Hungry For Adventure 2019: Thrills with Mercedes-Benz SUVs in Myanmar

                YANGON (Myanmar): Hanging in mid-air on a bicycle above a lake, soaring on a zip-line above a massive sculpture of movie monster King Kong and a visit to famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon were among the highlights of a three-day/two-night road trip in Myanmar with a bunch of premium Mercedes-Benz SUVs (sport utility vehicles).

It was another “Hungry For Adventure” programme organised by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, and participants included Kuala Lumpur-based fitness celebrity Linora Low, Malaysian fitness model Alex Chee, beauty queen and model Charissa Chong, as well as Singaporean actor Joshua Tan and Indonesian actress Hana Prinantina.

Also present were “Hungry For Adventure” Instagram contest winners, selected media writers, and senior management of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.

The “Hungry For Adventure” theme revolves around how the advanced technology, driving comfort, dynamic handling and superior utility of the premium Mercedes-Benz SUV range complemented the active lifestyles and adventurous demands of their owners.

“Our SUVs define new benchmarks, break conventions and provide our customers with their ultimate choice of vehicles for their unique and active lifestyles. The SUV range allows our customers to persevere through every challenge with its state-of-the-art safety systems and unrivalled interior value perception and comfort,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia vice president (sales and marketing - passenger cars) Mark Raine.

After a two-and-a-half hour flight at dawn from Kuala Lumpur, we landed at Yangon International Airport which looked spanking new and designed to modern standards.

It was mid-summer in Myanmar, and the mercury can rise to to a scorching 42 degrees Celsius.

As we were bussed from the airport to the Mercedes-Benz Yangon showroom for lunch, we observed local denizens walking in the sweltering heat wearing the traditional longyi - a sarong-like tube of fabric worn by both genders.

While Yangon is also known for its decayed colonial architecture, we saw many new high-rise buildings and a few shopping malls, as well as various commercial buildings under construction in this fast developing city.

We also noted something odd - a bewildering mix of left and right-hand vehicles in a left-hand drive country.

We were told that this was due to heavy imports of JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars such as the popular Toyota Probox station wagon, commonly used as taxis in Yangon, for several years.

However, imports of right-hand drive vehicles were stopped two years ago, and all cars sold in Myanmar now must be left-hand drive.

This would definitely make our road trip in Myanmar more challenging, as most of the participants were from right-hand drive countries and we would be driving left-hand drive Mercedes-Benz SUVs on roads crowded with right-hand vehicles.

Still, there was one less headache about driving in Yangon - the complete absence of motorcycles which are banned in the city.

The reasons for the ban on motorcycles are steeped in urban myths, but regardless, we found the city to be refreshingly free from motorcycle exhaust fumes and noise pollution, as well as traffic mishaps involving fuel-powered two-wheelers.

After lunch at the Mercedes-Benz Yangon showroom, which is operated by Cycle & Carriage, a fleet of Mercedes-Benz SUVs awaited us.

These included the premium compact SUVs GLA 180 and GLA 200, four units of the GLC 250 4Matic and two units each of the GLE250d 4Matic, GLS350d 4Matic and the flagship GLS400 4Matic.

Paired with two other Malaysian writers, Carsifu took the powerful and huge GLS400 4Matic on a 30-minute, 10km drive to the Bogyoke Aung San Market - a popular tourist destination and hub of handicrafts, souvenirs, jewellery, artwork and clothing.

We drove carefully in a convoy, and enjoyed the quick response and swift acceleration of the big SUV powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine with 333hp and 480Nm of torque, which is mated to a smooth-shifting 9G-Tronic automatic transmission.

Despite the bulk of the GLS400 4Matic, fitted with huge 20-inch wheels and ContiCrossContact UHP tyres sized 275/50, we did not find it difficult to manoeuvre in Yangon traffic.

We spent about an hour shopping at the Bogyoke Aung San Market, during which we experienced the brief electricity blackouts that Yangon residents have become accustommed to.

Later, we drove the GLS400 4Matic from the market to a hotel about 5km away, before freshening up for a sumptuous dinner at the famed Seeds Restaurant & Lounge, located next to Inya Lake Yangon and lush, lotus-filled tropical waters.

Shwedagon Pagoda and Sane Let Tin Adventure Land

Our second day in Yangon saw us waking up at 5am before sunrise and driving to the famous Shwedagon Pagoda, known as Myanmar's most revered shrine and reputed to be 2,500 years old or the oldest pagoda in the world.

This time, it was a 2.0-litre turbocharged GLC250 with 211hp and 350Nm of torque, and fitted with a 9G-Tronic automatic transmission.

There wasn't much traffic on the streets at that early hour, and we drove at a leisurely pace before arriving at the pagoda complex which is located on a 114-acre site on Singuttara Hill.

The legendary pagoda stands close to 110 meters and is covered with hundreds of gold plates.

According to the the pagoda's official website, the top of the stupa is encrusted with 4,531 diamonds; the largest of which is a 72 carat diamond.

Visitors need to adhere to a strict dress code; so we wore the traditional longyi to cover our legs, and wore sandals up the escalators into the pagoda complex.

As daylight began to bath the pagoda, we walked around and marvelled at the regal columns, big cast-iron bells, statues of Buddha in various poses and shrines, and the richness of the gold-plated and gilded stupas.

There were also many Myanmar families and couples praying, and monks meditating. We spent about an hour here before driving back to the hotel for breakfast.

Our next stop would be at Sane Let Tin Adventure Land, located 160km or a four-hour drive away in Mon State.

Our route was via the Yangon-Mandalay highway, and again, we took the GLC250 fitted with 19-inch wheels and Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport tyres sized 235/55.

We made sure we stayed alert for stray dogs (quite a number of them in Yangon) and stopped cars in early morning city traffic, and the powerful, quick acceleration of the GLC250 made it easy to stick with our convoy.

Still, the roads in the districts outside the city were quite irregular, and we found the ride quality to be bouncy.

Once we hit the highway, the ride quality became smooth and we sped past grazing cows in sprawling, dry pastures and countryside pagodas.

Later, we crossed the huge Sittang River and drove on trunk roads dotted by roadside fruit stalls with thatched roofs selling durians and pomelos before arriving at Sane Let Tin Adventure Land at high noon.

This was a resort for adrenalin-filled activities like the zip-line, which is also known as Flying Fox, and a unique gravity-defying bicycle ride above a lake.

Regarding the bicycle ride, there were four bikes tethered to lines stretched across a small lake between two towers.

Riders are strapped to the top line for safety, and told to pedal in mid-air across the lake, and back and forth between the towers.

We found it to be an awesome experience, and there's nothing quite like hanging in mid-air on a bicycle above a lake, and being caressed by a cool, strong breeze as we took selfies.

Next, it was the zip-line where participants had to muster their courage to strap themselves into safety harnesses, before soaring in mid-air at high speeds on a zip-line above a huge water spouting King Kong statute.

It was a thrilling and exhilarating experience, before a lunch break and a one-hour or 38km drive to the Golden Rock, also known as Kyaiktiyo Pagoda.

Perched on the edge of a hill as if it was defying gravity, the legendary Golden Rock is a renowned pilgrimage site and venerated by thousands of devotees.

After arriving at the lower part of the hill, getting to Kyaiktiyo Pagoda turned out to be an adventure in itself, as this involved a kidney jarring ride in a light duty truck packed with 20 people, up the steep hill on a very twisty route.

Those seated at the sides or rear of the truck needed to have nerves of steel, as they constantly got a good look at the abyss below the hilly road, during the back-wrenching roller coaster ride which lasted 20 minutes.

Once we reached the hilltop, we wore the traditional longyi again and this time, walked barefooted on the hot pavement into the pagoda complex.

It is a huge area bustling with hundreds of praying devotees and monks, and it took us a while before we could be enchanted by the sight of the small pagoda resting on top of a giant gold-gilded boulder, which has been on its precarious position for centuries.

Later, we left for another hotel in the early evening, and the next morning saw us driving back to Yangon to catch our evening flight back to Kuala Lumpur.

The whole trip was certainly filled with exciting sights and experiences, and lots of driving in premium Mercedes-Benz SUVs featuring luxurious interiors with crisp audio quality, and armed with powerful engines and smooth transmissions.

READ MORE:Hungry for Adventure was previously in Java, Indonesia


Ukraine invasion sets back Musk's dream for cheaper EVs, for now

                SAN FRANCISCO: Surging raw materials costs, made worse by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, could set back the dream of Tesla chief executive Elon Musk and other auto executives to roll out more affordable electric vehicles.

Rising prices of nickel, lithium and other materials threaten to slow and even temporarily reverse the long-term trend of falling costs of batteries, the most expensive part of EVs, hampering the broader adoption of the technology, said Gregory Miller, an analyst at industry forecaster Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.

And that is on top of a supply chain already snarled by the Covid-19 pandemic and the global chip shortage.

"Rising raw material prices certainly have the potential to delay the timeline on cost parity between EV and ICE vehicles, which could hamper the wider adoption of EVs," Miller said, referring to internal-combustion engine vehicles that dominate the market.

This year could mark the first year-over-year increase in the average price of lithium-ion battery cells, he said.

The conflict in Ukraine has only raised the stakes, pushing nickel prices to an 11-year-high on fears that exports from leading producer Russia could be disrupted. Lithium prices also have increased, more than doubling since year end, as supply fell short of rising demand.

Russia produces about 7% of the world's mined nickel. It is also a large provider of aluminum and palladium.

Rising EV prices — marked by hikes over the past year by Tesla and startup Rivian Automotive — matter because mainstream consumers are not going to pay a massive premium for a technology that many do not yet fully embrace.

The average EV sold for almost US$63,000 in January in the United States, about 35% higher than the overall industry average for all vehicles of just over US$46,000, according to research firm Cox Automotive.

While consumers worry less now about being stranded without power on the roadside, price remains a major concern, according to a Cox survey.

Slower EV adoption

"Anything that adds to the cost will impede EV adoption," Cox analyst Michelle Krebs said.

EVs made up about 9% of total global vehicle sales last year according to the International Energy Agency, and consulting firm AlixPartners expects that share to hit about 24% by 2030.

More than half of consumers are not prepared to pay US$500 extra upfront to buy an EV, despite lower operating costs, according to a 2021 study by OC&C Global Speedometer on consumers in the United States, China and other countries.

That could put vehicle makers in a bind if they want to attract mainstream buyers, rather than luxury customers to whom they currently cater.

Tesla raised the price for its least expensive Model 3 sedan by 18% to US$44,990 since December 2020, as supply chain woes weigh. Musk also said in January that Tesla is not developing a US$25,000 car he promised during 2020 Battery Day, saying there are too many things on his plate.

Some US dealers have taken advantage of vehicle shortages to charge more for EVs, sparking warnings from automakers like Hyundai and Ford.

Rivian tried last week to push through a 20% price increase on its electric pickups and SUVs to offset higher parts costs, but retreated for those who had already placed orders when faced with a backlash that included possible sale cancellations.

Another EV startup, Lucid Group Inc, has not raised prices yet, but chief financial officer Sherry House said in February the company was "definitely studying price" to offset higher supply chain costs. read more

In China, lithium price hikes have pressured the makers of such entry-level models as Great Wall's Ora EV and Wuling Hong Guang's Mini EV because they have less room to push through a higher price tag, investors said.

For startups, the pressure is particularly intense.

"If you're a small company, you don't have the ability to tell your suppliers to give you a lower price," said Brett Smith, technology director at Center for Automotive Research.

Battery makers typically have long-term contracts with automakers, under which prices rise to reflect the increased cost of key raw materials such as lithium, nickel and cobalt, industry officials said.

LG Energy Solution, a supplier to Tesla and General Motors Co, said raw materials account for 70% or 80% of the cost of its batteries.

Benchmark Mineral Intelligence said battery producers started increasing lithium-ion cell prices late last year in response to the higher raw material prices they had seen throughout 2021.


Bentley Continental GT arrives from RM1.9mil

                KUALA LUMPUR: Following the launch of the Bentley Continental GT in Singapore to mark its arrival in the Southeast Asian region and the coupe from Crewe, England is finally here.

The 2,244kg 2+2 luxury coupe starts from RM1.9mil (after duties and taxes) with an undisclosed number of orders due to arrive by the third quarter.

The all-aluminium body panels give it a 0.29Cd drag coefficient and hides its steel-aluminium combination monocoque beneath.

The panels have been shaped using Super-Plastic Forming technology which heats the metal to over 500 degrees Celsius before high pressure air pumps it into a mould.

After cooling, it is then coated by a choice of 17 standard paint colours or a bespoke one can be had upon request as an optional extra for the 4,850mm-long, 1,954mm-wide and 1,405mm-tall coupe.

Only the tailgate is made of a composite material that gives access to the 358 litres of luggage space and hides all of its antennas below it - helping to shed 20% (85kg) of weight from the second generation model.

Under the hood beats the 6.0-litre (5,950cc) twin-turbo W12 engine with start-stop function and cylinder deactivation technology that's fed by a 90-litre fuel tank that holds , while producing 635PS at 6,000rpm and 900Nm of torque from 1,350 to 4,500rpm. Fuel economy on the combined cycle is rated at 12.2l/100km while emitting 278g/km of carbon dioxide.

The grunt is managed by an eight-speed ZF dual-clutch gearbox before reaching the active all-wheel drive system that can provide up to 38% of total torque to the front axle (Bentley and Comfort mode) or as little as 17% when in Sport mode.

Road contact comes from 21-inch wheels with 265/40 (front) and 305/35 (rear) tyres and is able to help the Coupe sprint from 0-100kph in 3.7 seconds before reaching a top speed of 333kph.

As an optional extra, the wheels can be upgraded to 22-inchers wearing 275/35 (front) and 315/30 (rear) tyres, which obscure the 10-piston (front) and four-piston (rear) calipers that bite down on the 420mm (front) and 380mm (rear) discs.

Ride and handling is taken care of by aluminium double wishbone (front) and multi-link (rear) suspension system - both fore and aft equipped with three-chamber air-suspension system that comes with 48-Volt active anti-roll bars and a continuous damping system.

Inside, the cabin boasts of the company's Rotating Display, digital instrument cluster, a choice of 15 standard leather hide colours before getting accented with unbroken veneer (one standard, 17 other options or dual veneer options).

As an optional extra, the Bentley Rotating Display can be switched between touchscreen and three analogue gauges that displays a compass, chronometer and external cabin temperature.

Driver conveniences include keyless-entry with push-start button, 20-way power-adjustable seats with cooling/heating and massage function, electric-power assisted steering with variable ratio, a heads-up display, night vision, lane assist and traffic sign recognition among others.

For audible pleasures, there are three options starting with the standard 650-watt 10-speaker system, a 1,500-watt 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen option with four DSP sound modes and Beo Sonic interface or a 2,200-watt 18-speaker (including two kinaesthetic shakers) Naim option with eight-DSP sound modes and Active Bass.

Additionally, there's also the new 12.3-inch central touchscreen system including HDD-navigation, two SD-card slots, Bluetooth connectivity with WiFi streaming, CD/DVD/radio Apple CarPlay, Sirius satellite radio, 60GB solid-state drive, 4G telephone system and Google StreetView/Earth/online POI search.


European lawmakers vote to speed up tougher car emissions regime

                BRUSSELS: European politicians today voted to speed up rules to tighten compliance with pollution limits on cars, adding to pressure for reform after US regulators caught Volkswagen AG rigging the performance of vehicles in tests.

The European Union executive, working for years to close loopholes in testing procedures for new vehicles, has proposed a law to introduce "real world testing" and narrow the gap between low energy use and low emissions performance, in the laboratory and what happens on the road.

The European Parliament's Environment Committee today voted through an amendment to speed up the process and bring the debate into the open, saying the real world driving emissions test must be in place by 2017.

It also agreed negotiations on a formal legal text should start immediately between representatives of the European Parliament, member states and the executive European Commission.

Until now, the implementing legislation had been fought over in closed-door committees in a separate procedure, where some officials said Germany had led efforts to weaken the law.

The Greens said they proposed the amendment to increase pressure for change.

"By gaming the test procedure for vehicle emissions, carmakers have kept cars on the road that are multiple factors over the legal pollution limits. This cynical chicanery must end," Green environment spokesman Bas Eickhout said.

Germany's transport ministry denied today that it had known about the technology Volkswagen used to cheat emissions tests despite acknowledging only months ago that it knew of a general gap between "test" and on-road emissions.

In another development, Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn faced a reckoning with his board on today, summoned to explain the biggest scandal in the 78-year history of the world's largest car maker.

Senior figures on the board's five-member executive committee grilled Winterkorn today at the meeting at the company's headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Winterkorn is due to have his contract extended at the end of this week and has so far shown no sign of resigning over the affair, after pledging “utmost transparency” in ongoing investigations. The board must decide by Friday whether to extend the 68-year-old executive's contract.


Berjaya Sompo introduces 'drive less, pay less' comprehensive motor insurance

                KUALA LUMPUR: Berjaya Sompo Insurance Bhd is joining in the mileage-based motor insurance coverage with its Sompo MotorSafe product that appeals to low mileage drivers.

Pacific & Orient Insurance Co Bhd pioneered the concept of "drive less, pay less" comprehensive insurance with its Promilej product in April 2020.

Like Pacific & Orient, Berjaya Sompo also offers the same 3-tier mileage plans of up to 5,000 km, up to 10,000 km and up to 15,000 km.

Customers can top up to the next available plan or full-mileage plan if they are about to exceed the chosen mileage.

"With Sompo Motorsafe, we have designed a policy that allows customers to choose a coverage according to their mileage needs at the discounted premium rates while still enjoying comprehensive protection," said Berjaya Sompo CEO Tan Sek Kee.

"By using telematics technology, we are able to safeguard our customers' driving journeys without them having to face any financial difficulties."

However, unlike ProMilej, Berjaya Sompo's product comes with a twist.

READ MORE: Etiqa offers ‘Drive less save more’ campaign

Each Sompo MotorSafe policy makes use of a Bluetooth-enabled, battery-powered Sompo Tag paired with a Sompo MotorSafe app to track the vehicle's mileage use as well as provide safety assistance.

If the car breaks down or during an emergency, the driver simply needs to hold down the button for 2 seconds, and the Sompo helpline will call the driver to provide assistance, named bCall and eCall respectively.

Additionally, the Sompo Tag is equipped with an automatic Driver Recognition system which can detect severe crashes via your smartphone. To instil good driving practice, the insured driver will also receive real-time friendly "beeping" alerts should he or she text and drive.

The Sompo MotorSafe app also has a feature to remind policyholders to top up their mileage plan.

Sompo MotorSafe covers loss or damage to the vehicle due to accident, fire and theft, third-party injury, death, or property damage if travelled within the chosen mileage. Other benefits under the policy include Sompo 24-Hour Rakan auto assist, Sompo repair warranty of 12 months, all-drivers cover, and special perils coverage.


Toyota Camry Hybrid - loaded and loved

                The latest generation Toyota Camry hybrid is loaded with refinement and technology.

It’s a sign of the times when the top-of-the-range 2.5 litre Toyota Camry for 2015 now comes exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, leaving only the 2.0L variants - G and E grades - with a new and improved combustion engine.

The aptly titled Camry Hybrid is now more powerful, thanks to the assistance of the two electric motors which pushes out 143PS and 270Nm of torque.

It also boasts a sportier look with a minor facelift. And it’s slightly cheaper too than the previous generation Camry.

Yes, you read that right.

The new Camry Hybrid is cheaper by almost RM8,000 and is now priced at RM174,900 (on-the-road with insurance).

It also comes with an eight-year assurance on the hybrid battery and a three-year warranty or 100,000km travelled (whichever comes first).

Toyota has embraced a design philosophy described as “Keen Look Identity” and “Under Priority” for the new Camry.

What you will notice with the new design is the split front-fascia with chrome trims, a unified headlamp cluster treatment and a mesh type grille.

You’ve got the newly designed LED headlamps with daytime running lights as well as LED rear combination lamps.

The rear bumper has also been reprofiled for a sportier look and the addition of 17-inch alloy wheels with two-tone spokes gives it a more dynamic and stylish appearance.

While the changes may be minor, it’s certainly a welcome edition compared to the rather conservative look previously.

For the owners of the previous model, starting up the new Camry Hybrid is never going to be the same again.

Hit the push start button and you are not going to hear the combustion engine starting up.

Instead, it’s the electric motor which is so quiet it’s like turning on your computer.

Don’t be alarmed though, because the car is running and the combustion engine, which produces 160PS and 213Nm of torque of mated to the electronically controlled continuously variable transmission, will kick in after a while.

The cabin maintains its premium look and feel with an all-black theme, spacious head and legroom rear passengers, comfortable leather seats and the rather sumptuous glossy wood trim.

The instrument cluster is quite flashy with the two-dial Optitron meter with clear blue illumination.

The 4.2-inch multi-information display in between the dials provides a wealth of information like average and instantaneous fuel consumption, eco drive level, energy motor and front and rear parking sensors, among others.

The air-conditioning is the dual zone climate type with rear vents.

The Camry Hybrid also has amenities expected of an executive sedan such as powered seats, a 7-inch touchscreen display with navigation, DVD player, tuner, MP3, USB, bluetooth, reverse camera and a JBL 10-speaker system.

What is new is the wireless Qi-charger located at the centre console, which is able to charge compatible handphones by simply placing them on the charging pad.

This upmarket feature is something you would find in a Lexus.

But that’s not the only Lexus-inspired feature you will find in the new Camry Hybrid.

In terms of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), the Camry Hybrid is comparable to that of Toyota’s luxury brand.

The insulation in the cabin keeps any noise from the outside to a bare minimum while the suspension is comfortable yet firm enough to absorb any harshness from the road, resulting in a very quiet and composed environment in the car.

Coupled with the fact that the electric motor is already almost silent and even the noise from the combustion engine is barely audible, the Camry Hybrid offers a calm and serene ride.

However, if you are in the mood for a little fun, the Camry Hybrid offers quite a bit of excitement behind the wheel.

I know I said earlier that the cabin is pretty well insulated and it is, but once you put the metal to the pedal, the satisfying rumble of the exhaust note does filter through without flooding it.

The Camry Hybrid has a lot of torque on tap so it just pulls you along swiftly and with ease.

It handles well too and the steering feel is quite solid at higher speeds which bestows a lot of confidence.

The only complaint here is the feedback or rather, the lack of it, from the steering wheel, which is a minor niggle compared with plenty of stuff the car has to offer.

The hybrid system makes this a fuel-efficient vehicle, which produces low emissions and yet has a lot of acceleration on tap to satisfy the heavy-footed.

Even with all that power, I found myself driving conservatively because the Hybrid System Indicator, which replaces the tachometer, shows how efficient (or not) your driving is.

I enjoyed keeping the car in the eco band range and even then, the car never felt sluggish.

It’s a lot of fun driving this car, whether at moderate speed or fast and you can’t beat the quietness and comfort it offers.


Tata Super Ace truck unveiled

                PETALING JAYA: DRB-HICOM Commercial Vehicles Sdn. Bhd. (DHCV), the authorised distributor of Tata vehicles in Malaysia, together with Tata Motors have unveiled the new Tata Super Ace and its television commercial nationwide.

The Tata Super Ace is a 1 ton mini-truck from Tata Motors, for intra-city transportation solutions. Optimally powered by a 1405cc diesel engine, combined with a new body design and cutting-edge technology.

The Tata Super Ace can be customised for various small-scale business operations; for the transportation of construction items, food grains, fruits, FMCG, and white goods.

It can also be configured as a food truck, an ice cream truck or a mobile store on wheels. The new ad campaign, ‘Drive Your Own life’ showcases Tata Super Ace – a small commercial vehicle from Tata Motors, as an excellent partner in joining aspiring
entrepreneurs on their journey to be financially independent.

DHCV meanwhile will press ahead with plans to boost sales and market share in Malaysia especially in the small pickup segment as the Tata Super Ace marketing campaign ramps up.

“The Tata Super Ace pick-up, being competitively priced, will make a mark in winning market share in the small pick-up segment,” said Mohd Syahrul Yusuf, Chief Operating Officer for DHCV.

Rudrarup Maitra, Head-International Business, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors Ltd. said the Tata Super Ace continues to celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship amongst aspiring youth across various markets.

“Our new Tata Super Ace TV commercial echoes this philosophy of Tata Motors, complementing the joyous spirit of Malaysians who are encouraging people that believe in themselves and ‘Drive their own life.’ A comprehensive campaign has been worked out to drive this message in Malaysia, starting with our new 30-second TV commercial that began airing across multiple channels on 29 June 2018,” Rudarup said.


World Car Finals countdown starts in Delhi

                NEW DELHI: The World Car Finals countdown officially began today at the Delhi Auto Show with the announcement of the Top 10 and Top Five finalists in five World Car Awards categories, as compiled from secret ballots by KPMG.

The launch of the World Car Finals live from the Delhi Auto Show is a first for the World Car Awards.

The six World Car jurors from India were on hand to make the announcement at a press conference on the opening day of the show.

The World Car Awards pavilion showcases some significant former winners – the 2010, 2017 and 2018 World Car of the Year (WCOTY)– Volkswagen Polo, Jaguar F-Pace and Volvo XC60 respectively.

There’s also the BMW i3 which won World Car Design and World Green Car in 2014 and World Urban Car in 2017.

And also, the first ever Top Three in the World finalist from India – the Hyundai Santro - in the 2019 World Urban Car category.

Siddharth Vinayak Patankar, Juror and Director of the World Car Awards Program said, “We are excited to showcase the World Car Awards at India’s biggest auto show. The Indian car market is already the fourth largest in the world, and projected to become third largest by 2022."

A jury of 86 distinguished international automotive journalists selected the finalists by secret ballot based on their evaluation of each candidate as part of their professional work.

The 2020 World Car of the Year winner will be selected from 10 finalists, chosen from an initial list of 29 contenders.

The Top Ten World Car of the Year finalists are, in alphabetical order : Hyundai Sonata, Kia Soul EV, Kia Telluride, Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Mazda3, Mazda CX-30, Mercedes-Benz CLA, Mercedes-Benz GLB, Volkswagen Golf and Volkswagen T-Cross.

The 2020 World Urban Car will be chosen from these top five finalists: Kia Soul EV, Mini Electric, Peugeot 208, Renault Clio and Volkswagen T-Cross.

The 2020 World Luxury Car top five finalists are: BMW X5, BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz EQC, Porsche 911 and Porsche Taycan.

The 2020 World Performance Car top five finalists are BMW M8, Porsche 718 Spyder/Cayman GT4, Porsche 911, Porsche Taycan and Toyota GR Supra.

All cars competing in these four categories are eligible for the 2020 World Car Design of the Year award.

A design panel consisting of seven world design experts was asked to review each candidate and shortlist recommendations for the jurors’ final vote.

The design experts are: Anne Asensio (France - Vice-President, Design - Dassault Systemes), Gernot Bracht (Germany - Pforzheim Design School), Ian Callum (United Kingdom – Director of Design, CALLUM), Patrick le Quément (France - Designer and President of the Strategy Committee - The Sustainable Design School), Tom Matano (USA - Academy of Art University in San Francisco and former Head of Design - Mazda), Gordon Murray (U.K. Chairman, Gordon Murray Group Limited) and Shiro Nakamura (Japan - CEO, Shiro Nakamura Design Associates Inc.).

The five finalists chosen by the design panel for the jurors’ final vote are Alpine 110S, Mazda3, Mazda CX-30, Peugeot 208 and Porsche Taycan.


2019 Hyundai Santa Fe: Off-road in Kenaboi Forest Reserve

                At first glance, the latest fourth generation Santa Fe SUV is geared for families as it features third row seats, a spacious and comfortable interior and a long list of safety equipment that will tick all the right boxes (there’s even a ‘Check your rear seats’ message before you alight the vehicle just to remind you not to leave your child or children behind).

While that aspect of the Santa Fe is immediately apparent, what is not is the capability of the car in terms of handling and off-roading.

Members of the media found out just how capable the new Santa Fe is during a recent drive up to Kenaboi Forest Reserve where off-roading activities were prepared for us.

On the way up there, we also managed to test the car’s handling as we passed through very windy mountain roads.

For this drive, organized by marque’s Malaysian distributor Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors, the Santa Fe 2.4 MPi 2WD petrol and 2.2 CRDi AWD diesel Premium variants were used (priced RM189,888 and RM211,888 respectively, on-the-road without insurance).

Both the Santa Fe petrol and diesel SUVs are also available in the entry-level Executive variants.

The two-wheel drive petrol-engined Santa Fe consists of a 2.4 litre Theta II MPi naturally-aspirated engine which delivers 172PS at 6,000rpm and 225Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. It is mated with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Meanwhile, the R 2.2 litre CRDi turbodiesel has 193PS at 3,800rpm and a hefty 440Nm from as low as 1,750rpm to 2,750rpm.

This engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and has Hyundai’s HTRAC variable all-wheel drive system which delivers 35% to 50% of power to the rear-wheels.

The R 2.2 CRDi

We made our way up to the forest reserve in the turbodiesel Santa Fe and was already impressed with how much power this car has.

Since it has 440Nm of torque from as low as 1,750rpm, it didn’t take much to get this SUV going. Its interior is plush what with its soft-touch material and leather upholstery.

Also, its new centre dash design with the free-standing 7-inch LCD display, climate controls, charging port and USB jacks is well laid out.

The interior had very low levels of NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) and provided a high level of comfort for the drive.

Of course, the clatter of the diesel engine was noticeable at low rpms but once the car gets going, the engine becomes quieter and smoother.

From the highway, we turned into Semenyih and made the climb up to our destination and for about 50km or so we were faced with very windy roads which afforded us the opportunity to see how the car handles.

The diesel-powered Santa Fe was a joy to drive on these roads and although it is a big and tall car, it was gripy around turns and corners.

As it has all-wheel drive and setting the drive mode to Sport, will direct 50% of power to the rear wheels which would account for its stability and good road handling.

From tarred road we ended up on dirt roads as we made our way into the forest reserve and here is where we went through muddy trails and streams without any fuss.

We were also treated to the 4 wheel-drive system and experienced first hand how the car reacts going through obstacles and steep inclines.

Here, when a wheel is spinning without moving the vehicle, the system would direct power to the other wheels and get you off and running again.

So we can say that if you do want to try some soft off-roading with the Santa Fe it is capable of doing so.

The Theta II 2.4 MPi

We had our turn with the petrol engine Santa Fe after lunch and was surprised to learn that we were using this front wheel drive SUV for some off-roading too.

Although we didn’t go through demanding terrain, we did cross streams and went down steep downhill slopes as well as uphill.

This Santa Fe is equipped with Hill-start Assist Control and Downhill Brake Control which greatly assists the driver as the former will not let the car roll downhill while the latter makes it easy for the driver to just steer as the car does all the braking when going downhill.

Then it was back to the windy roads and the highway as we made our way home.

The petrol engine SUV is quieter than its diesel counterpart though not as powerful but its handling is still impressive without the all wheel drive system.

And on the highway, the car is smooth and has enough power that it never feels sluggish although it doesn’t have the heft of the diesel variant at low rpms.

In the end, the all-new Santa Fe left a very good impression on us and we feel that it is an all-round seven-seater SUV with attractive features and safety equipment to suit your daily needs whether in the city or out in the wild.

Hyundai Santa Fe R 2.2 CRDi PremiumEngine: 2,199cc R CRDi turbodiesel
Maximum power: 193PS at 3,800rpm
Maximum torque: 440Nm from 1,750rpm to 2,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic and HTRAC variable all-wheel drive system
Price: RM211,888 (on-the-road without insurance)

Hyundai Santa Fe 2.4 MPi PremiumEngine: 2,359cc naturally aspirated petrol engine
Maximum power: 172PS at 6,000rpm
Maximum torque: 225Nm at 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Price: RM189,888 (on-the-road without insurance)
Features: Keyless entry, push-button start, cruise control, dual-zone climate control with ioniser, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, black leather upholstery, a freestanding seven-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and a reverse camera, adaptive LED headlights, LED tail lights, LED fog lights, 19-inch alloys, leather dashboard trim, an eight-way powered passenger seat, a seven-inch instrument display, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and a powered tailgate
Safety features: Six airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, vehicle stability management, hill-start assist control, downhill brake control and ISOFIX second-row child seat anchors, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert and Rear Occupant Alert


Bentley among three cars allegedly set ablaze to claim insurance to pay loan shark debts

A 2006 Continental GT shown for illustration.

MALACCA: Two men decided to set fire to their own three cars, including a luxury car, in a bid to collect insurance payments to settle their debts to loan sharks.

The scam was discovered when police found discrepancies in the details of their police reports.

Malacca police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Abdul Majid Mohd Ali said the two men, both aged 36, were picked up a day after the reports were lodged on Sept 13.

He added that the two, a contractor and a salesman, claimed that they were in dire financial constraints and had no choice but to set their three cars, including a Bentley Continental GT, on fire in order to claim insurance payments.

All three cars, including the Bentley owned by the contractor, were destroyed in the incident at Taman Datuk Tamby Chik Karim at 1.40pm on Sept 13.

"They were hoping to receive insurance compensation totalling RM250,000 to settle their debts of RM500,000 owed to illegal moneylenders," he said today.

He said the other two cars were owned by the salesman.

DCP Abdul Majid said both men have been remanded until Sept 27 under Section 435 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire or any explosive substance.

He added that both men had previous criminal records.


Toyota opens new Myanmar plant put on hold following coup

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp said today it had begun assembling cars at a new plant in Myanmar that was put on hold for more than 19 months after a military coup and during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Japanese automaker said the plant, which is opening even as other companies have pulled out of the country, had begun to assemble one or two Hilux trucks per day, working from parts kits shipped to Myanmar in September.

Japanese companies and other multinationals have faced pressure to pull out of investments in Myanmar that are perceived to benefit the military.

"We believe this meets our initial intention to contribute to the industrial development of Myanmar ... and to support our employees and their families' lives," Toyota said in a statement.

"Under these circumstances, we are continuously making every effort to comply with all relevant laws and regulations."

The plant had originally been due to open in February 2021, the same month that the military seized power to stop former leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy forming a new government.

Human Rights Watch, a leading advocacy group, called for Toyota and any other companies seeking to invest or resume operation in Myanmar to conduct human rights due diligence.

"Toyota should certainly refrain from doing business with Myanmar military owned conglomerates ... as well as their subsidiaries," said Teppei Kasai, the organisation's Asia programme officer.

Toyota said in a separate statement that, according to internal research, its business in Myanmar was not directly related to state-owned and military-affiliated companies "in all processes of the car life cycle."

In June, Japanese drinks company Kirin Holdings said it would sell its stake in a Myanmar joint venture with a military-linked local partner.

The Toyota plant is in the Thilawa Special Economic Zone, a manufacturing and logistics hub outside the business hub of Yangon built with Japanese investment.

Toyota's decision to start production was first reported by the Nikkei business daily.


Brabus refines the new Mercedes E-Class Wagon

                LOS ANGELES: The world's leading Mercedes tuner, Brabus clearly likes a challenge. So rather than upping the potency of a coupe or convertible, it's turned its attention to getting the most performance possible out of the latest generation E-Class Station Wagon.

In the world of aftermarket tuning, it's always easier to take a car that's already fast and exotic and make it faster and rarer still.

For example, this week Novitec rolled out the N-Largo- an 860hp wide-bodied, supercharged reimagining of the Lamborghini Huracan Spyder.

And as impressive as it sounds, let's not forget that even before Novitec reached for the spanners, the Lamborghini was already a 610hp, 201mph supercar.

But for its latest tuning project, Brabus has started with the Mercedes E-Class station wagon, a car built for carrying families and their luggage, in cosseting comfort. More impressive still is that the package it's developed can be applied in stages, or in its entirety to any model in the range, regardless of having a gasoline or diesel engine under the hood.

The company can dial the entry-level E 200's engine output up to 225hp and 330Nm of torque and bestow 51 more horsepower and 100Nm of extra torque on the E350d (diesel), giving owners a 309hp fuel-efficient station wagon that can still hit 100kph in 5.7 seconds.

But the company's saved the best for the V6 AMG specification model. Go for the bespoke external body kit (designed in the wind tunnel), complete with integrated rear diffuser and improved front spoiler, plus tweaked suspension that shaves 35mm off the ride height and the full under-the-hood tuning solution, and you've got a family car that has 450hp on tap and can hit 100km/h in 4.4 seconds.

That's quicker than a Porsche Boxster S.

As well as external upgrades, Barbus will also completely redress the interior with its own hard-wearing leathers and Alcantara and throw in stainless steel brake and accelerator pedals plus customized backlit door treads.


Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace updated with IQ.DRIVE

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has updated its Tiguan Allspace line-up with IQ.DRIVE.

Recommended retail prices without Volkswagen Assurance Package (VAP) start from RM165,990 for Life, RM194,990 for Elegance and RM245,990 for R-Line 4Motion variants.

Among the IQ.DRIVE features are Front Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Side Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Assist to deliver a more comfortable and safer drive.

Wireless charging is also now standard for all variants.

The three variants are equipped with a Digital Cockpit and 9.2-inch Discover Pro infotainment system featuring wireless App-Connect.

Other standard features in the Tiguan family include a three-zone "Air Care Climatronic" air-conditioning system, electric tailgate, multi-view rear-view camera, USB-C interface and charging sockets, wireless app-connect (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto) and voice control.

VW_Master Price List_Tiguan_PM

All three variants come in five striking exterior colours – Platinum Grey, Pyrite Silver, Oryx White, Atlantic Blue, and Deep Black.

Meanwhile, VAP provides owners with an additional three years of extended unlimited mileage warranty and three years of maintenance.

Depending on the selected variant, VAP is valued from RM8,000 to RM10,000.

Customers that do not opt for VAP will receive two years unlimited mileage warranty and five years of roadside maintenance.

Bookings and test drive arrangements can be made at all authorised Volkswagen dealerships nationwide.

For more information, visit https://www.volkswagen.com.my.


Drive green to save money

                LONDON: Driving style has a huge impact on fuel consumption and is key to reducing your impact on the environment.

You can buy the greenest car on the market but if you drive it badly or use it too much, you simply undermine all the benefits. There are however some things you can do to save money and reduce CO2 emissions and pollution.

> Get your car serviced regularly. A well-maintained car is safer and greener
> Make sure you are using the right engine oil; if you have any doubts check your handbook. Make sure your oil is checked regularly and if you need to top it up ensure you use the correct grade
> Avoid unnecessary loading. Putting too much weight on your vehicle can burn more fuel. Take off any unused roof racks, roof boxes or cycle racks as they will also waste fuel
> Check your tyre pressures – underinflated tyres waste fuel. Check your handbook as some vehicles now have an economy option in their settings for tyre pressures
> If possible choose a parking space you can drive out of quickly. Time spent manoeuvring out of a space with a cold engine wastes fuel. Try to reverse park so you can drive away quicker

The key to green driving is to take a gentle approach when braking and accelerating combined with looking as far ahead as possible to plan a smooth path through traffic.

Source: IAM RoadSmart, Britain


Armour-clad cars: Power to accelerate away from ambush is key

Schepler with a freshly armoured Land Rover. - All dpa pix
FRANKFURT: An armoured vehicle manufacturer says there's a limit to the heavy armour-cladding a car with a treasured load requires.

"Experience has shown that a quick escape is the most important thing. A car that can continue travelling 500 metres (after an attack) can be a lifesaver," said Henrik Schepler, pointing out that vehicles with lighter armour were plainly nimbler.

A trained coachbuilder, Schepler is managing director of Carl Friederichs, a Frankfurt, Germany-based company that once built horse-drawn carriages but now specializes in armoured money transporters and other vehicles that can take a punch and keep going.

The firm often guts standard production cars and beefs them up with bulletproof glass as thick as 8 centimetres and steel plating up to 1.2 centimetres. Since armoured vehicles weigh several tons, a new chassis is sometimes built.

Super-tough tyres that can keep on rolling flat, after being shot through, are sometimes fitted - at a cost of 1,500 euros apiece.

Given the precarious state of security in many world regions, business is booming.

"We live from exports," said Schepler, noting that about 80 per cent of the company's customers were governments or government institutions.

Schepler says an armoured car is a tactical asset. That's why customers are strongly advised to break up any armoured vehicles withdrawn from service, not leave them parked somewhere where they could fall into the wrong hands.

Judging by a peek into one of the company's workshops, scrapping a retired armour-clad can hardly be a simple matter.

In the garage is a now-battered vehicle back from a weapons proofhouse. It had been subjected to 498 shots. Several hand grenades had exploded on the roof as well as beside and under the vehicle, and a 15-kilogram bomb had been detonated four metres away from it.

While the chassis was banged up, the steel armour and bulletproof windows were still in good shape.

The work by the Carl Friederichs firm is all done by hand.

Schepler said net prices varied greatly, starting from about 80,000 euros (RM375,000) for an armoured Land Rover Defender - "our bread-and-butter vehicle."

Carl Friederichs has production sites or service centres in the Netherlands and the new King Abdullah Economic City north of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

"The Saudi market is gigantic," Schepler remarked.

He said his many travels had taken him, among other places, to the presidential palace in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, where he met former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. His company has also done work for Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Carl Friederichs supplies armoured escort vehicles and money transporters for Nigeria's state bank, as well as trucks used as mobile workshops at oilfields and large construction projects in rough terrain on the Arabian peninsula and in Africa.

Deliveries to Africa also include robust ambulances and mobile banks. The latter are trucks equipped with ATMs and counters and armoured cabs for the driver and bank tellers who visit remote small towns.

The Dutch government is the biggest buyer of armoured vehicles and guard containers.

Cars from Carl Friederichs that were delivered to the Netherlands ferried members of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) around embattled eastern Ukraine when they were investigating the 2014 downing of a Malaysian airliner en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.

"We benefit from the tense security situation," Schepler said.

Juergen Pieper, an analyst with the Frankfurt-based private bank Metzler, puts the worldwide market for armoured vehicles at several billion dollars.

"Security needs are growing, income distribution is becoming more unequal," he said, adding that terrorism, kidnappings and crime rates in general had also risen.

Schepler warned against feeling secure encased in armour.

"Total safety doesn't exist," he said, pointing out that weapons and ammunition were continually being improved to achieve better penetrating power.


                TOYOTA CITY: Toyota announced today that it is developing a hydrogen engine as part of its goal to acheive a carbon-neutral mobility society.

It has installed the prototype engine on a racing vehicle based on Toyota's Corolla Sport, which it will enter in competition under the ORC Toyota to develop hydrogen engine through racingOOKIE Racing banner starting with the Super Taikyu Series 2021 Powered by Hankook Round 3 NAPAC Fuji Super TEC 24 Hours Race on May 21-23.

Fuel cell electrified vehicles (FCEVs) such as Toyota's Mirai use a fuel cell in which hydrogen chemically reacts with oxygen in the air to produce electricity that powers an electric motor.

Meanwhile, hydrogen engines generate power through the combustion of hydrogen using fuel supply and injection systems that have been modified from those used with gasoline engines. Except for the combustion of minute amounts of engine oil during driving, which is also the case with gasoline engines, hydrogen engines emit zero CO2 when in use.

READ MORE:
Toyota Mirai sets Guinness World Records title with 1,359km zero emission journey
It’s too early to focus on electric cars only, says Toyota
Honda goes all in on electric cars in stark contrast to Toyota
German auto giants place their bets on hydrogen cars

Toyota's 1,618cc hydrogen engine is an in-line 3-cylinder turbocharged mill with an intercooler, with compressed hydrogen injected into the combustion chambers.

Combustion in hydrogen engines occurs at a faster rate than in gasoline engines, resulting in good responsiveness. While having excellent environmental performance, hydrogen engines also have the potential to relay the fun of driving, including through sounds and vibrations.

Toyota has long engaged in the innovation of engine technology. Also, it is applying in production vehicles the technologies that it has continued to refine through its participation in motorsports, with the GR Yaris launched last September being one example. And when it comes to safety, Toyota intends to apply the technologies and know-how that it has accumulated through the development of fuel cell vehicles and the commercialisation of the Mirai.

Plans are for the hydrogen-engine-powered race vehicle announced today to be fuelled during races using hydrogen produced at the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field in Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture.


Toyota says to develop alternative fuels with other Japanese vehicle makers

                OKAYAMA: Toyota said on Saturday it will partner with four other Japanese vehicle makers to explore the viability of alternative green fuels for internal combustion engine cars, including hydrogen and synthetic fuels derived from biomass.

The companies, which in addition to Toyota include Mazda Motor Corp, Subaru Corp, Yamaha Motor and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, made the announcement at a race track in Okayama, western Japan, where Toyota is racing a hydrogen car.

The hydrogen race car, based on the Corolla, is being driven by Toyota chief eexcutive Akio Toyoda along with other Toyota drivers.

Converting internal combustion engines to green fuels such as hydrogen is technologically difficult, but doing so would allow the companies to support decades-old existing supply chains employing hundreds of thousands of workers that they may otherwise have to drop as they switch to building electric vehicles (EV).

As nations tighten environmental regulations to cut carbon emissions, automakers including Toyota, are ramping up production of EVs. Japan has said it aims to be carbon neutral by 2050 and is promoting the use of hydrogen fuel.

Toyota plans for 15 EV models by 2025 and is investing US$13.5 billion over the next decade to expand battery production capacity.

At the same, time however, it is continuing to develop vehicles powered by hydrogen.


KLIMS'18: New Mitsubishi Triton previewed, bookings open

                KUALA LUMPUR: The new Mitsubishi Triton was previewed at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2018 (KLIMS 2018) today.

The company is planning to launch the new pickup truck in five variants by the first quarter of 2019 and will be imported as a Completely Built-up Unit (CBU) from Thailand. Prices will range from RM100,000 to RM140,000 for Peninsular Malaysia.

In conjunction with the arrival of the new model, authorised Mitsubishi Motors dealers nationwide are accepting pre-launch bookings from customers who wish to be among the first to own the pick-up truck. Each of the first 1,000 owners to book and register a new Triton would receive a limited edition THULE all-purpose luggage bag worth RM2,000.

The latest Triton's front fascia features the latest iteration of MMC'S Dynamic Shield design language with slim headlights flanking the grille and fog lamps with the indicators tucked into the corners.

Available colours include White Diamond, Black Mica, Sterling Silver and Graphite Grey Metallic.

The new Triton will be powered by a 2.4-litre MIVEC turbodiesel with variable valve timing and Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) to produce 181PS and 430Nm of torque.

A six-speed automatic transmission will manage power delivery and will possess Super Select 4WD II with Off-road mode.

For safety, the Triton will include features such as Forward Collision Mitigatiin, Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigatiin System, Rear Cross Traafic Alert, Blind Spot Warning with Lane Change Assist and Automatic Highbeam.

It is equipped with seven airbags, electronic brakefore distribution, brake assist, active stability with traction control, hill-start assist, hill descent control, trailer stability assist and brake override system as well as rest reminder functions.


Last day of KLIMS'18: Top 7 exhibits to see if you are rushed for time

                KUALA LUMPUR: Today is the last day of the 10-day motoring extravaganza that is the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show.

It began on Nov 23 and started on a new footing after a five-year absence from the scene.

The venue this time was at the bigger and newer Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC as shown above). The show was held at the Putra World Trade Centre in 2013.

This year's show has 74 participating companies occupying six exhibition halls spanning two levels at MITEC.
Star Media Group is the Official Media Partner of KLIMS’18.

The latest edition has seen droves of Malaysians flocking to the show to see and feel some of the latest production cars, concepts and vehicles that are set to go on sale in Malaysia next year. Total visitor turnout is expected at 350,000.

With KLIMS'18 on its final leg and only hours to closing time at 10pm, here's a round-up of the top 7 exhibits at the show.

1. Proton X70

Proton has done a fabulous job creating a huge buzz in the months preceding the X70's reveal at the motor show. Proton's first SUV was easily a key attraction at the show. The crowds we observed at its stand couldn't get enough of seeing, touching and getting inside the vehicle.

The X70, based on the Geely Boyue, is a 1.8-litre turbocharged five-seater SUV that seeks to rival the likes of the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5. Prices will be revealed on Dec 12 at its official launch.

2. Toyota Camry

Completely redesigned for the eighth generation, the latest Camry will only be available as a 2.5V, and priced at RM189, 900. It has a 2.5-litre petrol engine mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. The new Camry is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense that includes Pre-collision System, Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) as well as Automatic High Beam (AHB).

3. Peugeot 308 GTi

The compact sports car has a 1.6-litre 270bhp/330Nm turbocharged engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.

Other highlights include 19-inch "Carbone" lightweight wheels, a dual exhaust system, bucket seats with Peugeot Sport branding and a Torsen limited slip differential to maximise driver enjoyment.

Its estimated price without insurance is RM199,888.

4. Hyundai's virtual reality (VR) experience

Hyundai's booth has a captivating offering for patrons with a virtual reality (VR) experience in driving one of their i20 World Rally Championship (WRC) cars.

The VR experience machine was flown in from South Korea to allow visitors to the show a three-minute "taste" for free of what the rally car might feel like to drive through snowy plains and dirt roads with some standing water.

5. Perodua X-Concept

The Perodua X-Concept adds some excitement to the brand. It is a futuristic hatchback that hints at its direction. It is envisioned with an LED-illuminated grille, low-set Y-shaped LED headlamps, dynamic pulse turn indicators and rear-hinged back doors.

The car also does not have a B-pillar to make entry and exit easier.

Said to be designed by local talents for the tech-savvy generation, the X-Concept comes with an advanced-looking dashboard that has a TFT instrument panel, a 12.9-inch central touchscreen and a flat-bottom steering wheel.

6. Performance car zone

The "Sup-Up Car" zone, presented by Wrap Xpert, Tom’s Stickers and ODR Lubricants, has supercars including the Ferrari 458 Italia, Range Rover Velar, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG with eye-catching gull-wing doors, Bentley Continental GT, the Lamborghini Gallardo, the McLaren 650S GT3, and the Cadillac Escalade 180" - the longest souped-up limousine in Malaysia.

7. Lexus LS+ Concept

The futuristic LS+ Concept on display offers insight into the Japanese luxury carmaker's prowess in design and technology.

The automated-driving capable LS+ Concept vehicle was first unveiled to the world at the 45th Tokyo Motor Show in 2017.

The LS+ Concept has automated driving technologies planned for application in 2020. In addition, it is fitted with Lexus' Highway Teammate automated driving technology that allows the car to enter or exit motorway ramps without driver intervention.

The car can communicate with a data centre to update its systems' software and allow new functions to be added.


Ford makes largest 3D metal-printed part for Ken Block’s ‘Hoonitruck’

                COLOGNE: Gymkhana TEN star Ken Block made a 1977 Ford F-150 the star of his latest video.

The “Hoonitruck” has the same twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 EcoBoost engine as the Ford GT, tuned to deliver more than 900hp, and the largest 3D metal-printed part for a working vehicle in automotive history.

The project was a global effort. Ford Performance engineers in the US ran engine performance simulations and collaborated with a team of Ford research engineers based in Europe to design the part and conduct structural analysis.

Working together with RWTH Aachen's Digital Additive Production Institute, in Germany, the team built an intricate aluminium intake manifold that supplies air from the turbochargers to the engine's cylinders.

“We are fortunate to have access to incredible technology, but this was one project that pushed us – and our computing power – to the absolute limit. The manifold has a complex web‑like structure that couldn’t be made using traditional manufacturing methods. We ended up dissolving the support systems in acid,” said Raphael Koch, engineer, Advanced Materials and Processes, Ford of Europe.

3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is a tool-less production method that offers design flexibility to help reduce weight and improve performance.

The technology is usually used in the development of Ford vehicles to help test and refine different design approaches and to create tools more quickly and cost-effectively. For the manifold for the “Hoonitruck” – that weighs almost 6kg – the whole build process took five days.

“I think Ford did an exceptional job. This is my favourite part of the ‘Hoonitruck’. You could not have made it any other way,” said Block.

Ford recently received awards from the Automotive Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers for 3D-printed parts that went into Ford Ranger and Mustang vehicles.


Toyota Crown turns 60 with updates

                NAGOYA: The Toyota Crown has gotten a new lease in life after turning 60, thanks to a host of updates, upgrades, new range of colours and a new 2.0-litre direct-injection turbocharged engine.

First introduced in 1955, the Crown has been Toyota's domestic flagship model that's getting a host of upgrades - including a new suite of electronic systems, while updates include an assortment of trim levels for the cabin as well as cosmetic updates.

The Crown Athlete gets a new mesh-pattern grille, flanked by Bi-Beam LED headlights with daytime running lights while the rear features larger ring-shaped lights.

Inside, the cabin features agate laminate decorative panels with a dedicated Prussia Blue interior colour for the Turbo models.

As for the Crown Royal, it gets a thick front bumper and a horizontal chrome grille while the cabin uses lattice patterned panels based on a certain wood-grain finish and goes together with the brown-accented black interior.

Toyota says the Crown's chassis is now stiffer by using a structural adhesive as well as increasing the number of spot welds to 90.

An Adaptive Variable Suspension System (AVS) and Electric Power Steering (EPS) system has been included and paired together with revised shock absorbers and bushings for better driving comfort, steering response, steering accuracy and overall road grip around the corners.

There's no official performance figures yet for the direct-injection 2.0-litre turbocharged (8AR-FTS) engine, but Toyota did express that the powerplant has been tuned for low to medium-range power delivery with maximum torque achieved from 1,650 to 4,400rpm, thanks to intelligent-variable-valve-timing and an adaptive intake cooling system.

Additionally, the engine will also feature Dual Variable Valve Timing-intelligent Wide (Dual VVT-iW) technology that will allow the engine to run on the Atkinson cycle while paired with a Stop & Start System idling-stop function for better fuel economy that's rated at 13.4km/L by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's JC08 test cycle.

Other engines available are the naturally-aspirated 2.5 and 3.5-litre engines along with a hybrid option, which could be managed by a six or eight speed automatic gearbox for a rear or all-wheel drive system.

Last but not least are the Crown's plethora of technologies, such as the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) that uses Japan's standardized ITS frequency of 760MHz to receive and share data transmitted by external infrastructure and other vehicles.

Which is why the Crown includes warnings systems such as right-turn collision caution, red light caution and signal change advisory - all of which is encompassed within the Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communication system.

Furthermore, the Crown also features a Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) Communication system that includes a communicating radar cruise control system, intelligent parking assist, blind-spot monitoring system and an emergency vehicle warning system.

There will be twelve colours available depending on the model within the Athlete's range and a self-restoring clear coat will be applied for both custom and standard colours too.

And, the new colours can be combined with three new interior colours of white, black, and gold to go along with leather-clad seats.


Mazda CX-5, CX-9 and Mazda6 get Carbon Edition versions in US

                LOS ANGELES: Mazda North America has announced new Carbon Edition versions for the upcoming CX-5, CX-9 and Mazda6.

Each Carbon Edition would feature a bold colour scheme that helps project individuality. It's a combination of Polymetal Gray exterior paint colour, and red leather interior with black accents inside and out.

Exterior accents have been refined, such as black metallic finish aluminum alloy wheels and gloss black door mirrors, among other details. The red leather seats is contrasted by black honeycomb interior trimming and red stitching

The CX-5, CX-9 and Mazda6 Carbon Edition vehicles are equipped with numerous premium amenities, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bose premium audio and heated front seat that will provide convenience fans can enjoy.

Most of Mazda’s i-Activsense safety features, such as Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Mazda Radar Cruise Control with stop and go and Smart Brake Support, are all standard on these models.

Pricing and specific features for the Carbon Edition vehicles would be announced closer to the respective model's launch date.


3 limited edition Vespa scooters introduced

                KUALA LUMPUR: Three limited edition Vespa scooters are now on sale in Malaysia, each with their own distinctive colours.

They are the Vespa 946 (RED) in red, Vespa Sprint Carbon in black and Vespa Sei Giorni in green.

Vespa distributor Naza Premira Sdn Bhd said they are priced at RM66,000, RM17,400 and RM38,000 respectively.

As its name suggests, the Vespa 946 (RED), is an all-red version of the classic Vespa 946 scooter. It has a steel bodywork embellished with eye-catching aluminium components such as the mudguard and the side covers that houses the engine, transmission and mechanical parts.

The scooter also comes with double disc type brake system complemented by a dual-channel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) traction control. It is powered by a 150 cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine with three valves that makes 11hp.

The Vespa Sprint Carbon is the sporty one among the three. The sporty “small body” scooter is entirely made of steel, characterised by rectangular headlights and large 12” wheels with aluminium alloy rims.

It uses an i-Get 150 cc air-cooled engine that promises reduced noise and high efficiency. The engine is also environmental-friendly with approval in compliance with the Euro4 Multi-Directive. The Vespa Sprint Carbon comes standard with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and has a USB socket, located inside the leg shield back plate compartment.

The Vespa Sei Giorni is targeted at travel and adventure seekers. It is produced in numbered edition and dons a “Special Edition” plate on its leg shield back plate bearing its serial number.

The Vespa Sei Giorni is designed with the characteristic elements such as the “faro basso”; the low position of headlight assembly on the front fender, and the handlebar like the one on the original Vespa Sei Giorni, as well as its iconic exposed metal pipe. Its uniqueness is enhanced by the black number plate taken directly from the livery of the Vespa, highlighted by all black parts and red details. The scooter also comes with a single-seat look saddle – actually passenger approved.

The Vespa Sei Giorrni uses the most powerful engine in the history of Vespa scooters – the 300 Euro 4, a single cylinder, 4-stroke, 4-valve, liquid-cooled, electronic injection engine capable of putting out 21hp at 7,750 rpm.

Boasting the style, comfort and safety of the typical Vespa GTS range, the Vespa Sei Giorni is equipped with a spacious helmet compartment and a large and comfortable seating area, ergonomically crafted to ensure comfort over long distances. In addition to its standard ABS safety feature, the Vespa Sei Giorni also has a USB port located inside the compartment of the leg shield and front turn LED lights that function as day running lights.


Thailand International Motor Expo 2017: Hyundai RN30 concept

                BANGKOK: The Hyundai RN30 concept made it's debut at this year's 34th Thailand International Motor Expo.

The car was built to convey the DNA of the car with its code 'N', which expresses the Korean carmaker's high performance nature of the brand.

The development focuses on the driver and weight loss technology to meet the thrill of driving.

The exterior of the RN30 is taken from a Hyundai i30 car, and has been extensively changed by lowering the 1,355mm-tall hatchback's ride height by 84mm and adding 30mm to its current 1950mm width.

Its sheet metal has also been revised with the emphasis on airflow while driving.

The airflow over the car has also been re-looked at, particularly around the the front to the car and especially around the four wheel arches, to help ensure that all the curves are able to direct air smoothly when at high sheep - allowing for greater stability and grip.

There is also a large diffuser at the rear of the car to aid in stability and have been uniquely combined with the white ceramic exhaust system, while it rolls on lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, bucket seats have been installed for the front passenger and driver along with a roll-cage for added chassis rigidity and protection.

Small cameras have also been installed to provide live images while driving and can be broadcasted to entertain an audience.

The concept is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine producing 380hp and 450Nm of torque, while mated to a dual transmission that manages power delivery to the all-wheel drive system with an electronic limited-slip differential.

The Thailand International Motor Expo will be open to the public from Nov 30 to Dec 11 at Impact Arena, Muangthong Thani from 12pm to 10pm daily.


Qualcomm launches autonomous driving computer, aiming to hit roads by 2023

A demo car equipped with the new Snapdragon Ride autonomous driving computing system is seen at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Jan 5. — Reuters
LAS VEGAS: Qualcomm Inc announced a computing system for autonomous vehicles designed to handle everything from lane controls to full self-driving that it aims to have on the road by 2023.

The system, dubbed Snapdragon Ride, is the company's first foray into a full system to power self-driving cars.

San Diego-based Qualcomm, known best as the world's biggest mobile phone chip supplier, has been a major automotive supplier for more than a decade, but primarily for the modem chips that connect vehicles to the internet and chips for the infotainment systems that power screens inside vehicles.

Qualcomm has spent years developing self-driving technology near its headquarters in virtual silence while rivals such as Intel Corp and Nvidia Corp jumped into the market, spending billions on acquisitions supplying major automakers for autonomous driving.

Patrick Little, the senior vice president and general manager of Qualcomm's automotive business, said the company is using the expertise it built in the mobile phone processor business developing powerful processors that consume little electricity and generate little heat.

Qualcomm's new computers can fit in one hand and do not need fans or liquid cooling systems to prevent them from overheating. Lower power consumption will become important in electric vehicles, in which computers will have to compete with the drive train for battery power.

"Many of these cars have a supercomputer in the back. It looks like your kid's gaming PC," Little told Reuters in an interview. "Now imagine you're putting that in the trunk of an electric vehicle. Now your range anxiety is just doubled."

Qualcomm has also broken the system into pieces of hardware and software that can be scaled up or down for various needs from automakers. A smaller version of the computer can be used for simpler tasks like lane-control, or the computers can be chained together for full self-driving.

Little said Qualcomm has used test vehicles in San Diego to develop its own set of self-driving software algorithms if automakers want to use them, but that it will be up to each one.

"If they came to us with their own software stack, or even somebody else's software stack, we're happy to say we'll help you" adapt it to Qualcomm's hardware, he said.

Qualcomm and General Motors Co on Monday also said that the automaker has expanded its existing partnership with the chip suppler into "high performance compute platforms." Qualcomm previously provided chips for the company's dashboard electronics, location tracking and driver-assistance systems.


3D printed LOCI podcar as transport solution

BERLIN: BigRep’s LOCI Podcar offers an effective, accessible and sustainable mobility solution as a fully 3D printed, autonomous electric last-mile transportation solution.

BigRep’s innovation consultancy, NOWLAB, who also created the NERA eMotorcycle – a fully 3D printed electric motorcycle and viral sensation – presented the LOCI at Formnext 2019 as a design prototype.

The 100% 3D printed podcar tackles transportation challenges at a local level, offering effective adaptability for any application in any country around the world instead of a globally cut and pasted solution.

To emphasize the LOCI’s adaptability, BigRep presented the prototype along with two additional redesign concepts: the physical prototype on the show floor a campus transportation vehicle created for Berlin, with concepts for a Dubai airport transportation vehicle and a San Francisco urban commuter solution.

Because it’s a fully 3D printed solution, the manufacturing of LOCI Podcar’s is local, accessible and scalable.

Production of the podcars can begin with a single BigRep large-format 3D printer and scale with additional units to meet demand as it increases.

BigRep is no stranger to additive applications in the automotive industry. Having already partnered with Ford Motor Company to develop additive applications on the assembly line.

Aside from typical last-mile functions like campus, airport and commuter transportation, BigRep’s vision for the LOCI includes highly practical scenarios such as grocery delivery – allowing shoppers to easily forgo their combustion engine vehicles in favor of an accessible electric vehicle readily offered by businesses.


BMW and VW to face lowered EU fines over emissions collusion, says source

                BRUSSELS: BMW  and Volkswagen are set to face reduced EU antitrust fines over clean air technology after regulators narrowed the scope of an investigation, a person familiar with the matter said.

The case is different from Volkswagen's diesel emissions cheating scandal, which has cost it more than €31 billion in fines and settlements.

The European Commission, which charged the German carmakers in 2019 with colluding to block the rollout of clean emissions technology, is likely to issue fines before the summer break, the person told Reuters today.

The EU competition watchdog had said previously that the case involved the "circle of five", namely BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen Group's VW, Audi and Porsche .

The EU case will only focus on selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, which reduce nitrogen oxides from diesel car emissions through the injection of urea (also called AdBlue) in the exhaust gas stream, the person said.

The commission said in its 2019 charge sheet that the German carmakers colluded to restrict the size of AdBlue tanks between 2006 and 2014.

EU regulators scrapped earlier allegations that the group delayed new cleaner particulate filters for petrol cars from 2009 to 2014.

The commission said the investigation was ongoing and declined further comment.

BMW and Volkswagen declined to comment. Last week BMW cut its antitrust provisions by 1 billion euros after it estimated a lower EU fine read more

Daimler, which alerted the wrongdoing to the commission, reiterated that it will not face a fine and declined further comment.


Too expensive, not enough charging stations: What's stopping drivers from going electric?

                HANOVER: Many drivers can't see themselves at the wheel of an electric vehicle in the near future, and the brakes on uptake can vary from country to country.

While price is the most discouraging factor in France, for people in Germany and China, it's the lack of charging stations that's particularly offputting.

While electric vehicles are the subject of much interest and curiosity, they haven't completely won over the public, according to research from Continental.

With the exception of drivers in China, the majority of people polled couldn't imagine themselves in an electric car in the near future.

People in Germany proved the most dubious about opting for an EV for their personal journeys (59%), followed by drivers in France (57%). A similar trend was seen in Japan and in the US. In China, on the other hand, just 12% of people polled couldn't see themselves in an electric car in the near future.

For people in France, price was the biggest obstacle to going electric. For people in the four other countries surveyed, it was above all the lack of charging stations that proved the main argument against all-electric cars.

Note that the limited range of EVs compared to internal combustion engine vehicles also featured as a major discouraging factor for electric mobility in Germany (57%), the US (44%) and in China (59%), but less so in France (28%).

The study also highlights the fact that 16% of drivers in France have been using cars more frequently than before the pandemic began. This is explained by a desire to minimise contact with others and a certain lack of confidence in public transport.

The trend is even more pronounced in the other countries studied. It remains to be seen whether this will be a lasting trend.

The Continental study was carried out with the market and social research institute infas, and the Handelsblatt Research Institute in September 2020, polling a representative sample of the population in five countries (Germany, China, USA, France and Japan).


BMW CEO poised to shake up top team, says mag

                MUNICH: BMW plans to appoint new finance and purchasing chiefs as chief executive Harald Krueger (pic) builds a younger management team to lead the German carmaker into the future, a monthly magazine reported on Thursday.

Krueger, a 50-year-old who took over a year ago from Norbert Reithofer, wants to replace finance chief Friedrich Eichiner with Nicolas Peter, unidentified company sources told Germany's Manager Magazin.

BMW declined to comment.

Krueger also wants to install a new purchasing chief and other executive changes are possible, with the supervisory board due to decide by the end of the summer, the magazine said.

Earlier this month, BMW reported lower quarterly operating profit, hit by adverse currency moves and pressure on the prices of limousines as drivers in the United States in particular switch to sport-utility vehicles (SUVs).

Peter, 54, is currently head of sales in Europe. Eichiner will turn 62 shortly before the 2017 annual shareholders meeting. He had already extended his contract beyond the firm's usual age limit of 60 for management board executives.

Purchasing head Klaus Draeger, 59, is also leaving due to his age, but a decision has not yet been taken on his successor, although a favorite is Markus Duesmann, the magazine said.


Robot cars from XPeng set record for longest driverless distance

                BEIJING: Tesla competitor XPeng has completed a record-breaking road trip along China's east coast with its autonomous cars in a bid to show how robot systems perform in the real world.

The Chinese start-up used a fleet of its electric P7 models to cover the 3,670-kilometre route from Guangzhou to Beijing in one week. The cars visited 10 cities in six provinces.

The route includes a range of complex and busy highways and for 2,900 km the company's NGP (navigation guided pilot) was in charge. The driver on board each car seldom had to intervene, achieving an average of 0.71 human driver interventions per 100 km.

This sets a new benchmark for long-distance autonomous driving by mass production passenger vehicles. The NGP system uses 14 cameras, five radars, 12 sensors and sophisticated, high-definition mapping.

Experts say everyday autonomous driving is still a way off but the tests shows how well robot cars can cope with difficult conditions such as driving through rainstorms and in mountain areas.

Xpeng said the average success rate of the cars for lane changing and overtaking was 94.4 per cent, with similar figures for highway ramp entering and passing through tunnels.

"The expedition has fully challenged the robustness and reliability of the NGP function,” said Xpeng chairman He Xiaopeng at a press briefing.

In regular electric mode the P7 electric can cover up to 700 kilometres on a single charge.

Chinese Internet giant Alibaba has been investing heavily in XPeng and it also has a substantial stake in Zhiji Motor, the electric offshoot of state-run SAIC Motor.


Geely acquires Alibaba-backed smartphone maker Meizu

                HONG KONG: Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., the satellite-to-automobile group controlled by billionaire Li Shufu, has bought a majority stake in Chinese smartphone maker Meizu Technology Co., according to a Caixin report that cited an announcement from the State Administration of Market Regulation.

Geely unit Hubei Xingji Shidai Technology Co. bought a 79% interest in Meizu from Meizu’s founder and a unit of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., the report, which didn’t give a value of the transaction, said on Tuesday.

Speculation that Geely was in talks to acquire the mobile phone maker surfaced earlier this year.

For Geely, adding a smartphone maker to its stable comes as cars morph from mere forms of transport into electric, Internet-connected and autonomous vehicles powered by highly sophisticated technology.

Xingji Shidai, which counts Li as its main investor, announced its entry into the mobile devices sector in September last year, setting out its intention to "focus on integrating global technologies and resources to develop premium smart devices including smart phones to global consumers.”

Mobile phones have evolved into mobile terminals and application platforms that "also act as a pathway to greater automotive applications,” Li said at the time.

"There is a close connection in technologies within intelligent vehicle cockpits and smartphone software technologies.”

Indeed several large Chinese tech companies have entered into the autonomous and electric car space, with Xiaomi Corp. planning four EVs and eyeing mass production of automobiles in the first half of 2024.

Baidu Inc. and Geely have meanwhile poured around US$700 million into their electric car joint venture Jidu.

Alibaba invested in Meizu in hopes of staking out a spot in the lucrative smartphone arena, but the brand has never taken off due to aggressive competition from Xiaomi, Huawei Technologies Co. and Oppo.

READ MORE: Crunch time for car makers as Apple takes a bigger bite

The Chinese e-commerce giant also hoped to encourage wider adoption of its YunOS operating system, though it’s unclear if Geely would gain access to that from the acquisition.

Geely earlier this month put its first satellites into space as it rolls out a celestial network to help it and other companies access and transmit data for autonomous driving.

Li has a net worth of about US$19.2 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.


2021 Volkswagen Tiguan facelift: Design sketch revealed

                WOLFSBURG: The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan facelift will be coming this year, with a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant.

Volkswagen has released a design sketch of the new Tiguan, with a sharper and more athletic look.

The refreshed Tiguan will get the updated VW logo. It will feature thinner and sportier headlights as well as revised lower air intake.

We can expect VW engineers to introduce MIB3 - the third-generation infotainment system that is fitted in the new Passat and Golf.

By the time the second-generation Tiguan goes on sale, the MIB3 would likely have evolved with improved and/or additional functionality. MIB3 would allow for over-the-air software updates. It would also provide online access to a growing range of online-based functions and services that are made available using the brand’s own Volkswagen We ecosystem.

The interior is expected to be updated with a new steering wheel and use of new materials.

 The current Tiguan.

The Tiguan, which debuted in 2007, broke the production barrier of six million units in the spring of 2020.

A total of 910,926 units of the SUV were manufactured in 2019 alone. This makes the Tiguan the best-selling car in the Volkswagen brand and group.

The versatile vehicle is available to buy in 80% of all countries. It is the most successful SUV on the market in Europe. The Tiguan is one of the three most popular sport utility vehicles in the world.

It is available in standard wheelbase and long-wheelbase that stretches the SUV by 110mm to allow for up to seven seats.

Volkswagen produces the top-selling model in four time zones across three continents. thus ensuring almost round-the-clock production of the SUV.


I drove the Lexus NX, here's what I think

                We had a little taste of the all-new Lexus NX compact SUV so read on to find out whether good things actually come in small packages.

The premium Japanese marque, Lexus, will officially launch its first luxury compact crossover SUV (sports utility vehicle), the Lexus NX, in the Malaysian market today.

Members of the Malaysian motoring media however got an early taste of the new NX, which comes at a starting price of RM299,873 (on-the-road with insurance), last week as Lexus Malaysia converted the empty parking lot in front of Setia City Convention Centre in Setia Alam into a showroom complete with three obstacle courses.

The courses were designed to test the car’s various features such as the Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), panoramic camera, its suspension and handling.

The latter was tested through none other than a slalom course. But before we indulge in the car’s driving capabilities, let’s take a closer look at it.

When the original NX concept made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2013, it was a muscular and aggressive showcase with sharp edges on its massive signature spindle grille and nothing more than slits for the headlamps.

Thankfully, the production model has toned down its aggressive looks, opting instead for more refinement and cleaner lines.

It has more of an athletic stance what with its sculpted wheel arches and sleek lines running from the rear to the hood.

And it has some eye-catching features with the slim and sharp L-shaped daytime running lights (DRLs) and the three LED headlight cluster.

The interior is decked out in leather and the fit and finish is simply flawless befitting a luxury car.

A very nice touch is the design of the centre dash which follows the aesthetic of the car’s front fascia.

The dash is sloped at an angle and creates a cascading effect beginning with the 7in display screen, air vents, time piece and climate controls.

It has smart keyless entry and with push-start ignition and you don’t even have to carry the key fob around as it comes with a smart card key (depending on the variant) which is exactly the length and size of a credit card which you can keep in your wallet or clutch bag for women.

The other features include a power tailgate, reclining rear passenger seats, and wireless charger for your smartphone.

Speaking of variants, the NX comes in the 200t range which features a 2.0litre twinscroll turbo engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission which produces 235hp at 4,800 to 5,600rpm and 350Nm of torque at 1,650 to 4,000rpm.

The top of the range NX 200t is the F Sport trim which gives you an extra driving mode (Sport +) besides the standard Eco, Normal and Sport modes. You also get the premium Mark Levinson sound system with 14 speakers.

The NX also comes in the hybrid variant known as the NX 300h and all Lexus NX vehicles are all-wheel drive.

When it was time to hit the obstacle course, I discovered how comfortable and quiet it is inside the SUV.

Firstly, there is a rock-solid feel to it and the cabin is like a soundproofed chamber with almost negligible amounts of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).

The first test simulated a bumpy road surface and driving it through low speeds first and then city-limit speeds showed how firm the suspension was without compromising comfort.

The jarring vibration somehow never reached the cabin so I wasn’t bouncing around in there.

We then moved on to the panoramic camera test where we drove the NX blind as the windshield was completely blacked out and we relied only on the camera’s bird’s eye view of the car split with the reverse camera view.

This is a really impressive feature because it alerts the driver when you are too close to an object, especially small objects like the cones which is not visible at all when its parallel to the car.

Finally, it came time to push the car with its handling and braking limits with the slalom test.

We each took three rounds through the slalom course with different driving modes beginning with Normal.

The test car was the NX 200t F Sport which comes with the extra Sport+ driving mode.

The car became more responsive and stiffer with every change of the driving mode.

The steering is sharp and the car maneuvers impressively through tighter turns.

When hard braking is applied, like in the case of emergency braking, you can only hear the anti-lock braking system (ABS) kick in because there is no feedback coming through the brake pedal.

What is really impressive is how comfortable it is even when you’re driving hard.

You can hear the noise from the tyres screeching but it’s calm inside. When you floor the throttle, the car’s power does not push you back and the exhaust note sounds refined even in Sport+ mode.

I came away with a very good impression of the Lexus NX which has the optimal balance in comfort, luxury and sporty driving. This is a worthy addition to the already crowded compact luxury SUV market.

The Lexus NX comes in five variants staring with the 200t at RM299,873; 200t Premium (RM331,679); 200t Luxury (RM352,199); 200t F Sport (RM378,875) and the 300h (RM385,063). All prices are on-the-road with insurance.

ALSO READ: First drive in Canada


Tata dumps Mistry in shock coup

Ratan (right) and Mistry. - Reuters
MUMBAI: The agenda for Monday’s extraordinary board meeting at India’s largest conglomerate contained little hint of what was to come.

Tata Sons Ltd. directors were summoned to the group’s fabled Bombay House headquarters to discuss the sale of assets, its moribund British steel business and the group’s legal wrangles with Japan’s NTT Docomo Inc., according to a person with knowledge of the events.

But once the meeting started in the wood-paneled boardroom on the fourth floor, it took a different turn. Under a portrait of the formidable J R D Tata, the board wrested back chairmanship of the steel-to-software business empire for 78-year-old Ratan Tata, ousting his protege Cyrus Mistry, 48, in a coup that stunned India’s business community.

Mistry said he was shocked at the nature of his dismissal, according to a letter he sent to Tata directors. The letter described the board meeting as illegal and invalid. Yet Ratan Tata had met Mistry earlier on Monday to present him with options, according to three people with knowledge of the matter, who asked not to be identified because the meeting was private.

”I have to say that the board of directors has not covered itself with glory,” Mistry said in the letter, a copy of which was seen by Bloomberg News. “To 'replace’ your chairman without so much as a word of explanation and without affording him an opportunity to defending himself in a summary manner must be unique in the annals of corporate history.”

The rift had been brewing for months, said people who work with senior Tata executives. It was a clash of styles, a feeling that Mistry, handpicked by Tata, wasn’t sticking to the traditional values of a company that had previously been led by a person related to the Tata family.

Key to the showdown was a US$1.17 billion legal battle with former partner Docomo over an Indian telecom venture. Docomo is trying to enforce a London Court of International Arbitration decision ordering Tata Sons to pay the sum for failing to uphold a contract. That venture was created during Ratan Tata’s 21-year period at the helm, and Mistry’s handling of the matter was seen by some as an erosion of the Tata Sons ethic of honouring commitments, according to the people.

Tata said he would honour decisions made by Mistry, according to a Tata executive.

“The biggest challenge for an organisation is planning for succession, especially following the tenure of a very successful CEO,” said Vijay Govindarajan, a professor at Dartmouth University’s Tuck School of Business. “The current leadership crisis is an unwanted distraction.”


Peugeot's latest design offers food for thought

                MILAN: Le Bistrot du Lion is a fully functioning foodtruck concept that offers space for up to 30 diners as well as chefs and a DJ and will be going into service at Milan Design Week.

The French may have been a little slower than the US and other parts of Europe to embrace the concept of the foodtruck, but Peugeot's latest concept, which will be heading to Milan for Design Week, shows that they're clearly making up for lost time.

Dubbed "Le Bistrot du Lion" by the team at the Peugeot Design Lab, the concept is much more than just a stripped out and refitted van. Instead, working from a brief that demanded a complete dining experience, the foodtruck literally splits in two to create a kitchen and a dining space.

"We wanted to create a complete food truck experience, not only creating a kitchen for the chef but a restaurant and cafe for the customers. A lot of attention was given to opening up the kitchen and allowing the chef and food preparation to be as close to the public as possible," Cathal Loughnane, Head of Peugeot Design Lab. "We also wanted to create a real sense of surprise as the compact Peugeot Foodtruck transforms into an amphitheatre-like dining space."

The truck is certainly theatrical, but it is also a fully functional mobile kitchen. The truck will be put into active service, first at Milan Design Week, which opens its doors to the public on April 14 and then will be taking up residence at the French pavilion for the full six months of the 2015 Milan Expo.

As such, Peugeot partnered with leading French foodtruck builder Euromag to make sure the concept is up to the task and meets all health, safety and hygiene regulations.

The food preparation area is pro-grade featuring two grill plates, four induction burners, a deep fryer, a 400-litre under-floor cold store for food and a 350-litre fridge for drinks and of course a top-of-the-range espresso machine.

As for patrons, the truck can offer standing room for 30 customers at a time, shaded by parasols and entertained by an integrated DJ booth and a widescreen display that relays a live feed of the chefs at work in the kitchen.

Peugeot also claims that the truck has been set up to "recuperate and recycle all waste" so that nothing is left behind when it hits the road again.


Kia takes wraps off two new SUVs in Seoul

                SEOUL: In a world exclusive, Kia has unveiled two new SUV concept cars at the Seoul Motor Show ahead of the expected launch of the two models in South Korea at end-2019.

The first is the chunky Mohave Masterpiece and the second is the more compact SP Signature.

The Masterpiece is being described as a restyled and modernised Mohave (known as the Borrego in North America).

The stand-out features of this off-road vehicle are the new version of Kia's iconic grille, re-designed lighting, a significantly elevated body and a powerful all-wheel-drive system.

The second Kia making its debut in Seoul is the SP Signature, which is a smaller, elegant SUV. The design of these two concepts will have a general influence on all of the brand's future SUVs sold across the world.

Visitors to Kia's stand can also take a look at its electric crossover concept dubbed Imagine by Kia which was first seen at the Geneva Motor Show.

The automaker is also displaying its new R.E.A.D. (Real-time Emotion Adaptative Driving) system.

The Seoul Motor Show is open to the public from March 29 to April 7, at the Korea International Exhibition Center.