Racing Point aims to be fast followers with 'Pink Mercedes'

Racing Point's RP20 car is a near carbon-fibre copy of six times world champion Lewis Hamilton’s title-winning 2019 machine. — Reuters
LONDON: Racing Point are aiming for fourth place in the Formula One championship and have copied a winner to help them get there.

Their RP20 car was dubbed the ‘Pink Mercedes’ as soon as it broke cover, a near carbon-fibre copy of six times world champion Lewis Hamilton’s title-winning 2019 machine.

If some midfield rivals are unhappy with the similarities, McLaren boss Zak Brown referring to the team as "Copy Point" while others preferred "Tracing Point", then Racing Point principal Otmar Szafnauer says that’s just the way it is.

“We’re well within all the regulations,” he said as the car went through its paces in testing ahead of next week’s Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

“Who better to copy than Mercedes? We took pictures of their car but the design and development were totally our own.

“We’ve got some 125 people just working on aero.”

Previously, Racing Point — or Force India as they were before — copied Red Bull’s high-rake philosophy. But with a Mercedes engine, gearbox and rear suspension, this route became a conflict.

“We were always compromised, because we would run their (Mercedes) gearbox and their constraints on the rear as to what you could do with the rear suspension and a Red Bull philosophy aero,” said Szafnauer.

“We’ve always wanted to go away from it but it was only until now that we had the abundance of resource to be able to do it.”

Force India, co-owned by financially troubled Indian liquor baron Vijay Mallya, finished fourth in 2016 and 2017 but were so short of cash they went into administration in 2018.

The rebirth under Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, who is now also the Aston Martin chairman after buying into the sportscar maker and whose son Lance drives for the team alongside Mexican Sergio Perez, transformed the situation.

Racing Point will become Aston Martin next year, when the sport is set for a major overhaul with a budget cap and new rules aimed at leveling the playing field. They are also building a new factory.

Fast followers

By being "fast followers", Racing Point reckon they can have a car competitive enough to score solid points through the season while allowing an early switch in focus to 2021.

“Right now, we’re 465 people and about mid-year we’re going to be over 500. The big teams are over 1,000,” said Szafnauer.

“It’s really hard with half the human resource to also innovate. So if... you’re limited by the amount of people you have, then you’ve got to be a fast follower.”

“We’ve got to do Aston Martin proud. We know that,” he added.

“So we’ve got a year to hire. I don’t like hiring people just for the sake of hiring people, we’ve got to hire the right people that allow us to innovate, to be at the front of the grid. It takes time.”

Szafnauer said it could be ultimately that 600 was the right size, and not 900.

“It’s not budget constraint. It’s how quickly can you hire the people, what do you need to be competitive and putting the structure in place... that will determine the number we need.”

The point at which development of the 2020 car ends and all the focus is directed to next year’s will be crucial for all competitors.

“The more competitive we are, the quicker we’ll switch over,” said Szafnauer. “The less competitive we are, the more we’ve got to catch up this year. We can’t throw this year away. We’ve got some expectations of this year.”

The team had to ensure also that the building of the new Silverstone factory did not prove a distraction.

“I haven’t seen many people in Formula One build a new factory without a dip in performance. So hopefully we’ll be the first,” said Szafnauer.


Jaguar's new F-Pace line-up almost all available as hybrids

                LONDON: Jaguar is the latest company to be taking the safe step towards electric mobility with hybrid engines, and is launching an updated F-Pace with almost nothing but hybrid options.

The off-roader will continue to run on internal combustion engines, but according to the manufacturer, almost all of these will be upgraded to mild hybrids with 48-volt technology when the new models arrive in the first half of 2021.

A new plug-in hybrid will also be added to the top of the range. The closest to pure electric driving is the pricier F-Pace P400e, which adds an electric motor to the 2.0-litre petrol engine.

According to Jaguar, this increases the system output to 404 horsepower. Because the battery supplies power for up to 59 kilometres, the standard consumption is reduced to 2.4 litres (54 g/km CO2).

You'll be able to follow how this part-time electric distributes the work between the different sources of power in a new cockpit with digital instruments and a larger touchscreen including online navigation and real-time infotainment.

The mild hybrids to choose from are two four-pot diesels with 2.0 litre displacement and 163 or 204 horsepower. A 3.0-litre diesel produces 300 hp with six cylinders. There's also a new six-pot petrol engine with 3.0 litres displacement and 400 hp.

For old-school drivers, the only conventional combustion engine without electric assistance is the basic petrol engine as a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 250 hp. This gives the F-Pace fuel consumption figures of between 5.2 litres with a diesel (137 g/km) or 8.9 litres with a petrol (202 g/km).

Prices for the facelifted SUV will start at €54,166 (RM265,000) in Europe, Jaguar says.


VIDEO: Vespa 946 by Emporio Armani

                MILAN: Marking the 40th anniversary of Giorgio Armani and the 130th birthday of the Piaggio Group, the two Italian companies known for their style and creativity jointly developed the Vespa 946 Emporio Armani edition to celebrate the occasion.

The Vespa 946 is a modern reinterpretation of the original Vespa produced in 1946 and it now takes on Emporio Armani's signature subdued palette of colours such as greys with subtle hints of green that’s visible under certain light conditions.

Along with its brown-leather finishes and luxury accessories, it stylishly arrives with its galvanised metal parts resulting in a satin-like finish to create an opaque effect.

The ‘Emporio Armani’ words appear on the side while the iconic eagle logo sits above the headlight and it further gets equipped with aluminium cylinder blocks for its four-stroke electronic injection engine.

It rides on 12-inch wheels, front and rear 220mm disc brakes and gets a channel ABS along with traction control and even internet connectivity.

Piaggio has not mentioned pricing, but it will surely be inexpensive, since this scooter will be produced in a limited run of individually numbered units to go on sale in some the world’s major cities.


BMW X3 xDrive30i Luxury launched

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Group Malaysia has launched the locally-assembled X3 xDrive30i Luxury (G01) and the premium compact sport activity vehicle (SAV) will be available from April 25 while deliveries will begin from July onwards.

The third-generation SAV gets an estimated price tag of RM320,000 (on-the-road with GST without insurance) while being offered in four colour choices of Terra Brown, Black Sapphire, Glacier Silver and Alpine White. A more concrete price will be announced in July.

Accompanying this SAV is a five-year unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service program, a two-year / 24-month run-flat tyre warranty program, roadside assistance and accident hotline, Loyalty+ mobile app with BMW White Card and BMW Service Online.

Dimensionally, the new X3 has a longer wheelbase at 2,864mm (+54mm) and measures in at 4,708mm-long (+56mm), 1,891mm-wide (+7mm) and 1,676mm-tall (-37mm).

The new X3 comes with three driving modes of ECO PRO, COMFORT and SPORT for the 2.0-litre (1,998cc) turbocharged B48B20B engine producing 252hp from 5,200 to 6,500rpm and 350Nm of torque from 1,450 to 4,800rpm

An eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission manages power delivery to the all-wheel drive system that allows it to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 6.3 seconds before reaching a top speed of 240kph.

On the combined cycle, fuel consumption has been rated at 7.6 litres per 100km while CO2 emissions are at 174g/km.

Externally, it gets fitted with aluminium satinated roof rails, 19-inch double-spoke bi-colour style 696 wheels with 245/50 series run-flat tyres with flat tyre indicator, chrome accents for the dual exhaust tips, window frame and side air breathers, while LEDs have been reserved for the front automatic headlights with high-beam assistant and rear light clusters with 3D design.

The driver gets to peer into a 12.3-inch multifunction instrument colour display with black panel technology, while the front door sill finishers comes with 'Luxury Line' designation and there are selectable contour and mood lighting for the six ambient light colours of orange, lilac, mint, bronze, blue and white.

Entertainment comes from a 12-speaker HiFi sound system with a 205-watt digital amplifier connected to a 10.25-inch Central Information Display unit with touch control, reverse camera, navigation, 20Gb hard drive, on-board computer with Check Control, Bluetooth, USB, Extended Smartphone Connectivity, BMW ConnectedDrive Services, Intelligent Emergency Call, Teleservices, Conceirge Services, and Remote Services.

The powered tailgate with hands-free operation provides access to the 550-litre boot that expands to 1,600 litres after folding down the 40:20:40 rear back rests.

Also included are keyless entry with push-start button, multifunction steering wheel and powered front sports seats with driver memory function.

For safety, the X3 comes with six airbags, anti-lock braking system, dynamic traction control, automatic differential brake, cornering brake control, cornering brake control, dynamic brake control, Start-off assistant, hill descent control, driving stability control, performance control with brake and engine intervention, dynamic braking lights with flashing function and Isofix mounting points.

BMW Group Malaysia managing director Harald Hoelzl said that with over 1,000 units already delivered in 2018, the BMW X Family is enjoying a significant 39% growth in Malaysia, compared to the same period last year.

"Driving this performance is the BMW X5, and the first-ever BMW X2. For the very first time, the BMW X3 is made available from launch as a locally assembled vehicle,” said Hoelzl.


Peugeot Petaling Jaya launched

                PETALING JAYA: Peugeot Petaling Jaya is the second new outlet launched by Nasim this year and the sixteenth Peugeot outlet in the Klang Valley.

Nasim Sdn Bhd is the official distributor for Automobiles Peugeot in Malaysia.

The Peugeot Petaling Jaya outlet, which comprises a 7,560 square-foot facility, is a 1S showroom centre that was built at a cost of RM1 million.

The outlet is also equipped with customer lounges, discussion area, Peugeot boutique, free Wi-Fi and ample parking.

 From left: Nasim Sdn Bhd general manager of national sales Nazman Yusof, Nasim chief operating officer Datuk Samson Anand George, and Nasim general manager of product and marketing Mohamed Yasser Awan at the launch of Peugeot Petaling Jaya.

“This new outlet is strategically located as the ideal hub to showcase our acclaimed line-up and enhance customer experience. Through our aftersales network expansion and the soon to be introduced Peugeot 308, Peugeot 408 and Peugeot 508, we intend to meet the growing demand and expectations of our Peugeot customers in relation to aftersales and service,” said Nasim chief operating officer Datuk Samson Anand George.

All Peugeot models come with five-year warranty with unlimited mileage together with Nasim’s 24-hour Peugeot Assistance service, complimentary access to the Peugeot Lounge at Subang Airport and Peugeot Privilege membership.

Since embarking on a rapid network expansion four years ago, Nasim currently has a total of 36 outlets nationwide in operation.


Lean, green and serene: Electric scooters are quietly taking off

                BERLIN: It has never been easier to get around on two wheels and a battery, whether it's a bike, a motorcycle or a motor scooter.

The popularity of electric scooters has silently skyrocketed in many countries like no other form of transport over the past four or five years, thanks in part to their motors - almost silent compared to the deafening howls of their petrol counterparts.

"This is not least due to the fact that these electric motor scooters, most of which come from China, are getting cheaper and cheaper, as the technology is much simpler compared to a conventional one," says Constantin Hack, a tech expert at Auto Club Europa (ACE).

For Michael Lenzen, of Germany's Federal Motorcyclists' Association, these scooters are a viable alternative to a car or public transport.

He explains that such scooters are divided into different categories based on how fast they go and the corresponding licence they require; in general, the slower the scooter, the less specialized the licence.

 Choose a scooter with a removable battery pack.

Factors that determine what kind of electric motor scooter you should buy are, first and foremost, its range and load capacity.

"The range is determined by the size and capacity of the battery; for scooters that go up to 45kph, this is usually between 40 and 80 kilometres, which should be enough to go to work and get back in most cases," according to Lenzen.

On load capacity, he advises anyone who wants to take a passenger along to not only look at the space available, but to keep an eye on how much the scooter can carry; this is usually less than it would be for a traditional scooter because of the weight of the battery.

Andre Lang also advises potential buyers to pick a model with a removable battery. "With a permanently installed battery, you are severely limited in terms of charging options if you don't have one in the garage, at home or at work," says the safety expert from the Institute for Two-Wheeler Safety (ifz) in Germany.

A so-called plug-and-play battery also offers the possibility of extending the range by putting a second battery in the battery compartment or in the helmet compartment, according to Lenzen.


Bentley first auto brand to join Leather Working Group

                LONDON: Bentley Motors is taking another step on its Beyond100 journey towards enhancing the environmental sustainability of its products and materials, as it becomes the first automotive member of the Leather Working Group.

Established in 2005, the Leather Working Group comprised leather manufacturers, traders, suppliers, technical experts, as well as brands and retailers, representing a range of industries from fashion, accessories and footwear, to homewares and interiors – and now, luxury automotive.

Aiming to improve environmental performance in the leather industry, the Leather Working Group audits leather manufacturers against best practice benchmarks and audit standards which are independently monitored.

Bentley is now a fully approved corporate member and is working towards ensuring that by the start of 2022, all of its leather is sourced from suppliers and tanneries that have successfully completed the Leather Working Group audit process, with the end goal of each one achieving the Leather Working Group’s gold standard award through a culture of continuous improvement.

“The use of leather and coachbuilding are hallmarks of our hundred year old history. Our cutters and trimmers are experts in their fields and the fact that so many of our heritage models still exist with their original interiors, demonstrates the longevity of leather as a core material to us and its inherent sustainability over time," said Bentley’s production purchasing chief Mark Cooke.

“As the first automotive member of the Leather Working Group, we look forward to working with our fellow members to actively shape the future of sustainably sourced leather in the automotive sector.”

Bentley said it sources the finest leather hides from Europe, and only buys leather that is a by-product of the food industry.

It said its workers are trained to minimise waste as they prep and prime each hide and place it within Bentley interior cabins. Leather is known to be a material which endures the test of time. Over 80 per cent of Bentley cars ever manufactured are still on the roads today, many of which contain their original leather seats.


Renault-Nissan Alliance sells over 350,000 EVs since Dec 2010

PARIS: The Renault-Nissan Alliance, the world leader in zero-emissions mobility, has sold 350,000 electric vehicles since December 2010, when the Nissan LEAF went on sale.
The Alliance achieved the historic milestone in August, while also setting an industry record of 100,000 EVs sold in a single year.

The Alliance today accounts for half of the EVs sold worldwide and the Nissan LEAF remains the industry’s best-selling EV ever, with more than 230,000 units sold globally. Renault is the best-performing EV brand in Europe.

“This historic milestone confirms our customers’ recognition of the benefits of Renault and Nissan electric vehicles. Our commitment to contribute toward a zero-emissions world by bringing to the market a full range of affordable EVs makes Renault-Nissan the indisputable leader in EV technology,” said Alliance chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn said.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance is the only global car group with a wide range of zero-emission vehicles for personal and business use.

In addition to the LEAF, Nissan also sells the e-NV200, a light commercial vehicle sold mainly in Europe and Japan since 2014.

Along with the ZOE, Renault also sells the Renault Kangoo Z.E van, the SM3 Z.E. sedan and the Twizy, a two-seat, urban commuter vehicle.

To date, Nissan has sold more than 250,000 EVs in 48 markets globally. The Nissan LEAF has driven more than 2.7 billion kilometers, helping prevent an estimated 455,249,190 tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere1.

The United States, Japan and Europe accounted for 90% of LEAF sales, with the U.S. leading the way with about 97,000 sales, followed by Japan (68,000) and Europe (61,000).

Renault reached the 100,000 EV milestone worldwide since its first model, the Kangoo Z.E., went on sale in October 2011. The milestone was marked with a ceremony in Norway, where a customer took delivery of a Renault ZOE.

The ZOE is the best-selling EV in Europe, and, with sales increasing 32% during this first six months of this year, Renault is the best-performing EV brand in Europe: One of four electric vehicles on European roads are Renault.

The Alliance keeps improving the range and features of its EV fleet, pushing the boundaries of what is possible with zero-emissions technology to meet customer expectations and needs.

Nissan launched the updated Nissan LEAF with 250 kilometers of range in the United States and Japan in late 2015, and in Europe earlier this year.

Renault last year improved the ZOE’s range by 30km with 10% faster charging times. Renault’s engineers improved the motor’s efficiency by optimizing its electronic management system.

The Alliance continues to innovate by combining its EV expertise with the research and development of other advanced technologies.

In January, the Alliance announced plans to launch more than 10 vehicles with autonomous drive technology by 2020.

The technology will be installed on mainstream, mass-market cars at affordable prices, confirming the Alliance’s commitment to achieve its twin goals of zero-emissions and zero-fatalities.


Volvo and POC develop world-first car-bike helmet crash test

                GOTHENBURG: Volvo Cars is teaming up with top Swedish sports and safety brand POC for a series of world-first crash tests of bike helmets against cars as part of a ground-breaking new research project that aims to further protect cyclists.

Accidents between bikes and vehicles can often lead to serious injury or death, and Volvo is working to avoid these types of accidents with the help of active safety technologies.

Cyclist detection with full auto brake uses the car’s cameras and radars to detect cyclists, warn the driver of an imminent collision and apply the brakes if further action is needed. It is a development of Volvo Cars’ automatic emergency braking and pedestrian-detection systems, in line with its safety vision.

The Volvo-POC research project consists of a number of specially designed crash tests at the famous Volvo safety research facilities here, and is part of a wider research project to understand the types of long-term injuries sustained by cyclists.

During these tests, POC bike helmets are worn by crash dummy heads mounted on a testing rig, from where they are launched towards different areas of the bonnet of a static Volvo car, at different speeds and angles for various measurements.

The tests are based on existing regulatory test procedures for pedestrian head protection. This allows Volvo and POC to make a direct comparison between wearing a helmet and not wearing a helmet.

Current bike helmet testing procedures are fairly rudimentary, involving helmets being dropped from different heights on either a flat or an angled surface, and do not take into account vehicle to bike accidents. The Volvo-POC project aims to further refine and advance such testing.

The learnings from the research project will help POC make its helmets safer and more protective in the event of a car-bike accident, while the tests will also provide valuable insights and learnings for Volvo into these types of accidents for future development.

In recent years, Volvo Cars has focused on also protecting people outside its cars. For example, Volvo launched its pedestrian detection with full autobrake in 2010 and cyclist detection with full auto brake in 2013. Both technologies come as standard in all Volvo cars as part of the City Safety package and have helped to improve overall traffic safety.

In an earlier collaboration, Volvo Cars and POC worked on a pilot to connect bike helmets with cars in order to help avoid accidents.


Toyota and partners testing potential of solar batteries

                TOKYO: NEDO, Sharp Corporation (Sharp), and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) announced a plan to commence public road trials to assess the effectiveness of improvements in cruising range and fuel efficiency of electrified vehicles equipped with high-efficiency solar batteries.

To facilitate the execution of this trial, Sharp modularised its world-class, high-efficiency solar battery cells (conversion efficiency of 34 percent-plus), previously developed for a NEDO-led project, to create an onboard solar battery panel.

Toyota installed this panel on the roof, hood, rear hatch door, and other parts of its "Prius PHV" and produced a demo car for public road trials.

By enhancing the solar battery panel's efficiency and expanding its onboard area, Toyota was able to achieve a rated power generation output of around 860W, which is approximately 4.8-times higher in comparison with the commercial model Prius PHV (equipped with a solar charging system).

In addition to substantially boosting its power generation output, the demo car employs a system that charges the driving battery while the vehicle is parked and also while it's being driven, a development that is expected to lead to considerable improvements in electric-powered cruising range and fuel efficiency.

Toyota plans to conduct the trials under various driving conditions in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Tokyo, and other areas.
Performance comparison of the commercial and demo model Prius PHVPerformance itemsVehiclePrius PHV
(Solar charging system)Demo carSolar battery cell conversion efficiency22.5%34%-plusRated power generation output180 WApprox. 860 WMaximum charge to the driving battery while the vehicle is parked (per day)BEV-mode cruising range equivalent to 6.1 kmBEV-mode cruising range equivalent to 44.5 kmMaximum charge and power supply to the drivng and auxiliary battery while the vehicle is being driven (per day)Supplies power only to auxiliary battery, which powers the car navigation system, etc.BEV-mode cruising range equivalent to 56.3 km
Various data, including the power generation output of the solar battery panel and the amount the drive battery is charged, will be obtained and verified, and then used in the development of an onboard solar recharging system.

Toyota plans to share a selection of trial data results with NEDO and Sharp. The PV-powered Vehicle Strategy Committee (PV: photovoltaic), sponsored by NEDO and other entities will evaluate the benefits based on improvements in CO2 emissions reductions and convenience, such as the number of times a vehicle requires recharging.

The goal is to contribute to the creation of a new solar battery panel market, including the transport sector, and find solutions for energy and environmental issues.


VW okays electric version of classic Microbus camper van

                BERLIN: Volkswagen has decided to go ahead with production of an electric version of its classic Microbus camper van as it seeks to boost its electric vehicle credentials.

The potential battery-powered revamp of the van, known as the Bulli in Germany, was first announced at the Detroit auto show in January.

"After the presentations at the global motor shows in Detroit and Geneva, we received a large number of letters and emails from customers who said, 'please build this car'," Volkswagen brand chief Herbert Diess said in a statement.

The electric van, known as the ID Buzz, will go on sale in 2022 and VW said it will target customers in North America, Europe and China. The company will also build a cargo version of the van, it added.

Tesla, headed by Elon Musk, has shaken up the auto industry with its ambition to build a mass market for electric cars, posing a competitive threat to established manufacturers that remain reliant on producing cars with combustion engines.

VW plans to have more than 30 all-electric models by 2025.


Kia EV9 revealed

                SEOUL: Kia today revealed full images of the exterior and interior design of the EV9, its first three-row electric flagship SUV.

The EV9 will make its digital global premiere in late March.

Kia will disclose all product information then and roll out a global campaign with the slogan, "Here to reshape the way we move."

Inspired by Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, the EV9 combines contrasting qualities of nature and modernity in its character

Kia’s designers have fused a unique combination of sleek, sculptural shapes and assertive geometry to deliver a contemporary SUV.

The front of the EV9 shows off a "Digital Pattern Lighting Grille" and striking vertical headlamps in the mould of a "Digital Tiger Face".

The face features two clusters of small cube lamps within the bodywork adjacent to each headlamp. The EV9’s innovative "Star Map LED daytime running lights (DRL)" create a new illumination experience and delivers a sophisticated animated lighting pattern that will represent the look of the brand’s future EV models.

Formed from a polygonal design language, the side profile of the EV9 effortlessly combines a strong and indisputable SUV identity with exceptional aerodynamic efficiency.

Dynamic triangular fender structures and highly pronounced geometric wheel arches combine with the fuselage body, unifying the polygonal elements into a cohesive structure that presents a determined look. Flush door handles and a tapered back roofline gives a sense of smooth and efficient motion.

At the rear of the vehicle, the simple, clean lines of the tailgate, which are elegantly detailed by the slim rear lights that mirror the design of those at the front, further reflect the EV9’s confident stance.

In the cabin, Kia’s designers sought to prioritise space, comfort and technology for all passengers to reimagine what a family SUV can offer.

Built on Kia’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV9’s long wheelbase, low beltline, and completely flat electric vehicle architecture have facilitated the creation of generous space for all occupants to connect and relax with lounge-style comfort in all three rows of seats.

Offered in both six and seven-seat formats, Kia captured feedback from families to evaluate seating configurations and features to ensure the EV9 delivers equality of space, comfort and experience for all occupants without placing all of its focus on the driver.

Occupants sitting in the first and second-row seats can simultaneously recline their seats to relax and rest when the EV9 is charging.

The seats in the second row can be turned 180 degrees so that occupants can interact with those sitting in the third row. The third-row seats also offer cup holders and charging points for mobile devices.

The open, floating panoramic dashboard extends from the steering wheel to the vehicle's centre. Two 12.3-inch touch screens integrated with one 5-inch segment display improve the digital experience, offering effortless control of the vehicle’s functions and ensuring physical buttons are kept to a minimum.

The centre console is equipped with ample storage options, including a spacious compartment located at its base. The centre console doors are further designed to add to the overall refinement of the interior space.

The EV9’s extended display high-definition audio visual, navigation and telematics (AVNT) screen creates a rich and immersive experience. It enhances occupants’ ability to engage and interact with the digital world seamlessly. Beneath the AVNT screen, an array of hidden type touch buttons provides a start/stop function along with AVNT and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) control.


Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness makes world premiere at NY Auto Show

                NEW YORK: As many have speculated, Subaru of America has unveiled a Wilderness version of its Crosstrek model at the New York Auto Show.

Combining Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with a revised drivetrain, standard X-MODE, elevated 9.3-inch ground clearance and exclusive body cladding, the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness is the most rugged and trail-capable Crosstrek ever.

Starting at US$31,995 (RM141,000), the Crosstrek Wilderness comes with an extensive list of standard features including Keyless Access with Push-Button Start; steering responsive LED headlights; SI-Drive engine performance management system; and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System with individual tyre display and automatic individual wheel ID registration.

With an already impressive list of standard features, the Crosstrek Wilderness adds exclusive mechanical, design, and functional enhancements for added capability on the roads and trails less travelled.

Critically, the rugged new model preserves the Crosstrek’s blend of SUV capability and car-like ride and handling.

Numerous exterior and interior details make the Crosstrek Wilderness especially suited to carrying outdoor gear, even when wet or muddy.

The Crosstrek Wilderness is powered by a 2.5-litre direct-injection Subaru Boxer engine, with 182hp and 239Nm of torque.

Subaru engineered the Crosstrek Wilderness drivetrain for better off-road performance by installing a revised differential gear ratio and retuned Lineartronic CVT.

The 4.111 final drive ratio (vs. 3.700) improves the SUV’s climbing ability and the new tuning for the CVT optimises traction at low speeds and on slippery surfaces.

Additionally, maximum towing capacity more than doubles to 1,587kg, thanks to the addition of a transmission oil cooler.

Like all 2024 Crosstrek models, the Wilderness is equipped with the brand’s award-winning EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which includes Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control; Pre-Collision Braking; Pre-Collision Throttle Management; Lane Departure and Sway Warning, and Lead Vehicle Start Alert. In addition, Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert are standard on the new model.

The Crosstrek Wilderness also comes standard with Automatic Emergency Steering. The feature works in conjunction with EyeSight and Blind-Spot Detection to assist with steering control to help avoid a collision at speeds less than 80kph. Standard Reverse Automatic Braking adds an extra measure of safety in tight trail situations and while parking.

Like the other Wilderness models, the Crosstrek Wilderness design blends trail-enhanced function with style that also turns heads.

To visually communicate the more capable off-road performance, the Crosstrek Wilderness adds exclusive styling with all-new front and rear bumpers, bold hexagonal front grille, larger wheel arch cladding, metal front skid plate, unique hex-design LED fog lights and an anti-glare hood decal in matte-black finish.

Subaru Wilderness badges are emblazoned on the front doors and rear gate.

A body-colour roof spoiler and black side mirrors with integrated turn signals complement the SUV’s rugged look. Among the exterior colours offered, the Crosstrek Wilderness is available in Geyser Blue, which is exclusive to the Wilderness family.

The Crosstrek Wilderness features a versatile ladder-type roof rack system, with a 80kg dynamic load capacity and a 317kg static load limit, allowing safe use of larger roof-top tents.

The roof rail design provides flexibility to fit a wide variety of carrying accessories, including Genuine Subaru Accessories available from Subaru retailers.

Exclusive suspension components give the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness 9.3-inch ground clearance, more than a half-inch increase over the other Crosstrek models, which already were among the highest in their segment.

Longer coil springs and shock absorbers provide the added ground clearance, while special tuning helps maintain dynamic performance.

Longer travel strokes for the front and rear shock absorbers help keep the tyres in contact with rough surfaces, increasing vehicle stability. In addition, a longer dampening compression stroke helps increase absorption on rough road surfaces, providing a smoother ride.

Even with its added ground clearance, the Crosstrek Wilderness maintains a low step-in height for ease of entry.

The approach angle is increased from 18.0 degrees in other Crosstrek models to 20.0 degrees on the Wilderness; the angle of departure increases from 30.1 to 33.0 degrees, and ramp breakover angle moves up from 19.7 to 21.1 degrees.

The Crosstrek Wilderness comes equipped with Yokohama GEOLANDAR all-terrain tyres for optimal performance in mud, gravel or snow. Mounted on exclusive 17-inch alloy wheels in matte-black finish, the tyres are embossed with raised white letters.

The Crosstrek Wilderness is equipped with Subaru’s driver-selectable dual-function X-MODE.

The system offers Snow / Dirt and Deep Snow / Mud modes.

To help maximise traction in varying conditions, each mode specifically optimizes the engine output and CVT ratio positions, increases the Active All-Wheel Drive engagement and enhances the control logic of the Vehicle Dynamics Control with Traction Control System.

The X-MODE display features a Roll-Angle Indicator to help the driver judge potentially hazardous situations.

This technology also helps make Crosstrek Wilderness a nimble climber. When the X-MODE system is activated, Low Speed / Low Ratio Gradient Control is automatically put on standby to sense when the vehicle is traveling on a steep incline at low speed. When it does, the system shifts the CVT to its lowest ratio (4.066:1). Combined with the Wilderness model’s lower differential ratios, the system also enhances rough off-pavement, low-speed drivability over rocks and other situations that require repeated on/off accelerator usage.

Standard Hill Descent Control will automatically engage individual wheel braking control on downgrades when the vehicle is driven under 19kph with the accelerator pedal pressed less than about 10 percent, thereby helping to control vehicle speed.

Active Torque Vectoring, standard on all 2024 Crosstrek models, enhances handling stability on road or trail.

Inside, Subaru equipped the Crosstrek Wilderness cabin for comfort and durability.

The seats are upholstered in comfortable, water-resistant Subaru StarTex material that features the Subaru Wilderness logo embossed in the front headrests.

Bold copper coloured contrast stitching accents the interior, complementing the anodized copper-finish accents on the shifter, gauge meter rings and leather-wrapped steering wheel. Upon entering the vehicle, the driver is greeted with a Wilderness logo appearing in the meter display at start-up.

Black pillar trim, assist grips, overhead console, and headliner pairs well with the Gunmetal Grey trim used on the dash, doors, and shifter plate. Standard all-weather floor mats feature a unique Wilderness design. In the cargo area, a removable water-resistant rear cargo tray protects the load floor from wet, muddy gear tossed in the back. The rear gate comes equipped with an LED light for better nighttime visibility.

The Wilderness comes standard with the SUBARU STARLINK 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system. The 11.6-inch high-resolution touchscreen is equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto with full screen display.

The multimedia system also works as a centre information display with combination meter integration and on-screen controls for audio, climate, and vehicle functions. The Wilderness is also equipped with a wireless phone charger in the centre console.

The SUV is equipped with USB-A and USB-C ports in the front and rear of the centre console; dual zone automatic climate control; and the All-Weather Package with heated front seats, windshield and exterior mirrors.

An available option package for Wilderness includes Power Moonroof; 10-way power driver seat with 2-way lumbar support; and a Harman Kardon® 10-speaker system with 432-watt equivalent amplifier for US$2,270.

The 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness will begin arriving in Subaru retailers this fall. The Wilderness will be built at Subaru of Indiana Automotive in Lafayette, Indiana along with the other two Crosstrek 2.5-litre models, Ascent, Legacy and Outback.


2020 Camaro SS takes design cues from stylized 2019 Shock yellow show car

                DETROIT: After the 2019 Camero SS's bumper received a series of mixed reviews, the 2020 model swapped it out for that from the restyled Camaro Shock yellow concept shown off at SEMA 2018 in October.

Chevrolet announced last week that the 2020 Camaro lineup has been upgraded both inside and out.

The latest Camaro SS has received a newly-designed front end based on the bumper of the Shock concept car that debuted last October at SEMA. The grille of the 2019 model met with much customer resistance; according to the director of Chevy's passenger car and crossover marketing, "Customers spoke, and we listened."

 The new Camaro LT1.

Thus, the redesigned 2020 Camaro SS was born.

Additionally, the lineup is to receive a new trim option, the LT1, that makes having a V8-powered Camaro more financially accessible. In fact, it's the most affordable model with a V8 engine in the entire lineup with an MSRP of US$34,995. Owners will be able to select between coupe or convertible versions of the LT1, as well as whether it has six-speed manual or the new 10-speed automatic transmission.

The whole 2020 Camaro lineup will benefit from an extended body color range, as well as a new exterior and interior features including 20-inch forged aluminum wheels, red or orange brake calipers, and various upholsteries.

The newest Camaro will go on sale this fall.


British specialist offers right-hand drive Ford F-150 Raptors and Lincoln Navigators

The Ford F-150 Raptor RHD.
LONDON: Anyone with an interest in pickup trucks will probably know a fair amount about the Ford F-150, even if they're not in North America. But even though there are lots of different models, engines and specifications to choose from when it comes to America's biggest-selling vehicle, there's one thing that can't be specified from the factory, and that's right-hand drive.

But it is now going to be possible to have a right-hand drive F-150 in Europe (and Malaysia), and not just any F-150 either. Thanks to a leading specialist and luxury car dealer in the UK, Clive Sutton, it will now be possible to buy a right-hand drive Ford F-150 Raptor.

And that's not all either, because Clive Sutton will also be offering a right-hand drive version of the new 2018 Lincoln Navigator SUV too.

The specialist dealership was already the first to offer the F-150 Raptor to the UK market in its original left-hand-drive form early last year, but now it has managed to complete the first-ever full conversion of the high-performance "super truck" to right-hand drive.

The steering swap has been successfully carried out by Sutton Bespoke's customisation programme. The process first needs to create and then use precision-sculpted mouldings of the interior components, and then the specialists have to use a blend of both traditional and modern techniques to produce what's basically a 'mirror' of the factory dashboard appearance and its steering assembly.

Of course, this most outrageous version of the F-150 doesn't come cheap to start off with, but add into the mix the cost of shipping to Europe, import duty, VAT and then the conversion, and your right-hand drive Raptor will set you back an eye-watering £106,800 (RM585,000) if you're a private buyer.

It took some six months for Sutton's team to develop the right-hand drive steering rack, but they didn't stop with just the latest F-150 Raptor. They've also done the same thing with the Lincoln Navigator, although that could look to be quite reasonably priced at the side of the Raptor as the Navigator has a retail price of £114,950 (RM629,000) for the luxury full-size SUV.

sc/cm - Relaxnews


Toyota Vios Challenge (Season 3, Race 3): Penang's heat and rain plague racers

                PENANG: Grip levels, brakes and stamina were put to the test at the Batu Kawan Stadium in Penang for Season Three — Round Three of the Toyota Vios Challenge.

The first of the two-day event saw drivers of the professional Super Sporting category having to manage their respective cars to prevent overheating its components which saw some meeting the wall or a fellow driver as racing kicked off.

Taking the first win on the first day of racing was Tengku Djan Ley in Car #23 for 23 Motors who commanded the race from start to finish despite having the safety car roll out on lap nine to erase his 2.3-second lead after Kegani Racings Kenny Lee in Car#38 clipped the wall to end his race.

Regardless, Djan drove to victory with Mark Darwin (Car #63) and Brendan Paul (Car #22) taking second and third respectively.

A trickle of rain managed to cool the street circuit prior to the racers of the semi-professional Sporting category lining up for the second race of the day that made racing a little more tricky.

The majority of the rain held off long enough for the race to finish with Hayden Haikal (Car #81) of S&D Motorsport taking top honours while Kenneth Koh (Car #77) for Panglima City Racing Team and Adam Khalid (Car #28) for Crestmax Motorsport taking second and third respectively.

As the rains unloaded its precipitation, it was the safety car that took the race lead for the first 10 laps for the celebrity Promotional category racers with Shawn Lee (Car #6) at the head of the pack.

As soon as racing commenced, Nabil Ahmad (Car #83) found himself in a complicated situation of having to pile on the pressure on to race-leader Lee while at the same time fending off Shukri Yahaya (Car #24) who stayed aggressively glued to Nabil's tail hoping for a mistake to transpire till the end of the race.

Day 2 saw the top six finishers of each category starting in reverse order to level the playing field with Djan, Hayden and Lee now having to start in sixth place.

Leading the order for the second day were sixth-place finishers Freddie Ang (Car #3) of Telegamas Toyota, Tom Goh (Car #33) of S&D Tama Motorsports and Jana Nick (Car #18) for the Super Sporting, Sporting and Promotional categories respectively.

This time, there was no rain in sight to douse aggression levels which ran hotter than the first day of racing - much to the excitement of 15,000 spectators.

The Super Sporting category saw Ang clinch the win in ahead of Toyotsu’s William Ho (Car #39) and defending class champion Boy Wong (Car #21).

During the first lap, Djan put his car into the wall and received and rear right puncture which relegated him to last-place but after a wheel change at the pits, he was back into contention and finished the race in sixth to earn himself and the team a point.

Competition in the Sporting class was no less intense with two safety car incidents.

Starting at the front, Goh led the pack until the second lap where a six-car pile-up brought out the safety car and again towards the closing stages of the race where Car #69's Shanmuganathan Arumugam spun his vehicle.

A last-minute challenge from Car #55 Bradley Benedict of team Dream Chaser put him in the lead just two corners from the chequered flag to claim his first race victory of the season while Goh settled for second and Car # 12's Haji Sutan Mustaffa Salihin for third.

The last race of the day, in the Promotional class, had Shukri, Nabil and Lee again taking first, second and third respectively after 20 laps of intense driving.

Shukri managed to pass race leader Jana on the second lap and then yielded to fast-paced Nabil on lap four.

Unfortunately, Jana's car made contact with Lee's and saw the actress' car pointed in the wrong direction and out of contention just four laps to the chequered flag to end the round three of the Toyota Vios Challenge one-make race series.

The race series will now look to the Sepang International Circuit to play host for the last and final round (Round 4) and will be held from Apr 17 to 19.

For fans in Penang, the excitement of the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Festival included the display and test drive of Toyota’s fleet of new vehicles, a drift performance by Japanese drifters courtesy of Toyo Tires

Also, fans were able to partake in other activities that included a racing simulator challenge, stage games, celebrity performances, promotional activities, lucky draws, merchandise and a Super Fans Signing Session for a chance to mingle with the celebrities racing in the Promotional class.

Other attractions were a fleet of motorcycles and merchandise on display and sale by Harley Davidson and Moto Guzzi, a bey blade competition, the sale of Hot Wheels die-cast models, a concert by popular local band Hujan, and a display by the Art of Speed. The final day of the TGR Festival also kicked off with a fun run within the street circuit and Zumba fitness session.

As an added bonus, all vehicles purchased during the two-day event also came with a RM200 complimentary service voucher.

Day 1Day 2


Ford Ranger: Customer-driven design

                KUALA LUMPUR: The next-generation Ford Ranger which debuted in Malaysia last month is the result of deep customer insight from extensive customer research into what makes a great pickup.

Designers took these insights, plus Ranger’s award-winning pickup formula, to create the next-
generation Ranger – the one iconic, versatile and trusted pickup customers trust to tackle almost
anything.

Ranger chief designer Max Tran and his team spent hundreds of hours with customers around the world to see how they use their pick-up trucks on a daily basis.

Ford conducted more than 5,000 interviews and made more than 1,800 pages of field notes for reference, which helped development and guide both engineers and designers to build a pick-up with the features and capability customers wanted.

“Seeing owners use their trucks, whether for work, family or play, inspired some fantastic ideas
that drove our design and development decisions,” said Tran.

“One great example of that is the integrated box side-step. During our clinic sessions, we noticed that many customers had trouble reaching over the side of the truck into the bed; others were standing on the rear tyre or the bumper to gain access.

“So, we came up with the idea of a box step, behind the rear wheel,” he said.

“We mocked one up, tested it with owners and the response was overwhelming. People told us that step would be reason enough to buy the Ford Ranger,” Tran said.

He also said team fulfilled the customer request for a wider cargo area that could accommodate a full-width pallet in the tray.

The next-generation Ranger conveys confidence and capability through the bold new grille with its C-clamp headlights, daytime running lights and strong horizontal upper grille bar, to the pronounced wheel arches, strong shoulder line and large sculpted Ranger logo on the tailgate.

Customer preferrences also resulted in large centre touchscreen display to get portrait orientation as this created enough space for navigation screens while also leaving room in the lower portion of the screen for other menus, like those for the climate and entertainment controls.

Although designers reimagined key aspects of the cabin; including how the door release handles could be better integrated into the ‘coast-to-coast’ dashboard design, customer feedback led to the door release handles being mounted lower – looking more linear to provide easier reach to window switches and the armrests.

“The next-gen Ranger really redefines the role of the pick-up as a trusted partner for work, family
and play,” said Gary Boes, Enterprise Product Line Management director, Global Trucks.

“With the help of all the rich insights from customers, we’ve created a Ranger we believe will inspire owners to do more of what they love to do, with features that encourage them to explore new
horizons,” he said.

Sime Darby Auto ConneXion, the sole distributor for Ford in Malaysia, will be previewing
the next-generation Ranger in Kuching on Sept 7-11 at Vivacity Megamall, and at Suria Sabah Shopping Centre, Kota Kinabalu on Oct 5-9.

Ahead of its showroom launch, these preview events are a part of the next-generation Ranger’s
nationwide debut tour in 5 regions, including Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru over five
weekends.

Don’t miss out on the upcoming preview events of the next-generation Ranger debut tour.

Sign up at the “Register” page to score exclusive invitations to a venue closest to you.


Klang Valley Honda owners still dragging feet on airbag recalls

                PETALING JAYA: Honda Malaysia has replaced over 62,200 Takata front airbag inflators since August but many affected car owners are still delaying sending their cars in for the safety fix.

Honda said the central region of the peninsula still has the highest number of car owners who have yet to replace the Takata front airbag inflators with 23% compared to the northern and southern regions which is 9% and 8% respectively.

As announced in August, the car maker has secured 100% of Takata driver front airbag and it is urging affected customers, in particular those in the central region, to make an appointment to have their faulty airbag inflators replaced.

Honda Malaysia also said parts for Takata passenger front airbag inflators are gradually arriving and are expected to be at 55% by end of this December. Customers are encouraged to check the stock availability status at www.honda.com.my or www.productrecall.honda.com.my. Notification letters would also be sent to inform customers on stock availability.

Other than dealerships where airbags can be checked and replaced if necessary, Honda has also set up temporary service hubs and mobile hubs to make it convenient for parts replacement.

Honda-Malaysia-Central-and-Mobile-Hubs-Location-and-Operating-Hours.pdf A service hub. A mobile hub.


VW Vento open for bookings from RM80K

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Group Malaysia is now accepting bookings for the soon-to-be-launched Vento, which has an indicative price range of RM80,000 to RM90,000 (OTR excluding registration and insurance).

The car will be available in three variants – Highline, Comfortline and Trendline.

The Vento is actually a refreshed version of the Polo Sedan that was sold locally from 2012 but has since been discontinued. The Vento gets the same 1.6-litre MPI engine as the Polo Sedan but adds a 1.2-litre turbocharged direct-injection TSI engine, which is positioned as the top Highline variant in the model line-up. The only turbocharged sedan in its class, the Highline engine has an output of 104hp. A 7-speed dual-clutch or direct-shift gearbox (DSG) provides a maximum torque of 175Nm from 1,500rpm to 4,100rpm.

The subcompact car is also sold in India and Mexico under the Vento name.

Volkswagen described the Vento as elegant and dynamic and boasts advanced safety features along with a small engine that is powerful.

The Highline has been awarded a 5-star rating by Asean NCAP and is equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), four airbags (front and side), anti-lock braking system (ABS), Intelligent Crash Response System and ISOFIX anchorage point for child seats.

Buyers have a choice of five colours: Candy White, Flash Red, Reflex Silver, Carbon Steel Grey and Deep Black.

Interested buyers can book a test drive at the local Volkswagen site. Alternatively, bookings can also be made at authorised Volkswagen dealers.


Fuel prices down 1 sen across the board

PETALING JAYA: Diesel and petrol prices will be reduced 1 sen per litre with effect from tomorrow.

The new prices were announced on RTM1 today.

See table above.


SPONSORED: Renault Captur captur-ing more fans

                Loaded with attractive styling and practicality, the Renault Captur has been a resounding success in Europe.

It is the top seller in its segment in Europe. The B-segment mini crossover or SUV is now certified as an EEV (Energy Efficient Vehicle) and locally-assembled, and more affordable at RM109,000.

Malaysia is the only country besides Renault’s Valladolid plant in Spain to produce the Captur, which cements the French brand’s commitment here.

Its high driving position combined with substantial ground clearance and large 17-inch wheels are ideal for the active and young-at-heart.

Refinements include attractive zippable seat covers with stylish stitching that are removable for easy washing, a reversible boot floor with carpeting on one side and plastic on the other as well as the sliding and foldable bench seat, which splits 60:40 for increased boot space.

The Captur has a small but powerful 1.2-litre turbocharged TCe 120 engine that is mated to a six-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) transmission. This spirited crossover also offers exceptional fuel efficiency of up to 5.4 litres per 100km.

The nice equipment list includes automatic headlights and rain sensors, MediaNav with 7-inch touchscreen, AUX, USB, Bluetooth, navigation and reverse camera, keyless entry and start, and an Eco mode for better fuel efficiency of up to 10 per cent. Leather seats are optional.

Safety features include four airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with traction control, and hill start assist.
Also, the Captur stands out with its trendy dual-tone colour exterior.

The Captur is offered in a new colour combination – a trendy two-toned Flame Red body with Diamond Black roof.

Other stylish two-toned colour options are: Arizona Orange (body) / Diamond Black (roof); Pacific Blue (body) / Ivory (roof); and Ivory (body) / Diamond Black (roof).


2019 Mazda3 shines with GVC Plus

                SEPANG: The 2019 Mazda3 is the first of Mazda’s seventh generation of vehicles which aims to move the Japanese marque further upmarket with beautiful, refined and premium products.

This fourth-generation Mazda3 was recently launched in Malaysia in sedan and liftback body types, with three trim levels priced from RM139,620 to RM160,638 on-the-road (without insurance).

Imported from Japan, the new Maxda3 is sold with a five-year warranty and a five-year free maintenance deals (both up to 100,000km - whichever comes first) including labour, parts and lubricants.

Local Mazda distributor Bermaz Auto Bhd recently organised a track event at Sepang International Circuit to demonstrate the new car's driving performance and G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) technology, which further improves vehicle stability, steering response and driver comfort.

To get a good feel of the driving dynamics of the new Mazda3, the track event started with a few fast laps on the F1 track, where participants followed a lead car helmed by an experienced race driver in tackling the twists and turns of the circuit.

Both 1.5 and 2.0-litre Maxda3 variants were provided, and we found the Maxda3 to excel with responsive handling, and good mid-corner balance as we braked hard and slowed for the turns.

The chassis felt nimble, and the SkyActiv-Drive six-speed automatic is smooth and responsive.

In fact, we found that the 1.5-litre Mazda3 was the more fun creature to drive as it felt more perky during initial sprints and gunning out of the corners.

Next, it was a slalom and lane change exercise on a cone-filled car park area where the main purpose was check out the G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) technology.

A BMW 330e plug-in hybrid and Mercedes-Benz A-Class were also thrown into the mix for comparison.

GCV Plus is the upgraded version of the vehicle dynamics control technology which was introduced about two years ago on Mazda cars, for better handling, stability and comfort by delivering improved cornering control.

The benefits of GVC are more precise steering, improved handling, better passenger comfort, and less fatigue for the driver and it is part of Mazda’s Jinba Ittai — “horse and rider as one” — philosophy.

With the new GVC Plus, vehicle stability and handling is further improved by using the brakes to add direct yaw moment control.

What this translates into is a better sense of control during obstacle avoidance maneouvres and on winding roads, as well as extra stability on slippery surfaces.

During the slalom and lane change exercises, the German premium cars performed marvellously as expected but the Mazda3 was quite competent too and felt refined as it smoothly tackled the cone-filled exercises.

GVC Plus is a subtle technology, and we did not experience discomforting body roll during the slalom and lane change exercises in the Mazda3.

Meanwhile, the same event also saw an Mazda MX-5 club gathering where over 100 owners from Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand gathered at the F1 track to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the world's best-selling roadster.

Mazda3 1.5-litre Liftback/Sedan - RM139,620

- 118hp at 6,000rpm
- 153Nm of torque at 4,000rpm.
- SkyActiv-Drive six-speed automatic with manual shift mode
- front and rear disc brakes
- 205/60 R16 tyres
- LED automatic headlights with automatic levelling
- Bulb daytime running lights
- LED rear fog lamps
- LED rear light clusters
- automatic wipers
- powered wing mirrors with integrated turn signal and auto fold
- body-coloured door handles
- fabric seats
- multi-function steering wheel with cruise control
- sunglass holder
- engine start-stop button
- electronic parking brake
- organ-type throttle pedal
- auto-dimming rearview mirror
- 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- colour heads-up display
- manual climate controls
- i-Stop Idling Technology
- G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus)
- No parking sensors
- reverse camera
- 8.8-inch full-colour infotainment display
- 8 audio speakers
- Voice command
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Two USB ports
- 7 airbags
- Dynamic stability control
- Electronic brakeforce distribution
- Emergency brake assist
- Traction control
- Hill-start assist
- Auto-hold function
- Speed sensing auto-lock
- Rear Isofix anchor points

Mazda3 2.0-litre Sedan High - RM150,059

- 162hp at 6,000rpm
- 213Nm at 4,000rpm
- keyless-entry
- powered sliding and tilt glass sunroof
- dual-zone automatic climate control
- rear air conditioning vents
- 10-way powered driver's seat with two-memory slots
- leather seats
- walk-away locking system

Mazda3 2.0-litre Liftback/Sedan High Plus - RM160,638

- 215/45 R18 tyres
- front LED signature illumination
- LED daytime running lights
- front and rear parking sensors.
- adaptive front lighting system
- high beam control
- blind-spot monitoring system
- rear cross-traffic alert
- lane departure warning
- lane-keep assist
- driver attention alert
- front and rear smart brake support
- adaptive cruise control


Musk predicts Tesla self-driving cars 'later this year'

                SHANGHAI: Electric car giant Tesla is set to realise fully autonomous vehicles "later this year", CEO Elon Musk said today, in the billionaire's latest forecast for the long-anticipated milestone.

"In terms of where Tesla is at this stage, I think we are very close to achieving full self-driving without human supervision," Musk said via video link at the opening ceremony of an artificial intelligence conference here.

"This is only speculation, but I think we'll achieve full self-driving, maybe what you would call four or five, I think later this year," the billionaire added, referring to two of the most advanced levels of autonomous driving technology.

The mercurial entrepreneur and Twitter owner admitted that he had been wrong in previous predictions on this timeline, but added: "I feel like we're closer to it than we ever have been."

Musk has missed his own deadlines for a fully autonomous vehicle — and Tesla's driver-assistance technology has provoked regulatory probes in the United States.

China is the world's biggest electric vehicle market and Tesla announced in April it would build a second massive factory here.

His appearance at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference here marks his latest effort to maintain close links to China, following a visit to the country in May.

Electric vehicles make up a quarter of car sales in China, the world's largest car market, and dozens of new models from domestic and Western brands were unveiled in April at the country's first auto show since Covid restrictions were lifted.

Tesla reported a drop in first-quarter earnings this year, with the company undertaking a series of price cuts in the face of competition from other automakers.


Ford opens new Sabah dealership

                KOTA KINABALU: Ford distributor Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC) has opened a new dealership here.

The outlet in Inanam is operated by Boston Auto Sdn Bhd, and is Ford's seventh facility in East Malaysia and 36th nationwide.

Located in the Inanam Auto Hub, the new dealership has a total built-up area of 20,000 square feet.

Featuring four-vehicle showroom and eight service bays, the facility is operated by 30 employees. They include sales and service employees as well as five Ford certified technicians.

“As the third largest pick-up market in Malaysia, prospects are indeed ripe to strengthen our customer base in Sabah," said Sime Darby Auto Connexion managing director Turse Zuhair.

Ford Kota Kinabalu, Inanam is located at the junction of Jalan Burung Selingkir, Tuaran By Pass, Inanam 88450, Kota Kinabalu.

The showroom opensl from 8.30am to 5.30pm on Monday to Friday, and from 8.30am to 12.30pm on weekends including public holidays.


2016 Beijing Auto Show: World premiere for Honda Avancier SUV

                BEIJING: Honda had a world premiere of its new Avancier sport utility vehicle (SUV) at the Beijing Auto Show 2016.

The new Avancier (Chinese name: Guandao) will become Honda's flagship SUV model in China.

The Avancier features a spacious cabin and for the first time among all models sold by Honda in China, a 2.0-liter turbo engine.

The Avancier also has the Honda SENSING suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies.

The all-new Avancier will go on sale before the end of 2016.

Honda also exhibited the all-new Civic.


Rivian R1T electric truck 'way underpriced,' but room to improve, says expert

                DETROIT: The Rivian R1T, one of the first electric pickup trucks on the market, is "way underpriced," according to a manufacturing expert known for his sometimes blunt assessments of electric vehicles from Tesla and others.

The R1T also could use some engineering and production changes to reduce its manufacturing cost, according to Sandy Munro, head of Michigan-based Munro & Associates, which tears down vehicles and advises automakers on how to improve them.

Known for his blunt YouTube assessments, Munro, a former Ford manufacturing engineer, says the R1T has "buckets of cost reduction opportunity" - not unusual for a brand-new vehicle from a first-time manufacturer.

But the R1T, which starts at US$67,500 (RM297,000), "should be selling for US$100,000 (RM439,000) — it's way underpriced for what it is and what it does," says Munro during a walkaround of the dismantled vehicle at the company's Auburn Hills headquarters.

That is good news for a company that just went public in November and continues to endure teething pains, from delivery snafus to a backlash over poorly timed price increases.

Raising the vehicle's price tag could still be a challenge.

Peter Rawlinson, CEO of EV maker Lucid and a former Tesla engineering executive, said in March that the R1T probably needs to be priced at US$95,000 (RM418,000) to be profitable.

Like its chief competitor, the Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian's new pickup features a body-on-frame design, but the R1T's bed and cabin are all one piece, unlike the F-150. The Lightning is priced from US$40,000 to more than US$100,000.

"It's designed and built quite differently from traditional full-size pickups," says Ben Lindamood, a Munro director.

"The build quality still isn't as good as vehicles from more established brands, which is not dissimilar from the early Teslas" torn down in Munro's shop.

Munro likes some of the thoughtful touches on the R1T, including a cleverly hinged tailgate, a power tonneau cover and a large under-bed storage compartment just behind the cabin.

Rivian declined to comment.


Carmakers preview Milan designs

                MILAN: Land Rover, Lexus and Jaguar are along the major automotive marques showcasing concepts, sculptures and installations at this year's Milan Design Week, which opens to the public on April 14.

As well as on the contents of your garage, Land Rover has designs on your living room and for this year's event will be showcasing not just a range of premium SUVs, but something called "Unstoppable Spirit," a sculpture co-created by Gerry McGovern, Land Rover's design director, and Nino Mustica.

A respected Italian artist, Mustica uses different media and different approaches to move a concept from one medium - say a flat painted canvas - to another in three dimensions.

"Unstoppable Sprit" is meant to represent the point at which art and automotive design intersect and is fashioned from metal and fiberglass. The seven-meter tall piece will be on display at the Piazza Gae Aulenti, a location chosen for its existing architectural leanings, a space where the piece will play against the skyscrapers in the background.

A supporting exhibition of Nino Mustica's work exploring the same theme will also be taking place.

Sister company Jaguar has been selected to participate in this year's designjunction edit in Milan, which will run during the main design week, alongside Tom Dixon, Case Furniture and Void Watches.

Designjunction has quickly established itself as the showcase for interior design and culture, not just during the Salone de Mobile Milan but also at London and New York design festivals, too.

In a space within the former Arti cinema, dressed by Tom Dixon, Jaguar will be showing its Word Cloud aluminum sculpture that twists 95 words in seven different languages into the flowing contours of a Jaguar XE, the object the words describe.

Luxury Japanese marque Lexus, for its 10th year at the event is planning a more interactive, almost traditional installation entitled "A journey of the Senses". It will consist of three zones, created by French designer Philippe Nigro, each of which is meant to engage all five senses in very different ways.

Two of the installations will be given over to exploring Lexus, either via its approach to design - inside and out - or via the designers of tomorrow the company is supporting through its Design Awards program.

However, the third space is a simple exploration of natural materials and elements, co-developed with of Michelin-starred chef and award-winning food designer Hajime Yoneda, who has created a special "Earth Soup" and overseen the making of hand-made chocolate as intrinsic elements of the installation.


BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage surfaces

                MUNICH: The new BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage – the CSL has finally broken cover to pay tribute to the classic and iconic BMW Coupe from the 1970s.

In the past the material of choice was aluminium, but today it’s carbon fibre or carbon fibre reinforced plastic for the Coupé Sport Leichtbau (CSL - Coupé Sport Lightweight) Hommage.

BMW Design head Karim Habib explained that the Hommage gets an elongated body with uniquely positioned air deflectors, wide wheel arches spoilers for the roof and tail – just like the first CSL, and provides an optimal airflow along side the vehicle.

The front air deflector serves to vent the engine bay, while wings over the rear wheels ensure optimum airflow around the vehicle.

Small rear-view cameras are used to reduce aerodynamic drag, while a large rear spoiler provides down-force for the rear-driven axle.

According to Habib, the Hommage is recognizable through its resemblance to the original CSL.

The Air Curtain and Air Breather systems provide ventilation for the wheel housings. And the sheer self-confidence and sporting prowess of the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage are perfectly summed up in the

While dressed in the original colour of its spiritual predecessor – Golf Yellow, the Hommage boasts of having one of the broadest and lowest front ends of any vehicle in BMW’s stable.

There’s no mention of a confirmed engine for the Hommage, only that it’ll have one a ‘powerful in-line six-cylinder with eBoost

The front end features a carbon-fibre front splitter and laser light with LED technology which possesses a stylised “X” inside them to divide the lighting functions – paying tribute to the X-shaped headlamp stickers once used in long-distance racing.

The Hommage rolls on black 21-inch alloy wheels in matt and high-gloss bi-colour versions with air control blades and the rear-end features an LED strip above the spoiler and a CFRP diffuser.

Inside, it’s an all-CFRP minimalist cabin, with the only exception being the wood-like instrument panel – a clear reference to the interior of the earlier BMW 3.0 CSL, which featured an all-round wood trim throughout the interior.

Now, the small central eBoost charging display interrupts the wooden instrument panel and a central display on the steering column visually informs the driver of the current gear, speed, revs and shift point.

Other racing features include bucket seats with high-quality stitching, a six-point belt and red anodised safety features such as the outlet nozzles for the extinguishing foam, the fire extinguisher itself, and the two switches on the centre console for the emergency shut-off and fire extinguishing mechanism.

The only elements in the rear of the vehicle are two helmets integrated into the transmission tunnel that are held in place by a belt when not in use.

In the place of a rear seat bench, there are only covers for the eBoost energy accumulators and a special reflector technology in combination with LED strips help create a 3D effect on the covers.

DTM-style pull straps are used as door openers as was the handle-integrated opener of the earlier 3.0 CSL, resulting in the hybrid solution of a nylon pull strap located directly behind the grab handle in the door.

“With intelligent lightweight construction and modern materials, the 3.0 CSL Hommage brings the character of that earlier model into the 21st century, showing it in a new and exciting guise,” said BMW Group Design senior vice president Adrian van Hooydonk.


Hennessey teases fans and challenges Bugatti with Venom F5

                HOUSTON: Look out Bugatti. Texas's Hennessey Performance is getting ready to unveil its first in-house hypercar, the Venom F5, a vehicle named after the highest point on the Fujita scale for measuring tornado speeds.

The Fujita scale rates an F5 Tornado as having a wind speed between 420kph and 510kph and so it couldn't be a more apt moniker for the new car, as that's exactly the performance bracket it is promising to achieve.

"The best way I can describe the Venom F5 is that it is sophisticated aggression on wheels," said company CEO John Hennessey. "It brings forth an all-new design and chassis to achieve even higher performance through improved aerodynamics and technology."

Boutique carmakers threatening to bring the fight to Bugatti is nothing new and usually it ends in tears. "How can a small company from Texas design test build a hyper car that can compete with the best from Bugatti, Ferrari or McLaren? The simple answer is we have to be very creative," said Hennessey.

And since launching in 1991, his company has demonstrated it has blue-sky thinking in abundance. It has moved seamlessly from taking US cars and making them faster to turning its attention to upping the performance on supercars. This led to the Hennessey Venom GT, the firm's first hypercar, and one that, despite sharing a few components with a Lotus to meet crash safety regulations, was capable of hitting 435kph.

Every lesson learned from that project and every breakthrough made will be filtered into the F5, a car that will come close to doing 483kph when it's officially unveiled later this year and in doing so potentially usurp the Bugatti Chiron as the world's fastest series production vehicle.

"VW and Bugatti have got great recourses and engineers and a lot of money. And we have a lot less of that. But what we don't lack is enthusiasm, passion, and a desire to be the fastest," said Hennessey. "I really like being the underdog."

In the lead up to the car's official unveiling, Hennessey will be releasing teaser videos setting the scene and divulging little snippets of information.


Peugeot 2008 Special Edition arrives at RM141,000

                KUALA LUMPUR: Bermaz Auto Alliance Sdn Bhd has unveiled the Peugeot 2008 Special Edition (SE) that comes with a bolder appearance and an on-the-road without insurance price of RM141,003.

Available only in Fusion Orange and Pearl White, the compact crossover will feature the Special Edition Accessories Package worth RM2,900, a hands-free power tailgate (RM2,100) and P-URE Performance Tinting (RM1,900).

The Special Edition Accessories Package includes unique graphic decals on the front bonnet and both sides of the car, and front and rear bumper trims as well as the side trims finished in a sophisticated Matte Black.

Also included are Piano Black finished 17-inch alloy wheels that have been specially developed to highlight the overall sportiness of the vehicle.

The accessories package is offered with a One-Year Peugeot Genuine Accessory Warranty based on the period of fitment at the time of new vehicle purchase.


Roll out targeted petrol subsidy, Fomca urges Govt

                PETALING JAYA: The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) has urged the Government to introduce a targeted petrol subsidy in the 2019 Budget, which will help the people manage their cost of living.

According to Fomca deputy president Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman, an increase in world oil prices could eventually force the Government to raise the retail price of RON95 petrol and burden ordinary citizens further.

Last week, Bernama reported that the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry and the Finance Ministry are discussing a new mechanism for subsidised petrol with various target groups. The mechanism is expected to be introduced by early next year.

“Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng and I hope to formulate a mechanism after looking at various aspects including groups eligible to enjoy the subsidy," said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

Apart from targeting the lowest income group (B40), he said the ministry would also looked at the effects of the implementation of the new mechanism on the middle income group (M40).

“Aspects on the eligibility of groups included income level or the type of vehicles and so on will be taken into consideration,” he added.

“I also want to see the people debating the idea (mechanism) , so I hope such debates would be held as indicators to the government to make the decision,” said Saifuddin.

He said Malaysians used about 1.2 billion litres of petrol a month with 90 per cent using RON95 petrol which is subsidised with 10 per cent more using RON97.

He said among the proposals included not giving subsidised petrol to the highest income group (T20) and M40 using luxury cars.

“For example, those driving Mercedes, BMW or cars with 2.0, 2.5 or 3.0-litre engines. We will give subsidy to the B40 and also Malaysians driving small cars,” he added.

Saifuddin also said the ministry is in talks with petrol companies and petrol station operators to ensure the existing system used is suitable for the mechanism.

“This is because not all petrol stations have full service standard especially in the interior where most of them are mini petrol stations,” he said.

The 2019 Budget will be tabled on Friday.


Five trends at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show

                FRANKFURT: At this year's Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA), automakers are pulling out all the stops to dazzle visitors with cars that are greener, smarter and faster than ever.

Here are some of the highlights of the industry showcase, which runs until Sept 24 and is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of car enthusiasts.

 The Bugatti Chiron.Supercars

If you've always wanted to feel like Lewis Hamilton, the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE might be for you.

A hybrid "hypercar" built with Formula 1 technology, it promises 1,000hp and top speeds of over 350kph. Mercedes plans to make just 275 units, each costing more than two million euros (RM11mil).

 Project ONE.

"It looks like a shark," was one fairgoer's verdict as a crush of people strained to catch a glimpse of the showstopper.

Ten-year-old Moritz was more generous. "You can tell that Mercedes put in a lot of effort," he said, "but I would have preferred bigger spoilers."

Not to be outdone, Bugatti revealed that its own limited edition supercar - the 2.4-million-euro (RM12mil) Chiron - had just set a heart-stopping new speed record, going from 0 to 400kph in 42 seconds.

 The Volocopter.Taking the high road

They're not quite the flying cars we have long been promised but if a string of start-ups are to be believed, our daily commute could soon come with a bird's eye view.

Fairgoers were abuzz over a pilotless "air taxi" on display at Daimler's stand, an electric, 18-rotor craft being developed with Volocopter.

Dutch start-up PAL-V meanwhile showed off a cross between a gyrocopter and a car, which could whizz you to work from next year - all you need is 500,000 euros (RM2.5mil) and a pilot licence.

Battle for the soccer moms

SUVs reign supreme at this year's IAA. Accounting for more than two thirds of the model launches, they cater to all tastes and wallets, from Volkswagen's sporty T-Roc to the updated budget Dacia Duster.

Chinese automakers are increasingly muscling in on the action, with Chery and high-end Wey both unveiling compact 4x4s.

They may be the wheels of choice for soccer moms everywhere but SUVs are "overrepresented" at the IAA, according to the Inovev consultancy.

Promises, promises

Eager to turn the corner on the 'dieselgate' emissions cheating scandal, carmakers are falling over themselves to present a futuristic vision of sleek, self-driving electric cars that do all the work as you lean back and enjoy the ride.

But observers expressed frustration that most of the cars being dangled were years away from hitting the roads, while Nissan and Tesla - the only two carmakers actually mass producing electric cars - shunned the IAA.

"I don't want some sexy electro-concept that will never happen," said Bild car reporter Dennis Petermann, urging German carmakers to step on the gas in the race against Tesla.

Trip down memory lane

Those who prefer the roar of a souped-up classic motor to the gentle purr of an electric engine should head over to the IAA's "Wild 70s" display to check out the red-and-white Gran Torino made famous by the "Starsky and Hutch" TV series, or a cult 911 Porsche Turbo Targa with rainbow trimming.

"That car has never felt a drop of rain," said Josef Lonsky of the Automobilclub of Germany.

If you're nostalgic for the era's more mellow vibe you may want to check out Volkswagen's new ID Buzz, a re-imagined - and of course, electric - version of the world's best-loved hippiemobile.

With surfboards strapped to its roof and, somewhat bafflingly, a floating, meditating gnome for a dashboard ornament, the neon yellow-and-grey van could be coming to a beach near you in 2020.


Soaring battery costs fail to cool electric vehicle sales

                DETROIT: Buyers around the world are lining up to buy electric vehicles this year even with sticker prices surging, flipping the script on a decade and a half of conventional auto industry wisdom that EV sales would break out only after battery costs dropped below a threshold that was always just over the horizon.

This year, EV demand has stayed strong even as the average cost of lithium-ion battery cells soared to an estimated US$160 (RM681) per kilowatt-hour in the first quarter from US$105 (RM447) last year.

Costs rose due to supply chain disruptions, sanctions on Russian metals and investor speculation.

For a smaller vehicle like the Hongguang Mini, the best-selling EV in China, the higher battery costs added almost US$1,500 (RM6,382), equal to 30% of the sticker price.

But gasoline and diesel fuel costs for internal combustion vehicles have also skyrocketed since Russia invaded Ukraine, and experts noted that environmental concerns also are pushing more buyers to choose EVs despite the volatile economics.

Manufacturers from Tesla to SAIC-GM-Wuling, which makes the Hongguang Mini, have passed higher costs on to consumers with double-digit price increases for EVs.

More may be coming. Andy Palmer, chairman of Slovak EV battery maker InoBat, says margins in the battery industry are already wafer thin, so "rising costs will have to be passed onto carmakers."

Vehicle manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz will likely shift increases to customers if their raw material prices keep rising. "We need to keep margins," said chief technology officer Markus Schaefer.

But EV shoppers have so far not been deterred. Global EV sales in the first quarter jumped nearly 120%, according to estimates by EV-volumes.com. China’s Nio, Xpeng and Li auto delivered record EV sales in March. Tesla delivered a record 310,000 EVs in the first quarter.

‘Different kind of tipping point’

"There is a different kind of tipping point that we seem to have hit — an emotional or psychological tipping point among consumers,” said Venkat Srinivasan, director of the Center for Collaborative Energy Storage Science at the US government’s Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago.

He said "more and more people" would buy EVs "notwithstanding the cost of the battery and the vehicle."

This spike in battery costs could be a blip in the long-term trend in which technology improvements and growing production pushed costs down for three straight decades.

Industry data showed that the US$105 per kilowatt hour average cost in 2021 was down nearly 99% from over US$7,500 in 1991.

Experts say battery costs could stay elevated for the next year or so, but then another big drop is probably in store as big-ticket investments by automakers and suppliers in mining, refining and battery cell production, and a move to diversify raw material sources, tip the balance from shortage to surplus.

"It's like a bubble — and for that bubble to settle down, it's going to be at least the end of 2023," said consultant Prabhakar Patil, a former LG Chem executive.

British battery company Britishvolt is due to launch battery production at a 45-gigawatt-hour plant in northeast England in 2024.

Chief strategy officer Isobel Sheldon said the advice the company is getting from raw materials suppliers is "don’t fix your prices now, wait for the next 12 months and fix the prices then because everything will be on a more even keel.”

"This over-securing of resources should be behind us by then,” she said.

Demand beats supply

The industry has long been awaiting the battery cell cost threshold of US$100 per kilowatt-hour, as a signal EVs were reaching price parity with fossil-fuel equivalents.

But with gasoline prices soaring and consumer preferences changing, that may no longer matter as much, analysts say.

EV demand in China and other markets "is going up faster than people thought — faster than the supply of materials" for EV batteries, said Stan Whittingham, a co-inventor of lithium-ion batteries and a 2019 Nobel laureate.

Concern about the environment and the climate also has motivated buyers, especially younger ones, to choose EVs over those that burn fossil fuels, said Chris Burns, chief executive of Novonix, a Halifax-based battery materials supplier.

"Many younger people entering the market are making buying decisions beyond simple economics and are saying they will only drive an EV because they are better for the planet,” Burns says.

"They are making the plunge even though it would be cheaper" to drive a gas-powered car.

"I don’t think we will stop seeing reports trying to show a trend in battery prices down towards US$60 or US$80 a kilowatt-hour as aspirational targets, but it is possible that those may never get met,” he said.

"However, it doesn’t mean that EV adoption will not rise.”


Humvee maker sues Activision over ‘Call of Duty’

A Humvee moving into an Iraqi war zone. - AFP
NEW YORK: The maker of Humvee military vehicles filed a lawsuit accusing Activision Blizzard Inc of reaping billions of dollars of revenue by incorporating its trademarks without permission in its flagship Call of Duty videogame franchise.

In a complaint filed on Tuesday night in US District Court in Manhattan, AM General LLC accused Activision of taking advantage of its goodwill and reputation in the "Humvee" and "HMMWV" marks by featuring them prominently in Call of Duty, and licensing related content for use in toys and books.

"Humvee" and "HMMWV" are short for High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles. AM General said it has made more than 278,000 Humvees.

Mary Osako, a spokesman for Activision, said on Wednesday that the company does not discuss pending litigation.

 A 'Call of Duty' scene. - Image from Activision

The franchise was launched in 2003, and sales had by 2016 topped 250 million units, with revenue exceeding US$15bil (RM63.42bil), according to the Santa Monica, California-based company.

But AM General said that success came "only at the expense of AM General and consumers who are deceived into believing that AM General licenses the games or is somehow connected with or involved in the creation of the games."

AM General is owned by MacAndrews & Forbes Inc and Renco Group Inc, which are holding companies for the billionaires Ronald Perelman and Ira Rennert, respectively.

The South Bend, Indiana-based company said it wants compensatory, punitive and triple damages from Activision, after more than a year of communication failed to end the dispute.

Humvee-branded vehicles have been used for more than three decades by the US military and in more than 50 countries, AM General said.

In recent months, they have been used in armed conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, and to provide relief to victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas. AM General has also produced a civilian vehicle, the Hummer.


Honda to begin US production of new 10-speed transmission

                LOS ANGELES: Honda Motor Co Ltd said it had invested nearly US$150 million in two US plants for making 10-speed automatic transmission for front-wheel-drive vehicles.

The investment includes US$100 million for a new assembly line and production modifications at Honda Precision Parts of Georgia LLC in Tallapoosa, Georgia, the Japanese automaker said.

The company will invest US$49 million in Honda Transmission Mfg. of America Inc in Russells Point, Ohio to provide new equipment and increased production capacity, Honda said.

"The new automatic transmission will go first into the 2018 Honda Odyssey," a Honda spokesman said, adding that other models to get the transmission are yet to be revealed.

Ford Motor Co and Detroit rival General Motors Co jointly developed a ten-speed automatic transmission that has recently been introduced on several US rear-wheel-drive models, including the 2017 Ford F-150 pickup truck and the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro sports car.


Cleaner, more sustainable wheels for BMW

                MUNICH: The BMW Group has announced plans to start using aluminum wheels produced in a more sustainable way from 2024.

The MINI sub-brand will begin this move to production based largely on recycled aluminum, as of next year.

The use of recycled materials will help avoid the energy-intensive electrolysis process used for primary aluminum production. For the German group, this is another step towards its goal of creating the cleanest and most sustainable supply chain possible.

This notably involves melting down old wheels as part of the circular economy.

MINI will start using light-alloy wheels, cast from 70% secondary aluminum, in the new generation Countryman in 2023.

Each year, the group buys about 10 million light-alloy wheels. Since 2021, BMW has been sourcing aluminum from the United Arab Emirates that is made exclusively using solar-generated electricity. The use of recycled aluminum is expected to reduce BMW's CO2 emissions by about 500,000 tonnes per year.

Today, wheel production accounts for about 5% of the CO2 emissions in the supply chain. This transition should reduce such emissions by half.

Ultimately, BMW's goal is to be able to reduce emissions throughout the supply chain by about 20% by 2030, compared to 2020 levels.


Sarawak bridge to be toll-free from Jan 1

                KUCHING: Sarawakians have good reason to cheer compared to their peninsula peers following an announcement by the state that the Tun Salahuddin Bridge will be toll free  from Jan 1.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem announced that the bridge across the Sarawak River would be toll-free as of midnight on Dec 31.

"We expect a big crowd on Jan 1 to gather along the bridge to celebrate the day when it is going to be toll-free," he told the state legislative assembly in his winding-up speech today.

The abolition of tolls was one of several major decisions made by Adenan since he took office last year. Toll at the Lanang Bridge in Sibu and Asean Bridge in Miri were abolished earlier this year.

Adenan told reporters later that the state government had successfully negotiated the toll abolition for Tun Salahuddin Bridge with Zecon Toll Concessionaire Sdn Bhd.

"They care for the people of Sarawak and they quite agree because of their public-spiritedness," he said.

He said there was no compensation involved.


Bermaz committed to upskilling its workforce

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mazda distributor, Bermaz Motor, has upped its efforts to up-skill its workforce in the Malaysian automotive industry with international qualifications.

The company has been working with UK-based Institute of Motor Industry (IMI) to equip its employees with skills and knowledge benchmarked to global standards to further enhance its customers’ ownership experience.

Recently, IMI head of business development Steve Scofield and IMI international business development manager Herbert Lonsdale visited Bermaz’s headquarters to celebrate the launch of the IMI member’s lounge set up by the company.

The lounge is open from Monday to Friday, which can be used to hold educational talks by automotive specialists, and comes equipped with a library and online learning facilities.

 The IMI member’s lounge at Bermaz headquarters.

The IMI offers over 250 technical and non-technical qualifications and accreditations through 560 training partners in more than 13 countries around the world and upon completion, candidates receive gain internationally recognized certifications.

An average of 1,500 candidates in Malaysia are trained per year at partnering community colleges, automotive companies and education bodies.

Bermaz has been up-skilling its staff since 2012, with 153 Bermaz technicians having received the internationally-recognised Level 1 to Level 3 qualification in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair and 12 others in management roles receiving a Level 4 IMI Diploma in Automotive Retail Management.

“We are an organisation that believes in training our human assets who are committed to a career in the automotive industry,” said Bermaz CEO Datuk Seri Ben Yeoh.


Raising toll fares not the answer to reduce jam

                KUALA LUMPUR: Higher toll fares is not the answer to cut down traffic jam on the highways, said MCA Publicity Bureau chairman Senator Datuk Chai Kim Sen.

He was referring to a proposal by Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof who had on Monday suggested increasing the fares during peak hours as a way to ease road congestions.

He said it was a wrong approach to solve the problem as it would only add financial burden to the people.

He called on the Government to improve the current public transport network instead.

“Traffic jam cannot be avoided during peak hours when most people are going to work and heading back home but a good system will encourage them to take public transport and reduce the number of vehicles on the roads,” said Chai.

He also called on the Government to promote carpooling as an alternative measure to reduce traffic jam.

“If given a choice, I am sure that most Malaysians would want to avoid being caught in a jam as it is a waste of time. So, the plan to up the toll fares as a means of traffic control is simply not feasible,” he added.


Toyota appoints Tommi Mäkinen as new motorsport advisor

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corporation has appointed Tommi Mäkinen as its new motorsport advisor.

From January 2021 onwards, Mäkinen will begin his duties with the aim of further advancing the manufacturing of sportier cars.

Mäkinen's team at Tommi Mäkinen Racing Oy helped Toyota to develop a highly competitive rally car and also built the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team to run at FIA World Rally Championship.

Already in 2018, the second year after their return, Toyota earned the manufacturers' world championship title, and in 2019 they won the drivers' and co-drivers' world championship titles.

The Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team and the design and development of World Rally Cars will be managed directly by TMC.

From 2021, the WRC operations will be run by Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe GmbH - the Toyota group company responsible for the core functions of Toyota motorsports in Europe.


Kia to ready first of seven all-new EVs in 2021

Song laying out Kia’s future EV product strategy.
SEOUL: Kia Motors Corporation is betting on battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plans to introduce seven new fully electric vehicles by 2027 across several vehicle segments.

The first model, code-named CV, would be launched in 2021 and reveal Kia’s new design direction. It would be sold in many regions globally. Kia said the new model would offer the same competitive product quality and eye-catching design as Kia’s other vehicles, with high-performance driving and recharging characteristics.

It would establish a leadership position in the global EV market by responding to fast-growing global consumer demand for EVs. The brand would partner with EV charging companies worldwide to achieve this. It said it aims to offer a range of models suitable for urban centres, long-range journeys, and performance driving.

Under Kia’s "Plan S" strategy, announced at the start of 2020, the brand plans to expand its BEV line-up to 11 models by 2025. Over the same period, Kia is aiming for BEVs to account for 20 percent of the brand’s total vehicle sales in advanced markets, including Korea, North America and Europe.

Kia said it would be able to offer vehicles with best-in-class interior spaciousness by adapting its new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP).

It is exploring the creation of subscription services to offer a diversified buying option for customers, as well as EV battery leasing and rental programs, and other "second-life" battery-related businesses.

The company aims to increase its number of dedicated EV work bays in South Korea to 1,200 by 2030. In other markets worldwide, Kia will increase its number of EV work bays to 600 by the end of this year, and more than 2,000 by 2023. Kia also plans to develop its own programmes to train EV maintenance professionals.

Worldwide, Kia is setting up over 2,400 EV chargers in Europe and around 500 in North America, partnering with its dealer networks.

Kia said it and parent company Hyundai Motor plans to continue to increase its charging infrastructure in line with the growing market for EVs.

In South Korea, Kia would rely on its existing network of nationwide sales branches, dealerships and service centres to set up 1,500 EV chargers by 2030. Hyundai Motor would install 120 ultra-fast chargers by 2021 in urban centres and along 12 highways linking eight provinces across the country.

“Kia has sold more than 100,000 BEVs worldwide since the introduction of our first mass-produced BEV in 2011, the Kia Ray EV, " Kia president and CEO Ho Sung Song said during an event at the brand’s Hwasung plant in South Korea.

"Since then, we have started to introduce a range of new BEVs for global markets and announced plans to accelerate this process in the years ahead. By refocusing our business on electrification, we are aiming for BEVs to account for 25 percent of our total worldwide sales by 2029.”

In a related development, a union official claimed Kia has halted production at a factory near here since yesterday because eight of its workers have been infected by the Covid-19 virus.

The plant produces models such as the Carnival and Rio.