All-new Range Rover arrives, priced from RM2.5mil

                PETALING JAYA: The all-new fifth-generation Range Rover luxury sports utility vehicle (SUV) is finally launched today.

It is priced from RM2.5mil.

The fully imported flagship model from Land Rover (codenamed L460) is powered by a 4.4 litre turbocharged V8 petrol engine producing 530hp and 750Nm of torque.

Among its premium features are 22-inch alloy wheels, all-wheel steering system and sumptuous semi-aniline leather seats. It can be specified with 23-inch wheels as an option.

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia had alerted the public to the imminent launch of the Range Rover last month. The latest Range Rover made its world debut over a year ago in October 2021.

The new Range Rover is the first model to use Land Rover's new flexible Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA-Flex).

The fifth-generation luxury SUV is defined by harmony of proportions, reductive surfaces and precise lines - supported by design-enabling technologies to give a honed-from-solid block appearance.

Its distinctive design features an uninterrupted edge, highlighting its sculpted body. It's also characterised by flush elements, clean expansive surfaces, hidden-until-lit tail lamps and precise detailing.

With a drag coeficient of 0.29, it's the most aerodynamic Range Rover yet.

With a spacious five-seat interior, the vehicle is 75mm longer than the previous model due to the MLA-Flex body architecture, which is up to 50% stiffer. A seven-seater long wheelbase version is also available in other markets.

In addition, engineering enhancements contribute to a 24% improvement in noise dampening.

Land Rover said the new Range Rover had undergone 260,000 virtual tests and 1.2 million km of prototype testing to ensure it is robust and delivers benchmark quality.

As a world-first feature, hidden-until-lit taillights accentuate the overall visual of the SUV.

A 10mm lower roofline reduces the frontal area of the vehicle with no compromise to interior space, while elegant fully flush doors and glazing minimise disturbance to the airflow as it passes down the side of the vehicle.

The new Range Rover features a modern and sophisticated interior, underpinned by its minimalist nature, tactile materials and user-friendly technology .

A wireless device charger allows drivers to charge their smartphones wirelessly within the vehicle by placement of a compatible CE device onto a charging surface.

Speaking of wireless connections, the new model gets two shark fin antennae on the roof to support the increased digitalisation content in the SUV.

The new model is also equipped with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, which includes a 13.1-inch curved floating glass touchscreen with haptic feedback. This is complemented by a new 13.7-inch Interactive Driver Display with high-definition graphics and a configurable layout.

To ensure a smooth driving and parking process, ClearSight Ground View is included with a 3D Surround Camera, enabling drivers to effectively "see through" the bonnet, while manoeuvring lights lluminate the ground at low speed to help guide drivers safely into tight spots.

New third-generation Active Noise Cancellation technology delivers one of the quietest cabins on the road.

It builds on the hushed and sealed body architecture by using accelerometers and microphones on the outside of the vehicle to create quiet zones for the cabin occupants.

Electronic air suspension to automatically lower the ride height when cruising above 105kph for enhanced efficiency and primes the vehicle to approach corners with ease, along with smart aerodynamic features such as active brake cooling.

Standard all-wheel steering is an added bonus, providing greater high-speed stability and a tight turning circle kerb-to-kerb of less than 11m, making this the most manoeuvrable Range Rover ever.

A smooth-shifing eight-speed automatic transmission coupled with a twin-speed transmission results in better low-speed control in off-road situations.

According to Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia managing director Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, deliveries for new bookings will begin by the second half of 2023 as the company focuses on deliveries to customers who have pre-booked the SUV over the past year.

Prior to the launch, Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia took members of the media down memory lane, tracing the history of the Range Rover from 1969 until 2022. A presenter narrated the lineage of the model as she led the group on a walk through various "rooms" featuring each generation of the Range Rover at its headquarters here.

Also present at the launch were Sime Darby Motors managing director of retail & distribution Malaysia, Hong Kong & Macau Jeffrey Gan; Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia director Syed Khalil Syed lbrahim and Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia sales & marketing head Kelvin Chuah.

> SPECIFICATIONS & OPTIONS The Range Rover rides on 22-inch wheels. Dual antennae on the roof is a new feature. Present at the new Range Rover launch today are (from left) Chuah, Syed Khalil , Gan and Syed Ahmad Muzri.Down memory lane. Four generations of the Range Rover starting with the first from left.


Clarkson show goes on without 'Top Gear' label

                LONDON: Britain's Jeremy Clarkson will continue to appear on an international tour of live auto shows despite being dropped as the presenter of hit series "Top Gear", the BBC said on Tuesday.

The stage shows with Clarkson and his former "Top Gear" co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May were planned before Clarkson was dropped for hitting a producer.

Under an agreement between BBC Worldwide and its partner Brand Events, the tour can continue but without the BBC and "Top Gear" labels, under the name "Clarkson, Hammond and May Live".

A BBC Worldwide spokesman said the shows would go ahead "so as not to disappoint the thousands of people around the world who have already bought tickets."

"These events will not however feature any BBC Top Gear branding or content. We believe this is a sensible approach in the circumstances," the spokesman said.

Clarkson was dropped from the highly lucrative "Top Gear" after attacking producer Oisin Tymon in a dispute over a lack of hot food at the end of a day of filming.

The remaining episodes of the series were cancelled and "Top Gear Live" tour dates were cancelled.

The first live show will take place in Belfast on May 22, though the shows will not be able to use any "Top Gear" clips or feature characters from the show such as The Stig.

Tour dates that were cancelled in Norway will be rescheduled for June 20-21, and shows planned for April in Sydney will be held in Melbourne on July 18-19 and Sydney on July 25-26.

Brand Events called it "a great solution for the fans" and thanked ticket holders for their patience.


JPJ raking in money from online bidding of number plates

                KUALA PILAH: The JPJeBid (electronic bidding for vehicle registration number plates) system is one of the highest contributors to the revenue collection of the Road Transport Department (JPJ), with a total of RM177 million collected last year.

Its director-general, Datuk Zailani Hashim, said the amount collected was through 130 serial registration numbers and that up to March, almost RM60 million (34 series) was successfully collected compared to RM40 million for the same period previously.

According to him, the implementation of JPJeBid, which replaced the manual registration number tender system, also succeeded to manage the public's perception of the transparency of tender results.

For example, previously if those in Johor wanted to bid for a Perlis registration number, they would have to fill up forms on top of going to the bank to complete the process. But now, they can easily stay at home and bid online for whichever number they want, he added.

"This clearly shows that we have succeeded in terms of digitalisation, many things can be settled swiftly, thus increasing the country's revenue and lowering revenue leakage," he told reporters after opening a new JPJ branch in Kuala Pilah, Negri Sembilan, today.

READ MORE: Why some people are willing to spend so much money on number plates

He said JPJ also earned revenue of RM4.1 billion last year from driving licence renewals, road tax and other types of taxes.

"We did not expect to collect so much following the Covid-19 pandemic and the implementation of Movement Control Orders (MCOs). We are targeting to collect RM4.4 billion this year."

Zailani said JPJ would also introduce JPJeQ to improve the queue numbering system that will be launched by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong on April 12 in conjunction with the JPJ Day celebration.

He said that under the new system, customers would only need to scan a QR code through their smartphones to obtain a queue number and check the expected waiting period before their turn at the counter.

"So, the public do not need to queue up and wait for a long time, they can settle other matters first while waiting for their turn," he said.

On whether JPJ would step up enforcement on rear seat belt compliance, he said the authorities are encouraging people to comply for now without punitive action but said they may start cracking down on offenders if complaince continues to be poor.


Renault in talks with Nissan on EV charging in Europe, says official

                PARIS: French car maker Renault is in talks with Nissan about synergies in electric vehicle charging in 11 European countries, Renault's charging unit CEO told Reuters on Thursday.

Talks have already moved forward in France on charging boxes that customers can have installed at home for their Nissan EV, which will be supplied by the Mobilize unit of its partner Renault.

"We are in talks about the 11 countries where we are present ... it is up to Nissan to decide," Nicolas Schottey said at the Autonomy Mobility conference about new mobilities here.

Nissan Europe declined to comment on the talks as long as no decision is taken


BMW Motorrad presents ConnectedRide Com U1

                MUNICH: BMW Motorrad has introduced the ConnectedRide Com U1 communication system that allows riders to talk to their pillion passenger or other group members while riding, listen to their favourite music together, make phone calls or follow the announcements of the navigation system.

The connectivity is made via Bluetooth or Mesh 2.0 technology.

The new ConnectedRide Com U1 features a modern, universally compatible design and can be attached to such helmets as the BMW Motorrad StreetX, GS Pure and Sao Paolo.

BMW Motorrad said ConnectedRide Com U1 offers impressive audio performance, a high-quality sound and excellent wear comfort are delivered by the HD-quality speakers, which are easy to fit in the helmet.

Furthermore, the ConnectedRide Com U1 is equipped with an FM radio that allows up to 10 radio stations to be saved. Channel search is at the touch of a button or alternatively via the free “Com U1” app.

The entire operation of the ConnectedRide Com U1 is carried out intuitively via four buttons or alternatively via the app, which also offers various setting options. Various functions can be activated via the voice control, depending on the operating mode. Voice control is available in eight languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Russian.

If the mobile phone is connected directly to the communication system, convenient access to digital voice assistants is available, thereby enabling voice input.

Intelligent audio mixing ensures a high level of communication comfort. For example, if the rider is speaking via Bluetooth Intercom and a navigation announcement comes in at the same time, the volume of the Intercom is reduced for the duration of the announcement.

When the headset is switched on, an LED flashes to indicate the battery charge status. If the charge level drops too low during use, an automatic voice announcement is heard. The battery life is up to 13 hours with Bluetooth Intercom and up to 8 hours with Mesh Intercom.

The quick-charge time is one hour. In addition, the quick-charge function enables operating times of 3.5 hours (Mesh Intercom) or 6 hours (Bluetooth Intercom) after only 20 minutes of charging.

Via Bluetooth, the range of the Intercom is up to 2 km in open terrain. Via Mesh, this range can be extended to up to 8 km in open terrain if at least six riders are connected and riding at a maximum distance of 1.6 km from each other. For optimum range in Mesh mode, the unit is equipped with an antenna that can be conveniently folded in and out.

During active group communication, six users can speak simultaneously.

The price has yet to be announced.


2016 Paris Motor Show: Fiat on sport and special editions

                PARIS: As the Italian marque comes to the French capital for this year's Paris Motor Show, it's clearly got one eye on the US.

The car that will sum this up better than any is the new special edition 124 Spider "America" series. The "standard' roadster, unveiled earlier this year, is already an homage to the original Pininfarina-designed-and-built Fiat Spider that launched back in 1966 and proved a huge hit in the US.

This new model is an homage of an homage as it takes its special edition cues from the Pininfarina 50 edition, which the Italian design and coachbuilding firm created to mark its own 50th anniversary in 1980.

So the car gets a recreated magnetic bronze paint finish (just like the one on the original) while the interior is dressed in tobacco color leather.

The wing mirrors are capped in contrasting silver, and a vintage-style trunk-mounted luggage rack is available as an option.

Each model will carry special badging plus an interior plaque indicating its number in the series, and the car comes as standard with a six-speed sequential automatic transmission, an addition that will give it a very different driving character.

Another car that has US buyers in mind is the new 500S, the sportiest Fiat-built version of its retro-chic city car, in terms of visuals at least -- those that want a seriously fast 500 usually turn to Abarth.

It features a more aggressive exterior look -- integrated fog lights, side skirts, a rear spoiler and redesigned front and rear bumpers, plus unique 15-inch alloy wheels with a satin graphite finish.

The same satin graphite finish is applied to the dashboard where a sports steering wheel is one of the standout features

Fiat will be making a big deal of transmissions at this year's show as it's bringing a dual-clutch six-speed paddle operated gearbox -- the sort of transmission that was exclusive to the likes of Porsche only a few years ago -- to a number of its new mass-market cars, including the new 500X Cross Plus.

Described as the most capable take on the Fiat 500-inspired crossover, the new model gets special front and rear bumpers with off-road protection plus wheel arch guards. However, power is sent solely to the front wheels. Still it will compensate for that with a host of active driver aids including adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring. PHOTO by AFP


Automakers tackle patent hurdle in quest for in-car tech

                STOCKHOLM/BERLIN: Over a dozen automakers including Toyota and Nissan, have signed up with a platform for patent licences from 51 tech companies, aiming to simplify access to wireless technology and avoid costly legal battles.

Conflicts have stemmed in part from different views among carmakers, suppliers and tech firms over who should shoulder the cost of licensing.

Through independent licensing marketplace Avanci, carmakers gain access to patents for 2G, 3G and 4G technology from the likes of Finland's Nokia, Sweden's Ericcson and Taiwan's Acer for everything from navigation systems to sensors for automated driving.

Avanci charges a flat fee of US$20 (RM92) per car, increased this month from US$15 (RM69) previously, with the money distributed among patent holders.

The new signings - which also include Renault, Stellantis, and Honda - mean 80-85% of cars with 2G technology or higher are licensed through the platform, Avanci vice president Mark Durrant said in an interview.

The model allows carmakers to avoid the battles over royalties that took place between smartphone makers such as Apple and Samsung and telecoms companies, who negotiate one-on-one for licences.

"The auto market is just too splintered for it to be worth it for patent owners to negotiate with each individual player," said an industry source, who declined to be named because of contractual agreements. "It's a matter of efficiency.

Mercedes-Benz, then Daimler, ended a years-long dispute over its patent use last year with Nokia after being eventually forced to pay.

Volkswagen was sued by Acer for using its 4G technology without the appropriate licence. The carmaker in March signed with Avanci, which covers Acer's patents, in order to settle.

While suppliers have historically paid for patent licences in areas like engine design, tech firms would rather deal directly with carmakers over telecoms patents, according to an auto industry source with experience of licensing negotiations.

"Usually suppliers handle patents in the development process – telecoms is the one area where they don't," the person, who declined to be named, said.

Avanci is also working with companies on a new contract to cover 5G patents, which would likely be more expensive than the current patent portfolio.


Honda Malaysia recalls 2012 year models to replace inflators

                KUALA LUMPUR: Honda Malaysia is extending its recall to replace the Takata passenger front airbag inflator to 24,962 units of the 2012 Year model vehicles.

It said today the models involved in this recall are Accord (2012 year model), Jazz (2012 YM), Jazz Hybrid (2012 YM), City (2012 YM), Freed (2012 YM) and Insight (2012 YM).

Honda Malaysia said it initiated the precautionary recall as safety is the company’s priority. It expressed regret over the inconvenience caused.

“Honda Malaysia reiterates that all its current selling models are not affected and will continue to uphold transparency and stringent controls to ensure customer safety,” it said.

Of the 24,962 units of the 2012 YM which it had issued the recall, Accord accounted for 2,739 units; Jazz 600; Jazz Hybrid 3,356; City 16,026; Freed 241 and Insight 2,000.

It said as of Friday, there were no crashes or injuries related to this Takata passenger front airbag inflator reported in Malaysia.

Honda Malaysia said it would inform all affected customers via notification letters which would include details of the product update.

It advised these customers who receive these letters to send their vehicles to the nearest Honda authorised dealer for inspection and replacement.

It also assured the owners that all Honda authorised dealers nationwide have a level of the new inflators stock available.

Honda Malaysia said the replacement would be carried out once the parts were ready while the company would bear the cost of parts and labour.

Vehicle owners can also check their vehicle’s recall status either by logging on to https://www.honda.com.my/ or https://productrecall.honda.com.my/ or by calling Honda Toll Free number 1-800-88-2020.


Nissan Navara just got tougher, smarter and more efficient

                PARIS: Nissan has toughened up its Navara pickup truck with an upgraded suspension and increased payload but it's also gotten a lifestyle boost with its new onboard and in-app technologies via the company's NissanConnect infotainment system.

Having just gone on sale across Europe, the Navara touts its beefed-up suspension to also provide higher safety levels with the inclusion of Intelligent Trailer Sway Assist technology.

As a result, the Japanese carmaker also found a way to make the ride, handling and comfort level better as well.

The suspension uses a double wishbone with a stabiliser bar up front while the rear is a second-generation five-link with dual springs and a stabiliser bar.

Stoppin power comes from front 320mm (from 296mm) and rear 308mm discs brakes (previously drum brakes) as standard and is accompanied by anti-lock braking system, brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control, vehicle dynamic control and Trailer Sway Assist.

Under the hood lies a 2.3-litre Euro6D-temp twin-turbo engine as standard with two engine tunes that's mated to either a new six-speed manual transmission (manufactured in Europe) or seven-speed automatic.

Both entry-level King Cab and range-topping Double Cab can be powered by the engine with an output of 163PS at 3,750rpm and 425Nm (+22Nm) of torque at 1,500rpm and can only be mated to a six-speed manual.

This allows the Navara to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 12.5 seconds and speed at a maximum velocity of 172kph.

The second tune outputs 190PS at 3,750rpm and 450Nm of torque at 1,500rpm. This allows the discerning buyer the choice of either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic.

This means that the Double Cab can sprint from 0 to 100kph in 11.2 seconds and depending on the choice of transmission, it can cruise at a top speed of 290kph (AT) or 298kph (MT).

The engine features the adoption of steel pistons and Diamond-Like Carbon Coating to the piston rings and has a lower compression ratio of 15.1 (vs. 15.4 previously) which aids in producing less NOX.

The fuel injection system pressure has also been increased from 2,000 to 2,200 bar with a new pump as has the water cooling system and exhaust system which now integrates a Diesel Particle Filter (DPF) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technologies to help lower NOx emissions even more.

All that translates to the manufacturer providing a five-year or up to 100,000km warranty at present.

Measuring in at 5,210mm-long, 1,850mm-wide and 1,822mm-tall, the King Cab sees an increase in payload of 55 to 95Kg (depending on spec) versus the outgoing model with a new payload of 1,165Kg.

The Double Cab comes in at 5,280mm-long, 1,850mm-wide and 1,824mm-tall meanwhile sees a payload increase of 54 to 114Kg (depending on specification), taking total payloads from 1,115Kg to 1,180Kg and a Permissible Total Weight of 3,250Kg.

Regardless of variant, the Navara rolls on three choices of wheels and tyres that include 255/65 R17 (steel), 255/65 R17 (alloy) and 255/60 R18 (alloy).

Depending on the wheels, this pickup truck has a ground clearance from 230 to 234mm up front, 219 to 223mm at the rear and 238 to 242mm between the front and rear axles - giving it the ability to wade up to 600mm of water.

Other notable standard features include Intelligent Emergency Braking, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control and Intelligent Around View Monitor.

Inside, the cabin features a faster responding 8.0-inch (+1.0-inch) high-resolution multi-touch control screen with Android Auto and Mirroring as well as Apple CarPlay via NissanConnect.

The NissanConnect Services app features a telematics control unit and built-in 4G device, embedded TomTom Maps combine with over-the-air updates alongside live traffic information, 3D maps, weather information and Google Satellite and Street View.

The app also includes remote horn and light control and remote vehicle locator.

Higher grade models feature updated LED headlamps with a high gloss black inner shell versus chrome in the past.

The new Navara - engineered specifically with European customers in mind, is sold in 109 countries worldwide and is built at the NMISA plant in Barcelona, Spain.


High demand for Honda HR-V

                PETALING JAYA: More than 7,000 bookings have been received for the new Honda HR-V since its launch in early February.

About 65% of the bookings were for the range-topping V variant, while the S and mid-grade E variants account for 15% and 20% respectively.

The record bookings have led to a four-month waiting period.

To reduce the waiting period for HR-V buyers, Honda Malaysia says it is reviewing its production scheduling at its plant in Pegoh, Malacca.

The HR-V has feature such as versatile rear seat configurations, a seven-inch display audio unit, touch panel auto air conditioning and smart entry with push start button, six airbags, automatic brake hold and electric parking brake.

Honda Malaysia also set a new record in February 2015 with the highest ever number of bookings received at 11,047 units and more than 6,000 units sold.

This new record was driven mainly by bookings for the new HR-V, City and Jazz.

The company says it is confident about achieving its 85,000 sales target for 2015.


US Toyota dealer who paid US$2mil at charity auction collects first Supra off the line

 Staluppi (third from left) collecting his Supra.
DALLAS: Toyota dealer John Staluppi took possession of “Global #1,” the first 2020 GR Supra to roll off the production line, at the company’s Plano headquarters near here on Monday.

Staluppi paid US$2.1mil (RM8.7mil) for the fifth-generation Supra in January at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“Global #1” is the only VIN that will end in 20201 – with “2020” representing the year the Supra was reintroduced to the world and “1” marking it as the first vehicle to roll off the production line. The exterior is factory-finished with a matte gray exterior, red mirror caps and matte black wheels. The red interior is accented with carbon-fiber inserts. The car represents the first of the launch edition for the US market.

Staluppi also received several other goodies from Bob Carter, Toyota executive vice president of sales, when he picked up his car, including a Toyota racing suit and a signed photo from Toyota Motor Corporation president Akio Toyoda. Toyoda signed the #1 Supra’s engine cover to commemorate the first Supra produced in 20 years.

Proceeds from the auction will benefit the American Heart Association and the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which serves veteran and military families.


Datsun GO-cross Concept debuts in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Datsun showcased the Datsun GO-cross Concept for the first time in India at the Delhi Auto Expo 2016.

The crossover concept is the brand's vision for a potential Datsun GO/GO+ family expansion into high-growth markets, adding a sense of style, adventure and fun to the expo line-up.

Datsun executive design director Koji Nagano says: "Although it is a pure show car at the moment, the Datsun GO-cross Concept is designed to meet the needs and preferences of a new generation of drivers. They are young, ambitious, fun-loving people ready to take the next stop in their lives."

The brand is also displaying enhanced versions of the Datsun GO and Datsun GO+, equipped with accessories to meet the demands of customers who want a more personalised ride.

Also at the pavilion is the legendary Datsun Bluebird 1600 SSS (510) rally car, which raced in the United States and brought motorsports glory to the brand in the early 1970s.

Sharing space is a special Datsun GO-Rally show car created by a group of Japanese engineers and designers who were inspired by Datsun's rich history in motorsports, bringing an interpretation of what a modern rally car could be.

 The GO+ Smart.

Another unique model on the stand is the Datsun GO+ Smart, which features two gaming consoles in the rear of the popular MPV that give more versatility and entertainment options to families.

The brand's display at this year's Delhi Auto Expo complements a new campaign called #ISayYes aiming to reach out and engage Indian youth.


Key details on Ford Mustang Mach-E electric SUV

                DETROIT: Ford Motor Co has tried and failed to generate interest in utilitarian electric vehicles such as a battery-powered Focus compact car. Now, the company is using the high-performance image of its Mustang muscle cars to sell an electric SUV.

Here are some details of the Mustang Mach-E’s design and performance.

What’s in the name?
The Mustang Mach-E name is a reference to the high-performance “Mach 1” versions of the Mustang sports car that Ford has offered at various times.

How much will it cost?
Ford says the Mach-E will start at about US$43,000 (RM179,000). There will be three versions to start with: Select, Premium and First Edition. In 2021, Ford plans a “California Route 1” model and in the spring of 2021 a high-performance GT model.

How long will it run on a charge?
Ford is aiming for 370km of driving range per charge for standard models, and 480km for “extended range” models. The rival Tesla Model Y sport utility has a 480km range for rear-drive models, and 450km of range for all-wheel drive and performance models.

How fast is it?
Tesla Inc chief executive Elon Musk pioneered high-performance electric vehicles. Ford plans to join Porsche and other automakers in catching up. Ford is aiming to make the standard Mach-E’s time from 0 to 100kph faster than the least expensive Porsche Macan sport utility. The Mach=E GT’s acceleration target is in the “mid-3-second” range - on a par with a high-performance Porsche 911, Ford said.

How big is the dashboard screen?
Ford will offer a 15.5 inch screen in the Mach-E. The Tesla Model 3 offers a 15-inch screen. Ford has developed a new generation of its Sync infotainment software that can be updated over the air, like a Tesla.

When will the Mach-E go on sale?
Ford has started taking reservations for Mach-Es since yesterday. It asks customers to put down a US$500 (RM2,078) deposit. Vehicles are scheduled to start shipping to customers in late 2020.

Where’s the growl?
Mustang coupes deliver a distinctive engine growl that is as much a part of the brand as the pony logo. The Mach-E will have no pistons or exhaust pipes. Ford said it will make noises in three modes: Whisper, Engage and Unbridled.

How much can it haul?
The Mach-E will have 1,687 litres of load space with the rear seats folded down. The vehicle will also have a front trunk, or “frunk,” that can carry 135 litres of stuff — and has a drain in the bottom that makes it usable as a drink cooler.

READ MORE: Ford bets on electric Mustang to charge its turnaround


Steve McQueen's Le Mans Porsche electrified for RM4.7mil

                VIENNA: Three Austrian brothers have reworked a limited-edition Porsche race car model driven by actor Steve McQueen in the 1971 film Le Mans to run on electricity.

Kreisel Electric GmbH plans to sell the EVEX 910e for 1 million euros (RM4.7mil), according to an email on Thursday.

The car has a range of 350km and accelerates from zero to 100kph in 2.5 seconds. The original model 910 race car that appeared in the film used gasoline.

“With the first purchasable electronic Kreisel car, our company is entering into a new phase,” Markus Kreisel, the middle sibling and managing director of the company, said in the statement. “In contrast to the historical original by Porsche, this is licensed for the use on public roads.”

 The legendary Steve McQueen.

Working out of a three-door garage, the Kreisel brothers -- Johann, Markus and Philipp -- are making battery packs and drivetrains for a new generation of plug-in cars, boats and airplanes. Pitching themselves as “E-Mobility Maniacs” at trade shows, they’ve convinced established car companies to visit them in Freistadt, 200 kilometers northwest of Vienna, to test drive their creations.

The Porsche 910 finished in sixth place in the 1967 World Sportscar Championship, a grueling 24-hour race that took place 200km southwest of Paris, according to the statement. Lee Katzin directed the 1971 movie about the race starring McQueen, who died in 1980 after becoming known as “The King of Cool”during his acting career.

Kreisel said it’s working with EVEX Fahrzeugbau GmbH, a German manufacturer of classic automobiles based outside of Dusseldorf, to make the car. The Austrian team developed new cooling and transmission technologies. Kreisel is selling the car’s transmission as a standalone product, according to the statement.

Kreisel Electric burst onto the Austrian and German automobile scene last year with a reworked Porsche Panamera that outperformed Tesla’s flagship Model S on some measures. The Austrian company says its patented laser-welding and thermal-cooling techniques give them an edge over Tesla because the method preserves the full power of the lithium-ion cells.

It’s not the first time that Kreisel has tapped a Hollywood icon to market its creations. In January, former California governor and Austrian-born actor Arnold Schwarzenegger began trialing a Mercedes G 350 all-terrain vehicle retrofitted to run on electricity.

Because only about 35 of the original Porsche 910 frames were ever built, Kreisel will only produce “very limited quantities” of the souped-up plug in model, spokesman Martin Lettner said in an email reply to questions. Production will begin next year.

The original Porsche 910 had a maximum power of 162 kilowatt-hours, according to the Cargister, an online repository of automobile specifications. The motor in Kreisel’s rebooted model operates at 360 kilowatt-hours and it has a capacity of 53 kilowatt-hours.

Kreisel announced its first order last year to deliver as many as 2,000 electric powertrains and battery packs to VDL Groep in the Netherlands for Mercedes Sprinter minibuses.


Audi unveils first teaser of new Q8 flagship SUV

                INGOLSTADT: It's been known for a while now that Audi has been working on a new Q8 flagship SUV to sit in its range above the highly successful Q7, but the German luxury automaker has been reasonably tight-lipped about it until now.

Audi still hasn't given us too much to go on, except we know it will be built on the same MLB platform as the Q7 but will be a little sleeker. Now, the manufacturer has released its first teasers of the Q8.

Audi has released a 28-second video via Twitter that shows only a suggestion of the new model's outline, highlighted by luminous green tape glowing in almost total darkness, resembling something from a sci-fi TV series. What it does show is that the Q8 will have a much more rakish roofline than the Q7, which isn't much of a surprise as this coupe-like styling is the way a lot of manufacturers are going to squeeze a little more out of the luxury SUV market.

A lot of commentators scoffed at the idea when BMW first came up with this SUV-coupe concept in the shape of the X6, but buyers didn't take any notice of what the media said. Instead, they showed their appreciation by snapping-up more X6s than anyone expected, possibly even BMW itself.

Audi has stated that the Q8 is going to be a combination of a luxury coupe and a sporty SUV, and like a number of its rivals it's expected to seat either four or five people with a full back seat centre console, instead of adopting the three-row, seven-passenger configuration of the current Q7.

This type of vehicle is designed for those who want a large, imposing SUV but with an element of sportiness, and not for those looking for a more luxurious and stylish take on a people carrier for family duties.

Even though the Q8 is being teased ahead of the Beijing Motor Show, it's not expected to be making an appearance at this point as Audi has previously said it will get a June reveal. When it is finally unveiled it's expected to come with petrol, hybrid and diesel powertrains depending on the market it's sold in, and there's likely to be an RS Q8 at some point, probably powered by a Porsche-derived 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8.


Daimler still bullish about China amid BMW woes

                DETROIT: Daimler chief executive officer Dieter Zetsche said on Monday he saw no signs of a significant slump in sales for Mercedes-Benz luxury cars in China, even as rival BMW struck a more cautious tone.

Daimler and BMW expect higher sales in 2015, after reporting record deliveries and higher China sales in 2014.

Carmakers are now grappling with a Chinese economy where the pace of car sales is slowing down after years of high double-digit gains.

Asked at the Detroit car show about sales momentum in China, Zetsche told Reuters, "I'm not seeing that brutal slowdown of growth?. I see a pretty stable economic development."

Zetsche went out of his way to dismiss speculation that sales in China were under threat.

"Fears of a decline of the Chinese market have been around for 10 years. We still experience very strong dynamics in the market," Zetsche told reporters, adding that sales of the S-Class and E-Class were still very strong.

Asked by Reuters whether volume gains in China can only be made at the cost of lower margins and prices, Zetsche said: "That's not what we experience. Of course there is a strong correlation between GDP and development of the car market."

Zetsche's remarks stand in sharp contrast to comments made by BMW late last week. "The market slowed down quite a lot in the last quarter," Ian Robertson, board member for sales and marketing said about sales in China.

Foreign carmakers are now facing calls by the China Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) to shoulder some of the burden of lower profits. Last week, CADA took the unprecedented step of saying BMW had agreed to pay 5.1 billion yuan (US$820 million) to dealers.

Overall, Zetsche sees strong momentum in other markets including the United States. "I see very few if any markets where we would see a reduction in demand," Zetsche said.

The swing in exchange rates in recent months, particularly between the dollar and the euro, will not provide a significant boost to earnings, Zetsche explained.

"We are hedged for a certain amount of time. There will be very little upside potential in Q1," Zetsche added.


Harley-Davidson plans a Thailand factory to serve S-E Asian market

                MILWAUKEE: Motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson Inc said today it will build a plant in Thailand to serve the growing Southeast Asian market, a move criticised by a US labour union.

The company did not give a figure for the planned investment in Thailand's Rayong province, southeast of Bangkok.

Katie Whitmore, Harley-Davidson public relations manager, said the company had its best results in Asia-Pacific in 2016, though she gave no numbers.

The Thailand facility "will allow us to be more responsive and competitive in the Asean region and China," Harley-Davidson public relations manager Katie Whitmore said.

"Increased access and affordability for our customers in the region is key to growth for the company in total," she said. "There is no intent to reduce H-D US manufacturing due to this expansion."

The plant would let Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson avoid Thailand's up to 60 percent tariff on imported motorcycles and help it get tax breaks when exporting to Thailand's neighbors, thanks to a trade arrangement among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation.

Harley opened a plant in India in 2011. It also assembles motorcycles at a plant in Brazil.

After the New York Times reported on Harley's planned Thai investment, United Steelworkers International President Leo W. Gerard on Tuesday said the decision was "a slap in the face to the American worker and to hundreds of thousands of Harley riders across the country."

USW represents members at Harley plants in two US states and 850,000 workers in North America.

Gerard also said that production outside the US "puts in jeopardy the success that has propelled Harley over the years."

Whitmore said motorcycles assembled in Thailand would have the same "authentic look, sound and feel" as those manufactured in the US.

Demand for Harley motorcycles in the US, the company's biggest market, continues to be slow as its loyal baby boomer demographic changes ages.


Now a Ford car can tell owner if it’s being broken into – via smartphone

                COLOGNE: Despite many people across Europe staying at home amid the pandemic, vehicle crime remains a problem, and is even on the increase in some countries.

Car alarms can help to deter thieves. However, in cities where vehicles may be parked on the street overnight, owners may ignore the alarm, not realising it is from their car, or fail to hear it altogether.

Now Ford has made its smartphone-connected heightened security system, SecuriAlert (formerly known as Guard Mode), available to car owners for the first time.

Once activated, SecuriAlert sends a notification to the vehicle owner’s smartphone if it identifies any vehicle activity, including attempts to open doors or gain access with a key, providing peace of mind to customers when their cars are out of sight – or out of earshot.

How SecuriAlert works

Owners activate SecuriAlert when they are away from their vehicle. The feature is quickly and easily switched on or off – “armed” or “disarmed” – using the FordPass smartphone app.

Once active, it makes use of the vehicle's existing sensors to identify if an attempt is being made to enter the vehicle. Using the onboard modem, FordPass Connect, the car will immediately send a push notification to the owner's smartphone if it detects any activity involving their vehicle.

The FordPass app reveals the time and reason for any SecuriAlert alarms – via the smartphone – as well as the vehicle's last known location.

If an attempt is made to open a door using a key – an action that would not trigger a conventional vehicle alarm – SecuriAlert will still send an alert. This can be particularly useful in identifying attempts to access to a car using a cloned or stolen key.

When the owner returns to their vehicle – to drive to work in the morning, for example – they simply disarm SecuriAlert via the FordPass app and continue on their journey.

First introduced for commercial vehicles earlier this year, SecuriAlert is one of a suite of connected features now available to Ford customers in Europe.

In 2020, Ford made its connected-vehicle services complimentary to customers across Europe, and recently announced a cross-manufacturer connected-vehicle partnership to warn drivers of hazards on the road ahead. Over 100,000 Ford vehicles in the UK already have access to the SecuriAlert feature.


Ford updates Escape SUV in a segment it once dominated

                DETROIT: Ford Motor Co. is updating the small Escape SUV with new technology and styling, after years of declining sales and ambivalence for the model expressed earlier this year by chief executive officer Jim Farley.

The 2023 Escape coming early next year will feature bigger dashboard touchscreens and a new sporty ST trim, the automaker said.

It will continue to offer the only plug-in hybrid option in the Ford-brand lineup.

Prices will range from US$27,500 (RM131,000) to US$38,500 (RM183,000).

Ford marketing officials say the Escape lives on because it appeals to an urban and female audience that isn’t attracted to the off-road-oriented Bronco Sport.

They also say Ford needs to remain a player in the compact crossover segment, which accounts for 22% of the US auto market and is now dominated by the Toyota RAV-4 and Honda CR-V.

The Escape once outsold those models and ranked as the company’s No. 2 vehicle. But sales have fallen by more than half in the last five years and the Escape now faces competition in its own showroom from the rugged and popular Bronco Sport small SUV.

"There’s plenty of demand, and the segment’s huge,” Craig Patterson, Ford’s utility marketing manager, said in an interview. "We’re not going to be able to serve that with just one vehicle.”

Farley’s questions

Farley raised questions about the Escape’s future in June while speaking at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference.

Asked by an analyst how the company will manage the decline of its internal-combustion engine models as electric vehicles rise in popularity, Farley lumped the Escape with the Edge crossover utility, which Ford is phasing out by mid-decade.

"You cannot ask everyone to do everything,” Farley said.

"We’re going to have passion brands. We’re not going to have commodity products like Edges and Escapes.”

Ford argues the Escape isn’t a commodity product and has a particular appeal to buyers looking for a sleek, lower-riding SUV with premium touches.

Patterson blamed the falling sales on a lack of computer chips, which has hurt the entire industry for two years.

"There’s this commoditised middle of the market that many of our competitors compete in, and we wanted to have two distinct points of view,” Patterson said.

"What we’re really targeting is the growth audiences of millennial women, first-time buyers, Hispanics and African Americans.”

 The ST Line.ST model

Ford expects as much as half of the Escape’s sales to come from the new ST model, which features a black mesh grille, large rear spoiler and an option for a "coast to coast” LED light bar connecting the headlights.

The automaker also is doubling the size of the standard dashboard touchscreen to 8 inches and offering a 13.2-inch screen as an option.

The hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the Escape are each estimated to go more than 500 miles on a tank of gas.

The plug-in can be driven exclusively on electric power for up to 60km, and the driver can choose four different settings for electric and gasoline power.

Sticking with the Escape — despite US sales falling to 145,415 last year from 308,296 in 2017 — is the right business decision, said David Whiston, analyst with Morningstar Inc. in Chicago.

Unllike sedans, which Ford dropped, small SUVs are still moneymakers.

"It’s one thing to walk away from the sedan segment because of a lack of profitability,” Whiston said.

"But you don’t want to be walking away from compact crossovers because there’s a lot of good volume there and there’s good profit, too.”

[caption id="attachment_283876" align="aligncenter" width="1024"][/caption]


Timing system for workers using Jalan B66 Batang Kali-Genting stretch

                PETALING JAYA: Staggered timing will be introduced for Selangor residents who work in Genting Highlands to use the Jalan B66 Batang Kali-Genting stretch, says Selangor exco member Izham Hashim.

The state infrastructure, public facilities, modernisation of agriculture and agro-based industry committee chairman said this would allow workers to safely travel to and from work.

“At the moment, only one way is completed and will be accessible to workers with authorisation letters from their employers stating that they work there.

“We are also looking at widening the road on the side which was not affected by the landslide,” he said during a site visit in Ampang Jaya today.

Izham added that the timing system would be similar to the one introduced to ascend and descend Fraser’s Hill.

“It will be manned so that vehicles will be able to ascend and descend at staggered times.

“There is no quota on the number of vehicles allowed per day but only for staff (working in Genting).”

He added that the one-way road was completed as a temporary measure for the convenience of some 4,000 Selangor residents who commute daily to Genting for work.

The Public Works Department had previously announced that the road would be opened on Jan 6 with only one lane and was limited to workers in Genting Highlands with an employer's letter.

It also includes Class One (cars, taxis and multi-purpose vehicles) and Class Six (motorcycles and scooters) vehicles.

The department said motorists were not allowed to stop at the section where the Dec 16 landslide occurred.


Website commemorates the Corolla's 50th anniversary

                TOKYO: Toyota has a special website to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Corolla, the world's best-selling car of all-time.

Born in Japan in 1966, the Corolla has seen a record 44 million units sold globally to date.

The Corolla is now being produced in 13 countries, and over 1.3 million units are sold annually in more than 150 countries.

This website http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/corolla50th/ features various aspects of the Corolla, including customer memories, the history of the vehicle, comments from those charged with developing the car, special content including an AE86 Levin test-drive video and a commentary by a "Corolla geek", and a gallery of the generations of the Corolla and key historical photos, as well as web links to news releases of the Corolla of each generation, and Corolla related websites.

The first-generation Corolla was described as a five-passenger compact car from Japan that was positioned as the "most accessible car" in the market.

It had a powerful water-cooled inline-four engine with 1,077cc and 60hp.


China to use carbon scheme to boost electric car numbers, says govt agency

                BEIJING: China, the world's biggest auto producer, plans to include carmakers in its planned national carbon trading scheme to encourage the manufacture of more electric vehicles, according to a draft of rules being circulated in the industry.

Domestic makers and importers of fossil-fuel cars will have to participate in the scheme if they meet a minimum production or sales threshold, according to rules drawn up by the National Development & Reform Commission (NDRC) and posted on a local news website on Thursday.

There are no details yet on where the threshold will be set, but the document also said some makers of new energy vehicles (NEVs) - plug-in electric and hybrid cars - would be able to participate in the scheme.

The draft will also circulate within regulatory bodies including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, which oversees manufacturing industries, until Aug. 25 for consultation, an official with the NDRC confirmed to Reuters.

It was not clear how much longer the review process will run after that or when the programme might be implemented. The policy would likely benefit China's top NEV producers such as BYD Co and BAIC Motor Corp, which have stepped up production of traditional hybrids in recent years.

Companies included in the scheme will be able to sell carbon permits earned from cutting down on the release of CO2 emissions, whereas those with higher emissions than they are allowed will have to buy permits.

"The carbon emission quota policy will promote the health of the new energy vehicle market," said Ye Shengji, deputy secretary general of industry body China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, on Friday.

China is going to issue carbon permits to some 8,000 companies - fewer than earlier expected - in eight industries by the first quarter of next year in preparation for the launch of its national CO2 trading scheme, said Jiang Zhaoli, a senior climate official, to state media last week.

The number of the permits given to auto makers and dealers will be measured by the ratio of their NEV output versus the number of fossil fuel cars they make or sell, said the draft.

China produced 177,000 NEVs in the first half of the year, up by 125 percent from the same period last year, but making up less than 1.4 percent of the total, official data showed. China wants to have 5 million NEVs on the nation's roads by 2020. Experts say a lack of charging stations and battery quality remain the primary barriers to long-distance driving and greater penetration of the market.

China's surge in NEV sales since 2014 has been supported by financial incentives that will total to 400 billion yuan (RM242bil) for the 2015-2020 period.

The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said on Friday that it maintained its earlier forecast of 700,000 new energy vehicle sales this year.


BMW M4 Coupe and M4 GT3 prototypes break cover

                MUNICH: BMW on Thursday presented the prototypes of the new M4 Coupe and M4 GT3 in the run-up to the MotoGP “BMW M Grand Prix of Styria” in Austria.

The two cars were wrapped in camouflage as their final design would not be revealed until a later date.

BMW M CEO Markus Flasch said both models "were developed parallel to each other, so they both have the same genes."

Like the new M3 Sedan and all other current high-performance automobiles from M, the new M4 Coupe would be available in two performance versions: Apart from a variant with 480hp and a 6-speed manual transmission, a Competition model with 510hp and an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic will also be on offer in each case.

The core component shared by all M4s is the newly developed straight six-cylinder engine featuring M TwinPower Turbo technology and a high-revving concept.

From the outset, the high-performance-power plant was developed on the basis of performance characteristics taken directly from motorsport. Not only will the BMW M Customer Racing Teams, who will be deploying the BMW M4 GT3 in numerous GT series worldwide, benefit from this. It also raises the standard of driving pleasure for M4 road-legal vehicles to a new level.

From 2022 and following selected racing events in 2021, the M4 GT3 will replace the M6 GT3 as the top-of-the-range model in BMW’s customer sport offering. Since 2016, the M6 GT3 has been part of the M Motorsport vehicle portfolio, already winning the Spa-Franchorchamps 24 hours during its debut year, only to surpass this success with a double victory two years later.

BMW M said final tests are being conducted on the two cars before their world premiere in September.

The first person who will get to own the new M4 Coupe will be the winner of the Aug 21-23 BMW M Grand Prix of Styria held at the Red Bull Ring.


In Carlos Tavares, Fiat family finds heir to Marchionne legacy

Tavares is known as a ruthless cost cutter. — Reuters
MILAN: As the scion of the Agnelli family’s industrial dynasty, John Elkann honed his management skills under Sergio Marchionne, who brought Fiat back from the brink before turning it into a global force with the purchase of Chrysler. When Marchionne died suddenly last year, Elkann pushed ahead alone with their quest for another major partner.

On Thursday, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV announced a combination with France’s PSA Group to create a regional powerhouse rivalling Volkswagen AG with a stock-market value similar to that of Honda Motor Co.

Elkann stands to gain a new sidekick: Carlos Tavares, PSA’s 61-year-old chief executive officer, who has shown his mettle building an international automotive group while keeping costs under control. Those qualities would make him the heir apparent of the empire Marchionne built.

"Auto sector deals are incredibly complex to deliver upon and have no hope of success without a ‘Great Man’ CEO at the controls,” said Max Warburton, an automotive analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. "It’s clear that Tavares has spent years thinking about how a deal with FCA might work.”

Second choice

PSA, maker of the Peugeot brand, may not have been Elkann’s preferred partner — another merger attempt with Renault SA fell through in June after demands by the French government proved insurmountable. But Tavares best fits the mold of Marchionne, a shrewd operator who passed away after a short illness in July 2018 at the age of 66.

Both men turned around businesses that from the outside looked beyond repair. Marchionne accomplished that feat with Fiat, before combining the storied Italian brand with Chrysler to gain a global footprint.

Tavares revived Peugeot after it was saved from the brink. Two years ago, he managed a bold reversal when he took over Opel from General Motors Co. and successfully integrated the notoriously unprofitable asset.

And both men have styled themselves as bold visionaries. Marchionne endlessly propagated the need for mergers, saying the industry is rife with duplication and could save billions if it pooled resources in areas like research and purchasing. Tavares, too, has been blunt about the need for car manufacturers to adapt or risk going under, and says global scale is key.

‘Particularly opportunistic’

A merger with Fiat Chrysler would mark a reversal of fortune for Tavares, who was forced into a bystander role earlier this year when Elkann approached Renault, PSA’s French rival.

At the time, Tavares didn’t mince his words, calling the transaction "particularly opportunistic” for Fiat Chrysler and a "virtual takeover of Renault by Fiat.”

Fiat and Peugeot have a long history of flirtation, dating back as far as the 2008 crisis when Elkann and Marchionne were hunting for a partner before engaging with Chrysler. In 2013, Emmanuel Macron, then a top adviser to President François Hollande, held preliminary talks with Fiat about a merger with troubled Peugeot. And at the end of 2014, Marchionne was told by some of his advisers that Tavares was interested in discussing a merger.

Major turnaround

Tavares, a racing enthusiast like Marchionne, joined PSA five years ago after serving under Renault-Nissan’s now-disgraced former boss, Carlos Ghosn. That assignment bore significant risk, with PSA in trouble and lacking the heft to compete globally.

A ruthless cost cutter, Tavares managed a turnaround by pushing unions to accept job losses and slashing costs on everything from printers to phones. He used the same methods when he took over Opel in 2017, restoring that business to profit within a year.

"It makes perfect sense that carlos Tavares will run the show, given his experience restructuring businesses,” said Arndt Ellinghorst, an automotive analyst at Evercore International Ltd. in London. "It looks like a merger of equals; both companies are earning money, balance sheets are restored.”

In its most recent quarter, PSA was able to weather a slump in the auto industry with demand for popular models like the Peugeot 508 and Citroen C5 Aircross. Its operating margin reached 8.7% in the first half of the year, exceeding the profitability of many rivals. By contrast, Renault slashed its outlook for revenue and profit this month.

Cost savings

Tavares will have ample opportunity to put his integration abilities to the test at the enlarged group. Cost savings from the deal without plant closures are projected to be about 3.7 billion euros (US$4.13 billion).

Some analyst have more ambitious projections, with UBS estimating they could reach as much as 6.6 billion euros every year by avoiding duplication of capital spending in new technologies.

Peugeot-Fiat would compete with GM — long Marchionne’s proposed partner — for the spot of fourth-biggest carmaker, with more than 8 million vehicles sold per year and revenue in excess of 180 billion euros. It could surpass Volkswagen’s profit margin, according to JPMorgan analysts.

Tavares will hold the CEO title for five years at the combined entity, while Elkann will be chairman, the companies announced early Thursday. No plant closures are planned, and any savings would come from more efficient pooling of resources, they said.

Renault clings to Nissan

For Renault, the FCA-PSA deal puts more pressure on it to fix its relationship with ally Nissan Motor Co.

The French and Japanese carmakers have had a rocky two-decade partnership that was further shaken by the chairman of their alliance Carlos Ghosn’s arrest a year ago — to the extent that Renault earlier this year attempted a merger with FCA.

With FCA now merging with PSA, Renault is left clinging to its Japanese companion.

Carmakers need the heft and scale provided by partnerships to face challenges from electrification, the rising popularity of ride-sharing and the emergence of self-driving vehicles. Sticking to the Nissan pact, and trying to improve it, now represents renault’s best bet to remain competitive in that increasingly cut-throat landscape.

"Renault needs it more than Nissan,” Steve Man, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence in Hong Kong, said of the alliance. "They all need to work out those issues and move on and become more profitable.”


2019 Tokyo Motor Show: Toyota luxury Granace MPV to be unveiled

                TOKYO: Toyota will unveil a new Granace van at the 46th Tokyo Motor Show 2019, and it's available in two seating layouts: the three-row six-seater, and the four-row eight-seater.

Powered by a 2.8-litre diesel engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, the front-wheel drive Granace uses a trailing-link rigid-axle rear suspension.

Designed for luxurious comfort, the second and third rows feature leather captain seats while wood grain decorations flow from the back of the front seats toward the side trim, and the LED side color illumination is gently lit.

The meter hood is wrapped in leather and genuine stitching further lends an air of quality.

Illumination for the road is courtesy of projective twin-lens LED headlamps and LED daytime running lamps.

It comes standard with the latest version of Toyota Safety Sense, featuring improved sensing functions that make use of the pre-collision safety system that detects pedestrians during the day and at night, as well as cyclists during the day.

Safety features include Intelligent Clearance Sonar with Parking Support Brakes (Stationary Objects) that helps reduce and/or mitigate damage from collisions during low-speed driving in parking lots.


Special offers for the Ford Ranger XLT line-up

                KUALA LUMPUR: From March 1 to May 31, 2020, those buying the Ford Ranger XLT Plus get savings valued at RM7,188, while Ranger XLT Special Edition buyers enjoy savings of RM8,000.

Meanwhile, savings of RM9,000 is offered for the XLT variant.

"We are delighted to introduce the ‘Ford Ranger XLT Family Promotion’ to our customers,” said Sime Darby Auto ConneXion managing director Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz.

The Ranger XLT delivers 160ps of power and peak torque of 385Nm.

For the XLT Special Edition, enhancements include an upgraded 9-inch Touchscreen display with Reverse Camera plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that supports applications like Spotify, YouTube, Waze and Google Chrome.

It also comes with a tonneau cover and trendy decals on each side of the truck.

The Ranger XLT Plus features the 2.0L single-turbo engine that is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission delivering 180PS of power and 420Nm of torque.

It also comes with convenient features such as keyless entry with push-start-button and the Easy Lift Tailgate to make lifting and lowering the tailgate effortless.

The Ranger Special Edition comes in two colours – Arctic White and Absolute Black, while the Ranger XLT and XLT Plus are available in Aluminium Metallic, Lightning Blue, Frozen White, Magnetic and Absolute Black.


Driving on the other side: How to make the switch to left-hand-driver

                BERLIN: Left-hand traffic is used in more than 50 countries worldwide, including Britain, Ireland, Australia, Japan and South Africa. For many who enjoy using a car on their holidays, that means coming to terms with a completely foreign way of driving.

If you want to drive a rental car in a country with left-hand traffic during your holidays, it can help to first practise in a car park.

In the beginning, drivers should just move along with the traffic and to not overtake, vehicle inspection company Dekra advises. Novices have to be especially careful when turning right to avoid driving into oncoming traffic.

To avoid pulling too far to the left side of the road, drivers should use the centre strip as a visual guide. An arrow pointing to it, stuck to the bottom of the windscreen, can provide optical support.

Pedestrians who are used to looking to the left first when crossing the road also have to adjust, because with left-hand traffic, the first source of danger is incoming traffic from the right. That's why pedestrians should ideally always look both ways before crossing the road.


Horse racing-themed Bentley Bentayga by Mulliner

Bentley Bentayga by Mulliner.
LONDON: Sometimes, even something as special as a Bentley Bentayga is not quite special enough for some discerning and particularly well-heeled buyers, and that's where Mulliner comes in.

Mulliner is Bentley's companion that's entrusted with adding an extra-special touch to its already-opulent vehicles, and it's now come up with a horse racing-themed Bentayga that's simply called the Bentayga by Mulliner.

Not long ago we got a look at the Bentley Bentayga Field Sports by Mulliner, and prior to that, who could forget the version that was specially equipped to cater for those with a penchant for falconry?

This latest model from Mulliner is a one-off creation that's said to have been inspired by horse racing and is a commemoration of Bentley's partnership with race course operator The Jockey Club at England's Cheltenham Festival.

Unlike the model for falconers, the Bentayga by Mulliner doesn't have any specific features to accommodate horses. There's no special compartment for storing hay, carrots or sugar lumps, and it doesn't come fitted with a tow bar for pulling a horse box either.

Instead, this very special Bentayga goes down a more subtle horse racing theme with the paintwork being a variation on British Racing Green called Spruce, an interior decked out in saddle-colored leather, and special tweed for the door inserts. The veneer inside the cabin is burr walnut, which has been treated to look like woodwork at The Jockey Club's private rooms, and branded Mulliner. And a further nod to the equine sport of kings is a horse and rider design embossed into the leather of the seat backs.

Not everything is bespoke here though; the 21-inch wheels on the one-off Bentayga by Mulliner are the same partially black wheels that were also fitted to the Field Sports model.

Don't expect this model to make an appearance at the Geneva Motor Show either. Built in Crewe, the Bentayga by Mulliner will remain in Britain where it will be on display at the Cheltenham Festival between March 13 and 16.


Honda Connect launches in Thailand

                BANGKOK: Honda Automobile in Thailand launched “Honda Connect”, a technology allowing drivers to connect with their cars through their fingertips via a smartphone application.

The new system costs 5,900 Baht (RM730) which includes free installation and a free 2-year mobile network connection for data transmission and comes integrated with a host of key features including car status, driving behavior data and an emergency call service.

Honda Connect uses smart telematics technology to control remote information transmissions through a smartphone application and a Telematics Control Unit (TCU) system installed in a Honda vehicle.

The TCU collects key data and transmits it via a mobile network to cloud-based data storage and processing, while a GPS solution provides precise tracking of the vehicle’s location. Drivers will receive alerts or notifications from the Honda Call Center on an immediate basis.

Six key Honda Connect features:
1) Car Status provides details on the car’s status before the owner starts a journey including the amount of fuel, engine coolant temperature, and other information, as well as maintenance alerts, service history, and next scheduled maintenance appointment, to ensure the car is always ready to use.

2) Driving Behavior Data covering driving information and behavior, such as distance travelled, driving time, maximum speed, average speed, and travel logs.

3) Vehicle Tracking (Find My Car) enables the driver to locate their car. When selected, the system will send the car location to a registered email address to ensure data privacy.

If the car is in motion, the system will send an alert about the irregular use of this feature to the vehicle tracking function of the smartphone application.

4) Emergency Call - When an airbag deploys due to an accident, the system sends a signal to the Honda Call Center, which will call the registered phone number, or a number reserved for emergency use, to contact the driver and offer assistance.

If the contact is unsuccessful, the system will contact the medical service hotline (1669).

In other emergency cases, the driver can use a key hotline number function to reach the Honda Contact Center, as well as police, ambulance, 24-hour roadside assistance, and insurance companies.

5) Location Search & Share Your Trip connects to a map application to search the car’s route or nearby locations for services such as petrol stations, ATMs, convenience stores, and Honda dealers.

The driver can save the locations he or she regularly visits to look them up easily, and also post photos from his or her journey on his or her Facebook page.

6) News and Privileges provides messages offering informative news and privileges from Honda, plus reminders about insurance renewal and road tax payments.

After having installed the system, Thai customers need to download the Honda Connect Thai application, which requires iOS version 8.0 or higher, or Android version 4.0 or higher.

The Honda Service Center in Thailand will then connect the TCU to the app to register the customer and create a user account.

"Following recent findings on driving behavior and people’s lifestyles in Thailand and abroad, Honda has created Honda Connect to satisfy tech-savvy customers who desire a sense of security and safety when driving." said Honda Automobile (Thailand) chief operating officer Pitak Pruittisarikorn


Five reason why you would buy Porsche Cayman GT4

Performance

Naturally aspirated with 385hp from a 3.8-litre flat-six engine, taken from the Porsche 911 Carrera S, it’s simply a keen performer that propels the Cayman GT4 through the infamous North Loop of the Nürburgring in seven minutes and 40 seconds.

Aggressive styling

Much of the GT4’s aggressive looks don’t come from its gaping air intakes at the front, in fact much of the attention is directed to the rear, where the large GT-inspired wing resides as a sign of caution to all those who dare challenge it.

Brakes

There’s never a moment of doubt when it comes to braking late into corners, especially with Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) that distinguishes itself with its yellow callipers that bite down on the cross-drilled rotors.

Chassis

Stability is tantamount and there’s plenty of it thanks to much of the chassis originating from the 911 GT3, and after having been honed in test facilities and especially on racetracks. It simply inspires confidence in drivers with its impeccable handling characteristics and wills them on to try and test the car’s limits.

Cabin

The dark Alcantara leather-clad interior helps to visually obscure the sportscar’s numerous distracting buttons to help keep the driver focused and alert in handling this race-like performance machine.


Partial Sprint Highway closures to enable MRT bridging works

                PETALING JAYA: Major road closures will be taking place on two Sundays – on Sept 6 and 13, totalling 18 hours – along the Sprint Highway at KM3.6.

The stretch of the highway to be closed is from Phileo Damansara to Tropicana.

The move is to facilitate the construction of a link bridge for the Phileo Damansara MRT Station entrance.

Measuring 78.6m, the bridge crosses Jalan 16/11 and the Sprint Highway.

“We need to close the entire road to ensure the safety of road users as we will be bringing in three cranes,” said MMC-Gamuda KVMRT Sdn Bhd deputy construction director Adil Putra Ahmad.

During the closure, motorists are advised to plan their journey and use alternative routes to get to their destination.

Three main alternative routes have been identified.

The first will see traffic from Bangsar being diverted to Jalan Dato Abu Bakar.

The second diversion will see traffic from Taman Tun Dr Ismail diverted to Jalan Damansara (in front of Menara Glomac) to merge with Sprint and diverted again to Jalan 17/21.

Lastly, traffic coming from the direction of the Damansara toll will also be diverted to Jalan 17/21.

The U-turn from Jalan 16/11 will also be blocked and traffic will be diverted to Jalan 17/21, the Damansara-Puchong Highway and New Klang Valley Expressway.

Proper signage will be put up at strategic locations to help guide motorists from the start to the end of the road block.

“This total closure is necessary but we are doing it on a Sunday to help minimise the impact on road users,” said MRT Corp director of operations and assets management division, Mahmood Abdul Razak

He said the company would inform the public if the closure was to be extended.

“We are confident this project will be completed within 18 hours. This project required very careful planning and every step including the safety aspects will be followed according to procedure,” Mahmood said.

MRT will be working with the police and Petaling Jaya City Council, who will be helping them monitor traffic during the closure.

Traffic controllers will also be on site to assist motorists in that period.


Perodua KL opens

                KUALA LUMPUR: Perodua has opened an outlet in Jalan Pahang here selling used and new models.

The Perodua KL showroom is the biggest Perodua wholly owned sales outlet here, costing RM1.7mil to set up.

Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Dr Zahari Husin said used Perodua models "have been thoroughly inspected and refurbished by our trained technicians."

The outlet accepts trade-in from any automotive brand for prospective buyers seeking to buy new or used Perodua cars.

The used cars come with extended warranty of up to 18 months, which covers engine and
transmission.


SkyDrive unveils SD-05 flying car design, aiming to begin air taxi service in 2025

                TOKYO: Japanese flying car startup SkyDrive Inc. has unveiled the design of its commercial model flying car — the SkyDrive SD-05.

SkyDrive is planning to use the SD-05, currently in development, to launch air taxi service in the Osaka Bay area during the world exposition scheduled for 2025 in Osaka.

"This is another big step towards the realisation of flying cars and sky roads," said SkyDrive design director Takumi Yamamoto.

"Two years have passed since the announcement of the SD-03, which successfully completed its public manned flight test in August 2020, and we are very happy to be able to announce its successor, the SD-05."

Headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, SkyDrive is a leading developer and manufacturer of flying cars and cargo drones in Japan.

The SD-05 is a two-seat, electric-powered compact aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.

Operated by a driver-pilot, its flight stability is secured with the assistance of a computer-controlled flight system. SkyDrive is developing flying cars with an eye towards realising a world where they are used in daily life for air mobility much as automobiles are used for daily ground transportation.

"This vehicle is not just a simple means of travelling from point A to B," Yamamoto said. "Based on the design concept of 'giving wings to daily travel,' it's also a safer and more enjoyable travel partner."

SkyDrive is in the process of acquiring a type certificate for the SD-05 from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, as the first of its kind in Japan.

The company continues to work towards promoting practical use of flying cars during the World Exposition Osaka, Kansai, scheduled for 2025 in Japan.

The SD-05 is designed to travel up to 10km and the maximum cruise speed is 100kph. However, design and specifications are subject to change and the progress of design development.

Potential applications for SD-05 are currently under consideration, including short-cut transportation through the sky, a unique access to resort facilities, and emergency medical services.


Perodua Axia driven

                The local car scene has certainly been abuzz lately, thanks to launches from our national carmakers.

While the two models aren’t competing in the same segment, the current favourite teh-tarik topic at your local mamak is likely to be comparisons between the two, possibly due to the close launch dates and similar silhouette profiles, but let’s not go there.

We had a chance to get acquainted with Perodua’s latest baby, the Axia.

Starting at a mere RM24,600 for the base Standard E model, it is currently the most affordable car in Malaysia.
This is partly due to its EEV (Energy Efficient Vehicle) status, which brings some tax reductions. While cheap, the E-spec model is rather basic and lacks many features, like anti-lock braking system (ABS), central locking or even an audio unit.

The unit we tested, however, sits on the opposite end of the spectrum – the range-topping Advance model.

Externally the Advance variant, like the SE, gains more aggressive styling all-round.

A large, gaping grille and projector headlamps dominate the front while the rear gets crystal-effect tail lamps and a roof spoiler. Chrome-adorned side skirts complete the overall look.

The front styling seems a little overdone for my taste, especially for what the car is meant to be, but there’s no denying that it gives added presence to the Axia.

Step inside and you can tell that Perodua’s been upping its game.

The dash has a familiar look and feel just like if you’ve stepped into the second-generation Myvi.

Hard plastics are abundant, but you can tell they should last the long haul.

The glossy piano-black finish on the centre console does wonders for perceived quality.

What impresses the most is the amount of leg room, which I believe rivals even the Myvi.

Even with the front seat adjusted to my height (I tend to need more space for my long legs), there is still room to sit at the back with space for my knees.

The seats were really supple; perhaps a little too supple for some, but the full leather upholstery is a nice touch, especially at this price range.

The added rear leg space did come with a trade-off... a boot space that is rather small, but that’s normal for this segment.

As advertised, it can fit four carry-on luggage bags if positioned upright, but for real-world use the space is a little narrow.

The steering wheel gets wrapped in leather as well, but it’s stuck to a fixed position (no adjustments for height or reach).

The instrument panel is still basic but looks clearly a generation ahead of those in the Viva and Kancil.

There is a useful multifunction info display while the new graphics are large, easy to read and very red.

The touchscreen multimedia system is simple to use and fairly responsive, as compared to units I’ve encountered of late.

The GPS navigation might need some work (and updating) as it is somewhat cumbersome to use at times and occasionally wouldn’t even find a location I wanted to visit.

There’s also a DVD player, which like the Myvi’s, deactivates the video but maintains the audio, when the vehicle is in motion.

A key highlight would be an anti-snatch hook on the passenger seat side, which comes with a lock and is able to hold handbags (or any bag) of up to 3kg.

It is even able to hold my heavy camera bag in place. Seeing how snatch theft has been rather rampant of late, it is a nice touch for Perodua to include this feature.

Also worth mentioning is a tissue compartment built into the rear of the passenger seat, enabling easy access for the driver.

A feature which, though useful but ended up being annoying, were the front corner sensors.

In practice, they worked well, warning me of pillars when parking, but it also has a tendency to be overly-sensitive.

Passing motorbikes would set off the beeping, as well as passing through toll booths.

A trip to a nearby McDonald’s drive-thru was a chore as the buzzer beeped continuously, while I drove closely alongside the building towards the payment window. Perhaps the buzzer should be equipped with an on/off switch.

Driving the Axia is a breeze. In its natural habitat (cities), the car is zippy and can manoeuvre through traffic and tight spots easily.

The 1.0-litre three-cylinder aluminium block engine delivers 66hp, and is pretty energetic for a compact car.

Push it hard and it starts to wail, but the tone produced is one that sounds pleasant instead of whiny.

The suspension is tuned more towards comfort and it shows, absorbing bumps and road imperfections well.
Drive the Axia hard around corners and it would lean heavily, reminding you to drive sanely.

On one occasion I was stuck in a massive traffic standstill for about an hour (something I believe many Axia owners will face on a daily basis), and the car pulled through well (thank goodness it was an auto).

An ‘eco’ icon appears on the dash if you’re driving economically, which I easily achieved even when cruising at highway speed limits. Fuel consumption is good as I managed to spend quite a few days in city traffic with the car on the same tank of fuel.

Despite the improvements in refinement compared to the Viva it replaces, there was however, mild engine rattling when stationary in the jam, which reminds you that this is a three-cylinder car.

Overall, the Axia is a rather good all-rounder if you’re in the market for an entry-level car, and at RM42,530 for the Advance variant, it presents very good value for money too.

And with fuel savings, a spacious interior and a five-year warranty, it’s not hard to see why this car is starting to pop up like mushrooms on our roads.


Chevrolet debuts 2017 Cruze hatchback

                LOS ANGELES: Ahead of its debut at the Detroit Auto Show 2016, Chevrolet has unveiled the 2017 Cruze hatchback.

Developed with all the technologies and dynamic driving attributes of the all-new 2016 Cruze sedan, the new hatch adds a functional and sporty choice for customers.

It joins Colorado and Trax as the latest Chevrolets to push into new segments.

The Cruze hatch has the same, class-leading 2,700mm wheelbase as sedan models, but features a unique roof and rear-end structure – including wraparound taillamps and an integrated spoiler at the top of the liftgate.

It opens to offer 524 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat.

With the rear seat folded, cargo space expands to 1,189 litres.

It has a 1.4-litre turbo engine with direct injection and Stop/Start technologies, electric power steering and, on Premier models, a Z-link rear suspension.

The Cruze is Chevrolet’s best-selling car around the world, with 3.5 million units sold since it went on sale in 2008.


Switching gears, Canada's BlackBerry to open autonomous vehicle hub

Image from Reuters
OTTAWA: Canada's BlackBerry Ltd will open an autonomous driving research centre today, as it tries to make itself an indispensable under-the-hood piece of the automotive industry's weaponry in the self-driving vehicle arms race.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will attend the launch by the Waterloo, Ontario-based smartphone pioneer, the prime minister's office said on Sunday. A Blackberry spokesman deferred any comment on the project until today.

Blackberry, once known for its phones but now betting its future on the more profitable business of making software and managing mobile devices after largely ceding the smartphone market to the likes of Apple and Samsung, is expanding subsidiary QNX's Ottawa facility to focus on developing advanced driver assistance and autonomous vehicle technology.

After a detour where QNX's industrial-focused software was used to reinvent the now-discarded BlackBerry phone operating system, BlackBerry is focused on how its embedded software interacts with the explosion of sensors, cameras and other components required for a car to drive itself.

But while deep-pocketed Silicon Valley has invested heavily in the artificial intelligence and machine learning required for autonomy, more financially-constrained BlackBerry has not, eyeing instead a niche role as a trusty sidekick.

"What QNX is doing is providing the infrastructure that allows you to build higher-level algorithms and to also acquire data from the sensors in a reliable manner," said Sebastian Fischmeister, a University of Waterloo associate professor who has worked with QNX since 2009.

"Our play in this is that we provide the software foundation for these high-performance compute platforms," QNX head John Wall said in an interview on Friday.

 BlackBerry CEO John Chen speaking to a reporter at a conference in California last month. - Bloomberg

BlackBerry and the university's research teams got the green light to test Ford Motor Co Lincoln vehicles with autonomous features on Ontario's public roads late last month.

The company has also inked a deal to work directly with the Detroit-based carmaker as it works to get fleets of robot ride-sharing vehicles to market by 2021.

Wall said the company is in advanced discussions with "more than one or two" other major global automakers about similar partnerships, but also cautioned that the hype of robot cars would take a long time to be fully realised.

QNX already powers infotainment and telematics systems in millions of cars, giving an option to automakers watching the speed at which firms such as Tesla Motors Inc, ride-hailing company Uber Technologies Inc, and Alphabet Inc's Google have advanced their self-driving projects.

"If they can prove that they have the whole package and the security, they could absolutely dominate the market" for autonomous vehicle operating systems, said Sam Fiorani, an analyst at Auto Forecast Solutions.

Risks remain, including the challenge from chipmakers such as Intel Corp who, eyeing demand for their processors in future robot cars, could discount or give away their own security and safety software in order to sell more hardware.

"Some of these companies can afford to lose a lot of money in their pursuit of adoption and market share," said Chris Rommel, who leads embedded technology research at VDC Research.


Lotus unveils new Evora GT410 Sport

                LONDON: Launched in what is now Lotus's 70th year and ahead of its celebrations of the auspicious anniversary, the new Evora GT410 Sport takes one of the British sports car manufacturer's success stories and refines it further to deliver an even more desirable car.

The Evora GT410 Sport is available in both 2-seat and 2+2 configurations, and with a choice of manual and automatic transmissions. The new model draws its inspiration from the phenomenal Evora GT430 to add greater advanced aerodynamics to what is already a celebrated sports car.

The GT410 Sport inherits a number of key elements of the GT430's sculptured body style, such as the specifically designed new composite front and rear body panels. But by leaving behind some of the more extreme high downforce elements of the GT430, the new Evora GT410 Sport presents a far subtler and sleeker silhouette than its predecessor.

Of course, as with all Lotus sports cars, aerodynamic downforce is still a key requirement for delivering the expected performance and handling. To that end, this new GT-class coupe generates up to 96kg of downforce, which is 50 percent more than the Evora Sport 410, and a new benchmark for similarly priced rivals to aspire to.

Speaking at the launch event for the new Evora GT410 Sport, Group Lotus plc's CEO, Jean-Marc Gales said, "We are continually exploring new ideas, innovating and evolving our cars in pursuit of perfection. The new Evora GT410 Sport takes the lessons learnt from the development of the GT430 to deliver something outstanding and highly capable."

Powering the lightweight car with an unladen weight of just 1,297kg is a 3.5-litre supercharged Toyota-derived V-6 producing, which produces 410hp and 420Nm of torque. The 0-100kph takes just 4.1 seconds with the semi-auto or 4.2s with the manual gearbox, however top speed with the automatic 'box is 275kph, which is 30kph slower than the manual's 305kph top speed.

The new Lotus Evora GT410 Sport range can be ordered right now in European and Asia Pacific markets, while customers in the United States and China will be able to order the car from the summer of this year.


Mitsubishi Xpander priced at RM91,369, over 2,000 bookings so far

                PETALING JAYA: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) announced the price for the new seven-seater crossover Xpander at RM91, 369 for Peninsular Malaysia and has garnered over 2,000 bookings to date.

Prices for other states was also revealed: Sabah (RM92,526), Sarawak (RM92,576) and Labuan (RM87,043).

All prices are on-the-road without insurance and sales and service tax (SST).

MMM had started to open bookings of the Xpander on Oct 22 as well as revealing the specifications to the Malaysian public.

MMM said it was encouraged by the strong bookings for the new crossover.

“The multi-award winning XPANDER has been well received in other ASEAN countries and MMM is pleased to see the same support from Malaysians. We hope to keep this momentum going and we will maximize our production capacity to meet this encouraging response.

"In return for customer strong support, the team at Mitsubishi Motors are driven to deliver new units as soon as possible to reduce customer’s waiting time,” said Tomoyuki Shinnishi, Chief Executive Officer of MMM.

The Xpander however, will only be available for viewing at showrooms and test drives nationwide from Nov 20.

The Xpander is locally assembled and as such, sees a 100% sales tax exemption on locally-assembled (CKD) models.

The seven-seater crossover comes in one variant with Five-Year warranty with unlimited mileage and is available in  Titanium Grey, Quartz White, Diamond Black and Red Metallic.

MMM is the official distributor of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles in Malaysia.


Big wheels and bigger engines: US customisation boom is spreading

                DENVER: While car customisation is something associated more with boy racers that watched too many episodes of "Pimp my Ride" or "The Fast and the Furious" movies, it is slowly becoming a more mainstream practice.

That's the view of Pietro Gorlier, head of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' in-house accessories and tuning company Mopar, who anticipates a growing trend toward more customisation.

"No car driver wants to drive the same car as their neighbour," says Gorlier, adding that the personal touch and distinction of the driver's car from other vehicles of the same type has become increasingly important.

So much so that, 90 per cent of US customers of Jeep, Chrysler or Dodge are now changing their vehicle to their own specifications — even if it's just thicker floor mats.

The companies have responded by offering a large array of options in their accessories catalogs, ranging from chrome applications to more powerful engines.

For example, Mopar offers a 7.0-litre engine with 1,014hp that fits into all Dodge vehicles - providing chassis modifications are carried out — from 1976 onwards.

As an imminent trend, Gorlier also believes that car customisation in 2019 will be much more colourful. Bicolour or sheet metal foils as well as two-tone wheels are becoming more popular, with many manufacturers selling rims in black, red, blue or gold.

Even in terms of size the wheels are growing, with 30 inch rims on SUVs a common trend. However, not everything that is allowed in the US will be so popular — or even legal — in other parts of the world.

In Germany, extra tuning parts require valid test certificates such as a general operating permit (ABE) or a parts certificate, explains Thorsten Rechtien from German safety inspection agency Tuv.

"When installing multiple parts that can influence each other," he explains, it is necessary to assess how they may negatively interact with the rest of the car.

Obvious advice is also that, when fitting parts yourself, it is important that the assembly instructions are observed. Any deviations could be potentially hazardous.

Harald Schmidtke of the German-based Association of Automobile Tuners (VDAT) agrees with this, and the need for those looking to customize their cars to get expert approval for the parts.

"Interested parties should inform themselves prior to the purchase about whether the product is subject to registration or whether a second opinion is necessary," says Schmidtke.


Sime Darby Auto Bavaria launches first three MINI EV charging bays in Gurney Plaza Penang

                PENANG: Auto Bavaria, the largest network of authorised dealer representatives for premium automakers BMW, BMW Motorrad and MINI in the northern region of Malaysia, has introduced the first electric vehicle (EV) charging facility for the brand MINI in the northern region.

Located on level six of Gurney Plaza Penang, the MINI charging facility features three units of the MINI Gen 3 Wallbox, capable of charging both fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Offering scalable charging power of up to 22kW AC, the charging operation on the MINI Gen 3 Wallbox is a hassle-free process, as one only needs to plug in the connector to a fully electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle to start charging.

 (From left) Vi, Head of MINI Malaysia Linnet Yew and BMW Group Malaysia managing director Hans de Visser at the launch of the EV charging bays.

Sime Darby Auto Bavaria managing director Vi Thim Juan said the MINI Electric accounted for over 30% of the MINI models delivered by Auto Bavaria Penang last year, demonstrating a growing demand for Electric Vehicles in these parts of Malaysia.

“The new facilities for charging MINI vehicles at Gurney Plaza aim to support this growing demand for electric vehicles as well as offer more access to public charging in the northern states.

“Gurney Plaza is the ideal location for our charging facility as it is a popular mall strategically located in the heart of Penang, making the location convenient for EV owners to charge their vehicles while they are out and about shopping at the mall,” said Vi.

CapitaLand Investment general manager, mall management, Peter Chan said CapitaLand is committed to operating its malls in a sustainable manner.

“We believe that the provision of more charging stations is key to greater adoption of EVs. This will then help in reducing carbon emissions. There are currently four EV charging stations in total including three from MINI,” he said.

The three new charging bays at Gurney Plaza Penang are now open to the public with operating hours from 10am to 10pm daily.


KL wants you to use public transport and may ban parking bays in new buildings

                KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) may ban parking bays for new buildings in the central business district, says mayor Datuk Seri Amin Nordin Abd Aziz.

“It is still in the planning stage. It is being considered for future development," he said.

“After the mass rapid transit (MRT) line is completed, we would not need parking bays anymore,” he said at Menara DBKL.

Amin Nordin was commenting on reports that DBKL was looking at ways to disallow parking bays in an effort to reduce traffic congestion and encourage people to use public transportation.

Asked whether the move would affect shopping malls and other commercial buildings, he repeated that the idea was still being studied.

Previously, Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor had said that not having parking bays in buildings had become a trend in developed cities around the world. He commented that Kuala Lumpur would follow suit.

The idea has been brought up by DBKL several times over the past few years.


Tesla cuts US Model S and Model X prices between 4% and 9%

                AUSTIN: Tesla Inc has cut prices on its two most expensive electric vehicles in the United States, according to the company's website, days after Chief Executive Elon Musk said recent price cuts on other models had stoked demand.

The price cuts, Tesla's fifth adjustment since the start of the year, ranged from 4% on the performance version of the Model S to 9% on the more expensive Model X.

Musk has said repeatedly in recent months that Tesla would focus on bringing prices down to drive demand and that it had seen success in sparking orders with global discounts introduced in January.

"The desire for people to own a Tesla is extremely high. The limiting factor is their ability to pay for a Tesla," Musk said last week at Tesla's investor day.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the most recent price cuts.

Tesla slashed prices on its cars across all of its markets in January, offering discounts of up to 20% in what many analysts saw as the start of a price war by the electric vehicle market leader.

It has been adjusting prices since with a pace and frequency that goes beyond what established automaker's have attempted in an industry where a car's base price is still referred to as a "sticker price" on a vehicle in inventory.

The Model S and Model X, which come in base all-wheel drive (AWD) and performance "Plaid" editions, represented about 4% of Tesla's global deliveries in 2022. Its two cheaper models, the Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover, made up the rest.

Tesla's website showed it had cut prices on both versions of its Model S by US$5,000. The basic version of Model S was cut by 5% to US$89,990, while the price of the performance, Plaid variant was cut by 4% to US$109,990.

Prices of both the performance and basic variants of Model X cars were cut by US$10,000, the electric vehicle maker's website showed. The price of the basic, AWD version of the Model X was cut by 9% to US$99,990 while its performance Plaid version was cut by 8% to US$109,990.

Tesla has a new version of the Model 3 codenamed "Highland" scheduled to go into production later this year and a change to the Model Y codenamed "Juniper" for next year, Reuters has reported.