3.78 million vehicles yet to renew road tax

                KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 3.78 million vehicles throughout the country have yet to renew their road tax as at Nov 16, according to the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

JPJ deputy director-general (planning and operations) Aedy Fadly Ramli these vehicle owners have until Dec 31 to renew their road tax.

He advised them not to wait until the last minute to renew their road tax as this could cause congestion at JPJ counters, which are also open on weekends until Dec 31.

"They can go to any JPJ branch and the opening hours are listed on the JPJ website,” he said last week.

He said road tax renewals can also be done online and those with expired road tax after Dec 31 would face legal action.

"For now they still have a chance to renew their road tax but after Dec 31 there will be no more warning or extension of the grace period,” he added.

In September, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the grace period for renewal of road tax had been extended to Dec 31 but the vehicles must have valid insurance policies.


Facelifted Toyota Vios launched from RM77K

                KUALA LUMPUR: UMW Toyota Motor has launched its latest Vios for the B-segment with a new sportier design, updated interior and more premium kit.

The entry-level 1.5J is priced at RM77,200 (OTR without insurance), the mid-range 1.5E at RM81,200 and the range-topping 1.5G at RM87,300.

All variants are assembled at the company's newly minted RM2bil plant in Selangor's Bukit Raja Industrial Estate. The roughly 670,000 square metre plant is manned by about 1,000 personnel and has a production capacity of 50,000 units per annum.

The latest iteration of the third-generation Vios comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and five colour choices of Attitude Black, Silver Metallic and Super White II with new additions of Red Mica Metallic and Dark Blue Metallic.

Toyota says the 2FR-NE 1.5-litre engine with Dual-VVTi has been improved. Featuring  Eco and Power modes, it produces 107PS at 6,000rpm and 140Nm of torque at 4,200rpm. Fuel tank capacity is  42-litres.

A continuously variable transmission with seven virtual gears manages power delivery to the front wheels. Only the 1.5G comes with paddle shifters.

At 1,110kg (kerb), the new Vios has a sportier design over its predecessor to appeal to a younger crowd. Front suspension is MacPherson struts while the rear gets torsion beam.

For the 1.5J, flanking the newly designed front bumper are the front multi-reflector halogen headlamps with Follow-Me-Home function and LED daytime running lights, while the rear gets bulbed combination lamps with fogs as well as a shark-fin antenna, door visors and 15-inch wheels (steel spare wheel) with 185/60 series tyres. It is equipped with front disc brakess and rear drum brakes.

Inside, the blacked-out cabin gets electric-power steering system, keyless entry with push-start button, illuminated scuff plates, fabric upholstery, rear fixed backrests, automatic climate controls, four-speaker sound system, 2-DIN head unit with CD, radio, MP3, AUX-Jack, USB and Bluetooth, power windows with driver only automatic up/down and jam protection, and front footwell illumination.

Extra-charge options are security and solar window tint (RM2,120);  aero kit (front and rear spoiler, side skirts and a trunk lip for RM2,800); and a 6.8-inch touchscreen DVD player (USB Mirroring, radio, HDMI, MP3, Voice Dial, AUX-jack, Bluetooth) with reverse camera for RM2,160.

Standard safety equipment includes seven airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, speed-linked automatic door locks, vehicle stability control, traction control, hill-start assist control and rear parking sensors.

Unlike the 1.5J, the 1,120kg  1.5E gets rear LED light clusters and rear backrests fold in a 60:40 split. It also comes with a better 2-DIN head unit in the form of a 6.8-inch touchscreen DVD player with reverse camera and 360-degree view.

Adding to the 1.5E kit are front fogs, thicker acoustic windshield glass, power retractable side mirrors with integrated turn indicators, armrest with cupholders, steering wheel audio controls, front Digital Video Recorder (DVR), solar and security tint as well as Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The 1,145kg 1.5G equipment list builds on those of the 1.5E. It features solid rear disc brakes, larger 16-inch wheels with 195/50 series tyres (alloy spare wheel instead of steel wheel), which results in  a minimum turning radius of 5.7m instead of 5.1m.

The 1.5G also gets  halogen projector headlights, along with chrome accents for the grille and door handles, electrochromic rear view mirror, perforated combination leather upholstery, Optitron analogue instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch colour digital multi-information display (MID), paddle shifters, leather-wrapped steering and gear shifter, MID and Bluetooth steering wheel controls, six-speaker sound system and front parking sensors.

Along with the aero kit, a rear DVR for RM350 is also available as an option for the 1.5E and 1.5G variants.

In an interview with Toyota Motor Corp deputy chief Vios engineer Akira Kasamatsu, he said that the body of the new Vios received more spot welding points, while the underbody had been reinforced to increase rigidity.

 Kasamatsu briefing the media on the technical aspects of the new Vios.

To elevate ride comfort and project an upmarket feel, Kasamatsu said the coil springs and shock absorbers of the B-segment sedan as well as the cabin's level of quietness had been improved by benchmarking them against C-segment vehicles.

He also said the CVT had been tweaked to simulate the shift-feel of a regular automatic transmission in order to bring about "a more exciting drive".

 From left: UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K., UMW Toyota Motor deputy chairman Akio Takeyama and Kasamatsu.


Nissan delays Ariya electric SUV sales again, citing supply chain woes

                TOKYO: Nissan Motor Co is pushing back the release date of the electric Ariya B6 SUV again due to a global shortage of semiconductors and other supply chain disruptions, the Japanese automaker said in a statement late on Monday.

The Ariya, Nissan's second EV-only model after the LEAF hatchback, will now go on sale on May 12 in Japan. The company had most recently flagged a late-March launch.

The Ariya was originally slated for a mid-2021 launch but was delayed by Covid-related chip shortages. Sales in Europe are due to start this summer and the United States in the autumn, Nissan has said.

A limited-edition version of the SUV went on sale in Japan as planned in January.

Nissan pioneered mass-market electric vehicles with the LEAF in 2010.


Mercedes-AMG lineup completed with E53 sedan reveal

                STUTTGART: Mercedes-AMG has now completed the final piece of its inline-six powered midsize jigsaw with the reveal of the AMG E53 sedan, which uses the same 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six also found in the CLS53 and E53 coupe and convertible models.

The engine under the hood of the 2019 Mercedes-AMG E53 sedan also produces the same 429 horsepower and 522Nm of torque as it does elsewhere, but perhaps the standout point of this powerplant is the 48-volt ultra-mild hybrid assist system it also shares with its siblings. Combining a starter-generator and a small electrically-driven compressor in the intake tract of the engine, one of the primary duties of the system is to help reduce turbo lag, and it certainly manages to do just that.

There's only one gearbox available with the 2019 E53 sedan, but that's not a problem as it's the excellent nine-speed auto used extensively throughout the Mercedes family at the moment. It does an excellent job of sending the power in this case to all four wheels, and the performance is combined with a superb ride courtesy of a sport-tuned air suspension setup.

Although this model may look considerably more conservative than its coupe and convertible siblings, because it shares so much of its underpinnings with them it's no surprise this practical four-door is every bit as quick as its two-door equivalents. The sedan gets from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, which is the same as the convertible and just a tenth of a second slower than the coupe.

This isn't just a high-powered version of a regular E-Class though, as visually, the E53 borrows a number of styling cues from the somewhat sexier two-door versions. The twin bulges in the hood are shared with the two-door models, and there's also an aggressive diffuser design adorning the rear bumper, and twin exhaust tips on either side of the sedan. Much is typical E-Class fare inside the cabin of the E53 sedan, but a standard AMG steering wheel is included while AMG sport seats and a carbon fibre trim are actually optional extras.

Pricing has yet to be announced, but sales will start later this year around the same time as the coupe, cabriolet and the CLS.


Audi Progressive Financing Plan introduced

                KUALA LUMPUR: Audi Malaysia has introduced an affordable approach to owning an Audi vehicle, with monthly instalments starting from RM999 for the first year.

The Audi Progressive Financing Plan is backed by Audi Capital Advisory (ACA) - a division of Volkswagen Capital Advisory, and is being made available till the end of April.

Using the Audi A3 1.4 TFSI which is priced at RM186,900 (without insurance/road tax) as an example, a prospective buyer only needs to make a down payment of 10% or RM18,690 to enjoy a low interest rate of 2.08% for the entirety of a seven-year loan tenure (2.38% interest rate for nine years, and 1.18% for five years).

Under the seven year financing plan, the buyer will be able to enjoy monthly instalments of just RM999 for the first year, rising to RM1,600 for the second and third years, RM2,650 for the fourth and fifth years, RM3,410 for the final two years and a final instalment of just RM283.38.

Interest rates and progressive payment rates differ by model, specification and loan tenure and all Audi vehicles come with a manufacturer’s warranty of four years or 120,000km, whichever comes first.

“Owning an Audi has never been easier with this new financing package, which provides preferred interest rates of as low as 0.98% per annum, greater flexibility to manage your cash flow and an accessible entry point to Audi’s entire range of progressive vehicles.

"So whether it’s one of our sophisticated sedans and sportsbacks, our sporty SUVs or our stylish coupes, there’s never been a better time to purchase an Audi vehicle,” said Audi Malaysia managing director Immo Buschmann

For more information log on to www.audi.com.my or visit the nearest Audi dealership.


Perodua reports robust sales in first four months of 2019

                RAWANG: Perodua’s sales momentum for the first four months of the year remains strong with a 9.5% increase to 82,700 units from January to end-April 2019, compared with 75,500 units registered in the same period in 2018, underpinned by continued strong demand for all its models.

It is the highest number of vehicles Perodua has sold in the first four months of any year in its history.

The Myvi continues to be Perodua's best-selling model, with over 115,000 units delivered since its November 2017 launch.

Perodua’s models, which all have over 90% local content, saw healthy registrations in April with over 7,700 Myvis, 5,900 Axias, 4,200 Bezzas, over 3,200 Aruzs and 1,100 Alzas sold.

Perodua’s April 2019 sales total of over 22,100 units is nearly 11% higher than April 2018’s 19,939 units, making it the company’s best April ever in terms of sales.

“The sales figures, which are internally generated, show strong continued support for our products," said Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

“While Perodua awaits the Malaysian Automotive Association’s official total industry volume numbers, we believe Perodua’s market share is above 43% for the four-month period, thus directly benefitting the domestic economy as a whole."

In the first four months of the year, Perodua spent RM1.8bil on component purchases from local automotive suppliers and is on track to buy RM5.4bil's worth of components this year.


Future Spyker cars to use Koenigsegg engine

Koenigsegg (left) and Muller unveiling the V8 engine to be used in new Spyker cars.
GENEVA: At this year's Geneva Motor Show, boutique Dutch carmaker Spyker announced that all of its new cars are set to come with a Koenigsegg engine under their bespoke, hand-built hoods.

The new partnership, announced by company founder Victor Muller with Christian von Koenigsegg standing at his side, could well lead to a serious spike in Spyker sales and increase their appeal among supercar collectors.

"This is our single most important advancement in technology since I founded Spyker in 2000," said Muller. "I am convinced our Spyker C8 Preliator clients will tremendously enjoy the huge performance leap."

Not that Spykers were slouches around the track before the partnership. They've traditionally used an Audi sourced, supercharged V8 but as well as upping the performance considerably, the partnership with Koenigsegg gives the marque that has only been back from bankruptcy for a year (after trying and ultimately failing to rescue the Saab brand), an independent seal of supercar approval, such is the respect and admiration Koenigsegg wields within the industry.

"I have known Victor and Spyker for way over a decade, and we obviously share the passion for handcrafted and bespoke automobiles," said von Koenigsegg. "I have always admired Spyker's tenacity and their commitment to building one-of-a-kind cars that stay true to a well-honed ethos and always been impressed by their amazing craftsmanship and beauty."

But, as the Swedish engineering genius points out, until now, the only element of each Spyker that wasn't truly bespoke was its engine and the new partnership will remedy that. "It gives us great pleasure to work with Spyker to design and produce an engine specifically for them that will suit the handcrafted, luxurious and high-performance nature of all Spyker cars. In terms of performance the introduction of our light, responsive and powerful engine will transform the driving experience of the Preliator."

The engine in question will be a 5-litre normally aspirated V8 that will output 600hp and although no official performance figures have been published, expect it to be fast.


Jaze-the-man! Malaysian racer wins in Monaco

                PETALING JAYA: Jazeman Jaafar made Malaysian motorsport history with a flawless drive to bag his maiden Formula Renault 3.5 World Series win in Monaco.

The Petronas talent programme driver’s breakthrough was achieved on one of the championship’s trickiest circuits. He also caught the eye of the motorsport world watching the support event of Sunday’s Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Jazeman took off from pole position in the 21-lap race that was briefly interrupted by a red flag due to a messy incident on the opening lap. But the Fortec Motorsports driver held his composure to become the first Malaysian to win on the Monaco street circuit.

Red Bull Junior driver Dean Stoneman of Britain was second, 3.235 seconds behind. Frenchman Tom Dillmann of Carlin completed the podium.

 Jazeman giving the thumbs-up after winning the Formula Renault 3.5 World Series race at the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday. - Dutch Photo Agency

Jazeman celebrated by standing on top of his car to thunderous applause from the fans.

“This is my favourite race and favourite track. Just look around, the place is buzzing. It adds to the adrenalin of racing at such an iconic track,” said Jazeman, who is in his third season in the series.

It was a massive step-up for Jazeman as he was placed third in Monaco in the last two seasons.

“I was confident of another podium result when I arrived here for the weekend. I knew I had to make a good start to win the race. I’m pleased I did it,” added the UK-based Jazeman.

He now leads the championship standings after two races with 49 points, one more than team-mate Oliver Rowland. The Briton finished sixth.


EV adoption targets unachievable within regulatory timelines, says global automotive industry

                ZURICH: New global research commissioned by ABB Robotics and leading industry publication Automotive Manufacturing Solutions, revealed that more than half (59%) of respondents believe the shift to pure electric vehicle production is not achievable within current legislative timelines.

The respondents surveyed highlighted challenges in adapting to a new battery supply chain, concerns over high levels of capital investment required, shortages of raw materials, suitable infrastructure and lack of grid capacity.

Although 28% expressed the opinion that the deadlines were achievable, they also indicated there would be significant challenges, while 18% believed the present targets would never be met.

Only 11% believed that all regional targets for EV adoption by 2030-2040 were realistic.

“The automotive industry is acutely aware of the stresses and strains involved in meeting the proposed regional timetables for reaching full EV production,” said ABB Robotics Automotive Business Line managing director Joerg Reger.

“Automation is key to making production more resilient, efficient and faster to meet these targets, which is why we’re seeing high demand for our robots that specialise in EV powertrain assembly. These solutions radically reduce build times, improve flexibility, further simplify the production process and ultimately drive down production costs.”

The survey also highlighted the challenges involved in adapting to a new battery supply chain, cited as a key barrier by 19% of respondents, while 16% had concerns over the high levels of capital investment required.

Shortages of raw materials, suitable infrastructure, and lack of grid capacity were also high on the list of issues yet to be resolved.

Elsewhere, the lack of charging infrastructure was quoted as the single biggest constraint to EV adoption by more than a quarter (26%) of those surveyed, while 17% highlighted high vehicle prices as the principal barrier to EV growth.

The ABB survey includes close to 600 global industry experts, from vehicle manufacturers, and supplies at all levels of management, engineering and other key professionals throughout the automotive world.


Ford rolls out all-new GT supercar

WATCH VIDEO!

DETROIT: Ford unveiled on Monday the all-new GT, an ultra-high-performance supercar that serves as a technology showcase for top EcoBoost performance, aerodynamics and lightweight carbon fiber construction.

The GT is one of more than 12 new Ford Performance vehicles coming by 2020. It joins Focus RS, F-150 Raptor, Shelby GT350 and Shelby GT350R in the growing Ford Performance lineup.

Beginning production late next year, the GT hits the road in select global markets to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ford GT race cars placing 1-2-3 at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“As we at Ford drive innovation into every part of our business, it’s worth remembering that our first innovation as a company was not in a laboratory, but on the racetrack,” said Mark Fields, Ford president and chief executive officer, referring to Henry Ford’s win of a 1901 car race that inspired financial backers to invest in his company.

“We are passionate about innovation through performance and creating vehicles that make people’s hearts pound.”

The all-new GT supercar features rear-wheel drive, a mid-mounted engine, and a sleek, aerodynamic, two-door coupe body shell. It is propelled by the most powerful EcoBoost production engine ever – a next-generation twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 producing more than 600 horsepower.

The GT makes extensive use of lightweight materials, including carbon fiber and aluminum – enabling outstanding acceleration and handling with improved efficiency.

The GT comes with advanced active aerodynamics, such as an active rear spoiler, and a host of material and technology innovations to help better serve the driver, such as SYNC 3 – the latest version of Ford’s advanced connectivity system.

“The GT is the ultimate execution of an enthusiast supercar,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development.

“GT includes innovations and technologies that can be applied broadly across Ford’s future product portfolio – another proof point that Ford continues raising the performance bar while ultimately improving vehicles for all of our customers.”

Anchored by a carbon fiber passenger cell, the GT features aluminum front and rear subframes encapsulated in structural carbon fiber body panels.

Carbon fiber is one of the world’s strongest materials for its mass – enabling an ultra-stiff foundation for chassis components, while creating a lighter overall package for increased dynamic performance and efficiency.

Ford EcoBoost technology is available in every new Ford car, utility and light-duty pickup in North America beginning this year.

EcoBoost engines power a growing number of Ford performance models, including the new Mustang, just-announced F-150 Raptor, as well as Fiesta ST and Focus ST.

Based on the same race-proven engine architecture serving Ford’s IMSA Daytona Prototype endurance racing efforts, the next-generation twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 in the GT features a wide powerband with impressive time-to-torque characteristics.

Ford’s twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 raced to three wins in its first season of the IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship in 2014, including a win in the 12 Hours of Sebring, along with seven podiums over more than 15,000 endurance racing miles.

The GT features an all-new, port/direct dual fuel-injection setup to improve engine response, plus a low-friction roller-finger-follower valvetrain.

The twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 will be paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transaxle for near-instantaneous gear changes and high driver control.


Mazda to launch electric cars in 2020, rotary engine makes comeback

                TOKYO: Mazda will launch its first Electric Vehicles (EV) in 2020 as part of its 'Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030' long-term technology development programme.

Mazda will initially launch two battery EVs - One powered solely by battery, the other pairing a battery with Mazda's small, lightweight and exceptionally quiet rotary engine as a range-extender.

The range-extender will recharge the battery when necessary to increase the vehicle's driving range, eliminating the range anxiety which continues to trouble a high percentage of battery EV users.

The rotary engine's small size and high power output make multiple electrification technology solutions possible via a shared packaging layout.

Taking advantage of the rotary engine’s compatibility with gaseous fuels, the rotary-powered range extender is designed to also burn liquefied petroleum gas and provide a source of electricity in emergencies.

Mazda Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030

Expecting that internal combustion engines combined with some form of electrification will account for 95% of the vehicles it produces in 2030 (with battery electric vehicles accounting for the remaining 5%), Mazda will continue to focus on maximising the efficiency of the internal combustion engine, as exemplified by its new, new-generation SKYACTIV-X petrol engine, which combusts through compression ignition.

Mazda also is committed to reducing its corporate average 'Well-to-Wheel' CO2 emissions to 50% of 2010 levels by 2030, and to 90% by 2050.


Aston Martin will soon launch ... a motorcycle?

                LONDON: Aston Martin is partnering with Brough Superior to create a motorcycle which will don the iconic Aston Martin wings for the very first time.

Aston Martin announced last Thursday that it is teaming with the century-old British motorcycle maker Brough Superior to create the first Aston Martin-branded motorcycle.

According to the British luxury automobile company, this bike will embody the visions of Aston Martin VP Marek Reichman and Brough Superior CEO Thierry Henriette, a pair of motorcycle enthusiasts.

The only image that was shared of the joint passion project was a smooth outline of the vehicle - the rest is up to our imaginations.

As far as we know, this model will not simply be a concept. Instead, it will be a "strictly limited edition" motorcycle, though how many units will be produced has not been disclosed.

The Aston Martin motorcycle will make its debut in Milan at the 2019 EICMA motorcycle show where the vehicle's specs will be revealed.


Infiniti appoints new global chief

                YOKOHAMA: Infiniti today announced the appointment of Jose Roman as new global head of the brand effective July 1.

Roman will concurrently serve as senior vice president, Global Sales Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, reporting to Asako Hoshino, executive vice president Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, based here.

An Ecuadorean, Roman is currently corporate vice president, president and managing director, Nissan Mexicana & Nissan Importers Business Unit.

He joined Nissan in 2012 and brings more than 25 years of automotive industry experience, gained while working in markets including Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, and Japan.

The 56-year-old holds a post-graduate marketing degree from the San Francisco de Quito University and a civil engineering degree from Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador.

Roman replaces Peyman Kargar, who departed Infiniti in April, returning to Renault in his native France, after a three-year assignment leading the brand in Japan.


Mercedes-Benz officially unveils new generation A-Class (W177)

                AMSTERDAM: Mercedes-Benz has officially launched its latest A-Class (W177) and the company touts it to be as youthful and dynamic as ever, but grown-up and comfortable like never before.

The new 'baby merc' is set to rival the compact competition with more luxury and technology and comes in two choices of body styles - hatchback or sedan, and is set to hit European markets in March (about the same time as the Geneva motor show).

For choice, there's going to be four model variants, three engines and two transmissions (six-speed manual or 7G-DCT) and a standard 43-litre or optional 51-litre fuel tank.

The A 200 sets the standard with its M 282 turbocharged 1.4-litre engine producing 163hp and 250Nm of torque, while the M 260 2.0-litre turbocharged mill for tghe A 250 gives out 224hp and 350Nm of torque and the OM 608 1.5-litre turbodiesel for the A 180 d serves 116hp and 260Nm of torque.

Visually, the W177 looks very much status quo, but take a closer look reveals a sharper sloping bonnet, nee grille, newly designed LED headlights and daytime running lights, larger wheel arches and an increase in overall size.

The new W177 now has a 2,729mm (+30mm) wheelbase and measureas in at 4,419mm-long (+127mm), 1,796mm-wide (+16mm) and 1,440mm-tall (+7mm). Only the A 250 is 5mm-taller at 1,445mm.

Inside, the cabin's been completely revamped which features a pair of free-standing instrument panels - the first time a cowl above the cockpit has been omitted, that makes up the Widescreen cockpit with touchscreen operation.

The instrument panels can be made up of two 7.0-inch displays or a combination of a 7.0 and 10.25-inch displays or even two 10.25-inch displays

For safety, the A-Class will be equipped with Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC as part of the Driving Assistance package is able to support the driver in numerous route-specific situations, and predictively and conveniently adjust the speed when approaching bends, junctions or roundabouts. Also on board are Active Emergency Stop Assist and intuitively understandable Active Lane Change Assist.


Hi-Rev introduces racing teams and motor oil

GENTING HIGHLANDS: Hi-Rev Racing unveiled its 2018 satellite teams namely Hi-Rev SCK Racing Team, Hi-Rev  JOBARU PIAWW Racing Team and Hi-Rev  Dream Chaser Racing Team, alongside their race machines which sport striking and distinctive new colour schemes.The unveiling ceremony took place at Genting Highlands in conjunction with Hi-Rev Dealers Family Day. Present at the event were Hi-Rev General Manager, Valerie Poon; Team Principals, Soong Chee Kiong (SCK), Md Sees (JOBARU PIAWW) and CY Ong (Dream Chaser); and two promising youngsters from Hi-Rev's  Young Talent Program, Adam Khalid and Danial Bogers.The 2018 season is a particularly exciting one for Hi-Rev as it marks the brand's active participation in motorsports as well as Hi-Rev Racing's 'return to the race-track' in the Car motorsports and the popular 2 stroke motorcycle engines races.Hi-Rev will be competing with a total of 13 bikes and 2 cars in Asia Road Racing Championship 2018; Malaysian Cub Prix Championship 2018; Malaysia Superbike Championship 2018; MSF Superbikes 2018; King of 27 2018; MSF Racing Series 2018 and Malaysia Championship Series 2018.At the same event, Hi-Rev unveiled its latest premium performance lubricant - TorQe PRO Premium Motor Oil for high performance cars. Tor Qe PRO Fully Synthetic Premium Motor Oil is a unique blend of PAO with Ester Plus technology for exceptional performance in engine lubrication and protection against thermal stress to maintain excellent performance in high power densities engines. TorQe Pro Fully Synthetic 5W40 is retailed at RM280 per 4L tin pack.Hi-Rev is synonymous with high quality lubricants in the domestic market. It offers a wide range of premium Motorcycle and Motor oil; and Industrial lubricants, which are produced under strict manufacturing standards and is ISO9001:2008 Quality Management System certified.Get more of Hi-Rev in Racing on our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/hirevjunction


KL City Hall repairs sinkhole near TRX building

                KUALA LUMPUR: City Hall (DBKL) has taken immediate action to pave and patch a sinkhole that appeared along Jalan Tun Razak near the TRX building in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

“The cause of the sinkhole was due to a ruptured outlet pipe, ” said a DBKL post on its social media page at about noon.

“DBKL took swift action to repair the site to ensure users’ safety and prevent prolonged traffic jams at this high volume stretch.

“Repair works were completed this morning and traffic flow is expected to resume as usual.”

It was reported that the sinkhole on the left lane of Jalan Tun Razak (heading towards Bukit Bintang direction) caused a crawl that stretched from the TUDM building along the KL-Seremban Highway and a backlog along Jalan Yew.


Small pickups fall short in rear seat safety, US study shows

                WASHINGTON: Small pickups fell short of the standards expected in protecting the passengers on the rear seat of the vehicle, tests conducted by the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) showed.

In the crash test conducted, the passenger dummy on the rear seat came dangerously close to the front seat back, recording a risk of neck or chest injuries.

IIHS rated General Motors' Chevrolet Colorado, Toyota's Tacoma and Stellantis' Jeep Gladiator "poor" in the updated moderate overlap crash test.

Only Nissan's Frontier managed to secure an "acceptable", while Ford's Ranger earned the second-lowest rating of "marginal".

The ratings only apply to the crew cab versions of the pickups.

"In many cases, dummy measurements indicated a risk of neck or chest injuries. All these things tell us that the rear seat belts need improvement," IIHS president David Harkey said.

Nonprofit agency IIHS last year updated the moderate overlap front test by adding a second dummy in the back, challenging automakers to improve rear seat protection.

A moderate overlap front test requires a vehicle to travel at 40 miles per hour towards a barrier to test that occupants are well protected in frontal crashes regardless of seating position.

For a vehicle to earn a "good" rating, the crash test dummy should not record excessive risk of injury to the body parts and should remain correctly positioned during the crash without sliding forward beneath the lap belt.


Last BMW i8 painted in Portimao Blue

                LEIPZIG: This BMW i8 is the last one to toll off BMW's plant in Leipzig this week.

To mark the special occasion, BWM Individual painted the i8 Roadster in Portimao Blue. This unit is believed to be the only i8 to feature this colour.

The last 18 units were built to the requirements of the BMW i8 Club members.

The i8 and i3 started BMW's i sub-brand which led to many electrified innovations in the core BMW cars.

Production of the plug-in hybrid sportscar started in 2014 and 20,500 units have been built since then.

The end of production of the iconic i8 was supposed to be in April but had to be delayed until recently because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

READ MORE: CarSifu drove BMW i8 in 2014


Biden wants US automakers to pledge 40% electric vehicles by 2030, say sources

                WASHINGTON: The White House has told US automakers it wants them to back a voluntary pledge of at least 40% of new vehicles sales being electric by 2030 as it works to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, sources briefed on the matter said.

The administration is set as early as next week to roll out proposed revisions to vehicle emissions standards through 2026.

Sources said a voluntary electric vehicle (EV) target could be as high as 50% but emphasised that no agreement with automakers has been reached and many details remain under discussion, including whether that pledge will include various types of gasoline-electric hybrids.

United Auto Workers spokesman (UAW) Brian Rothenberg said a published report was inaccurate "that we have agreed to 40% EVs by 2030. The UAW is still in discussions and has not reached agreement at this point." The UAW has opposed EV mandates, warning it could put some jobs at risk.

This month, Stellantis, parent company of Fiat Chrysler, said it was targeting over 40% of US vehicles be low emission by 2030. Stellantis declined to comment on Thursday.

General Motors Co declined to comment on the talks. It has said it aspires to end sales of new US gasoline-powered light duty vehicles by 2035. The White House declined to comment on the discussions.

Ford Motor Co did not comment on the discussions but noted it has said it plans "at least 40% of our global vehicle volume being all-electric by 2030."

The Biden administration has resisted calls from many Democrats to set a binding target for EV adoption or to follow California in setting 2035 as a date to phase out the sale of new gasoline-powered light duty vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are reviewing former President Donald Trump's March 2020 rollback of fuel economy standards.

Trump required 1.5% annual increases in efficiency through 2026, well below the 5% yearly boosts set in 2012 by President Barack Obama's administration.

Biden's proposed rules, which would cover 2023-2026, are expected to be similar in overall vehicle emissions reductions to California's 2019 deal with some automakers that aims to improve fuel economy 3.7% annually, sources said. The 2026 requirements are expected to exceed the Obama-era 5% annual improvements.

In March, a group of 71 Democrats in the US House of Representatives urged Biden to set tough emissions rules to ensure that 60% of new passenger cars and trucks sold are zero-emission by 2030.

The United States pledged at a global climate summit this year to reduce emissions 50% to 52% by 2030, compared with 2005 levels.

In April, a dozen governors from states including California, New York and Massachusetts, urged Biden to endorse banning new passenger gasoline-powered vehicle sales by 2035.


Mazda to finally join vehicle electrification movement in 2020

                COLOGNE: Mazda CEO Akira Marumoto confirmed to Automotive News Europe that the company will launch its first electric car next year followed by at least two hybrid models in 2021 or 2022.

While electrification is taking the automotive industry by storm, Mazda has yet to jump on that bandwagon despite all the biggest automakers adding more hybrid or fully-electric models to their portfolios each year; with electrification spilling over into motorcycles, public transportation vehicles, and even bicycles, vehicle manufacturers have demonstrated that this is a trend that will stay, and Mazda announced last week that the company will finally get on board — next year.

Company CEO Akira Marumoto said the move to electric cars should help the company reach strict European CO2 emissions standards over upcoming years.

While the Mazda is working with Toyota to develop a new EV architecture, Marumoto promises that the EV to be launched next year will be on a Mazda-specific architecture.

He also noted that by 2030, the company intends for all vehicles in the portfolio to be offered with some sort of electrification.


Porsche's new 357 concept pays tribute to brand's first sports car

                BERLIN: As electric mobility, self-driving cars and other major innovations come closer to changing how many of us get around, Porsche is taking a moment to stop looking forward to the future of mobility.

Instead, the luxury manufacturer is now celebrating the debut of its first sports car 75 years ago with a new concept car that marks the premiere of the 356 No. 1 roadster in the summer of 1948.

The new Vision 357, unveiled in Berlin in January, traces the same design contours as the legendary two-seater, albeit only as a showpiece.

The No. 1 was the first car to receive a general operating licence under the Porsche name, initially as a roadster, and then went into large-scale production as a coupé.

And despite being a company history throwback, this concept has plenty to tell us about where the company is headed, design chief Michael Mauer says.

Built on the chassis of a 368 kW/500 hp Cayman GT4, this silver roadster is supposed to represent what Ferdinand Porsche's dream car would have looked like today.

Mauer's design team has adopted key 356 details such as the wrap-around windscreen and the characteristic grille, but at the same time has broken new ground with the use of modern lights and built-in cameras instead of exterior mirrors.

The Vision 357 may look sharper, drive faster and deliver better overall performance, but in one respect the original is still vastly superior. Some 78,000 models of the original 356 were built between 1948 and 1965. So far the new 357 has a model count of one.


Renault Fluence updated, now in two variants

KUALA LUMPUR: Renault has refreshed its Fluence sedan in Malaysia with the marque’s current dynamic-looking grille styling that features a large Renault logo with long horizontal strip.

Launched at the Renault roadshow in Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur today, the Fluence is now available in two variants of entry-level Expression (RM108,888 on-the-road without insurance) and full-specs Dynamique (RM119,888).

Powering the Fluence is a Renault Nissan Alliance developed 2.0-litre engine with 143bhp and 195Nm of torque mated to a X-tronic continuously variable transmission.

Besides a new restyled sporty grille, standard features for the Fluence include six airbags, 7-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, reverse camera, cruise control with speed limiter, automatic headlights and wipers, anti-lock braking system, electronic stability system, keyless entry system and five-year manufacturer warranty with unlimited mileage.

Other features include dual zone automatic air-conditioner with rear vents, Bluetooth connectivity and jack sockets.

The Dynamique variant gets addition items such as leather seats, daytime running lights, LED taillights, 17-inch Akihiro two-tone alloy wheels, free pick-up for service and five-year free maintenance package.

TC Euro Cars Sdn Bhd director and chief executive officer Kuan Kim Luen said the Fluence has the best-in-class features, safety and warranty/maintenance package for the local C-segment vehicle market.

He said the Fluence offers more value compared to a Japanese or a Korean vehicle of similar class.

Renault Asean operations vice-president Serge Yoccoz, who was also at the launch said the company is planning to introduce the new Clio GT hatchback and the Captur compact sports utility vehicle in Malaysia in the second half of the year.

“We are constantly updating our line-up with new and refreshed models to keep our cars exciting.”

Yoccoz said the French car maker intends to introduce at least a new model in Malaysia every year.

“As TC Euro Cars have built up a following for the Renault brand, we should keep the momentum going by introducing new models and innovative services,” he added.

Yoccoz and Kuan.


VW Polo 1.6 now at RM69,888

                KUALA LUMPUR: Here's good news from Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) if you are thinking of getting a Polo.

The Polo 1.6 Hatchback is now priced at RM69,888 for a limited time and with a monthly loan repayment of RM737. Price excludes registration and insurance.

This would be the second time the price of the model has dropped. It was lowered to about RM78,000 late last year from an initial RM91,000.

The city car is equipped with a 1.6-litre 105PS petrol injection 16-Valve Multi Point Injection (MPI) engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic, producing peak torque of 153Nm from 3800rpm. Fuel consumption is rated at 6.3l/100km.

The Polo 1.6 now comes equipped with the new RCD 330G head unit which offers a wide range of connectivity options to the customers with capacitive touch display, single CD player (WMA/MP3 compatible), USB and iPod interface, AUX-IN support, SD card slot, and Bluetooth with MirrorLink connectivity.


Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0L: Refined and well-equipped

                Compared with the 2.4-litre variant, the 2.0-litre Mitsubishi Outlander sport utility vehicle (SUV) serves the more budget conscious buyer and offers plenty of creature comforts.

The 2.4-litre variant will cost you an extra RM15,000 and set you back some RM152,888 but you get more motoring power and extra kit kit like Auto LED Projector with Auto Levelling, Electronic Tailgate, Aerodynamic Rear Spoiler, a space saving Electronic Parking Brake with Auto Hold Assist, Paddle Shifters, 8-way Power Adjustable (Driver) seat, auto-dimming Rear View Mirror, and a sunroof.

That is a lot of equipment for an extra RM15,000 but not every one wants a higher capacity engine or view more cabin comforts as a necessity.

To recap, the locally assembled offers a refined drive quality, a spacious seven-seater cabin, and a host of premium comfort features as well as four-wheel drive with automatic and lock modes via a convenient round dial or button control.

Unlike the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport SUV, which uses the Triton pick-up truck's platform, the Outlander is based on a car-like monocoque architecture for better handling and comfort, and reduced weight.

Exterior

The Outlander uses Mitsubishi Motors’ Dynamic Shield front design which gives it a dynamic and powerful look, and a head-turning on-road presence.

It exudes an athletic presence, especially with the LED Day Time Running Lights (DRL), roof rails, 18-inch alloy wheels and body-wide chrome trim.

The Outlander has a sporty character and the muscular, dynamic-looking front end maximises its visual presence on the road.

Interior

The cabin is a comfortable cocoon with an elegant feel, and the material quality and fit and finish looks premium.

The design is also impressively functional, with all the buttons and switches laid out without looking too cluttered.

A glaring omission is rear air-conditioning vents (also not found in the 2.4-litre variant) but our rear passengers never complained about this as the dual-zone climate control air-conditioning system is quite powerful.

You also get a traditional hand brake instead of a space saving Electronic Parking Brake.

We also like the 7-inch touchscreen display mated to a six-speaker audio system that provides crisp sound quality.

Practicality

The 7-seater Outlander offers a very roomy cabin, with a best-in-class 1,608 litres of space (both rear rows folded) which gives you room to put in up to four golf bags or a single-bed mattress.

The rear seats can be reclined for more comfort, while the third row seats fold flat.

To charge your smartphones, we found two USB ports front occupants and another USB port in the centre storage box between the front seats, which also has a 12V socket.

There's another 12V socket next to the third-row seats.

To store drinks and small items, there are two cupholders in front and bins on all four side doors.

A push-button to close the electric tailgate provides more convenience.

The Outlander is well designed in providing plenty of cargo room and sporty functionality for families, weekend warriors and active, outdoorsy people.

Safety

- 7 airbags
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
- Electronic brake distribution
- Brake assist
- Active Stability Control (ASC) with Traction Control
- Hill-Start Assist
- Rest Reminder
- ISOFIX tethers
- Driving video recorder
- All-Round Monitor (ARM)
- Rear view camera
- Security and solar film
- Disc brakes (front and rear)
- Parking Sensors (front and rear)

Equipment

- Automatic halogen projector headlamps with Manual Levelling
- LED Daytime running lights
- Automatic wipers
- Engine push-start button
- Dual zone climate control air-conditioning
- 7-inch Touchscreen Audio with CD, MP3, USB and Bluetooth
- Air Gesture Control and Apple Car Play
- 6 speakers
- Minato leatherette seats
- Multi-select 4WD system
- 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels

Performance

Under the hood is the reliable 2.0-litre Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) engine with 145ps and 196Nm of torque, mated to a fuel-efficient CVT transmission that we found to be efficient and responsive.

It is a mid-sized SUV with a 1,575kg kerb weight; so while it doesn't feel underpowered when you are driving in a sedate manner, you would still wish for more grunt if you are in a hurry and constantly stepping hard on the accelerator pedal.

We kept the car in 4WD Eco drive mode most of the time, as we wanted better fuel economy.

In 4WD Eco, the bias is on fuel economy and by default, torque is fed to the front wheels only until the car encounters slippery conditions, whereupon torque is split between front and rear wheels for better traction and stability.

There are 4WD Auto and 4WD Lock drive mode options also.

In 4WD Auto, the drivetrain performs according to driving conditions, and also provides smoother cornering performance.

In 4WD Lock, more torque goes to the rear wheels, and is suitable for bad, rocky and muddy terrain.

Ride and Handling

The Outlander has a MacPherson strut front suspension, and a multi-link rear and runs on Toyo Proxes R44 tyres sized 225/55 R18.

We found driving the Outlander to be a refined and engaging experience, with a quiet cabin and very low levels of noise intrusion in the cabin.

The steering was responsive and precise, and the Outlander can handle well on road bends when you are in a sporty mood.

The suspension is tuned for comfort, and this is an SUV that would be great for long-haul journeys.

Fuel Consumption

Mitsubishi Motors claims a 13.7km per litre fuel consumption rating for the 2.0-litre Outlander (the 2.4-litre variant sips more at 13km per litre).

With the 60-litre fuel tank, in theory, you can travel 822km before running dry.

In reality, we travelled 467km on mixed highway and traffic-congested city routes over four days, with the trip meter showing 50km of travel distance remaining before the car will start telling us to refuel.

As mentioned earlier, we kept it in 4WD Eco mode most of the time.

We are not exactly light-footed or patient drivers, and were quite impressed with the fuel-efficient nature of the Outlander.

Reliability

- 5-year warranty, unlimited mileage

Price

- RM137,888 on-the-road without insurance (10% SST inclusive)

Summary

The 2.0-litre Outlander is very well equipped with creature comforts and like the 2.4-litre model, comes across as a family-oriented SUV that provides a high level of driving refinement and comfort.

With its 4WD system, it is capable of handling tough road conditions also.

It has a fuel economical powertrain that provides decent muscle, and overall, the Outlander delivers a competent and well-kitted package with ample storage space and a roomy cabin.

It offers seven seats in a package featuring cutting-edge four-wheel drive technology as well as abundant safety features, and should continue to compete strongly in its segment.


Fiat Chrysler, Peugeot get green light for Stellantis mega-merger

The merged entity Stellantis is expected to play a key role in the auto industry’s jump into the new era of electrification. — Reuters
PARIS/MILAN: Shareholders in Fiat Chrysler (FCA) and Peugeot owner PSA gave their blessing on Monday to a US$52 billion (RM209bil) mega-merger, one of the last steps towards creating Stellantis, the world’s fourth largest automaker.

With annual production of around 8 million vehicles worldwide and revenues of more than 165 billion euros (RM807bil), Stellantis is expected to play a key role in the auto industry’s jump into the new era of electrification.

Stellantis will have 14 brands, from FCA’s Fiat, Maserati and US-focused Jeep, Dodge and Ram to PSA’s traditionally Europe-focused Peugeot, Citroen, Opel and DS.

At two separate extraordinary shareholder meetings, held virtually due to the pandemic, investors in each group backed the merger with approval rates above 99% of votes cast.

“We are ready for this merger,” PSA chief executive and Stellantis future CEO Carlos Tavares said, adding that the date for the closure of the deal would be announced shortly. He said the deal had now passed all regulatory tests.

Tavares will have to revive the carmaker’s fortunes in China, rationalise a sprawling global empire and address massive overcapacity, as well as focus like rivals on creating cleaner cars.

FCA chairman John Elkann, the future chairman of Stellantis, said the new automaker would “play a leading role as the next decade redefines mobility”.

And FCA CEO Mike Manley - who will head Stellantis’ key North American operations - said 40% of the expected synergies form the merger - projected at more than 5 billion euros, will come from convergence of platforms and powertrains and from optimising R&D investments.

Manley said 35% of synergies would be driven by savings on purchases, while another 7% would come from savings on sales operations and general expenses.

The remainder of the synergies are expected from the optimisation of other functions including logistics, supply chain, quality and after-market operations, he added.

FCA and PSA pledged not to close any plants after the merger.


Nissan's Juke and Qashqai crossovers get hybrid efficiency upgrades

                TOKYO: Nissan is building a bridge from diesel and petrol to the electric cars of the future and switching two of its most important cars — its Juke and Qashqai cash cow crossovers — to the hybrid model.

Set to arrive internationally with hybrid drive in mid-2022, the Juke and Qashqai are starting their turn away from combustion engines with completely different technologies.

In the case of the Juke, Nissan has adopted a hybrid from the sister model Renault Captur. This combines a 70 kW/95 hp petrol engine with a 37 kW/50 hp electric motor and a buffer battery of almost 2 kWh.

All that doesn't amount to much zero-emissions driving, however. Instead, the impact of this hybrid tech is more about lowering emissions overall.

While the Juke can't be charged up with a wall box at home and can only manage 5 km in pure electric mode, Nissan says its tests have shown that in city traffic it can drive up to 80% of the time on electricity alone.

The battery is then recharged in hybrid phases or during braking, after which it can drive purely electrically again, according to the company.

And even though it's now 25% more powerful than the pure combustion engine, it is said to also be around 20% more frugal in standard conditions (5.1 litres and 117 g/km CO2 emissions).

In the larger Qashqai and its new E-Power drive, on the other hand, the wheels are driven exclusively electrically by a 140 kW/190 hp motor. This draws its energy from a battery of around 2 kWh, which is fed on board by a generator.

According to the makers, this 115 kW/156 hp three-cylinder engine should always run in the optimal speed range and is therefore much more economical. They point to a consumption of 5.3 litres (119 g/km CO2).

However, Nissan does not want to stop with these two hybrids, for which prices have yet to be announced.

In 2022, the X-Trail will also be offered in the class above the Qashqai with E-Power drive and then, with two electric motors, will also offer all-wheel drive with this hybrid technology for the first time.


Castrol powers local riders at Malaysian Cub Prix Championship 2020

                KUALA LUMPUR: Castrol Malaysia announced today that it will be sponsoring two young riders in the WIRA category.

The riders will be competing in this year’s Malaysian Cub Prix Championship under the Castrol POWER1 flagship brand are Muhammad Harith Haziq bin Zamri and Allan Harris bin Herman.

The two Castrol sponsored riders are aged 16 and have participated in the 2018 and 2019 Malaysian Cub Prix Championships.

The duo has also participated in other notable races such as the Malaysian Superbike Championship and the Asia Road Racing Championship to gain greater exposure.

“We are very excited to be part of Team Castrol this year. Thank you for believing in us and giving us the confidence to go out there and show everyone what we can do,” said Harith.

“This is the first time we’re racing on Team Castrol, and it’s been nothing but a positive experience so far. Looking forward to winning!” said an eager Allan.

Castrol has a celebrated heritage in the world of motorsports globally.

With this latest sponsorship initiative, the company hopes to be more active in the local motorsports scene while connecting with young enthusiasts of the sport.

“Our history dates all the way back to the very beginnings of racing at the Isle of Man TT in 1907 through to the powerful bikes in today’s MotoGP series,” said Keow Mei-Shan, Marketing Director, Malaysia & Singapore.

“We are very proud of our heritage in motorcycle racing, and as one of the leading lubricant brands in the country, we would like to encourage up-and-coming talents to pursue their passion through proper and professional avenues,” she added.

Castrol POWER1 offers a wide range of products to both motorcycles and scooters and consists of the Castrol POWER1 Racing, Castrol POWER1 and Castrol POWER1 Scooter brands.


Petronas launches Primax 95 with Pro-Drive fuel

                KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas Dagangan Berhad (PDB) has launched the all-new Petronas Primax 95 with Pro-Drive petrol which promises a smoother drive, responsive engine performance and enhanced fuel efficiency.

The new fuel formulation includes the world's first Dual Friction Modifier which helps reduce friction by 20%; the Double Detergent boosts the fuel's cleaning agent to eliminate up to 99% of carbon deposits and the Anti-Corrosion chemistry gives engines two times better protection for superior engine performance.

The formulation has leveraged on Petronas' research and development facilities in Europe and the USA that have been supporting the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 record which claimed its fifth consecutive World Constructors Championship in 2018.

 Saifuddin (second from left) with Syed Zainal at the launch of the Petronas Primax 95 with Pro-Drive.

"The new Primas 95 with Pro-Drive is our response to the feedback from surveys we have conducted which have asked us for a smoother drive, responsive engine performance, a cleaner engine with better fuel efficiency," said PDB's managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin at the launch of the new petrol.

Also present was the Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail who jointly launched the new formulation with Syed Zainal.

Besides the new petrol, PDB has also introduced its new Kedai Mesra with enhanced offerings including F&B to complement its signature Mornings@Mesra.

Customers can enjoy RM1 off any Kedai Mesra items with every purchase of the new Petronas Primax 95 with Pro-Drive at Petronas Stations nationwide from Feb 1 to Feb 3, 2019.


Honda City hits milestone sales of 300,000 units in Malaysia

                PETALING JAYA: The Honda City, also the current top model in the B-segment, has hit milestone sales of 300,000 units in Malaysia.

The 2nd Generation City which was launched in 2001 sold more than 61,000 units while the 3rd Generation City brought the legacy a step higher with more than 85,000 units sold.

The current 4th Generation City recorded more than 155,300 units since its launch in 2014.

When the newly enhanced and refreshed 4th Generation City was launched in March 2017, it continued to be well accepted, with more than 48,900 units sold since then till August 2018.

Between January to August 2018, sales of the City contributed 30% to the overall sales for Honda Malaysia, and captured 51% of the market share in the B-segment.

During the same period, sales showed an increase of 16% compared to the same period in 2017.

These positive numbers resulted in Honda Malaysia maintaining its No.1 position in the Non-National segment and No.2 position in overall Total Industry Volume (TIV) to-date.

Throughout the period of January to August 2018, the E variant was the top selling variant with a sales contribution of 44% while the V variant contributed 33%.

Sales from the Central region was the highest contributor at 49%, followed by Southern region and Northern region at 20% and 19% respectively.

The City is powered by Honda’s 1.5L i-VTEC engine combined with Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT).

It comes with LED Headlights (V variant only) with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and LED Front Fog Lights (V variant only).

Dual-Tone Alloy Wheels provide a stylish appearance.

Trunk space in the City remains the biggest in its class at 536 litres.

The City is equipped with 6 airbags (V variant only) and standard safety features are Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS).


1989 Proton Saga wins 2021 Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional

Coupland with his Saga and runner-up Danny Wilson with his 1991 Peugeot 106 XN Graduate special edition. — All photos from Hagerty
PETALING JAYA: An old Proton created waves at the 2021 Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional when it won the top prize.

The 1989 1.5GL Black Knight Edition Saga trounced 49 other rivals to emerged top in the Concours de' Ordinaire award. It was every bit a tongue-in-cheek affair and great fun for the 3,000 visitors who flocked to the event at Grimsthorpe Castle, in Lincolnshire.

The Saga owner, Jon Coupland, 30 took home the golden-coloured Hagerty trophy shaped like a tea mug. It was his first time competing in the festival.

Coupland, a policeman, said he had bought the Saga in 2019 and rarely drives it except to car events. At the time when he bought the Saga, it had clocked less than 22,000km.

Proton started production of the Black Knight Edition Saga in 1989 but managed to sell a measly 201 units in the UK.

The Saga competed with other brands such as Toyota, Saab, Peugeot, Volvo, Ford, Nissan, Austin, Volkswagen and Lancia.

Festival of the Unexceptional celebrates cars that were once a common sight but are now a rarity on UK roads.

It is a classic car show concept utterly unique in the UK that for the past seven years has successfully showcased the best examples of some of the most mundane cars ever built.


Hyundai car prices with zero rated GST announced

PETALING JAYA: Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors, the distributor of Hyundai vehicles in Malaysia, has announced the updated price list with zero rated GST.


Litrak, Sprint, Kesas accept govt offer

                PETALING JAYA: Lingkaran Trans Kota Holdings Bhd (Litrak), Sistem Penyuraian Trafik KL Barat Sdn Bhd (Sprint) and Kesas Sdn Bhd are in favour of the government’s proposed takeover offer for their toll concessionaires.

In its filing with Bursa Malaysia, Litrak said its board had yesterday deliberated on the proposed offer and unanimously found it to be “fair and reasonable”.

As such, the group has resolved to accept the offer, and vote in favour of it.

Concurrently, Litrak said the board of its associate company, Sprint, had also deliberated on the offer and unanimously found it “fair and reasonable”, and as such, has resolved to accept the offer.

Litrak, however, noted that one of its board members – Datuk Azmi Mat Nor – had abstained from deliberation and voting at both the board meetings.

“Litrak and Sprint expect to commence negotiations with the Minister of Finance Inc (MoF Inc) to finalise the terms and conditions of the definitive agreements and to execute the definitive agreements with the special-purpose vehicle by Aug 30, 2019, ” said the group.

“The board will make the appropriate announcements in relation to the proposed offers in due course,” it added.

In a separate statement, Gamuda Bhd announced that the board of its subsidiary, Kesas, had accepted the deal.

These announcements followed Gamuda’s announcement last week that its directors had agreed to MoF Inc’s RM6.2bil bid to take over all its four toll concessionaires – Litrak, Sprint, Kesas and Project Smart Holdings Sdn Bhd.

The offer is subject to a due diligence and the Cabinet’s approval.


Beijing auto show opens in world's largest market

People gathering to watch the new BMW M2 being presented during a press conference at the Beijing Auto Show in Beijing today. — AFP
BEIJING: Global carmakers take the stage here today with new car models to woo the world's largest auto market as China promises to liberalise the industry.

Industry behemoths like Volkswagen, Daimler, Toyota, Nissan, Ford and others will display more than 1,000 models and dozens of concept cars at the Beijing auto show.

Thousands of Chinese auto enthusiasts are expected to wander the halls of the mega exhibition centre this week, with electric cars expected to attract much of the spotlight.

Auto executives may have their minds on the boiling trade war between Beijing and Washington with every twist and turn fanning fears that it could bring their plans for China to a screeching halt.

 The BMW concept car 8 Series is seen at the Beijing Auto Show. - AFP

But last week Beijing announced it will liberalise foreign ownership limits in the sector, a move seen as a possible olive branch to US President Donald Trump, who has railed against China's policies in the sector.

China currently restricts foreign auto firms to a maximum 50 percent ownership of joint ventures with local companies.

The changes will end shareholding limits for new energy vehicle firms as soon as this year, followed by commercial vehicles in 2020 and passenger cars in 2022.

Foreign automakers have cautiously welcomed the changes, with VW saying it has "strong" Chinese partners in their joint ventures.

"This will have no impact on our JVs. But the overreaching principle is important. Hopefully, liberalisation will as well help for fair competition, and having a level playing field," Jochem Heizmann, CEO of Volkswagen Group China, told reporters.

 The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class L. - AFPAll-electric future

The show comes as China's market hits a transition period — the explosive growth in car sales seen over the last decade slowed last year and data from early this year point to a continued slump for many vehicle types.

Chinese consumers are following their American peers toward sport-utility vehicles while policymakers in Beijing push an all-electric future.

Ride-sharing is also on the up. On Tuesday Didi — China's answer to Uber — announced it had joined forces with some thirty partners, including Renault and Volkwagen, to develop vehicles and products specifically tailored for ride-sharing.

Accounting for some 28.9 million car sales last year, the Chinese car market could soon match those of the European Union and United States combined.

General Motors sold over four million cars here last year, more than in the United States. Volkswagen sold more than three million, roughly six times its home market.

 A Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. - AFP

But domestic firms are outselling foreign firms in the SUV segment.

In the electric car market the figures are even more lopsided, as Beijing has heaped money on projects to dominate what it sees as the future.

At the auto show, the domestic upstarts have a separate exhibition hall mostly to themselves — 124 of the 174 electric car models on display are homegrown.

Government subsidies help consumers purchase the green cars, while policymakers are planning a quota system to force producers to build electric vehicles, with plans to one day phase out gas vehicles altogether.

Volkswagen announced Tuesday investments of 15 billion euros (RM72bil) in electric and autonomous vehicles in China by 2022.

"China is our second home," recently-installed chief executive Herbert Diess said at a Beijing press conference, with its market set to be "the biggest" worldwide for electric cars.


VW Iltis, the off-roader that won rallies and inspired Audi's Quattro

                LONDON: If you’re driving the full length of Britain from Land’s End to John O’Groats in a classic car rally, a VW Iltis would probably not be your first choice.

The 40-year-old off-road vehicle is hopelessly underpowered at just 55 kW/75 hp. Even at full throttle, the Jeep-like car barely gets above 120kph.

Under its fluttering roof, which makes any camping tent look solid, there's such a draught that from September onwards you hardly want to take it out of the garage at all.

So it seems a miracle that the Iltis (German for Polecat) was one of the stars at the edition of the UK rally known as LeJog held in December 2021.

In this winter rally described by the organisers as a “gruelling 1,300-mile reliability trial,” a convoy of almost 100 classic car teams travelled Britain from Cornwall in the south to the far north of Scotland.

The rustic pensioner from the VW collection earned not only respect and recognition, but sometimes even envy, with the vehicle designed for the German military able to survive the worst back roads and dirt tracks that the UK has to offer.

The veteran isn’t a complete stranger to rallies though. In 1980 an Iltis boosted to 74 kW/100hp won the Paris-Dakar rally, while other Iltis finished in second, fourth and ninth place.

Sascha Neumann of the VW Classic Collection sees this as proof of the car's quality: "Four Iltis at the start and all four cars in the top 10 at the finish.”

What the Iltis lacks in speed, it makes up for in stamina and with all-wheel drive engaged, there's no stopping it.

That all-wheel drive was well needed on the LeJog route, which goes over forest and field tracks, through moors and mountains, over beaches and fields, through fords, and over cattle grids.

As it did over four decades ago in Paris-Dakar, the Iltis makes it to the podium, finishing third in its group. Not bad for an old-timer.

The car’s surprising success in the desert race isn’t the only reason why the Iltis holds a place of honour in VW history.

After all, it was the unbeatable handling of an Iltis prototype during winter test drives that led Audi to the idea of incorporating all-wheel drive into sporty road cars as well, which ultimately gave the automotive world the famous Quattro in 1980.

The German military was the driving force behind the development of the Iltis and became its principal buyer. In the 1970s, the military was desperate for a new off-road vehicle and VW’s prototype was chosen.

The Iltis went into production in 1978 and by the end of 1981, the Bundeswehr had taken delivery of a total of 8,800 vehicles.

Production ceased in 1982 after 10,801 vehicles had been built in Germany, but after that Canada’s Bombardier took over and built another 4,500. The car finally disappeared from the market in 1988.

In the classic car scene, the Iltis has never really made it.

"During its run, it failed outright with private customers because it was simply too expensive," says Frank Wilke, an expert from market watcher Classic Analytics.

"At just under 40,000 Deutschmarks, the four-seater cost almost three times as much as a Golf at the time."

No wonder, then, that less than 10% of the Iltis produced were bought by civilians.

Where other classic cars from the off-road scene now fetch high prices, the Iltis is still relatively affordable. According to Classic Analytics, you can buy the venerable off-roader today for around €12,000 (RM56,000).


Petronas introduces iona e-fluids for electric cars

D’Arrigo.
PETALING JAYA: Petronas Lubricants International (PLI) is venturing into the electric vehicle (EV) market with Petronas iona range of e-fluids for passenger cars as part of the company’s pledge to address the climate challenge and lower CO2 emissions with its fluid technology.

In a statement today, the oil giant said Petronas iona is PLI's response to the ever-changing trends in mobility and it was launched at the Geneva International Motor Show 2019,

The group said the Petronas iona delivers optimised performance and component durability for electric vehicles. The range of fluids comprises Petronas iona Thermal battery fluid for optimised and efficient delivery of electrical energy; Petronas iona Integra for friction management of the integrated driveline system; and Petronas iona Glide next-generation bearing greases for a quieter ride and longer lasting performance and durability.

Last year, PLI pledged 75% of its research and technology (R&T) investment towards innovations that help reduce CO2 emissions.

An industry-wide study will be started to identify the challenges and future opportunities surrounding fluid technology and innovation towards advancing electric vehicle performance. The findings will be shared with key partners at an EV Fluid Symposium hosted by PLI later in 2019.

“The world we live in today is placing more and more emphasis on environmental responsibility and at Petronas, so are we. In the automotive sector, OEMs now have to adhere to increasing regulations on carbon emissions reduction," said PLI managing director and group CEO Giuseppe D’Arrigo.

"Petronas is constantly evolving its Fluid Technology Solutions to meet the challenges of the future together with our partners. The global shift towards cleaner energy is an opportunity for us to work collaboratively to reduce CO2 emissions with fluid solutions that are accessible to all.”

At the Geneva Motor Show, the company also announced an improved range of Petronas Syntium with CoolTech that now includes a first offering for hybrid vehicles; a new range of driveline functional fluids under the Petronas Tutela brand; as well as ETRO+, a unique group III+ base oil that enables sustainable mobility and a cleaner future.


Can German carmakers come up with competition for Tesla?

Only BMW currently offers one EV in the shape of the i3 that's not based on an existing combustion-engine car.
BERLIN: German motor manufacturers are regarded as among the very best in the world for quality and innovation, but a leading government official has been bemoaning the lack of any significant German challenge to Tesla in the all-electric vehicle segment.

Peter Altmaier, the Chief of Staff to the German Chancellor, has called on the country's motor industry to invest more in electric vehicle technology, and has even outlined a challenge.

Following the much-publicised diesel emissions scandal, Altmaier is said to be disappointed by German auto industry executives' lack of a serious challenge to the pre-eminence of Tesla in the electric vehicle segment. He's also said to be concerned for the long-term future of the 600,000 people employed by the industry in Germany.

At a public forum on Saturday, Altmaier commented: "When is our automobile industry, which is so good, actually going to be in a position to build a car that travels 50km further than a Tesla and costs 10,000 euros (RM52,000) less? It must be possible to set this as a goal."

 The flagship Model S from Tesla.

The emissions cheating scandal is only one of the issues facing diesel-powered models, which German and other European automakers currently rely on quite heavily for sales. After years of encouraging buyers to choose diesel for its low CO2 emissions, governments across Europe are now considering imposing draconian restrictions on diesel-powered vehicles. That's because it's now apparent the rest of what comes out of their exhaust pipes is extremely bad for air quality. All-electric may be the solution, but the momentum towards EVs is far slower than governments and environmental campaigners want to see.

Tesla's German website has the Model X SUV listed with a range as good as 417km for sale at €91,250 (RM467,000). Tesla has also now added a more affordable vehicle in the shape of the Model 3 sedan, which costs from US$35,000 (RM150,000) and began being delivered to US customers in July.

 The Tesla Model 3.

At the moment, among German manufacturers, only BMW currently offers one EV in the shape of the i3 that's not based on an existing combustion-engine car. Daimler's Mercedes-Benz brand and Volkswagen revealed plans a year ago to produce all-new battery-only models to challenge Tesla, but only by the end of the decade.

Altmaier added: "If the automobile industry doesn't grasp the fact that it has to invest more in electric vehicles, especially in cities, then it will be very hard to defend combustion engines — gasoline and diesel — over the long term. We must do all we can now, so that the best electric cars are built in Germany."


Tree-mendous ride: Wooden Citroen 2CV sells for over RM1mil

                PARIS: A Citroen 2CV made of wood, thought to be the only one of its kind, has sold for 210,000 euros (over RM1mil) at auction in France, setting a new price record for the iconic vehicle.

The car, in full working order and registered in France, beat expectations when it went under the hammer in the central town of Tours on Sunday.

The body of the 2CV was hand-crafted out of wood with the same famous curves as the post-war French classic.

It was snapped up by Paris-based collector Jean-Paul Favand, who owns a museum of vintage fairground attractions.

"I'm having difficulty talking after this bet," Favand told AFP by telephone afterwards.

The auction house had issued a guide price of 150,000-200,000 euros, saying it was "much more than a car — it's a work of art".

Auctioneer Aymeric Rouillac declared the sale a record as he brought down the hammer.

The previous high for a 2CV was set in 2016, when an extremely rare 1961 2CV Sahara in almost mint condition was sold for 172,800 euros (RM851,000) by Paris-based auction house Artcurial.

Carpenter Michel Robillard crafted the wooden 2CV's wings out of walnut and its chassis from pear and apple tree wood.

He used a single block of cherry wood for the bonnet, shaped with just chisels and sandpaper.

'Crazy project'

Robillard said he spent five years and 5,000 hours creating the car, beginning in 2011.

"It's like my daughter," he said as he polished the vehicle before the auction. "I had three boys and this was my little daughter."

The 2CV — which stands for "deux chevaux", meaning "two horsepower" — was launched in 1948 as Citroen's answer to the Volkswagen Beetle.

Robillard's model is equipped with an original engine from Citroen's later 3CV model, giving it the extra power needed to propel the naturally heavier wooden structure.

He said he had another "crazy project" in mind for the next few years.

He intends to make a wooden version of another French classic — the Citroen DS, which in 2025 will celebrate 70 years of existence.

A woodworker since the age of 14, Robillard began making miniature wooden replicas of the world's famous automobiles in the 1990s.

He has won several prizes for his intricate work, including for a Harley Davidson motorcycle and its sidecar, which took more than 500 hours to complete.


Peugeot is turning its new 308 into a stately estate

                PARIS: Most people buying a car in the compact class these days prefer to drive an SUV, but Peugeot is staying loyal to the estate and has decided to bring the new 308 back as an SW with a large hatch - and a lot going on the inside.

The 308 isn't even on the market yet as a five-door model, but Peugeot already feels confident enough to announce an estate version, saying the 308 SW will go on sale outside of France at the start of next year.

In its new generation, the 308 has become somewhat flatter, grown in wheelbase and length by 6cm each and now stretches to 4.64 metres. This makes it 21cm longer than the hatchback.

The estate offers correspondingly more storage space behind the hatch (electrically operated as an extra) with a luggage compartment that now holds 608 litres. With the help of the three-way folding rear seat, it can be extended to up to 1,634 litres.

Initially, the drive will be provided exclusively by two plug-in packages with system outputs of 180 or 225hp. According to Peugeot, they can cover up to 60 kilometres in pure electric mode. Conventional petrol and diesel engines will follow later.

Just as for the five-door model, the interior of the estate car will also feature a more developed cockpit with digital displays and 3D animations, as well as a larger touchscreen and less analogue buttons. In addition, there are significantly more storage compartments than before.

The assistance systems are also getting smarter, recommending the right speed for the route and providing support when overtaking, for example.


Silicon Valley self-driving startup Gatik works with Isuzu to build delivery trucks

                SAN FRANCISCO: Silicon Valley self-driving startup Gatik and Isuzu North America Corp on Tuesday said they will work together to build autonomous delivery trucks that Gatik will use to serve its retailer customers.

Gatik, which works with Walmart Inc in Arkansas and Louisiana and Loblaw Companies Ltd in Canada to deliver goods to stores from warehouses using autonomous trucks with safety drivers, has seen a boom in business as the pandemic has boosted sales at grocery stores.

“What I can share is our revenue is in the millions. So this is not a free service that we offer,” said co-founder and chief executive Gautam Narang. He said Gatik’s business model for now is to be a delivery service provider for retailers using self-driving technology rather than selling the technology to automakers.

Self-driving truck companies, especially those supplying big rigs that transport goods from warehouse to warehouse and drive along highways, have been gaining a lot of traction with investors keen to jump on the emerging technology. Still, the technology is years away from removing the driver completely.

Narang said Gatik and Walmart plan to test out fully driverless delivery in Arkansas later this year. “We actually worked with the Arkansas State Highway Commission to get the approval to take the driver out,” said Narang. He said approval for that came in December.

Gatik, which has raised nearly US$30 million so far, said its trucks are owned by a major fleet operator which it isn’t yet disclosing. So far it has been using the Ford Transit chassis for its existing fleet of autonomous delivery trucks.

Ford Motor Co executive chairman Bill Ford’s venture capital fund Fontinalis Partners is an early investor in Gatik, according to Narang.

The collaboration between Isuzu and Gatik is limited to the United States and Canada and Isuzu will provide engineering support to Gatik for retrofitting its Series N medium-duty trucks, said Shaun Skinner, who leads Isuzu’s commercial truck division in those two countries.

Isuzu North America Corporation is a unit of Japan’s Isuzu Motors Ltd.


MAI expects higher sales despite GST

                SHAH ALAM: The Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) expects vehicle sales for the first six months of this year to be higher than 333,142 units recorded in the corresponding period last year despite concerns over the goods and services tax (GST) that will come into force tomorrow.

MAI chief executive officer Mohamad Madani Sahari said that the higher total industry volume (TIV) expected for the first half of this year was based on robust January to March TIVs.

He expected March TIV to hit 55,000 units, higher than the January and February TIV of 51,000 and 52,000 units, respectively.

“There was an increase in TIVs from January to February, and based on what we are going to achieve in March, we expect the TIV for the first half of this year would be better than the same period last year,” he said at a press conference at the LPS (lean production system) roundtable dialog 2015 on “Review on Jidoka concept” yesterday.

“We would see similar number of new launches as last year. Malaysians are looking for vehicles that are more fuel efficient, comfortable and have more safety features and this would drive growth,” he added.

He expected post-GST, vehicles sales to remain “normal”.

Madani reiterated that the prices of most models should come down by between 1% and 3% post-GST.

“The reduction is quite minimum, that is why when people ask me if they should buy a car after GST, I would say no.

“The promotions that are given by the some original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) currently are better than the 1% to 3%,” he explained.

“There is no other way to ensure more competitive pricing than market forces,” he added, referring to OEMs’ strategy to achieve their target sales.

MAI targets the TIV of 700,000 units this year to remain intact, which is 2% higher than last year’s TIV of 686,000 units.

Madani said the Government was working on rolling out the Euro-5 grade diesel in places like the Klang Valley, Penang and Pahang at selected petrol stations in stages by this year. Currently, the Euro-5 diesel is available in Johor.

Madani noted that the MAI had been coordinating and facilitating the Lean Production System (LPS) programme over the past five years to resolve quality issues and cost reduction.

“We have done this LPS programme with almost 100 vendors, which has seen about RM230mil in total cost savings annually,” he said.


70% discount on JPJ summonses will run until Malaysia Day

                KUALA LUMPUR: The ongoing 70% discount on summonses will continue to mark the country's 64th National Day, says the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

Kuala Lumpur JPJ director Mohd Zaki Ismail said the discount started on Aug 18 and would run until Sept 16.

"Offering the discount is to honour the resiliency and the caring nature of Malaysians in facing the Covid-19 pandemic," he said.

He urged the public to settle their summonses early instead of waiting for the last minute to pay up.

"The 70% discount offer is only applicable for summonses that can be compounded.

"Summonses which have pending court cases or have arrest warrants issued are not entitled to the discount," he said.


BMW bosses to skip Paris show to thrash out electric car strategy

                MUNICH: BMW's management board is skipping the Paris Motor Show to hold talks aimed at breaking a deadlock over whether to produce new electric cars, including a battery-powered MINI, say sources familiar with the matter.

Spurred on by the success of US rival Tesla, which has received almost 400,000 pre-orders for its Model 3 car, German carmakers Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen have accelerated their own electric car programme.

VW, for example, has said it plans to launch more than 30 electric vehicles over the next decade, forecasting they would account for about a quarter of group deliveries by 2025.

Executives across the industry predict electric cars will increasingly gain mainstream acceptance among customers thanks to advances that make batteries get cheaper and more powerful and the VW emissions scandal, which has sparked a regulatory backlash against diesel-engine vehicles.

But BMW has been torn about whether to accelerate development of new electric cars, given its expensive early investments into the area which resulted in only lacklustre sales of its i3, which saw only 25,000 deliveries last year.

Norbert Reithofer championed the i3 project while chief executive of the Munich-based carmaker and, in his new role as chairman, is keeping up pressure on new CEO Harald Krueger and BMW management to expand the company's electric programme.

But some other senior executives are unwilling to plough more resources into electric cars until i3 sales improve and there is a clearer business case for such investment, according to one of the four sources, who declined to be named because of the confidential nature of the discussions.

Most of BMW's eight-strong management board - including the CEO and chief financial officer - traditionally attend the closed-door press and executive days of the biennial Paris Motor Show for one of the biggest industry gatherings of the calendar.

But this year only Ian Robertson, board member for sales and marketing, will be at the show, while the rest will instead attend a company strategy meeting at the end of September, according to the sources.

Board members will attempt to reach agreement on the carmaker's electric car strategy, including whether to build an electric MINI, said the sources. BMW declined to comment.

BMW's car division has delivered a return on sales above 8 percent for 25 quarters in a row, a track record that the new management does not want to blemish, even as heavy investments into ride-hailing services loom.

"How does the company expand into the loss-making segment of electric cars and retain its industry-leading profitability. That's essentially the question facing management now," said another of the sources.

The carmaker recently revamped the i3 by giving it a new battery with greater range, a step which has given a boost to sales.

After years of pushing back a decision on an electric MINI, many BMW managers are now warming to the idea, the sources said, given that governments are clamping down on pollution and offering subsidies for zero-emissions vehicles and charging infrastructure.

"The question is: what alternative is there," said another person familiar with BMW's thinking, who declined to be named.

Those managers in favour want to have an electric MINI ready for 2019, the sources said, but to build one BMW needs to find a MINI vehicle platform which can accommodate a battery, and to make multi-million euro investments to convert factories to build electric cars.

It is too expensive to rework the i3's platform to suit a MINI, one of the sources said, since costs of reengineering would probably make it even more expensive than the i3 which costs in excess of 40,000 euros (RM185,000).

Senior managers fear they will not recoup the investment costs with MINI-branded cars because these do not command the same sticker prices as BMW-labelled cars, another of the sources said.

BMW is already working on a mid-sized electric "crossover" vehicle.

One way to compensate for lower profits from smaller cars would be to expand the range of large luxury and M-branded performance cars, the source said. BMW is considering building a model priced above its 7 Series flagship to capture a segment of ultra-wealthy clients who are buying the likes of Mercedes Maybach models, another source said.

BMW will also discuss how best to retain staff, after suffering high-profile defections, including a member of the electric cars development team.

One of them was Carsten Breitfeld, the former head of the i8 programme, who defected to Chinese electric vehicle maker Future Mobility Corporation in July 2016 because he felt BMW had lost some momentum in the area of electric cars.

"I worked in BMW i for some years and we did some new things," Breitfeld said from China. "After doing this first step BMW stepped back and waited for what would happen in the market."

The cumbersome process of getting things approved was one of the key frustrations, Breitfeld said, adding that at Future Mobility Corporation he can get 10 people in the room who handle all the key areas and immediately make a decision.

"The same thing in a big corporation takes half a year because it's not 10 people you have to talk to, it's 500 people."


Nissan raises global EV targets, to increase US localisation

                TOKYO: Nissan Motor Co Ltd today raised its electrified car sales goals and said it will increase power train production in the United States, as it looks to catch up in a segment dominated by newer automakers such as Tesla Inc.

The Japanese automaker was a pioneer in electric vehicles (EVs) with its all-battery-powered LEAF but has struggled alongside many legacy automakers in the face of increasing competition from nimbler new entrants.

Nissan now aims to have electrified vehicles - which include its advanced hybrid e-power cars - make up over 55% of global sales by fiscal 2030, from a previous goal of 50%, it said.

The automaker plans 27 new electrified vehicles by that year, 19 of which will be all-battery EVs, it said in a statement. That compared with its previous plan of 23 electrified vehicles including 15 all-battery EVs.

In addition to EV production at its Smyrna, Tennessee plant, Nissan plans to build electric powertrains at its Decherd plant in the same state to help it meet requirements for the Inflation Reduction Act, chief operating officer Ashwani Gupta also said today.

Nissan is confident it will be in compliance with the Act due to the localisation starting calendar year 2026, Gupta said in an online briefing.


Aerodynamic wheels for upcoming BMW iX3

                MUNICH: The BMW Aerodynamic Wheel is making its debut together with the BMW iX3, whose market launch is planned for 2020, the new combination of aluminum base wheel and individually designed inserts complements the efficient basic alignment of the BMW Group's first purely electric Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV) effectively.

While reducing drag for about 5% compared to a conventionally powered BMW X3 the new Aerodynamic Wheels are not only more efficient but also lighter than previous ones.

Thanks to optimum airflow around the wheel arches, the wheels are 15% lighter than the aerodynamic wheels previously fitted by BMW.

Their benefits in terms of aerodynamics and weight have the overall effect of lowering power consumption for the BMW iX3 by another 2% in the European WLTP test cycle – equating to 0.4 kWh/100 km – and thereby extending the vehicle range by 10 kilometres.

The wheels’ appearance can be varied in numerous different ways, enabling a vast variety of possibilities for the design of wheels on future models.

The new Aerodynamic Wheels will also feature on the BMW iNext and BMW i4, which are going to be introduced in 2021.


Perodua CEO Talk lends helping hand to vendors and distributors

                KUALA LUMPUR: Perodua organised a one-day motivational talk recently to guide 200 bumiputra car vendors and distributors in facing the challenging market condition.

In a statement today, Perodua said five corporate figures, successful entrepreneurs and motivational speakers spoke about their experiences and offered tips in the Perodua CEO Talk 2017 on Aug 2.

Perodua president/chief executive officer Datuk Dr Aminar Rashid Salleh said that although the market for national cars had grown to 49.1 per cent in the first seven months of the year compared to 47.9 per cent in the same period last year, the number was still not enough to cater to the local car ecosystem.

"The programme was also a platform for Perodua's vendors and authorised distributors to share their opinions and to seek answers from experts in the various fields.

"Perodua remains committed to its 1,457 business partners. Of the total, 176 are vendors, 215 authorised dealers and 90 contractors while the rest are suppliers and appointed agencies."


Nissan - The hi-tech side

                Nissan has re-asserted itself as a carmaker to contend with having risen well from its low point in the late 1990s, when the severe global economic downturn pushed it to the brink of financial disaster.

Its range of vehicles could be as dull (depending on how you look at it) as the fully electric powered Leaf that is now into its second generation to the highly exciting and iconic GT-R.

As part of the Nissan 360 Asia & Oceania 2015, the regional media was recently given a hands-on insight into a selected range of Nissan vehicles at the Sodegaura Circuit in the Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

This included a ride in the Nismo-tuned GT-R and a drive in the standard version, which was already an exciting car with its 545hp of gutsy power.

The anticipation was also fuelled by the fact that we were coming full circle with this particular car, having driven the Skyline 2000RS at the Fuji Speedway (known as Fisco then) in 1984.

Nissan dropped the Skyline name for the GT-R when it was re-introduced in 2007 as the R35; the lapses in between the GT-R model lifespan (1969-1974; 1989-2002; and 2007 onwards) had to do mainly with the economic climate.

When demand was expected to be low, Nissan saw little point in producing the performance car until times were better.

As it were, following the facelifted model in 2011, there was little word as to when the next GT-R model would come along and speculations were rife that a hybrid version was in the making.

Our first go at the GT-R was the Nismo-tuned model offering even more power at 600hp and 654Nm that was driven by Hiroyoshi Kato, Technical Meister of the Nissan Vehicle Test Department.

The 2.4km Sodegaura Circuit, which saw a complete transformation from the circuit we drove on in 2013 as part of another Japanese car company event, was divided into two sections; an 800m inner loop for the GT-R and Nissan X-Trial HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) drives and a 1.6km outer loop for the ‘chauffeured’ GT-R Nismo ride and drives in the Note, March and Leaf.

The short one-lap ride in the GT-R Nismo had us enjoying the strong G-forces as Kato accelerated hard, with the throbbing exhaust note of the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 pulsating through, and pushed 600hp 2+2 coupé through the tight curves.

That raised our anticipation further about driving the lower powered GT-R later in the day, based on the media grouping of the respective countries involved.

Although it was again a short drive, being two laps that went by so quickly, we came away fully impressed and we could understand the strong following that the GT-R has garnered the world over.

With so much power going to all four wheels for a car that weighs less than 1,800kg, we could feel the rush of adrenalin as the GT-R simply picked up the pace and ran with the wind.

Its designers had benchmarked the GT-R’s development against fancied rivals, Porsche in particular, and they have succeeded handsomely.

The GT-R Nismo also has the honour of covering the Nurburgring circuit in Germany in a very quick 7 minutes 8.678 seconds this year, improving on its previous time set in 2012 by almost 10 seconds; back then, that time made the GT-R the ninth fastest production car at the circuit.

If you want more of the GT-R’s performance credentials, this Nissan sportscar is said to accelerate to 100kph in 2.8 seconds and a top speed of above 310kph.

Yes, we recalled the thrill of driving the Skyline 2000RS (which had a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine delivering 148hp and 181Nm) on a wet Fisco circuit 31 years ago but the GT-R experience topped that by far.

Lest we go overboard on the GT-R, we were also impressed by our drives in the other Nissan cars, despite the convoy manner in which they were carried out.

The latest LEAF, with its higher mileage range per charge (an increase of 25% from the previous version to 250km), was a brisk car with its strong torque.

We went through the respective corners of the outer loop at about the same speed as the Note Nismo and March Nismo S with conventional engines but at a quieter pace;you have to be impressed.

The Note, which is in its second generation, is a good-looking compact MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder supercharged engine delivering 98hp and five-speed manual transmission (the Xtronic CVT version was not provided for this drive).

The March, also known as the Micra, is a five-door subcompact hatchback with the Nismo S version being powered by a 1.5-litre engine delivering 114hp; this model came only with a five-speed manual transmission.

Another Nissan we are not likely to see here is the X-Trail HEV, mainly due to its higher price as the special hybrid car incentive is no longer applicable locally.

This hybrid model was introduced in Japan last year and comes only with a 2.0-litre engine; it is said to be capable of 19km/l on average and power to rival the bigger 2.5-litre model.

Initial acceleration was pretty good with the strong torque of the electric power giving the push to move the big SUV (sport utility vehicle).

On the move, we didn’t feel the lack of power when we needed to pick up the pace to maintain a consistent flow in the convoy.

Our final experience was in checking out the X-Trial with IPA (intelligent parking assist); on being activated, the sensors picked out the parking spot and this was shown on the central multi-info display.

We then pushed the gear lever into D(rive) and the IPA took over; first, it moved the X-Trail forward at an angle to make reversing the SUV into the desired spot easier.

All we had to do was to work the accelerator and brake pedals to move and stop as guided by the coloured graphics on the monitor.

Other highlights were the respective Nissan vehicles with Autech fitments; Autech is another wholly-owned brand of Nissan that attends to special modifications, those for elderly needs being one of them.


Next Lexus RX heads for global debut in NY

                LOS ANGELES: Lexus is set to introduce the all-new 2016 RX at the 2015 New York International Auto Show.

Shown here is the first teaser image of the model.

When the RX model launched 17 years ago, it defined a new luxury segment. Since then, it has dominated mid-size luxury utility vehicle sales.

The fourth generation RX will make its global debut on April 1.

Like the current RX, expect the new one to include a hybrid and a more aggressive-looking F Sport variant.

Lexus rolled out an even smaller SUV last year, the NX, which is aimed at tapping into the red-hot demand for compact SUVs in many parts of the world including in Malaysia. The NX was also the first Lexus model to be turbocharged and it certainly won;t be the last.