New Ford Everest aims for the high ground

                The latest Ford Everest offers outstanding cabin comfort and refinement, and considerably narrows the gap between middle-tier and luxury SUVs (sport utility vehicles).

We know that sounds too much like advertising copy.

But we can’t help the fact that the 2015 Everest seven-seater SUV really does perform as advertised, as we discovered during a recent 140km media drive in the lush green valleys of Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Three variants are available, with the 2.2-litre Titanium 4X2 priced at 1,269,000 baht (RM140,000); the 3.2-litre Titanium 4X4 at 1,459,000 baht (RM161,000) and top-grade 3.2-litre Titanium+ 4X4 at 1,599,000 baht (RM176,500).

The American marque’s sales in Asean has grown swiftly in the past few years, and the 2015 Everest is the latest in a Ford vehicle line-up that outshines the competition.

Produced at the AutoAlliance Thailand plant in Rayong, the 2015 Everest is due to be launched in Malaysia by year-end.
High comfort levels

Ford has put a lot of safety, occupant comfort and entertainment kit into the 2015 Everest.

In Thailand, the 2.2-litre variant gets six airbags, ABS (anti-lock brake system), EBD (electronic brake force distribution), ESP (electronic stability programme) with hill launch assist, traction and roll stability control.

So, it is no slouch in terms of safety features.

For entertainment, it features a first-in-class 10-speaker sound system with an amplifier and integrated subwoofer, as well as Ford’s in-car connectivity solution SYNC 2 and an eight-inch touchscreen display.

With SYNC 2, the car’s entertainment system, climate controls and connected mobile devices can be controlled via voice commands like “Temperature 20 degrees” and “Call John”.

For exceptional cabin quietness, Ford equipped the new Everest with Active Noise Cancellation in addition to optimising cabin sealing and using sound absorbing materials throughout the vehicle very low levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).

“In developing the Everest, we set very aggressive targets for vehicle refinement,” said Ian Foston, chief programme engineer for the Ford Everest.

According to Foston, the Everest has aerodynamic sails on the wing mirrors that can reduce wind throb by up to 10 decibels when driving with the windows down.

Meanwhile, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) uses technology similar to that found in noise cancelling headphones.

Three microphones mounted in the cabin’s headliner are used to detect engine noise, and send signals to a ANC control module which continuously generates opposing sound waves that are directed via the Everest’s audio system.

“We achieved dramatic reductions in interior NVH levels for a truly refined driving experience,” said Foston.

Air-conditioning vents are also integrated into the cabin ceiling for the comfort of rear occupants.

There are also an eight-way powered adjustable driver’s seat and dual-zone automatic climate control.

We had the 2.2-litre variant on a leisurely drive via a 55km mixture of city roads and twisty B-stretches, in the morning leg of the Everest experience.

The vehicle was running on 18-inch alloy wheels and 265/60-sized Bridgestone Dueler H/T tyres.

The electric power-assisted steering with Pull Drift Compensation (PDC) technology provided precision cornering as well as effortless control.

PDC provides steering assistance and adapts the steering response based on road or wind conditions.

We also liked the clean, uncluttered design of the dashboard.

For heavy shoppers, there is up to 2,010 litres of cargo space with all the rear seats folded.

Off-road credentials

For the 8km off-road drive near the Canary Natural Resort, we had the top-grade 3.2-litre Everest Titanium+ 4X4 that gets even bigger 20-inch alloy wheels and 265/50 tyres.

This beefy variant also gets extra goodies like HID (high-intensity discharge) projector head lamps with auto leveling, LED daytime running lights, a powered panoramic moonroof, a powered front passenger’s seat, first-in-class powered-fold third-row seating and powered liftgate.

Extra safety and convenience features include a driver’s inflatable knee bolster, front parking sensors, rear view camera, Blind Spot Information System and Cross Traffic Alert.

A nifty feature here is Active Park Assist which allows drivers to parallel park hands-free, requiring only accelerating, shifting and braking from the driver – a first in its segment in Thailand.

While the 2.2-litre Duratorq four-cylinder diesel engine had plenty of grunt with 160PS of power and 385Nm of torque, the 3.2-litre Duratorq five-cylinder diesel engine provides more heavy-duty performance with 200PS and 470Nm of torque.

Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The off-road route was muddy and slippery, due to the wet season and we had to pay particular attention to steering the Everest safely, especially on narrow, slick and twisty hilly trails.

On this sort of unfriendly terrain, the Everest was very much at home as we used the Snow/Mud/Grass mode of the first-in-class Terrain Management System, which also offers Normal, Sand and Rock modes.

These modes - available on demand via a dial next to the gear stick, alter the vehicle’s throttle response, transmission, intelligent four-wheel drive system and traction control.

Off-roaders would also like the Everest’s active transfer case with Torque on Demand, electronic locking rear differential, a best-in-class water-wading capability of 800mm, and 225mm of ground clearance.

We also checked out the HDC (hill descent control) feature, where we were told to keep our foot off the accelerator and brake pedals and just focus on steering, and controlling the speed of descent on a steep downhill run by pressing the cruise control - speed switches on the steering wheel.

Surrounded by verdant forests and a stunning landscape of greenery, we found ourselves ensconced in comfort and enjoying charts hits from the likes of Charli XCX and Taylor Swift, within a cocoon of Ford technology.

Road shocks were well-dampened on difficult terrain, partly due to the comfortable suspension layout with front and rear coil springs.

“The new Everest is equally at home in busy urban traffic and off-road environments.

“We think it is an over-achiever,” said Ford Asia Pacific vice-president of product development Trevor Worthington.

It is also only offered in rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive variants.

“We decided on rear-wheel drive as we want the Everest to keep the promise of Ford’s fun-to-drive DNA,” said Worthington.


Shell touts savings from Driveline lubes for businesses

                KUALA LUMPUR: Shell Lubricants has launched its range of driveline products aimed at helping businesses reduce operating costs.

Shell Rimula heavy duty diesel engine oils; Shell Spirax axle, transmission and gear oils; as well as Shell Gadus greases.

According to Shell Lubricants, its products are able to lower operating costs and extend service intervals when used together throughout the machine’s driveline.

Shell Lubricants has a growing list of satisfied customers in Malaysia across different industries who have seen significant cost savings from longer oil drain intervals, reduced fuel consumption, extended lifespan of parts, lower maintenance and repair costs, reduced downtime and higher operational efficiency, said its general manager (Malaysia & Singapore) Leslie Ng.

The industries include agriculture, cement and quarrying, fleet and transportation, construction and general manufacturing.

Ng cited "quantifiable" gains made by local companies that have made the switch to Shell Driveline products. They include plantation company Kokorotus Estate Sdn Bhd of Lahad Datu which operate a fleet of tractors; Taiping-based truck operator Megah Transport Sdn Bhd; and Sibu-based NB Heavy Industries Sdn Bhd, whose fleet of trucks ply both short and long haul routes across Sarawak.

He said longer oil drain intervals or longer lasting greases have resulted in annual savings for the various companies ranging from RM100,000 to RM2.5mil.

Shell Lubricants introduced its products at the May 14-16 Malaysia International Trucks, Bus and Components Expo, held at the Mines International Exhibition Centre Sdn Bhd in Seri Kembangan, Selangor.


McLaren 765LT supercar arrives, priced from RM1.5mil

                PETALING JAYA: McLaren Kuala Lumpur today unveiled the limited edition 765LT supercar, marking its official entry into Malaysia.

Its base price starts from RM1.488mil (before tax). Only 10 units have been allocated so far for our market, with all spoken for. McLaren is only producring 765 units of this model globally.

McLaren Kuala Lumpur CEO Roland Chan said the company may bring in more later and those still keen to buy the track-focused car have been put on the wait list.

The arrival of the rear-wheel driven 765LT came on the heels of two other supercars that were launched in Malaysia today. They were the Porsche Taycan electric car and the Ferrari SF90 Stradale plug-in hybrid.

The 765LT on show today is a left-hand drive unit and is on a world tour after having arrived here from Singapore. It will leave for Hong Kong next week.

Air-conditioning and an audio system are deleted as standard to reduce weight, but can be specified at no additional cost. However, the customers for the 10 units for Malaysia have opted to have the two items included.

The new 765LT, based on the 720S coupé, is the most powerful and responsive road-legal McLaren LT to date.

The twin-turbocharged V8 engine produces 765PS (755hp) at 7,500rpm and 800Nm of torque at 5,500rpm, enabling the car to sprint from 0-100kph in 2.8s and 0-200kph in 7.2s with top speed capped at 330kph.

As fast as it can go, what's also important is the ability to stop quickly in the shortest possible distance. In this case, the braking distance from 100kph to 0 is 29.5 metres.

High speed braking fully deploys the active wing in less than half-a-second, increasing rear downforce by more than 60% to improve high-speed braking stability and reduce braking distances.

Such massive stopping power and high brake pedal feel is also credited to carbon-ceramic discs, calipers from the Senna and Formula 1-inspired, integrated caliper cooling ducts.

The powerplant features LT-specific forged aluminium pistons, a three-layer head gasket used in the Senna and ultra-efficient, carbon-coated followers in the valve train.  An additional fuel pump and revised oil pump optimise flows and a recalibrated engine management system controls the increased power, with torque delivery and throttle response tuned for maximum driver engagement.

Transmission gearing in the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is optimised for acceleration, delivering almost instant response to throttle inputs and in-gear acceleration up to 15% quicker than the class-benchmark 720S.

The renowned McLaren Super Series chassis dynamics have been further enhanced in the 765LT, to provide the "communication and feel" that allow a driver to fully exploit the extreme performance of the car when appropriate, but also enjoy it at lower speeds.

The steering of the 765LT retains McLaren’s electro-hydraulic assistance but has been further honed with a quicker ratio and a stiffer torsion bar forpurer driver feedback.

The linked-hydraulic Proactive Chassis Control II suspension introduced with the 720S features updates to both software and hardware to meet the dynamic requirements of the 765LT; advances made during the development of the Senna and Speedtail have seen the suspension system algorithms revised to ensure even greater precision and control.

In comparison to the 720S, front ride height is reduced by 5mm (rear is unchanged) and front track is 6mm wider, changes that together improve both grip and balance. New lightweight main springs feature additional ‘helper’ springs to reduce unsprung mass and maintain load in the suspension on full rebound, while the use of two springs saves weight in comparison with one larger dual-rate spring. Roll stiffness is increased, further enhancing vehicle stability.

The emotional connection is further enhanced through the unique full-titanium, quad-exit exhaust. The "LT soundtrack" the 765LT exhaust creates is a high-pitched note that becomes sharper at higher engine revs.

In the LT tradition, lightweighting is the name of the game with this supercar. It is 80kg less than the 720S at 1,339kg and just 1,229kg at its lightest dry weight - more than 50kg below its closest competitor in comparable specification.

The 765LT sports high-performance, lightweight materials throughout with advanced carbon fibre technologies for body components. Even the licence plate holder is made of carbon fibre.

Specific weight-saving measures include titanium exhaust system, Formula 1-grade transmission materials, thinner glass and motorsport-style polycarbonate glazing. New LT aerodynamic package, all in carbon fibre: front splitter, front bumper, front floor, side skirts, rear bumper, rear diffuser and larger "Longtail" active rear wing.

The use of carbon fibre throughout the track-focused interior of the 765LT brings further weight-optimisation. The standard lightweight, carbon fibre-shelled racing seats are a combined 18kg lighter than the 720S sports seats. The bespoke lightweight central tunnel is of carbon composite material and has a panel thickness of just 0.8mm. Carbon fibre forms the window switch surrounds, steering wheel clasp and Active Dynamics Panel surround, limiting every possible gram.

READ MORE: McLaren may sell off HQ to raise cash

Carbon fibre isn’t the only light-weighting tactic deployed in the new LT. Lightweight Alcantara trim is used extensively inside the cockpit of the car and there is no carpet on horizontal floor areas. Door stowage nets replace hinged door pockets and reach and rake adjustment on the steering wheel is manual.

Ten-spoke ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels, titanium wheel bolts and bespoke Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres come as standard.

Contributing to further weight savings is the titanium exhaust that's also 40% lighter than a steel one.

Customers seeking to further reduce weight can specify even more carbon fibre options from the MSO Defined range developed by McLaren Special Operations.


Croatian joins Women's World Car of the Year

                LONDON: The automotive industry is a men's world. And it's refreshing to know that women are making some headway at different levels of management.

The car awards realm has also seen participation from women. An example is the Women's World Car of the Year, which pitches itself as the only car awards group in the world comprised exclusively of women motoring journalists.

It was created by New Zealand motoring journalist, Sandy Myhre, in 2009. She is currently honorary president, while Marta García performs as executive president of the London-based organisation.

The aim of this unique award is to recognise the best cars of the year and to give voice to women in the automotive world.

The voting criteria is based on the same principles that guide any driver when choosing a car. The selections are not "woman’s car" because such categories do not exist.

Aspects such as safety, quality, price, design, ease of driving, benefits and environmental footprint, among others, are taken into account when casting the votes.

The car awards group today announced that Croatian Ines Brežnjak (pic)  has joined the team. With Brežnjak's appointment, WWCOTY now reaches 41 countries.

Brežnjak is a journalist at Net.hr, one of the biggest news portals in Croatia, which belongs to the RTL group.

It is also the first in Croatia to form a special section within the automotive section, called Women's Corner, where Brežnjak introduces car tests exclusively from a women's perspective in the form of both video and writing.

“Every new car that I test is a new challenge and this is actually why I love my job so much and why I enjoy doing it," said Brežnjak.

Croatia is a country where cars with petrol engines are still the most sought after. Recent trends show that people are interested in electric cars. Their demand has grown since the state gave incentives to EV buyers and the number of electric vehicles in 2021 has doubled from the year before.


Toyota again the 'most admired' motor vehicle company in Fortune’s study

                DALLAS: Toyota was named again the top motor vehicle company in Fortune Magazine’s annual list of the “World’s Most Admired Companies.” Toyota is also ranked at No. 28 overall out of all companies surveyed and was in the top 10 in both talent and running a global business.

The “World’s Most Admired Companies” survey measures nine attributes considered critical to a company’s global success, including quality of management, social responsibility, people management and global competitiveness, among others.

Toyota ranked No.1 across all categories in the motor vehicles sector. The list, widely considered to be the definitive report card on corporate reputation, is based on company surveys and peer ratings from senior executives, directors and analysts.

"Toyota is honoured to once again be recognised as a most admired company,” said Jim Lentz, Toyota Motor North America chief executive officer.

“All of our team members and partners worldwide contribute to enhancing Toyota’s reputation by creating the future of mobility and contributing to a better society through safer, greener, and more fun driving experiences. This recognition is a reflection of their dedication to continuous improvement and exceeding customers’ expectations.”

Apple was ranked No. 1 followed by Alphabet and Amazon.

The full list appears in the magazine’s March issue.


Aston Martin wings set to race off the shelves

                LONDON: To mark the storied British sportscar company's 2016 World Endurance Championship (WEC) success, Aston Martin is offering racing fans the chance to own a set of special handmade jewel-like badges modeled on the exact ones that have adorned its racing cars over this season.

Every numbered set - just 250 examples worldwide are planned - contains nine Aston Martin emblems, each of which was specially designed to reflect the country in which a 2016 race was held.

For example, red, white and blue detailing for the season's inaugural race at Silverstone in Britain in April, and red and green feathers for the round held in Mexico.

Each badge is also an exact replica of the ones that have adorned Aston's V8 Vantage GTE competition cars at the corresponding race.

And of course, these being Aston Martin badges, they weren't simply mass produced on automated machines. Every badge is handcrafted from a copper base using enamelling techniques more commonly associated with jewelry. Every badge takes 20 hours to create, and the whole process has been overseen by famed British jeweler Vaughtons.

To understand how much effort goes into the process, in April Aston published a video to show the badges being made ahead of the opening race of the 2016 WEC season.

A numbered set in a bespoke presentation frame will retail for £3,750 (around RM21,000) and while that might seem like a rather large financial outlay, these sets could prove to be a very good racing memorabilia investment.

After races in Britain, Belgium, France, Germany, Mexico, USA, Japan and China, the 2016 WEC is set to conclude on November 19 when the competition heads to Bahrain for the final race of the season.

If Aston's Danish drivers - Marco Sørensen and Nicki Thiim - win the race, Aston Martin could complete a clean sweep of the GT Drivers championship, the GTE Pro title and take the overall GT Manufacturer's title, too.

And, if that does happen, don't be too surprised if the company decides to build a celebratory collector's edition car to go with those badges.


Audi lunar rover features in 'Alien: Covenant' film

                LOS ANGELES: An Audi lunar rover is getting prime-time exposure in Ridley Scott’s sci-fi blockbuster “Alien: Covenant” which premieres worldwide next month.

In its film debut, the Audi lunar quattro is an integral part of the Covenant mission and is deployed to help Faris (Amy Seimetz) navigate and assess the challenging, unknown terrain of a new planet.

The film is a new chapter in Scott's “Alien” franchise. The crew of the colony ship Covenant, bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, discovers what they think is an uncharted paradise, but is actually a dark, dangerous world. When they uncover a threat beyond their imaginations, they must attempt a harrowing escape.

As part of the collaboration, a short film created by Twentieth Century Fox, 3AM and Audi was captured on one of the film’s biggest sets. It shows the Audi lunar quattro patrolling the Terraforming Bay when it detects an unidentified lifeform and goes to investigate what lurks in the dark.

Audi experts have developed the Audi lunar quattro in cooperation with the German start-up “Part-Time Scientists”. It will soon embark on an actual mission to space.

The Audi lunar quattro is 85% aluminium, produced by the 3D metal printer at Audi’s headquarters in Ingolstadt. A pivoting solar panel supplies the rover with energy. It is also equipped with intelligent quattro drive technology and an e-tron motor.


Peugeot's smarter new 308 will tell you how fast you should drive

                PARIS: Peugeot's answer to cars like the Ford Focus, Hyundai i30, Opel Astra and VW Golf is the 308, and in the second half of 2021 the French manufacturer is launching a new generation it says brings more space, more smarts and more efficient engines.

The compact five-door car is being built on a new platform to enable a significantly larger size, and the length will increase by 11cm to 4.36 metres and the wheelbase by 5cm to 2.68 metres.

For a sportier appearance, however, the car will be 2cm flatter, while also adding a more distinctive grille and wider sides. Peugeot it will still offer more space for passengers, as well as a larger luggage compartment of now 412 litres.

On the inside, Peugeot promises a more developed cockpit with digital displays and a 3D effect, a larger touchscreen and less buttons. The assistance systems are also smarter.

Among other features, the 308 will be able to tell you the optimal speed for your route and can even help you when overtaking.

Unlike the smaller 208, the 308 is not purely electric. However, Peugeot offers two plug-in hybrids with 180 or 225hp and electric ranges of up to 60km.

Those who opt for fuel instead of electricity get a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with 110 or 130hp. In addition, a four-cylinder diesel with 1.5 litres produces 130hp. This means CO2 values of 117 g/km at best.


Fingerprint scans for all visitors to beef up security in Singapore

                SINGAPORE: From June, all travellers arriving in Singapore by land, air or sea will have their fingerprints taken at checkpoints, as the Republic tightens its defences against terrorists.

The fingerprint records will be used to verify the identity of each traveller before he is allowed to enter Singapore, said Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Desmond Lee in Parliament yesterday.

The move will also allow travellers to use automated clearance lanes or self-service kiosks when they depart, he added.

Other measures to tackle the heightened terror threat include more surveillance cameras in Housing Board estates and public areas by this year, and more patrols along the coastline.

For now, only those opting to use automated immigration clearance lanes are required to scan thumbprints using biometric technology.

All travellers arriving at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal are also being fingerprinted as part of the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority's (ICA) pilot BioScreen project. The Straits Times understands that ICA is in the midst of installing fingerprint scanners in manned immigration counters at all checkpoints.

Lee said that Singapore has to strengthen its borders amid the persistent terrorism threat posed by terrorist groups such as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and foreign fighters now returning to their home countries who could carry out attacks.

With the fingerprinting technology, immigration authorities can maintain a high level of security at checkpoints, while "facilitating efficient travel".

Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) and Joan Pereira (Tanjong Pagar GRC) had asked about the measures being taken to beef up border security.

Lee noted that more than half a million people pass through Singapore's checkpoints every day, with the Woodlands checkpoint being the busiest land checkpoint in the world.

"These present security risks. Attackers can gather and plan just outside Singapore before coming into Singapore to carry out the attack," said Mr Lee. For example, the attacks in Paris last November were planned in Brussels where "security was less tight".

"Border control is, therefore, our first line of defence to prevent an attack from taking place in Singapore," said Mr Lee.

The United States started scanning fingerprints of all visitors in 2004, in the aftermath of the Sept 11 terror attacks of 2001.

Japan, South Korea and Taiwan also introduced fingerprint scans from 2007.

Given the manpower crunch, new technology will also help the Home Team to detect and deter crime.

Replying to De Souza, Lee said the police are looking into using unmanned aerial vehicles to capture a more comprehensive situational picture during public order incidents and investing in data analytics to spot potential threats and criminal activities. All this will allow the police to deploy resources in the most efficient way, channelling them where they are most needed, he said.

The public will also have a role to play as the police tap crowdsourcing technology, said Mr Lee, adding that government efforts alone will not be enough in dealing with terrorism.

"We must be more alert to help prevent a terrorist attack from happening. Above all, when a terrorist attack happens, we must stay united and resilient as one people."


Take long drives: How to keep your car battery healthy

                COLOGNE: Car batteries can have a tough time in low temperatures, short journeys and additional electrical loads such as lights and heated seats. The end result can be that the battery is too weak to start the engine.

To prevent that you should check the battery's condition periodically, says Achmed Leser, a vehicle expert with technical inspection agency Tuv.

“Even if modern vehicles nowadays have so-called maintenance-free batteries, that doesn't mean that you don't have to pay any attention to the electricity storage system,” Leser says.

For one thing the battery should be cleaned at least once a year, and the connection terminals and cable clamps protected from corrosion using grease.

"White oxide layers on the battery terminals as well as dirt and salt deposits can cause current leakage, which in turn lead to a gradual discharge," Leser says.

Lots of short journeys and leaving the car stationary for long periods both contribute to a gradual discharge of the battery.

"If you have no way of charging the battery with a charger, you should try driving a longer distance," Leser advises.

That trip should last at least half an hour and unnecessary power guzzlers such as the heated rear window, the radio, and heated seats should be turned off. "This allows the alternator to recharge the battery more quickly," the expert says.

If you want to recharge the battery yourself with a charger, you should carefully observe the operating instructions for the vehicle and the charger. Doing it incorrectly can cause costly damage to the vehicle's electrical system.

"In general when handling the battery, the ignition, engine, and all electricity consumers must be switched off," Leser says. "In addition, due to the risk of chemical burns, protective goggles and acid-proof gloves are always recommended."

If you remove the battery from the car for charging you may also need to reconnect it to the battery management system that many modern vehicles possess.


The choosy collector

                AMERICAN businessman Jack Boyd Smith Jr was never much into cars until a friend, who was a collector, passed away.

“The executrix of the estate who is also a friend of mine asked me if I have any interest in cars and I said I don’t know. I asked what do you have?” said Smith who lives in Elkhart, Indiana.

 Smith with the Koa Phantom in "Packard Blue."

One of the cars from the estate that got Smith into collecting cars was the 2001 Rolls-Royce Corniche, one of the 67 of its kind built.

“The Corniche has a phone which is wired into the car and it’s still operational today,” he said.

 2001 Rolls-Royce Corniche.

Smith’s The JBS Collection, which started in November 2012, is ranked 136th in the world and has some 60 vehicles.

Typical collectors usually take up between 40 to 60 years to build up a sizeable showcase.

Smith gravitates towards cars which are unique, one-off and “have a story to tell.”

He has cars which were once owned by personalities, among them a 1936 Cord 810 belonging to aviator Amelia Earhart, a 1936 Packard Twelve All-Weather Cabriolet of Charlie Chaplin and James Cagney’s 1934 Auburn 1250 Salon Cabriolet.

 Chaplin's 1936 Packard Twelve Cabriolet. Cagney's 1934 Auburn 1250 Salon Cabriolet. 1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Pall Mall.

Aside from five Rolls-Royce cars which included a 1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Pall Mall, Smith also has rare vehicles from brands such as Ahrens-Fox, Austin, Bentley, Chrysler, Ford, Ferrari, Hispano-Suiza, Hudson, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Minerva, Pierce-Arrow and Studebaker.

Smith, who is still building up his collection, would be regularly offered classic cars and therefore unnecessary for him to have a checklist of cars to buy.

“I can’t tell how many cars were presented to me in a year and I had turned them down,” he said.

However, Smith had paid “well into seven figures” for the most expensive addition to his collection.

His cars are pristinely-maintained and have been at key competitions and shows.

“We have been to Peeble Beach Concours in California six times and my cars have won five times,” he said, adding that his 1928 Minerva AF Transformable Town Car was a multiple winner at Peeble Beach.

 1928 Minerva AF Transformable Town Car.

Smith recently added a customised 2021 Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended into his collection which featured rare Hawaiian Koa wood inlays and an exterior colour that matched his 1934 Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster.

Completing the bespoke “Koa Phantom” took over three years as Hawaiian koa was a protected plant and could not be cut down.

Smith, a regular traveller to Hawaii, had to wait as koa wood could only be harvested from private growers or trees which had fallen down by themselves.

 Koa wood inlays in the Phantom.

In addition, Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective had never worked on koa wood before.

After the “Koa Phantom” commission, Rolls-Royce added koa wood, which has a golden lustre, to its list of bespoke offering.

“I wanted koa wood because it gives warmth to the interior of the Phantom,” he said.

Smith’s affinity for koa wood stemmed from a koa rocking chair that had been a centrepiece in the family home for years.

Smith also sent a front fender of the Packard roadster to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Goodwood, England for the “Packard Blue” to be duplicated.

 1934 Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster.

After 40 tries, Rolls-Royce matched the colour of the Packard which was more than 80 years old.

According to Rolls-Royce, the marque has more than 44,000 colours in its palette and customers get the colour they wanted.

The upholstery of the Phantom was also matched with the grey interior of the Packard as well.

 The hamper of the Koa Phantom which was made with koa wood.

Bespoke cars, Smith said, were difficult to be reproduced and would retain their appeal.

Smith’s collection was not static and he would drive his rare cars around.

He drives a supercharged Hummer H2 in winter as it snows in northern Indiana and roads would be salted.

During other seasons, Smith would “drive a car to the office, take a different car out for lunch and a third car home.”

“I love driving the cars because they snap necks. They turn heads,” he said, adding that he loved to see people going through cars that they had never seen before.

Smith also got his friends to drive his classic cars on public roads but they would be hesitant to do so in the beginning, fearing they might damage the cars.

“Once they had finished driving my cars, they would say the experience was phenomenal,” he said.

Smith had once turned down an offer from a buyer who gave him a blank cheque for one of his Packard cars at Peeble Beach.

 1933 Packard Twelve Coupe.

Only five of the 1933 Packard Twelve Coupe were made with only two left in the world.

“It’s not about money. It’s not my driving force to buy and sell cars to make money,” he said.

When Smith received the blank cheque, his wife Laura who was next to him, nudged him to fill out the amount.

“I told her the car was not for sale. If the buyer wants it, there is another he can go get,” he said.

Photos: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and The JBS CollectionUnique Rolls-Royce Koa Phantom delivered


McLaren to introduce 570S Coupe at NY show

                LONDON: McLaren has announced that the first model to be launched in its Sports Series family will be called the 570S Coupé.

This V8 powered, carbon fibre structured two seater will show its beautiful yet aerodynamically optimised form for the first time in less than a week when it debuts at the 115th New York International Auto Show.

With the launch of the first Sports Series derivative, the 570S Coupe, McLaren will be displaying its three tier model strategy together in New York for the first time globally.

Every Sports Series model will share characteristics with the Super Series and Ultimate Series that sit above it in the McLaren hierarchy.

A pure McLaren, offering class-leading levels of performance, coupled with optimised handling characteristics and driving dynamics, the 570S Coupé marks the first time McLaren has offered its pioneering and race-derived technologies in the sports car segment.

In line with the naming convention begun with the 650S, the number 570 gives away the power output of this first McLaren Sports Series model: 570PS, which equates to 562hp.

Further details and images of the McLaren 570S Coupé will be announced next week ahead of the global reveal in New York on April 1.


Captur and Fluence owners take part in Renault safety course in Sepang

                PETALING JAYA: TC Euro Cars (TCEC), the sole franchise holder of Renault vehicles in Malaysia, recently organised the ‘Renault Driving Experience’ event, which aims to promote road safety while offering enhanced ownership experience to Renault owners in Malaysia.

Held at the Sepang International Circuit, the ‘Renault Driving Experience’ event is an extension of the Renault Track Day, which has been held a few times a year since 2010.

Designed to offer enhanced ownership experience for Renault Sport owners, the high-speed track sessions provide these motorsports fans with a chance to hone their driving skills in a safe environment.
 Participants of the Renault Driving Experience.

To raise awareness of and impart practical skills necessary for safe driving, TCEC has for the first time, organised a defensive driving course for Renault Captur and Fluence owners.

“We wanted to better equip our customers with some key defensive driving skills, as many traffic collisions can be avoided if drivers are better prepared to react to various scenarios and conditions on the road.

“The Track Day sessions have been well received by Renault Sport owners. Now with an expanding line-up of mainstream Renault vehicles, we wanted to engage with customers of these models as well and enhance their ownership experience,"said CEO, TC Euro Cars, Kuan Kim Luen.

The Renault Defensive Driving Experience started off with a theory lesson about the importance of having clear vision by studying the road ahead, understanding oversteering and understeering, the importance of using indicators and all occupants fastening safety belts, tips on highway driving, driving in the rain including not using hazard lights while driving in heavy rain, as well as other general dos and don’ts.

A total of 30 Renault owners participated in the defensive driving course.

TCEC plans to hold the Renault Driving Experience yearly to offer track day sessions as well as the defensive driving course for Renault Sport and Renault owners in Malaysia.

For more information about Renault in Malaysia, go to www.renault.com.my or www.facebook.com/RenaultMalaysia.


Mazda tackles turbo lag in new CX-9 motor

                YOKOHAMA: Mazda has unveiled an engine which features new technology to reduce the annoying delayed throttle response known as turbo lag.

The revamped CX-9, a three-row family SUV, is kitted out with the new four-cylinder 2.5-litre engine equipped with what Mazda calls its "Dynamic Pressure Turbo."

The unit is said to provide strong response even from low RPM. It also eliminates the typical delay between mashing the throttle and feeling the rush of torque from a turbocharged engine.

To reduce lag, Mazda's engine gets its air via two paths. At low speeds, a valve closes the larger one and sends the air to the turbine through a narrower path.

This increases the pressure in the same way that happens when somebody steps on a garden hose pipe, says Mazda engineer Jochen Muenzinger. The result is that the turbo starts to spool earlier, opening the valve and supplying more power from low revs.

Mazda has also added a cooled gas re-circulation system, which uses some of the inert exhaust gas produced by the engine to reduce the temperature and feed it back into the air intake.

According to Mazda, the set-up virtually eliminates turbo lag and means that the engine develops as much power as a conventional V6 combustion engine with 3.7 litres of displacement.

The CX-9 engine is also 20 per cent more efficient, reducing fuel consumption and potentially harmful tailpipe emissions.


Road rage: Driver snatches phone away from man who recorded attack on car

                JOHOR BARU: A lorry driver allegedly snatched away the phone belonging to a 39-year-old man who recorded an alleged road rage incident near the Second Link checkpoint here.

Iskandar Puteri OCPD Asst Comm Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said the incident took place at about 8am on Thursday in Tanjung Kupang here.

"The victim's car was hit by a lorry while heading towards Singapore. Both drivers alighted from their vehicles and got into a heated exchange," said ACP Dzulkhairi.

"The suspect then hit the window of the victim's car with an unidentified object."

ACP Dzulkhairi said the suspect also struck the door of the car with the same object during the argument.

He said the victim then told the suspect that he had recorded the whole incident.

"The suspect got agitated and tried to hit the victim before snatching his phone away and driving off.

"The victim sought assistance from the Singapore Customs upon arriving at the checkpoint and was told that they had checked the suspect's lorry but could not locate the phone," he said, adding that losses were estimated at RM8,000.

ACP Dzulkhairi said the case would be investigated under Section 427 and Section 392/397 of the Penal Code for damaging property in the process of committing mischief and armed robbery.


Ghost town MCity tests self-driving cars of tomorrow

                DETROIT: Tucked away on a tree-lined US college campus, a sprawling ghost town has been built to test the self-driving cars of the future.

MCity, which sprung up in an empty field a year ago like a Hollywood set, is where new technologies which are already radically reshaping the automotive industry must prove themselves before they make it to regular roads.

The 13-hectare site offers all the trappings of urban life, designed to reproduce the kinds of situations a self-driving car would encounter, like a child dashing into the street after a ball.

Traffic signals, street lights, cross walks, bicycle lanes, roundabouts, a railroad crossing, even construction: nothing has been left out of MCity's design.

The Americana street names -- Liberty Street, State Street, Main Street -- and cheerful store fronts, bus stops, benches, mailboxes and garbage bins give MCity the appearance of a vibrant town.

But its cafes and restaurants are nothing but facades. Its inhabitants are a collection of data crunchers using cameras, radar, sonar and lasers.

For over a year, the faux town has served as a laboratory for testing the self-driving technologies of about a dozen companies, according to Jim Sayer, deployment director at the University of Michigan's Mobility Transformation Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

"Generally speaking they are testing software and sensors: how the system responds in very specific scenarios that they set up," Sayer told AFP.

The facility is able to set up a controlled experiment -- for instance, how a tunnel or tree canopy might impact software. The test can be repeated time and time again while adjustments are made to sensors and software to improve performance.

Automakers and technology companies developing autonomous driving systems can run their cars at up to 100kph night or day in a variety of scenarios - city driving, country driving, highway driving - and on difference surfaces like gravel, asphalt and concrete.

Ford has tested its autonomous vehicles in MCity, which is just 60km from its Dearborn headquarters.

One part of its Fusion fleet will soon be tested there during extreme weather like snow and rainstorms, which can interfere with sensors and GPS.

"We've been testing (autonomous) cars in the real world, but using a place like MCity will allow us to refine our algorithms and better calibrate car sensors by repeating specific situations in a reliable way," said Jim McBride, who heads Ford's autonomous vehicle program.

For Sayer, the main value of MCity is the variety of tests that the site permits: each kilometer of the testing site can represent 100 or 1,000km of driving on real-world roads. And each scenario is infinitely repeatable, not possible on public roads.

MCity was created through a partnership between the university and Michigan's department of transportation. Corporate sponsors provided a million dollars in funding.

It isn't the only testing site of its kind: GoMentum in California has already welcomed test vehicles from Honda.

Sayer said self-drive technology is advancing to the point where autonomous vehicles could soon hit the streets in controlled situations like shuttles which drive people slowly around airports or college campuses.

"For vehicles that can replace the kind of vehicles we drive today operate in all weathers, in all speeds, all road conditions, it's probably another 20 years away before we reach something that is commercially viable," he said.


New govt not interested in buying back Proton

                KUALA LUMPUR: The new government will not buy back Proton Holdings Bhd as it now belongs to tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad told reporters after chairing the Cabinet meeting today.

Syed Mokhtar holds an indirect 55.92 per cent stake in DRB-Hicom Bhd via his private vehicle, Etika Strategi Sdn Bhd, in which he has a 90 per cent equity interest.

To recap, Proton, set up in 1983, was the country's first national car and Dr Mahathir's brainchild during his 22-year premiership.

However, Proton has incurred losses over the years and this led to the selling of a 49.9 per cent stake in the company to China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd for a total of RM460.3 million in June last year.

READ MORE:
Proton stands to gain from Geely's advanced tech
Fuel prices unchanged for now, weekly pricing axed

In the run-up to 14th General Election on May 9, it was reported that Pakatan Harapan, headed by Dr Mahathir, might have plans to set up another national car company if it wins the election.

This is following the vast opportunities for car manufacturers, which will also have spillover effects to the car parts companies.

Passenger vehicles total industry volume stood at 514,679 units in 2017, out of which Proton sales amounted to 70,991 units. At its peak, Proton dominated domestic automobile sales with nearly 80 per cent of new passenger cars sold.

Dr Mahathir also gave an assurance today that retail fuel prices will remain unchanged. He had previously said that prices will be subsidised when necessary. The crude oil price has surged past US$70 (RM279) a barrel, the highest in four years.


VW to unveil new electric car at CES 2023

                WASHINGTON: Volkswagen will introduce the newest member of its all-electric family on Jan 3 and follow with a display at CES 2023.

In addition to revealing a camouflaged version of the all-new electric vehicle, the name would also be announced.

The new electric model could be the production version of the ID. Aero concept sedan that was unveiled in June.

Rumours indicate it could be the successor to the Arteon, and will have a 620km range.

Nothing is cast in stone yet, but it's speculated that the new model could be called ID.7.

Volkswagen will also have the ID.4, the brand’s award-winning electric SUV, in town to support this addition to the ID family, as well as the European version of the ID. Buzz, as anticipation builds for the vehicle’s 2023 debut in the US.


2020 Hyundai Palisade gets top safety rating in the States

                LOS ANGELES: The all-new 2020 Hyundai Palisade now has the highest possible overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive Palisade models earned the maximum five-star scores for safety in frontal and side crash evaluations.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade is also a 2020 Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) when equipped with optional LED headlights.

Palisade has forward collision warning with automatic braking and lane departure warning as standard equipment.

Other advanced safety technologies include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist, High Beam Assist, Driver Attention Warning and Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go.

In February, the Palisade was also named the winner of the coveted “Best of 2020” award from the third-party automotive experts at Cars.com.


Nissan Note e-POWER Series Wins Japan Car of the Year 2021

                TOKYO: The Nissan Note e-POWER Series is Japan Car of the Year 2021.

According to the COTY steering committee, reasons for the Note e-Power’s win stemmed from the car’s award-winning hybrid powertrain, excellent fuel economy and handling, keen pricing and stylish design.

The new Note e-Power range with its unique 1.2-litre series hybrid powertrain, is currently on sale in Japan but the carmaker has plans to launch the e-Power drivetrain in European and US markets in the near future.

In the first of two voting procedures, the award’s 60 jurors selected the 10 Best vehicles of the year in late November from over 30 contenders.

After attending a 10 Best drive day at Sodegaura Forest Raceway near Tokyo, jurors voted a second time to select the year’s best car as well as the winners of four special awards.

When counting was completed at an online award ceremony on Dec 10, the Note e-Power series was pronounced Japan Car of the Year with 335 votes, beating the Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ pair with 264 votes and the Honda Vezel (HR-V) with 227 votes.

Polling 168 votes in 5th place, the highest for a foreign brand, the Volkswagen Golf 8 was named the Import Car of the Year 2021-2022.


China's Wanxiang gets approval to produce Karma electric cars

An employee working at a production line at a Wanxiang electric vehicle factory in Hangzhou. - Reuters
BEIJING: Wanxiang Group, a major Chinese auto parts supplier which almost three years ago bought the assets of defunct California-based plug-in hybrid carmaker Fisker Automotive, has received approval from local regulators to produce electric vehicles in China.

According to a notice on Friday on the website of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China’s top economic and industrial planner, Wanxiang has the green light to build a factory with capacity to produce 50,000 electric cars a year.

The move means the former Fisker Automotive, which was founded in part with a US government loan and ceased production of its US$100,000 plug-in electric hybrid sports cars in 2012 after a series of technical glitches and cost overruns, continues to survive under Chinese ownership after Wanxiang gave it a second life.

Wanxiang later changed Fisker’s name to Karma Automotive.

Wanxiang, a Hangzhou-based company which in 2012 also acquired US lithium-ion battery maker A123, became the sixth company to be allowed to produce new-energy vehicles in China.

More companies are currently being encouraged to enter the automotive industry in China but only if they are willing to produce so-called new-energy cars, mostly all-electric battery cars and heavily electrified plug-in hybrids.

China has been making a push for electrically-propelled cars by offering incentives to buyers, forcing global automakers to share their technology, and opening its market to tech firms and others to produce electric vehicles.

Beijing wants such vehicles to serve the mass market, and hopes the technology will help its auto industry close a competitive gap with global rivals which have a century's head-start in traditional combustion engines.

Aside from Wanxiang, NDRC has approved five companies to produce new-energy vehicles, including Ch-Auto's Qiantu Motor, and Changjiang Auto. More companies such as WM Motor, Future Mobility, Singulato Motors are seeking approval.


Perodua aims to eliminate employee accidents by 2021

Perodua Zero Accident Campaign was officiated by Aminar (thrid from left) and was witnessed by DOSH Kedah director Hairozie Asri, Perodua Sales managing director Datuk Dr Zahari Husin as well as Perodua Global Manufacturing president and Perodua Group Safety Committee chairman Datuk Ahmad Suhaimi Hashim.

KULIM: Perodua has launched its Zero Accident campaign for its 10,300 employees nationwide as part of the next phase in its Road Safety Campaign that was initially launched in October, 2017 to help reduce accidents on the road.

Under the Perodua Zero Accident campaign, the company is aiming for zero road accidents involving its staff travelling to and from their respective workplaces as well as zero industrial accidents while performing their respective duties by the year 2021.

“This is our first nationwide initiative among our staff, involving our manufacturing, sales and after-sales network, to set an example by being good drivers,” said Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Dr Aminar Rashid Salleh.

The campaign is supported by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) as well as the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO). Both organisations are under the Ministry of Human Resources.

“While reduction and even elimination of industry-related accidents has always been the core focus of our Occupational, Health and Safety rules, we are now expanding that focus to include travel outside our premises.

“We believe the cultivation of good driving habits begins at home and we want to inculcate as much education on safe and responsible driving into our staff so that they would be a good example to all,” added Aminar.

The campaign will be launched in stages beginning Aug 13 until the end of the year.

Datuk Aminar also said that Perodua hopes to take learning points from this campaign and integrate it into the larger five-year Perodua Road Safety Campaign.

The Perodua Road Safety Campaign aims to reduce road accidents by educating drivers of the need to understand and obey basic road rules and courtesies such as the importance of wearing seatbelts, why child car seats are essential, the significance of using directional indicators and why mobile devices are a driver’s worst enemy.

“We use education as the approach because we believe most Malaysian drivers are aware of the rules and courtesies but may not understand the reasons behind them. Education will certainly take longer but once they fully understand the reasons behind the rules, the impact will be stronger,” said Aminar.


Limited units of Hyundai Grand Starex up for grabs

                PETALING JAYA: Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors has limited numbers of the large 11-seater Hyundai Starex multi-purpose vehicle left.

The model now comes with a sporty bodykit and a new Moonlight exterior colour.

Other exterior enhancements include Crystal Tail Rear Lamps and a Rear Spoiler with High-Mounted Stop Lamp.

The Grand Starex is available in two variants of Executive Plus and Starex Executive Plus with Telematics priced at at RM163,888 and RM165,888 respectively. (Prices exclude insurance and sales tax)

Powering the premium MPV is a 2.5 CRDi VGT diesel engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic.

Among its premium equipment are swivel seats on the second row, a suite of safety features and overhead display monitor.

The Grand Starex Plus with Telematics comes pre-installed with a telematics system for enhanced driver and passenger assistance in an accident or a breakdown.

A concierge service is also included in the telematics system to make it more convenient for owners to book a service appointment or to locate and report a stolen vehicle.

The telematics system comes integrated with six services namely eCall: Automatic Accident Detection, Manual eCall: Emergency Assistance, bCall: Breakdown Assistance, Service Assist, Mobile App – Connected Security Features and Stolen Vehicle Tracking.

The Grand Starex comes with a 5-year or 300,000km warranty.

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors managing director Low Yuan Lung , said the Grand Starex is a popular choice for businesses and big families due to its practicality and functionality.

“The Grand Starex is one of our best-selling models after the Kona and Elantra because of its size, performance and affordable pricing. With limited units left, those who have been eyeing the Grand Starex should place a booking soon,” he said.


Rallying: Dakar opening stage cancelled due to bad weather

                ROSARIO (Argentina): Poor weather forced the cancellation of Sunday’s Dakar Rally opening stage because of safety concerns, a day after 10 people were injured when a car crashed into spectators.

Thunderstorms and heavy rain prompted organisers to scrap the scheduled 600-kilometre plus route from Rosario to Villa Carlos Paz, with the conditions grounding safety helicopters and leaving parts of the course flooded.

“The Dakar doesn’t stop when it rains but when it’s not possible to guarantee the normal security presence” for the rally, said race director Etienne Lavigne.

“The weather conditions are very bad. The relay plane (which helps with radio communications) was unable to fly. Helicopters can’t take off. The situation isn’t going to improve in terms of visibility,” he added.

The first stage was supposed to include a 258km timed special for cars and a 227km section for motorcycles, but the entire field instead travelled to Cordoba under link section conditions.

The weather is again expected to have an impact on Monday’s stage, with Lavigne admitting it could be shortened by at least 150 kilometres.

“It is going to rain for much of the night and then again during the afternoon,” he said.

“There are several solutions: move the departure point, shorten the special sections so as not to be bothered by the rain. The objective is to maintain security.”

The 38th edition of the Dakar Rally, which will cover more than 9,300km across Argentina and Bolivia, commenced with Saturday’s prologue which was  “neutralised” and then immediately suspended after a crash involving the MINI of Chinese driver Guo Meiling left 10 people hurt.

A 10-year-old boy and his father were seriously injured and underwent surgery overnight, with Lavigne adding both were in a “stable condition”.

However, Lavigne said the condition of a third man “deteriorated in the night” with doctors offering a “guarded prognosis”.


Evergrande plans to bring EV charging technology into the home

                SHANGHAI: China Evergrande Group may be a long way from challenging Tesla Inc., but it’s at least thinking about how customers can charge their electric cars more cheaply.

The property developer has established a joint venture with State Grid Corp. of China to co-develop smart car-charging technology, according to a statement Sunday on Evergrande’s website.

In China, electric-vehicle owners pay about three times as much to use public-charging stations as they would to charge their cars at home, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. That’s because using a public utility pole incurs a bundled commercial power rate and high service fee. What’s more, public chargers are scarce, with only around 2.3 chargers per vehicle, and there aren’t sufficient in residential areas either.

The venture with State Grid aims to change all that.

According to Sunday’s announcement, Evergrande will imbue all its EVs with vehicle-to-grid technology. Smart-charging plugs will also be located in various residential developments, the statement said, without disclosing any specific locations.

That would allow a user to charge their EV in a residential parking lot overnight, when electricity rates are typically cheaper, the statement said. Then later on, drivers could pump electricity back into the grid and make money.

State Grid has also signed a similar pact with three other major real-estate firms - China Vanke Co., Country Garden Holdings Co. and Sunac China Holdings Ltd.

The idea of turning millions of drivers into mini electricity traders is a concept automakers from Ford Motor Co. to BMW AG have long been testing. Each car acts like a back-up battery storage unit, selling power back to the grid when it’s most needed and buying it in down periods.

It’s a neat concept, and one that would be very useful in the world’s largest car market. Now it boils down to the actual EV production Evergrande said would start in June.


Petron fuels safety with more car inspections

                KUALA LUMPUR: Road safety advocate Petron kicked off its largest car safety check campaign at more service stations to promote safer roads in line with the upcoming festive season and long holiday in the country.

Petron is supported by Honda Malaysia, Michelin Malaysia and Bosch Automotive Aftermarket to provide free car inspections at selected Petron service stations.

This is Petron's largest car safety check campaign involving 26 Petron service stations in five states.

Petron corporate safety, security, health and environment head Lokman Hani said, “Safety is our utmost priority. We want to help ensure vehicles are safe to travel long-distance. A simple vehicle safety check can help prevent incidents and save lives”.

“We are collaborating with more automotive partners who share the same value. Through strategic collaborations, we can reach out to more motorists and help minimise road accidents, especially during long holidays. The vehicle inspection service is free of charge for any car brand at more Petron service stations for all customers.”

The success of Petron’s biggest and longest-running advocacy, Petron Road Safety Programme, which is now in its seventh year, would not have been possible without its key partner, the Road Safety Department of Malaysia.

Bosch Automotive Aftermarket will provide a detailed five-minute car safety check inclusive of battery and wiper condition for vehicles at five Petron stations in the Klang Valley on May 18 to 19 and May 25 to 26; exclusively for Petron customers.

Continuing its collaboration with Honda Malaysia, Petron offers a 32-point vehicles inspection services at six service stations.

Customers can also get their tyres checked by Michelin at 15 Petron service stations.

“More people travel during festive seasons, thus the need to increase their awareness on how to avoid accidents. We encourage motorists to drive safely, observe traffic rules by putting on seat belts and safety helmets, and adhere to speed limits. At the same time, we advise them to have their vehicles inspected before driving. This could lessen any mishaps on the road while driving,” said Lokman.

Last year, during the festive seasons Petron held 20 car safety inspections at its stations for more than 3,800 cars.

The program is in line with its mission to improve road safety habits among road users.

For the full list of participating Petron service stations, please refer to this link


Jaguar close to finishing fine-tuning of XE SV Project 8

                LONDON: Jaguar says fine-tuning for its new vehicle, which it claims will be the fastest and most thrilling road-legal four-door saloon car in the world, is almost finished.

The Project 8 is a practical four-door car that will serve for daily use, but also offers genuine supercar performance.

The top speed of the car is 322kph, and zero to 100kph will take just 3.5 seconds.

Back in November, the Project 8 set a new four-door production-intent saloon record around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, which is the “gold” standard for all-around high performance.

The car's best lap took 7 minutes 21.23 seconds, which is quicker than many genuine supercars, and smashed the previous record for a four-door by more than 10 seconds.

"The fastest high-performance sedan in the world just keeps getting better,” said Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations managing director John Edwards.

“The Jaguar XE SV Project 8 development team at Special Vehicle Operations keep pushing boundaries – the drive to do that is in our designers' and engineers' blood."

"With Project 8 we set out to deliver a fast, fun and engaging car that encourages you to explore its performance,” said JLR's Special Vehicle Operations director Mark Stanton.

“Our lap record at the Nürburgring proves we have achieved that, but now we believe we can go faster. We're continually honing every functional aspect of the car, focusing on marginal gains to make it even quicker yet still accessible to drive."

All that performance is produced by a supercharged 592hp Jaguar 5.0-litre V-8, making it the most powerful road car the company has ever produced.

A maximum of 300 units of this limited-edition model will be produced, which will be hand-built by Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations at its Technical Centre in Coventry, England.

The XE SV Project 8 will cost from £147,665 (RM796,000) in Britain and from US$187,500 (RM743,000) in the US. It's the second Collector's Edition Jaguar from Special Vehicle Operations, after the 2014 Jaguar F-TYPE Project 7, and deliveries will get under way this summer.


Mitsubishi ASX undergoes big facelift

TOKYO: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will unveil the 2020 model year ASX compact SUV at the March 5-17 Geneva International Motor Show.

The exterior design has undergone a major overhaul under a design philosophy of “robust & ingenious,” which serves as an expression of the MMC’s global tagline “Drive your Ambition.”

The Mitsubishi ASX is a compact SUV designed for the city, offering wide-ranging versatility. Mitsubishi says its lightweight, compact body combined with an SUV’s commanding driver sightlines give the ASX excellent handling and easy drivability.

For European markets, ASX is powered by a 2.0L MIVEC 16-valve engine equipped with either a five-speed manual transmission or the INVECS-III CVT with six-speed Sports Mode. Both two and four-wheel-drive versions are available.

The ASX also delivers reassurance and safety, with features including the RISE impact safety body and a Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) braking system.

New design

The design concept is ”Impact and Impulse.” As well as signature Mitsubishi toughness, the refined and original design projects a strong image.

The new ASX brings an evolution in MMC’s DYNAMIC SHIELD front design concept. The bumper embraces the central protective shape from both sides and the squared horizontal and vertical line treatment of the grille and the skid plate under the bumper expresses strength and toughness. The new styling makes the bonnet deeper, adding to the presence projected by the front end. And the distinctive LED lighting layout, which locates the indicators and fog lamps at the ends of the bumper, stamps a Mitsubishi brand look on the front end.

The ASX uses LED rear combination lamps (except indicators) in a design that stretches across the width of the car and accentuates the wide stance. The underside of the bumper has a skid plate styling.

Three new colours are available - Red Diamond, Sunshine Orange and Oak Brown.

Improved smartphone connectivity

The Smartphone-link Display Audio (SDA) has been improved and now offers more advanced connectivity. The size of the display has been increased from seven to eight inches.

Videos stored on USB memory sticks can also now be viewed on the SDA screen when the vehicle is stopped. Top trim level models come equipped with a Tom Tom navigation system. Real-time traffic information can now be accessed by connecting to the internet using a smartphone.

Available soon will be an app that uses speedometer, odometer, warning lamp and other vehicle information. The app will check fuel remaining and provide navigation to the nearest fuel stations, and will provide guidance on optimum maintenance and inspection intervals.

Since its launch in 2009, Mitsubishi Motors has sold 1.32 million ASX units in around 90 countries. The biggest markets are North America, Europe, Australia and China. Currently the third-highest selling vehicle offered by MMC, the ASX is key to the company’s global strategy.


Opinion: What if you can’t resell your electric car?

                HONG KONG: Would you still buy an electric car if you knew you wouldn’t be able to resell it in the future? That’s the latest hurdle potential buyers are contending with, and it’s bound to become a big driver of demand.

The expenses of owning an electric vehicle have always stood in the way of mass adoption, even in China, which has an extensive subsidy programme. Starting from the cost of the battery to how far a charge will take drivers, not to mention the shortage of points where they can plug in, there’s a lot to grapple with before green cars can overtake those powered by internal combustion engines.

Much of the anxiety stems from batteries – the price, technology, density, and where to charge them.

Manufacturers have worked for years to bring down the price on a per kilowatt-hour basis. Technology has improved, with different materials helping cars run longer and further, thus needing less charge.

The chemistry has become more stable. In May, for instance, Svolt Energy Technology Co., owned by the parent of China’s Great Wall Motor Co., launched the world’s first battery that doesn’t use the controversial yet once-essential cobalt. It costs less than the mainstream competition and has higher density, meaning more energy is packed into the same volume.

So the good news is, battery prices are dropping, down to 1.1 yuan (67 sen) per watt-hour in 2019 from 2.1 yuan (RM1.27) per watt-hour in 2016. That also means that the cost of electric vehicles is coming down (though the good ones still aren’t that affordable), since batteries typically account for 50% to 60% of their value.

But therein lies the trap: As the technology evolves and drives prices of new vehicles lower, existing owners are taking a disproportionate beating in the second-hand market.

The average resale value of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids is less than 40% of the original purchase price, versus 50% to 70% on conventional cars.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. analysts note that consumer concerns about the quality and reliability of “old batteries appear to weigh on used cars’ prices.” That doesn’t really help make the case for current new buyers, either.

Then there are underlying demand trends. Sales of all cars were falling even before Covid-19. The market for batteries has been inching lower across the United States, China and Europe. Installations fell around 30% in June from the previous year in the world’s largest auto market, China.

 An electric bus plying the streets of Putrajaya.

Driven by regulatory pressures, vehicle manufacturers are tying up with and taking big stakes in battery makers to push forward ways to make greener cars. But confidence to buy them hasn’t picked up in most countries, despite subsidies in some shape or form to encourage sales.

Meanwhile, the auto market in China is maturing and that has changed preferences, too.

Post-pandemic, the last thing consumers will want to buy is an asset that depreciates faster and is more expensive than its main competition, in this case, cars with internal combustion engines.

Buying behaviour in China shows as much: Purchases are being delayed until automakers drop their prices for electric cars below 300,000 yuan (RM182,000) to qualify for the government’s rebate programme.

It’s unclear whether Beijing can shore up vehicle demand via subsidies in a big way as it has in the past, though some local authorities have extended rebates and tax incentives to boost short-term sales in recent months.

The central government is trying a different tack, announcing a Green Mobility Initiative to push for electric buses in public infrastructure. Growth in batteries has been driven less by passenger cars than by installation in buses. In the Covid-19 era, it’s less clear if consumers (those with a choice) will want to hop on public buses to commute.

There is, of course, the Tesla Inc. caveat. Elon Musk’s company has a resale programme that gives buyers a bit of assurance that someone will buy their cars in the future. But most companies can’t afford that, especially as they try to make electric vehicles more affordable while their margins are shrinking.

Buying an electric car is a lot tougher than it sounds, and will stay that way until consumers can justify the hole in their wallets. — ANJANI TRIVEDI


                KUALA LUMPUR: The Mitsubishi Xpander remains Malaysia’s most popular non-national MPV (multi-pupose vehicle) with a sales growth of 52.2% from April 2022 to March 2023.

For the 12 months ended March 31, 2023 (financial year 2022 or FY22), Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) sold 13,794 units of Xpander, which was 57% of the company’s total vehicle sales.

In FY22, MMM saw its vehicles sales rose 27% to a record high of 24,315 units, since the company's inception in 2005, with a market share of 3.2%, and thus, retained its top three spot in the non-national automotive sales table.

The Mitsubishi Triton pick-up truck saw a sales growth of 12%, with 10,520 units sold in FY22 and the pick-up maintained a market share of 18%.

The Triton is also a strong number two in the pick-up truck segment.

“The Triton and Xpander have been a catalyst for our sales growth in FY22. In ending a successful financial year, we will continue to focus on improving customer purchase and service experience to meet the evolving needs of our customers, assuring a seamless experience,” said Shinya Ikeda, CEO of MMM.

He added, “On the global front, Mitsubishi Motors Corp (MMC) recently premiered the Mitsubishi XRT, the concept car of the all-new Triton at the 44th Bangkok International Motor Show 2023. For the upcoming Asia Cross Country Rally 2023, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart plans to compete with a prototype cross-country model of the all-new Triton in its quest for a second straight victory. Our participation in rallies will be reflected not only in new Triton models but also across a broad range of Mitsubishi vehicles. We are optimistic about the future of the Mitsubishi Motors brand and its presence in Malaysia.”

 Mitsubishi XRT concept


2017 Civic Type R claims title as world’s fastest FWD production car

                LOS ANGELES: Less than two months before its US launch, the 2017 Honda Civic Type R has claimed the title of world’s fastest production front-wheel-drive (FWD) production car, setting a new benchmark lap time at Germany’s legendary Nürburgring.

On April 3, a Civic Type R lapped the 20km Nordschleife (north loop) in a record 7 minutes 43.80 seconds. This new benchmark time represents an improvement of nearly 7 seconds compared to the previous-generation (European market) Type R, and over 3 seconds faster than the previous FWD record.

Multiple factors contribute to the new Civic Type R’s benchmark time including its high-performance 2.0-litre VTEC TURBO engine – with peak output of 306hp and 401Nm of torque. The engine, which makes the new Civic Type R the most powerful Honda ever sold in America, is manufactured in the US at Honda’s Anna, Ohio engine plant.

The Type R’s six-speed manual transmission with new, lower gear ratios further improves the car’s acceleration, while the new Type R’s comprehensive aerodynamic package delivers high-speed stability with an optimal balance between aerodynamic stability and drag.

The highly rigid body of the all-new Civic Type R is over 15kg lighter than the previous-generation (European market) model, and boasts a 38-percent gain in torsional stiffness. The 10th-generation Civic platform’s new multi-link rear suspension enhances stability under braking and reduces the total roll movement of the car, enabling later braking into corners and helping to achieve higher cornering speeds during the lap.

Ryuichi Kijima, the lead chassis engineer for the Honda Civic Type R development explains the model’s most significant improvements around the Nürburgring compared to the previous-generation car: “The cornering speed achieved in the new Type R is higher because the car features a wider track and tyres, a longer wheelbase, a new multi-link suspension in the rear and optimised aerodynamics that improve stability.

For example, drivers typically enter the corner after Metzgesfeld at around 150kph. Even at this medium-speed corner, the speed is around 10kph higher due to the new Type R’s excellent stability. So, with improved cornering performance, we can increase the speed throughout the lap, helping the new Type R to achieve a much quicker lap time.”

 Meet Ryuichi Kijima, the lead chassis engineer for the Honda Civic Type R development.

The pre-production development Civic Type R that achieved the lap time was technically representative of production specification. A full floating roll cage was installed for safety reasons, but did not provide any additional rigidity to the body frame. The extra weight of the cage was compensated for by the removal of the Display Audio system and rear seats. The car was using street legal, track-focused tyres.

The new Civic Type R, the very first production Honda Type R model for America, is the final piece in the 10th-generation Honda Civic launch that began in the fall of 2015 with the Civic Sedan, named 2016 North American Car of the Year.

The Civic lineup, featuring the most ambitious and extensive remake in the model’s 44-year history, includes the premium and sporty Civic Sedan and Coupe; the versatile and Euro-inspired Civic Hatchback; the fast and agile new Civic Si Sedan and Coupe, launching next month; and the ultimate representation of Civic performance, the new Civic Type R.

Production of the new Civic Type R began in March 2017 at Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) in Swindon, England – the global manufacturing hub for the tenth generation Civic hatchback.


Hubby plasters wife's car with signs for other drivers to stay clear

                BEIJING: A man from Fuzhou, China, pasted eight stickers on his wife’s car as a warning to other road users that she is a new driver, Sin Chew Daily reported.

Some of the messages proclaimed “just got her driving licence”, “not joking” and “press hard on brake pedal”.

The woman explained that she had just obtained her driving licence and accidentally knocked into somebody else’s car after a few days.

She also admitted that she tended to shift lanes without using the signal but her husband did not reprimand her. Instead, he put up stickers on her car to warn other drivers.

“He is very thoughtful. He did not scold me. By doing this, he wants to ensure my safety and that of other road users,” she said.

The stickers were placed at the back and side of the red car.


Kadjar: Renault's new crossover

                PARIS: Renault will be introducing its first C-segment crossover called Kadjar ahead of its unveiling on Feb 2.

The car maker will be promoting the model on social media from today, and new photos and videos will be posted daily before the wraps come off next month. It is certain to go on display at the March 5-15 Geneva Motor Show.

The sound and spelling of the name have an exotic feel which suggests adventure and discovering new horizons. The initial letter ‘K’ is indicative of the model’s robustness and the Kadjar fits with Renault’s existing B-segment crossover – Captur.

Kadjar is built around KAD- and -JAR. KAD- is inspired by ‘quad’ – representing a go-anywhere four-wheeled vehicle and -JAR recalls the French words ‘agile’ and ‘jaillir’ representing agility and suddenly emerging from somewhere.

 The compact Captur crossover.


Caterham racing comes to Malaysia

                PETALING JAYA: British sportscar manufacturer, Caterham Cars, expanded its Caterham Racing series to Malaysia on Saturday, with a new championship starting at the Sepang International Circuit.

The inaugural event was won by 420R driver Adrian D’Silva and was the first race in a new 10-round series.

Caterham’s brand-new, standalone championship will feature up to 12 racers competing over five weekends at the twisty Sepang circuit.

The racers, driving six Supersport and six 420R models, completed 10 laps of the track with Pye Tan Sen and Azman Yahya completing the podium places in second and third respectively.  The Supersport class was won by Halim Mu’Azzam, ahead of Asian drift phenomenon Leona Chin, with rookie Sidqi Ahmad rounding out the top three.

The top three in both classes were all Malaysian drivers, though the grid includes drivers from Singapore and as far afield as Sri Lanka.

Caterham’s new series will use the full GP circuit, which is also used for the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix, is the first combined Supersport and 420R race series for Caterham.

The brand-new 420R model, launched in April 2015, is making its first appearance in a Caterham race championship in the Malaysian series.

While the Supersport is powered by Ford's 1.6-litre Sigma engine tuned to deliver 135bhp, the 420R uses a 2.0-litre Ford Duratec unit producing 210bhp.

“The Malaysian race series is a hugely exciting expansion for us, as it offers the opportunity for Asean race drivers to experience the essence of Caterham Cars; an exhilarating racing experience ensuring the best value and fun for participants,” said Caterham’s chief motorsport and technical officer Simon Lambert.


SpareXHub to hold 3rd anniversary sale May 6-9

                In conjunction with SpareXHub’s third anniversary, SpareXHub will be organising a four-day long, one-time only clearance sale up to 80% off on genuine Ford and Hyundai car spare parts.

The sale will be held at Lot 24, Jalan Pemberita U1/49, Shah Alam on May 6-9, from 10am to 6pm.

Sign up here https://forms.gle/zGJReYFB72CMUPvE7 and the SpareXHub Xperts will be in touch with you.

Customers will have a chance to buy original car spare parts at very affordable prices and added discounts of up to 80% with the special clearance sale.

They will have access to over 3,000 Hyundai spare parts and 7,000 Ford spare parts, from service items such as filters and sensors to body parts such as bumpers and windscreens.

SpareXHub brand experts will also be on hand to ensure customers buy the right parts and provide the necessary knowledge, information and guidance.

The SpareXHub team has prepared a registration form for customers to fill up to ensure compliance to Covid-19 restrictions.

Visit www.sparexhub.com to browse the catalogue of genuine Ford and Hyundai parts.


Polestar releases unique soundtrack to deepen retail experience

                GOTHENBURG: Polestar has teamed up with Swedish composer, musician and artist, Lisa Nordström, to create a unique soundscape for Polestar’s retail locations around the world.

The Polestar soundtrack is also available on over 50 different streaming services, including (but not limited to) Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music – and can of course be streamed in Polestar 2 cars.

Polestar operates a digital-first retail model and cars can be bought online. In the centrally located Polestar Spaces and out-of-town Polestar Destinations, customers can physically interact with the Polestar brand and cars.

The retail locations are specifically designed to reflect the minimalist and uncompromising design values of Polestar. The soundscape was picked to compliment and elevate that experience and serve as a musical embodiment of the brand.

“One often uses more than one sense to experience things. The Polestar soundscape encapsulates the Polestar brand beautifully and complements the universe we have created for our customers both in our retail locations and our cars,” says Rong Guan, Polestar’s retail architect who has headed up the design of Polestar’s retail environments.

Lisa Nordström, who recently won the 2022 Swedish Guldbagge film award for best original music in the film ‘Children of the Enemy’, has a diverse musical portfolio ranging from movies to experimental radiophonic compositions recorded from her base in Gothenburg, Sweden.

“I approached this project like the score of a film. I had to identify the themes which would work to heighten the experience”, Nordström explains. “For me, being in the environment and absorbing the place and situation was absolutely necessary. After a while of testing different tracks, I finally found a tonality and sound that felt right. Then it was mostly about opening the tap and letting it flow!”

The result is a nine-hour soundtrack composed of ambient soundscapes divided into four tracks that represent the hours of the morning, midday, afternoon and evening, and have been named after Polestar 2’s exterior colours.


BMW updates i3 with 50% boost in range

MUNICH:  BMW is updating its "i" range of electric cars with a revamped i3 in store for summer 2016. The new-generation model gets a more powerful battery, promising a range up to almost 400km in certain conditions.

The new i3 (94Ah) ups battery capacity to 33kWh, boosting range by around 50% in standard test conditions, from 190km to around 300km. The manufacturer even announces a range of almost 250 400km for the Range Extender version of the i3. However, in real-world conditions, figures are likely to be closer to 200km for the standard model or 330km for the Range Extender.

Note that the Range Extender comes with an additional 34hp two-cylinder petrol engine, housed next to the electric engine above the rear axle. Combined fuel consumption is just 0.6l/100km with 12g/km of CO2 emissions.

Thanks to the flexibility of the i3's modular design, first-generation models can be upgraded with the new battery as part of the firm's retrofitting scheme.

In other respects, the new i3 is similar to the model currently on sale. It notably uses the same 170hp electric engine with 0-100kph acceleration in 7.3 seconds.

The new-generation i3 will, however, be available in a new body colour and with new interior trim options.

Th small electric car was first introduced in November 2013.


Mercedes-Benz GLB compact seven-seater SUV to roll out in US

                STUTTGART: After making its conceptual debut at the Shanghai Motor Show in April, the new Mercedes-Benz's GLB is now production-ready and will be rolling out of the plant in Utah as we speak.

The GLB will seat up to seven people and the optional third row folds flat for more cargo space.

 Performers dance on stage as a prototype of the Mercedes-Benz GLB concept vehicle at an event ahead of the Shanghai Auto Show in April. - All photos by Bloomberg

The engine consists of the 2.0 liter M260 turbocharged, four-cylinder engine which pushes out 224hp and 350Nm of torque and comes standard with 4Matic all-wheel drive.

Have a look at the GLB with this short teaser video released on the Mercedes-Benz's Facebook page.


Long weekend sees over 10 million vehicles on major highways

                PETALING JAYA: More than 10 million vehicles plied major highways on Friday and Saturday as people took advantage of the long weekend and school holidays.

Federal Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department principal assistant director (enforcement) Supt Dr Bakri Zainal Abidin said some 5.3 million vehicles were recorded on the highways on Friday.

He said Saturday saw 5.6 million vehicles on major highways and at 2pm today, heavy traffic was reported along the North-South Expressway near Gua Tempurung as well as in Johor while the same situation was observed along the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway.

"The heavy traffic can be attributed to those taking advantage of the long weekend and the school holidays to travel," he said, urging motorists to be patient, courteous and to refrain from provoking others especially when they were stuck in heavy traffic.

"We have noticed that as the traffic becomes congested, a number of motorists start resorting to driving on the emergency lane.

"Our personnel are out in the field to ensure traffic flows smoothly and motorists abide by the regulations.

"They will not hesitate to take action against anyone caught intentionally violating the traffic rules," he said.

Supt Bakri also told motorists with dashboard cameras to forward footage of errant motorists to the Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department Facebook page so further action could be taken against traffic violators.


Yokohama's latest Fleva

                KUALA LUMPUR: Yokohama's latest Advan Fleva V701 low-profile tyres is now available, promising better road grip and handling performance.

Sold in 15- to 20-inch size in 55 to 30 series, the sports tyre is suitable for tuned-up cars and higher performance variants of popular models from Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi.

It is also suitable for Proton and Perodua car owners who want to “one size-up” their wheels. It comes with recommended retail prices from RM220 to RM900.

The profile of Advan Fleva V701 is adapted from Advan Sport V105 and designed for steering and ground contact improvements.

It also comes with a directional pattern and non-penetrating lug groove design to reduce noise and increase block stiffness for enhanced handling.

Advan Fleva V701’s claw grooves are designed to push out water at corners while its special “nanoBlend” compound is formulated with several types of polymers for fuel efficiency and wear resistance.


PLUS extends aid for R&R traders by three months

                KUALA LUMPUR: PLUS Malaysia Bhd has extended its assistance to rest area business operators by a further three months, from August to October.

The aid extension, which includes rental waivers and reductions, also covers its temporary business operators.

All traders in the north- and south-bound Gelang Patah Rest and Service Areas (R&R) will receive full monthly rental waivers, considering the impact of the temporary closure of the Malaysia-Singapore border, the highway operator said in a statement today.

It is also providing a two-week waiver on the monthly rental for R&R business operators who are affected by the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) in Selangor.

In an effort to provide business continuity to help the R&R business operators, the company is looking into payment plans including a waiver of late payment charges.

The same assistance has also been extended to the business operators based at Lebuhraya Pantai Timur 2 (LPT2) in Terengganu.

Since last year, PLUS has granted its R&R traders rental relief due to the impact of interstate travel restrictions.

The highway toll operator’s head of strategic stakeholder engagement Syed Mohammed Idid said PLUS has consistently been assisting R&R business operators since the first movement control order in March 2020.

“To help our business operators adapt to the disruption brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, we have provided online training for them to use technology in their business in the new normal,” he said.


Small turning circle: How big a role does it really play?

                BERLIN: Just how agile a car is can be determined by looking at its turning circle — the smallest circular turn the vehicle can make.

The less space a car needs for a U-turn, the more straightforward the car's handling will be. This makes things easier when parking in difficult conditions, manoeuvring in a garage or slipping through narrow exits.

As such, the advantages of a small turning circle are especially obvious in city traffic, says a major German safety inspection agency.

A small turning circle implies a large steering range made possible by the axles and wheels.

For technical reasons, larger vehicles with a longer wheelbase, such as a mid-size saloon, tend to have a larger turning circle than small cars.

The construction of the drive unit also plays an important role. A large five-cylinder transverse engine will give the front wheels and the steering much less turning room than a four-cylinder engine.

Front-wheel-drive vehicles usually have a slightly larger turning circle than rear-wheel drive cars, since the latter usually have more space for the front wheels to turn freely.


Porsche dishes up Black Editions of 911 Carrera and Boxster

                STUTTGART: Porsche has created a special series of the 911 Carrera and Boxster: the Black Edition.

The standard equipment on the 911 Carrera and Boxster models includes Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with navigation module, automatically dimming rear-view mirrors, rain sensor, cruise control and Sport Design steering wheel.

Standard equipment on the 911 Carrera Black Edition model includes 20-inch diameter alloy wheels, automatically dimming rear-view mirrors, rain sensing windscreen wipers, cruise control and Sport Design steering wheel.

A rear-mounted, flat-six cylinder engine is a symbolic component of the 911 identity. The 911 Carrera Black Edition is powered by a  3.4-litre power plant developing 350hp. It is offered as coupé and convertible versions, and with rear-wheel drive or Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive.

The special model rides on 20-inch diameter ‘911 Turbo’ style alloy wheels and further graphic differentiation is provided by LED headlights including the Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS+). The black interior looks sophisticated, with driver and passenger sitting on heated seats - with the Porsche crest embossed on the head restraints - and the standard Bose Surround Sound System installed.

In addition to the special Black Edition features, standard equipment on every 911 Carrera includes leather interior, sports seats,  7-inch colour touchscreen, universal audio interface offering MP3 connectivity, automatic climate control, Porsche Stability Management (PSM), Porsche Vehicle Tracking anti-theft system, three year warranty and three year roadside assistance package.

The Boxster Black Edition is a mid-engine roadster powered by the 2.7 litre flat engine with 265hp. The colour concept remains consistent when it comes to the soft top and rollover protection bar, which are both in black. The wind deflector helps to avoid turbulence when the soft top is down. The 20-inch Carrera Classic wheels and the bi-xenon headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) set distinctive highlights. The driver and passenger can enjoy a higher level of personal comfort with the two-zone air conditioning and heated seats. The sound system in the Boxster Black Edition is the high-quality Sound Package Plus.

The Black Edition models started selling this week in Germany, with the Boxster Black Edition going for 59,477 euros; the 911 Carrera Black Edition comes in four variants priced from 95,058 euros to 111,956 euros.


BMW Shorties Film Festival returns

                PETALING JAYA: BMW Group Malaysia will celebrate another successful year of championing aspiring local filmmakers and digital content creators with the second BMW Shorties Film Festival on Saturday, 15th December 2018 at the Tiffin Food Court, Petaling Jaya.

The film festival will see one of the finalists of BMW Shorties 2018 crowned as the Grand Prize Winner, along with winners of the supporting categories, including the ever-popular People’s Choice Award!

For those who have not voted for their favourite short film, be sure to vote here.

The voting period closes on Friday, Dec 7.

Hosted by Adam Izzy, the festival will also play host to a screening of the Finalists’ short films and a panel discussion on ‘Storytelling for Today’s Audience’.

Adding to the festive excitement, the cast and crew of GUANG, BMW Shorties 2011 Grand Prize Winner Quek Shio Chuan, will also be present at the Festival for a special meet-and-greet with fellow fans and film lovers.

Headlining the music roster for the BMW Shorties Film Festival 2018 are bands RYÖTJONES, Billie Blue & The Nowhere Men, and Jaggfuzzbeats; with Visual Art installations by Filamen, Malaysia’s creative technology arts collective, and live-sketching sessions by KL Sketch Nation.

Food at the festival will be courtesy of Aiden Picnic, Beard Brothers’ Deli, The Bowls, Ground Control, and ChaatWaala, with beverages from Pernod Ricard and Sjora.

Fans will also stand a chance to win a wide range of goodies, including the exclusive Limited-Edition BMW Shor-tees T-shirt, with the winning design from the BMW ‘Shor-Tees’ contest held earlier this year.

Other exciting merchandises from Dockers and Levi’s are also up for grabs!

Details of the BMW Shorties Film Festival 2018 are as follows:

Date: 15 December 2018

Time: 2:00PM ‘til late

Venue:
Tiffin Food Court
15, Jalan 13/6, Seksyen 13,
46200 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor


Hyundai and Kia to invest in self-driving startup Aurora

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Co said today it would invest in self-driving car software startup Aurora along with Kia Motors Corp to speed up development of autonomous vehicle technologies.

“With the new investment, the companies have agreed to expand research to a wide range of models and to build an optimal platform for Hyundai and Kia’s autonomous vehicles,” Hyundai said.

Aurora said in a blog post that Hyundai and Kia’s investment is part of a series B financing round, which has now raised more than US$600 million.

Aurora, which just announced a partnership with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, competes with Alphabet’s Waymo and General Motors’ majority-owned Cruise, among others.


Porsche's passport to performance

                STUTTGART: Following similar moves by Cadillac and Volvo, German sportscar maker Porsche is launching a subscription service which will enable users to reserve the Porsche they need, when they need it in return for a monthly fee.

The Porsche 911 may well be the ultimate sportscar, honed and perfected over 54 years and 1 million examples, but it's not exactly ideal for driving the family down to the coast for the weekend, or for doing a weekly grocery shop thanks to its tiny trunk.

Likewise the Macan is a great-to-drive compact SUV that's perfect for everyday family use, but it's not the most romantic of vehicles for taking a mini break.

Therefore, Porsche wants to offer clients the advantages of every model in its current core lineup yet with none of the drawbacks of owning any individual car with a new service called Porsche Accelerate.

"Our Strategy 2025 vision is to be the most aspirational brand in a new era of mobility and consumer expectations. Catering to customers' desire to experience our sports cars in new ways is a part of our core strategy," said Klaus Zellmer, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America.

So, for a monthly fee of US$3,000 (RM12,700), clients will have on-demand access to a host of Porsches, from various high-specification 911s to the most potent versions of the Macan, Cayenne, Boxster, Cayman and Panamera.

The fee includes tax, registration, insurance and the cost of a concierge performing a white glove delivery of the chosen car to the location of the client's choice.

The whole system works via a smartphone app and the service is going live, initially in Atlanta, Georgia (Porsche's North American Headquarters) in November as a pilot program in partnership with Clutch Technologies who has developed the smartphone app and platform via which the system will function.

"Porsche Passport will provide increased choice and flexibility for new target groups in the Atlanta market," said Vince Zappa, President of Clutch Technologies. "Clutch is proud to be the enabling technology behind the service."

And for those that are taken by the idea of having access to the perfect Porsche for their needs simply via tapping and swiping their phone's screen but are put off by the premium subscription fee, the company is offering a second, lower tier program. For $2,000 a month, the Porsche Launch program will offer access to eight different Porsche cars, including the 718 Boxster, Cayman S, Macan S and Cayenne.

"With Porsche Passport, we now offer our customers a simple and flexible driving solution at their fingertips," said Zellmer.


Jato Dynamics appoints new CEO

                LONDON: Jato Dynamics, the leading provider of global automotive data and insight, has appointed industry heavyweight David Krajicek to the position of CEO, effective Apr 13, 2020.

Dr Krajicek is a seasoned business executive and strategist in the information and marketing services industry with over 25 years’ experience, he joins from GfK where he had been at the helm as CEO of GfK Research since 2017.
On his appointment Dr Krajicek said: “Jato Dynamics is a true insights leader within the automotive industry and I’m delighted to get started. I’m looking forward to engaging with the leadership team in the coming weeks as we continue to develop innovative solutions for our clients’ needs.”

This appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Jato Dynamics with the automotive market experiencing unprecedented levels of change and volatility.

When he starts in April, he will be working closely with key customers and the Jato leadership team to co-create a new set of propositions that support the changing requirements of the industry.