Toyota defends skipping COP26 emissions pledge

                TOKYO: Toyota defended a decision not to sign an emissions pledge proposed during the COP26 climate talks on Wednesday, saying its global business would make the commitment "difficult".

Ford, Mercedes-Benz, General Motors and Volvo Cars were among the auto giants that said they would "work towards reaching 100% zero emission new car and van sales in leading markets by 2035 or earlier".

Various national and local governments, companies and investors in the transport sector also signed the policy paper released by Britain ahead of an announcement at the Glasgow summit.

But Toyota - the world's top-selling carmaker - has not signed the pledge, with Volkswagen, Hyundai-Kia, Stellantis and the Renault-Nissan alliance also absent from the list.

In an interview with AFP on Wednesday, Kohei Yoshida, a general manager at Toyota ZEV Factory, the group's dedicated zero-emissions vehicle division, said there were "many ways to approach carbon neutrality" other than the deal.

"It's very important to make sure that we have all countries and regions, different environments and different places in mind," he said.

It will take time to establish infrastructure for electric, battery and fuel-cell vehicles in developing economies such as those in Africa and Latin America, Yoshida explained.

Toyota said in a statement that it was "difficult for us to commit to the joint statement at this stage".
But Yoshida stressed that the firm respects the COP26 discussions.

"More important than having a joint statement is the fact that each and every player is taking up the challenge and trying to make efforts towards carbon neutrality," he said.

The Japanese firm, which last week hiked its annual profit forecast, said in September it would invest 1.5 trillion yen (RM55bil) in batteries for electric and hybrid cars by 2030.

It has also pioneered vehicles that burn hydrogen - much hyped as a green fuel, as it emits just water vapour, although the way most of the gas is currently made produces harmful emissions.

Yet the market for such cars remains small: since Toyota launched its hydrogen fuel-cell Mirai car in 2014, it has only sold 17,000 units.

That pales in comparison to the 9-10 million vehicles it sells overall each year, including almost two million hybrid cars in 2020.

While hybrid vehicles are increasingly popular worldwide, they have been criticised by environmental campaigners, with Greenpeace saying plug-in hybrids only reduce emissions by an estimated one-third compared to petrol or diesel cars.

However, Toyota believes hybrids "will be a very important way to realise carbon neutrality" in developing economies by boosting energy efficiency, Yoshida said.

The COP26 auto emissions pledge commits governments to work towards all sales of new cars and vans being zero-emission globally by 2040, and no later than 2035 in leading markets.


Buick Avista revealed ahead of NAIAS

                DETROIT: American carmaker Buik, has revealed its 2+2 seater Avista coupe concept ahead of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), with its sleek and sweeping proportions for a contemporary grand tourer.

It gets magnetic ride control that takes care of comfort and handling, while it rolls on 20-inch aluminium wheels with colour-toned accents to match the car’s Dark Sapphire Jewel exterior.

Under the hood lies a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine producing 400hp that’s managed by an eight-speed auto gearbox before delivering it to the rear wheels.

The Avista’s uninterrupted bodylines stretch front to rear, suggesting motion – resembling Buick’s design language introduced on the Avenir concept and carried into production on the 2017 LaCrosse and the absence of conventional B-pillars between the doors and rear side windows enhances the flowing profile.

Marking the front and rear, Buick evolves its signature wing-shaped lighting with “soft curtain” elements that create illuminated “halos” around lamps’ edges, suggesting a three-dimensional shape and sculpture.

Their design forecasts the evolution of Buick’s production lighting features, while the Avista’s grille features the brand’s new winged tri-shield insignia set against a three-dimensional mesh background.

The driver-focused cockpit has a centre console that incorporates touchscreen controls that extends to the rear seating area.

Open side storage compartments built into the front of the console are enabled by the new Electronic Precision Shift.

A Superior Blue foundation colour echoes the exterior and is complemented with Mist Gray leather seating inserts, console trim and door trim, while exposed carbon fibre and aluminium accents provide some contrast.

The fading pattern on the seats, console and doors were inspired by waves receding at a beach’s edge and passengers get next-generation QuietTuning and air-quality control, including advanced noise cancellation technology, ionic air purifiers and aromatherapy.


Honda Pet Co-Pilot Front Seat and other ludicrous tales

                PETALING JAYA: You know what day it is today, right?

It's the day to not take everything seriously and see the lighter side of life as we know it.

A number of car and auto-related companies have announced a few developments that will only exist in the cheeky recesses of the mind.

Honda

Honda has launched a brand-new range of front passenger seats for pets, the Pet Co-Pilot Front Seat.

On sale from today, the Dog Co-Pilot Front Seat will be available first, joined later in the year by variants for cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits and fish. A multi-storey seat for gerbils will follow in spring 2023.

Designed specifically for pets, each seat will ensure animals can get the best view in the car with a full view of the world around them, while being within a paw’s or fin’s reach of their human parent.

The seats will be available either as a factory-fitted option or a retrospective purchase for cars built between April 2017 and March 2022, available through Honda’s dealer network.

LEVC

LEVC (London Electric Vehicle Company) has today announced a new addition to its vehicle line up, with the TX Spring Edition.

The TX’s instantly recognisable silhouette remains unchanged, but has been updated with a brand new palette. Drawing inspiration from the new season’s colours, the TX Spring Edition sees pink, purple, yellow and green combined together to create a striking effect.

LEVC spokesman Paul Yaleg said: “Our famous electric black taxi is loved the world over and instantly recognisable. But it was time to take a fresh approach for spring and create a bold new look for the TX to brighten up the city streets. Our TX Spring Edition will be on the roads soon and we’re confident that it will attract plenty of attention.”

Although the TX Spring Edition’s appearance may have changed, it still offers a pure EV range of more than 100km, plus a total range-extended capacity of 511km.

Those wishing to enjoy the new look TX can rest assured that it remains completely accessible for customers, with a built-in wheelchair ramp, hearing loop and braille. The large panoramic roof ensures that the TX Spring Edition is the perfect place to see the city sights in comfort while dazzling passers-by with a bold new look.

Isuzu

Isuzu UK has announced the Limited Edition D-Max Street, a short-wheelbase, Single Cab pick-up specifically designed for inner-city areas.

The all-new Limited Edition D-Max Street Single Cab short-wheelbase pick-up will only be available for a very limited time and is available in any colour the customer chooses, provided it is blue.

Perfect for the tight and narrow city confines, the D-Max Street has an impressively tight turning circle, which enables greater manoeuvrability, and is also incredibly easy to park in small spaces, thanks to its compact dimensions.

With the ability to carry one passenger and with an impressive, albeit compact load area, the D-Max Street’s coupe-like appeal is certain to turn heads.

Fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels, condensed side steps and chrome front grille, mirror covers and door handles, the D-Max Street is certain to stand out amongst the pick-up crowd.

An Isuzu UK spokesman said “This innovative new single-cab short-wheel base pick-up may have its shortcomings, but it is ideal for use on city streets and in urban areas. With the new D-Max Street, Isuzu UK is looking to corner the urban pick-up market.”

The D-Max Street will only be available to order until noon on April 1.

Caterham

Caterham has announced the long-awaited next step in its brand evolution: the launch of a DIY snack kit.

Developed to keep avid Seven enthusiasts fuelled throughout the course of their build, powered during a race weekend, or topped-up on a road trip, Cater-ham Sevenses strip the needless faff away from the eating experience, allowing buyers to enjoy the pure, unalloyed exhilaration of ham, cheese and crackers.

While the average Caterham kit car can contain over 870 separate parts, a pack of Cater-ham Sevenses needs just three.

All ingredients are locally sourced from supermarkets within a two-mile radius of Caterham’s Dartford production facility, before being hand-stamped into the shape of the iconic Seven sportscar and repackaged by a team of dedicated Cater-ham workers.

While burning one litre of petrol produces around thirty-five Megajoules of energy, lab tests revealed a single 95g pack of Cater-ham Sevenses to contain enough calories to power an adult human for 24 hours straight.

“There’s little chance of a pack of Sevenses adding lightness to anyone who consumes it,” said Graham Macdonald, Caterham’s chief executive officer, “but by simplifying the snacking needs of our customers we leave them with more time to build and drive their beloved Caterham cars.”

The initial Cater-ham offering of ham and cheddar echoes the brand’s classic British heritage, though future offerings will reflect the diverse cuisines of some of Caterham’s most significant export markets.

French buyers can look forward to ham and brie, Dutch customers to ham and gouda, Japanese owners to ham and Sakura and, in due course, shoppers in the USA will be able to buy Cater-ham with a mini can of artificially flavoured spray cheese.

“The launch of Cater-ham has been a long time coming. By finally branching out to cater ham to Caterham’s loyal customer base, we are capitalising on a highly lucrative market segment, the proceeds of which will be invested directly back into the development of an entire range of ham-based ventures,” said Caterham’s chief commercial officer David Ridley with a straight face.

Andersen EV

British EV charger installer Andersen EV has launched the first home electric vehicle (EV) charger that will match the wall box to the exterior design of its user’s house.

On sale today for £9,999 (RM56,000), the Andersen-2-Invisible (A-2-I) comes with in-built camouflage technology in the box’s panels, bestowing it with chameleon-like qualities.

With the luxury EV wall box manufacturer already offering 96 different colour options across its current range, its latest offering takes the concept of stylish yet discreet charge points to the next level.

For consumers it’s simple, all they need to do is take a picture of the wall they want to affix the charge point to prior to installation. Then once the wall box is installed by an accredited Andersen engineer, they upload the picture to Andersen’s Konnect+ app and activate camouflage mode.

The camouflage technology, which are high-definition 4K mini screens built into the front and side panels of the A-2-1, then mimics the pattern of the wall behind it.

The beauty of the A-2-1 wall box is that when camouflage mode is turned off, customers can enjoy the original, high-end design of the Andersen wall box.


Appealing motorsports events lined up to jumpstart 2021 season

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Motorsports Association of Malaysia has lined up several motorsports activities this year after suffering a major setback due to the Covid-19 pandemic last season.

Association president Tan Sri Mokhzani Tun Mahathir said among the events on the cards this month were the final round of the 2020 Malaysia Superbike Championship, Kart Racing & Development Championship and also the first round of the Toyota Gazoo Championship.

Besides the three events, it also plans to organise the association's Speedweek and SIC MiniGP Championship in March, which will be the platforms to mould talented youngsters in two-wheel events.

“Looking for a semblance of normalcy is not something that the association is looking forward to in 2021, as the new normal is already ingrained in the minds of the people, but it is the same case everywhere else in the world,” he was quoted as saying in a statement on Friday.

“In F1 and MotoGP, protocols are in place for teams to mitigate the spread of any cases and they implemented travel restrictions to keep teams and other specific groups separated in a manner they describe as a ‘bubble,” he added.

Mokhzani also pointed out that the association would implement better standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure the safety of all parties involved in their programmes or competitions.

“We will try our best to ensure that the pandemic will not hinder the progress of our young talents, nor discourage teams and sponsors from being part of Malaysian motorsports in 2021,” he said.

The 2020 season saw the cancellation and postponement of several domestic motorsports competitions due to Covid-19 pandemic, such as the Petronas Malaysian Cup Prix Championships, the SIC MiniGP and also the association's Speedway Championship.

At the international level, the 2020 Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix, slated to be held from Oct 30 to Nov 1, 2020, was called off following the spike in Covid-19 cases, forcing the government to impose travel bans against several countries.


JPJ launches 75th anniversary coins

The coins come in RM10 and RM1. — Bernama
PUTRAJAYA: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) turns 75 this year and a set of commemorative coins has been issued to mark the special occasion.

The coins that come in RM10 and RM1 have images that reflect the main function of the department in regulating the registration and licensing of motor vehicles in the country.

JPJ director-general Datuk Zailani Hashim said the issuance of the commemorative coins is meaningful as the department celebrates its diamond jubilee.

“As we celebrate 75 years of service, we have been mandated to become a department that is efficient, of high integrity and embraces the use of high technology in managing the road transport sector,” he said when launching the commemorative coins.

JPJ began its operation on April 1, 1946, which was then known as Registrar Inspection Motor Vehicle.

"In conjunction with the 75th anniversary celebration, I call on JPJ staff to continue to strive hard and remain committed to serving the people and the country,” he said.

Zailani said under Budget 2022, the department was given approval to procure 20 units of mobile counters and 100 computer-equipped kiosks to facilitate the public in their dealings with the department.


MINI to show off augmented reality eyewear

                SHANGHAI: MINI is revealing its latest pioneering innovation at the Auto Shanghai show - MINI Augmented Vision, which provides an insight into intelligent connectivity between a MINI car and an eyewear which projects relevant content.

“Working with several Qualcomm companies, we have created an interlinked system and augmented reality eyewear with a characteristic MINI design that revolutionise the experience both in and outside the vehicle,” said project-manager MINI Augmented Vision of BMW Group research and technology Dr. Jörg Preißinger.

He added that this prototype with its customised, interactive functions is capable in fusing augmented reality with the brand’s trademark sense of lifestyle.

The MINI Augmented Vision was designed by Designworks for MINI and was developed in collaboration with several Qualcomm companies.

Using see-through technology, the augmented reality (AR) eyewear shows relevant information in the driver’s direct field of vision without concealing other road users to help increase safety and comfort while driving.

The following functions will be projected into the field of view with the MINI Augmented Vision and includes destination entry for navigation and transfer to vehicle.

This includes selecting destination points when outside the vehicle, then transferring them to the vehicle.

Another function is First Mile / Last Mile, which appears on the Navigation display from the current location to the vehicle or from the vehicle to the final destination.

The Head-up display functions will display speed and speed limits (to name a few) in the eyewear so that information is in the driver’s primary field of view and data is always shown in the same place above the steering wheel to ensure that no road users are concealed from sight.

Contact-analogue navigation and points of interest will also be revealed and reality is enhanced by contact-analogue navigation arrows “on” the road, as well as display of points of interest along the route, such as open parking spaces so that the driver´s attention can always stay focused on the traffic.

A small icon is shown in the eyewear when a message is received and the SMS / message can then be read out by the car while driving safely.

Dubbed X-Ray View / transparent vehicle parts, a virtual view is shown through parts of the vehicle (such as A-pillars and doors) and serves to render external areas or objects concealed by the car visible.

The Augmented Parking feature facilitates parking by projecting the images from a camera housed in the (farside) mirror into the eyewear so that the distance from the curb can be clearly and easily ascertained.


Jeep to launch two new SUVs in India to boost sales

                NEW DELHI: Stellantis' Jeep will launch two new sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) in India this year to boost sales in a market where it has struggled to establish a meaningful presence.

Jeep will launch the Meridian, a mid-size, three-row SUV, that will be made in India, and the Grand Cherokee, which it will assemble in the country - a move the company expects will allow it to price its vehicles more competitively.

"We need to grow in India, we need to put all the focus in India," Christian Meunier, chief executive at Jeep, told reporters in Mumbai.

Jeep, which has less than a 1% share of India's car market, said last year it would invest US$250 million to launch four SUVs in a country where rivals Hyundai Motor and Kia Motor dominate the segment with more affordable vehicles.

Meunier said he was "not happy with the volumes in India" but would not reduce the price of vehicles just to increase the company's market share.

He said he wanted Brazil to be the benchmark for sales in India - Jeep sells 15,000 SUVs a month in the South American country across three models versus less than 1,000 SUVs a month in India where it sells the Compass and Wrangler SUVs.

"We're not investing all this money in India for not getting success. We're not here to lose, we're here to win," he said.

While Jeep is working on electrifying its portfolio by 2025, Meunier says it will bring electric vehicles to India only when the country is ready.

India is pushing automakers to build clean fuel vehicles in an effort to reduce its oil import bill and cut pollution, but sales of electric cars have been slow to take off.

This is mainly because of the high price of batteries and inadequate public charging infrastructure.


Ride-hailing drivers share six ways to ride without hassles

                KUALA LUMPUR: Most  taxi hotspots in the Klang Valley are the main areas where ride-hailing drivers are supposed to operate in order to be eligible for incentives.

Despite being targeted by vigilante taxi groups, drivers from Uber and GrabCar have no choice but to ply these hotspots at all times.

In order to protect themselves from harassment, drivers have come up with creative ways to trick cabbies into thinking they are ordinary folk.

StarMetro spoke to both Uber and GrabCar drivers on measures they take to avoid being detected as drivers for the ride hailing companies.

1. Avoid main pick-up points in core areas

Avoid taxi stands at all cost.

“I will ask the passenger to meet me a few hundred metres away from the main entrances and lobby of buildings where there is a taxi stand in place,’’ said Raj. "Places like Mid Valley, Pavilion. Suria KLCC, and even hotels are good examples.’’

The GrabCar driver explained that not all passengers are understanding while some still prefer that drivers pick them up at their doorstep and they simply hope and pray that nothing untoward happens.

2. Ask passenger to sit in front

Of course, the most logical and common way to avoid harassment from cabbies is to invite passengers to sit in front.

Most people usually have no problem doing this.

However, it does not guarantee that you will not be harassed as proven on previous episodes.

3. Use baby seat prop

However, not everyone will sit in front.

For those that refuse, the drivers cannot do much.

But some have come up with an ingenious way to get away with it.

The baby seat prop!

“It works all the time,’’ said Uber driver Kevin.

“I am not really a chatty person.

“I mean, I do not like to say things just to be in a talking mode,’’ he explained.

“But Uber insists that we chat with passengers. It’s good for rating they say.

“So the baby seat trick actually works well for me,’’ Kevin added.

Kevin elaborated with the baby seat taking up the front passenger seat, passengers are forced to sit at the back.

“So taxi drivers will not suspect that I am an Uber driver and I don’t have to be so chatty. It’s a win win situation for me,’’ Kevin added.

4. Observe the passengers rating

Drivers should not have to deal with rude and aggressive passengers.

Uber drivers are allowed to rate passengers for individual trips.

Uber drivers can gauge the type of passengers they pick up by observing the passenger’s rating.

The rating will only pop up once the driver is assigned to a passenger.

“Ratings are scored on a one-to-five-star scale, and if a I get a passenger with a rating of four and lower, I will be a little cautious with this person,’’ said Ahmad, an Uber driver.

For Simon who drives a GrabCar, he said that with Grabcar, you could tell the number of rides a passenger has taken to date.

“The higher the number of rides a passenger has means you can safely assume that it is a genuine customer and not a undercover taxi or SPAD officer,’’ he said.

5. Install dashcams and CCTVs

While GrabCars in Malaysia has introduced the in-car CCTV cameras as a pilot project, for now, only 100 cars for female drivers will have this added protection.

However, some Uber and GrabCar drivers have installed a dash cam in their car for safety reasons.

6. Use Truecaller app

Some drivers have resorted to using an app called Truecaller to identify passengers who have booked for their service.

The app enables one to identify the person calling before the driver picks up the call.

So in other words, drivers who have downloaded the app, are able to see the true identity of each incoming call before picking up the phone.

Uber driver Ridzuan said that with the app, he is able to identify the person or company calling him.

This include landlines, mobile, or pre-paid numbers, even if the number is not in his contact list.

“I have heard that officers from SPAD are going undercover posing as passengers to nab drives, so this app comes in handy.

“It’s not foolproof, but it has worked for me,’’ Ridzuan added.

Uber has the Uber Incident Response Team, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond immediately to any reported incidents or accidents globally.

Uber also has a centre in Kuala Lumpur and Partner Support Centres in all the cities it operate in. providing drivers with technical support to payments in person or even by email.

For GrabCar, the app has a police button, when pressed, connects the driver directly to the nearest police station where their vehicle is located.

They also have an emergency hotline which they can call in case of an emergency.


Allianz Road Ranger tow trucks stationed at selected R&Rs

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Allianz Road Rangers will be stationed around several rest and service areas (R&Rs) across North-South Expressway, Kuala Lumpur–Karak Expressway and East Coast Expressway to offer accident and roadside assistance for its customers until May 8.

In anticipation of the high-volume traffic during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays, Allianz General Insurance Co (Malaysia) Bhd (Allianz General) will station Allianz Road Rangers at the following R&Rs –

> Gurun (Kedah),
> Tapah (Perak),
> Ulu Bernam (Tanjung Malim, Perak),
> Ayer Keroh (Melaka),
> Yong Peng (Johor),
> Genting Sempah (Karak Highway),
> Gambang and Maran (Pahang),
> Gua Musang (Kelantan), and
> Paka Arah (Kuala Terengganu).

All Allianz Motor Comprehensive (Private Car), Allianz Motorcycle Plus (Comprehensive), and Allianz Motorcycle (Comprehensive) policyholders in need of an accident or roadside assistance can call 1800-22-5542.

Allianz General Chief Claims Officer Damian Williams said the initiative is a first of such.

“We know how everyone has been looking forward to celebrating this Hari Raya Aidilfitri and will be travelling to their hometowns and out of the Klang Valley.

“So, we have mobilised our tow trucks from our Allianz Road Ranger fleet to be strategically located to assist our customers.

“Our goal with this initiative is to reach customers as quickly as possible when they need assistance and to help make their journey a smooth one,” he said.

The Allianz Road Rangers is a nationwide motor roadside assistance service for cars and motorcycles.

For details, visit allianz.com.my/personal/whats-new/allianz-road-rangers.html


Audi A7 Sportback debuts at RM610K

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Audi A7 Sportback four-door coupe is priced at RM609,900 and powered by a new 3.0-litre TFSI engine with a mild hybrid system.

This MHEV (mild hybrid electric vehicle) uses a 48-volt primary electrical system.

A belt alternator starter (BAS) works together with a lithium-ion battery and achieves a recuperation performance of up to 12kW when braking.

At speeds between 55 and 160kph, the A7 Sportback can coast in freewheeling mode with the engine deactivated and then restarts itself via the BAS.

The start-stop function now activates at 22kph.

In real-world driving, the MHEV technology reduces fuel consumption by up to 0.7 liters per 100km .

Meanwhile, the V6 turbo engine paired with a seven-speed S tronic transmission, produces 335hp and 500Nm.

The four-door coupe sprints from 0 to 100kph in 5.3 seconds and its quattro drivetrain activates rear-wheel drive as needed.

As with the previous model, the rear end is tapered like that of a yacht.

The long luggage compartment lid terminates in a pronounced, curved lip from which an integrated spoiler extends automatically at 120kph.

Compared with the previous model, interior length has increased 21 millimeters, resulting in more rear knee room. Rear passengers also enjoy more head room.

Rear luggage compartment has 535 litres which increases to 1,390 litres with the rear seats folded down.

Features include a 10.1-inch upper touch display combined with MMI navigation plus, and a 8.6-inch lower touch display that provides access to the climate control system, comfort functions and text input.

There are also the Audi virtual cockpit with a 12.3-inch display, and an MMI touch response operating system with haptic and acoustic feedback, head-up display, a Bang & Olufsen Premium audio system with 3D sound, and voice control.

Driving technologies include the dynamic-all-wheel steering and a new ECP (electronic chassis programme) – the central controller for the chassis – which make its even more agile, nimble and comfortable.

The suspension with damper control allows the driver to alter the driving character of the car through the Audi Drive Select system.

 Interior Interior Interior


Vehicles from the 'Mad Max: Fury Road' movie go under the hammer

                GOLD COAST: Auctioneer Lloyds is offering a sale featuring 13 extravagant vehicles straight out of the movie "Max Mad: Fury Road." The lot, which cannot be split, is on sale until Sept 26.

Potential buyers can bid online and even pay in cryptocurrency.

Released in 2015, Mad Max: Fury Road features a multitude of vehicles, each crazier than the next, made from old Buick, Cadillac and Ford models that have been modified, reinforced and often armed. Stored today in a garage in Australia, the likes of the Interceptor and the Gigahorse are now looking for a new owner.

The auction includes emblematic vehicles (the Interceptor and the Gigahorse, as well as the War Rig, the Razor Cola, the Nux Car and more), as well as convoy vehicles and buggies. The machines come as a single lot, which means that it is not possible to acquire just one of the vehicles.

The auction will end Sept 26.

"Payment can be accepted in any currency, including cryptocurrencies as we outrun the end of civilisation," Lloyds states mischievously, in reference to the movie's apocalyptic atmosphere.


BMW HP4: Fast, furious and confident

                I’ve always had a dream of riding or driving the fastest bike or car, if not one of the fastest.

Recently, I had the chance of fulfilling that dream in the form of the HP4 from BMW Malaysia.

The minute I laid eyes on the HP4, I was jumping for joy like a small boy with a shiny new toy.

The HP4 has a 999cc engine that pumps out 193hp at 13,000rpm and 112Nm of torque at 9,750rpm.

This German two-wheeler comes with four different riding modes – Rain, Sport, Race, and Slick.

READ ALSO:Another perspective from tester Jay Wong

I tried the Sport mode and it was smooth and nice.

When I was on the Race mode, the experience was simply unbelievable where twisting the throttle was effortless in increasing power.

However, in Slick mode, there was not much difference compared to the Race mode.

But I was told by the engineers at BMW, Slick mode is meant to be ridden on the track if I want to experience unbelievable speed.

Meanwhile the Rain mode is for wet surfaces.

While trying all the modes, I realised that the settings of the traction control range is broad, thus allowing me to find the sweet spot that suited me.

I think such equipment is great because it gives you the comfort of knowing that you are well-protected if you are new to the bike.

One of the most important thing on the sports bike is the ergonomics.

I was very impressed with the design of the handles, saddle and the foot pegs.

The adjustable foot pegs allowed me to have a relaxed ride or to burn some serious rubber while conquering tight corners with ease.

The unique selling point of the HP4 is the Dynamic Damping Control (DDC) which is BMW’s first semi-active suspension in a motorbike.

What DDC does is it adjusts automatically damping rates at lightning speeds over horrible roads; cushioning me from the humps and bumps.

The suspension setting is designed to change according to the mode I choose i.e. Rain, Sport, Race or Slick.

The DDC also takes into account the traction control and anti-lock braking system.

Meanwhile, the cockpit comes with an easy to read instrument panel which I liked.

Even at fast speeds, I was able to scroll the various menus and settings easily.

After 30 minutes on the bike, controlling the user-friendly electronics became second nature to me. Nice.

This bike also performed well when I was caught in a bad jam.

Despite travelling at speeds of between 20kph and 30kph on Jalan Tun Razak and KLCC area during rush hour, I did not feel any engine heat on my legs.

While stuck in stop-and-go traffic, the HP4’s soft clutch did not strain my hand.

After a high-speed ride on the HP4, it was quite obvious that the creator of this bike knew exactly what was needed to be road and track worthy.

Believe me, this bike is perfect for a sports bike novice because of the rider’s safety aid and at the same time it has so much to offer to the more experienced speed junkie.

The HP4 is equipped with a launch control, where you can open the throttle wide and the launch control system holds the revs at 8,000rpm while preventing wheelspin and wheelies.

And off you go like a rocket.

Pirelli Diablo Super Corsa SP tyres were the perfect allies for taking sharp corners in Genting Highlands - they helped keep the HP4 glued on the road.

The HP4 was able to hold the riding line with clean entries and exits.

It is very obvious that the HP4’s agility is superior than most sports bikes when I was flicking the bike effortlessly.

I was lucky to be caught in a rain, which gave me an opportunity to see how the bike handled in a heavy downpour.

I did a few hard braking at 100kph, and the Brembo brakes performed well.

The brilliant combination of the 320mm floating brake discs with 4-piston calipers up front, and a single 220mm brake disc in the rear ensured that I could brake safe even on wet surfaces.

The final verdict of the HP4 is - this bike is simply mind blowing.

The HP4 goes as fast as you want and BMW’s technology behind this bike makes you feel safe and confident.


Ford's EV charging tie-up with Tesla ripples through industry

                SAN FRANCISCO: Ford Motor Co's decision to allow customers to use Tesla's electric-vehicle charging network has sent ripples through the industry, raising questions about a national US charging standard as well as the fate of charging startups that are struggling.

The deal, announced last month, would open more than 12,000 Tesla Superchargers to drivers of Ford vehicles in North America starting in 2024.

The tie-up puts pressure on other companies and the administration of US President Joe Biden to fall in line or spend more to up their games, according to industry executives, investors, bankers and consultants.

"Tesla's head start in the space and Ford's buy-in ... will require companies who have invested in other technologies to pivot, which will be an expensive proposition," said Paul Baiocchi, chief ETF strategist at SS&C ALPS Advisors.

SS&C has invested in such charging companies as ChargePoint Holdings Inc, EVgo Inc and Blink Charging Co.

The Ford deal was a boost to Tesla's more widespread, reliable North American Charging Standard (NACS) and dented the value of smaller players offering the rival Combined Charging System (CCS).

Tesla CEO Elon Musk hopes the deal with Ford, the No. 2 seller of EVs in the US, will help make Tesla's technology the North American standard.

Now those players face pressure to upgrade their networks to work with Tesla's at a time when many lag in customer service and lack the funds to make such a commitment.

The Biden administration did not respond to requests for comment, but Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told CNBC after the Ford-Tesla deal that the administration was "not going to pick winners and losers in terms of what standard prevails."

He added the industry will eventually converge on one system but that adapters would allow cross usage.

CharIn, a global association to promote CCS, said deals like the Tesla-Ford one "create uncertainty in the industry and lead to investment obstacles."

The US government previously set aside US$7.5 billion in federal funds to push companies to adopt CCS as part of Biden's plan to tackle climate change by converting 50% of all new US vehicle sales to EVs by 2030.

Holding back EVs has been a weak CCS charging infrastructure that many complain is inefficient or sometimes inoperable, leading prospective buyers to fear becoming stranded on the road with nowhere to charge.

But installing and maintaining a charging network is capital-intensive and, with EVs representing only 6% of new car sales in the US last year, making money in charging is difficult, industry officials said. Most automakers have not created their own charging networks.

Accelerate change

That financial pressure may only intensify if more companies adopt Tesla as the industry charging standard, pushing more deals like Shell's US$169 million buyout of Volta earlier this year or BP's late 2021 acquisition of AMPLY Power.

"There was already some consolidation happening in the space and now I think that will only accelerate," Lazard banker Mohit Kohli said.

The Biden administration's push has so far supported the CCS connector favoured by such carmakers as Volkswagen AG, General Motors Co and BMW.

Tesla adopted that standard in Europe under pressure from regulators there, and is gradually opening a portion of its US network to vehicles using CCS to potentially qualify for subsidies.

Complaints about other charging companies' software bugs or broken charging hardware only opens the door to greater access for Tesla's standard, however, industry officials said.

Under its new deal, Ford will distribute Tesla adapters to customers and starting in 2025 will equip future EVs with NACS. It was not clear whether those adapters will be available to other automakers' customers.

Some companies are already making plans to adopt Tesla's technology, but a lack of a national standard could cause more headaches, industry officials said.

"We are now probably locked in to having two separate charging standards co-existing for the foreseeable future," Consumer Reports senior policy analyst Chris Harto said.

FreeWire CEO Arcady Sosinov said his company plans to offer NACS connectors at its fast chargers by mid-2024, while Aptera Motors CEO Chris Anthony said the US government should invest in the Tesla network if it becomes the predominant standard.

"Because of this announcement ... there's going to continue to be a standards war for a decade or more," Sosinov said.


Fisker Ocean SUV will make its European debut at Mobile World Congress

                LOS ANGELES: Fisker Inc will debut its Ocean all-electric SUV to the European market at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

The five-passenger Fisker Ocean Sport features a range of 250 miles with a starting price of £34,990 (RM199,000).

The top trim Fisker Ocean Extreme travels 560km on a single charge with dual-motor AWD, three driving modes and a host of first-to-market safety features. Mobile World Congress runs from Feb 28 to March 3.

"Europe is essential to our company as we work towards the start of production in November at a carbon-neutral factory in Austria", said CEO Henrik Fisker.

"We aim to make the world's most sustainable vehicle and to start deliveries in Europe this year. Ultimately, we expect to sell 60,000 units annually in the region".

In 2021, the Manhattan Beach, California-based startup established an office in Munich and is adding staff to serve a fast-growing electric vehicle market.

The company is building its first European-based brand experience centre in Munich, with plans for additional centres in other European countries.

The company's industry-leading warranty will be supported by service centres throughout the region. For service, the company is offering at-home vehicle pick-up, or Fisker Mobile Service, for customers who prefer that skilled technicians come to them.

Also in 2021, Fisker created its Fisker Magic Works and chose England as the division's headquarters. This branch of the Fisker organisation will develop special editions of the company's vehicles alongside new, high-performance projects combining sustainability with Fisker's goal to make electric cars with beautiful, emotional design.


Mazda6 diesel sedan a fun and refined drive

                The updated Mazda6, the flagship sedan of the Hiroshima headquartered automaker, takes the “Mazda Premium” experience to new levels with NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) improvements, redesigned seats that improve comfort as well as standard fitment of Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control (GVC) technology which improves handling and stability.

And the new Mazda6, imported from Japan, really needs to deliver premium quality and refinement, with the 2.5-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel variants priced in the RM200,000 range. While there is a RM167,000 entry-level 2.0-litre variant that is quite well-equipped, it’s still a hefty price as buyers who can afford the Mazda6 would certainly look at what premium European brands have to offer.

Our test drive unit is the diesel-powered 2.2-litre SkyActiv-D sedan priced at RM213,426.47 on-the-road without insurance, and we certainly enjoyed every moment we spent in the car. It’s a big, long car with a strong road presence thanks to Mazda’s Kodo - Soul of Motion design language which gives it a sporty yet elegant silhouette.

Exterior

Like the Mazda Vision Coupe concept, the updated Mazda6 also has a Mature Elegance design. The updated Mazda6 gets a new front grille design, sleek LED headlamps, and a new bumper redesigned with air vents to improve aerodynamic performance by channelling air to the front tyres. The new 19-inch wheels also look premium. A powered sunroof, which allows more light into the cabin, is another nice feature here.

Interior

The quality of the fit and finish is very high, and we like the classic executive look of the cabin, which has black leather seats and a dark themed cabin. The interior has a high-grade ambience, especially with the smooth leather upholstery, metallic trim and chrome door handles.

On the top centre of the dashboard, there’s an eight-inch display screen for the infotainment system (music, navigation, Bluetooth functions) and 360-degree View Monitor which is controlled via a rotary dial and some buttons located between the front seats.

The design doesn’t look cluttered with too many buttons and switches, and we also like the space-saving electronic parking brake with auto hold function. The 11-speaker Bose audio system delivers crisp sound quality, and allows you to enjoy your favourite tunes in the hushed, cocooned interior.

We also found good rear legroom for 1.7-metre adults, although rear headroom is just adequate due to the sloping rear roofline.

Practicality

The diesel-powered Mazda6 has many nice features, and we particularly loved the powered front seats which are snug and provides top-class lumbar back support. We found the front seats to be very comfortable for long journeys, and arrived at our destination feeling less fatigued.

According to a Mazda press release, the redesigned front seats use a high-density, vibration-absorbing urethane foam and help keep passengers’ spines in the natural S-shape humans use when standing. The car has four USB ports including two USB sockets in the centre storage compartment between the front seats, and charging our smartphones was easy.

Other features include a deep 489-litre boot, automatic lights and wipers, automatic air conditioning, rear air conditioning vents and push start ignition - standard kit in a premium car. There’s also a Active Driving Display (Head-Up Display) which shows data like travel speed and road speed limit, that are projected onto the windshield for the driver.

Safety

Besides the 360-degree View Monitor that uses four cameras to provide a view of the car’s surroundings, the diesel-powered Mazda6 also gets premium safety features like Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Lane Keep Assist System (LAS) and Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) for front and rear.

With SCBS, brakes will be applied automatically to prevent or reduce the impact of a collision (system works at forward speed of up to 30kph and reverse speed of up to 8kph). As for LAS, this makes minor steering corrections to keep the car within its lane (especially when you don’t use the signal indicator when changing lanes). However, we find that LAS can be quite irritating as the steering wheel resisted our control attempts in lane departure situations, and opted to switch off LAS.

Rideand handling

We were reminded repeatedly by Bermaz Motor staff to pump only Euro 5 grade diesel for the brawny SkyActiv-D 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine, which delivers 188hp and a monstrous 450Nm of torque. Mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic gearbox, this meant extremely responsive acceleration and instantaneous power on tap to propel the car which has a 1,642kg kerb weight.

You get sensational acceleration and sprinting speeds, and sharp, accurate control from the Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS). Combine these with Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control (GVC) technology which improves handling, stability and comfort and you have a car which delivers a sense of total control for drivers.

Fitted with Japan produced Bridgestone Turanza T005 premium touring tyres, the Mazda6 is grippy on winding roads.

Although diesel engine clatter can be heard at low or parking speeds, driving the SkyActiv-D Mazda6 is a smooth, refined and quiet experience once you get some speed on the road.

We have driven previous editions of the Mazda6 which also delivered refined driving, but this latest update brings refinement and premium driving to a new level thanks to further improvements in the arena of NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) control.

Fuel consumption

We had the car for a week, and drove it around 839km on a mix of congested city and free-flowing highway routes. It has a 62 litre fuel tank, and comes with i-Stop Idling Technology that automatically shuts down the engine to save fuel when you halt at traffic lights.

The automatic engine start-stop technology works well enough, and starts the engine rather quickly when you want to get moving again. Now, the diesel-powerd Mazda6 claims it can achieve 5.2 litres per 100km (or 19.2km per litre). In reality, after 839km and refuelling with 10 litres of Euro 5 diesel, the trip meter showed our average fuel consumption at 13.8km per litre.

We are rather impatient drivers and we are sure gentler drivers would be able to get much better fuel economy.

Warranty

Bermaz Motor offers a 5-year manufacturer warranty or 100,000km (whichever is first). To sweeten the deal further, there is also 5-year free maintenance including labour, parts and lubricants or 100,000km (whichever is first).

Summary

The SkyActiv-D Mazda6 is a definitely a very powerful and refined, premium car that delivers heaps of refinement and a serene driving experience. Thanks to its over-muscled turbodiesel engine and innovative driving technologies, it also provides plenty of excitement for keen drivers.

It comes with premium safety features, and we think its a classy, executive car that is worth the top dollar it commands. As a package, the SkyActiv-D Mazda6 has everything you want in a big, executive five-seater saloon - comfort, luxury, refinement, fuel economy, power, and a silky-smooth ride quality.

Its size, power, refinement and top-notch appointments should result in serious consideration from buyers looking at premium European brands in its price segment.


Lucid Air electric car officially on sale

                LOS ANGELES: After Chinese-backed US-based electric car startup Lucid Motors debuted its stunning prototype Lucid Air sedan in December, the vehicle is now officially on sale in the US.

What's more, at a starting price of just US$60,000 (RM267,000) before any government incentives or tax credits, the luxury sports car is very competitively priced.

However, at that price, those that pay a US$2,000 (RM8,900) deposit will be securing a sedan with 400hp, two-wheel drive and a battery range of around 386km, plus all of the sensors and other hardware needed to one day turn it into an autonomous vehicle via over-the-air updates.

The prototype model offered over twice as much horsepower (1,000hp to be precise), four-wheel drive and a range of over 643km, plus some blistering performance statistics.

These claims weren't snake oil; Lucid has decided to break down this performance into a list of cost options that perspective owners can pick and choose from to build the electric car they want.

Still, check every box and the car could come in at well over US$100,000 (RM444,000).

And while the order book is now officially open, Lucid Motors says that it is aiming to fulfil the first deliveries by the start of 2018.


Fiat Chrysler names Jeep boss to replace stricken CEO Marchionne

Manley.

MILAN/PARIS: Fiat Chrysler named on Saturday its Jeep division boss Mike Manley to take over immediately from chief executive Sergio Marchionne, who is seriously ill after suffering major complications following surgery.

The carmaker said British-born Manley, who also takes responsibility for the North America region, will push ahead with the mid-term strategy outlined last month by Marchionne, who had been due to step down next April.

Marchionne, 66, was credited with rescuing Fiat and Chrysler from bankruptcy after taking the Italian carmaker’s wheel in 2004. On Saturday he was also replaced as chairman and CEO of Ferrari and chairman of tractor maker CNH Industrial - both spun off from FCA in recent years.
 Elkann
“FCA communicates with profound sorrow that during the course of this week unexpected complications arose while Mr Marchionne was recovering from surgery and that these have worsened significantly in recent hours,” the statement said.

FCA disclosed earlier this month that Marchionne, a renowned dealmaker and workaholic, was recovering from a shoulder operation. But his condition deteriorated sharply in recent days when he suffered massive complications that were not divulged.

Ferrari named FCA Chairman and Agnelli family scion John Elkann as new chairman, while board member Louis Camilleri becomes chief executive. CNH appointed Suzanna Heywood to replace Marchionne as chairman. All three companies remain controlled by the Agnellis.

Marchionne had previously said he planned to stay on as Ferrari chairman and CEO until 2021.

One of the auto industry’s longest-serving CEOs, Marchionne has advocated tie-ups to share the growing cost burden of developing cleaner, electrified and autonomous vehicles.

He resisted the comparatively easy option of selling off coveted brands such as Jeep, saying that would leave too big a problem with Fiat as “the stump that is left behind”.

But after being rejected by his preferred partner General Motors, he turned back to the task of cutting FCA’s debt - a goal he achieved last month - while maintaining that a merger for FCA was “ultimately inevitable”.

Investor hopes for a transformative deal had largely dwindled and are unlikely to hit the shares on Marchionne’s departure, according to Evercore analyst George Galliers.

“The valuation doesn’t suggest expectations of a buyout are high,” Galliers said.

Even without Marchionne, FCA will remain “culturally more open to dealmaking and savvy to potential capital market opportunities than much of the competition”, he added.

“A lot of that’s now ingrained, so I don’t think you lose everything he’s brought to the company overnight.”
 Camilleri.
Yet, Manley will have a tough act to follow.

Marchionne resurrected one of Italy’s biggest corporate names and revitalised Chrysler, succeeding where the US company’s two previous owners - Mercedes parent Daimler and private equity group Cerberus - both failed.

He has multiplied Fiat’s value 11 times since taking charge, helped by moves such as the spinoffs of CNH Industrial and Ferrari. The planned separation of parts maker Magneti Marelli, due this year, should further increase that value-generation.

He also flattened an inflexible hierarchy, replacing layers of middle management with a meritocratic leadership style. He slashed costs by reducing the number of vehicle architectures and creating joint ventures to pool development and plant costs.

A tough negotiator known for getting his way, in 2005 Marchionne forced GM to pay Fiat US$2 billion not to exercise an option to sell its auto division to the US carmaker - a history that may not have helped his later merger overtures.

Marchionne’s track record with operational turnarounds was a little more patchy than his dealmaking.

Profitability in Europe is only now gradually recovering, FCA has yet to make any significant inroads in China and Alfa Romeo has yet to turn a profit.

In North America, however, Marchionne was quick to end production of unprofitable sedans and retool plants to build pricier SUVs and trucks, a move since emulated by Ford and GM.

But for fund managers like Umberto Borghesi who were still hoping Marchionne would bring in another big deal before signing off, the FCA investment case may just have changed.

“The day he leaves, this company will lose its appeal,” Borghesi, who is chief investment officer at London-based Albemarle Asset Management, said earlier this year.


Mercedes-Benz EQC and GLC F-CELL prototypes complete icy tests

                STUTTGART: Mercedes-Benz's electric offensive is well under way. It is set to launch the GLC F-CELL and EQC next year, and has been busy testing the electric vehicles.

It announced that it has successfully completed winter testing of both models in northern Sweden and all it takes now is further fine-tuning of the cars before they are introduced to market.

The GLC F-CELL - the world's first electric vehicle to combine a fuel-cell and a plug-in battery in the powertrain. EQC - the first fully battery-electric Mercedes-Benz production model from the new product and technology brand EQ.

 The EQC.

In addition to the winter testing in northern Sweden, there are summer tests in southern Europe and the United States as well as worldwide endurance road tests.

For decades, the car maker has been testing each new model under extreme conditions near the Arctic Circle – in icy temperatures down to minus 35 degrees Celsius, on snow-covered roads, and on sheer ice on frozen lakes. It has set up a test centre for this purpose in the small northern Swedish town of Arjeplog in Lapland.

In addition to the road testing in the far north, tests take place there on specially set-up testing tracks. Demanding hill climbs with gradients of up to 20 percent, testing tracks with varying coefficients of friction, handling courses, and skid pads on the almost sheer ice of the frozen lake pose the stiffest of challenges for the powertrain and control systems.

For a new Mercedes-Benz model, validation of the entire vehicle includes a programme of over 500 individual tests.

 The GLC F-CELL.

In the case of electric vehicles, the standard procedure is supplemented by numerous powertrain-specific tests developed specifically for the new powertrain technologies. New challenges for an electric vehicle include the output of the electric motor during cold starting and with a cold battery, the cold-starting properties of a fuel cell (stack), the vehicle's range under the customer's normal operating conditions, handling of charging cables, pre-entry climate control, and the operating strategy complete with recuperation.

Added to this is the specific tuning of the vehicle dynamics and the ESP system. To enable testing of different customer requirements and battery-charging profiles, the test centre in Arjeplog offers the full range of charging options: from simple domestic mains outlets to wall boxes to quick-charging stations. There is also a good supply of hydrogen.

EQC chief engineer Michael Kelz sheds more light specifically on EQC development in the Q&A below.

Q: You have already had the opportunity to drive a pre-production EQC. In a nutshell, what were your impressions of the drive?

Kelz: On the one hand, it's dynamic and powerful; on the other hand, it's a quiet glider. It's a new and at first unusual combination, even for us developers. The pre-production EQC offers a very safe driving feel and is also so much fun that it leaves a permanent smile on its driver's face.

Q: Mercedes-Benz certainly has plenty of experience with battery-electric vehicles. Were you able to build on this?

Kelz: It goes without saying that all our many years of experience with electric cars went into the new EQC. But it also contains a wealth of innovations – the EQC is a milestone for us in terms of development.

Q: Which innovations and new developments do you mean exactly?

Kelz: The EQC is an absolute highlight when it comes to power, sportiness and utility value. Likewise, the driving feel is sure to thrill our customers – not least thanks to the all-wheel drive, which we can incidentally tune particularly effectively here in Sweden on the frozen lakes. Then there are innovative solutions in areas such as telematics, connectivity and charging. The EQC really does herald the beginning of a new era in electric mobility at Mercedes-Benz.

Q: What else did the winter testing in the far north involve?

Kelz: In addition to vehicle dynamics on snow and ice, winter testing of an electric car naturally also focuses on how well the battery system and the powertrain perform in sub-zero temperatures. Not to mention efficiency and comfort aspects, of course, such as the climate control, which are so decisive in terms of the vehicle's range. Our most important learning experiences in Sweden are based on the fact that we can keep on encountering unexpected situations and gain valuable insights - something which it is not possible to achieve using currently available simulation technology.

Q: What are the next steps in the development of the EQC?

Kelz: We are already a long way along the road: mechanically, the car is already in an excellent place, so we are now concentrating on fine-tuning prior to the vehicle launch.


Electric power ushers in golden age for car (re)designers

                WOLFSBURG: There is a spirit of optimism among car designers these days.

"We are working on wild ideas," says Volkswagen’s creative director Michael Mauer.

For the autonomous electric cars expected to be in production soon, stylish front grilles and large engine compartments will be as unnecessary as a driver's seat, steering wheel or pedals. Suddenly, everything above the floor pan is fair game.

"There are no limits at the moment," says Mauer. "For us designers, the golden age is starting now."

Although modern-day engineers and designers must integrate a lot of additional technology, such as cameras and sensors for the driver-assistance systems or two motors plus a battery for hybrids, many designers remain enthusiastic and optimistic when looking to the future.

In terms of vehicle interiors and features, Volvo’s senior VP of design, Thomas Ingenlath, predicts "a revolution."

But a few barriers remain.

"Despite all the technological options, aesthetics will always play a role," says Mauer. "The more attractive product will always sell better."

Furthermore, the owner of the car will want to continue identifying with and experiencing a brand’s identity. For BMW, this would mean keeping its kidney-shaped grille, while for Volvo it would be the diagonal bar with the circle around the brand’s logo.

These designs give the respective models their distinctive face.

But the models of the future are also likely to diverge more and more from one another; even today, LED and OLED headlights offer a range of new design opportunities.

Soon, interior space and software could be tailor-made for every manufacturer, leaving the door open for truly outlandish possibilities.

These days, luxury cars are loaded with chrome and new leather, but how about recycled or vegan surfaces?

"If a product is desirable, you don't think about what the materials used to be. You just want to have it," argues BMW chief designer Adrian van Hooydonk. "Your standard is: is this the best that money can buy?"

Does an electric car have to look different from a petrol- or diesel-powered model?

As Lutz Fuegener, a professor of automobile design, explains, there are two schools of thought here: "The Tesla approach is telling the buyer, don’t worry, this is a normal car. The message from BMW is, here’s something new; the electric car functions differently, so the i3 and i8 have to look different as a result."

Importantly, these cars also demonstrate lifestyle choices.

"A buyer wants to show sensitivity towards the environment," insists Volvo designer Ingenlath.

Volkswagen and Renault are looking for a middle ground.

"We shouldn’t ask too much of our customers," emphasises Mauer. However, "if the technology is new, many people will want to show it off."

According to Laurens Van den Acker, top designer at Renault, the electric motor is still an unusual idea for many buyers, and it’s still important that "a car looks like a car."

This could still change later on, though: "It’ll just have to look good."

Every manufacturer wants to establish itself as an innovative brand without going too far, notes Fuegener.

"One must not forget that the average new car buyer is 53 years old." A car is among the most expensive purchases for a private household and should make its owner happy for a few years at least. "And no automaker will risk a design that makes its other existing models look old-fashioned."

Don't expect fundamentally redesigned cars in showrooms any time soon: the changes we are seeing now are more like lipstick and mascara: same face, altered look.

Watch out for blue in particular, which is developing into a car-guy colour to signal, "I care about the environment."

"At the trade fairs, you see these radical visions of the future," says professor Fuegener. "Every customer knows full well that these strange-looking space cruisers have nothing to do with what we are actually buying at the dealerships."


Goodyear Malaysia rolls out new year campaign

                KUALA LUMPUR: Goodyear Malaysia has launched its "A Gifting New Year" campaign, where Goodyear customers who buy four Goodyear consumer tyres sized 16-inches and above will get an exclusive Goodyear Vacuum Coffee Mug.

The campaign runs from now until Feb 15, 2023.

Customers can redeem the mug at any Goodyear Autocare or any participating stores upon purchase of tyres.

The recently launched Goodyear Assurance ComfortTred is one of the Goodyear Assurance consumer tyres that qualify for the campaign.

Designed for a premium driving experience, the Assurance ComfortTred is available at sizes from 16- to 19-inch, offering a quiet and comfortable ride while reducing noise with its ANX™ Technology.

Aside from the coffee mug made from durable, Goodyear customers will also have peace mind that their vehicles perform have better and be safer.

Customers will also enjoy Goodyear's Worry Free Assurance (WFA) warranty when they purchase any consumer tyres from Goodyear Malaysia.

WFA programme offers a one-year road hazard warranty to protect customers against road hazard damage; two times free tyre safety checks; and five years warranty for any manufacturing defects.

Goodyear Malaysia managing director Alex Ng said keeping tyres in a healthy condition was an important step to ensure safe driving for both car owners and passengers.

"As a strong advocate to staying safe on the road, we want to encourage car owners to stay safe and reward them as they prepare themselves for upcoming festive travels.

"Through our ‘A Gifting New Year’ campaign, we hope our customers will have a safe journey while enjoying the exclusive gift from Goodyear," he said.

For details, visit Goodyear Malaysia’s page at https://www.goodyear.com.my.


2019 Geneva Motor Show: Volkswagen ID BUGGY

                GENEVA: Volkswagen had a world premiere of its ID. BUGGY zero-emissions high-tech vehicle, based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB).

The parallels between the Californian dune buggies of the sixties and the new ID. BUGGY are apparent.

All beach buggies from back then featured a high degree of modular variability – based on the chassis of the legendary Beetle, with a four-cylinder boxer engine running at the rear.

Integrated in the vehicle floor: a lithium ion rechargeable battery which powers the ID. BUGGY’s 204PS electric drive motor in the rear.

An additional electric motor in the front axle is also conceivable in order to realise an all-wheel drive with an “electric propshaft”.

To be able to feel the wind, a fixed roof and doors were deliberately dispensed with.

This is why the resilient and minimalist design of the interior is characterised by waterproof materials.

The concept car is a pure 2-seater; however, the ID. BUGGY can also be converted to a 2+2-seater.

The composite body manufactured from a mixture of aluminium, steel and plastic is self-supporting.

Thanks to the modular design, the upper body can be detached from the MEB chassis.

A clear signal to small series manufacturers and start-ups: As in the past, Volkswagen is opening up to external producers with the ID. BUGGY concept.

The offer: You can build the new-era, zero-emissions dune buggy based on this concept.

In general, the MEB also has the potential to become the new technical basis for e-mobility for many automobile manufacturers.

At the beginning of 2019, Volkswagen announced for the first time that it intended to also make the MEB accessible to competitors as an electric vehicle platform.

“The ID. BUGGY demonstrates the broad spectrum of emission-free mobility that can be achieved with the MEB within the Volkswagen brand. But we want to open up the platform for third-party suppliers”, explains Ralf Brandstätter, COO of Volkswagen.


Thailand's PTT in with 6 automakers to develop electric car sector

                BANGKOK: Thailand's largest energy firm, PTT Pcl, on Monday signed contracts with six major automakers for cooperation in developing electric cars, opening the first in a series of electric vehicle charging stations associated with the project.

State-controlled PTT will be responsible for building a network of 20 charging stations under the accord, while the automakers pledged to develop electric vehicles (EV) and boost awareness and confidence in the Thai market, according to a joint statement.

The six firms are the Thai units of BMW Group, Mercedes Benz, Mitsubishi Motors Corp, Nissan Motor, Porsche and Volvo.

The move is in line with the Thai military government's policy of promoting the electric vehicle industry, at the same time strengthening security of energy supply. Thailand is a regional auto industry production and export hub, and the sector accounts for around 10 percent of Thai gross domestic product.

PTT, which began researching EV technology in 2012, already operates four EV charging stations. It aimed to open two more later this year and reach 20 by 2017, Chief Executive Tevin Vonvanich said.

Meanwhile Thailand has ambitious plans to boost the number of electric cars to 1.2 million by 2036, Energy Minister Anantaporn Karnchanarat said, compared with just under 68,000 currently in the country. Sales of hybrid petrol-electric cars or plug-in hybrid cars in Thailand accounted for just 1 percent of total auto sales in 2015.

The limited number of charging stations so far has made both manufacturing and selling EVs unappealing. To help spur the industry, the government has already offered tax incentives for makers of EV auto parts, including batteries and motors.


BMW 2 Series Active Tourer driven in Austria

BMW finally goes front-wheel drive (FWD), not counting the MINI, with the new 2 Series Active Tourer.

BMW has drawn on its existing front drive technology with MINI and developed a common platform shared by the new MINI and the 2 Series Active Tourer.

The 2 Series Active Tourer is a standalone model that is more of an MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) than an SAV (Sport Activity Vehicle) that the X1 is designed to be, leaving the X1 to continue serving its intended role.

In that respect, BMW has not only taken the first step into the world of front-wheel drive with a dedicated model from the BMW car range but is also moving into MPV motoring.

That explains why the 2 Series Active Tourer has a completely new body profile that is unlike any other BMW model, and it certainly looks like the first of many to come if demand is encouraging.

Our first inkling of BMW taking the front-wheel drive route came in 2012 when we drove the 1 Series prototype model at the German carmaker’s newly-opened (back then) Driving Academy at Maisach, which was an old airfield with a dark past.

We had a brief drive in the 1 Series prototype through a slalom section and high-speed stretch, and came away impressed with its dynamic quality and responsive power from a 1.5-litre engine.  Back then, we were briefed on BMW’s plans to develop an Active Tourer from this platform although the model description appeared to be slanted towards a Tourer as in an Estate or stationwagon rather than an MPV.

The MPV did not come to mind at the time as BMW didn’t have such a model in its range although the rational hint given to us for adopting the FWD platform was to extract maximum interior space.

Now that the 2 Series Active Tourer is here, it would probably serve as the base to develop bigger models to come in the 4 Series and perhaps, even the 6 Series. BMW body designers have retained its iconic identity with the distinct kidney grille and four round headlamps although the front has a more bulbous styling than the sleeker flow of the other models.

Nevertheless, the new body profile remains aerodynamically efficient in its wind-cheating ways with the Cd (dynamic co-efficient) values ranging from 0.26 to 0.29, depending on models.

There are three models – 218i, 225i and 218d – but only the latter two were made available for the international media drive experience in Austria.

The 218i has a three-cylinder 1.5-litre engine (or as BMW had put in 2012, half of a multiple award winning six-cylinder 3.0-litre engine) while the other two are fitted with four-cylinder engines of 2.0-litre displacements.

The 225i came with an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission with manual shift modes while the 218d provided for the media drive had a six-speed manual gearbox.

As in a typical front-wheel drive layout where the engine is located transversely (as opposed to longitudinally in a rear-wheel drive car), BMW has adopted a common mechanical means to reduce torque steer.

There is an equal drive shaft for each of the front wheels by sectionalising the longer shaft on one side so that there is no pull to either side when accelerating hard, a FWD characteristic that was the norm in the 1970s. According to Martin Schuster, who specialises in the car’s driving dynamics, the challenge was to make the front-wheel drive model handle and drive like a rear-wheel drive BMW.

“When our bosses gave us the thumbs up after a drive in the proto model, we knew we had retained the BMW character using existing resources within our means for it to be fully a part of the family,” he said.

This sees the use of ‘precisely calculated elastokinematics’ and ‘precise software calibration’ as well as the counteraction of engine forces through ‘optimally designed’ engine and transmission mounts.

Dimensionally, the 2 Series Active Tourer sits on a shorter 2,670mm wheelbase compared to the 220i 2 Series Coupé (2,690mm), which is a rear-wheel drive, indicating the different platform to accommodate the respective drive format.

This has led to a shorter body that is wider and taller to befit its Active Tourer function, while the wheel tracks are wider in front and quite similar at the rear.

Inside, the 2 Series Active Tourer has a spacious interior with flexible space arrangements through the 40:20:40 split rear seatrests (a current standard arrangement in the BMW range).

With the seatrests up, there is almost 470 litres of luggage space and this can be extended threefold to more than 1,500 litres with the seatrests folded progressively.

From the driver’s seat, the BMW ambience is clear: the three-spoke steering wheel with multi-function controls and paddle shifts; the dual tone interior layout; the large 8.8-inch multi-info display on the central dash; the retractable glass panel for the full-colour Head-Up Display; electronic handbrake; electric power steering; choice of three drive modes – ECO PRO, Sport and Comfort; BMW ConnectedDrive; to name some.

A slew of electronic chassis control systems come part and parcel for both active safety and driving dynamics: the Dynamic Stability Control comprises anti-lock braking system, DTC (Dynamic Traction Control), EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control) and Performance Control as well as FWD adapted sub-functions that include torque interface.

What all that means is that the 2 Series Active Tourer drives like a BMW should: the 225i that we drove gave us the exhilaration in acceleration with its 231bhp and 350Nm of torque during passing manoeuvres and the rare stretches of open road, what with the summer holiday traffic crawling along.

For the winding sections up and down the Alpine region, we couldn’t quite tell its front drive dynamics as the 2 Series Active Tourer took smartly to the curves and bends with hardly any understeer and minimal body lean.
The electric power steering gave us the needed directional feedback to push it a little more through corners when we could and the single joint front strut suspension and multi-link rear rated well in handling dynamics.

There was only a short stretch of not-so-good road to reach a golf course out in an Alpine valley and the ride was firm but comfortable, which was typically BMW.

We also had some wet road driving as it rained on the first day and the 2 Series Active Tourer gave us a confident account of its good grip through the winding sections, mostly mild sweepers.

We also found the aerodynamically efficient body profile and equally good sound suppression measures appreciable for the quiet drive it provided along the open stretches.

And if we had doubts about the luggage capacity, it accommodated three full-size bags that the Malaysian media team had brought along for the trip to Europe.

We didn’t drive the 218i turbodiesel model as we weren’t too fond of using the manual shift while driving on the ‘wrong side’ on European roads.

It may be a new segment of the market that BMW is exploring with the 2 Series Active Tourer but by providing the vehicle with the same level of engineering expertise and dynamic quality, it won’t be short of customers looking for something novel from this German carmaker.


Multi-lane free flow toll payment system to be implemented by 2025, says ministry

                KUALA LUMPUR: A multi-lane free flow (MLFF) toll system is expected to be implemented nationwide in 2025, says the Works Ministry.

Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said studies on its usage would also begin in 2024 and projected to take between one-and-a-half to two years to complete.

"The letter of intent has already been issued to concessionaires to ensure the study can be done smoothly.

"We hope this measure can at least reduce congestion along highways," he said when winding up his ministerial replies on Budget 2023 at the committee stage in Dewan Rakyat on Monday (March 20).

The MLFF is a barrier-free system that utilises a gantry without designated booths or lanes, with toll collected using radio-frequency identification devices (RFID) that work together with an automated number plate recognition (ANPR) system.

Abdul Rahman added that the MLFF was the future of toll collection and travelling, in line with the Intelligent Transport System blueprint by the Works Ministry.

In preparation for the implementation of the MLFF system, the deputy minister said the ministry would also adopt an open payment system for toll in the near future.

He said this would allow motorists to use credit cards to pay instead of with only Touch n' Go cards.

Interjecting, Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias (BN-Jelebu) said studies on the MLFF system should be sped up, adding that the number of cars nationwide would have tripled by 2024.

He also suggested for the Works Ministry to look into implementing a toll system where booths catered to all payment forms, instead of its current segregated nature.


Hyundai aims to go big with all-new model for Europe

                LONDON: Hyundai Motor will soon unveil the latest all-new model in its European line-up, giving a first indication of its looks with a teaser image.

The image shows a curvy roofline , which could be a new compact crossover that is similar in size to the Venue, unveiled at the 2019 New York International Auto Show in April. The Venue, which is slotted below the Kona, is the smallest crossover from the Korean car maker and is to be sold in North America and India but not in Europe.

Hyundai said the newcomer would offer customers new exterior and interior design, as well as new connectivity and safety features which will make it a leader in its class.

The new model is set for its world premiere at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) in September. More information will be released in the coming weeks.


Uh-oh, price cap on RON95 petrol may be removed

                PUTRAJAYA: The cap on the price of RON95 petrol may be removed once the government subsidy, which is expected to be limited to recipients of the Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH), comes into effect.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told a media briefing that the government would decide later whether the cap would be maintained or not.

In February, the government announced that the price of RON95 petrol would be capped at RM2.08 for all users regardless of any increase in global oil prices.

“We have two options," said Saifuddin.

“The Cabinet has not decided on this yet. We will also have to decide on whether the targeted subsidies will be based on the current capped price, or on a float pricing system,” he said.

It was reported that the government was looking at introducing a targeted petrol subsidy to benefit BSH recipients, and banking in money directly into the accounts of those eligible each month.

Saifuddin said the ministry planned to use the BSH to finalise the number of those eligible for the aid, and was currently awaiting the updated information from the BSH secretariat before it can proceed.

The issue with the “banking-in” method, he said, was that currently, about 10% of individuals in the database did not have bank accounts.

The ministry, he said, had engaged with several banks to help these individuals, who are mostly located in rural areas, set up bank accounts for this purpose.

“If the Cabinet agrees that this method is best, we can immediately start disbursing the funds to recipients at the end of each month.

“We are keen on using this method, among other methods that have been proposed,” he told reporters yesterday.

If the method proves to be successful, he said, it would be extended to other future subsidies, such as for cooking oil and flour.

“The savings we get from this more efficient form of disbursement can be used to enable more Malaysians to enjoy the petrol subsidy – particularly the M40 group (middle 40%).

“This is the long-term plan,” he said.

Asked when the subsidy would come into effect, he said the ministry was awaiting the updated BSH database, which should be ready “very soon”.

“They are currently cleaning up the data and are at the final stages

“We want to ensure the data is credible – the deserving must be included and those who do not deserve assistance must be removed,” he said.


Feeling the speed

LONDON: Tests conducted by the University of Portsmouth reveal that driving a powerful car can provoke a more dramatic physical response than enjoying a rollercoaster ride or jumping out of a plane.

Working with MINI’s new John Cooper Works Hatch, launched this summer, scientists from the University of Portsmouth’s Sport and Exercise Science department ran a series of physical, psychological and physiological tests to measure the effect the car had on a selection of drivers and stunt driver, of Rush and Mission Impossible 5 fame, Niki Faulkner.

Putting their foot down at the iconic Goodwood Motor Circuit, the drivers’ self-recorded anxiety levels increased a massive 370 per cent from rest, whilst average heart rate increased 100 per cent to 181 beats per minute – this increase is nearly four times that reported when watching horror film The Shining or even jumping out of a plane, which has been recorded at 170 beats per minute.

Driving the new MINI John Cooper Works Hatch could even provoke a greater response than that of someone proposing to their girlfriend or even running a marathon.

Adrenalin makes us sharper as the drivers’ reaction times improved by an average of 6% after driving the MINI John Cooper Works Hatch, triggering the same effect as caffeine.

Dr Chris Wagstaff explains, “In situations of fear and excitement, the body reacts according to a combination of our thoughts and survival instinct – reactions are faster, our heart rate increases.

“This is part of the evolutionary fight or flight response humans developed many hundreds of years ago. However, in the absence of natural predators to trigger such responses, humans occasionally seek out risks or thrills. Being in a MINI delivered enough exhilaration to activate this response.”

Stunt driver Niki Faulkner says, “This is a little car that packs a big punch. I am used to driving fast cars but the MINI’s acceleration, power and handling definitely impressed me and this is certainly portrayed in the participant’s responses! I definitely felt more comfortable driving than being on the side line.”

With a 2.0 litre 4-cylinder engine and TwinPower Turbo Technology, the new MINI John Cooper Works Hatch achieves top speeds of 246kph, has 231hp and reaches 100kph in 6.3 seconds.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is upbeat about 2017

                EVEN when Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is already at the top of the game with record sales in 2016, there is no “resting on the laurels,” according to its vice-president (sales and marketing - passenger cars) Mark Raine in an interview with CarSifu recently.

CarSifu: 2016 was another fantastic year for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia. How do you view 2017 as many perceive this year as challenging in terms of business outlook and currency fluctuations?  Raine: Yes, 2016 was the best ever year for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia sales. It also saw the best ever month in June and best ever quarter in Q2. I am optimistic and confident about 2017. Why? To look at 2017, let’s do a re-cap of 2016. Last year, the market was already weak. But we bucked the trend, captured new customers and gained market share. We have an extensive strategic growth map, which constantly adapt to meet the demands of premium market customers here. Obviously, among the highlights of 2016 was our 17 product launches. Our product offensive was crucial last year. Traditionally, we are very strong in the limousine segment here. Now, the compact cars add a new flavour to the brand here, and also, last year, there were the sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and Dream Cars brand shapers. This makes the brand exciting, desirable and gives more prestige. Last year, we also opened the first-of-its-kind Mercedes-Benz City Store (in lifestyle and entertainment hub TREC Kuala Lumpur) which is an entirely new concept in the automotive environment here. And building on these, we will see benefits in 2017, in my view. So, we aim to outgrow 2016 numbers by bringing premium, superior service to our customers and also, gaining more fans for the Mercedes-Benz brand.

C: Can we expect another strong product offensive for 2017?R: We will continue 2017 with the same speed and momentum in terms of launching new products. At the moment, we have 25 different models. While that’s not going to grow that much, we will bring new versions of existing products into the market. Among our success factors have been heavy investments in local production. In 2014, we were producing 3,500 units in Pekan, Pahang. In 2016, we produced 7,882 units. This year, we will introduce the new E-Class in CKD (completely knocked down) form. This will further drive the volume from the Pekan plant. This year, we will also see the new GLA-Class SUV.

C: In view of the weakened ringgit and currency fluctuations, would Mercedes-Benz Malaysia raise vehicle prices?R: Over the past two to three years, we have not raised our prices because we have a long-term pricing strategy. That is very important because jacking your prices does not do any favours to the customer because it distorts residual values. We want market-adequate pricing. We want our customers to have the best possible vehicle resale value, which also reduces ownership costs and provides better peace of mind. I think the overall market is going to remain difficult. The fluctuations in the ringgit creates uncertainty and affects buying behaviour. I am not going to say we are never going to increase prices, but we are carefully observing the situation.

C: How did your SUV and compact car line-up fare last year?R: They have been fantastic. In 2015, we sold only 23 SUVs. Last year, we sold 1,671 SUVs where 1,421 units came from the premium mid-sized GLC, and 250 units came from the full-sized luxury GLE. The locally produced GLC has really hit the market by storm. We kind of re-invented the SUV segment for the luxury/premium market. We want to position that segment as a lifestyle product. We did not want to position it as a 4X4 digging in the dirt. The customers want products that suit their active lifestyle - those that go biking, play golf, and like the outdoors.  For instance, you can get into the GLE which is also my personal car; you can take easily two friends along and put three golf bags in the back. Also, our compact car sales have grown strongly. In the last two years, we sold more than 2,000 units of compacts annually. A fantastic result, especially when you consider that 2016 was a year in transition when we launched the facelifted A-Class. We are also seeing higher numbers of younger buyers for the compact cars, C-Class and the GLC which have young-ish, fresh and sporty designs.

C: What about your plans regarding after-sales? R: Last year, we launched City Service which provides customers in the heart of Kuala Lumpur with a more convenient location. (The first Mercedes-Benz City Service by Hap Seng Star involves an investment of RM7mil, and this first full-fledged 3S facility offers the newly introduced Mercedes-Benz Service Differentiation; The Star Lounge, Premier Express Service, Drop & Go, and Door to Door Service.) Education and training of our staff is highly important and crucial to us in order to provide premium service. So going forward, we will continue to extend our network wherever we can; having more work bays, securing better people and introducing new concepts like My Service in order to provide the best customer experience.

C: How has the response been to the new C350e plug-in hybrid?R: The order intake has been fantastic. For me, the Mercedes-Benz hybrids have two dominant topics. One, they are seen as sporty vehicles - which they are. The C 350e gives you an incredible 600NM of torque and the century sprint in 5.9 seconds which is a benchmark in that segment. Two, it is a high-end, luxurious car. That’s why we specified the car with unique options like Airmatic air suspension which you normally see in the top-of-the-range S 400 or GLE 400. And this is in light of the RM289,888 price tag on the C 350e. We were able to pass on the savings to the customer because of the tax incentives for locally-assembled hybrid vehicles. The C 350e is also a technology leader. Speaking from personal experience, I love the Pre-Entry Climate Control which I use to set a cooler temperature - say, at 22 degrees Celsius - before I get into the car on a hot day.


The front trunk is electric cars’ most divisive feature

                NEW YORK: Nothing screams "future of transportation” like an 80-mile-per-hour sushi bar.

At least that’s how Ford is marketing the refrigerator-sized front trunk that comes standard on two of its electric vehicles, complete with drain.

Seafood not your thing? Ford suggests loading it up with 1,000 chicken wings.

It’s still early days in the race for EV supremacy, and while engineers have rushed to improve driving ranges and charging speeds, they remain split on the front trunk.

Roughly one-third of the 30 or so EV models for sale in the US have supersized the feature in recognition of its novelty and utility - after all, a "frunk” is one of few things EVs offer that a gas-powered vehicle cannot.

Another third of models, however, skip the frunk altogether, freeing up cabin space on a bet that customers accustomed to frunkless living won’t demand one when they go electric.

Frunks aren’t new to the auto industry. Models with engines in the rear of the car, like Porsche’s 911 and the defunct Chevrolet Corvair, have long offered a front trunk in lieu of a rear one.

But for the first time, EVs are allowing drivers to get the best of both - and automakers are reacting accordingly.

Ford’s plug-in pickup, the F-150 Lightning, boasts the biggest frunk space on offer, but even some smaller, sportier EVs are designed to carry large cargo where an engine would have been.

The Lucid Air has a 7.1-cubic-foot cavity up front, roughly the size of a freezer chest, while Tesla’s Model Y stretches the tape to 4.1 cubic feet, a fair-sized wine fridge.

As such, the frunk has become the identifying calling card for a new species of vehicle that doesn’t overtly display its novelty.

No one can see the massive battery or the electric motors under the skin of an EV, but a cavernous frunk is hard to miss. With a ceaseless stream of social media content, the feature is proving to be the best kind of marketing engine: one that runs on its own.

There’s the standard frunk flex: ice and beer. Then the bolder: durian fruit, for example, or pumpkins. The seasonal: heaps of candy behind giant teeth.

And the awestruck: Frunk owners seem compelled to close themselves in the compartment at least once, as giddy as toddlers in a sandbox. There’s even a #frunkpuppy Instagram trend, which is exactly what you might expect.

And yet frunk-free EVs are also common. Neither of BMW’s new electric sleds - the iX SUV and the i4 sedan - has a frunk.

Nor does the EQS sedan from Mercedes, which won’t even let customers pop the hood on its EVs without a deep YouTube search and some ill-advised tinkering.

Mercedes engineers went so far as to design a little panel that flips out of the side for drivers to replenish windshield-wiper fluid.

"In our view, the boot in the rear is more than large enough,” Cathleen Decker, a spokeswoman, said.

"The feedback we receive is very positive.”

Nissan’s LEAF, one of the oldest and best-selling EVs to date, never had a frunk, because it was designed using a traditional, gas-powered car as its base. But Nissan’s Ariya SUV, which will start shipping to dealers later this year, doesn’t have one either. Nor does Toyota’s bZ4X, an electric vehicle designed from scratch.

The rationale for frunk-free automakers is that filling the front of the car with gear and gadgetry makes for a more spacious cockpit. Mercedes, for example, has an air-filtration system where a frunk might have been.

Toyota’s bZ4X has its HVAC system and 12-volt battery up front, creating a cabin about as spacious as its Rav4, a far bigger car.

"All of these components have to be placed somewhere,” said Tom Kretschmann, Toyota’s senior technology education planner. "And by putting them up front, you’re not really changing that SUV expectation.”

Bozi Tatarevic, a race-car mechanic and auto journalist, prefers an EV without a frunk.

"I’m a tall person and you basically get more leg area and foot room,” he said. "And as a mechanic, I would much rather pop open the hood and have easier access to whatever I have to service.”

Meanwhile, Denver-based Erin Persaud calls the frunk on her Kia EV6, which is about the size of a 12-pack, something of a disappointment.

"Honestly, we haven’t used it,” she said. "My kids plan to put snacks in there.”

Not all EV fans are as diplomatic. Both BMW and Mercedes have been criticised for not fully embracing the frunk. Jon Rettinger, host of an eponymous YouTube channel reviewing cars and other technology, ordered a Mercedes EQS a few months ago.

When the deal went sour because of a dealership mark-up, he bought a Rivian pickup, in part because of the cargo space it offered up front.

"If I’m looking at an electric car that doesn’t have a front trunk, perhaps wrongly, I’m thinking there was a problem in engineering,” Rettinger said.

"Or it’s built on a platform that wasn’t designed to be fully electric.” The argument that most consumers don’t want or need one feels condescending to him - "like a pat on the head.”

Jason Fenske, who produces the YouTube series Engineering Explained, said the lack of a frunk is the most frustrating thing about BMW’s i4, primarily because there’s a cavity under the hood that is large enough to hold a rolling suitcase.

Indeed, the Internet is full of DIY hackers explaining how to finagle a frunk unofficially.

Kia’s Niro and Hyundai’s Kona EV, for example, are born frunkless, but some industrious buyers hacked together a solution using 3D-printed mounts and a rubber bin.

In the EV ecosystem, nature finds a way.

So what is the future of frunks? Laycee Schmidtke, an industry consultant who also reviews vehicles on the YouTube platform Miss GoElectric, thinks frunk-free EVs will fade in a few years as car executives start sourcing smaller components.

"Legacy automakers often have supplier agreements or existing economies of scale which can be strong motivators for them to squeeze less than optimal hardware into their EV platforms,” she said.

"As more automakers develop EV-exclusive platforms, I can see a future in which frunks are standard fare.”

For now, the safest space in the front-trunk debate appears to be the middle ground. About one-third of the EVs on the US market at the moment offer relatively tiny frunks - around 56 litres or less. That’s big enough to check the "frunk” box among prospective buyers, but just barely.