Ford wants to make quieter car cabins

                DETROIT: Where once drivers had to shout to make themselves heard above certain speeds, modern day cars are comparative oases of calm where conversations and music are clearly audible, even at low volumes.

Ford’s “Whisper Strategy” delivers lots of small noise improvements around the vehicle that add up to a big difference, helping make journeys more comfortable and less tiring for drivers and passengers.

For the new Kuga SUV, Ford examined noise‑generating elements from the suspension to the door seals to help find ways to optimise interior refinement.

Adding perforations to Kuga Vignale leather seat bolsters reduced the total area of flat surfaces inside the cabin, helping absorb rather than reflect noise.

Aerodynamically-tuned sound shields are added underneath the body of the vehicle that help limit road and wind noise entering from outside.

Ford engineers spent two years testing more than 70 different tyres over surfaces from smooth Tarmac to rough concrete and cobbles, in wet and dry conditions and at a range of speeds to find the exact specification that kept road noise to a minimum while still delivering high levels of comfort and grip.

And channels behind the exterior panels that allow hidden wiring and components to pass from one area to another are smaller and narrower to limit airflow inside the body.

The ability to drive without a petrol or diesel engine enables quieter journeys.

The Kuga Plug-In Hybrid combines a petrol engine, electric motor and generator, and 14.4 kWh lithium-ion battery for zero-emission pure-electric driving capability.

Using the EV Now selectable drive mode switches off the petrol engine and powers the vehicle using battery and electric motor alone, achieving interior road noise levels of just 52 dB(A) in controlled tests – equivalent to gentle rainfall.

The Kuga Plug-In Hybrid Vignale also features Active Noise Cancellation technology.

The system works just like popular noise-cancelling headphones – detecting unwanted low-frequency cabin sounds through strategically-placed microphones and counteracting them with an opposing soundwave from the B&O Sound System.


BMW Digital Key will soon include iPhone users

                MUNICH: During the recent Apple Worldwide Developer Conference it was announced that BMW will become the first carmaker to enable its customers to use an iPhone as a fully digital car key.

In the past, the German automaker was the first to integrate an iPod in their vehicles as well as offer wireless CarPlay and now the first to introduce support for BMW Digital Key stored securely in Apple Wallet for iPhone.

The "car key" for the iPhone will enable customers to just tap to unlock and easily get going by placing the iPhone in the smartphone tray and pushing the start button.

Setup of the Digital Key can be done through the BMW Smartphone App and car owners can also share access with up to five friends including a configurable car access option for young drivers which restricts top speed, horsepower and maximum radio volume among others.

Management of access can also be done from inside the car as well as through Apple Wallet.

Additional features of the new Digital Key include:
- Storage in the Secure Element of your iPhone and access through Apple Wallet.
- Power reserve for iPhone where car keys will still function for up to five hours if the iPhone turns off due to low battery.
- Ability to share access with up to five friends via iMessage.
- Apple Watch compatibility.

For a while now, Apple and BMW have been working closely with the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) to press ahead with the establishment of global standards.

The Digital Key specification 2.0 for NFC was released in May while the next generation Digital Key using Ultra-Wideband technology is currently underway.

BMW's Digital Key for iPhone is being made available for vehicles manufactured from July 1 onwards and includes the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 Series as well as the X5, X6, X7, X5M, X6M and Z4.

The iPhone models that are compatible include the iPhone XR, XS or newer and the Apple Watch Series 5 or newer.

To delve a little bit deeper, log on to www.bmw.com/digitalkey.

Also announced was smart routes for BMW electric vehicles in Apple Maps during the conference where the two companies announced a new feature that will make it easier for CarPlay users to take BMW electric vehicles on longer journeys by automatically taking into account when and where to charge.

Drivers can plan their trip in advance on their iPhone or simply enter their destination through Apple CarPlay when they get into the car.

Regardless, Apple Maps will pick the optimal route based on electric range and the locations of charging stations along the way.

The seamless, simple feature will first be available for BMW in the fully electric BMW i4 which has been earmarked for launch sometime next year.


Brabham reveals details and teaser image of new car

                LONDON: Brabham is a name that used to be synonymous with the very pinnacle of global motorsport, Formula 1. Now, after an absence of almost three decades, Brabham is coming back from the dead.

David Brabham, the son of the company's founder Jack Brabham, already announced back in February a return to F1 was on the cards. But now it's been revealed a road car is also in the pipeline, and the company has revealed a teaser image and some details to whet our appetites ahead of a full reveal in a couple of weeks from now.

The car is currently being called the Brabham BT62, and the teaser image shows it to be a low-slung model quite obviously inspired by race cars.

The thin LED accent tail lights are reflected in the extreme carbon fibre rear wing, which is unlikely to be purely aesthetic and therefore points clearly towards the car's performance potential.

Under the hood will be a 700hp, naturally aspirated 5.4-litre V8 engine, which will deliver the kind of performance and blistering lap times expected of a car with such a pedigree. The BT62 is set to boast a power-to-weight ratio of 730 PS per tonne, and will have a dry weight of just 972kg.

Thanks to its performance-optimised body and aggressive aerodynamic package, the Brabham BT62 produces more than 1,200kg of downforce.

Extra weight-saving and additional performance come courtesy of the BT62's carbon/carbon brakes, which are a current Formula 1 technology that was originally introduced to the sport by Brabham in 1976, and features six pistons front and rear.

This year is the 70th anniversary of Sir Jack Brabham launching his racing career in Australia back in 1948, so production of the Brabham BT62 will be limited to just 70 units.

Each car will carry a price of £1m plus local taxes, before options, and orders are now being taken with the first deliveries expected to start later this year. In addition, owners of a BT62 will join a Brabham driver development programme which will give them the ability to fully exploit the performance of this vehicle out on the track.


Cyan Racing resurrects Volvo P1800 and loads it up with 420hp

                GOTHENBURG: Cyan Racing, the reigning triple World Touring Car Champions, has revealed the Volvo P1800 Cyan, an interpretation of the iconic Volvo sports car from the sixties.

The original P1800 came out in 1960, a year before the Jaguar E-Type, two years before the Ferrari 250 GTO and three years before the Porsche 911.

The car is engineered by the team behind the first world title-winning Volvo race car and the Volvo C30 Polestar Concept Prototype.

The P1800 Cyan features high-strength steel and carbon fibre body with bespoke and independent fully adjustable chassis.

The original P1800 had a mere 100hp from a 1.8-litre mill but Cyan Racing loaded in a two-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 420hp and 455Nm of torque. A five-speed bespoke Holinger gearbox has been selected to carry the mechanical feeling of the original P1800.

"The Jaguar, the Ferrari and the Porsche are all cars with a continuation. That left us with inspiration to create what could have been if we as a race team had been there during the sixties, racing the P1800, and got to design a road version of our race car.

“The  P1800 Cyan is our interpretation of what could have been,” said Cyan Racing CEO and founder Christian Dahl.

Technical specificationsEngine
Aspiration: Turbocharged
Size: 2000cc
Number of cylinders: 4
Cylinder alignment: Inline
Valves per cylinder: 4
Bore x stroke: 82x93.2 mm
Compression ratio: 10.2:1
Maximum HP/kW: 420 hp/308 kW @ 7000 rpm
Maximum torque: 455 Nm @ 6000 rpm
Maximum boost: 2.7 bar
Maximum RPM: 7700 rpm
Fuel system: Direct injection
Turbo: Borg Warner EFR, ceramic ball bearings, gamma-ti turbine wheel
Exhaust: Dual tube stainless steel, twin catalytic converters

Transmission
Drive wheels: RWD
Gearbox type: Manual synchromesh helical cut dog leg
Number of gears: 5
Clutch: 200 mm, organic disc
Flywheel: Single mass steel
Prop shaft: Carbon fibre
Final drive: LSD with customizable ratio

Dimensions
Wheelbase: 2446 mm
Length: 4203 mm
Width: 1748 mm
Height: 1220 mm
Track front: 1466 mm
Track rear: 1489 mm
Fuel tank capacity: 57 litres

Suspension and body
Front: Double wishbone, adjustable camber, caster, toe and bumpsteer
Rear: Double wishbone, adjustable camber and toe
Dampers: Adjustable compression and rebound front and rear
Anti-roll bars: Tubular anti-roll bars front and rear, adjustable rear stiffness
Steering rack: Rack and pinion with adjustable ratio
High-strength steel and carbon fibre body
Roll cage made in titanium

Brakes
Front: 4-piston caliper, 362x32 mm disc
Rear: 4-piston caliper, 330x25.4 mm disc

Wheels
Front tyre size: Pirelli P Zero 235/40-R18
Rear tyre size: Pirelli P Zero 265/35-R18
Front rim size: 8.5”x18”
Rear rim size: 9.5”x18”
Centerlock wheels

Weight
Curb weight: 990kg
Weight distribution: F:R 47:53%


Sales of Porsche Mission E to start in 2019, US$85K price touted

                STUTTGART: There's little doubt that Tesla is very much the first name that comes to mind when it comes to all-electric cars at the moment, especially when talking about high-end models.

But the truth is Elon Musk's outfit has pretty much had things all its own way for quite some time as genuine competition in that part of the auto industry has been almost non-existent.

That's definitely going to change very soon though, and one of the first big boys to break cover with its own all-electric luxury model is Porsche with its Mission E.

The Porsche Mission E has been touted as a possible production model since it was originally revealed back in 2015.

But the legendary German performance brand has announced the Mission E has now been scheduled to go on sale to the public at the end of 2019, and it's even been confirmed it will be priced similar to the current Panamera which means it will cost around US$85K (RM357,000) in the United States. That's around US$10,000 (RM42,000) more than the least expensive Tesla Model S, but a lot less than a Model S can cost.

When it eventually arrives, the Mission E will occupy a place in the Porsche lineup between the Panamera and the 911. The Mission E is a four-door sports car, and its initial public prototype tests appear to be imminent.

Although Porsche has confirmed the pricing structure and the expected launch timetable of the Mission E, it hasn't confirmed or denied the expected performance of this long-awaited model. It will be available in a number of configurations, but we don't know how much of what we saw with the original concept will come to fruition.

The original concept featured a 600hp electric motor, four-wheel drive, a zero to 100kph time of around 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 250kph. All of that would make it a worthy rival to the Tesla, but don't bet against Porsche improving on that specification between now and the start of production.

A range in excess of 480km on a single charge is to be expected, and a fast-charging system will also be an essential part of the Porsche's armoury.

And of course, the Mission E will have one significant advantage over the Model S due to the simple fact it will come with that very prestigious Porsche badge.


Audi Q6 e-tron prototype shown going through cold weather testing

                INGOLSTADT: Audi is currently putting the production-oriented Q6 e-tron prototype through its paces in the far north of Europe.

The future model series is the first to be built on the new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) technology platform.

With its 800-volt electrical system, powerful and efficient electric motors, an innovative battery and charging management system, and a newly developed electronics architecture, the production-oriented Q6 e-tron prototype marks the next major step in the electrification and digitalisation of Audi’s model range.

The upcoming Q6 e-tron model series will come in SUV and Sportback body variants and an RS version is expected to offer 600hp.

Audi did not show any images of the interior but other publications have spy shots of the cabin sporting digital screens for the meter cluster and the centre infotainment display as is the trend with electric cars i norder to keep the dashboard clean and minimalist.

No word yet on when the Q6 e-tron would launch but it's likely to be towards the end of this year.

The Q6 e-tron is just the start of the largest model offensive in the history of the brand with the four rings.

Audi will introduce more than 20 new models by 2025 – more than 10 of which will be electric.

The future Q6 e-tron model series marks the inauguration of e-mobility at the Ingolstadt headquarters. An in-house battery assembly facility underpins Audi’s commitment to electric mobility.


New Zero choppers arrive

                KUALA LUMPUR: The much-awed premium custom-made motorcycles from Zero Engineering has arrived in Malaysia.

Dubbed “The Original Samurai Chopper,” the Zero Style, founded by famed custom bike-builder Shinya Kimura from Okazaki, Japan, features vintage, old school style design with rigid frames.

The company presented three models — the Type-5, Type-6 and Type-9i — at the unveiling ceremony at Bon Estates sales gallery here recently.

The three motorcycles are characterised by their minimal amount of decoration and attention to detail.

 Zero Type-5.

Each model has a well-defined design concept with styling cues from the ’60s and ’70s but delivering modern reliability and performance.

Being hand-built, Zero motorcycles takes several months to complete, thus limiting production numbers.

The Type-5 is priced at RM180,000 (before GST) while Type-6 and Type-9i cost RM200,000 (before GST).

Among the high-profile owners of Zero motorcycles are Hollywood actor Brad Pitt and English soccer star David Beckham.

The exclusive distributor of Zero Engineering motorcycles in Malaysia is Didi Resources and Stronghold Cycles is the appointed dealer.

Zero Engineering’s flagship 3S centre would open its doors at The Gasket Alley in Section 13, Petaling Jaya.

The Gasket Alley would house several motorcycle brands, apparels and gears, a cafe and a working space for the motorcycle community.

 Zero Type-9i.


Kia wins 2022 Red Dot Award for ‘EV6 Unplugged Ground’

                SEOUL: Kia has won another 2022 Red Dot Award for its "EV6 Unplugged Ground" brand cultural space in Seongsu here.

The innovative complex, where people can experience the award-winning EV6 in fun and imaginative ways, picked up the prestigious "Best of the Best" title in Red Dot’s "Interior Architecture and Interior Design" category.

With EV6 Unplugged Ground, Kia wanted to make a statement about its refreshed brand and first dedicated electric vehicle, and create a unique customer space.

From experience zones to test drives and expert product advice, the complex immerses people in the future of mobility within one of Seoul’s most popular districts, Seongsu.

Formerly an industrial neighbourhood, Seongsu has emerged into a popular hub of creativity and fashion in recent years, and is affectionately known locally as the "Brooklyn of Korea".

“The purpose of ‘EV6 Unplugged Ground’ was to convey a message about a new life – recycling, sustainability, future mobility and electric vehicles. We chose Seongsu as it was a neighbourhood that has also been ‘reborn’, much like the Kia brand,” said Ji-Min Kim, Head of Korea Business Strategy Group at Kia.

“For this space to receive recognition from prestigious design experts at Red Dot is a huge boost for everyone at Kia.”

Shortly after being crowned 2022 European Car of the Year, the EV6 also picked up two Red Dot Awards: the "Best of the Best" accolade for its pioneering and forward-looking design as well as being named winner in the "Innovative Products" category.

The Red Dot Design Award is one of the largest design competitions in the world. It is announced annually by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen and is divided into three disciplines: Product Design, Brands & Communication Design and Design Concept.

The history of the traditional "Red Dot Award: Product Design" goes back to 1955. This year's entries were assessed by a 50-member international jury of independent designers, design professors and trade journalists.


Xiaomi and Lamborghini team up for GoKart

                PETALING JAYA: Tech giant Xiaomi just released a special edition version of their Ninebot GoKart Pro in China which an official tie-up with Lamborghini, the Italian supercar manufacturer, priced at 9,999 Yuan (RM6,038).

This Ninebot GoKart Pro comes in 'Giallo Orion' yellow complete with stickers and badges.

It's definitely sporty-looking with the rear wing and the small steering wheel and is capable of carrying a load of up to 100kg.

The Lamborghini Edition is an all-electric cart and has a 432Wh battery pack which can go 62 laps of a 400-meter circuit at a top speed of 25mph.

Additionally, the Lamborghini Edition gets the 'Ice Lake Blue' LED headlights, an audio emulation system which recreates the sound of Lamborghini engines and even, custom-made tires for easier drifting performance.


100% sales tax exemption for CKD cars, 50% exemption for CBU cars until end 2020

                PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has  announced that locally assembled cars will be given 100% sales tax exemption, while fully imported cars will get 50% sales tax exemption.

The exemption period is from June 15 to Dec 31, 2020.

The measure will provide some relief to car companies and prospective customers as the country attempts to recover from the Covid-19 crisis.

The tax relief for the auto industry was among a host of measures announced in the government’s Short-Term Economic Recovery Plan earlier today. The plan involves a total government outlay of RM35bil.

Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Datuk Aishah Ahmad said the sales tax exemption was good news for car companies and their dealers who have been rolling out various incentives and promotions to boost sales.

Aishah said the industry was going through a rough patch and this was amplified by poor demand as people were shying away from buying cars.

MAA is sticking to its latest 2020 total industry volume (TIV) forecast of 400,000 units for the time being. It had made an initial forecast of 607,000.  The 400,000 units forecast would represent a 34% contraction from 2019’s 604,287 units. It also marks the first time in 13 years since the TIV failed to surpass the 500,000-unit mark.

For those using public transport, the Government has introduced a My30 unlimited pass that allows commuters to pay only RM30 a month for unlimited rides. It is open to all nationalities, beginning June 15 until the end of 2020.


V4 engine debut expected to boost Ducati sales

                KUALA LUMPUR: Next Bike Sdn Bhd, the distributor of Ducati motorcycles in Malaysia, is optimistic of achieving over 15 per cent year-on-year growth in sales for the brand next year.

Second vice-president Fazli Hisham said this would be driven by Ducati's new V4 engine - the "Desmosedici Stradale" - which would power the next generation of roadgoing Ducati "Panigale" superbikes.

"We are expecting to do around 15 to 20 per cent growth in sales next year.

"From L-twin engine, next year models (of Panigale superbikes) will see a new wave of superbikes powered by the new V4 engine," he said after unveiling the 2017 Ducati SuperSport for the local market here last week.

Fazli said the new Panigale V4 model, which comes with the new engine, would be showcased at the 75th Worldwide Motorcycle Exhibition (also known as EICMA) 2017 in Milan in November.

The new superbike will have a long-stroke (81mm x 53.5mm) version of the new engine, giving it a displacement of 1,103cc for more mid-range power and more torque across the rev-range.

"The experience gained from Grand Prix races will be used to develop standard production V4 engine for the next generation Ducati superbikes.

"Next year, we will introduce about 10 variants from three Ducati models to the local market. They include the Panigale superbikes, Multistrada touring bike with larger engine up to 1260cc and some scramblers," he said.

With the expected higher sales forecast next year, Fazli said the company was focusing on building a strong foundation and doubling Ducati 3S (sales, service, spare parts) centres in the country.

"From four 3S centres at present, we aim to add another four 3S centres nationwide, and we will working with passionate investors to achieve that.

"The expansion will cover locations in Sabah, Sarawak, and tentatively in Perak and Malacca," he said.

For this year, Fazli said Next Bike is confident of achieving at least a five per cent sales growth after having sold 300 units in 2016.

"The overall business for Ducati in Malaysia is positive. We are on track to close the year with at least a minimum of five per cent extra from last year, supported by our all-time popular superbike Panigale 959 and Multistrada touring bike, which is expected to contribute roughly 45 per cent from our overall sales figures," he added.

The 2017 Ducati SuperSport imported by Next Bike is retailed at a gross price of RM80,899, while its SuperSport S variant goes for RM88,899.

"We will bring in only between 10 and 15 units this year to fulfill demand in the local market," he added.

Technical data: Desmosedici Stradale

1,103 cm³ 4-cylinder 90-degree V
Bore x stroke 81 x 53.5 mm
Compression ratio 14:1
Maximum power exceeds 210 hp at 13,000 rpm
Maximum torque exceeds 120 Nm from 8,750 to 12,250 rpm
Counter-rotating crankshaft
Twin Pulse firing sequence, crank pins offset at 70°
Euro 4 emissions
Desmodromic part chain, part gear timing with dual overhead camshaft, 4 valves per cylinder
Wet multiplate anti-patter servo clutch
Semi-dry sump lubrication with four oil pumps: 1 delivery and 3 return
Fuelling with four oval throttle bodies (52 mm diameter equivalent) and variable-height intake horns
6-speed gearbox with DQS up/down system
24,000 km “Desmo-service” maintenance interval


VW giving up on becoming No. 1, says CEO

                FRANKFURT: Embattled German auto giant Volkswagen is abandoning its ambition to become the world’s biggest carmaker ahead of Japanese rival Toyota, its new chief executive said in a magazine interview published Monday.

“For me, this obsession with unit sales and the ambition to constantly reach new records makes no sense, “ CEO Matthias Mueller told the weekly WirtschaftsWoche in an interview.

VW is engulfed in a scandal of global proportions after it was forced to admit in September that it installed pollution-cheating software in 11 million diesel engines worldwide.
Mueller was brought in to resolve the crisis. The oft-stated goal of his predecessor Martin Winterkorn had been for VW to overtake Toyota as the world’s number one carmaker by 2018.

And the German giant - which owns 12 different brands - had even looked set to reach that goal this year.        But VW sales have been falling in the wake of the scandal.

While unit sales would remain important for the group, “I’m not going declare sheer size as an end in itself,” Mueller said.

“It makes no difference to me whether we’re number one, number two or number three in terms of volume of sales.”

VW still wants to remain a leader in the sector.  “But our definition will be different,” he said.


'DDP 1' plate number fetches RM152,999

Nik Azhan (centre) said the 'DDP 1' bid, which was secured by a company, was among four bids made for the plate number. — Bernama
KOTA BARU: The vehicle plate number "DDP 1" fetched the highest bid at RM152,999 in Kelantan, during a five-day online bidding process from Aug 30 to Sept 3 undertaken by the state Road Transport Department through its JPJeBid system.

Department deputy director Nik Azhan Ab Hadi said the bid, which was secured by a company, was among four bids made for the plate number.

The five days of bidding which featured the DDP series and attracted 1,354 bidders, also saw five other registration numbers - "DDP 9","DDP 55","DDP 88","DDP 27' and "DDP 96" - securing high bids.

Speaking to the media at his office here Sunday (Sept 8), Nik Azhan said four series of plate numbers comprising DDP, DDL, DDM and DDN had fetched a total of RM4.3mil in successful bids for 2019.

Prior to 2019, the department's highest collection from bids, comprised RM7.3mil for the DDD registration series.

He added that plate numbers which had been purchased through the bidding system, needed to be registered for accompanying vehicles within 12 months of receipt of the offer letter issued by JPJ.


Porsche CEO bids to run sports car brands in revamped VW

                FRANKFURT: Porsche's top executive is bidding to lead sports car operations at its parent Volkswagen as Europe's biggest automaker adopts a new structure to boost foreign sales and profits.

The German company is aiming to decentralise, ceding more power to foreign divisions and brands in a bid to boost sales in the United States and other markets and become more nimble, sources told Reuters in June.

Porsche chief executive Matthias Mueller, a member of VW's top management board, said on Tuesday the panel wants to give more responsibility to tie-ups between brands within the parent group and tossed his hat into the ring to run a combination of Porsche, Bentley and Bugatti.

"I would like to take up this task," the executive said in an interview at the Frankfurt auto show.

The 12-brand VW group "can no longer be managed in this centralised way," he said, adding that no decisions on brand lineups or personnel have been taken yet.

A tie-up of Porsche and Bentley "would be a logical step into the future," Mueller said, adding that Bentley's next-generation Continental model shares Porsche's modular MSB platform with the sports car brand's Panamera coupe.

VW has more than doubled auto sales and almost tripled profit over the past eight years, VW chief executive Martin Winterkorn told Reuters TV on Monday, adding that top players "must adjust the company structure to new (sales) volumes and other challenges."

VW's new company structure, to be discussed by the supervisory board on Sept 25, may spark a wider reshuffle of managers that could cause sales chief Christian Klingler to lose his job, source said in June.


Automotive concepts galore set for CES 2019

                LAS VEGAS: Three main themes drove innovation in the auto industry this year and will surely continue to affect 2019 vehicle design: electrification, automation, and connectivity. In a handful of concept models coming to CES in January, we'll see individual companies' interpretations of the evolution and just how they're planning to adapt to the transition.

The automotive industry is at a pinnacle moment regarding vehicle sustainability and digitalization. Across the world, cars are getting smarter, greener, and more autonomous, and the Consumer Electronics Show here makes for the perfect opportunity for companies to show off concept vehicles that encapsulate the future of car tech.

Bosch concept shuttle (above)

Next month, Bosch is revealing a spacious, futuristically-designed transport shuttle concept designed to be driverless and nearly silent. The company believes that these will be a common sight on urban streets in the near future as a result of connecting and automating smart tech.

Audi Immersive In-Car Entertainment

As vehicles become more about the journey and less about driving thanks to the automating of transportation, Audi is redesigning a car for CES focused on the passenger experience. The company claims to have created a brand-new media which essentially turns a vehicle into a mobile cinema.

Honda Autonomous Work Vehicle

Honda will be using this conference to show off the prototype of its Autonomous Work Vehicle. This autonomous ATV has been designed to work where it's too dangerous or hard-to-reach for humans. Since the vehicle's original debut at last year's CES, this new prototype has seen some serious upgrades.

Rinspeed microSNAP

Rinspeed shrunk down the "Snap" concept that they debuted at CES 2018 to create the microSNAP for CES 2019, an autonomously driving two-person passenger vehicle. Using smart tech, this vehicle will be able to identify passengers and give them a customer experience as if they were riding in their own car.

More vehicle concepts are bound to make an appearance next month, in addition to these ones, which have been previewed by their respective companies. At any rate, we can expect to see similar themes throughout all transportation- and vehicle-based booths as companies strive to avoid being left in the technological dust.


Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar to go racing at Le Mans in 2021

                LONDON: Aston Martin will challenge for outright victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours race in 2021 with its Valkyrie hypercar, the British luxury sportscar maker announced on Friday after organisers rewrote the rules.

The governing FIA, who oversee the World Endurance Championship, and race organisers Automobile Club de L'Ouest, revealed earlier that hypercar derivatives would replace prototypes as the top category from the 2020-21 season.

Aston Martin will field two works Valkyries, powered by V12 normally-aspirated engines, as part of a multi-year commitment to a championship currently dominated by Japanese manufacturer Toyota.

The announcement comes 60 years after Aston Martin's sole overall triumph at Le Mans in 1959 with Britain's Roy Salvadori and American Carroll Shelby.

"I think you'd say from the brand's point of view, there's a little bit of unfinished business to be done," Group Chief Executive Andy Palmer told Reuters.

Top Formula One designer Adrian Newey, who has won championships with Williams, McLaren and Red Bull, helped create the Valkyrie.

The limited edition road legal version costs in the region of £2.5 million pounds (RM13.2mil).

"We don't under-estimate the difficulty of an outright win at Le Mans and you never under-estimate the tenacity and resources of Toyota," said Palmer.

"On the other hand, we're not coming just to make up the numbers. We're coming here to give it a bloody good shot."

Palmer said the new regulations would significantly reduce the costs of competing, without giving details about the likely budget, and hoped commercial rivals McLaren and Ferrari would take up the challenge.

"It's not going to cost a shed load of money because that's the way the regulations have been written," he added.

The luxury carmaker, which floated on the London Stock Exchange last year, posted an adjusted pre-tax profit of £68 million (RM359mil) in 2018.

It also reported £136 million (RM717mil) of one-off costs due to its initial public offering, pushing it to a reported pre-tax loss of £68 million.

Champions Toyota are currently the sole manufacturer in the top LMP1 category and Palmer said the new rules would breathe fresh life into the series.

"Very clearly, you want to get passion back into the series. Having an almost fait accompli winner slightly takes the polish off the win, doesn't it?," he said.

"There's a huge British fanbase that goes down to Le Mans, so hopefully they will be cheering for David in the David and Goliath competition."

Aston Martin, title sponsors of the Red Bull Formula One team, have a new mid-engined Vanquish model in the planning pipeline to take on Ferrari and Palmer said the company's motorsport ventures laid the groundwork for that.

"It's all about seeding the ground, making it not unexpected for Aston to come with a world class mid-engined car because we've proven it in Formula One and at Le Mans," he said.

"And therefore it becomes a natural competitor to a Lamborghini or a Ferrari or a McLaren."


Volvo's new driving simulator uses latest gaming tech to develop safer cars

                GOTHENBURG: Volvo Cars engineers call it “the ultimate driving simulator”, but it is not just an excuse for them to indulge their inner basement gamer. Instead, the Swedish company’s ground-breaking mixed-reality simulator is used to make new strides in safety and autonomous driving technology.

A setup with a moving driving seat, a steering wheel with haptic feedback and a crystal-clear virtual reality headset would make any serious gamer jealous, but Volvo Cars’ simulator takes this concept to the next level, making it hard to tell reality from simulation. Which is exactly the point.

Using cutting-edge technology from the leading real-time 3D development platform Unity and Finnish virtual and mixed reality experts Varjo, the simulator involves driving a real car on real roads. It combines life-like, high definition 3D graphics, an augmented reality headset, and a full-body Teslasuit that provides haptic feedback from a virtual world, while also monitoring bodily reactions.

This combination of software and hardware allows Volvo Cars engineers to endlessly simulate traffic scenarios on a real test track road while using a real car, all in total safety. Engineers can gain important insights on the interaction between people and the car for development of new safety, driver assistance and autonomous driving features.

Testers can be exposed to imagined active safety and driver assistance features, upcoming autonomous drive user interfaces, future car models and many other scenarios. It can be used on real test track roads or in the test lab, and every scenario is fully customizable. The possibilities are literally endless.

Volvo Cars “ultimate simulator” was demonstrated yesterday in an event live-streamed from Volvo’s Open Innovation Arena and hosted by a team of its innovation experts.

Last year, together with Varjo, Volvo Cars became the first car maker to make it possible to drive a real car while wearing a mixed reality headset. Now that collaboration has been expanded to include Unity and full-body haptic suit maker Teslasuit.

According to Casper Wickman, senior leader of User Experience at Volvo’s Open Innovation Arena and one of the hosts of the livestream, this enables Volvo Cars to study authentic human reactions in a safe environment and at a fraction of the cost of a real test.

“Working together with great companies like Varjo, Unity and Teslasuit has allowed us to test so many scenarios that look and feel totally real, without having to physically build anything,” says Casper Wickman. “It lets us test drive actual cars in through traffic scenarios that look and feel real, but can be adjusted at the touch of a button.”

When developing safety systems for cars, like collision-avoiding technologies, testing is crucial. But testing these systems in reality can be dangerous, time-consuming and expensive. Virtual and mixed reality simulations, however, allow for perfectly safe testing in authentic environments, without having to build any physical prototypes or set up complex scenarios.

“By using this cutting-edge technology, we are exploring and leading the development for creating safe cars in the future. It’s great to play a part in that,” said Casper Wickman.


Subaru Launch Control comes to Amazon Prime Video

                LOS ANGELES: Subaru of America announced the return of the award-winning Launch Control motorsports documentary series for its seventh season, alongside a new partnership with Amazon that will bring the series to the Prime Video streaming platform for the first time.

Season 7 will kick off August 28 on both Prime Video and https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA9D5E1816588C69Bwith a four-episode initial release, while later episodes will follow the series’ traditional biweekly release format.

Since its debut in 2013, Launch Control has given fans a behind-the-scenes look at America’s top rally team through thrills and challenges of a racing season.

The series has become a fan favorite for its combination of fierce action, spectacular visuals and behind the scenes access to the inner workings of a top-level motorsports program, including championship-winning drivers Travis Pastrana and David Higgins.

In addition to the seventh season launching August 28, Season 6 of Launch Control is now live on Amazon Prime Video to give fans the opportunity to stream last season’s episodes, including the debut of the Americas Rallycross (ARX) championship, Higgins’ 2018 American Rally Association (ARA) title chase, and the first-ever Nitro Rallycross event.

The 2018-2019 off-season saw the Subaru team add four-time rallycross champion Scott Speed and 17-year-old rally phenom Oliver Solberg, move into a new state-of-the-art facility and launch a historically-inspired blue and gold racing livery.

Season 7 will document this transition and follow the team through the 2019 ARA and ARX seasons, as the Subaru/Vermont SportsCar program seeks to become the first team ever to win both the US national rally and rallycross championships in the same year.

“Racing is in our blood, and nowhere is that passion easier to see than in Launch Control,” said William Stokes, Motorsports Manager for Subaru of America. “We’re proud to bring the series to Amazon Prime Video to give fans the chance to experience the thrill of rally and rallycross anywhere and on any device – including in their living rooms.”


Malaysia's largest sports car facility to be built by 2025

                KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's largest industrial-integrated sports car facility and automotive academy, costing RM10mil, will be built by the collective effort of Optimal Premium Motors (OPM), automotive detailer PrimeX Signature and TOC Automotive College (TOC) by the year 2025, Bernama reports.

The 0.399ha single-roof super facility, will be built in collaboration among the three companies.

It will be equipped with showrooms and automobile restoration, detailing, accessory and car trade facilities, among others.

In addition, an auto detailing academy will also be developed to drive individuals to pursue their passion and start a career through educational courses in automotive technology, engineering, restoration and detailing to enter and flourish in the automotive industry.

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said Malaysia has been an attractive base for local and global automotive manufacturers for years, being the third highest-demand country for the automotive industry in Southeast Asia.

"What OPM, PrimeX and TOC are doing will not only showcase Malaysia's blooming automotive industry, but at the same time provide our youth with more employment opportunities and upskilling with valuable knowledge to take them to great heights," he said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, OPM founder Simpson Tan said the new facility would generate over 600 jobs as well as provide technical training and in-depth insights into the industry as a contribution to building a large number of skilled workers in the country.

OPM and PrimeX also donated RM10,000 to Kelab Harmoni Malaysia in an effort to promote unity through education and nurturing youths in Malaysia.


Toyota Century redesigned after 21 years.

                NAGOYA: Toyota has announced the launch of its completely redesigned Century that goes on sale throughout Japan.

The Century, which debuted in 1967, and was released to commemorate the 100th birthday of Sakichi Toyoda, founder of the Toyota Group.

For more than 50 years the Century has served as the chauffeur-driven model of choice for Japan and remains a favourite among executives across all industries.

The new third generation Century finally sees its first full redesign after 21 years and rolls out of the Japanese carmaker's Higashi-Fuji Plant with the aim of selling 50 units per month - each costing from 19,600,000 yen (RM715,000)

The Century is powered by a 5.0-liter (4,968cc) 2UR-FSE V8 hybrid system and is said to deliver up to 13.6km per litre (under the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's JC08 test cycle).

Output has been rated at 381PS at 6,200rpm and 510Nm of torque at 4,000rpm

The electric motor sources it power from a Nickel-metal hydride batter, and is capable of providing 224PS/300Nm to bring its combined system output to 431PS.

The development theme blends the concepts of legacy and evolution, while carrying on the tradition of master craftsmanship and high-quality monozukuri (all-encompassing manufacturing).

The exterior is touted to infuse tradition and dignity that reflects the Japanese aesthetic of passive symmetry while employing a proprietary ideology that focuses on creating a regal rear seating space.

The silhouette is easily recognizable as a chauffeur model and by straightening the slope of the C pillar, the design focus of the cabin shifts to the rear to heighten the importance of its appearance.

The side design achieves a beautiful curvature to the doors enhanced by a surface treatment used in Heian period (794-1185 C.E.) room partitions on the character line of the shoulder portion.

Two distinguishing lines have been polished at an angle with only a slim space between them so that they appear as a single, prominent line, lending the body an air of dignity and excellence.

The phoenix emblem has been carefully engraved over a six-week period by a craftsman, which portrays the vibrant movement of the wings and delicate feathers, while the grille serves as an ornate backdrop, featuring an infinite loop crown pattern that exudes a dignified panache.

The newly developed colour is an eternal black and is dubbed Kamui - consisting of seven layers including a clear coat containing black paint, to give the impression of a black lacquer finish.

Sanding and polishing is based on traditional Japanese lacquer craftsmanship and lends the car its deep lustre and shine.

A wet sanding technique is carried out three times to smooth out the minute unevenness, after which the body then receives a mirror finish to ensure there is not the slightest cloudiness or dullness in colour.

With an increase of 65mm in wheelbase, the rear seats receive greater leg room and the height difference between the scuff plate and floor has been reduced by 15mm to ensure that the floor mats lie flat when installed. Also, this improves ease of entering and exiting the car.

The cabin features wood trim to create a distinct rear seating space, a raised ceiling design, and an exclusive fabric with a slanting lattice motif to create a refined, rich look.

The step-less adjustable power leg rest and massage function (in the left rear seat) provides for a comfortable ride.

Also included within the cabin is an 11.6-inch rear seat entertainment system, 12-channel audio amplifier and 20 optimally positioned speakers

Added equipment includes a 7.0-inch touch panel in the centre armrest which enables a passenger to control the audio system, air conditioning, massage function, and curtains.

A Seamless installation of noise-proofing materials has also been included for the cabin as well as active noise control system tp reduce noise and vibration when the engine starts.

In addition to an electronically controlled air suspension with an AVS8 function, body rigidity was improved through the use of structural adhesives.

Both driving stability and premium ride comfort have been fine-tuned using newly developed tyres, suspension arms, bush, mount, and other rubber parts specialised for ride comfort and reduced road vibration.

For safety, the Century has receives the company's Toyota Safety Sense that includes Blind Spot Monitor, Parking Support Alert, Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with steering assist capability.

There's also a Radar Cruise Control system (with All-speed Tracking function), Adaptive High Beam System (AHS), 24 LED light array on the side and HELPNET 10. This is an automatic emergency reporting system that activates upon airbag deployment and automatically contacts the authorities (police and fire departments).

A D-Call Net11 service can determine if air and ground ambulances are necessary if the system estimates that the accident is severe enough, based on its vehicle data.


Carmakers in Malaysia remain shuttered until MCO is lifted

                PETALING JAYA: Automakers in the country will continue to shutter their operations until the MCO is lifted.

Except for TC Subaru Sdn Bhd, vehicle producers and distributors contacted by The Star said they did not apply to the International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) to resume some parts of their operations.

On Monday, the ministry had announced that subject to approval, vehicle workshops, spare part centres and authorised dealer’s service centres are allowed to open for business.

Operations to assemble vehicles for export can be resumed, and deliveries of cars to customers registered before the MCO can also be done, subject to approval by MITI.

TC Subaru said the company's application to MITI is still in progress.

"We had issues with the ministry's system during the online application. It took us a whole day just to register for an account. We have already sent our feedback regarding the issues we faced to MITI and we are waiting for their response."

On Monday, the MITI website had crashed temporarily due to overwhelming traffic on the first day of applications for certain businesses to operate during the MCO.

The TC Subaru spokesman said should the company obtain MITI approval to resume operations for service centres and car deliveries during the MCO, it would ensure that all safety and health measures are met and complied with.

"The safety and health of our employees, customers and business partners remain our utmost priority," she said.

A spokesman from Mazda car distributor Bermaz Auto Bhd said the company's operations will remain closed as "we are very concerned about the safety of our employees and customers."

"Social distancing still has to be observed. However, in urgent cases, our mobile service team are available to assist customers," said the Bermaz Auto official.

As for Honda Malaysia, the company's business operations including the Pegoh plant in Malacca, sales offices and dealerships nationwide will remain closed.

"We will resume all business operations on April 29 after the MCO is lifted. As part of our on-going commitments and to support governments effort and front-liners to overcome the Covid-19 outbreak, we are focused in protecting our valued customers as well as associates’ safety and well-being," it said.

Proton said its operations will remain closed to comply with the directives and guidelines for all non-essential services.

A Proton spokesman referred to the company's statement on its corporate website, which advised customers who face emergency situations such as breakdowns or accidents to contact a Customer Care hotline 1-800-888-398 for urgent assistance (available 24-hours).  — JAY WONG, RIZAL JOHAN and THOMAS HUONG


Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 coupe in AMG Line delivers plenty for every sen

                The Mercedes-Benz CLA range was updated late last year, and featured exterior and interior enhancements for sportier looks and more motoring comfort.

The updated Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 coupe gets the AMG Line exterior look, with a diamond radiator grille and chrome package, LED high performance headlamps and 18-inch AMG multi-spoke light alloy wheels, powered front seats with memory settings, and Pre-Safe occupant protection system.

This RM236,888 entry-level variant for the CLA range gets lots of goodies including LED high-performance headlamps, sports seats upholstered in mixed Artico leather/Dinamica microfibre with red contrast stitching, an Audio 20 CD system which provides marvellous sound quality, and an eight-inch Media Display (not a touchscreen).

It's powered by 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine that delivers 156hp and 250Nm of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

There's certainly more than enough grunt and swift response when we needed to perform quick sprints in overtaking manoeuvres, as we found out when cutting in front of slow-moving lorries on B-roads leading to Tanjung Sepat.

It can do the 0 to 100kph sprint in 8.2 seconds, and the lowered comfort suspension helps in providing nice handling qualities.

However, ride comfort is not its forte here, especially on poorly-maintained and uneven surfaces in Banting and Morib, where we paid a day visit to sample the seafood and cool beach breeze.

Combined with the Goodyear Eagle F1 runflat tyres sized 225/40 on 18-inch wheels, the lowered comfort suspension provides a rather jarring ride quality on bumpy, uneven roads where some surfaces felt like we were running on unforgiving terrain.

But the trade-off is that you get fun handling characteristics, in combination with lowering the body by 15mm at the front and 10mm at the rear.

The 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission delivers power seamlessly, and selecting different driving modes (Comfort-Sport-Individual-Eco) is done via a Dynamic Select button on the dashboard centre.

This controls drive settings, air-conditioning, steering and the Eco Auto start-stop function.

During our day trip to Tanjung Sepat, there were long road stretches where traffic was sparse and the temptation for more dynamic driving was hard to resist.

This is where the car's Sport mode came in handy, as gear upshifts are at higher engine speeds and downshifts are done later than in Economy mode.

There is a pleasing engine roar under hard acceleration in Sport mode.

However, we admittedly enjoyed driving the CLA 200 coupe (AMG Line) more in Comfort mode, where the car feels smoother and one is able to better appreciate the top-of-the-line sound quality of the Audio 20 CD system.

We didn't mind the car's Eco Auto start-stop function, which shuts off the engine temporarily at a red light or in a traffic jam to save petrol, as the engine start-stop engagements were not abrupt or unpleasant.

Other than the lack of push-start ignition, the CLA 200 coupe (AMG Line) is well packed with comfort equipment and decent storage spaces.

These include four door bins, two front seatback luggage nets, two bottle holders and a front storage cubby hole, as well as a deep boot.

There's also a deep centre storage box with two USB slots and a leather-wrapped lid, which nicely doubles up as an arm rest.

However, rear headroom is a tad cramped for 1.7-metre adults and rear legroom is adequate.

Like other Mercedes-Benz cars nowadays, you won't find a centre-mounted gear stick or hand and foot brakes here.

Instead, you use a gear stalk on the right of the steering column to switch between P, N, R and D modes.

Sporty drivers can also opt to use the paddle shifters for gear shifts.

Control of the infotainment system - navigation, radio and vehicle settings - is via a rotary command dial between the front seats.

Highlights here include two 12V sockets (one each for front and rear occupants) and Parking Pilot which can automatically steer the car into parking spaces and makes it a lot easier to park in, and pull out of, parallel and perpendicular spaces.

There's also Attention Assist, which can detect certain steering patterns that frequently accompany drowsiness, and subsequently warn the driver via visual and audible warnings.

To sum it up, the four-door CLA 200 coupe (AMG Line) looks stylishly athletic, especially with the frameless door glass, and comes with a punchy and smooth-revving powertrain, as well as a barnful of safety and comfort kit, and ample storage space.

However, the lowered comfort suspension is more than a tad too firm for our liking, which meant we drove it rather gingerly on uneven roads.

All in all, this base model CLA offers plenty of premium stuff for the money, and provides ample comfort in a beautifully designed four-door cabin.

Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 coupe (AMG Line)Engine: 1,595cc four in-line, petrol, turbocharger
Maximum power: 156hp at 5,300 rpm
Maximum torque: 250Nm at 1,250 - 4,000rpm
Transmission: 7G-DCT automatic dual-clutch
Features: Seven airbags, Pre-Safe system, Active Brake Assist, Adaptive Brake Lights, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, run-flat tyres, Parking Pilot, Attention Assist, reverse camera
Price: RM236,888 on-the-road without insurance (inclusive of GST)


Stellantis looks beyond SUV era with new Peugeot 408

                PARIS: Peugeot, one of Stellantis' French brands, unveiled its new 408 model today, betting the "fastback" sedan will attract motorists suffering from sports-utility vehicle (SUV) fatigue.

SUVs have been hugely popular in recent years in Europe, reaching a record 46% share of new sales in France in May, the same level as traditional sedans.

But Peugeot believes their ubiquity has created a yearning among some drivers for more originality.

"(Some Peugeot 408 customers) wish for a more original and innovating style than a compact SUV, which they deem too common (...)", it said in a statement.

Fastbacks are known for a single slope from the roof to the rear of the vehicle, as seen for example on the Ford Mustang.

So the new 408 is much lower and longer than Peugeot's 3008 SUV, with a flowing and aerodynamic line giving it a distinctive silhouette that sets it apart from mainstream models.

However the new car, which will be built in Mulhouse in eastern France, does have some popular SUV characteristics such as a high ground clearance, big wheels and black plastic covering caps on the fenders, the sides and the rear shield.

The 408 will be launched early next year in Europe and in China by mid-2023, where it will be assembled in Chengdu.

It will initially be equipped with petrol and hybrid petrol-electric engines before switching to a fully electric version.

Check out more information about the new Peugeot 408.


Vulnerability exposed in keyless entry cars

                LONDON: Cars with keyless entry system can be easily stolen as a case in Britain has shown using hi-tech relay boxes.

In the Sept 25 incident in Birmingham, two men took less than a minute to steal a Mercedes-Benz parked in front of a house.

In a CCTV footage released by local police, one thief is seen waving a relay box in front of the house to grab a signal from the key fob inside, which is then passed on to the second relay box held near the car.

This fools the car's computer into thinking the key fob is nearby, thereby allowing access into the car.

Note that a relay box cannot receive signals through metal but can do so through walls, doors and windows.

The ‘transmitter relay’ attack seen in the footage exploits a vulnerability in a vehicle’s keyless entry system, with criminals amplifying or capturing the signal from a keyless or "smart" fob.

The car has so far not been recovered.

Vehicle security expert Thatcham Research said it is working with the police and car makers to address the vulnerability.

A police spokesman said a way to circumvent this type of theft is to fit a high security steering lock that covers the whole steering wheel. He also advised that car owners install Thatcham-approved tracking solution, with the latest software updates

Keyless fobs, which should not be confused with standard remote fobs, allow drivers to easily open and start their vehicle without pressing the fob or even having to remove it from their pocket.


MINI JCW Countryman (F60) gets a tune-up for RM379K

                PETALING JAYA: In conjunction with the introduction of MINI Malaysia's newly refreshed Cooper S Clubman and John Cooper Works (JCW) Clubman, the JCW Countryman also got a surprise unveiling.

Priced on-the-road without insurance at RM378,888, the JCW Countryman is covered by a four-year unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service and a five-year roadside assistance package.

Just like the JCW Clubman, the 2.0-litre (1,998cc) turbocharged engine has two driving modes of Sport or Green as well as an auto-start/stop function and performance control.

Power is rated at 306hp from 5,000 to 6,250rpm and 450Nm of torque from 1,750 to 4,500rpm - which gets managed by an eight-speed Steptronic sports transmission before sending the "twist" to "ALL4" wheels via a mechanical differential lock for the front axle.

Sprinting from 0 to 100kph with launch control takes 5.1 seconds before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250kph. Fuel consumption has been rated at an average of 7.9 litres per 100km.

Externally, the high-performance Countryman gets fitted with LEDs for the automatic headlights, daytime running lights, rear Union-Jack light clusters, panoramic sunroof and signature Chili Red for the power-folding mirror caps with "MINI" logo projectors, roof and bonnet stripes.

Additionally, a plethora of JCW parts adorns this Countryman which includes 19-inch Circuit Spoke wheels with 225/40 series run-flat tyres, 95mm exhaust system, an aerodynamic kit, front and rear badges, rear spoiler and side scuttles.

Getting inside via the keyless entry with a red toggle-start switch will shed some light into the Carbon Black cabin which uses Dinamica leather combination upholstery for the seats.

The headliner uses Anthracite while a combination of piano-black and chrome provide contrast within the cabin.

Stainless pedals have been fitted as well as an electronic power steering system in addition to the JCW cabin parts that include the dial design, sport seats and door sill strips.

Convenience comes in the form of front and rear parking sensors, Parking Assistant, reverse camera with dynamic lines, flat tyre indicators, picnic bench and hands-free unlock function for the 450-litre (1,390-litre) boot.

Entertainment comes from a 12-speaker Harman Kardon HiFi system with that's connected to an 8.8-inch central touchscreen to provide Active Sound Design, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Concierge Service, Bluetooth connectivity, USB port,

There's also an electrochromic rearview mirror, adaptive cruise control, heads-up display, automatic wipers, Intelligent Emergency Call, MINI Connected Services, MINI Find Mate, remote services, teleservices and a wireless charger.

For safety, this Countryman comes equipped with eight airbags, anti-lock braking system, dynamic stability control, automatic stability control with traction, dynamic traction control, with electronic differential lock, pull-away assistant, flat tyre indicator and ISOFIX mounts.


Kia reveals details and images of new Rio GT-Line

                FRANKFURT: Kia is on a roll at the moment, and after the successful unveiling of its new Stinger grand tourer the South Korean auto giant has now revealed the first images and details of the new Rio GT-Line, ahead of a full reveal at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The Rio is just the latest model in Kia's range to be made available in the GT-Line specification, following the recent introduction of Sportage, Picanto, Sorento and the upcoming Stinger GT-Line models.

At the heart of the GT-Line philosophy is the styling, which in the case of the Rio includes a gloss-black and chrome "tiger-nose" grille, unique GT-Line 17-inch alloy wheels, and the manufacturer's distinctive "ice-cube" LED fog lamps. Other exterior enhancements include twin exhaust tips, LED daytime running lights, chrome window trim, a gloss black roof spoiler and sill highlights.

Under the bonnet to begin with will be a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that develops 118bhp and 171Nm of torque. The engine comes paired to a six-speed manual gearbox, and the Rio GT-Line with this combination can achieve fuel economy of up to 60.1 mpg, and puts out CO2 emissions of 107 g/km.

However, from the third quarter of this year the GT-Line version of the Rio will also be available with more powerful 1.25 and 1.4-litre petrol engine options, as well as Kia's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

"The Rio is one of Kia's best-selling cars globally, and we have already sold more than 54,000 units of the new model in Europe after it went on sale in the first quarter of 2017," said Kia Motors Europe chief operating officer Michael Cole.

"The new GT-Line specification enhances the car's desirability and will help grow Rio sales in 2018 and beyond, thanks to its range of comfort and safety features, superb versatility, and confident, sporty styling."

The new Kia Rio GT-Line will go on sale across Europe from the spring of this year.


800hp, 800km range: Aehra shares specs of its future electric SUV

                BERLIN: American-Italian electric mobility startup Aehra is sharing more details about its unconventional electric SUV, set to stand out with four gull-wing doors that open outwards like the petals of a flower.

Rivalling the BMW iX and Mercedes EQS, Aehra's as-yet-unnamed luxury SUV has up to 816hp and is set to go on sale in just over two years, the company has announced.

The SUV, imagined by a former Lamborghini designer, promises low air resistance and strikingly short overhangs, tear-off edges accentuated by LED strips and a spoiler integrated into the front bonnet.

There are also mirrors you'd expect to see on a racing motorbikes and four doors that open diagonally upwards like those on super sports cars.

The specs of the 5.10-metre-long five-seater, which weighs less than expected thanks to a lightweight carbon fibre monocoque chassis, are set to easily outrank those of the competition.

Aehra says the car will be available for between €160,000 and €180,000 (RM850,000), with four-wheel drive and up to 816 hp for a top speed of 265kph and batteries that will allow a standard range of more than 800km, putting it among the highest in electric mobility.

The manufacturer, based near Milan, also wants to install the same technology in a flatter vehicle that will then compete against electric luxury saloons like BMW's i7, Nio's ET7 and Tesla's Model S.


Honda forms partnership to secure supply of battery metals

                TOKYO: Honda Motor Co has formed a partnership with trading company Hanwa Co to secure stable supply of metals used in batteries for electrified vehicles, the Japanese automaker said today.

Honda will be able to obtain essential metals such as nickel, cobalt and lithium through the partnership in the medium to long term, it said in a statement.

Procurement of those elements will be among many challenges for automakers worldwide as stricter environmental regulations accelerate production and sales of cleaner, electrified cars.

Honda said it had picked Hanwa for its strength in resource procurement.

This year Honda laid out a target to roll out 30 electrified vehicle (EV) models globally and produce more than 2 million EVs a year by 2030.

It aims at selling only fully electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles by 2040.


Foxconn bullish on electric vehicle prospects as it shows off three prototypes

The Model E and Model C (below). — Photos from Reuters
TAIPEI: Taiwan's Foxconn unveiled its first three electric vehicle prototypes today, underscoring ambitious plans to diversify away from its role of building consumer electronics for Apple Inc and other tech firms.

The vehicles - an SUV, a sedan and a bus - were made by Foxtron, a venture between Foxconn and Taiwanese car maker Yulon Motor Co Ltd.

Foxtron vice chairman Tso Chi-sen told reporters that he hoped electric vehicles would be worth a trillion Taiwan dollars to Foxconn in five years time - a figure equivalent to around US$35 billion (RM146bil).

Formally called Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd, the world's biggest electronics contract manufacturer aims to become a major player in the global EV market though it concedes it is a novice in the car industry.

It first mentioned its EV ambitions in November 2019 and has moved relatively quickly, this year announcing deals to build cars with US startup Fisker Inc and Thailand's energy group PTT Pcl

"Hon Hai is ready and no longer the new kid in town," Foxconn chairman Liu Young-way told the event timed to mark the birthday of the company's billionaire founder Terry Gou, who drove the sedan onto the stage to the tune of "Happy Birthday".

The sedan, which was jointly developed with Italian design firm Pininfarina, will be sold by an unspecified carmaker outside Taiwan in the coming years, while the SUV will be sold under one of Yulon's brands and is scheduled to hit the market in Taiwan in 2023.

The bus, which will carry a Foxtron badge, will start running in several cities in southern Taiwan next year in a partnership with a local transportation service provider.

 The Foxtron bus. - AFP

"So far Foxconn has made a pretty good progress," said Daiwa Capital Markets tech analyst Kylie Huang.
Foxconn has also set itself a target of providing components or services for 10% of the world's EVs by between 2025 and 2027.

This month, it bought a factory from US startup Lordstown Motors Corp to make electric cars. In August, it bought a chip plant in Taiwan, aiming to meet future demand for automotive chips.

A successful push by contract assemblers into the car industry has the potential to bring in a slew of new players and undermine the business models of traditional car companies.

Chinese automaker Geely this year also laid out plans to be become a major contract manufacturer.

Industry watchers are closely watching for clues of which firms might build Apple's electric car.

While sources have previously said that the tech giant wants to launch a car by 2024, Apple has not disclosed specific plans.


Maserati announces partnership with winemaker Antinori

                MODENA: Maserati has announced its partnership with historic Tuscan winemaker Antinori, a leading producer of top-quality wines.

The partnership with Antinori will take the form of a series of events and projects.

Maserati said it had chosen Antinori because both companies upheld a culture of "Italian excellence."

The Antinori Family have been making wine for more than 600 years and 26 generations, ever since Giovanni di Piero Antinori joined the Florentine Guild of Wine-Makers ("Arte Florentina dei Vinattieri") in 1385.

Throughout its long history, the Antinori family has been known to run its business with innovative and sometimes daring strategies while respecting traditions.


Three QX70 show off 'Inspired Light'

RIYADH: Three QX70 vehicles were transformed into moving light painting brushes at an Infiniti campaign here to mark its expansion in the country recently.

Light painting, a genre of art that requires only darkness and light to create any number of shapes, illustrations, patterns, moods and themes were brought to life using cars.

The three cars were used as canvas to create giant colourful images as part of Infinit's move to illustrate its passion for performance, design, pushing boundaries and originality.

The light show, named "Inspired Light by Infiniti", was performed by Canadian light painter Patrick Rochon and his team.

The light show also signalled the finale of the brand's camapign to engage with Saudi families spanning Jeddah, Riyadh and Al Khobar in highlighting the heritage and culture of the country through Infiniti vehicles.


Hyundai i20 N prototype shows up for winter-testing

                STOCKHOLM: Northern Sweden played host to the i20 N prototype recently with Hyundai Motorsport’s World Rally Championship (WRC) driver Thierry Neuville at its helm.

The i20 N, inspired by the i20 WRC and RM19, still dons its camouflage while on a frozen lake in Arjeplog, Sweden, as it gets put through its paces at the popular winter testing ground for automotive manufacturers.

The year-round deep cold makes it the perfect place for testing vehicles in extreme weather conditions. Some days, the temperature can drop to -30 degrees Celsius.

Hyundai tests its cars in harsh climates to make sure its vehicles can still perform in extreme weather conditions.

From searing summer heat to icy winter roads, it says its vehicles must be able to function in every climate condition in Europe.

In this test, Hyundai wanted to evaluate the reliability of the vehicles under extreme cold, as well as test their performance in motorsport-like conditions.

The high speeds and sharp turns put the vehicles under a high amount of mechanical stress to prove their capabilities in tough conditions.

Development of the i20 N for Europe continues and follows in the footsteps of the i30 N and i30 Fastback N which means this little hot hatch from the Republic of Korea will be racetrack capable and street legal.


Vingroup to close VinSmart electronics unit to focus on EVs

                HANOI: Vingroup JSC is shuttering its electronics devices unit VinSmart just months after exporting smartphones to the US as it ramps up production of electric vehicles.

The closure of VinSmart is to “mobilise all resources” for developing of VinFast - Vingroup’s carmaker unit, according to a statement today.

“This is a strategic step towards the aim of making VinFast one of the world’s leading firms in electric and smart vehicles,” Vingroup said.

The move comes as Vingroup weighs a US initial public offering for its VinFast auto unit that could raise about US$2 billion. Vingroup has also said it is considering raising funds through a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC.

VinSmart, which had said it expects to ship as many as 2 million smartphones to the US in 2020, was founded in 2018.

It produced other devices including smart TVs. VinSmart will switch to provide smart solutions for vehicles and homes, and will focus on developing in-car infotainment for VinFast, according to the statement. It will also continue current research on smart city, smart homes and related IoT devices.

VinFast, founded by billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong, began delivering gasoline-powered cars to Vietnamese consumers with BMW-licensed engines in 2019.

The carmaker plans a rollout of electric cars in Vietnam later this year. The startup aims to deliver its first electric vehicles to the US, Canada and Europe next year and is looking to open a factory in the US.

Vuong, who said in late 2019 he would back the company’s US ambitions with US$2 billion of his own fortune, has been refocusing his company, abandoning plans for an airline and divesting its grocery stores and agriculture businesses.


New 2021 Skoda Fabia breaks cover at virtual event

                PRAGUE: With car shows on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, Skoda has chosen to unveil its fourth-generation Fabia at a virtual event on Tuesday.

The showcase was streamed online through the Czech brand's social media YouTube and Facebook channels, with the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art here serving as a virtual backdrop.

The new car is the first Fabia to be based on the Volkswagen Group's MQB-A0 platform that is also used for the current SEAT Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo. Skoda has promised the Fabia will be larger and "more expressive".

An interior design sketch showed a more airy cabin which is basically a scaled-down version of that found in the larger Octavia, with a free-standing central infotainment touchscreen and prominent circular air vents.

During April, Skoda has been teasing the car which has undergone a major design overhaul to bring it into line with Skoda's latest design language.

The front grille has grown in size and sharp LED lights feature at both ends. A larger rear spoiler, sleeker wing mirrors and active air inlets at the front round off the visual package.

Skoda said new Fabia is 111 mm longer and 48 mm wider than the previous model which makes for increased cabin space while boot space has also gone up by 50 litres too.

The Fabia gets petrol engines from the Volkswagen Group, with most cars using variants of the turbocharged three-cylinder TSI unit. Britain's Autocar magazine said Skoda was not planning an electric version for the time in order to peg development costs.


JD Power: Most American EV users are likely to repurchase another EV

                TROY (Michigan): According to the inaugural J.D. Power U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study, some 82% of electric vehicle (EV) owners are likely to consider buying another EV in the future.

"However, satisfaction with the current ownership experience is a key influencer for whether owners will purchase the same brand of EV again," the study said.

J. D. Power senior director of global automotive Brent Gruber said brand loyalty can be fickle among EV owners.

“While early adopters of EVs say they’ll remain loyal to EVs in general, staying with the same brand is not a sure thing. Auto manufacturers will have to keep EV owners and shoppers interested in their products beyond just the cost equation.

 Hyundai Kona EV.

"With automakers expected to flood the market with EV launches during the next three years, to capture a share of the market they need to offer vehicles that evoke excitement and meet owners’ broader needs,” he said.

 Audi e-Tron.

The study found that 95% of EV owners whose overall ownership satisfaction exceeds 900 points said they would purchase another EV.

Nearly 64% of these owners said they “definitely will” repurchase the same brand.

However, likelihood to repurchase the same brand lessens as satisfaction declines.

Among owners whose satisfaction is between 600 and 750 points, 77% indicate they “definitely will” purchase another EV—although their likelihood of repurchasing the same brand is only 25%.

The overall EVX ownership index score measures electric vehicle owners’ satisfaction (on a 1,000-point scale) in premium and mass market segments across seven factors:

* Accuracy of stated battery range,
* Availability of public charging stations,
* Battery range,
* Cost of ownership,
* Driving enjoyment,
* Ease of charging at home, and
* Vehicle quality and reliability.

The Tesla Model S ranks highest overall and highest in the premium Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) segment with a score of 798.

Tesla's Model 3 (790) ranks second with the overall satisfaction in the premium segment at 782.

The Kia Niro EV ranks highest in the mass market BEV segment with a score of 782 with Chevrolet Bolt (745) ranks
second and Hyundai Kona EV (743) ranks third.

Overall satisfaction in the mass market segment is 730.


LG Innotek slashes rare earth usage in world's strongest magnet

                SEOUL: LG Innotek has developed the world's strongest "eco magnet" in collaboration with magnet company SGI (Sunglim Group Industry) Co.

The magnet minimises the use of heavy rare-earth metals by 60%, thus reducing the risk of vehicle production interruption caused by a shortage of the expensive minerals.

With the new LG magnet, electric motors can be made smaller and lighter.

LG Innotek said its innovation has enabled it to be more competitive in the global magnet industry led by China and Japan.

READ MORE:
China frictions steer electric automakers away from rare earth magnets
Nissan make breakthrough to halve recycling cost of rare earths

Magnets are an essential component in vehicle motors, smartphone cameras, audio speakers, and wind power generators.

At 14.8kG (kilogauss, a measure of magnet strength), the LG magnet is the world's strongest. Rival magnets have strength that vary from 14.2kG to 14.3 kG.

LG Innotek said automakers and vehicle components companies have expressed interest in using the magnet.


Xpeng aims to roll out driver assistance software to all Chinese cities by 2024

                SHANGHAI: Electric vehicle maker Xpeng says it is upgrading its advanced driver assistance software and plans to make all of its functions available to drivers across China by 2024, as it seeks to gain an edge over US rival Tesla.

Xpeng's XNGP Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) is similar to Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, which the US automaker rolled out four years ago but has yet to make available in China despite customers urging it to do so.

Xpeng currently offers XNGP in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, where drivers of its G9 Max and P7i Max cars can rely on the software to complete most trips on urban streets without intervention, said Xpeng's vice president Wu Xinzhou at a media event last Friday.

During the remainder of the first half of the year, Xpeng plans to update the system to enable vehicles in more cities to react to traffic lights and avoid obstructions like construction work, pedestrians and cyclists at intersections, the company said.

Further updates in the second half would enable vehicles to automatically change lanes, overtake and make left or right turns, it said.

It is aiming for the software to be available and functional across China by 2024, it added.

Xpeng is also changing its technology so that future XNGP updates will not rely on maps, where there are Chinese regulatory constraints, but on algorithms and sensors.

Xpeng is counting on the technology to attract customers after its car sales fell more than 40% to 11,228 in the first two months of the year, underperforming the overall EV segment in China.

Tesla sold 60,766 EVs in China in the same period, 43% more than a year ago.

However, Tesla has faced complaints, investigations and lawsuits in the United States that it overstates the effectiveness and safety of electric vehicles' Autopilot and FSD.


BMW and The North Face unveils camper concept

                LAS VEGAS: BMW Group subsidiary Designworks has unveiled a new camper concept and virtual reality experience, in partnership with The North Face, to imagine the future of protection from the elements.

Designworks, a BMW Group Company, is a global creative consultancy offering services which foster innovation and business growth for companies worldwide.

Its clients include John Deere, Virgin Hyperloop One, Siemens, Corsair, HP, Microsoft, Embraer and Singapore Airlines.

The lightweight camper concept and virtual experience were designed by Designworks to showcase a new fabric innovation from The North Face called FutureLight which uses Nanospinning technology to create the world’s most advanced, breathable, waterproof material.

“We combined both physical and digital worlds to showcase this material, ensuring the holistic vision of the brand was clearly communicated, while giving people a real ‘hands-on’ experience,” said Laura Robin, Designworks LA Studio director.

The FutureLight camper was inspired by the 2008 BMW Gina Light Visionary Model concept car.

Like the Gina Concept, the FutureLight Camper is made of a fabric outer shell, consisting of a flexible material stretched over an iconic geodesic dome to demonstrate the potential uses of FutureLight fabric beyond just apparel.

The revolutionary Nanospinning process used to create FutureLight, has allowed the The North Face designers to add air permeability into the membrane of a fabric for the first time.

The process creates nano-sized holes, allowing for incredible porosity while still maintaining total waterproofness, letting air move through the material and provide more venting than ever before.

The FutureLight Camper, is on display during the global consumer electronics tradeshow, by invite-only Jan 7 – Jan 11 in Las Vegas.

FutureLight will first become available to consumers in The North Face Fall 2019 product line.


Audi pumps up the excitement for new Q8 in short films

                INGOLSTADT: Audi is following in the footsteps of the iconic BMW short films by creating a series around the new Q8.

The first of five episodes of the Audi Q8 films series named Q8 Unleashed made its debut on May 21. The fourth episode began screening today as Audi builds up the buzz to the launch of the new Q8 at the Audi China Brand Summit Shenzhen on June 5. The final episode will go live on the same day the SUV is launched.

While the BMW series starred Clive Owen driving different models, the Audi version is focusing on the Q8

The plot of the Audi film goes like this: “Sandra and Quentin, an extravagant power couple from the Golden State, had it all. Successful careers, a design loft, an influential circle of friends and the perfect car to match it all. But suddenly everything changed. Follow the two as the tides turn. And take a first look at the most exciting Audi SUV of all times."


Works Ministry denies report that Malaysia has the 12th worst roads in the world

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Works Ministry has denied a news report titled "Malaysia ke-12 Terbawah Miliki Jalan Raya Terburuk" (Malaysia has 12th worst quality roads in the world), published by a local daily.

In a statement today, the ministry said the article was inaccurate, misleading and gave a negative perception of the overall quality of roads in Malaysia.

It also said the article used a report published by Zutobi, an online driver's education company as a reference, which calculated the scores based on only four factors – road quality; improvements in road quality; road deaths and the relative size of the road network, and it only took into account data for 59 countries.

The ministry also explained that another report published by Utusan Malaysia on Aug 10 titled "Kualiti Jalan di Malaysia 21 Terbaik di Dunia, Mengatasi Australia, Britain, New Zealand" (Road quality in Malaysia among 21 best in the world, surpassing Australia, Britain, New Zealand), based on the road quality rankings issued by The Global Economy using the data obtained from the Global Competitiveness Index.

"The study also cited authentic sources from an executive study involving 14,000 business leaders from 144 countries who participated in the World Economic Forum based in Davos, Switzerland," the statement read.

Based on the news report, Malaysia scored 5.3 points out of the total seven points to be in the 21st position, surpassing Sweden (23), Canada (31), Australia (33) and Britain (37). Malaysia is also ranked second in Southeast Asia, after Singapore.

Meanwhile, the ministry said it pays attention to all published research reports as a check-and-balance method to ensure the delivery of the best services for the people.

"There are various ongoing commitments carried out by the ministry, specifically in maintaining the quality of roads in the country. These maintenance works are focused on Federal Roads, totalling 20,017km.

"The ministry also received over RM900,000 in allocations for road maintenance costs throughout the country. As of August, 6,656 pothole repairs have been conducted," it said.

The ministry said it also focused on continuous efforts to maintain road quality through the Zeropotholes campaign since 2016 and the Kita Jaga Jalan Kita Campaign launched in November 2021.


2021 Subaru XV 2.0i-P introduced at RM131,788

                PETALING JAYA:  TC Subaru has unveiled the 2021 Subaru XV 2.0i-P which features exclusive leather seats and new audio systems among others.

Priced at RM131,788 on-the-road without insurance in Peninsular Malaysia, the XV 2.0i-P's Leather Suede Deluxe features designer seats that use a combination of two premium interior materials - luxurious leather and sporty suede.

The Leather Suede Deluxe seats also get a colourway of gloss black, matt black and sleek silver that is coordinated with the crossover's signature orange stitching.

The Leather Suede package is only available for the 2021 XV 2.0i-P variant and exclusive to markets of Malaysia and Thailand.

In addition, the XV 2.0i-P also gets a new 8-inch Display Audio System with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity which allows the driver to be constantly connected to messaging, entertainment, and navigation apps effortlessly.

Also new is a set of 17-inch bespoke alloy wheels.

The new XV 2.0i-P comes with Subaru’s Core Technologies – Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, Boxer Engine and Subaru Global Platform – all of which contribute to a total of more than 100 safety features.

Available colours are Pure White, Dark Grey Metallic, Ice Silver Metallic, Dark Blue Pearl, Cool Grey Khaki and Sunshine Orange.

Visit www.subaru.asiaor any Subaru showroom for more information.


Renault-Nissan group sold most cars last year, but VW's No.1 including trucks

                TOKYO: Volkswagen Group has held on to its position as the world’s top-selling automaker for the fifth year in a row, although the German group was edged out again by the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance in the light-duty vehicles segment.

Renault SA, Nissan Motor Co Ltd and Mitsubishi Motors Corp together sold 10.76 million passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in 2018, according to Reuters’ calculations after new data released on Wednesday. The group doesn’t sell heavy trucks.

Nissan said on Wednesday it sold 5.65 million vehicles last year, down 2.8 percent on the year. Mitsubishi reported an 18 percent rise in sales to 1.22 million units while Renault sold 3.88 million units, up 3.2 percent on the year.

Volkswagen’s deliveries rose 0.9 percent to a record 10.83 million last year, including its MAN and Scania heavy trucks, the German company said earlier this month. Excluding heavy trucks, it sold 10.6 million units.

Toyota Motor Corp retained its third spot, announcing on Wednesday that it had sold 10.59 million vehicles last year including its Toyota and Lexus brands, along with minicars made by subsidiary Daihatsu and light and heavy trucks produced by its truck division Hino Motors Ltd.

Excluding Hino trucks, Toyota sold 10.39 million units last year. The automaker has said it expects to sell a total of 10.76 million vehicles in 2019.

Many automakers are trying to boost sales volumes to achieve economies of scale and reduce costs amid soaring investments needed to develop next-generation technologies, including self-driving cars and electric vehicles.

This has been a focus of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Motors group, which is looking to share more vehicle parts and consolidate production platforms to trim R&D and manufacturing costs, while raising profitability.

The alliance, which brought Mitsubishi Motors into its fold in 2016, is currently in crisis with its former chairman Carlos Ghosn arrested and indicted on charges of misconduct. Nissan has also been indicted, and Renault appointed new top management last week.

In his latest statement, Ghosn said Nissan executives opposed to his plans for closer ties with Renault SA resorted to “plot and treason” to disrupt them and were behind the financial misconduct allegations against him.

Speaking to the Nikkei newspaper in his first media interview since his arrest on Nov 19, Ghosn said he had discussed plans to integrate the companies with Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa in September.

But Nissan executives employed “plot and treason” to uproot those plans, Ghosn said.

Ghson remains in detention following his arrest and indictment on charges related to breach of trust and understating his salary.


Audi Brand Experience Singapore 2018: October 10 - 14

                SINGAPORE: Audi has pulled all the stops to bring some of its most exclusive and visionary concept cars to Singapore’s shores.

On display at the Audi Brand Experience Singapore 2018, Singapore will get a sneak peek in to the brand’s exciting innovations for the future – in the metal.

Available through www.audibrandexperience.sg, tickets start from $9 for myAudiworld members and $14 for public.

To be held at the Marina Bay Sands’ Expo & Convention Centre from 10th to 14th October this year, the Audi Brand Experience Singapore will feature the biggest, newest and best that the brand has to offer.

 Audi Elaine

Audi Elaine

“She” is Audi’s Level 4 Autonomous Driving concept. Within specially demarcated areas, Elaine is able to drive on its own to perform various tasks, like going to the car wash or to the charging post. At the convenience of the driver, Elaine can be called back from its charging station to start the next journey.

 Audi Aicon

Audi Aicon

A fully autonomous car, the Audi Aicon is a peek into the future of premium motoring. In place of a steering wheel and foot pedals, it has a luxurious ambience like a first-class airline. The technology demonstrator combines innovations relating to the drivetrain, suspension, digitalization and sustainability in a visionary manner.

 Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo

Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo

From the PlayStation to the race track, the Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo started life for virtual races on the “Gran Turismo” PlayStation game. Audi has taken it further, developing it into a fully functional race car. The car coming to Singapore is a working example that gives demonstration runs during Formula E races, giving visitors an invigorating impression of an electric future.

 Audi e-tron

Audi e-tron

Fresh from its world premiere in San Francisco just last week (17 September), the Audi e-tron is the brand’s first fully electric SUV. It marks the new chapter for Audi as it’s the first of a electrified model strategy. The e-tron will be made available for sale in 2019 and the Audi Brand Experience Singapore is the first time the car has been seen since its premiere.
Price of the Audi e-tron in Europe: €79,900


Shoichiro Toyoda, son of Toyota founder, dies aged 97

Toyoda said he never forgot his father's reminder that 'an engineer belongs on the factory floor.' — Reuters
TOKYO: Shoichiro Toyoda, the son of Toyota Motor Corp founder and father of current chief executive Akio Toyoda, died today of heart failure, the company said. He was 97.

Toyoda, who joined Toyota in 1952, presided over the Japanese automaker's expansion into manufacturing in the United States, the launch of the luxury Lexus brand and the Prius hybrid, and the global recognition for pioneering a new model for quality control in manufacturing.

He died less than a month after his son, Akio Toyoda, 66, the third-generation of the founding family to run the automaker, announced that he was stepping down as president and would become chairman.

"Shoichiro Toyoda raised Toyota to become the world's top automaker," Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in a statement of condolence.

Toyoda, who studied engineering as a graduate student at Tohoku University, said he never forgot his father's reminder that "an engineer belongs on the factory floor."

His first job at Toyota, he recalled, was inspecting cars that had been returned for defects.

In 1957, after being assigned to test drive Toyota's Crown across the United States, he recommended the company start exports. Sales of the car, which Americans found dangerously underpowered, were later cancelled.

"It was a serious mistake," Toyoda said later. "Still, I learned from my misjudgement and became determined to develop a high-quality car."

In the 1960s, Toyoda was one of the executives charged with implementing a new "total quality control" system based on the ideas of an American professor, William Deming. Under the system, later copied by other automakers and companies in other industries, workers were encouraged to contribute suggestions to improve production and reduce defects.

"The program transformed Toyota's corporate culture," Toyoda later wrote in a serialised memoir carried by the Nikkei newspaper.

Toyoda was named a managing director at Toyota in 1961 for his work on quality. In 1981, he was named to head Toyota's sales organisation.

Following a merger of production and sales organisations a year later, he took over the helm of the newly integrated Toyota Motor Corp, serving as chairman from 1992 to 1999.

As head of the Japanese business lobby Keidanren from 1994 to 1998, Toyoda lobbied to deregulate growth industries like mobile phones and to cut the corporate tax rate.

Toyoda joined Toyota two years after his father, Kiichiro, was forced to step aside as Toyota president when the company ran into financial difficulties and needed a bank bailout brokered by the Bank of Japan.

"I have not forgotten," he said in 2014 when recounting how Japan's central bank helped save the automaker in 1950.

He also said his career had taught him that no company was bound to last and that most declined after 30 years.


Google talent hired away as Chinese tech firms pile into autos

                BEIJING: An automaker launched last year by firms including tech giant Tencent Holdings Ltd has poached autonomous driving personnel from Google and Daimler AG, marking China's latest high-profile hires in the race to make self-driving cars.

Tech firms are encroaching on the auto sector as cars become increasingly reliant on digital technology, with Chinese e-commerce firm Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and internet search provider Baidu Inc funding automotive ventures.

A relaxation of restrictions on non-automakers producing electric cars in China has also encouraged more entrants. Video streamer cum automaker Le Holdings Co, or LeEco, unveiled an electric self-driving concept car ahead of the Beijing motor show, which ends on Wednesday.

Tencent, the Chinese maker of popular chat app WeChat, established Future Mobility to make electrified self-driving cars with Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd - also known as Foxconn - and car dealer China Harmony New Energy Auto Holding Ltd.

"If you're measuring these firms (Future Mobility, LeEco and others) as automotive companies, the risks are very high and it's a very long shot for any to make it," said Bill Russo, managing director at consultancy Gao Feng Advisory Co. "Even Tesla has taken 10 years to earn respect."

Future Mobility has hired lead designer Wolfram Luchner from Alphabet Inc's self-driving car project, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters, declining to be identified ahead of an official announcement.

From Daimler, the venture has hired Mercedes-Benz North America autonomous driving research and development director Luca Delgrossi, the person said.

When contacted by Reuters, Future Mobility chief operating officer Daniel Kirchert confirmed the appointments.

The automaker aims to produce luxury cars in China for sale at home, in Europe and the United States, Kirchert said, declining to specify when production would start.

"The auto sector has three different tipping points at the same time: electric powertrain with the connected car and autonomous drive," he said.

Future Mobility will be able to adapt more quickly to these changes than traditional automakers because it is more difficult for larger manufacturers to enact major change, he said.

Kirchert also confirmed other high-profile recruits from Tesla Motors Inc and BMW AG, as reported by Reuters, Bloomberg and China Daily.

Those recruits include Carsten Breitfeld who will become Future Mobility's chief executive once released from BMW, where he was project manager for the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car.

Kirchert himself was China head of Nissan Motor Co Ltd's luxury Infiniti brand prior to officially joining Future Mobility last week.


Touch 'n Go top-up lanes at PLUS toll plazas to close during Raya season

                KUALA LUMPUR: PLUS Malaysia Berhad will close all 118 Touch 'n Go reload lanes at its toll plazas nationwide during the Hari Raya Aildilfitri holidays from June 12 to 24.

In a statement Friday (June 8), PLUS said this was to reduce any traffic congestion caused by highway users queuing up at the reload lanes.

"PLUS would like to remind the public to ensure their PLUSMiles or Touch 'n Go cards have sufficient balance," it said.

Members of the public can reload their cards at about 10,000 other locations nationwide such as at automated teller machines, 24-hour convenience stores as well as petrol stations, including those operating at rest and recreation areas along the highway.

PLUS customer service centres will also open from 7am until 10pm daily, including weekends and public holidays to enable the public to reload their cards.


First automated mechanical parking service opens in KL, 20 planned for next year

KUALA LUMPUR: A local company aims to invest RM1.8bil to build 20 automated mechanical parking system in the country next year.

M.A. Intelligent Parking (M) Sdn Bhd CEO Datuk Seri Dr Muhammad Isa Kasim said the parking system, which uses Japanese technology, would be the first of its kind in the country to help to tackle limited parking spaces, especially in cities and towns.

“We have two on-going projects at the Kuala Kedah Jetty and Dataran Medan Tuanku, Alor Star, worth RM84 million, which would be completed in two years," he told reporters at the launch of Malaysia's first such parking system here today.

Dr Muhammad also said the company was also in talks with Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, KL Sentral, hospitals and shopping malls around the country to build the parking system.

He said the system was the result of a collaboration with Nissei Build Kogyo Co Ltd, the biggest supplier of pre-fabricated building and multi-level mechanical and conventional car parking in Japan.

Muhammad said M.A. Intelligent Parking was the sole agent for the system in East Asia and the Middle East. It plans to venture into Indonesia, Cambodia and several Middle Eastern countries soon.

 Nissei Build Kogyo's range of parking products.

“We already have a plant in Ijok and will soon have another one in Pulau Indah, Selangor in an effort to reduce our costs,” he said. adding that the company aims to 90% local content.

Nissei Build Kogyo's global business and technology development director Nobu Tanida said its parking technology system, now in its eighth generation, was safe, fully secured and efficient.

Below is a video example of how a mechanical parking system works.