Hyundai suffers backlash in India after Pakistani partner tweets on Kashmir

                NEW DELHI: South Korea's Hyundai Motor faced calls today for a boycott of its cars from Indians incensed over a tweet from the account of its Pakistan partner that expressed solidarity for the people of the disputed territory of Kashmir.

The row erupted on Sunday, a day after Pakistan marked the annual Kashmir Solidarity Day and the posts on behalf of Hyundai's partner Nishat Group appeared on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram commemorating the sacrifices of Kashmiris struggling for self-determination.

Hundreds of social media users in India, which considers the whole of Kashmir as an integral part of the country, backed calls for a boycott, saying Hyundai must apologise for being insensitive to India's position on the decades-old dispute.

Dozens of Indians posted their intention to cancel orders for Hyundai cars in order to punish the company while urging support for homegrown brands like Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra.

Responding to the furore, Hyundai's India unit said that it has a "zero tolerance policy towards insensitive communication and we strongly condemn any such view".

"The unsolicited social media post linking Hyundai Motor India is offending our unparalleled commitment and service to this great country," @HyundaiIndia said, adding that it stands firmly behind its "strong ethos of respecting nationalism".

Reuters requested comment from Hyundai's headquarters in Seoul and from Nishat Group, Pakistan's largest business conglomerate, but did not receive any immediate response.

Hyundai is India's second-largest car seller after Maruti Suzuki selling close to half a million vehicles in the country last fiscal year and exporting over a million units, making it India's largest car exporter.

Ashwani Mahajan, an official at the economic wing of the powerful Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) group with close ties to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government said Hyundai should clarify its position on Kashmir.

"While not criticising @HyundaiPakistan Indian arm of @Hyundai_Global is not even saying that Kashmir is an integral part of India. Speaks tons about their commitment to India. Doesn't this call for #BoycottHyundai?", he said.

Indian Twitter user Ashutosh Soni said he has cancelled his booking for Hyundai's Verna sedan which was due to be delivered this month and bought a car from rival Honda Motor.

"#BoycottHyundai, that's it!", Soni tweeted from his handle @CA_AshutoshSoni on Sunday, along with a photograph of himself taking delivery of a new Honda car.

"Let's make them bankrupt. India is one of the biggest market for cars," filmmaker and social activist, Ashoke Pandit said on Twitter with a screenshot of a fall in Hyundai's share price on Monday.

The trouble over the social media post highlights the risks global companies face amid rising nationalism in the region.

India and Pakistan have twice gone to war over Muslim majority Kashmir and Modi's government has pursued an aggressive policy to combat a militant separatist insurgency that it accuses Pakistan of stoking. Islamabad denies the charge but says it provides moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people.

Twitter users in India have made similar calls in the past, seeking to boycott Chinese goods in 2020 after a border clash between the two Asian giants which disrupted automobile supply chains and other industries.

Amazon.com Inc has also faced social media backlash in India after its overseas website was found selling goods with faces of Hindu gods and other sacred symbols.


Get a Toyota Camry 2.5 Hybrid at RM8,000 off

                SHAH ALAM: UMW Toyota Motor is offering an RM8,000 rebate on the Toyota Camry 2.5 Hybrid. This offer is available on a limited number of units and while stocks last.

The top variant of the Camry 2.5 Hybrid was the first in its class to qualify as an Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) by the Government when it was launched in April 2015. The incentive was provided to locally assembled cars that meet the EEV criteria.

Without the EEV incentive, the retail price of the Camry 2.5 Hybrid would have been over RM250,000 but the incentive brings it down to around RM175,000.

The Camry's hybrid system combines output from the 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder petrol engine and a small high-torque electric motor. The system produces a total output of 202hp with up to 213Nm of torque available from the engine and 270Nm from the electric motor. Depending on driving conditions (up to 40kph), it is possible to drive only using electric power.


Aston Martin AM-RB 001 hypercar concept to be unveiled in Toronto

                TORONTO: Aston Martin's Red Bull Advanced Technologies concept hypercar, or simply put - the AM-RB 001, will get its international debut at the upcoming Canadian International Auto Show later in the month.

The original full-sized concept of the AM-RB 001 will be located at the Toronto Star stage on the 300 Level of the North Building at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from Feb 17 to 26.

The concept was first introduced in July, 2016, at the British sportscar maker's headquarters in Gaydon, England.

The company says that its car is an unprecedented fusion of form and function - the likes of which has never been seen before in a road-legal vehicle.

the car to the show in Toronto will be Aston Martin president and CEO Dr. Andy Palmer, who will be speaking at the Opening of the Manufacturers’ Media Preview Day and the Automotive News Canada Congress on Feb 16.

“The Canadian International Auto Show marks the global auto show debut of our groundbreaking hypercar. The AM-RB 001 is destined to become the defining hypercar of this decade and a hugely desirable investment for collectors and enthusiasts,” said Palmer.

Aston Martin Toronto and Aston Martin Uptown Toronto, part of the Grand Touring Automobiles Group of Companies, will also be showcasing the new Aston Martin DB11 at the show.


Lotus Hyper-SUV Eletre unveiled

                LONDON: Lotus has premiered its all-new and electric Hyper-SUV called Eletre.

Meaning ‘Coming to Life’ in some Eastern European languages, the naming convention follows the long line of Lotus rod cars whose names starts from ‘E’.

Said to be ‘Born British Raised Globally’, the all-wheel drive Eletre was an UK-led design with engineering support from Lotus teams around the world.

The Hyper-SUV features a cab-forward stance, long wheelbase of 3,019mm and very short overhangs front and rear.

A signature element of the design is its ‘porosity’ – the aerodynamic principle of air flowing through the car as well as under, over and around it.

The front of the Eletre has a very sharp and crisp leading edge that reveals a clear lineage with the Emira and Evija.

Other styling cues include an aggressively raked windscreen, narrow glass area and muscular haunches that dominate the profile view.

The rear is dominated by the unique cantilevered carbon fibre ‘floating’ split roof spoiler that is a motorsport-inspired design feature that evokes race car winglets.

Each door mirror is replaced by an Electric Reverse Mirror Display (ERMD), which houses three different cameras – one for the rear-view mirror, a second to help create a 360-degree view of the car, and a third which is part of the intelligent driving technologies.

Inside, the Eletre is available in four individual seats or layout for five seats along with a fixed panoramic glass sunroof for a bright and spacious feeling.

The interior uses premium feel and highly durable man-made microfibres on the primary touchpoints, and an advanced wool-blend fabric on the seats.

It is 50% lighter than traditional leather, allowing for further weight savings, while hard materials are carbon fibre that are recycled fibres trimmed from the edge of the weave.

The driver-focused cockpit and high centre console are inspired by the Lotus Emira and Evija, creating a cossetted feeling.

Centre display is the latest in OLED touch-screen technology, a 15.1-inch landscape interface which provides access to the car’s advanced infotainment system.

The standard audio system on the car is provided by renowned British brand KEF. Called KEF Premium, it is a 1,380-watt 15-speaker which can be upgraded to KEF Reference, a 2,160-watt 23-speaker system with Uni-Q and 3D surround sound technology.

The Eletre's comprehensive suite of intelligent Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), many of which are designed to be futureproof so new features can be enabled via Over The Air (OTA) updates.

The LIDAR system means the Eletre supports end-to-end autonomous driving technology.

Also available are Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); Collision Mitigation Support Front (CMSF); Traffic Sign Information (TSI); Door Open Warning (DOW); Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA); Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA); Lane Change Assist (LCA); Children Presence Detection (CPD); Lane Keep Aid with Lane Departure Warning / Prevention (LKA+); Parking Emergency Brake (PEB); Collision Mitigation Support Rear (CMSR); and Emergency Rescue Call (E-Call).

There are i-Size child seat anchor points on the outboard rear seats.

Power system is an all-new 800v dedicated architecture with integrated, high-voltage power distribution system.

The dual motor, one on each axle, Eletre is targeting a power output of 600hp, a high voltage battery of 100kWh, 0-100kph sprint below 3.0 seconds and a top speed of 260kph.

Driving range under WLTP is targeted at 600km.

The Eletre will be made at an all-new hi-tech facility in China later this year.


Carsome survey: More Malaysians planning to get cars

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Carsome Consumer Survey conducted in October 2020 found that 58% of Malaysians plan to buy a car within one to six months, far ahead of other Southeast Asian counterparts including Indonesia and Thailand at more than 30%.

This, along with other insights were recently shared in the survey report by Carsome, Southeast Asia’s largest integrated car e-commerce platform, where 1,000 Malaysian consumers shared their sentiments around buying and selling a car, as well as around usage of public transport and e-hailing services during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The survey also indicated a 32% increase in the number of Malaysians wanting to buy a car post-lockdown.

It also showed that most consumers in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand do not feel comfortable using public transport after the Covid-19 lockdown for fear of contracting the virus.

Compared to the pre-lockdown period, the number of people who want to sell their cars has also increased by 133% in Malaysia as compared to Indonesia, 52% and Thailand at 15%.

The most common reasons attributed to the car-selling intentions are to dispose of old cars and to get more cash on hand.

Public transport and e-hailing services saw a drop in demand among the respondents.

About 79% of Malaysian consumers are not comfortable sharing a car ride with strangers or taking public transport during the Movement Control Order (MCO).

Online used car selling platforms in Malaysia saw a 55% increase in popularity.

The survey also found that the top three car-selling challenges during pre-lockdown and lockdown period were unhappiness with car price, financial difficulties and delay in car ownership transfer.

With MCO 2.0 in place, Carsome co-founder and group CEO Eric Cheng foresees demands within Malaysia’s automotive industry will continue to grow, in line with the survey results of more Malaysians planning to buy and sell a car within the next few months.

“With the global shortage of car parts such as electronic chips, coupled with the disruption in car assembly and manufacturing plants locally, we expect short-to-medium term shortage of new car supplies, or delayed new car deliveries.

"As such, the used car industry is a good position for growth as there is no waiting time for car delivery,” Cheng said.


2016 Bangkok Motor Show: Aston Martin DB11

                BANGKOK: Aston Martin's DB11, which first made its official debut at this year's recent Geneva Motor Show, is the DB9's replacement with a downsized twin-turbo 5.2-litre V12 over the naturally aspirated 5.9-litre V12 on the out-going model.

Costing 25 million Baht (RM3.2mil), with deliveries starting towards the end of the year, the DB11 is rear-wheel driven and has an eight-speed automatic gearbox mated to the 608hp/700Nm engine - which helps take it from 0-100kph in 3.9 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 320kph.

It uses a bonded aluminium platform for the long-bonnet rear-set cab to keep its dry weight down to 1,770kg while having a 51% (front) 49% (rear) weight distribution.

It also gets an aerodynamic tune-up for its sheet metal that predominantly reduces front and rear-end lift as well as a new infotainment system, newly-designed headlamps and wider rear wheel-arches.

Other features include a forward-hinged clam-shell bonnet, 12-inch digital driver's display, centrally-mounted eight-inch screen, rotary controller, 360-degree parking camera, ISOFIX anchor points, larger boot and a 78-litre fuel tank to name a few.

Also on display at the British marque's booth was the one-off Aston Martin DB10 show car, which was created specifically for the James Bond movie - Spectre, and featured the Vantage's 4.7-litre V8 engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

The hand-built two-door coupe initially had 10 examples created, of which eight were featured in the movie and two were used for promotional purposes. However, one of the two promo cars was recently sold at auction for an alledged £2.4 million (RM14mil).


Nissan’s Alfonso Albaisa named Newsweek’s Designer of the Year

                NEW YORK: From the Ariya to the Nissan Z and several new models in between, Nissan lead designer Alfonso Albaisa has imprinted his vision on the brand in many ways since joining the company more than 30 years ago.

On Tuesday, Albaisa was recognised for his lifetime of work as Designer of the Year in Newsweek's inaugural "World's Greatest Auto Disruptors" awards.

The Newsweek awards highlight the best and brightest in the auto industry across six categories. Albaisa received the award amid the Nissan NEXT transformation, a four-year global initiative that kicked off in 2020, promising 12 new models including the all-new Ariya, Frontier, Pathfinder, Rogue and Nissan Z.

"Disruption is the job description, so I take great honour in this formal recognition of doing what my team and I were born to do day in and day out" said Albaisa, Senior Vice President for Global Design for Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. "It's also incredibly humbling to receive acknowledgement alongside my incredibly talented industry peers for 34 years of wonderful collaborations at Nissan."

Since joining Nissan in 1988, Albaisa has worked on many models and all brands under the Nissan Motor Corporation umbrella including Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun.

His recent notable vehicle designs for US market vehicles include the Z Proto concept, Ariya, Frontier, Pathfinder, Rogue and Sentra for Nissan Brand and Infiniti QX60, QX55 for Infiniti. Albaisa's designs were also recently recognised in the Newsweek Auto Awards "Best Car Lineup" for 2021.

In addition to overseeing vehicle design, Albaisa also provides direction for the company's logos, display spaces, dealerships and even building architecture.

Albaisa received this award at the Newsweek offices in Manhattan on the eve of the 2022 New York International Auto Show.


Nissan LEAF Grand Touring Concept on the way

                YOKOHAMA: Nissan's all-new second-generation LEAF EV is both practical and attractive, and now reports say there will be some even more desirable versions on display at the 2018 Tokyo Auto Salon in January 2018.

New electric cars have to offer more than just electric powertrain these days, especially if they are to become the mainstream as quickly as governments and local authorities around the world would like.

We're getting used to the idea of plug-in hybrids and EVs now, so we now want them to be practical as well as good-looking. And Nissan has certainly gone a long way to addressing both issues with its latest LEAF, which has almost twice the range of its predecessor and is much more attractive.

A first-generation LEAF offers a maximum driving range on a full battery charge of 200km, but the new LEAF increases that to as much as 378km. That's because the new car offers a 40 kWh battery, whereas the previous version was only available with either a 24 kWh or 30 kWh battery.

We've already had a glimpse of a version that addresses the concerns of those who prefer sporty styling and performance: the LEAF Nismo concept that was already revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show.

And the latest LEAF concept which will be unveiled here in January is the LEAF Grand Touring Concept, which, if it went into production, would offer another take on the LEAF that could further widen its appeal.

There will be plenty of other interesting Nissans accompanying the LEAF Grand Touring and Nismo models at the Auto Salon too, including a Note e-Power series hybrid, an X-Trail Grand Touring Concept and an NV350 Caravan Grand Touring Concept.

In total, Nissan will display 15 vehicles at the show that starts on Jan 12.


333PS '20 Years' special edition celebrates 20 years of VW Golf R

The Golf R '20 Years' with the Golf IV R32 of 2002.
WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen is launching the Golf R “20 Years” to mark the 20th anniversary of the most powerful production Golf model. It is now available to order with prices starting from €59,995 (RM283,000) in Germany.

It follows in the footsteps of the Touareg SUV, which also had a anniversary edition made to celebrate its 20th year in existence.

The production period limited to one year makes the special-edition model a collector’s item as soon as it rolls off the production line.

Like all premium performance models of the Volkswagen R with their increased power, the Golf R has its roots on the race track and stands for the transfer of innovative technologies to series production.

Volkswagen said the Golf R “20 Years” surpasses everything that has been launched with the “Golf” label up to now with its drive technology.

The anniversary model accelerates from 0 to 100kph in just 4.6 seconds: the top speed is electronically limited to 270kph.

The Golf R “20 Years” edition comes with a 333 PS (13 PS more than the standard Golf R) delivered by the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, making it the most powerful  Golf ever.

The driver can select an Emotion Start to activate an initial engine speed overshoot extending up to 2,500 rpm. In combination with especially striking drive acoustics, this additionally heightens the anticipation of a typical R driving experience.

When the driver shifts up manually in S and S+ gear selector positions, the DSG provides noticeable feedback from the gearbox and drive train each time the right paddle is operated.

In addition, the optimised engine tuning means that the load change response is extremely spontaneous. The turbocharger is preloaded to keep it at a constant speed during part-load driving.

This then allows faster power development for subsequent acceleration.

The open throttle valve in overrun phases also improves dynamics and performance on the road.

When the driver takes his foot off the accelerator and then accelerates again, this allows faster build-up of the engine torque and noticeably improves the engine’s responsiveness.

This allows the Golf R “20 Years” to be driven even more dynamically and with a higher level of driving stability in sporty driving situations.

The Golf R “20 Years” will be available as standard with the R Performance package already familiar from the Golf R (including, for example, R-Performance Torque Vectoring in conjunction with the Vehicle Dynamics Manager and two additional driving modes, Special and Drift) and will be further enhanced by exclusive design highlights.

At the rear, the roof spoiler emphasises the sporty look of the vehicle, which is fitted as standard with 19-inch Estoril alloy wheels.

The sporty and exclusive nature of the premium performance brand from Volkswagen is also evident in the interior.

For the first time in a production Volkswagen, the dash panel and door trim feature decorative trim elements in Genuine Carbon.

The special-edition model sports blue R logos, including on the multifunction sport steering wheel (at 6 o’clock position). The blue R logo can also be found on the vehicle key cap to underline the fact that the key belongs to a special vehicle.

Like all Golf models, the Golf R “20 Years” will be produced in the Wolfsburg factory – the home of the Golf. The Golf R “20 Years” will reach dealerships in many European markets and North America from the middle of 2022.

The Golf R “20 Years” is the fifth edition of the extremely sporty Golf R. The success story of the model began in 2002 with the Golf R32 and its 3.2-litre six-cylinder engine with an output of 241 PS.

It was the most powerful Golf that Volkswagen had built up to that point. Featuring all-wheel drive in combination with exclusive design and equipment, this highly dynamic car was the technological benchmark in its class.

The Golf R32 was an immediate success, and its sales were triple the originally planned amount.


Jaguar Land Rover presents an automatic door that opens for approaching drivers

Athlete Ormrod tested the automatic door opening system installed on this Range Rover Sport.
LONDON: Jaguar Land Rover has presented a system to open drivers' doors that can function automatically or be triggered by gestures, which has been tested by Australian paralympic athlete Mark Ormrod.

The goal is to have the driver's door open and close automatically to facilitate easier access to the car. This prototype phase technology, which is currently being tested on a Range Rover Sport, uses motion sensors linked to a keyless entry system to detect approaching drivers and automatically open the door for them.

It should be noted that the motion sensors also ensure that the door does not bump into objects or people, which might otherwise be a problem in car parks where there is not much room between vehicles.

Disabled drivers stand to benefit from this innovation which offers easier access to the driver's seat, but it will also be of use to parents carrying child seats or anyone who has their hands full and does not want to reach for keys.

Once they are in the car, drivers can close the door with an overhead push-button switch. And the doors can also be configured to close and lock automatically when the driver exits and moves away from the vehicle.

In the long term, Jaguar Land Rover wants to install the system on all of the brand's future models.


VW Arteon fastback coming up

                WOLFSBURG: There's a new gran turismo in Volkswagen's future and it's called Arteon. The fastback model, positioned above the Passat, will make its world debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.

Combining avant-garde design with a high level of versatility was the key objective for designers and developers of the Arteon. This resulted in an interior architecture which is said to be big on space – with ample head and leg room at all seats – which is extraordinary for this body style.

Key design elements of the Arteon include its new front end, in which the LED headlights and daytime running lights merge with the chrome-plated crossbars of the radiator grille and the bonnet. The car’s striking shoulder section is another defining feature of its design.

Other equipment features making their debut in the Arteon include the latest generation of driver assistance systems. Among them, features that are typically reserved for luxury cars.

Volkswagen said the new model is not on sale as it has yet to receive type approval.


BMW cuts east German working hours to same as west

                BERLIN: BMW will cut working hours at its east German plant from 38 to 35, in line with its west German factories, it said today, in a move welcomed by the works council as bringing long-awaited equality 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Salaries and working hours remain uneven between western and eastern Germany, with government data showing eastern German workers continue to work slightly longer hours for less money than their western counterparts.

BMW committed today to reducing the working week at its plant in Leipzig, part of former Communist East Germany, in three stages to 35 hours by 2026, and bringing on 300 additional employees to make up the shortfall.

"More than 30 years after the fall of the wall, our BMW Group workers finally do not have to work three more hours than their colleagues in the west," works council head Manfred Schoch said.

Rival Volkswagen made a similar move in May, implementing a 35-hour working week at its east German plants to match west German working hours.

However, it did not hire additional workers, instead expecting east German plants to boost productivity.


Bosch Malaysia contributes RM50,000 worth of upgrades to shelter

                PETALING JAYA: Bosch, a leading global supplier of technology and services, contributed RM50,000 worth of facilities upgrades to Yayasan Sunbeams Home (YSH), as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.

The project covers the library makeover with interior design, new furniture, and a library system to manage over 2,000 book titles, as well as in other parts of its learning centre with replacement of flooring, critical repairs of bathrooms and ceiling.

Founded in 1995, YSH is a non-profit and self-sufficient foundation providing shelter, medical care, and education to children who suffered abuse, neglect, or loss of a parent.

Bosch Malaysia, driven by its “Invented for life” ethos, shares YSH’s vision to improve people’s quality of life and supports the mission to provide a conducive home for children in need.

Bosch Malaysia managing director Klaus Landhaeusser said the company aims to be a socially conscious, value-based corporation dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people from all backgrounds.

“Education can change lives, and is an important corporate social responsibility pillar at Bosch.

“This made YSH our ideal CSR partner. With their pressing needs to provide quality education for their children, Bosch steps in to create a conducive and inviting study atmosphere at YSH in their main branch in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.

 Tan (right) and Landhaeusser.

YSH pastor and founder Alvin Tan Ooi Seng said working with Bosch was a fantastic experience and exposure for us.

“Beyond the renovation works, we learned about Bosch products, values, culture, and policies.

“We are impressed with their code of conduct and high professionalism. These are the kinds of adults which I hope our children will grow into when they leave YSH,” said Tan.


Rolls Royce introduces 1:8 scale replica of Cullinan SUV

                LONDON: Roll-Royce presented a 1:8 scale model replica of its ultra-luxury Cullinan sports utility vehicle, but that's not all because whatever its clients wish to bespoke their vehicle with, so it can be done with this scaled-down version.

The authentic 1:8 scale replica of the Cullinan has had each miniature individually hand-crafted to the client’s specification with access to over 1,000 individual components - a process that would take up 450 hours - that's over half the time needed to build a full-sized Cullinan. And yes, the miniature is also built at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex - England.

The replica is hand-painted using the luxury marque's colour-matched paint of around 40,000 ‘standard’ colours before being hand-polished and adding the "coachline" using a fine brush - just like the original.

It comes with fully-functioning exterior lights operated by a Cullinan-branded remote control while the bonnet hides the perfect likeness of the 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12 engine.

On opening the coach doors, illuminated treadplates are revealed which leads into an interior fitted with wood finishes, seat piping, headrest embroideries or other more bespoked options.

The model is presented in a display case at almost a metre in length as it rests upon a gloss-black base mounted on a plinth and covered by a Perspex window that can be removed to enable the minutiae of the doors, luggage compartment and engine bay to be further viewed in detail.

“This scale replica brings a new dimension to Cullinan’s Effortless, Everywhere philosophy. Our super-luxury SUV is now as perfectly at ease in the serene surroundings of its owner’s residence as it is in the most challenging and hostile terrain on Earth. It is not just about the big things: we seek and achieve greatness in everything we do, down to the smallest item and minutest detail,” said Rolls-Royce Motor Cars chief executive Torsten Müller-Ötvös.


Perodua Bezza driving impressions

                RAWANG: We were quite impressed after a brief drive of the cheapest and most expensive Bezza variants at Perodua's new test track in Rawang, which has a good mix of long straight stretches and up/down hill curves.

We tried the RM50,800 Bezza 1.3L auto (Advance) first, with a 4-speed automatic transmission and a 1.3-litre engine that outputs 94hp at 6,000rpm and 121Nm at 4,000rpm.

The car has a perky and get-up-and-go quality, and we quickly hit speeds of 110kph and above.

The Bezza was also a composed creature when we tackled track curves, which are similar to Malaysian highway curves, in a sporty manner.

The test track also had bumpy and irregular-surfaced stretches to simulate bad roads, and we had no issue with the comfort level afforded by the well-tuned suspension.

As for the RM37,300 Bezza 1.0L manual, which has a 5-speed manual tranmission, we found it to be have a fun-to-drive quality with decisive gear engagement, and even more perkier acceleration.

The 1.0-litre powertrain feels quite refined, and in fact, we hardly took notice of our high speeds when attacking track curves.

For comparison purposes, check out the below:

Perodua Bezza 1.0L manual (Standard G)

RM37,300 on-the-road
VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing - intelligence)
67hp/91Nm
865kg
5-speed manual
22.8km per litre
ABS (anti-lock brake system) and EBD (electronic brake force distribution)
Remote control boot release
Audio system with USB
Seatbelt Reminder System (SBR) for driver only

Perodua Bezza 1.0L auto (Standard G)

RM39,300 on-the-road
VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing - intelligence)
67hp/91Nm
880kg
4-speed automatic
21.3km per litre
ABS (anti-lock brake system) and EBD (electronic brake force distribution)
Remote control boot release
Audio system with USB
Seatbelt Reminder System (SBR) for driver only

Perodua Bezza 1.3L manual (Premium X)

RM42,800 on-the-road
dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing - intelligence).
94hp/121Nm
900kg
5-speed manual
21.7km per litre
ABS (anti-lock brake system) and EBD (electronic brake force distribution)
Remote control and release-button for boot
Audio system with USB and Bluetooth
Seatbelt Reminder System (SBR) for driver only
Rear USB port
Smart entry and engine push-start button
Solar and security window film
wiper speed link-to-vehicle-speed

Perodua Bezza 1.3L auto (Premium X)

RM44,800 on-the-road
dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing - intelligence).
94hp/121Nm
915kg
4-speed automatic
21km per litre
ABS (anti-lock brake system) and EBD (electronic brake force distribution)
Remote control and release-button for boot
Audio system with USB and Bluetooth
Seatbelt Reminder System (SBR) for driver only
Rear USB port
Smart entry and engine push-start button
Solar and security window film
wiper speed link-to-vehicle-speed

Perodua Bezza 1.3L auto (Advance)

RM50,800 on-the-road
dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing - intelligence).
94hp/121Nm
930kg
4-speed automatic
22km per litre
ABS (anti-lock brake system) and EBD (electronic brake force distribution)
Remote control and release-button for boot
Multimedia system with navigation
Smart Link for Android smartphones
Reverse camera
dual front Seatbelt Reminder System (SBR)
Rear USB port
Smart entry and engine push-start button
Solar and security window film
Wiper speed link-to-vehicle-speed
Regenerative braking system
Vehicle stability control (VSC)
Idling-stop system


Volvo and KidZania road safety campaign

                PETALING JAYA: Volvo, in collaboration with KidZania Kuala Lumpur, continues to bring road safety education to schools in Malaysia.

The partnership between Volvo Trucks, Volvo Cars and KidZania began in 2017 and has helped educate over 90,000 children in two years.

“At Volvo, we strive to create a safer future for our children. The best solution we found was education, as the change it could bring in these children’s lives is truly incredible,” said Lennart Stegland, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia.

Through the partnership, KidZania features a Volvo Car Dealership in its child-friendly cityscape. As KidZania provides an opportunity for children to roleplay as adults in various professions, the collaboration allows children to not only have fun roleplaying but learn the basics of road safety as well.

In line with Volvo’s vision that no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo Car by 2020, children in KidZania learn how to be seated correctly in a car, how to properly use a safety belt as well as the importance of child seats. Over the course of two years, a total of 32,294 children were taught the basics of road safety via the Volvo Car Dealership in KidZania.

Extending beyond the Volvo Car Dealership in KidZania, the partnership also incorporated Volvo Trucks’ hallmark road safety campaign, the ‘Stop, Look and Wave’ campaign.

A total of 57,774 school children benefitted from the campaign across 260 schools and 37 community events nationwide.

In addition to school visits, Volvo also helped underprivileged children by providing them an opportunity to learn outside the classroom. Together, Volvo Trucks and Volvo Cars sponsored a total of 1,600 people that were made up of kids and their teachers to Kidzania between January and November 2018.

The emphasis on road safety initiatives conducted by Volvo Malaysia increased awareness from all walks of life. As a result of the school outreach, Volvo Malaysia has extended its efforts on road safety at the requests of communities, associations and collaborations with governmental agencies.


No speed limit: New German govt won't slow drivers on Autobahn

                BERLIN: Germany's famous Autobahn, one of the world's few remaining highways where you can legally reach speeds of over 300kph, is to remain without a speed limit under the country's new government, even amid mounting environmental concerns.

Many Germans regard it as a kind of basic human right to drive at top speed on the Autobahn, a source of national pride to many and made famous around the world by a 1975 synth-pop hit from German duo Kraftwerk.

At the same time, a growing number of Germans are conscious of the climate impact of the country's need for speed, and experts believe speeds above 120kph are largely inefficient in terms of fuel consumption and ultimately make little difference to driving time.

But despite pressure from environmental groups and polls showing a majority of Germans in favour of limits, the country's incoming government has made no mention of an Autobahn speed limit in a coalition agreement published on Wednesday.

Although the Greens were in favour of a limit, the three coalition parties set to govern following the September elections - the Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) - have made clear there will be no general limit.

Few mobility issues have been as fiercely debated over the years as Germany's unrestricted autobahn sections, where powerful Porsches and BMWs can still legally scorch down the fast lane at 300kph or more.

Elsewhere, roadworks and local limits on highways near cities tend to slow down traffic, much to the annoyance of pedal-to-the-metal fans.

A substantial majority of Germans back an end to the longstanding tradition of "free driving for free citizens" and support a general highway speed limit of 130kph, according to a survey in October.

The poll, taken by DeutschlandTrend on behalf of national public broadcaster ARD, found 60 per cent in favour of curbing speeds on the country's autobahn network in order to safeguard the climate and reduce emissions.

A general speed limit of 130kph on highways would have roughly the same effect on the climate as at least 1 million fewer cars on the roads, according to mobility association Verkehrsclub Deutschland.

In addition, road safety would be improved and fewer road deaths expected, as many of the hundreds of people who die on Germany's highways every year are killed on high-speed stretches.


Volvo plant in Belgium starts making XC40

                GHENT: Volvo Cars plant in Ghent, Belgium, has started production of the first customer-bound XC40 small SUV.

The new XC40, for which the company has already received over 13,000 orders, is Volvo’s first ever small premium SUV. The first customers can expect to take delivery early next year.

With the XC40, Volvo Cars enters the fastest growing segment in the automotive industry and the car paves the way for continued sales and revenue growth for the company. Joining its larger XC60 and XC90 cousins, the XC40 completes Volvo’s global SUV line-up.

The new XC40 is the first model on Volvo's new modular small car platform, the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), which will underpin all upcoming cars in the 40 series. The CMA platform, co-developed with Geely, will provide Volvo with the necessary synergies and economies of scale for the small premium car segment.

Preparations for the production start of the XC40 in Ghent have been ongoing for a long time. Considerable investments in recent years have transformed the Ghent plant into a global export hub for CMA-based cars, including an 8,000 square metre addition to the body shop.

 'The Beast' at work.

A total of 363 new robots have been installed, including one which has been nicknamed “the Beast” by Ghent employees. This large robot, unique within Volvo Cars’ global manufacturing system, is used to lift lower car bodies to a conveyor belt close to the ceiling of the plant.

Ghent is one of two car plants operated by Volvo Cars in Europe and has produced Volvos since 1965. Until recently it produced the first generation of Volvo’s best-selling XC60 mid-size SUV, while the Ghent plant also builds the V40 and V40 Cross Country small hatchbacks as well as the S60 and V60.

Volvo Cars’ other European plant is located in Torslanda in its home country Sweden. The company also operates two vehicle plants in China, while a US plant is under construction in South Carolina and slated for opening in the second half of 2018.


Still room to continue fuel subsidies, says Mustapa

                KOTA BARU: The soaring world crude oil prices currently give some room to the government to continue providing fuel subsidies, says Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

However, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy) acknowledged that the price hikes due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine would also see a rise in prices of other goods, especially imported items such as wheat and corn.

He said the government would continue to monitor the situation, adding that it would definitely pose a challenge to the country's financial management.

"(The increase in oil prices) will increase revenue but some of the revenue will have to be channelled elsewhere. Estimates have not been made, but at the moment it only depends on assumptions.

"Part of the increase will be used to pay for additional petrol and diesel subsidies," he said.

He said this during a press conference after launching the Siti Khadijah Market Digital Transformation Programme here today.


California and four automakers defy Trump, agree to tighten emissions rules

                WASHINGTON/DETROIT: Four major automakers said on Thursday they have reached an agreement with California on fuel efficiency rules, bypassing a Trump administration effort to strip the state of the right to fight climate change by setting its own standards.

California and other states had vowed to enforce stricter Obama-era emissions standards, after President Donald Trump proposed rolling back the federal rules. Automakers had worried that court battles between state and federal governments could create years of uncertainty for manufacturers.

Environmental groups had mixed reactions to the California compromise, which is voluntary for the automakers and not legally binding. The plan is more stringent than Trump’s proposal but looser than the Obama-era rule. California, the most populous US state, accounts for about 12% of US vehicle sales, and if the administration recognises the deal it would allow automakers to operate under one set of rules.

“Ensuring that America’s vehicles are efficient, safe and affordable is a priority for us all,” Ford Motor Co, BMW AG, Volkswagen AG and Honda Motor Co Ltd said in a joint statement. They said the accord could help maintain a nationwide set of fuel efficiency requirements.

The automakers “didn’t want to face the expense, distraction and the bad publicity that comes from being part of a big rollback on clean cars,” Mary Nichols, who chairs the California Air Resources Board, said on Wednesday.

She said the state hoped to turn the voluntary agreement “into enforceable agreements” and that the companies had agreed not to legally challenge California’s vehicle regulatory authority.

The White House showed no willingness to re-open talks, saying “the federal government, not a single state, should set this standard. We are moving forward to finalise a rule for the benefit of all Americans.”

Environmental Protection Agency spokesman Michael Abboud called the agreement “a PR stunt that does nothing to ... provide certainty and relief for American consumers.”

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV said in a statement it looked forward to reviewing the agreement, while General Motors Co said it still hoped for a nationwide deal.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers representing major automakers including GM, VW and Toyota Motor Corp, said the deal acknowledged the Obama rules are “not attainable and need to be adjusted.”

The Trump administration in August 2018 proposed revoking California’s right to impose state emissions standards or require more electric vehicles. The administration argued that federal law preempts states from setting their own rules.

Under Trump, federal regulators backed freezing emissions requirements for new cars and trucks at 2020 levels through 2026. The proposal by EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is not expected to go to the White House for final review for at least several more weeks, people briefed on the matter said.

Consumers broadly support prioritizing the environment. A Pew Research Center survey showed that a majority of US adults (56%) say protecting the environment should be a top priority for the president and Congress.

However, fuel economy ranked only seventh on a recent Kelley Blue Book quarterly survey of the 12 most important factors for buyers of non-luxury vehicles, behind reliability, safety, affordability, comfort, performance and reputation. For luxury car buyers, it ranked tenth.

The Obama-era rules adopted in 2012 called for a fleetwide fuel efficiency average of 46.7 mpg (5 l/100km) by 2025, with average annual increases of about 5%, compared with 37 mpg (6.4 l/100km)by 2026 under the Trump administration’s preferred option.

California’s compromise with the automakers would increase stringency of the requirements at a nationwide average annual rate of 3.7% starting in the 2022 model year through 2026, and 1% of that annual improvement could be covered by credits awarded for building electrified vehicles.

The deal extends credits for building electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel vehicles and also hikes the cap for winning credits for fuel efficiency improvements not captured by traditional testing. California agreed to remove a requirement to account for upstream emissions of fuels.

“A 50-state solution has always been our preferred path forward and we understand that any deal involves compromise,” the automakers’ statement said. They said the deal will let them “meet both federal and state requirements with a single national fleet ... to ensure meaningful greenhouse gas emissions reductions.”

Nichols said the compromise would allow the White House to declare “victory” because it slowed down the pace of required fuel economy improvements. She added California is getting “substantially the same results in terms of getting cleaner cars onto the road but it makes it happen a year later.”

Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Campaign, criticised the California deal, saying it could result in less than half the emissions reductions called for under the Obama rules. The Sierra Club said “in the face of a total abdication of duties by the Trump administration, today’s announcement is a positive step forward.”

On June 6, 17 major automakers wrote a letter to Trump and California governor Gavin Newsom seeking to revive talks to avoid lengthy litigation. The White House rejected that effort and automakers and California launched private talks.

Automakers credited Trump with reopening the requirements after the Obama administration in its final weeks had sought to lock them in through 2025. In White House meetings, they have urged Trump officials to reach a deal.

Newsom said he expects additional companies to sign on to the agreement. A dozen US states have adopted California’s vehicle emissions rules covering more than a third of US sales.


Stellantis' Manley goes from wheeling to dealing as AutoNation's new CEO

                FORT LAUDERDALE: No. 1 US auto retailer AutoNation Inc today named former Fiat Chrysler (FCA) top boss Michael Manley as its new chief executive, replacing long-serving CEO Mike Jackson.

British-born Manley took over as CEO of FCA in July 2018 after long-time chief Sergio Marchionne, a charismatic and iconic figure credited with saving Fiat, fell ill and died suddenly after succumbing to complications from surgery.

Manley, 57, led FCA until January 2021, when the company merged with PSA to form Stellantis, the world's fourth-largest carmaker, a merger that he helped negotiate.

Manley, who also oversaw the successful overhaul of FCA's high-margin Jeep and RAM brands, currently serves as Head of Americas for Stellantis.

"It's been my privilege to know Mike first as a competitor, then as a partner and colleague in the creation of Stellantis, but most importantly, always as a friend," said Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, who formerly lead PSA.

Stellantis said that Manley will join the board of the Stellantis Foundation, the carmaker's charitable arm.

An investment banker, who has worked with FCA, said Manley's ambition was to become a CEO again.

"I think he realised he had to wait too much time to go back to the top in Stellantis," he said.

Stellantis said its chief operating officers of North America and Latin America would now report directly to the group's CEO Tavares.

Manley will take charge at Ft Lauderdale, Florida-based AutoNation effective Nov 1.

The move solves a succession challenge for AutoNation, which had revenue of US$20.4 billion in 2020.

Jackson has been at the helm for over two decades and two previous attempts to replace him in recent years failed.

The move comes as US auto retailers are reporting bumper profits, helped by sales of new and used cars at record prices.


BMW favours British plant to build electric MINI, say sources

                MUNICH/FRANKFURT: BMW’s Oxford factory in England is currently the favoured location for building an electric version of the MINI despite Britain’s planned departure from the European Union, two sources familiar with the company’s thinking told Reuters on Wednesday.

Any decision by the German carmaker to commit to further spending at Oxford would be a boost to the British government, which has been warned by businesses at home and abroad that Brexit will hit investment.

MINI makes around 60 percent of its approximately 360,000 compact cars a year at Oxford, but BMW has built up an alternative manufacturing base in the Netherlands amid concerns about Britain’s suitability as an export hub after Brexit.

Asked whether the electric MINI would be built in Britain, a BMW spokeswoman said: ”A final decision has not been taken.” BMW has said it has several options about where to build the vehicle, including at a plant operated by VDL Nedcar in Born, Netherlands, where a plug-in hybrid version of the MINI is already being built, or a plant in Regensburg, Germany.

BMW has about 4,600 staff working in Oxford, while VDL currently employs around 4,500. That is set to rise to more than 5,000 after production of the BMW X1 model is added to the Dutch plant in August, a sharp rise from only 1,500 in 2012.

Carmakers have been among the most vocal critics of Brexit, warning their global supply chains will be hit hard by any resulting introduction of tariffs.

But they are also keen to have a strong position in Europe’s second-biggest car market behind Germany, particularly if they can secure government guarantees. Japan’s Nissan said in October it would build two new models in Britain after a government pledge to counter any adverse Brexit effects.

The electric MINI will use an electric motor, components and a battery delivered from BMW’s Dingolfing and Landshut plants in Bavaria, Germany.

BMW executives are seeking assurances from Britain that any import duties on electric motors and batteries sent from Bavaria to Oxford could be reclaimed in full for vehicles that are then sold in the EU, one of the sources said.

BMW executives believe a deal on tariffs can be struck, the source said. Britain’s department for business, energy and industrial strategy declined to comment.

The source added a formal decision about where to build the vehicle would be taken in September, with an announcement expected at the Frankfurt car show in mid-September.

Since BMW bought MINI in 1994, it has invested billions in the brand, UK production sites and developing a small car platform. Between 2012 and 2015 alone, BMW Group invested 750 million pounds (RM4.2bil) to upgrade manufacturing sites in Oxford, Hams Hall and Swindon.

“If MINI became a fully electric brand in the long run, and Oxford only knew how to build combustion engined variants, the plant would lose its relevance,” another source said.

A UK manufacturing base is important for the brand, the second source said. The first MINIs were built by the British Motor Corporation, with early models featuring in one of most famous car chases in cinema history in the 1969 film ”The Italian Job”.

Demand for a fully electric MINI may not be huge to begin with, so the financial impact of tariffs and duties is seen as manageable, given the scale of investments already made in the Oxford plant, the second source said.
If production volumes increase significantly, a production location outside of Britain could be added, the first source said.


A bespoke Rolls-Royce restored and returned to active duty

                LONDON: Even the smallest Rolls-Royce car needs a service at some point. And so the Rolls-Royce SRH did recently.

The electric toy car was built in 2017 for the St Richard's Hospital in Chichester, England. It was big enough  for young patients on the paediatric day surgery unit to sit in and drive it.  They use it to drive themselves along hospital corridors to the theatre, rather than walking or being wheeled on a trolley.

The car was a form of distraction for the patients and allay their fears somewhat when it was time for them to go under the knife.

Over 2,000 youngsters have since had a chance to enjoy the drive in "Rolls-Royce comfort and style".

Over the years, the Rolls-Royce SRH had been exposed to wear and tear in its bodywork, paintwork and other components.  And so it was decided that it had to be sent back to the Rolls-Royce shopfloor for restoration.

The car was recalled to the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood for its first 100,000m (metres, not miles) service, carried out by workers from the bespoke section and other technical and craft departments, to restore it to its original condition.

It has since been returned to the hospital to resume active duty.

"This special car continues to bring joy, smiles and a positive hospital experience for young people and their families,” said hospital charity spokesman David Clayton-Evans.


Swedish startup Volta unveils electric truck, made by UK assembler

                STOCKHOLM: Swedish startup Volta Trucks today unveiled its Volta Zero, a 16-tonne electric truck, with plans to start production in 2022 in Britain.

Following the success of companies such as Tesla in popularising electric cars, electric trucks have also been getting a lot of attention from existing players such as Volvo and Daimler and startups like Rivian and Nikola.

Trials will start next year with parcel delivery companies such as DPDgroup in the UK and other firms in Europe and Volta aims to put 500 vehicles on the road by 2022, said CEO Rob Fowler.

“We are also well progressed with another seven or eight customers,” he said.

The company said the first Volta vehicle was manufactured by Prodrive in Warwick, England, and it is in discussion with a small number of suppliers for contract manufacturing of its trucks.

It declined to give details about its current funding. Fowler said that the company is interested in raising funds to fuel the capital-intensive business.


Nissan debuts Rear Door Alert for forgetful parents

                NASHVILLE: Nissan has introduced the first-of-its-kind Rear Door Alert technology to help remind drivers to check their rear seats.

This feature is especially useful for parents ferrying children or babies in their rear seats.can help remind customers of anything that may be forgotten in the rear seat. It can also help remind drivers of anything that may be forgotten in the rear seat.

The idea was proposed by two Nissan engineers, who are also mothers. The new system uses door sequence logic, centre instrument panel message display and industry-first multiple horn honks to help remind drivers to check the rear seat after the vehicle is parked

The feature will be deployed first in the new three-row Pathfinder SUV when it goes on sale in the United States next month.

The technology was the brainchild of Elsa Foley, an industrial engineer and mother of two young children, and Marlene Mendoza, a mechanical engineer and mother of three.

Rear Door Alert monitors the rear door switches to detect their open/closed status prior to and after a trip. If the system detects that a rear door was opened/closed prior to a trip, but then was not re-opened again after the trip was completed, given the vehicle was put in park and the ignition cycled off, the system responds with a series of notifications, starting with a display in the instrument panel and progressing to subtle but distinctive chirps of the horn.

Because there are so many scenarios in which a driver might open a rear door — everything from throwing in a gym bag to cleaning the car — the system is configurable and can be turned off temporarily or permanently through prompts in the cluster display.

"The idea is if you open a rear door, whether to put a child or a package in the rear seat, the vehicle will help alert you when you get to your destination that you may want to check the rear seat," said Mendoza.

"We've built in enough time that you don't have to rush, but if you don't open the rear door again when you get out of the vehicle, we want you to think for a moment about what you may have put in the back seat."


Hyundai and Rimac in joint venture for electric cars

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Group and Rimac Automobili (Rimac) have announced a strategic partnership aimed at the high-performance electrified vehicle market.

Under the new partnership, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors Corporation will each invest EUR 64 million and EUR 16 million, respectively, for a total combined investment of EUR 80 million in Rimac.

The companies will work closely together to develop prototypes for an electric version of Hyundai Motor’s N brand midship sports concept car and a high-performance fuel cell electric vehicle, with the intent to bring them to market at a later time.

“Rimac is an innovative company with outstanding capabilities in high-performance electric vehicles,” said Euisun Chung, executive vice chairman of Hyundai Motor Group. “Its startup roots and abundant experience collaborating with automakers combined with technological prowess makes Rimac the ideal partner for us. We look forward to collaborating with Rimac on our road to Clean Mobility.”

“We are very impressed by Hyundai Motor Group’s vision as well as prompt and decisive initiative,” said Mate Rimac, founder and CEO of Rimac Automobili. “We believe this technology partnership will create maximum value for our companies and their customers. Rimac is still young and relatively small but a fast-growing company. We see a strong investor and technology partner in Hyundai Motor Group and believe this collaboration will charge our position as a Tier-1 electrification components supplier to the industry.”

Rimac was founded in 2009 by Mate Rimac as a garage project in Croatia with the vision to build the sports car of the 21st century.

It has since grown rapidly into a technology powerhouse, with its expertise ranging from high-performance electric powertrains to various control technologies and battery systems.

Hyundai Motor Group will leverage the partnership to build on its existing R&D capabilities to meet its electrification plan, which includes deployment of 44 eco-friendly models by 2025.

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor’s N brand, dedicated to high-performance vehicles, has been introducing acclaimed high-performance models such as the i30N and the Veloster N since its launch in 2015.


Americans still don't trust self-driving cars, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds

                DETROIT: Half of US adults think automated vehicles are more dangerous than traditional vehicles operated by people, while nearly two-thirds said they would not buy a fully autonomous vehicle, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll.

In the same poll, about 63 percent of those who responded said they would not pay more to have a self-driving feature on their vehicle, and 41 percent of the rest said they would not pay more than US$2,000.

The poll results outline the challenges that face car and truck makers, delivery companies, technology companies and ride services operators such as Uber Technologies Inc and Lyft Inc.

All are plowing capital into developing self-driving vehicles and related hardware. Developers of the technology are making progress, but polls indicate the industry’s efforts to build public trust and commercial demand lag behind.

The findings are similar to those in a 2018 Reuters/Ipsos poll. They are consistent with results in surveys by Pew Research Center, the American Automobile Association and others. In March 2018, after the 2018 Reuters/Ipsos poll, an Uber vehicle operating in self-driving mode struck and killed a pedestrian in Arizona.

Relatively few US residents have seen or ridden in a self-driving vehicle, and experts said suspicion of unknown technology can give way to acceptance once it becomes more familiar.

“People are comfortable with things they know,” said investor Chris Thomas, co-founder of Fontinalis Partners and Detroit Mobility Lab.

“When everybody understands the game-changing attributes of automated vehicles, how they can give you back all that time to read or work or sleep, they will start to ask about the value of that recaptured time.”

For companies investing in autonomous vehicles, public mistrust and the unwillingness to pay for self-driving systems are an increasingly urgent problem.

But widespread deployment of fully self-driving vehicles is some years away, industry officials and experts said. Alphabet Inc’s Waymo unit has deployed a small fleet of self-driving vans to provide rides for customers in Arizona, and other companies have self-driving vehicles on public streets in test fleets.

“At the moment, those responses are largely based on zero knowledge and zero experience, so it’s mostly a visceral reaction to something they read about, like the (2018) Uber crash in Arizona,” said Dan Sperling, director of the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Davis, and the author of several books on future transportation.

Autonomous vehicle companies have been trying for more than two years to get the US Congress to enact legislation that would give a regulatory green light to self-driving cars.

So far, opposition has bottled up the industry-friendly bills. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration meanwhile has yet to act on proposals to exempt autonomous vehicles from conventional vehicle safety standards.

Two-thirds of survey respondents said self-driving cars should be held to higher government safety standards than traditional vehicles driven by humans.

“Somebody needs to be held accountable,” said survey respondent Carla Ross, 62, a teacher from Norfolk, Virginia. “Those cars shouldn’t even go on the road until they can guarantee a certain percentage of safety.”

The poll’s findings that most consumers would not pay for self-driving vehicle capability underscores concerns within the vehicle industry about the high costs of the technology, such as lidar sensors and high-powered onboard computers. Lidar is similar to radar but uses laser light instead of radio waves.

“I’m concerned that even when we get the technology absolutely right, we will not have the business,” said investor and corporate adviser Evangelos Simoudis, managing director of Synapse Partners, which invests in autonomous vehicle technology startups.

Self-driving expert Bryant Walker Smith, a law professor at the University of South Carolina, said a number of companies “don’t actually want to sell people these cars — they want to rent us these services. They want us to pay every month, every trip.”

For many Americans, “US$2,000 is a lot of money,” he said. “If you’d asked people if they’d pay US$15,000 for an advanced safety package or even US$10,000 for a luxury trim package, the answer in a lot of cases is going to be no.”

The challenges of turning over critical safety systems to robots are now a central issue in debate over how regulators should respond to a pair of deadly crashes involving Boeing 737 MAX airliners.

Investigators trying to determine the causes of crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia are focusing on evidence that an automated flight control system on the jets put the planes into nose dives, and pilots were unable to override the systems.

“If there’s one (airplane) crash a year, it creates huge backlash — and airplanes are far, far safer than cars,” said Sperling.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll surveyed 2,222 people online in English across the United States and it has a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of 2 percent.


Researchers are working on EV batteries that could last for 100 years!

                PARIS: Tesla's Canada-based battery research group, in partnership with Dalhousie University, recently published a paper in a scientific journal on the development of a high-energy-density battery that could last for around 100 years.

Founded in 2016, the research group, led by Dr Jeff Dahn of Dalhousie University, is working on a variety of solutions to increase the lifespan of electric vehicle batteries.

Its latest research has resulted in a new nickel-based battery with an exceptional life expectancy of a full century. This performance is achieved thanks to increased energy density.

According to an article published in the Journal of the Electrochemical Society, this nickel-based battery is capable of retaining the properties of current batteries, particularly in terms of charging time, while displaying unprecedented durability over time thanks to its higher energy density, promoted by the use of an electrolyte containing lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI) salt.

In theory, these new cells could work for almost 100 years, provided that their temperature does not exceed 25 degree Celsius.

The lifespan of batteries for electric cars is evidently, above all, an ecological concern, the objective being to avoid having to change the battery during a vehicle's life cycle.

And projects in the field are multiplying.

Recently, scientists at the University of Michigan succeeded in creating a new type of membrane from recycled Kevlar (similar to that used in bullet-proof vests) that could aid the development of lithium-sulfur batteries.

These batteries could be up to five times more efficient than the models currently used by the automotive industry, with a lifespan of about 1,000 charging cycles, or about 10 years.


Urban Liberation: The MINI Connected Roadshow in Malaysia

                KUALA LUMPUR: The new MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid Wired and the new MINI Cooper S Countryman Pure will be showcased at Urban Liberation: The MINI Connected Roadshow and promises a tailor-made experience for digital living.

MINIacs will be able to experience the new MINI Connected, test drive the MINI of their choice, as well as receive exclusive deals including MINI financing plans from RM2,548/month with Easy Drive and MINI Black Card owner privileges.

READ MORE: MINI Malaysia launches Countryman PHEV Wired and Cooper S Countryman Pure

With Easy Drive, ownership of the new MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid Wired starts from RM2,998 per month and ownership of the new MINI Cooper S Countryman Pure starts from RM2,548 per month (based on estimates of 80% loan on a three-year tenure, with a mileage capped at 20,000km per year).

Easy Drive is offered courtesy of BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia.

More information on the Urban Liberation: The MINI Connected Roadshow can be found at www.mini.my/urbanliberation.


Enforcement of child safety seat ruling to focus on education, advocacy till year end, says Dr Wee

                KUALA LUMPUR: The enforcement of the child restraint system (CRS) policy will focus on education and advocacy until the end of the year, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The Transport Minister said the main intention of the ministry making CRS mandatory was based on the interest, safety and welfare of children when they are onboard vehicles.

"It is not intended to impose penalties, summonses or to burden the people.

"The public must give focus on the matter to avoid any regrets if they face an accident.

"The rule was introduced to change the mentality and attitudes of the public in stages on the importance of CRS to protect the safety of children.

"At the moment, the use of CRS is only mandatory for private vehicles.

"Aside from that, exceptions are also given to those with huge families who are unable to install the CRS completely in their vehicles," he told Datuk Zakaria Mohd Edris @ Tubau (Bersatu-Libaran) during Question Time today.

Zakaria had asked the Ministry to state the latest status of CRS implementation which came into effect on July 1.

Dr Wee said that experts and groups related to road safety across the world have admitted the importance and benefits of using CRS in reducing risk of injuries or mortality of children during an accident.

"Since the introduction of the ruling, based on studies conducted, there is clear evidence of an increase of awareness among parents in the use of child safety seats by 6%, which is from 38% in 2019 to 44% this year," added Dr Wee.

The government, he added, realised the concern over the cost of CRS faced by parents.

"The government also realised the challenges to expand the implementation of the CRS ruling to public service vehicles such as express buses, taxis and e-hailing services due to several practicality factors.

"For instance, the CRS equipment may not be suitable to be installed on the seats of buses as well as the challenges in finding a suitable CRS equipment for children in taxi and e-hailing services, taking into consideration of the different sizes of children," he said.

He also noted that he had ordered the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) to conduct a detailed discussion with vehicle manufacturers, sellers, CRS manufacturers and importers in order to reduce the price of CRS.

"For taxi and e-hailing services, the use of CRS is encouraged.

"Service providers are also encouraged to use a universal CRS for their customers," he said.

Dr Wee added that he had discussed with relevant stakeholders the best approach to implement the CRS policy.

"In general, all stakeholders believed that the Ministry should return to the back-to-basics principle in the issue of protecting children while they are in vehicles," he said.

Dr Wee added that, among others, the Transport Ministry will also draft a long-term plan to protect the safety of children and, at the same time, not burden the public, especially parents.

"The ministry is looking into the feedback from the public, regarding the standard weight, height and age of children while using CRS so it will be in line with and relevant to international safety standards," said Dr Wee.


2019 CarSifu Auto Show: Mitsubishi Triton

The new Mitsubishi Triton is now in its fifth generation and sports a bold new look with enhanced features for off-roaders and urbanites alike.

Five variants are on offer starting from RM100,200 for the Triton MT; RM105,990 for the Triton AT; RM112,500 for the Triton MT Premium; RM118,600 for the Triton AT Premium and RM135,200 for the Triton Adventure X.

The new Triton incorporates the latest evolution of Mitsubishi Motors Dynamic Shield design language with the newly sculpted body making a more powerful and imposing front fascia and a high bonnet line and bolder lamp designs.

The interior restyling also follows the theme of ‘Engineered beyond Tough’, with a sporty and modern feel.

The new Triton was designed with four pillars in mind - 4Sure Power, 4Sure Control, 4Sure Agility and 4Sure Safety.

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia CEO Tomoyuki Shinnishi said pick-up trucks were the foundation of Mitsubishi Motors and the company has been producing pick-ups since 1978.

"Over 40 years, much experience has been gained not only in engineering reliable and durable vehicles but also understanding the needs of diverse customers.

"As such, Mitsubishi Motors has been able to keep improving the vehicles and today, we are proud to introduce the new Mitsubishi Triton as the fifth generation of a successful line of pick-up trucks," he said.

Shinnishi said the company is confident this new model will be well received and accelerate the momentum of growth for MMM.

4Sure Power

The new Triton features the award-winning 2.4-litre MIVEC turbodiesel engine with aluminium block for optimum performance and efficiency.

The strong output of 181PS and 430Nm of torque is delivered to four wheels through a new 6-speed automatic transmission to improve driving efficiency and flexibility as well as providing seamless shifting.

4Sure Control

The new Triton is equipped with Mitsubishi Motor’s Super-Select 4WD II system, developed with decades of experience in off-road competitions such as the Dakar Rally.

The intelligent and robust system delivers optimum traction and handling characteristics over all surfaces.

The Super-Select 4WD II system has a new Off-road Mode increased capability in different off-road conditions such as gravel, mud, sand and rock.

When engaged, Off-road Mode regulates engine power, transmission and braking for optimum wheel traction in various terrains conditions.

Additionally, Hill Descent Control automatically applies brakes on downhill terrain, allowing the driver to focus on steering operations.

4Sure Agility

Although the Triton is long and large, the iconic J-Line design enables exceptional maneuverability, especially with a best-in-class turning radius of 5.9 metres.

4Sure Safety

The new Triton has a high-durability, high-reliability ladder-type frame and high impact safety cabin structure to provide the occupants with the best possible protection during an accident.

This is complemented by class-leading advanced active safety and driver assistance systems that include Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) and Blind Spot Warning with Lane Change Assist (BSW with LCA); Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Auto High Beam system.

An Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System (UMS) is now fitted to help reduce accidents resulting from improper use of the accelerator when moving off or reversing in carparks and other confined spaces.

Engine output is also automatically controlled if the driver suddenly accelerates during such a situation.

The new Triton is imported to Malaysia as a Completely Built-Up (CBU) vehicle from Mitsubishi Motors’ global production hub in Thailand.

It is the only pick-up truck (up to 2.4-litre category in Malaysian market) with a 200,000km or five years warranty for ultimate peace of mind driving.

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles in Malaysia.

> This article is part of the Supplement series for the 2019 CarSifu Auto Show.


Toyota steps up production of fuel cell stacks and hydrogen tanks

A fuel cell stack.
TOYOTA CITY: Toyota sees global sales of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) increasing significantly after 2020, to at least 30,000 per year from today's 3,000. To prepare for this growth, the company has unveiled plans for two major new facilities: a new building near its original automobile factory for expanding fuel cell stack mass production, and a new line in an existing plant to manufacture high-pressure hydrogen tanks.

The FC stack is what generates the on-board electricity from hydrogen and oxygen which propel FCEVs with zero emissions, and the tanks store the hydrogen fuel. Manufacturing both components at scale is critical to achieving lower system costs and wider availability for further growth and sales of FCEVs.

The new facilities are expected to help significantly reduce CO2 emissions during the production stage. This is one of the initiatives for the Plant Zero CO2 Emissions Challenge in the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 announced in October 2015.

 Hydrogen tanks.

Construction of the new hydrogen tank line at Shimoyama is starting now, while the exterior for the new stack production facility is already finished and work will now begin on the interior. Details of the respective facilities will be announced later with a view to start operations around 2020.

Toyota took the lead in bringing to market the mass-produced fuel cell sedan, the Mirai, in December 2014. Annual production and sales have increased yearly, going from about 700 units in 2015, to around 2,000 units in 2016, and, most recently, approximately 3,000 units in 2017.

To encourage widespread use of hydrogen-powered zero-emission vehicles, mass adoption needs to start by the 2020s. Toyota aims for annual sales of FCEVs to top 30,000 units globally from around that time.

At present, Mirai is sold in eleven countries: Japan, the United States, and nine countries in Europe.

 Artist rendering of the fuel cell stack production building within the Honsha Plant premises


VW South Africa looks to Asia, Latam as Europe shifts to EVs

                JOHANNESBURG: Volkswagen's South Africa unit aims to develop new markets for its petrol and diesel cars in Asia and Latin America, its managing director said, as Europe restricts sales as part of a shift to electric vehicles.

Three quarters of cars produced by South Africa's auto industry, which accounts for 5% of gross domestic product and over 100,000 jobs, are exported, mostly to European countries.

But with Britain planning to ban sales of new internal combustion vehicles from 2030 and the European Union following suit in 2035, South Africa's government has warned of an existential threat to the sector.

Martina Biene, Volkswagen South Africa's new managing director, told Reuters the company's manufacturing facilities in the country do not plan an immediate pivot to producing electric vehicles.

Instead, it would partner with the company's Indian and Brazilian manufacturing hubs to produce petrol and diesel vehicles for countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa that will likely lag behind advanced economies in the shift to EVs.

"That is clearly our current strategy," she said in an interview. "I think by 2035 there will be production of electric vehicles in Africa ... but in the meantime we will export probably less to Europe than other countries."

Volkswagen South Africa produced over 129,000 vehicles last year along with more than 58,000 engines, mostly destined for exports.

Biene said the German automaker is also seeking to develop and exploit more of Africa's largely untapped markets.

That would focus on selling South African-manufactured petrol and diesel vehicles in most markets and imported EVs in countries like Mauritius, Cape Verde and South Africa as demand for more environmentally friendly cars picks up there.

South Africa's government last year proposed a set of measures to encourage electric vehicle manufacturing and promote EV infrastructure, but the cabinet has yet to adopt a formal policy for EVs.

It is seeking 128 billion rand (RM35bil) to fund a transition to EVs under a plan it is presenting at the COP27 climate summit currently taking place in Egypt.


Ford's all-electric Mustang Mach-E range gets certified by EPA

                DEARBORN: Ford has announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US has certified the range numbers for several variants of its all-electric Mustang Mach-E.

With deliveries due to begin in December, the US carmaker was found by the EPA to have met all of its estimated range ratings for the Mustang Mach-E.

According to the EPA, the premium extended-range rear-wheel-drive Mustang Mach-E is capable of reaching 300 miles (486km), while the extended-range all-wheel-drive model is able to achieve 270 miles (437km).

The Standard-range rear-wheel-drive Mustang Mach-E is capable of travelling 230 miles (373km) while the standard-range all-wheel-drive model was able to surpass 210 miles (340km) - averaging 211 miles (342km).

The California Route 1 has a targeted EPA-estimated range of 300 miles1 which will be confirmed once EPA officials complete their tests.


Sales tax exemption benefits non-national brands more, says CGS-CIMB

                PETALING JAYA: Non-national brands are expected to gain more from the sales tax exemption compared to the national brands, according to analysts.

“We think the non-national brands stand to benefit more from the sales tax exemption compared to the national brands mainly due to the higher absolute amount of savings for consumers," said CGS-CIMB Research.

Japanese and European marques, such as Toyota, Honda, Mazda and BMW, are bound to enjoy higher sales during the upcoming sales tax exemption period given that these players derive over 75% sales volume from completely knocked down (CKD) models, which now gain from the full 100% sales tax exemption, said CGS-CIMB.

In terms of the percentage impact on the final price of vehicles, AllianceDBS Research expects prices to be 3% to 5% lower, based on the price changes after the implementation of the Sales and Service Tax (SST).

CGS-CIMB highlighted that automakers are projecting reductions of 5% to 7% in average selling prices, noting that the goods and services tax-free period in June to August 2018 saw a 5.5% reduction.

In a move to revitalise demand in the domestic auto sector, the government had announced sales tax exemption by up to 100% for CKD passenger vehicles and 50% for fully-imported completely-built up (CBU) passenger vehicles from June 15 to Dec 31.

However, analysts do not expect robust growth in sales volume, given the potential rise in unemployment rate, consumers remaining cautious about spending on big ticket items as well as strict lending requirements from financial institutions, due to banks gradually narrowing their exposure in hire-purchase loans.

CGS-CIMB raised its total industry volume (TIV) forecast for 2020 from 490,000 to 500,000 to reflect higher sales projection for non-national brands from 190,000 to 205,000.

The revised TIV forecast implies an average monthly TIV of 56,000 over June to December 2020.

Overall, the research house is still projecting a 17% year-on-year (y-o-y) TIV decline this year.

Meanwhile, AllianceDBS Research opined that the impact of the sales tax exemption would be more pronounced in the first quarter of 2021.

“According to our channel checks, auto players have three to four months of inventory whose sales tax is already being paid.

“This means the government has to come out with a refund mechanism.

“We think this is likely to come in the form of an offset with future sales tax payments, ” said AllianceDBS Research.


Volkswagen Malaysia offers new after-sales campaign

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has announced a “Welcome Back” aftersales campaign.

Due to the Movement Control Order (MCO), all service centres nationwide are closed to ensure the safety of customers and employees.

VPCM now invites owners to register and book their appointments on the Volkswagen website and upon submission of interest, a Volkswagen personnel will be in touch to make the necessary arrangements.

The appointment must be made within 30-days after the Movement Control Order is lifted.

All Volkswagen owners who register during this period will receive a free Volkswagen merchandise.

Additionally, owners who are not redeeming their free maintenance service and are not Volkswagen Care Plus (VCP) members are entitled to an additional RM50 engine oil voucher, while those entering their fifth year of ownership are encouraged to sign up for the Volkswagen Care Plus programme to enjoy its benefits.

Volkswagen Malaysia will continue to honour the warranty of cars that were not able to meet the schedule service maintenance during the Movement Control Order.


Mobil is the lubricant brand of choice for Peugeot in Malaysia

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mobil lubricants have been chosen for Peugeot cars in Malaysia, following a three-year supply deal between ExxonMobil’s distributor Mobilub Trading Sdn Bhd and Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official distributor for Automobiles Peugeot.

Mobilub will supply a range of Mobil lubricants to all 35 Peugeot outlets nationwide.

“We have successfully made Peugeot the best-selling French marque in Malaysia. We did this by providing our customers with the best aftercare services and solutions. Mobil lubricants is the recommended choice for Peugeot car owners who are looking to protect their engines without compromising performance”, said Naza Corp Holdings Sdn Bhd group chief operating officer (automotive group) Datuk Samson Anand George.

“At ExxonMobil, we are committed to providing the best lubricant solutions for car owners to bring out high-performance and proven long engine life”, said ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd sales manager (Southeast Asia cluster) Pajaree Meekangvan.

Mobilub has been working with Nasim over the past two years. This is an excellent opportunity for us to continue building on our collaborative and successful relationship with Nasim and their customers,” said Abdul Rahman Rashid, executive director of Mobilub Trading Sdn Bhd.


Fisker partners with Ample for electric SUVs with swappable batteries

                LOS ANGELES: Electric vehicle maker Fisker Inc said on Tuesday it would start delivering its sports utility vehicle Ocean with swappable batteries made by Ample by the start of next year.

The partnership with the battery startup will help Fisker increase scale and adoption of its EVs in the United States and Europe, the electric car maker said, adding that Ample will share revenue related to the battery swapping mechanism.

Battery-swapping, replacing a depleted battery with a freshly charged one, is fast emerging as an alternative to charging EVs at utility stations.

Fisker added that the initial customer for Ample-powered EVs will be fleet operators who are looking to "transition to electric mobility without economic or operational compromises."

Long charging times that are common at most public and commercial charging stations pose a major hurdle to EV adoption.

San Francisco-based Ample is part of a growing group of companies, including Chinese EV makers Nio and Xpeng, trying to revive and update an old idea: Leapfrog charging hurdles by offering quick battery swaps to EV owners concerned about running out of juice while driving.

Ample aims to make its batteries and swapping process more widely available to different brands of carmakers.


Toyota GR and GR Sport: Fast and fun

                UMW Toyota’s recent launch of its three latest Gazoo Racing (GR) range of vehicles and two GR Sport vehicles was certainly an impressive display at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

To recall, the launch of the GR and GR Sport range of vehicles included the Corolla Cross GR Sport sports utility vehicle (SUV), Hilux GR Sport pickup truck, GR Corolla hot hatch, GR Supra sports two-seater coupe and the playful 2+2 seating GR86 coupe.

It has to be stressed that because these vehicles now carry the GR moniker, owners can expect performance from them while those that carry the GR Sport title have been enhanced with a sportier road-going experience and added kit. (From left) Hilux GR Sport, GR Supra, GR Corolla, GR86 and Corolla Cross GR Sport.

To put it simply, the GR Sport enhancements aren’t just “skin deep” with just a sporty body kit, redesigned wheels and maybe some decals to boot.

Far from it.

These vehicles have been massaged to bring about some handling improvements. And when Toyota slapped one of its products with a GR-only badge, it means serious business.

Ever since the arrival of the GR Supra (2019) in Malaysia and the GR Yaris (2021), the two marked the end of Toyota Racing Development’s (TRD’s) reign which started in 1954.

The sampling of Toyota’s latest GR range found the motoring fraternity under the relentless heat commonly associated with this track - specifically the South track which consists of turns 8 to 14.

The GR Corolla and GR86 were on-hand for track duties with a six-speed manual transmission while the venerable GR Supra and its eight-speed manual transmission was available for comparison.

The Corolla Cross GR Sport and Hilux GR Sport had powertrains that were not meddled with and were relegated to an experience on public roads.

Although some might scoff at the two latter GR Sport models for not having their performance upped to new levels, their road-going experiences are noticeably different compare to their non-GR Sport stablemates.

Corolla Cross GR Sport
Significant changes have been made to improve the Corolla Cross GR Sport’s road-going manners.

For instance, the amount of chassis flex has been reduced and its comfort-oriented suspension has been done away with before increasing the sharpness and response of the Electronic Power Steering system with Sport ECU.

The overall result is a more communicative feel that’s been coupled with added nimbleness to give this SUV the right to wear its new sporty exterior as well as the plethora of GR badges that litter this SUV’s exterior and interior.

The roads around SIC allowed us to experience how the SUV was able to pick up notes and nuances of uneven surfaces even if the weather “rained” in on the opportunity to put it through a more aggressive pace.

In throwing this SUV into potholes along the way (for the sake of science), the shocks from such weren’t bright enough to be cringe-worthy.

Rather, the suspension soaked up a significant amount with just the tail-end of it intruding into the cabin and helped to trigger the need for a longer-term test for a clearer picture of its cruising characteristics and corner-carving abilities.

Hilux GR Sport
Jumping into the Hilux GR Sport revealed the biggest surprise.

We’ve tested many pick-up trucks over the years and they have grown characteristically closer to becoming more car-like in terms of ride and handling.

Having the suspension setup stiffened with new monotube dampers, the result was a pleasant amount of refinement experienced and this extends to rear-seated passengers.

Doing so has helped shaped this Hilux’s steering feel with a greater amount of communication rather than the usual disconnect that’s commonly felt with most pickup trucks due to their high-profile all-terrain tyres.

Playfulness can be characterised by this Hilux with the addition of paddle shifters for the six-speed automatic transmission, allowing drivers quick access to the 2.8-litre turbodiesel’s 204PS and 500Nm of torque.

The interior, although similar to the Rogue variant, is nothing short of delightful; looking premium and coupled with a level of sportiness that’s complemented by plenty of GR logos help supply a good amount of ownership pride.

This is one pick-up truck that has certainly reset the bar for others to aim for and the inclusion of the re-upholstered seats from the Fortuner in a combination of suede and leather means drivers should be able to access power without slipping and sliding around.

GR Corolla
The GR Corolla hot hatch is inherently a more convenient five-door version of the three-door GR Yaris and while there is a 6AT available for sale, only the 6MT variant was available.

Impressive acceleration and agility are how best to describe this hot hatch with a well-balanced chassis and a responsive three-cylinder 1.6-litre turbocharged engine allowing for easy access to its 300PS (+39PS) and 370Nm (+10Nm) throughout its rev range.

All that gets sport engine notes gets trumpeted out the triple pipe exhaust system with a slight amount of bass emanating into the cabin.

To deal with the increased performance figures are reinforced exhaust valves, a higher capacity direct injection fuel pump, stronger pistons and a larger engine oil cooler.

Launching from a standstill will help create an imprint in the stiff bolsters of the suede-leather combination upholstered front seats.

While the gear shifts are crisp, a healthy dose of nose authority is ever-present thanks to the all-wheel-drive system with a Torsen limited-slip differential when inputting aggressive directional changes.

The combination of suspension and tyre imbues the GR Corolla with a calm disposition around tight bends and takes directional changes like a champ from the get-go for a smooth undramatic experience.

The upright seating position provides a commanding view and there was a high level of ergonomics with controls always within easy reach.

Build quality was also on point both visually and physically.

GR Supra
Getting into the tight confines of the GR Supra was expected even if it is larger than the GR86.

The two-seater coupe was unfortunately consigned to just “drag racing” duties alongside a GR Corolla.

The accelerative qualities of the GR Supra were immense as the driver gets pinned into the seat while the rear end of the car adopts a slight squat while rocketing off the line.

To watch the GR Corolla keep up with a slight lag for at least the first hundred metres before losing out was a testament to the AWD system of the hot hatch. A definite David versus Goliath scenario.

The GR Supra comes with a twin-scroll turbo-charged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder engine that delivers a hefty 388PS and 500Nm of torque.

Its on-the-road without road tax and insurance price of RM645,000 delivers every ringgit of it.

GR86
The GR86 was one of the GR cars that left quite an impression.

Rear-wheel driven and ready for action, this 2+2 coupe may be smaller in size compared to the Supra, but its cabin is noticeably less filled out.

Nevertheless, the car was able to showcase its fun side.

The larger 2.4-litre engine over its 2.0-litre predecessor pumps out 237PS (+37PS) and 250NM (+45Nm) while having a 7,500rpm red-line left many wanting more seat time.

Armed with crisp gear throws for GR86’s manual transmission, adequately spaced pedals and a low-slung seating position helped create better operational familiarity and made it a little more ergonomic than the GR Corolla.

Corners and directional changes are what the GR86 seems to crave, thanks to its lower centre of gravity attained by the use of lightweight aluminium for the bonnet and roof.

The sporty suspension of the GR86 is able to provide some serious driving moments when in Track Mode. But tread carefully here because this 2+2 coupe will provide some tail-out instances – even more so when in the wet.

For this reason, the GR86 has become the choice pick here (at least for this writer) with all its abilities, which have been amazing.

Marry it with some practicality and it would be a fantastic daily car to own.

Compared to the other two GR counterparts, it had a far more playful disposition; better ergonomics (seating position and all-around visibility); nicely-sized cabin considering its overall size and power that’s easily tapped into for its 50:50 weight distribution.

The only question now is – should it be specified with an automatic or manual transmission? - Jay Wong


To do or not to do: Hyundai agonises over the risks of embracing Apple

The Kia plant in Georgia, USA. With Hyundai and Apple having headstrong managments, Kia could be the compromise solution as contract assembler for the Apple car.

SEOUL/SAN FRANCISCO: Executives in Hyundai Motor Co Group are divided over a potential tie-up with Apple Inc, with some raising concerns about becoming a contract manufacturer for the US tech giant, dimming the outlook for a deal.

Hyundai said earlier this month it was in preliminary talks with Apple, but gave no details. Local media said the firms were discussing an electric car and battery tie-up.

Hyundai declined to comment for this story. Apple declined to comment.

Apple has never acknowledged talks with the automaker about building vehicles, and it was unclear whether any such talks are still active. The iPhone maker typically insists on strict secrecy from its potential partners and suppliers about future plans or unreleased products.

In an earnings call on Tuesday in which it reported its best quarterly profit in over three years, Hyundai did not give any updates on talks with Apple or indicate whether they remain active.

“We are agonising over how to do it, whether it is good to do it or not,” said a Hyundai executive aware of the internal discussions on the tie-up with Apple. “We are not a company that manufactures cars for others. It is not like working with Apple would always produce great results.”

Few details are known about the talks between the two companies. But people close to the discussions say the options considered included Hyundai or Kia acting as a manufacturer for vehicles designed by Apple and sold under its powerful, ubiquitous brand.

Hyundai is traditionally known for its reluctance to work with outsiders, making engines, transmissions and even its own steel in-house under its vertically integrated supply chain as South Korea’s second-largest conglomerate.

Although shares in Kia and Hyundai have surged because of the talks, there is considerable opposition to becoming an Apple contract manufacturer, which could hold up any deal with the American giant, these people said.

Apple and Hyundai first started talks over a car partnership in 2018, when Apple’s effort, known as “Project Titan,” was headed by Alexander Hitzinger, who is now a Volkswagen executive, said a person familiar with the matter. But progress was hampered by the South Korean automaker’s reluctance to work with outsiders, the person said.

These talks have not been previously reported.

“It is really difficult (for Hyundai) to open up,” this person said, adding that the South Korean company would likely to have to replace some executives to avoid a culture clash under any partnership with Apple.

“Apple is the boss. They do their marketing, they do their products, they do their brand. Hyundai is also the boss. That does not really work,” the person said.

The South Korean car manufacturer, however, has excess capacity. Contract manufacturing would help it secure production volume.

Not like Foxconn

Another person familiar with the matter said Apple would prefer to source major components of its own design - frames, bodies, drive trains, and other parts - from a variety of places and rely on Hyundai or Kia for a final assembly site.

“They would want this to be in the United States,” the second person said.

While the talks are at an early stage, Hyundai Motor Group has “tentatively decided” that it would want Kia to partner with Apple, not Hyundai Motor, a Hyundai insider said.

“The group is concerned that the Hyundai brand would become just Apple’s contract manufacturer, which would not help Hyundai in its effort to build a more premium image with its Genesis brand,” the insider said.

Kia is also moving faster in terms of electric cars, and it has available production capacity at its Georgia factory in the United States.

Another executive at Hyundai said: “Tech firms like Google and Apple want us to be like (contract phone maker) Foxconn.

“A cooperation may initially help raise the brand image of Hyundai or Kia. But in the mid- or longer-term, we will just provide shells for the cars, and Apple would do the brains.”

Nevertheless, there are broad areas where the two companies could benefit, including access to Hyundai’s electric car platform and its suppliers, such as battery makers, as well as access to Apple’s autonomous vehicle stack and software, said Park Chul-wan, a South Korean battery expert and a professor at Seojeong University.

“Hyundai would be more than just a Foxconn,” he said.