2019 Mazda CX-8: Prices revealed for four variants in Malaysia, starting at RM180K

UPDATE: Bermaz Motor announced the CX-8 pricing on Nov 11, 2019. Prices start from RM180,000 and goes up to RM218,000. See below for the prices.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Mazda CX-8 comes in four variants (three 2.5-litre petrol and one 2.2-litre diesel) in Malaysia and prices will be announced later by local Mazda distributor Bermaz Motor.

The CX-8, which sits between the Mazda CX-5 and CX-9 in terms of size, offers 3-row seating.

The CX-8 has a six-speed automatic gearbox and there are two powertrains, either a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol unit in two-wheel drive or 2.2-litre diesel unit in all-wheel drive.

All variants have G-Vectoring Control (GVC) which enhances driving stability.

The base Mid petrol variant has a 7-seater configuration across 3 benches (2-3-2).

Next, the Mid Plus petrol variant has a 6-seater configuration with Captain Seats at the second row (2-2-2), and a walk-through design that allows occupants to move between the second and third row seats.

The petrol and diesel High variants also have a 6-seater configuration, but these have a centre console at the second row.

Mazda says the CX-8 was designed to offer roomy comfort even for large adults in the second row, and still accommodate occupants up to 170cm tall in the third row.

Rear doors on the CX-8 open up to 80 degrees for added convenience when loading or unloading large items.

Standard equipment includes Triple-Zone Climate Control with adjustable rear air-conditioning vents, and Power Adjustable Seats on the Driver Side.

The CX-8 will be locally-assembled at the Inokom Assembly plant in Kulim, Kedah.

There are six colours choices; Soul Red Crystal, Machine Gray, Snowflake White Pearl, Deep Crystal Blue, Sonic Silver and Jet Black.

All new Mazda vehicles registered from January 1, 2019 onwards will come with 5-Years Manufacturer Warranty + 5-Years Free Maintenance (except Mazda BT-50) according to manufacturer’s standards inclusive of labour, parts and lubricants.

Both manufacturer warranty and free maintenance have a coverage period of five years and a mileage limit of 100,000km, whichever comes first.
Peninsula pricesSabah and Sarawak pricesMazda CX-8 petrol (Mid grade)

- 7 seats
- 2.5-litre DOHC 16-Valve 4 Cylinder With Direct Injection, VVT
- 192hp at 6,000rpm
- 258Nm at 4,000rpm
- 6-Speed Automatic
- 7.9 litres per 100km
- all-round disc brakes
- 225/55/R19 tyres
- LED headlights with automatic on-off and levelling
- Bulb-type Daytime Running Lights
- LED fog lights and tail lights
- Rain Sensing wipers
- Keyless Entry
- Power Tailgate
- Engine Start / Stop Button
- Electronic Parking Brake
- Three Zone Climate Control
- Rear Air Conditioning Vents
- 10-Way powered driver' seat with 2-position memory
- 60/40 Split Fold with 3 Headrest (2nd Row seats)
- Fabric seats
- MZD Connect Infotainment System With Voice Command
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 7 - Inch Colour Touch Screen
- 6 Audio Speakers
- Reverse Camera
- Mazda i-Stop Idling Technology
- Mazda G-Vectoring Control Technology (GVC)
- 6 Airbags
- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
- Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
- Traction Control System (TCS)
- Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
- Auto Hold Function

Mazda CX-8 petrol (Mid Plus grade): Extra or different features

- 6 seats
- LED Daytime Running Lights
- Separated Seats with Manual Sliding & Walkthrough (2nd Row seats)
- Adaptive Front-Lighting System (AFS)
- Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
- Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front with Pedestrian Detection

Mazda CX-8 petrol (High grade): Extra or different features

- 6 seats
- Signature trim LED headights
- Head-Up Display
- Rear Door Sunshade
- Two powered front seats
- Separated Seats with Manual Sliding & Center Console (2nd Row seats)
- Nappa Leather (Deep Red) seats
- 360-degree View Monitor
- Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH)
- Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
- Lane-Keep Assist System (LAS)
- Driver Attention Alert (DAA)
- Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Rear

Mazda CX-8 diesel AWD (High grade): Extra or different features

- 6 seats
- 2.2-litre DOHC 16-Valve 4 Cylinder With Direct Injection
- 188hp at 4,500rpm
- 450Nm at 2,000rpm
- 6.0 litres per 100km
- All-wheel drive


Massive tech show set to return in person in 2022

CES would return in physical form from Jan 5-8, 2022.  — AFP

WASHINGTON: The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) will resume its in-person event in Las Vegas in January after the pandemic forced it to become virtual this year, organisers said Wednesday.

The Consumer Technology Association said the show which traditionally draws tens of thousands of industry professionals and technology firms large and small would be held in Las Vegas Jan 5-8, with two preceding media days.

The trade group said some 1,000 companies have committed to being present at the gathering including Amazon, Daimler AG, Dell, Google, Hyundai, IBM, Intel, Lenovo, Samsung Electronics and Sony.

"We're thrilled to return to Las Vegas — home to CES for more than 40 years — and look forward to seeing many new and returning faces," said Gary Shapiro, president and chief executive of the association.

"Hundreds of executives have told us how much they need CES to meet new and existing customers, find partners, reach media and discover innovation."

The trade group said it would including some aspects of the online event from the 2021 show including an "anchor desk," which helps guide participants, and a number of online conference sessions, keynotes and product announcements.

The show traditionally includes product innovations in computing, automotive tech, smart cities, digital health and other sectors.


Volvo to supply Uber with up to 24,000 self-driving cars

                STOCKHOLM/SAN FRANCISCO: Uber plans to buy up to 24,000 self-driving cars from Volvo, marking the transition of the US firm from an app used to summon a taxi to the owner and operator of a fleet of cars.

The non-binding framework deal could offer San Francisco-based Uber a way to overcome setbacks at its autonomous driving division in Silicon Valley’s race to perfect self-driving systems.

Combining Volvo’s cars with Uber’s self-driving system builds on their nearly three-year relationship and comes as Uber’s autonomous driving unit has been hit by a lawsuit over trade secrets and the departure of top talent.

Automakers, ride-hailing firms and tech startups have been forging loose alliances in an effort to advance self-driving technology and claim a piece of what is expected to be a multi-billion-dollar business.

Geely-owned Volvo said in a statement on Monday it would provide Uber with its flagship XC90 SUVs equipped with autonomous technology as part of a non-exclusive deal from 2019 to 2021. A Volvo spokesman said it covered up to 24,000 cars.

The self-driving system that would be used in the Volvo cars - which have yet to be built - is under development by Uber’s Advanced Technologies Group.

Should Uber buy all 24,000 cars, it would be Volvo’s largest order by far and the biggest sale in the autonomous vehicle industry, giving Uber, which is losing more than US$600mil (RM2.5bil) a quarter, its first commercial fleet of cars.

A new Volvo XC90 typically retails from a starting price of around US$50,000 (RM207,000).

Uber has been testing prototype Volvo cars for more than a year, with safety drivers in the front seat to intervene if the self-driving system fails, in Tempe, Arizona and Pittsburgh.

“Our goal was from day one to make investments into a vehicle that could be manufactured at scale,” Jeff Miller, Uber’s head of automotive alliances, said.

The cars, in theory, would be available through the Uber app to pick up passengers without a driver.

“It only becomes a commercial business when you can remove that vehicle operator from the equation,” Miller said.

No financial details were disclosed for the purchase, which would be a massive new investment for Uber and mark a change from Uber’s long-standing business model where contractor drivers buy or lease and maintain their own cars.

Miller said a small number of cars would be purchased using equity and others would be bought using debt financing.

The deal builds on a US$300mil (RM1.2bil) alliance Volvo announced with Uber last year focused on collaborating on the design and financing of cars with self-driving systems, which require different steering and braking features and sensors.

“We get support developing this car,” Volvo Cars CEO Hakan Samuelsson said in an interview. “It’s also a big commercial deal.”

Volvo, which has been under Chinese ownership since it was bought by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group from Ford in 2010, plans to make the SUVs at its Torslanda plant in western Sweden, and Samuelsson said they would be sold at roughly the same profit margin as Volvo sells through dealers.

Uber’s rival Lyft has this year struck a research partnership with Alphabet Inc’s unit Waymo and secured deals with Ford Motor Co and startups Nutonomy and Drive.ai to incorporate self-driving cars into its fleet.

Volvo’s agreement with Uber and Ford’s with Lyft show the pressure on automakers to avoid becoming obsolete in a world of increased automation, and on ride-services companies to start automating to cut driver costs and turn profits.

Volvo is one of Sweden’s biggest manufacturers by revenue, and has forecast a fourth straight year of record sales in 2017.


Fuel prices up for next 7 days

                PETALING JAYA: Last week's fuel price changes might as well be a template for the next seven days. Yes, prices are up again across the board.

RON97 and RON95  will be priced up 4 sen each to RM2.32 and RM2.07 per litre respectively. Diesel will be retailed at RM2.05. The new prices, announced on RTM1 on Wednesday evening, will be in effect from Aug 3-9.

The weekly fuel pricing mechanism came into effect in April this year.

The prices of petrol and diesel had been placed on a managed monthly float system since Dec 1, 2014, following the removal of fuel subsidies.


BMW's new 3 Series (G20) loaded with tech arsenal to battle Mercedes

PARIS: BMW AG has packed its revamped 3-Series sedan with tech gadgetry like smartphone entry, auto-reverse and an in-car assistant that learns drivers’ routines, aimed at delivering a crucial sales bump after growth slowed.

The best-selling model, unveiled at the Paris car show and available from March 2019, demonstrates how manufacturers have moved away from luring customers with luxurious trimmings and engine choices. Carmakers battling in the mid-range premium segment that also includes the Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4 aren’t waiting for top-line models to offer advanced technologies.

“It’s a bit of a bellwether for how BMW is doing as a company,” IHS Markit analyst Tim Urquhart said in a phone interview. “For the last 20, 30 years this has been the aspirational vehicle of the young, upwardly mobile professional, and that’s not going to change very soon.”

BMW, issuing its first profit warning in a decade last week, is working to reclaim the luxury sales lead from Mercedes by 2020, after its arch rival overtook the Munich-based company in 2016 with an expanded lineup of sport utility vehicles and overhauled design. While sedans have lost ground to popular SUVs, the 3 Series remains BMW’s top-selling model.

While carmakers are starting to churn out electric vehicles, BMW will sit out offering the new 3 Series as a battery-only car. A plug-in hybrid version is due for the summer months with an electric driving range of 60km. BMW plans to release 12 electric vehicles by 2025, starting next year with the electric MINI.

To set itself apart, the new 39,950 euro (RM191,000) 3 Series incorporates features like eradicating the car key.

Drivers use their smartphone instead to unlock the vehicle and start it, by placing the phone in a wireless charging tray. Once under way, the car can automatically keep a set distance from the car in front and it helps drivers stick to a lane in tight roadwork channels. In stop-and-go traffic, it can restart from a standstill on its own.

The car will also be able to auto-reverse as far as 50 metres, helpful in confined spaces, by backtracking its exact path after recording steering movements.

“It represents the BMW brand like no other car,” Head of development Klaus Froehlich said at the show. “It is truly the heart and soul of BMW.”


Toyota GR Yaris gets Kinto Factory treatment for 20Nm torque boost

                TOKYO: Toyota and Kinto Co. Ltd announced today that the GR Yaris has been added to its Kinto Factory service lineup, which enables customers to upgrade their vehicles.

It joins the Kinto-exclusive GR Yaris "Morizo Selection" in gaining upgrades that are translated directly from Toyota's participation in motorsports.

The variants of GR Yaris eleigible for the upgrades are RZ, RZ "High Performance" and RC only. It is not available for the RS version.

The upgrade boosts the GR Yaris torque from 370Nm to 390Nm through a "GR Yaris Performance Software 2.0" installation.

Customers who pay for this upgrade can also enjoy personalised software settings for optimally tailored performance.

In addition to the existing method of providing personalisation based on analysis of customer driving data, Kinto Factory customers can now receive personalisation through consultation at GR Garage locations across Japan, making it easier for customers to benefit from a tailored driving experience.

Toyota said the Kinto channel is aimed at forging a closer bond between customers and their cars. It sees upgrades and personalisation as the key to do so.

Toyota launched the Kinto Factory service in Japan in January this year, offering owners of selected older models the chance to get upgrades that can take the form of a performance boost, a refreshed interior or the addition of the latest safety aids in their cars.


Indian artist Sudarshan Shetty to join  Rolls-Royce Art Programme

                LONDON: Sudarshan Shetty will become the first artist from India to join the Rolls-Royce Art Programme.

Sudarshan is known for his artistic practice, which includes enigmatic sculptural installations that reflect on urban contemporary life. His new work for Rolls-Royce will take the form of a two-channel film, anchored by two sculptures. The commission will be based on an Indian folk tale and is slated to be presented in Mumbai on Nov 5 alongside his existing "Flying Bus" public art project in Mumbai. The new commission will then move to New Delhi.

Sudarshan joins Emirati artist Mohammed Kazem as a member of the art programme for 2016. Mohammed has been tasked to create a sculpture which will be presented in late 2016 alongside a bespoke car that has been inspired by the new work.

The programme was set up to show the world Rolls-Royce's commitment to creating unique, rare and aesthetically powerful cars that are themselves works of art.


Q bespokes seven Vanquish coupes in carbon fibre

                LONDON: Aston Martin’s personalisation service, Q, was commissioned to bespoke seven Vanquish Coupes with a carbon fibre theme by German sports car enthusiast and businessman Markus Storck.

Storck, founder and head of German hi-tech bicycle manufacturer Storck Bikes, who requested the services of Q will be keeping ‘One of Seven’ Vanquish coupes, while the other six will go to fellow sports car aficionados.

“The attention to detail, service and dedication I have seen from the Q team has been exceptional – and the result is outstanding,” said Storck.

The bespoke features include and exclusive exterior finish with multiple layers of carbon fibre that have been intricately interwoven into a perfectly smooth finish that has been covered by a satin Jet Black paint finish.

Also included were a number of luxury custom-built additions that include a diamond quilt design for the seats, machined carbon Aston Martin wings badges, ‘One of Seven’ logos perforated into the head restraints and a variety of gloss black accents.

“Our Design, Manufacturing and Commercial teams have worked seamlessly together to produce these cars, and we are all very much looking forward to taking on more complex and challenging projects in the future,” said Q by Aston Martin and VIP sales general manager Dr Matthew Bennett.


Mercedes-Benz E-Class diversifies with E 250 in two trims

                PETALING JAYA: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is expanding the E-Class line-up with the E 250 in Avantgarde and Exclusive Line. Both cars are now available for order at RM420,888 and RM425,888 respectively.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launched the new E-Class in June via the E 200 Avantgarde Line.

Both E250s are equipped with enhanced MULTIBEAM LED headlamps. Each headlamp is now equipped with 84 individually activated high-performance LEDs, which means that they are very bright and precise, and automatically illuminate the road surface with a precision-controlled distribution of light – without dazzling other road users.

They are also equipped with COMAND Online, offering infotainment, navigation and communication. Information is shown on the 12.3-inch high-resolution media display. Its highlights, alongside the double display, include the touch-sensitive Touch Controls on the steering wheel and the new, intelligent graphic design of the Multifunction Telephony. It allows mobile phones to be charged and, at the same time, connected to the vehicle's exterior aerial – without the need for cables or a telephone holder.

With Parking Pilot and 360° camera, all-round vision is made possible by the reversing cameras and three other additional cameras. Observation of the areas to the side and directly in front of the vehicle thus helps during parking and manoeuvring. The information from Parking Pilot and the cameras are graphically presented in full HD on the vehicle’s Widescreen Cockpit.

"Following the launch of the new E-Class in June, we have received an overwhelming response for the saloon and now we are pleased to announce the prices and specifications of the additional variants that will be available in the coming months," said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia vice-president, sales & marketing Mark Raine.


Qoros has a unique angle on the electric sportscar of the future

                SHANGHAI: After much teasing, Chinese carmaker Qoros's first super EV is a conceptual reality, and even if it were to be judged purely on design approach rather than in terms of capabilities and battery range, the K-EV Concept does not disappoint.

While other firms are looking to make their cars as slippery and smooth as possible to reduce air resistance and improve efficiency, Qoros appears to have looked at all of the era-defining automotive design trends of the 20th century instead and plumped for two avant-garde approaches from the 1970s and 1990s.

Whether intentionally or not, the car pays homage to Marcello Gandini's "paper cut" style that gave cars like the Lamborghini Countach and the Lotus Esprit their startling aesthetics, and then for good measure, added a dose of Chris Bangle - the man that revolutionised the visual personality of BMW in the 1990s - in the form of asymmetric doors. Those on the driver's side are gullwing while on the passenger's side, both doors slide open.

But don't think this car is in any way a throwback. Built mostly from carbon fiber and with a luxury cabin as good as that in any current generation premium car, the K-EV Concept is positioned to compete in terms of quality, aesthetics and performance against everything from the Tesla Model S to whatever Porsche has planned for its first fully electric GT car.

Capable of hitting 100kph in 2.6 seconds, of covering 500km between charges and of allowing owners to recharge the battery via cable-free induction plates as well as via a traditional plug-in charging station, the car promises to be just as exciting and confidence-inspiring to drive in the bends as in a straight line.

It has four electric motors - one at each wheel for precise torque vectoring (i.e., sending more power to an individual wheel when more grip is needed) - that offer a combined output of 858bhp, which is comfortably more than a Dodge Demon. In fact, the only thing subdued about the car, developed in partnership with Koenigsegg is its top speed. This is capped at 260kph in order to preserve battery range.

"Qoros is committed to deliver world-class quality products that offer innovative and premium customer experience," said company CEO Dr Leon Liu.

"The stronger than ever product display at the Shanghai Auto Show demonstrates our commitment to the auto market and our strong capability to provide the customers with future oriented new products."

As for the likelihood of this concept becoming a reality, Qoros says that a production version will be here within the next two years.


Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy gets global unveil in Germany

                BERLIN: Today, the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY racecar made its global debut in Berlin with founder and CEO of Formula E Alejandro Agag having the honour of marking the occasion alongside Jaguar Racing as he put it through its paces for five laps around the iconic Tempelhof Circuit.

The new racecar will be the official support series for the ABB FIA Formula E Championship for the 2018-19 season.

Up to 20 of the racecars will line up on the grid on the streets of city centres such as Hong Kong, Rome, Paris and New York.

The racecar offers an ‘Arrive and Drive’ package for the drivers on the grid and all of the vehicles will be designed, engineered and built by Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO).

The package includes professional technical support from racecar preparation to data engineering, global logistics for vehicles, spare parts and equipment.

The 1,965kg racecar uses an all-aluminium structure for its body and measures in at 3,480mm-long, 2,145mm-wide and 1,525mm-tall.

It comes equipped with a 90kWh lithium-ion battery that feeds two electric motors to produce acombined output of 400PS and 696Nm - enabling it to sprint from 0-100kph in 4.8 seconds, have a top speed of 195kph and a range of up to 480km.

The English luxury car maker says that with a 50kW DC rapid charger – commonly found at most public charging stations, the I‑Pace can achieve up to 270km of range after being charged for an hour.


What is holding EVs back?

                Are we ready for electric cars (EVs)? Certainly not. But there’s a movement to win hearts and minds in this arduous journey.

While EVs are possible “greener” alternatives to internal combustion engine-powered vehicles, stumbling blocks are still aplenty on the way to their wide-scale acceptance.

Affordability
Last year, nations across the globe pledged to pro-actively cut emissions to mitigate climate change.

However, transportation remains a major challenge, as it is the second largest contributor to carbon emissions globally.

To address this, EVs must enter the mainstream – and this is exactly what is happening.

Recent auto shows, such as the Tokyo Motor Show and the Detroit Auto Show have seen major automotive manufacturers further commit to develop EVs.

In the past few months alone, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and local manufacturer Proton have all announced their intentions to commercially produce EVs in the next few years.

There is clearly a growing interest in EVs and we must take proactive steps to keep pace with this global trend.

In this article, we explore how pricing may hold the key to unlocking Malaysia’s EV potential.

Pricing problem
As EV technology is still relatively nascent compared to that of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, there still exist a disparity in pricing which could act as a deterrent to large scale adoption of EVs.

A large portion of the additional cost of EVs comes from the cost of manufacturing EV batteries which represents close to 50% of the manufacturing cost of an EV.

On this front, there has been significant progress with the cost of lithium-ion batteries dropping by 40% since 2010.

Prices now stand at around US$250 (RM1,000) per kWh and is set to drop to around US$100 (RM400) per kWh by 2020. (Based on IEA Global EV Outlook 2015).

As battery development improves, EVs will become more affordable in the long run. Nevertheless, looking at the immediate to short term, there are other measures that can help reduce the price gap.

Government role
Recognising the potential that a thriving EV market offers, several countries have implemented financial incentives to lower the price of EVs and encourage uptake.

For example, China offers subsidies of around 60,000 yuan (RM40,000) on the private purchase of EVs since 2010.

This has seen sales of EVs in China increase by over 300% annually and today it boasts the most EVs in the world with close to 450,000 EVs being deployed in government and corporate fleets, privately owned vehicles and public transport.

A similar subsidy is employed in Britain, through the Plug-in Car Grant which has offered a subsidy of around £5,000 (RM30,000) on EV purchases since 2010.

The subsidy has seen EV ownership increase by almost 300% from only 138 EVs in 2010 to over 41,000 EVs last year.

Local incentives
Here in Malaysia, during budget 2010 the Government introduced a 100% tax exemption on the purchase of hybrids.

This single initiative saw the annual sale of hybrid vehicles in Malaysia soar from just 138 units in 2010 to 13,506 units by 2013.

Looking to encourage greater domestic investment, a new policy favouring local assembly was introduced at the end of 2014.

As most models of hybrids were imported, the increase in price led to a 50% decline in hybrids sales.

This demonstrably shows the important role pricing plays in nurturing the growth of a new sector.

In order for Malaysia to capitalise on the burgeoning EV market, the Government must adopt a more long-term approach in catalysing the growth of the EV market.

Malaysian Green Technology Corp (GreenTech Malaysia), recognises the important role incentivisation can play in growing a new market.

The provision of 50% to 70% import and excise duty exemptions for all EVs and hybrids would immediately address the price barrier that many motorists face when it comes to purchasing an EV, increasing adoption rates and reducing the nation’s carbon footprint.

Knock-on effect
Spurring wide-scale adoption would require significant investment but as evidenced by China it will have a significant knock-on effect.

It would push manufacturers to expand their range of models and accessories while driving the growth of the charging infrastructure, battery and component manufacturers and customer service sectors.

This will ultimately benefit Malaysia environmentally, economically and socially.

The Prime Minister’s recent announcement that 100 units of the Tesla Model S will be imported duty-free for a leasing programme, was encouraging.

This is an important first step towards the realisation of such a policy, one which should be followed closely with an extension of this exemption to all low carbon emission vehicles.

The next article will see discussion centre on range anxiety - the final major challenge facing wide-scale adoption of EVs.

It will detail the root of the anxiety while considering the possible solutions that are already being rolled out both globally and here in Malaysia.


Infiniti bringing a winning formula to Geneva

                HONG KONG: The Infiniti Q60 Black S is what happens when you take a normal luxury coupé with sporting potential and fit it with a hybrid energy capture and return system developed for Formula 1 racing.

Set for its official debut on March 6 at a special event ahead of the Geneva motor show's first press day, this special car is the first official collaboration between the marque and the RenaultSport F1 team since becoming partners in 2016.

"It is natural that we come together to explore the possibility of bringing innovative high-performance hybrid technology to our customers," said Infiniti president Roland Krueger.

Taking the top specification version of Infiniti's Q60 coupé as its starting point, this show car keeps the standard model's twin-turbo V6 engine. But by then adding a KERS system, which returns energy and therefore an extra injection of power to the engine, it offers a huge performance boost and cancels out any turbo lag.

Infiniti will use the car's official unveiling as a gauge of public interest - if it excites enough people, it could get the production green light. But whether it stays as a concept or becomes a real-world road car, it is the latest in a growing line of premium cars getting a Formula 1 technology infusion.

However, unlike the Aston Martin AM-RB001 or the Mercedes-AMG Project One, the Infiniti Q60 Black S will only offer half the horsepower - roughly 500hp. Yet, even in concept guise, it's more than twice as comfortable and practical - it seats four in a certain level of luxury and offers space for luggage - and could potentially retail for a tenth of the £1.2 million Aston Martin is asking for the AM-RB001.

What's more, though the partnership on this first model is focused on the KERS system and compensating exterior aerodynamics, Infiniti has bought much more than a donor car to the project. Its engineering team have worked with Renault's to develop the hybrid tech.

"Performance Hybrid technology is one of Infiniti's major strengths," said Tommaso Volpe, Infiniti Global Motorsport Director. "We launched our first performance hybrid car in 2011 and we were the first car manufacturer to use this technology to boost performance rather than to reduce consumption; so when the Renault Sport Formula One Team decided to develop their ERS technology in-house, [we] emerged as the perfect partner to support them."


HPH McLaren supercar hits the road in final lap of tests

                SHEFFIELD: The first series-production High-Performance Hybrid (HPH) supercar from McLaren Automotive has entered the final stages of its development and test programs, which includes running on public roads.

Due to launch in the first half of 2021, the supercar will open a new era of electrification for McLaren following the end of production of its Sports Series range.

The supercar will be the first McLaren built on a new carbon fibre structure, christened McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA).

It is optimized for High-Performance Hybrid powertrains and latest-generation driver technologies, the architecture elevates McLaren’s pioneering lightweight chassis technologies to new heights, exploiting the company’s advantage in super-lightweight engineering.

Designed, developed and produced in the UK at the state-of-the-art McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC) in Sheffield, the all-new flexible structure will underpin the next generation of McLaren hybrid supercars coming to market over the coming years.

The High-Performance Hybrid powertrain, which features an all-new V6 internal combustion engine, delivers astonishing levels of performance and a uniquely intense driver experience, as well as providing medium-range EV-only drive capability.


Engine oil doesn't last for ever, so take care when laying in stocks

                BERLIN: Owners of older cars with higher oil consumption often like to have a supply of engine oil at home. But you won't be able to use it forever.

Having a small backup supply of oil in the boot or back home in the garage is certainly a good idea, whether you use your car day in, day out, or just take it on longer trips.

But unfortunately this kind of oil doesn't last long. How long can you keep it? Three to five years for closed cans, experts say. Once opened, you should try to use it up in six months.

Regular top-ups also won't be a way around changing your car's oil.

If your car is using much more oil than usual, a mechanic may need to have a look to see if there's technical problems. If this doesn't get fixed, then pollutants and deposits may also stay stuck in the system.

The reason we use motor oil is to protect against corrosion and clean the engine.

However, too little oil or even just old oil won't get the job done right. To make matters more complicated, not all oils are the same.

When it comes to deciding on a type of oil, the manufacturer's suggestion, usually to be found in the manual, is key and should match the label on the oil you buy. Some oils are only used in either summer or winter, while others can be used all year around.


Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W202) turns 30. Is it still worth buying?

                STUTTGART: It's been around for 30 years, but doesn't feel like it. That's because the first Mercedes-Benz C-Class designated officially as the W202 has aged well and is still a common sight on roads.

We took a C280 model finished in a vivid green hue from the museum car park for an anniversary drive in the countryside.

To modern eyes, the dashboard switches in the W202 come across as old-fashioned and crude. The speedometer and climate control displays are the only digital features of this car's operating concept.

But once the C280 is on the road, the difference between this model and the current C-Class are not that great.

After all, the six-cylinder engine under the bonnet produces an impressive 142 kW/193 hp from a displacement of 2.8 litres. It also has only 1,490kg of weight to haul. A torque output of 270 Nm is enough for a sprint time of 9.0 seconds and a top speed of 230kph, which is still respectable today.

This youthful-looking old-timer leaves the driver in no doubt that it can match those benchmarks today. But this classic has no need to prove its mettle - respect for its venerable age forbids it.

The "navigation" in the form of an old school printed map points us away from the heart of Stuttgart, one of Germany's automobile hubs and home to Mercedes, toward the Swabian Alb region via quieter, secondary roads.

The route leads to Haus Lämmerbuckel, a functionally-chic training centre dating back to the 1980s where Mercedes instructs its managers until this day. Three decades ago, the high-end brand presented the C-Class to the world here in 1993.

This was a remarkable move at a time when Mercedes tended to make a name for itself with PR stunts, like renting five-star hotels for a media entourage or flying new cars to New York by helicopter in a glass container in order to attract maximum attention.

The C-Class's vault-like predecessor, which was sold as the 190 (W201) but went down in history as the "Baby Benz," was a bestseller because it introduced Mercedes-Benz motoring to less affluent buyers.

But Mercedes was not really doing well in the spring of 1993. For the first time, the company was overtaken by rival BMW in terms of sales and there was even talk - previously unthinkable at the brand with the three-pointed-star - of redundancies.

That is why Mercedes opted to save money - not only on presentation, but also in development, as German magazine Focus reported at the time. The Japanese, with their efficient production systems, had shown the Germans how much unnecessary money they had been spending up until then.

Mercedes cut production time by 10 to 35 hours and shortened the development window from 60 to 40 months.

Their customers benefited too: "For the first time in the history of Mercedes-Benz, we can offer a completely new model series that has been developed to be more valuable, but not more expensive, and that is priced directly in line with the predecessor model," Focus quoted board member Jürgen Hubbert as saying at the time, citing 40,825 D-marks (about $22,682 today) as the starting price.

There were other innovations too, according to Mercedes Classic spokesman Frank Scheibner.

After the S-Class, the C-Class was the second model series to be designated with a letter, thus establishing a new nomenclature that was transferred to the mid-range E-Class just a few months later. It lasted until it was watered down a few years ago with the introduction of the first EQ models.

The press was full of praise and the C-Class sold briskly - first the saloon version and from 1996 the spacious estate as well.

According to official Mercedes statistics, a total of 1.9 million units of the C-Class were sold by the time of the generation change in 2001.

Admittedly, the saloon came out amid tough economic times and the thriftiness later backfired.

From 1999 to 2003 there were frequent reports of rust appearing on door bottoms, the bumpers and the wheel arches of C-Class limos and some rusty models are still doing the rounds today.

Mercedes cars are renowned for build quality and critics said too many corners had been cut compared to the car it replaced.

Such gremlins did not prevent the brand from embarking on an ambitious sports programme.

Mercedes-Benz forged an alliance with then still independent racing team AMG, which added a supercharger to the six-cylinder (206 kW/280 hp). The resulting C36 wrote the first chapter of a success story that continues to this day.

The C-Class also had a V8 engine squeezed under its bonnet in the C43 and competed as a racing car in the German Touring Car Championship.

But the fascination has largely faded, says Frank Wilke of market observer Classic Analytics: "The C-Class is so overshadowed by its predecessor, the W201, that you hardly notice it any more."

The 190 was known by the nickname "Baby Benz" even before its premiere. For years it had been chic to drive a smaller 190 and the model had prepared the successful entry into a new vehicle class for Mercedes.

But with the C-Class, the brand never managed to generate the same kind of hype, says Wilke, with a nod to the quality problems suffered by Mercedes in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

"Like any old Mercedes, the C-Class has its fans, but you can't say there is general enthusiasm for it," says Wilke.

Current market prices reflect this: Even a rapid C36 is valued at only €18,000 (RM92,000) by Classic Analytics.

Meanwhile, a bread-and-butter C230 is listed at €6,000 (RM31,000). This makes the C-Class unsuitable as a collector's item but affordable and also suitable as a daily driver.

Cars that have survived to this day tend to be of good quality and feel more contemporary to drive than they actually are, says the expert.


China to end subsidies for electric vehicles

                BEIJING: China will abolish subsidies for electric and hybrid cars at the end of the year, authorities have announced, saying the strength of sales in the sector meant state support was no longer needed.

In a statement published Friday, the Ministry of Finance said purchase subsidies would be reduced by 30 percent from the beginning of 2022 before being scrapped completely by the end of the year.

"Given the growth of the industry for vehicles with new energy, the sales trends and the smooth transition of manufacturers, the subsidies... will end on Dec 31," the ministry said.

"Vehicles registered after Dec 31, 2022 will not be subsidised."

Sales of electric and hybrid cars have boomed in China, with increases of more than 100 percent year-on-year in recent months.

The cars are set to represent 18 percent of all vehicle sales in 2022, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) estimated last week. In 2019, they accounted for only five percent.

Of the 27.5 million vehicles set to be sold this year, according to CAAM, five million will be electric and hybrids.

Overall growth in the world's largest market for vehicles will likely come in at 3.1 percent for 2021, according to CAAM - the first year of sales growth since 2018.

China, the world's largest polluter, has set ambitious goals for the widespread adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles, and aims to have the majority of cars powered with clean energy by 2035.


Mitsubishi Motors to draw up safety and defensive driving courses for corporate customers

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has struck a deal with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Malaysia to develop safety and defensive driving training programmes and to share technical knowledge and skills for product development.

They signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today. The agreement is valid for a year.

The training programmes are designed for Mitsubishi corporate customers to let them identify hazards and take control measures while driving, as well as to acquire proper driving skills and techniques while using Mitsubishi cars at their workplace.

The programmes are recognised by Department of Occupational Safety and Health Malaysia.

“Through this partnership, the combination of shared skills, knowledge, expertise and experience between the institute and Mitsubishi Motors will equip our corporate customers with industry-ready technical skills, as well as reduce the risk of road accidents at their workplace,” said CEO Tomoyuki Shinnishi.


Watch BMW M2 Competition laser-burst 79 balloons in 60s

                MUNICH: Here's a video clip from BMW showing off the prowess of its M2 Competition, which set a new world record using a laser mounted to the front end of the car.

Previously, American Ashrita Furman used a focusable 2W 450nm blue laser to destroy 63 inflated balloons in that time. The stunt in New York on May 4, 2016 set a Guinness World Record. Furman was quick but the M2 Competition showed it was quicker.

The ending is, shall we say, very M. So without further ado, click the Play button.

WATCH MORE:
BMW M5 drifts to twin records


New Range Rover Evoque for FB launch in Malaysia: June 26

                PETALING JAYA: Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia is inviting the public to view the launch of the new Range Rover Evoque via its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/landrovermalaysia/) on June 26, 2020 at 11am.

This is the first virtual launch by Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia.

Prospective buyers will be able to view and listen in to a thorough description of the car.

The presenter will zoom in on individual details of the car, followed by a detailed explanation, to give viewers a good perspective of the new Evoque.

The new Evoque has advanced driver assistance and off-road technologies and an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system.

These include ClearSight technology, such as the ClearSight Rear View Mirror that transforms into an HD video screen when engaged.

Should rear visibility be compromised by passengers or bulky items, the driver can flip a switch on the underside of the mirror and a camera feed from the top of the car will display what is behind the vehicle in crisp high definition.

The video screen provides a 50-degree field of vision and superior visibility in low light.

In addition, the world-first ‘ClearSight Ground View’ technology allows drivers to virtually see through the hood and under the front end of the vehicle by projecting a 180-degree view of the ground onto the vehicle’s upper touchscreen.

This is useful when navigating through tight parking spaces, high city curbs or tackling rough terrains.

The new Evoque is also the first Land Rover model to feature Smart Settings, a system which uses artificial intelligence algorithms to learn a driver’s preferences.

The system will then use the driver’s preference to automate comfort and driver-specific media settings throughout the drive.

Using ‘self-learning’ technology, the system also recognises the drivers from their key fob and phones and will thereby set their seat and steering column position on approach, allowing for up to eight profiles to be registered.

After a few journeys, the Evoque is able to remember the driver’s preferred temperature settings, media preferences and commonly dialled numbers, depending on the time or day of the week.

Drivers will also get to immerse themselves in the vehicle’s digital interior experience with the Land Rover InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system that combines two sleek 10-inch high-definition glass touchscreens and a 12.3-inch driver display behind the steering wheel.

The result is a beautiful, ‘hidden until lit’ interior filled with state-of-the-art digital interfaces.

New Evoque owners can also expect a much larger and wider luggage space which can easily fit in a folded pram or a set of golf clubs.

Luggage space of 591 litres can be further increased to 1,383 litres when the flexible 40:20:40 second-row seats are folded.

A new safety feature is Lane Keep Assist which helps the driver to stay in lane by adding the necessary steering correction and initiating a gentle steering input to return the vehicle to its intended position.

Driver Condition Monitor technology is another added safety feature that is based on the driver’s steering inputs.

Should the technology detect jerky, non-linear movements that are typical symptoms of a fatigue driver, it will automatically trigger an audible and visual warning in the instrument cluster.

The New Range Rover Evoque also features a new 2.0-litre petrol turbocharged Ingenium engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Details on pricing and variants will be announced at the launch.

Interested parties can register their interest by clicking on Keep Me Informed to get updates on the launch or drop by any of Jaguar Land Rover showrooms to get up close with the new Evoque.

Watch teaser video here: https://bit.ly/3fHFJub

All vehicles distributed by Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia are compatible with the Malaysian climate, environment, fuel quality and meet the Malaysian emission standards.

All Land Rover vehicles distributed by authorised dealers also come with a ‘Land Rover Care’ programme which is based on whichever comes first, ie, a 5-year Warranty or 150,000km, 5-year Servicing or 65,000km and 3-year Roadside Assistance.


Volkswagen unveils first update of its ID.3 electric car

                DRESDEN: Volkswagen is updating the first model in its all-electric ID series just two and a half years after its market launch.

The compact car ID.3 has been given its first facelift with design tweaks both on the inside and outside, as well as a host of software improvements, the German automotive giant announced today.

Volkswagen, like many other car companies, is trying to also trying to free itself from the reputation of a carbon-emitting, resource-hungry manufacturer with heavy marketing on sustainable and vegan interiors in the ID.3.

Software improvements are set to make controls easier on a now-standard 12-inch touch display for navigation and other controls, while there's also an optional head-up display.

The announcement also comes as VW software company Cariad is rolling out Spotify, TikTok and hundreds more apps to cars in the VW group via a new app store called the "group application store".

The ID.3 marked the start of VW's first large-scale production of electric cars. Production started in November 2019, but the start of sales was then delayed until autumn 2020 - mainly because of problems with software features.

The car is now also being built in Volkswagen's so-called Gläserne Manufaktur factory in Dresden, and is planning on expanding production into its headquarters in Wolfsburg.

The complete changeover from the current to the new model is to take place in Zwickau at the beginning of May, and in Dresden at the end of May.


Gentex debuts new rear view tech for Aston Martin

                LAS VEGAS: Gentex Corp and Aston Martin have jointly developed a camera-based rear vision system for future Aston Martin vehicles that dramatically improves a driver’s ability to monitor traffic to the rear and sides of the vehicle.

Integrated into an Aston Martin DBS Superleggera for demonstration, the first prototype of the system will be displayed in Gentex’s booth at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, from January 7 till 10.

For the current prototype, Aston Martin provided overall styling and engineering direction; Gentex integrated the system’s cameras, image processing software, and mirror-integrated display; and Gentex partnered with exterior mirror supplier Lumatech to engineer the exterior mirrors.

This unique rear vision system – known as a camera monitoring system (CMS) in the automotive industry – uses three cameras to provide a comprehensive view of the sides and rear of the vehicle.

Side-view cameras are discretely housed in each of the vehicle’s exterior mirrors; their video feeds are combined with that of a roof-mounted camera and displayed together in multiple composite views that are streamed to the driver via a rear-view mirror-integrated display inside the cockpit.

A key attribute of a hybrid CMS solution is that it enhances safety by ensuring the system is fail safe.

Should weather conditions or system failure disrupt the digital view, drivers can still use their traditional interior and exterior mirrors.

Central to the hybrid CMS solution is the Gentex rearview-mirror-integrated display known as a Full Display Mirror (FDM).

The FDM can function as either a standard auto-dimming rearview mirror or as an LCD display.

When used as a display for CMS, the driver can choose between various viewing modes that present the three camera feeds in various intuitive combination views.


Samsung and SEAT show the way to virtual handover of cars

                LONDON: A virtual handover of over 100 new SEAT Leons to a large corporate customer has given a strong indication of how technology could be used to enhance the delivery experience of cars to the next generation of connected drivers.

Using a personalised video deployed via a VR Gear headset and the Samsung S7 smartphone, 129 new Leon hatchbacks were presented to a group of drivers who will use the cars for field work with retail marketing agency Blue Square, who deliver "retail theatre" for Samsung, bringing products to life for consumers in-store.

The virtual handover covered all of the car’s features, from operating the major controls to the in-car technology including the latest Full Link infotainment system, ensuring a comprehensive handover through a visual medium that can be re-watched if necessary.

Using technology substantially reduced the time required to deliver the vehicles, enabling them to make their maiden voyage from Newark to Scotland promptly.

Meeting a brief to generate excitement among the drivers, links with Samsung through both companies were used to execute the idea.

SEAT announced its own partnership with Samsung at last year’s Mobile World Congress, showcasing a Leon with connectivity technology incorporated to alter the car’s ambient lighting, climate control settings, favourite music and even a greeting message upon entering the car, as well as the ability to lock and unlock the car doors using a smartwatch.


Hyundai to sell some 10,000 NFTs in effort to build dedicated community

                SEOUL: Hyundai is launching its first exclusive NFT collection around the concept of "metamobility," named "Shooting Star."

Nearly 10,000 non-fungible tokens will go on sale over two days, the idea being to create a genuine community, as well as a new source of revenue for Hyundai.

Hyundai will release from May 9-10 close to 10,000 NFTs on its official website, offered at 0.15 ETH each, or about US$410 at the current Ethereum price.

As part of this launch, Hyundai will first display a placeholder image before revealing the actual appearance of the NFTs in its "Shooting Star" collection. Buyers get to purchase a one-of-a-kind NFT that makes them the rightful owners of the piece.

Through this initiative, and others like it in the future, Hyundai hopes to build a global NFT community, while expanding its business and generating new revenue.

The sale is also part of Hyundai's broader concept of "metamobility," a combination of robotics and metaverse that will eventually revolutionise mobility.

In fact, the manufacturer wishes to position itself as a pioneer in terms of new dematerialised and/or virtual technologies, including NFT.

Check out the official Hyundai NFT website: hyundai-nft.com.


New Lamborghini V12 engine to be part of electric hybrid system that slots into new model

                PETALING JAYA: The next V12 engine from Lamborghini will be part of an electric hybrid system in the Aventador replacement model.

The all-new engine will remain naturally aspirated (NA). “The technology is different, it's a completely new engine, a completely new drivetrain, a new battery, everything is completely new. There's nothing out of the Sián or out of the Aventador," Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann said in an interview with Autoblog.

The Aventador had a good run of 10 years and Lamborghini has decided to ease it out of the product line with an even more powerful model that has yet to be named. The Aventador's L539 V12 engine is only the second all-new V12 that was purpose-built for the flagship supercar.

All V12 Lambos before the Aventador used an evolution of the Bizzarini V12 engine, named after designer Giotto Bizzarini. The V12 engine of that era started out with a 3.5-litre displacement and expanded to a 6.5-litre V12 during the Murcielago LP 640 time.

The Aventador Ultimae launched earlier this month is a farewell edition and marks the end of the Aventador pedigree. The Ultimae's 6.5-litre V12 makes 770hp and 722Nm of torque and can rev up to 8,500rpm.


Lexus LC 500 gets product placement in Marvel's 'Black Panther' flick

                SAN DIEGO: Lexus and Marvel have announced a collaboration to pair the first-ever 2018 Lexus LC with Marvel’s Black Panther character in the film, Black Panther, slated to hit theaters on Feb 16, 2018.

Lexus and Marvel will mark their collaboration during Comic-Con after-hours at an exclusive Black Panther-themed event on Friday, with performances by DJ Lulo Café and a surprise headliner.

During the invite-only event, six variant covers for the graphic novel will be revealed to industry guests and comic enthusiasts. Comic-Con International: San Diego is being held from July 20-23.

The LC 500 uses a 5.0-litre V8 that produces 471hp and sprints from 0-100kph in 4.4s. Lexus said it is the most powerful Lexus V8 ever built and is also one of the most powerful naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 mills in the world.

It has a driver-centric cockpit that comprises optimised driving position, magnesium paddle shifters and LFA-inspired digital performance gauges.

“This campaign clicked from the get-go,” said Mindy Hamilton, Marvel’s SVP of global partnerships. “We have this bold, sophisticated hero stepping into the spotlight for the first time, and it’s been a blast to work with the Lexus team to build out a story that’ll familiarise fans with T’Challa as well as his advanced home nation of Wakanda.”

Directed by Ryan Coogler, and starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan and Lupita Nyong’o, the film follows T’Challa, who, after the events of Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: Civil War,” returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his place as King.

“Marvel continuously captures audiences through charismatic characters and inspiring stories — the ideal fit for Lexus’ mission to craft amazing, engaging experiences,” said Brian Bolain general manager, Lexus marketing. “And the LC’s aggressive styling, high performance and agile handling are a perfect fit for the Black Panther’s quick, cat-like reflexes and superhuman feats. We’re excited to see the duo in action.”

To accompany the collaboration between Lexus and Marvel, Lexus also teamed with Marvel Custom Solutions to create an original graphic novel, with storytelling driven by famed writer Fabian Nicieza and cover illustrations by emerging graphic artists Scott “Rahzzah” Wilson and Szymon Kudranski. Centered around the balance between human and machine, the comic features the Lexus LC 500 with a new, Wakandan spin and its role in helping the Black Panther defeat a villain.

The LC 500 is expected to be launched in Malaysia at the end of this month.


Fast flow toll system’s proof of concept to use RFID and number plate recognition at Sungai Besi Expressway

                PETALING JAYA: The upcoming Multi Lane Fast Flow (MLFF) toll system to be implemented at the Sungai Besi Expressway (Besraya) will use both Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), according to the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA).

MHA’s announcement via its Twitter page said that the proof of concept for the MLFF system would be implemented on the highway by the end of October 2023.

It added that the use of both RFID and ANPR in the proof of concept was determined following research by the MLFF Technical Committee, Value Assessment Lab and Value Engineering Lab, along with the involvement of various technical agencies.

The implementation at Besraya is meant to function as a test to determine the effectiveness of the MLFF system’s front end gantry against set key performance indicators in highway operation.

This comes after Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi's announcement of the MLFF toll system implementation at Besraya.

Nanta had also announced that five additional highways has been added to the upcoming open toll payment system to begin in mid-September of this year.

The five new additions are the Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP), Sprint Highway, Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas), Smart Tunnel and the Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Expressway (Mex).

Tolls originally included in the open payment system are Besraya, New Pantai Expressway (NPE), Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH), Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE) and the Penang Bridge.


Citroen's Oli a Gallic glimpse into the electric future

                BERLIN: For years now cars have been getting bigger, heavier, more powerful - and naturally more expensive too.

As electromobility gathers pace, this trend is consolidating. Instead of costing €20,000 (RM93,000), prices for family-sized battery-electric cars usually start at €30,000 (RM140,000).

Citroen wants to buck the trend with its "fun and exciting" Oli concept and will exhibit the vehicle to the general public for the first time at the Paris Rétromobile Show in February.

Despite looking like something straight off the set of a peculiarly Gallic science fiction film, Oli has the makings of a genuinely practical runabout for the young Generation E.

And instead of just putting it on a trade fair stand, the French maker recently sent it for a spin through the centre of Germany's financial metropolis Frankfurt to see what people thought.

Citroen knew the angular car would be an eye-catcher during the afternoon rush-hour but said the shape of what looks like a scaled-down US military Hummer had been chosen for other reasons.

The bonnet, roof and boot floor panels are all made from extremely strong recycled honeycomb cardboard which cannot be bent into any shape. This also means the Oli weighs just 1,000kg.

Cardboard is light and it does the job as well as more expensive carbon-fibre. Indeed the material is so stable that owners can clamber onto the roof and have a picnic.

The windows are all upright too which means the car heats up less inside and the air conditioning doesn't have to work so hard.

Because the battery is the most expensive and heaviest component on the car, the Oli has a particularly small unit with 40 kW.

To save money, performance has been pruned too. Oli is definitely slowish and will only run up to 110kph. All this helps keep the price down to (potentially) less than €25,000 (RM116,000).

High speed is not much use in gridlocked cities anyway and the power on hand was fine for trundling around Frankfurt and along the banks of the river Main. After all, a mighty Tesla cannot tool through the backstreets any faster.

The interior controls are minimalistic and what looks like a forest of golf tees on the dash turns out to be an odd way of securing beverage cans and stuff. Digital screens are lacking since Citroen suggests you can dock your own tablet or smartphone into the car.

The interior bears witness to the battle against costs and kilos, an yet comfort has not been sacrificed. The 3D-printed seats are lightweight and easy to adjust, but also quite cosy. The makers say the "mesh" seat backs require 80 fewer parts than traditional seats.

Everything seems more mature and thought-out for everyday use than the flights of fancy seen in many concept cars. Oli even uses the same platform as the electric C4.

Oli is more than just a fun-mobile and if the bodywork didn't creak so much and the heating had more power, you could even risk driving it to Paris. That's less than 600km from Frankfurt and should be manageable in 8 hours with two charging stops.

However, such a long-distance journey will almost certainly remain a pipe-dream, since Oli is not earmarked for production.

But who knows, the French are famous for enabling mass mobility with basic models like the iconic, upright 2CV.

Maybe what does not work now will do at some point in the future. In any case, Oli shows Citroen is not lacking in good ideas.


Am I an aggressive driver? Tell-tale road rage signs to watch for

                LONDON: Aggressive driving poses a real threat to the safety of all road users and unsafe driving behaviour can quickly turn into road rage, which can in turn can trigger violence.

Road safety experts say it pays to be observant and watch for certain tell-tale signs. To help motorists spot the risks, Britain's road safety and breakdown cover specialist GEM Motoring Assist has a few tips.

The experts have identified a few important that will hopefully reduce the risk of a driver of being the target of someone else’s aggression.

"Most of us will have some experience of being on the receiving end of someone else’s aggression," says GEM road safety officer Neil Worth.

"Thankfully violent and unprovoked attacks are rare, but it pays to be observant and if possible to recognise signs of trouble at their earliest stages."

First off, it pays to remain calm and show restraint. Every journey brings the risk of frustration and conflict. Make a pledge to be patient. Avoid using your horn or making gestures in anger.

Avoid competition and resist the desire to "get even" with another road user who has been discourteous. If the standard of another person's driving upsets you, do not attempt to educate or rebuke them.

Do not nudge or push into traffic queues. If you wait and clearly signal, you will not have to wait long before another driver lets you in.

Say thank you and say sorry as well. Courtesy encourages cooperation on the road. If you make a mistake or perhaps cut things a bit fine, then a gesture of apology avoids confrontation and helps defuse anger.

Move away from trouble. If you feel seriously threatened by another driver, then make sure your car doors are locked and drive (at the legally-permitted speed) to the nearest police station or busy area. Petrol station forecourts are an ideal refuge.

Use your mobile phone to alert the police. Pressing the horn repeatedly or continuously is likely to deter a potential attacker.

"We also urge drivers to avoid becoming involved in situations they recognise as dangerous or risky", said Worth. "If you are worried about another driver who may be in danger, then stop and call the police."


BMW mulling driverless car opportunities

                FRANKFURT: BMW is preparing to rethink its products, design and business models for the advent of driverless cars, a board member at the Bavarian company said on Tuesday.

Peter Schwarzenbauer said the competitive advantage for premium carmakers will be rooted in their ability to offer a portfolio of transport options far beyond just selling a car.

The ability to hail an autonomous car instantaneously may lead to a convergence between business models being offered by taxi services, limousine rides and car sharing, Schwarzenbauer, the BMW board member responsible for the Mini brand, said in an interview at the Frankfurt auto show.

 Schwarzenbauer.

How well premium carmakers do will depend partially on how quickly a customer's desire for transportation can be met.

"If it is going to be within three minutes, then I need a certain volume of cars to make that happen. Whether BMW owns these fleets our outsources the business is an open question," Schwarzenbauer said.

"New mobility concepts will emerge with autonomous vehicles, which are robot cars. Fleet management will become a much more significant business," he said.

The onset of smartphones has fundamentally changed customer expectations. Rather than buying and owning a car, customers can use phones to hail a limousine or find a car-sharing vehicle, Ian Robertson, BMW's board member for marketing and sales said.

"The ability to use a car, and then walk away is a serious business," Robertson said, adding that it was still a long way to go in regulatory and legal terms to resolve liability questions before ride sharing models will use driverless cars.

 The Mercedes-Benz F 015 Luxury in Motion is a research vehicle and vision of the future of autonomous driving.

Mercedes-Benz also sees business potential in offering on-demand limousine services using driverless cars, Daimler chief executive Dieter Zetsche has said, in what amounts to a direct challenge to Uber.

The market penetration of vehicles with autonomous features is expected to reach 13 percent by 2025, representing a market of roughly US$42 billion, Boston Consulting Group has said.

With that in mind, BMW is also looking at how the inside of the new, driverless car will look.

"At the moment, drivers spend most of their time looking outside a vehicle. With self-driving cars, interior design will play a very different role. The feel-good factor will be paramount," Schwarzenbauer said.

How exactly interiors will look, and decisions about strategy have not been finalised at board level, but discussions centre around changing consumer habits, he said.

"We are not talking about a completely new strategy, but we are putting greater emphasis on brand management and design," BMW's chief financial officer Friedrich Eichiner said.

 The F 015 Luxury in Motion.


Vehicle lifespan policy crucial, says transport minister

                IPOH: The Transport Ministry is at the final stage of studying the vehicle lifespan policy.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, said however that a date has yet to be set on when the policy would be implemented, as it is subjected to Cabinet approval.

“This policy is crucial because currently, there are many old vehicles that are still in use.

“For example, one of the buses involved in the recent bus collision in Juru, Penang, was 32 years old and had passed its inspection test at Puspakom just a month before the accident.

Liow said he understood public concerns about the dangers of having old vehicles on the road.

“Local governments have also urged the ministry to do it fast, as this would help solve the problem of many old cars abandoned by the roadside.

“Abandoned old cars would lead to many other problems, like becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes,” he said.

For the policy to be put into effect, Liow said it would require the amendment to the Road Transport Act 1987 to allow the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to terminate a vehicle’s registration once its lifespan was up.

“We are also looking into the possibility of offering incentives to people to bring their vehicles in to be recycled at the Department of Environment.

“This policy has been introduced in many other countries and some offer cash incentives while some offer discounts for owners to buy a new vehicle,” said Liow, adding that the matter also urgently required further study before the policy is finalised.

Asked to comment on Saturday’s van-truck collision which claimed nine lives near Tapah, Liow, who visited the families of the victims earlier in Ayer Kuning, said he has instructed transport authorities to investigate the cause.

“The ministry will not hesitate to take serious action against the truck driver and owner if it’s found that the truck collided into the van due to negligence or recklessness,” he said.

“Even in terms of cargo loading, the load taken in a lorry must be properly arranged, otherwise it can contribute to accidents.

“This also includes tanks carrying liquid. Tanks must be full so that it will be balanced especially when negotiating corners,” he said.


Jaguar to reveal new SUV in July

                LONDON: Jaguar will reveal its new E-Pace compact performance SUV on July 13.

Joining Jaguar’s Pace family of performance SUVs, the E-Pace follows on from the successful F-Pace, which helped boost Jaguar’s sales by 83 per cent last year, and the all-electric I-Pace Concept which will go into production in 2018.

Ian Callum, director of design, Jaguar, said: “The combination of sports car looks with Jaguar performance will ensure that the E-Pace stands out.”

The Jaguar E-Pace features sports car-derived AWD technology and an all-Ingenium line-up of petrol and diesel engines.


Battle for China's electric SUV market heats up at home and abroad

                SHANGHAI: China is ground zero for the price war in electric vehicles and the battleground is shifting to SUV-styled EVs, the largest segment of the market, dominated by Tesla Inc and BYD.

The market, crowded with more than 90 models, is about to get even tighter with at least 20 new models of both Chinese and foreign brands launched in April, squeezing pricing and margins at home and driving exports, analysts and executives said.

EV makers in China have followed Tesla's bold price cuts by lowering prices for their own electric SUVs, cannabalising sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles as the price gap between the technologies narrows, analysts said.

The trend will spread abroad with growing exports of China-made electric SUVs.

"We're going to see a lot of Chinese exports because of the ultra-competitive market in China. It's actually going to be a pressure release valve," said Tu Le, founder of Beijing-based advisory firm Sino Auto Insights.

The market for SUVs has boomed in China over the past decade and now represents almost 40% of all cars sold, with 400 SUV models of all fuel types.

Almost as many China-made SUVs were sold in 2022 as cars of any type in Europe last year, or more than 11 million.

The popularity of electric SUVs has exploded since Tesla delivered its domestically-produced Model Y two years ago in China, making it one of the fastest-growing segments in the world's largest auto market.

Both domestic and foreign brands were represented among the new models rolled out at the Shanghai Auto Show in April.

Legacy automakers Volkswagen, BMW and Toyota are counting on new electric SUVs to bolster China sales.

Made-in-China EV startups Xpeng and Nio have six SUV models and the EV-only brands launched by Chinese state-owned car companies, such as GAC's Aion are also pushing all-electric SUVs.

They will compete with 93 existing electric SUV models in a market that saw 1.5 million sales in 2022, with the top 10 brands making up 84%, a Reuters analysis of data from China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) shows.

There were 76 electric SUVs in 2020 before Tesla started producing Model Ys in China, with average annual sales amounting to just 3,000 units.

Despite recent minor price hikes, Tesla's Model Y is still 20% cheaper in China than in early October, when the US automaker grappled with rising inventory.

Discount war

Xpeng, Leapmotor and others have fired back with their own discounts, while BYD offered a discount of US$1,000 on its market-leading Song Plus SUV, or about 4% off.

Those refusing to slash prices on existing models to protect brand value have instead chosen to offer lower-than-expected starting prices for new models, along with longer driving ranges and greater autonomous driving features.

For example, Geely's premium EV brand Zeekr priced its new compact crossover Zeekr X from US$27,500, 28% cheaper than Model Y and almost the same price as Honda's CR-V, first-quarter sales of which slumped 56%.

Mitsubishi Motors also said last week it had suspended for three months production of its Outlander SUV in China.

The reality is "brutal" for legacy foreign brands targeting the mass market with small SUVs priced below US$40,000, such as Ford, said Le of Sino Auto Insights.

Ford's chief executive, Jim Farley, acknowledged the intense market competition for two-row, SUV-styled EVs as a factor driving China's car export boom.

"That's why they're going big on Europe. Europe is a premium export market. They're all going there," Farley said in April after a trip to China.

Ford will also restructure its China operations to turn one of its joint ventures into an export hub for low-cost commercial electric and combustion vehicles, Farley said last week.

General Motors, which saw profit from China tumble by almost a fourth in the most recent quarter, needs new EVs to be a success in order to rebuild its market share in China, but the pressure is intense.

"China has 100 vehicle brands vying for sales and a 50% capacity utilization rate," chief executive Mary Barra said.

Tesla and Renault have already been exporting their China-made electric SUVs to Europe on a large scale. Tesla will begin shipping Model Y crossovers from its Shanghai plant to Canada, its first exports to North America, Reuters reported.

Chinese automakers have their own plans to grow electric SUV sales to Europe.

Zeekr said it would bring the Zeekr X to western Europe while exports of BYD's Atto 3 SUV more than doubled in the first quarter as it started taking orders there.

"The styling of it (Atto 3) is in keeping with the higher driving position, the good space," said Mark Blundell, BYD's head of marketing in Britain.

"We just feel it's a good start point for us in the UK."


China not planning cuts in new energy vehicle subsidies in 2020

                BEIJING: China will not make significant cuts to subsidies for new energy vehicles (NEV) this year, signalling that its policy will remain relatively stable, state media quoted the country’s industry ministry as saying on Saturday.Earlier, Miao Wei, China’s minister for industry and information technology (MIIT), told a forum that the country would not cut subsidies for new energy vehicles (NEV) again in July, an approach which was cheered by vehicle makers.

The government-backed Beijing News said an MIIT representative, in response to Miao’s statement, said that “this year’s NEV subsidy policy will remain relatively stable and there will not be significant cuts”.

Beijing has been slowly rolling back a generous 5-year subsidy programme for NEVs, which began in 2016, saying it plans to phase out subsidies after 2020, amid criticism that some firms have become overly reliant on the funds.

China’s monthly NEV sales dropped for the first time in two years in July as the subsidy cuts reached a new level, and have continued falling since.

“There was a subsidy cut on July 1 last year and everyone has been concerned about whether we will see more cuts this year, ” Miao told the EV100 annual gathering of senior auto industry executives in Beijing.

“Today, I can tell everyone, we will not cut it in July this year.”

Miao’s speech was the “best news”, He Xiaopeng, chief executive of EV startup XPeng Motors, told Reuters, adding that policy stability was crucial to the industry.

Miao also said NEV sales hit 163,000 units in December and full-year sales stood at 1.2 million NEVs, a drop from 1.3 million in 2018.

The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers will announce 2019 full-year sales figures on Monday. Last month, it said that NEV sales from January to November hit 1.04 million.

Automakers who stand to benefit include Tesla, which started making deliveries from its US$2bil Shanghai plant this month and secured NEV subsidies in December, Warren Buffett-backed Chinese electric car maker BYD as well as aspiring Tesla-challenger Nio Inc.


Audi unveils restyled A4

                INGOLSTADT: It's now about a month since spy shots of what appeared to be a restyled Audi A4 started to surface, and now the German luxury automaker has revealed the 2019 A4 sedan and wagon, showing a refreshed look for the new model year.

The pressure is on Audi in the midsize executive sedan segment as Mercedes has already launched its facelifted C-Class, and BMW is set to unveil its next-generation 3 Series at the Paris Motor Show in October.

While Mercedes chose to largely ignore the temptation to revise the styling of the C-Class in favour of new engines, Audi has gone in entirely the opposite direction by sticking with the current powerplant lineup but revising the styling.

There were whisperings a 48-volt mild hybrid system might have been introduced, but as it seems this is now little more than a new model year of the A4 rather than a proper facelift, which we'll have to wait a while for.

The basic SE and Sport versions of the A4 have been given more striking looks thanks to updated front and rear bumpers, side skirts, and a new finish on the side air inlet grilles. Avant wagon versions now get a spoiler, while A4 Sport models now come standard with 18-inch alloy wheels. S Line versions get even sportier with a revised front apron with more pronounced, angular vents and a set of standard 19-inch alloys.

Audi has also announced a competition equipment package for the new A4 S Line too, but it will only be available in select markets.

It also appears Audi isn't resting on its laurels at the top of its range either as a Q9 looks to be in the pipeline as a future rival to the Range Rover.

Having only just launched its new flagship Q8, CEO and chairman Rupert Stadler refused to rule out an even larger and more luxurious crossover when questioned about it by the UK's Autocar. When asked about a Q9, Stadler told Autocar, "Time will tell. The customers will tell us what they want in the future."


Mazda keeps on rolling

                Mazda premium options saw two new entries recently; the CX-5 Turbo AWD (all-wheel drive) that replaces the turbodiesel AWD variant and the CX-8 six-seater SUV (sports utility vehicle) that moves further up the ladder in luxury motoring from this marque.

A new twist to the latest turbo model is that it is a 2.5-litre petrol unit, which is a big engine displacement rather than the usual smaller engine direction taken by other carmakers when turbo engine variants are introduced.

Going for a smaller engine displacement is the normal choice as better petrol efficiency and mileage could be obtained with such power units. However, Mazda believes that its 2.5-litre Skyactiv engine is already very fuel efficient and provides good fuel mileage, and introducing a turbocharged option is to provide the engine with a stronger kick in acceleration.

Mazda has never been known to play by the rules and since its Skyactiv initiation from 2013 has bucked the trend in quite a few ways, mostly on the technical side. Adding to the premium options for Mazda customers in Malaysia is the recent launch of the Mazda CX-8 at the Kulim multi-brand vehicle assembly plant.

This is a six-seater SUV that tops the Mazda locally assembled range and panders to those who want a bigger and more spacious premium vehicle to motor or travel around in. We had a drive in both; the CX-5 Turbo in a drive from KL to Penang and back, and the CX-8 in a mix of highway and urban drives in Kulim from the car assembly premises and back.

CX-5 Turbo The CX-5 Turbo AWD takes over as head honcho from the 2.2L turbodiesel AWD variant and presented a newer engine variant to support the normally aspirated 2.5-litre and 2.0-litre petrol variants. By having a turbocharger, the 2.5-litre engine has a lower compression ratio against the normally aspirated units to operate more efficiently.

 Mazda CX-5 Turbo 2.5L.

It, naturally, has more to offer in engine output with 228hp against 192hp for the normally aspirated 2.5-litre and 420Nm against 258Nm. As the only AWD model in this range, it tips the scales higher at 1,708kg kerb against 1,592 for the 2.5-litre normally aspirated CX-5.

On the move, the turbo feed of petrol into the engine combustion chamber makes the difference when accelerating, either from the traffic lights and when passing another vehicle on the highway. The rapid build-up of speed belies its weighty tonnage and we could revel easily at 180kph and above when the roads were clear.

It cruised easily at 140kph with the engine turning easily at a mid 2,200rpm and its NVH levels are as low as they come for this level of premium SUV motoring. On a full tank, we could drive from Penang to KL with a quarter tank to spare despite the robust pace along parts of the journey.

 Mazda CX-5 Turbo 2.5L.

We had rain for almost a third of the drive but the CX-5 Turbo felt nicely planted on the road and the AWD with all its electronical assistance kept confidence at a high level. We weren’t too fond of the lane assist feature though as we could feel it pulling us back to the proper lane should we stray.

We decided to turn it off on the drive to KL as we were more comfortable without it although we don’t question the safety aspect of its workings. Another small irritant was the i-Stop feature that gives the CX-5 almost a hybrid vehicle type of feeling in which the engine cuts off and reactivates as you accelerate.

This happened in stop-start conditions and the function is to save fuel; we learnt that this could be turned off too and another way to counter it is to set the air-conditioner blower to the lowest speed.

Minor niggles aside, the CX-5 Turbo makes for a good highway tourer with its easy yet strong pace and the quiet way in which we could motor along. We also like the head-up display, which Mazda calls the Coloured Windshield Projection Display, that allowed us to keep our eyes more on the road.

Price-wise, it’s reasonable at RM181,770 on-the-road without insurance, being under RM9,000 more than the 2.2D 2WD High variant and about RM15,000 more than the 2.5G 2WD High normally aspirated petrol version.

 Mazda CX-8.

CX-8 The more exciting of the two recent arrivals where premium motoring is concerned, the CX-8 could probably lay claim to being the only SUV with individual seats for six in the market in its price category (tentatively about RM200,000 pending approval).

It is available in four variants beginning with the 2.5L 2WD Mid, 2.5L 2WD Mid Plus and 2.5L 2WD High with Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre normally aspirated engines, and the 2.2L AWD with the Skyactiv-D 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine.

Maintaining an attractive price range was the primary goal and that explains why there is no 2.5-litre turbo petrol AWD option for now although such a model is available. Our drive impression was in the sole turbodiesel model and the general impression was more on its top quality ride and silent mobility.

 Mazda CX-8.

The 2.2-litre turbodiesel delivers a reasonably good 188hp and a humongous 450Nm of torque at 2000rpm to ensure that it could move the bigger and heavier SUV (1924kg kerb for the turbodiesel) at a decent pace.

The Skyactiv architecture in its chassis sees a new technical application in the suspension components that helps the anti-roll bar in keeping body lean when taking corners to a minimum. This new approach is said to allow the CX-8 to take a corner flatter than it would have been with the more conventional suspension design.

We didn’t have any sharp turns to put this to the test but the few fast sweepers that we drove the CX-8 through, the body did seem to roll a lot less for a vehicle of its height and stature. And the good level of NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) is fully enjoyed while puttering in urban traffic and the few times that the CX-8 was driven at a quick dash.

 Mazda CX-8.

Engine noise and road roar were nicely subdued for us to luxuriate in the Nappa leather interior and some of us even caught a catnap along the way. And sitting in the third row of two individual seats was just as comfortable with good legroom and all the convenient adjustment facilities available to get the best sitting position.

We found the initial acceleration a bit wanting, more so after driving the CX-5 Turbo, probably because of its heavier stance but generally, the CX-8 2.2L AWD moved along quite effortlessly in urban and highway.

 Mazda CX-8.


Rinspeed to show off hybrid sports car at CES 2016

                ZURICH: Come January, wacky Swiss company Rinspeed and its boss Frank M. Rinderknecht will be showing off a hybrid sports car called Etos at CES 2016 in Las Vegas.

In the latest concept, drivers and passengers are given priority. The interior adapts to the particular driving situation. In autonomous mode, the steering wheel folds up and retracts into the dashboard. The two curved widescreens individually move closer to the occupants to provide a better view.

To provide the passengers with a unique infotainment experience, the Etos uses the Harman Connected Car technologies. Like a personal assistant, the system operates in a predictive manner aside from delivering entertainment, connectivity and safety.

It has fitted its sporty hybrid with a drone that has its own landing pad on the rear end. The drone could be used to fetch a bouquet of flowers the driver ordered online and even deliver it directly to the lucky recipient. It could also take a video of the wild ride on the favorite fun road and stream it live to friends.

Rinspeed said the Etos would have a special innovative surface finish that would used for the first time in a car.

"The major and especially the disruptive innovations in future automotive engineering will come from the digital realm," said Rinderknecht.

"That is why all major manufacturers and suppliers are now present at the CES (Consumer Electronic Show).”

The Etos is the 22nd concept vehicle designed by Rinspeed and is the first to be premiered outside Switzerland. CES 2016 runs from Jan 6-9.


Hyundai launches first car with solar roof charging system

                FRANKFURT: Hyundai Motor is launching its first car with a solar roof charging system. This groundbreaking eco-friendly technology will provide vehicles with additional electrical power, as well as increasing fuel efficiency and driving range.

Hyundai Motor’s solar roof charging system makes its debut on the ew Sonata Hybrid. The system supports the vehicle’s electric power source, improving fuel efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions.

In the coming years, Hyundai will roll out the technology to other vehicles across its range. This is the latest application of a smart solution from Hyundai advancing the mobility industry towards a more sustainable future.

“Solar roof technology is a good example of how Hyundai Motor is moving towards becoming a clean mobility provider. The technology allows our customers to actively tackle emissions issue” says, Heui Won Yang, Senior Vice President and head of Body Tech Unit of Hyundai Motor Group. “We are striving to further expand the application of the technology beyond eco-friendly vehicle line up to vehicles with internal combustion engine.”

The solar roof system includes a structure of silicon solar panels that are mounted on the car’s roof. Being able to charge even while driving, the solar roof system can charge 30 to 60 per cent of the battery per day v. with 6 hours of daily charging, it is expected to increase drivers’ travel distance by an extra 1,300km annually.

The system is composed of a solar panel and a controller. Electricity is produced when solar energy activates the solar panel’s surface, which converts this energy by using photons of light from the sun. This creates the electron-hole pairs in silicon cells, which generate solar electricity.

The electricity from this process is converted to the standard voltage by the controller, then stored in the battery. Hyundai Motor took not only efficiency but also design into account while developing the solar charging system.

While the solar roof system currently plays a supporting role, it opens up perspectives for vehicles that no longer need fossil fuel to operate.

New Sonata Hybrid

In another dveelopment, the new Sonata Hybrid is equipped with the world’s first Active Shift Control (ASC) technology and solar roof charging system. It boasts a hybrid-exclusive design with enhanced dynamic elements, as well as a Smartstream G2.0 GDi HEV engine and 6-speed hybrid transmission. Hyundai’s new model also supports a "Digital Key" function via a dedicated smartphone app.

The Sonata is now on sale in South Korea and will soon be sold in North America. Hyundai currently has no plans to expand sales of this model to the European market.


Electric cars delivering mixed results in long-term inspections

                BERLIN: Electric cars subject to general inspections just like all other cars, and according to a new evaluation by German technical inspectors, there's no reason to expect they will perform any better than diesel and petrol cars in long-term tests.

Inspectors from Germany's Tüv Association took a look at four popular models - the BMW i3, Renault Zoe, Smart Fortwo Electric Drive and Tesla Model S after three years of use - and found that electric cars have varying levels of weaknesses depending on the model.

The electric Smart Fortwo performed best, according to Tüv inspectors, and only 3.5 per cent of the vehicles had significant defects causing it to fail the general inspection.

It was followed by the BMW i3 with a 4.7-per-cent failure rate, the Renault Zoe (5.7 per cent) and the Tesla Model S (10.7 per cent).

By way of comparison, the proportion of cars with significant defects among vehicles with combustion engines that are two to three years old is 4.7 per cent.

One striking finding by the inspectors: Problems with brake components are common for EVs. This is because the brakes are used much less frequently than with combustion engine vehicles and therefore corrode more often.

For electric car owners, this means that even though many electric vehicles brake as soon as the accelerator pedal is released (one-pedal driving), you should still try to use the brakes on every journey if possible and also have them serviced regularly.


Biden to sign law today cutting most current EV credits

                WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden will sign legislation on Tuesday that will eliminate electric vehicle tax credits for most models currently getting up to US$7,500 (RM33,440) effective.

The White House said Biden will sign legislation to approve the US$430 billion (RM1.9tril) climate, health and tax bill on Tuesday.

The bill restructures the existing US$7,500 new EV tax credit and creates a new US$4,000 (RM17,835) rebate for used EVs. It also includes tens of billions of dollars in new loan, tax credit and grant programs for automakers to build cleaner vehicles.

Many automakers and dealers have been working with customers to complete binding written contracts ahead of Biden's signing to make them eligible for credits even if they have not received vehicles.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group representing Volkswagen, General Motors Co, Toyota Motor and Ford Motor among others, said earlier the law would make 70% of 72 US electric, plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell EVs that currently qualify ineligible upon Biden's signing.

On Jan 1, when the bill's new income and price caps and battery and critical mineral sourcing rules take effect, "none would qualify for the full credit when additional sourcing requirements go into effect," the group added.

An estimate from the Congressional Budget Office forecasts 11,000 new EVs will receive tax credits in 2023 assuming US$7,500 per vehicle.

Audi of America, Kia Corp and Porsche said Friday that buyers of its EVs will lose access to federal tax credits when Biden signs.

Audi said only its Audi plug-in hybrid electric will retain its existing federal credit through the end of 2022.

The bill makes any EVs assembled outside North America ineligible for tax credits, which has brought criticism from the European Union, South Korea and many automakers.

GM and Tesla previously hit the 200,000-vehicle cap and are no longer eligible but will again be eligible starting Jan 1 under stricter sourcing and income rules.


2021 Toyota GR Supra: No Android Auto, 2.0L variant delayed

                LOS ANGELES: Toyota's GR Supra will be sticking with the current BMW-based iDrive 6 infotainment system which does not support Android Auto in the next update of the sports car.  Apple Carplay support will, however, remain as standard.

While the BMW Z4 uses the latest iDrive 7 infotainment system, the Japanese carmaker in the US has not announced any plans to upgrade the Supra's software to go along with the increase in performance for the 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six engine variant.

BMW had previously said the latest iDrive 7 system will have Android Auto (wirelessly too) from July onwards and that means no smartphone-mirroring.

It seems that the feedback Toyota USA has received from customers and dealers is that they are not clamouring for Android Auto in their infortainment system.

Production of the entry-level Supra with a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine will be delayed until possibly July due to the closure of the Magna Steyr plant due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Supra and Z4 are built at the contract assembler's plant in Austria.

Prior to the plant's closure, a batch of 400 units of the 3.0-litre variant managed to make it out and are currently headed to the US market for sale in June.

The 3.0-litre Supra gets a 14% boost in power to 382hp with torque up 4N m to 500Nm. The chassis has been finetuned firther to improve ride/handling balance.

The Supra 2.0 offers an intermediate model between the Toyota 86 and the Supra 3.0, giving the customer three distinct Toyota sports car choices.

The 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine shares much of its technology with the 3.0-liter inline-six, including a twin-scroll turbo, direct fuel injection and continuously variable timing on both the intake and exhaust camshafts. The variable intake valve lift system adjusts intake valve timing and duration. The bottom line is 255hp and a stout 401Nm of torque.


Lexus and Mazda in Milan

 The Lexus Design Award Sense-Wear.

MILAN: Lexus International announced “Sense-Wear” of Emanuela Corti and Ivan Parati (Caravan) as the first-ever Grand Prix winner of the Lexus Design Award and on April 14, during Milan Design Week, the world's largest design exhibition, Lexus International will publicly display the work of the winner, along with the other finalists, at “Lexus - A Journey of the Senses” at Spazio Lexus at Torneria.

An elite judging committee selected the winner based on the prototype work and presentations of four finalists focused around the theme of “Senses.”

Launched in 2013, the Lexus Design Award is an international design competition to foster the next generation of creators shaping a better future through design.

 Lexus Design Award prototype Animal Masks.

The exhibit will offer an experience that awakens the senses to the excitement of the Lexus journey. The exhibit was created by world-renowned space designer Philippe Nigro in collaboration with acclaimed chef Hajime Yoneda.

This year's Lexus Design Award drew a large number of submissions, a total of 1,171 entries from 72 countries, and a wide variety of original ideas. In keeping with the theme, many submissions appealed to the five senses or emotional, rather than the concrete, aspects of the human experience.

 Bike by KODO concept.

Meawhile, Mazda Motor Corporation has taken the wraps off Mazda-designed artworks, including “Bike by KODO concept” and “Sofa by KODO concept” on the eve of opening the event “Mazda Design: The Car as Art,” in Milan from April 14, 2015.

For many years Mazda has maintained a consistent focus on the representation of dynamic motion in its vehicle designs. Under the KODO - Soul of Motion design theme, Mazda’s new-generation vehicles express a powerful motion full of life, such as that displayed by animals in the wild.

With Mazda Design: The Car as Art, Mazda is aiming to further the evolution of the expression of motion by attempting the expression of two key sensibilities rooted in Japanese aesthetics; RIN, a sense of self-restrained dignity, and EN, an alluring sensuality that speaks directly to the senses.

“Bike by KODO concept” is a track racer that seeks to express the innate beauty of the bicycle. Its minimalist structure is composed of the least possible number of parts. The frame was painstakingly formed by hammering a single sheet of steel and the black leather saddle is hand-stitched, featuring the same red thread and stitch design as the all-new Mazda MX-5. The bicycle’s mixture of dynamism and allure is evocative of the Mazda MX-5’s styling.

“Sofa by KODO concept,” a collaborative effort between Mazda’s designers and Italian furniture makers, exhibits an exquisite blend of Mazda Design’s refined sensibilities and fine Italian craftsmanship backed by a long tradition of furniture-making. The form of the sofa is as honed as that of the all-new Mazda CX-3 and evokes the strong stance common to all Mazda’s new-generation vehicles.

 Sofa by KODO concept.