Perodua delivers cash to first six Myvi 12 Iconic Years Anniversary SMS and Win Contest winners

                RAWANG: The first six Myvi 12 Iconic Years Anniversary SMS and Win Contest winners were in for a surprise when the Perodua team delivered their winnings to their respective homes.

The winners, which are located in various locations nationwide, were visited by
Perodua representatives and were presented mock cheque.

The highest amount of RM12,000 each went to Arvindren Sakthivel from Perak and Adinan Bin Othman from KL.

“We are pleased to announce that so far we have received some 48,000 entries
since the Myvi 12 Iconic Years Anniversary SMS and Win Contest was launched on
1st July and we expect the number to continue to grow further as 3 Myvis await the
lucky grand prize winners later this year,” said Perodua Sales managing director
Datuk Dr. Zahari Husin.

The Myvi 12 Iconic Years Anniversary SMS and Win Contest grants all Perodua new
vehicle buyers or those who service their Perodua vehicles (with a minimum spend
of RM300) or those who trade in their existing vehicle for a chance at the prizes
offered.

Those who buy or service or trade in a Myvi receive triple entries to the contest and is currently running to Oct 31.

“We thank the public for their continuous support of Perodua and especially the Myvi,
which has been the best-selling model for us to date with over a million made. We also welcome everyone to visit our sales and service outlets for more information on the Myvi 12 Iconic Years Anniversary SMS and Win Contest as well as other ongoing promotions. See you soon,” added Zahari.

JULY winners:
* Arvindren Sakthivel (Perak) - RM12,000
* Katherine Heng Man Lee (Melaka) - RM5,000
* Abdul Halim Bin Mohd Bakir (Perak) - RM3,000

AUGUST Winners:
* Adinan Bin Othman (Kuala Lumpur) - RM12,000
* Looi Choon Fai (Johor) - RM5,000
* Tuan Haji Inche Md Shamsuddin Bin Che Ahmad (Kelantan) - RM3,000


Baidu has decided on a CEO and brand for its EV company with Geely

A logo of Baidu seen in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province last November. — Reuters
BEIJING: Baidu has appointed a chief executive officer and decided on a brand for its electric vehicle (EV) venture with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, the Chinese search engine giant said today.

Robin Li, Baidu’s CEO, made the comments on a quarterly earnings call without disclosing names. He also said that they would try to launch a new EV model in three years.

Baidu announced in January that it would set up a company with Geely that would leverage its intelligent driving capabilities and Geely’s car manufacturing expertise to make smart electric vehicles.


New MINI Clubman debuts

BERLIN: The arrival of the latest MINI Clubman heralds the start of a brand repositioning  and a new corporate design for the BMW-owned company.

MINI also announced a built-in car-sharing option at the event here today. In addition, it will trim its line-up of eight models to five, with each so-called “superhero” being developed to its maximum potential.

MINI officials declined to name the models that would be axed but said the ever popular hatch will join the Clubman as well as open-top version to form part of the five starring ensemble. But reports from other sources have indicated that the Paceman, Roadster and Coupe are on the chopping block.

The latest MINI is a new interpretation of the tradition-steeped shooting brake concept adapted to the demands of the compact class for the first time.

Gone now is the club door on the right; the biggest ever MINI now sports four regular doors by popular demand, while retaining the two barn doors at the rear.

It has Air Curtain inlets at the front wheel arches, first seen in the BMW 4 Series, a stretched silhouette and a shoulder contour that emphasises the car's width. The long roof line has fin antenna with red alarm system status light.

The steep rear comes with characteristic split doors, Clubman model inscription and horizontal lights.

The interior has been totally revised with a broad instrument panel with cockpit facia frame in upper section; instrument cluster on the steering column and an integrated circular central instrument with LED lighting ring and display for vehicle, infotainment, phone and navigation functions.

MINI said the 6-door wagon offers the highest level of everyday practicality, long distance suitability, versatility and ride comfort in a MINI.

At 4.25m long, the Clubman is 27cm longer and 9cm wider than the MINI 5 door, and its wheelbase is 10cm larger. Its luggage compartment has a volume of 360 litres, which can be extended to as much as 1 250 litres by folding down the rear backrest with its 40 : 20 : 40 split. Compared to the Countryman, it is also lower, wider and sportier.

The car and the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer are based on BMW’s versatile UKL (unter klasse in German or lower compact car) platform and shares technology with the MINI Hardtop.

The 5-seat Clubman will come in three engine variants with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology at market launch.

A 4-cylinder 150hp/330Nm 2.0-litre diesel engine (Cooper D Clubman),  a 4-cylinder 192hp/300Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine (Cooper S Clubman), and a 136hp/220Nm 3-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine (Cooper Clubman) will be available at launch.

A more powerful diesel Clubman and a JCW version are expected later. MINI has also suggested a plug-in hybrid is on the drawing board.

An 8-speed Steptronic transmission is available as an option for the Cooper S Clubman and the Cooper D Clubman in place of 6-speed Steptronic automatic. The Clubman can be specified with a 6-speed manual.

All suspension components were also specially developed to suit the model, which is fitted with a single-joint strut front axle and a multilink rear axle.

The new Clubman also offers numerous features that appear in the brand for the first time. These include the electric parking brake, the electrical seat adjustment function available as a special equipment feature and the option MINI Yours Interior Styles with backlit door bezels.

The MINI Excitement Package comprises LED interior and ambient lighting as well as a projection of the MINI logo onto the ground from the exterior mirror on the driver's side when the car is opened and closed. Another new feature that is unique within the competitive field is the Comfort Access option including non-contact opening of the split doors at the rear. Other options available include LED headlamps, the MINI Driving Modes and Dynamic Damper Control.

The standard trim of the new Clubman includes such features as electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, air conditioning, a rain sensor with automatic driving lights control, the MINI Radio including AUX-IN socket and USB interface as well as a Bluetooth hands-free phone facility.

A wide range of options in the areas of comfort, functionality and individuality are available to allow drivers to match the car to their own style. In addition to a 2-zone automatic air conditioning, a seat heating for driver and front passenger and a visibility package including windscreen heating, there is also a panorama glass roof with a 120cm long glass surface.

A new optional equipment package will enable MINI customers to share their MINI with others. MINI customers can make their vehicle available to DriveNow when not in use. This is also an attractive feature for fleet customers, enabling optimum use of fleet vehicles. This option will initially be available in the US in 2016 and later in DriveNow cities. In a further step, MINI will also enable a new form of vehicle lending (“peer-to-peer car sharing”) for a defined circle of family and friends.

MINI also highlighted that its new look – a two-dimensional logo, new typography and new tonality – is a combination of clear, emotional design with a focus on the essential.

The new Clubman also signals MINI’s entry into the premium compact class. The extension of the product strategy into the premium small car and compact class relies on a common front-wheel-drive architecture for different models and brands.

MINI believes that the Clubman is entering the market segment that promises the strongest growth in the future. It cited market studies that forecast annual growth of four per cent for the premium compact segment, which will account for more than 27% of the total global passenger car market by 2020.

The Clubman first appeared in 1969. The original classic Mini model was still available and the newly developed car that bore the name of Clubman was positioned above it within the brand family. With a clear and sturdy-looking body design and a front section that now sported a broad radiator grille, it was offered as the Mini Clubman Estate. With split doors and extended transport capacity, this body variant replaced the models Morris Mini Traveller and Austin Seven Countryman, of which more than 200 000 had been already been sold by this time.

The Clubman, to be showcased at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September goes on sale in Europe by the end of October from around 20,000 pounds (RM119,000). It will make its way to Malaysia by the second quarter of 2016.

New MINI logo.


Latest Tesla software update boasts Light Show among new features

                AUSTIN: Tesla wades into Christmas bearing gifts. The US electric car maker announced on Friday an over-the-air software update that introduces a new Light Show function that lets you (or anyone with a computer) choreograph light shows to your own music.

You can then download your show, or shows from other creators, onto a USB flash drive and upload it to your car.

Light Show also comes pre-loaded with one song for you to enjoy, and works with all new Model S, new Model X, and any Model 3 or Model Y.

Tesla provided a link on how to do it.

In addition, Software Version 11.0 also introduced new games and entertainment experiences, safety features, customisable controls and an all-new user-interface design.

Feature set will vary according to country and some features are not available on older models.

Every Model 3 and Model Y, along with legacy Model S and Model X fitted with an Intel Atom Processor, will receive a fresh digital look that carries over design elements from the new generation Model S and Model X. Several notable features include a customisable app launcher, simplified controls menu and support for a dark mode appearance.

The new navigation allows you to hide map details for a clean, simplified look, and you can now add and quickly reorder multiple stops on your route. The car will automatically update arrival times and battery levels for each destination.

For Model S and Model X fitted with adaptive suspension, the Comfort Suspension when in Autopilot automatically adjusts air suspension to its “Comfort” setting, ideal for highway cruising.

Tesla also expanded on its fun in-car experience with the addition of TikTok. The popular app is now available on the touchscreen, and Tesla's new Boombox Megaphone allows occupants to project their voice via the car’s external speaker – perfect for announcing to friends when it’s time to load up and head out!

The Sentry Mode Live Camera Access - already live in the United States - is now roll out for the rest of North America and the majority of Europe. The feature allows the user to view the live feed from the Autopilot cameras directly on the Tesla app.


Mercedes-Benz VISION EQS gets global debut

                FRANKFURT: The Mercedes-Benz VISION EQS show car celebrates its world premiere.

"For the first time, we have developed our new e-platform exclusively for the requirements of mid- and full-sized luxury cars to take full advantage of all the opportunities offered by this technology," said Mercedes-Benz Cars head and Daimler AG management chairman of the board of management Ola Källenius.

The German luxury carmaker intends to have a completely CO2-neutral fleet of new cars by 2039 - the Vision EQS is part of the lineup, with more than 50% of new cars sold equipped with electric drivetrains by 2030.

"We want to offer more than the protective shell that transports us from A to B. The thinking remains the same – the form it takes develops and changes. The design must always set new benchmarks. Which is why we are once again taking a new path with the Vision EQS," added Källenius.

The EQS represents a completely new and fully variable electric drive platform that is scalable in many respects and can be used across all models.

With an intelligent operating strategy, the EQS show car boasts of up to 700km range, thanks to 350kW and 760Nm of torque produced by its electric motor.

It accelerates from 0 to 100kph in less than 4.5 seconds and can recharge its batteries by 80% in less than 20 minutes.

"The term here is “One-Bow Design”. One clear line is enough; one arc defines the entire form. Because we believe that Modern Luxury is not opulence – but simplification," he concluded.


The race to make car headlights brighter and smarter

                BERLIN: Car headlamps that light up the road ahead brightly are one of the biggest factors in reducing road accidents, say experts.

They have also become a design statement in their own right and carmakers are working flat out to make these little suns more powerful so they can project light even further.

"When darkness falls there is a much greater risk of an accident happening", says technical expert Hans-Georg Marmit of Germany's Kues type approval organisation.

Traffic density drops at night by an average of 20 per cent and figures show that 40 per cent of all fatal road crashes take place during darkness.

Few areas of automotive technology have seen so much progress as lighting. High-tech has long ousted regular halogen lights which use a replaceable light bulb with a lifespan of some 1,000 hours.

First came the high beam assistants which recognize oncoming vehicles and automatically switch the headlights from high beam to low beam. These are usually activated by a camera which scans the road ahead.

Xenon lights were the next innovation. Officially known as high-intensity discharge headlamps (HIDs), they work a little like the neon tube bulbs common in office buildings.

BMW started using xenon in the early 1990s but the Bavarian premium maker has now switched to tweaked laser headlamps which are ultra-compact. These also offer 1,000 times more light than LEDs. These create unwanted heat, posing a risk to connectivity cables.

The BMW i8 hybrid supercar is fitted with laser lamps along with the latest Audi A8 limousine - the beams on both cars illuminate up to 650 metres of the road in front of the car.

These pixel or matrix light systems, which contain lots of LED light sources, produce less glare and reduce dazzle to other drivers. They also shift focus on their own to adapt to different light conditions and do not need to be dimmed.

They have varying numbers of LEDS with hundreds of individual pixels. "This allows them to be adapted very precisely to suit the respective traffic and weather situation," said Opel spokesman Patrick Munsch. The latest Insignia saloon has 16 sets of LEDs per headlamp

State-of-the-art systems like these find their way into upmarket cars although these days LEDs are also fitted to affordable saloons and city runabouts like the Volkswagen Polo or Seat Ibiza.

Tech teams are battling to make headlamps even better, although engineers admit that maximum luminous range has been achieved with current systems. The next challenge is to achieve optimal dazzle-free illumination.

Designers are also keen to use car lights as signals to warn other drivers of tight bends and other potential dangers in their path.

Mercedes-Benz last year unveiled a new light generation called Digital Light which use three high-powered LEDs. Resolution is excellent, thanks to over one million tiny mirrors which magnify the light

The system highlights pedestrians at the roadside and can project a symbol of an upcoming construction zone into the driver's field of vision.

The downside for owners of older cars is that these new light systems cannot be easily retro-fitted. LED and Xenon upgrade kits need a lot of fettling to get them right and so far, there are no after-market laser kits available.


Audi keeps you rolling — suggests speeds between traffic lights

                WASHINGTON: Audi of America announced an expansion of Traffic Light Information to include Green Light Optimized Speed Advisory (GLOSA), another industry first in vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) technologies from zee German carmaker.

GLOSA is able to provide speed recommendations to Audi drivers of select 2017 and newer models that can assist drivers in catching the “green wave,” helping to reduce the number of stops at red lights.

It uses traffic signal information and the current position of a vehicle to display a speed recommendation intended to allow drivers to pass traffic lights during a green interval, in order to help reduce the number of stops at red lights.

The distance to stop, the speed limit profile for the area, and the signal timing plans, are all used to calculate the speed recommendation displayed to the driver.

Survey data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows that the average American driver spends nearly 300 hours a year behind the wheel, the equivalent to seven 40-hour weeks at the office.

Providing drivers with additional information, such as green light optimized speed advisories, can help reduce anxiety and improve a driver’s comfort during their time behind the wheel.

“Audi is committed to moving America in many ways, including through the development of industry-leading connectivity and mobility solutions,” said Audi of America president Mark Del Rosso.

“Not only do vehicle-to-infrastructure technologies like GLOSA benefit drivers today, they’re also the critical steps needed as we continue toward an automated future.”

In 2016, Audi, in collaboration with Traffic Technology Services (TTS), launched Traffic Light Information (TLI), an Audi connect PRIME feature that enables the car to communicate with the infrastructure in certain cities and metropolitan areas across the United States (US).

Today, more than 4,700 intersections support both the “time-to-green” and GLOSA functionalities.

Enabled metro areas include Dallas, Denver, Gainesville, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York City, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, Oregon, San Francisco, Washington, Washington D.C. and northern Virginia.

“VDOT’s (Virginia Department of Transportation) collaboration with Audi, TTS, and other innovative companies leverages the Commonwealth’s data and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications, preparing us for more connected and automated vehicles on our roadways. We are committed to improving safety, reducing congestion and exploring opportunities to partner with the private sector.” said Virginia secretary of transportation Shannon Valentine.

Time-to-Green

Traffic Light Information, an Audi connect PRIME feature available on select 2017, 2018 and newer models, enables the car to communicate with the infrastructure in certain cities and metropolitan areas across the US.

When one of these select Audi models approaches a connected traffic light, it receives real-time signal information from the traffic management system that monitors traffic lights via the on-board 4G LTE data connection.

When the light is red, the TLI feature will display the time remaining until the signal changes to green in the instrument cluster in front of the driver or in the head-up display (if equipped). This “time-to-green” information helps reduce stress by letting the driver know approximately how much time remains before the light changes.

Future iterations of V2I technology could include integration with the vehicle’s start/stop function, optimized navigation routing, and other predictive services. All of these services are designed to help reduce congestion and enhance mobility on crowded roadways.


Tesla launches EVs in Thailand amid competition from cheaper brands

                BANGKOK: Tesla Inc. opened bookings for its cars in Thailand today, becoming the latest entrant into South-East Asia’s largest market for passenger electric cars currently dominated by its Chinese rivals.

The US automaker will start delivering its Model 3 and Model Y cars in the first quarter of next year, Yvonne Chan, Tesla’s country director for Thailand, told reporters at a launch event here.

Tesla will also open its first service centre in Thailand in the first quarter of 2023 and its first super-charger facility will be functional by February. At least 10 more super charging sites will be opened here next year, Chan said.

Tesla’s foray into Thailand — its second in the region after Singapore — comes as competition is heating up with Chinese players such as Great Wall Motor, BYD and Hozon already battling for a share of the fast-growing EV market.

The Model 3 is priced from 1.76 million baht (RM214,000) and Model Y from 1.96 million baht (RM246,000), according to Chan. Dozens of prospective buyers flocked to Bangkok’s Siam Paragon shopping mall today to inquire about prices and view the cars on display.

“Buying a Tesla car means buying its ecosystem,” said Nonnalin Thugsoonthorn, a Bangkok-based investment strategist, who is looking to replace her combustion engine car with the Tesla Model 3.

“I’m very happy with the price and the quality.”

Tesla will compete with cars such as Great Wall Motor’s Ora Good Cat that’s priced from 763,000 baht (RM96,000) and benefits from a slew of tax incentives offered by Thai government to promote electric vehicles.

Chan didn’t say if Tesla plans to set up a plant in Thailand, the region’s largest auto manufacturing hub. BYD, which started selling its first electric SUVs in Thailand last month, has chosen the country for its first overseas EV car plant.

It is scheduled to begin manufacturing in 2024, mostly for exports to South-East Asia and Europe.

Thailand, a longstanding auto manufacturing powerhouse, has a comprehensive supply chain that feeds scores of factories, mainly owned by Japanese companies, producing internal combustion engine cars.

But the Thai government has said it wants 30% of its total car output to be electric by 2030, and earlier this year allocated about 43 billion baht through 2025 to promote the use of EVs.

Tesla registered its Thai unit in April with a capital of 253 million baht (RM32mil), according to the nation’s commerce ministry. It has also advertised more than a dozen jobs for its operations.


Ministry works with oil companies to help the needy

The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs is working with oil companies to distribute daily necessities at no cost, as well as the sale of goods at low prices at petrol stations. — Bernama
PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs has teamed up with oil companies to help those in need, especially people hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The ministry's secretary-general, Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad, said among the initiatives being implemented are the distribution of daily necessities at no cost, as well as the sale of goods at low prices at petrol stations.

He said Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd, for example, had created a Community Food Box and Community Goods Corner at 50 Shell petrol stations.

The Community Food Box is a space provided for dry goods such as rice, flour, sugar, cooking oil, eggs, condensed milk and sardine that can be taken for free by those in need, while the Community Goods Corner sells basic food items at discounted prices.

"For the more affluent members of the community, when they come to Shell stations, they can buy some necessities and place them in the box to be taken by those in need in the nearby area," he said.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the Community Food Box at the Shell Precinct 18 Petrol Station here today, Hasnol Zam Zam said Petronas would be starting a pilot project selling fresh items such as chicken, fish and vegetables at lower prices than the market at four petrol stations early next year.

"We are working with Petronas to create a fresh goods corner, where members of the community can purchase items to cook food with a budget of only RM20 to RM30, so this will reduce costs," he said.

"We are working with these oil companies because the petrol stations are present throughout the country, especially in places close to our target group which has been affected by the pandemic through the loss of income and so on," he said.

Meanwhile, Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd managing director Shairan Huzani Husain said the company aims to set up the Community Food Box at 100 of its petrol stations by the end of this year.

"We were touched when an aunt came to get some flour, sardine and a chocolate bar. When asked why she took the chocolate bar, she said her son had never tasted it as she couldn’t afford it previously.

"This is one of the many stories in our community, and we hope this initiative can at least help people meet their daily food requirements," said Shairan Huzani.


Roof box basics: Everything to know about speed, wind and mounting

                HAMBURG: Anyone who wants to transport luggage on the roof of a car needs to know a few things. Attachments such as a roof box change both the weight and the centre of gravity of the vehicle - and thus also the handling.

What's more, a car with a roof box will react more sensitively to crosswinds. That's why you'll need to stay more alert, especially on bridges, in narrow forest roads or when overtaking lorries.

Most countries don't have set limits on driving with a roof box, but this is different for manufacturers, and most will advise you don't break the 130kph mark. A maximum speed specified by the manufacturer of the box should not be exceeded under any circumstances.

"Before buying, shoppers should first have a look at their car’s user manual," suggests Philipp Schreiber, a vehicle tester.

The manual will indicate whether the car has been approved for a roof load in the first place and, if so, how heavy it can be. In general, roof-load ratings range from 50kg to 100kg total.

"With the exception of convertibles, most cars can have a roof box installed," says Schreiber. Once you’ve decided on a size, shape and capacity, the next step is to figure out how the roof box will be mounted and fastened to the vehicle.

"There are various options for mounting the roof box, since the manufacturer may have provided the car with front-to-back rails on its roof, or gutters or so-called fixpoints," explains another tester, Thomas Caasmann.

While most modern-day cars come with the manufacturer-installed fixpoints, which are usually hidden under flaps or sliders, it’s not always a guarantee that the chosen model of roof box will line up with the installation points on a car’s roof.

The most convenient mounting systems are the ones with quick-release fasteners, since they allow for quicker and easier installation without having to worry about screws, nuts and hooks.

Another thing to consider before buying a fixed roof box is which side it opens - to the left, to the right or from both sides.

As Caasmann notes, "A lid that can open on either side always offers better access to the storage space."

"For trips, it’s also important to consider theft protection for the contents of the roof box, as well as its water resistance in case of rain or heavy spray," adds Caasmann. Some manufacturers offer specially integrated locks.

Carsten Graf of car club ADAC recommends a systematic approach to packing a roof rack before heading off on a road trip.

"When loading, the same principles apply as when packing items into the trunk: heavy things on the bottom, lighter things on top."

Bags, sleeping bags or blankets should all go in the front section of the box, since, as Graf points out, "this reduces the danger of pointy objects breaking through the box in an accident."

For the same reason, all luggage should be kept in place with straps.

"Roof boxes should also never be overloaded," adds Graf, "so you should always keep in mind the car’s maximum roof load." The load should be calculated by adding up the weight of the items in the box, the box itself and any roof bars.

A good roof box doesn’t have to be expensive. The ADAC, which is a German organisation, tested models between €200 and €700 (between RM1,007 and RM3,525), with the winning model coming in at €408 (RM2,054).

After being used on a trip, a roof box should find its way back into the garage or basement since it creates wind resistance and increases fuel consumption if driven around empty.


Cheaper sensors could speed more self-driving cars to market by 2022

                SAN FRAMCISCO: The first heavily automated mass-market vehicles for consumers could go on sale as soon as 2022, if one or more vehicle manufacturers adopt a new sub-US$500 lidar sensing package being developed by Silicon Valley startup Luminar.

The tremendous cost of lidar - prices for individual sensors currently range from about US$6,000 to more than US$100,000 - is one of the big stumbling blocks to the wide rollout of self-driving vehicles, whether in commercial delivery and robo-taxi fleets such as those being developed by Ford Motor Co and General Motors Co, or in passenger vehicles aimed at consumers.

Luminar has developed a low-cost lidar platform that bundles hardware and software and is being tested by several automakers, according to Austin Russell, Luminar chief executive officer and founder.

The company’s new Iris system will be offered in two versions, one that will enable hands-free “freeway autonomy” and a less expensive version that will enable some automated functions, such as automatic emergency steering and braking.

The first is designed to sell for under US$1,000 at higher production volumes, while the second, which is intended to plug into manufacturers’ advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), is expected to sell for under US$500, said Russell.

Manufacturers and suppliers are increasingly sceptical about the speed of adoption of fully automated self-driving systems, because of both their high cost and complexity. In the meantime, they have begun focusing on deploying more ADAS features, which share components, but cost much less and can generate much-needed revenue to help defray the cost of developing full self-driving systems.

Lidar-driven ADAS “can be more easily monetized by the manufacturers (and) more easily implemented today” than fully automated systems, said Steve Lambright, vice president of marketing for lidar startup AEye, which is developing components for both types of systems.

In the meantime, a long-predicted shakeout in the lidar sector has yet to materialise, judging from a recent flurry of investments and acquisitions, even though the industry has yet to embrace a single lidar technology.

Israeli startup Innoviz, backed by suppliers Aptiv Plc and Magna International Inc , just closed a Series C round of funding and has raised a total of US$252 million - more than any of its rivals - with new money from SoftBank Ventures Asia and several large Chinese investors.

A new player, North Carolina-based Sense Photonics, this week closed a Series A round and has raised more than US$43 million, with backing from corporate investors Samsung Ventures and Shell Ventures.

Aurora, a Silicon Valley self-driving startup backed by e-commerce giant Amazon.com Inc and automaker Hyundai Motor Co , recently acquired Montana-based lidar startup Blackmore.

Blackmore is developing a more expensive lidar technology called FMCW, as are startups OURS Technology, founded by a former University of California Berkeley researcher, and SiLC Technologies, founded by a silicon photonics veteran.

FMCW components can cost more, but the devices use less power and can be made compact, according to Mehdi Asghari, chief executive of SiLC, who adds: “These things will eventually go into headlamps, rearview mirrors or the body of the car.”


Chevrolet calling out MU fans for a chance to play at Old Trafford!

                KUALA LUMPUR: NAZA Quest, the official distributor of Chevrolet vehicles in Malaysia, announced that it will make its fans “professional” footballers for a day through its 2017 Chevrolet Fan Cup.

This is a global competition where winners will play at Manchester United’s Old Trafford Stadium's “Theatre of Dreams” by bringing together 64 passionate fans for a first-of-its-kind tournament at Old Trafford.

The exclusive experience will put fans in the boots of Manchester United players, including game-day preparations and matches.

“We have the unique ability to enable fans to make the most of life’s possibilities through football,” said , Global Chevrolet chief marketing officer Tim Mahoney.

Over the next two months, Chevrolet will seek out fans around the world to become one of the lucky 64 who will travel to Manchester in May for the 2017 Chevrolet Fan Cup.

To take part in this once in a lifetime ‘money can’t buy’ experience, simply follow the below step-by-step instructions;

• Follow & like Chevrolet Malaysia official Facebook

• Submit a VIDEO or PHOTO compilation to Chevrolet Malaysia's official Facebook showing your passion for the club and stand a chance to make your dreams come true, and play in the Chevrolet Fan Cup 2017

• Submit your VIDEO or PHOTO within the comments section of the CFC 2017 Facebook post and #ChevroletFanCup your entry

• Save the particular CFC Facebook post so you can find and trace them back later

• Terms & Conditions Apply

While in Manchester, the winners will attend Manchester United’s English Premier League match against Crystal Palace, meet team legends and be trained at the club’s famed soccer school.

The highlight of their experience will be the professional match-day experience, including dressing in the players’ locker room and walking through the home club’s tunnel before competing against each other in a tournament on the Old Trafford pitch.

“Walking onto the pitch at Old Trafford is something most fans have dreamt of at some point in their lives but only a small number actually get to experience it,” Richard Arnold, Manchester United Group Managing Director said.

“The Chevrolet Fan Cup can make this dream a reality. It is a unique opportunity to connect to the club, giving our supporters the chance to tread on the same ground where some of the game’s best have played, in a stadium that has been the setting for some of football’s most memorable moments.“

Chevrolet stands with the fans of Manchester United and global football, connecting with them and sharing their passion for the game.

To see how Chevrolet is uniting fans, visit www.ChevroletFC.com, or subscribe to http://www.youtube.com/user/ChevroletFC.

For more information about the cup, click here or follow Chevrolet Malaysia official Facebook page and Instagram @Chevrolet_MY.


GoCar Malaysia is offering savings up to 70% in conjunction with GoEV's first anniversary

                PETALING JAY: In conjunction with GoEV’s first anniversary, GoCar Malaysia is offering up to 70% savings (capped at RM80) on GoEV car sharing bookings with the promo code “1STGOEV”.

The limited-time promotional offer is valid only for bookings made between Dec 12 and 15, but users have until Jan 31 next year to redeem their bookings based on their travel plans.

Additionally, GoCar will be giving away 100,000 GoPocket Points, equivalent to RM1,000, to 10 lucky users.

 Wong with the Leaf.

GoEV Share is currently available only for round trips (pick-up and return at the same zone) and short-term use – hourly, daily, weekly or monthly.

Normal rates start from RM24.90 per hour and RM249 for a day to RM232 per day for a one-month booking.

To ease any potential range anxiety, each GoEV vehicle comes with a complimentary chargEV card, which gives users access to almost 300 charging stations nationwide.

Charging stations at the GoEV zones are free to use for all GoEV members.

Additionally, through a recent integration with EV Connection’s JomCharge mobile platform, GoEV users can easily view charger locations, availability and charger types within the JomCharge network.

The leading on-demand mobility-as-a-service platform has recorded more than 500,000km in total distance travelled by its electric vehicle (EV) car sharing fleet since launching the GoEV programme in the Klang Valley in December 2021.

More than 1,000 GoCar users have taken the opportunity to experience quiet, clean city driving with the GoEV Share option.

For more than 90% of them, it was their first experience in a fully-electric vehicle.

In line with its ongoing expansion plan, GoCar has also added to its GoEV Share fleet.

The company expects to have more than 30 units of Nissan Leaf deployed across 20 zones in the Klang Valley, bringing the total number of its overall GoEV fleet to over 50 units for both sharing and subscription options.

GoCar Malaysia CEO Wong Hoe Mun said the EV market in Malaysia has been gaining momentum with the development of charging infrastructure and introduction of more EV models from various car brands.

“However, accessibility to the masses is still a challenge. The high cost of purchasing an EV is simply not viable for most Malaysians, especially given current challenging economic conditions.

“GoEV addresses this gap and we are proud to be the first car sharing platform to offer a compelling solution for EV in Malaysia.

“The goal is to provide more affordable EV access to the general public so that everyone, not just the privileged few, can experience the EV lifestyle,” said Wong.

To book a GoEV Share, download the GoCar mobile app.

For more information about GoEV and GoCar Malaysia, visit https://hi.gocar.my or follow the GoCar Malaysia Facebook, Instagram, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz6-zOVUt8YfnCzKKEvMbtw and Twitter channels.


US auto reliability dented by new technology, electric cars fare better, says report

The Bolt is said to be the most reliable car in General Motors Co’s Chevrolet brand.
DETROIT: New technology to stream music into dashboards or boost fuel efficiency is making cars less reliable, although electric cars such as the Tesla Model 3 and the Chevrolet Bolt should fare better than many conventional models, Consumer Reports magazine said on Thursday.

The magazine said its survey of 640,000 vehicles showed that all-new vehicles or models with newly updated technology are more likely than older models to have a “wonky engine, a jerky transmission, or high-tech features that fail outright.”

Electric cars do away with many of the mechanical systems that prompt consumer complaints about conventional cars, the magazine said. Tesla Inc’s Model 3, despite recent production problems, should have “average” reliability because it relies on technology already used on the older Tesla Model S, Jake Fisher, the magazine’s head of automotive testing said on Thursday at a meeting of the Detroit Automotive Press Association.

 Model 3.

The Bolt is the most reliable car in General Motors Co’s Chevrolet brand, he said.

Tesla in a statement on Thursday criticised Consumer Reports because it previously declared the Model S “to be the best car ever and then revoked the rating after being questioned by Tesla sceptics.”

As for the Model 3, Tesla said “it’s important to note that Consumer Reports has not yet driven a Model 3, let alone do they know anything substantial about how the Model 3 was designed and engineered.”

The magazine’s annual survey of new vehicle reliability predicts which cars will give owners fewer or more problems than their competitors, based on data collected. Its scorecard is influential among consumers and industry executives.

For the fifth straight year, Japanese automaker Toyota placed first in the magazine’s ranking with the most reliable vehicles on average. General Motors Co’s Cadillac brand was last among 27 brands ranked. Tesla ranked 21st on the list.

With many new cars, customers complain about problems with continuously variable transmissions and eight- and nine-speed gear boxes designed to boost fuel mileage, Fisher said.

Hard to use infotainment systems also continue to annoy customers, Fisher said. But over-the-air updates are helping automakers alleviate problems more quickly, he said.


Peugeot presents 408X and Inception concept at Auto Shanghai 2023

                SHANGHAI: At Auto Shanghai 2023, Peugeot continued the international launch of the new 408, presenting its Chinese model, the 408X.

The new 408 is named the 408X in China because the Peugeot range in the country already includes a model called the 408.

The new C-segment 408X has a fastback silhouette and the latest-generation Peugeot i-Cockpit, and comes with, as in Europe, two plug-in hybrid engines, delivering 180 hp and 225 hp, alongside the 130 hp PureTech petrol engine.

The 408X is produced at Peugeot Dongfeng’s factory in Chengdu, in central China and has been marketed in the country since January.

Also, for the first time in Asia, the Peugeot Inception concept car illustrating the French automaker's vision of the future, is on display in Shanghai.

Unveiled as a world premiere at CES in Las Vegas this past January, and subsequently presented in Europe, this concept car embodies Peugeot’s vision for its future electric vehicles.


Faurecia buys Hella stake, bids for rest in US$8b deal

                NEW YORK: Faurecia SE agreed to buy a majority stake in German automotive supplier Hella GmbH & Co. and offered to acquire the rest in an US$8 billion (RM34bil) deal, beating out rival bidders from the European car-parts industry.

Nanterre, France-based Faurecia will buy a 60% stake from the founding Hueck family through a mixture of cash and stock, according to a statement on Saturday.

Faurecia will make a public offer for the remainder at €60 (RM300) a share plus a dividend of 0.96 euro apiece, valuing Hella at about €6.8 billion (RM34bil). The Hueck family will take up to 9% of the combined company.

Investors have driven up Hella’s shares since Manager Magazin reported in April that the Hueck family was looking to reduce its holding, spooked in part by the market crash that coincided with the beginning of the pandemic.

With rivals including Mahle GmbH and Cie Plastic Omnium SA circling, the stock surged on expectations of a bidding war. It closed on Friday at €63.18 (RM316), above what Faurecia is offering.

The deal, one of the biggest in the European auto parts industry in recent years, would create a company with annual sales of about €23 billion (RM115bil) — forecast by Faurecia to exceed €33 billion (RM165bil) in 2025 — and some 150,000 employees.

Faurecia said the combination will be the world’s seventh-largest auto supplier, and better placed to sell electric mobility products and automated driving services to the industry.

"Together, we will have the critical edge to benefit from the strategic drivers that are transforming the automotive industry,” Faurecia chief executive officer Patrick Koller said.

Auto parts makers have suffered from a global semiconductor shortage and supply chain disruptions during the pandemic, which Hella said last month would most likely continue in the current fiscal year.

Despite the shortages, Faurecia recently said it expects worldwide auto production to rebound over the coming years and return to pre-Covid levels.

Hueck family

Lippstadt-based Hella, which traces its roots back to 1899, makes lighting and electronic components, as well as radar sensors for driver-assistance systems. The Huecks have controlled Hella since 1923 and took the company public in 2014.

"As family shareholders, we are fulfilling our corporate and entrepreneurial responsibility for Hella by turning the company Hella over to new owners early on, before our family pool agreement expires,” Jürgen Behrend, chairman of the family pool, said in the statement.

Hella’s business making power and battery electronics and radar sensors for advanced driver assistance systems would mesh well with Faurecia’s ambitions, Tom Narayan, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, wrote in a recent report.

In February, Hella completed the sale of its front camera software business to Volkswagen Group as part of what it called "stringent portfolio management,” while reaffirming its commitment to automated driving.

"Consolidation is likely for the legacy auto supplier space,” Narayan wrote, citing the shift to electric vehicles from internal combustion engines. automakers "are increasingly in-sourcing EV components and many suppliers are overexposed to ICE component sales which are being phased out.”

Potential bids

Faurecia beat out competition from German car-parts maker Mahle and France’s Plastic Omnium, Bloomberg News reported earlier.

Last month, Knorr-Bremse AG abruptly called off its pursuit after investors reacted negatively to the plans.

The offer document is expected to be published mid-September after approval by the German regulator BaFin. The closing of the transaction is expected at the beginning of 2022.

Perella Weinberg Partners advised Hella management, and Lazard advised Faurecia.


Kia to produce electric vehicles in the US from 2024, say reports

                SEOUL: Kia Corp is expected to produce electric vehicles in the United States from 2024, South Korean media Maeil Business Newspaper and TV channel SBS reported today, citing an unidentified auto industry source.

Kia Corp was not immediately available for comment when contacted by Reuters.

The Inflation Reduction Act signed into law by US President Joe Biden last month excludes Hyundai Motor Co and its affiliate Kia Corp from federal tax credits because they don't yet make EVs in North America, knocking their EV ambitions in the short term at least.

These two companies, which make the popular Ioniq 5 and EV6 models, sold more than 39,000 EVs in the United States between January and July – doubling last year's sales and blowing past Ford Motor Co, Volkswagen AG and General Motors Co.

Only about 20 EVs qualify for subsidies under the new rules, among them models from Ford and BMW, and starting next year, GM and Tesla Inc. The rules also specify requirements for EV battery materials and parts sourcing from 2023.


Mitsubishi refreshes Triton with MIVEC engine and more

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of the brand in Malaysia, has officially unveiled its refreshed Triton that now comes with more features, safety equipment and its Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) system for its turbodiesel engine.

The six Triton variants are still imported as a completely built-Up unit (CBU) from the company's global production hub in Thailand and its on-the-road pricing with GST without insurance starts with the Triton Quest (4x2) with a five-speed manual transmission (M/T) - Pearl White only, at RM77,390.00.

The Triton 4x4, also with a 5-speed M/T, costs RM93,920 and adds Sterling Silver to the colour options.

Moving on to the Triton 2.4 VGT 4x4 pickup with a six-speed M/T costs RM107,600 and comes in Titanium Grey as well as Sterling Silver, while its five-speed automatic transmission (A/T) stable-mate costs RM114,400 and adds Pearl White to the colour options.

As for the Triton 2.4 VGT Adventure (5-speed A/T), it is priced at RM123,130 with colour choices of Earth Green, Titanium Grey and Pearl White, while the range-topping 2.4 VGT Adventure X (5-speed A/T) is priced at RM130,900 and is only available in Impulse Blue and Titanium Grey.

All 2.4-litre variants come with a five-year or 200,000km (whichever comes first) warranty and all Adventure variants are provided with seven airbags - allowing it receive the full five-star ASEAN NCAP crash test rating.

The revised Triton is being powered by the latest 2.4-litre MIVEC turbodiesel light-weight aluminium engine with Variable Valve Timing technology and is coupled with a Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) to help it 181PS and 430Nm along with a 15%-gain on fuel economy over its previous 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine.

Also, all Triton VGT variants now have active stability traction control system to help keep over and under-steer situations at bay during slippery conditions.

In terms of looks, the new Titon now sport a new dark chrome grille and newly-designed side steps to add to the usual standard features of automatic bi-xenon HID headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights on the VGT variants.

The Adventure X variant now gets fitted with 17-inch dual-tone alloy rims and a front bumper shield extender.

Lastly, the cabin is updated with a new instrument cluster, new four-spoke multi-function steering wheel, leather upholstery, eight-way powered driver's seat and a reverse camera.


An early look at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show

                GENEVA: There are lots of big motor shows around the world that all purport to be among the most important of the year, but the Geneva Motor Show is easily one of the most important, especially where the European market is concerned. So, let's take an early look at what we already know is going to be attracting the crowds in Geneva this year.

A lot of attention as far as Audi is concerned normally revolves around models like the R8 and the new A7, but the all-new fifth-generation of the A6 will be unveiled at the March show, which is probably a far more important model for the brand.

Bentley already announced the V-8 petrol version of its Bentayga SUV recently, but a plug-in hybrid version that's been spied undergoing testing is likely to break cover for the first time here.

Jaguar's first all-electric model, the I-Pace SUV, was revealed in concept form at the 2016 show in Los Angeles, but the launch of the final production model will take place at Geneva 2018. Despite an expected starting price of around £55,000 ($76,400), the I-Pace isn't just an important car for the British luxury brand as it could also play a major part in promoting electric vehicles in general.

Kia has already unveiled some exciting new models lately, such as the Stinger, but despite struggling sales of compact sedans and hatches, the third-generation Cee'd will be a big reveal for the South Korean brand, and a mild-hybrid version is also expected to feature.

Although Land Rover has been fairly tight-lipped about what it has planned for the show this year so far, it's widely expected a new two-door Range Rover Coupe from the company's Special Vehicle Operations unit will make its official debut.

We may have already seen the interior of the new Mercedes A-Class, but the important new model for the German luxury automaker will finally be unveiled in Geneva. As well as that, new, more spacious interior and new platform, the A-Class will also offer a plug-in hybrid variant for the first time.

 The Toyota FT-1 concept, first seen in 2014, is the precursor of what the new Supra may look like.

One of the most exciting cars that's likely to be making an appearance at the show though is the much-anticipated new Toyota Supra. It's been rumoured to be in the pipeline almost since the last model went out of production, but it looks as though the Supra will finally reappear, but this time under Toyota's Gazoo Racing brand.

Sharing underpinnings with the Audi Q7, a new third-generation of the Volkswagen Touareg will be on show, which as well as a pair of V-8 diesel engines, will also offer buyers the option of a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The show will be open to the public March 8-18, but press previews begin as early as the evening of March 5.


Jaguar XE SV Project 8 re-sets its Nürburgring timed lap

                LONDON: The Jaguar XE SV Project 8 has managed to beat its previous record time set at the Nürburgring Nordschleife to remain the fastest four-door production car.

Developed by the British carmaker's Special Vehicle Operations, the car was able to lap the 20.6km circuit 2.9 seconds faster than its previous lap time, set in November 2017, with an officially-verified time of 7 minutes 18.361.

This also made the car 7.0 seconds faster than any other four-door production car.

The car returned to the circuit in a production-specification two-seat Track Pack version with development driver Vincent Radermecker at the helm.

The car’s height-adjustable twin-spring coil-over suspension was set in ‘track’ ride height, with adjustable front splitter and carbon fibre rear aerodynamic wing set for maximum downforce and stability.

Also, the car was fitted with new ultra-high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres while the underside uses a fully-enclosed flat underbody panel to enhance its aerodynamics.

The all-wheel-drive car uses an uprated 5.0-litre supercharged V8 with 600PS that can send it from 0 to 100kph in 3.7 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 320kph.

Prices for the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 start from £149,995 (est. RM770,000) in the UK.

Production of the limited-edition Project 8 will finish this year and there will be three distinct four-door specifications available which include the lightweight two-seater Track Pack (as used for the record lap times).

There is also the four-seater configuration with the same aero package and performance as the Track Pack and a Touring specification with a more discreet fixed rear spoiler – the ultimate Q-car which is limited to only 15 examples worldwide and 186mph (300kph).

“This new official record time is a fitting reward for everyone who has played a part in pushing the boundaries for our customers with Project 8,” said Jaguar Special Vehicle Operations engineering director Jamal Hameedi.


Mercedes gives G-Class its biggest-ever update

                STUTTGART: Although it might not look like it from the outside, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has undergone a huge transformation since it was first launched almost 40 years ago.

It started off as a hardcore, rough-and-ready off-roader for the German military and utility companies, but it's now morphed into an entirely new life as a highly profitable, uber-luxury SUV.

Mercedes has just revealed the G-Wagen is getting the biggest update in its history, but if you think that will include a radical new look for the exterior then think again.

The overwhelming majority of updates will happen inside the Geländewagen (the German name for the G-Class), which will see the luxury nature of the cabin taken to even higher levels than it is already.

Although it will be more closely aligned with the S-Class limousine than something you'll be happy to climb into with boots covered in mud, it will have lots of signature features unique to this model.

There will still be the generous amount of headroom, the dashboard-mounted grab handle and the thin doors and A-pillars, but the enhancement of the luxury SUV's technology features will be off-the-scale.

But fans of the incredible off-road credentials of the G-Class have nothing to worry about as the new model is not going to be moving in any way towards being another soft-roader.

The three buttons for the mechanical-locking differentials in the center of the dashboard are being retained, and the rest of the dash is being built around them.

The ladder-frame chassis construction is also being retained, but it will now be mostly aluminum, so torsional rigidity will improve by some 30 percent, while also dropping around 160 kg (350 pounds) of weight.

At the moment, the G-Class is Europe's last really serious and hardcore off-roader, at least until the arrival of a new Land Rover Defender.

But the Mercedes has much more premium rivals to worry about such as the Bentley Bentayga and upcoming Falcon, Lamborghini Urus, a BMW X7 in the pipeline, and the increasing upmarket stretch of the Range Rover.


McLaren's Spider sense is tingling with open-top 765 LT two-seater

                LONDON: Get your goggles on, because McLaren is preparing to launch an open version of its 765 LT as a Spider that can take you to eye-searing speeds with the roof and the windows down.

But if anything it's the price that's likely to make your eyes tear up.

The McLaren 765 LT is limited to 765 units and the British sports car manufacturer says pricing in Europe will start at upwards of €369,000 (RM1.8mil) when the open-top car launches in spring 2022.

Developed on the basis of the 720S Spider, McLaren has significantly modified the bodywork, optimised the aerodynamics and, most importantly, modified the engines in order to allow for top speeds of up to 330kph.

The 3.8-litre V8 produces 765 instead of 720 horsepower, sending you into the back of your seat with a maximum torque of 800Nm.

According to the manufacturer, the transmission of the two-seater also shifts 15 per cent faster and the car is 80kg lighter overall.

The driving specs also match the pricing: The 765 LT accelerates from 0 to 100kph in 2.8 seconds, and can hit 200kph from a standstill in 7.2 seconds.

McLaren says the top speed is 330kph, although - as in the 720S - you'll only be able to hit this with the roof down.

Most people putting this car to its limits won't care much about emissions or carbon footprints, but it's still worth mentioning that this is no climate change proof car: It burns through an average of 12.3 litres and has sizeable CO2 emission footprint of 280 g/km.


WATCH: Chip Foose doesn't like new BMW M3 face, decides to do something about it

                LOS ANGELES: Following BMW's reveal of its latest M3 and M4 performance vehicles, its styling cues haven't sat well with enthusiasts and fans of the German brand.

In particular, the M3 and M4's enlarged kidney grilles have been more "miss" than "hit".

One person in particular who has deemed BMW's creations a "miss" is American automotive designer and artist Chip Foose.

Foose went ahead and provided the German automaker with a sketch of what he thinks the M3/M4's front end should look.

Although many would deem this a slap in the face for BMW, it's actually more of a plea to the Bavarian carmaker to reconsider releasing their performance models from its new front end.

To help the front end meld together with the rest of the bodywork, Foose split and re-introduced a healthy dose of a bumper bar - effectively splitting the kidney grille into an upper and lower section.

He also reduced the size of the front air intakes and integrated a pair of horizontal turn signals from the E30-generation M3.

Despite the brickbats, BMW is sticking with the design for the M3 and M4 - at least for this generation.

For some BMW critics, they have learnt to accept the new grille design, which is not the same as loving it.


Cycle and Carriage Bintang launches the Star Galleria: 2019 holiday promotions

                KUALA LUMPUR: Cycle and Carriage Bintang Bhd recently launched the Star Galleria, a mobile showroom for Mercedes-Benz cars, in conjunction with the group's 120th anniversary celebrations in 2019.

The 20 x 8 feet mobile Autohaus has a sleek design bearing the three-pointed star, and comes with Wi-Fi and in-built digital devices to facilitate customer consultations, and offers financing and insurance solutions to facilitate the ownership experience.

The Star Galleria is serviced by sales executives and product experts well-versed in walking customers through a detailed ownership process.

It also offers a refreshments counter complete with dedicated service personnel, and exclusive Mercedes-Benz merchandise.

"We are proud to represent Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and elevate our fans’ engagement with the brand through the Mercedes-Benz mobile showroom here in Malaysia. This is our effort to enhance the automotive retailing experience, blending a mobile approach that gives customers a taste of that Mercedes Benz luxury with Cycle & Carriage’s hospitality, in places that are unexpected,” said Cycle and Carriage Bintang CEO Wilfrid Foo.

"Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and Cycle and Carriage share a long-term partnership and friendship spanning 67 years. Cycle and Carriage is key to the expansion of the Mercedes-Benz brand in Malaysia. They complement our extensive product range with best-in-class service," said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia vice president (sales and marketing - passenger cars) Mark Raine.

 Mercedes-Benz Malaysia vice president (sales and marketing - passenger cars) Mark Raine and Cycle and Carriage Bintang CEO Wilfrid Foo introduces Star Galleria, a mobile showroom.

To date, Cycle and Carriage has a network of 13 outlets across Malaysia.

The group also has three ‘Centre of Competence’ body and paint collision repair facilities in Batu Caves, Bukit Tengah, and Johor Bahru certified by Mercedes-Benz parent company, Daimler AG.

To commemorate its 120th anniversary, Cycle and Carriage also launched a regional campaign to give away 120 specially curated trips to three destinations: Mongolia, Nepal and Korea.

The campaign runs from 10 January to 30 November, 2019 for Cycle and Carriage’s customers in Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar.

To participate, customers can register on the Cycle & Carriage website and perform eligible transactions.

In Malaysia, the eligible transactions are:
- Buy a new or pre-owned Mercedes-Benz from Cycle & Carriage and receive 12 entries; or
- Every RM3,000 spent in a single receipt/invoice for maintenance, repairs, and/or purchase of merchandise and accessories you will receive 1 entry (capped at 12 entries)

Mongolia “Adventure” - Journey across the rolling steppes and immerse yourself in the nomadic settlements that have called the grasslands home since the time of Genghis Khan.

 Soak up the wild splendour of the Mongol Els sand dunes.
 Visit the Hustai National Park and get acquainted with the takhi, the world's last wild horses.
 Connect with a local Mongolian family and experience the nomadic lifestyle first-hand.

Nepal “Culture” - Immerse yourself in the history of Kathmandu and find out why this ancient kingdom is also one of the most enchanting places on earth.

 Unlock the wonders of Pashupatinath, a Hindu temple complex and UNESCO World Heritage site.
 Journey to the mountain village of Nagarkot and admire the Himalayas from an altitude of 2,200m.
 Venture into the Kathmandu Valley and uncover its stunning views and sublime beauty.

Korea “Metropolis” - Step out in style in Asia’s capital of cool and embark on a glorious urban odyssey across Seoul to discover its thrills, sights, and sounds.

 Witness the famous guard-changing ceremony at Gyeongbokgung Palace.
 Stroll through the traditional Bukchon Hanok Village and re-live scenes from popular K-dramas.
 Learn to prepare an authentic Korean meal and enjoy the best of home-cooked Korean cuisine.


Great deals from Mitsubishi for Merdeka celebration

                KUALA LUMPUR: There are great deals for selected Mitsubishi cars including free maintenance programmes, warranty up to five years and cash rebates up to RM7,000.

Till August 31, 2015, customers who book and register the ASX can enjoy a five-year free maintenance program and five-year warranty.

They are also entitled for a cash rebate from RM4,000 to RM7,000 (valid for 2015 make only).

The 2WD Mitsubishi ASX is priced at RM114,044 while the 4WD variant is priced at RM128,180.

Meanwhile, the Mitsubishi ASX also comes in Sports Edition and is limited to only 60 units.

The ASX Sports Edition comes with a shark fin antenna, Ralliart inspired sticker, scuff plates and tailgate protector.

Those who buy the new Triton pick-up is entitled to two-year free maintenance and a trade-in cash deal.

This offer is valid for the all-new Triton VGT AT, VGT MT and MT variants only.

The all-new Triton is priced from RM67,000 to RM108,000.

In addition, with the Mitsubishi Exclusive Loyalty Programme, current Mitsubishi owners stand a chance to enjoy additional cash deals when they book any new Mitsubishi models from now until March 31, 2016.

Mitsubishi’s five-year free maintenance package offers complementary maintenance on parts lubricants and labour costs.

Some of the free maintenance parts that are included are engine oil, fuel filters, air cleaner, brake fluid, coolant, differential oil and transmission oil (based on the recommended scheduled service).


German car authority probes Porsche over fuel consumption data

                STUTTGART: Germany's car authority KBA has started a probe against Porsche, suspecting incorrect fuel consumption data for gasoline-powered cars, news portal Business Insider reported today.

Porsche said it had made a voluntary notification to the authority as "a pre-cautionary measure" a year ago, regarding conformity issues with individual vehicles.

"The current procedure has already been able to find no conformity deviations in the large majority of vehicles," a Porsche spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

The number of vehicles affected was "far less" than 1% of the Porsche fleet, the spokesperson said, adding no decision had yet been reached and that proceeding were at an early stage.

KBA was not immediately available for comment.


Hyundai plans luxury electric car under Genesis brand

                BUSAN: Hyundai Motor Co plans to launch a luxury all-electric vehicle under its Genesis marque to build out the lineup of its new premium brand, said senior vice president Manfred Fitzgerald.

"We will definitely go as Genesis brand down the road of alternative propulsions and it is very, very obvious that EV is definitely on the map," Fitzgerald told reporters on the sidelines of an auto show in Busan, without elaborating on details such as a launch date.

"I think full electric cars will be the future in the auto industry," said the former Lamborghini director who recently joined Hyundai and leads strategy for Genesis, which broke out as a standalone luxury brand in November.

Genesis is a departure for Hyundai Motor, which had earned its reputation as a value brand, and is seen aiming at tapping growing demand for premium cars with higher prices to boost flagging profits.

 Donckerwolke.

But the brand faces a challenge of carving out its own identity and differentiating itself from its group brands - Hyundai and Kia Motors - as well as German competitors, analysts say.

"The main goal is to have a strong differentiation within brands. No design overlap," said Luc Donckerwolke, senior vice president at Hyundai Design Center.

Genesis is a key initiative for Hyundai Motor Vice Chairman and heir apparent Chung Eui-sun, who is being groomed to succeed his father and chairman Chung Mong-koo. "He is involved in all decisions," Fitzgerald said.

Hyundai Motor plans to add a diesel version of its Genesis G80 large sedan in the first half of next year, the company said in a statement.

The petrol-powered G80, unveiled at the auto show, is the second model under the Genesis brand after G90 and will be introduced in South Korea next month.

An electric vehicle would diversify the propulsion systems for the new brand, something Fitzgerald said was important to success in the luxury market.


Skoda unveils new Kodiaq with refreshed design and new engines

                PRAGUE: The Kodiaq is the driving force of Skoda's broad range of crossovers, and for the first time in four years, the manufacturer's first SUV is now getting an update.

The Czech VW subsidiary is freshening up the outside of its biggest SUV, while also adding new engines, including a more powerful petrol option, and a more high-tech cockpit.

Skoda has not yet announced new prices, but they're unlikely to differ much from current pricing, which currently starts at €29,990 (RM149,000) in its home market.

You'll spot the new Kodiaq by new skirts on the front and rear, a more accentuated grille and an updated selection of wheel rims with up to 20 inches.

On the inside, there's a modernised cockpit with a new look for the digital gauges, as well as a new steering wheel like the one used by Octavia drivers. Optional extras include full LED matrix headlights, ergonomic seats and vegan upholstery.

Under the bonnet, Skoda continues to offer a choice of two diesels and three petrol engines, the most powerful of which has a slight increase in power.

The sporty RS model at the top of the range is now listed with 245hp. Below that, there is another 2.0-litre petrol engine with 190hp as well as a 1.5-litre petrol engine with 150hp, which is the only one offered with a manual gearbox instead of the seven-speed dual clutch.

For the diesels, Skoda continues to rely on a four-pot 2.0-litre available with 150hp or 200hp. Skoda has not yet provided data on performance and fuel consumption.


Bridgestone conducts sports driving lesson for lucky few

SERDANG: The Bridgestone Potenza Driving Lesson was introduced in Malaysia in 2008 and now it forges on to raise awareness of safe and proper sports driving techniques.Bridgestone Malaysia recently conducted the latest edition of the event at MAEPS Serdang where 30 motoring enthusiasts were in attendance.Those who attended were selected from a lucky-draw as part of the recent Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE003 launch promotion from May 1 till July 31.Customers who purchased the tyre from an authorized distributor stood a chance to be selected for a hands-on driving experience under the tutorage of professional drivers, who was headed by the “Prince of Drift” Tengku Djan Ley.Malaysian International Drifting Champion using the Potenza Adrenalin RE003, the most suitable tyre for street sports driving, whilst enjoying safe and proper sports driving.The participants were taught safe driving techniques and the skills required in handling a vehicle during adverse situations.The lesson also covered proper steering and seating as well as emergency braking and cornering through a timed autocross course.All participants had the opportunity to try their hand at four driving courses, which included how slaloms, threshold braking, avoidance braking and tracing the correct cornering line.Finally, a Time Attack competition was conducted to see how well the participants can apply their newly learnt skills.“Through this lesson, we are hoping you will bring home with you the theory and hands-on practical lessons that you learnt today and apply the correct driving techniques into your day-to-day driving,” shared Bridgestone Tyres Sales (Malaysia) managing director Jo Takekawa.


Shooting at German Mercedes plant kills two; production halted

Ambulances are parked outside the plant near Stuttgart earlier today following the shooting. — Reuters
BERLIN: A shooting at a Mercedes-Benz plant in the city of Sindelfingen in south-western Germany left two men dead today, mounting pressure on Berlin to tighten the country's already-strict gun laws.

Police arrested the suspect, a 53-year-old man, who opened fire on the victims before security workers at the site held him down and handed him over to authorities, police and the local prosecutor's office said in a statement.

The victims, both 44, died of their injuries, they said.

Production of the company's flagship S-Class luxury sedan at its Sindelfingen plant, some 17km south-west of Stuttgart, was suspended, a Mercedes-Benz spokesman said, adding it was not clear when it would resume.

The gunman and the two victims belonged to an external services provider, Mercedes said, without providing further details on their roles.

The incident was the latest of a number of mass shootings in Germany in recent years, many of which had a connection with extremism.

Investigators have yet to establish a motive for today's shooting.

The German government had vowed to tighten its gun laws further after a gunman opened fire on people gathered in a Jehovah's Witnesses hall in Hamburg in March, killing six.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser had said after that attack that the government would revisit its arms laws.

The Social Democrats, her party and that of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, have been pushing for tougher restrictions, and Germany's police union also called for a swift legislative response to restrict the number of guns available.

"We are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic news," Mercedes said in a statement, adding there was no longer any danger to the local population or workers at the plant.

The plant - with a workforce of 35,000 - was evacuated following the shooting, which took place after the suspect entered the site at 7:45am (0545 GMT), police and the Stuttgart prosecutor said.

Germany outlawed certain large magazines in 2020 and conducts five-yearly checks on gun owners to ascertain whether their possession of a weapon is justified.

According to government data, there are over 940,000 registered private gun owners in Germany, which has a population of 84 million people.


BMW to offer new version of i3 electric car in 2017, says weekly

                MUNICH: BMW plans to launch a new version of its i3 electric car next year with a longer range and revamped design, German weekly Welt am Sonntag reported, citing company sources.

BMW will rework the front and rear of the i3 and equip the car with a new battery to increase its range substantially beyond the current 300km maximum, the paper said, adding that the increase would be below 50%.

BMW has been torn about whether to accelerate development of new electric cars given its expensive early investment has only resulted in lackluster sales, with 25,000 i3s delivered last year.

To help improve sales, BMW has already increased the battery range of its i3 city car by 50% this year.

BMW was not immediately available for comment on the newspaper report.


Thailand's auto exports to reach one million units in 2022

                BANGKOK: Auto exports of Thailand are expected to rise 4.54 percent year on year in 2022 to reach 1 million units, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

The FTI expected the country's auto production to grow 6.78 percent from 2021 to 1.8 million units this year.

However, Surapong Paisitpatanapong, vice-chairman and spokesperson of the FTI, said that the FTI is still concerned over the impact of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic which may continue to weigh on economic recovery both in Thailand and around the world.

He also said that if the global semiconductor shortage cannot being settled, it may cause Thailand's auto industry to miss its target on both production and export.

In terms of motorcycle manufacturing, the FTI estimated an increase year-on-year for 2022 to be 12.31 percent, driven mainly by overall improvement of economic activities in the South-East Asian country.

Its forecast put the total motorcycle production this year at 2 million units. - Xinhua


Spot the new Bimmer: BMW taps into wellspring of Malaysian creativity

                PETALING JAYA: BMW Group Malaysia is highlighting the work of local businesses, volunteer groups and NGOs in these trying times while rallying Malaysians to participate in a contest that is a prelude to introduction of a new BMW model.

Komuniti Tukang Jahit, Changgih Designs, INKAA, and Kanoe would each create an art piece unique to them that would be used to camouflage the upcoming BMW model. Several units of the car in camouflage would take to the streets of Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley over the next few weeks to create some buzz for its launch in October.

READ MORE: Camouflaged BMW model revealed on Oct 8

Catch sight of the fleet of camouflaged cars and visit BMW Malaysia’s Facebook or Instagram accounts to win exclusively designed BMW merchandises created in collaboration with Komuniti Tukang Jahit, Changgih Designs, INKAA and Kanoe.

BMW Malaysia did not offer details of the contest mechanics, which is expected to be announced on its social media accounts in the coming days.

It said it decided to work with these four groups to celebrate their resilience in the face of a pandemic.


Ford to use more formable Alcoa aluminum alloys

 Raj Nair with the F-150 in the background.

DETROIT: Ford and Alcoa are working together to produce next-generation automotive aluminum alloys that are more formable and design-friendly.

Ford will use Alcoa’s Micromill material in multiple components on the 2016 F-150 – becoming the first automaker to use the advanced automotive aluminum commercially. The companies entered into a joint development agreement to collaborate on next-generation aluminum alloys for automotive parts using Micromill technology.

‘‘Light-weighting enables us to design vehicles with great customer attributes – like the F-150, which can tow more, haul more, accelerate quicker and stop faster than the previous F-150, and is more fuel-efficient than ever,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president and chief technical officer, Global Product Development. “This collaboration supports our continued drive for innovation, as we research automotive applications for even greater light-weighting.”

Alcoa’s Micromill technology, announced in December 2014, produces an aluminum alloy that is 40 percent more formable than today’s automotive aluminum.

“Alcoa’s breakthrough Micromill technology offers highly differentiated automotive material with strength, weight, formability and surface quality combinations previously impossible,” said Klaus Kleinfeld, Alcoa chairman and chief executive officer. “This high-tech aluminum will give Ford a true material edge enabling greater design flexibility and better vehicle performance – making the concept cars of tomorrow a reality.”

The increased formability of Micromill aluminum makes it easier to shape into intricate forms, such as the inside panels of automobile doors and external fenders. The increased material strength allows for the use of thinner aluminum sheet without compromising dent resistance.

Micromill is the fastest, most productive aluminum casting and rolling system in the world combining multiple technologies into a streamlined production system. A traditional rolling mill takes around 20 days to turn molten metal into coil; Micromill does it in just 20 minutes.

Ford will begin using Micromill material in 2016 F-150 production in the fourth quarter of 2015, and plans to increase its use over the next several years on a range of vehicle components and future platforms. It is projected Ford’s use of Micromill material on its vehicles will more than double from 2016 to 2017.

Aluminum alloy produced using the Micromill process has already been validated by Ford engineers to ensure it meets the stringent requirements for producing high-quality parts, especially the kinds of complex structures that make up F-150.

Over in Europe, Ford is leading a €3.5 million research project to investigate the use of alternative fuels that could offer customers the power and performance of modern internal combustion engines with environmental benefits comparable to an electric vehicle.

The German government is co-funding the three-year project that will test the first-ever cars to run on dimethyl ether (DME), commonly used as a non-toxic propellant in aerosol spray gas, and oxymethylene ether (OME1), a liquid usually used as a solvent in the chemical industry.

Both ethers, which will power cars based on the Ford Mondeo, offer the potential for extremely low particulate emissions and enhanced fuel efficiency. They can be generated from fossil natural gas or bio-gas or through a sophisticated process called power-to-liquid that uses renewable sources such as solar or wind power together with CO2 captured from the air.

This promising technology is being investigated in a parallel project together with RWTH Aachen University researching the viability of different DME generation methods, looking at conversion efficiency, estimated fuel prices and infrastructure aspects.

“The CO2 produced by a car powered by DME from renewable sources could be comparable to the amount generated by a marathon runner covering the same distance – but with performance similar to a diesel powered vehicle,” said Werner Willems, technical specialist , Powertrain Combustion Systems, Ford of Europe. “This is a project that could help place vehicles with a significantly reduced carbon dioxide and particulate emissions on the market at affordable costs.”

Both DME and OME1 produce almost no particulates, and also share characteristics with diesel fuel that are expected to make conversion of diesel engines possible with comparable performance. It is estimated that DME from renewable energy sources could offer well-to-wheel emissions of about 3 g/km CO2. Like liquefied petroleum gas, DME must be stored in a slightly pressurised tank. OME1 can be stored in a conventional tank system. The DME-powered engines are expected to benefit from almost soot-free combustion, higher thermal efficiency and excellent cold start properties.

For the project Ford European Research & Innovation Center, Aachen, Germany, will work together with RWTH Aachen University, the Technical University of Munich, FVV, TUEV, DENSO, IAV Automotive Engineering, and Oberon Fuels.  Through the FVV–the leading forum for joint research projects on engine technology in Germany – the project findings will be shared with key-players within the automotive industry.


Does the new Lexus concept have the UX factor?

                TOKYO: Lexus is focusing its considerable technological might on a concept car - the UX - for this month's Paris Motor show that will usher in a new level of user experience.

As cars move from being a simple form of personal transportation to potentially being the digital hub of the connected consumer and his or her equally connected home, so too does the definition of its user experience. Its systems have to be as fun and immersive to use as the driving experience is keen.

Therefore the Lexus UX Concept is an aggressively styled crossover on the outside - one that takes the company's current design language and projects it into the next decade - and a simple-to-use supercomputer on the inside.

"Our brief was to create a new genre of compact crossover; a vehicle that could create something unique from a customer's point of view - an innovative, three-dimensional, fully immersive user experience," said Stephan Rasmussen, designer at Lexus's European Design Centre, ED2, where the car was conceived.

The interior takes the three-dimensional brief literally. Rather than speedometer and odometer, the instrument binnacle has a transparent globe and information appears in it in hologram form.

The idea is that this information appears to float. The main dashboard section is meant to look like crystal that encloses holographic representations of the air conditioning and infotainment system.

Other touches that are less futuristic and could soon be appearing on mass market cars include electro-chromatic windows - they can go from transparent to translucent or opaque with the push of a button - and side cameras instead of external wing mirrors.

One of the more esoteric design features is a ribbed horizontal dashboard section that houses the car's front speakers. It's actually a detachable soundbar.

Though some of these conceptual ideas sound very sci-fi, cars are starting to be judged in terms of user experience - i.e., how easy and distraction free their systems and connected technologies are to use.

Next month, WardsAuto will hand out its inaugural Best UX Competition awards for the 10 cars with the best user interfaces and the current Lexus RX crossover will be one of the winners.

The Lexus UX concept will be revealed in full on Sept 29, two days before the Paris Motor Show opens to the public.


VinFast global showroom design competition comes with total prize worth over US$60,000

                HO CHI MINH CITY: Vietnamese car maker VinFast is looking at international talents to design its smart vehicle showrooms to be built globally.

The "VinFast Global Showroom Design Competition 2021" is organised by Vietnam Design Association offers a total prizes worth over US$60,000 (RM243,000).

The first prize is worth US$40,000 (RM162,000), along with three second prizes each worth US$3,000 (RM12,132), five third prizes each worth US$1,000 (RM4,044) and 41 consolation prizes each worth US$200 (RM809).

Winners will also receive certificates and have the opportunity to co-operate with VinFast in the future.

Winning entries must deliver showroom design ideas that represents VinFast's vision and core values, as well as the cultural values and identities of the target markets.

This competition is a new milestone for VinFast regarding the company's global strategy in the US, Europe, Australia, and Asia Pacific markets.

Submissions for entries closes on February 25.

The works should be in complete 3D design with three main work items:

* Exterior architectural space with an area of 30m x 20m
* Architectural space of standard car showroom with a minimum area of 10m x 7m
* Architectural space of creative zone with a minimum area of 10m x 7m.

The most unique, impressive design ideas will be projected at New York City's Times Square in April 2021.

Judges for the competition will consist of renowned professors, design experts from the prestigious architect and design associations globally, and high-level leaders of VinFast.

For details, visit vinfastcompetition.com.


Perodua Myvi hits milestone with over 100,000 units on the road

                PETALING JAYA: The Perodua Myvi has achieved another milestone, with over 100,000 units of the third-generation model already on the road as of today.

“We are glad to announce that since the third-generation Perodua Myvi’s launch in November 2017, we have delivered over 100,000 of them to happy customers – that’s an average of over 1,560 units a week,” said Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Datuk Dr Zahari Husin.

He added that customer feedback has been largely positive, with many of them liking the Myvi’s stylish looks, practicality, ease to drive, low running costs thanks to its frugality and economical maintenance, generous space despite its compact size, plus advanced features usually only found in more premium cars.

“The Perodua Myvi is by far the most successful model in our history. The original Myvi launched in 2005 into a market then dominated by sedans.

“By 2013 it had overtaken the Kancil’s all-time sales (708,000 units from 1994 to 2009) and to date, we have sold nearly 1.1 million Myvis altogether,” said Zahari.

Orders for the third-generation Myvi have reached a cumulative 150,000, and Perodua continues to work hard to fulfil those orders as properly and promptly as it can.

“We thank all Malaysians for welcoming the Myvi into your homes with open arms – it really encourages and motivates us to keep improving so we can serve you better. At Perodua, we never forget that we are a People First company,” Zahari added.

Perodua closed 2018 with a record 227,243 cars sold, making it Malaysia’s leading carmaker for the 13th consecutive year. The company has sold nearly 3.5 million cars since 1994.


New Volt gets more EV range at 85km

                DETROIT: The 2016 Chevrolet Volt is engineered to offer customers more of what they want: range, range and more range.

The Volt’s all-new second-generation Voltec extended-range electric propulsion system delivers 85km of pure EV range, based on EPA testing. That is nearly a 40-% improvement over the first-generation Volt.

Chevrolet expects many next-generation Volt owners will use power solely from their batteries for more than 90 % of trips. Today, Volt owners use battery power on 80 % of their trips.

This means the average Volt owner could expect to travel well over 1,609km between gas fill ups, if they charge regularly.

For the first 85km, the Volt can drive gas and tailpipe-emissions free using a full charge of electricity stored in its new 18.4-kWh lithium-ion battery, rated at a combined 106 MPGe, or gasoline equivalent. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas-powered generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range for a total of 675km on a full tank.

“We listened to our customers,” said Andrew Farah, vehicle chief engineer, “They were very clear when they told us that they wanted more range, and a fun driving experience behind the wheel. We are confident that the 2016 Volt delivers both.”

The next-generation Volt’s new 1.5L range-extender, designed to use regular unleaded fuel, offers a combined EPA-estimated fuel efficiency of 5.6l/100km.

Data shows that drivers of the first-generation Volt achieved, and often exceeded, the published EPA-estimated mileage. Chevrolet expects the same label-exceeding result with the next-generation Volt.


Lady Diana's Ford Escort sold for US$760,000 at auction

                LONDON: Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana, a Ford Escort driven by the late royal has sold at auction for US$764,000 (RM3.4mil).

Princess Diana could often be seen driving the 1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo between 1985 and 1988 and the car, retrofitted for security purposes, was often spotted around London or outside the boutiques of Chelsea and the restaurants of Kensington.

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

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

The Escort RS Turbo - which sold for a total of just under US$850,000 (RM3.8mil) with fees - broke the record for the most car of its kind sold at auction.

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

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

The car was returned to Ford in May 1988 with some 10,943km on the odometer and it has still covered only 40,170km from new.

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


Latest Kia Soul ready to hit European streets in all-electric form

                FRANKFURT: Kia is ready to roll out the third generation of its boxy Soul this month, which will head to Europe in only all-electric form.

The South Korean carmaker has not yet named its price, though sources in business circles put its starting number at more than 30,000 euros (RM138,000), citing a better drive and enhanced features.

Closely related, technically speaking, with the Niro SUV, but much more polarizing in design and featuring an online infotainment system, for example, the Soul will have two drive variants, says Kia.

In the base version, the electric motor on the front axle boasts 100 kW/136 PS. The batteries have a capacity of 39.2 kWh, which allows for a top speed of 155 kilometres per hour, according to Kia.

It also boasts a range of 277km in a normal cycle.

Alternatively, the Soul EV also comes with an 150 kW/204 PS electric motor and a battery at 64 kWh. This version can thus reach up to 167kph and features a longer range, at 452km.

While Kia has stuck with the typical form of the Soul, it has altered the format some. The wheelbase has grown by 3 centimetres, to 2.6 metres, and the car has lengthened 6cm, for 4.2 metres.


Hyundai opens Dream Center in Cambodia

                PHNOM PENH: Hyundai Motor Group held an inauguration ceremony for its latest Dream Center in Cambodia, which looks to provide vocational training to youths in underdeveloped regions.

The new training centre is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts and is the third of its kind.

The largest automaker in South Korea, together with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), had previously opened such centres in Ghana and Indonesia since 2013.

The company has also indicated that it has plans to open one centre annually in other Asian and African nations.

Last month, the South Korean automaker donated 21 of its Starex-based ambulances to the United Nations (UN) in support of its Global Ebola Response activities in Liberia, West Africa.

The vehicles have been equipped with respirators, oxygen tanks and other medical kits

Furthermore, the company also launched its ‘Hyundai Green Zone’ as part of its environmental CSR activity.

Its first phase was previously launched in 2008, which looked to convert 50 million square metres of salt desert in Chakanor, Neimenggu, China into grassland – a process that took six years.

The second phase will take place in Zhenlan Qi, 300km north of Beijing, and together with EcoPeace Asia, Hyundai plans to create 40 million square metres of grassland over the next five years.

Upon completion of the second project, Hyundai will return the land to the local government of Zhenglan Qi.

The project will hire local employees as well as send its ‘Happy Move Global Youth Volunteers’ – the group’s university student volunteer group.

China Corporate Social Responsibility International Forum chose Hyundai Motor Group as the most responsible company for four consecutive years since 2011.


Rezvani reveals Beast Alpha X Blackbird

                LOS ANGELES: If Batman is looking for a new Batmobile that's perhaps not quite as overt and attention-grabbing as his last one, a company called Rezvani from Irvine in California might just have the answer in the shape of the stunning Beast Alpha X Blackbird. The Beast is based on a Lotus Elise, but this is far more than a tuned-up Lotus and its somewhat outrageous name is actually perfectly appropriate.

The Beast Alpha X Blackbird is carbon-fiber bodied, targa-topped, sidewinder-doored coupe that takes its inspiration from the famed US spy plane, the Blackbird. And although at first glance the engine may seem a little underwhelming as it's a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, the Beast lives up to its billing as that compact unit puts out an incredible 700hp.

This isn't a completely new model though, and that's because it's really an enhanced version of the existing 600hp Beast Alpha X. The Blackbird comes standard with a number of bits that are available as options for the Alpha X, such as adjustable suspension, 18-inch wheels with AP Racing stoppers and carbon discs. Other additions to the Apha X include green headlights, and of course, the extra 100 horsepower.

Cosworth helped to develop the incredible turbo-four that powers the Blackbird, and it features performance upgrades such as a Cosworth ECU, and CP-Carillo forged pistons, rods, cams, valves, and springs. The standard gearbox is a fairly unremarkable six-speed manual, although a six-speed sequential gearbox can be ordered for an extra US$15,000 (RM59,000).

With a total weight of 975kg, which is 91kg more than the Beast Alpha X, that staggeringly powerful four-cylinder powerplant gets the Blackbird from a standing start to 100kph in just 2.9 seconds.

If you want to get your hands on a Beast Alpha X Blackbird you'll have to be quick as just five of them are being built by Rezvani, and ex-MMA fighter Quentin "Rampage" Jackson has already ordered one. The starting price is US$225,000 (RM884,000), and how much you want to spend on top of that is entirely up to you as even adding an Alpine sound system will set you back a further US$2,500 (RM9,814).


W Series starts ladies-only eSports racing league

W Series driver Chadwick at home in London on her W Series Esports League set-up, including hardware from Logitech.

LONDON: W Series, the international single-seater motor racing championship for female drivers only, announced the start of its new eSports League - and yes, it's still a ladies-only occasion.

The league will commence its simulation racing season in the coming weeks together with PC and console gaming gear makers Logitech G, community-driven organisation and specialist in hosting tournaments Beyond Entertainment as well as leading eSports simulation platform iRacing.

There will be 18 ladies vying for the top spot have previously qualified to race in the on-track W Series this year which names such as 21-year-old Jamie Chadwick (UK), 25-year old Beitske Visser (Netherlands) and 19-year-old Marta Garcia (SPA) to name few.

However, the company said that it reserves the right to invite other female drivers to participate in the league.

The race will be held on 10 iconic, albeit virtual, international race circuits made famous by Formula 1, IndyCar, the World Endurance Championship and Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) among others.

These venues include Autodromo Nazionale di Monza (Italy), Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), Suzuka International Racing Course (Japan), Mount Panorama Circuit, Bathurst (Australia), Nürburgring Nordschleife (Germany) and Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit (United Kingdom) among others.

The ladies will be racing in a digitised version of the Tatuus Formula Renault 2.0 race car that's similar in looks, performance and driver "feel" to the W Series Tatuus Formula 3 race car

Points collected will be awarded in every race and at the end of the season, the driver with the most points will be declared the season champion.

Up to three races will be run at each of the 10 circuits, of varying lengths and durations, with the majority of the races starting on the grid as usual - based on the driver's best qualifying time.

However, some will be run in reverse grid-order that's based on the driver's current points standings within the league.

At current, no decision has been made in respect of any W Series eSports League prize money.

The eight-race 2020 W Series was originally scheduled to begin in St Petersburg, Russia from May 29 to 30  and was supposed to follow the DTM race venues.

However, DTM has postponed its remaining races until autumn due to the current coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.