Mazda CX-8: Six-pack verve

                There it is. Soul Red Crystal paintwork — rich and sparkly — on acres of sheetmetal as it glistens in the morning sun.

The distinctive colour scheme shows off the Mazda CX-8 to great effect.

At nearly 5m long, this is a big crossover, only a little smaller than the CX-9 on which it is based.

The size is all but necessary to stuff in three rows of seats.

Outside

The CX-8 is good-looking, featuring a sporty exterior for what is basically a people hauler.

The front is almost a dead ringer for the popular CX-5 save for the grille design.

Slim LED headlights, golf-ball-sized spotlights, equally narrow taillights plus black plastic claddings around the body make the CX-8 look sporty and rugged.

Chrome trim is lavished on the exterior for the premium look.

Check it out on the radiator, window surrounds and spanning the taillights.

The 3D design of the 19-inch wheels complement the vehicle and are shod on Toyo Proxes R46 rubbers.

The CX-8 is locally assembled, with four variants.

Sharing the same wheelbase as the CX-9, it is aimed at a hitherto unexploited niche, appealing to a variety of clientele with prices spanning RM180K to RM 214K (for 2020 only).

The top variant gets a 2.2-litre SkyActiv-G turbo-diesel engine while the rest are powered by a 2.5-litre SkyActiv-G petrol engine as found in the CX-5.

Inside

This version — the 2.5G 2WD High — carries occupants in a relatively premium interior, it being a six-seater that allows for more space and comfort for mid-row passengers. Only the base variant can seat seven.

It’s evident that the 2.5G 2WD High is configured to pamper the two passengers in mid-row, with window shades and individuallyheated seats, separated by a fixed centre console with dual cupholders, a storage compartment and a lower tray to keep personal belongings.

Mid-row passengers benefit from own climate control as they can control their own temperature and blower settings.

The individual seats sit on rails so they can be manually moved fore and aft for variable legroom and to allow for easy entry and exit for passengers in third row.

There’s plenty of head and elbow room in mid-row. Front row is nice and comfy too — the Nappa leather seats are electrically operated and heated, with driver side getting memory seat and lumbar support.

Two average-sized adults — Mazda says not more than 170cm tall — in the last row get decent space but with limited elbow room and thigh support. They have to rely on second-row air-conditioning to cool off.

Like the first two rows, the third row also comes with cupholders and a bit more space on the sides to stash knick-knacks.

Overall, the cabin is a peachy spot to while away time in transit.

There’s plenty of soft touchpoints and fancy wood trim to make it feel refined.
The leather-wrapped dash is attractive and functional without looking busy.

Other features that grabbed us were the colour HUD that reads road speed limit and a 360 degree camera system that makes reversing a big car so much easier and safer.

With three rows of seats, cargo space isn’t much to speak off. But it is greatly enlarged by collapsing the last two rows forward.

The dash layout and centre console give away the fact that the CX-8 share common parts with the CX-5 and CX-9.

And therein lies some of its faults.

In this day and age, the 7-inch centre touchscreen display looks disproportionate to such a big car. A bigger display would sit better on the dash. And please do away with the thick bezels.

The piano black surrounds on the centre console also attracts dust and finger smudges.

As if Malaysia is not already hot enough, Mazda decided to give us heated seats in the first two rows. Ventilated seats would have been the right choice but we reckon the technical upgrade would have cost more.

By the way, the CX-8 doesn’t come with a sunroof. No big deal in our book.

Safety

Safety isn’t an issue as the CX-8 is well equipped to ward off danger. On top of six airbags, it has Dynamic Stability Control, Emergency Brake Assist, Traction Control System, Hill Launch Assist and Auto Hold Function.

This variant also comes with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning System, Lane-keep Assist System, Driver Attention Alert, and Smart City Brake Support.

Drive time

Under this CX-8 bonnet is a naturally aspirated four-pot engine that makes 192hp at 6,000rpm and 258Nm of twist at 4,000rpm.

Is it robust enough for this big crossover? In a word, yes.

One is conscious of the weight and size of the CX-8 when taking off from standstill. But once it gets going at a healthy clip, those concerns fade away.

The interior is well insulated from external noises at highway speeds, adding to the premium feel Mazda is aiming to forge.

The engine pulls strongly at midrange revs with power delivered smoothly and linearly to the front axle, accompanied by a sporty exhaust note when pushed harder.

Going uphill with three adults onboard — it would have been more meaningful to have six but we could only muster three and a cat during the test period — still showed the CX-8 was no laggard at half load.

A Sport mode bumps up the throttle response for more aggressive driving. Tight corners are taken with aplomb, and this vehicle on stilts doesn’t wallow like a boat in a gale, thanks to G-Vectoring Control (GVC).

The GVC electronics link the power steering and engine to allow for on-the-fly shifting of the vehicle’s weight to improve grip and make the crossover behave more naturally.

GVC selectively reduces wheel torque and transfers weight to the steering wheel when turning. This leads to greater stability, steering precision and minimal body lean in corners.

The net effect is confident handling and a smooth ride quality.

The CX-8 is backed by a 5-year manufacturer warranty + 5-year free maintenance inclusive of labour, parts and lubricants.

Verdict

Sandwiched between the CX-9 and CX-5, the CX-8 finds favour with people who seek a balance between seat capacity and roomy comfort. For them, 6 seats are just right.

There’s a bit of that feisty Jinba-Ittai spirit (car-driver connectedness) in the whole works.

At around RM194,000, this crossover is now priced even lower following the sales tax exemption, making it a tempting buy for those looking for an attractive people carrier with some driving panache.

SPECIFICATIONSMazda CX-8 2.5G 2WD HighEngine: 2,488cc, in-line 4-cylinder, 16-Valve DOHC, petrol
Maximum power: 192hp @ 6000rpm
Maximum torque: 258Nm @ 4000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed SkyActiv Drive automatic with manual shift mode
Features: Adaptive LED Headlights, passive cruise control, Head-Up Display, sunshade, powered front seats, Nappa Leather, 360-degree View Monitor, six airbags, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Driver Attention Alert, Lane Departure Warning System, Lane-keep Assist System, Driver Attention Alert, Smart City Brake Support, all-round disc brakes, stability control, traction control, speed sensing auto lock, keyless entry, power tailgate, 60/40 split fold with 3 headrest (2nd row seats), engine start/stop button, electronic parking brake, three-zone climate control, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support
Fuel consumption (combined official): 7.9 l/100km
Price: RM193,742 (OTR without insurance)

EXTRA: Thomas Huong weighs in on the CX-8 in video below


Toyota 'Magnificent Drive' promo runs in March

                SHAH ALAM: UMW Toyota Motor will be running its ‘Magnificent Drive’ promotion offering cash rebates of up to RM5,000 on selected models as well as free servicing or free accessories to be had.

The promotion is being held throughout the month of March at all of its branches and authorised dealers nationwide.

 Vios - RM4,000 or RM3,000 + 3 Years Free Service (All Variants)

 Hilux - RM4,000 DC 2.4G (M), DC 2.4G (A) & DC 2.8G (A)

 Camry - RM5,000 (All Variants)

 Altis - RM3,000 cash rebate + free accessories (worth RM5,700) (All Variants)

 Innova - RM3,000 (All Variants)

 RM2,000 (All Variants)

 Sienta - RM4,000 or RM3,000 + 3 Years Free Service (All Variants)

All offers stated above are while stocks last with each model accompanied by a 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage - except for the Hilux which has a maximum mileage of 150,000km.

As for the Camry Hybrid, the battery pack for the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive has an 8-year warranty that is transferable to the next owner within the period.

Also, all showrooms nationwide will be hosting a Toyota Showroom Weekender from Mar 10 to 12 with fun activities for the family as well.

For more information log on to www.toyota.com.my or call Toyota Freephone at 1800-8-TOYOTA (869682).


Audi pauses e-tron production as Tesla zooms ahead

                BRUSSELS: Audi halted output of its e-tron SUV to resolve production issues including battery-supply bottlenecks as it prepares to flank the model with a sportier variant, underscoring the struggles traditional automakers face to boost electric cars and challenge Tesla Inc.

Manufacturing at Audi’s factory here stopped on Thursday and the plant will remain idle until Tuesday, a company spokesman said Monday by phone.

Audi sold about 26,400 e-tron cars last year, she said, declining to comment on estimated deliveries this year.

Audi, Volkswagen AG’s largest profit contributor, had to delay the e-tron’s market launch after its unveiling in September 2018. Audi recalled its first all-electric model last year over potential fire risk. It plans to add the e-tron Sportback version — which features a more coupe-like declining roofline — later this year as well as a performance sedan dubbed the e-tron GT.

Former BMW AG executive Markus Duesmann will take over as chief executive at Audi in April to accelerate restructuring efforts and try to restore the brand’s technological edge. In November, the company mapped out plans to cut roughly 15% of its German workforce by 2025 as part of a broader push to lift earnings by €6 billion (RM27.5bil).

The e-tron production outtage here was earlier reported by Belgian newspaper L’Echo. LG Chem Ltd. supplies the battery cells for the model.


Tesla Autopilot chief leaves to join Intel

An advertisement promoting Tesla Autopilot at a showroom of Tesla in Zurich, Switzerland. — Reuters

SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc’s Autopilot chief Jim Keller is leaving the electric vehicle manufacturer to join chipmaker Intel Corp.

Keller, Tesla’s vice president of Autopilot and low-voltage hardware, will be succeeded by Pete Bannon, a Tesla executive who previously oversaw chip development at Apple Inc, a Tesla spokesman said via email on Thursday.

Keller will join Intel as a senior vice president to lead silicon engineering, the chipmaker said separately on Thursday, confirming a Wall Street Journal report.

Tesla’s spokesman also said Andrej Karpathy, the company’s director of artificial intelligence and Autopilot vision, will now have overall responsibility for all Autopilot software.

Autopilot made headlines last month after a fatal car crash in California in which the semi-autonomous driving system was in use.

Earlier this month, Tesla withdrew as a formal party to the National Transportation Safety Board’s probe into the March 23 crash.

Driver Walter Huang’s death in the crash and vehicle fire in a Tesla Model X prompted investigations by the NTSB and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.


Nuro gets first California OK to charge money for self-driving services

                SAN FRANCISCO: Robotics company Nuro on Wednesday received the first-ever permit to commercially deploy its self-driving vehicles in California, allowing the Silicon Valley firm to charge clients for its driverless delivery service.

Relying on a remote human operator - who could control multiple autonomous vehicles from miles away - is a step that allows a path to profitability in the emerging field of self-driving technology.

Nuro has been testing autonomous vehicles on California’s roads with safety drivers since 2017, and it was authorised by the state regulators to test two driverless delivery vehicles in nine cities earlier this year.

The company said it would launch a delivery service with a fleet of autonomous Toyota Priuses, and later add its own low-speed R2 vehicle, which has no pedals or steering wheel and only room for packages.

Last month, Nuro raised US$500 million in a funding round, driven by a massive boost to e-commerce from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nuro, a privately held firm based in Mountain View, California, was permitted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in February to deploy up to 5,000 low-speed electric delivery vehicles in Houston without human controls such as mirrors and steering wheels.


Start-ups aim to change car battery recycling

Workers dismantling batteries to obtain lead from them at ACE Green recycling Inc in Ghaziabad, on the outskirts of New Delhi. — Reuters
NEW DELHI: A handful of startups are trying to find a new way to recycle used car batteries, using water, chemicals and electricity to produce lead instead of the hazardous, high-heat smelting that has been identified as the world's most polluting industry.

One of the first to bring a new recycling technology to market is ACE Green Recycling Inc, which has developed a room-temperature process that turns lead from scrap batteries into ingots, said its Singapore-based CEO Nishchay Chadha.

At its recycling plant in Ghaziabad, on the outskirts of the Indian capital New Delhi, the firm uses machines that run on electricity to refine lead components from scrap batteries into briquettes, which are then cast into ingots and sold to battery manufacturers. Plastic and other components are recycled separately.

Worldwide, the start-ups so far form only a tiny fraction of the lead battery recycling industry, which is estimated to be a US$17.5 billion per year business, counting for just the lead value. But they claim the new technologies produce next to no emissions compared to traditional smelting.

Analysts and experts said the new technologies are promising but it was too early to say if any of them was commercially viable on a large scale.

"I think it's a great step and if it's economically viable it's a terrific step," CEO Richard Fuller at environmental agency Pure Earth said.

Typically, traditional battery recycling units use an ultra-hot furnace at over 1,000 degrees Celsius to refine lead components. If the unit is unregulated, as many are in poorer nations where the sales of cars and car batteries are surging, toxic fumes often escape into the air and effluents seep into groundwater.

Pure Earth and Green Cross Switzerland have said lead battery recycling is the most polluting industry in the world.

"Emissions and fugitive dusts released from the small scale melting and casting of molten lead and from waste are the main exposure pathways," the agencies said in a 2016 report.

Farid Ahmed, the principal lead analyst at Wood Mackenzie, said the new technologies had "the potential to be game-changers".

"But (they) need to reach that point where they can establish the validity of their processes when scaled up to industrial levels of output, plus that they can be competitive in production costs," he said.

Recycling of lead batteries accounts for about two-thirds of the world's supply of refined lead, which is also used in cables, ammunition and paints.

The metal currently trades at roughly US$2,000 per tonne.

"We use electricity, and that helps our plant operate at room temperature, and that's why there's zero-emission of gases and effluents from our plant," Dhruvendra Kumar Tyagi, ACE Green's general manager, told Reuters.

Luminous Power Technologies, owned by France's Schneider Electric and one of India's largest auto battery manufacturers, provides ACE Green with more than 200 tonnes per month of used batteries, which ACE said it turns into 120-130 tonnes of lead and sells back to the firm.

Luminous did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

ACE Green has signed an agreement with Altus Asia Group in Singapore to licence its technology to recycle 5,000 tonnes per year of used lead-acid batteries in the first half of 2022, with the potential to double that capacity in 2023, its managing director, David Leong, said.

The investment for this plant will be US$5 million which Leong expects to raise via private equity and private partners.

"(The technology) basically solves all the problems of running a traditional lead recycling smelter," said Leong, adding that the company plans to also set up plants in Malaysia, Vietnam and South Korea using this technology.

ACE Green says it has inked licensing and joint-venture deals to recycle 90,000 tonnes per year of used lead-acid batteries with four commercial recyclers in 11 countries, which would produce a total of about 55,800 tonnes per year of lead. It is also planning a 12,000 tonnes per year used lead-acid batteries recycling plant in Australia which would produce 7,440 tonnes per year of lead.

All of that would be equivalent to 1% of the world's recycled lead.

Other companies are developing similar processes.

Nasdaq-listed Aqua Metals, which uses water-based solvents at room temperature to recycle used batteries to produce refined lead, is not initially looking to replace informal recycling or backyard smelting but is focusing on the regulated market where its product can be marketed as an environment friendly, bolt-on technology, said chief executive Steve Cotton.

He said he plans to commercialize the process and roll out licences as early as June this year.

Ola Hekselman of Imperial College London has been working on a proprietary solvents and chemical process to extract lead from batteries and has co-founded a company called Solveteq which aims to commercialize the technology in the next 18 to 24 months.

"Just being sustainable and green may not be enough for us to convince others to switch to this technology," Hekselman said.

"We have to be economically more competitive as well."


JDT football club announces partnership with Aston Martin Asia

                JOHOR BARU: Johor Darul Ta'zim Football Club (JDT) has announced a partnership with world renowned Aston Martin Asia that will further emphasise the Southern Tigers as a leading football brand in the region.

The partnership would also see Aston Martin release a limited edition JDT-themed design for their range of cars that will be sold by the club.

"We are proud and delighted to have reached an agreement with the brand's headquarters based in the United Kingdom and Asia office.

"The partnership with the British auto racing outfit is not only valuable monetarily to JDT, but is also a deep-rooted relationship that is going to develop opportunities for JDT, Johor and Aston Martin Racing in various areas over the coming years," said the club in a statement here on Tuesday.

The partnership can also be described as "champions in their respective fields teaming up", as JDT are the current seven times consecutive Malaysia Super League winners, while Aston Martin Racing are the 2020 Le Mans Endurance champion.

JDT are winning on the field with consistent success and dominating headlines off the pitch with its world-class infrastructure, brand power and relationships with renowned international clubs, personnel, organisations and business entities.

Aston Martin Racing is one of the many international brands currently on board with the Southern Tigers. Among the other renowned international sponsors and partners include Unicef, Nike, Hublot, Subway, F&N, SWAG EV and more.

The ties with international brands also signify the club's growth in brand power and stature domestically and internationally since Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim set up JDT in 2013.


AB Dynamics and VW Group pull off eight-vehicle swarm test

                LONDON: AB Dynamics, a British automotive test systems supplier, has teamed up with VW, Audi and Porsche to successfully synchronise in a single swarm test the highest number of self-driving vehicles.

The movements of seven automated vehicles were synchronised with an Ego vehicle (the vehicle under test) in a range of tests at the Nardò Technical Centre, Italy.

Captured in a video prepared by VAG, a total of 152 tests were carried out over 11 days, including high speed runs up to 130kph and ‘cutting in’ manoeuvres with vehicles as close as one metre. AB Dynamics supplied test equipment and engineers from its UK and German offices, and from its Italian distributor, Leane, who worked in conjunction with personnel from VW, Audi and Porsche.

“These tests were much more complex than a Euro NCAP scenario which typically involves one target vehicle plus a guided soft target,” explained AB Dynamics senior engineer Leo Evans.

“In the real world, interactions often involve multiple vehicles but running several automated vehicles in close proximity has challenged the industry until now, meaning human drivers were often used instead.

“Unfortunately, human drivers, however highly skilled, cannot always produce the repeatability needed to thoroughly investigate system behaviour, so electronic control is necessary to eliminate variation between tests.”

AB Dynamics overcame the control challenge by implementing an innovative communications system using dual-band IP radio, providing highly dependable data transfer from vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-base through secure mesh networks. This avoided the interference and signal loss that could occur with standard WLAN technology when used with multiple vehicles, which can lead to tests being aborted.

The robust communication platform allowed AB Dynamics’ patented Synchro control system to accurately synchronise the movements of the test vehicles. The movements of as many as seven automated vehicles were synchronised successfully and repeatedly with the Ego vehicle on a single trigger broadcast.

In addition to the mobile control centre, the vehicles involved included: four under robot control; two under drive-by-wire control; one AB Dynamics global soft target (GST) plus the Ego vehicle. All the equipment used was fully portable, meaning the tests can be carried out at any suitable location.

“As the automotive industry increasingly moves from ADAS testing and validation to full vehicle autonomy, the need to control traffic swarms reliably under different test scenarios will become even more important,” said AB Dynamics sales director Jeremy Ash.

“The Nardò tests have demonstrated that we have the capability and all the tools in place to do this today.”


P-hailing riders will not need GDL, PSV licence, says Dr Wee

                PUTRAJAYA: P-hailing riders delivering food and goods will not be compelled to have a Goods Driving Licence (GDL) or a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The Transport Minister also said food delivery riders will not be compelled to take their vehicles for checks at Puspakom inspection centres.

"I watched a few videos claiming that we are compelling all p-hailing riders to have a GDL and (take their vehicles for) compulsory Puspakom checks. This is all untrue," he said during a press conference at the Transport Ministry in Putrajaya today.

Dr Wee said the ministry is planning to amend the Road Transport Act 1987 to regulate the p-hailing industry, where riders will be registered under a system and given a licence.

"We want a special vocational licence for p-hailing riders. I guarantee that this will not be the same as GDLs that are compulsory for heavy vehicles," he said.

"A token will be given to p-hailing riders and it will not cost more than RM10," he said.

Dr Wee also said there had been proposals to implement a one-year moratorium on this requirement.

"These are all proposals and it will be fine-tuned through several engagement sessions for the (proposed amendment) Bill.

He also said there are proposals for p-hailing drivers to undergo a short induction course for the licence.

"It might be just three hours," he said, adding that the course could also be done online.

"The method will be finalised and it will not be a burden," said he added.

He said the proposed registration of p-hailing riders would also ensure that riders' welfare will be taken care of.

"It is the government's wish to assist p-hailing groups, not make their lives harder.

"If we want to give aid, where can we obtain data on p-hailing drivers? Even ehailing operators do not have a full list. With this system, we will know with just one click," he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Wee said he was concerned by a recent Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) report, where the Integrated Transport Information System (Itis) monitored the driving behaviour of 16,038 riders at 11 roads in Kuala Lumpur.

The report found that 62% of p-hailing riders stopped in yellow boxes and pedestrian walkways, used handphones while riding (14%), beat red lights and made illegal U-turns (7%) and also went against traffic flow (3%).

Some media reports claimed that amendments would be made to the Road Transport Act, the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board Act and the Land Public Transport Act, which would require p-hailing riders to own a GDL.

On Monday, Dr Wee said the Cabinet agreed that amendments would be made to the laws.

Among the proposed amendments were for new licensing rules and to ensure that insurance protection is given to delivery riders and drivers.

Other proposed amendments also include reducing the minimum age of p-hailing riders from 21 to 18 years and eligibility for a vocational licence.

Recently, delivery riders in the country held a one-day strike to protest their plight such as low delivery fees.

Following the protest, a meeting was organised between the Transport Ministry, several delivery riders' associations and vendors.


New 641bhp Alfa Giulia coupe to boast F1 hybrid tech

                TURIN: A new Alfa Romeo Giulia coupe is said to be under development, and according to Autocar magazine in the UK, the new models will feature a Formula 1-inspired energy recovery system (ERS) and some very impressive power ratings.

It's claimed that two different powertrains are under development and both of them will benefit from the new ERS system.

The first of the two is based on the 276 bhp 2.0-litre turbo currently found in the Giulia Veloce sedan, while the other is said to be based on the 2.9-litre turbo V-6 from the Giulia Quadrifoglio.

These upgraded versions are said to produce some very impressive performance figures, with the 2.0-litre unit developing around 345 bhp and the V-6 offering a mighty 641 bhp. If the V6 does produce that amount of power it would make the car it will be fitted in the most powerful road-going Alfa Romeo ever, and it would be producing only 20 bhp less than the 661 bhp of the Ferrari 488.

This would make the new Giulia considerably more powerful than the cars we'd currently see as its main rivals. For example, the BMW M4 DTM is rated at 493 bhp, the Audi RS5 at 444 bhp, and the Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupé, which is the closest but still well-short, is rated at 503 bhp.

It's thought the new Giulia will appear before the end of this year but won't go on sale until sometime in 2019, potentially badged as the Sprint, although enthusiasts would suggest GTV might be a whole lot more historically appropriate.

The coupe is derived from the existing Giulia sedan, and although the forward exterior panels are likely to carry over, there will be a new roofline, different rear quarter panels, and longer doors to make accessing the rear seats a little easier. It's also expected a new front fascia will be introduced to distinguish the coupe from the sedan.

As for the ERS itself, it's expected to be a development of the HY-KERS set-up produced by a combination of Ferrari and Magneti Marelli for the LaFerrari, which is claimed to be even more advanced than the type used in Ferrari's F1 cars. And of course, this system is very much performance rather than economy and emissions oriented.


Usain Bolt unveils tiny electric urban car called Nano

                PARIS: Following his announcement of the Parisian launch of his for-hire electric scooter, Usain Bolt took to the stage at Viva Technology 2019 here to reveal a brand new car designed specially to address the challenges of tomorrow's urban mobility.

Billing itself as a small urban car, the Bolt Nano (no relation to the failed Tata Nano of India) will be available by the end of 2020 and can already be pre-ordered online for a US$999 (RM4,172) deposit.

The vehicle can accommodate two people and features a unique removable battery feature. Naturally, the Bolt Nano is intended for short trips and is bound to draw interest from car-sharing companies.

This unique urban car also sets itself apart by its extremely compact footprint (it could almost be driven through a building's front door) that will allow many units to fit on one single parking spot.

Its entry-level price should be around US$9,999 (RM41,756).


Mercedes-Benz unveils Concept EQA

                FRANKFURT: The Concept EQA, by Mercedes-Benz, features an electric drive system that consists of two electric motors with a system output that can be increased to over 200kW and more than 500Nm with the help of scalable battery components.

With its two-box design, short overhangs and a 2,729mm wheelbase, the Concept EQA measures in at 4,285mm-long, 1,810mm-wide and 1,428mm-tall, while featuring alubeam paint finish, panoramic glass roof with black panels and muscular wheel arches to house the exclusive 20.0-inch wheels.

Instead of a conventional radiator grille, the show car features a black panel with integrated LED matrix at the front, which seems to flow out of the bonnet.

The black panel is a virtual radiator grille which can completely change in appearance by externally showing which drive program the driver selected via an animated design in the virtual grille.

In Sport mode, the grille depicts a flaming wing in horizontal format, while in Sport Plus mode, vertical struts in the style of a Panamericana radiator grille are displayed. Common to both grille variants is the illuminated three-pointed star.

The headlamps have been embedded into the black panel grille and, together with the animated 3D-grille, the new EQ face is produced.

The signet of the daytime running lamps reflects the hallmark Mercedes-Benz look as the blue lines continue into the bumpers, giving the vehicle a lower-slung look.

Mercedes-Benz has opted for laser fibres for its front and rear light technology and unlike laser diodes - where electrical energy flows into a semiconductor, a laser-activated medium is embedded in the centre of a fibre-optic cable.

The new technology ensures homogeneous lighting of the road and, from a design point of view, creates a three-dimensional look with precise contours. The spiral-shaped light signet underlines the electric concept, its design evoking the copper windings of an electric motor and the animation visualising electrical impulses.

The large, wrap-around rear window extends around the sides as far as the muscular shoulders and beneath the black window is a lighting strip, which also extends across the entire width of the vehicle to underline the sporty nature of the Concept EQA.

Further black panels at the front (central star and radiator grille surround), rear (bumpers) and sides (graphical element above side sills) of the Concept EQA accommodate LED strips which also acts as a unique welcome light that can be activated during the remote parking process, for example.

While the 60kWh lithium ion battery pack resides the vehicle's floor between the axles, the Concept EQA will be able to sprint from 0 to 100kph in around the 5.0 seconds thanks to the permanent electric all-wheel drive system with axle-variable torque distribution.

There's also going to be two drive programs of Sport and Sport Plus that will vary the front-to-rear torque distribution, allowing the driver a choice of individual performance characteristics.

In combination with the intelligent Mercedes-Benz operating strategy, the Concept EQA achieves a range of around 400km.

The vehicle's battery can be charged via induction or wallbox and is also ready for rapid charging where a 10 minute session can help it travel another 100km.


Pre-owned Mercedes-Benz vehicles offered this weekend!

                PETALING JAYA: NZ Wheels, a Mercedes-Benz Malaysia authorised dealer, is offering its extensive range of certified pre-owned Mercedes-Benz lineup at Naza Automall in Petaling Jaya.

The lineup is being showcased at Naza Automall from now until Aug 4 for prospective customers from 10.00am to 5.00pm.

There will be over 100 pre-owned Mercedes-Benz vehicles which include the A, C, CLA, E, GLA, GLC and S-Class with prices ranging from RM190,000 to RM650,000 (for a limited time).

All Mercedes-Benz vehicles on display are of 2018 year of make and are no older than one year old.

Furthermore, the company is collaborating with Maybank to offer visiting customers attractive loan rates.

Customers who sign up for a hire purchase loan with Maybank on the spot will stand a chance to redeem an exclusive Mercedes-Benz watch worth RM1,500 (while stocks last).

For more information, log on to https://www.facebook.com/nzwheels or call NZ Wheels Pre-Owned Department at +603-3344 9000 or +6012-522 6553 (Jacky).


2016 Toyota Vios comes standard with Dual VVT-i engine & VSC

                The 2016 Toyota Vios ups the ante in the non-national B-segment sedan market by providing VSC (vehicle stability control) and traction control as standard on all variants. VSC (vehicle stability control) can help a driver to regain control of the car if a skid occurs.

It should be noted this is not a full model change for the Toyota Vios. Toyota calls it an improved Vios, which gets a much more refined and fuel efficient powertrain with a new 1.5-litre dual VVT-i engine and CVT (continuously variable transmission) with a 7-speed Sport Sequential Shiftmatic mode.

The new 1.5-litre dual VVT-i engine produces 107ps at 6,000rpm and 140Nm of torque at 4,200rpm.

There are six Vios variants including a new GX model. On-the-road prices with insurance for the five CVT-equipped Vios variants are RM79,800 (J); RM83,900 (E); RM89,800 (G); RM92,800 (GX); and RM96,400 (TRD Sportivo). The cheapest Vios is priced at RM76,500 (J with 5-speed manual). The improved Vios is sold with a 5-year, unlimited mileage warranty.

The improved Vios is now a certified EEV (Energy Efficient Vehicle), and can achieve 18 per cent better fuel economy compared with the previous Vios' single VVT-i engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission.

The new 1.5-litre all-aluminium engine uses iridium spark plugs, and an enhanced engine cover also reduces noise and vibration.

Standard features on all Vios variants are two airbags, ABS (anti-lock brake system) and EBD (electronic brake force distribution), brake assist, vehicle stability control (VSC), traction control, ISOFIX points on rear seats, smart entry via door handle button, and push-start ignition.

The more affordable J and E variants get front brake discs and rear drums, multi-reflector halogen headlamps, fabric seats, and four audio speakers.

The improved Vios is quite well-equipped, as the E variant which costs RM83,900 gets powered retractable wing mirrors with turn indicators, 60:40 split foldable rear seats, a rear arm rest with two cupholders, and a reverse camera mated to a 2-DIN head unit with a large 6.8-inch touchscreen, DVD player, Voice Recognition, a USB port and Bluetooth.

Paying RM89,800 and more for the G or premium variants get you extras like all-round disc brakes, projector halogen headlamps, leather seats, acoustic windshield glass, multi-information display (MID), audio and MID switches on steering wheel and six audio speakers.

As for the TRD Sportivo variant, it gets a sportier image with exclusive items such as a new front bumper spoiler, scuff plate on all door sills, special carpet mats, a sporty meter panel with multi-information display (MID) and leather wrapped steering wheel with red stitching.

The improved Vios (except for E and J variants) also has Toyota Premium Security and Solar film, which includes a security layer to delay grass breakage.

Driving Impression

It's interesting that both the improved Vios and the seven-seater Toyota Sienta MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) share the same powertrains.

As such, both cars have a perky, get-up-and-go character which translates to effortless acceleration from standstill.

UMW Toyota Motor recently organised a media drive of the improved Vios from Shah Alam to Melaka, and when driven at 110kph on smooth highways, the tachometer needle on the Vios was at 1,900rpm.

However, drivers of the Sienta would note that at the same speed, the tachometer needle on the MPV should hover around 2,000rpm.

This is largely because the Vios is a lighter car with kerb weights of 1,060kg to 1,115kg (depending on variant), whereas the heavier Sienta weights at least 1,325kg. We like the electric power steering on the Vios, which is accurate and responsive, and requires minimum effort to steer.

Running on 185/60 R15 tyres, the Vios provided a comfortable and smooth drive on the more than 300km of highways and back-country roads we drove on. In the cabin, the improved and previous Vios are similar except there's now a VSC button between the front seats (in front of the hand brake lever).

For the most part, it is a well-designed interior; we liked the deep centre storage box with arm rest between the front seats, which also has a rear cup or bottle holder. The big 506-litre boot is another plus point.

Still, there are a few niggles. The only USB port is found on the audio head unit, and there are no rear door bins or pockets.

Rear headroom is limited as our hair touched the roof when leaning upright on the rear seats (we are 1.7-metre adults).

At the Melaka International Motorsports Circuit, a 1-litre fuel challenge was organised where the press mostly obtained 21km to 24km on the limited petrol provided.

The fuel tanks of the cars had been drained, and only 1 litre of petrol was poured into each car. It should be noted most participants had switched off the air-conditioning during the 1-litre fuel challenge.

In terms of driving refinement, the improved Vios is much better than its predecessor. With the more generous safety and comfort kit levels, the improved Vios should continue to be among the more popular non-national B-segment sedans.

Toyota Vios (GX trim) Toyota Vios (TRD Sportivo trim)


Thai energy giant PTT increases renewable target, eyes EV venture

An example of an electric car platform from Hyundai. PTT is planning to invest in its own smart EV architecture.

BANGKOK: Thailand's state-owned PTT Pcl is setting its sights on a future in electric vehicles (EV) and more renewable power, its top executive said today.

"We have a new vision," Auttapol Rerkpiboon said, laying out plans for growth and increasing its renewable power target to 12 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, from 8 GW previously.

"Energy has arrived at a point of change, moving more towards renewables, and fossil fuels are contributing to climate change - it's time we adjust our vision."

PTT also targets 9 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas per year and reach 8 GW of electricity from conventional sources by 2030. It plans to have at least 30% of net income from new energy and business sources like EV, life science and logistics by 2030, Auttapol said.

In May it announced a partnership with Taiwan's Foxconn on EV production.

PTT plans to invest US$1 billion to US$2 billion over the next five to six years in a facility to produce smart chassis for EVs, said senior executive for innovation, Noppadol Pinsupa.

It could become a regional export centre, he added, building on Thailand's position as Asia's fourth-largest autos assembly and export hub.

Thailand is a production base for top carmakers, such as Toyota and Honda.
 Auttapol.
"The factory will be able to produce an EV and the smart chassis, the key technology in an EV that manages electricity," CEO Auttapol said.

"Auto brands who have not developed this can order it from us."

The company this year has also formed joint ventures in plant-based meats, pharmaceuticals and cloud computing to boost new business streams.

PTT's subsidiaries have invested over US$7.5 billion, mostly overseas, in chemicals, renewable power, biopolymers.

"There will continue to be investments at home and abroad," Auttapol said, adding cashflow was sufficient, with room to borrow more.


Chance to win a RM67K angpow if you buy a VW now

                KUALA LUMPUR: How would you like to win a RM66,888 “angpow” from Volkswagen Passenger Car Malaysia?

The car company is dangling this sweetener to those who buy its cars from now until Feb 15. The amount is equivalent to the value of the Vento Trendline.

During the promotional period, customers will also be rewarded with cash-backs ranging from RM388 to RM1,288.

Volkswagen sells a range of models in Malaysia such as the Polo, Golf, Beetle, Vento, Jetta and Passat.

To qualify for the promotion, all bookings must be made within the promotion period and are subject to terms and conditions while stocks last.


German court clears former Porsche CEO over VW bid

                STUTTGART: A German court today acquitted Wendelin Wiedeking, a former chief executive of Porsche, of alleged market manipulation in the course of one of the auto industry's most controversial takeover battles.

In 2008, at the height of the financial crisis, the Stuttgart-based sports car maker moved to acquire more shares in its much larger relation, Volkswagen, buying shares and options before revealing that it had a stake of 42.6 percent as well as call options relating to a further 31.5 percent.

Because the options were due for cash settlement, not physical delivery of the shares, they were not subject to the same shareholding disclosure rules.

However, Wiedeking was subsequently accused of misleading the market about his intention to control Volkswagen as it only announced its intention to increase its direct stake to over 50 percent after disclosing the options position, which had sent VW's share price soaring to briefly make it the world's most valuable company.

Porsche executives maintained they had not sought outright control as early as some investors allege.

Stuttgart regional court Judge Frank Maurer on Friday said the court had come to a clear result in the case and a conviction would not have been "rationally justifiable".

"The board had no secret plan," he said.

Porsche was forced to abandon the takeover campaign in 2009 as the financial crisis caused creditors to close in on its mounting debts, forcing it ultimately to seek a rescue from VW, which subsequently bought Porsche's core carmaking business


Grab surprised by MyCC's proposed RM86.7mil fine

                PETALING JAYA: E-hailing company Grab says it is taken aback by the Malaysia Competition Commission’s (MyCC) proposed RM86.7mil fine.

Grab said it maintains its position that it has complied fully with the Competition Act 2010.

“We are surprised by the proposed decision that we received this morning.

“Whilst our legal counsels are now studying the proposed decision, we believe that it is common practice for businesses to decide upon the availability and type of third-party advertising on their respective platforms, tailored according to consumers’ needs and feedback, ” said a Grab spokesperson in a statement on Thursday (Oct 3).

MyCC proposed the fine against Grab Inc, Grab Car Sdn Bhd and MyTeksi Sdn Bhd (Grab) for collectively breaching the Competition Act 2010.

A daily penalty of RM15,000 has also been imposed on the e-hailing company from the date of service of the proposed decision.

Earlier on Thursday, MyCC chief executive officer Iskandar Ismail stressed that this was merely a proposed decision and not final.

He alleged that Grab had abused its dominant position by imposing a number of restrictive clauses on its drivers that prevented them from promoting and providing advertising services for Grab's competitors in the e-hailing and transit media advertising market.

MyCC had said last year that it would monitor Grab for possible anti-competitive behaviour following its acquisition of Uber Technologies Inc's South-East Asian business.

Grab responded by saying it had cooperated with MyCC and had not been informed of any breaches since buying its rival.

Uber's deal to take a 27.5% stake in Grab in exchange had earlier raised a red flag with Singapore's competition watchdog, which last September fined both Grab and Uber a total of S$13mil (RM39.4mil) and imposed other measures to address competition concerns.

The Philippines also fined both companies 16 million pesos (RM1.3mil) last October, saying they had violated the conditions set by its competition regulator.

Grab was originally founded as MyTeksi, a Malaysian company, before it moved and incorporated in Singapore.


Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia closes 2022 with 37% higher sales to 24,017 units

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mitsibish Motors Malaysia (MMM) has posted a record high sales of 24,017 vehicles from January to December 2022, representing a 37.3% jump compared with the corresponding period of 2021.

Overall, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia is ranked third in the non-national automotive sales table with an estimated market share of 3.3%.

The company attributed the sales achievement to its Mitsubishi Xpander that combined stylishness, practicality, and superior handling which secured its best sales performance year with 14,316 units sold from January to December 2022, representing an increase of 93.5% compared to 2021 and contributed 59.6% to the company’s overall total sales.

The Xpander continues to hold its reign as the number one best-selling Japanese seven-seater crossover in Malaysia.

 Xpander.

The company also said its Mitsubishi Triton pick-up truck line-up continued to enjoy its run of success with 9,697 units sold from January to December last year.

This is a 4.6% increase in sales as compared with the same period in 2021 and contributed 40.4% to the company’s overall total sales.

The Triton retained its ranking as second in the pick-up truck segment, despite fierce competition.

MMM chief executive officer Shinya Ikeda said the company is delighted to achieve a record-high sales performance in 2022, and thanked Mitsubishi customers across the nation for the unwavering support.

“One of our significant achievements of the year was that we celebrated the Triton pick-up truck reaching a 100,000-unit sales milestone in Malaysia since MMM’s inception in 2005.

 Triton Rally Car.

“On the product front, we also welcomed great news at the end of last year as Team Mitsubishi Ralliart’s Triton was the overall winner despite being a first-time entrant at the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) in November.

“The Triton Rally Car is built based on mass-production Triton, with only a few modifications on body weight and safety equipment for the competition.

“All the elements such as high performance, durability, comfort, and good handling have been engineered into the original products in the market.

“Now every Mitsubishi Motors customer can feel the motorsports DNA in their model,” said Ikeda.

He also said 91% of MMM dealers had upgraded their outlets with a new visual identity (VI) for a better customer experience last year.

“Looking ahead in 2023, Mitsubishi Motors is initiating changes for the better, and an ownership experience of the highest standards. We look forward to continuing an upward trajectory and achieving future growth together,” he said.


S. Korean startup insurer Carrot tailors coverage for EVs

                SEOUL: An Insurtech start-up from South Korea, Carrot General Insurance Corp,. has introduced a pay-per-mile auto insurance specially designed to protect electric mobility and the owners.

(Insurtech refers to the use of technology innovations on an insurance model to make it more efficient.)

The new service, called "Carrot EV Cover," was put together to supplement the recent release of the KIA's EV6 model, the South Korean automaker's first all-electric model embedded with Hyundai Motor Group's own EV-only electric-global modular platform (E-GMP). Starting with the coverage for EV6, Carrot plans to expand product offerings for other electric vehicles soon, the company stated.

Carrot EV Cover is being launched partly as a way to provide electric vehicle owners with an insurance option that is fair and tailored for sustainable mobility, according to a Carrot spokesman.

Due to higher cost to repair the damages than those of a petrol-powered vehicle, insurance companies usually need to account for the added repair costs, thus charging consumers with higher premiums.

Carrot said its cover for electric cars are reasonably priced.

The coverage is packaged around four main unique value propositions in addition to comparable coverage limits for bodily injury and damage liability; 100% replacement of batteries upon accident, comprehensive or collision coverage with guaranteed payout up to 150% of value of the vehicle, limits that cover liability for death, injury and damages occurring while charging the vehicle, and lastly, emergency dispatch and towing service with an extended distance of up to 120km.

Carrot is currently in a series of discussions to further extend the offerings to include the cover for the liabilities exposed from charging the vehicles and third-person injuries.

According to South Korea's Ministry of Transport, there are over 160,000 electric vehicles on the road as of May 2021 and the number is growing steadily.

"In response to the changing landscape and the demand in growth of the electric vehicle across the globe, Carrot is spearheading the way to revolutionise auto insurance and contribute to drive towards eco-friendly society", said Carrot CEO Paul Jung.

"In line with perceptions surrounding the electric vehicles, our team focused the efforts in providing the EV owners with adequate insurance coverages that are smart and efficient."

Carrot was established in 2019 through a joint partnership between Hanwha, SK Telecom, Hyundai Motor Group, Altos Ventures and Stic Investments. It has attracted close to 300,000 customers to its pay-per-mile auto insurance within 2 years of operation and is scaling aggressively for bigger market share.


Mitsubishi XFC Concept paraded at Vietnam Motor Show

                TOKYO: The Mitsubishi XFC Concept made its world premiere last week in Ho Chi Minh City and goes  on display at the annual Vietnam Motor Show, which opens today and runs until Oct 30.

Mitsubishi Motors president and chief executive officer Takao Kato said the compact SUV concept car would go into series production for the Asean market between April 2023 and March 2024.

The concept car is a compact SUV that is not part of the current Asean lineup. It complements Mitsubishi's products tailored to the Asean market such as Triton, Pajero Sport, Outlander, Outlander PHEV, Xpander, Xpander Cross, Mirage and Attrage.

Mitsubishi bills the XFC Concept as essentially an adventure companion that looks good, has ample cabin and cargo space and handles well enough on rough road surfaces and is able to tackle flooded roads easily.

All these is marketing-speak of course and how the production car stacks up in the real world will be the subject of future road tests by motoring writers when it goes into production.

But what's interesting is that the XFC Concept will feature a Wet mode — in a first for a Mitsubishi model — that is designed for use in this region that is prone to flash floods.

It will come with high ground clearance and three other drive modes namely Normal, Gravel and Mud.

Mitsubishi said the XFC Concept is designed for ease of operation and boasts good forward visibility and smooth handling.

"In the future, we plan to add an electrified variant to the lineup and to also roll it out in regions outside Asean. We hope to grow the model from a vehicle for the Asean market to a global strategic vehicle, making it a core model like the sales-leading Xpander," said Kato.


New Yamaha a top draw at Paris motorcycle show

PARIS: The debut of the Yamaha FJR 1300 was one of the highlights at this year's Salon de la Moto in Paris. The Salon de la Moto has the unenvied task of following the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan - a global event on the motorcycling calendar that every bike maker attends, and at which every bike maker arrives with brand new bikes.

Therefore, the 180,000 people that last week descend upon the Dec 1-6 Paris show, which counts 400 exhibitors including almost every global motorcycling brand, treat it as a catch up, a chance to see the bikes in the flesh in France that two weeks earlier had been delighting the crowds slightly further afield.

As such it was an opportunity to see BMW's R nineT scrambler, and to get up close and personal with the rejuvenated Honda Africa Twin. A bike that not only signals the brand's intent to re-enter the adventure bike segment with purpose but to do so at a price that undercuts the competition.

However, there was one surprise courtesy of Yamaha, which chose the French capital to unveil the new FJR 1300. One of the company's most popular and well-loved models, despite its idiosyncrasies, exterior changes have been kept to a minimum so as to keep the faithful loyal.

It gets new LED running lights and a twin eye optical signature, and, as well as look cool, they can also flex, literally. The new headlamps can cast their beam into the on-coming corner to illuminate any nasty surprises ahead of time.

And as cool as that is, it's the changes under the fairing that will be most welcomed. For 2016, the FJR 1300 will finally be getting a lightweight six-speed transmission and a lighter clutch - so faster acceleration, better progress, smoother touring and better fuel economy.

There is also a new emphasis on safety. All new FJR 1300 models will roll out of the Yamaha production facility with Dianese D-Air motorcycle air bag compatibility. A Dianese dealer will still have to fit the necessary kit, but once installed, the bike will wirelessly communicate with the D-Air Street system airbag jacket.


Paris bans up to 60% of its cars as heatwave worsens pollution

In this file photo taken in August last year, a road billboard displays the message 'pollution warning, speed limited to 70kph' on the ring road of Bordeaux, due to an heatwave in Europe. — AFP
PARIS: Paris has banned more than half of the cars registered in the region from its roads as a record heatwave worsens air pollution, the most drastic restrictions ever imposed there, officials said.

The ban on older and less efficient cars was imposed on Wednesday and is due to stay in place within the A86 second ring-road - which encompasses Paris and 79 towns around it - as long as the hot weather lasts, the city council said.

Data firm AAA Data said that nearly five million vehicles registered in the Ile-de-France area around Paris were covered, about 60 percent of total, a record number to be restricted. The city was not immediately available to comment on those estimates.

Traffic was lighter in Paris, but not significantly so. Several drivers said they were ignoring the restrictions as the fines for breaking them - just 68 euros ($77) for cars and 135 euros for vans - were so low.

 Teenagers playing volleyball as they cool themselves down in the fountain of the Trocadero esplanade in Paris on Tuesday, with the Eiffel Tower on the background. — AFP

French authorities also stepped up restrictions on water use on Thursday as swathes of western Europe remained in the grip of an intense heatwave.

Paris’ driving ban was imposed under the new “Crit’Air” colored stickers system, which classifies cars by age and pollution levels.

Only electric or hydrogen vehicles, petrol cars registered after Jan. 2006 and diesel cars registered from Jan. 2011 - corresponding to Crit’Air levels 1 and 2 out of 5 - were allowed on the roads.

Car owner lobbies decried the ban, saying it is not efficient to reduce pollution.

“There is a kind of hysteria about pollution. It is a bit over the top,” said motorist federation FFAC’s Julian Constantini.

In the capital, air quality monitor Ming agency Airparif said pollution levels were high, with ozone levels exceeding 180 MICROgrammes per cubic meter.

Paris is set to tighten regulations further from July 1, when cars with level 4 stickers - cars with diesel engines registered between 2001 and 2005 and trucks from 2006 to 2009 - will be banned permanently within the A86 ring-road area.

Trucks and cars with Crit’Air 5 registration (1997-2000-registered diesels), as well as cars without a sticker have been banned from central Paris since July 2017.

The city council plans to continually tighten regulations until 2030, when only electric or hydrogen-fueled cars will be allowed on Greater Paris roads.


MINI getting into a performance free-for-all for SEMA

                LAS VEGAS: It has never been a problem to spice up your MINI's performance, thanks to the company's John Cooper Works range of upgrades and compete cars. However, until now, it was only possible to give your British automotive style icon a boost if it was the core 3-door Cooper S model.

But that is all about to change. At SEMA, MINI will be showcasing a factory warranty-backed upgrade kit that works with its more sensible, roomier models — the Clubman and Countryman Cooper S — so that the whole family can have some automotive fun.

And don't worry, the kit is much more than simply a set of bigger wheels and a few John Cooper Works emblems. As long as your MINI is a 2018 Model Year vintage, the tuning kit will nudge output up to 208hp from 189hp. And to ensure that boost can actually be felt and appreciated, the kit also reduces exhaust gas back pressure, allowing the next cylinder to fully detonate and evacuate its gases, therefore increasing engine responsiveness and efficiency.

What's more, that exhaust has a two-stage system so that on the open road, where noise is less of an issue, a push of a button allows gasses to escape even more quickly with less muffling. Then when on the track, the muffler bypassing goes up yet another notch for even better performance.

And if that's not enough, MINI will also be showing off the new Ice Blue Edition model -- a limited run model in two states of tune (Cooper or Cooper S) developed specifically for the US market.

Both variants come in a unique Ice Blue Exterior paint finish and a panoramic glass sunroof as standard, but the Cooper S model stands out even more thanks to an orange stripe along the rocker panel and orange wing mirror caps contrasting with the 17-inch black alloy wheels.

The Cooper version follows a more classical styling brief with its twin white hood stripes, white roof and white mirror caps.

Inside, both boost sports seats and black leatherette upholstery, while under the hood the Cooper S gets a 189hp turbocharged engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission, while the Cooper model sends its 134hp to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox.


Lordstown Motors new CEO focused on electric truck launch

                DETROIT: Lordstown Motors Corp's new chief executive said on Thursday his focus will be on making sure the electric vehicle maker successfully rolls out its pickup truck in the face of intense regulatory scrutiny. After that, raising further necessary funds will take care of itself.

The Ohio-based startup appointed Daniel Ninivaggi as CEO, handing over the reins to the former employee of investor Carl Icahn, sending shares up as much as 41%, before they later fell back to a 16.5% gain.

"Job No. 1 is to make sure we stay on track from a production standpoint," Ninivaggi told Reuters in a telephone interview. "Without that, you can't raise capital."
While Lordstown is working to launch the Endurance truck, it will work in parallel on raising further funds, he said, adding he had spoken with a lot of people from his past since he was named CEO, but not Icahn yet.

"The financing is going to come when people believe in the product and the production," Ninivaggi said.

"If they believe the story and we prove to them that we hit these milestones, I'll have a lot of friends," he added, referring to potential investors.

The company's founder and largest shareholder, Steve Burns, resigned as CEO in June following an internal investigation into claims made by short-seller Hindenburg Research.

Industry veteran Ninivaggi has also overseen Icahn Enterprises' automotive aftermarket service network and parts distribution businesses.

Ninivaggi, who serves as the chairman for autoparts maker Garrett Motion Inc, has also been a director at companies including Motorola Mobility, Navistar International and Hertz Global Holdings.

Last month, Lordstown said a hedge fund had committed to buying up to US$400 million of the startup's shares over a three-year period. Executives said that the firm was exploring other financing options, including debt. read more

Lordstown, which hung an "open for business" sign on its northeastern Ohio plant earlier this month, has struggled with the launch of its Endurance pickup truck.

The company will compete with industry leader Ford Motor Co, which is launching the F-150 Lightning electric pickup next spring. Ninivaggi said demand for electric pickups will outstrip supply for a while, so there will be enough business for both Ford and Lordstown.

Lordstown still faces a lot of scrutiny from federal prosecutors in Manhattan and the US Securities and Exchange Commission related to its merger with a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) and statements it previously made about preorders for its vehicles.

Ninivaggi said the probes won't distract from Lordstown's launch efforts and they don't need to be settled prior to the company raising further funding.


2019 Ferrari Cavalcade a unique experience

                MARANELLO: Over 100 Ferraris from all over the world met in Campania for the 8th edition of the Ferrari Cavalcade.

The event offered Ferrari owners unique driving experiences again this year, along fascinating routes.

Owners had marvellous experiences with new models such as the Ferrari Portofino and the 488 Pista Pilota, to limited edition special series like the Ferrari Enzo and the LaFerrari Aperta.

More than 200 collectors and enthusiasts made up the crews, from over 20 countries around the world, including a large representation from Europe, the USA, the Middle East and many participants from East Asia, New Zealand and Australia.

This international convoy embarked on a journey which was full of surprises and had a rich variety of landscapes that only Campania can offer.

The participants explored the unmistakable views of the Amalfi coast and the interior of Campania, behind the wheel of their Ferraris, from the Parco del Partenio to the slopes of Vesuvius.

The tour began on Tuesday, 18 June, with a visit to the city of Benevento where the Ferraris were admired in Corso Garibaldi.

The next day, the cars were on display along the Salerno waterfront, before taking the Amalfi Coast’s hairpin bends to Sorrento.

On 20 June, the Royal Palace of Caserta and the centre of Naples were the backdrop for the Cavalcade, with a stop in Piazza del Plebiscito.

The fourth and final day of the tour was dedicated to one of the jewels of the Gulf, with a parade of cars from Capri to Anacapri.

An exceptional programme and a great show, not only for the Ferrari owners but also for local people and tourists, linking the most famous car maker in the world to these locations, emblematic of Italian beauty.


Bentley Mulliner Batur to offer cues of brand's electric future

                LONDON: There's a new Bentley on the horizons and it's called the Mulliner Batur, which will set the tone for the brand's electric future.

It is the next model following the success of the Bacalar project created by the bespoke team at Bentley Mulliner.

It will be revealed on Aug 21 at this year’s Monterey Car Week in California, USA.

Bentleys said the new model is "so much more than the successor to Bacalar."

The Mulliner Batur would showcase an all-new design language for Bentley that showcases themes and forms that will define Bentley’s future range of all-electric cars.

Like the Bacalar, the Batur is named after a beautiful natural body of water. Lake Batur is an 88m deep, 16 km2 crater lake in Kintamani on the island of Bali, Indonesia.


Fiat Chrysler in tie-up talks with Renault

                MILAN/PARIS: Fiat Chrysler has made a “transformative” merger proposal to Renault, the Italian-American carmaker said, in a deal that would create a new third-ranked global manufacturer.

The plan, finalised in overnight talks with Renault, was being discussed at a meeting of the French group’s board early today, and sent shares in both companies sharply higher.

The deal would create a carmaker selling 8.7 million vehicles annually with a strong presence across key regions, automotive markets and technologies, FCA said. It would generate 5 billion euros in estimated annual savings.

The “broad and complementary brand portfolio would provide full market coverage, from luxury to mainstream,” FCA added.

If successful, the tie-up would alter the competitive landscape for rival carmakers from General Motors to Peugeot maker PSA Group, which recently held its own inconclusive talks with FCA.

It could also have profound repercussions for Renault’s 20-year-old alliance with Nissan, already weakened by the crisis surrounding the arrest and ouster of former chairman Carlos Ghosn late last year.

It could take more than one year for Fiat Chrysler and Renault to finalise the proposed merger, FCA group’s chief executive told employees today in a letter.

“If this merger proceeds, the creation of a new company could require more than a year,” Mike Manley said.

Milan-listed Fiat Chrysler shares jumped 19% in early trade, while Renault stock leapt 17%. PSA shares fell 2.5%.

“FCA fits as well with Renault as it does with PSA,” Jefferies analyst Philippe Houchois said in a note after news of the deal talks broke.

The FCA-Renault plan would see the two carmakers merged under a listed Dutch holding company. After payment of a 2.5 billion-euro dividend to current FCA shareholders, each investor group would receive 50 percent of stock in the new company.

It would be chaired by John Elkann, head of the Agnelli family that controls 29 percent of FCA, sources familiar with the deal talks told Reuters. Renault chairman Jean-Dominique Senard would likely become CEO, one said.

FCA-Renault, like almost every possible automotive pairing, had been studied intermittently for years by dealmakers. But the fractious relations between Ghosn and FCA’s late CEO Sergio Marchionne made constructive merger talks impossible until after Marchionne’s sudden death last July, banking sources said.

Pressure for consolidation among carmakers has grown with the challenges posed by electrification, tightening emissions regulations and expensive new technologies being developed for connected and autonomous vehicles.

“The case for combination is also strengthened by the need to take bold decisions to capture at scale the opportunities created by the transformation of the auto industry,” FCA said.

But the deal still faces political and workforce hurdles in Italy, and potentially also in France. Most of FCA’s European plants are running below 50% capacity.

Fiat said the planned cost savings would not depend on factory closures.

“The market will be careful with these synergy numbers as much has been promised before and there isn’t a single merger of equals that has ever succeeded in Autos,” Evercore ISI analyst Arndt Ellinghorst said in an email.

Investors are likely to remain wary of the execution risks of a French-Italian-U.S. tie-up, he added, “even with fewer big egos involved”.

The French government, Renault’s biggest shareholder with a 15% stake, supports the merger in principle but will need to see more details, its main spokesman said today.

France will be “particularly vigilant regarding employment and industrial footprint,” another Paris official said - adding that any deal must safeguard Renault’s alliance with Nissan, which had recently rebuffed a merger proposal from the French carmaker.

The Italian government may also seek a stake in the combined group to balance France’s holding, a lawmaker from the ruling League party said on Monday.

Anticipating such sensitivities, FCA stressed “new opportunities for employees of both companies” under the merger.

“The benefits of the proposed transaction are not predicated on plant closures, but would be achieved through more capital-efficient investment in common global vehicle platforms, architectures, powertrains and technologies,” it said.

Nissan, which is 43.4%-owned by Renault, would be invited to nominate a director to the 11-member board of the new combined company, under the plan presented today.

As alliance partners, Nissan and its affiliate Mitsubishi would benefit from an estimated 1 billion euros in annual savings from the merger, FCA also said.


Honda Wave Alpha returns to steal hearts

                KUALA LUMPUR: Boon Siew Honda, the official distributor of the Honda motorcycles in Malaysia, has unveiled its new Wave Alpha in two 110cc variants, which will take over the reigns from the Wave 110.

With a two-year or 20,000km (which ever comes first) manufacturer’s warranty, the more affordable Wave Alpha costs (including GST) RM4,132.94 and comes with spoke wheels and drum brakes.

However, the more costly variant at RM4,556.94 comes with disc brakes and cast wheels to which the company touts as a value for money package after having dubbed it the ‘The Urban Dominator’.

The 97kg (wet) Wave Alpha has a wheelbase of 1,227mm (68mm trail) and comes in measuring 1,937mm-long, 703mm-wide and 1,086mm-tall, but the more costly variant is 5mm wider and just a 1kg heavier at 98kg.

Sipping from a 3.7-litre fuel tank, the single-piston 109.1cc air-cooled engine is equipped with an electric starter as well as a kicker and has a compression ratio of 9.0:1, while having a bore of 50mm and a stroke of 55.6mm.

A four-speed automatic gearbox manages power delivery to the rear of 8bhp at 7,500rpm and 8.6Nm of torque at 5,500rpm while rolling on 17-inch wheels with 70-90 (front) and 80/90 (rear) tyres.

The company claims that its new Wave Alpha is able to reach a top speed of 91kph and provide a fuel economy reading of 51.8km/litre.

Other notable improvements include a new stylishly designed exhaust, redesigned leg shield, a clearer analogue display with gear-number indicator and fuel-gauge as well as a convenient U-box located under the seat.

Both variants of the new Honda Wave Alpha are available in three colour choices of Pearl Magellanic Black, Vivacity Red and Pearl Metalloid White.

“The Wave series is popular among Malaysians because of the performance, affordability, stylish and high quality,” said Boon Siew Honda managing director and chief executive officer Koji Onishi.

He also said that he was confident that the new Wave Alpha will once again “win the hearts of many Malaysian motorcyclists.”


Volvo and Ford models get top ratings in latest safety tests

                BRUSSELS: Volvos have a reputation for being incredibly safe, and that reputation has just been further reinforced by the new XC40 getting five stars and top ratings in its 2018 Euro NCAP tests.

The new XC40 getting top marks for safety from Euro NCAP isn't much of a shock as it's just the latest model from the Swedish automaker to be certified in this way. The XC40 now joins its larger siblings, the XC60 and XC90, as not just safe vehicles, but among the safest vehicles on the road right now.

This year's 2018 Euro NCAP testing regime is the toughest it's ever been with new and more demanding challenges on safety technology, including cyclist-detection with auto-brake and emergency lane-keeping systems.

In fact, the new XC40 hasn't just received high marks for vehicle safety, its scores in the latest tests have shown the Volvo to have the highest safety score among all cars tested under the new regime so far.

Malin Ekholm, the head of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre, says of the results: "The new XC40 is one of the safest cars on the market. It comes as standard with the largest offering of safety technology of any small SUVs, helping drivers detect and avoid collisions, remain safely in their lane and reduce the impact of accidentally running off the road."

Every Volvo passenger vehicle on sale today has achieved a full five-star rating in its respective Euro NCAP assessments. Last year, the XC60 took the crown for being the overall best-performing large off-roader and the best overall performer in the prestigious Euro NCAP 2017 Best in Class safety awards. The XC60 therefore followed in the tire tracks of the XC90 which received the same accolades in 2015.

In March of this year, the XC40 was named 2018 European Car of the Year, and that made it the first Volvo to gain the prestigious award. It's now become one of the company's top sellers, and production has had to be ramped up to meet demand.

Ford's small family car, the Focus, which like the XC40 features cyclist detection with autonomous emergency braking, also received the maximum five-star rating.


Honda reveals entire 2019 motorcycle lineup at EICMA 2018

The CBR650R, one of the two new models in the 2019 European motorcycle lineup.
MILAN: With two new models and three major model updates, Honda is breathing new life into the European motorcycle collection.

On the first press day of 2018 EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Tuesday, Honda unveiled its entire 2019 European motorcycle lineup, showing off two new models and three model upgrades.

To complete its ‘Neo Sports Café' bike lineup, Honda introduced the CB650R, a naked model with minimal styling. As a result, the in-line four-cylinder engine and sculpted fuel tank are on full display. This café racer-trapezoid motorcycle hybrid brings both a classic and modern feel to the trio with its "top-line" performance specs and unique look.

The second new model Honda revealed was the CBR650R, which draws design inspiration from the flashy and aggressive CBR1000RR Fireblade. This model also sports an in-line four-cylinder engine, but this one is especially high-revving with 70kW of power reaching up to 12,000rpm. As a replacement for the CBR650F, the model presents a lighter, sportier, and more powerful face to the 'R' lineup.

 The CB650R.

The 2019 models of the CB500F, CBR500R and CB500X, on the other hand, just received updates, though extensive. As for the upgrades that all three have in common, the motorcycles are now equipped with a new rear suspension, assist/slipper clutch, compete LED lighting, upgraded ULD instruments, and a dual-exit muffler.

The CB500F and CBR500R have both been restyled to have a narrower, sharper body, whereas the CB500X's updates focus more on adventure performance. With a longer suspension travel front and rear, slimmed-down seat, widened steering angle and more "rugged fairing," the ‘X' factor has been more deeply integrated into the model.

These new and modified middleweight bikes give the lineup refreshed performance and aesthetic, rounding out the options for European consumers of all experience levels. Honda describes each as a "stepping stone" to its more specialised flagship roadster, sports, and adventure models.


Groupe PSA picks Atlanta as N. American HQ

                PARIS: The parent company of Peugeot and Citroen has chosen Atlanta as its North American headquarters.

The Fulton County site for Groupe PSA will be operational by February 2018. A core team has already been set up to helm the US company. The decision to locate in Atlanta came after a year-long, nationwide search. Groupe PSA is the umbrella company for Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Vauxhall and Opel.

In April 2016, Groupe PSA announced the return to the US market in three phases as outlined in the "Push to Pass" strategic plan: mobility services at first, mobility services with Groupe PSA’s vehicles then and finally retail sales.

READ MORE: Peugeot CEO outlines ambitious plan to re-enter US, go electric

The first step has been already been initiated with Free2Move mobility system launched in October 2017 in Seattle before rolling into other cities in the coming months. The application service allows users to choose between a wide range of car, scooter and bike sharing transportation services.

Peugeot pulled out of the US market more than 20 years ago because of shifting customer tastes and overwhelming Japanese competition.

PSA North America president Larry Dominique said Atlanta was chosen for its "overall business environment, standard of living and university system" alongside an established car culture and breeding ground for technological and mobility innovations.

Atlanta also happens to be the top-running contender for Amazon's second headquarters. The e-commerce giant is based in Seattle.


UAE dabbles with hydrogen-fuelled cars via Toyota Mirai

                ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates wants to test the use of Toyota's fuel cell cars as part of a new project looking at ways to reduce its carbon emissions and increase its sustainability.

A hydrogen station will be built in Abu Dhabi, and from May this year Toyota will bring its first Mirai fuel cell cars to the region. As well as giving government officials and influencers a taste of hydrogen fuel cell technology, using the cars in the region will also help Toyota gain valuable insights into how the region's extreme weather conditions affect its cars.

The project is part of a much more comprehensive agenda called the UAE Vision 2021 that is looking at ways of improving air quality, reducing dependence on oil and improve infrastructure. The government-created initiative also involves Air Liquide, Masdar and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.

READ MORE: Oil majors and car makers to push hydrogen technology

"Hydrogen can make an important contribution towards the UAE's target for a 50% low carbon energy mix by 2050," said Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar.

The UAE wants to be seen as a leader in cleaner technologies and believes that it can easily ramp up hydrogen production.

"The country has excess capacity at hydrogen production facilities located at oil refineries, and the ability to produce hydrogen as a byproduct at caustic soda and other factories, not to mention the production potential from mega solar power stations," said Toyota chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada.

However, while on paper hydrogen is an incredibly green fuel, the costs of producing the gas in terms of required energy use and greenhouse gas emissions (the gas is often created via the burning of natural gas) can outweigh any environmental benefits.

Therefore, finding energy-efficient means of manufacturing, and making it from sources other than hydrocarbons will be just as crucial in the long term as getting consumers to opt for a fuel cell car rather than one with a gasoline engine.


Supercar teases from McLaren, Pagani, and Eadon Green

                PARIS: The 87th international Geneva Motor Show is still some six weeks away, yet just like their vehicles, supercar companies have been quick to start teasing their upcoming reveals.

McLaren P14
British builder McLaren, who decided to skip Detroit altogether, has been feeding fans snippets of information about its latest car, codenamed P14 for several weeks. Set to replace the 650S — itself only three years old — the new model, according to Mark Vinnels, Executive Director - Product Development, McLaren Automotive: "Will be as aerodynamically impressive as it is visually beautiful. A range of advanced aerodynamic technologies contributes to maximum generated downforce over 50% greater than that of the McLaren 650S and ensures truly outstanding levels of grip and stability."

Beyond looks, the thing that potential clients will care about most will be performance data: how much more will this car offer than the existing model's 641bhp, 0-100kph time of 3.0 seconds and top speed of 333kph.

Pagani Huayra Roadster
No matter what the McLaren's vital statistics, it will have to look incredible if it wants to upstage Pagani. It's bringing the open top version of the Huayra to this year's show and over recent weeks has been releasing tiny teaser images of individual details in the run up to the full reveal.

However, unlike the McLaren, we already know exactly what the Huayra will be using for propulsion — a bi-turbo 6-litre V12 engine that will send 730hp to the rear wheels. And while it will also share many of the coupé's proportions, company founder and designer Horacio Pagani promises the car, which he claims is the most complicated project he's ever undertaken, will have its own visual language: "As we moved forward with the Roadster, we decided to give her a bit more of an edge in order to create a slightly more aggressive shape than the Huayra Coupé." So, as always with Pagani, expect a show-stopper.

Eadon Green Black Cuillin
Compared with new automotive upstart Eadon Green, both McLaren and Pagani are veritable chatterboxes revealing entirely too much information. This Shoreditch, East London-based company has literally come from nowhere to be at this year's event with something it's calling the Black Cuillin.

All we know so far is that its shape will be closer to a 1950s GT than to a Millennial supercar, suggesting that aesthetically at least, it has Morgan rather than McLaren in its sights.

The 87th International Geneva Motor Show opens its doors to the public on March 9 but press reveals will get under way from March 7.


Japan launches 'telework' campaign to ease Tokyo 2020 congestion

People using a Japan Rail train at a railway station in Tokyo. — AFP
TOKYO: Japan has launched a national exercise to encourage tens of thousands of commuters to work from home, in a bid to ease rail and road congestion before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and reform the country's workaholic culture.

About a quarter of the population of 127 million live in Tokyo and surrounding prefectures.

The congested megalopolis thus faces a serious need to ease rush-hour crowds to accommodate tourists for the Olympics.

The public-private "Telework Day" involved some 60,000 workers at more than 900 companies, organisations and government offices, according to the internal affairs ministry.

They worked from home, skipping their usual habit of commuting in notoriously packed trains or driving personal cars to the office.

The ministry had no figures to break down participation by region but most of those involved are believed to be in Tokyo.

The idea followed a teleworking effort at the time of the 2012 London Olympics. Japan will repeat the exercise on the same date over the next two years in the run-up to the opening of the Summer Games on July 24, 2020.

The plan is also part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's efforts to rethink Japan's workaholic tradition, where mostly male workers are routinely expected to spend long hours in the office and have little time with their families.

The government earlier this year unveiled its first-ever initiative to limit overtime in a bid to tackle "karoshi", or death from overwork. It hopes that once the Olympics are over, more people will telecommute as a lasting legacy.

"Teleworking can be one solution" to heavy traffic congestion in the Tokyo metropolitan area, said a government official in charge of the campaign.

"Some people may say they felt some effect (on reducing congestion) this morning, while others say they felt no difference.

"This is a small start but we'd like it to trigger companies as well as workers to start thinking about a different work style," he said.


Nio launches EL6 SUV in Europe

                MUNICH: Chinese electric car maker Nio has launched its EL6 SUV in Europe.

The EL6 showcases its "Design for AD" philosophy, which sees the brand’s watchtower sensor layout seamlessly blending with the vehicle's roof. It measures 4,854 mm in length, 1,995 mm in width, 1,703 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,915 mm.

A cocooning double-layer dashboard design takes inspiration from nature, benefitting from sustainable rattan and invisible air vents.

For the first time, the EL6 features tailor-made acoustic fabric on the speakers, enhancing the audio experience while providing a premium look and feel.

Thanks to the EL6 offering the largest retractable sunroof in its class, almost one square metre of natural sunlight can enter the cabin to further boost the atmosphere.

Nio has put great focus on comfort and convenience. Nio’s premium, proprietary seat platform – capable of 20-way adjustment for the driver’s seat – has been developed in-house by Nio’s engineers. The seats feature a multi-layer comfort system with nine layers of supporting materials.

An upgraded passenger Lounge Seat boasts features such as 22-way adjustment, including a comfortable zero-gravity position that can be engaged with a single tap.

Reclining mode, capable of rotating through 160-degrees, delivers extra comfort thanks to the adjusting leg rest, offering a near-horizontal resting position. It also features ventilation, an eight-point massage system, and three-zone heating available separately for the seat cushion, back and leg rests.

The rear row of seating also comes with power adjustable seats.

Alongside a comfortable ride, the EL6 boasts flexible storage space with a three-layer boot offering a maximum volume of 668 litres. The rear seats can be folded down in a 40/20/40 layout, generating further storage space up to 1,430 litres.

The EL6 features a standard dual-motor four-wheel drive system comprising of a 150 kW front induction motor and a 210 kW rear permanent magnet motor, with a total power output of 360 kW and a peak torque of 700 Nm.

It is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100kph in just 4.5 seconds, while high-performance four-piston fixed calipers deliver a braking distance of just 34.5 metres from 100kph.

Users can choose from nine driving modes. Nio's proprietary Intelligent Chassis Controller (ICC) works with the car’s Continuous Damping Control (CDC) system to make up to 500 damping adjustments per second.

It only takes 0.01 seconds to complete a damping force adjustment of over 6,000 N, providing comfortable flexible control over the vehicle's dynamics. Nio is debuting its Intelligent Smooth Stop (ISS) on the ES6, which can automatically adjust its braking force.

The EL6 comes with Nio AQUILA Super Sensing, consisting of 33 high-performance sensing units, and Nio ADAM Super Computing with four NVIDIA Drive Orin X chips, achieving a computing power of 1,016 TOPS.

The EL6 features a Heads-up Display (HUD) and intelligent Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) headlights as standard. Supported by the AQUILA Super Sensing system, the LiDAR works with the front-view cameras to automatically detect road conditions, controlling the lighting system to ensure accurate beam distribution while avoiding interference with other road users to enhance safety.

The EL6 is available in 10 body colors and four interior themes, including two shades that are exclusive to the car – Galaxy Shadow for the exterior and Warm Gravel for the interior.


Honda announces motorcycle additions to line-up in Europe

                LONDON: Honda Motor Europe has announced the latest updates to its 2021 year model European scooter and motorcycle range which includes updates to six key models and one new model name.

Honda’s wide range of fuel efficient, environmentally-friendly and technologically advanced scooters and small motorcycles sees stylish sports/GT sit-in’s like the Forza 350 and Forza 125 sit alongside the popular step-through’s of the SH family, the fun-focused MSX125 Grom, super-efficient CB125F and perennially popular PCX125.

SH350i

A new more powerful 350cc eSP+ engine sees the SH350i replace the SH300i at the head of the SH family.

The SH350i also features a new LCD meter and muscular new design lines; Emergency Stop Signals and a USB charging port now join the Honda Smart Key and Honda Selectable Torque Control to further enhance safety and practicality.

At the other end of the SH range, the stylish entry level SH Mode is powered by a new, more powerful eSP+ engine for 2021.

Practicality is enhanced with a larger floor, USB charging port, increased storage space (from bigger underseat compartment and new glove box) and Honda Smart Key while aesthetic appeal is elevated from a new front face and LED headlight, plus stylish new wheels.

PCX125

The second biggest selling scooter in Europe this year, the new PCX125 for 2021 is driven by a more powerful and fuel efficient eSP+ four valve water-cooled engine that now features Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC).

Completely new bodywork brings a futuristic new look, flowing back from the redesigned LED headlight, complete with signature running lights, to the X-shaped rear.

A new lighter steel frame promotes nimble handling, and is paired with longer, larger twin rear shocks and new wheels with bigger tires for a more comfortable, composed ride. Practicality is enhanced further by increased underseat luggage space (up 2.4 liters to 30.4 liters) and a USB charging port.

NC750X

Honda’s fuel efficient, versatile all-rounder, gains improvements to the engine, chassis, styling and practicality.

Peak power of the liquid cooled 750cc parallel twin engine rises to 43kW, with a 600rpm increase to the redline. A 6kg weight reduction and shorter ratios for the first three gears add further to a sportier feel, as do sharper design lines and smaller fairings.

Three default (and one user-programmed) riding modes operate through Throttle by Wire and allow the rider to adjust the engine’s character and responses, with each mode (Sport, Rain and Standard) linked to relevant Dual Clutch Transmission shifting patterns.

The NC750X’s renowned practicality is further enhanced by an increase in volume of the unique central storage area to 23 liters, new screen, full colour LCD instrument panel, USB port and 30mm lower seat; Honda Selectable Torque Control settings now offer finer levels of control and Emergency Stop Signals are an additional feature.

X-ADV

For 2021, the X-ADV receives a major update with improvements to engine and chassis coupled with a sharper new look and new technologies.

The X-ADV shares many of the NC750X’s updates, with a sportier ride from a 3kW power increase (to 43kW), optimized gear ratios, reworked frame and 3kg weight reduction, plus enhanced technology in the shape of new rider modes operating through Throttle by Wire, and refinements to the Dual Clutch Transmission and Honda Selectable Torque Control settings.

The design refresh brings an even more rugged overall appearance, with a new signature touch of dual LED Daytime Running Lights; practicality is also elevated, with increased weather protection from a new screen, a new 1.2L glovebox, and a bigger (22 liters) underseat storage compartment which now houses a USB charging port.

The X-ADV will also feature the new Honda Smartphone Voice Control system as standard. The technology - that first appeared on the new Forza 750 - allows riders to use handlebar switches and (via a headset) voice commands to control important functions of their Smartphone, including calls, navigation, music and messaging, via a bespoke app. All information is shown on the new 5 inch TFT screen.

CB1000R and CB1000R Black Edition

The flagship of the Neo Sports Café range, the CB1000R, is updated with new, even more minimalist and purposeful ‘hunched forward’ styling.

The signature round headlight, now housed in a teardrop-shaped surround, is now angled backwards, sending the eye back past the smaller side shrouds to the redesigned upward-slanting rear subframe. Intricately-crafted new seven spoke wheels add further aesthetic depth.

The new CB1000R Black Edition amplifies the more aggressive outlook even further, complementing the new lines with a hand-crafted ‘custom’ look, thanks to the Deep Graphite Black paint scheme and black headlight bezel, fly-screen, fork stanchions, radiator shrouds, airbox covers, exhaust and muffler details.

The CBR1000RR Fireblade-derived inline four-cylinder engine offers smoother delivery and response from revised fuel injection settings, and both CB1000R and CB1000R ‘Black Edition’ feature the Honda Smartphone Voice Control system, connecting to a new state-of-the-art full color 5-inch TFT display.

CB125R

The 2021 CB125R features a new 4 valve liquid-cooled engine, which now delivers the maximum 11kW for the A1 license category, and an extra 1.2Nm torque.

In a world’s first for a 125cc motorcycle, the CB125R is now fitted with Showa’s ‘Separate Function front fork Big Piston’ (SFF-BP) USD forks as standard, further elevating a top level spec sheet that includes LED lights, LCD display and ABS system operating through an IMU, with 296mm floating front disc held by a radial mounted 4-piston caliper.


Volvo aims for its first EV by 2019

 Volvo Cars Twin Engine range.

GOTHENBURG: Volvo Car Group is developing its first all- electric car and broadening its range of plug-in hybrid vehicles, betting that their time has come in the wake of Volkswagen AG's diesel scandal.

The first step will be the introduction of plug-in hybrid versions of the larger 90-series and 60-series cars, the Gothenburg-based manufacturer said in a statement on Thursday. Volvo has a plug-in hybrid version of the new XC90 SUV on the market and will offer the same option for the S90 sedan that is set to be introduced next year. The carmaker said it will offer the fully electric vehicle by 2019.

Volvo Cars' new global compoact car range.Drive E 3 cylinder Hybrid power pack.Volvo T5 Twin Engine Lithium ion battery.The XC90 Twin Engine powertrain crank.

“We believe that the time has come for electrified cars to cease being a niche technology and enter the mainstream,” Chief Executive Officer Hakan Samuelsson said. Volvo expects 10 percent of its car sold globally will be electrified by 2020.

The Swedish manufacturer is stepping up its focus on electric cars as diesel engines lose their lustre after Volkswagen was forced to admit it deliberately circumvented regulations on diesel emissions. The move could also help the Swedish carmaker stand out, as it takes on BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz in an effort to boost annual sales 60 percent to 800,000 vehicles by 2020.

Diesel has come under attack since the scandal broke, with France already saying it plans to end tax breaks that have bolstered demand for the cars.

Volvo, owned by Chinese billionaire Li Shufu's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co since 2010, will extend the plug-in strategy to smaller vehicles, which will be produced on a new platform starting in 2017.

Volvo's electrical-vehicle push is “a start for the future car business,” Henrik Green, head of product strategy and vehicle-line management, told reporters in Gothenburg on Thursday. Plug-in hybrids are “a perfect transition” for the coming years until the first fully electric vehicle is introduced, he said.

“I believe that our first electric car will just be a first electric car - it's not a one-off, it's not a show-off car, it's not to beat someone in particular,” Green said. “That's where we’re going.” - Bloomberg


BMW iNext EV teased with massive, dash-wide screen

                MUNICH: BMW has published an image of its upcoming EV, the iNext, which will feature a curved touchscreen display that spans the width of the cockpit.

In the teaser that BMW published Tuesday, the company revealed that the iNext will feature a digital touchscreen display unit on the dash that spans from side to side and is curved towards the driver. The unit will serve as the instrument panel, control display, and infotainment system all in one.

From the driver's and front passenger's point of view, the display looks to be floating, as the components connecting the screen to the dash are not visible, giving it a "modern, luxurious and generous sense of space," according to the company's head of design Domagoj Dukec.

Though BMW is not the only company with eccentric touchscreen designs, it may be the first to put one in a commercially available model.

In March at the Geneva Motor Show, Kia debuted a concept EV with 21 ultra-HD displays fanned across the dash to poke fun at the automotive industry's current obsession with putting screens anywhere and everywhere. A few months earlier at CES 2018, Byton unveiled an electric concept not with many displays, but with one massive, 49-inch, dash-wide screen, along similar lines to the interior design of the iNext.

The BMW iNext will launch in 2021 and will serve as the company's automotive technology flagship.


How to safely ride a motorcycle with a child

                BERLIN: Whizzing around with your son or daughter along while running errands on your motorbike doesn't have to be an ordeal - all that's needed is a bit of practice and a child who's eager to tag along.

A passenger seat, including footrests and grips, is a basic necessity for taking a second person along no matter their age. If there's no passenger seat, it's also possible to use a child seat as long as the kid in question is between 3 and 7 years old and there are wheel covers; children under age 3 really shouldn't ride on motorbikes.

The right clothes

Before you take off together, it's tantamount that your child is wearing clothing that will protect them. According to Tuev Sued, a leading inspection agency in Germany, the clothes should be warm and fit the child snugly — no buying clothes that they will grow into.

Helmets in particular need to fit perfectly, and it should be one made specifically for children — they're usually lighter and put less strain on the spine. Good ventilation will ensure a pleasant ride.

A helmet with an integrated intercom system makes communication easy, but you can also agree on a way to communicate using thigh taps in advance in case the child wants to tell you something is going wrong.

Child preferences

Testing out the passenger seat lets you both figure out whether the child can reach the footrests and has enough strength to hold on tightly to the driver for a longer period of time, says Tuev Sued.

Try a few practice laps in an empty car park before going off on a real trip, as that will give the child time to get used to the helmet, clothes and narrow passenger seat. And no matter how used to riding a child is, longer trips should include regular break periods.

Most importantly, however: The child should want to tag along and enjoys the ride - instead of being forced to come along unwillingly.