Carsome flags off first mobile digital toppers

                KUALA LUMPUR: Carsome became one of the first adopters of a newly launched mobile programmatic digital out-of-home (pDOOH) advertising, as part of its effort to reach out to more people within the untapped offline markets.

The latest advertising activation by Southeast Asia’s largest car e-commerce platform aims to showcase the quality assurance when one buys from Carsome, where consumers have access to the largest selection of over 1,000 Carsome Certified cars covered by the Carsome Promise pledge.

Carsome Certified is also an industry-leading standard that provides peace of mind for consumers who want to move forward in mobility solutions.

Carsome chief brand officer Derek Tan said Carsome gravitated towards the latest in innovation as it is a data-driven technology company.

“Through this highly innovative advertising technology, Carsome can create impactful communication and amplify our peace of mind message to offline markets, now also powered by data,” said Tan.

 Tan.

The mobile pDOOH architecture is powered by Enomad, a proprietary software launched this month by leading provider of outdoor advertising services, Seni Jaya Corp Bhd.

The digital toppers that are customised as part of the creative design are highly-customisable geotagged ads displayed via car top
LED screens installed on e-hailing cars.

Each vehicle is GPS-tracked, with reporting conducted on location-based exposure through a user-friendly platform.

The entire data landscape is then condensed and optimized to ensure effective reach and geographical coverage and frequency as a media platform.

The integrated and robust data-empowered approach ensures that the media platform learns and optimizes in real time for the best outcomes.

Recently, both Carsome and Seni Jaya held a flag-off event, where a convoy of 50 Carsome-wrapped, digital toppers-equipped cars cruised around Klang Valley.

 (From left) Seni Jaya CEO Jeff Cheah See Heong, Carsome Certified general manager Alan Cheah and Enomad managing director Brahma Shakthi flagging-off the convoy of 50 Carsome-wrapped, digital toppers-equipped cars.

The external car wraps are aimed at reaching geographic areas that are difficult to reach by other means of outdoor advertising, such as billboards and buses.

“All these efforts help us to continue establishing Carsome as the top-of-mind brand when it comes to car buying and selling and to remain as the market leader in all aspects of the business, including advertising innovation.

“We want to communicate through mediums that are experiential but also moves the needle for consumers who desire to move forward in mobility solutions,” added Tan.

The pDOOH activation by Carsome is part of the local amplification of its #MakeItCarsome regional brand campaign.


Cycle & Carriage Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile rolls out

                PETALING JAYA: Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad (C&C) has mobilised its Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile to bring service convenience to the doorstep of its customers in the Klang Valley.

The mobile service is able to perform scheduled maintenance service, wiper blade replacement, oil filter, air filter, combi filter and dust filter replacement, key battery replacement and car battery replacement - all at the owner's place of residence.

Utilising a Mercedes-Benz Vito, the mobile service aims to provide a hassle-free maintenance service for their vehicle.

Customers within Klang Valley are able to schedule an appointment with the company's Call Centre (+603–7866 1100).

The company says that it is compliant with current health and safety requirements with all contact points in the vehicle to be sanitised before and after every service with temperature checks on its technicians conducted daily.

Customers are provided with cost estimates for a service which includes an itemised list of parts and labour costs.

The mobile service is staffed with two qualified technicians fully equipped with the Xentry Diagnosis system, special tools and technician hand tools for the job.

During the MCO period, the mobile service operates from Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 3.00pm, and Saturday from 9.00am to 12.00pm - except Sundays and public holidays.

“Introduced to the Malaysian market in 2018 on a trial basis, the Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile service now provides customers with peace-of-mind as they are able to remain within the safety and comfort of their homes,” said C&C CEO Wilfrid Foo.


New SP grade lubricant promises better protection for Honda engines

                PETALING JAYA: Honda Malaysia has introduced a new engine oil quality of SP Grade that offers greater engine protection for Honda car owners.

The new grade engine oil enables Honda engines to provide stable performance and better fuel economy while prolonging their lifespan.

The SP Grade engine oil will replace the existing SN Grade range except for the SN 0W-30 Fully-Synthetic which will still be available for cars with high performance engines such as the Civic Type R.

Suitable for most petrol and turbocharged engines, the SP Grade engine oil is approved and recommended by Honda Research & Development (R&D) and formulated to meet all requirements of Honda engines and latest standards issued by the American Petroleum Institute (API).

The SP Grade engine oil also comes with a timing chain wear protection to minimise timing chain elongation.

In addition to improved high temperature deposit protection for pistons and turbochargers, it also provides better sludge and varnish control, valve train and intake lifter wear protection, higher oxidation stability as well as emission control system protection.

The lower viscosity properties in SP 0W-20 Fully-Synthetic allows the engine to maximise efficiency while delivering high-level protection for key engine components.

Honda Malaysia said the introduction of the SP Grade engine oil will enable customers to enjoy driving with maximised engine efficiency and is part of its objectives to provide excellent after-sales service satisfaction and the joy of ownership for Honda car owners.

For details on the new Honda engine oil, customers can visit any of the 102 Honda authorised dealerships nationwide or call Honda Malaysia’s Toll-Free number at 1-800-88-2020 or log onto www.honda.com.my or download the HondaTouch application.


Volvo rolls out compact XC40 in latest upmarket move under Geely

                MILAN: Volvo Cars showed off its first compact SUV today with the launch of its XC40 model, the latest in a sweeping overhaul of the carmaker’s line-up under Chinese ownership.

Volvo will seek to emulate the success of its larger XC90 and best-selling XC60 SUVs, which have put it on course for a fourth straight year of record sales.

The XC40, which will first be produced at Volvo’s plant in Belgium and later also in China, is a direct competitor to the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes GLA and the Jaguar E-PACE.

Deliveries in Europe will start in the middle of the first quarter of 2018, in the United States by the end of March and in China by early May. In Germany the model will have a starting price of 31,350 euros (RM158,000).

The XC40 will also launch Volvo’s new subscription service, under which customers can pay a flat fee per month - in Europe of 699 euros (RM3,505) - and get a new car every 24 months, just like with a mobile phone.

Since it was bought from Ford by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group in 2010, Volvo has taken on larger rivals such as BMW and Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz with new, more upmarket models.

“The XC40 is our first entry in the small SUV segment, broadening the appeal of the Volvo brand and moving it in a new direction,” CEO Hakan Samuelsson said.

SUVs have been growing in popularity and are expected to make up almost half of all sales within the C, mid-size segment by 2020, data from IHS Markit shows, compared with just 20 percent a decade earlier.

“The XC40 is entering a crowded segment, but it’s a segment that’s still growing,” said Ian Fletcher, an automotive analyst at IHS Markit.

Volvo will be trying to appeal to customers looking for a high driving position, practicality and muscular looks of an SUV but with modest off-road capabilities and better efficiency.

“Volvo is ploughing its own furrow and is trying to offer an interesting alternative to the German carmakers,” Fletcher said.

“This will appeal to city dwellers, people looking for some aspects of an SUV but with the cool Volvo styling.”

Fletcher sees the XC40 selling around 100,000 units next year, rising to just under 120,000 the following year.

The XC40 will edge Volvo closer to its medium-term sales target of 800,000 cars, up from 534,332 last year and is the first model to come off a new modular vehicle architecture (CMA), which was developed with Geely in a bid to keep down costs and boost flexibility.

The Gothenburg-based company said in July all of its models launched after 2019 would be electric or hybrids.

After struggling under Ford, the comeback at Volvo has prompted market speculation of a potential initial public offering. Samuelsson reiterated a listing was “an option for our owner” but right now the company was not preparing an IPO.


MAA collecting B10 biodiesel feedback

                PETALING JAYA: Car makers other than BMW and Mercedes-Benz are silent on the proposed plan by the Malaysian Government to introduce B10 biodiesel from October.

The industry players whom CarSifu reached declined to be quoted on the issue, with one official saying the Malaysian Automotive Association would be the right authority to make a stand on the B10 programme.

When contacted, Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Datuk Aishah Ahmad said the association, which represents the major car companies locally, is seeking feedback from its members over a one-month period before it could comment on the matter.

However, one Japanese truck maker said it stood by a Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc recommendation that going beyond the B5 blend would undermine vehicle performance.

Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the Government was open to further discussions in resolving the impasse with BMW after the premium car maker  strongly protested on June 8 against the use of B10, which it said could cause sludge build-up and damage engines.

BMW Group Malaysia managing director and CEO Alan Harris said, however, the current B7 blend is compatible with its diesel cars.

Mercedes-Benz followed up by announcing on July 1 that its diesel cars were able to run on B10 diesel without problems.

“After having initially stated that the B10 biodiesel blend requires further consideration, we are now pleased to inform our customers about the B10 biodiesel blend suitability for all Mercedes-Benz diesel vehicles currently sold by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia president and CEO Roland Folger.

BMW's Harris had said its tests also showed that using  10% of palm-based methyl ester with petroleum diesel resulted in higher levels of water in the fuel, which would lead to corrosion of parts that  transport the fuel and promotes oxidation in the tank, causing a blocked fuel filter.

The Government is pushing  the B10 programme in efforts to increase palm consumption from about 700,000 tonnes to 1 million. This would help stabilise the price of the commodity, which has gone down more than 20% since last year.

Provided that corrosion and other use-related issues are resolved, the widespread use of biofuels help reduce vehicle emissions, especially tailpipe CO2 emissions.

While the B10 programme has divided the Malaysian auto industry, the United States uses much higher-level diesel blends.

According to the US Department of Energy, B20  is the most common biodiesel blend in the United States as it represents a good balance of cost, emissions, cold-weather performance, materials compatibility, and ability to act as a solvent.

B20 and lower-level blends generally do not require engine modifications, it said, adding that engines operating on B20 have similar fuel consumption, horsepower, and torque to engines running on petroleum diesel.


Beijing autoshow: Demand rebound, EV boom mix with murky outlook

A visitor posing for a picture beside the Dongfeng Motor Warrior armoured truck at the Beijing Auto Show today. — AFP
BEIJING: China's auto market has rebounded smartly from the Covid-19 (coronavirus) crash in recent months, especially for high-end cars, but questions about the durability of that recovery will hang over the Beijing autoshow, starting today.

A rare industry event being held in person during the pandemic, the show marks a triumph for the world's biggest car market, pummelled from late last year as lockdowns froze activity in the world's second-biggest economy, where the disease erupted.

This show will be a far cry from the usual ebullience as fewer attend, new models are scant and prospects remain uncertain.

Among the bright spots: the Chinese market's sharp bounce since April, strong demand for midsize to large luxury vehicles and a flood of interest - and investment - in electric vehicles.

China's auto sales rose 11.6% in August from a year earlier, the fifth straight rise after plunging on coronavirus lockdowns. When almost all residents were told to stay home in February, sales collapsed a record 79% to their lowest since 2005.

The "Golden September, Silver October" period is off to a good start, according to preliminary data, with passenger car sales up 12% in the first 20 days of September.

The rebound means this year's sales will fall less than 10%, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers estimates, better than its May forecast of a 15% to 25% decline.

Much of the upturn is driven by sales of larger passenger cars by such makers as Daimler and BMW, boosted by new models, automakers' discounts and a broader economic recovery.

Premium vehicles accounted for a record 15% of the Chinese market in August, up from around 10% for all of last year, said the China Passenger Car Association.

Electric vehicles are also providing buzz to the Beijing show, as a boom in Tesla shares has propelled interest in China, where EV startups like Nio, Xpeng, Li Auto and WM Motor have together raised more than $8 billion this year.

But the recent improvement reflects Chinese carmakers making earlier model launches as they could not wait for the usual hype from the delayed autoshow before going to market. That suggests a more limited upside to the current sales rise.

"This year's auto sales are very different from previous years," said senior LMC Automotive analyst Alan Kang. "Many cars were sold during summer because customers delayed purchases after the lockdown."

Sales of larger sedans and sport-utility vehicles have returned to last year's levels, but competition among mass-market brands is intensifying, said Yale Zhang, head of Shanghai-based consultancy AutoForesight.

That's a key battle ground for international and domestic brands including Volkswagen, Toyota, and Geely. Still, he said, "Sales performance in these two months will give us clue of what will happen next."


First drive of new Honda Jazz hybrid

                The launch of the new facelifted Honda Jazz in June marked the return of the hybrid variant along with the three petrol variants – S, E and V with prices ranging from RM74,800 to RM88,400 while the new Jazz hybrid is priced at RM87,500 (prices are on-the-road with insurance).

The Jazz Hybrid was last introduced on our shores back in 2012 and now, the latest hybrid fetures an Atkinson cycle 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine and a new transmission known as the Sport Hybrid i-DCD system which consists of a seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox with an integrated electric motor, a lithium ion battery, an electro servo brake system for energy regeneration and an electric driven compressor.

The i-DCD stands for Intelligent Dual-Clutch Drive.

The engine alone produces 109hp and 134Nm of torque while the combined output with the hybrid system produces 135hp and 170Nm of torque. As such, the Jazz hybrid produces an output equivalent to a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated engine.

The new i-DCD system replaces the previous Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system and the lithium ion battery system has twice the power output and 1.5 times its energy capacity while also being lighter and more compact in size.

Some of the unique features in the hybrid version includes the purpose-built instrument panel with hybrid displays for energy flow, Sport meter and Eco display.

READ MORE: First drive of new Honda City hybrid

And you won’t miss the space-age design of the gear selector in the centre console.

Interestingly, the new gear selector lets you switch between Reverse, Neutral, Drive and L for low gear with two buttons for P (park) and S (sporty shift logic which disengages EV mode).

This means you do not have the option of shifting gears manually but this only applies to the Jazz hybrid as the Honda City hybrid (the other hybrid option in the Honda stable) which has the same gear selector unit comes with paddle shifters for manual control.

Now I did miss having paddle shifters on the Jazz only because it would have added a sporty appeal to the overall package.

However, this seven speed dual-clutch transmission is unlike other dual-clutch units I have experienced.

The gears do not climb as fast for a dual clutch system but is more exciting compared to the CVT (continuously variable transmission) automatic units found on the petrol variants which simply drones the whole way through.

As such, the Jazz hybrid does embody the best of both worlds between new and old automobile technology as it gives you the traditional sensation of a shifting gearbox unit while being more efficient with mileage and restricting emissions through the use of the electric motor.

The latter is evident as the Jazz hybrid starts up using the electric motor before either combining it with the combustion engine or depending on the combustion engine completely for certain situations.

This method eliminates cold starts which emits higher levels of emissions.

For the outstation drive, members of the media set off from Kuala Lumpur and headed to Kuantan, Pahang and then to Kuala Dungun, Terengganu.

There were three to a car with luggage and the car never felt underpowered throughout the hilly climbs of the Karak highway.

Having the option to turn on cruise control on the highways is a plus too. It offers a quiet drive with very low levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).

Overall, the Jazz hybrid was a fun compact car to drive and it feels more balanced which can be attributed to the weight of battery unit under the boot.

I found the petrol variant to be a little light in high speed situations. We drove through B-roads and the Jazz handled well in those situations too. What I really liked about the Jazz hybrid is that it retained the functionality of space by folding the rear seats and the front passenger seat flat.

Putting the battery under the boot was a wise decision indeed as this still allows the Jazz to carry long and tall objects in the car.

If you are after a hybrid car, then the new Jazz hybrid is the most affordable you can find in Malaysia right now.
Honda Malaysia offers a 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage at 10,000km service intervals and an 8-year warranty for its lithium-ion battery on top of it.

SPECIFICATIONSHonda Jazz Sport Hybrid i-DCD

Engine: 1,496cc, Atkinson-cycle, DOHC i-VTEC, 4-cylinder, 16 Valve,
Maximum power: 110PS at 6,000rpm
Maximum torque: 134Nm at 5,000rpm
Motor maximum power: 30kW
Motor maximum torque: 160Nm
Battery: Lithium-Ion
Transmission: 7-Speed Dual Clutch Transmission (i-DCD)
Features: Four airbags, halogen headlights, 15-inch alloy wheels, Halogen headlights, LED daytime running lights, Fabric seats (black), Touch panel auto air-conditioning, Steering wheel audio control, 7-cup holders, 6.8-inch touchscreen audio with 1 HDMI port, 1 USB port, Hands-free telephone steering switch control, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Multi-angle reverse camera, cruise control
Price: RM87,500 (on-the-road with insurance and GST)


As tech ascends, has CES made Detroit Auto Show an afterthought?

The Nvidia Roborace autonomous concept race car at CES in Las Vegas.
DETROIT: This year's Detroit Auto Show has unfolded with the slick precision of a corporate infomercial, filled with sparkly new offerings, but little of the crackle of something truly innovative.

There were no launches of major new electric vehicles and no significant news on autonomous cars that hadn't come out a week earlier at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Instead, the annual Motor City gathering was dominated by revamps of tried-and-true models, especially pickups and SUVs that have been the foundation of US car sales in recent years.

Like many other industries, automakers know now to show up at CES for the buzziest discussions about technology that affects their sectors.

Critics question the relevance of the Detroit show as CES grabs more attention.

"At Detroit, you see the cars of yesterday. At Las Vegas, you get a glimpse of the cars of tomorrow," said Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer of the Center for Automotive Research at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany.

Dudenhoeffer said all conventional car shows have lost some of their lustre in recent years, but Detroit is even more diminished than Frankfurt or Tokyo, in part because so many of the vehicles presented are massive gas guzzlers that have no overseas market.

Max Muncey, a spokesman for the Detroit Auto Show, brushed aside talk that CES has rendered Detroit a has-been, running through a litany of best-selling US vehicles that were first introduced in Detroit.

"There's a lot of wasted air that's happening down there about technology and products that are never going to see the light of day," Muncey said of CES, adding that there are actually "synergies" between the two events.

"I think discussions there are about five, 10, 15 years out from making the road," he said. Technologies discussed in Detroit are "going to be on vehicles within the next 12 months."

The show, officially called the North American International Auto Show, was originally devised in the 1980s to boost the US auto industry amid the rise of Japanese and German imports.

The event in those years featured such iconic figures as Lee Iacocca, a legendary executive at both Ford and Chrysler, and Roger Smith of General Motors.

In 1989, both Toyota and Nissan chose Detroit to officially launch their luxury lines, Lexus and Infiniti. The show has also seen plenty of head-spinning stunts, such as in 2008, when Dodge unleashed a parade of longhorn cattle and cowboys through downtown Detroit to launch a new Dodge Ram truck.

The 2017 show at the Cobo Center in downtown Detroit drew more than 5,000 media members from 61 countries and more than 800,000 visitors from the general public. Between the show itself and side events at hotels and restaurants, it generated $450 million in economic impact for Detroit, according to data from NAIAS.

But longtime observers say the show has lost some zest, partly because there are few genuine surprises among vehicle launches.

Adding to that is the diminished importance of the US car market as other emerging countries have taken to the roads. The US share of global auto sales was 20 percent in 2017, down from 35 percent in 2000, according to figures cited by Dudenhoeffer.

CES only became a big priority for auto execs in the last couple of years as electric cars and autonomous technology became bigger priorities. Part of the problem for Detroit is CES' proximity on the calendar, which can make the car show seem like an afterthought.

At CES this year, Ford announced a series of projects, such as a "transportation mobility cloud" that links communication from a city's public transit systems, and Mercedes-Benz' Smart Vision EQ, a self-driving smart car prototype. Execs from Toyota, GM and other car companies also made headlines.

But Detroit defenders say the show remains essential because it offers access to an unmatched array of industry executives, suppliers and academics. Not all the biggest names present publicly, but many stop through for one-on-one meetings at the Cobo Center, said Muncey.

"At the end of the day, we have something special here in Detroit and nobody can take that away from us," Muncey said, noting the city's network of big auto suppliers, manufacturers and researchers.

"We bring in the global CEOs that are really unparalleled at both a tech side and an industry side."

Fiat Chrysler chief executive Sergio Marchionne said there is still no substitute for a venue like Detroit as an industry networking hub that surveys today's cars.

"Do I think there's a better way to get it done? Probably," Marchionne said. "But I'm not sure you can dismiss the institution."


Toyota to invest US$624mil to make EV parts in India

                MUMBAI: Toyota Group plans to invest 48 billion rupees (RM2.7bil or US$624 million) to make electric vehicle components in India, as the Japanese carmaker works towards carbon neutrality by 2050.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts signed a memorandum of understanding with the southern state of Karnataka to invest 41 billion rupees, the group said in a statement Saturday.

The rest will come from Toyota Industries Engine India.

Toyota is aligning its own green targets with India’s ambitions of becoming a manufacturing hub though the switch to clean transport in the South Asian nation is slower than other countries such as China and the US.

Expensive price tags, lack of options in electric models and insufficient charging stations have led to sluggish adoption of battery vehicles in India.

"From a direct employment point of view, we are looking at around 3,500 new jobs,” Toyota Kirloskar executive vice president Vikram Gulati told the Press Trust of India in an interview.

"As the supply chain system builds, we expect much more to come in later.”

He added that the company would be moving towards a new area of technology - electrified powertrain parts - with production going to start in the "very near-term.”

Indian automakers could generate US$20 billion in revenue from electric vehicles between now and fiscal year 2026, according to forecast by Crisil.

By 2040, 53% of new automobile sales in India will be electric, compared with 77% in China, according to BloombergNEF.


F1 fears lockdowns may hit end of season races

                IMOLA: Formula One fears that further Covid-19 lockdowns across Europe could hit the sport as Lewis Hamilton heads towards a record-equalling seventh world title, his Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said.

Speaking ahead of this weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the third race to be held in Italy in an extraordinary coronavirus-affected season, Wolff said developments were worrying.

"The situation is becoming more difficult," he said at the autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari on Friday. "F1 does not put anyone in danger as we stay in our microcosm, but we also cannot ignore that the number of cases in various countries is growing rapidly.

"At some point, the leaders of these countries may decide to close the borders which may affect our plans."

Wolff was also concerned about F1's provisional plans for an unprecedented 23-race season next year.

"As of now, Chase Carey (F1 chief executive) has assured us that the schedule remains in place," he said. "But he also said that, against the backdrop of a progressing pandemic, no one knows what the situation will be in a week - let alone a month."


Xpeng could consider acquisitions to expand capacity

                DETROIT: Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng Inc would consider acquiring less successful rivals to expand production capacity in the future, company president Brian Gu told reporters during a conference call.

Xpeng is building two new factories in China.

At the same time, the Chinese government is signalling it wants to see consolidation in the Chinese electric vehicle sector to rein in construction of unproductive factories.

"If we need additional capacity in a year or two…we may think about using M&A as a tool to get more capacity," Gu said.


Self-parking cars and driverless trucks: The next step in automation

                MUNICH/STUTTGART: A quick tap on a smartphone app and your car is already finding a parking space in car park - and all without you having to sit behind the wheel. It's a dream come true for anyone with a phobia of parking garages (and for anyone in a hurry).

After front and rear beepers came cameras for a better overview when parking. Now the first models can drive themselves into the parking space without any human intervention.

To do so, the cars have to meet Level 4 on the internationally recognised scale of automated driving functions. Up to now, cars have only assisted drivers when parking, which requires, at most, Level 2.

Because there doesn’t have to be a human onboard, a self-parking car needs to be reliable "99.99999999% of the time," says Markus Lienkamp, professor of automotive engineering at the Technical University of Munich.

"That's an enormous challenge that requires fast, predictive, and very good sensors and computers."

One of the first manufacturers to arrive at that level is Mercedes-Benz. Together with Bosch, the company has received approval for a Level 4 system in a parking garage at Stuttgart Airport. This will allow suitably equipped S-Class and EQS models to park there without a driver.

"The challenge is that the system must perform this task in all situations, even if another car suddenly blocks the way," says Joachim Missel, who heads the autonomous driving development department at Mercedes.

Parking by app

First, the driver reserves a parking space using the Mercedes app. In a defined handover area in the parking garage the car is left to its own devices and the parking process is initiated using the app.

In order for the car to park successfully, it needs its own infrastructure in the parking garage: specially developed stereo cameras from Bosch and a radio link so that information can be shared between the parking garage and the vehicle.

"The safety risk is low; the sensors don't have to look as far or as quickly ahead as they do at highway speeds," Lienkamp says.

But automakers are aiming at more than just self-parking cars. With more powerful sensors, Level 4 will also be possible at high speeds before the end of this decade.

Initially, this will be reserved for luxury vehicles such as those from Audi, BMW, Porsche and Mercedes. Or, perhaps, trucks?

Driverless juggernauts

There are already practical examples of this, and truck manufacturer MAN has joined forces with the Technical University of Munich and other partners to build the Truck Atlas-L4.

In this test project on public roads, a trailer is delivered by a driver to a lift station. There, a Level 4 truck takes over the load and drives independently to the next logistics centre.

However, a human is still on board to intervene if necessary. At the destination, a driver takes over the trailer again and brings it to the customer with a conventional truck.

In the US, Torc Robotics has converted several trucks into autonomous vehicles and has been driving them around the the southern part of the country. There’s still a human behind the wheel but in two years the trucks are supposed to be able to travel on their own.

Powerful computers along with around 40 sensors with cameras, radar, microphones and lidar technology should make driving possible even in fog and snow.

Torc provides redundancy for safety-relevant components such as the steering, brakes and the onboard network so that if one instance fails, another takes over immediately.

Trucks are more expensive to automate than cars, but the effort pays off. Thanks to automation, they could stay in service longer at a time, saving time, money and resources, according to Peter Vaughan Schmidt, CEO of Torc Robotics.

"At the same time, it reduces accidents because truckers don't have to get behind the wheel while overtired," he says.


Bugatti Mistral roadster, swansong to W16 engine, in Riyadh on Mid-east tour

                MOLSHEIM (France): Following its Middle East debut in the United Arab Emirates, the W16 Mistral’s next journey takes it to Riyadh.

The roadster tours the sights of the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ahead of an exclusive preview event at the Bugatti Riyadh showroom.

Named after a one-of-a-kind wind that heralds the new seasons in southern France, the 1,600 PS W16 quad-turbo Bugatti W16 Mistral is a final roadgoing swansong for the W16 engine.

These visits give guests a rare opportunity to catch a glimpse of the W16 Mistral, with all 99 examples – priced at €5 million (RM23.4mil) each – already secured by Bugatti customers.

The "X"-shaped taillights hint at the future of Bugatti design, while the black and yellow-themed interior pays homage to the favoured colours of the company’s founder, Ettore Bugatti.

This elegant roadster introduces an entirely new vision for Bugatti design, led by a new wider, deeper and more three-dimensional horseshoe grille, as well as a completely reinterpreted open-air Bugatti C-line, which wraps around the side air intake.

It now connects into the top edge of the side windows and then three-dimensionally transforms across the top edge of the windscreen.

W16 Mistral’s last stop will be the Bugatti Riyadh showroom, which is operated by SAMACO Automotive – Bugatti’s official partner in Saudi Arabia.

The flagship site, one of the newest Bugatti showrooms in the world, is located within one of Riyadh’s most sought-after districts. The showroom is set to host an exclusive preview event for select customers to experience first-hand the myriad bespoke details that set the W16 Mistral apart.

Bugatti Riyadh was opened in 2021 in partnership with SAMACO Automotive to cater for the numerous Bugatti owners already in the kingdom.

Bugatti had previously hosted drive events in Saudi Arabia, as customers explored the dynamism of the Chiron Pur Sport on the coastal roads of Jeddah and the rolling horizons around the city of Riyadh.

Bugatti also chose Saudi Arabia as the Middle Eastern location to debut the Chiron Sport3 ‘Les Legendes du Ciel’ – an exclusive edition paying homage to legendary French pilots central to Bugatti’s history and enduring legend.

Bugatti first unveiled the W16 Mistral to the world at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering during Monterey Car Week in the United States in August, before it then debuted in Europe at Chantilly Arts & Elegance.

Bugatti’s latest hyper sports car has been touring the Middle East since then, with the Arabian Peninsula one of the most important regions in the world for Bugatti.


Porsche Design celebrates 50 years of iconic builds

                NEW YORK: This year marks the 50th anniversary of Porsche Design, the design studio and brand Ferdinand Alexander Porsche founded in 1972 in Stuttgart, Germany.

Most notable for his design of the original Porsche 911s now worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, Porsche earned fame for his firm’s ingenious takes on common objects: chairs, luggage, writing and cooking utensils, lamps, and other appliances.

Some of the designs, such as the wraparound P’8479 sunglasses Yoko Ono wore on the cover of Rolling Stone in 1981, have become legendary, worldwide bestsellers.

Others, perhaps not as well known, like the all-black and titanium timepieces, are highly sought by collectors.

In its current form, the design studio became a subsidiary of Porsche AG in 2003 and was officially renamed Studio F.A. Porsche in 2015. It has been headquartered in Zell am See, Austria, since 1974.

A new book, 50 Years of Porsche Design (Delius Klasing Verlag; $60) will come out on May 31.

It starts with F.A. Porsche’s childhood and chronicles five decades of his company’s innovation and technical design, offering text in German and English, with more than 300 photos.

As the book tells us, Porsche was a natural-born designer who began at an early age.

During war near their home, he and his brothers would build and carve their own toys to play with, like wooden dogs.

One Easter when he was young, his mother gave him and his siblings a basket full of eggs to paint.

Porsche used a toy metal construction set to build a rotating holder that would spin as the children held a brush to dye the eggs. Porsche always said that design is good only if you could easily recognize the product behind it.

Aside from designing the original Porsche 911 car, he also developed upgrades to it, like the four-spoke steering wheel which placed the horn button where you could honk it with your thumb while driving, and therefore never have to take your hands off the wheel.

A known bath lover who spent his evenings in front of the den fireplace, looking at design publications or nature magazines, Porsche would often sketch or paint in between puffs from his famous pipe, which he designed in 1983.

Made from briar root and aluminum, the Porsche Design pipe has signature parallel cooling fins modelled after the air-cooled, single-cylinder motorcycle engine. The increased surface area helps cool the smoke, enhancing the aroma of the tobacco.

The fact that the shank of the pipe is made from a flavourful root adds to the smoker’s experience. The wireless speaker PDS50 from 2020 follows suit, using concentric layers of solid aluminum. Its wireless charging surface and recessed bass reflex port mean it is rugged enough to be used outside.

The first product Porsche Design ever released was the Porsche Chronograph 1 wristwatch in 1972.

It was the first all-black chronograph watch-and with its then-futuristic PVD coating, became an instant popular success. (Years later, Tom Cruise famously wore it in Top Gun increasing its profile even more.) Early editions say "Orfina” on the dial, after the Swiss company who made the movement.

At the time when it came out, the watch was considered affordable and competed against the likes of Heuer and Omega; vintage examples retail today for about US$5,000 to US$10,000.

Subsequent limited edition versions are still produced. In 1976, Porsche Design got into skiing-ski goggles to be exact.

The futuristic design of the Carrera 5600 goggles includes a panoramic visor for a wide, uninterrupted field of view while their compact shape allows for easy storage in a pocket or bag.

Lightweight and comfortable to wear, the unisex goggles fit any head size thanks to an adjustable Velcro band.

The historic Porsche Carrera GT supercar made between 2003 and 2007 inspired the limited-edition Fearless 28 powerboat in 2007. You can see the similarities between the two: a sleek and body smooth with high shoulders and tunnels across the back.

The 28-foot-long speedboat has a five-piece, carbon-reinforced hull and a V-10 engine designed by the makers of the Dodge Viper engine. It can reach 90mph. Only 25 of them were made.

Porsche Design has done some of its best work over the years in the sunglasses division, and the folding glasses F0.9 from 1995 are a prime example.

Their aim was to provide a pair of athletic shades with frames that bring each pane as close to the athlete’s head as possible, for a tight fit that won’t budge during tennis, cycling, or running. So Porsche Design workers made them foldable.

That way, they are super slim and flexible, with a width of just 9mm and "practical indestructible polycarbonate lenses,” according to Porsche.

Japanese multimedia artist and musician Yoko Ono made the 1979 Porsche Design Sports Shield sunglasses iconic when she appeared with them on the cover of Rolling Stone in 1981.

While grieving the death of her husband, John Lennon, she reportedly refused to be photographed without sunglasses.

The large reflective lenses are screwed to the frame and wrap around the entire head, shading the wearer’s eyes without impeding visibility.

Ono had been photographed in a pair of Porsche wrap-around sunglasses in her apartment at the Dakota building on Central Park West in New York in 1981.

The photo was taken on the first anniversary of Lennon’s murder outside the building.

The bobble-head shape and customisable two-tone colours of Porsche Design’s CP4 helmet from 1976 capture the wild, free-range attitude of motorcycle culture at the time.

A system that allows the visor to slide into the outer cover of the helmet protected it from scratches, while a special integrated cleaning system made sure it would come back out clean. Prices range from US$800 to about US$1,000 today.

In 1994, Porsche Design partnered with Italian furniture fabricator Ycami to build an aluminum chair for indoor and outdoor use. The polished die-cast chair is stylish but missed on a crucial beat: It got red-hot when left in the sunshine.

Subsequent issues of this design came with a seat and backrest made from pastel-coloured plastic. High-speed skiing is kind of like high-speed driving. You need precision, reliability, and instant feedback.

In 2020, Slovenian ski manufacturer Elan worked with Porsche Design to create a set of carbon, titanium, and plywood skis to do all of that.

Since then, the companies have come out with multiple variations of the design, such as the US$597 Porsche Design x Elan Amphibio pair for the experienced skier who wants stability and speed.

Heralded for its strong but lightweight properties, titanium has played a big part of Porsche Design history, as it has in automotive history.

The titanium chronograph the company unveiled in 1980 was the first watch ever made completely from the silver-toned element.

It comes with the word "titan” engraved on its face, along with integrated dials and a brutalist-style titanium bracelet.

The design has been reissued in limited amounts so newer generations could appreciate its functionality and style.


All-new Honda City arrives, priced from RM74K; hybrid coming in January

                KUALA LUMPUR: Honda Malaysia has launched the latest City today with four variants on offer.

With the sales-tax exemption lasting until the end of the year, the locally-assembled City now costs (on-the-road without insurance) RM74,192 for the entry-level S variant, while the E variant is RM81,665 and the V variant is RM86,562.

On Jan 1, 2021, the S variant will cost RM76,800 instead, while the E variant will increase to RM84,800 and the V variant to RM89,800.

READ MORE: First drive of new Honda City

There are five colour options for the fifth-generation City namely Passion Red Pearl, Platinum White Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, and Crystal Black Pearl.

Colour choices for the RS variant is limited to Passion Red Pearl, Platinum White Pearl and Modern Steel Metallic.

The City has received the EEV (energy-efficient vehicle) status as well as the full five-star crash-test rating from ASEAN New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP).

It is accompanied by a five-year unlimited mileage warranty with free labour service.

The price of the flagship City RS e:HEV variant would be revealed upon its arrival in Malaysia in January 2021.

Malaysia is the first country in the world to launch the hybrid City outside of Japan and the company says it targets to sell 3,000 units per month. This figure will be adjusted to 3,500 units once the RS variant arrives.

In standard form, the City powers its front wheels with a 1.5-litre (1,498cc) engine with 16-valves and dual-overhead cams that are managed by Honda's highly-acclaimed i-VTEC technology to optimise power delivery and efficiency.

The engine uses a continuously variable transmission to manage its output that's rated at 121PS at 6,600rpm and 145Nm of torque at 4,300rpm.

This means it'll be able to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 10.2 seconds (10.4 seconds - V variant) before reaching a top speed of 196kph (195kph - V variant).

Fuel consumption is rated at 5.4 litres per 100km.

The City is equipped with an electric power steering system and boasts of a comfort-oriented suspension system that uses front MacPherson struts and rear Torsion beam to hold up its 4,553mm-long (+111mm), 1,748mm-wide (+54mm) and 1,467mm-tall (-10mm) body.

With a 2,600mm wheelbase, the 15-inch wheels are fitted with 185/60 series tyres that partially hide its front ventilated discs and rear drums.

The S comes fitted with projector headlights with halogen bulbs, LED daytime runners and external mirrors with integrated LED turn signals in matching body colour.

Rear-LED light clusters, a shark fin antenna as well as power-adjustable and retractable external mirrors complete the exterior goodies.

The cabin remains spacious despite a large 519-litre boot (-17 litres) and features keyless entry (front doors) with push-start button and an Econ driving mode button.

Analogue-digital combination instrument cluster, rear air vents, urethane-wrapped gear knob and steering wheel with audio controls and fabric upholstery make up the conveniences.

A four-speaker sound system with USB port and Bluetooth connectivity provides audio entertainment.

In terms of safety, it is equipped with the standard six airbags, Isofix points, driver/front passenger/rear seat belt reminders, anti-lock braking system and vehicle stability assist.

Electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, auto brake hold, hill start assist, emergency stop signal and two reverse parking sensors make up the safety equipment.

Moving up to the E variant,  the door handles get chromed and its kerb weight increases from 1,125kg to 1,126kg by way of its added functions such as remote engine start, paddle shifters, cruise control and a single-zone automatic climate controls.

A colour 8.0-inch display is now on the dashboard that provides a total of two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and the ability to display the visual feed of the multi-angle reverse camera.

The V variant will increase its heft to 1,135kg (kerb) which is why its 0 to 100kph sprint time and top speed drops down to 10.4 seconds and 195kph respectively.

Here, convenience levels increase drastically, with the addition of automatic LED headlights and LED front fog lamps for the exterior.

Inside, the number of airbags increases to six, while leather gets wrapped around the gear knob, steering wheel and seats before fitting in a total of eight speakers for the audio system.

The Honda Lane Watch Camera system is also a new addition.

Finally, the RS e:HEV that will arrive next year will power its front wheels with an electric motor producing 108PS from 3,500 to 8,000rpm and 253Nm of instant torque up to 3,000rpm.

The power source for the electric motor is a 1.3kWh lithium-ion battery that is charged by a 1.5-litre engine operating on the Atkinson cycle.

This engine also takes over high-speed cruising duties with its performance of 98PS from 5,600 to 6,400rpm and 127Nm of torque from 4,500 to 5,000rpm.

Power is regulated by an electric continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) for this 1,246kg (kerb) B-segment sedan.

The reason for its significant weight gain is its hybrid system as well as the inclusions of a rear solid disc brake for the electric parking brake system.

The RS is visually identifiable via its larger 16-inch wheels wearing 185/55 series tyres, matching body colour door handles and a rear trunk boot lip.

The boot size is reduced to 409 litres as a result of the battery system taking up the bulk of the boot's underfloor section. In addition, the 15-inch spare wheel had to be ditched for a temporary tyre repair kit instead.

While everything looks identical among the stablemates, the front track of the RS has been increased by 2mm to 1,497mm over the other variants possibly for added stability. Rear track width remains the same at 1,483mm among all variants.

The cabin sports deceleration selector paddles for the steering wheel, a larger 7.0-inch TFT Meter Cluster for the driver, half-leather upholstery and sport pedals.

Here, the RS variant receives the full suite of safety features under the Japanese carmaker's Honda Sensing suite of advance driver aid system that includes forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking system, lane departure warning, lane keep assist system, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control and automatic high beam system.

Those looking to personalise their City can look to the optional Modulo Package 1.0 costing an additional RM4,473 which includes a front under spoiler, rear under spoiler, side skirts, and a trunk spoiler.

The Urban Package 1.0 (RM1,899) slaps the City with door visors, illuminated side steps, foot light and sports pedals.

The Utility Package (RM1,073) includes a trunk tray, trunk organiser, reflective film, car cover and sun shades.

Those who opt for the Protection Package (RM3,007) means their car gets an Ultra Glass Body Coating, Ultra Window Coating and a wheel lock nut.

A Honda-recommended digital video recorder is also available for RM749 as well as seven window tint films starting with the Horizon Safety at RM1,478 and the Horizon Safety + at RM1,693.

The other options include Ray Barrier 4+ (RM1,666), Horizon Security Premium+ (RM2,293), Ray Barrier 6+ (RM2,263), Ray Barrier 4 Black Pearl (RM1,617) and Ray Barrier 6 Black Pearl (RM2,275).

For more information, log on to www.honda.com.my or call 1-800-88-2020.

Honda City (Gen 5) RS e:HEV

Honda City (Gen 5) V

Honda City (Gen 5) E with Modulo kit


Happy Valentine’s Day from Ford!

                Valentine’s Day can be stressful – there’s a lot to prepare to set the right tone and get through the day’s celebrations without a hitch, and our vehicles can play an important role in making sure the journey is a smooth one.

Ford cars can help you plan the perfect Valentine’s Day, from setting the mood with colourful Ambient Lighting to finding the nearest flower shop on the way home from work.

Here are some tips on how to make an impression with your Ford on Valentine’s Day:

Don’t be late for your date!
Start your date off on the right foot with a prompt arrival. Don’t keep your loved one waiting or hungry on this special day!

Set the tone
There’s nothing like a love song to set the right tone for your Valentine’s Day plans, and SYNC’s Bluetooth streaming capabilities makes it easy.

SYNC makes drivers’ lives more convenient by pairing their phone and allowing them to make calls, stream music and more. Prepare your favorite tunes ahead of time, then pick up your valentine and sweep them off their feet with the perfect romantic playlist.

Light up the night
Surround yourself with light to match your mood – with Ford Ambient Lighting, you can choose from seven different colours to light up your cup holders, front and rear foot-wells, console, storage bins, map pockets and front door handles, setting the right mood for any situation.

We recommend red for your Valentine festivities.

Park like a pro
No one wants to look silly while parallel parking – with Ford’s Active Park Assist, you’ll be able to back into that space effortlessly, while impressing your date with your smooth moves.

Ford’s Active Park Assist makes parallel parking easier and more convenient for consumers by enabling hands-free parking, requiring only driver input on the gas and brake pedals for shifting gears

Front seat throne
Make your partner feel like a king or queen by adorning their seat with a little something special before you pick them up. Try rose petals if you’re feeling extra romantic.

Keep it classy and neat
Make sure you clean out your car before you head out for your Valentine’s date – no one feels romantic in a messy environment. Add a spritz of your favourite scent to give your car a personal touch when your date steps inside.

Surprise in the glove box
Got a present for your better half? Hide the necklace, chocolates, or whatever thoughtful items you picked up inside the glove compartment, then ask your passenger for the owner’s manual. The surprise will be as great as the gift!

Pour your heart out
Nothing says ‘I love you’ like, well, saying I love you. Don’t forget to tell your significant other how you feel!


Cd at 0.22: No production car as 'slippery' as new Merc A-Class Sedan

                STUTTGART: The new Mercedes A-Class Sedan is now known as having the lowest drag of any production vehicle worldwide.

With a frontal area of 2.19 m², it has a Cd value of 0.22 and a drag of less than 0.49 m2.

With a Cd value from 0.25, the new A-Class hatchback, too, surpasses its already excellent predecessor (Cd value: from 0.26/frontal area: 2.20 m2).

These numbers are good aerodynamic indicators and help reduce fuel consumption under everyday conditions. The A-Class Sedan was optimised by a multiplicity of computation loops, CAE simulations (computer-aided engineering) and measurements in the wind tunnel in Sindelfingen.

In addition to the outstanding exterior shape, there are many small measures that led to the new record: a sophisticated reduction of the frontal area despite significantly improved interior comfort dimensions, an extensive sealing concept (such as the sealing of the headlamp surroundings) as well as almost complete panelling of the underbody, which includes the engine bay, main floorpan, parts of the rear axle and the diffuser.

The front and rear wheel spoilers were optimised specifically to route the air around the wheels as efficiently as possible. The rims and tyres also underwent aerodynamic fine-tuning. Depending on the market, an optional two-part shutter system behind the radiator grille is available, which minimises the airflow through the engine bay.

The A-Class Sedan will launch at the end of 2018. The four-door notchback has the wheelbase of the hatchback (2,729mm) as well as the proportions of a dynamic and yet compact sedan with short overhangs at front and rear. It is at the top of its segment with regard to rear headroom. In addition, the sedan has the familiar A-Class virtues.

These include modern, efficient engines, a high level of safety thanks to state-of-the-art driving assistance systems with S-Class functions, and the intuitively operated and learning MBUX – Mercedes-Benz User Experience infotainment system.

The new streamlined A-Class Sedan will be built in Aguascalientes, Mexico, and Rastatt, Germany; it was developed in Sindelfingen, Germany.


S. Korea to exempt auto chip buyers from Covid-19 quarantine, provide vaccines

The move comes as South Korea tries to limit the damage from a chip shortage that has plagued global automakers. — Reuters
SEOUL: South Korea said today it will exempt business people working to secure supply of auto chips from two-week Covid-19 quarantine requirements and prioritise the vaccination of people key to auto chip procurement.

The move comes as South Korea tries to limit the damage from a chip shortage that has plagued global automakers and forced production cuts worldwide, including at Volkswagen and General Motors. Germany and the United States have also ramped up efforts to resolve the shortage.

South Korea’s leading automaker Hyundai Motor has so far kept factories running, but a Hyundai union official said on Tuesday that overtime production of less-popular models had stopped and production schedules were changing from week to week.

Although the domestic auto industry’s situation was good compared to international rivals, “concerns about future production disruptions have increased”, the government said in a statement.

Chip production capacity could not be increased quickly, with 98% of auto chips used by South Korean automakers coming from abroad, it added.

To help deal with the shortage, Koreans and foreigners involved in auto chip imports or production would no longer have to quarantine for two weeks on arrival in the country from abroad, starting April.

Covid-19 vaccinations would be available for people departing for essential purposes such as buying and procuring auto chips.

The government also said it would speed up performance evaluations of auto chip components and modules developed by domestic companies.


Maradona fans can buy themselves a Porsche driven by the sports legend

                PARIS: Bonhams has revealed that a Porsche 911 that once belonged to none other than soccer legend Diego Maradona will be part of its Les Grandes Marques du Monde sale here, which will take place exclusively online from March 3 to 10, 2021. The car is estimated to sell for between €150,000 and €200,000 (up to RM976,000).

Maradona, who died on Nov 25, 2020, was an aficionado of beautiful cars, like this Porsche 911 Type 964 Carrera 2 Cabriolet, bought new in 1992.

This was the car he was driving when he was caught speeding in the heart of Seville, Spain. The following year, when he left the Spanish club, he got rid of it and it would then spend 20 years with a private owner before passing into the hands of various French collectors.

Only 1,200 examples of this model, delivering 250hp and capable of reaching 260kph, were produced by Porsche.

Among the 60 some collector cars in the catalogue for this particular sale are other outstanding models such as a 1960 Aston Martin DB4 Series II Sports Saloon (estimated to fetch €450,000-€600,000), a 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet A (estimated to fetch €350,000-€450,000) and a 1938 Peugeot 402 Darl'Mat Special Sport (estimated to fetch €350,000-€550,000).

On the competition side, a restored 1988 Lancia Integrale is estimated at between €240,000 and €280,000.


EV maker Canoo kicks off Canvas Series

LOS ANGELES: Canoo, a company developing electric vehicles (EV), announced the launch of its Canoo Canvas Series with the debut piece created by James Goldcrown, popularly known as JGoldcrown.The series, which kicks-off in Los Angeles at Canoo’s headquarters, will move across the country to collaborate with various artists over the coming months.To mark the launch of this initiative, JGoldcrown created a custom mural for the Canoo headquarters in his signature ‘bleeding hearts’ design, and transposed his art onto the company’s first vehicle by way of a custom-designed vinyl wrap.“We have always envisioned our minimalistic design as a blank canvas, and we developed the Canoo Canvas Series to celebrate and support artists across the country by inviting them to demonstrate the expressive potential that our electric vehicles offer,” said Richard Kim, In Charge of Design at Canoo.“We started with iconic Los Angeles artist James Goldcrown in order to pay tribute to our hometown, and we will include additional artists from across the country who represent a diversity of American perspectives.”London-born artist JGoldcrown is internationally renowned for his signature murals featuring dripping or ‘bleeding’ painted hearts layered over one another in different colors.He is often commissioned to commemorate historic and cultural events, such as the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in New York and a recent tribute to basketball star Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles.


Honda to preview new five-door Civic at Geneva show

                TOKYO: Honda is set to preview its new five-door Civic hatchback at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show. The Japanese carmaker's Clarity Fuel Cell hydrogen-powered vehicle will also be making its European debut at the Swiss event.

Honda will be bringing a prototype of the new Civic to the Geneva Motor Show to showcase the design of the latest five-door model. Scheduled to launch in Europe in 2017, the upcoming Civic will be exported to all global markets. Watch out for it at the 2016 Paris Motor Show later this year.

Geneva will also see the European premiere of Honda's Clarity Fuel Cell, unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in autumn 2015. This is the world's first hydrogen fuel cell sedan available to retail customers that fits the fuel cell stack and motors under the hood. Honda is promising a range of around 700km (435 miles) for this five-door vehicle.

With deliveries of the Honda NSX expected to start in 2016, this model will be appearing on the firm's stand in Geneva too, flaunting its aggressive front end and rear lights inspired by the original NSX. This hybrid supercar matches a twin-turbo V6 engine with three electric motors for a combined capacity of 580hp.

The Japanese carmaker will also present a new "Keenlight" concept car version of the Jazz, sporting special decals and a unique colour.

The 86th Geneva International Motor Show runs from March 3-13.


Ducati MotoE electric bike displays its track prowess

                BOLOGNA: The Ducati MotoE bike took to the track for the first time at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, right where the agreement with Dorna Sports was announced in October.

Starting from the 2023 season, the Borgo Panigale motorcycle manufacturer will be the sole supplier of motorcycles for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup, the electric class of the MotoGP™ World Championship.

The electric motorcycle prototype, code-named V21L, is the result of the joint work of the Ducati Corse team and the Ducati R&D engineers, led by Ducati eMobility director Roberto Canè.

Professional rider and Ducati test rider since 2013, Michele Pirro, took the electric bike to the track and evaluated the technical characteristics and potential of Ducati’s first electric motorcycle.

Ducati's goal is to make high-performance and yet light electric motorcycles for all FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup participants.

The most important challenges in the development of an electric racing motorcycle remain related to the size, weight and range of the batteries.

The focus of the project are, in addition to better performance, the containment of weight and the consistency of power delivery during the race, are the achieved through the development of a suitable cooling system.

Ducati's experience in the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup will be a fundamental support for product R&D.

Canè said the development team found it hard to believe that the functioning electric bike was a reality and still not a dream.

“We are experiencing a truly extraordinary moment.

“We are certainly not finished yet; indeed, we know that the road ahead is still very long, but in the meantime, we have laid a first important 'brick',” he said.

Pirro said the bike was light and already has a good balance.

“Furthermore, the throttle connection in the first opening phase and the ergonomics are very similar to those of a MotoGP bike.

“If it weren't for the silence and for the fact that in this test, we decided to limit the power output to just 70% of performance, I could easily have imagined that I was riding my bike,” he said.


Attractive offers from Lexus

                PETALING JAYA: Lexus Malaysia is offering a very attractive proposition to reward yourself with a Lexus.

For a limited time period only, the Lexus ES sedan, recognised for its class-leading interior space and its peace-of-mind ownership experience, is offering complimentary vehicle insurance and road tax for the first year of ownership, as well as offering a complimentary Lexus Solar and Security Film.

It also includes a complimentary 5-year/100,000km (whichever comes first) periodic maintenance program that covers both parts and labour.

Customers are encouraged drop by a Lexus showroom to find out more about the irresistible promotions or the attractive upfront payment deals that are also on offer for the Lexus ES.

 Lexus NX F Sport.

Those wishing to own something that is a bit sportier will be pleased to know that the month of June is the best time to test drive the turbocharged Lexus NX.

The first 10 customers to test drive the Lexus NX will receive a special gift while the first five sign-ups for the day will receive a Lexus NX200t die-cast model at our Showroom Weekender happening on June 20-21 and June 27–28 at all Lexus Centres nationwide.


2018 Bangkok Motor Show: Electric push forward

                The 2018 Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) also showcased Thailand's push to encourage the use of electric vehicle (EV) technology.
The exhibitors promoting their EVs were Japanese companies Takano Auto Thailand and FOMM (First One Mile Mobility), BYD Auto of China, and Thai-listed Energy Absolute (EA).
Hyundai also launched its Ioniq Electric C-segment hatchback with a 280km travel range, priced at 1,749,000 baht (RM215,733), at the motor show.

Energy Absolute (EA) EA compact city car concept.

By end-2018, Energy Absolute wants to set up 1,000 EV charging stations in Thailand, via a 600 million baht (RM74.3 million) investment.
At the motor show, EA said the company's EV development arm Mine Mobility Research Co Ltd plans to introduce a battery-powered compact city car and MPV (multi-purpose vehicle).
The compact city car and MPV will have prices not exceeding 600,000 baht (RM74,346) and 1 million baht (RM123,910) respectively, and are due to be market-ready by end-2019.

 EA's MPV concept.

There are also plans to build an EV production base in Blue Tech City, Chachoengsao province, using more than 80 per cent domestic parts (including the battery).
EA also displayed a EV sports car concept at the motor show.

 EA's sport car concept.Takano Auto pick-up

Takano Auto Thailand showcased its sporty-looking EV compact pick-up, aimed at small traders and transporters who want quick and low-cost vehicles.
Using Japanese technology, the battery-powered pick-up has a 110km travel range on a full charge.
Charging time is about 8 hours.
Size-wise, the Takano pick-up is 3,220mm (length); 1,480mm (width) and 1,450mm (height), with a 2,150mm (wheelbase).
Its empty vehicle weight is 710kg, and undercarriage height is 205mm.
The estimated price is 300,000 baht (RM37,173) once it is ready for commercial deliveries.

BYD e6

BYD Auto showcased its e6 battet-powered five-seater MPV, which has a 350km range on a full charge.
It has power output of 121hp, and torque of 450Nm.
Maximum speed is 140kph, and the e6 is priced at 1.89 million baht (RM234,189).
In 2016, the BYD e6 pure electric crossover for use as taxi became the first Chinese-made EV to be certified by the Australian Design Rules (ADRs), the country’s stringent technical standards for emissions, vehicle safety and theft resistance.
The e6 is also used in taxi fleets in Singapore, Europe and China.

FOMM ONE

Japanese electric vehicle developer FOMM (First One Mile Mobility) had a Thai debut for its AWD Sport concept at the 2018 Bangkok Motor Show.
The FOMM AWD Sport concept is a compact two-seater, electric powered, all-wheel drive vehicle.
FOMM also showcased the FOMM ONE, a compact 4-seater EV which weights up to 630kg with a battery.
The FOMM ONE has all-wheel drive and 145/65 R15 tyres.
The four batteries have a capacity of 2.96 kW, which takes about six hours to charge.
Travel range for the FOMM ONE is 160km, and it is priced at 664,000 baht (RM82,276).


Volvo truck beat two world speed records - VIDEO

GOTHENBURG: Volvo Trucks' The Iron Knight, driven by Boije Ovebrink, now holds the official speed records for the 500- and-1000 metre distances.

The record-breaker is custom-built apart from the engine and the series-manufactured I-Shift Dual Clutch transmission.

With an average speed of 169kph and a time of 21.29 seconds, The Iron Knight beat the international speed record for 1,000 metres from a standing start. It also beat the corresponding record for the 500-metre distance, at 131.29kph and 13.71 seconds. The record run was carried out at a closed-off test track in northern Sweden. At the time of publication, the records are being reviewed by the FIA, the international motor sport association.

With 2400 hp, 6000 Nm of torque and weighing 4.5 tonnes, The Iron Knight has a power-to-weight ratio above 0.5 hp/kg. Its mid-mounted engine is a significantly modified D13 unit with water-cooled intercooler and four turbochargers. The transmission maintains torque delivery during gear changes. Apart from a reinforced clutch (the discs and pressure plates are made of a sintered material), The Iron Knight uses the same gearbox that is fitted to series-manufactured Volvo FH trucks.

Electronics were kept to a minimum to lower the vehicle's weight and the software had been re-programmed to permit the high performance. The cab, made of fibreglass, was aerodynamically optimised with side-skirts having large air intakes to supply the engine with cooling air. During the record runs, The Iron Knight reached a top speed of 276kph.

"Specialists from several different Volvo Trucks departments worked closely together to develop a truck with unsurpassed performance. Apart from Volvo Trucks' powertrain, which is the heart and soul of The Iron Knight, we've hand-built the truck from the ground up. The fact that we succeeded in securing not just one record but two is absolutely amazing," said Olof Johansson, a technician at Volvo Trucks.

Behind the wheel is Ovebrink who has more than 30 years' experience of both car and truck racing. He has previously beaten five speed records and in 1994 was European Truck Racing Champion.

"This shows that our I-Shift Dual Clutch transmission has enormous potential and that it does not let you down under extreme conditions. The fact that the world record-breaker uses the very same gearbox that is found in our series-built FH trucks is something that we're really proud of," says Claes Nilsson, President and CEO of Volvo Trucks.


Third-generation Volkswagen Touareg unveiled in Beijing

BEIJING: Volkswagen is making a statement by staging a world premiere of a new model for the first time in China – its largest market. The new Touareg marks a milestone in the brand's largest model and technology campaign, and it shows what engineers and designers at Volkswagen can do.

The new flagship takes a top position in the premium class SUV segment with its expressive design, its innovative operating, convenience and safety systems, as well as in the high quality of its materials and craftsmanship.

The largest markets for what is now the third generation of the Touareg are China, Europe and Russia. Worldwide sales of the previous two generations amount to nearly one million units.

Innovision Cockpit
Volkswagen is presenting the fully digitalised Innovision Cockpit for the first time in the new Touareg. Here the digital instruments (Digital Cockpit with 12-inch display) and the top Discover Premium infotainment system (with 15-inch display) merge to form a digital operating, information, communication and entertainment unit that hardly needs any conventional buttons or switches.

With the Innovision Cockpit, drivers can adapt the assistance, handling and comfort systems specifically to their personal tastes. Like a new smartphone, the Volkswagen is set up and tuned to personal needs. This is made possible by a new high level of connected systems and programmes – controlled via digital interfaces and the multifunction steering wheel.
Bristling with tech
The Touareg is launching with the largest range of assistance, handling and comfort systems ever to be integrated into a Volkswagen. They include technologies such as the Night Vision assistance system (detects people and animals in darkness via a thermal imaging camera), Roadwork Lane Assist (semi-automated steering and lane keeping, accelerating and braking up to 60kph),

Front Cross Traffic Assist (reacts to cross traffic in front of the Touareg), active all-wheel steering (makes the Touareg handle like a compact car), new roll stabilisation with electromechanically controlled anti-roll bars, 'IQ.Light – LED matrix headlights' (interactive, camera-based dipped and main beam headlight control) and a 'Windshield Head-up Display' projected directly onto the windscreen.

The driver experiences these systems as a single unit in the new Touareg.

Compared to its predecessor, the third generation Touareg is moderately wider and longer. The bigger size enhances the vehicle's proportions and its interior space. The added exterior length leads, for example, leads to a significant increase in luggage capacity, from 697 to 810 litres (with rear bench seat up).

Cargo there is hidden from onlookers by an optional electrically extending and retracting luggage compartment cover. Despite its increased length and width, the car body is 106 kg lighter because of its mixed material construction of aluminium (48 per cent) and high-tech steels (52 per cent).

READ MORE: New VW Touareg scores 5 stars with Euro NCAP V6 diesel and petrol engines plus PHEV
In Europe, Volkswagen will initially offer two V6 diesel engines for the new 2018 Touareg with outputs of 170 kW / 231 PS and 210 kW / 286 PS. In a number of markets, this will also be followed by a V6 petrol engine (250 kW / 340 PS) and a V8 turbodiesel (310 kW / 421 PS). A plug-in hybrid drive (270 kW / 367 PS of system power) is being prepared for China; its exact launch date in Europe is still open.

The 2018 Touareg is an important milestone in the largest product and technology campaign in the history of the Volkswagen brand. The brand's range of SUVs is also being expanded. It currently consists of the new T-Roc, the Tiguan, the new Tiguan Allspace (Europe) and Tiguan L (China), the new Atlas (USA) and the Teramont (China), plus the now completely redesigned Touareg as Volkswagen's top SUV model.

Volkswagen will also be further extending the lower end of its SUV range with the compact T-Cross. The I.D. CROZZ all-electric SUV will arrive on the market in 2020.


Tesla taps brakes on job ads after Musk clamps down on hiring

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla has tapped the brakes on aggressive job advertising in recent weeks since CEO Elon Musk directed executives to obtain his sign off on all new hires, a Reuters analysis shows.

The small dip in ads on its website demonstrates the electric car maker's efforts to control costs amid a price war, while balancing a need to grow its workforce as it races to meet lofty growth targets.

Daily changes to Tesla's US career website, tracked by Reuters, show the number of job ads has dipped by about 4% since May 15, when Musk told executives to send him a list of hiring requests on a weekly basis and cautioned them to "think carefully" before submitting requests.

The last time Tesla's job ads dipped by that magnitude, was in November, and the decline accelerated over the next three months, with Musk warning in January he expected a "pretty difficult recession".

The following April, Tesla reported its lowest quarterly gross margin in two years, reflecting slashed prices. Tesla aims to expand its production volume by an average of 50% a year.

The job ads provide a glimpse of trends within the company's hiring policy, but do not offer details about absolute numbers of new hires or attrition.

Tesla did not respond to Reuters' request for comment.

Musk previously called a halt to hiring in June 2022. At that time, job ads on Tesla's US website fell sharply over the next two months before rebounding in late 2022.

Rushing to cement its place as the leading global electric carmaker, Tesla has brought on new workers at a furious pace in recent years, even as rivals cut jobs.

Musk was among the first CEOs to warn of a recession over a year ago, and with Tesla's profit margin under pressure the company's pace of expansion and cost base are under scrutiny.

Since Musk's May note, Tesla has added almost 1,400 new job ads, mostly for positions in the United States, in areas ranging from software to sales to vehicle service. That shows the company continues to recruit, keeping total job ads on its website near highs.

Tesla has also removed a slightly larger number of job ads during that time, leaving it with almost 7,600 job ads across its US career website. That remains near the highest since Reuters began tracking almost a year ago.

"His statement, 'No more no hires without my approval' is sort of a sign to everyone: Let's be careful, do things the right way. He believes this year is still going to be a tough year," said Robert Lutts, president of Cabot Wealth Management, which manages US$1 billion in assets and owns Tesla shares.

Musk said in May the global economy was going to be "difficult" for the next 12 months.

Tesla added 29,000 full-time workers in 2022, bringing its total global workforce to almost 128,000.

That compares to 173,000 for Ford Motor and 167,000 for General Motors.

Musk's call to limit new hiring follows the elimination of tens of thousands of jobs this year by tech heavyweights including Meta Platforms, Alphabet, Microsoft and Amazon.

Among 17 categories on Tesla's websites, Manufacturing, Engineering & Information Technology and Vehicle Service positions account for over half of all job ads.

Ads in Autopilot & Robotics, a key part of Musk's vision for Tesla, are at 94, around the highest since Reuters began tracking the data.

Tesla tweeted in April it received 3.6 million job applications last year.


Brits rush to book MX-5 roadster ahead of official sale

                LONDON: The Brits have always had a love affair with the MX-5. Ahead of its official on-sale date of Aug 29, advanced orders of the all-new roadster have passed the one thousand mark, with British buyers spending more than £20 million as they rush to get hold of the fourth-generation of the world’s best-selling two-seater sports car.

With prices starting from £18,495 (OTR), the all-new Mazda MX-5 is set to reaffirm Mazda’s dominance of the affordable sports car sector. Maintaining the driver-focused ethos it’s famed for, the latest MX-5 was conceived and developed under the concept of “innovate in order to preserve.” This engineering philosophy has allowed Mazda to maintain the agility, fun and engagement that has always defined the MX-5 while at the same time meeting ever-increasing safety and efficiency requirements, alongside improved refinement.

Since its British launch in 1990, the MX-5 has maintained its unrivalled position as the spiritual successor to the traditional British sports car. Across the first three generations, 116,517 MX-5s have been sold in Britain and with exceptionally strong early orders, the latest MX-5 is set to build on that sales success.


Infiniti reveals what the future QX80 could look like

                NEW YORK: Infiniti has unveiled the QX80 Monograph, a new design study exploring upscale luxury and signaling Infiniti's intention to further develop its standing in the large SUV segment.

The QX80 Monograph combines luxury with a commanding presence, and attempts to show off the high levels of space and utility for which the QX80 production car is known for.

It is a look at how the design of Infiniti's large SUV could evolve in future. Originating at Infiniti's design studio in Atsugi, Japan, and unveiled for the first time in New York, the QX80 Monograph is the expression of futuristic luxury SUV design.

"The QX80 Monograph represents a detailed study into our expertise of exterior design. QX80 Monograph shows our concept of luxury and style on the road, and is an exploration into how we could enhance our future Infiniti offering in the luxury SUV segment," said Infiniti president Roland Krueger.

The concept applies the brand's latest design language in a sculptural and artistic way, incorporating a mix of geometric and organic shapes to combine power with elegance.

The QX80 Monograph is over five metres long, almost two metres tall (including roof rails), and more than two metres wide (door mirrors folded). It appears longer thanks to character lines, in particular the strong, straight shoulder line that runs from the grille all the way to the rear of the car.

The headlamps extend into thin lights that wrap around the front corners of the hood and run along the wings, for a unique light signature from the front and in profile. The light bars running along the front wings end in sculptured rear-view cameras at the leading edge of the two front doors.

The face of the QX80 Monograph appears more powerful and purposeful, with large, functional fender vents delivering more air to the engine, flanking an aluminum chin guard. Enhancing its SUV credentials, an underbody cover runs the length of the floor, protecting the car's undersides and aiding aerodynamic performance.

A thin strip of aluminum below the grille emphasises the car's width and incorporates razor-sharp LED fog-lamps at each end for a modern, high-tech appearance. At the rear, defined horizontal lines highlight the car's wide and powerful aura. The appearance of the sharper, thinner tail-lamps are mirrored in the wide twin exhausts, which feature a gloss-black aerofoil in between to encourage smoother air flow off the back of the car.

The doors open to reveal an integrated, brushed aluminum sill step to ease ingress and egress, while vents aft of the front and rear wheels provide a further distinctive metallic accent to the design. These vents could also perform a valuable aerodynamic function, evacuating turbulent and drag-inducing air from the wheel arches.

The QX80 Monograph's blacked-out A-pillar sits flush with the side windows and windscreen, while the pop-out door handles are also flush with the bodywork. These elements give a cleaner appearance and help to minimise drag and wind noise.

The QX80 Monograph features the latest incarnation of Infiniti's hallmark "human-eye" headlamps, raised high up in the front of the car, as well as slimmer, sharper rear combination lamps. The unique piano key design of the head- and tail-lamps enables individual LED elements to light up independently, providing an artistic application of the latest adaptive lighting technology.

The new interpretation of Infiniti's double-arch grille is taller and wider, giving it a powerful new face, while a new grille mesh suggests a highly sculptural and technical form. The new mesh adds greater visual depth with a series of individual sculptures that appear linked together in a lattice. The crescent-cut D-pillar has been reshaped, its sharper and higher trailing edge enhancing the horizontal aspect of the QX80 Monograph's upper body.

The QX80 Monograph features a frosted-effect paint finish, following positive feedback from recent Infiniti concepts completed with a similar effect. The desaturated colour and satin-like surface each suggest an unusual treatment of the metal beneath, providing a textured contrast to the gloss chrome and brushed aluminum elements around the concept.

Straight-spoke, two-tone wheels – 24 inches in diameter – are finished in chromium black with contrasting brushed copper elements. The outer edges of the wheels overlap the tyres, presenting the appearance of a 26-inch wheel and low profile tyres to complement the scale of the QX80 Monograph.


Mick Schumacher wins Formula Two title before move to F1

Mick is steadily moving up to the big league. — Reuters
MANAMA: Mick Schumacher finished out of the points but still clinched the Formula Two title in Bahrain today in the German's last race before moving up to Formula One with the US-owned Haas team.

The 21-year-old son of seven-time world champion and Ferrari great Michael was 18th in a sprint race won by Indian driver Jehan Daruvala but his title rival Callum Ilott was 10th with only the top eight scoring.

Schumacher signed off with 215 points, 14 clear of Briton Ilott, with Japan's Yuki Tsunoda, now expected to move up to Formula One with Red Bull's Honda-powered AlphaTauri team, a further point behind.

Tyre damage forced the German to pit after 15 laps, sending him to the back of the field.

"It would feel or sound a lot better if I had a good race today," Schumacher said of the title. "But nevertheless we did enough.

"To be honest, I'm a bit overwhelmed," he added. "I don't really understand or feel like a champion yet. It's going to take a few days maybe."


Eighth-gen Porsche 911 debuts

                STUTTGART: Porsche has unveiled the eighth-generation 911 in a world premiere on the eve of the LA Auto Show.

The new 911 promises to be more powerful, faster and digital. It has a much more muscular look, and an interior featuring a 10.9-inch touchscreen monitor to keep it firmly in the modern age.

Intelligent control and chassis elements as well as innovative assistance systems combine the dynamism that the classic rear-engine sportscar is famed for, with the demands of the digital world.

The next generation of flat-six turbocharged engines has been further developed and is more powerful than ever before, with 450 PS in the S models.

The drive efficiency has been increased by way of an improved injection process and a new layout for the turbochargers and charge air cooling system.

The power is delivered by a newly developed eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Additional highlights include the new assistance systems, including Porsche Wet mode to make driving on wet roads even safer, and Night Vision Assist with thermal imaging camera, as well as comprehensive connectivity – which now also uses swarm intelligence.

The 911’s features are rounded off by three exclusive digital offerings: the Porsche Road Trip app for extraordinary tours, the Porsche 360+ personal assistant, and the web-based Porsche Impact emissions calculator for neutralising your individual carbon footprint.

Carrera S models

The turbocharged flat-six engine of the 911 Carrera S and 911 Carrera 4S now produces 331 kW (450 PS; 911 Carrera S: Fuel consumption combined 8.9 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined 205 g/km; 911 Carrera 4S: Fuel consumption combined 9.0 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined 206 g/km).

This corresponds to an increase of 22 kW (30 PS) compared with the previous model. Both 911 models beat the four-second mark for acceleration from zero to 100kph: the rear-wheel-drive Coupé needs 3.7 seconds and the 911 Carrera 4S with all-wheel drive just 3.6 seconds.

This makes both cars 0.4 seconds faster than the previous model in each case. This advantage is increased by a further 0.2 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package. The top speeds are now 308 km/h (911 Carrera S) and 306 km/h for the all-wheel-drive version. The fuel consumption (NEDC-correlated) of the 911 Carrera S is 8.9 l/100 km, while the 911 Carrera 4 S records this figure as 9.0 l/100 km.

Clear design language

The exterior design is completely new and emphasises the leap in performance for the 911 type 992. Significantly wider wheel housings arch over the 20-inch front wheels and 21-inch rear wheels.

The rear end is now the same width across all models, highlighting the slimline centre section. At the front, the body is 45 mm wider. Flush integration of the electrical pop-out handles in the doors emphasises the tapered and smooth side contour.

Between the new LED headlights, a bonnet with a pronounced recess evokes the design of the first 911 generations. The rear is dominated on all models by the significantly wider, variable-position rear spoiler and the seamless, elegant light bar. Apart from the front and rear sections, the entire outer skin is now made from aluminium.

New interior

The completely new interior is characterised by the clear and straight lines of the dashboard with recessed instruments. The 911 models from the 1970s provided the inspiration here.

Alongside the central rev counter – typical for Porsche – two thin, frameless freeform displays supply information to the driver.

The centre screen of the PCM is now 10.9 inches, and can be operated quickly and without distraction thanks to the new architecture. Located underneath this there is a compact switch unit with five buttons for direct access to important vehicle functions.

In terms of digitalisation, the 911 takes the next step into the future with permanent connectivity as well as new functions and services. The standard PCM features include online navigation based on swarm data as well as Porsche Connect Plus.

Wet mode a world first

In a world first, Porsche has developed Wet mode, included as standard. This function detects water on the road, preconditions the control systems accordingly and warns the driver, who can then set up the vehicle for a particular emphasis on safety, by simply pushing a button or using the mode switch on the steering wheel (Sport Chrono Package).

The warning and brake assist system, also fitted as standard, detects the risk of collisions with moving objects and initiates emergency braking if necessary.

Night Vision Assist with a thermal imaging camera is optionally available for the 911 for the first time. The adaptive cruise control option includes automatic distance control, stop-and-go function, reversible occupant protection and an innovative autonomous Emergency Assist function.

Watch it!

To celebrate the latest 911, Porsche has made a limited edition watch: the 911 Chronograph Timeless Machine Limited Edition.

Like the car, the chronograph is said to evoke emotion through its purist design, functionality and high level of performance. Delivered in a special edition box with limitation badge, the watch is available as of April 2019 in Porsche Design Stores, Porsche Centres, specialty dealers, and online at www.porsche-design.com.


Saudi Arabia to host F1 night race in Jeddah in 2021

                LONDON: Saudi Arabia will host a Formula One grand prix for the first time next year with a night race on the streets of the country’s second city Jeddah, the sport and organisers announced on Thursday.

The November race — along Jeddah’s corniche facing the Red Sea —will be the third in the Middle East with Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, subject to confirmation of a 2021 calendar that has yet to be published.

Formula One’s current season has been restricted by the Covid-19 pandemic to 17 races in Europe and the Middle East but the sport is hoping for a fuller season in 2021, possibly even a record 23 races.

Saudi Arabia is set to be paired with next year’s season-ending round at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina, also held under floodlights.

“Saudi Arabia is a country that is rapidly becoming a hub for sports and entertainment with many major events taking place there in recent years and we are very pleased that Formula One will be racing there from next season,” said F1 chairman Chase Carey in a statement.

“The region is hugely important to us and with 70% of the population of Saudi being under 30 we are excited about the potential to reach new fans and bring our existing fans around the world exciting racing from an incredible and historic location.”

The Saudi round is expected to move eventually to Qiddiya, a planned entertainment resort about an hour’s drive from the capital Riyadh, once a permanent circuit has been built and as part of a long-term deal.

Qiddiya is at the heart of an ambitious strategy to open the economy and ease social restrictions.

Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Faisal, President of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, hailed the race as ground-breaking.

“I firmly believe the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be the biggest sports event hosted in our country’s history and has the potential to change lives, perceptions and reach new audiences and communities like never before,” he said.

Saudi Arabia has become increasingly prominent on the motorsports scene, hosting the Dakar Rally in January while two races of the all-electric Formula E series are scheduled for Diriyah in February.

A new Extreme E off-road electric series is due to race in Al Ula in March while tennis, boxing and golf have held high-profile events in the kingdom.

State-owned energy giant Saudi Aramco is a global partner of Formula One and Saudi companies have sponsored teams.

Human rights campaigners have accused Saudi Arabia of "sportswashing", using events to create a positive image, however.

“In the lead-up to the race, we’re saying to F1 drivers, owners and teams — they should brief themselves on the dire human rights situation in the country and be prepared to speak out,” said Amnesty International’s UK head of campaigns Felix Jakens.

Formula One said all partners and host countries committed “to respect human rights in the way their events are hosted and delivered.”

Mercedes’ six times Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton, an outspoken campaigner for equality and racial justice, said last week he needed to find out more about the Saudi situation but sport was “a powerful platform to initiate change”.

Red Bull principal Christian Horner said teams raced wherever the sport decided.

“We trust the commercial rights holder, also the governing body, to have done the necessary research and to make those decisions that are right for the interests of the sport,” he added.


New Camry gets 5-Star ASEAN NCAP rating

                SHAH ALAM: UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT), the distributor of Toyota vehicles in Malaysia has announced that its newly launched Toyota Camry has been awarded a five-star rating from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations New Car Assessment Programme (ASEAN NCAP) crash test result.

The eighth-generation Camry, which debuted in November last year, received 49.04 points for the Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), 22.68 points for Child Occupant Protection (COP) and 19.75 point for Safety Assist Technologies (SATs) assessments.

With the Camry scoring in all aspects including effective breaking avoidance, seat belt reminders, blind spot technology and advance safety assist technologies, it managed to receive a five five-Star rating with an overall score of 91.47 points.

The new Camry is available as a 2.5V variant and features the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assist technologies.

This includes Pre-collision System, Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) and Automatic High Beam (AHB).

All that gets housed within the Japanese carmaker's Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which has helped to improve responsiveness, handling and overall rigidity.

The announcement was made during the launch of the 2019 ASEAN NCAP Labelling
Compliance Guideline for Malaysia by Minister of Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution bin Ismail.

The compliance guideline mentions that it will be mandatory for manufacturers to display the ASEAN NCAP rating of new vehicles on sale from Mar 1, 2020 onwards to ensure that consumers are properly informed.

For more information and detailed results of the ASEAN NCAP tests, log on to www.aseancap.org.

And for for more information about the new Toyota Camry and/or other Toyota models, log on to www.toyota.com.my or visit the nearest Toyota showrooms. or call Toyota Freephone at 1-800-8-TOYOTA (869682).


Jaguar Land Rover is testing smart, connected cars on British roads to prepare for self-driving cars

                LONDON: Jaguar Land Rover is testing out their smart, connected cars on UK roads to prepare for autonomous driving.

The vehicles in use are Land Rover's Discovery Sport and Range Rover, while Jaguar has p[ut forth its F-PACE.

The tests on public roads are part of a £7.1mil (RM37.5mil) project aimed at creating the UK’s first fully connected infrastructure geared towards self-driving cars.

More than 64km of the UK's motorways - the M40, M42, A45 and A46 will benefit from a world-first combination of wireless technologies (DSRC, 3/4G mobile networks, WiFi and fibre optic networks), ensuring vehicles can always be connected to each other and to the infrastructure.

Connecting cars to each other and their surroundings (known as V2X) is a vital step for safe, large-scale deployment of self-driving cars.

The latest connected technology complements other vehicle sensors and extends a vehicle's ability to ‘see’ further down the road and ‘speak’ to other vehicles, infrastructure, pedestrians and the network.

For instance, it can warn that a car too far ahead to see has applied its brakes and can allow a following driver to avoid a potential accident.

The system will work on both manual and autonomous driving to help greatly improve road safety across the varied levels of autonomy.

The company will be trialling a range of intelligent connected features such as emergency electronic brake light warning (EEBL), emergency vehicle warning (EVW), and in-vehicle signage (IVS) for roadworks warning (RWW) and traffic condition warning (TCW).

This project forms part of the company’s vision to leverage connectivity as a segue to making the self-driving car viable in the widest range of real-life, on- and off-road driving conditions.

“To realise the full benefit of self-driving cars, we need to understand the infrastructure that’s required to support them. Connectivity not only takes us a step closer to making self-driving cars a reality but it also creates the platform to bring more connected safety features to our customers within the next few years," said Jaguar Land Rover connectivity manager Colin Lee.