Fake Elon Musk giveaway featured in cryptocurrency scams, says US trade agency

                WASHINGTON: Fake promised giveaways by celebrities such as Telsa CEO Elon Musk are being used by scammers to cash in on interest in cryptocurrencies, the US Federal Trade Commission said on Monday in noting a jump in complaints about cryptocurrency fraud since October.

In one type of scam, people are told that if they give a certain amount of crytocurrency to a "celebrity" they will get more back.

"People have reported sending more than US$2 million in cryptocurrency to Elon Musk impersonators over just the past six months," the FTC said.

Musk had been a supporter of cryptocurrencies but recently knocked dogecoin by calling it "a hustle" on national television.

He has also recently said that bitcoin would not be accepted to buy a Tesla because of the environmental costs associated with mining it.

Scammers also impersonate government authorities or a potential romantic partner, the FTC said.

Overall, nearly 7,000 people reported losses of more than US$80 million since October, with a median loss of US$1,900, the agency said. That's 12 times more reports of scams than the same period a year earlier, the agency said.

People in their 20s and 30s were the biggest victims, reporting losing much more money on investment and cryptocurrency fraud than any other type of scam.

Older people, over 50, were less likely to report falling for the scams but when they did the losses were bigger, with a median loss of US$3,250.


Nissan dealers in UK preparing for introduction of green number plates for EVs

                LONDON: Nissan dealers in Britain are preparing for the arrival of a new kind of number plate this autumn.

The plates are being brought in especially for electric vehicles and have an eye-catching green flash on the left-hand side to highlight the fact that EVs are emission-free.

As 70-plate models are introduced at Nissan dealers, trial green number plates have been fitted to show electric vehicle customers how they could look when they hit the road later this year.

The initiative was announced by UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps in June as part of a wider plan to drive a "green economic recovery" after the turmoil caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The green number plates will make it easier for cars to be identified as zero-emission vehicles, helping local authorities design and implement new policies to encourage people to own and drive them.

For example, drivers could benefit from local initiatives such as cheaper parking and free entry into zero-emission zones.

Shapps had said the plates could also "increase awareness of cleaner vehicles on our roads and show people that a greener transport future is within our grasp".

Nissan has been involve with EV research and development for many years now – the emission-free LEAF hatchback was launched a decade ago and the new Ariya is just around the corner. LEAF is capable of travelling up to 370km on a single charge.

"Anything that encourages electric vehicle use is to be encouraged and we think the green plates will prove incredibly useful in terms of raising awareness of the benefits of emission-free motoring," said a Nissan spokesman.

An exact date for the introduction of the green number plates has yet to be announced.


The fun in NISMO

                NISMO, a wholly owned entity of Nissan Motor Company, started as an in-house tuning shop dedicated to Nissan’s participation in motor sports; it was recently re-positioned as Nissan’s performance brand under the group.

The name is an abbreviation of Nissan Motorsport International Limited and the company was set up in 1984 with the merger of two motor sports divisions founded in the late 1960s; Publication Division 3 and Special Car Testing Division.

 Nismo Festival at Fuji Speedway.

Nissan’s intention with the merger was to specialise in sports car racing while providing support for teams competing in Japan’s F3 series.

In 1988, Nismo built its first car Saurus for motor sport use in the one-make series; the following year it developed the Skyline GT-R for racing and the 500 evolution editions for road use.

The company also designs and manufactures a range of aftermarket performance parts for Nissan cars such as spoilers, diffusers, alloy wheels, and engine and suspension parts.

To create the excitement and thrill among its followers, the company holds the Nismo Festival at the end of every race season (usually year-end) at Fuji Speedway and has done so since 1998.

 A promoter at the Nismo Festival

We attended the recent 18th edition of the festival as part of the Nissan 360 Asia & Oceania tour to fully appreciate that Nissan is an all-rounder, not just a carmaker.

It just so happened that we were again not a newcomer to the Nismo Festival, having enjoyed the same electric ambience in a previous event, back in 2001 to be exact.

There was the same colourful and vibrant atmosphere in the wide variety of stalls selling engine performance parts to scale model cars and souvenirs; the long queues to get autographs from the Super GT team drivers; the races featuring classic Nissan cars, that of the Sunny range was of special interest as we were familiar with them; the grid walk to take pictures of the Super GT cars and gorgeous track girls were memorable highlights.

This time we had an interview session with the year’s Super GT winners in both categories – GT500 and GT300 – and of course the man who oversees Nismo product planning and strategy, Hiroshi Tamura.

He was clearly in his element describing the establishment of Nismo, its motor sport successes in Japan and abroad, and its rise to be a global player, with its brand business expanding to Europe, Russia, China, US and in a smaller way to Asean.

Nismo’s road car sales soared in the last three years, growing up from about 2,000 cars in 2012 to more than 15,000 in 2014.

He explained that apart from cars, the other Nismo business pillars included merchandising, parts business and licencing.

Tamura described the company’s new brand strategy as a synergy of ‘performance born in motor sports, progressive design and personalisation, and advanced information technology and connectivity’.

Nismo target customers are the ‘performance seekers’ who comprise race and performance enthusiasts and the ‘highlife seekers’ who are seen mainly as new race/performance fans who are interested in cars.

 Spectators at the Fuji Speedway during Nismo Festival.

The first is a ‘power’ group seeking stronger engine performance, sports exhaust and improved braking while the second group is catered to exterior car body parts like bumpers and spoilers, and Nismo alloy wheels; interior motor sport-inspired items like steering wheels, Nismo special seats, red tachometer; and handling and traction mods in reinforced car body and suspension and steering tuning.

In the advanced information technology and connectivity area, Nismo has the Gran Tourismo GPS Visualiser and Data Logger, and Smartphone App for Launcher, Meter Display, Lap Timer and Data Logger.

This re-definition of Nismo customers, Tamura said, fulfilled Nissan’s credo of ‘innovation’ and ‘excitement’ in car development and portrayed its all-rounder status and profile.

The more than 30,000 participants, many with family in tow, who throng the Nismo Festival each year would surely reflect that appreciation of what Nissan and Nismo represent.


IGP: Up to 50% discount for road users who use MyBayar Saman app to pay their summonses

                KUALA LUMPUR: Discounts of up to 50% will be offered to those paying their road summonses via the newly launched MyBayar Saman app.

The offer will start today and is valid  until April 11.

At the launch today at Bukit Aman, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said that the application was created to further the police’s service quality to the public.

“It will also help reduce red tape. It gives people options beside counter payments, ” he said.

According to police stats, the police have collected around RM6.6bil in summonses within a span of 30 years.

They have collected RM1.89bil within the last five years alone.

The IGP said that the high number of summons did not paint a good picture of Malaysian road users.

“It doesn’t send a good message as it shows that a lot of Malaysians do not follow the rules.

“It is not the intention of the police to trouble the public or to increase collections, ” he said.

According to Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Deputy Comm Datuk Azisman Alias, the discounts were not offered to selected road offences.

Among them are driving in emergency lanes, and using a mobile phone while driving.


Harley-Davidson FXDR 114 introduced

                SERDANG: Harley-Davidson has unveiled its FXDR 114 for the first time in Malaysia at the recent Art of Speed Malaysia 2019.

The FXDR 114 is the 10th model built on the 2018 Softail platform. Harley-Davidson FXDR 114 is built with number of alloy and composite materials with aluminium swing arm and subframe giving you a much lighter bike.

Don’t be fooled by the size of the bike. The FXDR 114 comes with the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine offering 160Nm worth of torque.

Meanwhile the 1,868cc machine has a fuel capacity of 16.7 litres and weighs at 289kg (dry weight).

 Didi Resources chairman Rewi Hamid Bugo astride the Harley-Davidson FXDR 114 at the launch.

Two designs on this bike that will capture anybody’s attention are the exhaust pipes and the large air intake filter. The engineers in Harley-Davidson took a bold step in building a two-in-one exhaust design which promises a better lean angle and edgier HD signature rumble.

Meanwhile, the large air intake filter is inspired by Screamin’ Eagle NHRA drag bikes and shaped to enhance the airflow to this engine. Other key highlights of the FXDR 114 are racing style fork design,reinvented Softail frame that offers riders more agility, high performance rear mono shock and keyless ignition.

The FXDR 114 is available in six colour choices: Vivid Black, Black Denim, Industrial Gray Denim, Wicked Red Denim, Bonneville Salt Denim, and Rawhide Deni at the four Harley- Davidson outlets in Malaysia, located in Petaling Jaya, Penang, Melaka and Kuala Lumpur.

Didi Resources Sdn Bhd is the authorised importer and distributor of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in Malaysia.

Price starts for the power cruiser from RM122,500 and for all FXDR units registered before Nov 30, customers are entitled to Screamin’ Eagle Titanium Muffler and RM4,200 general merchandise voucher for riding gears.


Deal on Pininfarina's sale to Mahindra seen in next few weeks

                MILAN/MUMBAI: Car designer Pininfarina and Mahindra and Mahindra are aiming to reach a deal on the sale of the Italian group to the Indian vehicle maker in the next couple of weeks, several sources close to the situation said on Tuesday.

Two of the sources said a meeting with Pininfarina's creditor banks was likely to take place soon, possibly next week. The banks would be offered the option of debt rescheduling or of a reimbursement but with a 50 percent haircut, one of the sources said.

Another source said the Pininfarina family would keep a small stake in the group and be involved in management of the company after the sale.


LEGO-ed version of Ford GT to go on display

                COLOGNE: Taking three weeks, 40,000 bricks, and a whole lot of patience – it’s the LEGO version of the Ford GT race car that will be "raced" at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

A third the size of the real thing, the LEGO version will go on display at Circuit de la Sarthe, in France, on June 18-19, alongside a model of the classic Ford GT40 – a reminder that it is 50 years since that car scored a historic 1-2-3 at the legendary race track.

The LEGO Ford GT race car uses the #66 race number and details include the same green wing mirrors and screen top visor as the full-sized car.

For 2016, Ford Chip Ganassi Racing is running two Ford GTs in the FIA World Endurance Championship and two more in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

For Le Mans, all four cars will come together to compete, in front of an expected 200,000 spectators. The two WEC Ford GTs will retain their #66 and #67 race numbers, while the IMSA cars become #68 and #69, celebrating Ford victories in 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1969.

The Le Mans 24 Hours race is the world’s oldest active sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since 1923. Since 2012, the Le Mans 24 Hours has been a part of the FIA World Endurance Championship and this year it will be the third race of the series.


Over 500 tests to ensure Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL is safe

                STUTTGART: The pre-production vehicle of the Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL, which will be displayed publicly for the first time at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2017, combines fuel cell and battery technology into a plug-in hybrid.

As the name suggests, the vehicle is based on the GLC.

Daimler said the first prototypes were subjected to over 500 tests, which in addition to the standard test regimen for all vehicles also included special tests for the electric powertrain, the hydrogen fuel cell, and the interplay of all powertrain components.

Mercedes-Benz has had almost 30 years of experience with fuel cell vehicles that have travelled more than 18 million kilometres in total. To date, the fleet of Daimler fuel cell vehicles, which together with a host of research vehicles numbers more than 300.

Daimler said engineers prioritised safety in the development of the F-CELL variant of the GLC launched in 2015, paying special attention to the integration of the safety-relevant components such as the hydrogen tanks, the gas seals and valves, and the high-voltage components.

The hydrogen tanks are installed in the crash-protected area between the vehicle axles and are protected additionally by a subframe wrapped around the tanks. In the event of a crash, additional extensive measures were implemented such as, for example, a multi-stage valve system as well as special protective circuits for the high-voltage system.

Daimler said crash tests conducted with the pre-production GLC F-CELL and earlier hydrogen vehicles showed that the engineers had achieved a level of safety comparable to that of conventional vehicles.

Currently, Mercedes-Benz is getting ready for the series production of the fuel cell vehicles.


Volvo Car Malaysia gets new MD

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volvo Car Malaysia today officially welcomes Charles Frump as its new managing director.

He replaces Nalin Jain, who had served from 2019-2020. Nalin had left Volvo to join Mahindra & Mahindra in Mumbai.

Frump will continue Nalin's responsibilities in overseeing the company’s overall operations and driving Volvo’s electrification vision in Malaysia.

Frump joins Volvo Car Malaysia from Volvo Car India, where he had been serving as managing director since 2017.

Frump’s association with Volvo Cars dates back to 2009, where he worked as the marketing director in Volvo Car Japan.

With over 20 years of automotive experience in different markets across Asia, the United States and Europe, Frump has also held global, regional, and local roles in the areas of marketing, sales, customer service and network management.

“I am excited to embark on a new chapter of my journey with Volvo in a new market. I see Malaysia as a crossroad of the places I have been in the past, and I look forward to working closely with the local team, individual by individual, to build our strengths,” said Frump.

Frump holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in International Marketing from UCLA Anderson School of Management, Los Angeles, USA.

He completed his bachelor’s in economics and mathematics from St Olaf College, Minnesota, USA.

Frump’s appointment follows Volvo’s global announcement of becoming a fully electric car company by 2030.

More recently, Volvo Cars launched its "Ultimate Safety Test" campaign to declare climate change as the greatest safety challenge humans face today.


Bienville Legacy set for world debut

                LONDON: The Goodwood Festival of Speed will host the global public debut of the Bienville Legacy – touted to be one of the most powerful four-cylinder production motorcycles ever created from June 25 till 28.

The motorcycle has undergone over three years of development and is being widely acknowledged as one of the finest examples of two-wheeled design ever produced.

Born at the Bienville Studios in New Orleans, Louisiana, the JT Nesbitt-designed Legacy is said to advance motorcycle design with patented suspension leveraging one composite leaf-spring with the engine mounted at its centre.

Carbon-composite blades allow for rake and trail adjustment for the first time on a production motorcycle.

Three concept models have been produced to-date, establishing an interesting bill of materials in titanium, carbon fibre, leather, and mahogany.

Powered by the American-made 1,650cc Motus V4 engine, production models will be supercharged and will provide up to 300bhp.

As tradition dictates, the Legacy will be ridden up the iconic 1.87km Goodwood Festival of Speed Hillclimb by Jim Jacoby and Scott Miller, who both founded the the American Design and Master-Craft Initiative (ADMCi) Foundation that supported the Legacy project from its inception.

https://vimeo.com/110163585


Protecting your engine with Petron Blaze Racing

PETALING JAYA: There are things that could affect the performance of your vehicle, and one of them is heat.

Safe to say, this is your car’s worst enemy due to the way it can affect engine health.

Too much heat can cause the engine to underperform and lead to unnecessary wear and tear.

With Malaysia being prone to heatwaves, it is important to know which engine oil to use with your vehicle to maximise its performance and protect it from damage.
Not only does Petron Blaze Racing Engine Oil provide the best lubrication against friction, it is also formulated with Thermal Stress Stabilizing System (TS3), which makes it suitable for high-performance vehicles in combatting engine stress due to extreme heat conditions.

Formulated to provide ultimate engine protection under all driving conditions, its formulation features top-notch viscosity control properties to help keep the engine oil stable at extreme temperatures, resisting thinning and guarding against excessive engine stress.

Under extreme heat, Petron Blaze Racing Oil’s TS3 formulation allows it to withstand evaporation and prevent significant engine oil loss. TS3 can also resist oxidation, allowing it to stop the formation of engine deposits that could lead to oil thickening, which can reduce a vehicle’s efficiency.

From Sept 30 to Nov 15, fuel innovation leader Petron will be rewarding its customers for every purchase of any one of their 4.0-litre Petron Blaze Racing engine oils.

Customers can bring home a car vacuum cleaner for free when they buy a bottle of Petron Blaze Racing Fully Synthetic, a car seat side pocket for every Petron Blaze Racing Synthetic Blend bottle, and a car windscreen sun shade for every Petron Blaze Racing Premium Multi-Grade bottle.


BMW Group once again most popular auto employer

                MUNICH: The BMW Group has remained the most desirable car company in the world to work for, according to Universum, a European employer branding service.

This year marks the ninth consecutive year BMW has held the spot in the Trendence Young Professionals Barometer study organised by Universum.

The BMW Group has been ranked among the leaders for employer image in both national and international comparisons for years. The company earned top positions again this year in numerous studies measuring employers’ perceived attractiveness.

A majority of students in Germany rated the BMW Group among the top companies this year, earning it second place in the business category in the Trendence Graduate Barometer 2020.

The BMW Group also ranked fourth in the engineering category and sixth among young IT talents – making it the most attractive company in the automotive sector for IT graduates.

The BMW Group also moved up one place from last year in the current Trendence School Leaver Barometer and now ranks fourth.

In the global study conducted by Universum, the BMW Group took fourth place in the IT and engineering categories, directly behind Google, Microsoft and Apple.

The BMW Group is also the most attractive automotive manufacturer worldwide for business students – securing its leading position among global automotive manufacturers across all disciplines.

“Our goal is to recruit the best talents in a highly competitive market. The perception as an attractive employer, especially among young talents and students, is a decisive success factor for this," said Ilka Horstmeier, member of the Board of Management responsible for Human Resources, and Labour Relations Director at BMW AG.

"Our opportunities for training and development, the flexible job options and, above all, the chance to work in diverse teams on the sustainable and connected mobility of the future strengthens our position as an attractive employer.”

Universum was founded in 1988 in Stockholm, Sweden, by aspiring MBA student, Lars-Henrik Friis Molin, as a class project to better improve the communication between students and the companies that wanted to recruit them.

The results of the very first survey were enlightening enough to be published by national press and soon numerous employers reached out to inquire whether additional questions could be asked in future surveys.

This led to Universum being formed.


When a street light is also an EV charging station

                BERLIN: German startup ubitricity offers an alternative to traditional EV stations, one that can be rapidly implemented and is affordable. It consists of directly integrating a charging point into a street lamp. This solution, which is already present in the UK, is arriving in France and elsewhere.

The limited number of charging stations for electric vehicles is currently preventing such vehicles from being purchased by more consumers. The solution could rest in existing infrastructures.

One of the solutions that ubitricity offers is indeed to integrate plugs and sockets directly into the street lamps. This solution is quick to set up (less than an hour), relatively economical (about 2,000 euros) and most importantly does not require any new infrastructure to be developed since it uses existing street furniture.

The idea is to use lampposts in parking areas, both public and private, or adjacent to parking in malls. The charging station is accessible to anyone, without subscription, via QR Code. Each user only pays for what he or she consumes.

This solution is in sync with the French government's stimulus plan since they want to reach 100,000 accessible charging stations to the public country-wide by the end of 2021. France only counts around 30,000 stations at the moment.

Ubitricity also plans on installing 200,000 charging stations throughout Europe by 2025.


BMW announces Android Auto integration

The Verge has reported that BMW will be integrating Android Auto into its cars starting July 2020.
Interestingly, it will be wireless Android Auto, so there's no need for owners to plug in into the smartphone-powered infotainment system.
Android Auto will appear on BMW vehicles in the 2019/2020 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, and 8 Series sedans, as well as the newest X3, X5, X7 SUVs and the 2020 X6 SUV.
Owners will have to use Pixel, Nexus, or Samsung smartphones.

The BMW Group had announced plans to integrate Android Auto in its cars late last year.


2016 Geneva Motor Show: The girls in focus

GENEVA: The 86th edition of the March 3-13 Geneva Motor Show is in its second day of public viewing.

Drawing thousands of visitors daily are the world premieres of supercars, SUVs and more mainstream models as well as quirky exhibits to elicit a smile or laughter.

Amid all these will be the show girls who play such a big part of the auto show circuit the world over. They are there to draw visitors to the products they are showing and to impart quick bytes of information to those who ask.

Here in no particular order are some of the Geneva auto show girls of 2016.


Race to define car of the future shifts into high gear

                LAS VEGAS: Automakers and Silicon Valley upstarts are kicking their efforts to define the car of the future into a higher gear, even though many of the players disagree about what that car should be.

The emerging autonomous vehicle technology sector is still in a turbulent stage akin to the old debate over "Betamax versus VHS" format. Standards are not yet defined, winners and losers are not sorted out and major players disagree sharply about the best way to bring the promise of safer, smarter cars to market.

Consider the contrasting visions of the automotive future put forward at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week by Mark Fields and Dieter Zetsche, the chief executives of Ford Motor Co and Daimler AG, respectively.

Ford’s approach, Fields says, is to focus initially on connecting cars and their drivers to the mobile Web, with apps as the building blocks, and work on sensors and software that eventually will enable the development of fully autonomous vehicles in the next decade. Ford wants to develop affordable technology for a broad swath of consumers — the philosophy behind founder Henry Ford’s Model T.

 World premiere of the Mercedes-Benz F 015 in Las Vegas.

Daimler's Mercedes-Benz has a different idea from Ford - and worlds apart from Internet company Google Inc, which has jolted the automotive establishment with its high-profile effort to develop a fully self-driving city car.

Zetsche presented a futuristic Mercedes prototype at CES that could drive itself down city boulevards while passengers used hand gestures to call up information about restaurants along the route or receive invitations to party from friends nearby.

Where Ford wants to make autonomous cars for "Everyman," and Google envisions cars as pod-like appliances, Daimler presented robotic driving as part of a technology package that sets its premium cars apart from plebian rides. At the same time, Zetsche said Daimler could extend the self-driving concept to tiny "green" cars such as its Smart EV or into car-sharing programs such as its Car2Go enterprise - potentially challenging Google in that sphere.

"I hope you will still recognize us as being the inventor of the car," Zetsche told Reuters. "But we should be defined by our future, not by our past."

SENSE OF URGENCY

The urgency among the companies looking to profit from connected vehicle technology, including the hardware and software required for automated driving, is increasing. Several automakers, including Mercedes, General Motors Co and Volkswagen AG's Audi, have said they want to have vehicles capable of significant levels of hands-free driving on the road between 2016 and 2020. That means contracts to supply hardware and software need to be signed now.

The head of Google’s autonomous vehicle project, Chris Urmson, is scheduled to speak next week at an industry conference in Detroit to send the message that Google wants to forge partnerships with traditional automakers and suppliers to get its technology on the road.

 Mark Fields, President and CEO, Ford Motor Company, delivers the opening keynote address at the 2015 International CES.

Research firm IHS Automotive has estimated that self-driving car technology will add more than $31 billion in revenue for Google by 2040.

It is not clear, however, how automakers and such traditional technology suppliers as Continental AG (CONG.DE), Delphi Automotive PLC (DLPH.N), Robert Bosch GmbH [ROBG.UL] or Visteon Corp (VC.N), will welcome Google and other Silicon Valley companies looking to muscle their way between automotive brands and their customers.

Volkswagen, for example, announced at CES this week that it has partnered with Google rival TomTom to provide mapping data for its vehicles. Accurate maps are critical for autonomous driving, and they also provide richer information to drivers based on their location.

SHAKING UP STATUS QUO

Investors are betting that whatever happens, the status quo will be upended. Enthusiasm is high for companies positioned to benefit from increased automation and digital connectivity - including ride-sharing companies such as Uber, which aim to blow up traditional car ownership.

Valuations for some technology upstarts in the auto sector have soared above many of the industry's stalwarts.

 Mobility Experiment: Share-Car by Ford Motor Company.

“You will see the Old Guard lose its (share price) multiples and the New Guard valued at crazy levels,” said Cathie Wood, chief executive of Ark Investment Management LLC, which invests in shares of companies it believes will benefit from the growth in connected and autonomous vehicle technology.

The traditional auto sector is also investing heavily to avoid being eclipsed.

“It’s protecting our future,” said Tim Yerdon, vice president of Visteon’s connected services. “We have to play in it one way or the other.”


Exclusive preview of Mercedes-AMG A35 sedan at Cycle & Carriage

                PETALING JAYA: Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad (C&C) recently hosted the AMG Owners Community Malaysia (AOCM) for an exclusive preview of the all-new Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic Sedan at its newly renovated C&C Mutiara Damansara Autohaus.

The intimate gathering was a double celebration welcoming the newest addition to the AMG family in Malaysia and the first anniversary of the AOCM.

C&C, together with Mercedes-Benz, presented AOCM members with first hand insights into the all-new Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic Sedan presented by AMG Regional Sales Manager SEA, Guido Brormann.

Fans gained a deeper understanding of AMG and their appreciation for craftsmanship, power and performance.

“Cycle & Carriage is happy to offer the community with a clubhouse here at Mutiara Damansara Autohaus that’s befitting the stature and prestige of a modern luxury lifestyle that you as owners of an AMG masterpiece, can be proud of.

"We do this to set the pace in the luxury retail circuit to enable us to provide you with exceptional ownership journeys for another 120 years and beyond,” said Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad CEO, Wilfrid Foo.

The C&C Mutiara Damansara Autohaus is the first to bring the new Mercedes-Benz brand presence and experience to Malaysian customers. The new brand presence features a multi-sensorial appeal with elements such as personal assistance at the welcome area, integration of digital media, as well as a new architectural concept at the showroom.


BMW pitches computing power over horsepower in new 7 Series

MUNICH:  BMW unveiled its new flagship sedan, the 7-series, touting the car's digital prowess more than the number of cylinders and repositioning the sportscar brand for an era of low emissions.

The sixth generation of the limousine features wireless inductive charging of mobile phones, touchscreen displays and a removable 7 inch tablet computer to control infotainment functions. Despite heavy electronics, the car is also lighter than its predecessor, making it more fuel efficient.

"With each generation of the 7 series we have brought our customers' needs to the road, adapting accordingly as time moved on," said Harald Krueger, who took the helm at BMW as chief executive last month.

"We are responding to the digitalisation of modern mobility," Krueger said at the presentation here on Wednesday.

BMW sold 48,480 7 Series in 2014, less than half the 101,428 S-Class limousines sold by rival Mercedes-Benz but more than the 37,158 Audi A8 limousines sold that year, analysts at IHS automotive said.

IHS analyst Tim Urquhart said, "there is a big chance for BMW to close the gap in performance, comfort and reputational terms for its flagship sedan, as its fair to say the last car was slightly uninspired.”

The new car has software and sensors that help move it out of a parking space or garage all by itself, and can adjust automatically to speed limits.

A range of six and eight cylinder engines will be available when the car hits showrooms in October.

BMW has made use of carbon fiber materials as a way to steal the march on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. As a result, the car is 130 kilograms lighter than the previous model.

Saving 100kg in vehicle weight can cut fuel consumption by 0.6 litres per 100km, helping BMW meet stringent anti-emissions rules, consultants at Frost & Sullivan said.

BMW invested between 1.5 billion euros (US$1.7 billion) and 2 billion to develop carbon-fibre electric and hybrid cars, according to analysts' estimates.

"BMW is trying to find a competitive advantage. Carbon fiber and the car's digital technologies are part of this strategy Franz-Rudolf Esch, professor of automotive marketing at the European Business School said.

The Bavarian carmaker has pitched the limousine as a frugal mover. The 750i xdrive model consumes 8.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, or 189 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometre.

The plug-in hybrid model boasts fuel consumption of 2.1 litres per kilometre and just 49 grams of CO2 per kilometre, the company said.

Mercedes launched its sixth-generation S-Class limousine two years ago costing upwards of 72,000 euros, weighing 100 kilos less than the previous model and featuring fully reclining seats, lane detecting cameras and flat screen displays.


All-new Genesis G80 luxury sedan launched

                SEOUL: Despite an ongoing pandemic, Genesis went ahead to introduce the G80 in a digital world premiere.

The third-generation executive luxury sedan.goes on sale in South Korea today and in the second half of the year in other markets, starting with North America. It is in direct competition with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series.

Engineered for world market, the G80 features three powertrains: a 2.5-litre turbocharged Inline-4 producing 304PS; a 3.5-litre turbocharged V6 producing 380PS; and  a diesel 2.2-litre inne-4 producing 210PS.

Aluminum is used for about 19 percent of the G80 body, reducing the weight by 125kg compared to the previous one,  increasing fuel efficiency and performance.

The story of the G80 begins with the brand’s emblem which inspires the crest grille and quad lamps, the distinctive face of every Genesis model.

The G80 sports a classy exterior. On the side, the parabolic line, which begins at the front quad lamp and gradually runs lower to the rear through the top of the door, is inspired by the look of classic cars.

This elegant line is counter-balanced by athletic “power lines” emphasising the strength of fender volume and the upfitted 20-inch wheels. In addition, the chrome trim beginning from behind the front wheels stretches out along at the bottom of the door, crosses the side sills and swells upwards to the rear, strengthening forward visual motion.

The rear view features a dramatic, tapered look – highlighted by a sloping decklid and rear quad lamps which visually link to those in front. Chrome decor at the top of the trunk stretches the full-width repeating the theme of the Genesis emblem, while the dual exhaust finishers reference the Crest Grill design.

The steering wheel and sleek, thin air vents run across the passenger compartment splitting it into the panoramic area above and the control area below. The number of hard buttons and switches was intentionally kept to a minimum, both for aesthetic purposes and ease of use.

In the panoramic area, a heads-up display, a 12.3-inch cluster and a 14.5-inch infotainment system display all the pertinent information while driving.

The control area is equipped with a suite of interfaces: a Genesis integrated controller for HVAC controls, a rotary-operated electronic shift dial and touch-and-write infotainment system.

The G80’s leading interior space has been further refined. Both headroom and legroom were increased by lowering the seating height of the second row, allowing for both more interior room and a more dramatic roofline.

Completing the space, the G80 features leather seating, steering wheel surfaces, soft-touch fabrics and coatings as well as open pore wood trim finishes.

The new G80 uses a rear-wheel drive platform that lowers the body and the centre of gravity to secure a wider cabin and improved driving stability.

“The new G80 brings all the existing strengths from the previous generations coupled with an upgrade to the powertrain, platform and communication system,” said Hyundai research chief Albert Biermann.

“The core of our brand is the G80,” said Genesis global head William Lee. "This segment represents where we started and we’re pleased that our newest offering achieves a perfect balance of discerning luxury and inspiring performance for our customers.”


Citroën's little electric Ami off to promising start after novel launch

                PARIS: A week after a radical kind of launch, without any advertising and 100% of orders via the Internet, the new electric Ami from Citroën has already netted 170 unit sales in the country.

In its home market, the car can be driven by anyone from the age of 14 and does not require a driver's licence.

Of the 170 orders sold to private individuals, three-quarters of them paid in cash and the remainder with an upfront to be followed by rental over a period of four years. An overwhelming majority of customers (88%) also chose home delivery rather than pick-up from Citroën. First deliveries are expected at the end of July.

The brand's global marketing director, Arnaud Belloni, pointed out that the marketing strategy adopted for the Ami amounted to a breakthrough for the automaker.

"The customer can decide to buy from home whenever he or she wants, even on a Sunday morning at 2am, which is very trendy these days."

According to Belloni, the first sales figures show that the unusual approach adopted by the brand in bringing the Ami to market is the right one. Citroën's goal is to "make electric mobility accessible to as many people as possible. With the Ami, we're offering an electric solution that can be charged anywhere, which will only cost the price of a monthly transport pass."

The diminutive Ami is quite different from other vehicles on the market.

It does not require a driver's licence and can be driven by anyone who is over the age of 14. With a top speed that is limited to 45kph, it has a range of around 75km, and can be charged from a standard domestic power outlet. In France, the Ami is priced at 7,300 euros, without taking into account environmental tax incentives (a rebate of 900 euros in Europe), or it can be rented for 19.99 euros per month (following an initial payment of 3,941 euros).

From June 15, the Ami will also be available for long-term rental throughout France from 39 Fnac/Darty stores. On the same day, some Citroën dealerships will begin showing the Ami and giving future customers a chance to try it out. It is also worth noting that the Ami will soon be made available to Parisians via the Free2Move car-sharing initiative, which is due to start operations in July.

Following deployment in France, the Ami will be available for order in Italy before the end of 2020, and in Spain, Portugal, and Belgium in the course of 2021.


Hyundai's Ioniq 6 arrives in top-level First Edition trim

                LONDON: Hyundai has kicked off the arrival of its new Ioniq 6 with a high-specification First Edition model.

Arriving before the Premium and Ultimate-specification cars, the First Edition Ioniq 6 comes with a high level of included equipment and technology.

Priced from £54,995 (RM302,000) in the UK, the electric Ioniq 6 First Edition is accompanied by a range of up to 514km and is underpinned by Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) which helps to provide a spacious interior and plenty of assistance technology.

The First Edition receives 20-inch wheels in a matte black colour, while gloss black mouldings feature on the front, rear and side and combine with the mirror caps of the same colour to provide a sleek overall design.

Inside, there’s a black interior with a black headliner, while exclusive leather seats feature a grey tartan fabric which is inspired by the one used in Hyundai’s Prophecy EV concept. Plus, the floor mats are made by Econyl, which uses recycled fibres to create eco-friendly materials.

In fact, many of the materials in the Ioniq 6 have an eco-friendly base. For instance, recycled PET fabric is used for the headliner, while eco-process leather is combined with more recycled PET fabric on the seats.

There’s the option to have the exterior of the Ioniq 6 finished in one of four colours – Biophilic Blue Pearl, Serenity White Pearl, Nocturne Grey Metallic and Gravity Gold Matte – while the newly designed Hyundai ‘H’ emblem is finished in black aluminium.

Interested buyers are able to register for the Ioniq 6 First Edition launch via Hyundai’s Experience website.

The event takes place on Nov 9, after which customers will be able to complete their reservation request form. — PA Media


India's Mahindra in talks to buy Italy's Pininfarina

                MILAN/LONDON: India's Mahindra & Mahindra is in talks to buy a majority stake in luxury car designer Pininfarina in what would be the latest Asian bid for an iconic Italian brand, three sources with knowledge of the matter said on Wednesday.

Shares in Milan-listed Pininfarina, which has designed cars for Ferrari, Maserati, Rolls-Royce and Cadillac, jumped 21 percent to 4.96 euros (RM19.80), their highest in nearly a year on hopes of a takeover by India's largest maker of sport utility vehicles.

A spokesman for Pininfarina said the company did not comment on market rumours. Mahindra declined to comment.

One of the sources said the talks were at an advanced stage, but the other two said the companies were far from an agreement.

"It will be a nice acquisition for (Mahindra), but it's not a must have, so they will be very cautious on valuations," one of the sources said.

Turin-based Pininfarina's market capitalisation as of Tuesday night was 123 million euros (RM495mil).

The company has been loss-making for years and has a bank debt that is almost equal to its market value. It has been struggling to stay in business as car companies have moved to hire more in-house stylists at the expense of independent design firms.

If the talks succeed, Pininfarina could become the latest Italian industrial brand to be snapped up by an Asian buyer after China National Chemical Corp on Sunday agreed to buy into tyre-maker Pirelli in a 7.3 billion euro (RM29bil) deal.

Mahindra's link to Pininfarina goes back to 2013 when the Indian company hired Hubert Tassin, a former designer who worked at Pininfarina for more than six years, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Tassin is the lead designer at Mahindra Reva, the Indian company's electric car business. Among his top projects is Halo, a sporty-looking electric car that was on display at the auto show in New Delhi in 2014.

Mahindra has earned a reputation for buying distressed, undervalued companies, analysts said.

In 2010, it bought troubled South Korean automaker Ssangyong Motor and last year it acquired a majority stake in France-based Peugeot's loss-making scooter business.


Audi Q7 enhanced

                INGOLSTADT: Audi's full-sized Q7 sport utility vehicle (SUV) ups the ante with its newfound prestige factor, better dynamics and more high-tech goodies.

For looks, the new Q7 still bears the large octagon-shaped single-frame grille and six upright slats up front and flanked by a pair of gaping two-part side air inlets

The front end is further defined by the halogen headlights (HD Matrix LED technology with Audi's laser light optionally available), while the restyled rear is slapped with a chrome strip that helps with the continuation of the defined shoulder line.

As an optional extra, the Q7 has the S line exterior that includes a blade in the front bumper, paint-matched sporty rear underbody protection and 19-inch wheels.

Suspending this SUV is an optional electromechanical active roll stabilization system that helps to reduce body movements on uneven roads when driving in a straight line.

The system focuses on optimum roll compensation and tries its level-best to substantially reduce the vehicle's lean into a bend.

Also optionally available is the all-wheel steering system that turns the rear wheels in the opposite direction by up to 5-degrees to increase agility.

It also steers the rear wheels slightly in the same direction during highway speeds to improve stability.

To promote higher comfort levels is the standard adaptive air suspension (for all seven-seater Q7 model variants) which helps to provide variable ground clearance.

The system also includes offroad mode which is selectable via the Audi drive select dynamic handling system that provides a total of seven driving profiles.

An S line exterior can also include a slightly firmer adaptive air suspension sport that lowers the ride height by 15mm compared to the regular air suspension system.

Regardless of engine variant, an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission manages power delivery to the permanent all-wheel drive system.

The choice of powerplants available includes two diesel engines that will first be made available at market launch in mid-September for Europe before a petrol and a plug-in hybrid model completes the list of variants.

As standard, the Q7 will be equipped with a standard mild-hybrid technology that can help to reduce consumption by up to 0.7 litres per 100km.

The technology uses a belt alternator starter (BAS) to power a 48-volt main electrical system in which a compact lithium-ion battery stores the energy.

During braking, the BAS can recover up to 8kW of power and feed it back into the battery.

If the driver takes their foot off the accelerator at speeds between 55 and 160kph and the Q7 can recuperate back some of the energy.

It can also roll in idle or coasts for up to 40 seconds with the engine switched off.

Also, the BAS restarts the engine the next time the accelerator is depressed, and does so faster and more gently than a conventional starter. The start‑stop range begins at 22kph.

Inside, regardless of whether its five or seven seats, the Q7 is more spacious than before thanks to the dimensional increases that make it 5,063mm-long (+11mmn), 1,970mm-wide and 1,741mm-tall.

It also boasts of segment-leading headroom and elbow room throughout the cabin as well as a host of storage compartments including a new accommodating compartment in the instrument panel.

Depending on the position of the rear seat backs, activating the standard powered tailgate with an optional foot-activated gesture control system in the five-seater Q7 reveals an 865-litre boot that expands to 2,050 litres with the rear seats folded down flat.

A Rear Seat Bench Plus can also be added from the options list so that it can be moved fore and aft as well adjustable backrest angle and a third seat row with two power-foldable seats.

At the front of the cabin, there are two large touchscreens with haptic and acoustic feedback when touching the controls.

When off, the top display slots almost invisibly into the large black decorative surface.

An optional contour ambient lighting package gets the interior illuminated when in the dark.

The comfort equipment options include four-zone automatic air conditioning, a power-assist function to close the doors quietly, Bang & Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System and an air quality package with fragrancing and ionizer.

Highlights in the seat lineup include the customized contour seats with their numerous adjustment functions and the S sport seats plus, both available with climate control and massage function.

For infotainment purposes, its the Audi connect and assist systems that have the Multi-Media Interface (MMI) Navigation Plus with LTE Advanced, Wi-Fi hotspot, natural voice control and the extensive Audi connect portfolio which includes traffic information online, navigation with Google Earth and hybrid radio.

The cloud-based Amazon voice service Alexa has been newly integrated into the MMI operating system.

The same applies to the Car-to-X service traffic light information, which is being rolled out in stages in selected European cities.

Interconnection with the city’s infrastructure allows the vehicle to receive information from the central traffic light computer via a server, enabling the driver to select a speed to match the next green-light phase.

The all-digital Audi virtual cockpit – and the optional heads-up display – provide an individual speed recommendation as well as the remaining time until the next green-light phase if the driver is already waiting at a red light.

The system thus contributes to a predictive and efficient driving style and facilitates a steady flow of traffic.

There is also an adaptive cruise control assist system which combines the functions of adaptive speed assist, traffic jam assist and active lane assist to reduce the driver’s workload, especially when on long journeys.

In combination with efficiency assist it brakes and accelerates the Q7 in anticipation of the conditions ahead.

Also newly added is the emergency assist system, which detects if the driver is somehow inactive and will bring the car to a full-stop while initiating protective and rescue measures.


Pilot hydrogen production plant and refuelling station suspended

                KUCHING: Sarawak Energy’s pilot hydrogen production plant and refuelling station, the first in South East Asia, and built to provide fuel for state-run hydrogen buses, has been halted temporarily following the detection of contaminant liquid.

State transport minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin said in a statement that currently, a team of experts from Linde EOX Sdn Bhd, the technology partner and system integrator for the pilot project, was working with Sarawak Energy to address the issue which was detected during the plant’s performance test.

"The performance test is a robust process that provides for checks to be conducted to ensure that matters detected are fixed during the warranty period, and also to resolve any teething issues which are not uncommon for research and development projects. The facility is still under warranty by Linde," the statement said.

The Sarawak government had mooted the idea of using renewable energy buses as an initiative towards providing public transportation with cleaner emissions, and started the trial run in August with three hydrogen fuel-cell buses supplied by Foshan Feishi Automobile Manufacture Co Ltd, China.

According to a local news report, the buses were supposed to be accessible to the public and tourists at no charge, starting Sept 15, with two buses to be made available to the public while the third would be for tourists.

News of the plant as a research and development project, was announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in November 2017.


EPA expected to reopen vehicle emissions decision, says source

                WASHINGTON, D.C.: The US Environmental Protection Agency is expected to announce next week it would reopen a review of 2022-2025 vehicle emissions requirements after automakers urged the Trump administration to reverse a decision under former President Barack Obama, a source said on Friday.

Last week, trade groups representing General Motors Co, Toyota Motor Corp, Volkswagen AG, Ford Motor Co, Honda Motor Co and others formally asked new EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to withdraw an Obama administration decision to lock in vehicle emission rules through 2025.

A person briefed on the matter who had seen the draft order restarting the review said it was expected to be unveiled next week. The source was not authorised to discuss contents of the order publicly.

The EPA notice is expected to say that the agency plans to work in tandem with the U.S. Transportation Department to set consistent standards for corporate average fuel efficiency and emissions limits, the source said.

A White House spokesman and an EPA spokesman declined to comment.

The EPA had until April 2018 to decide whether the 2022-2025 standards were feasible under a "mid-term review" but in November moved up its decision to Jan 13, just before Obama left office.

The auto group requests follow a separate letter to President Donald Trump earlier this month from the chief executives of GM, Ford Motor Co and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, along with the top North American executives at Toyota, VW, Honda, Hyundai Motor Co, Nissan Motor Co Ltd and others urging Trump to revisit the decision.

GM CEO Mary Barra told reporters on Tuesday that automakers were "looking to actually have the mid-term review." She said the review needs to look "at all the different dynamics that are occurring."

Automakers say the rules impose significant costs and are out of step with consumer preferences. Environmentalists say the rules save drivers fuel costs and should not be changed.

In 2011, Obama announced an agreement with automakers to raise fuel efficiency standards to a fleet average of 54.5 mpg (4.3l/100km) by 2025. This, the administration said, would save motorists US$1.7 trillion in fuel costs over the life of the vehicles but cost the auto industry about US$200 billion over 13 years.

In July, EPA said because Americans were buying fewer cars and more SUVs and trucks, it now estimated the fleet will average 50.8 mpg to 52.6 mpg (4.6l/100km to 4.5l/100km) in 2025.

Earlier Friday, eight environmental organisations urged Pruitt not to reopen the issue. These included the Sierra Club, Union of Concerned Scientists, League of Conservation Voters and Natural Resources Defense Council.

"EPA should stay the course and look to the future, to protect our climate and the workers developing clean car technologies," council President Rhea Suh said in a statement.


To stay alert at the wheel, pick your own selection of music or podcasts

                PARIS: The more a driver is interested in what they listen to while driving, the better their alertness and ability to stay awake may be, suggest the findings of a study that recommends listening to the shows and music that you personally enjoy when at the wheel.

The research, published by France's Assurance Prévention association, suggests that listening to music or a podcast has a beneficial effect on alertness while driving. Better still, the fact of choosing what you listen to could delay the appearance of extreme drowsiness when at the wheel.

To reach this conclusion, a small scientific study was carried out via a test situation using a driving simulator.

Some 97 motorists took part in this experiment, which consisted of driving for 90 minutes on a freeway, under various conditions (day, night, good weather and rain).

Through a self-assessment of drowsiness levels, but also through the analysis of facial signs and behaviors using a dedicated device, it became clear that people who drove without listening to music or podcasts, but only to the noise of the car and the traffic, were significantly more prone to drowsiness.

Indeed, the natural vibrations of the car appear to promote sleepiness.

The study also found that music imposed on the driver tends to increase their concentration and reduce the risk of drowsiness.

However, the best results were those obtained when drivers listened to the content of their choice.

Their attentiveness was then much higher and signs of sleep onset were lowest.

So, you know what to do when you hit the road this summer: listen to your favorite playlists and podcasts!


Toyota Vios Sports Edition and Tokyo Motors Show 2017 trips up for grabs

                SHAH ALAM: Toyota customers who purchase their vehicles from any Toyota showrooms nationwide stand a chance of winning brand new Toyota Vios Sports Edition or a trip to Japan to attend the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show.

There are two units of the Vios Sports Edition to be won as the Grand Prizes and 45 winners for a trip for two to Tokyo Motor Show as First Prizes in the ‘Buy & Win’ campaign which ends on Sept 30.

It’s also great time to buy a new Toyota vehicle because UMW Toyota Motor is offering up to RM5,000 (depending on the model) in cash rebates for the Toyota Vios, Camry, Hilux Double Cab, Corolla Altis, Fortuner, Sienta and Avanza.

On top of the cash rebates, those who buy a new Vios will also get free accessories worth RM4,000 while for Corolla Altis buyers, accessories worth a total of RM5,700 will be included at no extra cost, on top of the cash rebates.

As it is also the period of the Merdeka celebrations, new Vios purchasers will enjoy a special Merdeka Reward worth RM500.
Graduates will find it easier to own a brand new Vios with the ‘Toyota Easy GradSCHEME’ with instalments from as low as RM675 a month (terms and conditions apply).

The Vios Sports Edition, valued at RM85,000, is an exclusive version inspired by the racing cars which will be used in the Vios Challenge to be held at the Batu Kawan Stadium in Penang on Aug 12 and 13.

The event is the highlight of the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) racing festival which will be held at the same venue during the weekend.

Besides having a sporty aerokit and stickers that give a similar appearance to the racing cars, the Vios Special Edition also has a sports suspension package which enhances handling.

More information on the special promotions and test-drives are available at all Toyota showrooms nationwide and customers can call the Toyota freephone at 1800-8- TOYOTA (869682).


Perodua Myvi goes on sale in Singapore

                SINGAPORE: The third-generation Perodua Myvi has been officially launched here with two variants on offer - 1.3 X AT and 1.5 H AT - priced at SGD64,800 (RM197,093) and SGD69,800 (RM212,301) respectively, inclusive of Goods and Services Tax
and the Certificate of Entitlement (COE).

The launch event was held last Saturday at Perocom Auto Pte Ltd’s outlet in Ubi, attracting some 250 customers. Perocom Auto is the sole authorised Perodua distributor in Singapore.

“The current-generation Myvi’s foray into Singapore is significant in terms of brand presence despite the high barriers for entry into this mature market. This also marks the model’s first export destination under the Perodua brand,” said Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Although Perodua has already begun exporting the current-generation Myvi to Indonesia, the model is badged as a Daihatsu there and is called the Sirion.

The number of new cars registered in Singapore varies a fair amount from year to year, numbering 80,281 units in 2018, 91,922 in 2017, 87,504 in 2016 and 57,589 in 2015, according to Land Transport Authority (LTA) statistics.

Although small, the Singaporean automotive market is among the most highly-regulated in the region.

“The Perodua Myvi has been very well received by Malaysians, and the enthusiasm has also found its way to Singapore, where there is a niche yet loyal cult following eagerly awaiting the arrival of the third-generation model,” said Perocom Auto Pte Ltd Managing Director John Ng.

Perocom Auto has sold the Kancil, Kembara, Kelisa, first-generation Myvi, Viva, Axia and Bezza in Singapore. It has been the sole authorised Perodua distributor in the island nation since 1997.


2016 New York Auto Show: Hyundai Genesis concept

NEW YORK: Genesis has unveiled its striking ‘New York Concept’ luxury sports sedan at the 2016 New York International Auto Show.The New York Concept hints at future Genesis design direction with its expressive and refined ‘Athletic Elegance’, first seen in the Vision G concept and in production form with the Genesis G90 luxury sedan.The exterior of the New York Concept presents an elegant interpretation of a luxurious performance vehicle, defined by well-balanced proportions and refined surface treatments.Inside, the concept car combines advanced technology with absolute luxury, contrasting innovative electronics against finely-crafted materials.Acknowledging the Genesis brand’s sporty and agile nature, the hybrid concept generates 245ps and 352Nm of torque from its 2.0 Turbocharged GDi engine coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission.Designed to express the Genesis modern view of luxury, the New York Concept brings a fresh perspective to the segment by offering the unexpected, yet still satisfying the needs of modern luxury buyers.At the front of the car, the New York Concept demonstrates power and confidence as growing attributes of the Genesis line-up. The prominent, upright grille is visually supported by sleek, horizontal headlamps.From the side, the sleek and tapered cabin emphasizes powerful shoulders, bringing visual power over the rear wheels and quarter panels.Short front overhangs contrast with longer rear overhangs completing the proportions of an elegant and refined performance car.The rear perspective of the New York Concept is distinguished by a low and sleek rear deck, further enhanced by strongly tapered body flanks.The interior of the New York Concept further projects the future design direction of Genesis.A 21-inch floating, curved screen incorporates driver instruments and multimedia functions, creating potential for new, sculpted forms for the front seat occupants.The open steering wheel design is ergonomically formed to facilitate visibility of the instruments while enhancing handling control.A logical and spacious center console divides the interior space through its length axis into two separate halves.The concept’s interior showcases meticulously-wrapped full leather interior, with accents of anthracite contrasted with rich tan leather on seats and doors, while sliced suede leather used on the headrest brings a soft tactile accent.

Hyundai’s premium marque has set its sights on the compact premium sedan segment and if the concept is any indication, the production model - likely to be called G70 - will be competing against the likes of the BMW 3 series.

It remains to be seen when the rumoured G70 will be launched, but we are willing to be patient as long as the concept’s styling won’t get lost in translation on its way to the assembly line.


Refreshed VW Golf GTI with IQ.Drive tech, priced at RM245K

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) today unveiled the refreshed Golf GTI equipped with IQ.Drive driver assistance systems, priced at RM244,990 (recommended retail price).

The interior also offers updated new features such as wireless charging and embroidered GTI logo on the driver and front passenger seats.

The IQ.Drive system can assist drivers in making their journeys safer and more comfortable.

Safety features include Travel Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) which uses radar and various sensors to detect vehicles ahead, as well as Side Assist which acts as an active blind spot monitor, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert which warns drivers of potential danger when the reverse gear is engaged.

The Golf GTI also has Front Assist which is the Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) feature that uses a radar sensor integrated into the front of the vehicle to continuously monitor the distance to the vehicles ahead.

In addition to detecting vehicles, the latest version of Front Assist also detects pedestrians and cyclists crossing the road.

The Golf GTI also has upgraded interior and exterior features such as new fog lights, electrically heated and adjustable folding mirrors and an additional centre airbag, with seven airbags in total.

The hot hatchback's turbocharged engine produces 245ps and 370Nm of torque.

“The new safety feature for our latest Golf GTI model is just another example of our commitment to providing our owners with the highest level of safety and performance," said VPCM managing director Erik Winter.


China's EVE to supply BMW with large Tesla-like cylindrical batteries in Europe

                SHANGHAI: China's EVE Energy Co Ltd will supply BMW with large cylindrical batteries for its electric cars in Europe, two people with knowledge of the matter said, as the German automaker follows Tesla Inc in adopting the new technology.

EVE has signed contracts to be BMW's primary supplier of the battery cells in Europe for its new series of electric vehicles due to hit the market from 2025, said one of the people who has direct knowledge of the deal.

Tesla this year started making its new larger-format 4680 cylindrical battery - denoting 46mm in diameter and 80mm in length.

It has said it expects the battery to lower production costs and improve range compared to the current-generation 2170 cylindrical battery.

Guangdong-based EVE's batteries will be similar in size, said the sources, who were not authorised to speak to media and declined to be identified.

Company filings also show EVE is planning a large cylindrical battery plant in central China.

EVE, a supplier to BMW in China, did not directly address Reuters queries when asked for comment. BMW said it plans to release some battery-related news in early September but declined further comment.

The shift by BMW, which currently uses prismatic batteries, underscores growing momentum for larger-format cylindrical batteries.

Prismatic batteries, which are rectangular in shape, have become the most common form of auto battery in the past two years as they can be more densely packed, saving on costs.

But proponents of cylindrical batteries argue the newer larger format cells have become more cost-effective due to improvements in energy density.

China's CATL, the world's largest battery maker, is also due to start supplying cylindrical batteries to BMW from 2025.

Expectations are high that these batteries will also be large-sized cells. CATL did not respond to a request for comment on planned dimensions.

It was not immediately clear how many batteries BMW plans to procure from EVE and CATL.

EVE's deal with BMW prompted the Chinese company to announce in March that it would build a cylindrical battery production facility in Debrecen, Hungary - its first plant in Europe, according to the person with direct knowledge of the deal.

BMW is also constructing a plant in the same city where it plans to produce EVs developed on its Neue Klasse platform.

Government incentives are driving demand for EVs in Europe and the United States, spurring Chinese battery and EV makers to accelerate plans to set up production bases overseas.

CATL announced last week it would build Europe's biggest battery plant with annual capacity of 100 gigawatt hours, also in Debrecen, to supply European automakers. Mercedes-Benz will be its largest client. read more

With much of fresh battery demand likely to be for large cylindrical cells, Chinese battery makers which have relied on a huge domestic market where prismatic cells reign, will have to change tack like EVE and CATL, said Duan Bing, an analyst at Nomura.

Eve, founded by lithium-ion battery researcher Liu Jincheng in 2001 and also a supplier to Xpeng Inc, is a much smaller player than CATL. It ranks eighth with 2.3% market share in China, according to data from the China Automotive Battery Innovation Alliance.

By comparison, CATL makes 47.6% of the total batteries installed in EVs in China.


Hyundai Santa Fe arrives from RM170K

                SHAH ALAM: Hyundai-Sime Darby has introduced four variants of the latest fourth-generation Santa Fe mid-sized sport utility vehicle.

There are two petrol and two diesel variants for choice as well as six colour options of White Cream, Typhoon Silver, Stormy Sea (dark blue), Rain Forest (dark green), Earthy Bronze and Phantom Black.

Introductory prices start with the Theta II 2.4 MPI (petrol) Executive at RM169,888 without road tax and insurance, while the Premium variant costs similarly at RM189,888.

In the diesel spectrum, the R 2.2 CRDi Executive costs RM191,888 and the Premium variant is listed at RM211,888.

The new Santa Fe range is covered by a five-year or 300,000km warranty (whichever comes first) and comes with a 50,000km free service that is valid for three years.

The new Santa Fe rolls in with a wheelbase of 2,765mm and measures in at 1,890mm-wide, 4,770mm-long and 1,680mm-tall, while having a 1,635mm (front) and 1,644mm (rear) track widths.

The 2.4-litre (2,359cc) petrol engine, managed by a six-speed automatic, produces 172PS at 6,000rpm and 225Nm of torque at 4,000rpm.

The 2.2-litre (2,199cc) turbodiesel, on the other hand, produces 193PS at 3,800rpm and 440Nm of torque from 1,750 to 2,750rpm.

An eight-speed automatic manages power delivery to an Active on-Demand 4WD (HTRAC - Hyundai Traction) system that helps to vary torque between the front and rear axles for the sake of traction.

The body is suspended by front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link suspension with gas-filled shocks all around.

As standard, the Executive variants get fitted with 18x7.5-inch wheels with 235/60 series tyres and incandescent bulbs for the projector headlights, rear light combination and fog lights. Only the daytime running lights use LEDs.

Inside, the cabin is fitted with black fabric upholstery, 10-way powered driver's seat, manually adjustable front passenger seat, keyless entry with push-start button and a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel.

A 3.5-inch TFT LCD cluster meter stares back at the driver as well as a 7.0-inch Supervision floating display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, AUX, USB voice recognition and Bluetooth connectivity.

Other conveniences include automatic up/down for all windows, dual-zone climate controls, reverse camera, automatic cruise control, automatic headlights, roof rack, power outlet (cabin and boot) and USB ports (2 front, 2 rear).

For safety, the Santa Fe gets fitted with six airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic stability control, downhill brake control, hill-start assist control, brake assist system, traction control and vehicle stability management.

The Premium variants have been fitted with rear occupant alert, blind-spot collision warning and rear cross traffic collision warning while rolling on larger 19x8.0-inch wheels with 235/55 tyres.

Other conveniences include LEDs for the projector headlights, dynamic bending light, rear combination lights and fog lamps as well as burgundy or black leather upholstery and an eight-way powered front passenger seats.

There is also passenger-side keyless entry, leather dashboard trim, photochromic rearview mirror with inbuilt compass, powered tailgate, wireless phone charger and rain sensor.


BHPetrol stations are accepting ShopeePay

                KUALA LUMPUR: Boustead Petroleum Marketing (BHPetrol) is accepting the ShopeePay mobile wallet as a mode of payment at BHPetrol service stations nationwide.

The partnership with ShopeePay is another step in the right direction for the company, towards the digitalisation of payments.

BHPetrol Marketing general manager Lawrence Chuah said the company was always looking at ways to improve its services in providing the best quality fuels, exciting offers and convenience for its customers.

"Partnering with e-wallets like ShopeePay is a great example of an exciting promotion that also provides convenience to the customers.

"This is not only a natural progression due to the Covid-19 situation, but also in line with the Government’s agenda that was announced in MyDigital which aggressively pushes for the adoption of contactless payment, while more importantly satisfy the change of consumer b ehavior towards more options of digital payment.”

Chuah added that BHPetrol has always been heeding to customer needs and being ahead of the game is important.

“It is our nature to be progressive and hence, it was not difficult for us to maneuver and ride the changing tides.

"Accepting ShopeePay as an added payment mode offers our consumers more choice. We will always go further to help serving and rewarding our customers better,” he said.

Meanwhile, Head of ShopeePay Alain Yee said the demand for petrol is set to rise again as economic sectors slowly begin to reopen and Malaysians head out for business as usual.

"We have timed our partnership as such that it would be launched to best benefit Malaysians as this collaboration with BHPetrol will see ShopeePay users be rewarded with attractive cashback.

"This will also help put more money back into the pockets of BHPetrol customers,” he said.

To mark the occasion, users of ShopeePay at any BHPetrol outlet with eWallet acceptance in the country will receive RM4 cashback with a minimum spend of RM40.

Each customer can receive a total of three cashbacks during the campaign period from March 1 till April 30.

BHPetrol stations are using GHL Systems Bhd's terminals to accept ShopeePay across the country.


Ferrari roars out with high octane Daytona SP3 for its Icona fans

                MILAN: Ferrari's new high octane model, the Daytona SP3, ends a long wait by lovers of its Icona-series cars, although it may not be welcomed by those trying to curb carbon emissions.

With an 840hp, 12-cylinder (V12) aspirated mid-rear-mounted engine, the Daytona SP3 pays tribute to the Ferrari 330 P3/4, which dominated the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1967.

The Daytona SP3 will be produced in 599 units, with a not-for-everyone price of €2 million (RM9.5mil) in Italy. Deliveries will start at the end of next year and are expected to be completed in 2024.

Ferrari presented its latest Icona on Saturday just as new chief executive Benedetto Vigna sets the Italian luxury sports car maker on the road to full electrification.

Vigna is a tech industry veteran who in September became CEO of Ferrari, which has promised to deliver its first fully electric vehicle in 2025. read more

In the meantime, Ferrari fans have been waiting more than three years for the second Icona after the Monza in 2018.

Ferrari's Iconas are special series cars produced in limited numbers, reserved for ultra wealthy private collectors and inspired by legendary models from the past.

Recognised by its "Prancing Horse" logo and red racing cars, Ferrari already has three electric hybrid models in its range, including the 296 GTB sports car it unveiled this year.

Ferrari has increasingly reserved its polluting V12 engines for limited series models and Iconas made up just 2% of the units it shipped in the last quarter, while V12 cars accounted for 12% of group shipments.

It will make less than a combined 1,600 V12 812 Competizione and 812 Competizione A models, launched this year, with a starting price just under €500,000 (RM2.36mil).


Volkswagen's Limited Edition Jetta surfaces

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Malaysia has introduced a limited edition Jetta, with only 1,000 units being made available with sporty aesthetic upgrades and a new multimedia head unit with navigation.

The limited edition Jetta is available in two variants, both of which have a limited run of 500 units each.

It starts with the Club Edition that’s priced at RM122,888 and gets equipped with window tint and a multimedia navigation head unit, specifically the Blaupunkt Philadelphia 835 (PA835) unit with navigation maps from Garmin.

The Sport Edition may cost an additional RM10,000, but adds to the Club Edition’s equipment with a set of Silex 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/45 series Goodyear Assurance TripleMax tyres and a Zubehör Aerokit that comprises of a front lip, side skirts, rear skirts and a rear boot lid spoiler.

However, the body kit is available for purchase and costs RM14,000, which includes spraying and labour charges.

Unfortunately, paddle shifters that was once seen in the CBU Jetta have yet to resurface and a reverse camera still remains off the list of standard equipment even though the PA835 unit is ready for it.

As for colours, the Limited Edition Volkswagen Jetta is available in Candy White, Reflex Silver, Platinum Grey and Deep Black.

“The Jetta Limited Edition, which comes with 6 airbags and a complete makeover, proves to be a perfect blend of form and function,” said Volkswagen Malaysia managing director Armin Keller.


Indonesia may raise petrol prices as global oil price soars above US$100

                JAKARTA: Indonesia will consider raising petrol prices after global oil costs surged, with the government still deciding on the magnitude and timing.

"Because if we don’t raise prices, then Pertamina might collapse, while raising prices would affect the people, so we are calculating this,” Coordinating Minister for Investment and Maritime Affairs Luhut Panjaitan told reporters at a briefing in Bali.

"We are sure to raise it,” adding that the government has a few scenarios in mind, without giving specifics.

Oil had breached US$100 in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, following months of gains driven by the resurgence in demand from a recovering global economy.

Indonesia’s subsidy bill had already ballooned last year to the highest since 2014, which was before President Joko Widodo drastically cut back energy aid to free up more funds for infrastructure development.

Inflation has remained muted, reaching 2.18% in January to be within the central bank’s target range of 2%-4%, but an increase to administered prices could fan consumer prices.

Covid-19 cases are also on the rise in the country

Indonesia on Friday confirmed 49,447 new Covid-19 cases, raising its tally of infections to 5,457,775, the country's health ministry said.

According to the ministry, the death toll from Covid-19 in the country rose by 244 to 147,586, while 61,361 more people recovered from the disease during the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of recoveries to 4,736,234.


Used car dealers seek access to JPJ vehicle ownership database

                PETALING JAYA: Used car dealers are seeking access to the Road Transport Department’s (JPJ) vehicle ownership database to verify information before buying and selling of vehicles.

Now that the Vehicle Ownership Certificate (VOC) has replaced the Vehicle Registration Card (RC), some of the information that was available on the RC, cannot be seen under the VOC.

VOC replaced the RC effective June 1.

Federation of Motor and Credit Companies Association of Malaysia (FMCCAM) president Datuk Tony Khor said the new VOC did not contain transaction records or bank ownership claims.

“The RC had clearly stated this information, so when car dealers are approached by potential sellers, the first thing we look at is the bank ownership claims to know where the car loan is from and how much more is owed.

“The new VOC does not have this, so we need to find other ways to get this information.

“How can we buy cars from a previous owner without determining this information beforehand?” he said in an interview yesterday.

Khor, however, was delighted with the JPJ’s transition from RC to VOC, saying that the new system allowed car dealers to transfer vehicle ownership online, instead of going to a JPJ office.

“All we need now is to appeal to JPJ to allow us to search the vehicle owners’ details online as well, using the MyKad and biometric system like in the JPJ offices,” he said.

Khor, while appreciative of the fast, paperless system, noted that the VOC also did not state road tax renewal information, thus slowing down transactions with banks and auto insurance companies.

“Banks and insurance companies need road tax renewal information, so when we submit the documents to banks for loan processing, we need to send a separate photocopy of the road tax document.

“Under the Hire Purchase Act, car dealers have to deliver vehicles to customers with the road tax included, otherwise the transaction is deemed incomplete,” he added.

Khor, who also had a meeting with JPJ director-general Datuk Seri Ismail Ahmad yesterday, said Ismail had agreed to allow banks to verify ownership claims through Financial Information Services (FIS) online.

“Currently the process requires one working day, but we have put in a request to FIS to speed up the process so that it can be done on the same day,” said Khor.

The JPJ’s move to introduce the VOC “pink slip” to replace the old RC is being carried out in stages, beginning June 1 for new vehicle owners and new owners for vehicle ownership transfer.

From Sept 1, the VOC will be issued to vehicle owners renewing their road tax and those who update or amend vehicle information.

From January next year, the VOC will be issued to vehicle owners who voluntarily turn up at JPJ offices to change their RC.

The JPJ has stated that with the implementation of the VOC, it will clear the path to broaden the department’s online services, making future transactions easier and faster.


Tesla flags its cars not ready to be approved as fully self-driving this year

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc's advanced driver assistant software won't gain regulatory approval in 2022, CEO Elon Musk said in remarks which indicate the company is not yet able to satisfy authorities that its cars can be driven without someone behind the wheel.

The Silicon Valley automaker sells a US$15,000 (RM71,000) software add-on called "Full Self-Driving" (FSD) which enables its vehicles to change lanes and park autonomously. That complements its standard "Autopilot" feature which enables cars to steer, accelerate and brake within their lanes without driver intervention.

However, the cars still need to be driven with human oversight. A completely autonomous vehicle would require regulatory approval.

Musk told a post-earnings call on Wednesday that all FSD users in North America will get an upgraded version at the end of the year, adding that while its cars are not ready to have no one behind the wheel, drivers would rarely have to touch the controls.

"The car will be able to take you from your home to your work, your friend's house, the grocery store without you touching the wheel," he said.

"It's a separate matter as to will it have regulatory approval. It won't have regulatory approval at that time," he added.

Musk also said Tesla hopes to provide an update to FSD in 2023 to show regulators that the car is much safer than the average human.

"Musk is opening the possibility Tesla will have a more difficult path to approval for FSD given heightened NHTSA and other scrutiny," said Craig Irwin, an analyst at Roth Capital.

Technology questions

Auto safety regulators have long been at loggerheads with Tesla over its partially automated driving systems. Since 2016, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened 38 special investigations into crashes involving Tesla vehicles that have resulted in 19 deaths, looking at whether the software was a factor.

"Translation: Tensions between NHTSA and Tesla will ramp at the end of the year and Tesla will move forward," said Gene Munster, a managing partner at venture capital firm Loup Ventures, which owns Tesla shares.

Tesla's naming of its software has also caused consternation, with the automaker accused by a California state transportation regulator of false advertising since the features do not provide full autonomous vehicle control.

Tesla's website says both technologies "require active driver supervision," with a "fully attentive" driver whose hands are on the wheel, "and do not make the vehicle autonomous".

Some analysts say, however, that Tesla's primary problem is not regulators but the software itself, given the complexity of autonomous driving.

"The impediment is the technology. It is not about approval of that technology," said Bryant Walker Smith, a law professor at the University of South Carolina.

Tesla has repeatedly missed self-imposed targets for its vehicles to achieve full self-driving capability - a function that Musk has said will eventually would become "the most important source of profitability for Tesla."


Mercedes-Benz applies for new nomenclature trademarks

                OTTAWA (Canada): German luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz, is looking to rename a few of its models for its production and AMG-performance models with the World Intellectual Property Organization.

Historically, the company has maintained naming its models with two digits for its Mercedes-AMG performance models and three digits for its Mercedes-Benz production vehicles.

An autoguide.com report said the company has filed for new trademarks in Canada for its production models - all of which now have two digits and ends with a zero (0), and includes the A 40, CLA 40, SLC 40, SLC 50 and GLE 50, while the CLA 50 nameplate has been applied for in Germany and other parts of the world

With the new trademarks, it may seem as though the production models will be joining the ranks of the AMG range.

Instead, the company has also gone ahead and applied for new trademarks for them as well, which will have the number three (3) for its last digit as part of its two-digit classification, and includes the CLA 53, G73 and S73 (the new range-topper).

With regards to the '73' designation, rumours on the interweb indicate that this particular number will be fitted on to the carmaker's 805hp electrified 4.0-litre V8 hybrid-performance model.

Last but not least, the 'Turbo 48' nameplate is also being reserved - much like the old 'Kompressor' or recent 'Biturbo' badgery, and should find its way on to its turbocharged and 48V hybrids soon.


Russia's Yandex looks at 10-fold increase in driverless car fleet to speed up testing

Yandex hopes to start testing more than 100 of its self-driving cars on roads by the end of this year. — Reuters
MOSCOW: Yandex, a Russian equivalent to Google, said it is considering expanding its fleet of self-driving cars to up to 1,000 within the next two years in order to speed up tests on the fledgling technology.

Yandex hopes to start testing more than 100 of its self-driving cars on roads by the end of this year. It already has a fleet of 90 cars, 35 of which are being tested on Moscow’s roads with a Yandex engineer present.

“We plan to further increase the fleet, by as much as even a thousand cars. We can produce the first thousand cars fairly quickly within one and half and two years,” Dmitry Polishchuk, head of Yandex’s self-driving car division, said last week.

“This is needed to check changes quickly in the algorithms we are making,” he said.

Research published by HSBC bank in January said that Yandex’s autonomous driving software put it on a par with global leaders in the technology and that it was catching up with Google’s Waymo.

 A self-driving car owned and tested by Yandex company undergoing tests in Moscow last week. — Reuters

Yandex has not disclosed how much it has invested in self-driving technology, but Polishchuk said a single car cost 6.5 million roubles (RM406,000). He said the price had fallen from the 9.5 million (RM594,000) it had cost to build the company’s first prototype.

“What’s more, the car has become more technologically advanced,” he said.

Yandex began working on driverless technology in 2016 and tested its first cars in 2017. The cars are currently being tested in Russia’s Skolkovo and Innopolis tech parks. The firm also obtained a licence to test driverless transport in Israel last year.

Yandex, with over 30 offices globally, has been listed on the Nasdaq since 2011. Its services include food delivery and a ride-sharing business with Uber in Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia and Kazakhstan, among other countries.

Polishchuk said the company was looking into the possibility of carrying out tests in the United States where he said legislation was the most progressive.


Fast and furious debt pile-up threatens Britain's luxury carmakers

                LONDON: British luxury carmakers’ bonds have tumbled amid sluggish sales and the prospect of a brutal global recession, just as the heavily-indebted companies mull raising more cash to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic.

McLaren Group Ltd.’s notes have fallen to a record low after the carmaker was forced to halt production and this year’s Formula 1 racing series was postponed. Debt of Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings Plc and Jaguar Land Rover Plc are also languishing below face value, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

These companies may well need to get debt investors on their side as they require more cash to battle the impact of the pandemic. McLaren is seeking up to £300 million (RM1.6bil) of financing while Aston Martin has said it may raise more funds just months after securing a cash injection from its new billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll.

“Many of these companies were already burning through cash before this crisis,” said Uli Gerhard, a senior portfolio manager at Insight Investment Management Ltd. “More debt won’t solve the problem. If equity is not there, they’ll have to repair their balance sheets.”

Exploring funding avenues

A spokesman for McLaren Group said the firm is exploring “a variety of different funding options to help navigate these short-term business interruptions.”

An Aston Martin spokesman said the company is exploring additional funding and re-financing options to increase liquidity, as it’s prudent given “ongoing uncertainties.”

Representatives for Jaguar Land Rover, owned by India’s Tata Motors Ltd., didn’t reply to a request for comment on the company’s debt pile and whether it plans to raise more funds.

“A business shock of just a few weeks has created chaos in the sector,” said Joel Levington, director of fixed income research at Bloomberg Intelligence.

These carmakers “simply don’t have the product breadth, geographic reach or financial flexibility to withstand this crisis as other mass carmakers do.”

UK car sales have been hit hard by the pandemic with new registrations falling 97% in April to a level not seen since just after World War II. Even as some factories start to reopen, there are questions about what demand will look like for luxury vehicles as the world’s economy shrinks.

Supercar maker and racing team owner McLaren requires new funding just months after completing a similar-size capital raise in March. The new borrowing could take the form of debt secured against the value of its Surrey headquarters and car collections, Sky News reported last week.

The company is also negotiating breathing room on debt tests with its banks as liquidity deteriorates, management told investors last month. S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service have downgraded McLaren’s rating to eight levels below investment grade.

Aston Martin reported a wider first-quarter loss and a 60% slump in revenue last week. The pandemic has dealt a fresh blow to the comeback plan outlined by Canadian billionaire Stroll. Aston Martin has already warned it may need more funds just months after Stroll provided a 536 million-pound cash injection.

'Fine balance'

The company’s chief executive officer Andy Palmer said last week that deliveries of the firm’s game-changing SUV model DBX are on track to begin in summer, but that it still needs to invest in new products to come out of the coronavirus crisis in a position of strength.

That’s a common problem. In many cases new models and electric vehicles are crucial for these companies and months of depressed sales risks jeopardising those plans.

“It’s a fine balance between spending what they can spend without damaging their financial profile too much,” said Ilana Elbim, a senior credit analyst at Federated Hermes.

Jaguar Land Rover was forced to keep it factories closed for almost two months before reopening this week, damaging sales.

For Gerhard at Insight, all three companies face a grim outlook as consumers curtail spending on big ticket items.

“This crisis is likely to make everyone poorer and more cautious,” he said.


New engine identified for T.50 supercar

                LONDON: Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA) has identified the engine that will call the upcoming T.50 supercar "home" and it's touted to be the highest revving road-going engine in the world.

Additional to the engine's characteristics is that it will also be "the fastest responding, most power-dense and lightest naturally aspirated V12 road-car engine".

This pretty much sums up the Cosworth GMA V12 engine that takes its design cues from old V12 Formula One (F1) powerplants which existed between 1989 and 1994.

This was before the FIA decided to standardise all engines to 3.0-litre V10 rather than a mish-mash of V8, V10, V12, flat-12 and W12 engines at that time.

The F1 teams that used naturally aspirated V12 engines included Ferrari, Lola (Lamborghini), McLaren (Honda), Brabham (Yamaha) and Footwork Arrows (Porsche).

As an honourable mention, Subaru supplied a Flat-12 engine to Coloni, while Life used a 3.5-litre W12 that was developed in-house. Both cars were severely uncompetitive.

The T.50's engine will have have a 4.0-litre (3,994cc) displacement for the 65-degree V12 engine.

It gets further equipped with four throttle bodies, dry-sump lubrication, twin water-cooled front radiators, single rear aluminium radiator, 12 12V ignition coils, a 48V gear-driven integrated starter/generator and four catalytic converters with Lambda sensors and secondary air injection.

The oversquare engine has an 81.5mm bore and 63.8mm stroke with a compression ratio of 14:1 to help develop 663PS at 11,500rpm and 467Nm of torque at 9,000rpm before it red-lines at 12,100rpm.

Although the engine is made out of high strength aluminium alloy, which is why it weighs 178kg, it also uses Titanium for the connecting rods and valves as well as the exhaust system that is also combined with Inconel - the same stuff used in afterburning jet engines to handle the heat.

Managing the power is a six-speed manual gearbox cast out of aluminium with a thickness of just 2.4mm and weighs just 80.5kg.

Furthermore, it also has a 184mm triple-plate carbon silicone and titanium clutch as well as a limited-slip differential.

The T.50 is due to make its debut on Aug 4.


Kia teases new Optima with official renderings

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Group on Tuesday teased the 2021 model year version of the Kia Optima.

From the renderings published to the company's official Facebook page earlier this week, the mid-size sedan will be donning a chic new redesign.

The teasers of the 2021 model, known as the K5 in South Korea, shows off its contoured, aerodynamic exterior and digitalised interior.

On the outside, components like the grille, headlights, and taillights have been stretched longitudinally compared with the 2020 version of the car. This gives the mid-size sedan the illusion of being closer to the ground as well as the impression of the vehicle having a wider — and therefore more aggressive — stance.

Outlining the headlights and part of the new grille is an extremely linear LED light signature, which will undoubtedly become one of the most identifiable characteristics of this model. A complementary signature can be found spanning the rear from side to side, surrounding the horizontal taillight.

The majority of the dials on the instrument panel and control buttons spanning from the gear shift to the dash have been replaced with what looks to be two digital displays. The clutter of the 2020 model has been reduced to a series of simple components that visually work in harmony with each other.

Kia did not reveal when the model will officially premiere, but with the release of official teasers, it's likely to be soon.


VW expects car market to recover in summer

                BERLIN: Volkswagen expects the German car market to recover in the summer after the automaker was forced to suspend output because of the coronavirus pandemic, an executive told a newspaper on Wednesday.

The company has initially halted production until April 3, but Juergen Stackmann, management board member for the VW passenger cars brand, gave an upbeat assessment to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, saying that the Chinese market has already started to pick up.

“We assume that Germany will return to normal in the summer,” Stackmann was quoted as saying.

“We must learn how to live with the virus,” he said, adding that he did not expect the virus to disappear quickly.

“The standstill cannot last longer than summer ... Society and the economy cannot withstand that ... We are preparing ourselves for the moment when it starts again.”

Volkswagen is also looking into new rules to ensure factory workers can keep their distance from each other on the production line.

He added that one of the lessons from the crisis was the need to invest more in e-commerce, saying Volkswagen had already launched initiatives in online car trading that it would now accelerate.