2015 Los Angeles Auto Show: Mazda CX-9 debuts

LOS ANGELES: The latest CX-9 has finally been revealed at the LA Auto Show, touting innovative technologies, new SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine and use of premium materials.

With the all-new CX-9, Mazda is proposing a new kind of a SUV aimed at more mature families.

Offering an indulgent experience of quality and comfort, the model goes beyond specs and functionality to support and enhance every aspect of customers' busy and multi-faceted lives—not just their role as a parent.

The latest in KODO design portrays a more premium image and the all-new CX-9 offers quieter, more refined Jinba-ittai driving with superb fuel economy performance. Designed to meet the needs of the modern family, the model offers a comfortable and well-thought-out cabin space, i-ACTIVSENSE advanced safety features and the i-ACTIV AWD all-wheel-drive system.

READ ALSO: Mazda starts CX-9 production in Feb 2016

It is the first model to feature Mazda's new 2.5-litre direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine, SKYACTIV-G 2.5T.

"Introducing the all-new CX-9 into the midsize SUV segment will strengthen our new-generation line-up, and we expect a big boost and sustained growth in North America," said Masamichi Kogai, Representative Director, President and CEO of Mazda.

The model has been tailored for the North American market, which is expected to account for 80 percent of global sales forecast at 50,000 units annually. The model will launch in North America in spring 2016.

Outside
The proportional shape —a long bonnet,  swept greenhouse, large wheels and short overhangs convey stability and a contained sense of energy ready to be unleashed. At 5065mm long, CX-9 is 30mm shorter than its predecessor, but its wheelbase has been stretched 55mm, benefiting passenger leg room as well as entry to and exit from the rear.

The CX-9 carries shorter overhangs on both ends—59mm shorter up front and 25mm shorter in the rear—with its A-pillars shifted back 100mm, lengthening its bonnet and adding a sense of strength through proportions.

Housing large wheels— 18 and 20-inch wheels—CX-9’s tapered fenders are pushed to the edge of its body, giving the vehicle a wide, trapezoidal stance.

Inside
The smooth lines start up front with a bold, five-point grille with double bars. They’re flanked on either side by standard low- and high-beam LED headlights. The bold grille introduces a strong lower body and sleek upper body that elevates KODO, introducing sleek curves that provide a premium appeal in a segment awash with convention. The overall effect is one of purity, simplicity and Japanese beauty.

The cabin features a vertically stacked centre console with details that wrap around from the dashboard to the rear seats, designed to envelop passengers in comfort and serenity. It is heavily insulated with over 24kg of sound deadening installed below the floor in three sections.

A sweeping single piece of aluminum adorns the dashboard, emphasising width, with a forward-angled dashboard that is flanked with Auburn accents in the new, flagship Signature trim level. Satin and polished finishes on the aluminum plinth evoke Japanese craftsmanship and are inspired by Japan’s famous hand-made knives.

Further heightening the elegant atmosphere is rosewood trim on the centre console and front of the cabin, supplied by a premium guitar-maker. Supple Auburn Nappa leather covers seating surfaces in Signature trim with a modern design and is also evocative of bespoke horse saddles—a subtle nod to Mazda’s Jinba Ittai—“horse and rider as one”— philosophy. Jinba Ittai also represents the notion that drivers should have total confidence and control in their vehicles.

Machine Gray colour
Designed to make CX-9 look as though it were carved from a single ingot of steel, Machine Gray is the newest signature colour from Mazda, complementing CX-9’s surfacing.

In order to do achieve its look, blemish-free panels are a necessity, which come as a result of ultra-precise stamping  and assembly. Paint is applied in a primer, a black base coat to add depth, the Machine Gray colour and, finally, a clear coat—all spaced out such that the paint has time to set in a precisely climate-controlled environment.

Machine  Gray  has  a  depth  and  lustre  usually  reserved  for  concept  vehicles,  using principles and processes adopted from lessons learned when developing the Soul Red signature colour.

Additionally, CX-9 will be available in Soul Red, Snowflake White Pearl, Sonic Silver, Jet Black, Deep Crystal Blue and Titanium Flash (colours may not be available in all markets).

Performance
Mazda goes on at length about its latest engine in the CX-9, which replaces the 3.7l-V6 of yesteryear.

It said the SKYACTIV-G 2.5T is a realisation of excellent real- world and catalog fuel-economy as well as spry acceleration, featuring a host of technological advancements to achieve this goal.

One  piece  of  technology  is  Mazda’s  Dynamic  Pressure  Turbo,  the  world’s  first turbocharger with the ability to vary the degree of exhaust pulsation depending on engine speed. The system routes engine exhaust to the turbocharger’s turbine through smaller ports at low rpm. It works similarly to when one might place his or her thumb on a garden hose, creating a strong amount of pressure through a smaller outlet. This allows the turbocharger to spool up quickly, creating instant boost—up to 1.2 bar (17.4 psi) of pressure. When the engine is in the heart of its rev range, it opens up secondary valves, allowing for greater amounts of exhaust gas to pass through the turbocharger. The system is complemented by the 2.5-litre engine that already benefits from more torque at atmospheric pressure than a comparable 2.0-litre by virtue of its size.

Further assisting CX-9 to maximise turbocharger efficiency is a 4-3-1 exhaust. With this setup, the exhaust from the middle two cylinders (2 and 3) is joined into a single port, while the exhausts from the outer cylinders (1 and 4) each have their own ports. These three ports come together at the entrance to the turbocharger’s exhaust side, where there is always one exhaust pulse arriving every 180 degrees of crankshaft rotation. Not only does this very compact manifold keeps the exhaust pulses separate for maximum energy extraction, it also harnesses each exhaust pulse to suck the residual exhaust from the adjacent ports.

To increase fuel-efficiency, SKYACTIV-G 2.5T employs the efficient combustion of Mazda’s SKYACTIV-G 2.5-litre engine and marries it to  a  cooled  exhaust  gas  recirculation  (EGR)  system,  which  helps  prevent  burning excessive amounts of fuel when the engine is running at higher temperatures. In many turbocharged  cars,  heat  is  controlled  through  adding  more  fuel  to  the  combustion chamber; Mazda’s cooled EGR reduces the need for that.

While Mazda sees no apparent benefits on regulated test cycles from this technology, it benefits the consumer through real-world gains.

The cooled EGR helps bring engine temperatures down froLOS ANGELES: The latest CX-9 has finally been revealed, touting innovative technologies, new SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine and use of premium materials.

The CX-9 also comes in with a high safety kit. Apart from passive safety features, it has radar-based cruise control , lane change warning, high beam control, smart brake support,  blind spot monitoring on both sides and an improved  i-ACTIV AWD system that could instantly recognise road conditions and adjust response accordingly.

Space for 7
At its core, CX-9 is a family vehicle, with three rows, space for seven passengers and storage for every which item a family may need.

To maximise comfort for front-row passengers and space for those in the second row, engineers went to great lengths to redesign the front seats with thinner seatbacks, yet make them more comfortable.

For the first time in a Mazda, low-rebound high-damping urethane is used in the seat backs of the front seats as well as the seat cushions. This material transmits desirable feedback from the road surface to the driver, while filtering unpleasant vibrations from rough  road surfaces,  helping  to realize the CX-9’ high-class ride comfort. The same material is used in the cushions of the second row seats as well.

To get to the third row, Mazda’s engineers sought to make access so easy that even a child could do it with a single, simple lever. There are two LATCH/ISOFIX mounting points in the second row, with the right-side of the 60/40 split-fold seat having been designed to make it possible to accommodate a child seat staying in place while still allowing passengers third-row access.

At the rearmost of CX-9, the electronic module that raises and lowers the liftgate has been made more compact and 1.1kg lighter and does not intrude upon cargo space. Two handy storage bins reside underneath the cargo floor for extra storage.


Grab to continue services during restricted movement order period

                KUALA LUMPUR: Grab’s services, namely food, mart, express and transport, will continue operating as usual during the re-implementation of the restricted movement order period.

Grab Malaysia managing director Sean Goh said its key focus is to continue safeguarding the income of drivers, delivery partners and merchants, and to protect the community’s health and safety.

“Since the first movement control order (MCO) last year, we have taken steps to fast track the adoption of digital technology to help safeguard the livelihoods of our community and will continue to ramp up our efforts,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced on Monday that the government has decided to implement the Movement Control Order (MCO) in six states - Penang, Selangor, Federal Territories (Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan), Melaka, Johor and Sabah - for 14 days, from Wednesday until Jan 26.

Another six states - Pahang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan - would be placed under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) while Perlis and Sarawak will be placed under the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) for the same period.

Goh said the community needs to observe the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set as Grab supports efforts to combat Covid-19.

“As a homegrown company, we are ready to join forces with the public sector, like-minded industry partners, and our community to help steer the nation towards recovery,” he added.


Glance at your phone at 50kph and you drive blind for 14 metres

                BERLIN: Generally, there's no safety issues with speaking to someone through a phone on loudspeaker, and most countries don't have specific laws against this.

But even if you keep your eyes focused on the road while talking, a swipe or tap of some sort will be needed to answer and hang up your phone, not to mention all the distractions that come from a phone sending you notifications.

Even a quick glance at your phone while driving at 50 kph will mean you've driven 14 metres without looking at the road.

Some top-end brands are trying to end driver distraction in their latest models by allowing drivers to speak to a built-in assistant to access their phone's functions with a command like "Hey Mercedes, call dad."

But for all other drivers using swiping their phone to answer calls, Tuv, the leading technical inspection agency, recommends no mobile phone use at the wheel.

Aside from the safety risks, if you are shown to be using a phone during a crash, you can also expect to be paying most of the damages.


Fines, fraudsters, tolls: Things that go wrong on European road trips

                BERLIN: Europe’s borders might be open, but drivers travelling abroad should keep in mind that different traffic rules will still apply to them after they cross over into another country. That’s especially true for speeding tickets.

“Speeding violations can get very expensive,” says Annabel Brueckmann of the German automobile club ACV, pointing to countries like Denmark, France or Italy, where drivers face fine of more than 135 euros (RM628) for driving 20kph over the limit.

In Germany, by comparison, the fine is set at 35 euros (RM163). Particular caution is advised above all in Italy: Fines there for violations overnight between 10 pm and 7 am are one-third higher than during the day, says Brueckmann.

Alcohol behind the wheel is no laughing matter either. Those whose drink and drive risk facing a prison sentence in France and the loss of their own vehicle in Italy, the ACV warns. The blood-alcohol limit also varies from country to country. While Germany has a blood-alcohol limit of 0.5 per mille, countries like Poland and Sweden have a lower limit of 0.2 per mille and in the Czech Republic and Hungary it’s even as low as 0.0 per mille.

“It’s advisable for drivers to inform themselves before departure,” says Anja Smetanin from Germany’s second-largest automobile association, the ACE. On the one hand, there are many regional traffic regulations, while on the other hand more and more metropolitan areas in Europe are introducing Low Emission Zones (LEZ). Vignettes, or permit stickers, are also required in many places, adds Smetanin.

European drivers and motorcyclists at least don’t need to be concerned about their driving licences across European Union states, as uniform plastic licences introduced throughout Europe are recognised throughout the EU.

Still, as these are only valid for a few years as of 2013, drivers should ensure their licence hasn’t expired.

Anyone who’s involved in a traffic accident abroad should always make use of their right to silence. “Ill-considered statements are a big problem,” says Tobias Goldkamp, a specialist attorney for traffic law in Germany. “Statements are often recorded incorrectly and are then difficult to straighten out. And these risks increase abroad with different laws and foreign languages.”

In addition, drivers and motorcyclists should always have their International Insurance Card — the so-called “Green Card” — on them. “That makes processing claims on site easier, as all important vehicle and insurance data are noted on there,” says Smetanin. Motor vehicle liability insurance for drivers in countries like Germany is valid across Europe under standard policy conditions.

Drivers who want to travel abroad with an electric car should plan their route particularly well. “Many regions, especially in southern Europe, are still real deserts when it comes to charging stations,” says Smetanin. But in other countries like Norway, for example, the charging infrastructure is much more built up, she added.

Still, one problem is that drivers often need to have their own charging cards and user accounts with foreign providers. “That means that drivers need to plan weeks in advance so that they receive the corresponding charging card in time,” says Smetanin. Charging cards from automobile clubs can make things easier for members, while Tesla drivers are also at an advantage here because the electric-car manufacturer has a European-wide network of Supercharger stations at its disposal.

But whether they’re charging their vehicle’s battery or stopping at a highway service area, anyone who takes a break should be especially alert. “Fraudsters are increasingly active at rest stops, especially during the holiday season,” warns Brueckmann. Anyone who leaves their vehicle for a time should always take the ignition key with them.


Audi Q5 2017: test drive in Mexico

                The new second-generation Audi Q5 has more cabin room, improved driving dynamics, sharper looks and new motoring technologies.

To sum it up, the new mid-sized 5-seater premium sport utlity vehicle (SUV), which is expected to arrive in Malaysia by the third quarter of 2017, takes motoring refinement and pleasure to a higher level.

For one thing, compared with the previous Q5, there is more rear legroom and shoulder room, as well as increased cargo capacity with the second row seats folded down.

This is partly due to the new Q5 having grown slightly longer (an extra 34mm), with its wheelbase also extended to 2,819mm (an extra 12mm).

It is also slightly taller and this means more headroom in the cabin.

Rear cargo room is a huge 1,550 litres with the rear seats folded down.

And depending on the rear seat position, rear cargo room is more than ample for those weekend shopping excursions with 550 to 610 litres of storage space.

Now we have established that it is a more spacious SUV, let's move on to another interesting point - Mexico being the country of manufacture for the new Q5 instead of Germany.

Thanks to lower labour costs and Mexico's 12 free-trade deals with more than 50 countries, the North American country has become a favourite destination for major automakers to build new vehicle plants.

These include the brand with the Four Rings, which invested over one billion euros (RM4.77bil) in Audi’s first vehicle plant on the North American continent.

Audi is also the first premium automaker to set up a vehicle plant in Mexico.

The new 460-hectare plant in San Jose Chiapa is located around 200km east of Mexico City, and has an annual capacity of 150,000 cars.

Officially opened in September 2016, the new plant in Mexico produces the second-generation Q5 for the world market.

And this brings us to Audi's recent international media test drives for the new Q5 in Los Cabos, Baja California, Mexico.

The district of Los Cabos with its sandy beaches, dry desert landscapes dotted with tall cactus plants and date palms, and lonesome, smooth highways was an apt setting for a long-distance drive in the Q5.

Located on the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula, Los Cabos is also home to numerous resort areas as it is a popular destination among American and Asian tourists.

Ringed by the waters of the Gulf of California and the Pacific Ocean, attractions in Los Cabos include the sunny climate, natural beauty, and low population density, with an average of only eight people per square mile.

And this was where we drove the Q5 on a 310km route of mostly smooth highways, with a 30km dusty, sand-filled off-road stretch thrown in for us to check out the Audi's quattro all-wheel drive technology.

Audi's quattro all-wheel drive is renowned for providing thrilling driving dynamics, as it can distribute engine power to all four wheels.

This means quattro enables improved traction during acceleration and exceptional grip, for example, when cornering, high-speed driving, in bad weather conditions or on unpaved roads.

However, with the new Q5, its quattro all-wheel drive comes with ultra technology which always disengages the rear-axle drive whenever it is not needed.

This helps to cut fuel consumption by up to 0.3 litres per 100km.

"Two-wheel drive is sufficient and more fuel efficient for most daily driving. With ultra technology, the switch between two and four-wheel modes is automatic," said Audi engineer Rolf Kronstorfer, who used specialised sotware that showed us that about 68 per cent of the 310km we drove in Los Cabos, was done using two-wheel drive.

As for its exterior looks, we think the new Q5 certainly has sportier proportions, as it uses the “Q-design” of the new Q7 and a distinctive Singleframe grille that dominates its aerodynamically flat front end.

Also, compared with its predecessor, the new Q5 is up to 90kg lighter thanks to better use of aluminium and advanced vehicle construction technology.

All the test drive cars in Mexico came with adaptive air suspension which in addition to adjusting damper control, is also used to vary the ride height according to five drive modes namely automatic, dynamic, comfort, all-road and off-road.

We drove the 2.0-litre TFSI sport variant in S Line trim and Navarra blue paintwork, shod with 20-inch rims with Michelin Latitude Sport 3 tyres sized 255/45.

It is powered by a inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with direct injection delivering 252hp from 5,000 to 6,000rpm and 370Nm from 1,600 to 4,500rpm.

Mated to a 7 speed S tronic dual clutch gearbox, it can do the 0 to 100kph sprint in 6.3 seconds.

It also has adaptive cruise control (ACC) which automatically maintains distance from the vehicle in front, up to speeds of 250kph, with five distance settings.

ACC uses two front radar sensors and a camera.

A Stop and Go function (only with automatic transmission) can brake the new Q5 to a full stop, and also, gets the car moving again automatically.

As our test drive was done in a convoy, we tried this out on the empty highways in Los Cabos, by removing our right foot off the pedals for more than 40km, during which the car accelerated and braked itself.

We only had to steer the Q5, which simply followed the car in front.

This feature works great when you are in a convoy of vehicles heading towards a common destination.

There are a lot of driver assistance technology here including the lane-changing assistant Audi side assist, which uses two rear radar sensors to help warn drivers of rapidly approaching vehicles or one located in the blind spot.

The Audi side assist works together with Audi pre sense rear, which initiates preventive protective measures in case of an impending rear-end collision.

The new Q5 also has camera-based recognition of traffic signs (only with navigation system), which can detect several traffic signs simultaneously, and presents them to the driver as graphics in the head-up display and on the MMI monitor.

In the cabin, there is a familiar 8.3-inch display screen on top of the central air-conditioning vents.

There is no touchscreen display here, and you get the familiar Audi Multi Media Interface (MMI) touch-sensitive control panel with handwriting recognition.

You can enter characters on the touchpad surface or perform multi-finger gestures to zoom in on the map or scroll through lists.

Between the front seats, we also found a Qi wireless charging pad for smartphones which came in handy for our Samsung Galaxy Note5.

We also drove the powerful diesel-powered Q5 with a 3.0-litre TDI V6 diesel engine with 286hp and 620Nm of torque, mated to a eight speed tiptronic gearbox.

However, we were told it is unlikely the diesel-engined Q5 will make it to Malaysia.

Meanwhile, comfort and convenience features such as three-zone automatic air-conditioning, Nappa leather upholstery, Audi sound system and smartphone interface - Apple Carplay and Android, Audi Matrix LED headlights, will continue to underline the Q5 as among the most popular premium SUVs today.

Also, Audi says the new Q5 has class-leading aerodynamics, and the best interior acoustics in its class, with exceptionally low wind noise.

After spending 310km in the new Q5 listening to tunes from the classic hit album "Hotel California" by the Eagles played via 10 speakers driven by a six-channel amplifier, we can agree with that.

The new Q5 is better than ever, as a quiet, refined, powerful SUV that's marvellous to drive.


Porsche reveals 680-hp Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo

                STUTTGART: Porsche has unveiled the latest model in its Panamera range — a plug-in hybrid station wagon with total system power of 680hp. The Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo is expected to arrive in dealerships from spring 2018.

A few months after the sedan model — revealed earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show — the station wagon version of the Panamera gets this sporty, hybrid configuration, with a V8 twin-turbo engine and an electric motor for a total system power of 680hp.

Performance is evidently on the cards, with a top speed of 310kph, and 0-100kph acceleration in just 3.4 seconds or 0-200kph acceleration in 8.5 seconds. In all-electric mode, the car has a range of around 50km and a top speed of 140kph. The manufacturer promises full battery charging within 2.4 to 6 hours depending on the charger and power connection.

This four-wheel-drive vehicle is already announced as coming equipped as standard with adaptive cruise control, lane change assist, traffic sign detection with lane departure alerts and park assist with reversing camera.

The 2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo can be ordered now is anticipated to be available in the US in spring with a price starting from US$188,400 (RM798,000).


Shell Malaysia redefines hospitality on roads

                KUALA LUMPUR: Shell Malaysia today kicked-off Welcome to Shell, a multi-year transformational programme which takes its cue from the hospitality industry to treat motorists as "guests".

It aims to deliver the highest standard of customer satisfaction and experience at Shell stations nationwide.

Malaysia is the first market in Asia to launch the Welcome to Shell programme, which will be rolled out in phases.

The programme will include service and hospitality training, enhanced offerings and upgrades to Shell Select stores, fresh food and beverage options under its deli2go brand, as well as improved facilities such as suraus (prayer rooms) and toilets.

Shell aims to complete this three-year transformation programme by 2017.

"Welcome to Shell is a promise to deliver outstanding service quality and enhanced offerings for our customers. We want them to be wowed by their experience at our stations and we hope to make their journeys better, so that they leave a little happier than when they arrived," said Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd managing director Azman Ismail.

In May 2015, Shell conducted a survey which revealed that nearly three-quarters (72%) of the participants planned stops at service stations during their journeys to relax.

An overwhelming majority of respondents (95%) also indicated friendly store staff as vital to a positive retail experience.

Respondents also revealed that, as motorists, they wanted to enjoy fresh food and beverages (94%| and a welcoming area for them to sit and relax (90%) when they visited retail stores.

As part of Welcome to Shell, a comprehensive on-site training for over 8,000 service staff is being conducted in phases, which will be completed by 2016.

Shell will also upgrade selected service stations by revamping current Shell Select stores to a new award-winning retail design as well as launching its own in-house food and beverage section under its deli2gobrand, which offers freshly brewed coffee and pastries baked on-site.

New and improved facilities are further planned for particular stations from now until 2017.

These include suraus (prayer rooms) and toilets, dedicated seating lounges with Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as device charging stations.

Shell will also continue its leadership in safety standards under Welcome to Shell.

Motorists can confidently turn into Shell stations if they require assistance while on the road, as station staff are trained and equipped to respond to customers in a variety of emergency situations.

Azman said, "We want to make Shell synonymous with the best hospitality brand on Malaysian roads."


Honda says will be first to mass produce level 3 autonomous cars

                TOKYO: Japan’s Honda Motor Co said today it will be the world’s first automaker to mass produce sensor-packed level 3 autonomous cars that will allow drivers to let their vehicles navigate congested expressway traffic.

“Honda is planning to launch sales of a Honda Legend (luxury sedan) equipped with the newly approved automated driving equipment” before the end of March 2021, Honda said in a press release.

The race to build self-driving cars is a key technology battleground for automakers, with technology companies such as Google parent Alphabet Inc also investing billions of dollars in a field expected to boost car sales.

READ MORE: Six levels of driving automation explained in simple terms

Japan’s government earlier in the day awarded a safety certification to Honda’s autonomous “Traffic Jam Pilot” driving technology, which legally allow drivers to take their eyes off the road.

“Self-driving cars are expected to play a big role in helping reduce traffic accidents, provide transportation for the elderly and improve logistics,” said Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

There are six levels of vehicle autonomy, from 0 to 5, ranging from manual cars or those with simple functions such as cruise control to fully self-driving vehicles that would not need steering wheels, or brake and acceleration pedals.

Level 2 cars, which are currently on public roads, can control their own speed and steering, but must have an alert driver able to take control at all times.

In July, US electric vehicle maker Tesla Inc said it was “very close” to achieving level 5 autonomous driving.


Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC Sedan (V177) enters at RM350K

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has pulled the cover off its latest offering - meet the Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC Sedan.

Priced on-the-road without insurance at RM348,888, this German luxury performance compact sedan hides a 2.0-litre (1,991cc) turbocharged M260 DE20 LA engine under its hood.

Producing 306hp at 5,800rpm and 400Nm of torque from 3,000 to 4,000rpm, power is managed by a seven-speed AMG Speedshift DCT 7G dual-clutch transmission.

Receiving the 'twist' is the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system that gets all four 19-inch AMG five twin-spoke lightweight alloy Wheels spinning (or just the front or rears).

The wheels wear 235/35 Pirelli P Zero tyres which can have its pressure monitored via a tyre pressure monitoring system as well as an adaptive damping system.

The front and rear wheels are separated by 2,729mm for its wheelbase and measures in at 4,549mm-long, 1,796mm-wide and 1,440mm-tall while weighing in at about 1,445kg (kerb).

Additionally, the driver is given five driving modes of Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual that's found within the Dynamic Select menu.

Also, an AMG Bodystyling kit that includes front and rear bumper, side skirts and a rear lower apron has been fitted to provide for a sporty outlook before fitting on Multibeam LED headlights with adaptive high-beam assist plus, power-folding mirrors, keyless entry and a 410-litre boot.

Inside, the cabin gets fitted with four-way powered sports seats with lumbar support and memory function, black and silver combination aluminium trim, ambient lighting and an electrochromic rearview mirror.

AMG badges litter the cabin and can be found on the floor Mats and sports steering wrapped in a combination of Nappa leather and Dinamica microfiber.

There's also red Seat Belts, automatic climate controls, Touchpad without Controller, twin cup holder and wireless charging, heads-up display,

There are two 10.25-inch displays (one for the instrument cluster and another for the infotainment system) that makes up the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system.

The system features voice control via "Hey Mercedes", Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Smartphone Integration and Bluetooth connectivity.

It also comes equipped with an LTE communications module to allow owners the use of the Mercedes me connect services.

For added safety, the A 35 Sedan is equipped with the Pre-Safe system as well as active brake assist, active lane-keeping assist, active parking assist with Parktronic, adaptive brake lights, automatic deactivation of front passenger airbag, blind spot assist and Tirefit - a tyre repair kit.

“At Mercedes-Benz, we firmly believe in the AMG claim of Driving Performance. The Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC Sedan is an expansion to the compact car family and the perfect entry into the world of AMG Driving Performance,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia president and CEO Dr Claus Weidner.


MyKad offers practical approach to targeted fuel subsidy

                KUALA LUMPUR: Details of the government's targeted fuel subsidy initiative are in the process of being worked out but the implementation mechanism is widely speculated to be tied in to the individual's MyKad (identification card).

Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said in order to manage the provision of the fuel subsidy, several things have to be looked into in detail, especially the mechanism to be used to grant the subsidy.

He said in its 2018 General Election manifesto, Pakatan Harapan promised to provide oil subsidies, with the MyKad used as a mechanism to distribute the subsidies to the targeted groups.

He said using the MyKad for this purpose would be a good move because academic studies have shown that the use of MyKad (which was implemented in 2011) has yet to reach its full potential.

"Hence, there has to be a clear mechanism... for example, petrol stations can make use of a certain device to enable them to detect the income levels of their customers and their eligibility for the subsidy," he said.

The targeted fuel subsidy, set to be implemented in the second quarter of 2019, is among the measures outlined in Budget 2019 to ease the cost of living for the bottom 40 percent of households (B40) whose total monthly income fall below RM3,860.

Food stamps

Mohd Afzanizam also said that in developing the fuel subsidy mechanism, attention should be paid to the access factor, especially in rural areas, so that the subsidy reaches the targeted groups.

"This is important because we don't want the fuel subsidy to go to people who don't qualify for it, for example, tourists who drive to interior regions or kampungs."

The targeted petrol subsidy is meant for owners of 1,500cc cars and 125cc motorcycles. The government will provide a petrol subsidy of 30 sen a litre for RON95 but it is limited to 100 litres a month for cars and for motorcycles, 40 litres a month.

Other measures announced in Budget 2019 to relieve the financial burden of the B40 households are Cost of Living Aid or Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) of RM500 to RM1,000 for households earning between RM2,000 and RM4,000 a month; an increase in the household electricity subsidy from RM20 and below to RM40 and below; and a RM100 30-day unlimited Rapid bus and rail pass effective Jan 1 next year.

Mohd Afzanizam also said that the government should extend its subsidy programme to other essentials like food.

"Perhaps, it can introduce food stamps to ensure that B40 households get to buy nutritious food at subsidised rates.

"For this, the MyKad can be used to ensure that the aid only goes to those who are eligible," he added.

Targeted subsidies necessary

In theory, subsidies can bring about inefficiencies in the market. But in reality and in the context of the role of government intervention, subsidies are needed to lend a helping hand to needy groups.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Centre for Sustainable and Inclusive Development (in the Faculty of Economics and Management) chairman Associate Prof Dr Mohd Azlan Shah Zaidi said basically, targeted subsidies were more effective as only deserving individuals would benefit from them. However, the question that arises is its implementation.

He said the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry must come up with an effective mechanism to ensure the successful implementation of the subsidy programme.

"There should be no leakages," he said, adding that a few things have to be looked into when implementing targeted subsidy.

"First, the implementation should not involve high costs, that is the cost spent on preparing the card, coupon or other mechanisms to get the subsidy going."

Second, it should not disrupt the efficiency of the existing market transactions, Third, the government should ensure that nobody makes huge profits by manipulating the market following the implementation of the subsidy.

Mohd Azlan also urged the government to identify the individuals who were eligible for the petrol subsidy, as well as check with the Road Transport Department.

He also suggested crediting the petrol subsidy into the recipient's bank account as follows: RM360 (100 litres x RM0.30 x 12 months) for car owners and RM144 (40 litres x RM0.30 x 12 months) for motorcycle owners.

"If there are four million cars and 2.6 million motorcycles (eligible for the targeted fuel subsidy), the government will spend only RM1.81 billion, which is lower than the RM2 billion allocated for this subsidy (in Budget 2019)," he added.

Reduce transport costs

Meanwhile, clinic assistant Mazlah Nordin, 52, is looking forward to the petrol subsidy as it would reduce the transport costs of people like her who use motorcycles as their mode of transportation.

"My family can survive on the salary we earn now but we live in moderation. Once the petrol subsidy is implemented, I hope to reduce my transport costs and use the savings from there for other necessities," said the mother-of-two.

Mazlah, whose children are studying at institutes of higher education, said she also took orders for 'kuih-muih' to earn some extra money and meet the family's daily expenditure.

Hasbullah Hasim, 37, who runs a grocery shop, is also happy with the fuel subsidy, pointing out that most owners of cars of 1,500cc and below and motorcycles of 125cc and below belonged to the B40 group who lived in the urban areas.

"However, we don't know how it will be implemented. I hope it will be implemented efficiently so that there will be no issue of it going to people who don't deserve it," he said.


BMW kicks off 8 Series Coupé production

                MUNICH: BMW has begun series production of the new 8 Series Coupé at its Dingolfing plant near here.

An amount in the low three-digit-million euro range has been invested in the site in Lower Bavaria in preparation for the sportscar that will launch the BMW model offensive in the luxury segment.

Two engine choices will be available when the 8 Series Coupé goes on sale in November. The V8 4.4-litre engine in the M850i xDrive Coupé has been completely redeveloped to deliver a performance topping out at 530hp and a torque of 750Nm.

The 840d xDrive Coupé relies on a 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder diesel engine to produce peak output of 320hp and peak torque of 680Nm.

The new sportscar has a body that's made of a mix of materials, including steel, plastic, aluminium and carbon fibre. In addition to the supporting structures at the front and rear of the vehicle, other components, such as the roof, doors, bonnet and the front firewall are made of aluminium.

For the first time in a series-production BMW model, the roof is available in carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) – which is also manufactured at the Dingolfing location in a wet-pressing process.

As a result of a flexible production system, it was possible to integrate the 8 Series Coupé into existing production structures. The luxury sportscar, which will roll off the assembly line alongside 5 Series and 7 Series models, relies on tried and tested manufacturing processes.

In parallel with ramp-up of the new model, digitalisation of logistics and production processes in Dingolfing continues apace. For example, in door assembly, parts are delivered to the line by autonomous tugger trains; on the finish line, collaborative robots measure gaps and misalignments.

The Dingolfing plant increasingly makes use of wearables. These mobile computer technologies worn on the body support staff with their tasks. In addition to the ProGlove smart glove scanner, a so-called “exotics alarm”, for example, will use the vibrating alarm of a smartwatch to alert staff when a car with non-standard equipment options is coming up and requires special attention.

Virtual reality glasses have also been used for the first time in training assembly staff: Specific assembly processes for the new 8 Series Coupé were videoed and viewed by employees through VR glasses. This enabled them to familiarise themselves with the new model and the correct fitment process before production ramped up.


Virgin Hyperloop hosts first human ride on new transport system

Artist's rendering of Virgin Hyperloop's forthcoming certification centre and test track to be built in West Virginia.
LOS ANGELES: Virgin Hyperloop executives Josh Giegel, its chief technology officer, and Sara Luchian, director of passenger experience, reached speeds of up to 172kph at the company’s DevLoop test site in Las Vegas, Nevada, the company said.

“I had the true pleasure of seeing history made before my very eyes,” said Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, chairman of Virgin Hyperloop and group chairman and chief executive of DP World.

Los Angeles-based Hyperloop envisions a future where floating pods packed with passengers and cargo hurtle through vacuum tubes at 966kph or faster.

In a hyperloop system, which uses magnetic levitation to allow near-silent travel, a trip between New York and Washington would take just 30 minutes. That would be twice as fast as a commercial jet flight and four times faster than a high-speed train.

The company has previously run over 400 tests without human passengers at the Nevada site.

The test comes a month after Reuters first reported that Virgin Hyperloop picked the US state of West Virginia to host a US$500 million certification centre and test track that will serve as a proving ground for its technology.

The company is working towards safety certification by 2025 and commercial operations by 2030, it has said.

Canada’s Transpod and Spain’s Zeleros also aim to upend traditional passenger and freight networks with similar technology they say will slash travel times, congestion and environmental harm linked with petroleum-fuelled machines.


Petron applies race circuit know-how to the road

When it comes to delivering products, services, and rewards, Petron goes full speed as it follows through on its commitment to always give customers the best.

This drove the company to reprise its role as the official fuel and engine oil partner of Formula 4 South East Asia (F4 SEA) Championship for the second time to demonstrate the power of its most advanced fuel innovation Blaze 100 Euro 4M and fully synthetic Blaze Racing Engine Oil.

Certified by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile or FIA, the F4 SEA is meant to bring young drivers closer to the world championship of single seat racing.

The 2018 F4 SEA calendar kicked off in July with the first event held at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).  The succeeding rounds were held in India and Thailand, before rounding out the season at SIC.

The partnership with F4 SEA marks another milestone in the history of Petron in the field of motorsports racing, while offering an ideal testbed for the company’s superior products.

Petron Blaze 100 RON and Blaze Racing Engine Oil have undergone rigorous tests and passed the demands of F4 SEA racing.

This means, these products are not only suitable for motorsports, but regular motorists can also get the best out of it.

Petron Blaze 100 RON

In January 2016, Petron marked another industry first when it launched the first RON 100 fuel in Malaysia.
To this day, Petron Blaze 100 remains the only fuel with the highest RON in the country, offering a host of benefits including improved engine performance, acceleration, fuel efficiency, and fuel combustion.

The high-performance RON 100 fuel is formulated with TriAction Advantage (TAA) - a triple action formula that delivers better fuel efficiency, better power, better engine protection, and better mileage coming from the combined action of the detergent, friction modifier and organic combustion enhancer additives in the fuel.

This translates to excellent engine responsiveness, optimum power, and faster acceleration.

The detergent in TriAction Advantage helps clean the engine inlet system and keeps it that way, enabling the vehicle’s engine to operate at maximum efficiency. Vehicles can experience better power and fuel consumption with TriAction Advantage’s friction modifier which helps reduce friction between the piston and cylinder wall.

TriAction Advantage also contains an organic combustion enhancer, a metal free and ashless organic compound to improve the combustion of gasoline.

It creates a catalytic reaction, which breaks down long molecular chains, enabling more oxygen to combine with the carbon molecules, thus resulting in complete fuel combustion.

The fuel is also Euro 4M compliant which translates to exponentially lower sulphur content of less than 50ppm (parts per million).

This, in turn, reduces wear on the vehicle exhausts’ catalytic converter unit, which filters harmful greenhouse gases from the engine.

As a fuel that is endorsed and satisfies F4 racing cars, Petron Blaze 100 is not only a fit for the F4 SEA Championship but it can be used by all motorists, especially those who own sports and high-performance cars.
Petron Blaze 100 is now available at 74 Petron service stations in Malaysia.

Petron Blaze Racing Engine Oil

To complement Petron Blaze 100 RON, the F4 SEA Championship cars also used Petron lubricants, specifically the Petron Blaze Racing Engine Oil range for optimum engine protection.

The combination of these two provides a more linear approach to engine care.

Petron Blaze Racing Engine Oil allows better lubrication against the friction caused by the thousands of intricate and fragile moving parts that make up high-performance engines.

The fully synthetic engine oil is specially formulated with TS3 (Thermal Stress Stabilising System), an exclusive technology that employs endothermic properties, which keeps the lubricant stable at extreme temperatures and helps guard against engine stress.

These properties are vital to keeping the high performance not just of formula racing cars, but any and all vehicles.


2016 Geneva Motor Show: New C-Class Cabriolet

 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet.

STUTTGART: Mercedes-Benz is launching into the open-air season with the first cabriolet based on the C-Class, thereby rounding off its range of cabriolets with a classic fabric soft top.

The new cabriolet's design interprets modern luxury with a youthful touch. Featuring plenty of high-quality details, its distinctive character is most apparent when the top is down. The cabriolet is optionally available with the AIRCAP automatic draught stop system and AIRSCARF neck-level heating – for exceptional comfort during open-top driving 365 days a year.

Efficient, powerful engines delivering between 156hp to 367hp and a suspension designed for dynamics (with optional AIRMATIC air suspension) ensure sportily agile handling.

 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet.

The new 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission is available for all engine variants. Also on board: proven assistance systems and state-of-the-art infotainment. The new C-Class Cabriolet launches in summer 2016.

"Our new C-Class Cabriolet is the entry into the world of premium cabriolets from Mercedes-Benz. Sporty and youthful in character and styling, it offers unadulterated open-air driving pleasure all year round," says Prof. Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.

As the new entry-level model into the cabriolet world of Mercedes-Benz, the C‑Class Cabriolet is also a consistent embodiment of the Mercedes-Benz design philosophy: sensual purity as the definition of contemporary luxury. It exhibits an independence of character with a visibly sporty expression and youthfully fresh appeal.

 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet.

With its top up, the profile of the new two-door cabriolet resembles that of the C‑Class Coupé with virtually identical basic dimensions: with a striking front end featuring a diamond radiator grille, LED High Performance headlamps, long bonnet and high beltline.

Its tightly stretched soft top with glass window transitions harmoniously into the distinctly styled rear end, which has a highly sporty look with its wide shoulders and flat LED tail lights.

With a capacity of 360 litres (285 litres with the roof open), the boot is capable of holding an exceptional amount of luggage for a cabriolet, thus offering high everyday practicality.

 Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Cabriolet.

Meanwhile,  Mercedes-AMG is unveiling the first open-top member of the still young C-Class family in the shape of the new C 43 4MATIC Cabriolet.

Just like the C 43 4MATIC Coupé, the all-season Cabriolet features a combination of 367hp 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine, fast-acting 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission and standard-fit AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive.

The open-air enjoyment for four people is backed by the brand's hallmark Driving Performance thanks to discrete suspension with stiffer elastokinematics unique to AMG and three-stage adjustable damping.

Driving pleasure is accompanied by high efficiency as the open-top version of the Mercedes-AMG C 43 consumes a mere 8.3 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined figure).

Mercedes-AMG is bringing two models from the C-Class performance family to the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. In addition to the C 43 4MATIC Coupé, the sports car and performance brand based in Affalterbach is now also showcasing the C 43 4MATIC Cabriolet.

"The AMG product portfolio will continue to grow rapidly this year, making the world of Driving Performance more diverse than ever. Our new product line continues to expand at a fast pace and, with the C 43 4MATIC Cabriolet, we are offering a younger target group yet another alternative to discover the fascinating world of AMG," says Tobias Moers, Chief Executive of Mercedes‑AMG GmbH.

The 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine in the new Cabriolet delivers impressive performance with its 367hp maximum power and peak torque of 520 Nm: sprinting from rest to 100kph in 4.8 seconds, its speed is electronically limited at 250kph.

The agile driving experience is mainly thanks to the standard-fit AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive with rear-biased torque distribution, the newly developed front axle, the stiff elastokinematics and the highly precise steering.

 Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Cabriolet.


EU car emission limits face pushback from eight members, document shows

                BRUSSELS: France, Italy and the Czech Republic are among eight countries pushing to weaken new EU emissions limits for cars, saying they are overly ambitious and unrealistic for automakers to hit.

European Union countries and lawmakers are preparing to negotiate the Euro 7 regulation, which from 2025 would tighten vehicle emission limits for pollutants including nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide.

In a joint paper, sent to other EU members and seen by Reuters, the eight countries said parts of the law, including curbs on exhaust pipe emissions, should be scrapped entirely.

"We oppose any new exhaust emission rules (including new testing requirements or new emission limits) for cars and vans," said in the paper, which was signed by France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

The countries said these limits would force carmakers to invest in improving exhaust emissions performance, money which would be better spent on developing zero-emission vehicles.

Taken together, the countries would have enough votes to block the proposal.

The European Commission says the rules - which apply only to new vehicles, not those already on the roads - are needed to cut health-damaging emissions and prevent a repeat of so-called Dieselgate scandal, where companies cheated the rules.

The law would also toughen emissions testing, requiring carmakers to use on-board pollution monitoring systems.

Countries including Italy and the Czech Republic are home to large automotive industries, and the governments' stance aligns with some carmakers' criticisms of Euro 7.

Czech carmaker Skoda has warned of 3,000 job losses if the proposal went ahead, while Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has labelled parts of Euro 7 as "useless".

The law would also curb pollution from brakes and tyres for the first time.

The eight states sought other changes including later deadlines for when the rules kick in.

The EU has already agreed that by 2035, all new cars sold in the bloc must have zero CO2 emissions.

That law was eventually approved this year after pushback from countries including Germany, which won an exemption for cars running on e-fuels.


Lexus UX 200: Luxury uncompromised

                The newly introduced Lexus UX 200 sports utility vehicle (SUV) may sit below the mid-sized NX SUV, but as long as the Luxury variant is picked, it is in no way compromised in terms of kit, fit and finish.

The UX 200 Luxury comes priced at RM283,888 (on-the-road without insurance) and squashes itself between the entry-level Urban (RM243,888) and the range-topping F Sport (RM299,888).

For the more informed, yes this is a recladded Toyota CH-R, but in all honesty, there's absolutely nothing that reminds of this fact except for the wheelbase at 2,639mm.

Other than that, the UX 200 is longer, wider and vertically challenged compared to the CH-R at 4,495mm-long (+135mm), 1,840mm-wide (+45mm) and 1,540mm-tall (-25mm).

The sheet metal looks sharp and futuristic in appearance with its distinct upward sweeping creases and a rear light bar (a la Porsche 991 Type 992) that unifies the rear aero stabilising blade lights that help improve the UX 200's aerodynamic performance.

Along with the gloss-black Spindle grille, the UX 200's exterior simply shouts sporty sophistication while the interior's leather upholstery feels premium to the touch.

While on that note, do take the opportunity to feel the unique dashboard that mimics the feel of traditional Japanese Washi paper.

Comfort is further enhanced with the inclusion cooling ventilated front seats and the ergonomics simply puts its driver instantly into a relaxed state - so much so that it becomes hard to leave its cushy confines that also feels spacious and accomodating with a good amount of leg and headroom at the rear.

Additionally, safety is further bolstered with the inclusion of advanced driver aids as standard for all three variants by including eight airbags, adaptive cruise control, adaptive high beams and a lane-keeping system that's made up of lane tracing assist to keep the vehicle centred as well as lane departure warning.

Yes, it's got plenty of creature comforts and solidly included safety equipment, but how does it handle? Let's just say, it was simply a surprise as to how it managed to remain exceptionally composed during the test.

For one, the UX 200 is no slouch with a 2.0-litre (1,978cc) naturally aspirated engine that pushes out 169hp at 6,600rpm and 205Nm of torque at 4,800rpm.

To manage power delivery to the front wheels, it uses the combined efforts of a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) and a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Basically, what happens is that the DCT takes care of first-gear before seamlessly handing over power delivery duties to the CVT during acceleration which happens to take 9.2 seconds from 0 to 100kph.

This simply helps to get rid of that "rubber-band" effect usually associated with CVTs and as long as docile driving habits are practised, such an effect will go unnoticed until the driver starts dabbling with the UX 200's accelerative qualities.

From a standstill, the UX 200 will glide off the line while the double-wishbone suspension setup takes care of comfort levels like a champ even while rolling on 18-inch wheels with 225/50 series tyres.

At triple-digit highway speeds, this is where the UX 200 shines the most. It will simply ignore undulations and will almost not require directional corrections to be made.

Also, stopping power is on the money with a very confident amount of bite coming from the brakes that will allow the driver to make a quick stop when needed.

With so much comfort and convenience accorded, there was a high level of scepticism about its dynamic abilities.

Usually, high comfort levels come at the expense of such and in this case, it surprisingly wasn't during a slalom and Moose test.

Here, the UX 200 Luxury displayed an amount of pitch and roll that was less than what was expected. The rear-end remained calm, collected and subservient to the quick directional changes of the front and as long as it's within legal limits, the UX 200 will serve its driver's bidding.

But as great as we have made it out to be so far, the UX 200 isn't without its faults. For one, during highway cruising, there will be some wind noise managing to find its way into the cabin from somewhere around the B-pillar.

The higher the speed, the more apparent this becomes which shouldn't be the case - especially for this luxury Japanese brand.

And, while there's the inclusion of a powered tailgate with hands-free operation, the loading height is  on the high side.

This may minimise bending over when accessing stored luggage but will require them to be lifted higher in order to place them there.

Nevertheless, the UX 200 has out-kitted its competitors, which include the Mercedes-Benz GLA and BMW X1 with its vented seats, panoramic view monitor, pre-collision system, lane tracing assist, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert and a powered tailgate.

Only the Volvo XC40 comes closest to match and even tries to trump the UX 200 with its road edge detection system but loses out by having heated instead of vented seats.

Nonetheless, the UX 200 will have the lads more than happy to be seen helming this SUV with its dynamism while the ladies will have something that can be regarded as more representative of their feminine demeanour thanks to its good looks.


Isuzu joins Borneo Safari for 10th year

                KOTA KINABALU: Isuzu Malaysia marked the 10th consecutive year of its sponsorship of and participation in Borneo Safari with a four vehicle media team.

The seven-seater Isuzu mu-X Monster is making its debut accompanied by three ‘Borneo Safari-proven’ Isuzu D-Max Monsters.

The vehicles, carrying 12 invited members of the media from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, were flagged-off in Kota Kinabalu.

Modifications to the Isuzu mu-X were limited to the exterior as the 2.5-litre VGS turbo Intercooler diesel engine matched to a 5-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift remained stock standard.

Isuzu Malaysia executive director Hajime Machimura expressed confidence in the ability of the Isuzu mu-X to excel despite the rough terrains and treacherous weather expected in the 2016 Borneo Safari.

“Although it is a lifestyle SUV, the Isuzu mu-X shares the same tough DNA as our Isuzu D-Max pick-up, which has repeatedly proven itself in every edition of Borneo Safari since its debut in 2005,” he said.


Drive your old diesel car into electric age with €5,000 makeover

                PARIS: About €5,000 (RM23,000) are set to buy your 10-year-old combustion clunker an electric makeover-and offer a cut-price way to avoid driving bans across European cities.

French startup Transition-One has developed retrofitting technology that adds an electric motor, batteries and a connected dashboard into older models of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, Volkswagen AG, Renault SA and PSA Group for about €8,500 (RM39,000), or €5,000 after government subsidies in France.

"I’m selling to people who can’t afford a brand new €20,000 (RM92,000) electric car,” founder Aymeric Libeau said in an interview aboard his first prototype, a Renault Twingo from 2009 with an electric driving range of 180km. "We’re turning the best-selling models across Europe into electric cars.”

Libeau expects French and European regulator approval by the end of the year and will start pre-orders in September to test demand.

Automakers are rushing to churn out electric cars to comply with stricter regulations on emissions in Europe. While sales are rising, hybrid and battery cars made up less than 3% of total sales last year as vehicle prices remain comparatively high with shorter driving ranges than conventional models.

Even as the tepid uptake is set to reverse in coming years, initiatives like Transition-One’s show the car industry is still trying to navigate a path towards an electric future, with the risk of outright driving bans giving birth to moonshot ideas.

"You could technically turn a handcart into an electric car-the question is, does it make sense and how big is the effort?”

An increasing number of cities has already started to ban older diesel cars, after the 2015 Volkswagen diesel emission-cheating scandal prompted scrutiny of cars flouting limits. Over the next decade, many more European cities will cut access to fossil-fuel cars altogether.

In the prototype Twingo, three battery packs are fitted in front and two in what used to be the gas tank. The whole pack, bought from a Tesla Inc. parts reseller, weighs 120kg. To compare, Renault’s electric Zoe has a 290kg battery for a 210km driving range. Prices start at around €23,000 (RM106,000), excluding battery rental battery.

The transition takes less than a day, leaving the original stick shift and gear box and installing the plug behind the hatch that drivers usually pop open to refill the tank.

There are doubters on Libeau’s approach, and questions over how attractive a shortened driving range will be to motorists. Markus Lienkamp, a professor of automobile technology at the Technical University of Munich, also warns against the risk of errors and the difficulty of obtaining regulatory approvals for the retrofitted cars.

"You could technically turn a handcart into an electric car-the question is, does it make sense and how big is the effort?” Lienkamp said.

"My advice would be to drive the combustion car as long as it can take, and just buy a new electric car after, because it makes much more sense financially.”

Libeau, whose previous experiences include co-founding software company Pentalog Group, has worked on retrofitting for two years, and tested the method with a French business school. He is looking to raise €6 million to build a factory he says would be capable of churning out as many as 4,000 vehicles next year.

Retrofitting services have so far focused on one-offs for classic cars with a number of small companies offering a variety of conversion kits. What’s specific with the French startup is a plan to help create a regulatory framework rather than case-by-case permits to broadly offer the technology.

PSA chief executive officer Carlos Tavares has called the idea of retrofitting "great” while cautioning that large companies needed worldwide regulations on emissions and safety before going down this road. "For that to happen, first thing is: align regulations,” he said on his online show #ACoffeeWithCarlosTavares earlier this month.

Transition-One’s solution is compatible with models including PSA’s Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107, Fiat 500, Toyota Aygo, Twingo II and Volkswagen Polo.

"If the end goal is to cut pollution, all solutions should be on the table,” Libeau said, driving in the dense traffic of central Paris. "New cars aren’t enough.”


Instrumental music found to calm road rage, says study

                AMSTERDAM: A small-scale Brazilian research project suggests that stress when driving could be reduced by listening to instrumental music.

Brazilian researchers from São Paulo State University recommend listening to classical or instrumental music to reduce stress behind the wheel.

Researchers at the University of São Paulo in Brazil, Oxford Brookes University in Britain and the University of Parma in Italy also took part in the study, which has been published in the Complementary Therapies in Medicine journal.

To test this hypothesis, researchers conducted an experiment on five women aged between 18 and 23, who were monitored during the course of several driving sessions.

The participants, who were in good health, were in the habit of driving once or twice a week, and had obtained their driving licenses one to seven years earlier.

The first exercise consisted of a 20-minute driving session during rush hour (5:30pm-6:30pm) on an extremely busy route in the town of Marília (situated in the northwest of São Paulo state), without listening to music.

The next day the volunteers drove on the same route at the same time, but while listening to instrumental music.

“To increase the degree of traffic stress, we asked them to drive a car they did not own, ”says Professor Vitor Engrácia Valenti, who co-directed the study.

To evaluate their level of cardiac stress, volunteers were fitted with heart monitors and their heart rate variability (HRV) was measured.

The results showed a reduction in HRV in volunteers who drove without music, which indicates a lower level of parasympathetic nervous system activity, coupled with an activation of the sympathetic nervous system.

In contrast, HRV increased among drivers who listened to music, which indicates a higher level of parasympathetic nervous system activity and a reduction of sympathetic nervous system activity.

“Listening to music attenuated the moderate stress overload the volunteers experienced as they drove, ” explains Prof Valenti.

Even though they are only based on a very small sample, the researchers argue that these results indicate an interesting strategy for the prevention of stress behind the wheel.

“Listening to music could be... a preventive measure in favour of cardiovascular health in situations of intense stress, such as driving during rush hour, ” points out Prof Valenti.


No right to: Police seeking individuals who caused traffic standstill to let bike convoy pass

UPDATE: Two nabbed, police looking for four more bikers. See follow-up story.

PORT DICKSON: Police are looking for several individuals who stopped traffic for a convoy of motorcycles to pass through a traffic light junction here.

Port Dickson police chief Supt Aidi Sham Mohamed said in the 70-second clip which went viral, the individuals could be seen stopping and directing vehicles at the Sua Betong traffic light junction.

"The individuals stopped traffic so a convoy of motorcycles could pass through the junction when the light was red.

"The motorcyclists came from the Seremban-Port Dickson Highway and were heading towards Bulatan Sunggala in Telok Kemang," he said in a statement today.

Supt Aidi Sham said traffic can only be stopped or diverted when a police officer is present.

"Without the presence of a police officer, it is illegal to stop or divert traffic," he said.

The case, he said, was being probed under Section 21 of the Police Act and Section 79(2) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

Under Section 21 of the Police Act, offenders can be fined up to RM200 or up to three months' imprisonment, or both, upon conviction.

Those convicted under Section 79(2) of the Road Transport Act can be fined up to RM300.

Supt Aidi Sham said those with information on the incident can call the district police station at 06-647 2222.


Festive promotions galore from Naza Group

                KUALA LUMPUR: In light of the festivities, the Naza Group is offering exciting value-add deals for cars and bikes so that customers can take this opportunity to replace their old with the new and usher in the Lunar New Year with good fortune and prosperity.

From now until Feb 5, 2019, patrons who visit Naza Automall, Petaling Jaya are entitled to spin ‘The Wheel of Prosperous Rewards’ with every purchase of a vehicle and stand a chance to win exclusive ownership bonuses for an enhanced driving experience.

Prizes include dashboard cameras, car window tint, 10” DVD/CD player, petrol vouchers, ceramic paint protection coating and a mystery gift.

Naza Kia Malaysia, the official distributor of Kia vehicles in Malaysia, is also offering a limited-time only 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage for all Kia models.

On top of that, enjoy up to 5 years free maintenance service while the promotion lasts from now until Feb 28, 2019. More good fortunes await Kia customers as they have the option to redeem gold valued up to RM21,000 or enjoy cash rebates of up to RM31,000 with purchase of any Kia vehicle.

Nasim Sdn Bhd, official distributor of the Peugeot brand is offering free 3-year service for the Peugeot 3008 SUV for a limited time only from now until Feb 28, 2019.

Take this opportunity to test drive the 3008 SUV during the Peugeot Prosperity Drive from Jan 12 -13, 2019 at all Peugeot outlets nationwide, and better yet – enjoy a special rebate of RM9,000 on the spot by purchasing the car.

Recently introduced to Malaysia, the Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer is a family-friendly MPV with state-of-the-art safety features, perfect for the journey back to your hometown this Chinese New Year with your family. Available now until Feb 28, 2019, customers can enjoy 3 years free service with purchase of the MPV.

DS 5, the flagship DS Automobiles model embodies French luxury savoir-faire. Discerning customers with a taste for dynamic performance, high refinement and avant-garde styling will find the DS 5 perfect for a sophisticated ride home. Running from now until Feb 28, 2019, Naza Euro Motors is offering a low interest rate of only 0.88% in collaboration with Maybank and an additional 5-year free service with every purchase of the DS 5.

If you have always wanted to own a Vespa, now is the time as customers can enjoy a low interest rate of 6% per annum on top of an additional 1-year extended warranty from now until Mar 31, 2019, in collaboration with AEON Credit for purchase of any Vespa bike, excluding the Vespa 946.

Or if you prefer the aggressive spirit of the Indian Motorcycle bikes: Harmony Fabulous, distributor of the legendary American brand is offering free 3-year service maintenance and 2-year warranty with unlimited mileage as well as a complementary RM3,888 voucher for purchases made during the Bobber Bonanza campaign. The campaign runs from now until Jan 31 and is applicable to all Indian Motorcycle models displayed.

Ducati Malaysia is also offering exclusive deals for selected Ducati models for one weekend only (Jan 26 to 27, 2019). The Ducati models featured in the “CNY Balik Kampung Special” campaign include the Panigale V4S, Multistrada 1200 Enduro, Scrambler 1100 Sport, Hypermotard 939 and 959 Panigale Corse.

This is your chance to own a powerful Ducati bike that is perfect for maneuvering through the ‘balik kampung’ traffic while enjoying rebates of up to RM8,000 or receive authentic Ducati merchandise.


Penang's Bayan Lepas Expressway opens today

                GEORGE TOWN: Motorists will be able to use the four-lane Bayan Lepas Expressway in Penang from 2pm today.

The elevated 3.2km-long dual carriage structure connects motorists coming from Batu Maung to Sungai Nibong (Queensbay).

In a press statement yesterday, the Public Works Department and UEM Builders Berhad advised road users to observe all the traffic signs and adhere to the speed limit of 70kph when using the expressway.

The Bayan Lepas Expressway is the longest elevated expressway in the state.

Its construction began on April 1, 2014, with UEM Builders Berhad as the main contractor.

The entire expressway is equipped with LED street lighting, drains, a bicycle lane, bicycle bridge and road dividers.


Easy rest stop exercises for instant back relief

                BERLIN: If you are sitting in your car for a long time on the way to your holiday destination, you should take a break every two hours.

This will give your back some much-needed relief, explains orthopaedist Reinhard Schneiderhan.

Drivers and passengers should get out briefly and walk around briskly for three minutes while taking deep breaths. Then lift your arms and stretch out while standing, and bend your knees when exhaling.

While you're at it, try this exercise to stretch your neck muscles: Stand upright, tilt your head carefully to the right while extending your left arm. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Now repeat using the other side. If the boot lid is open, you can also do a few push-ups while keeping yourself propped up on the edge of the boot.


Mazda unveils refreshed MX-5

                HIROSHIMA: Although sporty cars like the Mazda MX-5 and Toyota GT86 certainly look fast, they're really more about handling than outright power. However, a little extra power doesn't hurt with such cars, and an extra dose of power is one of a number of updates the Japanese automaker has announced for the refreshed MX-5.

The news of the updates was leaked by a Japanese magazine last week, so as is the way of things, the manufacturer has now confirmed what we can expect for the 2019 model year. But although the 1.5 and 2.0-litre powerplants will both receive a welcome power boost, details have only been revealed for the higher capacity of the two units. It shouldn't be long until we have all the data though, as the 2019 MX-5 is set to start arriving in dealerships from this August.

It was only less than a year ago the Mazda roadster benefited from new steering and suspension settings, but this latest round of enhancements focus on the 2.0-litre engine. Instead of the current 158bhp, the 2019 models equipped with the 2.0-litre engine will now develop an impressive 181bhp and the available torque will increase by 5Nm.

The redline of the engine increases from the current 6,800 rpm to 7,500 rpm, and Mazda claims that altogether the changes will result in "refined acceleration control" which the manufacturer also claims will help to "minimise lag between throttle applications and vehicle response."

On top of the engine upgrades, the refreshed MX-5 will be available with a new brown canvas soft top, new black metallic 17-inch alloy wheels, a newly telescopic steering wheel, doors that will be easier-to-open, and revised door stops, cup holders and seat levers.

As far as safety is concerned, the latest MX-5 will get a new, standard rearview camera and other available new features such as Traffic Sign Recognition and Smart City Brake Support. These will be in addition to further i-ACTIVSENSE safety technologies found in numerous trim levels.

Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.


Drive-in cinemas regaining popularity across US

                NEW YORK: The team behind the Tribeca Film Festival is organising a summer film series across the United States at drive-in theatres, which are experiencing a renaissance thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.

Organisers are partnering with telecoms giant AT&T and big-screen company IMAX for the event, which will kick off on June 25.

Screenings of new, classic and indie films - as well as special music and sports events - will take place at drive-ins and other locations to be announced later on, along with the schedule.

"We're excited to give people something to look forward to this summer and reinvent a classic moviegoing experience for communities to enjoy together safely," said Tribeca festival co-founder Robert De Niro.

After putting on a digital version of its own festival, the Tribeca team announced it would work with the world's other top festivals - Cannes, Venice, Toronto - to stage a 10-day YouTube event from May 29.

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Drive-in theatres, where filmgoers watch movies on a giant outdoor screen from their cars, are an indelible part of American pop culture. The first opened in 1933 in New Jersey.

At the height of their popularity after World War II, there were several thousand drive-ins across the country.

But the soaring cost of real estate in urban areas and the sheer number of movie theatres, along with the rising popularity of home video systems, led drive-ins to the scrapheap.

There are only 305 drive-in theatres left in the United States, according to the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association.

Several of them have remained open as strict stay-at-home measures were put in place to help curb the spread of the coronavirus - and with other theatres shut, business has been good.

The Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre in North Carolina reopened early this month, after being shut for a month.

Open seven days a week, it's only operating at half-capacity to ensure proper social distancing between cars. So far, the theatre is sold out on weekends.

"Nobody seems to be afraid to come out," said owner Mike Frank, who said he's been approached to host other events, such as concerts and high school graduations.

Since late March, two churches have been organising drive-in services at his site

"We're looking at a laser show," he said.


Workplace meetings hit the road as Microsoft develops Teams for cars

                SEATTLE: In the wake of pandemic-era relaxations to the rules on where we do our office work, Microsoft is trying to make the car an everyday place to remotely join an office meeting.

"You can now join Teams meetings and make calls hands-free on the road using Siri," Microsoft says, announcing a new set of features in September designed to improve hybrid work models that have become a reality at many workplaces.

While work calls at the wheel are far from new, the idea of being able to join work meetings from the car stands to benefit many who have a lengthy daily commute to the office.

At the same time, "sorry, I was in my car" will likely no longer cut it as an excuse for avoiding a lengthy meeting.

Anyone who owns an iPhone and drives a compatible car is set to be able to take part in Teams meetings using their's car entertainment system when work on the new feature is finished later in September.

To ensure that the whole thing runs safely and that your hands can stay on the wheel the whole time, you'll be able to start and join meetings using voice commands to Apple's Siri assistant.

What's more, Teams meetings in your car are also audio only, meaning there's no video image on the car display.

For one things, the vast majority of cars don't have webcams, while dispaying video footage on a screen for the driver is banned in many places.

The new car feature is limited to Apple users for now, however. While Android Auto already has some compatability with Microsoft Teams, this is limited to receiving chat notifactions.


Tesla recalling 53,000 cars to fix faulty brakes

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla is recalling 53,000 cars to address a manufacturing defect that could prevent parking brakes from releasing, the company said Thursday.

Tesla described the move as a "voluntary" recall taken after determining that Model S and X vehicles manufactured between February and October of last year "may contain a small gear that could have been manufactured improperly by our third-party supplier," the company said on its website.

There have been no reports of accidents or injuries relating to the defect.

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"However, in order to be overly cautious, we are going to be proactively replacing these parts to ensure that no issues arise," the company said.

The recall comes as Tesla remains close with General Motors as the US automaker with the highest market capitalisation.

Some analysts have expressed scepticism about the meteoric rise in Tesla shares given that the company still sells only a fraction of cars compared with GM or Ford.

Tesla has a market capitalisation of about US$50.1 billion, around $1.2 billion below that of GM's.

> In Malaysia, new Model S units are being leased by government body Greentech Malaysia to a restricted clientele such as non-government bodies and groups associated with Greentech. Second-hand Model S are also available in Malaysia via grey importers.


Wireless Apple CarPlay now available to all

                LOS ANGELES: After the technology made its debut at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January, Alpine has now put the iLX-107 on sale, which is the first Apple CarPlay receiver with support for wireless connectivity.

So, if your car's audio system doesn't support CarPlay but you use an iPhone, you no longer have to wait for your manufacturer to do an update or buy another car to enjoy the full level of connectivity.

Drivers of a certain age will remember the days when it was pretty much up to you what kind of sound system you had in your car. The unit your car came with was a starting point, and in no time you could whip it out and replace it with something better, which usually meant more power and features.

Nowadays, audio systems are a fully integrated part of the dash and the vehicle's systems as a whole, so what's in there is basically what you're stuck with.

The Alpine iLX-107 receiver is compatible with the iPhone 5 onwards, and allows CarPlay to be accessed through the touch screen as well as by Siri voice control. It then delivers the complete CarPlay experience so you are able to make voice calls, read texts, choose music and get real-time traffic updates.

Although it will still depend on the particular vehicle, in many cases you should also be able to receive vehicle information too, such as park assist. The best thing is that there's no need to connect a cable as the receiver simply connects your phone via WiFi or Bluetooth.

There have been CarPlay receivers for sale for a while now, but until now they have all required a physical connection. The Alpine unit is the first to offer wireless connectivity.

There is one drawback though, and it means you're really, really going to have to want Apple CarPlay connectivity if you're going to buy the Alpine iLX-107. The price at launch is an eye-watering US$900 (RM3,868).

For that kind of money, it would probably make more sense to buy another smartphone, as long as your vehicle is already compatible with Android AutoPlay that is.


New Delhi to slash use of cars in November to cut pollution, says chief minister

 Vehicles driving through the smog in New Delhi on Jan 7. — Reuters
NEW DELHI: India’s capital New Delhi will enforce strict restrictions on use of private cars from Nov. 4-15 to curb pollution, its chief minister said today, in an effort to help improve air quality that tends to deteriorate sharply in winter months.

Private vehicles will only be allowed to use roads on alternate days during the period, Arvind Kejriwal told a news conference, depending on whether their registration plate ends in an odd or even number.

The city also aims to introduce 1,000 electric buses, Kejriwal said, as well as policies to promote other electric vehicles.

New Delhi is the world’s most polluted capital city, according to several studies, plagued by vehicle and industrial emissions, dust from building sites, and smoke from the burning of rubbish and crop residue in nearby fields.

“Pollution levels have come down in Delhi recently, and we’re determined and committed to bring them down further and that’s why we’ve decided to introduce these steps,” Kejriwal said. The Delhi government has identified “pollution hot spots” it can target to help improve air quality in the city, he said.

The Delhi government would also distribute free face masks in the city, he said, as part of efforts to encourage people to reduce their exposure to polluted air. Unlike in other polluted cities in the world, it is still rare in Delhi to see people taking measures to reduce exposure to pollution, such as wearing face masks.

As winter approaches each year, wind speeds tend to drop after the monsoon season that ends in September, meaning smog and other pollutants hang in the air. The problem is exacerbated as people let off fireworks to celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali in late October or early November.

North Indian cities, including Delhi, top a list of places with the worst air in the world, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The WHO database of more than 2,600 cities shows that 14 of the 18 most polluted cities on the planet are in northern India, based on the amount of particulate matter under 2.5 micrograms in size found in every cubic meter of air.

These tiny particles, known as PM2.5, include dust, dirt, soot and smoke. They can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the blood. They have been linked to heart disease, strokes and cancer.


Fast S-Pedelecs on cycle paths - a better way of getting to work?

                BERLIN: They look like bicycles but move as fast as mopeds: According to some experts, "speed-pedelecs" or S-pedelecs are a genuine alternative for car drivers looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Infrastructure Minister Susanna Karawanskij in Germany's Thuringia state is one fervent advocate.

She believes S-pedelecs belong on the roads and only on cycleways in urban areas. Unfortunately such routes do not exist in Thuringia although in some other federal states, a few municipalities have already established a network of cycle paths with S-pedelec clearance.

The Green parliamentary group in the local parliament is also open to opening up the rules. So could pedelecs advance the mobility transition in rural areas?

With more speed on tap, S-pedelecs allow the rider to cut journey times even more than when using regular pedelecs, which are limited to 25kph.

And of course, with quicker e-bike journey times on offer, the less time spent behind the wheel of a car may seem attractive.

In many countries, these fast pedelecs are treated like mopeds fitted with with electric or combustion engine power. The S-pedelecs are classified as mopeds and must be covered by liability insurance.

Additionally, they need to be equipped with license plates and rear-view mirrors. Riders also need a driving licence to use one. A helmet is often compulsory and child trailers are prohibited. The minimum age for riders is 15.

Surveys show that only a small proportion of e-bike owners use a speed pedelec which may be due to their unclarified road use status.

A typical experience is related by Immanuel Schneeberger in an article for Germany's Dekra safety and testing agency. He describes some of the problems.

After encountering a cycle path on his commuter route, Schneeberger noted: "My first obstacle: I'm not allowed to ride here with the S-pedelec. Despite 45kph, I quickly become a traffic hazard on the road, with cars rushing past me at nearly 100kph. I don't really feel good this way."

"The biggest advantage of pedelecs as a whole, especially for commuters, is that routes can be planned", said Thilo Braun of Germany's cyclist club ADFC.

"If you ride with motor assistance, you know exactly how much time you need for a route - no matter how strong the wind blows and from which direction. With S-pedelecs, it is also possible to cover longer distances quickly."

Braun points out, however, that even with S-pedelecs you have to pedal hard to reach 45kph - the design means the bikes cannot achieve top speed using motor drive alone. If you stick to the rules and only ride on the road, you can quickly lose interest if cars whizz past you at 100kph on a busy street. "That is also dangerous," he said.

In Germany and many other European countries, cycle paths are taboo for S-pedelecs - unless the paths have been explicitly cleared for the fast bikes.

The German university city of Tübingen is considered a pioneer here, and it opened the first cycle paths for S-pedelecs as early as 2019. According to the city, there is now a coherent network that connects the districts with the city centre.

Perhaps the last word should go to enthusiastic s-pedelec user Schneeberger.

"At least outside of built-up areas, S-pedelecs should be allowed to ride on (cycle paths). That would be good for safety and might get more commuters to hop on their bikes, at least on sunny days.

"Because the bike is able to keep pace with other traffic, five minutes more riding time and a quarter of an hour for showering and changing are more pleasant for me than sitting for the same time in traffic jams."


Geely confirmed planning new EV unit called Zeekr

                BEIJING: China’s Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd said on Tuesday it and its parent Zhejiang Geely Holding Group will form a joint venture for electric vehicles (EV) and launch a new brand called Zeekr, after its profit fell 32% last year.

In a stock exchange filing, Geely Automobile said the venture will work on research and development, purchase and sale of smart electric vehicles under Zeekr brand.

Geely Automobile and parent Zhejiang Geely Holding Group will jointly invest 2 billion yuan in the new venture. Geely Automobile will own 51% of the new company, it said.

In two earlier reports, people familiar with the matter exclusively told Reuters about Geely’s plans for the new company and brand.

Hangzhou-based Geely Automobile, highest-profile Chinese automaker in the world due to parent group’s investments in Volvo Cars and Daimler AG, posted 2020 profit of 5.53 billion yuan ($850 million), versus 8.19 billion yuan in 2019, as auto sales in the world’s biggest market was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

One analyst expected Geely to post a profit of 4.02 billion yuan, according to Refinitiv data.

Revenue fell 5% from the previous year to 92.11 billion yuan.

Geely Automobile sold 1.32 million cars last year, down from 1.36 million units in 2019. It expects to sell 1.53 million cars this year.

Geely Automobile’s parent group announced a flurry of tie-ups by Geely earlier this year as the automaker pursues its goal of becoming a leading EV contract manufacturer and engineering service provider.

Geely Automobile and Volvo Cars last month abandoned their merger plans but launched a new entity to combine their powertrain operations and expand cooperation on electric vehicles.


Germany's never-ending success story: The toy Bobby Car turns 50

                NÜRNBERG (Germany): The sound of an approaching Bobby Car is unmistakable. The plastic toy car’s wheels scrape across the floor unforgivingly as the toddler driver pushes their feet into the ground as hard as they can.

Bobby Cars have been a favourite among kids in Europe and beyond for decades. The little four-wheel plastic cars were first presented at the Nuremberg toy fair in Germany some 50 years ago.

Since then, German manufacturer Big has produced more than 20 million units. The company currently makes about 2,000 Bobby Cars per day – going far beyond the classic red model with the white steering wheel.

So far, there have been some 100 different (sometimes limited) editions, from different colours to police or fire brigade looks and models from famous artists and designers like James Rizzi and Philippe Starck.

An unforeseen success story

When the Bobby Car was launched 50 years ago, the only other toy vehicle available for small children was the tricycle.

Today, the red plastic car, originally designed for toddlers from 12 months to help them learn how to walk, faces more competition: from balance bikes to three-wheel scooters and a large number of Bobby Car imitations, the market is inundated with options.

But demand for the Bobby Car continues unabated, according to the manufacturer. "It is the typical gift when a child is born or at the latest for the first birthday," explains Thomas Röttenbacher, managing director of Bobby Car maker Big.

"We also benefit from the fact that the generations that grew up with the Bobby Car are now parents themselves or, in some cases, grandparents."

Nevertheless, the Bobby Car success story is one that only slowly gathered momentum. The toy was initially often ridiculed because of its functional shape with the ergonomic seat. But that soon changed.

According to industry expert Ulrich Texter, the red model with the white steering wheel and horn has come to be recognized as a toy design classic just like the Lego brick.

"It's an iconic design that isn't based on any vehicle. But everyone immediately sees what it's for," he says.

Unlike other children's vehicles, which are only interesting during a certain period of time, the Bobby Car is basically ageless, says Texter, editor-in-chief of the trade magazine Planet Toys.

"You can still rattle around on it when you're 10 years old,” he says, citing his own children. "They kneel on it so they get real speed."

Organised races for grown-ups

Adults can still have a lot of fun with the Bobby Car, as can be seen not only in various videos on TikTok. One of them is Holger Späth, a 51-year-old German butcher, and a huge Bobby Car fan.

Späth doesn’t only enter Bobby Car races but collects everything to do with the legendary four-wheeler. He has gathered more than 300 exhibits in his own Bobby Car Museum in Braunfels - some 70km north-east of Frankfurt - ranging from the original 1972 model to a hand-signed limited edition.

He became passionate about collecting and racing in 2008 when his daughter was born – and given a Bobby Car. "I guess that's the child in you," Späth says.

He began racing his daughter's car for fun - and immediately broke it, even though it was supposed to endure his weight. So he had to buy a new one. "That's basically when I got into collecting."

Together with other enthusiasts, Späth eventually founded the German Bobby Car sports association which organizes the official championships.

In addition to his museum treasures, he also owns several racing sleds tuned according to the rules, with special ball bearings and pneumatic tires. Normally - that is, before the pandemic – Späth drives down steep slopes at a high pace several times a year in the adventurous races, reaching speeds of more than 100 kilometres per hour.

Whisper tyres and shoe protectors

"When you're driving yourself, it doesn't seem that fast," he says. There is no need to train for the races, according to Späth, except for braking.

Everyone who has driven a Bobby Car before knows that you don’t only use your feet to move it forward but to stop the vehicle as well – which can take quite the toll on your shoes.

The manufacturer has therefore long started selling special shoe protectors. For the races, Späth himself sticks car tyres to his shoe soles.

"Otherwise there are no shoes left after you've braked at 120kph."

For those wanting to spare their neighbours the rumbling typical for the Bobby Car tyres, there are also special whisper tyres to dampen the sound.

But some enthusiasts might argue that the noise is an essential part of the fun.


Rugged Jeep Wrangler goes hybrid in first revamp since 1980s

                BERLIN: Good news for fans of the Jeep Wrangler who also fancy themselves as eco-warriors: The all-new version of the rugged off-roader will feature electric power.

Details of the new hybrid Wrangler recently appeared in a computer ordering system for dealers ahead of the car's official debut at the Dec 1-10 Los Angeles Motor Show, Germany's Autobild motoring gazette reports.

The 48-volt electrics and battery on the hybrid Wrangler are mated to a powerful new four-cylinder soft-turbo petrol engine with 300 horsepower on tap.

This is the first major makeover for the Wrangler since 1987, though engineers have been saving weight by using more chassis parts fashioned from lightweight aluminium.

The four-by-four car retains its signature boxy looks, with a redesigned slatted grille and new lights fronting a revised nose section. Inside, the dashboard has been brought up to date, with analogue instruments flanked by air vents, and a central digital screen.

Pricing has not been announced but automotive pundits expect the new Wranglers to cost up to 20 per cent more than the models they replace.


More self-driving tech in VW's next-generation Golf

Brandstaetter talking about the next Golf.
WOLFSBURG (Germany): The world's biggest carmaker Volkswagen said it would stuff even more technology into the next generation of its top-selling Golf model, bringing so-called "connected driving" deeper into the mainstream.

Slated for release in 2019, the updated cars will be constantly connected to the Internet, with greater self-driving capabilities and "more software than ever before on board," VW compact cars chief Karlheinz Hell said in a statement on Friday.

Existing Golf models have a range of driver assistance features, including parking aids, staying in lane and maintaining safe distance in traffic jams and emergency braking.

But they remain far removed from visions of completely hands-free self-driving cars dangled by industry executives.

Some 34 million people have bought a Golf, the successor to the iconic Beetle, since the first model rolled off production lines in 1974, VW says, and the range accounted for almost one in 10 of the vehicles sold by the VW group in 2016.

"The next generation of the Golf is the most strategically significant launch for the Volkswagen brand" alongside the all-electric ID series set for release in 2020, VW board member Ralf Brandstaetter said.

VW will spend 1.8 billion euros (RM8.7bil) developing the new Golf, and plans to build it at its headquarters in company town Wolfsburg, northern Germany, the largest car factory in Europe.

The mammoth Volkswagen group with its 12 brands ranging from Bentley, Porsche and Lamborghini to VW, Skoda and Seat has largely shaken off the "dieselgate" scandal that saw it admit to cheating emissions tests on millions of cars worldwide in 2015.

In 2017, the group sold 10.7 million vehicles, an increase of 4.2 percent year-on-year.