Hyundai Elantra N debuts, most powerful N car yet

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Company’s high-performance N brand today unveiled its Elantra N  in a digital world premiere .

The hot sedan, sold as Avante N in South Korea, completes the N brand lineup of "everyday sports cars."

Elantra N is a high-performance variant of the all new Elantra, released in April 2020. It adds strong, dynamic driving capability and aggressive design elements on top of the sporty standard model.

In a video released today, Hyundai Motor’s N brand provides details of over 40 N elements applied to Elantra N through a story about a boy falling in love with cars, and visually reveals the excellence of this everyday sports car, which has been tuned precisely to enhance driving performance.

At the end of the video, N brand teases that it will participate in another endurance race with a car that combines a hydrogen fuel cell and an electric battery.

“Pairing hydrogen and battery power could open up very interesting future options for Hyundai in motorsports and beyond,” said Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Experience Division at Hyundai Motor Company. “Hydrogen can be used as a range extender or a power booster. We have the technology available and I am quite confident that we will make this happen.”

https://www.youtube.com/hyundainworldwide

Elantra N is powered by a 2.0-liter turbo flat power engine with a 52-mm turbine wheel, which is 5 mm larger in diameter than before, and a 12.5-mm turbine passage with an area increased by 2.5 mm. These enhancements, along with the optimisation of the shape and material of the cylinder lock, improve both the performance and durability of the engine. As a result, the flat power technology maintains the maximum output from about 5,500 rpm for brisk acceleration.

Elantra N’s flat power engine is mated with an 8-speed wet dual clutch transmission (DCT), delivering maximum output of 280hp and maximum torque of 392Nm. With N Grin Shift (NGS), the boost pressure increases, temporarily enhancing output up to 290 ps. As a result, Elantra N achieves a top speed of 250kph and completes 0-100kph in just 5.3 seconds.

Elantra N’s spirited performance is further supported by N Corner Carving Differential (e-LSD, electronic Limited Slip Differential), Variable Exhaust Valve System and Launch Control—all of which are specialized, high-performance features that are applied as standard. For DCT models, N Grin Shift (NGS), N Power Shift (NPS) and N Track Sense Shift (NTS) are provided as standard features to maximise driving pleasure.

To shine in the corners, Elantra N provides robust braking performance. The 360-mm brake discs are equipped with high-friction material pads to ensure best-in-class braking performance for high-performance vehicles.

Furthermore, a cooling hole is applied to the dust cover along with a brake air guide structure to improve cooling efficiency and the area is also optimized to vent heat from braking friction. Attention has been paid to every detail so that consistent braking force can be maintained even in harsh driving conditions.

In Elantra N, there are features implemented for the first time in an N model that also stand out.

For the first time ever in a Hyundai, Elantra N applies an integrated drive axle (IDA), inspired by technology used in WRC rally cars. By integrating drive shaft, wheel hub and bearing, weight reduction of 1.7 kg enables a "lighter and stronger" car. This is also beneficial in terms of withstanding extreme lateral g-force..

By integrating the intake duct and air cleaner in the intake compartment, Elantra N’s engine response is sharpened while the intake system’s weight is reduced, and suction pressure reduced by about 10 percent or more. The shape of the powertrain mount is optimized to improve integration of movement between the powertrain and the body while driving and increase handling responsiveness.

In addition, Hyundai applied for the first time a dual compound insulator to the front suspension. This, together with the dual compound trailing arm bush achieves optimal performance in ride and handling as well as noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) by separating front/rear and left/right characteristics.

Elantra N applies four-point strut rings and rear stiff bars to strengthen body rigidity. Torque feedback R-MDPS is applied to provide a consistent steering feel even when the external environment changes, such as temperature.

These high-performance technologies developed through N have been applied to general mass-produced vehicles and are expected to lead to improvement in the overall performance of the product lineup in the future.

A special feature for driving pleasure called N Sound Equalizer (NSE) is a virtual engine sound that not only provides driving sounds that represent Hyundai Motorsports, such as TCR race car sounds, but also has an equalizer function that allows the driver to adjust details for each range (whine, throat, bass), with consideration for personal preference. This allows the driver to hear a more realistic and dynamic engine sound while driving.

In addition, the variable exhaust valve system, which delivers N’s distinctive ‘popcorn’ and ‘bang’ sounds, now uses a linear control method to reduce the booming sound during idling while maintaining the distinctive N exhaust note for the driver’s enjoyment.

Lastly, Elantra N is the first N vehicle to use 245-size Michelin PS4S tyres on 19-inch wheels in support of dynamic driving performance.

Elantra N’s advanced infotainment system is equipped with a graphic interface dedicated to N, so driving enthusiasts can enjoy the car’s dynamic performance.

Information needed for high-performance circuit driving, such as oil and coolant temperatures, torque and turbo pressure, which are difficult to check in most cars, is displayed in numbers on the cluster so that the driver can feel more engaged with Elantra N’s performance.

In addition, the lap timer, a high-performance dedicated infotainment function, measures the time it takes to drive a lap on the racetrack and the ‘N Track Map’ records the driver’s location and movement on the circuit in real time. This allows the driver to record their performance without the need for additional specialized equipment and helps them analyze and improve on their performance.

In Korea, Hyundai Motor also is releasing the ‘Hyundai N’ app for high-performance N customers. The app allows users who join the Bluelink (connected car service) to conveniently browse the high-performance infotainment functions of the Elantra N on personal smartphones and tablets. By providing analysis functions based on G-Force, RPM, torque output and lap time, it helps drivers to improve their driving skills in an easy, fun way.

Hyundai Motor plans to expand the function of the Hyundai N app so that it can be used not only by customers who buy Elantra N with Bluelink, but also by customers who have an existing N vehicle.

In addition, it is expected that more customers with high-performance N models will be able to enjoy racetrack driving as if it were a game by applying a ranking system for each circuit in Korea that allows comparison of an N customer’s records with those of others.

Building on the already sporty styling of the new Elantra, Elantra N adds many performance-enhancing parts that further maximise its dynamic driving capability and aggressive appearance.

Check out the front fascia, the N-exclusive red strip at the lower part of the car, the N-only wing-type spoiler, along with rear diffuser, N-only reflector and dual single muffler tip.

The N-specific interior neatly conveys the N family look with the application of N-branded elements, including the steering wheel, shifter, seats, door scuff panels and metal pedals.

On the steering wheel with paddle shifters, the NGS button (DCT only) that raises horsepower by 10 ps for up to 20 seconds and two N buttons that set the desired drive mode are arranged to suit the driver’s preference. Driving modes can be customized and matched to each button in various combinations to maximize Elantra N’s fun driving spirit.

The N seat has reinforced bolsters, so that even if strong lateral acceleration occurs during sharp cornering, it firmly supports the upper and lower body to maintain a stable driving posture at all times.


Ford Ranger Wildtrak is ready

                SHANGHAI: The latest from Ford seems ready to take on the world with its Ranger Wildtrak.

The flagship of the Ranger lineup is getting the latest 3.2-litre Duratorq turbo-diesel under the hood, allowing the 4x4 pickup truck to dish out 197bhp and 470Nm of torque – providing it with a towing capability of up to 3,500kg.

The five-cylinder diesel engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Wildtrak comes equipped with a host of smart features that include Sync 2 connectivity, lane keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, forward collision alert, driver impairment monitor as well as front and rear parking sensors.

It’ll come equipped with a projector headlamps that flank the trapezoidal front grille while fog lamps reside at the bottom edges of the bumper to give the Wildtrak, as Ford puts it, that sports-focused and purposeful aggressive looks.

It rolls on 18-inch alloy wheels that try to fill those gaping wheel arches and it gets draped in your preference of either pride Orange or Cool White.

Inside, orange has been used to accent the car-like interior, which comes equipped with a dual-TFT instrument cluster, an eight-inch touchscreen and air conditioning registers.

The seats are accented with orange threaded piping with the driver getting one that’s power adjustable up to eight-ways.

In terms of in-car connectivity, Ford has installed the latest Sync 2 that comes with voice command to control climate and media controls.

For safety, the Wildtrak comes with both lane keeping alert and lane keeping aid as well as adaptive cruise control, adjustable speed limiter, forward alert, front and rear park assist and a rear-view camera.

In addition, there’s electronic stability control with rollover mitigation and trailer sway control, driver impairment monitor, hill launch assist, hill descent control, adaptive load control and emergency brake assistance.

The Wildtrak also comes with an electronically controlled transfer case, via a roundel within the cabin, allowing drivers to change from 4x2 to 4x4 high or 4x4 low on the fly.

“For customers looking for a truck that shares their appetite for adventure, the new Wildtrak is the complete package. It is the toughest, smartest, boldest Wildtrak we’ve ever made, and it’s ready to take on the world,” said Ford Asia Pacific product development vice president Trevor Worthington.


Touch ‘N Go extends RFID tag pilot test

                PETALING JAYA: Touch ‘N Go (TNG) is accepting new registrations for users who want to join the RFID pilot test community.

Those who are interested in participating in the pilot test should be quick to register on the RFID webpage as TNG have said that the slots available are limited.

The RFID sticker, which will be free during the TNG RFID Pilot Programme, will allow drivers to make use of the RFID toll lanes on a number of highways in the Klang Valley area.

After registration, users will then have to wait for an invitation via email from TNG, fill in their particulars, and select a "fitment centre" location, date and time for an installation appointment.

Then, users have to go to the fitment centre they selected with their registered vehicle to have the sticker installed.

Users who get an RFID sticker will be able to take advantage of a 20% rebate on their first 10 toll trips until June 30.

The RFID sticker is expected to replace SmartTAGs in phases once it officially launches. One benefit to users is that unlike SmartTAGs, the sticker will not require any batteries to work.

The RFID sticker system uses a sticker embedded with a radio frequency chip which will be pasted directly on to the vehicle's windscreen or headlamp. The sticker, which is unique to each vehicle, will be linked to the Touch ‘N Go eWallet app, allowing users to easily monitor their balance and top up credit via online banking and debit/credit cards.


Hyundai bought chips when rivals didn't; its assembly lines are still rolling

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor has so far avoided a chip shortage that has plagued global automakers, largely maintaining its stockpile of chips last year and even accelerating purchases towards the end, three people with knowledge of the matter said.

The shortage has forced production cuts worldwide, including at Volkswagen and General Motors, prompting Germany and the United States to ramp up efforts to resolve the shortage.

Other than Japan’s Toyota Motor, which said this month it had enough chip inventory to last it about four months, Hyundai and its sister firm Kia Corp are the only global automakers to have maintained a stockpile of low-tech chips that helped them keep up production.

If it doesn’t ease soon, though, the shortage could hit Hyundai too, as tight capacity on factory floors starts pressuring production of even high-tech auto chips, said two of the people, who are familiar with the company’s purchases.

The South Korean automaker kept buying chips even as rivals cut orders to reflect diminished demand because of the pandemic.

Analysts said past events that roiled Hyundai’s supply chain and forced it to halt production have shaped this more conservative take on inventory, a departure from automakers’ typical just-in-time approach.

“Like other automakers, Hyundai also planned to cut production at the beginning of the year because of Covid-19,” said one of the people with direct knowledge of Hyundai’s purchases.

“But procurement read the trend of the semiconductor industry cutting auto chips production and said, ‘if we don’t buy them as well, we’ll be in trouble later on,’” said the person, referring to a rush of buying by gadget makers that sucked up most chipmaking capacity.

Chipmakers who supply auto companies outsource most of their production to contract manufacturers like Taiwan’s TSMC, which analysts say often prioritise orders from electronics clients who account for nearly all their revenue.

Hyundai still bought fewer chips in 2020 than it did in 2019, said one of the sources with direct knowledge of auto chip production. But it sharply increased buying in the quarter that ended in December, the person said.

The people declined to be identified because they are not authorised to speak to media.

The fact that Hyundai’s domestic market was relatively solid through the pandemic most likely influenced the company’s plans, analysts said, as did its experiences with China and Japan.

Hyundai took lessons from a diplomatic spat with Japan in 2019 that affected supplies here of chemicals at South Korean chipmakers, and in early 2020, when the coronavirus was spreading in China, production was halted in Hyundai and Kia's plants because of shortages of a part from China.

A spokesman said Hyundai was collaborating with its suppliers to maintain stable production.

Rising concern

Since Hyundai kept buying from chipmakers and global auto parts suppliers such as Bosch and Continental before the shortage worsened, they also managed to keep costs down.

“This has allowed Hyundai to first, secure auto chips, and second, buy them when they were cheaper,” said Kim Jin-woo, analyst at Korea Investment & Securities.

Hyundai also has more local suppliers than rivals.

These suppliers — including Telechips, which contracts fabrication out to Samsung Electronics — are likely to prioritise Hyundai, from whom they get much of their revenue, analysts said.

One person with direct knowledge of Hyundai’s purchasing decisions said the company has diversified suppliers for at least one chip since late last year.

In a statement on Thursday, Hyundai said it plans to halt operations at one South Korean factory for five days in March to adjust inventories of some models.

A union official said the company was trying to save chips by adjusting production of its weaker-selling Sonata model. Sonata in South Korea sold 67,440 units last year versus 145,463 units of Hyundai’s most popular sedan Grandeur.

According to an internal document seen by Reuters, Hyundai expects the shortage to ease in the third quarter, and Kia said last month that since October it had been reviewing its supply chain to prevent production disruption.

“We would not say we are prepared for the next three to six months, but we could tell you that we are not seeing any immediate production disruption,” Kia said on an earnings call last month.

Still, there is rising concern at Hyundai, two of the three people said. The company is checking inventory more frequently and trying to lock down supply contracts earlier, one of them said.

The union official said Hyundai had told the union this week that Hyundai “had secured a lot of chips” but that the situation was becoming “a bit difficult”.

“Clients are trying to pull all they can, while suppliers are being strategic about which order they meet,” said the source with direct knowledge of auto chip production. “It’s going to get worse before it gets better.”


Hankook launches Ventus Prime 3 high-performance tyre

                KUALA LUMPUR: Hankook Tire has launched the Ventus Prime 3 (K125) ultra high-performance tyre for passenger cars in Malaysia.

Billed as delivering a much sought-after balance between performance, comfort and safety, the Ventus Prime 3 (K125) can provide top-notch driving and braking performance on both wet and dry surfaces.

Its wide four-channel grooves provide superior wet performance and better safety.

It also has a new design that optimised for specific grooves by position, minimising the trade-off between dry and wet performance.

The optimised design technology with enhanced tread block stiffness provides superior handling and braking performance on dry surfaces.

Moreover, the new main groove positioning technology reduces pattern noise even after some wear.

The high grip silica compound allows improved dry and wet traction as well as lower rolling resistance.

The Ventus Prime 3 tyres has won strong recognition for its superb braking performance, precise steering behavior, and pleasant ride comfort.

The tyre bagged the first place in the 2018 summer tyre test held by Auto Bild, Germany’s leading automobile consumer magazine.

It was also awarded the top overall mark “Good” from the German Automobile Club ADAC in the 2018 summer tyre test.

Also, the Ventus Prime 3 was awarded at the Red Dot Award for Product Design 2016.

In 2018, Ventus Prime 3 was also selected as the original equipment tyre to the Ford Focus Active and Citroen C3 Aircross.

Hankook Tire senior vice president (Asia Pacific) Park Jeong Ho said, "I am confident that the introduction of this new tyre to Malaysian drivers will deliver excellent benefits and contribute to Hankook Tire’s sales expansion in the overall Asian market, further strengthening our position as a global leading tyre company.”


VW reels out festive deals on cars and services

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is ushering in Chinese New Year (CNY) 2022 by offering attractive festive deals.

Fans of Volkswagen can look forward to auspicious deals of RM1,000 ang pao rebate, RM3,500 eShowroom savings and sales tax exemption for the Arteon R-Line 4MOTION, the Passat Elegance, the Tiguan Allspace Highline, and the Tiguan Allspace R-Line.

Additionally, the Passat Elegance comes with RM2,500 rebate and one-year free petrol. VPCM makes ownership attractive with three years of free maintenance and five years unlimited mileage warranty.

All Volkswagen dealerships nationwide will be organising a showroom event from Jan 15-16 with test drives available.

To ensure road safety during the upcoming festivity, VPCM is providing free vehicle check at all its authorised service centres. Owners can now schedule an appointment through the Volkswagen Cares app.

A complimentary car disinfectant kit is offered to owners who spend a minimum of RM800 for any service from Jan 13. The gift is also available with ozone or mist treatment, as well as for those who replace HEPA or charcoal air con filter.

With the option to spread the bill over six or 12 months at 0% interest rate (T&C applies), Volkswagen said its easy payment plan makes it more affordable for owners to service and repair their vehicle during the festive season.

The CNY deals end on Feb 28.


Fuel economy challenge with Mercedes-Benz C 350 e plug-in hybrid

                The Mercedes-Benz C 350 e Avantgarde plug-in hybrid is a great fuel-saver, which is a boon in times of rising fuel prices.

Fuel consumption can be as low as 2.1 litres per 100km, thanks to a 6.2 kWh high-voltage lithium ion battery and hybrid vehicle technology that allows a range of 31km in pure electric mode.

However, in real-world everyday driving, the fuel efficiency of 2.1 litres per 100km is quite impossible to achieve.

Recently, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia organised a fuel economy challenge starring the C 350 e Avantgarde plug-in hybrid, in order to demonstrate its fuel-saving technologies.

The challenge was simple - drive the C 350 e Avantgarde plug-in hybrid on a 90km route from Wisma Mercedes-Benz in Bandar Kinrara to Avillion Port Dickson.

The journey had to be completed within 90 minutes, and extra points were given for the earliest arrivals.

To recap, the Mercedes-Benz C 350 e Avantgarde plug-in hybrid was launched last October priced on-the-road with GST (without insurance) at RM289,888.

It uses a seven-speed 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission to manage the familiar 2.0-litre (1,991cc) M274 aluminium engine - producing 211hp at 5,500rpm and 350Nm of torque from 1,200 to 4,000rpm.

It also comes in two other trims, namely with an upgraded AMG interior priced at RM294,888 and an all-AMG trim at RM299,888.

The lithium-ion battery is under the boot's floor board, and this reduces the 475-litre boot to 335 litres - rear storage space is expandable to 1,370 litres with the seats folded down.

With an electric motor to generate 80hp and 340Nm, the car's combined output is an adrenalin-inducing 279hp and 600Nm.

The C 350 e accelerates from zero to 100kph in 5.9 seconds.

The charging socket is located at the rear-right of the car's bumper.

The lithium-ion battery can be fully charged from 10 percent to 100 percent in about one hour and 45 minutes with the 230V 16A 3.7kW single-phase wallbox (RM7,000) or about two hours with a 230V 13A 3.0kW wall socket.

This brings us to the starting point of our day trip, as the cars were charged in the morning in the basement car park of Wisma Mercedes-Benz before we moved out.

While drivers were supposed to use the pre-set route on the car's navigation system, there was a system bug with our unit and we opted to use Waze and Google Maps on our smartphones instead.

It did not make much difference as the trip was done mainly via the North-South Expressway, and Seremban-Port Dickson Highway.

Five cars with two occupants each started the trip, but only four cars completed the journey as one car's front wheel was deemed too badly damaged after hitting a pothole in Bandar Kinrara.

The cars were shod with 19-inch wheels wrapped with ContiSportContact 5 SSR run-flat tyres sized 225/40 (front) and 245/35 (rear).

It should be noted that this writer and a drive partner had a combined weight of around 140kg, and we agreed to switch off the air-conditioning for the trip.

The prize of two Mercedes-Benz watches awaited the winners of the fuel economy challenge.

Luckily it was not a sweltering day, but being cooped up in an enclosed and sunlit space without air-conditioning for more than an hour still left us wet with sweat by the time we reached Avillion Port Dickson.

The C 350 e has four operating modes namely, Charge (uses combustion engine to help recharge battery while driving), E-save (uses combustion engine when driving), E-mode (uses electric motor when driving), and Hybrid (uses combustion and electric motor when driving).

To conserve fuel, there was no driver change on the way and E-mode was used as much as possible, and Hybrid mode when battery charge is low.

Transmission mode was kept in Economy.

The C 350 e has lots of goodies including a sunroof, comfort-oriented Airmatic air suspension, 360-degree view camera system, active parking assist, keyless entry and a tri-zone Thermotronic automatic climate controls with pre-conditioning.

Still, it was the 13-speaker 590-Watt Burmester surround sound system we really enjoyed, with its high quality audio playback, as we slowly made our way to Avillion Port Dickson.

We were the first to arrive, and based on in-car instrumentation, we finished the 90km journey in in one hour and 23 minutes, at an average speed of 65kph.

Out of the 90km traveled, 48km were on electric-only mode with the combustion engine turned off.

Our fuel usage was recorded by the trip computer as 4.2 litres per 100km.

And we won!

This was despite another car beating us with fuel usage recorded at 4.1 litres per 100km, as earlier arrivals get extra points.

While cars with the air-conditioning turned off, like ours, definitely consumed less petrol, the C 350 e still proved to be a fuel sipper as one car which used the air-conditioning reported fuel usage of 4.5 litres per 100km.

For us, an impressive part of the hybrid technology here was the seamless switch between all-electric mode and starting up the combustion engine - there were no roughness or unpleasant jerks.

The entire journey was conducted in a refined, smooth manner befitting the advanced hybrid technology and luxury status of a Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrid.


BMW Concept 8 Series to make S-E Asian debut in Malaysia

                CYBERJAYA: Come Feb 22, BMW Group Malaysia will present the BMW Luxury Excellence Pavilion for the first time in Malaysia.

The programme will also be the platform to unveil the BMW Concept 8 Series in Malaysia and the region.

“We're very excited to be able to bring the BMW Luxury Excellence Pavilion to Malaysia later this month," said BMW Group Malaysia  managing director and CEO Han Sang Yun.

"The pavilion is a one of a kind experiential programme which was recently presented in Toronto, Canada and now makes its way to Malaysia. The pavilion shares our vision of the luxurious appeal of our brand and will unveil one of our newest concept vehicles, the BMW Concept 8 Series."

READ MORE: BMW Malaysia drums up the buzz on 8 Series coupe

Han said the BMW Concept 8 Series demonstrates the harmonious relationship between razor sharp dynamics and modern luxury in one vehicle as well as strengthens the BMW Group's leadership in the luxury class.

"As Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President at BMW Group Design describes the BMW Concept 8 Series - it's a slice of pure automotive fascination and showcases a new approach to the use of forms on the car's surfacing to make a forceful statement and create a model brimming with character. In short, the BMW Concept 8 Series is completely a driver's car and clearly communicates Sheer Driving Pleasure in the most luxurious way," said Han.

With limited and exclusive entries per session, the public are encouraged to register their interest to visit the BMW Luxury Excellence Pavilion at www.bmwpavilion.my from today to Feb 11. Confirmed participants will be announced from Feb 14.


All-new Honda HR-V introduced from RM114,000

                KUALA LUMPUR: Honda Malaysia has launched the all-new Honda HR-V compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) in three powertrain options of petrol non-turbo, petrol turbo and petrol/electric hybrid.

Available in four variants, retail prices without insurance are RM114,800 for the entry-level S, E (RM129,800), V (RM134,800) and RS (RM140,800).

The S variant comes with a 1.5-litre i-VTEC twin cam engine that produces 121PS and 145Nm, while the E and V get a more powerful 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo twin cam with 181PS and 240Nm of torque.

Transmission for the three variants is a continuous variable transmission.

The top-of-the line RS is equipped with a two-motor system that delivers 131PS and 253Nm of torque coupled to an e-CVT and a 1.5-litre i-VTEC twin cam Atkinson Cycle engine producing 107PS and 131Nm of torque.

The hybrid powertrain of the RS allows it to achieve exciting driving performance with a low fuel consumption of 4.1 litre per 100km.

The RS, V and E variants will also get drive mode options of Normal, Sport and Econ.

Honda Malaysia opened the pre-launch order for the new HR-V on June 9 and secured 20,000 bookings by its launch today.

Honda Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Hironobu Yoshimura said customers may have to wait up to 12 months to receive their vehicle due to the strong reception.

“However, rest assured that Honda Malaysia is doing our very best to deliver the new cars to our esteemed customers in a timely manner,” he said, adding that the company was also looking at selling 1,600 units of the HR-V a month.

 Honda Malaysia president and chief operating officer Sarly Adle Sarkum (left) and Yoshimura with the RS hybrid.

Some customers who had booked their cars early are expected to take delivery next week.

Buyers who booked their HR-Vs before June 30 and have them registered before March 31 next year are eligible to a sales tax exemption price of RM110,386 for the S variant, E (RM124,971), V (RM129,848) and RS (RM137,091).

Of the bookings received, 5% were for the S variant, 13% for E, 60% for V and 22% for RS.

Despite having a similar footprint compared with the previous generation HR-V that was launched locally in 2015, the new model sports a more stylish appearance along with higher levels of refinement, smart safety features and driving pleasure.

The front comes with a beefier bonnet, slim LED headlights with LED daytime running lights and a more dominant grille styling.

The S variant's grille comes with horizontal slats, while the E and V get black octagon-styled mesh grille.

For the RS, its black octagon mesh grille features chrome studs for a classier appearance.

The E, V and RS variants get an “Amp Up Your Life” heartbeat design at the lower grille to indicate the new HR-V's fun-loving and practical nature.

The HR-V also gets a fastback-like rear with LED taillights featuring a LED lighting strip.

Inside, the dashboard is designed to provide a clearer forward view and increase the driver's situational awareness.

It also comes with an air diffusion system and rear air-conditioner vents for better interior cooling circulation.

Rear seats are the versatile type that allow owners to configure them into utility, long or tall modes to accommodate the sizes of various items to be carried.

Standard for all variants is the Honda Sensing advanced driver assistance system that features Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, Auto High Beam, Adaptive Cruise Control, Low Speed Follow and Lead Car Departure Notification.

Also standard are power retractable side mirrors with turning signals, hill descent control, vehicle stability control, smart entry with push start button, electric parking brake, agile handling assist, walkaway auto lock and security alarm with immobiliser among others.

The S variant comes with 17-inch wheels, 4.2-inch TFT meter, eight-inch display audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, reverse camera, fabric seats and two front USB ports among others, while the E gets additional items such as seven-inch TFT meter, LED front fog lights, tail pipe finisher, remote engine starter, rear seat armrest, paddle shifters and two rear USB ports.

The V moves up with front sequential turn signals, 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, leather steering, leather gear knob, eight-way driver power seat, eight speakers, variable gear ratio steering, Honda LaneWatch camera system and Honda Connect telematics system.

The RS adds on the aggressive RS bodykit and interior, hands-free power tailgate, sports pedals, dual zone auto air-conditioner, auto wipers and deceleration paddle selectors.

Five colours are Ignite Red Metallic, Meteoroid Gray Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic and Ruse Black Metallic.

Honda Japan Large Project Leader of the new HR-V Yoshitomo Ihashi said the new HR-V has been designed to be quieter, safer and more premium, while delivering better driving enjoyment compared with the previous generation model.

 Ihashi

Ihashi said the new model was based on the current Honda City hatchback platform and developed to suit a SUV body.

While HR-Vs offered in markets such as Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia had only one or two powertrain options, Ihashi said Malaysia was able to get three powertrain choices due to sales planning strategy.

The suspension setting of different powertrain choices were also tuned differently to highlight a specific driving concept.

The S variant was adjusted for smooth driving, the E and V were set for sporty handling, while the RS hybrid was calibrated for comfort and refinement.

The previous HR-V model had sold over 111,000 units in Malaysia over its seven-year run and was the front runner in the Non-National Compact SUV segment from 2015 to 2021.


Heavy electric cars risking collapse of old multi-storey car parks

                LONDON: As the shift to electric mobility gathers pace around the world, engineers are warning that old multi-storey car parks must be adapted to cope with the weight of heavy electric vehicles or risk partial collapse.

A review by the UK's Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) said weight limits should be imposed or buildings strengthened to support the increasingly large electric cars which weigh more than two tonnes on average.

The guidance follows the collapse of a multi-storey car park in New York City in April, in which one person died and five were taken to hospital.

“Potentially if we just ignore this issue then we could have a partial collapse. It would not necessarily be a wholesale collapse," Chris Whapples, an IStructE fellow and overseeing consultant for the review, told the PA news agency.

"Nobody wants that, we want the public to have confidence in driving and in using car parks. I’m not trying to create any scaremongering, and I want to emphasise that not all 6,000 multi-storey car parks across the UK have to be closed," he said.

"It’s only the very old ones, built in the 60s and 70s, which are in a very poor state of repair and have weakened over time which will probably need to have some work done to them," he added.

“It’s not the little city electric cars that are likely to be a problem or the average family saloon, but some of the top end electric vehicles like executive saloons or SUVs which are about three tonnes or over which could potentially be overloading some of these older multi-storey car parks.”

Over the past two years Whapples has led a team of 10 engineers, commissioned by IStructE, to update design recommendations for multi-storey car parks.

The review proposes that car park owners have their buildings inspected by engineering firms to see if they need to be strengthened.

If this is too expensive owners may have to impose a vehicle weight limit of up to two-and-a-half tonnes.

Asked how much a total redesign could cost car park owners, Whapple said it was not possible to give a specific figure.

"I can’t say much about the price, because the numbers would be subject to conjecture, and any strengthening procedures would have a price set against them bespoke to each car park," he said.

"I think a lot of old owners will opt for imposing a weight limit rather than paying for strengthening measures." - PA Media


Third national car will be semi-autonomous and ready before 2020

                CYBERJAYA: The new national car project is expected to roll out its first model before 2020, said Entrepreneur Development Minister Mohd Redzuan Yusof.

He said the semi-autonomous car was planned to enter the global market and would cater to demand from young people.

“We are now short-listing two to three partners to participate in this project, including Silterra and CTRM, and expect (the selection) to be concluded by year-end.

“The prototype for this (car) model is expected to be ready by early next year,” he told reporters at a media briefing on the new national car project here today.

Mohd Redzuan said the project would be fully funded by the private sector with the help of several government ministries.

Asked on whether this project was feasible given the short time for completion, Mohd Redzuan said the project would use the latest technology.

“This new car will use 100 per cent disruptive technology and not follow conventional car manufacturing (methods),” he added.

Also present at the briefing was Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) president and chief executive officer Datuk Dr Mohd Yusoff Sulaiman.

Mohd Yusoff said this project was totally new and differentiated itself from the previous national car project by embracing Industry 4.0.

He said the role of MIGHT was to emphasise the importance of having a new car that would help spur development.

“Besides that, MIGHT is also mandated with the task to co-ordinate with various ministries, agencies and the industry, as well as the academia to make the project a success,” he said.


Musk may use 'Battery Day' to call for end of combustion engines

Musk. The first-ever Battery Day, where Tesla will stake out its technology road map, is of keen interest to investors.— AP
SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc. will provide a highly anticipated technology update today when Elon Musk takes centre stage at an event the chief executive officer has dropped hints about for months - and which has helped propel the company’s sky-high valuation.

The "Battery Day” presentation, which follows the annual shareholders meeting, is expected to showcase innovations designed to keep the company’s lead in electric cars as rivals flood the market with new battery-powered vehicles over the next couple of years.

If history is any guide, Musk could talk about demand for Teslas vehicles at the shareholder meeting or give updates about new factories in Berlin and Austin, Texas. In an internal email to staff in Sunday, Musk indicated Tesla may be in line for a record quarter.

The company’s shares closed at US$449.39 in New York trading, up 1.6% after falling as much as 7.9% earlier in the day.

The first-ever Battery Day, where Tesla will stake out its technology road map, is of keen interest to investors. The tiniest improvement in batteries can have a huge impact, because they are an electric car’s most-expensive part.

Will Musk and chief technology officer Drew Baglino go super deep with a highly technical presentation on battery chemistry and improvements made since Tesla acquired Maxwell Technologies in 2019?

Is Musk - who just last year vowed that 2020 would be the year of the robotaxi-- going to promise flying cars? Or will he tout improved range for Teslas existing vehicles and pledge to add a more budget-friendly car to Teslas lineup?

"A lot of the stuff that Tesla has been working on is about making the battery manufacturing cheaper, not a new recipe for a battery or a completely new revolutionary structure,” said Sam Jaffe, managing director of Cairn ERA in Boulder, Colorado.

"But when they institute all of these advances, they will be able to make a US$25,000 car.”

The shareholder meeting gets underway at 1:30pm local time today (4.30am Wednesday) in Fremont, California, and Bloomberg will cover it as it unfolds in a live blog. Musk likes to keep his fans and rivals guessing, but here are seven educated guesses about what he may unveil.

1. Cost parity?
About a decade ago, the US Department of Energy set a target to bring the cost of battery packs down to US$100 per kilowatt-hour from an average of more than US$1,000. It predicted when this milestone is reached, electric cars will achieve cost parity with those powered by internal combustion engines, eliminating the EV premium for buyers.

Tesla is likely to announce its battery costs have dropped to less than $100 per kilowatt-hour, according to Venkat Viswanathan, a battery expert at Carnegie Mellon University. Teslas cost could fall further to $80 per kilowatt-hour by 2025, said James Frith, head of energy storage at BloombergNEF.

2. Destination density
One reason Tesla can make cheaper batteries is because it packs more energy in less material and volume.

This matters because the size of a vehicle won’t change much, but the amount of energy stored in its batteries goes up -- allowing electric cars to go further on a single charge.

The high-end Model S boasts a range of about 644km per charge, the longest of any car now on the market. Currently, the most advanced batteries found in a Tesla Model 3 have an energy density of about 250 watt-hours per kilogram, according to BloombergNEF’s Frith. By 2025, that could rise to as much as 400 watt-hours per kg, he said.

3. Electrode innovation
Batteries have three major components: two electrodes -- anode and cathode -- and an electrolyte that helps shuttle the charge between them. The materials used to make them determine how much energy batteries store and at what cost.

Teslas acquisiton of Maxwell Technologies gives it the ability to use dry-electrode technology, said Colin Rusch, a senior analyst at Oppenheimer. That can help lower the amount of energy needed for the manufacturing process. Even if Musk doesn’t mention Maxwell by name, there’s a good chance Tesla has adopted dry-electrode technology in some form.

‘Wet’ vs. Dry Electrodes: To ready the components of a battery, energy-storing chemicals are mixed in a solvent. That process helps the mixture to have a pancake-mixture type consistency, which can then be coated on aluminum or copper sheets.

Once the coating is done, the sheets are passed through hot ovens to dry out the solvent before the electrodes can be packed into a battery. Dry-electrode technology does away with the use of solvents altogether by adding so-called binder chemicals, which when heated become sticky enough to hold the powdered mixture tightly onto the metal sheeting.

The upshot is that dry-electrode technology can help lower the amount of energy needed for the manufacturing process and reduce the use of equipment and space on the factory floor -- all ways to shave costs.

In 2019, Tesla also acquired Hibar Systems Ltd., a Canadian equipment manufacturer. There’s a small chance Musk may announce that Tesla is making its own batteries, according to analyst Jeff Osborne of Cowen & Co., in addition to using batteries from Panasonic Corp., Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd. and LG Chem Ltd. While getting into manufacturing is capital intensive and thus risky, it could pay dividends in the long term.

4. Cobalt-free?
Tesla is on a mission to reduce the use of cobalt in its batteries, and Musk might have news to share about progress on that front. The reason: Cobalt is expensive, and most of it comes from mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo that are known to employ children and disregard environmental norms. Panasonic, which supplies NCA (nickel cobalt aluminum) cells to Tesla, has said it plans to commercialize a cobalt-free version in two to three years.

Meanwhile, CATL provides Tesla with lower-cost lithium-ion-phosphate batteries that don’t contain any cobalt but are less energy-dense than NCA batteries. Musk has said Tesla also is looking for cheaper and greener supplies of nickel.

5. Spiked With silicon
Musk has said in the past that Tesla "dopes” anodes that contain graphite with a little bit of silicon. This helps because silicon has a much higher affinity for lithium, so the more silicon there is in the anode, the higher the energy density of the battery. It’s possible Musk will announce Tesla has found a way to increase the amount of silicon loading in graphite anodes, Frith said, but the CEO probably won’t announce Tesla has all-silicon anodes, which are still a few years away from commercial use in EVs.

6. Million-mile battery
Tesla may follow CATL in announcing it now offers a million-mile battery, or one with as many as 20,000 charge-discharge cycles. Currently Tesla has a 150,000-mile or 8-year warranty, whichever comes first. A million-mile battery probably won’t extend the warranty seven-fold, because other components of the car probably will wear out sooner.

But it could allow Tesla to make fleet vehicles, such as the long-promised autonomous taxis, that rack up mileage much more quickly than privately owned cars. Cowen’s Osborne also said this could allow Tesla cars to connect with the electric grid and provide services to utilities, such as absorbing excess renewable energy or reducing demands on transmission infrastructure.

7. Partnership shift?
Tesla's most longstanding partner on batteries has been Osaka-based Panasonic. The two companies jointly operate the massive battery plant outside of Reno, Nevada: Panasonic makes the cells, and Tesla strings thousands of cells into the massive battery packs for each car. But Musk has never been keen about depending on one supplier, and Tesla does have smaller-scale agreements with CATL in China’s Fujian province and LG Chem in Seoul. As Tesla builds additional plants in Berlin and Austin, Texas, who will supply the batteries for them? Tesla also sells stationary batteries, which it calls the Megapack, to utility companies that need battery storage for the electric grid.
Will one supplier emerge as dominant for Teslas auto business, while another focuses on the utility market?

"We expect an update on its relationships with cell partners like Panasonic and CATL,” said Rusch of Oppenheimer. "Given the scale of the opportunity in both vehicle and stationary power, we expect TSLA to continue working closely with a few battery suppliers to scale production with key steps remaining in TSLA facilities.”


Mercedes-Benz offering sporty wheels and parts to jazz up new A-Class

                STUTTGART/SPLIT: With Mercedes-Benz busy drumming up the hype over its new A-Class, it is tempting impending owners of the new model with some attractive accessories.

For those who wish to sharpen the sporty appearance and customise their vehicle even further, Mercedes-Benz is offering original parts, from numerous add-on equipment, to alloy wheels up to 19”. With these original parts, the new A-Class can be configured more individually and sportily. All components are available from Mercedes-Benz sales partners.

The list of components from the new Mercedes-Benz Sport Equipment are as follows:

> Exterior mirror cover in Carbon-Style
> B-pillar cover in Carbon-Style
> Front apron spoiler lip in Carbon-Style
> Side skirts in Carbon Style
> Roof spoiler in Carbon-Style
> Rear spoiler painted – primed finish - in the car body colour

In addition, light-alloy wheels different wheel designs in sizes from 16“ to 19“ are also available.

They are: 40.6 cm (16") Light-allow wheel, 5-double-spoke-design, vanadium silver-painted: 6.5J x 16 ET44 \ 205/60 R16; 43.2 cm (17") Light-alloy wheels, 5-spoke-design, vanadium silver-painted: 6.5J x 17 ET44 \ 205/55 R17; 45.7 cm (18") Light-allow wheel, 5-double-spoke-design, black-painted with high-sheen rim edge: 7.5J x 18 ET49 \ 225/45 R18; and 48.3 cm (19") Light-allow wheel, 5-double-spoke-design, black-painted and high-sheen: 7.5J x 19 ET49 \ 225/40 R19.

Mercedes-Benz said the parts meet its standards of quality and safety that are well above the legal requirements. Strict manufacturing tolerances apply to all parts, it added.

The market launch of the new A-Class begins in May, and it will arrive in Malaysia well before the end of 2018. At present, the Stuttgart car maker is holding a big media drive in Split, Croatia, to which CarSifu is participating.

READ MORE: Mercedes-Benz starts production of new A-ClassC-Class expansion: Injecting emotional appeal

Mercedes-Benz also announced its C-Class line-up will have the new Cabriolet and Coupe versions from July. The Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC are also available to order with immediate effect in either Saloon or Estate model form.

Sportiness and driving pleasure have been enhanced with an updated design, digital cockpit and DYNAMIC BODY CONTROL suspension. They will also get new four-cylinder engines, some of which are equipped with 48 V technology (EQ Boost).

 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet Avantgarde, Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Coupe.


Nissan Serena J IMPUL launched: RM170K

                KUALA LUMPUR: Edaran Tan Chong Motor has launched the new Nissan Serena J IMPUL variant which adds classy exterior touches, a sportier stance and a luxurious cabin ambience.

Pirced on-the-road without insurance at RM169,888, the Serena J IMPUL hybrid MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) is said to build on the strengths of the Premium Highway Star Package, and has features developed in collaboration with renowned aftermarket tuner IMPUL Japan.

All IMPUL accessories are factory-fitted and enjoy a warranty of three years or 100,000km, whichever comes first.

It has ultra high-performance 225/40 R18 Goodyear Eagle F1 Sport tyres, and a Japan produced J IMPUL aerokit featuring front and rear chrome-plated garnish, as well as 18-inch IMPUL Millennium alloy wheels in black and polished finish.

There is also a two-tone burgundy and black combination Nappa leather interior, with unique Japanese rock garden inspired pattern and IMPUL logo embroidery.

Billed as the best-selling hybrid MPV in Malaysia, the Nissan Serena has a MR20DD 2.0-litre CVTC four-cylinder engine supported by an Energy Control electric motor.

The total system output of 150hp and 200Nm powers the seven-seater via a X-TRONIC CVT with Adaptive Shift Control.

Fuel economy is said to be 14.2km per litre, equivalent to 852km on a full tank of fuel.

Innovative features such as the Dual Back Door with split tailgate operation offers loading flexibility in tight spaces, while getting into the Serena is easy even with the hands-free Dual Power Sliding Doors – both features are class-leading conveniences and not found on other MPVs.

Other conveniences include seven USB charging points, built-in window sunshades, power door-opening switch in the third row and a plethora of storage solutions.

Standard kit includes the Nissan Intelligent Mobility 360-degree Safety Shield, which has advanced drive assist functions such as Intelligent Predictive Forward Collision Warning and Intelligent Forward Emergency Braking which scan the traffic ahead to forewarn the driver of imminent danger and automatically applies braking.

Blind Spot Warning alerts the driver of nearby vehicles concealed by the vehicle’s blind spot, while Lane Departure Warning scans road markings and warns the driver when the vehicle encroaches upon adjacent lanes.

When it comes to manoeuvres at parking speeds, the Serena’s Intelligent Around View Monitor (360-degree cameras) and Moving Object Detection offers a bird’s eye view of the vehicle.

Rear Cross Traffic Alert warns the driver of approaching vehicles when reversing.

Intelligent Driver Alertness monitors steering inputs to determine if the driver is paying attention. If the driver is inattentive, the Serena would recommend taking a break.

The updated Serena S-HYBRID has six airbags, Vehicle Dynamic Control with Traction Control System, ABS with Electronic Brake-Force Distribution and Brake Assist, ISOFIX child seat mounts and Hill Start Assist as standard.

The new Nissan Serena J IMPUL is available for viewing and test drive at Nissan showrooms nationwide.

Customers can also arrange a doorstep test-drive from the comforts of their home through nissan.com.my/onlineshowroom/.


Rolls-Royce reveals Cullinan in vibrant colours collection

                WOODCLIFF LAKE (New Jersey):  Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled the ‘Colours of Cullinan Collection’ in the United States featuring the luxury sports utility vehicle in vibrant and bespoke colours.

Consisting eight Cullinans, the first Cullinan to be delivered was in Rolls-Royce Bright Red created by the Bespoke Creative at Goodwood, the home of Rolls-Royce.

The other Cullinans that followed were in Paradiso Blue, Dark Olive and Selby Grey.

The collection will be completed with the reception of the Cullinans finished in Peacock Blue, Bright Green, Forge Yellow and Plum which are currently in the final stages of development and production.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Americas product manager Will Veter said: “We wanted to give our clients the chance to see and be inspired by colours that had been developed previously through the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Design department but may not have seen the light of day through this limited run Bespoke Collection.”

"When a designer takes cues from the world around us or even a client’s vision, the process to make it into a reality on a Rolls-Royce is complicated, complex with painstaking precision and sometimes unexpected delightful results,” he said.

Some of these creations are destined for their homes with Rolls-Royce clients in the US, while some will be used by the brand as examples to inspire even more personal creations.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Americas president and CEO Martin Fritsches said colour was the most outward expressions of the clients personality when they commissioned a Rolls-Royce motor car.

"Especially as so many of our clientele throughout North America have elected to celebrate their commissions with personal, vibrant, and unique colours and colour combinations, we created this collection to share these emotions and stimulate ideas with luxury lovers everywhere,” he said.

He also said Rolls-Royce has more than 44 thousand colours in its working palette and are constantly experimenting with new and creative commissions.

 Paradiso Blue.

Dark Olive.

Selby Grey.


Lamborghini bidder Quantum not backing off, makes innovation pitch to VW

UPDATE: Quantum has upped the bid to €9.5 billion (RM47.9bil) from the initial €7.5 billion.

ZURICH: Swiss-based Quantum Group said its bid for Volkswagen's Lamborghini division could turn the sports car brand into a "spearhead of innovation" in technology and clean energy.

The newly-established investor said on Wednesday its proposed acquisition "would deliver attractive value to all shareholders and ... would clearly be a key strategic benefit to the wider Volkswagen Group".

Volkswagen said on Tuesday that Lamborghini was not for sale, in response to a report that Quantum Group had, together with London-based Centricus Asset Management, bid €7.5 billion (RM38bil) to buy Lamborghini.

Quantum Group founding partner Rea Stark is also co-founder of Piech Automobile with Toni Piech, the son of former Volkswagen chairman Ferdinand Piech, according to its website.

In a statement, Quantum Group said it wanted to create a luxury multi-brand platform, with Lamborghini "at the heart of the vision to further develop brands into a sustainable future".

"The intention of the currently valid bid is to transform and strengthen the Lamborghini brand," Quantum Group said.

"By consistently implementing new clean powertrain technologies and a groundbreaking user experience, Lamborghini would become a spearhead of innovation – consistent with the future needs of customers."


Suzuki Malaysia campaign for flood victims

                PETALING JAYA: Suzuki Malaysia Automobile is providing its customers in flood-affected regions with a special service campaign, from January 15 to February 28, 2015.

The service campaign includes 50% discount on lubrication (such as engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant), 30% discount on genuine Suzuki spare parts and 20% discount on labour/service charges.

"We urge our customers who have been affected by this disaster to get their Suzuki vehicles to the nearest service centre as soon as possible, so that we may ensure their quick and safe return to the road,” said Suzuki Malaysia Automobile Sdn Bhd managing director Keiichi Suzuki.

“The Suzuki ‘Way of Life!’ is about more than just embracing a vibrant and active lifestyle, it’s about making the best of everything and bringing positivity and goodness to daily living. In that respect, we hope to provide some relief to our flood-affected customers in the form of discounted car servicing,” he added.

For details, call the Suzuki Malaysia Automobile toll free number 1-300-88-6699.


US customers rank Porsche highest among brands in service

                ATLANTA: Porsche, known for winning in motorsports, has now claimed a prized trophy in another critical area: customer experience.

The J.D. Power 2019 Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI), released on Thursday, puts Porsche in the top spot among luxury brands in the US for the first time, up from No. 2 last year. The CSI Award comes just months after Porsche also received first place among luxury brands in the J.D. Power Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI).

The CSI study measures customer satisfaction with service for maintenance or repair work among owners and lessees of 1- to 3-year-old vehicles. The data collection period ran from September to December 2018 and included more than 57,000 respondents industry-wide.

Compared to 2018, Porsche improved in all areas: Service Facility, Service Advisor, Service Initiation, Service Quality, and Vehicle Pick-Up. Altogether that made for an improvement of 19 points to a total of 893 out of a possible 1000 points.

“This great result is yet another well-deserved recognition of our 191 US dealer partners, who continue to raise the bar for Porsche customer experience,” said Porsche Cars North America, Inc president and CEO Klaus Zellmer.


The countdown starts now: All-electric Nissan Ariya to go from Pole to Pole

                PARIS: With only one month until the Nissan Ariya undertakes the world's first all-electric driving adventure from the magnetic North Pole to the South Pole, the team in charge reveals why they chose this car.

Nissan, in partnership with British adventurer, Chris Ramsey and the daring Pole to Pole expedition team will travel over 27,000km across several regions and continents with predicted temperatures ranging from -30°C to 30°C in a modified Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE.

Starting March 2023, the expedition will see Chris and his wife, Julie Ramsey become the first people to drive from pole to pole in a vehicle of any type, as they make their way from the Arctic, through North, Central and South America, before crossing to Antarctica.

The route will negotiate some of the world's most extreme, brutal, and yet beautiful scenery. From snow-covered glacial landscapes to treacherous mountain climbs and vast desert dunes; this Pole to Pole expedition, driven in the Nissan Ariya will take followers through breath-taking and uncharted territory.

The Ramsey’s’ Pole to Pole expedition is aligned with Nissan’s Ambition 2030 and company’s commitment to sustainability. As part of its long-term vision to empower mobility and beyond, Nissan aims to deliver exciting vehicles and technologies that empower customer journeys and society.

In preparation for the freezing Arctic and Antarctic conditions, Ramsey's expedition Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE will be modified with a custom rugged exterior fit for the trek across extreme terrain with upgraded wheels, tyres and suspension.

e-4ORCE is Nissan's most advanced all-wheel control technology that manages power output and braking performance for smoothness and stability. The system enhances driver confidence by tracing the intended driving line over a variety of road surfaces, including wet and snowy roads, without the need for changes in driving style or input.

As a reminder of the sheer unpredictability and magnitude of the task ahead, the exact set-off date for the Ramsey's will be determined on the day.

Challenging and ever-changing weather conditions combined with harsh, uncertain driving conditions, during the week of March 20 means there will be an "on the day" decision to set off when conditions seem best.


Audi presents next-gen infotainment system at Google I/O

                INGOLSTADT: Audi is taking part in the renowned Google I/O developer conference, where it is presenting its concept of a next generation infotainment system with fully integrated Android and will help to accelerate and develop more connectivity services.

The three-day Google I/O starts today at Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, California and is considered as the largest and most important developer conference in the software industry worldwide.

One of the exhibits features Android as a seamlessly integrated solution for in-car infotainment applications, which is being developed by the Android Open Source Community and its millions of members.

The Audi Q8 sport concept technology platform, which Audi is presenting at Google I/O, already has Android on board.

The new functions, including the streaming service Spotify, Google Play Music and Google Assistant all run on the large MMI touch display in the centre of the dashboard.

The information is also visible in the Audi virtual cockpit in the driver’s direct field of view.

This marks the first time the new services have been fully integrated into Audi’s brand specific infotainment system.

While the navigation map continues to use the Audi-typical HERE database, the driver can also choose to navigate with Google Maps.

A message centre for incoming messages and calls round out the new services in the show car.

Android is the world's most popular mobile platform with more than 1.4 billion active users worldwide.

The open Android community’s immense breadth of expertise and creativity can speed up the development of new applications.

New apps can quickly find their way into the cars as additional connected services, for example, if they full-fill the requirements of Google and Audi.

Other customer advantages alongside shorter update cycles include a significantly greater diversity of services as well as broad international availability.

When people are able to pursue any activity they want in the car of the future, the integrated Android system will enable them to use the entire world of Smartphone apps in the car.


Honda MSX 125 priced from RM11k

                KUALA LUMPUR: Boon Siew Honda's (BSH) latest arrival is the MSX 125 that's available in four colour options.

The bike is currently priced with GST excluding road tax, insurance and registration at RM11,128.94.

A two-year or 20,000km (whichever comes first) manufacturing warranty covers the bike which can be had in Candy Caribbean Blue Sea, Candy Ultimate Pink, Pearl Valentine Red and Lemon Ice Yellow.

Utilising a backbone frame and equipped with a LED headlight and a compact LCD digital dash, the 104kg (wet) MSX 125 has a wheelbase of 1,200mm and measures in at 1,755mm-long, 730mm-wide and 1,000mm-tall.

With a 125cc four-stroke air-cooled single-piston motor with an electric starter that holds 1.1 litres of engine oil and gets fed by a 5.7-litre fuel tank.

A four-speed manual gearbox with a wet multi-plate clutch manages the engine's 9.7hp at 7,000rpm and 11Nm of torque at 5,250rpm.

It rolls on 12-inch cast aluminium Y-spoke wheels fitted with 120/70 (front) and 130/70 (rear) sized tyres.

Furthermore, the MSX 125 has a ground clearance of 160mm, attributable to the 31mm telescopic front fork and rear mono-shock absorber.

Stopping power comes from a hydraulically activated single disc brake mount at the front and rear of the bike.

Lastly, BSH is bringing the sense of customizability to its latest bike with the introduction of the H2C line of accessories from July onwards.

For more information, log on to www.boonsiewhonda.com.my or call toll-free at 1800-88-3993 (Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm, except for public holidays).


Ford’s CEO says upcoming electric pickup truck will drive itself

                DETROIT: Ford Motor Co. plans to make driver-assistance features central to the next electric F-Series pickup - so much so that you might be able to take a snooze at 100kph.

"On the highway on a sunny day, you should be able to go to sleep in your truck or make a call or do whatever you want to do in your truck while it drives for you,” Jim Farley, Ford’s chief executive officer, said in an interview Friday on Bloomberg Television.

"It will be completely digital. It’s a really breakthrough product.”

That kind of technology would be a significant advancement from Ford’s current BlueCruise semi-autonomous feature, which allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel on certain highways, but requires them to keep their eyes on the road.

Transportation officials have warned repeatedly that no commercially available vehicle today can drive itself, even as companies such as Tesla Inc. market boundary-pushing driver-assistance features.

Farley’s comments show Ford’s commitment to the technology even after it shut down its autonomous affiliate, Argo AI, five months ago because it said achieving full self-driving was too far off.

The pickup, scheduled to debut in 2025, aims to build on the success of the F-150 Lightning plug-in truck that’s underpinning the automaker’s ambitious - and costly - push into the EV market.

Demand for the model drove Ford to expand capacity at the Stanton, Tennessee, factory that’s under construction to produce half a million trucks a year, about 40% more than the company forecast in November.

"We’re seeing growth now so we want to build a bigger plant because we need the capacity,” Farley said.

The plant - Ford’s first all-new assembly facility in a half-century - is part of a US$5.6 billion compound known as BlueOval City that will include a sprawling battery factory by South Korea’s SK On, a unit of SK Innovation Co. The six-square mile complex is due to open in 2025 and employ 6,000 workers.

The higher output means the Tennessee plant would account for a quarter of the 2 million EVs Ford plans to build annually by the end of 2026, though the company didn’t say when it will reach full capacity.

The automaker is pouring US$50 billion into developing and building EVs by 2026 as it chases Tesla, which controls two-thirds of the US market for battery-powered models.

Ford has set a goal of an 8% margin on EV earnings before interest and taxes by 2026.

Farley said he believes Ford can close the earnings gap with Tesla, which has operating margins approaching 17%.

"We can do better than 8%, especially on a pickup truck,” Farley said. "The reality is that Tesla has not had a lot of competition until Ford and other brands, so their pricing is going to go down. Year over year, Tesla’s prices have come down US$7,000” per vehicle.

The new battery-powered pickup, which is different than its F-150 Lightning plug-in pickup built in Michigan, is known internally as Project T3, for "Trust the Truck.”

It will be capable of towing and hauling, while being "fully updatable” through software downloads, Ford said.

"This next truck is going to be a lot different, a lot better” than the Lightning, Farley said.


Tesla ordered to pay Chinese Model S buyer for concealing damage

                SHANGHAI: Tesla Inc was ordered by a Beijing court to compensate the buyer of a used Model S car after concluding the electric automaker concealed structural damage on a vehicle it sold on its official website.

The court ruled that Tesla should pay more than 1.1 million yuan (RM685,000) to compensate the buyer, after it was discovered that part of the vehicle had been cut and welded back together, according to online media outlet Sina on Friday.

Tesla confirmed the decision in a statement to Bloomberg News, and said it would appeal the ruling to a higher court.

The Tianjin-based buyer bought a used Model S for 379,700 yuan (RM237,000) last year which the automaker guaranteed had no "significant” damage, according to the report.

He then sued the automaker after the vehicle had multiple breakdown issues and subsequently discovered that part of the body had been cut and welded.


Clean sweep: Jeep Performance Parts introduces high-performance windshield wiper blades

                DETROIT: Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator owners can get a cleaner view of the trail or road with new high-performance wiper blades from the Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) team at Mopar that quickly clear the windshield with less washer fluid.

The key element of the new JPP performance wipers are 12 laser-cut holes along each blade, creating wet jets that release washer fluid along the entire length, flooding the dirty windshield glass as the blade travels along its arc. Dirt and debris are washed away on the first stroke.

With the vehicle’s standard spray nozzles disabled, the JPP system uses less washer fluid while minimizing the flooded windshield “blind seconds” while driving.

“Our new, innovative JPP performance wiper blades quickly restore visibility while tackling the toughest trails by keeping the washer fluid where it belongs – on the glass,” said Mark Bosanac, North America senior vice president, Mopar service, parts and customer care.

“Perfect for off-road or on-road driving, our new ultra-capable wiper blades are just one of the more than 500 quality-tested, factory-backed parts and accessories in our Jeep portfolio.”

The JPP performance wiper kit is available now in the US and Canada (coming soon to other markets) for 2018 model-year and newer Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator models.

The US$140 (RM624) kit contains arms, blades and tubing required for initial installation, as well as one set of replacement blades.

The Jeep wipers use similar technology as the one in Mercedes-Benz's "Magic Vision Control" which has been around for years.

This year marks the 85th anniversary of Mopar.

A simple combination of the words MOtor and PARts, Mopar was formed in 1937 as the name of a line of antifreeze products.

It has evolved over nearly 85 years to represent both complete vehicle care and performance for owners and enthusiasts worldwide.

Mopar made its mark in the 1960s during the muscle-car era with performance parts to enhance speed and handling for both on-road and racing use.

Later, Mopar expanded to include technical service and customer support, and today integrates service, parts and customer-care operations in order to enhance customer and dealer support worldwide.


GM doubles miles open to its Super Cruise technology

                DETROIT: General Motors Co said on Wednesday owners of certain vehicles equipped with its Super Cruise assisted driving system will now be able to use it on 643,740km of North American roads, doubling the current operating area as Tesla and other automakers race to deploy hands-free cruising technology.

GM's Super Cruise system, like Tesla Inc's Autopilot system, is a driver assistance system, and does not enable true autonomous driving.

Spurred by Tesla's aggressive deployment of Autopilot, and Tesla chief executive Elon Musk's promises of a more advanced "Full Self Driving" system, GM, Ford Motor Co, Volkswagen AG and Mercedes-Benz AG are racing to deploy competing partial automation technology in major markets.

At the same time, safety regulators are showing concern that drivers do not understand that Autopilot and similar systems are not designed to take over driving in every circumstance.

The GM system's sensors and software allow a motorist to cruise with hands off the wheel on highways that have been mapped in detail.

But the driver is expected to stay alert and ready to take over the car. GM uses technology to monitor the driver, and Super Cruise will sound alarms or slow the car to a stop if it detects that a driver is not responding.

Starting later this year, GM plans to enable vehicles equipped with Super Cruise and the company's latest vehicle electronic system to operate hands-free on major, undivided highways in the United States and Canada, as well as additional miles of divided, interstate highways. Currently, Super Cruise operates only on interstate, divided highways.

The expansion, enabled by wider digital mapping, will allow owners of properly equipped GM vehicles to cruise hands-free on stretches of Route 66 in the US West or the Trans-Canada highway in Western Canada, GM said.

Many of the new roads GM has mapped are in rural, heartland states where GM pickup trucks are popular. GM plans to offer Super Cruise as an option on its Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra large pickups later this year.

GM has said previously it intends to offer Super Cruise as an option on 22 models by the end of 2023.

Depending on the model, Super Cruise costs US$2,200 to US$2,500 to add as an option.


All new Polestar 2 sedans recalled over potentially dangerous software glitch, says daily

                STOCKHOLM: Electric vehicle maker Polestar, owned by Volvo Cars and its parent China’s Geely, is recalling all new Polestar 2 cars due to a software glitch, business daily Dagens Industri (DI) said on Friday.

The recall of close to 2,200 vehicles delivered so far will be made after several cars lost power and stopped running even while driving, the paper said.

“There have been no accidents or personal injury,” a Polestar spokesman told DI. “Brakes, steering and other systems are working as they should.”

The paper said all customers had been informed on Friday to fix the software issue as soon as possible at a service station.

The Sweden-based automaker started producing its Polestar 2 sedans this year in China and sells them in China, Europe and the United States.

Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath said in August that the company was targeting annual sales of more than 50,000 within two to three years.


Aston Martin working with Red Bull Racing to build hypercar

                MELBOURNE: Aston Martin plans to build a hypercar and has teamed up with Red Bull Racing in this project.

Codenamed Project ‘AM-RB 001’, the new hypercar will represent the ultimate blend of cutting edge F1 technology with Aston Martin’s signature sports car design.

The combined talents of Red Bull Racing’s Chief Technical Officer, Adrian Newey, widely noted as the most successful Formula One designer of all time, and Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s design chief since 2005, are set to produce the ultimate hypercar.

The partnership unites the world’s best aerodynamicists, composite experts and manufacturing masters. All the parties offer different elite capabilities and the combination of all of those skills, ensuring that Project ‘AM-RB 001’ promises to be an exciting prospect for customers and enthusiasts around the world.

To celebrate the partnership between Aston Martin, Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Advanced Technologies, the RB12 race cars will carry the Aston Martin wings logo throughout the 2016 season, making their debut at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park here.


Beauties of the Thailand International Motor Expo 2017

                BANGKOK: The smiles that welcome patrons at this year's Thailand International Motor Expo are equally, if not more, beautiful than the warm hospitality and hot sandy beaches synonymous with this country.

With this year's theme of "New age vehicles... a distant dream come true” in mind, there are 35 car manufacturers from nine countries and 20 motorcycle manufacturers from eight countries showcasing their latest offerings.

Among the displays are two concepts vehicles which are the Hyundai RN30 and Mitsubishi Gran Tourer Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicle (GT-PHEV).

The show, located about an hour's drive from Bangkok city, officially opened its doors today at Impact Arena, Muangthong Thani and will run daily from 12pm to 10pm until Dec 11.

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BMW and Ford win British funds for driverless, low-carbon vehicles

Sensors sit on the exterior of an autonomous vehicle developed by Oxbotica, using Selenium autonomous control software, in London. The UK is investing £110mil in 32 projects covering the development of low-carbon vehicles and driverless cars. — Bloomberg
LONDON: BMW AG, Ford Motor Co and Jaguar Land Rover are among the winners of £110mil (RM605.96mil) from Britain for the development of low-carbon vehicles and driverless cars.

The funding for a total of 38 projects, including £62mil (RM341.50mil) for low-emission cars and £31mil (RM170.78mil) for autonomous vehicles, will help protect almost 2,400 jobs, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said April 11.

The cash is part of an effort to identify and nurture industries of the future as Britain pulls itself out of the European Union, putting at risk trade ties to its closest neighbours. Business Secretary Greg Clark has reassured motor manufacturers including Nissan Motor Co and PSA Group of the UK’s commitment to the industry in order to persuade them to maintain and expand their British operations.

“Low carbon and driverless cars are the future and as a government we are determined through the industrial strategy to build on our strengths and put the UK at the forefront of this revolution,” Clark said in an e-mail. “Investment in this technology is an integral part of this government’s efforts to ensure the UK auto sector remains competitive and world-leading.”

Other companies awarded funding include CNH Industrial, Penso Consulting, Westfield Sportscars, Williams Advanced Engineering, Equipmake, Great British Sports Cars, Ricardo Innovations, Romax Technology and Wrightbus.


May 26-June 1: RON97 petrol keeps getting pricier, now at RM4.70

                KUALA LUMPUR: The retail price of RON97 petrol will go up by 37 sen to another record high of RM4.70 per litre from May 26 to June 1.

The Finance Ministry in a statement today said that the price of RON95 petrol and diesel remained at RM2.05 per litre and RM2.15 per litre respectively, even though the real market price of the two products had risen above the ceiling price.

This is the third week in a row that the price of RON97 petrol has soared to new highs. It began its upward march from May 12,  At RM4.31 per litre, it had reached an all-time high at the time. It will set a new record from tomorrow.

According to the ministry, the new price is based on the weekly retail price of petroleum products in accordance with the Automatic Pricing Mechanism formula.


Special vehicle registration plates for all states to boost govt income

A Negri Sembilan JPJ employee telling a customer how to apply for a Malaysia series number after its launch on Wednesday.
SEREMBAN: There will be special vehicle registration plates for all states once the “Malaysia 1” to “Malaysia 9999” series have been taken up, says Anthony Loke.

The Transport Minister said the move would generate additional income for the Government.

“JPJ (Road Transport Department) will be carrying out the bidding so that all income generated will go straight into government coffers,” he said when launching the “Malaysia” series of registration numbers at JPJ here.

Loke noted that JPJ managed to raise RM22mil from the sale of the F-series numbers alone.

On the “Malaysia” vehicle registration series, Loke said those keen to bid for the numbers could do so until Aug 15.

The minimum bid for the “Malaysia 1” to “Malaysia 10” numbers will be RM10,000 while those who wish to own other special numbers such as from 11 to 19, double 2 to 9, triple 1 to 9 and quadruple 1 to 9 are to make a minimum bid of RM2,000. The minimum bid for other popular and running numbers is RM300.

Loke said the successful bidders, whose names will be announced on Aug 29, could register their vehicles before Merdeka Day if they so wished.

No numbers will be reserved for any individual, except “Malaysia 2020”, he said.

“As Transport Minister, I will use the power vested in me to reserve ‘Malaysia 2020’ for our Prime Minister.

“All other numbers are open for bidding,” he said, adding it would, however, be up to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to accept the offer.

Loke said although bidding would close on Aug 15, the numbers that were not taken up would still be available until they ran out.

At the launch, Loke submitted a RM1,509 bid for “Malaysia 509”.

“The number is special as it signifies May 9, the day Pakatan Harapan got to form the Federal Government,” he said. “I hope, though, that there will be a higher bid for the number.”


Next step for EVs: Design batteries to strengthen car, extend range

                DETROIT: Automakers and battery manufacturers are racing to develop new electric-vehicle batteries that can reinforce body structures and open the door to breakthroughs in driving range.

What engineers call structural batteries hold the promise of lighter weight and greater energy efficiency - resulting in driving ranges between charges that are nearly double the 525km of a Tesla Model Y.

Geely's Volvo Cars in late June revealed a new structural battery design it is developing with Swedish battery maker Northvolt that Volvo said should deliver 960km or more of travel between charges.

Structural battery technology is in its infancy, and manufacturers have not settled on a standard approach.

One concept, called cell-to-pack or CTP, saves weight by eliminating the step of bundling individual battery cells into modules before final assembly into a large battery pack.

A year-old startup called Our Next Energy (ONE), which has operated in stealth mode until now, is working on a dual battery that combines a structural cell-to-pack design with a second, high-energy pack that can recharge the first, potentially doubling vehicle range.

“We want to reinvent the battery completely,” said Mujeeb Ijaz, founder and chief executive of the Novi, Michigan-based company. He added that his company's dual-pack design is safer and more sustainable because it uses no nickel or cobalt, key ingredients in many current EV batteries.

The latest structural batteries are being developed by automakers from Tesla Inc to General Motors Co and battery makers such as China’s BYD Co Ltd and CATL.

“If they have a brain, that’s the way to do it," said Michigan-based consultant Sandy Munro. "It saves a lot of money and time and weight.”

Design options

There are many ways to design a structural battery. The research effort aimed at designing batteries that can reinforce a vehicle's body and chassis is going hand-in-hand with efforts to refine battery chemistry and reduce the cost of what goes inside the cells.

GM’s approach with its new Ultium battery starts with the basic building blocks - thin pouch-type battery cells, which are bundled into modules, then assembled into large packs. In the Hummer EV that is scheduled for launch later this year, the Ultium battery packs are installed in - and help stiffen - the vehicle’s chassis.

This, in turn, improves ride and handling while reducing vibration and harshness, according to Josh Tavel, GM's executive chief engineer for battery electric trucks.

In China, BYD and CATL have developed advanced batteries that eliminate the middle step of modules, enabling cells to be assembled directly into large packs.

The cathodes in both companies’ battery cells use lithium iron phosphate (LFP), a chemistry whose basic materials are more plentiful, less expensive, less prone to fires, and less harmful to the environment than materials such as cobalt and nickel, which are more commonly used in EV battery cathodes.

LFP cells, however, do not store as much energy as nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) or nickel cobalt aluminum (NCA) cells, and so they provide significantly less driving range between charges. That means a vehicle would require a larger, heavier pack of lithium iron batteries to match the output of batteries using cobalt and nickel.

Designing lithium ion batteries to beef up the vehicle's structure reduces weight and helps narrow the range gap.

A new type of structural battery unveiled last September by Tesla CEO Elon Musk - expected initially to power the Model Y - bonds hundreds of large-format cylindrical cells together with structural adhesive, then sandwiches them between two metal sheets that are designed to attach to and help stiffen the body and chassis of the vehicle.

In comparison, ONE uses an array of metal-encased LFP battery cells called prismatics, bonded together in a pack

with metal sides, top and bottom. The pack is then mounted in a vehicle chassis where it helps stiffen the vehicle structure.

Not everyone thinks the cell-to-pack approach is a good idea.

Tony Aquila, CEO of electric vehicle startup Canoo Inc, said structural batteries make sense, but only if the cells are bundled first into modules. "It has to be modular to be able to be repaired," he said.

Daniel Barel, CEO of Israeli EV startup Ree, also believes cells should be bundled into modules for maximum flexibility. "Unless you build the modules directly into the chassis, it doesn't make sense," he said.


Mercedes-Benz: On the lap of luxury and performance

                With the recent reopening of interstate travel, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia held a drive from Petaling Jaya to Ipoh and back for the media to reacquaint themselves with the German brand’s line-up in Malaysia.

They were the Mercedes-Benz range with a slant towards presence and elegance, and the Mercedes-AMG horde that overflows with heaps of power and motorsports-derived driving dynamics.

Here is the quick overview of some cars in the troupe that came in sedan, sports utility vehicle (SUV) and hatchback bodystyles.

 E 300 (left) and E 200 at the Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, Ipoh.E 200 Avantgarde and E 300 AMG Line

As the latest arrival to the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia family at the time of the drive, the locally assembled face-lifted E-Class sedan gets a revised front that now features redesigned LED head and tail lights, a more expressive hood, sleeker-looking grille, new steering wheel and new alloy wheels among others.

Aside from having the latest generation of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) multimedia system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the new Widescreen Cockpit that includes two 12.3-inch displays, has higher resolution and is easier to read.

The much sought-after executive sedan is available in the E 200 Avantgarde and E 300 AMG Line variants, priced on-the-road without insurance and with SST exemption at RM327,850 and RM376,717 respectively.

Inside, the E 200 is spacious and plush, featuring Artico man-made leather upholstery with longitudinal-grain aluminium trimming and open-pore ash wood inserts at the centre console.

 E 200.

Powering the E 200 is 2.0-litre turbocharged engine delivering 197hp and 320Nm of torque, mated to a nine-speed 9G-Tronic transmission, for a 0-100kph dash of 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 240kph.

Meanwhile, the E 300’s 2.0-litre turbocharged block pumps out more oomph at 258hp and 370Nm of torque.

Transmission is also the nine-speed 9G-Tronic but the 0-100kph sprint time has been reduced to 6.2 seconds and maximum speed increased to 250kph.

 E 300.

While both variants feature the Agility Control suspension for sharp handling, the E 300 returns a firmer ride due to the one-size larger 19-inch wheels and to cope with the increased engine power output in comparison with the E 200.

Inside, the E 300’s trimming is open-pore black ash wood with leather upholstery while the LED headlights are the Multibeam type that feature Ultra Range high beam.

Overall safety features of the E-Class include Blind Spot Assist and Active Brake Assist, while the E 300 gets additional Active Distance Assist Distronic and Active Lane Assist among others.

 GLE 450. GLE 450 AMG Line

Featuring a “diamond” grille with all-round aprons and large 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic AMG Line conjures up a distinguished and yet sporty appearance.

For a luxury full-size sports utility vehicle with three seating rows, the GLE is spacious and gets a 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine that delivers 367hp and 500Nm of torque to push the heft around.

 GLE 450.

Transmission is the nine-speed 9G-Tronic with an all-wheel drive system to pin the power onto the road for a 0-100kph sprint in 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 250kph.

The Airmatic air suspension system, while ensuring a comfortable ride on rough terrain, can also be set to be firmer at high speed cruising.

GLE 450.

The upholstery in Artico and Dinamica mircofibre combination along with anthracite open-pore oak wood elements round up the opulent interior of the locally-assembled GLE 450 that is priced at RM475,501.

Other premium equipment include the Widescreen Cockpit display, MBUX, Burmester Surround Sound System. LED Multibeam headlights and class-leading safety features such as 360-degree camera view, Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Tracking package and Active Distance Assist Distronic.

 E 63 S.AMG E 63 S 4Matic+

Easily the “baddest” boy of the drive, the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4Matic+ is a brute force machine that rewards adventurous drivers with explosive acceleration, exhilarating exhaust soundtrack and dynamic handling.

Under the bonnet of this high-performance sedan is a 4.0-litre V8 bi-turbo engine that cranks out a whopping 612hp and 850Nm of torque for a 0-100kph sprint in just 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 300kph.

The engine also came with a cylinder deactivation feature that allows four cylinders to be shut down during leisurely drives to increase fuel efficiency when outright performance is not needed.

 E 63 S.

Its nine-speed AMG Speedshift MCT gearbox features a lighter wet multi-plate start-off clutch that is more responsive and delivers every bit of grunt onto all four 20-inch wheels.

As the E 63 S is a full-fledged creation of AMG Motorsports tuning division, expect the ride quality to be much firmer compared with comfort-biased suspension settings of typical Mercedes-Benz models.

At high speeds and fast corners, the E 63 S stays planted on the road and this easily increases the driver’s confidence and driving enjoyment.

The AMG Performance Seat package ensures the driver and the front passenger are well-tucked in during high speed maneuvers.

 E 63 S..

AMG carbon-fibre trimming for the interior and exterior is standard along with nappa leather upholstery, red seatbelts, Widescreen Cockpit display, MBUX and Burmester Surround Sound System.

At RM1.12mil, the E 63 S also gets AMG high performance compound brake system, AMG Performance exhaust system, AMG Driver’s package and Multibeam LED headlights.

 GLC 43.AMG GLC 43 4Matic Coupe

Getting a coupe-like rear, the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic Coupe certainly cuts a prettier and more pleasing appearance compared with a typical two-box SUV design.

With a 3.0-litre V6 bi-turbo engine under the bonnet that pushes out 390hp and 520Nm of torque coupled to a nine-speed AMG Speedshift TCT 9G transmission, the GLC 43 Coupe can complete the 0 to 100kph dash in 4.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 250kph.

While not as spacious as the GLE 450, the GLC 43 Coupe is still roomy inside and gets tastefully trimmed with open-pore black ash wood and Artico-Dinamica combination upholstery.

 GLC 43.

The large AMG grille with vertical slats takes prominence along with restyled Multibeam LED headlights with daytime running lights, aluminium-look running boards with rubber studs and 21-inch wheels.

Priced at RM508,597, other features of the GLC 43 Coupe include AMG Ride Control+ system, driving assistance package, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, Burmester Surround Sound System and hands-free operation tailgate.

 A 35.AMG A 35 4Matic Edition 1

Said to be among the cheapest entry into the world of Mercedes-AMG high-performance vehicles, the A 35 oozes with unrestrained driving thrills in a compact package.

Its hatchback styling with short wheelbase might sacrifice some interior space but increases the A 35’s cornering prowess and fun-to-drive factor.

A 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine serves up a generous dose of 306hp and 400Nm of torque and is mated to a seven-speed AMG Speedshift 7G dual clutch transmission with an all-wheel drive system.

 A 35.

Though the engine is not the most powerful compared with other AMG models, the A 35’s higher power to weight ratio allows it to scorch the 0-100kph sprint in 4.7 seconds.

Its hunkered appearance with large 19-inch wheels, front splitter and aggressive-looking rear spoiler lend credence to its athletic capabilities.

Inside, there is the Widescreen Cockpit with MBUX as well as a flat-bottom AMG Performance steering wheel, AMG Performance Seats and plenty of Artico-Dinamica upholstery.

Coming in at RM366,785, other goodies include AMG Ride Control suspension, Multibeam LED headlights, Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist.


Symbol of youth, Italy's Vespa marks 75th birthday

                ROME: Ever since Audrey Hepburn took control of her Vespa in the 1953 classic "Roman Holiday", the Italian scooter has been a symbol of joy and style and on its 75-year-old birthday, many Italians remain fondly attached to theirs.

"I've had a Vespa for 12 years, I'm on my third," said Marco Guerrieri, a Roman accountant in his 40s.

"I wanted a more original two-wheeler than the Japanese scooters, plus it's made of metal and not plastic, it's much more resistent," he said.

While it is mostly a practical mode of transportation for him, he laments that for many "it's a status symbol - in my neighbourhood all the successful people have a Vespa".

Hepburn and Gregory Peck's adventures in Rome made the Vespa famous in the 1950s, but its history dates back to April 23, 1946, when the first patent for its manufacture was registered in Italy.

Legend has it that the name - which means "wasp" in Italian - came from Enrico Piaggio, founder of the eponymous motor company, who compared the noise of its engine to the insect's buzz.

Seventy-five years and 19 million units later, Vespas have lost none of their charm, despite the problems of driving them in Rome, with their small wheels unsuited to potholes and slippery cobblestones.

"These are 19 million stories of guys and girls, entire generations who dreamed of and gained their freedom astride a Vespa," said a statement from Piaggio marking the anniversary last Friday.

Since 1946, the Vespa has been made at Pontedera, in Tuscany, although in recent years also in a factory in India and another in Vietnam.


Dakar Rally unveils tough Arabian desert route for 2020

                PARIS: Dakar Rally organisers have unveiled the route for the controversial 2020 edition, a 12-day marathon through the Arabian desert starting Jan 5.

Former two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso will be on he starting line among the 351 vehicles taking part in the race that has switched hemispheres after being staged for years in Latin America.

Organisers admit that they had qualms about bringing one of motor racing's most gruelling adventure rallies to the Middle Eastern country which has been under fire over human rights abuses and its involvement in the war in Yemen.

"It is a new country and a new continent for the rally," David Castera, the course director said at the unveiling here, admitting there was "hesitation" before the decision was taken to switch to Saudi Arabia

The Dakar started its history as a rally between Paris and the capital of Senegal in West Africa, then switched to South America when security became a concern. Organisers say it will remain in the Arabian peninsula for at least five years.

"We had some reflection (about the switch to Saudi Arabia," said Castera.

"But we received many assurances from the country and we know there is a desire to open up to (the outside world). The Dakar is not the first (sports event) to go to Saudi Arabia. Lots of people are going."

Last year, the kingdom staged a Formula-E motor racing grand prix and as recently as January hosted Italian football's Super Cup. More surprisingly, Saudi Arabia this month staged a women's pro-wresting contest. In January it will host the Spanish Super Cup.

The 2020 Dakar will set off from Jeddah on Jan 5 and end 7,800km and 12 days later in Qiddiya. The race will be "a real battle" said Castera, involving 5,000km of special stages with five of them exceeding 450km.

Last year's winner Nasser al-Attiyah of Qatar is among the favourites in his Toyota with Carlos Sainz and Stephane Peterhansel, a 13-time winner in bikes and cars, expected to challenge strongly in their Minis.

The focus will also be on Alonso, the Formula One champion in 2005 and 2006 who is seeking new challenges in motor sport and singled out the Dakar as one of the toughest of them all.


Silk-FAW confirms plan to build electric sports cars in Italy

                MILAN: Silk-FAW, a start-up of US automotive engineering and design firm Silk EV and Chinese automaker FAW, said on Monday it would press ahead with a plan, worth over one billion euros ($1.02 billion), to build electrified cars in Italy.

Silk-FAW will finalise the purchase of the land in the city of Reggio Emilia where the production site will be built on Aug 5, it said in a statement after attending a videoconference with local authorities.

It would hold the opening ceremony for the construction of the site, which will also include the company's headquarters and a research centre, in early September, it added.

Earlier this month Italy's Emilia-Romagna regional government sought reassurances from Silk-FAW amid worries by the local authorities that the plan might not go ahead.

Silk-FAW board member Li Chongtian — who is also head of FAW Capital Holding Co., the unit in charge of FAW's external investments — confirmed FAW's full support to the project.

"Silk and FAW are committed to the success of our partnership," he said in the statement, adding the group was working to ensure the joint venture had the necessary resources to execute its business plan.

Silk-FAW plans to develop and produce electric and hybrid luxury hypercars in China and in Italy under the Hongqi brand.

Last year, it picked the city of Reggio Emilia to build its facility, in an area known as Italy's "Motor Valley" which is home to brands including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Ducati.

Production was expected to start at the beginning of 2023 but the plan has yet to make progress, with the company citing problems with the mortgage needed to buy land for the plant.

The Emilia-Romagna regional government and the city Reggio Emilia said in a separate statement that Monday's videoconference was "necessary and important" but added they were still waiting to receive minutes of the meeting signed by Silk-FAW executives confirming their commitments.