American automaker SSC claims world’s fastest car title — again

                NEW YORK: It seems that the third time’s the charm for SSC.

After two bungled attempts at a speed record, the beleaguered US hypercar company SSC reported on Wednesday that its US$1.9 million Tuatara hit an average top speed of 282.9 mph (455.28 kph) during two runs at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Jan 17.

The recorded speed, while not high enough to beat the 304.77 mph a modified Bugatti Chiron achieved in 2019, surpassed the 277.9 mph record time for a production car set by the Koenigsegg Agera RS in 2017.

The news comes after SSC became embroiled in controversy trying to grab top speed bragging rights last year. On Oct 19, SSC sent out data and announcements that the Tuatara had achieved 316.11 mph (508.73 kph), an average speed between 331 mph driven in one direction down Highway 160 near Pahrump, Nevada, and 310 mph driven in the opposite direction.

Oliver Webb, the 29-year-old Briton who piloted the vehicle, called it “a Neil Armstrong moment.” Much was made about the supposed achievement.

But eagle-eyed YouTubers called foul, pointing to discrepancies in at least three different videos produced by Driven+ that claim to depict the cockpit of the Tuatara on its record run. Some pointed to blurring of speedometer and dashboard gauges covered by video graphics.

Others were more exacting. In a 21-minute film, YouTuber Tim Burton dissected the videos, using landmarks on the road, screenshots from the cockpit, and GPS tracking data to argue that the Tuatara could not have been travelling as fast as the videos reported.

Burton even noted discrepancies between the gear ratios, the measurement of the Michelin tyres used, and the car’s rev limit—figures often use to triangulate speed.

Tuatara’s claim soon unravelled. Dewetron, the Austria-based company that supplied the GPS speed recorder, published a statement refuting an SSC press release that said the company had validated the record. And on Oct 28, SSC published statements admitting that the onboard videos released depicting the alleged 331 mph run were “substantially incorrect.”

A second attempt on Dec 12 and 13, posted to YouTube by Nürburgring taxi driver and car world personality Robert Mitchell, ran into myriad issues that included overheating and a hood that wouldn’t stay shut. (Larry Caplin, a Tuatara owner and Philadelphia-area physician, was behind the wheel.)

Mitchell was also the only person not directly associated with SSC who was on site during the Jan 17 run. No media or Guinness witnesses were in attendance.

SSC founder Jerod Shelby told Bloomberg in an email that he had “personally” invited Burton, who blew the whistle on the last attempt, “as a show of full transparency,” but said the credential process required to get him onto the military base took too long for a non-US citizen. (Burton is British.)

Dr Larry Caplin completed the final SSC Tuatara top-speed run using his own car.

“Robert [Mitchell] ended up acting as the eyes and ears for Tim as well, and the message that they now will be releasing in the coming days is quite positive for SSC, and myself,” Shelby said in the email, noting that the speeds recorded on Jan 17 used multiple satellite tracking systems from Racelogic, Life Racing, Garmin, and the International Mile Racing Association.

A certification letter of time and speeds from Racelogic was included in his email; Jim Lau, the technical director of Racelogic for North America, was also there to verify and validate speeds.

So far, this claim seems to check out, including an independent verification commissioned by Motor Authority.

World records are big business for such companies as Bugatti, Koenigsegg, and Hennessey because they attract wealthy collectors obsessed with owning the car that holds the title.

A vehicle that loses the title—or worse, is discredited—instantly loses allure.

A spokesperson for SSC declined to say if the company had lost orders as a result of the conflict over the initial run in October, though in telephone interviews Shelby had previously said that as many as one-third of SSC customers were buying its car because it was the world’s fastest.


Ford Everest (Titanium AWD): Comfort packed SUV for the jungle

                The seven-seater Ford Everest is a comfort-packed behemoth that tries to do everything and be a master of all it surveys, whether in the urban jungle or on off-road terrain where you want a tough and sturdy vehicle with 4WD (four-wheel drive).

Here, our review unit is the flagship RM258,888 Everest in Titanium trim and a more powerful bi-turbo 2.0-litre diesel engine that makes 213ps and 500Nm of torque.

Those who don't mind a little less muscle and features can save RM30,000 with the cheaper RM228,888 Everest in Trend trim, which has a 2.0-litre VGT (variable geometry turbo) diesel engine that makes 180PS/420Nm.

The Titanium variant gets bigger 20-inch wheels (versus 18-inch on the Trend variant) and extras like a 230V AC outlet, panoramic moon roof, powered folding third row seats, front parking sensors, powered front seats, all one-touch powered windows and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross-Traffic Alert.

Features and Technology

Ford threw everything but the kitchen sink into this facelifted Everest, which arrived here in late 2018, and you get a long list of attractive features which comes standard.

Unlike the previous Everest, this has a 10-speed automatic transmission instead of a six-speed auto.

For tough off-road environments, you have the standard 4WD, electronic locking rear differential (for more traction and grip as this locks the rear axle) and a Terrain Management System (TMS) which is activated by turning a dial next to the gear shifter.

We have tried the Snow/Mud/Grass mode of the TMS before on slippery and muddy jungle paths, and it definitely provided more traction and control on such unfriendly terrain.

The TMS also provides Sand and Rock modes to tackle such off-road ground.

For hilly terrain, you also get Hill Descent Control (control slippage and maintain preset speed when going down a hill) and Hill Start Assist (prevents rollback when making a hill start).

If you are making use of the Everest's three-tonne towing capacity, Ford's Trailer Sway Control can detect trailer sway and reduce vehicle speed to help solve the problem.

Also, drive right through deep water with the Everest's best-in-class water wading depth of 800mm, and 225mm of ground clearance.

Its off-road credentials are further accentuated by details like underbody protection, and front and rear mudflaps.

Interior and practicality

Both rows of rear seats can be folded flat and it's worth noting the convenience of having powered third-row seats - activated via buttons on the rear right sidewall.

With all rear seats folded flat, you get a huge 2,010 litres of cargo space.

Creature comforts here include nice leather seats, powered front seats and a panoramic moon roof that lets in plenty of light.

A hands-free power liftgate is conveniently activated by moving our foot below the rear bumper, when our hands are full.

There are also rain sensing wipers, dual zone automatic air-conditioning, rear air-conditioning vents and eight-way powered front seats, and even all one-touch up/down powered windows.

This is really an SUV that you can bring into the jungle and still enjoy premium executive comforts normally reserved for high-end passenger cars.

The Ford Sync 3 infotainment system comes with a sizeable eight-inch touchscreen that supports Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto Support and AppLink.

You also get two USB ports to charge your mobile devices and enjoy music via a high quality 10-speaker system as you go into unfriendly terrain.

To store those small items, there are front seatback pockets and hooks (behind the driver's seat), as well as door bins and a deep centre storage box between the front seats.

The leather-clad interior looks nice, and has the premium ambience expected of a car that comes with a high price tag.

The drive

The new 10-speed automatic transmission, which replaces the previous six-speed auto, smoothens the driving refinement and also improves fuel economy.

Also new is the 2.0-litre bi-turbo (Titanium variant only) diesel engine which produces 213PS and 500Nm, which provides a massive amount of grunt for those tough terrain or towing jobs.

The 10-speed auto gearbox is fairly intuitive and responsive, and works well at low speeds.

At higher speeds, the new transmission is a smooth shifter and matches well with the torquey bi-turbo engine, and is definitely an improvement over the previous six-speed auto.

Still, the Everest is built on a platform shared with the popular Ford Ranger pick-up, and the drive quality does feel a bit rough and truck-like.

This is quite different from the monocoque or Unibody SUVs which offer more refinement and smooth handling, and a more comfortable ride.

It's meant to bring you into the jungle in high luxury and comfort, while also being that premium comfort-packed family car for trips to the shopping malls.

And if you encounter flooded roads (happens often enough in parts of the Klang Valley), just drive right through deep water with the Everest's best-in-class water wading depth of 800mm, and 225mm of ground clearance.

After all, this is an SUV that is built to tackle bad off-road terrain and yet, is fitted with premium stuff like automatic HID headlamps with auto-levelling.

Running on big 265/50 R20 tyres, this huge seven-seater absorbs road irregularities and speed bumps like a sponge.

It's also a big and long creature at around 1.84-metre in height and 4.9-metre in length, so parking and manoeuvring it is quite a job, especially in basement car parks even with the aid of the rear view camera and front and rear parking sensors.

Verdict

At this price tag and its ladder-frame chassis, the Everest is in a league of its own.

It would appeal to those who can appreciate its rugged and robust qualities that would serve very well off-road, as well as its feature and comfort-laden package (such as Active Noise Cancellation technology) that provides a certain level of refinement.

It does feel somewhat agricultural in drive quality, especially compared with the cheaper petrol-powered monocoque SUVs which are really meant for tamer and less strenuous city adventures.

This latest Everest with an improved powertrain continues to stand out as a beefy off-roader with seven seats and a well-appointed, leather-clad cabin packed with a premium digital infotainment system.

SPECIFICATIONSFord Everest (Titanium AWD)Engine: 1,996cc diesel bi-turbo, commonrail direct injectionMaximum power: 213PS at 3,750rpm
Maximum torque: 500Nm of torque at 1,750 to 2,000rpm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic with Selectshift
Safety features: Seven airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control, Emergency Brake Assist, Roll Stability Control, Rear View Camera, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross-Traffic Alert, Roll Stability Control, Trailer Sway Control, Hill Descent Control, Hill Launch Assist, Ford MyKey system, ISOFIX child seat points, front and rear parking sensors
Features: Automatic HID headlamps with auto-levelling, LED daytime running lights, LED taillamps, panoramic moonroof, rain sensing wipers, 8-way powered front seats, hands-free power lift gate, 265/50 R20 tyres, powered folding third row seats, front and rear fog lamps, e-Locking Rear Differential, Terrain Management System, underbody protection, dual zone automatic air-conditioning, rear air-conditioning vents, keyless entry with push-start button, cruise control with adjustable speed limiter, leather seats, all one-touch up/down powered windows, Ford Sync 3 infotainment system, eight-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, voice recognition, two USB ports, 10 audio speakers, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto Support and AppLink
Price (on-the-road without insurance): RM258,888
Warranty: 3-year warranty or 100,000km (whichever is first)


Six cars up in smoke near Taman Jaya LRT station, arson suspected -  VIDEO

                PETALING JAYA: Six cars were damaged in a fire at a car park near the Taman Jaya LRT station here.

The 1pm incident saw firefighters taking roughly half an hour to extinguish the flames.

Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Zani Che Din said the incident was an act of arson, but denied there was a bomb.

"There was no bomb. We are investigating the case," he said today.

A spokesperson for the Fire and Rescue Department said they arrived at the scene a few minutes after receiving a call from an eyewitness.

"Four were badly damaged while two others were about 20% burnt," he said when contacted.

He added that the cause of the fire is still under investigation and no one was hurt in the incident.


Volkswagen Malaysia offers Merdeka vouchers and promotions

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is offering customers who book a Volkswagen model in August, an additional “Merdeka Voucher” worth RM1,000.

This “Merdeka Voucher” is for all Volkswagen models, in addition of ongoing promotions, and is applicable for all booking made from now till 31 August 2019 (subject to terms and conditions while stocks last).

There is also the ongoing promotion on the Tiguan and Passat range, which currently comes with an extension of the three-year free maintenance up to five-year free maintenance with a low interest rate of 1.88% per annum for new car buyers before 31st December 2019.

All Volkswagen cars come with 3 years free maintenance, 5 years unlimited mileage warranty and 5 years roadside assistance.

Shock Absorbers

Existing owners can enjoy a complimentary check at Volkswagen service centres, while those who are due for an absorber change will receive additional 20% discount off the retail price.

This discount is applicable on genuine Volkswagen shock absorbers and coil springs.

Tyres

As part of the ongoing tyre promotion which has been extended till the end of the year, enjoy low high-quality durable tyres from as low as RM184 and get additional benefits such as free installation, alignment and balancing depending on the different tyre packages.

Battery

Those in need of a battery change will receive 20% discount off new batteries starting from RM365 (depending on model), under the ongoing battery promotion, which has also been extended till the end of the year.


Ever wonder? 8 things your car salesman never told you

                Why? Why? Why? CarSifu is here to break things down in a few pithy lines on why some things are the way they are in the modern automobile.

1. Why the speedometer is numbered at a far higher speed than the car can possibly achieve.

It looks good, doesn’t it? Having the speedometer marked in high triple digits than your stock car will never achieve. It’s all a marketing ploy; seeing big numbers on the meter, to a car buyer, is psychologically “satisfying”, for want of a better word. It also implies that the car has a strong engine. In reality, most cars today can’t hit those speeds (it’s illegal anyway). In many instances, car makers will not even print the top speed in their brochures unless the car in question is a sports car.

 2. Why some cars have flat-bottomed steering wheel.

This type of steering wheel is often found in performance cars, which copied the styling from racing cars.

Racing cars, because of their cramped cockpits and sometime requiring the need for driver changes, had their steering wheel moulded with a flat-bottom for easy driver entry and exit.

A few seconds faster does help in motorsports where winners and second-placers can be decided in a blink of an eye. Although the styling does not help much in allowing drivers to get in and out of production cars, it nevertheless offers a motorsport feel-good factor.

 3. Why there is an arrow on the fuel gauge.

It can be an arrow or a fuel pump symbol and its location is telling. They serve the same purpose - to gently remind the driver where the fuel tank inlet is. Left or right? We sometimes forget as we roll into the petrol station.

 4. Why French cars have a keyhole on the left door instead of the driver’s door.

France is a left-hand drive country and its car makers designed their vehicles to meet the left-hand drive requirements. So when French car makers convert to suit the right-hand drive markets ie Malaysia, Japan, Britain etc, the keyhole on the left side of the car was left unchanged, probably in a move to save costs on retooling. Also, as all new cars are now equipped with remote unlocking/locking features or Keyless entry and go, does anyone actually use the keyhole to unlock or lock their car doors anymore?

5. Why people think CBU (fully imported) cars are of better quality than CKD (locally assembled) cars.

This line of thinking comes about as many people feel that workers in countries that designed and produced cars are better trained and more knowledgeable than those in countries which just assemble cars from parts shipped in from elsewhere.

This also stems from the misconception that higher standard of living, along with higher wages and benefits paid to overseas workers have played a role in ensuring higher quality automobiles.

6. Why right-hand-drive cars are the minority in the world.

Actually, only some 10% of cars are right-hand drive. This is because the big car markets such as the United States, China, Europe, the entire Latin America and Middle East, and a large portion Africa are using the left-hand drive and they tank up a chunk of the annual global car demand.

In essence, almost new cars are designed in the left-hand drive and converted into right-hand drive if there is sufficient demand. The majority of American car models were never converted into the right-hand drive as the market was considered too puny for the “Big Three.”

7. Why carbon fibre parts are so expensive in cars. Carbon fibre strands.

Carbon fibre parts, unlike most metal parts which are machine stamped in seconds, are painstakingly produced using manual labour and takes a much longer time. They are hand-laid on moulds and then have to be baked for hours before they can be completed. Also, carbon fibre in raw form is also not cheap compared with metal.

Having said that, carbon fibre reinforced parts are highly desirable as their main advantages are their high strength and light weight that make them suitable for use in exotic sports cars, which require those properties for speed and crash safety. BMW is, so far, the only car maker in the world that is using carbon fibre in serial production of its i3/i8 cars, the 7 Series and likely in the chassis of its motorcycles in future.

8. Why electric power steering saves more fuel, compared with conventional hydraulic steering.

According to Robert Bosch Automotive Steering, the electric steering is superior as it is practically maintenance-free, and power is only required when the vehicle is actually being steered. This means less fuel consumption, or energy savings of up to 90% compared with hydraulic power systems.

It works by using an electronically controlled electric motor which replaces the conventional hydraulic system. Control and steering assistance are powered by a single, uncomplicated source: current. There are many examples of this in cars today, such as Ford’s EPAS (electric power-assisted steering) which only uses energy when the steering wheel is turned.

So it uses less energy, further improving fuel economy.


Daihatsu GranMax goes automatic

                JAKARTA: Automatic transmissions are not new to the commercial vehicle market as trucks, buses and prime-movers use them to better mileage advantage than manual gearboxes.

This has to do with engine management systems that control gear changes in automatic transmissions to the best effect possible to gain superior mileage.

Of course, the complementary part of that system also has to do with the engine or more correctly, the way it is tuned to perform.

As the engine is used for commerce transportation, it could be tuned to perform differently from power units that serve private mobility.

It is common for the heavy or commercial vehicle manufacturer to come up with engines that produce a lot of torque (Newton-metre/Nm) at low engine speeds (revolutions per minute/rpm).

Torque is best described as pulling power that gives the vehicle the strong push to move from standstill or during passing manoeuvres.

Top end power (horsepower/hp) is secondary in an engine for commercial vehicle use, unlike the scenario for cars where outright speed might seem more relevant for highway cruising.

However, using the automatic transmission in lighter commercial transport needs has not been looked into until recently.

Daihatsu sees the possibility of providing light commercial vehicles such as panel/semi-window vans with automatic transmission to tap a growing trend in the business fraternity.

This group includes young entrepreneurs or women business-folk who might lean towards light commercial vehicles with automatic transmissions if the fuel consumption is acceptable.

It is much easier to drive an automatic transmission vehicle through heavy traffic in urban situations, especially for the ladies.

Daihatsu recently introduced its top selling GranMax with a four-speed automatic transmission to tap this market potential.

It is only available as a panel/semi-window van to complement the manual transmission model and manual pick-up variants.

The GranMax engine comes from a series of engines that is commonly used in different tune variants in the Toyota, Daihatsu and Perodua family.

This is the 1.5-litre petrol engine with double overhead camshafts and variable valve timing that develops 96hp at 6,000rpm and 134Nm at 4,400rpm.

The difference is that the GranMax is a rear-wheel drive unlike its front-wheel drive similar engine private-use cousins.

Its engine is also located differently and under the seating area of the front passenger, similar to the arrangement in other commercial vehicles serving a similar role.

According to Daihatsu Motor Co Ltd chief engineer Masaharu Tezeni, internal tests have shown the GranMax automatic to return fuel consumption of under 9.3 l/100km (about 10.7km/l).

The five-speed manual GranMax is said to deliver 8.4 l/100km or about 11.9km/l) under the same internal test conditions.

The difference is considered small compared to previous times (more than a decade ago) when the margin was often higher than 3km/l.

A vehicle’s fuel consumption also depends greatly on how it is driven; gentle and progressive accelerator use yields the best mileage unlike frequent stabs at the pedal for quick acceleration.

The Perodua MPV uses a similar engine and we often get above 450km on a full tank as indicated by the fuel mileage indicator on each filling.

This is because the engine management system records the way we use the accelerator and based on that it could indicate the fuel mileage that is available to us.

Daihatsu is also confident of the GranMax handling flooded roads with ease such as fording waters up to 300mm deep at 30kph or 600mm (that is almost two feet deep) at 10kph.

The GranMax is also said to handle loose surfaces (20%) on slight inclines (11.3 degrees) better than rival brands with its better road traction characteristics.

An equally lauded value is the quality build of the GranMax at the PT Astra Daihatsu Motor (ADM) plant in Jakarta, which we visited recently.

This is a multi-brand factory in that it produces Daihatsu and Toyota vehicles, the more recognisable ones for Malaysians being the Avanza and Rush.

Quality manufacturing is serious business in this factory so much so that the GranMax is exported to Japan, where quality control in automobile manufacturing is among the highest in the world.

That the GranMax is seen to meet the high quality standards demanded of vehicles produced in Japan is a clear reflection of this commitment at ADM.

We could see the diligence paid to ensure high quality from the way the employees are trained in even the most basic of job function to the quality checks along all phases of vehicle production.

It adopts a system called the ‘Quality Gate’ with which, instead of sending the defective products downstream, the ‘Quality Gate’ system stops the line and fixes the defect there and then.

This system is said to ensure the efficiency and quality of vehicle production.

ADM produces one vehicle every 66 seconds or 1.1 minute, and every vehicle coming off the line is subjected to close inspection before it is cleared to be delivered.

This vehicle-making factory, the largest in Indonesia, produced almost 539,800 vehicles in financial year 2017, of which Daihatsu accounts for 195,334 (commercial vehicles number 51,296) and the rest being Toyotas.

Of the 5,000 GranMax vehicles produced monthly, 1,400 are meant for export mainly to Japan.

ADM also exports a few other vehicle models to countries such as the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Mexico and South Africa.

This facility is supported by three others in Karawang, about 50km away, which produce engines, transmissions and vehicle parts, thus raising local content to between 93 and 95% depending on makes and models.

By the way, the parts manufacturing plant is also said to produce a few items for Perodua.

ADM, which started operation in 1992 and now employs over 12,000 workers, achieved its 5th million vehicle roll-off in 2017.

Daihatsu Malaysia shares this bold vision and expects to move some 50 GranMax four-speed automatic variants
a month and improve its sales by 30%.

The company sold about 900 GranMax last year and is targeting 1,150 vehicles in 2018.

Its price on the road without insurance starts from RM69,888 or about RM6,000 more than the manual transmission GranMax.


Subaru rolls out most technologically advanced Legacy yet

                CHICAGO: While the Legacy has been a fairly unremarkable sedan since its conception 30 years ago, Subaru has brought an amped-up model to the Chicago Auto Show with interior tech and engine options to finally compete with Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

On Thursday, as promised in the teasers that Subaru published recently, the 2020 Legacy made its debut at the Chicago Auto Show with new tech and an updated collection of powertrain options.

The model will be available in six trims - Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Limited XT, and Touring XT - all built on the Subaru Global Platform. The former trims will be powered by the same 2.5-litre Boxer engine as the sixth generation, however, it's been enhanced to deliver 182hp instead of 175hp; the XT-designated trims will sport a 2.4-litre turbocharged Boxer engine capable of 260hp, the first time a turbocharged engine has been powering a Legacy since 2012.

For the most part, the exterior of the seventh-gen Legacy is not unlike that of the previous generation with minimal changes made.

The grille as well as the head and taillights have been contoured into narrower designs, while the lines from the hood to the roof to the taillights have become more streamlined. In general, these subtle changes work together to create a more aerodynamic aesthetic.

The interior has seen some significant changes which we got a sneak peek at last Thursday when we saw a shadowy image of the enlarged and modernised infotainment touchscreen display.

Unlike the Honda and Toyota mid-size car competitors, this 11.6-inch screen (standard on only the Premium, Sport, and Limited trims) is oriented vertically and dominates the entire area above the gear shift.

All models come standard with all-wheel drive and a handful of driver safety tech like EyeSight Driver Assist. Specific trims come with additional systems like the Reverse Automatic Braking, Blind Spot Detection, and the DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System.

What hasn't changed about the 2020 Legacy in regard to previous models, is its goal of "go-anywhere usability." The boot volume has increased, and all trims have standard mounting brackets on the roof to make transporting bicycles, surfboards, and canoes a breeze.

The new Legacy hits the market this fall. No pricing has yet been announced, but the sixth-gen model has an MSRP of US$22,545 (nearly RM92,000).


Caltex contest offers chance to win a Volvo XC40

                KUALA LUMPUR: Stand a chance to win a Volvo XC40 and more with a minimum fuel purchase of RM40 at Caltex service stations nationwide from now until October 31, 2019.

Caltex customers need to:

- Pump a minimum of RM40 worth of petrol or diesel in a single receipt at any Caltex service stations nationwide
- Submit their entries via WhatsApp to 018 299 9980 with the following details:

a.) Full name (as per NRIC)
b.) NRIC
c.) Transaction date
d.) Transacted amount in RM
e.) Clear image of receipt
f.) Caltex JOURNEY Card Membership No. (if applicable)

Prizes up for grabs include:

 Grand prize: Volvo XC40
 Second prize: Caltex StarCash Petrol Card worth RM5,000 each (x30 winners)
 Third prize: Caltex JOURNEY Card with 5,000 BPoints + Techron Concentrate Plus + Havoline Pro DS Fully Synthetic (x30 winners)

Third prize winners will also win the following Special Prizes monthly:

 Dashcams (x10 lucky draw winners for month of August 2019)
 GoPro Cameras (x10 lucky draw winners for the month of September 2019)
 Michelin tyres worth RM2,000 (x10 lucky draw winners for the month of October 2019)

“Here at Caltex, we constantly find ways to enhance our relationships with our valued customers, to make certain that they have a smooth and exciting journey, no matter the distance,” said Shahid Ahmed, Chevron Malaysia country chairman.


Volkswagen talks tips before hitting the highway home

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Group Malaysia has shared a few tips for this festive period as some of us take on the annual migration home for the Raya festivities and enjoy the wonderful company of family, friends and food.

The German carmaker would like to encourage everyone travelling during this festive season to travel smart with a few important tips to help enjoy a happy, smooth and safe journey.

The tips include  servicing your vehicle before making the trip, ensuring the fuel tank is full, checking the travel timetable to plan your route and avoid the jam, packing snacks, using the Touch 'n Go lanes to beat the queue and always remember to wear your seat belt.

But, for those without a card, from now till July 31, a limited edition Volkswagen Touch ‘n Go card will be given to those who book a test drive online at their nearest dealership.

And, in order save more time and spend it with family, the company has urged everyone to use the recommended best travel time as proposed by PLUS (below).

In addition, Volkswagen is offering budding new owners the opportunity to save up to RM54,000 and be an owner of a brand new Volkswagen vehicle.

From now till July 31, the Polo Sedan, Jetta, Tiguan, Passat and Volkswagen CC are available with zero downpayment and zero interest for up to 7 years.


New Proton 3S Centre opens in Puchong

                PETALING JAYA: The new Proton 3S dealer outlet Atiara Johan Sdn Bhd in Puchong, Selangor, was officially launched and the event was launched by Proton  CEO Dr Li Chunrong, and members of the Proton's senior management members.

The new outlet by Atiara Johan Sdn Bhd replaces a 1S showroom, previously operating in Pandan Indah, Kuala Lumpur.

In order to serve its customers better, the management of the company decided to upgrade its facilities to 3S centre at a new vicinity.

Located in Puchong, the new outlet was developed on an empty plot of land and cost approximately RM3.5mil to build, with a built up area of 1,700 square metres.

Situated in a busy commercial area beside the main road alongside other car marques, it’s estimated that sales will increase by 60% while servicing will be a new revenue stream for the outlet.

“We took the opportunity to upgrade to a 3S centre from 1S as we know this will be good for our business in the long-term. We realised that to be in line with PROTON’s new business direction, we need to create a fresh facade with multiple facilities to provide an excellent level of sales and service experience to our customers,” said Judith Yam, Managing Director of Atiara Johan Sdn Bhd.

“Additionally, we also understand the need of customers who would also like to walk in to an outlet which gives comfort and convenience, which is why we have amenities like free Wi-Fi, coffee and a laptop charging area to relax and stay connected.

"Parents with kids meanwhile can keep them occupied at the play area, while waiting for their cars to be serviced as we have ample seating area for customers at both the sales and service area. Our service centre has 14 bays and 12 hoists and when coupled with our experienced service staff, customers can be assured of a faster service time and greater comfort level,” said Yam.


Triumph Thruxton R tested

                When the new Triumph Thruxton R was launched early in the year, there were so many oohs and aahs from the motorcycle fraternity and other bike manufacturers from around the world.

The folks at Triumph Motorcycles headquarters in Hinckley, Britain gave birth to a machine which is simply wicked. With all the brooding presence and poise of the original Triumph racers, the all-new Thruxton R takes the modern classic sports bike to a new level.

The designers of the bike have combined beautifully the classic values of a café racer with modern technology.  This lethal combination has got every café racer enthusiast salivating.

The test bike that was offered to me was in Diablo Red. The other two colours are Silver Frost and premium Matt Black.

A true blue classic café racer is not complete without few of the key features like the big round headlamp, clip-ons, round instrument panels and long fuel tank with knee recesses. And Thruxton scores As in all.

I couldn’t help myself staring at this sexy looking machine while having my piping hot tea (and not realising I was holding an empty cup for sometime) on a Sunday morning at Bidor enroute to Teluk Intan.  The beautiful detailing of the bike is simply jaw dropping.

The sculptured fuel tank, LED round headlamp, retro twin pods with digital screen that has all the info a rider needed, flip ‘Monza’ cap, bullet seat, reverse megaphone exhausts, aluminium bar end mirrors, wheels, tank strap and clear anodised aluminium swing arm further enhances the classic café racer presence.

The riding geometry seat-to-peg-to-clip-ons is well thought out. Even though the seating position of this bike is a semi-forward lean fashion, however I did not feel any fatigue on my shoulder neither on my back simply because the clip-ons were slightly higher thus allowing me to sit upright whenever I decide to ride in a very relax mode. In short the riding position is comfortable.

The position of the clip-ons and the pegs allowed me to ride like a GP rider and at the same time allowed me manoeuvre the bike at lightning speed.

Another reason for such sitting design is to place my weight to the front to ensure optimum feedback from the front wheel and suspension.
This is a must, especially when one is planning to ride this sexy machine fast be it on the highway or tackling corners.

Riding the Thruxton R on the highways is definitely an exhilarating feeling. The nimbleness and the quick reaction from the bike gave me all the confidence I need to twist the throttle. The gears and clutch work in tandem effortlessly at lightning speed.

At every upshifts, I felt a nice pleasant forward acceleration unlike few other bikes I have reviewed in the past. Whether I was working the gear upwards or downwards, the transition was seamless and no jerky feeling at all. One must be mindful, since the sitting position of this cafe racer is not upright, thus at high speed is highly recommended for any rider on this bike to rest the knees against the sculptured tank cut-out.

Such sitting position promises any rider of an amazing experience. However few riders have complained that such sitting position after an hour becomes quite tiring.  But personally, me being 6ft tall, I still found it comfortable.  What is important here is the correct sitting position which should allow a natural reach to the handlebar.

The Thruxton R with the 1,200 cc engine offers three riding modes which are rain, road and sport.  The Rain mode offers greater control and safety on wet roads while the Sport mode is much more aggressive with reliable throttle response and acceleration.

And finally the road mode is suitable for a relaxing ride. While handling the various corners and stretches of twisties, I was definitely pushing the bike hard just to prove a point that is this café racer performs as good as it looks.  And the answer is yes!

At every corner I dived in and exited out, the Thruxton R is well planted on the tarmac like being held by super glue. I was able to flick the bike at ease at high speed while remaining very stable at all times. During my three hours ride from Kuala Lumpur to Teluk Intan and back, I did not even felt that the bike was going to skid despite the heavy rain the night before. Simply amazing.

During my ride on the highways and the back roads, it was very obvious that this British café racer’s suspension definitely got me riding on the clouds.  All the bumps and humps were well cushioned.  All corners were tackled with great flair.

For your information, the rear comes with adjustable Ohlins twin shocks and the front is fully adjustable Showa upside down fork.

Meanwhile the brakes are from the ever reliable Brembo with 310mm discs in the front with 4 piston Monobloc calipers and complemented on the rear with a single disc Nissin floating caliper plus anti-lock braking system (ABS) and traction control.

What amazes me about the Thruxton R is that it is able to perform like a sports bike. It has the characteristics of a sports bike enveloped in a modern classic design. The new Thruxton R is undeniably the only most thrilling and full-blooded sports classic that is available in the market now.

It is a sin if you are a hot blooded biker who had never tried riding this masterly piece. Enough said and I want to ride this motorcycle again!

> The bike is priced at RM79,150.94 (before GST) in Diablo Red and Silver Frost, and RM80,094.34 in Premium Matt Black.


Volvo gets optimised powertrain from Polestar

                STOCKHOLM: Polestar, the performance brand of Volvo Cars, has introduced the latest-generation powertrain optimisation for the new Volvo XC60 T8 that delivers 421hp.

The Polestar optimisation improves five key areas of the powertrain while retaining the Volvo warranty, class-leading emission levels, fuel consumption of 2.1 -litres per 100km and a pure electric range of up to 45km for the T8.

Experience from more than two decades on the track with Cyan Racing, the motorsport partner of Polestar, has transformed the engine performance, accelerator response, off-accelerator response, and gearshift speed and hold.

Two key features of the optimisation are the improved engine performance and gearbox functionality.

The enhancements for the engine are made to provide greater power and torque in the middle of the rev range, the area most often used in everyday driving, for example when joining a motorway or when overtaking or exiting a corner.

The gearbox shifts faster, gearshift points have been calibrated to utilise the optimised mid-range engine performance, and the gear-hold function maintains the same gear when cornering with high lateral g-force in order to avoid unsettling the balance of the car.

"Our goal is to create useable performance in everyday driving situations for Volvo owners who want an enhanced driving experience, the new XC60 has provided us with an excellent base to work on with a dynamic chassis and a state-of-the-art powertrain. With the Polestar optimisation, it makes the new Volvo XC60 a true drivers' car," said Polestar vice president of research and development Henrik Fries.


Festive promotion for buyers of Ford Ranger models

                KUALA LUMPUR: A two-year free service package is offered to new buyers of the Ford Ranger XL double cab (automatic and manual variants) and Ranger XLT.

The Raya campaign runs from April 1 to May 31, 2023 and will be available for only a limited number of units for both models, on a first-come, first-served basis.

The offer is in conjunction with the 15th anniversary of Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), the sole distributor for Ford in Malaysia, and to celebrate this year’s Hari Raya.

"This two-year service promotional campaign aims to offer more value-add to Ranger XL double cab and XL customers. For all our loyal Ford customers whose warranty has expired, we have you covered with an aftersales promotion, which is currently running until May 31, offering 10% discounts on selected parts,” said Turse Zuhair, managing director, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion-Ford.

"To everyone travelling during the festive break, do stay safe on the road. Make sure your Ford vehicle is serviced and in tip-top condition before heading out,” he added.

In the spirit of Raya, SDAC-Ford collaborated with “Chubb-e” or Muhammad Sharul Ashlyn Ag Ashrul Affandy, a 23-year-old digital artist primarily as a singer and composer to create a Raya song and video.

Listen to the song via Ford Malaysia’s social platforms.

The Ranger XL double cab (AT and MT) and Ranger XLT are powered by Ford’s 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel engine to deliver maximum power of 170ps and a peak torque of 405Nm.

Traditionally, only the Ranger Raptor offered selectable drive modes.

Now both the Ranger XL double cab and XLT come standard with four drive modes: Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul and Slippery.

Featuring a defined new grille and signature C-clamp headlight treatment at the front, both models also benefit from the 50mm track and wheelbase increase, as well as a high level of integrated technology that is comparable to the rest of its higher-priced siblings including the huge first-in-class 10.1-inch touchscreen with Ford Sync 4A and a reconfigurable eight-inch colour digital instrument panel.

The Ranger XLT is priced at RM129,888 for Peninsular Malaysia and RM135,388 for Sabah and Sarawak.

The Ranger XL double cab manual is priced at RM108,888 for Peninsular Malaysia and RM114,888 for Sabah and Sarawak.

Meanwhile, the automatic variant is priced at RM113,888 for Peninsular Malaysia and RM119,588 for Sabah and Sarawak.

All Ranger customers will automatically be part of the Ford Inner Circle in Malaysia – a community of like-minded individuals who enjoy pushing boundaries and exploring new horizons, contributing back to society or going for excursions like the Ford Ranger Getaways with friends and family.


Malaysia ranks 23rd on Waze 2016 Global Driver Satisfaction Index

                KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian drivers are ranked 23rd in the world on the Waze 2016 Global Driver Satisfaction Index. But it is also considered the best place to drive in Asean.

The Netherlands comes out on top with an average satisfaction score of 7.54 with France and America coming second and third respectively. Propping up the table is El Salvador who rank as the worst place to drive in the world based on this index with a satisfaction score of 2.85, they are followed closely by Guatemala and the Philippines.

Malaysia’s ranking has slipped from last year to 23rd which puts it in the lower end of the satisfaction index. However out of all global countries, Malaysia scored highly on road quality with the country posting a road quality satisfaction of 9.03, the 6th best score in the world and way and above the global average of 6.71.

Malaysia’s slip down the rankings was due to further countries being added that ranked higher. Additionally, the Wazeyness, Road Safety and Traffic Indices indicated drops from the previous year.

Among the 235 cities and towns in Malaysia, Central Malacca was the highest ranked  city, coming in at 94 for the driving satisfaction index.

Other cities and towns that followed are Kuala Terengganu (97), Kuala Muda (105), Kota Baru (124), Kuching (131), Kuantan (134), Kuala Lumpur (137), Kinta (138), Batu Pahat (139), Johor Baru (140), Kota Kinabalu (164) and Larut and Matang (166).

Malaysia is one of four Asean countries featured in the index. Singapore, Indonesia and The Philippines were ranked 32, 34 and 37 respectively.

Meanwhile, Cebu in The Philippines was listed as the worst place to drive in the world.

The overall Driver Satisfaction Index is made by analysing millions of monthly active Waze users in 38 countries and 235 metros to critique their traffic conditions, road safety, driver services, road quality, socio economic climate & Wazeyness from satisfying (10) to miserable (1).

While Waze has more than 65 million monthly active users globally in 185 countries, this report only focuses on countries and metros with more than 20,000+ monthly active users to ensure data accuracy and fair market comparisons.
This data is then used to compile a global and national snapshots. Here's Waze findings:

Top 10 Country Rankings;
1 - Netherlands
2 - France
3 - United States
4 - Czech Republic
5 - Sweden
6 - United Arab Emirates
7 - Latvia
8 - Hungary
9 - Slovakia
10 - Italy


Aston Martin DB11 4.0L V8 rumbles in from RM1.8mil

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Aston Martin DB11 has finally landed in Malaysia with its 503hp 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine - the little brother to the 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 variant.

Priced from RM1.8mil (after duties and taxes), the V8 version of the DB11 is offered in standard Silver Fox or a custom colour at extra charge.

Imported from its factory in Gaydon, England, the hand-built V8 coupe weighs in at 1,760kg with a 49% (front) and 51% (rear) weight distribution, thanks to its front mid-mounted engine that powers the rear wheels.

The 3,982cc cast-aluminium wet-sump engine uses two BorgWarner turbochargers to boost the output of the Mercedes-AMG M177 90-degree V8 that redlines at 7,000rpm to help produce 503hp at 6,000rpm and 575Nm from 2,000 to 5,000rpm.

The eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shifters have an electronic shift-by-wire system, alloy torque tube, carbon fibre propeller shaft and a limited-slip differential - all of which have been mid-mounted in the rear.

With launch control, the coupe is able to sprint from 0-100kph in 4.0 seconds before reaching a top speed of 301kph.

The V8 consumes 9.9 litres of petrol per 100km on the combined cycle with CO2 emissions ranging from 230 to 265g per kilometre.

The 20-inch 10-spoke Silver Diamond Turned wheels wear 255/40 (front) and 295/35 (rear) Bridgestone Potenza S007 tyres and the front pair get their directives from the speed-sensitive electric power steering system.

Partially obscured are the six-piston (front) and four-piston (rear) calipers that bite down simultaneously on the two-piece 400 X 36mm (front) and 360 x 32mm (rear) co-cast piece steel brake discs with curved slots when the electronic parking brakes have been activated.

For added safety, the DB11 comes with six airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, dynamic stability control, traction control, emergency brake assist, hydraulic brake assist, positive torque control and dynamic torque vectoring.

“We are thrilled to officially unveil the V8-powered DB11 in Kuala Lumpur. We expect sustained interest and continuing growth in demand for DB11, spearheaded by the arrival of the V8-powered model.” said Aston Martin (Southeast Asia) head of sales operations Nancy Chen.

In conjunction with the launch, the English sports car maker also announced the opening of its new RM2.4mil service centre by Wearnes Quest.

“With this investment, our current and future customers can be assured that we remain committed to deliver unparalleled British standards of excellence,” said Wearnes Quest managing director Jerry Lee.

The new 4,000sq-ft fully air-conditioned centre (located in Lingui Industrial Park, 15 ½ Miles, Sungai Pelong, Sungai Buloh), boasts of its professionally trained service personnel, three service bays, a diagnostic bay as well as the latest tools and technology.


Ferrari 488 Challenge: Violent action at Sepang F1 circuit

                It was a night of high-speed thrills and adrenaline-pumping action under the bright floodlights of the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), in the first night race of the 2019 Ferrari Challenge Asia-Pacific.

Held over three days in late April, the one-make championship returned to SIC after the 2019 season had kicked off in Melbourne in March.

For the uninitiated, the Ferrari 488 Challenge is a gentleman’s race series (more and more lady racers are also taking part nowadays) for the ultra wealthy who want to test their mettle in motorsports.

All participants race in the 488 Challenge car which also uses the 3.9-litre V8 turbocharged engine with 670ps derived from the 488 GTB, but which has been optimised for performance racing in areas like the powertrain and aerodynamics.

"The Challenge car is a very good approximation of the 488 GT3 race car," said Ferrari Corse Clienti head (Asia Pacific) Filippo Zanier.

And if you are interested, Ferrari takes care of everything for you.

"We do everything. We provide a hassle-free experience for the gentleman driver. We take care of the cars; we use our own mechanics. Our kitchen team travels with us and we provide a high culinary standard from race to race. We understand that our clients are busy people, with lots of demands on their time," said Zanier.

He said a 488 Challenge car would cost around 285,000 euros (RM1.32 million).

"Or you can rent one - this option is for those who want to try a few rounds and see if this is the thing for him or her," said Zanier.

During the night race, members of the media had a thrilling taste of what racing in a 488 Challenge car is like.

Wearing helmets, the motoring press including this Carsifu writer were strapped in tightly into sports seats before being taken on a two-lap wild ride by professional drivers in a whirlwind of speed, through the twists and turns of the looping track.

There was no air-conditioning, and despite the cool night weather, the cabin of the 488 Challenge car began to feel stifling hot after just one lap.

Combine that with the full race suits of the race drivers, and we had a good inkling of why the drivers staggered into an air-conditioned Sepang Paddock Club looking quite knackered and sweaty after a race.

Some of the motoring press also suffered stomach discomfort and at least one fellow threw up after the two hot laps.

This is quite understandable when you experience taking off at full throttle and hitting speeds of over 200kph on the straight before violently de-celerating at the corners, followed by a series of extremely fast sprints and hard braking action.

The race action at full throttle is simply unbelievably violent, and is definitely not for those with weak stomachs.

This Carsifu writer found the two hot laps in the 488 Challenge car to be an absolutely enjoyable and thrilling experience.

Meanwhile, in the 488 Challenge, there are four main race categories (Trofeo Pirelli, Trofeo Pirelli Am, Coppa Shell, and Coppa Shell Am) and drivers are entered based on their racing skills.

The Malaysian round saw 21 drivers getting behind the wheels of the 488 Challenge during the adrenalin-filled race weekend on the challenging 5.543km circuit with 15 twisting turns to see who could come up top.

In the Trofeo Pirelli AM category, Philippe Prette (Blackbird Concessionaires) ended securely at the top of the standings board while in the Coppa Shell category, Makoto Fujiwara kept his lead in the class.

In the Coppa Shell AM category, Andrew Moon (Forza Motors Korea) was the winner and now leads the standings in his class.

Tsao San Chuang (Modena Motori Taiwan) was the winner of the Gentlemen Cup while Kanthicha Chimsiri (Cavallino Motors Bangkok) took the Ladies’ Cup.

The race was also held in conjunction with the joint 10th anniversary celebrations of official Ferrari distributors in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand which saw an activity-packed weekend of track and road drives, a gala dinner and the unveiling of the new Ferrari F8 Tributo at St Regis Kuala Lumpur.

Naza Italia, Ital Auto Pte Ltd and Cavallino Motors Co Ltd are the official importers and distributors of the Ferrari brand in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand respectively.

The next rounds of the 2019 Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific will be at Shanghai in China (May 24 – 26); Motegi (July 5 - 7) and Fuji (August 30 - September 1) in Japan; Singapore (September 20 - 22) with the final round at Mugello, Italy (October 24 - 27).


Kia Concept EV9 reveals precursor to next electric SUV

                LOS ANGELES: Having just launched the EV6, Kia has attracted onlookers at the AutoMobility LA with the reveal of its all-electric SUV concept, the Kia Concept EV9.

Seen as the clearest signal yet from Kia as to what might be the next addition to its new-generation EV lineup, the Concept EV9 represents the brand’s recent leadership in designing and developing desirable, high-tech, zero-emissions vehicles.

Just like the EV6, the Concept EV9 is known as a dedicated EV from Kia, having been developed on the company’s advanced Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP).

Concept EV9 embodies Kia’s commitment to sustainable mobility solutions, having recently showcased the company’s future vision at the ‘Kia Sustainability Movement’ digital presentation. The design of the vehicle was inspired by nature and uses upcycled materials developed from waste deposited into the fragile marine ecosystem.

The SUV also offers striking visual aesthetics thanks to Kia’s "Opposites United" design philosophy, which calls for an adventurous and angular exterior.

The stunning exterior profile is matched with a modern and sleek interior space that is influenced with state-of-the-art tech.

The interior space takes inspiration from the "Water Element" of Opposites United, establishing a positive relationship with the outside world

Concept EV9 measures 4,930mm in length, 2,055mm width, 1,790mm height and has a wheelbase of 3,100mm. The concept also combines its stunning SUV form with state-of-the-art engineering.

The all-electric SUV delivers driving range of up to 480km. It also features next-generation ultra-fast charging technology with a 350-kW charger that allows its advanced battery electric powertrain to replenish energy from 10% to 80% in 20-30 minutes.

Kia’s iconic Tiger Face facade has been reinterpreted for the BEV era and is showcased on the Concept EV9.

The new Digital Tiger Face benefits from the fact that all-electric vehicles don’t need the traditional grille that ICE vehicles rely upon, resulting in the Concept EV9 having a full body coloured front that clearly conveys sustainability values.

The opportunities afforded with a re-styled grille and the Digital Tiger Face have resulted in a new air vent design that reduces the frontal mass of the vehicle and greatly improves aerodynamics.

The hood vent duct area is used as a solar panel that helps recuperate some of the electric energy that the Concept EV9 uses. This gives BEV owners an alternative source of energy when they are not close to a charging station.

Further enhancing aero efficiency are retractable roof rails that close inward into the roof of the Concept EV9 when not in use, creating smooth airflow over the vehicle. When needed, the roof rails can be raised by a simple touch of a button.

A next-gen camera monitoring system that replaces the conventional wing mirrors further improves aerodynamic properties while also enhancing the spatial awareness of the driver.

At the rear of the Concept EV9 is a triangular D-pillar treatment that acts as a visual focal point and resonates with the SUV’s angular design elements. The innovative d-pillar design also creates a unique Daylight Opening (DLO) signature.

The machined 22-inch wheels further add to the geometric appearance and robust nature of the Concept EV9.


Bidder pays over RM2mil for ‘luckiest’ licence plate in Thailand

                BANGKOK: Thailand’s first-ever auction of “special licence plates” saw stiff competition among bidders on Thursday, with a top price of 18.5 million baht (RM2.3mil) paid for the most auspicious plate.

The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has auctioned off the so-called vanity licence plates every year since 2003 to raise money for the Road Safety Fund, which has now accumulated over 4 billion baht (RM503mil).

The proceeds from Thursday’s auction at Pullman Bangkok King Power Hotel added about 100 million baht (RM12.6mil) to the fund.

This year was the first time that special-format licence plates approved earlier in the year by the Cabinet joined the auction roster.

A special format plate can contain up to seven consonants, vowels or tone marks, and can be followed by a number. The plate can contain a person’s name or any words approved by the DLT.

“This year 273 people joined the auction for 84 licence plates, either in person at the hotel or via the real-time online auction at www.tabienrod.com,” said director-general Jirut Wisaljit.

The hottest plate this year was “รวย 9999”, which carries the word “rich” in Thai followed by the most auspicious combination of numerals.

The starting price of 1.5 million baht attracted furious competition from 33 bidders.

The last one standing after no less than 424 bids was an Internet user by the name of “Whatever”, who won the plate with a bid of 18.56 million baht.

The second hottest plate was “รวย 8888”, which carried the same starting price of 1.5 million baht and attracted 14 bidders. The battle for the plate lasted 320 bids, before Wassana Inthasaeng, the 37-year-old managing director of Revomed cosmetics company, won the plate with an offer of 11.1 million baht.

Wassana said the plate would be attached to her new Bentley to bring good fortune to herself and the cosmetics company.

“This year’s auction has raised around 100 million baht from auction winners, who will have 30 days to pay for the plates they bought,” said Jirut.

“The money will be used to help victims of road accidents and to support safety campaigns under the Road Safety Fund.”

However, the top bid of 18.56 million baht this year was only the third-highest winning bid in the 19 years of DLT licence-plate auctions.

The record bid is 28.1 million baht, paid for the plate “8?? 8888” while second-highest is the 25 million baht winning bid for “1กก 1111”. — The Nation


BMW introduces drop-top 2-Series and M options for X5 M and X6 M

                MUNICH: The BMW 2-Series gets a new stablemate with the introduction of a drop-top version, while the German marque’s X5 M and X6 M gets dressed in M Performance parts.

After the introduction of the 1-Series convertible and 130,000 units sold worldwide, BMW will now be using the 2-Series as the successor to the company’s most popular open-top premium model in this vehicle class.

BMW’s entry into the premium compact segment first saw the introduction of the 1-Series and then decided to seal off the two rear doors, stretched it a little more and slapped a 2 Series badge on it.

The German marque says that its 2-Series convertible will have its market launch beginning in February and the variants included will be the BMW M235i, M235i xDrive, 218i, 225d, 220d and 218d.

Boot space in the 2-Series convertible stands at 335 litres or 280 litres in open-top mode.

The powered fabric top takes 20sec to complete its operation at the push of a button – even at speeds of up to 50kph, and comes standard in Black with the option of having it in either Anthracite or Brown with silver effect.

Additionally, depending on the variant, the 2-Series has access to personalisation options via Advantage, Luxury Line, Sport Line and M Sport options, which provides specific exterior, interior and equipment features.

As for BMW’s X5 M and X6 M, the two bruisers from Munich also get access to the M Performance Parts bin that help owners individualise their ride, which includes radiator and side grille ornamental trim with black slats, black frame and M logo.

Furthermore, the handmade carbon fibre caps for the side mirrors are available, along with BMW’s motorsport signature M colours of blue, purple and red stripes for the sides.

Specifically for the X6 M, this SAV can be ordered with high-gloss black rear fins for better aerodynamics,

Inside, battery operated LED-integrated stainless steel door-sill plates with illuminated M Performance lettering is an option, as well as carbon interior trim strips and those bearing the M logo for the eight-speed M Steptronic gearbox selector lever.

The centre console can be trimmed in a combination of Alcantara and painted carbon around the lever and an M Performance steering wheel with a blue centre marker is available in Alcantara with carbon accents.

Other parts include a set of M Performance stainless steel pedal covers, floor mats, a combination of Alcantara and carbon key case as well as a further option of accents in M Light Blue and blue hex bolt to round off the options list.

BMW 2-Series Convertible

BMW X5 M

BMW X6 M

M Performance Parts for X5 M and X6 M


Electric cars to beer cans risk getting pricier over aluminum fees

                TOKYO: To understand why everything from a can of beer to an electric vehicle is likely to get pricier, negotiations over aluminum fees in Japan provide a vivid lesson.

Producers of the lightweight metal are increasingly calling the shots in pricing talks with Japanese buyers, as demand climbs amid a tightening global market driven by economies recovering from the pandemic.

In a dramatic shift from a year ago, customers rushing to secure supply are left with far less haggling power, leading to ever-higher fees.

Buyers in Japan agreed to pay a premium of US$185 (RM763) per ton above benchmark London prices for the coming quarter, the highest in six years, according to five people familiar with the matter. That’s more than double the level seen a year earlier, when demand suffered due to the global coronavirus outbreak.

Further, in a sign of how clearly the sellers have gained the upper hand, the negotiations involved a rare notice from a producer saying that if its initial offer wasn’t agreed to, the price would be raised, according to three of the people who asked not to be identified because talks are private.

Typically, producers present their highest prices at the start of talks and gradually lower their offer as they seek deals.

“Japanese buyers seem to have had to accept the higher premium to secure enough supply, because otherwise ingot would be diverted to other countries,” said Takeshi Irisawa, an analyst at Tachibana Securities Co.

What happens in Japan matters. The nation is Asia’s biggest aluminum importer, and the premium for shipments it reaches each quarter over the London Metal Exchange price sets the benchmark for the region. The higher costs can be passed along several months later to users such as automakers, Irisawa said.

The changing tone of negotiations comes amid a commodities boom that has lifted prices of everything from coal to glass and steel rebar to record highs.

Alcoa Corp.’s chief executive officer said last month demand for aluminum is “firing on all engines” this year and continues to grow “really, really quickly” in China and the rest of the world.

One reason behind the hike in Japan was high levels of overseas spot premiums, said one of the people, as rates in North America and Europe have climbed to multi-year highs on strong demand. Another person said it’s getting harder to take on additional orders, although tightened supply hasn’t yet caused a major disruption to aluminum products.

Japan’s shipments of aluminum rolled products gained 12% in April, the third straight month of year-on-year gains, aided by a recovery in the autos market, an industry group said last month.

Demand from the construction industry has been recovering and capital spending on railroad cars has also restarted after being stalled due to the pandemic, said another person familiar with the matter.

Japan came to import much of its aluminum ingot after domestic firms exited the smelting business because of high electricity costs triggered by the oil price shocks of the 1970s.

The auto industry is the biggest customer in Japan for finished aluminum products. The metal is also used in products from window frames to airplanes.

The latest negotiations in Japan are in stark contrast to those a year earlier, which took longer to reach an agreement. Demand for the metal dried up during the pandemic, with buyers agreeing to pay the lowest fee in more than three years.

With economies on the rebound, particularly in China, premiums on aluminum shipments have quickly recovered, notching double-digit percentage increases in four consecutive quarters. Settlements are being reached much earlier ahead of the start to each quarter as buyers - facing few options - rush to conclude talks.


Chief engineer Tada sheds more light on Toyota Supra

                LONDON: The fifth-generation Toyota Supra (A90), in prototype form, was recently showcased during the Goodwood Festival of Speed to a select-few fans and was accompanied by chief engineer Tesuya Tada who revealed some of his 'new baby's' specifications.

Tada also said the car will be the 'big brother' to the GT86, with an even lower centre-of-gravity, double the chassis rigidity of the Lexus LFA supercar without the use of carbon fibre to help keep a little more affordable.

How long have you been working on the Supra project?
Tada: “Since 2012, so nearly seven years… a long time. The normal cycle for car development is around three years but with this project we wanted to make absolutely sure it was right.”

How does it feel to finally reveal the prototype after such an extended development programme?
Tada: “All I can say is that I’m just so happy that we’ve made it to this point. I’ve finally been able to reveal the car to the UK; it’s the happiest day of my life. And to drive it up the hill at Goodwood was a really exciting experience.”

You introduced the GT86 as your ‘passion project.’ Did the Supra project arouse similar feelings?
Tada: “Of course. It was imbued with a lot passion. Before the GT86 arrived, Toyota had not produced a sports car for a while, so there was a lot of ground to catch up. But for the Supra project we already had the experience from developing the GT86 and were able to start from a much higher level. This meant we were aiming for a much higher level in the finished car.”

Were you trying to create a big brother for the GT86?
Tada: “Akio [Toyoda] has always said that as a company he would like to have Three Brothers, with the GT86 in the middle and Supra as the big brother. So we’ve tried to aim for the Supra to offer an overwhelming superiority in all attributes. For example, people were happy that the GT86 had a very low centre of gravity… but the Supra has an even lower centre of gravity, and its body rigidity is twice that of the GT86.

“It’s actually the same level of rigidity as the Lexus LFA supercar, and it has been achieved without using carbon fibre so we could keep the price point at an affordable level. That was the most difficult thing to achieve. But I’m pleased we were successful because when I was sitting in the queue to go up the hill at Goodwood, I was surrounded by all these amazing supercars and thinking: ‘This is the cheapest car in the line by a long way – probably about a tenth of the price – but we got the biggest cheer!’

“The track width is also wider, of course. But it may surprise people to know that the new Supra has a shorter wheelbase than the GT86. The car was developed with a specific ratio of wheelbase and track in mind, and I think we’ve been able to achieve the balance that we were looking for.”

How do you think the new A90 will be received by hardcore Supra fans?
Tada: “I’m really looking forward to hearing from them, actually. Thinking back to the introduction of the GT86, some owners of classic AE86 models were quite hard to please and were very critical of the new car. So it may be similar with this car. I know there are hardcore owners of the previous generations out there and it may be hard to convince them just by introducing a new car.

“But I have an open stance and want to offer my respect for the older Supra models. In turn, I hope the owners will be open enough to see what the new model is all about, even if it takes them some time to fully accept it.”

As this is the fifth-generation Supra, can you give us five things that you would like Supra fans to know about the car?
Tada: “First of all, the Supra has always had an inline six-cylinder engine, and of course we have that with the new car, too. Secondly, all generations had a front-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive; that is also the same here.

“I think for number three I would like to point out its design. We’ve taken cues from the A80 [fourth-generation Supra] and, although the design is not the same, we carried elements over so that when people look at the new car they can tell immediately that it is a Supra.

“Number four is that if you look across the previous generations, each of them have been exciting in their own right and in their own era. We wanted to achieve the same thing with this new-generation car, and I believe that when it goes on sale next year it will be the most fun-to-drive car in its class.

“Looking at the current automotive industry, the talk is all about autonomous driving, electrification and artificial intelligence. What that’s doing is giving rise to a lot of strict regulations, and that limits our capacity to make emotional sports cars; it’s getting much more difficult to do that. So for the fifth point, I think the new Supra will be the last present from Toyota to those who enjoy hearing the pleasing sound of a pure petrol engine at high revs.

“Those are my five highlights, and I hope that people will be able to enjoy the new Supra for a long time to come. Perhaps in another 30 years we will be able to meet again and talk about how good it was.”


First Kia flagship 3S centre opens under new management

                PETALING JAYA: Dinamikjaya Motors Sdn Bhd, the new sole distributor for the Kia brand in Malaysia, has opened its first flagship 3S centre in the Klang Valley.

The Kia flagship features a full-fledged facility that comprises sales, service and spare parts to provide a peace of mind ownership experience.

The flagship features Kia’s new brand identity of the Kia Store concept.

The spaces of the showroom are separated by red loop across the store that connects the display area and customer area.

The wood tone radiates an earthy cosiness with a minimalistic and natural sensibility that
gives the customer a suitable space to start the journey of buying a car.

With a built-up area of 39,240 sq ft, the new Kia Glenmarie flagship is the first 3S centre
outlet.

The outlet can display up to four vehicles at a time and the state-of-the-art service facilities are equipped with 20 operational service bays with skilled technicians.

Dinamikjaya Motors said the service centre is equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment and maintenance tools. The facility also comes with a comfortable waiting lounge with refreshments and a working space with WiFi amenities provided.

The new Kia outlet is located at No. 1, Jalan Pelukis U1/46, Temasya Industrial Park, Seksyen U1, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor.


Tesla's Musk dials into Volkswagen executive conference

Musk visiting the Tesla battery plant site in Gruenheide near Berlin in May. — Reuters
FRANKFURT: Tesla boss Elon Musk has addressed 200 Volkswagen executives via a video call after an invitation from the German carmaker's CEO Herbert Diess, who wants to galvanise VW's top brass for a faster pivot to electric vehicles.

The comments on Thursday by Musk to a VW managers gathering in Alpbach, Austria, confirmed by Diess via Twitter on Saturday after a report in Handelsblatt daily, included praise of VW for being an "icon" and Tesla's greatest challenger, Handelsblatt said.

The paper said that when asked by Diess why Tesla was more nimble than its rivals, Musk said it came down to his management style and that he is an engineer, first of all, and has an eye for supply chains, logistics and production.

In a post on Linkedin, Diess added that he had brought in Musk as a "surprise guest" to drive home the point that VW needs faster decisions and less bureaucracy for what he called the biggest transformation in VW's history.

"Happy to hear that even our strongest competitor thinks that we will succeed (in) the transition if we drive the transformation with full power," Diess said on Linkedin.

As an example of Tesla's prowess, Diess said it took the rival only two to three weeks to rewrite software to allow for a switch from one type of microchip, which went out of stock, to another.

Diess said in his Saturday tweet that VW, which has emerged as the main contender to Tesla for global electric vehicle supremacy, would continue its dialogue with Tesla.

"We will visit you soon in Gruenheide," the CEO said.

Diess warned last month that the planned opening of Tesla's car factory at Gruenheide near Berlin, the company's first in Europe, will force local industry to step up its game against the fast-growing US electric vehicle maker.

Tesla is awaiting final building approval for the 5.8 billion euro German site.

VW, in turn, plans to build six large battery factories in Europe by 2030 as part of an all-in bet on electric mobility.


Heavy rain delays Vios Challenge and gets a rolling-start

                BATU KAWAN: The first round of the three-part Vios Challenge race series became a tricky circuit following an afternoon of heavy rain - some of which were participating for the first time in a motor racing event.

The two scheduled races for the day were delayed by the race director for safety reasons to the delight of some 10,755 spectators who found entertainment at the Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) racing festival held on the fringes of
the Batu Kawan Stadium.

The Sporting category featuring 16 race-ready Toyota Vios cars were the first to be allowed out on the wet track, which had pole-sitter #10 Ken Foo at the head of the pack being lead by a Toyota Camry safety car for one lap in a rolling-start before racing could begin.

Following closely behind Ken was Dream Chaser's #86 Brendon Lim and the pair slowly pulled away from the rest.

As the 1.65km circuit slowly began to dry out, the pace improved by lap eight and the top 10 drivers were beginning to clock consistent 1 minute 26 second lap times.

On lap 11, the #17 car of Teoh Khai Lin carried too much speed into turn seven and unfortunately nudged the #22 car of Dream Chaser’s Eric Yong in fourth position and sent him into the barriers.

The incident brought out the safety car for three laps and once racing resumed, it was a sprint to the finish with just a lap remaining after the race had taken up the scheduled 25-minute duration.

Taking first place was Ken, followed by Brendon and Patrick Tam Wei Han in the #13 Team Maxx 'N Go car.

Next up was the Promotional category which had pole-sitter Shawn Lee in car #6 starting behind the pace car and maintained the lead during the first lap, while #9 Fattah Amin fell to third place as #24 Shukri Yahaya snuck in on the inside of turn one.

Meanwhile, before the end of the first lap, #19 Venice Min managed to gain to sixth place thanks to a strong start.

By lap eight, Shawn had managed to open up a two-second gap to Shukri as Fattah kept applying pressure from behind until lap 10 where Venice clipped a kerb at the exit of turn nine, causing a slow deflation of her front right tyre.

At turn 11, Venice's deflated tyre caused her to nudge #18 Jannah Nick  - sending both both drivers into the barriers and subsequently retirement as the safety car was quickly deployed.

After the safety car peeled off into the pit lane, Fattah attempted an overtaking manoeuvre by diving on the inside of Shukri.

Instead, Fattah clipped a kerb and bumped into Shukri, braking a wheel in the process and was forced to retire - opening the door for #23 Danny Koo to take third place after completing all 16 laps.

The first race of the Super Sporting category will begin tomorrow (Sunday) and will feature pole-sitter Tengku Djan ahead of Mark Darwin who will be defending against Shafiq Ali.


France warns Renault could disappear, Nissan plans job cuts

                PARIS/TOKYO: Europe’s car industry was put on alert for more job losses on Friday as a French minister warned Renault could disappear if it didn’t get help soon and a Japanese news report said partner Nissan was considering 20,000 layoffs, with many in Europe.

Renault and Nissan have been in a carmaking alliance for the past two decades and are due to announce a strategy update next Wednesday.

The plan was originally billed as a reset of their relationship, which was rocked by the November 2018 arrest in Japan of the alliance’s architect and long-time boss Carlos Ghosn on charges of financial misconduct, which he denies.

However, the update has taken on greater significance since the coronavirus pandemic hammered demand for vehicles and threw production into disarray.

French finance minister Bruno Le Maire, who is considering a 5 billion euro loan for Renault to help it through the crisis, warned today the company’s future was at stake.

“Yes, Renault could disappear,” he told Europe 1 radio.

Le Maire said Renault’s French plant in Flins mustn’t close and the company should be able to keep as many jobs as possible in France, but also said it needed to adapt and be competitive.

Renault declined to comment on Le Maire’s remarks.

The Flins factory, northwest of Paris, is where Renault makes its electric Zoe models and the Micra car for Nissan. It employed around 2,640 people at the end of 2018, according to Renault’s website.

The company has 40 plants and 13 logistics sites in 16 countries.

Scaling back

Kyodo, meanwhile, said Nissan might axe 20,000 jobs from its global workforce, mainly in Europe and developing countries.

Two people with knowledge of the matter said the number of cuts had not been finalised.

Nissan declined to comment.

The Japanese automaker said in July last year it would cut 12,500 employees, nearly 10% of its of 140,000-strong workforce. If it raises that figure to 20,000, it would broadly match the number of jobs it shed during the 2009 global financial crisis.

Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters earlier this month that Nissan’s management had become convinced it needed to be much smaller and would likely cut 1 million cars from its annual sales target, while seeing a bigger role for the United States and China in car sales.

Sources have also said it plans to scale back its European business to focus on sport-utility and commercial vehicles, including possibly closing a plant in Spain, which employs around 3,000 people.

Hit by over-capacity, stiff competition and flagging demand, Europe’s car industry has seen a steady stream of job losses, with Germany’s Volkswagen announcing in December up to 9,500 cuts at its Audi brand.

So far, most of the layoffs during the coronavirus crisis have been temporary, however, with companies taking advantage of government-backed furlough schemes.


Porsche unveils the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport

                STUTTGART: Three years after the premiere of the first Cayman GT4 Clubsport, Porsche now unveils its successor: The new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport represents a consequent further development of the successful model from Weissach.

For the first time, the near-standard mid-engine racer comes in two versions ex-works: the “Trackday” model for ambitious amateur racing drivers and the “Competition” variant for national and international motor racing.

In developing the new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, the focus was put not only on further improved driveability and faster lap times but also on the sustainable use of raw materials.

The 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport is the first ever production race car to feature body parts made of natural-fibre composite material. The driver and co-driver doors and the rear wing are made of an organic fibre mix, which are sourced primarily from agricultural by-products such as flax or hemp fibres and feature similar properties to carbon fibre in terms of weight and stiffness.

Powering the 718 GT4 Clubsport is a 3.8-litre flat-six engine producing 425hp. Compared to its predecessor, this represents a 40hp increase in performance. The power is transferred to the rear wheels via a Porsche dual-clutch gearbox with six gears and mechanical rear axle differential lock.

The lightweight spring-strut front suspension is taken from its big 911 GT3 Cup brother. The impressive racing brake system features steel brake discs all round measuring 380mm in diameter. Tipping the scales at 1,320kg, the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, delivered ex-works with a welded-in safety cage, a racing bucket seat as well as a six-point harness, is a real lightweight.

The basis “Trackday” version is aimed at amateur drivers who want to take part in private track and clubsport events without major effort and outlay. The vehicle features a fixed shock absorber setup.

The ABS, ESC and traction control assistance systems ensure forgiving handling at the limit and can be deactivated. Also delivered ex-works is the air-conditioning system, a rescue hatch in the roof, a handheld fire-extinguisher and an 80-litre FT3 safety fuel cell. The non-road-homologated vehicle can be serviced at all Porsche Centres.

The “Competition” model features a raft of details relevant for racing. The shock absorbers can be adjusted in three stages. The safety fuel tank with a capacity of 115 litres is suitable for long-distance events.

Thanks to a brake balance system, the balance bias can be infinitely adjusted between the front and rear axle. An integrated air jack system guarantees fast pit stops.

The quick-release racing steering wheel adopted from the 911 GT3 R ensures a range of adjustment options for the individual needs of the drivers. An automatic fire extinguishing system adds another safety feature for the racetrack.

“The new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport possesses significantly more racing genes than its successful predecessor,” said Porsche’s head of motorsport Fritz Enzinger.

“The power of the engine has increased considerably. At the same time, we were able to increase the downforce and the cockpit is now even better suited to drivers’ needs. I’m confident that we can build on the excellent sales figures of the predecessor, of which we have delivered 421 cars.”


2017 Frankfurt Motor Show: The Audi Aicon concept car

                FRANKFURT: Design study, technology demonstrator, mobility concept: the Aicon shows Audi's idea of autonomous luxury sedan of the future.

As a design study, the four-door 2+2 boldly leaps ahead to show the exterior and interior design of the next decades. The technology demonstrator combines innovations relating to the drivetrain, suspension, digitalization and sustainability in a visionary manner.

And as a mobility concept, the Audi Aicon shows the world of tomorrow, in which the advantages of door-to-door individual transportation are combined with the luxurious ambience of a first-class airline cabin; possessing no steering wheel or pedals, but fully loaded with luxurious and ergonomic accommodation and the full range of infotainment technology.

In contrast to a robot taxi, which is pure functionality, the autonomous Audi Aicon concept vehicle has presence, and its exterior hints at the spacious comfort afforded the passengers and the upscale technical aspirations.

From the exterior, the Audi Aicon is the very definition of presence, with its sheer size – an exterior length of 5,444mm, a width of 2,100mm and a height of 1,506mm placing it firmly in the top tier of automobiles. In fact, the wheelbase measures 3,470mm, about 240mm more than with the long-wheelbase version of the new Audi A8.


WATCH LIVE: CKD Proton X70 launch

                PETALING JAYA: Today is the big day for Proton as it launches the locally assembled version of the popular X70 SUV.

The X70 debuted as a fully imported model from China in December 2018.

Proton said it has upgraded the 2020 X70 with several key new features that will help it maintain its standing as the most popular C-segment premium SUV in Malaysia.

READ MORE:
CKD Proton X70: 4 versions from RM94,800 to RM122,800
First drive: Believe it, CKD Proton X70 gets more kit and cost less

The biggest change is the adoption of a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission that replaces the 6-speed automatic. In addition, Proton has dropped a 4WD version; all four variants are now 2-wheel driven at the front.

Prices will be announced shortly.

Watch the livestream of the event below.


Chip makers have a message for car makers: Your turn to pay

                SAN FRANCISCO: The shortages of computer chips that forced global automakers to scrap production plans for millions of cars over the past two years are easing - at a new and permanent cost to the car companies.

What had been “war room operations” to manage chip shortages are becoming embedded features of vehicle development, say executives in both industries.

That has shifted the risks and some of the costs to automakers.

Newly created teams at the likes of General Motors Co, Volkswagen AG and Ford Motor Co are negotiating directly with chipmakers. Automakers like Nissan Motor Co Ltd and others are accepting longer order commitments and higher inventories.

Key suppliers including Robert Bosch (ROBG.UL) and Denso are investing in chip production.

GM and Stellantis have said they will work with chip designers to design components.

Taken together, the changes represent a fundamental shift for the auto industry: higher costs, more hands-on work in chip development and more capital commitment in exchange for better visibility in their chip supplies, executives and analysts say.

It is a U-turn for automakers who had previously relied on suppliers – or their suppliers – to source semiconductors.

For chip makers, the still-developing partnership with automakers is a welcome - and overdue reset. Many semiconductor executives point the finger at automakers’ lack of understanding of how the chip supply chain works – and an unwillingness to share cost and risk - for a large part of the recent crisis.

The costly changes are coming together just as the auto industry appears to be moving past the worst of an even more costly crisis that by one estimate has cut 13 million vehicles from global production since the start of 2021.

They never called

C.C. Wei, chief executive of the world’s biggest chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, said he had never had an auto industry executive call him - until the shortage was desperate.

“In the past two years they call me and behave like my best friend,” he told a laughing crowd of TSMC partners and customers in Silicon Valley recently.

One automaker called to urgently request 25 wafers, said Wei, who is used to fielding orders for 25,000 wafers.

“No wonder you cannot get the support.”

Thomas Caulfield, GlobalFoundries Inc chief executive, said the auto industry understands it can no longer leave the risk of building multibillion-dollar chip factories to chipmakers.

“You can't have one element of the industry carry the water for the rest of the industry,” he told Reuters.

“We will not put capacity on unless that customer is committed to it, and they have a state of ownership in that capacity.”

Ford has announced it will work with GlobalFoundries to secure its supply of chips. Mike Hogan, who heads GlobalFoundries’ automotive business, said more deals like that are in the pipeline with other car makers.

SkyWater Technology Inc, a chip manufacturer in Minnesota, is talking to automakers about putting “skin in the game” by buying equipment or paying for research and development, chief executive Thomas Sonderman told Reuters.

Working closer with carmakers and their suppliers has brought onsemi US$4 billion in long-term agreements for power management chips made from silicon carbide, a new material gaining popularity, said chief executive Hassane El-Khoury.

“We're making billions of dollars of investment every year in order to scale that operation,” he said.

“We're not going to build factories on hope.”

Michael Hurlston, the CEO of Synaptics Inc, whose chips drive touch screens, which had held up some auto production, said the recent, more direct collaboration with automakers could create new business opportunities as well as managing risks.

Hurlston said the automotive industry has warmed up to using OLED screens, which are less durable than the LCD screens, a factor that many perceived would limit their use in cars despite better contrast and lower power consumption.

“But that perception has changed pretty dramatically over the last two years. And that perception has changed as a direct result of us being able to talk to (the auto industry),” he said.

“The paradigm has really, really shifted for us.”

Chief executives of Japan’s Renesas Electronics Corp and Dutch NXP Semiconductors N.V. have both said they are co-locating engineers to help automakers design a new architecture where one computer would centrally control all functions.

“They have woken up,” said NXP CEO Kurt Sievers.

“They have understood what it takes. They try to find the right talent. It’s a big shift.”

‘We have understood’

The average semiconductor content per vehicle will exceed US$1,000 by 2026, doubling from the first year of the pandemic, according to Gartner.

One example: the battery-powered Porsche Taycan has over 8,000 chips. That will double or triple by the end of the decade, according to Volkswagen.

“We have understood that we are a part of the semiconductor industry,” said Volkswagen Group’s Berthold Hellenthal, a senior manager for semiconductor management.

“We have now people dedicated just to strategic semiconductor management.”

Securing – and keeping – chip engineers will be a challenge for automakers, which will have to compete against the likes of Alphabet Inc's Google, Amazon.com Inc and Apple Inc, said Evangelos Simoudis, a Silicon Valley venture capital investor and adviser who works with both established automakers and startups.

“I think that that would lead to acquisitions,” he said.

Unlike Tesla Inc, which designs its own core chips, Simoudis said traditional automakers will have to juggle production of legacy auto models as they make new investments.

AutoForecast Solutions (AFS) estimates that microchip shortages have forced automakers around the world to cut over 13 million vehicles from production plans since the start of 2021.

"It's an arrogant industry," said Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting at AFS. “Sometimes it just bites them in the rear.”


Honda Malaysia issues airbag recall for 23,476 vehicles

                PETALING JAYA: Honda Malaysia has announced a recall today involving 23,476 units that were previously recalled to replace the Takata front airbag inflators as a preventive measure.

The models involved in the recall for the front driver airbag inflator replacement are:
- Civic (2006 -2007 & 2009-2011) - CR-V (2007-2008 & 2010-2011) - Stream (2010 & 2012) - Insight (2011-2012) - City (2009-2013) - Jazz (2012-2013)

For models that require front passenger airbag inflator replacement:
- Accord (2003 & 2005-2006, 2008-2009 & 2011-2012) - Stream (2003-2005) - CR-V (2002-2009) - Jazz (2003-2007, 2009 & 2012) - City (2003-2009) - Civic (2003 -2011)

The recall does not affect current selling models.

Honda Malaysia has apologised for the inconvenience caused and reiterated that its customers' safety is and always will be its top priority.

The replacement is a precautionary action and is free of charge with the cost of replacement borne by the company.

Those affected are advised to replace the inflators as soon as possible and will receive notification letters containing details of the recall and stock availability.

Upon receiving the letter(s), owners will need to send their vehicle(s) to any of Honda Malaysia's 95 authorised service dealers for inspection and replacement.

The replacement of Takata front airbag inflator stock for the 23,476 units of Honda vehicles will be available in stages and the Honda Malaysia has ensured that it will provide 100% stock availability in the shortest period of time.

This particular recall phase this year does not significantly change the total number of recalled vehicles as it involves the replacement of inflators installed in vehicles previously subjected to recall.

As of Oct 1, the company has completed more than 249,000 units of Takata front driver airbag inflator replacements, which translates to 91% completion ratio.

The total number of Takata driver and passenger front airbag inflator replacements completed is at more than 537,000 units or 89% completion ratio.

Vehicle owners can check their vehicles’ recall status either by logging on to www.honda.com.my or www.productrecall.honda.com.my or by calling Honda Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020.

Honda Malaysia appeals to the affected Honda customers who have yet to replace their Takata front airbag inflators to do so urgently as it may deploy with excessive internal pressure when activated.

The defective airbag inflator casing might rupture which may result in injury or fatality of the driver and passenger.


US electric vehicle startup Canoo will offer cars by subscription only

                LOS ANGELES: Evelozcity, the US electric vehicle startup, has changed its name to Canoo and said on Monday that it will offer a range of EVs to private and commercial customers by subscription only.

Canoo is positioning itself as a “boutique California EV brand” and said it will start sales in the United States in 2021, eventually expanding to China.

The company, one of dozens of EV startups in the United States and China, has not disclosed its investors but has raised about US$1 billion, according to a source familiar with the process.

Canoo said it plans to market a four-model range that will include personal commuter and “lifestyle” vehicles, as well as commercial vehicles for ride and delivery services. The so-called lifestyle vehicle is meant to provide the space and functionality of an SUV, the company said.

Canoo did not provide any details on pricing but said it would not have a dealer network. It will offer a variety of subscriptions of different duration, some bundled with insurance and related services.

Founded in late 2017 and based in a Los Angeles suburb, Canoo said it is planning a “lean” operation that will rely on a contract manufacturer to assemble its vehicles.

In mid-March, German publication Automobilwoche reported the company was in talks with Canadian supplier Magna International and its unit Magna-Steyr to assemble the startup’s vehicles in the United States.

Canoo said it is “evaluating partners for manufacturing but no contracts are signed yet.” Magna declined to comment.

Canoo said it plans to partner with a provider of self-driving technology for future automated versions of its vehicles.

The startup said its vehicle designs will be non-traditional, with “a minimalist design that maximises interior space.”

Canoo said it has 350 employees and announced several key hires, including former executives of Uber, SAIC Motor and STMicroelectronics.

The company was founded by Stefan Krause, Ulrich Kranz and Richard Kim, all of whom worked previously at another California-based EV startup, Faraday Future. Krause is a former top executive at Deutsche Bank. Kranz was a senior vice president at BMW’s electric vehicle unit. Kim previously led the exterior design of the BMW i3.

The founding team was joined last year by another industry veteran, Karl-Thomas Neumann, former chief executive of German automaker Opel and head of Volkswagen AG’s China operation.


Euro5 diesel to replace Euro2M from April 1

                PUTRAJAYA: The government will implement the Euro 5 fuel specification to replace Euro 2M diesel starting tomorrow, says Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

The Environment and Water Minister said all manufacturers, suppliers and petrol stations were required to comply with the implementation in line with the Environmental Quality (Control of Petrol and Diesel Properties) Regulations 2007 and the Environmental Quality (Control of Petrol and Diesel Properties) (Amendment) Regulations 2021.

"The implementation of the Euro5 diesel specification is part of the government's efforts to improve the status of air quality as outlined in the Clean Air Action Plan 2010," he said today.

According to him, the original date for the implementation of Euro5 diesel was Sept 1,2020, but on June 10,2020, the Cabinet decided to postpone the enforcement to April 1 this year due to constraints faced by the industries as well as the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tuan Ibrahim said the nationwide implementation would be able to improve air quality as Euro5 is cleaner and has a lower sulphur content of 10 parts per million (ppm) compared to Euro2M’s sulphur content of 500ppm.


Ducati marks 25th anniversary of Monster with special edition

                BOLOGNA: Ducati is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its legendary muscle model Monster with a limited, special edition: Ducati has announced it will be producing 500 numbered special copies of the Monster 1200.

In Europe, the naked bike will be launched in September and can already be pre-ordered.

Ducati has yet to name prices. The finish on the model’s cockpit panel, the tank and the rear seat cover will be in the colours of the Italian flag. The bike's forged wheels produced by the firm Marchesini are painted gold.

Other features include an adjustable Ohlins steering damper and carbon fibre fender.

The engine delivers 147hp at 9,250rpm. Various riding modes, ABS tilt and a quick shift system for clutch-free gear changes are also included on board. A protective tarp with Ducati’s "25" logo will also be included in the package.