an adaptive chassis.

Its standard equipment includes a sports brake system with 4-piston fixed caliper disc brakes on the front wheels and single-piston floating-caliper disc brakes on the rear wheels, as well as 18-inch John Cooper Works light-alloy wheels with brake callipers painted in Chili Red.

On the exterior, there is a redesigned radiator grille, and newly designed LED headlights and rear lights while the interior also features new accents.

Optional are a 5.0-inch digital instrument display, and an 8.8-inch colour display with touchscreen function.


Infiniti Q50 tested

                NISSAN’S luxury marque Infiniti is gaining traction among premium car buyers here.

The Q50 rear-wheel drive sports sedan represents some of the best stuff offered by Infiniti, in terms of driving refinement, ride comfort, safety features as well as handling and performance.

After living with a test drive unit for three days, we have to say the Q50 more than lives up to our expectations for a rear-wheel drive sports sedan that competes with the likes of the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.

Imported from Japan, it has a generous list of standard equipment.

If that is not enough, one can always pay RM30,000 for a premium package that includes Direct Adaptive Steering, a top-notch surround sound experience with a Bose 14-speaker audio system as well as a good number of extra safety features.

Infiniti’s steer-by-wire Direct Adaptive Steering allows the driver to customise steering feel, via touch-screen controls as part of the Infiniti Drive Mode Selector.

Pre-set modes are Snow, Standard and Sport as well as a Personal mode.

In other words, this allows the driver to choose whether the steering should be tight and taut, or light and easy.

We found this to be quite handy, as we can use the Sport mode for fun driving, and the Standard mode for relaxed journeys.

Another notable technology included in the RM30,000 premium package is Active Lane Control (ALC) which uses the steering to ensure the car stays between lane markings.

This is unlike other systems which uses Electronic Stability Program (ESP) to apply braking force.

What we really liked was the automatic engagement of the brakes for a moment, if the car finds that a collision is imminent, thanks to an array of camera and radar-based systems with fancy names like Backup Collision Intervention (BCI), Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW) and Forward Emergency Braking (FEB).

This meant that when we were driving in very slow-moving traffic, the car would come to a dead stop by itself, without our foot stepping on the brake pedal.

However, it should be noted that such technology is not perfect and drivers should not be over-reliant on these assist systems.

As for the cabin, we liked its high quality finish and materials.

Everything felt nice; the soft-touch plastics, chrome surfaces, leather upholstery and powered windows which are all one-touch up/down.

The dashboard has a flowing “double wave”, which Infiniti says was aimed at providing a dual cockpit feel. We feel that this dashboard design allows for more knee room in front.

Now, the Q50 has quite a roomy cabin, with the longest wheelbase in the class at 2,850mm.

This also means that rear knee room is among the best in class.

The Q50 is smartly designed with a space saving foot-brake, and there is room for a lot of luggage with a 500-litre boot.
We also like the dual touch-screens on the centre console for vehicle controls and settings, in-car apps and audio system controls in the Q50, which Infiniti says was aimed at the decluttering of dashboard buttons.

The Q50 also has the distinction of being powered by a Mercedes-Benz sourced 2.0-litre turbocharged engine to propel its 1,707kg kerb weight. This is not really unusual as in today’s fiercely competitive global market, it is becoming common for automakers to strike win-win deals to increase economies of scale as well as share research and development costs.

In the Q50’s case, it is the first Infiniti vehicle to benefit from the co-operation between Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance which started in April 2010.

Part of the co-operation involves Infiniti getting a 7-speed automatic transmission and a 2.0-litre petrol engine as well as a 2.1-litre diesel engine from Mercedes-Benz.

The Q50 also excels in terms of handling and ride comfort, with its double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear set-up.

It also gets Dual Flow Path shock absorbers which are found in premium cars like the Nissan Fuga, and these dampers are touted as providing effective control of body roll, and superior ride comfort.

The tyres here are Bridgestone Potenza S001 225/50 runflat performance tyres on 18-inch wheels, as this Q50 has the optional Premium package.

Otherwise, the Q50 comes standard with runflat performance tyres also, but on 17-inch wheels. It is a marvellous long-distance cruiser that we love driving - mile after mile.

As a premium sports sedan, the Q50 2.0t ticks all the right boxes.

It is refined, pleasant, smooth, classy and yet, when you are in the mood for some fun – it can offer quite a sporty drive.

The Q50 2.0t is a set of wheels that marries the best of European and Japanese technology and quality.


Dec 6 - 13: RON97 down two sen, RON95 and diesel unchanged

                PETALING JAYA: The price of RON97 will drop by two sen per litre, while RON95 and diesel prices remain the same for the week, starting Saturday (Dec 7).

The Finance Ministry said the price of RON97 would go down from RM2.66 per litre to RM2.64 per litre.

Meanwhile, RON95 petrol and diesel prices remain the same at RM2.08 per litre and RM2.18 per litre respectively.

The fuel prices would take effect from 12.01am on Saturday until Dec 13.

"However, the prices of RON95 and diesel 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 said in a statement on Friday (Dec 6).

The weekly fuel pricing mechanism was reintroduced on Jan 5 under the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM).

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


Kia Seltos to entice with unique lighting

                KUALA LUMPUR: The soon-to-be launched all-new Seltos compact sports utility vehicle presents a forward-looking, awe-inspiring interior characterised by futuristic styling and high-quality materials.

Featuring an unique lighting system, the Seltos comes with the signature “Heart Beat Lighting” that will get heads turning to its commanding presence.

This sporty and sophisticated compact SUV features an intricate lighting design with full LED headlamps, tail lamps and the newly-designed ice cube fog lamps.

The Seltos is also equipped with LED bar lamp integrated to the upper part of the grille which ensures extra gleam during night drive.

For daytime driving, the vehicle is equipped with crown jewel headlamps with HeartBeat daytime running lights, rear lamps and 3D multi-layer indicators to give a distinct appeal and for a clearer visibility on the road.

The lower part of the headlamps house the sleek turn indicators.

Together with Kia's signature tiger nose grille, the Seltos' long hood with robust shoulder lines provide an air of understated sportiness.

The rear bumper with a metallic muffler effect accentuates its dynamic appearance.

Aside from the exterior features, the Seltos is also equipped with a range of technologies to maximise convenience, connectivity and ease of use, the Seltos is expected to entice buyers.

In addition to its lounge-like interior, the Seltos provides its occupants a spacious and versatile cabin.

Together with a sweeping instrument panel with an asymmetric layout, this layout creates a cockpit-style environment for the driver.

Naza Kia Malaysia is now taking orders for the Seltos at selected Kia showrooms.

For details, visit Kia Malaysia’s Facebook page


Castrol kicks off exclusive English Premier League sponsorship with contests and activities

                KUALA LUMPUR: Following Castrol's exclusive sponsorship with English Premier League (EPL) for two and a half years that began in January, Castrol Malaysia will be conducting various activations for their digital presence, which include contests and bi-weekly activities.

Participants will share their individual recreations of memorable football moments on social media during the period of Castrol EPL Original Moment contest.

As for the bi-weekly activities, social media users will be provided with questions and games related to football matches.

This will create an engaging, fun and interactive online space for fans to test their football prowess.

Apart from that, on-site campaigns, in strict adherence to SOPs, will be conducted throughout the year.

Among the events is an exclusive Castrol X EPL Rover to key locations nationwide to promote the Castrol Game Changers contest which will take place from May till September.

During the rover trips consumers will stand a chance to win Castrol X EPL merchandise with every purchase of Castrol Magnatec or Castrol Edge engine oils.

Following the Castrol Game Changers contest, 20 lucky consumers (with their partners) will be selected from the entries to participate in the Race Off, which will be hosted in a hotel.

The top eight teams that win the Race Off will proceed to the next and final level of the contest, which will be a 2-on-2 futsal match.

Two Grand prize winners will receive four tickets to watch an EPL match live in England in 2023.

The year is a historic one for Castrol Malaysia, with various celebrations scheduled to take place throughout the year.

Castrol Hari Mekanik Malaysia returned with a bang for the fourth consecutive year on March 18, aligning with the EPL sponsorship for various activities throughout the year.

This year, Castrol Auto Servis is also celebrating its 20th anniversary in Malaysia, with great promotions and deals lined up for its Malaysian fanbase.

Castrol Malaysia and Singapore marketing director Keow Mei-Shan said the sponsorship adds another feat to Castrol’s long list of milestones, particularly in its collaborative efforts with football organisations worldwide.

“This alliance will further showcase Castrol’s range of products and services to its audience and create a platform for us to engage with them as well as appreciate them for being with us all this while. We are very excited to kick off the celebrations soon,” she said.


No SST for selected Hyundai models booked by Aug 31

                PETALING JAYA: Customers who have made bookings for the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid and the Tucson (applicable only for the Turbo and Elegance variant) can be rest assured that as long as the booking is made by or on Aug 31, 2018, they need not worry about paying the sales and service tax (SST), even if their vehicle is delivered after Sept 1st, 2018.

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) said it would honour the selling price of these two vehicles with zero-rated GST while stocks last for a limited time only.

According to Managing Director of Sime Darby Motors (Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan), Dennis Ho, the sales of Hyundai vehicles have increased during the tax holiday period, especially for the Ioniq Hybrid and Tucson models as customers take the opportunity to enjoy greater savings.

 Hyundai Ioniq.

“With our stock for the Ioniq Hybrid and Tucson fast depleting, we will need time to replenish the stock in order to fulfill customers’ demands. It is only fair that HSDM absorbs the SST for orders placed by Aug 31, 2018, even for vehicles delivered after the SST takes effect,” said Ho.

HSDM is inviting the public to visit Hyundai’s authorised showrooms to learn about the ongoing promotions.

The current selling price for the IONIQ and Tucson models with zero-rated GST are as follows:
• Ioniq Hybrid HEV – RM94,788
• Ioniq Hybrid HEV Plus – RM109,988
• Tucson Elegance – RM119,188
• Tucson Turbo – RM137,488

*Price indicated is only applicable to Peninsular Malaysia and excludes insurance.

HSDM offers a five-year or 300,000km (whichever comes first) warranty on all its new passenger vehicles. In addition, the Ioniq is entitled to 60,000km free service while the Tucson is entitled to 50,000km free service, both with a three-year validity.

A 24-hour road assist service is also available now for new and existing Hyundai vehicles. For more information or to place bookings, head to the nearest sales outlet or call Hyundai’s Customer Careline at 1-300-13-2000.

Aside from HSDM, Bermaz Auto Bhd, which distributes Mazda cars in Malaysia is also absorbing the sales and service tax if their customers had booked before Sept 1, but their vehicles are only delivered after that date.


Lexus to debut new LBX compact luxury crossover in June

                MILAN: Lexus will debut its all-new LBX compact luxury crossover on June 5 from here.

In a sneak peek of the new model, Lexus has released two teaser photos.

According to a report by Australian motoring website Carexpert, the new Lexus LBX will be based on the Toyota GA-B platform, which underpins everything from the Yaris and Yaris Cross to the Aqua (Prius C), Aygo X and Sienta.

Carexpert says should the LBX be based on the Toyota GA-B platform, it will likely be available with similar powertrains to the Yaris and Yaris Cross – i.e. three-cylinder petrol and hybrid options.

Carexpert noted that in the Yaris and Yaris Cross, the 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol-electric hybrid offers a system power output of 85kW, and fuel use as low as 3.3 litres per 100km.

Key rivals would include the Audi A1 and MINI range, as well as high-spec versions of mainstream hatchbacks and crossovers, according to Carexpert.

It pointed out that while not a direct replacement, the LBX will serve as a spiritual successor to the old CT200h hatchback, which drew upon old Prius underpinnings in a Corolla-sized hatch package.

Carexpert also noted that the CT was discontinued globally in 2022, and was sold in Australia until 2021.


Bermaz Auto to ride on EV growth

                KUALA LUMPUR: Bermaz Auto Bhd has revealed some details of its plans for the electric vehicle (EV) segment while working towards turning around Kia and Peugeot by 2022.

In the line-up of EVs, Maybank Investment Bank Research said the group plans to bring in Kia's flagship EV6 (pic above) and Niro and Sportage, Peugeot's 3008, 508 and Mazda's MX-30.

This is subject to what the Malaysian EV policy has to offer. The Government is expected to announce it this month.

According to Maybank IB, Bermaz Auto has identified private charging operators to work with on the EV charging infrastructure to address range-anxiety issues.

The EV models will have subscription-based plans for batteries and key cost components of EVs to address cost/ warranty issues.

Meanwhile, Bermaz Auto remains committed to turning around Kia and Peugeot by addressing legacy issues.

It will locally assemble three Kia models namely the new Sportage, Carnival and Seltos, Maybank IB reported. The Sportage would come in petrol variant and a plug-in hybrid variant, it said.

"It will also introduce the new facelifted Peugeot 3008 & 5008 CKD models in July and 2008 in November or December."

The introduction of Mazda's new CX3 is on schedule for July, with a target of 1,500 to 1,800 units of sales in FY22.

Maybank IB has a "buy" call and target price of RM2.25 on Bermaz Auto.


Hyundai 2S centre Malacca opens

                MALACCA: Hyundai has expanded its reach with the opening of Malacca's first 2S (sales and service) Global Dealership Space Identity (GDSI), making it the Korean automaker's fifth facility in Malaysia.

The 2S centre is operated by Premium Autoworld, which is located at 1, Jalan PK 8B-1, Taman Perindustrian Krubong, 75260 Malacca and is open seven days a week from 10.00am to 6.00pm - service and parts centre is open from Monday to Saturday from 8.00am to 5.00pm (except on public holidays).

Design-wise, it is inspired by nature and features floor-to-ceiling glass walls with vertical greens, contemporary furniture, premium customer lounge and new lounge chairs in the interior.

As for facilities, the centre is equipped with high-speed internet and provides a convenient pickup and delivery service for the busy executive (only applicable with prior appointment) as well as a complimentary coffee-making facility.

Other services include insurance & road tax renewal, car grooming and body and paint services.

In conjunction with the 2S centre's official opening, till May 31, the company is offering first time customers a 50% discount on labour charges for the Hyundai Basic service package.

Customers will need to download and log on to the Hyundai Care App via a smartphone to enjoy the one-time discount.

In addition, free labour is provided for lubricant change (engine oil and engine filter) and a 15% discount on parts for older Hyundai models no longer covered by warranty, such as the Matrix, Getz, Avante, XD Elantra, Atos and NF Sonata.

Lastly, a free 22-point inspection is being made available only on weekdays.

“The GDSI reflects Hyundai’s ‘modern premium’ brand concept, which is not only reflected in its products, but the services it offers as well,” said Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors managing director Lau Yit Mun.


McLaren starts crash-testing first prototype carbon fibre Monocell

                LONDON: The first prototype carbon fibre Monocell, the tub that forms the main structure of McLaren’s car produced by McLaren Automotive has been shipped from the company’s new £50m innovation and production centre in Yorkshire to the McLaren Production Centre (MPC) in Woking, Surrey.

Codenamed "PLT-MCTC - 01" — which stands for "Prototype Lightweight Tub, McLaren Composites Technology Centre — 01" — the tub completed its 280km journey to the British sportscars and supercar maker’s global headquarters from the McLaren Composites Technology Centre. There it will be involved with stringent crash testing duties.

The composites centre was set up last year as part of McLaren’s plans to increase the rate of innovation of its lightweight carbon fibre chassis that are at the heart of all its cars.

This will help the firm’s designers and engineers to find further weight savings as the company develops its next generation of vehicles as part of its ambitious Track25 business plan.

McLaren aims to win the automotive race to lightweight which will become ever more important as cars move towards hybrid powertrains which are generally heavier than their traditional petrol counterparts. All McLaren’s sportscars and supercars will be hybrid by 2024.

The composites centre employs 60 people which will rise to over 200 when full production starts in 2020.

Carbon fibre has long been part of McLaren’s DNA, the company having first introduced the material into Formula 1 in the early 1980s. Given the material’s lightweight and strength characteristics, it hasn’t produced a road car without it since.


Acura debuts MDX Prototype

                LOS ANGELES: Acura, Honda's luxury arm in the US, unveiled its MDX Prototype.

The significance of the unveiling allows consumers to have an idea of what is to come in the fourth-generation MDX - an all-time best-selling three-row luxury SUV in the US.

Set to be on sale early next year, the new MDX will assume the flagship role in the lineup as the most premium, performance-focused and technologically sophisticated SUV in the brand's history.

It will be featured with a front double-wishbone suspension system for the first time and will also carry the Type S moniker for an Acura SUV while taking on a matte finish of Liquid Carbon or Performance Red.

The MDX will come fitted with an upright grille that leads to a  long sculpted hood for the lower and wider body thanks to the pronounced shoulders and a greenhouse that's been set further back.

Illumination will come from nothing less than LEDs for the headlights and the ARX-05 race car-inspired daytime running lights and rear light clusters.

Fitted within its gaping wheel-wells will be 21-inch wheels and its additional 76mm wheelbase will help to provide a more generous seating arrangement for all three rows and the boot.

Inside, the cabin gets fitted with open-pore wood infused with metallic flakes, accented by a polished aluminium and contrasted by a soft-touch Milano leather in Ebony and Light Orchid.

The instrument panel and steering wheel will receive French-stitched detailing while an ultra-wide panoramic moonroof opens the cabin up to provide natural light for all three rows.

Next-generation Acura sport seats offer a more sculpted form with curvilinear quilting in all three rows, gradient perforation, and high-contrast stitching and piping.

The MDX’s wider body design enables first-class seating with more legroom in all three rows, and notably more headroom for front and third-row occupants.

The sports seats offer 16-way power adjustment and integrated massage (9 modes) functionality and the entire cabin can be illuminated with 27 different lighting schemes.

This is tied to the driving modes of the vehicle and can even act as a representative of various locations that include iconic roads and even race circuits around the world.

The MDX Prototype debuts Acura’s all-digital Precision Cockpit which replaces the physical gauges with a customizable 12.3-inch driver’s metre.

This SUV also gains the latest generation of the brand's True Touchpad Interface featuring an ultra-wide 12.3-inch full-HD centre display.

The Signature Edition (ELS STUDIO 3D premium audio system) in this prototype sets a new standard for concert-quality in-vehicle audio with more than 1,000 watts of power, 22 discrete channels and 25 speakers.

This elevated tier of ELS system features six ceiling-mounted Highline speakers and six carbon fibre coned mid-range woofers including two positioned in the front console to create a “Center of the Studio” experience with a perfect left-to-right balance.

Tuned and perfected by eight-time Grammy award-winning music producer and sound engineer, Elliot Scheiner, this is the most advanced and powerful audio system ever offered in an Acura vehicle.


Battery maker CATL reshuffles management as billionaire executive exits

                SHANGHAI: China's CATL said on Monday its vice chairman and deputy general manager Huang Shilin had resigned and would leave the battery maker to explore business opportunities elsewhere.

The departure of Huang, a billionaire who holds a near 11% stake in CATL, comes amid a broader reshuffle that will also see chairman Zeng Yuqun take over the general manager role from Zhou Jia, who has been appointed as vice chairman, according to company filings with the Shenzhen Stock Exchange late on Monday.

Huang will explore business opportunities in sectors including solar panels, energy storage and battery charging, CATL said in a separate statement to Reuters.

He will continue promoting the development of new energy industry with potential synergies with CATL in the future, it added.

Huang is currently ranked 79th in Forbes Fortune List with a net worth of more than US$20 billion. His stakeholding is second only to Zeng, whose net worth stood at US$45.6 billion as of Aug 1, according to Forbes' calculations.

CATL, whose clients include Tesla Inc and Volkswagen AG, is the world's largest battery maker.

Industry tracker SNE Research says the company has a share of more than 35% of the booming global electric vehicle battery market, which is worth tens of billions of dollars a year.


Singapore to get deluge of over 600 EV chargers in next 12 months

Singapore has set a national target of 40,000 charging points in public carparks by 2030. — The Straits Times/ANN

SINGAPORE: More than 600 electric vehicle (EV) chargers will be installed at some 200 public carparks in HDB estates, industrial estates and the Central Business District over the next 12 months.

The first of these chargers are expected to be installed by the end of this year.

By the third quarter of next year, there will be 210 charging points in the central region, 50 in the north, 100 in the north-east, 120 in the east and 140 in the west.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said on Friday that a consortium comprising ComfortDelGro Engineering and Engie South-East Asia has been awarded a tender to set up EV charging points in selected carparks in the central, east and west regions.

Another consortium comprising Primech A&P, Charge+, Sunseap Group and Oyika has been awarded a tender to install the charging infrastructure in carparks in the north and north-east regions.

The tenders, which form a pilot tender put out in November last year, are the first steps towards a national target of 40,000 charging points in public carparks by 2030.

URA and LTA said they wanted to ensure that the pilot tender for the charging points was awarded to operators with quality charging services, financially sustainable business models and competitive charging prices.

“As such, agencies adopted a price-quality method to assess and select proposals that would provide the best value for both consumers and the authorities,” said URA and LTA.

Transport Minister S. Iswaran said in a speech at the Land Transport Industry Day yesterday that the building up of an EV charging network is a key component of Singapore’s strategy to promote electric vehicles.


Leaked - what the new Mercedes-Benz CLS could look like

                LOS ANGELES: It has been a long time coming but the next Mercedes CLS will soon make its world premiere at the 2017 LA Auto Show.

In the latest video teaser, Mercedes gave a glimpse of what fans could expect, highlighting the grille, headlights, taillights and wheels.

More interestingly, Mercedes’ attempt to build up the drama was somewhat deflated by leaks on Twitter and Instagram on Tuesday which appeared to show the car in its full glory.

The interior was also unceremoniously revealed in the leak of the CLS, which is a model that slots in between the S-Class and E-Class.

What we do know so far from a compilation of teasers, leaks, spy shots and other sources are these points:

> The third-generation CLS will have a new diamond grille, with stylish LED headlights and LED daytime running lights; the light works will be slimmer than those in the E-Class;

> Ambient lighting runs across the dash and door inserts and we presume there will be options to select the colours;

> Twin digital displays like in the E-Class but a bigger-sized centre display and 4 central air-cond vents like what you see in the latest E-Class Coupe;

> The CLS line-up will feature a range of new 48-volt hybrid powertrains. A four-cylinder turbocharged mill will power the base variant while more powerful variants will get new inline-six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines;

> The CLS 63 AMG has been rumoured to make way for the new 4-door AMG GT, with an AMG CLS 53 to be introduced as a performance variant of the CLS; and

> The overall CLS design appears to be toned down so as not to overshadow the upcoming 4-door AMG GT Coupe, which will probably get its world premiere at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show

All said and done, we will know in less than 24 hours if these images tally with the official ones.


47 vehicles driven by foreigners seized in two hours in Penang

                GEORGE TOWN: A total of 47 vehicles driven by foreigners without proper documentation have been seized by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) in a span of two hours.

The enforcement conducted under Ops PeWA saw a total 44 motorcycles, two private cars and a lorry seized near Seberang Jaya between 7am to 9am on Tuesday.

"The focused enforcement aims at ensuring foreign workers possess driving licences, personal identification and valid documents when driving here.

"Stern action was taken against them for flouting the law in the state.

"Those detained are 20 Rohingyas who are UNHCR card holders, nine Bangladeshis, seven Indonesians, four Vietnamese, three Indian, two Myanmar, a Nepalese and a Cambodian.

"Violations of driving without a licence are the most detected besides expired road tax, without insurance and technical faults.

"Checks of vehicles also found some locals renting their private vehicles to be used by foreigners on a monthly basis.

"All vehicles have been seized under Section 64(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987," said the department in its JPJ Pulau Pinang official page.


EU carmakers 'inflating' emissions to skew carbon targets

                BRUSSELS: European Union carmakers may be submitting "inflated" figures for their vehicles' carbon dioxide emissions to soften future targets for reducing the greenhouse gas, European Commission documents seen by AFP today show.

Authorities are currently switching over from an older emissions testing procedure known as NEDC to a new one called WLTP.

During the changeover, "emission values officially declared by manufacturers may be inflated," commission officials wrote to senior members of the European Parliament's environment committee and EU Council president Austria.

Declaring higher emissions values now "would cause an increase of the 2021 WLTP targets... the targets for 2025 and 2030 would also be weakened," the officials explained.

The new allegations differ in important details from the "dieselgate" scandal that has rocked the car industry since 2015.

In that case, Volkswagen admitted to manipulating millions of cars to appear to emit less harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) in lab tests than they were in real on-road driving.

Other manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler have since fallen under suspicion.

Without naming any individual companies, the commission now alleges manufacturers are cheating in two ways to undermine its target of reducing CO2 output 15 percent by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030.

First, they are declaring emissions of CO2 on average 4.5 percent higher than actually measured values, with reporting for some models as much as 13 percent higher than measurements.

Secondly, officials saw "some evidence" manufacturers are configuring vehicles differently for the WLTP and NEDC tests, aiming to maximise emissions on the new tests - thus softening their future targets - while minimising them on the older regime.

Contacted by AFP, BMW pointed to a statement from the country's Federation of the Automotive Industry (VDA), which said that "German carmakers are doing everything they can" to reduce emissions to 95 grammes of CO2 per kilometre by 2021.

"Reporting higher emissions would be counterproductive," the federation claimed.

Meanwhile a spokesman for France's Citroen and Peugeot manufacturer PSA said there was "no cheating" at the group, adding that it publishes all its emissions data online.

Commission officials suggest revising EU regulations to make sure measured, rather than reported, CO2 emissions under WLTP are used to define future targets.

The EU's executive body also wants to overhaul legislation on emissions targets, adding amendments including one to make sure carmakers use vehicles configured the same way for both the old NEDC and new WLTP tests.


2021 Mazda BT-50 unveiled

                HIROSHIMA: The new 2021 Mazda BT-50 pickup truck has made its world premiere, and will be sold in Australia in the latter half of 2020.

Fully redesigned for the first time in nine years, the new BT-50 is supplied by Isuzu Motor.

The new BT-50 uses Mazda’s Kodo - Soul of Motion design theme and highlights power, toughness and utilitarian functionality.

Mazda also released photos showing the new Australian-spec BT-50 double cab 4x4 model with automatic transmission, fitted with 265/60 R18 tyres.

This model is powered by a 3.0-litre diesel engine producing 190ps at 3,600rpm and 450Nm of torque at 1,600 to 2,600rpm.


Ghosn took bullet train to Osaka en route to Lebanon, says Kyodo

File pic of Ghosn and wife Carole in Tokyo last March.— Kyodo/AP
TOKYO: Former Nissan and Renault boss Carlos Ghosn began his astonishing escape from Japan with a bullet train ride from Tokyo to Osaka, possibly accompanied by several people, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported Monday.

Japanese authorities also said on Monday they may still press for Ghosn’s extradition from Lebanon to face multiple charges of financial wrongdoing, even though the country does not normally extradite its nationals.

Security cameras captured Ghosn leaving his home on Dec 29 at about 2:30 pm 0530 GMT) and arriving some hours later at Tokyo’s Shinagawa Station, where he took the train to Shin Osaka Station, Kyodo said, citing a person familiar with the matter.

The international fugitive then went by car to a hotel near Osaka’s Kansai International Airport, where he boarded a private jet at 11:10pm, according to the media report.

Ghosn was forbidden from leaving Japan while awaiting trial on charges of financial misconduct, which he has denied, but he fled at the end of last year to escape what he called a “rigged” justice system.

Prosecutors are now working with police to piece together Ghosn’s route and find out who helped him, Kyodo said.

In the government’s first briefing since Ghosn skipped bail, Justice Minister Masako Mori said on Monday that as a general principle, Tokyo could request the extradition of a suspect from a country with which it has no formal extradition agreement.

Such a request would need to be carefully examined based on the possibility of “guaranteeing reciprocity and the domestic law of the partner country”, Mori told reporters in Tokyo.

Mori did not say what would guarantee reciprocity - the idea that benefits or penalties extended by one country to citizens of another should be reciprocated. She also did not say if there were any Lebanese nationals in Japan wanted in Lebanon.

Red notice

According to a Lebanese judicial source, Lebanon has yet to receive a formal notice from Interpol requesting Ghosn’s arrest and will not take any steps until it does.

The source said on Monday that the so-called red notice it received last week had been sent directly from Japan rather than via Interpol’s headquarters in Lyon, France.

“There are questions in Wiesbaden and Lyon over the legality of sending the notification directly from Tokyo to Lebanon without passing through Interpol headquarters,” the source said, referring to Interpol offices.

When Lebanon has received red notices in the past, suspects have not been detained but their passports have been confiscated and bail has been set, a judicial source said last week.

Mori offered little insight into the events of Ghosn’s escape to his ancestral home, repeatedly saying she could not comment on specifics because of an ongoing investigation.

Japanese officials broke days of silence about the Ghosn case on Sunday, saying they would tighten immigration measures and investigate his escape thoroughly. The authorities have also issued an international notice for his arrest.

Mori also defended Japan’s justice system against Ghosn’s charges that it was “rigged” and discriminatory.

In Japan, suspects who deny charges against them are often detained for long periods and subject to lengthy questioning without a lawyer present, a system critics call “hostage justice”.

“Various comments about Japan’s justice system and this unjust departure are two different things,” Mori told reporters, saying criticism of the justice system could not be used to justify Ghosn’s escape.

“Departure in an unjust way without proper procedure is tantamount to smuggling, an illegal departure amounting to a crime.”

Transport Minister Kazuyoshi Akaba said inspections of large baggage were now mandatory at private jet facilities at Japan’s major airports following Ghosn's stunning escape.

Media reported he had hid inside an audio equipment case that went uninspected because it was too large for the X-ray machine at Kansai airport.


Renault's De Meo pushes Dacia brand with new family car

                PARIS: France's Renault will unveil a new family car under its lower cost Dacia brand in September, aiming to replace three existing models as part of chief executive Luca De Meo's push to trim ranges and focus on profitable vehicles.

De Meo is looking to revive loss-making Renault's finances, including through cost savings and by cutting jobs, and reverse an expansionist strategy under former boss Carlos Ghosn to restore the group's profitability.

Dacia, the Renault group's low cost brand, which includes best-sellers such as the Sandero city car, will unveil its new seven-seater Jogger model in early September ahead of the IAA Motor Show in Munich, Germany, the company said in a statement. The Jogger can also be specified as a five-seater.

The car is set to replace Dacia's Logan model, which is already no longer in production, as well as its small Dakker people carrier and the larger Lodgy vehicles, also due to be phased out. Dacia gave no pricing details.

The Renault group is aiming to make a push in medium-sized cars in Europe, known as the compact segment and where it competes with the likes of Volkswagen's Golf, and reduce its dependence on smaller vehicles with lower margins, mirroring a strategy followed by Peugeot maker PSA, now part of the Stellantis group.

De Meo has looked to give Renault, Dacia and sports car brand Alpine more distinctive identities within the carmaking group, at a time when competition in electric vehicles is heating up globally.

Dacia, originally a Romanian firm bought by Renault in 1999, presented its small Spring electric car in 2020, and De Meo has said he wanted to give the Europe-centred brand global impetus.

It is due to introduce a new logo on its cars from 2022.

Ghosn - who was arrested in late 2018 in Japan on financial misconduct charges he denies, before fleeing to Lebanon - forged Renault's alliance with Japanese carmaker Nissan and had pursued a volume-based strategy which the company is now shifting away from.


Legal action to be taken against drivers using emergency lanes

                KUALA SELANGOR: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) will bring road users who use the emergency lane to court immediately, saying they will not compromise on the issue.

RTD director-general Datuk Seri Ismail Ahmad said for those who are adamant in using the emergency lane will be brought to court under Rule 9 and 53 of Road Traffic Rules 1959 that carries a fine of not more than RM2,000 or jail not less then a year.

"Previously, we imposed a fine of RM300 for the offence but found that the fine was too low to give any effect to the offenders. To show the severity of the matter, we have taken legal action that will enable them to be imposed a maximum fine of RM2,000 or jail for a year," he told reporters after launching the opening of the Kuala Selangor JPJ branch here, Friday.

He was commenting on 91 vehicle owners identified using the emergency lane at KM228 of the PLUS Highway, in Melaka, last month, preventing an ambulance to use it.

Ismail said seven drivers had given their statement to JPJ and will be charged in court. - Bernama


KL City Hall may close carpark to employees on Fridays

                KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is considering closing its carparks on Fridays to encourage its employees to take public transport.

Mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah said DBKL wanted its staff to lead the way in fostering a low-carbon lifestyle.

“We are still studying the proposal to see if it will be well-received by our staff.

“If we could get even half of them to agree, that would be a good sign,” he said.
 Mahadi.

This was among several proposals being looked into by DBKL to reduce carbon emissions in the capital.

They include plans to harvest energy via alternative sources.

“We are identifying a suitable location to build a solar farm,” said Mahadi.

In September, DBKL gave the My30 travel pass to 1,000 employees to encourage them to take public transport to work.

Mahadi hoped such initiatives would serve as an example to others to reduce private vehicle usage.

The mayor was met after the launch of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Centre in Jalan Raja.

The centre, next to Kuala Lumpur Library, provides information related to urbanisation.

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim, in his speech to launch the centre, said it reflected the city’s commitment towards sustainable development.

“Many cities across the globe are grappling with challenges posed by environmental degradation and changing demographics.

 A view of Kuala Lumpur from the DBKL headquarters.

“DBKL will continue to play its role to support the holistic development of Kuala Lumpur,” said Shahidan.

Also present were his deputy Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias and Urbanice Malaysia chief executive officer Norliza Hashim.

SDG Centre is open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.


Toyota says it could produce 10.6 million vehicles in 2023

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp said today it could produce as many as 10.6 million vehicles this year, while warning of downward risk to its projection from the possible impact of issues such as parts supply shortages and Covid-19.

The car giant said that it saw a downside risk of about 10% on that baseline production volume - a value which did not constitute a formal production target for this calendar year - on risks such as shortages in chips supply or the spread of Covid-19.

The purpose of disclosing the baseline figure was to make it easier for suppliers to draw up management plans, said a Toyota executive.

Toyota last month maintained a production forecast of 9.2 million vehicles for this fiscal year, which runs through March from April 2022.

In November, it had lowered a previous projection of producing 9.7 million vehicles this fiscal year due to the fallout from rising material costs and the persistent semiconductor shortage.


Stand to win cash prizes in new BHPetrol campaign

                KUALA LUMPUR: BHPetrol customers stand to win RM300,000 cash as well as ePoint bonuses in a promotion campaign from January 20 to March 31, 2019.

Those who spend RM30 and above on any purchases (excluding tobacco, TouchNGo, and ePay services) at BHPetrol stations can join the contest.

Recently, in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration, free mandarin oranges were distributed at seven BHPetrol service stations namely BHPetrol Harmony Sg Besi Toll Plaza, BHPetrol Kg Sungai Kayu Ara, BHPetrol Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Kuala Lumpur BHPetrol Jalan Kuching, BHPetrol R&R Seremban Utara, BHPetrol KL - Klang and BHPetrol R&R Sg Buloh.

As part of the festive celebration, the BHPetrol retail team gave away angpow packets to lucky drive-in customers at the BHPetrol KL - Karak Highway service station recently.

Free goodie bags with snacks, drinks, mandarin oranges and beauty care products were also given to customers.

The event at the BHPetrol KL - Karak Highway service station featured a special lion dance and was officiated by BHPetrol managing director Tan Kim Thiam.

"We wish all our customers a happy Chinese New Year and safe journey home," said Tan.

Also present were Seng Group of Companies president Datuk Seri Christopher Lim as well as managing director and CEO Datuk Seri King Lim, BHPetrol general manager (supply, retail and government public affairs) Azizul Azily Ahmad, BHPetrol retail operations manager Aziz Majid, and BHPetrol convenience retail manager Muhammad Azhan Dolhalit.

Seng Group of Companies, which specialises in petrol station development and distribution of petroleum products, is the largest operator of BHPetrol stations in the country.

King Lim, said the group operates over 100 BHPetrol stations and in the first quarter of 2019, plans to open three new BHPetrol stations in Raub (Pahang), Ulu Pauh (Perlis) and Lumut (Perak).

Meanwhile, Aziz said this year, the company plans to open 13 to 15 new BHPetrol stations.

"Presently, there are 387 BHPetrol stations in the country. By the end of 2019, we plan to have 400 stations."


You can book the new Honda Jazz today!

                PETALING JAYA:  The new Honda Jazz is now open for bookings, Honda Malaysia announced today.

The new Jazz can be booked at all 90 authorised Honda dealers nationwide. The new Jazz, both petrol and Sport Hybrid versions is expected to hit the Malaysian market in Q2 2017 with the Sport Hybrid variant ready to be delivered to customers from Q3 2017 onwards.

The new Jazz Hybrid will be equipped with the Sport Hybrid system, making Honda Malaysia the only country outside of Japan to introduce Honda’s new intelligent Dual-Clutch Drive (i-DCD) Hybrid System.

The new Jazz Hybrid will be equipped with a new 1.5L DOHC i-VTEC engine combining 7-Speed Dual Clutch Transmission with integrated High Power Motor promotes superior acceleration with improved response resulting in sporty drive feel for the driver.

The Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) of the New Jazz Hybrid is made of Lithium ion (Li-ion) battery which has a higher capacity for better performance. The capacity of the IPU to withhold power for a longer period of time allows prolonged utilization of EV mode.

The combined horsepower of both the system and engine for the new Jazz Hybrid is at 137PS which is equivalent to 1.8L engine output.

The handling and agility of the new Jazz Hybrid was further enhanced by fine tuning done on the electric power steering to provide sportier handling and comfort during cruising.

The new Jazz (Petrol) variant is powered by 1.5L i-VTEC engine coupled with Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) developed under Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology will feature new chrome front grille, new front and rear bumper design, dual tone colour alloy wheel and LED Daytime Running Lights for enhanced stylish outlook.

The Smart Entry and Push Start Button will be the standard feature across all variants. Half-leather seats and reverse camera will also be available for comfort and convenience.

Safety-wise, the new Jazz will come equipped with Brake Assist (BA), Anti-Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), 6 Airbags and ISO Fix.

Customers can visit any Honda dealers nationwide to place their booking or visit the Honda website here.


BMW calls for more partners to support child seat subsidy

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Malaysia is urging for more partners to come together to support its child car seat subsidy programme for parents in the B40 income group.

Sashi Ambi, Head of Corporate Communications at BMW Group Malaysia said, “There is an urgent need for us to come together and take action. The overwhelming response to the first phase of the subsidy programme shows that more parents are now aware of the need for child car seats and are quick to adopt its usage given the opportunity.

"As such, to all partners and companies who have the means to help subsidise these infant carrier car seats, we welcome you to join in the subsidy programme to prioritise child safety in cars for all.”

The subsidy programme was introduced as part of the BMW Safety 360° initiative. In its first phase, BMW Malaysia, Childline Foundation and Safe ‘n Sound made 150 units of the snskidz Ace infant carrier car seats available at a subsidised price of RM100 each for parents in the B40 income group.

Registration for the subsidy programmed opened Dec 2, 2019 and have received over 25,000 registrations in the course of two weeks.

The infant carrier car seats were recently presented to parents from the Klang Valley region, while the remaining seats will be sent to recipients across the nation. The rear-facing infant carrier car seat, which retails at RM199, can be used from birth to 13kg and carries the ECE R44-04 certification.

Interested parties can be part of the subsidy programme by writing to bmw@voxeureka.com with the name of the participating company and the amount of subsidy (in Ringgit Malaysia) they would like to commit by Feb 13, 2020.

The subsidy programme is in line with the Malaysian Transport Ministry’s move to enforce the usage of child car seats starting this year. To encourage the adoption of child car seat usage, drivers will not be penalised for the first six months of enforcement but will receive warnings to install the seats.


Auto institute seeks 2018 Budget boost for sector

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) hopes the 2018 Budget will give focus to four pillars of the automotive sector, namely providing more jobs for locals, stimulating new businesses, funding for industry players and empowering existing businesses.

Its chief executive officer, Datuk Madani Sahari, said the strengthening of local workforce was important as the automotive sector now has relatively large numbers of foreign workers of about 120,000.

"Since 2013, MAI had embarked on the Industrial Profession Certificate programme to replace foreign workers with locals in the automotive sector.

"As at July this year, we have succeeded in replacing some 21,000 foreign workers. Thus, MAI hopes we would be given an allocation to continue to train locals to replace foreign workers," he said after signing a strategic partnership agreement between MAI and Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Bhd (MIDF) here on Thursday.

Madani said MAI also hoped that the Budget 2018 would also open new business opportunities in line with Industry 4.0 development.

"We hope the government can provide funding to industry players to improve the skills of technical and non-technical staff," he said, adding that he hoped the budget would not only empower existing businesses in the sector, but also workshops and vendors.

In the MAI-MIDF agreement, both parties have agreed to enhance the competitiveness of vendors in the local automotive industry with an allocation of RM200mil to fund about 120 companies between 2018 and 2020.

"This unique collaboration merges MAI's capacity building programmes with MIDF's industry funding capacities to create a comprehensive development programme for the Malaysian automotive supply chain," said MIDF managing director Datuk Mohd Najib Abdullah.

"Through this strategic collaboration, MAI has developed four programmes for automotive companies, and MIDF's role will be to provide financial assistance via our soft loan schemes."

Mohd Najib said MIDF would also provide financial advisory to the automotive companies, as well as participate in the promotion and out-reach activities in the four development programmes along with MAI.

He said MIDF had assisted the automotive sector by financing RM544.8 million through 144 loans since 1966, and assisted 10,598 local companies with total loans approved of RM13.9 billion since its inception.


Volvo S60 Cross Country cometh

                GOTHENBURG (Sweden): The Volvo S60 Cross Country is set to be revealed at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show as the Swedish carmaker’s first cross country sedan and its raised ride-height.

Volvo introduced the first Cross Country model in 1997 and over the course of two decades the line-up has thus been expanded to include the V40, V60 and V70 - surely with more to come.

Just like its V60 Cross Country sibling, Volvo’s upcoming S60 Cross Country will be sitting pretty with the same 65mm-raised ride height and will be made available in both all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive.

The S60 Cross Over will be powered by Volvo’s T5 2.5L turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine with 250bhp for the all-wheel drive variant in markets such as the US, Canada, Russia and Europe.

As for the front-wheel drive variant, it will be Volvo’s 190hp D4 diesel-powered engine, which will also find its way to Europe, while a larger capacity 2.4L five-cylinder diesel engine with all-wheel drive soon to follow.

In addition, the S60 Cross Country will be offered with both 18 and 19-inch wheels with high profile tyres that add both comfort and all-road aesthetics, reduce road noise, and add increased wheel protection when needed.

“We have identified a clear niche in the market for a more capable sedan with rugged styling cues and a higher stance,” said Volvo senior vice president (Sales, Marketing and Customer Service) Alain Visser.


VW in talks with Huawei on autonomous driving unit, says report

                BERLIN: Volkswagen is in talks with China's Huawei about acquiring an autonomous driving unit for billions of euros, Manager Magazin reported on Thursday.

Automakers and technology firms are investing billions of dollars in autonomous driving, aiming to take an early lead in what many consider the future of mobility.

Volkswagen chief executive Herbert Diess said on Wednesday he expects the car industry to see widespread autonomous driving within 25 years and that the company was pursuing new partnerships to increase its self-sufficiency in software.

Group leaders have been negotiating the deal, which also involves technology systems Volkswagen is not yet proficient in, for several months, Manager Magazine said, citing inside sources.

A Volkswagen spokesman declined to comment.


Model cars are for big kids too — and some sell for serious money

                HAMBURG: The Mercedes 600 Pullman Landaulet is a magnificent car loved by emperors and dictators and one which few mortals will ever own – at least not in full-sized form.

Thankfully there is a miniaturised version, which is not exactly cheap, but exquisite and amazingly detailed, right down to the leather or suede upholstery. There's also a fabric rear folding roof which can be raised and lowered just like the real thing.

The dark blue replica is produced by a company called CMC and is 18 times smaller than the real seven-seater car, of which only 59 were ever made from 1965 to 1981.

Yes, the wheels do go round too but this no toy to push across the kitchen floor. After all, it carries a price tag of €997 (RM4,527).

The level of detail has to be seen to be believed. The model consists of 1,200 metal, plastic and wooden parts and all the doors, bonnet and boot open to reveal a luxury interior and a beautifully miniaturized 6.3-litre engine.

The CMC Mercedes Pullman represents the high-end of model car collecting, a hobby which is easily dismissed by non-enthusiasts as something for boys and girls who never grew up.

The hobby saw an upsurge during the coronavirus pandemic as people stopped going out and focussed on home activities but interest has always been lively. Hundreds of new models appear monthly and a range of specialist magazines like UK-based Diecast Collector cater for collectors.

The focus these days is on diecast and finely-made models cast in resin, a kind of plastic which lends itself well to reproducing detailed features. Tiny photo-etched parts are added.

"Collecting diecast model cars is a great way for car enthusiasts to own the models they love," according to auction house Warwick & Warwick based in the British city of the same name. It publishes a handy valuation guide on its website.

"Whilst buying the full-size vehicle is often financially out of reach, owning a detailed replica represents the best way to acquire a piece of automotive history," say the experts.

One of the most popular scales is 1:43 which was roughly the size used for the metal Dinky and Corgi toys which many will remember from their childhood.

Smaller contemporary model cars from Matchbox, Hot Wheels and Germany's Siku continue to be bought by children and enthusiasts and they still cost just pocket-money sums starting from just a few euros each. They represent a good starting point for those new to the hobby.

In the US and now beyond the scale of 1:64 is growing popular and for those with ample shelf space, models like the CNC in 1:18 display very well. Most cost between €50 (RM227) and €200 (RM908).

Older model cars tend to be made of diecast metal using zinc alloy. This makes them robust although only a few have survived the ravages of the playroom unscathed.

Those in good condition can fetch considerable sums of money, bearing in mind that when new they cost next to nothing to buy.

Experienced collectors warn against collecting model cars for profit alone since prices can go down as well as up. Despite that, a good diecast car picked up cheaply at a flea market can turn out to be valuable.

High prices are only achieved though if the model is in good condition. If the original box comes with it so much the better.

A Matchbox No 20c Chevrolet Impala Tax in yellow with grey wheels recently sold at auction for £1,043 (RM5,399) after attracting 61 bids. A boxed, late Corgi James Bond Aston Martin changed hands for £560.

These models are more likely to turn up than genuine diecast rarities which can fetch 10 times as much. Pre-war Dinky cars, which are nigh on 90 years old, suffer from metal fatigue and fall apart which make intact survivors much rarer.

Witness the May auction sale of a pre-war Dinky delivery van for £7,500 or a similar pale green version for £5,200.

Young Philippines-based blogger Jason Ong, who has written an extensive online guide to collecting model cars, admits that "for someone who doesn't understand, it can be hard to figure out why people collect car models."

He believes the attraction of the hobby is the ready availability of scale models and the fact that they represent the mechanical and historic innovations of the real vehicles.

"With the diecast model in front of you there is a sense of pride and respect for the vehicle," says Jason on his website.


Ducati's first electric motorcycle details revealed

                BOLOGNA: Ducati has unveiled technical details of its first electric motorcycle project called MotoE.

A prototype would be ready from 2023 to compete in the FIM MotoE World Cup, of which the Bologna-based motorcycle maker will be a partner as sole supplier with 18 bikes on the track during each race weekend.

The MotoE project has strategic relevance for Ducati since it makes it possible to develop expertise on track for transfer to motorcycles destined for Ducatisti from all over the world.

A team made up of Ducati and Ducati Corse designers has been tasked to work on the project.

The battery pack in the middle area of the bike weighs 110 kg and offers a capacity of 18 kWh with a 20-kW charging socket integrated into the tail. Inside there are 1,152 cylindrical cells of the "21700" type.

The inverter, with a low weight of 5 kg, is a unit derived from a high-performance model used in motor racing for electric vehicles, while the motor (21 kg weight and a maximum rotation speed of 18,000 rpm) was developed by a partner following the technical specifications provided by Ducati.

The entire system is based on a voltage of 800V (with a fully charged battery pack) to maximize the output of the electric powertrain and, as a consequence, performance and range.

The prototype components are in fact cooled by an advanced and efficient liquid system with a double circuit designed to meet the different thermal needs of the battery pack and the motor/inverter unit .

This guarantees stable temperatures with important benefits in terms of consistency of performance but also in charging times. In fact, it is not necessary to wait for the battery pack to cool to start the process: the Ducati MotoE can be charged as soon as it enters the garage, and it takes about 45 minutes to recharge it up to 80% of its range.

The carbon fibre case of the battery pack also acts as a stressed part of the chassis, like what happens for the Ducati Panigale V4 engine, with an aluminium monocoque Front Frame for the front area weighing 3.7 kg.

The rear is composed of an aluminium swingarm weighing 4.8 kg with a geometry like that of the Ducati Desmosedici racing in MotoGP. The rear subframe, which integrates the tail and the rider seat, is made of carbon fibre.

The suspension area features an Öhlins NPX 25/30 pressurised fork with 43 mm diameter upside-down tubes at the front, derived from the Superleggera V4, while an Öhlins TTX36 shock absorber is present at the rear and is fully adjustable. The steering damper is an adjustable Öhlins unit.

The braking system is supplied by Brembo and is sized for the specific requirements of the Ducati MotoE. Teams can also choose to equip their bikes with an optional rear brake control positioned on the left handlebar, which the rider can use as an alternative to the pedal one.

The project has already reached an advanced stage of development.

After taking part in the 2023 FIM MotoE World Cup, the next objective is to take advantage of participation in the most important racing competition in the world for electric motorcycles to experiment with innovative technologies, train new skills and study how to create a Ducati electric bike that is sporty, light, exciting and able to satisfy enthusiasts.


Proton opens 3S centre near Santiago

                SUBANG JAYA: Proton has set up a 3S centre in far-flung Chile through its distributor Andes Motor.

The small centre, located in Irarrazaval, Santiago, 15 minutes away from the city centre,has three service bays and four bays for customers.

There are five 1S outlets in Santiago as well as in Sucursal Pajaritos, Las Parcelas, Quilicura, San Bernado and Vespucio. The network is expected to grow with the addition of left-hand drive Exora and Saga models in November.

"The 3S centre is important to provide excellent sales and after sales services to our customers," said Proton international sales chief Mohd Khalid Yusof at the opening of the 3S centre, which coincided with the launch of the Preve in Chile on May 28.

Andes Motor is a subsidiary of the Kaufmann Group, a major distributor of buses, trucks and luxury cars in Chile with a vast network in the country.

At Plaza Oeste, one of Santiago's popular malls, some 1,000 people gathered to witness a lucky draw that granted one winner out of 2,000 entries the chance to drive home a Prevé.

The Preve variants on sale in Chile are the Prevé 1.6 Standard MT, Prevé 1.6 Executive MT and Prevé 1.6 Premium CVT.

Proton presented an Exora MPV to the Malaysian embassy to help promote Malaysia. On hand to receive the MPV was Datuk Dr Mohamad Rameez.


Xiaomi revs up to enter EV space

Lei Jun (centre) and his management team.
BEIJING: Xiaomi Corp will buy autonomous driving technology startup Deepmotion for about US$77.4mil (RM324.34mil), sealing a deal to help further its ambitions of getting into the fast-expanding field.

The company announced the acquisition after reporting better-than-expected results for the second quarter, when a recovery in key markets like India helped it overtake Apple Inc to become the world’s second-largest phone vendor by shipments.

Revenue surged 64% to 87.79 billion yuan (US$13.6bil or RM57bil) in the quarter ended June, surpassing the 85.01 billion yuan (RM55bil) average of estimates.

Co-founder and chief executive officer Lei Jun is now spearheading a drive to take Xiaomi beyond smartphones.

The 51-year-old is personally leading a project to make electric vehicles (EV) and the company has pledged an initial investment of US$10bil (RM41.90bil) over the next decade in the business. Lei has said the company has deep enough pockets to fund such a project, which requires years of heavy investment in development and manufacturing before the first car can even be sold.

Xiaomi’s shares slid as much as 4.7%, their biggest intraday fall in a month, after investors again punished Chinese tech stocks yesterday. The stock was weighed down also by lingering concerns about Xiaomi’s growing outlay on EVs.

“Xiaomi’s results were very strong so the reaction appears to be just broader tech weakness,” said Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Matthew Kanterman.

“Some concern remains about the degree of investment into Xiaomi’s smart vehicle business, but these are longer-term initiatives and not impacting near-term results.”

The acquisition of four-year-old Deepmotion, which develops driver assistance software, is the latest in a series of moves Xiaomi’s making to delve deeper into a crowded field. A number of tech giants from Huawei Technologies Co to Baidu Inc have already spent years developing components and auto-driving technologies.

President Wang Xiang said Wednesday the purchase is intended to help Xiaomi develop Level 4 self-driving technology, which allows full autonomous driving.

"Through this acquisition, we hope to shorten the time to market for our product,” Wang told reporters after releasing results. “We want to speed up our autonomous driving research and development.”

While other details about Xiaomi’s car-making efforts remain unclear, it’s kicked off a hiring spree of 500 engineers for the project and has talked to multiple automakers and local authorities for potential partnerships.

The company has also looked at investing in Black Sesame Technologies, a startup that develops artificial intelligence chips and systems for cars, Bloomberg News reported earlier this year.

On Wednesday, Xiaomi reported net income climbed more than 80% to 8.27 billion yuan (RM5.35bil) in the three months ended June. It seized the No. 2 position globally for the first time during the quarter, in part after shipments in India almost doubled from a year earlier, according to reports from research firm IDC.

Lei this month set his sights on reaching the top spot within three years, taking advantage of the waning fortunes of local rival Huawei, whose capacity has been hobbled by United States sanctions. After first gaining fame as a vendor of low-end phones sold through e-commerce channels in China, Xiaomi has been trying to overhaul its image with sleek designs and more sophisticated gadgets.

The 11-year-old firm this month unveiled a handset – featuring the latest Qualcomm Inc processors and a front-facing camera hidden under the display – that’s positioned to take on Apple’s iPhones in the luxury market.

“We view Xiaomi’s high-end smartphone strategy favourably, and think the segment will enjoy profitability in 2021,” CICC analyst Hu Peng wrote in a memo ahead of the earnings release. — Bloomberg


North Kosovo Serbs quit state jobs in licence plate row

People displaying Serbian flags following local Serbs' decision to leave Kosovo institutions, in North Mitrovica, Kosovo today. — Reuters
MITROVICA (Kosovo): Minority Serbs in the north of Kosovo said today they were quitting their posts in state institutions including the government, police and courts to protest Pristina's order for them to start using Kosovo vehicle licence plates.

The long-running licence plate row has stoked tensions between Serbia and its former province of Kosovo, which gained independence in 2008 and is home to a small ethnic Serb minority in the north that is backed by Belgrade.

Following a meeting of Serb political representatives in the north of Kosovo, Minister of Communities and Returns Goran Rakic said he was resigning from his post in the Pristina government.

He told reporters that fellow representatives of the 50,000-strong Serb minority in the north had also resigned from their positions in municipal administrations, the courts, police, and the parliament and government in Pristina.

Rakic said they would not consider returning to their jobs unless Pristina abolishes the order for them to switch their old car licence plates, which date to the 1990s when Kosovo was a part of Serbia, to Kosovo state plates.

He said they had also demanded the formation of a union of Serb municipalities giving Serb-majority districts greater autonomy.

Blerim Vela, chief-of-staff to Kosovo president Vjosa Osmani, accused Belgrade of seeking to destabilise Kosovo by backing Serbs in the north.

"Serbia is coercing and inciting Kosovo Serbs to abandon their jobs in Kosovo institutions," Vela tweeted.

Kosovo's government has said it will start issuing fines this month to Serb drivers using old pre-independence plates, and will confiscate vehicles that have not had their registration numbers changed by April 21, 2023.

Another roughly 40,000 ethnic Serbs, who live in parts of Kosovo that are majority ethnic Albanian, use licence plates issued by Pristina.

Kosovo's main backers, the United States and the European Union, have urged Prime Minister Albin Kurti to postpone implementing the car plates ruling for another 10 months but he has refused.


Bridgestone Turanza T005A is OEM tyre for Perodua Ativa H and AV

                PETALING JAYA: Bridgestone Tyre Sales (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd has announced that its Turanza T005A touring tyre has been selected as original equipment on the Perodua Ativa H and AV variants.

The Ativa is Perodua’s newly launched compact SUV. The Ativa tyre comes in 205/60 R17 size.

Bridgestone said the Turanza T005A is a performance tyre that also offers a balance of comfort, quietness and safety.

Bridgestone said the tyre has been improved at the molecular level using its so-called Nano Pro-Tech compound to disperse silica in the rubber.

The new compound is engineered to strengthen the bond between silica and polymer to increase the contact area, resulting in reduced heat generation and energy loss, leading to better wet performance and safety.

“We are very excited about this partnership with Perodua and for Turanza T005A to be selected as the original equipment on the newly launched Perodua Ativa H and AV variants. Turanza T005A offers a safer, smoother and seamless drive for its users,” said Bridgestone Tyre Sales (Malaysia) managing director Michael Chung.

The Turanza T005A is available at Bridgestone Select (B-Select) and Bridgestone Pro Shop outlets in Malaysia.

Bridgestone Tyre Sales (Malaysia) is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation of Japan.


Honda e makes history after being named German Car of the Year 2021

                BERLIN: Honda’s first battery electric vehicle for Europe, the Honda e, has been named ‘German Car of the Year 2021’ in the country’s prestigious annual Car of the Year Awards, becoming the first vehicle from a Japanese brand to do so.

The car also won in the ‘New Energy’ category.

This is the latest in a series of prestigious accolades to be given to the Honda e since its launch in spring 2020, including the top honour in the Red Dot Design Awards.

The German Car of the Year awards are decided by a jury of leading German car journalists.

The panel tests and reviews the latest cars, ranking them according to their usability, driving characteristics, market relevance and level of innovation.

The winners of five categories – Compact, Premium, Luxury, New Energy and Performance – then go head-to-head to decide an overall winner.

“For Honda e to be the first Japanese car to be awarded German Car of the Year is a great honour and one we are incredibly proud to receive”, said Katsuhisa Okuda, CO & President of Honda Motor Europe.

“Customer and media response to the Honda e since it was first unveiled has been overwhelmingly positive. The Honda e is a perfect example of a product with a unique design, featuring cutting-edge technology and advanced intelligent connectivity to keep owners connected with their everyday life. We are very thankful for this award.”

This latest award for the Honda e follows notable success and recognition from across Europe. In the UK, the Honda e triumphed in Autocar’s ‘Britain’s Best Car’ Awards 2020 in the ‘Best Car Tech’ category, and it was recently named ‘City / Small Car of the Year’ in the News International Motor Awards 2020.


BMW and MINI cars in Malaysia get extended hybrid battery warranty

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Group Malaysia now extends its current Plug-in Hybrid vehicle (PHEV) battery warranty programme for its BMW and MINI vehicles by an additional 2 Years and 60,000km, bringing the programme to 8 Years/ 160,000km (whichever comes first).

The new battery warranty programme is also available as an extension via the BMW and MINI Aftersales Upgrade Programmes for the BMW 330e, BMW X5 xDrive 40e, BMW 530e and MINI Countryman PHEV at RM 2,200 as well as the BMW 740Le at RM 7,600.

Read more: The fresh faced Countryman

The battery warranty programme is available from now until Dec 31.

To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/BMWMY8YearWarranty.

Deals from BMW Credit Malaysia

Selected models bought during the campaign period will receive complimentary 1-year BMW Comprehensive Motor Insurance, as well as complimentary 1-year BMW Ultimate Protection Programme – including the  740Le.

New owners of the  740Le will also enjoy an attractive cash rebate of RM60,000, a low financing rate of 0.88% with the BMW Straight Line Financing Solution, and an automatic entry to the i8 Coupe contest.

Read more: Hybrid BMW X2 gets extended range

Additionally, the 740Le will be equipped with a free BMW i Wallbox Plus and BMW i AC Fast Charging Cable with the BMW i Wallbox promotion.

The new battery warranty programme is also available to the 740Le as an aftersales upgrade package for an additional RM7,600.

New owners will be entitled to additional cash rebates starting from RM5,000 to RM40,000 with their purchase of the 740Le or select  3 Series and 5 Series models. Terms and conditions apply.

BMW Malaysia has also introduced a separate programme of a complimentary 3-month instalment plan for select BMW models purchased, with the BMW Straight Line or Easy Drive Financing Solution, between now until June 30.

New owners can also enjoy an attractive financing rate from 0% with this program.

Cash rebates from RM10,000 to RM30,000 are available, along with complimentary 1-year BMW Ultimate Protection Programme for the selected models.

To take advantage of this campaign, new owners need only book with a minimum down payment of 20% on the BMW 740Le LCI, BMW X3 xDrive30i Luxury, BMW X1 sDrive20i, or select BMW 5 Series and BMW 3 Series models.

Customers may take advantage of the offer via BMW Engage at https://www.bmwfs.my/.

Drive Home BMW i8 Coupe

With an in-showroom purchase of the BMW 740Le, owners automatically stand a chance to be in the running to drive home a brand-new BMW i8 Coupe.

Additionally, purchases of the BMW 530e M Sport, BMW 530e Sport, BMW 840i Gran Coupe M Sport or the BMW X6 xDrive40i M Sport via BMW Shop Online exclusively would entitle potential owners to two entries to the contest.

What's in store from MINI sub-brand

The MINIMISE campaign by MINI Malaysia offers an attractive interest rate starting from 0% exclusively for the MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid, as well as a cash rebate of RM16,000 and instalment support of RM5,000.

New owners can also expect a complimentary MINI Public Charging Cable, along with a ChargeNow card for complimentary recharging at any of the 309 ChargeNow facilities nationwide for a full year.

The MINIMISE campaign also offers an instalment support of RM3,000 to RM5,000 for a wide range of MINI models, as well as further cash rebates from RM8,000 to RM22,000.

BMW Group Malaysia’s campaign periods run now until 30th June 2020.

The BMW Shop Online can be visited via http://shop.bmw.com.my/, while the MINI eShop can be accessed via http://www.mini.my/MINIeShop.


MyTukar gets new CEO

                KUALA LUMPUR: Digital used car platform myTukar has a new chief executive officer (CEO).

Jeffrey Ong succeeds former CEO Fong Hon Sum, who became myTukar chairman in June 2021.

Ong has been tasked to grow the business further through the introduction of an Asean pass programme, AI-driven lending metric systems, and expansion into the Asean region.

“We want to change the way that used cars are being perceived by customers moving forward. We want them to be seen for what they truly are - reliable and  a more affordable alternative that match the current economic appetite of the region’s populace," said Ong.

“Ultimately, we hope to establish a standard of trust that will inspire customers to more readily opt for used cars when looking to buy a vehicle.”

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Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport Pro: The King of Cool

THE sportiest Ducati Scrambler is here and it is none other than the Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport Pro.Available only in Matt Black, the 206kg bike comes with a low and wide handlebar featuring a mix of modern and retro-inspired designs.The 1100 number is seen on the interchangeable side panels on the fuel tank.The heartbeat of this top specification scrambler is an air-cooled 1,079cc L-twin that churns out 86hp at 7,500rpm and 88Nm of torque at 4,750rpm.The engine is similar to the one used by the iconic 2011 Ducati Monster that is more powerful with 100hp.The reason for the huge output difference is because of the tighter emission laws that required an engine detune.Design-wise, the bike exudes sportiness and boldness that will resonate well with the younger audience and those young-at-heart.I liked the styling on this bike, the twin stacked exhaust pipes and the separate number plate holder is definitely something new within the Ducati Scrambler family.Meanwhile, a tinge of retro designs have been included on this bike - the café racer side mirrors and the round headlight featuring an internal black metal “X” attachment that was inspired by the adhesive tape used in the 1970s to protect the headlight.These sorts of details make the bike stand apart from its competitors within this segment such as the Honda CB1100, BMW RnineT, Triumph Scrambler 1200, Triumph Speed Twin among others.Enough with the aesthetics, now let us get down to its performance.On the highway, the bike was very much at home.Riding just above the legal speed limit, the force of the on-rushing air caused my head to bob until I lowered it.It is obvious that without a windshield, this bike is not best suited for high-speed long-distance journeys.During my trip to Kuala Selangor via the Latar Expressway, I found the bike to be easy to handle.The clutch pull and gear shifting were smooth and both worked perfectly.I did not have to struggle operating them as a feather touch was good enough.The Sport Pro is at its best in the mid-range engine revs when the throttle is responsive.At speeds way above the legal limit, the engine remains smooth but beyond that, there was definitely a lack of horsepower to push the bike to go faster.For a large 1,079cc block, one would had expected more punch.The sitting position seems to be upright but some riders may need to do a bit of crouching because of the lower handlebar.Those taller than 1.75m would be able to sit upright with a natural reach to the handlebar.Riders who are shorter need to bend forward.The foot pegs are mid-mount and are well-positioned for all riders.The 1,514mm wheelbase offers stability during my high-speed ride on the North-South Expressway.I did not feel any vibration at all be it during low or high engine revs.I could also push the bike hard into the twisty stretches like a sports bike.The lightweight and the agility of the bike worked to my advantage while carving wide and tight corners.The wider handlebar gave me better control of the bike in the various corners.The Öhlins suspension did well in these corners.The 45mm upside-down fork and the rear shock are both preload and rebound adjustable, and both have 150mm of travel keeping the ride stable.The ride was planted with a good grip on the tarmac. What is there to complaint?While doing my 200km plus ride, I realised that the front Brembo brake bite was a bit too fierce for my liking.Thus, one cannot slam on the brake as you need to squeeze it gently. I could feel the anti-lock braking system (ABS) kicking in every time I hit the brake hard.However, the ABS on this machine cannot be turned off.The Brembo braking system comes with ABS Cornering, which promises safety in all types of corners.The bike comes with three riding modes – City, Journey and Active.The folks at Ducati decided to have the riding modes named differently compared to the standard Urban (City), Touring (Journey) and Sport (Active).I guessed the change is nothing more than a marketing gimmick.While City mode reduces power by 10%, Active and Journey modes unleash full grunt but with varying throttle responsiveness.It is very easy to change the riding mode and every setting is reflected clearly on the TFT screen.Everything about the bike design is bound to impress aficionados.One thing for sure, the minute you are on the bike, you will be voted as the coolest dude in town.Its matte black colour, retro details, brown leather seat and stacked exhaust pipes will make passers-by take note immediately.I wished this RM80,900 bike had more power and that would make it an irresistible machine.SPECIFICATIONSEngine: 1,079cc, L-Twin, Desmodromic distribution, two valves per cylinder, air cooledMaximum power: 86hp at 7,500rpmMaximum torque: 88Nm at 4,750rpmTransmission: Six-speedFront suspension: Öhlins fully adjustable 48 mm travel USD forkRear suspension: Öhlins monoshock, pre-load and rebound adjustable Front braking system: 2X320mm discs, radial 4-piston caliper with Bosch Cornering ABS Rear braking system: 245mm disc, 1-piston floating caliper with Bosch Cornering ABSFeatures: Three riding modes, traction control, underseat USB port, traction control, fuel tank with interchangeable side panels, front headlight with X-shaped black grille, LCD instrument panel and stack pipesFuel capacity: 15 litresWet weight: 206kgPrice: RM80,900 (without registration, road tax and insurance)


Public preview of Toyota C-HR starts from Aug 4

                PETALING JAYA: UMW Toyota Motor is sensing it has a winner on its hands, which is why it is bringing forward the public preview of the new C-HR compact crossover following customer feedback.

It has finalised details about where the vehicle can be viewed by the public. The Toyota showroom at Section 19 in Petaling Jaya will become the first of five venues for the C-HR public preview starting next month. The Sunway Pyramid shopping centre was the latest to be added into the list.

If you are interested in buying the C-HR, you will have to wait awhile. Right now, you can register your interest at the local Toyota website.


Indian Scout: Nimble and punchy

                THE smallest-looking machine from the Indian family is none other than the Indian Scout.

The Scout is powered by a 1,133cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine and is a cruiser with plenty of punch.

As a cruiser, the design of the bike is very similar to the 1928 Scout but with a bit of modern touches to ensure the machine is relevant today.

The big round headlight is exactly the same as the headlights used in early World War 1.

Meanwhile, the retro round instrument panel with an analogue speedo and LCD screen offers a clock, rev counter, odometer, trip meter, engine temperature and low fuel warning.

The fuel tank has been given a fresh breath of air, the classic tank design has been redesigned to slant forward, thus making the bike look longer and sportier.

The Scout is a single seater but you can add another saddle for pillion with minor customisation.

The motorcycle has a dry weight of 250kg.

My ride with the Indian Scout was from Puchong to Tanjung Malim, and onwards to Kuala Selangor, before riding back to Puchong.

It was a short ride but good enough to make me understand what the bike could do on the open highway, trunk roads, twisties and the city.

On a wet Saturday morning at about 6am, with birds chirping on the tree nearby my house, I started the engine with full enthusiasm.

The sound of the V twin engine overpowered the serene morning atmosphere.

The V twin trademark sound is blood stirring for any biker.

The first gear was smooth to engage but with a bit of clunk.

At low revs, the bike still feels refined.

Engaging the gears was effortless and the clutch pressure was light, thus making it very easy for me to manage the bike at any speed.

With the engine revving at 6,000rpm, the Scout is at its best and ready to eat up miles of tarmac.

At about 70kph on the highway from Sungai Buloh to Tanjung Malim, the Scout was unbelievably smooth.

The bike’s power delivery is quite linear, and I did not feel any sudden power surge when I twisted the throttle.

Meanwhile, in sixth gear, the bike provides pure fun, as there is an abundance of torque and power.

The ergonomics of the Scout seems to be natural to me.

The rider triangle is spot on, while the saddle to handlebar and foot gear is well designed.

The bike can accommodate most people.

The front and back suspension of the bike is decent enough, although I would have expected a top-notch suspension rather than a basic fit.

You will know what I mean, when you ride this machine on humps and bumps at about 100kph.

The bike is designed with a low centre of gravity, thus it is an excellent bike for a beginner which gives you the confidence especially when one is taking wide and sharp corners.

The low centre of gravity allows a novice rider to test the bike to its full potential.

In other words, you can work this bike very hard into corners without any fear of losing control.

The second and third gear is perfect for entering and exiting corners without dramas.

Amazingly, flipping the cruiser to the left and right became natural to me after a good 20 minutes conquering the twisties.

The Scout is also a gentleman bike, which you can use to commute to work every day.

It is very comfortable and easy to handle in slow traffic. The bike is on the lighter side, and its weight is well distributed, thus making it easy to handle in Kuala Lumpur’s city centre.

However, I think the Scout should have come with a windshield to protect against windblast, especially when I was riding at high speeds.

My head was bobbing aimlessly, and I had to lower my head for less wind resistance. It was bit tiring to do that.

The good news is, you can buy the approved Indian windshield from the official distributor.

The Scout was designed for cruising but the nimbleness of the bike allows any owner to commute and do serious riding.

I will ride this bike only for one purpose, to look cool while cruising around the country and connecting to my inner self.

SPECIFICATIONSIndian ScoutEngine: 1,133cc V-twin, Liquid-cooled
Maximum power: 74.7kW (100hp)
Maximum torque: 97.7Nm at 5,900rpm
Transmission: Six-speed
Top speed: 180kph (est)
Front suspension: Telescopic fork with 120mm travel;
Rear suspension: Dual rear shocks, 76mm travel
Braking system: Single discs, 298mm, anti-lock braking system
Fuel capacity: 12.5-litrel
Price: RM118,000.00 (without GST, road tax and insurance)


Remove illegal HID lamps by this month, vehicle owners told

                SIBU: Owners of vehicles with illegal HID (high-intensity discharge) headlights are strongly urged to replace them as the move to ban them will be enforced next year.

Pelawan assemblyman David Wong said the Road Transport Department (RTD) Sibu head Faizal David Jamil had assured him that his department would fully enforce the law next year.

Wong said this was in line with the statement made by Transport Minister Anthony Loke that such aftermarket headlights that do not meet specifications would be banned next year.

Under the law, those caught would be fined RM2,000 or jailed for up to six months.

“I met Faizal last week during a Charity Without Border event last week. I told him to enforce the law and he gave his assurance that his department would do it,” he added.

According to Wong, such illegal headlights were dangerous to other road users as the bright white light could cause temporary blindness and also accidents.

“I have experienced it a few times when my eyes were hurt by the flashing strong lights,” he said.

Wong said vehicle owners who replaced the original headlamps with HID ones should get them changed again so that they would not be caught and summoned for the offence next year.

But there were also others whose vehicles were already fitted with them when they bought it. “For these people, I advise them to consult with the RTD for further clarification so as not to run afoul of the law,” he said.


Accident scam? Man hurls himself at oncoming car

A screen capture of the mystery man throwing himself at the car. — Facebook/Roads.sg
SINGAPORE: The police are investigating an incident where a man appeared to throw himself at an oncoming car along Woodlands Ring Road last Thursday afternoon.

The police said on Monday that the incident had been classified as a case of a rash act.

Footage of the incident uploaded on Facebook page Roads.sg, taken from the car's dashboard camera, shows the car travelling along a straight road.

A man can be seen in the distance walking on the road in the direction of the car, though there is a pavement next to him.

As the car approaches, the man suddenly turns and runs towards it, throwing himself against its windscreen.

He then falls down in front of the car. Over the next minute or so, various passers-by come over to check on him.

The caption of the video described the incident as an "accident scam". The person who submitted the video, identified only as Ang, wrote: "I would like to alert other fellow drivers who might meet similar scammers even in Singapore.

"This guy just ran towards my car and threw himself onto my car windscreen. I was scared stiff and stuck in my seat." She added that the man later stood up and fled the scene when she called the police.

Similar cases have occurred in the past.

In 2017, a drunken man was caught on video sprinting towards a stationary car at Pasir Ris Farmway 2, before throwing himself on it.

In 2015, a driver lodged a police report after an elderly man hurled himself on his car along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6. The elderly man allegedly waved at the driver before running towards the car and jumping on the bonnet.


Mitsubishi passes 100,000 cars sales mark in Malaysia

                KUCHING: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has passed the 100,000 vehicle sales milestone.

“Since our establishment in Malaysia in 2005, MMM has grown and has reached the accumulated sales of 100,000 units. Thank you to all Mitsubishi owners for your continuous support and trust,” said MMM chief executive officer Yang Won-Chul.

The top contributors for the achievement of 100,000 unit sales are the Mitsubishi 4x4 pick-up, Triton, ASX Compact SUV and Lancer sedan.

Yang recently presented an appreciation gift to 31-year old Lee Ju Hin from Kuching for being the 100,000th customer in Mitsubishi Motors authorized showroom Jimisar Autotrade in Kuching, Sarawak.

Lee, a proud owner of the all-new Mitsubishi Triton Adventure said, “I am delighted and proud to be Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia’s 100,000th customer. The Mitsubishi Triton has a sporty design, value for money for its premium features and good handling compared to other pick-up trucks I’ve tested. My Mitsubishi Triton will be used for driving long distance and also to rural areas which normal passenger cars cannot go through. Besides that, I will also be using the pick-up truck for going off-road with my family and friends.”

Yang added, “With this milestone of 100,000 unit sales, MMM will continue to provide our Malaysian customers with models that offer greater value and driving excitement.”

MMM will continue to expand its dealer network.

The company is currently represented by 54 showrooms (out of which 46 are 3S Centres) and 52 service outlets throughout Malaysia.

In East Malaysia, MMM is represented by 12 showrooms (6 in Sarawak and 6 in Sabah).

The company also ranked number two for both the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2015 Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) and Customer Service Index (CSI) respectively late last year.

The ASX 2WD and 4WD compact SUV is locally assembled in Malaysia while the other Mitsubishi models are imported as CBU (Completely Built-Up) units from Thailand (compact sedan Attrage, Pajero Sport SUV, Triton pick-ups) and Japan (Outlander SUV and Lancer sedan).


Proton excels in February

                SUBANG JAYA: Proton has achieved high productivity in February by delivering 11,873 units in domestic and export markets.

The February achievement was over a decade equivalent to an estimated market share of 27.1%, the highest for the company since September 2013.

Overall, Proton finished the month ranked second with sales nearly doubling the January 2021 total of 5,964 units.

Compared to the same month in 2020, volume had grown by 19.9% though overall, the total for the first two months of the year is still 643 units or 3.5% behind last year’s cumulative total.

Proton also said it delivered 3,345 units of the X50 SUV in February, and accounting to a total of 8,141 units are now in the hands of buyers.

This number is also the highest monthly volume ever achieved by an SUV in Malaysia and therefore making the X50 the best-selling SUV in its segment and overall.

 Proton is struggling to keep up with demand for its latest model, the X50.

Add the 1,475 units of the X70 delivered in February (the highest for a C-segment SUV), and Proton sold a combined total of 4,820 SUVs, its best ever performance and the most for any brand in the country.

The Persona regained leadership in the B-segment sedan category by finishing the month with 1,818 units delivered, beating its highly acclaimed newer rivals in the process.

The Exora remained at the head of the C-segment MPV market while the Iriz grabbed third place for B-segment hatchbacks.

Proton also launched four Special Edition models - the Persona and Exora Black Edition as well as the Saga and Iriz R3 Limited Edition - online on Feb 18.

As of Feb 26, 1,169 bookings have been placed from a total production run of just 3,500 units indicating strong interest from buyers.

Proton Edar chief executive officer Roslan Abdullah said February continued to be a difficult month for Malaysia’s automotive industry but it turned out very well for Proton.

"Thanks to the efforts of the government to ensure a continuation of economic activity during the MCO, we were able to produce more cars and in so doing started to clear our backlog of orders.

"This is important as we need to consistently deliver on the bookings made to avoid a rush before the Penjana incentives expire at the end of this June," he said.

Roslan also said that some of its business have not been able to keep up with its recent successes.

"While we have dramatically moved forwards in product quality, brand image and the technology offered in our cars, our after sales service has not made the same leap.

"This situation was exacerbated in 2020 by firstly Covid-19 and then our decision to invest in a completely new back-end ordering and delivery system.

“As a result, we have experienced integration issues and customers requiring accident repairs as well as regular servicing have faced delays.

"We are working on these issues around the clock to overcome them in the shortest time possible but for now I urge all Proton owners facing delays to please contact our customer care hotline at 1-800-88-8398,” said Roslan.