Malaysians entering Thailand through land border must follow SOPs, says Thai govt

A view of the Malaysian-Thai border at Wang Kelian on Thursday. — Bernama

SONGKHLA: Malaysians entering Thailand through the Thailand-Malaysia land border must always adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the authorities.

Malaysian Consul General in Songkhla, Muhammad Ridzuan Abu Yazid, advised Malaysians who will visit Thailand through Sadao (Songkhla province)-Bukit Kayu Hitam (Kedah) and Wang Prachan (Satun)-Wang Kelian (Perlis) to get more information from the embassy and consulates.

"Malaysians who enter Thailand should really understand the SOPs set to avoid any inconveniences, and that they should contact the embassy or the consul-general's office directly if something happens," he said here today.

From April 1, the Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam and Wang Prachan-Wang Kelian border gates will be reopened to tourists who have completed the Covid-19 vaccine.

Tourists who will enter through the land border gate under the "Test & Go" programme must apply for "Thailand Pass" online at least seven days before travel.

Travellers under the "Test & Go" programme will also need to make an advance booking at a designated hotel as well as perform an RT-PCR test on the first day of arrival, followed by a self-antigen test on the fifth day. In addition, they have to buy medical insurance with a minimum coverage of US$20,000 (RM84,210).

Meanwhile, tour operators in Songkhla are making preparation to welcome the arrival of tourists, especially from Malaysia, using the land border starting tomorrow.

The opening of the Thailand-Malaysia land border after two years of closure to curb the spread of Covid-19 is seen as a means to revive the badly affected tourism industry.

Most of the tour operators, when met, were elated on the prospect of the arrival of tourists.

Hotel operator Sitthipong Sitthiprapha said the opening of the Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam land border starting tomorrow is an important starting point for reviving southern Thailand’s tourism industry.

"Although the number of tourist arrivals is not expected to be as many as before COVID-19 in 2019, the reopening of the land border is expected to have a positive impact on the tourism industry, and boost revenue and economic activities," he said.

In 2019, Thailand recorded almost 40 million visitors, including 4.1 million visitors from Malaysia.


Proton opens first 4S centre

SHAH ALAM: In tandem with Proton’s business model with the objective to provide a new enhanced customer experience, the national carmaker has launched its first 4S (sales, service, spare parts and spray paint) facility in Shah Alam.
The upgraded facility, operated by Setia Gemilang Auto, sits on a two acre land and provides 50 carpark lots for customers, while sporting a new refreshed look that is the standard for all service outlets.
Inside, the showroom area is able to fit up to 11 cars for display while customers have access to its lounge facility, a coffee area and children's play area.The rear houses the service area, which has been equipped with 14 service hoists as well as 12 body and paint bays.
The launch of the upgraded facility is part of Proton's plan to upgrade its outlets nationwide to a total of 109 outlets of 3S and 4S status by October.

So far, the local carmaker is currently two months ahead of schedule to achieve its 75% completion mark  with 82 outlets upgraded as at May 31.

"Customers who enter the outlet will be able to enjoy the comfortable waiting lounge while waiting to service their cars. We care for our customers’ needs and we want to emphasise that customer satisfaction remains our key priority,” said Proton chief executive officer Dr Li Chunrong.

With the launch of the new 4S outlet, Proton is inviting consumers to check out its most popular model - the Saga, which is now available from just under RM30,000 and is being touted by the local carmaker to be the best offer in the last 10 years while being in conjunction with its Duit Raya promotion and zero-rated GST.


Stand a chance to win one-year free fuel from Petron 'FuelSyok' contest

                KUALA LUMPUR: Petron in collaboration with its dealers will reward 180 lucky customers with one-year worth of free fuel equivalent to 150,000 Petron Miles points through the "FuelSyok" contest.

The winners will each receive 150,000 Petron Miles points over a period of one year while another 1,500 customers will win a monthly consolation prize of 3,000 Petron Miles Points.

Each of the participating Petron station is guaranteed to have at least one winner from the 1,680 names that will be drawn.

“We are constantly thinking of ways to ease some of the burdens of our customers given that we are still in the middle of a pandemic.

"We hope that through this promo, we can make life somewhat easier by giving them one less thing to worry about,” said Abdullah Adil Mohd Akhir, dealer of Petron NKVE KL-bound station.

“This is also our way of saying thank you for their support and loyalty throughout the years,” added dealer, Noraini Daud from Petron Kuchai Lama.

Customers will earn an automatic entry with every cumulative fuel purchase of RM50 using their Petron Miles card throughout the campaign period from March 1 to July 31.

Petron Head of Retail and Commercial Business Choong Kum Choy said this initiative is focused on helping the communities where Petron is part of.

“We are proud to partner with our dealers on this initiative to help our customers during this time,” he said.

For details, visit www.petronmiles.com.my and Petron’s social media platforms at Facebook @PetronMalaysia, Twitter @Petron_Malaysia and Instagram @petron_malaysia.


How Ford wrestled ‘Sexy’ back from Musk in tussle over trademark

                DETROIT: Ford Motor Co.’s use of Model e as the name of its new electric-vehicle unit, comes eight years after dashing Elon Musk’s hopes for a provocatively named lineup of cars from Tesla Inc.

"A friend asked me at a party, ‘What are you going to name the third-generation car?’ Well, we have the S and the X, so we might as well make it the E,” the Tesla chief executive officer told CNNMoney in 2014.

But when Tesla attempted to register the E trademark for a model, Ford stepped in to block it, according to Automotive News.

The Dearborn, Michigan, automaker hauled out a 2010 agreement between the companies that prevented Tesla from using the letter for a car name.

Even though Ford hadn’t used it for a production vehicle, the company contended that Model E sounded too similar to the original mass-market hit automobile: the Model T.

"We’re like, ‘Ford’s killing SEX,’” Musk said in 2014. "So, OK, fine we won’t use Model E.”

True to form, Musk found a workaround. The third vehicle in Tesla’s lineup was dubbed the Model 3 - a clever substitute for a backward uppercase letter E. The carmaker subsequently added a sport utility vehicle, the Model Y.


Ford partners with Volkswagen, Amazon to build charging network for cars

                DETROIT: Ford Motor Co said on Thursday it was teaming up with Volkswagen AG and Amazon.com to give its future electric car customers a range of charging options from highways to homes.

The network of charging stations will be the largest in North America with 12,000 locations and more than 35,000 charge plugs, Ford said.

The No. 2 US carmaker has laid out plans to invest more than US$11 billion in electric vehicles and is targeting majority of its sales from them by 2022.

The network will give Ford car owners access to fast charging station sites that will be set up by Volkswagen’s Electrify America.

Ford is also working with Amazon for installation of home charging setups.


PLUS using AI to smooth traffic flow, prevent drivers from scamming toll system

PETALING JAYA: PLUS Malaysia Bhd is leveraging on artificial intelligence to ease traffic congestion on toll highways across Malaysia by having its traffic camera system read and detect a vehicle’s identifying features in just seconds.

VehicleTrack, implemented by KL-based startup Tapway, allows PLUS traffic cameras to detect a vehicle’s licence plate, class, make and colour in as little as 50 milliseconds even when the vehicle is travelling at up to 40kph while approaching a toll plaza.

The software can capture results in all light and weather conditions with up to 97% accuracy, according to a blog post by Nvidia. Tapway developed VehicleTrack with Nvidia GPUs and software.

According to Tapway, VehicleTrack was deployed on PLUS highways to help automate payment for multi-class lanes.

Previously, drivers have to stop at dedicated lanes to pay toll according to their vehicle types. Then toll booth operators also had to classify each vehicle and assign the appropriate toll rate. The task could be labour-intensive and time-consuming, leading to traffic congestion.

The issue also led to some drivers attempting to scam the system by exchanging cards or using different cards at entry and exit lanes on the highway to pay lower tolls.

VehicleTrack is claimed to be able to detect fraud cases by matching card IDs with licence plates to determine the same card usage for both entry and exit lanes.

According to Tapway, its software produces up to 99.4% accuracy for automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR) reading and up to 99% for vehicle classification accuracy.

PLUS has installed 577 cameras to date and will expand to nearly 900 cameras at 92 toll plazas. The company first engaged Tapway’s services in 2019.

In an interview with a local portal back in January, Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said highway concessionaires have been instructed to get ready to implement a multi-lane free flow system by 2025. The system will make way for a barrier-free tolling system as gantry structures are set to be fitted with ANPR technology.

He added that users will also be able to use any mode of electronic payment for highways with the system.


Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain: Packing fresh appeal

                WHILE 4X4 pick-up trucks have a hard-core following, their appeal to general buyers seems to fall behind their more stylish albeit less rugged sports utility vehicle (SUV) cousin.

Isuzu Malaysia has recently renewed its 4X4 pick-up truck line-up with the third generation D-Max that comes with improved comfort, better drivability and more features to swing opinion.

The all-new model, which has a 5-star Asean NCAP rating, is offered in seven variants, and comes in single or double cab bodystyles, six-speed manual or automatic transmission, and 1.9-litre or 3.0-litre turbodiesel Blue Power engines.

On-the-road prices without insurance for private registration are: 1.9L single cab manual (RM88,599), 3.0L single cab manual (RM95,538), 1.9L double cab manual Standard (RM99,599), 1.9L double cab automatic Standard (RM106,999), 1.9L double cab automatic Premium (RM121,549), 3.0L double cab automatic Premium (128,038) and 3.0L double cab automatic X-Terrain (RM141,938).

The new 3.0-litre 4JJ3-TCX engine is now much improved over the 4JJ1-TCX engine used in the previous generation line-up, and delivers 190PS (+13PS) and 450Nm (+70Nm) of torque.

Its flat torque curve also arrives earlier at 1,600rpm compared with 1,800rpm previously.

Among the upgrades were high pressure common rail fuel injection system, electronically controlled high efficiency variable geometry turbo, and new piston and combustion chamber design.

Its fuel injection timing is also revised to reduce diesel clatter.

Meanwhile, the 1.9-litre RZ4E-TC engine, while still producing the same 150PS and 350Nm of torque, gets a new turbocharger for better responsiveness and improved top-end performance.

Bigger than the previous generation, the wheelbase of the new D-Max is 30mm longer along with more shoulder space for a roomier interior.

Its appearance is sportier and bolder with a 15mm higher bonnet and 10mm lower roofline.

Getting in and out through the rear doors is easier as the opening has been increased by 25mm.

In addition, the latest D-Max features the new Isuzu Dynamic Drive platform which provided for a stiffer frame.

The D-Max also has high mounted upper-link front double wishbone suspension, aluminum propeller drive shaft, and longer and stronger rear leaf springs.

Wading depth has been increased to 800mm while the rear differential lock improves off-road capability.

All variants get a 5-year/150,000km warranty except the X-Terrain which comes with the best-in-class 7-year/unlimited mileage warranty.

We recently got to drive the flagship X-Terrain that features a sporty dark grey grille with bi-LED headlight and LED daytime running lights, rear LED combination lamps, front and rear LED foglamps along with high levels of smart safety and premium convenience features.

Inside, the X-Terrain is certainly a class above the previous generation with its passenger car-like environment.

Leather steering wheel and seats along with dashboard and armrests in soft touch materials and metallic trimmings contribute to the upmarket feel.

The driver’s seat has an eight-way power-adjust capability while rear passengers get air-conditioner vents and an USB charging port.

The 9-inch centre infotainment touchscreen unit supports Apple Carplay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, voice recognition and eight speakers while the instrument panel is the e-Lumax type with colour centre multi-information display.

The 3.0-litre engine fires up quickly with the press of the push button ignition and delivers plenty of grunt.

The X-Terrain picks up speed quickly with the six-speed automatic transmission delivering smooth and hardly felt gear shifting.

The ride is more comfortable this time and not as bouncy like in the previous generation.

Going over bumps or potholes will not cause any juddering.

We even drove the X-Terrain at high speeds on the Elite Expressway and were impressed by the improved level of handling and poise.

The cabin was also quiet with wind and road noises well-kept from intruding inside.

At a sandy off-road location, the Dunlop Grandtrek AT25 all-terrain tyres with the transmission set to all-wheel drive provided us with confidence when travelling on the loose and soft ground.

The Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS), only available in the X-Terrain, uses a combination of radar, stereo camera and sonar systems to enhance safety.

ADAS features include forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, pedal misapplication mitigation, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beam, lane departure warning, blindspot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and multi collision brake among others.

The forward collision warning sounded an alert and flashed a row of LED lights on the dashboard when we inadvertently drove too close to a vehicle in front.

It will automatically brake the X-Terrain had we not slowed down by ourselves.

Other features include seven airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic stability system, traction control system, hill start and descent control, emergency stop signal, reverse camera, front and rear parking sensors, remote engine start, automatic dimming rear view mirror, walkaway door locking, infrared absorbent windscreen, wet wiper system, ISOFIX tethering and 18-inch dark grey alloy wheels with 265/60 tyres.

The cargo area comes standard with tailgate assist and a sliding tray to make loading and off-loading of items easier.

At the end of our one-day drive, we covered some 320km and still had some 60% of fuel left X-Terrain’s 76-litre tank.

A better mileage could be achieved had we been more gentle on the throttle but it had been unexpectedly fun and satisfying to drive the X-Terrain with gusto.

For just around RM142,000, the X-Terrain is a tempting choice for a lifestyle pick-up truck as it even has features that many similarly priced SUVs don’t get.


Mitsubishi unaccompanied test drive option for Klang Valley

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mitsubishi Motors Malaya (MMM), the official distributor of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles in Malaysia is offering unaccompanied test drive option for Klang Valley customers.

Under this option, the customer would not be accompanied by a Mitsubishi Motors sales consultant.

This option comes as the Klang Valley retains a strong buyer demand for the Triton Athlete pick-up truck and the Xpander seven-seater crossover.

However, with Covid-19 active cases still relevant, the company offers customers the option to experience the driving pleasure of a Mitsubishi accompanied by a sales consultant or unaccompanied.

Customers will need to visit MMM’s official website https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my/testdrive2u/ and submit a Test-Drive request.

Mitsubishi Motors will then contact the customer to verify and confirm the appointment and make necessary arrangements to deliver the test-drive vehicle to the customer’s preferred location.

Before handing the test drive vehicle to the customer, Mitsubishi Motors personnel will sanitise all touch points of the vehicle and provide product information.

The customer is then free to test drive the vehicle to an hour before returning it to the same location as its pick-up point.

MMM Shinya Ikeda said the company had to adapt its processes as the nation move towards the endemic era where living with Covid-19 and SOPs are the new-norm challenges.

“As a company, we adapt our business primarily to keep our customers safe. Hence we offer the unaccompanied test-drive option for a peace-of-mind shopping experience.

“This option will allow our customers to experience the Mitsubishi cars on their terms with limited contact,” said Ikeda.

Ikeda also said shopping for a new vehicle now is different than it was before the pandemic.

“At Mitsubishi Motors, we saw this as an opportunity to improve our customer’s experience and convenience. Through our Mitsubishi Online Showroom, customers can now learn about Mitsubishi vehicles, and they only need to fill up a form to schedule an appointment with our authorized dealers.

“We will then take care of the rest of the process right to delivering the Mitsubishi vehicle to customer’s doorsteps.”

In addition, customers who wish to schedule a service for their Mitsubishi may make a service appointment via the Mitsubishi Connect MY mobile app available for download via the Apple App store or Google Playstore.

For details, contact MMM’s Customer Careline at 1800 18 8161.


SOCAR plugs car-sharing to e-hailing riders

                KUALA LUMPUR: SOCAR - Malaysia’s first car-sharing app, is inviting drivers to revisit the convenience of car-sharing.

The company said the recent drop in e-hailing ride availability and the accompanying price surge had generated a wave of dissatisfaction and complaints, leading to calls for the Government to standardise ride prices.

From daily commutes to special trips, customers can pick up their car round the clock at their nearest SOCAR zone - in over 1,000 locations across Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor, Ipoh, Melaka, Seremban, Langkawi and Kota Kinabalu, or opt to have your booked car delivered to their doorstep with the SOCAR-2-YOU service.

The service is usually available from 8am to midnight, with one hour lead time, but may differ by city.

Customers can also choose to have the car picked up once they are done.

The company also has a service for car owners who were forced to use e-hailing to avoid the hassle of driving themselves and trying to find parking when running a series of errands.

Called Buddy Driver, customers can get their a "personal driver " to drive them in their own car to their destination.

Customers can make as many stops as they like within the booking period and the Buddy Driver will be waiting at their convenience.

With Oneway Airport service, customers can get a SOCAR delivered to their doorstep for them to drive to the airport.

They can then drop the car off at the SOCAR zone upon arrival at the airport.

There is also the Oneway Intercity service where customers can just drop the car off at the designated SOCAR zone upon arrival.

Keep track of SOCAR announcements on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/socarmalaysia/.


Braking, overtaking and lighting: How to handle a fully loaded car

                BERLIN: Drivers who are setting off on holidays with a fully loaded car should make sure to adapt their driving style and their lights, experts say.

Because a car with a full boot at the rear will be weighed down somewhat, your headlights may beam too strongly upwards. That's why it's important to change the light range of your headlights while driving at night.

That’s a danger for two-way traffic and can lead to oncoming drivers being blinded, vehicle inspection company Dekra says.

Braking distances and passing manoeuvres will also take longer with a fully loaded boot, while drivers should also expect their car to handle differently in curves. The basic rule for loading vehicles is that drivers should thus stow the heaviest pieces of luggage as low as possible in the vehicle.

Lighter pieces of luggage on the other hand belong in a roof box above the car. That’s because a higher centre of gravity will increase the likelihood that a car will swerve or tilt to one side when taking on curves.


March 30 - April 5: No change in fuel prices

                KUALA LUMPUR: The retail prices of RON97 and RON95 petrol and diesel will remain unchanged for the period from March 30-April 5.

The Finance Ministry, in a statement today, said that RON97 petrol remains at RM3.35 per litre, RON95 (RM2.05) and diesel (RM2.15).

The weekly retail prices of the products were set based on the Automatic Pricing Mechanism formula.


Hyundai offers vision for future mobility

                SEOUL: Hyundai will offer a glimpse of how it sees the future in-car experience under the concept "STYLE SET FREE".

The car cabin is expected to become a personalised living space with the advancement of driverless electric cars.

STYLE SET FREE allows users to fully customise and upgrade their driving environment to create their own life space inside their vehicle through upgradeable products and services. In the future, Hyundai intends to build a self-customising marketplace similar to an app store. Here, customers will have the freedom to select software and hardware for their vehicles to upgrade them according to their needs.

Hyundai said it would use data generated from smart vehicles to launch an open ecosystem that enables a host of ICT subsystems to create a structural flow of public data transmission between vehicles and the environment in which vehicles operate. It said this would facilitate the widespread adoption of connected cars.

“In the future, self-driving technology in electrified vehicles will eliminate the need for drivers. This won’t be a luxury, it will be an absolute necessity,” said Hyundai executive vice-president and chief marketing officer Wonhong Cho.

“STYLE SET FREE aims to provide a unique in-car experience that no other automakers have offered so far, but one that customers have been looking for.”

Hyundai will showcase its concept with interactive displays at the 2019 Frankfurt International Motor Show from Sept 10-22.


Citroen Grand C4 Picasso takes off

The feature packed Citroen Grand C4 Picasso is so chock full of gadgets that this MPV seems to come right out of a Sci-Fi movie.The Citroen Grand C4 Picasso raises the bar in the premium seven-seater MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) segment by offering an alluring package of high-end cabin equipment, abundant safety features and low fuel consumption.This distinctively-designed French people carrier adds to its attraction with a competitive price tag of RM189,888 on-the-road with insurance and a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage.Distributed by Naza Euro Motors Sdn Bhd, the diesel-powered Grand C4 Picasso ups the ante against its rivals with a very roomy cabin, driving aids and occupant comforts that are more commonly seen in premium cars that sell for twice or thrice its price.We like the uncluttered loft-inspired interior, which provides a strong sense of airiness.We showed the car to a friend who remarked, “This is like flying business or first class!”This open air ambience is also thanks to the cabin’s wide-angle panoramic windscreen and large window areas which are framed by slim pillars. There is also a panoramic sunroof which is touted as the biggest in its class.It is worth noting that the Grand C4 Picasso has more glass surface than its segment rivals, which delivers exceptional visibility and reduces blind spots.

Its long 2.84-metre wheelbase allows for a huge cabin and a 645-litre rear cargo storage area (can also be increased to over 700 litres when the second row seats are pushed forward).A wide motorised tailgate makes easier work of loading cargo. The second and third row seats fold flat, for those who need more cargo space.We feel that the cabin has a cosy ambience, with its nice leather upholstery, touches of satin chrome and gloss black inserts.Now, the MPV has a digital driving interface which uses two displays in the dashboard’s centre - a 7-inch touchscreen and a 12-inch HD (high-definition) panoramic screen.The 7-inch touchscreen controls in-car functions such as the dual-zone air conditioning, navigation, audio, telephone and driving aids while the 12-inch HD panoramic screen displays essential driving data such as vehicle speed and engine speed (rpm).This means there is no round-dial speedometer and tachometer in front of the steering wheel. Though a tad unusual, we got used to this layout quickly.Also, don’t bother looking for the six-speed automatic transmission’s shift stick in the traditional centre console spot.To increase cabin space, Citroen engineers cleverly installed a small gear shifter lever on the steering column.There are also steering-mounted paddle shifters for those who want to drive in manual mode.Another space-saving measure is the push-button electric parking brake, located on the dashboard. This means the MPV gains a deep and cavernous storage box between the front seats. We also found plenty of storage options including door bins, storage nets and cup holders.

There are ample comfort features including a automatic air-conditioning, massage function for the front seats, and an electrically operated foot rest on the front passenger seat.

Second row passengers sit on three independent sliding seats, which can be inclined for more comfort. They can also make use of trays on the front seat backs, which are fitted with LED lighting.We also enjoyed the entertainment system’s crisp sound quality, as we listened to music stored on our USB device. Regarding its ride and handling, the Grand C4 Picasso’s suspension tuning is typically European which means it has a good balance between sportiness and occupant comfort.Fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres sized at 225/45 R18, the MPV soaked up road irregularities and rough surfaces without fuss.It has a 1,476kg kerb weight, and the 2.0L turbo diesel packs a lot of grunt for punchy acceleration in spirited driving manoeuvres. Its electric power steering is precise.When driven at 80 to 85kph on smooth highways, the digital tachometer was at around 1,200 to 1,300rpm.At 110kph, the digital tachometer was at around 1,800rpm. Like many diesel-powered passenger cars, this MPV is a fuel sipper.According to Citroen, the Grand C4 Picasso promises a fuel consumption rating of 4.6 litres per 100km on the combined cycle.With its 55-litre fuel tank, it is possible for a light-footed driver in the MPV to travel 1,195km on a full tank of diesel.Thanks to its new EMP2 (Efficient Modular Platform) which also uses aluminium and very high-yield strength steel for some parts, the Grand C4 Picasso is 100kg lighter than its predecessor.Meanwhile, parking the MPV is made safer and easier with its rear and front camera system, with the view displayed on the 12-inch HD screen.We also like its 360 Vision system which provides an all-round bird’s eye view of the MPV’s surrounding environment, by using the four cameras placed around it. That’s not all; there is also Park Assist which can automatically manoeuvre the MPV into a parking bay, whether parking in reverse or at an angle.Other safety highlights include a lane departure warning system that alerts the driver via seatbelt vibrations, and a blind spot monitoring system where an orange light in the angle of the door mirror warns drivers if a vehicle is present in their blind spot.Those shopping for a classy and well-appointed MPV should give the Grand C4 Picasso a consideration.


Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group teams up with Hyundai

                LONDON: Jim Ratcliffe, Britain’s richest man, is joining forces with Hyundai Motor Co. in a bid to give hydrogen fuel cell vehicles the boost they need to become more mainstream.

Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group will explore opportunities to produce and supply hydrogen to Hyundai, which has been making fuel cell vehicles in low volumes since 2013.

Ratcliffe may also use Hyundai’s fuel cell system in the Grenadier, the Land Rover-like sport utility vehicle Ineos plans to bring to market next year.

Makers of cars and chemicals are finding common ground in their pursuit of hydrogen projects. Targets are being set globally to phase out the combustion engine and decarbonize industrial production.

Ineos, which makes 300,000 tons of hydrogen annually, could play an instrumental role in helping set up the infrastructure Hyundai needs for models like the Nexo SUV to catch on in Europe.

 The Grenadier.

“There’s verbiage and there’s getting on and doing stuff,” Ineos chief technology officer Peter Williams said in an interview. “We would like to do something of serious scale in the next five years.”

For Ratcliffe, 68, helping to kick-start the hydrogen economy would open up more attractive uses for his company’s output of the gas, a byproduct from the electrolysis of brine to make chlorine.

Ineos currently uses it for fuel and desulfurization at refineries. It also has underground gas-storage caverns that could be employed for hydrogen.

While the relative growth of battery-electric cars has cast some doubt on the future of fuel-cell vehicles, Hyundai and Toyota Motor Corp. still see enormous potential in their technical advantages. Hydrogen tanks can be refilled faster than batteries recharge, and fuel cells can offer greater driving range, particularly in heavier vehicles.

“Clearly Hyundai want to see their fuel-cell technology used globally,” Williams said. “They set up a business and they want to grow it and get into Europe and probably the US as well.”

The South Korean carmaker aims to capture as much as 15% of the hydrogen-fuelled truck market in Europe by 2030, targeting countries including Germany and the Netherlands.

The company shipped its first batch of such trucks to Switzerland earlier this year and plans to produce 1,600 units by 2025.

Collaborating with Hyundai may also give Ineos’s plan to enter the auto market a boost. Ratcliffe, who is worth $25.9 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, announced plans in 2019 to build an SUV similar to the Land Rover Defender.

While the Grenadier will initially run on six-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines supplied by BMW AG, Ineos will assess the suitability of using Hyundai’s fuel cell system sometime in the future.


Make those 65 and above undergo driving proficiency and fitness test, govt urged

                PETALING JAYA: Medical checks for drivers above the age of 65 should be made mandatory, says a non-governmental organisation.

Malaysians Against Rape, Assault and Snatch Theft founder Dave Avran said the recent incident where a 76-year-old drove on the wrong lane on the New Pantai Expressway is a wake up call.

“I feel it is high time to introduce compulsory checks every six months to ensure public safety.

As far as I know there are no local laws stopping anyone from driving when they reach a certain age.

He said having good eyesight should be included as a criteria.

“A normal person should be able to see a minimum distance of 23m. A driver, regardless of age, must also be able to see the traffic lights well,” he said.

Astigmatism, which causes blurry or distorted vision, he said, was also a concern. He added that good hearing and having good reflexes was also necessary for drivers.

“The medical checks should also take into account the alertness levels of drivers. Drivers must not pose a danger to other road users,” he said.

Avran said medical checks would provide some peace of mind for drivers above the age of 65 and their loved ones, while other road users would feel safe as well.

A viral video last week shows an elderly man driving towards oncoming traffic near Taman Dato Harun. Other motorists can be heard in the video shouting at the man who then drives even faster.

NPE patrol personnel are seen attempting to get the man to stop but he ignores them.

The video ends with patrol personnel successfully stopping the vehicle, while shouting and knocking on the window on the driver’s side. Police have said that the man was suffering from dementia and hearing problems.


Shell Eco-marathon heads to Singapore with 115 Malaysian students

Team Monash UC

SINGAPORE: Seven teams from six universities in Malaysia will be competing in the Shell Eco-marathon (SEM) global programme that's regarded as one of the world’s longest-running student competitions.

The programme challenges the minds of students in terms of design and requires them to build an ultra-energy-efficient vehicle that will be pitted against the rest.

The teams, comprising of 115 students to represent Malaysia, include Monash University Malaysia (two teams), Multimedia University Melaka Campus, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman and University Malaysia Pahang.

Team UiTM Eco-Planet

The programme is part of this year's Future Singapore festival that will see over 120 students from 18 countries from across Asia Pacific and the Middle East converge on the island.

Last year, team UiTM Eco-Sprint from emerged as champions for the fourth consecutive year and will be succeeded by Team UiTM Eco-Planet which will be competing in the Hydrogen category.

Team UiTM Eco-Planet is a female empowered initiative and this year, the team has 13 female engineers to further develop and design their entry.

Team UiTM Eco-Planet

The free festival celebrates bright energy ideas and innovations from across Asia while focusing on offering virtual reality as well as hands-on experiences to understand what is happening currently when powering our world and a glimpse of what the future of energy might look like.

To participate in SEM, each team will design and test their energy efficient vehicles, therefore, exposing them to the investigative skills of science, analytical skills of mathematics and inventive skills of engineering.

This is very much like the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) principle which is designed to provide students with the opportunity to investigate information provided to them in order to understand it based on their own experiences; also known as contextual learning.

Team UMP-Tech

This is also in line with the Malaysian government’s aspiration for Transformasi National 2050 (TN50), to help drive Malaysia’s vision to be among the top 20 nations recognised for creativity and innovation.

This year Team Monash UC will be introducing cruise control technology, as well as their own driver assist system to calculate the ideal steering angle when turning corners to ensure their urban concept car does not lose momentum and maintain an even and efficient burn of Hydrogen throughout the race.

First time participants University Malaysia Pahang, were successful at the qualifiers and will be travelling down to Singapore for their first Shell Eco Marathon Asia race.

Team UMP-Tech

UMP-Tech have set-up a dedicated Facebook link and videos to share their journey to Singapore.
https://www.facebook.com/semaump2018/">“Shell Eco Marathon (SEM) Asia is a key platform for developing and nurturing youths in the areas of science, technology, engineering and energy fields. It also serves as an avenue for our Malaysian bright and future talents to discover ways of bringing their ideas to life by challenging their young minds to innovate and embrace a smart sustainable future. Shell Malaysia is proud to be partnering the students and universities to showcase Malaysian ideas and capabilities at this platform,” said Shell Malaysia country head of external relations Nimmi Kamal.


Ford invests US$500mil in electric vehicle startup Rivian

Scaringe (left) with Bill Ford.
DETROIT: Ford Motor Co.said Wednesday it was investing US$500 million in Rivian as part of a strategic partnership with the startup developing electric pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles.

The tieup will enable Ford to develop its own branded electric vehicle using Rivian's "flexible skateboard platform," according to a statement from the two companies.

"As we continue in our transformation of Ford with new forms of intelligent vehicles and propulsion, this partnership with Rivian brings a fresh approach to both," said Jim Hackett, Ford president and chief executive.

"At the same time, we believe Rivian can benefit from Ford's industrial expertise and resources."

Rivian, one of several startups following the model of Tesla on electric vehicles, has also received US$700 million led by Amazon earlier this year.

Last year, the startup unveiled an electric pickup truck and an electric sport utility vehicle at an auto show in Los Angeles. The vehicles were set to be manufactured at the startup's plant in Illinois, with deliveries to customers expected to begin late in 2020.

Rivian will remain independent under its partnership with Ford, which will hold a minority stake, the companies said.

"This strategic partnership marks another key milestone in our drive to accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility," said Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe.

"Ford has a long-standing commitment to sustainability, with (Ford executive chairman) Bill Ford being one of the industry's earliest advocates, and we are excited to use our technology to get more electric vehicles on the road."

The news comes with Tesla ramping up production of its electric cars, having unveiled plans to launch self-driving electric "robotaxis" by 2020. Several other startups in the US and elsewhere are planning to launch all-electric vehicles in the next few years.


Renault-Nissan alliance, Google to partner on self-driving cars: Nikkei

                TOKYO: The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance will tie up with Alphabet Inc’s Google to develop autonomous taxis and other services using self-driving vehicles, the Nikkei reported.

Google’s self-driving car company Waymo will work with the carmakers and announce a plan for the arrangement as early as this spring, the business daily reported.

The partners are considering the joint development of unmanned taxis using Nissan vehicles and a system that handles reservation and payments, Nikkei said on Tuesday.

A spokesman at the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance Nick Twork said, “This (Nikkei) story is based on rumours and speculation. We have nothing to announce.” Google’s Waymo declined to comment.

Last month, Nissan Motor Corp said its board remained committed to the carmaker’s alliance with Renault SA and Mitsubishi Motors Corp, after directors met to discuss the ongoing investigation into former chairman Carlos Ghosn and ways to bolster governance.


Toyota holding more promotions in March

                PETALING JAYA: During the month of March, there are great promotions which customers can save more - up to RM15,000 (for selected units only) - on purchases of new Toyota vehicles and also add value with extra accessories provided at no extra charge.

Excite your drive with the best services from Toyota at all its showrooms nationwide, not only on weekends but the whole year round.

Especially for Mar 17 and 18 and Mar 24 and 25, come and join Toyota showroom weekender with friends and family to check out the latest offering.

Also, “Get Fun, Get Bolder” with the new and rugged Avanza X where customers can get RM1,000 cash rebate or free rim and tyres upgrade worth RM3,062.

Find out more on Toyota’s promotional offers for March in the details below that is valid from now until 31st March 2018:
Vios - Up to RM3,500 cash rebate + Free Accessories (worth up to RM4,100) + Prepaid Maintenance Package (worth RM2,125)Camry - RM3,000 cash rebate + Body Coating (worth RM2,700) or Free Accessories (worth RM2,500)Avanza X - RM1,000 cash rebate + Top Up Accessories (worth RM3,062)Hilux - RM1,000 cash rebate + Free Accessories (worth RM3,485)Fortuner - RM1,000 cash rebate + Free Accessories (worth RM2,500)Innova - RM2,000 cash rebate + Free Service (worth RM1,000)
(All offers are for selected variants and subject to Terms and Conditions, while stocks last).

Customers who require a financing plan may also check out Toyota Capital services offers like the Toyota 2-Tier Plan which offers lower monthly instalments for graduates and Toyota Drive financing plan, the first of its kind where customers can save more.

For peace of mind, all Toyota models comes with a 5-year warranty and unlimited mileage (except for Toyota Hilux with maximum mileage of 150,000kms).

To enhance the value of your Toyota, the warranty is transferable to the next owner within the terms and conditions.

To find out more about these attractive offers, customers can visit any Toyota showrooms where test-drives are also available.

Visit toyota.com.my for further information.


First drive: Ferrari 488 Pista

                It's a warm day in June and nearly dinner-time. With a bunch of Asian motoring scribes huddled in a room, Ferrari engineers set to work to impress upon them the motive marvel that is the 488 Pista.

Charts, numbers and jargon flew across the screen faster than you could blink. A Michelin rep chipped in to sell the virtues of the Sport Cup 2 tyre that has been custom made for the Pista. Parts specially created for the car were on display for the visitors to touch and feel.

Such was the evening in Maranello, Italy, a day before the road and track drive of a supercar that has fans and clientele all abuzz.

In Ferrari’s 488 hierarchy, the 488 GTB and 488 Spider are the mainstays followed by the Pista, an even sportier version of the berlinetta.

For the record, the Italian sports car maker has also crafted other 488-based cars like the exclusive 488 Pista Piloti Ferrari for motorsports customers; the J50 limited edition for Japan; and the one-off SP38 Deborah for a customer.

What’s missing is an open-top 488 Pista Spider, which we are told, will be coming.

The Pista – whose name means “Track” in Italian – is a special series model in the same vein as the Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia and 458 Speciale of yore, designed for extreme performance and track car-style handling.

The award-winning mid-engine 488 GTB was already a formidable supercar, with its biturbo 3.9-litre V8 mill grabbing the International Engine of the Year award for three years in a row since 2016. How to make a supercar even more super?

It’s about leveraging on Ferrari motorsports know-how to make an extreme road car that’s equally at home on the track.

The usual route: lighten the car, boost powertrain performance, improve aerodynamics and cooling as well as revise driving dynamics. And so the Pista was born.

The Pista, on paper, is impressive.

Overall weight is a little under 1.4 tonnes, 90kg less than the GTB.

It reels out 710hp at 8,000rpm and torque is higher at all engine speeds, peaking at 770Nm at 3,000rpm (but only in seventh gear and 10Nm more than the GTB), making its V8 the most powerful ever from Ferrari.

It has the best specific power output in its class at 183hp per litre.

The car is furiously fast, clocking in at 2.85s from 0-100kph and 7.6s from 0-200kph. Top speed exceeds 340kph. Huge carbon ceramic disc brakes quickly shave off acceleration from 100kph to standstill in just 29.5m.

A lot of work went into making the Pista a better car.

Around half the engine parts have been changed. Cylinder heads and pistons have been redesigned to cope with the extra 50 horses.

It has learnt a few tricks from the 488 Challenge and 488 GTE competition cars.

Titanium connecting rods, carbon-fibre intake plenums and the change in crankshaft and flywheel material lighten things up. Elsewhere, lighter seats and use of lithium battery and optional carbon fibre wheels shave off more weight.

Improved cooling was another priority. Front radiators were repositioned with revised ducting to cool the engine. Air flowing into the engine now come from the rear spoiler area where they are connected directly to the plenums instead of from the flanks.

The ducting revision means higher volume and cleaner air flow to the engine, thereby contributing to the increase in power.

With air intakes relocated from the sides to the rear, it frees up more space to install bigger intercoolers. Front bumper and bonnet were revised and an S-Duct, inspired by F1, is introduced for the first time in a road car, helping to minimise lift when going fast.

Other aero refinements are flashy and functional at the same time.

Stripping out some sound insulation and the use of lightweight Inconel exhaust manifolds inject 8dB more engine sound into the cabin.

Seats are snug and cosy, with all the controls that matter within easy reach.

Laced with carbon fibre and Alcantara, the interior is driver-focused with even the glove box removed.

The responsive engine bellows as you gun the accelerator and is not quite as shrill in its vocals as a naturally aspirated engine. It sounds good all the same.

On rough road patches as found outside Maranello, setting the dampers at its softest setting makes the ride surprisingly pliant.

The 20-inch Michelin mixed tyres stick like glue to asphalt and the suspension is firmer than the garden variety GTB.

The Pista feels planted and there’s plenty of feedback from the steering so it’s easy to place the car in corners time after time. And the absence of turbo lag is a pleasant discovery.

With so much low-end torque, the Pista can be driven in a laid-back manner with the 7-speed dual clutch shifting on your behalf.

Shift quality in Sport setting, or even in full automatic mode is great but switch to Race mode for a more race-car feel either on track or public roads.

As a RWD car with plenty of torque, oversteer is easy to incite with traction control disabled but the Pista is quite forgiving.

The Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer, built into the integrated SSC 6.0 (Side Slip Control) system takes even the less experienced driver by the hand through a controlled drift within a narrow yaw angle window, adding to the fun factor without looking as if the Pista is out to kill him.

There was an occasional squeaking noise from the front left wheel at highway speeds, which Ferrari explains away as stone chips that could have got stuck between the brake calliper and the disc.

The only downside to the drive was that we were just warming up with four laps around Ferrari’s Fiorano test track before we had to wrap it up with the carbon-fibre wheeled-Pista (the batch for public roads wore standard alloys).

Expect to pay more for this pista-ready package of intense thrills. It will set you back by some RM3mil once it’s available in Malaysia, come early 2019.

SPECIFICATIONSFerrari 488 PistaEngine: 3,902cc, twin turbocharged V8, mid-engine
Maximum power: 710hp at 8,000rpm
Maximum torque: 770 Nm at 3,000rpm (in 7th gear)
Transmission: 7-speed F1 dual clutch
Features: Four airbags, ABS all round, Manettino drive-mode switch, paddle shifters, Electronic differential (E-Diff 3.0), F1 traction control, Side Slip Angle Control (SSC 6.0), Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer, Inverted radiator cooling system, S-Duct, Inconel exhaust manifolds, magneto rheological suspension, 20-inch Michelin mixed tyres
Acceleration (0-100kph): 2.8s
Acceleration (0-200kph): 7.6s
Top speed: 340kph
Fuel consumption (combined): 11.5l/100km
Kerb weight: 1,385kg
Weight distribution: 41.5% front, 58.5% rear
Fuel tank capacity: 78 litres
Luggage capacity: 170 litres
Price: RM3,013,238 (estimated, inclusive of taxes before options)


Coming soon: the BMW M4 GT3

                MUNICH: From the 2022 season, privateers and privateer teams around the world will have the opportunity to do battle in a GT3 model based on the next generation of the BMW M4.

The race car has been in development for several months and will undergo intensive testing next year.

The BMW M4 GT3 will succeed the BMW M6 GT3, which has been in action around the world since 2016 and has brought home wins at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL), the FIA GT World Cup in Macau (CHN) and in numerous international race series.

The production model BMW M4, which forms the base for the BMW M4 GT3, is powered by a six-cylinder engine with BMW M TwinPower Turbo Technology that achieves more than 500hp.

The engine and chassis of the road vehicle are the perfect basis for the development of the GT3 racing version.

With this goal in mind, the BMW M engineers built an engine – the S58 – that boasts impressive engine characteristics and explosive power delivery, the motorsport genes of which can also be experienced away from the racetrack at any time.

“With our new GT3 project, we are emphasising the significance of BMW M Customer Racing. It is a central pillar of our motorsport programme,” said BMW Group Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt.

“With the introduction of the new GT3 regulations for 2022, the BMW M4 is the perfect base. The core product from our colleagues at BMW M is yet again just great. Without wanting to give too much away, the BMW M4 GT3 will be a real highlight in terms of optics and technology."


BMW to reduce carbon emissions in car life cycle 40% by 2030

                BERLIN: BMW plans to reduce carbon emissions across the life cycle of its vehicles - including the production process - at least 40% from 2019 levels by 2030, the carmaker said today, up from a previous target of a third.

In order to achieve this, the Munich-based automaker intends to increase the proportion of recycled and reusable materials used in manufacturing its vehicles from 30% to 50%, it said in a statement released ahead of the IAA Mobility conference in Munich next week.

"We are committed to a clear course to achieve the 1.5 degree target," CEO Oliver Zipse said, referring to the Paris Agreement.

BMW has been reluctant to set a hard deadline for phasing out fossil-fuel cars, pointing out limitations to the expansion of electric vehicles including the sore lack of charging infrastructure across the EU and elsewhere.

Still, the automaker has set a range of sustainability targets in the past, including generating at least half of BMW Group sales from electric vehicles by 2030 and reducing CO2 emissions per vehicle and kilometre driven by at least half from 2019 levels in the same time frame.

Like its competitors, the company has warned that its revenues in coming months could be plagued by chip shortages and raw material prices, despite reporting stronger than expected profits in its latest quarterly results.


Can you tell a chopper from a bobber? Motorcycle classes explained

                BERLIN: Motorcycles have long been lifestyle products, with manufacturers marketing their vehicles not just as a means of getting get from A to B, but as a way of life.

But with so many different designs on the market, it can be difficult to know exactly which way of life you are buying into. Dpa teamed up with the German Federal Association of Motorcyclists to come up with an overview of the different bikes out there.

The naked bike

In today's market, some of the old favourites are becoming popular again, such as the retro-looking "naked" bike. This is a motorcycle design from over 30 years ago that comes without fairings, a windscreen and other accessories.

Some new models, such as the Triumph Speed Triple, Ducati Monster 1200 or Kawasaki Z 900, offer a contemporary twist on the design, while others - like the Honda CB 650 R, Yamaha XSR 700 or Husqvarna Svartpilen 701 - combine modern and retro elements.

Others still are true to the original trend, such as the Triumph Street Twin, the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 or the BMW R nineT.

The cafe racer

The retro revolution that is raging in the bike world also applies to cafe racers, which originate from 1960s England. Bikes in this class are often modified by lowering, and usually have a single seat and sometimes a small handlebar fairing.

Today the Kawasaki W 800 Cafe, Suzuki SV 650 X and Moto Guzzi's V7 III Racer are among the models flying the flag for this style.

The scrambler

In the US, the scrambler - which was also created in the 1960s - is another throwback gaining in popularity once again. Equipped with studded tyres and a high-level exhaust, the minimalist scrambler is basically a street motorcycle with off-road capability.

Nowadays, scramblers are back on trend, with Ducati offering three series and several versions for its Scrambler model.

Triumph also has two models in this style - the Scrambler 1200 XE and the Street Scrambler.

The enduro

The scrambler concept was further developed with the enduro in the 1970s, which was able to move on the road but, thanks to longer springs and better engine protection, could also hold its own on harder terrain.

Today's mid-range sport enduro bikes include the BMW F 850 ??GS, KTM 790 Adventure R and the Moto Guzzi V 85 TT.

Travel enduros for the big tour include the BMW R 1250 GS, Honda CRF 1000L Africa Twin or Yamaha XT 1200 Super Tenere.

The tourer

The tourer or bagger model is ready for the long haul, displaying a full fairing for long, relaxed rides, a sprawling luggage system and a comfortable pillion seat as typical features.

Today's examples are the Honda GL 1800 Gold Wing, the BMW K 1600 excavator, the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide and the Yamaha FJR 1300.

The road racer

Much less durable, but incredibly fast, is the road racer.

The Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory, BMW S 1000 RR, Ducati Panigale V4 R and Suzuki GSX-R 1000 are among the road racers capable of a top speed of up to 300 kilometres per hour.

The chopper

Such speed is of course not for everyone, which is why the popularity of slower but more characterful chopper from the 1960s is also rising.

Long fork, high handlebars, lower seat, narrower front tyre - these are the classic features that have made it one of the poster boys of motorcycling. A modern representative is the Harley-Davidson Breakout.

The cruiser

While the cruiser motorbike class is typically dominated by Harley and its US competitor Indian, the pure pleasure driving class is also coming under European pressure.

Classic cruisers such as the Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic and sport cruisers like the Indian Scout are also going head to head with Ducati's Power Cruiser XDiavel and Moto Guzzi's Audace, among others.

The bobber

Another comeback kid is the bobber, with its trademark shortened rear bumper, representing another minimalist design turning heads on the current market.

A low seating position with a single saddle and balloon tires dominate the appearance of the Honda CMX 500 Rebel, the Triumph Bonneville Bobber and the Harley-Davidson HD Street Bob.


1,800hp Dendrobium D-1 hypercar to be made in Britain

                LONDON: While British vacuum cleaner Dyson will make its electric cars in Singapore, the Singaporean-conceived Dendrobium electric hypercar will be built in Britain.

No date has been announced for the production of the car, which remains a concept.

Ironically the Dendrobium D-1 - named after an orchid - was the brainchild of Singapore-based battery technology company Vanda Electrics. However, as the Southeast Asian island has no history or expertise in vehicle manufacture, the electric transportation design specialists turned to the UK for its know-how to fully develop and engineer the all-electric D-1 hypercar, initially with the support of Formula 1 company Williams Advance Engineering.

The car will have dual motors delivering 1,800hp and 2,000Nm of torque for a 0-100kph sprint of 2.7s and top speed of over 320kph.

Following its recent UK debut at Salon Privé at Blenheim Palace, the now fully-British Dendrobium Automotive is looking to manufacture its all-electric D-1 in the UK, despite the current challenges and uncertainties continuing to be created around Brexit.

Despite these Brexit concerns, Dendrobium Automotive’s aim is to manufacture its technically advanced electric D-1 in the UK and keep the technology development intellectual property and supply chain in Britain to help sustain and create new jobs and opportunities.

With a target weight of just 1,750kg, the fully carbon fibre D-1, with its superlight and super strong advance composites and alloys, is designed to give it a supercar feel, not big and heavy, allied to impressive linear performance.

The lightweight construction of the D-1 is based on a unique Protocell carbon tub which has been engineered with future adaptability for further generations of Dendrobium e-performance cars. The D-1 exudes drama and presence thanks to its unique Bio-Aerial Locomotion door and roof opening system, which is inspired by the Dendrobium orchid plant which unfurls in a similar manner.


Lotus Evora 400 gets exclusive livery

                LONDON: Car fans across the world have helped the Lotus Exclusive service by choosing one of the most famous racing colour schemes for a run of extremely limited Evora 400 Exclusive editions.

Challenging enthusiasts to pick their preference from a selection of carefully curated designs, penned by Lotus’ design team, the social media poll on Lotus’ Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages, saw modern interpretations of classic automotive colour combinations, as well as some established Lotus liveries.

The outright winner was revealed as the Blue & Orange edition, recalling the famous racing colour scheme first seen in the 1960s, with a complementary palette inside, setting black leather upholstery against orange contrast stitching.

The new Blue and Orange limited edition Evora 400 is the latest Lotus sports car to help mark 2016 as the 50th anniversary since the founding of the Lotus Factory and Headquarters in Hethel, Norfolk.

With a special paint colour and orange and white decal stripes, the Exclusive design gave fans the opportunity to give the modern Evora 400 a thoroughly retro look. Black forged wheels and red brake calipers complete the car’s distinctive look.

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus plc said, “Any one of the designs in the poll would have been a worthy winner. So now that the poll has finished and with thousands of votes cast, we have decided that the winner will make it into production. We only plan to build 10 of these Evora 400 sports cars in total so with their rarity, I expect them to quickly become very desirable.”

Developed by the team at Hethel, Lotus Exclusive inspires customers to further personalise the character of their Lotus cars. With the ability to tailor to their personal taste, it provides an alluring alternative to a standard specification sports car.

With such limited production numbers, the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Exclusive edition is expected to sell quickly. However, customers can create their own, unique Lotus through the Exclusive programme today.

The ultra-low volume edition perfectly demonstrates the appeal of Lotus Exclusive, which offers buyers a unique ownership proposition by combining traditional British craftsmanship with modern design. Tailoring one of Lotus’ high-performance sports cars to suit personal tastes, it offers a customised alternative to an off-the-shelf car, covering everything from colour coding through to race car preparation.

Developed through Lotus’ Lightweight Laboratory, the car’s low mass of 1,395 kg drastically enhances its performance.  As a result, the Evora 400 accelerates from 0-100kph in just 4.2 seconds and continues on to deliver a maximum speed of 300kph.

Combining a lightweight revised aluminium chassis with a high-output engine, to deliver remarkable performance, its supercharged and charge-cooled, mid-mounted 3.5-litre V6 engine produces 400hp and 410Nm of torque.

The car’s efficient composite body, flat-floor, rear diffuser, three-element rear wing all enhance aerodynamics, generating significant downforce of 32kg at 241kph.


Denmark is streets ahead when it comes to smart roads

                COPENHAGEN: Danish holidaymakers planning a roadtrip this summer may find that the journey is less stressful and gridlocked than usual. That's because Denmark has just become the first country to adopt GPS probe data to monitor traffic and congestion levels on a national scale.

The system, provided by INRIX, allows the Danish Road Directive to track the real-time movement of vehicles on a road network stretching 4000km, meaning that it can alert drivers immediately to unexpected congestion, accidents or other road problems, as well as more effectively deploy its own recourses.

However, what makes the system truly smart is that it doesn't use thousands of sensors embedded along the road surface. Instead, it tracks the movement of connected cars, fleet and commercial vehicles and even devices like smartphones and satnav systems that run INRIX's technology.

Director of Traffic Management at Danish Road Directorate, Charlotte Vithen, said "By using INRIX's expertise in real-time data and through deploying this technology across our entire road network, we will be able to detect extraordinary traffic queues quicker, issue earlier warnings of congestion and improve the way we manage road incidents to achieve a smoother flow of traffic across Denmark."

The Danish Road Directive has been putting the technology through its paces for 10 years as the organization charged with maintaining Denmark's state-owned roads. And although they amount to just 5percent of all roads in the country, they carry 45percent of all road traffic in Denmark.

"INRIX is excited by this partnership and committed to helping the Danish Road Directorate manage its national road network effectively, improve interurban mobility and provide high quality, timely information to individual travellers, cities and businesses across the country," said Bryan Mistele, CEO, INRIX. "We also see this as an opportunity to showcase best practice and how technology innovation can improve urban mobility in other countries and cities across Europe and the rest of the world."

The Danes are not alone in examining the effectives of using cars, rather than sensors to report on traffic flows and road conditions. In Sweden, Volvo is working with the local government in Gothenburg to relay information about icy conditions and road surface issues encountered by its connected cars. And in the UK, Jaguar Land Rover is examining ways of sharing data about potholes, broken drains and other problems detected by its cars' sensors with the local authorities.


Hyundai redesigns Sonata to check falling sales

                SEOUL: South Korea's Hyundai Motor Co unveiled a redesigned Sonata today, aiming to reverse a fall in sales of a model struggling to stand out in a shrinking saloon segment.

Hyundai has adopted a sporty look for the revamped car to regain ground lost to rival models such as Renault SA's SM6 in South Korea, where the market-leader's share fell to a record low last year.

The new Sonata will also take on Toyota Motor Corp's remodelled Camry in the United States, where mainstay saloons have been losing favour to petrol-guzzling sport utility vehicles as fuel costs fall because of low oil prices.

Hyundai said it aims to increase domestic sales by 12 percent to 92,000 Sonata cars this year, domestic sales chief Lee Kwang-guk told reporters. The Sonata is Hyundai's second-biggest selling model after its Elantra in South Korea as well as the United States, and one of its top sellers in China.

The stylish design and affordable price of the previous-generation Sonata, launched in 2009, propelled Hyundai Motor to its biggest-ever share of the US market, and helped it escape an industry-wide downturn largely unscathed.

But its curvy styling received mixed reviews in the conservative home market of South Korea, prompting the automaker to tone it down in 2014.

With the latest version, Hyundai has changed the sheet metal in an unusual move for a non-generational update. It has also given it a more sporty look with a curvy bonnet and a bigger grille. Lee said Hyundai's next-generation Sonata will take design cues from this redesigned version.

Hyundai is working on next generation cars with "a different flair" for marketing from 2019, Luc Donckerwolke, senior vice president for design, previously said.

(Note: Video clip in Korean language)


Lotus X Norton & Sons collaboaration seems like a "perfect fit"

                LONDON: Lotus has begun working with renowned British outfitter and bespoke tailor on Savile Row - Norton & Sons, to design and create something special ‘For The Drivers’.

The creative project, a collaboration between the two quintessentially British icons to be formally unveiled later this year, will incorporate both brands’ core values of light-weighting, performance-oriented contemporary design and sporting durability.

“The year I was born, Lotus won the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship. Growing up, it was the definitive British sports car brand. James Bond drove a Lotus Esprit and it was the car that every kid in the playground dreamed of owning. Colin Chapman is revered as an engineering icon, a pioneer and an entrepreneur of exceptional personal style. Norton & Sons has a long tradition of making for sportsmen and pioneers, so Lotus and Norton & Sons feels like a perfect fit,” said Norton & Sons director Patrick Grant

Having celebrated its 70th year in 2018 and now undergoing a renaissance under new shareholders and management, Lotus is a sports car company that exists first, last and always ‘For the Drivers’.

Famed for its illustrious heritage in Formula 1 racing and appearances in iconic James Bond movies, Lotus is a pioneer of light-weighting in automotive and motorsport.

Many of the brand’s most famous innovations have come from the Lotus Engineering consultancy, which today is leading the way for the company’s entry into the world of automotive electrification.

The critically acclaimed Lotus Evija hypercar – the first all-electric British hypercar and the most powerful series-production car ever made – is the company’s first step in this new direction, and will serve as an inspiration to this new collaboration with Norton & Sons.

Norton & Sons, one of Savile Row’s longest-established tailors, was founded in 1821 and celebrates its bicentennial next year. It has clothed some of history’s most stylish and inspiring men, including Hollywood legends such as actor Cary Grant, British royalty including King Edward VII, and performance pioneers such as Chuck Yeager, the first man to break the speed of sound.

From its tailoring shop on Savile Row – the epicentre of the London fashion scene – it has developed an expertise in exquisite lightweight clothing for sporting pursuits. Norton & Sons works closely with the fashion industries of London, New York and Paris, cutting and sewing elegant yet informal tailored pieces for a long list of celebrated designers.

“Norton & Sons share many synergies with Lotus – we are both British brands built on performance, quality and timeless style. We are both disruptors with modern thinking, a purist aesthetic and a sense of adventure. Like our sports cars, the fruits of this collaboration will be handcrafted in Britain using British-made technical materials, and will have a genuine focus on ultimate performance through light-weighting,” said Lotus director of design Russell Carr.


In China, global automakers seek clarity from a more ambitious regulator

People walking past an ID. Store X showroom of SAIC Volkswagen in Chengdu in January. — Reuters
BEIJING: For foreign automakers, selling in China - the world's biggest car market and front-runner by far in the adoption of electric vehicles - can yield great rewards. But the regulatory headaches can also be really painful.

A lack of transparency, insufficient lead time for new rules as well as unequal "access to policy and standards drafting processes" were key complaints about Chinese auto regulation listed in a European Union Chamber of Commerce report.

Though the survey-based report published in September did not cite specific examples, auto industry sources say it highlights bubbling frustration with China's regulatory process as well as growing pains as automakers adapt to the country's expanding regulatory clout - particularly in EVs.

In the past, cars that met EU and US auto standards did not have too much difficulty satisfying Chinese regulatory bodies which had based their own regulations on Western equivalents.

But China is now coming to the forefront of EV regulation. That's a natural consequence of its sheer market size - it accounted for roughly 40% of all electric vehicles sold worldwide in 2020 - as well as part of broad conscious efforts by Chinese authorities to start taking the lead in international standards across a range of industries.

VW'S scramble

An expensive scramble by Volkswagen AG engineers last year to redesign a battery pack for its ID.4 electric SUV illustrates the tensions at play in China's auto sector.

The battery pack had passed Volkswagen and German government tests for managing heat but it did not meet planned Chinese requirements aimed at making EVs highly unlikely to catch fire in the first five minutes after a crash, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said.

No information from the Chinese government about when the new standards would be effective contributed to the problem, the sources said.

But the added stubbornness from Volkswagen headquarters was also responsible as Wolfsburg failed to realise Chinese regulators were not amenable to hearing out the German automaker's point of view as they had been in the past.

In addition to sending managers to China's industry ministry and auto testing agency China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC) to press for clarification on when the rule might be made effective, Volkswagen assembled a team of engineers who spent around six months working out fixes, said the sources.

In the end, the orginally planned lightweight aluminum battery pack was replaced by a heavier aluminum-steel pack with a different structural design. The mechanical design for the car's chassis was also changed.

"Sometimes changing key components in an existing model is harder than making a new one and ID.4 is a good example of that," said one source.

The sources declined to be identified discussing internal matters. Volkswagen said in a statement to Reuters that the ID.4 gained regulatory approval smoothly, that its regional teams get the necessary support to meet local legal requirements and it has zero tolerance for non-compliance.

Seeking more time, clarity

Chinese authorities could do more to make the regulatory process clearer and less liable to throwing up unwelcome surprises, executives at foreign automakers say.

Hans Georg Engel, head of research and development at Mercedes-Benz in China, told reporters last month one challenge for vehicle development and testing in China is that there is not enough time to comply after a new regulation goes into effect.

Other complaints include that sometimes only Chinese automakers are invited to initial meetings on proposed new regulations while foreign automakers only get to attend later, according to senior officials at overseas carmakers.

They were not authorised to speak on the matter and declined to be identified.

China's industry ministry and CATARC did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.

Going global

Last year, Beijing outlined "China Standards 2035" - a new industrial strategy it had spent two years developing and one that seeks to make China a major voice, if not take the driver's seat, when international standards are set.

Its plans for promoting better standards encompass a wide range of industries - from tech to steel to packaging to biotech - as well as autos.

To that end, state-owned CATARC, which is backed by China's industry ministry, is increasing its international reach.

In June, CATARC set up an office in Geneva, home to United Nations transportation regulators.

It has also been working with Indonesia's government on EV policies and holding routine talks with countries like Uzbekistan and Belarus.

In September, it said in a post that some of China's auto regulations have been adopted by markets like the European Union, Israel and Chile.

Increasing the global impact of China's auto emission rules will also help with the exports of China-made engines, components and testing machines, Wu Xianfeng, an official at the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, told CATARC's annual meeting in September.

To lessen the chance of regulatory surprises, foreign automakers are investing more in China research and development centres as this will give them a closer ear to the ground and more expertise on technical requirements that matter most to Chinese regulators.

Volkswagen is building a new research centre in the eastern Chinese city of Hefei where it is boosting EV production, and just last month Tesla Inc announced it had built a new R&D centre in Shanghai - its first outside the United States, while Daimler AG opened a new research centre in Beijing.

"This world is changing so fast as we go into software-driven and electric vehicles that all governments around the world are running very fast to regulate," Hubertus Troska, Daimler's China chief said at the opening.

"Given the importance of China...this is the intention of our company to make sure Chinese requirements will be never forgotten."


Bolts for new Pagani roadster cost more than a luxury BMW

                BERLIN: The new hardcore Pagani Huayra hypercar is one of the most expensive cars in the world, but for spare parts, even millionaires will need to dig deep into their pockets, reports the German motoring gazette Autobild.

A set of the lightweight bolts used in making the roadster will set you back US$112,000 (RM470,000), which is enough to buy a new luxury BMW 5 Series sedan.

Of course, it's unlikely that an owner would need one of these fasteners at once, but at US$80 (RM336) a piece, even a handful of the fancy titanium bolts etched with the Pagani name does not come cheaply. A total of 1,400 of the bolts are used to assemble the car.

The designer bolts are made of grade 7 titanium alloy, which has a high palladium content, making it very resistant to corrosion. The material is also used in nuclear reactors.

The Huayra boasts other superlatives, including a 6-litre V12 engine from Mercedes-Benz tuning arm AMG. The unit has 800hp on tap and offers stump-pulling torque.

Despite a price tag of US$3.5 million (RM15mil), the limited edition of 40 Huayras is already sold out. The car is named after Huayra-tata, a two-headed wind god worshipped by indigenous South American Indians


Error 4.40: Correct balance not found in Penang parking app

                GEORGE TOWN: Penang Smart Parking (PSP) users got a rude shock this morning when their ewallet balance showed RM4.40 for everyone, regardless of their actual balance in the app.

A message about the technical issue stating that the parking app has been hacked went viral on social media and WhatsApp.

Penang Smart Parking, however, in its Facebook page clarified that the app is currently facing some technical issues and the matter is being resolved.

"We would like to inform users not to worry if your ewallet balances appear as RM4.40 in the PSP app.
"We are currently facing some technical issues and our team is looking into it and we will get it fixed ASAP.

"Rest assured that all user wallets remain secure and the balances are intact," it said.

PSP apologised for any inconvenience caused and clarified that they are working hard to resolve the matter.

Meanwhile, Penang Island City Council financial management committee alternate chairman Wong Yuee Harng said motorists who park within the parking box and could not pay within the down time need not to worry as the council will not fine them.

"Those who park within the parking box, if they are fined, the council will cancel the fines automatically," he said.

Wong said the council has ordered that enforcement be halted when they received news about the technical issues of the app.

This is not the first time that the parking app has experienced technical issues of this nature.

In September 2020, motorists took to Facebook to complain after failing to log in to their PSP account.

PSP operator Heitech Padu clarified on its Facebook account later that the service glitch was being fixed.


Tokyo court grants bail to ex-Nissan chair Ghosn after more than 3-month detention

                TOKYO: A Tokyo court today granted bail to Carlos Ghosn, the ousted chairman of Nissan Motor Co Ltd who is fighting charges of financial misconduct, after more than three months in detention, Ghosn’s lawyer said.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that bail for Ghosn, who has been has been in custody at a detention center in Tokyo, was set at 1 billion yen (RM37mil), and that he could be released as early as today.

Ghosn has been in custody since his initial arrest in late November over allegations he under-reported his compensation at Nissan for nearly a decade through 2018. He also has been charged with aggravated breach of trust.

The ex-chairman of Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors Corp and France’s Renault SA has denied wrongdoing.

The court decision comes a day after the head of Ghosn’s newly appointed legal team, said he was optimistic the detained executive could win bail with a promise to submit to surveillance.


Delivering gusto with Chery's Pro family

                KUALA LUMPUR: As the top variant of Chery's automobile line-up, the Pro family focusses on intelligent technology, stylish design and efficient power.

The five Pro family consists of four sports utility vehicles (SUVs) – Tiggo 2 Pro, Tiggo 4 Pro, Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro – and one sedan – Arrizo 6 Pro.

 Tiggo 8 Pro.

The Tiggo 8 Pro and Tiggo 7 Pro are among the Pro family models currently being planned for launch in Malaysia.

The Pro Family flagship, the Tiggo 8 Pro, boasts three separate screens – a horizontal 12.3-inch instrument panel, an 8-inch climate control screen and a 10.25-inch floating infotainment screen in the centre of the dashboard that features Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 360-degree camera display.

 Tiggo 7 Pro.

Its smaller sibling, the Tiggo 7 Pro, is similarly equipped, while wireless smartphone charging and an electric tailgate are also available on both models.

Besides six airbags, traction and stability control, ISOFIX, the use of ultra-high-strength steel in body construction and other passive safety features, the Pro family also get active safety through the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS).

ADAS comes with functions such as Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Automatic Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSC), Intelligent High-beam Control (IHC), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSD), Front Collision Warning (FCW) and an emergency Brake Override System (BOW).

 Tiggo 7 Pro.

The Pro Family also carries the Chery global design team’s ‘Life in Motion 3.0’ design language which features a strong exterior visual signature with a galaxy-inspired geometric matrix diamond front grille and LED headlamps.

Inside, a cockpit-surround layout communicates dynamism, comfort and elegance.

The Pro Family is characterised by efficient power with its ACTECO series engines have evolved 800cc to 4.0 litres, with six of them have been listed among China’s Top 10 Engines, delivering effortless power along with high thermal efficiency.

 ACTECO engine.

Chery is the first Chinese auto brand to independently develop the core technologies of engine, transmission and chassis, and after over 20 years of research and development (R&D).

The company boasts the strongest engine technology R&D among Chinese brands.

The Pro Family continues to make debuts around the world, most recently at motor shows in Manila, Kuwait and Indonesia, garnering much interest, attention and approval.

 ADAS.

Numerous awards have also been bestowed upon the Pro Family globally, including ‘Most Technical SUV’ and ‘Best Advanced Technology SUV’ for the Tiggo 8 Pro, plus ‘Best-Selling SUV’ and ‘Most Popular Chinese Car Model’ for the Tiggo 7 Pro.

Recently, the half-millionth unit of the Tiggo 8 series rolled off the line, making it the fastest model to achieve the 500,000-unit mark among Chinese-brand mid-size SUVs and seven-seater SUVs.

Since its launch in 2018, the Tiggo 8 series has found success in many global markets including Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Chile.


Daimler, Volvo Cars executives sceptical over Geely alliance plan

                GENEVA: Executives at Daimler and Volvo Cars question the viability and industrial logic of a plan by their major shareholder, China’s Geely, to form an auto industry alliance to counter ”tech invaders.”

Li revealed last month he had built up an almost 10 percent stake in Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler, hoping to access electric and self-driving cars technology as a way to respond to new competitors such as Uber and Google.

But executives at the Geneva auto show from both Daimler and Volvo Cars questioned how a deal could work without compromising their own independence and leadership in key technologies.

Because Zhejiang Geely Holding already owns Volvo Cars, a stake in truckmaker AB Volvo, and 49.9 percent of Malaysian automaker Proton, German executives fear any wide-ranging cooperation could strengthen an industry rival.

“Ideally we want a win-win alliance. Handing Volvo and Geely our Mercedes technology is not win-win,” one Mercedes-Benz executive, who declined to be named, told Reuters.

Geely’s proposal poses a further challenge to the Germans, because Mercedes-Benz, which has expertise in self-driving cars, connected vehicle and electrification technology, already has an alliance with Renault-Nissan.

It also has a deal to build conventional and electric cars in China with existing joint-venture partner BAIC Motor Corporation.

Daimler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche cautiously welcomed his new shareholder at the Geneva show, expressing admiration for Li and Geely, but said any alliance would depend on keeping BAIC happy.

“We will examine everything if it is in keeping with the wishes of our partner,” Zetsche told reporters.

Geely’s ownership of a stake in Volvo trucks, a direct competitor to Daimler’s trucks business, makes cooperation particularly difficult in the area of commercial vehicles, Volvo Cars Chief Executive Hakan Samuelsson told Reuters.

“In the truck business, Daimler and Volvo are really heads on competitors, maybe in a more sharper way than we are with Daimler,” Samuelsson said. ”It is difficult to invest in two competitors.” While Li’s aim is to forge an alliance primarily between carmakers, cooperation there is also tricky, he added.

Strong companies with a technological edge are unwilling to share areas of expertise where they have a competitive advantage, or where they believe it will be a key differentiating factor in future, Samuelsson said.

For Volvo, this would be in the area of autonomous driving.

“If you believe you can do it better yourself, you have no interest to share it with somebody else,” Samuelsson said.

In more generic areas such as brakes, shock absorbers and gear boxes, there is broader scope for cooperation, but these technologies can already be bought from suppliers, making it hard to have a meaningful alliance, he added.

Before investing in Daimler, Geely also held talks with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles , the head of the Italian-American carmaker said this week.

“We have a number of institutional meetings in the industry; we consider them to be a matter of normal practice,” Sergio Marchionne told reporters in Geneva, adding it had been a “pleasant exchange.” Marchionne declined to go into detail about the talks, but concluded Fiat Chrysler did not need ”a Chinese investor.”


MAA sees higher vehicle sales in August

                KUALA LUMPUR: Vehicle sales in Malaysia rose 2.1% to 58,646 units in July this year from June, driven by Hari Raya festive season campaigns and aggressive sales promotion by the industry players.

The Malaysian Automotive Association said today it expected the upward trend in vehicle sales to “be slightly better” in August due to on-going promotional campaigns by car companies and longer working month.

In July, passenger vehicles accounted for 52,636 units and the remaining 6,010 were commercial vehicles.

However, when compared with a year ago, July vehicle sales were lower by 3.2% from the 60,269 units in July 2014.

The MAA said that from January to July 2015, vehicle sales were down 3.2% at 380,830 units compared with the 393,425 units in previous corresponding period.

Passenger vehicles accounted for 339,169 units and commercial vehicles 41,661 units in the period in the January-July 2015 period.

As for production, the MAA said there was a decline in July 2015 to 40,655 units compared with a year ago where it was 41,012 units. However, year-to-date, production increased to 368,319 units compared with 358,904 units in the previous corresponding period.


VW CEO sees widespread autonomous driving within 25 years

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen chief executive Herbert Diess expects the car industry to see widespread autonomous driving within 25 years, the manager said on Wednesday in a question-and-answer session on the social media platform Reddit.

Diess also said Volkswagen was pursuing further partnerships to increase its self-sufficiency in software and adding such features as brand-specific voice assistants to its cars.

He added VW was working on an I.D. Space Vizzion sedan and a SUV variant for the North American market as well as new ideas for its I.D. 3 Cabriolet.

When asked if Volkswagen would make an electric pickup like Ford's F-150 Lighting, he said this is a "good idea".


BHPetrol’s Euro 5 diesel available at 100 stations

                PETALING JAYA: BHPetrol Euro 5 Diesel, marketed by Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd, continues to become more widely available in Malaysia with 100 stations in Peninsular Malaysia now selling the advanced fuel which costs only 10 sen more per litre than the regular Euro 2M diesel.

“BHPetrol Euro 5 Diesel is the first ultra clean fuel for diesel vehicles in Malaysia with an extremely low sulphur content of only 10ppm (parts per million), compared to 500ppm for Euro2M. With less sulphur and an advanced formulation, BHPetrol Euro 5 Diesel enables modern diesel engines to run at their best while also enhancing the efficiency of older diesel engines,” said BHPetrol retail director James Khoo.

 BHPetrol retail director James Khoo.

He said that the effectiveness of the higher quality diesel was confirmed by feedback received from customers who say that they feel the difference when using BHPetrol Euro 5 Diesel – and they would not want to go back to using the poorer grade.

Being the first oil and gas company to introduce Euro5 Diesel in Malaysia in Johor in November 2014, and subsequently made available in the Klang Valley in August last year, BHPetrol Euro 5 Diesel is now available in Malacca, Perak, Penang, Kedah and Pahang too.

“We’re adding more stations all the time and we have already reached the 100 mark in mid of July with the commencement of sales at BHPetrol Mukim Kuantan located on the way to Kuantan airport,” said James.

For the latest list of stations selling BHPetrol Euro 5 Diesel, visit this website.

Besides its very low sulphur content, BHPetrol Euro 5 Diesel also has a superior additive package from a leading specialist in the field that help to keep the engine clean, maintaining efficiency and also reduce fuel-related problems in the long-term.

The advanced German additives have been proven to provide not just a good balance of performance and fuel economy but also enable better mileage. This is achieved through various factors such as reduction of internal friction and more effective cleansing and prevention of deposit formation.

Although the current exhaust emission regulations for diesel vehicles in Malaysia do not specify the Euro 5 standard, the availability of the fuel is encouraging the car companies to offer the latest diesel models which have more advanced and more environment-friendly engines.

Such engines require ultra-clean fuel – like BHPetrol Euro 5 Diesel – in order to run without problems.


Family SUVs to duke it out

                The Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment is the fastest-growing hotspot for automakers.
Thus, it was no surprise that the new Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Ford Everest were launched in quick succession in mid-2015 in Thailand, known as the "Detroit of Asia".
While the three Thai-built seven-seater rivals have rugged pick-up truck underpinnings and powerful turbo-diesel engines, combined with impressive off-road capabilities, they also offer refined and high-quality interiors for family excursions.
In other words, these big SUVs offer the robustess and heavy-duty power of a workhorse, and at the same time, the cabin comforts and seating capacities desired by large families.
Carsifu.my took a closer look at these three tough seven-seat SUVs at the recent 32nd Thailand International Motor Expo 2015 in Bangkok.

Toyota Fortuner

The 2015 Hilux pick-up truck-based Fortuner had simultaneous global premieres in July in Bangkok, Thailand and Sydney, Australia.

This second-generation Fortuner gets Toyota’s new direct-injection turbo-diesel engines which offer better fuel efficiency, performance, and noise reduction.
Its new 2.8-litre diesel engine is also seen in the latest Hilux pick-up truck launched in Thailand in May, and in the redesigned Land Cruiser Prado launched in Japan in June.
The same engine lineup includes the 2GD-FTV 2.4-liter direct-injection turbo diesel engine.

The Fortuner also has 2.4-litre direct-injection turbo diesel and 2.7-litre petrol variants, with prices ranging from 1,199,000 baht to 1,599,000 baht (RM142,181 to RM189,591).
Both the new 2.8-litre and 2.4-litre diesel engines use a compact high-efficiency variable geometry turbocharger, produced in-house by Toyota.
They also feature a next-generation advanced thermal insulation diesel combustion technology, which reduces cooling loss during combustion by 30%.

The Fortuner is offered with a new six-speed automatic transmission, and more expensive models can come with safety features and luxuries such as seven airbags, hill-start and downhill assist control, reverse camera, touchscreen audio display, roof rails, bi-LED headlamps and LED daytime running lamps, and a powered back door.

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

The 2015 Pajero Sport also had a world premiere in Bangkok in August, and is billed as the most technically advanced off-road capable SUV ever produced by Mitsubishi Motors.
Prices are from 1.138 million baht to 1.45 million baht (RM134,909 to RM171,924), depending on variant.

This new Triton pick-up based SUV uses Mitsubishi's new Dynamic Shield front face design concept, which gives it a very distinctive look.
The Pajero Sport gets a new 2.4-litre MIVEC turbo diesel engine with 181ps, and in a Mitsubishi-first, a new eight-speed automatic transmission.
This powertrain can provide a 17% improvement in fuel economy over its predecessor, with diesel consumption rated at eight litres per 100km.

For off-road terrain, the new Pajero Sport gets an upgraded Mitsubishi Super-Select 4WD-II four-wheel drive system, complemented by a new Off-road Mode (first on a Mitsubishi model), and Hill Descent Control.
Designed for greater water wading depth, the new Pajero Sport can better tackle bad roads and flooded terrain.
It's also said to be a quieter vehicle, with better handling stability and ride quality due to improved body mounts and upgraded sound insulation.

Top-grade variants get active safety features such as Multi around Monitor System (MMS) to display a bird’s eye view of the vehicle's surroundings, and Forward Collision Mitigation system (FCM), which uses a front-mounted radar that helps in judging the risk of an accident.
With FCM, an audible warning is given if there is a collision risk, followed by automatic braking if there is a high risk.

There is also Blind Spot Warning (BSW, a first on a Mitsubishi model) which uses ultrasound sensors in the rear bumper, and alerts the driver when a vehicle is in the driver’s blind spot.
Meanwhile, Ultrasonic misacceleration Mitigation System (UMS) reduces the chance and severity of hitting obstacles when the driver mistakenly presses the accelerator when stationary or at speeds of up to 10km/h.

Ford Everest

Developed on a Ranger pick-up platform, the new Ford Everest also offers refined interior comfort and efficient off-road technology.
Three variants are available, with the 2.2-litre Titanium 4x2 priced at 1,389,000 baht (RM164,655); the 3.2-litre Titanium 4x4 at 1,599,000 baht (RM189,591) and top-grade 3.2-litre Titanium+ 4x4 at 1,749,000 baht (RM207,403).

While the 2.2-litre Duratorq four-cylinder diesel engine has plenty of grunt with 160ps of power and 385Nm of torque, the 3.2-litre Duratorq five-cylinder diesel engine provides more heavy-duty performance.
Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
Offered in rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, the 2015 Everest embodies Ford’s fun-to-drive DNA.

In the cabin, there are more than 30 cleverly designed stowage spaces, multiple power outlets and fold-flat second- and first-in-class power-fold third-row seating.
For cabin quietness, the new Everest has Active Noise Cancellation in addition to optimised cabin sealing.
Meanwhile, Ford’s SYNC 2 offers an eight-inch touchscreen, voice command and control of the car’s entertainment system, climate controls and connected mobile devices.

The entertainment system features a first-in-class 10-speaker sound system with an integrated subwoofer.
As for off-roading, the new Everest has intelligent four-wheel drive, an active transfer case with Torque on Demand, Terrain Management System, a best-in-class water-wading capability of 800mm, 225mm of ground clearance, and aggressive approach and departure angles to help drivers navigate difficult terrain.
Another segment-first technology in the new Everest is Curve Control, designed to help drivers maintain control when approaching turns too quickly.