BMW M3 turns 30 and gets a tribute model

                MUNICH: The iconic BMW M3 turns 30 this year and and to marks its anniversary, the German carmaker's M Division is releasing an exclusive special-edition model that's limited to 500 units worldwide.

Finished in Macao Blue metallic paint, the BMW M3 “30 Jahre M3” harks back to the first generation of car that left the production line in 1986, for which this colour shade was first offered.

A Competition Package is included as standard and comprises extensive powertrain and suspension modifications that pushes the engine output of the anniversary model up by 19hp to 450hp.

The current (fifth) generation BMW M3 made its international debut in 2014 as a four-door sedan, while the coupe and convertible models were designation the M4.

In all three body variants, a free-revving straight-six engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology and 431hp provides the power.

Rigorously applied intelligent lightweight design elements include the extensive use of lightweight materials such as Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) and aluminium for many chassis and body components.

All of which has shaved around 80kg off the weight of its predecessor.

The M3 was the vehicle that revolutionised the mid-sized sports car segment, which was created initially to go racing first and then have it made available as a road-going version.

But first, BMW had sell 5,000 road-legal units of the car within 12 months, as per DTM's then Group A homologation regulations.


Electric cars charging up the ranks in Europe

                BRUSSELS: European consumers have snapped up 143,595 alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFV) over the last three months, a 17.4% jump over the same period in 2014 -- according to new figures from the European Automotive Manufacturers Association.

AFVs as a group include plug-in electric, hybrid vehicles, and those powered by propane or natural gas, rather than petrol or diesel.

And while a 17.4% sales boost to 143,595 vehicles may not sound like much -- especially considering that in May alone, some 1.5 million cars and vans of all shapes and types of propulsion were sold across the same continent -- when the numbers are broken down, there are some very positive trends emerging.

The biggest of which is electric car sales. They are up over 50% year on year. Over the past three months, 27,575 drivers across the continent chose to go electric and within the EU member countries, France is leading the way, followed by the UK, Germany and the Netherlands. French drivers snapped up a total of 6,690 electric cars over the past three months, 526 more than in the UK. German drivers accounted for 5111 battery-powered cars and the Netherlands for 3,479.

However, it's beyond the EU in Norway where an example is being set for other territories to follow. Despite a population of just over 5 million, 8,914 drivers snapped up an electric car over the past three months. And it's a similar story in Sweden which unlike Norway is an EU member state but like its neighbour has a low population (9.5 million) and high battery-powered car sales (2,160).

Sales of hybrid vehicles, which use a combination of a fossil-fuel-powered engine alongside a battery motor to reduce emissions and in some cases offer up to 20-30 miles of electric-only travel are also up by 22.6% year on year, and at 53,443 units are almost exactly double the total of electric vehicle sales. This also means that 62,577 vehicles of the overall 143,595 AFV total were powered by natural gas or propane.

When total sales of AFVs are considered, the UK is where demand is greatest within the EU countires-- up 62.4% year-on-year, followed by France (59.7%) and Spain (58%). But even here, Norway is speeding ahead with a 74.1% increase in demand for all forms of AFVs.


Lamborghini CEO on going all-electric: 'We don’t need to decide now'

                BOLOGNA: Lamborghini will spend more than US$1.8 billion (RM8bil) to build hybrid versions of its rowdy Italian SUV and powerful supercars by 2024.

But the proposed hybrids are likely to be paltry compared to the volume of throaty V12 engines for which the 59-year-old brand is famous for producing.

Last year, Lamborghini recorded its best sales results ever, with 8,405 cars delivered globally.

And company executives have yet to specify when-if ever-they will focus only on electric vehicles.

"We don’t need to decide now,” said Lamborghini Chairman and CEO Stephan Winkelmann during a reporter roundtable July 27 when asked whether the company was planning to switch its fleet to only electric vehicles, as brands like Audi and Bentley have pledged.

"We have at least a few years to decide.” In the meantime, Lamborghini has announced that its first EV, a two-door, four-seat vehicle, will arrive in eight years, by 2030.

It was a frank admission from a company that seems comfortable in its own skin-even at the risk of sounding like a dinosaur when it comes to green-minded driving.

Most other automakers have already committed to going electric and are making it a signature of their marketing efforts-even if there is disagreement among executives behind closed doors about the best way to do it.

Bentley boasts that every vehicle it builds will be battery-electric by 2030; Audi says it will end development of combustion engines by 2026. Even Ferrari already has a decade of knowledge building hybrids.

Rolls-Royce will debut the Spectre - its first-ever electric vehicle this fall.

Lamborghini, on the other hand, asserts that at this point, all-electric all the time may not be the answer.

"It is going to be very, very complicated to make the right choice,” Winkelmann said.

Record sales

Judging from its latest sales results, Lamborghini is doing something right.

During the first six months of 2022, it delivered 5,090 vehicles globally, up nearly 5% over last year’s number and the most ever in company history.

Operating profit was up 69.6%, going from €251 million ($256 million) during the same period in 2021 to €425 million ($434 million).

The company has sold out of all of its vehicles for the next 18 months.

"We are seeing that we can continue to make more [money] out of every single car, and this is also the trend for the future,” Winkelmann said. "We are sure about that.”

It helps that it can afford to wait to make any big electric decisions, underpinned as it is by Volkswagen Group’s record spending on new technology.

Lamborghini’s parent company has promised more than $90 billion for developing new electric technology over the next decade.

And since its production numbers are multiple times that of the Italian marque’s, other brands at VW can help Lamborghini avoid having to develop something electric right now.

Even if some of the pressure goes to Lamborghini to develop speedy hybrids, it would not necessarily mean all of its cars must go fully electric anytime soon.

"I consider myself a petrolhead, but it’s almost half a decade that we are pregnant with the idea of going hybrid and electric, so I know what is coming,” Winkelmann said. "I do think we have to tackle the challenge.”

Moving targets

Emissions and engine legislation will determine how soon and how far a brand like Lamborghini will have to move into the all-electric world.

Such regulations remain a moving target for automakers, with varying timelines and requirements-and the threat of more-spanning Europe, Asia, and the US.

In London, for example, a new Ultra Low Emission Zone is expected to be expanded by this time next year, with almost the whole of the capital included in a new boundary that levies fees and fines against polluting vehicles.

California is considering legislation that would mandate EVs to comprise roughly 70% of new car sales by 2030 and 100% of new car sales by 2035.

But 2035 is a long way off. Politics and opinions can change. And sometimes the rules are different for automakers that produce comparatively small amounts of vehicles.

"We don’t have to decide now because we still have some years to see how the legislation is moving, if this is then something which they might slow down,” Winkelmann said.

"There is still the chance that maybe the legislation is going to change or is going to open up opportunities for small manufacturers … so we need to decide in the second half of this decade whether we go electric with the super sports cars.”

Synthetic fuels could be one way the automaker avoids having to go fully electric.

The non-polluting mixtures can still be run through combustion engines, which means they would be legal to drive in jurisdictions with strict standards.

Bentley and Porsche, which are also owned by VW, are experimenting with such sustainable fuels.

No matter what, Winkelmann said, Lamborghini will still be selling its famous V12 engines in 2030.

That’s the same timeframe the brand will present its first all-electric vehicle. And that’s an eternity in car years.


Display makers look to next-gen cars to drive growth

                First there were TVs, then smartphones, but as those two markets mature the world's top screen makers are looking to the auto sector to drive future growth, with car display volumes expected to almost triple by 2018.

Manufacturers like South Korea's LG Display Co Ltd  and Samsung Display are eager to boost their exposure to the sector, which promises bigger and more stable margins than their mainstay mobile and TV businesses.

"Previously, display makers saw little merit in auto displays because of their small volumes and slim margins ... but they are now revising their strategy as the market is growing," said Lee Byeong-hoon, a principal engineer at the South Korean unit of German auto parts giant Continental, the biggest buyer of automotive displays.

Luxury cars already carry two or three displays and could have as many as nine in the near future, as safety and convenience features proliferate. Kia Motors' K9 sedan, for example, has five displays - an instrument panel, a centre information screen, two backseat displays and a "head-up" display projecting information onto the windshield.

Future cars could add transparent side-window displays and replace rearview mirrors and side mirrors with screens, according to LG Display, the biggest liquid crystal display (LCD) maker.

Looking further ahead, self-driving vehicles in development by Google Inc and others will free up passengers to watch movies, play video games or check emails, meaning even more in-car screens, analysts said.

Samsung Display, a subsidiary of smartphone giant Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, is testing its organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays with BMW and Continental in hopes of gaining a foothold in the sector, two sources familiar with the experiments said.

LG Display, which supplies smartphone screens to Apple Inc , intends to become the top auto display maker next year, leapfrogging Japan Display Inc, Sharp Corp , LG Display Vice President James Shin said.

"Auto displays have a very bright future," said Shin.

Competition is heating up with LCD automotive display shipments forecast to almost triple to 174 million from 2013 to 2018, according to data from research firm IHS.

Auto display revenue will grow from $4.6 billion to $8.3 billion over the same period, it says. Even so, the sector is small by mobile standards, with global handset screen revenue estimated at $28.9 billion in 2013, according to DisplaySearch.

But auto displays promise better returns than smartphones.

They need to be more durable and carry longer warranties, so they are more expensive. Margins can reach 30 percent compared with as little as 5 percent for consumer electronics displays, IHS analyst Stacy Wu said.

Average smartphone display prices slumped almost 14 percent last year and another double-digit fall is likely in 2015, according to IHS Technology.

OLED EDGE Late last year, BMW executives visited South Korea for demonstrations of display products by Samsung and LG, one source said, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

All three companies declined to comment.

"It may take a couple of years or three to four years, but Samsung thinks it needs to enter the market, whether it is OLED or LCDs," a person with direct knowledge of Samsung's thinking said, asking not to be named because he was not authorised to speak publicly.

OLED screens, offering more vivid colours and greater flexibility than LCDs, could be a key differentiator for LG Display and Samsung Display, the only firms currently capable of mass producing them.

LG's Shin said he expected OLED screens to be available in mass-produced cars by the end of the decade.

"The year 2020 is not in the distant future from the automakers' perspective," he said.


Body and wreckage of SUV that fell off Penang Bridge found

                BUTTERWORTH: Rescuers have found the body of the driver and wreckage of the sport utility vehicle (SUV) which fell off the Penang Bridge and are working to secure and retrieve them.

The driver of the Mazda CX-5 has been identified as college student Moey Yun Peng, 20.

"We have found the car near Pillar 34 of the Penang Bridge, said state exco Phee Boon Poh today. "Divers are now diving in to secure and bring up the car," he said.

A crane would be used to lift the SUV out of the sea.

However, strong currents and poor visibility in the water forced the operation to be suspended until 9am tomorrow.

In a related development, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has directed highway operator PLUS and the companies in charge of the two bridges linking the island to the mainland to consider raising the crash barrier height.

Although the present barrier looked sufficient for "normal" accidents, it might not be able to prevent cars in high-impact accidents from falling into the sea, he said.

However, he qualified his statement, saying that the crash barrier height may not need to be raised if it meets safety standards.

The 13.5km Penang bridge is operated by Penang Bridge Sdn Bhd, while the 24km Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge is operated by Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd.

Besides the first dashcam video showing the horrifying accident taking place, another clip taken from a CCTV footage has emerged, which indicated the moment the Mazda CX-5 was sent plunging into the sea after it was hit by a Toyota Vios driver who had lost control of his car.

Police said the 21-year-old Vios driver had tested positive for cannabis.

Central Seberang Prai OCPD Asst Comm Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid said besides showing traces of the drug, the police have taken his blood sample to test for any trace of alcohol.

ACP Nik Ros said the driver is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital for injuries to his head, arms and legs.

Investigations revealed that both drivers were childhood friends and believed to have been speeding towards the mainland before the collision which led to the SUV losing control, swerving into the left barricade and plunging into the sea.

The duo had earlier attended a friend's birthday party at a club in Chulia Street in George Town with other friends who live on the island.

This is the fifth incident since 2010 where a vehicle or the victims had went over the bridge and into the sea. Most of the incidents took place in the early morning hours between 1.30am and 9.30am.


Daimler and Geely to develop next generation Smart car

                STUTTGART: Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler and Chinese auto giant Geely have announced plans to develop the next generation of electric Smart cars to be made in China in a joint venture.

Under the agreement, expected to be finalised by the end of 2019, the new vehicle will go on global sale in 2022, the German and Chinese car giants said in a joint statement.

The 12-strong board of directors of the new venture will be made up of six executives from each company.

The new Smart cars will be styled by the Mercedes-Benz Design network with engineering provided by Geely.

Prior to the launch of the next generation, Daimler will continue to produce the current "fortwo" model of the Smart car at its plant in Hambach, northeastern France.

The Smart car will then leave its historic home in France to be manufactured in China, but Daimler insists no jobs will be lost.

"None of our colleagues at Smart will lose their jobs as a result of these decisions," said Daimler boss Dieter Zetsche in a statement last week.

"On the contrary. We need the passion and creativity of the Smart team more than ever.

"After all, these changes are not ending for Smart -- but a new beginning."

Daimler says 500 million euros (US$562 million) will be invested in the Hambach plant, which will assume "an additional role" producing a compact electric vehicle under the new 'EQ' product brand.

"All jobs will be sustained through our new project which will consist of creating a new assembly line for the construction of a Mercedes-Benz electric SUV in Hambach," Serge Siebert, CEO of Smart France, told the Le Republicain newspaper on Wednesday.

Geely is owned by Chinese billionaire Li Shufu, who is also Daimler's main shareholder having acquired nearly 10 percent of shares in the German manufacturer in February 2018.

Li's investment, which is reportedly worth around 7.2 billion euros, in the Stuttgart firm has raised political concerns about Beijing's ambitions in Germany.


Toyota plans to recall 1 million hybrid models over wiring issue

The 2015 Prius is affected by the recall.
TOKYO: Toyota said today it planned to recall around 1.03 million vehicles, including its petrol-hybrid Prius model, in Japan, North America, Europe and other regions due to an issue with the engine wire harness which can pose a fire risk.

Following a domestic recall announcement by Japan’s transport ministry, Toyota said that in affected vehicles, the wire harness which connects to the hybrid power control unit can come into contact with the covering at the connection point.

If dust accumulates on the wire harness or the cover, the insulation on the wires could wear down over time due to vehicle vibrations. This could cause an electrical short circuit, which could generate heat and lead to a risk of fire, Toyota said.

The issue affects vehicles produced in Japan between June 2015 and May 2018, and includes the plug-in version of the Prius and the C-HR compact crossover SUV sold in Japan, Europe, Australia and other countries.

Roughly half of the recalls would take place in Japan, Toyota spokesman Jean-Yves Jault said.

Only the Prius model would be recalled in the United States, where around 192,000 vehicles were affected. he said.

Jault added that the issue had led to one incident of a short circuiting in Japan which produced smoke from the vehicle.


Order-taking starts for updated Toyota Hilux, Fortuner and Innova

                PETALING JAYA: UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd today announced the start of order-taking for the updated Toyota Hilux, Fortuner and Innova.

Orders can be made at all authorised Toyota showrooms and as well as at the Toyota Online Showroom.

Prices (without insurance) for the new models are as follow:

> Hilux (5 variants) – from RM92,880
> Fortuner (3 variants) – from RM169,167
> Innova (3 variants) – from RM115,553

For Fortuner and Innova, the prices are inclusive of the Sales & Service Tax (SST) exemption.

Sales will start in January 2022.

The three models, which make up the IMV (Innovative International Multi-Purpose Vehicle) range, have received updates that improve convenience and comfort, with the petrol engines tuned to meet stricter emission control standards in advance of implementation of the Euro4 standards in 2022.

“The IMV range of products has been a great success in Malaysia and other markets around the world, providing durable and reliable mobility for thousands," said UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K.

"The Hilux, in particular, has been the best-selling pick-up in Malaysia for many years and even today, we see demand exceeding supply."

Hilux

Malaysia’s best-selling pick-up truck is available in 5 variants to suit different budgets and requirements.

It comes with a choice of two turbodiesel 4-cylinder engines with 2.4-litre and 2.8-litre displacements. Both engines are tuned for fuel-efficiency which can be enhanced further with the use of an ECO mode.

The passenger-oriented double cab variants – Hilux 2.8 Rogue, 2.4 V and 2.4 E – have 6-speed automatic transmissions and a dual-range 4x4 system. The other variants – Hilux Double Cab 2.4 G and Single Cab 2.4 – are equipped with 6-speed manual transmissions and both also have 4x4 drivetrains.

The Hilux is already well equipped to give customers the best value for money, with a wide range of features and equipment for convenience and safety.

Now, for a cooler and more comfortable journey in the Hilux 2.8 Rogue and 2.4 V, the front air-conditioning system is upgraded to a dual-zone type in place of the single-zone type.

With the dual-zone feature, the driver and front passenger can set their preferred temperatures separately.

Fortuner

The latest Fortuner offroad ability with a premium spacious cabin for 7 persons across 3 rows of seats.

The medium-sized SUV is available in three variants – Fortuner 2.8 VRZ, Fortuner 2.7 SRZ and Fortuner 2.4. Due to strong market request, the Fortuner 2.4 is now made available throughout Malaysia, together with Fortuner 2.8 VRZ and 2.7 SRZ.

For the latest version, the front air-conditioner of the Fortuner 2.8 VRZ and 2.7 SRZ now have a dual-zone feature to allow separate temperature settings for the driver and front passenger.

A wireless charger pad for compatible smartphones is now standard for all variants. The rear USB port for the Fortuner 2.8 VRZ has also been changed to the newer Type C port, making it more convenient to recharge for those with the newer generation of smartphones.

The same proven and reliable powertrains are used with 6-speed automatic transmissions and dual-range 4x4 systems.

The 2.7-litre petrol engine has been retuned to meet stricter emission control standards, upgrading to Euro4 from Euro2 standards.

Innova

The Innova is an MPV with up to 8 seats and loads of storage space.

Currently in its second generation, this versatile Toyota MPV is available in three variants – Innova 2.0X, 2.0G and 2.0E. While all three variants have the same spacious 3-row cabin, the Innova 2.0X comes with generously sized Captain’s Seats in the middle.

With a generous range of standard equipment, the occupants of the Innova will have the convenience to enjoy every journey.

For those who have compatible smartphones, a wireless charging pad is now standard in every variant. This makes it simpler to recharge a compatible phone as no cables are needed. Multiple USB ports are also available around the cabin, making it easier to charge phones and tablets.

The 2.0-litre petrol engine for all three variants has also been upgraded to meet the stricter Euro4 emission control standards. This higher standard means that the exhaust emissions are much less polluting.

Five-year warranty

All three models come with a 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage for the Fortuner and Innova, and a maximum of 150,000km for the Hilux (terms and conditions apply).

UMW Toyota Motor also offers a wide range of financing plans, including subscription plans, to suit different needs.

There are also financing and leasing programs for those who are buying vehicles for commercial use.


MINI turns Countryman into a campervan

                LONDON: How do you highlight the latest MINI SUV's go-anywhere capabilities? By offering it with a roof-top tent.

The AirTop tent will be familiar to anyone who is seriously into heading off the beaten track. It's been an ingenious solution to on-the-fly overnight accommodation within the SUV fraternity for 50 years.

The version MINI is offering was co-developed with Italian firm Autohome with help from MINI's own design team to ensure that it perfectly fits the Countryman's external specifications and locates exactly with its roof mountings. When folded flat, the tent, offered in either black or white to match the car's standard contrasting roof colors, it looks like a standard hard plastic roof-mounted luggage case.

When extended upwards, it offers space for two to sleep - the tent measures 2.1m x 1.3m internally -- but not to stand; due to the fact it only extends upwards by 94cm. And MINI is only able to offer this much space due to the fact that the new Countryman is the biggest car ever to carry the MINI badge.

However, they should be comfortable thanks to an integrated high-density mattress, sound and heat insulation, integrated mosquito netting, and two windows and two doors.

There's a battery-powered light, a selection of pockets and nets for storing small items and to make getting up to and down from the tent easier, it comes with a collapsible aluminum ladder as standard.

Likewise, users won't face the frustrations inherent with standard tents, such as trying to thread fiberglass poles through material loops or hammer in tent pegs. The tent raises and drops via four gas pressure springs. Just undo the tent case's clasps and the tent will automatically pop up.


Mercedes-Benz customers get flood relief aid

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has announced a flood relief assistance programme to help all customers whose vehicles are affected by the recent floods nationwide.

Valid until Jan 31 next year, the company offers up to 30% discount on all parts repair, free vehicle towing by authorised dealerships, and a free evaluation of all necessary repair costs with a 0% interest free easy payment plan.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia president and CEO Sagree Sardien said the safety of its customers was important.

“Together with our network of dealers, we are committed to ensure that our customers and their Mercedes-Benz cars get the care it needs in these unprecedented times,” Sagree said

Affected Mercedes-Benz owners can contact their preferred authorised Mercedes-Benz dealerships or Mercedes-Benz 24h Roadside Assistance & Customer Care Centre at tel: 1-800-88-1133.


'Crazy': Britain puts army on standby as panic buying leaves petrol pumps dry

Queues of drivers snaking back from those petrol stations that are still serving in major cities. — Reuters

LONDON: British drivers expressed frustration today as they hunted for hours or sat snarled in queues to fill their tanks after gas stations in major cities ran dry due to a trucker shortage that has prompted the government to put the army on standby.

Queues of drivers snaked back from those petrol stations that were still serving in major cities, though dozens of forecourts were closed with signs saying they had no petrol or diesel, Reuters reporters said.

A post-Brexit shortage of lorry drivers, exacerbated by a halt to truck-driving-licence testing during Covid lockdowns, has sown chaos through supply chains, raising the spectre of shortages and price rises in the run up to Christmas.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said a limited number of military tanker drivers had been put on a state of readiness to be deployed to deliver fuel if necessary.

"I can't believe it - it's crazy," said David Scade, a 33-year-old delivery driver who drove for hours searching for fuel in London.

"They keep saying there is no shortage but I suppose everyone is panicking now," said Scade who was filling up at a Shell gas station here.

Fights broke out at some English petrol stations as drivers jostled for fuel. Medics said health workers should be given priority to fill their cars to keep the health service working.

An air of chaos has gripped the world's fifth largest economy in recent weeks as the shortage of truckers strained supply chains and a spike in European wholesale natural gas prices tipped energy companies into bankruptcy.

Retailers, truckers and logistics companies have warned that prices for everything from energy to Christmas gifts will have to rise.

Christmas supply?

British ministers, fuel companies and petrol stations say there are sufficient supplies of fuel but that the lack of truckers combined with panic buying has drained the system.

Such is the gravity of the situation that the British Medical Association has called for health workers to get priority access to fuel to ensure the health service can operate.

The demand for fuel has meant that 50% to 90% of pumps were dry in some areas of Britain, according the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), which represents independent fuel retailers who account for 65% of all the 8,380 UK forecourts.

The government on Sunday announced a plan to issue temporary visas for 5,000 foreign truck drivers. But some Polish hauliers said that offer was laughable and that few would be likely to take it up.

Hauliers, petrol stations and retailers say there are no quick fixes as the shortfall of truck drivers - estimated at about 100,000 - was so acute, and because transporting fuel demands additional training and licensing.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) urged the government to broaden the size and scope of the scheme to attract the truckers needed to keep Christmas supplies on track.

"To avoid disappointment for millions of households during the festive season we urge the government to rapidly extend this programme, both in size and scope, to HGV drivers in all sectors of the retail industry," Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the BRC, said.

"It will take many months before there are enough new British drivers to cover the shortfall," Opie said.


Will the fastest car on sand be a Porsche 911 Turbo S?

                LONDON: Land speed racer and record-setting motorcycle rider Zef Eisenberg and his Madmax Race Team now takes aim on the weekend of April 6 to 7 where they intend set the British land speed record on bike and car.

Eisenberg's goal is to reach 200mph (324kph) or beyond in a specially built road legal 2015 Porsche 911 Turbo S at Pendine Sands in South Wales.

“I’m well known for setting records on bikes, so people started asking me why not cars?” said Eisenberg.

In May 2018, Eisenberg became the first person to exceed 200mph (324kph) with a wheel-driven vehicle, at this world famous speed track.

He managed to reach 201.572mph (326.55kph) on his supercharged Suzuki Hayabusa to become the ‘fastest motorbike on sand’ in the world.

The achievement was set just 20 months after surviving Britain’s fastest-ever (230mph) motorcycle crash and spending three months in hospital, followed by another three months in a wheel chair and then defying the odds to race again in less than a year.

Since the crash, he’s set other records including an ACU sanctioned flying quarter-mile, flying kilometre and flying mile, on his heavily modified road legal supercharged Madmax Suzuki Hayabusa.

Eisenberg chose a 2015 550hp Porsche 911 Turbo S that could reach a top speed of 175mph (283.5kph) in a mile on tarmac and boosted the power to 1,200hp.

The Porsche's 4.2-litre flat-six engine received new stronger internals, an upgraded turbo, new E85 fuel system and an advanced cooling set-up to name a few.

To maintain sand traction, it was made so that the copious amount of power comes in as gently as possible to limit wheelspin.

To cope with the excessive output, the gearbox and clutch were upgraded, and the brakes and suspension modified to allow for different wheels and tyres.

Apart from a full FIA roll cage, competition seats and safety harness, the Porsche’s interior is completely standard.

“Weight is actually your friend on sand, it’s about stability – putting enough weight on the tyres to increase traction. Even though, we have accidentally made the car 140kg lighter than standard, we have no need to strip weight out.The car is actually road legal, so we will drive it from the hotel onto the beach and to the restaurant after, hopefully to celebrate,” said Eisenberg.

For the two-wheeled record, Eisenberg will be riding his specially built 350hp supercharged Suzuki ‘Madmax’ Hayabusa. The Pendine attempt comes 55 years after John Surtees won the Formula One title, becoming the first – and so far only man to win the world championship on two wheels and four.

It was also in 1964 that Donald Campbell CBE became the first man to set speed records on both land and water in the same year.

Pendine is the same venue that Sir Malcolm Campbell raced his aero engine Bluebird to a maximum speed of 174mph (281.88kph) in 1927.


Kia taps Korean food show celebrity Judy Joo

                LONDON: Kia is tapping into the popularity of food shows by aligning itself with Korean chef and restaurateur Judy Joo.

Kia's UK office has presented the rising star with an Optima to assist in the collection and delivery of Korean specialist food every day to and from her London restaurant named JINJUU. The car is on loan to the restaurant for one year.

Former Iron Chef and TV presenter Joo said “It’s great to be backed by another high profile Korean brand, especially now that the food trend is gaining more popularity than ever before. We consistently aim to produce outstanding service, and a brand new car will assist greatly in this”.

As a regular face on the Food Network USA, Judy has especially made a name for herself as the only woman on Iron Chef UK. She was also offered a role as a resident judge on The Next Iron Chef, Iron Chef America, Kitchen Inferno and competed in the epic Battle Iron Chef UK vs. Iron Chef America, making her one of few participants to serve as a chef, judge, and challenger throughout the Iron Chef series.


Saudi women move from behind wheel to under the hood

Flimban (left) and Ahmed working on a car at a workshop in Jeddah City last month. —AFP
JEDDAH: An auto repair garage in Saudi Arabia is turning to an untapped source for new car mechanics: Saudi women, who just four years ago weren't even allowed to drive.

At the Petromin Express garage in Jeddah, on the Red Sea coast, new female recruits check oil and change tyres alongside their male counterparts, part of a nationwide push to bring more women into the workforce.

Yet the women trainees have, perhaps inevitably, encountered a host of barriers as they enter a field that is male-dominated the world over — and even more so in the conservative Muslim kingdom.

Several said their first months on the job have brought flashes of self-doubt, scepticism from relatives and outright hostility from some customers.

One "old man" who came by the garage immediately ordered all the women out, saying he didn't want them going near his car, recalled recruit Ghada Ahmad.

"At the beginning, it's normal not to trust us, because I'm a woman and he doesn't trust my work as a woman," said Ahmad, wearing grease-streaked white gloves and a long blue overcoat.

"It's something new for them... After years of only seeing men, now comes a woman."

As she struggled to learn the basics, Ahmad had moments when she wondered if such men might have a point.

"I used to go home with swollen hands, crying and saying: 'This job is not for me. It looks like their words were correct,'" she recalled.

But as her skills improved, so did her confidence — aided by other customers who were more encouraging.

"One man came and said: 'I'm very proud of you. You are honouring us. You are a crown on our heads.'"

Helpful husbands

Expanding women's rights is central to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 agenda, intended to diversify the oil-dependent economy while softening Saudi Arabia's radical image.

The highest-profile change came in 2018, when Prince Mohammed, the kingdom's de facto ruler, oversaw the end of a decades-old ban on women driving.

The country has also eased so-called "guardianship" rules that give men arbitrary authority over female relatives.

These moves have burnished Prince Mohammed's reputation as a women's rights champion, despite a crackdown on dissent that has ensnared some of the very activists pushing for reform.

Yet women mechanics in Jeddah said they could never have started working without their husbands' consent.

Ola Flimban, a 44-year-old mother of four, first heard about the jobs from a social media post, and immediately asked her husband, Rafat Flimban, if she could apply.

Rafat agreed and helped his wife prepare for the interview by teaching her the names of spare parts.

"Now she has experience in different car types, how to change oil, how to check cars. She's even checking my car," he said.

The support at home has made it easier for Ola to deal with wary customers at the garage.

"They are surprised that girls work in this field, and ask us to explain how we fell in love with this field," she said.

"That is the most common question."

As she spoke, 20-year-old Mechaal drove up in his silver sedan for an oil change.

He admitted being "shocked" that the task would be carried out by a woman, but he soon came around.

"If they are here, it must mean they are trained," he said, "and maybe they understand my car better than me."

Petromin vice president Tariq Javed said his company was "confident that this initiative will encourage more women to join the automotive industry in all stages".

The company says its training covers "all express services, including oil, battery, tyres, A/C, and other automotive requirements".

'We make girls feel relaxed'

Perhaps the biggest winners from the firm's initiative are the city's women drivers.

"We make girls feel relaxed when we operate on their cars," said 30-year-old Angham Jeddawi, who has been at the garage for six months.

"Some girls feel shy when dealing with men. They don't know how to talk with them, and they don't know what will be done with the car. But with us they are free to talk a lot."

For Jeddawi, the job has fulfilled a lifelong goal she once thought impossible.

"My dream was to enter the automobile sector, but for a Saudi woman this field was not available. So when the opportunity came, I applied straight away," she said.

The knowledge she's gained has encouraged her to hit the road herself.

She has been studying for her driving test and hopes to have a licence within a month.

"If I face a problem in the middle of the road, now I know how to react," she said.

READ MORE:Malaysian teen girl training to start own car workshopFemale car repair shop owner blazes trail in UAEChinese schoolgirl mechanic a celebrity after beating male rivals in car repair testIn one Philly garage, women using their own elbow grease


French car lobby makes plea for bonus for 'made in Europe' electric cars

                PARIS: French car lobby Plateforme de la Filière Automobile (PFA) on Wednesday proposed that a state bonus for consumers buying electric cars be reserved for vehicles "made in Europe".

The proposal comes as Europe looks at ways to counter Chinese protectionism and US subsidies offered by the US Inflation Reduction Act.

The bonus could be part of an agreement for the sector that is due to be negotiated by the car industry and the French state for the 2023-2027 period.

"The possibility of a bonus earmarked for vehicles manufactured on European soil, similar to the IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) for the United States, is among the options we are looking at," Marc Mortureux, the head of PFA, said on the sideline of a conference on a possible "Buy European Act".

"The goal is to give the European industry time to consolidate," he added.

In France, the bonus for consumers buying an electric car can total up 5,000 euros (RM24,313), regardless of where the vehicle is manufactured. Earlier this year, electric cars made by US carmaker Tesla Inc became eligible for the bonus.

A European Union decision to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035 aimed at speeding up the switch to electric vehicles and combating climate change has raised fears among European car makers they may not be ready to produce enough electric cars to meet demand.

That would in turn benefit imported electric cars, notably from China.


350hp Quattroporte is 100,000th Maserati produced

                MODENA: When a car maker has managed to produce its 100,000th car, it's cause for celebration.

A China-bound Quattroporte became the 100,000th Maserati to roll out from its plant on Monday. The car is equipped with the 350hp 3.0 litre V6 twin-turbo engine built by Ferrari.

“The Maserati brand's impressive growth during the last few years has been one of the major developments at the premium end of the market," said FCA chief operating officer (EMEA Region) Alfredo Altavilla.

"The sixth generation of the Maserati saloon, developed here at Grugliasco is the best-selling Quattroporte of all time and almost 70,000 units of the Ghibli, built here, have now left the production line, meaning that in little more than three years it has become the most successful Maserati of all time," said Altavilla.

Maserati said it now covers every sector of the luxury car market with the range-completing Levante SUV, alongside the new Quattroporte, the Ghibli, the GranTurismo and the GranCabrio. Maserati operates from three plants in Italy.


2016 Geneva Motor Show: Audi Q2 debuts

GENEVA: Audi is unveiling the compact Q2 – an urban car for a younger clientele.

It is flanked by two new top models at its world debut – the Audi S4 Avant and the Audi RS Q3 performance.

“We have specifically developed the Audi Q2 for young customers,” explained Prof. Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “Its looks distinguish it as a model with attitude. The compact SUV blends the technical expertise of our brand with high everyday utility and emotional character.”

Measuring 4.19 metres in length, the Q2 has a powerful road stance. With its overtly geometrical formal idiom it takes up position as an independent character within the Q family. Customers can tailor many of the details to their individual preferences, and there are two trim lines to choose from. Expressive colours create highlights both on the exterior and in the spacious interior. The seated position is sportily deep in relation to the steering wheel, and the controls are intuitive to use.

Options include the all-digital Audi virtual cockpit and a head-up display. The infotainment range culminates in the MMI navigation plus with the online component Audi connect. The Q2 also has assistance systems such as Audi pre sense front can avoid collisions with pedestrians or vehicles; adaptive cruise control with stop & go function and traffic jam assist represent precursors of piloted driving.

The newest member of the Q family is available with powerful and efficient TDI and TFSI engines – its performance range extends from 116hp to 190hp. The seven-speed S tronic with lightning-fast action is available for all engine versions, and quattro permanent all-wheel drive right from the 150hp version upward. It owes its agile handling to the standard-fit progressive steering, the sporty suspension – optionally with damper control – and the optional driving dynamics system Audi drive select. The Audi Q2 goes on sale in Europe in fall 2016.

Audi already took the wraps off the S4 Sedan at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. The new Audi S4 Avant, which combines the performance of a sports car with the practicality of a station wagon, now goes on show to the public at Geneva.

Its newly designed 3.0 TFSI with turbocharging develops 354hp. The V6 power unit accelerates the S4 Avant from a standstill to 100kph in 4.9 seconds, and on to a governed top speed of 250kph. quattro drive and Audi drive select are standard features. It goes on sale in summer 2016.

Audi is also presenting the new top model of the Q3 line at Geneva: the RS Q3 performance. Its five-cylinder turbo engine has an output of 367hp – 27hp more than in the RS Q3. It sprints from 0 to 100 kph  in 4.4 seconds and achieves a top speed of 270kph. It has exclusive equipment to complement its extra power. The sporty SUV is on sale now.

Also on show at Geneva are the RS 6 Avant performance and the RS 7 Sportback performance.


Subaru WRX STI Final Edition signals end of model in Britain

                LONDON: Subaru is retiring the WRX STI in Britain with the introduction of the WRX STI Final Edition.

The Final Edition has a series of upgrades across key areas of the car. Only 150 units will be available.

Note that the WRX STI will still be available in other markets where Subaru is selling the model such as the United States, Singapore and of course Malaysia, where the model is retailing at around RM310,000.

So what is there to look forward to in the WRX STI Final Edition? Driving performance has been improved by changing from mechanical and electronic to electronic control of the Multi-Mode Driver’s Control Centre Differential (DCCD) which provides optimum cornering ability. The wheel size has been increased to 19 inches to house new larger Brembo brakes with yellow painted calipers, which improve fade-resistance and brake performance and a consistent pedal feel when driving on the limit.

The front bumper has been redesigned to look more purposeful with the lower grille blacked out with a geometric textured panel, and has a larger opening to enhance cooling performance. The hexagonal grille has been sharpened and defined and a black surround has been added. The Subaru wing design which flows through to the C-shaped headlights has been incorporated, hinting at the Boxer engine under the bonnet. A Final Edition badge is positioned on the door.

Inside, high gloss black inserts are added to the instrument panel, gear stick surround, door panels and steering wheel with red stitching and red seatbelts fitted to tie the scheme together. The front seats are now heated, and a larger 5.9” multi-function display has been added to the top of the dash. The instrument panel design has also been updated. The infotainment system now includes DAB radio and a reversing camera is included to make parking easier.

WRX STI is also fitted with bi-functional projector LED lights, with a single bulb enabling High Beam Assist to switch between high and low beam automatically. High Beam Assist operates via a single-lens camera, which is installed in the front windscreen and detects when an onward car is approaching.

The lights are also steering responsive, turning to the left or right depending on the driver’s steering input and illuminates more of the corner. Both technologies enhance visibility at night, allowing a clear view of the corners ahead.

The WRX STI Final Edition is available to order in Britain now, priced at £33,995 (RM191,000) on the road.


Why Jaguar Land Rover is using what3words

                LONDON: Jaguar Land Rover and British startup What3words Ltd are launching a navigation solution that will take you anywhere, including remote locations, without a connection.

The system, known as what3words (W3W), is a world first.

The proprietary location technology of the mapping specialist consists of dividing the entire world into a grid of squares measuring 3 metres by 3 metres and assigning to each of them a unique combination of three words which then becomes their "address."

Jaguar Land Rover will be the first to offer W3W to existing cars on the road via an over-the-air update.

Eight other carmakers are already using the software including Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz and Ford.

The system does not require any connection, Internet or satellite, to operate.

Jaguar Land Rover drivers with the advanced Pivi Pro infotainment system can download the system free of charge via the over-the-air update in 24 languages.

From that point on, drivers can enter what3words addresses directly into the system's navigation bar, or simply by voice, thus bypassing traditional satellite navigation systems, according to What3words, which is based here.

Integration of the system was carried out by HERE Technologies, Jaguar Land Rover's historical navigation partner.

What3words said the driver would be able to use the usual navigation aids such as turn-by-turn guidance.

It's a solution that offers several advantages.

Besides the fact that it works offline, it is also much easier to share your coordinates with someone by communicating this combination of three words than your GPS coordinates.

W3W, however, has its share of critics.

One of them is British scientist/writer/YouTuber Andrew Steele.

In a Sept 13, 2021 YouTube video, Steele highlighted what he said were the flaws in the addressing system and suggested ways it could be improved. The video is easily searchable if you want to have a better understanding of W3W and the challenges it faces in mapping the world.


Maserati's Boomerang wedge still looks amazing 50 years on

                BERLIN: Visitors to the Turin car show in March 1972 could hardly believe their eyes when they saw the Maserati Boomerang, a wheeled wedge straight from the realms of science fiction.

The fascination lives on 50 years later, and the radical shape has stood the test of time well. Its creator, Giorgetto Giugiaro, has also entered the pantheon of great car designers.

Celebrating the 50-year-old design, Maserati said this week that the concept was revolutionary and symbolic of a brand capable of creating iconic and avant-garde cars.

Of course, the unique, two-seater Boomerang looks nothing like the first VW Golf penned by the Italian maestro but it did leave left behind a stylistic legacy of sharply-drawn lines that lived on in Giugiaro's later creations.

By the way, the Boomerang was last offered for sale in 2015 by Bonham's auction house in France where it changed hands for a cool €3.33 million (RM15.4mil).

The Boomerang was designed along a horizontal line that divided the car in two, with a sloping windscreen and a panoramic sunroof. The retractable square headlamps stood out in the front, alongside the horizontal lights in the rear.

The ultra-modern interior featured a spokeless steering wheel at the end of a large cylinder emerging from the dashboard. It contained the main instruments and switches – a design that mainly aimed at protecting the driver in the event of an accident.

The show car had an eight-cylinder engine which could unleash 310hp, bringing it close to a top speed of nearly 300kph, although it looked even faster

The Boomerang mockup, of which only model was made, later disappeared into private ownership and did not re-emerge until 1980 when a German enthusiast discovered it in Spain.

At the 1990 Bagatelle Concours event, the wedge was reunited with its creator and Giugiaro left his autograph on the car’s rear panel.


April 28-May 4: RON97 up 13 sen, rest unchanged

                KUALA LUMPUR: The retail price of RON97 petrol will increase by 13 sen from RM3.81 to RM3.94 per litre for the week beginning April 28 to May 4.

The Finance Ministry, in a statement, said the prices of RON95 petrol and diesel would remain unchanged at RM2.05 and RM2.15 per litre for the same period.

"To protect the consumers from global oil price increases, the government will maintain the ceiling price of RON95 at RM2.05 per litre and diesel at RM2.15 per litre, even though the market price APM for RON95 and diesel has increased beyond the current ceiling price," read the statement.

According to the ministry, the government would continue to monitor the trends of global crude oil prices and take appropriate measures to ensure the continued welfare and well-being of the people.


25 Mazda apprentices graduate

                SHAH ALAM: Twenty-five students have graduated from the Mazda Apprenticeship Programme (MAP) and will soon start work as technicians in Mazda’s After Sales Service Centres throughout Malaysia.

They were awarded the Malaysia Skill Certificate (Level 3, K-Worker), Diploma in the Institute of Motor Industry Awards Limited (IMIAL-UK) and Mazda Master Level F.
Bermaz Motor set up the apprenticeship in 2010, and the 25 graduates represented the third batch to have completed the course successfully.

The graduates received their scrolls at a buka puasa gathering here on Friday.

The MAP is an automotive skills training programme for school leavers with SPM/SPV. Selected candidates are entitled to full scholarship by Bermaz Motor and guaranteed employment under the company for a minimum of three years. Throughout the duration of the programme, the trainees receive monthly allowances.

The MAP has the objective of imparting sound and basic technical knowledge to youth in meeting the growing demands of the motoring industry. With the MAP, it is hoped that a pool of qualified and technically skilled manpower is created for the expanding Mazda service network as well as the local automotive industry.

The MAP is appointed by the Department of Skill Development, under the Ministry of Human Resources, Institute of Motor Industry Awards Limited, UK and Mazda Motor Corporation as one of the accreditation centres on motor vehicle mechanic training provider.

The MAP uses the Motor Vehicle Mechanic syllabus, endorsed by Department of Skill Development, Institute of Motor Industry Awards Limited as well as the Mazda Master Programme inspired by Mazda Motor Corporation, Japan.

The sixth student intake begins this month.


Budget 2021: B40 and M40 loan borrowers get a helping hand

Zafrul tabling Budget 2021 in Parliament earlier today.
PETALING JAYA: B40 borrowers who received Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) or Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR) loans will get a helping hand with their repayments under Budget 2021.

They will be given two options: a moratorium on their instalments for three months, or a reduction of their monthly repayment by 50% for six months, said Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

The Finance Minister said that this will also be extended to micro enterprises that have loans of up to RM150,000.

“Eligible borrowers will only need to contact their banks to choose the options and complete the documentation, ” Zafrul said during the tabling of Budget 2021 in Parliament today.

For M40 borrowers, he said the application process for the repayment assistance will be simplified, with borrowers only needing to make a self-declaration of the reduction in their income in order to secure the repayment assistance.

“The facility for the B40 and M40 will commence in December 2020, ” he said.

The government had approved blanket loan repayment moratoriums from April to September, with Zafrul saying that Malaysia was the first country in the world to introduce this practice.

In October, this was changed to a Targeted Loan Repayment Assistance (TRA) where banks continued to offer extended moratoriums and other forms of repayment assistance.

Zafrul said that to date, more than 650,000 applications for repayment assistance have been received, with a high approval rate of 98%.

He added that banks have reported that 85% of borrowers have resumed loan repayments without seeking assistance since the end of the automatic moratorium period.


Biggest India carmaker sees personal vehicles making a comeback

Traffic in Mumbai last month. Covid-19 has made Indians more aware of the need to minimise sharing space and the advantage of buying a car, which will prove to be a boon for automakers. — Reuters
MUMBAI: The coronavirus pandemic may turn out to be a blessing in disguise for India’s auto industry, which was going through its worst-ever slump in sales even before the outbreak.

R.C. Bhargava , chairman at Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., which sells every other car on the nation’s roads, said there is possibility of a car boom after the lockdown is lifted, as social distancing becomes a common practice.

"If buyers become apprehensive of sharing space with another passenger it will increase demand for vehicles,” Maruti’s chairman R.C. Bhargava said in a phone interview Monday. "It’s not the same India anymore. People’s attitudes towards buying will change.”

The comments from the local unit of Suzuki Motor Corp. comes even as car sales in India, the world’s fourth largest automobile market, slumped 52% last month, and manufacturers including the nation’s biggest SUV maker Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and Tata Motors Ltd., the owner of British luxury brand Jaguar Land Rover, were forced to stop production after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown to stop the virus from spreading.

Bhargava’s comments are somewhat backed up by data from China, where dealerships are witnessing daily sales running at levels seen before the economic freeze.

Customers appear more motivated than before the pandemic to buy a car because they see personal vehicles as safer than public transport.

As carmakers try to tide over the crisis by halting production and cutting investment, over 400,000 employees at dealerships stare at the risk of losing jobs, the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association wrote in a letter to the Prime Minister.

Lost production is costing the industry 23 billion rupees (RM1.3bil) for each day factories remain closed, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

One of the challenges Maruti Suzuki foresees when it reopens is that the number of employees allowed to work at a time will be "certainly smaller” and the carmaker will have to adjust production capacity accordingly.

"Keeping employees safe will be a very, very difficult task,” Bhargava said.


China’s Xpeng unveils car with longer range than Tesla’s Model 3

                GUANGZHOU: Xpeng Motors unveiled an electric car that will compete against Tesla Inc.’s Model 3 in China by offering a longer range and cheaper price.

The P7 sedan, Guangzhou-based Xpeng’s second vehicle, will have a maximum range of 706km per charge and cost 254,900 yuan (RM158,000) after subsidies when it becomes available in September, the company said Monday.

By comparison, the longer-range version of the Model 3 that’s expected to be available in China in June will be able to run 650km on one charge and sell for 344,050 yuan (RM213,000).

The Chinese electric-vehicle maker is betting that the P7’s price and features will allow it to challenge Tesla, which began producing cars in the world’s largest EV market earlier this year and is already showing signs of dominating the market.

Tesla delivered a record number of vehicles in China last month, according to industry groups.

Separately, both carmakers have been feuding for more than a year as Tesla alleges that an ex-engineer stole confidential information before joining the Chinese company.

The US company has asked a US judge to force Xpeng to disclose its autonomous-driving source code — a move that Xpeng criticised as one seeking to "bully and disrupt a young competitor.”


Ferrari adds Roma to growing 'Prancing Horse' stable

                MILAN: Ferrari is set to roll out the Roma (shown here), a record fifth new model this year for the ‘Prancing Horse’, as it expands its stable to help sustain its profit and share price growth.

The new grand tourer (GT) will make its debut today in Italy’s capital in an event inspired by Federico Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita”.

GTs are more comfortable on long journeys than high-performance sports cars and models from the 1960s, some seating four, are among the most popular at auctions and among Ferrari enthusiasts.

Ferrari has said previously that about 40% of its total sales could come from GT models by 2022, up from 32% now.

The Roma will be a 2+2 coupé, meaning it has two small rear-seats, Ferrari said on Wednesday, without disclosing its price.

“With its distinctive flair and style, the car is a contemporary representation of the carefree, pleasurable way of life that characterised Rome in the 1950s and 1960s,” the Italian luxury carmaker added.

It will feature a 620hp, 3.85 litre eight cylinder mid-front mounted engine.

This year’s other new releases include another GT, the 812 GTS, presented in September, which the company described as a return for a model type that has played a “pivotal role in the marque’s history”, as well as the F90 Stradale, Ferrari’s first hybrid car in series-production.

Chief executive Louis Camilleri said last week the hybrid SF90 Stradale was attracting “huge interest” despite initial skepticism by clients used to roaring combustion engines.

Ferrari has also promised several special edition hybrid cars and a utility vehicle, the Purosangue, which is expected by late 2022 as it seeks to almost double core earnings and boost margins to above 38%, without sacrificing exclusivity.

It is set to slow the roll-out of new vehicles in the coming years, as it planned to launch 15 models between 2019 and 2022, while achieving a significant increase in average retail price.

Chairman John Elkann has said that Ferrari, which shipped fewer than 10,000 cars last year, would not try to chase German rival Porsche, which makes more than 250,000 sports cars and SUVs annually.

To capitalise further on its name, Ferrari plans new apparel and accessory collections, entertainment offers, and luxury products and services for clients.

READ MORE: Ferrari Roma's technical details


IBM's new battery design taps seawater as alternative mineral source

                NEW YORK: International Business Machines Corp (IBM) said on Wednesday it has created a battery design that uses materials extracted from seawater and requires no cobalt, as the race to find alternative sources to the expensive mineral intensifies.

IBM said it has partnered with the research wing of Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz, battery electrolyte supplier Central Glass and battery manufacturer Sidus for the commercial development of the new design.

“The goal would be, within a year or so, to have the first working prototype (of the battery),” said Jeff Welser, vice president at IBM Research.

IBM may not necessarily end up making a product using the design, Welser added.

The move comes as top battery makers scramble to reduce cobalt content in lithium-ion batteries, and as the expansion of the electric vehicle market is expected to result in shortages of the mineral mainly found in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

IBM said its technology has proven to outperform lithium-ion batteries in cost, charging time and energy efficiency.

The company also said it is partnering with the University of Tokyo on an initiative to advance quantum computing by developing the first practical application of the technology.

Under the agreement, an IBM Q System One, the company’s quantum computing system designed for scientific use, will be installed in an IBM facility in Japan — the first such installation in the region.

The company is competing with Alphabet Inc’s Google and Microsoft Corp to be the first to commercialise quantum technology, which could fuel advancement in fields like artificial intelligence and chemistry within a few years.


Five men charged with deceiving auto spare part supplier

                KUALA LUMPUR: An auto spare parts company owner and four workers pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here today on charges of cheating an auto spare part supplier involving losses amounting to RM630,200 since March.

Ng Chong Chai, 60, the owner of Syarikat Ban Heng Auto Part and Lai Wei Kiat, 23, Lee Juan Sheng, 24, Leong Yue Long, 25, and Tan Wai Teck, 26, made the plea after the charges against them were read before judge Kamarudin Kamsun.

According to the charges, the five men were jointly accused of deceiving Syarikat Vanli Auto Spares Sdn Bhd by submitting a fake scheduled payment receipt in the form of an interbank Giro document to the company.

It was to give the impression that payment had been made, which led Vanli Auto Spares to release the parts to Ban Heng Auto Part totalling RM630,200 in stages.

The offence was alleged to have been committed in Jalan Ipoh here from March 8 to Aug 12.

The offence carries a jail term of not less than one year and not exceeding 10 years and whipping. Offenders are also liable to be fined if found guilty.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Zulaaikha Mohd Apandi offered bail of RM200,000 for each accused. Counsel Muhammad Amin Abdullah is representing Ng, Lai, Lee and Tan while Johan Radzi is representing Leong.

The court allowed each accused bail of RM30,000 as well as the additional conditions to surrender their passports to the court and to report to a nearby police station every month and fixed Dec 2 for re-mention of the case.

On Sept 28, the media reported a fly-by-night cheating syndicate which targeted auto spare parts suppliers and traders following the arrest of five men at a Kuantan house.

According to Bukit Aman Commercial CID director, Datuk Mohd Kamarudin Md Din, the suspects used the modus operandi of submitting fake payment slips to gain the confidence of their victims.


Get used to longer waiting time at PLUS highway rest areas

                PETALING JAYA: Travellers will have to put up with a longer waiting time at rest and service areas (RSAs) along the highways, as PLUS Malaysia Bhd has imposed stringent measures to reduce risk of Covid-19 transmission.

PLUS managing director Datuk Azman Ismail said taking temperatures, imposing social distancing measures, including in suraus, and ensuring cleanliness of the entire area including car parks, were part of the new normal protocols.

“We would like to stress that highway travel in this new normal era will consume more time, as safety SOPs will be fully implemented, ” he said.

PLUS food courts are now once again operational after a shutdown of nearly three months when the movement control order (MCO) was imposed on March 18.

Inter-state travel resumed on June 10, when Malaysia went into the recovery MCO phase.

"We urge everyone to take their own precaution, as we take care of each other’s safety in keeping with the government's advice, ” added Datuk Azman in a statement.

Travellers are now allowed to pray at all surau located in the 24 RSAs. However, surau at toll plazas will remain closed to the public until further notice.

Those praying must bring their own prayer mats and telekong (prayer attire for women).

Among the surau now opened at RSAs are Gurun, Gunung Semanggol, Sungai Perak, Tapah, Rawang, Dengkil, Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Pagoh, Machap, Gelang Patah, Sungai Buloh and Ayer Keroh.

And along the East Coast, LPT2 surau in Perasing, Paka and Ajil are opened.

Social distancing must be observed at all times. Notifications have also been placed on the maximum number of people allowed.

Registration of names, , along with contact details to facilitate contct tracing, would be required.

PLUS also assured travellers that its facilities would be thoroughly cleansed and sanitised.


Porsche Panamera: Making a sporty statement

                The Panamera is Porsche’s luxury four-door sedan that seems to be hardly on the minds of discerning car buyers.

Although it isn’t perceived to be as grandiose as its other German brethren in the same category, it is one of the most track-worthy.

With a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine unconventionally mounted at the front (for Porsches) and powering the rear wheels, the Panamera is also the German sports car maker’s most versatile of sedans.

This entry-level Panamera starts with a base price of RM890,000 and our four-seater review unit came dressed in Sapphire Blue Metallic while sporting over RM140,000 worth of options.

This includes 21-inch 911 Turbo Design wheels, Sport Chrono Package, soft-closure doors, surround view cameras, black leather interior, quad-zone climate controls, an ioniser and front seat massage function with ventilation to name a few.

ExteriorIt is hard to stare past its sporty long hood and fastback rear end because it’s stately outlook is there - among its 911 design elements that all Porsches must have.

Though, with that rear rear wing deployed, it might need a longer stare-time to see it.

Not to mention, the optional 21-inch 911 Turbo design wheels for some bling does fill up the wheel-wells very adequately while the front end possesses those signature quad-LED main headlights from the 918 Spyder.

PerformanceWith its 2,995cc turbocharged V6 engine mounted under the front hood providing the rear wheels with 330hp from 5,400 to 6,400rpm and 450Nm from 1,340 to 4,900rpm via eight-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission, 0-100kph is achieved in 5.5 seconds before reaching a top speed of 264kph.

Fuel Consumption
On the combined cycle, the Panamera is able achieve 7.5-7.6 litres per 100km, but since we only had it for the day, it's rather hard to gauge how long its 90-litre fuel tank can really hold out.

Interior Porsche has done well in providing that luxury touch with the inclusion of soft-closure doors, keyless entry, powered tailgate and this writer’s favourite - front seats with massage function and ventilation, especially during mid-day drives.

The futuristic Advance Cockpit that consist of an analogue tachometer flanked by 7.0-inch displays are crisp and highly visible.

Not to mention, the shiny piano-black surface of the pressure-sensitive buttons on the centre tunnel up-scales the premium factor.

This helps to declutter the look compared to its predecessor, but be wary, the surface is a very strong finger print magnet.

Practicality If spaciousness is a concern, then the Panamera might not be the one, instead, this car represents that mature ‘racer’ who appreciates the pairing of luxury refinement and race-like dynamism.

But even though it may not have copious amounts of cabin space or stupendously plush seats, this highway cruiser (or cornering rocket) does have an accommodating cabin than expected, thanks to the longer, wider and taller dimensions.

Although the curvaceous rear end looks short, it is able to provide a decent 495 litres of luggage space for those long weekend getaways.

The seats very well bolstered, but not too plush with just enough firmness to allow the car to remain communicative.

Despite the lack of perceived space, the cabin is more cosy than cramped with plenty of shoulder room to go about.

This is strictly a four-seater, by-the-way, and as such the seats are meant to secure passengers in while the driver attempts to sling shot everyone through a corner.

Ride & HandlingThe experience gathered with this sporty luxury cruiser is that it is incredibly fast even when in nOrmal mode.

This sporty cruiser's suspension, even on 21-inch wheels with low profile front 275/35 and rear 315/30 series Pirelli P Zero performance tyres, mitigates bumps and uneven road surfaces exceptionally well when in nOrmal mode.

The vented seats will come in handy for those scintillatingly hot days while paddling through the eight-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (Double-clutch) gearbox that has race-like jerks on the upshifts under full acceleration when in Sport+ mode.

Yet, it can be a gentle cruiser with surprisingly lavish amounts of comfort from its adaptive air suspension.

On the other end of the spectrum, switching over to Sport+ mode gets a race-like experience with abrupt gear changes and a freely revving engine - all of which means that the word 'comfort' has been thrown out of its vocabulary.

As large as it may seem, the Panamera with its roughly 1.8-ton kerb weight, feels especially nimble around corners, which will have inexperienced owners wide-eyed and bushy-tailed thanks to the communicative steering and rather flat cornering behaviour.

Although the brakes aren’t cross drilled, giving them a tap will have them feeling firm and direct while stomping deep into the pedal will provide quite a mean bite.

So, to truly enjoy the Panamera in all its glory, it really needs to be allowed onto a race circuit every once in a while.

SafetyOther than the usual safety equipment of airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution and such, the Panamera's safety is further bolstered by the inclusion of an adaptive air suspension system with a new three-chamber technology.

Also included is an electronic active suspension management damper control system, dynamic chassis control sport system, torque vectoring, active roll stabilisation and a new electromechanical steering system.

All that, while an integrated 4D Chassis Control system analyses and synchronises all chassis systems in real time to optimise its road-going performance.

Price and Equipment: Porsche Panamera (971 - G2) second generation

Standard features (RM890,000): 90-litre fuel tank, ParkAssist including reverse camera, power Steering Plus, wheel centres with full -colour Porsche Crest, Adaptive air suspension including Porsche Active Suspension Management, LED-headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus.

Options (RM140,430.08 with GST): Metallic colour (Sapphire Blue Metallic), leather interior (Black Leather), Matrix beam for headlights, model designation in black, automatically dimming mirrors with integrated rain sensor, tinted LED taillights with lightstrip, painted external mirrors, keyless entry with twist-start key (Comfort Access), surround view, Sport Chrono Package, leather interior, soft-close doors, powered sun-blinds for rear and rear side windows, quad-zone climate controls, 14-way powered front seats with heating, ventilation, massage function and two memory slots, brushed aluminium accents, Porsche Crest embossed headrests, ambient lighting with interior lighting package for rear compartment, rear USB interface, ioniser, model logo embossed on centre console armrests, eight-way powered rear seats with two memory slots, matching body colour key fob, leather black leather key pouch with Crayon stitching, Bose surround sound system, 21-inch 911 Turbo Design wheels with 275/35 (front) and 315/30 (rear) series Pirelli P Zero tyres.

Warranty
The car comes with four years with a four-year free service and maintenance package.

Summary Regardless of its size and heft, the drive is worth the experience - somewhat similar in terms of predictability and behaviour with crisp turn-ins and a planted rear end as compared to its more sportier stablemates.

Other than the sporty nature that it has been imbued with, the luxury touches accorded by this German sports car builder needs commendation.

But while it may be a mere entry-level Panamera, it is a good starting point for most inexperienced drivers to progress onwards before helming the more potent Panamera 4S.

Regardless of variant, owners can head to the track for some practice or relax and cruise about in traffic.

The Panamera is simply something that owners will definitely prefer being seen driving in rather than emerging from.


Shell FuelSave 95 Challenge 2023 demonstrates better fuel saving formulation

                KUALA LUMPUR: The new and improved Shell FuelSave 95 fuel formulation is designed for better fuel economy, and motorists can get up to 15km longer per tank, according to the energy and petrochemical global group.

"Now, not only are we able to quantify the fuel economy gained by the customers from a full tank of Shell FuelSave 95, we are also able to witness the unbelievable mileage experienced by our customers, which further proves our new and improved Shell FuelSave95 to be truly better by far,” shared Seow Lee Ming, general manager of mobility, Malaysia.

“Through Shell FuelSave 95 Challenge 2023 results, our fuels indeed give more mileage. I hope more Malaysians will jump on the bandwagon to experience our improved fuel economy and share your feedback."

After a month-long search across five regions, the Shell FuelSave 95 Challenge 2023 has come to an end with 26-year-old Chin Li Qin, from Johor crowned as Malaysia’s most efficient driver.

Li Qin broke his previous record of 25.45km per litre by clocking in an astonishing fuel mileage of 28.23km per litre.

“I’m genuinely excited to win the grand finale of Shell FuelSave 95 Challenge 2023. It was impressive to see all participants achieving mileage beyond the average benchmark. Some roads were quite challenging, but I tried to keep myself calm and drive like I normally do back in my hometown,” commented Li Qin after the prize-giving ceremony, driving home with the grand prize of RM20,000.

The grand finale challenge took place at Shell SM Alisha, Shah Alam, driving through Cyberjaya - Bukit Jalil – Cheras – Ampang – Gombak - Sri Hartamas – Kota Damansara – Puncak Alam and returning to the starting point, across various of types of roads totalling up 121km.

Li Qin competed against 62-year-old Jeffrey Tan Teck Seng, from Port Dickson, 31-year-old Ahmad Amirul Runass, from Kuantan, 30-year-old Muhammad Jazli Mahathir, from Ipoh, and 38-year-old Lai Siaw Feng, from Kuching,  who recorded above the average mileage of 18.5km per litre with Shell FuelSave 95.

The better by far maingrade fuel with the latest formulation was unveiled after five years of extensive research and tests conducted by 150 fuel scientists across the globe.

The new and improved Shell FuelSave 95 is also billed as providing a cleaner engine with deposit targeting technology deep cleans, and improved protection for all engines (protects against corrosion and deposit build up).

It is also designed for new and older technologies and is touted as protecting critical engine parts in old, new, and hybrid engines.


Nio launches limited edition Razer-styled high-tech SUV

                SHANGHAI: Electric car maker Nio has revealed the first product created in partnership with gaming hardware brand Razer: the Nio ES6 Night Explorer Limited Edition Vehicle, a high-tech Razer-styled electric SUV.

While the model's design is recognisably Nio and has been built on the Nio ES6 Performance Edition, the Razer trim dresses the SUV up in carbon fibre decals, green calipers, Razer logo and trim, and adds a custom emblem to the rear.

Naturally, such a game hardware-inspired car would not be complete without Razer's Chroma and Hue Lights and THX Spatial Audio, features that have been integrated with the tech already existing within the model.

In terms of performance, all specs match that of the Nio ES6 Performance Edition: power output of 544hp and 0 - 100kph acceleration time of 4.7 seconds.

Only 88 units of this model — available for purchase in China now — will be created priced at 467,800 yuan (RM279,000).


Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe debuts,  priced from RM309K

SEPANG: The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is launched in Malaysia today in three variants with prices starting at around RM309,000.

The C 200 Coupe is retailing at RM308,888, C 250 Coupe at RM333,888 and C 300 Coupe at RM388,888 (all prices OTR without insurance but with GST).

Present at the launch held at the Sepang F1 circuit was Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador David Coulthard who had flew in from London to attend the event.

READ MORE:CarSifu test-drives Merc C-Class Coupe ahead of launch

As the sportiest variant of the C-Class, the coupe has intelligent lightweight construction with a higher proportion of aluminium to help make it lighter than its predecessor. Light-alloy components include the wings, bonnet and boot lid. The body is also now much stiffer and stronger, thanks to the use of high-strength materials, which has a positive effect on not only driving dynamics and noise levels but also crash safety.

A sporty striking front section featuring diamond radiator grille and long bonnet gives way to a crouched greenhouse whose lines flow into a powerful-looking rear end. A high beltline and frameless doors with free-standing exterior mirrors underscore the streamlined, sporty body that boasts a Cd value of 0.26.

 Coulthard (left) and Raine with the C 200 Coupe.

Clean lines and sensually arranged surfaces structure the side sections into vivid light and shadow effects. One particular highlight is the long drawn-out dropping line typical of a coupé. In contrast to the C-Class sedan, the dropping line extends further past the rear wheel arch. To underscore the Coupé's sporty disposition, the suspension is 15mm lower than the sedan, giving it a very sporty stance when combined with the 18-inch AMG 5-spoke light alloy wheels on the C 200 Coupé and 19-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels in the C 250 Coupé and C 300 Coupé.

The interior projects an athletic and youthful charm. Driver and passengers enjoy an ambience that resembles that of the C-Class sedan yet is sporty. Flowing forms characterise the centre console as well as the door and rear side panelling, which merge into one another to emphasise the coupé character.

A seating system including integral sports seats designed specifically for the Coupé offers sporty comfort. An automatic belt extender also offers convenience. The choice of materials and the workmanship have a hand-crafted feel with high-class appeal. The C-Class Coupé also stands out as a special upholstery colour combinations of saddle brown and black and porcelain have been designed for it.

All three versions come in AMG Line as standard, with special bumpers and sills featuring AMG body styling, a diamond radiator grille with pins in chrome and 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels. Interior highlights of the AMG Line include exclusive touches such as upholstery in ARTICO man-made leather/DINAMICA microfibre in black with contrasting topstitching, a multifunction sports steering wheel with flat bottom and AMG sports pedals. The trim in open-pore black ash, combined with aluminium in the dashboard and the doors, complete the look.

The new multimedia generation offers intuitive controls with animations and visual effects. Frontbass ensures a listening experience almost on a par with a concert hall – especially if the car is equipped with the Burmester sound system. The Frontbass system uses the space within the cross-member and side member in the body structure as a resonance chamber for the bass speakers. The Burmester sound system is available as standard in the C 250 Coupé and C 300 Coupé.

Three petrol engines with ECO start/stop function are available for the Coupé. They are all 2.0-litre engines and consume up to 20% less fuel. The output spectrum ranges from C 200 (184hp) and C 250 (211hp) models and the C 300 (245hp). Power is sent to the road via the 7G-TRONIC PLUS 7-speed automatic transmission.

Five driving modes are available for the driver to play with: ECO, Comfort, Sport, Sport + and Individual. Selecting "Individual" allows the driver to customise the vehicle settings to personal preferences.

The suspension of the new C-Class Coupé promises a high level of comfort with low road roar and tyre vibration. A new 4-link front axle with wheel suspension decoupled from the spring strut plays a part in the agile handling characteristics. This enables sporty axle kinematics for plenty of grip and high lateral stability. As a result, the suspension responds more sensitively to steering movements and allows a sporty, agile driving style. Multi-link independent rear suspension with 5 links ensures excellent wheel location qualities and straight-line stability.

Two suspensions with selective damping are available: a comfortable AGILITY CONTROL suspension with sporty character and a ride height lowered by 15mm compared with the C-Class sedan on the C 200 Coupé and a sports suspension with tauter springing and damping including Sports Direct-Steer system for even more agile handling on the C 250 Coupé and C 300 Coupé.

Standard safety kit include nine airbags, ABS, stability control, adjustable ATTENTION ASSIST and COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS. Additional safety systems such as blind spot detection and rearview camera are options.

COMAND Online in the C 300 Coupé provides not only a larger display with a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels, it also allows digital TV/radio reception and, in addition to other features, offers fast hard-disc navigation, integral W-LAN hotspot functionality and the LINGUATRONIC voice control system. The Audio 20 CD - available in C 200 Coupé and C 250 Coupé - and COMAND Online all offer basic telephony as standard, which links up a mobile phone to the vehicle via a standardised Bluetooth interface.

"The new C-Class Coupé ... is the symbol of perfect proportions, combining thrilling design with agile sportiness and modern luxury," said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia sales & marketing vice-president Mark Raine.


Need to terminate your Touch ‘n Go RFID tag? You can now do it online

                PETALING JAYA: Touch ‘n Go Malaysia has announced that users can now terminate their RFID tag via its dedicated portal.

In an announcement on Facebook, the company said users only need to terminate their RFID tag if their vehicle has been stolen, or sold to another owner.

As the RFID tag is not transferable and is unique to each registered customer and vehicle, TNG advised users in an FAQ to terminate the RFID tag in the event of theft or sale of their vehicle as toll fares may be deducted from their TNG ewallet even though the vehicle is being used by a new owner.

It added that customers will not be compensated for the fare if they fail to terminate their RFID tag.

On the portal, users can click on My Vehicle(s) on the dashboard to view their RFID tag details. They can then submit a request to terminate the tag, request a replacement tag or activate a tag.

Customers can also view details such as transaction history through the portal and perform other actions such as submitting refund requests.

The company stated that each RFID tag purchase includes one free replacement. However the free replacement will be voided should customers choose to terminate their tag. Customers using tags from the RFID pilot programme are also not eligible for the free replacement.

Previously, the company said that users had to email or contact a customer service hotline to terminate their RFID tags.

Back in 2019, the company asked RFID tag pilot testers to submit their termination requests through Google Forms where details such as IC numbers, car plate numbers and current Touch ‘n Go eWallet app balances were required.

The Touch ‘n Go eWallet currently does not offer users the option to terminate the RFID tag though the app.

The TNG RFID tags are priced at RM35 each. Customers can get RM8 cashback when they buy the tag through the TNG eWallet. The offer is valid until June 30.

Last month, Touch ‘n Go announced that an enhanced TNG card with NFC is available to purchase for RM10 each. The card is now sold out and the company has responded to users on Facebook that the next batch of cards is expected to be released in June.


Ford delays Bronco SUV launch due to coronavirus issues at suppliers

                DETROIT: Ford Motor Co is delaying the launch of its Bronco SUV next year to the summer from the initial spring target due to coronavirus-related issues with its suppliers, a company spokesman said.

“Deliveries will begin the summer rather than the spring. That’s being driven by Covid-related challenges some of our suppliers are experiencing,” Ford spokesman Said Deep said on Friday.

The suppliers, which Ford did not identify, have had development work for tooling delayed by the pandemic, Deep said. Asked whether the launch could face further delays, Deep said Ford was monitoring the outbreak closely.

The pandemic caused the US auto industry to shutter plants for two months earlier in the year, but since production restarted automakers have been largely successful in preventing the spread of the virus within their facilities.

Ford still expects to begin building the Bronco at its Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan in the spring, Deep said. The Dearborn, Michigan-based company is already shipping the smaller Bronco Sport, which is built in Mexico.

Customers’ ability to place orders for the Bronco also has been delayed from Dec 7 to mid-January, Deep said.

Earlier on Friday, industry officials said a shortage of chips used in auto manufacturing could disrupt vehicle production in China well into next year. Deep said Ford’s issues were not related.


Tesla-beating Enfield Europe’s quickest street legal electric car

                LONDON: A three-year project to turn a 40-year-old electric city car into a Tesla-beating dragster has climaxed with TV presenter Jonny Smith’s Flux Capacitor becoming Europe’s quickest street legal electric car.

The 1975 Enfield 8000 electric city car, capable of just 64kph when new, this weekend smashed the Tesla’s record over a quarter mile in the FIA European Finals at Santa Pod, 108km north-west of here.

With the Fifth Gear presenter at the wheel, the tiny Enfield - boosted from its original 8hp to 1000hp - silently charged through the quarter mile in 10.84 seconds at 121mph, dismantling the Tesla’s record of 11.5 seconds.

“I still cannot believe what that little car is capable of,” said Jonny. “The little paper timing slip never lies, and when it revealed a 10 second pass I was so happy I kissed my crew mate Nick Farrow on the lips.

 Jonny Smith and the little runabout that could.

“This weekend the car not only clinched but blitzed the European record for a street legal electric car. Never in my dreams did I think the Enfield was capable of this kind of performance.”

Long before Tesla launched its supercar-killing model S P85 electric saloon, and prior to the Formula E race series, Jonny started restoring the rare but derelict Enfield.

He dubbed the car the Flux Capacitor with the idea of going Back to the Future of the electric car, and as a nod to the sponsor, insurance broker Adrian Flux.

Earlier in the year the car managed to run a 12-second quarter mile, then into the 11s.

But at Santa Pod this weekend the silent David was pitched against the piston-powered Goliaths. Jonny entered the highly contested Street Eliminator category, where some of the fastest cars compete, all with current MoTs, tax and running on street legal tyres.

In order to prove its road legal credentials, prior to the racing there is a mandatory 40km street cruise around the Northants countryside.

“This doesn't sound much for normal cars, but these are vehicles treading the fine line between all-out dragsters and Sunday cruisers,” said Jonny.

“If you break down and can’t get back to the race track without outside help, you're disqualified. Harsh, but we managed to keep our charge and complete the event.”

Qualifying with an 11.27 second quarter mile at 190kph, Jonny fitted taller axle gears to try to go even faster.

“We had two hours to recharge after the gruelling cruise before heading into race one. It wasn't a lot of time. To be honest I was happy to have qualified at all given most of my competitors are running over 1500bhp twin turbo V8s,” said Jonny.

And then, 40 years after it was built on the Isle of Wight, the car originally designed as an electric city runabout in the midst of the 1970s oil crisis, tore up the strip in a staggering 10.84 seconds at 195kph.

Not quite 1.21 gigawatts of power, but 1900 amps and over 250 volts of electric muscle.

“This would be a serious feat for a modern supercar, let alone something 2.8 metres long that was designed for a maximum of 40 mph,” said Jonny.

“The numbers showed we'd got the thing from 0-102mph (164kph) in 6.9 seconds. When new it couldn't even do 60. They measured performance in the brochure quoting 0-30mph in 12.5 seconds. Mind you, it had 6kW of power then. Now it's got 600kW.

“I was racing against a 2000bhp Nissan GT-R, so I knew I'd need some miracle to win. With a 10 second quarter mile in a tiny electric car in front of thousands of spectactors, I couldn't have been happier to lose.

“While it is a very left-field project, the attention the Flux Capacitor got over the last few days is ridiculous. We had serious dyed in the wool drag racers come over and give us respect. I think - I hope - the Flux Capacitor has gone a little way to showing people that electric cars are nothing new, and that they can be charismatic and mighty fast.”

The question now is, can it go even faster?

“Maybe,” said Jonny. “I'm just chuffed to have achieved two major hurdles. Firstly completing the mandatory 25 mile street cruise around Northamptonshire without breaking down or accepting 'outside' help. It was tough, I won't lie...three days before the event me and my brother were busy getting the hazard warning lights and horn to work properly!

“Then two hours later the car ran the fastest it’s ever run and consequently became Europe's quickest street legal electric car.”

Enfield: Background and specifications then and now


McLaren's gleaming supercars give Akzo Nobel's paints a lift

                AMSTERDAM: Akzo Nobel NV is poised to get a boost from a ramp-up in production at McLaren Automotive Ltd. after it took over the contract from BASF SE to provide coatings for the Formula 1 racing team's million-dollar supercars.

McLaren's production line is in “afterburn” due to increasing demand, Alan Foster, executive director of operations at the automaker, told reporters recently.

The Woking, England-based company is considering a second daily shift at its factory as it looks to more than double volume to 4,000 road vehicles a year, he said. That will enhance the financial benefit for Akzo, which had to repitch for the vehicle paint order after initially being turned down.

Helped by premium products like the paint on McLaren cars, Akzo's performance-coatings division outperformed its decorative paint and specialty chemicals units in the third quarter, with sales up 5 percent. The premium portfolio includes yacht coatings, metallic finishes for car alloy wheels, and films that cut the painting time of the Airbus A380 and Boeing Dreamliner airplanes. The Amsterdam-based company has also supplied coatings for the London Eye ferris wheel and Wembley Stadium.

“We originally gave Akzo a brief of what was needed,” said McLaren's Foster. “When they fed back on the brief, it wasn’t what we’d wanted. Instead of just shrugging shoulders and admitting defeat, they took this as a challenge.”

At the McLaren factory near Woking, the paint quantities supplied are relatively small, although they cater to every whim of supercar buyers, including a favourite colour or showing off the weave of carbon fiber paneling, according to Anthony Lancina, an excutive at Akzo's automotive division.

Akzo became an official supplier to the McLaren racing team in 2008, displacing BASF on the supercar side in 2012, the year after it began selling the million-dollar P1 model. Although McLaren has slipped down the pecking order in Formula 1 this year, demand is growing for its expensive road cars.

Orders for McLaren's Sports Series, which was introduced last month, are at 1,200 cars. McLaren, which returned to the supercar market in 2010, reported operating profit of £20.8 million  ($31.3 million) last year, on sales of £475 million.

Both McLaren and Akzo are working with new materials such as graphene, which is tougher and lighter than carbon fiber, and will be part of future cars and Akzo's coatings, according to the companies.


EVs are offering foreign automakers a second chance in India

                NEW DELHI: India’s transition to electric vehicles is giving automakers whose conventional gasoline cars have failed to make a mark a second chance.

High taxes, price-conscious consumers and tricky logistical issues have made it tough for many foreign carmakers to thrive in one of Asia’s biggest economies.

They’ve found it difficult to loosen the grip of local players like Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., a household name since the 1980s thanks to its iconic Maruti 800 that became the first affordable car for the masses.

But with the advent of EVs, firms like MG Motor India Pvt, the local unit of China’s SAIC Motor Corp., Renault SA, Nissan Motor Co. and Volkswagen AG may finally gain a better foothold.

While MG Motor controls just a fraction of the local passenger vehicle market, last month it announced ambitious plans to grab a share of the country’s budding EV space, expecting to derive as much as three-quarters of its sales in India from electric cars by 2028 via the launch of four to five new models, most of them pure electric.

MG Motor is also building a second factory to make EVs, with an investment of 50 billion rupees (RM2.8bil), that would increase its combined production output in India to as many as 300,000 cars a year, and constructing a battery assembly unit in the western state of Gujarat.

On top of that, it plans to dilute its 100% shareholding of its local unit with the aim of having it majority owned by an Indian firm in two to four years.

Other international automakers that already have a chunk of the Indian car market are taking advantage of the EV shift to expand their presence.

In May, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. said it will plow 200 billion rupees into an electric vehicle ecosystem in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.

That will involve setting up a battery pack assembly with an annual capacity of 178,000 units, installing 100 charging stations on major highways and introducing new electric models by 2032.

Global companies’ interest may galvanise India’s slow EV shift.

Electric vehicle sales stood at just 49,800 units last year, accounting for only 1.3% of the 3.8 million passenger vehicles sold, according to BloombergNEF.

The higher cost of EVs versus internal combustion engine cars and few public charging spots have slowed adoption. (BNEF, in its latest long-term EV outlook, lumps India into the ‘late’ category when looking at the possibility of achieving a full phase-out of ICE car sales by 2038, noting that it’s currently not on track for net zero emissions in the passenger car segment by 2050.)

Still, as the US-China trade tensions mount, global automakers are revisiting India for its vast growth potential and as an alternative manufacturing base.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making use of the shifting geopolitics to lure companies with cash incentives, encouraging them to make everything from smartphones to semiconductors in the nation.

Europe’s largest carmaker Volkswagen is a case in point. It’s reportedly planning to electrify 30% of its passenger vehicle lineup in India by the end of this decade and potentially launch its first electric car, the ID.4, there next year.

Tesla Inc., after a long standoff, also appears to be softening, with senior executives visiting India last month to discuss the possible local sourcing of components.

They also spoke with federal government officials about incentives in a bid to diversify Tesla’s supply chain beyond China, people familiar with the matter said.

Renault and Nissan too are planning to invest around US$600 million in India to expand their car lineup, including two electric models, in addition to decarbonising a plant in Chennai.

It won’t be an easy road but considering many local automakers (except for perhaps Tata Motors Ltd.) have yet to embrace EVs in a meaningful way, the foreigners stand a fighting chance.