Towards a blockchain-based 'passport' for connected cars

                PARIS: Collecting data from vehicles has become a strategic area for the entire automotive industry, as connected vehicles continue to become more widespread.

A French company called Blockchain Xdev has had the idea of developing a kind of automotive "passport" that would record all data relating to a vehicle's life cycle directly on the blockchain.

This offers a means to access a maximum of verifiable information on any vehicle in a fast-growing market.

This will be useful for the purchase, daily use, resale, and even maintenance of vehicles.

The French firm is supported by a whole consortium of automotive industry players in developing the project.

This project, in collaboration with the French Institute for Technological Research, SystemX, brings together Stellantis, Mobivia, Matmut, Crédit Agricole Assurances and now Covéa and Société Générale Assurances.

This passport would take the form of a non-fungible token (NFT), representing all the characteristics of the connected vehicle.

In concrete terms, Blockchain Xdev wants to create a kind of platform to issue the vehicle's NFT directly and to be able to manage the data.

This could even represent a minor revolution for these digital tokens, often viewed as being more or less pointless, as the project represents an interesting industrial application of the technology.

A goldmine of data

The consortium includes a several insurance groups. This may seem surprising at first glance, but it's mainly because the data is a real goldmine for insurers, when it comes to analyzing the risks associated with a car.

The sudden interest in NFTs to handle vehicle data may also be due to the risk of missing the opportunity to take the lead in the market by innovating in the field.

The aim is to create a platform where each stakeholder could verify the data of a vehicle and be part of a sharing process between the different players in the sector.

Each stakeholder could then draw on the available data in exchange for a fee.

For car manufacturers, this could provide better visibility on the various repairs carried out on their vehicles, outside their official maintenance network.

This project of passports for connected cars could be launched in 2023 or 2024 at best, and could well put non-fungible tokens to use in a genuine industrial application.


Prosecutors indict Nissan, Ghosn, reports say as focus on CEO role

                TOKYO: Tokyo prosecutors indicted Nissan Motor along with its ousted chairman Carlos Ghosn, domestic media reported today, shifting the focus of the financial misconduct scandal to the Japanese automaker and its CEO’s responsibility.

Ghosn was arrested on Nov 19 on suspicion of conspiring to understate his compensation by about half of the actual 10 billion yen (RM365mil) over five years from 2010.

Nissan, which fired Ghosn as chairman a few days later, has said the misconduct was masterminded by the once-celebrated executive with the help of former representative director Greg Kelly, who was indicted along with Ghosn, according to the reports.

Nissan itself was indicted on Monday for making false statements in annual reports, they said.

Tokyo authorities also plan to re-arrest the two executives, sources said, declining to be named as they were not authorised to speak with media. Media reports have said the fresh crime was for three additional years of under-reported income. The two would then remain in custody without bail.

The Tokyo prosecutors’ office said it could not comment. Nissan said earlier that it was cooperating with the prosecutors’ office and providing them with information related to misconducts.

A separate source said there were concerns running through the company that chief executive Hiroto Saikawa and others may also be indicted.

Analysts have said it could be difficult for Nissan to avoid blame, whether it turns out that other executives had knowledge of Ghosn’s misconduct, or that the company lacked adequate internal controls.

“Normally, if it’s falsifying the financial filings, the company as well as the perpetrator is charged. That’s not surprising. It’s to be expected,” said prominent lawyer and former prosecutor Nobuo Gohara.

“Now suddenly the issue of CEO Saikawa becomes bigger. It becomes difficult to overlook Saikawa’s role in all of this. That becomes the main focus now.”

Ghosn and Kelly have not made any statement through their lawyers, but Japanese media reported that they have denied the allegations. Calls to Ghosn’s lawyer, Motonari Otsuru, at his office went unanswered.

Nissan on offensive

Nissan has stepped up its offensive against the executive once credited for rescuing the company from near-bankruptcy.

The company said on Sunday that it was seeking to block access by Ghosn’s representatives to an apartment in Rio de Janeiro, citing a risk that the executive may remove or destroy evidence.

A Brazil court has granted Ghosn access to the property, owned by Nissan, in the Copacabana neighborhood, but the company said in a statement that it was now petitioning a higher court to reverse the decision.

Nissan has also blamed Ghosn for a series of infractions including personal use of company funds. While not commenting on the possibility that other executives may have had knowledge or been involved in the wrongdoing, it has acknowledged a need to improve its governance.

Nissan’s board last month agreed to create a special committee and take advice from an independent third-party group about how to improve governance and oversight of director compensation.

The arrest of Ghosn and Kelly also shook the foundations of the Renault-Nissan alliance and stunned the auto industry. Ghosn remains chairman and chief executive of Renault SA.

The key question is whether and how the ownership structure of the alliance might change. Ghosn, under pressure from the French government, had pushed for a deeper tie-up including a possible full merger between Renault and Nissan, despite strong reservations at Nissan.

Some Nissan executives have long been unhappy with what they see as Renault’s outsized influence over the Japanese automaker, which dwarfs Renault in vehicle sales.

Renault holds around 43 percent of Nissan, while Nissan has a non-voting 15 percent stake in the French partner.

READ MORE: Ghosn's ties with Nissan CEO in the spotlight


Porsche USA launches online pre-owned car search platform

                ATLANTA: Porsche is fast-tracking its e-commerce strategy to meet growing customer demand for digital access to the brand.

In the latest step, Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA) today launched its new pre-owned and Certified Pre-Owned vehicle search platform, Porsche Finder.

With the launch of the new platform, PCNA is streamlining and enhancing the customer’s ability to connect from home with one of the 192 U.S. Porsche dealerships and quickly find precisely the vehicle they’re looking for.

The new platform includes optimized search filters for model and generation, vehicle equipment and packages, pricing options, dealer inventory search without zip code, in addition to an expanded selection of interior and exterior vehicle colors (including cabriolet roof colors).

Porsche Finder was developed in cooperation between PCNA and Porsche Digital.

“Now is the time to put our foot on the accelerator to make the Porsche digital experience as stellar as our cars,” said Klaus Zellmer, President and CEO of PCNA.

“Providing seamless access to our products is a top priority in our existing e-commerce strategy, with the goal of creating a one-stop shop for new and pre-owned vehicle search and purchase, which will follow down the road. For now, the new Porsche Finder platform for pre-owned vehicles will enhance the customer experience and greatly benefit our dealer partners.”

The porscheusa.com website that hosts Porsche Finder has been optimized to enable search on mobile and tablet devices, as consumer data shows that over 50 percent of users conduct vehicle searches on a mobile device.

With the goal of creating a more streamlined platform, the refined search parameters and dedicated communication channel with dealers will give customers greater flexibility to their vehicle of choice.

Porsche Finder is now live at: https://finder.porsche.com/us/en_US/

To further support pre-owned sales, PCNA, together with its dealer partners, is driving a host of initiatives under the banner of “Porsche At Your Service” (PAYS).

This new program bundles online and home delivery options to make customer access even easier once they have located the vehicle of their dreams on the Porsche Finder platform.


How McLaren aims to rebuild supercars to roar into electric era

Glynn just bought his fourth McLaren, a black 620R, in January. — Reuters
LONDON: There’s nothing quite like the roar of a revving McLaren engine to set a petrolhead’s pulse pounding, or the full-throated scream as it tears across the tarmac.

Yet new gas-fuelled engines like McLaren’s could be illegal in many countries by 2030. The supercar maker, like all automakers, has to go electric - but that’s easier said than done for a niche player that can’t compromise the performance, and racing experience, that supports its rarefied pricing and exclusivity.

McLaren could probably produce a fully-electric vehicle tomorrow, said Ruth Nic Aoidh, the British carmaker’s executive director for purchasing. But the weight of today’s batteries “would kill all of the attributes that make a McLaren a McLaren”.

So instead, Nic Aoidh says McLaren is taking more time to rethink the way it builds vehicles from the wheels up. It is also looking to overhaul its business model, to generate revenue from selling some of its new technology to other automakers.

The people it ultimately has to keep happy are affluent enthusiasts like Steve Glynn, who make up McLaren’s base.

A racing driver, Glynn teaches others how to drive their supercars around private tracks, where the combination of raw speed and precise handling separate McLarens and Ferraris from cars that cost a tenth as much.

Glynn just bought his fourth McLaren, a black 620R, in January. He declined to say what he paid for it, but the 620R starts at around £250,000 (RM1.4mil).

“I’m a petrolhead through and through, but I think we have to accept the future of electrification beckons everyone,” he said at his home in Headley Down, a village in southern England less than hour’s drive from McLaren’s Woking headquarters.

“But an electrified McLaren would still have to put that same smile on your face.”

Even for deep-pocketed behemoths like Volkswagen AG, developing electric vehicles is an expensive proposition that is taxing their capital resources.

Other smaller premium carmakers like Volkswagen unit Bentley or Tata Motors Ltd’s Jaguar Land Rover, which both plan to electrify their model lineups by 2030, can rely on their owners’ financial backing to make the switch.

But for niche manufacturers like McLaren, lack of scale is a major challenge. Last year McLaren said it would cut 1,200 jobs — more than a quarter of its workforce — as it dealt with fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic.

McLaren’s cars start at around £120,000 (RM674,000) and range up to £750,000 (RM4.2mil). It sold 4,662 vehicles in 2019, but thanks to pandemic shutdowns the company said in November its 2020 sales would hit around 1,700 cars and its revenue could fall by up to half.

McLaren will reveal some of its progress towards its electric ambitions with the Artura, a hybrid model, launching on Feb 17.

All about the weight

Weight is of paramount importance to customers.

To cut cost and help reduce its vehicles’ weight 15% in order to carry heavy batteries, McLaren has developed a new in-house process to make a carbon composite chassis, or “tub”, in minutes at a £50 million (RM280mil) site in Rotherham, England.

“If McLaren are going to take the electrified route to a supercar, they’ll need to maintain the light weighting as much as possible,” said Andy Abbosh, who owns a pearl white McLaren 650S Spider.

 Abbosh with his McLaren 650S Spider.

McLaren’s new chassis will be used in the Artura, and by 2026 all its cars will be hybrids using this chassis, Nic Aoidh said. The carmaker aims to have fully electric models on the road towards the end of this decade, she added.

The process has brought mass production of carbon composite parts a step closer and McLaren is talking to other carmakers and manufacturers in other sectors on how to monetise the technology, according to Nic Aoidh.

“The way companies like ours will find our way to electrification is through innovation,” she said. “That will potentially open up doors for return on investments.”

McLaren will also develop its own batteries, which could also generate fresh revenue streams, she added.

‘We’re selling emotion’

Electric hypercar maker Rimac, which aims to bring its C-Two model to market later this year, plans something similar.

The company plans to build four of the cars per month and has its first year of production sold out, according to founder Mate Rimac.

He said the market for these vehicles was limited and would probably hit a ceiling of around 100 vehicles per year, worth several hundred million euros.

But where he sees a far greater business opportunity is to operate as an auto supplier, where it licenses, develops and manufactures systems and components for other carmakers, as it does already for Aston Martin and a number of others.

“We want to showcase with our cars what’s possible, then help carmakers build exciting electric cars and make the transition to electric faster,” Rimac added.

But it remains to be seen whether supercar makers like McLaren, with reputations forged on gas-guzzling race tracks, can successfully reinvent themselves for an electric era.

Pietro Frigerio, dealer principal at McLaren Newport Beach in southern California, worries a McLaren electric car without the famous throaty growl of a combustion engine could get lost in a crowd.

“What we’re selling here is emotion,” Frigerio said. “When you come to spend US$300,000-plus on a car, you want it to look different and feel different.”


SDAC - Ford offers Merdeka and Malaysia Day promotions

                KUALA LUMPUR: From August 1 to September 30, 2019, buyers of the Ford Ranger WildTrak or Ranger Raptor will enjoy free maintenance for two years.

They will also drive away with a Petronas Gift Card worth RM1,000.

Ranger WildTrak buyers will also receive a rebate of RM3,000 during this promotional period.

This was announced by Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), the sole distributor for Ford in Malaysia, under sales promotions in conjunction with the upcoming Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebrations.

“This new deal offers customers more peace of mind and value-add with free maintenance and attractive rewards in conjunction with the upcoming celebrations,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, managing director, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion.


The difference with Petronas Primax 97

                CAN a difference in fuel make a difference to your car?

In a word, yes... in my experience at least.

For the last five years since I acquired my car, a third generation 1.5L Honda City, I’ve been filling it with RON 95 fuel and when the economy allowed, RON 97.

Although the latter was few and far between, RON 97 seemed better but the difference, I felt, was negligible.

So I went back to RON 95.

Recently, I was given the opportunity to try Petronas’ latest RON 97 fuel with Euro 4M specification, otherwise known as Petronas Primax 97 with improved Advanced Energy Formula.

Previously, RON 97 came with Euro 2M spec and one of the differences is that the Euro 4M spec has significantly lower sulphur content - only 50PPM (Parts Per Million). Euro 2M had 500PPM.

Besides being a greener fuel, Petronas claims that it improves acceleration and drivability.

I had no doubt that I faced a delicate task reviewing this new fuel as it were, based on my earlier impression of the two. So I kept my expectations low.

In order to do this as accurately as possible, without being anywhere near scientific, I used up the remaining fuel (RON 95) till it was almost empty and then, visited my neighbourhood Petronas station and filled the tank up to the brim with the new RON 97.

I noticed the difference as soon as I made my way out of the petrol bay... not the station but the petrol bay.

My car was more responsive and the engine was quieter, smoother and it even felt like it was gently breezing through the air.

This was at very low speed, mind you. But my car never felt like this before.

As I turned out to the main road, there seemed to be a harmonious relation between depressing the accelerator and how the car responded to it. It wasn’t lethargic anymore.

Another test was driving uphill, which, if I didn’t have the momentum, the engine would groan as it made its way up. I’ve been using the new fuel close to a week now and I don’t hear it struggling as it used to.

I didn’t think a difference in fuel could make such a difference.

I’ve really been happy driving my car with the new RON 97 fuel ever since and once it runs low, I don’t know if I want to go back to RON 95. It’s like I’m re-discovering my old car in new ways all over again.


Renault Koleos 4WD tested

                Close on the heels of the Renault Koleos 2WD launched last year, TC Euro Cars has followed up with 4WD variant in July. which also gets a hands-free power tailgate.

Priced at RM201,800 (on-the-road inclusive of GST, without insurance), the Koleos looks impressive and upmarket, more so with doses of chrome trimmings at the grille, side and rear.

Its Pure Vision LED headlamps are stylish and add to the car’s visual charm and are 20% more powerful than halogen types.

As part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance (Nissan bought a controlling stake in Mitsubishi last year), the second-generation Koleos shares chassis and engine with the Nissan X-Trail for economies of scale and speed to market. But they differ in size and interior layout, with the Koleos being lower, wider and longer. All of which add up to a good-looking vehicle.

The Koleos has a wheelbase of 2,705mm, said to be among the longest in its class, and its bootspace of 550 litres can be increased to 1,690 litres with rear seats folded.

Inside, the vehicle is spacious and feels premium with leather upholstery, satin-chrome finish trimmings and a centre 8.7-inch portrait infotainment touchscreen, one of the largest in its category.

The touchscreen which uses the same tactile functions as tablet computer such as two-finger zoom, page scrolling, drag and drop among others, also offers realistic navigation display with 3D buildings and Bluetooth handsfree telephony and audio streaming.

If those are not enough, there are also a USB port, a 3.5mm jack socket and a 12V power supply.

The Koleos also supports a range of connected, personalisable multimedia systems such as the R-LINK 2 multimedia system.

The 8.7-inch colour screen instrument cluster is customisible, being able to display information such as road speed, engine speed, fuel consumption, range, radio stations and 4WD drive mode, among others. On the minus side, the screen tends to pick up fingerprint smudges and dust, so keep a microfibre rag ready.

The LED cabin lighting, meanwhile, comes in colours of green, blue, yellow, red or violet.

 Switch drive modes from the dash button here.

You can change the drivetrain mode from 2WD to 4WD Auto or 4WD Lock modes via a switch at the right lower dashboard. The 2WD promises higher fuel efficiency and recommended for tarmac driving.

The 4WD Auto works better on slippery or sandy roads where some torque can be distributed to rear wheels to regain grip the moment the front wheels start slipping.

Finally, 4WD Lock mode keeps torque distribution at a 50:50 ratio for the front and rear wheels for better traction when going off-road.

Slot the gear into "D", and the Koleos takes off smoothly, thanks to its XTronic continuously variable transmission (CVT). “Gear” shifting is seamless, and is almost akin to travelling inside a luxury sedan.

The 2.5-litre engine, outputting 169hp and 226Nm of torque, has more than enough grunt to propel the Koleos which has an unladen kerb weight of 1,607kg.

As a non-turbo engine, its response is immediate, and you can feel the hefty Koleos surge forward without hesitation.

With a pliant suspension and running on large 18-inch wheels, potholes and speed bumps can be easily handled without any harshness being relayed to passengers.

Steering feel is nicely weighted and you get good feedback and responsiveness.

At high speeds, the Koleos feels planted on the road, which easily inspires driver confidence to maintain the quick pace.

The cabin is well insulated against wind and road noises even at speeds of around 120kph, making the Koleos a quiet and enjoyable vehicle to be in. Its centre console cubby comes with a chilling feature and can accommodate typical drink cans or travel mugs.

The hand-free power tailgate can be opened by doing a kicking action with your foot underneath the rear bumper. Sensors will detect movement and raise the tailgate with the need of pressing the key fob. It can be finicky at times, so practice is required.

Incidentally, the Koleos will lock all doors the moment you walk away from it, ensuring it is safe and secured.

Standard safety equipment includes six airbags, blindsport warning system, anti-whiplash front and rear headrests, anti-submarining front seats, rear ISOFIX anchorage for i-Size child seats. All seat belts are equipped with pretensioners and load limiters.

The latest-generation electronic stability control, traction control, braking assist, electronic brake force distribution and hill start assist come as standard equipment.

Reverse camera with front, rear and side parking sensors make parking easy even in tight bays.

The Koleos 4WD get a new exclusive colour of Marron Red in addition to Universal White, Grey Metallic, Black Metallic and Meissen Blue which are available to Koleos 2WD. Both variants are fully imported from Renault Samsung Motors' plant in Busan, South Korea.

Our parting words on the Koleos 4WD would be that its high sticker price is matched by interior and exterior packaging that put it on the premium side of the SUV camp. And as far as SUV driving dynamics go, it isn't shabby at all. — HONG BOON HOW & GEORGE WONG Keyless entry with key in pocket. Powered tailgate that can be set to open at various heights. More aesthetics than functional element on the Koleos 4WD.


BMW driver Bruno Spengler breaks lap record in new M5

                MUNICH/SHANGHAI: BMW works driver Bruno Spengler has set a new lap record in the new M5, clocking a time of 2:22.828 minutes at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Although Spengler was making his first appearance at the circuit on Thursday, and the conditions were not ideal on the cold and damp track, the 2012 DTM champion smashed the previous record by five seconds. The M5, which Spengler had at his disposal for his record-breaking drive, was a production model without any modifications for the racetrack.

“Besides power and torque, I suppose the secret of this car is its excellent balance,” said Spengler, whose DTM career includes 15 race wins and 48 podiums so far.

READ MORE:CarSifu drives BMW M5
Details on 600hp BMW M5

“It’s very agile and responsive, and the increased traction with the four wheel drive makes this car very easy to drive. It is also lighter than the previous generation, which plays an important role on a track like this.”

The M-specific four-wheel drive system M xDrive is used in the M5 for the first time, offering precise handling and high traction levels. The heart is a 4.4-litre V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology, producing 600hp and a peak torque of 750Nm, offering a significant increase in performance vs. the predecessor models.

Acceleration from 0 to 100kph with the new 8-speed Steptronic transmission featuring Drivelogic is 3.4 seconds.


More petrol stations selling Euro4M petrol

                KUALA LUMPUR: Other petroleum companies have started selling higher-grade petrol from today following the introduction of the Euro4M RON97 petrol by Petronas last month.

Chevron, Petron and BHPetrol were among the companies that have started selling the Euro4M fuel, which helps reduce air pollution and improve engine performance, among other benefits. But Shell continues to sell its normal RON97 petrol at Euro2M-spec. However,  its RON97 V-Power Racing fuel, available since 2010, is already Euro 4M-compliant.

The Euro4M standard comes with lower benzene, sulphur content as well as Reid Vapour Pressure (RVP) levels which ensures good vehicle operability. With largely reduced sulphur content, it enables the rapid introduction of clean and efficient vehicle technologies for spark and compression ignition engines.

The cleaner fuel has only 50ppm sulphur compared to the 500ppm found in the Euro2M-specified fuel sold until last month.

BHPetrol is one up on the rest, as it is currently the only oil company selling Euro5 diesel in Johor Baru and the Klang Valley. Such diesel grade is subject to much stringent reduction in sulphur than Euro4M fuels as it only has 10ppm.

The September price for RON97 is RM2.45 per litre.


Jaguar Land Rover to develop hydrogen-powered Defender fuel cell prototype

                LONDON: Jaguar Land Rover is developing a prototype hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) based on the new Land Rover Defender, with testing scheduled to begin this year.

The FCEV concept is part of Jaguar Land Rover's aim to achieve zero tailpipe emissions by 2036, and net zero carbon emissions across its supply chain, products and operations by 2039, in line with the "Reimagine" strategy announced last month.

FCEVs, which generate electricity from hydrogen to power an electric motor, are complimentary to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) on the journey to net zero vehicle emissions.

Hydrogen-powered FCEVs provide high energy density and rapid refuelling, and minimal loss of range in low temperatures, making the technology ideal for larger, longer-range vehicles, or those operated in hot or cold environments.

Since 2018, the global number of FCEVs on the road has nearly doubled while hydrogen refuelling stations have increased by more than 20%**. By 2030, forecasts predict hydrogen-powered FCEV deployment could top 10 million with 10,000 refuelling stations worldwide*.

Jaguar Land Rover'kkkkkk''''''''s advanced engineering project, known as Project Zeus, is part funded by the government-backed Advanced Propulsion Centre, and will allow engineers to understand how a hydrogen powertrain can be optimised to deliver the performance and capability expected by its customers: from range to refuelling, and towing to off-road ability.

The zero tailpipe emission prototype New Defender FCEV will begin testing towards the end of 2021 in the UK to verify key attributes such as off-road capability and fuel consumption.

To deliver Project Zeus, Jaguar Land Rover has teamed up with world class R&D partners, including Delta Motorsport, AVL, Marelli Automotive Systems and the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) to research, develop and create the prototype FCEV.

Ralph Clague, Head of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells for Jaguar Land Rover, said: "We know hydrogen has a role to play in the future powertrain mix across the whole transport industry, and alongside battery electric vehicles, it offers another zero tailpipe emission solution for the specific capabilities and requirements of Jaguar Land Rover's world class line-up of vehicles. The work done alongside our partners in Project Zeus will help us on our journey to become a net zero carbon business by 2039, as we prepare for the next generation of zero tailpipe emissions vehicles."


Kia EV6 the first Korean model picked as European Car of the Year

                FRANKFURT: The Kia EV6 has been named the 2022 Car of the Year in the coveted European Car of the Year (COTY) awards.

The electric crossover was voted the overall winner by a 61-strong jury consisting of motoring journalists from 23 European countries.

The EV6 was initially listed for consideration for the top award alongside over 60 models that launched during 2021.

In November, the COTY jury whittled this longlist down to a seven-strong shortlist, six of which were electric vehicles (EVs), further demonstrating the growing importance of electric vehicles in the coming years.

The EV6 is Kia's first dedicated EV to be based on the company's Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP).

The architecture ensures the EV6 eliminates the many compromises faced by EVs that are created on platforms initially designed to accommodate internal combustion engine vehicles.

As a result of its E-GMP underpinnings, the EV6 has a class-leading interior space, a 528km driving range and 800V ultra-fast charging capabilities that enables customers to carry out a 10 to 80 percent charge in just 18 minutes.


EVs to dominate line-up at Toyota's Lexus by 2025

                TOKYO: Lexus, a luxury auto brand owned by Toyota Motor Corp, said on Tuesday it plans to introduce 20 new or improved models by 2025, of which more than 10 will be electric.

Electrified models such as battery electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrids and hybrid electric cars will be introduced, the company said in a statement.

Lexus also unveiled a BEV concept car, the LF-Z Electrified, which will include features such as a new four-wheel driving force control technology.

Two new models will be launched this year, Lexus International President Koji Sato said at an online press conference on Tuesday.

He also said Lexus would open a business and technical centre in March 2024 within the Toyota Technical Centre Shimoyama in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture.

Toyota launched its all-battery electric Lexus car last year, the UX300e.  Carmakers around the world are switching to battery-powered vehicles amid tougher emissions regulations and growing competition to develop zero-emissions vehicles.


Autoliv to make airbag inflators in India

                BANGALORE: Airbag maker Autoliv Inc has announced plans to build a new inflator production plant in India.

Autoliv India has its corporate office, engineering centre, and airbag facilities in Bangalore. The new inflator plant would be built close to Chennai and would cater to the Indian market.

Inflators produce a quantity of gas, with a certain composition and temperature, at a controlled rate, which then fills the airbag system to sufficiently cushion an automobile occupant from certain injury scenarios.

Autoliv said the localisation of inflator production would meet customer requirements while mitigating global supply chain disruptions and fluctuations. The new inflator plant would further encourage sustainable market growth in India from global and local OEMs.

Autoliv entered the Indian market in 1994 and now operates six facilities there.


BMW's Dingolfing plant to produce electric iNEXT from 2021

                MUNICH/DINGOLFING: BMW said today it would begin producing the fully electric BMW iNEXT at its Dingolfing plant in 2021.

Dingolfing will become the second BMW Group location after Leipzig to build a fully electric BMW i vehicle.

The all-electric BMW i3, which is manufactured at BMW Group Plant Leipzig, will be joined by the first fully electric MINI in 2019, a fully electric BMW X3 in 2020 and the BMW iNEXT from 2021. The Dingolfing plant does produce components such as high-voltage batteries and electric engines for these vehicles.

With its long experience in the field of electro-mobility, state-of-the-art production equipment and specially trained staff, the Dingolfing location, together with the Landshut plant, forms the BMW Group’s competence centre.

Dingolfing has been producing high-voltage batteries for BMW i models since 2013. In recent years, new production lines for high-voltage batteries and electric engines for BMW Group plug-in hybrids have also been installed. Dingolfing additionally builds the plug-in hybrid versions of the 5 Series and the 7 Series.

BMW Group plants worldwide will benefit from the German sites’ production expertise and technology know-how. At nine locations around the globe, the company already produces nine electrified models, including eight plug-in hybrids.

The BMW Group is the world’s third-largest manufacturer of electric vehicles and delivered over 62,000 electrified vehicles to customers last year, including more than 25,500 fully electric i3s. With 2,864 new vehicle registrations in 2016 (+ 26%), the all-electric i3 was the most successful electric vehicle in Germany.

The group has invested over 100 million euros in electro-mobility at the Dingolfing site to date, making the plant more competitive for the future and securing jobs.

By 2025, the BMW Group expects electrified vehicles to account for between 15-25% of sales.


Petron Malaysia stations now accept WeChat Pay e-wallet payments

                PETALING JAYA: The WeChat Pay e-wallet payment option is now accepted at 239 Petron service stations, due to a initiative by WeChat Pay Malaysia and Petron Malaysia to enhance customer experience by providing ease of transactions.

This collaboration marks the first ‘e-wallet payment option at service stations in Malaysia, made possible by WeChat Pay Malaysia.

WeChat Pay is one of the most widely used payment methods in China, and is fast gaining popularity in Malaysia.

The e-wallet only requires users to flash the phone at the counter, thus allowing customers to go cashless and even cardless.

"We are confident that customers will enjoy this new safe, easy, and convenient e-wallet shopping experience. We hope that more consumers will have the opportunity to experience Petron’s Fuel Happy hospitality, while gaining more satisfying rewards using Petron fuels and from the services we have introduced. This is in line with our commitment to provide consumers more benefits and rewards," said Petron head of retail business Choong Kum Choy at the official launch of the e-wallet payment option at a Petron station in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya.

Also present were WeChat Pay Malaysia CEO Jason Siew and Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs deputy secretary general (Domestic Trade) Badrul Hisham Mohd.

Bringing together this collaboration between Petron Malaysia and WeChat Pay Malaysia is Revenue Monster Sdn Bhd, a payment solutions provider and the first appointed merchant acquirer of WeChat Pay in Malaysia, to facilitate WeChat Pay transactions.


Carsome and Public Bank ink deal on car financing

                KUALA LUMPUR: Public Bank Bhd and Carsome signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on car financing.

With this MoU, Public Bank said it would be able to provide stock-financing and end-financing arrangements for the vehicles to its member car dealers and individual purchasers who have won the bids through Carsome online platform, as well as to extend wholesome financial products/services to Carsome’s customers.

Public Bank managing director/chief executive officer, Tan Sri Tay Ah Lek said Public Bank aimed to offer comprehensive financial services solutions namely PB current account, PB Enterprise, cash management and credit card merchant service with preferential terms to Carsome and its member car dealers.

“This synergistic collaboration is in line with Bank Negara Malaysia’s initiatives to accelerate the digitalisation of financial services, which include supporting the overall development of a dynamic fintech ecosystem in Malaysia,” he said in a statement.

He added that the collaboration enabled Public Bank to interface with Carsome’s online platform to provide an efficient and seamless vehicle financing delivery system, thus further reducing processing time as well as minimising physical documentation for the financing of successful bidding of vehicles.

“Our vision has always been to create an end-to-end integrated online used vehicle ecosystem; our partnership with Public Bank brings us one step closer to that, as we are able to give more financing options to our customers and dealer-partners when they transact with us,” said Carsome’s co-founder and group chief executive officer Eric Cheng.


Mitsubishi Triton: A more civilised outing

                The fifth-generation Mitsubishi Triton gets even more passenger car-like in terms of creature comforts.

We were fortunate to drive the top-grade VGT (variable geometry turbo) Adventure variant on a 437km journey from Ara Damansara, Selangor to Batu Ferringhi, Penang.

In our books, this is among that special breed of wheels where the more you drive it, the more you will enjoy it.
Nowadays, many pick-up trucks are no longer just spartan workhorses, and the latest Triton offers a level of cabin comfort that is on par with family sedans in the RM100,000 price bracket.

The Triton’s cabin noise insulation is top-notch as the clatter of the engine diesel was quite muted, even when we were heavy-footed on the accelerator pedal.

According to Mitsubishi Motors, this is largely due to the strategic placement of sound insulation, absorption and vibration damping materials.  Also, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia was generous in adding nice stuff such as automatic dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, solid leather or fabric seats, a touch-screen audio system with USB, CD, MP3, Bluetooth and even voice command capability as well as a reverse camera to help with parking this huge pick-up.

It has first-in-class segment features such as engine push-start button, keyless operation, xenon HID headlamps with integrated daytime running lights, tilt and telescopic steering and paddle shifters.

Built in Thailand, the new 2015 Triton is offered in five variants, and priced from RM67,603 for the 4x2 unit with manual transmission, to RM108,273 for the top-grade VGT Adventure with automatic transmission.

It comes with a two-year free maintenance package, and a factory warranty of three years or the first 100,000km.
Family journeys

On the highway, the new Triton’s level of refined interior comfort is quite impressive.

According to Mitsubishi Motors, the Triton has more cabin space, with slightly improved shoulder and rear leg room as well as a rear seats back-rest angle that is among the best.

“Seats were designed for better comfort,” said Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia product specialist Felix Ng, and we certainly had no grouses with seating comfort during the long drive from Kuala Lumpur to Penang.

The powered rack and pinion steering is not really light, but has a direct feel and combined with the pick-up’s best-in-class turning radius of 5.9 metres (four-wheel drive) and 5.7 metres (two-wheel drive), made navigating and parking in tight spots less stressful.

While the suspension set-up is a conventional double wishbone and coil sprung front, with a leaf sprung rear, Mitsubishi Motors has made tuning improvements for better occupant comfort.

“The leaf springs are now longer by 120mm, which results in less vibration and harshness; thus more comfort,” said Ng.

Running on Silverstone Estiva X5 tyres sized 245/65 R17, our Triton VGT Adventure test drive unit came with a touch-screen audio system that provided sound reproduction of adequate quality.

Combined with the nice leather seats and low levels of noise intrusion, the Triton VGT Adventure impressed us with excellent long-haul comfort.

Off-road in Ulu Slim

The Triton VGT now holds the distinction of the most powerful 2.5-litre diesel engine for a pick-up, with its 178ps at 4,000rpm and 400Nm of torque at 2,000rpm.

“This is an upgraded engine, carried over from the previous-generation Triton,” said Ng.

He noted that the five-speed automatic transmission is new, and helped to improve the pick-up’s fuel efficiency by up to 5%.

Ng said based on Japan’s JC08 fuel consumption test cycle, the new 2.5-litre Triton VGT can run about 13km per litre.

Part of the media drive involved an off-road session near Kampung Ulu Slim, Perak in the midst of gentle streams, palm oil plantations and Orang Asli villages.

The off-road route was somewhat muddy and slippery on certain stretches, and we kept the pick-up in low-range 4WD mode for this wet terrain.

The Triton’s four-wheel drive dial selector was convenient when we wanted to switch between 2H (two wheel-drive) and high-range 4WD mode when on the move.

We are not surprised that the latest Triton raises the bar for pick-up trucks, as it is the best-selling model for Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia with more than 53,000 units sold in nearly a decade.

It continues to be an business-oriented workhorse that can double up as a family vehicle, with a spacious and well-designed cabin, as well as refined on-road qualities.

READ ALSO:Local launch of new Triton


Volkswagen invests more in solid-state battery tech

                LOS ANGELES: The Volkswagen Group is making an additional investment of up to US$200 million in US solid-state battery specialist QuantumScape.

In future, solid-state batteries are expected to significantly increase range and shorten charging times further.

Solid-state batteries are seen as the most promising technology for the next-but-one generation of e-mobility.

With the same size of a current battery pack, the solid-state battery could enable electrical ranges at the level of conventional drives.

Moreover, charging time could be significantly shortened.

“Volkswagen is taking e-mobility to the mainstream. A strong position in the field of batteries is a decisive factor in this regard”, said Frank Blome, Head of the Battery Cell business, Volkswagen Group Components.

“We are securing our global supply base with efficient producers, gradually building up manufacturing capacities and driving the development of cutting-edge solid-state battery technology. Our focus in this context is on long-term strategic partnerships.”

The Volkswagen Group and QuantumScape have also been collaborating in a joint venture to enable industrial-level production of solid-state batteries since 2018.


Backlog orders seen to fuel UMW’s 2H growth

                PETALING JAYA: UMW Holdings Bhd is expected to post another strong sales performance in the second half of 2022 (2H22), backed by the strong outstanding bookings for both Toyota and Perodua vehicles.

UOB Kay Hian (UOBKH) Research, which forecast UMW’s 2H22 performance to mimic the strong performance in 1H22, said the strong order backlog could cushion delivery at least until the first quarter of 2023.

“Note that Perodua has the highest booking numbers in Malaysia and combined with both Perodua and Toyota, we gather that the total bookings stood at 300,000 units as at end-September 2022,” it said in a note.

It is noteworthy that UMW’s sales in 1H22 surged 31.8% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 173,253 units.

UMW, through its 51%-owned subsidiary UMW-Toyota, imports, assembles and distributes Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Malaysia. It also owns a 38% stake in Perodua.

Despite the expiry of the sales and service tax (SST) exemption in June 2022, UOBKH Research expects UMW to record a better car sales volume in 2022 on a y-o-y basis.

“As of the first eight months of 2022, UMW has achieved total sales of 233,367 units, which accounted for 88.8% of 2021’s 262,685 units.

“We previously raised our 2022 forecast for Toyota by 19% to 87,000 units as the launches of new models gain positive traction, supported by a strong order backlog.

“Meanwhile for Perodua, we still maintain a target of 245,000 units and we expect 2022 to beat the previous record high set in 2019 at 240,341 units,” it said.

The research house also noted that UMW’s sales of new models have exceeded expectations.

It said Toyota Veloz, which replaced the Toyota Avanza, has received encouraging bookings, with 5,200 customers making their reservations thus far.

Meanwhile, Perodua has received about 51,000 bookings for the new Perodua Alza since it started taking orders at end-June 2022.

“Based on Perodua’s initial sales target of 3,500 units per month, this implies up to a year waiting period.

“However, Perodua is looking to shift more production towards Alza to cater to the strong demand.

“Sales of Perodua Alza are partially reflected in August 2022 sales, with UMW-related brands reporting total sales of 35,130 units, up 40.6% y-o-y,” it said.

UOBKH Research projects UMW’s earnings for financial year 2022 (FY22) to rebound from last year’s low base.

It said that backlogs orders – with buyers frontloading their purchases during the SST holiday period – will spur the growth for UMW.

The bottom-line performance will also be backed by the economic recovery and the fact that the whole supply chain has resumed operations.

The introduction of several new models such as Toyota Veloz and new Perodua Alza might also help to bolster 2022 sales, according to UOBKH Research.

Nevertheless, the research house pointed out that the weakening ringgit poses a risk of margin compression for UMW in 2022 and potentially 2023.

The ringgit has weakened against the US dollar in 1H22, averaging RM4.26 per US dollar

“Assuming the ringgit would average RM4.40 per US dollar in 2H22, UMW’s cost of sales could increase and thereby pressure margins.

“Our sensitivity analysis shows that every 1% strengthening or weakening of the ringgit against the US dollar could increase or decrease UMW’s FY22-FY24 earnings and cost by 3%,” it said.

The research house expects car sales to be supported by the group’s first locally-assembled hybrid electric vehicle (Toyota Corolla Cross) and the Toyota Camry’s new facelift.

“Meanwhile, volume in 2023 would be supported by the newly-launched Toyota Veloz, which replaces the now-discontinued Toyota Avanza, and the introduction of the all-new Perodua Alza which is gaining traction at a faster-than-expected rate,” it added.


Fascinating look at Perodua Axia conversion into EV

                PETALING JAYA: A YouTube video has popped up yesterday showing the first Perodua Axia in Malaysia that has been converted into an EV.

On the outside, it looks like your regular Axia. But the big changes are under the bonnet, the dashboard and of course, what lurks behind the fuel cap.

The electric Axia is the handiwork of local start-up EV Innovations, the team behind the MyKar project, that converted a Honda Jazz in 2020 to run purely on electricity.

The latest video is presented in Bahasa Melayu by one Hasbullah Syarah and offers a fascinating look at an EV conversion of one of Malaysia's most popular small car. Hasbullah said he's a lecturer at a public university and has a background in mechanical engineering.

He said EV Innovations had invited him to the Sepang track to test-drive the car.

With the conversion, the engine bay looks spartan. The engine has been replaced by a bunch of electronics and high voltage cables. Hasbullah proceeded to show the various components such as the kill switch, relay, voltage controller, battery management hardware and electric air-condition compressor.

The 23kWh Li-ion battery is located below all the electronic components.

A 12kW electric motor is fitted to each of the rear wheels, making it a rear-wheel drive Axia.

The car comes with a Type 2 charging port and the onboard charger resides in the boot space where the spare tyre used to be. Charging at 6kW takes 4 hours to bring the charge level from 0 to 100%. The car accelerates from 0-100kph in 11s. Range is reported at 220km, which makes the electric Axia ideal for urban commuting.

The cabin looks almost the same as the regular Axia except for a driver-side controller and a big diagnostic touchscreen in the centre of the dash that monitors all parameters of the car including motor temperature.

As a precaution, the electric Axia comes with two fire extinguishers onboard.

Hasbullah claimed there is no difference in handling between the regular Axia and the electric version.

The biggest difference is in the acceleration, he said. With maximum torque available instantly from the get-go, electric cars are able to easily outpace combustion engine cars from a standing start.

The video has managed to attract over 140,000 views in the short time it has been posted up, underlining a huge interest in such conversions.

The electric Axia is still very much an experimental car.

We reckoned if EV Innovations can develop a safe and commercially available conversion kit for popular car models at a reasonable price, there would be a ready queue of customers lining up at its garage.

Meanwhile, Perodua is keeping its options open on making electric cars as it believes the combustion engine still has a long lifespan ahead.

It is taking baby steps in its electrification plan. It did say in August that it would start off with a series hybrid rather than a plug-in hybrid if it decides to start making electrified cars. Pure electric cars are not under consideration in the short term.

It is currently testing out the Ativa Hybrid prototype.


Proton for PSA, Lotus for Geely?

                PETALING JAYA: DRB-Hicom Bhd is most likely to sell a controlling stake in Proton Holdings Bhd to French auto giant PSA Group, which produces Peugeot cars, according to sources.

“PSA is ready to invest a lot of money in Proton and build a new plant in Tanjung Malim, Perak. It has presented the best proposal to rescue and expand Proton’s operation in Asean,” the source says.

But Chinese car manufacturer Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd, the other contender to buy a 51% stake in Proton, may be offered a proposal to take over Lotus from Proton.

In earlier negotiations with DRB-Hicom, Geely had expressed more interest in acquiring Lotus, which produces sports cars, rather than the whole of Proton.

“Proton is of no use to Geely. It wants Proton because of the auto technology in Lotus. And for PSA, which is strong in sport-utility vehicles (SUVs), it is not keen on Lotus,” says the source.

Indeed, China’s government has been encouraging its auto companies to acquire technology that it lacks. The auto sector has been identified as a weak segment within its manufacturing sector.

Invitation by DRB-Hicom for bids to be Proton’s strategic partner closed two days ago. Only PSA and Geely have submitted their proposals, according to press reports.

Proton started the exercise to get a foreign strategic partner more than six months ago after the government gave it financial assistance of RM1.5bil to pay off the vendors of the troubled national car manufacturer.

One of the conditions of the financial assistance was that Proton, wholly owned by DRB-Hicom, needed to secure a foreign strategic partner as soon as possible.

DRB-Hicom recently stated that it would conclude a decision on a technical partner for Proton within the first half of this year. Key considerations include strategy and operation of the potential partner.

According to the source, the French company has proposed to move Proton’s Shah Alam plant to its under-utilised plant in Proton City in Tanjung Malim.

In addition, PSA will build another new plant in the Perak township to raise the production of vehicles to achieve economies of scale and be competitive.

“PSA is a latecomer in this region. Now it sees the opportunity to penetrate the Asean market of 600 million people by using Malaysia as a base to export its vehicles tax-free to any of the 10 Asean members,” says the source.

Among PSA’s proposals that look attractive to Malaysia is a plan to raise the production capacity of Proton cars to one to two million units from 150,000 currently.

PSA also intends to produce SUVs for the Asean market.

If PSA’s grand plan comes to fruition, then Tanjung Malim may be turned into Malaysia’s auto hub.

Besides centralising Proton’s operations, the PSA plan could create 10,000 jobs for the local community, says the source.

It will also help lift Proton out of its prolonged financial troubles, as the government is not prepared to pump in more money into the bleeding company, which was set up in 1983 by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as part of the strategy to industrialise Malaysia.

Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd (Proton) was incorporated on May 7, 1983 to manufacture, assemble and sell motor vehicles and related auto products. It produced Malaysia’s first commercial car, the Proton Saga, in July 1985.

Used to being the market leader in the local auto sector, Proton’s market share fell to 12.5% last year from 15.3% in 2015.

Its total sales fell 29% year-on-year to 72,300 units due to deteriorating market conditions, said Hong Leong Investment Bank Research in a recent report.

On the bids for Proton, StarBiz recently reported that Geely was the frontrunner in securing the valuable strategic partnerhip with Proton. Other media followed suit.

Last year, a senior official of DRB-Hicom was seen in China to conduct negotiations with Geely on the possibility of its entry into Proton. He asked not to be named.

Keen on the Asean market, Geely produces a variety of vehicle types, including SUVs and sedans.

It owns the Volvo brand, which it acquired in a US$1.8bil deal in 2010.


Peugeot 408 e-THP debuts

                KUALA LUMPUR: The new Peugeot 408 e-THP launched today is priced at RM143,888 on the road with insurance.
It has fuel efficient automatic stop-start technology, a powerful 1.6-litre twin scroll turbo high pressure (THP) engine with 167ps and 245Nm of torque, and an array of premium features.

The automatic stop-start feature helps to deliver fuel economy of 6.5 litres per 100km on the combined cycle, as it deactivates the engine when speed is below 20kph and restarts smoothly when the accelerator is pressed. The engine is matched to a 6-speed automatic gearbox with Quickshift technology, for quicker gear changes.

“Since we first introduced the 408 to the Malaysian market in 2012, it has consistently been one of our top sellers with over 5,000 units sold to date. Combined with the 308, the C segment contributes an average of 35% of our annual sales. With its avant-garde styling, innovative technology, unrivalled driving experience and paramount safety, we are redefining the C-segment with the new Peugeot 408 e-THP,” said Naza Corp Holdings group chief operating officer (automotive group) Datuk Samson Anand George.

The 408 e-THP uses the Efficient Modular Platform 2 (EMP2) developed by the PSA Peugeot Citroen Group, which benefits the car in terms of 140kg worth of reduced weight, lower centre of gravity at 20mm, improved balance, and reduced overhang. The 408 e-THP has a sleek design and detailing, with LED headlamps with auto light functions, auto retractable side mirrors with LED indicators and LED tail lights. It is fitted with 17-inch two-tone lightweight alloy wheels, premium black leather seats, High Fidelity Arkamys sound staging with 6 speakers, USB and Bluetooth, automatic electric parking brake, intelligent keyless entry with push start, integrated reverse camera, automatic dual zone climate control via touchscreen, integrated reverse camera, 565-litre trunk and electric lumbar and massage function in the driver seat.

One highlight is the Smart Park Assist II, which is an automated parking manoeuvring system offering both parallel and perpendicular parking options. As for the Peugeot i-Cockpit, which was awarded ‘Most Beautiful Interior’ at the 29th Annual Festival Automobile International, it consists of four integrated components: a sport leather compact steering wheel, a high position head-up instrument panel with stylishly symmetrical design needles for easy viewing without taking the driver’s eyes off the road ahead, a high centre console and a 9.7-inch HD Multifunction Touchscreen for intuitive driving.

Safety features include six airbags and an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) featuring Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Anti-Skid Regulation (ASR) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). Other safety features include 3 steel grades of body construction (High Strength Steel, Very High Strength Steel and Ultra High Strength Steel), Hill Start Assist, three sets of ISOFIX points at the rear for child seats, pretensioner safety belt with load limiter and seatbelt alarm audio, advanced electric power steering and Peugeot Rolling Code Transponder immobiliser security.

Another unique addition is the Blind Spot Information System (BLISS) which warns the driver of the presence of another vehicle in the blind spot angle of their vehicle.

The 408 e-THP is available in six colours – Aluminium, Alpine White, Lucifer Red, Premium Black, Aster Grey and Bourrasque Blue. All Peugeot models come with five-year warranty with unlimited mileage together with Nasim’s 24-hour complimentary 3-year Peugeot Roadside Assistance service, complimentary access to the Peugeot Lounge at Subang Airport and Peugeot Privilege membership.

Nasim Sdn Bhd is the official distributor for Automobiles Peugeot in Malaysia.


Federal Highway BRT proposal sparks debate

                PETALING JAYA: A healthy debate has been sparked among experts, builders and motorists with the news that a Bus Rapid Transit system will be built along the Federal Highway to end road congestion.

The highway, built in 1967, was initially a four-lane road and expanded in 1992 into six lanes.

Spanning 45km from Seputeh to Klang and connecting major cities such as Shah Alam, Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya, the highway experiences traffic snarls even past midnight.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai had announced recently that a ground-level BRT would be built along the Federal Highway to end the congestion.

Malaysia Institute of Road Safety Research director-general Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon said a BRT would be ideal as the bus lanes would be separated by a physical border.

Masters Builders Association of Malaysia president Matthew Tee said lack of space for the project would be a concern.

“There must be proper planning. There aren’t any free lanes to use now. As such, I feel that we will end up with a mix of both on-the-ground and elevated BRT lanes,” said Tee, who is the group executive director of Binapuri Holdings.

SPAD chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar believed that a BRT system would be one of the best solutions to end the Federal Highway’s traffic woes.

“Even if you have more lanes, it will still get jammed right up to the city. This is why we proposed for a BRT from Pasar Seni right up to Klang,” he said.

However, Atur Trafik analyst Chin Kar Keong said he preferred if the transport options already in place there were upgraded.

“We have existing systems that are not put to best use,’’ he said.

Regular users of the highway welcomed the news.

Arif Hassan, 26, who commutes regularly, said he was all for additional public transport system.

“I always prefer public transport to driving on my own,’’ he added.

Motorist Brian Chong said ending congestion along the highway would be a big deal.

“I’ve been waiting for this for so long,’’ he added.

The country’s first BRT opened in Sunway in June but it operates solely on elevated tracks.

The 5.4km elevated bus guideway connects the Sunway commercial area to the Setia Jaya KTM Komuter station and the soon-to-be completed USJ7 LRT station.


BMW plugs sustainability and electrified mobility at NEXTGen Malaysia

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Group Malaysia today announced NEXTGen Malaysia – a public event on sustainability and electrified mobility.

It said the forum here on Jan 14-15 would bring together organisations, visionaries, entrepreneurs, and influential individuals who are seeking sustainable solutions.

The event will be open to the public and will feature keynotes, panel discussions and exhibits on a diverse range of sustainability topics, some of which includes clean energy, fast fashion, electromobility, material management, social impact.

The venue is The NEXTGen Pavillion, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur. The event starts from 2pm to 4pm on Jan 14, and 10am to 4pm on Jan 15.

To learn more about NEXTGen Malaysia and the programmes available, go to the official BMW Malaysia Facebook page for more event updates.
http://www.facebook.com/BMW.Malaysia


Carlos Ghosn denies allegations against him, says NHK

                TOKYO: Former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn, arrested last Monday on suspicion of financial misconduct, has denied the allegations against him, Japanese public broadcaster NHK said today.

Ghosn, who has not spoken publicly, has told investigators that he had no intention of under-reporting his remuneration on financial documents and has denied allegations against him, NHK said, without giving sources or further details.

Greg Kelly, a former Nissan executive arrested along with Ghosn on Monday, was quoted by NHK on Saturday as defending Ghosn’s compensation, saying it was discussed with other officials and paid out appropriately.

Ghosn and Kelly were ousted by the automaker on Thursday and a source familiar with the matter said Nissan aims to nominate a new chairman within a month or two, hopefully before its next board meeting slated for around December 20.

Japanese prosecutors say Ghosn and Kelly conspired to understate Ghosn’s remuneration by about half the 10 billion yen (RM370mil) he earned at Nissan over five years from 2010. The company has also cited other, multiple infractions.


Maserati unveils its world's first new store concept

                MILAN: Maserati has recently unveiled its new global retail store concept, debuting with the opening of a new space in the heart of Milan’s historic Magenta district.

Intended to express the automaker’s power and prowess in Italian luxury craftsmanship, the retail concept combines the refinement of a sartoria – a tailor’s atelier – with the rawness of an officina – a workshop, allowing clients to specify their own bespoke needs for their cars.

The concept was co-created with the New York-based experience design firm Eight Inc. and marks a departure from the traditional aesthetics of the “bright and sterile” car showroom.

The inviting new environment presents the cars dramatically spot-lit like dynamic sculptures in a darkened art gallery.

“From the early stages of developing a new car to the complete luxury retail experience, everything at Maserati is designed with the client in mind. Our new store concept embodies our values of passion, innovation and beauty through the lens of Italian luxury. Our wish here is for clients to express their passion by creating their very own Maserati”, said Maserati CEO Davide Grasso.

Outside the store, visitors’ attention is captured by a show-stopping window installation with a single “hero” vehicle set in front of a theatrical backdrop of an LED wall.

Inside, guests are greeted in a contemporary living space that features a large "kitchen island" serving as a hospitality and configuration counter, complete with a bar offering Italian-style espresso, wines or cold-pressed juices.

A palette of earthy colours, evoking old towns in the Italian countryside, is used throughout the interior of the space and is further highlighted by the contemporary loose furniture and displays developed by Cassina Custom Interiors.

Softly lit wall displays feature sliding glass panels, revealing wheel caps and steering wheels exhibited like jewellery, as well as a selection of the softest hand-crafted leather samples.

Clients are encouraged to discover the retail store on their own terms, by experiencing the cutting-edge MXE 3D digital configurator on a large-screen in a private consultation room or by feeling the thrill of the "launch-pad", in an immersive experience that celebrates the memorable moments of test driving and vehicle handover, culminating with a dramatic reveal of the Maserati car captured on camera for customers to share with their family and friends.

The ultimate Maserati experience available at the new store concept is known as "Fuoriserie", the Trident’s customisation programme, which allows clients to express their personality and creativity to design one-of-a-kind vehicles.

The new store concept is one layer of the larger Maserati OTO retail experience ("OTO" stands for “online to offline”, and vice versa), which envisions an innovative customer journey developed in close partnership with all dealerships.

The online and off retail experiences are integrated with a series of digital touch points, including “My Maserati Showroom” reservations online portal – debuted in North America – where clients can configure and book their car from the comfort of their home, later completing the purchase at their preferred Trident showroom.

Other innovative digital services, currently available in Italy and North America, are “My Maserati Expert”, which allows clients to request information online, the “Remote test drive”, enabling clients to book and test their car 24/7 at a showroom or at their home, as well as the “Multi-channel service booking”, which allows booking the service appointment easily online.

Following the world premiere here, Maserati will deploy its retail concept in its stores in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Melbourne, Madrid and Berlin by the end of 2022, with many more locations across the world to come in 2023, including Los Angeles, Toronto, London and Tokyo.


Isuzu ELF truck in Malaysia gets latest engines

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Isuzu ELF truck range, Malaysia’s ‘king of cargo’ will be completely powered by the latest Isuzu commonrail engines making Isuzu Malaysia one of the first Japanese truck manufacturers to exclusively employ the use of these ultra-efficient engines in Asia.

With these new engines, truck users will not only gain from superior power and torque performance, they will also realize improved fuel efficiency by up to 7.5 percent over the already-efficient mechanical injection versions based on data compiled by Isuzu Malaysia.

Coupled to this, the 2017 NPR models will benefit from new 6-speed gearboxes that feature optimized ratios to match the performance characteristics of the new engine, giving the new trucks better haulage power and higher fuel efficiency.

The Isuzu ELF has already established itself as Malaysia’s favourite truck by being the best selling truck range for the last seven consecutive years with sales of 5,548 Isuzu ELF trucks in 2016 alone.

Together with the latest updates and a host of new safety features, Isuzu Malaysia expects to maintain its domination of the light-duty truck segment with a sales target of 6,000 units, giving the company a dominant 40% of the market share.

Revealing the new 2017 model year Isuzu ELF trucks to dealers, CEO of Isuzu Malaysia Kenji Matsuoka said, "Our aim to make Malaysia the best place to own and operate an Isuzu vehicle remains priority No.1. This means that through the Kaizen principal, we will constantly improve and innovate, both in our products and in our operations to ensure total customer satisfaction,” said Matsuoka.

The entire new 2017 Isuzu ELF range will also employ the use of tubeless tyres. These tyres not only offer a higher load capacity, its improved rolling resistance generates less heat leading to longer tread life and lower operation costs. Drivers will also find the tyres providing more consistent grip and therefore better handling and stopping performance.

Through a re-design of the air intake system, the size of the air filter has been reduced and moved to a higher position, allowing the vehicle to traverse more confidently through flooded roads or dusty conditions without sacrificing cabin or cargo space nor reduce filtration or air flow capacity.

Isuzu engineers have also increased the alternator size to provide higher amperage to the battery. These alternators are not retro-fits but are designed and matched to the vehicle’s requirements therefore come with the original manufacturer warranties.

The 6-wheeler Isuzu ELF models will continue to be offered with the widest chassis in its class.

At 850mm, the wider design allows the trucks to be fitted with a larger cargo body while remaining sure-footed and stable.  The Isuzu NQR also gets a new front axle design that allows for higher load capacity of up to 3,300kg, an increase from the previous 3,100kg allowing for a more balanced load spread to the front wheels.

In compliance with the latest JPJ safety regulations, the new Isuzu ELF trucks come with a headlamp leveling switch mounted on the dashboard. This switch allows the driver to adjust the throw of the powerful headlight beam according to the truck’s load situation.

Other features of the new 2017 Isuzu ELF include the incorporation of a rear fog lamp, roof marker lamp (for 6-wheeler models and above), a new wide convex mirror and an electronically-governed speed limiter. With the implementation of these new regulatory features, the new 2017 Isuzu ELF range will be subject to a marginal five percent price increase across the model range.


Honda models to launch with Google built-in from 2022

                TOKYO: Honda and Google announced on Friday that the two companies have agreed to integrate Google’s in-vehicle connected service into an all-new model that will come to market in the second half of 2022 in North America.

The Japanese automaker will then expand it globally in stages.

Honda and Google have been collaborating since 2015 with the broader automotive industry to introduce the Android platform to vehicles.

As a result of this partnership, Honda began adopting Android Auto starting with the Accord in 2016.

Android Auto optimises smartphone functions for drivers and allows Honda vehicles to offer UX (user experience) that Honda customers can enjoy safely and comfortably.

With the new collaboration with Google, Honda will further advance the UX for its customers.

Key functions of Google built-in are as follows:

Voice assistant

Using Google Assistant installed to the on-board Display Audio, the driver can easily complete daily tasks through voice control while keeping eyes on the road and hands on the steering wheel. Drivers can send messages, get directions, and control media, vehicle functions and compatible smart phone devices hands-free.

Navigation

By integrating Google Maps into the vehicle, the familiar and personalised maps the user already enjoys on their smartphone, can be used on Display Audio in the vehicle. Moreover, the driver can talk to Google to do many things more easily while driving, including navigating home, getting an estimated time of arrival, finding the closest petrol stations or EV charging stations, and checking the business hours of stores.

In-vehicle apps

With Google Play, users can easily enjoy and download their favorite apps. Conveniently listen to music, podcasts and audiobooks directly from their vehicle without using their smartphones. A variety of in-vehicle apps offered on Google Play makes the time Honda customers spend in their vehicle more pleasant.


Why Mazda is in no rush to go electric

                PARIS: There's still more upside in the internal combustion engine, says Mazda France president Philippe Geffroy.

"There is no real pressure coming from our customers for alternative fuel vehicles. Both in the US and Europe a minority of either wealthy customers, or companies willing to play the ecological image are buying EV," said Geffroy.

This isn't a suggestion that EVs are a fashion accessory, but that currently, greater gains can be made from refining the traditional powertrain.

"[Mazda] believes there still is room for combustion engine, especially when you consider the complete carbon footprint," he said. "We've been working on weight reduction for a very long time. On the other hand, we also improved our engine efficiency thanks to our work on compression ratio. This allowed us to achieve low fuel consumption and emissions while maintaining great performances and driving pleasure."

Consider the new MX-5, the 2016 World Car of the Year, comes with every modern refinement, yet is lighter than the original car launched in 1999. Or the fact that in 2016, for the fourth year running, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) named Mazda the most fuel efficient car maker in America.

"However, we will go on working on other types of engine like electric, hybrid or hydrogen," said Geffroy, "With the clear objective to improve them and commercialise them when ready to provide a customer service comparable to the one of combustion engines."

In that respect he, like most in the industry, are concerned that increasing regulation could force something to market before it's truly ready. And it is the same concern that tempers his enthusiasm regarding other technological developments within the industry such as autonomous driving and the potential for things like car-sharing and mobility on demand.

"What can be worrying is how regulations evolve - especially their slow progress or their instability because if the regulations are not stable no one can invest in the adequate technologies nor implement them," he said.

Geffroy also said motor shows need to evolve and adapt to the technological revolution under way.

"Motor shows have to revamp their current format to offer the public not only today's vision of the cars but also a better understanding of what are the various prospects in car technologies and uses," said the president of Mazda France. "If not, it is likely that people will go to other shows or use digital tools to find out by themselves."


BMW M550i xDrive heads to Detroit show

                MUNICH: To coincide with the premiere of the new 5 Series range at the Detroit auto show in January, BMW will roll out its M550i xDrive range-topper in the 5 Series line-up.

Boasting a mighty M Performance TwinPower Turbo engine, BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive with rear-wheel bias and a bespoke M Performance chassis set-up, the new M550i xDrive can be classed as both a four-door sports car and the most dynamic business sedan around. With its abundant torque reserves and high-revving characteristics, the V8 power unit serves up a blend of high performance, precise driving dynamics and everyday usability.

The new M550i xDrive is the first 5 Series M Performance model to be powered by a petrol engine, namely a specifically modified M Performance TwinPower Turbo eight-cylinder unit with a displacement of 4.4 litres. The V8 is equipped with two twin-scroll turbochargers and features a direct injection system, Valvetronic fully variable valve timing and Double-VANOS variable camshaft control. The mill makes 462hp at 5,500 rpm and peak torque of 650Nm that can be summoned from 1,800 rpm (figures are provisional).

READ MORE: This is the new BMW 5 Series you have been waiting for

The car can go from 0 to 100kph in 4.0 seconds, then on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 kph. The car gets a Steptronic Sport eight-speed transmission, with shift modes tailored to the characteristics of the V8 engine, with distinctly sporty gear changes and more instantaneous downshifts across the entire rev range. Shift paddles are standard.

The all-wheel-drive system splits drive power between all four wheels as the situation demands – intelligently and with a rear-wheel bias. It's enhanced by an adaptive M Sport suspension (lowered by 10mm) along with either the standard 19-inch M light-alloy wheels or the optional 20-inch light-alloy wheels.

In addition, the power steering with M-specific responses in the SPORT and SPORT+ settings serves to highlight the crisp handling and precise driving properties of the sportiest representative yet of the new-generation 5 Series. The car is also equipped with M Sport brakes with brake callipers in Blue metallic and M badging.

On the outside, the M aerodynamic package, including an M rear spoiler with Gurney flap on the boot lid, accentuates the sporty, dynamic lines of the new 5 Series, while optimising airflow around and over the car. The exterior mirror caps, the kidney grille surround, the special M Performance bars on the front air intake and the two Air Breathers at the sides all sport the exclusive Cerium Grey metallic finish. An M sports exhaust system – with tailpipe embellishers in Black chrome on the left and right – is responsible for producing the rousing M soundtrack.

Illuminated door sills bearing the inscription “M550i xDrive” beckon passengers into the interior, where M sports seats upholstered in Black Dakota leather with blue contrast stitching, the latest version of the M sports steering wheel, M design floor mats and special interior trim strips and pedals made from aluminium combine to create the aura of sporting exclusivity.

Just like the other 5 Series variants, the M550i xDrive also offers an even wider choice of assistance systems to help the driver, if desired. These include an evasion aid, crossing traffic warning system and active Lane Change Warning, which uses steering inputs to avert an impending collision. The optionally available Active Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keeping Assistant now feature extended functionality. And Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, which allows speed limits to be automatically imported into the cruise control system, likewise represents another step along the road to automated driving for the BMW M550i xDrive.

The BMW Connected system links up devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, computers and tablets, as well as the vehicle’s navigation system, via BMW servers. The system can now even help the driver find parking spaces and reserve it.

The BMW M Performance cars slot in between the top-of-the-range standard BMW models and the core M models built for maximum performance.

“We develop the BMW M Performance Automobiles for customers who are seeking very sporty driving characteristics yet do not wish to sacrifice any of their BMW’s everyday practicality,” explains Frank van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH.

The model portfolio currently comprises the 3-door M140i, 3-door M140i xDrive, 5-door M140i, 5-door M140i xDrive, M240i Coupe, M240i xDrive Coupe, M240i Convertible, M240i xDrive Convertible, M550d xDrive Touring, X4 M40i, X5 M50d, X6 M50d and M760Li xDrive.

The M550i xDrive is scheduled to join the existing model line-up in March 2017. In Detroit, the Concept X2 will make its US premiere. Also part of the line-up at the BMW stand will be the 530e iPerformance plug-in hybrid and the 6 Series model range.


Isuzu D-Max Diablo launched

                KUALA LUMPUR: Isuzu has launched the Diablo special-edition of its popular D-Max pick-up truck, with uniquely bold and stylish features.

"The D-Max Diablo offers the perfect platform to express each person’s individualism,” said Isuzu Malaysia executive director Daisuke Ishida.

On the D-Max Diablo, most chromed items have been replaced with black or dark grey to match the pick-up truck’s Cosmic Black Mica body colour.

These include the grille, door handles, mirrors roof rails and rear bumper.

The D-Max Diablo also receives a body decal with an exclusive motif and a set of exclusive Lenso Beastly Black 17-inch alloy rims.

It also has a D-LOC lockable lid, which comes in body colour and features its own aero spoiler.

The D-Max Diablo has a boldly-coloured interior with Bloody Red premium Italian leather seats and centre arm rests, dark grey interior trim and piano-black door and central tunnel inserts.

Other features are specially-embroidered carpet mats and illuminated rocker plates.

There are also LED daytime running lights, a Blaupunkt multimedia entertainment system and a reverse camera.

The Isuzu D-Max Diablo is only available with an automatic transmission with either 2.5-litre or 3.0-litre engines.

Price tags (on the road with insurance) are RM110,189.60 (2.5-litre) and RM116,959.90 (3.0-litre).


Proton Iriz enters Indonesia

Among those at the Iriz launch in Jakarta today are (from left) Ahmad Fuaad, Widihandono, Madani and Mohd Khalid.
JAKARTA: The Proton Iriz is now on sale in Indonesia following its launch here today.

Two variants will be available in the country: the 1.3L MT Standard and 1.3L CVT Standard, priced at 175,250,000 rupiah (around RM59,000) and 185,283,000 rupiah (RM62,000) respectively.

The car is sold through Proton subsidiary in Indonesia, PT Proton Edar Indonesia. Indonesia is the second country after Brunei to import the compact car.

The Indonesian press had a test-drive of the compact hatchback on Feb 9. The car, which is open for bookings now and available in a choice of seven body colours, will be on display at the FX Sudirman Mall here from Feb 16-22.

The Iriz is has received a 5-star Asean NCAP safety rating. “Both variants are fitted with active and passive safety features,” said Proton CEO Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Kenali at the launch.

“In fact, Iriz is the only compact hatchback City Car segment below 350 million rupiah that is equipped with Electronic Stability Control. Coupled with traction control, anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, hill hold assist and a seat belt reminder system, these safety features are usually installed in higher-end premium cars.”

PT Proton Edar Indonesia has 25 sales and aftersales outlets in Indonesia spread across Java, Kalimantan, Sumatra and Sulawesi.

Among those present at the launch were Malaysia Automotive Institute CEO Datuk Madani Sahari, Proton director of transformation and international sales head Mohd Khalid Yusof, Matrade advisor at the Malaysian embassy in Indonesia Naim Abdul Rahman and Indonesia Otomotif Institute secretary-general Yanuarto Widihandono.


Why the future of four-wheel drive is electric

                FRANKFURT: The air is foggy with dust, there are sprays of gravel and arcs of mud - it's just business as usual at the offroad park in the German state of Swabia.

The only thing that's different is the silence - unusual in this cratered landscape where you might expect to hear the roar of revving engines.

Here, though, as drivers put the vehicles through their paces, all you can hear is the churn of stones under tyres.

Juergen Eberle, a Mercedes engineer, is driving an electric vehicle through the mud, though as far as appearances are concerned, the EQC looks like it is straight out of an apocalyptic adventure film, with wide fenders and portal axles.

It steals the show from all the other all-terrain vehicles and that was the idea, he says. "We wanted to prove you can have fun with an electric car off the road, too," he says, plunging the vehicle into a ditch.

Mercedes hadn't expected to mass-produce anything like the four-by-four EQC - but Eberle wants the prototype to be a pioneer for an electric all-terrain vehicle, as company boss Ola Kallenius just announced.

So expect to see plenty of electric off-road vehicles in the future, as Jeep has also announced a purely electric off-road vehicle, while Land Rover plans a battery-powered version of the Defender SUV.

General Motors, meanwhile, is going to resurrect its legendary GMC Hummer at the end of 2021, and fit it with three electric motors so it can reach up to an estimated 1,000-hp. And with its four-wheel steering, it will be able to drive diagonally, too - like a crab.

One of the main drivers of this new era is Alejandro Agag, a sports promoter who launched Formula E and now wants to take this off the motor circuit and into the wilderness with the Extreme E series.

To this end, he's dreamed up a kind of battery buggy with 400-kW/550-hp and huge suspension tp be the standard vehicle for all of the teams involved.

That's the extreme end of things but for many carmakers, the new technology is already their first choice when it comes to better traction and particularly for the highly-popular compact SUVs.

While now, you can only get models such as the Opel Grandland X with front-wheel drive as a combustion engine, the plug-in hybrid is an all-terrain vehicle with an electrically-powered rear axle.

Jeep has gone a step further and completely eliminated the conventional four-wheel drive versions of the Renegade and Compass ranges. Instead, its engineers have configured the drive so the gasoline engine always produces enough power even when the battery is empty, so the electric engine never runs dry when you're ploughing through mud or snow.

The electric four-wheel drive doesn't only power people through adverse conditions - it also opens up entirely new possibilities for driving dynamics.

Audi's E-Tron S is proof of this, with two electric engines mounted in the rear axle, in addition to the engine on the front axle.

The result is not only a leap from a 300 to a 320-kW system without boost, and 370 kW with, says Audi. Both engines in the rear axle aren't connected mechanically, so you can control them individually.

Usually, what's known as torque vectoring is only possible by braking one wheel. But the E-Tron S simply applies more power to the outer wheel, speeding you round corners noticeably faster.

While the electronics "imperceptibly and briefly apply the brakes on the inside front wheel," they send more power to the outside wheel in a corner, "helping to turn the car’s nose even more crisply into the bend ahead," says the Bavarian manufacturer.

It might seem strange for many, this marriage of high tech and green energy with thrills and muddy spills of off-road. "But strictly speaking, the electric drive is ideal - especially for off-road driving," says Dag Rogge, who heads an agency that organizes off-road expeditions in far-flung destinations as well as PR and customer events for electric cars.

He says that's because the torque that's immediately available - and the comparatively simple distribution of power to each individual wheel, in the best case still without mechanical systems such as differential locks, makes electrics the perfect mud-pluggers, argues Rogge.

But in the steppes of Namibia, in the Bolivian highlands or in the jungles of Thailand, charging stations are rather rare. However, he assumes that such problems will be solved sooner rather than later.

"Where our diesels have so far often scared away the wild animals, we will approach so quietly in the future that the lions will simply lie still."


Toyota launches redesigned Prius PHV in Japan

                TOYOTA CITY: Toyota has announced the launch of the redesigned Prius PHV in Japan, and sales will begin at all Toyota, Toyopet, Toyota Corolla and Netz dealers nationwide from today.

The car, available in various grades, will be priced from 3.2 million yen to 4.3 million yen (from RM127,000 to RM165,000).

Toyota has been working on enhancing its product lineup significantly, and is positioning plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs) as the pillar of next-generation environmental vehicles after hybrid vehicles (HVs).

With the new Prius PHV, Toyota has advanced on the environmental performance that is characteristic of the Prius lineup, along with the powerful and smooth drive which is an attribute of an electric vehicle (EV). Futuristic advanced equipment has been added and charging convenience improved.

The EV mode range has been expanded to 68.2km and the 1.8-litre car achieves fuel efficiency of 37.2 km/l as a hybrid vehicle even after the battery has been depleted. Users can choose from a variety of charging methods: normal charging (200V or 100V), quick charging, and solar charging.

Safe, secure, and convenient navigation service, T-Connect, has been provided using the Toyota-first 11.6-inch T-Connect SD navigation system and DCM.

In January 2012, Toyota launched the Prius PHV to promote vehicle electrification. To date, sales of the Prius PHV have totalled 22,000 units in Japan, and 75,000 units worldwide, including the United States and Europe.

A new variant of the Prius PHV to cater to the handicapped will be launched in April. It will have a rotating and tilting front passenger seat to make it easier for a person requiring assistance to get in and out of the vehicle.

The Prius PHV features the world's first "solar charging system" in mass-produced cars. This system supplies energy from sunlight to the traction battery while the vehicle is parked, supplying the amount of electricity sufficient for driving the vehicle a maximum of around 6.1 km/day (around 2.9 km/day on average).

While the vehicle is being driven, this system helps to improve fuel efficiency by recharging the auxiliary battery.

When the newly added EV Power Supply Mode has been selected, the vehicle's external electrical power supply function can supply household electricity without the engine being turned on. In addition, when the HV Power Supply Mode has been selected, the Prius PHV (with the engine running) can supply electricity for about two days at a maximum output level of 1,500W, when starting with a full tank of gasoline.

The car has a large grille featuring clear acrylic resin and quad LED headlights. The headlights are equipped with the Adaptive High-beam System, which recognises other vehicles, based on the taillights of the vehicle ahead and the headlights of on-coming vehicles, and shields them from the high-beam light by controlling the light-projection areas using 16 LEDs located on the left and right sides.

The rear design is a distinctive feature of the Prius PHV, which includes the "double-bubble" glass in the rear window, high-mount brake lights connected by a single red line, and rear combination lamps. For the first time in a Toyota brand vehicle, the rear hatch uses carbon fibre reinforced plastic, which allows for its unique outline and light weight.

Toyota Safety Sense P, a collision avoidance assist package, is offered as standard in all grades. The Prius PHV has achieved ASV17++, the highest rating in the JNCAP Preventive Safety Performance Assessment, and the Five Star Award - the highest ranking in the JNCAP's new overall evaluation for vehicle safety.

A total of nine colours are available, including the new colour Spirited Aqua Metallic.

Toyota aims to sell 2,500 Prius PHV per month in Japan.


Geneva prepares for the Apollo landing

                LEIPZIG: After closing its doors due to insolvency in 2013, German hypercar company Gumpert is back in business and will be bringing an entirely new Bugatti-challenging model to next week's Geneva motor show. But it won't be the only boutique firm looking to challenge the establishment.

Called the Apollo N, the company, which has also been renamed Apollo Automobil, isn't giving much away about the car's capabilities other than to say it will be the world's fastest road-legal car when it makes its global debut on March 1.

That is a huge boast. The world's fastest full production car (i.e., more than 30 identical models built) is the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport - 427.6kph) - and its replacement, the Chiron, also being unveiled in Geneva, is set to be faster still.

However, the original Apollo was no slouch thanks to its lightweight construction and twin-turbo V8 engine. The 'Sport' model could hit 100kph from standstill in just under 3 seconds and its top speed was comfortably above 354kph. It is also one of the fastest cars ever to lap the Nurburgring, completing the course in 7 minutes and 11.57 seconds.

While the new Apollo N is aiming to give Bugatti a run for its money, it could face some very stiff competition from British boutique builder Arash. It will be bringing its all-new AF10 to Geneva and it uses a hybrid powertrain to deliver a scarcely believable 2,080bhp - that's 880bhp more than a Bugatti.

 The Arash AF10.

This power comes from a total of five motors working together -- a 295bhp electric motor at each wheel and a supercharged V8 sitting in the middle. The car is built almost entirely from carbon fibre or composites so it's light yet strong and Arash is hoping to sell the car for £1 million (about US$1.4 million).

Another supercar maker that will be resurrecting its brand at Geneva is Dutch firm Spyker. After running into serious financial difficulties after its unsuccessful attempt to buy and relaunch Saab, the company is back on a much surer financial footing. As such, it will be unveiling a totally new model, the C8 Preliator that will feature a new design language and possibly a full electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The 86th Geneva Motor Show opens its doors to the press on March 1 and to the public from March 3.


2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster S unveiled

                MILWAUKEE (USA): Harley-Davidson has unveiled the all-new Sportster S sport custom motorcycle that promises a new era of a thrilling riding experience.

The bike features a taut, lightweight chassis and premium suspension to deliver responsive and intuitive handling.

Its 121hp Revolution® Max 1250T V-Twin engine puts the Sportster S rider in command of unrelenting and on-demand torque.

The 1,250cc engine is the latest Harley-Davidson liquid-cooled V-Twin engine that is tuned to make tremendous torque at low engine revs with a torque curve that stays flat through the powerband.

The engine performance is designed to deliver strong acceleration from a start with robust power through the mid-range.

In profile, the Sportster S appears crouched and powerful.

The fuel tank and tail section frame the engine as the predominate centerpiece of the motorcycle.

The massive front tyre recalls the fenderless front end of a classic bobber, while the tail section, high-mount exhaust and slim solo seat draw inspiration from the Harley-Davidson XR750 flat tracker.

The thick inverted forks and wide-profile tyres suggest high-performance sport bike.

The powertrain is highlighted with a Chocolate Satin finish on the lightweight magnesium engine covers.

Textures, colors, finishes and details were selected to give the Sportster S model the look of a custom show bike.

The Sportster S comes with a host of technologies designed to the enhance the riding experience, among them three pre-programmed, selectable Ride Modes of Sport, Road and Rain.

In addition to Cornering Rider Safety Enhancements by Harley-Davidson, the bike also gets two Custom modes may be used by the rider to create a set of performance characteristics to meet personal preference or for special situations.

A round, 4.0-inch TFT screen displays all instrumentation and supports infotainment generated by the rider’s Bluetooth-equipped mobile device and helmet headset, including music, incoming and out-going calls.

All-LED lighting includes a Daymaker® Signature LED headlamp designed to produce a homogenous spread of light, eliminating distracting “hot spots.”

The headlamp has a distinctive oval or capsule shape that adds style to the front end and will identify the Sportster® S model to other riders and motorists.

As the powertrain is a stressed member of the chassis, the design eliminates the traditional frame and significantly reduces motorcycle weight and results in a very stiff chassis that contributes to precise handling.

Meanwhile, a welded tubular steel trellis swingarm features a braced design and stamped X-member to further stiffen the chassis, while its shape adds distinctive style to the motorcycle.

Harley-Davidson chairman, president and CEO Jochen Zeitz said the Sportster S is the next all-new motorcycle built on the Revolution Max platform and sets a new performance standard for the Sportster line.

“This is a next generation Sportster defined by power, performance, technology and style. And it’s part of our commitment to introduce motorcycles that align with our strategy to increase desirability and to drive the legacy of Harley-Davidson,” he said.

Available colours are Vivid Black, Stone Washed White Pearl and Midnight Crimson.