New Toyota Tacoma makes debut in Hawaii

                KONA: The all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma made its world premiere last week in Pauko, Hawaii, introducing the world to the fourth generation of the best-selling mid-size pickup of the last 18 years.

Toyota group vice president and general manager Dave Christ introduced the new truck alongside Tacoma chief engineer Sheldon Brown and CALTY president Kevin Hunter.

“With even more off-road capability and the quality, durability, and reliability that our customers expect along with a host of options for every owner, we’re confident that Tacoma will remain the top choice for mid-size pickup buyers when it arrives later this year,” said Christ.

The all-new Tacoma is built on Toyota’s TNGA-F global truck platform and features an available new multilink rear suspension.

Customers have the choice of two new powerful and efficient four-cylinder powertrains and the i-FORCE MAX hybrid that produces 326 hp and 630Nm of torque.

Tacoma also introduces the world to the all-new Trailhunter grade that is a factory-developed overlander with integrated components from ARB, Old Man Emu, and RIGID.

As part of Toyota’s diverse approach to working towards a carbon neutral future, Tacoma i-FORCE MAX is the latest hybrid offering in Toyota’s lineup to wear the Beyond Zero badge.

Today, Toyota offers 15 electrified vehicles for customers to choose from. With 11 hybrid models, two plug-in hybrid models, the bZ4X battery electric vehicle, and the zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell Mirai, Toyota said it provides more choices than any other automaker for customers to reduce their carbon footprint.

READ MORE: New Toyota Tacoma in detail


Lexus expands into Klang with first eco-friendly showroom

                KLANG: Lexus Malaysia has officially opened the doors to its first eco-friendly showroom in the country and also the third outlet within the central region.

Operated by PCM Klang Motor Sdn Bhd, the showroom has a built-up area of 6,270 square feet and is able to feature up to three of the Japanese luxury brand's latest vehicles at one time.

With an initial investment of around RM370,000, the showroom is located at Lot 1137, Jalan Kepayang, Kawasan 17, 41050 Klang, and is said to have been constructed using recycled materials that are touted to be more durable than traditional building materials.

The building also uses LED lighting with motion sensors to help reduce the building's energy usage which is in line with the brand's commitment to reduce its carbon footprint and become carbon neutral by 2050.

Although the building may be on an environmentally friendly course, the company assures that all customers will be treated with its standard practice of a world-class luxury experience.

Furthermore, those who purchase a Lexus vehicle will automatically gain access to the brand's LexusCare suite of standard benefits which includes roadside assistance, complimentary services and exclusive event access among others.

"By integrating sustainable materials and energy-saving technologies into the design of our showroom, we are demonstrating our commitment to environmental consciousness and reducing our carbon footprint," said Lexus Malaysia president Datuk Ravindran K.

Lastly, with the upcoming launch of the RX350 Luxury (RM470,000) slated for May 25, Lexus Malaysia will be hosting a special weekend (May 27 to 28) at all Lexus outlets nationwide to celebrate the arrival of its new model.
For more information, log on to www.lexus.com.my or call Lexus Klang at +603-3345 6482.


Launch & drive: Lexus NX 300 just got safer from RM314K

                PETALING JAYA: Lexus Malaysia, a division of UMW Toyota Motor, has launched the latest NX mid-sized sport utility vehicle (SUV) in Malaysia with more safety equipment and a sportier ride.

Bookings for the fully imported NX opened on June 11.

There will be three model variants starting with the Urban variant with an on-the-road price without insurance of RM313,888 followed by the Premium variant at RM333,888 and the F Sport at RM349,888. The SUV is covered by a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage.

A total of seven exterior colours are available for the new model, which includes Blazing Carnelian, Amber Crystal Shine, Sonic Titanium, Sonic Quartz, Graphite Black Glass Flake, Red Mica Crystal Shine and Sparkling Meteor Metallic.

The NX300 F-Sport is offered exclusively in Heat Blue Contrast Layering or Lava Orange Crystal Shine, but customers are also able to specify other colours except for Amber Crystal Shine.

All three variants will come equipped with the Japanese luxury carmaker's Lexus Safety System+ which features a myriad of active safety features to help drivers avoid or reduce the effects of an accident.

Such features include Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Pre-collision Brake Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Active Cornering Assist (ACA), Parking Support Alert and Adaptive High-beam System (AHS).

Additionally, the NX has been further enhanced with performance dampers, co-developed with Yamaha, to reduce the effects of noise, vibrations and harshness for added comfort.

A six-speed automatic transmission with Torque-Demand manages power delivery of the 2.0-litre (1,998cc) 8AR-FTS turbocharged engine (with 235hp from 4,800 to 5,600rpm and 350Nm of torque 1,650rpm to 4,000rpm) to the all-wheel-drive system.

Members of the media were given the chance to try out a few of the NX's safety systems on a day trip to Port Dickson.

With the NX 300 traversing twisty roads, our first impression was that it is sporty with good stability arising from the front and rear axles working in concert to handle directional changes.

The powered front seats were plush and comfortable but the same could not be said of the rear bench. The cabin was well insulated from noise, vibrations and harshness.

Rear leg-room was more than adequate considering this 175cm writer was seated behind a lanky lad who was almost 180cm-tall.

The purpose of the drive was to highlight selected features of the NX 300's Lexus Safety System+, which makes this mid-sized SUV from Japan an intelligent highway runner.

It must be noted that the advanced safety system or similar such systems in other cars is only meant to "assist" the driver and cannot replace the driver - at least not yet.

The interaction of the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control system with the Active Cornering Assist on well-marked roads deserve praise.

The NX 300 was not just able to keep its distance from the vehicle in front until it comes to a complete stop, but also slows itself down enough so that the driver can comfortably turn a corner.

The only drawback is that the driver will need to tap on the accelerator pedal to allow the SUV to get going again and go up to the predetermined speed.

Drivers must note that while the NX 300 is able to keep its distance from the vehicle in front at highway speeds, it's no excuse not to keep your eyes on the road.

Should the SUV veer from its lane without the driver signalling, the Lane Departure Alert would cause the steering wheel to vibrate and trigger the Lane Tracing Assist system to swing the car back to its lane, assuming no steering corrections are made by the driver.

After dinner in Port Dickson, it was time to return to Kuala Lumpur. Thanks to the Adaptive High-beam System, dark sections of the highway were well illuminated for a safe drive.

The high-beams would turn on by default so long as the system didn't detect other vehicles travelling ahead of it or approaching from the oncoming lane.

The smart headlights were able to brightly lit up signboards in the distant while part of  the beams dipped so as not to blind oncoming traffic. It was certainly  a welcomed convenience in our book.


ChargePoint sounds alarm on electric vehicle charging standards

                FRANKFURT: A leading operator of charging stations has sounded the alarm on a proposed technical standard that it says could hamper mass adoption of electric vehicles by making it harder to charge them at home or at work.

ChargePoint, which plans to run 2.5 million charging stations by 2025, says the standard would perpetuate an old "gas station" model that automakers are backing as they launch mass production of battery-powered cars.

As well as being less convenient for users, that could give too much pricing power to utilities, limiting the flexibility of charge station owners, ChargePoint says.

There are only a few million electric vehicles, or EVs, on the roads today, but with the International Energy Agency forecasting that figure could reach 130 million or more by 2030, there is a huge market opportunity up for grabs.

With Swiss bank UBS estimating the cost of building charging networks at $360 billion over eight years, there is a powerful incentive too for stakeholders to influence how they operate.

There are also risks, however, that a botched system which makes EVs harder to use could stall public acceptance, ChargePoint’s Senior Vice President Product Bill Loewenthal told Reuters.

“We’re at a really delicate time in the industry and getting this wrong is catastrophic,” Loewenthal said in an interview.

ChargePoint, which operates but does not own its charging network, providing an Uber-like service, has a 70% share of the market for commercial charging in the United States, by its own estimate.

It has raised US$530 million in 10 funding rounds from investors including Daimler, BMW and Siemens in Germany, as well as US energy firms Chevron and America Electric Power.

Yet it finds itself at odds with the German automakers on some aspects of how the industry should develop.

Loewenthal was speaking ahead of the North American Conference of CharIN, an initiative backed by German automakers to support their preferred Combined Charging System (CCS) standard, that starts on Wednesday in Reston, Virginia.

In a clash reminiscent of the VHS versus Betamax videotape saga, CCS has a lead in Europe but is elsewhere up against Tesla’s Supercharge system and CHAdeMO, supported by Japanese carmakers Nissan and Mitsubishi.

ChargePoint vs automakers

California-based ChargePoint, founded in 2007, has differences of opinion with the German automakers on two aspects of the proposed ISO 15118 technical standard, known in the industry as “Plug & Charge”, that will govern how cars talk to charging stations.

ChargePoint, in a research report, said Plug & Charge would set flawed rules for authenticating secure communication, inserting a middleman into an exchange that can be perfectly well handled by existing Public Key Infrastructure providers.

Further, Plug & Charge would give too much central power to utilities on pricing, to the detriment of charging station operators who want discretion, for example in managing the mix of power they generate on site and take from the grid.

These can be office managers offering an in-kind benefit to staff who plug in vehicles at work, or stores and restaurants offering a free charge to patrons to attract their custom.

More broadly, ChargePoint argues that most drivers will use slow chargers at home and work, enabling utilities to tap the battery reserves of cars on charge to balance supply and demand in their networks for much of the day and night.

Only a minority, such as taxi drivers or people going on road trips, will want to pull in for a fast charge at public stations that run on direct current.

“The reality is that people want to plug in where they work and live - and that aligns a lot with where the needs of the grid are,” said Loewenthal.

High-speed chargers are “an industrial solution, not a consumer solution”, he added: “It’s needed, but it’s not what consumers will be using in their daily lives.”


New Hyundai Tucson launched in S. Korea

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Company has launched the all-new Tucson, now in its fourth-generation, and designated as a global model, compact SUV (C-SUV).

Considering the global pandemic, Hyundai revealed the new Tucson online, inviting everyone who is interested in finding out Hyundai’s most progressive SUV ever.

Tucson offers both Smartstream 2.5-liter, direct-injected, four-cylinder, gasoline powertrain and powerful 1.6-liter, turbo, direct-injected, hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains.

The 2.5-litre engine has an estimated output of 190PS and an estimated 246Nm of torque. This engine is coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The 1.6-litre hybrid powertrain produces an estimated 180PS, with a combined powertrain output of 230PS. It also produces 264Nm of torque from the gasoline engine and 350Nm of torque from the combined hybrid powertrain.

Tucson drivers get further assistance from Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel-drive system.

Tucson’s new exterior styling expresses Hyundai’s evolving Sensuous Sportiness design identity.

Meanwhile, Tucson’s interior, or "Interspace", offers layered, sensuous forms that provide a feeling of openness and serenity.

The interior offers three new technologies, including a vertically stacked, dual 10.25-inch full-touch screen, a multi-air ventilation system and an open, hoodless digital gauge cluster.

Tucson offers more safety features than ever and the Hyundai SmartSense safety feature suite includes: Highway Driving Assist (HDA), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with pedestrian detection, Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Blind-Spot View Monitor, Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW), Surround View Monitor, Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (RPCA), Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA), High Beam Assist (HBA), and Driver Attention Warning (DAW).

The Tucson is available with advanced technology features including Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) Advanced Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop and Go and Safe Exit Warning (SEW).

The  Tucson is an important launch for Hyundai as the model is among its most popular, racking up global sales of more than 7 million units since its original launch in 2004.

“This exciting vehicle sets a new benchmark for innovation in its segment, delivering an impressive blend of design, technology, packaging and performance,” said Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President, Head of Product Division at Hyundai Motor Group.

The Tucson goes on sale in South Korea this month as a 2021 model. It will go on sale in the US and other global markets as a 2022 model starting from the first half of 2021.


Toyota to invest US$338mil in new hybrid, flex car in Brazil

                SAO PAULO: Toyota Motor Corp said on Wednesday it will invest 1.7 billion reais (US$338mil/RM1.4bil) to manufacture a new hybrid, flex-fuel compact car in Brazil, which will run on both gasoline and ethanol in addition to its electric engine.

The Japanese carmaker has been betting big on the segment in the South American country, where most cars can run on 100% ethanol, having in 2019 launched Brazil's first hybrid flex-fuel vehicle, a version of its flagship sedan the Corolla.

Rivals Stellantis and Volkswagen are also investing in the technology, going against US-based General Motors and Ford, which have focused on fully electric cars.

Toyota's announcement came at an event attended by the firm's local head, Rafael Chang, and Sao Paulo governor Tarcisio de Freitas. Part of the investment - roughly 1 billion reais - will come from tax credits Toyota had with the state.

"Toyota believes in the Brazilian market and continues to invest in technology and innovation to meet consumer needs," Chang said. "It is a sustainable solution that also creates jobs and economic development".

The Sao Paulo state government said in a statement that engines for the new compact car, whose name was not revealed, will be built at Toyota's Porto Feliz plant, a move expected to create 700 jobs.

The car is set to be launched in Brazil in 2024 and sold in 22 Latin American countries, it added.


China tech stampede into electric cars sparks auto sector buzz

                SHANGHAI: Cars are the next major prize in the battle for digital territory, industry insiders say, and the deep pockets and data muscle of big Chinese tech firms will fuel even faster growth in "smart-electric" vehicles - and possibly hasten the arrival of autonomous cars.

In recent weeks, Chinese smartphone giants Huawei and Xiaomi, e-commerce leader Alibaba, and even DJI, the world's top drone manufacturer, have thrown their hats into the ring.

"This sort of competition is a good thing and will greatly accelerate innovation," William Li, founder, chairman and CEO of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) producer NIO, told AFP in an interview just ahead of the Shanghai Auto Show.

The first major auto industry gathering of the year opens to the public Wednesday with the global sector looking to China - the world's biggest and most rapidly electrifying auto market - to lead the way into a post-pandemic future.

Sales in China contracted two percent to 25.1 million vehicles last year - nearly one-third of the global total - but are rapidly recovering thanks to the expanding popularity of electric cars.

Just a tiny fraction of Chinese sales until recently, EVs accounted for around nine percent in March, according to official figures.

China's government expects new-energy vehicles -- which integrate the most advanced driving technology -- to comprise 25 percent of car sales by 2025, and recent announcements appear to bode well.

'Lightning-fast'

Xiaomi, which has rapidly become one of the world's biggest smartphone suppliers, plans to invest US$10 billion over the next decade in a smart EV subsidiary, and Huawei will invest US$1 billion this year.

Alibaba-linked autonomous driving unit AutoX has partnered with Japan's Honda to ramp up testing on Chinese roads.

And tech giant Baidu said Monday its Apollo autonomous navigation system would be installed on one million vehicles over the next three to five years.

The moves will focus fresh attention on Apple's secretive project to develop a self-driving vehicle.

 The NIO ET7 electric car.

Cars represent a fresh opportunity for companies like Huawei, now rushing to develop its own tech ecosystem after US sanctions banned it from using Google's Android.

Huawei has realised its current "market limitations", said Chen Yusheng, chief technology officer for procurement analysis firm Shanghai Autodatas Co.

"(Huawei) will enter a new track in the future, and with its own advantages, including combining software and hardware, will help promote lightning-fast development of smart cars and autonomous driving," Chen said.

Even potential competitors seem intrigued.

"This is very reassuring. (Tech companies) see there is an opportunity in this industry, which means that this industry still has a very bright future," said Antoine Barthes, managing director of the automaking joint venture Dongfeng Nissan.

"And they are probably going to shape the industry."

Tesla sets pace

Autonomous driving remains largely in the testing phase but China is widely expected to take the lead thanks to government encouragement, modern infrastructure, and a head start in deploying necessary 5G networks.

The Shanghai auto exhibition shows how fast things can change in China, said NIO's Li.

Just four years ago, it was still dominated by traditional internal combustion engines.

"But today, every booth in the hall has electric vehicles, new-energy vehicles. This is a huge change and the very big driving force has been technological change," he said.

The latest spark was Tesla.

In Shanghai in 2019, Elon Musk's company built its third factory and is already selling one-fourth of its output in China.

The highest-selling EV brand globally and in China, Tesla is energising the Chinese market and setting the pace for a host of competitors.

New entrants face many challenges, including a lack of automaking know-how that may force them to partner with established manufacturers, providing the "brains" of cars while the latter build the bodies, rather than following Tesla's self-contained blueprint.

Another hurdle is a global semiconductor shortage, which has hit the auto sector in particular.

Li said the shortages halted NIO's production lines for five days in early April. He expects further pressure in the coming months, but views that as a blip.

China's official targets for EVs are actually too conservative for Li.

"I'm much more optimistic," he said.

"I think that by 2030, more than 90 percent of new cars sold in China will be smart EVs."


Round 2 of Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival and Vios Challenge returns to Sepang Circuit on Oct 22-24

                SHAH ALAM: Racing in the Vios Challenge and the excitement of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival resumes with Round 2 at the Sepang International Circuit from Oct 22-24.

The race recommences after a seven month hiatus as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and will be held strictly without the presence of spectators in adherence to strict standard operating procedures as the country’s sports and commercial industries begin to fully reopen.

Although Season 4 of the festival and the Vios Challenge has endured numerous challenges off the track – the start delayed by almost a year due to the pandemic in 2020 and a second disruption that caused a seven-month break after the completion of Round 1 in March 2021 – action on the track has been even more competitive compared to the previous seasons.

Round 1 brought out the best in all participating racers, some going on to stamp an early sign of dominance in the opening two races of the season while the presence of several newcomers have demonstrated talent that have all the makings of emerging champions.

The Vios Challenge consists of four classes of racing which includes the Rookie Class featuring five graduates of the Gazoo Racing Young Talent Development Programme who are stepping up from karting and simulator to racing in a saloon car for their very first time; the Promotional Class which will field 10 local celebrities, the Sporting Class for amateur drivers; and the Super Sporting Class for Malaysia’s elite and professional drivers.

The battle of the rookies is currently being led by Naquib Azlan, whose transition from simulator racing to real racing has had little impact on his dominance on the racing track.

Naquib won the first two races of the season, while in hot pursuit are the likes of 17-year-old teenagers Amer Harris and Mika Hakimi.

Also in the class are 18-year-old Jwan Hii and 14-year-old Putera Adam.

The Super Sporting Class also continues to display the dominance of professional driver and Gazoo Racing Ambassador Tengku Djan Ley Tengku Mahaleel who swept to victory in the two season opening races.

Other contenders in the running include last season’s runner-up Mark Darwin, last season’s second runner-up Freddie Ang, and accomplished veterans the likes of Boy Wong, William Ho, Kenny Lee, Keifli Othman, Syafiq Ali and former Sporting Class champion Brendan Paul Anthony.

Also competing in the class is teenager Hayden Haikal who was last year’s Sporting Class champion.

An individual who has been equally dominant in the season opener is actor Zizan Razak who, like Tengku Djan and Naqib Azlan, also rejoins Round 2 with a perfect two-race victory in Round 1 despite being in his first ever season of the Vios Challenge.

Others competing in the Promotional Class include actor Shukri Yahaya, actress Janna Nick, presenter Nabil Ahmad and singers Wany Hasrita, Nabila Razali and Khai Bahar.

They will be joined by singer/song writer Talitha Tan and television personality Ahirene Ahirudin.

The Sporting Class meanwhile, remains a class that is still too close to call with Adam Khalid and Haji Sutan Mustaffa Salihin each with one race victory under their belts.

The class will field a total of 19 competitive drivers gunning for the chance of being crowned the new champion in Season 4.

Gazoo Racing Malaysia’s Chief Motorsport Officer Akio Takeyama said the organisers were extremely grateful that the season could continue.

"I am sure that all the racers are eager to get back into action. I do not foresee the long break having an adverse impact on their performance, instead like Round 1, the competition will be even stiffer and closer all the way to the chequered flag,” he said.

All the action of Round 1 will be broadcast live on the UMW Toyota Motor (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd website at www.toyota.com.my, and on the Toyota Malaysia and Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia Facebook pages.


Kia Stinger GT previewed in Malaysia

                SERI KEMBANGAN: The Kia Stinger GT fastback sports sedan, the highest-performance production vehicle in Kia's history, is being showcased in Serdang near here today.

It was brought in by Naza Kia Malaysia as a preview unit, in left-hand drive and all-wheel drive (AWD) form. The Stinger is also available in rear-wheel drive form.

The unit on display is fitted with 19-inch rims and ContiSportContact5 tyres sized 225/40 in front and 255/35 in the rear. It has an extended wheelbase (2,905mm) to deliver a spacious cabin, and a long rear overhang (1,095 mm) with strong, broad shoulders.

The Stinger measures 4,830mm in length and 1,870mm in width, making it longer and wider than many sport sedans.

With a 406-litre cargo capacity (VDA), the Stinger’s boot can accommodate two full-size suitcases or golf bags.
Cossetting occupants in luxury, the Stinger’s deeply-contoured seats are available with ultra-soft Nappa leather.

We were told the Stinger on display here has the grand tourer's most powerful engine, which is a 3.3-litre twin-turbocharged V6 "Lambda II" petrol engine, with peak power of 370 ps arriving at 6,000 rpm, and 510Nm torque accessible from 1,300 to 4,500rpm. Stinger models powered by the 3.3-litre turbocharged engine can accelerate from 0-to-100kph in just 5.1 seconds, making it the fastest-accelerating production Kia ever. With this engine, Kia is targeting a top speed of 270kph.

The Stinger features the second-generation of Kia’s electronic eight-speed automatic transmission, which is fitted as standard with all engines.

Another petrol engine option is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder ‘Theta’ engine produces 255 ps at 6,200 rpm. Its maximum torque output – 353 Nm – is available from 1,400 to 4,000 rpm.

The Stinger is open for public viewing at the Malaysia Autoshow 2017.


'We are killing people': How tech is adding distractions to our cars

                LOS ANGELES: In the late 1980s, the US Army turned to outside experts to study how pilots of Apache attack helicopters were responding to the torrent of information streaming into the cockpit on digital screens and analog displays. The verdict: not well.

The cognitive overload caused by all that information was degrading performance and raising the risk of crashes, the researchers determined.

Pilots were forced to do too many things at once, with too many bells and whistles demanding their attention. Over the next decade, the Army overhauled its Apache fleet, redesigning cockpits to help operators maintain focus.

Cognitive psychologist David Strayer was among those called in to help the Army with its Apache problem. Since then, he has watched as civilian cars and trucks have filled up to an even greater extent with the same sorts of digital interfaces that trained pilots with honed reflexes found so overwhelming — touch screens, interactive maps, nested menus, not to mention ubiquitous smartphones. In his lab at the University of Utah, he's been documenting the deadly consequences.

"We are instrumenting the car in a way that is overloading the driver just like we were overloading the helicopter pilots," said Strayer, director of the university's Center for the Prevention of Distracted Driving.

"Everything we know from pilots being overloaded we can apply to motor vehicles," Strayer said. But rather than apply it, makers of smartphones and automobiles largely have ignored the research, persistently adding popular but deadly diversions. "They've created a candy store of distraction. And we are killing people."

To be sure, new automotive technology also includes innovative safety features such as lane-departure warning and blind spot detection. Yet, despite these and other crash-prevention systems, the highway death count continues to rise.

After decades of falling fatality rates, US roads have become markedly more dangerous in recent years. In 2021, motor vehicle crashes killed nearly 43,000 people. That's up from about 33,000 in 2012, and a 16-year high.

Theories about why range from bigger vehicles — mammoth SUVs and pickup trucks on steroids — to aggression caused by COVID-era trauma. But no one in the safety field doubts that distracted driving is a main ingredient.

Reported fatalities due to distracted driving have remained flat for the last 10 years, 3,000 to 4,000 a year. But there is good reason to consider those figures a major undercount, as they rely on people admitting they were distracted, or a police officer or someone else witnessing a driver with phone in hand before a crash.

"It's against people's self-interest to say, 'I was on the cellphone' or 'I was using the infotainment system'" after a crash, "because there can be serious consequences," said Cathy Chase, who heads Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety.

"I don't think we're getting an accurate picture of what's happening on the roads," she said.

Other measures point to a much higher toll. In early 2020, the National Safety Council said cellphones were involved in more than a quarter of crashes. A poll by Nationwide Insurance shows its agents believe 50% of all crashes involved distracted driving. And safety experts say the problem has only grown worse since the start of the pandemic.

Pretending that the toll is only a few thousand people a year makes it more difficult to change policies that could improve safety, Mark Rosekind said. He ran the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration during the Obama administration and is now chief safety innovation officer at driverless car company Zoox.

"People will use those low numbers as a way to minimise this, that it's not a big problem," he said.

Most people know distracted driving is bad — 98% of those polled told Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety they are extremely or very concerned about it as a safety issue. But most do it anyway. 70% of polled drivers said they use their cellphones while driving.

That increased to 86% of people who use their cars for work. State Farm in April released survey statistics even more disturbing. More than half of respondents said they "always" or "often" read or send text messages while driving, 43% said they watched cellphone videos always or often while driving, and more than a third said they always or often drove while engaged in a video chat.

Elene Bratton's 5-year-old son Jamie died in a car crash back in 2002 caused by a driver distracted while using a cellphone. She thought the mounting deaths would lead to serious action by lawmakers and safety regulators but instead has watched the problem grow much worse.

"We act like there's nothing to be done with car crashes like this, like we all have to deal with it," said Bratton, who runs a website, jamiesjoy.org, in part to raise money to help push policy changes.

How do the companies behind all those distracting screens and apps — the automakers and smartphone manufacturers — view their responsibility for the problem and their role in solving it?

It's hard to say. The Times asked the five top-selling carmakers in the US — General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Stellantis and Honda — to provide an executive to speak about what they're doing to help prevent distracted driving.

All declined, offering instead to make written public relations material available. Apple and Samsung, the two leading smartphone makers, also declined interview requests.

When companies do talk about distracted driving, they tend to frame it as a problem with cellphones. Their solution: Integrate the same functionality and more into dashboard interfaces and voice-recognition systems.

Apple executive Emily Schubert, in a flashy video internet presentation in June, announced major new features for the company's CarPlay infotainment system. Apple declined to make Schubert or any other executive available for an interview, but in an email a spokesperson called CarPlay "the smarter, safer way to use iPhone in the car." What makes it safer, and to what degree? No details were provided.

The company did note it provides Driving Focus mode on its phones, which, if engaged by the customer, keeps the phone silent and doesn't allow notifications to come through. A Nationwide Insurance poll showed 70% of respondents had never used such a feature.

A Honda spokesperson said by email that "the biggest thing we can do to reduce distraction is to reduce the likelihood of a driver looking at their mobile phone while driving" by putting more focus on infotainment systems, through which the company is making "an attempt to minimize distraction while satisfying the driver's ease of use and access to desired information."

Honda offered few details and declined an interview about the subject. The company did say it's working with researchers at Ohio State University on the infotainment interface. The professors involved declined to offer details as well, saying their work for Honda is proprietary.

One problem with relying on infotainment systems to improve safety is that they don't work very well. "Infotainment systems remain the most problematic area" for new car customers, auto market research firm J.D. Power wrote in its latest new-car quality report. Customers complain about frequent problems with connectivity, Bluetooth syncing, touch screens and built-in voice recognition.

The ability to control features such as air conditioning and music playlists via voice commands theoretically improves safety by letting drivers keep their eyes on the road. But with the technology still a work in progress, scientists are learning it can be just as dangerous as fiddling with a smartphone.

In a 2019 paper, Strayer's team reported that completing tasks using voice commands took much longer than other kinds of interaction with smartphones and infotainment systems.

The extra time significantly increased the driver's cognitive load. Believing that verbal communication doesn't interfere with driving shows a "naive understanding of how language works," Strayer said. Brain scans show that "language uses a lot more of the parts of the brain than driving does."

State laws that ban holding a cellphone or texting while driving give the impression that the danger stops there. But what the Apache research showed, and decades of subsequent research on automobile distraction has confirmed, is that the distracted driving problem is more than mere distraction. The problem is asking the brain to do too many things at once. The technical term is cognitive overload, which includes distraction and multitasking and sensory input from a variety of sources.

As part of its 2019 study, Strayer's team assembled data on driver use of infotainment systems in more than two dozen cars. Drivers were fitted with sensors attached to the head and the chest, and data on driver heart and brain activity were collected to assess distraction and cognitive load.

Although some systems were more distracting than others, all hampered the driver's ability to safely pay attention to the task of maneuvering a two-ton vehicle on public roads, the study found.

Meanwhile, building the distractions into the car has the effect of sanctioning its use in the eyes of drivers. Thomas Goeltz, a Minnesota man whose 22-year-old pregnant daughter, Megan, was killed by a distracted driver in 2016, said that although people know talking or texting on the phone while driving is dangerous, the options offered on a car's dashboard offer a false basis for complacency. "People think, it came with the car, it must be safe," he said.

In a glancing acknowledgment of their shortcomings, NHTSA in 2015 issued guidelines on infotainment systems that recommend they be designed so a driver's attention is not distracted for more than two seconds out of six.

The guidelines are voluntary, however. Strayer said that many of the actions tested in his research require drivers to take their eyes off the road for 12 seconds or more.

Any company hoping to do something about driver distraction must grapple with the majority of US drivers who refuse to stop scrolling and swiping behind the wheel.

For now, smartphone companies, auto companies, app makers, advertisers, retailers — just about the whole consumer information ecosystem — are happy to fill the demand. Consulting firm McKinsey projects in-car advertising, entertainment and consumer data sales will generate $11 billion in annual revenue by 2030.

By then, it's conceivable consumer cars will be equipped with a version of the autonomous driving technology that's beginning to be deployed in robotaxis and delivery vehicles in limited areas. At that point, turning the interior of a car into an immersive infotainment bubble makes perfect sense.

What can be done in the meantime?

The National Transportation Safety Board has called for a total ban on in-car device use — excluding built-in infotainment systems — while driving, except in emergencies. At least, the NTSB says, companies should restrict device use by employees.

In Europe, automakers will soon be required to install monitors to detect driver distraction in order to receive top safety scores. No such move is being publicly contemplated in the US.

Safety advocates say education campaigns aren't nearly enough to deal with the enormity of the problem but are one necessary component. They also call for stricter enforcement by police.

Above all, they say, drivers need to be more responsible for their own safety and to keep from harming others.

Without major changes in driver behavior and public policy, uncounted tens of thousands of people will die each year, with devastating results on their families and their friends.

That's part of the cost of the infotainment culture — which, thus far, Americans have been willing to accept. — Los Angeles Times


Ferrari showroom opens in heart of KL

                KUALA LUMPUR: Naza Italia, the sole authorised importer and distributor for Ferrari in Malaysia, launched the second Ferrari Showroom located at Platinum Park.

A total of RM2.8 million was invested in the development of the new showroom, which is built over 3115 sq ft of the ground floor of Tower 1, Platinum Park, and accommodates three car display, a luxurious customer lounge and configuration room.

Group Executive Chairman of Naza World Group of Companies, Datuk Wira SM Faisal SM Nasimuddin, said, “It has certainly been a momentous year for Ferrari, with 70th Anniversary festivities taking place in 60 countries across the globe. In Malaysia, we are adding yet another milestone to the list of achievements to celebrate – the nation’s first Ferrari showroom in Kuala Lumpur City Centre.”

For the last 9 years, Naza Italia has been operating with its headquarters in Petaling Jaya.

The new Ferrari Showroom at Platinum Park is at Tower 1, Platinum Park, 11, Persiaran KLCC. Opening hours are 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm, Saturday.


BMW introduces the R 18 Dragster

                LOS ANGELES: The renowned custom bike designer Roland Sands stripped down the BMW R 18 to create a straight line dragster and the result is the R 18 Dragster.

Sands and his team have created a unique masterpiece built around the impressive 2-cylinder Big Boxer, giving their creativity free reign in the process.

“With an engine that’s so visibly the center piece, I immediately thought of muscle cars. My family has always been into going fast and my dad was a drag racer, so I thought it made sense to strip the bike down to the essentials and shape it to go fast on a straight track,” the designer explains.

The Big Boxer continues the line of traditional air-cooled boxer engines that have offered inspiring riding since BMW Motorrad first began production in 1923.

Sands always starts by sketching his ideas on paper. This allows him to figure out the basics of the shape and what the stance and the geometry of the bike could look like. “In the end, the real magic happens when we bring the sketch to life”, Roland explains.

More than any other motorcycle, the new R 18 offers a highly customizable design. It features an easily removable rear frame and a simple-to-dismantle painted parts set.

“The electronics were definitely the most difficult task we had to deal with as we put in nitrous oxide, stripped out the stock exhaust and changed the intake drastically. It was a bit of an experiment, but we dialed it in!

"The final product is impressive and characterised by a high level of craftsmanship, as can be expected from BMW Motorrad. Right from the beginning, I couldn’t wait to get customizing!” Roland points out.

For the the R 18 Dragster, the team around Roland Sands retained the stock neck geometry of the R 18, removed the bike’s rear end and turned it into a drag racer.

Moreover, they chose to modify the front and rear fender to fit the modified frame. The whole customizing process took about three and a half months. The bike then headed to the workshop for final assembly and a day at a drag strip.

“Every bike needs different sources depending on the build, special materials or parts. Every new bike concept is a bit of a learning process even after having built over 200 bikes. We always want to understand the genre of the bike we are building in, it’s the key to keeping it authentic and functional,” explains Sands.

For the R 18 Dragster, Roland Sands used the milled parts design collection “2-Tone-Black” to customize levers, wheels, valve covers, breast plate, headlight and gauges. The front end was taken from the BMW R nineT. The seat as well as the exhaust were created from scratch.


Cabinet to discuss PLUS takeover on Wednesday

                GEORGE TOWN: The decision to take over operations of highway concessionaire PLUS Malaysia Sdn Bhd will be discussed when the Cabinet meets, says Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Lim said the matter would be discussed during the meeting on Wednesday before any announcements are made.

"Wait for the announcement, I can't announce it spontaneously as it is an important announcement, let it be announced through a written statement," he said during a press conference after opening the Inland Revenue Board directors conference at The Wembley St Giles Hotel here.

Last December, Lim said a decision on PLUS must be made soon so that the Government could avoid paying more compensation.

The Government has had to compensate toll operators since announcing a freeze on toll hikes last year.

During the tabling of Budget 2020, Lim said that an average reduction of toll rates by 18% would save some RM43bil for highway users until 2038, which is when the concession ends.

So far, there have been four formal offers to take over PLUS.


Volkswagen offers peek at next Golf

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen has published the first rendering of its upcoming Golf. The eighth generation of the iconic compact should get its official world premiere in Wolfsburg, Germany on Oct 24.

This new generation of the Golf presents a distinctly different take on design take than its predecessors, with a more expressive signature than the current version, notably due to its updated headlight configuration, featuring narrow optical units inspired by the latest Polo.

Inside, VW has integrated a digital dashboard and colourful finishes.

Volkswagen has also announced a number of other innovations, driving aids and more connectivity. A new range of engines should also be offered.


VW's new T-Roc Cabriolet breezes into town

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen hopes to set off a new trend towards open-air motoring for the masses with a neat drophead version of the funky T-Roc crossover.

Dubbed by the makers as an "extrovert and emotive design," the four-seat open car announced on Wednesday replaces the defunct Beetle and Golf cabriolets, which enjoyed great popularity.

The T-Roc convertible is set to be a crowd-puller when it appears at next month's Frankfurt car show. It will probably be priced below €30,000 (RM139,000), but VW has not confirmed this.

To create the car, VW has not just taken a can opener to the standard T-Roc crossover. This is a new model in its own right, with two instead of four doors and a unique rear treatment.

The T-Roc Cabriolet is set to roll into showrooms in early 2020, just in time for the warm weather in the key German and British markets.

Convertible fans who cannot afford a luxury car currently have little choice in the mainstream market.

The T-Roc drophead is the only crossover with a fully retractable roof, and it plugs a gap that should ensure buoyant sales for the Wolfsburg-based maker.

The only similar concept is the Land Rover Evoque drophead that appeared in 2016.

The chopped T-Roc comes with one of the quickest-opening roofs on the market. The fabric folds back in just nine seconds at speeds of up to 30kph.

Motive power will initially be provided by two petrol engines — a three-cylinder unit with 115 horsepower or an uprated four-pot motor with 150 horses under the bonnet.

VW has not yet released performance or fuel consumption figures.


New Bugatti hypercar teased

UPDATE: The track-only Bugatti Bolide is revealed.

PETALING JAYA: Just when you thought Bugatti couldn't take it even further, there's a Bugatti prototype which is teased at the moment with mysterious pictures and numbers which could mean it is planning a return to racing.

https://twitter.com/Bugatti/status/1321107468592861185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1321107468592861185%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3%2Ccontainerclick_1&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcarbuzz.com%2Fnews%2Fbugattis-new-hypercar-does-one-final-tease

There is no official explanation from Bugatti but all will be revealed soon.

All there is so far are the teaser images and speculations to go with it.

One image shows the car’s mechanical hardware while another is the X-shaped rear lights and a third just shows the number 0.67.

The figures could either hint at the new car’s name, drag coefficient or power-to-weight ratio. Time will tell soon enough.


Hyundai Le Fil Rouge concept heads for Concours d'Elegance showing

                DETROIT: Hyundai will be showcasing its Le Fil Rouge (literally: The Red Wire) concept car at the upcoming 40th Annual Concours d’Elegance of America in Plymouth, Michigan from July 27 to 29.

The concept introduces the Korean carmaker's new ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design theme, which will appear on all of its future vehicles.

As its name implies, Le Fil Rouge (common thread) is a reflection of Hyundai’s belief that the brand’s past, present and future designs are all connected.

The Le Fil Rouge is a reinterpretation of Hyundai’s 1974 Coupe Concept and marks the beginning of the Sensuous Sportiness era for Hyundai design.

The design language is defined by the harmony between four fundamental elements of car design - proportion, architecture, styling, and technology.

The concept creates a proportional character based on the golden-ratio – a common mathematical ratio that's found in nature.

The unique proportions also are achieved using a long wheelbase, large wheels and short overhangs.

A respectful dash to axle ratio (the distance from front wheel centre to the base of windshield) provides for a comfortable driving position, while a teardrop roof line completes the overall look.

A new approach was adopted, called ‘Light Architecture’ with the concept to integrate a progressive identity into the brand’s design heritage.

Such an architecture generates a dynamic look that creates a forward motion effect.

The front and rear pillars, as well as the roof are seamlessly blended into the overarching silhouette of the vehicle, as if it was drawn with a single line.

Both exterior and interior have been merged by the ‘Tube Architecture’ to create the same emotional value inside and outside the vehicle, while also allowing a lightweight profile.

The cabin's design differentiates the needs of the driver and passengers, where the front passenger seat maximises comfort even on long-distance trips with more leg room, while the driver’s seating position is designed to optimise ergonomics and the wrap-around architecture emphasises depth to create a calm, spacious and comfortable environment.

The team’s goal was to create a vehicle that is instantly recognisable as a Hyundai from a distance.

This was achieved by creating a sensuous tension on the side through a harmonious blend of crisp, layered lines and pure volumes. Concave and convex forms are carefully orchestrated to provide a sexy character.

Also recognisable is the concept’s distinctive ambience with a wide, layered front hood, combined with a new Cascading Grille, Hyundai’s most distinguishing design cue. The new Cascading Grille comes with a three-dimensional treatment, featuring parametric jewels inside, giving the vehicle a commanding presence.

A core design principle for Hyundai designers is to create a design that enables a seamless experience of function. Inspired by aircraft ventilation, a two-way air ventilation system blows air over the curved surface of the lightweight tube architecture.

Revitalised wood and high tech fabrics are used extensively throughout, while a floating panoramic display coupled with haptic technology sits in front of the driver to provide access to climate controls and other vehicle features.


New Mazda3 to make world premiere at 2018 LA Auto Show

                HIROSHIMA: Japanese automaker Mazda has officially announced that the new Mazda3 will make its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show, which opens to the public from Nov 30 to Dec 9.

The fourth-generation version of this compact car is expected to get the firm's new SkyActiv-X gasoline engines, promising reduced fuel consumption and performances similar to diesels.

The manufacturer states that the Mazda3 marks the beginning of a new generation of models delivering "new dimensions of driving pleasure."

In terms of design, the new Mazda3 is likely to be based heavily on the Kai concept presented in 2017 in Tokyo. For the time being, Mazda has only shared one picture and a short teaser video showing the latest Mazda3 model, heralding "a new era" for the automaker.


Ford CEO calls for settlement between LG Chem, SK Innovation

                WASHINGTON: Ford Motor Co’s chief executive, Jim Farley, on Thursday publicly encouraged South Korea’s chemicals and electric vehicle (EV) battery maker LG Chem Ltd and SK Innovation Co Ltd to reach a settlement on LG’s battery allegations that SK stole trade secrets.

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) on Wednesday sided with LG Chem, but permitted SK to import components for domestic production of lithium ion batteries for Ford’s EV F-150 programme for four years, and for Volkswagen of America’s electric vehicle line for two years.

“A voluntary settlement between these two suppliers is ultimately in the best interest of US manufacturers and workers,” Farley wrote on Twitter, adding that “ITC ruling makes way for @Ford to bring to market our groundbreaking electric F-150.”

LG Energy Solution and SK Innovation did not have comment on the matter when reached by Reuters today. Volkswagen declined to comment.

The ITC said the decision would allow the automakers to transition to new suppliers for these programs.

LG Chem’s wholly owned battery subsidiary, LG Energy Solution, an EV battery supplier to Tesla Inc and General Motors Co, praised the ruling on Wednesday.

“SKI’s total disregard of our warnings and intellectual property rights gave us no choice but to file this case,” Kim Jong-hyun, the CEO of LG Energy Solution, said in a statement.

SK Innovation said on Wednesday it regretted the ITC’s decision but noted there was a 60-day presidential review period in which President Joe Biden could decide to reverse the ruling.

Biden has made electric vehicles and reducing vehicle emissions a top priority. The White House declined to comment.

Volkswagen and Ford previously warned a US legal row between South Korean battery makers could disrupt supplies of the key EV parts and cost US jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Farley said last week on a conference call with analysts that Ford’s US$22 billion investment in electrification does not include potential investment in battery production, whether through Ford itself or via a joint venture.


Honda Malaysia confirms airbag rupture in latest fatality

                PETALING JAYA: Honda Malaysia has confirmed that the Takata driver’s airbag inflator ruptured in a crash on Jan 1, 2018, which led to the death of the driver.

No official cause of death has been determined. Honda said it is communicating with the authorities and representative of the driver’s family on the tragic incident.

Honda also said the front passenger-side inflator of the 2004 City deployed normally and did not rupture in the crash.

The vehicle involved in the crash that took place in Selangor was included in a Malaysian product recall announced on May 21, 2015, requiring replacement of the SDI inflator of the Takata driver’s airbag and passenger airbag.

Honda Malaysia said it had made several attempts to inform the latest car owner but the notification letters never reached the person due to a change of vehicle ownership.

Honda Malaysia is enforcing its notification activities on Takata front airbag inflator recalls via press releases, advertisements, inclusion in roadshows, personal calls and SMS, as well as direct mails, to keep customers informed and urge them to take action.

As at Jan 25, 2018, Honda Malaysia has completed the replacement of more than 221,000 units of Takata driver front airbag inflators, which is 84% of the completion ratio.

Vehicle owners can check their vehicles' product recall status at www.productrecall.honda.com.my or www.honda.com.my or call Honda's toll free number at 1-800-88-2020 or visit any Honda  dealers.

Honda Malaysia said its current line-up are not affected as they do not use the same type of Takata airbag inflators.


Mitsubishi opens 3S outlet in Rawang

                KUALA LUMPUR: There's a new 3S Mitsubishi dealership in Rawang.

It is operated by authorised dealer Lofty Ambition (Rawang) Sdn Bhd.

This is Lofty Ambition's fourth outlet; the first three are in Ipoh, Taiping and Sitiawan. The recent opening of the Rawang outlet represented Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia’s 16th dealer outlet in the Klang Valley.

The 3S centre is easily accessible via PLUS Highway and is located in a prime location to serve Mitsubishi customers in the neighbouring areas.

With a three-storey shoplot and built-up area of 4,000 square feet, the 3S centre presents Mitsubishi's brand identity and works in concert with the global brand message "Drive Your Ambition".

In addition to housing a comfortable customer lounge with WiFi, the outlet comes with a fully-equipped service centre with service bays.

 Chang (left) and Ikeda.

Present at the opening were Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia chief executive officer Shinya Ikeda and Lofty Ambition Rawang dealer principal Sam Chang.

Ikeda said the new showroom was well placed to help serve Mitsubishi customers better in the Klang Valley "as we see a huge potential for business growth, especially for the Triton pick-up truck and Xpander seven-seater crossover.

During the first half of the year, Mitsubishi sold 12,261 cars, which is a 63% growth compared to the same period in 2021.

Its estimated market share is 4% and Mitsubishi is holding on to its top three spots as the non-national brands in Malaysia.

The new 3S centre is located at 5G, 7G, 9G, Jalan Millenium, Pusat Perniagaan Rawang Millenium, 4800 Rawang, Selangor.

Lofty Ambition is open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm and on Sunday from 11am to 4pm.


Audi software can distort emissions in tests, says VW

                BERLIN: Audi cars with automatic transmissions have technology capable of distorting emissions when they are tested, Volkswagen said, as its luxury flagship is battling allegations over a reported discovery of a new cheat software device.

Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper said a week ago that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) had this summer discovered cheating software in an older Audi model, which is unrelated to the device that triggered last year's diesel emissions test-cheating scandal at parent VW.

The software in CARB's discovery lowered carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by detecting whether a car's steering wheel was turned as it would be when driving on a road and was used in diesel and petrol models in Europe for years, Bild had said.

"Adaptive shift programmes can lead to incorrect and non-reproducible results" when the cars are tested, VW said by e-mail on Sunday in response to an article published in Germany's Sueddeutsche Zeitung on Saturday.

If the software that controlled the automatic transmissions of certain Audi models detected testing conditions, the cars shifted more rapidly and in a way that would lower emissions of CO2 as well as nitric oxides, Sueddeutsche Zeitung said, citing a confidential VW document.

"Audi has explained the technical backgrounds of adaptive shift programmes to the Federal Motor Vehicle Authority KBA and has made available technical information," VW said, adding there will be more talks with the KBA, which has been commissioned by the German government to investigate the reported irregularities at Audi.

So-called adaptive transmission control is intended to provide better performance by improving fuel economy and reducing shifting frequency, experts say.

"In normal use, these adaptive systems support the driver by adjusting the gear-shifting points to best adapt to each driving situation," VW said.

Earlier on Sunday, Bild reported that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had opened an investigation into Audi over the latest reported software discovery and next week will hear senior VW group engineers, without elaborating.

VW and Audi declined comment on Sunday, as had EPA spokesman Nick Conger on Saturday.

But two people briefed on the matter said the US government is asking questions about it and whether it constitutes a defeat device in gasoline-powered vehicles.

The EPA and CARB are currently focused on reaching agreement with VW on how to resolve 85,000 3.0 litre 2009-2015 diesel Audi, Porsche, and VW vehicles that emit up to nine times legally allowable pollution levels ahead of a Nov 30 court hearing in San Francisco.

VW submitted proposed fixes for larger Porsche, Audi and VW diesel vehicles earlier this year and has been in intensive discussions with US and California regulators.

There are also talks ongoing between VW and lawyers for the owners in an effort to reach agreement on how much compensation owners may get. Owners of 2.0 litre polluting vehicles received US$5,100 (RM22,500) to US$10,000 (RM44,100) in compensation – in addition to a buyback offer.

At least two class-action lawsuits have been filed against Audi in the US over the issue. One lawsuit says the CARB has "determined that Audi had also surreptitiously installed a gearing related defeat device in the Class Vehicles. The defeat device was used to circumvent the class vehicles' emission control systems that exist to comply with Clean Air Act emissions standards."

CARB has declined to confirm it is investigating, but both it and EPA have said they have stepped up the review of vehicles in the wake of VW's diesel cheating.

In a separate development, Audi AG and China's SAIC Motor Corp have signed an agreement that will likely pave the way for the German luxury car maker to produce cars in China with SAIC, said a person familiar with the matter.

Executives of Audi and SAIC formally signed the "cooperation framework agreement" on Friday. The two sides agreed to continue to talk and try to nail down details of a deal for Audi to produce cars in China with SAIC, the person said.

The move, if finalised, would allow Audi to significantly expand its ability to produce cars in China, the world's biggest auto market.


Global chip shortage hits Apple, BMW, Ford as crisis worsens

                SYDNEY: The global chip shortage is going from bad to worse with automakers on three continents joining tech giants Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. in flagging production cuts and lost revenue from the crisis.

In a dizzying stretch of 12 hours, Honda Motor Co. said it will halt production at three plants in Japan for around five to six days next month; BMW AG flagged it will pause MINI car production at its Oxford, England, factory for three days; and Ford Motor Co. reduced its full-year earnings forecast due to the debilitating chip shortage, which it sees extending into next year.

Now, the very companies that benefitted from surging demand for phones, laptops and electronics during the pandemic that caused the chip shortage, are starting to feel the pinch.

After a blockbuster second quarter, Apple chief financial officer Luca Maestri warned that supply constraints are crimping sales of iPads and Macs, two products that performed especially well during lockdowns. Maestri said this will knock US$3 billion to US$4 billion off revenue during the fiscal third quarter.

Samsung, which is both a producer and user of chips, said Thursday that revenue and profit at its mobile division, which produces its marquee Galaxy smartphones, will slide this quarter because of component shortages and weak demand for flagship models.

The shortfall of critically needed semiconductors has forced the entire auto industry to cut output, leaving thin inventories at dealerships just as consumers emerge from Covid-19 lockdowns.

In just the past week, Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Plc, Volvo Group and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. have joined the list of carmakers idling factories.

Consultant AlixPartners has said the chip shortage could cost automakers $61 billion in lost sales this year.

"The second quarter is going to be worse for automakers than the first quarter,” said Song Sun-jae, an analyst at Hana Daetoo Securities Co. in Seoul. "The chip-shortage problem could end up lasting longer, maybe into next year.”

Beyond Apple, whose high-specification iPhones and aggressive demands typically place it at the front of the line, deepening chip shortages threaten to dampen a nascent rebound in the entire smartphone market.

Worldwide shipments surged an estimated 27% to 347 million devices in the first quarter — aided by a plethora of new models and China’s swift post-pandemic recovery — but a shortage of components such as app processors could sap that momentum over the rest of 2021.

"Covid-19 is still a major consideration, but it is no longer the main bottleneck,” Canalys Research Manager Ben Stanton wrote today.

"Supply of critical components, such as chipsets, has quickly become a major concern, and will hinder smartphone shipments in the coming quarters.”

At Ford, the shortage will likely reduce production by 1.1 million vehicles this year, John Lawler, the company’s chief financial officer, said on a call with reporters.

Tesla Inc. chief executive officer Elon Musk this week called the chip shortage a "huge problem.”

NXP Semiconductors NV said it’s expecting supply to be tight all year and warned constraints for the auto industry could extend into 2022.

"There are too many uncertainties about when chip supplies will improve, and that’s making it difficult for automakers,” said Lee Han-joon, an analyst at KTB Investment & Securities Co. in Seoul.

"For semiconductor makers, the auto industry isn’t really seen as one of their key customers and that’s putting the carmakers in a much tougher position in securing supplies.”


Rolls-Royce expects China to surpass US as its top market

                LONDON: China is expected to overtake the United States as the world's biggest market for British luxury automobile maker Rolls-Royce, the company's chief executive officer (CEO) told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

Torsten Muller-Otvos hailed the potential of his company as he presented its sales figures for 2022.

Last year, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars sold 6,021 of its luxury cars to customers in around 50 countries, a sales record in the company's 118-year history. Thirty-five percent of the sales were realized in the U.S., 25 percent in China (around 1,500 vehicles), 20 percent in Europe, and 10 percent in the Middle East.

Calling the 2022 sales figures "a fabulous record," Muller-Otvos said the brand is well-positioned and has seen stunning results in basically all markets worldwide. Looking at 2023 and further, the CEO said he was "cautiously optimistic."

"It's fair to mention that in China we have done the second best every year in our history," Muller-Otvos said. "I'm very proud about what we have achieved in China this year."

Asked about the future, Muller-Otvos said that the company is strongly engaged in China and that he would not be surprised to see sales in China surpass those in the United States one day.

A true believer in the Chinese market and its potential, the luxury car maker will open three new dealerships there and will open its second private office outside the United Kingdom in China in 2023, he said.

"We haven't exploited (the Chinese market) completely yet," he said.

Last year, Rolls-Royce unveiled the Spectre, the world's first high-end luxury all-electric car. Its global sales are already exceeding expectations, according to Muller-Otvos. Rolls-Royce plans to go all electric by 2030.

Muller-Otvos said the Chinese market has reacted to the Spectre very positively. Pre-orders exceeded the company's expectations, providing proof that customers in China accept and understand that the future belongs to electric cars.

"I'm very much looking forward to welcoming our Chinese clients back here to Goodwood," Muller-Otvos said. — Xinhua


New Ford Puma ST arrives in Europe

DUNTON: The all-new Ford Puma ST introduces Ford Performance driving dynamics to the compact SUV segment for the very first time in Europe.

The Puma ST is powered by a 200PS 1.5‑litre EcoBoost engine delivering 0‑62mph acceleration in 6.7 seconds.

An optimised chassis features bespoke twist-beam, anti-roll bar and damper configurations. Steering responses are 25 per cent faster and brakes 17 per cent larger than the standard Puma. Specially-developed Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres also help deliver the most agile Ford SUV driving experience yet.

Enhanced with sophisticated Sports Technologies including a unique-in-segment limited-slip differential (LSD) option and patented force vectoring springs, Puma ST also features selectable Drive Modes including Sport mode and – for the first time on a Ford Performance vehicle – Eco mode; providing drivers with options for a wide range of road driving scenarios.

Combined, these innovations deliver the energised driving experience Ford Performance models are famous for across Europe, while retaining the comfort and flexibility offered by Ford’s new compact SUV.

Performance enhancements and aggressive styling sit side-by side with innovative features including Local Hazard Information connected-car technology and the Ford MegaBox that provides 80 litres of storage beneath the boot floor for everyday practicality.

“Real driving enthusiasts aren’t going to settle for less excitement just because life demands a more ‘sensible’ car, so our number one priority was that the Puma ST had to be as exhilarating and capable as every ST model, without sacrificing any of Puma’s practicality,” said Stefan Muenzinger, Ford Performance manager, Europe.

“We believe that we have the best-handling small SUV in its segment. It really does feel connected and has the true ST feel. It is a joy to drive.”


Calgary the world's best city for drivers, claims survey

Traffic on a Calgary street. — Image from Twitter/660 News Traffic
LONDON: All surveys are to be taken with a pinch of salt such as this one, which claims Calgary, Alberta, is the world's most pleasant city for vehicle users.

The survey was conducted by European auto parts vendor Mister Auto.

The third-largest Canadian city scored highest in a combination of 15 parameters that included, among others, road quality, traffic quality, number of fatal accidents, and cost of parking and fuel.

However, regular Calgary commuters will dispute the assessment.

While jams in Calgary are not particularly horrendous, the city ranked in ninth spot out of the top 10 most congested Canadian cities in a 2017 INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard.

Calgarians spent an average of five per cent of their commute in congestion, or 16 hours in traffic during peak times, reported the Edmonton Journal in a Feb 6, 2018 article.

In contrast, Montreal took top honours as Canada’s most congested city, with drivers spending 50 hours — or 13 per cent of their commute — stuck in traffic, said the daily newspaper.

Back to the Mister Auto survey. According to Mister Auto, Dubai came in second, while two other Canadian cities also placed in the top 10: Ottawa and Vancouver. The highest-scoring European city is in Switzerland while only one US city ranked in the top 10. No Asian cities made it to the top 10.

The world's top 10 cities for drivers (scores)

1. Calgary, Canada (100)
2. Dubai, United Arab Emirates (97.87)
3. Ottawa, Canada (96.60)
4. Bern, Switzerland (96.23)
5. El Paso, United States (96.01)
6. Vancouver, Canada (95.99)
7. Gothenburg, Sweden (95.66)
8. Düsseldorf, Germany (95.36)
9. Basel, Switzerland (95.28)
10. Dortmund, Germany (95.27)

As for the details, on the level of traffic jams, you are much better off living in El Paso, USA or Malmö, Sweden than you would be in Mumbai, India. Brisbane, Australia, Salvador, Brazil and Stockholm stand out for air quality, which is at its worst in Lagos, Nigeria.

It is also worth noting that four Swiss cities - Bern, Basel, Zurich and Geneva - are at the top of the list for road quality.

With regard to accidents, taking into account the size of their populations, Manchester, England and Stockholm, have the lowest fatality rates. At the other end of the scale, Lagos, Orlando, Florida and Kolkata, India are among the most dangerous cities for drivers.

Finally, Sydney, Australia is an extraordinarily expensive place to park (with an average cost of RM160 for two hours), worse than New York (RM157) and Brisbane (RM126). A litre of petrol is cheapest in Lagos (RM1.65), Dubai (RM2.42) and San Antonio, USA (RM2.61).

The study focused on 100 cities across the globe, which were ranked on the basis of 15 criteria, linked to infrastructure, safety and costs.


Meet BMW's (G21) 3 Series Touring. It's bigger, lighter and all-around better

                MUNICH: BMW announced that its 3 Series Touring (G21) - a station wagon version of the 3 Series sedan will get its public introduction from June 25 to 27.

Following which, its market-launch will start from Sept 28 onwards and the vehicle will be produced at BMW Plant Munich for customers in Europe, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand.

The G21 has been extensively revised over its predecessor as the body becomes 25% more rigid with the Munich-based company adding that in some areas it up to 50% extra.

The station wagon has grown considerably with a 2,851mm (+41mm) wheelbase with wider front 1573mm (+43mm)and rear 1569mm (+21mm) tracks.

At about 1,650kg (kerb), the G21 measures in at 4,709mm-long (+76mm), 1,827mm-wide (+16mm) and 1,440mm-tall (+8mm) while maintaining a 50-50 front-rear weight balance.

But despite its added dimensions, the G21 is up to 10kg (depending on model) lighter than the outgoing model while aerodynamics have been optimised to cut its drag coefficient down to as low as 0.27Cd.

Up front, the more prominent grille is flanked by LED headlights (BMW Lasterlight optional), LED rear lamps and roof rails.

The rear features LED lamps, powered split tailgate with a 20mm-wider window that gives access to the 500-litre (+5 litres) boot with storage compartment for the tonneau cover.

The boot can be further expanded to 1,510 (+10) litres with the 40:20:40 split rear seats folded.

As an optional extra, anti-slip rails and a powered backrest release can be added.

As standard, the G21 gets fitted with an electric power steering system with Servotronic function with a variable sport steering system available as an option.

With 17x 7.5 wheels fitted with 225/50 series tyres, it hides the front aluminium-steel double-joint spring strut axle and rear aluminium-steel five-link axle - both with hydraulically damped torque strut bearings.

An eight-speed Steptronic suspension manages the 2.0-litre (1,998cc) turbocharged petrol engine producing 258hp from 5,000rpm to 6,500rpm and 400Nm of torque from 1,550 to 4,400rpm for the 330i Touring and all-wheel-driven xDrive Touring variants.

The 320d Touring and all-wheel-driven xDrive Touring variant uses a 2.0-litre (1,995cc) turbo diesel engine with 190hp at 4,000rpm and 400Nm of torque from 1,750 to 2,500rpm.

A more potent 330d Touring and xDrive Touring is also available which uses a 3.0-litre (2,993cc) turbodiesel engine that produces 265hp at 4,000rpm and 580Nm of torque from 1,750 to 2750rpm.

Safety-wise, it comes equipped with six airbags, dynamic stability control, anti-lock braking system and dynamic traction control, cornering brake control, dynamic brake control, performance control, dry braking function, fading compensation and start-off assistant.

Optional extras include an adaptive M suspension and an M Sport differential.


Refreshed VW Arteon R-Line 4MOTION now with IQ.DRIVE, priced at RM299,990

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) today released the refreshed flagship Arteon R-Line 4MOTION, now upgraded with the IQ.DRIVE safety technology.

With the additional kit comes the fact that the Arteon buyer now has to pay more for the car - RM23,000 more than before as the price tag is now RM299,990.

The new IQ.DRIVE features include Front Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control to offer a more comfortable and safer journey.

The flagship sedan is also equipped with a wireless charging port.

Under the hood is the same 2.0L TSI turbocharged engine as before that produces 280PS with 350Nm of torque.

Paired with a 7-speed wet clutch DSG direct shift gearbox, the fastback can accelerate from 0 to 100kph in just 5.6 seconds. It also has a fuel efficiency of 7.4l/100km.

Its handling is enhanced with the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system, which delivers power to the rear wheels when required for better traction and control on the road.

The spacious interior of the Arteon is elegant yet sporty, complemented by R-Line silver trim and new steering wheel. Driver features are innovative, intuitive, and customisable with information all easily accessible via the Digital Cockpit and Discover Pro infotainment system, which features wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

A premium Harman Kardon 700-watt audio system complements the luxurious interior, with 12 speakers that deliver rich and vibrant acoustics.

The Arteon makes a bold statement through its unmistakable design and distinctive lines.

A strong character line runs uninterrupted around the entire car, visually pressing the body volume downward, giving it a dynamic appearance.

Front headlights are equipped with Dynamic Cornering Lights while the LED 3D rear taillights come with sequential turn signals.

The Arteon comes with All Weather Light for wider illumination to enhance visibility during bad weather and poor lighting.

Drivers may customise their drive with the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) with up to 15 selectable increments and five different driving modes – Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport and Individual.

Behind the steering wheel, the high-resolution 11.7-inch Digital Cockpit displays key information where it is needed. The 9.2-inch Discover Pro infotainment system comes with voice and gesture control and supports wireless App-Connect to Apple Car Play and Android Auto. The touchscreen also features configurable split screen views.

The Arteon is equipped with Front Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Side Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Assist.

A 360° Area View system uses four strategically placed cameras to project a 360° view, effectively allowing the driver to view his surroundings for overall parking convenience.

Other safety features include Post Collision Braking System that reduces the chance of a second collision after the initial impact; Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS) that takes preventive measures during an accident by cutting fuel supply, unlocking doors and switching on hazard lights; and Electronic Differential Lock (XDS) improves traction and reduces understeer.

Standard in the Arteon is Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Brake Assist (BA), and Active Bonnet for pedestrian protection. Tyre Pressure Monitoring System observes individual tyres pressure; and Manoeuvre Braking automatically applies brakes when it senses an object at speeds of up to 10kph.

Volkswagen said the Arteon sets the standard when it comes to space. Its wide-opening rear hatch opens to a 563-litre luggage compartment, which is best-in- class.

Additionally, the Easy Open and Easy Close function provides hands-free opening and delayed closing of the boot, giving the driver freedom to remove items using both hands with ease.

Three metallic colours are available: Manganese Grey, Lapiz Blue and Pyrite Silver; as well as two pearl-effect colours; Deep Black and Oryx White.

The refreshed Arteon R-Line 4MOTION is supported with 3 years free maintenance, 5 years unlimited mileage warranty and 5 years roadside assistance.

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

For more information, visit www.volkswagen.com.my/arteon-r-line-4motion.


2020 Toyotas sold in US will automatically park and shut off

                DALLAS: Toyota Motor North America has announced that most models with a 2020-year designation will be equipped with both "Auto Shut Off" and "Automatic Park" features.

On Thursday, Toyota outlined that most of its upcoming vehicles in the 2020 model year lineup will be able to automatically park and automatically shut off, features designed to keep forgetful drivers and those around them safer.

"Auto Shut Off" enables a vehicle's engine to automatically turn off after a designated amount of inactivity. Right now, Toyota models simply alert drivers that the engine is still running and request that it be turned off; adding this feature to 2020 models will potentially reduce theft while also offering owners more personal security and convenience.

To accompany this feature, vehicles will also gain the ability to automatically park with "Automatic Park," an addition designed to minimise roll-away risk.

It will only come to cars with an "electronic means of shifting and/or applying the parking brake;" if a driver leaves his or her vehicle without putting it in park, the car will automatically take care of it.

Both features will be available with "most" vehicles that have a 2020 model year designation.


Proton kicks off X70 previews

                SUBANG JAYA: The Proton X70 has finally had its public debut as Proton Edar Sdn Bhd kicked off its programme of exclusive customer previews in Petaling Jaya, from 19 – 23 September 2018.

Customers, executives from prominent corporations as well as potential corporate buyers were invited to see the interior and exterior design of the SUV.

“Since bookings were opened on 8 September, the response from our customers has been overwhelming. The Proton X70 scales new heights for the company with its modern and sophisticated design, so we are organising previews to allow customers to get a closer look to understand the level of engineering and feel the premium materials we have used in this SUV,” said Abdul Rashid Musa, CEO of Proton Edar.

Those at the X70 preview were treated to a comprehensive presentation on the exterior and interior design elements of the first model to come from the collaboration between PROTON and Geely.

Drawing inspiration from the feline form, the exterior is sculpted with explosive energetic lines that references the family of big cats, especially the Malayan Tiger, which is why it conveys a sense of explosive forward momentum.

The link to the majestic animal is further strengthened by the headlamps, featuring daytime running lights (DRL) that create a distinctive pair of ‘eyes’.

Further Malaysian inspired touches can be found in the grille that features a shape inspired by a bow to deliver an identifiable presence that also captures a sense of agility, speed and lightness.

Proudly displayed in the middle of the distinctive grille is a large Proton badge, framed by three black horizontal bars.

Closer inspection reveal the bars have distinctive repeating patterns called the ‘Infinite Weave’ that is inspired by Malaysian craftsmanship and our rich natural heritage.

The same Infinite Weave pattern is carried over to the interior and presented in strategic locations that don’t stand out but subtly remind buyers of the Malaysian heritage contained in the X70.

Luxurious nappa leather seat covers, high tech user interface systems and metallic accents combine to create an inviting and modern space that stylistically, is soothing to the senses.

During the preview, customers shared their experiences and opinions on the Proton X70.

The general consensus is, this is the best Proton model yet with many impressed by the design and features for the estimated price range.

Darren Ho, general manager of Hong Leong Bank Bhd said, “I think the car is simply amazing and impressive, from the whole design development as a Malaysian car and also a car that will represent Malaysia to the world, I think it’s really great. Great looking inside out and the features are impressive too.”

“I think this is the best car that Proton has ever produced so far with the best design so it is going to be a hit in the market,” said Marizan Nor Basiran, chief technical officer of WZ Satu Bhd.

“The car is very impressive and it’s one of the new models introduced by Proton that can be sold globally,” said Makhzan Hussein, assistant general manager of Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd.

“Outstanding! To be honest, I have never been a big fan of Proton but after this preview, the X70 is really an eye opener; the design, the safety and other features are really impressive,” said engineer Shaun Lin Jern Ming.

Lin estimated the price range to be around RM140,000 – RM170,000 though he hoped it would be lower than that.

The exclusive customer preview sessions that kicked off on 19 September are the first in a series of events spanning seven Malaysian cities that will run until 4 November.

The sessions began in the Central region with events in Penang, Johor Bahru, Kuching, Kuantan, Ipoh and Kota Kinabalu to follow.

“We plan to reach nearly 6,000 potential buyers through the preview sessions and while that’s a small portion of the potential buyers we are targeting, it gives those who are considering the X70 a chance to view the SUV so that they can make a decision. Spaces are limited so anybody who wants to attend should visit the Proton outlet closest to them and speak to the sales team there,” added Abdul Rashid.


Flux now lets you subscribe to a Proton X70

                KUALA LUMPUR: Car subscription service Flux today announced it has added Proton X70 to its fleet of cars.

All units are new and are the Premium version. They are available in Snow White, Jet Grey and Space Grey colours.

You can subscribe to an X70 for 1 month or up to three years. For this Merdeka month, Flux is waiving the RM75 reservation fee on the SUV.

The X70 is immediately available via Flux's Subscribe to Own programme, where you can buy it at the end of a 36-month subscription at a "Guaranteed Future Value" of RM80,888.

"The X70, with segment-leading technology, surprising power and exceptional comfort, has proven to be an incredible success to our first national car brand. Subscribing to an X70 allows consumers to enjoy the best value family SUV, with the convenience and financial flexibility of Flux," said Flux founder/CEO Aziz Ayman.

Under the Flux subscription plan, there are no downpayment and no interest costs. The insurance, road tax, maintenance and wear & tear are included in the monthly subscription. Customers are free to swap cars during the tenure of the plan.

Flux provides a door-to-door service as well.

For more information, contact Flux Customer Service at support@driveflux.com or 03 6411 5611.


Three Ferraris win design awards

                MARANELLO, ITALY: Three Ferraris have won the prestigious Red Dot Award, the world’s leading product design competition which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

The recent FXX-K has been named Red Dot Best of the Best for the top design quality and ground-breaking design, while both the California T and LaFerrari were also singled out by the international jury for Red Dot Awards for the high quality of their design.

Approximately 5,000 innovative entries from 56 nations were in the competition.

The work of the Ferrari Style Centre headed by Flavio Manzoni was selected by an international jury made up of respected designers, design professors and specialist journalists from 25 countries.

The awards ceremony will take place in Essen, Germany, on June 29 next.


UMW auto sales surge 63.8% to 36,358 units in October

                KUALA LUMPUR: UMW Group's automotive sales surged 63.8% to 36,358 units in October from 22,193 units in the previous month, underpinned by improved Toyota sales and a record-breaking performance by Perodua.

The easing of the full movement control order restrictions has led to returning sales for the automotive distributor, which expects the recovery to continue in November and December.

For October, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) recorded 5.8% higher sales of 8,500 units compared to 8,033 units in September with the Vios continuing to lead sales, followed by the Hilux and Yaris.

Year-to-date, UMWT has sold 54,618 units, 24.7% more than than 43,807 units registered in the corresponding period last year.

To refresh its line-up, UMW said it has started order-taking for the new updated Toyota Hilux, Fortuner and Innova, as well as the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, its first locally assembled Toyota model with hybrid electric technology.

Meanwhile, Perodua charted a new monthly sales record with 27,858 units sold in October, which was a huge jump from 14,160 units registered in September.

"We are thankful to the government for the extension of the sales tax exemption as announced in the recent Budget 2022, which we believe will continue to hasten the recovery of the local automotive industry.

"In addition, the incentives proposed for the electric vehicles is expected to promote a greater adoption of electric vehicles in the country," said UMW Holdings Bhd president and group CEO Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Kenali in a Thursday statement.


MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept has a date with Frankfurt

                MUNICH: The MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept design study, which will make its debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, takes the brand to its extremes.

The concept car picks up the baton from the 2012 John Cooper Works GP and 2006 Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit. Produced in strictly limited numbers (2,000 examples each), these two models explored the outer limits of their performance capability at the time.

Described as a car offering "driving fun in its purest form”, the concept features large front and rear aprons, side skirts and a prominent roof spoiler create a confident appearance. The use of lightweight materials such as carbon fibre optimises the car’s power-to-weight ratio. And evenly balanced weight distribution is a ticket to MINI’s signature go-kart feeling.

The car number 0059 refers to the year the classic Mini was born: 1959.

The interior of the John Cooper Works GP Concept is pared back to its core elements, its roll cage joined on board by little more than a pair of low-mounted bucket seats with five-point belts and a cleanly-designed instrument panel. Gearshift is by paddles on the steering wheel.

MINI said cabin elements were designed to be driver-focused. The display and control concept with digital instrument cluster and Head-Up Display places the relevant information for the situation at hand directly in the driver’s eye-line.

Interaction between driver and car is otherwise digital, notably touch-control adjustment of suspension settings in MINI’s familiar central instrument. The display is in large-screen format and there is a large emergency cut-off button along with the traditional MINI toggle switches with start/stop button.


Kia Sorento sports a rugged side

                LOS ANGELES: Since the arrival of the award-winning Telluride last year and the head-turning Seltos in early 2020, Kia Motors America (KMA) has had its sights on building a robust and re-imagined SUV line-up.

As the next step in this capability-focused product strategy, Kia said the all-new 2021 Sorento is poised to bring customers a new level of trail-ready toughness not yet seen from the brand.

To celebrate this rugged personality, KMA unveiled a pair of custom-built Sorento SUVs – the Yosemite Edition and the Zion Edition – during the brand’s virtual national dealer meeting last week.

The two wilderness-themed SUVs build upon the production Sorento X-Line model, a variant that highlights off-road abilities with unique 20-inch wheels, increased ride height to 8.3-in., improved approach/departure angles, more advanced AWD with snow-mode, and a more robust roof rack than the outgoing Sorento.

 The Zion Edition of Sorento.

Customised by LGE-CTE Motorsports of San Dimas, CA, each vehicle receives its namesake and inspiration from the outdoor environments found in America’s great national parks.

The Sorento Yosemite Edition is a dream build for high elevation adventuring and mountain living, painted in “Pine Green” in a matte finish with gloss and matte black accents. The Sorento Zion Edition is a desert escape vehicle made for stomping dunes, painted in “Desert Sand” in a gloss finish with gloss black accents.

Both feature custom fender flares that sit atop 20-inch wheels and 32-inch all-terrain tires. Body armor includes custom skid plates and brush guards in a satin chrome finish.

For packing gear, the Yosemite edition wears a brawny roof rack, while the Zion Edition comes equipped with a full-length cargo top. The duo will be making special appearances around the country to capture the imagination of adventurers and enthusiasts, alike.

While most customers will not take their Sorento to the level of customisation seen on the Yosemite and Zion Editions, many have shown a penchant for personalising their SUVs.

To meet that desire, Kia said it would offer a range of port-installed and dealer-installed accessories. Customers can tailor their Sorento to their lifestyle and needs with attachments such as roof rack crossbars, tow hitches for trailers, and side steps for easier load-in of toys.

The 2021 Sorento is scheduled to arrive in US showrooms beginning this month.


Land Rover already updating the Velar

                LONDON: After just missing out in the final of the 2018 World Car of the Year Awards, the Velar that was only launched last year is already being updated by Land Rover.

Unsurprisingly, the stunning exterior design of the Velar remains untouched, but there are a number of significant updates happening underneath the body shell. Most notably, a fresh six-cylinder diesel engine option is being introduced, but there's also a raft of enhancements to the luxury SUV's driver-assist and safety features.

The new engine is a 3.0-litre V6 diesel developing 271bhp and 625Nm of torque, and models equipped with this unit will wear a D275 badge. Performance figures for the diesel engine haven't been revealed yet, but Land Rover is claiming fuel economy of up to 5.6 l/100km and CO2 emissions of 175 g/km.

Emissions are obviously at the forefront of Land Rover's current thinking as all the petrol and diesel engines in the Velar are being updated with new particulate filters. The P250 and P300 petrols will also be benefitting from larger 83-litre fuel tanks that will allow a greater range between fill-ups.

Among the driver assistance updates are the new inclusion of Steering Assist and Lane Centring features, which are probably baby steps towards autonomous driving as they allow the Velar to maintain a steady path in a single lane.

The standard specification of all versions of the Velar will now include: a rear camera, front and rear parking aids, a driver condition monitor, emergency braking and lane keep assist. The existing forward collision detection system is also benefitting from an upgrade, and will now work at speeds between 6 and 99 mph to warn the driver about potential hazards, while applying the brakes automatically in what the system deems as a critical situation.

Although all versions of the Velar get coil springs as standard, the four-cylinder D240 and P300 models and all V6 variants will now have four-corner air suspension as an available option, and some models will also be available with Adaptive Damping.


US tuner Singer re-imagines the Porsche Turbo — and it's now even faster

                LOS ANGELES: The Porsche 911 Turbo from the 964 series is the Holy Grail for many fans of the Stuttgart marque, but it can still be bettered, according to US tuning house Singer.

Singer's new car gives the original more than a good run for its money and the prototype Turbo Study roars into the limelight with a host of special features and modifications.

The bespoke bodywork has been fashioned from lightweight carbon fibre bodywork and the 3.8-litre twin turbocharged, air-cooled flat-six engine now pushes out at least 450hp - or more if the owner specifies it. That means as much as 160 horses more than the original car had on tap.

Top speed of the factory Porsche Turbo was 270kph but the Singer version is said to be much faster, while less than 3.3 seconds is needed for the 0-100kph sprint.

Tuning firm boss Rob Dickinson said he has already taken more than 70 orders for the car.

“My first ever ride in a Porsche 911 as an 11-year-old in 1976 left me dry-mouthed and speechless" said Dickinson who believes the turbo restomod is "a fitting tribute to a car that changed my life and many others."

Singer says prices for restorations enabled by the Turbo Study are dependent on the specification requested by the car’s owner but do not expect much change out of US$400,000 (RM1.7mil).

The Turbo Study will be at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in Britain from June 23-26 before travelling to the Monterey Peninsula in northern California for Car Week in August.


Saudi prince grabs first Bugatti Chiron supercars

MOLSHEIM (France): A Saudi Arabian prince has bought two Bugatti Chiron show cars well before the illustrious model officially hits the road next year, the super-luxury maker announced via the social networking service Instagram.

The buyer splashed out an estimated US$5mil (RM20.1mil) to clinch the blue Chiron, which was on display at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, as well as the Vision Gran Turismo concept vehicle seen at the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show.

Media reports said the cars had been bought by Prince Badr Bin Saud, who also posted a photo to his Instagram account.

The regular Chiron is expected to retail for US$2.4mil (RM9.7mil) when it touches down in exclusive showrooms, This is considerably more than the Veyron model it replaces.

Volkswagen-owned Bugatti, based in the French town of Molsheim, says it has already pre-sold 200 examples of the production Chiron, which will debut in 2017.

Bugatti said it was "delighted to announce" that the two show cars had "conquered the heart of a car enthusiast and Bugatti lover from Saudi Arabia, who purchased both vehicles to become the crowns of his private car collection."

Both Chirons are fitted with the company's huge eight-litre engine pumping out 1,500hp. — dpa


Lexus celebrates its 10 millionth vehicle sold globally

                TOKYO: Lexus announced on Monday its 10 millionth vehicle sold, a landmark achievement that came shortly after a strong 2018 year-end sales performance with Lexus achieving multiple best-ever sales goals around the globe.

In addition, the brand that pioneered the world's first luxury hybrid-electric vehicle in 2005, and offers 11 electrified models, surpassed the 1.45 million unit mark in self-charging hybrid vehicles sold worldwide. Lexus hybrid vehicle sales jumped nearly 20% in 2018 from the prior year.

Lexus sold 698,330 vehicles worldwide during the 2018 calendar year, representing a 4.5% increase over 2017 (668,515 units). A range of luxury utility vehicles such as the RX and NX, the LC and LS flagships, along with the all-new ES and the first-ever UX, combined to lead the global luxury lifestyle brand to its best-ever year of sales.

"Lexus continues to enjoy substantial growth around the world, expanding its footprint in emerging markets as well as re-affirming its strength in established ones," said Lexus International president Yoshihiro Sawa.