Land Rover brand name ditched after 75 years in use

                LONDON: The storied Land Rover brand name is being dropped after 75 years as part of a major reboot by automotive giant Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).

Loss-making JLR has opted to split itself into four units, with JLR as the holding company, and future off-road flagships are no longer to be branded as Land Rovers.

Instead, the new marques will be the range-topping Range Rover, the off-road Defender, the Discovery family brand and Jaguar which is jettisoning its entire model line-up and starting all over again with three new vehicles.

Somewhat confusingly, a small Land Rover badge will appear on selected vehicles inside and out to denote what a spokesman called a "trust mark."

"We love the Land Rover name, but it doesn't have as much equity as Range Rover, and Defender is rising fast," JLR chief creative officer Gerry McGovern told industry website Motortrend.com

McGovern said current buyers related to other brand names rather than Land Rover when describing what they drive. "People tell us they drive a Range Rover, not a Land Rover."

The news has dismayed some fans: "Dropping the Land Rover name in favour of the individual Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery feels like they’re ditching their heritage completely," read one comment on the UK fan forum Range Rover.net.

Land Rover introduced the Series I at the Amsterdam Motor Show back in 1948 and the rugged off-roader has become a byword all over the world for all-wheel-drive vehicles.

Famous owners include the late British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who described it as one of her all-time favourite vehicles.

The Land Rover is renowned for its robustness. According to a company
spokesman, 75% of all models ever built are still in use.

The Land Rover morphed into the Defender in 2016 after its chunky, sharp-edged edged bodywork fell foul of EU road safety rules.

The latest Defenders are marketed as lifestyle machines, aimed at drivers who want to conquer the urban jungle.

The styling is softer although they retain excellent off-road capability.


Miros to study cause of Genting van crash

                PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) has been directed to look into the factors behind the crash of the tour van with 14 passengers.

In a press conference at his ministry here on Wednesday (Feb 9), Transport Minister Anthony Loke said he is saddened by the incident as he conveyed his condolences to the next-of-kin of the seven who died in the incident.

"I have instructed the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to look into the company behind the service.

"At the same time, I have also asked Miros to look into all aspects, including the design of the road, to obtain the full picture behind the tragic incident, which was believed to be due to loss of control while approaching a bend.

"The Miros report will be submitted to the Transport Ministry and the Works Ministry (which oversees road design). We need to take note of the lessons from this to avoid a recurrence," he said at a press conference related to the new framework in airport development financing in Malaysia.


Tesla rival sets out to banish 160-year-old lead tech from cars

                TALLINN: Your sleek new Tesla Model S or electronic BMW has a distinctly 19th century feature that you may not be aware of, among its batteries. A company in Estonia wants to change that.

Skeleton Technologies Group OU is working on supercapacitors, light-weight and long-life components that can distribute intensive bursts of power. These may help eliminate lead-acid batteries, a piece of technology invented in 1859 that still lurks under the hoods of Teslas in addition to the main lithium-ion power source.

Supercapacitors have some way to go before they are widely adopted. There is still a gap with the popular lithium-ion units on how much energy they can store, Skeleton chief executive officer Taavi Madiberk admits.

Even so, the technology is promising for offering higher peak power output and reliability in extreme temperatures and Skeleton has already sold it to clients across the transport industry.

"Sometimes people think that lead is a problem of the past because it relates to internal combustion engines but in practice all electric vehicles have 12-volt lead acid batteries,” Madiberk said. "We are working on a viable alternative to replace all lead acid batteries."

Musk’s PhD

Tesla inc. chief executive officer Elon Musk actually moved to Silicon Valley in the first place to do research on supercapacitors in his PhD studies at Stanford University, he wrote in a blog post in 2006.

While Musk eventually dropped out from Stanford to start his new ventures, he hasn’t abandoned his bet on supercapacitors, also referred to as ultracapacitors.

Tesla, also searching for a breakthrough for electric car batteries, bought Skeleton’s competitor Maxwell Technologies Inc. last year. Musk’s company, like other manufacturers, still uses the relatively cheap and recyclable lead-acid battery in addition to the lithium-ion unit.

The sector is at a stage where the lithium-ion battery industry was around 1999, according to Madiberk, whose company also has a base in Germany.

Back then, lithium-ion batteries cost over US$5,000 (RM21,000) per kilowatt hour, compared with under US$200 (RM843) now. Supercapacitors may similarly go from US$5,000 to as low as US$300 (RM1,265), he said, without giving an exact timeline.

The technology may be useful for some tasks such as regenerating energy from braking, perhaps in conjunction with a lithium-ion unit, said James Frith, an analyst at BloombergNEF who focuses on energy storage. However, it’s only one of a number of available routes for the industry.

"There’s been a lot of interest in supercapacitors over the years,” Frith said. "The trouble is that lithium-ion batteries have been coming down in price quite rapidly.”

To replace lead-acid batteries, Skeleton is cooperating with some major European carmakers, Madiberk said, without disclosing names. Its products reach an energy density — a key measure of performance — of 60 watt-hours per kilogram, exceeding regular lead-acid batteries. Their raw material, a patented graphene composite, provides cost advantages in the long term not just compared with lead-acid but also lithium-ion batteries, he said.

Operating profit

"If you look at the supplies of cobalt, lithium, nickel, manganese, then sooner or later with electrification we see significant bottlenecks,” Madiberk said. "The issue with lead is, of course, it’s toxic: the manufacturing process is environmentally harmful.”

In heavy transportation, Skeleton has supplied systems that recuperate the braking energy of trams made by Czech manufacturer Skoda Transportation AS and which reduce the fuel consumption of hybrid-electric buses made by Britain's Wrights Group Ltd.

Having signed orders totaling more than €150 million (RM685mil) last year, the company targets revenue of €1 billion (RM4.6bil) by 2025 when it sees its serviceable market reaching about €60 billion (RM274bil). It expects to reach a profit on the operating level by the end of next year.

Aside from Tesla, Madiberk lists US-based AVX Corp. and China State Railway Group as key competitors. The raw materials Skeleton uses have given it a competitive advantage over the bigger rivals, he said.

The company’s products had the highest power and maximum peak current from five supercapacitor makers, including Maxwell and Ioxus Inc., in last year’s study by the US Office of Naval Research.
Supercapacitors may find their niches if the cost becomes competitive, said Frith, the analyst at BloombergNEF.

"The heavy transportation applications probably is the best use case for supercapacitors,” Frith said. "There definitely is a lot of areas within the automotive market where they could find applications.”

 Infographic: Ultracapacitors vs batteries


Stellantis creates new data services business

                LAS VEGAS: Carmaker Stellantis said on Thursday it was establishing a new business unit to help expand its data services business, part of its plans to boost revenue from software-related activities over the next decade.

The new unit, called Mobilisights, will license data to a wide range of customers including rival carmakers, drawing on Stellantis' connected vehicles, which are expected to total 34 million by 2030, up from around 12 million now.

Mobilisights CEO Sanjiv Ghate told reporters the business could help to reduce accidents by for example relaying information about road hazards, and also allow insurance products to be better tailored to individual drivers.

Setting up a separate unit should make it easier to establish partnerships, added Ghate, who joined Stellantis last year and is based in the San Francisco area.

Mobilisights will be a key contributor to the €20 billion in incremental annual revenues that Stellantis expects from software-related services by 2030, the company said in an announcement at the CES convention in Las Vegas.

Ghate would not be drawn on precisely how much revenue Mobilisights would be expected to contribute but said that Stellantis had a number of software units that would each be generating "north of a billion dollars".

It is the second of seven new value-added business units planned by Stellantis, whose brands include Fiat, Peugeot and Jeep.

The first was the Circular Economy business, aiming to make more use of recycled material in production.

Overall, Stellantis is aiming to double revenue to €300 billion a year by 2030, at the same time as keeping profit margins high.


Tips to avoid having your motorcycle stolen

                PARIS: To avoid the nasty surprise of having your two-wheeled pride and joy whisked away while your back is turned, riders need to be extra careful and follow certain rules to minimise risk.

Here are few tips that should help ensure that motorcycle or scooter is well-protected.

Don't park just anywhere

It might seem obvious, but when parking in public areas, you should choose somewhere where plenty of people will be able to see your machine. In a word, avoid poorly frequented side streets and unsupervised parking lots.

If you are having lunch in a sidewalk cafe, try to put your bike somewhere where you can keep an eye on it, even if you are not nearby. The same applies to parking outside your office, where it may be possible to position your machine where you can see it from a window. At the same time, you might consider varying your parking habits to avoid giving thieves the idea that your bike is always there for the taking.

Always use a lock or locks

Whether you are parking for just a few minutes or an entire day, your bike should always be attached with a mechanical security lock to a bike bay hoop or another immovable object. When positioning the lock try to make sure that it does not touch the ground and attach it to a part of the bike that is not easily dismantled, like the frame or an anchorage point on the fork. Two security locks can make your machine an even more daunting prospect for thieves, who will have to spend twice as long if they try to steal it.

A GPS might prove to be invaluable

If your bike is stolen, a GPS tracker may prove to be a blessing. These small form devices, which have to be discreetly hidden somewhere on your machine, do require you to take out a subscription. However, once you have one installed, you can easily find your bike using a computer or a smartphone to access the service provider's dedicated website.


Renault’s Alpine seeking women drivers for its Formula 1 team

                LONDON: Renault SA’s Alpine is once again in the run for a Formula 1 championship this season but with a much bigger prize in mind than just gaining a few podiums. It’s seeking women drivers.

The brand, which finished fourth last year in the constructors championship, is boosting investments to develop female talent in professional racing, a male-only realm for the most part in spite of being open to women as well.

Alpine has a new center in Enstone, its UK base, to develop performance-based individual training plans for aspiring female racers in an effort to fight gender bias in motor sports.

"There are very few women competing and working in this industry,” Alpine chief executive office Laurent Rossi said Thursday evening at an event here to unveil the new Alpine A523 car that will be racing in the Formula 1 season that kicks off in a few weeks.

"By detecting, hiring, developing female talent we want to strengthen the Alpine team. It’s our way of giving equal opportunities to everyone and fuel the performance of Alpine.”

Alpine wants more women at all levels of the organisation, from mechanics and engineers all the way to female drivers who can help grow the brand with "talent, merit and hard work” beyond considerations on gender or social background, Rossi said.

While there will be no quotas, Alpine wants to increase over time the number of female engineers to 30% from the current 14%.

As part of the programme, dubbed Rac(h)er, six young women will join Alpine’s young driver karting programme and will get trained to better learn how to compete, Claire Mesnier, Alpine’s human resources director, said at the London event.

Sophia Floersch joins the Alpine Academy in the FIA Formula 3 championship and Abbi Pulling becomes a fully-fledged Academy Driver in the Formula 1 Academy Series, Alpine said Thursday.

Alpine also will be opening up to girls who are still in school in its hunt for female talent.

"We are being quite selfish with this. We didn’t launch the programme to change the world or paint everything in pink,” Mesnier said. "It’s about racing, it’s about winning, it’s about building power, it’s about doing it better than our rivals.”

Alpine has been looking outside the racing world for mentors to nurture its younger talent.

French soccer star Zinedine Zidane, who was present at the event, British boxer Nicola Adams and Zara Rutherford, the youngest female pilot to complete a round-the-world solo flight, will be among sports celebrities giving tips on how to best cope with the high-pressure and physically challenging sport.

Alpine also is embarking on years of data collection to gather physical, physiological, cognitive and emotional information that can help better adapt training programmes to individual needs, Mesnier said.

"There’s a lot of bias, such as women don’t have the physical capacity to drive in Formula 1 or women are not able to endure pressure in the pit lane or even, for some of them, that motor sports is not at all a woman’s thing,” Mesnier said.

"I personally believe these prejudices are false but I am not naive - saying so is no longer enough. We need science-based evidence to prove what is wrong about these prejudices.”


UMW Toyota Motor celebrates 50 years of producing cars in Malaysia

Hamad (left) and the Selangor Sultan.
KLANG: Toyota distributor UMW Toyota Motor today celebrated 50 years of local production in Malaysia.

A special ceremony was held at its new RM2bil Bukit Raja factory here to mark the milestone.

At present, the new plant assembles the new Vios sedan and Yaris hatchback with an output of 22,000 and 7,800 units per year respectively.

The plant is capable of producing up to 50,000 units per year and is currently manned by 1,052 employees.

Gracing the event were Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and his consort, Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin Abdul Rahman.

 From left: Miyagawa, Hamad, Sultan Sharafuddin and Amirudin.

Also present were Selangor Mentri Besar Amirudin Shari, Japanese ambassador to Malaysia Dr Makio Miyagawa and Toyota Motor Corporation Japan CEO (China & Asia Region) Tatsuro Ueda.

During the event, a Yaris was donated to the Selangor Youth Community, with the Sultan receiving it on its behalf.

The new plant is considered a "society-caring" plant, which does not create noise pollution and operates with the latest advanced technologies with high levels of automation and design innovation.

 The Sultan taking a look at the first Toyota vehicle produced in Malaysia - the KE 10.

It makes use of renewable energies such as rain-water harvesting and roof-mounted solar panels - contributing 2.0 megawatts or 5% of total power usage, to help reduce its carbon footprint.

"Our heartfelt thanks to all Toyota customers and Malaysians for your contribution and support over the last 50 years, which has enabled us to be where we are now," said UMW Toyota Motor chairman Tan Sri Datuk Sri Hamad Kama Piah.

The company would continue to develop local suppliers and increase localisation in its cars, said Hamad.

UMW Toyota Motor is a joint-venture company between UMW Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation.


Tesla to offer hands-free steering on Model S in three months

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Motors Inc will soon offer upgrades including hands-free steering on its Model S sedan, chief executive officer Elon Musk said on Thursday, but the news did not help the electric carmaker's volatile shares which fell more than 2 percent.

Tesla is set to offer the automatic steering feature in three months, about a year ahead of other automakers. It will be available only when driving on freeways or major roads, as part of a continuing series of free software upgrades delivered wirelessly to Model S owners, Musk said.

General Motors Co has said it plans to offer a similar set of hands-free driving features next year on its new Cadillac CT6 sedan. Other automakers and suppliers are working on similar automated systems.

Tesla is among several automakers, including BMW and Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz, offering software updates wirelessly through a car's built-in modem.

Tesla has been more aggressive than most others in pushing such "over-the-air" software updates, which Musk said would continue to be released every three or four months.

On Thursday, Tesla also announced the release of a new Range Assurance feature that will warn Model S drivers before they run out of battery power. The feature will be bundled with a trip planner that will help owners map "optimal" travel routes, Musk said.

He said the range assurance and trip planning features, which will be released in about 10 days, will make it "almost impossible for a Model S driver to run out of range." The latest version of the Model S has a range between charges of about 450km.

Among new features to be delivered later this year, in what Musk said would be Version 7.0 of the car's operating software, is one that will enable owners to summon their car remotely from the garage.

Another feature will be a valet mode that limits vehicle speed and access to confidential information.

The Version 7.0 software also will be installed in the new Model X crossover that goes into production this summer.

Tesla this year has come up under increasing scrutiny by investors after several misfires, including missing sales targets in China and, more recently, falling short of Wall Street's expectations on profit and sales volume.

Of particular concern is the company's free cash flow. Tesla burned through US$455 million in the fourth quarter as it overhauled and expanded its California assembly plant and finalised development of the Model X.

When the company announced year-end results in February, chief financial officer Deepak Ahuja said he expected cash burn this year to be less than US$1.0 billion.


Mercedes-AMG ONE makes world premiere

                AFFALTERBACH (Germany): Mercedes-AMG is finally ready to show off the production version of the 1,000hp+ Mercedes-AMG ONE

The world premiere today of the two-seater super sports car brings the world's most modern and efficient Formula 1 hybrid drive technology from the race track to the road for the first time - nearly 6 years after the company said it would build such a car.

It has previously been reported that only 275 units will be produced at US$2 million (RM8.8mil) apiece. All have been snapped up already.

The 1,695kg hypercar has an electric range of 18km. With all systems in play, it can sprint from 0-100kph in 2.9s, and 0-200kph in 7s, thanks to an AMG 4Matic + all-wheel-drive system and new seven-speed automated manual transmission designed specifically for it. Top speed is rated at 352kph.

Hybrid drive

Let's dig into the juicy bits.

The performance hybrid produces a total output of 782 kW/1,063 hp from one combustion engine and four electric motors.

The complex development was carried out in close cooperation with the Formula 1 experts at Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth. The Mercedes-AMG ONE will also officially be seen in action for the first time in the UK, as part of the Festival of Speed at Goodwood from June 23-26.

Further motorsport technology found in the unique hypercar includes a carbon-fibre monocoque and carbon-fibre body to the load-bearing engine/transmission unit, active aerodynamics and the push-rod suspension.

With its complex technology, the two-seater Mercedes-AMG ONE offers even more than a Formula 1 racing car in some cases. It features the AMG Performance 4MATIC+ fully variable all-wheel drive with hybrid-driven rear axle and electrically driven front axle with torque vectoring. It can also drive purely electrically.

The E PERFORMANCE hybrid drive of the Mercedes-AMG ONE comes directly from Formula 1 . It consists of a highly integrated and intelligently networked unit comprising one hybrid, turbocharged combustion engine with a total of four electric motors.

One has been integrated into the turbocharger, another has been installed directly on the combustion engine with a link to the crankcase and the two remaining motors drive the front wheels.

The 1.6-litre V6 hybrid petrol engine with electrically assisted single-turbocharging corresponds in its technology to the current Formula 1 power unit. The four overhead camshafts are driven by spur gears.

To achieve high engine speeds, the mechanical valve springs have been replaced by pneumatic valve springs. The engine, mounted in mid-engine position in front of the rear axle, revs up to 11,000 rpm. However, for longer durability and the use of commercial super plus petrol, it deliberately stays below the F1 rev limit.

The high-revving power unit is boosted by a high-tech turbocharger. The exhaust gas turbine and compressor turbine are positioned at a distance from each other and connected by a shaft.

This allows a lower installation position for the turbocharger. On the shaft is an approx. 90 kW electric motor. Electronically controlled, this drives the turbocharger shaft directly, accelerating the compressor wheel up to 100,000 rpm before the exhaust gas flow takes over. The Formula 1 designation for this unit is MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit Heat).

The major advantage: the response improves significantly, immediately from idle speed (when the exhaust flow is still weak) across the entire rev range.

The 1.6-litre V6 engine responds even more spontaneously to accelerator pedal commands, while the overall driving experience is highly dynamic. In addition, the electrification of the exhaust gas turbocharger enables higher torque at low engine speeds. This also increases agility and optimises acceleration. Even when the driver takes their foot off the accelerator or brakes, the technology is able to maintain boost pressure at all times. This ensures a continuously direct response.

The electric exhaust gas turbocharger in the Mercedes-AMG ONE has yet another advantage: it uses part of the surplus energy from the exhaust gas flow to generate electrical energy as a generator. This is either stored in the high-voltage lithium-ion battery or fed to the electric front axle or the electric motor (MGU-K = Motor Generator Unit Kinetic) on the combustion engine.

The MGU-K has an output of 120 kW, is positioned directly on the combustion engine and is connected to the crankshaft via a spur gear system - another technology that ensures maximum efficiency and performance in Formula 1.

New all-wheel drive system

The two 120 kW electric motors on the front axle reach rotor speeds of up to 50,000 rpm. They are each connected to the front wheels via a reduction gear.

The front axle, which is thus driven purely electrically, operates wheel-selectively in each case and thus enables individual torque distribution for particularly high driving dynamics ("torque vectoring"). In addition, the two electric motors also allow the braking energy to be optimally used for recuperation - up to 80 percent under everyday driving conditions.

This energy is stored in the battery and is available for a longer electric range or for more drive performance. Each electric motor is controlled by its own power electronics located in close proximity to the electric motors in the floor assembly.

The lithium-ion energy storage system is also a special Mercedes-AMG development. Its technology has already proven itself in the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team's Formula 1 hybrid racing cars under the toughest conditions and can also be found in the battery of the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE.

The battery combines high power that can be called up frequently in succession with low weight to increase overall performance. Added to this are the fast energy draw and the high power density.

This means that during a brisk drive in hilly terrain, for example, drivers can immediately call on the full power potential on uphill stretches, while recuperation is strong when driving downhill.

The arrangement of the battery cells and the cell cooling mirror the Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 racing car.

For everyday use, however, their number is many times greater in the Mercedes-AMG ONE. The capacity of 8.4 kWh is sufficient for a purely electric range of 18.1 km.

Charging is via alternating current and the integrated 3.7 kW on-board charger. In addition, the battery can be supplied with fresh energy via recuperation or from the combustion engine.

The lithium-ion, high-voltage battery and the DC/DC converter supporting and charging the 12 V onboard electrical system are accommodated in space-saving configuration in the vehicle floor behind the front axle.

Direct battery cooling

The basis for the high performance of the battery is the innovative direct cooling: A high-tech coolant flows around all the cells and cools them individually.

The coolant circulates from top to bottom through the entire battery past each cell with the help of a high-performance electric pump and also flows through a heat exchanger attached directly to the battery.

The system is designed to ensure even heat distribution in the battery. The result is that the battery is always in a consistent, optimal operating temperature window of 45 degrees Celsius on average - no matter how often it is charged or discharged.

It may well be that the average temperature is exceeded when driving at high speeds. The protection mechanisms are therefore configured so that the maximum performance can be obtained from the battery, with the temperature level subsequently lowered by direct cooling.

Only direct cooling makes it possible to use cells with very high power density. Thanks to this individual solution, the battery system is particularly light and compact.

Another feature is the high voltage of the drive system, which operates at 800 volts instead of the usual 400 volts. Thanks to the higher voltage levels it is possible to significantly reduce the cable diameters, for example, thereby saving design space and weight.

Six drive modes

The six drive programs available range from purely electric operation to a highly dynamic mode (Strat 2), which corresponds to a setting used in Formula 1 qualifying for the best possible lap times. Despite the high system complexity, the driver will always receive the optimal combination of performance and efficiency - depending on the current requirement.

The Mercedes-AMG ONE starts silently at first by switching on the electric motors on the front axle. In parallel, the catalytic converters are preheated. The combustion engine will not start until the correct catalytic converter temperature is reached.

> Race Safe: standard program with on-demand hybrid driving mode and all-electric start-up. Only when higher power is required does the combustion engine switch on.

> Race: hybrid driving mode with special charging strategy. The combustion engine runs continuously and can charge the high-voltage battery more so that full electric power is always available.

> EV: all-electric driving.

> Race Plus (race track only): active aerodynamics, chassis lowering by 37 mm (front)/30 mm (rear), firmer chassis tuning, special performance management.

> Strat 2 (race track only): active aerodynamics, even firmer suspension tuning and vehicle lowering by 37 mm (front)/30 mm (rear). Full power from all motors as in Formula 1 qualifying.

> Individual: settings according to personal preferences for the road modes.

The 0-200kph sprint in 7.0 seconds is achieved with the RACE START function in the Race, Race Plus and Strat 2 drive programs.

Completely new, automated 7-speed manual transmission

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels by means of a 7-speed manual transmission completely newly developed for the Mercedes-AMG ONE.

The lightweight transmission design saves weight, while integration into the body-in-white enhances rigidity and takes up little space. It is specifically designed for the high torque and speed capacity of the powerful Formula 1 hybrid powertrain.

Shift rods and the 4-disc carbon-fibre clutch are hydraulically controlled. The gear ratios are designed to minimise the power difference after upshifting and keep the combustion engine at high revs. The locking differential is integrated into the transmission.

Suspension

The chassis is an aluminium construction at the front and rear, each with five links and two adjustable suspension struts.

The coil-over suspension has several special features: both push-rod spring struts have been installed across the direction of travel. The innovative arrangement of the spring and damper unit replaces the function and use of a conventional tubular cross stabiliser. This solution reliably prevents rolling movements, even during very rapid directional changes, without being uncomfortable.

Roll stiffness and roll damping are completely independent of lift stiffness and lift damping. Wheel bearings with ceramic ball bearings for less friction reflect the attention to technical detail.

The adaptive damping adjustment can be adapted via the drive program: the C (Comfort) and S (Sport) suspension settings are available in the EV, Race Safe, Race and Individual drive programs; the S (Sport) and S+ (Sport+) suspension settings are available in the Race Plus and Strat 2 drive programs.

As part of the active aerodynamics, the chassis can be lowered hydraulically: by 37 millimetres on the front axle and by 30 millimetres on the rear axle. In addition, a lifter for the front axle (can only be activated in the road drive programs) prevents the Mercedes-AMG ONE from touching down on underground parking ramps, for example.

The overall tuning of springs and dampers has been designed for perfectly balanced, easily controllable and highly dynamic handling. This is also assisted by the all-wheel drive and torque vectoring.

Unlike in Formula 1, ABS is on board as standard, while ESP can be regulated in three stages, as is customary at Mercedes-AMG.

Special wheels and tyres

A new development is the 10-spoke forged aluminium wheel with centre lock, which is exclusive to the Mercedes-AMG ONE. This has a radial carbon-fibre partial cover with an aerodynamically sophisticated shape: it improves the aerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle by enhancing the flow around the wheel.

Newly developed 9-spoke magnesium forged wheels designed exclusively for the Mercedes-AMG ONE are also available as an option. In addition to the centre-lock technology, they feature a patented bionic design to maximise lightweight construction and rigidity.

At the same time, nine air vanes per wheel ensure active ventilation of the wheel arch and improved heat dissipation from the brakes.

At the front, the Mercedes-AMG ONE runs on 10.0 J x 19 wheels with 285/35 ZR 19 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R M01 tyres, which were developed exclusively for the hypercar, and at the rear on 12.0 J x 20 wheels, with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R M01 tyres in size 335/30 ZR 20. The exclusivity of the tyres is reflected in the design of the sidewall, which incorporates the vehicle silhouette and the number 1.

A special, weight-optimised AMG carbon-fibre ceramic high-performance composite brake system is used for deceleration. The front axle sports 6-piston fixed callipers and also internally ventilated and perforated brake discs measuring 398 x 38 millimetres. The rear axle is fitted with 4-piston fixed callipers.

Exterior

The design of the carbon-fibre body is based on the principle of form following function. Each component fulfils a task. The mid-engine concept based on a carbon-fibre monocoque plus a load-bearing engine/transmission unit provides the extremely muscular proportions: the cockpit is positioned far forward, as is typical for racing, combined with voluminous wheel arches, a wasp waist and a wide tail.

Designers and aerodynamics experts worked closely together on the design. Even the basic body has been aerodynamically designed for maximum downforce and balance. And this move has been a successful one: the Mercedes-AMG ONE generates downforce from as low as 50kph, which becomes increasingly stronger as the speed increases.

The front view is characterised by the large front apron, the various air intakes of which extend across the entire vehicle width. The trapezoidal centre section bears a large, white AMG logo.

Above it, on the vehicle body, is the Mercedes star. It is designed in the form of an artistically and technically perfect airbrush motif - by a specialist in the UK. The AMG-typical A-wing under the centre section adds another characteristic highlight and merges seamlessly into the wings.

Large air intakes dominate on the left and right, framed by U-shaped air deflectors and each divided by two black transverse fins. Flat LED headlamps blend seamlessly into the body contours.

The black air outlets in the bonnet guide the hot airflow around the sides of the driver compartment. This allows the flow of fresh air to pass unhindered across the driver compartment and into the intake tract on the roof.

The roof is dominated by the air intake derived from Formula 1, through which the engine draws in fresh air as needed.

The doors open diagonally forwards and upwards. The fuel filler flap is at the rear right, and the charging socket for the plug-in hybrid battery is at the rear left.

The rear wing is a two-piece retractable blade plus integrated adjustable flap. The design of the exhaust tailpipe with its large, round outlet and two further small, round apertures has been adopted directly from the Formula 1 cars. The muscular appearance is further enhanced by the rear apron with its large, black mesh and carbon-fibre components.

The tail lights each feature three diamond-shaped lighting elements to echo the graphic design of the AMG brand logo, and therefore also the design of the headlamps.

Interior

The two high-resolution, free-standing 10-inch displays with individual Mercedes-AMG ONE graphics are finished with high-quality real-metal parts and adapted to the instrument panel.

The instrument cluster display is in a slightly raised position in front of the driver. The multimedia monitor on the right of the centre console is tilted towards the driver. The double-nozzle ventilation unit is suspended under the centre screen like a gondola. Screen and nozzles merge into one unit and underline the purist design concept. The ventilation nozzles repeat the basic rectangular shape of the displays.

The door panels are in functional, high-grade carbon fibre, and integrate smoothly into the sporty interior.

In the radically designed race steering wheel, operating and functional elements are combined with original race car components to ensure safe operation in extreme driving situations.

The "shift light" is displayed at the top of the steering wheel rim, as is usual in racing cars.

The steering wheel, which is flattened at the top and bottom and has an integrated airbag, offers further motorsport trim elements: the two integrated AMG steering wheel buttons can be used to activate various functions without having to take your hands off the wheel. For example, the drive programs, the nine-stage AMG Traction Control, or the activation of the suspension settings.

The Mercedes-AMG developers have also thought about suitability for everyday use and further ease of operation: air conditioning and electric windows are on board as standard, and the infotainment system ensures seamless connectivity.

The most important information is displayed on the road in the line of vision above the steering wheel, so that the driver is not distracted. To ensure optimal rearward visibility despite the vertical wing on the rear, the interior mirror is replaced by a screen. It shows real-time footage from a MirrorCam integrated into the rear. The screen housing is fully integrated into the roof and accommodates further controls.

Inspired by the Formula 1 racing car, the material contrasts continued in the interior. Here, too, the exposed carbon fibre of the monocoque forms a delightful contrast with the material/colour combination of the seat pans in magma grey nappa leather and black DINAMICA microfibre. With their special design, the seat inlays support air circulation at the driver's back. Yellow contrasting topstitching adds further highlights as standard, but other colours are also available.

Material-appropriate and high-quality details, such as the ventilation nozzles in silver shadow and dark chrome, create further individual highlights. The seat belt straps and contrasting topstitching in the typical AMG yellow underscore the performance claim. Customers also have extensive options for very personal individualisation, which can be specified in consultation with Mercedes-AMG.


2017 Honda City launched in Thailand

                BANGKOK: The new Honda City 2017 has arrived in Thailand.

According to Honda Thailand, the subcompact car is the best in all dimensions, with a sportier and more luxurious touch. Its rejuvenated design includes LED front lights, new bumpers, and a new interior with a gun metallic-color accented console. The new Honda City features a sleeker and more stylish exterior, with a newly-designed chrome grille.

LED daytime running lights are standard in all variants.

READ MORE:
Honda brings Civic sedan to Japan in branding push
Honda hedges with hybrids

In the cabin, there are LED interior map lights and LED interior lamp, a touchscreen display audio system with a wireless phone connection via Bluetooth (for both Android and iOS mobile operating systems); 7-speed paddle shift; audio control switch and hands-free receiver and end-call switch; eco coaching; one-push ignition system; Honda smart key system.

It is powered by a 1.5-litre SOHC i-VTEC engine that generates maximum output of 117hp at 6,000rpm and torque of about 146Nm at 4,700 rpm. This revamped subcompact car also features a continuously variable transmission (CVT), developed under Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology, that offers fuel efficiency of 17.9 km per litre.

Safety features include six airbags; Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA); Hill Start Assist (HSA); Emergency Stop Signal (ESS); and a Multi-angle Rearview Camera.

The new Honda City comes in six variants, which are priced from 550,000 Baht (RM69,255) to 751,000 Baht (RM94,563).

It is available in six colours, which are: Modern Steel Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Taffeta White, White Orchid Pearl, and new Cosmic Blue Metallic with an all-black passenger cabin.


Proton to identify top talents in service competition

                PETALING JAYA: Hundreds of after sales personnel from Proton dealers and branches will be put to the test to prove their skills, speed and accuracy in their areas of expertise at the inaugural Proton After Sales Service Competition 2018.

The contest will be held from July 20- Aug 19 August and is a platform for all Proton after sales personnel around the country to showcase their ability and quality of work in handling customers’ cars.

Winners will be reward with an incentive trip and cash prizes worth RM50, 000.

“The competition is part of Proton's continuous effort to enhance the skills of our technicians to serve our customers better and also to reward those who show exceptional ability," said Proton Edar CEO Abdul Rashid Musa.

"Winners will be rewarded with an incentive trip to Shanghai, China, where they have the opportunity to visit Geely Headquarters and Geely Research Centre. This will be an eye opener for our local technicians to explore the full breadth of capabilities at Geely from design to development of the complete vehicle.”

The pre-qualifying round was held in five regions starting from July 20.

The top three participants at the regional level will compete in the final at Proton's headquarters in Subang Jaya on Sept 13 - 15.

At the regional level competition, participants will be given an Engine Overhaul task where they are required to dismantle and assemble a Proton VVT engine within three hours. They will be judged based on their speed, accuracy and troubleshooting competencies.

“With improvement in sales and quality month by month, we are confident that Proton is on the right track to grow. We recognise that good quality products allow us to sell more cars, but great service goes a long way to retain and grow our customer base so this is what Proton is striving to achieve,” said Rashid.


'Urban canyons' causing signal black-out for driverless vehicles

                LONDON: Autonomous vehicles could face signal black-out caused by "urban canyons" in cities across the world due to the continued growth of skyscrapers and urban infrastructure, according to Oxbotica – a global leader in autonomous vehicle software.

Urban canyons are formed when a street is densely populated by tall buildings on both sides. This can cause the GPS signal at ground level to be degraded or lost, either through satellite signals being obscured, or through multipath effects: a phenomenon where radio waves bounce off surroundings and form multiple signal paths.

The number of tall buildings (above 200m) has risen by 650% in the last five years and with this number set to increase again by up to 20% in 2020, the frequency of urban canyons in our society is only set to grow.

Interruption of GPS signals, through connection drops or multipath degradation, has potential safety and operational implications for autonomous vehicle systems that rely heavily on satellite-based navigation.

Even a standard three-storey building is enough to create signal disruption at ground level. And the problem is worse at higher latitudes where satellites tend to be lower in the sky. If no suitable fallbacks are in place, this can affect autonomous vehicles in these environments, including mass transit shuttles, buses, city delivery vehicles and cars.

However, canyons are not the only issue with GPS dependency. Sunspots formed during the sun’s 11-year magnetic field cycle cause marked changes in the solar wind. This impacts the upper atmosphere which can in turn interfere with GPS satellites. The solution is to use a mix of radars, cameras and lasers to navigate and localise rather than relying solely on GPS.

Oxbotica said its autonomy technology is able to work independently of any external infrastructure, allowing continuous localisation and safe control of its vehicles - even without a GPS signal.

Oxbotica’s localisation system is not reliant on a single sensor modality, and instead uses a mixture of radar, laser and vision sensing to deliver autonomous operation in a vast range of settings, on any vehicle platform, under any conditions.

The pioneering technology has already operated in a range of environments without access to GPS, for example in mines and quarries, inside warehouses, and in ‘urban canyons’ across Europe, Asia and America. It uses the same software to run autonomous vehicles, in any environment, without needing to change programming code.


Kia Rio Sedan previewed with estimated price of RM73,000

                KUALA LUMPUR: Naza Kia Malaysia, the official distributor of Kia Motors vehicles in the country previewed the Rio Sedan at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

With the order books just opened, deliveries will begin sometime in January, 2016, marking the compact sedan's entry into the B-segment market that's dominated by the Toyota Vios and Honda City.

It is estimated to cost (on-the-road inclusive of GST and insurance) around RM73,000 and will come with a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage.

With a wheelbase of 2,570mm, the Rio Sedan comes in measuring 4,370mm-long, 1,720mm-wide and 1,455mm-tall while rolling on 15-inch wheels with 185/55 series tyres that partially hide the front and rear sets of disc brakes.

Under the hood lies a 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine, sipping from a 43-litre fuel tank, producing 108bhp at 6,300rpm and 137Nm of torque at 4,200rpm - all of which gets managed by a four-speed automatic gearbox before being sent to the front wheels.

The boot has 389-litres of respectable storage space and in addition, Naza Kia has also included a tyre pressure monitoring system, steering wheel audio controls for the six-speaker audio system with an 800MB onboard memmory for MP3 files as well as a full-sized alloy spare tyre.

Although it doesn't come with LED technology, the Rio Sedan still possesses day-time running lights as well as a plethora of safety equipment that includes six airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic stability management, hill-start assist control and emergency stop signal.

Getting into the fabric-clad interior becomes effortless with the convenience of keyless entry and the entertainment system allows owners to connect to the audio system via USB and AUX ports or via bluetooth connectivity.

The Kia Rio sedan is available in five colour choices of Clear White, Bright SIlver, Deep BLue and Signal Red.

"With the sophisticated styling and its sleek urban character, I am sure the Rio Sedan will be able to penetrate into the growing potential of the B-segment market," said Naza Corporation Holdings group chief operating officer (Automotive Group) Datuk Samson Anand George.


BMW will keep on selling cars with manual gearbox

                MUNICH: Fret not. The manual transmission will live on for years to come in BMW cars.

With demand for manual transmission cars still going strong, BMW is responding to it by saying it has no plans to retire the stick shift.

Autocar of Britain reported BMW M chief Franciscus van Meel as saying that the strong demand was seen in the M2 where half the bookings were for the 6-speed stick shift.

Although manuals are inefficient, they provide an emotional appeal to buyers.

Van Meel said as much when he told Autocar: "From a technical viewpoint, there's little reason to save it. It’s heavier, it's slower and you get worse fuel consumption than the alternative. But the customer and the fanbase really love the manual. It gives a connection to allow them to demonstrate they can tame the beast - and that’s the point. We want to keep it."

The US remains BMW's biggest market for manual M cars.

However, BMW is among a minority in a sea of automakers that are focusing on automatic transmission cars.

Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen have already made it known that they would be stopping the use of manuals soon. Mercedes-Benz plans to phase it out from 2023, while Volkswagen has said it would stop making it from 2030.


Impose higher fines on those misusing OKU parking bays, urges Ras Adiba

                KUALA LUMPUR: A higher fine should be imposed on able-bodied persons who park their vehicles in bays meant for the disabled (OKU), says Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi.

"The vehicles should be clamped and a higher fine of RM500 should be imposed as anyone can pay an RM50 fine," said the OKU Sentral president while visiting the Kampung Batu and Sri Damansara MRT stations today.

A commuter, Nur Izhar Idham, 36, who has been using a wheelchair to move around for the past 18 years, said the facilities provided at the stations are comfortable and efficient, which have helped to facilitate his daily commute.

He said he hoped that authorities would continue to improve the facilities and carry out regular checks to ensure they are in good condition.

Former national bowler Ahmad Amil Husin, 56, who has polio, said he hoped that the relevant authorities could fully monitor the facilities provided for the disabled people as many of these facilities have been misused by other parties.

Ras Adiba also urged persons with disabilities to use public transport more often and provide feedback to the authorities so that facilities can be improved.

She said it was also important to inform the OKU community about disabled-friendly facilities provided at the Mass Rapid Transit stations such as lifts, tactile paving for the visually-impaired individuals, wider Automatic Platform Gates for those who are wheel-chair bound, special help counter, help buttons that are placed near the lifts, dedicated parking spots and designated drop-off locations.

In addition, she said feeder buses should be installed with ramps for the convenience of those using wheelchairs.


Paris bans old diesels to tackle pollution

A Greenpeace report listed Paris as the worst western European capital for small particle air pollution in 2018. — AFP
PARIS: Paris on Monday banned all diesel vehicles aged 13 years or over from the city centre, the latest move in a campaign to tackle pollution on the city's streets.

Diesel vehicles over 18 years old and petrol vehicles over 21 years old are already banned in Paris —a measure that was extended Monday to a new "low-emissions" belt surrounding the city.

Central Paris meanwhile went further by also banning diesel cars, trucks and motorcycles aged 13 years and over — a move aimed at cleaning up the air in a city that is regularly shrouded in smog.

Motorists who flout the traffic restrictions in central Paris, which were trialled during last week's heatwave, face a 68-euro (RM318) fine, rising to 135 euros (RM631) for trucks and buses.

A Greenpeace report listed Paris as the worst western European capital for small particle air pollution in 2018, with levels higher than cities such as the Philippines capital Manila or the Colombian capital Bogota.

Beyond the city's boundaries, the authorities are also clamping down on polluters in the 47 districts that ring the central Paris region, which are home to around 5.5 million people.

Unlike in central Paris, however, offenders in the suburbs, where car dependency is greater, face no punishment for the first two years of the ban.

The government agreed to a two-year punishment-free "learning period" after resistance from some mayors who feared that the ban could rekindle the "yellow vest" protests, which erupted late last year among motorists furious over fuel price hikes.

The protests quickly escalated into an anti-government revolt, marked by weekly demonstrations in cities around France that have regularly turned violent.

Reflecting on the lessons learnt, a senior official for the greater Paris area, Patrick Ollier, told reporters last week: "We don't want to force the environment on people, but rather that it be accepted as the outcome of dialogue."

The subject of air quality has become a burning issue for governments across the EU, where green parties made strong gains in May's elections to the European Parliament.

In November, Madrid followed a handful of other European cities that have restricted traffic in their centres.

But whereas London, Stockholm and Milan have sought to dissuade motorists by driving into the city centre by hitting them with congestion taxes Madrid went further, banning many vehicles from accessing the centre altogether and fining them if they did.

In France, air pollution causes 48,000 extra deaths a year, according to the health service, making it the country's second-biggest killer after smoking, ahead of alcohol.

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo has restricted car access and promoted walking and cycling in central Paris in a bid to banish the smog that periodically shrouds the capital.

The city aims to phase out the use of diesel cars by the time it hosts the Summer Olympics in 2024.


BMW set to choose new CEO, Zipse emerges as favourite

                FRANKFURT: BMW is set to name Oliver Zipse as its new chief executive, picking the manufacturing expert to help the German automaker make the shift to electric and self-driving cars and tackle new competition from technology giants.

The company’s supervisory board will discuss new leadership at BMW’s U.S. plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, later on Thursday, after 53-year-old Harald Krueger said he would not be available for a second term as CEO.

Zipse, 55, is now the front runner, with 59-year-old board member for research Klaus Froehlich also a contender, said company sources.

A fluent English speaker who joined BMW as a trainee in 1991, Zipse has risen through the ranks, holding posts including head of brand and product strategies before becoming board member for production.

Zipse has emerged as favourite because BMW’s efficient production network, which he expanded in Hungary, China and the United States, has helped the company deliver industry-leading profit margins despite its relatively small scale.

But experts say auto industry leaders also need other skills for the new era of software-driven electric and autonomous cars.

“A CEO needs to have an idea for how mobility will evolve in future. This goes far beyond optimizing an existing business,” said Carsten Breitfeld, chief executive of China-based ICONIQ motors, himself a former BMW engineer.

“He needs to be able to build teams, to attract key talent, and to promote a culture which is increasingly oriented along consumer electronics and internet dynamics.”

Being able to cope with shorter product cycles and new technologies, and a willingness to take bold decisions, are among the qualities needed, Breitfeld said.

BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz have dominated the market for high-performance limousines for decades, but analysts warn a shift towards more sophisticated technology and software is opening the door to new challengers.

“Tesla has a lead of three to four years in areas like software and electronics. The millennials are much more focused on these things. There is a risk that the Germans can’t catch up,” UBS analyst Patrick Hummel said.

BMW had an early lead in premium electric vehicles but throttled back its ambitions after the i3, an expensive city car, failed to sell in large numbers, leading Tesla to overtake BMW in electric car sales.

Krueger’s reluctance to push low-margin electric vehicles led to an exodus of talented engineers, including junior managers like Christian Senger, now Volkswagen’s board member responsible for software, and Markus Duesmann, who is seen as a future Audi CEO.

Duesmann and Senger were poached by Volkswagen (VW) CEO Herbert Diess, himself a former BMW board member responsible for research who defected in 2015 to implement a bold 80 billion euros electric car strategy at VW.

Zipse, who prefers suits and ties to open shirts and sneakers, will need to ramp up BMW’s software expertise as new players like Amazon and Google muscle into the mobility sector.

“Production expertise is important, but if you want to avoid ending up being a hardware provider for Google or Apple, you need to have the ability to move up the food chain into data and software,” a former BMW board member said, declining to be identified.


Skoda unveils new Scala compact car

                PRAGUE: The Czech car maker, Skoda, has unveiled its new small sedan, the Scala, replacing the current Rapid Spaceback. It will be available during the first half of 2019.

This new model is based on the same MQB A0 platform as its cousins the Volkswagen Polo and Seat Ibiza.

Its design is in keeping with the Vision RS concept spotted at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. It notably stands out with its dynamic lines and its front and rear LED lights. On the inside, drivers will find a centrally positioned touchscreen display.

In terms of engines, Skoda plans three petrol versions of the Scala (95 to 150hp), a diesel model (115hp) and one running on natural gas (90hp).

Driver aids include Side Assist - warning drivers when a vehicle is approaching from behind to overtake or is in the driver's blind spot - as well as Lane Assist and Front Assist, including City Emergency Brake, plus adaptive cruise control and Park Assist. The Scala is also equipped with nine airbags.


Will your phone be the most important part of your car in future?

                BERLIN: The smartphone is becoming an integral part of owning a networked car, allowing users to remotely perform tasks such as monitoring their vehicle's petrol level or checking its mileage.

And manufacturers are convinced that this is only the beginning. Thanks to so-called digital ecosystems, even more services will be offered through smartphones in the future, according to carmakers.

Mercedes has been integrating the digital ecosystem Me in its vehicles since 2014. More than 5 million users around the world have installed the corresponding app on their smartphone, says Mathias Vaitl, who's responsible for Me and digital services at Mercedes.

Vehicles built after 2002 can be connected to the app via a free plug-in adapter for the on-board diagnostic system (OBD II). Basic services include maintenance management and remote vehicle updates.

In the future, smartphones that have the app will also be able to serve as a digital key. It can also be used to book or extend services, or update or upgrade software in the vehicle. "In the future, we will work with more partners in order to offer more services.

This could include automatically paying for tolls, parking spaces or fuel, but it could also be ordering food," says Vaitl.

Since 2017, Volkswagen has been offering its digital platform for mobility services, called We, which goes beyond sold vehicles to include carsharing, leasing or renting. With the We Connect app, users can take advantage of services such as cashless parking, mileage and fuel level monitoring, as well as distance travelled.

The car can also be unlocked with the smartphone, and for electric cars, the phone can be used to pay for electricity. "The advantage for customers lies in the fact that they can learn a lot about their vehicle and driving style, and it makes their life easier," says Christoph Hohmann, head of VW's Customer Engagement & Communication.

The We app also aims to connect as many vehicles as possible so that drivers can swifty receive information about open parking spots, accidents or bad weather along their route. Since mid-2020, VW has been networking every new vehicle that rolls off the line, while older models can be retrofitted with a dongle for under 50 dollars.

For Jan Burgard, managing director of the consulting firm Berylls Strategy Advisors, a digital ecosystem by carmakers will only become valuable when it's as good or better than the systems already available in the smartphone sector. "If the digital functions of a manufacturer's system are only rudimentary and can't be personalized by the user, then it won't win over customers. They will continue to use the apps on their smartphone and ignore carmaker's offerings."

At the moment, almost all manufacturers have been forced to develop their own systems to facilitate technological transition, especially for electric vehicle customers.

"For drivers of short-range e-cars, it's important to know where the next free charging station is and whether it's out of order or not, and to know if there's a possibility of making a reservation from the car," says Burgard.

Peter Henrich, head of product management at BMW, sees vehicles and digital service moving closer together. "Most customers are still buying a BMW for its design, technology and driving behaviour. But digital services are becoming more important," says Heinrich.

BMW has a service called Connected Drive to network its vehicles.

The digital mobility assistant makes it easier to prepare for a journey, as well as the actual driving of the vehicle. "Connected Drive provides a connection to the outside world in the car. Drivers receive updated information. It also lets them stream music and integrate their smartphones using Apple Carplay and Android Auto."

About 14 million BMW vehicles are networked. There are four different packages available starting at about 80 dollars a year, with a range of functions that depend on the vehicle.


Takata CEO says he'll step down once 'new regime' is in place

                TOKYO: Takata Corp CEO Shigehisa Takada (pic) said today he would resign after a "new regime" is found for the auto parts supplier, finally bowing to calls to step down over a long-running recall crisis.

Takata is seeking a financial backer to help it bear to costs of a massive global recall of potentially deadly air bags.

Speaking at a shareholders meeting here, Takada told investors he would stay in his role "until a hand-off".

Sources close the company had told Reuters earlier this year that he could step down and take responsibility for the industry's worst ever recall. But the company said then that Takada had no intention of resigning at that point.

Since, pressure has been building on the Tokyo-based company and the bookish grandson of the group's founder. Investment bank Lazard is now heading a process to seek financial support for Takata as it faces mounting liabilities.

As many as 30 potential investors have indicated initial interested in providing support for the company, and the "new regime" Takada mentioned likely refers to a team expected to take over once a deal is struck.


Toyota Outrun raises RM151,100 to help athletes in Paralympic Council

                SHAH ALAM: UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd has raised RM151,100 from the first Toyota Outrun.

The money was collected from the registration of participants and would go to the Paralympic Council of Malaysia.

Over 3,000 people took part in the 8km run on Nov 17 around the Bandar Rimbayu township in Selangor. They included 20 people with multiple disabilities.

The run was held in conjunction with Toyota Motor Corporation's "Start Your Impossible", a long-term campaign that encourages everyone to overcome the odds and rise to become champions.

Toyota signed a sponsorlship agreement in 2015 to be the "Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner" for the 2020 Olympics in Japan. The pact will run until 2024.

UMW Toyota Motor re-aligned its CSR initiatives this year by creating a localised "Start Your Impossible" platform based on the Toyota Classics musical charity event and the Toyota Outrun.

 From left: Paralympic Council of Malaysia; geneal manager G. Mohan; Latif; Takeyama, Ravindran; and UMW Toyota Motor marketing director Mohd Shamsor Mohd Zain.

“UMW Toyota Motor is pleased to be able to support physically challenged people who wish to participate in sports. This is in line with Toyota Motor Corporation’s substantial support for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games as its first-ever mobility partner,” said UMW Toyota Motor deputy chairman Akio Takeyama.

Under the "Start Your Impossible" banner, UMW Toyota Motor introduced a "Dual Heroes Concept" which describes a local athlete who is constantly fighting against dual odds — on the field, and in life.

In line with that, Malaysia’s first Paralympian Abdul Latif Romly was appointed its SYI ambassador.

Latif, who was named "Sportsman of the Year" in 2016, was selected because of his success at the 2016 Summer Paralympics. In that year, the world saw him break the T20 long jump world record 3 times on the same day.

“We thank all the participants for joining us at the Toyota Outrun ... The fund collected should be useful for the Paralympic Council of Malaysia in its activities and we will certainly be looking at how we can offer more support in future,” said UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K.

Paralympic Council of Malaysia vice-president Datuk Subramaniam Raman said the funds would be used to train trainers so that they would be well equipped to guide disabled persons who show potential in sporting excellence.


Porsche Experience Centre Sepang had a fantastic 2018

                SEPANG: The Porsche Experience Centre (PEC) Sepang enjoyed its most successful year ever in 2018 with an unprecedented number of track days as well as a record number of participants coming through its doors.

From 41 track days, PEC Sepang welcomed 668 participants and more than 800 visitors, making the facility the main hub for the Porsche Experience in Southeast Asia.

Inaugurated in 2017, the PEC Sepang is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.

Stationed at the critically acclaimed Sepang International Circuit, a 5.5 kilometre-long motorsport F1 track famous for its sweeping corners and wide straights, it is the ideal location for hosting the Porsche Experience programmes for the Asia Pacific region.

The PEC Sepang offers a world-class hospitality suite in the South Paddock of Sepang International Circuit, and comes with fully equipped garages. Its comprehensive car pool comprises of a full range of Porsche models from Porsche AG in Stuttgart, Germany.

The Porsche World Road Show (PWRS) kicked off 2018, followed by the regional media launch of the Cayenne.

Various Track Experiences took place thereafter, including the Media Driving Academy where Porsche invested in sharpening the driving skills of journalists.

However, the highlight events for the PEC Sepang were the Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR and the 911 GT3 Cup Car trainings, which were born from a desire to further develop motorsport in the region, in response to the strong demand from enthusiasts.

The 911 GT3 Cup Car training in particular was held for the first time in Southeast Asia.

The year wrapped up with the inaugural E-Performance Nights media event that took advantage of the night lights of the Sepang International Circuit.

With this event, the PEC Sepang made history as the first Porsche Experience location operating for nearly 24 hours in a day.

At this highly unique event, the PEC Sepang also collaborated with Samsung Electronics for the very first time, showcasing the state-of-the-art Samsung LED for Home (IF1.2) display, Flip, 65” UHD Smart Signage and a 49" Curved Monitor to both media and customers for a better viewing and video analysis experience.

For all of these events, the most impressive PEC Sepang car pool ever was employed, which included cars as varied and exciting as the 911 Carrera T, 911 GT3, 718 Boxster GTS, Cayenne Turbo, Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid and 918 Spyder.

Marc Beil, Marketing Event Manager at Porsche Asia Pacific, who is also responsible for the day-to-day operations of the PEC Sepang, said: “It has been a packed year but we have enjoyed every single moment at the PEC Sepang, especially how we have found and harnessed the talent of motorsport enthusiasts to have the Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR and the 911 GT3 Cup Car trainings the first time in Southeast Asia. I would like to say a big thank you to all of the participants – fans, customers, Porsche Club members and journalists alike – who have contributed to the most successful year ever for us. I am looking forward to an even greater 2019 with more fantastic Porsche Experience events and a brand new fleet of high-performance Porsche vehicles. I would encourage anybody who has not joined us yet at PEC Sepang to get in touch, as our slots run
out really quickly.”

Making another wish come true at the PEC Sepang

Besides its everyday business, the PEC Sepang also showed its softer side by delivering the ultimate dream for a wish child in collaboration with Make-A-Wish® Malaysia. This was another milestone in a series of successful collaborations with Make-A-Wish® in Singapore and Thailand.

Yogan, an 11-year old diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, has a great fascination for fast cars, and shares a collection of toy racing cars with his younger brother. Yogan’s ultimate wish is to meet Superman, and to fly alongside with his superhero while fighting crime and upholding justice in society. Although this momentous meeting was delayed due to Superman’s busy schedule saving the world, the thrill of zooming around a racetrack in a Porsche was the closest experience possible to Yogan’s dream.

One of Superman’s abilities is that he is faster than a speeding bullet; thus, the Porsche 911 Turbo S with 580 hp and a 0-100 km/h acceleration of merely 2.9 seconds was the perfect car to deliver a thrilling ride around the Sepang International Circuit for Yogan, with Porsche Works Driver Earl Bamber behind the wheel.

Yogan spent a wonderful afternoon sharing his passion for cars with Earl Bamber, who piloted the Porsche 919 Hybrid to victory in Le Mans 2015 and again in 2017. Like Yogan, who is bravely fighting his disease against all odds, Earl’s meteoric achievements also belies his humble beginnings growing up on a farm on North Island, New Zealand.

Set for further growth in 2019

In 2019, the PEC Sepang is set to offer more premium events, including the Track Experience and the Porsche Motorsport GT Day that offer money-can’t-buy experiences with rarefied sports cars like the 911 GT3 Cup and the 911 GT3 RS.

Supporting this, it will boast a brand new fleet of Porsche vehicles that will include legends such as the 911 GT3 RS and the new 911, introduced just recently in its World Premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

One significant role that the PEC Sepang will play is being an E-Performance competence centre, focusing on the increasing electrification of the Porsche model range.

Besides plug-in hybrid Porsche vehicles which are already available in the market, such as the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, the fully-electric Taycan will make its debut in the region in the beginning of 2020.

For more information and to register your interest for PEC Sepang experiences, please visit the website here: www.porsche.com/experienceAPAC


New Perodua Myvi open for bookings

                KUALA LUMPUR: Perodua is now opening bookings for the New Myvi, a much improved vehicle for the compact car company’s best-selling model with enhanced safety standards, features and with better value.

“We welcome the public to visit any of our 182 sales showrooms nationwide to know more about our latest offering,” Perodua President and CEO, Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said.

“These improvements were made after an extensive study on how we can bring greater value to our customers and from this study, we were able to make these improvements and adding value by up to RM3,800,” he added.

The New Myvi will be officially launched on 15th January.

The Myvi is currently the most successful model by Perodua as it is the nation’s best-selling model for 9 years running.

The New Perodua Myvi safety feature is now also improved to a 4-star rating by ASEAN NCAP by further enhancing the vehicle structure to better withstand frontal impacts in line with global standards.

To add a little flavour to the new model, Perodua introduces 2 new colours, which are Electric Blue and Cosmic Gold alongside favourite colours of Ozzy Orange, Mystical Purple, Glittering Silver and Ivory White.

The price range for the New Myvi is between RM41,500 and RM58,900 in Peninsular Malaysia.


Upgraded Perodua Myvi now open for booking, manual transmission dropped

UPDATE:  The new Perodua Myvi will be launched online at 9pm on Nov 18. Catch the live event on Perodua's Facebook and YouTube pages.

RAWANG: Perodua’s third generation Myvi is getting an upgrade as it will come with upgraded technology, enhanced intelligent safety features, improved fuel economy, sporty new looks and a new colour.

The new Myvi variants include the 1.5 litre AV (Advance Variant), 1.5 litre H variant, a 1.5 litre X variant as well as two 1.3 litre G variants.

All variants only comes in automatic transmission as Perodua has discontinued the manual transmission from its line-up.

“We have also increased the fuel efficiency of the new Myvi as it can now go up to 22.2km per litre (tested on the 1.3L variant) from 21.1km per litre previously,” said Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

The AV, H and X variants as well as one of the G variants will have the latest Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA) system, which was designed with the safety of the driver and pedestrian in mind.

A new colour, Cranberry Red, is only available for the AV variant.

Other colours include Ivory White, Glittering Silver, Lava Red (not available for the AV), Granite Grey, and Electric Blue.

The price range for the new Myvi is from RM45,700 to RM58,800 (price range is for Peninsular Malaysia and without insurance).

“These changes represent our efforts to meet our customers’ growing expectations while at the same time offer greater value by introducing the next standard for Malaysia’s most accepted model, the Perodua Myvi,” said Zainal.


Auto group backs guidelines for partially automated vehicles

                DETROIT: The trade association representing most major automakers is offering guidelines for manufacturers to advertise partially automated driving systems and to make sure drivers are paying attention while using them.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation says its members support the voluntary principles, which come as two federal agencies increase scrutiny of Tesla's autopilot diver-assist system after two men were killed in a fiery crash near Houston. Such systems can keep vehicles centered in their lane and a safe distance behind traffic in front of them.

But Teslas on autopilot have been involved in multiple crashes, including several fatalities, when neither the system nor the driver intervened. The Teslas have had trouble handling stopped emergency vehicles or tractor-trailers crossing in front of the cars.

Critics, including some legislators, have said the name autopilot is deceptive and implies that the cars can drive themselves.

The alliance, which represents at least 20 automakers including General Motors, Ford and Toyota, released the principles ahead of a US Senate subcommittee hearing today on the future of automotive safety and technology.

The principles say that any vehicle with such a system should have driver monitoring as standard equipment. Cameras should be considered to make sure drivers have eyes on the road, and the monitoring systems should be designed so they can't be "disengaged or disabled" while the partially automated systems are working, according to the list of principles.

Automobiles should issue warnings and should take corrective action such as disengaging the automated systems or increasing the distance between vehicles if drivers don't pay attention, the list said.

The alliance includes automakers that account for about 99% of the industry’s vehicle sales in the US, but Tesla is not a member. It was not immediately clear if the Palo Alto, California-based company would participate.

The principles, shaped over the past year after discussions with the insurance industry, regulators and consumer groups, are aimed at raising consumer awareness about the limitations of robotic driving systems, said John Bozzella, the alliance’s CEO.

That effort includes dispelling the notion that the technology has advanced to the point that human intervention is no longer needed - something that Tesla CEO Elon Musk has promised will soon happen with his company’s electric cars.

"There is no vehicle that I know of in the US marketplace today that is a self-driving vehicle,” Bozzella said.

Messages were left seeking comment from Tesla, which has disbanded its media relations office. The company has said that autopilot is an assistance system and drivers must be ready to intervene at all times.

Yet Tesla continues to market its self-driving technology as "autopilot” - the kind of misleading moniker that the alliance is trying to discourage with its new guiding principles.

Tesla’s critics have blasted Musk and the company for exaggerating the capabilities of its technology, causing drivers to believe they don’t have to worry about taking control of the vehicle or even emboldening some drivers to climb into the back seat while the vehicle is navigating the road on its own.

"There is no question that high-profile crashes have raised consumer acceptance and consumer confidence questions,” Bozzella said. "System names and promotional material should not be misleading. Potential for driver misuse needs to be evaluated as part of the design process.”

Tesla uses sensors on the steering wheel to determine if a driver's hands are there. But unlike most other automakers, autopilot does not use cameras to make sure drivers are engaged. Critics say Tesla's system can easily be fooled.

The alliance's principles also come as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board investigate the Houston-area Tesla crash in which local authorities say no one was in the driver's seat.

Tesla says the steering wheel was damaged, indicating a human was behind the wheel at the time of the crash, and the seat belts were unbuckled.

Harris County, Texas, authorities say investigators are sure that no human was driving the car. One man was found in the front passenger seat, the other in the back seat. They were going to use search warrants in their investigation.

NHTSA has sent investigators to 28 Tesla crashes, with 24 of the investigations still active. The agency, which has regulatory authority over the auto industry, says that with the change to President Joe Biden, it is taking another look at automated vehicle regulations.


APAD to replace SPAD, says Transport Ministry

                PUTRAJAYA: A new Land Public Transport Agency will be set up under the Transport Ministry to better manage the functions and development policies of the country’s land transport sector, says Anthony Loke.

The Transport Minister said APAD (Agensi Pengangkutan Awam Darat), which was agreed upon at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, was the way forward following last month’s dissolution of the Land Public Transport Commission.

He said APAD, which will be led by the ministry’s director-general, would draw up plans to develop the land public transport sector, specifically MRT, LRT and the bus system.

“To avoid overlaps, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) will be authorised to conduct enforcement under the Land Public Transport Act 2010.

Loke added that JPJ would issue licences and permits for land public transport operators, tour and cargo vehicles at its existing counters.

The organisational structure of APAD, he said, would be drawn up with the Public Service Department based on existing standards.

Four smaller committees have been set up, led by ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim, to monitor the SPAD restructuring plan.

Loke said the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board in East Malaysia would be put under his ministry.

“This is to ensure better coordination, consistency and integration of policies, regulations, licensing and enforcement in the peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.

Following the restructuring, Loke said the SPAD Act would be abolished while the Land Public Transport Act would see some amendments.

His ministry would also amend the Road Transport Act 1987 to provide more powers to the JPJ, he said.

“Until then, all business with SPAD will go on as usual.

“Many are still confused and think SPAD is dissolved, so there is no enforcement and they do not need to pay summonses,” he said.


BMW M gets own site

                MUNICH: BMW M is launching the new BMW-M.com as the online home of the sub-brand. The website will provide exciting brand and product content with fascinating insights into development and technology, as well as an exclusive community for all drivers of BMW M and BMW M Performance automobiles.

The launch of the new website will be accompanied by a major digital campaign.

“The new BMW-M.com is our central international contact point for the BMW M brand. We are addressing a broad audience, ranging from potential customers to fans to owners of M vehicles,” explains Peter Quintus, Vice President Sales and Marketing BMW M GmbH. “In this way, we will be able to reach a large, international target group and continue the growth trajectory of BMW M GmbH.”

The new website uses a modern layout with large-format images and clearly-structured content tiles. The responsive design has been optimised to reflect the increasing use of mobile devices for media viewing.

The BMW M Magazine publishes several new articles per week, with exciting content and information relating to BMW M. It starts out with 40 articles for the launch of the new BMW-M.com. A wide range of different topics are covered, from vehicle design highlights to interactive video tutorials on product features to exclusive interviews and responses directly from BMW M GmbH development.

The new BMW-M.com not only serves as the gateway to the world of BMW M, but also as a platform for uniting M drivers around the globe. From summer 2017, all owners of a BMW M or BMW M Performance automobile will be able to access an exclusive community area by entering their vehicle number. Here, they can create a profile, park their M vehicles in the virtual garage and communicate with other M fans in the forum or via chat. All members also have the opportunity to participate in exclusive dialogue formats with BMW M GmbH experts.


SoftBank-backed used-car startup Kavak becomes first Mexican unicorn

A logo of used autos platform Kavak is pictured on a car in Mexico City. — Reuters
MEXICO CITY: SoftBank-backed used-car platform Kavak has become Mexico’s first tech “unicorn” after reaching a US$1.15 billion valuation in its latest funding round last month, said chief executive Carlos Garcia.

The Mexico City-based startup has raised over US$400 million in total funding since its founding four years ago, with Japan’s SoftBank, Hong Kong’s DST Global and US-based Greenoaks Capital leading the recent round, Garcia said in an interview on Wednesday.

The company is SoftBank’s most recent Latin American investment to become a unicorn — lingo for tech startups valued at more than US$1 billion — after delivery app Loggi and gym membership app Gympass, both from Brazil, and Colombian delivery app Rappi.

Japanese tech investor Softbank last year vowed to deploy US$5 billion in the region, which Mexican investors praised as a potential game changer for young companies that struggle to fundraise locally.

“It’s really humbling for us to be the first Mexican unicorn. It’s something really important for the ecosystem in Latin America, and especially Mexico,” Garcia, 37, said.

Kavak, an online platform for buying and selling secondhand cars with operations in Mexico and Argentina, is laying plans to launch in Brazil early next year, Garcia said.

Kavak entered Argentina in August through its merger with used-car platform Checkars.

After building the business gradually in Mexico, Garcia said he aims to scale up faster in Brazil, Latin America’s biggest economy, with plans to hire 500 people within a year. Kavak employs some 800 people in Mexico and Argentina, a workforce that Garcia says will nearly double next year.

Despite the hit of the coronavirus crisis, Garcia said traffic has recovered to pre-pandemic levels as shoppers become more comfortable with e-commerce and seek alternatives to public transportation.

He expects Kavak to turn a profit in the next couple of years, and going public is in his sights, too.

“A route to do an IPO is in our plans... probably in the next two to three years we’d think about doing that,” he said.


Over five million vehicles expected on major highways

North-bound traffic on the North-South Expressway reduced to a crawl near the Sungai Buloh Hospital at 5.30pm today. In contrast, traffic in the opposite direction was free-flowing.
PUTRAJAYA: Over five million vehicles are expected on major highways in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidiladha, which falls on Thursday (June 29).

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the increase in the number of vehicles, which began in stages yesterday (June 27), is expected to last until (Monday) July 3.

"The average increase in daily traffic across highways can reach up to 5.1 million vehicles,” he told reporters after inspecting the Malaysian Highway Authority’s (LLM) preparations ahead of the Aidiladha celebration at the Dengkil R&R (Southbound) service area located along the PLUS North-South Expressway (NSE) today.

Of the total, Nanta expects the average daily traffic on the NSE to reach up to two million vehicles, the KL-Karak Expressway up to 170,000 vehicles and the East Coast Expressway Phase I up to 60,000 vehicles.

He said the Works Ministry and LLM are fully prepared to ensure smooth-flowing traffic on the highways, for which the highway concessionaire has been instructed to take proactive measures to minimise the negative effects of a higher volume of traffic.

He said the concessionaire company was asked to ensure there will be no construction and maintenance works involving the closure of lanes on highways until July 3, and to issue a Travel Time Advisory (TTA) schedule for users of the NSE, KL-Karak Expressway and East Coast Expressway Phase 1 to help them plan their trips.

Nanta said his team will activate the ‘smart lane’ or contraflow lane at several locations based on needs and suitability to increase capacity and help with traffic flow.

According to him, other measures that have been taken include improving operational management by adding up to 20 per cent of highway officers such as patrol officers, officers at toll plazas and members of the Malaysian Volunteer Department (Rela), and ensuring that the toll collection system works properly to avoid congestion at toll plazas as well as placing staff to help users with problems that arise.

Nanta said his team will also ensure the concessionaire will prepare the Emergency Response Team (ERT) to speed up the activation process when dealing with any incidents that occur on the highways.

He also said that for the convenience of highway users, LLM’s Traffic Management Centre (TMC) will operate for 24 hours today (June 28) and on July 2 to help highway users obtain the latest traffic information.

Nanta added that staff will also be provided with mobile scanners to facilitate traffic flow and overcome congestion at RFID lanes.


Revised prices for Isuzu pick-up, SUV and commercial vehicles

                PETALING JAYA: Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd has officially announced the revised prices for all its existing models in conjunction with the recent announcement on zero-rated GST starting from June 1 2018 onwards.

These new prices will take effect until the implementation of the Sales and Services Tax (SST).

Isuzu Malaysia Chief Operating Officer for Light Commercial Vehicle, Masayuki Suzuki says that with the 6% GST removal, it is the best time to make a purchase and customers should take this opportunity to place their bookings.

“There is no better time to own a brand new Isuzu model. We hope that with these new prices and tax structure, our customers will take the opportunity to upgrade while new customers will be attracted to become an Isuzu owner”, he added.

The new price of Isuzu mu-X starts from RM166, 709.20 and Isuzu D-Max price starts from RM80, 889.20.

Summary of the new prices:

Concurrently, Isuzu Malaysia Commercial Vehicle Chief Operating Officer, Atsunori Murata made a similar announcement.

Summary of the new Commercial Vehicles prices:

For more details on Isuzu’s range of vehicles, please call 1-300-88-1133 or visit www.isuzu.net.my


Toyota Rush (2nd Gen) unveiled from est. RM93K - order taking begins today

                SERDANG: UMW Toyota has unveiled the second generation Rush seven-seater sport utility vehicle (SUV) with a more efficient 1.5-litre engine with EEV rating and added safety features among others.

The new Rush is being made available in two variants with an estimated price of RM93,000 for the entry-level 1.5G variant and RM98,000 for the range topping 1.5S variant.

Both variants are covered with a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage and will come in five colour choices of White, Silver Metallic, Dark Gray Metallic, Blue Metallic and Dark Green Metallic. Bookings for the two variants are accepted at all authorised Toyota showrooms nationwide from today.

The all-new Rush, with its sporty R-Blade aerokit is standard for both variants, has a sleeker profile and wider stance as the added creases and chromed bits to accent its new curves.

Size-wise it is longer and taller than its predecessor with a 2,685mm wheelbase (+105mm) and measures in at 4,435mm-long (+380mm), 1,695mm-wide and 1,705mm-tall (+10mm).

The front upper horizontal grille design, supported by the lower trapezoidal grille, flows from the centre towards to the sides of the vehicle through the front automatic smoked LED headlights with rear LED light clusters. The 1.5G gets halogens instead and comes without fog lamps.

As standard, the Rush has a 220mm ride height to give it the ability to wade through 600mm of water as it rolls on 17-inch turbine-inspired design wheels wearing 215/60 series dual-purpose tyres that obscure the front disc and rear drum brakes.

Under the hood, the 1.5-litre (2NR-VE) 16-valve DOHC engine produces 105PS at 6,000rpm and 136Nm of torque at 4,200rpm that gets sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission as the Electric Power Steering system takes care of directional changes up front.

With Dual VVT-i and Automatic Start-Stop functionality, the Rush is able to achieve up to 15.6km/litre in terms of fuel efficiency to qualify it as an Energy Efficient Vehicle under the Malaysian National Automotive Policy.

Inside, the 2-3-2 layout seats of the 1.5S have been upholstered in combination leather (1.5G gets fabric seats) with a 60:40 split second row and 50:50 split third row that reduces luggage space from its accommodating 514 litres to 217 litres when folded out and is capable of accommodating adults for short travel stints. The 1.5G gets fabric seats instead.

Regardless of variant the cabin comes equipped with single-zone climate controls with roof-mounted vents, a 6.8-inch DVD-AVX entertainment unit with screen mirroring function, multi-info display, panoramic view monitor, built-in SmartTAG, keyless-entry with push-start button, digital video recorder, two USB ports (one on the front console and another on the driver seat side), four 12V sockets and 13 cup holders. Personal lamps, illuminated vanity mirrors and a sunglass holder are also standard.

For safety, the Rush has been fitted with the standard fitment of six airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, vehicle stability control, traction control, hill-start assist, flashing emergency stop signal, speed-sensing auto door locking and ISOFIX mounting points on the rear seats.

To further bolster safety, the Rush also comes with a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert as standard, while the Rush 1.5S gets an additional Pre-Collision System (Rush 1.5S only) that uses a stereo camera (mounted at the top of the windscreen) that can detect vehicles (up to 60m) and pedestrians (up to 30m) and includes Pre-collision Warning, Pre-collision Braking, Front Departure Alert (detects when a vehicle has moved forward by 3m) and Pedal Misoperation Control.

When the vehicle detects that a frontal collision is imminent, the Pre-collision warning will alert the driver with a buzzer and functions from 4 to 100kph for vehicles and 4 to 50kph for pedestrians.

If no action has been taken by the driver, the Pre-collision Braking system activates to reduce the vehicle's speed and operates from 4 to 80kph. Depending on situation, Toyota says that it is possible to prevent a frontal collision is the vehicle in below 30kph. At speeds between 30 and 80kph, the system tries to help by reducing impact damage.


Audi teases another all-electric vehicle before LA launch, the E-Tron GT

                INGOLSTADT (Germany): This weekend, Audi teased the E-Tron GT, a Porsche Taycan-inspired all-electric vehicle, before its LA Auto Show debut - the third E-Tron model this year.

After recently announcing two all-electric vehicles, the E-Tron and a corresponding sportback model, Audi tweeted a video teasing yet another sustainable concept:

The 18-second video is captioned, "#Sneak Peek: the #Audi #etron GT concept - stay tuned for the big #world #premiere on November 28," and is just a brief montage of hazy and indiscernible images of the vehicle.

One thing is for sure, though, the world premiere is taking place at the LA Auto Show this week.

All we know about the model is what the company confirmed in September: that the 2020 GT will be based on Taycan from the brand's sister brand in the Volkswagen group, Porsche.

The four-door model is expected to be equipped with two electric motors capable of over 600hp, providing a range of over 500km, proving that electricity-powered vehicles can also be high performing.

The official specs will be revealed on Wednesday when the model is unveiled to the world at the LA Auto Show.


All-electric Maserati Alfieri expected in 2020

                MODENA: Italian car-maker Maserati has confirmed that its first all-electric model will be a version of the upcoming Alfieri. However, it isn't expected in dealerships before 2020.

Maserati has unveiled its schedule for the future Alfieri, directly derived from its concept car of the same name. A first model equipped with a V6 engine is slated for release in 2019, with an all-electric version following one year later.

Both versions will be based on the 2+2 grand tourer concept unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, paying homage to the founder of the famous brand, Alfieri Maserati. This compact and aggressive concept has a 460hp 4.7-litre V8 atmospheric engine, but the version heading to dealerships will get a V6 engine of as-yet-unknown power.

The front bumper spoiler and the rear diffuser are made from carbon fibre with aluminium inserts. On the inside, the spacious driving cabin features TFT displays rather than analog instrument dials.

Note that production of the Alfieri has been slightly delayed, notably because the chassis needs adapting to suit the fuel and electric versions.


Fincrew aims to make buying auto insurance easy-peasy

                KUALA LUMPUR: There's a budding online auto insurance platform in town and it's called Fincrew.

Fincrew pitches itself as a one-stop shop where potential insurance buyers get to compare policies, get quotes, and make an insurance buying decision online.

The start-up company claims that insurance buyers can compare, modify, and buy an insurance policy or multiple policies, in less than three minutes. Fincrew offers access to several insurers, policies, comparison tools, road tax renewal and new upcoming services.

It was set up last October with around US$1mil (RM4mil) funding by digital marketer NickMetrics Marketing Agency.

NickMetrics was set up in 2017 by Nick Lai to help businesses connect with their target audiences.

Lai co-founded Fincrew with Jeff Yap in 2020 to fill a gap in the auto insurance sector.


British car industry warns next PM against 'seismic' no-deal Brexit

File photo of imported cars parked in a storage area at Sheerness port, Sheerness, Britain. — Reuters

LONDON: Britain’s car industry warned the next prime minister on Tuesday against a “seismic” no-deal Brexit in October, which it said could add billions of pounds in tariffs and cause border disruption, crippling the sector.

Boris Johnson, the frontrunner to succeed Theresa May, and his leadership rival Jeremy Hunt, have said they are prepared to take Britain out of the EU without a deal on Oct. 31, although it is not their preferred option.

Industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) warned about the scale of disruption a disorderly exit would cause.

“Leaving the EU without a deal would trigger the most seismic shift in trading conditions ever experienced by automotive, with billions of pounds of tariffs threatening to impact consumer choice and affordability,” it said.

The British automotive industry fears that a disorderly exit from the EU, its biggest export market, could see the imposition of tariffs of up to 10% on finished models and border delays which could snarl up ports and motorways, ruining just-in-time production.

A hard Brexit border could cost 50,000 pounds (RM264,000) a minute in border delays, the SMMT said.

“The next PM’s first job in office must be to secure a deal that maintains frictionless trade because, for our industry, ‘no deal’ is not an option - we don’t have the luxury of time,” SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes told a conference.

Britain’s car sector, rebuilt by foreign manufacturers since the 1980s, had been a runaway success story in recent years but since 2017 sales, investment and production have all slumped, blamed on a collapse in demand for diesel vehicles and Brexit uncertainty.

Brexiteers have long argued that the EU’s biggest economy Germany, which exports hundreds of thousands of cars to Britain ever year, would do its utmost to protect that trade.

The British car sector has faced a series of setbacks this year including around 4,500 job cuts at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and plant closure announcements from Honda and Ford.

Several investment decisions are also due, including whether JLR will build electric cars in its home market and whether Peugeot will keep its Vauxhall car plant open.

“If the right choices are made, a bright future is possible,” said Hawes. “However, ‘no deal’ remains the clear and present danger,” he added.