GM's Maven car-sharing unit falls victim to virus

                DETROIT: General Motors Co said on Tuesday it is shutting down its Maven car-sharing unit, after suspending operations because of the novel coronavirus.

The automaker said it would transfer Maven assets and resources to its Global Innovation group.

Maven had never gained much traction since it was introduced in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in January 2016. Launched when Dan Ammann was GM’s president, Maven had a short-lived strategic alliance with ride services startup Lyft.

Ammann is now chief executive officer of Cruise, the San Francisco self-driving startup that GM acquired under Ammann’s aegis in early 2016 just after launching Maven.

Julia Steyn, the first head of Maven, left GM in 2019. She is chief executive officer of Bolt Mobility, an e-scooter rental startup co-founded by world-class sprinter Usain Bolt.

In a brief statement on Tuesday, Pamela Fletcher, head of GM Global Innovation, said the automaker “gained extremely valuable insights” from Maven that would “benefit and accelerate the growth of other areas” of GM’s business.

GM suspended Maven services in March as the coronavirus triggered increasingly stringent government restrictions on mobility, and ultimately elected to shutter the business.

A GM spokesman said Maven assets would be transferred to other GM units “where there is greater potential for profit and growth.”

Other automakers have fared no better than GM in the still-struggling car-sharing sector.

In December, BMW AG and Daimler AG said they were exiting the North American car-sharing market. SHARE NOW and its Car2Go unit, a joint venture of the two German automakers, ended operations on Feb 29 in the United States and Canada, citing high operating costs and the “volatile state of the global mobility landscape.”

The service allowed consumers to rent vehicles by the minute and park them on city streets or at parking meters without charge. It faced tough competition from ride-service companies such as Lyft and Uber Technologies Co, as well as electric scooters.


VW gets reality check after Tesla's week of milestones

                FRANKFURT: It's been a sobering week for Herbert Diess' electric vehicle ambitions.

While Tesla joined the trillion-dollar club, received a landmark order from Hertz and set a new sales record in Europe, the Volkswagen chief presented a sales and deliveries outlook cut and a drop in quarterly profits that drove home one point: dethroning Elon Musk as the king of electric vehicles (EV) has got a lot harder.

"The recent achievements of Tesla are sending a clear message," Diess told analysts during a call on third-quarter results on Thursday that ended up being mainly about Tesla.

"We have to prepare for a new phase of competition."

A long-time admirer of Musk, Diess this year cranked up the pressure and outlined plans - including setting up six large battery factories in Europe - aimed at overtaking VW's US rival as the world's top EV seller by 2025.

But a chronic semiconductor shortage has slowed Volkswagen's progress, laying bare the disadvantage volume car makers have compared with luxury rivals that sell fewer vehicles.

And with Tesla worth almost eight times as much as VW while selling just 5% of the cars, and its Model 3 becoming the first-ever EV to lead monthly European sales, at this stage it's more about keeping up, not catching up.

"They're gapping away in terms of their growth margins. They seem to have a structurally better access to chips. They seem to have a structurally better access to batteries," Patrick Hummel, head of European and US Auto & Mobility Research at UBS, said during the call with Diess.

To make matters worse, Musk will soon start producing cars at Tesla's state-of-the-art plant in Gruenheide near Berlin, taking the battle for global car dominance to Germany, where some of the first automobiles were invented.

Diess, 63, who has steered the carmaker out of its Dieselgate emissions cheating scandal, said this will force local heavyweights to significantly raise their game to stop falling further behind.

"Tesla Gruenheide is for us for sure a new reference, setting new benchmarks when it comes to speed, productivity, also lean management and we have to adjust ourselves to that," he said during a call with reporters.

Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer

Diess, who years ago got an offer to lead Tesla, has repeatedly singled out Musk's success at the EV pioneer which has disrupted the auto industry's established ways and whose US$1 trillion valuation dwarfs that of Volkswagen.

Even though Volkswagen's shares are up 28% so far this year, its current valuation of around 121 billion euros (US$141 billion) is a long way from the 200 billion Diess believes the company, which includes luxury brands Porsche and Audi, is worth.

Diess, who became Volkswagen's CEO in 2018, even invited Musk to speak to his managers this month, seen as a move to put pressure on senior leadership to move more quickly to catch up with the US carmaker.

A central part of that push will be Volkswagen's Trinity project, under which the carmaker wants to build a flagship EV sedan at its Wolfsburg plant from 2025/26 and turn the factory into a challenger to Tesla's Gruenheide site.

This plan includes cutting the time it takes to assemble EVs to about 10 hours, Volkswagen chief financial officer Arno Antlitz told Reuters, about the same time it takes Tesla to build its Model 3.

It's also clear that this will mean fewer jobs, which carries the risk of lengthy and painful battles with labour representatives, who traditionally have wielded significant power at the world's second biggest carmaker.

"We have to prepare manufacturing for much reduced labour in some of the lines. We have to prepare for less complexity, for more speed, line speed," Diess said.

Earlier this week, Volkswagen's new labour boss took Diess to task for being too focused on investors and not invested enough in the workforce, which is concerned that the EV switch will cost tens of thousands of jobs.

CFO Antlitz said that even though both management and workers may agree on the need to overhaul Wolfsburg he acknowledged that finding common ground could be challenging.

"Of course, there's the question, as usual, on 'how do we get there' but I'm convinced that we share this same vision with the works council."

When asked for comment, a spokesman for Diess referred to his remarks made on Thursday.


GoCar provides more savings, launches new Shopee store

                KUALA LUMPUR: GoCar, the on-demand car-sharing platform in Malaysia has announced its new streamlined "One Price" structure for its GoCar Subs offerings.

In conjunction with the company's new offerings, it also took the opportunity to announce the launch of its new official store on Shopee Malaysia as well as its new "Swap" benefits for 12-month and above subscription plans.

Customers can also take advantage of limited-time offers to realise greater savings.

GoCar Subs now aims to simplify the selection process for customers with the new ‘One Price’ structure.

The new structure groups the company's current range of vehicles in GoCar Subs’ fleet into just five main categories – Cheap, Base, Plus, Expat and Luxe.

This includes popular brands such as Perodua and Proton to Mini and Mercedes-Benz among others.

Each category offers one standard rate across all the models represented with multiple plan options for customers to choose from weekly, monthly, 12, 24 and 36-month options. Previously, rates were separately priced for each individual model.

“Given the wide range of models in our fleet, we wanted to make it easier for customers to search, compare and decide on the best options for them. We hope that reorganising our fleet into five categories with a more streamlined pricing structure will help make the selection process simpler and enhance the customer experience,” said GoCar Subs communications head Jocelyn Ong.

With the launch of its official Shopee store - featuring all offerings from GoCar Subs, GoCar Subs is currently offering exclusive deals.

These deals include the Nissan Almera on a special weekly subscription rate of RM299 (normal price: RM499) and a monthly plan at RM599 (normal price: RM1,699) and units are limited.

The company's new ‘Swap’ scheme provides its customers who sign-up for a 12-month subscription and more with access to its entire fleet of vehicles within GoCar Subs garage.

Swap allows those who subscribe to their preferred car for 12, 24 or 36-month plans are able to:

- Select an alternative vehicle when you are ready to swap (after a minimum of three months)

- Make a one-time swapping fee of RM250 (waived for the first year of subscription)

- Monthly subscription fee is then automatically adjusted when swapping, which can be up or down depending on the vehicle selected.

Each customer is allowed two swaps per year – so customers have access to up to three different models per year.

From now until Dec 31, customers can take advantage of the NEW2SUBS offering to enjoy further savings.

Through this exclusive deal, customers who sign up for a 12-month or above subscription plan get the first month free and 50% off for their second and third-month subscription fee.

Additionally, customers also get a free mileage upgrade to 2,500km monthly from 1,650km and a swapping fee waiver for the first year if they decide to swap models or vehicles.

All bookings for regular rates and promotional rates are limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.

All fees are inclusive of comprehensive insurance, road tax, regular servicing and maintenance and independently rated car inspection.

“We understand that customers are craving for flexibility. With Swap, we believe we are meeting the needs of consumers who are looking for a whole new mobility solution, especially given the current uncertainties in the market. Now, customers can adjust their monthly commitments by upgrading or downgrading for a vehicle that meets their needs,” added Ong.

GoCar Subs is open to all Malaysian citizens and residents (valid international driving permits are accepted).

To subscribe, applicants only need to submit a copy of their driving license, identity card or passport, three-month payslip, EPF statement and three-month bank statement.

For more information, log on to www.gocarsubs.com or the new GoCar Store at Shopee Malaysia.


Mitsubishi cranks out 120 units of Outlander Sports Edition

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Mitsubishi Outlander gets a sporty makeover and is now available as a Outlander Sports Edition, featuring a
duo-tone black roof with red metallic paint.

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia said today only 120 units of the SUV variant would be assembled.

Visually, the Outlander Sports Edition comes with a bold black front grille, glossy black alloy rims and an "Outlander" hood emblem.

In the cabin, the Outlander Sports Edition is further accentuated with a dual DVD entertainment and a red accent carpet mat.

Priced at RM142,888 (OTR without insurance + SST), the Outlander Sports Edition comes with five years warranty/unlimited mileage.

The Outlander has a stylish and bold design, thanks to Mitsubishi's signature Dynamic Shield face and LED daytime running lights, plus striking 18-inch alloy wheels that are standard.

Within the stylish body is a spacious seven-seater cabin with ample room for the entire family. The Outlander boasts best-in-class cargo volume of 1,608 litres with the second and third-row seats folded.

Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, all-round monitor, leatherette seats, automatic headlamps and wipers, and keyless entry with push start button.

A 7-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system comes with Apple CarPlay functionality. The screen also comes with Air Gesture Control for added convenience.

The Outlander 2.0L gets front parking sensors to complement the rear units. There’s also a digital video recorder (dashcam) and security/solar film for all windows.

The Outlander 2.0-litre recently won "Best Family Ride" at the 2018 CarSifu Editors' Choice Awards.

MMM is holding a "Kid-Cool Mitsubishi Showroom Event" from Oct 20 across the peninsula as well as in Sabah and Sarawak.

Visitors can touch and feel the Outlander Sports Edition, and stand to win RM800 lucky draw cash.


Insurers left fumbling with new auto safety technology

                WASHINGTON: Automakers are accelerating the rollout of technology designed to avoid crashes, but insurance companies are waving a caution flag at consumers eyeing discounts for buying collision-avoiding brakes or automated cruise control.

The global market for advanced driver assistance systems, known in the industry as ADAS, is expected to reach more than US$67 billion by 2025, growing more than 10% each year. A group of 20 carmakers has pledged to outfit almost every new vehicle with forward collision warning and city-speed automatic emergency braking by 2020.

Government mandates to install technology such as collision avoiding automatic brake systems are driving the market, as is the promise of profits for these higher-margin vehicles.

“Anybody that has been in a car with advanced safety solutions is not going to go back,” Kevin Clark, chief executive of auto technology supplier Aptiv PLC told Reuters. The cost for advanced safety systems - automatic braking, lane keeping and automated cruise control - can be relatively low to the automaker, between US$500 and US$1,000 per vehicle, Clark said.

“The (manufacturer) can price for it and consumers will pay for it,” he said.

Aptiv expects to book more than US$4 billion in new ADAS business this year. “We have gone from five customers just a few years ago to I think we’ll have north of 20 in a couple of years from now,” said Clark.

The insurance industry’s perspective is different.

Personal auto insurance, while traditionally a low-margin business, provides the largest amount of liquidity to insurers, generating more than US$244 billion in 2018 direct premiums in the United States alone, data by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners showed. Motor insurance is also seen as a way for insurance companies to cross-sell other, more lucrative products to customers.

According to Swiss Re AG, the world’s largest auto reinsurer, and mapping company HERE, ADAS has the potential to reduce motor accident frequencies by up to 25%, cutting global insurance premiums for fully ADAS-equipped cars by US$20 billion by 2020.

But US insurers said they currently do not have sufficient data to validate auto industry promises of safety benefits from automated driving systems.

They cite car manufacturers’ reluctance to provide detailed information on models sold with those features, a lack of consistent standards, drivers’ unpredictable use of the systems and higher repair costs.

“We’re not going to go against the data and create any type of false discounts for the purposes of marketing at this point. We just want to make sure the rate is reflective of the risk that it brings,” said Steve Armstrong, a vice president of Allstate Corp’s pricing department, one of America’s largest insurers.

Shantelle Thomas, also a vice president at Allstate’s pricing department, said insurance rates will reflect benefits and costs of modern auto technology in the next five years, but will not necessarily be presented as discounts.

The sentiment was echoed by other insurance providers.

“We’re stuck in a murky in-between,” said Jennifer St John, national auto claims leader at Westfield Insurance. “ADAS have shown to provide real world benefits, but there really isn’t a great deal of commonality in terms of what’s out there.”

Insurers pointed to higher repair costs as a risk. Sensors and cameras central to automatic driving systems are mostly installed in a car’s bumper or windshield. Research by AAA has shown repair costs for even minor collisions can double if such sensors are damaged.

“There’s no such thing as a US$300 bumper anymore. It’s closer to US$1,500 in repair costs nowadays,” said Richard Lavey, executive vice president at The Hanover Insurance Group.

State Farm in a statement said it did not offer discounts specific to advanced driver assistance systems and that future rates would be shaped by a variety of factors, including safety, regulation, underwriting, liability and repair costs.

GEICO did not respond to requests for comment.

Data desert

With new automated driving features being released on a rolling basis, insurers said it is difficult to keep up.

Forward collision warning with automatic braking has been found to have one of the greatest safety benefits among various driver assistance systems. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety concluded in a recent study that automatic braking could reduce front-to-rear crashes with injuries by 56%.

But most ADAS features are still sold as optional equipment, making it impossible for insurance companies to validate which features ultimately end up on a specific car. Insurers are reluctant to trust car buyers to correctly identify what technology their vehicle has on board.

Advanced safety features not only differ in performance and description among different manufacturers, but even among models by the same automaker, according to research by IIHS and its UK equivalent Thatcham Research, which conduct road tests to evaluate safety tech performance.

“The only way you can adequately price is by getting more data to understand what a vehicle has and whether it makes a difference,” said Matthew Avery, Thatcham’s research director.

That data is not sufficiently provided by manufactures who often cite proprietary and competitive reasons, said Tom Karol, general counsel of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, whose members insure more than 170 million US auto policyholders.

Automakers and insurers said they are dealing with the data issues. General Motors Co has a team working on ADAS and insurance, according to Barry Engle, head of GM’s North American operations.

Engle said he expects with better information, the insurance industry would respond positively. “To the extent that they are not, collectively we need to do a better job of communicating with one another,” he said.

Swiss Re is leading efforts to develop a global ADAS risk score and a mechanism allowing carmakers to supply data to Swiss Re, which in turn will recommend discounts to auto insurers.

“If we say these cars are safer, insurers are more prone to believe us as we take part of the risk” as a reinsurer for consumer-facing auto policy writers, said Sebastiaan Bongers, Swiss Re’s head of products and technology.

Bongers believes reductions in accident frequency and severity will eventually offset higher repair costs. But he said lower premiums could result in temporary liquidity problems in the insurance sector in about ten years.

Swiss Re so far has partnered with Germany’s BMW and is in talks with more auto manufacturers to develop a comprehensive system.


Euro 7 standards are 'diversion', says Stellantis CEO

                BERLIN: Uncertainty over the future of European regulation on auto emissions gives Chinese competitors already ahead of the game an additional advantage, Stellantis chief executive Carlos Tavares said at a conference here today.

The chief executive said the so-called Euro 7 standards, which tighten car emission limits for pollutants including nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide from 2025, are a "diversion from the major goal of electrification."

"I don't think Europe needs Euro 7... it is going to divert part of our research and development power to something we don't need, while our Chinese competitors enter the market with the single technology of battery-electric vehicles," he said.

"Why are we using our resources for a technology we want to ban? It's not common sense."

The Stellantis CEO had called for a softening of Europe's ban on fossil-fuel emitting cars from 2035 during the Paris Motor Show in October, warning that social unrest would ensue if combustion engine cars were banned before affordable electric vehicles were available.

Speaking at the Automobilwoche Kongress conference here, the chief executive predicted that affordable battery-electric cars were still five to six years away.

Asked what the company viewed as its greatest challenge in the coming year, he pointed to the risk of falling behind the Chinese as the major issue for Western carmakers over any single concern like semiconductors or energy.

"If there is one thing to be afraid of, it is the decline of the Western world. We need to work more efficiently to beat the Chinese not only on technology but also on quality, price, service... that is the major issue we have in front of us," he said.


View the new Honda Civic at My Auto Fest 2016

                SERI KEMBANGAN: Seeing the Honda Civic on your computer screen is one thing. Seeing it in the metal is another. Well, if you have been waiting to check out the new Civic, here's your chance.

Honda's latest model, to be launched locally next month, will make its first public appearance at the My Auto Fest 2016 here.

Honda Malaysia said a new Lunar Silver Metallic-coloured Civic will be on display. Those interested in buying the Civic can place bookings at the show.

READ MORE:CarSifu drives new Honda Civic in Thailand Hayashi (right) presenting a memento to Abdul Aziz. With them is MAA president and My Auto Fest chairman Datuk Aishah Ahmad.

The 10th-generation Civic to be sold in Malaysia will be available in two engine choices: the 1.5L VTEC Turbocharged and 1.8L i-VTEC.

Present to unveil the Civic at the auto sales carnival was Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi and new Honda Malaysia CEO Katsuto Hayashi.

Honda Malaysia will also be holding a sales promotion of the Jazz, City, HR-V and CR-V with discounts of up to RM9,900.

My Auto Fest 2016 opens today until Sunday (10am – 9pm) at Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre here. It is the first such event organised by the Malaysian Automotive Association.


The birth of the adventure motorcycle: 40 years of the BMW R 80 G/S

                BERLIN: The BMW R 80 G/S was created by accident 40 years ago. By the end of the 1970s, the German company's motorcycle division was in trouble, with competition from Japan and its modern bikes getting stronger.

In comparison, the old-fashioned BMW motorcycles with their sluggish two-cylinder engines felt stuffy and sales were low. A new product was needed to stop the downward trend.

Developing a competition motorcycle

Laszlo Peres is one of the fathers of the BMW G/S. In 1977, as an employee in the testing department, he developed an offroad competition motorcycle in the space of three months. A year later, along with his motorcycle, he was runner-up at the German Offroad Championships in the over 750 cc class.

"The adventure bike weighed only 130kg and was ideal for offroad thanks to the low centre of gravity and the powerful engine," says Peres. BMW was convinced of the concept and began expanding its motorsports activities. The prototype was developed further and celebrated further successes in 1979.

Despite - or perhaps because of - the losses, motorcycle director Karl Gerlinger asked the board of management for a new project, got it approved and had a new bike developed. "We saw the potential of the concept and used it in smart way. However, the G/S has little to do with the then competition motorcycle," says Peres.

The really new thing was the single-sided swingarm with a single shock absorber, promising longer suspension travel and therefore more offroad capability. The swingarm, called the "monolever", was supported by a shock absorber against the frame, lifting the rear when accelerating. This created an “elevator effect”, which was not minimised until 1987 with the updated unit known as a Paralever.

A robust bike and lots of accessories

In 1980 the G/S with the swingarm and a maintenance-free drive shaft, an 800 cc two-cylinder engine with 50 hp of the R80/7 and a large 21 inch front wheel came onto the market, reaching speeds of up to 160kph. The boxer engine was robust, the technology manageable, the valve clearance easy to adjust. The rear wheel could be removed in a few minutes.

In 1980 it was the most powerful, but also the heaviest, adventure bike on the market.

The G/S became the mother of all adventure bikes. The then completely new look was no design gimmick. The special tyres and the high mudguards make it possible to ride through sand, mud and rivers. Only the height of the carburetor regulates the wading depth.

Most owners like the long-distance seating position, the almost 200kg payload, a 19.5 litre tank for around 250km range and a large range of accessories. BMW got a lot of things right and has been successfully offering enduro bikes up until today.

Handling curves with the cylinders in the wind

The oldie still inspires to this day. The cylinders protrude from the sides and can be cooled by the airstream. With a slight turn of the throttle at the traffic lights, the motorcycle swings slightly to the side. But once you get moving, the narrow G/S looks like a moped.

Despite the high weight of 192 kilos when fully fuelled, the G/S weaves its way easily through curves and is a dream to ride. However, the pilot should keep an eye on the next curve. The front disc brake requires some power, the rear drum brake decelerates rather tentatively. The constant bouncing of the rear is not for everyone, but it can be built into the drive flow after a few kilometres. If that bothers you, you should try a later model with the Paralever swingarm.

The early G/S models are particularly popular with Frank Meissner from Classic Analytics, the classic car market observer.

"The G/S is considered reliable, easy to maintain, stable in value over time, spare parts are still available and there is a large accessories market, as well as the two-cylinder boxer engine," says Meissner.

For models in good condition, the value in Europe has risen from €5,100 in 2014 to €9,800 today; the special Paris-Dakar model with a large tank, single seat, luggage rack and rally look is up to 50-per-cent more expensive.


Ford offers special discounts and complimentary services

                KUALA LUMPUR: Ford Malaysia and local distributor Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) are celebrating the coming holidays with special after sales packages and complimentary services on select Ford models.

The 'specials' are currently available nationwide till Jan 31, 2017 with discounts of up to 20% on brake and timing belt packages, 10% on labour discounts on lubricant, brake and timing belt packages, while those who choose the ‘Fuel Saver Package’ can enjoy a 10% discount on oil filters.

All walk-in customers will receive a Ford 'Lucky Packet' and can opt for for a free 27-point vehicle health inspection by a Ford-certified technician.

For those who spend RM350 or more on service and/or parts replacement at any authorised Ford service centre will receive exclusive Ford merchandise.

“With the upcoming festive season, Malaysians are preparing to return to their hometowns to spend time with family and friend. We are pleased to extend attractive service and maintenance packages to help ensure the performance of our customers’ vehicles and safe travel,” said Sime Darby Auto Connexion managing director Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz.


Honda launches new EV model concept in China

                TOKYO: Honda Motor Co unveiled the second model of its new China-only electric vehicle (EV) lineup today, targeting the fast-growing, battery-driven car segment in the world's largest auto market.

The Japanese automaker said last year it planned to roll out EV models under a new brand called "e:N Series" over the next five years with partners GAC and Dongfeng Motor.

It unveiled the e:N2 Concept today after it started selling the e:NS1 and e:NP1 electric SUVs in April.

"Honda is transforming itself into an electric brand in China with a series of unique and diverse electric mobility products that only Honda can offer," said Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe in a statement.

The exterior design of the e:N2 Concept features sharp and dynamic body lines and surface finishing which highlights the metallic look, aiming to present new styling that does not belong to any existing categories.

The interior was designed with an aim to realise the value of this EV as a “space” where occupants can enjoy “intellectual exhilaration.”

To this end, a clean and uncluttered digital cockpit was adopted, and smart hospitality for the occupants would be offered with the latest Honda CONNECT features as well as the effective presentation of lighting and scents.

The e:N2 Concept is built on the e:N Architecture F, a dedicated architecture developed exclusively for the e:N Series.

Honda said the e:N2 Concept was designed to achieve unique driving pleasure, enabling the driver to enjoy a strong “sense of unity with the vehicle.” This was to be achieved through the dynamics technologies of Honda, including outstanding vehicle stability and crisp handling.

A key challenge facing Honda and its major Japanese peers, Toyota Motor Corp and Nissan Motor Co, is catching up to rivals such as Tesla Inc who have forged ahead in the EV sector.

Honda laid out a target to roll out 30 EV models globally and produce some 2 million EVs a year by 2030 earlier this year.

Last year, it said it would introduce only electrified vehicle models in China after 2030, including battery electric, hydrogen fuel-cell or petrol-electric automobiles.

Its two joint ventures, GAC-Honda and Dongfeng-Honda, plan to build new EV-only assembly plants that are expected to begin production in 2024.


Busted: Philippine Customs expose ruse to declare McLaren 620R as Porsche Cayman

Stock image of the 620R.
MANILA: Smuggled luxury cars that are seized in the Philippines don't end up in a good place. They are often sent to the scrapyard as have been reported in recent years.

Philippine Customs officials recently announced on social media that they had foiled a smuggling attempt on Aug 3 with the seizure of a rare Mclaren 620R that had been declared as a Porsche Cayman to evade hefty taxes.

The limited edition McLaren is valued at US$672,080 in the Philippines and attracts duties and taxes to the tune of US$342,000. However, the importer had declared only US$30,550 worth of taxes with the shipment, under-stating the dues by around 90%.

The 620R is based off a 570S GT4 and it debuted in December 2019. It's a road-legal version of a race car, and is endowed with the most powerful engine in the McLaren Sports Series.

The 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine doles up 610hp and 620Nm, enabling the supercar to sprint from 0-100kph in 2.9s (0-200kph in 8.1s) with a top speed of 322kph.

It develops total of 185kg of downforce across the aerodynamic bodywork at 250kph.

Mclaren will only make 350 units of the supercar. It retails from £250,000 (RM1.37mil) in the UK.

It would be a crying shame if the 620R goes from Woking to Manila to meet an undignified end under the weight of a bulldozer.


Experience MazdaSports Day

                PETALING JAYA: Mazda cars have been designed and built for drivers to experience the joys of spirited driving which is why the MazdaSports Division is dedicated to delivering the Jinba Ittai driving experience to everyone.

MazdaSports Academy is introducing the “MazdaSports Day”, where everyone can experience the driving ability of a Mazda through a dynamic test drive course and participate in exciting driver challenges with prizes to be won.

The MazdaSports Day is a fun driving experience programme open for everyone to join and personally experience Mazda’s “Celebrate Driving” brand essence.

Participation is free and is taking place on July 7 & 8, 2018 (Saturday & Sunday) at the Shah Alam Stadium from 9AM – 5PM.

For more information on MazdaSports Day, visit Mazda Malaysia’s Facebook Page.

MazdaSports Day Location:

Waze: https://waze.com/ul/hw281w8u6v
Google Maps : https://maps.google.com/?q=3.080410,101.542252


Volkswagen Design gets new chief

Mindt.
WOLFSBURG: The design team at the Volkswagen Group will undergo a reshuffle in 2023.

The German automaker announced on Monday that its design team will be headed by Andreas Mindt from Feb 1.

Mindt is currently Bentley Design director. In his new position, he succeeds Jozef Kaban, who has been appointed as creative art director for Volkswagen.

Replacing Mindt at Bentley is Tobias Sühlmann.

As part of his new role, Kaban will develop forward-looking mobility solutions for the Volkswagen brand.

Mindt began his career in the Volkswagen Group in 1996 after graduating with a degree from the Pforzheim University School of Design.

 Kaban.

By 2014 he had already held several positions at the Volkswagen brand, working on the design of the first generation of the Tiguan and on the exterior design of the Golf 7, among other things. From 2014 until 2021, he spearheaded the realignment of Audi’s exterior design from the Audi A1 through to the Audi e-tron GT and from the Audi Q3 through to the Audi Q8.

From 2021, as director of Bentley Design, he was tasked with defining Bentley’s new design language, unveiled last summer with the Bentley Batur.

Kaban studied product and industrial design at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, Slovakia, and received a Master of Arts in automotive design from the Royal College of Art in London, UK, in 1997.

Kaban began his career at Volkswagen Design in 1993 and was involved in designing the Bugatti Veyron, among other vehicles. In 2003, he moved to Audi as head of exterior design.

Kaban was Skoda design chief from 2008 to 2017.

 Sühlmann.

After three years as designer-in-chief at two vehicle brands outside the Volkswagen Group, he returned to the Volkswagen brand in 2020 as chief designer.

Prior to the promotion, Sühlmann was Exterior Design head at Bentley, having joined the luxury marque in October 2021.

With a 20-year career in automotive design, Sühlmann has held senior design positions at McLaren, Aston Martin, Bugatti and Volkswagen’s Potsdam Design Centre which he joined in 2005 before moving to Volkswagen Design in Wolfsburg in 2007. Here he worked on the Passat, Arteon and Touareg as well as different show cars.

He was also instrumental in the design of the Batur, working under Mindt's direction.


Indonesia aims to start electric vehicle production in 2022

                JAKARTA: Indonesia is aiming to start producing electric vehicles (EVs) in 2022, a senior official at the Industry Ministry said on Thursday, after a number of companies disclosed plans to invest in the country.

Indonesia is pushing for the development of EV and battery production facilities to create a downstream industry for the country’s rich supplies of nickel laterite ore, which is used in lithium batteries.

Companies such as Toyota Motor Corp and Hyundai have expressed interest in building EV plants in Indonesia, South-East Asia’s second-largest car production hub.

Toyota has committed to invest US$2 billion in Indonesia over the next five years, part of which will be used to produce EVs, Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto, told reporters on Thursday.

 Toyota is eager to popularise electric cars.

“By 2022, production of electric-based vehicles should start,” said Harjanto, director-general of metal, machinery, transportation and electronics at the Industry Ministry, adding that the government has targeted EVs to reach a 20% share of national car production by 2025.

Speaking on the sidelines of Indonesia’s largest car show, Harjanto said the government is finalising the revision of a luxury car tax scheme to encourage the production of cars with lower carbon emissions.

The government is also offering tax holidays for companies producing EV batteries in Indonesia.

“Recently there were a few battery companies which met the (industry) minister, but it is still an initial intention,” Harjanto said, declining to name the companies.

“They see Indonesia has big potential to develop electric-based products due to the availability of raw material,” he said.

Several companies are currently developing smelters with high pressure acid leach (HPAL) technology to produce battery chemicals in Indonesia, including China’s Tsingshan Group.


Rental firm walks away from Tesla order after quality dispute

                FRANKFURT: Car rental company Nextmove has walked away from a 5 million euros (RM23.2mil) order for 85 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles following a dispute over how to fix quality issues, the German company said on Friday.

Nextmove said it had ordered 100 electric vehicles in 2018 but raised objections over quality and finish after taking delivery of the first 15 Model 3 cars earlier this year.

The rental company said following a dispute over how to resolve the quality shortcomings, Tesla triggered a refund clause but Tesla disputes that it cancelled the order.

Tesla said Nextmove chose not to take delivery of the cars.

Nextmove said its Model 3 vehicles had paint defects, faulty wiring, scratches on the dashboard, faulty wheels and condensation in the headlights.

Offering faulty vehicles to rental customers would compromise Nextmove’s reputation for quality, the German company said.

Tesla said it was in the process of resolving the issues and had provided replacement vehicles.

“We believe the customer’s decision not to take delivery of its remaining Model 3 orders wasn’t entirely due to quality issues, but was largely influenced by their frustration with an unrelated dispute from earlier in the year,” Tesla said in a statement, without elaborating further.

Tesla said any customer who was unhappy with their car could return it for a full refund up to seven days after purchase.

It said customer satisfaction data showed that German customers have largely been satisfied with their vehicles, including the quality and condition of their cars upon delivery.

Tesla is counting on the Model 3 to help the company become profitable on a sustainable basis and transform it from a niche player to a heavyweight in the automobile industry. But Elon Musk has warned the company faced “manufacturing hell” as he has tried to scale up production of the Model 3.

Bloomberg news was first to report the cancellation of the 85 vehicles.


Range Rover Velar range finally gets V8 engine with SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition

                LONDON: Land Rover this week unveiled the Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, the standard Velar mid-size SUV's more powerful, luxurious older sibling.

For starters, the engine has been upgraded to a 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine with a max speed of 274kph and a 0-60kph time of 4.5 seconds, easily making it the fastest and most powerful Velar variation in the entire Velar lineup.

With increased power naturally comes increased stopping power, which is specifically provided by a set of high performance SV brakes highlighted by red brake callipers. The new set of larger wheels "generates more grip," as well as supports the larger braking system.

While leaving the rest of the Velar line-up in the dust, owners will be ensconced within a cabin full of luxurious new finishes and upholstery.

The interior is trimmed in exclusive twin-stitched, perforated and quilted Windsor leather, and the 20-way adjustable front seats come standard with heating, cooling and massage functionalities. Knurled aluminium details and trim accent the infotainment system, gear selector, and circular control dials.

These interior features can further be customised by the owners in terms of colour and finish.

The Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition will be available only for a year. The price will start at £86,120 (RM455,000) in the UK.


Govt expands auto incentives to tap into sea change in industry

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Government has announced the extension and enhancement of automotive industry incentives in its effort to make the industry competitive as it transitions towards electromobility.

While the extended incentives would continue to promote investments in energy efficient vehicles, they have been expanded to cover a range of high-tech and high-value products such as electric vehicles, engines, powertrains, light detection and ranging (LIDAR), radio detection and ranging (RADAR) and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

Details were not disclosed.

The Government is hoping that such incentives would attract foreign investors and spur more homegrown companies to explore expansion opportunities by venturing into new high-tech and high value-added products while expanding their supply chain in the region.

READ MORE: Malaysia needs to shift focus to EV perks — fast

From 2014 until now, the Malaysians Government had approved tax incentives for 13 automotive projects with investments of RM4.6 billion via the Malaysian Investment Development Authority.

However, with the global auto industry undergoing a structural shift, the Government said it saw the need to revise its plans for the local industry to ensure its growth.

The announcement comes at a time when various Asean countries such as Thailand and Indonesia are jockeying to become the future production hub for the next generation of mobility products such as electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles as well as related components.

Last week, Thailand said it aims to only sell zero-emission vehicles in the country from 2035 as it works to transform itself from a regional hub for the production of conventional autos to one making electric cars.

Indonesia sees itself as an energy storage hub. In February, Indonesia had received an investment proposal from US electric car maker Tesla, which is keen to exploit the sprawling country's  nickel reserves to make batteries. At 21 million tonnes, Indonesia holds 22% of the world's nickel reserves.

Indonesia has been publicly wooing Tesla to invest in the country to help develop its ambitious EV and battery industry plans.


6.6 million motorists to benefit from targeted subsidy

                PETALING JAYA: A subsidy of at least 30 sen per litre for RON95 petrol is equivalent to savings of RM30 monthly for an eligible car owner while for motorcycle owners, the savings translates to around RM12 a month.

Those entitled are expected to fully use the 100 litres cap for cars and 40 litres for motorcycles, and some might have to pay the non-subsidised price for just a few litres.

Taking Perodua Axia as an example, its fuel consumption of 21.6km per litre means a driver needs to pump 108.75 litres of petrol monthly.

The first 100 litres will be included in the subsidy while the remaining 8.75 litres is expected to be paid based on the floating rate.

Taking the current price of RON95 at RM2.20 per litre for example, a driver only needs to pay RM1.90 for the first 100 litres and RM2.20 for the next 8.75 litres.

The approximate monthly petrol expenditure for an eligible Axia owner would be RM209.25 compared to RM239.25 without subsidy.

An Axia has an engine displacement of 998cc or a 1.0-litre car.

Meanwhile, for a 1.5-litre Honda City, its fuel consumption is around 17.5km per litre, which requires 134 litres of petrol monthly. The estimated expenses for fuel with subsidy would be RM264.80 compared to RM294.80 otherwise.

As for motorcycles, the AAKT is 21,495km or 1,791km a month. On average, mopeds can travel a distance of 55.5km per litre of petrol.

This translates to around 32.3 litres of petrol monthly. The subsidy should be more than enough for most eligible motorcyclists.

On Friday, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng proposed a subsidy scheme for car owners with an engine capacity of 1,500cc and below, and motorcycle owners with engine capacity of 125cc and below.

They will receive a subsidy of at least 30 sen for up to 100 litres and 40 litres respectively.

Those with multiple cars are not eligible for this subsidy.

This subsidy is expected to cost the government RM2bil when it commences in the second quarter of next year. It will benefit four million car owners and 2.6 million motorcycle owners.

Those not eligible for the subsidy will have to pay pump prices for fuel determined weekly based on the Automatic Price Mechanism.

Meanwhile, there was a furore on social media as members of the public asked about those with luxury or premium cars with engine capacities of 1,500cc and below. They are also eligible for the subsidy.

Among the cars talked about were the Mercedes-Benz A 200 (1.3-litre), C 200 (1.5), Audi A3 (1.4), Mini Clubman (1.5), Volkswagen Tiguan (1.4), BMW 118i (1.5), 318i (1.5) and the 1.5-litre hybrid supercar, which comes with a RM1mil price tag.

Lim clarified in a press conference yesterday that those driving luxury cars are not eligible, even if it is within 1,500cc.

It is still unclear which car models are considered luxury cars or the maximum price of the cars eligible for the subsidy.


From cars to homes, these portable hydrogen cartridges could power up the future

                TOKYO: Toyota and its subsidiary Woven Planet have developed a prototype of a removable hydrogen cartridge, intended to power the vehicles and homes of the future with clean energy, based on individual needs.

Currently in the prototype stage, this portable hydrogen cartridge is intended to provide a clean energy source wherever people need it most.

Through this system, the idea is to optimise the distribution and transportation of hydrogen on a daily basis, for use both inside and outside the home, whether to power household appliances or cars and motorcycles.

This type of infrastructure could also meet the energy needs of remote areas or be deployed in the event of natural disasters. The next step for Toyota will be to validate this concept through real-life testing in Japan.

The prototype is 40cm long and 18cm in diameter and weighs about 5kg.

Several sizes of cartridge could potentially be created to suit different cases of daily use.

For example, a single hydrogen cartridge could generate enough electricity to run a microwave oven for more than three hours, Toyota states.

Hydrogen has considerable advantages, starting with the fact that its use does not generate any CO2 emissions.

It is even called green hydrogen when it is produced using renewable energy sources.


Mercedes-AMG dishes up first PHEV with 843hp but electric range is limiting

                STUTTGART: Mercedes offshoot AMG has unveiled its first plug-in hybrid version of the four-door GT, increasing engine performance to dizzing new heights with electric assistance, albeit with an eyebrow-raisingly poor electric range for such a powerful hybrid.

The first plug-in hybrid from the Mercedes tuning workshop is a four-door GT badged as an E Performance and set to make its debut in at the IAA car show in Munich (Sept 7-12), the manufacturer says.

The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE draws on technologies from Formula 1. The concept includes a distinctive drive layout with electric motor and battery on the rear axle as well as a high-performance battery developed in-house.

It can race from a standstill to 100kph in under 3 seconds, just don't expect it to take you across town on battery power alone - this car is all about muscle and not efficiency.

A market launch is set to follow in the coming months, but a price has not yet been announced.

The makers are relying on a completely new powertrain for this part-time electric, only recognisable from the outside by fancy new trim panels and matching nameplates.

AMG is installing its own high-performance battery, which is capable of delivering power particularly quickly thanks to a new type of direct cooling. And for the 205hp electric motor, there's a two-stage transmission, unlike in the EQS.

Combined with the familiar 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine with 639hp, the output rises to a muscular 843hp - in other words, the most powerful road-legal AMG car to date.

Needless to say, driving performance is set to be impressive. When both engine and motor work in tandem, they thrust the driver into the seat with up to 1,470Nm of torque and accelerate this luxury car weighing over two tonnes from 0 to 100kph in 2.9 seconds.

AMG puts top speed at a heady 316kph.

The electric drive is designed more for power than efficiency, however, and because the battery only has a capacity of 6.1 kWh, the electric-only range is rather underwhelming at just 12km.

The hybrid approach could also do better when it comes to consumption levels, and AMG have managed a drop to just 8.6 litres (CO2 emissions: 196 g/km).


Proton Perdana receives design award

                PETALING JAYA: Proton recently announced that its all new Perdana has been awarded the ‘Malaysia Good Design Mark’ (MGDM) accredited by the Malaysia Design Council (MDC).

The award was accorded to the Perdana under the Public Areas and Transportation Products category. The award was presented by Datuk Wira Dr Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology & Innovation to Proton Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Radzaif Mohamed at the event in the Shah Alam Convention Centre (SACC) yesterday.

The Perdana, which was officially unveiled on June 14, 2016, received the accreditation in reference to a good design in a well-rounded product which was developed and manufactured locally.

 From left, Datuk Prof Dr Ahmad Hj Zainuddin, Chairman of Malaysia Design Council, Wira, Radzaif, Azlan Othman, Chief Designer of Proton, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Azhar Hj Yahaya, Secretary General in Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation.

Proton is pleased and humbled to receive the recognition which effectively recognises Proton’s capability in designing and producing affordable and competitive cars for consumers.

“We are encouraged to receive the recognition from the Malaysia Design Council for the Perdana. A great deal of effort has been put into developing the car and I dedicate this recognition to those talented men and women who had invested their “talent” into the Perdana project.

"Proton still has a lot of areas that it can improve on and this award will provide further impetus for Proton to work harder to provide better designed and engineered cars to its customers,” said Chief Executive Officer of  Proton, Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Kenali.

The MGDM is a design recognition programme by the Malaysian government under the Malaysia Design Council. Its establishment is to give recognition to local industries that excel in providing quality and innovative products which encourage the upgrading of production quality through research and development.

The Perdana joined the ranks of the Satria Neo and the previous Persona which was accorded similar award by MDC in 2007 and the Iriz in 2014.

In 2016, the Perdana was awarded the ‘Best Local Car Design of the Year 2016’ by Carsifu Editors’ Choice Award, a motoring publication of The Star Media Group.


Lamborghini unveils super car designed for off-roading

                BOLOGNA: Lamborghini has announced the Huracán Sterrato, a concept that combines the "prowess" of the V10 Huracán and the "off-road expertise" of the Urus Super SUV to create a super sports car that you can take off the beaten path.

On Tuesday, Automobili Lamborghini unveiled the Huracán Sterrato concept, a "super sports car for challenging environments."

To create this unconventional model, the R&D and design teams at Lamborghini basically fused together the V10 Huracán EVO and the Urus Super SUV. It's powered by the same 5.2-litre engine capable of producing 640hp as its sports car predecessor and is controlled by the same technological brain (the LDVI) as the V10 Huracán EVO - albeit it being recalibrated for off-road driving.

On the outside, the Sterrato appears to be a standard sports car, through it's undergone some changes that make it more attuned to off-roading.

Ground clearance has been increased by 47mm, and the tyres have been swapped out for a larger set with improved asperity absorption and grip.

The entire body of the model has been outfitted with extra protections and aluminum reinforcements to protect the car from rocks, mud, and almost anything else you may want to drive over or through.

The image of the Sterrato revealed on Tuesday is dressed in an additional LED light package which adds an LED light bar to the roof in addition to LED bumper lights with flood functioning.

Inside, the driver and passenger are protected by an aluminum roll cage, four-point seatbelts, and aluminum floor panels.

In the '70s, Lamborghini created two models, the Jarama and Urraco, that likewise served as experiments for combining the company's high-performance and off-roading technology.


Land Rover re-creates 1948 production line for Defender

                SOLIHULL, UK: Land Rover has re-created history by building an authentic replica of the production line used to manufacture its first 4x4 in 1948.

The ‘Defender Celebration Line’ re-creates in detail how the first Series I Land Rover was built at the Solihull manufacturing plant just after the Second World War.

The new visitor attraction showcases replica models in various stages of production, each one meticulously built using identical parts and in precisely the same way as the original Series I.

The display gives an insight into life on a car production line in the late 1940’s using original tools and a draftsmen’s drawing board where visitors are also asked to wear authentic overalls known as ‘cow gowns.’

The attraction boasts an area dedicated to telling the story of the creation of the original Series I by Land Rover founder Maurice Wilks using previously unseen video footage provided by his family.

The Celebration Line is located in the heart of the Defender production line which is housed inside one of the original production buildings at Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull factory.

The opening of the attraction marks the start of a year of celebration as the Defender enters its final year of production in the UK.

Jaguar Land Rover heritage director John Edwards, says the heritage line will take visitors back to the beginning of the world’s most famous 4x4 manufacturer.

He said: “Land Rover has a rich heritage based around the Series I and Defender models, and we wanted to create something extra special that would give visitors and enthusiasts a unique insight into how it all started back in 1948.

“It has been a huge task to recreate a production line from almost 70 years ago, from sourcing original parts for the Series I models, to authentically re-creating the working environment and uniform of employees who were here. The team involved has been meticulous in their research, planning and creation of what is a fitting tribute to the legendary heritage of Land Rover.”

The three-hour tour begins at the beginning of the production process – the body shop.

The tour then continues in final assembly where visitors can see the engine and gearbox lowered onto the chassis and watch as the labour intensive process of assembling the painted body panels begins.

Tours cost £45 (RM247) per person.


Proton to increase car prices after CNY

                PETALING JAYA: National carmaker Proton Holdings Bhd says it may have to increase its car prices after Chinese New Year (CNY) in February with the rising costs of imported parts due to the depreciating ringgit.

"The ringgit level now is lower as compared with a year ago, which has affected our imported parts prices," chief executive officer Datuk Harith Abdullah said after a ceremony marking the appointment of Suzuki dealers as Proton Edar dealers.

At 9 am, the local unit was traded at 4.3930/4000 against the greenback, a far cry from the 3.57 level it was trading the same time last year.

Harith said Proton is trying its best to hold back the increase until CNY to enable its customers to buy new car at current prices.

According to Proton, 20-30 per cent of the parts in its vehicles are imported.

Today's appointment of Suzuki dealers to sell Proton cars followed an agreement by Proton to work with Suzuki six months ago. Twenty five 3S and four 4S Suzuki dealership outlets have now been converted into Proton Edar outlets. These 29 outlets would continue to provide service and repairs for the existing 48,000 Suzuki customers in Malaysia. The new set-up also provides opportunity for the Suzuki dealers to expand their business to include Proton cars.

Harith said Proton is aiming to sell 150,000 cars in 2016, relying on the current line-up and four new models to be launched.

The new models would be introduced quarterly, he added.

"Having attained sales of just slightly above 100,000 vehicles in 2015, this year, will truly be an exciting one for Proton and that is my commitment to our stakeholders," Bernama quoted him as saying.

Proton chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the new models would take the names of existing models to save time in promoting them to the public.

"In the past, Proton put out new models with new names. We spent a lot of time promoting the brand new names without any history to fall back on.

"Like other companies as Toyota and Honda, we have decided to build new cars, but retain the old names," he added.

Last June, Proton signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and licensing agreement with Suzuki Japan to form a long-term strategic partnership with the possibility of developing a compact car.

Harith had said at the time that the collaboration would allow Proton access to the models, platforms, powertrain and car technology of Suzuki.

Honda Malaysia has increased its car prices by 2-3 per cent this year, while UMW Toyota Motor has announced that it too will hike the prices of its products by 4-16 per cent this month onward.

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has also hinted at a similar move.


All-electric BMW iX3 arrives, open for booking from RM336K

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Malaysia has announced the arrival of two variants of the all-electric iX3, both of which are available for booking at selected authorised BMW dealerships nationwide.

The price of the iX3 in Peninsular Malaysia is RM335,800 for the Inspiring variant, and RM354,800 for the Impressive version. The model had recently undergone a facelift.

Both variants of the sports activity vehicle (SAV) are sold with BMW Service & Repair Inclusive: 5-Year Extended Warranty and 6-Year Service Package, as well as the Power Package which comes with the BMW i Wallbox and BMW Standard Charging Cable.

Buyers will also get an 8-year, 160,000km battery warranty.

Both variants will be equipped with the M Sport package as standard that offers a sporty exterior design language.

Powering the iX3 is an efficient electric motor with an 80kWh lithium-ion battery that offers a range of up to 461km (WLTP).

The electric SAVs also supports DC fast charging at rates of up to 150kW for 80% charge in 32 minutes, while AC charging at up to 11kW is supported via a Type 2 connection for 100% in approximately seven and a half hours.

The iX3 is based on the current X3, which uses an internal combustion engine.

BMW Group Malaysia managing director Hans de Visser said the arrival of the  iX3 was made especially significant with these distinct variants that provide customers and fans of electric mobility in Malaysia a better choice – without compromising on power, performance or safety.

“Alongside our upcoming fleet of new BMW i vehicles, the iX3 is set to spur a new generation of Electric Vehicle (EV) owners in Malaysia, as the all-electric SAV presents a wealth of possibilities with its all-rounded qualities in innovation and design language to make the Electric Premium Ownership Experience even more enjoyable,” he said.

The iX3 will be made available at BMW dealer locations nationwide:

Auto Bavaria
Auto Bavaria will offer a wide range of exterior colours for the iX3 M Sport in the Impressive variant, including M Carbon Black Metallic, Mineral White, Sophisto Grey Brilliant Effect and Cashmere Silver – all complete with Leather Vernasca in Mocha with Black Décor Stitching.

Seong Hoe Premium Motors
The Malacca-based dealership will offer the iX3 M Sport Impressive in Mineral White and Sophisto Grey Brilliant Effect, both with Leather Vernasca in Black with Blue and Black Contrast Stitching.

Quill Automobiles
Quill Automobiles will offer the iX3 M Sport Impressive in M Carbon Black Metallic with Leather Vernasca in Mocha with Black Décor Stitching and Mineral White with Leather Vernasca in Black with Blue and Black Contrast Stitching.

Lee Motors
The flagship dealership in Alor Setar will carry the iX3 M Sport Impressive in Mineral White with Leather Vernasca in Mocha with Black Décor Stitching

Ingress Auto
One of the four dealerships to make available the Inspiring variant, Ingress Auto will carry that variant in Sophisto Grey Brilliant Effect with Leather Vernasca in Mocha with Black Décor Stitching and the iX3 Impressive in M Carbon Black Metallic with Leather Vernasca in Black with Blue and Black Contrast Stitching.

Wheelcorp Premium
Wheelcorp Premium will make available the iX3 Impressive in M Carbon Black Metallic with Leather Vernasca in Black with Blue and Black Contrast Stitching as well as in Cashmere Silver with Leather Vernasca in Mocha with Black Décor Stitching.

Millennium Welt
Millennium Welt Seremban will also carry the iX3 M Sport Inspiring, available in Mineral White with Leather Vernasca in Black with Blue & Black Contrast Stitching, and M Carbon Black Metallic in Leather Vernasca in Mocha with Black Décor Stitching.
Millennium Welt Batu Pahat will also make available the iX3 M Sport Inspiring in Cashmere Silver with Leather Vernasca in Black with Blue and Black Contrast Stitching.
Millennium Welt Kuantan will carry the Impressive variant with the Sophisto Grey Brilliant Effect and M Carbon Black Metallic, both with Leather Vernasca in Black with Blue and Black Contrast Stitching.

Tian Siang Premium Auto
Tian Siang Premium Auto Ipoh will make available the iX3 M Sport Impressive in Mineral White with Leather Vernasca in Black with Blue & Black Contrast Stitching, while Tian Siang Premium Auto Butterworth will carry the iX3 M Sport Impressive in M Carbon Black Metallic with Mocha with Black Décor Stitching.

Regas Premium Group
Regas Premium Sabah, Kota Kinabalu will carry the iX3 M Sport Impressive in Mineral White with Leather Vernasca in Black with Blue & Black Contrast Stitching, while the Impressive variant at Regas Premium Auto, Kuching will come with Leather Vernasca in Mocha with Black Décor Stitching.

With the Balloon Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the iX3 M Sport Inspiring and the iX3 M Sport Impressive can be owned with a monthly instalment plan starting from RM3,5180 and RM3,7280 respectively, based on estimates of an 80% loan on a five-year tenure.

04. BMW iX3 M Sport Inspiring - PM01. BMW iX3 M Sport Impressive - PM


Nobody needs 1,900hp — Pininfarina's electric Battista has it anyway

                FRANKFURT: Two million US dollars (RM8.1mil). That's the price of getting to 100kph in 2 seconds on electric power. The Pininfarina Battista is set to offer ridiculous amounts of street-legal power this year to anyone with too much money.

The most impressive feature of this hypercar is its ability to race purely electrically at speeds of up to 350kph.

Pininfarina is launching the Battista in mid-2021 with prices in its home market of Europe starting at €2.38 million (RM11.6mil). Yes, prices only start at 2.38 million euros.

Only 150 models of this electric supercar are being produced, the Italian company announced on the sidelines of test drives in February with a largely final prototype.

It's the company's first car of its own, after more than 90 years of commissioned work for all sorts of renowned manufacturers in the horsepower industry.

Pininfarina is relying on a type of drivetrain that has never quite existed before and with one motor per wheel, the Battista can manage 1,900hp. According to the manufacturer, this makes it the most powerful car ever built in Italy.

The maximum torque of 2,300Nm will make you one with the driver's seat as the car sprints from 0 to 100kph in less than two seconds, only stopping to accelerate once you hit 350kph.

The battery, with a capacity of 120kWh, is the largest on the market to date, Pininfarina says. Despite weighing significantly more than two tonnes, the Battista is supposed to achieve a standard range of over 500km.

The Italians even want to perform at the charging station and with 250kW charging power, the Battista will charge back up to 80% battery in less than 25 minutes.


Why Nissan said no to a tablet

                YOKOHAMA: It's a trend that's been hard to miss lately: many new cars have bulky, tablet-like screens smack in the middle of the dashboard.

While these super-sized displays may grab attention at motor shows, carmakers working to create next-generation vehicles also have other things to consider as they attempt to balance design, technology and utility.

Nissan chose a different path when developing the display for the Nissan Ariya Concept, prioritising design and vision over the latest trends.

Instead of a tablet, the electric crossover has a curved, two-screen display reminiscent of a wave. It adds to the sense of a "horizon" throughout the car, from elements in the door all the way to the rear of the cabin.

The layout reflects Nissan's new Timeless Japanese Futurism design language, also expressed in the Ariya Concept's unique frontal "shield." But the horizontal design wasn't chosen for its good looks alone.

"The human eye naturally looks from side to side when driving," explains Tomomichi Uekuri, senior manager of HMI engineering team. "People can see and absorb more information if it's laid out horizontally. Peripheral vision works this way as well."

In addition to conveying information better for the human eye, the layout does so from a safer location — in the line of sight, closer to the road. By matching the cabin's horizon aesthetic, it becomes a seamless part of the dashboard. Nissan's design team calls this engawa – the undefined space between where you are, and where you are going.

The Ariya Concept's display keeps driving information in an instrument cluster location similar to that of a traditional car, while displaying entertainment information, comfort controls and system status in the center screen. Both are wrapped together in a sleek panel that flows seamlessly between driver and passenger.

Even though there are two screens, information can move or be swiped between them to create the feeling of a single display. For example, if you want your route directions and map in front of the steering wheel, they can appear there. They can also move to the centre, or disappear when no longer needed.

"The display's wave construction is innovative and uses an ergonomic layout for both the meter display and the centre display, not only for visibility, but also allows the driver to easily reach the centre display touch screen," said Uekuri.

Like other parts of the Ariya Concept, the display is meant to convey a fully functional impression. From music to GPS, it was important for the designers and engineers to show the world what a near-future Nissan could achieve.

The user experience is demonstrated at the granular level, allowing the driver to adjust how much data is shown in each location, removing unnecessary information from the driver's peripheral.

It took the design team many iterations to arrive at the Ariya Concept's innovative display. The team built similar displays into a large black "box" that they affectionately named "the Monolith," a nod to the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey." They chipped away, figuratively speaking, at the housing until it became what's seen in the final concept car.


Toyota positions to take on Tesla in high-tech auto software

                TOKYO: Toyota is tapping a star Silicon Valley roboticist to help put the final touches on an operating system it says will go up against Tesla Inc.’s.

Called Arene, the system allows new features to be installed in a car’s existing hardware over the air and provides a platform for developers to create software.

It’s being developed by Toyota’s new technology research arm Woven Planet Holdings Inc., led by chief executive officer James Kuffner, a former Google engineer.

Tesla is already a leader when it comes to over-the-air updates of a car’s operating systems, which control everything from braking to Wi-Fi, locking and lights.

It’s been upgrading its electric vehicles’ battery range and autonomous functions remotely via updates since 2012. On an earnings call last week, chief executive officer Elon Musk said Tesla is willing to license its software capabilities to third parties and is already in talks with OEMs.

“There are many choices, which is a good thing,” Kuffner, who is in charge of Toyota’s digital activities, said at a briefing last Friday.

He was asked whether Toyota is interested in licensing Tesla’s operating systems. “We have a competitive product that can run on many different types of hardware, so maybe in the future, Arene can run on Tesla hardware.”

Toyota, which overtook Volkswagen AG as the world’s top-selling automaker in 2020, is facing the same challenges as all legacy carmakers as the lines between technology and automobiles become increasingly blurred.

While legacy carmakers have experience with mechanical engineering and hardware, they’re facing competition from Big Tech firms like Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc. and Baidu Inc. that are plowing billions of dollars into new areas of intelligent and connected mobility. Tie-ups are becoming commonplace.

Conventional automakers are about three to five years away from offering over-the-air updates like Tesla’s that go beyond improving a car’s maps and entertainment systems, according to some estimates. And venturing into the new realm of software development is also expensive -- global automakers’ R&D budgets have roughly doubled over the past decade.

With the creation of Woven Planet, Toyota is to some extent signaling it’s moving in the opposite direction, betting it can take on technology giants at their own game.

Woven Planet was born in January from a tech-research company originally established by the Japanese automaker in 2018 and funded to the tune of 300 billion yen ($2.9 billion). It has several subsidiaries including an $800 million fund that will invest in early-stage tech companies.

Kuffner, part of the initial engineering team that built Google’s self-driving cars, was brought onto Toyota’s board in June last year, underscoring the wager Toyota is taking on the tech veteran’s ability to captain its software push.


Pope Francis passes on Lamborghini

                VATICAN CITY: Lamborghini gave Pope Francis a personalised white supercar on Wednesday, but he put it up for auction to raise money for charity rather than give up his trademark popemobile.

The Huracan sports car, which boasts a 610 metric horsepower, was blessed by the pontiff, who bent to scrawl his signature on its gleaming bonnet before it was sent off to Sotheby's auction house.

The supercar usually goes for around 200,000 euros (RM985,000), but this model — featuring gold stripes and gold-rimmed wing mirrors in homage to the pope's gold-tipped stole — is expected to beat that.

The money raised will go to four charitable projects, including one aimed at rebuilding the homes and churches of persecuted Christians in the Nineveh Plains in Iraq.

The Lamborghini will also help fund an Italian association helping victims of human trafficking and prostitution rings, as well as two organisations active in Africa aimed at supporting vulnerable women and children.

It is not the first time the Argentine has received a high-speed gift: in 2014 he was given a Harley Davidson motorbike and jacket, both of which he auctioned off for charity. The famously humble pontiff is more of a fan of buses.

He opted to ride one the day after his election in 2013 instead of taking a limousine, and regularly used them in his homeland Argentina instead of taxis.

The pope, who loves to be close to the people, has stuck doggedly to using his open-topped popemobile to move through the crowds at masses at both the Vatican and on foreign trips, despite security fears.

He has stayed faithful to the white all-terrain vehicles with bubble tops despite an accident in Colombia this year in which he lost his balance while it was moving and ended up with a black eye.

Historically, popes moved around on a "sedia gestatoria", a ceremonial red silk-covered throne which was carried on shoulders until the 20th century, when it was swapped for the popemobile.


Britain plans to remove insurance barriers for self-driving cars

                LONDON: Britain plans to introduce new insurance rules to ensure victims of accidents involving self-driving cars are compensated quickly in a bid to remove a major obstacle for the nascent industry.

The introduction of self-driving cars has been hampered by legal hurdles in several countries as insurers and legislators try to establish who would ultimately be responsible in the event of an accident.

"We must ensure the public is protected in the event of an incident and this week we are introducing the framework to allow insurance for these new technologies," said transport minister Chris Grayling.

A single insurance product will be available to cover a driver when a vehicle is being used conventionally, as well as when the car is being used in autopilot mode, the transport ministry said in a statement.

The British government wants to encourage the development and testing of autonomous driving technology to build an industry to serve a market it reckons could be worth about £900bil (RM4.89tril) worldwide by 2025.

Recent accidents involving a self-driving Google car and a Tesla model in autopilot mode have raised concerns among some members of the public just as more autonomous cars are being tested on Britain's streets.

Japanese carmaker Nissan is due to test autonomous cars in London later this month after initial tests on public roads in the southern English town of Milton Keynes late last year.

Britain will also set out plans to improve infrastructure such as charging points for electric vehicles, the fastest growing sector for new car sales in the country and key to meeting environmental targets.


New Proton Perdana launched in two variants, priced from RM113,888 - VIDEOS

                PUTRAJAYA: After months of anticipation, national carmaker Proton unveiled the new fourth-generation Perdana sedan.

Available in 2.0 and 2.4 litre variants, it is priced at RM113,888 and RM138,888 respectively. The 2.0-litre Perdana produces 154hp and 189Nm of torque while the 2.4-litre Perdana pushes out 178hp and 222Nm of torque. Both variants get a 5-speed automatic transmission.

The sporty executive sedan features a bold aerodynamic exterior, HID projector headlamps, LED rear combi lamps, dual zone air conditioning, all round sensors and reverse camera, among others. A reverse camera, paddle shifters, full leather upholstery and navigation are exclusive to the 2.4-litre variant.

The Perdana launch marks Proton's re-entry into the D-segment market. It stopped production of the flagship model in 2010.

The new Perdana was officially launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak here, accompanied by Proton chairman Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar and chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Kenali.

"Proton stopped production of the Perdana in 2010 and the anticipation of the general public for us to produce a new Perdana has pushed us to produce a new level of affordable premium comfort, packaged in this distinctive stylish car," said Ahmad.

"We took great care to ensure that the car is ready to be launched as the new Perdana signifies a new Proton - we want to give a new experience to our customers.  The new Perdana symbolises a new aspiration for Proton to give the best to its customers - best value for money and aftersales service," he said.

He also said the Perdana had received around 900 bookings of the car and Proton expects to sell 3,000 units by the end of 2016.

The Perdana is available in six colours: Ruby Red, Sterling Silver, Graphite Grey, Cotton White, Midnight Black and Citrine Gold.

Ruby RedSterling SilverGraphite GreyCotton WhiteMidnight BlackCitrine Gold.

Customers can book the new Perdana with a RM1,000 deposit and test-drive units are available at selected Proton showrooms.

The new Perdana was developed by Proton in collaboration with Honda Japan Ltd.

Proton Perdana 2.4

Proton Perdana 2.0


EVs, not luxury cars, dominate New York Auto Show

                NEW YORK: The New York Auto Show, expected after two years of lockdowns to drive off into an irrelevant sunset, isn’t dead yet.

Following the vibrant Munich auto show in the fall, the New York show will open to the public on April 15, at Manhattan’s Javits Center and will run through April 24.

The format is more compelling than in years past, given the supply chain crisis that has severely delayed deliveries to dealerships, not to mention markups as high as US$100,000 over manufacturer's suggested retail price for luxury cars and SUVs.

In New York, automakers will showcase new vehicles that even the most neurotic car-spotters have read about only in glossy magazines or seen on YouTube.

Thousands have placed orders for such new cars, sight unseen, and resigned themselves, as in the case with General Motors’ Hummer EV, for years-long waits.

This week, they’ll at least be able to kick the tyres.

"Auto shows are still highly relevant in the same way that dealerships are still highly relevant,” says Erin Kerrigan, founder and managing director of Kerrigan Advisors, a consulting firm.

"Consumers still like to touch and feel a new car before they purchase it.”

Electric vehicle proliferation

Electric vehicles will command the spotlight’s primary glare this week in New York.

Some of them will come from such obscure companies as INDI EV and ElectraMeccanica, but Detroit’s heavyweight pickups will hold top billing.

Ford Motor Co’s F-150 Lightning, revealed via video feed almost a year ago, will appear just weeks before its first deliveries.

Prospective buyers can eyeball just how many White Claws they might be able to fit in the front trunk, or figure out how they might go about plugging the rig into their home in a blackout.

General Motors Inc., in turn, will showcase the electric version of its Chevrolet Silverado EV, a rig first unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.

It’s not due out until 2023, so expect GM to pull out all the stops to pique interest among the e-truck crowd in order to slow the momentum of Ford’s electric pickup.

Nissan, meanwhile, will play up its coming electric SUV, the Ariya.

The brand’s humble battery-powered hatchback, the LEAF-for years the everyman’s Tesla-has been overtaken by rivals.

The Ariya is Nissan’s chance to regain some of its EV street cred.

Production issues have delayed the machine for months, and this week will give Americans one of few opportunities to see the vehicle before it ships to dealers in the fall.

Hyundai Motor Co. may present one of the show’s few surprises.

The company promises to unveil a new production vehicle, although it wouldn’t provide details. The company aims to sell 1.7 million electric vehicles in 2026, so the bet is that whatever is under the cover, it will be powered by a big lithium-ion battery.

Hyundai will also show its Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, recently released electric models that are still rare on the road. (Both rigs are commanding steep markups over sticker price.)

By June, according to BloombergNEF estimates, the world will have 20 million plug-in vehicles on its streets-a remarkable jump from 1 million EVs in 2016.

In the second half of 2022, almost one million EVs will hit the road worldwide per month, according to BNEF estimates. That’s one every 3 seconds.

"We are now transitioning from the halo EV cars to more mass-produced EVs, which can be afforded by anybody,” says Jesse Toprak, the chief analyst for Autonomy, an EV-subscription service.

"So we are going to see an influx of the EV-curious consumers at the show who want to see what is out there now. Even (for) consumers who may have ignored the EV market so far, eventually it’s going to be too hard to ignore.”

Absence of luxury

Still, the amount of news breaking announcements at such trade shows faded long before lockdowns, especially for luxury brands.

They figured out years ago that pulling the cover off the new German utility vehicle with pyrotechnics and Arnold Schwarzenegger in a crumbling Detroit theatre, or launching the newest Italian supercar in a posh private lounge, commands far better buzz than a carpeted conference centre.

This week’s trade show will be light on anything novel from the posher automakers.

Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, Cadillac, Ferrari, Maserati, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, and Volvo will not be unveiling anything new.

Alfa Romeo will show a new Tonale hybrid SUV.

BMW will display its new X7 SUV and i7 electric sedan that follows the iX SUV and i4 sport coupe it unveiled last fall.

Mercedes-Benz is officially skipping the show but will debut the all-new electric EQS days later, on April 19. Lincoln chose to debut its new electric model on April 20 in Hollywood.

Lamborghini, meanwhile, will show a new variant of the existing Huracan supercar, the Huracan Tecnica, both at its private studio space along Manhattan’s High Line and at the Javits Center.

The mix of elite and egalitarian access best serves the brand that enjoys sales in the US that are more than twice as high as those in its next-biggest market, China.

"The US is our most important market, and if we look at the share we have inside the U.S., it’s clear New York is a place we have to be,” says Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann. "It’s a good combination.”


New Malaysian champion in Volvo Trucks' fuel challenge

                The Fuelwatch Challenge 2016 by Volvo Trucks has found its champion.

Zulkifli Saad, who hails from Penang and who works with Prifaria Sdn Bhd, was crowned the champion by clocking 2.83km with just 1 liter of fuel while carrying a load of 20 tonnes in an FM 440 with iShift.

He posted a time of 1:07 minutes during the driving challenge covering a total of 40km.

He will be making his way to the Fuelwatch Challenge 2016 Asia Pacific in Sweden next month.

The 38-year-old also took home a BSN voucher worth RM5,000 and other exclusive Volvo goodies.

“Winning Fuelwatch Challenge is undoubtedly the highlight of my career behind the wheel,” said Zulkifli.

“I have been training hard for this competition, especially on means of conserving fuel, but I don’t think I would have done so well without the advice and knowledge provided by our champion mentors.”

Last year’s champion Nor Rahmat Abd Talib, Ahmad Othman (Champion from 2014) and Zamri Abd Rahman (Champion from 2013) shared their know-how and experience with the 19 semifinalists a day prior to the event and after, mentoring them on the best ways to tackle the competition’s driving and fuel efficiency tests.

Their expert tips and tricks paid off in spades for winner Zulkifli.

Zulkifli added, however, that his win had placed a heavy responsibility on his shoulders.

“There has never been a Malaysian winner at the final, but I hope to be the one that flies our flag high,” he said.

“I would also like to share the knowledge and skills I’ve picked up with others to help them understand that a fuel-efficient driver is one of the most important factors for both the environment and a company’s economy.”

Second place went to Norhadima Umar from Megah Transport Sdn Bhd who drove 2.76km using 1 liter of fuel.

He won a RM3,000 BSN voucher and a Challenge trophy while Samsudin Abdul Hamid from MISC Integrated Logisctic Sdn Bhd who placed third, won a RM2,000 BSN voucher and a similar trophy.

He registered 2.69km using 1 liter of fuel.

The respective companies won a year’s subscription to Dynafleet, Volvo’s very own fleet management system.

As with its six previous editions, this year’s Challenge looked to increase awareness on the importance of fuel efficiency, promote greater sustainability and lessen environmental impact.

Fuelwatch Challenge 2016 saw over 36% increase in participation, with over 50% of contestants returning again to test their mettle.

It also saw participants using Volvo’s proprietary Dynafleet Management, an online fleet management system introduced locally in 2015.

Aimed at improving fuel efficiency, producing better vehicle utilization and reducing administration, Dynafleet allows transportation-based companies to manage their fleet of trucks efficiently and easily.

The subscription-based telematics solution streamlines the planning and execution of transport assignments to give companies the opportunity to gauge fleet and driver performance, measure fuel consumption, track location and communicate with individual trucks and drivers via a user-friendly app.

Drivers, meanwhile, benefit from the reports generated by the system which enables their companies to highlight development areas as well as tailor make trainings for them.

“The Volvo Fuelwatch Challenge has continuously become a key platform that educates drivers, fleet managers, customers and other stakeholders about the importance of good driving practices. This year, the Fuelwatch Challenge was different from previous years because drivers were competing in Volvo Trucks fitted with Dynafleet, Volvo’s fleet management system. The system was used to gauge the fuel efficiency of the drivers during the competition. We’ve also a safety campaign with the aim to create awareness among truck drivers and other road users, about the importance of blind spots, especially in the presence of large trucks,” said Law Ah Tiong, Vice President, After Market, Volvo Trucks Malaysia.

The Fuelwatch Challenge, which receives strong support from Road Transport Department (JPJ), was first introduced to Asia Pacific in Korea in 2007 and to date has seen over 15,000 participants picking up fuel-efficient driving skills, information and technical know-how.


Volvo Car USA adds Apple CarPlay support for new models with over-the-air update

                NEW YORK: Volvo Car USA has announced that its latest over-the-air software update adds a variety of feature and quality improvements including Apple CarPlay to passenger vehicles equipped with Google built-in.

After downloading the new software to their Volvo, iPhone users are able to seamlessly connect and access apps wherever Apple CarPlay is available.

Release timing and over-the-air availability of the software update mentioned above may differ between models and powertrains.

Over-the-air updates are designed to make car ownership easier and more flexible by providing customers with the latest software and new or updated features via a few clicks on the in-car touchscreen.

Volvo Car USA previously announced all 2023 models would be eligible for over-the-air updates.

Since October 2021 Volvo Cars has been regularly offering US owners over-the-air updates, a key technology for delivering on the company’s ambition to continuously improve customer cars.

“Through over-the-air updates we can make sure that our customers can enjoy new features quickly and easily,” said Jim Nichols, head of product and technology consumer offer at Volvo Car USA. “It also means that a new Volvo car continues improving even after it has left the factory.”


Polestar sets up UK R&D centre to create future electric performance cars

                LONDON: Polestar has significantly expanded its research and development capacity with the establishment of a new R&D centre in Britain.

Situated in Coventry, England, the new facility will allow Polestar to increase its own R&D capabilities, and further strengthens the brand’s ability to engineer its future electric performance vehicles.

In one of the world’s most prominent automotive engineering environments, Polestar’s UK engineering operation will initially employ around 60 engineers, bringing specialised skills to the company that will specifically support the development of future Polestar cars, beyond Polestar 3.

These engineers have already been involved in preliminary development work for Polestar, and will now be fully immersed into future Polestar car projects as part of the global Polestar engineering network.

"Investing in the automotive engineering talent that the UK has to offer will strengthen our capabilities,” says Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath. “The passion and dedication of these great engineers fit the Polestar spirit perfectly and will allow us to create some really awesome cars!”

Hans Pehrson, responsible for Research and Development at Polestar, comments: “Polestar’s role as a technology spearhead requires new and developing skills in low-volume, light-weight, multi-material performance car engineering, and the new UK operation will allow us to take the next steps towards our future cars.

“The team that will kick start the new UK R&D subsidiary is already well-versed in Polestar engineering philosophy, and we will expand the initial team further during the course of 2019. These engineers will be a great complement to our existing R&D team based in Sweden, and other supporting teams around the world.”


Facelifted Mercedes E-Class arrives, priced from RM327K

                PETALING JAYA: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia today announced the launch of the facelifted E-Class.

It has undergone a major facelift with a more dynamic appearance including its redesigned headlamps and steering wheel.

The locally assembled model is available as the E 200 Avantgarde and E 300 AMG Line, priced at RM 326,943.19 and RM 375,432.19 respectively.

The changes in the W213 E-Class are immediately obvious in the E-Class exterior.

As standard, the E 200 comes with the Avantgarde exterior, featuring a sleek new grille with newly-designed LED headlamps and tail lights, a bonnet with a pronounced power domes and 18-inch 5-twin spoke light alloy wheels.

The AMG Line on the E 300 comprises a new bumper in the style of the AMG Performance model and 19-inch AMG 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels. Its MULTIBEAM LED headlamps now includes ULTRA RANGE high beam.

The E-Class rear end now comes with a new bumper, split tail lamps and a new boot lid. The inner design of the tail lamps was also revised.

Two new paint colours — grey metallic and high-tech silver — are available for the E-Class as part of the model refresh.

Both variants are powered by the same 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine as before. In the E 200, it makes 197hp and 320Nm; it's 258hp and 370Nm in the E 300. Top speed are 240kph and 250kph respectively.

Mercedes-Benz said the new multifunction steering wheel in genuine leather is now easier to use. The control surfaces sport a high-gloss black finish, while the trim elements and surrounds have a light longitudinal-grain aluminium trim in the E 200 Avantgarde, and open-pore black ash wood trim on the E 300 AMG Line.

The instrument cluster and the media display are controlled by swiping along the Touch Control buttons. The operating principle of the Touch Control buttons changes from optical to capacitive. A mechanical system was no longer needed, and the touch surfaces also are less susceptible to fingerprints. Whether the driver has control of the steering wheel is now determined by means of capacitive.

The design of the front seats accentuates the sporty aura of the interior. They offer strong lateral support without compromising on comfort. The seat contour follows the pronounced side bolsters and, depending on the specification, the centre section has sporty transverse or modern longitudinal seams. The colours of the centre sections of the seat backrest and cushion are matched to the overall sculpture of the seats. Numerous material combinations ranging from ARTICO man-made leather in the E 200 Avantgarde Line to genuine leather in the E 300 AMG Line.

The new E-Class is equipped with the latest generation of the MBUX multimedia system (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) displayed in the Widescreen Cockpit, which includes two 12.3 inch displays. The information in the instrument cluster and on the media display is easily legible on the large, high-resolution screens. An emotive presentation with brilliant graphics facilitate intuitive use.

The new E-Class has the latest generation of Mercedes-Benz driving assistance systems providing cooperative support to drivers. This results in an especially high level of active safety: as the E-Class is able to react if the driver doesn't. The hands-off recognition now works on a capacitive basis. This enhances user-friendliness when driving in semi-automated mode. To inform the assistance systems that the driver still has control of the E-Class, a slight steering movement was previously required as feedback.

 The E 200 cabin.

The new steering wheel now features a pad with the appropriate sensors in the rim. These register whether the driver is holding the wheel. If the system detects that the driver does not have their hands on the steering wheel for a certain time, a warning cascade is started, which finally activates Emergency Brake Assist if the driver continues to be inactive.

As standard, the E-Class comes with Active Brake Assist, which in many situation is able to use autonomous braking to prevent a collision or mitigate its severity. The system is also able to brake for stationary vehicles and crossing pedestrians at typical city speeds and even to prevent collisions, depending on the situation. As part of the Driving Assistance Package, this is now also possible when turning off across the oncoming lane.

Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC and 360° camera on the E 300 AMG Line makes it possible to enter and leave parking spaces automatically. The system facilitates the search for and selection of a parking space as well as entering and leaving (if the vehicle was parked automatically) parallel and end-on parking spaces or garages.

For the first time, the new E-Class is able to recognise and use parking spaces which are only marked as areas on larger sites, for example. The 360° camera on the E 300 transmits an even more realistic image to the media display, which includes an expanded side view. When leaving a parking space, the system is able to warn of traffic crossing behind the vehicle and can apply the brakes in case of doubt.

The E 300 AMG Line comes with the Driving Assistance package that includes Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Steering Assist, Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist and PRE-SAFE PLUS.

Both variants are also fitted with URBAN GUARD, a combination of hardware and digital anti-theft system.

With URBAN GUARD, the intelligent interlinking of hardware and digital solutions that satisfies the worldwide rise in customer demand for security and property protection.

Together with Mercedes me, the URBAN GUARD Vehicle Protection enables all-round monitoring of the parked vehicle. URBAN GUARD comprises an anti-theft alarm system, tow-away protection with visual and audible warning in case of a detected change in position, an alarm siren, interior monitoring (triggers in case of movements in the interior) as well as a pre-installation for theft and parking collision detection.

The URBAN GUARD Vehicle Protection package provides all-round monitoring. It comprises an anti-theft alarm system plus tow-away protection which is able to detect changes in position. Movement in the vehicle interior also triggers visual and audible warnings. The driver will be notified of theft or parking damage detection through the Mercedes me app.

“The new locally-assembled Mercedes-Benz E-Class has gone through several stages of redefinition over the years to maintain the variety of top-class innovations, memorable highlights and a luxurious, stylish interior with high-value perception. The new E-Class creates history by going the extra mile in the evolution of safety, comfort and performance while upholding the standards of design and luxury," said newly appointed Mercedes-Benz Malaysia president and CEO Sagree Sardien.

Under the Mercedes-Benz Financial's Step Up Agility Financing Plan, qualified cuistomers can drive off with the E 200 from RM2,388 per month and the E300 from RM2,988. The promotional plan is for a limited time only. The instalment plan is based on a 5-year tenure and downpayment of 10%.

For more details, go to http://mb4.me/StepUpAgility or speak to a finance and insurance executive at the nearest Mercedes-Benz dealership.

With over 14 million vehicles delivered since 1946 globally, the E-Class is the bestselling model series in the history of Mercedes-Benz.

> Facelifted Mercedes-Benz E-Class Equipment List (pdf)