Silentium ramps up global rollout of Active Road Noise Cancellation tech

                SHANGHAI: Israel-based Silentium, a tech innovation company specialising in creating personal in-car sound environments, is ramping up global rollout of its Active Road Noise Cancellation (ARNC) technology after being selected by global automotive supplier Hyundai Mobis as its preferred ARNC software provider.

Silentium offers proven broad-band ARNC across a wide spectrum of frequencies – from 20Hz up to 1kHz.

Silentium’s ARNC is similar to that found in a pair of high-end noise-cancelling headphones, but more advanced as it manipulates a larger amount of air.

Up to six strategically positioned accelerometers on a vehicle’s chassis monitor unwanted road noise and send a signal to an on-board control unit with Silentium’s software, which plays an equivalent anti-noise signal through the vehicle’s speaker system.

The pressure waves from both the unwanted exterior noise and manufactured anti-noise reach occupants’ eardrums at exactly the same time and cancel each other out.

By collaborating with Hyundai Mobis, Silentium is now working with several tier one automotive suppliers, and with some in production programmes for global OEMs. Three production models equipped with Silentium’s ARNC technology have already been released to the market.

After several years in development, Jaguar and Land Rover were the first carmakers to announce integration of Silentium’s ARNC software in three of their new vehicles in October 2020.

Having signed a Memorandum of Understanding last year, Silentium and Hyundai Mobis are now working on a global vehicle production programme for an unnamed brand, with more automotive projects in the pipeline.

“Our active acoustics technology can reduce, cancel and enhance sound inside any vehicle, and can work on any infotainment system and speakers in any car – no extra investment needed on types or placement of speakers," said Silentium Asia managing director Sang Hun Lee.

Active Road Noise Cancellation has become more than a luxury in automotive – health-focused consumers now demand products that prioritise occupant safety and wellbeing. Removing unwanted noise and creating a more pleasant acoustic environment will become a point of brand differentiation for car brands.

Silentium’s technology also offers vehicle manufacturers a way to reduce their reliance on costly passive noise damping and insulation materials, and reduce vehicle weight – an increasingly important R&D factor as the industry enters a new era of electro-mobility.

Silentium is headquartered in a town near Tel Aviv.


Peace of mind and convenience with Toyota mobile assistance

                SHAH ALAM: With connected mobility gaining more importance in the minds of car buyers, the auto industry has not been idle and had developed a host of interactive applications that are accessible through smartphones.

For Toyota car owners, what used to be a call away for around-the-clock roadside assistance has evolved one step further with the introduction of the Toyota 24Seven Road Assist mobile application.

An industry first, all it takes now is a few swipes on the phone to ask for immediate assistance, even for something as trivial as accidentally running out of fuel or experiencing a flat tyre.

Owners only need to request for assistance via the mobile application and help will arrive in no time! Of course.

If you still prefers to speak to someone on the other line, you can still call Toyota’s Freephone number 1-800-888-247.

In an emergency, everyone understands the anxiety of not knowing if help is on the way and this is something that the Toyota 24Seven Road Assist mobile application addresses.

It comes with a key feature built into the mobile application include an SOS button with a real time tracking feature.

Users have the ability track the travel route and time of the help that is on the way to them.

Further assurance is that the help is from a trusted Authorised Toyota Outlet or service provider.

Car owners even have the choice of selecting their preferred Toyota Outlet to assist in a service that is offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year long nationwide.

UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K said the company had been providing the Toyota 24Seven Road Assist for the last 20 years.

“This is a service that continually undergoes enhancements to ensure that they never have to worry when they are on the road.

“As mobile technology grows more advanced, naturally the next logical step would be to introduce a mobile application that would bring this service to the next higher level,” he said.

Toyota 24Seven Road Assist offers free minor on-the-spot repairs and nationwide towing (up to 50km) to all Toyota owners (terms and conditions apply).

Ravindran said that in addition to revolutionising the automotive industry, connected mobility also enabled greater peace of mind with the ownership of a car.

“In the case of Toyota, the Toyota 24Seven Road Assist mobile application interphases with our Toyota Vehicle Telematics System (VTS) that is built into our new generation of models.

“This enables the driver to form somewhat of a personal and unique relationship with his vehicle, an interaction that was never available 20 to 30 years ago,” he said.

The Toyota Vehicle Telematics System was introduced by UMW Toyota Motor in 2019 and has since been used by many Toyota customers via the mobile application.

With VTS, the vehicle can be monitored using GPS, with its location able to be pinpointed via the mobile application.

This not only helps the relevant authorities whenever there is a need for vehicle recovery, but the system is also able to detect impact in which case emergency services may be dispatched to the scene.

VTS also allow car owners to review the trip history with minute-to-minute reports, the distance covered, and overall duration of their journey.

Another offering of the app is the ability to review driving patterns during the journey as well as set safety parameters to monitor loved ones’ journey when necessary especially for new or younger drivers.

UMW Toyota Motor deputy chairman Akio Takeyama said cars would advance together with technology.

“This is inevitable, and we have seen vehicles rapidly evolving over the last 20 to 30 years to becoming increasingly safer, cleaner, more economical, offering better performance, to now growing even more intelligent and are able to provide greater forms of interaction with the driver.

“Suffice to say that transportation and communication will become increasingly reliant on one another moving forward in an era of seamless and connected mobility,” said Takeyama.

Key Benefits of Toyota 24 Seven Road Assist
• Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week nationwide
• Accessible via mobile app, tablet or Freephone number
• Free minor on-the-spot repairs
• Free towing within the state (terms & conditions apply)
• Free app download at Google Play Store or Apple App Store

Key Benefits of  Toyota Vehicle Telematics System
• Vehicle monitoring via GPS
• Emergency response if impact is detected
• Coordination with relevant authorities by 24/7 Command Centre
• Track multiple vehicles with one app
• View and record vehicle operating information
• Push notifications for specific conditions
• Driver scoring monitoring for safer driving habits
• Five-year warranty


VW teases new sporty GLI with 6-second tweet

                CHICAGO: Volkswagen's USA Twitter account has published a brief clip of the latest Jetta GLI's sporty front grille; the rest of the model will be revealed during the press days of the Chicago Auto Show which start today.

VW shared a short clip revealing the grille of the upcoming Jetta GLI captioned "Body of a sedan, [heart] of a GTI."

Basically, we can expect to see the sporty GTI hatchback that has made waves over the years converted into a sedan.

While we currently know no further specifications, it's likely that when VW says that this GLI has the heart of a GTI, they're referring to the engine - that would significantly boost both the horsepower and torque from that of the most recent Jetta.


IMI: Ride-sharing services won't affect car sales significantly

BY Matthew Stuart

Electric vehicles and self-driving cars as well ride-sharing services are recently listed by the Financial Times as one of the greatest disrupters, putting traditional industries such as car service centres, motor insurers and car rental services under the threat of extinction.

It is argued that as self-driving technology and ride-sharing services become more ubiquitous, this will cause a change in car ownership.

More people, especially those in the urban areas, will prefer the ease of booking car rides through an app or part-time leasing of vehicles versus full ownership.

Disruptions and new developments

KPMG’s Global Automotive Executive Survey 2017 revealed that more than half of all car owners today will no longer want to own a car by 2025.

Instead of looking at just the number of vehicles sold for revenue generation, some car manufacturers are already venturing into providing new digital services that focus on customer value over the whole lifecycle as a form of new revenue.

BMW and Renault have begun to offer shared-ownership schemes, while other carmakers like Honda, Volkswagen, Toyota and General Motors among others are tying up with ride-sharing firms in preparation towards the shifting patterns of private car ownership.

Very recently, Volkswagen has also launched a new digital business division, MOIA to focus on customers who prefer to pay for use rather than own a vehicle.

In Malaysia, the government made a surprising announcement in October last year, not only endorsing ride-sharing services such as Uber and Grab, but also officially encouraging people to become a ride-sharing driver, especially if they are from the lower income group.

As an incentive, it was announced in the Malaysia 2017 Budget that those who wish to become ride-sharing drivers but do not own a car yet can opt to use their 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) scheme handout as down payment for one. Should they buy a Proton Iriz for this purpose, they can even get a rebate of RM4,000.

Car ownership – Will it go up or down?

With all these developments, will car ownership really drop in the near future? And how will the car dealers and service centres be affected by this shift? For one, we know that ride-sharing drivers and car companies offering pay-per-use services will still need to maintain and service their cars.

In fact, these vehicles will require maintenance and repairs more frequently than the average vehicle, due to their higher usage. The service and repair revenue which contributes the bulk of most car dealers’ revenue will increase due to the higher service frequency of ride-sharing cars vis-à-vis the number of cars serviced.

Secondly, ride-sharing drivers and car-sharing providers will likely replace their cars more frequently too due to the wear and tear with a higher mileage versus cars for private use.

According to a study by Deutsche Bank AG, the lifecycle of ride-sharing vehicles will not be more than three years, while most car owners will keep their new vehicles for an average of 6.5 years.

The analysts at Deutsche Bank acknowledged that ride-sharing services will result in a drop in private car ownership, especially in densely populated areas. But they also believed this decrease will ultimately be balanced out by an increase in vehicle sales or leases by those who operate the ride-sharing services.

Interestingly, another study conducted by Kelley Blue Book revealed that although there are people who no longer see a need for owning a vehicle, 74 percent of people surveyed still indicate they expect to drive themselves in the next six months.

This showed that car ownership for private use is still here to stay and ride-sharing services are primarily seen as a substitute for taxis or as an alternative transport to high traffic areas with limited parking space.

What to prepare for

From what we have analysed, it would seem that car sales and ownership will not be significantly affected by ride-sharing services. The game changer on car ownership is not ride-sharing services per se but self-driving vehicles. When ride-sharing services is paired with self-driving vehicles, there will be very few reasons why people will not simply order a driverless car to pick them up, rather than buy a car and deal with the cost of fuel, insurance and maintenance.

But until that happens, people will still buy cars. Instead of going extinct, car dealers and service centres may even thrive. What has changed is who the car owners will be and how often cars will need to be maintained and serviced. This is what car dealers and workshops will need to prepare for. Do they have enough trained people to handle the increased volume of service and repairs?

Matthew Stuart is a senior manager for South East Asia, Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI)


Harman says car hacking risk restricted to Fiat Chrysler

                NEW YORK: Harman International Industries Inc, which supplies car infotainment systems to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and many other manufacturers, said the hacking risk that led to the recall of 1.4 million Chrysler vehicles last month seemed to be restricted to the Italian-American automaker.

"We do not believe this problem exists in any other car outside of Fiat Chrysler," Harman chief executive Dinesh Paliwal said on Tuesday.

Harman Kardon-branded infotainment products are part of Fiat Chrysler's Internet-connected Uconnect telematics system, a collection of driver aids and entertainment services.

Two veteran cybersecurity researchers recently used a software vulnerability in Uconnect to break into a Jeep Cherokee being driven on the highway, intensifying the debate about the safety of increasingly connected cars and trucks.

Fiat Chrysler, working with Harman, has issued a software update for the recalled vehicles and has provided customers with additional software to improve security.

Uconnect also uses software and network connectivity provided by other companies.

"Our system was safe and secure," Paliwal said, adding that the issue apparently started due to a "hole" or port opening in a network. "Once you leave the door of the house open, somebody will walk in and they can do whatever they want," he said.

Fiat Chrysler declined to comment.

Paliwal said Harman did not anticipate any financial impact related to the recall.

Apart from Fiat Chysler, Harman's customers for infotainment systems include BMW, Daimler and Volvo among many others.


Motorists awaiting more info on weekly ceiling price mechanism for fuel prices

UPDATE: Fuel prices to change every Thursday, starting March 30, 2017

PETALING JAYA: The time is near for Malaysians to learn how the Government is going to implement the weekly ceiling price mechanism for fuel prices from April.

Details should be forthcoming after the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry presents its working concept to the Cabinet today. And the public should be privy to the information as there's only two weeks left before the switchover.

Since December 2014, Malaysian motorists have grudgingly accepted the existing system of varying monthly fixed prices for petrol and diesel following the removal of fuel subsidies.

Just when everyone was getting used to the routine, the ministry sprung a surprise on March 4 when it said the fuel price changes would be announced weekly starting in April. This time, it would not be a fixed weekly price but a ceiling price.

If as many have speculated, the ceiling price mechanism could mean petrol dealers across the country are free to compete to set lower prices to draw volume sales or otherwise maintain it at the ceiling price. A price war would erupt if the former case prevails.

If dealers are free to set lower prices, that would also mean the need to install electronic signboards at stations as a practical means to show the weekly changes in prices of the different types of fuels.

What we do know at this point is what the Government has told the public. That the ceiling price would likely be announced on a Monday or Saturday for the week. Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin had said a notice highlighting the ceiling price would be placed at all petrol stations nationwide to enable consumers to know if it had been raised or lowered.

Petrol dealers have been seeking a weekly price revision for several years now. They have complained that they are losing money by following the monthly system. Some quarters have even called for the Government to implement a daily revision as is done in developed countries.

Source: GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Updated weekly. Data from official government sources, regulatory agencies, petroleum companies and major media sources.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani had said in January last year that the advantage of adjusting weekly is that fuel prices will be more reflective of the current market and "price changes will not be too drastic for consumers."

As of March 1, prices of Euro2M and Euro5 diesel are RM2.20 and RM2.30 respectively. RON95 and RON97 petrol remain unchanged from the previous month at RM2.30 and RM2.60 per litre respectively.

At present, fuel pump prices use the average price of the refined products and not crude oil.

Malaysia uses the Singapore Means of Platts (MOPS) pricing for petrol and diesel. The Government also has a say in determining fuel pump prices to a certain extent.


Volkswagen introduces VIP insurance plan for Malaysia

                PETALING JAYA: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) announced the launch of its insurance programme, the Volkswagen Insurance Plan or VIP.

Tailor-made to enhance the ownership experience, VIP offers comprehensive coverage, with minimal hassle.

As a privileged VIP policy holder, benefits include prioritised claim approval, roadside assistance with 24-hour emergency towing, and assurance that repair work is conducted at authorised Volkswagen body and paint centres, in accordance to Volkswagen repair standards with only genuine parts used.

Additionally, there are no excess fees, no betterment cost and an agreed value of up to 10 years. This is applicable to all Volkswagen models regardless of vehicle age.

VIP can be purchased at any Volkswagen authorized dealerships, when registering a new car or during road tax renewal.

Allianz General Insurance Berhad and Etiqa General Takaful Berhad are partner panel insurers, with Allianz offering conventional insurance, and Etiqa offering both conventional and takaful insurance.

Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM said that VIP was conceptualised under the Volkswagen Cares philosophy.

“With VIP, all Volkswagen owners regardless of model, can enjoy quality services and roadside assistance at the best value under a comprehensive plan catered exclusively just for them. Our owners are at the core of everything we do and providing this added service to them at our dealerships also ensures that the entire process is streamlined and more convenient, making our Volkswagen dealerships a one-stop centre for customer convenience and peace of mind.”


Proton goes big on promotions as it celebrates anniversary

                SUBANG JAYA: Proton marked its 30th anniversary today with a special logo and a flurry of promotions that included selling the lowest range of the Saga at RM30,000.

The national car maker is offering a rebate of RM3,000 on all Proton models to customers who turn 30 years old this year. The offer is valid from July 9 to Sept 30. Proton owners can also trade their old car for a new Proton as they will get a rebate of RM100 for each year of their current vehicle age.

Customers will continue to benefit from the current promotion of 1.99% interest rate per annum on selected Saga and Iriz, 100% financing scheme for government staff, deals for graduates and undergraduates and low interest rates for other Proton models.

All new Proton owners will be covered under a seven-year extended warranty during the promotional phase.

Proton is also chipping in for the needy, with RM30 set aside for every Proton car sold.

Proton chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah unveiled the 30th anniversary logo. Executed in a simple format, the logo combines elements of the past and the future in a circle where everything is linked together as in the automotive industry. Proton said it expresses the spirit of a forward-looking, progressive organisation that stays resilient, is responsible to its stakeholders and a force to be reckoned with for decades to come.

Abdul Harith said the anniversary logo would be used in all Proton's advertising, products, signages and corporate activities.


Renault-Nissan strikes deal to end French power struggle

                PARIS: Renault and Nissan struck a deal with France to end an eight-month dispute over the state's increased influence on their carmaking alliance, sources with knowledge of the matter said following a Renault board meeting today.

A pair of agreements, drawn up ahead of the five-hour board meeting, will cap France's vote on non-strategic shareholder resolutions at Renault, while offering other guarantees to Nissan against interference in its management, sources told Reuters earlier.


Celebrate everything Volkswagen at the upcoming Volkswagen Festival 2017

                PETALING JAYA: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) will be organising the inaugural Volkswagen Festival 2017, a celebration of all things Volkswagen.

The Festival will be held at the Setia City Convention Centre from the Aug 11 - 13, 2017.

Two new special edition Volkswagen models will also be unveiled at the Festival – the latest addition to the ALLSTAR range, the Jetta ALLSTAR; and the 60th Merdeka Edition of the Beetle, in conjunction with Malaysia’s 60 years of independence.

There is a Volkswagen for everyone at the Festival, and visitor can expect special deals and great bargains on pre-registered Volkswagen models such as one-year free service, brand new Volkswagens with low interest rates from 0.28% for the Vento and 0.88% for the Passat, five-year free maintenance on selected models, a variety of models to test drive and free 20-point check for all Volkswagen cars.

To assist new buyers, there will also be free evaluations on their existing cars, and Volkswagen’s bank partners will be present to assist in the hire purchase applications.

Another highlight of the Volkswagen Festival will be a special gathering of current and classic Volkswagen cars, including the iconic original Beetle and Kombi vans - courtesy of Volkswagen owners and enthusiasts from across the nation.

No festival is complete without activities for the family, and hungry visitors can enjoy their meals from the best food trucks in town and performances by featured musical acts, while aspiring singers and artists can show off their talents during special open mic sessions.

There will also be special Sunset Yoga and Zumba sessions for enthusiasts at the event by Volkswagen’s event partner, Fitness First.

The Volkswagen Festival 2017 is free and open to public. For more information, please visit www.volkswagen.com.my


More EVs to choose from GoCar subscription

                PETALING JAYA: GoCar Malaysia, a leading on-demand mobility-as-a-service platform, has included some of the latest electric vehicles (EVs) to the GoCar Subs Electric line-up, with subscription options of weekly and monthly plans.

The expanded range of EVs and shorter-term subscription plans aim to make it easier and more affordable for Malaysian consumers to experience life with different EVs, in line with GoCar’s ongoing efforts to increase the accessibility and availability of electric vehicles (EVs) to the general public.

The GoCar Subs Electric fleet now comprises seven full-electric models – the Nissan Leaf, the new Renault Zoe, Hyundai Kona EV, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Great Wall Motors’ Ora Good Cat and even the MINI Electric and Tesla Model Y.

 Zoe R110.

Through the shorter weekly and monthly subscription plans, consumers can try out a range of EV models currently retailing in Malaysia.

Subscription rates start from RM120 per day for the monthly plan and RM171 per day for the weekly plan.

The weekly and monthly subscription rates for GoCar Subs Electric are as follows:

Rates are calculated based on the respective subscription fee and mandatory Collision Damage Waiver (CDW).

GoCar CEO Wong Hoe Mun said the company believed Malaysians are curious about EVs but many are apprehensive about having to use them as the primary mode of transportation.

 Model Y.

“With our new weekly and monthly subscription options, we are calling more people to ‘Experience Electric’ with GoCar Subs.

“They can test a range of EVs in their daily commute or for short trips, assess the EV charging experience and discover if the EV lifestyle is for them,” said Wong.


Car insurers should repay premiums, say British lawmakers

                LONDON: British motor insurers should repay all or some of their premiums to customers because of a steep drop in car use and claims due to the coronavirus lockdown, a group of lawmakers said.

The lawmakers said car insurers had reported an almost 50% drop in claims during the lockdown and the British government had said driving was down by 75%, with insurers calculated to make £1 billion (RM5.4bil) profit from the drop in claims.

“We do not need to restate all of the financial challenges faced by families during these desperately difficult times,” the cross-party group of 27 members of parliament - mainly from opposition parties - said in a letter to Britain’s finance minister Rishi Sunak dated April 18 and seen by Reuters.

“For this reason, we, MPs from all political parties, would suggest to you that HM Treasury take action to ensure that UK insurance companies repay some, or where appropriate all, of premiums to customers.”

Major US motor insurers are offering credit to auto and motorcycle policyholders following a decline in driving, as most Americans stay at home under widespread orders to help contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

In Britain, insurer Admiral said on Tuesday it would give back £110 million (RM593mil) - or £25 (RM134) per vehicle - to car and van policyholders due to the lockdown.

Hastings said it had passed on a number of benefits to customers, including price reductions and fee waivers, as well as financial support for those customers suffering difficulties meeting payments.

Direct Line said it had introduced support measures to help customers and RSA has said customers could update their policies and potentially lower their premiums.

The Association of British Insurers was not immediately available for comment.


Lamborghini in Japan to celebrate ‘Excellence in Carbon Fibre’

                TOKYO: Lamborghini celebrated 30 years of using carbon fibre technologies here on Friday.

It was only fitting to hold the ‘Excellence in Carbon Fibre’ event in Japan as Lamborghini has been working with Japanese companies in composite development since 2008. Japan is also the producer of the majority of carbon fibre raw material currently available on the market.

At the event, Lamborghini and Mitsubishi Rayon Co Ltd agreed to work together to further develop higher levels of manufacturing automation that are more suitable for larger scale production.

Over the past 30 years, Lamborghini has been developing and implementing advanced lightweight materials. From the Countach to the Huracán, each new Lamborghini would always have more carbon fibre than its predecessor.

Lamborghini debuted the latest car to showcase its mastery of carbon fibre during the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. The Centenario, which was on display for the Tokyo event, is offered in a body made of fully exposed carbon fibre. It is available in a limited production run of 20 coupes and 20 roadsters.

“We are delighted to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Lamborghini’s use of carbon fibre, with the opening of ‘Excellence in Carbon Fibre’ in Japan,” said Lamborghini CEO Stefano Domenicali.

“Carbon fibre is a material that Lamborghini has a long history with. It is one of the most important keys to our cars’ success in the past, the present and the future.”


First cars, now bikes: Analogue dials ditched for digital

                BERLIN: A motorcycle’s faded dials might become a thing of the past as shiny chrome frames that replace round, analogue instruments are becoming more popular.

Motorbike enthusiast Joerg Lohse, who writes for a specialist magazine in Germany, says digital displays on motorcycles have been on the rise for several years.

"In the higher price segment, digital instruments are part of the expected standard equipment, i.e. for machines over 1,000 cubic metres," says Lohse. But even for machines with 800 to 1,000 cubic metres, customers expect digital displays.

Lohse sees several advantages to the small screens. "Modern sports motorcycles usually offer a wide range of adjustment options that owners would not be able to select without menus and sub-items on the displays," says Lohse. These include control options for the chassis and ABS or traction control.

Some manufacturers present the information in a clearly structured and concise manner, while others are small and not very intuitive.

"In the end, it's all about the rider's benefit. Does the presentation bring added value without overburdening the rider? If it's too much of a gimmick, the display only distracts and helps no one," says Lohse.

During a test ride, it is important to pay attention not only to the engine, chassis and seating position, but also to operation, display and adjustment options.

"It makes no sense to have an infinite number of possibilities if the dials are too small to be of any use. It’s better to have a few pieces of information that are displayed in large format,” says Lohse.

Most riders were satisfied with the rpm, gear display, speed, temperature display and trip metre. Lohse estimates that about half of all motorcyclists tend to see their machine as a mechanical device, want as much analogue technology as possible, and do not demand digital output.

"With the trend towards connectivity, and machines interacting with smartphones, more TFT displays will be used in the future, even in smaller classes," he predicts. Perhaps the plug-in displays would come at some point. They could take bikers with them to work on the next route or analyse the distances they have covered.

Yamaha integrates digital instruments into almost all of its motorcycles. Only the R6 and FJR1300 have an analogue speed display in addition to the digital speed display. Good visibility in all conditions, optimal legibility of important information, numerous display options and many functions in a small space are the advantages that Yamaha claims to see in digital displays.

Among other things, the instruments display Speed, rpm, odometer, gear, fuel level and remaining range. "On models like the R1 super sports car, riders can call up additional information such as front brake pressure, force distribution during acceleration and braking," explains Marvin Eckert of Yamaha.

BMW has been offering TFT displays for its motorcycles since 2017, initially as an option for the R 1200 GS. Today, the bright and glare-free displays are installed in many machines from 400 to 1250 cubic meters.

"With the digital instruments, motorcyclists receive a simplified and clearly arranged instrument cluster. It is important to us that the rider has as few distractions as possible, so the display starts in pure ride mode, providing only the most important information in large and easy-to-read letters," says Roman Vilimek, Product Manager Connected Ride at BMW Motorrad. Only when you get deeper into the system are additional functions offered via the various menus.

In addition, on-board computers and travel computers provide information about relevant statistics, with configurable driving modes, and the possibility to change the response behaviour of assistance systems, and connect Bluetooth-capable devices.

More complex functions will not be available during the journey so as to limit the risk of distraction.

For classic models such as the R Nine T or R 18, however, BMW continues to rely on classic instruments. According to Vilimek, while these machines also stand to gain from having digital displays, in this segment, appearance and presentation outweighs the need to be able to process as much information as possible.


Electric hybrid coupe Polestar 1 available for pre-orders

                GENEVA: Polestar 1, the first car from the new electric performance brand Polestar, is now available for pre-ordering.

The Polestar 1 is an electric hybrid GT coupé which produces 600hp and 1,000Nm of torque, while offering 150km of pure electric driving range – the longest of any hybrid car in the world.

Pre-ordering is now available in the following 18 countries: China, United States, Sweden, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Portugal, Poland, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and Canada.

The Polestar 1 continues its first public appearance at the ongoing 2018 Geneva International Motor Show.

“With over 7,000 people interested in owning a Polestar 1 since its reveal, we are extremely encouraged by the passion shown for our product,” says Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar.


Ex-Audi boss Stadler charged over emissions cheating

                MUNICH: German prosecutors said today they had filed charges against former Audi chief executive Rupert Stadler (pic), who is being investigated over his role in Volkswagen’s emissions test cheating scandal.

Volkswagen admitted in September 2015 to having used illegal engine control software to cheat pollution tests, triggering a global backlash against diesel. The affair has so far cost the German carmaker €30 billion (RM138bil).

The public prosecutor’s office here said Stadler and three other defendants are being charged with fraud, false certification and criminal advertising practices.

Premium brand Audi only admitted in November 2015 that its 3.0 litre V6 diesel engines were fitted with an auxiliary control device which was deemed illegal in the United States.

Volkswagen and its former managers have faced numerous law suits, and in April prosecutors in the German city of Braunschweig charged former Volkswagen boss Martin Winterkorn with fraud over his role.

The Munich prosecutor said that three of the defendants are accused of having developed engines for Audi, Volkswagen and Porsche cars that used emissions cheat devices.

“Defendant Stadler is accused of having been aware of the manipulations since the end of September 2015 at the latest, but he did not prevent the sale of affected Audi and VW vehicles thereafter,” the prosecutor said in a statement.

Stadler was arrested in June 2018 as part of a broader probe into emissions cheating at Audi, which is part of Volkswagen Group, and spent several months in prison.

Volkswagen later terminated Stadler’s contract against the backdrop of a criminal investigation into whether he was involved in emissions tests cheating.

The prosecutors said that his indictment relates to roughly 250,000 Audi branded cars, 112,000 Porsches and 72,000 Volkswagen cars that were sold in the U.S. and Europe.

‘Presumption of innocence’

The defendants charged by the Munich prosecutor include former Audi and Porsche manager Wolfgang Hatz as well as two engineers, several people familiar with the proceedings said.

Hatz, former research and development chief at Porsche and former head of powertrain development at Audi and parent Volkswagen, spent several months in custody in 2017 and 2018 over his alleged role in the emissions cheating scandal.

Stadler’s and Hatz’s lawyers were not immediately available for comment. People familiar with the proceedings told Reuters that Stadler and Hatz have denied wrongdoing.

The Munich prosecutors today declined to identify the defendants, except for Stadler.

Investigations against 23 further suspects continue, the prosecutor’s office said.

The Braunschweig prosecutors had said that Volkswagen’s emissions cheating took place between November 2006 and September 2015, and that Winterkorn failed in his duty to inform European and U.S. authorities after it became clear in May 2014 that diesel engines had been manipulated.

Winterkorn had also neglected to inform customers of, and did not prevent, the continued installation of fraudulent software, the prosecutors have said.

Winterkorn’s lawyer has said he cannot comment on the charges because he had been denied access to important case files.

Audi said in a statement on Wednesday that it was in the interest of the company, its shareholders and employees to clarify the issues that led to the diesel crisis.

“Until this has happened, the presumption of innocence must prevail,” the spokesman said.


Singaporean and Indonesian win UD Trucks' challenge

Mohd Hisham won in the Quon category.
KUALA LUMPUR: An Indonesian and a Singaporean won the UD Trucks' Extra Mile Challenge 2018 in Japan recently.

Indonesian Eko Yulianto of PT Duta Lintas Nusa drove the Quester to victory, while Singaporean Mohd Hisham Mohamed Tahir of BHS Kinetic Pte Ltd won with the Quon heavy-duty truck.

The UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge is the company’s signature annual competition. It reproduces an actual truck operation cycle, assessing drivers in the three key areas: pre-driving inspection, fuel efficiency & safe driving; maneuvering; and parking.

The 2018 contest is a quest to find the "ultimate driver" in the Quester and Quon categories.
 Yulianto was the champion with the Quester.
UD Trucks’ Extra Mile Challenge 2018 Finals were completed at the UD Experience Center at its Ageo corporate headquarters.

Nine finalists out of 300 initial participants took part in the last round of the contest at the UD Experience Center at the company's headquarters in Ageo, Japan.

The finalists were from Japan, Australia, Singapore, South Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, Qatar and Thailand.

Malaysia’s representative, Muhammad Khairul Abd Halim from Setia Maju Jaya Logistik Sdn Bhd took home a special award for the "Most Cargo-Friendly Driving" category.

UD Trucks president Takamitsu Sakamaki said the trucks and the people who drive them represent smart logistics to the public. “That’s why we support driver development with initiatives such as today’s Extra Mile Challenge, to raise their awareness of what is essential for the ultimate driver.”

“The performances of these ‘ultimate drivers’ re-affirmed our view that the role of a skillful driver is pivotal to better profitability for our customers’ businesses. We are not only celebrating the winners but also the positive impact we have made to the industry and society at large,” said Volvo Group Trucks Asia & JVs Sales president Jacques Michel.

 Malaysian Muhammad Khairul gets a special award for the 'Most Cargo-Friendly Driving'.


Tycoon’s death prompts India to tighten lax driving rules

Traffic in Mumbai. — Reuters
NEW DELHI: India, known for notorious driving violations and bad roads, wants to enforce road safety rules more stringently amid mounting criticism after tycoon Cyrus Mistry died in a weekend car accident.

The government has started the process of adding an alarm system that will sound if passengers in the rear seat don’t fasten their seat belts, and also mandate automakers provide at least six airbags in cars, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said in an interview today.

Fines of 1,000 rupees (RM57) will be imposed for not wearing a rear seat belt, he said.

Indian drivers are infamous for ignoring road rules, including speeding, running red lights, and overtaking on the wrong side, resulting in frequent accidents.

India accounts for about 10% of road crash fatalities worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation, as drivers and passengers often compromise on safety precautions such as wearing seat belts.

In addition to implementing stricter road norms, the government will conduct a safety audit of all national highways, Gadkari said.

India is planning to reduce road accidents and deaths by 50% by 2024, he said.

In 2020, the country reported more than 3.6 million road crashes and 1.3 million fatalities, according to the Stanford Social Innovation Review.

Mistry, who was 54, was sitting in the rear of a Mercedes that veered off the road and hit a divider on a bridge near Mumbai. Newspaper reports suggest he wasn’t wearing a seat belt.

Less than 1% of people use rear seat belts in India, according to a 2019 study by SaveLIFE Foundation, a non-profit organisation working on improving road safety in the nation.

Fines for driving without a seatbelt can be as low as just over US$1 (RM4.50) in India.


BMW to host Premium Selection Fair

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Group Malaysia will play host to its largest pre-owned vehicle fair of the year and will be providing early interest sign-up benefits.

The premium German automaker is offering a complimentary one-year BMW and MINI Comprehensive Motor Insurance upon early sign-up for the three-day event from Sept 13 to 15.

The company touts the event as the largest pre-owned vehicle fair yet and will feature vehicles such as the X5, 3 Series and 7 Series along with models from MINI and its BMW Motorrad portfolio.

To be eligible for the complimentary one-year insurance, interested participants should register interest in advance on the BMW Premium Selection official website from today onwards.

They will then receive a unique QR code upon sign-up which entitles them to the event-exclusive offer.

Providing an unparalleled ownership experience, the BMW Premium Selection official website is an established platform that conveniently facilitates buy-and-sell activities for new and current BMW and MINI owners.

BMW Premium Selection stands for the right cars with the right history.

If a BMW or MINI vehicle is not meticulously maintained, it will not achieve the BMW Premium Selection status.

Through the BMW Premium Selection official website, new owners of a pre-owned BMW or MINI vehicle can look forward to peace of mind ownership, as benefits include a minimum 12 months BMW Premium Selection Warranty or MINI Used Car Next Warranty, 360-Degree Technical and Optical Checks, along with Approved Service History and Vehicle History that document inspections and maintenance work carried out by authorised experts.

Owners will also be eligible for BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia’s wide range of financing solutions as well as the BMW Roadside Assistance.

Additionally, owners looking to trade-in their BMW or MINI vehicles will enjoy a host of trade-in benefits including specialised appraisals, hassle-free transactions and a transparent used-car's valuation from the comfort of their homes.

More than 500 units of pre-owned BMW and MINI vehicles are now available for viewing on the BMW Premium Selection official website.

Test drives for all models featured on the website will be available on the day of the event.

More information on the 2019 BMW Premium Selection fair will be revealed soon.

“Be it owners of a brand-new or a pre-owned BMW and MINI vehicle, we are committed to delivering premium ownership experience to our customers, as they are at the heart of all that we do in BMW Group Malaysia. As the demand for BMW and MINI vehicles continue to climb, we look forward to continue delivering the Sheer Driving Pleasure that BMW is known for, as well as MINI’s trademark go-kart feeling, through our largest BMW Premium Selection fair of the year,” said BMW Group Malaysia managing director Harald Hoelzl.

To register in advance for the event, visit www.bmwpremiumselection.com.my.


Woman using phone injured after accidentally entering parking lift

                BEIJING: Everyone knows the danger of distracted driving but distracted walking has its own inherent risks as well. A woman in China found this out when she entered a mechanical car parking lift by mistake.

The unidentified woman was captured on security footage entering the lift with her head bowed looking down at her mobile phone.

The video, which was shared on Chinese social media site QQ on Dec 8, showed that the woman was oblivious to the multiple signboards warning passengers not to enter the lift.

Soon after she entered the lift, she was caught by surprise as the floor began descending underground. The video showed her left leg being trapped in the mechanisms of the lift as a result.

The woman was rescued by a security guard who heard her cries, and she was sent to the hospital. She is recovering from her injuries, according to the video.


Bugatti-based SP-110 Edonis to rise from the ashes

                LAS VEGAS: When a company goes bust, or even sometimes when it doesn't, it's not unusual for small groups of former employees to band together and do something similar, but usually on a smaller scale.

That's what happened when Bugatti went under in the mid-1990s, and a number of former employees got together and founded their own company called B Engineering.

Now, a company called Casil Motors has announced that it is reviving, in its own way, the car Bugatti was making when it went out of business, which is now to be called the SP-110 Edonis Fenice.

When Bugatti succumbed to the realities of economics it was building a supercar called the EB 110, although just 139 of them were built by the Italian company between 1991 and 1995.

Casil Motors is going to build 15 units of the SP-110 Edonis Fenice, which is a new supercar based on the Bugatti EB 110, but with updated styling and powertrain.

Bugatti was originally bought out by Romano Artioli in the late 1980s, and by 1991 the automaker was back building cars in the shape of the EB 110.

To put things into context, the EB 100 was about as far ahead of the game and its time as the Chiron is today. Back then it was rocking a 550hp quad-turbo 3.5-litre V-12, which propelled the car via four-wheel drive from 0 to 100kph in 3.2 seconds, and onwards to a top speed of 347kph.

Artioli and some former Bugatti engineers formed B Engineering, and after VW bought Bugatti in 1998, B Engineering bought the remaining EB 110 components and finally revealed the EB 110-based Edonis on New Year's day in 2000. Alas, that car never made it into production, and the Las Vegas-based Casil Motors has finally stepped in to finish the job B Engineering started with the new SP-110 Edonis Fenice.

The new car will be powered by a 3.8-litre version of the EB 110's V-12 engine, which is now a twin-turbo that puts out 720hp.

It will take a slightly longer 3.4 seconds to reach 100kph, although the top speed will be higher than the EB 100 at 354kph. Pricing hasn't been announced yet, but although a small deposit of just US$2,500 (RM9,700) is all that's required to get your name down for one of the 15, don't expect the car to come cheap.


Seeking thrifty ways to cut pollution, Rotterdam links up with hybrid BMW owners

                ROTTERDAM: As Daan Hosli’s hybrid BMW glides into downtown Rotterdam, it passes a virtual boundary into the city’s “electric-only zone” and his mobile phone trills out a reminder to switch off his combustion engine and drive on battery power.

Hosli is taking part in Electric City Drive, one in a series of projects planned by the city of Rotterdam and BMW looking to cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce traffic pollution - without breaking the bank.

“The first results look promising,” said Arno Bonte, the city’s vice mayor, who oversees energy policies. “I hope we can extend this project as soon as possible, also to owners of cars by other brands.”

Participants have a smartphone app, developed by BMW, which monitors their engine usage and reminds them to switch, voluntarily, to electric driving when they hit a geo-fence. Costs to the city, Bonte said, are nil.

Initial results show participants are willing to use battery power exclusively while in the zone about 90 percent of the time.

The Netherlands is an outlier in Europe with relatively more hybrids than electric vehicles, 100,000 versus 40,000 - together still just a small fraction of the 8.1 million vehicles on the country’s roads.

But “if you really want to make a difference now, you have to look at hybrids,” said BMW Netherlands CEO Stefanie Wurst.

That is because, with European cities struggling to meet dual goals of improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cars by 30 percent by 2030, they need practical ways of making progress quickly, rather than holding out for a distant - and costly - entirely electric car future.

And it’s not proving easy. German cities are angering diesel car owners by banning high-polluting vehicles from some of their streets, while French plans for a fossil fuel surcharge set off the “yellow vests” street protests.

Even in wealthy Norway, which leads the world in electric car adoption, Oslo is introducing fees for charging and looking at ways to avoid expensive grid upgrades.

INCENTIVES
“Positive stimulation is always better than negative sanctions,” Wurst said.

She said Rotterdam program participants had responded well to small rewards, such as a discount pass for local attractions, as well as from the simple reminder to switch.

A financial incentive to run hybrids on electricity is theoretically built in, as electricity is cheaper than petrol per kilometer traveled.

Vice Mayor Bonte says Rotterdam views hybrids as a bridge to mass adoption of electric vehicles sometime in the mid 2020s as prices fall and charging infrastructure improves.

The city has granted a charging station concession to Engie, with the French company agreeing to install one public charging pole for each electric or hybrid vehicle owner that requests one - 4,000 so far, in a city of 600,000 people, though there are more in private buildings and parking garages.

But there’s a long way to go. According to EV-Volumes.com, a data provider which culls information from national registries, the number of vehicles capable of driving on electric engines across Europe grew by 33 percent in 2018, split between 181,000 plug in hybrid vehicles and 230,000 electric-only vehicles - together making up about 1.5 percent of total new car sales.

In Rotterdam, Hosli says he enjoys the challenge of trying to find charging stations and using up his electric battery as often as he can. Statistics on his app show he uses about 4 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres of travel.

“I have to drive for work, I can’t avoid that, for me this is just a fun way to do it,” said the real estate developer.

“It’s like a sport for me, to fill up with gas as little as possible.”


Aston Martin puts planned WEC, Le Mans Hypercar entry on hold

                LONDON: Aston Martin said on Wednesday it was putting on hold a planned entry into the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and Le Mans 24 Hours with its Valkyrie hypercar.

The British sportscar maker said this was due to proposed rule changes, although Le Mans organisers suggested the company’s business situation had played a part.

“This decision means that the Aston Martin Valkyrie Hypercar will not make its WEC debut at Silverstone in August 2020 or compete in the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans,” the company said in a statement.

“Aston Martin will now pause as it considers whether to continue in any future prototype class,” it said.

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) — which runs Le Mans — and the US-based International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) announced last month they were harmonising the proposed Hypercar class. This will allow IMSA prototypes to compete for outright victory at Le Mans and the WEC in 2021-22.

Aston Martin Racing will continue to compete in a lower tier of sportscar racing with its Vantage GTE.

Reacting to the company’s announcement, the ACO said it was “perhaps not unexpected in light of the persistent rumours over the last six months concerning the fragility of the brand’s exposure in the rapidly evolving automotive market.”

It said it remained confident the Hypercar platform remained the right long-term solution for the WEC.

Sales of Aston Martin’s luxury sports cars have declined since the company floated on the London Stock Exchange in October 2018, putting the company’s shares and finances under sustained pressure.

Racing Point owner Lawrence Stroll bought a stake at the end of January, with that F1 team set to change its name to Aston Martin next season.

“Aston Martin’s ambition to compete for the overall victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans remains undiminished, but it is only right that we reassess our position in light of a significant change in the landscape that was not anticipated when we committed last year,” said CEO Andy Palmer in the statement.

“We entered Aston Martin Valkyrie in WEC and at Le Mans with the understanding that we would be competing with similar machinery and like-minded manufacturers.”

The Valkyrie was created as part of a technology partnership between Aston Martin and Red Bull Advanced Technologies. The sportscar maker are title sponsors of the Red Bull F1 team until the end of this year.


US city bans construction of new drive-thrus

                MINNEAPOLIS: A US city council voted last Thursday to ban the construction of new drive-thru windows including those at restaurants, banks, and liquor stores for the sake of pedestrian safety.

This ban was first proposed by Minneapolis city council president Lisa Bender last year. Although new facilities with drive-thrus are already banned in various Minneapolis districts, the approval of this new policy extends the ban to the entire city.

This change is being implemented to increase pedestrian safety, as crashes are especially common at fast-food locations with a drive-thru window, and to reduce vehicle emissions.

Decreasing unnecessary idling will improve the city's air quality and support their goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050. Minneapolis also aims to reduce the number of petrol stations in the city.

Existing facilities do not need to remove their windows, as the old rule will continue to apply in their case.

The council decision was reported by Streetsblog on Friday. Streetsblog is a US daily news site that connects people to information about how to reduce dependence on cars and improve conditions for walking, biking, and transit.


Hyundai, Hexagon and Valeo show-off high positioning system at CES 2020

                LAS VEGAS: At CES 2020, Hyundai, Hexagon’s Positioning Intelligence vision- the leader in high-precision GPS technology, Valeo, the world number one in driving assistance systems, and a major mobile network operator will present a new technology capable of pinpointing a vehicle’s exact location while on the road.

Using proprietary centimeter-level precision called High-Precision Positioning (HPP), the system can further enhance a vehicle’s advanced active safety technologies.

The use of GPS positioning is widespread in the automotive industry, but the technology currently deployed in the automotive industry only approximates positioning to within several meters (between 1.5 and 3 meters in optimum conditions).

Developed by Hexagon, Valeo and their mobile network operator partner, HPP works by applying TerraStar X technology, a correction to the GPS signal received by the vehicle through a channel of the cellular network.

The correction to be applied is determined by a network of stationary receivers, which knows their absolute position and serves as a permanent reference point.

For example, after an emergency braking event, the vehicle will be able to send information about the maneuver and its exact location — including which part of the road it’s on — to other vehicles, making it much easier to anticipate the response required for other vehicles.

High-precision positioning of vehicles also creates opportunities for new uses and services. For example, cities will be able to regulate traffic flows more effectively thanks to real-time information about vehicle locations.

It will also facilitate the development of autonomous vehicles, by improving all levels of driving automation from level 2 to level 5. And it will enable onboard navigation systems, in vehicles and on smartphones, to display more accurate and user-friendly maps.

HPP will be introduced and showcased on the all-new 2020 Hyundai Sonata at CES.


April 27-May 3: RON97 petrol up 1 sen, rest unchanged


Uwe Gemballa's son faces suit from Gemballa GmbH

Marc Philipp in Dubai with the last vehicles crafted by his father, Uwe.
STUTTGART: The son of Uwe Gemballa is being sued for allegedly infringing on Gemballa's trademarks and products.

Marc Philipp Gemballa had also set up a company that is riding on the fame of the Gemballa name. He had recently announced that he would be rolling out his own supercar.

Uwe was murdered in South Africa 10 years ago. Since then, his company had been acquired by businessman Steffen Korbach.

Marc Philipp's company, Marc Philipp Gemballa GmbH, is not associated in any form with Gemballa GmbH, which Korbach owns and heads.

In 2010, Gemballa GmbH acquired the trademark and brand rights to the name "Gemballa" as well as various assets of the company "Gemballa Automobiltechnik GmbH".

READ MORE: Uwe Gemballa's son set to reveal supercar that can go offroad

It said in a statement that it had invested €15 million (RM70.6mil) into product development and worldwide market expansion.

Gemballa GmbH accused Marc Philipp of "exploiting our good reputation consciously and is using the trademarks and products of Gemballa GmbH in an illegal manner."

"In numerous social media posts, YouTube videos and press reports, he illegally generates himself as the "continuator of his father's legend.

"The Gemballa company is exclusively continued by Gemballa GmbH. There is no consent and/or licensing to Mr Marc Philipp Gemballa to use the name and/or the products of Gemballa GmbH for his own advertising and other purposes."

Several civil and criminal proceedings have been initiated against Marc Philipp and his company, it said.

Gemballa GmbH also urged the media not to add to the confusion.

It urged reporters to "refrain from any unlawful reporting with reference to Gemballa GmbH and its products in relation to Mr Marc Philipp Gemballa / MP Gemballa GmbH / Marc Philipp Gemballa GmbH and to correct untrue factual allegations."


Sustainable mobility has become central for Ferrari, says chairman

                AMSTERDAM: Sustainable mobility has become central for Ferrari as the luxury carmaker, which is searching for a new chief executive, prepares to unveil its first all-electric model in 2025, chairman John Elkann said today.

Elkann, the scion of Italy's Agnelli family which controls Ferrari through its investment company Exor, set the precise deadline for its first electric vehicle last month.
 Elkann.
Elkann is Exor chief executive and chairman and made the remarks while speaking to shareholders.

His commitment puts Ferrari ahead of Lamborghini, one of its main rivals, on the road to electrification, as the Volkswagen-owned supercar brand is not planning to launch a fully electric model until the second half of the decade.

Ferrari has been looking for a new chief executive since Louis Camilleri left in December and Elkann said last month that it was making good progress on a shortlist of very strong candidates.

Elkann, who is also chairman of Stellantis, said an "Electrification Day" the world's fourth-largest carmaker is holding in July would be, "a fundamental chapter as Stellantis continues to build its future as a protagonist in sustainable mobility".


PLUS happy more drivers’ ensuring toll cards have enough balance before hitting road

                PETALING JAYA: More motorists are making sure they have sufficient balance in their Touch ’n Go cards after PLUS Malaysia Bhd stopped offering card reload facilities at all toll plaza exit lanes since Tuesday.

PLUS managing director Datuk Azman Ismail said the move had led to positive changes in driving behaviour among motorists and eased congestion at toll plazas.

“The reason for ending the reload facilities is to ease congestion as motorists took between one and three minutes to reload their cards, ” he told reporters at a press conference in Persada PLUS today.

He pointed out that the number of motorists entering PLUS highways with an insufficient balance on their cards had dropped.

“For example, PLUS central region toll plazas recorded 850,000 transactions on Nov 5 with 5% having insufficient card balance which was reduced to 1.3% in just two days.

“The northern region also saw the number of insufficient card balance reduced to 5% from 9% out of 238,000 transactions while the southern region saw a reduction to 4% from 8% out of 199,000 transactions, ” he added.

He also said the Jalan Duta toll plaza used to see about 3,000 transactions with insufficient card balance but this had been reduced to 920 transactions.

He acknowledged it was impossible to achieve zero incidents.

“That is why there will still be PLUS personnel on hand to help customers, ” he said, adding that there are more than 150 Touch ’n Go reload facilities along PLUS highways, which provide free top-up services.

Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali has weighed in on the matter, saying that PLUS

On the 7km traffic jam at the Skudai toll plaza in Johor on Thursday, Azman said it was an isolated incident caused by motorists themselves.

“There was a bit of a chaos as some of them came out of their vehicles to inquire about reloading their cards.

“For safety reasons, they should have remained in their vehicles as our staff would have provided them with help, ” he said.

Meanwhile, Azman said that PLUS will be rolling out its latest Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) toll collection system at nine of its open system tolls in January.

The RFID will be tested out at one toll booth at toll plazas in Kempas (NSE), Perling (Linke-dua), Lima Kedai (Linkedua), Tanjung Kupang (Linkedua), Mambau (SPDH), Jambatan Pulau Pinang, Lunas (BKE), Kubang Semang (BKE) and Jitra (NSE).


KIA tempts with 'Best Year-End Power Deals'

                KUALA LUMPUR: NAZA KIA Malaysia, the official distributor of KIA vehicles in Malaysia, is offering the Best Year-End Power Deals for all its customers.

With every purchase of any KIA model from now until Dec 31, customers can enjoy a three-year free maintenance service (including parts and labour).

This also includes a cash rebate of up to RM16,000 for selected models, which includes the Sorento Turbo Diesel, Rio, Sportage GT Turbo Diesel and Cerato.

Trade-ins may be available according to model, so it'd be best to enquire with the preferred authorised NAZA KIA dealership.

Additionally, customers interested in the Sportage, Sorento, Carnival or Optima can enjoy the KIA Value 5 Programme which helps to guarantee the future value of a vehicle after five years of ownership. It will also help owners upgrade to any new KIA model with greater ease.

For more information, log on to www.kia.com/my/main or call 03-1800 888 542.


You can now get Honda Jazz and City in White Orchid Pearl colour

                PETALING JAYA: Colours make the world go round. And for Honda Malaysia, its White Orchid Pearl is enough to go to town about it.

The colour, it said, would replace the Taffeta White colour for the Jazz, City, BR-V and HR-V. However, the new colour availability for the BR-V and HR-V would only start in the third week of February.

And because Honda said it's a "premium" colour, it comes at extra charge. Surcharge to colour the petrol versions of the Jazz and City in White Orchid Pearl is RM120, while it's RM300 for the BR-V and H-RV.

The waiting period for the four models is between one and two months.

With the latest announcement, the colour is now offered for the full Honda range.

Honda Malaysia first introduced the White Orchid Pearl colour in Civic CKD model and then followed by Accord in 2016. Since its introduction for both models, the new colour has received positive response from customers and to date the new premium colour contributed 38% for Civic and 33% for Accord of its respective overall sales.

Because of its growing popularity, the colour was then introduced in the CR-V last year, accounting for 26% of overall CR-V sales to date.


Mercedes-Benz starts building battery recycling plant in Germany

                FRANKFURT: Mercedes-Benz has laid the foundation stone for a sustainable battery recycling factory in Kuppenheim, southern Germany.

The pilot plant will have an annual capacity of 2500 tonnes and will contribute to the production of more than 50,000 battery modules for new electric Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

Recycled batteries will come from test vehicles and start-up batteries. Based on the pilot's success, production volumes could be scaled up in the medium to long term.

Commissioning for the first stage of the plant - mechanical dismantling - is scheduled to begin in December this year. Subject to talks with the public sector, the pilot factory will be completed a few months later.

The Kuppenheim plant already runs a CO2-neutral operation with solar and green electricity. Its construction is being funded as part of a scientific research project by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection.

"We are sending an important signal of innovative strength in Baden-Württemberg and Germany for sustainable electromobility," said Jörg Burzer, management board member of Mercedes-Benz in production and supply chain management, on Friday.

Thekla Walker, minister for the environment, climate and energy in Baden-Württemberg, said she was pleased that Mercedes-Benz was promoting the topic of the circular economy.

"This is of particular importance in view of the limited availability of important raw materials that are in high demand, such as lithium, cobalt and nickel," she said.


Aston Martin Vantage, yours from RM1.6mil

                KUALA LUMPUR: Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur has pulled the sheets off its latest offering that sports a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 for plenty of excitement under the hood of the new Vantage.

For seven decades, since the DB2 in 1951, the Vantage moniker has been Aston Martin's heartbeat and now it's made a return as the second of seven new models in seven years - as part of the British sports car brand's Second Century Plan.

"This is the essence of the Vantage driving experience - a car that's never less connected and engaging with the breadth of capability to revel in challenging roads and bare it teeth on the track," said Aston Martin head of sales operations Nancy Chen.

The high powered two-seater, with an estimated price after duties that starts from RM1.6mil, uses an extruded bonded aluminium body structure that's covered by steel panels and makes the car measure in at 4,465mm-long, 2,156mm-wide and 1,273mm-tall.

The external fittings include a titanium front grille, LED headlights with integrated daytime-running lights, full-width LED tail lights with dynamic indicators, clam shell hood and side gills (for bleeding air pressure from the wheel arches) as well as a front splitter, up-swept boot lid and a rear diffuser to take care of generating down-force.

The front and rear axles puts its wheelbase at 2,704mm apart and comes with the standard fitment of 20-inch Y-spoke silver wheels wearing 255/40 (front) and 295/35 (rear) Pirelli P-Zero tyres that obscure the 400mm (front) and 360mm (rear) curve-slotted brake discs.

At 1,530kg (dry) and a 50:50 weight-distribution, the car is suspended by an adaptive damping system, fitted to a front independent double wishbone and rear multi-link setup, that comes with Skyhook technology to provide Sport, Sport+ and Track modes.

Under the hood, lies a mid-mounted (behind the front wheels) Mercedes-AMG M177 4.0-litre (3,982cc) twin-turbo V8 engine that was bred in Afalterbach, Germany to produce 510PS at 6,000rpm and 685Nm of torque from 2,000 to 5,000rpm.

In order to achieve the optimal 50:50 weight-distribution, a carbon fibre propeller-shaft with an aluminium torque tube connects the engine to the rear axle, where an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and, for the first time, an electronic differential waits to manage power delivery to the rear wheels. The front axle is controlled by an electric power-assisted steering rack with a speed-dependent rack and pinion power-assisted steering.

This allows the car to get from 0-100kph in 3.6 seconds before reaching a top speed of 314kph, while having a combined fuel-economy of 10.5 litres per 100km and producing 245g of carbon dioxide per kilometre.

Inside, as standard, the cabin features Strathmore leather / Alcantara / carpet combination, black steering wheel, sports seats with memory function, Satin Silver with Gloss Black interior trims, keyless-entry with push-start function, electric parking brake and dual-zone automatic climate controls.

In terms of entertainment, standard fitment is an Aston Martin Audio System that uses an 8.0-inch LCD screen  with USB, iPod/iPhone integration playback, radio, integrated navigation system as well as Bluetooth connectivity and phone streaming.

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

"A true sports car with a sharper look and a keener dynamic edge, the new Vantage is the Aston Martin (that) pure driving machine enthusiasts have been waiting for," added Chen.


JPJeQ makes for smoother operations at the counter

                PETALING JAYA: The Road Transport Department’s (JPJ) smart application for smoother operations at its branches has many advantages, but there is one snag – many are still unaware of it.

Many customers who turned up at the JPJ branch office here said they did not know about the smart application, which has to be downloaded and activated on their mobile phones.

In April last year, the JPJ started using a mobile app called JPJeQ to keep touts away and cut down on waiting time.

In order to get a ticket at the JPJ offices concerned, one has to scan the QR code displayed outside before a ticket number is given for the specific service request.

After scanning the QR code at the door, people would be asked what service they needed. They would then be given a number in line.

The app enables the user to see his or her current position in the queue and the expected waiting period to be served at the counter.

A notification would be sent to the users’ smartphones when their turn comes.

Several motorists at the JPJ branch here said they were caught unawares and had to struggle to download the mobile app and learn how to use it instantly.

Mechanic Nazzarudin Jamal, 43, said he was surprised when he found out about the mobile app when he arrived to make a vehicle ownership transfer.

“I went to the entrance and saw a lot of people busy with their handphones, trying hard to scan a QR code.

“Some were facing connectivity problems with their handphones and had to make many attempts to download the app,” he said.

Despite what he described as the “sudden inconvenience”, Nazzarudin said the mobile app feature would help deter touts who were usually outside to take advantage of the packed situation.

“I had an experience when I had to pay RM5 for a queue number because I was in a rush and there were so many people.

“With the new application, it would eliminate this tout problem. Touts have been profiting from people’s desperation,” he added.

Nazzarudin urged the JPJ to publicise the implementation of the smart app so that the public could download the app earlier and familiarise themselves with it.

Another person, who only wanted to be known as Michael, 50, supported the implementation of the JPJeQ system, which he said was useful.

“The new system is good as it is quicker, but one needs time to get used to it. Under the old system, we had to queue at the counter for a long time just to get a number,” he said.

Housewife Nurshariza Mohmad Samiri, 40, who came to renew her driving licence and conduct a vehicle ownership transfer, said the app queue system saved her a lot of time.

“I have used the app before in Ipoh, where I was guided on how to use it by an officer. But I noticed that there were no officers helping the public in the Petaling Jaya branch. Some senior citizens were struggling to download the app,” she said.

A 50-year-old man who only wished to be known as Tan said he had difficulty downloading the app to his device.

He said he had to wait for some time as the Internet connection was slow and no WiFi was available.

“I came here to renew the road tax for my lorry and it was my first time using the app. I was clueless until a gentleman came to help me,” he said, adding that a stable WiFi network should also be installed for public use at the JPJ office.

Even though the smart app system is being used, 43-year-old ehailing driver Ho Sung En suggested that the manual queue number be kept.

“Not everyone is tech-savvy. The younger ones might be better at it,” he said.

The JPJeQ app is available on both Google Playstore for Android devices and Apple AppStore for iOS users.


VW Touareg V6 TDI: Powerful and refined

When paying half a million ringgit for a set of wheels, the bar of expectations should be set rather high.

In this regard, the Volkswagen Touareg 3.0L V6 TDI does not disappoint.

This five-seater SUV (sport utility vehicle), which was launched in Malaysia in November last year, has all the bells and whistles, plush cabin appointments as well as a variety of driving aids and safety systems that one would expect at such a premium price tag.

We liked its distinctive sleek, athletic exterior aesthetics fitted with silver anodised roof rails, twin tailpipes and 19-inch “Everest” alloy wheels.

Its spacious cabin provides more than ample elbow as well as leg room with the SUV’s 2,893mm wheelbase.

There is a lot of rear room to pack golf bags and large shopping bags.

The dashboard has a user-friendly layout in typical Volkswagen style, with a large touchscreen display for the radio and navigation system.

The black leather-upholstered interior looks nice, with well laid out control buttons and rotary switches for the powered front seats with memory functions, air-conditioning, a push-button parking brake and off-road driving mode.

Those who like more natural light in the cabin can always make use of the electric panoramic tilt/slide glass sunroof.

This Touareg TDI is built lower to the ground than the previous model, as Volkswagen engineers had aimed to improve its aerodynamics.

This also helps in providing better fuel economy, and the Touareg TDI offers a combined cycle diesel consumption of 7.2 litres per 100km.

With proper driving habits and techniques, it can be quite fuel efficient and theoretically, the Touareg TDI can achieve 1,180km with its 85-litre fuel tank.

It’s 11.9-metre turning circle makes manoeuvrability very decent and U-turns on narrow slip roads easy although the steering was a tad on the heavy side.

The eight-speed automatic transmission is a smooth shifter, and the tachometer showed the engine revving at an easy 1,400rpm and 1,700rpm at steady speeds of 90kph and 110kph respectively on highways.

The cabin is impressively quiet and refined, even when we stepped hard on the throttle.

There were hardly any wind, road and engine noise distractions within the cabin confines of the SUV.

Rolling on 265/50 R19 tyres and 4MOTION permanent all-wheel-drive, it’s handling performance was very good which enabled us to have some thrills during a fast drive on the uphill twists and turns of Genting Highlands.

With a massive amount of power and torque, its 2,153kg kerb weight was no issue in getting the vehicle up and running.

The ride quality is supple, with little body roll when we tackled tight curves.

To sum it up, this RM493,888 Touareg TDI is an exciting performer that handles well and is refined at the same time.


FIA defends Formula One's 'turtle' Aston Martin safety car

                LONDON: Formula One's governing body defended the Aston Martin safety car on Thursday, reminding drivers that its top speed was of secondary importance, after world champion Max Verstappen compared it to a turtle.

Aston Martin and Mercedes both provide safety and medical cars for grands prix, with the championship divided between the two marques and Germany's Bernd Maylander the driver.

"The FIA would like to reiterate that the primary function of the ... safety car is, of course, not outright speed but the safety of the drivers, marshals and officials," it said in a statement.

Red Bull's Verstappen had said after Sunday's Australian Grand Prix that the Aston Martin 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 Vantage used in Melbourne lapped too slowly when twice deployed following crashes.

"For sure, the Mercedes safety car is faster because of the extra aero. The Aston Martin is really slow. It definitely needs more grip, because our tyres were stone cold," the Dutchman told reporters after retiring from the race.

The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series used in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and new for this year, produces some 730bhp compared to the Aston's 528bhp.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, the championship leader and winner of two of the first three races, said he had also wanted to go faster.

"I wanted to complain, but then I checked how much the safety car was sliding in the corner and I don't think there was anything more that he could give so I didn't want to put too much pressure," he told reporters.

"With the cars that we have now it's very difficult to keep the temperatures in the tyres behind the safety car."

Briton George Russell, who drives for Mercedes, said the German marque's safety car was about five seconds a lap quicker than the Aston Martin.

The FIA said safety car procedures took into account multiple factors, including the need to bunch up the field and adjust the pace depending on recovery activities.

"The speed of the safety car is therefore generally dictated by race control, and not limited by the capabilities of the safety cars," added the governing body.

"The impact of the speed of the safety car on the performance of the cars following is a secondary consideration, as the impact is equal amongst all competitors who ... are responsible for driving in a safe manner at all times."


Naza Premira ends Aprilia distributorship from July 31

                PETALING JAYA: Naza Premira has announced that it will cease operating its Aprilia distributorship with effect from July 31.

The company said the decision was a mutual one made with the Italian motorcycle maker.

Naza Premira added that the move to end the Aprilia distributorship was a result of a brands rationalisation plan under the Naza Group’s overall corporate strategy.

This is to ensure long-term sustainability and profitability of other high-performing four-wheel and two-wheel brands, which is in line with current market demands.

Naza Premira will continue to serve Aprilia customers in aftersales, service, spare parts and warranty until Sept 30.

The company, however, will still represent Piaggio and Vespa brands in Malaysia.


No merger of motor unit with UMW, says Sime Darby

                KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Bhd has denied a news report that about a possible merger between its motor unit with that of UMMW Holdings.

“Sime Darby Bhd has announced its plans to create three independent listed companies on Bursa Malaysia and this is our main focus currently,” it said in a statement today.

It was referring to The Edge report titled "Sime Darby Motors-UMW Holdings merger on the table" published on March 11 2017 about the two companies’ major shareholder Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) looking into the possibility of such a merger.

“This report is incorrect. It is untrue that a merger of the automotive businesses of the two companies is on the cards,” it said.

“Sime Darby Motors is the second largest BMW dealer in the world and a major player in the automotive industry in the Asia Pacific region.

“Corporate exercises undertaken by Sime Darby Motors take into account the best interest of all our stakeholders, including shareholders and principals,” said Sime Darby.

Meanwhile, CIMB Equities Research believes there are potential hurdles if PNB decides to merge the motor units of UMW Holdings and Sime Darby Motors.

PNB is currently the major shareholder in both companies. The merger would create a major automotive company in PNB’s stable.

The research house pointed out on Monday that the hurdles are that UMW must obtain the approval of its key partners, including principal Toyota Motor Corp Japan (TMC, which owns 39% of UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd).

CIMB Research said for example, TMC may not be agreeable to its dealers selling competing brands. If the merger results in the entities losing some of its dealerships, the proposal may be value-destructive for shareholders.

UMW’s management has not indicated intention for merger. The company is in the midst of restructuring its core operation following the decision to exit the oil and gas business, the research house said.


Ministry plans wildlife crossings on East Coast Expressway

                KUALA LUMPUR: Plans are under way to build wildlife crossings on the East Coast Expressway.

Deputy Public Works Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said the move is to provide safe crossings for wild animals such as tigers, elephants and tapirs.

"A meeting was held with the Wildlife and National Parks Deparment on Feb 16 and it was agreed to improve the highway by opening underpass animal crossings.

"Suitable locations for the crossings are being identified," she said when answering a question by Wan Hasan Mohd Ramli (PAS-Dungun) in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.

She said the proposed crossings were in response to recent accident cases involving wild animals and livestock which strayed onto the highway.

"Between Feb 1 last year and Feb 29 this year, there were a total of 133 accidents involving wild animals and livestock which resulted in fatalities.

"This number represents 12% out of the 1,094 accidents along the highway," she added.

Although the Malaysian Highway Authority has taken steps to fence the area, she said there are cases of the fences being damaged or cut locals living beside the expressway.

"Some of the locals cut the fencing to create illegal access to the highway," she said, adding that cattle and buffuloes were the main livestock responsible for the accidents.

She said steps are being taken to improve monitoring of the highway, including the building of barbed-wire fencing and installation of closed-circuit television cameras at high-risk areas.

Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (BN-Setiu) suggested criminal prosecution against livestock breeders who allow their animals to stray onto the highway.

Rosnah said the jurisdiction to prosecute offenders was with the district councils and police.

She agreed with a suggestion by Datuk Shamsul Anuar Nasarah (BN-Lenggong) that more funds should be allocated to set up CCTVs the highway as accidents resulted in RM27.8mil in losses last year.

Rosnah said CCTV recordings could help identify the culprits responsible for damaging or cutting the highway fencing.

There have been calls for wildlife crossings to be built on the expressway after an endangered Malayan tiger was killed when it was hit by a car near the 321km mark of the highway on Feb 5.


Canadian driver claims he has Covid-19 to avoid summons, gets charged

The truck being stopped by Ontario police. — Image from Ontario Provincial Police
ONTARIO: A 22-year-old driver in Canada is now facing charges after falsely claiming that he had Covid-19 to avoid being issued a traffic ticket.

Ontario Provincial Police caught the truck driver (name withheld) on a highway on Tuesday. They had flagged him down because of the vehicle’s illegal licence plates, CTV News reported on the same day.

When the officers called paramedics to the scene, the driver then confessed he did not have Covid-19.

Following the incident, police charged the driver with obstruction of an officer under the province’s Quarantine Act for making a false or misleading statement to an officer. According to the report, the driver also faces charges under the Highway Traffic Act.

Authorities noted as well that the driver only had a G1 licence.

People with a G1 licence may only drive cars, vans or small trucks with an “accompanying fully licensed driver with at least four years driving experience, ” according to Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation. – Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network


Britishvolt’s failure reinforces UK car sector’s existential dread

                LONDON: The writing was on the wall when Britain finalised its break from the European Union: The UK sorely lacked the battery manufacturing capability that would be absolutely critical to the auto industry’s future, leaving the country’s already declining car sector in a make-or-break bind.

The failure of Britishvolt Ltd to get past the stage of developing prototypes for an industry still vital to the UK’s economy casts further doubt on its prospects in the global race by nations to become self-sufficient in greener technology.

The three-year-old startup filed for Britain’s equivalent of bankruptcy on Tuesday, letting go of all but a couple dozen employees.

"I would call it an unmitigated disaster for the auto industry in the UK,” Andy Palmer, the former Aston Martin CEO who helped Nissan launch the LEAF electric vehicle, said Wednesday on BBC Radio 4.

"Ultimately, British car manufacturing will migrate to where the battery factories are, which is going to be in central Europe.”

In the wake of Britishvolt’s downfall, a House of Commons select committee opened an inquiry into the viability of EV battery manufacturing in the UK.

The committee will find little reason for optimism.

BMW AG ceased making electric MINI hatchbacks at its 110-year-old facility near Oxford in October, shifting production to China.

When Tata Motors Ltd.-owned Jaguar Land Rover - the UK’s top car producer - laid out ambitions in early 2021 to electrify its lineup within a few years, the manufacturer warned that its Castle Bromwich plant employing almost 2,000 people may be left without any models to make.

The lone major manufacturers to have announced sizable investment in UK battery and EV making are Nissan Motor Co. and Envision AESC.

The two are setting up a £1 billion (RM5.3bil) hub in Sunderland, home to one of the Japanese car company’s biggest plants in the world, to produce as many as 100,000 electric crossovers and the cells powering those vehicles.

Grand plans

Britishvolt had grander plans for an enormous £3.8 billion (RM20bil) plant that it said would create around 3,000 jobs.

Then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed his government’s pledge a year ago to contribute £100 million (RM531mil) as emblematic of the "green industrial revolution” that would take shape in the former industrial heartlands that voted him into office.

In the end, that funding never came.

After Ian Lavery, a Labour member of parliament representing the area home to Britishvolt’s factory site, criticised Johnson’s administration in July of last year for sending the company "not a single ha’penny,” then-Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng responded that the government had extended a final grant offer.

What Britishvolt was never able to give the government was the assurance of firm orders from car manufacturers. The company reached preliminary deals last year to work with Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings Plc and Group Lotus Plc, but the two low-volume automakers merely committed to research and development tie-ups.

"It's important that we dispense that money in a responsible way,” Kevin Hollinrake, a minister in the government's business department, said Tuesday.

Industrial strategy

Within days of Rishi Sunak becoming Prime Minister in October, the auto industry’s trade group called on the government to improve the UK’s business environment while reporting another monthly contraction in production.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders specifically asked for measures to bring down electricity costs that the group has said are the highest in Europe.

As of November, about 786,000 cars were built in the country during the trailing 12 months, less than half the roughly 1.7 million made in the period preceding the 2016 referendum.

While new-vehicle sales have slumped to a 30-year low, the UK remains one of Europe’s largest auto markets. EVs also have been a bright spot, seizing a record 16.6% share of registrations last year, and their momentum will only accelerate as the government seeks to phase out the internal combustion engine.

The challenge for Sunak’s government will be luring investment to a country that is increasingly losing the critical mass of carmaking needed for battery manufacturing to be viable.

Adrian Hallmark, chief executive officer of Bentley, said last month that the Volkswagen AG-owned company will ship cells into England from elsewhere.


Fourth-gen Toyota Harrier debuts, priced at RM250K

                PETALING JAYA: The fourth-generation Toyota Harrier is launched today, two weeks after the Corolla Cross SUV arrived.

Available in only one spec - Harrier 2.0 Luxury - the fully imported model is priced at RM249,706.50 (excluding road tax, insurance and SST).

Malaysia is only one of two countries where the new Harrier is sold officially with full warranty and after sales support.

The Harrier comes with a full factory five-year unlimited mileage warranty with comprehensive after-sales support at all authorised Toyota service centres nationwide.

The latests Harrier sports a more chiselled front end, side profiles that are an equivalent of being athletically-well toned, and a sloping rear end that presents a coupe styling.

Larger than its predecessor, and with a lower and more pronounced stance, the all-new Harrier presents an even more dynamic and expressive exterior silhouette in line with its "Dignified Elegance" concept.

The latest Harrier is powered by Toyota’s latest Dynamic Force (M20A-FKS) 2-litre 4-clinder DOHC engine with Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) that operates electronically for quicker response. The engine produces 171hp at 6,600rpm and peak torque of 203Nm from 4,400rpm-4,900rpm.

It is the most advanced version of the system developed by Toyota engineers since it was introduced 30 years ago.

A Direct Shift Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with Sequential Shiftmatic, allows the seamless shifting of gears, providing three drive modes – ECO, Normal and Sport.

Optimised front and rear suspension geometry meanwhile, complements the Harrier’s rigid structure making it well-balanced, reassuring, predictable, yet still capable of graceful pace.

Built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) GA-K platform, the Harrier is engineered with a highly rigid body structure with a lower center of gravity in pursuit of ride comfort, agility and greater vehicle driving performance.

The all-new Harrier has a width and wheelbase that is up by 20mm and 30mm respectively, while the height has been reduced by 30mm. The vehicle is perched on 18 inch alloys.

Features have been stepped up in the all-new Harrier which boasts an extensive suite of safety and security equipment via Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) technologies.

The Harrier’s more pronounced front end is defined by new Bi-LED headlamps with long slits that give it a sharp yet wide impression.

Its L-shaped Daytime Running Lights provide a strong and distinctive visual signature apart from enhancing daytime visibility.

The rear, has a clean and intuitive design, defined only by a thin strip of LED tail lamps, twin exhaust pipes with oval
baffle designs for a sportier appearance.

The Harrier’s signature Fixed Panoramic Sunroof is equipped with electro-chromatic glass, that can be dimmed or darkened at the touch of a button.

The Harrier also introduces a Digital Display Rear View Mirror, displaying live images from a wide-angled high-definition camera giving the driver greater night-driving clarity and eliminating glare from oncoming headlights.

The new Harrier gets leather seats, a 12-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat; a steering column that automatically rises out of the way when getting in and out of the vehicle; a vehicle Head-Up Display (HUD); wireless charging pad; Automatic Dual-Zone Air Conditioning system with nanoe X technology; front and rear USB ports for convenience;
a Kick Sensor Power Back Door; and advanced infotainment in the form of an Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Ready 8-inch capacitive touch screen.

The Harrier is built at Toyota’s Takaoka factory in Japan. It is available in five colour choices: Steel Blonde Metallic; Slate Grey Metallic; Precious Black; Dark Blue Metallic; and the signature White Pearl Crystal Shine.

UMWT is also offering a Toyota FlexiPlan, where customers can enjoy interest-saving financing packages exclusively from Toyota Capital Services for the new Harrier and all other Toyota models.

SPECIFICATIONS (pdf) One of the main highlights is the Harrier's panoramic sunroof which is now electrochromic. With the engine running, the sunroof can turn clear or frosted  (below) at the touch of a button.


Nissan-backed startup WeRide gets California permit to test driverless vehicles

                SHANGHAI/BEIJING: Autonomous driving startup WeRide received a permit to test two passenger vehicles on California’s public roads without a safety driver in the front, California’s Department of Motor Vehicles said on Monday.

WeRide, backed by Nissan, Renault, Mitsubishi, is also testing its driverless vehicle in China’s southern city of Guangzhou.

Automakers and technology firms are investing billions of dollars in autonomous driving, aiming to take an early lead in what many consider the future of mobility.

Other companies which are allowed to test autonomous vehicles with no safety driving in the front in California include Alphabet Inc’s Waymo,