ZF to expand range of OE-quality parts across Asean

                PETALING JAYA: ZF Services, the aftersales business unit of ZF Friedrichshafen AG, is expanding its range of spare parts in OE quality for Malaysia as well as throughout Asean and Taiwan.

By 2017, the full range of shock absorbers, tie rod ends, tie rod axle joints, ball joints, track control arms and link stabilisers will be available for Asian car brands including Perodua, Proton, Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda, and others.

The expanded product portfolio will extend ZF Service’s lead as a single-source supplier of quality spare parts covering the top 100 Asian car models on the road in each country across Malaysia Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

 Scholle

“Market estimates show that there are around 34 million passenger cars that are aged three years and above on the roads in Asean and Taiwan. We expect demand for maintenance products to continue to grow across the markets,” said Andre Scholle, Regional General Manager, Aftermarket (OES/IAM), ZF Asia Pacific.

“In our key markets of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, analysts put the number of Asian cars on the road at more than four times the number of Continental cars. ZF has a strong standing in providing parts for European cars and now our expanding portfolio of OE-quality shock absorbers as well as steering and suspension parts will support our customers, partners and the large number of Asian vehicle owners in the region.”

The new products comprise ZF Services’ Sachs brand of shock absorbers and the Lemförder brand of steering and suspension parts.

To date, more than 350 Sachs shock absorbers have been introduced in Asean and Taiwan. This includes shock absorbers for more than 50 of the most popular Asian car models in the key automotive markets of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. ZF Services is currently expanding its current range to achieve 95 per cent of market coverage for Asian passenger car brands.

ZF Services’ Lemförder brand currently offers close to 340 steering and suspension products in Asean and Taiwan, for popular car brands such as Mazda, Nissan and Toyota. By 2017, the product portfolio will be expanded to cover car brands Honda, Proton, Perodua and Suzuki across the region.

“The Asian Range represents the best of ZF, in that it offers our customers performance that is complete with safety and reliability. In Malaysia, top Asian vehicle brands such as Perodua, Proton, Toyota, Honda and Nissan have consistently maintained top presence in the automotive market. Given that Asian Range produces OE parts for these ranked brands, we believe this will bode well for ZF,” said ZF Sales & Service (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd managing director Mohd Syahrul Yusof.


Land Rover Reborn turns classic car restoration into a spectator sport

                LONDON: British SUV maker Land Rover is opening the doors of its special restoration workshop to the public so that they can watch classic Land Rovers being rebuilt in real time.

When the original Land Rover Defender finally went out of production at the beginning of 2016, the company announced a very ambitious project - Land Rover Reborn, which would search the globe for dilapidated Series One models from the 1940s, 50s and 60s.

The plan was to painstakingly restore them in a new purpose-built facility and sell them to avid collectors and fans as factory fresh classics.

Though the model has a huge fanbase, the company decided that demand would be low, perhaps 25 clients a year, but the demand has been off the scale and not just for the finished models, but for just a glimpse of the restoration process itself.

For example, when the final Defender was pieced together and rolled off the Solihull, Birmingham production line in January, 10,000 people turned up to say "goodbye."

So, as part of a new Reborn Tour and Driving Experience, off-roading fans will be able to visit the Solihull facility, which has now been converted into a special restoration workshop and museum in honour of the original Land Rover and watch as classic Defenders are resurrected precisely to the 1948 manual, including the use of period techniques and materials.

As part of its new ‘Reborn Tour,' which will now allow guests to visit its newly created facility and watch the coming together of these classics, visitors will also get the chance to put a Land Rover through its paces. With instruction from an expert they will be able to take a classic Defender on Land Rover's testing tracks.

Those that want to take things further still, can use the visit as the first step in purchasing a ‘reborn' Land Rover. With help from experts they can select a base model in need of restoration, select a period correct external and internal finish and then return on a regular basis to watch the restoration take shape.


Ducati Indonesia important enough for CEO Domenicali to swing by

Domenicali (centre, astride bike) posing with Ducati owners and enthusiasts.
JAKARTA: Not many people know this but the Ducati flagship store in Indonesia is the world’s largest Ducati store

At 3,000 square metres, the Indonesian outlet was opened in May last year by Aruba.it Racing Ducati Superbike Team star, Chaz Davies.

Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali visited the store on Tuesday to show his appreciation for the significant progress Ducati has made in the country.

“Our importer in Indonesia, PT Garansindo Euro Sports, has done a superb job of interpreting Ducati brand values”, said Domenicali, whose visit is the first by a Ducati head in the brand's 15-year history in Indonesia.

“The Jakarta showroom presents our products as true works of art in a well thought-out, premium setting. Plenty of space, a multi-floor display, attention to detail, the exhibition of vintage bikes, an entire floor dedicated to the Scrambler, welcome areas and a top-notch service area make this store one of the best in the world”.

Tuesday’s event also local Ducati communities such as the DDOCI and DSO Ducati Owners Clubs. Indonesia was Domenicali's last stop on an Asian tour of Ducati's operations.


Taking the Ford Mustang's performance to another level

                DETROIT: The new GT Performance Pack Level 2 is a new package of improvements for the latest-generation Ford Mustang GT.

Just like the Original Mustang Boss 302 that was developed after hours and got its name because whenever anyone asked what was going on, the team developing it said "oh, we're working on the boss's car," this new set of mechanical and aerodynamic improvements for the Pony Car that, according to Ford, bring the "standard GT" a further step closer to the phenomenal track-focused grace of the GT350, are the result of similar dedication that went beyond nine to five.

"A passion to create something special is what really drove this project," said Tom Barnes, Mustang vehicle engineering manager. "And that really showed in the off-the-clock way we went about doing our work."

Barnes and his team spent evenings working in the garage and weekends at the track testing the components, which include 19-inch wheels weighted and balanced to improve steering and responsiveness in the bends, a new front splitter and rear spoiler that are both for go rather than show, and an overhaul of the steering and braking.

The result, according to Jamie Cullen, Ford supervisor for vehicle aerodynamics development, is a car that "will just beg you to go faster. [It] has lightning-quick response and never gives up grip."

What's more, all of these enhancements will come on top of the enhancements available in the level 1 Performance Pack. They include a tuned chassis and anti-lock braking system, Brembo brakes, a bigger radiator, and a Torsen rear differential.

And now that the enhancements are a reality and will be ready to order as options in early 2018, the secrecy continues. The only clues that a Mustang is fitted with the Performance Pack Level 2 will be black detailing on the front splitter and spoiler and a 10-spoke design for the 19-inch wheels, which come wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.


Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo introduced

                SCARPERIA (Italy): The new 488 Challenge Evo made its debut at the Oct 24-27 Ferrari Finali Mondiali event at the Mugello Circuit.

Three years after the presentation of the 488 Challenge during the Finali at Daytona, the Prancing Horse has developed a kit that increases the car’s overall performance and its consistency in race conditions, and also improves the handling for even better feedback and driving pleasure.

The aim of the Evo package is to maximise the synergy between aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics - that is, the interaction between tyres, balance of downforce and electronic controls.

Better performance is guaranteed by higher downforce and new Pirelli tyres, while driving feedback was addressed from the early stages of development using Ferrari’s GT driving simulator, revising the aero balance between the axles.

To improve turn in and reduce understeer out of corners, in fact, the downforce over the front has been increased.

The aerodynamic balance 'dialogues' with the E-Diff3 and F1-TCS control systems based on the Side Slip Control (SSC), which offers new dedicated settings.

The SSC concept, which is based on the estimation of the yaw angle, has been modified in view of the new levels of performance. This has made it possible to provide the control systems with a common language designed to maximise agility in cornering and traction on exit.

The proven collaboration between the technical department and the Ferrari Styling Centre resulted in a comprehensive redesign of the front of the car to ensure an increase of 30% in aerodynamic efficiency compared to the 488 Challenge.

The length of the front overhang has been altered to boost overall downforce and optimise the balance.

The profiles of the radiator grille intakes have been lengthened and, at the centre of the bumper, a U-shaped intake feeds the front brakes and underlines the 488 Challenge Evo's sporty character.

In the lower part of the bumper, a large splitter with turning vanes at the ends improves the control and direction of the airflow from the side vents.

The sides of the bumper have been re-proportioned by reducing the surface volume to allow the adoption of a second side flick, improving the quality of the airflow.

The car thus has 50% more overall downforce than the current 488 Challenge.

On the flank, below the rear-view mirror, there’s a new small wing with endplate designed to divert air flow towards the intercooler. The rear, on the other hand, includes clear references to the FXX-K.

The sides of the bumper feature an extremely aerodynamic surface with two vents to extract the flows generated inside the wheelarches.

Below the rear spoiler, a new air vent set in the engine air outlet grille increases downforce. There is also a new nolder on the rear wing that produces an increase in the coefficient of downforce.

The 488 Challenge Evo introduces a first for the Prancing Horse's one-make series: the option to modify the front downforce independently of the rear, so that the driver can set up the balance without having to change the ride height.

The driver can select different configurations ranging from high downforce to low downforce before each race, depending on the circuit's characteristics and the weather conditions. These developments ensure an increase of more than 20 percentage points in the downforce over the front axle compared to the 488 Challenge.

The braking system includes a number of innovations that maintain its performance over a race. In particular, there is a significant reduction in brake wear thanks to the adoption of a new front disc design and larger rear discs.

New Pirelli tyres - 275/675-19 (front) and 315/705-19 (rear) – have also been introduced. During nigh-on seven months of development, the new tyre was tested not only in the laboratory but also on the new car at various European circuits, including Vallelunga, Mugello, Le Castellet and Silverstone.

As well as seeking to boost overall performance, these tyres also ensure greater consistency in lap times during a long run session.

The interior, with its decidedly racing character, features a conceptually different kind of steering wheel, developed from the experience gained with the FXX-K Evo and the 488 GTE, which triumphed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year.

The steering wheel, with integrated paddle shift, significantly improves ergonomics so the driver can always keep their hands in an ideal position, bringing advantages in terms of visibility and control of the car’s systems. There is a new ABS management strategy incorporated in the manettino.

The driver can select four different modes, two dry and two wet, which implement a strategy focused on performance or stability.

A new rear camera derived from the 488 GTE has been introduced in response to feedback from the participants in the championship's various series (Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, along with last year's addition of a new UK national series).

This considerably improves rear visibility.

The new components and improvements introduced with the 488 Challenge Evo are also available as upgrade kits for existing cars.


'Flying car' test flight on Thursday closed to press, says minister (Updated)

Super Dron is based on the Ehang 216 (shown here).
KUALA LUMPUR: Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Redzuan Md Yusof said he cannot disclose the location for the test flight of the "flying car" this Thursday, as it is a closed event by the private firm that built it.

He told reporters at the Parliament lobby today that his ministry only helped to facilitate the project and create an environment for the company to operate.

The company building the vehicle would announce details later, he said, adding that the private test, if successful, would help it secure more funding.

The test site is believed to be at the Subang airport and Redzuan had recently announced that he would be onboard the test flight.

He said the project could pave the way for Malaysia to be a centre to produce such an "aerial vehicle" in future.

A Berita Harian report today pointed out that the flying vehicle on Thursday is not the Vector, which is being developed by Malaysian company Aerodyne Group.

It said it would be made by a drone manufacturer in China and would be referred as the Super Dron.

Featuring AI technology, Super Dron is an autonomous aerial vehicle that is believed to be based on the 2-seater Ehang 216 made by Beijing Yi-Hang Creation Science & Technology Co, a company based in Guangzhou.

Super Dron is the result of a joint venture between Malaysian company EastCap Bhd and Chinese firms Strong Rich Holdings and EHang Intelligent Equipment (Guangzhou).

EastCap is headed by Datuk Seri Zakwanhafiz Ahmad Ansari, whose prior experience was in the plantation sector.

Berita Harian cited EastCap as saying that Super Dron would have the ability to fly to a height of 300m with top speed of 130kph. Its battery capacity offers a range of 110km. The vehicle can carry two passengers or load not exceeding 600kg.

EastCap had previously said it plans to set up a local facility to assemble the Super Dron with an annual production rate of 10,000 units.

 The Ehang 216.

It sees the unmanned drones as suited for use by Malaysian authorities in border patrols, tourism, agriculture and as an emergency assist vehicle.

The drones made by Beijing Yi-Hang Creation Science & Technology Co have commonly been used by its customers for aerial filming, photography and surveys. It plans to introduce the world’s first autonomous air taxi service for urban areas in the coming months.

The Ehang 216 is a two-seater with 16 propellers in a coaxial double-bladed design. It has made over 1,000 manned flights by July 2018 and its maximum range flown was 8.8km. It can fly 25 min for a range of 30–40km.

Redzuan had indicated last month that a second flying vehicle project is under development. This would likely refer to the Vector by Cyberjaya-based Aerodyne Group. It first showcased its product concept at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace 2019 exhibition in March. Vector was then a scale model of a two-seater.

 A scale mock-up of Aerodyne's flying vehicle on display at the Langkawi airshow in March.

Aerodyne is a four-year-old company with experience in drone technology.

The company was leery of calling their nascent product a flying car but instead said it was a “point-to-point air transportation system”. It is being pitched as a product for fleet operators rather than being opened to individuals to buy.

The prototype is being built in Japan, which has the supporting ecosystem for the flying-car industry.

Vector is electrically powered by four motors fed by a lithium-ion battery. The vehicle is said to have a  payload of up to 200kg and could fly 50m above the ground at 60kph. It is expected to stay airborne for up to 90 minutes.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on Oct 17 that he believes a day will come when cars can fly, but that day has yet to arrive.

“Well, the cars will fly one day, but not today.

"Nowadays you have drones, and drones can carry heavier and heavier weight. Maybe one day, we can fly on a drone, ” the Prime Minister said in jest to a question regarding flying cars.


British firm creates digital twin of Tokyo highway to hasten AI training

LONDON: British simulation software specialist rFpro has created the highest accuracy digital twin of Tokyo’s famous Shuto Expressway, Inner Circular route, specifically for vehicle engineering developers.

Simulating some of the world’s most challenging roads in this way significantly accelerates the training of artificial intelligence (AI) by reducing cost and risks of collecting real world data.

The virtual environment has already been adopted by major vehicle manufacturers predominately for the development of autonomous vehicles.

The 35km section of road also known as the C1 route Expressway, has been modelled using survey-grade LiDAR scan data to create a vehicle dynamics grade road surface, which is accurate to within 1mm.

This is key to accurately simulate the effects of every bump, drain cover and expansion joint around the full route.

The environment is not only geometrically precise but functionally accurate too with each of the thousands of road signs, markings, and roadside objects being individually classified.

This is critical for the development of many ADAS and autonomous systems that rely on panoptic segmentation for their training data sets.

“The C1 route is one of the most challenging stretches of city roads in the world for an autonomous vehicle to navigate,” said Matt Daley, rFpro Managing Director.

“With constantly changing road curvature and elevation, complex and densely situated junctions and a huge array of road signs and markings, it is the ultimate test of autonomous vehicle technologies and is the perfect way to exercise and develop such capabilities safely.”

The Tokyo Expressway is the latest in an ever-growing library of highly accurate digital twins created by rFpro that consists of more than 100 locations of other public road routes, proving grounds and test tracks.

Due to the high fidelity of the models, rFpro’s digital twins are also effective in the engineering and development of other areas of a vehicle, including vehicle dynamics handling, braking and steering work.

“Our models are extremely versatile, enabling users to maximise their investment in simulation,” said Daley.

“You can even replicate complex traffic scenarios to test how well your automatic gearbox and engine mapping perform when crawling through traffic. Importantly, this can then be correlated in the real world on the exact same piece of road.”


Youtube is now a car shopping tool

                LOS ANGELES: Social media is beginning to play a role in how consumers shop for a new car, but it's not about to take over from specialist sites, yet.

According to new data from JD Power, 22% of people in the market for a new set of wheels have started turning to social networks for help and advice. The figure is up from 15% just 12 months ago, the last time JD Power conducted the New Autoshopper Study and it looks like it's the start of a growing trend, particularly among younger drivers.

"Social media plays a large role in many consumers' lives, so it's not surprising that it's one of the tools they're using during the vehicle-shopping process," said Mike Battaglia, vice president, automotive retail at J.D. Power. "While we would not expect social media sites to compete head-on with designated auto shopping sites like Toyota.com and Kelley Blue Book, it's easy to understand the role and relevance social plays in the automotive shopping process."

The study, which polled 17,349 people who had bought or leased a new 2014-2016 model year car found that YouTube is the most popular social network, cited by 13% while Facebook was used by 5% or respondents.

However, while attention is shifting to the social web, it appears that the social web isn't yet ready to give consumers what they want. Only 13% of respondents said that information found on social networks actually influenced their decision.

"Social media platforms aren't as useful as automotive shopping websites for automotive information, but they do serve the needs of consumers for unbiased dealer reviews, affirmations from other vehicle owners, accessing automotive-related videos and exchanging ideas and opinions with friends and family members," said Battaglia.

However, once a person has bought a new car, it seems that a social network is one of the first ports of call. Over one third of new-vehicle owners that used social media for research returned to post pictures of it, with Facebook (88%) and Instagram (21%) the most popular sites.


Malaysia aims to start selling B20-biodiesel by next year

                KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is firm in pushing for the widespread use of B20 biodiesel, which is a mix of 20% palm oil and 80% diesel, by next year.

This was underscored with the exchange of a memorandum between the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), an agency under the Primary Industries Ministry and five petroleum companies – Petronas, Shell, Petron, Chevron Malaysia and Boustead Petroleum – here yesterday

The document details the arrangements for detailed engineering studies on nearly three dozen fuel blending plants throughout the country to determine the scope of upgrading needed before these plants can produce biodiesel of up to 30% palm oil, also known as B30.

Malaysia currently uses B10, and the plan is to introduce B20 in stages beginning next January.

“The government is allocating RM35mil to fund this engineering study so that we will know the extent of upgrading required for the relevant plants,” said Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok.

She said the question of who would fund the actual engineering and construction work was still being worked out, as a lot of it hinged on the findings of the proposed study.

“The B20 implementation is targeted to be completed by June 2021,” she said.

Malaysia began its biodiesel drive for the transportation sector in February, but this did not require any plant upgrading as existing facilities could cater to the 10% mix of palm oil into fuel.

Kok maintained that MPOB’s limited trials on B20 with its own vehicles and selected municipalities in Selangor, as well as FGV Transport Services, had not yielded any adverse findings.


Daimler, Swiss Re launch mobility insurance venture

                FRANKFURT: Swiss Re and carmaker Daimler announced a joint automotive and mobility insurance venture today, seeking to tap into a wealth of new data generated by highly automated vehicles to help insurers to calculate risk.

The reinsurer and Daimler, parent of the Mercedes-Benz passenger car brand, set up Movinx, a Berlin-based intermediary they will co-own equally, the companies said in a statement.

As connected and autonomous cars generate live data about traffic flows, vehicle reflexes and driver behaviour, the companies expect new opportunities will arise to customise automotive and mobility insurance products.

“Even before cars come off the manufacturing line, we know the specific features and how that car would react in an emergency situation and we can provide a score to insurance partners to better underwrite the risk,” said Pravina Ladva, Swiss Re’s digital transformation officer.

Swiss Re already offers to price risk by looking at the number of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) fitted to a car, calculating a car’s capability under various traffic conditions considering safety as well as the cost of repairs.

Daimler, which has spent decades refining advanced driver assistance systems, sees an opportunity for monetising its know-how about vehicle safety.

Ingo Telschow, chief executive of Daimler Insurance Services, said his company was “going deeper into the value chain of insurance business, having more influence on product development and pricing.”

Aside from technological advances in the area of automated and connected vehicles, customer behaviour is also shifting from long-term ownership to short-term usage, creating new insurance challenges in the area of pricing and claims handling.

Movinx will position itself as a so-called Managing General Agent (MGA) to help insurers introduce new products across a range of currently fragmented markets, using a new jointly owned risk technology platform.

The first insurance products and services are planned to launch in France in 2021. In the coming years, further market entries are planned across Europe, in the Americas and in Asia.

“We want to offer products for people who use car sharing for minutes, or long-term insurance, or cover for rental, or subscription. Movinx will start with a motor insurance focus and explore mobility elements to enhance the respective solutions,” Daimler’s Telschow said.

The joint venture will be open for cooperation with car manufacturers or mobility service providers, the two companies said in their statement.


EVs priced from RM120K coming by mid-2023

                PETALING JAYA: The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti) is encouraging the introduction of more affordable electric vehicles (EVs) in Malaysia in order to advance the country’s EV industry.

Its deputy secretary general of industry, Datuk Seri Norazman Ayub, said there will be EV cars coming to Malaysia in the second quarter of this year priced from as low as RM120,000.

At present, the lowest-priced EV in Malaysia is the Ora Good Cat, which comes in two variants and is priced from RM140,500.

"We have now encouraged the importation of more EVs particularly from China because we want to have more EVs that are affordable for the rakyat,” he said during his keynote speech at the 70th platinum anniversary dinner of the Electrical and Electronics Association of Malaysia.

In terms of charging infrastructure, Norazman said the government aims to provide at least 10,000 units of public charging facilities by 2025.

"We will be working with highway concessionaires such as PLUS Expressways Bhd for the charging stations.

"We want to invite any particular investor to invest in charging stations to be part of the development of the EV ecosystem,” he added.

Previously, Miti minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz had said Malaysia is committed to attracting investments in the EV industry and achieving the national target of making electrified vehicles, including hybrid, account for 15 per cent of the total industry volume by 2030.

Tengku Zafrul said the government is prioritising the development of the EV ecosystem and the Local Government Development Ministry’s Town and Country Planning Department is also drafting a circular to facilitate the approval process of charging stations at the local government level.


MANUFAKTUR lets your Mercedes-Benz stands out even more

                STUTTGART. Mercedes-Benz is introducing the "MANUFAKTUR" label to let customers personalise their cars even more.

It comprises design, styling and different equipment lines to step up the existing product portfolio with additional exclusivity and luxury.

The label and equipment lines are offered for the top-end of Mercedes passenger cars such as the CLS, the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door coupé and the S-Class long-wheelbase, as well as the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.

 The S 580 e gets the MANUFAKTUR treatment on the inside and outside.

Under the new label, customers will have access to selected materials that are predominantly processed by hand, exclusive paint finishes, surround lighting and high-quality embellishments in the interior.

A similar programme has already been available for the G-Class for several years: the "G manufaktur" presents its own selection of materials and colours specially adapted to the vehicle architecture.


Bentley Bentayga Speed introduced at RM1.06mil

                KUALA LUMPUR: Hand-built in  Crewe, England, Bentley's Bentayga Speed which gets a powerful 6.0-litre W12 twin turbo engine is now available at Bentley Kuala Lumpur showroom.

Featuring many of the regular Bentayga's luxurious features as standard, including the Mulliner Driving Specification, the Bentayga Speed starts from RM1,062,000 before duties, taxes and registration.

Building on the completely refreshed design of the new generation Bentayga, the Bentayga Speed introduces the very latest onboard technology and an even more cosseting cabin with significantly revisions inside and out.

Its 6.0-litre W12 twin-turbocharged engine, paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivers peak power of 626bhp with 900Nm of torque plateauing from 1,500rpm to 5,000rpm for effortless acceleration.

The luxury sports utility vehicle (SUV)'s maximum speed is also increased to 306kph, while the 0-100kph sprint is delivered in 3.9 seconds.

The assembly of the W12 powertrain takes the engine builders 10% of the total hours required for the manufacture of the Bentayga Speed variant.

Aside from power, the engine is also fuel efficient as it has a control unit that deactivates one complete bank of six cylinders as required under part-throttle cruising conditions.

Whenever the driver lifts of the throttle during highway cruising in fifth to eight gears, the Bentayga Speed would disengage the torque convertor, drop the engine speed to idle and allow the SUV to "sail" and reduce fuel consumption and emission.

Bentayga Speed is equipped with four on-road Drive Dynamics modes of Comfort, Sport, Bentley and Custom.

Custom mode allows drivers to create their own set-up while Bentley mode is the balanced recommendation of Bentley’s chassis team in Crewe.

Uniquely in the Bentayga Speed, the Sport mode has been recalibrated to enhance response from the W12 engine and the automatic transmission, together with the air suspension system and Bentley Dynamic Ride for a more dynamic and engaging drive.

Bentley Dynamic Ride is the world’s first electric active roll control technology that utilises an unrivalled 48V system.

This system instantly counteracts lateral rolling forces when cornering and ensures maximum tyre contact to deliver class-leading cabin stability, ride comfort and exceptional handling.

The recalibration of Bentley’s Torque Vectoring by Brake system – whereby the car lightly brakes the inside rear wheel at corner entry to sharpen the front axle turn-in – has made Bentayga Speed even more responsive to drive.

The Bentayga Speed’s optional carbon ceramic brakes are the largest and most powerful brakes available from Bentley, with a maximum braking torque of 6,000Nm and engineered to withstand temperatures up to 1,000°C.

Complementing the elevated levels of performance are purposeful exterior looks that include dark-tint headlights, body-coloured side skirts, unique front and rear bumpers and a striking, elongated tailgate spoiler characterise the Bentayga Speed’s enhanced credentials.

Dark-tint radiator and bumper grilles, a unique 22-inch wheel design available in two finishes (painted and dark tint) and Speed signature badging add to the sporting design cues.

At the rear, the exhaust finishers are now the oval design that signifies a W12 powertrain. Dark-tint tail lamps complete the Speed exterior signature.

Seventeen standard paint colours are supplemented by a further 47 hues in the Extended and Mulliner ranges, with an additional 24 duo-tone options.

Customers wanting to go beyond this total of 88 options can have paintwork colour matched to any sample they provide.

Inside, elegantly crafted ‘swooshes’ of contrast leather swipe around the doors, along the edges of the seat cushions and backrest bolsters, and on the lower console.

The Speed colour split also introduces Alcantara to the cabin of the Bentayga, across the seat cushions and back rest centre panels, gear lever, steering wheel, lower knee trim areas, upper pillar trim and headliner.

Customers can choose the Leather Specification to instead have these areas trimmed in hide.

While ‘Speed’ seat embroidery on the backrest of all the seats is included as standard, customers can choose to replace them with the Bentley logo.

A new contrast stitching design through the diamond quilting of the Mulliner Driving Specification (included as standard) is unique to Speed, with each of the stitch lines running through the quilting being split – one to match the leather, the other in the contrast colour.

Discreet metal Speed badging to the front fascia and Speed illuminated treadplates complete the signature look.

Customers wishing to amplify the sporty look of their Bentayga Speed even further can select the Black Specification.

This striking pack replaces all exterior chrome work, bright detailing and some elements of the body with gloss black or carbon fibre versions, for an impactful visual statement.

The front bumper splitter and the side sills are recreated by hand in carbon fibre, while the rear bumper diffuser becomes gloss black.

All exterior brightware, including the roof rails, is resplendent in gloss black, as are the 22-inch Bentayga Speed wheels and exhaust finishers.

Finally, the standard roof spoiler is replaced with a curved carbon fibre version.

The infotainment system has also been upgraded, featuring a bigger and brighter, high-resolution 10.9-inch touchscreen, with an anti-reflection and anti-glare coating and much improved touch functionality, that now spans the entire width of the centre fascia.

Content can be selected either via hard keys beneath the screen, or from the main menu screen.

A customisable dashboard can also be set up to show three favourites, such as phone, navigation or media.

The advanced navigation system features free-text, context-specific search entry, including an address or point of interest.

Navigation is improved with a three-dimensional building display, satellite maps, content in the driver’s next generation Head-Up Display and several other useful features.

The Head-Up Display can now project traffic information, street names and distance to destination too.

As well as the usual array of media sources, wireless Apple CarPlay is now standard (in addition to the previous standard wired system), along with Android Auto.

With a corresponding phone plugged into one of the car’s USB-C sockets, the central infotainment screen mirrors the smartphone display.

The new Bentayga Speed now has a fully digital driver’s information panel similar to the Continental GT and new Flying Spur.

The display brings a contemporary look to the cockpit, can be customised to the driver’s requirements and features real-time lighting effects with elegant animations.

The high-resolution screen can be viewed in either Classic or Expanded format. In Classic, the display shows the traditional two-dial design of speedometer and tachometer.


Toyota teases new compact SUV for European lineup

                BRUSSELS: Toyota has announced that it is going to expand the European sport utility vehicle lineup with the addition of a compact, Yaris-like SUV.

Toyota officially announced last week that a brand-new small SUV will soon be added to the brand's European portfolio. The model will be based on a new variant of the GA-B platform, a platform created specifically for small cars and that is currently underpinning the Yaris hatch.

Thus far, only a simple sketch of the model's profile has been published, but a Toyota Motor Europe official said, "You won't have to wait too long to see the final design, and you will see that this is not just a Yaris with body cladding and raised suspension, but an entirely new and distinctive B-SUV model with a compact, dynamic design and personality of its own."

Nevertheless, it has been confirmed that the new compact SUV will be built alongside the Yaris in France; despite officially being different vehicles, they're likely to have a handful of powertrain elements and design components in common.


Geely transfers entire equity interest in Proton

                PETALING JAYA: Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd’s (Geely) wholly-owned subsidiary, Geely International (Hong Kong) Ltd (GIHK) has completed the transfer of its entire equity interest in Proton Holdings Bhd.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, DRB-Hicom said the transfer comprised 547.2 million ordinary shares, representing 49.9% equity interest in Proton to its affiliate, Linkstate Overseas Ltd, pursuant to the completion of an internal restructuring in Geely group.

“The transfer of Proton shares from GIHK to Linkstate will not have any effect on the net assets, earnings, gearing, share capital, shareholding structure and substantial shareholders’ shareholdings of the DRB-Hicom group for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2023.


Lordstown Motors jumps on outlook for production through May

The electric Endurance. — AP
DETROIT: Lordstown Motors Corp. jumped after saying it has enough money to make its battery-powered trucks through May of next year, paring a record decline the previous day following the departure of two top executives.

The automaker is actively raising additional funds and has reconfirmed orders for its debut vehicle, President Rich Schmidt said Tuesday at an Automotive Press Association event here.

The shares closed up 11% to US$10.31 (RM42.44) in New York, clawing back part of a 19% plunge on Monday.

In a short address at the start of the webcast, newly-appointed executive chair Angela Strand — formerly Lordstown’s lead independent director — said the company was focused on being transparent with investors and bringing its technology to market.

The startup's two top executives — chief executive officer Steve Burns and chief financial officer Julio Rodriguez — resigned Monday after the board found evidence of inaccurate statements.

Lordstown warned last week it might not have enough cash to fund development of its first truck or even survive the next 12 months if it can't raise more capital.

The company now expects to build between 15,000 and 20,000 electric vehicles with cash on hand through May of next year after production starts up in September, Schmidt said.

"We still have well over US$400 million (RM1.6bil) in the bank and so we don't have an issue per se on funding."

Lordstown disclosed Monday it had made misstatements about its vehicle preorders after a short seller alleged in March that many were "fictitious."

The Securities and Exchange Commission has began an investigation.

Former CEO Burns said last month in a call with analysts that Lordstown had 100,000 preorders for its Endurance truck model and had begun accepting "vehicle purchase agreements" for an additional 23,000 vehicles.

Schmidt declined to comment on the SEC probe but said the company has enough "basically binding" orders to justify full production capacity both this year and next.

"Those are firm orders we have for those two years," he said.

"They are basically binding orders. They are committed here in the last two weeks, re-confirmed orders. They are pretty solid and I think that's on the light side or conservative side."

Lordstown's pickup will cost around US$55,000 (RM227,000), he said, which is about US$2,500 (RM10,291)more than originally planned — a price increase he attributed to supply chain pressures related to the global pandemic.

The electric version of Ford Motor Co.'s best-selling F-150 truck, by comparison, will start at US$40,000 (RM165,000) when it hits showrooms next year.

The company, which bought a shuttered General Motors Co. plant near Youngstown, Ohio, is one of several EV startups that have gone public through mergers with so-called special purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs, without any revenue or commercially viable products.

It combined with DiamondPeak Holdings in an October deal that netted Lordstown US$675 million (RM2.8bil).

Any additional funds raised by the company will be to scale production to higher volumes, pay for additional tooling at its factory and to reduce the company's materials costs, Schmidt said.


Suzuki V-Strom 650XT: Punching above its weight

                SUZUKI’S latest mid-size adventure two-wheeler is the V-Strom 650XT.

The new 650XT has dubbed as the best model from the V-Strom 650 line-up that goes back 16 years.

As they say, proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Let's go burn some rubber.

The slim seat is firm yet comfortable thus spending hours on this seat will not pose a problem for any rider.

This slip resistant saddle is wide enough for me to move around, which gave me added comfort.

I parked the bike for more than an hour under extremely hot weather and when it was time for me to ride to my next destination, the seat was warm and not burning hot unlike other bike seats which I have experienced before.

I believe it must be the type of foam used to build the seat that reduces the absorption of the heat.

The instrument dashboard get an analogue tachometer with digital speedometer and LCD display.

The LCD display information consists of gear position, speedometer, odometer, trip meter, clock, fuel, range on remaining fuel, fuel consumption, reserve fuel and traction control modes.

The bike also comes with a tall windscreen that is able to cover my whole face or it can be adjusted to the need of each rider’s need.

The windscreen cannot be adjusted while you are on the move.

You need to stop the bike and use an allen key to loosen the screws to adjust the height of the windscreen.

This is not practical and the Suzuki folks must pay serious attention to this inconvenient design.

The beak-style fairing on the 650XT is a true representation of an adventure bike.

One glance from the front, without a doubt one will be able to identify what bike is the 650XT variant.

Meanwhile, the design of the front fairing and the headlight are also part of the aerodynamic styling of the bike.

The fuel tank which is able to store 20 litres of petrol is shaped where the lines of the tank flow harmoniously into the
slim seat.

I pushed the bike hard on the highway and the back roads of Banting and Carey Island to avoid getting wet.

The acceleration was smooth without any lag in the delivery of the needed horsepower.

I rode the bike way above legal speed limit and it's stability was solid like a rock.

I was able to upshift and downshift gears at any speed and then accelerate without any lag in power.

While riding to Carey Island, I was able to flick the bike along the back roads like a professional racer without any issues.

Despite being a 650cc machine, the 650XT is said to be able to clock speeds beyond 200kph, made possible by a healthy dose of horsepower and torque.

There is nothing to complain about here but unfortunately, this machine will never be able to compete with the 1,000cc bikes on the highways.

However, the 650XT will eat up any bigger bikes on any backroads, corners and twisties.

The 650XT also gets the unique Suzuki Easy Start System that allows riders to start the bike without pulling in the clutch lever when the transmission is in neutral.

I rode the bike a few times in the city center and in Petaling Jaya.

The handling of the bike was easy despite the traffic jam.

The slim design of the bike and not to forget the well distributed weight ensures a rider can weave in and out of traffic.

Not only that, Suzuki’s Low RPM Assist seamlessly adjusts engine speed during low-speed riding thus offering smooth power delivery.

This helps reduce the possibility of the rider stalling the motorcycle during low speed especially in traffic
jams.

In order, to achieve controllable and reliable stopping performance, the Strom 650XT is equipped with 310mm double discs with dual-piston calipers at the front and 260mm single discs with single-piston calipers at the rear complemented by ABS.

In addition to ABS, the 650XT also has a two-stage Suzuki Traction Control.

Mode one allows modest rear wheel spin for more advanced, exhilarating riding, while mode two activates traction control at the slightest loss of rear-wheel grip to give greater confidence on slippery surfaces or in the rain.

However, if you are a seasoned rider, you can turn off the traction control and have loads of fun at your own risk!

The front suspension comes with a telescopic fork while the rear uses a pre-load adjustable monoshock.

The suspension easily absorbs bumps and humps leaving my rear and tail bone pain-free.

The bike's suspension does not wallow too much and neither does it feel too stiff when hitting bumps.

If you are looking for a mid-displacement adventure bike that can offer you off-road, tarmac touring and the daily commute, the 650XT must be on your consideration list.

Besides generous horsepower and torque, this RM37,989 bike comes with an array of aids with the intention to deliver pleasant riding experience.

SPECIFICATIONSSuzuki V-Strom 650XTEngine: 645cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 90˚ V-twin
Maximum power: 52kW (71PS) at 8,800rpm
Maximum torque: 62Nm at 6,300rpm
Transmission: Six-speed
Suspension: Front telescopic, coil spring, oil damping; rear link-type, single shock, coil spring, oil damping
Braking system: Front Tokico, two-piston calipers, twin disc, ABS-equipped; rear Nissin, single piston, single disc, ABS-equipped
Features: Advanced Traction Control System, RPM Assist Feature, Easy Start System
Fuel capacity: 20 litres
Dry weight: 216kg
Price: RM37,989 (without registration and insurance)


New Honda bike line-up for 2020

                KUALA LUMPUR: Boon Siew Honda surprised market watchers by choosing Malaysia as the first country in Asia and the Oceania to launch three coveted CBU models early this week.

On Sunday, it unveiled the 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, Honda GL1800 Gold Wing, and the  Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin as well as CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports.

Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, Boon Siew Honda managing director and CEO, Keiichi Yasuda, said the launch of these flagship models in Malaysia ahead of other markets attests to the country's importance to Honda.

He added that the decision to introduce these models is to further strengthen the Honda big bike range in an already impressive product line-up.

Yasuda remarked that: “Our ability to offer these models align with our dream to excite the world”.

Priced at RM198,800, the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade is a brand-new from ground up to deliver precision experience on the circuit riding, with unprecedented levels of performance and control.

Its inline four-cylinder engine draws heavily on the RC213V-S’s combustion efficiency and low-friction technologies.

In fact, the engine is completely new and designed with heavy input from the HRC MotoGP development programme to deliver peak power of 159kW and torque 112.7Nm.

As for the 2020 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing is available in Pearl Glare White only for RM208,800, it aims to redefine touring comfort.

For those who prefer things off the beaten track, the CRF1100L Africa Twin (RM98,888) and CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sport (RM111,888 for manual, and RM117,888 for auto dual clutch transmission) promises an even more refined ride through rough terrain.

All bikes will be available by the second quarter of the year at authorised Honda dealers.


Catch the online launch of updated Proton X70 on June 9

                PETALING JAYA: If you are in the market to get the Proton X70, wait till tomorrow.

The X70 has undergone a mild facelift and will be launched online on Proton's Facebook page at 11am.

As Malaysia’s best-selling C-Segment SUV, the X70 has been updated for 2022 with refreshed features and most importantly will also use the same 3-cylinder turbocharged engine as the even more popular X50.

CarSifu highlighted the news in a previous post on Tuesday.


Volkswagen's new Tiguan SUV parks itself without a driver

                BERLIN: Parking the car is most people's least favourite aspect of driving, which is why Volkswagen has updated the Park Assist function on its facelifted Tiguan crossover SUV to let the car park itself without anyone sitting inside.

Like a number of other premium cars, the Tiguan has had a self-parking function for some years, but this is the first time it's being offered with a fully-automatic parking mode.

Using a smartphone as a remote handset, the driver stops the car in a typical multi-storey, gets out and unloads the luggage.

That is when the SUV take over, driving independently into or out of the parking space either in forward or reverse direction. The system relies on a suite of 12 sensors, four cameras and VW's Remote Park Assist Plus app.

The system is particularly good at extricating the Tiguan from tight parking spaces. There is no need for the driver to squeeze into the car since all they have to do is stand close to the car, start the engine using the app and press the "drive" function continuously.

The owner then selects a manoeuvre such as "forward left" or "forward right" on the smartphone display. This starts the steering wheel whirling as if by magic and the system does the rest.

Using the app does call for a leap of faith, but VW said that once drivers have got used to the system it is a boon in crowded car parks.


Hennessey Venom F5 set for global production

                HOUSTON: The Hennessey Venom F5 will make its global production car debut on Dec 15.

The F5 is powered by an all-new Hennessey-built 6.6-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 1,817hp, which will power the car to a top speed beyond 500kph.

The 100% bespoke hypercar is engineered to be an all-round performer on road and track with dynamics that compete with the world’s greatest road cars.

The all-new model features significant exterior changes over the concept shown at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show and exhibits enhanced aerodynamics, pioneering use of carbon fibre and an aerospace-inspired interior.

Hennessey is based in Sealy near here. Its business comprises Hennessey Special Vehicles, Hennessey Performance (HPE), Tuner School, and the Lonestar Motorsports Park.

The company has modified more than 10,000 vehicles for performance enthusiasts from around the world. The company also applies its high-performance expertise to trucks and SUVs – and boasts its own supercar – the Venom GT.

Hennessey has its own test track and said all its products are dyno-proven, fully track-tested, street-legal and warrantied.


UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge calls all who dare

Participants of the UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge (UDEMC) Malaysia at the pre-selection stage with Tan Chong Industrial Equipment head of national sales Lum Chee Leong (7th from left), Tan Chong Truck Group executive vice president and head of finance Jaclyn Loy (8th from left) and Tan Chong Industrial Equipment general manager of product and corporate Lim Thing Eng (9th from left).
PETALING JAYA: UD Trucks and Tan Chong Industrial Equipment (TCIE), have teamed up to organize the UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge (UDEMC) drivers’ competition.

There are three pre-selection rounds, the first of which was recently held on July 8 at TCIE Batu Caves, where drivers were given a presentation on competition concept, rules, scoring and how they can maintain truck uptime.

The next two pre-selection rounds will take place on July 15 in Bukit Mertajam, Penang and July 22 in Johor Bahru, Johor

The Extra Mile Challenge includes pre-inspection, fuel efficiency, safety and drivability. Following which, they were tested on pre-inspection and theory to assess their knowledge and skills.

A total of 10 drivers who score the highest points will qualify for the Malaysia Final on Sept 30, during which an award will also be given to the Best Pre-Drive Inspection, Best Fuel Consumption and Best Driving Skill.

The winner of the competition will receive an all-expense paid trip to Japan to represent Malaysia in the UDEMC Global Final 2017, RM2,000 Quester Parts Voucher, and an exclusive driver training session for all drivers employed by the winner’s company.

“Overall, the competition targets to enhance drivers’ skills and increase their confidence, thus enabling them to perform their jobs effectively,” said UD Trucks Malaysia sales director Naoki Kobayashi.

In conjunction with the UDEMC, TCIE is offering rebates for UD Quester models from now until Sept 30, where those who purchase a new Quester will receive a free first year service or five times maintenance service on labour and parts (whichever comes first) and a two-year warranty or up to 200,000km (whichever comes first).


Egypt seeks to build US$20,000 EVs in green push

                CAIRO: Egypt is joining the Middle East’s push to adopt electric cars, tasking a state-owned company to build affordable vehicles with a Chinese firm while taking advantage of its renewable energy boom to power them.

Authorities are in contact with three potential companies as they seek a partner for El Nasr Automotive Manufacturing Co. on the project that’ll see 2 billion pounds (RM536mil) invested, Public Enterprise Minister Hisham Tawfik said in an interview, without giving names.

Production is set to begin in 2023, with output increasing to an annual 20,000 units over three years.

Tawfik said Egypt’s electric model, to be named either E70 or A70, will sell for around US$20,000 (RM85,000), with half of buyers probably taxi or Uber drivers.

That’s roughly the same price as Europe’s cheapest EV, Renault’s made-in-China Dacia Spring.

The private sector will also be offered a 40% role in a new company established to operate pay-to-use charging stations, with 10% being taken by El Nasr and the remaining half by a "state entity,” Tawfik said, without elaborating.

The first wave of 3,000 charging points will be around the cities of Cairo and Alexandria before they’re introduced elsewhere.

"Egypt now produces all kinds of clean energy,” the minister said, citing the country’s sizeable wind and solar power projects.

"This means we have the infrastructure to leap into the future with the automotive industry.”

It’s an ambitious undertaking for the Arab world’s most populous nation of more than 100 million people, where Tawfik estimates only about 350 electric cars are plying the busy streets.

That’s a tiny fraction of the roughly 5 million private cars registered, although financial incentives offered to owners of standard cars to convert them to natural gas will also be extended to EVs to encourage purchases.

Changing region

The picture is similar in the broader Mideast region, much of which relies on oil wealth, where the adoption of EVs has been dwarfed by their growth in China, the US and Europe.

It’s beginning to change, though, with Saudi Arabia planning to manufacture its own.

Brightskies Inc., an Egyptian company, has also signed a deal with state-owned Engineering Automotive Manufacturing Co. to develop electric buses and minibuses from 2022, according to Tawfik.

Egypt will also look at making hydrogen-powered EVs in the longer term, he said.

The initiatives come as Egypt prepares to host the COP27 climate summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh next year and ramps up its production of green energy.

About 8.6% of the North African nation’s electricity comes from renewables, with a target of 20% by 2022 and more than doubling that by 2035.

El Nasr dates back to Egypt’s socialist 1960s and once assembled local versions of Fiats among other models. It halted production in 2009, only to be reopened a few years later.

Egypt signed a memorandum of understanding with China’s Dongfeng Motor Co. in early 2021 to build EVs, but it expired and wasn’t renewed, Tawfik said, without giving more details.


Pininfarina announces more details of all-electric hypercar

                TURIN: Automobili Pininfarina has announced that it will be presenting a full-scale design concept of its luxury electric hypercar — codenamed PFO — at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, ahead of its official unveiling at the Geneva International Motor Show in 2019.

Pebble Beach, one of the year's most prestigious automotive events, will once again play host to Pininfarina, the well-known Italian car design firm and coachbuilder for Ferrari, amongst other brands. But this time, the company is presenting its own car brand.

Pininfarina has plans to design and make a series of luxury all-electric hypercars. A total of 150 models will be manufactured and handcrafted in Italy, starting with the PFO, which is slated to launch in 2020.

The PFO — inspired by famous Pininfarina cars such as the Cisitalia, Modulo and Sintesi — is in its final design stages and the company has begun teasing images of the luxury vehicles through renderings.

The latest of these show an ultra-minimalist interior, with all the focus on a carbon-clad steering wheel — stamped with the Pininfarina emblem — with hand-sized screens on either side. Red LED lighting lines the driver's door, the dashboard and the passenger's side for an enclosed and futuristic feel.

 Pininfarina design chief Luca Borgogno.

The all-electric hyper will have a carbon-fiber body, and Pininfarina is promising extraordinary performance: a 0-100kph time of less than two seconds, a top speed of over 400kph and a potential zero-emissions range of up to 500km.

"Numerous design icons from Pininfarina's incredible history have won awards at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, so I am excited to present a future Pininfarina classic to prospective owners in close proximity to this famous event," said Automobili Pininfarina CEO Michael Perschke.

"These special VIP previews mean that future PF0 owners, most of whom will undoubtedly own numerous modern and historic classics, have an opportunity right now to be part of the birth of the company and their hypercar."


New York's Central Park officially car-free

                NEW YORK: New York's iconic Central Park officially went car-free last Wednesday after the final vehicle drives through the green oasis and tourist magnet in the heart of America's most populous urban jungle.

City officials, park and cycling advocates joined a bike ride late Tuesday behind the last car driving through the Manhattan park at 7pm, restoring the green space to its original use as a refuge and recreation venue.

"For more than a century, we had turned parts of the world's most iconic park into a highway - and starting tonight, we have officially taken it back for good," said mayor Bill de Blasio.

Until Tuesday evening, loop drives in the south of the park had remained open to cars during weekday rush hours.

"We are thrilled to be here tonight to take an evening bike ride and wave goodbye to Central Park's final car," said the city's Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg.

The reform does not include four dedicated roads that cross the park's width and are separated from the rest of the park by walls. The park will celebrate its 160th birthday next year.

De Blasio announced the move in April in a bid to reduce pollution and prioritise health and safety.

Officials began reducing the hours that cars were permitted in the 1960s. Traffic was already prohibited in the north but until Tuesday night vehicles had been able to use three paved lanes in the south.

Tuesday marked the last day at public schools in the city, before the long summer break with outdoor swimming pools due to open on Wednesday.

Up to 250,000 people visit Central Park on a daily basis, according to the Central Park Conservancy that raises 75 percent of the park's annual budget.


Proton Wira is ‘most stolen vehicle’

                PETALING JAYA: The Proton Wira, an old Malaysian favourite, is also the car most loved by thieves, retaining its status as “most stolen vehicle” for a 11th consecutive year, says the Vehicle Theft Reduction Council of Malaysia.

Its coordinator, Mas Tina Abdul Hamid, said its list was based on claims received by insurance companies.

A total of 131 Wiras were reported stolen in 2021, followed by the Proton Iswara with 75 reported cases.

The Perodua Myvi – often dubbed "the king of the road" – was sixth on the list.

The Toyota Hilux is the most stolen foreign-made car with 65 cases in 2021, putting it in fourth place, just behind the Perodua Kancil.

“There are stolen Mercedes Benz cars being sold for as low as RM10,000, or a Hilux for RM12,000, and Wira for only RM3,000.

“The Wira was a popular brand back then, and there are still quite a number on the road even though production stopped in 2009,” said Mas Tina, adding that it was quite often that thieves are the suppliers of Wira spare parts.

She said thieves would often target older and more popular car models, and she believed the Myvi would soon become their favourite.

“The Myvi is a target because of its looks and the fact that it is among the people’s favourites.

“The trend is almost similar (to the Wira). We now have a huge number of Myvi on the road (and they might be the target once their production stops),” she said, adding that most stolen local vehicles were sold domestically.

She said the recent shortage of vehicle spare parts due to the Covid-19 pandemic had made the problem worse.

Meanwhile, data provided to The Star showed that one Yamaha 135LC is stolen every day, making it the most stolen make of motorcycle in 2021.

Second on the list was the Yamaha Y15R with 186 reported cases, followed by the Honda C100 with 151 cases.

“Normally, thieves will target the latest model, strip it, and sell the parts.

“They also sell the Yamaha 125Z for RM1,500, Yamaha 135LC for RM500, and Honda EX5 and Honda Wave for RM300 each.

“Customers who agree to their offers will deposit money into the account belonging to the syndicate before the stolen vehicles or components are sent to them using registered parcel service,” said Mas Tina.

She added that it was very difficult for the authorities to corner the syndicates, which employ different groups of people.

“They have different people to steal and different groups to bring it to Thailand. Somebody else will sell them,” she said. — ALIZA SHAH and IYLIA MARSYA ISKANDAR


Proton on track to identify strategic partner

                SHAH ALAM: Proton Holdings Bhd is working closely with the Government’s Task Force Committee and is on track to identify a strategic partner within the stipulated deadline next year, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said.

“Proton will get a strategic partner within the next few months,” Mustapa said, addressing questions regarding the future of the national car company. He was officiating at the launch of the new Persona model yesterday.

Part of the conditions for the soft loan granted to Proton was to find a strategic partner.

Proton, wholly-owned by diversified conglomerate DRB-Hicom Bhd, needs a strategic and renowned partner that will assist in the company’s research and development and help it become a global player.

DRB-Hicom group managing director Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar, also Proton chairman, reiterated that DRB-Hicom would not sell its entire stake in Proton once a strategic partner had been found, contrary to recent media reports that it would.

“We won’t sell all of Proton. We will keep a substantial stake in the company,” he said.

Mustapa said despite falling sales, new model launches like the new Persona will help boost Proton’s market share.

“Proton has not been doing well because it has not been able to launch new models. But this year will be a good year,” he said.

Proton has been losing market share year after year. According to statistics by the Malaysian Automotive Association, its market share dropped to 13% on sales of 35,727 units in the first half of 2016, compared with a market share of 15.6% and 50,205 units sold in the previous corresponding period.

The company will be launching the new Saga next month, followed by a multi-purpose vehicle in October (the first product of the joint venture with Suzuki).

Proton chief executive officer Ahmad Fuaad Kenali said having new models will help to give Proton an advantage, adding that the company aims to sell between 3,000 units and 4,000 units of its newly launched Persona per month.

With that target, Ahmad Fuaad said the company expects to break-even investments for the model within the next two to three years.

“Based on the recent media preview, feedback for the car has been positive.”

He said the car will compete in the B-segment and would not cannibalize sales of its Saga model, which the company plans to launch next month.

“It will be unique (being a B-segment vehicle) as it will be cheaper than foreign brands but slightly expensive than the Saga. Besides, we have been running the Saga and Persona models before, so it won’t cannibalize sales of our Saga.”

Mustapa said the new Persona was the cheapest 1.6-litre model in South-East Asia. Available in three variants and six colours, the new Persona starts from RM46,800 to RM59,800 in peninsular Malaysia.

Since the launch of the original model in 2007, some 250,000 units have been sold both locally and worldwide.


Overland VTL only for bus travel, limited to 1,500 individuals daily

                JOHOR BARU: The overland Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) between Johor Baru and Singapore starting Nov 29 is only for fully vaccinated travellers on express buses, with an initial limit of 1,500 individuals per day.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that the launch of the VTL-Land will coincide with the VTL-Air that will further enhance bilateral and economic relations between both countries.

"Apart from workers, the VTL-Land will provide an opportunity for Malaysians and Singaporeans on both sides of the Causeway who have been separated from their families due to the Covid-19 pandemic, to be reunited with their loved ones," he added.

Sabri said that both governments have also agreed for a daily limit not exceeding 1,500 travellers initially, with weekly increments.

He added that designated VTL-Land bus services will use the Larkin Sentral Bus Terminal in Malaysia and the Queen Street Terminal (QST) in Singapore as the boarding and disembarkation points respectively.

It was earlier announced that Malaysia and Singapore would reopen their mutual border with a special VTL-Air between the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Changi Airport on Nov 29.

Under the VTL, fully-vaccinated travellers will be able to travel between Singapore and Malaysia and be subjected to Covid-19 tests in lieu of serving quarantine or a stay-at-home notice.

The joint border has been closed since March 18, 2020.

Travellers coming into Malaysia using the VTL-Land need to register at mysafetravel.gov.my while travellers from Malaysia to Singapore are required to register at go.gov.sg/vtl-portal.

This registration is compulsory before any ticket purchases are made.

Details on the VTL-Land requirements can be found on miti.gov.my and safetravel.ica.gov.sg


Trump's deregulation takes aim at noise mandate for hybrids

                WASHINGTON: The US government’s auto-safety watchdog is taking a second look at a rule requiring hybrid and electric vehicles to emit a noise to alert nearby pedestrians to their presence.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in fiscal 2018 budget documents provided to Congress that it’s considering six areas for deregulation, including standards for rear-view mirrors and backup cameras in passenger cars, an electronic stability-control mandate for heavy trucks, and a rule allowing car dealers to install switches to deactivate airbags in customer vehicles.

The agency didn’t specify whether it wants to repeal the rules in their entirety or merely alter certain elements of them. Automakers have argued that some of the dozens of decades-old safety standards administered by NHTSA are outdated and hamper the introduction of new technologies. But moving too aggressively could put the agency at odds with safety advocates.

Agencies across the federal government are reviewing regulations as part of President Donald Trump’s pledge to slash rules viewed as costly, unnecessary or detrimental to job creation.

The requirement that hybrid and electric vehicles emit a noise was mandated by Congress in 2010, and it’s not clear if lawmakers would have to approve any change to the rule. The vehicles are nearly silent at low speeds and NHTSA’s regulation sought to reduce accidents involving pedestrians, especially the blind.

NHTSA estimated the requirement would prevent some 2,400 pedestrian injuries per year at full implementation, and add costs of about US$130 for each hybrid and US$55 for each electric vehicle, many of which already produce alert sounds.

The rule became final in December. While it was set to take effect in February, the Trump administration has delayed the effective date until September. Trade groups representing automakers including General Motors Co., Toyota Motor Corp., Volkswagen AG, Ford Motor Co. and others petitioned NHTSA for additional flexibility.

In a statement, NHTSA said the request illustrates agency activities for the coming fiscal year and should not be viewed as comprehensive or as a final decision.

”NHTSA is working with the new administration on its regulatory portfolio and priorities, including pending petitions for reconsideration,” the agency said.

Auto industry groups have petitioned the agency to change some of the rules identified in the request. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and Tesla Inc. filed a joint petition in 2014, for example, urging NHTSA to update the rear-visibility standard, allowing cameras as an option to fulfill the requirement that vehicles have rear-view and side mirrors. Mirrors are still required, for now.

“This looks like to me that the agency was trying to figure out what things they didn’t really need and what things really aggravated the manufacturers,” said Joan Claybrook, a former NHTSA administrator under President Jimmy Carter and president emeritus at Public Citizen, a Washington-based consumer-advocacy group. “But I do think the agency does have the obligation to explain these things when they take effect.”

Auto Alliance spokesman Gloria Bergquist said in an email that automakers generally support deregulation because it helps keep vehicles affordable. She added the group would have to review NHTSA’s proposal to see if the areas identified are the best candidates for changes.

Henry Jasny, senior vice president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, disputes whether NHTSA has the authority to repeal rules required by Congress, including the backup-camera standard and the stability-control requirement for heavy trucks.

That rule was finalised in 2015 and requires new buses and semi-trucks to have electronic stability control starting this August. NHTSA estimated the requirement will prevent around 1,420 to 1,760 crashes and 40 to 49 deaths per year.

”It’s bad policy to take off the books policies that are effective now and saving lives,” Jasny said.


New VW Touareg to make world debut in China on March 23

                WOLFSBURG (Germany). Volkswagen is kicking off the new automotive year with the world premiere of the new Touareg in China, the world's strongest growing SUV market and the company’s largest individual market.

The third-generation model will be unveiled on March 23 in Beijing.

The expressive design of the new Touareg is the work of Volkswagen Design head Klaus Bischoff and his team. The new Touareg will come armed with a suite of innovative assistance systems for maximum safety and comfort.

It will feature the Innovision Cockpit, one of the largest digital cockpits in its class, opening up a new type of infotainment environment. Its connectivity makes it a driving Internet node. The drivetrain, air suspension, rear-wheel steering and roll stabilisation all ensure a safe and dynamic driving experience.

Around one million units have been sold since the model series was launched in 2002. It has proven its hardiness in on-road, off-road and rally trails around the world. Highlights include wins in the Dakar Rally events in 2009-2011.


VW's range-topping Golf R gets even quicker with factory tune-up

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen has unveiled the facelifted Golf R, the fastest version of its stock hatchback, giving it a power hike along with the low-key rejig applied to all the other 2017 Golfs.

A closer look reveals a new front bumper and headlamp arrangement on the updated Golf R which has all-wheel-drive as standard.

Full-LED front lights no longer cost extra, and the rear lights have been redrawn.

Under the bonnet, engineers have squeezed an extra 10 horsepower out of the turbocharged petrol motor which now has 310 horses on tap. The 2-litre mill is one of the world's most powerful four-cylinder engines.

Output is on a par with the track-ready Clubsport S limited edition of the Golf and is good enough for a claimed 0-100kph sprint of 4.6 seconds.

The biggest change inside the R is a classy new infotainment set-up called Active Info Display which comes with a 12.3-inch monitor.


TomTom VIO introduces scooter navigation - VIDEO

BERLIN: TomTom has created the world's first scooter smartphone-connected sat-nav called TomTom VIO.

The circular glove-friendly touchscreen device acts as an extension to a connected smartphone, which uses the app as the brains. The weatherproof display unit offers turn-by-turn navigation both visually and audibly via a Bluetooth helmet audio system. When a call comes in, the display will show a photo of who it is so the rider can take it via the headset while directions remain on the TomTom VIO display.

TomTom's speed camera warning system is built-in but alerts that are designed to be minimal and non-distractive. TomTom VIO's speed display changes colour to red warning riders if they are going too fast, and then back to the original colour scheme when travelling within the limit.

TomTom VIO comes with snap-on silicon covers available in six different colours that should offer enough choices in matching up with the scooter. For consistency, even the maps can be set to the same colour using the app.

Corinne Vigreux, co-founder and managing director, TomTom Consumer, said: "The innovative new TomTom VIO is game-changer for scooter riders. Not only will it speed up the commute, but gone are the days of fiddling with your mobile at the traffic lights, or wondering who’s calling as you negotiate the traffic. For the first time, riders can explore the urban jungle safely, and confidently, in style."

The TomTom VIO is available from Sept 8, priced at 178 euros (RM814). The device ships with a black, snap-on silicon cover - six other colours are available for purchase.


Hyundai unveils new air-conditioning tech for better air quality in cars

                SEOUL: Hyundai has unveiled three new air-conditioning technologies – ‘After-Blow’, ‘Multi-Air Mode’, and ‘Fine Dust Indicator’ - that improve in-car air quality.

> After-Blow Technology

‘After-Blow’ dries the condensate on the evaporator and suppresses mould growth in the air-conditioning system, which can cause an odour during hot weather.

After the engine is turned off and the condensate on the evaporator drains naturally for about 30 minutes, ‘After-Blow’ activates for 10 minutes to dry the evaporator and any condensate leftover in the air passage.

The air-conditioning system automatically allows influx of outside air during this time to prevent humidity from building up.

The technology uses an intelligent battery sensor (IBS) to monitor the battery and stops functioning when the battery is low, allaying any concerns about batter discharge.

It also de-activates when the air conditioning system is not in use for a certain period of time, or when the outside temperature is low.

> Multi-Air Mode Technology

‘Multi-Air Mode’ uses multiple vents for air conditioning and heating to create a more pleasant in-car environment with gentle air flow.

When this mode is activated, the air is dispersed to the newly added multi-air slots in the driver and passenger seats in addition to the normal air vents.

The overall wind volume remains the same, but the dispersion of wind reduces direct air contact and softens the air.

This mode can be switched on and off based on the preference of the driver.

> Fine Dust Indicator Technology

‘Fine Dust Indicator’ measures the air inside the vehicle in real time and delivers digitised information, allowing the driver to better manage the air quality.

The indicator displays the concentration and pollution level of ultrafine particles (PM 2.5) inside the vehicle using integer numbers and colours for better visibility to the user: blue for 0 to 15 μg/m3, green for 16 to 35 μg/m3, orange for 36 to 75 μg/m3, and red for 76 μg/m3 or higher.

If the level of ultrafine particles exceeds 36 μg /m3 while the function is active, the air-cleaning mode will run to purify the air in the vehicle.

The air-cleaning system automatically sets the air volume between three and eight and switches to air-recirculation mode and activates the air conditioning system to reduce in-car humidity.

If the air does not improve in air-cleaning mode, it can also serve as a reminder to the driver to replace air-conditioner filters or to clean contaminated seats and mats.


Vehicle sales rise to 43,722 units in February, says MAA

                PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s motor vehicle sales for February 2022 went up marginally by 0.63% to 43,722 units, from 43,448 units a year ago, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

In its monthly update, MAA said of the total, passenger vehicles (PV) accounted for 38,823 units while commercial vehicles (CV) comprised 4,899 units.

Year-to-date, sales volume was higher by almost 10% at 84,303 units compared with 76,840 units in the same period in 2021.

MAA said total industry volume (TIV) for February 2022 was 8% higher than January 2022, which was 40,581 units.

It said TIV was higher as auto companies ramped up production to fulfil backlog orders.

In terms of total production, 51,291 vehicles were produced in February 2022 compared with 45,199 units in February 2021.

On the outlook for March, MAA expects sales to be higher than February as there would be a push for higher sales by companies having their financial year ending on March 31 and longer working month.


New Jaguar F-Pace 2.0L Ingenium SUV launched starting at RM425,800

                PETALING JAYA: Jaguar Land Rover’s F-Pace 2.0L Ingenium SUV is officially launched and is available at all Jaguar showrooms.

It comes in three variants: Prestige (RM425,800), R-Sport (Mid-Spec) - RM476,800 and R-Sport (Hi-Spec) -RM498,800. All prices inclusive of GST without insurance.

The F-Pace 2.0L is powered by Jaguar’s very own new 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ingenium powertrain mated to a twin-scroll turbocharger producing up to 250PS and 365Nm of torque from as low as 1,200rpm.

The engine’s twin scroll turbocharger is fed by an integrated exhaust manifold that synchronizes exhaust pulses from two separate pairs of cylinders – significantly reducing turbo lag while improving engine response.

As such, it goes from 0-100kph in just 6.8 seconds.

With Configurable Dynamics, the F-Pace allows drivers to choose Normal or Sports settings for the throttle response, gearbox and steering.

Adaptive Dynamics modifies the F-Pace’s damper response to match the different conditions and driving style. It analyses acceleration, cornering, throttle and brake pedal activity to optimise the suspension settings and maintain the car’s dynamism and comfort.

A performance SUV like no other, the F-Pace is also Jaguar’s first aluminium-intensive model in its class that is developed using Jaguar’s Lightweight Aluminium Architecture.

The F-Pace combines purity of line, surface and proportion with F-Type-inspired features such as powerful rear haunches, fender vents and distinctive taillight graphics. The bold front grille and the muscular bonnet hint at the performance potential of the engine while elements such as the slender full-LED headlights, 20-inch wheels and short front overhang carry the design vision of the C-X17 concept through to production.

The new F-Pace 2.0L Ingenium also comes with a host of enhancements and new convenient features available only in the R-Sport (Hi-Spec) variant. Among them include: Surround Camera System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Queue Assist and a 12.3 Instrument Panel Display.

The 2017 Jaguar F-PACE has been named the winner of the 2017 World Car of the Year and the World Car Design of the Year Awards at the New York International Auto Show.

It is also the fastest selling model that Jaguar has ever produced, and is only the second vehicle to claim the historic double in the 13-year history of the World Car Awards.

All Jaguar vehicles distributed by authorized dealers also come with ‘Jaguar Care’ programme which includes a five-year warranty, five years’ free service and three years’ roadside assistance.

Please visit www.jaguar.com.my for more information.


VW offers a peek of next Arteon ahead of June 24 debut

                WOLFSBURG: Virtual reviews are becoming the norm these days. And so it is with Volkswagen as it gears up to stage the global premiere of the updated Arteon on June 24.

Alongside the classic Gran Turismo, a second product line variant will also be available in future as a Shooting Brake.

In the vehicle interior, the Arteon will be given a completely new cockpit environment to match the persona of these models.

They come with the latest modular infotainment matrix (MIB3) systems to ensure the optimum connectivity.

All engines feature higher levels of efficiency as well as lower emissions and powerful torque.

Intelligent assist systems will also be introduced in this model line. One example: thanks to “Travel Assist”, highly assisted driving – within the system limits – will be possible in the new Arteon models for the first time if required.

Designed particularly with long-distance journeys in mind, these Volkswagen models will take over steering, acceleration and braking up to speeds of 210kph – under the control of the driver.


Aston Martin Vantage gets new Revenant front end

                LONDON: UK-based Revenant Automotive has redesigned a new front bumper as part of is recommissioning programme of the current Aston Martin Vantage, with order books now open on www.revenantautomotive.com.

With the move to create larger grilles on modern vehicles, Revenant Automotive is going in another direction and has created a new nosecone design for the latest-generation Aston Martin Vantage, arguably one of the most controversial and discussed modern car front ends.

Revising the frontal area and creating a more elegant look, the new bumper design from Revenant Automotive divides the intake area in to two distinct openings, in lieu of the original’s large one-piece grille.

The upper inlet is styled to create a cleaner, more proportionate frontage, while the lower inlet, which is protected with a high-flow hexagonal mesh, connects the splitter with a pair of curved supports.

Each nosecone is hand crafted in the UK, available to order in a variety of lightweight composites, including optional exposed 2x2 twill herringbone autoclave-cured carbon fibre.

Current and future Aston Martin Vantage owners are able to discuss their requirements with Revenant Automotive with regards to material selection, ordering and best methods for fitting, as well as configuring their new-look Aston Martin Vantage online.

The online configurator tool allows exploration of future levels of the Revenant Automotive recommissioning programme for the Aston Martin Vantage, of which the nosecone is the first production-ready release.

The configurator features a nearly endless set of possible visual combinations, allowing users to colour and customise not only the paintwork but also trim pieces such as grilles, emblems and the window surrounds, as well as using accent colours on graphics, brake calipers and wheels.


Never park on dry grass when there's an increased risk of forest fire

                BERLIN: Cars with catalytic converters should never be parked on dry vegetation or forest floors during hot weather to prevent wildfires.

According to the Auto Club Europa (ACE), a carelessly parked vehicle can quickly spark a forest fire that is difficult to control.

The exhaust system of combustion engines is particularly dangerous, as the catalytic converter heats up to 800 degrees Celsius after only a few minutes of driving.

The vehicle's brakes can also become very hot, according to the experts. Dry grass ignites at temperatures as low as 300 degrees Celsius.

This is not only an issue with low sports cars, but also affects SUVs with a lot of ground clearance as soon as there's high grass or needles, for example, which are highly flammable.

The best spot for your car during a heatwave is an asphalted or gravelled designated parking area, according to the ACE.

E-car owners, meanwhile, don't have much to worry about as their vehicle doesn't have a catalytic converter, and the other components don't heat up much.

However, the battery doesn't like being exposed to heat for a long period of time, so it's better to park in the shade.


Self-driving car companies complain California test data may mislead

                LOS ANGELES: Developers of self-driving cars are amping up criticism of a California reporting requirement on test data, saying the data could mislead, as the state prepares to release the latest results for 2019.

Companies such as General Motors Co’s Cruise and startup Aurora have said the metric, called disengagements, is not an accurate or relevant way to measure their technical progress, even though it is widely used to do just that.

The debate is taking on more importance amid delays in the rollout of self-driving vehicles and concerns over a lack of regulation and the prospects for profitability for the companies that make such vehicles.

The focus on disengagements — when a human driver must take manual control from a self-driving system — and the backlash from self-driving companies have been growing since the California Department of Motor Vehicles began releasing annual disengagement reports five years ago.

California requires all companies testing self-driving vehicles on public roads to submit an annual report on disengagements and what caused them, “written in plain language.”

In 2018, the companies with the most miles between disengagements were Alphabet Inc’s Waymo and Cruise. Companies with the greatest number of disengagements were Apple Inc and Uber Technologies Inc.

In a February 2019 blog post, Waymo wrote that “the key to self-driving technology safely improving and scaling is through a robust breadth of experience and scenario testing, represented by a wider array of data points beyond disengagement alone.”

In the same post, Waymo noted its disengagement rate in 2018 dropped 50% from the previous year, while miles between disengagements nearly doubled.

Self-driving companies say the disengagement data can draw unfair comparisons between companies and their self-driving technology.

Aurora co-founder Chris Urmson, who previously headed Waymo’s self-driving program, wrote last month that “these numbers mean little when there’s no clear definition of what constitutes a disengagement.”

Cruise co-founder Kyle Vogt expressed similar concerns in a blog post last month, adding: “The general public and regulators deserve hard, empirical evidence that an (autonomous vehicle) has performance that is super-human” — that is, better than the average human driver — if the deployment of that technology is to have “a positive overall impact on automotive safety and public health.”


Mercedes EQA: A standard compact SUV turned electric

                STUTTGART: Mercedes' first all-electric compact SUV, the EQA, has hit the market but at a starting price of US$46,000 (RM191,000), it's unlikely to introduce electromobility to the masses.

The EQA is based on the platform of the GLA, Mercedes' successful SUV model. That's no doubt because SUVs sell well, but also because a tall design allows the batteries to be better integrated without the interior or design suffering.

On the outside the EQA looks pretty similar to the GLA. However, there's no big grille on the front because there's no engine that needs cooling.

Otherwise nothing changes, for better or worse, and the straight lines and unfussy appearance remain as before, as does the high-tech cockpit.

Inside, the amount of space is only average. Compared to electric cars built on their own platform, the inside of the EQA is half a size smaller, which is especially noticeable for those sitting in the back.

The VW ID3 and the BMW i3 manage to provide more space internally despite being smaller cars than the EQA. However, the EQA does have 340 litres of trunk space.

In some areas the luxury car maker is ahead of the pack. The insulation against noise and vibrations, for example, is so effective that you might think you were riding in a Mercedes S-Class.

And the intelligent route planning not only includes topography and weather, but also calculates the best charging stops and thus optimises travel time. Also onboard are the latest adaptive cruise control and a host of other driver aids.

The first version of the car, the EQA 250, comes with a 66.5kWh battery and an electric motor with 190 horsepower. Attached to a rapid charger, the battery can be charged to 80 per cent in 30 minutes. The maximum range is 426km.

The EQA 250 can accelerate from 0 to 100kph in 8.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 160kph. The 400 kilos of battery weight aren't a hindrance but rather lower the car's centre of gravity, allowing you to better handle tight bends.

Mercedes has further versions in the pipeline, including one with two electric motors, all-wheel drive and 272 hp. And if you want more space there's the EQB, which is based on Mercedes' biggest SUV, the GLB.

A modern drive type in a conventional car — the EQA is a compromise, but it's a good one. And Mercedes is clearly ahead of its competitors from Audi and BMW in this compact segment.

However, in the long run upgraded standard models will no longer be sufficient in the drive to electric cars. Mercedes realises this and in the second half of 2021 will be releasing the EQS, an all-electric saloon built on its own architecture.


Mazda holds Mega Carnival this weekend

                SHAH ALAM: Bermaz, the official distributor for the Mazda brand in Malaysia, will be holding its Mazda Mega Carnival this weekend from Oct 24 till 25.

The carnival will be held at the company’s main Glenmarie outlet with more than RM30,000 worth of bonanza vouchers and prizes up for grabs.

Additionally, the all-new Mazda2 SkyActiv with sports kit will also be on display and for a limited time, those who purchase the little hot hatch will receive the RM2,570 kit for free.

The kit includes a front splitter, side skirts, a rear spoiler with skid plates (hatchback) or rear bumper skirt (sedan), rear boot tray and a stainless steel tail pipe.

The carnival will also include the company’s Pre-owned Mazda range with prices starting from RM65,000 onwards.

Other than free refreshments for all, there are also free instant sign up gifts, games, activities, a three-year warranty and three-year free maintenance programme as well as test-drives for selected models.


Nissan's Infiniti names new design head as another non-Japanese exec exits in shake-up

                BEIJING: Nissan Motor Co’s premium brand Infiniti said it has named Taisuke Nakamura (pic) as its new design chief, replacing Karim Habib who resigned from the post.

Canadian designer Habib, who spent only about two years in the role, is the latest non-Japanese senior executive to have left Nissan in the wake of the ouster of its powerful chairman Carlos Ghosn.

Nakamura was tapped internally from Yokohama-based Nissan, whom he joined in 1993. He is currently program design director for Infiniti and has contributed to the brand’s design since 2018.

His appointment is effective Sept 1, according to an Infiniti statement viewed by Reuters ahead of its release.

READ MORE:
Infiniti's take on what future electrified autonomous cars will look like
Ex-BMW design chief Karim Habib joined Infiniti in early 2017

Nakamura is expected to report to Nissan’s global design chief, Alfonso Albaisa.

It was not immediately clear why Habib resigned. He started as Infiniti’s global design chief in July 2017, joining Nissan from BMW for which he was a global design chief.

Aside from Habib, top non-Japanese Nissan executives such as Daniele Schillaci, Jose Munoz and Trevor Mann have left the Japanese automaker in the recent past.

Ghosn, who faces charges of fraud and misconduct, is awaiting trial in Japan over charges including enriching himself at a cost of $5 million to Nissan, Japan’s No. 2 automaker.

Ghosn has denied any wrongdoing, saying he is the victim of a boardroom coup.


France charges Peugeot with consumer fraud in diesel emissions probe

                PARIS: Stellantis said a French court has charged its Peugeot unit with consumer fraud in a far-reaching diesel emissions probe, ordering the company to provide €30 million (RM151mil) in guarantees for potential payouts.

The Judicial Court of Paris has also ordered Citroen and FCA Italy, two other Stellantis units, to appear in court over the coming weeks as part of the same investigation, the company said on Wednesday.

The Peugeot investigation focuses on older diesel vehicles sold in France between 2009 and 2015 and stems from a wider probe French authorities launched in 2017 over alleged emissions test cheating by diesel vehicle manufacturers.

Stellantis in a statement said Peugeot was assessing its defence options in the case.

"The companies firmly believe that their emission control systems met all applicable requirements at the relevant times and continue to do so and look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate that," said Stellantis, which was formed earlier this year after a merger between Fiat Chrysler and the French PSA Group.

Several European carmarkers have come under scrutiny since the Volkswagen "dieselgate" scandal which erupted in 2015 over test cheating in the United States.

A French court on Tuesday charged carmaker Renault with alleged deception and test manipulation of some of its older diesel vehicles.

French prosecutors looking in to Renault and Peugeot said they had found that some of the cars produced on-the-road nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions more than 10 times regulatory limits for some models, according to reports of the investigation from 2019.

Volkswagen admitted in 2015 that it had rigged engine software with "defeat devices" to cheat US diesel tests, a scandal that has since cost the group more than €32 billion (RM161bil) in fines, refits and legal costs and reverberated across the industry.


Opel to add PSA model to Ruesselsheim production, says paper

                FRANKFURT: German automaker Opel is planning to start manufacturing a compact car for French parent PSA at its main Ruesselsheim plant from mid-2021 onwards, German business daily Handelsblatt reported, citing company sources.

The car will be based on PSA’s EMP2 vehicle platform, the paper reported, saying the move could be officially announced in the coming days.

Production at Ruesselsheim, where Opel is manufacturing the Insignia model, is currently halted due to the coronavirus pandemic. The next generation of Opel’s Astra model will also be made there.

Asked about the report, an Opel spokesman said in a written response: “We will shortly give detailed information on investments at the Ruesselsheim site and a new vehicle allocation. This is aimed at focusing on vehicle production with a higher volume.”


Level 3 autonomy for new BMW electric crossover

                MUNICH: There have been a lot of claims and counter-claims about BMW's upcoming electric crossover, not least what it's actually going to be called. It seemed as though it was predictably going to be called the i5, but at the moment it's going under a working name of iNext that comes from the Vision Next 100 concept. Regardless of what it's eventually called though, the more intriguing fact appears to be that according to the InsideEVs website, it will feature level 3 autonomous driving capability.

This represents quite a significant step as level 3 autonomy is defined as "conditional automation," which is basically a mode-specific system that allows the vehicle to take control of all driving functions. That means it's seriously close to what most people imagine truly driverless to be, although the driver has to be ready to intervene even though they are able to have been sitting there with no hands on the wheel and their eyes off the road. If the system decides it's not capable of performing all driving functions under the current conditions, the system will issue an alert to the driver for them to take over.

READ MORE: The six levels of autonomy

Speaking to InsideEVs, BMW Canada's national manager, Kevin Marcotte, said the new model will represent "a major leap forward not only in terms of electrification, but also in technology. It will be the next big thing for us in terms of leapfrogging the industry."

It's been suggested for quite a while now that BMW had been working on an i5 electric crossover, but that appeared to have been killed off quite recently. However, BMW itself did recently announce it was going to be simplifying its lineup to concentrate on electrification, and that an electric SUV crossover was still very much in the pipeline.

Whether the vehicle is eventually called the iNext, i5 or something entirely different is of little consequence, of course. What is important is BMW has confirmed the new electric crossover will go on sale in 2021 and it will feature a number of new technologies, although the German manufacturer declined to name them. There's also going to be a roadster version of the stunning i8 next year, a Mini EV in 2019, and an all-electric version of the X3 a year later in 2020.