S. Korea considers new electric car rules as Tesla readies showroom

                SEOUL: South Korea will consider scrapping a rule next year that denies subsidies for electric vehicles with high-capacity batteries, a move that could open its market to more long-range models including some from Tesla Motors Inc.

The country is a major market for premium cars, and ranks in the top six in terms of reservations for Tesla's upcoming Model 3 even though the US automaker will not enter Korea until early 2017.

But when Tesla does enter the market, one of its launch cars - the Model S 90D - will not qualify for a subsidy that knocks as much as 20 percent off the price of EVs. The Model S 90D is one of Tesla's higher-priced cars and is crucial to the firm in dispelling one of the general concerns about EVs: their range.

Currently, buyers of EVs that fully charge in under 10 hours using a standard electricity supply receive up to 22 million won (US$18,328). The Model S 90D and latest e6 from China's BYD Co Ltd likely take longer, industry officials say.

Minister of Environment Cho Kyeung-kyu in October said the 10-hour rule was introduced in 2012 to reduce the inconvenience of long charging times, but that it was time to review it considering the charging times of current long-range models.

A ministry official said a government-appointed consultancy will submit a proposal on the matter "by June, but it could be much earlier."

"We haven't decided whether to keep the rule alive, or kill it, or come up with complementary rules," the official said.

Tesla's first showroom is in the Starfield shopping centre east of Seoul that it aimed to open by year-end. A delay in the registration necessary to start sales has pushed the opening to early next year, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

BYD, the world's largest EV maker, also planned to enter Korea earlier this year with its e6 but delayed because its latest model is ineligible for the subsidy, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

BYD declined to comment on the matter. Tesla was not immediately available to comment.

Korea ranks 11th by total vehicle sales, according to researcher IHS Automotive, but within the top five for high-end models such as Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW's 7 series, the German automakers said. That makes it an attractive market for premium carmaker Tesla, whose price competitiveness would be enhanced by the subsidy rule change.

Tesla Vice President Nicolas Villeger last month said the automaker was working with the government to change a "unique rule" that does not reflect advances in battery technology.

A month earlier, opposition lawmaker Lee Sang-don called the rule an "unreasonable non-tariff barrier" that deprives consumers of incentives to buy long-range EVs.

"The rule is meaningless," Kim Pil-soo, president of the Korean Electric Vehicle Association, said. "We have kept telling the government they should remove it."

Korea is addressing a worsening smog problem but has been relatively slow to adopt EVs. There are some 4,000 EVs on the road which puts Korea 14th of 16 members of the Electric Vehicles Initiative, a global forum for EV development.

Similarly, foreign rivals such as Japan's Nissan Motor Co Ltd have marketed EVs for several years, whereas Korea's biggest automaker by sales, Hyundai Motor Co , released its first mass-produced EV only this year.

Hyundai's Ioniq can run 191km on a full charge of 4 hours and 25 minutes using a standard power supply. The automaker plans a 320 km car for 2018 requiring a larger-capacity battery, like Tesla's Model S 90D which can run 472km.

Tesla has been taking Korean orders since August for its Model S, Model X and Model 3, some variants of which may not qualify for the subsidy.

The automaker also has plans to install high-voltage "superchargers" in Seoul, Busan and Pyeongchang, with charging times reduced to minutes instead of hours, Villeger said.

That would add to government plans to increase its 750 fast chargers to 2,000 next year and 3,000 by 2020, catering to a targeted 250,000 EVs.

In the meantime, Tesla's first step would be to unlock its showroom which, last week, still bore the sign, "Opening Soon".


Honda Malaysia wraps up '1 Million Dreams Campaign' with 3-car giveaway

Present today to receive their rewards are (front row, from left) Muhammed Faisal, Ahmad Sirwan, Iman (representing Megawati) and Mohd Aisamuddin. Ahmad Sirwan was the 1 millionth buyer of a Honda car.

KUALA LUMPUR: Honda Malaysia's “1 Million Dreams Campaign” concluded with the giveaway of the last three special edition cars to winners today.

Megawati Affendi won the all-new City presented by brand partner Cuckoo, while Muhammed Faisal Adnan got the HR-V by Shopee and Mohd Aisamuddin Mohd Azilah took home the BR-V by Watsons.

Honda Malaysia’s new managing director and chief executive officer Madoka Chujo, who took office on April 1, said, “Thanks to the excellent leadership of my predecessors, the strong commitment of our Honda associates and dealers as well as the support from the Malaysian Government have led Honda Malaysia to achieve many remarkable milestones."

 Ahmad Sirwan (third from left) was rewarded for being the 1 millionth Honda customer and Civic owner.

Last month, Honda Malaysia reached the one millionth sale unit milestone where it presented four of the seven special edition models to the lucky winners at the 1 Million Dreams Grand Finale.

The seven Special Edition Honda models get unique features such as Dual Tone Exterior, Front Fascia with Red Highlights, Sporty Red Line Side Mirrors, Black alloy wheels with red highlights and 1 Million Dreams Signature Emblems.

They also come with the 1 Million Dreams embossed leather front headrests, leather steering wheel with red stitching and center mark, and the 1 Million Special Edition leather key pouch.

Adding to the excitement was an announcement of the 1 millionth Honda unit - a Civic -, belonging to Ahmad Sirwan Mat Tuselim.

Honda Malaysia together with Cuckoo, Shopee and Watsons presented Ahmad Sirwan with a token of appreciation worth more than RM8,000, for being the one millionth Honda owner in the country.

Also present at the event were Honda Malaysia president and chief operating officer Sarly Adle Sarkum, Shopee Malaysia head of Shopee Mall Kenneth Soh, Watsons Malaysia managing director Caryn Loh and Cuckoo International head of marketing department Nick Chin.

 Chujo delivering her opening speech.


BMW Digital Key can now be shared between iPhone and Android phones

                MUNICH: BMW has announced that it is now possible to share a BMW Digital Key across platforms between iPhone and Android devices.

Previously, keys could only be shared via Apple iMessage. There is now no longer any need for a specific app or a set method of transmission.

Instead, keys can be easily passed on to friends or family from the wallet using the native “share” function known from many apps.

This means that sharing a BMW Digital Key now takes the straightforward form of sending a link.

The key can be sent by e-mail, SMS or any other messaging service, e.g. WhatsApp.

The recipient does not require either a specific app or a BMW ID.

To add the Digital Key to their wallet, they simply click on the link. If the owner and recipient are standing next to each other, the key can also be shared via Apple AirDrop or Android Nearby Share.

In specific cases, an activation code may have to be entered in the vehicle for security reasons, which the sender would ideally disclose to the recipient via a different channel.

Once a digital key has been received on an iPhone, the recipient can add it to an Apple Watch just as easily.

This new function is available for all new vehicles with BMW Digital Key or BMW Digital Key Plus.

Older suitably equipped vehicles will be able to make full use of this feature once their software has been updated to status “22-11” or later via Remote Software Upgrade.

Cross-platform sharing will initially be available for compatible iPhones and Google smartphones, with models from Samsung set to follow shortly.

At present, the compatible phones are: Apple iPhone (running iOS 16.1 or later) or Google Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro (running Android 13 or later).

This latest upgrade is the result of a collaboration between BMW and its partners Apple, Google and Samsung under the umbrella of the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC).

It marks another milestone for the BMW Digital Key en route to complete cross-platform interoperability – and towards securing the status of smartphones as digital vehicle keys.


Continental Tyre Malaysia supports #Live2Drive adventure

                KUALA LUMPUR: Continental Tyre Malaysia (CTM) is supporting an adventure of a lifetime for five Malaysians who are driving from Malaysia to Germany in a three-month journey, with three Volkswagen Kombi vans and a Beetle.

The average age of the four classic Volkswagen cars is 50 years.

The crew of five on the transcontinental drive are Levi's Malaysia e-commerce head Stephen Pang, businessman Cliften Nathaniel, casting director Terence Moses, financial controller Monica Xavier and her husband Udhaya Kumar, who is a chef.
Aged 40 to 51, they are enthusiasts of vintage Volkswagen cars.

They have started their 27,000km drive across 20 countries (including China, Mongolia, the Trans-Siberia highway, Europe) which will end in Hessisch Oldendorf, Germany for the 7th International Vintage Volkswagen Show to be held on June 23 to 25, 2017.

The previous edition in Hessisch Oldendorf in June 2013 is known as the largest vintage Volkswagen show in the world.

It attracted over 900 registered vehicles, and 45,000 visitors and over 1,450 participants from 32 nations.

During the journey, the Malaysian convoy will also undertake various charity initiatives.

CTM is supporting their journey to create awareness of the robustness and durability of Continental tyres through the various terrains and roads that the crew will be experiencing across the 20 countries.

Moreover, CTM supports and encourages the various charity initiatives of the #Live2Drive crew through their journey.

"We are extremely excited to support the #Live2Drive adventure and their contribution to communities along the way. Continental tyres are trusted around the world for quality, performance and for German Technology," said CTM managing director Cameron Wilson during the flag-off on March 15 at Wan Henz Corp Sdn Bhd, which is a Continental BestDrive Center in Jalan 4/11B, Bandar Baru Bangi.


Ford reveals glimpse of what appears to be Mustang hybrid

                DETROIT: In Ford's new ad campaign, between shots of Bryan Cranston, we get a two-second glimpse of a redesigned Mustang that could just be the hybrid the company has been teasing for nearly a year.

On Friday, Ford opened up their new ad campaign with an epic video featuring Bryan Cranston and his smouldering voice expressing the importance of hard work and action over talk.

And at right about the 37-second mark of the video, we get an electric blue taste of what is predicted to be the Mustang hybrid with a completely redesigned front end.

The iconic Mustang badge on the grille (which appears to be plastic, which is typical of electric cars) as well as the disassembled, skeletal view of the mechanical workings of the vehicle are illuminated with the same shade of neon blue that Ford has been using to indicate electric vehicles.

On the other hand, when the body of the vehicle expands in the ad, we can clearly see an engine, specifically a V8 engine, so it is likely that this really is the hybrid that Ford confirmed is on its way over the past year.

In January, Ford released a teaser video of a Explorer SUV and Mustang entering the same garage and were then struck by lightning which we assume combined the two. The vehicle that exited was nothing but a neon blue light soaring quickly down an empty street accompanied by an engine rumble followed by an electric motor sound.

Months later in September, Ford provided Medium with a sketch that showed the back end of an electric crossover supposedly inspired by Mustang that's also expected to come out in 2020.

It's extremely likely that all three of these are the same vehicle. The hybrid model, allegedly named Mach 1, is expected to have a 480km range and be released in 2020, but that's pretty much all we know right now. With teases getting closer together and with the debut of a new ad campaign, maybe we'll get a clearer view sooner rather than later.


How safe are cars during a thunderstorm?

                BERLIN: Thanks to cars’ solid, grounded metal bodies, they function like Faraday cages and are capable of diverting hundreds of millions of volts directly into the ground. As a result, drivers are usually safe inside their cars in the event of a thunderstorm, says the ADAC, Germany’s largest automobile club.

Even convertible owners usually have nothing to worry about, since virtually all convertible tops have metal bars that divert electric charges. The windscreen’s frame, anti-roll bars and the convertible top’s mechanical system for opening and closing all help matters as well.

Laboratory tests have shown that while a lightning strike can cause burn marks in the convertible top, the passengers underneath it are safe. Of course, convertible drivers should bring the top down at the earliest signs of an approaching thunderstorm.

If you are looking for a safe parking space during the storm, avoid ??any elevated locations. Motorists should also close the sunroof and all windows, and retract all antennas. During the storm, don’t touch any metal parts that are directly connected to the car’s body, advises the ADAC.

If lightning does strike a vehicle, it will often do more than just startle the occupants: It can also damage the electronics, paint and even tyres. The ADAC advises to have the tyres inspected at a specialist workshop after any lightning strikes. Lightning damage is usually covered by insurance packages, and e-cars are at no greater risk of being hit.

By contrast, motorcyclists and cyclists are entirely at the mercy of the elements in a thunderstorm. For them, the same precautionary measures apply as for pedestrians: Avoid exposed areas and tall objects such as trees or masts, and look for a bridge that could potentially offer protection. In addition, keep a safe distance from the bike or the motorcycle until the storm passes.

Those who find themselves in an open field during a storm should stay low by crouching and keep their feet together.

According to the ADAC, the main dangers for motorists in a thunderstorm are not lightning or electricity, but rather poor visibility caused by rain and hail, aquaplaning and objects like branches blown onto the road.


Govt to act against those who sell RON95 petrol to foreigners

                JOHOR BARU: Stern action will be taken against petrol station owners in Johor who allow foreign-registered vehicles to fill up on RON95 petrol.

Johor Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry director Mohd Hairul Anuar Bohro said he had instructed enforcement officers to monitor petrol stations in the state to ensure vehicles with foreign registration numbers did not get RON95 petrol.

He said the ban on the sale of RON95 petrol to non-Malaysian vehicles had been in force since Aug 1, 2010. It applies nationwide.

"We will investigate the matter where photos of several vehicles with foreign registration numbers filling RON95 petrol were shared on the Internet.

"We have mobilised enforcement officers to monitor petrol stations in the state, especially those in (Johor Baru).

"The public can also provide information including photos and the location of petrol stations, if they come across a vehicle with a foreign registration number filling up with RON95 petrol," he said here today.

Complaints may be channelled through the ministry's complaints portal at http://e-aduan.kpdnhep.gov.my, WhatsApp at 019-2794317 or calling toll-free to 1-800-886-800.

Mohd Hairul added that stern action would be taken against petrol station owners who fail to monitor the sale of RON95 petrol in accordance with the law.

"We will step up enforcement and monitoring to ensure that these activities can be addressed," he said.

Pictures of vehicles with Singapore registration numbers filling up on RON95, believed to be at petrol stations here, were spread on social media after the borders reopened on Friday.

According to Mohd Hairul Anuar, petrol station owners found to have sold RON95 petrol to foreigners could be investigated under the Control of Supplies Act.

Those found guilty face a maximum fine of RM1mil or up to three years' jail, or both.

Second and subsequent offences by individuals carry a maximum fine of RM3mil or imprisonment not exceeding five years or both.

Companies are liable to a fine of up to RM2mil for the first offence, and up to RM5mil for the second and subsequent offences.

In response to the warning, Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia president Khairul Annuar Abdul Aziz said petrol stations are in a fix as they do not have enough manpower to monitor and prevent owners of foreign-registered vehicles from buying RON95 petrol. Unless the government offers aid to help station owners hire more workers, it would be hard to prevent foreign motorists from filling up on the cheaper petrol, he added.


Skid and spin: Libyan drift drivers burn rubber for 'unity and peace'

Libyans watching a driver put his drifting skills to the test during a competition in the coastal city of Benghazi, on March 12. — AFP
BENGHAZI (Libya): "We have excellent drivers," said Marwan al-Manfi, a spectator from the eastern city of Tobruk. "It's time the world knew about it."

In souped-up BMWs, competitors lined up on the asphalt for their turn to tear up the track near the Benghazi seafront, tyres screeching as they swerved around barrels and markers.

The enthusiastic crowd of mostly young men watched on and took photos as the cars, some with lights flashing or splashed with advertising, sent up clouds of smoke as they skidded and spun.

Popularised in Japan in the 1970s, the motorsport, which involves deliberately oversteering the car to slip, skid and spin, and is popular among Libyan youth.

Libya, sitting atop Africa's largest proven crude reserves, has been mired in chaos since the 2011 ouster and killing of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a NATO-backed uprising that began in Benghazi.

For years it has been divided between rival forces, with a Tripoli-based UN-recognised Government of National Accord in the west and a parallel administration headquartered in the east, backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar.

But it has been taking steps towards normalcy since a ceasefire between warring parties came into effect in October.

Libya's new interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah was sworn in this week, pledging to re-unite the country and steer it towards December elections.

At the drifting championship, organised under the theme "unity and peace for Libya", judges rated the competitors on their style, technique and vehicle speed.

Mohamad al-Marghani, a driver from Tripoli who won last year's inaugural competition, called this year's edition "a success".

An association of around 200 BMW enthusiasts organised the tournament, which was sponsored by a Russian oil and gas company.

Drivers from the host city swept the top three places.

Ahmad Bishun, a spectator from Benghazi, said he was happy to see young participants from across Libya.

Salah Houedi from a youth club in the city, said the event was an "example of unity".


New Shell Helix Ultra 'Drive On' Campaign

                KUALA LUMPUR: The new Shell Helix Ultra fully synthetic motor oil’s new ‘Drive On’ global brand campaign hopes to highlight the importance of celebrating why people drive and the emotions that they can evoke through a series of stunning films.

The aim of the campaign is to rally and inspire both drivers and workshop owners to overcome daily challenges and keep their respective passions for driving and growing their business alive.

“It is difficult for drivers to truly understand the importance of motor oils, and even more difficult for workshops to get drivers to care as well. With the Shell Helix Ultra ‘Drive On’ campaign, we are showing drivers in Malaysia just how our fully synthetic motor oil enables their passion for driving. Whether they drive for the roar of the engine, or for the freedom of the open road, Shell Helix Ultra is designed to protect car engines from the barriers that can hinder performance so that drivers can have the most enjoyable journey possible,” said Troy Chapman, Shell Lubricants executive director – Southeast Asia & Oceania.

He added, “With Shell Helix Ultra, which is made from natural gas, drivers have the assurance that every oil change comes with cutting-edge technology that delivers unmatched protection for the ultimate engine performance. For our trade partners, it is the confidence in knowing that they are able to offer their customers the best lubricant products in the market and we have their backs covered at all times. Best of all, everyone who chooses Shell Helix enjoys instant benefits and rewards.”

At the core of the campaign is an integrated consumer and trade loyalty programme called Shell Advantage and Rewards (SHARE).

Chapman said that Malaysia was the first market in the world to launch SHARE.

For motorists who purchase either a Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology, High Mileage, HX7 or HX5, a simple online registration at www.shell.com.my/share opens the doors to a world of rewards with SHARE.

These include a storewide Lazada voucher for first time sign-up with purchase, a generous buy-3-free-1 offer for purchases of Shell Helix Ultra, oil change reminders and seasonal promotions.

Those with cars below eight years old and 150,000km on the odometer also qualify for the free Shell Helix Engine Warranty (SHEW) when they service their cars with Shell Helix Ultra, High Mileage or HX7.

The unique, first-in-the-market engine warranty is now part of the SHARE programme.

Also, Shell has developed a user-friendly SHARE mobile app for trade partners to help them better engage and retain customers and manage their inventories.

The app also enables both workshop owners and mechanics to collect points with every participating Shell Helix product that they sell to consumers and redeem attractive prizes.

The Shell Helix ‘Drive On’ Roadshow will be held at selected locations nationwide from October 13 to December 24, 2017 with attractive prizes to be won.

25 lucky winners will also be taking home Ferrari merchandise in the Shell Helix #IDriveFor social media contest with details at www.shell.com.my/driveon.

As one of the most important markets in Asia, Malaysian consumers have had the privilege of enjoying numerous firsts from Shell Helix.

In 2014, Shell Helix was the first (and still is the only) brand to introduce motor oils with an ultra-clean base oil made from natural gas using Shell’s proprietary PurePlus Technology so that it cleanses the engine from inside out.

Last year, it was the first motor oil brand to offer the unprecedented Shell Helix Engine Warranty or S.H.E.W.

This year, Shell Helix partnered Waze in an award-winning, accident-prone spots alert campaign during the Ramadan and Aidilfitri period, which was a first in Asia.

Malaysia also became the first market to roll out the Shell Malaysia Official Online Store on Lazada Malaysia and made genuine, officially-sourced Shell Helix motor oils accessible to consumers nationwide.


Renault and Geely ink pact with Aramco for engine venture

                HANGZHOU: Oil giant Saudi Aramco has agreed to take a minority stake in a new powertrain engine company that French car maker Renault SA and China's Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd plan to set up jointly, they said today.

Reuters reported in January that Aramco has been involved in advanced discussions to take a stake of up to 20% in a previously announced but still-unnamed Geely-Renault powertrain company that would develop and supply internal combustion engines (ICE) and hybrid technologies.

They said today Geely and Renault are expected to retain equal equity stakes in the new independent entity, but did not disclose how much each would own and how much Aramco would invest.

The new joint venture is aimed at developing more-efficient gasoline engines and hybrid systems at a time when the focus of much of the automobile industry has been on the capital-intensive transition to purely electric vehicles.

"This partnership with Aramco will... give it a head start in the race towards ultra-low-emissions ICE powertrain technology," Renault CEO Luca de Meo said in the statement.

By carving out its internal combustion engine business, Renault plans to focus on electric cars, part of the French automaker's broad restructuring that also involves overhauling its decades-old alliance with Nissan Motor Co.

"Aramco’s entry brings to the table unique know-how that will help develop breakthrough innovations in the fields of synthetic fuels and hydrogen," De Meo said.

The deal would make Aramco the first major oil producer to invest in the car business, as the rise of electric cars threatens to cut demand for conventional fuels.

Last year, Aramco announced a partnership with Hyundai Motor Co to study advanced fuels that could be used in hybrid engines to reduce CO2 emissions.

For Geely, the deal with Renault extends its pattern of building partnerships to expand beyond China.

Geely previously announced a hybrid gasoline engine development deal with Mercedes-Benz and holds a stake in the German automaker.

The new company would have an annual production capacity of more than 5 million internal combustion, hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines and transmissions per year, the companies said.


Rolls Royce reveals Spirit of Ecstasy Fabergé Egg

                LONDON: With Easter approaching, Rolls-Royce has shared previously unreleased images of its Spirit of Ecstasy Fabergé Egg - a contemporary objet d’art created for a discerning collector of Rolls-Royce and Fabergé.

In 2018, Fabergé and Rolls-Royce collaborated to produce a new, contemporary Imperial Egg on behalf of a patron of both luxury houses.

Only the second object to be commissioned in the Imperial Class – a category reserved for Fabergé’s most illustrious creations – since the fall of the Romanovs in 1917, the Spirit of Ecstasy Fabergé Egg reflects the extraordinary attention to detail and consummate craftsmanship for which both brands are renowned for worldwide.

Conceived by Rolls-Royce and brought to life by Fabergé, the egg stands at 160mm-tall and weighs 400g, embodying the ‘surprise and delight’ attributes of the original Imperial Eggs.

The Egg rests on an engine-turned, hand-engraved, purple enamel guilloché base of 18-carat white gold.

Arms of rose gold define the shape of the egg, acting as a protective chamber for its precious contents.

Operating a discreet lever at the base of the stand opens the shell to reveal a Spirit of Ecstasy figurine hand-sculpted in frosted rock crystal.

The rose gold vanes, embellished with nearly 10 carats of round white diamonds, resolve into swathes of natural amethyst weighing over 390 carats, specially selected for its colour saturation and quality.

The purple hue of the enamel and amethyst provide a playful nod to the use of colour found in Fabergé’s heritage.

The operating mechanism, thought to be the most complicated ever created for a Fabergé Egg, blends the latest computer-aided design and micro-engineering technology with the traditional goldsmiths’ art.

The ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Fabergé Egg was premiered at the House of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex, England, to a party of distinguished guests and patrons in October 2018, before going on public display in the window of Fabergé’s premises in London’s Mayfair.

The history of Fabergé Eggs is closely linked with Easter. In 1885, Emperor Alexander III of Russia wanted to give his wife, Empress Maria Feodorovna, a truly memorable Easter gift.

The chocolate Easter egg that had first gone on sale in Britain a dozen years before fell far short of the exacting standards set by the towering, forceful man and something more impressive, magnificent and enduring was required.

The Emperor, therefore, commissioned the celebrated Saint Petersburg jeweller House of Fabergé to create a spectacular jewelled egg.

The firm obliged with an egg crafted from gold, with an opaque white enamelled shell that opened to reveal a yellow-gold yolk.

This contained a golden hen, which in turn concealed a tiny diamond replica of the Imperial crown, from which a small ruby pendant was suspended.

The Emperor was so delighted that giving Fabergé eggs became an Easter tradition for Russia’s ruling dynasty.

The firm produced a further nine exquisite examples for Alexander during his reign, and 40 for his successor Tsar Nicholas II (who was also a connoisseur of fine motor cars: his collection famously included a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost finished in a suitably imperial shade of purple).

Many of these remarkable Imperial Eggs were lost following the Revolution of 1917 with the survivors now among the most coveted and valuable objets d’art ever created.

In 2014, the Third Imperial Fabergé Egg, dating from 1887, was sold at auction in London for a reputed US$33mil (RM142mil).


All you need to know about buying an e-bike

                BERLIN: Electric bicycles or pedelecs are already mainstream and a growing number of people are attracted by this hassle-free means of personal transport.

Most good bike shops are offering a growing range of e-bikes alongside their pedal-powered cousins and as the selection on offer gets larger, sales in this segment are ballooning.

The story is the same in many countries, like, for example, Germany where a large rise in e-bike sales in the space of just a year saw a total of 720,000 e-bikes bought in 2017 - an increase of 19 per cent over the year before.

One of the main reasons for the sales fillip is the choice of e-bikes in the shops and there's the rub. Before consumers can choose the right model they need to know the basics about e-bikes and which type of electrically-assisted bicycle suits their needs.

Where are you going to use it?

Answering this one correctly is the key to becoming a happy e-bike owner - "When buying an e-bike you really must be clear about the type of bike you want", says René Filippek of Germany's huge ADFC cycling club.

An electric version of the classic commuter bike with 28-inch wheels and a sporty riding position is a good compromise. It can venture away from the tarmac onto short unmade paths but for genuine off-road action only a electric mountain bike will do. The same applies to pure road bikes which combine aerodynamic efficiency with the effortless power of a pedelec drive unit

Foldable e-bikes are small in stature which makes them ideal for commuters who might want to combine them with a bus or rail journey.

Most pedelecs will travel up to 25kph before the motor cuts out to comply with legal requirements. This makes them around 10kph faster than a regular pushbike. Speed pedelecs are high-powered e-bikes. They are as fast as mopeds and in most countries special rules apply to these two-wheelers, which can touch 45 kph. These are banned from cycle paths and must be fitted with registration plates. Owners need to wear a helmet too.

Batteries and charging

The battery is a key component of an electrically-assisted bike and most come fitted with a unit rated at 400w or watt-hours. This means the battery provides 400 watts of power for one hour.

Fillipek says this provides a range between charges of between 60 and 80 kilometres although the distance will depend on the type of bike and even weather conditions - battery power depletes faster when it is cold outside.

A higher wattage up to 550w gives more range but such batteries are much more expensive to buy and replace. Most batteries are detachable which makes them easy to charge at home using mains electricity. Full replenishment usually takes up to five hours.

Replacement batteries are expensive but in most cases the power pack will have a guarantee of at least five years. A battery will tend to have a usable life of 1,000 full discharge-recharge cycles.

The motor

Some pedelecs have the motor located at the rear hub but most will have the motive power mounted to the frame at the bottom bracket. This gives a good centre of gravity and aids stability.

A typical motor from Germany's Bosch will last for many years with little attention or maintenance yet the other bike components will take more of a beating. The motor is encased in plastic and is waterproof.

Wear on chains, rear cassettes and gear-change parts is higher since these are having to take the extra strain from the motor, explains Fillipek.

Changing gears and operation

Many Pedelecs have conventional derailleur or hub gears from makers like Shimano or Sram apart from upmarket models which use more sophisticated belt drive systems from Continental or NuVinci.

By the way, conversion kits to convert a push-bike to an e-bike are not recommended. In most cases a conventional bicycle frame is not strong enough to cope with the extra weight.

Most e-bikes offer three levels of electric assistance from Eco to High. The lowest setting is for flat terrain and assistance is between 25 and 80 per cent of maximum battery power. Running in Eco will save battery power but can still be hard work uphill.

The recommended default setting is Normal or Tour. For steep hills a burst of High mode should take the sting out of gradients. Naturally using more power will dent range.

Take a test ride

Nobody should buy an e-bike without a lengthy test ride, especially if a potential buyer is not used to rapid riding. An e-bike travels faster than a pedal-powered equivalent which means a rider has to react more quickly to traffic situations and hazards. The brakes are more powerful too and take some getting used to.

Cyclists should also keep away from cheap e-bikes which are often just not up to the job. An e-bike must have a robust frame, good brakes and preferably a motor and batteries from a leading manufacturer.

Expect to pay between US$1,800 to US$3,000 (between RM7,000 and RM12,000) for an electric bike and even more if it is technically more complex or aimed at off-road use only where more power is needed.


Classic Porsches to be auctioned in UK

                LONDON: There's a whole load of Porsches ready to go under the hammer at the Silverstone Classic Live Online Auction from the July 31 – Aug 2.

The Stuttgart Collection is an amazing group of hand-picked Porsches that have been collated over many years and include some extremely rare and low mileage models.

Nick Whale, Silverstone Auctions Managing Director commented: “The Stuttgart Collection is quite an amazing group of Porsches. Some have extraordinarily low mileage and others are the best examples of that particular model and there are two highly desirable and rare UK supplied C16 993 Turbo S of the 26 made.”

“For any Porsche aficionado, this is a collection that provides a superb opportunity to acquire one of the best- selected Porsches.”

Among the the stand-out cars are the 1996 Porsche 911 (993) Turbo in triple Yellow. The next car is the 1976 Porsche 911 2.7 S Targa, and then there is the simply stunning 1963 356B T6 Super 90 which was supplied new by AFN in London.

Take a look at the full list of cars in The Stuttgart Collection.


Researcher says can hack GM's OnStar app, open vehicle, start engine

                BOSTON/DETROIT: In a sign that automotive connectivity is not without its share of woes, a researcher is advising drivers not to use a mobile app for General Motors Co's OnStar vehicle communications system, saying hackers can exploit a security flaw in the product to unlock cars and start engines remotely.

"White-hat" hacker Samy Kamkar posted a video on Thursday saying he had figured out a way to "locate, unlock and remote-start" vehicles by intercepting communications between the OnStar RemoteLink mobile app and the OnStar service.

Kamkar said he plans to provide technical details on the hack next week in Las Vegas at the Def Con conference, where tens of thousands of hacking aficionados will gather to learn about new cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

Kamkar released the video a week after Fiat Chrysler Automobiles recalled some 1.4 million vehicles after hacking experts demonstrated a more serious vulnerability in the Jeep Cherokee.

That bug allowed them to gain remote control of a Jeep travelling at 110kph on a public highway.

GM spokesman Terrence Rhadigan told Reuters via email that the company was preparing an update to the RemoteLink app that would address the vulnerability. "It's days away," Rhadigan said.

When asked via email if it was safe to use the app before an update is released, Rhadigan said: "We believe the chances of replicating this demonstration in the real world are unlikely. In addition, the action involves one user at a time, and would impact only that specific user’s account."

The issue drew the attention of U.S. safety regulators from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Agency representatives discussed the issue with GM officials, who said the flaw could involve doors and engine start-stop but does not involve other critical safety systems, according to a person familiar with those discussions.

The agency responded by making some suggestions, including disabling the app's function until customers perform the update, according to the person.

More than 3 million people have downloaded the OnStar RemoteLink mobile app for Apple iOS and Google Inc devices, according to OnStar's website.


Rolls-Royce Phantom Iridescent Opulence presented

                ABU DHABI: Rolls-Royce unveiled the bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantom ‘Iridescent Opulence’ that showcased a "Gallery" featuring an artwork of 3,000 tail feathers.

"The Gallery," is an application of glass that runs uninterrupted across the fascia of Rolls-Royce Phantom, providing an unprecedented opportunity to present artwork within the ultra-luxury vehicle.

The tail feathers were selected for their iridescence, individually shaped to accentuate the sheen and rich hue of the natural feathers and hand-sewn onto an open pore fabric in a design that originates from the heart of ‘The Gallery’, the clock which itself is inlaid with a Mother of Pearl surround.

Feathers also exude luxury, are a bold and progressive aesthetic to incorporate into an automotive context.

Additional design is undertaken to emulate the musculature of a natural wing to bring life to the creation, creating an atmospheric artwork that brings both movement and fragility to this Gallery.

Designed by Swiss-based Nature Squared, an established materials specialist which creates astoundingly beautiful finishes using the latest technology to transform sustainable natural materials, their work can be found in the upper echelons of many industries where a desire to be surrounded by objects of outstanding natural beauty prevails.

The artwork was assembled in a highly technical Clean Room at the home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England – a sterile environment within which delicate and highly Bespoke items can be assembled, from a simple application of wood or metal, to a more complex use of materials not normally viable in an automotive context.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Middle East and Africa regional director, César Habib, said The Gallery in Rolls-Royce Phantom is a unique space that provides the perfect stage to showcase artworks.

“Spectacular Bespoke commissions and collection cars reaffirm Rolls-Royce’s status as the world’s foremost manufacturer of luxury products and with Abu Dhabi being one of the strongest markets for Bespoke Rolls-Royce models in the region, we are extremely excited to be revealing this masterpiece at Abu Dhabi Motors,” said Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Abu Dhabi Motors brand manager Tarek Moataz.


Weekly fuel ceiling price mechanism to be presented to Cabinet

                BATU KURAU: A mechanism to determine the new weekly ceiling price for fuel will be presented to the Cabinet on Wednesday.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin said the presentation is aimed to provide information about the mechanism which will be implemented on April 1.

"When everything is ready, I will announce it," he told reporters after opening the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting of SK Ulu Sepetang, Batu Kurau near here today.

On March 6, Hamzah said the ceiling price of fuel would be announced weekly, beginning next month.

The ministry had advised petrol station operators to cooperate with the Petroleum Dealers Association of Malaysia to establish a working model that could avoid confusion among consumers.


Man held for driving against traffic

                SEREMBAN: Police detained a man for dangerous driving and obstructing police from inspecting his vehicle at KM15 of the Seremban-Port Dickson Highway near here today.

Port Dickson deputy OCPD Deputy Supt Muhamad Mustafah Hussin said in the 11am incident, the 25-year-old man was ordered to stop the Proton Wira car he was driving during an Op Selamat inspection on the highway but he refused and fled towards the Lukut interchange.

The man was detained after leading police on a chase from the Lukut interchange to Jalan Taman Sentosa in Lukut.

He said the investigation found that man, who was travelling with his wife and three children, had eight priors on his criminal record and was driving without a valid driving licence and road tax. The family were on their way from Kedah to Port Dickson.

"The man also tested positive for methamphetamine and drove against the traffic. He was issued a summons for driving without a valid driving licence and road tax,” DSP Muhamad Mustafah said in a statement.

He said the man was taken to the Seremban Court this morning for a remand application and the case was being investigated under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing public servants from carrying out their duties.

In another development, a 23-year-old man was also arrested for driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol at KM12 Jalan Lukut-Sepang at 1.10am today.


Tesla probes Dutch fatal crash, says auto-pilot not on

 A rescue worker taking a picture around the spot where a Tesla slammed into a tree in Baarn on Sept 7. - ANP/AFP
THE HAGUE: Pioneering US electric car firm Tesla said Thursday it was investigating a fatal crash in The Netherlands when a Model S sedan ploughed at high-speed into a tree.

But the company stressed the driver, who was killed in Wednesday’s crash near the eastern Dutch town of Baarn, was not driving on auto-pilot. ”We can confirm at this time, based on the car’s logs that the auto-pilot, had not been activated at any point,” Tesla Netherlands said in a Dutch statement sent to AFP.

It added the log also showed “the car was driving at 155kph,” which was consistent with the heavy damage to the vehicle. It is the second fatal crash involving a Tesla electric car, after a driver was killed in May in Florida while driving on auto-pilot.

Dutch media reported the man killed on Wednesday was 53, from the town of Hilversum. The Dutch news agency ANP said it took fire officers several hours to recover his body as they feared being electrocuted.

”Our thoughts go out to the family,” Tesla said, adding “we are working with the authorities to establish the full facts surrounding the accident.”

Tesla, founded by pioneer Elon Musk, has gained high marks for seeking to revolutionise the electric car market, initially with high-end luxury vehicles but more recently bringing prices down nearer to a more mainstream market. The Model S sedan is marketed in the United States at prices starting at US$70,000 (RM285,000).

Last month the company unveiled a new speedier version, the Model S P100D, capable of travelling more than 482km before it needs to be recharged, with starting prices of around US$135,000 (RM550,000). Tesla is also probing an incident in France in August when a Model S sedan caught fire during a test drive in the southwestern town of Bayonne.

US federal regulators also recorded two fires involving the Model S, one each in the US states of Washington and Tennessee in 2013. In both cases, the cars involved hit debris on the road that pierced the chassis and caused a battery fire.

Tesla has cautioned that the autopilot system, introduced last year, is not a fully autonomous system and drivers should be at the wheel and in control. The system allows the vehicle to automatically change lanes, manage speed and brake to avoid a collision. The system may be overridden by the driver.


Penang CM gets Mercedes S 560 e PHEV as official car

                GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Chief Minister has a new ride, courtesy of the state government, which has decided to replace his seven-year-old official car.

In a statement, state secretary Datuk Abdul Razak Jaafar said Chow Kon Yeow has been given a Mercedes S 560 e plug-in hybrid to replace his previous official car, a Mercedes S 300 L.

"He has been given a new official car today as replacement for his previous car bought in 2013 for RM298,263.

"The selenite grey car was bought on Dec 31 last year for RM458,000.

"The purchase was approved by the state executive council on Nov 29, 2019," he said today.

Abdul Razak said the state bought the car after being given a discount of RM127,765.

Earlier, Chow said the new car was a replacement for his previous official car.

In 2014, when then Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was given the Mercedes-Benz S 300 L as his official car, it was criticised by then Barisan Nasional politicians and DAP’s Pakatan Rakyat partners.

The car was obtained to replace Lim’s 18-year-old official car, a Mercedes-Benz S 320.

Lim was quoted as saying he was entitled to use two Mercedes-Benz models - S 400 and S 300 - but chose the S 300 L which was bought for RM298,263.75 after tax exemption and the discount.

“The car was bought because of the tax exemption as well as the discount, ” he said.


Waze app now available in Volvo cars

                GOTHENBURG: Popular navigation app Waze becomes available to all Volvo cars around the globe with Google built-in

The best of Waze’s real-time routing, navigation and alerts are accessible through a one-time setup after downloading the app in the Google Play Store in a Volvo car.

The in-car Waze app helps make your everyday journey easier by avoiding phone-related hassles and distractions, while continuing to offer the same functionalities of the Waze app on a mobile phone.

Seamlessly displayed on Volvo Cars’ infotainment system, the in-car Waze app uses more of the centre screen in the Volvo user interface, making navigation more comfortable with a bigger and bolder eye-level display area.

“We’re continuing to expand our in-car app offer to bring more options and benefits to our customers, allowing them to personalise their car," says Erik Severinson, our Global Head of New Car Programmes and Operations Strategy.

“We’re committed to continuously improving the experience in Volvo cars through our in-house software development and ongoing collaborations with tech companies such as Google and Waze.”


Car registration numbers to start with 'F' for Putrajaya and 'V' for KL from June

                KUALA LUMPUR: Vehicles in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya will use new registration numbers starting with the letters "V" and "F" respectively next month.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Ab Aziz Kaprawi said the registration number would be followed by a number from 1 to 9999.

Currently, the Federal Territory of Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur use a system where the registration number starts with letters followed by numbers and then letters.

The Road Transport Department (JPJ) would implement the "F" registration numbers first in June for Putrajaya before introducing the "V" numbers for Kuala Lumpur,  Aziz told reporters at the Parliament lobby here today.

He said the authorities wanted to simplify the car registration system as the current practice was unwieldy to read and also to attract bidding for numberss from motorists who would otherwise bid for "more atractive" numbers from other states.


KL car-free morning now twice a month

                KUALA LUMPUR: Beginning this month, the hugely popular KL Car Free Morning (KLCFM), organised by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), will be held twice a month, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said.

“Due to popular demand, DBKL has decided to host the event every first and third Sunday of each month. Hopefully, this will attract more participants and create greater awareness on reducing carbon emissions,” he said after flagging off participants at the 13th KLCFM at Dataran DBKL on yesterday.

During the event, Tengku Adnan also kicked off the “Federal Territories Fly the Flag” campaign in conjunction with Federal Territories (FT) Day 2015.

 A family having fun on a tandem bicycle during the event.

“This year’s theme is Wilayahku Ceria which is part of the ministry’s aspiration to turn the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan into vibrant cities with clean and beautiful environment, conducive and safe housing facilities and systematic transportation systems.

“We also hope to evoke a sense of belonging among city residents,” he said.

He added that this year’s FT Day celebrations would not be celebrated lavishly as a mark of respect to the flood victims in the East coast.

Some of the activities planned include Kenduri 1Wilayah Persekutuan, cleanliness campaigns and fun runs.

Some 7,000 people participated in the 13th KLCFM.


Sime defers listing of motor arm to H2 this year

                KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Bhd, which saw its net profit decline by 47% to RM437.4mil for the second quarter ended Dec 31, 2014, will defer the listing of its automotive arm to the second half of this year.

“Our intention is to achieve the best valuation. As such, when the external landscape is not conducive, it would not be advisable to put the company on a listing mode,” said president and group chief executive Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh after announcing Sime Darby’s second-quarter financial results yesterday.

It was reported earlier that the group wanted to list its automotive arm, which distributes BMW, Ford and Hyundai vehicles, in the first half of 2015.

The world’s top oil palm plantation company by land size attributed the decline in its net profit to the lower average crude palm oil (CPO) price of RM2,123 per tonne for the quarter compared with RM2,416 per tonne in the second quarter a year ago.

“Fresh fruit bunches (FFB) yield fell by 12% year-on-year in the second quarter of this year due to a change in crop pattern driven by severe weather condition.

“The continuous rain followed by severe floods also disrupted harvesting activities in the estates in Pahang, Johor and Sarawak,” Bakke said.

The group’s revenue shed 3% to RM10.74bil from RM10.71bil in the preceding year.

Its basic earnings per share fell 7.21 sen in the quarter from 13.61 sen previously. Sime Darby shares closed 13 sen lower at RM9.37 yesterday.

The group declared a six sen dividend per share.


Apple and Hyundai set to agree electric car tie-up, says Korean paper

An Apple store in Columbus, Ohio.— Bloomberg

SEOUL: Hyundai Motor and Apple Inc plan to sign a partnership deal on autonomous electric cars by March and start production around 2024 in the United States, local newspaper Korea IT News reported on Sunday.

The report follows a statement on Friday from Hyundai Motor that it was in early talks with Apple after another local media outlet said the companies aimed to launch a self-driving electric car in 2027, sending Hyundai shares up nearly 20%.

Hyundai Motor declined to comment on the report on Sunday, and reiterated Friday’s comments that it has received requests for potential cooperation from various companies on developing autonomous EVs.

Apple had no immediate comment.

An updated version of the IT news report removed details, including production location and capacity and the timeframe for signing the agreement and launching the pilot vehicles.

The previous version said the companies planned to build the cars at Kia Motors’ factory in Georgia, or invest jointly in a new factory in the United States to produce 100,000 vehicles around 2024. The full annual capacity of the proposed plant would be 400,000 vehicles.

Kia Motors is an affiliate of Hyundai Motor.

The report also said Hyundai and Apple planned to release a “beta version” of the Apple cars next year.

Reuters reported last month that Apple was moving forward with autonomous car technology and aimed to produce a passenger vehicle that could include its own breakthrough battery technology as early as 2024.


Audi aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 30% over the vehicle lifecycle by 2025

                SINGAPORE: Audi and the Volkswagen Group are among the first car makers to commit to the Paris Climate Agreement. Audi has set itself the ambitious goal of successively reducing vehicle-specific CO2 emissions by 30% by 2025 – compared with reference year 2015 and over the entire product lifecycle.

In the long term, Audi is pursuing the vision of CO2-neutral mobility and aims to be climate-neutral throughout the company on balance by 2050.

Audi is focusing on the electric car, which has the best carbon footprint of all drive systems in the largest markets over its entire service life.

The starting signal for the electric initiative was given by the Audi e-tron, which has been available at dealerships since March. Before the end of this year, the brand with the four rings will also present the Audi e-tron Sportback, another derivative of the series.

This will be followed by the series-produced versions of the emotive sports car Audi e-tron GT concept, to be produced by Audi Sport GmbH, and the compact SUV Audi Q4 e-tron concept, which was presented at the Geneva Motor Show.

Audi plans to offer 30 electrified models by 2025, 20 of which will be purely electric. The proportion of electrified vehicles will then amount to 40 percent of total unit sales.

The brand is also continuing to develop conventional engines with a focus on universal mild hybridisation and the 48-volt electrical system.

Plug-in hybrids are also an essential element of the electrification initiative. This year, Audi will launch four more PHEV models, starting with the Q5 55 TFSI e quattro, which has been available since summer.

"We want to become a leading CO2-neutral premium supplier," said Audi CEO Bram Schot. "This clearly includes responsibility for our products throughout their lifecycles.”

In order to achieve its self-imposed 2025 milestone, Audi has defined measures along the entire value chain that will gradually become fully effective.


July 20-26: RON97 petrol price up 10 sen to RM2.67


Goodyear initiative for safer balik kampung drives

                KUALA LUMPUR: Towards a safer Hari Raya Balik Kampung drive, Goodyear Malaysia treated motorists passing through the PLUS Batu Tiga Toll Plaza with a Goodyear Hari Raya Thoughtful Pack – reminding drivers to have their vehicles checked before the festive holiday and, to be safe on the road.

This initiative is part of Goodyear Better Future, the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts focused on promoting and improving safety in the communities where the company operates, through an array of road safety community engagement programmes.

Goodyear Malaysia management and staff donned in their official blue outfits caught drivers by surprise at the toll plaza, as they were provided Hari Raya Thoughtful Packs to motorists on their way back home in preparation for breaking fast.

Each Hari Raya Thoughtful Packcomes with a pack of Egyptian dates and Goodyear’s Basic Tyre Maintenance booklet – equipping users with necessary knowledge on checking their tires and vehicle before their “balik kampung” trip back to their hometowns.

“Goodyear is committed to care for the people, communities and the world around us and has been playing an active role in instilling into the minds of drivers the aspect of being safe on the road. Tires are the most important element for a car as they are the only component that comes into contact with roads thus it is essential for drivers to be sure that they are on the road with a set of good condition tires,” said Goodyear Malaysia sales director Chee Lip Choon.

“Through this initiative, we hope to share in the joy with our fellow Malaysians as they look forward to the Hari Raya celebration, but also to remind them to have their vehicles inspected for an enjoyable journey ahead,” he added.

In conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya celebration, Goodyear will be organising a Hari Raya promotion available in all participating Goodyear outlets nationwide.

For more information, visit http://www.goodyear.com.my/ or https://www.facebook.com/GoodyearMalaysia/.


Jaguar Land Rover's future dashboards could be replaced with OLED screens

                LONDON: While vehicle cabins continue to be equipped with more and more digital displays and touchscreen panels that keep growing in size, Jaguar Land Rover is working on completely swapping out the dash and body panels with curved OLED screens.

Instead of simply replacing the instrument panel and cabin controls with digitalised displays, Jaguar Land Rover is researching how to replace entire structural components - the dash, the body panels - with electronic elements using LESA (Lightweight Electronics in Simplified Architecture) technology.

This tech is based on that of flexible wearables and OLED televisions; entire panels throughout car interiors could potentially be replaced with highly customisable screens and touch sensitive displays that both streamline the cabin and offer customers 100% button-free designs.

According to the company, digitalising these architectural elements would allow for "customisable ambient lighting systems, body controls, wraparound button-less dashboards and advanced fabric/leather heated steering wheels."

Since these screens would replace a great deal of the wiring that would otherwise be necessary for physical controls, the weight of in-car electronics would be greatly reduced - possibly up to 60% - especially since this tech is compatible with non-metallic materials like wood.

As a result, EV (electric vehicle) ranges can be increased, and the fuel efficiency can be improved.

Thus far, LESA technology has been successfully demonstrated in a prototype which judges referred to as "the future of electronics in the car." When the tech will be advanced enough to be integrated into production vehicles has yet to be revealed.


VW gets ready to reveal a people’s car for the electric age

                FRANKFURT: Volkswagen is about to do what Tesla didn’t during its recent investor day: show off an affordable electric vehicle for the masses.

The German automaker plans to preview a model that will start below €25,000 ($26,600) and has been using the hashtag #VWforthepeople to promote the event it’s hosting today in Hamburg.

EV blogs and enthusiast publications are expecting to get a first glimpse of a compact hatchback that will start selling within a few years.

VW urgently needs a people’s car for the electric age. It’s struggled to keep pace with Tesla’s EVs and needs to halt sales declines in China, where domestic manufacturers led by BYD have stepped up their game.

An electric model that comes even remotely close to the success of the Golf - VW has produced more than 35 million units - would do wonders for the brand.

The event adds to what’s already been a busy week for Europe’s biggest carmaker.

On Monday, VW unveiled plans for its first battery plant away from home. While the precise amount the company will plow into the factory in St. Thomas, Ontario, is still unclear, Canada’s industry minister said it will be the largest single automotive investment in the country’s history.

On Tuesday, VW increased its rolling five-year spending plan some 13% to €180 billion, with more than two-thirds going to software and EVs.

This "will be a decisive year for executing strategic goals and accelerating progress across the group,” chief executive officer Oliver Blume said.

For all of Tesla’s dominance in the early days of EVs, Elon Musk has left open a window of opportunity for incumbents looking to catch up.

The company last launched a new passenger vehicle - the Model Y - in 2020, and it’s only made minor cosmetic changes to the Model 3 since it went into production almost six years ago.

The sedan only briefly sold at the US$35,000 price point its CEO promised, and he’s suggested Tesla has been working on and off towards a US$25,000 model first teased in 2020.

Building an electric car for the masses sounds like a no-brainer, but it’s thus far been the industry’s white whale.

With batteries remaining stubbornly expensive and EV production numbers still relatively small, manufacturers haven’t found a way to field affordable electric models aside from short-range mini models in China that are unlikely to catch on in other markets.

VW has sat out the mini segment in China and paid the price with respect to market share.

While the low and high ends of the world’s largest auto market are increasingly electrified, China’s middle class is still mostly driving gas-guzzlers.

VW has excelled in these segments with its combustion models and can’t afford to lose these customers when they come around to plug-in cars.

VW became a global behemoth by way of the Beetle, the two-door that sold more than 23 million units and epitomized Germany’s post-war economic renaissance.

The company’s diesel-emissions scandal left it with little choice but to aggressively pivot to batteries, but its ID family of EVs haven’t caught on as quickly as hoped.

The vehicles initially struggled because of buggy software and remain priced well above the roughly €31,000 Golf.

The most comparable model, the compact ID.3, starts at €43,995. Shipments for VW’s most popular EV in Europe last year - the €46,335 ID.4 compact SUV - were less than half the Model Y and even further behind the Golf.

Unfortunately for VW, the age of the hatchback appears to be ending right along with the era of combustion.

The Golf’s 14-year reign as Europe’s best-selling car ceased in 2022, when shipments slid 14%. The pressure is on for VW to come up with a worthy electric successor.


Rolls-Royce creates 'most refined picnic facility on Earth'

                LONDON: A convertible Rolls-Royce with a back deck that opens up to reveal cocktail tables, fridges for champagne and a parasol matching the vehicle's baby blue colour scheme is now a reality - for one ultra-wealthy individual.

The "Boat Tail" car, so-called because its rear is shaped like a J-class racing yacht, was hand-built over four years according to the detailed specifications of an unnamed client of the elite automaker.

"The outcome is one of the most remarkable cars ever in history. I would even say it's probably not even a car," said Torsten Muller-Otvos, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, which is based in southern England and owned by Germany's BMW.

"It's a masterpiece of art," he said as he revealed the car to reporters at the company's factory in Goodwood.

The Boat Tail's price tag is not being made public, nor is the name of the buyer. But it is rumoured to cost an astounding £20 million (RM117mil) and believed to have been bought by US rapper/songwriter/businessman Jay-Z.

While high-net-worth clients have long had the option of having their Rolls-Royce cars customised with their preferred upholstery or gadgets, this car is different in that nothing in it is standard. The entire design and manufacturing process were bespoke.

It was produced by a new division of Rolls-Royce called "Coachbuild", also unveiled on Thursday. Only clients selected and invited by the company can have access to Coachbuild services.

For its first project, Coachbuild approached three clients who worked with Rolls-Royce designers. An agreement was reached whereby the three clients would get cars that shared a common body, but would otherwise be highly personalised.

The vehicle shown on Thursday was the first of the three, and it reflected its unknown buyer's rarefied tastes.

It comes with two timepieces - "one for the lady and one for the gentleman" according to Rolls-Royce - specially made by Switzerland's Bovet 1822, that can either be worn on the wrist or mounted on the dashboard to serve as a clock.

The most eye-catching feature, however, is the rear deck, which has panels that rise up to reveal the cocktail tables, fridges designed to keep champagne at 6 degrees, compartments for crystal flutes, china crockery and silver cutlery.

"It is unfolding like butterfly wings and captures marvellous little details, be it champagne coolers, be it glasses, porcelain, cutlery, all hand-picked and hand-designed particularly for this very special car," said Muller-Otvos.

"What you see here in the back is probably, technically, the most refined picnic facility on Earth."


Didi pursuing EV stake, say sources

Didi headquarters in Beijing. — Reuters
HONG KONG: China's Didi is in talks with state-backed Sinomach Automobile to buy a third of its electric-vehicle unit, two sources said, signalling the ride-hailer's regulatory troubles are in the rear view mirror as it focuses on growth.

The deal, if completed, would accelerate Didi Global Inc's strategic expansion in the world's largest EV market and help cushion the impact of the pandemic on its core ride-hailing business.

Scrutiny from Beijing for suspected violation of data security has forced Didi to pursue a delisting from New York and rein in its business but there are signs of a thaw.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that regulators are set to conclude their investigations into the company.

Didi aims to acquire shares in small-sized automaker Sinomach Zhijun Automobile from minority shareholders and inject new capital into the firm, one of the sources told Reuters.

A stake of that proportion would cost Didi more than 1 billion yuan (RM659mil), said the other source.

The talks for a stake in Sinomach Zhijun are in an advanced stage, the sources said. One of them said the two sides have given themselves time till the month-end to nail the deal, which will see Didi become the second-biggest shareholder of the EV maker after Sinomach Automobile.

The parent and its related entities own a combined 67% of Sinomac Zhijun, showed the corporate registry.

"The (reported) deal talks between Didi and Sinomach have sent positive signals to the market," said Zhang Zihua, chief investment officer at Beijing Yunyi Asset Management.

"Firstly, it means the regulatory crackdown which forced Didi to delist from the US and banned its apps in China would probably come to an end. Secondly, being tied up with a state-backed automaker would also help Didi's relisting plans in the Greater China region in the future," added Zhang.

The ride-hailer has been quietly pushing ahead with a car-making project, code-named "Da Vinci", and, according to one of the sources, has about 2,000 people for it.

It is eyeing partnerships with automakers that have an EV production licence, which it needs to make such vehicles in China, the sources said.

Didi and Sinomach Zhijun did not respond to requests for comment. Nor did Shanghai-listed Sinomach Automobile, whose shares jumped by the 10% daily limit in afternoon trade today.

The sources, who have direct knowledge of the deal talks, declined to be identified due to confidentiality constraints.

EV ambitions

Didi's focus on expanding business rather than on fighting regulatory fires will come as a relief to investors, who have seen the company's valuation plummet to about US$7 billion in May from US$80 billion around the time of its listing, though the shares have rallied over the past month.

Its foray into EVs comes as big Chinese tech firms such as Xiaomi Corp and Huawei have accelerated their efforts to gain a foothold in the industry, as Beijing heavily promotes greener vehicles to reduce carbon emissions.

Didi, which is also developing autonomous driving technologies, plans to launch two EVs, one targetting the online ride-hailing market and the other for the consumer market, for mass production as soon as the second half of next year, said the first source.

While China's overall vehicle sales for April plunged almost 48% from a year earlier as COVID-19 lockdowns hit factories and showrooms, sales of EVs surged and Chinese brands took share from global rivals, according to official data. read more

Debt relief

As part of the Sinomach deal, Didi aims to help solve the debt problem of Sinomach Zhijun which struggled to boost its sales in China and has outstanding debt of more than 1 billion yuan, said the second source.

The automaker, based in the southern city of Ganzhou, Jiangxi province, has halted most of its production since the second half of last year, said the source.

An executive of Sinomach Automobile said earlier this year the unit was looking to bring in strategic investors and was in talks with several companies in the industry, adding the parent is open to the move, Chinese media reported.


Silicon carbide chip factory plans tease range boost to electric cars

                BERLIN: Semiconductors made of silicon carbide are seen as something of a game changer in electromobility, as these powerful chips could make electric cars more attractive by delivering faster charging and more economical consumption.

In anticipation of this promised range boost to electric cars, US company Wolfspeed says it wants to build the world's largest factory for silicon carbide electronics.

The company announced last Wednesday that it wants to start building a factory in Germany's Saarland region in the first half of 2023, pending to approval by the EU Commission.

Wolfspeed says the aim is to deliver "breakthrough innovation" and the "world’s largest, most advanced" production facility to meet the growing demand for silicon carbide for a wide range of applications in the automotive industry, as well as others.

Silicon carbide enables smaller, lighter and more cost-effective systems for more efficient energy conversion for countless new applications.

News of potentially abundant chips delivering improved performance in electric cars is promising for an industry beset with supply chain problems.

At the same time, many buyers remain reluctant to switch to battery electrics due to fears of lacking charging infrastructure and the higher costs associated with these cars. A boost in range from these more efficient semiconducters could thus help manufacturers to sell more cars.

Wolfspeed CEO Gregg Lowe said the new facility will be critical to support expansion in an industry that is struggling with supply problems on the one hand and growing very fast on the other.

Serial production of the chips, mainly for use in electric vehicles, is expected to begin in four years.


Singapore consumers group accuses oil companies of profiteering

                SINGAPORE: consumer watchdog Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) said that oil companies were “profiteering” from the recent Government petrol duty hike.

Shell’s 95-octane grade now costs S$2.02 (RM5.38) a litre before discount, while its 98-octane grade is priced at S$2.26 (RM6.02) per litre. The company’s premium V-Power costs S$2.63 (RM7) a litre.

While this is 2 cents lower than yesterday, prices are still higher than the Government’s announced duty hike of 15 cents a litre for intermediate grade petrol and 20 cents a litre for premium petrol.

Shell’s pump prices before the Government announcement were S$1.86 (RM4.95) a litre for its 95-octane grade and S$2.03 (RM5.41) for its 98-octane grade, and S$2.40 (RM6.39) for V-Power.

CASE has sent letters to the main players here asking each of them to justify the increases.

“Prices were increased beyond the tax increment without proper justification,” said CASE’s executive director Seah Seng Choon on Tuesday, adding that the association has received queries from concerned motorists.

If the replies are “not satisfactory”, CASE will file a complaint with the Trade and Industry Ministry for the firms to be asked to reduce their prices, he said.


Defying gloom, Ferrari sees strong demand for luxury cars

                MILAN: Ferrari said it was confident about its prospects for this year and the next as demand for its luxury cars as well its pricing power remain strong despite broader economic worries in many of its main markets.

The Italian carmaker said orders for its new €390,000 (RM1.8mil) Purosangue four-seater had outstripped even its most ambitious expectations. It has also pushed up prices by mid-single digit levels on its existing models to offset the impact of inflation.

Presenting third quarter results to analysts, chief executive Benedetto Vigna acknowledged the current macroeconomic scenario was bringing "new challenges on a global scale" both for Ferrari and its partners. But there were still plenty of wealthy buyers out there.

"We are also very positive for the next year. This is thanks to the order book that we have, that is spanning all the products we have as well as all the regions," Vigna said.

"With the exception of a few models, our entire range is sold out."

The company on Wednesday also raised forecasts for its full year 2022 results, including for core earnings, though it struck a more cautious note on margins.

Analysts at Morgan Stanley said in a note that "full year 2023 should see tailwinds from volume, price/mix and forex."

A double digit growth in shipments helped Ferrari beat expectations in the third quarter, with its adjusted core earnings rising 17% to €435 million (RM2bil).

With a 73% increase, the China, Hong Kong and Taiwan region scored the largest shipment growth in the quarter.

Shipments rose in all regions except in EMEA in the July-September period, driven by the ramp-up phase of the six-cylinder hybrid 296 GTB and of the 12-cylinder limited series 812 Competizione model.

Industrial costs and research and development expenses weighed for an additional €34 million on Ferrari's quarterly core result, mainly due to higher depreciation and amortization and cost inflation.

The price mix also weighed, while foreign exchanges, including hedging contracts, had a positive effect.

Ferrari now forecasts its adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to grow over €1.73 billion this year, versus a previous estimate of between €1.70-€1.73 billion.

Margin on adjusted EBITDA was now seen at around 35% for this year, versus a previous guidance of over 35%.


China's Chery Auto plans to sell cars in EU, United States, says boss

                BEIJING: China’s Chery Automobile, which has a manufacturing partnership with Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), is planning to sell its own-branded cars in the European Union and United States for the first time, its chairman said.

It currently exports only to other markets in Asia, and to Africa and Latin America. It did not give a timeframe for the new exports to start.

Chery expects to report positive year-on-year sales growth this year, Yin Tongyue, chairman of the Wuhu-based automaker said, citing supportive policies and recovering demand. He said sales at the firm’s venture with JLR are picking up.


Enjoy great deals at Mazda Festive Carnival

                PETALING JAYA: A nationwide Mazda Festive Carnival will be held from Dec 9th to 31st,  2017.

There will be Mazda Festive exclusive deals, lucky dip, and instant gifts upon sign up of any Mazda vehicles.

Demo units for the Mazda2 and Mazda CX-5 will be available, prices starting from RM65,000 and RM110,000 respectively.

Mazda owners will enjoy 5 years/100,00km Manufacturing Warranty and 3 Years/60,000km Free Maintenance.

The 3 year free scheduled maintenance according to manufacturer’s standards means that customers will not need to pay for anything; not even labour, parts, and lubricants.

The 5 Years Manufacturing Warranty and 3 Years Free Maintenance applies to all models except BT-50 pick-up.

Call us now at 1-800- 22-8080 to find the nearest participating Mazda showroom to you.


Goodbye blind spots? How digital mirrors on trucks could save lives

                MUNICH/STUTTGART: When Marco Schieber manoeuvres his 40-ton truck through city traffic, there’s always a bit of fear.

It’s not that the experienced truck driver can’t easily cope with the huge dimensions of the vehicle. No, what worries him is the blind spot.

"As high as we sit in the cab and as short as the overhangs of the body are, we really can't see large areas of the immediate surroundings," he says during a driver training course for truck manufacturer MAN.

Danger zone for pedestrians

To illustrate his point, Schieber gets out and walks around the truck. Immediately he becomes invisible from the point of view of anyone sitting in the cab.

"And it's not just pedestrians who become invisible to us, but also cyclists and sometimes even entire cars simply disappear," he says.

People walking or cycling are not infrequently seriously injured or killed because they’re invisible to trucks, buses and other large vehicles that are turning right (or left in right-hand drive markets such as Malaysia).

It’s been a known problem for years, and various solutions and information campaigns have been tried. In France, for example, large warning stickers are now mandatory on trucks.

Hans-Georg Marmit from German vehicle safety organisation KÜS identifies the right flank of trucks in particular as a danger zone.

"Anyone standing too close to a turning truck at a traffic light or intersection, for example, is invisible to the driver and in acute danger of death,” he says.

"This topic is also high on our agenda," says Marcus Oberlies from SVG Fahrschulzentrum Südwest, a training school for truck drivers in Frankfurt, Germany.

Even before the first trip, truckers are made aware of the correct setting of the mirrors.

"But we also demonstrate while still stationary with various experiments how an entire school class suddenly becomes invisible next to a truck,” the driving instructor says.

Technology to the rescue

Training, laws and careful driving are all well and good, but because these alone aren't enough, more and more manufacturers are relying on technical assistance to fix the truck blind spot. Electronic exterior mirrors are one possible solution.

A mirror cam system was first introduced on Mercedes Actros trucks three years ago. Instead of physical mirrors, cameras are installed on cantilevers above the cab. The images from the cameras are transmitted to monitors on the A-pillar.

This has other advantages in addition to the increased field of vision. There are no mirrors to get fogged or dirty and because the monitors are smaller than mirrors, less direct viewing area is obscured.

MAN also wants to get rid of the blind spot, which is why it introduced Optiview for its trucks at the start of this year. The system uses a total of five cameras installed in outriggers on the upper edge of the cab.

There are two on each side that look to the rear with different viewing angles, and one looks in front of the vehicle from the passenger side. Digitally stitched together, the images are transmitted to two high-resolution displays on the A-pillars.

At speeds below 10kph, the live image from the nose camera is shown on the info display in the cockpit. That way the cameras allow a wider viewing angle than mirrors, making road users visible who would otherwise be obscured.


Team Malaysia mechanics are regional champion at Castrol contest

                KUALA LUMPUR: The search for the best car mechanic ended with an exciting close at the KLCC Convention Centre when team Malaysia took the top spot as the Regional Champion of the Castrol Asia Pacific Cars Super Mechanic contest 2018.

“The Castrol Asia Pacific Cars Super Mechanic contest 2018 is the most exciting one yet, with some of the best Castrol car experts in the region going all out to seize the top spot,” said BP/Castrol Asia & Pacific regional marketing director Shyam Balasubramanian.

 The Malaysian mechanics (from left) Low, Yim and Tan.

The team - comprising Low Pai Khoon, Yim Shao Ze and Alvin Tan Yong Jun - will join the Renault Sport Formula One team pit crew at the Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2018, went up against the likes of other contenders from Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and India.

Team Thailand and Team India were runner-up and second runner-up respectively.

After a fierce battle, team Malaysia emerged as the first team to successfully start and idle a Honda City they were working on to complete the final task of the contest.

This year's contest kicked-off with the National Rounds in March, from which only 15 Castrol car mechanics were selected to proceed to the Grand Finals to compete in another bout of theoretical and practical challenges.

During the finale, the five National Teams underwent four time-based tasks that started with a theory-based quiz session.

This was followed by the teams having to race against time in demonstrating their practical skills in car engine maintenance, which included technical knowledge on how to change engine oil, replace engine parts, as well as diagnose and solve engine problems within the shortest time possible.

The Castrol Asia Pacific Cars Super Mechanic Contest 2018 kicked-off with the National Rounds in March, from which only 15 of Castrol car mechanics were selected to proceed to the Grand Finals to compete in yet another bout of theoretical and practical challenges.

The top three National Champions then formed a team to represent the country, where they competed against representatives from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and India to prove their theoretical knowledge and practical expertise.

To further add to the complexity of the tasks, time penalties were imposed on teams for any mistakes made throughout the challenges, such as oil spills.


2017 Auto Shanghai: From copycat show to electric mobility pioneer

Audi e-tron Sportback concept.
SHANGHAI: Not so long ago, the biennial Shanghai auto show, if attended by an established carmaker, was done so via its legal department, attempting to sue the country's domestic brands for often outrageous copyright infringement.

But today, all of the world's biggest marques are queuing up to attend with the biggest and best new products, acknowledgment that China is the world's biggest automotive market.

"In 2016, China was once again our largest individual market, with more than 65,000 vehicles sold," said Porsche chairman Oliver Blume, who was launching a market-specific version of the Panamera hybrid with a longer wheelbase for extra rear leg room.

And it isn't just premium brands. Chinese consumers snapped up over 28 million cars last year and 1.27 million of them were Fords and Lincolns.

A market this size and one that is still growing will soon be calling the shots. What chimes with Chinese drivers will soon be the dominant global automotive trend, and, on this week's evidence, what China wants is electric cars and to trade in its long-wheel-base sedans in favor of SUVs.

"China is the world's leading market for electric automobiles. That applies as much to the infrastructure and financial support as it does to sales. There are already about 150,000 charging stations in the country, with another 100,000 due to come on stream by the end of 2017," said Dr Dietmar Voggenreiter, Audi's global head of sales and marketing.

It's why Audi chose to unveil its latest all-electric concept, the e-tron Fastback in China rather than in New York or Geneva, and why BMW is highlighting the investment it's making in strengthening the country's alternative fuel infrastructure.

 Lynk & Co 01 electric SUV, developed by Volvo. Both marques are owned by Chinese car maker Geely.

"We are heavily involved in developing the NEV eco-system with our ChargeNow brand, which will see nearly 50% growth in publicly available charging and a total of 2,500 charging pillars in 15 cities by the end of this year," said Olaf Kastner, President and CEO, BMW Group Region China.

It's also the reason why Bentley, one of the few established marques left that is yet to even offer a hybrid option for its gas-guzzling luxury sedans, coupés and SUVs, was showing off an electric concept and pledging to electrify its current range before the end of the decade.

"Bentley is fully committed to China - it is a vital market for us. We are focusing on developing an electric model in the future which will meet the luxury mobility needs of customers here and right around the world," said CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer.

Because, like its customer base, the Chinese automotive industry is still in its infancy, the cars it has been producing have historically fallen short of European standards. However, Shanghai also underlined the progress that is being made to close the gap and, in the case of electrification, potentially overtake all.

Qoros unveiled the K-EV concept, a startling electric car study that offers luxury for four, a 500km range and performance figures that would embarrass a Porsche.

NextEV unveiled its first mass-production electric car, a spacious seven-seat SUV that will also come close to offering 300 miles on a single charge.

And Geely's connected car sub-brand Lynk & Co officially launched its first vehicle, the Volvo-co-developed 01 SUV that really could shake up not just electrification, but the concept of personal mobility itself.

All of which is why VW, Audi and Skoda made certain that they came to this year's show with near production plug-in electric concepts of their own and a clear timeline of when these cars will be a reality.

"In the next five years we will be offering five e-tron models in China, including purely battery-powered vehicles with ranges well in excess of 310 miles," said Voggenreiter.


Tesla seeks nod to build longer range Model 3s in China

China-made Model 3 vehicles are seen during a delivery event at its factory in Shanghai in January. — Reuters
BEIJING: Tesla Inc is seeking approval from Chinese regulators to offer a new China-made Model 3 variant, a government document shows.

The variant would have a longer driving range, a source familiar with the matter said.

Like the current China-made Model 3, which has a standard driving range of more than 400km, it would be a rear-wheel drive vehicle, the source said, who was not authorised to talk about the matter and declined to be identified.

Tesla, which started delivering cars in December from its US$2 billion Shanghai factory, also sells longer range imported Model 3s with all-wheel drive in China.

The electric vehicle maker restarted production in Shanghai on Monday after the government ended an extended holiday that had been put in place due to the new coronavirus outbreak.


Fuel up with (more) KFC outlets at Petronas stations

                KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas petrol stations are going to get more customer-friendly as they have signed on the KFC fast food chain at selected stations nationwide.

Petronas Dagangan Bhd said 50 new KFC Drive-Thru outlets are expected to be set up at Petronas stations within three years.

It signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with QSR Brands (M) Holdings Bhd's wholly-owned subsidiary, QSR Stores Sdn Bhd.

QSR Brands managing director Datuk Mohamed Azahari Mohamed Kamil said the deal with Petronas Dagangan gave it a way to expand its business and restaurant services. “We want our service to be easily accessible to customers."

QSR is the largest quick service restaurant operator in South-East Asia with over 1,250 KFC and Pizza Hut restaurants in Malaysia,Singapore, Brunei and Cambodia.

Last month, it was announced that Petronas Dagangan had agreed to allow Starbucks to set up shop at some of its stations nationwide, too. A total of 100 Starbucks kiosks are expected in due course.


2019 Geneva Motor Show: Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster

                GENEVA: The Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster is limited to 750 units, and we take our hats off to this beast of the green hell.

Mercedes-AMG is combining its top model brimming with motorsport technology with the freedom of the open-air driving experience – crowning the model portfolio of open-top sports cars.

The new AMG GT R Roadster is just as much at home on winding racetracks as it is on prestigious boulevards or beautiful coastal roads.

The 585hp V8 biturbo, the adjustable coil-over suspension with active rear axle steering, the active aerodynamics and the intelligent lightweight construction provide highly dynamic handling characteristics.

And like the other roadster models, the open AMG GT R also has the triple-layer fabric soft top with a lightweight structure consisting of aluminium, magnesium and steel.

The AMG 4.0-litre V8 biturbo in the AMG GT R Roadster delivers an output of 585hp and maximum torque of 700 Nm.

This is available over a wide engine speed range from 2100 to 5500 rpm.

A sprint from standstill to 100kph is absolved in 3.6 seconds.

The low-slung front section and the forward-inclined AMG-specific radiator grille create a distinctive “shark nose” impression

It has standard-fit LED High Performance headlamps while a tri-functional, arched light guide takes on the functions of daytime running light, navigation light and turn signals.

The V-shaped arrow-like appearance of the front end also enhances the dynamic looks, while the front apron in jet wing design and the front splitter emphasise the car’s width.

The large outer air inlets in the front apron guarantee the increased supply of cooling air to the engine.

Additional Air Curtains on the outside of the front apron calm the airflow, improving the Cd value of the open-top two-seater.

An active aerodynamics profile is concealed almost invisibly in the underbody in front of the engine.

Weighing around two kilograms, this light carbon-fibre element is speed-sensitive and automatically extends around 40 millimetres downwards depending on the drive programme.

This process involves considerable change in the airflow and results in what is known as the Venturi effect, which additionally “sucks” the car onto the road and reduces the front-axle lift by around 40 kilograms at 250kph.

The aerodynamics profile automatically retracts again depending on the drive programme and speed.


Chip shortage forces Mercedes-Benz to offer cars with less equipment

                STUTTGART: The worldwide shortage of electronic chips is making its mark on the car industry, and sales figures have been plummeting in countries around the world as output stalls.

In an effort to limit the dip in sales figures, Mercedes-Benz is now offering customers the choice of buying cars at a reduced price - if they are willing to do without some technical features.

A sales spokesman for the German luxury car manufacturer has confirmed that not all vehicles can be delivered with the complete technical equipment due to the chip crisis. If a customer does not agree, they can still withdraw from the purchase, Mercedes-Benz said.

Car now, high-tech features later? Unfortunately that's not the current option, and the company says whoever takes delivery of a car with the reduced equipment cannot expect a later upgrade.

This is not always possible for technical reasons, according to the Mercedes-Benz sales department. How many cars have been ordered and which models will now come off the production line with the reduced equipment due to the chip crisis remains unclear.

The spokesman said that customers could wait for their cars until the desired equipment was available. Mercedes-Benz cars are known for their luxury tech features, notably the MBUX system that adds smart features and voice control.

The chip slump has been weighing on the car industry for months, and it is unclear how long shortages will persist. Analysts say as many as 10 million to 11 million vehicles may not be fully built this year.

Since modern cars contain a lot of electronics, the worldwide problems with the supply of electronic chips is forcing car manufacturers to stockpile in production - unfinished vehicles are parked and then retrofitted when the parts are available.

Another spokesman for Mercedes-Benz recently confirmed that vehicles are also being temporarily stored because of the shortage of some semiconductor components.


Electric supercar wins young Croatian global fame

                ZAGREB: He's the name behind the world's first electric supercar, winning international plaudits for his ingenuity.

But for Croatia's 28-year-old Mate Rimac, it all started as a hobby in his garage.

A keen techie since high school, Rimac was racing an old BMW when he blew the engine and decided to turn the car into an electric one starting with pieces he bought on the Internet.

A decade later, his firm Rimac Automobili is becoming a global leader in electric vehicle technology, selling Concept One supercars for 850,000 euros (RM3.8mil) each and giving a much-needed boost to Croatia's start-up scene.

"We want to be the best in the world in what we do and we are changing the world," Rimac told AFP in his factory showroom in the small town of Sveta Nedelja, near the Croatian capital.

The confident but modest entrepreneur was named by Politico Europe in December as one of 28 people across the continent who are "shaping, shaking and stirring Europe".

But mastering the complex technology of electric sports cars and winning financing was no easy task - especially in a small country of 4.3 million people with no automotive industry.

Rimac formed the company in 2009 when he realised there was not much left of the original vehicle he had transformed in his garage, and the aim was to build an electric supercar from scratch.

 An engineer working on sophisticated car parts at Mate Rimac's factory in Sveta Nedelja.- AFP

"First, we had to create a team, then the know-how by trial-and-error method to eventually become a company that could make a product," he said.

The company unveiled the Concept One at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, where nobody expected a small Croatian firm to showcase an electric car that could reach 100kph in a staggering 2.8 seconds.

Last week at the Geneva International Motor Show, Rimac introduced the production version of the car along with a prototype of its "evil twin", the even more powerful Concept S.

"We can't really decide which Rimac creation we'd rather have, so we're off to get lottery tickets with hopes of buying both," said a review on motoring news site Autoblog.

Many expected Rimac's success would lead him to move somewhere else, such as Silicon Valley, Germany or Italy. But instead he has kept the business in Croatia, a country slowly emerging from six years of recession.

 The Concept S on display at the Geneva auto show.

"I want to do it here... I'm stubborn," he said. "I think it is possible, I mean we are doing very well."

He plans to build another factory in Sveta Nedelja, while his employee numbers are set to double this year to 300. Their average age is 30, and many are young engineers straight out of university.

They build most of the supercar parts from scratch on-site - from the body and chassis to the power distribution unit and batteries - sticking to Rimac's philosophy of creating know-how and jobs instead of outsourcing.

"That's why we are growing so quickly and becoming experts in different fields," said Rimac, who won financing from three international investors in 2014 and is now in a second round of fundraising.

Two Concept One prototypes, including the red vehicle unveiled in Frankfurt, were on display behind Rimac as he spoke to AFP, while nearby engineers worked on three cars to be delivered to the United States, Germany and Italy within a month.

The firm is producing a limited quantity of just eight Concept One vehicles for clients who are both motor fanatics and technology afficionados - and can afford the hefty price tag.

The supercar may be Rimac's headline product, but he says it is only a showcase for the company's technology, from infotainment systems to battery packs, which aim to reach a far wider audience - in ordinary cars, planes, ships, bicycles and wheelchairs.

"We are helping the world to go electric. Our business is to implement these technologies and help other industries to go electric," he said.

Spin-off firm Greyp Bikes, set up in 2013, produces high-performance electric bicycles that can reach up to 70kph. So far around 80 have been sold around the world for 8,500 euros (RM39,000) each.

 The interior of 'Concept One'. - AFP

Rimac said the company was not directly affected by Croatia's problematic business environment, which sees companies burdened by excessive red tape and changeable fiscal rules.

But he stressed that a better framework was needed to help the country's young entrepreneurs, who only succeeded "either by themselves or despite everything".

"We are creating our own little island here with positive young people... We are trying to be one of the sparks in Croatia that will trigger the change that is necessary," he said.