Chairman Piech's grip on Volkswagen weakened by row with CEO

                BERLIN/HAMBURG: Volkswagen chairman Ferdinand Piech's iron grip on the German carmaker has been severely weakened following a dramatic confrontation with senior board members last week that nearly resulted in a push to oust him, sources told Reuters.

Piech, patriarch of the family that founded Volkswagen and a dominant figure at the automaker for more than two decades, triggered a leadership crisis at the Wolfsburg-based firm by criticizing Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn in a magazine article earlier this month.

After an emergency meeting in Salzburg last Thursday to resolve the row, a group of six senior board members, including Piech, gave their full backing to Winterkorn and agreed to propose an extension of his contract beyond 2016.

But sources briefed on the meeting said on Sunday that the vote of confidence in Winterkorn came only after a full-blown confrontation between Piech and the other five board members.

Piech's office in Salzburg and VW declined to comment.

One source said the chairman himself had raised the prospect of resigning. Another said the other five members were ready to demand that Piech step aside had he not backed down belatedly on Friday morning, a day after the Salzburg meeting, and signed up to the statement giving Winterkorn "full support".

"Piech was completely isolated," said one VW supervisory board member who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the subject.

"The question of who will chair the board (when Piech retires) won't be decided until 2017 unless Mr Piech draws the consequences after this crisis which he alone provoked."

Piech's contract as chairman expires in April 2017.

At board meetings over the past five months, Piech had aired criticism of the firm's performance under his former protégé Winterkorn, particularly in the United States, where the VW brand has missed its sales goals, sources had told Reuters.

Reuters reported on Friday that the five other senior board members had opposed Piech at the meeting, but the latest revelations suggest resentment over his attempt to push out Winterkorn runs far deeper than previously known.

It also suggests that Piech's influence within Volkswagen has been severely weakened by the incident, reducing the chances of him relaunching an attempt to oust Winterkorn in the future.

Bild newspaper reported on Sunday that the row could yet cost Piech his job, citing plans by labor representatives and top shareholders like the Porsche family and state of Lower Saxony to topple him.

Without naming its sources, the paper also said that Piech, grandson of the creator of the iconic VW Beetle, and his wife Ursula had threatened at the Salzburg meeting to quit the board and sell their multi-billion-euro holdings in VW to weaken the pro-Winterkorn camp.

Sources who spoke with Reuters could not confirm either of these stories. VW and the works council all declined to comment.

In the run-up to VW's annual shareholder meeting on May 5, leading figures tried on Sunday to restore a semblance of calm.

"You can rest assured that all the key players are anxious to calm the situation," a spokesman for Porsche SE, VW's biggest shareholder, told Reuters.

Berthold Huber, former IG Metall boss and deputy board chairman, said in an emailed statement: "We are determined to continue the successful path of VW with (Chairman) Piech and (Chief Executive) Winterkorn also in future."

Analysts fear the simmering row could prove a distraction for the company at a time when Winterkorn is trying to solve stubborn problems at VW's US operations and revive profitability in its core brand with a 5-billion-euro (US$5.40 billion) cost cutting program.

Winterkorn was scheduled to travel to the Shanghai auto show this weekend but cancelled his trip at the last minute. VW said it was because he had contracted the flu.

Volkswagen, meanwhile, is exploring the possibility of developing budget sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) in China in a bid to keep up with shifts in the market, its China chief executive, Jochem Heizmann, said on Sunday.

Heizmann told reporters that the firm's struggle to keep up with the pace of growth in China's passenger car market in the first quarter was in part caused by its lack of budget-priced SUVs and MPVs.

"The biggest increase in volume was in budget SUV and MPV segments, where we are not in," he said.

Retail sales of SUVs in China soared more than a third last year to 3.82 million, and have more than doubled since 2012, rapidly outpacing growth in other segments, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).

Nomura forecasts around 5.2 million SUVs to hit the China market this year, up 27 percent compared to last year. Sedans, by contrast, are expected to rise just 1 percent to 12.5 million.

Speaking ahead of the Shanghai Auto Show starting today, Heizmann said the Volkswagen Group has "concrete projects" to address the issue. "We are working hard," he added.

"We are talking about a product family there. We are not taking about one or two cars," he said.

Volkswagen said the specific new projects were currently at an exploratory stage and had not yet been confirmed.

Heizmann said Volkswagen needed not only to build new plants and boost its manufacturing capability in China, but also become more responsive to the market.

"We don't have the flexibility to integrate new models without directly losing capacity," he said. "We don't have the flexibility to react to seasonal effects. We don't have the flexibility to deal with life cycles of cars."

He said the firm had not yet ruled out acquiring existing plants in order to expand its production capacity in China more quickly.

Heizmann said that China's overall passenger car market grew 15 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2015, citing the firm's own figures.


What's countersteering – and why is it a useful skill for bikers?

                BERLIN: Countersteering is a crucial manoeuvre for motorcyclists when taking a curve, particularly at high speeds.

This short, often intuitively executed steering move goes against the actual cornering direction, and motorcyclists should practise and train extensively in order to use it effectively, advises the German Institute for Cycling Safety (ifz). For example, when taking a left turn, making a short turning movement to the right will cause the motorcycle to tilt to the left when entering the curve.

Then, to prevent the bike from tipping over, the rider can gently steer to the inside of the curve as it ends, thereby stabilising the vehicle as they drive straight out of the turn.

If a bit more tilting action is needed in especially tight turns, bikers can also push down slightly on the bullseye indicators, or their bike’s protruding turn signals. In this case, a biker would press down on the left turn signal when turning to the left, and on the right for right turns.

According to a study from the ifz, over half of motorcyclists (55.6 per cent) mistakenly believe that shifting their weight is the key factor in changing directions and cornering.


Volkswagen's ID. Space Vizzion concept makes world debut in LA

                LOS ANGELES: The seventh member of Volkswagen's ID family — the ID Space Vizzion concept — has made its global debut, previewing a possible production model that will join the VW portfolio in the future.

Because the Space Vizzion has the same foundation as smaller vehicles like the Vizzion, Buggy and Crozz but a larger body architecture, it has a relatively generous amount of interior space.

The rear-mounted motor which generates 275hp can be complemented by a second motor to give the vehicle all-wheel drive and a 355hp power output. The estimated range on a single charge is up to 480km.

Similarly to the ID Vizzion, a light signature spans from the outer edges of the slim headlights to the center where the VW badge is positioned just above the honeycomb vented bumper. Behind these elements is a low hood with a glossy black finish which blends in with the dark windshield and continues all the way to the rear window. Below this component is the set of taillights, which illuminate in a honeycomb pattern to match the details of the front fascia.

No handles can be found anywhere on the model's exterior in an effort to reduce any airflow obstruction. Instead, doors open either when the model detects that someone is nearing the car or when someone makes contact with a touch-activated surface. Likewise, the rear can be opened by pressing against a touch-activated surface on the trunk.

Moving to the inside, an augmented reality head-up display takes the place of a traditional, physical cockpit. Most other operation and infotainment controls have been relocated to the 15.6-inch touchscreen in the center of the dash.

The vehicle will automatically tailor a handful of settings to an individual's personal selections based on the vehicle key. If the vehicle "detects a stressful situation, such as rush-hour traffic jams, the system suggests switching to a relaxation mode in which a calming ambient lighting shade is activated."

Considering that the majority of ID concepts have later become production models, it's likely that customers will be able to own their own Space Vizzion electric wagon in the not-so-distant future.


Blaupunkt's Globe Speakers ready to take your car back in time

                BERLIN: Anyone who was moderately trendy had globe speakers in their flat in the 1970s, but only the coolest of the cool brought them along in their car, perched on the parcel shelf.

If you drove a Volkswagen Golf Mk1, a Ford Capri or an Opel Manta in the 70s or 80s, there were definitely two globe speakers on the parcel shelf - one on the left, on the right.

And now, 35 years since one of the big speaker manufacturers, Blaupunkt, stopped production, the '70s and '80s are back again: The company is reissuing these retro-looking speakers.

Blaupunkt is of course targeting classic car owners who have always wanted to screw the circular speakers onto the boot lid, or whose original LAZ 6525 model stopped working a while ago; drilling template and screws are sold along with the speakers.

The Globe Speaker, as the reissue is known, is equipped with a 3.5-inch full-range speaker. The manufacturer gives a power rating of 25 watts and frequency response of 100 to 20,000 Hertz; by comparison, the original's peak power was 10 watts.

The price is around US$45 (RM184), which is quite modest compared to the amount that classic car owners users usually invest in old-school equipment for their rides - perhaps it's time to bring the spherical speakers to newer-looking cars as well.


Hunting season for pick-up trucks

                PETALING JAYA: This May is a period where pick-up truck makers are unusually active. The "elephant in the room" is on the move and everyone is on the alert to avoid being trampled.

We are referring to the new Toyota Hilux, which debuted in Malaysia on May 5. It dominates the local truck segment with 52% market share and the latest model is targeted to sell even more.  The latest development has understandably put rivals in a defensive position.

Unsurprisingly, the other pick-up truck makers have been quick to turn up the volume on their models to get attention in a move to stand their ground and attempt to avoid an erosion in sales as some potential buyers could be lured away to the Hilux camp.

Since the entry of the new Hilux, the press have been on the receiving end from truck makers who are announcing various activities or enhancements to their own vehicles.

 The NP300 Navara.

The latest is from Edaran Tan Chong Motor, which will be holding its first 4WD Carnival later this month, with the NP300 Navara playing a starring role along with the X-Trail SUV. It will also offer various convenience and safety accessories for the Navara.

Isuzu will be giving a media preview of the D-Max Beast, a limited edition truck that will see some added goodies to the standard vehicle.

Ford has also made its Ranger look more tempting with the inclusion of a rear-view camera and extending its warranty to an attractive five years. Customers who buy and register the truck by the end of June will get a manufacturer’s warranty of three years or 100,000km, with an additional two years or 100,000km warranty through Sime Darby Auto Connexion's extended warranty programme.

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, whose first quarter sales have been driven by the Triton, has the Triton Knight Edition as its latest variant to sustain its momentum. It's limited to 120 units and is based on the Triton VGT Adventure variant. Mitsubishi Motors throws in a two-year free maintenance with RM2,000 cash rebates, or free labour with RM4,000 cash rebates as well as a factory warranty of three years or 100,000km, whichever comes first.

The exterior of the limited edition Triton gets aesthetically kitted up with exclusive Knight Body stickers, a front bumper extender, sports bar, sports lid and matte black finishing for the 17-inch alloy wheels, front grille and rear bumper, while the cabin gets “Knight” embroidery for the leather seats. The Triton saw a 67% increase in sales to 716 units in March, placing it as second overall in the pick-up segment for the month.

As a bit player in the pick-up truck arena, Mazda isn't focusing attention on its BT-50, as it is promoting its key sales drivers in the form of the CX-5 crossover, Mazda2 and Mazda3.

At the end of the day, it's the consumers who benefit from better choices even as they trudge through a dampened market.

READ MORE: Triton vs Ranger vs Navara


Genovation Cars to show Corvette-based EV at CES 2018

                WASHINGTON, D.C.: There has been a fair amount of speculation over the last year or two about what GM is going to do in future with the Corvette and its powertrains. But none of the speculation goes as far as where a company called Genovation Cars is going with the iconic sports car, and it will be revealed to the world in all its glory at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas later this month.

Last year, the company from Maryland in the United States unveiled its first-generation GXE, which stands for Genovation Extreme Electric and was an electric car that used a C6 Chevy Corvette Z06 as its donor car.

That model replaced the supercharged 6.2-litre V-8 with a pair of electric motors, which together produced around 600hp and 816Nm of torque. The GXE went on to set a land-speed record for a street-legal EV with a top speed of 330.8kph, as well as an electric car record for a standing mile.

Now the company is ramping things up considerably with a new second-generation of the GXE, which this time uses a C7 Corvette Grand Sport as its donor vehicle. It's being estimated that the twin electric motor setup in this one will be good for something like 800hp and 952Nm of torque, which should translate into a 0 to 100kph time of less than three seconds and top speed somewhere north of 354kph.

The new car even addresses practicality concerns by increasing the battery capacity from the original 44 kWh to 60 kWh, which could deliver a range as good as 150 miles on a full charge, but only as long as you drive it conservatively.

Genovation only plans to build 75 examples of the second-generation GXE, which goes some way towards justifying the staggering $750,000 asking price for each car. The manufacturer is confident of selling out the limited run that's expected to start being delivered to customers at the end of next year, and it plans to use the profits to fund the development of more affordable EVs.


Best MPVs in Malaysia for 2016

                Multi-purpose vehicles or MPVs with lots of seats are popular for obvious reasons - they can carry big travel groups or large families and provide lots of comfort and versatility for moving cargo.

Unlike the past when MPVs were seen as mini-vans that were practical but didn't offer much in terms of creature comforts, today's breed of people carriers are packed to the rafters with safety technologies, first-class cabin luxuries and top-grade driving assistance features.

Today, smaller-sized MPVs like the Nissan Grand Livina and Perodua Alza are proving to be viable alternatives to the traditional sedans and hatchbacks, due to the MPVs' extra seats and cargo carrying capacities.

Check out some of the notable MPV launches in 2016.

Weststar Maxus G10

Price: RM139,888 on-the-road without insurance; one-year free service; 3-year or 100,000km warranty - whichever is earlier

The China-built G10 from Weststar Maxus is an impressive people mover, with its top-grade comfort and safety features.

A verstatile 10-seater MPV, it is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol turbocharged engine with direct injection and 225hp and 345Nm of torque, mated to a ZF-sourced six-speed automatic transmission with manual mode.

The engine is engineered by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC) together with General Motors and Volkswagen.

SAIC owns the Maxus brand.

The Torino-designed vehicle comes equipped with full leather seats and safety features that fulfil the European MPV passive safety standards.

The safety kit includes dual airbags and ABS, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability programme, brake assist, brake override system, tyre pressure monitoring system and reverse camera.

The fully imported G10 also has all-round disc brakes, xenon HID headlights, LED taillights, powered sunroof, keyless entry system, push-start ignition, rain sensing wipers, leather upholstery, and a seven-inch LCD infotainment display mated to a six-speaker audio system with MP3, DVD and Bluetooth features.

The G10 is available in three striking colours: Champagne Gold, Blanc White, and Obsidian Black.

To check out the G10, visit the Weststar Maxus showroom at 366, Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur or call 03-2143 3331.

Toyota Sienta

Price: RM92,900 (1.5G) and RM99,900 (1.5V) on-the-road with insurance; 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage

The seven-seater Toyota Sienta MPV is built in Indonesia, and offered here in two variants - entry-level 1.5G and top-grade 1.5V.

It is based on a modified Toyota Vios platform, and had its ground-clearance adjusted from its Japanese domestic market specifications to 20mm higher at 180mm to help it clear Malaysian speed bumps.

It is certainly a roomy people with spacious dimensions at 4,235mm in length, and 1,695mm in height and with a wheelbase of 2,750mm.

An attractive feature is the dual powered sliding rear doors (note: left side only on the 1.5G) that can also be operated via switches near the steering wheel.

It's interesting that both the latest Toyota Vios and Sienta share the same powertrains - a new 1.5-litre dual VVT-i engine and CVT (continuously variable transmission) with a 7-speed Sport Sequential Shiftmatic mode.

The new 1.5-litre dual VVT-i engine produces 107ps at 6,000rpm and 140Nm of torque at 4,200rpm.

As such, both cars have a perky, get-up-and-go character which translates to effortless acceleration from standstill.

When driven at 110kph on smooth highways, the tachometer needle on the Sienta was at a low 2,000rpm which is very impressive for a car with a kerb weight of at least 1,325kg.

As standard, the Sienta comes with electric power steering, all-round disc brakes, LED daytime running lights, rear fog lamps, rear wiper and door visors, second row 50:50 split seats with one-touch tumble, third row 50:50 split fold-flush seats, rear air conditioning vents and a six-speaker sound system.

Standard safety features are three airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, vehicle stability control, traction control, hill-start assist, reserve sensors and ISOFIX anchor points.

The top-grade 1.5V Sienta gets extras like 16-inch wheels, acoustic front windshield, Bi-LED projector headlamps, push-start ignition, automatic air-conditioning, digital video recorder, DVD player with a 6.8-inch touchscreen and voice recognition, and reverse camera.

Proton Ertiga

Prices: RM58,800 (Executive 5-speed MT), RM61,800 (Executive 4-speed AT), RM64,800 (Executive Plus 4-speed AT) on the road with insurance; 5-year or 150,000km warranty - whichever is earlier

The Proton Ertiga B-segment MPV is meant to compete against the likes of the Perodua Alza, Toyota Avanza and Nissan Grand Livina.

Smaller than the Exora, the six-seater Ertiga is Proton's first MPV with Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV)-status and is based on the Suzuki model by the same name.

Powering the Ertiga is a 1.4-litre Suzuki K14B DOHC engine with a metal timing chain, and variable valve timing (VVT) that delivers 92hp at 6,000rpm and 130Nm of torque at 4,000rpm.

The Ertiga claims a fuel economy (at a constant 90kph) of 5.7-litres/100km for the manual and 6.0-litres/100km for automatic.

Fuel is fed from a 45-litre tank and wheels are 15-inch alloys with a 15-inch steel spare.

Features include headlamp levelling, 4 speakers, radio/CD/MP3 and USB/iPod jack.

Safety features include two front airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake force distribution, power window anti trap (driver's side only) and reverse sensors.

The top-grade Executive Plus variant gets additional equipment such as turn indicators on wing mirrors, front fog lamp trimming, driver seat height adjuster, audio system controls on steering wheel and metallic trimming for interior door release latches.

Carsifu had a brief drive of the Ertiga on the Proton test track in Shah Alam, and found it to be a smooth and responsive drive.

The powertrain doesn't get thrashy until the rev needle passes 5,000rpm.

Pickup was good even with 4 persons on board.

Upshifts were smooth and switchgear have a quality feel about them.

We managed to hustle the MPV up to 150kph in the straights and it didn't feel floaty.

The 3-speed 4-vent ceiling mounted air-cond blowers in mid-row, ala Toyota Avanza style, was strong.

Third-row passengers could even feel the cold air from the blowers.

Mercedes-Benz V 220 D

Price: starts from RM434,888

The Mercedes-Benz V-Class provides optimum flexibility in the cabin.

With two equipment lines; V-Class and V-Class Avantgarde, an Exterior Sports package and an Interior Design package for each line, two wheelbases, three body lengths from 4,895 – 5,370mm, and also many optional extras, the new V-Class can be individualised to suit most needs.

The V 220 D has a 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine with two-stage turbocharging, that generates 163hp and 380Nm with a fuel consumption of just 5.7 litres per 100km.

It offers optional 4-way lumbar support and active seat ventilation, and all lighting functions in LED technology.

Fine nappa leather is available for the seats, steering wheel and shift lever.

As standard, the V-Class has four individual luxury seats with armrests in two seat rows.

As an option, a folding table can be installed between the single seats.

There are 11 driver assistance systems based on state-of-the-art radar, camera and ultrasound sensors.

Standard equipment includes Crosswind Assist, which helps the driver to stabilise the V-Class in strong, gusting crosswinds, and Attention Assist, which can warn of inattention and drowsiness.

Toyota Innova

Price: RM109,000 (2.0E with 5-speed manual); RM117,000 (2.0E with six-speed automatic); RM126,000 (2.0G with 6-speed automatic) on-the-road with insurance; 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage

The second-generation Toyota Innova is powered by a reliable 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine with 139PS at 5,600rpm and 183Nm of torque at 4,000rpm.

The rear-wheel drive multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) rolls on 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/65 series tyres.

Using a remote-activation jack-knife key fob gains entry into the 8-seater cabin with fabric upholstered seats.

Along with the one-touch tumble system for the second row and the one-touch fold-up system for the third row, the cabin also has front seat back pockets with a shopping hook, a sunglass holder, cup holders, power windows with driver-side auto up/down and jam protection, five roof-mounted grab handles and two 12V power outlets.

Drivers will be greeted by a three-spoke silver-trimmed urethane steering wheel with audio, MID and Bluetooth hands-free controls that's not only tilt-adjustable, but is now telescopic too.

Entertainment is via a six-speaker audio system connected to a CD player with tuner, MP3, AUX-jack, USB and Bluetooth.

There's now the convenience of keyless-entry and push-start button.

For safety, the 2.0E comes with three airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, front-rear parking sensors, speed-sensitive central locking and ISOFIX anchor points.

The 2.0G bolsters its safety levels by adding four more airbags (seven in total), as well as brake assist, vehicle stability control, traction control, hill-start assist and emergency stop signal.

Toyota Alphard

Price: RM419,900 (Alphard 3.5L) and RM519,900 (Alphard 3.5L Executive Lounge) on-the-road with insurance; 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage; 10 years Toyota Genuine Parts guaranteed availability.

The Alphard is offered in two variants – the higher grade Alphard 3.5L Executive Lounge and the standard Alphard 3.5L.

Paying an extra RM100,000 for the Executive Lounge variant gets you features such as semi-aniline leather upholstery, second row VIP seats with seat air-conditioning, a more premium audio system with 17 JBL speakers and a larger eight-inch touchscreen display.

The Alphard Executive Lounge also comes with a 9-inch rear seat entertainment system with Blu-ray Disc player.

Also exclusive to the Alphard Executive Lounge steering switches is a voice recognition for hands-free operations.

The Alphard 3.5L is a popular MPV for the "towkay or big businessman" which provides a refined and smooth motoring behaviour.

The powerful 3.5-litre V6 engine with dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) is a solid performer with 271ps of power and 340Nm of torque, mated to a silky-smooth six-speed automatic gearbox.

Being in an Alphard on the move is like flying first-class - it is quiet, refined, powerful, relaxing and comfortable.

The Alphard has an electric power steering that is precise and nearly effortless to use.

Features include seven airbags, ABS, electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), brake assist, vehicle stability control, traction control, front and rear parking sensors, hill assist control, brake hold, seven-inch DVD-AVN system with navigation and eight speakers, reverse camera, Toyota Premium Security and Solar Film window tint.

Toyota Vellfire 2.5L

Price: RM355,000 on-the-road with insurance; 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage; 10 years Toyota Genuine Parts guaranteed availability.

Like the Alphard, the Toyota Vellfire MPV is very popular among the business community and top corporate executives in Malaysia.

Both MPVs are well-known for their classy and spacious interiors, comfortable ride quality, powerful and fuel economical powertrains, and high reliability and ease of maintenance, as well as strong residual values.

Both the Alphard and Vellfire are actually close siblings with many similarities in design, interior layout, comfort and safety features, and plush cabin materials.

Step inside the cabins, and you will be hard-pressed to tell the differences.

Here, the Vellfire is powered by a 2.5-litre dual VVT-i engine with 180ps and 235Nm of torque, mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

Features include LED headlamps with auto leveling and daytime running lights (DRL), LED front and rear fog lamps and rear combination lamps,

Twin Moon Roof, four-spoke leather wrapped steering with black wood grain, cruise control, smart entry and start system, 3-zone air-conditioning, leather seats, 7in DVD-VN with navigation and 8 speakers, ABS, electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), brake assist, vehicle stability control, traction control, Hill-Start Assist Control, front and rear parking sensors, seven airbags, and ISOFIX child seat points.

Getting in and out, especially in tight parking spots, is made a lot easier with powered sliding doors on both sides.

The best spots to be in the MPVS is the second row, where the Alphard 3.5L and Vellfire 2.5L get Captain Seats with power reclining and Ottoman features, as well as a side table.

With both third row seats raised against the sides, up to six golf bags can be fitted in the rear cargo section.


New Ford Focus driven

                The latest Ford Focus has a substantial facelift, and enters an increasingly competitive arena in Malaysia, namely powerful turbocharged C-segment family cars.

It’s quite a major change from the third-generation Focus that arrived here less than four years ago.

The previous Focus was renowned as a sporty performer with a 2.0-litre Duratec petrol engine pushing out 170ps and and 202Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed Powershift dual-clutch gearbox.

Compared with a conventional torque converter automatic transmission, the Ford Powershift is more fuel efficient and delivers lightning fast gear changes.

However, the latest Focus makes a return to a conventional 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox - so it’s goodbye to the lightning-quick gear shift experience.

Imported from Thailand, the new Focus has more muscle under the hood, with a 1.5-litre turbocharged EcoBoost engine delivering a very impressive and class-leading 180ps and 240Nm of torque.

However, with the conventional six-speed automatic, there is some turbo lag and the drive is much less exciting, compared with the fun and sporty driving experience via a dual-clutch Powershift where gear shifts are performed without torque interruption.

The new Focus has sharp and stylish looks, particularly with the adoption of an Aston Martin-like front grille that is also seen on other Ford cars like the Fiesta and Mondeo.

Our test drive unit is the high-grade 5-door Sport+ hatchback variant which is priced RM21,000 higher than the RM118,888 Trend hatchback model.

For the RM21,000 price difference, the high-grade variants get extra kit including LED daytime running lights, power-adjustable and auto-folding side mirrors, auto headlamps, rain sensing wipers, dual-zone air-conditioning, 12V powerpoint in armrest stowage bin, leather upholstery, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, eight-inch touchscreen display SYNC2 with SD slot and nine audio speakers, rear armrest with integrated cup holders, side and curtain airbags, keyless entry and start, front parking sensors, and cruise control.

The extra money you pay also brings Enhanced Active Park Assist and City Stop, as well as Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert.

These extra safety features provide real value, as City Stop can automatically apply the brakes to reduce collision impact while BLIS provides alerts when another motorist is in the driver’s blind spot.

Enhanced Active Park Assist provides semi-automated parking help where the car steers itself and the driver just shifts gear mode, brake and accelerate as directed in perpendicular and parallel parking.

We would have preferred a reverse or all-round view camera system instead, but if you are willing to trust the software and sensors that Ford put in the new Focus to reduce parking stress, then it’s just something that owners will eventually get used to and appreciate.

We think the high-grade variant is definitely worth the extra money, as you get more airbags, safety systems as well as comfort and better infotainment features.

It is not an exaggeration to say the new Focus is not too far away from entry-level premium German cars.

It’s worth noting that the new Focus has Ford MyKey, where owners can programme a spare key to reduce the maximum speed of the car, give an earlier low-fuel warning, limit the volume of the in-car entertainment or even disable the car completely if the seatbelt is not fastened.

You might want to do this when you are unsure about the driving skills of someone you are lending the car to, such as teenage kids.

We are told there’s also a safety feature called Enhanced Transitional Stability (ETS), which can predict a skid or spin and intervene early to help prevent the driver from losing control.

Obviously, this is a safety feature that we didn’t put to the test on public roads.

Our only niggle here is the use of halogen headlamps, instead of brighter and more costly bi-xenon or light emitting diode (LED) headlamps.

Aside from that, the cabin ambience has a premium feel, with leather upholstery and sporty front seats, front and rear reading lights, as well as keyless entry and push-start ignition.

When driven at 80kph on smooth highways, we noted that the tachometer needle was at 1,500rpm. At 110kph, the needle hovered around 2,000rpm.

On the motorway, the new Focus is refined and quiet. We felt quite isolated from the external environment except for the occasional noise pollution from the loudest kap-chais (lightweight underbone motorcycles) and old buses.

According to Ford Motor, the new Focus has lots of sound deadening materials including sound-insulating windshield glass, thicker side-window glass and carpets, increased insulation in the door trims, and improved engine insulation.

It also helped that our test drive unit ran on comfort-biased Michelin Primacy LC 215/50 R17 tyres, which offers excellent noise absorption and fuel economy.

Like a typical Ford car, the ride and handling is where the new Focus also shines; it stays settled and grounded during sporty manoeuvres on curvy roads - unlike the wishy-washy or skittish ride of many C-segment passenger cars.

You get sporty ride and handling, and the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) is precise and direct.

The suspension set-up is on the firm side, but far from uncomfortable. Everything feels solidly built and well-put together.

In summary, the new Focus is a better-looking car, has more power, and feels more refined than ever.

While you don’t get the feistiness or zing of a racing stallion, the new Focus provides the steady and solid temperament of a trained mount.


Car designers get experimental with radical new tail lights

                GENEVA: Look closely at the tail lights of the new DS7 SUV-crossover from Citroen's upmarket badge for a while and you may start to feel mesmerized.

There is something hypnotic about the clever light show created by laser etching and lens trickery on this car.

Fifty LEDS are combined to give the rear lights of the DS7 an other-worldly, three-dimensional aura.

The car is due to hit the streets at the end of this year and the amazing rear light clusters should ensure that the bespoke five-seater stands out from the crowd.

There was once a time when rear lights were nothing more than white lamp bulbs behind red glass or plastic reflectors.

Today's designers seem to have discovered tail lights as a playground for trying out new ideas. Some have even elevated them to an art form.

The Geneva Car Show, which ended on March 19, was a good place to catch up on state-of-the-art car light technology.

Renault's Trezor concept is not only one the most handsome cars at the show. Its C-shaped signature rear lighting uses stacks of modern fibre-optics illuminated by a red laser to create an interesting visual effect.

The luxury electric supercar called Ren from Techrules features "starburst" tail lights. These glow across the entire width of the rear spoiler when the driver switches on the lighting or activates the brake pedal.

Audi treated the Q8 SUV concept in Geneva to a space-age rear strip light while Volkswagen's pod-like Sedric shuttle has a rear panel with tail lights wrapped around the rear screen.

Sedric is a robot taxi unlikely to ever go into production in this form yet the lighting concept will probably crop up on most self-driving cars in the future.

The Techrules Ren electric supercar on display at the Geneva show. — Reuters

With no human driver at the wheel, autonomous vehicles need to gain the trust of other road users and that means ensuring maximum visibility. Sedric can even "wink" with its headlamps to warn of its presence.

"We have put LED panels into the front and flanks so that Sedric can communicate by using light," says Johann Jungwirth who is in charge of digital technology at the Wolfsburg-based carmaker.

Thanks to technical progress, car headlamps and tail lamps have been gaining more design attention recently.

They have also got a lot brighter over the past decade. Innovative light concepts can now be used underscore the exclusive look of new models.

LEDs have been around for a few years but some production cars are being treated to rear lights that use organic light-emitting diodes or OLEDs.

Volkswagen-owned Audi is using OLED rear light modules from Osram in the Audi TT RS compact sports car. Meanwhile BMW has added OLED tail lights to the BMW M4 GTS high-performance coupe.

OLEDs do not cast any shadows and they can create a 3D effect when layered over each other. Experts say that as a general light source OLEDs are not as efficient as LEDs. But they have a bright future in niche applications such as for automotive rear lights.

"We are always on the lookout for new technology and we are trying out a lot of innovations on our concept cars," says Renault-Design-Chef Laurens Van den Acker.

But he doesn't see the fibre-optics on the Trezor finding their way into regular Renaults soon. "These things attract a lot of attention and they let us push the boundaries of what is possible," says the Renault man.

And yet the floating rear light clusters on Citroen's C-Aircross design study with their concentric rings of red light may soon find their way into a production version.

Meanwhile the tail lights of the new Range Rover Velar are already available. They herald a new design language for the brand, with twin U-shaped light guides covered by a single transparent cover that wraps around the entire rear end.

The upmarket Mercedes-Benz E Class saloon can now be ordered with glamorous rear lights with what designers call the "stardust effect". This is created by tiny crystals built into the rear stop and turn reflectors.

The tricked-out lights not only look good but can also be adjusted in their intensity to indicate braking urgency, or reduce the impact on following traffic.

But the ultimate car tail lights would probably put Star Wars villain Darth Vadar's lightsaber to shame. They come with the Bugatti Chiron, the world's most expensive hypercar.

Designers came up with a combined rear, brake, reversing and indicator light strip extending 1.6 metres across the entire rear of the car. It contains 82 LEDs.

The signature automotive statement cost a small fortune to get right, designer Achim Anscheidt recalls in Geneva with a grimace.

The ultra-exclusive Chiron carries a price ticket of 2.8 million euros, so it is important that other road-users can see at once that a Bugatti Chiron is driving ahead of them.

After all, the tail lights are the most that drivers will ever see of this extraordinary car, which can touch 420kph on the straights.


KL announces tunnel closure for three months

                PETALING JAYA: A section of the tunnel along Sultan Iskandar highway (Mahameru highway) towards Damansara/Jalan Istana will be closed for three months due to upgrading works.

City Hall (DBKL) Corporate Planning Department head Khalid Zakaria said that the closure of the tunnel was due to the upgrading works along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim (Jalan Duta).

Khalid said that the stretch would be closed from April 4 until July 3 and that the City Hall will be continuously monitoring the traffic at the stretch.

“We will be monitoring the situation 24 hours a day to ensure that traffic runs smoothly.

“Road users should be careful and should observe the traffic signage at the site,” he said.

 Click image to expand.


Tesla clashes with China e-commerce site over Model 3 promotion

The cabin of a Model 3.— Reuters
SHANGHAI: Tesla Inc. has found itself entangled in an escalating dispute with Chinese e-commerce giant Pinduoduo Inc., which ran a promotion for Model 3 sedans that the US carmaker says broke its policies.

At the centre of the row, which surfaced last month, is Tesla’s direct-sales model. Unlike most carmakers that sell via franchised dealerships, Tesla has its own network of showrooms where customers can view a vehicle before placing an order online. Customers can also just go direct to the official online channel, which comes with a price-match guarantee.

In this instance, a customer in Wuhan saw an offer for a Tesla Model 3 on Pinduoduo via Yiauto.

Yiauto, a car retailer based in the southeastern province of Fujian, had advertised the sedan for 251,800 yuan (RM153,000), around 7% cheaper than the official post-subsidy price set by Tesla.

Once Tesla became aware of the campaign, it denied any form of cooperation with either Pinduoduo or Yiauto.

Yiauto went ahead with its promotion regardless, and the man in Wuhan paid for the car. His order was ultimately placed direct on Tesla’s website, using his personal details.

Tesla, helmed by Elon Musk, now the world’s fourth-richest person, has labelled the transaction a resale, meaning the Wuhan customer won’t be entitled to the usual rights enjoyed by clients who buy a Tesla from official channels.

In addition, Tesla said on Tuesday it would support the customer if he wants to "safeguard his legitimate rights” from the promotion organiser.

Pinduoduo said it was "disappointed that Tesla has made it difficult for some fans to get their dream car.” "We appreciate the trust that our users put in our platform and will do everything we can do protect their rights,” it said.

Representatives from Yiauto couldn’t immediately be reached.

Tesla is willing to "compensate for the customer’s loss of time and effort spent on this,” a Beijing-based representative said, adding the man was more than welcome to re-place his order via official channels should he wish.


Ministry seeks talks with Sabah to speed up works on Pan Borneo Highway

Bung Moktar said the highway project was only 20 per cent completed at this stage while the Sarawak portion was already 65% completed. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: The Works Ministry is ready to discuss with the Sabah government on new ways to build the Pan Borneo Highway in the state.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, said among matters to be discussed was the implementation of the project via the private finance initiative (PFI).

“We are ready to discuss with the Sabah government on the new implementation method, whether through PFI and so on...we will look at the government’s financial position,” he said when when winding up the committee-level Budget 2021 debate for the ministry in the Dewan Rakyat today.

The allocation for the ministry was then approved at the committee level with a majority vote after being debated by 10 members of Parliament.

Earlier, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) who is also Sabah deputy Chief Minister, when debating the supply bill wanted the ministry to consider allowing the Sabah government to implement the Pan Borneo project in Sabah through PFI.

He said this was following the slow progress of the project which was only 20 per cent completed when in Sarawak, construction has reached 65 per cent.

“I want to make sure the people of Sabah can also enjoy the benefit when the Pan Borneo project is completed, if only one package is completed in a year, it will not be ready even in 2040,” he said.

Fadilah said 16 of the remaining 20 packages of the project in Sabah have been approved, 15 of which had been tendered out and one was cancelled due to incompetent contractors while another was approved through the 2021 package.


Air taxi startup Volocopter to sell 150 aircraft to China JV

                STUTTGART: German flying taxi startup Volocopter said today it would sell 150 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to its joint venture with a unit of Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.

Volocopter, which counts Daimler, BlackRock and Intel Capital as some of its investors, said it expects the partnership to bring eVTOL aircraft to China within the next three to five years.

China represents the "biggest single market opportunity" for the urban air mobility industry, said Florian Reuter, Volocopter's chief executive officer, in a statement.

Volocopter did not disclose any financial details of the sale. The company in April had announced the formation of the joint venture with Zhejiang Geely's Aerofugia.

Volocopter, which has raised US$377 million from its investors, added that Zhejiang Geely's top boss Daniel Li Donghui had joined its advisory board.


Rolls-Royce unveils its grandest car yet, the Phantom VIII

                LONDON: Rolls-Royce has introduced the Phantom VIII. This is Rolls-Royce’s largest and grandest car ever, born from the same line as those used by Elvis and Queen Elisabeth II and 50 Cent, plus myriad tycoons and oligarchs the world over. The revamped saloon will cost 375,000-euro (RM1.9mil).

Unveiled to the public here on Thursday, just days after Britain moved to ban combustion vehicles by 2040, the hantom is only the second modern version of the flagship state car that Rolls first introduced in 1925.

BMW Group unveiled the first truly modern Phantom in 2003 and used it until 2011; Phantom VIII is the first time since then that the car has been updated completely. In the years before 2003, Rolls was producing the Phantom VI on an incredible run from 1968 to 1990.

The car’s longevity is a testament to its design, which has withstood the test of time with grace and aplomb. That success is, in turn, a challenge to the Rolls-Royce designers who laboured to birth the new one in Goodwood, England. The half-million-dollar Phantom is Rolls’s biggest money-making series around the world. In this rare air, there is no margin for error.

“Rolls-Royce will start to go electric in the next decade,” Torsten M¼ller--tvos, the brand’s chief, said in an interview. “You need to have then an effortless charging situation,” as its wealthy clientele isn’t in the mood to spend more than “a couple of minutes” topping up batteries.

The looks

From my first experiences with the car, it looks like the team can rest easy. Everything about the Phantom VIII is smooth, especially how it looks. Giles Taylor, the director of design for Rolls-Royce, deserves much credit here for accomplishing what many have not-creating a new iteration of an old car so that it feels fresh but familiar. His Phantom VIII manages to look both modern and majestic.

During the private preview in New York, Taylor said he wanted the car to look as though it’s surging forward as a boat would emerging from the water. It does: The new super-clean stainless steel grille is recessed and pushed up higher than previous generations so that the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament virtually catapults forward.

The front end of the car is shorter and the back is longer than previously, as well. All the styling lines in the rear circle forward and lead the eye back through to the front wheel. The rear glass is raked more aggressively than on Phantom VII, which adds to the general idea of forward thrust.

Elsewhere, wide C-pillars along the sides allow for passenger privacy; massive single-pieces of hand-polished stainless steel frame and soften each side. (On the Extended Wheelbase Phantom, a single polished stainless steel strip along the sill marks it as special.) You’ll be hard-pressed to find any visible join lines between body panels at any point in the car. I certainly couldn’t.

The intricate details of every component inside the car are too numerous and mind-numbing to list here, but suffice to say they adorn the car like jewels. The rear light cluster has tiny Double-RR badges etched in; the high-gloss picnic tables and chrome dials make the rear feel like a theater (yes, there are movie screens); the center of the wheels always point right-side up even as the car drives. Taylor even made the wood paneling across the back of the front seats to evoke the famous Eames Lounge Chair.

It’s worth noting that this is only the second Phantom produced by Rolls-Royce under its BMW overlords. The driving system and entertainment controls are very similar to those in some of the brand’s other vehicles. But even at this early stage, it’s easy to see that none is so befitting royalty as the new Phantom VIII. Phantom VI was famously used as the coach for the nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011. Phantom VIII is a worthy, modern successor.

Silence please

Talk to anyone at Rolls associated with Phantom VIII, and you’ll hear the same key items about the car mentioned with glowing pride. Primary among them is the silence of its ride.

According to Rolls, it is 10 percent quieter at 100kTEST-DRIVE: Mercedes-AMG C 45 TEST-DRIVE: Mercedes-AMG C 45 ph than the previous Phantom. This comes thanks to sound-absorbing materials layered inside the headliner, trunk, and doors; massive cast aluminum joints in the body of the car, which cut noise; double skin alloy laid on areas within the floor and bulkhead of the frame of the car; and special “silent-seal” tyres that have foam inside to minimise road noise.

It’s also due to a new-as opposed to simply updated or reconfigured-engine. Rolls gave Phantom VIII a 6.75-litre, V12 engine turbocharged to 563bhp. (This is a change from the previous naturally aspirated, 453hp V12 engine used in Phantom VII.) The turbo enables low-end power at lower revs, which works wonders to ensure silence at speed. The car tops out at 250kph, and it’ll hit 100kph in 5.3 seconds. This, significantly, is far faster than, say, those smaller racecar-light Lancias that dominated the rally-cross track for decades.

The effect is unearthly once you close the doors-everything outside the car goes immediately mute. Reclining last month in the back of the Phantom VIII was like lounging in a cocoon. I’ve been in sound studios that felt louder; you could easily record a Rick Ross album in there.

At any rate, I’d like to hear the difference on the road. Rolls-Royce, alas, hasn’t yet permitted press drives, but initial results of this much-ballyhooed chamber are positive, very positive.

Gallery staging

Another point of immense-and justified-pride from the Rolls-Royce contingent is the “gallery” installed in the dashboard.

Let me explain. Rolls says that many of its buyers are collectors of fine mechanical watches, figurines, jewelry, and other trinkets worth far more than their size might suggest. (After visiting the factory in Goodwood one year, I know this to be true-the bespoke cars I saw being built there include storage for some of the most eccentric things, such as cabinets for duck collections.) So it follows that perhaps these individuals would like to be able to appreciate some of their collections outside the home. Even on the road, as it were.

Enter Phantom VIII, with a glass case installed in the dashboard if the buyer so wishes. Anyone who buys one can install whatever he or she wants inside along the dash, behind the glass. It’s like a viewing gallery.

“Every one of our customers-each a connoisseur of luxury in the extreme-[was] asking for something more individual to them, not less,” said M¼ller--tvos. “We were adamant that that was what they should have.”

The gallery does come with one permanent installation: an analogue clock that will be “the loudest sound you can hear in a Rolls-Royce,” one presser bragged. Giles Taylor, the director of design for Rolls-Royce, told me the glass is treated so that it is not a safety hazard in the event of a crash. One would hope.

And storage in general is ample. “Trunk space was something which was criticized in the Phantom VII,” said M¼ller--tvos. “We said OK, understood. We do it,” and it is now “massively more spacious” in the new model.

Smooth as a cloud, but really

Here are the reasons why the Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII will likely be the smoothest car you’ll ever operate.
A Rolls ZF 8-speed gearbox aided by satellite makes impeccable shifts at any speed.
> A 100-percent original and new chassis designed and engineered to sustain the exact weight (5,862 pounds for the short wheelbase; 5,948 pounds for the longer version) and motion of the Phantom VIII, which improves propulsion, traction, and, by 30 percent, the car's overall rigidity.
> Four-wheel steering similar to that of a new Lamborghini , which increases agility and stability around corners.
> A complex camera system that automatically adjusts the suspension for the road ahead.

It’s notable that the all-aluminum frame will underpin every future Rolls-Royce beginning with Phantom VIII, so no new Rolls-Royce will ever again use the same monocoque construction that is typical across the industry.

It’s also notable that the camera system is one of many that include panoramic- and helicopter-view cameras; a Night Vision camera; a 7-inch-wide heads-up display; and myriad collision/lane departure/cross traffic warning systems. This is by far the most technologically advanced Rolls-Royce on the market, even surpassing the sporty Wraith coupe.

But I digress. The main point here is that everything about this car is smooth-even the doors, which shut by the light touch of a sensor so that they “whisper closed” of their own accord. Because slamming a door is so continental, isn’t it?

NM-Phantom-Tech-Specs-Final.pdf

Alternative link


Volvo starts offering Recharge tyres in Europe

                GOTHENBURG: In a challenge to conventional tyre setups, Volvo Cars will equip its fully electric cars with Recharge tyres for use all year round as standard in northern and central Europe.

With a single set of tyres capable of safely handling a wider range of weather and road conditions than summer or winter tyres, Volvo Cars aims to simplify customers’ lives by avoiding the bi-annual hassle of tyre changes, while also reducing CO2 emissions.

The Recharge tyres are the first tyres for year-round use to achieve A-class energy efficiency. This innovation is in line with the company’s aspiration to lead the industry in offering more sustainable products.

Driving a pure electric XC40 on Recharge tyres can reduce energy consumption by up to 8 per cent and extend the average driving range, compared with driving on winter tyres.

As more customers use just one set of tyres all year round, aluminium wheel production can be reduced, bringing an additional climate impact benefit.

“With electric cars, keeping tyre rolling resistance low is more important than with traditionally powered cars, since it has a bigger impact on consumption and range,” said Gisela Blomkvist, head of Volvo Cars Sustainability Centre.

“Usually, that trait is limited to summer tyres – but with Recharge tyres we extend this into the winter months and realise clear benefits for customers and the environment.”

Recharge tyres will become standard on fully electric Volvo cars in the following markets: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden and Ukraine.

In large parts of Europe, the conventional tyre setup of summer and winter tyres might not always be the safest option for the actual weather and road conditions.

Volvo Cars safety experts have identified that it is less safe to use traditional summer or winter tyres when conditions are dry or wet with temperatures around zero degrees. In these conditions, the Recharge tyres are the safest option.

The Recharge tyres, however, may not be the best option for everyone. For customers who live in areas where winter conditions are severe and driving on snow or ice is common, or for customers who frequently visit areas like these, traditional friction or studded winter tyres remain the safest choice and are still available as an option.


Miguel Oliveira wins rain-affected Indonesian MotoGP and dedicates win to his daughter

Oliveira celebrates on the podium after winning the main race at the Indonesian Grand Prix Mandalika International Street Circuit, Kuta, Lombok, Indonesia on Sunday, March 20, 2022. - Reuters
MANDALIKA: An emotional Miguel Oliveira held his nerve to win a rain-affected Indonesian MotoGP on Sunday and then promised to give the trophy to his daughter.

The Portuguese KTM rider finished 2.205 sec ahead of current world champion Fabio Quartararo, of France, who had started from pole position on his Yamaha.

Another Frenchman, Johann Zarco, was a further 3.158sec adrift for the Pramac Racing team after the race was reduced to 20 laps from the originally scheduled 27 because of safety concerns.

The start at the Mandalika International Street Circuit was delayed for 75 minutes by heavy rain as the sport returned to Indonesia for the first time since 1997.

When it did eventually begin, Quartararo bolted into the first corner comfortably ahead but by the end of the first lap had been reeled in by Oliveira and Australia's Jack Miller on a Ducati.

Oliveira spent a couple of laps behind the Australian before realising he had the pace to stretch away as the sodden track began to dry.

"When I overtook him, I just tried to focus for the next five laps," said Oliveira, who won his fifth grand prix. "Then I built the gap and I was managing it the whole race but it was for sure not easy."

"It's really emotional," said Oliveira. "I promised my daughter I would get a trophy from Indonesia, so this one is for you baby."

Six-time world champion Marc Marquez was earlier ruled out with concussion after a horror morning warm-up crash that catapulted him into the air on turn seven.

The Spaniard's Honda cartwheeled end-over-end as it disintegrated with Marquez appearing to land heavily on his left arm and hitting his helmet on the ground at around 180kph.

A shaken Marquez got to his feet and gingerly walked away before being taken to a nearby hospital for medical checks where he was declared unfit to race.

Marquez had already suffered a bruising weekend, having two crashes during qualifying on Saturday.

Organisers then announced the MotoGP race would be reduced from 27 laps to 20 over tyre safety fears caused by the extreme heat at the circuit.

MotoGP was returning to Indonesia for the first time since 1997 at a new venue on the resort island of Lombok.


Jaguar cars integrating Spotify app

                LONDON: Luxury car marque Jaguar and SUV specialist Land Rover are collaborating with Swedish streaming service Spotify, making the music app part of its InControl Apps library.

Personalised playlists and an offline mode for use in low-signal areas are part of the resulting feature set.

Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs and Elliot Gleave, also known as EDM producer Example, are both involved in promoting the dashboard app via a three-minute road-test video.

Spotify said last week it has 40 million subscribers, elevating it way ahead of Apple Music, which only had 17 million paying customers.

British motor vehicle manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover was acquired by Indian multinational Tata Motors, which also owns Tata Daewoo and has a partnership with Fiat Chrysler.


Hyundai exploits quantum computing to detect objects

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor is exploring the use of quantum computing for object detection.

It is expanding its partnership with US-based quantum computing hardware and software company IonQ on a new project designed to apply quantum machine learning to image classification and 3D object detection for future mobilities.

Image classification and 3D object detection are basic steps towards the next generation of mobilities, including autonomous vehicles. Together, IonQ and Hyundai will look to improve computational functionality through more efficient machine learning on quantum computers, as they can process enormous amounts of data faster and more accurately than classical systems.

Using a breakthrough in encoding images into quantum states, IonQ is already well under way in classifying 43 types of road signs using IonQ’s quantum processors. The next phase will see the two companies apply IonQ’s machine learning data to Hyundai’s test environment and simulate various real-world scenarios.

“We are excited to expand our existing relationship with Hyundai Motor to focus on another key aspect of next-generation mobility,” said IonQ president and CEO Peter Chapman.

“From partnering on battery research for electric vehicles to image classification and object detection research for automated driving, we expect to see quantum computers become an even more integral part in developing novel transportation solutions.”

As part of this project, IonQ and Hyundai will look to develop quantum techniques for the broad task of 3D object detection, expanding the current work on recognising road signs to include other objects like pedestrians or cyclists.

Running object recognition tasks on IonQ’s latest quantum computer, IonQ Aria, should enable more efficient processing with lower costs, leading to the development of safer, more intelligent mobilities in the future. With 20 algorithmic qubits (#AQ), IonQ Aria is the industry’s most powerful quantum computer based on standard application-oriented industry benchmarks.

Today’s news also marks the latest initiative between IonQ and Hyundai Motor, following a January announcement that the two companies had partnered to use quantum computers in improving performance, cost and safety of lithium batteries for EVs.


BMW Group Malaysia launches Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Group Malaysia unveiled the new Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays at Sunway Pyramid in partnership with ParkEasy, Shell Malaysia and Sunway Group.

The launch of the new Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays forms part of BMW Group Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to drive e-mobility forward in Malaysia.

The convenience and availability of these facilities are vital in fostering the shift among Malaysians towards Visionary Mobility. The 10 charging bays will span across three major Sunway Group properties with five bays available in Sunway Pyramid, three in Sunway Pinnacle, and two in Sunway Velocity.

With the support from Shell Malaysia, ParkEasy is expanding and looking for other progressive shopping malls to offer such facilities.

Starting July, owners of BMW Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) will be entitled to exclusive BMW Privileges at the Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays.

They include an e-starter pack for new BMW PHEV owners and an e-gift card to existing BMW PHEV owners for the use of the facilities at the Sunway Group properties. Now, they can enjoy the BMWMY promo code to redeem five ParkEasy credits for use at the Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays. The promo code is available from today to July 31, 2019, and is limited to 2,000 users.

The ParkEasy platform is a mobile application that will allow electric vehicle (EV) or PHEV users to reserve a spot at the Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays up to 60 minutes ahead, assuring drivers of parking and charging availability.

Powered by BMW i Charging facilities, users will receive complimentary recharging to replenish their vehicles’ batteries, as the credits in their ParkEasy mobile application will only be deducted for the reservation and hourly use of the parking bays. This cashless transaction also intends to cultivate ethical charging behaviour among the EV and PHEV users.

BMW Group Malaysia’s portfolio of Visionary Mobility is also supported by the ChargEV platform through its partnership with the Malaysian Green Technology Corporation.

Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia, said, “Globally, Malaysia is amongst the world’s most progressive countries in driving the Story of Visionary Mobility further for the BMW Group. This signifies not only a strong demand for electro-mobility in the country but the need for its long-term sustainability.

"To facilitate this vision, BMW Group Malaysia will continue to expand the accessibility of charging facilities to electrified vehicle drivers nationwide.”

Hoelzl added that with over 20 BMW i Charging Facilities across Malaysia, BMW Group Malaysia looks forward to growing the numbers with ParkEasy and Shell Malaysia to further pave the way for the Mobility of the Future in the country with the new Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays, and hope to see more of such initiatives in the future.

Also present at the launch event was Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah, Founder and Chairman of Sunway Group, Datuk Iain Lo, Chairman of Shell Malaysia, and Warren Chan, CEO of ParkEasy.


Hats off to Ford for this smart idea

                DETROIT: Ford Brazil's Heavy Truck division has come up with a very novel solution to keeping long-haul drivers awake and aware of when their attention is waning — the Safe cap.

Driving a truck can be a monotonous and stressful occupation and one where you're stuck behind the wheel of a vehicle, without physically moving for hour upon hour. For example, in Brazil alone, the average truck driver covers 10,000 km a month and, according to the Brazilian National Transport Confederation, over 11% of drivers have had at least one collision in the past several years.

Looking at technological ways to improve truckers' well-being is nothing new. Daimler Benz recently conducted a series of tests in the Arctic Circle examining how the use of light in cabins of latest generation trucks could help to ward off tiredness or increase alertness.

However, in countries like Brazil, most drivers are behind the wheel of a rig that is at least 14 years old, therefore they lack the finances to trade up to a modern vehicle or to retrofit a cabin with technologies such as cameras and sensors.

Enter the Safe cap. It looks just like something that would already be in a trucker's wardrobe, but behind the peak and within the liner are sensors similar to those found in a smartphone that monitor the wearer's head movements for signs of fatigue.

If it detects tiredness, the cap initially vibrates and then uses sounds and flashing lights if the movement persists.

Not to be disregarded as a gimmick, Ford spent eight months testing the device with a group of truckers in real world conditions and over a distance of 5,000km. It also had to build a database of head movements associated with truck driving so that the cap can distinguish between movements related to a trucker's occupation and those that don't. What's more, rather than connect this piece of smart clothing to a smartphone or the internet to do the calculations regarding these movements, all the processing is self-contained within the cap itself.

"Ford is the first automotive company to think about creating a wearable device for drivers to use for the time when they are behind the wheel that can contribute to prevent accidents. This way, we are able to reinforce our commitment on bringing embedded technology not only for vehicles, but also through accessories that are capable of making the lives of drivers easier and the focus on safety as a priority in our technology investments," said Lyle Watters, president of Ford South America.

However, the safe cap is still in its prototype stages; testing is ongoing and it is yet to be patented or certified. But when it's ready Ford has made it clear that it would be happy to share the technology with other companies to take it into fully-fledged production.


Growth in global oil demand to slow from 2025, says IEA

                LONDON: Growth in global oil demand is expected to slow from 2025 as fuel efficiency improves and the use of electric vehicles increases, but consumption is unlikely to peak in the next two decades, the International Energy Agency said today.

The Paris-based IEA, which advises Western governments on energy policy, said in its annual World Energy Outlook for the period to 2040 that demand growth would continue to increase even though there would be a marked slowdown in the 2030s.

The agency’s central scenario - which incorporates existing energy policies and announced targets - is for demand for oil to rise by around 1 million barrels per day (bpd) on average every year to 2025, from 97 million bpd in 2018.

Demand is then seen increasing by 0.1 million bpd a year on average during the 2030s to reach 106 million bpd in 2040.

“There is a material slowdown after 2025, but this does not lead to a definitive peak in oil use,” the IEA said, citing increased demand from trucks and the shipping, aviation and petrochemical sectors.

The IEA has been criticised by groups concerned about climate change who say the outlook underplays the speed at which the world could switch to renewable energy and undermines efforts to keep increases in global temperatures within 1.5-2 degrees Celsius.

This year, the IEA renamed its main scenario “Stated Policies”, instead of “New Policies”, to clarify that it reflects current policies. It is one of three scenarios used to show how energy demand could evolve over the next two decades.

This change is an improvement, said Joeri Rogelj of the Grantham Institute at Imperial College London.

However, the IEA’s most ambitious scenario “remains inconsistent with 1.5 C and several aspects of the Paris Agreement and doesn’t present a scientifically consistent narrative”, he added.

No emissions peak

The IEA outlook sees primary energy demand growing by a quarter by 2040, with renewable energy accounting for half of the rise and gas for 35%.

The IEA’s central scenario also does not see energy-related carbon dioxide emissions peaking by 2040 due to economic growth and population increases.

“Although emissions are rising, some governments are pushing major policy changes,” IEA executive director Fatih Birol told journalists in Paris.

An expected rise of just over 100 million tonnes a year between 2018 and 2040, although lower than the average rate of increase since 2010 of 350 million tonnes a year, would not be enough of a reduction to curb global temperature rises.

The IEA expects there will be 330 million electric cars on the road by 2040, up from an estimate of 300 million in last year’s outlook. That would displace around 4 million bpd of oil use, it said, compared to the 3.3 million bpd forecast previously.

The largest increases in oil production are seen coming from the United States, the world’s biggest producer, as well as Iraq and Brazil.

US tight crude oil production is seen rising to 11 million bpd in 2035 from 6 million bpd in 2018.

The share of oil production by members of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries plus Russia is seen falling to 47% for much of the next decade, a level not seen since the 1980s.

“The oil price required to balance supply and demand in this scenario edges higher to nearly US$90 a barrel in 2030 and US$103 a barrel in 2040,” the report said of the IEA’s central scenario.


Cumulative range of EVs sold worldwide tops 1.9 billion km in 2021

                NEW YORK: The cumulative range of all electric cars sold worldwide in 2021 has exceeded 1.9 billion kilometres, a figure that has doubled in one year, according to the consulting firm AlixPartners.

Even though it is strongly influenced by the increase in sales, this "electrification index" also shows how the range of electric cars (100% electric or plug-in hybrids) continues to grow.

With a little more than a billion kilometres of cumulative range, China appears to be the most mature market.

Europe has 852 million cumulative kilometres, while North America has 442 million kilometres. In China and Europe, one in six vehicles registered in 2021 was electric, compared with one in 18 in the United States and Canada.

According to the American firm, the average range for electric vehicles sold in 2021 is now just over 380km. However, there are still significant differences between brands, with Tesla offering models with more than 500km of range, while some Chinese SUVs are much more limited.

According to AlixPartners, nearly three-quarters of the 2.2 million electric vehicles bought in Q4 2021 were fully electric cars.

In that quarter alone, Tesla led the automakers in cumulative range, with 257 million kilometres, ahead of China's BYD (144 million kilometres), Volkswagen (88 million kilometres), Hyundai (69 million kilometres) and Geely (46 million kilometres).


German carmakers had crisis call with Merkel, says daily

Handelsblatt said Merkel met German carmakers on Wednesday to discuss the way forward after the Covid-19 crisis. A Volkswagen source said there was agreement that an EU-wide approach to re-starting production was needed. — Reuters
HAMBURG: The bosses of Volkswagen, BMW and Daimler held a crisis call with German chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday to discuss how to get production restarted, Germany’s Handelsblatt newspaper reported today.

Carmakers have halted production at some sites as governments around the world have imposed lockdowns on their populations in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Volkswagen chief executive Herbert Diess last week said the carmaker might have to cut jobs if the pandemic is not brought under control as it is still spending about €2 billion (RM9.5bil) a week.

Handelsblatt cited participants in the call as saying carmakers were particularly concerned about the supply chain.

A Volkswagen source said the carmakers discussed the situation in the industry and how production could be started up again after the coronavirus crisis. There was agreement that an EU-wide approach to re-starting production was needed, the source said.

“It doesn’t help if one country forges ahead and then everything in Italy or Spain is still at a standstill,” the source said, adding that such a scenario would result in gaps in the supply chain.

The Volkswagen source said in the talks there had been agreement that a working group, including the government, industry and the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases, should be set up to develop standards for protecting employees when production is restarted, such as protective clothing, masks, distancing workers and frequent cleaning of sanitary facilities.

The source said the carmakers also discussed the situation facing car suppliers and that while big original equipment manufacturers were well provided for in terms of liquidity, that was not the case for many suppliers.

A source at Daimler said Merkel, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier, Finance Minister Olaf Scholz and Joerg Hofmann, head of the IG Metall trade union, had all taken part in the meeting with Daimler CEO Ola Kaellenius, BMW boss Oliver Zipse and Volkswagen CEO Diess.

A survey published on Wednesday showed Germany’s export-dependent manufacturing sector saw the steepest decrease in output in almost 11 years in March, as the coronavirus pandemic forced plant closures in Europe’s biggest economy.


High gloss or matte? What to know when choosing car paint

                BERLIN: "A customer can have his car painted any colour he wants, as long as it’s black," Henry Ford famously once said. Almost 100 years later, the days of Ford’s legendary T-model are long gone, and these days, the paint manufacturer BASF Coatings alone offers more than 600 shades of paint finishes.

And yet it seems that's not enough choice for customers. When buying a new car, you are offered the choice of both the specific colour and the type of paint you want. While manufacturers’ standard offerings have come to include established solid, metallic and pearl-effect lacquers, there are also many more effects and types of paint available. So what are the differences?

For starters, the paint has a protective function. Each type of car paint has several layers, which serve as protection from rust and light. What’s visible from the outside is the basecoat, which usually consists of colour pigments and - depending on the type of paint – any additional effects.

"On top of that comes a clear coat," explains Mark Gutjahr, head of design at BASF Coatings. This layer is added to provide extra UV protection, while also protecting against tree sap and bird droppings and offering better wash resistance.

Solid paint finishes have no effect pigments and are usually the cheapest option, as they often come at no extra cost – albeit in a limited selection of colours. The VW Golf, for example, currently only comes in one colour at no extra charge: Urano gray.

More pigment-intensive colours like red are more expensive in solid finishes. VW’s tornado red, for example, will cost buyers an extra US$275.

Demand also plays an important role. "Dark colours such as gray, black and blue, as well as silver metallic, are among the most frequently chosen," says Christian Buhlmann from VW. Tornado Red, for example, is usually ordered for specific models, such as the GTI sports series. Meanwhile, the compact 308 from Peugeot is cheapest when ordered in Hurricane Gray.

Peugeot and VW each charge about US$700 extra for metallic paint. In this kind of paint, aluminium particles are added to the base coat to provide a metallic shine in sunlight. "Due to the refraction of light, we see glimmering on the body," says Gutjahr. This offers extra optical emphasis to the car’s contours and works especially well with light, silver tones.

In contrast, pearlescent coatings have a softer shine and have richer colours thanks to added particles. In the case of a red basecoat, for example, orange particles can be added to cause the paint to change colours under certain light. For those who want very vibrant, bright colors, Gutjahr recommends a solid or pearlescent finish. "If I want to see the car’s contours better, then I'd go with a metallic paint," he explains.

But there are many more effect finishes. There's matte paint, which means a car with a final matte coat instead of a glossy varnish. Then there's paint with a so-called "flip-flop effect" that refracts the light differently depending on the angle, thus showing different colours. That means a red area on a car’s finish might appear green in the right light.

For a deep black car, automotive expert Christoph Petzoldt advises solid block paint, which is usually cheaper than metallic or pearl effect variants. It also looks better than a metallic black paint, but is more susceptible to marks and scratches.

And what’s the best way to look for colours – in a carmaker’s brochure or an online colour configurator?

"Go and see the original in the dealership," says Gutjahr. "Photos do not show how the effect comes off."

You should be able to look at the paint close up and at a distance. If the car doesn’t have the desired colour pattern at the dealership, buyers should ask for additional paint samples.


Daniel Craig's Aston Martin fetches US$468,500 in NY

                NEW YORK: Aston Martin 2014 Centenary Edition Vanquish / Vente The Exceptional Sale de Christie's le 20 avril 2018

James Bond actor Daniel Craig's Aston Martin, numbered with the character's signature 007, sold at auction Friday for US$468,500 (RM1.8mil).

Christie's, which announced results of the bidding, had estimated the limited-edition midnight blue 2014 Centenary Edition Vanquish would fetch US$400,000-US$600,000.

 Students from The Opportunity Network.

All proceeds from the sale will benefit The Opportunity Network, a charity helping under-served youths develop their careers. Both Craig and his wife, actress Rachel Weisz, sit on the charity's board.

Craig made a surprise appearance during the auction, joining the Christie's team to encourage a client to bid higher.

The car, which has a top speed of 295kph, is part of a series of just 100 which Aston Martin created in 2014 to celebrate the firm's 100th anniversary.

It is made of a lightweight bonded aluminium structure and motorsport-inspired carbon-fibre exterior. The handcrafted interior includes luxury leathers, carbon fibre and aluminium.


Volkswagen Arteon R-Line Edition: Limited to 250 units

                WOLFSBURG: The new Volkswagen Arteon R-Line Edition is limited to 250 units and comes with exclusive features and a selection of four powerful turbocharged engines with 140 kW/190 PS to 200 kW/272 PS characterise the special edition, which is available from EUR 55,970 (in Germany).

The expressive two-tone Moonstone Grey finish with black roof is reserved exclusively for the Arteon R-Line Edition.

The exterior finish is rounded off with 20-inch Rosario alloy wheels and darkened rear windows.

The interior is fitted out with the Nappa leather package and can be customised in terms of colour by means of ambient lighting.

As well as its navigation function, the Discover Pro infotainment system also features Wireless App-Connect, voice control and DAB+ digital radio reception.

Discover Pro and the Digital Cockpit (fully digital instruments) form a single entity similar to the Innovision Cockpit familiar from the Touareg.

Thanks to the keyless locking and starting system Keyless Access, the car key can remain in the driver’s pocket.

Standard high-tech systems for perfect comfort and safety: the Area View feature complete with rear view camera provides a view of the vehicle surroundings and facilitates manoeuvring, as does Park Assist.

Dynamic Road Sign Display, the lane change system Side Assist, the Autonomous Emergency Braking Front Assist and the predictive Adaptive Distance Control (ACC) increase safety in flowing traffic as well as increasing comfort and safety on lengthy journeys.

With the standard Dynamic Light Assist for the LED headlamps, the driver also enjoys the comfort of a dynamic cornering light and automatic main beam control.

The engine range of the Arteon R-Line Edition clearly focuses on the sporty flair of the Gran Turismo, with the four most powerful units of the series being available for the limited special edition.

They are all efficient 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines combined with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG).

The range starts with a TSI petrol engine and a TDI turbocharged diesel, each with an output of 140 kW/90 PS.

The all-wheel-drive top-of-the-range diesel engine offers an output of 176 kW/240 PS, while the most powerful version is the Arteon R-Line Edition with the 2.0 TSI, providing a peak output of 200 kW/272 PS as well as all-wheel drive (4MOTION).

The ESC system has also been adapted. As in the sporty R models, it can now be completely deactivated.

The two most powerful versions of the Arteon R-Line Edition are fitted with what is currently the highest development stage of the adaptive chassis control DCC; the latter is optionally available for the 140 kW models.

The system allows the regulated dampers to be configured on a continuously variable basis from Comfort+ to Sport+ over and above the settings in the driving mode selection (Comfort, Normal, Sport, Individual).


Audi RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 Sportback performance unveiled

                INGOLSTADT: More powerful and faster than any RS 6 and RS 7 to date, the new Audi RS 6 Avant performance and the RS 7 Sportback performance are loaded with extras that sharpen the models’ appearance and make for a more emotive driving experience.

The potent 4.0-liter V8 biturbo TFSI engine now has an engine power of 463 kW (630 PS) and a maximum torque of 850Nm. From Dec 8, the RS 6 Avant performance and the RS 7 Sportback performance are available for €135,000 (RM631,000) each.

At Audi, "performance" means more power. For example, larger turbochargers and an increase in boost pressure from 2.4 to 2.6 bar in the 4.0-liter V8 biturbo TFSI engine that both the RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 Sportback performance boast, allow an increase of 30 PS in engine power and 50 Nm more torque compared to the base versions.

This means a total increase in power from 441 kW (600 PS) to 463 kW (630 PS) and in maximum torque from 800 to 850 Nm. The performance models sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, 0.2 seconds faster than the RS 6 / RS 7 base versions.

Reduced insulation between the engine compartment, the interior, and the rear of the vehicle ensures the RS 6 Avant performance and the RS 7 Sportback performance will thrill customers with an exciting, sound experience – the reduction also makes the car 8kg lighter.

The RS 6 Avant performance has a total unladen weight of 2,090 kg whilst the RS 7 Sportback performance weighs 2,065 kg.

Power from the 4.0 TFSI engine flows through a standard eight-speed tiptronic with faster shifting times to the permanent all-wheel drive quattro.

The strictly mechanical centre differential distributes engine power to the rear axle at ratio of 40:60 and if slippage occurs, more drive torque is automatically applied to the axle with better traction – up to 70 percent can flow to the front axle and up to 85 percent to the rear axle.

The self-locking centre differential is lighter and more compact, improving driving dynamics plus offering noticeably more precise cornering which makes for less understeering at the handling limits.

As an added improvement, the self-steering response is more exact with passengers benefitting from a more agile driving experience overall.

The new RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 Sportback performance roll off the line on standard 21-inch aluminum cast wheels in a 10-spoke star design and 273/35 tyres.

For an even sportier appearance, 22-inch lightweight wheels are also available, alongside the standard 22-inch aluminum cast wheels – in burnished glossy metallic black, matte gray, matte black, or matte neodymium gold.

Inspired by motorsport, the airy 5-Y spoke design aids brake cooling and the lighter rims are manufactured in a high-tech forging-milling process. The new lightweight wheel is around five kilograms lighter than the 22-inch aluminum wheel on the current RS 6 Avant or RS 7 Sportback – this 20-kilogram weight reduction in unsprung masses improves the throttle response.

New high-performance Continental “Sport Contact 7” 285/30 tyres, which are part of the new lightweight wheel, play a key role in reducing weight.

The tyres offer consistently better grip on both dry and wet roads and reduce understeering when cornering at speed, making for overall more precise handling across the entire speed range.

Additionally, the brake path is up to two metres shorter with the new wheels when braking from 100 to 0 kph.

The Audi drive select dynamic handling system lets the driver control the vehicle’s behaviour. Six profiles are available: efficiency, comfort, auto, dynamic, as well as two customisable RS-specific RS1 and RS2 modes.

But experience of the driving modes in the performance models is much more unique. For example, the coasting mode now only activates automatically in the efficiency profile, which means in speed ranges up to 160kph, it switches off the combustion engine and coasts with no fuel consumption or drag torque from the engine.

Additionally, fine-tuning to the engine control unit software makes for tighter load changes in S mode when the “dynamic” drive select mode or driving mode S is active, further increasing the emotionality. The updated software in the transmission control unit makes for faster shifting times and a noticeably increased spread between the various driving modes.

The RS Dynamic Package is standard equipment in the RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 performance models.

This includes the increase in maximum speed to 280kph, dynamic all-wheel steering (the RS-specific software update helps the driver with active steering corrections on the front and rear axles), and the quattro sport differential on the rear axle.

The RS Dynamics Package plus is also available as an option, which in addition to the RS Dynamics Package, raises the top speed to 305kph and includes an RS ceramic brake system.

The new RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 Sportback performance are available in a total of 16 exterior colours – for the first time, metallic and matte Ascari Blue and matte Dew Silver are included.

The performance models stand out with standard RS exterior components in matte gray, including the exterior mirrors, the front spoiler, the front side flaps, the side sill inserts, the roof rails, and the trim on the side windows and rear diffuser.

A matte carbon/black optics package is also an option, in which the roof rails and trim on the side windows are black. The Audi rings and model name is available in the customer’s choice of chrome or black.

In the interior, the familiar RS design packages in gray and red have been expanded to include the colour blue.

The steering wheel rim in Alcantra black features contrasting stitching in Mercato blue, whilst the floor mats, the side of the centre console, and the selector lever cuff also come with blue contrasting stitching.

The seat belts are full-surface ocean blue with the decorative inlays in a carbon twill structure with optional blue accents.

The selector lever knob and the side of the center console are made with Dinamica microfiber, which consists of around 45% recycled PET fibers and the sports seats feature high-quality Valcona leather upholstery perforated with honeycomb stitching with contrasting stitching in Mercato blue. Another distinguishing feature is an entrance LED in the front doors that projects the lettering “RS performance” onto the ground next to the car.

Customers can order RS design packages in the three available colour variants with optional additional features: decorative inlays, door armrests and centre armrest in Dinamica microfibre.

Customers can use the new “Audi Exclusive Customizer” visualisation tool to design their vehicles in thousands of individual combinations and thus create their own personal special edition.

The displays of the standard 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus offer new features including a blinking shift indicator in manual transmission mode which changes the rpm display from green to yellow to red, blinking in a manner identical to that used in motorsport, to indicate the optimal time to change gears.

Plus, Launch Control, which fully exploits the acceleration potential of the RS 6 Avant performance and the RS 7 Sportback performance by signalling the ideal moment to accelerate off the line, with new traffic light icons.


Honda's ‘Electric Vision’ - two thirds of Euro sales to feature electrified powertrains by 2025

                GENEVA: Honda Motor Europe’s president and COO Katsushi Inoue has revealed key details of the brand’s new "Electric Vision".

Speaking at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, Inoue outlined Honda’s commitment to an electric future in Europe, with a specific aim to have electrified powertrains in two thirds of European cars sold by 2025. The announcement confirms that Europe is at the forefront of Honda’s global electric vehicle strategy.

 Inoue.
Announcing the strategy in Geneva today, Inoue said: “We will leverage Honda’s global R&D resources to accelerate the introduction of a full portfolio of advanced, electrified powertrains for the European customer.”

Honda’s focus on electrification in Europe will initially be driven by a roll-out of hybrid technology across its automobile range. The first new hybrid model, which will feature Honda’s two-motor hybrid system, will go on sale in 2018.

Honda will also make plug-in hybrid, battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles commercially available to European customers.

Honda’s Clarity Fuel Cell model will be showcased at Geneva, following the arrival of the first cars in Europe at the end of last year. The Clarity Fuel Cell is the world’s most advanced fuel cell vehicle and delivers a class-leading maximum range of 700km.

The arrival of Clarity Fuel Cell in Europe as part of the Europe-wide HyFIVE (Hydrogen For Innovative Vehicles) initiative reinforces Honda’s commitment to drive the adoption of fuel cell vehicles and the creation of a viable hydrogen refuelling infrastructure across the region.

The announcement of the electric vehicle strategy for Europe comes just weeks after Honda was confirmed as the fastest growing mainstream car brand in the region in 2016.

The full-year data from European industry body ACEA shows that total sales for Honda in 2016 were 159,126 units to the end of December, an increase of 20.8% per cent compared to same period in 2015. Honda’s growth significantly outpaced the results for the EU passenger car market as a whole, which saw a year-on-year increase of 6.8% per cent.


Tesla wins approval to sell longer-range China-made Model 3 cars

                BEIJING: Tesla Inc has secured Chinese government approval to sell longer-range China-made model 3 vehicles in China, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said today.

The vehicles will have a driving range of more than 600km before they need to be recharged, the ministry said in a statement, while the current China-made Model 3 has a standard driving range of more than 400km.

Tesla started delivering cars in December from its US$2 billion factory in Shanghai.


Toyota-Panasonic venture to build lithium-ion batteries for hybrids in Japan

                TOKYO: A Toyota Motor Corp and Panasonic Corp joint battery venture will establish a production line in western Japan to make lithium-ion power units for hybrid vehicles beginning in 2022, the company said today.

The production line at a Panasonic factory in Tokushima prefecture will have enough capacity to build batteries for around 500,000 vehicles a year, Prime Planet Energy & Solutions, Inc said in a press release.

“The global electric vehicle market is expected to continue growing rapidly,” the company said.

These batteries will include high-capacity and high-output prismatic lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries and next-generation batteries.

The joint venture would supply batteries to Toyota as well as to other customers.

Established in April, Prime Planet Energy is 51% owned by Toyota Motor with Panasonic holding the remaining stake. The venture reflects the drive of both companies to become bigger global players in an industry vital for the development of affordable EVs.


Toyota ends freeze on expansion, looks at three new plants

                DETROIT/TOKYO: Toyota is ending a three-year freeze on building new vehicle assembly plants and is looking to open two new assembly plants in China and another in Mexico, four executives familiar with the company's plans said.

The Japanese automaker has already completed initial feasibility studies in both China and Mexico, according to those executives, and “the teams are ready to execute,” as one of them put it. The sources spoke over the last few weeks.

Jim Lentz, head of Toyota’s North American operations, said on Monday that after “a three-year hold” on new capacity investments, the standstill is over for Toyota. Lentz, who spoke on the sidelines of the Detroit auto show, would not comment on specific plans to add production capacity in Mexico or China.

“We’re going to grow again. We will climb the staircase,” he told Reuters in an interview. “But it’s a different way than in the past. It’s not going to be growth for growth’s sake.”

Toyota’s Chinese operations are evaluating plans to build two assembly plants - one in the northeastern city of Changchun and the southern city of Guangzhou where the company already produces cars. In Mexico, Toyota is looking at a site for a passenger car plant in and around the central state of Guanajuato, people familiar with the plans said.

“The only thing we are waiting for is a final green light from the top,” said one of the executives who is a senior manager in China.

The situation is more or less the same in Mexico, he said.


Pakistani truck artist Haider Ali gives new flair to kicks

                KARACHI: Pakistan's lorries are renowned for "truck art": candy-coloured murals depicting South Asian animals, celebrities and religious icons.

The tradition transforms the highways and cities into kaleidoscopic processions.

And now Haider Ali — a veteran truck artist — has transposed the painting onto sneakers.

"A client came to me from the US asking me to paint shoes," he explained.

"I told him an exorbitant fee to discourage him but he agreed, so I decided to get on with it."

He labours on each pair for up to four days, charging select clients US$400 for a set featuring bespoke patterns and motifs.

Since he started painting trainers in January, he has dispatched eight pairs — to places in Pakistan and abroad — with new orders arriving every four days after a surge of social media interest.

"The ideas keep coming to me," the 42-year-old mused.

"It's in human nature to decorate ourselves and the things around us."

Cross-legged in his Karachi rooftop studio, he flips a pair of high-top Nikes to reveal the image of a luminous pink hawk and a gazing yellow eye, framed by hypnotic bulbous fringes.

Another pair ready for shipping bears a shimmering peacock.

'In the zone'

Some say the practice of adorning trucks began in the 1940s when hauliers crafted vibrant logos communicating their brand identity to a largely illiterate public.

Others claim the artistic one-upmanship began with bus drivers competing to lure passengers.

Today, the trade is one of Pakistan's most famous cultural exports, cutting against the country's more austere reputation for social conservatism.

Ali comes from a family of truck artists, who eked out a living at the roadside yards where drivers eagerly surrender slim pay packets to decorate their vehicles.

Strolling through the Yusuf Goth truck yard, his tinted glasses and slight swagger lend him an air of celebrity.

"I get in the zone when I feel a connection to the art," he said. "If I pause, the ideas stop flowing."

He came to fame outside Pakistan when his work was exhibited at the US Smithsonian Museum in 2002, helping him hone a reputation as an international ambassador for truck art.

He has applied his craft to a plane, a VW Beetle, and even a woman's body at the Burning Man festival in the United States.

Ali's cottage industry offers numerous advantages. He is stowed away from the din of the roadside yards, and his fashion clients give him full creative freedom, unlike truck drivers who peer over his shoulder.

But as with trucks, the decoration on shoes will not last forever.

After three or four years, it will chafe, crack and fade — offering a fresh canvas for yet more artwork.