TomTom to power Hyundai group with maps and traffic

                FRANKFURT: TomTom has announced that its maps and real-time traffic data have been chosen by Hyundai Motor Group to support its entire vehicle line-up in Europe.

Over the coming years, millions of Hyundai vehicles will come equipped with this technology as standard.

As was already the case for Genesis drivers, all Hyundai and Kia customers in Europe will now enjoy TomTom maps supporting their vehicles’ in-dash navigation and level-two automated driving features.

Genesis, Hyundai’s premium brand, launched its model line-up in Europe last summer, equipped with TomTom’s maps and real-time traffic technology.

TomTom said its advanced maps help carmakers push the boundaries of automation by enabling advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to better anticipate the road ahead.

The TomTom ADAS Map provides these systems with higher-quality road information, including gradient, lanes, curvature, and speed limits, improving safety, comfort, and eco-performance.

Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assist relies on this data to independently change speed if the posted limit changes, and automatically slow down and navigate highway transition ramps and curves in a safer way.

TomTom said its map data provides highly accurate, verified content for all speed limit types across Europe, helping with intelligent speed assistance regulation compliance, which came into force as of July 2022.


Singaporean fined RM8,000 for switching car number plate

 A video screen grab of Tan (and also inset) changing his registration plate at a petrol station in Gelang Patah.
JOHOR BARU: A Singaporean who displayed the registration number of another vehicle on his car in May has been fined by the Magistrate’s Court here.

Tan Hock Lai, 44, pleaded guilty before magistrate Nurasidah A Rahman when the charge was read to him.

Tan was fined RM8,000 which he paid. According to the charge sheet, the offence was committed at a petrol station near the Second Link in Gelang Patah at about 7.35am on May 18.

The case was prosecuted by Road Transport Department (JPJ) prosecuting officer Mohd Khairi Ismail while Tan was not represented.

Tan surrendered to the JPJ after photos of him changing the plate number of his gold BMW at a petrol station went viral on social media.


JPJ dismisses ads offering free driving licence

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) says advertisements claiming that free driving licence assistance is being offered to all groups are fake.

The ads have seen gone viral on social media.

The JPJ response was made through a media statement issued by the Ministry of Communications and Mulytimedia’s Quick Response Team on Thursday.

The department said the viral advertisement was made by a scam syndicate, which had misused the picture of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, to lure public attention and promote the free driving licence, for which the application can be made at a website.

Members of the public are advised not to fall victim to such a scam, but instead to contact the nearest JPJ office to obtain accurate information.


Six screens, 12 cameras: Audi car tech to run on new Samsung chip

                BERLIN: If you've ever thought your car could use more screens, then Samsung's latest collaboration with Audi could please you. The South Korean tech giant's latest chip to power in-car tech allows support for up to six screens across the car's interior.

But who really needs that many displays in their car?

Well, if you want the digital version of a cluster display, a central information display, rear-seat entertainment screens and wing mirror screens all running at the same time, then you'll need Samsung's latest Exynos Auto V9 chip.

Set to appear in Audi's next in-car infotainment system in 2021, the chip also allows the car to connect up to 12 cameras to show footage from blind spots outside the car on up to six screens dotted around the interior.

Meanwhile Samsung says the chip's built-in neural processing unit allows you to control your car via a digital assistant using your voice or gesture controls, making room for another growing trend in high-tech cars.

Samsung also announced plans to deliver the tech behind the wing mirrors in Audi's first all-electric car. The forthcoming e-tron will feature a high-contrast OLED screen from Samsung that shows a feed from a camera where an analogue wing mirror normally would sit.

As modern cars increasingly switch conventional mirrors for cameras, the integration of an OLED screen should make for even better visibility by providing sharper contrast than the more common and affordable LCD screen.


When an F1 team helps restore a Porsche 911

                LOS ANGELES: Boutique, bespoke Porsche restorers and restomodders Singer Vehicle Design have partnered with the advanced engineering arm of the UK-based Williams F1 team to create the ultimate commission for a well-heeled classic Porsche enthusiast.

When Scott Blattner first got in touch with the California-based firm, his question was simple: "What if Singer worked on restoring and modifying my beloved 27-year-old Porsche 964 (the internal Porsche nomenclature for 911s built between 1989 and 1994), with the assistance of an engineering concern born from the world of F1. How would such a car look and how would it perform?

So Singer's British founder, Rob Dickinson headed back to his homeland and to Williams and after two years of arduous R&D and testing, Blattner has his answer. It performs like a road-legal rocket, yet completely remains true to the aesthetics of the original 1963 Porsche 911.

Williams has completely rebuilt the car's stock flat-six air-cooled engine so that it now has four valves per cylinder, four camshafts and 500hp on tap, all without help from turbocharging.

Thanks to the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics, the car's underbody and exterior surfaces cut a sharper yet more stable line through the air, even as resistance increases. The suspension is lighter but with better geometry and more adjustability, while the use of exotic materials including magnesium and titanium as well as carbon fiber -- the material of choice for all Singer vehicle exteriors -- has cut the car's curb weight down to just 990kg.

The result is a car with 500hp on tap, a host of aerodynamic improvements plus weight-cutting measures that mean this reimagined 911 tips the scales at just 990kg.

"On a technical level, the study has been fascinating and has resulted in an incredible restoration with the benefit of top drawer resources and modern science," said Dickinson. "Artistically it has been a second chance to connect with the machine on a new level."

As well as Williams, Singer called on the services of legendary Porsche engineers Norbert Singer and Hans Mezger for the project and also partnered with Michelin for bespoke tires, BBS for the lightweight magnesium wheels that adorn the finished car and with Hewland for the development of a lightweight magnesium six-speed transmission. "Standard" Singer recreations use a modern Porsche-sourced six speed gearbox.

Of the process, which has already attracted so much interest Singer is now setting up a dedicated facility at Williams to meet demand, Craig Wilson, Managing Director of Williams Advanced Engineering, said: "Being able to work with the classic Porsche 964, applying our expertise in aerodynamics, advanced lightweight materials and vehicle dynamics to optimise performance has been a tremendous opportunity. We are delighted that the restoration of these cars for Singer's clients will take place here in Oxfordshire."

However, because each Singer Reimagined car is meant to be a unique vehicle, the company is capping the service at no more than 75 requests, three of which have already been made by existing Singer clients.


April 11-17: Fuel prices drop further


Aston Martin DB5 limited edition with James Bond gadgets

                LONDON: A limited 25-car production run is underway for the Aston Martin DB5, 55 years after the last new DB5 rolled off the production line.

Fewer than 900 saloon examples were built by the brand between 1963 and 1965, with by far the most famous of the original owners being the world’s best-known secret agent – James Bond – who first drove the car that is today inextricably linked with him in the 1964 film, Goldfinger.

Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Continuation cars is a further extension of the British marque's successful Continuation car programme which began in 2017 with the DB4 GT Continuation.

Each DB5 Goldfinger Continuation car is priced at 2.75 million pounds, plus taxes.

Each of the 25 new cars is being built using a blend of Sir David Brown-era old world craftsmanship, alongside the integration of cutting-edge gadgets developed in association with Chris Corbould OBE, the special effects supervisor who has worked on more than a dozen Bond films.

All the new cars in Silver Birch paint – just like the original - are meticulously detailed authentic reproductions of the DB5 seen on screen.

The list of Bond-inspired gadgets includes the following features, all familiar to viewers of the classic 1964 big screen hit.

Exterior:

>Rear smoke screen delivery system
>Rear simulated oil slick delivery system
>Revolving number plates front and rear (triple plates)
>Simulated twin front machine guns
>Bullet resistant rear shield
>Battering rams front and rear
>Simulated tyre slasher
>Removable passenger seat roof panel (optional equipment)

Interior:

>Simulated radar screen tracker map
>Telephone in driver’s door
>Gear knob actuator button
>Armrest and centre console-mounted switchgear
>Under-seat hidden weapons/storage tray
>Remote control for gadget activation


Hyundai Mobis' HLED to perform tail and stop light with a single LED

                SEOUL: Hyundai Mobis announced on Monday that the company became the first in the world to develop an HLED that can be bent flexibly like a thin film. Now, a single LED can serve as both the stop lamp and the tail lamp at the same time with only 5.5mm thickness of the LED surface.

Hyundai Mobis named this new rear lamp system HLED, which signifies high performance, high definition and homogeneity.

Most vehicles today have the tail lamp and stop lamp separately under the safety laws. According to the laws, the stop lamp must be much brighter than the tail lamp.

However, the HLED, developed by Hyundai Mobis, allows the tail lamp and the stop lamp to be implemented with a single LED by just controlling the light with electrical signals.

 The world’s first flexible HLED.

Moreover, the HLED can generate bright and uniform stop light even when it is bent by emitting light in five different directions. As a result, the rear lamp will be more visible to the drivers of the vehicles approaching from the rear and side.

Compared to the existing ream lamp, HLED can create various lamp design since it can be bent or curved. It is also possible to secure more space and offer lower weight, as it removes all the internal components used for existing rear lamp by controlling light with the new LED alone.

Hyundai Mobis has passed the reliability tests of Europe (ECE) and the US (SAE) related to tail lamps and stop lamps. It has already received orders from European automakers and is currently conducting mass-production development of HLED.

"We will accelerate technology development and introduce the lamp technology customized for future automobiles as represented by electrification and autonomous driving.", said Oh Heung-sup, the head of the Lamp BU at Hyundai Mobis.


Proton Wira – a magnet for car thieves

                PETALING JAYA: The Proton Wira, which has little value in the used car market, is surprisingly a hot item among thieves.

Last year, statistics showed this model was number one on the stolen cars list. A total of 654 cars were reported stolen.

General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) chief executive Mark Lim said the cars were definitely stolen for the parts.

“We believe the stolen vehicles were cannibalised and the parts sold as production of spare parts for this model has been stopped and the parts are difficult to obtain in the market,” he said in an interview with The Star.

A Proton spare parts dealer in Jalan Ipoh in Kuala Lumpur said many of the Wira’s interior items are no longer in production.

“The parts are scattered and difficult to find in the market. Even if they are available, the items could be the last few from the old stock.” He said many Proton Wira spare parts were becoming more difficult to find as the items were no longer in production.

The industry, he said, had been told by Proton Wira spare parts manufacturers that the company planned to cease the production of parts for this model by the year’s end as it is no longer economically viable to make it.

The only option, he said, was to find the spare parts at the “potong-kereta” outlets. Proton Wira was produced between early 1993 and June 2009.

In its 16 years production, 952,216 units were sold. It has been estimated that at least 85% of the models are still on the road.

A second-hand car dealer, James Lim, said a Proton Wira in good condition could fetch between RM2,000 and RM4,500 each, depending on the year the car was manufactured and its model – either automatic or manual, hatchback or saloon.

“The value of the model offered by second-hand dealers is definitely much lower than the market price. Some dealers are only offering as much as RM1,000 for the model.”

He said many second-hand dealers were reluctant to trade this model as they found it difficult to dispose of the vehicles as buyers have to pay cash for the car.

“The model is too old, spare parts are difficult to find and banks have refused loans. Even many insurance companies would not want to insure the vehicles. If they do, Proton Wira car owners have to pay a higher premium and additional loading for it,” he said.

 A cannibalised Wira.

He said the model had been tagged as “high-risk cars for the second-hand market”.

However, a Sungai Besi junkyard operator, who only wanted to be identified as Lim, said the model still had value, either as scrap metal or second-hand parts.

A Proton Wira could fetch between RM5,000 and RM7,000 if the vehicle was cannibalised.

The gearbox and engine alone can fetch between RM1,000 and RM2,500 each, depending on its model and year the vehicle is manufactured.

“The speedometer and other gadgets on the dashboard can fetch good prices as many are no longer or easily available in the market,” he said.

The entire original seats, if in good condition, could be disposed of for RM200 a set.

The junkyard operator said Proton Wira spare parts were considered a hot item in the second-hand market as there are still many cars of this model on the road.

“It was one of the robust cars, where many of its parts and engines were directly imported from Japan, to be assembled locally when it was first introduced to the market.”


Sultan decrees Shah Alam road renamed to honour late Arshad Ayub

                SHAH ALAM: Selangor's Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has decreed that Persiaran Institut in Seksyen 1 in Shah Alam, be renamed Persiaran Tun Arshad Ayub, in recognition of the services and contributions of the first director of Mara Institute of Technology (ITM), now known as Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).

Istana Alam Shah, in a post on the Selangor Royal Office Facebook page today, said that the Sultan of Selangor's order will be enforced immediately by the Selangor government, through the Shah Alam City Council.

"The name change covers a 1.62km stretch that starts from Bulatan Bistari Seksyen 2 (in front of the main entrance of UiTM) to the traffic light intersection (near Universiti Selangor) Seksyen 7, Shah Alam," read the statement.

It said that the change of name is to commemorate the service of the late Arshad, who is a respected and revered national education figure and has contributed a lot to strengthening the higher education system in the country, especially the development of UiTM.

National education figure Arshad died on June 14 at the age of 93.


All-new smart #3 unveiled with design sketches

                LONDON: The all-electric car brand smart has released preliminary design details and the official name of the second model set to launch since the brand’s renewal.

The smart #3 would be unveiled at Auto Shanghai, which will run from April 18-27.

Like the smart #1, the interior and exterior of the new smart #3 is designed by Mercedes-Benz.

The exterior comprises athletic curves and smooth, seamless lines.

The design is further accentuated by a range of details.

At the front, slimmed down LED headlights are paired with a “shark nose” and an A-shaped wide grille. On the sides, the prominent two-tone roof meets with the smooth, continuous e-line that connects the A-pillar and C-pillar, creating an elegant and sporty fastback silhouette.

The large, eye-catching alloy wheels add a powerful element, while scooped cooling ducts announce the performance intent.

From the rear, sketches show the smart #3 with a confident curvature created by the prominent spoiler, C-pillar, and strong rear fender and bumper.

The look combines athletic appearance with elements of premium, progressively modern features, such as tail lights with pixelated elements.

"This muscular, yet elegantly sensual and perfectly balanced attraction of opposites makes the design an important milestone in the evolution of smart’s premiumness’ core value," said Mercedes-Benz AG chief design officer Gorden Wagener.

"The design of the #3 is emotionally confident, attracting and even thrilling the viewer."

Further details on the new smart #3 would be released at a later stage.


Proton SUV based on Geely Boyue targeted for launch in H2 2018

The Boyue made its first appearance in Malaysia following a signing ceremony between DRB-Hicom Bhd and Geely in Kuala Lumpur on June 23. — Bloomberg
PETALING JAYA: Proton’s first SUV based on the Geely Boyue is expected to debut in Malaysia in the second half of 2018.

Two variants are likely to be offered, including a turbocharged version.

Just so you know, the Boyue sold in China is powered by a choice of powertrain options: an older 2.0L naturally aspirated engine with 161hp paired with a 6-speed manual and a 1.8L Turbo Direct Injection engine (181hp) mated to a dual clutch automatic transmission. A 2.4-litre non-turbo mill is offered in the Middle East instead of the 1.8T.

The Boyue is one of the biggest vehicles in the compact SUV segment, allowing Geely Auto engineers and designers to maximise the level of comfort.

Safety features include a 360-degree camera system and lane departure alert system. The Boyue features an air purifying system to keep the interior air quality clean. The Boyue is the first Chinese SUV to feature CarPlay, and it is unclear at this point if the Proton SUV would be specified with it.

Created by ex-Volvo designer Peter Horbury, the Boyue is aimed at younger buyers who seek a vehicle that has good aesthetics, is technology-laden and offers connectivity to cater to their daily lives.

Geely Holding bought a 49.9% stake in Proton for RM460.30mil, of which RM170mil is cash and the remaining RM290m will be in form of a transfer of the former's sports utility vehicle (SUV) platform Boyue.


Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid arrives with CKD price of RM137K

                PETALING JAYA: UMW Toyota Motor introduced the Corolla Cross Hybrid this evening in a virtual launch.

The hybrid is the range-topper and joins two conventional petrol engine variants.

Available in five finishes – Celestite Grey Metallic, Silver Metallic, Nebula Blue Metallic, Platinum White Pearl and Red Mica Metallic, the Corolla Cross Hybrid Electric has a starting price of RM136,550 (without insurance).

With the arrival of the hybrid, the entire Corolla Cross are now locally assembled.

An overnight media drive of the hybrid from Shah Alam to Penang was held on Monday.

The new Corolla Cross Hybrid comes with a 5-year/unlimited mileage factory warranty.

Additionally, for peace of mind, there is a separate 8-year/unlimited mileage warranty covering the hybrid battery pack, inverter and Power Management Control Unit.

Customers can also extend their warranty for a further two years to make it a total of 10 years, the first such warranty in the local industry.

Bookings for the hybrid were opened last October.

Toyota aims for carbon-neutrality by 2035. and this hybrid is one smal step towards that goal.

UMW Toyota Motor has been developing hybrid technology since 2009 with the Prius, and continued with the Prius c and Camry Hybrid.

Today, the Corolla Cross Hybrid is equipped with the 4th Generation Toyota Hybrid System for greater fuel efficiency, higher battery durability, greater handling and stability.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid promises lower emissions, faster accelerations and advanced hybrid technology.

Carbon neutrality for automakers involves ensuring zero emissions.

This can be achieved throughout the lifecycle of manufacturing, transporting, energy generating, fueling and/or charging, and the recycling and disposal of vehicles, while offering consumers sustainable solutions to meet their diverse needs.

According to Toyota, HEV is currently the most accessible and realistic choice for Malaysian customers in terms of practicality and infrastructure, with an enormous potential in the country.

The Corolla Cross 1.8L Hybrid engine pairs a highly efficient petrol engine with an electric motor. The synergy of the two energy sources provides drivers with efficiency, drivability, performance and a long range between refueling.

The 1.8-litre petrol powerplant produces 97hp at 5,200rpm and 142Nm of torque at 3,600rpm, while the electric motor dishes up 71hp and 163Nm. Toyota gives the combined output as 120hp. No combined torque was stated.

In comparison, the ICE variants'  1.8-litre engine delivers more output albeit at higher rpm -  137hp at 6,400rpm and 172Nm at 4,000rpm.

Toyota’s Hybrid Electric System has been designed as a reliable and future-proof vehicle giving peace of mind.

It is also easy on the wallet, offering less fuel costs, while providing greater controllability and instant torque, on top of an environmentally-conscious alternative.

In order to improve fuel efficiency and keep emissions low when starting off and accelerating, the system uses an electric motor that provides efficient and powerful acceleration.

Performance on the move is automatically delivered by the best combination between the electric motor and petrol engine in response to driving conditions.

The system also automatically shuts down the petrol engine to avoid wasting fuel when idling. As the system works in tandem, it produces significantly better fuel efficiency than any petrol engine vehicle in the same class.

The HEV battery powers the electric motor, and is automatically recharged when the driver brakes (regenerative braking), when the driver lifts off the acceleration pedal, or when the petrol engine is on and running.

The system does not require drivers to plug-in to recharge the batteries which eliminates all concerns relating to limited driving range or the need to look for charging infrastructure.

The 4th generation Toyota Hybrid Electric System battery has also been designed to last throughout the vehicle’s life and developed to satisfy five critical parameters for peace of mind - safety, long life service, high level of quality, affordable high quality products, and high level performance.

The key to achieving better battery durability and performance comes from understanding how a vehicle is used and the state of the battery under such conditions. To that end, Toyota has significantly improved battery technology over the years.

The TNGA Platform is an internal structure specially developed by Toyota that offers greater stability, agility and a higher eye-point for better visibility.

TNGA allows more engineering flexibility while a lower centre of gravity helps improve stability and a highly rigid body enhances agility and ride comfort.

TNGA also encompasses chassis engineering and the suspension is designed to provide a fine-tuned balance of dynamic handling and stability with excellent ride comfort.

Besides the high-strength TNGA platform, the structure of all Toyota Corolla Cross variants are engineered to reduce impact forces from all sides during an accident, reducing or preventing injuries to the occupants.

In crash testing and technical evaluation by Asean NCAP, the Corolla Cross, as with many other Toyota models, has received a maximum 5-star safety rating.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid Electric comes with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) – a suite of integrated active safety systems to assist the driver which demonstrates Toyota Synergised Mobility.

The TSS consists of a Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) and Automatic High Beam (AHB).

These core technologies use a radar and camera which are complemented by other safety technologies such as a Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Tyre Pressure Warning System (TPWS), and seven SRS airbags giving drivers and passengers peace of mind while on the road.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid Electric is also equipped with a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) at the front (optional for rear) enabling the owner to have a video recording of the vehicle’s movements at all times for enhanced safety and as evidence if ever required.

Additionally, a Vehicle Telematics System (VTS) can track the vehicle’s position using GSM/GPS signals. The owner can also monitor the ignition status and vehicle speed if the vehicle is stolen, a 24/7 Command Centre will locate it and inform relevant authorities to recover it.

The good news is that all Corolla Cross variants comes with a 3-year free subscription of the VTS.

Evoking a sense of stepping up your vehicle class, the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Electric boasts an easy-access rear with ample luggage space by positioning the battery pack under the rear seats ensuring the same luggage capacity as petrol grades of 440L.

Comfort is key with sleek leather seats and driver power seat, rear air vents, and a nine-inch touchscreen and AACP (Android Auto Apple CarPlay) ready connectivity for a more entertaining drive.

The hybrid is supported by a service network of over 92 outlets.

UMW Toyota Motor deputy chairman Akio Takeyama said last month that bookings for the Corolla Cross Hybrid had been good and the company was happy to see that many Malaysians were keen to switch to Hybrid Electric Vehicle Technology.

(Incidentally, Takeyama's seven-year stint in Malaysia ends this month and he will return to Japan soon. His successor to Malaysia will be announced in due course).

The Toyota distributor is confident the hybrid would soon attract the bulk of sales among the three variants.

Bookings can be made from today at any authorised Toyota dealer or UMW Toyota Motor branch showroom nationwide.

> SPECIFICATIONS


BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet visits the UK

                LONDON: After four years of development work, a pilot fleet of under 100 units of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen is being deployed internationally for demonstration and trial purposes.

“Hydrogen is a versatile energy source that has a key role to play in the energy transition process and therefore in climate protection. After all, it is one of the most efficient ways of storing and transporting renewable energies”, said Oliver Zipse, chairman of the board of management of BMW AG.

“We should use this potential to also accelerate the transformation of the mobility sector. Hydrogen is the missing piece in the jigsaw when it comes to emission-free mobility. One technology on its own will not be enough to enable climate-neutral mobility worldwide.”

The BMW iX5 Hydrogen developed on the basis of the current BMW X5 was first unveiled as a concept at the IAA show in 2019.

 On Location BMW iX5 Hydrogen Antwerp

The BMW Group produces the fuel cell systems for the pilot fleet at its in-house competence centre for hydrogen in Munich.

The individual fuel cells are sourced from Toyota Motor Corp.

The two companies have been collaborating on fuel cell drive systems since 2013.

Fuel cell systems are manufactured in two main steps, based on the individual fuel cells. The cells are first assembled into a fuel cell stack. The next step involves fitting all the other components to produce a complete fuel cell system.

Stacking of the fuel cells is largely a fully automated process. The stack is compressed by machine with a force of five tonnes and placed in a housing. The stack housing is manufactured in the light metal foundry at BMW Group Plant Landshut.

 On Location BMW iX5 Hydrogen Antwerp

The powertrain channels maximum output of 295kW/401hp onto the road. In coasting overrun and braking phases, the motor also serves as a generator, feeding energy back into a power battery.

The BMW iX5 Hydrogen is being built in the BMW Group’s pilot plant at its Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ) in Munich.

Around 900 people work there in the body shop, assembly, model engineering, concept vehicle construction and additive manufacturing.

Hydrogen allows rapid re-fuelling.

The hydrogen needed to supply the fuel cell is stored in two 700-bar tanks made of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP).

Together these hold almost six kgs of hydrogen, giving the BMW iX5 Hydrogen a range of 504km in the WLTP cycle.

Filling up the hydrogen tanks only takes three to four minutes.

 On Location BMW iX5 Hydrogen Antwerp On Location BMW iX5 Hydrogen Antwerp On Location BMW iX5 Hydrogen Antwerp On Location BMW iX5 Hydrogen Antwerp On Location BMW iX5 Hydrogen Antwerp


Latest generation Mercedes-AMG GT R and GT C launched

                SEPANG: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia today introduced the new generation of the Mercedes-AMG GT R and GT C.

The GT R and GT C are priced at RM1,712,888 and RM1,558,888 (prices are on-the-road without insurance) respectively.

The GT R pumps out 585hp with a peak torque of 700Nm from its 4.0-litre V8 turbo engine. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via an AMG Speedshift DCT 7-speed dual clutch transmission.

It does the sprint from 0 to 100kph in just 3.6 seconds with a top speed of 318kph.

 The GT C.

Having spent most of its development time on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the GT R is nicknamed "Beast of the Green Hell" as it took just 7:10.9 minutes to complete the track.

The GT C, on the other hand, has a performance level that slots in between the GT S and GT R.

Powered by the 4.0-litre V8 turbo engine and mated to the AMG Speedshift DCT 7-speed transmission, the GT C produces 557hp and 680Nm of torque.

 The GT R.

The sprint from 0-100kph takes just 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 316kph.

New to the GT R and GT C is the tri-functional, arched light guide which takes on the functions of daytime running light, navigation light and turn signals.

The light of the LED taillights also appears deeper set and sportier through the dark background.

From the back, the new look of the rear apron is striking. The sporty black diffuser insert is redesigned for the GT C. In addition, the GT C has trapezoidal-shaped twin tail pipe covers.

Whereas the rear design of the GT R keeps its distinctive shape with the large, centrally positioned tail pipe cover with centre bar. It is flanked by two more black tail pipes on the left and right of the diffuser.

Both the GT R and GT C feature a fully digital instrument display with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch multimedia display on the centre console.

The instrument cluster offers an entirely new screen design with the three AMG-specific display styles – Classic, Sporty and Supersport.

The two AMG GT models have the standard new AMG steering wheel buttons. In the GT R, the steering wheel is completely covered with Dinamica microfibre, while the steering wheel of the GT C is in black nappa leather/Dinamica microfiber.

The GT R now comes with the AMG Track Package, which includes a roll-over protection system, enclosed 4-point safety harnesses for driver, and a 2-kg fire extinguisher.

Also available in the GT R is AMG Track Pace, which logs data such as laps, sector times on established and manually configured tracks, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, accelerator and brake pedal
movements.

 This is how the GT C cabin looks like.

“The GT R and GT C embody the core value of our brand, 'Driving Performance', in a unique way. They are brutal, incredibly powerful and agile. At its début four years ago, it not only turned the heads of customers and sports car enthusiasts, but also created new dimensions in the competitive environment," said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia vice-president for sales & marketing of passenger cars Michael Jopp.

"These new generation models will deliver an incomparable thrill that our drivers experience on the road and track.”

 The GT R interior.Mercedes-AMG GT RMercedes-AMG GT C


VW launches limited-edition Polo GTI Edition 25

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen on Wednesday celebrated 25 years of the Polo GTI by introducing the Polo GTI Edition 25.

The limited edition is based on the current 152 kW (207 PS) Polo GTI.

It features sports suspension, the electronic differential lock XDS, a comprehensive range of standard equipment and some special design highlights.

The Polo GTI Edition 25 will be available to order in Germany from June 1, priced at €35,205 (RM172,000).

Just like its “older sibling” the Golf GTI, the Polo has a long history and a number of sporty predecessors: VW is now marking a quarter of a century of the Polo GTI with the special anniversary model Polo GTI Edition 25, limited to 2,500 units.

“Volkswagen has a rich heritage and the Polo is one of our most iconic vehicles”, says Imelda Labbé, Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management for Sales, Marketing and After Sales.

“GTI fans are very important to us and our anniversary model is a way of marking this milestone together with them: celebrating 25 years of power, performance, sportiness, and fun driving in the Polo class.”
Volkswagen limited-edition Polo GTI Edition 25

The powerful two-litre TSI engine offering 152 kW (207 PS) and a torque of 320 Nm propels the front-wheel drive Polo GTI Edition 25 from 0 to 100 kph in 6.5 seconds.

In addition, the model is equipped with a specially tuned sports suspension as standard. This lowers the body by 15mm and, in combination with the electronic differential lock XDS, ensures the synthesis of excellent driving dynamics, improved traction and precise handling that is typical of GTI models.

The new special model has the classic GTI look, with red brake calipers and trim strips, a honeycomb design on the radiator grille and chrome-plated tailpipes.

It also has a host of other exclusive equipment features including 18-inch Adelaide alloy wheels in Black Glossy, a black roof and black exterior mirrors, all of which help create its sporty look.

The interior is equipped as standard with premium sport seats in perforated black-red leather finished off with stitched GTI logos, and glossy black decorative trim with red GTI lettering.

Owners will be reminded that their vehicle is one of a limited number by the “One of 2500” logo on the sill panel trim. In addition to the GTI colours Pure White, Kings Red Metallic, Reef Blue Metallic, Smoke Grey Metallic and Deep Black Pearl Effect, the Polo GTI Edition 25 is also available in Ascot Grey.

Features that come as standard include IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights with Dynamic Light Assist and LED daytime running lights which ensure highly homogeneous illumination of the road.

There is also the multifunction sports steering wheel in leather with paddles and the “25” logo, as well as a number of assist systems that belong to higher vehicle classes.

The optional Travel Assist forms part of the IQ.DRIVE assist package and allows for partly automated driving.

The Travel Assist system can take over steering, braking and acceleration of the new Polo GTI at speeds from 0 km/h up to the system’s limit of 210kph. To do so, Travel Assist relies on familiar systems including Adaptive Cruise Control for longitudinal guidance, and Lane Assist (fitted as standard) for lateral guidance.

The instruments and Infotainment system in the new special-edition model are arranged on one visual axis, making them easy to see and operate at all times.

The Infotainment system Ready2Discover is fitted as standard and boasts a high-resolution, 20-centimetre (8-inch) display, ensuring state-of-the-art connectivity. Two other systems are also optionally available.

When it launched back in 1979, the GT variant of the first Polo product line caused quite a stir. But it wasn’t until 1998 and the third Polo generation that the car was allowed to bear the iconic three letters.

VW limited production of the first Polo GTI to 3,000 units and announced not long afterwards that the model was sold out. The next GTI version appeared several years later in 2006. The 132 kW (180 PS) Cup Edition was a true treat for fans as it was visually based on the racing cars used in the Polo Cup.

Then there was the fifth generation from 2010: the 1.4-litre TSI engine with turbo and supercharging proved to be a hit with GTI enthusiasts, and won over new fans too. The successor in 2014 was a force to be reckoned with: the brand new TSI engine offered 141 kW (192 PS) and top speeds of 236 kph.

The Polo continued to evolve, and the GTI tradition evolved with it: the sixth Polo generation from 2021 set new standards for compact cars. It was based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB), which stands for technological progress across all product lines as well as high body strength, exemplary low vehicle weight and excellent crash properties.

The Polo GTI Edition 25 is made in Kariega (South Africa).

The factory, opened in 1951, is located near Port Elizabeth and is the largest car plant on the African continent.

VWSA produces the Polo Vivo , the Polo and – exclusively – the Polo GTI.

 The first generation – Polo III GTI.


Honda CB4 Interceptor concept debuts at 2017 EICMA

                MILAN: The Honda stand at Nov 7-12 EICMA is showcasing the CB4 Interceptor concept, the result of ongoing research around the ‘Neo Sports Café’ design theme which first bore fruit in the ‘CB4 Concept’ shown at EICMA in 2015.

The new concept model adds an evocative ‘Sport Endurance’ tone to the original design language of the CB4 concept, creating a new perspective on the world of the Café Racer, on which the series is based.

The colour scheme is “total black”, combining elegance and sportiness while leaving room for a futuristic technology integrated into the flowing design lines.

The front of the bike features a fan used to convert the motorcycle’s kinetic energy to power the touch-screen located on the tank.

The screen provides constant connectivity, to allow the rider to follow the road through digital maps, make emergency calls or simply to connect devices.

 CB4 ‘Interceptor’ concept adds futuristic extra dimension to Honda’s EICMA line-up


Toyota wins multiple awards at Asean NCAP's 10th anniversary

                KUALA LUMPUR: Toyota has received multiple “Decade of Safer Vehicle Awards” in conjunction with the New Car Assessment Programme for Southeast Asian Countries (Asean NCAP)’s 10th anniversary celebration.

In making the announcement, Toyota Daihatsu Engineering & Manufacturing (TDEM), Toyota’s regional office in Asia for engineering, manufacturing and other functions, said the four awards were:

> “Best Adult Occupant Protection 2017-2020” for C-HR,

> “Best Safety Assist 2019” for Majesty/Granvia,

> “The Most 5-Star Car 2017-2020”,

> “The Most 5-Star Car 2012-2020”.

TDEM executive vice-president Prasanna Ganesh said Toyota has a long history in Asia, wherein the company had been recognised by customers as the foremost brand for QDR- Quality, Reliability and Durability- and safety.

“We started production activities in countries such as Thailand and Malaysia as early as the 1960s, and over the last six decades, we have strived to develop the best products not only to suit our Asean customers’ needs, but also to improve and adopt safety technologies as part of our fundamental responsibility as a mobility company, prioritising the improvement of road and traffic safety in this region,” Prasanna said.

Toward the company’s ultimate goal of zero traffic fatalities, Toyota is committed to continuously improving its vehicle safety technologies and performance with focus on three essential elements - vehicle (advancing safety technology), people (educating drivers, passengers and pedestrians toward traffic safety) and traffic environment (supporting safer traffic infrastructure).


VW bets on electric cars, services to recover from crisis

                WOLFSBURG (Germany): Volkswagen will invest more than 10 billion euros (RM45bil) by 2025 in areas such as electric cars and ride-hailing as it seeks to reshape its business in the wake of its emissions-test cheating scandal, it said on Thursday.

Europe's biggest carmaker said it would fund what it dubbed "the biggest change process in the company's history" with an efficiency drive, including integrating components businesses that currently employ 67,000 people in 26 locations worldwide.

"The Volkswagen Group will be more focused, efficient, innovative, customer-driven and sustainable – and systematically geared to generating profitable growth," CEO Matthias Mueller said, launching a plan called "TOGETHER – Strategy 2025".

Volkswagen is battling to recover from the biggest business crisis in its 79 year history after admitting in September to cheating US diesel emissions tests.

The German company has set aside US$18bil to cover the cost of vehicle refits and a settlement with US authorities, and analysts expect more fines and legal costs.

The scandal has cast a shadow over the entire market for diesel cars, which account for about half of new vehicle sales in Europe, and has ramped up pressure on Volkswagen to cut costs at its namesake brand, which lags the profitability of rivals.

 Volkswagen T-Prime Concept GTE.

Spelling out a new strategy ahead of its annual shareholder meeting on Wednesday, the company said it planned to launch more than 30 electric vehicles over the next 10 years, forecasting they would account for 2-3 million unit sales in 2025, compared with a tiny number currently.

It also said it would build a services business encompassing areas such as ride-hailing and car-sharing that it expects to generate sales in the billions of euros by 2025, as well as developing its own autonomous driving and battery technologies.

Mueller said the transformation would require a "double-digit billion" amount of investment, funded by an efficiency drive across the group aimed at delivering around 8 billion euros a year in savings.

He gave few further details, saying they would be announced by the company's individual brands in due course, but said the Volkswagen brand was counting on a "pact for the future" with unions to be agreed by the autumn, aimed at both boosting competitiveness and preserving jobs.

Critics of the company, including activist investor TCI, have urged it to take more radical action to cut costs despite union protests, particularly at the Volkswagen brand.

Some have also called for Volkswagen to tackle a complex ownership structure, in which the founding families, the German state of Lower Saxony and labor unions all have strong voices.

Investors are braced too for the results of an ongoing investigation into who was responsible for, and who knew about, the emissions test cheating.

"For me, this is not an investible stock. That is really to do with the corporate governance issues, which they still haven't addressed," Kevin Lilley, European equities fund manager at Old Mutual Global Investors, said on Wednesday before the strategy announcement.

He said a "cosy relationship" between key shareholders meant "this company never reaches proper profitability."

However, Evercore ISI analyst Arndt Ellinghorst said on Thursday the new strategy was an encouraging sign.

Volkswagen said its new plan aimed to improve its operating return on sales before one-off items to 7-8 percent by 2025 from 6 percent in 2015, and the return on capital employed in its automotive division to more than 15 percent from 13.8 percent.

Mueller reaffirmed the company's expansion and investment plans for North America and China, adding he expected China would be the main market for its new electric cars.

He also said Volkswagen was in talks with potential partners to bolster its position in China's growing economy-car market, a current weak spot for the business.


Automakers recalled 51 million US vehicles in 2015

                WASHINGTON: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Thursday that automakers recalled 51.3 million vehicles in the United States last year, the second-highest ever, in 868 separate campaigns.

NHTSA and automakers have come under harsh criticism on auto safety issues from Congress and others in the wake of General Motors'delayed recall of 2.6 million vehicles for ignition switch defects linked to 124 deaths.

Since then, the NHTSA has made a series of reforms and pledged to make more improvements. The agency has pressured automakers to recall more vehicles more quickly - and imposed record-setting fines. As a result, last year's recall campaigns numbered the most in US history.

In 2014, the agency said automakers recalled a record 63.9 million vehicles in 803 campaigns - led by GM's recall of 26 million vehicles.

The agency reclassified about 12 million vehicles that were recalled first in 2014 - mostly for defective Takataairbags - and were re-recalled in 2015.

"Massive recalls are still a prominent feature of the safety landscape. NHTSA has made major efforts in the last year to improve our processes for identifying vehicle defects, and that effort will continue," NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind said at the Washington Auto Show.

Automakers agreed to a voluntary effort last week to do more to improve auto safety.

NHTSA also announced the launch of its "Safe Cars Save Lives" advertising campaign to raise awareness among the public of the actions needed to keep people safe from vehicle safety defects.

The year-long digital ad campaign, accompanied by online video and information resources, is aimed at convincing owners to use NHTSA’s VIN lookup tool regularly to check for uncompleted recalls.

"Taking action on a safety recall keeps you and the people you love safe," Rosekind said.


New Mercedes E-Class interior aims to wow

STUTTGART: Here’s a quick look at the cabin design of the next E-Class from Mercedes-Benz. And it’s quite impressive.

Mercedes-Benz is taking a big step into the future with numerous innovations in the new E-Class, including in the design of the interior, which features a wide high-resolution next-generation dual display (12.3 inches per display) that appears to hover in space.

In addition, touch-sensitive control buttons on the steering wheel make their first appearance in a car. They allow the driver to control the entire infotainment system using finger swipes without having to take their hands off the steering wheel.

The all-new experience is rounded off by a novel, intelligent graphic design with high-resolution visualisations and animations as well as simplified control logic. At the same time, the occupants enjoy a sensual interior with spacious architecture and high-quality materials.

The highlight in the comfort-oriented, luxurious interior of the new E-Class is two displays each with a 31.2 cm (12.3-inch) screen diagonal and a resolution of 1920 x 720 pixels. These merge visually to form a wide-screen cockpit, acting as a central element to emphasise the horizontal bias of the interior design of the new E-Class.

“With the interior of the new E-Class, we are giving a new interpretation to the concept of contemporary luxury,” said Hartmut Sinkwitz, Head of Interior Design.

“We have designed a spacious and intelligent interior. True to Mercedes-Benz’s design philosophy of sensual purity, it employs technological innovation and high-grade equipment to create an exceptionally emotive experience for driver and front passenger. The E-Class thus not only sets a new standard in the business class. Alongside a workplace and private environment, it also becomes a “third place” – a living area in which passengers are able to enjoy contemporary luxury.”

The next E-Class will make its world premiere at the Detroit auto show on Jan 11.


Performance specialist mountune expands its Australian business

                ESSEX, United Kingdom: Performance Specialist mountune is taking its Southern Hemisphere operations to the next level, by setting up a new service and logistics facility in Tasmania, Australia.

The British race engine and automotive performance tuning specialist, headquartered in Essex, United Kingdom, is known for its Ford and Volkswagen Group (VAG) performance upgrades, as well as more than 40 years of success in motorsport – from touring cars to rallycross.

The company’s expansion follows a decade of sustained growth in the Southern Hemisphere, including a period where its exactingly developed, ‘OEM+’ performance packages were officially endorsed by Ford Australia and their local Ford dealer network.

The new expansion includes a dedicated www.mountune.com.au website and offers the rapidly growing mountune customer base in Australia, New Zealand and beyond, the full suite of Ford and VAG performance upgrades, backed up by express delivery options and in-market technical support, in local time zones.

With over 40 years in the business, mountune has amassed unrivalled knowledge of powertrain calibration and performance parts development, enabling it to offer market-leading, exceptionally well-rounded upgrade options.

The solutions cater for a wide range of models, including Fiesta ST, Focus ST & RS, Puma, as well as VW Golf GTI, Golf R and Audi S3.

David Mountain, mountune founder, said: “We’re delighted to announce our formal expansion into the Asia Pacific market with our new Australian facility."


Jaguar introduces Chequered Flag E-PACE

                LONDON: Jaguar UK has revealed a new Chequered Flag special edition for the E-PACE, its best-selling model for the past year.

Updates also introduced to the entire range of E-PACE models include the certification of E-PACE D150 FWD Manual to the RDE2 emissions standard, resulting in a first-year excise duty savings of £320 (RM1,725) and a reduction of Benefit In Kind taxation by 4%.

With Chequered Flag exterior side badging and 19-inch Satin Dark Grey wheels, the special edition vehicle is available in three colours – Photon Red, exclusive to this model, alongside Corris Grey and Yulong White. Inside, there are prominent Chequered Flag treadplates, while the Ebony Grained Leather interior with red stitching reinforces the vehicle’s premium feel.

The special edition comes with a comprehensive list of standard features. Inside, this includes 10-way heated front seats, a panoramic roof, heated steering wheel and a 12.3-inch TFT Interactive Driver Display, alongside design enhancements such as an R-Dynamic branded steering wheel, black aluminium gearshift paddles and an Ebony Morzine headliner.

Chequered Flag’s exterior features R-Dynamic body-coloured bumpers, twin tailpipes and LED headlamps with signature J-blade, in addition to a Black Exterior Pack. A powered tailgate and keyless entry add further convenience.

Connectivity is enhanced with the introduction of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. By mirroring mobile device to the central 10-inch Touch Pro screen, it allows drivers to use their favourite apps safely on the move.

Customers have a choice of four powertrains on the Chequered Flag model. There are 150PS and 180PS diesel AWD automatic derivatives, as well as 200PS and 249PS petrol AWD automatic variants available.

As with all E-PACE models, Chequered Flag is available with Smart Settings, Jaguar’s self-learning technology. This system uses AI to learn drivers’ habits over time to anticipate their needs and serve up key functionality at the right time. This includes adjusting the seat, climate and infotainment based on individual preferences, the car recognising each driver by their key fob or smartphone Bluetooth signal as they approach.

The E-PACE is available with Adaptive Dynamics, offering improved handling response, body control and ride. Monitoring vehicle movements every two milliseconds and calculating the required damping force every 10 milliseconds, this allows the vehicle to respond instantly to driver inputs and road surface changes, providing greater control and minimising body roll.

Owners can add to or personalise their E-PACE with a range of Jaguar accessories. This includes a number of popular versatility and practicality features, in addition to the new Pet Packs, introduced to ensure pets can travel safely and in comfort.

The Jaguar E-PACE Chequered Flag special edition is available to order in Britain, priced from £40,050 (RM216,000).


Brexit-backer Ratcliffe to build Ineos’s electric 4x4 in Austria

                LONDON: Ineos Automotive Ltd., owned by chemicals tycoon and Brexit-backing billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, said it would build its electric 4x4 at a factory in Graz, Austria.

The yet-unnamed model will be developed with Magna International Inc., with production beginning in 2026, Ineos said in a statement today.

The new vehicle will be smaller than the Grenadier, Ineos’s first model that is currently made at a plant in France.

 The Magna plant In Graz.

Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group began making the Grenadier — a homage to Jaguar Land Rover’s original rugged Defender — after failing in a bid to bring back the original model when JLR decided to end production in 2016.

Ineos considered building the Grenadier in Wales, but in the end it took over Mercedes-Benz AG’s plant in Moselle, near the French-German border.

The Grenadier is powered by gasoline and diesel engines made by BMW AG and is named after a pub in London where Ratcliffe said the idea for his own Defender-replacement was hashed out.

Separately, Ratcliffe is bidding to buy Manchester United FC.


2017 Tokyo Motor Show: Subaru Viziv Performance Concept introduced

                TOKYO: The Subaru Viziv Performance Concept made its world debut at the 45th Tokyo Motor Show.

Using the first sports sedan body of the Viziv concept series, the Subaru Viziv Performance Concept has a Symmetrical AWD (all wheel drive) layout powered by a boxer engine honed over more than five decades of development.

Viziv is a coined word from the phrase “Vision for Innovation.”

The sports sedan concept is sized (overall length × width × height): 4,630 × 1,950 × 1,430 mm with a wheelbase of 2,730mm. It is a 5-seater, and runs on tyres sized 245/40 R20.

The Viziv Performance Concept design draws on previous models representing the Subaru driving experience: the Legacy, which defined Subaru as a drivers’ car, the Impreza, which took the World Rally Championship by storm, and the WRX, which still dominates motor racing around the world.

It has a rigid, forward-thrusting body with low centre of gravity, and highlights include the dynamic flare of the fenders, and the use of carbon fibre parts in the bumpers, fenders and roof.


Porsche first German car maker to ditch diesel

                STUTTGART: Three years after it emerged that Volkswagen and other German car brands were cheating in diesel emissions tests, Porsche decided in 2018 that it won't be building any more cars that run on this fuel.

"There will be no more diesel from Porsche from now on," chief executive Oliver Blume said, announcing his intentions to return the company to its sporty roots.

Porsche doesn't currently produce diesel vehicles, but Blume said he wants to be clear that they are also not on the horizon.

Even without its own diesel vehicles, Porsche's reputation has suffered as the German automobile industry has taken hits since 2015, after it came to light that Volkswagen had been using special software during testing to hide how polluting its cars emissions were. Other German brands have since suffered similar accusations.

The company now wants to focus on "emotionally gripping, strong-performing, gas-powered [cars] and hybrids," he said. "And, starting in 2019, that will also mean purely electric vehicles."

"It's important to us that motors can be run in a sporting fashion," he said. "In the future, Porsche will be more Porsche than it was in its past. We'll focus on performance and efficiency."

But he said the company will continue to provide service to Porsche diesels already on the roads.

The diesel scandal has not only left a stain on German car-making, but has also prompted some German cities to ban the use of diesel cars on their streets. The German government is looking at the idea of requiring older diesel vehicles to be retrofitted to fight pollution.


Lyft asks Americans to ditch their cars for ride-hailing vouchers

                SAN FRANCISCO: Lyft Inc said today it was rolling out an offer to users in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago to sell their cars in exchange for credit on the ride-hailing platform.

Those who sell their vehicle through Carvana Co, an online used car retailer, would receive US$250 in Lyft credit and three months of free membership in Lyft’s subscription service Pink.

Lyft Pink membership, which costs US$19.99 a month, provides a 15% discount on ride-hailing trips and 90 minutes of complimentary bike-share and electric scooter rides in cities with availability.

The offer is targeted at people who are already considering giving up their car, said Lyft’s senior director for transportation policy, Lilly Shoup. Lyft plans to expand the programme to other cities.

Carvana would not share any profits from the sale of a car with Lyft, Shoup said.

Lyft in September announced changes to its app, allowing users in some cities to compare the cost and travel times of different modes of transportation, including public transit.

The company operates bike-share services in eight cities, including in Chicago and San Francisco, and scooters in 20 cities, including Los Angeles and Chicago.

Lyft and larger rival Uber Technologies Inc have come under fire from officials and advocacy groups in major cities like New York for worsening congestion by significantly added to street traffic as more people ditch public transit in favour of personal rides.

Beginning next week, the Lyft app will also display public transportation options in all three cities targeted as part of the car selling programme.

Shoup said the effort was part of Lyft’s commitment to reduce private car ownership and encourage multi-modal transportation.

Transportation is the fourth-largest household expenditure after healthcare, housing and food, according to the US Department of Transportation, with households spending an average of roughly $9,700 on transportation in 2017.

Asked whether Lyft research had shown its alternative transportation offers to be cheaper than private car ownership, Shoup said those calculations were highly personal and dependent on the individual commuter.


Naza Italia launches Ferrari F8 Tributo at RM1.068mil

                KUALA LUMPUR: Naza Italia has launched the Ferrari F8 Tributo, the new mid-rear engined two-seater sports car priced at RM1.068mil (excluding duty and customisation options).

Naza Italia is the official importer and distributor of the Ferrari brand in Malaysia.

The Ferrari F8 Tributo was first unveiled on March 5 at the Geneva Motor Show.

“We are proud to be the first country in Southeast Asia to officially launch the new F8 Tributo in conjunction with the 10th anniversary celebrations of Ferrari Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia," said Naza Corp Holdings Sdn Bhd group executive chairman and group CEO SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin.

Its 3.9-litre V8 turbocharged engine produces 720ps at 8,000rpm and 770Nm at 3,250rpm

With a record specific power output of 185ps per litre, it is the most powerful V8 in Prancing Horse history for a non-special series car.

The new car replaces the 488 GTB, with improvements across the board.

The F8 Tributo punches out 50ps more than the car it replaces, is lighter and benefits from a 10% improvement in aerodynamic efficiency along with the latest version of the Side Slip Angle Control, now in 6.1 guise.

The F8 Tributo delivers its 720ps without the slightest hint of turbo lag and produces an evocative soundtrack.

Advanced vehicle dynamics solutions include a new version of the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE+) which can be activated in the manettino’s RACE position for the first time, a move designed to make performance on the limit easier to reach and control.

The steering wheel rim is also smaller in diameter to enhance the level of tactility and make the car feel even more agile.

In addition, weight reduction measures have cut the car’s dry weight by 40kg compared to the 488 GTB.

As with the 488 Pista, the F8 Tributo’s aero package is directly evolved from the track and it adopts several features from the 488 Pista designed to help manage engine heat, including, for instance, the rearward-angled front radiators and the dynamic engine air intakes positioned either side of the spoiler instead of on the rear flanks.

Designed by the Ferrari Styling Centre, the F8 Tributo is essentially a bridge to a new design language for the Italian supercar brand.

The front of the car is characterised by the S-Duct, a solution that made its debut on the 488 Pista, but which has been redesigned.

The result is that the S-Duct alone contributes an impressive 15% to the overall increase in downforce compared to the 488 GTB.

The new, more compact, horizontal LED headlights allowed the use of new brake cooling intakes in combination with those on the outside of the bumper - the aim being to improve air flow throughout the entire wheelarch and thereby avoid having to increase the size of the braking system to cope with the car’s greater speed.

Inside, there are a new generation HMI (Human Machine Interface), complete with round air vents, new steering wheel and controls as well as a new 7-inch passenger touchscreen display.

Ferrari F8 Tributo (right-hand drive model for Malaysia)


Korean cars top in dependability, says J.D. Power

                DETROIT: Korean auto brands Kia, Genesis and Hyundai earn three of the top four rankings in the newly redesigned J.D. Power 2022 US Vehicle Dependability Study, released on Thursday.

Buick and Toyota also make the list of the brands with the fewest reported problems after three years of ownership.

“Many owners are holding on to their vehicles longer, so long-term dependability is even more critical,” said David Amodeo, director of global automotive at J.D. Power.

“Some automakers are performing much better than others at preventing problems from occurring. These problems include the vehicle’s mechanicals, exterior and interior—but also infotainment systems, driver assistance systems and all the other electronic systems in today’s vehicles.”

The 2019 model-year vehicles measured in this year’s study were first examined in the J.D. Power 2019 US Initial Quality Study (IQS).  Seven of the 10 highest-ranked brands in the 2019 IQS are among the 10 highest-ranked brands in this year’s VDS.

The study, now in its 33rd year, has been redesigned to include all of the features and technology that are available in current vehicles.

The study covers 184 specific problem areas across nine major vehicle categories: climate; driving assistance (new in 2022); driving experience; exterior; features/controls/ displays; infotainment; interior; powertrain; and seats.

The study also now measures satisfaction with the vehicle’s condition after three years of usage; whether owners find their vehicle as appealing now as when they first bought it; and what software updates have been made to the vehicle.

“Automakers are increasingly looking at owners’ relationships with their vehicles as having similarities to other consumer technology,” Amodeo said.

“For instance, cellphones update all the time with over-the-air software releases and, increasingly, automakers must take advantage of this approach to fix problems, improve features and add capabilities to keep owners satisfied. Automakers that are able to do this best will have a huge advantage.”

Following are key findings of the 2022 study:

> Owners of mass market vehicles experience fewer problems

Mass market brands average 190 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), which is 14 PP100 lower than for premium brands (204 PP100). Premium brands typically incorporate more technology in their vehicles, which increases the likelihood for problems to occur. At the same time, the build quality of mass market vehicles has improved considerably and now matches that of the premium brands.

> Infotainment systems remain most problematic area

The infotainment category continues to be the most problematic, with an average of 51.9 PP100, which is more than twice as many problems as the next-highest category. Seven of the top 10 problem areas in the study are infotainment-related, including: built-in voice recognition (8.3 PP100); Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity (5.4 PP100); built-in Bluetooth system (4.5 PP100); not enough power plugs/USB ports (4.2 PP100); navigation systems difficult to understand/use (3.7 PP100); touchscreen/display screen (3.6 PP100); and navigation system inaccurate/outdated map (3.6 PP100).

> Most dependable model

For a second consecutive year, the Porsche 911 is the highest-ranked model in the study. This is the third time in the past four years that the 911 has earned this honour, a remarkable achievement.

Highest-ranked brands

Kia ranks highest overall in vehicle dependability, with a score of 145 PP100. This is the first year Kia leads the overall ranking after ranking third overall in 2021.

Other mass market brands ranking high for vehicle dependability include Buick (147 PP100), Hyundai (148 PP100), Toyota (158 PP100) and Dodge (166 PP100).

Genesis (155 PP100) ranks highest in the premium segment, followed by Lexus (159 PP100), Porsche (162 PP100), Cadillac (168 PP100) and Lincoln (180 PP100).

General Motors Company and Toyota Motor Corporation each receive five segment awards for models with the fewest reported problems in their respective segments. General Motors Company receives segment awards for the Buick Encore, Buick Envision, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Silverado HD and Chevrolet Suburban. Toyota Motor Company receives segment awards for the Lexus NX, Lexus RX, Lexus UX, Toyota Corolla and Toyota Tundra.

Hyundai Motor Group receives three segment awards for the Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Sonata and Kia Sorento.

The 2022 US Vehicle Dependability Study is based on responses from 29,487 original owners of 2019 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. The study was fielded from July 2021 through November 2021.


Karma’s Pininfarina partnership breaks cover

                LOS ANGELES: Southern California-based luxury electric automaker Karma Automotive released on Monday a glimpse of the first results of its partnership with the iconic Italian luxury design and engineering house Pininfarina.

A Pininfarina-designed concept car, along with a next-generation luxury electric Revero and an all-electric Karma Vision concept, will form Karma’s “Shanghai Big Three” product announcement at Auto Shanghai 2019.

Karma’s Pininfarina collaboration was announced in January and is a major addition to the automaker’s growing list of strategic business partnerships. The alignment, and others like it, is expected to play an important role in Karma’s ‘Value-Forward’ business plan by helping the automaker accelerate future technology and product development through Pininfarina’s turn-key automotive experience.

“Karma is united in spirit with Pininfarina through our shared commitment to stunning design, and we are excited about the reaction we anticipate the end result of our partnership will generate,” said Karma CEO Dr Lance Zhou.

Auto Shanghai 2019, held at the National Center for Exhibition and Convention in Shanghai, opens April 16 and runs through April 25.


Do or die — Nissan takes the axe to the house Ghosn built

                YOKOHAMA: Nissan is planning aggressive cost cuts to deal with an unexpected slump in sales as the expansionist strategy it inherited from fugitive former chairman Carlos Ghosn flounders, four people familiar with the plans said.

Japan’s second-biggest carmaker is set to eliminate at least 4,300 white-collar jobs and shut two manufacturing sites as part of broader plans to add at least 480 billion yen (US$4.4 billion) to its bottom line by 2023, two of the people told Reuters.

The moves come on top of a turnaround plan unveiled in July and are likely to include cutting the Japanese carmaker's range of cars and the array of product options and trims in each line, slashing jobs mostly at head offices in the United States and Europe, and reducing advertising and marketing budgets, they said.

“The situation is dire. It’s do or die,” said a person close to the company's board and senior management.

Most of the planned cuts and measures to enhance efficiency were presented to the company's board in November and received its general blessing, two sources said.

A company spokesman declined to comment on new restructuring measures or the view that weaker-than-expected sales were the catalyst for a global overhaul.

Under Ghosn, the company embarked on a global expansion, boosting capacity to add new models, driving more decidedly into markets such as India, Russia, South Africa and Southeast Asia and spending heavily on promotions and marketing to hit targets.

Now, many of those models are missing sales goals and executives at the company's Yokohama headquarters estimate up to 40% of its global manufacturing capacity is unused, or under-used.

Some executives are worried the company - part of an alliance with Renault and Mitsubishi, could post another loss at its carmaking business in the last quarter of 2019 and possibly for all its operations in the year ending in March.

One source said that would most likely hinge on whether the company books big restructuring expenses in its current financial year, or waits until the year ending in March 2021.

Reuters spoke to nine people familiar with the company's plans. All declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the subject.

Missed targets

In July, the company said it would cut 12,500 jobs from 14 sites around the world, from Britain to Spain, Mexico, Japan, India and Indonesia - and reduce its model range by 10%.

At the time, company officials said that meant shutting one production line at each plant.

Now, the company is considering shutting two plants permanently, on top of the reductions at the 14 other sites, said people close to the company’s management and board with knowledge of the matter. They didn’t say which two new sites were at risk.

People familiar with the plans said the axe was also likely to fall at the company's North American head office in Tennessee and its European headquarters in Geneva, as they were bloated with high-spending sales and marketing staff.

One source with direct knowledge of the turnaround plan said the company's marketing teams globally gobble up nearly 1 trillion yen a year, or about 45% of Nissan’s annual fixed costs of 2.1 trillion.

The company had been saddled with the excess, “thanks to (Ghosn’s) highly aggressive, expansionist volume goals, which we failed to achieve”, the source said.

A spokesman for Ghosn said he declined to comment for this story.

Ghosn told a news conference in Beirut on Jan 8 that the company's poor performance since 2017 was down to Hiroto Saikawa, who formally took over from him as Nissan CEO in April 2017.

“He was CEO and he was responsible for it,” Ghosn said.

In addition to cuts in the company's fixed costs, managers are also considering plans to kill off unprofitable models, accelerate the pace of new product development and reduce the average age of its line-up to 2-1/2 years from five now.

The new plans aim to add 480 billion yen to the company's bottom line by the end of March 2023, with 300 billion from cuts in fixed costs and 180 billion from an array of cars to be launched in the next three years, people familiar with the matter said.

The company is aiming to achieve an operating margin of 6% on revenue of 14.5 trillion yen by March 2023, compared with 3.0% from 13.0 trillion forecast for the year ending in March 2020, according to plans announced in July.

But since July, the company's operating performance has worsened by more than expected, making it likely its new management team will have to find savings significantly above the 480 billion yen currently envisaged to hit its targets, three sources said.

‘Phase Two’

To be sure, the company has plenty of cash in its coffers to cope with setbacks. According to quarterly results, it had 1.14 trillion yen in net cash at the end of September.

Still, sources said the company was no longer adding freshly generated cash to its war chest, mainly because of its high fixed costs and the sales slide. Furthermore, it has expensive car launches in the next few years that could eat into reserves.

“Even if we had one trillion yen in cash, that could be depleted in no time if we didn’t pay attention,” a person close to the company's management told Reuters.

Three of the people said the collapse in the company's sales around the world was a major factor in forcing the company to consider restructuring above and beyond the measures outlined in July.

They said the company's global sales would likely fall toward 5 million vehicles, or slightly above, way short of its sales goal of 5.5 million for its current financial year.

The worse-than-expected downturn, which has forced the company to spend more on promotions to cushion the fallout, has created additional urgency to take more drastic steps, sources said.

Of particular concern is the US market, where sales fell 10% in 2019, and the continued sluggishness of the Chinese market, which left the company's sales volumes down 1.1% from 2018.

One especially troublesome issue for the company has been the efficiency of its sales. In 2018, it had 69 models and sold 5.2 million vehicles - or 75,000 on average per model line - and it was planning to expand its line-up to 73 by the end of 2022.

Now, it is aiming to cut its range to 62 and boost average sales per line to 87,000, the equivalent of Toyota’s average last year, according to calculations and forecasts by the team formulating the company's recovery plan.

“We thought by now we would be selling 6 million cars a year. But the truth of the matter is our selling ability is about just north of 5 million,” one source said.

Open road?

People familiar with the company's internal discussions said there was even some concern the new measures being considered, known as “Phase Two” cuts, might not be enough to achieve its three-year turnaround goals if sales don’t recover fast enough.

“Those Phase Two measures will most likely fall short,” said one person familiar with restructuring plans, making a point echoed by several people close to the management team and board.

To make matters worse, the restructuring efforts have been disrupted by the political turmoil following Ghosn’s departure in 2018, his flight from Japan in December and subsequent accusations against former colleagues at the company.

According to five sources, the upheaval rattled the company's top management team so much that it paralyzed their ability to execute many of the planned restructuring moves smoothly.

The latest turmoil lasted from December to mid-January when the board curbed the influence of “anti-alliance” forces sabotaging the plans, two sources said, declining to elaborate.

The company's new CEO Makoto Uchida took the reins at the start of December with Ashwani Gupta, who has worked at the company, Mitsubishi and Renault as chief operating officer.

“Whoever the action was aimed at, the upshot is that Gupta is now completely freed from pressures from those anti-alliance forces to carry out all the planned turnaround measures,” one of the people said. “He should do so without hesitation as the board has cleared the way.”


Great Wall Motor accelerates electrification at Auto Shanghai 2023

                SHANGHAI: Great Wall Motor (GWM) showcased its commitment to electrification at Auto Shanghai 2023, with a range of new energy vehicles from its five major brands - Haval, Tank, Ora, Poer, and Wey.

GWM Haval introduced its Fierce Dragon Max plug-in hybrid SUV (sport utility vehicle), which made its world premiere, and featuring the Chinese automaker's Hi4 (Hybrid Intelligent 4WD - four wheel drive) technology.

Also, GWM’s new pick-up, a 6x6 version of the Poer was launched together with the large high-performance hybrid pickup Poer Shanhai plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and hybrid (HEV), thus undersocring the Chinese automaker's commitment to new energy pick-ups.

Meanwhile, GWM Tank saw the Tank400 PHEV making its world debut, and the luxury off-road SUV Tank500 PHEV opened for pre-sales.

In the high-end segment, GWM Wey released its first plug-in MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) namely the Gaoshan PHEV, and showcased the six-seater SUV, the Lanshan PHEV.

GWM Ora also released two pure electric models.

GWM also showcased its technologies such as the 3.0 turbocharged V6 engine and 9HAT (9-speed hydraulic automatic transmission), and its proprietary 6x6 super off-road platform.

Parker Shi, vice president and head of international market at GWM, said the group would accelerate the development of more high-quality new-energy products.

 GWM POER GWM POER GWM TANK400 Haval TANK500 GWM ORA Lightning Cat GWM ORA Ballet Cat GT GWM ORA Ballet Cat GT GWM WEY GWM HAVAL Dragon PHEV


Naza Kia Malaysia guarantees Kia vehicle prices

                KUALA LUMPUR: Naza Kia Malaysia, the official distributor of Kia vehicles in Malaysia, has introduced the Kia Value 5 programme, which guarantees the future value of Kia vehicles.

Naza Kia said the programme provides peace of mind to Kia customers. After five years of Kia ownership, customers will be eligible to trade-in their vehicles and get a new Kia car with a guaranteed value.

“Kia vehicles have become synonymous with quality, design, technology and driver-friendly setups,” said Naza Corporation Holdings’s group chief operating officer (automotive group) Datuk Samson Anand George.

“Through the Kia Value 5 programme, we want to create robust Kia used car value by guaranteeing the future value prescribed ahead, to customers who may want to upgrade to a new Kia model in five years.

“As the only mass model brand in Malaysia giving this opportunity to our customers, it is also the first ever Guaranteed Future Value programme without any exclusive tie-up with financial institutions.”

At the introductory stage, starting from Nov 1 until Dec 31, customers who buy the new Sportage and the new Sorento would benefit from the programme.

“Peter Schreyer has crafted a striking design philosophy for Kia while most recently, former VP of Engineering at BMW Albert Biermann is taking handling and performance to the next level as executive vice president at KMC (Kia Motor Corp)," said Samson.

"This year, Kia became the 69th most valuable brand in the world in Interbrand’s exclusive list of the 100 ‘Best Global Brands’. This achievement was further bolstered as the brand ranked No. 1 in the JD Power US Initial Quality Study, No.1 in the JD Power Europe Vehicle Dependability Study and in the top 4 in the JD Power Malaysia Customer Service Index,” he added.

In conjunction with the Australian Open 2017, Naza Kia Malaysia is organising a Kia Lucky Drive to Melbourne, Australia campaign from Nov 1 to Nov 30, in which a lucky winner will stand a chance to experience the Australian Open 2017 live.


Range Rover Sport gets new straight-six mild hybrid diesels

                LONDON: The Range Rover Sport gets new six-cylinder Ingenium diesel engines with 48V Mild-Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) diesel tech.

Developed in-house, the new in-line engine is available in D300 and D350 variants, with power outputs ranging from 300PS (221kW) to 350PS (258kW). They replace the V6 and V8 diesels.

The new D350 diesel powers the luxury performance SUV from 0-100km/h in just 6.9 seconds.

With a torque output of 700Nm, customers gain traditional V8 diesel performance with six-cylinder efficiency.

Thus the diesel-powered Range Rover Sport range now consists of:

> D300 – 300PS (221kW), 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV, 650Nm of torque at 1,500rpm to 2,500rpm
> D350 – 350PS (258kW), 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV, 700Nm of torque at 1,500rpm to 3,000rpm


Nov 24-30: Fuel prices remain unchanged

                PETALING JAYA: Fuel prices of RON97 and RON95 petrol, and diesel will remain unchanged from Nov 24-30.

The Finance Ministry said in a statement today that RON97 petrol will continue to be sold at RM3.95 per litre, RON95 at RM2.05 per litre and diesel at RM2.15 per litre.

It said the move was to protect consumers from the global oil price increase.

The ministry also said prices of the fuels have increased beyond the current ceiling prices.

"The government will continue to monitor the trends of global crude oil prices and take appropriate measures to ensure the continued welfare and well-being of the people," it said.


How changing the position of EV batteries could help boost vehicle range

                LONDON: British startup Page-Roberts has unveiled a concept electric vehicle (EV) promising a 30% increase in range, notably by repositioning the battery vertically in the centre of the vehicle cabin.

Typically, batteries in electric vehicles are placed under the floor in the centre of the car.

Page-Roberts studied what would happen if they were instead positioned vertically, between two rows of seats mounted back to back, facing away from each other.

This arrangement turns out to be much more compact than usual, does not change the wheelbase of the car in any way, and allows for a lower ride height.

As a result, this makes for a car that is lighter, more streamlined and offering up to 30% more range. Moreover, manufacturing costs could be up to 36% lower.

According to Page-Roberts' teams, the current positioning of EV batteries is detrimental to cars, which are too big, too heavy and have aerodynamic inefficiencies.

All of these elements contribute to excessive energy consumption.

The solution of placing the battery vertically, directly (but discreetly) in the passenger cabin would therefore save space and weight (from 35kg to 75kg), and ultimately increase the vehicle's range significantly. To date, however, no car manufacturer has made this choice.

Launched in 2019, Page-Roberts is a startup working on various solutions to increase the efficiency of electric vehicles.


Eighth-gen Toyota Camry tested

                UMW Toyota Motor launched the eighth-generation Camry late last year in only one premium 2.5-litre V variant, imported from Thailand and priced not far from the RM200,000 mark.

At this price, the new Camry really needs to deliver on the luxury quotient.

And it does not fail to do so, with a well-designed premium leather-clad interior and top-notch convenience and safety features.

It is also billed as delivering improved ride and handling, as it was built using Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) which also underpins the C-HR, Prius hybrid and RAV4.

Our test drive unit has a flamboyant Red Mica paint job, and buyers can also choose four other body colours - Platinum Pearl White, Silver Metallic, Graphite Metallic, Burning Black.

Exterior

Dubbed as the “Beautiful Monster” by UMW Toyota Motor, the new Camry certainly looks sleek, sporty, solid and stylish.

It has grown bigger and it’s longer (+ 35mm), wider (+ 15mm) and stands lower (- 25mm) compared with its predecessor.

There’s also more interior space with a longer wheelbase (+ 50mm).

The new Camry features sleek proportions and a distinctive low and wide design while the huge intake grille for the lower front end section really emphasises a dynamic and sporty look.

When viewed from the rear, the twin tailpipes also lend a sporty profile to the Camry.

It’s also worth noting that in addition to the automatic Bi-LED projector headlamps, all lights around the car are LEDs which have a longer life span and lower power consumption.

Meanwhile, door mirrors fold automatically when the car is locked, and also tilt down for better visibility when reversing.

Also, another useful feature (especially at night) is the optional Graphic Welcome Light priced at RM990 - which is activated when the doors are unlocked; light puddles illuminate the area around the front doors, thanks to lamps on the side door sills.

Interior

The new Camry’s interior has quite a upmarket and classy look, replete with nice faux wood, shiny metallic trim and polished plastic panels.

Lending a premium quality to the cabin are plenty of soft touch materials and surfaces, bright Optitron meters for the instrument panel, and a driver-centric cockpit.

There are lots to like here including the powered tilt and adjustable steering column, powered rear window sunshade, two memory settings for the driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning with rear air vents, and an eight-inch touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard.

The nine-speaker JBL audio system provides crisp sound quality in the quiet and well-insulated cabin, and front occupants would enjoy the powered seats, upholstered in smooth black leather.

The side of the front passenger seat also has a switch for rear occupants to slide or recline the seat.
In summary, the high-grade materials and streamlined dashboard design as well as the upmarket features certainly provide a premium experience.

Practicality

We found a roomy cabin, with plenty of leg, shoulder and head room for 1.7m tall adults.

There is a deep 427-litre boot and we particularly like the big centre compartment (between the front seats) which has a leather-clad cover that doubles as an arm rest.

This centre compartment is very useful as we can store all manner of items - keys, access cards, SmartTag and parking coupons.

To charge electronic devices, there are three USB ports and a Qi wireless charging pad for compatible smart phones.

There is also a space-saving electric parking brake with auto hold function, and two cup holders (between the front seats) for coffee takeaways.

A premium feature for the driver is the Head-Up Display (HUD) on the windscreen (normally seen in premium cars) which provides data like driving speed.

Another standard feature here is the Digital Video Recorder (DVR) which can provide evidence if there is a dispute regarding an accident.

Safety

Befitting its premium status, the new Camry has automatic functions for braking, adjusting driving speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, and counter-steering in unintended lane departures.

These automatic safety assistance features are grouped in the Toyota Safety Sense suite and includes a Pre-Collision System (PCS), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Steering Assist, and Automatic High Beam (AHB).

Besides the wide-angle reverse camera view, the driver also benefits from Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and front and rear parking sensors.

A Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) also alerts the driver about vehicles in the blind spot along the sides of the car.

The new Camry has seven airbags for occupant protection and also, a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Ride and handling

Fitted with Bridgestone Turanza T005 high performance car tyres sized 235/45 R18, our test drive unit provided a smooth, comfortable and quiet drive.

The Parallel Axis Electric Power Steering System (EPS) is well-tuned and feels a little heavy, and while handling in the corners is decent, you won’t find adrenaline-pumping thrills here.

It is designed to provide a silky-smooth, refined and luxurious ride and that’s what it does very well.
The 2.5-litre DOHC all-aluminium petrol engine with dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) delivers 184PS and 235Nm of torque, and more than adequate muscle for a 1,550kg (kerb weight) car.

The 6-speed automatic transmission is responsive and fluid, and we also found the cabin to be a hushed environment thanks to low wind, engine and road noise instrusion.

The improved front MacPherson strut and rear double wishbone suspension helps to deliver a supple ride, and surface irregularities and bumps on badly maintained roads are competently cushioned.

Fuel consumption

Toyota cars are known for being fuel efficient thanks to innovative powertrains and wind tunnel testing to improve aerodynamic efficiency, and the new Camry continues to justify this reputation.

The Camry has a big 60-litre petrol tank and according to UMW Toyota Motor, its fuel consumption is rated at 13.5km per litre.

Of course, in real-life daily driving, it is almost impossible to achieve anything near an automaker’s claimed fuel consumption figures.

We had the Camry for a few days, during which we drove 392km in stop-start city traffic and also at smooth highway cruising speeds.

When we returned the car to UMW Toyota Motor, the trip meter calculated fuel consumption at 11.2 litres per 100km (or 8.93km per litre) and a remaining range of 74km before refuelling.

The fuel gauge needle showed remaining petrol at about one quarter tank.

In our opinion, this is very decent fuel consumption for a powerful and big 2.5-litre naturally aspirated D-segment family sedan.

Warranty

A five-year warranty with unlimited mileage is provided. UMW Toyota Motor also offers a Toyota 24 Seven Road Assist service.

Summary

The new Camry is bigger and sportier in both looks and handling, and also a flagship premium D-segment sedan fitted with premium materials and top-notch safety technologies.

There are no turbocharged thrills here, and the drive quality is seamless, tranquil and buttery smooth.

The interior has a luxurious ambience and offers lots of space and a thoughtful design features, which we think brings a new dimension to premium cabin aesthetics in this segment.

We found ample power from the responsive powertrain, and the new Camry should continue to be a popular choice for those looking for an upmarket and reliable Japanese sedan.


US carmakers have a remedy for slower sales: pickups and more pickups

                DETROIT: Overall US new vehicle sales could fall for the second year in a row in 2018, but Detroit’s automakers are betting they can sell more high-margin pickup trucks and sport utilities to prop up profits.

At this week’s Detroit auto show, auto industry executives and economists predicted that overall car and light truck sales will fall to about 16.8 million vehicles this year from about 17.2 million vehicles in 2017. Rising interest rates, reduced access to easy credit and an influx of millions of nearly new vehicles that are cheaper than new models and are expected to undercut new sales.

Standing against those forces are a wall of trucks and SUVs, including several new models unveiled at the Detroit auto show, that automakers said offer the hope of strong profits even if total vehicle sales decline.

Investors on Wednesday bid down shares of Ford Motor Co by 7 percent after it forecast lower profits for 2018. General Motors Co shares slipped less than 1 percent after it forecast flat core earnings, excluding investments in autonomous vehicles.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV shares, however, rose nearly 2 percent. Fiat Chrysler’s North American product lineup represents an almost pure bet on demand for big pickups, Jeep brand SUVs and retro muscle cars like the Dodge Challenger that are enjoying a renaissance thanks to cheap gas.

“We shifted most of our resources to the production of SUVs and pickup trucks,” FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne said this week.

“It’s a recognition of the fact that it’s become the fast-growing segment in the United States.” GM shares are up 18 percent over the past year, and on Tuesday the company stressed to analysts the profit potential of its new pickup truck lineup.

Last year 63.2 percent of US sales were light trucks, up from 48.8 percent in 2012. Overall new car sales fell around 2 percent in 2017 as passenger car sales fell 10.9 percent but light truck sales rose 4.3 percent.

“Americans love their trucks,” Mike Jackson, chief executive of AutoNation Inc, the largest US auto retailing chain, said at an Automotive News conference here on Tuesday.

“Petrol will have to get to US$6 (RM23.60) a gallon to get them back out of their trucks.” To capitalise on that, General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler all rolled out revamped pickup truck models at the show while taking shots at their rivals’ products and talking up their trucks’ profitability.

“These are high margin” products, GM president Dan Ammann said of GM’s pickup trucks at a Deutsche Bank conference on Tuesday.

Federal tax cuts could help Detroit’s pickup truck franchises, analysts at Cox Automotive said. A Cox map of consumer vehicle preferences shows many US counties where pickup trucks are the most popular vehicles also voted for Republican president Donald Trump in 2016. Those counties also will fare well from the recent US tax overhaul, chief economist Jonathan Smoke said.


Mercedes-Benz and Microsoft collaborate on supply chain data platform

                BERLIN: Mercedes-Benz and Microsoft announced a partnership today using Microsoft Cloud for a data platform intended to improve production efficiency at over 30 passenger car plants globally.

The data platform, called MO360, is already available in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and will also be launched in the United States and China, the statement said.

The aim is to gather data from across the production process from components to logistics to the assembly line to create a virtual replica that allows teams to identify potential supply chain bottlenecks more quickly.

The collaboration should lead to a 20% increase in vehicle production efficiency by 2025 from 2022 levels, the statement added.


New Mercedes C-Class owes a lot to its big brother

                FRANKFURT: Honey, they shrunk the S-Class — that's what you might think when seeing the new Mercedes C-Class for the first time.

It's the smallest saloon in the German car maker's stable, but one that now looks a lot like the biggest — the flagship S-Class.

The C-Class has grown a little in all of the important dimensions and as well as that it's inherited a lot from the S-Class, including the interior.

When you get to the price tag, however, you'll see the difference. The smallest C-Class sedan costs around US$42,000, while the latest S-Class will set you back by US$110,000.

Almost as if the C-Class has found itself in a midlife crisis in its fifth generation, Mercedes has prescribed a course of cures. With so-called power domes on the hood and sharp contours, the C-Class now looks more athletic and self-confident.

Mercedes has even sacrificed the traditional star on the bonnet and adorns all variants with the large radiator star, which to date has been seen mainly on its sport models.

Inside, the relationship to the S-Class becomes even clearer. There's the latest generation of the MB UX infotainment system with its colourful graphics and efficient voice control.

There are also similar pampering programs for air conditioning, lights, and seats to the ones you find in the bigger Merc.

The space available in the C-Class is of course not quite as luxurious, but it has benefited from some all-round renovation. There is now more shoulder room for everyone and more foot room for those in the back.

The trunk provides 455 litres of storage space. If you want more then there's the T model, which is an estate with 490 litres in the trunk — or 1,510 with the seats down.

 All engines in the new C-Class are mildly electrified. Both petrol and diesel options come as mild hybrids with 48-volt technology.

The C-Class seems to miss out on two hot current trends — the car isn't an SUV and it doesn't run on electricity.

However, that's not entirely true either. There's an all-terrain version of the stationwagen available that has increased ground clearance and all-wheel drive.

And plug-in hybrids for both petrol and diesel are on the way that will have an electric range of 100km.

There are also some parallels to the S-Class under the skin such as rear-axle steering. The rear wheels turn by up to 2.5 degrees, which cuts the car's turning circle by almost half a metre.

The car has numerous new and improved assistance systems — also coming from big brother — that bring autonomous driving a little closer.

In terms of engines, the C-Class offers three petrol and two diesel four-cylinder units. Both diesels are 2.0 litres while the petrol engines are either 2.0 litres or 1.5.

All are mild-hybrids with 48-volt technology. Horsepower ranges from 170 for the 1.5-litre petrol C180 to 295 hp for the 2-litre diesel C300d.

The C300d accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and has a top speed of 250kph. Fuel consumption for this model is put at 5.0 litres per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions at 131 g/km.

Anyone looking for a trusted companion for the transition to a fossil-free future should enjoy this car.

The C-Class looks younger and more agile than ever, and drives better. It also exudes traditional Mercedes values from every pore while offering almost as much comfort as the much more expensive S-Class.