Experience the new Jaguar F-Type SVR

                COVENTRY: Jaguar’s new, 200mph-capable supercar and the world’s most demanding race circuit, the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife, are now available to be experienced together with the launch of the ‘Jaguar Co-Pilot Nordschleife’ programme.

This exciting new offer gives visitors and fans the opportunity to experience the thrill of Jaguar’s fastest-ever series production car from the passenger seat on the circuit famed as the ‘Green Hell’.

Customers booking their place for a flying lap in the F-TYPE SVR will be amongst the first to experience its power, speed and enhanced dynamics package around the 12.94-mile (20.83km) Nordschleife circuit.

The F-TYPE SVR has been developed by Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations as the ultimate all-weather supercar and is the pinnacle of the successful F-TYPE range. The Jaguar F-TYPE SVR coupé is powered by a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine that develops 575PS and 700Nm of torque and accelerates from 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds.

Before each passenger ride begins, all Co-Pilots are equipped with a race suit and helmet plus HANS (Head and Neck Support) system to ensure maximum safety out on the track. To capture the memorable experience, on-board cameras are mounted inside the F-TYPE SVR so that passengers can relive the excitement of their adventure at the Nordschleife circuit.

Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations department has fitted the F-TYPE SVR with a roll cage, Recaro Racing seats, race harnesses for occupant safety and an unmistakable bespoke livery on bright Firesand Orange metallic paint.

Mark Stanton, Director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, presented the keys to the unique F-TYPE SVR to Mirco Markfort, CEO Chief Executive Officer, Capricorn, Nürburgring Gmbh this weekend.

Mark Stanton said: “The weather at the Nürburgring is famed for being unpredictable and the new Jaguar F-TYPE SVR is the perfect car to tackle the undulating track in variable conditions. Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations division has engineered the F-TYPE SVR to be lighter, faster and more powerful while still remaining a usable supercar every day. The Nordschleife is a fantastic circuit on which to experience all of the engineering enhancements my team has applied to the F-TYPE SVR.”


Own a McLaren 'Super Garage' in West Hollywood

                LOS ANGELES: Like Aston Martin, McLaren is cosying up to luxury real estate to bolster the brand.

Pendry Residences West Hollywood by Montage Hotels & Resorts, a luxury residential development located on the Sunset Strip, and McLaren Automotive North America, recently said they are working together on a "Super Garage", an exclusive amenity available to a property buyer.

In addition to the one-of-a-kind garage space, the purchaser of the garage will receive an allocation for a one-year lease of the McLaren 765LT supercar to complement their new West Hollywood home.

Dubbed “The Show Room,” the 1,719-square-foot private gated garage is located within the new Pendry Residences West Hollywood and provides direct access via private elevator to Terrace Estate 608, a two-story penthouse Residence.

The garage offers ample space for up to five cars, a private washroom, and a design allowance for the purchaser to customise the garage as they see fit – including an option to create the ultimate McLaren garage designed by EYRC Architecture in collaboration with McLaren Automotive.


Nissan Navara wins in Rainforest Challenge 2016

                KUALA LUMPUR: After an incredible 10-day odyssey that pushed both man and machine to the limits, the Rainforest Challenge Malaysia (RFC) 2016 held in Pahang finished with the Nissan Navara clinching the Product Pickup Category title challenge.

The Nissan Navara was awarded the Best Product Pickup Category as the vehicle who took on the RFC challenge was kept as standard as possible with only required outfit equipment for contest, such as bull bars, halogen spot lights, winch, protection bars, recovery kit, extreme tyres, suspension and snorkel.

The RFC is rated among the top 10 toughest motor races in the world.

It says a lot about the capabilities of the Nissan Navara when Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) took “the bulls by the horns” and threw in three units of the new Nissan Navara.

Geared up with some basic off-road 4x4 accessories to take on the challenges of RFC 2016, the Nissan Navara had been tested and proven under real conditions of the extreme 4x4 race, which ended on 6 December in Cameron Highlands.

“On behalf of ETCM, I would like to congratulate Fabiana and Julieth on their superb performance in completing the RFC 2016 Grand Final. The event is known to be one of the world’s toughest motor races”, said Tan Keng Meng, executive director of ETCM.

Two units were used as official cars in supporting the overall RFC operational and transportation management while the third unit of Nissan Navara was used in the race by two Brazilian “Ladies of Steel”: Fabiana Martins (the driver) and Julieth Zanelato (navigator/co-driver) that faced the similar gruelling Special Stages (SS) as the male counterparts.

“RFC is a dream for every 4x4 competitor in the world. When Luis came to me with the opportunity to drive a Nissan for RFC, I was thrilled that I was able to take on this challenge. Having said this, I would like to thank Nissan and RFC for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Martins.

This year’s race flagged off from Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, where RFC was first launched 19 years ago.

The full action took place on 27 November in Kuantan at the Bukit Galing Camp of Brigade Tenggara HQ (The General Operations Force of the Royal Malaysian Police).

Participants from 30 countries then battled it out through Malaysia’s harshest terrains passing through Gambang, Raub, Kuala Lipis and finally ending its course at Tanah Rata (Cameron Highlands).

Luis J.A. Wee, founder of the Rainforest Challenge, said, "The Nissan Navara is already a 4x4 machine of calibre, but with this proven win in RFC 2016, it is indeed ’The Ultimate Pickup’”.

Those who would like to experience the Nissan Navara can visit the Nissan CNY Carnival, which also offers a line-up of Nissan models for test drive and special Lion Dance performances.

Date and locations of carnival are as follows:


Gripping moments with Michelin

                Tyres have always kept drivers connected to the road. While many might assume that they have all been created equal, it’s not the case — especially when it comes to Michelin.

This year, the French tyremaker gave members of the media the chance to drive and experience a range of unique custom and racing vehicles — all fitted with their tyres.

The vehicles included the single-seater Formula 4, BMW X3, Ford Ranger and Seat Leon Mk3 TCR (taxi ride) –all under the close supervision and coaching of professional driving instructors and professional race car drivers.

While many of us already have a great sense of respect for this particular tyremaker, the experience would leave many of us almost in utter awe.

For this writer, the day started early one hazy morning at the SUV Passion workshop where we were allowed to perform a comparative test of the recently launched Pilot Sport 4 SUV (PS4 SUV) tyres.

These tyres are the latest addition to the Michelin Pilot Sport range designed specifically for sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and were fitted onto a pair of BMW X3 which were benchmarked against a German tyre brand already in its fifth-generation.

Although these German tyres are already well known by sports car enthusiasts, it was during the wet and dry slalom sessions that made it clear that the PS4 SUV tyres were the better set.

When new, both brands of tyres are rather similar in providing good amounts of road-feel back to the driver, but when presented with wet situations, the Michelins were able to maintain its grip and remained for more communicative.

On to the Off-Road Passion section, participants had to complete an off-road course that required the use of the Ford Ranger’s four-wheel-drive system. The tyres being used were the BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tyres that are fitted as standard and when coupled with the Ranger’s suspension, there was an impressively good amount of comfort over rocky terrain.

The tyre and suspension were able to round-off the abrupt shocks felt and when faced with loose dirt, the tyres still managed to present themselves digging relentlessly to provide noticeable grip. Our next experience was one that wasn’t as foreign as it was to others by getting hunkered down in a carbon fibre tub and behind the steering wheel of a Formula 4 (F4) open-wheel race car.

The F4 cars, with their Formula 1 looks were fitted with Michelin’s racing slick tyres that demanded heat in order to function properly. For a good 20 minutes, the muscles in the neck and hands were shocked into usage due to the excessive cornering speeds, non-powered steering system requiring extensive and continuous amounts of grip as well as the “head-snapping-back” gear upshifts.

From the lack of consistent exposure to such forces, this experience had left many aching in its wake yet simultaneously elated from having piloted such a car to bring the track experience to an end, some of us were given a rare experience of an adrenaline-filled hot lap session in a 350hp/420Nm 2.0-litre SEAT León Touring Car Racing (TCR) race car that was helmed by a professional race car driver.

This hot-lap would sap any remaining semblance of tolerance to excessive G-forces from the already-battered body with some surrendering their fates by the end.

To top off an extensive and intensive day, each of us was treated to a set of Michelin Guide Gourmet Gift Box that was created by a two Michelin Star restaurant in Thailand - Mezzaluna (2 Michelin Star) and Saawaan (1 Michelin Star), as a means to discover Michelin’s passion for gastronomy.

This was followed by an exclusive dinner, prepared by Chef Sun Kim from one-Michelin-Star Meta Restaurant in Singapore that offered classic French-inspired cuisine with an Asian twist in a stylish setting.

And although it was a long day for all, with some feeling more battered than bruised, it was a truly memorable event that would be hard-pressed to be forgotten indeed.


EVs with manual gearbox? Yep, Toyota is working on that

The Lexus UX300e has been modified to fit in a 'manual' gearbox.

TOKYO: Toyota is developing electric vehicles (EVs) with manual transmissions and vehicles that behave like different cars.

On the face of it, an electric vehicle with a manual transmission makes no sense.

EVs don’t have the driveshafts or gears that internal combustion engines need to accelerate from a stop. Instant torque is available at any speed. Many will tell you this is all part of the appeal of battery-electric vehicles — they’re less complicated.

But in an ironic twist, the automaker synonymous with the merits of eliminating waste and unnecessary work is OK with the idea of the stick shift staying around.

Toyota has built a prototype Lexus UX 300e with a gear shifter and clutch pedal that mimics the manual-transmission experience. Those two components aren’t connected to anything mechanical — they’re effectively no different from joysticks for video games.

Although Toyota engineers first briefed journalists on this concept months ago, it wasn’t until last week that the carmaker gave analysts and reporters a chance to experience the sensation of switching gears in an EV for themselves at its research facility on the foothills of Mount Fuji, a few hours from here.

Having been assailed by critics for squandering its lead in electrification to the likes of Tesla and China’s BYD, the test drives were part of an all-out effort by Toyota to open up about how much work it’s been putting into EVs behind the scenes.

The carmaker gave detailed briefings last week on battery development, production plans and related technology. Other concepts available to take for spins included a hydrogen-burning Lexus SUV, a steer-by-wire Lexus RZ, a hydrogen fuel cell delivery truck and a battery-powered kei delivery van.

In the category of what Toyota is calling the Electrified Sport Concept, the carmaker also showed off a Lexus RZ 450e that can change the behaviour of its powertrain on the fly to mimic anything from a Passo compact, to a delivery van, to a US$375,000 Lexus LFA supercar.

All of this can be simulated via software, although Toyota’s engineers sought to enhance the experience with a speaker mounted — somewhat clunkily — on the floor under the driver’s seat. There was a bit of a lag between depressing the pedal and the artificial din of an LFA’s 4.8-litre V10 revving up, but the concept was clear.

Adding tenors to electric cars isn’t a new idea.

Traction motors are usually tuned to emit a specific sound at a noticeable volume, both to alert pedestrians and add a little character to the driving experience.

Brands ranging from Ferrari to Dodge have been working on fake exhaust noises for EVs they have in the pipeline.

Toyota's chief technology officer Hiroki Nakajima said the cost of bringing these concepts to market wouldn’t be significant.

“The truth is, manual EVs and on-demand battery EVs can actually be put out as products,” Nakajima said during a Q&A session. “Because it’s just changing the software.”

So what was it like to drive an EV with a manual transmission?

It was uncanny, to say the least.

The “engine” — which, again, didn’t exist — stalled in a convincing manner, though it was ready to go again in less than a second.

Whether these ideas make their way to products in the real world will depend on demand, and how much car buyers are willing to pay for the pleasure. There’s probably more that Toyota can do to alter the steering, braking and suspension characteristics to simulate different cars, Nakajima said.

Do these ideas amount to solutions in search of a problem? Or will these cars be the vegan burgers of the auto world — faux red meat for the petrol heads?

We’re unlikely to find out until at least 2026, when Toyota plans to start rolling out its next generation of EVs.


Serious screen time for four MINI Cooper S

                LOS ANGELES: Four MINI Cooper S play a key role in the upcoming sci-fi (comedy) movie Pixels set for release in US cinemas on July 24.

The four cars will be driven by actors Adam Sandler, Peter Dinklage, Denis Akiyama and Josh Gad to fight the “bad guys” and will even feature the likes of Kevin James and Michelle Monaghan.

The director of the upcoming movie, Christopher Columbus, drew inspiration from a popular animated French short film by Patrick Jean in 2010, which pays homage to classic arcade games such as Tetris, Pac-Man, Space Invaders and Donkey Kong.

In the movie PIXELS, the world turns into a real-life video game with aliens having misinterpreted Space Invaders as a declaration of war and swiftly dispatches their oversized Pac-Man and Donkey Kong figures to various megacities in the world, where they turn everything they touch into pixels.

In order to save the world, the U.S. government recruits a group of four talented old-school arcaders from the 1980s, since their knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the video game characters is virtually unsurpassed.

But to win the battle against Pac-Man and co. the four heroes still need a little outside help and so the government provides them with their own individual “MINI Ghosts” – four MINI Cooper S which bear the names and colours of the Pac-Man Ghosts.


And now for the rear-wheel drive Huracan

BOLOGNA: Lamborghini has introduced a rear-wheel drive version of the Huracán,  which combines  new looks with a package for an enhanced driving emotion.

The Huracán LP 580-2 is a different take from its four wheeldrive stable mate. The front and rear of the Huracán LP 580-2 have been redesigned, accenting a young, fresh and more assertive look and highlighting the aeronautic styling.

The large, newly formed front air intakes direct the cooling air and headwind to increase down pressure on the front axle. The spoiler lip at the rear works together with the rising diffuser in the underbody to improve airflow around the rear of the car - the Huracán does not require a movable rear spoiler.

The Huracán LP 580-2 sits on new, different-sized (front/rear) 19" Kari rims. Pirelli PZero tyres have been exclusively developed for the rear-wheel drive car. Steel brakes with aluminum brake disc calipers have been specially contoured for weight reduction and improved cooling.

The Huracán's V10 5.2 l naturally aspirated, mid-mounted engine has been retuned to provide a maximum 580hp power output and 540Nm of torque, with 75% of torque already available at 1,000 rpm.

As in the other Huracán variants, the LP 580-2 features cylinder deactivation to improve engine efficiency. When full engine capacity is not required, five of the 10 cylinders are temporarily deactivated by switching off one cylinder bank.

When the driver accelerates, the system switches back instantaneously to 10-cylinder mode, while being virtually impossible to detect by the driver. This feature reduces fuel consumption to 11.9 l/100 km (combined circle) and CO2 to 278 g/km.

Weighing 1,389 kg dry, with a weight reduction of 33 kg over the Huracán LP 610-4 coupe, the Huracán LP 580-2 achieves a weight to power ratio of just 2.4 kg/hp. The LP 580-2 uses the Huracán's hybrid aluminum and carbon fiber chassis, contributing to the lower weight.

With a new setup for springs and anti-roll bars on double wishbone suspension, torsional stiffness of the Huracán LP 580-2 is improved by 50% compared to the Gallardo LP 550-2.

The Lamborghini Doppia Frizione (LDF) seven-speed dual clutch architecture promises the fastest gear changes and includes 'launch control' for maximum acceleration from a standing start. The electronic power steering and optional Lamborghini Dynamic Steering (LDS) have been tuned to improve the car's agility and controllability in every driving condition, depending on driving mode and speed. New rear kinematics heighten the car's 'centered' feeling.

The Lamborghini Piattaforma Inerziale (LPI) - the Huracán's sensor system placed in the centre of gravity of the car, tracing all 3D movements - has also been implemented in the rear-wheel drive version. It provides real time information to the optional Magneto Rheological Suspension (MRS), steering and stability control systems: the ESC has been regulated to adapt to all adherence conditions yet emphasise the rear-wheel drive behaviour in each driving mode.

Weight distribution is biased 40% at the front / 60% at the rear, reducing inertia on the front axle. The selectable Lamborghini driving modes STRADA, SPORT and CORSA are tuned to provide oversteering characteristics, emphasising rear-wheel drive behaviour.

Lamborghini said the sporty fun of the two-wheel drive Huracán LP 580-2 complemented the Huracán offering with the technology and experience of the four wheel-drive Huracán LP 610-4 and the lifestyle appeal of the open-top Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder.

The LP 580-2 is available in the full range of Huracán external and internal colours and trims. In addition, through Lamborghini's personalisation program Ad Personam, the options for external and internal colours are expanded.

The Huracán LP 580-2 is fitted with the latest Lamborghini Infotainment System II, with a 12.3" high resolution TFT instrument panel.

Previous Lamborghini rear-wheel drive models include the predecessor Gallardo LP 550-2. The Lamborghini Miura, Countach and Diablo in rear-wheel drive variants were examples of the fun-to-drive concept. The rearwheel drive Huracán LP 620-2 Super Trofeo launched in 2014, races at tracks worldwide in this year's three Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo series in Europe, Asia and the United States.

The Huracán LP 580-2, which made its global debut at the 2016 LA Auto Show, will go on sale in Europe at 150,000 euros (RM701,000).


Worried about keeping your car dashboard clean? Water works fine

                BERLIN: If you're thinking of shining up your car's dashboard, there are countless products available at the store. Usually though, water will work just as well as any of the fancier chemicals out there.

Which is not to say it isn't worth worrying about: Keeping your dashboard shipshape and shiny is important, even though it's an area of your car that can be surprisingly easy to overlook.

Don't just take a cleaning product designed for household use, say experts, particularly when it comes to delicate areas such as where the airbags inflate, in case this gets damaged in the process.

Some clean water and a lint-free cloth are usually enough to get the job done, says Germany's Tuv Sud technical inspection association.

If this doesn't do the trick, however, then consider investing in a product designed specifically for cleaning the dash. Don't spray it on directly; instead, use a clean cloth or sponge to apply the product to the surface, then polish it with a microfibre cloth.

Make sure the product doesn't go near the steering wheel, handbrake or pedals, though - it could make them dangerously slippery.


Thieves make off with almost RM1mil worth of cars in KL workshop break-in

                KUALA LUMPUR: Car thieves ran off with nearly RM1mil in cars after breaking into a car workshop here.

Brickfields OCPD Asst Comm Amihizam Abdul Shukor, in a statement today, said that a workshop in Jalan Damansara was broken into on Oct 29.

"The suspect was believed to have entered the building by breaking the padlock of the main entrance. Among the cars stolen included a Nissan Skyline GTR Prestige, a Mercedes-Benz E200 K and a Toyota Land Cruiser.

"All of the stolen cars belonged to customers and the vehicles were already repaired and were awaiting pickup. The CCTV footage of the shop is still being reviewed," he said.

Those with information on the incident are urged to contact Brickfields police at 03-2297 9222.


Former Nissan CEO who negotiated Renault alliance dies

                TOKYO: Nissan Motor Co Ltd has announced the death of  Yoshikazu Hanawa, its former president and chief executive who negotiated an alliance with Renault SA in a 1999 agreement which rescued the indebted Japanese automaker.

Hanawa, who died late last week at the age of 81, was the last CEO of an independent Nissan before France's Renault bought a controlling stake in the struggling manufacturer.

Tokyo-born Hanawa assumed the top rank in 1996 when weak sales and mounting debt was driving the automaker to the brink of bankruptcy.

Hanawa turned to Renault after approaching Ford Motor Co  and the former DaimlerChrysler. Nissan has since outgrown its parent and leads in engineering and other key areas of an alliance ranked the world's fourth-largest carmaker by combined sales.

"Hanawa-san was an important part of the Nissan family and at the heart of the Alliance foundation," Nissan Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn said in a statement on Tuesday, using the Japanese honorific for the man he succeeded as CEO.

"He was an inspiration to many of us and an important contributor to the world's automotive industry." The Renault-Nissan alliance this month ended an eight-month power struggle with the French government, Renault's biggest shareholder, agreeing to increased state influence at Renault and weakened control over Nissan.


Imagine that! Ssangyong Tivoli is WCOTY nominee

FRANKFURT: Even Ssangyong was flabbergasted. The newly launched Tivoli compact SUV has been nominated for World Car of The Year (WCOTY) 2016, the first-ever nomination for the Korean car maker.

Just 20 new cars have been nominated for the 2016 World Car of the Year title, which is independently recognised as the number one car award in the world.

Now in its 11th year, WCOTY was established in 2005, and the 2016 winner will be announced in New York in late March next year.

“This is a huge accolade for the Tivoli and SsangYong,” said SsangYong Motor UK CEO Paul Williams. “Suffice to say, we are absolutely delighted!”

The petrol-powered Tivoli was launched in South Korea earlier this year, and internationally in May.  Tivoli diesel is being launched internationally at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week.

The Tivoli is SsangYong's all-new model since it was acquired by India's Mahindra Group.

The global trend has been towards increasing demand for eco-friendly and highly fuel-efficient cars, and to meet this, Tivoli promises highly competitive fuel economy and CO2 emission levels.

SsangYong is hoping that the new model will help it compete with the major automotive manufacturers and increase its market share, not just in the SUV B-segment but also in the whole SUV market including Europe.

Resulting from 42 months of development and an investment of 350 billion Korean won (280 million Euros), the car will compete strongly on design and reliability, safety, interior space, practicality, as well as and the availability of all-wheel drive which will differentiate it from other SUVs in the sector.

Drawing on the company’s considerable expertise in designing and manufacturing diesel engines, the new 1.6 litre eXDi160 diesel unit offers strong performance, and is also environmentally clean and quiet.  There is also a newly developed 1.6 litre e-XGI160 petrol engine designed for fuel efficiency, and both engines can be combined with the choice of manual or automatic transmission, and either a 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive system.

Passenger safety has been a top priority for this car, and Tivoli offers best in class standards by including seven airbags - front passenger, side and curtain airbags plus a driver’s knee airbag. There is also multi-function ESP (Electronic Stability Program), Active Rollover Protection, Brake Assist, Hill Start Assist and ESS (Emergency Stop Signal), a tyre pressure monitoring system and a warning reminder on all five seat belt positions.

The new car takes its name from Tivoli, the Italian town near Rome with a reputation for style. Noted for its cultural heritage and beautiful location, the gardens at Villa d’Este have inspired many others to use the name, including the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen.  The new model gives the car an international standing, while complementing SsangYong’s heritage as a specialist SUV brand.


McLaren Senna Ride-On electric toy car for kids

                DALLAS: McLaren Automotive has announced a new, track-focused electrified model for the junior racing driver - the McLaren Senna Ride-On.

The new McLaren Senna Ride-On is the ultimate accessory for younger performance enthusiasts modelled on McLaren’s most extreme track car and bearing the name of three-time McLaren Formula 1 World Champion, Ayrton Senna.

The McLaren Senna Ride-On is available in five paint colours: black, white, Mira orange, Vega blue and Memphis red.

The toy car is aimed at 3 to 6-year-olds and is priced at US$582 (RM2,436).


The annual Volkswagen Fest returns this Friday

                PETALING JAYA: The annual Volkswagen Fest returns for the third year running and promises to be power-packed with the best deals and thrills from Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM).

Taking place from Aug 30 till Sept 1, 2019 at Setia City Convention Centre in Setia Alam, this year’s highlight will be the launch of Volkswagen’s very own Certified Pre-Owned, “Das Welt Auto”.

The highly-anticipated all-new Arteon will also be on display at the event.

Visitors can expect the opportunity to test drive a variety of Volkswagen models, and enjoy rebates and amazing deals on brand-new and pre-owned cars.

Amazing deals include the ongoing Merdeka Voucher of RM1,000 rebate for all bookings made at the event and “Starbuys” such as the Passat Comfortline 1.8TSI priced at RM114,888.

There is also the ongoing promotion on the Tiguan and Passat range, which currently comes with an extension of the three-year free maintenance up to five-year free maintenance with a low interest rate of 1.88% per annum for new car buyers before Dec 31, 2019.

There will be three dedicated areas on the festival grounds for guests to enjoy. The Volks Auto area is where visitors should go to find out more and test drive Volkswagen models, and for the added convenience to those wanting to sell off their current vehicles for a Volkswagen, there will be a free car evaluation and quick loan checks by a partner bank to assist in their hire purchase applications.

There are also free Volkswagen inspection checks at the Aftersales area for owners who had signed up online, and for owners to learn more about attractive Aftersales promotions and services.

Volks Lawn will be filled with current and classic Volkswagen cars on display, a hot air balloon ride, several Instagram-able art installations and interactive game stations that is sure to be a hit with families, while Volks Park is the perfect spot for visitors to feast on the variety of food truck offerings.

There will also be a Kombi Bazaar area and busker performances, making it the perfect area to relax and chill.

Festival hours are: 10am – 10pm (Friday); 10am – 10pm (Saturday); 10am – 8pm (Sunday).


Toyota and Subaru team up to develop electric SUV in battle against costs

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp and Subaru Corp today said they plan to jointly develop a battery-electric sport-utility vehicle (SUV) on a platform produced together as they seek to split the cost of producing the lower-emissions car.

The pair will apply Subaru’s all-wheel-drive technologies and Toyota’s vehicle electrification technologies to the new SUV, which each will sell under its own brands, the automakers said in a statement.

The move to share technology underlines the conundrum facing Toyota and other global automakers, which are competing to develop new vehicle technologies including all-battery electric cars and self-driving cars, which require massive investment.

“Subaru and Toyota believe that it is necessary to pursue a business model that goes beyond convention, crossing over industrial boundaries,” the automakers said.

Toyota is looking to partnerships with rival automakers and tech firms to reduce its capital outlay for developing these new technologies. In April, it announced it would supply other automakers with its hybrid technology, an area it has led since it pioneered the Prius in 1997.

While the Japanese automaker has led in technologies for hybrid and fuel cell vehicles, it has trailed behind rivals such as Nissan Motor Co Ltd, Volkswagen AG and Tesla Inc in bringing fully electric vehicles to showrooms.

As the smallest of Japan’s major automakers, Subaru is struggling to independently invest in and develop lower-emission vehicles and on-demand transportation services widely seen as necessary to survive technological upheaval in the global auto industry.

It is also struggling with a spate of recent production- and quality-related issues, the side effects of rapid growth to keep up with booming for its Legacy sedans and Forester SUV crossovers in the United States, its biggest market.

Today’s announcement builds on a partnership between Toyota and Subaru which goes back to 2005. Toyota is the largest shareholder in Subaru with a stake of 16.77%, showed Refinitiv data.


Car park where body of English king found declared historic monument

The protected car park next to the King Richard III Visitor Centre — Image by Will Johnston via Leicester Mercury
LONDON: The car park where the remains of one of England's most famous kings was discovered has been granted official protection as a historic site, China's Xinhua news agency reported.

The skeleton of King Richard III, slain during the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, was unearthed during an excavation of a car park in Leicester in 2013. The ordinary-looking council-run car park had been built on the site of an old religious friary.

Historic England recommended that protection status should be granted to what it described as one of the most important sites in the country's national history.

John Glen, parliamentary undersecretary of state for arts, heritage and tourism agreed, and it was announced last Thursday that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has granted protection to the site by including it on Britain's list of heritage sites.

"The discovery of Richard III's skeleton was an extraordinary archaeological find and an incredible moment in British history," said Glen. "By protecting this site as a scheduled monument, we are ensuring that the remains of this once lost medieval friary buried under Leicester are preserved for future generations."

Confirmation the remains were of King Richard III came from experts from the University of Leicester who analysed DNA from the bones and found they matched that of descendants of the monarch's family.

"The discovery and identification of King Richard III's remains was a remarkable achievement," said Leicester mayor Peter Soulsby said.

“These events marked an unforgettable time for our city. We've already honoured this discovery with a world-class tourist attraction in the King Richard III visitor centre and the scheduling of this site will help to ensure this remarkable discovery is protected for future generations to enjoy."


Perodua helps out Sri Lanka partner

Yatawara (second from right) and Gunatilaka (right) at the gift voucher handover ceremony to staff representatives.
KUALA LUMPUR:: Perodua has sent aid to the staff of its distributor, Unimo Enterprises Limited, in Sri Lanka as the island nation struggles to recover from a financial crisis which has seen a freeze in imports since 2020.

This import ban has effectively halted the sale of Perodua vehicles in Sri Lanka, which was previously the compact carmaker’s largest CBU export market.

Perodua gave shopping vouchers to 171 Unimo employees as a way to help them through the difficult period.

“We chose shopping vouchers as this is the most effective way to assist Unimo staff to get daily essentials and hope that the situation there improves,”  said Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

“The financial crisis in Sri Lanka has also led to livelihood difficulties and we are thankful that we are now able to extend a helping hand to our partners there.”

As at the end of 2019, Perodua’s best-selling model in Sri Lanka was the Bezza 1.0L.

United Motors Lanka Plc group CEO Chanaka Yatawara and Unimo Enterprises CEO Mahesh Gunatilaka were present at the ceremony to distribute the vouchers.

Unimo Enterprises, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Motors Lanka, has been the Perodua distributor in Sri Lanka since 1995.


Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid revealed

STUTTGART: The Paris Motor Show will see Porsche unveil the fourth model in the Panamera line: the with controlled all-wheel drive and an electric range of 50km.

The vehicle generates some 462hp of system power and delivers fuel consumption figures of 2.5 l/100 km in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) for plug-in hybrid models. That corresponds to CO2 emissions of 56 g/km.

The new Porsche plug-in hybrid can start in purely electric mode and drives without generating any local emissions within a range of 50km and a maximum speed of 140kph. The all-wheel drive Porsche achieves a top speed of 278kph and delivers a system torque of 700Nm from stationary without hesitation. The four-door hybrid sports car breaks the 100kph barrier in 4.6 seconds. The torque is transferred to all four wheels and the standard three-chamber air suspension ensures a balance between comfort and dynamism.

The new Panamera 4 E-Hybrid features a hybrid strategy based on the 918 Spyder. The 887hp 918 Spyder is the fastest series-produced vehicle ever to circumnavigate the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Its record lap time of 6:57 minutes can in part be attributed to the additional power provided by two electric motors.

As with the 918 Spyder, the power of the Panamera electric motor – 136hp and 400Nm torque – is made available as soon as the driver touches the accelerator pedal. On the predecessor model, the pedal needed to be pressed at least 80 per cent of the way down to unleash the additional power of the electric drive. Now, the electric motor and petrol engine interact from the very outset.
Like with the 918 Spyder, the electric motor is available to deliver additional power at all times. This, together with the performance characteristics of the new 2.9-litre V6 biturbo engine (330hp/450 Nm), generates a high boost scenario based on electric motor and turbochargers.

In the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, the electrical energy is also used to increase the car’s top speed. Together with the V6 petrol engine decoupler, the electric motor heralds the new generation of the Porsche hybrid module. In contrast to the electro-hydraulic system of the predecessor model, the decoupler on the new Panamera is actuated electromechanically by an electric clutch actuator (ECA), resulting in shorter response times.

As on the other second-generation Panamera models, a new, extremely fast and efficient-shifting Porsche eight-speed Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission is used to transmit the power to the all-wheel drive. This transmission replaces the eight-speed automatic torque converter transmission on the predecessor model.

The electric motor is supplied with power via a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery, which is integrated under the luggage compartment floor. The high-voltage battery takes 5.8 hours to fully charge via a 230-V, 10-A connection. If the driver chooses to use the optional 7.2 kW on-board charger and a 230-V, 32-A connection instead of the standard 3.6-kW charger on the Panamera, the battery fully charges in 3.6 hours. The charging process can also be started using a timer via Porsche Communication Management (PCM). Moreover, the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid is fitted as standard with auxiliary air conditioning to cool or heat the passenger compartment during charging.

One highlight of the second-generation Panamera is the newly designed display and control concept in the form of the standard Porsche Advanced Cockpit with touch-sensitive panels and individually configurable displays. Two seven-inch screens either side of the analogue rev counter form the interactive cockpit, and, in contrast to the other versions in the model line, the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid features a power meter tailored to hybrid operation. The operating principle of the hybrid-specific displays is similar to that used in the Porsche 918 Spyder super sportscar. The power meter provides data such as the amount of electrical energy currently being used as well as that recovered through recuperation.

A 12.3-inch touchscreen functions as a central PCM control and display unit. The driver can access various items of hybrid-specific information both here on the dash and in the instrument cluster. The boost assistant and hybrid assistant are both practical and informative. The boost assistant display shows the energy available for boosting, while the hybrid assistant provides various visual signals for regulating the electrical drive power.

The Sport Chrono Package including the mode switch integrated into the steering wheel forms part of the standard equipment on the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid. The mode switch and Porsche Communication Management are used to activate the various driving modes. These modes include the familiar “Sport” and “Sport Plus” modes from the other Panamera models equipped with the Sport Chrono Package. The hybrid-specific modes are “E-Power”, “Hybrid Auto”, “E-Hold” and “E-Charge”.

The Panamera 4 E-Hybrid always starts in the purely electric “E-Power” mode. The “Hybrid Auto” mode is a completely new development. When this mode is selected, the Panamera changes and combines the drive sources automatically for ultimate efficiency.

The “E-Hold” mode allows drivers to consciously conserve the current state of charge to enable them to switch to electric and therefore zero-emissions mode in an environmental zone at their destination, for example. In “E-Charge” mode, the battery is charged by the V6 engine; to achieve this, the petrol engine generates a higher level of power than is actually needed for driving.

The highest level of drive performance is made available in the “Sport” and “Sport Plus” modes. The V6 biturbo engine is active continuously in these modes. In “Sport” mode, the battery charge is always maintained at a minimum level to ensure there are sufficient e-boost reserve capacities when needed.

“Sport Plus” mode is all about maximum performance and allows the Panamera to reach its top speed of 278 km/h. This mode also recharges the battery as quickly as possible with the help of the V6 biturbo engine.


Virtual Visor: Bosch re-invents humble sun visor

                LAS VEGAS: Bosch has designed a Virtual Visor that could reduce sun glare-related car accidents.

The Bosch solution is a transparent LCD and camera unit, which replaces the traditional vehicle sun visor completely.

As the first re-imagined visor in nearly a century, Bosch’s technology utilizes intelligent algorithms to intuitively block the sun’s glare and not the view of the road ahead.

Bosch will debut the Virtual Visor at CES 2020 here.

It was honoured as a Best of Innovation in the CES 2020 Innovation Awards.

“For most drivers around the world, the visor component as we know it is not enough to avoid hazardous sun glare – especially at dawn and dusk when the sun can greatly decrease drivers’ vision,” said Bosch Car Multimedia president Dr Steffen Berns.

“Some of the simplest innovations make the greatest impact, and Virtual Visor changes the way drivers see the road.”

Virtual Visor links an LCD panel with a driver or occupant-monitoring camera to track the sun’s casted shadow on the driver’s face.

The system uses artificial intelligence to locate the driver within the image from the driver-facing camera. It also uses AI to determine the landmarks on the face including where the eyes, nose and mouth are located, so that it can identify shadows on the face.

The algorithm analyses the driver’s view, darkening only the section of the display through which light hits the driver’s eyes.

The rest of the display remains transparent, no longer obscuring a large section of the driver’s field of vision.

A study indicates the risk of a car crash is 16 percent higher during bright sunlight than normal weather.

“We discovered early in the development that users adjust their traditional sun visors to always cast a shadow on their own eyes,” said Jason Zink, technical expert for Bosch in North America and one of the co-creators of the Virtual Visor.

“This realisation was profound in helping simplify the product concept and fuel the design of the technology.”

The creative use of liquid crystal technology to block a specific light source decreases dangerous sun glare, driver discomfort and accident risk; it also increases driver visibility, comfort and safety.

The Virtual Visor was developed by a team in North America as part of Bosch internal innovation activities.


2018 CarSifu Auto Show: Make vroom in your calendar for fun and wheels

                KUALA LUMPUR: The 2018 CarSifu Auto Show will roll in again in this month with an array of exciting vehicles, promotions and fun-filled family activities.

Star Media Group’s biggest automotive event will be held at Mid Valley Megamall from Aug 22 to 26. Doors will be open from 10am to 8pm daily.
Visitors can expect a dynamic mix of the latest budget and premium sedans, SUVs/crossovers, hatches and multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs).

Some car marques will be offering special deals exclusively at the auto show, which will feature attractive promotions before the new Sales and Service Tax kicks in on Sept 1.

READ MORE:
Shop for your next car at 2017 CarSifu Auto Show
2017 CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards: Honda CR-V is ‘Car of the Year’
Why they won
2017 CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards in pictures

New energy and plug-in hybrid vehicles with lower emissions are the next wave for an automotive landscape that aims to be more friendly to the environment, and some of these green cars will be at the auto show as well as in the running for the 2018 CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards.

Unlike previous editions, this year’s show will be held ahead of the 2018 CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards night on Oct 4 at Dorsett Grand Subang in Subang Jaya, Selangor.

To take part in the auto show, call 03-7967 1388 ext 1529/1187 for Faiz or Shawn (Monday-Friday, 9am to 5.30pm).

You can also e-mail events@thestar.com.my, sheralynlisa@thestar.com.my and lina.ismail@thestar.com.my.


Qashqai is fastest car to reach 500,000 production milestone

                LONDON: Nissan today celebrated a record breaking milestone as the 500,000th Qashqai rolls off the production line in Sunderland, Britain. Achieving the feat in a record-breaking 21 months, Nissan’s pioneering flagship crossover has become the fastest ever British-built vehicle to smash the half million production mark.

Since its start of production in January 2014, a new Qashqai has been built every 62 seconds  on the Sunderland factory’s Line 1, with nearly 100,000 (20%) of these being delivered within the UK.

Today’s announcement also sees the Qashqai beat previous records set by the MK1 Ford Cortina, which took 34 months to hit the half million landmark, and the Austin/Morris 1100/1300 which reached the same total in 29 months.

The Qashqai’s package of quality, style and class-leading technology has made it the best-selling crossover in Europe with France (68,044), Italy (45,464) and Spain (42,306) accounting for almost a third (31%) of global Qashqai sales.

Although originally designed for the European market, the crossover is now sold in 84 countries worldwide including Uganda, Zambia, and Saint Kitts.

“The Nissan Qashqai is going from strength to strength,” said Nissan Europe chairman Paul Willcox.“Half a million Qashqais in just 21 months is an astonishing achievement and proof that the Qashqai is hitting the spot with buyers. Together with the pioneering first generation version, there are now more than 2.5 million Qashqais on the road in Europe, making Nissan the undisputed leader in the crossover sector.”

Total global production of the Qashqai now tops 2.5 million. From late autumn 2015 the new Qashqai will also be manufactured in St Petersburg for domestic sales in Russia.

Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd will be celebrating this milestone at an event in central London today.  Hosted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the event is designed to showcase the importance of the UK automotive industry ahead of the 66th Frankfurt Motor Show.


Bentley tests its futuristic biofuel by climbing up Pike’s Peak

                NEW YORK: On June 27, the most extreme Bentley ever made raced up one of the highest peaks on the North American continent as a modified Continental GT3.

Its estimated 1,000hp V8 engine was propelled by a proprietary blend of 98RON Renewable racing biofuel, a low-carbon, high-octane fuel that produces 85% less greenhouse gas than gasoline.

The modified coupe recorded the fourth-fastest time during the 99th running of the Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb near Manitou Springs, Colorado.

It was an honourable finish, considering that the field of 54 hyper-tuned racers included Porsches, Camaros, BMWs, and even “open wheel” specials built uniquely for this race.

Robin Shute, a British professional racing driver based in Los Angeles, took top honours for the field in his 2018 Wolf GB08 TSC-LT.

With the start line at 9,300 feet above sea level, the Pike’s Peak course climbs to 14,115 feet, where the air is 1/3 less dense than at sea level.

Despite a late-stage backfire that split the carbon intake manifold and caused the car to lose boost near the finish, the Bentley took top honours among alternatively fuelled vehicles in the race, obliterating the times of the much-ballyhooed Tesla Model S Plaid edition and a hybrid Acura NSX.

Bentley is using the performance to kickstart what will be the biggest effort in the company’s 102-year history: to become carbon neutral by 2030.

Run since 1916, the Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb is noted as much for iconic drivers—Michelle Mouton and Ari Vatanen—as for its danger. (Vatanen’s film Climb Dance, which chronicles his 1988 run up the then-unpaved peak, rivals Claude Lelouch’s legendary 1976 C’était un Rendezvous in cinematic allure.)

More than 20km long, with 156 turns and an elevation gain of more than 5,000 feet, the course winds like a serpent up the 14,115-foot peak.

Drivers train for years to master it; each year, a few inevitably overshoot turns and go off the edge of the sheer cliffs that line the course. Some have died, including four-time champion Carlin Dunne, who in 2019 crashed his Ducati Streetfighter V4 Prototype 20 yards before the finish line. His death signalled the end of the motorcycle division in the hill climb.

To break a course record, a car would have to complete the nearly 5,000-foot climb with 156 corners at an average speed of 125kph.

The Continental GT3 had been modified almost beyond recognition as a Bentley. Cooling air scoops took the place of rear windows, while short side exhausts and a roll cage featured prominently in a cabin stripped of the leather, chrome, and wood luxuries that characterise other Bentleys.

Most notable, a massive rear wing, the biggest ever affixed by the Bentley factory to a car, joined a rear aerodynamic package balanced by a two-plane splitter at the front and separate dive planes around each side of the car.

These were intended to funnel air quickly and keep the car planted on the ground while it achieved speeds that would otherwise make it take flight. To hit the speeds the team wanted, Bentley driver Rhys Millen, a three-time Pike’s Peak Champion, would have to average nearly 130kph across the entire course, with top speeds above 220kph.

Entering the Continental GT3 was the first major step in Beyond100, Bentley’s sustainability programme that aims to have its entire model range offer a hybrid variant by 2023 and its entire line offered as electric by 2030. The first fully electric Bentley is due by 2025.

“We want to do things that are unexpected,” said Mike Sayer, Bentley’s head of heritage, over dinner the night before the race. “When you come out here to the mountains and see all of these race cars attempting a hill climb, the last thing you’d expect to see is a Bentley.”

Bentley has long made the stateliest of British coaches. With hand-hewn wood veneers, massive gilded grills, deep-pile carpeting, and interiors as silent as churches—with high price tags to match—they are driven by everyone from Keith Richards to Diane Von Furstenberg (she likes hers in British Racing Green) and owned and enjoyed by the Queen of England.

But Bentley also has historical precedent as the maker of some of the world’s most successful race cars.

In the 1920s, a crew of wealthy young British daredevils known as the Bentley Boys developed and raced supercharged Bentley Blowers across Europe.

Their dangerous and dashing exploits—and their many historic championships at events like 24 Hours of Le Mans—set Bentley on the path to being one of the world’s most prestigious, sought-after automakers today.

Last year, Bentley sold 11,206 vehicles worldwide — a 2% increase over 2019 during one of the worst years for car sales in recent history. It was the highest sales performance in the marque’s history.

Bentley brass, Sayer says, are now using Pike’s Peak to catapult the brand into a new century—this time, with radically sustainable motoring.

The biofuel that propelled the race car is the key to reaching the company’s goals. Paul Williams, Bentley’s director of motorsport, declined to name the exact cost of making it but said the fuel costs roughly five times the price of gasoline yet a fraction of the price of efuels derived from hydrogen and synthesized methanol.

“It’s still maybe not cheap enough for every driver, but for those who drive our cars, we have a fighting chance of making it work,” says Williams, noting that efuels such as those Porsche is testing cost more than a hundred times as much as gasoline.

“More than 80% of all Bentleys ever made are still on the road. So the idea is that our owners could put this fuel directly into their own cars and use them seamlessly as before.”

The car includes myriad tuning elements to make it perfect for Pike Peak’s unusual route.

Aerodynamic modifications give the car a 30% increase in overall downforce at sea level; front and rear axles have significantly reduced camber to focus the car on low-speed cornering performance.

Soft springs and antiroll bars allow more movement in the body and maximise weight transfer for braking.

There’s also the matter of so-called Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a “cradle-to-grave” analysis technique that assesses the environmental impacts of a product across all the stages of its life, from raw material extraction through processing, manufacture, distribution, and use.

The European Union is evaluating regulations related to the LCA of automobiles, with new reporting and possible implementation of stricter standards as soon as 2023.

Compared to electric power or such fuels as hydrogen, biofuel may be the best option for both humanity and the planet, Williams says.

It doesn’t require the cobalt that helps power lithium ion batteries in electric motors; the element is typically strip mined, often by children, in dangerous and unethical conditions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“In the long run, over the course of the lifespan of the vehicle, we believe biofuels have far less of a negative impact.”

Racing aside, the weather at Pike’s Peak became the real issue for Bentley this year. The morning of the race, sheet ice covered miles of the road at the highest section.

Organisers repositioned the finish line lower down the mountain, at 12,780 feet, near a section called Devil’s Playground. This cut out the final third of the regular course and made any record-setting impossible for the automotive pride of Crewe, England.

The mood in the catering tent after Millen’s run to the top was far from jubilant. As one spectator overheard walking away from the starting line put it: “Well, that’s racing.”

Bentley, it seems, still counts the run as a success. Company executives say the Continental GT3 Pikes Peak is Bentley’s first renewably powered race car. It won’t be the last.


2017 Geneva Motor Show: What to expect from Aston Martin

                LONDON: Aston Martin is gearing up to showcase a trio of major debuts at this year's 87th Geneva International Motor Show.

Among the debuts from the British luxury sports car maker will be the most powerful and dynamic Super GT iteration the company has ever created - the Vanquish S.

Also gracing the show will be the potent AM-RB 001 hypercar, which marks the ongoing collaboration with Red Bull Advanced Technologies.

But, more importantly is the company's two-part expansion of its bespoke services introduced in 2012 - 'Q by Aston Martin'.

The service's offerings have been expanded upon and will be introduced as 'Q by Aston Martin - Collection'.

The goal is to provide an almost limitless opportunity to help owners create a one-of-a-kind car that can be added to the vehicle at the point of specification and installed and hand-finished before delivery.

There are now exclusive paint and upholstery colours, material finishes and craft elements ranging from the leather quilt upholstery pattern to having tinted wheel finishes with matching body colour for the blades, diamond turned spokes as well as new wood and leather options for the interior.

A DB11 will be on display to showcase such offerings by Q by Aston Martin - Collection, which has been finished in Zaffre Blue paint, paired with gloss, satin twill and forged carbon fibre parts for the front splitter, side sills, rear diffuser side strakes, bonnet strakes and door mirrors.

Inside, cabin is upholstered in Obsidian Black Semi-Aniline leather, with the 'Q by Aston Martin' logo seen embossed onto the headrests.

It also receives more carbon fibre parts for its wheel centres and engine cover, while a four-piece set of colour-matched luggage can be added to the options list.

The second offering is ‘Q by Aston Martin – Commission’, which is a journey of personal collaboration between the owner and the company's design team that starts with a blank piece of paper for a unique finish.

Additionally, the company's global dealership network is able to work closely with Commission to create an ultra-limited run series with features and design elements that are distinct to their regions and customers.


A Genesis goes gallivanting in KL

                KUALA LUMPUR: Spotted -- a Hyundai Genesis in Bangsar with the name "Genesis" on display for all to see.

The driver of Hyundai's full-size luxury sedan was in Jalan Maarof heading towards the Mid Valley Megamall on Thursday evening.

An CarSifu reader sent us this picture as proof of existence.

One wonders if Hyundai Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) is planning to bring this car into Malaysia soon. After all, it will be launching a new car by the second half of this year but is not telling what model it will be. We do know of someone who is driving a Genesis in the Klang Valley but its rarity could soon change if HSDM decides to sell the fully imported model.

The Genesis, now in its second generation, started selling worldwide in 2008.

It's dramatic styling is luxurious at the same time and many have commented about  its winged emblem and the Aston Martin influences in its styling.

The rear-wheel drive Genesis recently gained "out of this world" prominence when 11 of them were deployed to write a Guinness World record message in the Nevada desert from a child to her astronaut dad to view from space.

The model comprises two variants: Genesis 3.8 with a 3.8-litre V6 engine and a Genesis 5.0 with a 5.0-litre V8 engine. Both use an 8-speed automatic transmission with different final drive ratio. Genesis 3.8 is also available in all-wheel drive.

Genesis 3.8 produces 311hp and 397Nm, while the Genesis 5.0 offers up 420hp and 519Nm.


Faster car production with HICOM Automotive's new paint shop

                PEKAN: HICOM Automotive Manufacturers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (HA) has launched its high-tech paint shop.

HA, a fully-owned subsidiary of DRB-HICOM Bhd, has been operating in Pekan for the last 30 years.

HA has assembled close to 500,000 passenger and commercial vehicles including the C class, E class, S class and GLC class, FUSO and MB Actros under the Mercedes-Benz banner.

The paint shop was launched in conjunction with the Aidilfitri celebration which was attended by Pahang Chief Minister Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob.

“This high-tech paint facility will enhance our standing as one of the region’s most prefered component assemblers in the automotive industry”, said DRB-HICOM group managing director Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar.

The facility will allow HA to increase its production capacity from 25,000 units to 50,000 units annually.

“The new paint shop features a robotic paint system for the primer and top coating application; the feature that has allowed us to decrease production time by as much as 50 percent, compared to the manual application method previously employed”, said Ismail Pandak, CEO of HA.

The paint shop also includes a 360-degree rotating Pre-treatment Electro Dipping (PTED) shuttle bay which allows the body-in-white to be fully submerged in the coating bath.

This ensures a more efficient surface-material contact and minimises paint wastage, which is a typical problem faced by the traditional vertical dipping process.

Syed Faisal said in his speech that the latest facility was to ensure the company’s readiness to face the Industry 4.0 evolution.

Industry 4.0 has seen the development of “smart factories” around the world, as industry players innovate and improve their business processes to minimise cost without compromising development of the human capital.

“Industry 4.0 requires us to develop a knowledge-based economy in our efforts to become a high-income nation. By increasing the technology involved in the production line, we are encouraging DRB-HICOM staff to increase their technical knowledge and ensure their skills are at par with their international counterparts”, he added.


VW to relieve China chief of duty next year, says paper

                BERLIN: Volkswagen will relieve its China unit chief Stephan Woellenstein of duty at the beginning of February next year, German publication automobilwoche reported today, citing sources.

There are three or four candidates that can replace Woellenstein and an announcement from the carmaker should follow soon, automobilwoche added.

Earlier this year, VW chief executive Herbert Diess had said Volkswagen must change its approach to how it sells electric vehicles (EV) in China.

"Sales are picking up but it requires focus and different approaches as the customers for the EVs are much younger and different to our customer base we are having with the more traditional brands like Volkswagen in China," said Diess.

Volkswagen's deliveries of battery-powered electric vehicles to China more than tripled in the first nine months of the year.

Deliveries of battery electric vehicles (BEV) to the world's largest car market stood at 47,200 in the January-September period, up from 15,700 in the same period last year.

By the end of the year, Volkswagen wants to sell between 80,000 and 100,000 of its all-electric ID series in China.


Delhi's horsepower parade is no ordinary car show

The Skoda Vision IN study.
NEW DELHI: India's annual car show here is not as glitzy as other key automotive events but at first glance it is a motor show like any other.

There are outlandish concept cars, lots of new SUVs and crossovers and a bevy of all-electric electric – nearly one on every manufacturer's stand.

The dawn of the electric age is proclaimed on posters outside the exhibition hall and inside battery-powered runabouts are in the spotlight.

A closer look at Auto Expo 2020 reveals that things are more down to earth here than at equivalent events in Frankfurt, Geneva or Los Angeles.

Apart from Mercedes-Benz, none of the luxury makers have attended the Indian show, which is spread across half a dozen display halls.

 Skoda Vision IN cabin.

Internal combustion engines with more than four cylinders are a rare exception and this means little is big in New Delhi, where the focus is on micro limousines like the Hyundai Aura or jacked-up Renault Kwid which comes in Twingo format.

Visitors who travel across this giant city to attend the shiny show will be struck by the contrast with everyday life on the roads of the Indian metropolis.

Almost all the bread-and-butter cars on the roads here are dented or scratched and they jostle for space on the highways with dilapidated tricycles and foul-smelling two stroke scooters belching fumes in all directions.

After a few minutes traversing the pot-holed streets it becomes clear that the car show is a fantasy world which has little to do with reality. India is still a developing country.

Registrations are running at around 3.4 million new cars a year – roughly on a par with Germany – but there are 1.5 billion Indians compared to some 83 million Germans and that puts things in perspective.

Cars are still something to aspire to here and India is a long way from achieving mass mobility. The traffic chaos is down to bad planning rather than too many road vehicles in use.

"In Germany, you are talking about 557 vehicles per 1,000 residents," said Jan Burgard who works for Berylls management consultants in Munich. "That equates to 155 cars on a worldwide average and in India just 25," he added.

It comes as no surprise that international makers have been hoping for a breakthrough in the world's second-biggest country, and are now busy jockeying for position. Up front this year is Volkswagen which aims to boost its market share to five per cent using the Skoda brand. It is a way of compensating for dwindling sales in China.

 Tata Sierra EV Concept.

The Wolfsburg car giant is launching a model offensive, said Skoda boss Bernhard Meier and first off the blocks is an affordable SUV.

Still at the development stage, the Skoda Vision IN and VW Taigun have been drawing the crowds. Both are 4.2 metres long and will be assembled locally with a leaner specification than will be offered in more affluent markets.

In India, the combustion engine is far from dead and these newcomers will come with petrol and diesel motors. "In terms of electromobility, India is lagging some 10 years behind," said VW marketing chief Juergen Stackmann.

Engines like the 1.5-litre petrol unit turning out 150hp and a downsized three-cylinder with 115hp at the wheels are ideal for India, but producing them in large numbers for this out-of-step market is expensive.

Although both cars are shorter than the evergreen Golf hatchback, they are regarded as mid-range models and most of the sales action is at a lower pitch.

"Cars which measure less than 4 metres enjoy significant tax breaks," said local VW man Gurpratap Boparai by way of explanation. Indians on low wages cannot afford luxury vehicles and in a country where average earnings stand at around 60 to 80 dollars a month, even paying out 3,500 for a small car represents a major investment.

Two thirds of cars in India retail between US$6,500 and US$13,000, which represents the top end.

In many countries, people look askance at ultra compact cars like the Volkswagen Up or Hyundai i10 and few adults would willingly squeeze into the back seat of a Smart Forfour for anything other than a short trip.

For Indians, tiny cars like the Suzuki Alto or Renault Kwid are a step up – and anyone who has taken an overland trip in India will understand why. A family of five people on a moped is a common sign in rural areas and anything up to 10 people will cram into one of ubiquitous Tuk-Tuk taxis.

The gap between desire and reality at the New Delhi car even is even larger when it comes to electro-mobility. Anyone touring the halls might think that the spark could jump over into this huge country and ensure that mass mobility is achieved in a green fashion.

After all, the New Delhi government aims to have 30 per cent of the country’s cars running on electricity from 2030 onwards. The positive effect that would bring is obvious to anyone who steps out into the thick air which hangs in the streets in front of the city’s hotels.

On the streets here all-electrics are conspicuous by their absence. Visitors are more likely to glimpse a Rolls-Royce luxury limousine or a Tesla than anything tailored to India pockets.

Representatives of local brands like Mahindra, Tata or Maruti announced at the show that electric products are in the pipeline but these are some way off.

The showcase smart charging station at Connaught Place in the business centre of the city was a magnet for tourists and motor show guests, but in rural India there are hardly any opportunities for drivers to replenish their batteries.

India is nearly 10 times as big as Germany but only 2,600 charging stations are to be installed by the end of the year.

"Indians have simply got other problems to deal with," says car expert Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer who teaches at Duisburg-Essen university. He said many Indians were more worried about getting running water or electricity working at home rather than in using green power to move around.


Selangor cashless parking system in force but many motorists still unaware

                PETALING JAYA: It has been almost two weeks since payment for on-street parking in Selangor went fully cashless, but some motorists claim they are not aware of the transition.

Although the state has given a grace period of three months, until March 31, before phasing out scratch-and-display coupons, several motorists StarMetro spoke to said they were unprepared.

Siti Nazatul Mohd Ismail, 56, an administrative worker in Pandan Perdana, Ampang, said she had several coupon booklets left that she would not be able to use within the time frame.

“I only recently purchased the booklets as I would typically have to use several coupons for on-street parking for the whole day.

“The coupon agent did not tell me that it would no longer be used soon.

“Now, I am stuck with almost RM200 worth of coupons,” she said.

Siti Nazatul added that she was unfamiliar with e-payment methods.

Selangor is the latest state to implement cashless payment for parking, following in the footsteps of Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

Starting Jan 3, motorists throughout the state must use the Smart Selangor Parking (SSP) app or other e-payment methods for on-street parking managed by local councils.

Digital coupons or “eKupon” have also been introduced via the SSP app, in place of paper-based ones.

Selangor local government, public transport and new village development committee chairman Ng Sze Han had said consumers who had bought paper parking coupons could still use them until March 31.

He said the state would ensure easy access to registered eKupon agents under every local council in Selangor.

Motorist Ng Chun Tong, 49, was spotted scratching several coupon tickets in front of Ampang Point.

Ng said he was unaware that conventional payment methods would be discontinued.

“Perhaps, local councils should display the information around parking areas so more of us would know about this new policy.

“They should also have personnel teaching motorists how to use the app,” he suggested.

Mohd Khairul Azri Buang, 38, who travels frequently to various areas in Selangor for work, said a single platform was more convenient.

“Previously, I had to download different apps as each local council had a separate payment platform.

“I would have to have credit in each app,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that having a fully digital platform could be unfair to some people.

“Just recently, I was approached by a senior citizen in Kajang who could not find a parking coupon agent, nor were there any parking machines.

“In the end, I paid for his parking using my phone as he did not have a smartphone.

“There should be a mechanism in place to cater to this group of motorists,” Mohd Khairul added.

Similarly, motorist Zulfahmi Amran, 35, said while the convenience of digital solutions had done much to ease the stress of parking, there should be alternatives for those who were not able to adopt such technologies.

“As someone who is familiar with technology, it is easy for me to adapt to the change.

“But some are still trying to find their footing.

“My mother, for example, was hesitant as she was not used to digital payment.

“But with some help, she is getting used to it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Selayang Municipal Council Corporate Department deputy director Ahmad Fauzi Ishak said its contract with the parking operator was in effect until 2024.

“It is only the method of payment that has changed.

“Enforcement against parking offences will still be carried out,” he said.


Kia reveals refreshed Optima in Big Apple

                NEW YORK: Considering how the Optima is the car that really kick-started the almost complete reinvention of the Kia brand in 2011 with the launch of its third generation, the unveiling of a refreshed version of the fourth-generation model at the New York Auto Show has gone a little under the radar.

It could be because the headlines were dominated by the all-new second-generation Kia K900 luxury sedan that was also unveiled at the show, but the Optima is the one that's going to put more on the South Korean automaker's bottom line.

Kia's best-selling midsize sedan was unveiled to reveal new design cues both inside and out, expanded ADAS technology, a new UVO infotainment strategy, and some available red and black two-tone sport leather-trimmed seats with a distinct European design influence. Further enhancements that will soon be available for the Optima include some optional new alloy wheel designs, ambient LED interior lighting, and a Passion Red exterior colour that's new to the car.

Orth Hedrick, the vice president of product planning at Kia Motors America (KMA) says of the refreshed Optima: "The Optima continues to be one of our best-sellers for good reason; its stand-out design sets it apart from other cars in the midsize segment. The 2019 refresh sharpens the overall design inside and out and we are making a number of ADAS technologies standard across the entire Optima line, which underlies the tremendous value Optima offers.

"A new approach to our award-winning telematics system, UVO, will make it easier for buyers to understand its features and UVO link includes an embedded modem. The new two-tone sport seats are for those looking to differentiate their Optima with unique European-inspired design cues."

As well as the refreshed Optima on display at the show, Kia was also showcasing a refreshed version of the Sedona for the 2019 model year. The enhancements to the Kia minivan were facelifts for the exterior and the interior as well as an updated infotainment system and more advanced safety features.

The K900 was the only all-new model on the Kia stand, and the only thing that seems to have carried over from the first-generation of the luxury sedan is the name. Whether this new model will win more buyers over from the likes of Lexus, Mercedes, Audi and BMW than its predecessor remains to be seen, but in the meantime the Optima will probably continue to sell in good numbers.


BMW M adds M3 Touring to the lineup

                MUNICH: BMW's M division has announced the coming of a Touring (wagon) variant that will be added to the G20 M3 stable.

News of the addition comes just less than a month before the M3 Sedan's global unveiling in September while the new G22 M4 convertible would follow in 2021.

The high-performance M3 Touring's prototype would soon be making its rounds near the southern German city of Munich - Garching - home to BMW M GmbH.

The M3 Touring effectively combines performance with an increase in available space for added practicality and functionality — something that was seen in the second-generation E34 M5 in 1992 and fourth-generation (E60) in 2007.

However, this isn't the first time that M GmbH has dabbled with the thought of adding a Touring variant to the lineup.

It was in 2000 that a prototype was launched based on the third-generation E46 M3 and now — exactly 20 years later — the sixth-generation G20 M3 Touring will soon become a reality.

Power would come from a tuned-up turbocharged inline-six engine but no specifics have been revealed yet. However, the M3 Touring would have wide axles, BMW's large integrated kidney grille and quad tailpipes.

At present, the M3 Touring has only just begun its two-year development process, which will include testing on the Nürburgring Nordschleife so there's still some time to plan for ownership as the variant would only go on sale in 2022.


Honda and Sony aim to deliver premium EV with subscription fees in 2026

                TOKYO: A joint venture set up by Japan's Sony Group Corp and Honda Motor is aiming to deliver its first electric vehicles by 2026 and will sell them online, starting in the United States and Japan.

The new EV will also be priced at a premium, offering a new software system developed by Sony that would open the way to recurring revenue from entertainment and other services that would be billed monthly, the companies said.

The update from the joint venture, Sony Honda Mobility, is the first since the two companies launched the project in June.

Key details, including pricing, battery range and even the platform for the new vehicle have not been determined, but representatives of the new company detailed a vision for a vehicle that would function almost like a rolling smartphone.

Sony will provide the software system for the new car, from the onboard controllers to cloud-based services that will connect with entertainment and payment systems.

It will also provide sensors and other technology for a Level 3 autonomous drive system that will allow for drivers to pay more attention to the content and software services that will be offered.

In Level 3 systems, also known as limited self-driving automation, drivers can ride without watching the road or handling the wheel on highway driving but need to be ready to take back control.

Tesla, General Motors, Ford Motor Co and Mercedes Benz all offer some form of hands-free driving assist systems.

“As safe driving technology will continue to evolve and the amount of concentration required to drive will be reduced, we should consider new ways to enjoy and spend time in the cabin space as a whole,” said Izumi Kawanishi, the joint venture’s president and executive at Sony.

Honda will decide on the platform that the new vehicle will use and details like the battery supplier. The still-to-be named EV will likely be manufactured by Honda at one of its plants in Ohio.

Honda, like its bigger rival Toyota Motor, has been slow to shift its fleet to electric. It has also struggled over the years to make gains in the luxury vehicle market with its Acura brand.

Yasuhide Mizuno, the joint venture's chairman and chief executive, and a senior Honda executive, said the project was important for Honda to develop a "longer-term relationship" with its car buyers as the vehicle shifts to become more of a connected device.

Mizuno said Honda believed that 2025 would be a crucial year in the shift towards EVs in the US market and that the joint-venture believed it had to hit that opening even though it means a compressed development cycle for the new EV.

The new EV will be delivered to the Japanese market in the second half of 2026. The two companies are considering a launch for Europe, but no plan has been set. Orders for the new EV should open in 2025, the companies said.

READ MORE: Perodua trials subscription service  with Ativa Hybrid


Mercedez-Benz to deploy advanced automated driving system in Nevada

                LAS VEGAS: The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) said on Thursday that German carmaker Mercedes-Benz can deploy advanced automated driving systems on its roads after it completed a self-certification.

The automaker said the Nevada DMV approved its application and is preparing the certificate of compliance that will be issued within the next two weeks.

The "SAE Level 3 conditionally automated driving" system allows a driver to legally take their eyes off the wheel but must be available to resume control if needed. On suitable highway sections and where traffic density is high, the system, called DRIVE PILOT, can offer to take over driving, Mercedes-Benz says.

Mercedes chief software officer Magnus Oestberg told reporters on Thursday Mercedes will have to seek approval to allow Level 3 driving from regulators in each US state. Mercedes has the technology ready to offer limited automated driving in all U.S. states once regulators approve, he said.

The company has applied for certification in California and is optimistic the state will follow Nevada soon.

The Nevada DMV noted it does not issue any permit or license based on an autonomous vehicle’s level of automation and allows all automation levels to operate on public streets.

"Mercedes has certified that their technology meets the Nevada 'minimal risk condition' requirement that requires a Level 3 or higher 'fully autonomous' vehicles to be able to stop if there is a malfunction in the system," the DMV said adding it "does not test or certify vehicles."

The DRIVE PILOT system "gives customers back time so they can focus on certain secondary activities such as communicating with colleagues via In-Car Office, browsing the web or relaxing while watching a movie," the automaker added.

Other systems currently on public roads like Tesla's Autopilot or General Motors' Super Cruise are classified SAE Level 2, which handle some driving tasks but require drivers to pay attention at all times.

Separately, Mercedes-Benz said its Automatic Lane Change (ALC) feature is coming to the North American market. The feature enables the car to automatically initiate a lane change and overtake slower vehicles with the cruise control engaged.


Volvo to focus on range and fast charging in next generation of all-electric cars

                GOTHENBURG: Volvo Cars is bringing battery cell technology development and production closer to home and aims to tailor its future batteries to the needs of its customers: a longer range and faster charging times.

It will do so by improving lithium-ion battery technology on its forthcoming second generation of electric cars, starting with the company’s first SUV on a completely new electric-only technology base.

By the middle of the decade, as it introduces its third generation of electric cars, Volvo Cars plans to improve the range further and integrate the battery pack into the floor of the car, using the cell structure for overall vehicle stiffness and improving efficiency.

The announcement was made at Volvo Cars Tech Moment held virtually today.

In the near term, Volvo Cars plans to work with leading Swedish battery company Northvolt to further increase the energy density in its battery cells by up to 50 per cent compared with what is on the market today. Later this decade, Volvo Cars also looks to break the 1000 Wh/l energy density milestone, in order to achieve 1000km (of real driving range.

Current charging times are expected to be cut almost in half by the mid-decade, thanks to better battery technology and continuous improvements to software and fast-charging technology.

“We want to constantly increase the customer benefits of driving a pure electric Volvo car,” said Henrik Green, Chief Technology Officer at Volvo Cars. “By simplifying the design and integration of our battery cells, we can reduce weight and maximise space, allowing for considerable improvements in battery capacity, range and charging times.”

As Volvo Cars is moving towards becoming an all-electric car company, the importance of sustainability increases in parallel. While the company will increase the battery energy in its cars over the coming decade, it will also work to continuously reduce their carbon impact.

Battery cells from Volvo Cars’ planned collaboration with Northvolt aim to be produced using 100 per cent renewable energy, while it is working with other battery suppliers to do the same by 2025.

READ MORE:
Volvo Concept Recharge and other highlights
Only Volkswagen, Volvo doing enough to electrify in Europe, study shows

Volvo Cars said batteries that have reached the end of their lifespan will be recycled at authorised recyclers that are able to offer closed-loop recycling of critical materials for use in future batteries. Volvo Car Group’s planned partnership with Northvolt also raises the possibility to use their established recycling operations.

Volvo Cars will also continue to focus on the responsible sourcing of batteries, including through a wider use of blockchain technology.

Already with the successor to the XC90, the company will offer bi-directional charging, allowing customers to offload excess electricity in their car battery to the power grid. This means electric Volvo drivers can provide energy to the grid when prices and CO2 emissions related to electricity production are at their daily peak, while charging their car when emissions fall.

Volvo Cars’ electrification roadmap is focused on vertical integration, involving the in-house design, development and production of batteries, e-motors and relevant software in collaboration with strategic partners. The aim is to achieve as many synergies and efficiencies as possible throughout the entire battery supply chain.

Earlier this month, Volvo Car Group announced a planned collaboration with Northvolt to develop and produce sustainable batteries. These will be tailored to power the next generation of pure electric Volvo and Polestar cars and secure a future supply of sustainable batteries needed to support growth.

The collaboration with Northvolt is key to Volvo Cars’ ambition to become a leader in the premium electric car segment and sell only pure electric vehicles by 2030. It also represents an important step in the expansion of its in-house capabilities for production as well as development, coupled with partnerships with technology leaders.


Czech bus maker Torsus reveals extreme bus for toughest school run routes

                PRAGUE: Czech bus maker Torsus has revealed the Praetorian school bus, an extreme and special-made version intended for the toughest school run routes in the world.

Torsus said the school bus edition of the Praetorian is ready to carry schoolchildren across some of the world’s most rugged environments in comfort and safety.

Based on the same platform as the standard Praetorian model, the school bus edition retains all of the off-road features that make the Torsus vehicle a durable off-road all-rounder. The heightened ground clearance of the bus allows the Praetorian to clear obstacles with ease, while the 4x4 drive adds to its capability in challenging conditions.

The bus can carry up to 35 children on any of the world’s toughest school run routes, whether on- or off-road.

Special features include bespoke original seats styled around mathematics and science designs. The seats are covered with a polymer protective coating, equipped with a seat belt suitable for all ages while optional extras for the seats include a foldable armrest and hip support bar on the aisle side.

The Praetorian is based on an upgraded heavy-duty MAN chassis and is powered by MAN engines and drivetrain. The school bus edition of the vehicle features uprated off-road Michelin tyres and anti-scratch coating on body parts.

Torsus was set up in 2016, developing and manufacturing heavy-duty off-road 4x4 buses in a factory in Slovakia.

It works with MAN and VW on key chassis and powertrain technology.


Only 4,227 online applications for automotive aid received so far, says govt

                KUANTAN: Only 4,227 applications for automotive aid with an estimated claim value of RM5.47mil have been received from flood victims nationwide through the official portal https://bantuanautomotif.hasil.gov.my since it was launched on Jan 18, says Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah.

He said the figure was still low despite not taking into account those who applied manually and hoped flood victims would submit their applications before the closing date on March 31.

"Flood victims whose vehicles were damaged due to the floods should take advantage of this aid,” he told reporters after attending Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) Micro Community and Banking Facilities Programme in Sungai Lembing here which allows residents to enjoy ATM facilities starting yesterday.

In the meantime, Mohd Shahar said Bank Negara would discuss with insurance and takaful companies to increase consumer awareness on insurance coverage for flood disaster.

"This also involves planning for the industries involved to provide comprehensive coverage at a more affordable price,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Paya Besar MP said the ATM would benefit around 4,000 Sungai Lembing residents who previously had to travel nearly 50km to withdraw money in Kuantan.

He said it would also benefit tourists visiting Sungai Lembing which was once known as the "El Dorado of the East" for its history in tin mining


Ensure vehicles in tip-top condition before heading out, Miros reminds motorists

                KUALA LUMPUR: The "balik kampung" rush is well under way now with Hari Raya Aidilfitri just two days away.

With the festive season having become synonymous with a higher incidence of road accidents, it is imperative that those heading back to their home towns give priority to ensuring their vehicles are in tip-top condition.

Driving carefully and observing road safety rules are also essential to ensuring a safe journey home. Among the common causes of accidents are speeding, driving on the opposite lane, overtaking other vehicles, changing lanes suddenly, being careless when entering or exiting a road at a junction, tailing other vehicles and making U-turns illegally.

Driving when tired or drowsy and lack of alertness can also lead to mishaps, some of which can be fatal.

Roadworthy

Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research's (Miros') Vehicle Safety and Biomechanics Research Centre director Dr Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim said the rise in traffic on the roads during the festive season would increase the risk of accidents occurring.

"There are several approaches to reducing the risk of fatal accidents. The most important thing is to make sure that the vehicle is in good condition.

"The vehicle can be a car or motorcycle but it is the 'tool' that gets us to our destination. So, make sure it is fit for driving," he said.

He said drivers should take note of their vehicles' safety levels, especially the condition of the tyres and brake.

"If these are in good condition, the driver would be able to avoid accidents," he added.

Danger of microsleep

Commenting on the danger of microsleep, whereby the driver dozes off briefly whilst driving, Khairil Anwar said such episodes can take place when the driver is fatigued.

When drivers make the long journey back to their kampung whilst fasting, they tend to feel more tired and drowsy.

"The driver has no choice but to stop at intervals to rest or take a nap or wash their face. Stopping at a surau or mosque for prayers can also ensure a smooth drive with no potential for the occurrence of microsleep episodes," he said, adding that even dozing off for one second while at the wheel can have disastrous consequences.

Be patient

Motorists must also observe safe driving practices and have a lot of patience when driving during the festive season.

"It's important for drivers to accept the fact that they may arrive at their destinations late but better late than never," he said, adding that if all road users observed road safety rules, everyone could return home safely.

Khairil Anwar said statistics have shown that 80 to 90 percent of accidents worldwide were caused by human carelessness.

According to Bukit Aman's Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department, the number of accidents and fatalities reported under Op Selamat 13 in conjunction with the Aidilfitri celebrations last year was lower than that recorded during Op Selamat 11 in 2017.

Op Selamat 13 (in 2018) recorded 189 accidents nationwide, a nine percent drop compared to 207 cases during Op Selamat 11. The number of fatalities dropped from 225 in 2017 to 200 in 2018.

However, motorcyclists and pillion riders continued to be the main contributors to statistics involving fatal accidents, with 119 cases recorded during Op Selamat 13.

Smooth traffic so far

In a related development, the flow of traffic on all major highways has been reported to be smooth as at 9 am today.

PLUS Malaysia Berhad spokesman when contacted said despite the increase in the number of vehicles on the road, traffic flow towards the north and south was still smooth. “The traffic is expected to build up later in the afternoon,” he said.

A spokesman for the Malaysian Highway Authority said traffic flow at the East Coast Expressway 1 and 2 were also smooth in both directions. “Traffic is only reported to be slightly slow-moving before the Gombak toll plaza,” he said.

The public can access traffic updates via the toll-free numbers 1800-88-0000 (Plusline) and 1800-88-7752 (LLM) or check their Twitter sites at www.twitter.com/plustrafik and www.twitter.com/llminfotrafik.


Fiat Chrysler defies virus fears to showcase electric 500 in Milan

                MILAN: Fiat Chrysler defied fears over Italy’s coronavirus outbreak to showcase an electric version of its 500 city car on Wednesday, as it strives to catch up with rivals in low-emissions driving while heading into a merger with Peugeot maker PSA.

Initially planned for the now-cancelled Geneva Motor Show, the presentation was held at an event here — a rarity as large gatherings have been discouraged by authorities in most of northern Italy, which has seen Europe’s worst virus outbreak.

With schools, universities and museums closed, and cafes forced to shut early for almost two weeks, the mood in Italy’s financial capital is somber, as it sits just 60km from the epicentre of the outbreak, where 11 towns are sealed from the outside world.

“We’re here to show that FCA stands close to Milan and to Italy,” Olivier Francois, head of the Fiat brand and Fiat Chrysler Automobile’s (FCA) chief marketing officer, told a restricted audience of journalists, before a press conference at Milan’s design museum, where chairs were placed a metre apart to comply with local authority health requirements.

“This car does not look at 2020, but to the next decade,” he added.

After the cancellation of the Geneva show, most companies have turned to virtual events to present their latest models.

Rome will close all schools and universities across the country from today until March 15 and is considering further emergency measures, including the possible closure of cinemas, theatres and most public events.

The death toll from the virus rose to 107 on Wednesday and total cases in the country topped 3,000.

‘Cinquecento’

The original 500 small car, launched in the late 1950s and known affectionately as the “Cinquecento”, quickly become a symbol of Italian urban design.

The new electric 500 (BEV), which is part of a plan announced in 2018 to invest €5 billion (RM23bil) in Italy up to 2021, is the group’s first major step into electric-powered driving.

FCA said the selling price for the cabrio launch version would be €37,900 (RM176,000) in Italy, excluding government environmental incentives, though it added cheaper versions would follow. That compares with a starting price of €16,000 (RM74,000) for a petrol-engine 500.

Competing electric cars include the MINI Cooper SE with a starting price of €33,900 (RM157,000) in Italy and Peugeot’s e-208, starting at €33,600 (RM156,000).

“The 500 is not mass market, it’s not the cheapest car in its segment, and so it will continue to be,” said Francois.

An early version of the electric 500 has been produced in the United States to comply with local authority rules on zero-emission cars. But in 2014 former CEO Sergio Marchionne asked customers not to buy that car as FCA was losing money on it, and said he hoped to sell the smallest number possible.

With a range of 320km, the new 500 BEV will be a totally different car, 6cm longer, 6cm wider and 2cm taller that the petrol-engine version. It will be produced at FCA’s Mirafiori plant in Turin.

Sales are expected to start in July, initially in Europe, with FCA hoping to sell 80,000 a year at full capacity.

FCA plans to have 12 electrified vehicles in its fleet by 2021. That includes both hybrid and full electric vehicles, new cars and electrified versions of existing ones, and light commercial vehicles.

The Italian-American automaker earlier this year started selling hybrid versions of the 500 and of its other small car, the Fiat Panda.

Its Jeep brand is also set to start producing hybrid versions of its Renegade and Compass models in the second quarter of this year, while its luxury Maserati brand plans to introduce hybrid and fully electric models this year or next.