Goodyear and Citroen tie-up for Eagle GO

                KUALA LUMPUR: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has developed the Eagle GO concept tyre which uses a range of suitainable materials in its tyre tread compound, leading to longer servicebility.

The eco-friendly tyre will be fitted to oli, Citroen's new concept car.

The Eagle GO is the third Goodyear concept tyre developed with Citroën and has been created to optimise efficiency, durability and comfort.

The American tyre maker has pursued sustainable, low-maintenance innovations and inventions for more than 120 years and partnering with Citroën continues a long-standing relationship between both brands.

Among the materials used in Eagle GO are:

> Sunflower oils and pine tree resins - are renewable solutions to replace petroleum-derived oils. These materials are currently being used to make ‘Vegetable Ink’ for printers. Goodyear’s goal is to fully replace petroleum-derived oils in its products by 2040.

> Natural rubber from the Hevea brasiliensis tree - is used to replace synthetic petroleum-based rubber, using responsible farming and cultivation methods.

> Rice husk ash silica from rice processing - can reduce waste going to landfills and has previously been used in reinforced concrete.

The Eagle GO concept tyre has the potential to be renewed twice across its lifetime, which increases the lifespan of the tyre.

The tyre's set objective was to achieve up to 500,000km through the reuse of the sustainable carcass and renewable tread.

The concept tyre also uses Goodyear SightLine technology, which includes a sensor that monitors a variety of tyre health parameters to determine whether or when the tyre’s tread can be renewed, thus increasing circularity and efficiency.

This technology is already being applied to help Goodyear fleet customers and could significantly reduce waste and increase efficiency by maintaining ideal pressure and tyre condition.

Adding this technology to the Eagle GO concept tyre is in line with Goodyear’s goal to reinvent tyres and service, delivering data-and-sensor-enabled intelligence in all new products by 2027.

 Copyright Maison Vignaux @ Continental Productions

Goodyear Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Regional Technology Director Laurent Colantonio said tyre architecture has come a long way by incorporating sustainable materials and smart technologies.

“With Citroën, we have a relationship that provides a great testbed for developing and testing new technologies and techniques.

“Concept tyres are a fantastic way for Goodyear to research and develop ground-breaking technologies that can make its way into our products.

“The learnings from this project will go towards our future as a mobility enabler that consistently innovates its products and services,” he said.

For more information on Goodyear Malaysia’s initiatives, visit https://www.goodyear.com.my or follow their Facebook and Instagram pages.


Electric Mercedes G-Class is dream come true for Schwarzenegger

                MUNICH: The electric version of Mercedes-Benz’s G-Class looks set to be built in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s alpine hometown.

On Sunday, Mercedes-Benz unveiled its EQG prototype, an all-electric version of the automaker’s utilitarian off-road icon.

Its combustion-engine forerunner is built in Graz, Austria, by Magna International Inc., and the subcontractor’s European boss dropped a hint at the Munich car show that the electric version will be built there, too.

"We’ve built the G-Class for 41 years and we’re involved with their electric projects,” Guenther Apfalter said in an interview.

"We have high hopes.”

Former California governor and action-movie actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a native of Graz, in 2018 implored former Mercedes chief executive officer Dieter Zetsche to offer an electric version of the G-Class.

That dream now looks set to become reality as Daimler AG’s main division plows more than €40 billion (RM197bil) into electrifying its product range this decade.

Daimler is in talks to increase its battery orders as part of its plan to make its offering electric-only by the end of the decade, CEO Ola Kallenius said.

"We’re upping the ante and talking to our partners,” he said.

When Mercedes designed the G-Class in the late 1970s, its boxy design and all-terrain capabilities were envisioned for soldiers and explorers.

It largely stayed in that niche until the SUV boom vaulted the model more into to the mainstream, gaining high-profile customers including Sylvester Stallone, Kim Kardashian and Megan Fox.

While vintage in design, the G-Class is among the most expensive cars in the Mercedes range.

The AMG G63 version, for example, costs about US$156,450 (RM649,000).

Asked if Mercedes would produce a high-powered AMG version of the G-Class, Kallenius said the company has "hinted at what the drive train will be like with four individual motors close to the wheels.”

"All I can say at this point: it’ll be insane,” he said.


EV market heating up as Tesla plans exports from Shanghai plant to rest of Asia and Europe

                SHANGHAI: Tesla Inc. plans to ship cars made at its Shanghai Gigafactory to other markets in Asia and Europe, according to people familiar with the matter.

China-built Tesla Model 3s intended for delivery outside the country will likely start mass production in the fourth quarter, the people said, asking not to be identified because the details are private.

They said the markets targeted include Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, as well as Europe, where customers currently have to wait for a Tesla to be delivered from the US. Shipments could start as soon as the end of this year, or early 2021, according to the people.

The world’s biggest maker of electric vehicles is stepping up production as competition in the space intensifies, with traditional automakers starting to make EVs, especially for the China market, where local rivals like BYD Co. already have a strong footing. General Motors Co. said this week it will take a US$2 billion equity stake in electric truck maker Nikola Corp.

A representative for Tesla in China declined to comment.

Tesla’s main factory is in Fremont, California, where it assembles the Model S, Model X, Model Y and Model 3. That’s also where the vast majority of the vehicles’ components are made. The company is also building a factory in Berlin, its first in Europe. Chief executive officer Elon Musk is pursuing an ambitious timetable, targeting mid-2021 for that plant to start production.

 Tesla uses CATL batteries in the Model 3s it makes in Shanghai. — Bloomberg

Demand for EVs globally is rising, bolstered by tighter emissions regulations in Europe and an increasing awareness of climate change and the negative impact fossil-fuelled cars have on the environment. While the coronavirus pandemic has dented sales of all vehicles — global passenger EV sales were down 15% in the second quarter — the market for EVs is forecast to expand about 7% this year.

Europe has led the growth in 2020, with EV sales in the continent’s main auto markets more than doubling in January to July compared with the same period in 2019, according to BloombergNEF. Renault SA’s Zoe has dominated, and Tesla is also facing competition from Volkswagen AG and BMW AG’s new electric models.

Singapore, Australia and New Zealand have trailed Europe and China in EV adoption and could present a bigger challenge for Tesla and its rivals. Tesla may also need to make changes to its assembly set-up in Shanghai to target those right-hand drive countries.

In China, Tesla delivers around 11,000 cars a month, all for the domestic market. Upstart NIO Inc. has been averaging around 3,500 recently, by comparison.

Analysts at Credit Suisse Group AG described Tesla’s export plans as positive for the company, noting that China-made Model 3s have a lower cost than those built in the US. They added however that any move to export may signal that demand in China is below capacity.

Around 80% of the parts that Tesla uses at its Chinese plant will be sourced locally by the end of the year, Musk said during an earnings call in July. In December, before the outbreak of Covid-19, Song Gang, the manufacturing director at the Shanghai facility, said Tesla wanted to source 100% of its parts locally by the end of the year.

Tesla has been slashing its prices in China as part of a push to increase sales in the world’s largest EV market. Musk has said that making Tesla cars more affordable is a key target, and local sourcing helps with lowering expenses.

Cars equipped with lithium iron phosphate batteries are also expected to launch in the market soon.


'Delicious but crazy!' Vin Diesel on car launching into space in 'Fast And Furious 9' trailer

Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) takes a leap of faith with Dom (Vin Diesel).  — UIP Malaysia
PETALING JAYA: If the first trailer for Fast And Furious 9 served the drama, the second and latest trailer gets into the action, including one where a car launches into space... well, maybe.

According to actor John Cena – the newest cast member to join the franchise that began in 2001 – “the trailer leaves so much meat on the bone”.

He said this during a virtual global press conference on April 12 that StarLifestyle was invited to.

Cena elaborated: “That’s what I’m really excited about seeing these two spectacular trailers, there’s still so much movie left.”

Actress Michelle Rodriguez agreed: “I don’t know how to top this (film).”

To which star Vin Diesel added, while chuckling: “It’s a good problem to have.”

Besides the furious action sequences, the franchise’s main focus has always been about family, be it blood family or chosen family.

This time, the family member stirring up trouble is Jakob Toretto (Cena), Dom’s younger brother who is out for revenge.

Along for the ride are Dom’s chosen family including Letty (Rodriguez), Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Ludacris) and Han (Sung Kang).

Fast And Furious 9 is the penultimate movie in The Fast Saga. Or to be more accurate, it is the first part of the franchise’s two-part finale.

However, it is still unknown when the 10th movie will be filmed or much less its release date.

Director Justin Lin (who’s helmed four films in the franchise and is steering this one) stated: “I love that every time we get to do one of these, we’ve earned it... that people want to see these characters and their journey continue.

“What’s really special about F9 is that, we now have eight other chapters, and there’s a lot of unanswered questions," continued Lin.

"I feel like we’ve kind of finally earned the right to look back a little bit. All our characters have something that they have come to terms with or make a decision before they can move forward.”

One of the questions that will be answered is how in the world is Han back from the dead after being killed in Fast And Furious 6.

And this is not even Han's first time coming back from the beyond. This character got killed in The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift as well.

 Cars launching into space? Yup, you read right.

As for the short clip near the end of the trailer where characters Roman and Tej are suiting up in some spacesuit get-up, Lin said that he actually spoke to rocket scientists about this scene. And it all came about organically.

"Like I said, this journey, I feel like our every relationship with the fans has been earned. And so I think it's our responsibility, every time we get an opportunity, to really kind of push it.

"It was not like an agenda or something that we had to do. It's just been very organic," explained Lin.


Volkswagen Jetta open for pre-bookings - VIDEO

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia is now accepting pre-bookings for the new Volkswagen Jetta.

The estimated price for the new Jetta ranges between RM110,000 and RM130,000. It will be available in four colours - Candy White, Platinum Grey, Reflex Silver and Deep Black.

It will be available in three trims – Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. Under the hood is a 1.4L TSI engine that is mated to a 7-speed direct shift gearbox, giving an output of 148hp and a torque of 250Nm between 1,500 and 3,500rpm.

Recognised as an Energy Efficient Vehicle, Volkswagen said the Jetta offers improved energy and fuel efficiency, thanks to its start/stop and regenerative braking functions.

Key safety features are six airbags, Electronic Stability Control, Intelligent Crash Response System and hill-hold control.

Pre-bookings can be made either online or at the Jetta Pre-Booking Weekend on Sept 24-25 at Volkswagen dealers nationwide.


Slow or fast driving: Which makes more sense in an electric car?

                BERLIN: The stereotype of an electric car driver is one who keeps to an almost laughably slow speed on the highway in order to preserve range, while fuel-belching diesel and petrol drivers whizz past at twice the speed.

This cliche might not always hold true, but range anxiety among electric drivers, often worried about not making it to the next charging station, certainly makes them more conscious of what their speed means for their battery life.

After all, advice from experts is typically to avoid flooring the accelerator, as the closer you get to your car's top speed, the faster you are draining your battery.

But isn't driving faster and charging more often perhaps altogether faster? And can you still cut time off your journey even if you have to recharge more often?

It's a theory that a group of car experts recently put to the test. Testers from the German car industry journal Auto Motor und Sport found that you can indeed cut time off longer road trips by burning through battery and recharging more frequently.

But if you want to take this route, you'll need a driving strategy that is highly dependent on your car's battery capacity and consumption levels.

The testers tried out two different driving strategies on a total of six electric cars on a route across Germany and back, from the western city of Stuttgart to the eastern city of Dresden — a distance of 506km.

On one route, drivers limited themselves to a maximum of 120kph (even on Germany's famous no-limits highways). On the other, drivers put the pedal to the metal and aimed for speeds between 140kph and 170kph, depending on the engine power.

Testers found there are electric cars with such low consumption levels (or such large batteries) that need the same amount of charging stops no matter what speed you drive.

However, in principle, the testers say that if your electric car has a more limited range or higher consumption levels, you are better off keeping to a slower speed if you want to charge less often.

Then again, if you are planning a half-way pit stop anyway, then you'll save time on your total journey by driving faster and using up more battery - even if it means waiting a little longer when recharging.

Another finding from testers: If you plan on lots of charging stops, you do run the risk of charging stations being occupied or not working at all, as was the case several times during the 12 test drives in Germany.

Indeed in countries all over the world, car drivers with "range anxiety" have been sceptical of switching to electric due to this very fear of crowded or non-existant charging points.

In practice, if you plan on driving at top speeds in your electric, it helps to know if the charging infrastructure on your route is reliable.


BASF invents new material to protect car sensors and radars

                FRANKFURT: German chemistry giant BASF has developed a new way to protect car sensors. This new material withstands extreme weather conditions but also electromagnetic waves coming from other vehicles.

This innovative material, called Ultradur RX, is a modified polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

It withstands water, oil and salt projections and was designed specifically for radar sensor applications in cars. Ultradur RX properties also protect the sensitive electronics inside vehicles from interfering electromagnetic waves. The car's radar signals thus remain 100% reliable.

BASF said the ultra-resistant material is suitable to be used as the rear cover of a sensor housing or as an insert behind the printed circuit board (PCB).

The material will soon be used in vehicles produced by car manufacturers who have partnered with BASF.


New Mercedes-Benz A and B-Class equipped with EQ Power

                STUTTGART: For the very first time, the Mercedes-Benz A and B-Class will be rolling out with plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) technology.

The German automaker has confirmed that it will be pushing ahead with the development of its PHEVs under its EQ Power label for its A 250 e, A 250 e Saloon and B 250 e.

The aim of Mercedes-Benz is that it wants to provide more than 20 model variants by 2020.

At current, the order books have opened for the A 250 e and A 250 e Saloon with prices starting from €36,943.55 (RM171,200) and €37,300.55 (RM172,900) respectively.

Sale of the B 250 e starts in a few weeks with their market launch to take place this year.

Under the hood lies a 1.33-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine that, together with the electric motor, provides a system output of 218hp and 450Nm of torque that gets managed by an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

The lithium-ion (Li-ion) high-voltage battery has a total capacity of approx. 15.6kWh that can be charged with alternating or direct current.

The compact PHEVs can be charged at a 7.4kW Wallbox with alternating current (AC) within 1h 45mins from 10 to 100% SoC (Status of Charge).
For direct-current charging (DC) the battery can be charged from 10 to 80% SoC in around 25 minutes.

The batteries are supplied by wholly-owned Daimler subsidiary Deutsche ACCUMOTIVE.

The high-voltage battery is water-cooled and weighs approximately 150kg and, according to Mercedes-Benz, does not infringe on boot capacity.

For performance qualities, 0 to 100kph sprint times can be as low as 6.6 seconds with a top speed of 235kph (140kph in full electric mode), 70 TO 75km of electric range and the ability to take on a trailer load of up to 1,600kg (braked).

For the first time in a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, the combustion engine is started by the electric motor - the compact hybrids do not have a separate 12-volt starter.

Rather than extending the exhaust system to the end of the vehicle, the exhaust actually ends in a centrally positioned outlet under the vehicle floor, with the rear silencer housed in the transmission tunnel.

Integrating the fuel tank into the axle installation space creates room beneath the rear seats for the high-voltage battery.

This results in a minimal reduction in boot capacity for the A 250 e and B 250 e compared to the sister models without hybrid engines.

Because the compact vehicles use third-generation plug-in technology, all of their functions are also available.

These include in particular the intelligent, route-based operating strategy, taking factors such as navigation data, speed regulations and route into account.

The operating strategy takes into account the entire planned route and prioritises the electric driving mode for the most sensible route sections in each case.

With the launch of MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) the previous plug-in operating modes of all EQ Power models have been converted to drive programs.

That means that in every Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrid the new drive programs "Electric" and "Battery Level" are available. This is the case from the outset for the compact models.

Maximum e-performance can be experienced in "Electric" mode the combustion engine is only engaged if the driver uses the kickdown at the bottom of the accelerator pedal.

In the "Electric" program the recuperation strength can also be selected via paddles behind the steering wheel. The paddles on the steering wheel enable the selection of five different recuperation levels (DAUTO, D+, D, D- and D--).

Comfort, ECO and Sport modes are also available. According to the given requirements, the driver is able to give priority to electric driving, place the emphasis on driving dynamics in combined drive mode or give preference to combustion mode in order to save electric range, for example.

A key comfort feature is pre-entry climate control before the vehicle is started because the A 250 e and B 250 e have an electric refrigerant compressor which can be activated via smartphone.


Ford gets in on eSports with Fordzilla

                BERLIN: Ford has announced that it will launch its first-ever eSports teams to build on its real-world racing heritage by competing at the very highest level on the virtual racing stage.

Recruitment for national teams – under the Fordzilla name – begins at Gamescom, in Germany and star players will also be selected for a crack European team.

Currently, the brand with 'blue oval' is exploring the digital realm and real-world synergies, with the belief that gaming could help shape future mobility - for business or pleasure, as passengers and drivers.

At Gamescom, Europe's leading trade fair for digital games culture, the company will recruit national Fordzilla teams for France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK – as well as a European team consisting the star players from each national team.

“We at Ford have a racing pedigree that others can only envy. Now is the time to take that know-how and apply it to the world of eSports – capturing the imagination of a new generation of virtual racing drivers, inspiring them to take a ride in one of our Ford Performance vehicles,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing Sales & Service, Ford of Europe.

In 2019, the global eSports market is expected to generate revenues of $1.1 billion, up 26.7 per cent year on year; the audience will reach 453.8 million, made up of 201.2 million eSports enthusiasts and 252.6 million occasional viewers. Contrary to the popular stereotype, the average gamer is in their early thirties.

Ford is increasingly intrigued by synergies between gaming and mobility and how they could help shape the way in which we all get about in the future – whether that is as commuters, as passengers in autonomous vehicles or simply enjoying the thrill of performance.

“The distinction between 'real' and 'virtual' worlds is blurring. Gaming is now a part of mainstream culture. Top gamers challenge professional race drivers in real life and many of our day-to-day activities are ‘gamified’, from using fitness apps to collecting loyalty points for a free coffee,” said Amko Leenarts, director, Design, Ford of Europe. “Harnessing the passion and expertise of the gaming community will help evolve our thinking around what future journeys will look like – something that we are all committed to and really excited about.”

In 2017, Ford became the first manufacturer to host a stand at Gamescom, which boasts more than 1,000 exhibitors that attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, and last year, the company pioneered the first-ever vehicle reveal at the show – unveiling the Ford Ranger Raptor, the performance version of Europe’s best-selling pickup.

Among the games that Fordzilla will compete on is the award-winning Forza Motorsport 7, developed by Microsoft Game Studios’ Turn 10 Studios. The Forza franchise is the best-selling racing franchise of this console generation and is home to one of the largest racing communities in the world. Millions of people worldwide play Forza games each month with 1 million players choosing Ford vehicles.

“We are pleased to see Forza Motorsport continuing to be the game of choice for big brands like Ford as they launch eSports initiatives,” said Justin Osmer, Sr. Manager of Partnership Development at Turn 10 Studios, the creators of Forza Motorsport. “With millions of fans playing Forza games, we’ve seen significant growth in the numbers who want to compete, or simply spectate, in eSports and it’s great to see a long-standing partner like Ford Motor Company bringing even more opportunities to participate.”


KLIMS’18: Getting there, fun contests and events

Stand a chance to win one of three cars at KLIM'18.
KUALA LUMPUR: At the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2018 (KLIMS’18), every entrance ticket stands a chance to win either a Toyota C-HR, a Honda City or a Perodua Myvi in a visitors’ lucky draw.

If that’s not enough to salivate over, each online purchase of KLIMS’18 entrance ticket at AirAsia Red Tix is entitled to one entry of fortnightly draws with AirAsia return flights to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Bali, Taipei, Jakarta and Shanghai as well as the grand draw to Tokyo, up for grabs.

Online Purchases can be made via the AirAsia Red Tix website (https://airasiaredtix.com) and is also accessible via the KLIMS’18 website (www.klims.com.my).

Entrance fees are RM20 on weekdays and RM25 on weekends.

For children aged 3 to 12 years old, entrance tickets are RM5 and students/senior citizens are charged RM5 (weekdays only).

There is a family package where parents and up to 5 children aged 12 years old and below are charged RM40 (weekdays) and RM50 (weekends).

Those with special needs get free entry together with one accompanying person.

Parking charges at MITEC (RM15 per entry)
Free shuttle buses to MITEC are available at:
1) Taxi stand at the front entrance of Sunway Putra Mall. Visitor may alight from KTM Putra Station or Putra LRT Ampang & Seri Petaling line at the PWTC Station.
2) Semantan Station Door A - MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line

Free shuttle vans to MITEC are available at:
1) Tun Razak Tennis Stadium (Pusat Tenis Tun Razak) car park
2) MATRADE open air car park
Visitors parking in the vicinity of MITI, Kuala Lumpur Court Complex as well as the Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri may hail the shuttle vans along Jalan Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah

By Rail
Nearest rail station: MRT Semantan, KTM Putra, LRT PWTC, LRT/Monorail Titiwangsa

By Bus
i. 850 – KL Sentral – Solaris Dutamas (30-60 minutes)
ii. 851 – HAB Pasar Seni – Mahkamah Duta (40 minutes) – Weekdays only
iii. 852 -Terminal Pekeliling – Matrade (30 minutes) – Weekdays only
iv. T821 -MRT Semantan -Kompleks Mahkamah (10 minutes)
It is recommended that the public use direct bus services from Titiwangsa bus hub on weekends.

Visitors can meet their favourite celebrities at KLIMS’18 and catch them posing with hot vehicles at the following dates from 3pm to 5.30pm.

Nov 24 (Saturday)
- Amyra Rosli, Elizabeth Tan and Jinny Boy

Nov 25 (Sunday)
- Alif Satar and Sazzy Falak

Dec 1 (Saturday)
- Marsha Milan and Nazim Othman

Aspiring and professional photographers can join the KLIMS’18 Photography Competition and win prizes.
Upload your best photos to Facebook, with the following themes and hashtags.
1) Fun moments and hashtag #klims2018fun
2) Creative Composition and hashtag
#klims2018creative
3) Instagram Photo-Of-the-Day and hashtag #klims2018 on Instagram
Contest period: Nov 23 to Dec 2

The prizes:
Facebook Photo Contest theme Fun Moments and/or Creative Composition

1 x First Prize: Cash RM1,000 + Prize
2 x Merit Prizes: Cash RM500 + Prize
5 x Consolation Prizes: Cash RM100 + Prize

Instagram Photo-Of-The-Day
10 prizes of RM50 each

For more information, log on to www.klims.com.my.


Hain family joins Volvo at Detroit

                DETROIT: Volvo Cars brought a family of four from Sweden to the 2017 Detroit motor show. And for a specific purpose.

The Hain family, from Gothenburg , are the first people chosen to take part in a real-life autonomous drive research program using real cars, in real traffic.

“We do things differently at Volvo Cars – we always have,” said Håkan Samuelsson, President & CEO of Volvo Car Group. “Our main focus has always been on people and making their lives easier. Technology should improve the consumer experience, making mobility safer, sustainable and more convenient.”

Volvo Cars said that in the rush to deliver fully autonomous cars, many car makers are forgetting the most important ingredient: the people that will use them. Volvo’s approach is to define the technology based on the role of the driver – not the other way around.

“The aim of the Drive Me research project is to focus on how to enhance people's lives and have a positive impact on society. We take a holistic rather than a purely technical approach to our research and development processes. No one else to our knowledge is developing autonomous drive from a human-centric standpoint,” said Henrik Green, Senior Vice President, Research and Development at Volvo Car Group.

The Swedish car maker, a leading partner in the Drive Me research project, aims to have its first fully autonomous car on the market by 2021.

The Drive Me project is a collaborative research program consisting of several players from public, private and academic fields. It is probably the most advanced, ambitious and extensive real-life autonomous drive project. The project will see up to 100 autonomous cars on the roads around Gothenburg, driven by real people, in real traffic during 2017. The project is set to expand to other cities around the world in the near future.

“We want to learn more around how people feel when they engage and disengage autonomous drive, what the handover should be like, and what sort of things they would do in the car when it’s driving them to their destination,” said Henrik Green.


Updated 2015 Toyota Hiace offers more safety

                KUALA LUMPUR: The 2015 Toyota Hiace has received upgrades which improve safety.

The new Active Safety features that are now standard in the Hiace window van are Vehicle Stability Control with Traction Control, Hill Start Assist Control and an Emergency Stop Signal.

The Hiace panel van variant has also been upgraded with Anti-Lock Braking or ABS, and Brake Assist.

Other safety features for the Hiace window van and panel van include dual SRS airbags and 3-point seatbelts for all 10 occupants in the window van.

Reverse sensors are also standard, and the body structure is GOA (Global Outstanding Assessment) certified.

GOA is a tough in-house safety standard that meets or exceeds international requirements.

The Hiace has two choices of powertrains, namely the 2.7-litre 16-valve DOHC petrol engine with VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing – intelligent), and the D-4D 2.5-litre DOHC commonrail turbodiesel engine.

Optional accessories include Toyota premium security and solar film, Toyota essential or Toyota standard solar film, and a portable tyre pump.

The Hiace comes with a three-year/100,000km (whichever occurs earlier) warranty.

On the road prices are RM109,600 (high roof window van 2.5-litre turbo diesel), and RM102,600 (high roof window van 2.7-litre petrol) and RM87,600 (company commercial only - panel van 2.5-litre turbo diesel).


London's Formula E round gets the green light

                LONDON: London's season-ending July round of the Formula E electric series in Battersea Park was given the green light on Tuesday after organisers agreed with local campaigners to hold it in a new location next year.

Formula E said in a statement that, following the agreement, a judicial review had been dropped to allow the July 2-3 races to go ahead. It said this year's race would be the last in the park on the south bank of the River Thames.

"We now look forward to finding a new home in London, using the streets and backdrop of one of the most famous and recognisable cities in the world," said Formula E Chief Executive Alejandro Agag in a statement.

Campaigners had been contesting the legality of the council's agreement for the use of the park and had set up a website (savebatterseapark.com).

Formula E, the world's first electric championship, has already cancelled a Moscow round scheduled for June 4 due to "unforeseen circumstances" relating to road closures.


Kia teases with rendering of new Picanto

                SEOUL: Kia Motors has unveiled some styling details of the up-coming third generation Picanto, one of Kia’s global best-selling nameplate.

The new A-segment Picanto gets a youthful and yet energetic new exterior and interior design with greater potential for customer personalisation, inside and out.

It retains its compact dimensions while conveying a more assertive stance through bolder bodylines and a vibrant colour palette.

Inside, the car’s suite of high-tech comfort, convenience and safety features is supplemented by a modern and refined new cabin design, with smarter packaging efficiency than ever before.

The compact city car will be fully revealed early in 2017.


Geely's London black cab unit unveils new large EV platform

                LONDON: Geely unit London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) today unveiled a new, large electric-vehicle (EV) platform for vehicles ranging from people-movers to commercial vans that it said could also be used by other units of the Chinese carmaker.

LEVC said the platform, dubbed Space Oriented Architecture (SOA), had been jointly developed over the last two-and-a-half years in China, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Germany, would provide EVs with longer range, fast-charging capabilities and advanced driver-assistance features.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday at LEVC headquarters in Ansty, England, executives said the flexible platform could be used for a wide range of EVs, including pickup trucks, large SUVs or even mobile homes.

But executives said they could not provide details of which EVs LEVC would focus on first, when the new EVs might roll off the production line or where they will be made.

Earlier this year, LEVC said Geely was planning a big investment to turn the maker of London's famous black taxis into a high-volume, all-electric brand with a range of commercial and passenger vehicles.

The company said it could not yet provide an update on those plans.

Geely owns multiple brands including British sportscar maker Lotus, Zeekr, Volvo and - via a joint venture with Volvo - Polestar.

As such, Geely faces complexities that larger EV makers BYD and Tesla Inc have avoided. The Chinese carmaker also already has its own commercial van brand, Farizon.

LEVC managing director Chris Allen said the brand was positioning itself within the Geely group to provide larger EVs that "give more space, more opportunities, more flexibility with a larger vehicle size."


Matt LeBlanc to headline 'Top Gear' 2017 season

                LONDON: The BBC has confirmed that former "Friends" series star Matt LeBlanc will return to host another season of hit automotive show "Top Gear", albeit without his original co-host, Chris Evans, who quit earlier this summer.

LeBlanc and Evans were hired to replace the program's previous hosts Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, after the BBC fired Clarkson in 2015 for punching a producer.

Chris Harris and Rory Reid have been tapped to replace Evans for 2017, starring alongside LeBlanc, with regular appearances scheduled to come from Eddie Jordan, Sabine Schmitz and "The Stig."

The news comes as the show braces to compete with a new automotive series on Amazon Prime Video, starring Clarkson, May and Hammond, which is titled "Grand Tour" and is set to debut on-screen in November.

Image source: Twitter/Matt_LeBlanc


First Aston Martin SUV to enter production in 2019

The Aston Martin DBX concept serves as the basis for the carmaker's first SUV.
LONDON: Aston Martin has confirmed that its first SUV will enter production in late 2019 at its new St Athan plant in Wales, Britain. However, the British car maker hasn't yet released any specs for the upcoming model.

The British media reports that Aston Martin's debut SUV, based on the DBX concept, presented in 2015 at Pebble Beach, California, could be called the Varekai.

The petrol version is expected to get the firm's V12 engine, but Aston Martin may be aiming to cook up the world's most powerful SUV, outstripping the 650hp Lamborghini Urus, thanks to a hybrid powertrain.

For that, the manufacturer will apparently be using a Mercedes-AMG four-litre V8 twin-turbo engine matched with an electric motor of around 200hp, which together come close to 700hp.

Competition is increasingly fierce in the high-end of the SUV market, with Aston Martin going up against the Bentley Bentayga, the Lamborghini Urus and the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Ferrari also has its first SUV in the works.

Note that Aston Martin has another SUV in the pipeline, this time for its premium Lagonda brand, due 2021 at the earliest. It is based on the Lagonda Vision Concept, a semi-autonomous vehicle presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2018.


VW says CEO Diess enjoys full backing from supervisory board

                FRANKFURT: Volkswagen moved to quash rumours that chief executive Herbert Diess had been sidelined by issuing an unsolicited declaration of support, following clashes with the company’s labour leaders who resisted plans for deeper cuts.

“The most important message is that the supervisory board and executive committee ... are in complete agreement that our CEO Herbert Diess is leading the implementation of our strategy,” chief financial officer Frank Witter said in remarks which were read out on a call with journalists on Thursday.

Witter acknowledged that “smoke emanating from Wolfsburg” was a sign of how difficult it was to balance the interests of various stakeholders at the company.

Diess has for months pushed to lower costs at the carmaker’s German operations, repeatedly clashing with labour representatives, who control nine of the 19 seats on VW’s board of directors, known in Germany as the supervisory board.

In June, Diess was forced to apologise to the supervisory board after accusing a member of leaking confidential information to the press.

In the wake of the clash, Diess handed responsibility for managing the core VW brand to internal veteran Ralf Brandstaetter.

“Believe me, his ambition and his urge for rapid and lasting change remain unchanged,” Witter said on Thursday.

Days after Diess relinquished his direct oversight of the VW brand, the carmaker unveiled a raft of other changes which hit a network of external managers that Diess had brought in to increase efficiency at the carmaker.

Volkswagen’s powerful labour chief Bernd Osterloh then went on a roadshow to tell investors the carmaker has no need for deeper cost cuts in Germany.

In June, VW said Bernhard Maier, chairman of Volkswagen’s value brand Skoda brand, and Stefan Sommer, the company’s head of procurement, plus Andreas Renschler, who headed up the Trucks division, would leave Volkswagen.


Shell Malaysia hosts fans' session with Ducati MotoGP riders

                KUALA LUMPUR: As a lead up to the upcoming Shell Motorcycle Grand Prix, Shell Malaysia hosted a meet-and-greet session for Ducati and MotoGP fans with Ducati MotoGP factory team riders, Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci, at the Shell KLIA station.

Dovizioso hails from Italy and 2019 marks his twelfth season in MotoGP. He finished the last MotoGP season as runner-up for the second consecutive year, with four wins and nine podiums overall.

Joining Dovizioso is fellow country man, Petrucci who showed steady growth over the past four years with the factory-supported Pramac Racing Team, earning himself a position with the Ducati Team this year.

The Shell KLIA station which accommodated this meet and greet featured a Ducati takeover with a bespoke store front and a petrol pump island to entice patrons and create excitement towards the upcoming MotoGP race.

Patrons who attended the session were delighted at the opportunity to engage with the Ducati riders, receiving their autographs and also taking some selfies with them.

Datuk Iain Lo, chairman, Shell Malaysia said: “Shell’s technical partnership with Ducati has proven to be invaluable on and off the racetrack. We are pleased to see such a positive turnout at today’s riders’ engagement session, and we will continuously work with Ducati to provide exciting offerings such as this to elevate the motorsports experience for all our fans.”

Later in the evening, at an exclusive meet-the-fans session, Ducati MotoGP rider Andrea Dovizioso along with Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd managing director Shairan Huzani Husain presented awards to 10 deserving bike mechanics who will represent Malaysia at the 2019 Shell Advance Global Masterclass Competition, an upskilling initiative for motorcycle mechanics and workshop owners.

May Tan, Shell Lubricants marketing general manager said “This Shell Advance initiative is a one-of-its-kind further learning and certification tool in the industry. We are leveraging on our technology leadership and global partnership with Ducati to help train and certify motorcycle mechanics. We hope that our Shell Advance Masterclass programme can help local mechanics gain recognition for their technical skills and outride challenges to build rewarding careers,” she said.

David Lim, Ducati Malaysia, head of marketing, Next Bike Sdn Bhd said: “We’ve been actively supporting Shell Malaysia’s on-ground initiatives for many years and will be embarking on new exciting programmes in 2020 together with Shell to engage more with our Ducati and also the larger motorcyclist community in Malaysia.”

Be a part of this year’s Shell MotoGP by purchasing your Shell Hillstand tickets at RM60 from selected Shell stations. For a list of these stations, please visit www.shell.com.my/MotoGP From left: May Tan, Shell Lubricants marketing general manager, Andrea Dovizioso, Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd managing director  Shairan Huzani Husain and celebrity Fattah Amin, who is ambassador for Shell Advance motorcycle oils.


Caltex Havoline confident of Ev Ting's dominance at tonight's ONE: Throne of Tigers

                KUALA LUMPUR: Tonight's ONE: Throne of Tigers mixed martial arts (MMA) championship, together with Caltex Havoline, is bringing Malaysian MMA fighter Ev “E.T.” Ting  and Iranian national wrestling champion Kamal Shalorus together for a face-off at Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur tonight.

The lubricant's maker recently invited Ting to become its brand ambassador with his current record of 12-wins 3-losses and is confident he will once again show his dominance in the cage when he faces Kamal. The bout between the two is for the lightweight title.

“Ev really embodies Caltex Havoline; he has consistently shown his excellence in the cage and has proven his worth as an MMA fighter. The hard work that he has put into the arts is exactly the same kind of rigour that Chevron exerts in formulating Caltex Havoline engine oils," said Chevron Malaysia Limited area business manager (cluster) Asim Khan.

Also, from now to Mar 29, US sportswear and gear-maker, Under Armour, is currently offering a limited number of training backpacks to its lucky Facebook contest winners.


How to set up your car's seats to avoid injury and back pain

                BERLIN: If you want to keep your back healthy while driving, you should make sure your seat is properly adjusted. Slide yourself all the way up to the backrest and adjust the seat so that your legs will still bend slightly when you operate the pedals.

Experts say the backrest should be tilted so that you're be able to reach the steering wheel with your arms slightly bent at a 110-degree angle. Your shoulder should also touch the backrest when moving the steering wheel.

How high should the seat be raised up? As high as possible, says Germany's Healthy Back Initiative (AGR). However, there should still be a hand's breadth of space left between the headliner and the head. If you can adjust the inclination of the seat surface, adjust it so that your thighs will rest loosely on the surface and you can push the pedals all the way without much effort.

If the length of the seat is also adjustable, there should be a space between the hollow of the knee and the front edge of the seat that is two to three fingers wide.

To avoid serious head and neck injuries in a rear-end collision, passengers must never set the headrest too low, the AGR warns. Instead, make sure the upper edges of the headrest and the head are properly aligned.

Adjustable side cushions on the seat should be adjusted in a way that ensures they don't constrict but still rest against the body. If lumbar support is available, adjust it to the back from bottom to top, because the pelvis is the most important area to support.


Should SUVs get a pedestrian warning label?

                NEW YORK: A bill in the New York State senate would establish a statewide pedestrian and cyclist vehicle safety rating system — the first of its kind in the US.

Senate Bill S4307 would require the New York Department of Motor Vehicles to create a database rating the safety of every vehicle model sold in the state, using a one-to-five-star scale  similar to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s existing 5-Star Safety Ratings program.

But unlike NHTSA’s assessment, the New York program would rank vehicles based on the rate and severity of collisions and injuries reported involving bicyclists and pedestrians for each model, compared to the total number of registrations in the state. Special vehicle safety features such as automatic collision warnings and braking systems would also be included. Auto dealerships would have to display the ratings on cars for sale.

The goal of the bill is to make consumers more aware of the dangers of SUVs and trucks, says New York senator and bill author Andrew Gounardes, who represents parts of Brooklyn.

The size, height and poor outward visibility of these vehicles have been identified as major factors in rising fatality rates of vulnerable road users. In 2019, 25 out of 29 New York City cyclists killed on the road were killed by drivers of large trucks, buses, SUVs or vans, according to the bill.

“Most people aren’t primed to think about the impact that their vehicle purchases have on the greater safety of people in the environment around them,” said Gounardes. “We hope this will help educate people in a way that will help them see the consequences of their choices.”

SUVs and pickup trucks are an enduring American obsession. Ford’s F-150 pickup has been the most popular vehicle sold in the US since 1981, and SUV sales likely surpassed 50% market share last year.

They draw buyers even in the densely packed streets of places like New York City: SUVs have grown nearly 10% as a share of all personal vehicles in the city since 2016, according to DMV data provided by the advocacy group Transportation Alternatives.
Bigger cars, bigger appeal

SUVs have grown as a share of all personal vehicles in New York City

Yet as manufacturers expand the size and shape of some vehicles, the risks to non-drivers are growing. A 2010 research review found that pedestrians stand a 50% greater risk of getting killed when hit by SUVs, trucks or minivans than in collisions with conventional cars. A 2020 study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety drew similar results.

Trucks and SUVs are thus believed to be a significant factor behind recent upticks of pedestrian and cyclist deaths nationwide. Even though U.S. drivers traveled far fewer miles in 2020, pedestrian deaths jumped nearly 5% from 2019, in the largest annual increase of the pedestrian fatality rate since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started tabulating such crashes.

Posts on social media featuring children standing next to the towering hood heights of GMC Sierras and Ram 2500s have drawn attention to one reason why: Such vehicles are more likely to run over pedestrians than thrust them over the hood. Tall trucks and SUVs can have significant front blind zones that obscure the road ahead, contributing to the risk of deadly “frontover” crashes.

But apart from voluntary agreements with automakers to include technologies such as automatic pedestrian braking, which aren’t available on many vehicles, federal regulators have done little to respond to these issues.

A 2020 Government Accountability Office report found the National Highway Safety Administration has dragged its feet on collecting detailed pedestrian injury data and has still not decided on whether to include pedestrian safety tests in its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). European countries and Japan require pedestrian safety testing as part of their five-star vehicle rating systems.

President Joe Biden  — who experienced the loss of his first wife and daughter in a 1972 car crash — and transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg have touted traffic safety as a key transportation priority. A NHTSA spokesperson said that the agency plans to announce upgrades and improvements to NCAP later this year.

How New York’s proposed pedestrian safety ratings would influence purchasing decisions is unclear. Would sticking warning labels on dangerous yet profitable models ward off some buyers? The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, an industry group, did not respond to a request for comment.

Offer Grembek, co-director of the Safe Transportation Research and Education Center at the University of California, Berkeley, praised the idea for drawing attention to the risks that vehicles can pose to those not behind the wheel.

“The responsibility that drivers or consumers have towards the safety of vulnerable road users can be overlooked,” he wrote via email. “Efforts to quantify the protective capability that cars provide to pedestrians is likely to have a positive impact on safety.”

Amy Cohen, a co-founder of the New York City advocacy group Families for Safe Streets, said she hopes it starts a national conversation about a growing public health issue. Her organisation backs the bill, as well as seven others related to traffic safety currently in the New York legislature, known together as the Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act.

“This has an opportunity to inform the legislative process at the federal level,” she said. “The U.S. should be looking for models of what is possible, and we should be setting the way in New York City.”


Porsche introduces Cayenne Platinum Edition

                STUTTGART: Porsche is launching a new Platinum Edition of selected Cayenne models.

This special-edition of the SUV is characterised by exclusive coordinated design elements in a satin Platinum paint finish as well as by extra standard equipment.

Platinum Editions of the Cayenne, Cayenne E-Hybrid and Cayenne S are available, as well as the corresponding Coupé variants.

The refined and exclusive appearance of the Cayenne Platinum Edition is characterised by numerous model-specific details in satin-finish Platinum.

The inlays in the slats of the air intakes at the front, the Porsche lettering integrated in the LED rear light strip, the model designation at the rear and the standard 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, which are reserved exclusively for the Platinum Edition, are all painted in this colour.

Sport tailpipes and side window trims in black further emphasise the sporty, elegant look of the special series. Matching solid colours in white and black, metallic paint finishes in Jet Black, Carrara White, Mahogany, Moonlight Blue and the special colour Crayon are available.

In the interior, Crayon seat belts and brushed aluminium door entry sills with the ‘Platinum Edition’ logo add a special touch, as do the textured aluminium interior package and silver-coloured trims.

The Cayenne Platinum Edition also comes with extended equipment as standard. This includes LED headlights including Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS), the panoramic roof system, privacy glass, a Bose surround-sound system, ambient lighting, eight-way leather sports seats, the Porsche Crest on the front and rear headrests, and an analogue clock on the dashboard.

Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur also offers a wide range of refinement options for the interior and exterior – from selective changes to extensive modifications.

The Platinum Edition of the Cayenne is available to order now, with deliveries starting in Germany in May 2022.


Harley-Davidson recalls 251,000 bikes worldwide on brake safety fears

                MILWAUKEE: Iconic US motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson is recalling over 251,000 motorcycles globally due to fears the brakes could fail, a government regulator announced Wednesday. About 175,000 of those effected motorcycles were sold in the United States.

If brake fluid on the motorcycles is not replaced for a "prolonged period" beyond the recommended two-year schedule, deposits may form on internal components "reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash," the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in a statement.

NHTSA began investigating the problem in July 2016 after receiving complaints about sudden brake loss, and said the recall covers 31 models from the 2008 to 2011 model years.

READ MORE:
Chill out with Moto Guzzi and Zero Style in Gasket Alley
Naza World no longer Harley-Davidson distributor

The agency told the company last month that a safety recall was necessary, and rejected Harley's proposal to instead launch a campaign to educate riders about the safety matter and the importance of regularly changing brake fluids.

The company will notify owners that dealers will offer a free brake fluid flush starting Feb 12.

Owners can also check if their bikes are affected by the recall at the Harley site here.

Over in Malaysia, the Harley franchise underwent a change of hands last year after the US company ended its partnership with Naza Prestige Bikes, a subsidiary of the Naza World Group.

The Harley showroom then relocated to The Gasket Alley in Petaling Jaya last November and is up and running under a new partner, believed to be Didi Resources Sdn Bhd, the distributor for Italian make Moto Guzzi and Japan-based Zero Engineering motorcycles. The showroom will be officially opened on March 9.

The retro-styled Gasket Alley venue is the brainchild of founder Kenneth Koay. Didi Resources, a company set up last year, is helmed by chairman Rewi Hamid Bugo.

Call Harley-Davidson in Malaysia at +603 7955 9399 or visit thegasketalley.com


Mysterious Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos invites clientele to 'crack the code'

                LONDON: With the latest iteration of the Wraith, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has brought about a unique Kryptos Collection that embeds an encrypted cipher within the car, inviting the curious to solve.

The name Kryptos is derived from the Ancient Greek language which refers to something unseen, hidden and coded - perhaps even mythical, and for the 50 examples the British ultra-luxury coachbuilder will be building, each will be incorporated with a "labyrinth of complex ciphers into its beguiling facade".

As the name suggests, the Wraith is touted to have within it an encrypted cipher for clients to "decode" and is said by the company that it will lead its interested clientele "on a journey of discovery and intrigue".

To the uninitiated, the ciphers may appear artistic in its form, but to the few with a trained eye, such forms are a clue that ultimately brings its owner on a voyage that leads to an enlightening conclusion.

The cryptographic journey starts with the Spirit of Ecstasy that has graced the bonnet of the marque’s motor cars for over a century.

An engraving with green enamel detailing introduces the company's cipher on the base of the figurine.

The exterior is coated in a Delphic Grey hue that consists of a solid Anthracite base colour and when only exposed to sunlight will its blue and green mica flakes appear.

Coupled to that effect is a hand-painted double coachline with the upper being painted in the newly developed Kryptos Green while the lower acts as a shadow in Dark Grey - both depicting clues relating to the interior code.

Completing the exterior aesthetic are part polished wheels, with Orbit Grey coloured centres featuring a coloured pinstripe.

Inside, there are the illuminated treadplates and the seat's leather upholstery has been accented by a bespoke Kryptos Green hue.

The new colour has been developed to incorporate a metallic effect and is set against either Selby Grey or Anthracite.

Furthermore, elements of the cipher are embroidered into the Wraith’s headrests, where the customary ‘double-R’ emblem are usually found.

Also, the driver will find an interesting screen print that flows across the metal fascia and spans the width of the interior.

Occupants will be able to peer up at the bi-colour headliner that depicts an in-motion data-stream inspired motif.

The illuminated door pockets continue this theme with Rolls-Royce woven leather and Kryptos Green threads to reveal an unexpected and subtle illumination that fades towards the base of the pocket.

The centre tunnel repeats the horizontal lines of the door pockets and hints toward the driver-focused nature of the Wraith.

"As I’ve always been fascinated by the notion that you can communicate messages that are understood by only an elite few, using symbols, pictograms, and ciphers. Finding the key becomes integral to appreciating the full meaning of an item that can otherwise be viewed simply as a work of art," said Rolls-Royce bespoke designer Katrin Lehmann.


Tesla sues former employees for allegedly stealing data, Autopilot source code

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc filed a lawsuit on Thursday against a former engineer at the company, claiming he copied the source code for its Autopilot technology before joining a Chinese self-driving car startup in January.

The engineer, Guangzhi Cao, copied more than 300,000 files related to Autopilot source code as he prepared to join China’s Xiaopeng Motors Technology Company Ltd, the Silicon Valley carmaker said in the lawsuit filed in a California court.

Separately, Tesla lawyers on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against four former employees and US self-driving car startup Zoox Inc, alleging the employees stole proprietary information and trade secrets for developing warehousing, logistics and inventory control operations.

In a statement, Xiaopeng spokesman Marie Cheung said the company was not aware of Cao’s alleged misconduct and that the company has started an internal investigation on the matter.

The company “fully respects any third-party’s intellectual property rights and confidential information. The company has been complying and will comply [with] all applicable laws and regulations,” she said in a statement.

Cao and Zoox could not immediately be reached for comment.

Tesla is building a vehicle assembly facility in Shanghai, putting it in direct competition with Xiaopeng and other Chinese companies in the world’s largest electric vehicle market.

Its Autopilot is a driver assistance system that handles some driving tasks and allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel, although the company stresses it still requires driver supervision and does not make the vehicle autonomous.

Cao's LinkedIn profile shows here he has been working with Xiaopeng since January as "head of perception."

Xiaopeng, which debuted an electric car in Las Vegas last year, counts Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and Foxconn Technology Co Ltd among its investors.

The company, also known as Xpeng Motors, employs at least five former Tesla employees, the US carmaker alleged in the lawsuit.

Apple Inc last year accused here one former employee of stealing trade secrets related to self-driving cars and joining Xiaopeng's US subsidiary.

Several companies are racing to develop the technology required to make cars drive on their own and lawsuits against former employees have become common as firms strive to keep proprietary information in-house.

Alphabet Inc's Waymo self-driving vehicle unit took here Uber Technologies to court after a former employee stole thousands of confidential documents and became chief of Uber's self-driving car project. Uber later paid US$245 million to settle the case.


Ferrari 'door open' for Schumacher's son Mick

Mick is being closely monitored by several F1 teams after winning six of his last 10 races at the Formula Three European Championship. — Reuters
SINGAPORE: Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene has said the "door at Maranello will always be open" for Michael Schumacher's son Mick should the German prospect follow in his father's footsteps and progress to Formula One.

The 19-year-old's father won five of his seven world titles with the Italian team from 2000-04, helping transform Ferrari into the most successful team in Formula One after more than two decades without a drivers' championship.

Mick Schumacher is currently second in the Formula Three European Championship and is being closely monitored by several F1 teams after winning six of his last 10 races.

"Concerning Mick Schumacher I think the most important thing is to let him grow, without giving pressure," Arrivabene told reporters at the Singapore Grand Prix on Friday.

"(But)... that is a family decision, I mean a Schumacher family decision. Let the guy have fun. I always repeat this - be focused, concentrated, but in the meantime have fun, and to grow slowly, but certainly, and then we'll see about the future.

"How can you can say 'no' at Maranello to a name like this?"

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner felt it was too early to make a call on the young driver without knowing what his future plans were, while Sauber's Frederic Vasseur added that it was a huge step up from Formula Three.

"With the small number of test days we have in the winter, I think it's - I don't want to say impossible - quite difficult to do the step and it will make sense probably for him to do Formula Two or something like this," Vasseur said.

"But he could have a link with a Formula One team, he could do some (race weekend practice sessions). There are many ways to prepare for F1."

McLaren sporting director Gil de Ferran said he had not had any contact with Schumacher but would like to be able to help talented drivers like him progress in the sport.

"We are always looking throughout the motor sport arena globally, in a way," De Ferran said.

"I wish we had more opportunities to be able to work with young talent, perhaps more testing and different things like this, to be able to establish a relationship and help in the development of drivers like Mick."


Lamborghini pays tribute to Miura with limited edition Aventador

                LONDON: Unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Lamborghini Aventador Miura Homage will be limited to 50 examples and draws little other than external and internal styling inspiration from the legendary supercar, but don't regard it as a cheap publicity stunt.

For a start there's nothing "cheap" about an Aventador. The standard model costs over US$400,000 and as this will be a strictly limited, numbered edition expect it to cost much, much more.

However, for that premium outlay, owners will be getting a car that really is the modern interpretation of the original supercar in every sense.

The Lamborghini Miura was the car that inspired the term supercar, and as well as being responsible for the genre, is also responsible for the blueprint. Striking good looks, striking impracticality, impossible performance and a V12 engine somewhere in the middle of it all

More than any other marque, Lamborghini has stayed true to this original definition, and the Aventador should be viewed as the Miura's university-educated grandchild.

Built by the company's Ad Personam studio, its equivalent to McLaren's MSO or Aston Martin's division Q bespoke customization arm, it attempts to infuse the colors and materials associated with the Miura into the company's latest flagship -- so deep pigment solid colour exterior paint finishes with a contrasting metallic tone and magnesium effect wheels. There's also Miura anniversary badging while the interior is finished in keeping with the original car's stitching patterns and leather choices too.

And despite the price tag, this car is an absolute bargain compared with a Miura, which can command as much as US$3 million.

What's more, the two cars share more than just a maker's mark. The V12 engine that powers the Miura has matured into the block that gives the Aventador its ferocious power and performance.

The Aventador is also a better handling car, less likely to start leaving the ground in favor of the air as soon as the fuel tank hits the half-full mark.

But what it will do is rocket from standstill to 100kph in 2.9 seconds and onto a top speed of 350kph, which 50 years ago, when the Miura was in its prime, was quite simply unimaginable of a vehicle built for the road.

And, as the car is limited to just 50 examples, one day it could be in just as much demand as the original Miura.


Paris forces even-numbered cars off roads to fight smog

                PARIS: French authorities forced half the cars off the roads here on Monday in a bid to reduce spiking smog levels over the past week.

All cars with licence plates ending in even numbers were taken off the roads of the capital and its suburbs, but plans to extend the measure to today for cars with odd numbers were cancelled after forecasts showed pollution levels falling.

Public transport was free of charge to take the sting out of the restrictions, but ferociously independent drivers in the capital have still railed against the measure, despite it having been used only twice since 1997.

 A technician setting up apparatus on a mobile pollution level checking station parked on the Avenue des Champs Elysees in Paris on Monday. - AFP

Similar emergency restrictions were last implemented almost exactly a year ago -- on March 17 -- during a particularly bad spike in the pollution levels.

The Airparif monitoring agency said smog density was still near alert levels Monday, but rain forecast for Tuesday was expected to clear the air -- allowing government officials to halt the restriction after a single day.

“Due to the improving situation today and tomorrow, the alternative traffic (plan) will not be renewed Tuesday,” announced Ecology Minister Segolene Royal, who saluted “the good citizenship of motorists who understood the necessity of this measure.”

Not all motorists with even-numbered plates were as cooperative as Royal suggested, which explained the presence of 750 police officers mobilised in and around the capital to keep watch for defiant drivers.

“I work - I don’t have time to lose with this,” said a man stopped at a red light with even-numbered plates, when asked why he’d ignored the restriction and risked a 22 euro (RM88) fine.

The measure was also criticised by environmentalists for coming too late following a full week of high pollution levels.

“You must not confuse speediness with undue haste,” Royal responded.

The Paris area is confronting an increasingly troubling air pollution problem, caused by vehicles, heating and heavy industry, which generate tiny floating particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and the blood system and can cause cancer.

In Paris, authorities measure the concentration of particulates with a diameter of less than 10 microns - so-called PM10 - in the air to determine pollution levels.

The safe limit for PM10 is set at 80 microgrammes per cubic metre (mcg/m3), with levels in Paris Monday expected to be somewhere between 40 and 55 mcg/m3. The city’s alert level is fixed at 50 mcg/m3.

According to a 2011 World Health Organisation report, the planet’s most polluted city was Ahvaz in Iran with an average of 372 mcg/m3.

Beijing had an average of 121 mcg/m3, while Paris was measured at 38 mcg/m3.


Secret ingredient in Petronas Primax 97

KUALA LUMPUR: WHILE the name remains the same, the RON 97 fuel is no longer what it once was.

Petronas Dagangan Bhd recently introduced the new RON 97 fuel with Euro 4M specification known as Petronas Primax 97 with improved Advanced Energy Formula.

It was officially launched on Aug 19 at Petronas stations around Malaysia.

What sets the new fuel apart is the lower benzene, sulphur content and Reid Vapour Pressure (RVP) levels; making it a more eco-friendly fuel as it produces less emissions and pollutants compared to the previous RON 97 fuel with Euro 2M specification.

“The sulphur content in the new RON 97 fuel has been reduced from 500 to 50 PPM (Parts Per Million) and there has been a reduction in benzene from 5% to 3.5% and slightly lower Reid Vapour Pressure levels.

“These reductions bring about a better quality fuel and lower emissions,” said Petronas Dagangan Bhd, retail business division senior general manager Shaharuddin M Sidek in an interview.

 Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerim Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin (right) with Petronas Dagangan Berhad Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mohd Ibrahimnuddin Mohd Yunus (2nd left) launch the lower-sulphur Euro 4M RON 97 in Kuala Lumpur.

The new RON 97 fuel however, is not only beneficial to the environment but it does have an impact in the vehicles that use it.

“The new fuel improves drivability with the introduction of the ‘secret ingredient’ as we like to call it. It’s a new chemistry in our fuel. Not only that, it protects the engine as it prevents deposit build-up. It also promotes better combustion so it’s more efficient that way,” said Shaharuddin.

The formulation of the new fuel was developed through the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team partnership where F1 driver Lewis Hamilton serves as Petronas Primax’s Technical Performance Consultant.

“He (Hamilton) provides feedback to our technology team on how we can improve our fuel. So our fuel is developed in the lab and tested on the track.

“Of course, the new RON 97 fuel is adjusted for daily use so if people ask ‘It’s not the same fuel Hamilton uses right?’, well, that goes without saying. But the technology and formulation is similar,” he said.

Shaharuddin is quick to note however, that not all people will detect the difference with the new RON 97 fuel.

“Being in the industry, I can feel the difference with the new RON 97. But for the general consumer, you have to pay close attention to recognise the difference but some people can feel the difference immediately.

“Our technical team advises filling a full tank of the new RON 97 fuel once the fuel in your car is almost empty. And then when you fill up a full tank the second time around, you will really feel the difference,” said Shaharuddin.

The senior general manager, who hails from Bentong, Pahang, is proud of two things with the introduction of the new RON 97 fuel with Euro 4M specification: one is the fact that it is locally produced at Petronas’ refinery plants in Kertih, Terengganu, and Malacca.

The other, is that only the best fuel is offered to all Malaysians.

“What’s more important for us in Petronas, and it’s almost like a social obligation, is that we offer the best to the Malaysian consumer.

“We continue to improve on our products and all these improvements will be given back to the Malaysian public.”


Ford teases 2020 Mach 1 EV

                DETROIT: Ford Team Edison, which is responsible for the Blue Oval's new electric vehicle development, has finally issued a teaser of the Mach 1 performance electric crossover. I

t doesn't show a great deal of what to expect from the company's first electric SUV, but it's a lot more than we've been getting so far as pretty much all we've had to date is a logo and a prototype wearing a Ford Escape body.

It's now around eight months since Ford announced it was working on the 2020 Mach 1 which was to be the company's first all-electric SUV, and not a lot more has been said of it since. The whole project seems to have been shrouded in mystery, and that's not really the way manufacturers do things anymore.

In fact, even the name was in doubt after there was something of a backlash in some parts at the thought of Mach 1 being appropriated for an SUV, and an electric one at that.

The rendering obviously shows the rear of the vehicle, and it's clear to see the Mustang is inspiring more than just the name of this radical new departure for Ford.

Those familiar three-bar taillights are definitely there, sitting inside a round panel stretching across the full width of the rear end. The roofline certainly has a hint of fastback about it, but it's difficult to gauge how sloping or upright it is without some way of judging depth.

Originally, the plan was to launch a practical electric SUV in 2020 that would stand out as something unique in the market. Ford has now decided to change tack completely though, and is instead concentrating on producing an overtly performance-focused model.

Ford hasn't said anything about the kind of performance it's actually aiming for with the Mach 1, but it would have to be something out of the ordinary to rival some of the electric SUVs a number of rivals have in the pipeline such as the Faraday Future FF91.

We do know the Ford will use lithium-ion battery technology and that the vehicle will be built in Mexico rather than in the US.

After Ford recently announced the doubling of its electric vehicle development budget to US$11 billion, the Mach 1 will be one of 16 fully electric models out of a total of 40 electrified models it will have in production by the year 2022.

sc/cm - Relaxnews


Infiniti Q70 Premium Select Edition heightens appeal

                LOS ANGELES: Infiniti is putting on display its latest Q70 Premium Select Edition at the upcoming Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

The car will be placed at its Infiniti Pavilion for all to see before being made available at all of the brand’s retailers throughout America by the start of November.

On the exterior of the special edition Q70 are its 20-inch aluminium alloy wheels with 245/40 series tyres, a boot lip spoiler, dark chrome trim and a darkened lower rear bumper.

On the inside, the cabin gets a unique Graphite or Stone semi-aniline leather seating, suede-like headliner, aluminium interior trim, illuminated kick-plates and floor mats with contrasting piping.

The Premium Select Edition is offered on the standard wheelbase Q70 3.7, Q70 3.7 AWD, Q70 5.6 and Q70 5.6 AWD models (non-Hybrid).

"Following the introduction last year of the new Infiniti Q70 long-wheelbase model, we are continuing to expand our flagship Q70 sedan's portfolio of offerings,” said Infiniti Americas vice president Randy Parker.

H added that the new Premium Select Edition package gives the Q70 an extra touch of premium elegance that’s perfect for Pebble Beach – or in any neighborhood or driveway across America.


TAG Heuer launches 'Nismo' watch

                SHAH ALAM: TAG Heuer has launched the TAG Heuer Carrera “NISMO" Calibre 16 Day-Date Chronograph Special Edition today at the newly opened Nissan Glenmarie 4S Centre here.

Priced at RM19,500 and aimed at the motorsport-inclined, the watch has a 43mm case and is black with charcoal grey and red bands on the dial. It is equipped with the famous calibre 16 movement, known for its reliability and robustness.

The ceramic bezel is scratch-proof, with a tachometer for measuring average speed. The caseback is decorated with a Nissan NISMO decal. It comes with a soft touch matt alligator strap with red top-stitching and is water-resistant to 100m.

Three buyers of Nissan cars would each stand to win the watch this month in conjunction with the 58th Merdeka Celebration.

The watch was specially made to celebrate the return of Nissan to Le Mans racing after an absence of 16 years. This year, Nissan is entering the GT-R LM NISMO, which has a hybrid front wheel drive and a V6 3-litre twin turbo engine making more than 1,000hp.

In explaining the tie-up with Nissan Nismo, TAG Heuer CEO Jean-Claude Biver said both shared the spirit of innovation and audacity.

“Nissan Nismo is the perfect challenger, a pioneer when it comes to the technology in their cars, and also particularly in the way they communicate with young people using their massive social media presence. Just take a look at this car, it's powerful, different, and breaks the mould. It's the perfect embodiment of our #DontCrackUnderPressure campaign.”

Present to unveil the watch were TAG Heuer regional vice-president Amelia Sillard, Tan Chong Motor executive director Christopher Tan and Cortina Watch Malaysia managing director Tay Liam Khoon.

Guests were then invited to view the newly launched watch at the watch bar area and also participate in a RC Challenge with three sunglasses to be given away to three participants with the fastest lap times inside the new Nissan showroom, which opened just last week.

The object of desire: TAG Heuer Carrera “NISMO" Calibre 16 Day-Date Chronograph Special Edition. Tan (left), Sillard and Tay. MC Joey G egging guests to take part in the RC game in the background as they stand to win a sunglass, sample of which he's wearing.


Jaguar, NTT team up with tech group on remote access software

                NEW YORK: Berlin-based technology group IOTA said on Wednesday it has teamed up with several large companies around the world such as Jaguar Land Rover and NTT Data in the launch of software that would grant consumers remote access and control of items such as cars and appliances.

The software, called IOTA Access and developed by the University of Cambridge as well as a European start-up three years ago, also grants and revokes conditional access by individuals other than the user to the physical devices.

IOTA, which specialises in distributed ledgers - a technology similar to blockchain — has teamed up with British luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Plc, European chipmaker STMicroelectronics, and Japan’s NTT Data, among other companies, to launch IOTA Access, it said in a statement.

Global companies are exploring blockchain applications to figure out different ways in which they can leverage the technology to suit their needs.

Jaguar Land Rover confirmed its partnership with IOTA in an email to Reuters on Wednesday. Reuters also reached out to NTT via email, but has not received a response.

“With IOTA Access, we have to focus on getting more to the consumer,” Dominik Schiener, IOTA co-founder, said last week. “You want to be able to use your phone to access anything. Our phones should be our personal keys.”

Three other European companies were part of the partnership, Schiener said.

The product will be embedded in Jaguar vehicles, Schiener noted, as the British carmaker has a long-standing partnership with IOTA.

Using Jaguar as an example for this new software, consumers would be able to access the trunk remotely, for instance, to allow a neighbor to put a package in it that had been delivered.

IOTA’s Schiener said STMicroelectronics provided the hardware such as the micro-controllers that enable the smart devices, while NTT helped develop the technology.


2016 New York Auto Show: Usain Bolt adds to Nissan GT-R excitement

                NEW YORK: Fast car meets fast guy.

Nissan banked on the star power of Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt, known as "the world's fastest man," to introduce the new GT-R, which made its world debut at the ongoing New York International Auto Show here.

Bolt has been promoting the GT-R for Nissan since 2012 and has been given the quirky title of  Nissan Global Director of Excitement. The Jamaican champion sprinter is part of Nissan's global brand campaign to feature iconic Nissan products and technologies that represent the brand's innovations that excite.

An association between Bolt and Nissan came quite naturally, since he has been a GT-R owner since 2009.

"I was looking on the Internet and I came across the Nissan GT-R, and they (automotive media) were saying it was the best streetcar ever made," said Bolt in 2012.

"Nissan GT-R is a wonderful car and perfect for me. I love everything in it. I enjoy driving it, and I feel completely safe, and that is the key thing for me."


Swedish old-school e-motorcycle Regent offers stylish silent running

                GOTHENBURG: The Regent looks like an authentic cafe racer-style motorbike, except that this handsome machine has an electric motor instead of a noisy petrol engine.

The vintage looks with wire wheels are bound to appeal to motorcyclists who hanker for straightforward naked bikes, but the silent running will take some getting used to for those with an ear for a rorty exhaust note.

Powerful but noiseless acceleration and what the company calls "killer torque" are the key selling points of the Regent, along with conscience-soothing greenness.

"If you're hard into leaking fluids, clogged filters and planet-destroying, look elsewhere," say the Regent's makers. Just "hop on, push a button, ride. As simple as that."

The company plans to sell its first electric motorcycle from May 2020 and production has just started up. Only 75 examples are scheduled to leave the assembly line this year, rising to 500 which will be sold in Europe, the United States and Canada.

The package includes a maintenance free hub motor at the rear, disc brakes with ABS, GPS navigation and LED lights. The boxy centre-mounted battery case of the prototype has been given a streamlined look and the battery now offers nearly 6 kWh of capacity.

The components are put together in Sweden, but they have been garnered from all over the world.

The Regent can be ordered from the company website for €9,500 (RM44,000). Finished in black, it harks back to the days of the British-made Norton and Triumph motorcycles, whose owners would dash from one milk bar to the next on London's North Circular highway - hence the name cafe racer.

The batteries can be charged up within five to eight hours and the Regent will whisk itself to 130kph if required. The motorcycle can travel around 150km on a full charge. A more powerful version is planned for 2021.


Mitsubishi XM Concept to give rise to crossover-MPV in 2017

                TOKYO: Mitsubishi will be introducing the XM Concept, a small crossover MPV concept car that will make its world premiere at the Aug 11-21 GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show 2016.

Mitsubishi said in a statement that the concept car fuses the toughness of an SUV with the versatility of an MPV.

The XM Concept uses a wide body and optimised layout to provide generous interior space for seven occupants.

The front end incorporates Mitsubishi Motors' Dynamic Shield front design concept that points to its function of protecting occupants and the vehicle.

A unique crossover/MPV, it will fuse SUV-like functionality along with SUV-like styling featuring deeply flared front and rear fenders that express stability and generous ground clearance.

Moving the cab point forward creates a line that extends from the engine hood to the roof, then drops gently down the rear end; in addition floating D-pillars express a free-flowing MPV look.

The generous ground clearance and the underguard protecting the bottom of the body from all sides allows the vehicle to be driven with confidence over unpaved roads and during tropical squalls.

The three rows of seats allows for a variety of seat arrangements. The horizontal dashboard accentuates the breadth of an MPV. Together with the wide elevated centre console, black/white high-contrast interior colouring, and silver accents the interior reflects a refined look.

A small crossover MPV adopting features of the XM Concept will be produced starting from in October 2017 at a new factory in West Java Province.

Also joining the concept on the MMC booth will be passenger cars sold in Indonesia including the 2017 Mirage subcompact featuring a sporty and refined exterior makeover (Indonesia sales due to begin in August this year) and the Pajero Sport (Montero Sport in some markets) midsize SUV.


Toyo Proxes TR1 performance tyre launched

                SEPANG: The Toyo Proxes TR1 performance tyre is aimed at delivering a fun-to-drive experience for motoring enthusiasts and owners of sporty sedans.

The Proxes TR1 is available in Malaysia in 24 sizes, ranging from 15 to 19 inches, with recommended retail prices ranging from RM199 to RM800 per tyre.

Those who buy a set of four Proxes TR1 tyres in May 2019 will get a Targus bag worth RM109 (while stocks last).

The Proxes TR1 tyre can be bought at any of the 74 Toyo Centres (one-stop tyre sales and service centres) that offer state-of-the-art automotive equipment, ample parking, and comfortable air-conditioned waiting rooms.

"I am confident the Proxes TR1 will thrill driving enthusiasts who appreciate advanced Japanese technology. The Proxes TR1 is ideal for the mid-sports segment and supports both Continental and Japanese vehicles, ranging from B-segment to E-segment cars," said Toyo Tyre Sales and Marketing Malaysia Sdn Bhd president and managing director Tan Song Chye at the recent launch of the tyre at Sepang International Circuit.

By merging the designs of both the Proxes Sport and the Proxes T1R, the Proxes TR1 has a tyre profile that looks aggressive.

The aggressive design on the tyre's shoulder was drawn from the Proxes T1R, which has long slant grooves and open lateral slits for better water drainage whilst functional aspects were taken from the Proxes Sport by adding wide grooves, a high stiffness rib and tapered slits to improve both water drainage as well as grip and stability during cornering.

A highlight of the new Proxes TR1 is a unique "wear process finder" which shows the state of tyre wear.

The "wear process finder" has five stars, and as the tyre is used, the number of stars will decrease and when this hits zero, it is highly recommended that the tyres are changed.

Meanwhile, the Proxes TR1 combines Toyo's Super Active Polymers compound and a high silica content to create a balance of better wet grip and low rolling resistance.

The construction of the Proxes TR1 also combines three features - a spiral-wound cap ply that supports good wet and dry handling stability; high tensile steel belts to improve handling and directional stability and finally high-hardness bead fillers that improves cornering grip and stability.

Also, the Proxes TR1 provides a 16% improvement in wet handling and braking performance compared with its predecessor, the Proxes T1R.

The rolling resistance of the Proxes TR1 also meets R117 Stage 2 standards of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

During the launch, on-track experiences with the Proxes TR1 tyres were organised for tyre dealers and press members to check out the braking, handling and grip qualities of the new tyre.

These consisted of a quick slalom through a cone-filled course on the F1 track in a 1.5-litre turbocharged Honda Civic, followed by an off-the-line sprint to about 70kph before hitting the brake pedal hard, and swerving hard to the left or right in a crash avoidance manoeuvre on a wet surface.

After that, participants had the pleasure of a dynamic drive on the F1 circuit in a BMW 3 Series.

 From left: Toyo Tyre Sales And Marketing Malaysia Sdn Bhd general manager of Sales Planning Teppei Shigeno, Toyo Tyre Sales And Marketing Malaysia Sdn Bhd vice-president of Sales and Marketing Masaomi Kono, Toyo Tyre Sales and Marketing Malaysia Sdn Bhd president /managing director Tan Song Chye and Toyo Tire Corp general manager of Replacement Tire Development Department, Product Development Division Akihiko Shinkai.


Xiaomi in talks with BAIC to produce electric cars, says Bloomberg

A Xiaomi store in Shanghai. The giant phone maker wants to be an electric car maker next and has formed a new unit called Xiaomi EV Inc. — Bloomberg
BEIJING: Smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp is eyeing an electric vehicle (EV) production tie-up with Beijing Automotive Group Co (BAIC), as it faces delays in acquiring a licence to make cars on its own, Bloomberg News reported today.

Such partnership among EV startups and traditional carmakers has become increasingly common in China, as state planners have been limiting the issuance of manufacturing licences to new EV makers in a bid to contain excessive investment.

Chinese EV maker Nio Inc, for example, has been partnering with Anhui government-owned Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC) in vehicle production.

Under the deal, Nio cars, developed and manufactured by the startup, had to bear JAC's nameplate initially, and both later agreed to drop the nameplate over additional fees.

Xiaomi and BAIC are exploring various options including Xiaomi buying a stake in Beijing Hyundai No. 2 plant, which has a licence to make cars in China, the Bloomberg report said, citing people familiar with the matter.

The collaboration could see vehicles built by Beijing Automotive's EV brand, BAIC BluePark New Energy Technology Co, and co-branded with Xiaomi, the report said.

Xiaomi and BAIC declined to comment. An executive at Beijing Electric Vehicle Co, BAIC's EV unit, told Reuters that he is not aware of such talks between Xiaomi and BAIC, declining to be named because he is not authorised to talk to media.

A Hyundai spokesman said the claims reported in the story concerning the South Korean firm is "groundless."

Beijing Hyundai, the joint venture between Hyundai Motor Co and BAIC, has three manufacturing plants in Beijing. read more

Xiaomi started construction on its first auto factory in Beijing earlier this year after declaring its ambition last year to enter the competitive EV sector and challenge established brands and newer tech companies.

The plant will have annual capacity of 300,000 units.

Xiaomi committed to bringing its cars to mass production in the first half of 2024. Earlier this year, the company started construction on its first auto factory in Beijing


Get the 'Audi Experience' on Oct 15-16

                KUALA LUMPUR: It's time to reconnect the Audi brand with the public under new distributor PHS Automotive Malaysia (PHSAM).

This is what the “Audi Experience" showcase is meant to do.

Taking place at Sentul Depot here on Oct 15-16, Audi’s latest range of performance and luxury sedans, sportbacks and SUVs will be on display to the public. Selected models are available for test-drives.

Among the models that will be there are the A3 Sedan and RS 3 Sedan, A5 Sportback and Q8.

“Our goal is to expand the selection of multi-award-
winning Audi models in Malaysia and match the demand for luxury performance cars, as well as to
inspire a growing affluent market here by offering more immersive drive experiences," said PHSAM managing director Erik Winter.

"These models continue to draw the attention of astute fans and we are thrilled to be able to have them on display and for driving here at the Audi Experience showcase.”

Test drives are available for the A5 Sportback and the Q5 Sportback.

Audi cars are supported with 3 years free maintenance, 5 years unlimited mileage warranty and 5 years roadside assistance.


July 11 heralds arrival of new BMW 7 Series

UPDATE: Malaysians are being offered the 740Le, which is really the six-cylinder 745Le sold elsewhere. It's locally assembled, with price unchanged at RM594,800. The 7 Series launch event was beefed up with the announcement that the X7 SUV would be available from September. The CBU model is priced at RM888,800.

PETALING JAYA: Today sees the launch and pricing announcement of the refreshed BMW 7 Series in Malaysia.

The long wheelbase G12 7 Series will introduce more than just a few cosmetic changes in its midlife refresh.

BMW Group Malaysia began selling the sixth-generation 7 Series in Malaysia at the start of 2016, where it introduced the 730Li and the 740Li. The 740Le plug-in hybrid (PHEV) came along in April 2017 and eventually replaced the 730Li and 740Li.

The locally assembled PHEV was priced at RM598,800 at launch but the price had dropped to RM594,800 lately.

Unlike the pre-facelift period, the latest changes to the model line-up sees BMW dropping the 4-cylinder engines in favour of 3.0-litre 6-cylinder petrol and diesel engines as the base powerplants.

The 6-cylinder petrol mill is mated to an electric motor in the 745Le, which an insider said would retained the 740Le naming convention for tax purposes.

Upping the power stakes are the 4.4l V8 750i/750Li and 6.6l V12 M760Li. All engines are turbocharged and linked to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

With Malaysia being a key market for hybrids in Asean, BMW is keen to expand on the momentum amid an industry-wide move towards electrified cars.

Going by the marketing pattern of the local BMW distributor, today is likely to see the entry of the 745Le, whereas the 750Li and M760Li are plainly niche products whose pricing would reflect that.

The M Sport package, Design Pure Excellence line and new additions to the selection of exterior paint finishes and light-alloy wheels provide fresh scope for individualisation.

CarSifu has driven the 745Le PHEV and the 750Li in southern Portugal earlier this year and will post up the first drive report very soon.


Detroit auto show models — the human ones — embrace new role

Toyota product specialists Niemchick and Tejeda posing at the 2019 Detroit auto show. — All pix by AFP
DETROIT: Every year at the Detroit auto show, good-looking women — and men — are deployed by carmakers to present their new vehicles.

But with the shockwave created by the #MeToo movement still reverberating across the country, there are fewer auto show models of the human variety — and they are not just pretty faces.

The "product specialists" still have picture-perfect smiles, but they also can tick off the features of each car and prices with such assurance that the iPads they carry for reference can seem merely decorative.

Auto companies are also making sure their fleet of specialists are ethnically and physically diverse.

Perched on stilettos, Priscilla Tejeda is working for Toyota. The tall black woman, whose father was a mechanic, is introducing the latest Supra, the Japanese brand's legendary sports car and one of the show's highlights.

She has worked most of Toyota's event for the past decade as a product specialist.

"We talk to the consumers every day and try to answer their questions about the vehicles and maybe narrow down their choices on what they're looking for," Tejeda said.

Some come in and don't know if they want an SUV, a sedan or a truck. We ask them questions about their lifestyle and see what fits best for them," she said.

Of course, Tejeda has heard dumb sexist remarks in the past — "Do you come with the car?" is a classic, she says.

But otherwise, she says she has not experienced harassment, and has noticed more respectful behaviour towards her since the #MeToo movement began.

"Now, it's more directly about the car," she says.

Product knowledge essential

The new title of product specialist for both women and men working the auto show floor is a tiny step forward in an industry that is still male-dominated.

"We know about cars. We're not just a set of pearls, we're not just models," said Emerson Niemchick, a Toyota product specialist whose wife works for its luxury Lexus brand.

"There's obviously a lot of very attractive people doing the auto show but they are trained — they're very knowledgeable about the vehicles," he said.

"We get to sell them without selling the actual vehicles. It's fun."

Niemchick and Tejeda both work for Productions Plus, one of the five biggest talent agencies that supply product specialists for the big US auto shows.

At the Detroit show, the agency has provided 300 men and women to staff the various stands. In April, it will have 500 at the New York show.

Productions Plus recruits product specialists through what it says are "very selective" auditions. The candidates send in an introductory video in which they extol the merits of a car of their choice.

They are then called in for interviews with the agency and later with the brands.

If they are hired, they go through a week-long training session in which they are plied with a ton of information about the automaker, the models and the corporate culture.

The crash course ends with practical tests, including car trips under real traffic conditions.

Afterwards, the specialists spend a day each month in online training and visiting a dealership.

The pay ranges from US$200 to US$1,000 (RM824 to RM4,117) a day, depending on their level of responsibility.

"We're looking for someone who can deliver a scripted presentation, that can come off the platform and engage on the floor as well," said Hedy Popson, president of Production Plus.

Popson, a former auto show hostess herself, acknowledged that clients often ask for models but her team talks to them "about the brand and a new paradigm."

"That tends to be more of an actor or someone with a marketing background or a sales background. So it's certainly not excluded (to have traditional) models, but it's not a modelling job," she said.

"The dynamic has changed."


New Lagonda to spearhead Aston Martin's EV push in 2021

The Lagonda Vision Concept.
LONDON: The reborn ultra-luxurious Lagonda saloon will lead the brand's series-production electrification drive.

Although Aston Martin's first SUV, the DBX, was expected to be the first Aston to feature a zero-emission powertrain, it turns out that since the concept was all-electric and the production model will arrive sooner, it's the reborn Lagonda that will spearhead the brand's series-production electrification drive.

The new Lagonda will be an ultra-luxurious saloon to rival the ultimate symbol of luxury motoring, the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Aston boss Andy Palmer confirmed this all-new model, partly based on the stunning Vision Concept, will arrive in electrified form before any electric version of the DBX SUV.

It's all to do with the company's desire to position the Lagonda as a high-tech, futuristic alternative to both Rolls-Royce and Bentley. Aston Martin wants to be seen as the first luxury brand to properly embrace the efficiency of EV powertrains along with the latest modern technology, all in an incredibly spacious and super-luxurious vehicle.

 The DBX Concept.

The Lagonda won't actually be Aston's first zero-emission model, however, because that honor will go to a limited-edition RapidE to be launched next year. It won't be a series-production model though, as only 155 are going to be put up for sale.

As for the DBX, Autocar reported Palmer saying, "We have the capability, but the plan right now is petrol and hybridisation. The new platform has indeed been delivered with the capability to go pure electric, but that technology gets used first on the Lagonda."

Conventional engines for the DBX will come from Aston Martin's technical alliance with Daimler. The AMG-developed twin-turbo V-8 already used in the DB11 and Vantage is a likely contender, which will eventually be joined by a higher-output hybrid.

The hybrid will probably be the '73 AMG-spec system, which will then bring an extra 200bhp of electrical assistance to the V-8 party. There's no indication at the moment of the DBX also being offered with Aston's own twin-turbo V12, but even if it were, it would only produce about as much power as the hybrid.