Lexus ES 250 F Sport: Dramatic flair

                Lexus has been able to hold its own over the past 30 years as a brand that draws the moneyed to its fold.

When it comes to Lexus luxury, one tends to look to the LS for the best rendition. For Lexus

performance, the now discontinued LFA was the ultimate in sports car expression.

And then we have this car - the ES 250 F Sport that slots in between. Its execution is adventurous. It’s also a lot easier on the wallet.

In the spotlight

The ES 250 mid-size executive sedan from Toyota’s luxury division was updated and launched locally last October.

The refresher exercise saw the entry of the RM345,134 F-Sport variant for the first time. It leads the pack followed by the ES in Luxury and Premium trims.

In its seventh generation, the latest ES 250, retains a sleek coupe-style silhouette, while the signature spindle grille has been tweaked and now has fewer vertical bars.

For the F Sport, it gets a special mesh grille of interlocking L elements with a dark metallic finish. As the top of the model line-up, it also has other goodies that sets it apart from the other two.

While the two lower liners run on 18-inchers, the F Sport gets blacked-out 19-inch alloy wheels and exclusive exterior fittings that include a rear spoiler.

Hop in

As a luxury car, you expect the ES to present a cabin with high quality materials and have plenty of soft touchpoints. It doesn’t disappoint.

The dash, with its series of buttons - along with a small sunroof - is decidedly conservative but sees some changes to stay in trend.

It gets a new full-colour 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia display that has been oriented 112mm closer to the occupants and turned 5 degrees towards the driver.

A touchpad on the centre console is another way to access the display but it’s just quicker to let your finger walk the big screen. Ventilated front seats are certainly a big plus.

We get it that a sporty ES needs a show of red leather perforated sports seats to drive home the message. Lexus could have added red seatbelts for good measure.

But all that red - even on door panels - may be too “shouty” for some; they can still opt for full black though.

Other interior differentiators are the aluminium trim including aluminium pedals, F Sport logos and 3-spoke F Sport leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters.

The top model variant also gets two exclusive colours, one of which is this white hue.

As an F Sport, the instrument cluster borrows an LFA concept where the main dial slides sideways to reveal additional info.

The ES features three drive modes - Normal, Eco and Sport.

Lexus states the ES is a potential chauffeur-driven ride, and the cabin space is generous to bear this out.

However, boot space of 420l is average in this class and rear seats can’t fold down for more storage.

On the move

The ES 250 is propelled by a 2.5-litre petrol engine that makes 204hp and 247Nm, providing ample twist to move it along.

An 8-speed automatic sends power to the front axle.

The car sprints from 0 to 100kph in 9.1s and top speed is capped at 210kph.

Such numbers are not outright sporty. In fact, the F Sport pack serves up visual drama more than anything else.

The underlying car is still ES to the core.

Its emphasis remains being a comfortable, refined luxury cruiser with an interior that’s akin to a sanctuary from the outside world.

Running over rumble strips or cresting a bump wasn’t as jarring as the suspension irons out much of the unevenness.

The F Sport lets on a modicum of sporty performance.

Gear shifts are relatively notchy, and the slushbox has been engineered to deliver a direct and smooth feel.

In addition, the rear suspension is braced this time to increase rigidity, which helps improve ride comfort and handling.

In hard accelerations, the cabin is well insulated from noise except for the muffled exhaust notes seeping in.

For all the heavy footwork, we chalked up a fairly average fuel consumption of 11.9l/100km.

The serenity within is preserved with the Lexus Safety System+ (LSS+) and a pre-collision system that has been enhanced for better detection.

The other elements of LSS+ are dynamic radar cruise control with stop & go function; lane keeping assist; lane tracing assist; lane departure alert; and adaptive high-beam system.

Also standard are a security system with inclination sensor, rear cross traffic alert and parking support brake.

Wrapping up

In the latest iteration, the ES plays up the luxury and comfort card well.

While the F Sport adds a fresh dimension to the mix and tosses in some degree of sporty performance, it sticks largely to the original ES script.

SPECIFICATIONSLexus ES 250 F SportEngine: 2,487cc,16-valve, DOHC, 4-Cylinders, Inline Type
Maximum power: 204hp at 6,600 rpm
Maximum torque: 247Nm at 5,000 rpm
Transmission: Direct Shift 8-speed automatic
Features: Two-zone climate control, Lexus Safety System+, 10 airbags, front-wheel drive, 12.3-inch touchscreen, 8-inch colour instrument cluster with movable meter ring, power-adjustable front seats, 10-speaker Lexus Premium Audio, active cruise control, adaptive LED projector headlights, LED DRL, Electronic Parking Brake with Auto Brake Hold, wireless charger, sunroof, ventilated front seats, reverse camera with surround view, two USB Type-C ports
Suspension: McPherson Strut (front), double-wishbone (rear)
Acceleration (0-100kph): 9.1s
Top speed: 210kph
Price: (OTR without insurance, 50% sales tax exemption): RM 345,134


Renault, Nissan, Mitsubishi to unveil 2030 EV plan this week

                TOKYO: Renault SA, Nissan Motor Co and Mitsubishi Motors Corp plan to triple their investment to jointly develop electric vehicles (EVs), say two people with knowledge of the plan.

As established automakers face pressure from new competitors and an expected shift in demand towards EVs, the French-Japanese alliance is seeking to deepen cooperation.

The three are expected to announce on Thursday a plan to invest more than €20 billion (RM95bil) over the next five years on EV development, the sources said.

By 2030, the alliance is expected to come up with more than 30 new battery EVs underpinned by five common platforms, they said.

That is in addition to €10 billion (RM47bil) the group has already spent on electrification, said the two people with knowledge of the plan.

A Nissan spokesman declined to "comment on speculation". Spokesmen for Renault and Mitsubishi did not respond to requests for comment.

The “Alliance to 2030” plan aims to show “intensified cooperation” among the automakers, highlighting a “shared vision on electrification and connected mobility,” one source said.

The five common platforms are expected to cover 90% of EVs the companies are expected to develop and launch by 2030, the sources said.

The three-firm alliance has developed and partly deployed four common EV platforms.

One underpins EVs such as Nissan’s upcoming Ariya and Renault’s Megane EV, and another supports affordable no-frills cars by Nissan and its China market partner Dongfeng, as well as for Renault’s Dacia brand.

The other two are platforms for micro minis, called “kei cars” in Japan, and light commercial vehicles.

By mid-decade, the alliance aims to deploy a fifth common platform for compact EVs designed by Renault, the sources said.

Nissan has already decided to use this platform, called CMFB-EV, and other standardised components to electrify the Nissan Micra compact car, while Renault is expected to come up with a similar EV car based on the same platform, the sources said. The Micra EV is projected to be released by the mid-2020s.

Affordable EVs

The automakers hope to make compact EVs as affordable as gasoline-fuelled vehicles of similar size, the sources said.

The automakers are expected to use common batteries and other key components. The alliance plans to jointly invest in capacity to produce in France, Britain, China and Japan a total of 220 gigawatt hours of battery capacity by 2030 under the plan, the sources said.

By standardising and sharing batteries, the alliance expects to halve battery manufacturing costs, they said.

The alliance is also expected to share solid-state lithium-ion battery technology, which Nissan has been developing, they said.

The plan had been for the leaders of Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi to announce the 2030 plan last autumn at an event in Japan, but the announcement was postponed until this week because of a surge in Covid-19 in Japan, the sources said.

A disagreement between Nissan and Renault over the French firm's proposals for a full-blown merger – tensions that burst into the open with the arrest of former alliance leader Carlos Ghosn in 2018 – corresponded with stalled efforts to collaborate on technology and vehicle development, people with knowledge of the matter have said.

The three automakers all have their own hybrid technologies with few shared key parts and systems. The limited cooperation in sourcing and development has raised concern within the group about the ability to achieve cost savings, one source said.

It was not immediately clear whether alliance leaders will discuss hybrids as part of their 2030 plan.

Nissan said in November it planned to spend some $18 billion over five years to accelerate vehicle electrification, launching 23 electrified vehicles - including gasoline-electric hybrids - by 2030, including 15 EVs.

Half of Nissan's vehicle mix will be electrified by 2030, including EVs and e-Power hybrids, the company said.

Renault has said its Renault brand will be 100% electric in Europe by 2030, but company officials told Reuters the target does not apply to markets outside Europe and the group’s other brands, such as Dacia.


Isuzu D-Max enhanced for 2018: New 8-inch touchscreen and leather seats

                KUALA LUMPUR: For 2018, the Isuzu D-Max pick-up truck now has Premium (including 3.0L and 2.5L) and D-Max Z-Prestige variants, which have a new 8-inch touch screen infotainment system with built-in GPS Navigation, Smart Mirroring, Wi-Fi, AUX-Jack, USB, iPod, and Bluetooth.

The D-Max Premium AT (3.0L) and D-Max Z-Prestige variants also get new leather seats, featuring a contemporary sporty design with rectangular geometric shapes.

Also, a sliding cargo tray is installed on the D-Max Z-Prestige variant.

This sliding cargo tray is optional for other D-Max variants.

The cargo tray slides to the back of the cargo area, making goods easier to retrieve when pulled forward to the tail gate.

This also reduces the instances of back injury as the user can lift the weight closer to the body.

Meanwhile, a new colour Cavalry Purple Mica will replace the current Nautilus Blue Mica.

Isuzu Malaysia chief operating officer Masayuki Suzuki said, “The enhanced D-Max retains our core values (fuel efficiency, durability, and reliability).”


New Toyota Alphard and Vellfire compared

                The Toyota Alphard and Vellfire are premium MPVs (multi-purpose vehicles) which are very popular among the business community and top corporate executives in Malaysia.

Both MPVs are well-known for their classy and spacious interiors, comfortable ride quality, powerful and fuel economical powertrain, and high reliability and ease of maintenance, as well as strong residual values.

UMW Toyota Motor, the sole authorised importer and distributor of Toyota vehicles in Malaysia, had in August this year launched the new third-generation Alphard and second-generation Vellfire.

Both MPVs have engines and ECU (engine control unit) programming that have been tuned to run better in local hot weather conditions.

Such tuning is only done for units that are imported by UMW Toyota Motor.

Toyota Alphard 3.5L

The Alphard is offered in two variants – the higher grade Alphard 3.5L Executive Lounge which will set you back RM519,900 and the Alphard 3.5L which costs RM419,900.

Paying an extra RM100,000 gets you features such as semi-aniline leather upholstery, second row VIP seats with seat air-conditioning, a more premium audio system with 17 JBL speakers and a larger eight-inch touchscreen display.

The Alphard Executive Lounge also comes with a 9-inch rear seat entertainment system with Blu-ray Disc player. Also exclusive to the Alphard Executive Lounge steering switches is a voice recognition for hands-free operations.

However, our test drive unit for this photo-shoot was the lower-priced Alphard 3.5L which we found to provide a refined and smooth motoring behaviour.

The powerful 3.5-litre V6 engine with dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) is a solid performer with 271ps of power and 340Nm of torque, mated to a silky-smooth six-speed automatic gearbox.

For us and our passengers, being in an Alphard on the move is like enjoying top-grade “durian” - it is quiet, refined, powerful, relaxing and comfortable.

Like the Vellfire, the Alphard has an electric power steering that is precise and nearly effortless to use.

Toyota Vellfire 2.5L

The Vellfire 2.5L (priced at RM355,000 on-the-road with GST and insurance) is the entry level variant in UMW Toyota Motor’s range of premium MPVs.

The new Vellfire takes on the ‘Bold and Fearless’ design theme and the front fascia sets it apart from its bigger sibling the Alphard by the large Toyota logo and chunky horizontal slats.

It is fitted with LED daytime running lights and another distinction is the rear combination lamps on the Vellfire are C-shaped.

The dual linear illuminations of the lamps of the Vellfire also mirror the two-section headlamps at the front for a touch of symmetry.

As for exterior deisgn, a nice touch is the blacked-out quarter pillar which expresses a roomy cabin.

While the overall shape is boxy, it is far from boring as it has accented surfaces and the shoulder, which passes through a horizontal axis starting from the headlamps, expands in an arc from the front towards the rear, giving it a dynamic three-dimensional form.

Power is derived from the 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine with dual VVT-i.

The output from this engine is rated at 180ps and 235Nm of torque mated to a 7-speed CVT (continuously-variable transmission). Inside, the Vellfire 2.5L has a black colour theme with black woodgrain trim.

Metallic ornamentation and woodgrain pattern ornamentation give a strong impression of high craftsmanship in the cabin.

The instrument cluster consists of the optitron meter combination with 3-dimensional meter rings and the coolant temperature and fuel gauges.

Between the meters is a 4.2-inch colour TFT Multi-Information Display (MID). It also comes with a 7-in touchscreen display audio system and the screen display digital maps for route navigation by GPS and also serves as the control centre for the entertainment system.

The new Vellfire has much more space to offer as the wheelbase has been increased by 50mm. Ingress and egress is even easier as the step-up height is reduced by 50mm. The sliding door opening has also been enlarged by 70mm.

If you are driving one, than you will be surprised at the level of comfort it offers, not to mention how quiet the cabin is, making long distance sojourns less exhausting.

And if you are seated in the Captain Seat, then you have the best seat in the house.

Turn on the Ottoman seat feature to put your feet up and you can either sleep, read or watch what’s on the large rear display screen to pass the time.

Premium MPVs rule

Both the Alphard and Vellfire are actually close siblings with many similarities in design, interior layout, comfort and safety features, and plush cabin materials.

Step inside the cabins, and you will be hard-pressed to tell the differences.

Both MPVs are huge people movers at almost 5 metres in length and 1.9-metre in height, and on the road, they easily stand out among a mundane crowd of smaller vehicles. Getting in and out, especially in tight parking spots, is made a lot easier with powered sliding doors on both sides.

The best spots to be in the MPVS is the second row, where the Alphard 3.5L and Vellfire 2.5L get Captain Seats with power reclining and Ottoman features, as well as a side table. With both third row seats raised against the sides, up to six golf bags can be fitted in the rear cargo section.

Both the Alphard and Vellfire also get standard features like a twin moonroof, sunshades on the side windows, ceiling illumination (with up to 16 different colours), and three-zone automatic air-conditioning with nanoe air purification.

Regarding ride and handling, the new Alphard and Vellfire run on 18-inch wheels with tyres sized 235/50 and are quite planted when tackling road curves and corners at higher speeds; there is substantially less of the “softly floating” sensation in their predecessors.

This is likely due to better suspension engineering by Toyota, which uses independent front MacPherson struts with stabilisers, and new rear double wishbones for both MPVs.

The double wishbone suspension is usually preferred by premium and performance cars as it provides a good balance between handling and ride comfort.

In summary, the commanding road presence, high levels of refinement, ride comfort and safety features in both the Alphard and Vellfire help to jusify their astronomical price tags, and they continue to be the MPVs of choice for local “towkays” or big business owners. - THOMAS HUONG and RIZAL JOHANToyota Alphard 3.5LEngine: 3,456cc V6 petrol, 24-valve DOHC with dual VVT-i
Maximum power: 271ps at 6,200rpm
Maximum torque: 340Nm at 4,700rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic with sequential shifter
Features: Seven airbags, ABS, electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), brake assist, vehicle stability control, traction control, front and rear parking sensors, hill assist control, brake hold, seven-inch DVD-AVN system with navigation and eight speakers, reverse camera, Toyota Premium Security and Solar Film window tint.
Price: RM419,900 on the road with insurance; 5 years and unlimited mileage warranty; 10 years Toyota Genuine Parts guaranteed availability.

Toyota Vellfire 2.5Engine: 2,494 in-line 4, 16 Valve DOHC with Dual VVT-i
Transmission: Continuosly Variable Transmission (CVT)
Maximum output: 180PS @ 6,000rpm
Maximum torque: 235Nm @ 4,100rpm
Features: LED headlamps with auto leveling and daytime running lights (DRL), LED front and rear fog lamps and rear combination lamps, Twin Moon Roof, four-spoke leather wrapped steering with black wood grain, cruise control, smart entry and start system, 3-zone air-conditioning, leather seats, 7in DVD-VN with navigation and 8 speakers, ABS, EBD, BA, Traction Control, Hill-Start Assist Control, front and rear parking sensors, seven airbags, ISOFIX
Price: RM355,000 (on-the-road with GST and insurance)


Peugeot buys India’s Ambassador car for RM54mil

An Ambassador car posing in New Delhi. - AFP
NEW DELHI: India’s Hindustan Motors has sold its Ambassador car to France’s Peugeot for just US$12mil (RM54mil), capping a spectacular downfall for a vehicle once emblematic of the country’s political class.

The CK Birla group, the owners of Hindustan Motors, have sold the car brand for 800 million rupees to the French auto makers, a company spokesman confirmed on Sunday.

Hindustan Motors, India’s oldest car maker, stopped production of the Ambassador in 2014 citing debt and lack of demand for the vehicle which was designed on Britain’s long-defunct Morris Oxford.

”We have sold it for just 800 million rupees but we had already stopped production at the plant nearly three years back. The plant has been closed since,” the official said.

Last month, the Birla group had signed a separate agreement with Peugeot to set up two joint ventures with production capacity initially estimated at 100,000 vehicles per year by 2020.

The PSA Group, which makes Peugeot and Citroen cars, said at the time it had not yet decided which model it will build in India.

The curvy Ambassador once ruled India’s roads and for years was the only car driven by politicians and senior government officials. But the car was muscled out over the years by the entry of more modern vehicles, particularly SUVs increasingly favoured by senior bureaucrats.

The car still remains popular with some taxi drivers and politicians and tourists looking for nostalgia.
The PSA group was among the first foreign car manufacturers to make a foray into India in the Nineties after the government opened up investment.

But after a fall-out with their local partners, the company withdrew from India in 1997.


Racing at sea will be possible on cruise ship 'Norwegian Joy'

                SHANGHAI: Imagine having a race track to speed around in the middle of the ocean. It will not be far-fetched, come mid-2017 when a Chinese cruise liner goes into service from the port of Shanghai.

The ship Norwegian Joy is being built by Norwegian Cruise Line and will be its most innovative and luxurious ship ever, catering for rich Chinese. Norwegian Cruise Line, based in Miami, is part-owned by Malaysian-based Genting Group.

At the top of the ship, guests will take the ride of a lifetime on a two-level competitive racetrack- the first ever at sea.  Cruisers can race family and friends in go-karts and even share a photo of their first-place finish. Afterwards, they can challenge one another to a game of laser tag in the open-air course.

An actual race car has been adapted into a racing simulator.  Other motoring-themed activities organised on the ship include hovercraft bumper cars and a range of car and flight simulators.

Not everyone is hot for the race track, with some complaining on Norwegian Cruise Line's Facebook page that they go on a cruise holiday to relax and not listen to all the ruckus from the tracks, preferring the cruise operator build a full-size swimming pool on board. Others slammed the track as gimmicky and question the rationale of providing activities that exists on land.

Norwegian Joy has a capacity of 3,900 guests and promises to deliver "First Class at Sea" experiences such as VIP accommodation, concierge service, shopping and engaging entertainment. Accommodation offerings also include staterooms designed specifically for families and a multitude of connecting staterooms, for extended families travelling together.


Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8 and latest 'Transformers' film celebrates newest Autobot

                STUTTGART: The new “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts“ film is heading to cinemas worldwide in early June. One of the film’s main characters, the Autobot “Mirage”, is a Porsche – an historic 911 Carrera RS 3.8, to be precise.

Starting in June, returning to the action and spectacle that have captured moviegoers around the world, “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts“ will take audiences on a ‘90s globetrotting adventure with the Autobots and introduce a whole new faction of Transformers – the Maximals – to join them as allies in the existing battle for Earth.

The Autobot “Mirage” takes the legendary Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8 (964) as its car-form, joining the forces of the Transformers for the battle ahead. “Mirage” fights for the forces of good alongside Optimus Prime.

Porsche only ever built 55 units of the Carrera RS 3.8, making it an exceptionally rare historic car.

To avoid the risk of damage, no original model was used in filming. Instead, five picture cars were built that look exactly like the 964 on the outside, but which are not actually original Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8 models.

To create an authentic engine sound for Mirage, a real 911 RS 3.8 was used so the film could be as accurate as possible.

Each of the picture cars fulfills a particular function. One car, for example, was modified to go backward at higher speeds; another was specifically prepared for stunt sequences, yet another one was controlled outside the driver's cab for scenes that focus on the artist inside.


Mercedes-Benz Financial rolls out Step Up Agility plans for the EQA 250 EV

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz Financial has unveiled the Step Up Agility Financing programme to make ownership of the newly launched all-new all-electric EQA 250 and further encourage local adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).

The financial package enables customers to have regular fixed monthly instalments over a set period and is tailored for individuals who seek luxury, value, unrivalled benefits, and above all, peace of mind behind the wheel.

For the EQA 250, there are two five-year Step Up Financing plans available.

The first option is the initial monthly instalments of RM2,288 for the first two years followed by RM4,148 for the third to fifth year of tenure.

The second option is RM2,288 for the first year, followed by RM2,688 for the second year and RM3,994 for the third to fifth year of tenure.

Customers may also adjust their down payments to further reduce their instalments as well as opt for additional insurance coverage and service maintenance.

With the Guaranteed Future Value, customer may opt to refinance, return, or keep the vehicle at the end of the tenure.

Mercedes-Benz will buy the car back at a predetermined price if customers opt for return.

In addition to the Step Up Agility Financing, with Mobility Plus, customers will be entitled to a replacement car not more than four years old with free drop off and pick up within 24 hours of approval for convenience.

There is also the option to Lease&Go where customers can lease the EQA 250 from four years and below, starting from RM5,392 monthly instalments.

The leasing option has zero down payment, zero depreciation and disposal risk, Mobility Plus as well as motor insurance and road tax.

The EQA comes with the standard four years unlimited Mercedes-Benz Warranty.

While for the high-voltage battery, the warranty is eight years or 160,000km, whichever comes first.

Customers who opt to have the wallbox installed will receive two years warranty by the manufacturer.

For details, visit www.mercedes-benz.com.my.


Jaguar Land Rover to have eco-friendly interiors with Econyl

                LONDON: Jaguar Land Rover is now working with Econyl nylon to develop high-quality interiors made from waste collected from the ocean and landfills.

Next-generation Jaguar and Land Rover models will feature floor mats and trims made with Econyl fibre from recycled industrial plastic, fabric offcuts from clothing manufacturers, fishing nets from the farming industry, and those abandoned in the ocean– known as ‘ghost nets’.

This commitment to designing sustainable luxury interiors using responsibly sourced and recycled materials is part of Jaguar Land Rover’s Destination Zero mission, with innovation helping to make environments safer and cleaner while offering customers a premium, sustainable option.

The Econyl regenerated nylon is created by Aquafil - a global leader in the synthetic fibres industry, has already been used by high-end fashion, sportswear and luxury watch brands to create handbags, backpacks, swimwear and watch straps.

The nylon-waste is reclaimed by Aquafil from all over the world.

In a single year, the company recycles as much as 40,000 tonnes of waste, with the recycling process reducing the global warming impact of nylon by 90 per cent compared with the material produced from oil.

For every 10,000 tonnes of Econyl raw material produced, 70,000 barrels of crude oil are saved and 65,100 tonnes of carbon emissions equivalent are avoided.

Inside state-of-the-art treatment centres the waste is analysed, treated and prepared to feed into a chemical plant, where the nylon waste is broken to its original raw material using a chemical treatment process, known as depolymerization. The raw nylon material is then turned into the yarn, known as Econyl.

Throughout the process, other by-products such as non-nylon, metallic materials or copper sulphate which is used for preventing seagrass growing on fishing nets, are removed and sent to alternative industries for recycling.

The resulting Econyl regenerated nylon polymer has the same chemical and performance characteristics as raw fossil material, allowing it to be processed into a fibre that can be used for floor carpets and textiles.

This yarn can then be used to manufacture floor mats for future Jaguar and Land Rover models with the goal of using more environmentally conscious and sustainable materials while still providing customers with a premium and hardwearing product.

The process is helping Jaguar Land Rover move towards a circular economy as part of its journey to Destination Zero.


Camouflaged BMW M4 sparks curiosity with new exhaust placement

An M4  spied undergoing testing. — Image Credit: @autokind
MUNICH: What you see above and below is not the standard BMW M4 but is purportedly the M4 GTS prototype as exemplified by a stacked centre quad exhaust system.

The design is reminiscent of the exhaust design of the Lexus IS, RC and GS model range that has the F-designation that indicates a performance model.

But rather than occupying the outer edges of the bumper, as on the Lexus vehicles, BMW has varied the position, stacking up the pipes in the centre instead. Note that the M3 CSL for 2025 have the same exhaust orientation

At this point, it would have many assuming that this model could be a meaner and faster beast than the M4 Competition. especially with that prominent wing on the bootlid.

Internet rumours have it that the German carmaker will be reviving its Coupe Sports Lightweight (CSL) nomenclature for its upcoming M3 and M4 models in 2025 - possibly as a limited edition, so the GTS badge might not be long for this world.

So is the camouflaged car here the M4 GTS (or CSL)?

Actually, neither.  It's an M4 test mule that has been fitted with M Performance Parts that has got tongues wagging. But it would be refreshing to finally come across a production series M3/M4 with that funky exhaust.

Let's wait and see.


Subaru Global Platform unveiled

                TOKYO: Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd (FHI) has unveiled the Subaru Global Platform for next-generation vehicles.

Together with the horizontally-opposed engines, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD), and EyeSight that represent Subaru’s core technologies, the new platform looks ahead to 2025.

The new platform dramatically increases rigidity throughout the body and chassis (a 70% to 100% increase over present models) and incorporates substantial improvements to the suspension system and achieve a lower center of gravity, bringing about highly responsive steering.

Optimized frame structure and stronger joints between parts allow the new platform to improve overall torsional rigidity by 70% over present models.

This distributes the resonance and distortion throughout the body, greatly reducing vibrations from the steering wheel, floor, and seats.

The new platform increases the rigidity of the suspension mounting, improving the absorption of the suspension without warping the body of the car, and providing a smooth and comfortable drive whatever the irregularities in the road surface.

By mounting the rear stabilizer directly to the body, the new platform reduces the body roll of the vehicle by 50% compared to present models.

The new platform achieves a center of gravity that is 5mm lower than present models.

Together with the major improvements in rigidity and the evolution of the suspension system, this lower center of gravity makes possible a more stable driving experience.

Thanks to a frame structure that enables more efficient energy absorption in the event of collision and the enhanced body rigidity resulting from the increased use of high-tensile steel plates including materials formed by the hot press method, impact energy absorption is improved by 40% over present models.

The new platform will offer a single unified design concept for all Subaru models.

The new concept allows one design concept to be adapted not only to petrol engines but also to hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and electric cars.

The Subaru Global Platform will begin with the next-generation Impreza, due to hit the market in 2016.


Ford says reservations full for high-end version of electric Mustang Mach-E

                DETROIT: Ford said on Monday reservations were full for the high-end Mustang Mach-E First Edition electric sport utility vehicle.

The No. 2 US automaker unveiled the electric Mustang crossover on Nov 17, and began taking reservations with a refundable deposit of US$500.

There are four other versions of the Mach-E in addition to the First Edition.

Ford did not provide details on how many reservations it took for the First Edition, which sells for about US$60,000, but has said global production in the first 12 months for all versions of the Mach-E is limited to 50,000 vehicles.

The Mach-E has become a high-profile test for a restructuring at Ford that has been marred by profit warnings, costly quality problems and the troubled launch this year of another important vehicle, the Ford Explorer sport utility.

The Mach-E was unveiled in Los Angeles in November. It will be built in Mexico, the first of more than a dozen all-electric vehicles Ford plans to launch by 2022 with an investment of US$11.5 billion. The Mach-E’s design was inspired by the classic 1960s Mustang sports car and is meant to challenge electric carmaker Tesla Inc.

More than 80% of US customers are reserving Mach-E with an extended range battery, while about 55% opted for an all-wheel drive, Ford said.

More than 25% of the reservations are from California, with nearly 30% of US customers choosing Mach-E GT, the company said.


Targeted fuel subsidy mechanism to be ready by July

                KUALA LUMPUR: The government expects to finalise the targeted fuel subsidy mechanism by July.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this would enable the government to identify the vendors and fine tune the list of deserving recipients.

"When the MoF (Ministry of Finance) has chosen the vendors, they will inform our ministry, enabling both ministries to work together to update the related issues.

“This is because we want to make sure the programme runs smoothly. The most important component is to ensure that the list of beneficiaries is reliable.

“The list is being prepared by 17 agencies, not only the Inland Revenue Board, the Registration Department and the Road Transport Department, but also other agencies as well," he said.

“We want to do a crosscheck to ensure that the recipients are really qualified and we need a bit more time for that,” he said after announcing the partnership between Petronas Dagangan Bhd (PDB) with Loob Holding Sdn Bhd and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), here today.

The Ministry of Finance has issued a Request for Proposal for the implementation of a new targeted RON95 petrol subsidy system.

On Wednesday, Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Chong Chieng Jen was quoted as saying that the government had yet to make a final decision on the implementation the targeted petrol and diesel subsidy mechanism.

He said the mechanism has to fulfil three key features, namely smooth and user-friendly implementation, equipped with high-security features, and could be used at all petrol stations in urban or rural areas.

Meanwhile, PDB managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said the cooperation with Loob involved the opening of the Tealive franchise premises at the Petronas Kedai Mesra network across the country, including the opening of 300 shops within three years.

He said the collaboration was in line with the company's strategy to grow non-fuelled businesses besides being a one-stop centre for the community.

The collaboration also provides entrepreneurial opportunities for UiTM's final year students to attend industrial training and pioneer programmes conducted by PDB.


McLaren reveals new 600 LT Spider

                LONDON: McLaren Automotive today released its first images and details of the third new model in its £1.2bn (RM6.35bil) Track25 business plan - the McLaren 600LT Spider.

The fifth car to carry the Longtail name, the new convertible embodies the McLaren Longtail philosophy of increased power, reduced weight, optimised aerodynamics, track-focused dynamics and limited availability.

In addition, it brings a new dimension of excitement over the 600LT Coupé, without compromise to the dynamic purity of the most performance-focused car in the Sports Series line-up: a retractable hardtop to give the choice of open-air driving.

“The McLaren 600LT Spider adds a new dimension of excitement to the most extreme model in the Sports Series family, while losing none of the Longtail focus. Taking full advantage of the strength of the carbon fibre MonoCell II chassis has ensured that the new Spider has dynamic abilities and performance on par with the 600LT Coupé, for a weight premium of just 50kg and with no additional structural strengthening required. In addition to our weight advantage over competitors, we have also retained the top-exit exhausts that debuted on the Coupé – and I’m pleased to report that they sound and look even better with the roof or rear window of the Spider lowered!”
Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive

Like its 600LT Coupé sibling, the Spider records a significant weight saving over the model on which it is based, with McLaren’s engineers achieving a reduction of 100kg at DIN weight over the 570S Spider.

Furthermore, thanks to its lightweight but incredibly strong carbon fibre MonoCell II chassis, the convertible 600LT retains the structural rigidity of the Coupé with none of the strengthening that is usually required with conventional steel or aluminium structures. The result is a weight penalty of only 50kg over the Coupé, which contributes to a lightest dry weight of just 1,297kg for the Spider. This is at least 80kg less than any direct competitor and the equivalent power-to-weight ratio of 463PS-per-tonne underpins astonishing levels of performance and dynamic prowess.

Enhancing the Sports Series Longtail experience with open-air motoring is as easy as pushing a button to lower or raise the three-piece, powered retractable hardtop roof at speeds of up to 40km/h (25mph). With the roof lowered, occupants benefit not only from wind in their hair, but also the memorable aural and visual drama provided by the top-exit exhausts that are unique to the 600LT.  An electrically-operated, glazed wind deflector can be activated independently of the hardtop, to reduce buffeting or increase ventilation – or simply to allow more of the exhaust sound into the cabin.

Incorporating technology proven in the 650S, 675LT and 570S Spiders, the hardtop roof is more secure and wear-resistant than a fabric alternative would be, as well as offering Coupé-like cabin refinement when in the raised position. Equally importantly, it allowed McLaren’s design team to maintain the focused design language and silhouette of the 600LT Coupé. When lowered, the roof stows elegantly with the assistance of soft-close technology beneath a tonneau cover located behind the seats; with the roof raised, this tonneau storage area provides an additional 52 litres of luggage space.

The 600LT Spider benefits from the same portfolio of performance enhancements that has proved irresistible to 600LT Coupé buyers. The electronic control systems of the twin-turbocharged, 3.8-litre V8 engine have been revised, the cooling system uprated and the shorter exhausts tuned to liberate more power. The engine produces the same 600PS (592bhp) and 620Nm (457lb ft) in the Spider as it does in the Coupé.

The uprated powertrain enables the driver to exploit the 600LT Spider’s carbon fibre monocoque chassis to the full, aided by a dual-clutch, Seamless Shift seven-speed Gearbox (SSG) that features Ignition Cut in Sport mode to facilitate faster changes whilst delivering a dramatic aural crack from the top-exit exhausts, plus Inertia Push in Track mode to optimise acceleration. The 600LT Spider will reach 100km/h (62mph) from a standstill in 2.9 seconds, with 200km/h (124mph) achieved in just 8.4 seconds – a near-indistinguishable 0.2 seconds slower than the Coupé. The maximum speed is 324km/h (201mph) with the roof raised, or 315km/h (196mph) with it lowered.

Performance is further enhanced by the lightweight carbon fibre bodywork that creates the Longtail silhouette and the same design of fixed rear wing as the Coupé which – despite the aerodynamic challenges posed by a convertible body – generates the same 100kg of downforce at 250km/h (155mph).  Ultra-precise, track-focused handling is supported by a forged aluminium double-wishbone suspension system with recalibrated dampers, firmer engine mounts and a lightweight braking system. The 600LT Spider is fitted with bespoke, track-focused Pirelli P- Zero™ Trofeo R tyres and the driving experience is further enhanced with quicker steering and sharpened responses from throttle and brake pedals.

Lowering the roof of the 600LT Spider showcases the performance-orientated interior, which features lightweight Alcantara® trim and Carbon Fibre Racing Seats from the McLaren P1™ as standard. The Super-Lightweight Carbon Fibre Racing Seats designed for the McLaren Senna are available as an option, either on their own or within the MSO Clubsport Pack. Further weight-saving options and measures – including deletion of the audio and climate control systems – are available to buyers determined to shave off every kilogramme possible.

The new 600LT Spider is the fifth model to carry the coveted LT badge, joining the illustrious bloodline that began in 1997 with the McLaren F1 GTR ‘Longtail’, of which only a development prototype and nine examples were built. Victorious in five of the 11 rounds of the 1997 FIA GT Championship, the original Longtail also finished first and second in the GT1 class at Le Mans, almost 30 laps ahead of the opposition.

McLaren Automotive revived the legendary Longtail name at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show, with the launch of the 675LT Coupé, a limited-volume model that rapidly sold out. In response to customer demand, a 675LT Spider followed, all 500 examples of which were sold within two weeks. The fourth model to bear the Longtail name, the 600LT Coupé, was revealed in July 2018 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and has since been hailed by critics as one of the finest cars in its class – an accolade that will now be challenged by its new Spider sibling.

Like the Coupé, availability of the 600LT Spider will be limited, with build slots scheduled around other Sports and Super Series models.  Available to order now from McLaren retailers, each car will be hand-assembled at the McLaren Production Centre in Woking, Surrey, England.

The 600LT Spider is priced from £201,500 (RM1.1mil) with taxes in the UK.


Disguised Chelsea FC footballers become Hyundai car sales people

                LONDON: Through Hyundai’s official partnership with Chelsea, two players from Chelsea FC’s senior Men’s and Women’s squads - Mason Mount and Erin Cuthbert, were asked to swap their studs for the sales floor, as they went under full prosthetic disguise as Hyundai sales staff.

Expertly guided by fellow teammates Fikayo Tomoro and Kurt Zouma from the Men’s team, and Ji So-Yun and Millie Bright from the Women’s team, the aim was simple – to convince as many ‘prospective customers’ as possible to register for a test drive in the Hyundai showroom… without being recognised.

The video was filmed in February 2020 before the lockdown imposed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, what Mason and Erin did not know, is that the prank was actually on them and the ‘prospective customers’ were in fact trained actors.

Both Mason and Erin, undercover as ‘Nick’ and ‘Shelia’, receive technical and entertaining questions on the showroom floor - much to the amusement of their own teammates watching from behind the scenes.

They attempt to explain the difference between electric and hybrid Hyundai vehicles and discuss battery power as they try to make a sale - all while making a few blunders along the way.

“We produced this humorous piece of content before lockdown to showcase our partnership with Chelsea, and we’re proud to have created something original that features both the men’s and women’s team. As fans are eagerly awaiting the return of live football, and with car dealerships in England reopening this week, we felt that now would be a good time to release so that supporters could catch up with their favourite Chelsea players – albeit in slightly different surroundings," said Hyundai Motor UK managing director Ashley Andrew.

Hyundai and Chelsea FC have stayed active during the lockdown by releasing the Hyundai FC ‘Home Advantage’ content series featuring Chelsea FC and Chelsea Women FC football players to help budding footballers throughout the UK develop their skills during the Covid-19 lockdown.


How to safely tow a heavy load

                BERLIN: If you need to haul furniture or want to bring your own hotel on your next vacation, a trailer or caravan is indispensable.

However, for safety reasons, it's important to make sure you have the right match between the vehicle doing the towing and the trailer.

Germany's Tuev Sued, a leading technical inspection agency, stresses that the permitted towing capacity and drawbar pull must be observed.

Towing capacity indicates the maximum weight that a fully loaded trailer can be towed by the respective vehicle, while drawbar pull indicates the mass that presses vertically on the trailer coupling.

The lower of the two values applies here - usually 100kg. Both pieces of information can be found in the vehicle documents.

To ensure that drivers can be safe on the road, the permissible drawbar load should be used as much as possible. If the trailer is heavily loaded at the rear, the drawbar load may be too low or even negative in extreme cases.

If the trailer is loaded primarily on one side at the front, the permissible values can also be exceeded.

A quick visual side check of the hitch can relay quite a bit of information - if you see bending, there's a danger of instability.

According to Tuev Sued, heavy items should be placed as close to the axle as possible. All parts should also be secured with belts, straps or transport nets so that they do not fly off during sudden braking.

Besides making sure the load is balanced, drivers also need to make sure they don't exceed the permitted total weight. Caravans, for example, often have a low load-carrying capacity. For trailers, attention is needed in regards to the load capacity of the rear axle.

Did you check all these boxes? Then you're ready to get going.

Drivers also need to take the trailer into account when behind the wheel: braking distance and curve radius increase, and more caution is needed in high winds thanks to the vehicle's bigger surface area.


Clean energy leader Costa Rica turns attention to electric cars

Avalos (left) talking to a customer in San Jose on Dec 13.  — AFP
SAN JOSE: Costa Rica likes to advertise itself as an ecological paradise, where more than 98 percent of its electricity needs are met by clean energy.

But in the automotive industry, it is lagging behind with just 600 out of 1.4 million private vehicles running on electricity rather than petrol or diesel.

Experts believe that is about to change, though.

Bernal Munoz, a director at Costa Rica's electricity institute (ICE), insists that 600 vehicles is in itself progress, having doubled the number on the roads in 2017.

"We have studies done by the University of Costa Rica with mathematical models that say the growth rate will continue," said Munoz. "In five years, there could be 40,000 electric vehicles."

ICE is leading the way, having bought a fleet of 100 electric vehicles to replace the same number of fuel-powered ones.

"The aim of this project is to demonstrate that the electric vehicle is perfectly adapted to the topographical conditions of this country, with its rolling, mountainous terrain," said Munoz.

Costa Rica's state postal service has got in on the act too, buying 30 electric motorcycles for its employees to use on their rounds.

"We have proposed the transition towards a fleet of electric vehicles, facilitating the process so that public institutions buy zero emission vehicles," said First Lady Claudia Dobles.

An architect, Dobles has been tasked with the government's urban renovation programme, including the modernisation of its transport.

When President Carlos Alvarado assumed office in May, he started a programme to decarbonise the economy, with the transition to electric cars a key to the project.

World leader

The central American country is already a world leader when it comes to green energy, having generated more than 98 percent of its power through renewable sources for the last four years in a row.

That makes the country the ideal place to promote clean transport, according to Carlos Echeverria, senior regional specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank.

"The government wants to convert Costa Rica into a laboratory for the decarbonisation of the economy, and transport is fundamental to that," he said.

Transport is responsible for 66 percent of hydrocarbon consumption and 54 percent of carbon dioxide emissions.

As well as the replacement of fuel-powered vehicles with electric ones at state institutions, last year the government implemented tax exemptions for the private purchase of electric cars.

It's also planning a passenger train between major cities and a cargo locomotive to and from its major Caribbean port of entry and exit.

"What Costa Rica is doing is leading in the way of electrical mobility at a regional level," said Echeverria.

Other Latin American countries, such as Chile, Colombia and Mexico, have made progress in the electric public transport sector, according to Munoz.

In Costa Rica, there have been discussions with transport businesses to launch electric busses, but for the time being the focus is on private cars.

In 2019, it will start installing a network of 40 recharging stations distributed throughout the country, with at least eight new stations to be built each year, said Munoz.

Paraguay will inaugurate in 2019 rapid-charging electric stations over 1,000km of roads connecting its major cities, know as the "green route."

Big savings

One person to benefit from the government's measures is Roberto Quiros, who replaced his family's two cars with electric vehicles.

In 2017, he bought a used Chevrolet Spark from the United States and this year added a new Ford Focus.

"From an economic point of view it's a great comfort. We were spending 140,000 colones ($233) a month in petrol, $300 every four months in maintenance, oil changes and everything" else.

Now he spends only $50 a month as he recharges the cars at home.

There are three companies in Costa Rica importing new electric cars: Nissan, Hyundai and BMW. But at US$30,000-US$50,0000 per vehicle, that is beyond the means of the vast majority of Costa Rica's middle classes.

For them, the tax exemptions applied in the country's electric transport strategy can be of benefit as used cars sell for half the price of a new one.

Businessman Mariano Avalos began importing used electric cars from the US 18 months ago and has noticed a change in the domestic market since then.

"At first we'd import a Chevrolet and wait five months to sell it," said Avalos.

"Demand has changed, now we sell on average four a month and we expect to sell 10 a month next year."

He expects there to be 1,800 electric cars on the Costa Rican streets in 2019.


Daimler and HERE to bring HD Live Map to future Mercedes-Benz models

                AMSTERDAM/STUTTGART: Daimler and HERE Technologies have teamed up to make HERE HD Live Map an integral part of Daimler’s autonomous driving technology.

With these efforts both companies are laying the groundwork for upcoming generations of highly automated and autonomous Mercedes-Benz vehicles (vehicles with level 3-5 automation) to come to market with the benefits of HD Live Map on board. For Daimler this is a logical step as the current E- and S-Class models and the new A-C lass are already using maps from HERE.

Highly precise digital maps are a key component for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving. The machine-readable, cloud-based HD Live Map allows an automated vehicle to effectively "see around corners" and consists of multiple layers of information essential for it to know where exactly it is, what lies ahead and what it should do in various scenarios.

'Self-healing' maps

HERE has created HD Live Map to be “self-healing”. This means it can reflect dynamic changes in the road environment and update itself accordingly in near real-time. This enables vehicles to proactively adjust to changing road conditions – for example, switching lanes and adjusting speed ahead of time in the case of an upcoming lane closure.

Vehicle sensor data is the most crucial element for an HD map to self-heal because of its quality, and the sheer volume of vehicles on the road that can detect and validate change. HERE is already receiving rich vehicle sensor data from multiple automakers, including Daimler, to produce near real-time map updates.

With passenger safety top of mind, HERE HD Live Map constantly publishes changes to the map through an innovative content validation process, where multiple vehicle sensors act as a “closed loop” to detect any deviations from the published data.

“The map of the future is one that’s self-healing – constantly updating to mirror what is happening across the road network” said Ralf Herrtwich, SVP Automotive at HERE Technologies. “Together with Daimler, we are mastering this powerful mapping technology and are truly excited to make it available for the next generation of Mercedes-Benz vehicles.”


Tesla seeks to overturn Louisiana ban on direct car sales

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc has filed a lawsuit to challenge Louisiana's refusal to allow the company to sell vehicles directly to consumers, calling the US state's move protectionist and anti-competitive.

The case is the latest battle to reverse direct sales bans in some states against the electric carmaker, which bypassed traditional car dealerships. In those states, consumers have to travel to neighboring states to secure Tesla vehicles.

Tesla claimed Louisiana officials have violated state and federal antitrust laws by barring direct sales since 2017 and trying to restrict the leasing and servicing of its cars in Louisiana.

"Louisiana consumers' freedom is being unduly restricted by protectionist, anti-competitive and inefficient state regulation," according to the lawsuit, which was filed on Friday in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Tesla accused Louisiana dealers, dealer association and some members of the Motor Vehicle Commission of entering an "unlawful conspiracy to bar Tesla from doing business in Louisiana."

In 2016, Tesla also sued Michigan for the state's direct sales ban and reached a settlement in 2020 under which Tesla can have its cars serviced in Michigan through a subsidiary.


Indonesia sends cars to volcanic highlands for B40 biodiesel tests

                JAKARTA: Indonesia, the world’s biggest palm oil producer, is testing to see whether vehicles can run effectively on diesel blended with 40% cooking oil, and if it works well at higher altitudes.

A successful outcome would shift more local supply towards biofuel and curb exports.

Six Toyota Innova minivans filled with 40% palm-based biodiesel are going to zoom across Java island in coming weeks.

They set off from Dieng, an active volcanic area in central Java, today to see if the tropical oil can adapt to higher altitudes. Palm normally tends to solidify at cooler temperatures.

Indonesia has been pushing to use a higher proportion of palm oil in biodiesel as a way to cut fossil-fuel imports, reduce emissions and absorb excess palm oil supply.

The Southeast Asian nation currently requires vehicles to use a 30% blend, known as the B30 mandate, and is trying to increase that to B40.

If successful, the move would divert more palm oil towards biofuel and reduce supply available for exports. This has the potential to drive up global prices and increase cooking oil costs.

Earlier this year, palm oil futures soared to a record when Indonesia banned exports to curb domestic inflation, and then tumbled as stockpiles overflowed and forced it to change course.

Two formulas are used in the road tests. One is a blend of 30% fatty acid methyl ester (Fame), 10% hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) and 60% gasoil. The other uses a mix of 40% Fame and 60% gasoil.

So far, the road tests show that fuel-use efficiency is similar overall to the B30 blend, said Dadan Kusdiana, director general of new and renewable energy at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry.

They also showed that the engine can start about one second after ignition and that the blend can be used in higher areas with temperatures between 17-18 celsius, Kusdiana said.

The ministry will submit recommendations for the B40 mandate after the tests are completed in December. The government will then decide whether and when the higher blend will be implemented, Kusdiana said.

If implemented, the B40 mandate will add about 3.4 million to 3.5 million kiloliters of palm-based biodiesel to domestic consumption, he said.

As of October, the country had consumed about 8 million kiloliters of biodiesel, out of an annual target of 11 million kiloliters, Kusdiana said.

The volume of Indonesia’s palm-biodiesel blending is the highest in the world.

By contrast, Malaysia, the No. 2 producer, is going to slow the implementation of its B20 mandate in transport to prioritise palm oil supply for food.


Tesla becomes most valuable US car maker, edges out GM

                SAN FRANCISCO: For the first time in the era of the modern automobile, the most valuable US car maker is not based in Detroit.

Silicon Valley's Tesla Inc overtook General Motors on Monday to become the US car maker with the largest market capitalisation as the century-old automobile industry increases its reliance on software and cutting-edge energy technology.

That milestone is likely to be on the minds of Tesla chief executive Elon Musk and GM chief executive Mary Barra as they and other CEOs visit the White House on Tuesday to discuss tax reform and infrastructure with President Donald Trump.

Helped by an analyst's recommendation, Tesla rose 3.26 percent to a record high of US$312.39 on Monday. Its market value of US$50.887 billion exceeded GM's by about US$1 million.

Over the past month, the luxury electric car maker has surged 35 percent as investors bet that Musk will revolutionise the automobile and energy industries.

That compares to a declining share performance by GM in recent years that recently led billionaire investor David Einhorn to propose splitting the stock into two classes to help boost its price.

Tesla's market capitalization is now equivalent to US$102,000 for every car it plans to make in 2018, or US$667,000 per car sold last year. By comparison, GM's market capitalization is equivalent to US$5,000 per car it sold in 2016.

The Palo Alto, California company is rushing to launch its mass-market Model 3 sedan in the second half of 2017 and quickly ramp up its factory to reach a production target of 500,000 cars per year in 2018. Last year it sold 76,230, missing its target of at least 80,000 vehicles. By comparison, GM sold 10 million cars and Ford sold 6.7 million.

Proponents believe Tesla, which is not profitable, argue its stock price is justified based on long-term expectations for Tesla's growth.

They also point to opportunities from Tesla's acquisition last year of money-losing solar panel installer SolarCity and Tesla's Nevada battery cell plant aimed at driving down manufacturing costs.

"Tesla isn't just another company. More so than any stock we've covered, Tesla engenders optimism, freedom, defiance, and a host of other emotions that, in our view, other companies cannot replicate," Piper Jaffray analyst Alexander Potter wrote in a report.

Sceptics believe Tesla's growth targets are unrealistic and that the company risks being overtaken by GM, Ford and other deep-pocketed manufacturers ramping up their own electric-vehicle offerings.

Its market capitalisation remains smaller than Japan's Toyota Motor Corp, at US$173 billion.


UMW Toyota Motor sees continued upward sales trend into 2H22

                SHAH ALAM: UMW Toyota Motor saw an upward sales continuation for the month of June with Toyota and Lexus brands recording at 8,870 units and 69 units sold respectively.

This compares with May's sales at 7,442 Toyota units and 137 Lexus units.

The June total sales of 8,939 Toyota and Lexus vehicles is higher compared to the overall sales of May at 7,579 units.

The total year-to-date sales for June is 45,911 units (Toyota + Lexus) and is 35% higher compared with 34,111 units (Toyota + Lexus) for the corresponding period of 2021.

UMW Toyota Motor also said the recent end of SST exemption was expected to have a short-term negative impact on sales.

However, this is mitigated with some early signs of recovery on the global shortage of semiconductors and microchips in the second half of this year, production could ramp up and with the launch of newer, more sophisticated models boasting advanced automotive technology which will leave buyers spoilt for choices.

UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K said the company is focused on going the Extra Mile to provide Toyota owners with the best ownership and after-sales experience by reimagining what ownership is about in the second half of the year.

"Looking ahead, shifting consumer behaviours will likely place value on advanced automotive technologies and comprehensive security features supported by a host of value-added after-sales services.

"At UMW Toyota Motor, we offer owners not only the best technological advancement at their fingertips for a smoother and safer drive, we go the Extra Mile to enhance their ownership journey.

"Through financial and insurance packages, top-notch servicing and Toyota 247 roadside assist, we are confident in delivering an unforgettable journey from the starting line by taking great care of our customers from the moment they enter our doors,” he said.

 Veloz.

Building on the sales momentum in June, Toyota's premium crossover the all-new Toyota Veloz 1.5 A/T variant is now available for booking at all Toyota showrooms.

Promising 'happiness inside out,' the new model comes with a new transmission and suspension setup for acceleration that is smoother and more powerful, coupled with the promise of excellent fuel efficiency.

Being uncompromising with safety, the Veloz comes with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) to help keep drivers and passengers safe throughout their journey.

To keep owners continuously connected inside out, the Veloz comes with a nine-inch freestanding infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and a Qi wireless charger.

For more information, visit https://toyota.com.my/ or call the Toyota freephone line 1- 800-8-TOYOTA (869682).


Tesla cut steering part from some cars to deal with chip shortage, says CNBC

                AUSTIN: Tesla Inc decided to remove one of the two electronic control units included in the steering racks of some made-in-China Model 3 and Model Y cars to meet fourth-quarter sales goals while coping with global chip shortage, CNBC reported on Monday.

The electric-car maker did not disclose the exclusion, which already affected tens of thousands of vehicles being shipped to customers in China, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany and other parts of Europe, the report said, citing two employees and an internal correspondence.

Tesla decided against notifying customers as the part is considered a redundant backup and was not needed for the level 2 driver-assistance features, the report said, adding it was not clear if Tesla would make similar changes to the cars built in or shipped to the United States.

Tesla has fared better than most automakers in managing supply chain issues by using less scarce chips and quickly re-writing software.

It expects chip shortages to last through this year before easing next year.

Chief executive Elon Musk told an earnings call last month the shortage was not a long-term issue, with factories increasing capacity and automakers guilty of panic buying of chips which slowed the supply chain.


Teslas and other electric cars prone to rust, German testers warn

                BERLIN: Rusty cars in everyday use on roads are getting rare these days, but tests in Germany indicate that some modern electric cars are alarmingly prone to corrosion.

Testing agency GTÜ told car magazine Auto Motor und Sport that Tesla's Model 3 electric is a prime candidate for rust, which remains remains an issue on many modern cars, notably electrics.

There have also been reports of rusty bolts on other Tesla models and rust on the disc brakes of electrics from other brands such as Toyota and Renault.

The corrosion problems have been highlighted by Germany's tough vehicle road-worthiness testing regulations, which kick in once a car is three years old. After that, the vehicle must be submitted for a test every two years.

Rust expert Ralf Roessler examined a Tesla model with only 300km on the clock for Auto Motor und Sport and he found that the frame had been treated to only a thin coat of paint. The A-pillars were also filled with a construction foam which has a tendency to absorb water like a sponge.

"It will get soaked with water. In six months it will be brown, in six years it will be rotted out," said Roessler. He said initial rust was also visible on the link bars, which are a part of the suspension. "The whole front beam rusts first because the water has nowhere to drain," said Roessler.

The findings tie in with similar reports from the US of unusually rusty bolts on some older Tesla Model S cars.

Rust has largely been banished from cars thanks to improvements in underbody protection, galvanisation and zinc coatings along with plastic wheel arch liners and cavity sealing. Volkswagen grants its vehicle customers a 12-year guarantee against rusting.

It seems that that in order to save weight because of heavy batteries, carmakers are using thinner steel. Other common materials in electric cars such as aluminium and magnesium can react chemically with each other and cause galvanic corrosion.

Germany's ADAC car club previously said it was concerned that rust damage on modern cars can remain undetected for a long time, which could have an impact on crash safety.

Overall faults found on the Renault Zoe electric runabout were average for its age but TÜV testers highlighted faulty brakes.

Electric cars make use of recuperative braking which means that the driver uses the footbrake less often. This can lead to corrosion on components at the wheels which could, in serious cases, render the brakes inoperative, said TÜV federation director Joachim Buehler.


Exemption on motor vehicle licence fee given to PwD, electric vehicles, says Dr Wee

                PUTRAJAYA: An exemption on full motor vehicle licence fee will be given to vehicles for persons with disabilities (PwD) and electric vehicles, announces Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The Transport Minister said this was in line with the government’s allocations under the Budget 2022.

Explaining further, Dr We said the exemption was only applicable to motor vehicles that had been specifically modified for the use of PwD.

"For motor vehicles that are not specifically modified, the exemption is only given to completely knocked down (CKD) vehicles and national cars.

"Eligible vehicles must be registered and licensed under the particular PwD, who must be registered with and in possession of a valid PwD card issued by the Welfare Department," he said in a statement on Monday (Feb 14).

The exception was also extended to motor vehicles registered and owned by parents, guardians or spouses of PWD with the condition that the PwD is also registered with the Welfare Department.

The application for this exemption would begin on March 15.

In the Budget 2022, the government had committed to fully pay motor vehicle licences for private vehicles owned by PwD, to lessen the cost of living for the PwD community,

Dr Wee said as for the electric vehicles, the exemption was from Jan 1 this year to Dec 31, 2025.

"This exemption is only given to full EV vehicles, whether powered by battery or by fuel cells and not applicable to hybrid vehicles which are equipped with either petrol or diesel-powered internal combustion engines," he added.

The application for the exemption would begin on Feb 15.

The minister said eligible vehicle owners who have already obtained a licence (new or renewed) after Jan 1 and before the starting date to apply for either exemption were entitled to a rebate.

"They or their representatives may surrender the motor vehicle licence and be entitled to be paid a rebate to an amount as may be prescribed.

"Subsequently, the vehicle owner can proceed to apply for the motor vehicle licence exemption," said Dr Wee.

The public can contact the Road Transport Department customer service for further details and information on the implementation of this incentive.


Ford targets over 30 million remotely updated cars by 2028

                DETROIT: Long after fellow American car brand Tesla, Ford has announced the implementation of a remote update program for its future models.

Just as we regularly update the operating system of our computer or cell phone, it will be the same for our car with the appearance of new features particularly regarding autonomous driving.

By adopting remote over the air (OTA) updates, Ford wants to simplify the process of integrating new features into the cars of its customers.

The US car maker has announced that all its future models will have this capability.

This means that by 2028, nearly 33 million cars will be able to be updated remotely, when necessary, without owners having to go to a dealership or garage.

Ford says that in the past two months, 100,000 F-150 and Mustang Mach-E owners have already been able to take advantage of this. By the end of this year, 700,000 vehicles should be eligible for this system.

Among the next updates announced is the integration of Alexa, Amazon's intelligent assistant. This will make it possible to communicate with Alexa and ask her for information about the weather, the nearest gas station or for directions to your next appointment.

More importantly, Ford will soon allow, via a simple remote update, access to its BlueCruise semi-autonomous highway driving mode.

In addition to a deal with Amazon for Alexa integration, Ford also announced that it is teaming up with Google for its future infotainment system, which will run on Android. This means that Google's main services, including Maps and Assistant, will be accessible in the car without necessarily needing an Android smartphone.

All these moves reflect the current path of the auto industry, and other manufacturers like Mercedes, Volkswagen and Volvo have also understood this.

This type of OTA service should gradually be adopted by all manufacturers, to the great displeasure of car dealers who will be much less called upon, by force of circumstance. Many failures and malfunctions can be corrected by this type of remote update, available 24/7.


Audi CEO Stadler may not stay until end 2022 due to board pact

                INGOLSTADT: Embattled Audi chief executive Rupert Stadler only got a five-year contract extension last month because of an agreement among supervisory board members that he would not serve out his full term, two sources close to the company's supervisory board said.

How long Stadler will remain in his current position remains unclear, the sources said. Stadler's contract was extended on May 17 this year until end-2022.

Since his contract was extended, Stadler has come under further pressure after it emerged that Munich prosecutors had widened an investigation into the premium carmaker and after Germany's transport ministry accused Audi of cheating on emissions tests.

 Stadler with the Q8 sport concept at the 2017 Geneva Motorshow.

Munich prosecutors have been investigating Audi on suspicion of fraud and criminal advertising in the United States, where parent Volkswagen's emissions scandal broke in September 2015.

They have expanded the inquiry to include vehicle sales in the brand's home region, a spokesman for prosecutors said earlier this week.

Audi is a division of Volkswagen Group.

Volkswagen's former chief executive Martin Winterkorn came under similar pressure after the diesel emissions cheating scandal broke on Sept 18, 2015. Despite receiving a contract extension on Sept 2 that year, he was out by Sept 23.

VW has said its executive board did not learn of the software violations until late August 2015 and formally reported the cheating to U.S. authorities in early September that year.

Winterkorn has refused to say when he first learned about systematic exhaust emissions cheating but said it was no earlier than VW has officially admitted.

He has denied personal involvement in the scandal.

Audi and Volkswagen were not immediately available for comment. Stadler's office had no immediate comment late on Saturday.


Covid-19: PLUS delays RFID deployment on highways

                KUALA LUMPUR: Plus Malaysia Bhd has postponed the implementation date of its RFID-based toll collection system.

The system used by Plus was supposed to go live on April 1 but has been postponed to a later date.

The highways using the closed system toll plazas include all Plus highways as well as the East Coast Highway 2 (LPT2)

In light of the current Covid-19 pandemic, all testing and site works have been halted under the movement control order (MCO).

All work to complete RFID readiness on Plus-operated highways will resume once the government's MCO is lifted.

Upon completion, all 83 Plus and 10 LPT2 Closed System toll plazas will be equipped with RFID facilities.

“The MCO is an important move to protect the health, safety and well-being of not just our employees but all Malaysians from the threat of Covid-19," said Plus managing director Datuk Azman Ismail today.

The company also reminded the public to stay home to avoid infection and to avoid spreading the virus.


Toyota to move Corolla production to Mexico to cut costs, says daily

                TOKYO: Toyota, the world's biggest automaker, plans to move production of its Corolla compact cars to a new factory in Mexico from Canada to benefit from lower costs, the Globe and Mail reported, citing sources familiar with the situation.

Costs at Toyota's assembly plants at Cambridge and Woodstock in Ontario are higher than at its US factories and it makes sense to produce the more expensive vehicles in Canada, the newspaper quoted sources familiar with the matter as saying.

Sources said Toyota will spend US$1 billion to build a car factory in Mexico, which is expected to begin functioning from the summer of 2019, ending a self-imposed three-year freeze on new investments. Toyota also plans to announce a new car factory in Guangzhou, China, this week.

Toyota's plant in Cambridge, Ontario is expected to produce larger vehicles after the Mexican plant begins production, the newspaper said, citing sources familiar with the situation.

Representatives of Toyota in Canada were not immediately available for comment.


Hyundai positions Ioniq brand for electric vehicles

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Company announced that its Ioniq brand would be dedicated to making battery electric vehicles.

Under the Ioniq brand, Hyundai Motor will leverage its manufacturing know-how in EVs to introduce three new dedicated models over the next four years with more models to follow.

The creation of Ioniq brand is in response to fast-growing market demand and accelerates Hyundai’s ambition to lead the global EV market.

Hyundai will combine its current EV capabilities – such as ultra-fast charging, spacious interior, and battery-supplied power – with future innovations that combine design, technologies and services to integrate in-car and out-of-car experiences for a seamless journey.

“The Ioniq brand will change the paradigm of EV customer experience,” said Wonhong Cho, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer at Hyundai Motor Company.

“With a new emphasis on connected living, we will offer electrified experiences integral to an eco-friendly lifestyle.”

Hyundai will be launching a range of numerically named EVs under the Ioniq brand, with even numbers used for sedans and odd numbers for SUVs.

The first model under the Ioniq brand will be the Ioniq 5 midsize crossover that will launch in early 2021.

In 2022, Hyundai will introduce the Ioniq 6 sedan, which is based on the company’s latest concept EV ‘Prophecy’, unveiled in March; followed by Ioniq 7, a large SUV in early 2024.

The Ioniq brand models will sit on an Electric Global Modular Platform, known as E-GMP, that claims fast charging capability and long driving range.

Hyundai  by turning the London Eye into a giant letter “Q” using electric lights just before the official reopening of the famous attraction.


You're probably forgetting to keep this part of your car clean

                NEW YORK: Keeping a clear windscreen is a no-brainer to all drivers, but there's one other part of your car that's just as important to clean if you want to stay safe behind the wheel.

Cameras and sensors used by a car's driver-assistance system should always be wiped clean from time to time, road safety experts say.

Routine cleaning is the only way to ensure that parking sensors and cruise control systems work properly, according to experts such as the Consumer Reports testers in the United States. Otherwise, dirt could disrupt or even cripple the systems, leading to long-term car problems.

On longer journeys, it's a good idea to take advantage of stretch breaks or refuelling stops to clean the sensors.

Using a microfibre cloth and lens cleaner, for example, it's easy to keep the lenses of the front and rear view cameras free of debris.

No one likes musty smells in their car interior, but there’s a simple solution to keep car interiors fresh: a wooden clothes peg dipped in lemon oil.

Lemon for musty smells

While you're cleaning, you can try freshening up your interior with a bit of lemon oil dipped into a clothes peg.

Attaching the clothes peg to an air vent will help the scent flow through the car and keep away odours, and is a natural alternative to more artificial, chemical helpers like the classic scented tree on the rear-view mirror.

Drivers can also use simple household items elsewhere in their car. Many brands of toothpaste, for example, contain small particles to help scrub and whiten teeth — but these are also useful for eliminating minor scratches in a headlights’ acrylic glass. Be sure not to apply too much pressure when scrubbing.

With some rubbing alcohol and a microfibre cloth, streaking windscreen wipers can also be restored. Simply clean off the wipers’ rubber lips until they leave no marks on the cloth. If the wipers still do not clean the windscreen properly, it’s time to change them.


How Tesla's search popularity has skyrocketed since 2010

                SAN FRANCISCO: Carmaker Tesla has seen the biggest gain in popularity online in the last 10 years. South Korea'a Kia and Hyundai, plus the British car brand Rolls-Royce, also feature among the automakers that have been increasingly popular with internet users in recent years. On the other hand, Peugeot, Renault and even Ferrari have seen search popularity fall.

According to the price comparison website comparethemarket.com, which has compiled various data from Google Trends, the most innovative brands are -- perhaps unsurprisingly -- those scoring the most web searches.

Searches for Tesla have increased by 1,262% in 10 years, for example, reflecting incomparable interest in the brand thanks to innovation in the fields of all-electric vehicles and autonomous driving, piquing the interest of curious web users.

It's a similar story for Kia and Hyundai, while Rolls-Royce has also seen growing search popularity in recent years, notably with the release of the Cullinan, the world's most luxurious (and expensive) SUV.

Note that less than half of the brands studied (11 out of 30) are able to boast growth in search popularity. Ferrari, Opel (Vauxhall), Citroën and Fiat are the carmakers with the most significant drops in search popularity in the last 10 years.

Top 10 car brands with the biggest gains in search popularity between 2010 and 2020

1. Tesla
2. Kia
3. Rolls-Royce
4. Hyundai
5. Lamborghini
6. Mercedes-Benz
7. Porsche
8. Jaguar
9. Nissan
10. Toyota

This study used Google Trends data to determine the level of search interest in both 2010 and 2020, before calculating how this has changed between the two.


Jaguar Land Rover employees go green to help the needy

                LONDON: Green fingered Jaguar Land Rover employees can swap the production line for the vegetable patch following the official opening of the company’s first community allotment.

The allotment, created on waste ground, is the latest large-scale community project supported by Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull plant.

The scheme aims to provide fresh produce to people in and around Solihull and Birmingham who live in food poverty. It builds on the plant’s existing relationship with Gro Organic– an organisation dedicated to creating green spaces while providing social and economic opportunities for some of the most disadvantaged people in the region.

With the expert advice from Gro-Organic and funding from Jaguar Land Rover’s Social Impact Fund, the allotment will grow everything from runner beans to raspberries, making up seasonal food boxes for families across the region. Advice and recipes will accompany the food boxes depending on the harvest and a hand built earth oven on the plot will also allow beneficiaries to enjoy their crop as soon as it is picked.

The produce will be distributed via various food bank initiatives including the Real Junk Food Project, Free Food Friday and the newly launched Incredible Edible Network in Solihull.

This project is just one of Jaguar Land Rover’s many small and large scale community initiatives around the world being delivered as part of its ongoing Responsible Business programme. Central to delivery are employee volunteers who can take two days every year to give back to their communities. Last year more than 70,000 volunteering hours were dedicated to global projects.


Magna to build modular EV with Israeli startup REE

                TORONTO: Magna International Inc. will develop a modular electric vehicle with Israeli startup REE Automotive, helping the Canadian auto supplier and contract manufacturer muscle further into a growing field of EV players.

The companies agreed to jointly design, engineer and build the EVs using REE’s platform, the skateboard-like base that supports different vehicle designs on top.

The vehicles can be built to the exact specifications of “global technology companies and e-mobility players” while speeding their entry into the market, Magna and REE said in a statement.

“Many big tech companies are very much interested in creating mobility services and solutions that are global, big. But they don’t exist today,” REE chief executive officer Daniel Barel said in an interview Sunday. “That vehicle can have any brand that the brand owner wants, but it’s powered by REE.”

The location and timeline for production, as well as financial terms, weren’t disclosed. Barel said the companies would split any revenues generated. The startup has signed agreements representing orders for around 260,000 vehicles that would use REE’s platform, Barel said.

Magna, which has been touted as a potential partner for a self-driving car from Apple Inc., has already made cars under contract for BMW AG and Jaguar Land Rover.

Last year it formed a joint venture with Korea’s LG Electronics Inc. to make EV powertrains, aiming to position itself for the boom in electric vehicles. Magna is the world’s third-largest auto supplier, producing everything from chassis and car seats to sensors and software.

Other deals

The Aurora, Ontario-based company also landed a deal with Fisker Inc. in October to make the electric Ocean SUV, which will be built in a Magna plant in Graz, Austria, starting in late 2022. It’s also expanding its manufacturing footprint in China, the largest EV market, by building the ArcFox Alpha-T for Beijing Automotive Group Co. - the first vehicle it has assembled outside of Europe.

The deal reinforces the increased opportunity for Magna in electric vehicles, Credit Suisse analyst Dan Levy, who has an outperform rating on the stock, wrote in a note to clients on Monday.

Tel Aviv-based REE is one of a flood of EV and battery-related startups that have recently agreed to go public through special purpose acquisition companies, agreeing in February to merge with 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. The deal valued the combined entity at around US$3.1 billion. Magna was one of the private investment in public equity investors that participated in the deal.

REE’s technology integrates all of the traditional, core components for an EV - like the powertrain, suspension and braking - into arched wheel-well assemblies. It then fits those onto the four corners of a flat, modular chassis that can accommodate a wide range of battery packs and vehicle types.

The Magna agreement isn’t REE’s first such deal. In August, the startup set up a partnership to develop electric commercial vehicles with India’s Mahindra & Mahindra.


Automakers in US avoid disaster using 0% financing like never before

New cars for sale populate a parking lot on May 2 in Hicksville, New York. Car dealerships have been greatly affected with the loss of sales due to the pandemic. — AFP
DETROIT: Zero-percent auto financing deals hit a record last month as carmakers kept the U.S. auto market from collapsing.

More than one in every four new vehicles that sold last month did so with 0% loans, according to market researcher Edmunds. By opening up the lending spigots, the U.S. avoided a reprise of the almost 80% drop automakers experienced in China in February, the month that the coronavirus hit the world’s largest car market hardest.

Both 0% offers and longer-term loans are rescuing demand at a time when large swaths of the country are under stay-home orders and many dealerships are forced to keep showrooms shut.

While the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate cuts are making it easier for automakers to dangle the deals, their lenders are still forgoing revenue they’d make in more normal times.

"I think 0% is an important tool in our toolbox and will continue to be offered for a while,” said Randy Parker, the vice president in charge of sales for Hyundai Motor Co.’s US subsidiary.

READ MORE: Car dealers are desperate: Is this a good time to buy a car online?

After other automakers offered no-interest financing, the company "wanted to remain competitive in the marketplace.”

Hyundai’s US sales fell 39% last month, while Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co.’s both plunged by more 50%. Through May 4, the South Korean carmaker is offering zero-interest financing for seven years on the Tucson crossover and Elantra sedan, and for six years on the Santa Fe sport-utility vehicle.

Toyota changed its incentive and marketing programmes on April 22 to better align with deals elsewhere in the industry, including offering 0% for five years on core vehicles such as the RAV4 SUV, Camry sedan and Tacoma mid-size pickup.

But it has resisted offering terms longer than 60 months, viewing that as harmful to resale values and car buyers’ budgets.

"We’re not into zero-for-84 months,” said Bob Carter, executive vice president for sales at Toyota Motor’s North American unit. "It’s not only not healthy for the industry, but also for the consumer.”

Even with all the discounts, April was a painful month. Edmunds estimates industrywide deliveries fell 53% from a year ago, the worst month in at least three decades.

"April is likely the bottom for auto sales, so hopefully there’s only room for improvement from here,” Edmunds analyst Jessica Caldwell said in a statement.

"Although automakers are doing their part by offering landmark incentives, those might not be enough if consumers cannot recover financially from this crisis.”


Electric cars, go make some noise

Jaguar's I-Pace will be one of the new fangled electric cars that will make artificial revving noises.
PETALING JAYA: Remember those vroom vroom noises kids make when playing with their Hot Wheels cars? Vehicle manufacturers are experimenting on how to create a convincing revving sound for their silent electric vehicles.

In a tweet, motoring magazine Roadshow shared the proposed revving noise by British car maker Jaguar for its fully-electric car the I-Pace, which sounds somewhere between a normal rev and a spaceship going at warp speed.

Jaguar on its YouTube channel explains that the artificial sound was a safety feature that would kick in when travelling under 20kph.

"Due to its near silent operation at lower speeds, the I-Pace features a distinctive Audible Vehicle Alert System that emits an acoustic signal to ensure pedestrians are aware of it approaching," it says.

The car makers need to do so by 2020, as the United State's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has mandated that electric vehicles five tonnes and lighter that's traveling forward or in reverse at speeds 30km/h or less has to emit noise.

The rule hopes to prevent the vehicles from injuring pedestrians, especially people who are blind or visually impaired.

NHTSA says electric cars, unlike cars with combustion engines, make hardly any engine noise, with the only noises usually generated caused by wind resistance or tire noises and even then only at moderate to higher speeds.

They are mulling to allow cars to offer different sounds that a driver could select from.

Makers of sports cars have been at it for years – as electric vehicles don't produce the loud revving associated with powerful engines, some don't find them as satisfying.


Tesla hits 3,000 cars a week in Berlin, Austin later than planned

                BERLIN: Tesla's German plant produced 3,000 cars last week for the first time, the carmaker tweeted late on Sunday - but the milestone was reached over two months later than planned in both Berlin and Austin, Texas, according to a memo seen by Reuters.

The memo, which Reuters reported on in September, projected 3,000 units in weekly output from the Gruenheide plant near Berlin in the first week of October and from Tesla's plant in Austin, Texas, in the first week of November.

Yet it took until last week for Tesla to post celebratory pictures on Twitter stating it had reached that target in both locations - last Thursday for Austin, and Sunday for Berlin.

Tesla did not respond to requests for comment on the memo or the delay in hitting the 3,000-car output target in Berlin and Austin.

Musk and Tesla often set ambitious targets, and the company is often late meeting them. In April, for instance, Musk had said Tesla could hit 60% growth in deliveries. By July, the company had walked that target back to 50% for this year.

The production plans seen by Reuters in September forecast that Tesla produces almost 495,000 Model Y and Model 3s - which together account for about 95% of Tesla's output - in the fourth quarter, blowing past projected growth in the global autos market.

Yet alongside the delays in Austin and Berlin, the carmaker has grappled since then with issues including elevated inventory in Shanghai, its most important production hub, where it plans to cut December output of the Model Y by over 20% from the previous month.

Joerg Steinbach, the regional economy minister of Brandenburg, has said Tesla would be moving to three shifts at the plant by the end of the year to bump up output.


Mercedes-Benz boosts GLE appeal

STUTTGART: Mercedes-Benz has revised the GLE, its best-selling the SUV, featuring a more appealing front and rear and extensive measures which make new benchmarks with regard to emissions and the drive system possible.

Set for an unveiling at the New York auto show next month,  fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are reduced by 17 per cent on average compared with the predecessor model series (known as M-Class previously).

A plug-in hybrid SUV, the GLE 500 e 4MATIC, is offered for the first time, improving on the low fuel consumption figures of the efficiency champion the GLE 250 d with the four-cylinder diesel engine, while delivering the performance of a V8 model. The new GLE promises best on-road and off-road handling, outstanding spaciousness and high levels of active and passive safety. The high-performance SUV model, the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC, celebrates its world première at the same time.

The GLE introduces ground-breaking assistance systems, the nine-speed 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission and the DYNAMIC SELECT dynamic handling control system, which offers extensive drive and off-road programmes already in basic specification.

In the interior the larger media display stands out, which is now partially integrated into the instrument panel. The centre air vents next to the display and the outer air vents are framed by classy silver shadow surrounds.  The centre console houses the COMAND controller with the touchpad fitted above.

 GLE 63 AMG.

New interior colours now also include ginger beige, espresso brown, saddle brown or porcelain. In addition to the standard aluminium with light-coloured longitudinal grain, the large trim elements are also available in a version featuring a particularly classy black piano lacquer or various types of wood: open-pore brown ash wood or the shiny wood types brown eucalyptus, black poplar or brown burred walnut. For the sporty-minded, they can choose high-quality AMG carbon-fibre trim.

With the start of the new GLE generation, all diesel models will be equipped with the nine-speed 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission as standard, for the first time also with the optionally available off-road reduction gear and inter-axle differential lock. The transmission is fitted with a new type of torque converter with a high efficiency of 92 per cent and a wide spread of 9.15 across the nine speeds. Both contribute to the high energy efficiency of the GLE models.

A double turbine torsional damper with centrifugal pendulum and the torque converter lock-up clutch with return spring ensure the extremely refined operation typical of the brand. Mercedes claims the 9G-TRONIC delivers fast and smooth gear changes "for delightful cruising and with gear-change strategies designed to increase traction in terrain."

The drive system of the GLE 500 e 4MATIC comprises a BlueDIRECT V6 direct-injection petrol engine with 333hp and a hybrid module with 116hp of electric power. The system peak torque is 650Nm.

In addition to quick acceleration as a result of the boost function, the system drive also offers all-electric driving at speeds up to 130kph, optimised energy recovery thanks to the intelligent operating strategy and comfort functions such as pre-entry climate control in summer and winter.

The compact hybrid module is fully integrated into the seven-speed 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission. The electrical energy is stored in a lithium-ion battery with an energy content of 8.8 kWh, which can be recharged using public charging stations, the wallbox charger at home or on a conventional 220 volt power outlet. The charging time using the wallbox charger or the charging station is around two hours.

The extensive range of standard equipment of the new GLE is based on the predecessor model, enhanced with new assistance systems such as Crosswind Assist and COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS. ECO start/stop function, the DYNAMIC SELECT controller on the centre console, the revised multifunction steering wheel as well as the Audio 20 CD infotainment system with 7-inch display and communications module for the use of Mercedes connect me services are also part of the standard kit.

GLE 250.


Audi stretches A8 L for Euro client

INGOLSTADT: Audi has revealed the lengths it will go to to meet a client's demands, and, in the case of the one-off A8 L luxury car unveiled on Monday, those lengths add up to 6.36 metres.

The bespoke limousine, based on the company's flagship A8 L model, took a year to develop.

And while it simply looks like a stretched version of a standard car, Audi needed to totally redesign and rebuild everything beyond the A Pillar to ensure that six people could travel in complete comfort and that each occupant had his or her own door for getting in and out of the car.

Each passenger gets individual access to a full multimedia entertainment system while the very rear seat occupants also have access to an integrated cooler.

Perhaps most impressive is that despite the car's huge size, Audi has managed to fit it with the same Quattro all-wheel drive system and ensure a 0-100kph time of 7.1 seconds as well as the obligatory electronically limited top speed of 250kph.

Despite being a one-off commission for a European client, on Monday Audi also confirmed that it has already received orders for the car, which it is tentatively calling the A8L Extended.