Is car sharing the key to cleaner cities?

                MUNICH: Whether peer-to-peer (P2P) services popularised by the sharing economy or major operations backed by carmakers and governments, demand for car sharing is growing quickly and as such is proving an effective way of cutting congestion, freeing up parking spaces and even improving air quality.

And last week BMW took further steps to address urban transport issues with the opening of a dedicated new center.

Research and consultancy firm Frost and Sullivan describes P2P car sharing as "transformative." According to its latest data, published Wednesday, membership of P2P car-sharing services in North America and Europe are forecast to grow from 1.3 million to 9.8 million over the next 10 years.

"P2P car sharing has evolved into an opportunity to enhance economic sustainability and simultaneously produce benefits such as emission reduction, fuel savings and returns on investment," said Frost and Sullivan Automotive and Transportation Research Analyst Krishna Achuthan. "High online connectivity and smartphone penetration too have fast tracked the use of P2P carsharing."

According to research from the Greater London Authority conducted by King's College London, published this week, long-term exposure to PM2.5 particulates and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), pollutants associated with diesel engines and industry are responsible for as many as 9500 premature deaths in the English capital every year -- twice as many as previously thought. And as more people move to cities -- the UN forecasts 66percent of the world's population will be urban by 2050 -- congestion and pollution are also set to rise unless the population can reclaim their cities from cars.

Despite being somewhat responsible for the issue -- they build the cars, after all -- automakers are increasingly working on long-term projects to try to redress this balance, reduce dependence on cars and so help improve urban life quality.

This week, BMW officially opened its Centre of Urban Mobility Competence staffed by a team of multi-disciplinary experts whose job it will be to develop a roadmap for a sustainable concept for future urban mobility that can be managed without private cars, particularly within its native Germany. And one of its initial focuses will be on electric car sharing, raising its visibility and its popularity.

"It is not a contradiction in terms to improve mobility and at the same time ensure cities offer a high quality of life for the people who live there," said BMW vice-president for mobility services Dr Bernhard Blaettel.

"We are witnessing the changes our customers and society as a whole are making and we are taking them on board. Our aim is to work towards developing a higher quality of life in cities with ample space for urban living."

BMW believes that spaces currently used for car parking can be returned to the public. The demand for private cars and space to park them can be negated by a greater focus on public transport and frameworks that complement it, such as access to electric car-sharing schemes and services deployed via smartphones that interlink the different modes of transport for seamless movement in and out of urban areas.


How much does lithium cost? The industry can't seem to agree

A visitors holding lithium concentrate at a lithium mine in Chile. Almost three-quarters of the world’s lithium raw materials come from mines in Australia or briny lakes in Chile, giving them leverage with customers scrambling to tie-up supplies. — Bloomberg
SANTIAGO: Opaque pricing for lithium, the powerhouse metal fueling the electric vehicle revolution, is expected to be top of mind this week as the industry’s leaders gather in Santiago, with calls rising for more transparency to attract much-needed expansion funding.

Unlike for copper or other metals used to make electric cars, there is no traded price for lithium. The London Metal Exchange is working to develop a tradable price for the white metal, but until then, the industry’s investors, customers, analysts and executives are left without a full sense of the global market.

“The fact that there isn’t a benchmark price means that some of the banks haven’t been keen to get involved because they can’t hedge their price risk,” said William Adams, an analyst at Fastmarkets, which is hosting the Santiago conference and vying to be a pricing provider for the LME contract.

For now, the industry grabs on to whatever scuttlebutt it can find, with data swirling on prices for spodumene, a hard rock containing lithium; prices for hydroxide or carbonate, the two main types of lithium used in batteries; or prices paid by battery manufacturers across China, Japan and South Korea.

“You’re almost forced to just take the average of the price estimates that are out there,” said James Calaway, chairman of ioneer Ltd, which is developing a lithium project in Nevada.

While spot prices in China have dropped double digits since January due to uncertainty around the country’s electric vehicle subsidies, such prices reflect only a portion of global demand.

 Employees working at a lithium battery factory in Huaibei, China's Anhui province. — AFP

Some companies, including global leader Albemarle Corp, sell nearly all of their lithium on long-term contracts and are not influenced by Chinese spot prices, a distinction many on Wall Street do not seem to make.

Albemarle’s stock is down 12 percent since January.

“The China spot price is what the market is watching and until it picks up in a meaningful way, the sentiment will be negative,” said Howard Klein, a lithium analyst and partner with New York-based advisory firm RK Equity. “But the demand is there.”

SQM, which eschews long-term contracts, said its first-quarter lithium prices slipped 11 percent, leading it to pause expansion plans in Chile’s Atacama desert.

Livent Corp, which operates in Argentina, cut its 2019 forecast and warned that demand was slipping for a version of lithium it produces in China, and would sell product elsewhere.

“Investors are valuing the industry based on the worst they’re hearing from only a handful of companies, because they don’t have a benchmark price to base analysis around,” said Ernie Ortiz, president of Lithium Royalty Corp, an affiliate of Waratah Capital Advisors, which buys lithium royalty rights.

Many long-term supply contracts are already referencing an LME price, an anticipatory step designed to set future deal parameters, Ortiz said.

“The LME is continuing to pursue the launch of a lithium contract, in close partnership with industry users,” said LME spokeswoman Bianca Blake. In addition to Fastmarkets, Argus and Benchmark Minerals are vying to supply lithium pricing data, and a decision is expected “shortly,” Blake said.

Even with the price uncertainty, though, demand is spiking. Toyota Motor Corp, for example, plans to have half of its global sales come from electric vehicles by 2025.

The lithium industry’s largest players are inking fresh expansion deals as a result. Albemarle last fall signed a $1.15 billion joint venture agreement with Mineral Resource Ltd to own and operate the Wodgina lithium mine in Western Australia, a deal that expands Albemarle’s prowess with Asian customers.

Ganfeng Lithium Co, which already has several Australian ventures, spent US$160 million to boost its stake in an Argentina lithium project with Lithium Americas Corp.

Tianqi Lithium Corp, in the world’s largest lithium deal ever, paid US$4.1 billion last year for a near-quarter stake in SQM, part of a push by Chinese companies for more lithium access.

But smaller and mid-tier players are finding it difficult to procure funding as potential financiers balk without a tradable lithium price, which would let them hedge their investment.

Neo Lithium Corp, ioneer, Standard Lithium Ltd, Sigma Lithium Resources Corp and other prospective lithium projects have all struggled to attract investors largely due to that price uncertainty.

“Greater transparency is severely needed,” said Jake Fraser, a metals analyst with Roskill.

A traded lithium price would make conversations with potential customers or financiers much easier, said Carlos Vicens, finance chief at Neo Lithium, which is developing an Argentine lithium deposit.

“Our main focus is to get a financier, a strategic partner, to get this project into construction as soon as possible,” Vicens said.


Kia shows off unusual SPORTSPACE Concept

                FRANKFURT: The SPORTSPACE Concept is what Kia calls the ultimate "getaway" car – a practical vehicle for everyday business use, yet a stylish and athletic grand tourer – ready to eat up the miles for business or leisure.

Conceived and developed at Kia’s European Design Centre in Frankfurt under Europe chief designer Gregory Guillaume, the SPORTSPACE is a car that attempts to open a new front with a distinctly different and sophisticated car.

It is not a sedan, wagon, hatchback or shooting brake. Kia claims it is a sleek, road-eater  that can meet the demands of those who refuse to be categorised when it comes to their lifestyle or their motoring needs.

“Kia does not have a wagon in this important segment of the European market, but I was determined that we would not simply create something that conformed to tradition," said Guillaume.

“I always had this picture in my mind of creating a vehicle that I could have used to go for a weekend’s skiing with friends before driving back for it to be displayed at the Geneva Salon. Geneva is a special show for me – it comes as winter starts to release its grip. It has a special atmosphere and a particular appeal. The ideal concept vehicle had to reflect this – and I believe the SPORTSPACE does just that!” he added.

The SPORTSPACE is powered by a turbocharged and lightweight 2.0-litre T-GDI (turbocharged gasoline direction injection) engine producing 250 PS, driving the front wheels.

Its long and lean profile with unbroken surfaces and purposeful lines is emphasised by a forward-positioned D-pillar and almost hatchback-like rear door arrangement.

At the front, SPORTSPACE wears an evolution of Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille. But the solid Plexiglas insert isn’t as solid as it appears. Close examination reveals it is actually louvred and these can rotate to allow greater air intake when required.

A satin aluminium strip runs across the front of the bonnet above the ‘ice cube’ LED headlights, giving a sense of strength and determination. The subtlest of curves along the underside of the headlamps, add further visual movement to the SPORTSPACE’s bold, dynamic face.

Further satin aluminium strips set into the chin-spoiler hide inset turn signals that become apparent when switched on.

The design of the rear pillar, which is wider and slopes forwards, is combined with tapering side surfaces and a dramatic concave tailgate, ensuring the car is just as bold and exciting at the rear.

The wide rear tail lamps and a full-width carbon-fibre diffuser further emphasise the car’s wide stance and sporty appeal. The tail lamps incorporate the turn indicators, which pulse outwards when in operation.

A roof-level spoiler and the diffuser maximise air flow efficiency around the rear of the car. Twin tailpipes within the diffuser echo the polygon shape of the tail lamps. A vertically oriented fog lamp is integrated centrally in the diffuser.

The 4.8m-long SPORTSPACE is finished with unique 20-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels inset with carbon fibre which emerge from a pentagonal hub at the centre. The wheel design suggests powerful rotation even when stationary.

The door handles sit flush in the panels until required. When operated they reveal a remarkably airy four-seat interior illuminated by panoramic glazing running the entire length of the roof and bathing the cockpit with light.

The cabin is simple and pure with bold, handsome styling. A balance of luxurious leather with contemporary technical materials – including carbon fibre and milled, anodised aluminium – underlines the car’s functionality with modern and evocative style.

The inner surfacing of the door panels runs as one whole architectural sweep from the instrument panel rearwards into the tailgate. The centre console runs through the interior, shooting through the car, further enhancing the perception of space and length.

The hand woven ‘cuoio intrecciato’ seats are trimmed with black-polished leather backed with carbon fibre shells and provide modern and comfortable sport seating for each of the four occupants. The free-standing metal door pulls are cool and shaped to the hand. Ergonomically set into the door pulls is a switch to allow the side windows to be ‘thumbed’ up or down.

Ahead of the driver is a highly configurable digital instrument cluster paired with a fully operational infotainment system. The large infotainment screen – which sits clearly within the driver’s view – can be operated in single or split-screen modes.

Operation is via the anodised aluminium in-car infotainment controller located behind the gear shift – flanked by four shortcut buttons that enable fast and intuitive interaction.

Where the rear view mirror would usually be located, a slim screen replaces it, fed by images from the rear view camera. Other driver information is also fed into this screen.

Generous rear seat legroom maximises passenger comfort and heightens the sensation of spaciousness, enhanced by the substantial glazing above.

A prerequisite for an exciting grand tourer like the SPORTSPACE is the capacity to accommodate skis. Skis can be stored between the rear seats, with a padded leather armrest doubling up as a ski rest. Slide it back and two recesses are revealed which accommodate two tablet PCs, one for each passenger.

Rear seat occupants also have the option to utilise a unique tablet PC clamping system located on the back of the front seats, allowing them to view video and other multimedia content at eye level.

“Behind the sophisticated design, the SPORTSPACE also delivers a drive that is easy and enthusiastic," said Guillaume.

The SPORTSPACE Concept will be unveiled to the world at the 85th Geneva Motor Show.


EP Manufacturing inks investment agreements on EV business

Seated (from left) are Liu, Ahmed Khalaf and Hamidon after the agreements were sighned recently.
KUALA LUMPUR: Auto parts maker, EP Manufacturing Bhd has entered into two investment agreements (IA) on its venture into the two-wheeled electric vehicles (EVs) business.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia today, EP Manufacturing said the first agreement, with a minimum investment amount of US$50 million (RM228mil), was inked between the company and CIS Pride Fund SPC (CPFS), Sharkgulf Technologies Group Ltd (Sharkgulf) as well as Blueshark Holding Ltd (Blueshark).

Blueshark, set up in 2018, is an electric scooter maker from China. Its first scooter was the Blueshark R1, launched in July 2019.

"Under the first agreement, CPFS, being the investor, will invest in the super delivery ecosystem project by procuring and buying battery swapping stations and lithium batteries from the company/Sharkgulf, and will appoint Blueshark as the manager to oversee and manage the delivery of the project," it said.

Meanwhile, the second agreement was signed by EP Manufacturing with Siraj Holding LLC, Siraj Holding Sdn Bhd and Sharkgulf, involving a total minimum investment amount of US$125 million (RM569mil).

"Siraj Holding LLC, being the investor, will invest in the company for the purpose of procuring and purchasing two-wheel electric vehicles from the company/Sharkgulf, which will be sold and distributed in South-East Asia.

"Siraj Holding Sdn Bhd will be appointed as the manager by Siraj Holding LLC to oversee and manage the delivery of the project," it said, adding that a bank guarantee and/or corporate guarantee would be provided by the latter for an investment amount of US$50 million.

Present at the signing ceremony in Dubai were Sharkgulf chief executive officer and founder Tiger Liu Hulin, Siraj Holding LLC chairman Ahmed Khalaf Al-Otaiba and EP Manufacturing executive chairman Hamidon Abdullah.


Will we be using face recognition to unlock our cars?

                FRANKFURT: Genesis, Hyundai's premium brand, is creating a stir by introducing the first-ever solution for unlocking a car with face recognition, through tech implemented directly into the vehicle.

These days it's second nature to unlock your smartphone with face recognition; tomorrow it will be possible to get into your car through a simple glance.

Genesis is introducing these new advanced biometric features on its first electric SUV, the GV60.

This technology is made possible through a deep learning image processor embedded in a sensor positioned on the edge of the rear door. This Face Connect feature gives customers the ability to access their car via face recognition, which can be convenient if they have their hands full or shopping, for example.

In fact, they will only need keys to access their car once, when setting up their profile for the face recognition entry option.

Note that afterwards the driver will be able to start the car with their fingertip, using a fingerprint. The manufacturer guarantees that all this information will be encrypted and that no biometric data will be stored remotely or shared with third parties.

And it doesn't stop there, as Genesis also will allow customers to upgrade to a digital key, using one's smartphone or connected watch, which can be shared with three other people in order to access the vehicle without having to carry a physical key.

Once again, they will then be able to start the vehicle with their fingerprint.

The SUV will also feature an in-car air purification system with a high-performance premium air filter that senses air quality and automatically activates as dust concentration levels increase.

Note that the Genesis GV60 is fully customisable from an online configurator.


Better safety in Mercedes-Benz Actros

                STUTTGART: The new Mercedes-Benz Actros heavy duty truck has made another huge jump forward with regard to safety.

The Sideguard Assist system, available since 2016 and minimises the probability of dangerous accidents on the co-driver's side when the vehicle turns to the right, has now been revised and improved.

Until now the warnings issued by Sideguard Assist in the Actros were shown in the form of an LED light on the A-pillar in the cab's interior.

In the new Actros, Sideguard Assist now uses the MirrorCam display to warn drivers visually when the system detects a moving or stationary object in the monitored zone on the co-driver's side of the truck.

The system can thus warn drivers in good time on the monitor of cyclists or pedestrians they may not have seen. MirrorCam and Sideguard Assist work hand-in-hand – overloading the driver with information is thus avoided and all of the relevant warnings are located together in a single location.

Also, Sideguard Assist can now support the driver under certain conditions when turning to the left: on trucks with a frame overhang of more than 1.5 m behind the last rear axle, there is a risk that the right-hand rear corner of the vehicle may veer out when turning to the left.

This can result in a dangerous collision between the frame overhang and other road users.

These could be pedestrians, cyclists or other vehicles, for example. However in the new Actros, Sideguard Assist can warn the driver of such a collision in good time.

Also, the new Actros is the first series production truck in the world to be equipped with the new MirrorCam.

Instead of the usual main and wide-angle mirrors, this system works with digital cameras and displays.

The images from the camera are transmitted directly to two displays which are mounted on the A-pillars in the cab.

A side effect that increases safety: the driver also has an unhindered view at an angle past the A-pillars thus increasing the driver's field of vision.

Furthermore, sometimes drivers drive with mirrors that are incorrectly positioned so that a so-called "blind spot" is created on the co-driver's side in which pedestrians and cyclists can be overlooked.

When using MirrorCam the problem of incorrectly positioned mirrors no longer exists because the cameras automatically adopt the correct position prior to pulling away and the display always shows the same complete image from every perspective.

But that's not all: MirrorCam assists the driver in other situations: in bends, for example, the camera image pivots so that the driver can always see the end of the trailer.

A special wide-angle mode assists the driver when manoeuvring or reversing.


Bill Peffer: This name pops up again and this time he's Maserati N.A. boss

                DETROIT: Remember Bill Peffer? The guy who left Kia Motors America after only a week as its chief operating officer.

Well, Peffer has moved on to greener pastures, so to speak.

He has jumped over to Maserati North America where he has been made its CEO with immediate effect.

Maserati said Peffer would report to Maserati’s chief commercial officer Bernard Loire, who's also a recent addition to the Italian company, having joined in January 2020.

Peffer took over from Al Gardner, who left Maserati to join another auto-related company. Peffer will also be responsible for Maserati operations in Canada. Prior to his latest appointment, Peffer had been with Kia Motors America for about three years as its vice president of sales operations.

Maserati operates a total of 129 dealerships in the US and Canada.

Maserati has been struggling with profitability and declining sales over the years.

Loire had previously said that Maserati's focus now "is strongly on the future, including hybrid and electric models."

All Maserati models including the Gran Turismo and Gran Cabrio would be electrified, either hybrid or full-electric, in the next five years.

Maserati’s new SUV Grecale is expected to be released this year, and will initially be offered both in a combustion-engine and a hybrid version, according to another Maserati official. A full-electric version of the Grecale is expected at a later stage.


Aston Martin unveils new DB12 coupe amid F1 successes

                LONDON: Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings Plc has some additional excitement to accompany its recent podium finishes at Formula One. It has announced a new sports car, the DB12.

The V8 coupe is the successor to the Aston Martin DB11, the svelte model launched by the British brand in 2016 and sold in V8 and V12 versions.

That car will stop production by the end of June. Among the last of the international combustion engines ever to be offered by the Warwickshire, England-based company, the 671-bhp twin-turbo DB12 will not offer a V12 engine option, a spokesperson says. Pricing will start around US$245,000 (RM1.1mil), according to the spokesperson.

Wider and more powerful than its predecessor, the DB12 looks like the DB11 but comes with a redesigned front end and a new, hand-built engine.

It has an all-new suspension system, an eight-speed automatic transmission and five drive modes. Top speed will be 325kph, with a zero-to-100kph sprint of 3.6 seconds, the company says. Those performance numbers roughly equal those of the V12 DB11.

It also carries the newly-designed Aston Martin badge on the hood; new, 21-inch forged-alloy wheels will come standard.

Key among interior improvements is a new infotainment system, the first that Aston Martin has developed completely in-house.

It offers much-needed upgrades over the previous generation, such as driver-oriented controls; all-new navigation; and surround sound by the company’s new audio partner, Bowers & Wilkins.

Cabin seating will also include novel quilting patterns hand-stitched on Bridge of Weir hides or Alcantara.

The new car is a critical addition to Aston Martin’s portfolio. Despite enjoying a strong public perception as an elegant brand closely associated with James Bond, the company has struggled since its initial public offering in 2018 with weak sales and cash flow, supply chain inefficiencies and a high executive turnover.

Its second-quarter adjusted operating losses expanded by 39%, to £47.8 million, according to the company. Aston Martin, which sold 1,269 vehicles in this year’s second quarter, needs fresh models such as the DB12 and the powerful DBX 707 SUV to generate sales.

Lately, some analysts have turned bullish on Aston Martin — and not just because of its F1 success. On May 18, Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. infused the brand with £234 million, doubling its stake.

“We rate this deal as very positive for Aston,” Mediobanca analysts Andrea Balloni and Isacco Brambilla said.

The Geely partnership will bring a much-needed influx of cash and improve Aston Martin’s sales reach in China, they said. Geely Holding Group also has ownership stakes in Volvo, Polestar, Lotus and Smart, among other automotive brands.

Deliveries will begin in autumn.


Tesla revamped Model 3 nears final trial production in Shanghai

                AUSTIN: Tesla Inc. is nearing the final stages before starting trial production of its revamped Model 3 sedan in Shanghai, according to people familiar with the matter, a variant of electric car that Elon Musk is betting can compete more effectively with Chinese rivals.

The revised version of the Model 3, Tesla’s first mass market EV that helped propel the company to profitability, is slightly longer than the earlier version, is more sporty and has a sleeker interior design, the people said, asking not to be identified because the details are private.

Some production staff at Tesla’s Shanghai facility have been required to place their mobile phones in purpose-built lockers outside the factory’s production lines since earlier this month to prevent potential photo leaks, one of the people said.

The production line of Phase 1 of the plant might be offline for a few days at the end of this month for adjustments, they added, noting those plans may still be subject to change.

A Tesla representative said the company had no immediate response.

Tesla first unveiled the Model 3 in the US in 2016 and started mass production the year after.

It further reduced its manufacturing costs with the ramp-up of its Shanghai facility at the end of 2019.

Last year, Tesla teased that it would have some upgrades to the car’s interior and power systems as part of a refresh, without elaborating.

In China, Tesla’s most important market outside of the US, it’s becoming crucial for the company to refresh its product line up.

The EV arena there is intensely competitive and a price war, kicked off by Tesla itself at the start of the year, has mushroomed, resulting in steep discounts across a range of models.

There are at least 155 pure electric and plug-in hybrid models expected to be unveiled in China this year alone, according to Sanford C. Bernstein.

Tesla has slightly raised prices of its models in both the US and China in recent weeks after its first-quarter earnings disappointed some investors.

The pricing of the new Model 3 remains highly confidential and it’s not yet clear how fluctuating raw material expenses may factor into its eventual sticker cost.

Recent speculation online about the revamped car has centered around a steering wheel design that’s similar to the Tesla Semi and the Model S, with the absence of a traditional stalk, perhaps supporting rumors of a shift toward on-screen controls for toggling between park, drive and reverse modes.

Tesla contributed almost one-quarter of Shanghai’s total automotive production value last year, and local authorities pledged last week to continue to boost ties with Tesla in bringing autonomous driving and robot modules to Shanghai.

More than half of Tesla’s global deliveries in 2022 were manufactured at the Shanghai plant, which can now produce a maximum of 1.1 million cars a year.


Final world record-breaking Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ delivered

                PARIS: The Chiron Super Sport 300+ is the fastest Bugatti ever made, redefining what is possible when it comes to speed and aerodynamics – now, the last of this limited edition has been delivered.

The final edition of the Chiron Super Sport 300+1 – built in honour of the model’s record-breaking 490.485kph (over 300+ mph) top speed run – has now been delivered, completing its production run of just 30 models.

Breaking new ground in straight-line performance, this Chiron Super Sport 300+ – as with every other 300+ – comes with an exposed carbon fiber body and Jet Orange accents.

When the Chiron Super Sport 300+ – piloted by Bugatti’s test driver Andy Wallace – smashed through the 482kph/300mph barrier in 2019 the world stood to attention ; never before had a production car reached such speeds.

It immediately occupied a spot in history and now stands as a marker in the quest for ever greater performance and speed.

Following the world record success, during a celebration of Bugatti’s 110th anniversary, Bugatti committed to building 30 examples of the record-breaking car for customers, the last of which has now gone to its private home.

A re-engineered version of Bugatti’s legendary 8.0-litre W16 engine surpasses the Chiron’s power output by 99hp, resulting in a total of 1,578hp.

Bugatti engineers developed a new thermal management system for the hyper sports car’s engine and gearbox, as well as making refinements to the software governing the engine, gearbox, powertrain and turbochargers.

To keep the car stable at high speeds, the Chiron Super Sport 300+ features a ‘longtail’ which extends the car by 25cm. This allows the air flow to pass over the body for a longer period of time, therefore reducing aerodynamic stall by more than 40%.

Air curtains adorning the hyper sports car’s front corners disperse excess air pressure towards the car’s sides. Simultaneously, air outlets at the wheel arches and behind the front wheels guide excess pressure away from each wheel arch, reducing drag by also producing a small amount of negative lift.

The Chiron Super Sport 300+’s liberal use of exposed carbon fiber flows through into the car’s engine cover, and even the windscreen wiper, contributing to important weight-saving that helps the hyper sports car push the envelope of performance.

Subtle touches, including the Bugatti "Macaron" logo made of genuine silver and black enamel, add to the sense of exclusivity and rarity. Extremely light and strong magnesium alloy wheels are finished in a bespoke colour named "Nocturne".


Rival fuel-makers unite in opposing Biden’s electric-car push

                NEW YORK: The gasoline industry and alternative fuel makers, frequent foes, put aside their differences to challenge a Biden administration rule imposing limits on automobile greenhouse-gas emissions.

Renewable fuel makers and at least one oil refiner joined together in asking a federal appeals court in Washington to review the Environmental Protection Agency standards, which promise to boost the sale of electric vehicles and could shrink the market for liquid fuels, whether made of petroleum or plants.

Diamond Green Diesel LLC, a joint venture between Valero Energy Corp. and Darling Ingredients Inc., and soybean groups fault the EPA rule for favouring electric vehicles over renewable fuels and other technologies for reducing emissions.

"Through the final rule, EPA seeks to unilaterally alter the transportation mix in the United States, without congressional authorisation and without adequately considering the vast greenhouse gas reduction benefits provided by renewable fuels,” they say in a filing.

The industry groups lodged their objections Monday, the 60-day deadline for suits targeting the regulation under the Clean Air Act.

A separate petition for review was jointly filed by the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a conservative advocacy group, and a group of oil producers known as the Domestic Energy Producers Alliance, which is led by billionaire Harold Hamm, founder of Continental Resources Inc.

Texas attorney-general Ken Paxton, a Republican, also weighed in, saying he’s leading a coalition of 14 states challenging the same rule.

Paxton said in his statement that the regulations, if left intact, will stress the Texas electric grid and decrease the demand for gasoline by billions of gallons, "effectively destroying Texas’s robust energy industry.”

The EPA rule governs the release of carbon dioxide from the tailpipes of cars and light trucks, a mandate that was weakened by former President Donald Trump.

"EPA is trying to transform the motor vehicle market from gas-powered to electric vehicles by making gas-powered cars more expensive,” CEI attorney Devin Watkins said in the statement, arguing the rule exceeds the agency’s authority.

The rule requires fleet-wide fuel economy values of 55mpg (4.2l /100km) in model year 2026, forcing automakers to pare 22.6% more carbon dioxide emissions from their fleets.


Touch 'n Go launches GO+

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Touch ‘n Go eWallet has entered the mainstream financial services sector by being the first e-wallet in Malaysia to launch an investment product, known as GO+.

It allows users access to low risk money market investments for as low as RM10.

Anchored on the Principal e-Cash Fund managed by Principal Asset Management Bhd, GO+ enables Touch ‘n Go eWallet users to earn returns on their GO+ balances and returns will be credited daily.

It also comes with a cash-out feature that allows the seamless movement of funds between the user’s eWallet and their designated bank accounts.

The GO+ balances can also be used for all eWallet payments use cases.

Touch ‘n Go Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Effendy Shahul Hamid said GO+ is the group’s first step into the area of digital financial services.

“It was designed to address core customer pain points, promote financial inclusion and emphasise the use of data and technology to deliver higher value products to our users.

“We’re extremely pleased to have been able to bring this novel product to the market and at the same time continue our evolution and journey into financial services,” he said during the virtual launching ceremony of GO+ earlier today.

Every individual GO+ account has a balance limit of RM9,500 but the aggregate GO+ account balance is currently capped at RM5bil.

Therefore, the maximum amount that each GO+ account can hold is still subject to the aggregate limit, meaning that at any point when the aggregate limit is maxed out, users will not be able to cash in to their GO+ accounts.

Principal Asset Management CEO Munirah Khairuddin said GO+ is an almost risk free investment and that the product is highly liquid.

“We’re just placing out the funds with good banks and we will source for the best yields in town.

“As professional fund managers, we also rate the banks ourselves through their credit scores.

“GO+ is very safe, highly liquid and almost risk free because it’s just banking deposits,” she said, adding that the Principal e-Cash Fund was developed specifically for GO+ and focusses on convenience and yield enhancement.

Munirah also said that this was just the beginning of their digital offering with Touch ‘n Go and they looked forward to developing many more.

GO+ is available effective March 29, 2021 to Touch ‘n Go eWallet users who are Malaysian citizens above 18 years old.

Look out for the GO+ logo on the eWallet app, follow a few simple steps, do an initial minimum RM10 cash-in to start earning returns.


Auto Bavaria Glenmarie relocates to Ara Damansara, PJ

Auto Bavaria bids farewell to its Glenmarie site.
SHAH ALAM: Auto Bavaria Glenmarie has relocated from here to Ara Damansara in Petaling Jaya.

Auto Bavaria Ara Damansara 4S will represent the BMW, MINI, Motorrad brands as well as used vehicles. Spanning over 23,161 square metres and built at a cost of RM57mil, it is the largest BMW dealership in South-East Asia. It will open for business from Nov 25.

Its workshop capabilities is said to be doubled that of the former Glenmarie facility. Auto Bavaria is expected to release further details on its new facility soon.

 Posing for the camera are (from left) Basham, Wong, Rajan, Tunku Badlishah and Gan.

“It is really important to celebrate the legacy and milestones of Auto Bavaria Glenmarie to ensure that the united spirit among our employees transitions over when we begin a new chapter at the new facility in November," said current Auto Bavaria managing director Jeffrey Gan.

Auto Bavaria, owned by the Sime Darby group, has been a major dealership for BMW and its sub-brands for 30 years.

To mark the relocation, Auto Bavaria organised a bash at its Glenmarie site with a Deepavali theme.

Over 400 guests were invited and they included employees and former dealer principals.

Among those present were Sime Darby Motors managing director Andrew Basham and past managing directors of Auto Bavaria namely Wong Soon Foo (1992), Rajan Thurairatnam (2001) and Tunku Badlishah Tunku Annuar (2005).


Seven percent of all cars sold in the world are electric

                LONDON: More and more electric automobiles (both hybrid and all-electric) are being sold around the world, but trends in pricing for these vehicles vary enormously from continent to continent, which in turn has a direct impact on sales, points out a study published by automotive business intelligence consultant Jato.

A new record for electric automobile sales will be set for 2019 with 4.89 million already sold between January and October, as opposed to 4.06 million for the same period in 2018.

This year, around seven percent of vehicles sold around the world are electric in one way or another. As for all-electrics, their sales rose to 1.204 million units worldwide between January and October, as opposed to 937,000 units over the same period a year earlier.

The most buoyant market for electric vehicles is in China, where they account for eight percent of sales. For its part, Europe can lay claim to an average seven percent of sales going to electrics, while America lags behind a little with an electrics automobile market share of just four percent.

One major brake to more electric vehicles is their relatively high cost, and sales growth is certainly linked to trends in prices. In Europe and the United States electric vehicle prices respectively increased by 42% and 55% between 2011 and 2019, whereas during the same period in China they actually fell by 50%.

 The Mercedes-Benz E 350 e plug in hybrid.

This is all the more paradoxical given that the only automaker which has electric vehicles accounting for 100% of sales is Tesla. Ranked just behind the US manufacturer, China's Beijing and JAC, India's Mahindra and Japan's Suzuki and Toyota also chalk up more than 20% of their sales with electric models.

As to the kind of electric vehicles that are selling, city cars account for the biggest share of the electrics market (35% in 2019 as opposed to 42% in 2018), but this may soon change given the growing popularity of electric SUVs (28% market share as opposed to 25% a year earlier).


Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross for Geneva debut

                GENEVA: Mitsubishi Motors Corp has named its all-new SUV the Eclipse Cross.

As befits its sharp, coupé-like contours, the Eclipse Cross name references the Eclipse sports car which amassed more than 1.4 million sales, mainly in North America between 1989 and 2012, while also referring to the cross-functional SUV nature of this new car.

The Eclipse Cross will debut at the Geneva Motor Show on March 7 2017, finished in a deep gloss red metallic, a new colour specially developed for this new model using an innovative painting process.


Lockdown may spell end for many car dealerships

                PETALING JAYA: Vehicle dealerships, big and small, are feeling more than a pinch from the current lockdown.

Many car and motorcycle dealers are fighting for their survival and may be forced to shut down soon if they are not allowed to reopen for business.

Under the Government's four-phase National Recovery Plan dealerships are not deemed as essential and have to remain close. The country is still in Phase 1 and dealerships are only allowed to open in Phase 3.

With Covid-19 infection rates rising to a worryingly level with a record 17,000-plus registered on Sunday (July 25), it looks like any hope of resuming the vehicle business will be months away even as vaccinations ramped up across the country.

By then, it will be all over for the many distressed dealerships, most of which are run as standalone entities and are not owned by the car companies.

According to Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Datuk Aishah Ahmad, many small- and medium-sized dealerships were able to manage during the initial Movement Control Order (now rebranded as National Recovery Plan) in 2020, as they had cash reserves to cover running costs such as rental, salaries and other expenses.

But they never expected the pandemic and the ensuing series of restrictions to drag on into 2021. Now with reserves running low, they are looking at the grim possibility of shutting down, said Aishah recently.

Better-funded dealerships with workshops are allowed to have them opened but with reduced staffing. However, that is not enough to sustain the overall business.

Berita Harian cited Aishah as saying that bigger dealerships may shutter by October if they can't resume business.

The MAA president said she has raised the plight of dealerships to the Government, and is hopeful for a positive outcome.

With many vehicle companies registering zero sales for June and July, there's pent-up demand, buoyed by the ongoing sales tax holiday.

“With showrooms not being allowed to open and most government agencies either closed or working with minimal staff, sales will be drastically affected,” said an analyst with a local bank-backed brokerage.

This comes as MAA projected a dismal picture of car sales in Malaysia for 2021. Last week, it had revised downwards its vehicle sales forecast by 5.6% to 500,000 units this year, and is bracing for a tough second half for the industry as businesses continue to be buffeted by the ongoing nationwide movement restrictions.


Sian: Lamborghini's most powerful supercar ever

                BOLOGNA: Lamborghini has released the first images of its new supercar, a hybrid christened Sian with a combined power of 819 hp, which is a new record for the Italian auto manufacturer.

It will be presented to the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show, which will take place Sept 12- 22.

Although built upon the same base as the Lamborghini Aventador, the Sian stands out with its radically different hybrid engine.

Under the bonnet, its V12 engine goes from 770 to 785hp, completed by a small 34hp electric motor, which is powered by a lightweight 48-volt hybrid system.

Lamborghini is merely adopting a solution that has already been implemented throughout the Volkswagen group, notably over at Audi where it has recently been integrated into the remodelled RS 6 Avant, Q7 and SQ7).

The performance can truly be felt, since, according to Lamborghini, the Sian goes from 0 to 100kph in only 2.8 seconds for a top speed of 350kph.

Lamborghini has announced that only 63 Sians will be produced - and sold at an as-yet-unknown price.

As far as the Aventador is concerned, its replacement, not slated for release until at least 2021, should be equipped with an even more powerful hybrid V12 engine.


Hopium unveils hydrogen-powered sedan prototype, pre-orders start

                PARIS: French fuel cell electric vehicle maker Hopium has unveiled its first rolling prototype during the Viva Technology week here.

Announced in October 2020, this vehicle called Alpha 0, certifies the reliability of the fuel cell system.

After the design and architecture phases, followed by the implementation of the various components within the vehicle, the prototype was able to be evaluated and perfected through bench and track tests. With a speed of 200kph, this test version already borders on the performance promised by the Hopium Machina in its final form.

Alpha 0 also introduces for the first time the signature lighting, emblem of Hopium, whose shape is reminiscent of the stratification of hydrogen and the movement of waves on the surface of water.

The reveal of the latest prototype is accompanied by the opening of an order book for the first 1,000 numbered units of Hopium Machina, whose reservation price is set at €410 (RM2,020), in reference to the spectral line of hydrogen.

The production car is expected to be ready in the first quarter of 2022.


Global automakers face electric shock in China

                BEIJING: If global automakers think they can extend their dominance in China into the electric era, they may be in for a shock.

Kings of the combustion age such as General Motors and Volkswagen are falling behind local players in the booming electric vehicle (EV) market in China, a country that's key to funding and developing their electric and autonomous ambitions.

For Beijing office worker Tianna Cheng, the main dilemma when she was buying a 180,000-yuan (RM119,000) Xpeng electric crossover was whether she should go for a BYD car instead, or a Nio; she did not seriously consider overseas marques.

"If I was buying a gasoline car, I may have considered foreign brands," the 29-year-old said as she drove home from work.

"But I wanted an EV, and other than Tesla, I saw few foreign brands applying advanced smart technology properly."

Buoyed by demand from consumers like Cheng, electric car sales are rocketing in China's roughly US$500 billion auto market, the world's biggest.

In the first four months of 2022, the number of new energy passenger cars - pure EVs and plug-in hybrids - more than doubled from a year earlier to 1.49 million cars, according to data from the China Association of automobile Manufacturers.

The cleaner technologies accounted for 23% of China's passenger car market, where overall vehicle sales fell 12%, reflecting a steep decline in demand for gasoline cars.

There are no foreign brands among the top 10 automakers in the new energy vehicle (NEV) segment this year, with the notable exception of US electric pioneer Tesla in third place, according to China Passenger Car Association data.

All the rest are Chinese brands, from BYD and Wuling to Chery and Xpeng.

China leader BYD has sold about 390,000 EVs in the country this year, more than three times as many as global leader Tesla sold there.

The top-ranked traditional carmaker is Volkswagen's venture with FAW Group, in 15th place for EV sales.

Cheng said that overseas marques, whether the Buick Velite 7 or Volkswagen's ID. series, failed to provide what she was looking for: an EV capable of giving her the "comfort" of having a smartphone-like experience in her vehicle.

"Foreign brands are so far from my life and lifestyle," said Cheng, whose digital assistant handles connections to apps like Alipay and Taobao and "does everything for me from opening the windows to turning on music", while her car software provides over-the-air updates.

It's quite a reversal.

Global brands have dominated in China since the 1990s, typically winning a collective 60-70% share of passenger car sales in recent years.

In the first four months of 2022 they captured 52%, with their April monthly share at 43%.

Signalling the scale of the challenge facing traditional automakers, Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida told Reuters that some brands "could disappear in three to five years" in China.

"Local brands are becoming stronger," said Uchida, who was formerly Nissan's China chief, adding that the quality of EVs from Chinese makers had improved rapidly, with advances being made in the space of months.

"There will be a lot of transformation in China and we need to carefully watch the situation," said the CEO, adding that carmakers had to be nimble in the design, development and launch of new models.

"In those aspects, if we were slow, we would be left behind."

'Hi-tech natives'

Bill Russo, a former Chrysler executive who now heads Shanghai-based consultancy Automobility, said global brands need to turn the situation around quickly because they controlled less than 20% of China's only growth auto market.

"Chinese brands are wining the race to EV," said Russo, adding that consumers' shift to cars that are essentially smartphones on four wheels appeared irreversible and that traditional carmakers were having trouble keeping up.

"I think it's a secular shift toward hi-tech," he said of the consumer demand for a "user-centric digital services experience" with a focus on interface, connectivity and apps.

"Traditional companies are not hi-tech natives."
Volkswagen Group brands, including Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche and Skoda, have led the market for much of the past two decades, alongside General Motors marques such as Buick, Chevrolet and Cadillac.

The two global groups had overall auto market shares of almost 13% and 12% respectively in China last year, according to LMC automotive.

Detroit giant GM also has a 44% stake in the locally controlled SAIC-GM-Wuling auto (SGMW) venture, and includes its sales in group numbers, though SGMW does not make American brands, only Wuling and Baojun cars.

GM is now focused on winning over younger buyers in big cities that have hitherto largely snubbed its models according to two people familiar with the automaker's business in China.

The group has announced electrification plans to spend more than US$35 billion globally by 2025, including more than 30 new EVs, over 20 of them in China, starting this year with the launch of the all-electric Cadillac Lyriq crossover SUV.

The two sources said the Lyriq launch would be followed by an electric Buick SUV and a smaller, sportier electric crossover, both also planned for as early as this year.

Sales of Buicks have declined 32% over the last five years to 828,600 vehicles in 2021, while Chevrolet has shrunk more than half to 269,000 vehicles, according to LMC automotive.

GM said it was aiming to install capacity to produce 1 million EVs a year by 2025 in China, adding that demand for the Buick Velite NEV family and Chevrolet Menlo EV "both grew significantly" in 2021 and the first three months of this year.

It said it was deploying smart technologies including hands-free driver assistance on highways, "aviation-grade" cyber security and over-the-air software updates.

Autobahn speed?

Volkswagen, which is spending around US$55 billion globally on EVs by 2026, launched its new-generation of ID. series in China early last year but missed its goal of selling 80,000 to 100,000 cars last year.

It aims to sell 160,000 to 200,000 ID. cars this year, though it has sold only 33,300 through April.

A key concern for foreign brands, according to one of the people close to GM plus a Volkswagen insider, is that their new EVs are being designed more for American and European markets in mind, with a heavier focus on performance and durability.

In most big cities in China traffic is so congested people can't even drive above 60kph on most days," said the source close to GM, who is familiar with the automaker's product plans and product-development processes.

Volkswagen said NEV demand in China was strongly linked to the "smart car" theme, adding that it was investing in local R&D, especially in software.

"Our strategy will enable us to achieve our ambitious targets in China. By 2030, we also want to be the market leader in e-vehicles and thus ensure that Volkswagen remains the number one in China in the future," it added.

The challenge for global brands is to find the formula to win over consumers in big cities with disposable incomes, like Cheng in Beijing and Li Huayuan, a civil engineer from Shanghai.

Li only half-heartedly considered Japanese and German brands when he bought his BYD electric sedan last year for 290,000 yuan (RM191,000) including insurance.

"Seems to me only Tesla stands out when it comes to American brands," he said from his parked BYD car in the Sichuan provincial city of Mianyang where he's working on a project.

READ MORE: From copycat to global player. How China's auto industry transformed itself


Range Rover SVAutobiography revealed

                LOS ANGELES: The Range Rover SVAutobiography has been unveiled ahead of the opening of the LA Auto Show, marking it as Land Rover’s most luxurious SUV.

Order books open tomorrow and the vehicle is priced in Britain from £167,850 (RM916,000).

Available only in long wheelbase, the Range Rover SVAutobiography combines new convenience features, including rear doors that close at the touch of a button, to create a place for relaxation that doubles as a mobile technology hub.

A range of powertrain options includes an advanced new plug-in hybrid electric-petrol, with an EV range of up to 31 miles, and an uprated 565hp V8 supercharged petrol engine.

Combined with the long-wheelbase body, the Executive Class rear seats offer legroom of over 1.2m while deep seat foams with new comfort interlayers deliver better passenger wellbeing. There's a powered 40-degree recline capability, hot stone massage function and heated calf and foot rests to convince you that your money is well spent.

A fixed centre console extends the full length of the cabin and the new model also allows passengers to close the rear doors using conveniently located buttons on the rear console.

Electrically deployable rear tables and integrated 10” touchscreen rear entertainment screens ensure customers can use the 4G WiFi connectivity to work or relax in comfort, while a concealed refrigerator between the twin rear seats can hold two wine bottles or four 600ml bottles. The right-hand rear seat folds to accommodate long items and customers can also specify a Power Deployable Veneered Loadspace Floor for the first time, making loading and unloading luggage easier.

A Zenith clock features on the rear centre console, inspired by the Elite 6150 watch. Its knurled bezel complements the finish on the start/stop button, gear selector and pedals.

Jaguar Land Rover’s Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with twin high-definition touchscreen controls allows information to be swiped from one screen to the other.

The Range Rover SVAutobiography will be hand-finished at the SVO Technical Centre in Warwickshire, and makes its global motor show debut here tomorrow.

The event will see the Range Rover SVAutobiography presented alongside the extreme Discovery SVX and the powerful Range Rover Sport SVR, as well as the standard wheelbase SVAutobiography Dynamic, for the first time.

“The SVAutobiography badge identifies our most luxurious vehicles in the same way the SVR and SVX monikers denote our most potent and capable derivatives," said Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations managing director John Edwards.

"The arrival of the enhanced Range Rover SVAutobiography further strengthens the luxury pillar of the SV family.”


Daimler starts revamp that could lead to break-up

                BERLIN: Daimler has started the process of creating separate legal entities for its Mercedes-Benz cars and Daimler Trucks divisions, a move that has fuelled speculation of an eventual break up of the German automaker.

The company said today it would invest more than 100 million euros in preparations for the reorganisation. It added it did not plan to divest any of its divisions and no final decisions had been made.

It also said it had reached an agreement with labour representatives that will see job guarantees extended until the end of 2029; a 3 billion euro contribution made to the group’s pension fund; and an extension of a profit-sharing bonus.

CEO Dieter Zetsche said in July that Daimler was considering putting parts of its business into separate legal entities, spurring talk of a possible break up as the group looks to fund big investments in autonomous and electric cars.

The company said in a separate statement today that it was not pursuing any savings, efficiencies or job cuts related to the reorganisation.

Separating Daimler’s divisions could make it easier to value them and create a higher figure than for the current combined whole, with trucks and buses on their own worth 31 billion euros, analysts at Evercore ISI have said.

The German company’s total market value is around 72.7 billion euros, according to Thomson Reuters data.


Nissan to build new battery recycling factories in US, Europe by 2025, says Nikkei

File pic of a lithium-ion car battery pack being stripped down for recycling. — Reuters
TOKYO: Nissan Motor Co Ltd plans to build new battery recycling factories in the United States and Europe by the end of fiscal 2025, the daily Nikkei reported today.

Nissan hopes that recycling batteries and re-using them in electric vehicles (EVs) would help lower production costs as the price of rare metals rise, Nikkei said.

The factories would be the company's first battery recycling facility built outside of Japan, the report added, without specifying the country in Europe where the factory would be built.

Nissan did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment.

Last month, the company announced its electrification push, committing to spending 2 trillion yen (US$17.53 billion) over five years to increase vehicle electrification to catch up with rivals in one of the fastest growing segments for car makers.

The car maker said they plan to launch 23 electrified vehicles, including 15 EVs, by 2030.


Mercedes says trade deal with EU could make India an export hub

                NEW DELHI: A comprehensive trade deal between India and the European Union could pave the way for Mercedes-Benz to produce more cars in the South Asian nation, potentially making it an export hub, says Mercedes' country head.

In June, the EU and India relaunched talks for a free trade agreement with the aim of completing them by the end of 2023. Talks began in 2007, but were frozen in 2013 due to lack of progress on issues including EU demands for greater access to Indian markets for its cars.

A trade deal that puts India in a competitive situation or gives it an advantage over other markets where Mercedes produces cars would "definitely help", Martin Schwenk said in an interview, when asked about the German firm's export plans.

"To produce one car out of India for all markets of the world could be a strategy. But if we cannot, for example, export to the EU without penalties then we will not be able to compete against our factory in Hungary," he said.

Mercedes on Friday launched its first locally built electric vehicle (EV) in India - the EQS 580, a variant of its flagship S-Class sedan, with plans to potentially build more clean cars in the country.

"We are aiming in the next 8-10 years, to fully electrify the portfolio and be an electric manufacturer here. The intention is to build the capability now and depending on how demand develops ... increase the numbers," he said, adding the current strategy was not to export.

To produce a model in one location would require an annual volume of 150,000 to 200,000 cars, Schwenk said.

Although Mercedes is India's largest luxury carmaker, it sold just 11,242 cars in 2021. At its peak in 2018, it sold 15,500.

India is largely a small- and low-cost car market, in which luxury models make up 1% of total annual sales of about three million cars. The luxury EV market is even smaller and largely untested, with most models currently imported at high tariffs.

The EQS has a certified range of 857km on a single charge and will be priced at 15.5 million rupees (RM884,000).


Dodge will get devilish at the New York Auto Show

                DETROIT: Dodge is planning to follow up the success of its hellcat muscle cars by resurrecting the Demon badge and applying it to its most ferocious road car yet.

When the Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcat models made their global debut just two years ago, they did so with supercharged V8s under their hoods outputting 707hp. That, alongside top speeds in excess of 200mph, made them the fastest production US muscle cars in the world.

But no matter how high a car company raises the bar, it doesn't take long for the competition to catch up. So to ensure that other vehicles remain a speck in the Dodge's rearview mirror, it's summoning up a Demon, quite literally. It's bringing back the demonic badge that last graced a souped-up model in the early 1970s.

"Most cars attempt to be everything to everybody. Then there are the rare few that revel in a single objective, rendering them totally irresistible to a subculture," said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands - Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT - FCA North America. "The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is conceived, designed and engineered for a subculture of enthusiasts who know that a tenth is a car and a half second is your reputation."

To generate excitement in the lead up to the car's official unveiling in April, Dodge has created its first ever video teaser campaign under the banner "if you know you know" and a new instalment will be unveiled every week over the next three months.

As for what exactly to expect from the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, the first video only indicates that the company has used the Hellcat as the starting point for the new model.

However, the signs point to a car that is stripped back to save weight, that is more than likely to have an even bigger supercharger and hopefully all-wheel drive to keep that ferocious power in check.

We also know that the car will need to get from 0-100kph in under 3 seconds and manage the standing quarter mile (the true test of all muscle cars) in less than 10.85 seconds while hitting a speed of at least 203.07kph. Because those are the benchmarks laid down by the Hellcat.


July 8-14: RON97 petrol price up 1 sen to RM2.70 per litre

                KUALA LUMPUR: The pump price of RON97 petrol will see an uptick of 1 sen to RM2.70 per litre from July 8-14.

Prices of RON95 petrol and diesel will remain unchanged at RM2.05 and RM2.15 per litre respectively during this period.

The prices are based on the weekly retail prices of petroleum products using the Automatic Pricing Mechanism.


2018 Bangkok Motor Show: Revolution in Motion

                BANGKOK: The 2018 Bangkok International Motor Show is expected to draw more than 1.6 million visitors, according to organiser Grand Prix International PLC.

The motor show, which has a "Revolution in Motion" theme for its 39th edition, will be held at Challenger Hall 1-3, Impact Muang Thani from March 28 to April 8 (open from 12 noon till 10pm on weekdays, and from 11am till 10pm on weekends and public holidays).

“More than 30 automotive marques will be at the motor show including the leading Japanese brands like Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Mazda, Suzuki, while representing Korean brands are Kia and Hyundai. For European and American brands, this year we have Audi, BMW, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Jaguar, Porsche, Land Rover, Volvo, MG, Ford, Maserati, and Chevrolet. This year, there will be 15 motorcycle brands joining the show such as Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Harley-Davidson, Triumph, and Royal Enfield,” said Dr Prachin Eamlumnow, who is CEO of Grand Prix International and the organizing chairman of the motor show.

Also, the auto parts and accessories entrepreneurs' association of China will be participating in the show for the first time.

"The Bangkok International Motor Show is the top motor show in ASEAN, which is certified by OICA (Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles) and listed on the global motor show calendar," said Dr Prachin.


Volvo Bukit Bintang showroom opens

                KUALA LUMPUR: A new Volvo showroom has opened its doors located at the heart of the city's premier residential and commercial district on Jalan Bukit Bintang.

The showroom is operated by Sisma Auto, Volvo Car Malaysia's newly appointed authorised dealer and the venue features a luxurious retail environment influenced by Scandinavian design known as the Volvo Retail Experience.

Sisma Auto managing director, Syed Khalil Syed Ibrahim said that the new showroom would help enhance the visibility and awareness of Volvo's latest range of highly acclaimed luxury cars.

"We are very proud to be associated with Volvo, a brand that is clearly on the ascent after releasing an amazing range of models from the XC90 to the new S90 T8 Twin Engine. With this new showroom, we hope to bring the Volvo experience closer to those who live or work in the city," said Syed Khalil.

 From left, Syed Hussain, Syed Khalil and Stegland at the launch event.

Also present at the event was Volvo Car Malaysia managing director, Lennert Stegland and Sisma Auto Group of Companies chairman Syed Hussain Syed Mohamed.

The new showroom features Sisma Auto's Concierge Service which offers home or office vehicle pick-up and drop-off for customers.

In conjunction with the opening of the new showroom, Sisma Auto is offering customers who purchase a new Volvo from them a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to Sweden.

The Volvo Bukit Bintang showroom is located on the ground floor of Menara Worldwide, 198 Jalan Bukit Bintang and is open 9am to 7pm every Monday to Friday and 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

You can contact the showroom at 03-2166 5155.


BMW promises iNEXT Concept and hints at more powerful i8

                MUNICH: The world was given a preview of what BMW's next model in its electrified i lineup might look like at last September's Frankfurt Motor Show with the i Vision Dynamics concept. The i Vision Dynamics concept is a preview of the i5, which will be a four-door gran coupe that should sit in the range above the i3 but below the i8.

It's going to be just one of 12 all-electric cars BMW is planning to release by 2025, and this week the German luxury automaker outlined that a new electric and autonomous SUV concept will be unveiled this year, the iNEXT, while also noting that an S version of the new i8 seen at the Detroit motor show was under consideration.

This new fully electric iNEXT model is set to launch in 2021: it will debut BMW's new vehicle architecture, and it will take the form of an SUV of a similar size to the current X5 when it's finally launched shortly after the i5.

"I can promise you that this year you will see something and touch something – you need to let people experience what is coming," BMW i Product Management head Alexander Kotouc told Auto Express. "It's groundbreaking; the iNEXT will be more of the shape and size of an X5. It will have a completely different interior and be able to seat five people."

In the meantime, it appears possible a new, more powerful 'S' version of the i8 could be in the pipeline ahead of the i5 and the iNEXT.

Ever since the launch of the i8 there's been a groundswell of opinion that says it should have been a more powerful model to suit the way it looks, and Kotouc admitted, "Yes, there is customer demand for a more powerful version but it needs to make sense for our brand." He then added. "You could put a V12 in there and it would be incredibly powerful but would it still be a BMW i car? We need to find the perfect balance."

The recently updated i8 coupe features a hybrid powertrain made up of a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine and an 11.6 kWh electric motor. The total power is claimed to be 369 bhp, which should get the i8 from 0-100kph in 4.4 seconds. A more powerful i8s version, along the lines of the recently launched i3s performance flagship for the i3 range, could send the stunning coupe into truly serious supercar territory.


Tesla hikes China, US prices for Model 3 and Model Y cars

                AUSTIN: Electric-car maker Tesla Inc on Wednesday raised prices of its US Model Y SUVs and Model 3 Long Range sedans by US$1,000 (RM4,188) each and some China-made Model 3 and Model Y vehicles by 10,000 yuan (RM6,624), according to its website.

The company increased prices for the most affordable versions of Model 3 and Model Y about a dozen times last year in the United States, according to data tracked by Reuters.

The US price of the EV maker's Model Y Long Range car has jumped 20% from January 2021, along with a 10.6% hike for its Model 3 Long Range sedan during the same period.

The move comes amid surging raw material costs, made worse by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and could set back the dream of Tesla chief executive Elon Musk and other auto executives to roll out more affordable electric vehicles.

Rising prices of nickel, lithium and other materials threaten to slow and even temporarily reverse the long-term trend of falling costs of batteries — the most expensive part of EVs — hampering the broader adoption of the technology, said Gregory Miller, an analyst at industry forecaster Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.


BHPetrol lucky customer wins ticket to Russia for 2018 FIFA World Cup

                From left: Coca Cola Refreshments Malaysia Sdn Bhd customer development executive Raymond Chak, lucky winner Brian Lim and BHPetrol senior marketing manager Baba Tan.

PETALING JAYA: The first half of a joint promotional contest for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, by Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd (BHPetrol) and Coca Cola Refreshments Sdn Bhd, has found a winner.

The contest's first half, held from May 1 to 31, saw 26-year-old Brian Lim Choon Wah from Seksyen 17, Petaling Jaya winning a package to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Finals worth RM45,000 including return flight ticket to Russia plus accommodation.

His prize which is fully sponsored by Coca Cola entitles him to watch the final football match at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia on July 15, 2018.

Lim, who frequents BHPetrol Damansara Utama, sent only one entry for this promotion and was overjoyed with his luck.

During the promotion period, customers who bought any three 350ml cans or 500ml bottles of Coca Cola beverage brands at participating BHPetrol stations were entitled to enter the contest.

They had to keep the purchase receipt and send a “BHPetromart” Whatsapp to an authorised handphone number to qualify as contestants.

The winner was picked by the organiser based on the fastest and correct answer given.

For the second half of the promotion period, customers who buy participating Coca Cola beverage brands from June 1 to July 31, 2018 will stand a chance to win 50 Adidas vouchers worth RM150 each.


Meet the Ferrari 458 MM Speciale

                MARANELLO: Ferrari has unveiled its latest One-Off creation during the car’s first shakedown on the Fiorano circuit in the hands of Ferrari’s chief test driver Dario Benuzzi and the car’s enthusiastic British owner.

Designed in-house by the Ferrari Styling Centre, the 458 MM Speciale was built on the chassis and running gear of the 458 Speciale.

Stylistically, the client was looking for extremely sporty lines and specified a ‘visor’ effect for the glasshouse: a black-painted A-pillar, very much in the style of the 1984 Ferrari GTO, helps provide a wraparound solution between the windscreen and side windows which thus meld into a single, seamless glass surface.

This solution simultaneously lowers the roofline and lends an aerodynamic sleekness to the full volume of the swept-back C-pillar.

Finished in Bianco Italia and complete with a livery that pays homage to the Italian flag, this unique coupé features all-new bodywork, handcrafted in aluminium with composite carbon-fibre bumpers front and rear.

The 458 MM Speciale also boasts a new side air scoop, one of the most distinctive elements in an extensive revision of the aerodynamic package.

The radically modified aerodynamic solutions are already evident on the front of the car, where the bodywork hugs the coolant radiators which are more steeply inclined and mounted closer together than on the 458 Speciale.

The side intakes were devised to allow direct additional cooling of the engine bay to compensate for the different rake of the rear.

The tail features a spoiler which balances the downforce evenly and also completes the theoretical beltline that sweeps back along the side from the front wheelarch, giving the car a powerful and athletic stance.

The 458 MM Speciale sits on specific wheels exclusive to this very unique car, and an additional touch is the adoption of modified front and rear light clusters.

Inside the cockpit upgrades include to an enhanced audio system and trim definition to match the owner’s specific wishes. The Cioccolato leather upholstery with white stitching is elegantly accented by a slew of neat touches such as the satin white rings around the tunnel controls.


5 reasons to adore McLaren 650S Spider

                Here's five things we thought stood out about the McLaren 650S Spider.

StylingAlthough the McLaren 650S retains the overall shape of the MP4-12C, it’s the adoption of the P1’s front styling cues that help it stand apart.

PerformanceThe 650PS and 678NM from the engine is emotive as the hiss of the turbo’s air suction gets louder when the revs climb and then the exhaust crackles and pops on the way back down. And the harder the driver pokes at the accelerator, the harder it’ll plant the driver into the backrest of the seat.

HandlingWith such a broad band of power available throughout the engine, it’s easy to slip the 650S Spider into a darting game around sparse traffic with its flat approach to corners, weighted steering and stability under hard braking.

InteriorHaving grippy Alcantara makes simple sense with so much thrust coming from the rear that it would be far more beneficial to stay seated securely rather than slipping around on leather. Not to mention, the dark interior accented by carbon fibre helps to prime the mind for some “go-fast” time.

Drop topThe 650S Spider’s roof comes down at the push of a button for that “wind-in-your-hair” experience and perhaps for some it helps in freeing them of any claustrophobia.


SPONSORED: Infiniti Premium sedan with the smarts

                The Infiniti Q50 rear-wheel drive sports sedan inspires when it comes to driving refinement, ride comfort, safety features as well as handling and performance.

Priced from RM239,800 and imported from Japan, the Q50 also gets a powerful turbocharged all-aluminium 2.0-litre petrol engine that delivers 211hp/350Nm, mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC).

ASC enhances gear-select patterns according to topographical changes in the road, such as hills or corners.

Imported from Japan, the Q50 has a generous list of standard equipment.

The Q50 2.0T GT grade includes 17-inch twin five-spoke aluminium-alloy wheels with run-flat tyres, LED headlights with integrated daytime running lights, rear view monitor with front and rear sonar system, leather-appointed seating with powered front seats and memory function, Intelligent Key (I-Key) with touch unlock access and enhanced memory.

Of course, one can always opt to pay an extra RM36,000 for the higher grade GT Premium, which adds 18-inch split seven-spoke wheels, Direct-Adaptive Steering (DAS) with Active Lane Control, Studio on Wheels by Bose 14-speaker premium audio system with BOSE AudioPilot 2.0 and CenterPoint 2.0, Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW) and Forward Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) and Blind Spot Intervention (BSI), as well as Around View Monitor (AVM) with Moving Object Detection.

DAS is the world’s first steer-by-wire system developed after more than 10 years of research, which allows unprecedented driving comfort, safety and steering precision.

Another world-first technology, Active Lane Control uses a camera-based technology to further enhance lane-keeping capability and safety.

Matching the inspired Infiniti Q50 design and performance is an interior created to the same extraordinary standards.

The interior environment offers a powerful blend of three-dimensional textures, highest craftsmanship and premium quality, combining modern luxury and user-focused advanced technology.

The intuitive double touch-screen Infiniti InTouch system controls the audio, climate control, communication and vehicle settings.

The Infiniti Drive Mode Selector allows customisation of engine and transmission mapping as well as steering effort and response, while the Around View Monitor (four camera technology) is a boon when parking in tight spaces.

Finishing the look of the Q50 are seven exterior colours to choose from – Moonlight White, Liquid Platinum, Hagane Blue, Graphite Shadow, Chestnut Bronze, Venetian Ruby and Malbec Black.

All come with Scratch Shield self-healing paint.


VW Beetle's limited edition Bug and Club sold out

                KUALA LUMPUR: It's official, Volkswagen Group Malaysia has announced that all 250 units of its limited edition Beetle have been sold since their respective official appearances.

The limited edition Beetle Club, seen last month at the Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2015, was unveiled with 50 units available, but as of late, it seems that all of them have been spoken for.

The Beetle Club edition, priced on the road with GST without insurance at RM152,888 and imported from Mexico, came equipped with 17-inch Ravenna alloy wheels, chrome strips, leather sports seats as well as "Club" decals, steering wheel and side sills.

As for the Beetle Bug Edition, similarly priced at RM146,888, it came with genuine Volkswagen "Bug" side sills, exclusive racing stripes and "Bug" letterings.

“With every limited edition, Volkswagen aims to engage and excite Beetle fans. With that said, fans and customers should keep an eye out for the next limited edition which could be coming soon,” said Volkswagen Group Malaysia managing director Armin Keller.

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


Plug in to the Audi A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e

                INGOLSTADT: Audi is continuing its electrification offensive with the rollout of the A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e.

The plug-in hybrid models from the A6, A7, A8, Q5, and Q7 product lines have already been introduced on the markets. Now, the compact models are following suit.

The Audi A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e, which took up the concept of its successful predecessor, the A3 Sportback e-tron, and further optimised it, will kick things off. A more powerful variant that emphasizes the sporty accents will follow shortly after.

The A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e  will go on sale in many European markets in the fall of 2020. Its base price in Germany is €37,470.92 (RM183,000), and customers in Germany are entitled to a €6,750 incentive.

A 1.4 TFSI serves as the combustion engine for the compact plug-in hybrid model. The four-cylinder petrol engine offers peak power of 150PS and makes more than 250Nm of torque available in the range between 1,550 and 3,500rpm.

It works with a permanently excited synchronous electric motor which is lighter and more compact than its predecessor and has a greater power density. It produces 80kW and 330Nm of torque, and as before is integrated into the housing of the six-speed S tronic transmission..

Together, the 1.4 TFSI and the electric motor deliver a system output of 204PS. When they join forces to deliver maximum boost, system torque reaches 350Nm.

The lithium-ion battery is located below the vehicle underbody in the area of the rear seats of the A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e.

The compact plug-in hybrid model sprints from rest to 62mph in 7.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 141mph. A six-speed S tronic transfers the output from the engine and motor to the front axle.

The interior with its crisply defined dashboard, striking air vents, attractively sculpted door handles and new compact gear shifter has the same purposeful air.

It seats five comfortably, while providing up to 280 litres of capacity for their luggage. To access the compartment, an electric tailgate that can be opened and closed easily with a foot motion is available as an option. Capacity can be increased to 1,100 litres by folding the seat backs.

The cabin design integrates a central 10.1-inch MMI Touch screen and 10.25-inch fully digital Audi virtual cockpit.

The primary 10.1-inch touch-screen display gives access to all media, navigation and internet-based Audi connect functions and includes handwriting detection as well as natural language voice control.

As well as the sophisticated infotainment technology that features as standard, equipment highlights for the A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e Sport include dual-zone electronic climate control, twin leather upholstery and the assistance systems Audi pre sense front, lane departure warning, turn assist and swerve assist.


WATCH: Walkaround of refreshed Honda Civic

                PETALING JAYA: The long-awaited facelifted Honda Civic has finally gone on sale following its launch in Malaysia on Wednesday.

CarSifu has put together a brief walkaround of the car, highlighting new features that include improved safety and the 60:40 split rear-seat.

Prices are RM113,600 (1.8-litre S variant); RM129,600 (1.5-litre TC variant) and RM139,600 (1.5-litre flagship TC-P variant).

The new Civic is billed as offering class-leading advanced features in safety, style and comfort, and comes with Honda LaneWatch camera-based safety technology which reduces the blind spot for drivers when changing lanes.

The new Civic is also the first Japanese locally mass-produced C-segment model to be offered with the full suite of 8 Honda Sensing advanced safety features.

This C-segment leader now offers D-segment features such as new auto front wiper, 8-way driver power seat, remote engine start and walk away auto lock for all variants.

The new steering switch is now aesthetically refined in looks and texture.


BMW shows it's eco-friendly by joining ship recycling movement

                MUNICH: The BMW Group is the first car maker worldwide to join the Ship Recycling Transparency Initiative (SRTI).

The independent platform, launched in March 2018 by the Sustainable Shipping Initiative, aims to improve measures, transparency and awareness relating to the issue of ship recycling. It is a voluntary market-driven approach.

BMW said it takes a holistic approach to carrying out sustainability goals that spans the entire value chain. It relies on a multifaceted logistics network – with tasks that range from transporting vehicle parts to plants (inbound logistics) to distributing finished vehicles to customers (outbound logistics). Sea logistics plays an important part in this. It said it makes it a point to organise its sea logistics in a responsible manner.

BMW said it seeks to use more parts made from recycling used materials. It also works with research institutes and suppliers to adopt new recycling technologies. With its "design for recycling" principle, the company said it aims to ensure that components can be returned to the material cycle wherever possible at the end of a vehicle's lifecycle.

"Sustainable awareness and transparency are guiding principles for the BMW Group’s actions. We demand the same from our partners in our worldwide distribution and transport network," said BMW Group's vehicle distribution head Anita Pieper.


Volvo Car and Trucks join KidZania Kuala Lumpur

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volvo Car Malaysia and Volvo Malaysia has joined indoor family education and entertainment centre KidZania Kuala Lumpur as its latest partners to provide life learning skills.

The partnership sees a Volvo Car Malaysia “dealership” set up in KidZania Kuala Lumpur’s cityspace.

 Volvo Malaysia managing director Mats Nilsson (left) and Volvo Car Malaysia managing director Lennart Stegland (right) posing with their "keys" to KidZania city with Themed Attractions Resorts and Hotels Sdn Bhd’s chief executive officer (integrated theme parks and attractions) William Edwards.

Children will not only have the opportunity to experience the profession of a car dealer and designer but also learn about the importance of being seated correctly and safely in a car.

Volvo Car Malaysia managing director Lennart Stegland said Volvo have been playing a leading role in child safety innovations since it developed the rearward facing childseat and introduced the child booster seat cushion.

“At Volvo, we are working towards building safer world for all road users of which is a big part of securing this future is by education

“We hope to educate the children about the importance of proper use of child car seats and they will in turn deliver the message to their parents with greater impact,” he said.

 Children attending a road safety session inside a Volvo Exhibition Truck trailer at KidZania.

Meanwhile, Volvo Malaysia has provided a Volvo Exhibition Truck with a trailer outfitted to become a classroom to provide lessons on identifying blindspots and practice road etiquetter.

The company’s aim was to create awareness on road safety by simulating actual road conditions especially when facing large trucks.

The exhibition truck is expected to visit some 80 schools next year.

 (from left) Volvo Malaysia managing director Mats Nilsson Volvo Car Malaysia managing director Lennart Stegland, Themed Attractions Resorts and Hotels Sdn Bhd’s chief executive officer (integrated theme parks and attractions) William Edwards and Themed Attractions Resorts and Hotels chief marketing officer Philip Whittaker with kids inside the Volvo Exhibition Truck's classroom trailer at KidZania.

Volvo Malaysia managing director Mats Nilsson said the company has been actively carrying out road safety campaign over the year.

“Partnering KidZania will bring Volvo’s ‘Stop, Look and Wave’ safety initiative to a wider audience,” he said.

Themed Attractions Resorts and Hotels Sdn Bhd’s chief executive officer (integrated theme parks and attractions) William Edwards said the involvement of industry partners such as Volvo would make role-playing activities more authentic because of experts of their industry.

KidZania Kuala Lumpur has more than 100 profession related role-playing activities spread across 60 various city establishments that encourage children to practice adaptive and positive behaviour that will help to groom them to handle the demand and challenges of everyday life.

KidZania is also an official co-curricular partner to the Education Ministry.

 (from left) Volvo Car Malaysia managing director Lennart Stegland, Volvo Malaysia managing director Mats Nilsson and Themed Attractions Resorts and Hotels Sdn Bhd’s chief executive officer (integrated theme parks and attractions) William Edwards with an actual Volvo V40 car in Volvo Car Malaysia's "dealership" in KidZania.


Toyota to launch two luxury vehicles in Japan, says paper

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp will launch two higher-end luxury vehicles in Japan during the next financial year as it seeks to capture a larger share of the luxury car market, says the Nikkei newspaper.

The automaker will introduce a luxury sport-utility vehicle, the Toyota Century, in its home market sometime between August and the end of March 2024, Nikkei said last Friday, citing anonymous sources.

A Toyota spokesperson said the company could not comment on its product plans.

The second luxury model is a minivan version of its Lexus brand, the Lexus LM, Nikkei said, likely to go on sale in the second half of the next financial year, which runs from April through March 2024.

Toyota is aiming for all sales of its luxury Lexus brand to be battery electric vehicles in Europe, North America and China by 2030 and all of the brand's sales globally starting in 2035, it said in December 2021.

In March of that year, the company said it planned to introduce 20 new or improved Lexus models by 2025, of which more than 10 would be electric.


Facelifted MINI Cooper S models available from RM227K

                KUALA LUMPUR: MINI Malaysia has unveiled the latest MINI line-up with the introduction of the three and five-door variants with the latest engines and transmissions which complies with the latest Euro 6C standards to promise increased driving excitement and lower fuel consumption.

“Since the introduction of the third generation MINI in 2014, we have seen more than 1,500 units delivered in Malaysia, accounting for more than half of the total deliveries of MINI vehicles here. Malaysians clearly love the thrill of the Go-Kart Driving capabilities that is signature to the MINI brand, combined with the current and modern enhancements built harmoniously into its iconic premium compact design which elevates its appeal further," said MINI Malaysia head Kidd Yam.

The Cooper S variants are being made available from July 14 onwards and are being priced on-the-road without insurance at an estimated RM226,888 for the three-door variant, which comes in seven colours of Chili Red (optional White Roof), Pepper White, Solaris Orange, White Silver, Starlight Blue, Thunder Grey and British Racing Green with Black Roof.

Simillarly priced at an estimated RM236,888, the five-door variant offers six colour options of Chili Red (with optional White Roof), Pepper White, Emerald Grey, White Silver, Starlight Blue and British Racing Green with Black Roof.

A three-door John Cooper Works (JCW) Hatch is also available at RM283,888. This means the engine gets boosted up to 231hp from 5,200 to 6,200rpm and 320Nm from 1,450 to 4,800rpm along with a slew of changes to the standard model.

This includes 18-inch light alloy JCW Cup Spoke two-tone wheels, adaptive suspension, aerodynamic kit, front and rear JCW badges, bonnet stripes, rear spoiler, side scuttles, piano black trims, roof and mirror caps in Red and Black, 17-inch disc brakes with red calipers, eight-speed Steptronic sports transmission, multi-function JCW leather steering wheel, stainless steel pedals and an 8.8-inch touchscreen to name a few.
All MINI models are covered by a four-year unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service and five-year roadside assistance programme.
For improved convenience, a new online service programme is now available - allowing customers to schedule their service needs directly at their preferred authorised MINI dealership via https://service.mini.my

Externally, the facelifted MINI now features the British/German carmaker's new logo, "MINI" logo projection, Bi-LED headlamps with integrated day time running lights that act as signal lights and rear Union Jack light clusters over its predecessor.

The engine is able to deliver 192hp from 5,000 to 6,000rpm and 280Nm from 1,350 to 4,600rpm to the front wheels via a new seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission that's now controlled by a new electronic gearknob. Paddle shifters and tiptronic mode are also included in the mix.

This allows the three-door variant to sprint from 0-100kph in 6.7 seconds (5-door variant takes 6.8 seconds) before reaching a top speed of 235kph.

On the combined cycle, fuel economy has been rated at 5.5l/100km with CO2 emissions at 125g/km for the three-door variant, while the five door variant trails slightly behind at 5.6l/100km.
Other revisions include Coasting mode - previously available via GREEN mode only, and is now available while cruising in MID mode.
For the first time in South East Asia, new owners will now have access to the award-winning list of MINI Yours Customised Accessories list (www.yours-customised.mini) as an optional extra that will be delivered to the owner's preferred address.

The list of customisable components includes side scuttles, cockpit fascia, LED door sill finishers and LED door projectors and can have various colours, patterns, surfaces and icons as well as the possibility of adding the owner's own text to the design.

The three-door MINI has been equipped with deep high-gloss black 17-inch Cosmos Spoke wheels, a touch screen display with navigation and a 6.5-inch MINI Centre Instrument high-resolution touch screen with reverse camera, adaptive guidelines and Park Distance Control.

Also included is MINI Connected which enables owners to pair their smart phone and apps with the vehicle.

Inside, the three-door variant comes with a backlit MINI Yours Illuminated Cockpit that lights up a stylised Union Jack on the passenger side with with 12 colour choices while passengers are seated in Carbon Black Leather Cross Punch seats.

As for the five-door variant, it comes fitted with black 17-inch John Cooper Works Track Spoke with run-flat tyres, John Cooper Works Aerodynamic Kit and the option of having the seats swapped out for Black Chequered Interior Style while sporting the same interior goodies as the three-door variant.

“The MINI of this generation is the perfect companion to explore every corner of a new and progressive country with unparalleled ease, meeting modern and premium needs with style to stand out and be noticed," said BMW Group Malaysia head of corporate communications Sashi Ambi.

For more information log on to www.mini.my.

MINI Cooper S (3 Door)

MINI Cooper S (5 Door)


The UK's updated Highway Code puts walking and cycling first

                LONDON: With cycle journeys on the up, the British government is planning to change the rules of the road to bolster the safety and priority of pedestrians and cyclists.

This new measure is part of a government program to promote cycling and walking, while also pursuing the trend for green mobility.

An updated version of the UK Highway Code will introduce a new "hierarchy of road users."

The initiative is one of the flagship measures of a government program announced July 30.

Some £338 million (around RM2bil) will be invested in boosting cycling and walking across the country, encouraging Britons to adopt sustainable modes of travel.

From now on, road users who can do the greatest harm — such as motorists — have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they may pose to others, such as cyclists or pedestrians.

This change comes after more than a year of living with the pandemic, during which cycling and walking have played a key role in the daily lives of many in the UK. In fact, the number of miles cycled on British roads has increased by over 45% in one year, according to the Department for Transport, reaching five billion miles.

"Millions of us have found over the past year how cycling and walking are great ways to stay fit, ease congestion on the roads and do your bit for the environment. As we build back greener from the pandemic, we're determined to keep that trend going by making active travel easier and safer for everyone," said Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps.

Pedestrians are the most vulnerable to other road users. However, under current regulations, the Highway Code does not require vehicles to stop if a pedestrian is not already present on a zebra crossing. However, as the BBC reports, "at the same time, pedestrians are told they should not start to cross until the vehicles on the road have stopped."

The updated rules will bolster pedestrian priority on the sidewalk, on the crosswalk, and when waiting to cross. Guidance will also be provided to users regarding safe passing distances and speeds, "ensuring that cyclists have priority at junctions when travelling straight ahead," explains the Department for Transport in its news release. The program also includes infrastructure improvements, such as the construction of hundreds of miles of bicycle lanes.

This amendment to the Highway Code, which should be approved by Parliament in the fall, will apply to England, Scotland and Wales.


How reliable is a used Porsche 911?

                HAMBURG: The 911 is one of the most famous sports cars in the world - and a cult classic that has hardly changed in its basic features over the years.

New or used, the 911 is an expensive luxury, and if you're thinking of getting an older model, you'll be relieved to hear that this car has been passing general inspections with flying colours in almost all areas.

Here's an overview of strengths, weaknesses and choices you'll need to know about before buying a used 911.

Model history: The Porsche 911 was first introduced to the market in 1963. Decades and thousands of models later, the car reached its seventh generation (Type 991) in 2011, before a facelift in 2015. Since then, naturally aspirated engines have only been available in more uncompromising versions such as the GT3. In 2019 the successor Type 992 took its place.

Body variants: The Porsche 911 is a sports coupe with a cramped rear seat that offers virtually no room for occupants. Buyers also have the option of a convertible with a cloth top and a Targa version with soft top and roll bar. To round off the 991, Porsche produced a limited edition Speedster without a soft top, but with a tarpaulin and naturally aspirated engine.

Dimensions: 4.49-4.56 m x 1.81-1.88 m x 1.27-1.30 m (LxWxH); boot capacity: 125 l to 145 l (Coupe); 115 l (Cabrio); 125 l (Speedster).

Strengths: Being naturally fast, the boxer-sixes are ultra-powerful engines. In spite of this, the 911 offers a relatively high level of everyday practicality for such a sports car, so long as only two people need to get around in it.

It's a welcome visitor at inspection agencies, as long-term testing reports show defects are infrequent. The defect rate in the axle suspension, springs, shock absorbers, bearings and steering system is a stunning 0.0 per cent; low rates can also be found with lights. According to testers from inspection agency Tuv, there's also little to complain about when it comes to performance and parts in brakes.

Weaknesses: Of course, the 911 doesn't have benefits of an SUV or estate, meaning you'll need to be on board with a compact sports car design. Oil leakage can also occur at the first general inspection. "But the figures give no cause for concern," the Tuev inspectors write in a 2020 report.

They also criticised that convertible tops can creak and that workshop costs are generally very high. This is also due to increased wear and tear on brakes, clutch and tires.

Breakdown behaviour: ADAC pours a little water into the wine and places the 911 of the first registration years 2011 and 2017 only in the midfield of its breakdown statistics: Compared to cars of the same age, the 911 is somewhat weaker, according to the club. The other years performed "well" in the breakdown statistics. The only breakdown that turned out to be a problem was the battery (2011 and 2016).

Engine options: 911 petrol six-cylinder engines come with the option of rear and four-wheel drive and range from 350 to 700 hp.

Market prices (Europe) : According to the industry specialists at the Deutsche Automobil Treuhand, you can pick up up 911 Carrera with significant mileage for upwards of 45,000 euros (RM216,000) in Europe.