Upcoming all-electric Jeep SUV images revealed

                NEW YORK: Stellantis chief executive officer Carlos Tavares has revealed images of Jeep's first-ever 100% battery-electric vehicle (BEV).

Revealed at the company's Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan presentation, the Jeep BEV is part of its global initiatives toward the full electrification of its SUV portfolio.

The Jeep vehicle is expected to launched early next year and would expand the brand’s reach and taking the next step to the achievement of Jeep brand’s vision of Zero Emission Freedom.

More information on the Jeep EV will be released in the coming months.


Munich car museum restores Elvis's old roadster for karaoke nights

                MUNICH: For decades, the iconic roadster driven by Elvis Presley was doing nothing but gathering rust in storage. But now the rock 'n' roll legend's former BMW has finally been restored and has gone on display in a Munich museum dedicated to famous German cars.

The King's original BMW 507 roadster has joined the classic car exhibits in Bavaria's Motorworld museum and events space, located in an impressive former railway repair factory in Munich, the same city where BMW has its headquarters.

Visitors can do their own renditions of Elvis songs next to his old convertible, however according to a spokeswoman, the karaoke plans are on hold for the time being due to pandemic restrictions.

After many years in the US, the car's arrival in Munich has brought it closer to home, as it was not only made in Germany, but purchased there too.

According to BMW, Presley bought the 150-horsepower car in Frankfurt shortly after he began his military service in 1958 and sold it again in the US about two years later.

Elvis reportedly changed the colour of his roadster to red after female fans kept writing him messages on the car's white paint job.

Elvis later sold on the car for US$3,500 (RM14,400), after which it changed hands several times and ended up in storage in California for decades.

It was restored to its original design by BMW Group Classic between 2014 and 2016.
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Bentley Flying Spur lands in Singapore

                SINGAPORE: The third generation of the Bentley Flying Spur made its unveiling debut for the Asia Pacific region here followed by the promise of vehicle delivery to owners in the second quarter of 2020.

This would obviously be timed with progressive launches of the latest Flying Spur in the respective country where the customers would be; that means many of them would have to go to Singapore to catch a glimpse of their new Bentley chariot.

The Flying Spur is essentially the four-door Grand Touring sports sedan of the two-door Continental GT although the Continental name is dropped to stand the Flying Spur in its own iconic stead.

As such, we were not expecting too much of a difference from the Continental GT that we had driven in the Gold Coast, Australia just over a year ago.

Were we surprised… while the Continental semblance is there, Bentley has given the Flying Spur a styling impact of its own that would command immediate road presence as much as the Continental GT would.

It was hard to imagine that the Flying Spur actually runs on the same platform as the Porsche Panamera, which is an advantage that is gained from being in the same Volkswagen Group.

However, the difference lies in each of the marque customising the car in all areas possible to project the respective brand architecture to meet the customer profile.

And the best part is that they could also tap into the areas of engineering that would suit their respective needs.

One area of adaptation is the electronic all-wheel steering that is featured on a Bentley model for the first time to complement its active all-wheel drive and Bentley Dynamic Ride, featuring the world’s first 48V electric anti-roll system, to provide ‘phenomenal’ handling and ride.

In this respect, we were certainly impressed with what we had experienced with the Continental GT in Australia and we are confident that Flying Spur would take our breath away just the same.

That is despite it being bigger as a four-door sports sedan especially since it sits on a 344mm longer wheelbase, compared to the Continental GT, that stretches body length to 5,316mm and tips the scale at under 2,440kg unladen.

Powered by a familiar engine, this being the 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 TSI that punches out 635PS and 900Nm of torque, the Flying Spur is no slouch in outright performance as we had discovered in the Continental GT last year.

For its heavier stance as a four-door sports sedan, the latest Flying Spur would leave the majority behind accelerating to 100kph in a respectable 3.8 seconds.

And if you have the open road at your command, the Flying Spur would be right at home charging along at 333kph.

At the same time, with an efficient running engine that operates on six cylinders when outright power is not required, its combined fuel consumption is not bad at 14.8 litres per 100km or about 6.7km per litre.

The high point about the Flying Spur is the exclusive level of luxury and Bentley says it leads the way with its state-of-the-art technology and driver assistance system that includes Night Vision Infra-red camera, Traffic Assist, Blind Spot Warning and Head-up Display.

There are also the new three-chamber air springs that offer a much greater range of suspension adjustment between limousine-ride comfort and sporting levels of body control.

Complementing the ‘completely new-design’ fluted leather seats and three dimensional diamond quilted door inserts, which are apparently another world first, are the three‘superlative’ audio systems that are available.

They include the 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen system and a unique 2,000W Naim system; having enjoyed the classical notes of Naim speakers before, we believe it would accommodate the Flying Spur interior well in an acoustic sense.

In Singapore, the latest Flying Spur is priced about S$970,000 (RM2.97mil) without COE and that should give you an idea what it would fetch in Malaysia when it gets here.

A curious note about the Asia Pacific journalists invited for the Flying Spur unveiling was the media team from Cambodia.

Lest you think that’s a surprise, the well-heeled in Cambodia actually has a passion for the Bentayga sports utility vehicle as it accommodates the road conditions there very well.

And having experienced the Bentley world of automotive luxury in the Bentayga, the new Flying Spur might just catch their fancy as well.


US to unveil revised self-driving car guidelines

                WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump’s administration is set to unveil revised self-driving vehicle guidelines next week in Michigan, responding to automakers’ calls for elimination of legal barriers to putting autonomous vehicles on the road, sources briefed on the matter said on Tuesday.

US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao was expected to unveil the revised guidelines next Tuesday at a self-driving vehicle testing facility in Ann Arbor, Michigan, four people briefed on the matter said.

A spokesman for Chao did not immediately comment. The White House Office of Management and Budget approved the undisclosed Transportation Department changes to the guidelines on Aug 31, according a posting on a government website.

On Wednesday, the US House of Representatives will vote on a sweeping proposal to speed deployment of self-driving cars without human controls and bar states from blocking autonomous vehicles. The measure could help many automakers and tech companies keep their pledges of getting self-driving cars on the market by 2020 or 2021.

The House will vote on the bill under fast-track rules that allow no amendments. A bipartisan group of US senators working on similar legislation has not introduced a bill.

The bill, passed unanimously by a House panel in July, would allow automakers to obtain exemptions to deploy up to 25,000 vehicles without meeting existing auto safety standards in the first year. Over three years, the cap would rise to 100,000 vehicles annually.

The House measure would require automakers to provide regulators with safety assessment reports proposed in the 2016 self-driving guidelines, but would not require pre-market approval of advanced vehicle technologies.

Consumer advocates have called for giving the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration quicker access to crash data and more funding to oversee self-driving cars.

Automakers and technology companies, including General Motors Co and Alphabet Inc's self-driving unit Waymo, have sought easier federal rules for self-driving technology, while some consumer groups have pushed for more safeguards.

The Obama administration issued guidelines for self-driving cars in September 2016, calling on automakers to voluntarily submit details of self-driving vehicle systems in a 15-point "safety assessment" and urging states to defer to the federal government on most vehicle regulations.

Automakers raised numerous concerns about the Obama administration guidance, including the suggestion that automakers should submit systems to regulators for review before putting them on the market.

Companies including Waymo, GM, Ford Motor Co, Uber Technologies Inc, Tesla Inc and others are aggressively pursuing automated vehicle technologies.


Ssangyong to sell assets after parent Mahindra drops rescue plan

                SEOUL: SsangYong Motor Co. said Monday it will sell non-core assets to stay afloat after its parent Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. cancelled its capital injection plan for the carmaker due to the growing impact of the coronavirus.

According to Yonhap news agency, Indian carmaker Mahindra & Mahindra said early this year it will inject 230 billion won (RM807mil) into SsangYong Motor for the following three years after obtaining approval from its board.

But Mahindra's board has recently voted against the investment plan as the spreading Covid-19 outbreak is having a bigger impact on the global automobile industry, according to SsangYong Motor.

The decision has sparked speculation that it may exit South Korea after selling the money-losing SsangYong Motor.

"Instead of the proposed 230 billion won, Mahindra will consider a special one-time infusion of up to 40 billion won over the next three months to help the South Korean unit continue operations. The emergency fund clearly shows Mahindra remains committed to SsangYong and the South Korean market," a SsangYong Motor spokesman said over the phone.

Moreover, Mahindra will help SsangYong attract investors, while seeking other means to help the carmaker avoid a short-term liquidity crisis, he said.

But the company didn't elaborate on what the other means will be.

Mahindra managing director Pawan Goenka had said a total of 500 billion won (RM1.8bil) is needed to turn SsangYong around by 2022.

SsangYong has struggled with worsening performance since 2017, when it shifted to a net loss of 66 billion won from a net profit of 58 billion won the previous year.

In 2018, its net losses continued, reaching 62 billion won.

In 2019, SsangYong's annual sales fell 6.5 per cent to 132,799 vehicles from 141,995 units a year earlier due to lower demand. Earnings results for 2019 will be released in the coming weeks.

From January to March, sales fell 31 per cent to 24,139 units from 34,851 in the same period a year ago.

SsangYong's lineup is composed of the flagship G4 Rexton, as well as the Tivoli, Korando and Rexton Sports.

In its own rescue measures, SsangYong already suspended some welfare benefits for employees in September last year and cut some of their wages and bonuses in December.

In bankruptcy proceedings in March 2011, Mahindra acquired a 70 per cent stake in the carmaker for 523 billion won as part of its globalisation strategy.

Mahindra currently owns a 74.65 per cent stake in SsangYong Motor after two rounds of rights issues worth 130 billion won since 2013.


Hydrogen could deliver one fifth of world carbon cuts by 2050, says industry group

                BONN: Increasing the use of hydrogen in power, transport, heat and industry could deliver around one fifth of the total carbon emissions cuts needed to limit global warming to safe levels by mid-century, a report by the Hydrogen Council said on Monday.

To encourage industries to use hydrogen, Toyota and Air Liquide helped set up the Hydrogen Council, a global lobby launched in January this year.

Its 27 members include automakers Audi, BMW, Daimler, Honda and Hyundai, and energy firms such as Shell and Total.

The council said using hydrogen for transport, energy generation, energy storage, industry, heat and power could cut annual carbon emissions by 6 billion tonnes by 2050.

“This would ... contribute roughly 20 percent of the additional abatement required to limit global warming to two degrees Celsius,” the council said in a report released on the sidelines of a U.N. climate conference in Bonn.

To achieve a two-degree limit this century agreed by governments in Paris in 2015, the world must reduce energy-related carbon emissions by 60 percent by 2050.

The report said one in 12 cars sold in California, Germany and Japan were expected to be powered by hydrogen by 2030.

By 2050, hydrogen could power 400 million cars, 15 million to 20 million trucks, around 5 million buses, a quarter of passenger ships and a fifth of non-electrified train tracks, as well as some airplanes and freight ships.

Achieving this shift in transport and other sectors would require investment of US$280 billion by 2030, with about US$110 billion to fund hydrogen output, $80 billion for storage, transport and distribution, and US$70 billion to develop products.

Fuel cell vehicles combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity to power an electric motor, producing water as a by-product. However, making hydrogen from fossil fuels, a common route, also produces some greenhouse gas emissions.

So far, the take-up of hydrogen vehicles is tiny and industry experts say their wider use is years away, with high purchase prices and a lack of refuelling stations the major barriers.

But some firms, such as miner Anglo American and carmaker Toyota, are pushing for fuel cell cars to play a role even with the rise of battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs).

Woong-chul Yang, vice chairman of automotive research and development at Hyundai said EVs and hydrogen fuel cell cars were needed because EVs were better for city driving and fuel cell vehicles better for longer journeys.

Some countries have set targets for hydrogen use, such as China, which aims to have 1 million hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by 2030. Britain has a 23 million pound (US$30 million) fund to accelerate the take-up of hydrogen vehicles.

Some Chinese firms are interested in joining the Hydrogen Council, said Pierre Etienne Franc, vice president of the hydrogen initiative at Air Liquide. “Most probably, we will have a Chinese member in the next six months,” he said.

The council believes that, with the right policies, the investment needed was “feasible” and the hydrogen market could see revenues of more than US$2.5 trillion a year.


How walkable is your city? London, Hong Kong put pedestrians first

London is among the most walkable in the world, according to the US-based Institute for Transportation and Development Policy. — Reuters
BANGKOK: Urban planners and local authorities must improve walkability in cities to tackle poor health and social inequality, researchers said on Thursday, after the coronavirus pandemic highlighted the importance of being able to walk easily and safely.

The cities of Paris, London, Bogota and Hong Kong are among the most walkable in the world, according to a new study of nearly 1,000 cities by New York-based non-profit Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP).

Improving walkability is particularly important now, as safety concerns have led to a sharp drop in the use of public transport, posing greater risks for vulnerable residents, said Heather Thompson, chief executive of ITDP.

“Covid-19 has dramatically exposed our inequalities at every level, including options for travel. Those higher on the income scale tend to have access to both walkable neighbourhoods and transport, while those who are lower have neither,” she said.

“It is essential to shift the balance of space in our cities away from cars. We have so much to gain - from cleaner air to better health to stronger local economies and deeper bonds within communities,” she said.

During lockdowns to contain the coronavirus, residents in cities across the world took to walking and exercising on streets that were closed to traffic.

As restrictions eased however, traffic has increased. More cars on the road worsen air quality, increase toxic emissions and pose greater risks to pedestrians, according to ITDP.

ITDP’s study ranked cities on measures such as density of urban blocks, residents’ proximity to car-free open spaces, and their access to services including healthcare and education.

Cities in the United States scored low on walkability, the study showed.

“Walkable cities don’t happen by accident,” D. Taylor Reich, a research associate at ITDP and the report’s lead author, said.

“Policymakers first have to understand the problems that car-oriented planning has caused. Then they can take specific steps: from planning dense, human-scale, mixed-use developments to equipping streets with benches, wide sidewalks and shade.”

A walkable neighbourhood is associated with better health for residents and fewer road fatalities. It also boosts local businesses, reduces social inequalities and increases resilience to climate-change impacts and economic shocks, Reich said.

A separate study led by researchers at the University of Warwick showed that a more sustainable economic model could help the world recover financially from the pandemic, while also achieving goals to reduce carbon emissions.

During lockdowns, improvements in air quality may have saved more lives, while a reduction in environmental noise and traffic congestion led to an increase in the number of people exercising outside, said the study published this week.

In recent months, several cities have added bicycle lanes, widened pavements and converted parking spaces.

Now, walkability must be at the core of city planning, and making streets car-free is “a quick, cost-effective way” of making cities more walkable, Thompson said.

“In our new normal, our worlds have become much smaller and walking is more essential than ever.”


New York Auto Show: Kia debuts ‘hot' and ‘spicy' fully-electric concept

                NEW YORK: Kia has unveiled the HabaNiro, aka "The Everything Car" at the New York International Auto Show.

Kia not only unveiled a fully-electric concept car, but also a new vehicle category for said "hot" and "spicy" compact CUV: ECEV, or "The Everything Car."

The four-seater HabaNiro concept is fully electric, all-wheel drive, and has a driving range of over 480km. As if that weren't spicy enough, the model features a level-five driving mode and four butterfly wing doors.

According to the VP of design Tom Kearns, the concept was designed for all driving purposes from commuting to your inner-city job to roaming the remote wilderness - hence "The Everything Car" designation.

The model is outfitted in a metallic gray exterior with bright red details sprinkled all over. A crimson panel spans the rear C-pillar up to the roof "suggest[ing] the HabaNiro is ready to launch." The grille was inspired by a shark's snout, and the daytime running light resembles a heartbeat pulse; these work together to give the EV an "adventure-ready attitude."

The vibrant red spreads behind the butterfly wing doors and almost completely covers every surface of the interior. The centre console touchscreen has been replaced with a full-width front windshield Heads-Up Display system.

HabaNiro has a drive mode that reaches level five autonomy which is the highest level possible requiring no driver involvement whatsoever. The model also features the company's Real-time Emotion Adaptive Driving System that can personalise the interior space to the driver's emotional state (apart from hunger).

Though the HabaNiro will most likely not be commercially produced exactly as is, it will certainly serve as an inspiration for Kia's future of electrification and automation.


Rinspeed sows the seeds of change with its latest concept car

                ZURICH: The car's creator, Frank M. Rinderknecht, has already dubbed the Oasis - due to be unveiled at the 2017 CES - as R2D2's cooler sibling.

The car is designed to be able to do everything any other conceptual autonomous vehicle can do - navigate to and from destinations unaided - but it will also put a smile on its passengers' faces in the process.

The two-seat greenhouse-esque pod is as rapid as it is agile - it can turn 360° within its own axis - and the comparison to a greenhouse is apt as one of its standout features is a space for urban gardening. Situated just ahead of the dashboard are containers designed for growing small vegetables such as radishes or, as Rinderknecht suggests, bonsai trees for increased inner peace while the outer world races by.

These and many of its other features - such as the combination code-protected heated drawer in the trunk for when the car is used for pizza delivery in the evening - sound very leftfield, even for a company such as Rinspeed that wears its eccentricities on its sleeve.

However, the car was developed to a very clear brief, much of which was based on research and studies from consulting firm EY regarding the individualisation of mobility.

That's why the interior is like a Swiss army knife in terms of options. The car can operate as a mobile office with Skype video calling, as a cinema on wheels with images filling the windshield completely, or as an autonomous package delivery pod.

In the very near future, thanks to the convergence of technologies, the definition of mobility is going to change. Rinspeed describes a scenario where the car belongs to a businessman.

It drives him to the airport, avoiding any congestion and drops him off on time. Then it alerts others via social media that it's available for use for two days and goes into service as a taxi, pizza truck or delivery service, before returning to the airport to collect its owner when his flight gets in.

But that's just the start. Because the car is connected to social networks, it can monitor "likes" and recommendations and can even suggest a café or restaurant to try and navigate to it when it knows the owner has a free moment in his or her schedule.

The Rinspeed Oasis will make its global debut at the 2017 CES on Jan 4 in Las Vegas and will also be appearing at the Detroit Auto Show from Jan 9.


Bentley to retire decades-old 12-cylinder engine in April 2024

                LONDON: Bentley Motors Ltd. will cease hand-building 12-cylinder engines in April of next year as the British carmaker focuses on turning out a fully electric model lineup by the start of the next decade.

The Volkswagen AG-owned manufacturer plans to retrain and redeploy the 30 employees who assemble and test W12 engines in Crewe, England, where Bentley has been making cars for 77 years. The W12 has been in production there for the last two decades.

"The time has come to retire this now-iconic powertrain as we take strides toward electrification,” chief executive officer Adrian Hallmark said in a statement.

Bentley expects high demand for the final Speed and Mulliner versions of its Continental GT, Bentayga and Flying Spur models powered by an updated version of the engine.

Bentley has been a rare success story among UK carmakers in the years since the Brexit referendum, having earned record profit on its best sales ever last year.

It’s plowing as much as £3 billion (RM16bil) into its Crewe complex in a multiyear overhaul befitting the radical change in its product lineup.

As a low-volume manufacturer owned by one of the world’s largest carmakers, Bentley is insulated from the UK’s troubling lack of local battery production.

Hallmark said late last year that the company won’t need a battery factory in Britain, telling reporters that the cost of shipping them in from elsewhere will be manageable.

The CEO was less sanguine about the broader UK auto industry’s prospects, saying that it will be difficult to import batteries in bigger volumes because they cost about six times what engines do.

Britain’s shrinking car manufacturing base - production has slumped to the lowest in 66 years - also is cutting against the business case for battery suppliers to set up factories.

Phasing out the W12 will make room for Bentley to expand its line of engines used for plug-in hybrids.

When production ceases next year, the company will offer the option of a hybrid powertrain across its model lineup.


Electric Hilux coming, says Toyoda on Toyota's 60th aniversary in Thailand

                BANGKOK: Toyota president Akio Toyoda announced that an electric version of its popular Hilux pick-up truck is coming.

He made the announcement here as Toyota celebrated 60 years in Thailand.

Toyota released a photo of the Hilux Revo BEV concept, showing the exterior of the vehicle. Shown with the vehicle was another concept car called IMV 0 concept, a modular light commercial vehicle prototype, which  is about a year away from series production.

Globally, the compact Hilux has been one of the best-selling pickup trucks and especially so in Thailand. It is now in its eighth generation, and comes with a choice of four- and six-cylinder engines depending on markets.

"Between them, they represent two different ends of the automotive spectrum, for different needs and different customers. One designed to support economic growth and mobility for all (IMV 0 concept), and one designed to support carbon neutrality and a better environment for all (Hilux Revo BEV concept)," said Toyota's president.

Toyoda also pointed out that designers and engineers from Thailand have contributed to the development of both vehicles.

The original Toyota IMV (Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle) Project, announced in 2002, was aimed at developing and producing global models comprising pickup trucks, a multi-purpose vehicle and an SUV outside Japan to cut costs.

The result of the project was the seventh-generation Hilux as well as the first-ever Innova and Fortuner, with all sharing a ladder frame chassis. Thailand was a key catalyst in the IMV project.

Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd was formed in 1962 and now operates three plants. In 2021, they collectively produce 520,000 cars.

The plants produce the Hilux, Corolla, Corolla Cross, Yaris, Yaris Ativ, Camry, C-HR and Fortuner.

At the anniversary, Toyoda also revealed that the automaker is working with Thailand's largest private company, the Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, to reduce carbon emissions.

"Together we can reduce CO2 by rethinking the way we deliver consumer goods through zero emission technology like fuel cell trucks and by making driving logistics more energy efficient with our connected technology. Together we will also expand CP's current efforts to make clean hydrogen from bio-mass like chicken manure."

The partnership would roped in other members of the Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation, including Daihatsu, Suzuki, Isuzu and Hino.


First Rolls-Royce Dawn in N. America to be auctioned for charity

                MIAMI: One of the lots at the upcoming Naples Winter Wine Festival charity auction in Florida will be the chance to own the very first North American example of Rolls-Royce's new luxury convertible.

Revealed at the Frankfurt motor show in September, the Rolls-Royce Dawn is one of the most remarkable and certainly the most stunning car to roll out of the Goodwood, England facility since BMW became the brand's custodian in 2003.

In the words of company CEO Torsten Mueller-Ӧtvӧs "It promises a striking, seductive encounter like no other Rolls-Royce to date, and begins a new age of open-top, super-luxury motoring."

And of course, being a Rolls-Royce, the lot in question promises to feature a host of bespoke elements, commissioned specifically for the event. These include an Arctic White exterior finish paired with a red fabric roof with similar contrasting colours used to dress the vehicle's leather interior.

It will also boast full Santos Palisander Chanadel Panelling created from hand cutting, hand matching and hand finishing open pore Indian Redwood. It will adorn the dashboard fascia, door panels and deck lid.

The finishing touch will be unique tread plates that state it is the first car delivered to the continent and details of the winning bid itself.

"I couldn't think of a more fitting way to celebrate the first new Rolls-Royce Dawn for North America than through this auction," said Mueller-Ӧtvӧs. "The NWWF epitomises the social life of our owners. We are proud to make the introduction at this event and help benefit children in need."

Even with a base price of US$335,000, the new car is expected to be one of the most successful models in the company's history. What makes it so special is that despite its proportions - it is roughly the same size as a BMW 7-Series yet has a much longer hood and requires space between the truck and the seats for stowing its fabric roof - it is a true four-seat convertible.

"The idea of creating a car like Dawn that can be used in comfort by only two adults on a day to day basis is anathema," said Giles Taylor, the company's Director of Design. "In creating Dawn we have accepted no compromise to the comfort and luxury of four adults who want to travel together in the pinnacle of style."

The auction will be held on Jan 29-31 at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, with proceeds benefiting the Naples Children and Education Foundation.


BMW Panoramic Vision: A HUD that stretches across windscreen, coming in 2025

                MUNICH: BMW will introduce in 2025 the BMW Panoramic Vision, a new head-up display (HUD) across the entire width of the windscreen.

It will go into production with the first Neue Klasse models, BMW AG CEO Oliver Zipse said during his speech at the 2023 Annual Conference.

BMW is currently developing a completely new technological platform for the Neue Klasse, whose name refers to the company's pioneering models of the 1960s.

This platform will set new standards in digitalisation, sustainability and design for electric cars.

The new head-up display, projecting across the entire width of the windscreen, creates a unique interaction and information surface for all occupants.

For the first time the innovative projection technology allows visible displays across the entire width of the windscreen for all passengers. BMW Panoramic Vision shows information that is relevant for the driver and passengers with a higher light intensity and contrast onto a dark-coated area at the lower edge of the windscreen.

This creates an extremely sharp image that is always visible across the full width of the windscreen. Information relevant to the driving situation is always available in the right place at the right time.

BMW Panoramic Vision is an extension of BMW's mantra to develop a cockpit that focuses on a particularly intensive, safe and concentrated driving experience.

On-board computers with digital displays first appeared in the BMW 7 Series in the 1980s.

The first BMW iDrive in 2001 comprehensively reduced switches and buttons like no other control system before, creating a modern, uncluttered interior. The first series production of BMW head-up displays followed shortly afterwards. The Panoramic Vision head-up display is an advancement on that innovation.

BMW said it is also developing the BMW iDrive operating concept along with the BMW Panoramic Vision.

The company presented its BMW i Vision Dee vehicle at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas earlier this year, where it provided a foretaste of the BMW Panoramic Vision.

It showed how an extended head-up display can also be used for display control design and an immersive user experience in the future.

The study sought to demonstrate the fusion of reality and the virtual world by turning the windscreen windows into projection surface.

At the IAA Mobility 2023 here, the BMW Group will present further steps and new details on the way to the Neue Klasse.

In addition to the BMW Panoramic Vision, further new control and information elements from the new BMW iDrive will be presented in the Neue Klasse.


Compromise when driving, follow traffic laws, Loke urges motorists

                PETALING JAYA: Be more understanding of others on the road and respect their rights was the advice given by Transport Minister Anthony Loke to motorists in his Hari Raya Aidifitri message.

"I hope all motorists arrive at their destinations in great happiness.

"Drive safely and respect the rights of other road-users.

"If all of us compromise with one another when driving and follow the traffic laws and regulations, I believe road accidents can be reduced, resulting in less fatal accidents," Loke said in the 51-second Hari Raya Aidifitri greeting uploaded on his Facebook page today.

He also urged motorists to value life and family.

"May your return home be celebrated with happiness.

"You have the power to change. Drive safe and arrive safely," he added.

Based on police figures, 90 people have died in road accidents as of Monday (June 3) in the five days since the start of 15th Op Selamat on May 29.

Police corporate communication chief Datuk Asmawati Ahamd said 85 fatal road accidents were recorded out of a total of 8,454 accidents during the five-day period.


Hyundai readies Palisade large SUV in another shot at US market

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Co today began South Korean sales of its Palisade large sport utility vehicle (SUV), a model it hopes will spearhead a sales recovery in the United States when launched in its major overseas market next year.

Consumer preferences have shifted rapidly to SUVs in recent years, impacting Hyundai with its sedan-heavy line-up. The automaker has since introduced new SUVs, including a redesigned Santa Fe this year, but its US sales still fell 1.6 percent in January-November in a near flat market.

Weak sales in the United States and China has left Hyundai bracing for a fifth consecutive year of annual profit decline.

In South Korea, the Palisade’s price starts at 36.22 million won (RM136,000), slightly higher than the smaller Santa Fe.

“I think it will sell well in Korea because of its price competitiveness, though the model could cannibalise sales of the Santa Fe,” said auto analyst Sean Kim at Dongbu Securities.

Hyundai has not yet disclosed US pricing for the three-row, eight-seat car, which will compete with the likes of Toyota Motor Corp’s Highlander and Ford Motor Co’s Explorer.

At home, the automaker has embarked on a marketing blitz for the new model, including a full, front page teaser ad in a major newspaper, an endorsement by pop star BTS and featuring the car in television drama Encounter.

The Palisade will replace the larger version of the Santa Fe as Hyundai’s biggest SUV. The automaker is looking to end a poor record in the large SUV segment, where it discontinued its Veracruz in 2013 as sales dwindled.

The new model will help Hyundai raise its number of SUV models to six next year, from two last year. Its premium brand Genesis also plans to launch its first SUV next year.


VW's dull Polo facelift surprises with semi-automated driving

                WOLFSBURG: At first glance, all you see is a few design touch-ups. There's not even any new engine options. Just another token facelift? It's only when you look at the changes made to the assistance systems that you notice what's special about the new VW Polo.

The latest version of Volkswagen's small runabout is set to arrive mid-2021, and will be recognisable by its new bumpers and standard LED lights at the front and rear.

But this update wouldn't be worth writing about if it weren't for the new assistance systems.

The Polo is now set to become one of the first cars in its class to enable semi-automated driving thanks to electronic distance control and active lane guidance, VW has announced.

VW hasn't given prices or performance figures, but has noted a few other changes. There's a modernised cockpit, which is now equipped with digital instruments in further variants and on request you can also get the Polo with matrix lights for the first time.

Only under the bonnet has nothing changed. According to VW, there will be four petrol engines and one natural gas engine on offer, at least in the short-to-medium term.

The base model comes with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with 80hp, followed by 95hp or 110hp options from a 1.0-litre turbocharged 3-pot mill and a natural gas option with 90hp.

The Polo GTI is expeected in the summer.

Meanwhile, the Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline equipment packages are gone. Volkswagen has reconfigured the specification packages: it now starts with the Polo version, and continues with Life, Style and R-Line.


Man suffers seizure at traffic light, crashes into nine vehicles

                MELAKA: Six people were injured in a road crash involving 10 vehicles when one of the drivers, who is an epileptic, had a seizure at the traffic light intersection at Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Lebuh Ayer Keroh here on Friday.

Melaka Traffic Enforcement Investigation Department (JSPT) head Supt Amran@Mohamad Zaki Omar said the incident occurred about 9.15pm when all the victims, involving drivers and passengers in the affected vehicles, were at the Taman Chiptaco traffic light intersection, which is in front of a supermarket.

"Initial investigation revealed that all the 10 vehicles were waiting for the green light, when a 38-year-old man, who was at the wheel of a BMW, had a seizure causing him to press the accelerator pedal and this caused the car to move at speed and crashed into the vehicles in front before it stopped.

"The man then had a second seizure, causing the BMW to crash into more vehicles,” he said when contacted here today.

He said the 10 vehicles involved in the crash, including the BMW, were two Perodua Myvi, a Honda Jazz, a Perodua Kenari, a Perodua Viva, a Perodua Alza, a Toyota Corolla Altis, a Nissan Frontier, and a Proton Persona.

Six of the drivers and passengers in the vehicles concerned were injured, with one of them, a 20-year-old woman who was at the wheel of a Perodua Kenari, treated for a broken nose. All of them were sent to Melaka Hospital for treatment.


Ford Police Interceptor Utility gets stealthy light bar

                DETROIT: A stealthy approach is tantamount when seeking law breakers on the run, which is why Ford will offer a new factory-installed front interior visor light bar for police agency patrol vehicles in the country.

When activated, its flashes may be bright in alternating red and blue bars through the top of the windshield, but if required, it can also be programmed for red/red or blue/blue operation.

Furthermore, it can be programmed from full intensity down to just 20%, and provide auto-dimming capability as well while featuring bright-white “take down” and “scene” capabilities for improved forward visibility.

Another advantage of the new interior visor light is that the dark shade band at the top of the windshield, which is replaced by clear glass when the light is ordered - helping to provide improved colour visibility and brightness.

The non-intrusive interior compact light bar is available to order with the 2017 Ford Police Interceptor Utility and comes with a limited warranty.

“Today, agencies typically use aftermarket interior visor light bars that are somewhat bulky and can obstruct the field of vision – especially for taller officers. This extremely low-profile unit is fully integrated where the headliner and top of the windshield meet, for tremendously improved driver visibility versus aftermarket alternatives,” said Ford police marketing manager (North American fleet) lease and remarketing operations Stephen Tyler.


Expect BMW and MINI models with vegan interiors in 2023

                MUNICH: The BMW Group plans to launch its first vehicles featuring completely vegan interiors in 2023. This is being made possible through the development of innovative materials with leather-like properties.

It will also be possible to use these materials for steering wheel surfaces, which must fulfil demanding criteria when it comes to feel, premium appearance and wear resistance.

BMW said it is serving the demand for vegan and leather-free interiors, which is set to increase further in the near future, especially in the US, China and Europe.

BMW is working to cut CO2 emissions over the entire life cycle of a vehicle in its move to climate neutrality by 2050.

Material selection has a key role to play in achieving this goal. Replacing raw materials of animal origin makes a significant contribution to increasing sustainability in vehicle production.

The introduction of a new surface material for steering wheels will see the proportion of vehicle components that contain traces of raw materials of animal origin fall to less than one percent in the respective BMW and MINI vehicles.

As a result, these materials will now only be found in areas that are not visible to the customer, for example in various waxy substances such as gelatine used in protective coatings, lanolin in paints, tallow as an additive in elastomers and beeswax as a flux for paints.

BMW said it has for a long time been offering various fabric alternatives to leather as leather-free surfaces reduce CO2 emissions by 85 percent. Now, for the first time, it is possible to offer a suitable substitute for leather for the most important interface between driver and vehicle.

The steering wheel surfaces must fulfil demanding criteria when it comes to appearance, wear resistance and durability.

"With a steering wheel made from a high-quality vegan surface material, we are fulfilling the wishes of our customers who do not want to make any compromises in terms of look, feel and functionality. The innovative material withstands wear and tear caused by abrasion, perspiration and moisture and has all the desirable properties of leather," says Uwe Kohler, Head of Develpment Body, Exterior Trim Interior at the BMW Group. The only distinguishing feature of the new material will be a new grain effect on the steering wheel rim.

The floor mats for various models are also made from mono-material, thus avoiding material mixes that are difficult to recycle.

BMW said it saves around 23,000 tonnes of CO2 and an additional 1,600 tonnes of waste every year, since the recycled floor mats and waste material are also reused within the production process.

It said it is working with startup companies to develop innovative bio-based materials. Compared to the synthetic leathers previously used, these result in around 45 percent lower CO2 emissions.

Among promising new materials is Mirum, which is 100 percent bio-based and petroleum-free, and has the potential to mimic all the properties of traditional leather.

Another new material, Deserttex, is made from pulverised cactus fibres with a biobased polyurethane matrix.


Scared workers staying away from factory floors, hitting output

                PARIS: Philippe Petitcolin has had a hard time getting workers back on the factory floor.

The Safran SA chief executive officer’s efforts to resume work at sites building jet engines for Airbus SE hit a wall after the company handed over its entire stock of 60,000 masks to plug French hospital shortages, and it lacked thermometers to test staff for possible coronavirus infections.

Employees in outbreak hot spots like eastern France were reluctant to return to assembly lines, especially without protective gear.

“Workers are scared,” Petitcolin said. “On the one hand people are told to remain in confinement, and on the other we are asking them to come to work. This isn’t easy.”

That scenario is playing out worldwide - from Safran and BMW AG to Ford Motor Co. - as global infections cross 1 million, and companies and governments try to strike a fine balance between confinement and productivity. Workers remain wary as countries impose strict lockdowns, while at the same time urging some of them to return to work to avert a total collapse of the economy.

Already, mass factory shutdowns in Europe and Asia have cratered manufacturing, which posted one of the grimmest months on record in March, as the virus wreaked havoc on supply chains. Manufacturing activity measures dropped sharply, with some at their lowest since the financial crisis more than a decade ago.

With average output and new orders shrinking the most in 11 years in Germany, France and Italy, pressure is building to try and kick start the machine.

On Wednesday, chancellor Angela Merkel and German auto-industry officials grappled with how and when to restart the country’s sprawling factory network as concerns intensified that some cash-strapped suppliers may not survive the damage from the pandemic.

Debate over whether work sites should resume is also raging in the US, where Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV have drawn heated language from the United Auto Workers union. On Tuesday, Ford cancelled plans to reopen factories in Mexico and the US over the next two weeks, citing risks to workers.

Virus-related protests have hit Amazon.com Inc., with employees at a New York warehouse walking off the job to demand more cleaning and protection as coronavirus cases have popped up in the company’s 800,000-strong workforce.

“Associates are afraid to come to work; associates are getting sick; it’s been scary, very scary,” Chris Smalls, the leader of the walkout Monday at the company’s Staten Island, New York, warehouse, said in a television interview. Smalls was fired after the protest, and unions have called for his reinstatement.

Restarting safely will challenge factory managers across the globe in coming weeks and months as economies try to shake off the coronavirus shutdown.

In Europe, companies like Safran, Fiat, Peugeot maker PSA Group, and Airbus are trying to put in place measures to secure work sites for staff, some of which could require significant changes to existing set ups.

“Strategies are needed that can link production resumption with further containment of the epidemic,” Clemens Fuest, president of Germany’s IFO Institute for Economic Research think tank said by email after BMW, Volkswagen AG and Daimler AG shut down production operations for several weeks.

BMW has talked about specific spacing between workers, while Airbus has put in place strict measures at plants that includes separate shifts, smaller teams and takeaway canteen food. The planemaker has restarted a plant in Toulouse, while Spanish operations are still on hold except for the production of 3D-printed hospital visors at some sites.

PSA has extended the halt of its European factories indefinitely until it works out a health protocol with unions and experts that will include the wearing of masks, hourly washing of work surfaces, keeping doors open so handles stay clean and three-hour intervals between hand-to-hand exchanges of parts.

“At the heart of car factories, we work shoulder-to-shoulder, face-to-face,” said Jean-Pierre Mercier, spokesman for the CGT union at PSA. “Vehicles aren’t essential, and workers would be better off observing the policy of maximum isolation at home.”

The Geneva-based World Health Organisation has made a series of recommendations on how employers can secure work places during the virus outbreak, including frequent disinfecting and hand-washing stations for employees.

At the top of the list is getting people to work remotely, something that isn’t possible for many factory operations.

A look at what’s happening in China may provide some idea of what’s to come for companies in Europe, where the outbreak still hasn’t peaked in many countries.

As the lockdown is gradually lifted in Wuhan, where the virus originated, factories are restarting in other Chinese regions, although many under strict conditions with workers wearing masks and having their temperatures monitored.

For Safran’s CEO Petitcolin, meanwhile, getting everyone back on assembly lines may be some ways away.

About 10% of the company’s sites are currently completely shuttered, mostly in the U.S. and India. After it procured some masks and hand sanitizer, about 15% of workers have returned to its industrial sites in France.

“We don’t want to stop our production lines,” Petitcolin said. “If Airbus continues to work, then as engine makers, and if health rules allow, we want to meet demand.”


Race heats up for govt vehicle fleet contract

New police cars. The Kedah police contingent checking out some of the vehicles delivered by Spanco at a handover ceremony recently at the Kedah police headquarters. Spanco is the incumbent vehicle fleet contract holder for the government. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Long-term contracts from the government are often highly sought-after business, and it is no surprise that the tender to manage its huge fleet of vehicles has attracted fierce bids from some of the biggest automotive groups in the country.

The estimated size of the 15-year concession varies, but based on the current fleet of 12, 500 vehicles, the contract could be worth RM300mil a year from the fifth year onwards.

With at least seven bids on the table, sources said the race is shaping up to be a showdown between Spanco Sdn Bhd, which counts Tan Sri Robert Tan Hua Choon as a shareholder, against the formidable pairing of the Naza Group and Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun’s Berjaya Group.

Spanco, with its 25-year track record in managing the fleet, had helped set the benchmark.

The government, in February this year, made a request for proposal to manage its fleet of vehicles – that includes official cars used by ministers and top-ranking government officers, as well as department cars and patrol vehicles for the police.

“The size of the contract varies from year to year, depending on the government’s fleet requirement and the number of new vehicles to be purchased as replacement, ” one industry source said.

Spanco, which has been given the extension to manage the fleet until the end of the year following the expiry of its 25-year contract in December, has confirmed that it is seeking a new concession.

Others vying for the job include the Naza-Berjaya consortium, as well as car rental units controlled by Sime Darby Bhd and DRB-HICOM BHD.

At least three other car companies have joined in the fray for the potentially lucrative contract.

The Samling Group, controlled by Sarawak timber tycoon Tan Sri Yaw Teck Seng, was reported to have submitted a bid for the fleet management contract. Samling’s automotive business includes Honda and Mitsubishi dealerships, as well as a number of luxury marques.

The contract has also attracted new players such as Comos, an electric vehicle rental company led by former Proton boss and Petronas top executive Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohd Tahir.

Also said to be eyeing the big prize is Go Auto, the distributor of Haval vehicles in Malaysia, which has Datuk SM Azli Nasimuddin on board as an executive director.

“Each bidder is offering their unique capability, strength and value propositions for the government to consider, ” said another source who is familiar with the bidding process.

The government, sources said, is in the final stage of evaluating the proposals, with a decision on the award expected soon.

Under the new deal, the government would require at least 32 new Toyota Vellfire for ministers and top-ranking officers in the government.

These luxury minivans would need to be replaced every four years, along with as many as 3, 000 Honda Accord cars to be purchased for higher-ranking government officers.

The government is also planning to replace as many as 1, 300 mobile patrol vehicles over the next five years, and around 8, 000 units of Proton Persona and Saga models for other department use.

“You are looking at an investment of around RM1.5bil over the next five years to purchase the new vehicles for the government’s fleet, ” an industry source said.

“And then, there is the cost of repairs, maintenance as well as management of the whole fleet. So, the investment outlay required is huge, ” he said.

Under the concession to be awarded, the government will pay a monthly rental for each new vehicle it requires. The amount excludes a fixed monthly bill for repairs, maintenance and management of each vehicle.

Setting the benchmark

Spanco, the original concession holder, first secured the contract to manage the government’s fleet of department cars back in 1994.

Since then, each vehicle that entered into the government’s fleet is leased from Spanco for five years, before it is replaced with a new car.

This end-to-end fleet management arrangement that comes with a five-year replacement cycle keeps the government’s fleet current, while at the same time ensuring that the maintenance cost of each of these vehicles is capped at pre-determined limits.

“We provide unlimited repair and maintenance services for the fleet to ensure that a maximum number of cars are always on the road, ” Spanco’s chief executive officer Datuk Hamzah Mohd Salleh said.

“Basically, what we do is take over all the risk associated with owning the car and go a step further by offering a replacement vehicle in the event the car requires major service, or is involved in an accident, ” he told StarBiz recently.

He said that over the years, Spanco has consistently achieved a high target of having 98% of the fleet on the road at any given time.

“We are very proud of what he have achieved since we started this journey and we hope to be able to continue our service for a long time, ” said the 71-year-old car enthusiast, who first joined Spanco from Sime Darby Bhd as a board member in 1996 before assuming the executive role in the company a year later.

With more than 30 years experience in the motor industry under his belt, Hamzah is optimistic that the company stands a good chance against the new contenders.

“We are the biggest independent fleet management company in the country with the experience and track record. We have no other business interest other than managing the fleet for the government, which means we are focused on what we do, ” he said.

A look at Spanco’s current operations offers a glimpse into the size and scale of this contract.

To keep the fleet size steady at 12, 500 units, Spanco buys, on average, between 2, 000 and 3, 000 vehicles a year. Hamzah said Spanco has spent over RM2.5bil on new car purchases during its contract period.

“A lot of the money goes towards purchasing new cars, so the car makers will benefit the most. However, do they really want to go into the fleet-management business, which is a totally different ball game?” Hamzah said.

“You are talking about managing a fleet of at least 12, 000 vehicles made up of different brands and models spread all over the country. You also have to take into account the different usage of each vehicle, ” he added.

And during its service lifespan period, each vehicle is fully taken care of by the company, from the road tax and insurance to minor repairs and major overhauls, whatever and whenever it is required.

“As an independent fleet management company, Spanco takes full responsibility on all issues relating to the car manufacturers including supply, after-sales services and quality issues, ” Hamzah said.

The company has two flagship service centres in Batu Caves and Bangi, with a combined daily capacity to service 200 vehicles. It is supported by a network of over 200 accredited workshops around the country.

Spanco also has set up a dedicated 24/7 call centre and a mobile application for its users.

“We have invested a lot in information technology and will continue to upgrade our in-house developed fleet-management system and keep up with the latest technology, ” Hamzah said.


Land Rover Discovery Sport diesel now available in Malaysia

                PETALING JAYA: Jaguar Land Rover (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd has introduced the diesel variant of the Land Rover Discovery Sport premium compact SUV.

There is no better time than now to own one as the versatile 5+2-seater premium compact SUV now comes with a free instalment plan of up to 12 months. The plan frees you to discover more adventures with your family and friends.  A cash rebate option is also available.

The new Land Rover Discovery Sport 2.2L SD4 Diesel is powered by a proven 2.2-litre, 190PS and 420Nm turbodiesel engine mated to an advanced nine-speed automatic transmission for peerless refinement, efficiency, driver engagement and off-road capability.

The Discovery Sport 2.2L SD4 is priced at RM450,000. (Price is with GST but excludes road tax, registration and insurance.)

According to Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Datuk Aishah Ahmad, the diesel-powered Discovery Sport offers a winning combination of power, torque and fuel efficiency for a truly impressive drive on the road and best-in-class off-road capability that is synonymous with a Land Rover.

Every Discovery Sport 2.2L SD4 comes with a 5-year or 150,000km warranty, 5-year or 80,000km free scheduled maintenance and 3-year roadside assistance, whichever comes first.

Discovery Sport’s bold and progressive design, which combines 5+2 seating configurability with design and engineering integrity in a compact footprint that is smaller than many traditional 5-seater SUVs, is unique in its segment.  This streamlined design is complemented by class-leading usability: all-round visibility is excellent, while the interior and load space (up to 1,698L) are easily accessible and fully optimised.

It features a suite of engineering innovations by Land Rover, including the next generation multi-link rear axle; and state-of-the-art bodyshell made from a mix of high-strength steel and lightweight aluminium.

The all-new multi-link rear axle in particular has proved crucial, allowing Land Rover to introduce 5+2 seating to a whole new segment while also offering best-in-class off-road performance and outstanding level of agility.

Being a Land Rover, the Discovery Sport offers unrivalled all-terrain performance courtesy of 600mm wading depth, optimised approach, departure and break-over angles and Terrain Response® System.

Terrain Response® allows Discovery Sport’s steering, throttle response, gearbox, centre-coupling and braking/stability systems to be precisely tailored to the demands of the terrain. The system features four settings: General; Grass/Gravel/Snow (for slippery conditions on- and off-road); Mud and Ruts; and Sand.

Discovery Sport has been engineered with the latest active and passive safety advances. A comprehensive occupant safety package includes a total of seven airbags -- driver and passenger, knee, and side curtain and thorax airbags.  Other safety features include Hill Descent Control (HDC),  Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Traction Control (ETC), Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS), Hill Start Assist, Roll Stability Control (RSC), and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia will be hosting special Weekend Showroom Sales on Aug 20 and 21, 2016, so check out the various promotions available for the whole range of Land Rover and Range Rover models.

For more information or to arrange test drive, please head to the nearest sales outlet or visit this website.


Perodua Myvi gets safety tech for three variants, new colour introduced

                PETALING JAYA: One of Malaysia’s most popular cars, the Perodua Myvi, has received a significant safety boost and a new body colour for 2020.

And it is now available for booking at all Perodua showrooms nationwide.

Previously, the only variant with the Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) suite of driver assistance safety systems was only available for the Myvi 1.5 AV.

Now, the more advanced version, ASA 2.0, is standard on variants 1.5 AV and 1.5 H, and optional on the 1.3 X.

“With the inclusion of ASA 2.0, the Perodua Myvi takes advanced safety to a whole new level at this price point, and it’s now more widely available within the line-up,” said Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

“The latest Myvi carries on the Perodua tradition of bringing advanced safety technology to the people by making it affordable and accessible to all,” he added.

Additionally, the Myvi is now available in Electric Blue (for all variants).

Other available colours are Ivory White, Glittering Silver, Lava Red and Granite Grey (now available on all variants except 1.3 G).

ASA debuted on the third-generation Perodua Myvi in 2017, comprising Pre-Collision Warning (up to 30 kph), Pre-Collision Braking (up to 30 kph), Front Departure Alert and Pedal Misoperation Control, all of which work together to mitigate collisions.


Harley-Davidson launches five new Touring bikes for 2018

                MILWAUKEE: The American manufacturer has unveiled a 2018 portfolio that will feature more powerful machines in its Touring category, which also offer greater comfort and maneuverability.

There will be three new models in the CVO range and two others that have simply been restyled.

The Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) range has always aimed to offer the brand's customers limited production runs that feature the best of Harley-Davidson in terms of style, innovation and performance.

Three new motorcycles have joined the family: the CVO Limited, CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide. All of them will be powered by the new 117ci Milwaukee-Eight engine, which at 1.923 cc, is the most powerful ever offered by Harley-Davidson. As always, future owners will be able to customize their bikes, in particular on the level of paintwork.

The three machines will also feature an infotainment system which interfaces with Bluetooth headsets that will notably enable riders to talk to each other.

At the same time, Harley-Davidson has restyled its Street Glide Special and Road Glide Special, notably by swapping chrome for black on certain parts (engine covers, front forks, handlebars, mirrors, etc.).

Powered by the 1,745cc Milwaukee-Eight 107, these entry level models for the brand have also been upgraded with more aggressively styled finishes.


Ioniq 5: Hyundai readies its first dedicated electric for launch

                FRANKFURT: After converting various diesels and petrols into electrics, Hyundai is now launching its first car designed from the ground up to be a through-and-through electric.

Stepping up to the likes of Volkswagen's ID4 and the Skoda Enyaq, the Ioniq 5 and is set to roll out in May in Europe at prices starting at €41,900 and pave the wave for an entire family of models under the Ioniq sub-brand.

The 4.64-metre-long Ioniq 5 will be available in four versions from the start, according to the manufacturer: two with two engines and all-wheel drive and two with only one engine on the rear axle.

With its new electric marque, the Korean manufacturer is already covering a power spectrum from 170hp to 306hp at launch, showing potential for use beyond daily urban commutes.

The energy for this is supplied by lithium-ion batteries in two sizes with 58kWh or 72.6kWh. According to Hyundai, this allows a standard range of up to 485km.

Because the Ioniq 5 is the first electric car to use 800-volt technology alongside the Porsche Taycan and Audi E-Tron GT, it also sets new records at the charging station, going from 10 to 80 per cent in 18 minutes at best. After just 5 minutes at the charging station, it will get you 100km further down the road.

To keep you cosy while you wait, there are especially comfortable reclining seats with retractable footrests like on airplanes.

In terms of speed: The sprint from 0 to 100kph can be managed at best in 5.2 seconds. While VW, for example, stops most of its electric cars at 180 km/h at the latest, Hyundai is giving the Ioniq 5 a tiny bit more slack and letting it run at up to 185kph.

Hyundai also has a few special features to offer and there's a head-up display with augmented reality and a solar roof promising electricity for up to 2,000 more kilometres a year.

Via an external socket, the car can also power other electric gadgets from its battery, from garden tools to the neighbour's electric car.

Just like its main competitor VW, Hyundai does not intend to stop at just one model. Hyundai has already promised at least two more Ioniq models by 2024.

And just as Skoda, SEAT or Audi are also using the EQB platform of the VW Group, Hyundai's sister brand Kia has already presented a first car on the new platform, while luxury offshoot Genesis is also expressing interest.


Get rebates with 17-inch and above Goodyear Worry Free Assurance tyres

                KUALA LUMPUR: Goodyear Malaysia's ‘Jom! Balik Raya Bersama Goodyear’ campaign is rewarding customers for good tyre habits with up to RM80 worth of Touch ‘n Go E-Wallet credit when purchasing of up to four 17-inch and above Worry Free Assurance (WFA) patterned tyres.

The campaign will run from April 8 to June 8 and customers can join by:

1. Purchase a minimum two of Goodyear WFA pattern tyre in the size 17-inch and above.

2. Register WFA by filling up details, upload receipt and select shop of purchase.

3. Receive a SMS from Goodyear after submission being verified.

4. Eligible entries will be credited the Touch ’n Go E-Wallet rebate within 14 days after verification.

The Touch ‘n Go E-Wallet credit offering is only applicable to customers who purchase through any Goodyear authorised retailers or via its official Shopee and Lazada e-commerce platforms.

An original receipt will be issued by the retailers.

Customers will also receive a WFA card with serial number by retailers that is required for the redemption.

Goodyear’s WFA tyres will give car owners peace-of-mind driving experience as it provides Road Hazard Protection for up to six months from the date of purchase, where users can get free replacement tyres in the event of road hazard damage such as potholes or puncture from nails that’s beyond repair.

Customers also can enjoy 0% instalment plan, which are available at selected Goodyear auto centres, as well as up to five years of limited warranty against manufacturing defects.

As of 2022, Goodyear has updated the terms and conditions where the five-year limited warranty will cover five years from the date of purchase stated in the original invoice, instead of from the manufacturing date on the tyres, but in the case of original invoice is not available, the limited warranty will covers from the date of manufacturing.

Goodyear Malaysia managing director Alex Ng said the company had revised the terms to better enhance the assurance towards the customers and improve Goodyear's standing as the strong advocate for on the road safety.

“This new policy is to help our customers to buy our tyres with confidence and assurance that we got them covered,” he said.

The Goodyear WFA covers a wide variety of tyres, including all Eagle F1 series, all EfficientGrip series, Assurance MaxGuard SUV, Assurance TripleMax & TripleMax 2 and all Run on Flat (ROF) series are tyre patterns that are eligible for the Touch ‘n Go credit.

For additional information on the Jom! Balik Raya Bersama Goodyear campaign, Goodyear tyre patterns eligible, Worry Free Assurance, or upcoming initiatives, visit www.goodyear.com/my or follow Goodyear Malaysia on https://bit.ly/3pTxfbm and https://bit.ly/3eQzjdV.


UMW’s auto sales up 41% to 35,130 units in August

                KUALA LUMPUR: The UMW Group’s automotive sales surged by 41% month-on-month in August 2022 boosted by improved sales from UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) and UMW’s associate company, Perodua.

In a statement, UMW said it delivered 35,130 units in August 2022 compared with 24,983 units registered in July 2022 as it continues to fulfil its encouraging outstanding order book.

For the first eight months of 2022, UMW delivered a total of 233,367 units, 63% higher than the 143,018 units registered in the corresponding period of 2021.

UMWT achieved its highest sales for 2022 with the delivery of 9,091 units in August 2022, a 37% increase compared with 6,637 units registered in July 2022.

UMWT continues to give exciting offers for the purchase of selected Toyota Vios and Yaris variants until the end of September as part of its Merdeka and Malaysia day campaigns.

Year-to-date August 2022, UMWT registered 61,639 units, 62% higher than the 38,085 units registered in the corresponding period of 2021.

Since the start of order-taking for the new Toyota Veloz on June 24, UMWT has received encouraging response with 5,200 bookings for the model, which will be launched soon.

Perodua’s sales grew by 42% to 26,039 units in August 2022 compared with 18,346 units registered in July 2022 due to the improvement in the supply chain.

Perodua Bezza, Myvi and Axia were the best-selling models, contributing 69% to the total sales.

For the first eight months of 2022, Perodua registered 171,728 units, a strong 64% growth compared with the 104,933 units registered in the corresponding period of 2021.

As of Sept 2, the recently launched all-new Perodua Alza had garnered over 51,000 bookings, with 7,682 units delivered up to August 2022.

UMW Holdings Bhd president and group CEO Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Kenali said with the encouraging number of bookings due to the improving demand, both UMWT and Perodua will continue to ramp-up production to deliver the cars.

“We are confident of achieving our sales targets for the year based on the encouraging bookings as well as the easing of the semiconductor chips shortage and improving supply chain."


Renault and Stellantis cut some production as chip shortages bite

                PARIS: Renault and Stellantis are both suspending car production at several factories as they grapple with a worldwide shortage of crucial semiconductors, the companies said on Friday.

Carmakers around the world have been hit by the shortage of chips used in engine management and driver-assistance systems, which mainly come from Asia and especially Taiwan.

The Covid-19 crisis has driven up demand for chips used in electronics such as laptops and phones and manufacturers are struggling to keep up, with some Chinese suppliers also hit by U.S. sanctions by the former Trump administration.

France’s Renault will suspend production at one site in France and two in Morocco and Romania next week for several days, a company spokeswoman said on Friday, without giving details of the likely impact on output.

Stellantis, the carmaker born out of the merger of France’s PSA and Italy’s Fiat Chrysler, is also feeling the pinch.

The shortage led it to suspend production at its Eisenach factory in Germany on Friday, where it makes Opel cars, and its Zaragoza plant in Spain, which turns out Citroens and Opels, was also affected, a spokeswoman said.

Union sources have said Stellantis planned to slow production at its Melfi plant in Italy next week and furlough 7,000 workers.

Other major carmakers including Ford, Toyota Motor Corp and Volkswagen have also been affected by the shortage of semiconductors.


Dec 30-Jan 5: RON97 petrol up one sen

                PETALING JAYA: The pump price of RON97 petrol will increase by one sen per litre to RM3 from Dec 30 until Jan 5, says the Finance Ministry.

The ministry said today the retail price of RON95 petrol and diesel would remain unchanged at RM2.05 and RM2.15 per litre respectively during the period.

Prices are set based on the weekly retail prices of petroleum products using the Automatic Pricing Mechanism.


Renault, Nissan to present redesign of their alliance on Feb 6 in London

                PARIS: France's Renault nd its Japanese partner Nissan will formally unveil the agreement to reshape their alliance on Feb 6 in London, the two car makers said in a joint statement on Thursday.

The announcement, with junior alliance partner Mitsubishi Motors, confirmed a Jan 26 Reuters exclusive about the deal, which will retool the two-decade-old alliance to put the two car makers on an equal footing and which will see Nissan invest in Renault's new electric vehicle business.

"At this conference, the members of the alliance will present the agreements that will define the new bases for their partnership - presuming prior approval of their respective boards," the three companies said.

The conference, which will be broadcast live, will start at 0830 GMT.

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David Brown Automotive teases new grand tourer for Geneva

                LONDON: David Brown Automotive is a renowned British coachbuilder, and the company has just announced that it will be revealing its most performance-focused model ever at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

The new model is being billed as a new grand tourer following in the footsteps of the Aston Martin DB5-inspired Speedback GT, but there's no news yet of just what historic model the new GT car is going to take its inspiration from this time.

However, it's likely that it will be another classic car of yesteryear brought into the 21st century through the expertise of the coachbuilder.

All we have from the company so far is a teaser image showing a glimpse of the badge, but David Brown Automotive is promising a more "aggressive design language."

As is always the way, the new car will be hand built at the company's Silverstone headquarters, where it's said the new car will, "absorb the location's famous racing and aeronautical heritage into the car's high-octane pedigree."

Company founder and CEO, David Brown, says of the new project, "This is something that we've been looking forward to doing since launching Speedback GT and I can't wait to reveal more. With its unprecedented levels of performance, this vehicle allows the David Brown Automotive brand to appeal to our existing customers, and new customers alike. The car brings yet another exciting opportunity for our company."

Building a high-performance car is a departure from the company's most recent model, the Mini Remastered, which despite its eye-watering £99,000 (RM542,000) price ticket for some versions still only had a 94bhp version of the car's classic four-cylinder, 1.2-litre powerplant under the bonnet.

The full reveal of the new model will take place at the David Brown Automotive press conference at the Geneva International Motor Show on March 6. More details about the project are likely to be released before then, hopefully including what model the car is going to be based upon.


Carbon emissions from new cars in EU fall 2.6% in 2014

                OSLO: Average carbon dioxide emissions from new cars sold in the European Union fell 2.6 percent last year, beating goals set for 2015 as part of efforts to slow climate change, the European Environment Agency (EEA) said.

Average emissions slipped to 123.4 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre, below a 2015 goal of 130 grams that was already reached in 2013 with 126.7 grams, the Copenhagen-based EEA said in a report.

The most carbon-efficient cars were bought in the Netherlands, Greece and Portugal with the least efficient in Estonia, Latvia and Bulgaria, it said. The EU has set a goal of 95 grams per km by 2021 to help limit global warming.

"On past trends, we'd expect missions to keep decreasing," Martin Adam, head of the EEA unit for air pollution, transport and noise, said on Wednesday.

The 2014 decline was mainly because of more efficient cars rather than because Europeans, drained by years of recession or weak economic growth, could only afford small vehicles that burn less fuel, he said.

New car registrations in the European Union rose almost 6 percent last year to 12.5 million, ending declines since a pre-recession peak of 15.5 million in 2007.

In January, the industry association AWEA said the 2014 rise was thanks to government incentives, tax breaks and a consumer shift to cheaper brands such as Dacia and Skoda.

Adam said the EEA data was only for the full year and could not tell, for instance, whether a sharp fall in oil prices in 2014 had swung buyers towards bigger, higher-emissions cars in recent months.

Adam said the EEA was trying to improve data collection because car emissions could be 20 to 30 percent higher in real-world driving than in official car tests.

"There are so many variables. If you drive with the windows open, or with a roof rack, with the air conditioning on or heavily loaded with passengers ... it all affects emissions," he said.

Brussels-based environmental campaign group Transport & Environment said the EU tests exaggerated reductions in carbon emissions by carmakers, giving a false sense of progress.

"While on average new cars in 2014 achieve 5 litres per 100 km in tests, on the road the car consumes closer to 6.5 - costing a typical motorist an extra 500 euros (US$530) in fuel a year," it said.


Windfall of cars for three KLIMS’18 visitors

KUALA LUMPUR: It was all smiles for the three winners of the lucky draw at the Kuala Lumpur International Motorshow 2018 (KLIMS’18), which offers visitors a chance to win either a Toyota C-HR, a Honda City or a Perodua Myvi.

The winners were Wan Afedizal Wan Ariffin from Kuala Lumpur who won the C-HR; Tan Tse Thye who won the City and Ng Mei Ching who won the Myvi.

The winning tickets were drawn by Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Datuk Aishah Ahmad from a lucky draw box at the close of KLIMS’18.

Every entrance ticket was eligible for the lucky draw at the motor show, which was held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) from November 23 to December 2.

Organised by MAA, the 10-day motor show was themed “Beyond Mobility” and attracted 258,508 visitors. MAA had targeted visitor turnout at 350,000.

KLIMS'18 featured over 74 marques of vehicle brands and automotive products spanning more than six exhibitions halls and covering two levels at Mitec.

Participating automotive brands included CAM, Citroen, Daihatsu, DS, Ford, Kawasaki, Benelli, Honda, Hyundai and Isuzu. Others were Kia, Lexus, Petronas Motorsports, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Perodua, Peugeot, Proton, Tata, Toyota and UD Trucks.

The lucky draw winners were presented with their mock keys at an appreciation dinner last Friday for the exhibitors, sponsors and media at Mitec.

The dinner also saw the presentation of awards for Best Booth, in recognition of innovation booth design and presentation of displays as crowd pullers for KLIMS’18.

The Best Booth awards were presented in two categories, for “Cars, Motorcycles and Trucks” and “Automotive-related products”.

In the “Cars, Motorcycles & Trucks” category, the Best Booth award went to Lexus Malaysia, with Nissan Malaysia and Honda Malaysia as first and second runner-up respectively.

In the “Automotive-related products” category, the Best Booth award went to Petronas, with Thinkware Dashcam and V-Kool as first and second runner-up respectively.

The motor show will be held every three years. The show made a comeback this year after a five-year absence.


70 exhibitors heading for commercial vehicle expo

                KUALA LUMPUR: A commercial vehicle exhibition will be held from May 14 to 16 in Seri Kembangan, with the organiser promising a strong line-up of exhibitors and "exciting fringe programmes".

The Malaysia International Bus, Truck and Components Expo, which bills itself as the region's largest such exhibition, will be held at the Malaysia International Exhibition and Convention Centre at the Mines Resort City in Seri Kembangan, Selangor.

According to Asian Trucker magazine and expo organiser, over 70 local and multinational brands are expected at the show that will take up 8,000 sq m of floor space. Several major brands will also launch new products at the show.

“We are definitely seeing a more international flavour in the second expo. This year, we have exhibitors coming from Canada, Italy, Germany and Thailand," said magazine editor Stefan Pertz.

One of the highlights is a Scania driver contest that will take place during the three days of the expo. Open to the public, drivers with valid driving licences could test their driving skills in a truck obstacle course to win prizes.

The competition is run by Scania Malaysia and supported by GiiB, Shell Malaysia and ZF.

Other activities include an Asian Trucker Networking Night on the second day for industry players.

To facilitate visits to the Seri Kembangan venue, the Sendok Group will be providing free shuttle buses for those coming from Kapar and the Kuala Lumpur city centre (see below)


Mercedes launching its luxury EQS electric as an SUV

                BERLIN: Mercedes has announced plans to expand its luxury electric EQS saloon into a tougher, taller and pricier SUV under the same name in December.

Prices for the EQS-badged SUV are to start at €110,658 (RM503,000) in its home market of Germany, making it €3,000 more than the already expensive basic model.

That price gets you an SUV that is almost 15 cm shorter than the saloon (at a total length of 5.13 metres) with an identical wheelbase (3.21 metres), but a 20cm higher roof offering more headroom.

The luggage compartment can hold up to 2,100 litres and a third row of seats is also available on request.

Mercedes says there's a separate off-road driving programme, where an optional air suspension raises the car by an additional 2.5 cm, the accelerator pedal reacts more sensitively and a camera looks under the nose of the car.

In the basic version, the EQS has to make do without all-wheel drive to prevent dragging down the car's range. The EQS 450+ is powered by a 360 hp rear motor, but the almost 108 kWh battery provides a maximum of 671km standard range.

In the equally powerful EQS 450 4Matic, there are two motors powering all four wheels. Third in the line-up is the EQS 580, whose two motors produce 544hp. According to the manufacturer, the two all-wheel-drive vehicles can travel a maximum of around 610km.

At best, the SUV sprints from 0 to 100kph in 4.6 seconds with a maximum of 858Nm and reaches a top speed of 210kph in all variants. A Maybach version based on the EQS SUV is to follow next year.


Singapore to test facial recognition on lampposts, stoking privacy fears

In this file pic, SenseTime surveillance software is identifying details about people and vehicles runs as a demonstration at the company's office in Beijing. — Reuters
SINGAPORE: In the not too distant future, surveillance cameras sitting atop over 100,000 lampposts in Singapore could help authorities pick out and recognise faces in crowds across the island-state.

The plan to install the cameras, which will be linked to facial recognition software, is raising privacy fears among security experts and rights groups. The government said the system would allow it to “perform crowd analytics” and support anti-terror operations.

GovTech, the Singapore government agency in charge of a “Lamppost-as-a-Platform” pilot project scheduled to begin next year, has given companies until May to register their interest in providing technology for the network.

“As part of the LaaP trial, we are testing out various kinds of sensors on the lampposts, including cameras that can support backend facial recognition capabilities,” said a GovTech spokesman in an emailed statement.

“These capabilities may be used for performing crowd analytics and supporting follow-up investigation in event of a terror incident.”

Singapore says the project is part of a broader “Smart Nation” plan to use cutting-edge technology to improve people’s lives and has pledged to be sensitive to privacy.

Video surveillance networks are common in cities like London or New York. But Ian Wilson, a security lecturer at Australia’s Murdoch University said he believed that Singapore’s would be different in that it might involve extensive facial recognition technology. Such technology has become commonplace in Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

Some top officials in Singapore played down the privacy concerns.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said last week that the Smart Nation project was aimed at improving people’s lives and that he did not want it done in a way “which is overbearing, which is intrusive, which is unethical”.

The spokesman for GovTech said: “The need to protect personal data and preserve privacy are key considerations in the technical implementation of the project.”

The government also hopes to use other sensors on the lamp posts to monitor air quality and water levels, count electric scooters in public places, and collect footfall data to aid urban and transport planning, GovTech said.

GovTech did not say how many lampposts would be used in the initial pilot project. But a former head of Singapore’s civil service, Peter Ong, said last year that the country aims to bring all of its 110,000 lampposts into the sensor network.

Adam Schwartz, senior staff attorney at the US-based rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation, urged Singapore and other governments not to adopt facial recognition surveillance technology, in a response to a request for comment from Reuters.

He said he was concerned such technology could be turned on political opponents or used to curb free speech by deterring peaceful protest. Facial recognition technology typically allows authorities to match people picked up on cameras with those in databases.

Singapore’s only opposition party in parliament, The Workers’ Party, declined to comment.

Yitu Technology, a Chinese company that has recently opened its first international office here, said it was weighing a bid with its partners.

Yitu opened a sales and marketing operation in Singapore this year and also plans to set up a research and development hub in the country.

The company says its facial recognition platform is capable of identifying over 1.8 billion faces in less than 3 seconds. Singapore has a population of 5.6 million people.

“We see a big potential in this country. They are ready for the AI revolution” said Lance Wang, Yitu’s general manager for Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau, adding that the firm was discussing a potential bid with partners.

Xjera Labs, a Singapore-based company, said it was putting in a bid with partners.

“The scope we are bidding includes most video analytics related components, such as facial recognition, crowd monitoring and human attribute detection,” Ethan Chu, Xjera’s co-founder, told Reuters.

A spokesman for SenseTime, a facial-recognition software company dual-based in Beijing and Hong Kong, said it was “exploring the situation” and declined further comment. The company includes Singapore’s state investor Temasek as one of its backers following a US$600 million funding round which closed on Monday.

Wilson, the security lecturer at Murdoch University, said that unlike cities like London or New York, Singapore did not have a high crime or terror-threat level that justified such surveillance capabilities.

In its 2018 risk map published this week, AON, a professional services company, ranked the terror threat in Singapore as “low”.

The government says, however, that the country faces threats from both home-grown militants and foreign terrorists.


Philippine auto sales surge as bigger SE Asia markets falter

                MANILA: Once a backwater in South-East Asian auto markets, the Philippines is now heading for a third straight year of record auto sales on strong consumer spending and easy financing while weak economic growth squeezes once-buoyant neighbours.

Data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc (CAMPI) points to sales of 310,000 vehicles this year, up nearly a third from last year - and roughly double the tally in 2012. The growth could be sustained in the coming years partly due to the government's unveiling of a long-awaited US$600 million incentive scheme earlier this year.

 The fifth Philippine International Motor Show held in September, 2014. - All images by CAMPI

While the Philippines is only the region's fourth-biggest market, sales are falling in the top three - Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. The trend is fuelling industry hopes in Manila that automakers like Japan's Toyota Motor Corp and Mitsubishi Motors Corp, dominant in the Philippines, may boost investment in local production facilities to draw on a widening growth pool.

"Auto sales continue to be strong because of the steady growth of buying capacity of customers," CAMPI President Rommel Gutierrez said in a text message. "Financing companies are also offering attractive financing packages which make purchasing vehicles easier." Surging auto sales have been accompanied by a jump in total auto loans, up a record 26 percent in the first quarter to 244.6 billion pesos (US$5.24 billion), according to central bank data.

As the Philippine middle class grows, and avails itself of the car purchase perks from Manila, market leader Toyota has strong hopes for entry-level vehicles like its Wigo hatchback and Vios compact sedan.


Proton in deal to develop advanced testing facilities

                CYBERJAYA: The Malaysia automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), China automotive Technology and Research Centre (CATARC), DRB-Hicom and Proton have teamed up to develop next generation vehicle (NxGV) testing facilities in Malaysia.

MARii chief executive officer Datuk Madani Sahari said the facilities include a test track, big data centre, robotics centre, Internet of Things centre as well as a smart city planning centre.

"We do not have a full testing facility here. We have started to build one but it is not completed; thus this partnership will allow us to complete the testing facilities in Malaysia by 2023 with help from CATARC," he told a press conference following the signing of memoranda of understanding (MoU) between the parties here on Tuesday.

During the event, MARii and CATARC inked an MoU on knowledge sharing and expertise transfer, standardisation of technical standards and the construction of facilities.

MARii also signed an MoU with DRB-Hicom to establish academic and relevant human capital development programmes to strengthen Malaysia’s automotive workforce.

"Both parties will collaborate to establish new programmes in line with industry demand, including value chain development and market expansion,” said Madani.

The programmes will include advanced automotive technologies modules related to Mobility-as-a-Service, NxGV and the fourth industrial revolution to create a critical pool of highly skilled talent in future mobility.

Meanwhile, the MoU between Proton and CATARC will potentially enable the Malaysian car company to collaborate with and leverage on the latter’s research and development facilities, especially in the areas of testing related activities.


MCO 3.0: Police step up roadblocks in KL and Selangor

                KUALA LUMPUR: Police here and in Selangor tightened roadblocks at all toll plazas following the enforcement of the movement control order.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Azmi Abu Kassim said they would target at least nine roadblocks around the capital, not including Putrajaya.

"Putrajaya has four roadblocks while for Kuala Lumpur, we are targeting at least nine roadblocks and we will begin implementation tomorrow,” he said today.

On the number of personnel needed, Azmi said this will be considered from time to time as police will receive assistance from other security agencies.

Meanwhile, Selangor police chief Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed said they have implemented 50% to 70% of the roadblocks around Selangor to ensure road users do not try to cross state borders unless they have approval.

"If anyone does not have approval, we will tell them to turn back. Like yesterday, approval was given (to those) who wanted to take their children from boarding schools,” he said.


Victory Judge cruiser bike ridden

                It is not often that you see a motorcycle designed or styled after a car.

However, the Victory Judge bucks the trend by being based on popular American muscle cars like Pontiac models or the Mustang.

I must say it is a good choice.

In fact the Judge is named after the popular Pontiac Judge from the 1960s.

This American cruiser’s rear fender has a distinct design with its almost fully sunken tail light and gray exposed bars.

The Judge has very few shiny parts unlike other cruisers - most of the other parts of the bike are in matte black like the frame, single multi-function gauge, including the speedometer, tachometer, odometer, exhaust muffler (my test bike had a chromed X-Bow pipes), triple clamps, cases and cylinder heads.

The matte black gives the bike the edgy look and feel of a muscle car.

The Judge comes with 25.9” (65.79cm) seat which is accessible to many.

I realised that the sitting position makes you stretch forward to hold the handle bars.

Small-sized riders would have to stretch themselves a bit to reach the bars, making long rides uncomfortable as they would end up with an aching shoulder.

The firm saddle on this bike is definitely a plus point when you are riding interstate, but I thought to myself, will this saddle be comfortable after 200km of riding?

There have been many instances where firm saddles gave me a sore rear.

But I am happy to report that the Judge’s saddle was not the best but it was definitely not the worst.

Like most cruisers, ground clearance is always an issue, on few occasions when I was taking corners aggressively, I scraped the foot peg.

But this problem disappeared after I tackled the corners with a slightly slower speed.

On expressways, Victory’s latest 1,731cc 50-degree Freedom V-twin has so much of torque and smoothness.

The is due to the lethal combination of old fashioned air cooling and state-of-the-art fuel injection working together to deliver optimum power.

Just when I thought I had pushed this bike to the fullest, it still managed to surprise me with ample power at its disposal, especially when I took some not so smart decisions.

I know I should not have, but the Judge kept me safe and sound.

On expressways, I felt some light vibration with the tachometer reading of 2,900rpm.

However, once the engine passed 3,000rpm, everything was fine and dandy.

So, the trick to vibration-free rides is to keep the tacho above 2,900rpm.

You can also ride it in the city, but I discovered it was really impossible to go beyond second gear.

That said, the Judge behaves very well in the city, with its slim body allowing you to tackle traffic jams without too much hassle.

Of course, the Judge feels much more at home on the open roads.

The scenic route in the ‘twisties’ around Ulu Yam provided the most fun, with the Judge at its best, digging into the corners and turns in third and fourth gear.

There were minimum gear changes as the big V-twin enters and exits the bends with ease.

The four-piston caliper mated to a 300mm disc at the front necessitates some extra muscle to bring the 300kg bike to a halt, but the rear brakes (a two-piston caliper paired to a 300mm disc) does a decent job.

The 2014 Judge is fitted with cartridge forks and a progressive single rear shock with pre-load adjustable for heavy riders.

Be mindful that over sharp bumps, the rear suspension does not give you the cushion that you need, though the front fork is able to absorb impact better.

Overall, suspension is decent, but needs improvement.

The Judge is a sound solution for anyone who is ready to shed his (or her) image as a sports biker, but is not prepared to take it slow.

In this regard, it will not be too far-fetched to say that this modern cruiser is definitely visually arresting and has enough street cred, which makes it worth considering as your next bike.

Victory motorcycles are distributed by Harmony Fabulous Sdn Bhd, a member of the Naza Two Wheels Division.


Imported Toyota C-HR units available; priced from RM170,000

                PETALING JAYA: MyMotor Malaysia is offering limited numbers of imported the Toyota C-HR crossover with all-wheel drive and powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged engine.

The 2016 model year units are priced from RM170,000 to RM178,000 while 2017 model year are priced from RM175,000 to RM180,000.

Prices are inclusive of GST, but are not on-the-road and excludes insurance.

A total of 20 Japan Domestic Market (JDM) units of the C-HR are now available in body colours of Yellow, White, Green and Silver.

Some 12 units are due to be brought in later this year.

READ MORE:
Toyota C-HR 1.8 launches at RM145,500

Backed by MY E.G. Services Bhd (MYEG), MyMotor Malaysia is an integrated transactional online solution portal for vehicle ownership.

“The C-HR crossovers can be bought via cash transactions or hire purchase. Another option is leasing,” said MyMotor Malaysia leasing head Gregory Bajien.

Buyers can opt to pay RM1,000 for a one-year or 20,000km (whichever is first) warranty and this option is offered up to a maximum of three years.

Those who lease the C-HR will receive maintenance services and warranty (up to three years or 75,000km, whichever comes first).

The C-HR units can be serviced at authorised panel workshops under the Myopal network.

Powering the C-HR is a 1.2-litre turbocharged and direct-injected petrol engine with VVT (variable valve timing) producing 116PS and 185Nm of torque.

It uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT), electric power steering, and front MacPherson struts with rear double wishbone suspension set-up.

Standard kit includes six airbags, steering assist - vehicle stability control (S-VSC), Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), G Monitor (information on the car’s centre of gravity), push-start ignition, LED daytime running lights, and Toyota Safety Sense P (includes Pre-Collision system, Lane Departure Alert, Radar Cruise Control, Automatic High Beam).

Its boot has a space of 318 litres.

There are two variants, namely ST and the higher-grade GT which has more features.

The ST variant gets halogen headlights, 17-inch wheels and fabric seats.

The GT grade gets extra kit like LED fog lamps, automatic rain-sensing wipers, Blind Spot Monitor, Sequential turn signals (where 12 LEDs light up), front and rear parking (assist sonar), Bi-beam LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, illumination lamps and puddle lights, powered lumbar support for front seats, seat heaters, and mixed leather-fabric seats.

Also, the centre console of the GT grade has a blue ambient light.

The C-HR’s JDM radio system has been “boosted” to receive Malaysian channels and the multi-media information system comes with English language option.

 JDM unit has a maximum speed of 180kph.