Mercedes-Benz GLE 450: Space and style

By JAY WONG

MOVE over “Boss”, a new chief executive is in town.

Meet the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 (V167) 4Matic AMG Line in locally-assembled form.

Priced at RM475,501 (on-the-road with 0% sales tax until June 30 and without insurance), the locally-assembled GLE 450 represents a German full-sized sports utility vehicle (SUV) with seven seats with plenty of grunt.

This all-wheel driven SUV is equipped with a plethora of bells and whistles before getting galvanised with an exceptional combination of luxury, practicality and performance.

The GLE 450 counts its competitors among from the likes of the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Volvo XC90.

The look
Whether static or at speed, the GLE 450’s styling cues is one that awes.

The media review unit came in Selenite Grey and subtly glistens in the sun with its chromed bits at the front and rear.

The same effect is found on the front gaping “diamond-studded” grille which seems to cramp out the rounded automatic LED headlights further to the corners.

Although the headlights add a sense of softness to the GLE 450’s looks, the sporty bumper and hood (with dual power domes) simply drown out this effect.

Along its flanks, body-coloured wheel arch trims and brushed-aluminium floorboards simultaneously add elegance and practicality, while the 21-inch wheels still manage to properly fill the “caverns” to give it an ultimately sporty outlook.

At the rear, the haunches provide a powerful and wide-looking stance that shouts stability and an eagerness to catapult itself off the line.

Inside the ‘office’
The “black” interior is highly business-like that speaks of maturity and sophistication, and the experience is one that’s highly insulated from noise, vibration and harshness.

The pairing of blackened Anthracite open-pore oak wood with black Artico man-made leather gets tastefully accented by splashes of satin-finished aluminium found on the air vents’ surrounds, multi-function steering wheel, paddle shifters and centre console’s toggle switches.

Adding colour to the mix is a 64-colour ambient lighting system that lines the dashboard, doors and even the triangular grab handles at the front of the cabin.

Ambience aside, comfort, spaciousness and convenience have not been forgotten.

Spaciousness is almost immediately perceptible for all, and the incorporation of the retractable panoramic glass roof further intensifies this effect.

Both 12.3-inch displays take centre stage with their crisp graphics and there’s also the inclusion of a wireless charger.

Type-C ports are also available with a total of six that have been spread out in pairs for those at the front, second as well as third-row occupants.

Although the centre infotainment unit is the only touch-sensitive 12.3-inch screen, it can be alternatively controlled via a touchpad and comes with haptic feedback and a solid leather-wrapped palm rest.

Owners will find the cockpit is to be highly driver-centric with plenty of ergonomics dialled in along with a commanding upright view that’s abundant in all-round visibility.

Simply put, all controls are within easy reach with the driver having a host of them readily available for their fingertips and this includes a dedicated button to adjust the front passenger’s seat.

Drivers and passengers alike will have plenty of back and thigh support while the front seats accord three memory slots each and there’s even an option within the infotainment system to have the seat automatically adjust itself according to your height.

The upholstered seats sport a combination of Dinamica microfibre and Artico that do well to add grip and some plushness respectively to the driving experience.

The convenience of powered-adjustability is practically ever-present.

Such liberties have been extended from the front and second-row seats (including their individual headrests) to the rear sun blinds and tailgate (with handsfree operation).

The second-row seats add one-touch accessibility (located on the shoulder of the backrests) to the third row but will require constant activation when returning them to their original position. Still, it’s a welcomed “touch” nonetheless.

Within the boot, individual buttons exist to fold the left and right sides of the second-row seats as well as one that lowers the boot’s height to aid with loading up the 630-litre boot.

Some manual work will be required when setting up and folding down the third-row seats that’s suited more to children than adults.

Folding down both second and third-row seats to a flush state increases the boot’s capacity to a class-leading 2,055 litres.

Driving it
The 3.0-litre (2,999cc) M256 turbocharged straight-six engine is outright refined with “uber” smooth power delivery via its nine-speed automatic transmission and four drive modes of Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual - all of which dictates how this SUV dishes out its 367PS and 500Nm of torque.

In essence, Eco and Comfort modes really belong to tight parking spaces and slow-moving traffic conditions with its gentler throttle response, light steering feel as well as an

Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) that’s eager to kick in and a comfortable Airmatic air suspension system that’s exceptional at insulating the cabin from roughly patched roads.

Although Sport mode would boost driving thrills, using it with a heavy right foot on a daily basis could lead to more trips to petrol stations.

For that, the suggestion of utilising Individual mode is highly recommended with just the engine set to Comfort/Eco option while everything else (steering, suspension and ESP) set to Sport.

Regardless of the drive modes, the GLE 450’s mighty engine is always ready to provide its full potential when demanded.

The grippy brakes add plenty of confidence while the exhaust note throws in a large dollop of exhilaration and excitement through “turbo pops” as it revs down from red-line.

Verdict
With its sporty good looks, refined and willing engine, class-leading boot space as well as its tastefully designed and spacious cabin, to mention a few, the GLE 450 is a definite attention grabber of discerning buyers.

SPECIFICATIONSMercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic AMG LineEngine: 2,999cc M267 turbocharged inline-6
Maximum power: 367PS from 5,500 to 6,100rpm
Maximum torque: 500Nm from 1,600 to 4,500rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic. 4Matic all-wheel-drive
Boot space: 630-2,055 litres
Acceleration (0-100kph): 5.7 seconds
Features: Six airbags, all-wheel drive, dual 12.3-inch displays (one with touch function), 590W 13-speaker Burmester surround sound system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 64-colour ambient lighting system, MBUX, quad-zone climate controls, adaptive cruise control, 360-birds eye view camera system and reverse camera view, power-folding external mirrors, hands-free powered tailgate, powered front (three memory function) and second-row seats, powered sun blinds, electric parking brake with Auto Hold function, automatic LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, LED rear light clusters, Nappa leather-wrapped flat-bottom multi-function sports steering wheel with paddle-shifters, front and rear parking sensors, keyless-entry with push-start button, Airmatic air suspension, 21-inch wheels with 275/45 (front) and 315/40 Pirelli PZero (MSO) tyres, front cross-drilled and rear solid disc brakes, Artico leather and Dinamica microfibre upholstery, heated and cooled front cup-holders, auto-dimming mirrors, panoramic sliding glass sunroof, Qi wireless charger, Park Assist, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring system, lane-keeping assist and Reverse steer assist.
Price: RM475,501 (on-the-road without insurance and 0% Sales Tax)


Bosch investing RM140m to revamp Penang car multimedia plant

                GEORGE TOWN: Bosch, a leading global supplier of technology and services, is investing RM140 million over the 2014-2018 period to remodel its car multimedia plant in Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Commercial managing director for Bosch car multimedia Penang, Dr Li Song, said the remodelling project is part of the group's efforts to strengthen the Penang plant for the global market.

He said the purpose of the renovation is to further improve existing infrastructure with the construction of new buildings to accommodate the company's growing development and engineering team and surface mount technolgy (SMT) manufacturing operations.

"To-date we have invested RM66 million towards the extension of the product development, engineering and SMT production operations at the Bosch car multimedia plant to boost production volumes and meet the growing global demand," he said after the formal opening of the Bosch car multimedia plant by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng here on Thursday.

Li said the expansion includes the opening of a new engineering centre and extra shop floors for the SMT manufacturing operations, adding that the new SMT facility will accommodate plans for increased production volumes to keep pace with market demand and also improve technical capabilities.

"This is also aligned with the company's plans to grow its overall development headcount by up to 40% in 2016 in Penang," he said.

Li said the move is in line with the group's strategic vision, with the Penang manufacturing and research and development (R&D) facility becoming an even more important pillar in the Bosch group's global development and manufacturing network.

He said the expansion of this engineering unit to facilitate more R&D projects will position Bosch to meet the demand, providing a broader array of services for customers locally, regionally and globally.

He said Penang is currently Bosch's largest development hub in Asean.

"The car multimedia site in Penang was chosen as one of our Bosch global development centres for a variety of reasons including the availability of qualified engineers and the strategic location which positions Bosch to readily supply and export our products worldwide," he said.

With this new product development and engineering centre and SMT expansion in Penang coupled with the responsibility of servicing global products lines, Li said Malaysia is on track to become an even stronger strategic location within the Bosch group.

Bosch has been present in Malaysia since 1923, represented by Robert Bosch Sdn Bhd, with offices in Selangor and Penang.

In Malaysia, the group is active in automotive technology, industrial technology, consumer goods and energy and building technology.


Ford marks Le Mans success with heritage edition GT

                DETROIT: Ford is making its limited edition supercar even more limited with a '66 Heritage edition that will only be available for the next 12 months and which was conceived to celebrate past and present Le Mans success.

To mark 50 years of its historic 1-2-3 victory at Le Mans, Ford decided to re-enter both endurance racing and the hypercar market with a GT car for the 21st century.

The first decision led to victory in this year's event in the GT class, and the second decision - to offer a 250-model-a-year run of a carbon fiber supercar that reimagines the original Ford GT - has led to Ford being overwhelmed by serious orders that will keep the assembly line running for the next three years.

However, Ford has now decided to make the new GT even more exclusive still with a special '66 heritage Edition.

Available only during the 2017 model year (i.e., fall 2016 to summer 2017) the car will feature a unique paint finish - matte or gloss black with silver twin racing stripe - plus other custom interior and exterior touches that will not be available on the ‘standard' US$400,000+ model.

"Celebrating the anniversary of Ford's historic victories at Le Mans has always been a part of the return of the Ford GT," said Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president, product development, and chief technical officer. "The 2017 Ford GT '66 Heritage Edition is a stunning tribute to the car that kicked off Ford's string of Le Mans victories in 1966."

As well as a special paint finish, the Heritage Edition will get exposed carbon elements, a #2 graphic on the doors (in a nod to the #2 Ford GT 40 that crossed the line in first place in 1966) and special one-piece forged wheels in a gold finish.

Inside, the carbon fiber racing seats are finished in padded ebony leather and the same material will trim the dashboard with contrasting gold appliques. The final design references to the race-winning car are a leather-wrapped steering wheel and seatbelts with blue webbing. And of course, no limited edition is complete without plaques and identification plates in prominent positions denoting the car's numerical position in the production run.

Of the car's appearance, Garen Nicoghosian, exterior design manager for the car, said: "While the looks are distinctly based on the GT40 Mark II race car," he said, "we've accentuated new styling cues to provide a modern interpretation."


Bentley's latest Continental GT officially bows in Southeast Asia

                SINGAPORE: Bentley's third generation Continental GT has officially landed in the Southeast Asian region and while the company in Crewe, England are touting it as a statement of true luxury, it's also packing a 626bhp 6.0-litre W12 engine under the aluminium hood.

Designed, engineered and handcrafted in Britain, the new Continental GT boasts of seamless integration of handcrafted, natural materials and cutting-edge technology - especially with its revolutionary Bentley Rotating Display and digital instrument cluster as well as LEDs for the front matrix headlights with highbeam assist, rear lights and daytime running lights,

The monocoque uses a combination of steel and aluminium, but externally, the body panels are exclusively made of aluminium panels that have been shaped using Super-Plastic Forming technology.

The metal is heated to over 500 degrees Celsius before high pressure air pumps it into a mould to help provide a lowly 0.29Cd drag-coefficient before getting covered by a choice of 17 standard paint colours or a bespoke one on request.

Only the lid of the 358 litre boot uses a composite material, which happens to hide all of the car's antennae below it, and has helped to shed 85kg - 20%-less that its predecessor, bringing its kerb weight down to 2,244kg.

With a 2,851mm wheelbase (+105mm), the front wheels have been pushed forward by 135mm from its original position and measures 4,850mm-long (+44mm), 1,954mm-wide (+10mm) and 1,405mm-tall (+1mm).

For grip, there are 21-inch wheels fitted with 265/40 (front) and 305/35 (rear) Pirelli tyres or upgrade to the optional 22-inch wheels with 275/35 (front) and 315/30 (rear) tyres from the same Italian tyremaker.

Partially obscured are the large 10 (front) and four-piston (rear) calipers that bite down on the 420mm (front) and 380mm (rear) iron disc brakes to bleed speed quickly from a top speed of 333kph.

Handling comes from aluminium double wishbone (front) and multi-link (rear), both with three-chamber air-suspension system with 48-Volt active anti-roll bars, while a standard continuous damping system enhances comfort levels.

A 90-litre fuel tank feeds the 6.0-litre (5,950cc) biturbo W12 (W-configuration 12-cylinder) TSI engine with combined port and direct injection, start-stop functionality and cylinder (6) deactivation.

Power is rated at 635PS at 6,000rpm and 900Nm from 1,350 to 4,500pm that gets the gets managed by an eight-speed ZF dual-clutch gearbox before reaching the active all-wheel drive system that transmits up to 38% of total torque to the front axle in Bentley and Comfort mode or up to 17% in Sport mode.

The GT takes just 3.7 seconds to sprint from 0 to 100kph, while mixed-fuel consumption has been rated at 12.2 litres per 100km and emissions at 278g/km.

Inside, the cabin is upholstered in leather with 15 standard hide colours for choice before getting accented with unbroken veneer (one standard, 17 other options or dual veneer options).

Other fixtures and fittings include (but not limited to) the new 12.3-inch central touchscreen system including HDD-navigation, two SD-card slots, Bluetooth with WiFi streaming, CD/DVD/radio Apple CarPlay, Sirius satellite radio, 60GB solid-state drive, 4G telephone system and Google StreetView/Earth/online POI search.

As an optional extra, the Bentley Rotating Display can be had which switched between touchscreen, three analogue gauges(compass, chronometer and outside temperature).

For audible pleasure, there are three options starting with the standard 650-watt 10-speaker system, a 1,500-watt 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen option with four DSP sound modes and Beo Sonic interface or a 2,200-watt 18-speaker (including two kinaesthetic shakers) Naim option with eight DSP sound modes and Active Bass.

Driver conveniences include keyless-entry with push-start button, 20-way power-adjustable seats with cooling/heating and massage function, electric-power assisted steering with variable ratio, a heads-up display, night vision, lane assist and traffic sign recognition among others.

Deliveries of the third generation Bentley Continental GT will begin early next year.


Sextet of rare Lotus Esprit head for auction

                LONDON: Original online classic car auctioneer, The Market, has secured a collection of six rare, limited-edition Lotus Esprits – instantly recognisable through their cult status – for sale.

Heading up the charge is a 1978 Esprit S2 "JPS Edition" sporting its unmistakable black and gold livery.

Guided at between £75,000 and £100,000, this head-turning model has a mere 21,887km on the clock, has had just four previous owners and is considered one of the best, low mileage examples of its type.

Not to be outdone is a 1981 Esprit Turbo Essex S3, also complete with its own distinct paintwork, this time in blue and red Essex petroleum colours.

With an excellent history file, an extensive restoration and just two previous keepers, this particular model is just one of 45 models ever built and is also complete with Panasonic roof mounted stereo and original 15” compomotive split rims. It is estimated at between £105,000 to £150,000.

Also with just two previous owners is a 1994 Esprit "Sport 300" in Camel Racing Yellow and complete with Blue Alcantara leather, Lotus Certificate of Provenance and original books.

It is believed to be the first time a "Sport 300" has ever been sold at auction which is reflected in the estimated hammer price of between £70,000 to £120,000.

“To have secured just one of these limited edition Lotus Esprits for sale would have been fantastic but to be able to offer all six from the same private collection is unbelievable," said The Market director Tristan Judge.

Among the other Esprit from the collection available to bid online for include a Championship Winners Limited Edition 1995 Esprit S4 GT, which pays homage to the Lotus single seaters and is expected to reach between £35,000 and £50,000.

It stands apart with its metallic Lotus Brooklands Green livery and is just one of 11 built.

The final two Esprit from the collection include a 1995 Esprit S4S, estimated at between £35,000 to £50,000 and a 1999 Esprit V8 350S with just three owners and with a guide price of between £55,000 and £70,000.

The online auction is set for Aug 23.


All-new Honda HR-V delivered to first customers

                KUALA LUMPUR: Honda Malaysia presented the first buyer of the all-new Honda with her new car.

Nurul Hafida Mohd Jais, who bought the HR-V e:HEV RS variant, was also gifted with Honda Authorised Accessories, Ultra Glass Body Coating and Honda Official Merchandise valued at RM5,700 as token of appreciation from Honda Malaysia to celebrate the milestone.

Aside from her, over 1,300 units of the HR-V were also delivered to owners nationwide.

At the handover ceremony at MJN Motors in Cheras here, Nurul Hafida said she did her own research even before the official launch of the vehicle in Malaysia.

“The exterior styling and looks caught my attention and that’s when I decided to book the model the moment it was opened for booking.

“I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that I was the first customer to receive the car. And what’s even more exciting is the additional surprise of receiving gifts from Honda! I am looking forward to taking my family out and about on my new ride,” she said.

 Nurul Hafida (centre) receiving her vehicle from Yoshimura (right) and Honda Malaysia president and COO Sarly Adle Sarkum.

MJN Motors owner Wan Hazmi Datuk Wan Mustafa said the demand for the new HR-V is high.

“We are so honoured to be the dealer to deliver the first HR-V to our beloved customer. We are committed to continue providing our customers with excellent service in all aspects,” he said.

Meanwhile, Honda Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Hironobu Yoshimura said the company had received an overwhelming demand for the new HR-V.

“We believe this new model will be sensational once again as it did in the past. Today, we are excited to deliver the new HR-V to the first owner,” he said.

The new HR-V comes with fresh styling and a choice of three powertrains for the local market.

The e:HEV RS gets a 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine paired to a two-motor hybrid system that delivers 131PS and 253Nm of torque.

Meanwhile, the S variant is equipped with a 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine with 121PS and 145Nm, while E and V variants feature the 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo engine cranking out 181PS and 240Nm of torque.

All variants also come with Honda Sensing suite of smart safety features, LED head and tail lights, eight-inch display audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and multi utility seats among others.


Ford Pop-up store's nationwide tour equipped with Virtual Reality gear

                KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the sole distributor of the brand in Malaysia, will provide patrons with an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience at its new Ford Pop-Up store that will go on a nationwide tour.

The store's first location will be at Subang Parade, Subang Jaya, (from 10am to 10pm) where patrons can experience the Ranger pickup truck with Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning and Assit in VR for free while sales consultants stand at the ready.

Afterwhich, the store will head North to Queensbay Mall, Penang (July 27 to 29), Tesco Kota Bharu, Kelantan (Aug 2 to 4), Setia City Convention Centre – Lot B Car Park, Setia Alam (Aug 10 to 12), Sutera Mall, Johor Bahru (Aug 23 to 25) and Aman Sentral, Alor Setar, Kedah (Sept 6 to 8).

The store will showcases an immersive virtual reality (VR) section designed to bring customers closer to the Ranger and allow them to virtually experience two advanced driver-assist technologies – Forward Collison Alert and Lane Departure Warning and Assist.

Lane Departure Warning and Assist alerts drivers when the vehicle strays from its lane and helps guide the vehicle back into its lane if no action is taken to correct the drift.

“With our very first Ford Pop-Up store, we hope to provide a different retail environment for consumers that will change the way they shop for cars,” said Sime Darby Auto Connexion managing director Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz.

Also, from now until Aug 31, visitors to the store can take advantage of the current ‘Seize the Deal’ campaign that offers additional rebates of up to 10% on top of the 6% GST savings on the Ranger - for a total savings of up to RM19,830.

The campaign is also valid for the Fiesta and Mustang model variants, offering rebates of up to 17% and savings of up to RM113,000.

For more information, log on to www.sdacford.com.my.


Nissan picks Sakamoto as board candidate after Seki's resignation

Sakamoto is in charge of manufacturing and supply chain management at Nissan. — Reuters
TOKYO: Nissan has selected executive officer Hideyuki Sakamoto as a candidate for the board of directors, the company said today, following the shock resignation of vice-chief operating officer Jun Seki earlier this week.

Sakamoto, who was named an executive officer in June and has been an executive vice president since 2014, is responsible for manufacturing and supply chain management at Japan’s No. 2 automaker.

Nissan will hold an extraordinary shareholder meeting on Feb 18, where his appointment will be among proposals submitted for approval, it said in a press release.

The carmaker did not say whether Sakamoto would take on Seki’s responsibilities.

Nissan needs stability as it braces for its worst annual profit in 11 years amid slumping sales in the United States and China, its biggest markets. The company is also working to repair ties with top shareholder and alliance partner Renault SA, which deteriorated following the ouster of joint chairman Carlos Ghosn a year ago.

The abrupt departure of Seki, part of Nissan’s newly appointed three-person leadership team and the executive charged with leading the recovery plan, sent the carmaker’s shares to an eight-year low on Wednesday. He will join motor-maker Nidec Corp as president.

Seki, chief executive Makoto Uchida and chief operating officer Ashwani Gupta officially took over on Dec 1, but sources say they failed to immediately gel. Renault is due to name a new CEO in the coming weeks as well.

Nissan’s top ranks have seen upheaval several times in the 13 months since Ghosn’s arrest on charges of financial misconduct, which he denies. Hiroto Saikawa resigned as CEO in September after he admitted to being improperly overpaid.

Nissan embarked on its wide-ranging restructuring plan in April, attempting to draw a line under the costly expansion pursued by Ghosn. It plans to axe nearly one-tenth of its workforce and cut global vehicle production by 10% through 2023.

Nissan, Renault and third partner Mitsubishi Motors Corp need to leverage their alliance as automakers globally ramp up spending on new technologies like electrification and autonomous driving.

Renault in October ousted CEO Thierry Bollore, who was close to Ghosn and had strained ties with former Nissan counterpart Saikawa. New Nissan chief Uchida is known for having close ties to the French automaker.

The three companies earlier this month named Hadi Zablit to the newly created position of general secretary of the automaking alliance, charging him with boosting efficiencies and maximizing profit benefits for the partners.


Perodua annual Raya safety campaign

                RAWANG: Perodua's annual Raya safety campaign provided vehicle inspection, safety equipment handouts, work and driving safety tips as well as safety talks to more than 11,000 of its staff members.

“Perodua has always placed a great value in safety and want to further emphasise the need to be safe during this festive season,” said Perodua president and CEO Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh.

During the campaign period (till July 31), Aminar and other top Perodua management personnel gave away safety vests and stickers to 50 staff in a symbolic gesture as a reminder to keep safe while on the road.

 Perodua’s management team flags off its staff in conjunction with Perodua’s Raya Safety Campaign 2015.

The annual campaign was organised with the objective of instilling the importance of road safety and the dangers of disobeying safety traffic rules particularly during peak seasons.

In line with the campaign, Perodua also organised its Tweckbot service allowing its customers to enjoy a free 50-point vehicle inspection at selected locations across the nation.

Aminar added that both Perodua staff and its customers will keep vigilant and drive safely so that they can be with loved ones during this festive season.

“From all of us in Perodua, we wish you Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Maaf Zahir & Batin and happy holidays.”


Subaru Outback display units on offer

                PETALING JAYA: Motor Image Malaysia, the official distributor of Subaru vehicles in Malaysia, is offering attractive prices on four remaining Subaru Outback display units located at the company's Petaling Jaya and Cheras showrooms.

The promotion is for unregistered showroom display units and they are priced on-the-road with GST without insurance from RM199, 900.

This includes a five-year or 100,000km (whichever comes first) factory warranty from the point of registration and includes five years free labour.

The Outback 2.5i-S features the Japanese carmaker's Boxer engine, and the Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission.

It also features a Symmetrical all-wheel drive system for better stability, and now with X-MODE, it’s now able to tackle steep inclines and harsher terrain.

For more information, call Hisham at 019 – 780 7881 or visit the Subaru Showroom in PJ or Cheras.


Porsche offers glimpse of new 911 undergoing tests

The 2020 911 undergoing final testing in Finland.
STUTTGART: The eighth generation of the Porsche 911 will be coming to the European market early next year, but not before the prototype completes its final tests across the world. The company was generous enough to release some snapshots of the car during its endurance testing programme.

The 2020 Porsche 911 prototype has been undergoing rigorous final testing before the production model hits the market in early 2019.

To assess how well the interior components, combustion engine, and air conditioning can handle the heat, Porsche tested the model in the desert, to ensure the entire car could withstand temperatures typical of the Gulf States in the Middle East or Death Valley in the USA, which can reach up to 50 degrees Celsius, or 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

To test the vehicles functioning in the cold, on the other hand, the prototype was brought to Finland where temperatures drop as low as -35 degrees Celsius or -31 degrees Fahrenheit. In this frigid environment, Porsche tested the vehicle's cold start capabilities, heating and air conditioning, traction on snow and ice, handling and breaking, and control systems response.

For endurance testing, the 911 cruised on China's roads and sprinted along the country's race tracks in "a traffic structure that is typical for that country," where fuel quality can also vary greatly.

To ensure the engine, transmission, brakes, and chassis can withstand high-speed driving while staying cool and in control, the vehicle was tested on the Nürburgring race track in Germany and Nardò test tracks in Italy. Its endurance was further tested at opposite elevations: 4,300 metres above sea level in Mount Evans, Colorado, and 90 meters below in Death Valley.

Though it's essential to test the 911 in all weather conditions, including the extreme climates where some of the production models will be used, most drivers will be taking their Porsche out on public urban and rural roads as part of their daily routine. The cars were also thoroughly tested in these no less important environments.

In total, the prototype models have been driven around three million kilometres. In theory, they can withstand every environment that a driver could possibly put them through, and the 911 undoubtedly looks good even under all this stress.

Though the model is not yet officially scheduled to be unveiled to the public, the LA Auto Show (Nov 30–Dec 9) presents the perfect opportunity for a reveal.


VTL-Land open to all Malaysian, Singaporean citizens from Dec 20

                PETALING JAYA: Due to increased public demand for travel, all Malaysian and Singaporean citizens will be able to cross the border via the Vaccinated Travel Lane for land crossings (VTL-Land) effective Dec 20.

The International Trade and Industry Ministry said that Malaysian permanent resident status holders can continue to enter Malaysia via VTL-Land.

“Travellers are still required to be fully vaccinated and for unvaccinated children below the age of 12, they must be accompanied by fully vaccinated parents or guardians.

“Eligible travellers will be subjected to Covid-19 testing and further health requirements determined by the respective country.

“The VTL-Land will still be limited to only bus transportation.

“VTL-Land designated bus operators will offer tickets to meet increased demand and subject to prevailing public health situations,” the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday (Dec 14).

Singapore-bound designated VTL-Land bus services will use Larkin Sentral Bus Terminal (Larkin Sentral) as the boarding and disembarkation point in Malaysia, whereas Queen Street Terminal (QST) and Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (WTBI) as the boarding and disembarkation points in Singapore.

The ministry said that the launch of VTL-Land between Malaysia and Singapore on Nov 29 is to facilitate quarantine-free, seamless cross-border movement by integrating health protocol, security and immigration clearance.

"The initiative allowed those separated from their loved ones due to the pandemic to travel home and reunite with their families.

"This was carried out to provide opportunities for both countries to reopen the land border in a gradual, safe, systematic and sustainable manner; necessary health measures are implemented and imposed on travellers between Malaysia and Singapore," it said.

Prior to buying any tickets, travellers into Malaysia using the VTL-Land are required to register at https://mysafetravel.gov.my whereas travellers from Malaysia to Singapore, are required to register at https://go.gov.sg/vtl-portal.

Further details pertaining to the VTL-Land requirements can be found at https://www.miti.gov.my and https://www.safetravel.ica.gov.sg.

Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that both VTL-Air and VTL-Land would start from Nov 29, with the latter using only designated buses.

He said that the launch of VTL-Land coinciding with VTL-Air would enhance bilateral and economic relations between both countries.

“Apart from workers, VTL-Land will provide an opportunity for Malaysians and Singaporeans on both sides of the Causeway, who have been separated from their families due to the Covid-19 pandemic, to be reunited with their loved ones,” the Prime Minister added.

Ismail Sabri said both governments had also agreed on a daily quota not exceeding 1,500 travellers for each way of travel at the initial stage with weekly increments.

“Malaysia and Singapore have achieved a more than 95% vaccination rate of their adult population.

“This has offered the opportunity for both countries to reopen the land border in a gradual, safe, systematic and sustainable manner,” he added.


New Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet and SLC launched

                KUALA LUMPUR: If you've been waiting to drive a Mercedes-Benz with the top down then you are going to be spoilt for choice as Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launched two new exciting models - the C-Class Cabriolet and SLC roadster - which fall under its Dream Cars Collection.

The C-Class Cabriolet comes in three variants - C 200 Cabriolet, C 250 Cabriolet and C 300 Cabriolet - and is priced at RM358, 888 RM388,888  and RM443,888 respectively.

While the SLC Roadster is available in two variants - SLC 200 and SLC 300 - priced at RM398,888 and RM468,888 respectively.

 Mercedes-Benz C 300 Cabriolet.

All prices are on-the-road without insurance and inclusive of GST.

“The Mercedes-Benz Dream Cars Collection is a collection of the most exciting cars available in the market today. Up to now, there has been something missing in our collection – that is why we bring you another exclusive option for the connoisseurs of dream cars, the C-Class Cabriolet and the SLC roadster,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, Vice President, Sales and Marketing Passenger Cars, Mark Raine.

The Mercedes-Benz convertibles, the C-Class Cabriolet combines the classic Mercedes strength with everything that makes open-top driving so enjoyable.

 Mercedes-Benz C 300 Cabriolet.

Its tightly stretched soft top with glass window transitions harmoniously into the distinctively styled rear end, which has a highly sporty look with its wide shoulders and flat LED tail lights.

The boot, with a capacity of 360 litres (285 litres with the roof open), is capable of holding an exceptional amount of luggage for a convertible, thus offering high everyday practicality.

The fully automatic classic cabriolet fabric soft top comes in black in the basic variant, or is optionally available with a multi-layer acoustic soft top in dark brown, dark blue, dark red or black.

 Mercedes-Benz C 300 Cabriolet.

The soft top can be opened and closed in 20 seconds, and at speeds of up to 50kph.

Three petrol variants with a 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine are available for the Cabriolet; 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine C 200 rated at 184hp, C 250 at 211hp and C 300 rated at 245hp. The 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission is available for all variants.

 Mercedes-Benz C 300 Cabriolet.

The SLC from Mercedes-Benz is a roadster with a dynamic and sporty design.

As part of the facelift, the Mercedes-Benz designers have further honed the cult roadster's sporty look.

The new front section, where the steeply raked radiator grille elongates the appearance of the arrow-shaped bonnet, is particularly striking.

 Mercedes-Benz SLC 300.

Highlights include new light (standard) or dark aluminium trim parts with a carbon-fibre finish. The instrument cluster has a new design too.

All SLC models feature a diamond radiator grille as standard.

Operating the electrohydraulic roof is now even more straightforward. If the roof is opening or closing and the vehicle has to move, the process, which started at standstill, can be continued up to a speed of about 40kph.

 Mercedes-Benz SLC 300.

Another new feature is the semi-automatic boot separator in conjunction with the vario-roof convenience feature or KEYLESS-GO: if the separator is in the upper position for increased boot capacity, it automatically moves down when the roof is opened.

Its well-designed boot has the capacity of 335 litres.

The SLC 200 with an output of 184hp and the SLC 300 with 245hp, both of which feature a 2-litre four-cylinder engine.

 Mercedes-Benz SLC 300.

 Mercedes-Benz SLC 300. Mercedes-Benz SLC 300.


Production of Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake begins

                BUDAPEST (Hungary): Mercedes-Benz has announced that its latest CLA Shooting Brake has begun to leave its Hungarian production line in Kecskemét.

The Kecskemét plant, which exclusively produces the CLA Shooting Brake and the CLA Coupé for the world market, is one of six plants located on three continents that make up the German carmaker's production network.

Such plants can also be found in Rastatt (Germany), Beijing (China), Uusikaupunki (Finland), Aguascalientes (Mexico) and Hambach (France).

These plants currently produce seven models which include the A-Class, B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake, GLA, A-Class Sedan and the long-wheelbase A-Class L Sedan meant for the Chinese market.

Also, the Hungarian plant employs around 4,700 personnel and managed to produce more than 190,000 Mercedes-Benz compact vehicles.

Since its market launch, more than 750,000 units of the CLA Coupé and CLA Shooting Brake have already been sold with the largest demand in 2018 coming from China, USA and Germany.


Frankfurt auto show tightens security after anti-car vandalism

File pic of a recent Frankfurt Motor Show.
FRANKFURT: The Frankfurt auto show, which opens next month, is stepping up security checks to prepare for potential disruption by climate activists who are calling for people to join anti-car protests.

Police are already investigating a group calling itself “Rocks in the Gearbox” after more than 40 luxury vehicles were vandalised at a car dealership in Kronberg on the outskirts of Frankfurt earlier this week, adding to a string of anti-auto protests.

Ahead of the car show, Germany’s auto industry association the VDA has sought to defuse anti-car sentiment by inviting environmental activists from Greenpeace, Deutsche Umwelthilfe to a panel discussion in Berlin on Sept 5 along with executives from Daimler and BMW and the VDA, to debate the climate crisis and mobility of the future.

The Frankfurt show, known as the IAA, is due to take place from Sept 12-22.

“We are in close contact with the security authorities just as we are at every IAA. Entrance controls will be tightened, given that there may be spontaneous rioting at the show,” said VDA spokesman Eckehart Rotter.

Environmental groups, including one called “Sand in the Gearbox”, have appealed to the public to join protests here on Sept 14, prompting the VDA to warn car show visitors to expect longer queues at security checkpoints.

Police in Wiesbaden on Thursday said they were investigating “Rocks in the Gearbox” after the group claimed responsibility for vandalising the Jaguar, Land Rover, and Aston Martin vehicles at the car dealership on Monday.

Windshields and windows, hoods and panels were smashed with metal objects and the two glass doors at the car dealership were broken, a spokesman for the Wiesbaden police told Reuters.

“They used hammers and crowbars and we are investigating a group claiming responsibility,” the spokesman said.

“Rocks in the Gearbox” released a statement on Monday saying: “In two weeks Frankfurt will once again launch a propaganda show where the outmoded, climate and environment destroying transportation system is hyped.”

“We want to expose this show for what it really is: profits made on the backs of the poorest and at the expense of future generations ... We think it is time to throw rocks into the gearbox of capitalist and automotive profit logic.”

The statement called for more scrutiny of working conditions in related industries, including freight, cotton and rubber production as well as for people mining rare earths for electric car batteries and electronics.

Earlier in August, climate activists had occupied railway lines supplying Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg factory, according to police in Wolfsburg-Helmstedt.

“We have opened a probe investigating potentially dangerous disruption of rail and shipping transportation,” a police spokesman told Reuters.


BMW helmets can be made safer thanks to pomelo fruit

                MUNICH: The BMW Group has borrowed from nature certain qualities of the pomelo fruit that's helping to make helmets lighter, tougher and ultimately more protective.

After three years of research by the Bio-inspired Safety Systems (BISS) project, which had the German carmaker working alongside a consortium partners, it was found that the pomelo fruit is highly effective in impact protection.

The rind of the pomelo is also extremely light, much like an alligator's’ protective armour, which helps to distribute forces rather effectively.

The initial aim of the research project was to analyse the tissue formation, cell structure and function of these protection mechanisms and explore their suitability for use in industrially-manufactured products.

From there, the next step was to refine the corresponding fibre composites, layer structures and fibre orientation.

The project then went on to examine how functions that had previously been difficult to reconcile, like “crash protection”, “penetration resistance” and “damping”, could be combined in innovative protective systems using layering modelled on biological structures.

The results showed that it exceeded expectations with prototypes designed from natural models being up to 20% lighter, tougher and more stable than materials generally used today.

 Impact protection: Scales of fish and many reptiles (alligator) overlap to create a composite system that stiffens under load to provide protection against injury. An Alligator's protective armour works in part by distributing force to neighbouring scales.

Also, the material can be produced economically and processed for the intended purposes.

The high level of functional efficiency achieved by biologically-inspired protective equipment also saves material. This not only makes both product and production more sustainable, but also less expensive.

Technology-forecasting experts at the BMW Group believe the most important learnings for the company lie in new approaches for enhanced employee protection.

Gloves and protective inserts made from bionic materials, for example, can protect workers on the assembly line from sharp-edged car-body parts.

The low weight, breathable design and flexibility of the research models mean that movement is barely restricted. Other potential applications include new forms of protective equipment for motorcyclists.

Research models of crash helmets and protectors offering the same level of protection weighed considerably less than conventional models available on the market.

The rind of the pomelo responds completely differently to pressure than conventional structures, which tends to give way and become thinner under the pressure point. Instead, the rind compresses and hardens faster.

A further characteristic of this atypical stress/strain behaviour is that the material actually becomes thicker when stretched, rather than thinner.

Within BISS, researchers have now managed to decipher the unique structure for natural protection and help produce composite textiles with a protective effect not previously achieved.

The results show that conversion of the foam network from ordinary to auxetic structures has a positive effect on the materials’ cushioning properties.

The stresses occurring during compression of auxetic polyurethane in the material are distributed optimally into previously unused, surrounding areas using the auxetic effect.

In this way, a larger volume of the material is involved in the energy absorption compared to ordinary polyurethane foams.

The BMW Group worked alongside adidas, ORTEMA, phoenix and uvex, as well as the Institute of Textile Technology and Process Engineering Denkendorf, Germany, the Department of Polymer Engineering at the University of Bayreuth and the Plant Biomechanics Group of the University of Freiburg, with additional support from partners such as the company Innovationsmanufaktur in Munich.

Also, the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research subsidised the project as part of its “Technical Textiles for Innovative Applications and Products – NanoMatTextil” programme.


Volkswagen designs a disinfectant dispenser for its plants

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen attaches great importance to complying with hygiene rules. Among other things, this includes ensuring that employees disinfect their hands. For this reason, large disinfectant dispensers have been set up at short notice at almost all locations.

“These are genuine Volkswagen in-house products,” says Dirk Nieschulze proudly. Nieschulze heads the so-called Competence Center for Technology at the component plant in Braunschweig.

In day-to-day business, Nieschulze knows that departments are often trapped in their own control processes. “But when we bring teams together, even from different locations, then these teams are creatively stimulated, and great added value is created for the company,” says the 54-year-old.

For example, the colleagues from Braunschweig and Emden together built jigs for battery system assembly at the Braunschweig plant. “You couldn’t buy that off the shelf,” says Nieschulze.

“The team from Emden, which was put together at short notice, immediately took up this challenge enthusiastically. Everyone contributed their ideas and wanted to make the system a success,” says production manager Thomas Scholz, citing as an example the colleagues from the vehicle production department.

“They searched every corner of our factory for parts that we could possibly use for the disinfectant dispenser.”

Be it the component plants in Kassel, Chemnitz and Salzgitter, the vehicle plants in Zwickau, Wolfsburg and Osnabrück or the Transparent Factory in Dresden – the “Made in Emden” devices are used everywhere.


Lady Diana's hot hatch Ford Escort comes up for auction

                LONDON: Cars with a royal connection always command a higher price and a 1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo, which is coming up for sale at auction on Aug 27, is set to be no exception.

The three-door, 130-horsepower car is the definitive hot hatch, although its stealthy black paint with a blue pinstripe sets it apart from its sporty brethren. Regular go-faster RS Escorts came in all-white only.

Princess Diana could often be seen driving the car between 1985 and 1988 and was spotted around London or outside the boutiques of Chelsea and the restaurants of Kensington.

The young princes William and Harry were frequently in the back seat, with a plain-clothes detective on board for security reasons.

Ford's Special Vehicle Engineering department was tasked to paint the car and it fitted a regular five-slat front grille to assist in the stealth makeover.

The Escort also had a secondary rear view mirror for the protection officer with a radio in the glove box, the cable for which is still visible today.

The car was returned to Ford in May 1988 with some 11,000km on the odometer and it has still covered only 40,170km from new.

The Escort is being offered by Silverstone Auctions on Aug 27 at no reserve and will probably fetch at least six figures, owing to its connection to a still beloved public figure.

Diana, Princess of Wales, died from the injuries sustained in a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris, in the early hours of Aug 31, 1997.


2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 to be fastest ever

                DEARBORN (Michigan): When the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 goes on sale later this year, it will be the quickest-accelerating, most aerodynamically advanced street-legal Mustang ever, thanks to virtual testing in supercomputers and 3D printing.

Ford Performance designers, powertrain and aerodynamics engineers functioned as a virtual racing team to test hundreds of designs both digitally and physically.

They used state-of-the-art digital and additive manufacturing prototyping tools as part of a mission to make the ultimate, most advanced performance street-legal Mustang of all time.

“We created and studied designs among the engineering teams and proved out different strategies long before we built our first prototype cars,” said Matt Titus, Ford Performance vehicle engineer. “Not only did this improve the effectiveness of the designs, it dramatically reduced the time it took to develop the GT500 – and the costs associated with that.”

Every millimeter counts for the Mustang Shelby GT500 to deliver on downforce, braking and cooling targets.

The team leveraged Ford’s vast resources of advanced design simulation tools, including the Ford Performance technical center in Concord, North Carolina, and rapid 3D prototyping systems at its Advanced Manufacturing Center in Redford, Michigan.

To physically validate the improving designs, Ford’s wind tunnels in Michigan and Windshear rolling wind tunnel in Concord were also used.

Real-world testing still matters, so the Shelby GT500 team ran extended high-speed tests on some of the most notable racetracks across the United States – including Virginia International Raceway, NOLA Motorsports Park and GingerMan Raceway – to refine the aerodynamic designs and help the all-new Shelby GT500 deliver the fastest track times ever in a production Mustang along with improved driver control for greater confidence behind the wheel.

Delivering more than 700 horsepower using 93-octane fuel, maximizing cooling at the front is critical to the Shelby GT500’s vigorous track performance, and where the team focused much of its efforts.

At wide-open throttle, the cooling system needs to extract up to 230 kilowatts of heat energy, enough to heat a dozen homes.

The massive front brakes reject another 100 kilowatts of heat at maximum braking, so the team utilized advanced 3D airflow modeling to maximize overall cooling while working to minimize impact on front-end lift and drag.

The 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 goes on sale this summer.


Honda aims for green cars to make up two-thirds of line-up by 2030

                TOKYO: Honda Motor Co Ltd on Wednesday said it aimed for new-energy vehicles to account for two-thirds of its line-up by 2030 from around 5 percent now, as increasingly stringent global emissions regulations prompt automakers to make greener cars.

Japan's third-biggest automaker by sales said in its latest strategy update that its petrol-battery hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric and fuel cell vehicles (FCV) would collectively outnumber its petrol-only offerings in less than 15 years' time.

Plug-in hybrids - which can also be recharged via household wall sockets - will be "at the core of electrification in the future" for Honda, said chief executive Takahiro Hachigo.

Honda will release a plug-in hybrid in North America by 2018 that shares the same production platform as its Clarity FCV announced in October, Hachigo said. It will then make plug-in versions of its major models and raise model numbers, he said.

The announcement makes Honda the latest automaker to set dramatic long-term emissions-related targets. In October, Toyota Motor Corp said it aimed to cut new vehicles' average carbon dioxide emissions by 90 percent from 2010 levels by 2050.

Behind the push are governments globally rapidly raising emissions standards. But limited infrastructure such as charging stations make some green cars a hard sell, while low oil prices have sparked demand for sport utility vehicles and other petrol-guzzlers.

Honda's new-energy target featured in the automaker's strategy update, the first under Hachigo. The CEO, who assumed the job almost a year ago, has restructured personnel and operations to revitalise research and development (R&D).

On Tuesday, Honda said managing officer Yoshiyuki Matsumoto would direct R&D, moving on from leading automotive operations.

"Our appointment of a new head of the R&D center is intended to position R&D at the center of all product development, and make it responsible for the design and performance of each and every vehicle," Hachigo said on Wednesday.

The strategy update also included a shift to standardised vehicle platforms to increase production flexibility - in line with an industry trend - and a focus on global models such as the Fit compact, Civic and Accord sedans.

"The key to improving sales is our global models ... which are so central to the company's brand. If we develop these models to raise their appeal, it will translate into higher sales," Hachigo said.

Separately, Honda repeated at the strategy update that it did not plan to offer further financial support to long-time supplier Takata Corp, whose airbag inflators are at the center of a deepening global recall.


Petronas launches Setel e-payment solution

                KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas Dagangan Bhd (PDB) has introduced Setel, the first e-payment solution for fuel purchases directly from mobile devices.

Setel is a customised solution designed to integrate directly to the fuel pumps – the first in Southeast Asia – enabling customers to purchase fuel within a few clicks directly in the comfort of their vehicles.

“Pumping fuel shouldn’t be a chore. Currently, the payment process involves walking to cashier, waiting in line, a RM200-hold on your cards, and having to use a separate card to earn loyalty points. Setel eradicates these pain points and integrates payment and loyalty benefits in a seamless, frictionless experience. At Setel, we settle for you!” said Iskandar Ezzahuddin, head of Setel.

“Since our beta-launch in July 2018, we have received many positive responses and feedback from over 10,000 users in our current pool. We also received overwhelming response from visitors at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2018,” he continued.

Setel is part of PDB’s initiatives to engage the start-up communities in co-creating innovative solutions to enhance customer experience.

“Petronas has been focusing on creating a new customer experience in our retail business by leveraging on the power of digital. Setel enables a seamless end-to-end experience that focuses on providing convenient and ease for fuel purchases at our customers’ fingertips. We are proud to be the first to offer this service in Malaysia,” said Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Syed Mohd Tahir, managing director/CEO of PDB.

Setel can now be used at more than 40 stations within the Klang Valley, reaching 600 sites by June 2019 and is expected to go nationwide by the end of 2019.

Setel is available on both Android and iOS platforms via Google Play and App Store.

Beyond fuel purchase, customers would be able to purchase items at the Mesra stores beginning January 2019.


As one of China's 'Detroits' reopens, world's automakers worry about disruptions

An employee wearing a face mask works on a car seat assembly line at Yanfeng Adient factory in Shanghai. — Reuters
BEIJING: Automakers across the world face the possibility of extended supply chain disruptions as factories in China stutter back to life after closures due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The car industry is especially exposed as Wuhan — the epicentre of the outbreak — is known as one of China’s "Detroits", accounting for nearly 10% of vehicles made in the country and home to hundreds of parts suppliers.

Non-essential factories in Wuhan and other cities in Hubei province remain on lockdown at least until Wednesday. When they reopen on March 11, or whenever authorities give the go-ahead, it is not clear if companies will have the raw materials or workers to get back to normal operations.

Automakers are concerned about their employees’ health and the uneven and unpredictable application of rules in different cities and regions that is making it hard for an industry that is used to uniformity to plan ahead.

“In some cities, one worker gets infected, the whole factory where he works needs to be shut down,” said one official at Honda Motor Co, which has a manufacturing hub and more than 100 suppliers in Wuhan and the surrounding area.

“In Wuhan, that has not been clarified,” he said. “You don’t know what’s going to happen to your factory until you report an infection case to authorities. It’s hard to live with that kind of uncertainty when you’re running a massive factory.”

Employees reported back to work at Honda’s other Chinese manufacturing hub, in the southern China city of Guangzhou, on Feb. 10 and partial production restarted on Feb 17. Production there is still running well below capacity due to parts shortages and logistical delays, the company official said.

Honda is expecting to reopen its Wuhan hub this week, after the lockdown is lifted or whenever authorities allow it. Together, Honda’s two China hubs have the capacity to produce 1.2 million vehicles a year, or more than 20% of the company’s total global production.

Like other manufacturers in Wuhan, automakers and parts suppliers are still dealing with partially blocked roads and health inspections on major transportation arteries, which are creating problems moving around raw materials and finished parts, according to Yohei Shinoda, personnel manager for Kasai Kogyo Co, a Japanese company with four plants in China producing interior door and roof trims for Honda and other automakers.

“Even if we wanted to resume production, we can’t access the materials we need due to supply chain disruptions,” said Shinoda, whose firm has plants in Wuhan, Guangzhou, Kaifeng and Dalian. “On top of that, we’re facing staffing shortages at our plants.”

A joint venture between US company Cummins Inc and truck maker Dongfeng Motor Group which makes diesel engines for big buses and commercial vehicles in the city of Xiangyang in Hubei province may face problems.

“The logistics between cities remains an issue, we expect it will take longer for us to get parts from upstream suppliers and send engines to Dongfeng plants in other cities,” said an official of the joint venture.

Lasting damage

The corporate damage in Hubei could be significant and long-lasting.

A joint survey of 573 Hubei companies — including 12 involved in auto manufacturing — by Wuhan University and the Wuhan Federation of Industry and Commerce late last month showed more than 97% of them halted or partially halted production due to the coronavirus outbreak. Nearly 60% said they would be bankrupt in three months or fewer if operations are not restored.

The picture in the rest of China is slightly better. More than 90% of some 300-plus automotive parts suppliers outside Hubei say they have resumed production, with 80% of workers present, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

However, the association said production rates were still not high, given the dearth of orders from manufacturers and logistics problems at smaller second- and third-tier suppliers.

Chinese automakers and parts producers exported US$53 billion worth of automotive components to the United States, Europe, Japan, South Korea and elsewhere last year. If plants do not get back up to speed quickly, vehicle assembly lines across the world are at risk of slowing or shutting down.

General Motors Co chief executive Mary Barra said on Wednesday that the company’s North American car and truck plants have secured components to last “quite far into this month.” Normally, automakers have parts shipments lined up and assured for many months in advance.

Companies are doing what they can to get back on track, but there is no guarantee against disruptions.

US drivetrain supplier Dana Inc’s global purchasing team scrambled to get more than 200,000 facial masks for its plants in China to keep workers safe on the job. So far, Dana has avoided any significant disruptions, CEO James Kamsickas said.

US auto supplier Cooper Standard has 13 factories across China which have resumed production with 65% of the normal workforce, said Larry Ott, Cooper Standard’s head of global human resources at the company’s headquarters outside Detroit.

“That’s basically what we need right now to satisfy the customer demand,” he said.


California startup Canoo plans to sell electric cars by subscription

                NEW YORK: Canoo, a California startup that plans to offer electric vehicles by subscription, unveiled its first model at its headquarters in Los Angeles on Tuesday. About 500 partygoers had a chance to sit inside the the car, a breadbox-shaped van the company calls Canoo.

With seven seats and an estimated range of 400km, the bus was designed to meet the needs of city dwellers who currently drive SUVs, according to Canoo co-founder Ulrich Kranz. Seats in the rear cabin are arranged in a U-shape, like a sectional sofa, rather than in rows.

The battery, powertrain and suspension are all housed in a slim platform, leaving 188 cubic feet of space for passengers and cargo.

"I would call it a loft on wheels,” said Kranz. "It has the interior space of a large SUV and the footprint of a compact car.”

Canoo says the vehicle will be available in Los Angeles and San Francisco in 2021, with cities on the East Coast to follow.

The company plans to market it by subscription: customers will pay a one-time membership fee and a flat monthly rate. The fee will cover registration, taxes, insurance, maintenance and unlimited mileage, said Kahn, and subscribers can opt out at any time. Kranz said the fee will be "reasonable,” but he has declined to offer any specific numbers.

Subscription services for cars have proliferated in the last five years, as automakers, rental companies and startups began experimenting with new retail formats for customers who do not want to own or lease.

Luxury carmakers, including Cadillac and Porsche, have programs, costing thousand of dollars monthly, that provide access to a variety of models and include concierge pick-up and drop-off service.

Hertz and Enterprise have similar programmes for their rental fleets, typically costing US$1,000 (RM4,200) per month or more. Fair, a startup that says it has more than 45,000 subscribers, offers used cars for a few months at a time at more modest prices, essentially a short-term lease.

"The reality is that these business models did not take off quite the way they expected,” said Brian Collie, managing director and head of the automotive sector at Boston Consulting Group. "The economics are just tough to make it work.”

Canoo is betting that its electric offering will set it apart from existing services. Kranz, who spent more than 30 years at Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, founded the company in 2017 with Stefan Krause and Richard Kim, both fellow BMW alums.

Kranz helped design the German automaker’s i3 electric hatchback and left to join EV startup Faraday Future in 2016. He, Krause and Kim all left Faraday shortly thereafter, in an acrimonious split with ownership, to found Canoo, originally known as Evelozcity.

Krause stepped down as chief executive officer earlier this year for personal reasons, leaving Kranz in charge of Canoo’s day-to-day operations. The privately held startup has about 300 employees. Kranz declines to say how much money it has raised; previous reports put the total at about $1 billion. The company has three backers, Kranz said: one from China, one from Taiwan and one from Germany.

Canoo plans to use contract manufacturers to build its cars. Kranz said he expects the cars will be built in the U.S. Canoo has been working closely with manufacturers during the design phase, he said, to ensure its cars can be built efficiently at scale. The company does not plan to use dealerships.

"This saves us quite a big chunk of money,” Kranz said. The plan is to pass the savings to customers, as well as use them to offset the high cost of batteries. He expects the company’s cars to stay in service for 10 to 12 years, allowing for depreciation costs to be spread across a longer span than the typical car lease.

The Canoo will come equipped with seven cameras and five radar, as well as ultrasonic sensors that will enable advanced driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control.

Eventually, said Kranz, the company expects to add sensors, including lidar, and update software to increase automation until the car reaches full autonomy.

Bringing a new vehicle to market in the United States is a wildly expensive proposition-even without attempting an unproven business model-in the unprofitable electric market while embarking on the long slog to build a self-driving car.

"You could say what Canoo is attempting is almost insanely ambitious,” said Eric Noble, president of consulting firm CarLab. But urban populations have shown an increasing appetite for on-demand transportation, subscription services, and electric vehicles-three trends that Canoo hopes to ride to success.


Track your Porsche from production to delivery

                LOS ANGELES: Porsche Digital in the United States now has an online platform where customers to track their dream car from production to delivery.

A new digital service, “Porsche Track Your Dream” allows customers who order a 911 sports car to follow its journey from production in Germany and across the Atlantic to the final destination at the dealership for delivery.

“Buying a Porsche is a special moment, and one that should be as personal as possible, recognizing that placing the order and awaiting its delivery is part of the experience as anticipation builds. Porsche Track Your Dream allows our customers to trace every key stage of their new car as it leaves our home in Germany,” said Klaus Zellmer, president and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA).

“This service gives future owners a convenient way of staying up to date before they see their car for the first time here in the U.S.”

Porsche customers receive a unique link once their order is placed. This takes them to the online platform and lets them track their car through 14 milestone events.

They include order creation, freeze point for vehicle changes, production updates, vessel departure from Germany, port entry into the U.S., dealership arrival and more.

Background information about each milestone is available while a countdown shows the progress in miles and days.

As a key component of the digital customer experience, Porsche Track Your Dream is integrated with the My Porsche web portal.

Here, ownership aspects such as service scheduling, financing and Porsche Connect functions are handled once the car arrives at its new home.

Porsche Track Your Dream is initially being made available for customer-ordered 911 sports cars.

Future plans include enrollment of the all-electric Taycan.

The service is provided by Porsche Digital, Inc. and was developed in close cooperation with Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Behind the Scenes - seeing your Porsche in production

Complementary to Porsche Track Your Dream, the My Porsche web portal also features a “Behind the Scenes” service, which gives an exclusive insight into production at the sports car manufacturer in Zuffenhausen.

U.S. customers are able to follow how their ordered Porsche 911 is being built step-by-step, and cameras are already installed at two relevant stations with two more cameras being added soon.

The application will be available first for new car customers from USA, Germany, Great Britain, Canada, Switzerland as well as Spain. Other markets will follow in the coming months.

Porsche Track Your Dream and Behind the Scenes are both live for U.S. customers now.


US finds unapproved emissions software in Audi engines, says German weekly

                WASHINGTON: US authorities have found three unapproved software programs in 3.0 litre diesel engines made by Volkswagen's unit, German weekly Bild am Sonntag reported, without saying where it had obtained the information.

The software allowed the turbocharged direct injection (TDI) engines used in Audi's Q7, Porsche's Cayenne and VW's Touareg models to shut down emissions control systems after about 22 minutes, the paper said. Official methods to measure emissions usually last about 20 minutes, it added.

Volkswagen has admitted it cheated on US diesel emissions tests for years and said in June it would spend as much as $15.3 billion buying back vehicles from consumers and providing funding that could benefit makers of cleaner technologies.

That settlement however would not address about 85,000 larger 3.0 litre Audi, Porsche and VW vehicles that emitted less pollution than 2.0 litre vehicles but were also fitted with illegal emissions-control equipment. Audi and Volkswagen notified US authorities about these vehicles last year. A deal covering the 3.0 litre vehicles may still be months away.

Audi managers are scheduled to appear at a hearing in front of US environmental authorities on Aug. 10, Bild am Sonntag said, adding the carmaker was bracing for a substantial penalty payment.

A spokesman for Audi declined to comment, only saying that talks with US authorities continued and were aimed at a technical solution for the problem.

A spokesman for the US Environmental Protection Agency declined to comment.

Volkswagen's "Dieselgate" scandal had hurt its business and reputation and already cost it billions of dollars. It still faces criminal charges and law suits in numerous countries.


Baidu and Pony.ai win permit to offer driverless robotaxi service in Beijing city

                SHANGHAI: Chinese search engine giant Baidu and Pony.ai said today they have won permits to provide fully driverless ride-hailing services in the Chinese capital of Beijing.

With the permit, Baidu's Apollo service will deploy 10 fully autonomous vehicles in a technology park developed by the government of Beijing, it said in a statement.

The permit marks a step forward from December, when Baidu said it had been granted a license to test the service. Baidu will now operate driverless robotaxi services in three Chinese cities including Wuhan and Chongqing.

The Beijing-headquartered company, which generates most of its revenue from its internet search engine, has been focused on self-driving technologies over the past five years as it looks to diversify.

Pony.ai, backed by Toyota Motor , said in a separate statement that it had also received such a permit from Beijing city. It already operates a robotaxi service in the southern city of Guangzhou.


Latest Mercedes-Benz E-Class debuts

                STUTTGART: Daimler today revealed the refreshed E-Class.

The E-Class sedan and estate (wagon) have undergone a wide-ranging update. Both models will arrive in European showrooms in the summer.

The long-wheelbase version of the sedan for China as well as the coupé and cabriolet, will follow soon thereafter.

With over 14 million sedan and estate models delivered since 1946, the E-Class is the best-selling model series in the history of Mercedes-Benz.

It is perceived by many as the "heart of the brand". The 10th generation of the E-Class set styling trends in 2016 with its clean yet appealing design and an exclusive, high-quality interior.

To date, more than 1.2 million customers around the world have bought a current-generation E-Class sedan or E-Class estate.

Here are the key facts about the refresh:

> More dynamic design
Avantgarde Line as the new basic specification for the exterior
Redesigned front headlamps (full-LED headlamps as standard,
optionally available MULTIBEAM LED headlamps)
Redesigned tail lamps
Redesigned radiator grille and front bumper
All-Terrain variant visually more similar to the SUV models
Next-generation driving assistance systems, including:
New steering wheel generation with capacitive hands-off detection
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC with route-based speed adjustment
Active Stop-and-Go Assist
Active Steering Assist
Active Brake Assist; in the Driving Assistance Package now also with turning manoeuvre function
Active Blind Spot Assist – now also with exit warning
Parking Package in conjunction with 360° camera: newly expanded side view and for the first time automatic parking not only in parallel and end-on parking spaces, but also on marked areas.

> Even more comfort in the interior
Two digital screens as standard (2 x 10.25-inch, bonded), optional Widescreen cockpit
with two 12.3-inch displays)
MBUX with LINGUATRONIC voice control (standard) and augmented reality
Interior Assistant
ENERGIZING comfort control with ENERGIZING COACH and PowerNap (in plug-in hybrids)
ENERGIZING seat kinetics

> E as in efficiency: electrification of the powertrain
Seven plug-in hybrids as Saloon and Estate models, petrol and diesel, with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive
Electrified models for the first time also for the US market
New M 254 engine: two-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine with ISG (Integrated Starter-Generator) and 48-volt on-board electrical system, rated output: 200 + 15 kW, innovative segment turbocharger with flow connection, electric additional compressor (eVZ), NANOSLIDE® coated cylinder barrels, CONICSHAPE® cylinder bore, CAMTRONIC for controlling the intake valves
Additional engine variants and off-road drive modes for the All-Terrain

> Urban Guard
New comprehensive category of products and options
Intelligent interlinking of hardware and digital solutions for protection against theft and damage
More dynamic design


Auto Bavaria adds M Performance Parts to BMW 5 Series

                PETALING JAYA: A BMW dealership is offering its own upgrade to the 5 Series, equipping it with a number of M Performance Parts.

Only 30 units are available from Auto Bavaria and they are based on the 530i and 530e — both already in standard M Sport trim.

The Limited Edition BMW 5 Series with M Performance Parts (what a mouthful) are priced from RM347,000.

Each car comes with the following upgrades:

> BMW M Performance high gloss black kidney grille
> BMW M50 Years wheel cap
> BMW M Performance carbon fibre mirror cover
> BMW M50 Years emblem (front and rear bonnet)
> BMW M Performance carbon fibre steering cover
> BMW LED door lights projector
> BMW Gloss Black air duct trims (left and right)
> BMW M Performance set of paddle shift
> BMW M Performance floor mats

This package includes accessories such as the BMW Advanced Car Eye 2.0, which is a high-definition wide-angle camera, a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, a Sttoke ceramic reusable cup as well as free tinting.

Auto Bavaria is the largest retailer and service provider for BMW, MINI and Motorrad in Malaysia. It is part of the Sime Darby Motors dealership network.

Auto Bavaria’s nationwide network comprises six branches, namely Sime Darby Motors City Ara Damansara, Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Baru and Tebrau.

 AB_5LE_EDM_r06_21092022


How to avoid eight of the most common causes for fatal car crashes

                BERLIN: Whether you’re riding on two wheels or four, staying alert when you’re in traffic is harder than it seems. These are eight of the most common things we forget that lead to to fatal crashes, and how to better pay attention to them, according to experts.

Distractions: Any time your eyes stray from the road can be risky, and mobile phones are a major distraction. If you need to check directions on your phone or make an adjustment to your route navigation, pull over to the side of the road.

Alcohol: Even a little tipple affects your coordination, concentration and reaction time. If you drink alcohol and get behind the wheel, you’re not only a risk to yourself but to everyone else on the road.

Distance between vehicles: Riding too close to other vehicles is a big cause of accidents. Maintain sufficient space between yourself and the cars in front of you to ensure enough time to react to sudden braking.

Practice: Especially motorcyclists might not get enough practice on the road throughout the year to keep their senses sharp. Consider taking a refresher driving course if you feel unsure on the road.

Advanced age: The risk for accidents increases substantially for drivers over 75. If you’re a senior, consider occasionally booking an appointment at a driving school to get feedback on how you’re doing.

Stress: Driving while stressed is dangerous, and other drivers can sometimes raise your blood pressure. But reacting reasonably — for example, letting pushy drivers pass at the next opportunity - can help avoid accidents. Keeping a cool head is the best route.

Fatigue: Driving while extremely tired is quite similar to driving while drunk: Fatigue impairs your awareness and reaction time. Many drivers overestimate their ability to drive while tired, which can be a fatal misjudgement.

Traffic: More drivers on the road requires a high degree of concentration from each individual, especially when traffic gets caught in jams, unforeseen construction sites and diversions.


Nissan sues battery supplier it blames for power-sapped cars

                LONDON: Nissan Motor Co. is demanding €122 million (RM600mil) in damages from an Italian supplier it accuses of supplying about 900,000 faulty starter batteries that left customers with undercharged cars.

The Japanese car giant is suing FIAMM Energy Technology S.p.A. in a London court, claiming the faulty starter batteries sparked a flurry of warranty claims from disgruntled owners of UK-built Qashqai and Juke models.

FIAMM denies the allegations and insists the batteries were manufactured in accordance with specifications provided by Nissan.

Instead, the cause of the failures was the “faulty design and operation” of the battery management system installed by Nissan, which was supposed to balance fuel use and battery health, according to Stephen Rosen, the company’s lawyer at Collyer Bristow LLP.

The dispute comes as Nissan and other automakers are starting to invest more heavily in electric-car batteries and have started to map out plans in Europe in recent months, a sign that competition to ensure adequate supply for their electric vehicles is heating up.

UK carmakers are especially dependent on an adequate local production network to avoid tariffs when trading with the European Union.

Nissan said in a statement that “throughout this difficult period” for the company and its customers, it supplied free battery replacements in warranty and ceased using FIAMM batteries. It said it remains “committed to the highest standards of quality and reliability.”

Filings in the court case have highlighted customer data from Nissan in its long-running saga with FIAMM.

When Nissan switched to starter batteries supplied by Johnson Controls International Plc, three year warranty claim rates then plummeted from 43% to between 0% and 5%, the company said in court documents.

FIAMM said this was because Nissan later optimised its system for JCI’s batteries.


What is Tesla's Battery Day, set for Sept 22?

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla will hold its annual shareholder meeting and Battery Day presentation on Sept 22 with optional in-person attendance at its Fremont factory near here.

During the latter of these two events, shareholders will be able to attend the Battery Day presentation at which Tesla will introduce its up and coming battery technology.

Industry insiders anticipate that the company could launch a battery with longer life and provide a tour of the cell production setup.

Though originally scheduled to take place last week but postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak and California's present ban on large gatherings, Tesla announced on Friday that this year's annual shareholder meeting, the "2020 Annual Meeting'' and Battery Day will both take place on Sept 22.

While Tesla's delay appears aimed at being able to host the events in-person, the company promises that it "will continue to monitor public health and travel safety protocols required or recommended by federal, state and local governments."

For those who wish to watch the events but are unable to attend, Tesla will be streaming both the meetings and the Battery Day presentation live.

More information about the Sept 22 programme will be announced as the date nears.


Cadillac teases curved OLED screens

                DETROIT: Cadillac has something interesting up its sleeves. It teases that it will be unveiling a new concept vehicle tomorrow during Monterey Car Week at Pebble Beach, 200km south of San Francisco.

It will feature an array of curved OLED screens, co-developed with LG Electronics.

This technology, prominent in the latest home electronics, is being developed for a future Cadillac production vehicle.

READ MORE:  Cadillac Escala Concept revealed


Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia moves to new parts warehouse

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles in Malaysia, has migrated to a new parts warehouse in Shah Alam, Selangor as part of an expansion plan to meet with increasing aftersales demands.

With a storage capacity of up to 40,000 sq ft, the expansion will see an improvement in warehouse operations including consolidating all holdings under one roof.

This move will speed up delivery of parts required by all MMM authorised business partners including 52 dealers nationwide.

MMM chief executive officer Tomoyuki Shinnishi said the warehouse relocation was in-line with the continuous growth of Mitsubishi Motors' business in Malaysia.

"The new parts warehouse is located at a strategic location with less road congestion and easy access to Federal and KESAS highway.

"With this accessibility, we will be able to accelerate our parts delivery to MMM’s business partners as we constantly seek to improve customer’s aftersales experience by reducing cost and increasing our work efficiency,” he said.


Hino Total Support Contest celebrates its sixth year

                PETALING JAYA: Hino Motors Sales (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Hino Malaysia) organised another round of the Hino ‘Total Support Contest’ (TS Contest) for its 6th year.

Held at its headquarters here, the contest witnessed the participation of 130 contestants from 36 companies.

Hino Malaysia, a subsidiary of Hino Motors Limited Japan, held the event to foster greater skill and knowledge among the dealers, enhance their customer servicing skill as well as improving technical expertise.

There are prizes for Champion, 1st Runner-up, and 2nd Runner-up for each category: Sales, Services, and Parts.

The grand prize is the 3S Champion, and will receive the Challenge Trophy and cash incentive of RM3,000. All the champions will join a trip to Hino Motors Limited Japan next year.

Contestants under Sales Category are required to explain the concept of Hino Total Support to customers which includes the maintenance contract, Free Service Programme (FSP), Free Parts Programme (FPP), Arm-Tech System, New Warranty Terms of Hino models, Selling and Closing skills for New Hino Vehicles, and Rules and Regulations of Road Transport in Malaysia.

All contestants under the Service Advisor category are evaluated based on their skill and knowledge of vehicle maintenance, mechanical parts solving, advance skill in Electrical Trouble Shooting by using Hino diagnosis tools explorer (DX II), advance skill in Programming of Fuel Injectors, System Protection Data, and Trouble Code Reading & Rectification.

Contestants under Parts Category are evaluated on their knowledge to identify and discern between Hino Genuine Parts and forged parts in the market. They would also be tested on their knowledge of  the Electronic Parts Catalogues (EPC), which provides speed and accuracy in determining the correct parts to be assigned to the right vehicle via model and chassis number.


Dr M eyes Nissan, Toyota and Daihatsu for help in third national car project

                PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is looking to Nissan, Toyota and Daihatsu as potential foreign partners to help set up the controversial third national car project.

Dr Mahathir is convinced that Japanese expertise would give Malaysia a leg up in building cars that comply with modern standards, said Nikkei Asian Review.

The Prime Minister is on a four-day working trip to Fukuoka and Oita, Japan, from Aug 6-9. He was accompanied by his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik and Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook as well as officials from Wisma Putra.

The Nikkei Asian Review quoted Dr Mahathir as saying that a Malaysian company had already taken the initiative to explore such ties with Toyota and Nissan. He did not name the company.

Some members of Dr Mahathir's delegation are expected to visit Daihatsu soon on the car project. Toyota has a 100% stake in Daihatsu, which happens to own a 25% share in Perodua, the second national car.

Entrepreneur Development Minister Mohd Redzuan Yusof said on Aug 4 that the car project would be launched by 2020.

However, some members within the ruling coalition urged caution before starting the costly venture.

The Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar said today a full study must be conducted first to see if the project is viable.

“There are many things that need to be taken into consideration before a decision is made."

PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli had also weighed in on the subject, saying on Monday that the Government should reconsider the decision as the people were against it.

When Dr Mahathir first mooted the car project on June 11, many Malaysians resisted it, saying that the public transport system should be improved instead, while some urged the Government to learn the painful lessons of Proton.

Proton, the first national car set up in 1983, was the brainchild of Dr Mahathir who has roundly criticised the sale of a 49.9% stake in Proton to China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group last year. Proton was initially set up with the help of Mitsubishi Motors Corp.

Apart from wooing the Japanese, Dr Mahathir has also floated the idea of an Asean car with his Indonesian counterpart.


One, two finish for Team Proton at Sepang

                PETALING JAYA: Team Proton R3 (R3) capped a successful 2019 season by winning the Sepang 1000km (S1K) race for a third consecutive time.

The 2019 Proton Iriz driven by Mitchell Cheah and Fariqe Hairuman dominated proceedings in a tough race that featured a safety car period and inclement weather leading to proceedings ending after nine hours instead of the scheduled 181 laps.

There was double joy for R3 as the 2019 Proton Saga driven by Syafiq Ali and Admi Shahrul came home in second place.

There were three Team Proton R3 entrants for S1K this year and the third car comprised of an all-women driving team. Nurul Husna and Faye Kusairi were selected from the MSF-R3 Lady Drivers Search that gave aspiring lady racers a chance to compete in the S1K race. The lead driver for the team was Leona Chin.

“Being successful in motor racing requires a combination of factors. A manufacturer for instance would firstly need the correct models in its range that would be suitable for the job.

"Even if a suitable model is available, it is difficult to achieve success as the car needs to be developed while the skills of the racing team, from the technicians to the drivers, needs to be finely honed.

"This requires an investment in time and money and Proton’s success in motorsports is proof our investment in R3, our in-house racing division, is a wise one,” said Dr Li Chunrong, Chief Executive Officer of Proton.


Fuel subsidy mechanism to be introduced early next year

                KUALA LUMPUR: The government is expected to announce a new mechanism for fuel subsidy early next year while ensuring that it would not require a huge allocation for the purpose.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah said the government would also ensure that the implementation of the targeted fuel subsidy system would be smooth.

“We are working hard towards it and we hope that we can make the announcement early next year. The sooner we get it finalised, the sooner we can get it launched,” he told reporters after opening" The Digital Economy: Unlocking its Full Potential to Drive Malaysia's Development" forum organised by the ministry and the World Bank Group's Global Knowledge and Research here, today.

Earlier, responding to a question from Senator Ng Chiang Chin at the Dewan Negara, Amiruddin said the government had spent RM1.667 billion to subsidise the RON95 and diesel fuel from May to July.

He said at the moment, the government still maintained the retail prices of RON95 petrol and diesel at RM2.20 and RM2.18 per litre, respectively, despite the higher market prices.

Amiruddin added that through the targeted fuel subsidy mechanism, fuel subsidies would be given according to an appropriate rate each month, as well as in accordance with a quota system for the bottom 40 per cent household income group (B40).

“The subsidies will be given to those who use 125cc motorcycles and below and 1,300cc cars and below,” he added.


Evasive Motorsports' Honda S2000 Type R

                LOS ANGELES: Evasive Motorsports has built its own interpretations of the iconic Honda S2000, creating the resto-mod S2000R plus a heavily modified S2000RS, which will compete in the 2023 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

Honda’s Type R series of sports cars gained legendary status almost immediately each was introduced: the Integra, Civic, NSX, and even Accord have a Type R variant, and are sought after by collectors worldwide for their incredible factory performance. Yet there’s one model that was never released as a Type R; the S2000. Until now!

Evasive Motorsports has created its own interpretation of what the S2000 Type R “should’ve been” with its S2000R resto-mod. “The S2000 is one of the best driver’s cars ever produced,” said Mike Chang, Co-President of Evasive Motorsports. “With 20 years of experience tuning the platform for road and race, we had a vision to modernize the roadster and create our ideal version of what an S2000 Type R could be.”

SPECIFICATIONEVASIVE MOTORSPORTS S2000REngine: Honda FK8 Civic Type R K20C1 two-liter turbocharged with MoTeC M140 ECU engine management, Mugen carbon fiber intake, Evasive S2000R intake manifold, exhaust downpipe, titanium dual exhaust system by Origin Fab, EVS Tuning oil cooler, Koyo Racing radiator. ENEOS 0W-20 Racing Motor Oil is recommended for the S2000R

Transmission: Honda S2000 six-speed manual, Evasive Motorsports S2000R custom bellhousing adapter plate and custom-spec OS Giken limited-slip differential, EVS Tuning high-capacity differential housing

Chassis: Evasive S2000R custom-spec KW Clubsport coilovers, track-tested bushings, and chassis brace, EVS Tuning bump steer kit and camber joints, Eibach sway bars front and rear

Brakes: Brembo six-piston front calipers with 14” rotors, four-piston rear calipers with 12.9” rotors, custom Evasive handbrake conversion

Wheels & Tires: 18x9” EVS Tuning 52R forged wheels, 255/35 R18 Yokohama AD09 tires

Exterior: Honda 20th Anniversary Edition S2000 front bumper, Evasive Motorsports S2000R carbon fiber front lip, wide front fenders with bumper extensions, carbon fiber rear wing, Spoon aero mirrors, carbon fiber tonneau cover, dry carbon fiber hood and trunk lid. Chassis 000 finished in Honda NH-0 Championship White

Interior: Recaro Podium carbon fiber seats, EVS Tuning carbon fiber door cards, Alcantara dashboard and trim pieces

Comparing the Evasive S2000R to a standard model, it features modern accouterments such as the 306hp FK8 Honda Civic Type R K20C1 two-liter turbo engine conversion, updated exterior aero styling, suspension/chassis reinforcements, as well as various carbon fiber body and titanium engine components to help reduce overall weight to further assist performance and handling.

Evasive selected the K20C1 as a modern replacement for the F20, offering factory turbocharged reliability with superb power, torque and responsiveness. But they didn’t simply drop in a stock engine and call it a day; it’s upgraded with a carbon fiber Mugen air intake, Evasive S2000R intake manifold, exhaust downpipe and titanium dual exhaust system (by Origin Fab). Engine output was finely calibrated with a MoTeC M140 ECU, which is linked to a MoTeC C127 display that replaces the factory gauge cluster.

An EVS Tuning oil cooler and Koyo Racing radiator help keep engine temps optimal, while ENEOS 0W-20 Racing Motor Oil is recommended to protect the high-performance drivetrain. A custom S2000R adapter plate allows the K20C1 to sync with the S2000 six-speed transmission, while a S2000R-spec OS Giken limited-slip differential ensures the 300whp gets down to the ground.

EVASIVE MOTORSPORTS / ENEOS OIL HONDA S2000RS2023 PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB CHALLENGER

Joining the debut of the Evasive S2000R is its race sibling, the Evasive Motorsports / ENEOS Oil Honda S2000RS; a time attack race car campaigned during the 2022 season and rebuilt to tackle the 2023 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

Entered in the Open Class, Pikes Peak class winner Dai Yoshihara will again pilot it to the famous Race To The Clouds. After successfully completing the hill climb in a Toyota 86 and Tesla Model 3 for Evasive, the team decided to focus its expertise on their favorite Honda chassis, with the aim of claiming another class victory.

The heavily modified Evasive Motorsports / ENEOS Oil Honda S2000RS, which provided some of the inspiration for the S2000R, is pure business. It began life as a 2004 production model that was stripped to the bare necessities, rebuilt using top components developed by the Evasive R&D division and in collaboration with Japan’s elite Honda tuning shops.

Under the hood is the S2000 F20 four-cylinder motor, stroked to 2.4-liters with a 12.5:1 high-compression Toda Racing stroker kit utilizing 87.5mm pistons, I-beam chrome molly fully floating connecting rods, and a 99mm dynamically balanced crankshaft. Topped by a big-valve Toda cylinder head with sports camshafts, the F20 was fitted with an HKS GT6290 ball-bearing turbocharger that helped to develop 650hp to the wheels.

Exhaust gas is expelled through an Origin Fab exhaust manifold into an EVS Tuning side-exit exhaust. Air is ingested through a Bosch throttle body into a RZCrew billet intake manifold. Like the S2000R, ENEOS Racing 0W-50 high-performance synthetic lubricants provide superior performance at higher temperatures while protecting critical engine components.

The transmission has been upgraded to an OS Giken OS-7 sequential unit with a Hollinger pneumatic shifter kit. An IP 8.8 differential kit with OS Giken limited-slip diff internals help to maximize cornering traction.

SPECIFICATIONEVASIVE MOTORSPORTS / ENEOS OIL HONDA S2000RSEngine: F20 four-cylinder, stroked to 2.4-liters with 12.5:1 high-compression Toda Racing stroker kit utilizing 87.5mm pistons, I-beam chrome molly, fully floating connecting rods and bearings, 99mm dynamically balanced crankshaft, big-valve Toda cylinder head with uprated springs, Beryllium seats and Toda camshafts, HKS GT6290 ball-bearing turbocharger, MoTeC M150 engine management, Origin Fab exhaust manifold, EVS Tuning side-exit exhaust, Bosch throttle body, RZCrew billet intake manifold, ENEOS Racing 0W-50 high-performance synthetic motor oil

Transmission: OS Giken OS-7 sequential unit, Hollinger pneumatic shifter kit, IP 8.8 differential kit with OS Giken limited-slip diff internals

Chassis: KW three-way dampers, Wisefab spherical arms, AST air jack system

Brakes: StopTech six-piston front calipers and 14” rotors, BBK four-piston rear calipers and 12.9” rotors, CSG brake pads, Bosch Motorsports ABS

Wheels & Tires: 18x11” Titan 7 T-P5 forged racing wheels, 280/650R18 Yokohama A005 racing slicks

Exterior: Voltex Circuit Version 3 aero body kit, high-downforce front splitter and rear wing, Mugen carbon fiber hardtop

Interior: MoTeC C127 dashboard display and Power Distribution Module, Bride seats, Sparco harnesses