Kia Seltos B-Segment SUV hits showrooms

                KUALA LUMPUR: Naza Kia Malaysia has introduced the Kia Seltos, a new bold-looking contender in the highly competitive local compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) segment.

Priced at RM115,888 and RM133,888 on-the-road for the EX and GT Line respectively, both variants come with five years manufacturer’s warranty.

This solid looking crossover defined by its long hood with strong and sharp character lines, lends the Seltos an air of understated sportiness.

The rear bumper with a metallic muffler-effect accentuates a dynamic appearance.

Intricate lighting design on the Seltos such as sleek signature LED headlamps and turn signals, LED fog lamps and LED combination tail lamps accompanied by Kia’s edgy “Heart Beat Lighting”, imparts an elegant look.

The black wheel-arch cladding over the 17-inch wheels gives an impressive appearance and stance in keeping with its bold personality.

An unique feature to the GT Line variant is the chrome beltline molding which is extended to the C-pillar garnish for a more refined and distinctive side profile.

The cockpit-styled dashboard incorporates a state-of-the-art 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented with a 3.5-inch cluster meter for the EX variant, and a 7-inch supervision cluster display for the GT Line.

The GT Line also receives extra conveniences such as a wireless smartphone charger, an 8-inch combiner-type Head Up Display (HUD), adjustable driver’s seat and ventilated front seats.

The black one-tone leather upholstery, which comes as standard on the EX, also receives an exclusive red stitching in the GT Line.

The door panels come with the Sound Mood Lighting, a colour-changing light system that cleverly sets the mood for every drive and pulses along to the beat of music playing through the audio system, with eight colours and six themes to choose from.

The Seltos is equipped with a rear view camera, USB connection compatibility for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and six speakers delivering all-around harmonic sound to its occupants.

It also gets a longer and wider body than many others in the SUV segment with an overall length of 4,315mm, width of 1,800mm, height of 1,645mm.

Its wheelbase of 2,610mm promises generous legroom for rear passengers while bootspace is 433 litres.

Powering the Seltos is a 1.6-litre MPI petrol engine that produces 123PS at 6,300rpm and maximum torque of 150.7Nm at 4,850rpm mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels.

To further enhance driving experience, three Drive Mode systems are available – ‘Normal’, ‘Eco’ and ‘Sport’.

Safety features include six airbags, Kia’s Vehicle Stability Management system that incorporates Traction Control System and Electronic Stability Control.

Other features include Hill-start Assist Control, anti-lock braking system, as well as front and rear parking sensors.

The body is made up of a combination of high strength steel and hot stamping steel to maximise the torsional rigidity while keeping the body weight low.

Moreover, the high proportion of Advanced High-Strength Steel components reduces the vehicle weight and enhances passenger safety in the event of a collision.

The Seltos is available in Glacier White Pearl and Gravity Grey colours for both EX and GT trim while Intense Red are exclusive to the EX trim and Intelligency Blue are exclusive to the GT Line trim.

Naza Corporation Holdings group chief executive officer, automotive group, Datuk Nik Hamdam Nik Hassan said the all-new Kia Seltos is poised to be a true contender in the B-SUV segment in Malaysia with its innovative interior characterised by high quality materials that befit a clear winner in its class.

"Making a bold statement in this segment, the Kia Seltos brings an unmatched blend of style, assertiveness with cutting-edge technology and safety features that will appeal to millennials," he said.


Ferraris for the people: luxury goods now sold in fractions

                PARIS: Anyone can easily own a Basquiat painting, a pair of Yeezy sneakers or even a Ferrari - at least, that's the promise of a growing number of fractional ownership platforms that sell shares of these rare items, starting at just a few dollars.

One platform, Masterworks, in spring 2020 turned the US$6 million (RM25mil) painting "The Mosque" by Jean-Michel Basquiat into 284,420 shares at US$20 (RM83) each.

With fractional ownership, there's no chance of hanging the painting in a buyer's home, parking a Lamborghini in their garage or storing six bottles of Romanee-Conti wine in their cellar.

But by owning at least a piece of the property - at least on paper, like the shares of a listed company - anyone can now directly benefit from an increase in the item's value, just like a wealthy collector.

Whether it's paintings or baseball cards, "it's not a new industry," says Ezra Levine, the CEO of Collectable, a platform that specialises in sports paraphernalia.

"It's not like cryptocurrencies where it was literally invented five or 10 years ago," he said. "It's just that the ways that people can participate in (the market) and experience it, enjoy it, have just dramatically changed in the last six months."

Slugger, the username of a collector who preferred to stay anonymous, made a 500 percent profit on a few shares of a box of Pokemon cards, initially priced at US$125,000.

The platform Rally had offered the box via an IPO, similar to the listing of a company on the stock market and also subject to controls by the US market regulator, the SEC.

"These fractional platforms just open up the class to people who can't afford to buy a full (Michael) Jordan (trading) card," said John Schuck, 43, whose holdings amount to about US$20,000 in cars, paintings or sports memorabilia.

The concept of shared ownership of physical assets started with real estate.

Over the past 20 years, it has expanded to include private jets and yachts, but entry prices have remained high and largely inaccessible to the general public.

The new fractional platforms have drastically lowered prices, sometimes to less than US$10 a share.

Such entry prices allow sneaker enthusiasts, for instance, who initially built the "sneakerhead" culture but were priced out, to own at least a part of cult pieces, explains Gerome Sapp.

His platform, Rares, will in June list a pair of the Nike Air Yeezy 1 inspired by musician Kanye West, which it acquired for a record-breaking US$1.8 million in late April.

'Purely an investment'

But the emotional aspect of buying is not quite the same, as most shareholders will never actually see the object in person, unlike old-school collectors. Rally opened a museum in New York that displays some of the pieces listed online, and Masterworks has a gallery, but few people plan on visiting.

"The fact that I can't touch it kind of takes away the emotion of it," said Gregg Love, who belongs to this new generation of collectors.

"I don't feel a connection at all to any of these assets," said Slugger. "This is purely an investment and entertainment for me."

Considered a pioneer of this new fractional ownership trend, Rally has seen a major surge in interest during the coronavirus pandemic, surpassing 200,000 users, with about US$25 million in assets listed on the platform.

Behind Rally, three competing platforms - Otis, Collectable and the more art-focused Masterworks - have more than 200,000 users combined. Many of those users, however, are active on several platforms at the same time.

During the pandemic, remote work, lockdowns and reduced leisure activities provided time and savings to many Americans, especially young professionals, who turned to the stock market or new investments.

"Many people had a lot of money in their account and were looking for a place to put it. We have been spoiled this past year with some of the returns we have seen," said Schuck.

But as wealthy countries slowly emerge from the pandemic, Schuck says he has started to notice a "slow-down" in the fractional ownership market.

Others also point to the effect of a potentially too-rapid increase in supply.

Even though many assets are still priced, sometimes significantly, above their listing value, there is some concern about sharp price swings, which are much more pronounced than in the stock market.

Fractional ownership is still an experimental market, where price risks are very real. Slugger cites "panic selling" by recent investors, even though "nothing has fundamentally changed for the majority of these assets."

For Collectable chief Levine, in the long term, these platforms still offer "a much more efficient way of pricing things" than before.

The platforms increase transparency and democratise access, so that "a lot of people can impact prices, not just... a very select few," he said.


VW official sponsor for GPEC 2015

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Group Malaysia is announced its participation as the official car sponsor for the General Police and Special Equipment Exhibition & Conference (GPEC) Asia 2015.

“What these men and women on the force do is truly remarkable. We have utmost respect for the work they do and we thank them for all they have done,” said Volkswagen Group Malaysia managing director Armin Keller.

The company will be sponsoring and registering a total of 100 Volkswagen vehicles that will be used for and by delegates throughout the three day conference and includes the CC executive sedan, Sharan multi-purpose vehicle and the Tiguan compact sport utility vehicle.

The region's largest dedicated police and homeland security equipment show looks to bring together high-profile police and security industry players under one roof to allow for high-level strategic dialogues, procurement and networking opportunities.

The upcoming event (currently in its fourth consecutive year) will take place at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) from Oct 21 to 23.

“As they continue to uphold the safety of the nation, Volkswagen wants to support the force by providing them with our Volkswagen cars that come equipped with world class safety features, the very best of German engineering so that they have one less thing to worry about,” added Keller.


Germany to retest VW cars as scandal pushes Berlin to act

                BERLIN:  Germany is to retest all Volkswagen car models to gauge their genuine emissions levels after new revelations from the carmaker six weeks into its biggest-ever corporate scandal pushed the government to act.

Expressing his "irritation" with one of Germany's biggest employers, Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt said on Wednesday that all current models sold under the VW, Audi, Skoda and Seat brands - with both diesel and petrol engines - would be tested for carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions.

As the crisis deepened, VW said it had told US and Canadian dealers to stop selling recent models equipped with its 3.0 V6 TDI diesel engine, while the Moody's agency downgraded the firm's credit rating.

The German government's announcement followed a VW statement on Tuesday that it had understated the level of carbon dioxide emissions in around 800,000 cars sold mainly in Europe, and consequently their fuel usage. This means affected vehicles are more expensive to drive than their buyers had been led to believe.

The revelations added a new dimension to a crisis that had previously focused on how Europe's biggest carmaker cheated in US tests on diesel cars for emissions of nitrogen oxide, which cause smog.

Previously the government had said it would review only nitrogen dioxide emissions from VW diesel cars.

"We all have an interest that everything at VW is turned over and reviewed," Dobrindt said, adding that the government wanted to force the company to pay the extra car taxes which would be incurred by the higher CO2 emissions levels.

VW is Europe's biggest motor manufacturer, employing over 750,000 people in Germany, and has been a symbol of the nation's engineering prowess.

However, Dobrindt said the firm had caused "irritation in my ministry and with me", while Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman said it had to take steps to prevent such a case happening again, adding: "VW has a duty to clear this up transparently and comprehensively."

The admission about fuel consumption is the first that threatens to make a serious dent in VW's sales since the scandal erupted as it could deter cost-conscious consumers, analysts said.

Tuesday's revelations, which led to Volkswagen adding 2 billion euros ($2.2 billion) to its expected costs from the scandal, are also the first time gasoline cars have been drawn into the crisis.
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VW said most of the 800,000 cars affected had diesel engines such as VW's top-selling Golf, Audi's A3 hatchback and the Skoda Octavia but two models were gasoline: the VW Polo and the Audi A1, both with 1.4 litre engines.

Moody's said it had downgraded Volkswagen's credit rating to A3/P-2 with a negative outlook due to this revelation.

"These new claims pose further challenges to Volkswagen's financial flexibility and competitive position, and heighten Moody's concerns about Volkswagen's internal control and governance issues, thus further weakening its rating profile," said Yasmina Serghini, Moody's lead analyst for VW.

Shares in Volkswagen closed down 9.5 percent, wiping more than another 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) off its market value. It has lost almost a third of its value or 24 billion euros since the scandal broke.

VW's "stop-sale" order in the United States and Canada followed a notice by the US Environmental Protection Agency that VW group brands had installed illegal devices on some 3.0 V6 diesel models.

Ernst-Robert Nouvertne, who runs two Volkswagen dealerships near Cologne with VW, Audi and Skoda models, said the situation was getting "beyond a joke".

"As bad as it is, the emissions issue alone would be manageable but this (CO2 admissions) is adding a new dimension to our troubles. I hope we will get through this at some point.

"People have already started to rail against VW. If they start railing about our product we have a problem."

The scandal erupted on Sept 18 when US authorities exposed VW's use of "defeat devices" to cheat tests for emissions of nitrogen oxide. VW admitted such software was installed in up to 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide.

VW's latest admission came after US environmental regulators said the carmaker had failed to inform them that similar devices were installed on the larger 3.0 litre engines used in luxury sport utility vehicles from Porsche and Audi.

VW has denied that but Mary Nichols, chair of the California Air Resources Board in Los Angeles, told Reuters that regulators repeatedly saw the engines cycle through tests with a relatively low amount of emissions, only to see an increase in pollution a couple of seconds later.

"It's almost impossible to explain something like that in any way other than something about the software that controls the operation," Nichols said, noting that Volkswagen had tried to argue that the phenomenon was part of an effort to "warm up the system."

"In all honesty, that explanation doesn't make any sense," she said.

German lawyer Andreas Tilp, who filed legal action against VW last month on behalf of a private investor in the firm, said the CO2 admission gave the case "extra ammunition".

"With every widening of the scandal, the likelihood grows that a large number of people at VW had knowledge," he said.

Volkswagen's US boss has said the rigging of emissions tests was the result of actions by a small number of engineers.

"Another week, another shock in the VW story," Exane BNP Paribas analyst Stuart Pearson wrote in a note. "We add another 4 billion euros in recall costs and fear a harsher commercial impact," said Pearson, who rates VW "neutral".

The effects of the scandal have so far barely been reflected in VW sales figures - although it was the only German carmaker to report a decline in car registrations in Germany in October.


Model Y is in Tesla's future

The Model Y is expected to be based on the platform of the Model 3 as shown above.
PETALING JAYA: What's next after Model 3? Well, it's likely to be a new model called simply Y.

That's the clue as revealed by Tesla CEO Elon Musk in a Twitter announcement. Details are lacking but it seems the Model Y compact crossover will only be introduced "in a few years", a timeframe that is open to interpretation.

It is likely to be based on the Model 3 platform. The Model Y would be a logical product to churn out in view of the high demand for SUVs/crossovers in the United States and in most parts of the world. Tesla would want to tap into the trend while it's still hot. And using an existing platform would speed up development of the new crossover.

As a compact crossover, expect the Model Y to feature a different body design with a higher roofline and higher ground clearance than the Model 3 sedan.

In February, Tesla had said its US$35,000 Model 3 was on track for volume production by September.

Musk had said the public would not see the final version of the Model 3 until as late as July when limited production begins.

He had said Tesla was targeting to deliver 500,000 cars in 2018 and 1 million vehicles by 2020.


Slovak makers of flying car press on after crash

                BRATISLAVA: Slovak tech firm AeroMobil is working on a new prototype of its flying car, weeks after the vehicle of the future spread its wings and crashed during a test flight.

"Sometimes you have to push the vehicle to the limit, to see how it behaves," AeroMobil chief strategy officer Martin Bruncko told AFP about the May 8 incident.

Inventor Stefan Klein was flying the blue-and-white airborne automobile 270 metres off the ground when he was forced to deploy a parachute to slow its descent.

Klein escaped unharmed but the flying car was damaged in what the company called an "emergency landing". AeroMobil would not say what prompted the crash.

The company is now back at the drawing board and hopes to see pre-orders in 2017 before delivering its first flying cars to clients in 2018.

It still needs to obtain a green-light from the European Aviation Safety Agency for commercial flying.

Klein said the company has seen interest from countries including Indonesia, Russia and South Africa for the cars that could cost around 500,000 euros (US$560,000) or more.

The prototype that crashed will be displayed at the Milan Expo 2015.

The vehicle for two is six metres long so it fits neatly in a parking space or garage and tanks up at any filling station. But once it reaches an airport it can unfold its wings within seconds and become a plane.

Once airborne, it can reach a top speed of 200kph and travel as far as 700km, consuming 15 litres of petrol per hour.

"It integrates two utilities in a similar way as a smartphone, which is a good phone and internet browser in one," said AeroMobil spokesman Stefan Vadocz.

"In the past you needed two separate products."


Trusty Land Rover 'Disco' is still the Swiss army knife of SUVs

                BERLIN: The brand-new Land Rover Defender is set to touch down at the 2019 Frankfurt car show, but a replacement for its more comfy mud-plugging sibling, the Discovery, is still not in sight.

Only two years ago, a new Discovery concept caused a buzz at the Frankfurt IAA event, but it seems that for cost reasons, the car will not be going into production after all.

Fans still enthuse about the original Discovery, or "Disco," which broke cover at the IAA in September 1989. It marked the brand's move into the market for mid-size luxury SUVs below the mighty Range Rover.

The model went on to become the Swiss army knife of the sports utility world, a roomy, go-anywhere companion that is equally suited to crossing a desert or taking the kids to school.

Since then, there have been five generations of the vehicle, with the fifth dating back only a few years.

The Discovery was essential for Land Rover, which needed to counter stiff opposition from the first streetwise off-roaders out of Asia and North America.

The project started in 1987 under the codename "Project Jay," and it took only two years before the Discovery was able to bask in the Frankfurt limelight.

The first models had only three doors, and it was a year before rear seat passengers had their own entry points.

The basic Discovery sold for 45,000 German marks and was available with a rustic, four-cylinder diesel engine that squeezed just 113hp from its 2.5 litres of capacity.

The V8 petrol option was preferable, with 147 horses on demand.

The Disco can still tackle the rough stuff well, but on the road, its performance is moderate by modern standards. Even the V8 does not like being pushed beyond its official top speed of 164kph.

Although not very entertaining to drive on tarmac, the Disco does offer a commanding driving position, with pleasantly light and responsive steering.

The Discovery has lived up to its name on countless occasions, which include a number of spectacular PR japes and expeditions. The Disco has ploughed through the Amazon jungle and made light of traversing a wilderness in Madagascar or braving the snowy wastes of Siberia.

For one cigarette company stunt, a Discovery was used to as motive power to haul a 110-ton train load in the Australian outback. It has also served as a mobile command centre for Red Cross mercy missions around the globe.

In 2012, the one millionth Discovery to roll off the assembly line travelled along the old Silk Road with a gala reception in Beijing while another amphibious version took to Lake Geneva in Switzerland.

The Defender was a veteran whose shape and style changed little down the years. The Discovery adapted quickly to the zeitgeist, and the first revamped version came in 1998. Back then, the name SUV was on hardly anybody's lips. The car gained airbags, and two years later an electronic downhill assistant took the worry out of steep descents.

By 2004, there was a third incarnation of the Discovery, with more emphasis on creature comforts. The bodywork was monocoque instead of being bolted to a chassis, and a suite of assistance systems made off-road progress easier. The fourth version was sold from 2009 and the fifth came two years later.


Peugeot reboots the 5008 as a seven-seater SUV

                PARIS: Peugeot's new 5008 keeps only the name from the lion brand's former compact people carrier, revamping the rest and refreshing the concept. The manufacturer is hoping to see the new 5008 become the leading C-segment seven-seater SUV.

There's no doubt that Peugeot's new 5008 is an SUV, with its raised beltline and long horizontal hood. The front features an exclusive grille with chrome fins while the back gets Peugeot's signature LED "claw effect" rear lights, seen on all the brand's latest SUVs.

Peugeot promises C02 emissions from 115g/km for the gasoline model and 105g/km for the diesel. Plus, the Peugeot 5008 is billed as a highly spacious model, with an exclusive configuration featuring three seats in row two and two removable seats in row three, offering up to 1,060 liters of trunk space. For extra comfort, the front seats have a pneumatic massage system (optional) and passengers can enjoy an onboard Focal Hi-Fi system and a panoramic opening roof. Peugeot has added all kinds of safety systems too — depending on the models and trim levels — such as an Automatic Emergency Braking System (AEBS), distance alert, Active Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA), driver attention warnings, speed sign recognition, speed suggestion, etc.

The Peugeot 5008 has the latest version of the brand's i-Cockpit with a compact steering wheel, an 8-inch tablet for access to mobile applications (compatible with MirrorLink, Android Auto and Apple Carplay) and a 12.3" digital head-up display.

The new Peugeot 5008 line will be available in five trim levels (Access, Active, Allure, GT and GT Line). Pricing is yet to be announced, but the SUV is expected in concessions in spring 2017.

The Peugeot 5008 will be one of the stars of the manufacturer's stand at the upcoming Paris Motor Show, alongside the new 3008 and the restyled 308.

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


Honda Malaysia opens BR-V booking

                PETALING JAYA: Honda Malaysia has started taking orders for the much-awaited BR-V full 7-seater crossover ahead of its official launch in the first quarter of 2017.

Bookings can be made at all 88 Honda authorised dealers nationwide.

The BR-V (also known as Bold Runabout Vehicle) which was specially developed for Asean, was first launched in Indonesia followed by Thailand, India and the Philippines where it was well-accepted.

Featuring the space of a multi-purpose vehicle and styling of a SUV, the BR-V promises to meet the demands of the Malaysian market in the 7-seater segment.

READ MORE: On the road in Thailand with Honda BR-V

The BR-V will particularly appeal to families who desire the ruggedness and functionality of a SUV but still require the space for a growing family.

Powered by Honda’s 1.5L i-VTEC engine with an output of 120PS, the BR-V is the most powerful vehicle of its segment.

Drivers enjoy a high viewpoint with the highest ground clearance in the segment at 201mm.

The trendy exterior is further enhanced with Daytime Running Light (DRL) and 16-inch Dual Tone Alloy wheels.

Other practical features are reverse camera and sensors.

Its class-leading boot space of 223 litres with all seats up can be expanded to 539 litres when the third row seats are folded.

Seats are designed for multi-configuration, enabling the space to be easily adjusted for the users’ convenience.

The second row seats adjusts with an easy One Touch Tilt & Tumble in a 60:40 configuration while the third row seats comes in a 50:50 split configuration and Full Tumble.

Comforts of passengers are enhanced with leather seats and rear air-conditioning.


Jaguar Land Rover testing pothole sensing and sharing tech

                LONDON: Jaguar Land Rover is researching a new connected car technology that will allow a vehicle to identify the location and severity of potholes, broken drains and manhole covers, and then share this data in real-time via the cloud with other vehicles and with road authorities to help them prioritise repairs.

If a car can receive a warning from another vehicle about severe potholes or broken manholes ahead, then drivers would be able to slow down and avoid the danger – or the car could adjust suspension settings to reduce the impact and smooth the ride. This could help reduce the potential for punctures, wheel and vehicle damage as well as road accidents.

Dr Mike Bell, Global Connected Car Director, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “Our MagneRide equipped Range Rover Evoque and Discovery Sport vehicles feature sophisticated sensors that allow the vehicle to profile the road surface under the wheels and identify potholes, raised manholes and broken drain covers. By monitoring the motion of the vehicle and changes in the height of the suspension, the car is able to continuously adjust the vehicle’s suspension characteristics, giving passengers a more comfortable ride over uneven and damaged road surfaces.

“While this gives our customers a more comfortable ride, we think there is a huge opportunity to turn the information from these vehicle sensors into ‘big data’ and share it for the benefit of other road users. This could help prevent billions of pounds of vehicle damage and make road repairs more effective.”

The next stage of the project at Jaguar Land Rover’s Advanced Research Centre in Britain is to install new road surface sensing technology in the Evoque research vehicle, including an advanced forward-facing stereo digital camera.

“At the moment the most accurate data comes from when the car has driven over the pothole or manhole”, added Bell. “So we are also researching how we could improve the measurement and accuracy of pothole detection by scanning the road ahead, so the car could predict how severe they are before the vehicle gets near them.

“Ultimately, sensing the road ahead and assessing hazards is a key building block on our journey to the autonomous car. In the future, we are looking to develop systems that could automatically guide a car around potholes without the car leaving its lane and causing a danger to other drivers. If the pothole hazard was significant enough, safety systems could slow or even stop the car to minimise the impact. This could all help make future autonomous driving a safe and enjoyable reality.”

Jaguar Land Rover’s research team would also be working with Coventry City Council to understand how road profile information could be shared with road authorities, and exactly what data would be most useful for their roads maintenance teams to identify and prioritise repairs.

The project will also investigate whether Jaguar Land Rover’s experimental camera could take an image of the pothole or damaged manhole – and share this with the road authorities, together with a GPS location.

“We are just beginning to explore how we could use this technology, but data that includes the severity of the issue, its exact location and an image has huge potential,” added Councillor Lancaster. “This is just the sort of information that could help us identify the cause of the problem, prioritise it and contact the owner of the manhole or drain to get it fixed more quickly.”


Lamborghini Aventador SVJ sets Nürburgring record

                BONN: When you've produced a stripped-down, hardcore, track-focused version of an existing supercar there's really only one thing to do next, and that's to go and set a new lap record at the Nürburgring. And that's exactly what Lamborghini has just done with its new SVJ version of the Aventador.

Now, it has to be said there are probably as many different Nürburgring lap records as there are heavyweight boxing world titles, so this doesn't mean the Aventador SVJ is the fastest car ever to go round the 'Ring.

Even so, it's still something to be proud of for the iconic Italian manufacturer to be able to claim the Aventador SVJ is the fastest production car ever to go around the legendary track.

Lamborghini has actually reclaimed this particular record after the Huracan Performante was usurped last year by the Nio EP9.

No doubt Nio will now be keen to try to reclaim the record, but for the moment at least, Lamborghini has the crown. But although the production car lap record is impressive as it now stands at 6:44.97 minutes, that's still an awful long way off the overall lap record.

It's only a couple of weeks since Porsche set a new benchmark with its staggeringly fast 919 Hybrid Evo. That model is an unrestricted version of its Le Mans prototype race car, and the time it set is almost a minute and a half faster than the Aventador SVJ at an astonishing 5:19.546.

To reach the speeds and performance needed to set the production car record, Lamborghini carried out a complete aerodynamic overhaul of the Aventador to come up with the SVJ. Compared to the standard car, the SVJ features a deeper front wing, wider side skirts, motorsport-style single center wheel nuts, and also Lamborghini's ALA 2.0 active aerodynamics system.

The already gaping air intakes of the Aventador also appear to have been increased in size on the Super Veloce Jota version, which allows even more air to the awesome 6.5-litre V12 engine that ups the Aventador SV's 730bhp output to somewhere around 760bhp at the 9,000rpm maximum.

And we know it revs to that level as it can be seen in the video put out by Lamborghini to celebrate setting the new record.


The return of the soft top for the new Mercedes SL Roadster

                FRANKFURT: The SL has been a Mercedes sports car legend for over 60 years. Now the development of the new Mercedes SL is heading for the home stretch, a fact confirmed by sports car department AMG, which is overseeing the latest version of the roadster.

Sources close to the company say it's going to premiere in early 2021, and several surprises are in store. Word has it that the SL won't only be back with a soft top after two generations with a retractable hardtop. It's also going to come with a back seat, as the 129 series did.

As a 2+2-seater, it'll be in line with the BMW 8 Series or the Porsche 911 convertible. At the same time, it replaces the S-Class convertible, which won't be available this autumn after the generation change for the luxury sedan.

AMG hasn't yet made any statements about the roadster's technology, but it's likely to again be available with six and eight-cylinder engines, and should have at least some hybrid elements.

If AMG is in charge of developing this, it is highly likely to have their own engines installed, meaning the SL 53 is probably set to be just as popular as the SL 63. It's unclear though whether there will be another V12, given the current emissions regulations.


Car carrier trailer crash causes massive jam

                PETALING JAYA: An accident involving a car carrier trailer has caused a massive traffic jam along the North-South Expressway at KM421.7 from Bukit Tagar to Bukit Beruntung.

According to the PLUS Expressway Twitter account @plustrafik Tuesday, a contra lane has been opened to ease congestion.

To avoid the congestion, the alternative route is through Tanjong Malim.

The condition of the car carrier trailer driver is unknown.

In other traffic-related news, Star Traffic reported an accident along the Subang airport road at 4.13pm that is causing delays from Citta Mall.

In Kuala Lumpur, traffic is reported to be slow along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim from Semantan towards the Duta tunnel. Traffic is also slow on Jalan Tun Razak from Ampang Park towards the RHB building.

Congestion along the Federal Highway has also been reported from the Jalan Templer intersection to the LDP interchange, while the Kesas Highway is backed up from Seafield to Hicom.


Hyundai to open first standalone store for Genesis luxury brand

                SEOUL Hyundai Motor said today it plans to open its first dedicated store for its Genesis luxury car line near Seoul later this year, as the South Korean automaker looks to build a separate identity for the brand

Hyundai Motor, best known as a value automaker, launched Genesis as a standalone brand in November hoping to compete with the likes of Germany's BMW and Audi AG in the higher-margin premium segment.

The store will be located at what will be South Korea's biggest shopping mall, Starfield Hanam, due to be opened later this year by retailer Shinsegae Group near Seoul, the carmaker said.

US-based Tesla Inc was also in talks to open a store at the mall, although a decision had not been made, an official at Shinsegae said.

Regarding plans for further standalone Genesis outlets, Hyundai said that "while many options are being considered nothing has been decided at this moment".

South Korean newspaper Electronics Times said today that Hyundai planned to open 10 dedicated Genesis stores in South Korea by next year, including in Seoul's wealthy Gangnam district and the southeastern city of Busan.

The Genesis line-up currently features two models, a range that the company plans to expand to six by 2020 including an SUV.


Fossil Group joins forces with BMW for branded accessories drive

                DALLAS: Global design and distribution company Fossil Group has inked a licensing agreement with BMW to create a line of branded watches with the luxury car marque, which will debut in 2019.

The tie-up — for the creation, development and distribution of BMW accessories — will see Fossil Group design a range of watches and smartwatches for the auto brand with the long-term collaboration contracted to continue until 2023.

The first items from the Fossil Group/BMW branded range will begin to drop into stores next year, with collections to be sold globally in more than 4,000 BMW retail channels and key retailers in Fossil Group's extensive international network.

 Some of the current watches made by Fossil.

Commenting on the partnership in an official statement, Fossil Group chairman & CEO Kosta Kartsotis said: "BMW is one of the most iconic brands in the world. We look forward to bringing our watch design expertise and smartwatch capabilities to BMW enthusiasts around the world."

Fossil Group, Inc. is a global design, marketing, distribution and innovation company specialising in lifestyle accessories.

Under a diverse portfolio of owned and licensed brands, the company's offerings include fashion watches, jewelry, handbags, small leather goods and wearables across its owned brands — Fossil, Michele, Misfit, Relic, Skagen and Zodiac — and licensed brands — Armani Exchange, Chaps, Diesel, DKNY, Emporio Armani, Kate Spade New York, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Puma and Tory Burch.


A handful of EVs to draw attention in 2018

                WASHINGTON, D.C.: Electric cars were all over the news in 2017, but that's nothing compared to what we're going to see in 2018. Though the majority of electrified cars bought by consumers will inevitably be hybrids and plug-in hybrids for now, the push towards full electrification will gather pace considerably in the coming year. Here are some of the electric vehicles we know are coming in 2018.

Being the first really can be an advantage, and it has been for the Nissan LEAF, far and away the biggest-selling electric car at the moment – though we're still talking very low numbers compared to fossil-fuel powered cars.

The all-new second-generation will be with us shortly, and as well as an all-important increase in battery range, will feature an impressive array of driver-assist technology. It will also have the e-Pedal, almost an entirely new way of driving where brakes are hardly needed at all.

A less familiar name is Faraday, which is looking to put a dent in Tesla's sales with its FF91 model next year. As well as looking seriously futuristic, the Faraday FF91 will deliver equally sci-fi features such as a facial recognition system to open the car without a key. But with a 0 to 100kph time of 2.39 seconds and 1,050hp, don't expect this one to be an affordable EV for the mass market.

Tesla won't be left behind in 2018 either; the latest version of the reasonably affordable Model 3 will start to find its way into the hands of buyers in the new year. It may offer a good range compared to most rivals, but to get the best out of the Model 3, consumers will need to spend more than the enticing entry-level price of a basic model.

The traditional big names of the industry will also go big on electric models in 2018. The Audi e-tron looks to be especially worth checking out. As well as 496hp and 802Nm of torque available, the 500km range on a single battery charge is likely to be its key attribute.


'Furious 7': The amazing franchise that turbocharged into the stratosphere

                The "Fast and Furious" series is one of the rare movie franchises that has built up momentum as it goes along. Fourteen years after the first film in the saga roared into theaters, "Furious 7" opened to an astounding US$384 million (RM1.4bil) globally.

That establishes a new high-water mark for the "Fast and Furious" films and ranks as the fourth biggest debut in history. The only films to top that figure are two "Harry Potter" pictures and "The Avengers" - rarefied company indeed.

"The action gets bigger, every film gets bigger and consequently, you're seeing a bigger result," said Nick Carpou, president of domestic distribution at Universal.

Most franchises don't stick around for more than a decade, let alone continue to expand their audience. Credit Universal Pictures and producer Neal Moritz with willingness to tinker with the engine. That relentless experimentation saved the series from straight-to-DVD purgatory and transformed the films about a hard-driving set of heroes into a brand that rivals Iron Man and James Bond.

"This franchise took the road less traveled and became a trailblazer," said Jeff Bock, a box office analyst with Exhibitor Relations. "You don't have the highest-grossing film in a series come seven films into a franchise. That has a lot to do with the way they're continually upping the ante."

It almost didn't happen. After the third film in the series, "Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift," finished its run with a franchise-worst US$158.5 million, Universal executives worried that the series had run out of gas. The films only rediscovered their mojo after studio executives convinced Vin Diesel, the star of the original film, to return to the series and brought the movies back to their heist film roots. Since that time, each new chapter has outraced the one that preceded it.

Most series get rebooted when they start to grow long in the tooth, but the "Fast and Furious" movies double down on what worked originally, bringing back castmembers who had cycled out at various points such as Diesel, Lucas Black and Michelle Rodriguez. They've also wisely injected fresh blood into the series, introducing Dwayne Johnson in the fifth film and adding B-movie gods Jason Statham and Kurt Russell to the mix in "Furious 7."

Moreover, the cast ranks as the most diverse among modern movie franchises, including African-Americans and Latino actors like Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson and Rodriguez. It is also less male-dominated than the average blockbusters, giving its female stars a chance to kick ass too.

"It's an important lesson for Hollywood to learn," said Phil Contrino, vice president and chief analyst at BoxOffice.com. "It's not just that they have a diverse cast. These are real fleshed out characters. They don't pander."

That bigscreen multiculturalism was reflected in the opening weekend crowd for "Furious 7." Ticket buyers were 49% female, 37% Hispanic, 25% Caucasian, 24% African-American, 10% Asian and 4% "other." As the Wall Street Journal's Ben Fritz noted on Twitter, 75 % of the audience was "non-white." Promoting diversity is sound business given that African Americans and Hispanics over-represent among frequent moviegoers, according to the Motion Picture Association of America.

 The late Walker.

"Everyone sitting in the audience in 'Fast and Furious' can find someone onscreen to relate to," said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Rentrak, who notes that the onscreen diversity has helped the film draw large crowds in South America and other parts of the world.

The series has taken a gleeful "can you top this" approach to its action sequences. "Furious 7," for instance, ignores the laws of physics by having cars parachute out of planes and soar from across the Abu Dhabi skyline, insuring that every cent of its US$190 million production budget ends up onscreen. It's a small price to pay for a franchise that may have its first US$1 billion-grossing installment.

Universal plans to make at least three more "Fast and Furious" films, but it will move forward without a key player. Paul Walker died in a car crash during filming on the seventh film, which is part of the reason that the sequel outpaced the sixth installment's opening by roughly US$50 million.

Universal referenced the actor's death obliquely in its black and white promotional material that carried the tagline "one last ride" and the movie's end credits acknowledge Walker.

"People did come out because they wanted to understand what happened to the Paul Walker's character," said Carpou.

"They were able to say goodbye to the character in a way that was respectfully done."


EV players eagerly await new road tax structure

                PETALING JAYA: Electric vehicle (EV) users and dealers want definitive guidelines on the formula that will be in place to calculate the new EV road tax structure as announced by the government.

Malay Vehicle Importers and Traders Association of Malaysia vice-president Raja Petra Marudin Raja Nordin said he strongly encouraged a new EV road tax structure.

“The EV road tax should not be based on the vehicle’s power output because EV typically have a stronger torque and horsepower than gasoline cars.

“If the road tax is based on power output, the rates will be very high which will discourage people from utilising EV as a mode of transport,” he said when contacted.

At present, Malaysia’s road tax is calculated based on engine displacement. The higher the engine displacement of a car, the road tax will cost more.

Raja Petra also suggests that the government introduce a CO2-related taxation of EV which sets its rates based on fuel efficiency rather than power output.

“This would encourage people to buy EV as the tax rates are reasonable,” he said.

EV user Farhan Abdul Rahim, 45, said he and many others are worried about the road tax rates that would be imposed after the current EV tax exemption, introduced under the previous government, ends in December 2025.

“What many EV users want to know is the exact formula that will be used to set the road tax prices because the current formula does not encourage EV adoption.

“The road tax rate is important as it will determine what we will do with our EV in the future,” said Farhan, who is among the earliest to own an EV.

He suggests that the government look at countries such as the United Kingdom and the Netherlands for their road tax structure for EV.

“Countries in Europe have a higher maturity for EV, so they provide a good framework to introduce a sustainable road tax structure,” he said.

Separately, Transport Minister Anthony Loke had said as part of the government’s push for EV adoption, a new EV road tax structure would be introduced by the end of the year.

“There have been concerns that once the current EV road tax exemption policy ends in 2025, it will cost more based on the current formula.

“However, we will make our policies in line with our aim to facilitate the adoption of EV as part of our overall sustainability goal.

“As such, we plan to give a direct answer to all potential buyers and be very transparent in how we calculate the road tax soon,” he said during his opening speech at the Green Mobility and Transport Forum on Tuesday.

To further push for EV adoption, Loke said other pro-EV adoption incentives and policies were also currently being developed.

“We hope to announce these incentives along with the new EV road tax structure by the end of this year.

“In addition, we are also working with Proton and Perodua, as well as industry players to expedite the production of national EV and the introduction of affordable EV in the country,” he said.


GM to revive Hummer name with electric pickups, SUVs, say sources

The Hummer H3 of yore. GM is reportedly planning to revive the Hummer name to sell a new family of electric pickup trucks and SUVs. The vehicles will be sold under the GMC nameplate.
WASHINGTON: General Motors Co will revive the Hummer name to sell a new family of electric pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles and will tout the return with a Super Bowl ad featuring NBA star LeBron James, two people briefed on the matter said on Friday.

The vehicles will be sold under the GMC nameplate.

Reuters reported in October that GM planned to build a new family of premium electric pickup trucks at its Detroit-Hamtramck plant beginning in late 2021 and was considering reviving the Hummer name, citing several people familiar with the plans.

The Wall Street Journal reported GM’s decision to move forward earlier on Friday. GM declined to comment.

The electric truck and SUV programme is the centrepiece of a planned US$3 billion investment in the Detroit-Hamtramck plant to make electric trucks and vans, and part of a broader US$7.7 billion investment in GM’s US plants over the next four years that was part of a new contract signed with the United Auto Workers union last year.

The investment moves the automaker into a part of the EV market that is largely untested and where GM has a higher likelihood of turning a profit, analysts said.

Reuters reported GM plans to first build EV pickups in late 2021 and then an electric SUV in 2023.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk in November unveiled an electric pickup called “Cybertruck” it plans to build starting in late 2021.

Rivian, a start-up electric company backed by Amazon.com, will begin building 100,000 electric delivery vans for Amazon starting in 2021.

Hummers were rugged civilian utility vehicles with low gas mileage that were inspired by military vehicles and were popular with such celebrities as actor Arnold Schwarzenegger but derided by environmentalists as gas-guzzlers.

GM shut down its Hummer brand after a deal to sell the SUV-line to an obscure Chinese machinery maker was blocked by Chinese regulators in 2010.

Michael Harley, executive editor for Kelley Blue Book, noted “the original Hummer was ostracised out of showrooms for being heavy and ponderous with an insatiable appetite for gasoline. An all-electric powertrain essentially exonerates the truck on all charges.”

Electric pickups and SUVs - the heart of the US market - could help Ford Motor Co and GM generate significant sales of EVs needed to meet tougher California emission standards and electric vehicle mandates.

The Trump administration is moving to roll back those standards – and eliminate extra credits that automakers receive from EV sales but electric trucks are a hedge if California prevails.


Young Driver programme teaches children as young as 10

                LONDON: Drivers as young as 10 years old are being taught how to drive under the Young Driver programme.

The programme is the largest provider of driving lessons for pre-17 children and welcomes 170 new Corsa SE Premium to its fleet for children of ages 10 to 17 to helm - courtesy of Vauxhall.

The cars have all been fitted with dual controls and have been distributed to the programme which is being taught at 70 venues across the UK including England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The programme uses fully qualified driving instructors to teach youngsters at private venues, creating realistic road systems which include traffic lights, roundabouts and junctions.

The young drivers get to learn all about gear changing, clutch control, braking, steering and parking in a stress-free and fun environment, helping to extend the learning period and create safer future drivers.

“The pupils and instructors have been very eager to get behind the wheel of this brand new vehicle! They are a perfect car for a new driver, with a high level of standard safety and easy to handle – and they look great," said Young Driver marketing head Sue Waterfield.

She added that the pupils take learning how to drive very seriously while also having plenty of fun with the opportunity to do something that they wouldn’t usually be able to do.


Perodua hails automotive discount voucher move

                RAWANG: Perodua welcomes the government’s automotive discount voucher initiative which is a part of the Malaysian Family Flood Aid programme announced recently and accepts the voucher as a form of payment.

“We thank the government for their swift and generous act in helping flood victims in their time of need and Perodua welcome this new initiative as it further strengthen our efforts to help fellow Malaysians,” Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad said.

On Jan 7, the Ministry of Finance announced a RM1,000 voucher initiative to assist Malaysians whose vehicles were damaged by the flood.

The automotive discount voucher can be used to claim against the repair of a water-damaged private vehicle or towards the replacement of a vehicle deemed to be a total loss.

The ministry said the deadline for making use of the Automotive Discount Voucher is March 31, and vehicle owners can immediately redeem the voucher which is available at participating automotive brand’s authorised service centres nationwide.

A direct deduction will be made from the total cost of repairs or from the cost of replacing new vehicles through invoices that will be issued by service centres and authorised distributors.

“This voucher initiative, along with other financial assistance under the Malaysian Family Aid programme will go a long way in helping everyday Malaysians to quickly recover,” Zainal said.

Zainal said such efforts can be seen via Perodua Flood Assist Programme, launched on Dec 19, which has helped owners whose vehicles were damaged by the recent flood.

“As of Jan 10, a total of 1,987 Perodua vehicles have been towed to 200 Perodua service centres located across Malaysia for evaluation and so far 323 unit have been repaired.

“In fact, we have dedicated a flood repair hub in Shah Alam just to repair and restore Perodua vehicles that were damaged due to the recent flood.

“Our immediate goal is to repair the flood damaged vehicles as quickly as possible as we understand that our customers truly need their Perodua vehicle for their day-to-day needs,” Zainal said.

The Perodua Flood Assist Programme consist of a 50% discount for standard parts, free labour for all parts replacement and repairs and free 24-hour towing service via Perodua’s 1800-88-5555 hotline number (terms and conditions apply).

Alternately, customers can call the Perodua Customer Care Line at 1800-88-6600 for general enquiries.


Nissan and AirAsia go BIG

                KUALA LUMPUR: Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) has officially announced a collaboration with AirAsia BIG, the coalition loyalty programme of Asia’s leading low-cost airline AirAsia.

The announcement was made by Datuk Dr Ang Bon Beng, Executive Director of  ETCM during the prize presentation ceremony of ETCM’s Millionaire Drive Campaign, held at Paradigm Mall. Also present at the event were the Alice Goh, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia BIG and Vincent Chong, General Manager of WCT Malls.

“We are proud to partner with AirAsia BIG. Similarly to Tan Chong, AirAsia is a true Malaysian icon – a homegrown company that has grown tenfold to become the force that it is now. We have exciting plans in the works to continue working together well into next year, and we look forward to a strong alliance that will benefit both parties and our customers,” said Ang.

“Partnering Edaran Tan Chong Motor is a meaningful way for AirAsia BIG to make possible for holiday goers to travel to their favourite holiday destinations. Customers don’t just get to enjoy an adventurous drive on the road with their Nissan vehicles, but also the rewarding experience of travelling by air for free with their BIG Points.

"Being an AirAsia BIG Member also opens doors to exclusive priority access for AirAsia flight sales, and free AirAsia flight redemptions to over 100 destinations from as low as 500 BIG Points,” said Goh.

 From left, Chong, Goh, Zainun and Ang at the prize presentation ceremony.

During the ceremony, ETCM together with AirAsia BIG presented the Grand Prize of 300,000 BIG Points to the winner of the October campaign, Che Zainun Tun Mohammed. Che Zainun had bought bought a Nissan Almera 1.5E AT at ETCM’s Kota Bharu branch.

The BIG Points won by Che Zainun will enable her to enjoy the equivalent to five return flights to Tokyo, Sydney, Beijing, Seoul or numerous local destinations.

14 consolation prize winners also walked away with 50,000 BIG Points each, which can take them to numerous local destinations or to two return flights to SiemReap, Yangon, Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

"I am pleased to announce that we have decided to continue the Campaign for November, and will also hold it in the month of December to offer more Malaysians the chance to drive home a Nissan and fly like a millionaire. Our customers are important to us, and we want to be able to give them holiday experiences and memories of a lifetime,” said Ang.

Similar to the October campaign, 15 customers who purchase and register their Nissan cars in the months of November and December will be in the running to win from a total of 1,000,000 BIG Points each month.


You can now charge up your electrified car at Ramada Plaza hotel in Malacca

                MALACCA: BMW Group Malaysia has announced two charging stations at the Ramada Plaza hotel here, adding to the growing list of public places in the country where plug-in vehicles can get juiced up.

The i charging facilities at the hotel join BMW Malaysia’s growing charging network, which include those installed at the Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat and WEIL Hotel in Ipoh and Iconic Hotel, Penang. The two chargers were installed through BMW's Malacca dealer Seong Hoe Premium Motors.

"With this partnership with BMW Malaysia and Seong Hoe Premium Motors, we can now look after the e-mobility needs of our guests," said Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Melaka general manager Klaus Sennik.

The chargers are open to the public to use even if they own cars from other brands. However, priority would be given to hotel guests especially those with BMW cars.

Seong Hoe Premium Motors dealer principal Loy Suan Chiow said more people in the state were buying electrified cars and the additional chargers would help make them more accessible.

In Malaysia, electrified vehicles account for over 57% of the total BMW and MINI delivery from January to November this year, while the number of electrified vehicles delivered year-on-year has also increased to more than 34% from over 5,100 to over 6,900 units.

Owners of BMW electrified cars such as the 330e and X5 xDrive40e can also use the BMW ChargeNow service to tap into ChargEV chargers that are installed by the Malaysian Green Technology Corporation.


China's BAIC raising Daimler stake to unseat Geely as top shareholder, say sources

                BEIJING/HONG KONG/FRANKFURT: Daimler’s main China joint venture partner BAIC Group has set in motion a plan to double its stake to around 10% and win a board seat in the German luxury car maker, as it aims to upstage rival Geely, say two sources.

State-owned Beijing Automobile Group Co Ltd (BAIC), which already owns a 5% shareholding in Daimler, has started buying the German company’s shares from the open market, said the sources who were briefed on the matter.

BAIC is currently Daimler’s third largest shareholder but a stake of 10% will make it the biggest shareholder, surpassing its Chinese automaking rival Zhejiang Geely Holding Group which owns 9.69% of the German automaker and is seeking to expand its partnership with Daimler in China.

With the shareholding of around 10%, BAIC is looking to secure a seat at Daimler’s supervisory board, which Geely does not currently have, the sources said.

HSBC, which advised BAIC on its 5% stake purchase in Daimler earlier, is helping the Beijing-based group in the new investment, one of the sources said.

Daimler said in a regulatory filing last month that HSBC held 5.23% in Daimler’s voting rights directly as well as through instruments such as equity swaps as of Nov 15.

When asked by Reuters, Daimler said it had not received any notification about BAIC having raised its stake. Daimler’s China chief Hubertus Troska said on Friday “we welcome long-term investors in Daimler”. Asked about BAIC and its potential to become a larger shareholder, he added, “we like each other. Let us see how things develop.”

A third source familiar with BAIC’s thinking said that BAIC wanted to be a bigger shareholder than Geely in Daimler in order to be seen as the German automaker’s senior-most partner in China.

BAIC and Geely did not respond to requests for comments made after usual business hours. HSBC declined to comment.

The sources declined to be named as they are not authorized to speak to media.

Daimler’s china partners

Reuters reported in November that BAIC had signalled intentions to extend its investment in Daimler, citing sources familiar with the matter.

BAIC has been Daimler’s main partner in China for years and operates Mercedes-Benz factories in Beijing through the two automakers’ main joint venture, Beijing Benz Automotive.

Two months before its 5% stake purchase was announced in July, sources told Reuters that BAIC wanted to invest in Daimler to secure its investment in Beijing Benz Automotive.

The partners also planned to revamp manufacturing facilities to make Mercedes Benz-branded trucks via their commercial vehicle joint venture Foton Daimler Automotive (BFDA), Reuters reported in August citing a document and sources familiar with matter.

BAIC built its 5% Daimler stake after Li Shufu, chairman of Zhejiang-based private automaker Geely, built a 9.69% stake in Stuttgart-based Daimler in early 2018.

By using Hong Kong shell companies, derivatives, bank financing and structured share options, Li kept the plan under wraps until he was able, at a stroke, to become Daimler’s single largest shareholder.

Since the investment, Geely and Daimler have said they plan to build the next generation of Smart electric cars in China through a joint venture.

Geely owns Volvo and a 49.9% stake in Malaysian car maker Proton, while BAIC, in addition to Daimler, has a partnership with South Korea’s Hyundai Motor.


Malaysia, Brunei agree in principle to implement VTL, says PM

                BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Malaysia and Brunei have agreed in principle to implement the air and land Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) initiative for cross-border movement between the two countries, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said the agreement was achieved as a result of discussions with the Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at Istana Nurul Iman here today.

A proposal was also made for the implementation of four flights a week between Brunei and Malaysia when the VTL is carried out, he told a media conference before ending his first official visit to Brunei, which began Monday (Feb 14).

Currently, there are only two flights a week between Kuala Lumpur and Bandar Seri Begawan, namely on Wednesday and Friday, because Brunei has yet to open its borders due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ismail Sabri said the relevant ministries would review the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the purpose of implementing the VTL initiative.

“I’ve asked the relevant ministries to discuss the matter at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow so that it can be implemented immediately... I want it expedited,” he said.

Malaysia had previously implemented the VTL with Singapore and has also agreed for the implementation of the initiative with Indonesia.

The Prime Minister said apart from that, the Sultan of Brunei agreed to recognise the use of MySejahtera and BruHealth in both countries to facilitate system integration and use by the people of Malaysia and Brunei.

This cooperation, he said, was also crucial to smoothen the cross-border travel of people from both countries.

Ismail Sabri said that with the recognition, MySejahtera and BruHealth can be used in both countries.


Naza World to hold 3-day mega sales

PETALING JAYA: Naza World, home to the most stunning cars and motorcycles, will open its doors from 10am to 10pm to the Malaysian public for the Naza World Auto-Mania 2015 this weekend.

From April 24 to 26, the Naza World Automall in Petaling Jaya will showcase the widest variety of cars and motorcycles under one roof and organise a host of family-friendly activities to mark the 40th anniversary of the Naza World Group.

The Naza brand dates back to 1975 and four decades of securing distributorships of the world’s most prestigious marques has seen its stable grow to include the likes of Ferrari, Maserati, Brabus, Chevrolet and many more.

In the two-wheel scene, Naza World is synonymous with Harley-Davidson, Indian Motorcycle, Victory Motorcycle, Ducati, Aprilia, Vespa and Naza Bikes.

As a gesture of appreciation towards all its customers, Naza World will showcase a range of vehicles from all of these brands.

Additionally, special prices and gifts will be offered to those who purchase a car or motorcycle throughout the three-day event.

Test drives and test rides will also be available for visitors to have a hands-on experience of the vehicles.

There will be ‘Special Cars and Motorcycles of the Day’ promotional slots throughout the three-day of Naza World Auto-Mania 2015 which the vehicles will be offered at a very special price. Customers who buy any car or motorcycle during the event will be entitled to on-the-spot lucky draws.

There will also be fun and games for the rest of the family and speed-loving visitors can have a go at realistic driving simulators programmed with the world’s most challenging courses.

“NAZA has been delivering cars and motorcycles of the highest quality to Malaysians since 1975, and it would not have been possible without the firm support of our customers.

“We are aware that the recent implementation of GST has forced many Malaysians to spend more wisely, which is why we are offering attractive promotions and special gifts as part of this weekend’s exclusive Naza World Auto-Mania 2015,” said Datuk Wira SM Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin, Group Executive Chairman & Group CEO, NAZA World Group of Companies.

"Our main goal remains the same 40 years on, and that is to ensure the maximum satisfaction of the customers who have been integral in our success,” added Faisal.

It is held at the Naza World Automall in Petaling Jaya which is visible and accessible from the Federal Highway.


VW'S electric flagship to be called Trinity

                WOLFSBURG: VW says it wants to create an entirely new electric flagship over the coming years, and has announced it wants to call the car "Trinity."

The world's largest car manufacturer says the name refers to the car's combination of three areas that the company wants to focus on: an additional electric platform of its own, more digital connectivity and a "fully networked production processes" in the factory.

Revealing some of the first, early details about the electric people's car since plans were first announced in December, core brand boss Ralf Brandstaetter said the car will be manufactured at the company's headquarters in Wolfsburg in Germany from around 2026.

Similar to its subsidiaries Audi, Porsche and Bentley with their own efforts to take on Tesla, the group wants to bring together expertise from several areas.

"Trinity" now replaces the working name "Aeroliner" which had been used up to now. We don't yet have details on the style of car, but industry experts have taken the working title as a hint for a streamlined saloon like the Arteon.

VW says it's also planning to step things up in terms of software, and the Trinity will be able to communicate with other cars on the road, as well as other things like traffic lights.

Bernd Osterloh, head of the works council, recently said he expects a "clear six-digit number of units per year" for the car.

The company did not yet want to comment on possible concrete production volumes. The VW Group is investing around 73 billion euros in new technology areas up to and including 2025.


Ford unveils new Ka+ and all-new Ka+ Active

The Ka+ Active.
COLOGNE: Ford has just taken the wraps off an updated version of the Ka+ for 2018, which sees the subcompact city car benefitting from new styling, new infotainment, and a range of new engines. There will also be an Active-badged crossover version of the Ka+ that's being introduced to the range, which will complement the soon to be released Fiesta Active in the smaller section of Ford's SUV range.

As well as the enhanced interior and exterior styling, the 2018 Ka+ is designed to deliver more comfort and convenience and more driver assistance technologies than we see with the current model.

Along with what Ford describes as "generous space for five passengers and ample luggage," the new versions of the Ka+ and the all-new Ka+ Active will be available with premium technology features such as Ford's latest SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlamps.

Unlike some of the other smaller vehicles on the market, the Ka+ and Ka+ Active will for the first time offer a choice of petrol and diesel powertrains. They will include Ford's new refined and fuel-efficient 1.2-litre, three-cylinder Ti-VCT petrol engine in 69hp or 84hp forms, and the 94hp 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine designed for those drivers intending to do higher mileage in their Ka+.

"Last year, Ford sold more than 200,000 SUVs in Europe for the first time, and demand for SUV and crossover models has never been higher," said Ford's vice president for marketing, sales and service Roelant de Waard. "Our new Ford KA+ Active model will this year make the crossover affordable to even greater numbers of customers, with aspirational styling and sophisticated technologies customers would expect to see in much more expensive cars."

The KA+ Active crossover is the second in a new line-up of Active-badged models Ford will now be offering, and follows on from the new Fiesta Active that will also go on sale later this year. Active models feature the kind of SUV-inspired styling that's so popular with buyers today.

Other key features include a raised ride height and additional bodyside mouldings, but they will still deliver hatchback practicality.


Mitsubishi due to release new L200/Triton

                TOKYO: Mitsubishi Motors announced on Monday that it will reveal on Nov 9 the refreshed Mitsubishi L200 or Triton as we know it.

What is currently known about the new vehicle is that it will have an all-new front end and more angular headlights as well as lighting similarities with the Outlander. Taillights are also due for some changes.

Expect some technical updates as well.

The L200 is powered by a 2.4-litre turbodiesel that produces 178hp. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic.

In Malaysia, the L200 is sold as the Triton with 4X2 and 4X4 variants. The 4X2 Triton is powered by a 2.5-litre turbodiesel mated to a 5-speed manual. The 4X4 version comes with in a choice of 2.5-litre turbodiesel mill paired with a 5-speed manual or a 2.4-litre turbodiesel with either a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic.

As the latest partner to join the Renault-Nissan alliance, Mitsubishi is likely to share parts and platform in moulding the latest L200.

More than 4.7 million Mitsubishi L200s have been produced since it first debuted in 1978.

Designed to be “Engineered Beyond Tough”, the new model is touted to have enhanced performance, functionality, durability, safety and refinement based on feedback from owners across the world.


Mazda expects chip shortage to affect about 7,000 vehicles in February

                TOKYO: Japanese automaker Mazda Motor Corp said today it expects a chip shortage to affect its vehicle production from this month.

Mazda will revise its production plans based on the current assumption the shortage will affect around 7,000 vehicles globally in February, chief executive Akira Marumoto said on a post-earnings call.

The semiconductor shortage, which in some cases has been exacerbated by the former US administration’s actions against chip factories in China, is now causing global automakers to curtail production and shut assembly lines.

“The situation is extremely fluid at the moment, but we are heading towards improvement on a daily basis,” Mazda’s Marumoto said.

“We will minimise the impact of semiconductor shortage by our day to day consultations and adjustments with our suppliers,” he said, adding that the company’s full-year earnings forecast already reflects the impact of the shortage on sales and revenue.

Mazda raised its full-year operating forecast to zero from a previous forecast of a 40 billion yen loss, due to a steady progress of improvement in marketing expenses, carline mix and fixed cost reduction.

That prediction is higher than an average 28.95 billion yen loss forecast based on predictions from 16 analysts polled by Refinitiv.

As of last week, Mazda was considering cutting its global output by a total of 34,000 vehicles in February and March due to a chip shortage, two sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

But Marumoto said today that the automaker will “not make adjustments that would exceed 30,000 vehicles.”


KLIMS'18 promises varied accessories for visitors

                KUALA LUMPUR: Back for 2018, the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show's (KLIMS'18) stage is set kick off from Nov 23 to Dec 2 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC).

The show is touted to have a vast range of vehicles, including concept cars, bikes and commercial vehicles as well as car accessories and car care products.

Growing interest in vehicle customisation, both interior and exterior, are also driving the global car accessories market, which is why many companies are keen to use KLIMS’18 to strengthen their business channels.

Global technology conglomerate, 3M has been a regular exhibitor at KLIMS. The company has been capitalising on the clout of KLIMS to highlight 3M’s total innovative solutions for the automotive industry’s mega trends in safety, aesthetics, performance and energy.

GT Lim, General Manager for Safety & Graphic Business Group, 3M Malaysia said that “3M is a global science company that never stops inventing. We are strong advocates of car and road safety. Our technology is enabling road connectivity and more; we help enhance car aesthetics, and enable car
owners to unleash creativity and bring it to life with our innovative products.This year, we would like to showcase the breadth and depth of 3M's expertise in the automotive industry at KLIMS’18 and we aim to excite our customers with our innovative solutions.”

Visitors to the 3M booth can expect discounts on their products such as 3M AutoFilm, 3M Car Wrap as well as 3M Car Care Solutions.

Another returning exhibitor, Kakimotor, is participating in this year's show to promote their products such as the ZerOne coilover kit and ZerOne big
brake kit.

These kits are available for most cars to help enhance driving performance and safety. The products come with the necessary parts with no modifications required.

Alex Lim, Manager of Kakimotor said “We are exhibiting at KLIMS for the second time and we will be using the show's platform to deliver awareness of our company products. We find KLIMS has proven fruitful in reaching out and explaining to customers about our products.”

Visitors to KLIMS’18 will be able to check out more car accessories exhibitors such as V-Kool, OSRAM, PG Perma Glass, PG Pro QPlus, Motul, Elite Looks, Be Pure, GetF1, NGK Spark Plugs, NTK Oxygen Sensors, STP, Armor All, Kaki Motor, Ravenol and Ottoman.

“Malaysia’s automotive industry players extend beyond vehicle marques manufacturers, franchise holders and distributors. The aftermarket including parts, accessories and care products comprises a major sector in Malaysia," said Malaysian Automotive Association president Datuk Aishah Ahmad.


Audi on demand kicks off in San Francisco

                SAN FRANCISCO: Audi is testing a new service here that gives customers a new way to experience the brand and its range of vehicles at the touch of a button.

With Audi on demand, customers can reserve an Audi by the day for up to 28 days.  The premium service is currently available in San Francisco as part of a beta programme and will be rolled out across additional US cities in the coming years.

Audi on demand gives customers access to a wide range of the Audi vehicle lineup, from the Audi A4 sedan to Audi R8 supercar. Via the Audi on demand app – currently available for download in the Apple App store – customers select their preferred Audi model. It is then personally delivered to them at the location of their choice by an Audi on demand concierge, who will help the customer get acquainted with the vehicle, from setting music preferences to tailoring the navigation system.

Customers are able to lock and unlock their vehicle, as well as enable driving via the Audi on demand app or via a personal key card. No membership fee is required.  Additionally, the vehicle the customer sees and requests in the Audi on demand app will be the same vehicle delivered to them – down to the exact colour and trim.

Audi on demand allows fans to match specific vehicles to their driving needs. For example, customers planning a trip to the mountains might request an Audi Q5, while those looking to arrive in style in wine country might request a sporty S7 or RS 5. All Audi on demand vehicles come equipped with Premium Plus trim and complimentary additional features, such as SiriusXM satellite radio and MMI Navigation plus, as well as quattro all-wheel drive.

The service also allows customers to customise their vehicles with several complimentary accessories. Child safety seats are available for all models, and ski racks and bicycle racks are available for the Audi allroad and Q5. Customers have the option of picking up their vehicle or having it delivered to a location of their choosing within the city.

Another service Audi is planning to launch is Audi at home, a collaborative car initiative that makes mobility a personalised micro-sharing experience.

Located in select premium condominium complexes, residents can use their smartphones to access a car share service with an exclusive fleet of Audi vehicles. These include RS models, cabriolets and SUVs, with plans to also feature the all-new Audi A3 Sportback e-tron, the first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle Audi is making available in the US market.

The service allows customers to enjoy the benefits of driving an Audi at their convenience. Rates are hourly and prices vary by model.


BMW M and M4 GT4 livery winner celebrate Malaysia Day

                KUALA LUMPUR: M for Malaysia Day.  The BMW M Owners Club collaborated with BMW Group Malaysia to bring together M owners and M fans here to celebrate Malaysia Day today.

A BMW M4 draped in Chan Wen Bin's winning entry for the M4 GT4 livery was replicated for the occasion.

It took centerstage at the main entrance to the Pavilion shopping centre, surrounded by over 70 M cars driven there by their owners.

Chan was also present for the occasion to celebrate Malaysia Day the BMW way.


BYD’s push into masks boosted by US approval

                SAN FRANCISCO: Chinese carmaker BYD Co. won regulatory approval to sell face masks to California, a boon for the Warren Buffett-backed company that expanded into protective gear as the coronavirus pandemic weighed on electric-vehicle demand.

The US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health gave a green light to BYD’s N95 respiratory masks, California governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement on Monday.

The certification clears the way for California to start receiving millions of masks from BYD, which the state will distribute to health-care workers and those identified as requiring one. BYD was denied an initial approval in May.

BYD pivoted to masks early this year as the coronavirus outbreak intensified, with chairman Wang Chuanfu leading teams that built up production capacity in a week.

The company has since been ramping up output to become the world’s biggest manufacturer with a current daily capacity of 50 million, 10 times what it was three months ago.

California awarded BYD a mask contract valued at almost US$1 billion in April, saying at the time that they could be shared with other states facing shortages.

Shenzhen-based BYD also won an order from SoftBank Group Corp., agreeing to send 100 million N95 masks each month starting in May to the Japanese company. The contract was conditional on BYD’s masks obtaining US regulatory approval, SoftBank said last month.

Shares of BYD, in which Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. has held a stake since 2008, are the second-best performer among major Chinese carmakers since the start of the year, after the swift expansion to masks helped prop up earnings.

BYD’s main business, electric vehicles, has faced headwinds since the Chinese government moved to limit EV subsidies in mid-2019. The pandemic exacerbated the industry’s slump, and falling oil prices have made gas guzzlers more competitive.

BYD’s first-quarter net income fell 85%, and it would have posted a net loss without a contribution from masks, according to Shi Ji, an analyst with Haitong International Securities Group. Masks will bring in about 12.4 billion yuan (US$1.75 billion) of revenue to BYD this year based on an assumed unit price of 1.4 yuan and estimated shipments of 8.8 billion, according to CICC analysts Chen Xudong and Huang Leping.

Wang founded BYD as a mobile-phone battery maker in 1995 and has built up a diversified business that also includes EV batteries, monorail development, semiconductors and now protective supplies such as face masks and disinfectants.


Why Porsche and Lamborghini are taking their sports cars off-road

STUTTGART: When Porsche published the first photos of the latest 911 variant a few weeks ago, there wasn't much of the usual shine to be seen. Instead, the car was dirty and dusty.

While such premieres usually aim to show the vehicle in the best possible light, on this occasion the car wasn’t even cleaned before the photo shoot.

But that look was carefully calculated because this isn’t just any other 911. The 911 Dakar is intended to go off-road rather than stay on track.

With its chunky tyres and increased ground clearance, the all-terrain sports car is reminiscent of the German manufacturer’s rally cars of the 1980s when they took part in races such as the famed Paris-Dakar event.

The main difference being that this latest racer is aimed at the general public. Those who can afford to pay prices starting at €222,020 (RM1mil) can own one of these 353 kW/480hp cars starting this summer.

Even though Porsche only plans to build 2,500 Dakars, this car certainly has a symbolic significance. Twenty years after Porsche became the first sports car manufacturer to launch an off-road vehicle, they’re doing it again and they’re not alone.

Lamborghini gets in on the action

Lamborghini is also joining the tentative countermovement. The Italian sports car manufacturer has beefed up the Huracán to produce 1,499 units of an off-road car called the Sterrato.

The sports car has a good four centimetres more ground clearance, a wider track, plastic planks along the wheel arches and beltline, and two distinctive additional headlights on the hood.

There is also a new air intake on the roof. In the rear, the 5.2-litre, V10 engine still rages, but its output has been slightly throttled back to 449 kW/610hp.

Is this just an attempt to squeeze even more money out of an already widely diversified model family based on a comparatively small outlay? Or is there more to it than that?

Design professor Lutz Fügener from the Hof University of Applied Sciences in Germany certainly sees sense in the concept.

For one thing, an off-road-proven sports car is always superior to an SUV, no matter how well designed, simply because of its proportions and shape.

In addition the protective equipment and the elevation can increase the utility value of the vehicle while the cost in poorer aerodynamics is marginal.

It also makes economic sense, Fügener says, because the world has become more complex for manufacturers of sports cars and off-road versions of their classic models can help them to compete against the flood of new electric sports cars.

These off-road sports cars are conquering new, somewhat rougher terrain, and with it new groups of buyers. They are certainly slower than their road-going counterparts: Porsche limits the Dakar to 240kph instead of 309kph, and Lamborghini’s Sterrato tops out at 260kph instead of 325 kph.

Not everyone is enthusiastic

But there are also dissenting voices such as design professor Paolo Tumminelli. He says that the jacked-up sports cars can be seen as a necessary consequence of the proliferation of traffic circles, speed bumps and potholes.

"In this sense, the intersection of SUV and sports car is the contemporary way to counteract the demise of the open road," he says.

He also sees it as a fresh sign of the car industry's inability to develop meaningful visions for a social, economic and ecological automobile. "Instead, the automobile is celebrated here as a toy of a pseudo-elitist fringe society," he says.

However different their assessment, both design experts agree on one thing: The idea of an off-road sports car is not as new as manufacturers like to pretend.

Fügener sees it as the logical continuation of what started with cars like the Audi Allroad or the Volvo Cross Country. "You put the rubber boots on a car, set it a little higher, cover it with plastic, and thus equip it for bad roads and against minor damage."

And Tumminelli thinks first and foremost of the original Safari Porsche, the 1973 Lancia Stratos, and, more recently, the Italdesign Parcours study that turned the Lamborghini Gallardo into an off-roader in 2013.

"At the time, the VW Group didn't dare go into series production," he says. "But 10  years later, Lamborghini and Porsche are suddenly waking up and reinventing their past."

Fügener says that cars like the Dakar and the Sterrato will occupy only a niche segment "but attention, and thus the potential to radiate to the masses, is definitely there."

If the cars are successful, we may soon see similar concepts in vehicles with lower prices and higher unit numbers, he believes: "Perhaps the long-awaited counter-design to the currently all-dominant luxury SUV is just emerging."


Google working on smartphone emergency alert system in case of an accident

                SAN FRANCISCO: Google is set to offer an application that automatically calls emergency services in case of an accident on the road, according to the XDA Developers website. However, it's expected to be available only on the Pixel 4 and 4 XL phones out on Oct 15.

For the moment, the application is said to be in an experimental format in the United States. The idea is that the telephone can detect a car accident, thanks to various integrated sensors, and immediately transmit the car's location to emergency services (911) if the driver is not able to do so.

When the smartphone detects a possible car accident, it vibrates or emits an alarm. Without a response from the user to stop the alert, the smartphone automatically contacts emergency services and transmits the vehicle's location.

It will also be possible to configure the phone to send an emergency message to one or several emergency contacts as well as to display important medical information for emergency personnel on the phone's lock screen. This function is similar to the fall detection available on the most recent versions of the Apple Watch.

For the moment, this application is only available in the United States. In Europe, the eCall system is now required in all new cars.

This is a system which automatically sends an alert to emergency services in the event of an accident. It can be activated with the push of a button if roadside assistance is needed or is sent automatically in the event of a more serious accident.


AMMB and Liberty in RM2.29bil deal to create top auto insurer

                KUALA LUMPUR: AMMB Holdings Bhd said its 51% owned AmGeneral Holdings Berhad (AGHB) has entered into an agreement with Liberty Insurance Bhd to dispose AmGeneral Insurance Bhd (AGIB) for RM2.29bil for cash and shares.

The deal, subject to regulatory approvals, will give AMMB a 30% equity interest in LIB and AGIB.

"Upon completion of the proposed disposal, AMMB and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company (the parent company of LIB) will hold a 30% and a 70% equity stake respectively in LIB and AGIB," AMMB said in a filing today.

"AMMB will be accounting for the proposed disposal as a disposal of subsidiary and, subsequently, will account for the 30% retained interest in LIB and AGIB as an associate undertaking," it added.

The proposed disposal will also see AMMB Group entering into a 20-year new bancassurance partnership.

"Further details on the proposed disposal will be announced in due course," AMMB said.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement Liberty Mutual Insurance said that LIB and AGIB operations will be merged at a subsequent date.

"Following the merger, it is expected that the combined entity will become the largest auto insurer and second-largest property and casualty insurer in Malaysia."


Next Mazda CX-5 to be offered in 5 CKD versions, prices from RM137K to RM183K

                PETALING JAYA: We got wind that Bermaz Motors has finalised the prices of the new Mazda CX-5, which should be arriving soon. And by the way, the Mazda2 that has been upgraded with G-Vectoring Control technology (GVC) has shipped in locally.

But first the CX-5.

From what is known, five versions will be offered, with prices ranging from RM137,000 to RM183,000 (on-the-road price without insurance).

2.0G 2WD (GL) priced at RM136,406;

2.0G 2WD (GLS) at RM150,292;

2.5G 2WD (GLS) at RM164,887;

2.2D 2WD (GLS) at RM171,539 and

2.2D 4WD (GLS) at RM182,139.

Prospective CX-5 buyers can choose from either a 2.0-litre or 2.5-litre petrol engine or go for the 2.2-litre diesel engine. All variants of the second-generation SUV are front-wheel drive with all-drive only available in the diesel CX-5. They will all be locally assembled.

All variants are linked to a six-speed auto gearbox with G-Vectoring Control. The 2.0-litre mill makes 163hp and 210Nm of torque. The more powerful 2.5-litre SkyActiv-G powerplant delivers 192hp and 257Nm of torque. For the highest torque, the SkyActiv-D diesel will satisfy, producing 173hp and 421Nm of twist.

For buyers looking to have their CX-5 in one of three so-called premium colours - Machine Grey, Soul Red Crystal or Snowflake Pearl White - an extra RM2,000 is payable.

The base GL CX-5 can be optionally upgraded with leather seats and sat-nav for RM2,900 and RM1,270 respectively.

Mazda2 with GVC here

The refreshed fourth-generation Mazda2 is now available with G-Vectoring Control technology (GVC), along with a number of detailed improvements to the car's suspension and steering to deliver improved levels of comfort and a more responsive feel for the driver.

But the best news is that prices of the Mazda2 hatch and sedan will stay unchanged. This means they will still be available from RM87,587 to RM92,887.

GVC uses the engine to enhance chassis performance. It is the world’s first control system to vary engine torque in response to steering inputs in order to provide integrated control of lateral and longitudinal acceleration forces and optimise the vertical load on each wheel for smooth and efficient vehicle motion.

The new Mazda2 feature some interior upgrades such as new seat fabrics, a new steering wheel design and better sound insulation. Deep Crimson Mica is new and an additional colour for the model.

The facelift has left the 1.5-litre Skyactiv-G petrol engine untouched. It's still the same mill producing 114hp and 148Nm of torque, linked to a 6-speed automatic with steering wheel paddle shifters.


Greenlight given for QUANT F sports car and new R&D facility

                ZURICH: The company known as nanoFlowcell AG, has has obtained the go-ahead to get a small-series production going for its QUANT F sports car at its upcoming QUANT city - a 269,098 square-foot state-of-the-art facility to further its research and development into its electricity-generating nanoFlowcell technology via a chemical process of two ionic fluids.

Construction of the city will begin in 2016 and is targeted for completion by mid-2018 in Tenero (a Swiss region in Ticino), which will be devoted to the further research and development of its technology and the testing of new applications.

The company, founded in 2013, is currently focussed on furthering its research in flow cell drive technology used in its QUANT E car launched in July last year and is currently looking to get a small-series production going for its QUANT F sports car.

Researchers will utilise three-dimensional virtual reality animations and simulation software to provide a graphical representation of the physical and chemical characteristics of its technology, which should make it possible to push ahead with the scaling of the nanoFlowcell hardware for different applications in other industries and business areas.

“As the nanoFlowcell contains no moving parts, there are in theory no limits to the scaling of this energy system. We can be small, but we can also be big. And that's what will be simulated, investigated and tested in our research with virtual reality," said nanoFlowcell chief technical officer Nunzio La Vecchia.

Furthermore, researchers and developers will help to iron out the cost-effective and ecologically worthwhile applications for practical use.

The company indicated that its automotive technology currently in the QUANT E could be used as an energy source for buildings and industries such as shipping, aerospace and rail traffic.

Following completion of the new facility (including production), the company estimates 150 to 200 jobs will be created for engineers, researchers and lawyers who will safeguard an additional 2,500 jobs created indirectly for suppliers and service providers.

In addition, the QUANT Academy will also be founded, which will combine all areas of research and development within the nanoFlowcell AG company group and will involve scientific work such as degree dissertations and doctoral theses on flow cell technology and ionic fluids as an energy source of the future.

“In order to focus on maintaining our current research edge, QUANT City will give us an infrastructure with the technical and scientific requirements necessary for our success,” said Vecchia.


US reverses Trump effort to quash California vehicle emissions rules

                WASHINGTON: The Biden administration on Tuesday finalized a reversal of a rule issued under then-US President Donald Trump that sought to pre-empt California's vehicle emissions regulations.

The Department of Transportation said it was issuing final rules rescinding the Trump action, which sought to bar the most populous state in the nation from setting vehicle rules that might conflict with the federal government's authority to set Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements.

The program, in place since 1975, sets vehicle fuel efficiency requirements.

"States can now actively pursue solutions to address the climate crisis and environmental challenges in their communities," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.

About two dozen US states sued to block a pair of Trump actions that sought to remove California from vehicle emissions regulations, while major automakers had backed the effort. The Republican president often clashed with California.

Soon after Democrat Joe Biden was elected president in November 2020, General Motors Co reversed course and opted to no longer back the Trump administration’s effort to bar California from setting its own emissions rules.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) separately has moved to reverse the Trump administration's 2019 decision to withdraw California's legal authority to set vehicle emissions rules and set zero-emission vehicle mandates.

The EPA in 2013 granted California a waiver for its tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions and zero-emission vehicle regulations.

A total of 14 states have adopted California's vehicle-emission rules and 11 have adopted its zero-emission vehicle mandates.

On Monday, the EPA finalised new vehicle emissions requirements through 2026 that reverse Trump's rollback of car pollution cuts and will speed a US shift to more electric vehicles (EVs).

The rule will reduce US gasoline consumption by 15% through 2050, the EPA said, or more than 440 million barrels.

If expressed in miles per gallon (mpg) requirements, the EPA rules would result in real-world average for new cars and trucks of about 40 mpg in 2026, versus 38 mpg under the August proposal and 32 mpg under the Trump rules.

Biden wants 50% of all new vehicles sold in 2030 to be EV or plug-in hybrid models but has not endorsed California's plan to phase out new gasoline-powered light-duty vehicles by 2035.

The Transportation Department next year is expected to finalise its rewrite of CAFE standards.