A sea of options with one right answer: What to know about engine oil

                BERLIN: A regular oil change is part and parcel of driving a car. But despite the large range of engine oils out there on the market, not every one is suitable for every car. How do you pick the right one?

Germany's Tuev Sued, a leading technical inspection agency, says that this is an instance where the vehicle's operating instructions are decisive. They should state which oil is prescribed for the engine and fulfils the manufacturer's minimum requirements, says Tuev Sued.

These days, almost all vehicle manufacturers have very specific requirements. In addition to lubricity, internal engine cleaning and seal compatibility are also taken into account in the choice of oil.

To keep the engine running for a long time, drivers should strictly adhere to the specifications and use only manufacturer-approved oil.

Modern engine oils are based on various base oils and mixtures. They also include additives that improve the properties of the oil and adapt it to the various requirements. However, the higher the proportion of additives, the higher the price and quality of the oil.

The operating instructions should also state which viscosity classes the manufacturer considers suitable. The corresponding value indicates the temperature application range of the engine oil.


Free roadside parking in KL from July 2-Aug 31, tweets Annuar Musa

                KUALA LUMPUR: Starting tomorrow until Aug 31, roadside parking in Kuala Lumpur will be free of charge.

Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa who tweeted the good news said that the public do not have to pay for parking and that he hoped the people would use the savings to buy things for the family.

“Consumers don’t have to pay for anything and it is hoped that the savings can be used for things needed for the family," he tweeted.

There were about 46,100 street parking bays in Kuala Lumpur.

However, the news took City Hall officers by surprise as they were not aware of the matter.

“I guess you just have to wait for the ministry to provide the details on that," said an officer who did not wish to be named.


Volvo V90 unwrapped

STOCKHOLM: The eagerly awaited Volvo V90 was revealed today here. The stylish and versatile V90 is the latest in the premium car maker’s top-of-the-line 90 series, sitting alongside the award-winning XC90 SUV and the recently launched S90 premium saloon.

Building on Volvo Cars’ heritage in the estate segment, which began more than 60 years ago with the Volvo Duett, the new V90 takes the premium estate a step forward in terms of aesthetics, materials and finish, while living up to the practical nature of any true estate.

“We have a very strong position in the estate segment,” said Håkan Samuelsson, President and Chief Executive of Volvo Cars. “In many people’s minds we are known as the definitive estate brand. While the Volvo brand today stands for more than estates, we are proud to carry forward this rich heritage with the V90.”

The new V90 is the third car unveiled in Volvo’s top-of-the-line 90 series, all of which are built on the company’s specially designed and fully modular Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), which has opened up a range of new opportunities in terms of how Volvos can be designed, built and equipped.

“The modern premium estate is all about the intriguing combination of a luxurious experience with the functional origins of the estate silhouette. The sophisticated ambience of our new Volvo interiors is combined with a great cargo space, providing the right kind of functionality – whether through connectivity or cargo and storage solutions,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President for Design at Volvo Cars.

The new V90 delivers cutting-edge Pilot Assist semi-autonomous drive technology, the most advanced standard safety package on the market, including Large Animal Detection and Run-off Road Mitigation, and class-leading connectivity, including smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay.

Volvo Cars has also worked on driving dynamics in the new model, to deliver a new and refined driving experience.

“We have a very strong offer in the V90. Our PowerPulse technology is designed to deliver a distinct performance boost to our diesel engine, while the T8 Twin Engine petrol plug-in hybrid will deliver around 410 hp and a pure electric range of around 31 miles,” said Dr Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President of Research & Development at Volvo Cars.

The V90 will no doubt make an appearance at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.


Singapore expects autonomous buses on public roads from 2022

                SINGAPORE: Singapore is hoping to deploy autonomous buses on public roads in three different districts of the city-state from 2022 to provide better connectivity, the country’s Ministry of Transport said in a statement today.

Countries around the world are encouraging the development of self-driving technologies. High-density Singapore, which has manpower shortages in many sectors, is at the forefront of such efforts and is hoping to prompt its residents to use more shared vehicles and public transport.

There are at least 10 companies testing their autonomous technology on the island.

Autonomous scheduled bus services will complement human-driven public buses, and will initially travel on less crowded roads, according to the statement.

Autonomous on-demand shuttles will allow commuters to hail the services via their mobile phones.

The government said it was seeking inputs from the industry and research institutions on the key requirements for the successful pilot launch of these autonomous vehicles.


Porsche presents EV ‘FastCharge' solution

                STUTTGART: Porsche has presented a prototype charging station in Germany with an output of up to 450kW.

It can be used by electric models of all brands compatible with the European standard Type 2 variant of the widely used Combined Charging System (CCS). It promises charging times of less than three minutes for the first 100km range.

The charging capacity of the new "FastCharger" is three to nine times as high as what is currently available via DC rapid-charging stations. Increasing the available charge capacity to up to 450kW considerably reduces the charging time, in turn increasing the number of vehicles able to use the technology in a given space of time.

Two such charging stations are currently available to use, free of charge, as part of the test phase. They are compatible with all CCS-enabled electric vehicles in the Type 2 variant that is standard for Europe. The charge capacity provided adjusts automatically in relation to each vehicle's authorized maximum.

Launched in July 2016, this "FastCharge" project is developed by a consortium including Porsche, BMW group, Siemens, as well as operators Allego and Phoenix Contact E-Mobility.


UMW Toyota starts Aidilfitri Drive sales promotion

                SHAH ALAM: UMW Toyota Motor’s Aidilfitri Drive sales promotion is offering various cash rebates and free accessories.

From June 1 to June 30, 2017 cash rebates of up to RM5,000 will be given for models such as the Toyota Corolla Altis, Camry, Sienta, Innova, Vios, Hilux (selected variants), Fortuner, and Avanza.

With the Toyota Corolla Altis and Vios, there are also free accessories packages.

These are valued at RM5,700 and RM4,000, respectively.

Specifically for Vios, there are also Panoramic View Monitor which is the first to be introduced in its segment.

Those who choose a Toyota Vios will also get an additional duit raya rebate of RM500.

All Toyota models come with a 5-year warranty/unlimited mileage (except for the Toyota Hilux with maximum mileage of 150,000km).


New Audi A8 to feature advanced camera-linked adaptive suspension system

                INGOLSTADT: As cameras are increasingly being used on cars for semi-autonomous safety systems, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and automatic braking, Audi is taking the use of cameras to another level with the new A8 sedan, which will use the technology to predict the road ahead and adjust the suspension for an exceptional ride and the most composed handling imaginable

The A8 is Audi's flagship luxury sedan, so it's probably only to be expected it will feature such an astonishing piece of technology. But the new camera-linked adaptive suspension system is just one of a number of new technological advancements that should once again elevate the A8 to the absolute pinnacle of Vorsprung durch Technik.

When it's launched today, the new A8 will be far and away the most technologically advanced Audi model ever. The new active suspension will be one of the standout features of the uber-sedan, and it will utilize an advanced camera system coupled with individual electric motors so each wheel can adapt incredibly precisely to different road surfaces. It's designed to deliver a more finely differentiated balance between a cosseting ride for passengers and a rewarding experience for the driver than ever before.

All of this is made possible thanks to the car being based on 48-volt electrical system, which is being used here for the first time as the main electrical system in the Audi.

What's so revolutionary about this new suspension system is the fact it's now a truly predictive system rather than being a reactive one. The camera at the front of the A8 detects bumps in the road surface before the wheels actually encounter them, and adjusts the car's active suspension in advance.

This means that even before the Audi gets to a bump, the preview function that's been developed by the German manufacturer transmits the right amount of travel to the actuators which actively control the suspension.

The whole process from detection to adjustment happens in just a few milliseconds as the camera generates information about the condition of the upcoming road surface a staggering 18 times a second, so everything happens without the car's occupants noticing.


Hands-free systems still cause driver distraction

                CHICAGO: Even in-car systems that use voice commands so that a driver can keep two hands on the wheel and two eyes on the road could cause a 27-second distraction after use, according to new data from the AAA (American Automobile Association).

Hands-free isn't always distraction free. In fact, depending on the smartphone or in-car infotainment system, and the nature of the voice command, the AAA claims that a car could have covered the length of three football fields before the driver's focus is fully on the road again.

"The lasting effects of mental distraction pose a hidden and pervasive danger that would likely come as a surprise to most drivers," said Peter Kissinger, President and CEO of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. "The results indicate that motorists could miss stop signs, pedestrians and other vehicles while the mind is readjusting to the task of driving."

READ ALSO: Five good road habits to live by

The AAA tested the hands-free systems available in 10 new cars on sale in the US and also examined the effectiveness of Siri Eyes Free on the iPhone, the Cortana assistant on Microsoft's handsets and the Google Now app on an Android phone.

The systems were used for controlling the stereo, making a call or dictating a text message and though some performed better than others, all systems tested increased mental distraction to "potentially unsafe" levels.

"The massive increase in voice-activated technologies in cars and phones represents a growing safety problem for drivers," said Beth Mosher, director of public affairs for AAA Chicago. "We are concerned that these new systems may invite driver distraction, even as overwhelming scientific evidence concludes that hands-free is not risk free."

Using a five-point scale to rate distraction levels where one is equivalent to listening to the radio while driving and category five is trying to solve a scientific problem designed specifically to overload a person's mind while driving and cause distraction, the best performing in-car system registered 2.4 - that equates to being mentally impaired for 15 seconds. The worst-performing registered 4.6 - a 27-second impairment. As for smartphones, Google Now achieved a category 3.3 distraction, Apple Siri scored 3.7 and Microsoft Cortana 4.1.

"Drivers should use caution while using voice-activated systems, even at seemingly safe moments when there is a lull in traffic or the car is stopped at an intersection," said Mosher. "The reality is that mental distractions persist and can affect driver attention even after the light turns green."


More EEV models in the pipeline, says Perodua

                KANGAR: Perodua plans to produce several new energy efficient vehicle (EEV) models to remain competitive in the compact car segment through its five-year plan (2017-2021).

Perodua Manufacturing Sdn Bhd acting senior general manager Mohd Saifuzzaman Mohammad said the plan was aimed at fulfilling the demand for low fuel efficient compact cars.

“I am not able to reveal the models yet as this is a business strategy but the new models would be of better quality, cheap and fuel-efficient,” he told reporters after handing-out five second-hand computer numerical control (CNC) machines to Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Zul Azhar Zahid Jamal in Kangar today.

Saifuzzaman also said enhancements would be made to the Bezza model, which received five-star recognition by the Asean New Car Assessment Programme recently, and the Axia model, which received great response from customers.

He said each CNC machine costs RM300,000 with a new one priced at about RM800,000 to RM1.3mil.


Mercedes-Benz launches E-Class, its last new combustion engine model

                BERLIN: Mercedes-Benz on Tuesday launched its last new combustion engine model - the next generation of the E-Class, which will be built in Germany and China and go on sale in Europe in the third quarter of this year.

Follow-up models of the E-Class will be built on a new platform adapted for battery-powered cars, though this generation will already be available as a hybrid.

"Building a battery in retrospectively is always a compromise," chief technology officer Markus Schaefer said at a media roundtable. "We have an all-electric E-Class, and it's the EQE."

The car features an infotainment "hyperscreen" across the front of the vehicle, rear-seat entertainment and a projection of the Mercedes star in the brakelights, with entertainment options adapted for audiences in markets from Europe to South Korea and China.

It will go on sale in the United States by the end of the year and China in early 2024.

Mercedes-Benz is targeting exclusively battery-electric sales globally by 2030, but has caveated this ambition by adding it will only aim to do so "where markets allow".

Still, the carmaker said in July 2021 it was dropping investment in combustion engine and plug-in hybrid technology by 80% between 2019 and 2026 and investing 40 billion euros (RM195bil) in electrification between 2022 and 2030.

Other carmakers have begun sounding the death knell on combustion engine models, with Volkswagen announcing the Golf 8 would be the last combustion engine edition of a vehicle which for decades topped Europe's bestseller list.

BMW has kept its options open, not committing to an exit date from combustion engine vehicles. It will stop producing combustion engines in Germany from 2024 but will still produce the cars with engines imported from elsewhere.

READ MORE: New Mercedes- Benz E-Class at a glance


Toyota aims to rev up 67-year-old Crown with SUV model, say sources

All photos are of the Crown sedan.
TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp plans to launch a sport utility vehicle version of its Crown sedan for Japan, China and North America, three people said, revamping a car that has been a showpiece of Japan's market for nearly seven decades.

The SUV — which will come in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full-electric models — marks an attempt to bring the 67-year-old Crown more in line with market trends as consumers shy away from sedans, the people said, declining to be identified because the information has not been made public.

Sales of the hybrid are expected from the summer of 2023 and will include exports to China and North America, while the plug-in hybrid is intended for the domestic market, they said.

The electric model is due to launch in early 2024 and the automaker has yet to finalise export plans, two of the people said.

As part of the overhaul, Toyota will also roll out a fully remodelled sedan version of the Crown from this summer, the people said.

Both the SUV and the sedan will be manufactured at factories in Toyota City, Japan.

A Toyota spokesman declined to comment.

Largely sold in the domestic market for much of its history, the Crown was the first passenger car developed and built entirely in Japan, marking a pivotal moment in the country's rise to become a global automaking giant.

It was also the first car Toyota exported to the United States, in 1958. Two years later Toyota was forced to suspend exports as the Crown engine wasn't capable of speeds needed on American freeways.

Toyota sold more than 200,000 of the sedans in 1990 at the height of Japan's economic boom, but by last year domestic annual sales had dwindled to 21,000.

The Crown revamp also comes as Toyota — like other Japanese automakers — looks to shed the perception it has been slow to embrace battery electric vehicles.

The carmaker said last year it would invest around US$70 billion to electrify its automobiles by 2030.


Project Alpine A4810: Budding designers rise to the challenge

                TURIN: The Alpine A4810 represents a futuristic, hydrogen-powered, two-seater supercar.

It was designed by students at the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) Design School here in collaboration with Alpine.

Twenty-eight Masters students studying Transportation Design at the IED presented their own take on the concept of sportiness with the "A4810 Project by IED": a hydrogen-powered, two-seater supercar based on a brief from the Alpine design team.

Alpine challenged the students to design a "super berlinette" for the year 2035. The two-seater supercar was designed to be a high-performing vehicle both in terms of performance and environmental impact.

Alpine said the student-led project was an ideal way for the company to broaden its horizons to new generations of designers and drivers, and at the same time raise awareness of the project presented by talented students.

The Alpine A4810 Project by IED (length 5,091mm – width 2,010mm – height 1,055mm – wheelbase 2,717mm) is a two-seater supercar with the experimental combination of the shape of a berlinette with a hydrogen powertrain.

While the engine and fuel tanks are built like those on a typical hypercar, the design alternates between empty and full spaces, giving the vehicle a lightweight look and aerodynamic features inspired by Formula 1 models.

The designers focused on the overlapping layers and sculptural aspects of the car’s silhouette. The bi-tone colours, matte black, and carbon fibre highlights create a bold contrast with each part of the car, making them stand out according to their function: aerodynamic, mechanical, or merely formal.

The team of students used digital tools to design the interior through sketches, 3D models, renderings, animations, and HMI (Human Machine Interface) development. In incorporating hydrogen power supply, it meant that they had developed a full-fledged concept that is almost ready to take to the roads of a much more sustainable future, one without emissions.

The students chose a name that conveyed the brand's legacy. In fact, "4810" is the height in metres of Mont Blanc: the highest and most emblematic peak in the Alps that sits at the border between Italy and France, like a bridge connecting IED and Alpine.

The brand, Alpine, is named after the very same mountains and evokes the joy of driving along their winding roads.


Renault faces backlash after failed pollution tests, raids

                PARIS: Shares in Renault plunged by 10 percent Thursday after the company’s diesel cars failed government-ordered pollution tests and investigators raided its facilities, raising fears the French carmaker could be caught up in an emissions scandal.

Officials said however no pollution cheating software was found on Renault cars, as Germany’s Volkswagen admitted in September having installed on 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide, sparking a scandal that could cost it tens of billions of dollars.

But with Renault having invested heavily in diesel engines, investors quickly dumped its shares after unions revealed that French anti-fraud detectives had last week raided several of the company’s facilities.

“Agents from the (anti-fraud unit) DGCCRF intervened in various Renault sites last Thursday,” the CGT Renault union said in a statement.

The probe targeted the sites’ engine control units which, the union said, makes it possible the raids “are linked to the consequences of the Volkswagen rigged-engines affair”.

Detectives took several personal computers belonging to Renault managers, the unions added.

Renault played down the raids, saying they were part of a probe by the DGCCRF aimed “to confirm definitively the initial analysis conducted” at the behest of the French government and which had “not shown evidence of illegal cheating software on Renault vehicles.”

France’s Environment Minister Segolene Royal, who had ordered independent emissions tests of vehicles after the VW scandal broke, said later Thursday that the checks had not found any cheating software on Renault cars.
However, she said the tests found carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions in Renault cars to be too high, as were those of several non-French automakers that were not identified.

Tests for certification of vehicles is done in laboratories, so the results of these tests under actual driving conditions were expected to be higher.

Royal added that “the searches (at Renault) had nothing to do” with the tests related to the VW scandal.        And French Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron, on a visit to Berlin, was quick to note that Renault was “not in any way a comparable situation” to that of troubled VW.

The software on VW engines could detect when the vehicle was undergoing pollution tests in garages and lower emissions, but then allow the car to pollute much more when being driven on the road.

Both Macron and Royal expressed confidence in the French carmaker, in which the state holds a 19.7-percent stake.

Shares in Peugeot, France’s biggest carmaker, fell 5.05 percent, although it released a statement Thursday saying it had not been the target of any anti-fraud raids. It added that similar government tests had resulted in the
“absence of any anomaly” in car emissions.

Renault and Peugeot have invested heavily in diesels, and the engines account for over half of their sales in France. The two companies have much to lose from any shift away from the technology over environmental concerns.

The Renault news weighed on auto stocks across Europe, with BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen all losing more than three percent at the close of trading in Frankfurt.

Volkswagen is facing possible fines that could reach into the tens of billions of dollars in the United States alone over the scandal, and faces probes in other countries as well.


Toyota apologises for upside-down flags

                SHAH ALAM: UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) today expressed their deep regret for the incident occurring at its Authorised Dealer, whereby Malaysian
Flags were hung upside-down.

The company acknowledged that the matter was brought to its attention by concerned Netizens who took to Social Media to duly inform the organisation.

The company also stressed that such matters are treated very seriously and it had no intention to disrespect the country; as it was a genuine and unfortunate mistake.

The dealership has also since taken immediate corrective action by removing the flags and stern action has been taken to ensure such matters do not recur in the future.

“We really appreciate our fellow Malaysians and netizens who spotted this mistake and for notifying us. We have since corrected it and taken measures to ensure that such incidences are not repeated in the future. We deeply regret and apologise for what had happened. As Malaysians we have great respect and love for our country,” said UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K.


Lamborghini maps cautious course towards electrification

                DETROIT: Supercar brand Lamborghini plans to invest US$1.5 billion to produce an entirely petrol-electric hybrid lineup by 2024, but its first fully electric model will not appear until the second half of the decade, the brand's CEO said.

Lamborghini, part of Volkswagen AG's Volkswagen Group, and other players in the rarified market for high-performance sports cars, including Ferrari NV, Aston Martin Lagonda and McLaren, are wrestling with how to shift their lineups to battery power without losing the visceral performance that supports their premium pricing

Lamborghini's plan is to shift its current models — the Huracan and Aventador sports cars and the Urus sport utility — to hybrid, petrol-electric powertrains by the end of 2024, the brand's chief executive, Stephan Winkelmann, told reporters in a video briefing ahead of today's announcement.

During the second half of the decade, Lamborghini plans a new, all-electric model which will likely have seating for four, Winkelmann said. The exact design of that model has not been decided, he said, but, "in terms of the design, the sexier car is a two-door car."

That timetable would put Lamborghini behind Ferrari, which has promised to have a battery-electric model by 2025.

Governments around the world have begun proposing deadlines as early as 2030 for phasing out petroleum-fueled internal combustion vehicles in order to hit climate goals.

For makers of high-performance sports cars, abandoning internal combustion is both a technical and emotional challenge.

The roaring sound of a 12-cylinder engine is as core to the Lamborghini brand as the edgy, aggressive styling of its cars or its rampaging bull logo.

On a technical level, lithium-ion batteries cannot operate for long at top speed on a track.

"We have to define what sportiness is in the new era, in the battery electric era," Winkelmann said. "Range is the top priority. This is still something we have to work on."


Shopee now selling cars and motorcycles

                KUALA LUMPUR: Online shopping site Shopee has started its foray into selling cars and motorcycles.

It has set up two weeks ago a section called Shopee AutoMall that sells vehicles from BMW, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Toyota. They include hybrids. There are also more than 300 motorcycles to choose from.

Users can now browse, compare, book and buy a new vehicle at Shopee AutoMall, which offers attractive promotions. These include booking fees for cars from as low as RM1 and lowered interest rates starting from 1.81% per annum.

Users can also buy new motorcycles at up to 29% discount from a selection of brands including Honda, Benelli, Yamaha, Modenas, Kawasaki and Vespa.


Petron Blaze: For the extra oomph!

Petron Malaysia retail business head Faridah Ali (left) and other VIPs filling up a F4 race car with Petron Blaze 100 RON petrol.
PETALING JAYA: Using the best fuel means travelers get to go further on a single tank to allow for more savings.

As for Petron, all its fuels have the same TriAction Advantage which gives better mileage, better power, and better engine protection through a triple-action formula that helps keep engines clean.

It also contains friction modifiers that helps reduce friction levels between the piston and cylinder wall resulting in a smoother drive and better fuel economy.

Friction modifiers also reduce wear on the fuel pump and fuel injector, as well as allow for a smoother delivery of fuel into the combustion chamber.

In addition, a combustion enhancer helps promote complete combustion of fuels to help increase efficiency and elevate fuel economy.

Petron’s TriAction Advantage is not only formulated in Petron Blaze 100 RON and Petron Turbo Diesel Euro 5, but also in all other Petron fuels - Petron Blaze 97 RON, Petron Blaze 95 RON and Petron Diesel Max.

Petron is also the first and only provider of RON 100 premium fuel in the Malaysian market since January 2016.
Petron Blaze 100 is available at over 70 Petron stations in Malaysia.

Petron Blaze has been proven to increase engine performance through an improved combustion cycle for better fuel efficiency and accelerative qualities.

Another benefit is its ability to lower maintenance costs with its reduced emission levels from being Euro 4M compliant, which translates to an exponentially lower sulphur content of less than 50 parts per million (ppm).

This, in turn, reduces wear on the exhausts’ catalytic converter that filters harmful greenhouse gases from the engine.

Petron Malaysia is the official fuel and engine oil partner of F4 South East Asia, with its Petron Blaze 100 fuel and fully-synthetic Petron Blaze Racing engine oil.

When using Petron Blaze 100 and 97 RON, these premium fuels have been formulated to provide optimum efficiency for smoother engine response, longer engine life, and extended mileage.

Petron Blaze 95 RON on the other hand, has been designed as an efficient fuel with special boosters and optimisers to keep engines clean and give more mileage under all driving conditions.

Petron’s Turbo Diesel Euro 5 fuel, meanwhile, contains less sulphur of 10ppm compared to Euro 2 M diesels at 500ppm. This means Petron’s Euro 5 diesel is 50 times cleaner and can prolong the life and effectiveness of after treatment devices such as catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters.

Petron Turbo Diesel Euro 5 contains a combustion improver for more complete fuel burn, resulting in maximum power delivery.

Petron Turbo Diesel Euro 5 also helps give better combustion for a number of benefits including improved cold start performance, quicker engine start-up, smoother drive, improved fuel economy, improved oxidation stability, as well as protection against corrosion and diesel fuel foaming.


Daniel Craig's bespoke Aston will go under the hammer in NY

                NEW YORK: Auction house Christie's has announced the upcoming sale of an Aston Martin owned by British actor Daniel Craig — the current James Bond. The car will go under the hammer at The Exceptional Sale, held at the Rockefeller Center here on Friday.

The actor's personal, limited edition 2014 Aston Martin Vanquish Centenary Edition is set to go under the hammer here. All proceeds will benefit The Opportunity Network, a non-profit organisation that provides young people with pathways to career development.

The car, made for Daniel Craig by Aston Martin and numbered 007, is estimated to fetch US$400,000 to US$600,000 (from RM1.5mil to RM2.3mil). Aston Martin created just 100 Centenary Edition Vanquish models to celebrate the firm's 100th anniversary.

Designed and hand built in England, this Aston Martin Vanquish has a powerful V12 petrol engine and an automatic gearbox. It has a top speed of 295kph. The car's bespoke exterior and interior reflect Daniel Craig's preference for denim and dark colours with its unique midnight-blue exterior and deep blue, hand-stitched, luxury leather interior.

Launched in London in 2008, The Exceptional Sale is a series of selective auctions of decorative arts masterpieces and significant cultural icons.


China's FAW may acquire BMW partner Brilliance in US$7.2b deal, say sources

                HONG KONG: FAW Group is looking at acquiring Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd, BMW’s main Chinese partner, in deals that may cost it some US$7.2 billion (RM29bil) and then take it private, say two people with direct knowledge of the matter.

The potential acquisition by state-owned FAW, China’s No. 2 automaker, comes at a time when Brilliance’s top shareholder Huachen Automotive Group is on the brink of bankruptcy, having defaulted on 6.5 billion yuan (RM4bil) in debt obligations late last year.

Under plans being discussed, FAW would first buy 30.43% of Brilliance owned by Huachen and 11.89% owned by the state-controlled Liaoning Provincial Transportation Investment Group, said the sources.

It would then make a mandatory bid for the rest of Brilliance’s shares. It is considering offering about HK$11 per share for the two-stage deal, representing a 70% premium to its average share price over the past month of HK$6.48. The shares were trading at HK$6.7 on Wednesday morning.

To conduct a deal, FAW is looking at setting up an offshore investment vehicle and is seeking other investors, said the sources, who declined to be identified as the discussions were confidential.

FAW and BMW declined to comment. Brilliance, Liaoning Provincial Transportation Investment Group did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Huachen said the information was false but did not elaborate. Liaoning province’s state asset regulator, which owns a majority stake in Huachen, also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Reuters reported in September that Liaoning Provincial Transportation Investment Group was planning to lead a consortium of Chinese state-backed investors to take Brilliance private. However, the plan has been put on hold due to differences in valuations and financing difficulties, said one of the people.


May fuel prices same as April's

                PETALING JAYA: Fuel prices for the month of May will remain unchanged.

"It is confirmed that there are no changes to the fuel pump price for May," Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia (PDAM) president Datuk Hashim Othman said late today.

This means that the price of RON95 fuel is RM1.70 per litre, RON97 at RM2.05 and diesel at RM1.55.

The Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry decided to set the prices of petrol and diesel on a managed float system from Dec 1 last year following a removal of all fuel subsidies.


MINI Malaysia kicks off 'Minimise' campaign

                KUALA LUMPUR: MINI Malaysia's Minimise campaign offers exciting deals on select MINI models, as well as the brand’s first digital booking platformfor its entire model range – the MINI eShop.

These include an interest rate starting from 0% exclusively for the MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid, as well as a cash rebate of RM16,000 and instalment support of RM5,000.

The campaign (until June 30, 2020, while stocks last) also offers an instalment support of RM3,000 to RM5,000 for a wide range of MINI models, as well as further cash rebates fromRM8,000 to RM22,000.

On the new MINI eShop (www.mini.my/MINIeShop), customers can book their preferred MINI.

The MINIMISE campaign offers are available from now until 30th June 2020, while stocks last.


Singapore to extend VEP validity period until Sept 30

                SINGAPORE: The Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA) will automatically extend the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) validity period for all Malaysia-registered cars and motorcycles for another three months to Sept 30.

"There is no need to apply for this extension,” said LTA on its website on Thursday.

LTA had previously announced on March 26 that it would extend the VEP validity period for Malaysia-registered vehicles until June 30.

On the website, LTA also noted that the VEP fees incurred before March 18 and after April 14 would continue to apply.

It advised that motorists who wish to avoid accumulating VEP fees and who are unable to personally drive their vehicles out of Singapore may hire cross-border towing/transport services to transport their vehicles back to Malaysia.

On March 31, LTA announced that it would provide a one-off waiver of the VEP fees for all owners of Malaysia-registered cars and motorcycles who have had to stay on in Singapore from March 18 to April 14 as a result of Malaysia’s Movement Control Order.

It was in response to feedback from Malaysian workers in Singapore, their employers and unions, it said.

At present, all foreign-registered vehicles are required to pay VEP fees of S$4 per day for motorcycles and S$35 per day for cars, with each VEP valid for 14 days from the date of entry into singapore.

VEP fees are not payable between 5pm and 2am on weekdays, and on weekends and Singapore public holidays; foreign-registered vehicles are also granted 10 VEP-free days per year.

The authority reminded the motorists to update their Malaysia road tax and vehicle insurance validity dates using LTA’s VEP Digital Service at www.onemotoring.com.sg/ivep/insureapp for the duration of their stay in Singapore.

To calculate the amount payable for their vehicles, motorists can use LTA’s online calculator at www.onemotoring.com.sg.

Motorists are also advised to top up their Autopass Card before driving to the Woodlands or Tuas checkpoints.


Thailand International Motor Expo 2017: Honda Civic Red

                BANGKOK: After Honda in Thailand recently launched the Civic hatchback, it's now unveiled a new Civic Red in sedan form.

Dubbed the Civic Red, it comes draped in Rallye Red and is offered in two variants of a naturally-aspirated 141hp 1.8 EL and 173hp 1.5 Turbo RS - both engines are mated to a continuously variable transmission.

The 1.8-litre variant will roll on 16-inch wheels with 215/55 series, while the more powerful 1.5 turbo RS gets larger 17-inch wheels with lower profile 215/50 series rubbers.

The Civic is also offered in five other colours of Cosmic Blue Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, White Orchid Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic and Modern Steel Metallic.

The 34th Thailand International Motor Expo will be open to the public from Nov 30 to Dec 11 at Impact Arena, Muangthong Thani from 12pm to 10pm daily.


Car sales to dip this year

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), which has revised downwards its vehicle sales forecast by 5.6% to 500,000 units this year, is projecting a tough second half for the industry as businesses continue to be affected by the ongoing nationwide movement restrictions.

MAA president Datuk Aishah Ahmad (pic below) said another downward revision to its 2021 forecast would be inevitable if automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and dealers are continued to be barred from operating.

“Our current revised forecast is based on the assumption that the local automotive industry will be able to resume operations from August. If that does not happen, we may need to revise our targets again.

“We are very concerned,” she told the media during a virtual press conference yesterday.

Tentatively, automotive OEMs and dealers are likely to get the green light to operate under phase three of the National Recovery Plan, which Aishah said might be too long a wait for some players in the industry.

“The business closures in May and June did not help. On top of that, the government has said that sales and production under phases one and two are not allowed. When that happens, it will spill over to the next few months.”

Aishah said that most OEMs will be able to sustain during the current lockdown.

However, for the dealers, especially the smaller ones, it has been tough.

“Many have indicated that if the lockdown continues for at least another month, they will have to close shop.

“We have sent several appeals to the government to let them know why it’s important to allow operations to continue with strict standard operating procedures in place.”

Year-to-date June 2021 vehicle sales rose 44% to 249,129 units from 173,545 units in the previous corresponding period, due to the low base effect in the first quarter of last year when sales were disrupted by the movement control order.

A total of 1,921 vehicles were sold last month, with all units comprising spill-over registrations from end-May 2021.

Aishah added that vehicle sales for July would also be severely impacted by the ongoing lockdown.

On a positive note, Aishah said the ongoing sales tax exemption, which had been extended to the end of this year, is a welcome relief to the local automotive industry.

“The only good news is that the sales tax exemption is still there and the orders are coming, but we cannot deliver as plants and showrooms cannot operate.”

Under the vehicle tax exemption, locally-assembled cars are exempted from the sales tax while for imported cars, the sales tax has been reduced from 10% to 5%.

However, as consumers have been unable to enjoy the perks of the sales tax exemption due to months of lockdown, Aishah is hopeful that the government will consider extending the tax holiday into next year.

“As businesses have been impacted for several months, we’re hoping the sales tax exemption will be extended for at least another six months next year.”

As dire as the situation might be, Aishah said the environment was worse during the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997 and 1998.

“The Asian Financial Crisis was terrible, as most players did not have the financial means to sustain.

“At the time, because the banks were not willing to give out loans, what many OEMs did was they released vehicles to the dealers even without down payments.

“If the dealers had property, we used the grants of the property as collateral. The current situation is still not as adverse as the Asian Financial Crisis.

“At the moment, the sector is dampened because of the sales and business restrictions,” she said.

The Malaysian automotive industry is also feeling the ripple effects of the global chip shortage.

Aishah said many local car manufacturers have been affected.

“Some are worse off than others. We expect the chip shortage to persist for three to four more months as we’re not able to get the supplies from overseas. We’re hopeful that the situation will improve by the third quarter of this year.

“But it’s not just overseas. Even in Malaysia, some of the producers who are manufacturing the component parts for the chips have been getting calls from OEM manufacturers overseas who are concerned about the supply disruptions,” she said.

The Covid-19 pandemic saw a surge in the demand for personal electronic items such as cell phones and laptops, which eventually led to a shortage of chips worldwide as production could not keep up with demand.


Shell Advance Ultra with PurePlus in  limited edition packs

                KUALA LUMPUR: Leading motorcycle engine oil brand Shell Advance has launched its flagship product, namely Ultra with PurePlus Technology, in limited edition packs.

This is in conjunction with the 2015 Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix.

These limited edition packs come in different collectible designs.

The Shell Advance Ultra 10W-40 features the Malaysian Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup (SAATC) riders and also Malaysian Moto3 rider Zulfahmi Khairuddin while the 15W-50 features the Ducati Corse MotoGP team.

Both fully synthetic motorcycle engine oils retail at RM68.30 for a one-litre pack.

Shell PurePlus Technology is a revolutionary gas-to-liquid (GTL) process that converts natural gas into crystal-clear base oil with virtually none of the impurities found in crude oil.

GTL base oil delivers higher levels of cleansing and superior wear and corrosion protection.

As a result, Shell Advance Ultra with PurePlus Technology is able to offer a clean start and deliver more power every time.

Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd managing director Azman Ismail said the limited edition packs reflected the premium positioning of Shell Advance Ultra with PurePlus Technology.

“Shell Advance Ultra with PurePlus Technology is the only motorcycle engine oil in the market that is made from natural gas. It is a result of our long involvement in motorsport that has enabled us to transfer cutting-edge lubrication technology developed for race tracks to products for everyday use on the road,” he said.

Shell’s Technical Partnership with Ducati which started in 1999 with the World Superbike Championship, was extended to include the MotoGP championship in 2003.

In 2014, Shell Advance signed a three-year deal to become the title sponsor of the Asia Talent Cup.

Shell has also renewed its title sponsorship of the Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix, having reached an agreement with Dorna Sports, the MotoGP rights holder, to support the FIM MotoGP World Championship and the Sepang International Circuit’s hosting of the Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix for the 2015 and 2016 championship seasons.

“We are proud that five young Malaysians – Adam Norrodin, Azroy Anuar, Fakhrusy Rostam, Helmi Azman and Shafiq Rasol -- are competing in this season’s SAATC,” said Azman.


Porsche sets aside US$1bil on car digitisation

                FRANKFURT: Porsche AG is increasing spending to bolster the digital products and services that supplement its luxury sports cars to lure more tech-savvy customers, particularly in China.

The German manufacturer now invests €900 million (RM4.4bil) a year on digitisation compared with €800 million (RM3.9bil) previously, chief financial officer Lutz Meschke said in an emailed statement.

The Stuttgart-based company also puts about €150 million (RM730mil) annually into venture capital projects and startups.

“Despite the coronavirus crisis, we haven’t cut a single euro from investments in the future,” Meschke said. “On the contrary, we really step on the gas.”

Volkswagen AG’s most profitable brand is making progress towards its goal for digital offerings to account for a double-digit percentage share of revenue, Meschke said. Some of the services generating sales now include real-time traffic information and a charging planner for the electric Taycan.

“We’re convinced that we only reach our profitability goals if we implement new technologies to develop additional products and services,” Meschke said.

Porsche has a target of generating an operating return on sales of at least 15%, more than double most other VW group brands.

Porsche rebounded quickly from the biggest disruption to the auto industry since World War II, helped by a swift market recovery in China and strong demand for the Taycan. Total global deliveries slipped 3.1% to about 272,200 vehicles last year, compared with a 15% drop for the parent company.

Porsche’s customers in China are much younger than in Europe and expect seamless connectivity of their electronic gadgetry within their car, Meschke said. The company’s vehicles offer integration of Tencent Holdings Ltd.’s WeChat messaging service as well as Apple Inc.’s CarPlay system.

About 82% of customers activated the Porsche Connect app, the brand’s main digital interface, by the end of last year, compared with some 60% in 2018, according to a spokesman. The absolute number of active users exceeded 450,000 last year.

Porsche will flank the Taycan with a more spacious Cross Turismo version this year and plans to launch an all-electric iteration of its best-selling Macan compact SUV in 2022. More than half of Porsche’s global deliveries are forecast to be fully or partly electric in 2025.

“We think Porsche will be the first legacy luxury brand to reach a more than 50% battery-electric vehicle share in the second half of this decade,” UBS Group AG analysts said in a report last week.

“Porsche is also set to benefit from ‘Project Artemis,’ which is led by Audi with the intent to bring next-gen batteries, electronics and software into the premium and luxury vehicles of VW group by 2024/25.”


CES 2016: Delphi to show off advanced active safety and automated driving system

 Delphi 3D cluster.

LAS VEGAS: Delphi has returned to CES 2016  to show an advanced active safety and automated driving system incorporating vehicle-to-everything – V2E – capabilities.

Using advanced software and hardware, Delphi’s vehicle can communicate with streets, signs, traffic lights, other cars and even pedestrians.

At CES 2016, Delphi’s automated vehicle will demonstrate V2E including:

> Vehicle-to-vehicle: Delphi’s car can see all the cars in the immediate vicinity and can detect when an adjacent car abruptly decides to get into the same lane as the Delphi car.
>  Vehicle-to-pedestrian: Leveraging a special chip in a smart phone, the vehicle is alerted to pedestrians who are not paying attention to traffic as they use their phone.
>  Vehicle-to-traffic light: With Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC), Delphi’s vehicle knows the status of traffic lights around Vegas and will anticipate yellow and red lights.
>   Blind Corners: Delphi’s vehicle manages for situations when streets intersect at strange angles that prevent the driver from seeing opposing traffic.
>   Ride Sharing: The driver’s friends and family can be notified of the driver’s location so that a ride can be requested.

While the future of truly automated driving is a long-term development, Delphi currently engineers and manufactures advanced systems that integrate cameras, radars, sensors and software to increase road safety. Next year, Delphi’s industry-first original-equipment V2V technology will appear on the Super Cruise system on the 2017 Cadillac CTS. At CES, Delphi will unveil another industry-first with an aftermarket V2V unit that will enable all equipped vehicles to talk with one another – not just those built with the technology in the factory.

Delphi will also use CES to demonstrate several of its latest advanced technologies including a touch-free cockpit and 3D instrument cluster. Delphi’s touch-free cockpit uses hidden infrared cameras to track eye movement to detect what a driver is looking at and infers what action should be carried out by the infotainment system. The company’s 3D cluster uses multi-layer graphics technology to create a high-end, enhanced driving experience.

Three months after its introduction at CES 2015, Delphi’s automated vehicle completed the longest automated drive in North America - traveling from San Francisco to New York.

“We imagine a world with zero traffic accidents,” said Jeff Owens, Delphi chief technology officer. “To get there we will need a convergence of active safety, sensor fusion, connectivity platforms and advanced software. Delphi has proven we are the only company that has the right mix of all of these.”


Citroen electrifies Spacetourer people carrier

                PARIS: Citroen is now offering its Spacetourer van with electric drive and up to 75kWh of battery to give the spacious vehicle a range of up to 316km.

From now on, the French automaker will also offer the model as an e-Spacetourer with home market prices starting at €50,880 (RM255,000).

It's available in three lengths and two wheelbases and, apart from the lettering and a few colour accents, looks completely unchanged from the normal model.

According to the manufacturer, the van is only available with a 136hp electric motor on the front axle, which enables a top speed of 130kph.

Customers can choose between two battery capacities: 50 kWh for a standard range of 224km or 75 kWh for up to 316km.

Because the batteries are installed under the floor of the car, owners won't have to make any sacrifices in terms of the interior space or variable setups, according to Citroen.

The electric Spacetourer can also carry up to nine people in various seating configurations. And when all seats or benches are removed, a maximum of 4,500 litres of cargo can be transported.


Suzuki Jimny Rhino limited edition unveiled at RM175K

                SEMENYIH: The Suzuki Jimny Rhino, available in pure pearl white and limited to 30 units, is priced at RM174,900 before insurance, and offers a range of exclusive features and upgrades for enthusiasts.

Launched by Suzuki cars distributor Naza Eastern Motors, the Jimny Rhino has the iconic Rhino logomark that pays homage to the heritage of the Suzuki SJ series, the second generation Jimny which first appeared 41 years ago.

A highlight is the red, gray and black decals running on the hood and profile, with the words “Real Offroader” and a rhino graphic.

Nostalgic features include the Suzuki Heritage grille that matches the chrome side mirrors, together with the side and front bumper under garnish.

Other nostalgic features are the red mud flaps with white “Jimny” lettering, and the rear spare tyre cover with the Rhino logo.

The front and rear differential guards as well as the rain and wind deflectors are installed as further protection from the weather.

The Jimny Rhino edition's launch takes place almost two years after the Jimny's return to the Malaysian market.

To commemorate the unveiling of this new edition, a Jimny Lifestyle drive was held recently.

The flag-off was officiated by Naza Automotive Group CEO Mohd Rizal Jailan with more than 30 Jimny owners who joined in a convoy drive from the Suzuki Cars Petaling Jaya showroom to the Malaysia 4WD Training & Experience Centre (M4TREC) in Semenyih, where the Jimny Rhino edition was unveiled by Naza Eastern Motor’s chief operating officer Mohamad Irwan Shahril, followed by an off-road demonstration and exercise by Suzuki Jimny instructors.

Irwan said, “Additionally, the Jimny Rhino kit edition is worth RM15,000 and will be available to all existing Jimny owners, enabling them to enjoy the same upgrades as the new variant. This initiative showcases our commitment to enhance ownership experience and offer opportunities for customers to personalise their vehicles according to their preferences.”

He added, “Suzuki Cars Malaysia aims to strengthen its brand loyalty and customer retention by providing exceptional experiences for Jimny owners.”

Naza Eastern Motors first launched the Suzuki Jimny All Grip in July 2021 with a few colours available in the market.

Also present at the unveiling were Naza Eastern Motors board members Datuk Mazlan Kamaruddin and Datuk Nik Hamdam Nik Hassan.

To book a test drive, contact Naza Eastern Motors at +60102744480 (Faiz) or +60125840068 (Khairul).


Sept 22-28: RON97 petrol down 10 sen to RM4.05

                PETALING JAYA: The retail price of RON97 petrol will drop by 10 sen from RM4.15 to RM4.05 per litre, while those of RON95 and diesel will remain unchanged for the week from Sept 22 to 28.

The Finance Ministry said today the ceiling price of RON95 petrol and diesel would remain at RM2.05 and RM2.15 per litre, respectively, even though the real market price of the two products had risen beyond the current ceiling price.

It said the prices were set based on the weekly retail prices of petroleum products using the Automatic Pricing Mechanism formula.


Auto sector in Malaysia to remain challenging

                PETALING JAYA: The local automotive industry is expected to remain challenging for car companies for the remainder of 2015, on the back of prolonged tightening of banks’ hire-purchase rules and slowdown in the Malaysian economy.

In a research report yesterday, Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) said the jump in fuel prices, interest rates and depreciation in the ringgit would also have an impact on local auto players.

“We expect the automotive industry to remain challenging on the back of volume decline (except for valued small-size cars such as Perodua), high input costs and high operational and marketing cost.”

Despite the measure to raise car prices, HLIB said the current stiff competition within the industry may defeat such move, as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) continue to offer various incentive and promotional packages.

“The industry faces declining sales volume on the back of weakened consumer sentiments. OEMs will have to balance sales volume and prices.”

The research house has maintained an “underweight” call on the local automotive industry.

“Our top pick is MBM Resources Bhd, leveraging on sustainable demand for Perodua.” MBM has a 20% stake in Perodua.

Kenanga Research, meanwhile, said auto sales would gain momentum in the fourth quarter of this year, driven by aggressive advertising and promotional (A&P) activities, festivities and stronger seasonal patterns.

“Recall auto sales in the second half for the past three years accounted for 51% to 52% of the full-year total industry volume numbers.

“Meanwhile, to make up for the lagging sales caused by weaker consumer sentiment in the first half, we believe auto companies will be more aggressive on A&P activities for the remaining months of 2015.”

The research house added that stronger sales in the fourth quarter could very likely be at the expense of margins.

“Another concern is the unfavourable exchange rates, particularly for the auto players with high-denominated US dollar costs due to the import of completely-built-up (CBU) vehicles, completely-knocked-down (CKD) packs and other components.

“These have been evidenced in the sub-par second-quarter 2015 results of both UMW and Tan Chong where the higher CKD kits and CBU costs were the main culprits.”


VW to unveil Atlas 5-passenger concept in New York

WASHINGTON, D.C.: While Ford appears to be pursuing a policy of making its passenger models as global as possible, some European manufacturers appear to be going in an opposite direction of building vehicles specifically for certain markets.

Volkswagen is one such manufacturer, and it appears to be launching so many different SUVs in so many different forms around the world, it's starting to be difficult to keep track of them all.

The latest new SUV we're hearing about is a five-passenger version of the Atlas, which will be unveiled in its concept form at the upcoming New York International Auto Show later this month.

It was at last year's New York event when the German automaker's CEO Hinrich Woebcken told reporters a five-seat version of the Atlas crossover would be part of continuing investment in VW's Tennessee plant. And Volkswagen has now confirmed a two-row version of the Atlas is going to be put into production there to add to the three-row Atlas in the company's SUV portfolio.

Although the vehicle that will be unveiled in New York is being billed as a concept, we shouldn't expect anything wild or outlandish as this is going to be a very close representation of what the final production model will look like. It's expected that the new model will appear as a shortened version of the larger Atlas, although it could turn out to be a little sportier with some modest differences to the front and rear styling.

There's already been an artist's impression of the new model released by Volkswagen, and although it's a lot more stylised than the finished vehicle will look, the swoopy "floating" roofline, three-bar grille, smaller, more integrated headlights, and prominent low front intakes are all elements we expect to feature to some extent.

Volkswagen hasn't revealed a final name for the model, so it's hard to see exactly how it will be marketed. The concept artwork suggests a coupe-like crossover along the lines of the BMW X6 and X4, instead of it simply being a shrunken version of the existing Atlas. A new name would mark it out as a new addition to the range in its own right, although Atlas Sport has to be a likely, if somewhat unimaginative contender.


Apple in talks with potential suppliers of sensors for self-driving cars, say sources

The latest moves provide fresh evidence of Apple’s renewed ambitions to enter the autonomous vehicle derby, an effort it calls Project Titan. — AFP
SAN FRANCISCO: Apple Inc has held talks with at least four companies as possible suppliers for next-generation lidar sensors in self-driving cars, evaluating the companies’ technology while also still working on its own lidar unit, three people familiar with the discussions said.

The moves provide fresh evidence of Apple’s renewed ambitions to enter the autonomous vehicle derby, an effort it calls Project Titan. The talks are focused on next-generation lidar, a sensor that provides a three-dimensional look at the road.

Apple is seeking lidar units that would be smaller, cheaper and more easily mass produced than current technology, the three people said. The iPhone maker is setting a high bar with demands for a “revolutionary design,” one of the people familiar with the talks said. The people declined to name the companies Apple has approached.

The sensor effort means Apple wants to develop the entire chain of hardware to guide autonomous vehicles and has joined automakers and investors in the race to find winning technologies.

Current lidar systems, including units from Velodyne Inc mounted on Apple’s fleet of self-driving test vehicles, use laser light pulses to render precise images of the environment around the car. But the systems can cost $100,000 and use mechanical parts to sweep the laser scanners across the road.

That makes them too bulky and prone to failure for use in mass-produced vehicles. The shortcomings have spurred $1 billion in investment at dozens of startups and mature companies alike to make lidar smaller, cheaper and more robust.

Apple’s interest in next-generation lidar sensors comes as it has sharply increased its road testing while bringing on key hires from Tesla Inc and Alphabet Inc’s Google.

It remains unclear whether the goal of Apple’s Project Titan is to build its own vehicle or supply the hardware and software elements of self-driving car while pairing with a partner for the entire vehicle.

But what is clear from Apple’s interest in cheaper lidar systems is that it wants to control the “perception stack” of sensors, computers and software to drive an autonomous vehicle, regardless of who makes the vehicle, another person familiar with the talks said. The three people familiar with the talks declined to be identified because the discussions are not public.

In addition to evaluating potential outside suppliers, Apple is believed to have its own internal lidar sensor under development, two of the people said.

Alphabet-owned Waymo has taken a similar path, assembling a sensor and computer system while inking deals to buy vehicles from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Apple gets “a lot of optionality by working on the perception stack,” said the second person familiar with the talks. “Bringing a passenger car to the market is really, really hard, and there’s no reason right now they need to jump into it.”

Reducing costs

The designs Apple is seeking could potentially be made with conventional semiconductor manufacturing techniques, all four people familiar with the talks said.

That has the potential to lower prices from the many thousands to the hundreds of dollars as the sensors are produced in larger numbers, similar to chips in phones and other devices. Apple also wants sensors that can see several hundred meters (yards) down the road.

The long-distance requirement shows Apple is interested in fully self-driving vehicles, versus the more limited features such as adaptive cruise control used today, two people familiar with the matter said.

“They’re not happy with most of what they see,” the first person familiar with the matter said. “They’re looking for a revolutionary design.”

A third person familiar with the matter said Apple is seeking a “design-oriented” sensor that would be sleek and unobtrusive enough to fit into the overall lines of a vehicle.

Apple declined to comment.

Apple once investigated building its own vehicle. The company had a team of more than a dozen engineers dedicated to detailed work such as ensuring doors closed quietly instead of slamming shut, a fourth person briefed on the matter said.

Apple last year re-hired Doug Field, an Apple veteran who was serving as Tesla’s engineering chief, to work on Project Titan. The project has about 1,200 people, according to a count in court documents.

Field has been putting his stamp on the effort, laying off about 190 workers but also bringing on key hires such as Michael Schwekutsch, who oversaw electric drive train technology at Telsa. Apple also ramped up its testing miles in California, driving nearly 80,000 last year compared to 800 the year before.


Tesla Models S, X unavailable in some Asia-Pacific countries, website shows

                AUSTIN: Tesla's Model S and Model X were not available for order in some Asia-Pacific countries, including Australia, Thailand, Singapore and New Zealand, the automaker's website showed on Sunday.

Other Tesla Inc models, such as Model 3 and Model Y were available in these countries, according to the website.

It was not immediately clear why these models were not available. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Elon Musk's electric vehicle maker posted record deliveries in the January-March quarter, but deliveries of higher-priced Model X and Model S vehicles slumped by 38%.

Tesla has been aggressively cutting prices for some of its models this year across markets to juice demand as competition among electric-vehicle makers heats up around the world.

Investors have been watching Musk's gamble that cutting prices would stimulate sales, although they worry about eroding margins.


KIA rustles up a topless Optima

                LAS VEGAS: Some of the words and phrases often associated with the KIA brand include reliable, assured, considered, and comfortable. However, exciting and adventurous are two words that don't spring to mind, at least not yet.

However, when the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show gets under way here today, that could all change.

The Korean carmaker has already announced that it will be embracing its spirit of adventure for this year's event, and the first teaser images of what exactly this constitutes are now official -- and they don't disappoint.

Potentially the star of KIA's stand will be the A1A Optima. Based on the standard Optima sedan, it has been reimagined to make a serious statement while coursing through the Florida sunshine. So it is roofless and boasts rear passenger suicide doors, just like a 1960s Lincoln Continental or current Rolls Royce Phantom.

A drop top is one of the few vehicles that KIA doesn't have in its range and the concept, called the A1A in honour of the Florida highway, shows that the Optima is a surprisingly good donor car for a bit of convertible surgery.

 The Forte Koup Mud Bogger,

As well as chopping the roof, the front windshield has also been cut down for a more rakish appearance. The car is noticeably lower too, sitting on highly polished 20-inch alloys that contrast nicely against its sky blue paint finish and butter cream leather interior. The cabin is also full of custom touches including a one-off center console and two individual rear seats for extra comfort.

And although it's just a customised concept, KIA says that the A1A is properly strengthened, just like a production soft-top, in order to retain the rigidity and safety that's lost when the roof is removed.

But KIA's sense of adventure doesn't stop with a solitary convertible. In total, the company will be showcasing six hand-built concepts at this year's show, each of which takes its inspiration from a different region of the US and its predominant car culture.

Alongside the A1A, the company has also offered a glimpse of the Forte Koup Mud Bogger, which represents the "adventurous American South and the inexplicable joy of getting dirty on four wheels."

So the Koup's ground clearance has been increased massively thanks to 28-inch off-road tires and the wheel arches flared to cope. To boost visibility, the roof is panoramic and has a fold-back vinyl hatch; inside the cabin is dressed in a special protective coating that can be washed down after each adventure. The final touch is a roll cage to protect the most exuberant of off-roaders.


2016 Beijing Auto Show: Volkswagen Magotan debuts

                BEIJING: Volkswagen had a world premiere of the new Magotan, at the Beijing Auto Show 2016.

The new Magotan has a long wheelbase as it is aimed at those who want a chauffeur-driven limousine.

Made in China for the Chinese market, the new Magotan will have three powerful TSI engines (150PS, 180PS and 220PS).

The engines over 180 PS are equipped with a dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) as standard.

Based on the Volkswagen Group’s modular transverse matrix (MQB), the new Magotan also features a plethora of cutting-edge driver assistance and convenience systems.

These include the Proactive Occupant Protection System, the Front Assist ambient traffic monitoring system with City Emergency Braking function, the Side Assist lane change assistant and the Lane Assist lane departure warning system.


Green Goddess: Liz Taylor's famous Rolls Royce sold for bargain price

                NEW YORK: Drophead coupe Silver Cloud II for sale: Some 65,000km on the odometer, left hand drive, elderly lady driver, hardly used since purchase in 1960.

A green Rolls Royce owned by actress Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011) has been sold at auction here for US$520,000 (RM2.18mil) — a bargain considering initial estimates.

The "Green Goddess," as it the actress named it, was sold to an anonymous bidder, a spokesman for the auction house Guernsey's New York said on Wednesday.

Painted at the actress' request in her favourite colour, and appearing on the set of the film "Cleopatra" in Rome, the classic drophead coupe Silver Cloud II was estimated by Guernsey's to sell for four times more than it did.

Taylor was given the iconic car in 1960 by her then-husband Eddie Fisher. She kept the Rolls Royce for over 20 years before it was bought by Californian collector Karl Kardel in the late 1970s.

Although the actress held on to the car for so long, Kardel told The New York Times that it is uncertain whether she ever drove it. "I do not think Elizabeth ever had a driver's license," he said.


Next-gen Hyundai i20 WRC to debut in 2016

                FRANKFURT: The Hyundai Motorsport team will debut the New Generation i20 WRC at the start of the 2016 FIA World Rally Championship at Rallye Monte-Carlo.

Hyundai Motorsport had hoped to introduce the car later this season. However, there has been a change on the planned homologation of the New Generation i20 WRC due to production schedule.

The Hyundai Motorsport team recently completed a four-day test of the New Generation i20 WRC car in the Spanish region of Almeria. The test marked the next important phase of development for the car, which will make its debut in the 2016 FIA World Rally Championship.

The team’s test driver Kevin Abbring and his co-driver Sebastian Marshall were at the wheel of the New Generation i20 WRC together with Thierry Neuville and Nicolas Gilsoul.

Work focused on engine and chassis development, as well as altitude testing with the latest iteration of the car, which has been upgraded compared to the version used in previous tests.

Team Principal Michel Nandan commented: “We had hoped to introduce the new car later this season but unfortunately an issue with the homologation schedule - related to production of the three-door road version – will delay our programme. We have therefore opted to continue focus on the five-door version of the New Generation i20 WRC which will compete at Rallye Monte-Carlo next year."


Alibaba to develop self-driving trucks with logistics unit Cainiao

Cheng Li speaking next to a Cainiao autonomous delivery robot in Hangzhou today. — Reuters
HANGZHOU: Chinese e-commerce leader Alibaba Group Holding Ltd plans to develop self-driving trucks with logistics subsidiary Cainiao, chief technology officer Cheng Li said today.

Cheng also said Cainiao aims to introduce 1,000 autonomous delivery robots in China over the next year.

The announcement comes as dozens of startups, automakers and large technology firms, such as internet search leader Baidu Inc, accelerate work on self-driving vehicle systems, which are widely expected to bring a sea change to the transportation industry.

Other self-driving truck makers include US firm TuSimple Holdings Inc, which listed shares in April.


Toyota Dream Car Art Contest 2022 national level winners announced

                SHAH ALAM: UMW Toyota Motor has announced the winners of its annual “Toyota Dream Art Contest” who have impressed the judges with their creativity expressing their dream car through art.

Emerging as the top and talented young artists in the National Contest, these nine artists will be making their way to Japan and representing Malaysia in the World Contest on August.

UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K said the company received over 2,280 entries despite the pandemic.

 Chong Jia Juan.

“We are very inspired by the imagination and ideas of these children and I enjoyed looking at the future of mobility through their perspectives,” he said.

The winners are Chong Xia Juan, seven years old, from Category 1 (seven years old and under), Choo Yi Zhe, 10 years old, from Category 2 (8-11 years old) and Liew Jia Xin, 13 years old, from Category 3.

The artworks of the three talents stood out the most although every submission was invigorating and stimulating, brimming with the passion and dreams of the young artists.

 Choo Yi Zhe.

At the virtual Toyota Dream Car Art Contest closing ceremony, UMW Toyota Motor executive director of sales Mohd Shamsor Mohd Zain thanked the participants for sending in their submissions and for their continued support towards the initiative.

He also applauded the creativity of the participants and hopes that the next generation of great inventors, thinkers and dreamers can be nurtured from this contest.

For details and the history of the contest, visit the websites of Toyota Global and UMW Toyota Motor.

 Liew Jia Xin.

Toyota Global website: https://www.toyota-dreamcarart.com

UMW Toyota Motor website: https://toyota.com.my/toyotadreamcarartcontest.my


Meow! Ora Good Cat spins its charm

UPDATE: Pre-booking started from Nov 11, 2022

PETALING JAYA: The Ora Good Cat is selling well in Thailand and it is only a matter of time before it makes its official debut on this side of the border.

Well, the time is near. The Good Cat will launch in Malaysia in November. Word is that the hatchback would be offered in at least two variants and indicative pricing is from RM150,000 to RM180,000.

So, still not as affordable to the masses as we had hoped, and continuing to bolster the point that the early batches of electric cars are only for the well-to-do.

For reference, the 5-seat Good Cat is sold in Thailand in three variants (Tech, Pro and Ultra) with prices from just under RM100,000 to around RM120,000 as a result of the latest government perks to promote EV usage there.

Like the Thai situation, Malaysian customers would get the car in fully imported form first. Local assembly is expected to start at a later stage.

Ora is the electric sub-brand of Great Wall Motor, which announced its arrival as the principal in July with the formation of Great Wall Motor (GWM) Sales Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

To create even more buzz ahead of the Good Cat's official launch, Great Wall Motor held a test-drive event from Oct 26-27 at the sprawling Gamuda Cove township in Banting.

Members of the media were split into two groups and slotted into one of the two dates to try out the Ultra variant, which touts a 500km range (NEDC) and a 63.1 kWh ternary lithium battery.

The other battery configuration is a 47.8-kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery offering 400km range.

An electric motor powers the front axle in both cases.

Prior to hitting the open road, the 1.5-tonne Good Cat showed its moves in a slalom course that also included emergency braking maneouvres.

Then it was time to take the Good Cat out on the open road towards Putrajaya. The 70km round trip involved driving the Good Cat over highways and twisty back roads to showcase the car's dynamic abilities.

The retro-modern design of the Good Cat along with its two-tone body that's echoed in a minimalist interior is attractive. Some of its features will make one go: "Ehh! This looks familiar. I have seen it in another car before." Examples are the daytime running lights, the toggle switches and the quilted lining on the doors. The bodyshape is also reminiscent of several other compact cars on the road.

The drive on the whole was competently handled. The 105kW/210Nm motor is not exceptionally powerful but it gets the job done in moving the car off at a brisk pace.

Acceleration is progressive and smooth and body roll is well restrained with a firm suspension that's also to offset the weight of the battery under the floor.

More details on the Good Cat's driving manners will be forthcoming on Nov 3.

SPECIFICATIONS


LG Chem sees electric vehicles accounting for 15% of all car sales in 2024

                SEOUL: South Korea’s LG Chem, one of the leading electric vehicle (EV) battery makers, expects global sales of EVs to grow more than five-fold from 2018 levels to account for about 15% of global vehicle sales in 2024, it said today.

LG Chem, which counts General Motors and Volkswagen among its customers, also forecast battery costs, which account for about one third of EV prices and serve as one of the biggest hurdles for the wider adoption of EVs, would fall to US$100 per kilowatt hour in 2025 on average from US$200 in 2015.

Speaking at a conference here, LG Chem’s battery chief Kim Jong-hyun said tighter regulations in Europe and China, especially from next year, and the rise of autonomous vehicles and ride-sharing services would serve as “catalysts for the explosive growth” of EVs.

He also expected automakers to roll out more affordable electric car models, fueling growth of the market which has so far been driven by government subsidies.

He said LG Chem expected sales of pure electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles would grow from 2.4 million last year to 13.2 million in 2024, which would account for 15% of total vehicle sales that year.

Last year, 2.4 million electric vehicles were sold, according to LG Chem. That represented less than 3% of total global vehicle sales, according to Reuters calculations based on data from researcher IHS Automotive.

He said the value of the global battery industry was expected to exceed that of the semiconductor market by 2025.


DRB-Hicom now has its own university

                KUALA LUMPUR: The International College of Automotive (ICAM), a member of the DRB-Hicom Group, has been conferred university status by the Ministry of Higher Education.

Its new name is DRB-Hicom University of Automotive Malaysia.

With the upgrade, DRB-Hicom University of Automotive Malaysia is now among the first in Asean to offer home-grown bachelor, master and doctoral degree programmes relating to the automotive ecosystem, which includes mechanical, business and management studies.

 ICAM is no more. Welcome to DRB-Hicom University of Automotive Malaysia.

"This elevation into becoming a full-fledged university marks a significant milestone for its growing stature as a leading institution of higher learning in the region," DRB-Hicom Bhd Group managing director Tan Sri Mohd Khamil Jamil said in a statement last week.

He said the DRB-Hicom University of Automotive Malaysia plays an important role towards making sure that the nation has a steady supply of industry-ready workforce and meeting the governments objective of developing a knowledge-driven society.

"What makes us different is our balanced approach to education; similar to the dual training concept, widely practiced in Germany where nearly 60 per cent of its workers are trained as apprentices.

"This combination of theory and practice gives our students a headstart in their careers as they would have accumulated the required technical knowledge together with hands-on experience in their jobs," he added.

Operating from a 16.9-hectare campus in Pekan, DRB-Hicom University of Automotive Malaysia is placed alongside DRB-Hicom's regional automotive hub, which houses the nation's largest integrated automotive assembly complex, making it probably one of its kind in the world.


Are electric cars great fun to drive - or just plain boring?

                BERLIN: Everyone is talking about all-electric cars, but few people have actually driven one. Those who have are almost always impressed by the nearly silent running and near-instant acceleration.

Range anxiety and the lack of a sporty engine note might put off some people, but many motorists who have driven an electric vehicle were taken with its attributes - so much so that they did not want to return to a car with a conventional petrol or diesel engine.

“An electric car is like an oasis of calm, powerful but silent,” says Wieland Bruch from BMW. He’s responsible for the upright i3 runabout from Germany, which can dash from traffic lights without a trace of wheelspin and presses on with barely a whisper from the electric motor. The i3 driver hears nothing but the rumbling of tyres on tarmac, and with the windows down, the sound of birds chirping.

It’s certainly green, but is in fun? Some fans and experts weigh in.

“The acceleration is breathtaking,” says Christian Loeer, Jaguar’s German marketing boss, when he unveiled the new all-electric Jaguar I-Pace. “The 694Nm of torque are available immediately,” he exclaimed. In other words, the vehicle’s occupants are flung back in their seats when the driver hits the accelerator hard.

It’s no surprise that the Jaguar man praises the brand’s car, yet very fast acceleration is one of the most striking things about driving a pure electric car. Electric cars develop torque - the drive that makes a car feel fast - from the outset, while a petrol engine burning a mixture of fuel and air takes longer to wind up.

A Nissan LEAF electric car has 150hp and takes 8.8 seconds to leap from zero to 100kph.

A Porsche Macan sportscar with a four-cylinder petrol engine with 252 horses is a tad quicker, at 6.7 seconds, but nowhere near as rapid as the iPace. The Jaguar bounds to 100kph from a standstill in just 4.8 seconds. Its electric motor is rated at 400hp.

Jaguar man Looer believes that the fun factor is one of the most important incentives to drive an electric car. “I grew up with cars and I had considerable reservations,” says Looer. They vanished the moment he got behind the wheel, he recalls.

However, despite being environmentally friendly, as well as the enthusiasm for their advantages, electric cars have not caught on; even in car-mad Germany, only a fraction of the millions of new vehicles registered annually have electric power-trains.

Experts are not surprised at the consumer hesitation. This is due in part to the limited range of pure electric models on offer, says automotive guru Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer of Duisburg-Essen University.

“That will have to change,” says the expert. In the fight to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions, the European Union has told manufacturers to further cut the amount of CO2 that cars emit into the atmosphere.

That should spur major carmakers like Volkswagen, which hopes to sell 1.15 million electric cars by 2022. BMW is aiming for 230,000 pure electrics sold and Daimler 250,000.

BMW manager Bruch believes electric cars fit in well with modern attitudes towards mobility, with drivers prepared to switch to public transport and rail services to suit their needs. “I believe in being as electric as possible - if I can’t go by car, I travel by train.”

Range is increasing with each new all-electric that appears on market. The LEAF with its 40KWh battery, is a good example. The latest edition can manage up to 415km on a charge, which puts it on a par with a combustion-engined vehicle. Jaguar is promising owners 480km of travel before the batteries need replenishing.

Charging infrastructure is also getting better, but there are big gaps in rural areas. This is set to change soon, say experts.


Playmobil makes VW camper van toy for the grandkids of all hippies

                BERLIN: Today's toddlers will hardly remember the original and neither will their parents, but that hasn't stopped toy manufacturer Playmobil building a model of the world's most iconic hippie van.

The plastic miniature of Volkswagen's famous 1960s camper van - which is about 18 times smaller than the real thing - opens up to reveal an intricate interior.

A bench seat tips up and cupboards actually open, while the red and white model also has a roof rack and bespoke wheels. Far out!

The German toymaker has even included a set of scaled-down food and camping utensils, as well as a map and camera, and two figures. The toy measures 25 cm long, 11 cm wide and stands 13 cm. It is expected to sell for around US$60 (RM245). According to the blurb on the box, the shrunken camper is suitable for all aged from 5 to 99 years.

Template for the model was "Henrik the Red", a restored 1962 T1 model of the camper known as the "Bulli" in the German-speaking world. The original is part of Volkswagen's Commercial Vehicles collection.

The enduring VW camper went down well with hippies, surfers and those seeking an alternative lifestyle.

Full-sized examples of the Bulli are now revered and cost upwards of around €40,000 (RM195,000).


INFINITI to send two lucky winners to Spain for F1 experience

                KUALA LUMPUR: INFINITI and Renault Sport Formula One recently teamed up during the Malaysian Grand Prix that offered an opportunity for two lucky winners for a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to Spain and drive a Formula One car.

The winners, Voon Chen Xian who bought a Q50 sedan and Farish Husni Bin Abdullah Fahim a QX70 SUV, will be heading off on an all-expense paid trip to the renowned Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain from from Dec 6 to 10.

There, they will be able to experience a once-in-a-lifetime occasion and pilot a F1 car, exclusively arranged by INFINITI Malaysia.

Both Voon and Farish managed to garner the highest votes of 4670 and 1580 respectively and earned a multiplier of 10 for buying an INFINITI vehicle.

READ MORE:Enter the Infiniti contest and win a Formula 1 car drive Lucky winner Farish Husni Bin Abdullah Fahim who bought a QX70 SUV

“When I bought the INFINITI, I didn’t expect to be the winner as I was attracted to the performance and the design of the car (QX70). I have never dreamt that I will have a chance to drive a F1 car and I am truly thrilled!” said Farish.

The Winners will receive training in both physical and technical driving techniques and have briefs and debriefs with their race engineers before getting behind the wheel of the Formula One car.

They will then switch over to a two-seater Formula 1 ride driven by the one of the team drivers.

To enter the campaign that started from Oct 1 to Nov 15, participants were required to test drive an Infiniti car at the Infiniti Center Kuala Lumpur, snap a picture of themselves with an Infiniti car, upload the photo on the contest site and share on Facebook to get votes.

The photo with the highest votes will win.

Also, participants who purchased an Infiniti vehicle and registered the car before the end of the campaign date will be rewarded and stand a stronger chance of winning with the votes being multiplied by 10.


Malaysians complain they spend more time in traffic now than a year ago, says Ford survey

                KUALA LUMPUR: From frustration with gridlock to distress over rising costs, to a sense of optimism about an improving daily commute, a new survey commissioned by Ford Motor Company reveals a wide range of perceptions around the state of the commute in the Asia Pacific.

Malaysian daily commuters were the second most likely to report an increase in the cost of their commute compared to a year earlier – at 75%, behind only Hong Kong – with rising fuel prices the most commonly cited reason. A majority of Malaysian respondents said they spend more time in traffic than they did a year earlier, and more than one in five said their commute was the worst part of the day.

On the other end of the spectrum, Vietnamese respondents were the most likely to say their commute had improved over the last year, followed by commuters in India and Indonesia. The three countries also topped the podium for the most people who said they like their commute. In Taiwan and South Korea, more than half of respondents reported no change in the quality of their commute.

The online survey was conducted by GlobalWebIndex for Ford. A total of 12,619 consumers were surveyed across 12 markets with around 1,000 respondents from each. Besides Malaysia, the other markets are Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

“Everywhere in the world, people face unique transportation issues that arelocal in nature, and the results of this survey echoed that reality,” said John Larsen, director, Ford Smart Mobility, Ford Asia Pacific. “These challenges are what motivate Ford Smart Mobility, which aims to tackle global issues and provide local solutions that make a daily difference to people all over the world.”

Ford Smart Mobility is the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics. This includes everything from Ford’s in-car connectivity solution, SYNC, to the 30 global mobility experiments that have already been undertaken to gain insight into changing consumer transportation habits and preferences.

Thumbs down
Although 30% of Malaysian commuters said their commute was getting better, 37% said it was getting worse, and 33% didn’t notice a change one way or another. But a majority agreed on the amount of time spent sitting in traffic: 55% said they spent more time in gridlock than a year ago, while 17% noted a decline and 27% said it was about the same.

“At Ford,we strive to offer drivers solutions that make their commute safer and more enjoyable. For instance, our Ranger, Everest, S-MAX, Mondeo and Focus feature our latest SYNC 2 voice-activated connectivity system, meaning drivers can enjoy entertainment and stay connected during their commute, without taking their hands off the wheel. Meanwhile, safety features likeActive City Stop and Blind Spot Information System, offer Malaysians extra peace of mind as they go about their daily commute,” said Ford Malaysia sales and marketing director Veemala Rethinasamy.

Malaysians were the second most likely to report increased commuting costs, at 75%, behind Hong Kong (76%). Respondents overwhelmingly attributed the rise to fuel prices (59%) and price increases for public transportation and toll roads (50%).Some said that increased use of taxis (4%), taxi-hailing mobile apps (5%) and car sharing services (6%) instead of less-expensive options also played a role.

Almost a quarter of daily commuters said the commute is the worst part of their day (22%), while 33% simply called it inconvenient. But not everyone reported dissatisfaction with their daily commute – 36% called it “not bad” and 10% even said they enjoy it.


Lotus launches another lightweight road rocket

                LONDON: The new limited edition Lotus Exige Cup 380 promises to be the closest a keen driver can get to driving a real race car on public roads.

Lotus is going through a phase of taking its standard Elise and Exige models and making them even lighter and into vicious track cars for well-heeled gentleman racers. But what separates this particular hardcore Lotus from the company's other recent track-focused models is that the Cup 380 is somehow road legal.

"This is something that really can drive to a track, set the fastest lap and take the win, before heading home. It's supremely usable, yet outrageously fast," said company CEO Jean-Marc Gales.

How fast? It can cover the 0-100kPh dash in 3.6 seconds and will comfortably hit 280kph before all of the 3.5-litre supercharged V6 engine's 375hp and 410Nm of torque are spent. Considering this car will cost over €100,000 (RM476,000) when it goes on sale, those figures don't sound that impressive - any two-wheel drive Porsche 911 costs less, is packed full of cossetting creature comforts, and has a higher top speed.

But the Lotus's trump card is usability. Not in the sense of practicality - this is not the car for doing the weekly grocery shop - but in terms of being able to use more of the car's output more of the time. This is thanks to the obsessive attention to wind tunnel detailing and the amount of downforce the body's aerodynamics package can develop - 200kg at top speed.

That means the car could potentially take a bend at 280kph and not lose traction. And because it is a genuine track car as well as a road car, it comes with adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars, adjustable damping, Cup tyres as standard, plus a T45 steel rollover bar and towing hooks, meaning it can be legally entered into a race.

If you're looking for that level of race readiness in your next daily driver, then the Exige starts to represent value for money. Then factor in its exclusivity - just 60 examples, worldwide, and the car could turn out to be a good investment, rather than simply a good buy.

"Developing the Cup 380 has allowed us to indulge our motorsport ambitions on a car that can be used and enjoyed every single day," said Gales. "This is an Exige that's not just unbeatable point-to-point but also capable of winning highly competitive races."


How your car radio is damaging your battery

                BERLIN: When it comes to starting up your car on a cold day,  it is important to make sure that its battery is well maintained.

Tips from German safety experts TÜV to ensure you aren't left stranded, however, are rather easy to follow.

Before the starting the ignition, make sure all unnecessary electric applications — phone chargers, radios, heating — are turned off.

The fuel pump, injectors and engine management in a modern petrol engine need around 400 watts to get going, while air conditioning and ventilation swallow from 100 to 500 watts extra.

Additionally, up to 1,000 watts is required for lighting, radio and heating, which can lead many alternators to then reach their load limit.

The bottom line is that, with so many applications, motorists are consuming more power than the generator can produce.

Therefore, the battery is no longer charging, but discharging energy when so many applications are in use on short drives.

The increased power requirement is also noticeable at the filling station, as a higher power consumption ultimately increases fuel consumption

As a general rule of thumb, every 100 watts of electricity consumed equates to an additional consumption of 0.1 litres per 100 kilometres, say the experts at TÜV.

In order to avoid corrosion and leakage currents, motorists should keep the housing, poles and terminals of the battery as clean as possible.

Motorists can first remove oxides from the poles with fine sandpaper before cleaning them with a dry cloth. Special battery terminal grease then also helps to preserve the poles and terminals.

Make sure to always use the grease according to the manufacturer's instructions, and don't forget to wipe the case of the battery with a damp cloth to finish the clean.