Ford Fiesta with EcoBoost engine sampled

THE Ford Fiesta 1.0-litre EcoBoost is an impressive compact car, with smooth power delivery, well-insulated cabin and ample safety features.

Ford touts its multiple award-winning turbocharged three-cylinder engine as providing an ideal combination of driving performance with fuel economy, and responsiveness with smoothness.

We found it tough to disagree, after our recent test drive of both the sedan and hatchback variants in Chiang Mai, also known as Thailand’s “Rose of the North”.

The Fiesta EcoBoost also has the hands-free in-car connectivity system called Ford SYNC, which enables drivers to answer phone calls and select music from devices connected via Bluetooth or USB, and listen to text messages by using voice commands.

“The Fiesta EcoBoost is great to sit in, drive and provides good fuel economy,” said Ford Asia Pacific vehicle line director (product development) Gary Boes in a media briefing.

“Today, people have a passion for connectivity. So, we have SYNC, developed with Microsoft, in the Fiesta for the first time. Also, the Fiesta has always been a nimble car to drive. Now, it is even more agile, with chassis refinements as well as better grip and handling through the corners,” Boes summed up.

The 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine is tiny enough to fit in the overhead luggage compartment of an airplane, or as Ford Asia Pacific manager of powertrain controls, calibration and NVH Robert Sharples puts it:
“It is so small, it fits on a A4 sheet of paper.”

Designed at Ford’s research and development centres in Germany and Britain, the engine combines direct injection, turbocharging and variable valve timing to deliver power and performance that rival a traditional 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

Sharples pointed out that the Fiesta, with its dual dry-clutch PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission and 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, can deliver fuel consumption of 18.9km per litre.

“The Fiesta has a 43-litre fuel tank. In theory, it is possible to get 812km on a single tank of fuel,” he said.
It is also worthwhile to note that the engine’s timing belt is always immersed in oil, which reduces friction and noise compared with dry belts.

According to Sharples, the timing belt never needs replacing for the life span of the Fiesta, which means lower ownership costs.

The car’s life span is based on 240,000km of durability tests done by Ford.

“Ford tests simulate the worst driving conditions and styles. Like other Ford cars, there is no compromise on the sign-off in durability tests,” said Sharples.

He also highlighted that unlike the aluminium engine block for the 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated Fiesta variant, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost has a cast-iron block structure.

“The rationale is improved stiffness characteristics and lower NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) for this tiny engine.”

This mid-life facelift for the Fiesta, produced at Ford and Mazda’s joint-venture AutoAlliance Thailand facility in Rayong, features a redesigned front end dominated by a trapezoidal front grille, as well as improved aerodynamics.

Ford Asia Pacific design chief Craig Metros pointed out that the facelifted Fiesta underwent more than 150 hours of wind tunnel tests, resulting in a three per cent reduction in drag, and thus, better fuel efficiency.

“Aerodynamic improvements were achieved partly due to revisions to the front air-deflector design, an enhanced rear spoiler (on the five-door hatchback), under-body optimisation and configuration of light units to separate air flow,” said Metros.

Meanwhile, Ford Asia Pacific vehicle integration manager Michael Pilling said the facelifted Fiesta has reduced NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) via added sealing features and stiffer twistbeam bush attachment brackets.

“Roads in Asia can be quite challenging in some places. We designed the Fiesta for exceptional interior quietness when driven,” he said.

Pilling also noted that the car’s ride quality has been improved via measures such as new front suspension bump-stops to provide better cushioning performance.

The Fiesta EcoBoost is quite well-packaged for a B-segment compact car, with nice details like Smart Keyless Entry and a engine push start button.

The dashboard design has a sporty look, and our test drive unit came with a Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone for us to check out the voice-command system Ford SYNC.

In a quiet cabin, SYNC responded quickly to our voice commands; for example, “Play Genre Rock”, “Play artist Maroon 5” and “Call Mary”.

It is a nifty hands-free system for drivers to control phone calls or messages, and music playback.

Our test drive of the Fiesta EcoBoost was on a 235km route around Chiang Mai, in the cool and wet weather of northern Thailand’s winter season.

The route involved a mixture of city roads, straight motorways, winding uphill slopes and twisty stretches.

We were snugly ensconced in the combined leather/fabric seats, and found a comfortable ride with the car’s firm yet well-sorted sport tuned suspension.

Fitted with 195/50 R16 tyres, the Fiesta handled impressively in tight road bends, and stayed well-planted when we took corners in a bit of spirited driving.

Power delivery is smooth, with lots of torque at low engine revs and sometimes we found it hard to believe that the car is propelled by such a small engine.

The car was far from lethargic when climbing steep uphill slopes with two large adult occupants.

If we had a complaint, it would be the lack of spicy turbocharged engine roar as the well-insulated cabin was a refined and quiet environment when we sped past Chiang Mai’s charming countryside scenery.

To sum it up, this is a very likeable compact car with its well-crafted interior, accurate electric power-assisted steering, as well as quiet and smooth ride quality.

We were told that the Fiesta EcoBoost is slated to be launched in Malaysia as a premium hatchback, with features such as seven airbags, in the first quarter of 2014.

Its retail price is expected to be between RM96,000 and RM99,000.


Updated BMW X1 features larger grille and new plug-in hybrid drive

                MUNICH: The 2019 updated BMW X1 gets a new look with a larger BMW grille – the kidneys now merging in the centre – that links up with new Adaptive LED headlights and a bumper with integrated LED foglamps and larger air intakes.

Another highlight is the driver’s-side exterior mirror, which projects a two-tone LED “X1” image when the car is unlocked.

This is far from just a visual trick; it also makes getting into and out of the BMW X1 that much easier.

In the cabin, a centrally mounted 6.5-inch Control Display screen is standard.

If a navigation system is specified, either an 8.8-inch or the new 10.25-inch Touch Control Display – which can be operated using the BMW iDrive Controller, voice control or touchscreen technology – comes as part of the package.

The updated BMW X1 line-up now comprises 16 engine/transmission combinations and the first plug-in hybrid X1 is expected to debut in 2020.

The BMW X1 xDrive25e – due to enter production in March 2020 – is fitted with the latest, fourth-generation BMW battery technology, which gives the battery a gross energy content of 9.7 kWh.

As a result, the plug-in-hybrid BMW X1 can cover more than 50km on electric power alone.


Rocking with the Lexus RX

                The new Lexus SUV has taken a giant leap from its previous incarnation in almost all aspects as it ups the ante in the premium segment.

Introduced in 1998, the Lexus RX looks like it's here to stay and Lexus is taking great strides to let people know that the RX is going to be a staple in the premium SUV market.

Even though the compact SUV segment is taking the auto industry by storm - and Lexus jumped on it with its hugely popular NX model - the new RX proves that bigger is sometimes better.

And why wouldn’t you want a bigger vehicle?

The new RX has extended its wheelbase up to 50mm (which means more legroom) and overall length of 120mm (more luggage space); its new exterior design is bold yet politely aggressive; the new powertrain dishes out more horses than the previous generation; it has every creature comfort, safety equipment, and a fit and finish that can match most luxury cars out there.

Lexus Malaysia launched all six variants of the new Lexus RX which consists of the 200t Premium, 200t Luxury, 200t F Sport, 350 Luxury, 350 F Sport and the 450h.

All 200t variants have the latest turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission which was first introduced in the NX. This new engine now produces 235hp and 350Nm of torque, 50hp more than the previous 2.7-litre RX 270 as well as an increase in torque of 98Nm.

The review unit we received was the 200t F Sport priced at RM422,990, the higher end of the 200t range and as the name suggests has more sportier additions to it as well.

For example, you know you are looking at an F Sport when you see the mesh in the signature spindle grille and 20-inch multi spoke wheels.

It also comes with aluminium roof rails and black outer mirror casings.

Besides these additional features, the overall body design of the new RX is simply stunning.

Its sharp-edged creases and surface shaping is a sight to behold.

And it is a distinctly Japanese aesthetic, as if the designers created it out of origami (the art of paper folding) first before turning it into an actual production model.

A cool feature is the blacked out C-pillar which gives a floating roofline effect.

The wide-yawning spindle grille is authoritative without being too aggressive and finally, the stylised L-shaped LED headlamps, which also doubles as turn signal indicators and the wide LED taillights which wraps around the rear dress of the car like finely cut gemstones.

And those turn signals light up sequentially and doesn’t look cliched at all unlike some neon-lit signages.

The cabin inside is well appointed with quality materials and exquisite craftsmanship with its leather trim, leather seats and impeccable stitching.

The centre dash has a simple and clearly defined layout which makes it intuitive to operate.

The spaciousness is immediately felt once you step inside and if you still feel claustrophobic, opening up the moonroof should do the trick.

The seats are plush and comfortable plus the driver and front passenger seats are ventilated which is a real welcome in hot climate countries like ours.

The RX comes with a push start button, an 8-inch display with navigation, rear and panoramic view camera, and hi-fi quality sound from the Lexus Premium Audio system with 12 speakers.

You can operate the multimedia system through the Remote Touch Interface and its rectangular joystick control located on the centre console.

When it comes to noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), the RX simply shines because it is eerily quiet as external noise either from the engine or traffic is shut out making it a conducive and relaxing environment.

The suspension is very well-tuned and absorbs uneven and harsh road conditions competently.

The tuning can be changed through the different drive mode the RX offers.

The F Sport variant has additional modes of Sport+ and Customise. The Eco, Normal and Sport modes are standard across all variants. Once Sport+ is engaged, it becomes a completely different car.

The steering is sharper, the suspension is stiffer, you get a quicker response from the powertrain and the throttle is just aggressive.

The F Sport is rearing to go in this mode and the exhaust note unleashes a roar that is refined but thrilling nevertheless.

The handling of this car is just impressive.

Body-roll is minimal and for an SUV with a taller ride height, it feels really planted. Its all wheel drive system eliminates under steer and it turns without much fuss at higher speeds.

The F Sport comes with paddle shifters along with G-Ball and Boost meter on the instrument panel which helps you understand the g-forces the car generates and the boost pressure of the turbocharger.

If you want to have your cake and eat it too - a spacious and comfortable car for the whole family, ample luggage space, luxurious accoutrements and the ability to engage the need for speed with a twist of a dial - the RX F Sport is it.


Meet KIA's one-off Stinger GT420 track car

                LONDON: Kia has unveiled its latest track-going creation in the form of the Stinger GT420.

Other than its newfound livery, the standard Stinger has been internally gutted to save precious weight - even the car's battery was replaced with a lightweight lithium-polymer version to save 22kg.

Externally, the car has been fitted with a Stillen front splitter and rear diffuser as well as an Air Design rear spoiler.

Not to mention, its 3,342cc V6 twin-turbo direct-injection engine producing 365bhp and 510Nm has been tuned to output 422bhp and 560Nm of torque.

To help it achieve the power ratings, the engine has been fitted with HKS M45il spark plugs, K&N sports air filter, and a Milltek Sport quad-exhaust system with deleted catalytic-converters among others.

Also, a six-row replaces the standard four-row automatic transmission cooler before flashing the transmission software for quicker shifts in Sport and Sport+ modes.

The stripped interior had rear windows glued into place, lightweight door cards installed and the sunroof replaced by a steel panel before the underbody crossbars, roll cage, seats, belts and fire extinguisher was installed for a total weight savings of 150kg.

The wheels were replaced with wider and lightweight 19-inch OZ Racing Leggera alloys wearing 235/35 (front) and 265/30/R19 (rear) Pirelli Trofeo R tyres - and given negative 2.5-degree camber-angle after modifying the front cross-member.

All that partially hides the front Brembo six-pot callipers and racing steel flex pipes that bite down on the 380 x 34mm discs via Endless pads while the rears still use the Stinger's standard brakes and fitted with cooling ducts and deflectors

Tweaks were made to the anti-lock brakes, traction control and electronic stability control to take into account its added performance.

Additionally, in Sport+ mode traction control and electronic stability control off completely switched off to allow for drift duties.

The standard dampers were paired with Eibach Pro lowering springs along with front 25mm and rear 17mm (custom) anti-roll bars.


BMW opens first dealership for i sub-brand in Malaysia

                KUALA LUMPUR: Auto Bavaria, Malaysia's longest serving and largest authorised BMW dealership group today introduced the country's first BMW i showroom and service centre at its Kuala Lumpur branch along Jalan Tun Razak here.

Occupying space of up to 1,383 square feet on the first floor of the Auto Bavaria dealership, the new i showroom features the newest brand identity, furniture and fittings for the i brand. The space also displays a unit of the RM1.1mil  i8, a plug-in hybrid sports car with the i Wallbox charger.

BMW has an i3 electric car, which it is not selling in Malaysia. It is also expected to announce a third i model in future that is positioned between the i3 and i8.

Auto Bavaria managing director Jeffrey Gan said the i dealership would help it better serve i customers in  Malaysia as well as help BMW enthusiasts and fans get closer to the brand.

Gan said the  i centre would offer service and maintenance as well as  vehicle repairs and on the road assistance with a dedicated mobile charging service for owners.

The showroom was opened by BMW Group Malaysia managing director and CEO Alan Harris.

The i dealership is located at 362, Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur.

 The i showroom is on the first floor of this building in Kuala Lumpur.


2018 Geneva Motor Show: Rimac and Corbellati present exceptional hypercars

                GENEVA: Visitors to the Geneva Motor Show - which opens to the public today - can admire some of the world's finest supercars and hypercars.

There are also several curiosities to discover this year, including two exceptional new vehicles promising power-packed performance, the Rimac Concept Two and the Corbellati Missile.

Croatian carmaker Rimac packs a punch with the Concept Two and its off-the-scale performances. It has a 1,408kW (equivalent to 1,914hp) electric motor with a top speed of 412kph and record-breaking 1.85-second 0-100kph acceleration.

Rimac is only expected to produce 100 of these supercharged cars, estimated to sell for just over a million euros each.

For its part, Italian car firm Corbellati claims another record for its "production" vehicle with a top speed of 500kph. While its design nods to the stylish Italian sports cars of the 1960s, its 1,800-horsepower V8 biturbo engine belongs to a new era of speed.

Other than this headline-grabbing announcement, the fledgling carmaker is yet to comment on expected production and price.

Note that visitors to the Swiss show will have to make do with admiring these cars while stationary rather than in action.


Everyone loves a compact SUV, Lexus to release C-HR-based SUV in 2019

                TOKYO: Luxury Japanese car maker Lexus has unveiled its first entry in the compact SUV market with the UX, which is set for release next spring.

The model is derived from the C-HR made by Lexus' parent company Toyota, but flaunts a more elegant aesthetic than its muse, with a plush interior and sleek design.

Coming in at 4.5 metres in length, the UX uses the same engine as the C-HR and comes in two sizes: the UX 200 model with a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 171hp or the hybrid UX 250h edition.

The more powerful UX 250h combines the 200's petrol engine with an electric motor, achieving 178hp. It is also available in four-wheel drive.

Depending on the model, the UX takes either 8.5 or 9.2 seconds to go from 0 to 100kph, with a top speed between 177kph and 190kph.

The consumption for the hybrid, which drives only a few hundred metres solely on electric power sits at 4.1 litres (CO2 emissions: 96 g/km).

The UX 200 consumption clocks in at 5.6 litres with 132 g/km CO2 emissions.

In addition to the electrically driven rear axle for the four-wheel drive option, the UX's equipment options also include numerous assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control and head-up displays.

The UX is due to go on sale in North America at the end of 2018, with prices estimated at around US$33,000 (RM137,000) for the higher-end model, while it is expected to arrive in Europe in March 2019 with similar pricing.


Volkswagen axes 'Das Auto' slogan as it attempts to repair image

                BERLIN: Scarred by a public relations thrashing over its "Dieselgate" scandal, Volkswagen is planning an image offensive, and its "Das Auto" global advertising slogan is an early casualty.

Launched in 2007 under ousted boss Martin Winterkorn, the slogan has had the advantage of simplicity, merely meaning "The Car". However, the German carmaker's leaders, anxious to proclaim a reformed corporate culture, have criticised it as out of step with a company trying to show new-found humility.

A Volkswagen spokesman would not pronounce "Das Auto" dead quite yet, but said it would no longer accompany the famous VW badge in the coming advertising campaign.

Its replacement is hardly radical.

"Wherever our logo appears in future, it will be backed by the new brand slogan 'Volkswagen'," the spokesman said. "The slogan will be rolled out in stages across the world."

VW has been largely on the defensive since US authorities revealed in September it had admitted rigging exhaust emission tests on some diesel-powered models. For weeks, it volunteered little information about the extent of the cheating, instead reacting guardedly to a flood of revelations and allegations.

The new campaign, discussed last week at a closed-door meeting of 2,000 group managers, is VW's latest attempt to regain the initiative in rebuilding its reputation following a sharp drop in sales in some markets, including the United States and Britain.

While the group produces everything from Bugatti supercars and Ducati motorbikes to heavy-duty Scania trucks, the meeting in the eastern German city of Dresden focused on the main VW brand.

According to a manager who was there, Volkswagen brand chief Herbert Diess described the Winterkorn-era slogan - which could suggest that VW alone can define the modern motor car - as absolutist.

Such an image of regal arrogance ill fits the reality of VW today: a company facing huge costs from recalling and modifying cars to meet emissions regulations, plus likely regulatory fines and a welter of lawsuits.

Volkswagen needed to show humility, the manager said, and the slogan 'Das Auto' was pretentious. The old slogan also failed to convey VW's technological ambitions in areas such as electrically-powered vehicles, the manager said, requesting anonymity.

VW said the Dresden meeting discussed the task of leading the company through the crisis and its future strategy.

Diess is a relative newcomer to VW, arriving from Bavarian rival BMW only in July. Since Winterkorn's forced resignation on Sept. 23, the group has reshuffled its management through internal promotions and external hires.

New chief executive Matthias Mueller formerly ran the group's Porsche sportscar unit, while the compliance chief was hired from rival Daimler.

VW tried to engender a new atmosphere at the annual pre-Christmas conference in Dresden last Thursday. For instance, male staff were encouraged to remove their ties - an unheard of suggestion in the buttoned-up Winterkorn era - and managers even folded shirts in a team-building exercise.

All this, along with VW's first news conference on the scandal earlier this month, suggests it is finally becoming a little less defensive and trying to shape events from a public relations perspective rather than merely reacting to them.

Group communications chief Hans-Gerd Bode acknowledges frustrations have built up while VW tries to establish who did what and when to deceive the US authorities, but he denies deliberate dishonesty in VW's communications.

"I can assure you that we certainly did not, at any point, knowingly lie to you," he told a group of reporters. "We have always tried to give you the information which corresponded to the latest level of our own knowledge at the time."

VW's PR response in the first three months of the crisis drew criticism from regulators, customers and politicians. There have been several missteps.

On Sept 22, the company dismissed as "nonsense" a German media report that Winterkorn would be replaced by Mueller. The following day, Winterkorn resigned and Mueller was installed as his successor on Sept 25.

In November, its luxury Audi division denied that its three-litre models had been fitted with illegal software, only to admit three weeks later that in fact they had.

Three weeks into what has become known as 'Dieselgate' VW communications staff began insisting media questions be submitted by email for consideration by teams that included lawyers as well as compliance staff. Often answers came back hours later or even the following day.

More recently the flow of information has improved, with Mueller and Chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch updating reporters for two hours on Dec. 10 on the state of VW's internal investigations.

But it had taken VW almost three months to hold its first free-flowing news conference. Prior to that, Mueller had largely stuck to reading out carefully worded statements, departing without fielding questions.

One advantage of the long delay was that VW won time to come up with a forward-looking plan that it could present at the news conference, rather than having to dwell on its past misconduct.

"The earlier you communicate, the more backward-looking you have to be," said Katja Nagel, chief executive of Munich-based crisis communications consultancy Cetacea.

"To be able to look forward and talk about prevention of such cases in the future - this is a strong position to be in. To do so, you need time to substantiate your plans before publicly talking about them."

Sometimes haste can be counterproductive, such as when Winterkorn was forced out within a week of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealing VW's admission. This left Mueller to pick up the pieces immediately, rather than having Winterkorn stay for a while to handle the fallout.

"They jumped on it a bit quickly by pushing Winterkorn out of the door, so the scope for him to take the flak was limited," said Robert Haigh, communications director at Brand Finance, a London-based brand valuation consultancy.

In PR terms, VW was on the backfoot from the outset, allowing the EPA to reveal its cheating, putting others in charge of the message.

Only occasionally did it show initiative. On Nov. 3 - six weeks after the first revelations - VW volunteered it had discovered carbon dioxide emissions and fuel usage of up to 800,000 cars sold in Europe had been overstated.

It was later able to say that only a much smaller number of cars was affected and the cost could be relatively minor, in contrast to the figure of at least 2 billion euros it had first estimated.

VW said the initial estimate of 800,000 cars was a worst case scenario and it was able to reduce the number of affected vehicles following measurement checks.

This was a success under the rules of public relations; by initially estimating the costs of a setback at a high level, a company can subsequently present a lower number as good news.

But PR industry experts gave VW low marks for announcing that only a small group of employees had been responsible for the cheating without naming them - suggesting it did not yet know who they were.

VW has called in German PR firm Hering Schuppener, as well as Finsbury in Britain and Edelman and Kekst in the United States. But Bode made clear VW was still making the final decisions on crisis communications.

"What we also need is a view from outside. They are excellent sparring partners for us," he said.


Driverless bus set to debut

                PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s first ever autonomous bus trial will be rolled out here next month.

Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd will be introducing this joint effort on its Sunway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network using a single fully-imported bus from China for a year.

Yesterday, Rapid Bus, a subsidiary of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, exchanged the memorandum of understanding with eMoovit Technology Sdn Bhd for this trial, which will not carry any passengers initially.

Rapid Bus head, Muhammad Yazurin Sallij, said: “Rapid Bus chose this autonomous bus technology to enhance the public transport sector in line with the need to increase sustainability and environmental friendliness,” he said at the event witnessed by Hamidi Adam, the deputy secretary of land transport at the Transport Ministry.

“The implementation of the trial will focus on the effect of autonomous electric buses on the urban transport system from a technological, social, and economic standpoint,” he added.

This low-key trial, which will also be initially conducted during after service hours on the elevated BRT track that runs all across Bandar Sunway, will provide valuable input for optimisation of self-driving buses in the future when it can be shown that they can be operated safely and efficiently, while reducing costs and manpower needs.

The exchange of the MoU was conducted at the Sunway BRT complex here, where eMoovit was represented by its chief executive officer, Dr Hairi Zamzuri.

Hairi said: “We hope the introduction of this autonomous electric vehicle will bring benefits such as reduction of emissions, increase in service efficiency as well as energy use.

“According to a recent statement from the General Insurance Association of Malaysia, more than 80% of road accidents in Malaysia are caused by driver error. This is worrisome, and our aspiration is that the use of autonomous vehicles will be able to reduce human errors,” he added.

eMoovit is a company that focuses on autonomous mobility software, with a focus on solving problems in the public transport sector.

The Sunway BRT is currently Malaysia’s only BRT network that runs on a closed circuit, thus making the autonomous vehicle trial to demonstrate proof-of-concept here a natural option.

The electric bus in question, manufactured by Kinglong, is able to take up to 25 passengers, when standing passengers are combined with seated ones.

“Safety of passengers and road users has led Rapid Bus to use the Sunway BRT as the choice location, other than facilitating the supervision of this trial,” he added.

The Sunway BRT was the world’s first all-electric BRT system when it was launched in 2015 to serve Bandar Sunway and Subang Jaya, with an interchange at the USJ7 station to the Kelana Jaya LRT.

Currently, a fleet of electric buses from BYD ply the 5.4km elevated track between Setia Jaya and USJ7, serving seven stops along the way.


Japan transport ministry raids two Nissan plants over improper checks

                TOKYO: Japan’s transport ministry said today it had carried out spot inspections at two plants producing Nissan Motor Co Ltd vehicles as part of a probe into final checks, days after irregularities forced the automaker to recall 1.2 million cars sold in Japan.

The two inspections on Tuesday followed inspections at four more factories last week, the ministry said. The initial four found the automaker had conducted unauthorized final vehicle checks for most domestic models which had not yet been sold, prompting Nissan to suspend new vehicle registrations with the government.

By Monday, Japan’s second-biggest automaker had discovered problematic checks of more vehicles, and said it would recall all new passenger cars sold in Japan over the past three years.

This is the second major instance of misconduct involving a Japanese automaker in under two years, after Mitsubishi Motors Corp said it tampered with fuel economy tests for some domestic-market models. While the recall is unlikely to have a significant impact on profitability, it is a blow to Nissan’s reputation just as it enjoys strong domestic sales, analysts said.

In inspecting Nissan’s factories, the ministry found names of certified technicians used on documents to sign off final vehicle checks conducted by non-certified technicians, two people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

It was possible the practice occurred at most or all of the six plants, said the people, who declined to be identified as they were not authorized to speak with media on the matter.

Vehicles sold in Japan must be registered with the government. As part of this process, during final checks, vehicles must undergo an additional procedure performed by plant technicians who can be certified by the automakers.

Nissan confirmed the latest two ministry inspections were at its Tochigi plant and at the Auto Works Kyoto plant owned by an affiliate.

“We are currently conducting an investigation into the nature of this vehicle inspection issue at our plants,” spokesman Nick Maxfield said in an emailed statement. A third-party is also involved in its probe.

Nissan’s recall includes all of the 386,000 new passenger vehicles it sold in Japan in 2016, roughly 10 percent of its global sales. It excludes Nissan-branded mini-vehicles produced by Mitsubishi Motors, which comprise roughly one-third of Nissan’s annual domestic sales.


Tesla will not disable Autopilot feature, says WSJ

                The radar technology of a Tesla Model S containing Autopilot features is located here as pointed out. - Reuters

SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Motors Inc chief executive Elon Musk said the electric car maker has no plans to disable its Autopilot feature in the wake of a fatal accident in which the driver of a Model S car was using the technology, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The company, in fact, is planning an explanatory blog post to educate customers on how the feature works, the newspaper reported on Tuesday. "A lot of people don't understand what it is and how you turn it on," Musk told the Journal in an interview.

The company came under regulators' scrutiny after a fatal car crash on May 7 that killed a Model S car owner who was operating it in autopilot mode.

In a recent move, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sent the company a letter, seeking details of all design changes and updates to Autopilot since it went into use last year. Tesla was not immediately available to comment.


Vinfast: Vietnam’s answer to Tesla has US in its electric sights

                HAI PHONG CITY: Move over Tesla, how about a VinFast?

That's the proposition being offered by the automobile arm of Vietnam's largest conglomerate, Vingroup.

It's betting big on the US market with its VinFast line of cars and hoping that electric SUVs and a battery leasing model will be enough to woo consumers away from homegrown market leaders like Tesla and General Motors Co.

A recent arrival on the automotive scene and the No. 5 car brand in Vietnam, VinFast is not short on ambition, with its sights set on a US listing and a valuation of as much as US$60 billion, according to two sources familiar with its plans.

It will launch in North America and Europe in 2022, CEO Nguyen Thi Van Anh told Reuters, joining a crowded field of players seeking to compete with Elon Musk's Tesla, including a slew of loss-making upstarts fuelled by a Wall Street fundraising craze.

"We are going to North America - US, Canada - and Europe at the same time. In Europe, we're going to Germany, France and the Netherlands," Van Anh said in an interview at the company's sprawling factory complex near the northern port of Haiphong.

Standing behind VinFast is Vingroup, Vietnam's answer to a South Korean chaebol or catch-all conglomerate. Founded as an instant noodle business in post-Soviet Ukraine, the company's trajectory has mirrored that of Vietnam, one of Asia's fastest-growing economies, with interests spanning real estate, resorts, schools, hospitals and smartphones.

Even with such formidable local backing, VinFast has its work cut out as industry giants such as General Motors, Toyota and Volkswagen spend tens of billions of dollars to develop electric and driverless vehicles.

Founded in 2017 with a team led by former General Motors Co executives, the company is aiming to compete on vehicle size and price – pitching an electric SUV that Van Anh described as "more luxurious" than those currently on offer.

VinFast cars will also come with a battery leasing scheme that means the cost of the battery, one of the most expensive components of an electric car, will not be included in the final price.

"I'm going to give you a better product. I'm giving you an SUV. I'm giving you a more spacious car," said Van Anh, who will relocate next month from Hanoi to Los Angeles to head VinFast's US operations.

According to a presentation prepared by the company for potential investors, VinFast cars will be cheaper compared to other electric-vehicle (EV) models.

A Tesla SUV sells for around US$50,000, but Van Anh, who declined to discuss potential competitors, would not be drawn on how much a VinFast SUV would sell for.

Two of the company's three electric models are destined for the United States, where the company is targeting annual sales of 45,000 cars, she said.

Edge over competition?

There is precedent for Asian carmakers cracking the US market. Toyota in the 1970s and Hyundai in the 1980s overcame initial scepticism with products that eventually stole market share from US manufacturers.

VinFast, which achieved annual sales of around 30,000 units last year in Vietnam and has yet to make a profit, faces an uphill battle.

"Their biggest challenge is convincing consumers that they have a solid product and a compelling value proposition," said Bill Russo, head of Shanghai-based consultancy Automobility Ltd and a former Chrysler executive.

"The product itself looks to have the right appearance and features, but this will only get you in the game. Winning requires a technology or business model edge over the competition."

The company is betting its battery leasing scheme – where customers would pay a monthly amount roughly equivalent to what the average consumer might spend on petrol – will win over US customers.

When the battery, which uses cells from South Korea's Samsung SDI, is at 70% of its full lifespan, VinFast will replace it, Van Anh said.

A similar scheme has already been rolled out in China by Tencent-backed electric vehicle maker Nio, whose ES6 SUV has a starting price of around 358,000 yuan (RM227,000).

No EV maker can compete with Tesla in the near future, according to Michael Dunne, chief executive of automotive consulting firm ZoZo Go, pointing to the US company's across-the-board strengths.

"But the good news is that companies like VinFast do not have to beat Tesla to win. All they really need to do is convert a portion of the 65 million consumers who bought gasoline-powered cars in 2020 to switch over the electrics," said Dunne.

VinFast, whose manufacturing facility in Vietnam has the capacity to churn out 250,000 cars a year, is planning on conducting most of its US sales online, removing the need for a costly dealership network. It has had 15,000 advance orders so far for its VF e34 electric car in Vietnam.

The company has hired Jeremy Snyder, a 10-year Tesla veteran, as its US chief growth officer.

Snyder said he was VinFast's first employee on the ground in the United States but, between full-time employees and consultants, the company now has around 100 people working there.

"It's very exciting to bring Vietnam and the United States closer through VinFast," he said.

SPAC option

Vingroup's founder, Pham Nhat Vuong, Vietnam's richest man, has pledged to invest US$2 billion (RM8.2bil) of his own money into the car division and Vingroup has poured hundreds of millions of dollars into VinFast by issuing international bonds and selling off stakes in other units.

But expansion over the years has pushed up Vingroup's debt and losses at some of its ventures have squeezed its cashflow.

To turbocharge its growth, VinFast will need more cash. The company is looking at tapping into a funding frenzy in the United States, where investors, including some of the world's biggest money managers, have poured billions into auto startups via blank-check companies known as special-purpose acquisition companies or SPACs.

Three sources with direct knowledge of the plans said VinFast was leaning towards a SPAC, although Van Anh declined to comment on when or how the company would generate funding in the United States.

Officials from the US Securities and Exchange Commission will visit Vietnam soon to meet with Vingroup executives about its efforts to list, two separate sources said. If VinFast does list in the United States it will be the first Vietnamese company to do so.

"When it happens, how it happens, whether by SPAC or by another method, we'll make the right decision at the same time," said Van Anh.

There are hundreds of SPACs searching for companies to take public and investors are desperate to identify the next Tesla, whose stratospheric market rally has made Musk one of the world's richest men.

Nio, which made a net loss last year of US$860 million (RM3.5bil), has a market cap of around US$67 billion (RM275bil), according to its New York stock listing and sold just under 44,000 cars last year, close to what VinFast is targeting in the United States.

A stream of EV-related startups notched up multi-billion dollar valuations last year despite not having products ready to sell but their shares have taken a knocking recently.

VinFast likes to distinguish itself from other EV startups.

"If you look at some of the SPAC deals that already happened, they do not really have what we currently have," said Van Anh.

"Even if we don't have a product in the world market, we have the products here."


2019 CarSifu awards: Why cars won

The top three winners for 2019 are (front to back) Camry, XC40 and X70.

PETALING JAYA: The fourth edition of the CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards once again honoured the best cars launched in the past 12 months, and here, we highlight the reasons behind the selection of award winners.

A panel of CarSifu judges arrived at their conclusions after evaluating short-listed cars in key areas such as safety, performance, comfort, fuel economy, handling, styling as well as their individual "wow" factor.

This year's awards saw a major change with the replacement of a single "Car of the Year" winner by three "Car of the Year" winners based on geographic origins (namely Local, Asian and Continental Car of the Year).

This year, the awards presentation organised by Star Media Group was held at Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur.

Carlsberg was the official beer sponsor while the official tyre was Toyo Tires and Silverstone.

Local Car of the Year 2019Proton X70 Premium

Even before its official launch in Malaysia, the X70 was easily one of the most searched items on the Internet by Malaysians.

Now with its strong sales achievement, the X70 has not only proven itself as a popular SUV but has also restored Proton as a much desirable brand for Malaysians.

The top-of-the-line X70 Premium comes with value, styling, and convenience as well as safety features that are clearly ahead.
Asian Car of the Year 2019Toyota Camry 2.5VFeaturing a more sporty body styling and intelligent safety features, the Camry has not only set a new direction for its segment but also extended the Camry’s nameplate appeal to a wider group of buyers.

Built using Toyota’s New Global Architecture, the new Camry easily improves on the handling, ride and comfort levels of earlier generations.
Continental Car of the Year 2019Volvo XC40 T5

The XC40 T5 continues the resurgence of the Volvo brand in Malaysia with a model that is exciting and trendy.

Its compact dimension makes it suitable for urban motoring, while its combination of a powerful engine, premium appointments, and smart and safety features results in a compact luxury vehicle that will appeal to a wider audience.

Best Compact Hatch (below RM70K)Proton Iriz Premium

The Proton Iriz Premium has undergone design changes to make it even more attractive with full-width chrome strip known as the “Ethereal Bow” and Infinite Weave pattern on the front fascia.

The rear features a gloss black strip with the Proton lettering and a larger diffuser for the rear bumper.

The Iriz Premium comes with a 1.6-litre engine that offers 109PS and 150Nm of torque and improved CVT transmission.

It also has new 15-inch two-tone alloy wheels and a black roof, 4G connectivity, voice control and is competitively priced than the previous generation.

Best Compact Sedan (below RM70K)Proton Saga Premium

With a price of just below RM40,000, the Saga Premium certainly gives a lot of bang for the bucks.

In addition to a spacious trunk, the Saga Premium also gets an infotainment system with a large 7.0-inch touchscreen with 16GB of internal storage, smartphone connectivity and three USB ports.

Its safety features are also impressive, among them are a reverse camera, electronic stability control, traction control, hill-hold assist and front parking sensors.

Best Compact Car (above RM70K)Toyota Yaris 1.5G

The new Toyota Yaris 1.5G hatchback comes with the 1.5-litre Dual VVT-i engine with 107PS and 140Nm of torque and is paired to a CVT automatic transmission.

The Yaris shares the same powertrain as the Vios and almost the same dimensions except the Yaris' length is shorter by 280mm, giving it a trendier appearance.

The 1.5G variant adds on rear disc brakes, chrome outer door handles, an Optitron meter panel with 4.3-inch TFT multi-info display and safety features such as Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.

Most Fun Car (1.0L – 1.3L)Kia Picanto GT-Line

Kia jazzes up the Picanto with a GT Line variant that adds premium bits such as Autonomous Emergency Braking and a sunroof for such a tiny car.

The RM58K also buys two-tone leather seats, cruise control and automatic air conditioning.

All these are eye candy, what will truly surprise is the riotous driving dynamics that this brash little car offers. It will put a big smile on your face.

Best Mid-size Performance HatchRenault Megane R.S. 280 Cup

Unlike the earlier generations sold in Malaysia, the Megane R.S. 280 Cup now comes with five doors instead of three previously, adding entry and exit convenience for rear passengers.

Featuring an aggressive persona enhanced by Renault Sport, the Megane 280 is equipped with a new 1.8-litre direct injection, twin-scroll turbocharged block that delivers 280PS and 390Nm of torque for a 0-100kph dash in 5.8 seconds.

Its 4Control four-wheel steering system, the first-of-its-kind for C-segment vehicles, ensures breath-taking cornering agility as well as impressive stability at high speeds.

Best Mid-size CarMazda3 2.0 Sedan High Plus

Sculpted in design and dynamic in its drive, the Mazda3 2.0 Sedan High Plus has reset the standard in its segment to become one of the most contemporary sedans right now with its safety equipment, connectivity, comfort as well as driveability, which appeals to both everyday drivers and purists alike.

Best Large-size CarToyota Camry 2.5V

The eighth-generation Camry delivers highly on the luxury quotient as well as improved ride and handling, as it was built using Toyota’s New Global Architecture.

It impresses with its sleek and sporty looks, a well-designed premium leather-clad interior and top-notch convenience and safety features.

Best Small-size Luxury CarBMW 330i

Offered with the M Sport package that includes the 18-inch Double Spoke Style Orbit Grey light-alloy wheel, the 330i cuts a dynamic appearance with its new body styling that exudes energy and poise.

In addition to a powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that delivers 258hp and 400Nm of torque, the 330i also gets a suite of smart convenience features, large digital displays and BMW’s first-ever lift-related dampers that continuously function to the changing spring travel to cancel out vibrations that occur when going over rough surfaces.

Best Mid-size Luxury Executive CarVolvo S90 T5

Along comes the Scandinavian underdog that works hard at re-interpreting luxury on its own terms.
It pays off for Volvo, with a rich ensemble that comes with a spacious interior and quiet ride.

Its full suite of active safety and driver-assist systems such as City Safety and Adaptive Cruise Control, among others, makes the S90 T5 one of the safest cars on the road.

Best Compact SUVPerodua Aruz AV

The Perodua Aruz does well within its budget segment stretching to close the gap with the Toyota Rush through amenities and advanced safety features that are impressive at its price point.

MORE > GO TO PAGE 2 of 3


Volvo acquires advanced simulator in move to make better cars

                GOTHENBURG: Volvo Cars has become the first premium car maker to buy the world’s most advanced Vi-Grade chassis simulator – the same equipment used by Ferrari and Porsche – to develop next generation Volvos.

The simulator offers exciting virtual environments including Germany’s renowned Nürburgring as well as test tracks at Volvo Cars’ own secret testing facility in Sweden. It allows Volvo Cars to conduct extremely early stage development work on high speed stability, balance and individual drive mode settings, leading to the development of cars that are more responsive, more rewarding and even more enjoyable to drive.

“We are making substantial investments in people, technology and facilities in order to redefine the Volvo driving experience. Our aim is to deliver full control, ease and dexterity at the wheel. We will improve drivability across the entire Volvo Cars range,” said Dr Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research & Development at Volvo Cars.

The Swedish car maker uses the simulator’s virtual environments to support early development work on high speed stability, balance and individual drive mode settings. The use of simulation means that settings can be rapidly tested combining the experiential judgment of a real driver and computer-aided objective data analysis.

The move heralds a new beginning for Volvo Cars in terms of driving experience, said Dr Mertens. “We have made some critical investments both in terms of our R&D facilities and in our product components in recent times that are now beginning to pay dividends. Our completely new scalable product architecture (SPA), our modular powertrain program and the latest chassis components are the starting point.”

The new simulator means more freedom to innovate in the concept development phase and shorter development time, according to Dr Mertens.

“The beauty of the new simulator is that it provides us with the opportunity to physically experience the calculation models and evaluate them using human test drivers, rather than staring at graphs and numbers in a meeting room,” says Stefan Karlsson, Manager Vehicle Dynamics at Volvo Car Group.


Car caught being driven at high speed against traffic flow in PJ

                PETALING JAYA: A car was caught on camera being driven against the flow of traffic along the Federal Highway.

A video of the incident has been making its rounds on social media, showing the car being driven at a high speed.

Deputy Petaling Jaya OCPD Supt Ku Mashariman Ku Mahmood in a statement said that the incident occurred at 1.52am on Sunday (May 8) near Icon City here.

“No collision with other vehicles occurred. Investigations are underway under the Road Transport Act 1987, for reckless and dangerous driving,” he said.

In a separate case of dangerous driving, Johor police are tracking down the driver of a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle who was caught on video overtaking dangerously over the double line in Batu Pahat.

Batu Pahat OCPD Asst Comm Ismail Dollah said police had detected a viral video on social media where a white 4WD was seen overtaking dangerously across a double line.

"We have identified the owner of the car and at the same time, we also urge the owner and driver to come forward to have their statements recorded," he said today.

He said the case is being investigated under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.


VW in digital push to drive manufacturing performance

                HERNDON (Virginia, USA): Volkswagen has launched a digital transformation push across its assembly plants in the United States and Mexico.

As part of Volkswagen’s estimated US$1 billion dollar investment in electric mobility and digitalisation in North America up to 2025, the company is working to bringing technologies such as cloud-based industrial software, intelligent robotics and artificial intelligence into the factory operations.

The company aims to drive a 30 percent increase in manufacturing performance for its electric vehicle assembly and large-scale car assembly in Chattanooga, TN, and Puebla, Mexico, by 2025. To accelerate its digital push, Volkswagen also seeks to increase on-site trainings for its North American workforce.

“We’re pushing our ambitious digital transformation to make Volkswagen’s factories in the North American region more productive, connected and more sustainable than ever before”, said Johan de Nysschen, chief operating officer at Volkswagen Group of America.

“Our digital transformation also supports skilled labor and high-profile, future-proof jobs throughout North America at our sites in Chattanooga, Puebla and Silao.”

The unified launch of software, AI and robotics could allow Volkswagen to optimise collaboration and enhance the overall assembly process and workplace environment for its employees and suppliers.

This could lead to, for example, an even more efficient management of material flows, optimised operation of machines and systems, and increased savings in energy consumption for manufacturing-related processes.


Ford announces latest 0% GST prices and Raya offers

                KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the sole distributor of Ford in Malaysia, today announced the updated prices for its full range of Ford vehicles, effective June 1.

The announcement comes in conjunction with the implementation of 0% GST from June 1 onwards.

The new prices currently offer savings of up to RM33,000 and will remain in effect until the sales and services tax (SST) comes into effect with all prices mentioned being on-the-road without insurance and any short-term promotional offers:
Ranger 3.2L Wildtrak Limited Grey (Current Price) - RM141,588
without GST - RM133,704.16Ranger 3.2L Wiltrak (Current Price) - RM139,838
without GST - RM132,053.22Ranger 2.2L Wildtrak (Current Price) - RM127,888
without GST - RM120,702.74Ranger 3.2L XLT AT (Current Price) - RM124,588
without GST - RM117,666.42Ranger 3.2L XLT MT (Current Price) - RM117,188
without GST - RM110,685.29Ranger 2.2L FX4 (Current Price) - RM121,888
without GST - RM115,042.36Ranger 2.2L XLT AT (Current Price) - RM115,088
without GST - RM108,627.27Ranger 2.2L XLT MT (Current Price) - RM107,688
without GST - RM101,646.14Ranger 2.2L XL (Current Price) - RM94,588
without GST - RM89,287.65Ranger 2.2L XL Standard (Current Price) - RM83,588
without GST - RM78,910.29Ranger 2.2L XL Single Cab (Current Price) - RM87,088
without GST - RM82,212.17Mustang 5.0L GT Ecoboost (Current Price) - RM598,888
without GST - RM565,626Mustang 2.3 Ecoboost (Current Price) - RM488,888
without GST - RM461,271.19Fiesta 1.5L Sport (Current Price) - RM88,388
without GST - RM83,401.32Fiesta 1.0L Ecoboost (Current Price) - RM98,488
without GST - RM92,925.66Focus 1.5L Ecoboost Titanium + (Current Price) - RM139,888
without GST - RM131,986.23S Max 2.0L Ecoboost (Current Price) - RM234,988
without GST - RM221,728.08Everest 2.2L Trend 4X2 (Current Price) - RM198,888
without GST - RM187,683.87
Customers who purchase a Mustang will get to drive home a free brand-new Fiesta 1.5L Sport, while the S-Max now starts from RM147,000.

Purchasing any Ranger pickup truck variants will allow its buyer to be in the standing to win a new Fiesta 1.5 Sport (Grand prize) as well as one of 15 units of Huawei Mate 10 Pro smartphones.

For those purchasing any Ranger Wildtrak variant will receive free service and maintenance for two years or 40,000km (whichever comes first).

Winners are determined through a monthly lucky draw, with five smartphones to win each month.

With the first draw completed, there are still 10 units of smartphones to be won and the grand prize winner will be announced after the final draw in June.


Winners of 2016 Toyota Dream Car Art contest announced

SHAH ALAM: Nine Malaysian children have had their artwork selected as the winning masterpieces in the National phase of the 2016 Toyota Dream Car Art Contest.

The global contest, organised by Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) is in its 10th year.

The Toyota Dream Car Art Contest is one of the largest global art contest, participated by children from over 81 countries who shared their ideas about the future of mobility by drawing their dream cars.

Each year, the contest starts around November of the prior year with the national phase where the best submissions in each category are chosen. There are three categories for different age groups - under 8 years old (category 1), 8 to 11 years old (category 2) and 12 to 15 years old (category 3).

Drawings by respective country winners’ are sent to TMC in Japan for the World Contest phase where every submission will be judged by TMC top management, together with art experts. The award ceremony for the World Contest phase is scheduled to be held in Japan this August and will be attended by participants whose drawing is selected as the finalist.

For this year’s National phase in Malaysia, UMW Toyota Motor received more than 600 entries, mostly coming from participants in the 10 – 12 year old category. Each submission was judged by a panel of judges comprising Malaysian art experts and UMW Toyota Motor management.

Winners of each category received prizes, which include an Apple iPad Mini for the first winner, a mountain bike for the second winner, and 2 tickets to the Legoland theme park in Johor for the third winner.

UMW Toyota Motor president Datuk Ismet Suki said a number of Malaysians have won awards in the contest over the years and in 2013, one of them even won the “Special President Akio Toyoda Award”, a special award chosen by the Toyota president himself.


Mercedes-Benz claims luxury pole position in 2017

                STUTTGART: Mercedes-Benz said Monday it had defended its top spot as the world's biggest luxury carmaker in 2017, with a surge in sales, particularly in China, enabling it to clock up another record year.

The Stuttgart-based group reported sales of around 2.3 million cars last year, an increase of almost 10 percent on the figure for 2016 and its seventh record year in a row.

Much of the growth was attributable to Mercedes' breakneck expansion in China, where sales grew by 26 percent, and the ever-rising appeal of its SUVs, with the luxury four-wheel-drive vehicles accounting for more than one in three sales worldwide.

The group claimed its three-pointed star remained the top high-end car brand worldwide, after overtaking Munich-based rivals BMW in 2016.

BMW has yet to release full-year sales figures for 2017, but the latest release from November shows the group significantly lagging Mercedes.

"Success in our core business provides the basis for us to actively shape the mobility of the future," said Dieter Zetsche, chief executive of Mercedes parent company Daimler.

Like other carmakers, Mercedes is investing heavily in hybrid and all-electric vehicles, as well as more efficient, less polluting traditional motors.

Manufacturers are racing to polish up their environmental credentials and meet more stringent emissions requirements.


Man nabbed in Puchong over car thefts

                PETALING JAYA: Police have arrested a man who went around stealing old and abandoned vehicles.

Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Mohamad Fakhrudin Abdul Hamid said among the vehicles seized was a Perodua Kancil which was reported stolen nearly six years ago.

"We received that report on Jun 19, 2017 that the vehicle went missing from a parking lot at Desa Mentari from a 39-year-old woman.

"On March 1, at around 5.30pm, a team went to Jalan Wawasan Pusat Bandar Puchong and arrested a 32-year-old man," he told reporters at the Petaling Jaya police headquarters on Wednesday (March 8).

He said during the raid, police found two Proton Wira, a Proton Perdana and a Proton Saga parked behind the suspect’s house.

"Checks revealed one of the Proton Wira cars was reported stolen in Serdang while the other vehicles’ chassis numbers and engine numbers were tampered with.

"During interrogations, the suspect confessed to his involvement in car thefts and claimed he hid one of the stolen vehicles at Sungai Way," he said, adding that the suspect then led police to the Sri Subang Apartment where the stolen Perodua Kancil was found.

He said checks revealed the suspect has a record for vehicle theft and drug offences.

"The man has been linked to a case in Petaling Jaya and Serdang. The suspect has been handed over to the Serdang police to help with their investigations," he said.


New Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible unveiled

                CREWE (UK): Bentley Motors has introduced a new flagship version of its open-top Grand Tourer – the performance-oriented Continental GT Speed Convertible.

The new open-air Grand Tourer joins its coupe sibling – the Continental GT Speed, unveiled last month – at the pinnacle of the Continental family.

This third-generation Continental GT Speed Convertible features an enhanced version of Bentley’s renowned 6.0-litre W12 TSI engine, delivering more power at 650bhp and enabling a 0-100kph sprint in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 335kph.

The new GT Speed Convertible which gets unique exterior and interior detailing, including Speed sport sills, Dark Tint grilles and Speed badging, also offers enhanced chassis technology, including all-wheel steering, an electronic rear differential and the option of carbon ceramic brakes.

Its ‘Z-fold’ roof can be deployed or stowed in just 19 seconds, transforming it from a luxurious coupe to an open-top Grand Tourer even with the car travelling at speeds of up to 50kph at a touch of a button.

Customers can also choose from three finishes to the unique 22-inch forged Speed wheels.

Inside, the cabin is luxuriously appointed and features Speed badging on the passenger fascia, an Alcantara steering wheel and a unique color split trim in Hide and Alcantara.

Upholstery comes in Diamond-in-diamond quilting with Speed embroidered headrests.

Piano Black veneer is standard in the Speed, with Crown Cut, Dark Stain Burr Walnut and Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus offered as no-cost options.

Open-pore Dark Stain Burr Walnut veneer, Crown Cut Walnut and Koa are also available.

Also featured are neck warmers (which are both warmer and quieter than in the previous generation model) seamlessly integrated into the heated and vented Comfort Seats, optimising efficiency and airflow around the electrically adjustable headrests.

In BENTLEY and COMFORT mode, overall grip is balanced between the front and rear wheels, in SPORT this mode was calibrated with a more rear-biased torque–split in all driving scenarios.

Its dual-clutch, eight-speed transmission shift is twice as fast in SPORT mode as in the standard W12 model, befitting a model that takes its place as the performance pinnacle of the Continental GT range.

To ensure level handling and posture, Bentley’s three-chamber active air suspension with adaptive damping also uses a 48V active anti-roll control system that Bentley pioneered on the Bentayga and third-generation Continental GT.

Bentley Motors sales and marketing board member Chris Craft said the new Speed is the most driver-focused Continental GT Convertible available and unique in its ability to offer extremely refined, all-season open-top Grand Touring with the added edge of astonishing performance and dynamism.


State-owned China automaker teams with US electric-car startup Atieva

                DETROIT: One of China's largest state-owned automakers said Thursday it has opened a technology research centre in California's Silicon Valley and is teaming with US electric-car startup Atieva to develop EVs for China and global markets.

Beijing Electric Vehicle Co, an affiliate of government-owned BAIC Motor Corp Ltd, said its new tech centre outside San Francisco will focus on development of EVs and eventually self-driving cars.

BAIC follows another large state-owned Chinese automaker, SAIC Motor Corp, which also is setting up a research facility in Silicon Valley and is developing electric and self-driving cars.

Atieva is one of several startups in China and the United States focused on building electric cars to rival those of Tesla Motors Inc.

BAIC's research center, which initially will house 20 employees, is located in Fremont, near the assembly plant where Tesla builds the Model S electric car.

BAIC, which said it will become Atieva's largest shareholder, will jointly develop an electric car with its US
partner, to be unveiled next spring at the Beijing auto show.

Co-founded in 2007 by former Tesla executive Bernard Tse, Atieva, based in Menlo Park near Stanford University, is one of several startups developing electric vehicles with funding from Chinese investors.

Shanghai-based NextEV in late August told Reuters that it is developing a prospective Tesla competitor, with backing from Chinese internet entrepreneurs. NextEV has several global research facilities, including one in Silicon Valley.

A third startup, Faraday Future, in July said it is developing an electric car that also could challenge Tesla. FF, as it is called, is based in Gardena, outside Los Angeles, and is said to be funded in part by Chinese tech entrepreneur Jia Yueting.

Both Atieva and Faraday have hired a number of former Tesla employees.

Driven down this year by low fuel prices and ample petroleum supplies, demand for pure electric vehicles in the US and China - the two largest global markets - continues to lag well behind industry and government forecasts.

An estimated 27,000 EVs were sold in China in the first six months, with an estimated 29,000 sold in the US


EVs accounted for two-thirds of new cars in Norway in 2021

                OSLO: Nearly two-thirds of all new car registrations in Norway in 2021 were electric vehicles (EVs), an industry body said Monday, a figure unmatched in the world.

Of new cars sold in the Scandinavian country last year, 64.5 percent were battery-powered vehicles, compared with 54.3 percent in 2020, according to Opplysningsradet for Veitrafikken (OFV, "Information Council for Road Traffic").

Thanks to its Model 3, US electric car manufacturer Tesla took 11.6 percent of the market share and was the single best-selling brand in 2021 with over 20,000 units sold.

The proportion of electric cars is unparallelled in the world and was reported against a backdrop of record new car registrations in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic, with 176,276 new cars sold in Norway, including 113,715 electric cars.

"Few had envisaged that 2021 would be a record year for new car sales in Norway. And no country in the world has had such a growth in electric car sales as Norway," OFV director Oyvind Solberg Thorsen said in a statement.

"We may already have half a million electric cars in total in the Norwegian fleet as early as March. This starts to approach 20 per cent of a total of 2.8 million passenger cars. This is quite formidable," he added.

Norway - which is also Western Europe's largest oil producer - has set a goal to have all new cars be zero-emission, meaning electric and hydrogen-powered, by 2025.

To propel the adoption of EVs, they are virtually tax-free in the country, making their prices much more competitive even if other benefits - such as being exempt from tolls and being able to use lanes reserved for public transport - have been partly cut back.

The Norwegian EV Association hailed a "milestone" and said it expected sales of electric vehicles to account for over 80 percent of new cars in 2022 as new models were brought to market.

"For the first time a fully electric car brand is topping the list of the new cars sold in Norway," secretary-general of the Norwegian EV Association, Christina Bu, was quoted on the organisation's website in hailing Tesla's showing.

Older brands, such as Germany's Volkswagen and Japan's Toyota were also among the top sellers.


Harley-Davidson announces 2018 Softail range

                MILWAUKEE: Harley-Davidson has overhauled eight of its bestselling Dyna bikes, which are now parked under the Softail series.

The Heritage Classic, Fat Boy, Low Rider, Breakout, Softail Slim, Deluxe, Fat Bob and Street Bob have been reclassified as Softtails.

Harley said the bikes would have revised fuel tanks and would be powered by bigger engines. The bikes' chassis would be lighter, stiffer and stronger than before. Suspension has also been improved.

The 1,746cc Milwaukee-Eight 107 V-twin is standard on all models. But Fat Boy, Fat Bob, Breakout and Heritage Classic buyers can upgrade to the larger 1,868cc Milwaukee-Eight 114 as an option.

 The new chassis is lighter, stiffer and stronger than before.

All models come with LED headlights, keyless ignition and USB ports. The Fat Boy, Heritage Classic, Deluxe and Breakout have ABS as standard but the safety feature is optional in the rest.

The updated Softail line-up combines the good looks of the traditional Softail with the handling performance of the Dynas. The change was also because Harley had decided that the aging Dyna chassis was not equipped to handle the Milwaukee-Eight engine, hence the introduction of an improved chassis for the 2018 Softails to house the modern engine.

The Harley models are priced from US$14,999 to US$20,299 (RM65,000 to RM87,000) in the United States.

Heritage Classic

>New detachable windscreen
>New rigid, lockable, sealed, water-resistant saddlebags
>Taller suspension with increased passenger and cargo payload capacity
>14.5kg weight reduction from previous model
>Optional: Milwaukee-Eight 114 Engine
>Standard cruise control and ABS

Breakout

>New smooth-top 3.5-gallon fuel tank
>Low-slung, raked-out 49mm fork
>18-inch rear (240mm tyre) and 21-inch front (130mm tyre) with Gasser-style, gloss-black-powdercoated cast aluminum wheels
>Distinctive Daymaker LED headlamp
>Low-profile riser-mounted digital instrument screen
>15.9kg weight reduction from previous model
>Standard ABS
>Optional: Milwaukee-Eight 114 Engine

Deluxe

>Signature all-LED lighting from front to back
>Signature pull-back handlebar
>14.9kg weight reduction from previous model
>Standard ABS

Fat Bob

>2-into-1-into-2 upswept exhaust with a custom finish
>Largest aggressively treaded tyres: 150mm front and 180mm rear
>Dual front disc brakes
>13.6-litre fuel tank
>15-kg weight reduction from previous model
>Inverted 43mm cartridge-style fork
>Optional: Milwaukee-Eight 114 Engine

Fat Boy

>Aggressive, steamroller stance and front-end design with a modern-day interpretation of the classic headlight nacelle; a 160mm front tyre, the widest-ever on a Harley production model, wraps the solid Lakester front wheel
>14kg weight reduction from previous model
>ABS standard
>240mm rear tyre with solid Lakester rear wheel
>Optional: Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine

Low Rider

>Throwback-style dual tank-mount speedo and tach gauges, headlight visor, and fuel-tank graphics
>19-inch front and 16-inch rear Radiate cast wheels
>2-into-2 shotgun exhaust

Softail Slim

>Dark finishes adorn the laced wheels, Hollywood handlebar, and all-new front end
>Low-slung tuck-and-roll seat
>Bold and smooth new front nacelle and fork cover
>15.9kg weight reduction from previous model

Street Bob

>Smooth-top 13.2-litre fuel tank
>Black-spoked wheels with chopped fenders
>Low-profile riser-mounted digital instrument screen
>7.7kg weight reduction from previous model
>Lowest-priced model in Softail line

Source: hotbikeweb.com


Grab starts recruiting riders as it prepares for motorcycle e-hailing

                PETALING JAYA: Grab appears to be gearing up to launch its GrabBike motorcycle e-hailing service, and is now recruiting riders.

In a post on its website, Grab says the programme is in line with the Transport Ministry’s statement that allows e-hailing companies to run pilot programmes for six months, starting in January.

The programme, which runs only in Klang Valley, is accepting applicants up till Dec 2.

Those chosen will be informed within five business days or by Dec 9 latest in order to start their training.

Some of the conditions rider applicants are required to fulfill include: that the motorcycle is not more than five years old, that the rider has a driving license and is over 18 years of age, and that he or she has no outstanding issues with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) or police.

Riders are also strictly not allowed to ferry more than one passenger at a time.

GrabBike drive-partners will also be expected to handle food delivery orders (except for cake and pizza).

In the FAQ, the company explains that riders will be given a smaller delivery bag and special training, so that it will not inconvenience their riders.

Under the programme, riders will be charged a 20% commission – charged from their cash wallet – and will not allowed to turn off the request for rides in favour of other tasks. They can turn off requests for food deliveries.

The company says GrabBike riders in the Klang Valley will receive special incentives for the first month, a jacket for the rider and a helmet for their pillion rider.


Exclusive pool table for Rolls-Royce owners

                LOS ANGELES: For Rolls-Royce owners who can splash out a few hundred thousand dollars for a luxury cars, a pool table that costs US$250,000 would not be an issue.

The outrageously priced pool table is a customised variation of an 11 Ravens offering called the Stealth, which is described on the company's website as a model that is inspired by the Stealth Bomber aircraft.

11 Ravens is a creator of luxury game tables specialising in billiards, table tennis, shuffleboard, foosball, air hockey, poker, blackjack, and mahjong.

All 11 Ravens billiards tables can be fully customised with various choices of lacquer, stain, veneer or laminate, as well as cloth.

The Stealth billiards table is billed as having a striking stance that exudes confidence, and its visually stunning poise makes it one-of-a-kind.


Why the Mazda6 appeals

                Facelifts are all about subtlety these days.

And these differences usually affect certain areas of the exterior of the vehicle such as the front fascia, some added trims here and there or even a new and improved entertainment system.

The purpose of such an exercise is to refresh a model which has been around for a few years while waiting for the all-new replacement model to appear in the near future.

The Mazda6 sedan underwent such a facelift recently.

Again, the changes to the exterior are subtle; it’s hard to tell the difference with its restyled headlights, bumper, grille slats and chrome accents around the LED fog lights ... until you get inside the car.

That’s where the subtleties end.

The dashboard and centre console got a complete cosmetic makeover which makes the interior of the facelifted Mazda6 a modern and elegant space.

The dashboard has a leaner design compared to the previous dash as the centre display screen is now free-standing instead of being housed as part of the dashboard.

The air-cond vents below the seven-inch centre display has a brushed aluminium-like trapezoidal housing which gives it a sleek look.

It’s also very neat and symmetrical with the layout of the dual climate controls.

The shift lever has also undergone a change as it is beefier and broader than the previous incarnation which gives it a more premium feel to it. You will also find the dedicated knurled Sport mode switch beside it.

What’s also new to the facelifted Mazda6 is the MZD Connect infotainment system with a control dial and an array of buttons around it.

This feature was already present in the Mazda3 and Mazda2, and it provides controls for audio, navigation, and the handsfree telephone service.

The review unit was the top-of-the-range Mazda6 2.5-litre sedan (a 2.0L variant and a 2.5L Touring hatch is also available) which is fully imported and has a bit more kit than the 2.0L such as a sunroof, a Bose soundsystem with 11 speakers, Bi-Xenon headlamps, 19-inch wheels, i-Eloop Regenerative Braking System and the i-Activesense safety package featuring Smart City Brake Support, Rear Vehicle Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning System, High Beam Control System and Adaptive Front Lighting System.

For a car that was launched in 2013 and introduced Malaysians to Mazda’s Kodo - Soul of Motion design philosophy and its breakthrough Skyactiv Technology which balances driving pleasure and fuel efficiency, the Mazda6 sedan remains relevant and offers a host of technological features comparable to higher-end European marques.

The facelifted Mazda6 only goes to show how far Mazda has come in terms of design.

The slight changes made to the exterior is tasteful and the re-invigorated interior has only elavated its aesthetic appeal.

And for that we have to congratulate Mazda.

This isn’t a facelift just for the sake of it but it focused its major efforts precisely on the area which would benefit the most through an update, in this case the dashboard.

As for the car itself, it already has an exciting design which has a broad appeal which can’t be said about all sedans.

The Mazda6’s stance is athletic; it‘s got curves in all the right places, and offers plenty of space for occupants and storage - the wheelbase is 2,830mm and the boot space is 489 litres.

The 2.5L variant has a power output of 185hp at 5,700rpm and a low-end grunt of 250Nm at 3,250rpm, channeled via a six-speed Skyactiv Drive automatic transmission.

Being in the driver’s seat of the Mazda6 is quite exhilarating because it feels closer to a cockpit with the Head Up Display (HUD) which provides information on speed and directions from the navigation system.

The car offers smooth acceleration and the steering has good feedback.

And if you’re the type who likes spirited driving, the Mazda6 will definitely put a smile on your face.

Turn on the Sport mode and the exhaust note gets throatier but not loud enough to be overwhelmed by it.

Plus, there are paddle shifters to manually change gears and the car gives you the confidence to drive at higher speeds thanks to its rigid chassis and responsive steering.

The fully imported Mazda6 2.5 is priced at RM200,343 (on-the-road with insurance) and has four colours to choose from: Soul Red Metallic, Snowflake White Pearl, Meteor Grey and Sonic Silver Metallic.


Tesla to join S&P 500, spark epic index fund trade

                NEW YORK: Tesla Inc is set to join the S&P 500 in December, a major win for Chief Executive Elon Musk and his shareholders, triggering a massive US$51 billion trade as index funds are forced to buy the electric car maker's shares.

Shares of Tesla surged 12% on Monday in extended trade after S&P Dow Jones Indices announced that the company would join the S&P 500 index prior to the opening of trading on Dec 21.

"(Tesla) will be one of the largest weight additions to the S&P 500 in the last decade, and consequently will generate one of the largest funding trades in S&P 500 history," S&P Dow Jones Indices said.

With a market capitalisation over US$380 billion, Tesla is one of the most valuable companies on Wall Street.

Tesla's inclusion in the widely followed stock market index means investment funds indexed to the S&P 500 will have to sell about $51 billion worth of shares of companies already in the S&P 500 and use that money to buy shares of Tesla, so that their portfolios correctly reflect the index, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices. Tesla will account for about 1% of the index.

In a separate press release, S&P Dow Jones Indices asked investors for feedback on whether to include Tesla all at once on Dec. 21, or in two tranches, with the first added a week earlier, due to Tesla's unusually large market capitalisation.

A blockbuster quarterly report in July cleared a major hurdle for Tesla's potential inclusion.


VinFast to launch its first four right-hand drive EVs

                BANGKOK: Vietnam's VinFast is planning to introduce its first four right-hand drive EVs (electric vehicles) and expand into the Southeast Asia, in addition to its focus on key markets including North America and Europe.

Vinfast is showcasing its three electric vehicle models – VF e34, VF 8, and VF 9 at the Future Mobility Asian 2023 summit and exhibition, from May 17 – 19th, 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand.

In a statement, the automaker said it wants to introduce right-hand drive versions of its EV models - VF 5, VF 6, VF 7, and VF e34.

The exhibition also marked its official debut of its brand and products in Asia, thus "representing a significant milestone in the company's regional market strategy and the next phase of its global development journey."

Vinfast pointed out that that countries in Southeast Asia offer significant room for development and fast-paced growth of EV consumption.

Le Thi Thu Thuy, vice chairman of Vingroup and chairman of VinFast, said, "Expanding to the Southeast Asia region is part of VinFast’s global development strategy. We have set a target to provide Asean countries with smart and safe mobility solutions, delivering excellent experiences and ultimately promoting a greener future for all."

In addition to its car lineup, VinFast provides a range of eight e-scooter models from mass to premium segments, including the Klara, Impes, Ludo, Tempest, Evo200, Feliz, Vento, and Theon.

Furthermore, VinFast's ecosystem extends to e-buses, advanced battery and charging solutions.

Established in 2017, VinFast owns a automotive manufacturing complex which is said to feature up to 90% automation in Hai Phong, Vietnam.


Testing out the electrified BMW iPerformance line-up

                A outstation journey with BMW Group Malaysia’s range of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles included the 330e (F30), 530e (G30), 740Le xDrive (G12) and a X5 xDrive40e (F15) is certainly something to look forward to.

The drive to Ipoh, Perak started from KLPAC and after dealing with some mid-morning traffic, while in pure electric mode, we soon found ourselves at the toll gates and edging to get out onto the highway for a relaxing cruise.

This was soon followed by a detour onto tighter, rougher and windier roads which we (motoring journalists) tend to become heavy footed when faced with opportunities to test the vehicles’ performance.

The experience began with an accommodating 530e, which we decided to keep at highway speed limits while in Max eDrive mode.

This meant that we could squeeze out as much electrical ‘juice’ from the 9.5kWh lithium-ion battery for one single purpose - to maximise travel time in an eerily quiet cabin with nothing but some momentary gusts of wind brushing up against the glass.

The 530e’s size might suggest some heft, but the experience in electric mode was of contradiction with a firm pickup from standstill as it effortlessly wafts up to cruising speeds where both my co-driver and I soaked up the silence.

As simple as it may seem, this executive saloon is nothing but a well-behaved cruiser out on the highway, but present it with tighter twists and turns and it’ll gladly and proudly show off its handling prowess.

Pitch and roll are very well taken care of and the brakes remain continuously potent after some abuse.

Moving into the smaller confines of the 330e and the feeling of relaxed comfort from the 530e is replaced by a certain need to ‘play’ that quickly takes us over, albeit both vehicles have the same system output of 250hp and 420Nm of torque.

The nimbleness of the 330e is slightly more pronounced than its larger 530e and this shows when going around fast corners.

As for the X5 xDrive40e, aside from the commanding view, it isn’t going propose as much road-holding performance as its 3 and 5 Series siblings, but it will leave an imprint on the back seat once the throttle reaches the floor.

The X5’s 313hp and 450Nm system output is punchy and willing to deliver at a moment’s notice, but the suspension still exhibits some bounce to it when traversing over uneven sections of highway.

There’s also a touch of ‘chop’ around bends and while pitch and roll is evident it thankfully isn’t very predominant.

Luckily, acclimatising to how it rides can take a short period of time to do so.

Moving up the scale to the long wheelbase of the all-wheel driven 740Le and many would begin to scoff at its meagre offerings of a 2.0-litre turbocharged mill that’s combined with an electric motor.

Regardless of what lies under the hood (and boot), the drive will simply surprise the senses thanks to a systems output of 322hp and 500Nm of torque.

The suspension in comfort mode has plenty of capacity to soak up blemished roads and cabin simply feels ‘uber’ insulated from noise, vibration and harshness.

The vehicles experienced were consistent in one aspect - they’re dynamic straight out of the box and are ready to be belted through snaking routes.

The power is as well-balanced as their handling characteristics despite them having a tickle more weight at the rear.

But if ever we were forced to pick one out of the litter, there wouldn’t be any hesitation in jumping straight into the stretched flagship model from Munich for its plush and comfortable rear cabin as well as its handling characteristics.