F1: Massa and Button exits herald F1 generation change

                MONZA: Lewis Hamilton, once the young sensation of Formula One, is starting to feel his age as a new generation of drivers sweeps into the sport and old hands like Jenson Button and Felipe Massa head for the exit.

"For me, it is like 'Shoot - he was a part of my beginning and now he is stopping'," Mercedes' triple world champion told reporters after Brazilian Massa, 35, announced this season would be his last and he would bow out after 250 races.

"All these younger drivers are coming through - there are a few ahead of me but bit by bit they will tail off and I will eventually be the oldest driver here, and then it will be my turn," added the 31-year-old Briton, who made his debut with McLaren in 2007 and beat then-Ferrari driver Massa to the title in 2008.

Former team mate Jenson Button's announcement at the Italian Grand Prix that he would be handing over his race seat at McLaren in 2017 to Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne will have only increased the feeling.

Button, the 2009 world champion with 301 grands prix to his credit, still has the possibility to drive in 2018, by which time he will be 38, but Formula is increasingly where the youngsters hang out. Next year could also be the swansong of Ferrari's Kimi

Raikkonen, the 2007 champion who is now 36, and possibly also McLaren's 35-year-old Fernando Alonso if that team does not improve markedly.

The men of the future are 18-year-old Max Verstappen, already in his second season and a race winner with Red Bull, Manor's Pascal Wehrlein (21) and Esteban Ocon (19), Vandoorne (24) and Toro Rosso's Carlos Sainz (22).

There is talk of Canadian Lance Stroll, who will be 18 in October and whose father is a billionaire, taking Massa's place at Williams. "I think it is really exciting times," said Mercedes motorsport head Toto Wolff, who has Wehrlein and Ocon under contract.

"We were complaining a while ago that we had too many 'pay drivers' (those whose places depend on bringing sponsorship with them) in this sport. Right or wrong, these guys were actually not bad. Now we have a very exciting generation coming in.

"You have four drivers who have entered F1 purely on merit because of their records. I think this is great. Maybe we are just witnessing a generation change with the next generation of superstars," added the Austrian.

Of those coming in, or recently entered, Wehrlein became the youngest winner of the DTM German touring car series at the age of 20 in 2015 while Ocon won the GP3 championship in his rookie season.

Vandoorne enjoyed one of the most dominant championships in the GP2 support series with seven wins and 16 podiums in 2015 and has a bright future ahead of him.

"Stoffel's contract is so long, it's rolled up," joked McLaren head Ron Dennis. "His destiny is in his own hands and I'm pretty sure you'll see Stoffel in the car for some time here."


Rio de Janeiro gives up F1 chase

The Interlagos racetrack in Sao Paulo. — AFP

RIO DE JANEIRO: Rio de Janeiro has given up its controversial bid to build a new Formula One race track and steal Brazil's Grand Prix race away from Sao Paulo, officials said Monday.

Rio, Brazil's second city, had hoped to leverage its beaches, nightlife and glamor to wrest the high-profile race away from the concrete jungle of Sao Paulo, the country's economic capital.

But the project to build a race track in the Camboata forest — backed by far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and ex-mayor Marcelo Crivella, his ally — triggered an outcry over its environmental impact.

New centrist mayor Eduardo Paes, who took office on Jan 1, lost little time scrapping the plan, which had already run into delays after a series of negative environmental impact reports.

"We need to be talking about recovering green spaces, not destroying them," said city hall, announcing it had instructed the Rio de Janeiro state environmental institute (Inea) to shelve the permitting process for the race track.

It highlighted that the Camboata forest, on the city's west side, is home to hundreds of species, including 14 threatened plant species.

The decision all but kills Rio's bid to regain the Brazilian F1 leg, which it last hosted in 1989.

"This process was being led by city hall, and we are now formally saying we will not be pursuing it further," said a city official.

Formula One officials had already signed a deal last year extending their contract with Sao Paulo's Interlagos race track until 2025.

That was taken as a win for Bolsonaro's arch-rival, Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria, and a blow for the president, who had talked of bringing the Grand Prix back to Rio, his hometown, starting with the 2020 race — which in the event was suspended anyway because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Formula One held its inaugural Brazilian leg in 1972, at Interlagos. The event then switched to Rio in 1979 and from 1981 to 1989, before moving back to Sao Paulo.


IMI using Malaysia as launchpad for expansion

                KUALA LUMPUR: The British-based Institute of Motor Industry (IMI) will expand its international footprint by using the blueprint and best practices developed in Malaysia.

“Malaysia is our most established base outside UK and it is the only country which we have maintained a local presence over the past decade. Our presence here has provided us with a significant test bed to help ensure our qualifications are suitable for an international audience. Our plan is now to leverage the same blueprint to expand our presence in countries such as Indonesia, Thailand and China as well as Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates,” said IMI chief executive officer Steve Nash.

Since its establishment in Malaysia more than 10 years ago, the IMI has been working closely with automotive players to enable them to become IMI approved centres to offer internationally recognised IMI qualifications.

 Nash

Early last year, it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Malaysia Ministry of Education to provide training support across a network of community colleges in Malaysia to enhance the skills of automotive professionals, particularly focusing on electric and hybrid vehicles.

Currently, the IMI has 24 approved centres in Malaysia, consisting of automotive companies such as Peugeot distributor Nasim Sdn Bhd and community colleges such as Kepala Batas Community College and The Otomotif College.

"We have an average of 1,500 Malaysian training candidates registered on IMI courses every year, and the numbers have been growing steadily,” said IMI South-East Asia senior manager Matthew Stuart.

IMI’s plans in Malaysia for 2015 will see them continuing to focus on delivering industry-leading qualifications to bridge the skills gap in a rapidly evolving automotive industry, and in line with emerging technologies such as those involving hybrid vehicles.

There are also plans to hold seminars as well as to set up an online forum to engage industry players.

"We believe there is potential for us to double in size over the coming years in Malaysia as well as extend our reach further into other countries," said Nash.


Chevy Malibu tested

                There's a certain presence about the Chevrolet Malibu LTZ, which simply and silently states: “I have arrived”.

It may seem chunky in appearance, but to some degree - it’s arguably stately as well, but while the male audience may find the Malibu manly enough to own, it also possesses a touch of grace for the ladies.

Our Malibu (priced on the road with insurance at RM158,888) came draped in Olympic White with distinctive creases on the hood (that seems more form than function) – only to be downplayed by its curvaceous mid-section.

Some of its styling cues have even been inherited from its more sporty stable mate – the Camaro, in order to suggest potency in terms of performance – most notably the LED tail lights and instrument cluster.

In terms of sporty appeal, the hood seems to speak the loudest, followed by the dual exhaust tips fitted at each corner and the Camaro-like rear light clusters – all of which suggesting it’ll be providing some proverbial ‘dust’ for the competition.

In this respect, this completely built-up (CBU) unit from South Korea possesses multiple-personalities for its contention in the D-Segment market with the likes of the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and the Mazda6 – based on price point of course.

To match its bulk, the Malibu rides on 18-inch wheels with 245/45 series tyres that do well to ‘fit’ into its flared wheel arches, but then we noticed the external mirrors with integrated turn signals, they automatically look overwhelmed - much like a tyrannosaurus-rex and its arms.

As overwhelmed as they may seem, we can only suspect that the bow-tie brand made it in such a way so as to allow it to cut through the air more effectively and silently - and so they did.

Although some cars have keyless entry and push-start function, the Malibu goes one-up against the rest with its auto-start function.

On a hot day, and within remote control’s range, simply pressing and holding one of the buttons on the key fob for a few seconds starts the engine up and gets the air conditioning going - simply splendid.

There’s plenty of perceived space within the cabin that’s attributable to its play of dark colours, and to set the mood is the ice-blue ambient lighting (especially at night) that runs the course of the entire dashboard.

An approach to help liven-up the interior with a youthful touch no doubt, but for the more mature audience the ambient lighting may seem more ostentatious than grand.

Behind the wheel is the Camaro-inspired speedometer and tachometer that stares back with a coloured multi-information display separating them for some added sporty inheritance.

Overall, it may seem rather simplistic inside, but once seated, the use of soft leather and materials help deliver an undoubtedly comfortable impression with a symmetrical dashboard layout.

We like how Chevrolet managed to stealthily integrate the side air conditioning vents at the front into the dashboard and the hidden compartment behind the seven-inch full-colour touchscreen display that helps bring to mind a plethora of small items that could be stowed away from prying eyes.

Talking about stowage, this particular D-segment contender left us perplexed with 462 litres of boot space.

Though it seemed that it could hold a lot more from the exterior, there was a generous amount of width and depth, but alas, the height left us wanting.

Starting up the Malibu leaves a very premium feeling with noise, vibration and harshness kept to a minimum.

It’s wondrous how this executive sedan is able to suddenly bring the perceived value up to a new high in this respect.

The 2.4-litre EcoTec (Emission Control Optimisation Technology) engine under the hood was impressively smooth with its 163bhp and 225Nm of torque.

The electric steering performed admirably in our opinion in translating back as much road feel as it could when at speed, but slow it down and it seemed to teeter on the edge of sedate.

The 245/45 series tyres offer much grip when the Malibu is pushed around the bends, but even with those set of tyres and a somewhat firm-yet-comfortable suspension setup, it was simply enjoyment.

Flying through corners, there was a sudden realisation that a pair of paddle shifters would be most useful in this instance over the peculiar left-right rocker switch at the top of the gear shifter knob that requires much getting used to.

Besides that, the ergonomics of the shifter’s throw from ‘P’ (for Park) to ‘D’ (for Drive) needs a re-look, because its a long travel that results in our elbows feeling awkwardly placed while our upper arm was pushed against the left bolster of the driver seat’s backrest.

Chevrolet needs to re-examine this particular aspect because it just undermines the comfort levels intended for the driver.

Aside from that, the Malibu still remains rather attractive thanks to its looks and driving dynamics.

Venturing beyond the tyre’s grip limits will bring on the onset of progressive understeer, but stay within the limits and it rewards those spirited drives with plenty of smiles thanks to its chassis and suspension combination that lends it that sure-footedness about it.

The Malibu soaked up the bumps, sans the bruises of course - but there is a limit to this one, because occupants within will feel the wrath of excessive shocks.

There’s plenty of room for rear-seated passengers, and although we mentioned that the suspension was firm, comfort was still predominant in this area.

The engine’s an obvious runner with plenty of grunt from the get-go, even dawdling around in heavy traffic won’t pre-maturely bring out that disgruntled side of some, and the six speed automatic gearbox simply performs like a smooth operator.

Even under full-load, the Ecotec engine is a willing giver.

With the Malibu’s calmness on the highways and road holding abilities around the bends, it still faces a rather steep up-hill battle against its more popular Japanese rivals who continually seek to retain their ‘honour’.

Considering the Malibu’s offerings and its modern take on exterior and interior design, it’s definitely a venerable contender with its performance and handling characteristics to give its rivals a good run for the money.

Additionally, it’s driving impression is a hard one to ignore, but for some its short-comings may be the same - but look past the negatives and there’s that promise of driving pleasure that comes with an appealing statuesque look that will turn heads to take note.

Specifications:

Engine: 2,384cc, 4-cylinder engine with Double Continuous Variable Cam Phasing (DCVCP)

Maximum power: 163bhp at 5,800rpm

Maximum torque: 225Nm at 4,600rpm

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Suspension: MacPherson struts (front) with multi-link (rear)

Features: Four airbags, 4-wheel anti-lock braking system with brake assist, electronic stability control, variable effort electric power steering, remote keyless entry with push-start button and remote start function, HID lights with automatic levelling and tunnel detection, reverse camera, 8-way power adjustable driver and passenger seats, 6-speaker sound system with Bluetooth, USB and AUX ports, 7-inch colour touchscreen and 18-inch wheel with 245/75 tryes.

Price: RM158,888 (On-The-Road with Insurance)


Alfa Romeo starts production of 2024 Tonale

                NAPLES, Italy: In early 2023, Alfa Romeo will offer its first compact SUV (sport utility vehicle) with the all-new Tonale.

Manufactured at the Pomigliano d’Arco plant in Naples, Italy, Alfa Romeo’s first plug-in hybrid begins rolling off the production line for North America with availability in June.

Its 15.5-kWh lithium-ion battery with 90-kW electric motor delivers an electric range of more than 48km, while its 1.3-litre turbocharged engine produces a best-in-class 285hp.

Pricing for all-new 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale starts at US$42,995 (RM189,715).

 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale exterior rear driving

Customers choosing to lease the Tonale can take advantage of a US$7,500 (RM33,093) federal EV (electric vehicle) tax credit

The Tonale enters the premium compact CUV segment with standard all-wheel drive, and a variety of driver assistance systems, Uconnect 5, and an all-new connectivity platform with Alfa Connect.

Driving dynamics are assisted by a rapid-response Frequency Damping Suspension (FDS) system, engineered to create a comfortable ride and automatically adjust the suspension for spirited driving.

"Entering the competitive premium compact sport-utility segment with such a compelling product and our brand’s first electrified offering shows a clear direction for Alfa Romeo’s future," said Larry Dominique, senior vice president and head of Alfa Romeo North America.

 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale exterior charging plugged in 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale at initial quality review in the Pomigliano manufacturing plant in Italy. Car color is Verde Fangio.


Tinted windows: Minister says police views in 2014 workshop were considered

                PUTRAJAYA: The Transport Ministry took into consideration the views of the police before changing the ruling on tinted rear car windows based on workshop findings in 2014, says its minister Anthony Loke.

It also amended the ruling based on international regulations.

According to the Transport Minister, they took into account the findings of a workshop organised in 2014, in which the police also contributed their views.

“Some supported our move, and some didn’t — we respect all their views, but what has been decided upon has already taken into account all considerations and factors to amend the ruling,” he said.

Azisman said he had felt “slighted” that the matter was not discussed thoroughly with them.

Loke said the new ruling on tinted windows fell under the jurisdiction of the Transport Ministry, and any amendment to the ruling was under the Road Transport Act.

The workshop in 2014, he added, decided on amending the allowed Visible Light Transmittance (VLT) level for rear windows from 50% to 30%.

VLT refers to the amount of light that passes through a lens or glass. The lower the VLT rate, the more light is blocked out.

Although conceding that no recent workshop had been organised on the matter, Loke said UN regulations did not specify a VLT level for rear windshield and windows.

“What we have decided (on regarding the VLT) is in line with international standards.

“For example, we are following Japan,” he told a press conference at the Transport Ministry headquarters today.

Meanwhile, he said a committee had been set up to approve applications for car owners to have all car windows tinted for security and health reasons.

He said this was to ensure there was no power abuse by the Transport Minister or the Director-General, especially as applicants had to pay RM5,000 if permission was given.

“Anyone can apply, but that does not mean it will get approved. We will assess what kind of risk the person has,” he said.

The Transport Ministry announced on Wednesday (May 8) that car owners could tint their rear windshield and rear passenger seats as dark as they wanted.

Previously, car owners were only allowed to tint their rear windows down to the 30% VLT levels.

Additionally, motorists who preferred to have all their windows fully tinted for security and health reasons had to apply for permission to do so.


Upcoming BMW X8 spied

                PETALING JAYA: Automotive website motor1.com has served up some spy shots for the BMW X8, which is rumoured to be the brand's top-of-the-range SUV.

Luxury SUV admirers would have noticed the cool sloping roofline, the athletic stance, and the creases on the hood would indicate that this has design-inspirations between uber aggressive looks, style and funtionality.

It certainly will make its presence felt with that grille once the car is finally revealed. Love it or hate it, the Bavarian automaker is taking large strides in front fascia designs that will, once again, shock old die-hards out of their nostalgic slumber and open the gates for younger and newer audiences to ride the wave of bold creations without looking back at the past.

Of course, you can see the Hybrid Test Vehicle sign at the back and that may only hint at one of many variants the X8 will eventually provide depending on the demands of the market.

And there is no doubt that an M version will also be on the menu.

Rest assured, Malaysia will be in its sights since luxury SUVs is de-riguer for the affluent over here. All the other luxury SUVs are here so why leave the formidable X8 out, right?  — Images from motor1.com and Carpix


Toyota targets 10% profit jump, robust EV sales as chip woes recede

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp today said it expects operating profit to climb 10% this business year, with a five-fold jump in pure electric vehicle (EV) sales amid an easing in global supply chain disruption from a shortage of chips.

The growth plan was unveiled by new CEO Koji Sato, installed last month, and signals a more aggressive push towards electrification by the Japanese firm that has previously pursued a go-slow approach to all-electric cars, arguing its strategy would provide more consumer choice.

The world's biggest car maker by sales forecast battery EV sales, including those of its luxury Lexus brand, would reach 202,000 worldwide this business year through March 2024 - up more than fivefold from 38,000 units last year.

Toyota forecast operating profit would rise to 3.0 trillion yen (RM98bil) this business year, in line with an analysts' average forecast of 3.02 trillion yen.

That target came after operating profit for the fiscal fourth quarter through March surged more than a third to 626.9 billion yen - easily ahead of the average 553.46 billion yen profit estimated by 10 analysts, according to Refinitiv data.

Toyota's strategy has seen it come under pressure in China, the world's biggest auto market, where nimble local brands such as BYD Co Ltd have moved aggressively with battery EVs, weakening dominance of established foreign brands.

But Sato said the demand for purely battery-powered vehicles in China largely represented a new need in the market and was separate from demand for hybrid vehicles.

"We would like to work on both sides," he said.

The profit target has been helped by a weak yen boosting the value of overseas sales, and higher output volumes that outweighed the impact of surging materials costs. Reflecting the impact of the weak yen, revenue for the business year that ended in March this year grew to a record 37.15 trillion yen.

EV acceleration

The new EV sales target, still a fraction of industry leader Tesla, would boost Toyota's battery EVs to nearly 2% of total sales volume, up from just 0.4% of its total vehicle sales in the last fiscal year.

"We expect an increase in (overall) sales volume in all regions and production volume of 10.1 million (vehicles), due to such factors as ... improvement in semiconductor supply," Toyota said in a statement. That would represent output growth of 11% versus the previous year.

Seeking to raise its game in the EV sector, where it has been outstripped by new Chinese automakers as well as Tesla, Toyota has said it will introduce 10 new battery-powered vehicles, targeting sales of 1.5 million EVs a year by 2026.

Toyota will speed up its push to provide "appropriate" solutions for different regions, said Sato, adding that new models would range from compact commercial to luxury vehicles and be centred mainly on the United States and China.

A previously announced dedicated unit to focus on next-generation battery EVs, known as BEV Factory, would consist of three platforms focusing on vehicle chassis, electronics and software, he said.

The company decided to abolish a zero emissions vehicle design division, known as ZEV factory, it had set up in Japan.

Though Toyota has succeeded in keeping its crown as the world's top-selling automaker, it faces a raft of challenges including safety test problems at its affiliate Daihatsu and mounting pressure from green investors.


Car electrification unlikely to kill off ethanol demand, says producer

                NEW YORK: The global movement by governments and automakers to boost electrification of cars does not mean ethanol will be dead as a product, according to an executive of one of the world's largest producers of the biofuel.

Beyond the demand that will continue to exist in countries that produce the biofuel and where adoption of EVs is seen as slower, such as Brazil and India, there are industries that will need to use biofuels to reduce emissions where electrification is not a feasible option, said Paula Kovarsky, chief strategy officer at Brazil's Raízen SA.

In a Tuesday interview here, Kovarsky said sectors such as shipping and commercial aviation are strong targets for the future of biofuels, as well as electric cars that could use fuel cells for conversion of ethanol into hydrogen to move electric motors.

"I imagine that for automakers, in the same electric car model that would have a battery in Europe or the US, they could change that battery for a fuel cell in Brazil or India and use ethanol," she said.

Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen are among car manufacturers developing the hybrid technology that uses ethanol to produce hydrogen inside the car, the gas that in turn will feed the electric motor.

Experts believe that makes sense for places like Brazil where there is a broad ethanol distribution system. But since car manufactures have global production plans, there are doubts if they would produce cars for the needs of specific regions.

Kovarsky sees potential for ethanol to be used in sustainable aviation fuel or as a bio bunker fuel for vessels — areas where batteries and electrification would be hard to use.


Safety and security driving consumer interest in connected cars

                BOSTON: The appetite for and interest in subscription-based connected car features is at a new high among the vehicle owning pubic, according to Strategy Analytics.

However, a new study from the research firm out this week, which surveyed the opinions of consumers across the US, Europe and China, shows that it's safety and time-sensitive features, rather than distraction-free access to services such as Twitter, that are powering the trend and for which drivers would be prepared to pay a monthly fee.

"Strong value was placed on services which provide the perception of increased safety and security; the high percentage of consumers willing to pay for these remote vehicle management services reflects this tendency," said Derek Viita, Senior Analyst and report author.

For instance, services like GM's OnStar have been independently proven to save lives. It summons emergency services in the event of an accident, and accurately predicts the severity of injuries and briefs the first responders accordingly.

Likewise, apps and services that can track a stolen car, remotely diagnose mechanical or electronic faults and provide remote control of features such as air conditioning and locking mechanisms, are all proving persuasive.

JD Power's annual DRiVE report, which measures US car owners' feelings regarding in-car technology found that 20percent of consumers have never used the majority their car's connected features. Drivers were least likely to have used a concierge service, a routing service or any built-in apps.

Furthermore, pieces of tech including Apple Play, Android Auto and in-vehicle voice texting were singled out as features that more than one in four drivers don't want on their next car.

"In many cases, owners simply prefer to use their smartphone or tablet because it meets their needs; they're familiar with the device and it's accurate," said JD Power's Kristin Kolodge.

A conclusion shared by Vilta "Unfortunately, with the proliferation of the smartphone, many consumers already have and pay for access to many services," he said. All of which means that despite growing interest in safety and security, getting consumers to take on what amounts to a second subscription is proving challenging for carmakers - unless they focus heavily on promoting these benefits if they're to get consumers to make the connection.

"The value proposition for OEMs is especially strong for services which can only be provided via a vehicle connection - such as tracking a stolen vehicle, or remote diagnostic services," said Strategy Analytics director, Chris Schreiner.


Smart home integration is about to become a necessity for carmakers

                NEW YORK: By 2022 research and consultancy firm ABI Research forecasts that that there will be over 300 million smart homes around the world and over 500 million connected cars on the road, and automakers are already realising the importance of integrating with one of the dominant tech firms' nascent connected home platforms, before they become mainstream.

Car companies are often accused of dragging their feet when it comes to adopting new technologies or reacting to trends, but that can't be said about their realisation about the synergies between a connected car and a connected home.

For example, way back in 2014, Mercedes launched a feature for its cars that communicated with the Nest smart thermostat so that the car's position in relation to its driver's home would automatically instruct the thermostat to turn up or down the heat or activate the air conditioning.

But three years on, Google, Amazon and Apple are all moving firmly into the smart home space with voice-activated assistants that can do everything from answer a query regarding the weather to ensuring the oven is turned off, the lights in the garage are on and that a delivery of new diapers is imminent. However, each works on a very different digital platform and car companies are having to pick their technological partner wisely.

"Extending smart home voice control into the connected vehicle is part of an ongoing integration that will pull together home and vehicle personalization," said Jonathan Collins, Research Director at ABI Research. However, Collins points out, by teaming up with either Amazon or Google, car companies who traditionally like to keep everything in-house, will be losing some of the control they currently have over the types of in-car technologies and their capabilities that go into their vehicles. "That means Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) will have to select partnerships and technology suppliers that can best support the widest integrations."

BMW, Ford, Nissan, Hyundai and Mini have already adopted Amazon as a connected home partner enabling users to check on things like their car's fuel levels, climate control settings or battery charge levels from the comfort of their living room sofa. All they have to do is ask Amazon's Alexa and get a vocal response.

Ford has already embedded Amazon Alexa into its new cars' dashboards and BMW is poised to follow suit so that drivers will be able to speak to the smart assistant while behind the wheel, asking about traffic and weather conditions.

But this is just the start, according to ABI. As the car becomes a mobile second hub of the smart home, other features will start to come to the connected car dashboard, from navigation and insurance services to health advice and even multimedia entertainment for passengers.

As exciting as this sounds, ABI believes that the fact that there are currently very few if any shared technological standards between any of the big tech companies, a car company choosing to adopt one company's services over those of another could see them and their clients locked into a walled garden ecosystem that is potentially incompatible with elements in their smart home.


Renault Kadjar gets a facelift, more powerful engines

                PARIS: The Renault Kadjar has been refreshed for a more attractive, stylish look, with dynamic contemporary lines.

The revised interior promises improved comfort, quality and ergonomic design for even more enjoyable day-to-day driving experience.

The Kadjar was introduced to the world in 2015, leveraging on flowing lines and the expertise of partner Nissan in all-wheel drive systems and off-road capabilities.

New to Kadjar is the 1.3-litre TCe turbo-petrol four with particulate filter, found also in the current Scénic, Captur and Mégane.

Developed with Daimler, the small engine is available in 103kW or 118kW tune, with a choice of manual or dual-clutch auto transmissions.

Kadjar's two-litre diesel engines have been upgraded with a selective catalytic reduction system, and gets a manual gearbox relaying the engine's bumped-up 85kW power to the front axle. A dual-clutch automatic will follow.

The range-topping dCi 150 also 15kW more to 110kW, available in either front or all-wheel drive, but only with a manual gearbox.

Front-wheel drive models are available with Extended Grip traction control, and with three modes for mud, sand and snow.


Isuzu promotion for Chinese New Year

                SHAH ALAM: Isuzu Malaysia’s Chinese New Year promotion offers cash rebates of up to RM12,888 for the D-Max and mu-X till the end of January 2016.

This promotion encompasses the complete range of Isuzu D-Max pick-up trucks including the Single Cab and Safari variants or the 2015 SUV 4x4 of the year, the mu-X and is valid at all authorised Isuzu showrooms nationwide.


Toyota GR Yaris available in three 'flavours'

                TOKYO: The Toyota GR Yaris performance car will be available in three versions.

Pre-orders for the GR Yaris, which are currently being accepted online, have reached 6,000 units in Japan and Europe.

The three versions are GR Yaris RZ, GR Yaris RS and GR Yaris RC.

GR Yaris RZ

> A high-output model that provides outstanding driving stability, superb acceleration, and smooth increases in engine speed
> Newly developed high-power, compact, and lightweight 1.6-litre inline three-cylinder direct-injection turbo engine
> Newly developed "GR-FOUR" sports 4WD system with variable front and rear driving force system enabled by a multi-plate clutch
> 6-speed manual transmission "iMT"
> Forged BBS aluminum wheels (equipped to the High-performance grade)
> Michelin Pilot Sport 4S radial tires (equipped to the High-performance grade)
> Front and rear Torsen LSD (equipped to the High-performance grade)

GR Yaris RS

> A model that readily offers the fine-tuned performance of the GR series (Only available in Japan)
> 1.5-litre inline three-cylinder Dynamic Force engine
> The addition of a launch gear enables the Direct Shift-CVT to achieve powerful and responsive performance from low to high speed ranges
> 10-speed Sequential Shiftmatic paddle shifting provides a manual-like experience

GR Yaris RC

> A model ready for customization for racing (Only available in Japan)
> Features the same 1.6-litre inline three-cylinder direct-injection turbo engine, "GR-FOUR" sports 4WD system, and 6-speed manual transmission "iMT" as the RZ
> All equipment unnecessary for driving (such as Display Audio) has been removed in pursuit of lighter weight

The new GR Yaris incorporates lessons from the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team about how to make cars that are competitive in the WRC, as well as evaluations by non-Toyota professional drivers from the early stages of development.

In addition to using aluminum for the hood, back door, and door panels, the upper body of the GR Yaris features a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic roof panel formed using the sheet molding compound method, which accommodates a high level of freedom in shape design.

Production will be carried out at the GR Factory, a dedicated production line that has been established at Toyota's Motomachi Plant, which has a long and solid track record of manufacturing sports cars.

There, preparations are being made for takumi (master craftsperson) team members to assemble the cars.


Castrol launches all-new POWER1 lubricant

                KUALA LUMPUR: Castrol Malaysia today announced the launch of the all-new Castrol POWER1 by unveiling a total of four new variants - all tailor made to suit a motorcycle’s special needs.

The new formulation boasts better performance as a direct result of improved technology and product specification upgrade.

The four new variants that were introduced are Castrol POWER1 Cruise 4T 15W-50 1L, Racing 4T 10W-40 1.0-litre, Scooter 4-AT 5W-40 1.0-litre and Scooter 10W-40 1L.

Along with the launch, a total of two existing variants were relaunched with new improved formulations, namely the Castrol POWER1 4T 10W-40 1L and Castrol POWER1 Racing 4T 10W-50 1L.

Setting itself apart from its competitors, the new Castrol POWER1 with Power Release TechnologyTM, which optimises friction and in return provides motorcycle enthusiasts with faster, more superior acceleration at the twist of the throttle.

In a 5.2km three-stage acceleration test using 101kW four-cylinder supersports engine, the new Castrol POWER1 10W-40 is 6.6 seconds quicker than a competitor's 10W-40 and 2.8 seconds quicker than the previous formulation.

“We are constantly evolving to keep abreast with the needs of our consumers. The new Castrol POWER1 range is the direct effect of that very initiative. What remains at the forefront is our focus in continuously offering the best – Whether it’s an entirely new range or an improved formula, it comes with years of expertise and thorough research," said Castrol Malaysia marketing director Keow Mei-Shan.

While the new Castrol POWER1 offers superior acceleration at the twist of the throttle, the new Castrol POWER1 SCOOTER with Scootek Technology boasts superior acceleration at the mere touch of the throttle.

Separately, the Castrol POWER1 CRUISE with Power Sustain Technology manages heat and friction in big bikes, ensuring continuous power delivery during long rides.

As the proud sponsors of the Castrol LCR Honda team and in conjunction with the MotoGP, Castrol also announced the new Castrol POWER1 RACING with Race Derived Technology, proven to stay strong and deliver acceleration in race track conditions.

Powered by Castrol POWER1, Stefan Bradl who rode in place of an injured Cal Crutchlow, turned up the heat in Sepang in what was a nail-biting 20-lap final filled with opportunities for open throttles.

Understanding that smooth acceleration is crucial among bikers, the new Castrol POWER1 line caters to riders across different bike segments who are faced with ever-changing traffic conditions, in ensuring continuous top performance.


Rafale is Renault's new top-of-the-range coupe SUV

                PARIS: Renault has unveiled the name of its future top-of-the-range coupe SUV: Rafale.

Rafale completes the brand’s line-up powered by E-Tech hybrid engines and built on the CMF-CD platform.

Following on from the Austral SUV, the Rafale is Renault’s next highlight and will boost its offensive in the D segment.

The Rafale will probably share commonality with the sixth-gen Espace which is now an SUV instead of MPV. The new Espace is a hybrid vehicle that uses a turbocharged 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine mated with two electric motors for a total output of around 200hp. One of the motor is a starter/generator.

The name Rafale is inspired by Renault’s celebrated past in the air. You have to travel back in time to the early 20th century to see the connection between Renault and aviation.

At the time, Renault was a pioneering manufacturer of combustion engines for cars, as well as for trains and planes.

In 1933, Renault took over Caudron, another manufacturer, and established Caudron-Renault. All the planes were named after a notable wind. Accordingly, the C460, a single-seater racing plane engineered to break records, was renamed Rafale in 1934.

Renault is reconnecting with its history and harnessing the legendary Caudron Rafale’s features in a new high-end car. The semantics point to wind and capture something about its camouflaged silhouette, which instantly conjures up visions of performance, daring, excitement and character.

The Rafale will make its world premiere at the 54th Paris Air Show in Le Bourget on June 18.


Fisker teases electric pickup before promptly deleting publication

                LOS ANGELES: Everyone makes mistakes — even CEOs of major automotive companies. This has happened at Fisker, whose CEO Henrik Fisker teased an electric pickup via his Twitter account before deleting it shortly thereafter. Fortunately, Motor1 was able to snap a screenshot of the tweet.

Evidently, trucks are the next segment in the industry to get the EV treatment, considering that over this year and last, Rivian, Ford, and Tesla have all touted upcoming models. The next company to join the competition is apparently going to be Fisker, though close to nothing about the upcoming vehicle is known except that it could be called 'Alaska,' according to the picture.

Fisker spokesman told Motor1 that the tweet was "unintentional," and that the company "can't confirm the model or name of a vehicle that may have been seen in the Tweet."

On the other hand, they did confirm development of a modular electric platform that could be the base of "several different affordable EV models in the future."

In any case, whether this publication was truly accidental or not, it's safe to say that Fisker will be joining the electric pickup market in soon.


Kia EV6 beats Tesla to set new charging record in NY-to-LA run

                LOS ANGELES: Kia’s all-new 2022 EV6 crossover recently made Guinness World Records history, travelling 4634.7 km with the shortest charging time to cross the United States in an electric vehicle.

During the seven-day trek from New York City to Los Angeles, the EV6 was plugged in for a scant 7 hours 10 minutes and 1 second, beating previous record holder, Tesla, by more than five and a half hours (12 hours, 48 minutes, and 19 seconds).

“The EV6’s record-setting run is the latest signal that Kia will be a leader in the populariSation of electric vehicles,” said Russell Wager, vice president, marketing, Kia America.

Kia did not state which Tesla model it beat but the information it provided narrowed it down to the Model S P85D, which completed the same trip in 2015 in 58 hours and 55 minutes, including 12 hours and 48 minutes for charging.

Arriving in showrooms in early 2022, the EV6 is the first model to be launched under Kia’s Plan S strategy which puts electrification at the forefront of the company’s future.

Kia’s first electric vehicle has achieved product carbon footprint certification and "Carbon Measured" label from the global climate change and sustainability consultancy the Carbon Trust, becoming the first Korean vehicle manufacturer to achieve the certificate.

The EV6 is currently on display at the Nov 19-28 LA Auto Show.


Cameras, sensors, action!: Your next Volvo could stop you from ending up in the morgue

                GOTHENBURG: Earlier this month, Volvo said its cars in future will have a top speed limit. On Wednesday, it revealed that it aims to install in-car cameras and other sensors to end fatalities in its cars by addressing intoxication and distraction.

Speeding, intoxication and distraction are the three big issues that Volvo is working to minimise, if not overcome.

Volvo Cars believes intoxication and distraction should be addressed by installing in-car cameras and other sensors.

Introduction of the cameras on all Volvo models will start on the next generation of Volvo’s scalable SPA2 vehicle platform in the early 2020s. Details on the exact amount of cameras and their positioning in the interior will follow at a later stage.

Volvo said that in cases of intoxication and distraction, the car should be able to intervene to prevent serious injury or death.

That intervention could involve limiting the car’s speed, alerting the Volvo on Call assistance service and, as a final course of action, actively slowing down and safely parking the car.

“When it comes to safety, our aim is to avoid accidents altogether rather than limit the impact when an accident is imminent and unavoidable,” says Henrik Green, Senior Vice President, Research & Development at Volvo Cars. “In this case, cameras will monitor for behaviour that may lead to serious injury or death.”

Examples of such behaviour include a complete lack of steering input for extended periods of time, drivers who are detected to have their eyes closed or off the road for extended periods of time, as well as extreme weaving across lanes or excessively slow reaction times.

A driver monitoring system as described above is an important element of allowing the car to actively make decisions in order to help avoid accidents that could result in severe injuries or death.

“There are many accidents that occur as a result of intoxicated drivers,” says Trent Victor, Professor of Driver Behaviour at Volvo Cars. “Some people still believe that they can drive after having had a drink, and that this will not affect their capabilities. We want to ensure that people are not put in danger as a result of intoxication.”

Figures by NHTSA show that in the United States, almost 30 per cent of all traffic fatalities in vehicles in 2017 involved intoxicated drivers.

READ MORE:
Volvo cars to end limitless autobahn thrills by capping speeds
Volvo's driver cameras coming soon

Volvo said its latest announcement should be viewed together with the company limiting the top speed on all its cars to 180 kph from model year 2021, in order to send a strong signal about the dangers of speeding.

The company wants to start a conversation about whether car makers have the right or maybe even the obligation to install technology in cars that changes their drivers’ behaviour. Both the speed limit and the installation of in-car cameras illustrate how car makers can take active responsibility for the aim of achieving zero traffic fatalities by supporting better driver behaviour.

Volvo Cars also revealed the Care Key, which allows Volvo drivers to impose limitations on the car’s top speed on all cars from model year 2021, before lending their car to others.

The Care Key, the monitoring cameras, the speed limit as well existing driver assistance systems all serve one single aim: to support safer driving.


Max you have to pay for RON95 petrol is RM2.20 per litre

                GEORGE TOWN: The weekly fuel price float will see RON95 petrol capped at a certain price even if the market price goes up, says Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

He said the system, expected to be in place within the first week of the year, was different from the previous administration’s.

“People will be paying less when petrol price drops but when it increases, they need not worry as any increase exceeding RM2.20 will be subsidised by the government,” he said after launching a lift upgrading project at Perumahan Kastam in Bukit Gelugor yesterday.

Lim had earlier said the retail prices of fuel would be unchanged – RON97 (RM2.50), RON95 (RM2.20) and diesel (RM2.18) per litre. He said new retail prices for petroleum products would be announced after the Cabinet meeting today.

READ MORE: Petrol dealers meet PM to plead their case

He said the implementation of the weekly price float was delayed because of objections from the Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia. He said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad would hear them out first before deciding on the prices.

Lim said the weekly price mechanism would be in place until the fleet card system was introduced for B40 Malaysians to buy subsidised RON95 petrol.

On the abolishment of toll for the first and second Penang bridges, Lim said they were taking steps to fulfil the election manifesto. “With the current financial situation of the country, it will not allow us to carry out more toll abolishment,” he said.

Lim was present at Perumahan Kastam to hand over nine upgraded lifts and three new lifts costing RM998,000.


Bentley's GT with the least subtle name ever gets even faster

                LONDON: Three guesses as to what the headline feature of Bentley's new two-seater Continental GT version is.

Hint: The model is once again badged "Speed". Yes, the latest luxury racer from the British brand is all about how fast it can go: 335 kph - a feat made possible by a re-tuned 12-pot engine.

With a displacement of 6.0 litres, it now produces 659hp, about 5 per cent more than its predecessor, allowing this 2.5-tonne two-seater to accelerate from a standstill to 100kph in 3.5 seconds.

To ensure that the car is not only fast, but also sporty, the engineers make use of some of the new GT generation's peculiarities.

For example, the Speed has rear-axle steering for more agility, as well as a new set-up for the air suspension and an eight-speed double clutch transmission.

Brakes are fitted with new carbon-ceramic discs that have more bite and weigh 33 kilos less. It also features an electronically controlled limited slip differential on the rear axle - a first for Bentley.

At the same time, Bentley has revised the design of the Continental, darkened many trim parts, including the radiator grille, and also added sportier tones to the interior.


Peugeot speeds Opel technology shift to cut emissions

Tavares (left) and Lohscheller with the Grandland X.
FRANKFURT/PARIS: Peugeot maker PSA Group vowed to move Opel models onto its own technology faster than initially planned to improve their emissions performance and secure promised savings from its acquisition of the loss-making German carmaker.

Rapid product launches will complete the transition to PSA vehicle architectures by 2024, three years ahead of the previous timetable, Opel said, as it outlined turnaround plans that leave a 1.7 billion euro (RM8.3bil) synergies goal unchanged.

The adjustment suggests PSA and Opel will have to do more, and faster, to achieve savings the French carmaker had promised after agreeing to buy Opel from General Motors in a March deal that valued the business at 2.2 billion euros (RM10.7bil).

It also reflects the tougher task of meeting European Union emissions rules with legacy Opel vehicles and engines developed under GM. The EU has just published proposals for a further 30 percent carbon dioxide emissions cut by 2030.

“We quickly came to the conclusion that Opel was not ready to reach the CO2 targets set by the EU for 2020-2021,” Opel boss Michael Lohscheller told reporters and analysts at the brand’s headquarters in Ruesselsheim, near here.

“The good news is that synergies are validated (at) a detailed level,” he said.

Chief Executive Carlos Tavares said Opel’s financial health had worsened as plans were being drawn up. “The situation gets worse by the day,” he said, without giving details.

Yet Opel pledged to avoid factory closures or forced layoffs, instead relying on a doubling of exports by 2020 to fill underused plants as it enters new markets such as Argentina and Saudi Arabia. Weak international development under GM was a frustration in Ruesselsheim.

“Opel will go global, finally,” Lohscheller said, while cautioning the plan will nonetheless require “reduction of cost in all areas including labour”.

Chairman of the Managing Board of PSA Group Carlos Tavares and Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller attend a news conference in Ruesselsheim, Germany November 9, 2017. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski
Wage costs will be pared from about 15 percent of revenue to an 11 percent benchmark as Opel negotiates voluntary departures, early retirements and shorter hours with its workers - part of a broader effort to cut 700 euros of costs per vehicle.

“PSA has taken on a damaged company with weak brands,” said Bernstein analyst Max Warburton. “But automotive turnarounds usually surprise, and this one has a good smell about it,” he added, reiterating an “outperform” rating on the group’s shares.

The renaissance of Opel and its British Vauxhall unit will be based on “German engineering for all and a perfect match with (the) PSA brands”, Lohscheller said, referring to Peugeot, Citroen and DS.

Slideshow (12 Images)
Opel will introduce at least two new cars in 2019 including the Corsa mini, with a larger car and SUV to follow, among nine models or variants promised by the following year.

All models will offer electric or plug-in hybrid versions by 2024, and Opel’s Ruesselsheim engineering center will specialize in future technologies such as fuel cells and driving autonomy.

The product blitz will be more ambitious than previously suggested. PSA had said in March that technology convergence would begin in 2019 and take another eight years to complete.

Despite the faster pace, however, PSA maintained both the 1.7 billion euro synergies goal and its 2026 deadline, with 1.1 billion or roughly two-thirds of that amount due by 2021.

It also confirmed previously announced profitability targets for Opel that call for a 2 percent operating margin in 2020, rising to 6 percent in 2026.


Singapore store latest in worldwide expansion of BMW M

                SINGAPORE: BMW M is on a roll. In the last four years, the number of M certified dealers has doubled worldwide to 850 businesses.

The latest example of this is the exclusive location “Performance Munich Autos” here, where M and M Performance models are offered in addition to M specific workshop services.

With a total area of 4,500 square feet, the new showroom showcases M models and two M Performance models. An Individual Lounge has been integrated where customers have the possibility to individualise their cars. The area is equipped with samples of colours, applications and leather upholstery for easy reference.

There is also a Delivery Suite where cars are handed to customers.

The Singapore M dealership features high-class furnishings, exclusively equipped vehicles and digital communication sales tools such as the Virtual Product Presentation (VPP).

Vehicle configuration are done through a tablet-based M Mobile Customiser App with the help of a BMW salesman. The Mobile Customiser enables vehicle configurations to be transferred wirelessly onto a high-definition display in a highly realistic and detailed representation – including colours, equipment options and packages for the specific M or M Performance model.

BMW said the M showroom here is the template on which more M outlets would be based on as it celebrates its 45th anniversary.

The M sub-brand saw a record year in 2016 with sales of 67,900 vehicles. "Up until the end of November 2017, BMW M sold significantly more M and M Performance models than during the entire business year 2016. By the end of the decade, we will exceed the mark of 100,000 vehicle sold,” said Peter Quintus, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at BMW M here.


2021 facelifted Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe and cabriolet: Better safety and fuel savings

                LOS ANGELES: The facelifted 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe and cabriolet will arrive in the United States by late 2020.

A 4MATIC all-wheel drive system variant will be offered, and E 450 coupe and cabriolet will be powered by an 3.0-litre petrol in-line six-cylinder engine (M 256) with 48-volt technology, and integrated starter-generator (ISG).

A 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission is standard.

Power output is 362hp and 500Nm of torque, and with the electrical EQ Boost, an extra 21hp and 250Nm of torque reinforce the sporty character of the coupe and cabriolet.

The all-LED headlamps have been given flatter housings, while the interior of the LED taillamps has been completely revised.

The star module with integrated reversing camera is inset into the trunk lid.

The E-Class cabriolet with the classic fabric top sits up to four people, and is standard- equipped with the AIRCAP electric wind-deflector and AIRSCARF neck-level heating systems to further extend the top-down convertible driving season.

The "A-shape" design of the new diamond radiator grille is standard, and also features a single louvre and a central Mercedes star.

With AMG Line, the dots are chrome-plated.

As part of the facelift, the new E-Class has the next generation of driver assistance systems and the intuitive MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system with Voice Control.

The hands-off detection feature of the steering wheel now works on a capacitive basis, thereby enhancing user-friendliness when driving in semi-automated mode.

To inform the assistance systems that the driver still has control of the E-Class, it is sufficient for the driver to hold the steering wheel.

Steering torque – a slight steering movement – was previously required as feedback in order for this to happen.

The new steering wheel features a pad with sensors in the rim.

These register whether the driver is holding the wheel.

If the system detects that the driver does not have their hands on the steering wheel for a certain time, a warning cascade is started, which finally activates Emergency Brake Assist if the driver continues to be inactive.

As standard, the E-Class has Active Brake Assist, which can use autonomous braking to prevent a collision or mitigate its severity.

The system is also able to brake for stationary vehicles and crossing pedestrians at typical city speeds and even to prevent collisions, depending on the situation.

With the Cross- Traffic function, this is now also possible when turning across the oncoming lane.

The latest generation of the MBUX multimedia system (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) includes two large 12.3 inch screens arranged side by side for a sublime widescreen look.


Transport Ministry officially takes charge of p-hailing industry

                PUTRAJAYA: The p-hailing industry will be officially placed under the purview of the Transport Ministry to ensure better regulation of food and goods delivery services, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The Transport Minister said the ministry has managed and regulated the ehailing industry since 2019 but this did not cover food delivery riders.

“On Aug 5, the Cabinet gave the green light to the Transport Ministry and its agencies, namely the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) and the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board of Sabah and Sarawak, to regulate the goods delivery business, especially those using motorcycles (p-hailing services).

“For the purposes of regulation, the Cabinet has agreed that amendments be made to the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333), the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board Act 1987 (Act 334) and the Land Public Transport Act 2010 (Act 715),” Dr Wee told a press conference after a dialogue here with p-hailing industry players.

He said the amendments to the three Acts are expected to be tabled at the next Parliament meeting.

Among others, Dr Wee said the proposed amendments would establish new licensing rules as well as ensure that insurance protection was given to delivery riders and drivers.

Last Friday, frustrated delivery riders held a one-day strike to protest low delivery fees and other woes.

Following the protest, a meeting was scheduled yesterday between the Transport Ministry, several delivery rider associations and vendors.

“During the dialogue session with p-hailing riders, ehailing drivers as well as ehailing operators, I heard the issues raised by all parties.

“I noticed that there is a lack of communication on both sides. I call on the operators to constantly engage with riders and drivers to give a better understanding of company policies that have been implemented.

“Most importantly, I want the welfare of workers in the gig economy sector to always be prioritised because they are the driving force behind the country’s business and economy.

“They play a huge role to the public, sacrificing themselves by enduring both rain and heat to fulfil their responsibilities and provide services,” he said.

Dr Wee added that at the same time, it is necessary to ensure operators can continue to function and conduct business in a healthy manner because “it is a source of income for p-hailing riders and ehailing drivers”.

“The same is true of the interests of the public as consumers. If it involves cost or fares, it must be thoroughly researched and whatever price changes cannot be a burden to the user,” he said.

Among the groups present at the dialogue were the Malaysian P-Hailing Riders Association (Penghantar), Malaysia Food Delivery Association, Malaysian E-hailing Industry Workers’ Welfare Association, Grab Drivers Malaysia Association and Perak Motorcycle Delivery Service Welfare Association.

Dr Wee said under the proposed amendments, the minimum age of p-hailing riders would be reduced to 18 from the current 21, where they would be able to obtain a vocational licence.

“The amendment of the minimum age is to allow more riders who have a B2 motorcycle licence to obtain a vocational licence so they can become delivery riders.

“This will allow a bigger participation in the gig economy and more people can generate income through p-hailing services,” he said.


Making of the Bentley Bentayga Speed — shown from the air

                LONDON: The handcrafting of the Bentley Bentayga Speed is captured in a new film released on Wednesday.

Shot entirely at the Bentley factory in Crewe, England, the two-minute film contrasts the 3.8-second 0-100kph time of Bentayga Speed with the 127 working hours – 16 working days - it takes to craft each car by hand.

The film was captured entirely within the Bentley factory, in-part through the use of a racing drone.

Mounted with a wide-angle camera and flown using a video feed to a pair of First-Person-View goggles, the drone was piloted through live production areas in what it believed to be a world first for an automotive factory.

Bentayga Speed is the fastest SUV in the world, with a top speed of 305kph, and the SUV with the highest number of hours committed to handcraftsmanship.

Covering all of the areas of Bentayga production at Crewe, the film celebrates Bentley’s status as the "Centre of Excellence for Wood, Leather and 12-cylinder engine manufacture" within the Volkswagen Group.


Polestar software upgrade delivers more rear-wheel torque in all-wheel-drive

                GOTHENBURG: Volvo Cars has introduced a new Polestar-developed software upgrade that increases torque distribution to the rear wheels of Volvo cars equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD), for more dynamic driving.

The optimisation software, developed by Volvo’s new electric performance brand, Polestar, increases the amount and frequency of torque distributed to the rear wheels, improving steering with enhanced turn-in, better control and engagement when cornering, and improved traction when pulling away, delivering a more engaging drive.

“We are always fine-tuning the driving experience of Volvo cars, and this upgrade makes the all-wheel drive both smoother and more dynamic,” said Henrik Green, Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Volvo Cars.

The AWD optimisation is engaged simply by selecting the Dynamic drive mode, or when the Electronic Stability Control is disengaged.

The new rear-wheel torque distribution feature adds another optimisation area to the latest Polestar software upgrade. The five existing areas include sharper throttle response, faster off-throttle response, quicker gearchanges, optimised gearshift points and in-corner gear holding, as well as increased engine output.

The Polestar AWD optimisation will be available for petrol and diesel models of the Volvo 90 series, 60 series and XC40 cars, from this month.


Geely teams up with Aisin AW to make automatic gearboxes

                BEIJING: Geely Auto Holding Group Ltd's subsidiary, Geely Luo You Engine Company Ltd, has announced a joint-venture (JV) with Japan-based Aisin AW Company Ltd for the production of six-speed gearboxes, with the initial plan to produce 400,000 units per year.

The JV also covered the production of parts as well as sales, Geely said in a statement released here today on the sidelines of the 2018 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2018), which runs from April 25 to May 4.

Under the agreement framework, the JV will have a registered capital of US$117 million, with Aisin having a 60 per cent stake by injecting US$70mil (RM274mil) while Geely Luo You taking the remaining 40 per cent by investing US$46.80mil (RM183mil).

Aisin, established in 1969, has grown to secure a substantial share in the global market for automatic gearboxes.

Geely said with the launch of its two core strategies - 20200 Strategy and Blue Geely Initiative, the group had a greater demand for high-end automatic gearboxes that offered upwards of six gears and Geely's own capacity for gearbox production was not able to keep up with demand.

"The establishment of this new JV will allow Geely to introduce new products that fit with the consumers' demands for superior driving and comfort as well as fuel efficiency.

"By creating a new JV, Geely is able to take part in the management of the operations and lower purchasing costs and raise efficiency," it added.

Geely Auto Group president and chief executive officer An Conghui commented: "By establishing this new JV with Aisin, we will be able to raise Geely's core competencies in powertrain development and production, and accelerate our 20200 Strategy and Blue Geely Initiative.

"Both parties will be able to work together on technology development and application to create a long-term strategic partnership."

Geely Auto Group is a leading automobile manufacturer based in Hangzhou, China, and was founded in 1997 as a subsidiary of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. It sells vehicles under the Geely Auto brand.


Daimler enlists computer game designers to encourage efficient driving

                FRANKFURT: Daimler is hiring computer programmers to create games that encourage electric and hybrid vehicle owners to drive more efficiently, the company’s research chief Markus Schaefer said today.

Mercedes vehicles have enough graphics processing power from their use of stereo cameras to also power sophisticated graphics, he said at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show.

“We have lots of employees from the gaming industry working on user interfaces,” Schaefer said. “The key task is to bring about a change in consumer behaviour.”

Schaefer added that Mercedes can now engage drivers with a graphics-based scoring system based on how efficiently they brake and accelerate.

The Mercedes interface displays a floating ball that needs to be kept within a circle. Aggressive acceleration results in the ball moving off target and a lower score.

“Our Asian clients love these gaming aspects,” Schaefer said.


BMW announces new car platform for electrics, promising better range

                MUNICH: In light of tougher CO2 emission regulations and rising demand for environmentally friendly cars, BMW has announced plans to gear its technical platforms more strongly towards electric cars in the coming years.

"Our new plant in Hungary plays a key role here," BMW boss Oliver Zipse said here on Wednesday. "The new EV-centred architecture will start there from the middle of this decade."

Until now BMW has been foregoing the costly development of its own purely electric technology platform for its cars and has been building both all-electric cars and plug-in hybrids on the same assembly lines as internal combustion engines.

Now, however, electrics are set to become the main focus on the factory floor in the second half of the decade.

Cars with a purely electric architecture are considered to be better adapted to electric mobility, which should allow for longer ranges - and in larger quantities they should also be more efficient in production thanks to fewer required conversions.

Rival Mercedes had also announced its own electric platforms for the compact and luxury class. Volkswagen has also announced its own electric platform, PPE, for the premium brands Porsche and Audi.

"We expect demand for all-electric vehicles to continue to rise significantly from 2025," said Zipse.

"In 10 years, we want to have more than seven million electrified BMW Group vehicles on the road - two thirds of which will be fully electric," said the manager.

By 2030, the EU's specifications for CO2 emissions will become even stricter, and carmakers will rely primarily on electric drives to reduce them.


VW  to launch self-driving vehicles in Texas by 2026

                SAN FRANCISCO: Volkswagen said today that it plans to launch autonomous, or self-driving, vehicles for ride hailing and goods delivery services in Austin, Texas by 2026.

The German automaker, which had previously made a costly bet on Ford's now closed self-driving car unit, Argo, has been partnering with supplier Mobileye, in a strategic shift.

This year, Volkswagen plans to test 10 ID Buzz electric vehicles retrofitted with Mobileye's autonomous driving platform with safety drivers on board in limited areas of Austin, including downtown.

The company took over nearly 100 people from Argo, as well as its hub in Austin where Argo was testing autonomous vehicles.

Volkswagen said it will be able to leverage Mobileye's supply base and map data to achieve economies of scale and bring down costs.

"The big aim is that we bring fully autonomous vehicles to the market as a commercial, scalable product," said Christian Senger, a Volkswagen board member who oversees development of autonomous driving.

Volkswagen joins GM's Cruise and Alphabet's Waymo in testing autonomous vehicles in Austin, Texas, known for the least restrictive regulations on self-driving cars.

"We're currently actively evaluating different opportunities for different cities," said Katrin Lohmann, president, Volkswagen ADMT.

Companies have poured billions of dollars into developing the technology they say will increase road safety.

But Tesla, Cruise and Waymo and other firms have missed their targets to launch self-driving cars and their vehicles have had difficulty in handling rare and unforeseen driving situations.


Volvo FH Series launched

                SHAH ALAM: Volvo Malaysia has unveiled the flagship FH Series trucks which promise best-in-class fuel efficiency, reliability and safety.

The FH Series trucks are targeted at heavy and long-distance haulage operators who are planning to upgrade their fleets to more powerful and fuel efficient trucks which can reduce operational costs and increase profitablility.

Among the key features of the FH Series trucks are choices of powerful 16- and 13-litre diesel engines, I-Shift transmission with crawler gears that improves fuel efficiency and Volvo Dynamic Steering system that provides handling stability in crosswinds and uneven roads.

Safety features include anti-lock braking system and electronic stability programme.

The all-new cab structure of the FH Series has undergone over a thousand simulated crashes in Sweden and this exceeds stringent requirements by transport safety authorities.

The FH Series is said to be built with drivers’ comfort in mind and has a sizeable bunk and rear and exterior spaces that can be tailored to customers’ needs.

The A-pillars, door and floor structure are all designed, together with the windscreen being bonded in place, to provide the best possible protection for the driver.

The skylight, which floods the cabin with natural light, also doubles as an escape hatch in the event of an accident.

The dashboard has a wrap-around the driver design and the steering wheel comes with a 20-degree neck-tilt to ensure best positioning for drivers of various heights.

The truck provides an optimised working environment and relaxation area for the driver with a standing height of 2.2m.

Another new feature is the I-Pack Cool system that keeps the truck cabin cool when the engine is switched off.

“The Volvo FH series is our latest premium flagship product that we believe will deliver exceptional benefits to our Malaysian customers.

“We have a long history in Malaysia and the addition of the Volvo FH to our product line not only strengthens our current leading position but also puts us in a good place to take advantage of future opportunities in long-haul transport,” said Volvo mananging director Mats Nilsson at the launch in Shah Alam today.


Uber resumes self-driving programme three days after Arizona crash

 A self-driven Volvo SUV owned and operated by Uber flipped on its side after a collision in Tempe, Arizona. — Courtesy Fresco News/Mark Beach
SAN FRANCISCO: Uber Technologies Inc put its self-driving cars back on the road on Monday, voicing confidence in its autonomous vehicle programme three days after one of its cars was involved in a crash in Tempe, Arizona.

Uber wrapped up a brief investigation and cleared its autonomous cars to resume driving in the three cities where it operates a self-driving pilot programme - Tempe, San Francisco and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - an Uber spokesman said.

On Friday, Uber suspended its pilot programme in the three cities after the crash, in which a human-driven vehicle "failed to yield" to an Uber vehicle while making a turn, said Josie Montenegro, a spokesman for Tempe's police department. The Uber car was in self-driving mode at the time of the crash. "The vehicles collided, causing the autonomous vehicle to roll onto its side," Montenegro said in an email. "There were no serious injuries."

A driver and an engineer were in the front seats of the Uber Volvo SUV at the time, a standard requirement for the self-driving cars. The back seat was unoccupied.

A full police report on the crash is expected as early as the middle of this week, said detective Lily Duran of the Tempe Police Department. She said the Uber vehicle was not at fault in the collision.

Photos and a video posted on Twitter by Fresco News showed a Volvo SUV flipped on its side after an apparent collision involving two other, slightly damaged cars. Uber said the images appeared to be from the Tempe crash scene.

There are no reported collisions involving Uber self-driving cars in Pittsburgh, where the company launched its first programme in September, Pittsburgh police spokesman Sonya Toler said.

Experts in autonomous vehicles say crashes involving such cars will happen, but as autonomous technology improves so too will the safety of everyone on the road.

"Driverless cars keep getting better the more they drive, whereas humans have a roughly constant safety record over the years," said Hod Lipson, a professor of mechanical engineering and roboticist at Columbia University, who estimates there are about 23,000 traffic fatalities per week globally.
"The idea that somehow a human driver makes the drive more secure is false comfort, and potentially dangerously misleading," he said.
Uber's driverless car programme has had its share of controversy. In December, Uber moved its cars from San Francisco to Arizona after a standoff with the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Uber had refused to apply for the necessary permit to test autonomous vehicles on public roads, and the DMV revoked the registration of 16 Uber self-driving cars.

Uber conceded and applied for and received the permit earlier this month.

The company also faces a lawsuit from Alphabet Inc's self-driving car unit, Waymo, which accuses Uber of stealing designs for technology critical to autonomous cars known as Lidar. Uber has said Waymo's claims are false.

The lawsuit set in motion what many in the self-driving sector predict will be a closely watched, acrimonious trade secrets battle between the two tech rivals.


Suzuki Jimny shows its mettle

                KUALA LUMPUR: Suzuki Malaysia Automobile Sdn Bhd (SMA) recently tested the Jimny’s mettle with a series of off-road challenges in this year’s Suzuki Rock the Road 3.0.

The customer-oriented challenges took place at the campsite of Teratak Bernam Riverview in Lubuk Kawah, Tanjung Malim, Perak and was organised by Eco Rainforest Adventure Team (eRAT) 4X4 Club while being fully sponsored by SMA.

The event attracted the participation of over 400 Jimny owners comprising of members and their respective families from Kelab Jimny Samurai Malaysia (KJSM) and Suzuki Katana Jimny Indonesia (SKIn).

According to SMA, 100 new and old Jimnys took part in the challenge.

“The Suzuki Rock the Road initiatives, which we did previously with owners of the Swift and now for the Jimny, is aimed at enhancing the Suzuki ownership experience,” concluded SMA managing director Keiichi Suzuki.

He added that the well-known compact cross-country 4x4 has been a dependable favourite over the last four decades and is suitable for both work and play.

The Suzuki Jimny uses a 1.3-litre M13A petrol engine that produces 85bhp at 6,000rpm and 110Nm of torque at 4,100rpm, while mated to a 5-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic gearbox.

Weighing in at 1,075kg (1,105kg - auto) the Jimny rolls on 15-inch steel wheels (aluminium alloy wheels - automatic) with 205/70 series tyres for its Drive Action 4x4 system that lets the driver switch between 2WD and 4WD and 4WD-L (for extreme conditions).

The Jimny is priced OTR with GST without insurance at RM81,388 (RM86,388 - automatic) and is available in Superior White, Quasar Gray Metallic and Ever Green Pearl Metallic.


Proton X50 is best-selling vehicle in Malaysia for July

                SUBANG JAYA: Proton's X50 compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) set a sales record of 4,763 units and captured the title of best-selling vehicle in the country for July period.

Overall, the X50 has sold some 20,745 units in the first seven months of the year, making it the second best-selling Proton model after the Saga that registered sales of 28,005 units.

Following its best sales month of the year in June, Proton registered 11,477 units (domestic + export) in July as the company’s successful efforts to resolve parts shortage issues were dampened by delays in approvals for a few of its models.

Overall sales for the year now stand at 71,601 units, an increase of 19.7% over the same period in 2021.

Proton also retained second position in the national automotive sales table with an estimated market share of 22.7% for July while year-to-date (YTD) market share increased to 18.7%.

 2022 Saga.

The company said the X50 continued to break records as deliveries speed up to meet to demand.

It said deliveries of the 2022 X70 have been ramped up following its launch on June 9 and 1,704 units were registered last month.

This allowed the X70 to retain sales leadership for C-segment SUVs and pushed Proton’s overall SUV volume in 2022 past 31,500 units for the first seven months of the year.

The 2022 Saga model launched on May 12, managed to achieve 9,811 registrations in just 80 days.

The Exora also retained its customary position at the head of the C-segment MPV class with 476 units registered.

However, the Persona and Iriz suffered approval delays in July resulting in registrations being temporarily halted.

Proton Deputy chief executive officer Roslan Abdullah said: “Following a hectic June where automotive industry players scrambled to lock in bookings before the end of SST incentives, July was a month of consolidation where market demand fell to normal levels, and everybody concentrated on fulfilling orders already received.

“Proton was no exception and with our parts supply situation continuing to improve, we were finally able to show the true sales potential of the X50,” he said.

With 380 units in July, exports for 2022 have risen to 3,102 units and surpassed the 3,018 export sales for the whole of last year.

The Saga, X70 and X50 remain as the leading export models with the latter achieving a new export sales high of 126 units.

Proton’s financing subsidiary, Proton Commerce Sdn Bhd, has announced it will honour all Letters
of Understanding (LOU) at the stated interest rate even if they were issued prior to recent interest rate hikes.

Terms and conditions apply, and funds must be disbursed by Dec 31, but it ensures customers who already have an LOU from Proton Commerce and are awaiting their orders do not have worry about being charged a higher rate for financing.


MAN Malaysia's highest ADR-spec truck showcased

                SHAH ALAM: MAN Truck & Bus (M) Sdn Bhd (MAN Malaysia) showcased two units of its MAN TGS Trucks with the highest ADR Class EX/II and EX/III (with certification) specifications at a recent gathering for transporters involved in the oil and gas industry, body builders, partners and government agencies.

ADR or “Accord Dangereux Routier” is French for “European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road” and the standard that governs the transportation of dangerous goods by road.

 O'Brooks (right) explaining some features of the ADR truck.

Unlike the majority of ADR trucks in the Malaysian market that is mostly only compliant up to FL Class (equipped to carry flammable liquids), MAN Malaysia has equipped its proven and market-leading Euro V-powered MAN TGS ADR Truck variant with Class EX/II and EX/III specifications as standard.

This means these vehicles are certified to transport even explosive materials or objects with explosive substances.

 LED signal lights.

MAN Malaysia managing director Andrew O’Brooks said that the company’s decision to offer its MAN TGS ADR Truck variant with the highest level of safety features reflected its commitment as a responsible truck manufacturer and to ensure ultimate safety for drivers, businesses and the public in the course of transporting dangerous cargo.

Euro V-powered MAN TGS ADR Trucks are built with total safety in mind.

 Emergency power cut-off switch in the cabin.

Key passive safety features include a driver’s airbag and integrated three-point seat belt with tensioners as standard; emergency power cut-off switches inside and outside the cabin; aluminium instead of steel wheels to reduce weight and friction; and an earth-return system whereby there is no earth cable connected to the chassis to prevent electrocution.

Even in standard MAN Truck variants, wire harnesses are encased in fire-protective material.

 Adaptive cruise control module.

Active safety comes from the proprietary MAN BrakeMatic® electronic brake management system that consolidates and coordinates the actions of the service brake, its control systems and the continuous braking systems when the brake pedal is depressed to prevent jackknifing and keep the truck strictly in line.

MAN TGS ADR Trucks are also fitted with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as Lane Guard System (LGS) with Lane Departure Warning; Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); Electronic Stability Programme (ESP); and second-generation Emergency Brake Assist (EBA).

MAN Trucks with Euro V engines as standard lead the way in driver orientation, fuel efficiency, assistance systems, digital networking and above all, sustainability.

For more information on the MAN TGS with ADR specifications, visit www.man.com.my.


Maker of US$777,000 flying motorbike prepares for Japan listing

                TOKYO: A former Merrill Lynch derivatives trader with a passion for Star Wars is preparing to take his flying motorbike startup public in Japan.

Tokyo-based ALI Technologies Inc. was founded by Shuhei Komatsu as a drone maker in 2016 before moving on to more ambitious ventures, opening sales of its Xturismo Limited bike in October.

The US$777,000 (RM3.3mil) single-person transporter can hit a max speed of 80kph and travel up to 40 minutes per charge, according to the company.

The bike has so far largely figured as a curio at public events such as a recent baseball game, but ALI president Daisuke Katano says there’s strong interest in it from Middle Eastern nations.

"The need for these bikes will be higher in places with desert or other difficult terrain,” Katano said in an interview.

"The vehicle will enable people to travel where roads are bad and inaccessible to cars, as well as across bodies of water.”

The company has selected lead underwriters for an initial public offering on Tokyo’s Mothers market for startups in what will be the country’s first debut of its kind.

It’s presently engaged in discussions with the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Katano said, declining to specify an estimated valuation or a timeline for the offering.

Flying personal vehicles have been the stuff of science fiction for decades before Star Wars, which featured a famous racing scene with pods zooming along close to ground level.

Electric-air transportation is now moving closer to reality as the first wave of designs by startups like Joby Aviation Inc. reach maturity and developers tap investors for funding. Billions of dollars flowed into the sector in 2021, as well as an impressive number of orders, mostly from commercial airlines.

The next 18 months will be pivotal for the fledgling industry, as manufacturers run vital test flights and finalise plans for so-called vertiports and regulators consider how best to guarantee safety.

The ALI bike is not intended to fly far up in the air, primarily helping to traverse inhospitable terrain.

It’s built like an enlarged drone with a traditional motorcycle seat and steering on top.

Founder Komatsu has described his aim as realising an "air mobility society,” where cars, bikes and other vehicles can transport people in the sky.

Drones lure them in

ALI has attracted investment from several well-known Japanese firms, including Sega Sammy Holdings Inc., Nagoya Railroad Co., Nakanihon Air Service Co., Kyocera Corp. and Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

Soccer star Keisuke Honda, who played for the national team at the 2018 World Cup, is also a backer.

ALI’s drones were the first thing to attract investors, but the startup is also developing capabilities in artificial intelligence and blockchain tech, a Nagoya Railroad spokesman said.

"There are expectations for growth, so once products like these make it to the headlines, the company’s stock could be bought up, getting a boost from retail investors,” said Tomoichiro Kubota, a senior market analyst at Matsui Securities Co.

"But the company is not yet at a level where people could talk about a detailed earnings outlook, which makes it hard to pin an appropriate valuation figure.”

While a successful IPO will make ALI the only listed company in Japan that specialises in next-generation air mobility, several peers are already trading on New York exchanges. This includes Joby, Archer Aviation Inc., Lilium NV and Vertical Aerospace Ltd.

Joby, which has a market capitalisation of more than US$3 billion, is close to commercialising what the industry calls eVTOLs, or electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

These flying taxis are battery-powered and, the companies say, destined to fly without a pilot once regulations allow.

Comparisons

"Air mobility companies listed in the US have pretty sizable market caps,” Katano said.

"If you consider our company to be of a similar kind, I think we’ll be able to win the understanding of investors for a decent valuation.”
ALI will aim for a unicorn valuation — US$1 billion or more — over the long term, Katano added.

But the company has yet to decide on the best way to categorize its vehicle, which will depend on discussions with local regulators where the product is sold.

"We think our aircraft could be categorised differently to existing airplanes,” Katano said. "It doesn’t travel on the ground, but still flies closer to land and at low altitudes.”


Alfa Romeo gives its Stelvio SUV the Quadrifoglio treatment

                TURIN: If you're thinking about buying a sporty SUV like the Porshce Macan or the Range Rover Evoque, you may want to reconsider.

It took fabled Italian sporstcar company Alfa Romeo 106 years to move into the SUV market. But when it did in 2016 with the Stelvio, it was definitely worth the wait. It took everything that Alfa stood for and injected it into a larger, higher riding car.

When it announced the car exactly a year ago, it confirmed that it would be coming in a ferocious Quadrifoglio guise and this week it finally confirmed when it's coming and what owners can expect in terms of speed and performance.

Using the same 510hp 2.9-litre bi-turbo V6 that has made the company's Giuila Quadrifoglio such a phenomenal driver's car, the Stelvio promises a 0-100kph time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 283kph.

What's more, thanks to a lightweight construction, a perfect 50:50 weight distribution, and the Q4 intelligent all-wheel-drive system that can push torque constantly to the axle that needs it most, it promises to be equally quick and sure-footed in the bends.

To prove the point, Alfa recently took the car to the Nurburgring — considered the ultimate test of any performance car — and proceeded to set a lap time of 7 minutes and 51.7 seconds, meaning that, for the moment at least, the car can claim to be the fastest SUV around the ring.

And while its higher ride height and intelligent four-wheel-drive system will ensure it can cope with off-roading and icy roads, this car will be coming with a Race Mode which allows drivers to change through each of the eight gears in the automatic transmission in 150 milliseconds.

And the changes from the standard model don't stop at what's under the hood. Alfa has had to subtly tweak the exterior, adding vents in the hood, air vents for the intercooler on either side of the car and side skirts to improve the car's aerodynamic properties.

Inside the car, Alfa has gone to great lengths to underline that the Quadrifoglio really is a premium SUV. Surfaces are dressed in the finest leather, carbon fibre and Alcantara. The centrally mounted infotainment system gets an 8.8-inch screen and the car supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The Stelvio Quadrifoglio is ready to order now, with deliveries beginning in early 2018.


In a pandemic, no better way to travel than a VW Grand California

                BERLIN: For some it's the worst of times, for others, the best: While the coronavirus pandemic is roiling the travel industry, makers of RVs can barely handle the surge in demand.

Many tourists are choosing to play safe and make for the hills with their own hotel on wheels instead of jumping on a plane or train.

The VW California is a fixture on this market, based on the carmaker's camper van that's been around for 30 years. But the Grand California is an option for anyone who would feel too cooped up and is willing to pay a price tag of more than US$64,000 (RM272,000).

The bumper camper van is based on the Crafter delivery vehicle and at a good 6 metres, it's all you could wish for if you're planning a holiday during a pandemic. Head up the steps, which are electrically powered, and step through the gigantic sliding door, where you'll enter the perfect mobile holiday apartment. It's packed with everything you could possibly need on a vacation.

There's a table in the front, and if you turn the bench and chairs 180 degrees, the cockpit is transformed into a seating area.

On the side, there's a kitchenette with two gas flames, a sink and a fridge, and right next to that there's a bathroom equipped with a shower, sink and toilet. Behind that, a spacious sleeping area.

The standard version is 6 metres across, but with the Crafter, which is expanded by an extra 80 centimetres, there's even more legroom, as it's aligned length-ways.

If this is your first trip out in a camper, then this alone may seem like the stuff of miracles. But just as there's always something new to surprise you in a hotel room, VW too offers plenty to discover. Take, for example, the second pull-out bed that's under the roof, or the numerous built-in cupboards.

There are smaller treats too, such as the USB ports, wireless charging cradle and four-colour ambient lighting.

And of course, as with every California, there's garden furniture so you can set up a summer terrace in a matter of minutes, under the awning's shade.

The Grand California is reasonably self-sufficient, so you can enjoy your vacation on wheels without outside contact if necessary. The tanks for fresh and waste water are big enough for a weekend, the automatic gas heating system will keep you toasty in bad weather, and if there's no power to be found, no worries: The furnished Crafter has a large solar panel on the roof.

The living is easy in the Grand California, but driving needs getting used to. The engine has plenty of power with 177hp, but you won't hit speeds above 162kph. Acceleration also has its limits. Drivers are helped by automatic transmission and power steering, so you have what you need for a relaxed trip, if not a race. But keep an eye on the fuel gauge: The diesel consumes an average of 8.3 litres per 100km, according to the manufacturer. So plan your route carefully to avoid getting stuck.

And stay calm while you're manoeuvring, because the vehicle beeps even when you're parking, and despite the rear view camera, you're still driving a far larger vehicle than the normal California.

Just the right car? Or maybe a little unimaginative or just too expensive? Seasoned campers may differ in their assessments of the Grand California. But it is fit for purpose as a self-sufficient vehicle and is solid on the road, making it a good choice, especially for beginners.

However you may feel, if you're itching to get away, it enables you to take a break — without the risk of infection.


PM to announce strategic partner for third national car project soon

                KUALA LUMPUR: The government is close to deciding on the strategic partner for the third national car project.

Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof said the partnership, to be inked soon, would be announced by Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad.

"I can't disclose much about it yet. Just wait and see," he told the media on the sidelines of a National Entrepreneurship Framework townhall session here on Monday.

The project would be private sector-driven and would not use government funds, he stressed, adding that the ministry's role was just to help the project gain traction.

"We do not want to have to bail them out when there is trouble," he said.

Redzuan added that so far, 145 local vendors had shown interest in the project and the type of car would be an extended-range vehicle.  He noted that Malaysia had the expertise in building cars as well as technological advancement, and the automotive sector was more open now.

"We are now in an era when anyone can build cars like Dyson, for example. We are on the right track and this project is not about taking Proton's position. It is just to push (forward) our capabilities," he said.

Feedback is being collected on how to strengthen entrepreneurship among Malaysians and will be used to develop the National Entrepreneurship Policy, which will be launched by the third quarter of this year.


Exemptions from some safety rules eyed for self-driving cars in US

                WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump’s administration is starting to update federal motor vehicle safety standards to exempt self-driving cars from crashworthiness standards that are applied to cars operated by humans, a move questioned by safety advocates.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Thursday it’s beginning to craft rules to “clarify ambiguities in current occupant protection standards for vehicles equipped with automated driving systems that are designed without traditional manual driver controls.”

The rulemaking process would be conducted under the administration of President-elect Joe Biden, who is to be inaugurated Jan 20. But consumer safety advocates say new rules are needed for driverless vehicles instead of exempting them from existing regulations.

“NHTSA’s insistence of enabling the fast deployment of self-driving vehicles by amending rules written for cars with drivers, instead of recognising the unique characteristics of autonomous technology, may be the fastest way to authorize the deployment of autonomous vehicles but it is not a consumer-safety driven approach,” said Jason Levine, executive director of Center for Auto Safety.

NHTSA argued that rollout of the new technologies should be encouraged because they could improve safety on the nation’s roadways.

“With more than 90% of serious crashes caused by driver error, it’s vital that we remove unnecessary barriers to technology that could help save lives,” NHTSA deputy administrator James Owens said in a statement.

“We do not want regulations enacted long before the development of automated technologies to present an unintended and unnecessary barrier to innovation and improved vehicle safety.”

The agency said the new rules would not change existing requirements for traditional vehicles with human drivers.

Such exemptions have been debated in Congress over the past several years. The House approved a measure in 2017 to allow the Secretary of Transportation to grant each manufacturer of self-driving cars from as many as 100,000 motor vehicle rules that require cars to have human operators. A similar measure that would have allowed as many as 80,000 exemptions per manufacturer died in the Senate in 2018.

Currently, an automaker can produce 2,500 of the vehicles for testing.

Self-driving car supporters cheered the move to ease restrictions on the technology.

“NHTSA’s Final Rule is a step forward for autonomous vehicle (AV) technology and design,” Ariel Wolf, counsel to the Self-Driving Coalition, which includes companies such as Ford Motor Co., Lyft Inc., Uber Technologies Inc., Volvo Cars AB and Waymo LLC, said in a statement.

Under the Trump administration, NHTSA has argued that it doesn’t have the authority to set mandatory rules for self-driving cars. The agency has released several sets of voluntary guidelines, which safety groups say are toothless.


Lotus 3-Eleven sets new lap record

                MANNHEIM: The Lotus 3-Eleven, the British sport car maker's quickest and most expensive series production car ever, has set the fastest lap time ever recorded by the leading and highly-respected German car magazine, “sport auto”.

Driven by Christian Gebhardt, a highly accomplished driver and Road Test Editor for “sport auto”, the Lotus 3-Eleven lapped the Hockenheimring short Circuit in an incredible 1 minute 06.2 seconds.

A full video of the record breaking lap can be viewed here:

This time was even more impressive considering that the 3-Eleven was on standard road tyres and the fastest lap was completed in less than perfect weather, where temperatures did not get higher than 8 degrees Celsius.

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus plc said, “This is the ultimate embodiment of the Lotus design philosophy; it’s a beautifully engineered machine that doesn’t carry one ounce of excess weight. With 460hp on tap and race car handling at your disposal, this car is the ultimate giant killer”.

The Lotus 3-Eleven utilises an all-new lightweight composite body, and a bespoke chassis based on the proven Lotus design of extruded and bonded aluminium sections.

The 3-Eleven offers a giant-slaying power-to-weight ratio, thanks to a revised V6 supercharged engine developing 460 hp, to provide in excess of 500 hp per tonne.

It is capable of sprinting from 0-100kph in 2.9 seconds before reaching a maximum speed of 290kph.

The Lotus 3-Eleven is on sale now with production strictly limited to 311 cars to be built over the next two years.