BYD Han EV sedan gets Europe reveal

                SHENZHEN: BYD has announced that the Han EV, the company’s pure electric flagship model aimed squarely at the premium luxury saloon market, to be revealed in Europe.

The Han EV is the first full-electric passenger car equipped with BYD’s ground-breaking new ‘Blade Battery’ technology – delivering greatly enhanced safety, improved range capability and a simplified, smaller pack design.

Featuring bold design cues and with exceptional build quality throughout, the Han EV marries the automotive industry’s most advanced EV technologies with exceptional performance, refinement and supreme luxury.

A high-performance silicon carbide motor-control propels the Han EV from zero to 100kph in 3.9 seconds.

At the heart of the Han EV’s drive system is BYD’s new, ultra-safe and space-saving Blade Battery, offering a remarkable single-charge range of 605 kilometres based on the NEDC test cycle and setting new safety standards for EVs worldwide.

The Han EV will also feature ‘DiPilot’ – BYD’s new-to-market, self-learning, intelligent driving assistance system taking advantage of the latest 5G technology.

The Han EV adopts BYD’s new ‘EV Dragon Face’ design language, blending elements of a traditional Chinese dragon with strikingly modern European design cues.

The curved front-end and day-time running lights evoke the shape of a traditional Chinese dragon’s face, combing style and functionality.

The high waistline evident along the length of the vehicle integrates seamlessly with the sweeping back line of the D-pillar to deliver a strong sense of movement. A tapered rear lighting cluster envelopes the entire width of the car emphasizing a dynamic attitude.

The Han EV is scheduled to receive its introduction in China towards the end of June 2020.


SUVs more deadly to pedestrians than cars, says US insurance study

                WASHINGTON: SUVs are more likely than passenger cars to injure or kill pedestrians, according to a new US insurance industry study which recommended design changes to improve safety.

Sport utility vehicles “seem to be more deadly to pedestrians than cars are,” said Sam Monfort, lead author of a study released Tuesday by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

In a crash with a traditional SUV, “the grille strikes the pedestrian’s pelvis or chest,” transferring more energy to the pedestrian’s body, said the study of 79 crashes in three Michigan cities which did not address vehicle handling.

“More research will be required to see whether all of the findings hold up in a larger study,” the industry-funded group said, noting the relatively small sample size.

Truck-based SUVs and car-based crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) are generally larger and heavier than passenger cars, stand taller with blunter front ends, and are increasing in number and share of total vehicles on North American roads.

In the study, SUVs caused more serious injuries than cars in impacts at speeds greater than 30kph, with a higher percentage of fatalities.

Annual US production of SUVs has remained relatively constant over the past 10 years, at about 1 million, according to AutoForecast Solutions. But crossover vehicle production has tripled over the same period, to more than 6 million in 2019, AFS said.

“CUVs and SUVs sit higher” than passenger cars, and have a higher centre of gravity, “which can make handling less stable than in a traditional sedan,” said Sam Fiorani, AFS vice president.


EON launches website for Proton models

                KUALA LUMPUR: Edaran Otomobil Nasional Bhd (EON) has launched a dedicated Proton car website https://proton.eon.com.my/to reach a wider customer base.

DRB-Hicom head of automotive distribution and EON chief executive officer Mohamed Akkbar Danial said a strong online presence would not only provide an opportunity for business growth but it is also at the heart of the car-buying process.

“With over 80% of Malaysian car buyers doing their research online before making a purchase, it is only logical to have a good website that works well on personal computers, smartphones and tablets,” he said.

The newly-designed website includes many features to help users navigate and browse for Proton models easily, he said in a statement.


Covid-19 impact could hit Japanese automakers' output in October

                TOKYO: Disruptions to parts and components suppliers caused by the Covid-19 pandemic could force fresh production cuts at Japanese automakers in October, says Akio Toyoda, the head of the auto industry lobby group.

Japanese car companies have already had to cut production this month because of difficulties finding semiconductors and other components as the pandemic disrupts manufacturing around the world and drives up demand for chips from consumer electronic device makers.

"Depending on the manufacturer, we could see production cut to a lower level in October," said Toyoda, who leads the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association and is president of Toyota Motor Corp, the country's biggest car maker.

Toyota slashed global production in September by 40% from planned levels, joining other big global automaker that have already slowed output to cope with the shortage. read more

The world's biggest automaker by sales volume said it would try to make up for lost production in order to meet a 9.3 million vehicles target in the year ending in March 31.

Other Japanese automakers that have struggled to overcome the shortage in components include, Nissan Motor Co, Honda Motor Co, Suzuki Motor Corp and Mazda Motor Corp.


Volkswagen launches new top-spec Amarok with 254hp

                WOLFSBURG: At the Frankfurt motor show last year Volkswagen showed off an Amarok concept vehicle. Now the German automaker is putting its words into action by launching that vehicle as it now becomes available to order as the new top engine specification production version of the Amarok pickup truck.

The highlight of the new version of the Amarok is its V6 TDI engine with 254hp, along with a 14hp overboost and up to 580Nm of torque that will be available for both Highline and Aventura versions of the VW pickup.

Until now, the most power on offer from the Amarok was 221hp, but this new engine has upped the available power ante to as much as 268hp when the overboost comes into play.

 The V6 TDI engine.

Increasing the amount of available torque by 30Nm from the previous best of 540Nm is sure to be welcomed by both private and commercial users. After all, it's hard to imagine a pickup can ever have too much power available. The full amount of torque is available from the Amarok's new engine at between 1,400 and 3,000 rpm, and the full power output from 3,250 to 4,000 rpm. Permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox are both now standard features of Amaroks equipped with the new top engine in both Highline and Aventura trim levels.

There are also a number of additional aesthetic upgrades that come along with the new top-spec Amarok with the V6 engine. The V-6 Amarok Aventura's roof liner, pillar trim and other roof elements will be in titanium black, which nicely complements the seats that are in titanium black Nappa leather.

The Amarok Aventura also rides on 20-inch "Talca" wheels in Dark Graphite with a high-gloss surface. Additionally, a Peacock Green metallic paint finish is also offered for the first time for the Amarok, but is exclusively available for the Hanover-built 258 PS Aventura.

The Amarok Highline with the 254hp engine will have a net starting price of €48,800 (RM235,000) and the order book is already open in Germany. Orders in Britain and elsewhere in Europe are set to get under way in June, with deliveries starting from September.


Genesis is official manufacturer partner of Gran Turismo World Series

                LOS ANGELES: Genesis was last week announced as an official manufacturer partner of the Gran Turismo World Series, an online global motorsport championship.

As an official partner, Genesis will be competing in the championship with the Genesis X GR3 and Genesis G70 GR4 concept vehicles for the Manufacturer’s Cup.

Genesis is also making its debut in Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Gran Turismo 7, developed by Polyphony Digital Inc., and recently released on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 consoles.

Fans of the iconic series can now enjoy racing the G70 sport sedan along with the Genesis X GR3 and Genesis G70 GR4 concept models. This marks the first time that Genesis vehicles have been made playable in a digital entertainment platform.

“Genesis is pleased to be presenting the dynamic G70 sport sedan and our ambitious GR3 and GR4 concepts in Gran Turismo 7,” said SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Genesis Global Design Center.

“This platform allows fans of racing to get behind the wheel and discover the bold designs and performance ambitions of Genesis as we continue to explore the brand’s entry into motorsport.”

Genesis lifted the veil on its vehicle design process at a modern experiential installation called The Performance of Design during Monterey Car Week in August 2021.

The designs unveiled included three concept vehicles developed in collaboration with the creators of the world-renowned Gran Turismo video game series.

Genesis also showcased its motorsport intent with the reveal of the Genesis G70 GR4 Gran Turismo (GT), a California-built racing vehicle.

Additionally, the award-winning G70 sport sedan has been completely reimagined for virtual competition with an all-new GT-inspired racing package.


ADVERTORIAL: Proton Perdana primed for success

                While the new Proton Perdana is based on the eighth generation Honda Accord, the latest Proton flagship sedan is not a simple rebadge job.

Using an upper body which was designed completely by Proton in-house designers, the Perdana certainly has its own original looks, attitude and character.

The new Perdana gets a sporty fastback design that gives it a dynamic look that also radiates elegance, allowing it to clinch the Best Local Design of the Year at the inaugural CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards 2016.

Other highlights include stylish headlamps with connecting chrome finish to the Proton “wings” front grille for a more distinctive look, chromed door window surrounds, an aerodynamic shark fin antenna, rear combination lamps with LED lights, and sporty lower diffuser.

The car’s lower front lip features a sleek and wide air intake which also lends a premium look to the front fascia.

Under a deal with Honda Motor, the Perdana also uses Accord’s powertrain system, safety features and driving technologies.

Size-wise, at 5m in length, the Perdana is just marginally longer than the Accord.

Available in 2.0- and 2.4-litre variants, the Perdana is priced attractively at RM113,888 and RM138,888 respectively.

Proton offers a five-year or 150,000km (whichever comes first) for the new Perdana.

The 2.0-litre Perdana produces 154hp and 189Nm of torque while the 2.4-litre Perdana pushes out 178hp and 222Nm of torque.

Both variants get a 5-speed automatic transmission.

Unlike the 2.0-litre Perdana, the 2.4-litre variant gets a chromed lower front lip garnish, and a rear spoiler.

Standard kit on both Perdana variants are projector headlamps, LED daytime running lights, dual zone automatic air-conditioning, 8-way powered driver seat, and a reverse camera.

Also standard are four airbags, anti-lock brake system and electronic brake force distribution, front active head rests, automatic headlamps, front seatbelts with dual pre-tensioner, front and rear parking sensors, ISOFIX points and top tether mount point, and all-round disc brakes, and tyres sized 225/50 with 17-inch wheels.

However, the 2.4-litre Perdana not only has more power, but it also gets extras like ESC (electronic stability control), paddle shifters, audio subwoofer, DVD playback, GPS navigation, 4-way powered front passenger seat, full leather seats, and HID headlamps with auto levelling.


BMW to offer fully electric 5 Series in emissions push

                FRANKFURT: BMW will offer a fully electric 5 Series as part of sweeping product overhaul unveiled today as the German carmaker seeks to lower vehicle emissions during production and on the road.

“In 10 years, the goal is to have a total of more than seven million electrified BMW Group vehicles on the roads – around two thirds of them with a fully-electric drive train,” the carmaker said.

Carmakers have been pushing electric cars ever since European lawmakers in December 2018 ordered a cut in carbon dioxide emissions from cars by 37.5% by 2030 compared with 2021 levels. This will come after a 40% emissions cut between 2007 and 2021.

Starting next year, BMW said it will offer five fully-electric cars: the BMW i3, the MINI Cooper SE, the BMW iX3, the BMW iNEXT and the BMW i4. In total BMW will have 25 electrified models on the roads by 2023, half of them fully electric.

BMW said it will also offer a fully electric 5 Series, but chief executive Oliver Zipse declined to give a launch date.

BMW said its management remuneration will be more closely aligned with compliance to climate targets and that carbon emissions from production and sites would be lowered by 80% per vehicle.


Tesla to enter Malaysia officially

                KUALA LUMPUR: Finally, the long wait is over as fans of Tesla CEO Elon Musk will soon get to drive the official version of his company's all-electric vehicles locally.

In a message posted on International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz's Twitter account at 10.45am today, Tengku Zafrul said his ministry (MITI) had approved Tesla's application to import battery electric vehicles (BEVs) into Malaysia.

"Tesla will establish a head office, Tesla Experience & Service Centres, and Supercharger network, simultaneously creating skilled & better paying jobs for Malaysians," the message read.

Tengku Zafrul did not say when Tesla would set up shop.

He said the entry of Tesla had been facilitated by MITI through the introduction of the BEV Global Leaders initiative which aims to help boost BEV demand in the local market.

"Tesla is the first applicant of this initiative by MITI," he said.

With the official entry of Tesla into the local EV scene, expect Tesla models such as S, 3, X and Y to be introduced.

For years, Tesla vehicles sold locally were brought in by grey vehicle importers who do not provide comprehensive warranty nor aftersales support to the American branded EVs.

At one time, a pre-owned Tesla Model S was priced similar to a brand-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class.


CMC Italjet 125 a city-friendly scooter

                THE brand Italjet was acquired by CMC, a Chinese company which allows it produce and sell the Italian scooter brand.

In Malaysia, Chear Global is the official distributor of CMC Italjet 125 which is priced at RM6,600 (before GST).

The Italjet 125 is a modern design which has all the characteristics of your typical scooter.

This two-wheeler has a very progressive design which is targeted towards the younger riders.

Its sporty lines and curves are modern and aggressive, complemented by aerodynamic features.

One glance at the front of the bike, this scooter looks like one of those high powered sports bikes that you see on racing circuits.

The Italjet 125 is powered by an air cooled 125cc single cylinder engine using a carburettor.

Every time I start the bike early in the morning, the 125cc engine purrs confidently generating 8.85hp with 8.6Nm of torque; which provides the necessary power to manage any challenge thrown during a ride in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

The bike only weighs at 118kg super light!

The test bike I got was the Limited Edition Black. The other colours which are available are the Chilli Red and Sporty White.

The saddle is wide enough, giving me room to move around.

Meanwhile, the black colour seat is firm but could have been bit thicker.

This would have been welcomed if a rider plans to ride more than 100km on a non-stop trip.

But for daily commuting, the present seat is good enough for me, in fact it is comfortable enough.

A must have for any scooter designed for a daily commute is the cargo space.

The Italjet 125 offers a spacious cargo space under the saddle where I have enough space to store a full-face helmet together with a wind breaker.

And another cargo space that is very popular with the scooter is the wide floorboard which allows me to place a backpack or a grocery bag.

So running errands with this scooter is a breeze.

But to my disappointment, the manufacturer of the Italjet did not include an USB port to charge to handphones which I am very sure will be appreciated by any rider.

The instrument display comes with an easy to read speedometer and a digital display which offers riders various useful information like distance, time, fuel consumption etc.

The control buttons are easily reached even if you have tiny fingers or wearing gloves. They are well-spaced, making them user-friendly.

While riding in various places in the Klang Valley, it was very apparent that this scooter is able to offer me the necessary torque for the acceleration when I needed.

On the New Pantai Expressway from Sunway to Bangsar, I was able to push the Italjet 125 to a good 110kph, which I believed is its top speed.

At 110kph and assailed by strong winds, the chassis of the scooter remained stable and there were occasional vibrations from the belly.

But the vibrations did not bother me at all while riding at top speed.

The Italjet design is apt for daily commute. I managed to tackle few tight corners and sweeping bends in town without scraping the underside of the scooter.

What amazed me was the V-Belt automatic transmission that provided smooth power transition from one rev range to another.

On flat surfaces, the scooter accelerates smoothly and rides comfortably.

But unfortunately on steep roads, it takes time to build up the pace.

The scooter is at its best when ridden at higher rev band about 5,500rpm, where the engine power and torque are optimised.

The Italjet is equipped with front and rear disc brakes, ensuring effective braking.

During my ride in the city and out of the city, the brakes were good enough to stop safely without any major concerns even during a heavy rain.

Night riding on the Italjet 125 is safe and pleasant.

The integrated LED front and taillights are stylish and yet gave maximum brightness, allowing me to see the roads clearly and at the same time other road users to spot me from a distance.

The bright backlights on the speedometer and the digital display also help make reading them easy in the dark.

While the Itajet 125’s suspension is not the best in the world, nobody will complain about it.

The telescopic front forks and rear hydraulic monoshock works well under different riding condition be it on the bumps, potholes, uneven roads, rain or shine.

The Italjet 125 is “immune” to traffic jam as its sleek design allows it to squeeze into the space between cars in gridlocks.

"Only on a few occasions I had to ride the scooter on the five-footway to avoid the traffic (please don’t try this)."

The Italjet 125 is definitely a handsome fella with all the right ingredients for a sport scooter which is a good choice for any city slickers.


Former Aston Martin execs to resurrect the ‘Thinking Man’s Ferrari’

The Bizzarrini 5300 Strada. — Gooding & Co. via Bloomberg
NEW YORK: Navigating the world of obscure Italian car brands after they’ve been infused with cash from Middle Eastern or Asian backers is a little like watching a 1960s spy film with the sound off. Or like reading blind items on the gossip website Page Six.

It’s beautiful, juicy, and sometimes a little confusing.

Bizzarrini—famous for its ’60s-era Ferrari lookalike race cars—is the latest heritage brand to receive the new-again treatment. It’s a trend that’s included most notably and recently De Tomaso (famous for the ’70s-wild Pantera, which is backed by Hong Kong investment firm Ideal Team Ventures) and Pininfarina, which just introduced a electric supercar backed by Mahindra Group.

On Nov 9, London-based Pegasus Brands announced its intention to revive Bizzarrini even though it hasn’t made a car since 1969.

Owned by Kuwaiti Rezam Mohamed Al Roumi, Pegasus is an international dealership that represents Aston Martin Lagonda, Rolls Royce Motor Cars, Koenigsegg, among others, with holdings in Aston Martin Works, the historic home and factory of Aston Martin coachworks since 1830.

Janette Green, the newly installed chief marketing officer at Bizzarrini, said in an email that the company had bought the Bizzarrini marque from “Bizzarrini Ltd.” in August 2019, which included all trademarks, intellectual property, and other assets.

“The continuity of ownership and historical provenance remains,” wrote Green, who is also a spokesman for Pegasus Auto, an apparent subsidiary of Pegasus Brands.

It’s feeling like déjà vu all over again for a tiny Italian brand that made fewer than 400 cars in its history—the exact number is still hotly debated—and was mismanaged into a quick bankruptcy. Then again, that’s been par for the course with exotic and classic marques for the past century.

Founded on protest

Giotto Bizzarrini’s eponymous brand arose after the designer’s departure from Ferrari in 1960, when he and other key staff members staged a walkout to protest internal politics.

He started consulting for other prominent Italian car brands, including Lamborghini and Iso, whose aluminum-bodied A3/C race cars became the blueprints for the first of his self-branded cars, the Bizzarrini GT 5300 Strada.

The Strada had the low, wide styling of the A3/C with a front-mid-mounted, 365-horsepower Corvette V8 engine and a four-speed manual gearbox. The fact that it had an American-made engine hurt its popularity and investment value until recently.

The Strada had swooping front fenders and side vents that looked like gills. On the racetrack, it was known for blazing speed and elegant handling.

The 1900 GT Europa and P538S would follow before the brand was declared bankrupt in 1969. Bizzarrini, 94, lives in Italy and builds cars on commission; he’s apparently not associated with the new iteration of his former company.

At least three former Aston Martin executives have signed on with the new company.

Ulrich Bez, formerly the chief executive officer of Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd, is listed in company press statements as chairman of Bizzarrini; Christopher Shepherd, formerly the CEO of Aston Martin Middle East North Africa, is listed as CEO; and Green, a former global brand communications director at Aston Martin Lagonda, is listed as chief marketing officer.

Klemantaski Collection

Their presence lends credibility to the endeavour despite Aston Martin itself faltering with poorer sales than competitors during the coronavirus pandemic and significantly dialled-back sales targets for 2025 and beyond, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Michael Dean.

It’s also notable that Paolo Garella, the highly respected Italian engineer who built the Glickenhaus SCG and Aspark Owl with his Manifattura Automobili Torino design firm, was at one time associated with the brand.

A Ferrari forum from 2018 records chatter surrounding an application for both Scuderia Bizzarrini and Bizzarrini Livorno trademarks by Manifattura Automobili Torino—and sources close to Garella have said he’d gone so far as to conceive a modern Bizzarrini concept car as a way to take the temperature, as it were, of UHNW prospective buyers.

But in an email, Garella said that he’s not involved with the announced Pegasus Brands project and that the trademarks request was not accepted.

“We did it for a group of US investors interested in setting up Restoration and Certification activity in the US, but unfortunately it did not happen,” he said. His involvement with the brand, however, shows one of the world’s best engineers and designers at one time believed it held promise.

The allure of something new

Even the hint of a new version of these extremely collectible cars is notable to that uber-elite group of buyers who like their modern hypercars in the US$1 million to US$3 million range—those who buy Koenigseggs, Paganis, and Hennesseys.

It wouldn’t take much, all things considered, to sell a modern Bizzarrini in much the same way elite hypercar makers conjure revenue: They produce a handful of cars and find those people in the world who want to buy them.

“If Bizzarrini went in the direction where the brand was redeveloped really, truly around racing of some sort and then the new products were developed out of a spirit of racing and technology, that might be enough of a story to tell, to give the brand some legs,” says Chuck Wray, owner of Grand Touring, a Virginia-based restoration shop that specialises in Bizzarrini and similar ilk.

“There are just so many wealthy people in the world today that this is not that hard of a business model.”

The danger, Wray says, would be in wrapping an existing brand name like Bizzarrini around inferior products rather than making it new again with exciting engineering and technology: “You really are going to have to do something more special than the other small batch manufactures, if that’s your business model,” he says. “Otherwise, you will just fade off into oblivion because you were just another wannabe.”

Meanwhile, the guys interested in the old Bizzarrinis are watching with curiosity, though not, perhaps, with bated breath.

“It’s interesting, but it’s a vanity project,” says Steve Serio, the blue-chip car expert who’s sold 12 of the existing 114 original Bizzarrini 5300 road cars.

In the past six months, he’s facilitated the private sale and purchase of three of them. “There isn’t a long-time Bizzarrini collector on the planet who would give a crap [about a new Bizzarrini car], because they all bought their cars for about US$100,000. I don’t see any of the guys I’ve ever sold Bizzarrini to even considering it.”

That mentality applies even to collectors now paying US$1 million-plus for the originals, Serio says. The average value today of a Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada in perfect condition is US$1.2 million, triple what it was in 2010, according to Jonathan Klinger, a spokesman for Hagerty, and a Bizzarrini 5300 GT America in perfect condition has an average value of US$850,000—more than two and a half times its value in 2010. (The original GT 5300s sold in the US cost US$10,500, or US$78,500 at today’s rates, according to Hemmings’s Mark McCourt.)

In 2015 the Keno Brothers Fine Automobile Auctioneers set a record with a 1968 Bizzarrini 5300 Strada selling for just over US$1 million, including fees. But the private market is where more than 90% of Bizzarrini transactions occur.

These days, an authentic, good-condition GT 5300 Strada with an alloy body requires at least US$1.5 million to own, Serio says. And, of course, the asking price will be much higher.

It will take considerable magic—even for the Italians, English, and Kuwaitis now working their alchemy together—to top that kind of markup.


Persona led October sales as Proton powers ahead

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Persona led sales in October as Proton continued its march up the charts for the fifth consecutive month, recording a sales growth of 20 per cent in October to 11,392 units compared to the same month in 2019.

Three models continued to lead their respective market segments, namely Persona, which led the B-segment sedan market with 2,360 units sold while the X70 saw 2,216 units sold for the month, maintaining its lead in the sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment.

The Exora also retained its customary position as the best-selling C-segment multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), proving that there is still a viable market for large seven-seat people carriers despite the popularity of SUVs.

In a statement on Monday, the national carmaker said it started the final quarter of the year strongly but contracted by 4.6 per cent compared to September.

READ MORE: Perodua’s October car sales hit fresh record high of 26,852 units

Its total sales for the year now stands at 84,999 units, 6.2 per cent higher than last year and equivalent to an estimated 21.3 per cent of market share.

Proton Edar chief executive officer Roslan Abdullah said the recovery of Malaysia’s automotive market continued to gather pace judging by the number of new model launches and total sales in October with the estimated total industry volume (TIV) to be the second highest in 2020 with over 57,000 units sold. Proton Edar is Proton’s distribution arm.

"Looking at the numbers, we noticed a significant drop in sales in Sabah and Sarawak while the Central region was static compared to September. Part of this was due to the implementation of the Conditional Movement Control Order that limits the movement of people, thus affecting retailers, but there was also a sense of customers holding back before the launch of our newest model, the X50,” he said.

Nevertheless, he added that Proton was confident of ending the year well and using the results as a base to aim even higher in 2021.


BMW to make Solid Power's battery cells under expanded deal

                DENVER: Solid Power Inc said today it will offer some intellectual property rights related to its solid-state batteries to BMW and allow production of the battery cells at the automaker's facilities in Germany.

Colorado-based Solid Power will license the cell design and manufacturing processes to BMW, which will pay the company US$20 million through June 2024, subject to specific conditions.

As part of the agreement, Solid Power will retain the intellectual property rights related to its electrolyte material, which it will supply to BMW once the carmaker's battery production lines are up and running.

BMW, an investor in Solid Power, already has an agreement to receive finished battery cells.

Solid Power, which went public in December last year, is among a group of companies trying to create next-generation batteries for electric vehicles, aiming to solve some issues related to lithium-ion batteries that are currently is use.

Solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte, compared with a liquid one in lithium-ion batteries, and have a lower risk of catching fire.


First drive in RWD Tesla Model S 85

If you had watched a certain episode of the National Geographic series Megafactories, it offers some insight into one man’s ambitious dream to propel humanity away from fossil fuels into an electric future. That man: Elon Musk. That dream: Tesla Motors.

To Musk, hybrids are nothing more than a stop-gap measure. In the mind of the serial entrepreneur, the only way to hasten the arrival of the electric era is to dump legacy baggage,  make a clean break from yesterday’s technology and start from scratch.

That takes guts. And lots of money. Musk has both.

The result was the Model S in 2012, the first all-new electric car from Tesla. Before this, it had produced an electric roadster but that was based on an existing car – the Lotus Elise.

After all the billions of investor dollars sunk into it, Tesla hopes to become profitable again by end 2016 (it was,briefly, in 2013). The listed company remains undaunted by sceptics and continues to build momentum with the Model X SUV and the upcoming Model 3 sedan that aims to compete with the Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series.

Although Musk was one of several co-founders of the electric car maker, the Tesla CEO has emerged as the charismatic and very public face of Tesla.

Decade two of the 21st century is truly an exciting time for personal mobility. Despite a season of cheap oil, alternative propulsion still garners headlines. Lately, the buzz has been on plug-in hybrids, electric cars, fuel-cell vehicles and to a lesser extent biofuelled ones. Advances in driverless driving also promise to revolutionise automotive design and the way people interact with cars.

This is a period where new technologies and the upstarts that supply them promise to disrupt the global automotive industry and alter 100 years of traditional motoring.  Fear – and opportunities – abound in such a climate.

Against these backdrop, the Model S arrived at CarSifu’s doorsteps recently, ready to be probed and prodded.

It came courtesy of Greentech Malaysia, a government agency that has been promoting green technology and sustainable mobility through electric cars, among others, as an alternative.

Greentech had shipped in two such cars through Tesla Hong Kong late last year. Both had identical specs having an electric motor to drive the rear wheels and 85kWh lithium-ion battery.

Tesla now only sells Model S with batteries in 70 and 90kWh capacities and there’s every likelihood a 100kWh battery could show up soon. The 85kWh battery, which can lasts up to 426km, was recently dropped in favour of the 90kWh for better range and performance. At present, the variant with the longest range is the dual-motored 90D with 460km.

The Model S is a big car, about the size of a Porsche Panamera and looks every inch a luxury sports coupe with a long body and soft curves to please the eye. It’s the best looking electric car we have seen locally so far and is certainly desirable on styling alone. Others like Nissan LEAF, Renault Zoe and Mitsubishi iMiEV look conventional, cutesy, or small and are mainly designed as city cars with limited range.

As for Greentech, using this Tesla as the poster child is an easier play to gain support – and tax breaks – for electric mobility from decision makers and influencers in government. Sex appeal works.

The Model S is the first electric car that aims to match or outdo internal combustion engined (ICE) cars in range and performance. Tesla’s goal, after all, is to make its cars so compelling that people would be willing to switch over.

The 7,000+-cell battery pack is laid on the floor and because the compact electric motor drives the rear wheels, there’s only a single-speed transmission to grapple with. The absence of an engine also frees up more storage space under the bonnet if the rear one isn’t enough.

To maximise range, the car is made of  mostly lightweight aluminium. It also has far fewer components than an ICE car. The body is moulded to be aerodynamic; even door handles retract when the car is on the move to minimise drag.

The car was specified with two non-foldable rear executive seats with a fixed centre armrest. This option is no longer available. You could order the Tesla online and specify it with extras like you order a laptop. One of the options is the ability to turn the standard 5-seater into a 7-seater with two rearward facing child seats in the boot zone. (Or get the Ludicrous package for the P 90D that shaves off sprint times for an even more impressive turn of speed.)

Apart from four seats and a flat floor, the interior is very unlike an ICE car. Facing the driver is a clean and simple dashboard, dominated by a centre 17-inch tablet-like display, complemented by a fully digital meter cluster. The dual displays confer a futuristic look to the interior.

The controls are housed within the giant touchscreen display which is responsive to the touch but tends to pick up fingerprints and dust.

The rear seats offer generous legroom but headroom is limiting for taller folk who will also find thigh support lacking. For the driver, rear-ward visibility isn’t that great either.

Like smartphones, software updates are done over the air to remove bugs or add new features to the car’s electric core. In the latest update, the car is able to auto-park itself.

A wide and open centre console storage area offers plenty of space to place assorted belongings. Door pockets would have enhanced practicality.

We decided to drive the car to Fraser’s Hill and back one sunny February day to find out how well it performs when driven like an ICE car at sustained high speeds, and powering up and down hillslopes every now and then. There was no pussyfooting around with the accelerator except in the last leg home when we almost bled the car dry. When the need for speed came, we floored the car and sped off as and when the mood arose. Which was often.

 Gunning the go pedal of the Model S up to Fraser's Hill. Yeah!

The motor makes 363hp and 441Nm of torque, allowing the car to go from zero to 100kph in 5.6s with a top speed of 230kph. Being all-electric, the Model S is a simple car to drive. Sensors in the car detect the key fob in your pocket the moment you sit at the wheel. Shift the column-mounted gear lever, derived from Mercedes-Benz, into drive, press the accelerator and off you go – silently.

It’s the way peak torque is dispensed instantly that astonishes newcomers to electric cars. The stupendous acceleration from the get-go makes the car feel like a rocketship on land and can be addictive. But this zest for speed always has to be tempered with the need for range to get to your destination.

That is not so much an issue in the Klang Valley where it is hard to use up all the battery power in one day but that is a possibility on out-of town trips where public chargers for fast charging are few and far between. Yes, like the trip to Fraser’s where such facility is absent.

The traction control ensures that the car takes off in a controlled manner even when planting the foot down to relay full power to the rear wheels. What you hear are the tyre noise at any speed above urban crawl.

The car is wide and low with the titanium-shielded battery pack on the floor providing a low centre of gravity, making for a stable car at high speeds. There’s lots of grip and speed even when attacking a series of corners on the ascent but the thick A-pillar tend to hinder the view in corners.

There’s not as much feel in the steering as we would like it but it’s precise nonetheless and adaptive air suspension made for a smooth and comfortable ride when we were not abusing the car.

Regenerative braking means that the car will retard its speed the moment you lift off the accelerator, similar to an ICE car with manual transmission that undergoes downshifting and engine braking.

After a few hours of rigorous workout, the floor of the car didn’t feel toasty at all, showing the battery cooling system worked well to regulate its temperature.

We reached the Gap of Fraser’s Hill before making a U-turn to Petaling Jaya as we didn’t want to risk running out of power for the 110km+ trip back. Even though there was a little over 200km range left, we wanted that buffer to cover for wayward driving behaviour.

At the time we started off to Fraser’s from PJ, the car had around 430km range. By the time it returned, it hobbled in with 9km left on the meter, and needed to juice up for three hours from a normal 3-pin plug point and a public charger to get back to its base in Bangi.

Energy consumption in the last 10km was recorded at 162Wh/km.

READ MORE:
Seven electric car myths debunked
Tesla Model 3 revealed on March 31
5 lustworthy reasons to get Model S
3 questions for Tesla
So you want Ludicrous Mode later? Ok
Greentech starts Tesla Model S leasing scheme
Duty exemptions for 100 Tesla Model S units
Singapore reviewing Tesla carbon surcharge case
What Carlos Ghosn thinks

On a day-to-day basis, the Tesla electric car would have no trouble doing the daily commute in the Klang Valley, which has an increasing number of free public chargers.

In most cases, an overnight top-up at home from the standard wall plug point would give the car enough reserves to last a day or two, depending on how much time is spent on the road.

While an 8-year battery warranty is reassuring, other nitty-gritty such as legislation, incentives, attractive pricing and pervasive infrastructure have to be in place before electric cars could be considered a viable alternative in the local context.

 Charging cables come along with the car.

If anything, the Model S points to an electric future that is tantalising. It’s a future yet to be realised. But signs are it will not be thwarted.

> Tesla cars are not officially on sale to the Malaysian public.  Greentech is allowed by the Government to import 100 Model S with duty exemptions for leasing to government-linked companies.  Refer to Tesla website for pricing details.


Lexus LS 500h to debut at 2017 Geneva Motor Show

                GENEVA: Lexus will be introducing the hybrid version of its flagship model and a racing car at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.

The hybrid entry follows the world premiere of the LS 500 featuring a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine at this year’s Detroit Auto Show.

The 2017 RC F GT3 racing car will also be presented for the first time in Europe, showcasing the brand’s growing engagement in motorsports. Other Lexus models on display will include the LC, the RC, the RC F and the RX and NX ranges.

The 87th edition of the motor show will take place from March 9-19.


German firm turns Tesla into a hearse for zero-emission last ride

                BERLIN: A German company has turned a Tesla Model S pure electric limousine into a hearse - for a sustainable, eco-friendly last ride.

To create the silent hearse, Germany-based coachbuilder Binz, from the town of Lorch, had to virtually chop the car in half. It was then stretched by 84cm behind the front doors.

Tesla approved the conversion, and the adapted car will be sold as a Binz.E, said company head Thomas Amm. Work on the project took six months to complete.

The rear-end treatment now includes a platform for a coffin measuring 2 metres long which can be raised or lowered electrically.

Ambient lighting ensures the right atmosphere in the tall-roofed, glass rear section which can accommodate all sizes of caskets, including those topped with floral wreaths.

Motive power comes from the standard Tesla electric motor, which means the Tesla hearse with 613hp on tap is theoretically capable of 250kph instead of the walking pace customary during funerals.

Binz said the hearse can be ordered for around 200,000 euros (RM1mil) or twice the price of a standard Tesla limo.

Production for the rest of 2017 is sold out, says Amm, who adds that work on a possible estate car version for other customers has been put on hold. "We will turn our thoughts to that when we have served our regular funeral company customers," says the Binz chief.

The Netherlands-based funeral transport company Vander der Lans & Busscher BV was the first to make a funereal Model S, which was unveiled in 2016.


Ducati Malaysia launches Panigale V2 at RM110K

                PETALING JAYA: Ducati Malaysia has launched the much anticipated Panigale V2 performance superbike.

Launched alongside the new Scrambler Icon Dark and Panigale V4 and V4S, the Panigale V2 has been priced at RM109,900 each with four units already sold, but not to worry because there are seven more units due to arrive on our shores on Aug 28.

Colour choices include the usual Ducati Red livery that's matched with black wheels or customers can opt for an all-new White Rosso livery with Star White Silk that's complimented by Ducati Red on the rims, front air inlets and upper-half fairing deflector.

The Panigale V2's Euro5-compliant 955cc twin-cylinder Superquadro engine is touted to have undergone a thorough makeover to produce 155hp (+5hp) at 10,750rpm and 104Nm (+2Nm) of torque at 9,000rpm.

This is partially thanks to the new exhaust system with a more compact under-engine silencer and single-side end pipe.

Ducati says that the checks on the engine's valve play are scheduled every 24,000km with regularly scheduled services to occur every 12,000km or 12 months (whichever comes first).

In the looks department, the Panigale V2 has been newly-designed to look more compact.

It is also said to provide greater levels of comfort for the rider with a more comfortable saddle and suspension set-up from the single-sided swingarm.

Furthermore, the bike comes fitted as standard with a Brembo braking system that uses twin M4.32 monobloc callipers actuated by master cylinders for the 320mm front discs.

At the rear, a single 24mm disc gets abused by a single Brembo calliper.

Riders get three Riding Modes of Race, Sport and Street which can be adjusted via the new 4.3-inch colour TFT dashboard.

As an optional extra, the Panigale V2 can be added with the Ducati Lap Time (DLT) GPS system or a more advanced Ducati Data Analyser + GPS (DDA + GPS) system which are available under the Ducati Performance plug-and-play accessory list.

Both systems will help a rider improve their on-track performance in terms of lap times, maximum speed and lean/yaw angles.

However, the DDA + GPS system adds on other information such as throttle opening, bike speed, engine speed, selected gear, engine temperature, distance travelled, and DTC.

Also available as an added option is the Ducati Multimedia System (DMS) which provides Bluetooth connectivity to a rider's smartphone.

Finally, for safety, the Panigale V2 comes equipped with anti-lock braking system Bosch Cornering EVO, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO, Ducati Quick Shift Up/down (DQS) EVO and Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO.


DIY BMW family games to play at home

                MUNICH: BMW has come up with a rather offbeat solution to pass the time for those who are under stay-at-home orders, a lockdown or quarantine during this Covid-19 pandemic.

BMW has created a page on its website (click this LINK) where you can download games, or play two BMW themed games - “The Big BMW Race” (2-4 players) and “Find the Pair” (2-8 players). .

All you need is a printer, scissors and dice.

Those who are alone can still play “The Big BMW Race” with friends via video call, provided that all sides have a dice and only one person is operating the game board.

The German premium automaker encourages people to "Just stay at home, and prevent further contagions."


Bring it on: Musk accepts Ford challenge in truck tug of war

                DETROIT: Tesla’s Elon Musk plainly says his pickup is a "better truck than an F-150.” Ford Motor Co. is taking issue with that claim.

While releasing a series of specs last week for Cybertruck, which is scheduled to start deliveries as soon as late 2021, Musk called up a video of the the pickup in a tug-of-war against Ford’s best-selling F-150. He tweeted a clip of the test on Sunday showing his vehicle pulling a screeching Ford model up a hill.

Ford thinks Musk was making an apples-to-oranges comparison. The video the Tesla chief executive officer tweeted appears to show a two-wheel drive version of the F-150 against an all-wheel drive Cybertruck. Other details that could have factored in which pickup won out include curb weight and tyre type.

Sundeep Madra, vice president of Ford X, the automaker’s unit for developing new business models, challenged Musk on Monday to send Ford a Cybertruck. He linked to a post by the car-enthusiast site motor1.com that questioned whether Tesla’s test was "fair game.”

Musk responded to Madra: "Bring it on.”

Tesla and Ford have been at this before. More than a year after Musk tweeted a boast about how much weight Tesla’s truck would be able to tow, Ford released a promotional video of an electric F-150 prototype dragging more than 1 million pounds of double-decker rail cars.


2019 Ford Mustang EcoBoost gains emotional traction. Here's why, says Ford

                DETROIT: Mustang’s new fully active performance exhaust is the result of Ford engineers' fixation on creating emotional appeal.

The 2019 2.3-litre EcoBoost-powered pony car will go on sale this summer in the United States.

There are specialists at Ford that work on creating the right acoustic exhaust notes for a model, which in this case is the iconic Mustang.

“We’re probably the few engineers here who do not have to design to a number or a specification,” said Hani Ayesh, Ford exhaust development engineer. “Instead, we work to identify that signature sound DNA that connects drivers to the emotional expectation they have for a specific car.”

These automotive sound engineers rely on computational analysis to design, for example, a computer-controlled active exhaust system that opens valves – much like a saxophone or a large pipe organ – to change the sound of the car based on the mood of the driver.

According to Ford, the 310-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder Mustang is able to produce a throaty rumble in the exhaust that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up, just as it might on the larger-engine Mustang GT and Shelby GT350 models.

Click a switch on the center console, and the sound instantly changes to match your mood – normal, louder and more aggressive sport and track settings, as well as a quiet mode, when all you want is to just keep the peace.

Ford explains the instintive thrills from an exhaust rumble as an autonomic response. It traces back to ancient humans who successfully learned to react quickly to loud and powerful sounds, like the roar of a lion or the crash of a tree. Over time, this fight-or-flight response to avoid danger was passed along in our DNA and hardwired into our minds and bodies.

The next time you jump at the sound of thunder or feel an adrenaline rush when you hear the new active valve performance exhaust on the 2019 EcoBoost-equipped Mustang, thank your prehistoric ancestors.


New NAP to be presented to Cabinet next week

                KUALA LUMPUR: The National Automotive Policy (NAP) 2019 may be presented to the Cabinet next week for approval to enable it to be launched by end-2019.

Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Darell Leiking said today the public would have the chance to go through the NAP after the Cabinet has given its approval.

"What is more important is that work is in progress because we wanted to add a lot of things," he told reporters after launching the Industry4WRD Summit.

The summit was held in conjunction with the one-year implementation of the national policy on Industry 4.0 or Industry4WRD.

Darell said the draft of the new NAP has been finalised.

"Don't look at the time, look at the content, that is what matters."

Automotive, Robotic and IoT Institute (MARii) chief executive officer Datuk Madani Sahari had in September said NAP will be implemented in three phases till 2030 and will also include efforts to make Malaysia a hybrid and energy-efficient vehicle (EEV) manufacturer.

He said the first phase of NAP is expected to run until 2023-2024.

NAP 2019 will also see MARii shift its EEV focus to the"next-generation vehicle”.


Renault's Mueller quits, clearing CEO succession path

Bollore.
PARIS: Renault’s chief performance officer Stefan Mueller is leaving the company, sources say - likely clearing the way for rival candidate Thierry Bollore to be named second-in-command and eventual successor to CEO Carlos Ghosn.

Bollore, currently chief competitive officer, had been vying with Mueller for promotion in the succession process under way at Renault. The former BMW executive’s departure was agreed this week, according to one of the company sources.

“As of today Stefan Mueller has not left the company,” Renault spokesman Frederic Texier said. He declined to comment when asked whether Mueller’s departure had been decided.
 Mueller.
German-born Mueller and Bollore, a French former Michelin executive, both joined Renault in 2012.

Ghosn, 63, had earlier been expected to hand over the reins to a new chief executive and move to a another role at the helm of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance.

But sources said the plan foundered on differences with the French state, Renault’s biggest shareholder, over the alliance’s future shape and direction. Renault currently holds 43.4 percent of Nissan, which in turn controls Mitsubishi Motors via a 34 percent stake.

Renault now plans to propose Ghosn’s reappointment to the next annual shareholder meeting in June, sources also said, confirming a Feb 1 report in Le Figaro.

The government has yet to agree with Renault on a “road map” for the alliance or bless Bollore’s promotion to the new position of chief operating officer and heir apparent.

Both sides are seeking to avoid a repeat of a bitter 2015 clash in which France raised its Renault stake to swing a shareholder vote and secure double voting rights. The government also pushed unsuccessfully for a full Renault-Nissan merger on terms that would safeguard French industrial interests.

The appointment of Ghosn’s second-in-command is expected to be approved at a Feb 15 board meeting ahead of Renault’s full-year results presentation the following day.


Formula E cars being put up for sale

First-generation Formula E cars in action.
LONDON: Unlike Formula 1, where all the cars are built and owned by the individual teams, Formula E bought and owns all 40 of the first-generation electric racing cars itself.

When the first-gen models were originally purchased, Formula E paid around 16 million euros (RM76mil) for them, which worked out at about 400,000 euros (RM1.9mil) each. Like most used cars, they're not going to fetch as much as Formula E paid for them, but they're still not going to be what anyone would call cheap.

Even though some of them will have presumably competed in all four seasons, it's believed they are being offered for sale for between US$200,000 and US$289,000 (between RM821,000 and RM1.2mil) each. Although every car is identical in terms of chassis and battery, the individual resale values are likely to be determined by victories, sentiment and other factors.

The cars are being replaced because battery technology has moved on considerably in the last four years, so the second-generation cars will be able to complete in an entire 45-minute race on a single charge. Thanks to new batteries being supplied by McLaren Applied Technologies with twice the capacity of the first-generation units, the 2019 Formula E season will no longer see drivers having to swap cars when the battery runs out because there obviously wasn't time in a race to recharge.

Both the first and second-generation cars have been built by a company called Spark Racing Technology, and its CEO Theophile Gouzin told Bloomberg: "Today, the competition is on the powertrains, the motor controller and the gear box." He went on to stress that by focusing on efficiency and increasing range through racing, those participating and partnering with Formula E hope to catch up with Tesla in the ongoing development of electric vehicles for all applications.

Formula E's second-generation cars will race for the first time at the opening round of the 2019 season 5 in December at Ad Diriyah in Saudi Arabia.


Mercedes plans EV battery production facility in China

                BEIJING: Daimler, the builders of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, together with BAIC Motor, will be constructing a battery factory in China.

The Sino-German production joint venture between the two companies will be jointly investing a total of 655mil euros (RM3.23bil) so that it can start producing Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles (EVs) by 2020.

“We are investing in the world’s largest market for Battery Electric Vehicles,” said Daimler AG member of the board of management Hubertus Troska who - responsible for Greater China.

A portion of the investment will be channelled into constructing a battery production facility for the locally produced EVs and for export purposes.

 Battery Production at Daimler in Kamenz, Germany.

Daimler plans to introduce some of its employees from its existing battery facility in Kamenz, Germany as multiplicators who will support the construction of the new battery factory in Beijing.

According to the German company, the new battery production plant in Beijing will combine the newest industry standards and latest production facilities with industry 4.0 technologies, while the battery cells will be procured in China.

Globally, more than ten new Mercedes-Benz EVs have been scheduled to be launched by 2022.

Afterwhich, 10bil euros have been planned for investment into the expansion of the electric fleet over those next few years.

Overall, Daimler is investing around 1.0bil euros into the global production of batteries, with estimates that by 2025, electric vehicles will account for 15-25% of total number of units sold by Mercedes-Benz.

“By 2025, the Chinese market will have a substantial share in sales of Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles. Therefore, local production will be key to the success of our EV portfolio, and crucial to flexibly serving local demand for electric vehicles,” added Troska.


GM buys Israel-based software startup to detect early battery defects

                DETROIT: General Motors says it had acquired Algolion Ltd, an Israel-based software startup that helps detect problems in batteries.

GM said Algolion's software will help the Detroit automaker bring to the market a "cost-effective" early hazard detection system at a quicker pace.

The deal, for an undisclosed sum, comes at a time when automakers are investing billions in manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs) and rushing to develop batteries - which represent up to 50% of an EV's price tag - that can power an automobile for a longer duration.

It also comes as safety authorities urge US automakers to improve battery standards after a series of events where vehicles have caught fire due to defective modules.

Algolion has developed a software that uses data from EV battery management systems to help identify anomalies in cell performance and provide early detection of battery hazards including "thermal runaway propagation events", GM said.

A thermal runaway is a rapid and unstoppable increase in temperature that leads to fires in EVs.

Algolion, founded in 2014, will join more than 850 employees at GM's Technical Centre in Herzliya, Israel.


Peugeot presents 3008 GT

                PARIS: Peugeot has lifted the lid on an addition to its upcoming 3008 range, in the shape of a high-end GT model. With its 180hp engine and surprising two-tone paint job, the GT model will land when the brand's new-generation crossover goes on sale this autumn following the Paris Motor Show.

The GT model brings a few sporty and exclusive extras to the new specs already announced for the upcoming 3008, such as Peugeot's i-Cockpit, which does away with dials in favour of a digital display and a touch screen.

The Peugeot 3008 GT comes with LED headlights as standard and sequential indicators. It has specific exterior design features and a stylish interior with copper top-stitching on the dashboard trim, door trim panels, central armrests and contoured seats. This is matched with a stainless steel pedal unit and footrest.

The 3008 GT gets a 2.0L BlueHDi 180hp engine and an automatic six-speed gearbox, making it the most powerful of the range. Peugeot is also offering an optional paint finish called "Coupe Franche," using three of the range's colors (Platinum Gray, Amazonite Gray and Metallic Copper) matched with a Perla Nera black rear.

The 3008 GT Line is billed as an even more stylish option than the GT thanks to 18" two-tone diamond-cut alloys and Perla Nera black wing mirror cases.

The Peugeot 3008, 3008 GT and GT Line go on sale from October, coinciding with the 2016 Paris Motor Show.

The Paris Motor Show runs Oct 1-16 at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles exhibition centre here.


INRIX Road Weather offers smarter way to avoid dangerous driving conditions

                SEATTLE: INRIX Road Weather aims to give drivers the sort of heads up as to the prevailing conditions that a traditional weather forecast can't provide and in doing so try to reduce road traffic accidents caused by adverse meteorological conditions.

INRIX's new service draws real-time data from connected vehicles actually on the road thanks to a partnership with the Global Weather Corporation (GWC) analyzes that information to predict how weather patterns are changing as well for alerting other drivers to immediate road surface conditions.

"INRIX has been focused on making driving not only more efficient, but also safer," said the company's founder and CEO, Bryan Mistele. "Road Weather is another innovative next step that continues our work to use massive amounts of big data and leading-edge technology to make connected cars safer and cities smarter."

Despite breakthroughs in active and passive vehicle safety systems, poor weather conditions are responsible for a huge number of crashes. According to Volvo research, 30 percent of traffic fatalities are due to slippery roads and poor visibility while National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data suggests weather plays a role in 25 percent of US crashes.

Users of INRIX Road Weather, be it integrated directly into their cars or accessed via an app, will receive critical road condition information every 15 minutes - i.e., if the roads are slippery because of a downpour or a drop in temperature - in alerts that are more accurate and informative than a typical weather forecast which typically doesn't cover how much if any surface water can be expected on any particular route at any particular time.

This accuracy is due to cars equipped with the technology experiencing and sharing the conditions firsthand but is also due to GWC's expertise. It is a leader in the provision of hyper local weather modeling which is accurate enough for automotive application.

INRIX is by no means alone in harnessing the data from connected cars to improve safety for all road users.

Since March 2014 Volvo has been testing a cloud-hosted connected car platform of its own in and around the city of Gothenburg. Specially equipped cars report on ice buildups on certain routes and share the alerts with other road users in the area so that they can take evasive action or pick another route. The data is also used by local government to better plan how and where to grit and salt roads.

Likewise, Land Rover is developing a system that will turn its cars into mobile road quality inspectors, alerting the local government to cracked surfaces, potholes or damaged drain covers.

However, unlike Volvo and Land Rover whose systems are still in development, INRIX Road Weather will be going live this month across Europe and the US.


BMW Malaysia expands DC fast charging network in northern region

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Group Malaysia has unveiled two new DC Fast Chargers at Tian Siang Premium Auto Butterworth and Tian Siang Premium Auto Ipoh, as part of the charging infrastructure expansion strategy that complements Malaysia’s commitment towards accelerating the adoption of electrified mobility.

Also available for public use, the new DC Fast Chargers feature dual CCS-type outlets capable of up to 120kw.

BMW Group Malaysia managing director Hans de Visser said BMW's expansion plans for charging infrastructure network in Malaysia had been a success thus far, having made available eight BMW iCharging facilities at various authorised BMW dealerships in the first quarter of 2022 alone.

 Tian Siang Premium Auto Butterworth.

“By tackling common pain points of electric vehicle (EV) ownership in tandem with our electro-offensive this year, we are hopeful that the local perspective on electromobility will shift for the better,” he said.

Tian Siang Premium Auto dealer principal Tan Ka Kin said, “As an authorised BMW i dealer in the northern region of Malaysia, we are thrilled to provide even more accessibility to not only our customers but the growing community of EV owners in Penang and Perak.

 Tian Siang Premium Auto Ipoh.

“The addition of these new DC Fast Chargers at our own dealerships allows us to further deliver the Premium Ownership Experience to our customers here, on top of the many BMW i charging facilities we have previously made available, in partnership with BMW Group Malaysia, across the northern region,” he said.


Pal-V launches first commercial flying car

                ROTTERDAM: The first commercial flying car has officially gone on sale.

Dutch manufacturer PAL-V has launched the sales of its commercial models, the "Liberty Pioneer" and "Liberty Sport," with deliveries of road and air certified models are scheduled for the end of 2018. Prices range from 300,000 euros to 500,000 euros (from RM 1.4mil to RM2.4mil).

"After years of hard work, beating the technical and qualification challenges, our team succeeded in creating an innovative flying car that complies with existing safety standards, determined by regulatory bodies around the world," said the company's CEO Robert Dingemanse.

"This truly is a pivotal time in aviation and mobility history."

Pal-V, which first started test programmes of its concept vehicles in 2009 and 2012, has created a unique dual engine propulsion for its Liberty model, which also features lowered suspension and a tilting "cockpit" for an extra sporty approach.

The car functions as a normal three-wheel road vehicle with an added aviation bonus feature.

READ ALSO:
Airbus Pop.Up is a flying car with a twist


GT Line plays up the fun in Peugeot

                PARIS: BMW has its ultimate M cars, Mercedes-Benz its AMG and even Renault has its own range of hot hatch with RS badgery. Now Peugeot wants in on the game by introducing its visually and mechanically sportier GT Line.

The French carmaker is applying their beefed-up interpretation to its new 208, 308, 508 and of course the RCZ top give their customers a new choice that possesses dynamic styling and equipment that gets packaged with affordable engines.

For identification purposes, the GT Line models possess larger wheel, twin exhausts, a RedLine colour scheme on the touchscreen, full-LED headlamps (308 & 508), LED indicators (308, 508) and LED rear lights (208, 308, 508).

Other than the GT Line badging applied to the bodywork, the cabin gets black and red trim to remind its drivers of what they drive.

The Peugeot 208 GT Line (available in three and five-door versions) has adopted much from its GTi stablemate with two engines for choice – a 1.2-litre PureTech S&S petrol engine with 110hp with a manual or auto transmission (EAT6) and a 1.6-litre BlueHDi diesel with either a 100hp or 120hp output.

The GT Line finish is derived from the Allure trim and features an ‘Equalizer grille’ with red 3D markings, a gloss black grille and front fog lamp finishers, with 17-inch Caesium alloy wheels, gloss black door mirror shells, chrome window surrounds and a chrome exhaust finisher.

Furthermore, the GT Line badges are found on the grille, front wings and tailgate, plus a red Peugeot lettering at both the front and rear.

The cabin boasts attractive black and red sports seats with red stitching, which is repeated on the door panels and gear lever gaiter/grip.

Gloss black door handles with red line at the front, leather sports steering wheel with a flat base section, red stitching and a satin chrome insert, complement the black seat belts with distinctive red line, aluminium PEUGEOT door sill finishers and aluminium pedals.

The Peugeot 308 Hatchback GT Line and 308 SW GT Line garnered much inspiration from its 308 GT in both hatchback and stationwagon versions.

The Lion is also present within the grille, highlighted by three horizontal chrome bars and lighting comes from full-LED headlamps and rear LED lights – all together there’s a total of 142 LEDs.

Equipped as standard in the UK, the PEUGEOT 308 GT Line has 18-inch Diamant alloy wheels, sill finishers which visually lower the car’s stance and black lacquered diffuser and finishers, such as the twin exhaust tailpipes, and the GT Line signature is applied to the grille, bonnet and front wings.

In the cabin, red stitching is used on the TEP/Alcantara trimmed seats, specific full-grained leather steering wheel, door panels, dashboard and gear lever gaiter.

The 9.7-inch touch screen follows this theme with the RedLine colour scheme.

The sporty ambience comes from its anthracite headlining and pillar trims, stainless steel doorsill finishers and aluminium footrest and pedals.

A Driver Sport Pack is also available as an option on eligible Euro 6 engine types, such as the 1.2 litre PureTech 130 with either a 6-speed manual or auto (EAT6) transmission.

Next engine in line would be the 1.6 BlueHDi 120 diesel engine with a 6-speed manual, followed by a 2.0 litre BlueHDi 150 diesel with either a 6-speed manual or the EAT6 auto transmission.

Peugeot’s flagship 508 and 508 SW get the GT Line treatment too with a more assertive exterior styling through its vertical chromed grille that includes the new brand identity of the Lion in its centre.

Additionally, the 508 and SW model gets full-LED headlamps and foglamps, while the exterior includes exclusive 18-inch GT Line alloy wheels and twin exhaust tailpipe finishers on the rear skirt.

The windows on both cars have dark tinted side windows and a panoramic sunroof, while the GT Line signature is applied to the grille and the front wings.

Inside, there’s red stitching on the Marston Tramontane half-leather seats, the mats and the gear lever gaiter, a seven-inch colour touch screen (with a reverse camera) built into the middle of the dashboard and also adopts the RedLine colour scheme.

To further enhance safety both models possess blind spot sensors, keyless entry and start.

Engine options include a 1.6 litre BlueHDi 120 diesel engine with either a six-speed manual or the EAT6 transmission, or a 2.0 litre BlueHDi 150 engine with a six-speed manual transmission.

Last but not least, the GT Line gets applied to the more potent Peugeot RCZ.

It now rolls on 19’-inch Technical Grey alloy wheels, while it shines its Xenon headlamps with titanium masks, attracts with its gloss black door mirrors, red lined wheel caps, twin exhaust tail pipes and the GT Line badge in the grille.

Inside, there’s red stitching on the sports steering wheel, mats, gear lever gaiter, Alcantara leather seats, dashboard, door panels and leather door inserts and even the seat belts.

Other interior features include Satellite Navigation, Climate Control and DAB radio, while power comes from a 1.6-litre THP 200 petrol engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission.


Ford Focus no more after 2025

                COLOGNE: Ford has confirmed that the Focus would end production in 2025.

Ford of Europe's chief Stuart Rowley said the fate of the Saarlouis plant in Germany where the Focus is produced is still up in the air.

The plant which employs 4,600 workers might even be sold to other manufacturers, he said, adding that there would be major job cuts in the last days of the Focus.

As Ford transitions to making electric vehicles, Rowley said fewer workers are required.

Ford has already retired the Mondeo in April after 30 years of production at its plant in Valencia, Spain.

While the Focus will be dropped in three years time in most parts of the world, it may continue to be sold in China, along with the Mondeo. Both models are assembled in China for the local market.


KL gears up for first street race

 The open-wheeled vehicles that will be racing on the streets of Kuala Lumpur.

KUALA LUMPUR: The streets here are about to get hotter in August when the Kuala Lumpur City Grand Prix makes it debut in the heart of the city.

Yes, we are finally getting our own street race here in Kuala Lumpur, thanks to GT Global Race (M) Sdn Bhd, which has a five-year agreement with Kuala Lumpur City Hall to organise it.

“The intention to make it into an annual event is there and hopefully we will still be doing it 50 years from now. The Macau Grand Prix has been running for more than 60 years now,” said project director and lead technical consultant Simon Gardini.

He first pounded the streets of KL in 2013 after being contacted about the possibility of a street race and saw real possibility in it which brings us to the present day.

 Gardini

“Street circuits are romantic yet gritty. It is also very much a compromise between the International Automobile Federation (FIA) guidelines and what is achievable,” he said.

The KL City GP street circuit aims for a Category 3 licence from the FIA and to date, will feature the Lamborghini Super Trofeo, Formula Masters and Scirocco celebrity Challenge races.

When it comes to designing a street race track, one looks at roads in a completely different way compared to ordinary drivers.

“Racers use the whole width of the road and my job is to carefully evaluate how the entire canvas of the road can be used with safety as a priority. The track also needs to be exciting while the iconic sights of town highlighted,” Gardini said.

He cited Turn 2 of the track, a left from Jalan Ampang to Jalan Sultan Ismail, as an example of a high-speed approach which will then see the cars taking a sharp left onto the far carriageway, which on typical days would be where oncoming traffic is.

The existing structures along the track will also be used creatively, with the monorail pylons in the centre of Jalan Sultan Ismail being the turning points for a bus stop chicane which also serves the purpose of slowing down the cars that would otherwise be approaching the next curve at flat out speeds.

Gardini, who has years of experience with GPs including the Australian and Singaporean races, admits to being excited from day one for the race in Kuala Lumpur.

“Anything between 2.8km and 3.2km (Kuala Lumpur’s circuit is 3.2km) is the best length for a street circuit which usually sees lower average speeds but tighter turns. Here, there are also elevation changes which is reminiscent of Monaco and Macau, making it more interesting.

“Many cities are also built in boxy grids which means many turns end up being 90 degrees but the streets in KL are not like that. There are curves here that adds an interesting variation to the circuit and more importantly, creates a better spectacle,” he said.

City Hall is heavily involved in ensuring the event is a success and Gardini highlights some of the requirements the race needs which will involve a number of changes on the roads.

This includes, but is not limited to removal of a traffic island near Jalan Raja Chulan and ensuring there are no road signs, traffic lights and such in between the barriers where the cars race.

 The only open-wheeled vehicle to race the Kuala Lumpur City Grand Prix is the Formula Masters.

All this does not translate to potentially lawless roads as Gardini explained that likely these things will be changed to a removable type as it is still needed for the rest of the 362 days in a year.

“The three major roads will also be opened to traffic at the end of each race day. We have already begun talks with stakeholders in the area and discussed things including traffic management and such. This track has 147 points of access into all kinds of properties and building a track while still ensuring access to people is a challenge but things are progressing well, at this juncture,” Gardini said, adding that their stand was to do it if they could.

Works on the physical structures for the race will start about seven weeks before the event and the first signs of it will be the safety barriers.

“Most of it is going to end up on top of the kerb, which means even if we put it up now it will not disrupt pedestrians or motorists. As we progress, however, we will start running out of areas we can work on that will not disrupt the public. What we can do when the time comes to build the venue is to ensure as little disruption. No pain, no gain is the word,” he said.

Gardini mentioned that in terms of road standards, City Hall would also ensure the circuit is smooth with its various pits and manhole covers level with the road.

“Resurfacing the road should be done a couple of months before the event which should give it enough time to settle. This also takes into account that the race is for cars that do not have the same clearance issues as an F1 car,” he said.

“An F1 GP on this circuit is not possible for a lot of reasons. The requirements include a Category 1 licence and a number of facilities that the circuit does not have the space for including pit buildings and such.

“It is impossible to hold an F1 race without major changes such as widening roads that might mean knocking some buildings down. The KL City GP circuit also has some narrow sections which are alright in terms of safety for closed-wheel vehicles,” Gardini said, adding that the FIA inspector would come to town in July.

Gardini still carries within him the image of the faces of the people when the first car went out in the Singapore GP.

“It was an unbelievable sight. Though motors ports is quite prevalent here in Malaysia, I believe this street race will still be a spectacle to behold and amaze the people here,” he said.


EU and Germany edge towards solution on combustion engine row

                BRUSSELS: Germany and the European Union are on course to resolve a dispute over the bloc's planned 2035 phaseout of CO2-emitting cars, EU leaders said at a summit here on Thursday.

Berlin's last-minute opposition to one of Europe's biggest climate change policies was not part of the official summit agenda, but has overshadowed the discussions.

"If I understand correctly the talks between the Commission and the German government... everything is on a good path," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on his arrival to the summit.

Scholz did not specify when he expects a deal to be reached. Some leaders, such as Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and EU officials suggested it would be a matter of days.

"Negotiations are progressing. There is a will on both sides to resolve this topic," EU Commission head Ursula von der Leyen told a news conference after the first day of the summit. "I am confident that soon we will find a good solution," she said.

The EU law is expected to make it impossible to sell new combustion engine cars in the EU after 2035. Germany's Transport Ministry wants assurances that new combustion engine cars can be sold beyond that date if they run on e-fuels - a request supported by parts of Germany's powerful car industry.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said a number of countries had been won round to e-fuels, saying they could reduce EU reliance on batteries and materials from China for electric vehicles.

"There's a lot of agreement on this topic. France also supports this position now. For us, it's an important signal," he told reporters after Thursday's session closed.

Last-minute opposition from Germany's transport ministry came after EU countries and lawmakers had already agreed a deal last year to ban combustion engines.

The dispute has raised concerns among some EU officials that political deals on other major laws could unravel.

The Ministry and the European Commission, which drafts EU laws, are in talks. A draft EU Commission proposal, seen by Reuters this week, suggested allowing carmakers to register sales in a new type of vehicle category, for cars that can only run on carbon neutral fuels.


Rolls-Royce resumes production and celebrates 116 years of history

                LONDON: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has reached a ripe old age of 101 years but even more significantly was May 4, 1904 - the precise date when The Honourable Charles Rolls met Henry Royce in Manchester, England.

To mark the occasion, the company has announced that production has resumed at its Goodwood-based manufacturing plant.

Last year, the company celebrated its centenary with the release of the Wraith Eagle VIII Collection Car - limited to just 50 examples.

 Sir Henry Royce

The significance was that in 1919, Royce's Eagle VIII engine provided the power for the first transatlantic flight, from St John’s, Newfoundland to County Galway in Ireland, by
British adventurers Captain John Alcock and Lieutenant Arthur Brown.

Royce’s home studio was the birthplace of the engine that now occupies an important place in the annals of aviation achievement.

It so happened that the engineer in Royce had a desire for perfection and an innate work ethic that later became the pillar of the company's philosophy - “Take the best that exists and make it better.”

Rolls, on the other hand, was an aristocrat and an accomplished motorist with experience in selling imported foreign motor cars.

 The Honourable Charles Stewart Rolls

His business partner, Claude Johnson, stepped into the role of Managing Director of Rolls and Royce’s venture and expanded the fledgling company’s reputation.

The company they founded has faced extraordinary challenges and difficulties throughout its 116-year history.

Though it was still in its infancy in 1918, it managed to endure the greatest pandemic of the 20th Century - the Spanish Flu.

A decade later, it again stood firm when the Great Depression laid waste to the global economy as it did during the financial crash of 2008

And so while Covid-19 is possibly the biggest test the company has ever faced, it is certainly not the first.

“We are living through historic times. Our primary focus is, of course, on safely resuming production at The Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex. Our present challenges may be unprecedented, but as we look to the future, I am confident there is no company in the world better prepared to overcome them,” said Rolls-Royce Motor Cars chief executive officer Torsten Müller-Ötvös.


Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance arrives in Malaysia

                SERDANG: Cycle & Carriage presented its latest offering of luxury Mercedes-Benz vehicles at the Malaysia Autoshow 2023 which runs until May 7.

Featuring electrified EQ and high-performance AMG models, visitors will be able to get a hands-on experience with the German automotive brand's impressive range of exceptional vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launched the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance, the most powerful Mercedes-Benz production vehicle to date, that also happens to be a plug-in hybrid.  GT 63 S E Performance.

The four-door coupe is equipped with a 4.0-litre V8 AMG biturbo engine delivering 470kW and supplemented by a 150kW electric motor powered by an ultra-light high-performance battery.

Featuring a combined system torque of 1,400Nm, the GT 63 S E Performance develops instant power and can accelerate from 0 to 100kph in 2.9 seconds. EQS 500.

In addition, the public got an up-close experience of Mercedes-Benz’s selection of vehicles on display, including the Mercedes-Benz E 300, C 300, GLC 300 e Coupe, GLS 450, and the newly launched Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic.

Cycle & Carriage also showed visitors the Mercedes-EQ series including the EQB 350, EQE 350, and the new EQS 500.

 GLC 300.

To give visitors additional hands-on experience, test drives were also provided for some of the latest models, such as the Mercedes-Benz C 200, GLC 300, the Mercedes-AMG GLA 35, and the EQA 250 by Mercedes-EQ.

Cycle & Carriage Malaysia CEO Thomas Tok said the Mercedes-Benz dealership wanted customers and fans of Mercedes-Benz to get a tangible taste of premium luxury vehicles that are future-forward while elevating their lifestyle.

 EQA 250. Mercedes-Benz merchandise.

The show  is held at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang.

Customers can also visit Cycle & Carriage’s 11 locations throughout Peninsular Malaysia.

Visit https://www.ccb.mercedes-benz.com.my/ or https://www.facebook.com/cyclecarriagemy to stay up-to-date on the latest Cycle & Carriage happenings.


ABB Robotics targets e-commerce giants amid automotive slowdown

                ZURICH: ABB Ltd. and Silicon Valley startup Covariant are partnering to work on warehouse robotics for e-commerce companies like Amazon.com Inc. and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. as the Swiss engineer is seeking revenues beyond the weakened car industry.

The robotics are able to autonomously pick online shoppers’ orders received by warehouses and the first solution is currently being deployed at Bpost Group’s Active Ants, a provider of e-commerce fulfillment services for web businesses in the Netherlands, ABB and Covariant said today.

ABB started developing solutions for e-commerce logistics three years ago and the new partnership is intended to address a gap it identified in the order picking process.

Its move into e-commerce is helping ABB to stand on "multiple legs as opposed to one strong leg,” Robotics and Discrete automation president Sami Atiya said in an interview, adding that 60% of the division’s annual sales come from sectors other than automotive.

As a supplier of factory automation gear, ABB is exposed to the global slowdown in manufacturing. The robotics business’ orders fell by 18% in the fourth quarter of 2019 and sales dropped 10%. ABB said it expects total revenues to be steady or slightly up in 2020 — excluding a "likely” impact from the coronavirus outbreak.


Volkswagen Malaysia offers free service check

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia is offering a free 5 Star Service Check at all service centres nationwide.

As part of the VW Cares initiative, the 5 Star Service Check is a visual check conducted by the service advisor together with the car owner to review and highlight potential wear and tear and identify any severe issue.

Inspected items include the body and paint condition of the vehicle, lighting, brakes, windscreens and windows, wheels and tyres.

Customers will benefit from the 5 Star Service Check as it is transparent, fast and free of charge and allows them to make informed decisions on their next steps.

From now till December 31, 2020, Volkswagen owners who send their vehicles in for the 5 Star Service Check and in need of parts replacements can enjoy additional savings on selected parts.

The savings are listed below:

For more information, visit www.volkswagen.com.my/volkswagen-service/repair-and-service


Here's the safe way to hit the brakes in an emergency

                BERLIN: Most new cars come equipped with collision warning systems or emergency brake assistants.

These systems use sensors to detect obstacles or vehicles that pose a risk and warn the driver through a signal or sound. The driver should then immediately hit the brakes.

With an emergency brake assistant, the brakes even engage automatically if the driver doesn't react right away.

But how should a driver execute an emergency braking manoeuvre if there’s no such assistance systems on board?

"In these cases, the driver must abruptly press on the brakes in order to achieve maximum deceleration," says driving instructor Reinhard Buchsdruecker.

The decisive factor is to apply full force to the brakes and to hold that force until the car comes to a standstill. If driving a manual-transmission car, you should also step on the clutch while braking to prevent the engine from stalling.

"The most common mistake in such a situation is progressive braking," says Buchsdruecker, a project manager at vehicle testing association Dekra. This implies hesitant braking at first, and then gradually applying greater braking force. Usually, it is not enough to avoid a collision in an emergency situation.

"Many drivers are also put off by vibrating brake pedals as a result of anti-lock braking systems," says the expert. Therefore, it makes sense to train over and over – preferably with an expert – to react to dangerous situations and properly execute an emergency brake.


Truck carrying Takata air bag inflators causes blast in US, 1 killed

 A recalled Takata airbag inflator. - Reuters
TOKYO: A truck transporting Takata Corp air bag inflators and propellants that are at the centre of a global recall exploded in Texas earlier this month, resulting in one death and four injuries, the embattled auto parts supplier said today.

The truck operated by a subcontractor was travelling to a Takata plant in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Aug 22 when the accident occurred, causing an explosion which incinerated one home, local media reported.

A Takata spokesman here was unable to confirm the date and location of the accident, but said the truck was carrying air bag inflators and propellants containing ammonium nitrate, the volatile chemical compound linked to the supplier's exploding air bags, and that the blast killed one woman.

"Takata immediately deployed personnel to the site and has been working closely with the subcontractor and the appropriate authorities to investigate this incident," the company said in a statement. The spokesman said Takata has a warehouse in Eagle Pass which stocks inflators manufactured across the US-Mexico border at its plant in Monclova, which has been confirmed as one of the sources of its defective air bags.

These air bags have been linked to the deaths of at least 14 people and have sparked the global auto industry's biggest-ever recall. Prolonged exposure of the inflators to hot conditions can cause air bags to explode with excessive force, spraying shrapnel into passenger compartments.
More than 100 million vehicles worldwide have been slated for recall to replace Takata inflators, which in addition to the deaths, are linked to more than 150 injuries - mostly in the United States and involving Honda Motor Co Ltd cars.

Takata is looking for a financial sponsor to help overhaul its business and carry ballooning costs as it faces potentially billions of dollars worth of liabilities over the sometimes deadly defects in its inflators.


Kia Motors fast-tracks partnerships with global mobility companies

                PETALING JAYA: Kia Motors Corporation has announced plans to expand its partnerships with global mobility companies to meet the needs of a diverse range of customers worldwide including Grab for the South-East Asian region.

Kia’s president and CEO Ho Sung Song announced the company’s strategy for global mobility during his visit to the company’s Sohari plant in South Korea to review launch preparations for the fourth-generation Carnival.

“Kia is striving to provide customized products and differentiated mobility services based on its long history in automotive manufacturing,” said [resident Song. “Kia will further enhance its collaboration with global partners to offer regionally customized mobility services as it implements its ‘Plan S’ strategy.”

In South Korea, Kia will enhance its local "Kia Flex" vehicle subscription programme by expanding the fleet size to 200 vehicles.

The vehicle line-up will include the new Carnival, which is nearing its Korean market launch, and a new EV model to be added in the future.

In Europe, Kia will work with global partners to provide a customised mobility service for the region. In 2018, Kia established a car-sharing service called ‘WiBLE’ with Spanish energy company Repsol.

In North America, Kia will accelerate its electrification efforts and further enhance its cooperation with its mobility partners. The company provided 200 Niro EVs to the car-hailing firm Lyft last year, and this year provided 44 Niro HEVs to MoceanLab, Hyundai Motor Group’s mobility service company.

In emerging markets, Kia is also preparing to take market share. It has partnered with companies such as Ola, India’s largest ride-hailing company; Revv, an Indian car-sharing company; and Grab, Southeast Asia’s largest ride-hailing company.


Volvo targets sales of one million electrified cars by 2025

                GOTHENBURG: Volvo Cars aims to sell one million electrified cars by 2025.

The Swedish company plans to achieve this aim by offering at least two hybrid versions of every model in its range and releasing the first all-electric car in 2019.

Volvo Cars has been readying itself for the emergence of electrified vehicles for the last five years. It has developed two all new vehicle architectures for larger and smaller cars – Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) and Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) – that can incorporate either hybrid or fully electric car technology.

Its larger 90 series and 60 series cars are to be built on SPA, and it will soon launch a global range of smaller 40 series cars on CMA. All of these cars will have electrified versions. The one million electrified car target is a cumulative total.

“It is a deliberately ambitious target,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive. “It is going to be a challenge, but Volvo wants to be at the forefront of this shift to electrification.”

The new electrified car pledge forms part of a wide ranging review of Volvo’s strategic sustainability program announced today that contains several new commitments that place sustainability at the center of its future business operations.

The new commitment has been christened omtanke,  a Swedish word that means ‘consideration’ or ‘caring’.

Among the commitments being made by Volvo Cars are that it will impose climate neutral operations by 2025, have 35 per cent of its leading positions held by women by 2020, move further towards its vision that by 2020 no one will be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo and work with international partners to promote sustainability.

“Sustainability is nothing new or something that sits outside our operations, it is something that forms an integral part of everything we do. It is simply our way of operating,” said Samuelsson. “This new sustainability commitment reflects Volvo Cars’ fundamental belief that we must also grow responsibly.”


CES 2016: McLaren675LT JVCKENWOOD Concept debuts

                LAS VEGAS: McLaren Automotive and JVCKENWOOD unveiled on Wednesday an innovative design study, the McLaren 675LT JVCKENWOOD Concept, created for the CES 2016 here.

The concept is based on the new McLaren 675LT Coupe and features a host of new technologies and celebrates the 25th anniversary of their Formula 1 partnership.

For its collaboration with JVCKENWOOD, McLaren began with a 675LT Coupe prototype vehicle.  The 675LT Coupe, which recently went into production, is the most driver-focused, lightweight and aerodynamically optimised model in the McLaren Super Series family.  Limited to 500 units, all sold out within months.

The McLaren design team, led by designer Peter Wilkins, was tasked with incorporating the JVCKENWOOD CAROPTRONICS system into the 675LT Coupe.  Working closely with JVCKENWOOD’s Japan-based team, they focused their attention on the interior of the 675LT Coupe.  The interior of a McLaren road car is a minimalist environment and, with its emphasis on weight savings, the 675LT Coupe is one of the most extreme of all. This made it the ideal starting point for the McLaren 675LT JVCKENWOOD Concept.

To incorporate JVCKENWOOD’s technology, the team created a layered and panoramic yet purposeful interior using a mix of classic McLaren materials and innovative new fabrics.  The result is still recognisable as McLaren, but takes interior design a step forward.

Carbon Black Nappa Leather is used to finish the top of the bespoke dashboard, upper beltline and forward portion of the central floor tunnel.  A new Geometric Black Technical Fabric with a waxy grained finish to prevent reflections is applied to the area in front of the driver.

This is then positioned to appear as if it is floating by a strip of Satellite Grey Technical Fabric across the dash area and into the doors.  The usual centre console is removed altogether with the air conditioning system, a delete option on the 675LT, to offer an even more spacious feel.

The steering wheel is borrowed from the track-devoted McLaren P1 GTR, with the IPAS and DRS buttons replaced by positioning controls for the Head-Up Display (HUD) with fighter plane inspired graphics. The HUD makes conventional instruments redundant, replaced by a vent framed by satin carbon fiber to provide cooling air directly to the driver.  A flash of colour is provided by Calypso Orange anodised vertical strakes, a colour and material that also surrounds the steering wheel-mounted start/stop button.

Calypso Orange Nappa Leather is applied to the bolsters of the 675LT racing seats and to the armrests around the hip point.  These disappear out of sight once the driver is seated to give a focus on driving.  The orange accent chases the eye down through to the tunnel-mounted leg restraints. Further flashes of orange appear on the seat shoulders for the seat belt guides.  For the seat backs, centre of the tunnel and armrests, more Satellite Grey Technical Fabric is employed.  The seat centre and floormats, complete with 675LT logo, are covered in hard wearing Strata Ribbed Textile, a new material for this concept.  Above the driver sits the monitor for the Digital Rear View Monitor  (DRVM).  It has been integrated into the Carbon Black Nappa Leather headliner.

The already dramatic exterior of the 675LT Coupe is little changed.  Key functional differences are the door-mounted rear view camera blades and third camera mounted above the rear number plate with its housing painted Palladium Grey.

More visible are JVCKENWOOD silver racing stripes that start from the front hood-mounted McLaren badge and continue over the roof to finish ahead of the Longtail Airbrake.  The stripes are also applied to each side of the 675LT where they disappear into the air intakes.  The silver contrasts against the Onyx Black bodywork and provides a visual link to the gloss black machined Super-Lightweight 675LT alloy wheels, as well as the part-grey theme of the interior.

JVCKENWOOD’s CAROPTRONICS sensing device systems offers a fully digital cockpit experience. It is made up of Head-Up Display (HUD) system combined with an Advanced Driver Assistance Systems to communicate information to the driver.

In addition to the HUD, aerodynamic digital cameras replace the wing mirrors of the 675LT Coupé. The design of these electronic mirrors reduce weight and drag resistance, while also aiding downforce at high speed.

The DRVM replaces a conventional rear view mirror. The combination of three cameras, one on each side and one at the rear of the vehicle, offers a wider rear field of view.