Porsche 911 Sally Special: one-of-a-kind piece for a good cause

UPDATE: Porsche 911 Sally Special sold for record US$3.6 million at RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction.

STUTTGART: Porsche and Pixar Animation Studios have unveiled a very special Porsche inspired by one of the most popular 911s: Sally Carrera, the famous car from Disney and Pixar’s animated film Cars.

Like Sally Carrera, the 911 Sally Special is one of a kind. There will only be one 911 Sally Special – and it’s the first time that Pixar has supported such a project.

The 911 Sally Special is based on the fastest and most agile variant of the 911 Carrera model line, the 911 Carrera GTS. The car is equipped with a manual gearbox, tapping into Sally Carrera's passion for driving.

The customisation elements are detailed and extensive.

Tthe car is painted in Sallybluemetallic, a custom paint that was hand-applied for the project.

Sally Carrera's Turbo-look rims were re-interpreted by Porsche designers in Weissach and manufactured especially for the 911 Sally Special.

The "five-arm design" rim was adapted to the 20-/21-inch wheel dimensions of the current 911 generation and creates a visual link to the 911 Type 996 on which Sally Carrera is based.

Porsche interior designer Daniela Miloševic led the team that worked with Pixar to design the new blue colour as well as the vehicle's interior.

“The special Sallybluemetallic is used in the interior as well, where it creates both obvious highlights and subtle details that will hopefully bring a smile to the future owner's face," said Miloševic.

"At the same time, it was important to us not to forget everyday usability and practicality. 911 Sally Special is meant to be driven often and gladly. We developed a special Pepita houndstooth fabric upholstery in three colours, combined with chalk-coloured leather and stitching in Speed Blue.

The one-off car will be auctioned by RM Sotheby's on Aug 20 at Monterey Car Week in California. Auction proceeds will be donated to two charities. A portion of the proceeds will benefit young women through a donation to Girls Inc. The second portion will go to USA for UNHCR, an organisation that supports refugees from Ukraine.

The project began in November 2021 and united members of the original Cars team that brought both the film character and life-size Sally Carrera to life more than 20 years ago.

The team included Jay Ward, Creative Director of Franchise at Pixar Animation Studios, and Bob Pauley, the Production Designer who first drew Sally Carrera for the Cars film. They were assisted by members of the Sonderwunsch team at Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur in Stuttgart and designers from Style Porsche in Weissach.

The team worked together for 10 months – the result is a unique factory one-off.

In addition to the car itself, the auction also includes other highlights – most notably a watch by Porsche Design, also created in collaboration with Pixar.

Like the car itself, the coloured ring is painted in Sallybluemetallic. The chalk-coloured leather strap with Speed Blue stitching underscores the sporty design of the unique timepiece.

The strap can be quickly and easily swapped out for a second strap in Speed Blue with chalk-coloured stitching, without the need for any tools. Like the vehicle, the chronograph has a limited edition marking on the back of the case.

The one-of-a-kind piece is powered by a COSC-certified Porsche Design WERK 01.100 movement. The 911 Sally Special Chronograph was precision engineered and manufactured at Porsche's own watchmaking facility in Solothurn, Switzerland.

The auction will also feature a special indoor car cover from Porsche Tequipment, a wheel rack with an additional wheel set consisting of Carrera Exclusive Design wheels, a book on the development and production of the one-off model and original drawings by designers Shuichi Yamashita and Bob Pauley.


New Mercedes-AMG SL 43 unveiled, estimated RM1mil price tag

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz today introduced the new Mercedes-AMG SL 43 along with the A-Class line-up. Estimated price is RM1mil.

The roadster icon is now sportier, more luxurious and more attractive than ever before.

As the new entry-level model in the series, the SL 43 is the world's first series-produced vehicle to feature an electric exhaust gas turbocharger.

This technology comes directly from Formula 1,  resolving the trade-off between a big supercharger with high peak power but slow response and a compact supercharger with a fast response but relatively low peak power.

The 2.0-litre engines produces 381hp/480Nm. It offers an additional short-term boost of 10 kW (14 hp) from the belt-driven starter generator (RSG) in certain driving situations.

The 0-100kph is achieved in 4.9s and top speed is 275kph.

A striking front end with AMG-specific radiator grille provides a glimpse of the SL's performance aspirations.

Elegant details such as flush-fitting door handles blend seamlessly into the appearance.

The defining features of the SL body design include the long wheelbase, the short overhangs, the long bonnet, the passenger compartment set further back with steeply raked windscreen, and the powerful rear end.

This results in the typical SL proportions. Opening and closing the three-layer fabric soft top in black takes about 15 seconds using the space-saving Z-fold, and is possible up to a speed of 60kph.

The SL 43 is equipped with Digital Light, sports suspension, and integrated, automatically extending rear wing.

The Driving Assistance Package and Parking package with reversing camera are also included.

The interior of the Mercedes-AMG SL 43 features a combination of analogue geometry and the digital world - known as "hyperanalogue".

This is exemplified by the fully digital instrument cluster, which is integrated into a three-dimensional visor.

The standard MBUX infotainment system offers a choice of several specific display styles and different modes.

The symmetrical instrument panel is designed as a wing and structured into an upper and lower section. The highlight are the four galvanised turbine nozzles.

Their surfaces merge into the instrument panel in the form of powerful power domes. The lower section of the instrument panel evolves fluidly from the centre console, seamlessly connecting the two elements.

Despite symmetry, the cockpit design creates a clear focus on the driver:

The high-resolution 12.3-inch LCD screen of the instrument cluster is not designed to be free-standing, but integrated into a high-tech visor that prevents reflections caused by sunlight.

In order to avoid disturbing light reflections caused by different sun positions when the soft top is open, the tilt of the touch screen on the centre console can also be electrically adjusted from 12 degrees to 32 degrees.

The interior of the SL 43 comes with head-up display, AMG Performance steering wheel in nappa leather, AMG steering wheel buttons, electrically adjustable luxury seats in a Nappa leather black, and AMG aluminium trim.

The car also gets MBUX augmented reality for navigation, and multicontour and climatised front seats.

As standard, the SL 43 is equipped with Sports suspension. The new SL is the first production vehicle ever from Mercedes-AMG to feature a multi-link front axle with five links arranged entirely within the rim.

This significantly improves the kinematics.

At the rear axle, a 5-link design likewise controls the wheels.

The Mercedes-AMG SL 43 offers a broad range of kit to customise the car. Customers can choose from sporty and dynamic to
luxuriously elegant themes.

Available are 12 paint finishes including the two exclusive SL colours - hyper blue metallic and Manufaktur monza grey magno.


Allianz General to revamp auto repairers panel

                KUALA LUMPUR: Allianz General Insurance Company is seeking PIAM Approved Repairers Scheme (PARS) workshops nationwide to join its panel of authorised repairers this year.

Invitations have been sent to all PARS workshops nationwide on Aug 12 via the Merimen Online website, a digital platform for the insurance industry.

Interested PARS workshops are required to submit their applications by Aug 17.

Allianz General Head of Claims Damian Williams said that the Company is looking to revamp its current panel of authorised repairers in efforts to improve customer service to comprehensive policyholders.

Allianz General operates a 24-hour accident service, the Allianz Road Rangers.

Launched in the Klang Valley in 2017 and available nationwide since 2018, the Allianz Road Rangers service features seven touch points – a 24-hours helpline, the Allianz Road Ranger fleet (First Response Bike Brigade and Allianz Tow Truck), claims concierge service, e-hailing voucher, claims express approval, and vehicle delivery.

Since its launch, the Allianz Road Rangers has served over 240,000 Allianz General customers nationwide up to June.


Rumours of road tax hike are fake, says JPJ

                PETALING JAYA: There are no plans to increase road taxes, says the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

JPJ was responding to rumours circulating on social media that the government has plans to increase the road tax for vehicles.

"JPJ would like to stress that the prices of road tax are still the same and there are no changes as claimed," it said in a statement on Friday.

The department also advised the public not to be fooled by unverified news and to check for the source of such news first.


Jingle all the Waze with a smooth drive

                PETALING JAYA: With Christmas coming around the corner and families gathering to spend time with their loved ones, nothing is worse than needing to jingle all the way on a jammed highway.

Waze has issued a helpful bunch of traffic data to help you get where you need to be for a jolly good time.

As you get busy with Christmas preparations and New Year celebrations, keep yourself informed on the best and worst times to travel on the road (see tables).

Hum along to your favourite Christmas songs or merry podcasts and avoid a silent night with Waze’s integrated audio player that allows you to stream and listen to talks and tunes on Spotify, Deezer, NPR One, TuneIn, Stitcher or Scribd.


Epic Games offers insights into use of Unreal Engine for cars

                RALEIGH (USA): Epic Games has published a free-to-download Automotive Field Guide that takes the reader through the latest and most spectacular automotive applications of virtual reality, mixed reality, augmented reality and real-time 3D graphics, showing how each is being used to transform how cars are designed, engineered and sold.

The 108-page book is the most comprehensive review so far of this topic.

Nine of the top 10 car makers are already using Unreal Engine to transform how they work, with a major German manufacturer stepping forward to become the first to introduce a strategy for moving to a single, company-wide model that begins in the design studio, progresses through engineering and then into marketing and retail.

Case studies take the reader behind the closed doors of vehicle manufacturer technical centres to show how companies including BMW, Daimler, Geely, Scania and Toyota are using Unreal Engine in applications as diverse as research, manufacturing planning and vehicle configurators.

The book answers some of the common questions surrounding its application to the car industry.

> How will immersive media change the way we buy cars?
> How is mixed reality helping make safer automated driving features?
> How is games technology revolutionising the interior of electric vehicles?
> What is a company-wide virtual-reality model and why is it just around the corner?

Download the Automotive Field Guide


Isuzu Dura-Miles Challenge in Sarawak

                KUCHING: Isuzu Malaysia (IMSB) recently organised the Dura-Miles Challenge 2017 in Kuching, Sarawak to showcase the fuel efficiency of the award-winning D-Max.

About 29 Isuzu customers took part in the challenge.

The route started in “Taman Rekriasi Batu Kawah (MJC)” to Sematan Palm Beach Resort, and back to MJC, a distance of 208km, taking 4 hours to complete.

Unlike most other competitions where speed of completion was the criteria for winning, in this one, the driver who completed the entire journey with the lowest fuel consumption was declared the winner.

This competition objective is to test one of D-Max key strength, fuel efficient and at the same time to stay connected to the customers.

IMSB executive director Hajime Machimura emphasised the Isuzu brand’s core values; durability, reliability and fuel efficiency.

“We did our third attempt to test our D-Max fuel efficiency in Dura-Miles Challenge 2015. We drove to Bangkok and travelled across 3 countries in 4 days with just one full tank of diesel. The distance covered is 1,809km which averaged 24km per litre of fuel.”

“We hope our customers are able to realise how far they can go with just a little fuel in their D-Max and that they have
made a good choice by owning the Isuzu D-Max.”

There were two categories namely the Isuzu D-Max 2.5-liter engine and 3.0-liter engine.

The winner of 2.5-liter engine, Jerry Anak Wan Jok travelled 208km with only 10.62 liters of diesel.

Runner up was won by Anuwar Payakun and Dayang Hamdiah Abang Hadari was at third place.

For 3.0-liter engine, Ng Quek Peng was a winner with 12.33 liters of diesel.

Ira Belanda was a runner up winner and the third place is won by Liew Kwong Vun.


Aston Martin Valkyrie V12 engine hits 11,100rpm

                LONDON: Developed with technical partner Cosworth, the Aston Martin Valkyrie’s extraordinary 6.5-litre V12  normally aspirated engine produces 1,000bhp at a mind-blowing 10,500rpm, before continuing to a maximum 11,100rpm.

The Valkyrie’s performance figures will be further boosted by a battery hybrid system, details of which will be revealed later in the development programme.

Cosworth’s F1 expertise is also evidenced in the Aston Martin Valkyrie engine’s weight, which also set new standards.

Keeping the engine weight down was a huge challenge. Especially as the programme actively avoided use of extreme materiel alloys which are so new that material properties over time are unproven.

Aside from the major castings - block, cylinder heads, sump and structural cam covers - the majority of the engine’s internal components are machined from solid material. These include Titanium conrods and F1-spec pistons.

The result is an engine that weighs just 206kg. By way of comparison, Cosworth’s 3.0-litre V10 F1 engines (the last before weight limits were imposed by the FIA) weighed 97kg. If scaled-up to 6.5 litres this pure race engine would weigh 210kg.

Dr Andy Palmer, Aston Martin Lagonda president and group CEO, said of the Valkyrie’s V12 engine: “To anyone with a drop of petrol in their blood, a high-revving naturally aspirated V12 is the absolute pinnacle.

Nothing sounds better or encapsulates the emotion and excitement of the internal combustion engine more completely.”


JD Power Malaysia - Toyota leads the way

                KUALA LUMPUR: In a recent JD Power 2017 Malaysia Customer Service Index (CSI) Study conducted from Feb to May, Toyota was found to be leading the way.

The study, now in its 15th year, measures overall service satisfaction among owners who took their vehicle to an authorized service centre by examining dealership performance in five factors:
- service quality (32%)
- service initiation (22%)
- vehicle pick-up (18%)
- service advisor (15%)
- service facility (13%)

So far, Toyota has managed to rank the highest in terms of overall service satisfaction among other brands with a score of 780 - performing particularly well in the service advisor and service facility factors.

Next in second place was Mitsubishi with 778 points, while Mazda took third with 776.

The study found that service advisors who efficiently meet their customers’ needs at service centres have a rather positive effect on customer satisfaction.

Overall customer service satisfaction was measured on a 1,000-point scale and saw a 10-point increase this year at 761 over last year's 751.

This improvement is apparent across all factors: service quality; service initiation; vehicle pick-up; service advisor; and service facility.

It seems satisfaction goes up when customers are provided explanations of work prior to service; had their service details and needs attended to; and were informed of their vehicle’s status.

Furthermore, those who experienced four or more amenities such as a refreshment counter, internet access and air-conditioned lounges were found to have a positive impact on satisfaction levels, which in turn boosts loyalty, especially when it comes to post-warranty service.

“It is a dealership’s responsibility—with the support of professional service advisors—to ensure exceptional service that meets customers’ expectations," said J.D. Power country head (Malaysia) Muhammad Asyraf Bin Mustafar.

The 2017 Malaysia CSI study is based on responses from 2,705 new-vehicle owners who purchased their mass market brand vehicle between February 2015 and May 2016 and took their vehicle for service to an authorized service center between August 2016 and May 2017.


VW Tiguan Allspace heads for European premiere in Geneva

                WOLFSBURG: Not too long ago, VW announced its best-seller has become longer. First shown at the Detroit auto show in January, the Tiguan Allspace will now make its European premiere at the March 9-19 Geneva Motor Show.

Half a million Tiguans are sold each year. The second generation of the SUV came onto the market in 2016.

VW touts the Tiguan Allspace as a spacious family car with a 109mm longer wheelbase and 215 mm additional exterior length. The new Volkswagen SUV fills the space between the familiar "classic" Tiguan and the upper-range SUV Touareg. The Tiguan Allspace boasts up to 760 litres of luggage capacity.

When it is loaded to roof height up to the seatbacks of the first row, its storage capacity is an impressive 1,920 litres.

The Tiguan and the new Tiguan Allspace were developed at the same time. Just like the classic Tiguan, the new Tiguan Allspace is launching with front-wheel and all-wheel drive. It is offered with an optional third row of seats to fit seven people.

"We have designed the rear doors of the Tiguan Allspace to be longer," said Marco Pavone of the Volkswagen Design Team.

"The bonnet was also raised up at the front above the radiator grille to adapt the proportions to the longer overall length," said the exterior designer. "A very unique, formative line accentuates the side window design that rises behind the C-pillar."

The Tiguan Allspace is similar to the Atlas model in the United States in the way the bonnet and silhouette are created. At the front, there is also the newly designed radiator grille with its chrome trim strips,some of which extend into the headlights and suggest a visual bridge between the Tiguan Allspace and the Atlas. The upper chrome strip stretches across the entire front end. Tiguan Allspace vehicles are also all equipped with granite grey underbody protection as standard.

The Tiguan Allspace is available in on-road and off-road versions of the front section.The latter can be ordered with an optional "off-road package" together with special engine underbody protection that extends to the bumper for off-road driving. The off-road front section improves the vehicle’s approach angle by 7 degrees.

Tiguan Allspace vehicles are all equipped with roof rails as standard.The roof itself was also redesigned: striking structural lines are being used for the first time instead of a smooth roof surface - in homage to classic SUVs. They extend lengthwise along the roof from front to rear. If the Tiguan Allspace is equipped with the 870 x 1,364 mm panoramic sliding sunroof, the structural lines are of course only on the rear roof area.

All Tiguan Allspace engines are turbocharged four- cylinder direct-injection engines. The performance range of the Tiguan Allspace starts at 150 PS and reaches 240 PS (Tiguan with standard wheelbase: from 115 PS).

The Tiguan Allspace will be offered in a choice of three equipment lines: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. On the options list is a Discover Pro infotainment system with a 9.2-inch display that offers gesture control for first time in a Tiguan.

Come September, the Tiguan Allspace will start selling in Germany from €30,000 (RM142,000).


Uber offers over €1bil to buy Daimler/BMW's Free Now, says biz mag

                FRANKFURT: Ride-hailing firm Uber has offered more than €1 billion (RM4.9bil) to buy Daimler and BMW's joint mobility services company Free Now, Manager Magazin said on Wednesday.

While Daimler is ready to sell, BMW’s chief executive Oliver Zipse is wavering about selling up, and is instead open to offering Uber a stake, Manager Magazin added.

According to a Bloomberg report last month, Uber hoped acquiring Free Now would enable it to leverage on the network to expand in Europe and South America.

BMW and Daimler merged their mobility operations last year and created a joint venture called Your Now, which comprises five businesses, including Free Now.

Free Now was previously known as MyTaxi.


Porsche 911 GT2 RS resets Nordschleife lap record (6min 47.3s)

                STUTTGART:  The Porsche 911 GT2 RS has set a new record for road-approved sports cars on the 20.6km Nürburgring Nordschleife on Sept 20, with a time of 6min 47.3 seconds.

The deed was achieved in the presence of a notary and even surpassed Porsche’s own expectations after Porsche test driver Lars Kern helming the GT2 RS crossed the finish line with an average speed of 184.11kph.

“At the start of the development process, we set ourselves a lap time target for the GT2 RS of less than 7mins and 5.0 seconds," said Porsche vice president motorsport and GT cars Frank-Steffen Walliser.

"The credit for beating this target by 17.7 seconds goes to our development engineers, mechanics and drivers, who demonstrated an exceptionally strong team performance. This result makes it official - the GT2 RS is not only the most powerful, but also the fastest 911 ever built,” added Walliser.

The road-going 911 weighed in at 1,470kg with a full tank of petrol and celebrated its world premiere at the Festival of Speed in Goodwood in the UK at the end of June this year.

It was introduced with a 700hp (+80hp) and 750Nm (+50Nm) twin-turbo flat-six engine that's 80hp and 50Nm more than its 3.6-litre predecessor.

This allows the two-seater rear-wheel driven coupe to accelerate from 0-100kph in 2.8 seconds before reaching a top speed of 340kph.


Uwe Gemballa's son set to reveal supercar that can go offroad

                STUTTGART: Remember Uwe Gemballa, the German Porsche tuner who was found murdered in South Africa 10 years ago?

His son, Marc Philipp, is continuing his father's legacy by starting his own car venture. He is set to launch his own brand, Marc Philipp Gemballa GmbH, and his first supercar project at the Geneva Motor Show.

According to a statement by Marc Philipp, he plans to build his first supercar that combined with off-road capabilities in a limited small series run.

The teaser image he released shows a car that appears to be based on the new Porsche 911 with hints of the legendary 959 rally car.

 Marc Philipp in Dubai with the last vehicles crafted by his father, Uwe.

The project has been two years in the making. Marc Philipp said he saw a new market opportunity in creating special vehicles in the ultra-high luxury segment, by breaking it down to the core of his father’s success in creating holistic masterpieces and taking that to the next level combined with a fresh approach, leaving the era of tuning behind, and ultimately achieving a USP position in the market.

He is backed by a worldwide network of clients, dealers, suppliers and business partners of his father. Partners include Alan Derosier (design), KW Automotive (suspensions), Michelin & BF Goodrich (tyres), Akrapovic (exhaust systems), Staud Studios (brand & marketing), DS Fasertechnik (carbon fibre), and VELA Performance (engineering).

The project is completely funded, and the first client orders have been taken. It will be presented for the first time at a private launch event for selected clients during the motor show.

Marc Philipp, 26, has studied economics at the European Business School near Frankfurt and has gained automotive expertise working for Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche.

The junior Gemballa's company is not associated in any form with Gemballa GmbH, although it's also based in Leonberg, the town where his father's tuning company was set up in 1981. Gemballa GmbH was bought over by businessman Steffen Korbach since Uwe's death. Korbach, who later became Gemballa CEO, has revealed last year that he aims to produce the company's first supercar.

As to Uwe’s murder, three men in South Africa had been convicted in 2015 for his kidnapping and murder in 2010. His murder had also been linked to allegations of money laundering and associations with Czech mob boss Radovan Krejcir, who is now serving time in a Johannesburg prison over a separate kidnapping and torture conviction.


MCO: More than two persons allowed in car from today

                PUTRAJAYA: Those residing in states under movement control order (MCO) will be allowed to travel with more than two persons in the car, depending on its passenger capacity, said Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He also said restaurants or eateries are allowed to have more than two persons seated per table, subject to table size.

Both announcements take effect today.

States under MCO are Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor.

“We have allowed those living under MCO some flexibility after hearing public appeals, ” Ismail Sabri said on Thursday.

On Feb 16, he announced the extension of MCO for the four states, while majority states nationwide are now placed under conditional MCO.

Perlis is the only state under recovery MCO.


Lucky BHPetrol contest winners received prizes at grand finale

                PETALING JAYA: Three lucky customers of Boustead Petroleum Marketing (BHPetrol) received RM33,333 in cash and 100,000 ePoints each after winning the Main Prize category of its “Mudah Menang” Grand Finale contest.

The three are Mustaqim Ibrahim from Serendah, Selangor; Pang Jik Ing from Ayer Tawar, Perak and Pua Shiau Lin from Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

The prize giving was presented through a virtual ceremony by BHPetrol recently.

Another three customers won the Special Prize category and collected RM3,333 in cash and 30,000 ePoints each.

They are Chin Yee Wah from Bukit Tengah, Penang; K. Kumaran from Banting, Selangor and Mohd Siraz Rameli from Shah Alam, Selangor.

At the event, BHPetrol also presented the Monthly Prize of one Apple iPhone 12 64GB and one Apple iPad Gen 8 to two winners as well as the Weekly Prize of 100,000 ePoints to three winners for each week.

In total, there were 51 winners of the Mudah Menang contest.

To participate in the contest, BHPetrol customers were required to purchase petrol or diesel products at any BHPetrol service station and/or any items from participating BHPetromart stores during the contest period.

Each purchase must be swiped with a valid registered eCard or scanned with the eCard mobile application, and an accumulated expenditure amounting to RM30 is entitled to one entry.

Expressing his appreciation for the encouraging turnout of contest participants and support from customers, BHPetrol chief executive officer Leslie Ng said:

“The contest was held as part of the Company’s on-going marketing activities to generate interest and awareness for all the petroleum products and convenience retailing services available at about 400 BHPetrol service stations nationwide.

“BHPetrol organises regular and various exciting marketing programmes and contests for all our customers to reward them for their support and loyalty. Do stay tuned for more upcoming great promotions soon,” he said.

Ng also urged all stakeholders to be vigilant regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and to adhere to all standard operating procedures advised by the Malaysian National Security Council.

He said all BHPetrol stations practice very strict health and safety standards to ensure customers’ peace of mind whenever they patronise BHPetrol service stations to re-fuel with Infiniti petrol or diesel, or to shop at BHPetromart among other services.

The virtual event was attended by the winners as well as members of BHPetrol top management including Supply, Retail, Corporate Affairs & Government Relations senior general manager Azizul Azily Ahmad, marketing general manager Lawrence Chuah and members of the BHPetrol Retail team.


Apple car director heads to Luminar after less than a year

                DETROIT: Luminar Technologies Inc. hired Christopher "CJ” Moore, a manager on Apple Inc.’s car project and a former director of autopilot at Tesla Inc., to lead global software development.

Moore, who had joined Apple in August, will lead Luminar’s software team to develop autonomous safety features integrated with its lidar, or laser sensors, the auto-parts company said in a statement Wednesday.

The departure from Apple continues a string of high-profile changes to its car project.
 A photo of Moore from his LinkedIn account.

Over the last two years, nearly the entire Apple Car management team has left.

Earlier this month, Ian Goodfellow, another director on the Apple project, left for Alphabet Inc.’s DeepMind.

At the same time, Apple has hired new managers from Ford, Rivian and other car industry players.

Orlando, Florida-based Luminar, which went public via a US$3.4 billion reverse merger in 2020, has signed agreements with Mercedes-Benz, Volvo Car AB, and SAIC Motor Corp. to provide laser sensors to enable semi-autonomous driving in passenger cars.

Luminar also said it hired Taner Ozcelik, a veteran of Nvidia Corp.’s automotive business, to lead product development.


Audi e-tron Sportback planned for May debut

                INGOLSTADT: Audi has expanded its all-electric e-tron product line-up with the formal introduction of a sport utility vehicle (SIV) in the form of a Sportback 55 quattro that has 300kW of power and a range of up to 446km.

The e-tron Sportback has been slated for arrival sometime before the end of May in Europe in two variants and comes equipped with a pair of unique digital matrix LED headlights that are being made available in a mass-production vehicle for the first time.

At launch, the Sportback that's being built in a CO2-neutral plant in Brussels will debut on the European market with the base 50 quattro variant priced from 71,350 euros (RM340,000).

The German four-door SUV coupé with a wheelbase of 2,928mm comes measuring in at is 4,901mm-long, 1,935mm-wide and 1,616mm-tall - all while possessing a roof that extends flat over its body before dropping down steeply to the rear.

At its rear, it features a broad diffuser, absent exhaust tailpipes and a light strip that connects the rear LED lights cluster to each other.

Furthermore, it can also come in a choice of thirteen colours to drape the sheet metal including a new exclusive plasma blue metallic.

The logo on the electric charging flap features the eye-catching high-voltage signal colour orange, which can also be applied to the brake callipers on request.

The wheel arch trims and sills are finished in matt anthracite as standard to underscore the off-road look and the same applies to the underbody protection, diffuser and door sills that have been painted in black.

As standard, it comes rolling on 19-inch wheels with 255/55 series ultra-low rolling resistance tyres which can be upsized all the way to 22-inches upon request (available by mid-2020).

Regardless, the wheels try to fill the gaping wheel arches that partially hides the sport air suspension while the contoured bumper is flanked by air curtains to help improve airflow.

The front, an S line emblem takes up residence on the radiator grille, while the illuminated aluminium door sill trims feature an S logo.

At the rear end, the standard fitment of a spoiler and diffuser that extends across the entire vehicle width contribute to the outstanding vehicle aerodynamics that measures in at a minimal drag coefficient of just 0.25 (the lower the better).

As an optional extra, the e-tron Sportback can be had with wing-shaped virtual exterior mirrors that have been integrated with small cameras and its images appear on high-contrast OLED displays in the transition between the instrument panel and the door.

If the driver moves their finger toward the surface of the touch display, symbols are activated with which the driver can use to reposition the image while also be able to automatically adjust by itself when on the highway or during turning and parking manoeuvres.

Power comes from asynchronous electric motors fitted on each axle to create an electrical all-wheel-drive system that's capable of producing a total output of 265kW and 561Nm of torque that's fed by a three-phase current 95kWh lithium-ion battery.

The two standard electric motors are capable of launching this SUV coupé from a standstill to 100kph in just 6.6 seconds before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 200kph.

Switching to Sport mode, flooring the throttle means that this Sportback's output gets boosted to 300kW and 664Nm for 8.0 seconds - cutting its century sprint time down to 5.7 seconds.

In most driving situations, this Sportback relies exclusively on its rear electric motor for propulsion, but if required, power can be sent to the front instantly if more traction is needed.

Mixing playtime and practicality to the mix are seven drive modes that allow the driver a choice that ranges between smooth-rolling comfort and sporty stable handling - thanks in large to the adaptive air suspension which lowers the body by up to 76mm at higher speeds.

At launch, the German brand will also offer a lower specced Sportback 50 quattro that generates 230kW and 540 Nm of torque that's fed by a 71kWh battery weighing 120kg-less.

For range, it has been rated to cover up to 347km on a full charge and the ability to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 6.8 seconds before reaching a top speed of 190kph.

The Sportback 55 quattro can charge with direct current (DC) at up to 150kW at fast-charging stations and in just less than 30mins, the battery is able to reach 80% of its capacity while the Sportback 50 quattro can charge at up to 120kW and achieves an identical charge status within the same time.

Including the 60-litre storage compartment underneath the front hood, which houses the vehicle tool kit and charging cable, this SUV - with a powered tailgate (the hands-free operation is an added option), also provides 615 litres of rear boot space that can be expanded to 1,665 litres with the rear seats folded down.

Further inside, the interior features a driver-centric 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8.6-inch touchscreen display within its gloss-black cabin surrounds where the owner gets a choice of sport seats, S sport seats, and the customized contour seats with optional ventilation and massage functions.

Entertainment comes from a HiFi sound system with a Bang & Olufsen Premium 3D Sound System available as an option. Another attractive infotainment module is the Audi phone box which allows for improved connectivity and wireless charging.

Also featured is the MMI touch response operating system with two displays with a tactile and acoustic pulse that confirms when a finger activates a function.

On the upper 12.1-inch touch screen, the driver controls the infotainment, telephony, navigation, and dedicated e-tron settings while the lower 8.6-inch display is used to input text and to operate the convenience functions and climate controls.

A further component is the cloud-based Amazon voice service Alexa, which is fully integrated into the MMI operating system where the driver can use it to perform a range of tasks such as placing orders and finding information about current events. The service offers access to more than 80,000 Alexa Skills.

In addition, the free myAudi app can connect the car to a smartphone to allow its owner to manage all charging processes remotely.

These include querying the battery and range status, starting the charge processes, programming timers, and displaying driving statistics.

On long-distance trips, the e-tron route planner displays the necessary charging stops along the route—both in the app as well as in the MMI.

In the process, it continuously updates the charge planning based on the traffic situation and to take account of driving behaviour.

Another function of the app is preheating/precooling prior to departure, which is powered by electricity from the outlet.

The optional deluxe auxiliary air conditioning system allows the customer to specify in detail whether the interior, the steering wheel and the seats—depending on the equipment level—are to be heated.

Available as an option, the system is able to authorize an Android smartphone to not only lock and unlock the SUV coupé but also to start the engine via the start/stop button.

The driver-assist systems offered are Audi's pre sense basic and Audi pre sense front safety systems as standard and includes the City assist package for urban traffic which throws in the intersection assist and rear cross-traffic assist functions as well as the lane change and exit warnings.

There is also the pre sense 360-degree system which combines the efforts of pre sense front, rear and side to detect collision hazards and initiates certain protective measures—from full braking to tensioning of the seat belts.

Highlights of the assist package Tour are the adaptive cruise assist, which simplifies longitudinal and lateral control, as well as the efficiency assistant. The latter uses data from the on-board sensors, the navigation system, and Car-to-X services and signals to the driver when it makes sense to take their foot off the accelerator pedal.

In combination with the adaptive cruise assist and traffic sign recognition, the efficiency assistant can also brake and accelerate the SUV coupé predictively.

The turn-assist, collision avoidance assist, and emergency assist functions round out the Tour package, while the park assist, night-vision assist and 360-degree cameras allow the driver to select from multiple views.

The central driver assistance controller operates as standard behind the driver assist systems in the e-tron Sportback and continuously computes a differentiated model of the surroundings. Depending on the selected options, data is received from up to five radar sensors, five cameras, and twelve ultrasonic sensors.

To celebrate the launch, Audi will offer the limited-edition model “edition one” in the plasma blue colour that's based on the S line exterior and will also include the virtual exterior mirrors, attachments finished in an aluminium look, exclusive 21-inch wheels, orange brake callipers, and the panoramic glass sunroof.

The illuminated front door sill trims project the model name “edition one” as a logo onto the ground as the interior offers a choice between the interior design selection, supplemented with customized contour seats with exclusive Monaco grey seat covers in Valcona leather, and the S line interior with sports seats also in Valcona leather.

The equipment also includes the Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with front 3D sound, the assist package Tour and matrix LED headlights with front and rear dynamic turn signals as well as dynamic light scenarios.


Renault unveils brand-focused shake-up

                PARIS: Renault SA announced a new corporate structure pegged to four brands in the first attempt by chief executive officer Luca de Meo to turn around the struggling automaker.

Alongside Renault, Dacia and Alpine, a fourth business unit will be formed for new mobility, according to a statement Thursday. Top executives will run each operation, with de Meo heading up the flagship Renault marque.

The CEO officially took the reins in July just before Renault reported a record €7.3 billion (RM36bil) first-half loss due to the pandemic and mounting difficulties at its partner, Nissan Motor Co.

The carmakers are regrouping from a two-decade era of aggressive expansion under their former leader Carlos Ghosn. His downfall and their subsequent downward spiral have put pressure on their global alliance, which also includes Mitsubishi Motors Corp.

The Renault revamp reflects a switch from "a search for volume to a search for value and profitability,” de Meo said.

 De Meo is redirecting Renault's focus to value and profitability instead of volume.

The changes will "make it possible to work in a simpler way, more oriented to the markets and customers.”

The brand-focused re-organisation will see Denis Le Vot, who heads regions, sales and marketing, also taking over the no-frills Dacia. Cyril Abiteboul, managing director of Renault sport racing, will head up Alpine.

Clotilde Delbos, deputy CEO and CFO, will oversee the new mobility unit. The company is pushing into car-sharing through its Zity network and is enjoying success in Europe with its all-electric Zoe car, which has become a best-seller in that segment in some countries.

De Meo is "seemingly attempting to attract improved valuation multiples for the automaker’s more profitable activities,” Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Michael Dean said in a note.

"Renault intends to step up collaborations with its alliance partners, though its joint shareholdings with Nissan must still be addressed to unlock their value.”

The three alliance members unveiled steps in May aimed at fostering deeper cooperation. Nissan will take the lead on autonomous driving, Renault on the body of electric cars and some electric powertrains, while Mitsubishi Motors will work on plug-in hybrids.

While Renault already forged a plan to cut jobs and capacity, de Meo has also said he intends to set out his own recovery plan in January.

The company is eliminating about 14,600 jobs worldwide and lowering production capacity by almost a fifth in a bid to cut costs by more than €2 billion (RM9.8bil). About €600 million (RM2.9bil) of that is forecast for this year.


Mitsubishi's Outlander PHEV gets London mayor's thumbs-up

                TOKYO: Mitsubishi recently launched its Outlander range, including the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), at its Tokyo headquarters with London Mayor Boris Johnson.

Johnson was the guest of honour during the launch and is keen to see more plug-in vehicles used within London's city limits.

"We greatly appreciate the significant progress the Mayor's initiatives in London have made to encourage the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles," said Mitsubishi Motors Corporation chairman and CEO Osamu Masuko.

The Japanese carmaker's third generation Outlander PHEV currently accounts for half of all plug-in vehicle sales within the UK since its introduction in 2014.

For this reason, Mitsubishi - who is also the pioneer of the cross-over vehicle design in 2001 with over 1.28mil units sold since, views the UK as as one of the most strategically significant markets in the world for its ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) technologies.

The Outlander, which also includes a diesel version, is the company's first execution of its new SUV design direction ‘Dynamic Shield' since it was first revealed as a concept at the Paris Motor Show last year.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a five-seat, four-wheel-drive SUV with ULEV that delivers a uniquely smooth driving experience, with seamless and continuous transition between hybrid and pure electric modes, to minimise emissions whether driving in the city or on the motorway.

Most significantly, with a combined hybrid range of more than 540 miles, it eliminates ‘range anxiety’ even though it can accomodate up to 32 miles on pure-electric mode.

"The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, along with forward-looking and consistent Government policy on incentives, is creating a market for plug-ins that will ultimately set the UK apart in global terms by delivering the right balance of low-emission driving, value for money, economy and practicality. This new model is another bold step in that direction," said Mitsubishi Motors UK managing director Lance Bradley.

The UK government’s plug-in car grant enables Mitsubishi to offer the Outlander PHEV at the same price as the equivalent vehicle with a diesel engine and this has proven to be a significant motivation for buyers wanting to experience the new technology.


GM joins Toyota at top of J.D. Power dependability rankings

                DETROIT: General Motors Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. dominated J.D. Power's latest US vehicle dependability study, as auto owners reported more problems overall because of technologies including voice recognition and navigation systems.

GM landed three brands in the top 10 and had the leading vehicle in eight categories, more than any other automaker. Toyota's Lexus luxury division captured the No. 1 spot for the fifth year in a row, the company's namesake brand ranked fourth and six of its models led their categories.

The market research firm's annual study is based on reports from owners after three years.

The study, released Wednesday, is a benchmark watched by automakers and consumers. J.D. Power again cited technology issues as the industry average rose to 152 problems per 100 vehicles, from 147 a year earlier. Infotainment, navigation and in-vehicle communications systems now account for 20 percent of all issues reported by customers, the firm said in a statement.

“In the context of conversations around autonomous vehicles, the industry clearly has more work to do to secure the trust of consumers,” Renee Stephens, vice president of US automotive at J.D. Power, said in the statement. “If consumers can’t rely on their vehicle to connect to their smartphone, or have faith that their navigation system will route them to their destination, they’re certainly not yet ready to trust that autonomous technology will keep their vehicle out of the ditch.”

Cadillac was the only one of GM's four brands not to rank in the top 10. The company's Buick Verano, Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Camaro and Buick LaCrosse cars; Buick Encore, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Yukon sport utility vehicles; and Chevrolet Silverado HD pickup were rated highest in their catagories.

Owners of Toyota's Lexus reported 95 problems per 100 vehicles, the lowest rate for any brand. The company's models that ranked best in their categories were the Lexus ES and Lexus GS cars, the Toyota Prius v, the Lexus GS SUV, the Toyota Sienna minivan and the Toyota Tundra pickup.

The 2016 J.D. Power study comes amid the recall of millions of vehicles to replace potentially defective Takata Corp. air bags, which can deploy with too much force, spraying shrapnel at passengers. The bags are the subject of the largest automotive safety recall in US history and have been linked to at least 10 deaths.

At the same time, Volkswagen AG's namesake brand has been working out its own recall plan with US regulators after the company admitted to installing devices meant to defeat emissions tests. Volkswagen has stopped deliveries of most of its diesel- powered vehicles in the aftermath of the scandal. The Volkswagen brand's number of problems per 100 vehicles rose to 169 from 165 a year earlier and again was below the industry average.

“The decline in reliability coupled with a record number of vehicle recalls and safety-related complaints affect consumer confidence,” Stephens said. “Dependability has a direct impact on purchase decisions and brand loyalty.”

J.D. Power's study found that 55 percent of owners who experienced no problems with their vehicle ended up buying from the same brand again, while just 41 percent of owners who experienced three or more problems with their vehicle stayed with the same brand for their next purchase.

The research firm, a unit of McGraw Hill Financial Inc., said it collected responses from October through December from 33,560 original owners of 2013-model vehicles. The study ranked 32 brands. The list didn’t include Jaguar or Tesla because of small sample size.


BMW slashes emissions in new six-cylinder petrol

                MUNICH: The days of the combustion engine may be numbered, but that has not stopped engineers at BMW from coaxing more economy from the marque's signature engine.

Fuel consumption of the next generation of inline six-cylinder engines, which will power the 7 Series luxury limousine and the X7 SUV from BMW, is said to be within striking distance of the traditionally frugal diesel.

The new engine consumes one litre less of fuel per 100km than its predecessor, thanks to some clever tuning, the German manufacturer told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper.

BMW has invested heavily in the new technology despite an effective European Union ban for new fossil-fuel cars from 2035.

This move aims to accelerate the switch to zero-emission electric vehicles as part of a broad package of measures to reduce BMW's contribution to climate change.

"We have everything in it that money can buy," BMW engine chief Roland Welzmüller told the newspaper.

The reduced consumption is mainly due to the combination of two technology modules. The first element reduces drag losses that occur when the driver takes their foot off the accelerator.

The variable valve duration system also means the engine valves close for longer, allowing the pistons to press against the fuel mixture in the cylinders for a fraction of a second longer before it is burned and the exhaust gases released.

The resulting kick-back energy drives a generator connected to the crankshaft, which turns out to 17 kWh of power at the low engine speeds when consumption is normally high.

In addition at faster speeds, only as much fuel enters the engine as actually needs to be burned.

The engine is fit for more stringent Euro7 exhaust emission laws due to be released in future and the unit slashes particle emissions by up to 95%.

Overall, the engine's raw emissions are said to be reduced by half. The rest is taken care of by the exhaust system, which has also been revised and combines a new three-way catalytic converter with a finer particle filter.

A second catalytic converter in the underbody, which has long been standard for BMW in Europe, enhances the cleaning effect. Welzmüller is confident that the engine is suitable for the upcoming emissions standard without major modifications.


Drive (even more) carefully during the wet season

                PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are going into the tail end of 2017 and as usual the rainy season is upon us.

It means torrential rain and the ensuing floods are expected to cause untold damage to lives and properties. The recent floods in Penang was its worst and also disrupted traffic in many parts of the city. And with the imminent arrival of the north-east monsoon in less than a week, folks on the east coast of the peninsula have to brace for the big floods.

While we can't stop nature from doing its worst - exacerbated by man-made pollution - we can take evasive action to minimise the damage caused.

 A flood-damaged car.Take cover
For motorists, it shouldn't be taken for granted that their cars or motorcycles would not be anywhere near floods when they hit. Such complacency has caused many to regret not taking flood insurance after their vehicles were damaged in floods. READ MORE...

Driving in the wet
When it rains, don't drive. That is the ideal as wet roads and low visibility increase the chances of accidents especially at night. But it is often impractical to follow this advice when you have to pick up the kids from school or travel 20km to meet a client. If you can't wait for the rain to stop, then drive cautiously and defensively. READ MORE...

Flooded and stuck: What next
Lowlying streches of roads sometimes get flooded after a downpour. This can be made worst by poor or clogged drainage in the area. You may have unerestimated the depth of the water and take a risk to cross the body and suddenly find the engine die on you. What to do? READ MORE...


2019 CarSifu Auto Show: Meet the Xciting XV

The Subaru XV is sporty and exciting to look at and drive. On top of it, the XV now features an efficient engine and enhanced safety features.

The XV is available in two variants - the XV 2.0i and XV 2.0i-P and prices start from RM119,788 (on-the-road without insurance).

The XV is now based on the brand-new Subaru Global Platform, which delivers less shake and less body roll.

A quicker steering gear ratio and lower centre of gravity has also been achieved which empowers drivers with highly responsive steering and straight line stability.

Its Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive equipped with X-Mode enhances driving performance on challenging terrain through optimized integrated control of the engine, all-wheel drive system, brakes and other functions.

The 2.0-litre boxer engine, which produces 156PS at 6,000rpm, has been revamped making the new engine approximately 12kg lighter and comes equipped with direct injection technology to deliver more power and fuel economy.

The Lineartronic CVT transmission is also 7.8kg lighter than previous models and features auto-step shift control and 7-speed manual mode function which enables the driver with greater control.

The Hill Descent Control setting gives drivers greater peace of mind by maintaining low speeds on downhill slopes.

The exterior features Subaru’s iconic hexagonal grille with C-shaped headlights, matte-black cladding on the front bumper and a new aluminium wheel design.

The vehicle sits in a wide and low stance, underlining the rugged character of the Subaru XV, while combining advanced styling with superior aerodynamics while retaining the high ground clearance of 220mm.

An 8.0-inch touch-screen display infotainment system featured in the interior offers integrated navigation and enables smartphone connectivity for drivers to stay connected safely.

The spacious design flow in the XV gives a sporty, yet refined interior that surpasses its class.

In addition, functionalities such as all-round visibility, cabin space and cargo room have been improved.

Subaru takes upmost pride in safety and the XV recently won the Grand Prix Award in Japan New Car Assessment Programme (JNCAP) Collision Safety Performance Assessment with the highest score ever.

Passive safety in the XV has also been improved as a result of the new SubaruGlobal Platform’s frame structure, with enhanced body strength resulting from an increased use of high-tensile steel.

This enables improved energy absorption in the event of collision by 40% over present models.

Seven SRS Airbags – front, side, curtain and knee – now comes standard with both variants to provide peace of mind for the driver and passengers.

Steering Responsive Headlights are also fitted on the 2.0i-P variant which will allow the headlight beam to move according to the direction of how the car is steered, maximizing visibility in the dark and safety.

The XV comes in a choice of seven colours - Sunshine Orange, Dark Blue Pearl, Pure White, Ice Silver Metallic, Dark Grey Metallic, Crystal Black Silica and Cool Grey Khaki.


Hyundai and AAA insurers team up on coverage for TikTok-fuelled theft

                LOS ANGELES: Hyundai Motor America and independently operated American Automobile Association (AAA) insurers announced last week a program to offer insurance options in most states for owners of certain Hyundai vehicles without push-button ignitions and immobilising anti-theft devices.

Under the program, AAA insurers will issue new and renewal policies for eligible affected Hyundai customers.

Hyundai has also expedited the roll out of the free anti-theft software upgrade for affected vehicles.

All of the nearly 4 million vehicles involved will be eligible for the upgrade this week, two months ahead of the original schedule.

The software upgrade is designed to prevent the vehicles from starting during a method of theft popularised on TikTok and other social media channels.

“Our goal is to get every one of these vehicles into a dealership for the free software upgrade,” said Hyundai Motor America CEO Randy Parker.

The software upgrade modifies certain vehicle control modules on Hyundai vehicles equipped with standard “turn-key-to-start” ignition systems.

As a result, locking the doors with the key fob will set the factory alarm and activate an “ignition kill” feature so the vehicles cannot be started when subjected to the popularized theft mode. Customers must use the key fob to unlock their vehicles in order to deactivate the “ignition kill” feature.

The free upgrade will be performed by Hyundai dealers and will take less than one hour for installation. Following completion of the upgrade, each vehicle will be affixed with window decals to alert would-be thieves that the vehicle is equipped with enhanced anti-theft technology.

Additionally, for a smaller group of 2011-2022 model year vehicles that cannot accommodate the software upgrade, Hyundai will reimburse those owners for their purchase of steering wheel locks.

Hyundai is also preparing to provide this subset of customers with the option of obtaining reimbursement to offset their purchase of a different anti-theft device, such as an alarm kit.

All Hyundai vehicles produced since November 2021 are equipped with an engine immobiliser as standard equipment.

In addition, Hyundai said it continues to work with more than 450 law enforcement agencies across the country to provide no-cost steering wheel locks to affected communities.

The program will be available in all states with the exception of those states where AAA does not offer insurance namely Alaska, Massachusetts and Washington state.


Ares Project Panther gets ready for the prowl

                MODENA: There's a new cat that's coming to town and it's going to be the Ares Project Panther.

Ares, the Italy-based company, is reviving the De Tomaso Pantera (Panther in Italian) for 2018 - hence 'Project Panther'.

The new car is effectively a Lamborghini Huracan under its sheet-metal with a 5.2-litre V10 - unlike the classic car that had over 7,000 examples made from 1971 to 1992 with a mid-mounted 330hp 5.8-litre V8.

Lets hope there's 640hp and 600Nm from the 5.2-litre V10 engine for the all-wheel drive system (fingers crossed) much like what the LP640-4 Performante has.

If that's the case, the new Panther, with its seven-speed Doppia Frizione (dual clutch) should be able to sprint from 0-100kph in 2.9 seconds before reaching a top speed of over 325kph.

At current, the Panther is undergoing its final design, aerodynamic and crash-test engineering assessment at its Modena facility.

The car will be built in very limited numbers with sales looking to start from mid-2018 onwards.

Meanwhile, Ares claims that it's already revealed the car during a private showing to its clients and there's already an undisclosed number of confirmed deposits.


Volkswagen deals up festive offers

                KUALA LUMPUR: Festivities are always an opportunity to push sales for car makers. With Hari Raya coming up, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia is jumping on the bandwagon with various promotions under its "Togetherness" campaign.

The German brand is now offering additional savings on selected models, low interest rate of 1.88% per annum for the Passat and a RM1,000 petrol card for all models booked and registered from now till June 30.

Volkswagen owners can also enjoy a complimentary air-cond check at all authorised Volkswagen service centres and travel in comfort this Raya. Owners who are due for an air-cond service or filter replacement will get a 20% discount from now till June 30. In addition, Volkswagen is offering Continental tyres from as low as RM184 and receive free installation, alignment and balancing depending on the tyre packages chosen. The tyre promotion will also expire at the end of June.


You can now buy the Kia Rio sedan

                KUALA LUMPUR: The new Rio sedan was launched recently by Naza Kia Malaysia and is set to heat up rivalry in the B-segment car market.

Available in Bright Silver, Signal Red, Deep Blue and Clear White, the Rio sedan is priced at RM72,888 and comes with a five years warranty with unlimited mileage.

“The Rio has consistently been the world’s number one bestselling Kia having sold over two million units since its global introduction,” said Naza Corp Holdings group chief operating officer (automotive group) Datuk Samson Anand George.

The Rio sedan is powered by Kia’s Gamma 1.4-litre MPI (multi-point injection) DOHC petrol engine with CVVT (continuous variable valve timing) which produces 109ps and 137Nm of torque, mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.

It has a Macpherson strut front, and a torsion beam rear suspension.

The Rio sedan offers sporty European design cues, as well as class-leading safety features.

These include six airbags, four-disc brakes, anti-lock brake system (ABS), tyre pressure monitoring system, electronic stability control (ESC), vehicle stability management (VSM), hill-start assist control (HAC), ISOFIX points, and keyless entry.

The high-quality interior has a tilt and telescopic steering wheel with audio remote control, Bluetooth, an audio system connected to six speakers with tweeters as well as an audio head unit with CD, MP3, and USB capability and 800MB memory storage.

Other features include an immobilizer as well as 15-inch alloy wheels with a full-sized spare tyre.

The Rio Sedan is fitted with a motor-driven power steering (MDPS) that improves fuel economy, a 60:40 back seat recline and a 389-litre boot area.

Naza Kia Malaysia aims for the Rio sedan to make up 23% of the company's target sales of 6,107 units in 2016.

“For a closer look at the Rio Sedan, customers can visit the Karnival CNY Kia at Kia PJ Red Cube this 15th to 17th January for exciting deals on new models and genuine parts,” said Samson.


JPJ: More than 100 vehicles seen driving on NSE emergency lanes over four hours

Two vehicles seen using the emergency lane during the four-hour period.  — Photo from JPJ Facebook
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 100 vehicles were spotted and recorded driving on the emergency lane along the North-South Expressway from Johor Baru to Putrajaya in a four-hour period between 10am and 2pm Saturday (Jan 21).

The Road Transport Department (JPJ), in a statement on its official Facebook account, said the offence was detected during the special traffic operation implemented on all highways nationwide for the Chinese New Year 2023 period.

"The JPJ wants to emphasise that this offence (driving on the emergency lane) is among the seven offences that will not be compoundable but will land you straight in court," the statement read.

The seven offences are queue-jumping; overtaking on double lines; beating the red light; speeding; using a handphone while driving; not using a seat belt or helmet; and driving on the emergency lane.

The JPJ asks the public to obey the road rules throughout this festive season to avoid congestion and causing fatal road accidents.

Complaints on traffic offences can be channelled through e-Aduan@jpj on the MyJPJ application or email aduantrafik@jpj.gov.my.


Renault's electric Megane set for March debut with 470km range

                PARIS: Around 10 years after the Zoe, Renault is now launching its first electric car from a completely new platform: the Megane E-Tech.

Set to be the first of many dedicated electrics to come from the French manufacturer, the new Megane E-Tech is preparing to line up against rivals like the VW ID3 and Citroen C4 when it arrives in March.

According to Renault, its basic price in Europe will be just under €30,000 (RM144,000).

For that you get an all-new Renault built on a completely new platform. Apart from the name and the length of 4.20 metres, it has nothing in common with the conventional Megane.

But just because Renault is following through with its electromobility plans, doesn't mean it's ditching dirty old diesel just yet, and the company says it will continue to offer the combustion engine models for the time being.

The Megane E-Tech is powered by an electric motor on the front axle, which is available with 130 or 220 horsepower, with power coming from batteries in the floor of the car.

Renault puts their total capacity at 40kWh or 60kWh, which should allow for ranges of 300km to 470km.

With a maximum charging power of 130kW, the Megane will be able to sap enough juice for 300km in 30 minutes at best, according to Renault. The more powerful version accelerates from a standstill to 100kph in 7.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 160kph.

Visually, the electric Megane is pretty conventional. Inside, there are digital instruments, a large touchscreen and more space than in a normal compact car.

With a wheelbase of around 2.70 metres, even adults can sit comfortably in the rear, while the boot can handle around 400 litres of luggage.

Renault and its sister brands still have a lot of plans for this new platform.

Nissan is building the Ariya on the same line, Renault has already announced a second model with a range of more than 600km as well as an electric successor to the R4 and R5, and racing car manufacturer Alpine will use it for an electric sports car.


Vayyar pioneers full-cabin monitoring with one Radar-on-Chip

                TEL AVI: Israeli semiconductor company Vayyar has developed the world’s first automotive sensor that covers the entire cabin of any passenger vehicle, with a single Radar-on-Chip (RoC).

Given the 60% spike in global consumer demand for SUVs over the past five years, Vayyar’s production-ready in-car sensor is designed to cover up to three rows.

It is also designed to accommodate the rapidly growing number of cars with sunroofs, thanks to uniform rear ceiling installation. Monitoring every seat, all footwells and the open trunk area, the sensor represents a breakthrough safety solution, protecting the most vulnerable vehicle occupants.

Up to 200 children die each year from vehicular heatstroke after being left unattended in cars. These tragedies can occur in minutes since on days as cool as 22°C, the inside of a car, especially one equipped with a sunroof, can quickly reach 47°C.

“With SUVs making up over 40% of vehicle sales in many countries, complete cabin coverage is crucial,” said Ian Podkamien, VP and Head of Automotive at Vayyar.

“Three-row CPD solutions for all vehicles, including those with sunroofs, will help prevent “hot car” incidents, while enhanced SBR will save thousands more lives by ensuring that all passengers wear seat belts. And with just one affordable sensor for both functions, high-end safety is now available to all vehicles.”

Vayyar’s full-cabin sensor is fully operational in all lighting and weather conditions and maintains privacy at all times, since no cameras are involved.

The ultra-wide field of view and high resolution provided by the 48 transceivers in each Vayyar sensor are unmatched in the industry, enabling the platform to support multiple advanced applications simultaneously, while replacing numerous single-function sensors.

Given the cabin size of SUVs and the fact that parents of young children comprise the majority of SUV owners, three-row coverage is a critical aspect of in-car sensing.

Alternative solutions require two to three single-function sensors to cover the entire cabin of an SUV, driving up the cost and effort associated with providing safety in larger vehicles.

Until now, vehicles with sunroofs have also presented unique challenges in terms of in-cabin sensor positioning.

With no option of fitting a sensor in the centre of the ceiling, manufacturers had to make do with sub-optimal installation options. Now OEMs can install just one Vayyar sensor in the rear ceiling area, covering the entire interior of any passenger vehicle, with or without a sunroof.

Vayyar offers OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers a flagship Child Presence Detection (CPD) and enhanced Seat Belt Reminder (SBR) combo, essential for meeting Euro NCAP's more stringent 2023 and 2025 safety scoring protocols. The platform does so by detecting occupants, classifying children and adults, and detecting posture and position.

The robust, automotive-grade solution also goes beyond just CPD and SBR. Addressing the most challenging Euro NCAP safety requirements, Vayyar’s AEC-Q100 qualified and ASIL-B compliant platform provides vehicles up to 10 in-cabin points for 2023 onwards.

By providing multifunctionality on a single-chip platform, the company enables automakers to move past the one sensor per function legacy industry approach.

The platform also supports over-the-air (OTA) software updates, allowing automakers to scale to new features long after a vehicle has left the production line. This provides significant added value by reducing development risks and time to market, yielding substantial cost savings.


Three Kuala Lumpur highways to go cashless

                PETALING JAYA: Toll at three major highways in Kuala Lumpur will go cashless starting noon Wednesday in efforts to maximise the capacity of the toll plazas.

A fully electronic toll collection (ETC) system would be implemented at Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (Akleh), Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (Smart) and Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway (Duke) highways.

Akleh and Duke concessionaires would also throw in a 5% rebate for Class One motorists as an incentive for paying electronically for three months.

Class One are two-axle vehicles such as cars, vans and small trucks. The incentive started today and will continue until Dec 8.

These three highways would join seven other toll plazas nationwide to introduce the ETC system. The implementation will see a total of 21 toll plazas using the cashless method.

The other toll plazas are Jitra, Bukit Kayu Hitam, and Lunas in Kedah, Kubang Semang and Penang Bridge in Penang, and Gombak and Bentong at the KL-Karak highway.

Traffic consultant Goh Bok Yen said switching from cash to electronic payment can improve toll collection by more than half.

He added the move was inevitable and was for the better.

Goh said one Smart Tag toll lane was able to clear 750 vehicles an hour even if the motorists held the tag in their hands when passing through the boom gate without attaching it to the car windscreen.

He said at d less than 30% motorists used the ETC system in the Klang Valley.

“From the number, less than half are Smart Tag users.”


Stronger Than Time: 1979 Mercedes‑Benz G-Class cast in amber

                STUTTGART: With the world's biggest installation of synthetic resin Mercedes‑Benz is putting the world premiere of the new G-Class on 14 January 2018 in the spotlight at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

As of today, a gigantic amber-coloured cube made of 44.4 tonnes of synthetic resin is adorning the entrance to Cobo Hall, the NAIAS exhibition hall.

Encased in it is a G-Class from the first production year, 1979.

The installation symbolises the timelessness of the off-road legend and makes a conscious reference to the natural phenomenon of insects preserved in amber.

Like their genetic material, the DNA of the first G-Class has also been preserved and is handed down from generation to generation.

These genes are also in the new G-Class and they are carrying through the characteristic properties of the longest-lived model series from Mercedes-Benz into modern times: an iconic design, indestructible superiority off the beaten track and exceptional ride comfort on the road.

"The amber cube puts the uniqueness of the G-Class in a nutshell", says Dr Gunnar Güthenke, Head of the Off-Road Vehicle product unit at Mercedes-Benz. "Our cult off-road vehicle has been continuously evolving for nearly 40 years – without losing its character or its core values. Its DNA is stronger than time and than any fashion trend."

44.4 tonnes of synthetic resin cast in 90 days

The 280 GE from 1979 is enclosed in the square block in a dynamic position.

It gives the impression that it has been engulfed by synthetic resin mid-stream when driving off-road, in its natural habitat, and captured – as insects were by amber millions of years ago.

The square block is 5.50 metres long, 2.55 metres wide and 3.10 metres high.

It took 90 days to make from 44.4 tonnes of synthetic resin.

The idea and conception of the campaign is from the Mercedes-Benz creative agency antoni. The production of the resin Cube was carried out by Markenfilm Crossing.

The DNA of the G-Class also includes the many stories full of superlatives and milestones which people have experienced with the off-road legend.

These stories are being told in the web special "Stronger Than Time" which began back in November 2017 and is embedded in the https://www.mercedes-benz.com/strongerthantime portal.


Continental, Aurora to jointly develop self-driving systems for trucks

                FRANKFURT/PITTSBURGH: German automotive parts company Continental AG and US-based self-driving technology firm Aurora Innovation said today they would jointly design and develop autonomous systems for the trucking industry.

Investors and industry executives have been concerned about heavy investments going into self-driving technology and the protracted timelines to develop it.

Continental, which will manage the lifecycle of the hardware kits it supplies for the Aurora Driver technology platform, said it expects production to begin in 2027.

The companies also said Aurora Horizon is expected to be launched next year. The autonomous freight truck subscription service is based on the technology that Continental will help develop and build.

Aurora Driver will also be available for commercial fleet operators and freight carriers across the United States and is expected to reduce costs of adopting autonomous driving technology, the two companies said.


AIA General offers family-themed car insurance

Chang (standing) at the launch of AIA Family Drive, the company’s first flagship product.
KUALA LUMPUR: AIA General Berhad has announced today launched its first flagship product – Family Drive, a car insurance that provides all-round, on-the-road protection as well as convenience and savings for Malaysian drivers and their families through several industry-first benefits.

It is the first car insurance in Malaysia to offer a family discount if two or more cars in the family are insured under the same household.

Family Drive is a comprehensive car insurance that provides the usual protection for both third party and own loss and damages, but unlike any other plan in the market, it also comes with a some unique features:

> Personal Accident Protection which ensures that anyone travelling in the insured car is automatically covered with up to RM250,000 personal accident coverage.
> Protection against legal liability to third party’s injury, death and property loss of damage for everyone travelling in the car.
> Automatic coverage for all authorised drivers without additional cost.
> Customers will receive an Inconvenience Allowance of RM600 per accident if their car is being repaired in the workshop.
> Round-the-clock AIA Roadside Assist services such as battery and tyre replacement, vehicle towing. Customers can request for assistance with their police report and will be provided with e-hailing vouchers to help them and their family get home safely after the accident.
> A family discount of 5% if customers insure two or more cars with Family Drive.
> Excess waiver is granted if customers repair their car at an AIA panel workshop, with the total repair cost borne by AIA.

“We saw the growing trend of expanding families who were worried about their family’s safety and the inconveniences caused by car accidents," said AIA General Bhd CEO Eric Chang at the product launch on Monday.

"We developed Family Drive as a way to meet the protection needs of our customers on the road – ultimately providing them with a worry-free driving experience for the entire family.”

Family Drive also comes with optional add-on benefits.

With the Agreed Value feature, customers can protect themselves against the depreciation value of their car by setting an agreed coverage amount when buying the policy.

The Waiver of Betterment Cost feature ensures that customers are covered for the full cost of new original parts for their car with no extra procedure or paperwork upon claims.

Additionally, customers can opt for the Natural Disaster (Special Perils) feature that protects their cars against loss or damage caused by flood, storm, landslide or other acts of nature.

“Family Drive is the first of many innovative insurance plans and policies that will be rolled out by AIA General Bhd," said Chang.


Honda to cut output by up to 40% at Japan plants on supply disruptions

                TOKYO: Honda Motor Co said today it would slash production plans by up to 40% in Japan early in September due to persistent supply chain and logistical issues.

The news comes even Japanese automakers have been cautiously optimistic that chips shortage that caused repeated production cutback is easing.

Its assembly plant in Saitama prefecture, north of here, will cut production by about 40% early next month.

Two lines at its Suzuka plant in western Japan will reduce production plans by about 30% in early September.

Honda blamed delays in receiving parts and logistics due to Covid-19 and semiconductor shortages.

It would affect production of a variety of vehicles such as the Vezel sports utility vehicle (marketed as HR-V outside Japan), the Stepwgn minivan and the Civic compact car.

The Saitama plant and the Suzuka plant would cut production by about 10% and 30%, respectively, for the rest of the month, the automaker said.

Honda adjusted its production plan in May but had said it would return to normal in early June.

Honda's rival, Toyota Motor Corp remained bullish on its production plan, maintaining its record 9.7 million global vehicle production target for the current financial year ending in March 2023 and saying production and sales outlook would improve from August onwards.

Toyota said this month it expected to produce about 850,000 vehicles globally in September and would seek to raise production through November, depending on supplies of parts and personnel.


Parking app gaining traction, entire Selangor expected to use it by end-2019

                PETALING JAYA: The Smart Selangor Parking App (SSPA) system is not only a hit with motorists but also helps conserve the environment by reducing the use of paper and ink to print parking coupons and tickets.

Selangor Local Government committee chairman Ng Sze Han said since the system was introduced in July, 54,859kg of paper had been saved.

“It proves that the introduction of the system in five areas in Selangor is becoming popular with motorists in the state,” he said.

Ng is happy that the system has been effective in reducing paper usage in line with the state’s green policy.

 Ng showing the parking app.

Currently, Ng said the app was available to motorists in areas under the jurisdiction of the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), Selayang Municipal Council, (MPS), Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ), Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj), and the Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp).

He said the system has also been introduced by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) on trial basis in parts of Kota Damansara.

Ng added that so far, more than 70,000 motorists have registered for the SSPA through their mobile devices with more than 100,000 transactions to date.

In line with the Smart Selangor concept, Ng said motorists have proved themselves smart citizens by opting for the app.

He said it relieved the motorists of the burden of searching for parking coupons every time they parked their vehicles in public parking bays at the various local authorities.

“They were also required to use different coupons for different areas and those who travelled a lot would have to carry several coupon booklets with them.

“Some areas still use parking machines and motorists also found it a hassle looking for coins and dealing with faulty machines,” he said

Ng said the SSPA was introduced with the aim of making it simple for motorists to park their vehicles by making payment through the e-wallet from their mobile devices.

“The app can be downloaded from mobile devices and all motorists have to do is select the area where their vehicles are parked and make the payment accordingly.

“We expect the app to be implemented in the whole of Selangor by the end of next year due to some technical issues.

“Some of the local authorities are still bound by existing contracts with parking concessionaires,” he said.

MBSA corporate communications head Sharin Ahmad said motorists in the area have the option of using the council’s flexi-parking, the SSPA, as well as the coupon system.

Kuala Langat District Council corporate communications head Mohammad Kamal Mohd Ramlan, however, said they were unable to adopt the SSPA system as the council was still tied to a contract with the company that provided the Park By Phone app.

He said the contract with the company would expire at the end of next year.

“We can only decide on the SSPA after the contract expires based on the pros and cons of both apps,” he said

Currently, Kamal said the district also used parking machines where motorists could pay with Touch&Go, debit and credit cards.

“We also still have the coupon system,” he said

Klang Municipal Council (MPK) president Mohd Yasid Bidin said the council also had its own Smart Klang app which was introduced in June this year.

He said the council was under contract with the company that provided the parking app for three years and it could not switch to the SSPA yet.

“The company has provided us with a free app but they bill us for the handsets used by our enforcement personnel,” he said, adding that MPK collected RM120,000 in parking charges from 7,000 motorists who used the system so far.

Klang motorist Romacs Ng suggested that all local authorities in the state used the SSPA system so that motorists need not download too many apps.

Currently, Ng said they were burdened with the need to buy multiple parking coupon booklets from the various local authorities who have not subscribed to the SSPA or had their own parking apps.

“I have been carrying around parking coupon booklets from the various local authorities as I need to travel to various parts of the state for work.

“The app system is good and I hope there will be only one system for all to use along with the parking coupons,” he said.

Pamela Menon from Shah Alam is happy that with the app she can also pay parking for her mother who is not IT-savvy.

“The app allows me to pay parking charges for my mother in Shah Alam from my office in Petaling Jaya and that’s cool,” she said

Elizabeth Karuppiah from Shah Alam said she had been using the SSPA since mid-July after her daughter informed her of the availability of the system.

She said she preferred the app as it relieved her of the burden of buying coupons and keeping coins to feed the machine.

“I do not have to go through the hassle of running to my car to change the coupon whenever it expires in case I overstay my visit at a particular destination,” she said.


KIA Stinger set to blow away the competition

                SEOUL: KIA's upcoming Stinger is a high-performance fastback sedan that's going to be the Korean carmaker's 'tip-of-the-spear' to shake-up the market that's typically dominated by European makes.

It's effectively a 'gran turismo' that's due to emerge in markets worldwide at an unspecified date sometime this year after having been designed (in Frankfurt) and honed (at the infamous Nurburgring) in Germany.

It was designed (Frankfurt) and honed (Nurburgring) in Germany, and perhaps it could be the reason why the Stinger has a wheelbase of 2,906mm that's longer than an Audi A4, Infiniti Q50, Lexus IS, BMW 4 Gran Coupe, Lexus GS and Mercedes CLS.

It uses a high-tensile steel unibody that provides for the most spaciously accommodating cabin and boot, while putting its dimensions at 3,028mm-long, 1,869mm-wide and 1,400mm-tall.

The Stinger will arrive with an 8-speed automatic gearbox for its two turbocharged powerplants earmarked for the US market.

The least-potent Stinger will use an aluminium 2.0-litre (1,998cc) turbocharged Theta II petrol engine - pushing out an estimated 255hp at 6,200rpm and 350Nm of torque from 1,400 to 4,000rpm for its rear wheels.

It'll roll on 18-inch wheels with 225/45 series tyres for grip, while ride is taken care of by front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link (5-link) suspension.

Stopping power comes from a pair of 12.6-inch (front) and 12.4-inch rear discs.

However, the Stinger GT is extremely potent with a 3.3-litre (3,342cc) twin-turbo V6 Lambda II engine punching out 365hp at 6,000rpm and 510Nm of torque from 1,300 to 4,500rpm for all-four wheels.

Although the GT variant may be using the same engine block, but gets a bigger 92mm (+6mm) bore and a shorter 83.8mm (-2.2mm) stroke.

This should allow the Stinger to sprint from 0-100kph in 5.1 seconds before reaching a top speed of 269kph - which is why the brakes have been upgraded to Brembo 4-piston (front) and 2-piston (rear) calipers that bite down on the 13.8-inch (front) and 13.4-inch (rear) ventilated discs.

Not to mention it'll roll on larger 19-inch wheels wearing 225/40 (front) and 225/35 (rear) series tyres.

Features of the Stinger include a powered tailgate, electronically adjustable suspension and five driving modes (Personal, Eco, Sport, Comfort and Smart).

Inside, there's a rack-mounted motor driven power steering (R-MDPS) system, paddle-shifters and wireless charging pad, steering-wheel mounted control, for Bluetooth hands-free operation and accessing the vehicle's subsystems.

Connectivity, entertainment, navigation and vehicle information will also be projected onto a height-adjustable colour Heads-Up Display that's reflected onto the driver-side windscreen.

Entertainment will come from a six-speaker sound system with a seven-inch haptic touchscreen for the Stinger, while the 3.3-litre GT variant gets nine speakers in total and throws in an amplifier.

A 15-speaker 720-watt sound system from Harman/Kardon is available as an optional extra.

For safety, there's blind-spot detection, dynamic torque-vectoring, driver attention alert system, forward collision assistance, integrated autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, advanced smart cruise control, lane-keep assist and rear cross traffic alert among others.


Audi delves into next-generation OLED technology

                INGOLSTADT: Audi introduced digital OLED technology in the Q5 last month, which improves road safety and allows for personalisation of the taillight signature.

Audi is the first car maker to digitise the taillights using organic light-emitting diodes (so-called OLEDs).

“Headlight technology has seen a rapid evolution at Audi in recent decades," said Audi OLED technology project manager Dr Werner Thomas. "In addition, we have been decisively driving the development of rear-lighting systems.”

The latest achievement are digital OLEDs.

Why does Audi focus on OLED technology?

OLED light sources are panel radiators – unlike point light sources such as LEDs using semiconductor crystals. The benefits of OLEDs: their light is extremely homogeneous. It is infinitely dimmable and achieves very high contrast. It can be split into segments.

These segments are individually controllable and can develop diverse levels of brightness, with minimal gaps between the segments. The lighting unit does not require any reflectors, optical fibers or similar optics.

This makes OLED units very efficient, lightweight and flat, which considerably increases design freedom.

An OLED lighting element is just 1mm thin, while conventional LED solutions require much greater installed depths of 20mm to 30mm. The energy requirement of an OLED is once again significantly lower than that of LED optics if the latter are to achieve similar homogeneity.

Audi’s OLED technology made its production debut in the taillight of the TT RS in 2016. Up to now, Audi models using OLED lighting technology have had up to four individually controllable, complex lighting segments that could be used for an individual, defined lighting design.

What benefits do Audi’s new digital OLEDs offer?

The larger number of individually controllable segments can now be randomly activated, with continuous variability of brightness. In the Q5, three tiles of six units each, in other words 18 segments per lamp, are currently used.

The high precision and great variability offer light designers a wealth of opportunities, using just one type of hardware. Q5 customers opting for digital OLED technology have a choice of three signatures in the taillights when buying their car.

In the “dynamic” Audi drive select mode, the lamps additionally switch to another signature.

Moreover, animation effects such as coming-home/leaving-home lighting scenarios can be implemented, plus the dynamic flashing light has been integrated in the new lamp units as well

How exactly do digital OLEDs differ from established OLED technology?

“Up to now, we have been using OLED segmentation with the TT RS and A8 for designing signature lighting. This has changed with the Q5,” said Dr Thomas.

“Here the taillights turn into a kind of display on the outer shell, which will provide us with ample opportunities and prospects in terms of design, personalization, communication and safety going forward.”

Thus, the year 2020 marks the threshold of a new age: a pure medium for signal functions is now additionally becoming a medium for displaying diverse types of content.

How do digital OLED lamps improve road safety?

In the new Q5, Audi has implemented a proximity detection feature for the versions using digital OLED taillights.

When another road user approaches a stationary Q5 from the rear within less than two meters, all the OLED segments light up.

When the Q5 starts to move, it returns to the original light signature. This is just an initial example of the automobile’s car-to-x communication with its surroundings.

Subject to legislative approval, predefined warning symbols are conceivable in the future as well.

The development and approval of the first dynamic turn signals is a good example of Audi’s effective engagement in collaborating with approval authorities. The developers present potential technologies and then adapt them as needed – which facilitates the homologation and approval of new ideas and concepts.

Audi also shaped the developments around the digital OLEDs in advance in a way that made legislative approval possible for the Q5 in spite of differences in taillight design. Thus, the roads are becoming safer with the lighting technology.

How will the development in this area continue?

More segments per taillight are possible, allowing for even greater personalisation of signature lighting.

For instance, predefined symbols might be displayed to provide other road users with early warnings of hazards such as slippery roads or the tail ends of traffic jams.


Jozef Kaban made Rolls-Royce design chief

                LONDON: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced that Jozef Kaban has been appointed its design chief.

Kaban, 46, is an experienced and talented designer, having spent the majority of his career at a senior level in automotive design. Kaban joins Rolls-Royce Motor Cars from the BMW Group where he has been Head of Design Studio BMW since 2017.

Passionate about car design and art from an early age, and with an obsession for detail, Kaban completed his studies in Bratislava and London, concluding with a Master of Art in Car Design at the Royal College of Art in London.

Aged just 20, Kaban was one of the youngest ever designers to join the VW Group. He progressed rapidly, and in 1998 he was awarded project lead for the Bugatti Veyron, for which he designed the exterior. He gained global recognition for the design, demonstrating his ability, even at this early stage in his career, to combine the automotive world with those of luxury and art.

READ MORE:Meet Jozef Kaban, the new BMW chief designer

His success led to a desire to continue broadening his experience in the automotive field, leading to Head of Exterior roles, first at Audi AG and then Skoda Auto.

At Skoda, he was recognised for revolutionising the manufacturer’s design ethos, influencing the design and emotionality of the brand through a broad range of models. Throughout this period of his career, he also maintained design responsibility for small volume projects, including limited and special editions and show cars.

“Jozef Kaban ... is an exceptionally talented designer with a strong track record and a wide breadth of ability," said Rolls-Royce Motor Cars CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös.

“The Rolls-Royce Design Team creates outstanding motor cars and luxury objects. I am convinced that Jozef Kaban will guide this phenomenal team into a very bright future indeed,” said BMW Group chief designer Adrian van Hooydonk.

Kaban is married with a daughter and a son and will be based at the company’s design studios in Goodwood, West Sussex and Munich.


Lexus strives for safer driving

The LS 500h.
Lexus, Toyota’s luxury brand, had always emphasised on the refinement and takumi master craftsman build-quality of its line-up which can stand up against the best from Europe.

Now, Lexus has added a suite of Advance Active Safety Technologies in the newly-introduced latest generation LS flagship model.

These cutting-edge innovation with loads of driver-assisted technologies, is expected to pave the way for its version of autonomous driving systems in the near future.

Our test unit, the latest generation LS 500h variant, was equipped with a combination of radar, cameras and sensors to enable better monitoring and response to its surroundings.

While some cars have been equipped with automatic warning feature when it detects in-coming vehicles during reversing, Lexus has gone a step further and created a system that could brake the car by itself and detect pedestrians in its path.

In a demonstration at the car park of the Pacifico Yokohama convention centre, a test driver deliberately reversed the LS 500h into a child mannequin and the car produced a beeping moments before it executed full braking.

Another system that we tested was the Lane Tracing Assist which uses the LS 500h’s camera system to read the white lines of the road to keep the car within its lane. If the white lines were not clear or had faded out, the system would use its dynamic cruise control’s radar to detect the vehicle in front and follow its path.

Seeing the LS 500h’s steering wheel turn by itself while staying within its lane on gentle curving and yet busy expressways in Yokohama at 80kph could be unnerving in the beginning for the uninitiated.

The test drive organiser had even placed a bright yellow sticker at the top of the steering wheel for us to easily see any movements.

However, this lane keeping system is not considered fully autonomous and requires the driver to keep his hands on the steering wheel or the system would sound a warning that it would be deactivating itself soon.

The LS 500h also came with the Lane Change Assist that helps the driver change lanes safely without the need to turn the steering wheel.

The driver only has to push the turn signal stalk to the lane he wants to move into and the system will scan for nearby vehicles and will then turn the steering wheel once it is safe to do so.

The manoeuvre was executed so fluidly that those seated at the back of the LS 500h could not tell the difference if it had been done by a human driver.

Another new feature that we felt worthy of a demonstration was the newly developed pre-collision brake assist with active steering assist.

Unfortunately, the demo was not carried out as it required a long empty stretch of road and the car park area was small.

As many brands are already offering the feature that automatically brakes the car to avoid hitting the vehicle or pedestrians in front, Lexus has taken a further step by automatically steering the car away if it does not stop in time.

According to a Lexus official, this collision braking and avoidance system only works on pedestrians as they occupy a smaller portion of the road compared with cars.

He said the LS 500h still needs to stay within its lane as moving to another lane may cause a collision with other vehicles.

The introduction of these advanced safety systems will make driving safer and reduce the stress levels of drivers for a more pleasant drive.

Expect more innovation to come out of Toyota group’s research institute as it plans to introduce its version of autonomous driving cars featuring Guardian and Chauffeur modes by 2020.

Under the Chauffeur mode, the car will drive itself to the destination and avoid obstacles along the way, while Guardian mode takes over driving from humans if they are unable to do so safely.


Ducati Malaysia buka puasa treat for riders and kids

                SEPANG: Ducati Malaysia held a Buka Puasa session with Ducati owners and children from Cancer Associates & Kindred Network (CAKNE) foundation at Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

Some 300 Ducati bikes and some from other brands got the chance to go on the track.

As part of Ducati Malaysia CSR initiative, Ducati gave duit raya with 20 children from CAKNE during the Buka Puasa session.

The children were given a MotoGP experience where they got to go around the track for parade laps and cheered by Ducati riders.

It is a tradition for Ducati Malaysia to host NGOs during the Buka Puasa session as part of their CSR initiatives.

Among the NGOs, the company has assisted in the past were Amal Ehsan Care, Rumah Anak Yatim Nur Qaseh and Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organisation (MAPIM).