Latvala succeeds Makinen at head of Toyota rally team

                PARIS: Jari-Matti Latvala is replacing fellow Finn Tommi Makinen as team principal at Toyota Gazoo Racing, the World Rally Championship (WRC) team announced.

Makinen, who won the WRC drivers title in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999 and has been at the helm since 2016, is becoming Toyota's motorsports advisor.

Under his aegis, the Finland-based team won the manufacturers' title in 2018 and the drivers' titles in the last two years, first with Ott Tanak and last season with Sebastien Ogier.

Latvala holds the record for the most appearances in WRC races, with 209 starts between 2002 and 2020, but the nearest he came to a title was second place in 2010, 2014 and 2015.

"His ability as a manager is unproven, but the attributes that we have in common between us were the deciding factors for entrusting the team to him. I believe these will bring the strength to the team," said Toyota boss Akio Toyoda, quoted in a team press release.

Latvala drove his first rally at 17 in 2002. He drove for the Toyota team in 2018 and 2019. He also drove a Toyota Corolla in one rally in 2006 and a privately-funded Yaris in a few races last season.

"I am really honoured to be taking on this position with the team, and by the trust that Akio Toyoda has shown in me," said the 35-year-old.

Ogier, a seven-time world champion, has extended his contract with Toyota through 2021, which could be the last season of the 37-year-old Frenchman's WRC career. His team-mates will be Welshman Elfyn Evans, the runner-up in 2020, and 20-year-old Finnish prodigy Kalle Rovanpera.


Hyundai Motor lines up to buy General Motors' India plant

                NEW DELHI: Hyundai Motor Co said today it has agreed to a potential acquisition of General Motors' plant in India, a move that could finally allow the US automaker to exit a country where it stopped making cars in 2017.

A final deal is subject to meeting certain conditions including obtaining "regulatory approvals from relevant government authorities and all stakeholders related to the acquisition", Hyundai said in a statement.

GM stopped selling cars in India in 2017 after years of dwindling sales but its complete exit from the market has been marred by complications, including legal tussles with workers and the failure to find a buyer for the plant, which is in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.

In 2019, GM agreed to sell the plant to China's Great Wall Motor but talks collapsed last year after the companies failed to obtain regulatory approvals amid New Delhi's increased scrutiny of investments from Beijing.

GM and its factory workers - who allege illegal termination after the company decided to exit - have also been locked in legal battles since 2021.

In the latest setback, in January, a union sued GM's India unit and its global CEO for failing to pay court-ordered compensation to sacked factory workers.

GM has previously said its employees have been legally separated and it remains confident of its legal position.

India has been a tough battleground for Western carmakers, especially US companies, that have struggled to break the dominance of Japan's Suzuki Motor and South Korea's Hyundai Motor, which together hold 60% market share. Like GM, Ford Motor, too, ceased operations in India.

This acquisition will give Hyundai a second plant in India allowing the carmaker to boost production capacity at a time when it plans to launch six electric vehicles in India by 2028.


Porsche Malaysia celebrates 1,000th locally assembled Cayenne

                KULIM, Kedah: Porsche Malaysia, represented by Sime Darby Auto Performance, celebrated a significant milestone as the 1,000th Porsche Cayenne rolled off the production line at its assembly facility at Inokom in Kulim, Kedah.

This is the first local assembly facility for Porsche outside of Europe and was inaugurated in March 2022.

“Our local assembly facility in Inokom continues to support our growth, to meet the demand from sports car fans in Malaysia. This growth in demand also speaks volumes about our high quality – proof that a Porsche is built to the highest standards,” said Christopher Hunter, CEO of Sime Darby Auto Performance.

The local assembly facility continues to be 100% staffed by Malaysians.

Lifestyle-oriented accessories are available upon request for the locally assembled Cayenne, including a roof transport system with a bicycle rack, a luggage net, a luggage compartment liner, all-weather floor mats, and a car care case.

Meanwhile, the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur Package option adds a SportDesign exterior package, a Sports exhaust system, LED taillights, LED door projectors that cast the Porsche logo upon door opening, and matching vehicle key.

A bespoke Porsche Design custom-made chronograph is also available.

The coloured ring on the dial is customisable based on the colours of the Cayenne, and additional individual engraving can be performed to make the piece truly one of a kind.


Perodua to fully reimburse GST in cash for sales, service and parts

                RAWANG: Perodua will fully reimburse the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to those who buy a new Perodua car, service their Perodua cars or buy parts between 18 and 31 May 2018, ahead of the zero-rated GST implementation on 1 June 2018.

“Perodua will fully reimburse our valued customers the GST amount in cash upon registration or servicing of their vehicles as well as parts purchased,” said Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Dr Zahari Husin.

“Please visit any of our 179 authorised sales outlets nationwide to learn more."

Zahari hopes customers would take advantage of this at both its sales and service outlets.

“For our customers who have made transactions at our service centres today (18 May 2018), we will reimburse you in the form of e-vouchers, which is valid on 1 June 2018 onwards. Starting from tomorrow (19 May 2018), our customers will receive an instant 6% cash rebate for vehicles serviced,” he added.

The GST rebate amounts are based on the vehicles’ nett selling price without GearUp accessories, insurance and other selling expenses.

The list of GST rebates is below:


VW Golf fans, win a trip to Wörthersee GTI Fest 2018

                PETALING JAYA: In conjunction with the upcoming launch of the new Golf, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is offering fans in Malaysia the chance to win an all-expense trip for two to the annual Wörthersee GTI Festival in Austria.

Set against an Alpine backdrop along the shores of Lake Wörth or Wörthersee as it is known in German, the tranquil town of Reifnitz transforms every month of May into a giant automobile playground to celebrate the Golf GTI.

What began as a small gathering of GTI owners is now a full-fledged festival of modified, classic and vintage Volkswagen cars attracting over 100,000 fans around the world. This year marks the 37th anniversary of the event and promises to be quite a show.

In order to win all you have to do is enter the contest by registering and completing your personal details here.

The contest is divided into two rounds.

Round One requires participants to answer 10 Golf-related questions in the fastest time, and the top three fastest participant will advance to the Grand Finale.

The grand finale promises to be a nail-biting experience, as the three finalists will be battling it out in a Live Quiz finale at the Volkswagen Tour happening in 1 Utama Shopping Centre here on March 31.

The contest started on March 20 and ends on March 27, 11.59pm so hurry and take on the ultimate Golf challenge.


Automakers urge new EPA chief to dump Obama car fuel-efficiency rules

                WASHINGTON: A trade association representing General Motors Co, Toyota Motor Corp, Volkswagen AG and nine other automakers on Tuesday asked new Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt to withdraw an Obama administration decision to lock in vehicle emission rules through 2025.

On Jan 13, then-EPA administrator Gina McCarthy finalised a determination that landmark fuel efficiency rules instituted by President Barack Obama should be finalised through 2025, a bid to maintain a key part of his administration's climate legacy.

Mitch Bainwol, president and chief executive of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, said in a letter to Pruitt the decision was "the product of egregious procedural and substantive defects" and is "riddled with indefensible assumptions, inadequate analysis and a failure to engage with contrary evidence."

Automakers have argued that the rules could result in the loss of up to 1 million jobs because consumers could be less willing to buy the more fuel efficient vehicles since their engineering will result in higher price tags.

The EPA had until April 2018 to decide whether the 2025 standards were feasible but in November moved up its decision to Jan 13, just before Obama left office.

Separately, the Association of Global Automakers, a trade group representing Honda Motor Co, Nissan Motor Co Ltd, Hyundai Motor Co and others, said late Tuesday it had formally petitioned the EPA to withdraw the determination. The group argued in a separate letter to Pruitt Tuesday reviewed by Reuters that "EPA opted for political expediency" and "jammed through a final determination in the waning days of the lame-duck administration."

EPA spokesman Julia Valentine said the agency is reviewing the letter and declined to comment further. Pruitt told a Senate panel earlier he will review the Obama administration's decision.

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

Automakers say the rules impose significant costs and are out of step with consumer preferences. Environmentalists say the rules are working, saving drivers thousands in fuel costs and should not be changed.

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

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

McCarthy could not be reached Tuesday but said in her determination in January the rules are "feasible, practical and appropriate" and in "the best interests of the auto industry."


Zeekr upgrades 001 with major OTA updates

                HANGZHOU: Chinese EV maker Zeekr, has announced a major over-the-air (OTA) upgrades to its 001 vehicle.

At its first Zeekr Experience Day on Monday, and less than a year after the first products were delivered to customers in China, Zeekr confirmed that 001 models will be subject to an extensive OTA update which covers driver comfort, cockpit interface, and smart driving technologies.

Zeekr has also announced a host of hardware improvements to the body and chassis of 001 for the 2022 model year.

Zeekr 001 is now the world’s first production car equipped with two 7nm autonomous driving chips, which is embedded within a complete visual fusion sensing system and enables a 001 to self-adapt autonomously at speeds of up to 130kph.

In testing environments, a 001 will automatically slow when it detects pedestrians or non-motor vehicles approaching. The 001 will also automatically detect a car door open on the side of the road or a truck approaching on the side, turning wheels slightly to avoid a possible side collision.

The latest upgrades also include a high performance 8155 Snapdragon microchip which has optimised over 200 key items of user control functions within the cockpit.

Zeekr’s new intelligent driving system enables users to switch among different driving modes and has a distributed traction control system, designed only for pure electric vehicles.

This new system includes signal transmission and a processing rate 10 times faster than most existing systems, bringing computing down to milliseconds.

This improves acceleration performance by 31% on harsh road surfaces, or in snow and ice conditions, whilst increasing the maximum controllable concerning speed.

This newly updated driving system will give user the option to switch between rear wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and real time adaptive four-wheel drive systems based on the road conditions.


Toyota says no change to plan to produce 9.7 million vehicles globally this year

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp said today it would hold to its plan to produce 9.7 million vehicles globally this fiscal year, even as it announced another stoppage related to the spread of Covid-19.

The Japanese automaker is seeking to boost production in earnest after Covid lockdowns in China and a global chip shortage forced it to repeatedly scale back output in the April-June quarter.

The company said it will suspend production on three lines at its Motomachi plant in central Japan for some days in September. That follows suspensions at its Tsutsumi plant announced on Monday and Tuesday this week.

Toyota says it expects to produce about 850,000 vehicles globally in September and would seek to raise production through November, depending on supplies of parts and personnel.


German minister in talks with Tesla over sharing supercharger network

                FRANKFURT: Germany's transport minister is trying to convince Tesla to open its network of superchargers to other carmakers to make it easier for drivers of electric vehicles to charge.

Andreas Scheuer told German newspaper Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung there were some technical issues to resolve but he expects to reach a solution, adding the goal was to make sure consumers can access charging stations across brands with a single payment system, ideally via smartphones.

"I am in direct talks with carmakers such as Tesla to make sure the existing infrastructure, for example Tesla's Superchargers, will be open to other manufacturers," he was quoted saying.

Tesla currently operates more than 1,000 charging spots in Germany.

Expanding the infrastructure necessary to drive mass adoption of electric vehicle has been a challenge in Germany, with various carmakers and utilities launching separate initiatives.

In total, Germany has about 40,000 public charging spots currently, according to energy industry group BDEW.

In a related development, two environmental groups have submitted an injunction to a German court against provisional building permits for the Tesla factory in Gruenheide Berlin, their lawyer said on Wednesday.

The associations Gruene Liga and Nabu have asked the court to clarify the situation as quickly as possible, the lawyer said.

The Brandenburg State Office for the Environment had previously rejected an application to terminate the implementation of the permits.


Hyundai concepts to highlight high performance N sub-brand

                FRANKFURT: N's the name and Hyundai aims to put the sizzle into it. The Korean car maker is expected to showcase its high performance sub-brand N at the 2015 Frankfurt International Motor Show, come next month.

The result of intensive testing and product development, the sub-brand N builds on Hyundai's successful motorsport experiences and technology capability to drive future performance-oriented and race-track-capable models forward and bring "the most thrilling winding road" fun to car crazy customers.

Highlighting Hyundai Motor’s support for performance and engineering competency, a preview of the New Generation i20 WRC car will appear on stage during the motor show.

Based on the New Generation i20, the rally car is the first prototype for the vehicle that will challenge for the podium in the 2016 WRC. Already undergoing a punishing testing, engineering and development regime, the new car is building up to its final rally-specification ahead of its debut at the start of the 2016 FIA World Rally Championship at Rallye Monte Carlo.

 The Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo.

In addition, an ultimate concept car showing the brand’s perspective on future performance characteristics will be introduced during the show. The Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo concept highlights sustainable technology and race car design, representing the future potential of Hyundai N. Through this new concept, Hyundai is hoping to engage further with its fans and the online community.

In addition, the Veloster-based RM15 concept car will be displayed, representing the company’s passion for performance and suggesting how the Hyundai N driver-focused technologies could come into production. The mid-engine concept, with a 2.0-litre 300ps engine, is undergoing further developments.


Volkswagen to replace CEO with VW brand chief, say sources

Diess.
BERLIN/HAMBURG: Volkswagen is poised to replace chief executive Matthias Mueller with the head of its core VW brand, Herbert Diess, two people familiar with the matter said, as it looks to give fresh impetus to its recovery from an emissions scandal.

The German carmaker said on Tuesday it was considering a change in leadership as part of a broader management overhaul, but gave few details. The 64-year-old Mueller’s contract is due to run until 2020.

The move comes after Europe’s largest automaker has been hampered by infighting among its powerful stakeholders, which include the Porsche and Piech families, the German state of Lower Saxony, and labour leaders.

Mueller, a company veteran, was installed at short notice in 2015, a week after the company admitted to cheating US diesel emission tests, prompting criticism from some investors who said that only an outsider could rebuild trust in the business.

He launched an ambitious reform plan, including investing billions of euros in electric vehicles, but has struggled to push through changes aimed at creating a more efficient and focused company. Amid opposition from labor leaders, Mueller failed to sell motorbike maker Ducati last year.

It is unclear how soon Diess, a former BMW executive who joined VW in July 2015 and has clashed with the company’s labour leaders, might replace Mueller. Unions and Lower Saxony together have the power to block his appointment.

Volkswagen is due to discuss a stock market listing for its trucks and bus division at a supervisory board meeting on Friday, two people close to the carmaker said - another move aimed at creating a more focused business.

 Mueller.

That plan comes as rivals including Fiat Chrysler and Daimler consider spin offs or legally separate divisions to boost their share prices and raise cash to fund development of electric and self-driving cars.

Despite facing billions in fines, vehicle refits and lawsuits relating to its “Dieselgate” scandal, Volkswagen’s operating results have been robust under Mueller’s watch, with sales and profit hitting record highs last year.

But the persistent tug of war between its controlling families, unions and other stakeholders have made it difficult to drive through structural changes that investors have said are key to the company fulfilling its potential.

Mueller has expressed frustration with the pace of Volkswagen’s transformation and more recently about his ability to turn around the brand’s image following revelations the company had tested toxic fumes on monkeys.

Volkswagen’s shares have outperformed the European autos sector index by 10 percent over the past three years, and recovered to pre-Dieselgate levels last year.

Volkswagen said on Tuesday Mueller had expressed his general willingness to participate in a management overhaul, and it was still to be determined whether efforts to develop a new leadership structure would leave him in place.

Chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch is currently in talks about changing the structure with fellow supervisory board members and members of the management board, Volkswagen said.

Mueller’s possible replacement will likely face similar challenges to get Volkswagen’s stakeholders to unite.

Diess, 59, has focused his reforms at the VW brand on procurement and process management to bring its cost structure and efficiency closer to that of rival Toyota, but stopped short of making sweeping job cuts.

Diess and Mueller instead agreed to guarantee VW’s German jobs until 2025 to get labor approval for a plan to turn the carmaker into a mass producer of electric cars.

German magazine Der Spiegel on Tuesday reported that Volkswagen’s board member for human resources, Karlheinz Blessing, may be replaced by Gunnar Kilian, who worked directly under VW’s labor chief Bernd Osterloh.

The move would be a major concession by management to worker representatives, potentially handing labor leaders insight into management plans for investments and cost cutting plans.

Previous executives who attempted deeper cuts in VW’s homeland, including Bernd Pischetsrieder and Wolfgang Bernhard, were forced out of office or stifled in their reform efforts.

Mueller’s likely departure comes two days after Deutsche Bank, another pillar of corporate Germany, dismissed its chief executive, John Cryan, in pursuit of a more rapid turnaround following years of losses.

“If Diess is confirmed as the successor, VW shares will extend their gains,” Evercore ISI analyst Arndt Ellinghorst said, who has an “outperform” rating on the stock.

“We see no better alternative to Matthias Mueller to make the company fit for the future.”

German newspaper Handelsblatt first reported that Diess would replace Mueller. Other potential CEO candidates include Volkswagen’s trucks chief and Daimler veteran Andreas Renschler.

The debate about Volkswagen’s future structure comes a month after its largest shareholder, Porsche Automobil Holding, picked three new representatives of the Porsche and Piech families to help oversee Volkswagen.

Volkswagen declined to comment on whether the board was poised to name Diess as new CEO. The works council, whose members occupy half the seats on the supervisory board, also declined comment.


Shell Advance launches limited edition oil packs

                KUALA LUMPUR: Shell Advance has introduced four specially designed limited edition packs for its motorcycle engine oil – Ultra with PurePlus Technology 10W-40 (1L) and 15W-50 (1L), AX7 10W-40 (1L) and AX5 Scooter 15W-40 (0.8L).

The Dutch-based oil producer also announced that with every purchase of any of its limited edition packs - including AX5 15W40 (1L), from now till Oct 15, where 500 lucky winners could win a pair of Main Grandstand tickets to the 2016 Shell Malaysia MotoGP race.

To enter, complete the entry form by answering a simple question, attach a purchase receipt and submit it by hard copy at a participating outlet.

The forms can also be submitted online at www.shell.com.my/motogp along with a photograph of the receipt.

According to Shell Malaysia local senior downstream representative Shairan Huzani Husain, the introduction of the limited edition packs celebrates its technological leadership and its strong association with world motorcycle racing.

“This Shell Advance limited edition series is a timely reminder of Shell’s continuous innovation as a market leader as we celebrate our 125th year of fuelling Malaysia’s progress this year. The designs of our flagship Shell Advance Ultra with PurePlus Technology 10W-40 and 15W-50, in particular, pay tribute to our 18-year partnership with Ducati on the racing tracks,” he said.

The fully synthetic Ultra with PurePlus Technology is the only motorcycle engine oil in the market today with an ultra-clean base oil made from natural gas.

Shell touts its patented PurePlus Technology as a revolutionary gas-to-liquid (GTL) process that converts natural gas into crystal-clear base oil and is combined with the unique Active Cleansing Agent to deliver higher levels of cleansing and superior wear and corrosion protection.


Musk says Tesla is building 'RNA microfactories' for CureVac

Musk diverse interests now includes looking for a Covid-19 cure. — Reuters
SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc is building mobile molecule printers to help make the potential Covid-19 vaccine being developed by CureVac in Germany, the electric-car maker’s chief executive officer, Elon Musk, tweeted on Wednesday.

CureVac, an unlisted German company, has said it is developing portable, automated mRNA production units that it calls printers and which Musk described as “RNA microfactories”.

They are being designed to be shipped to remote locations, where they can churn out its vaccine candidate and other mRNA-based therapies depending on the recipe fed into the machine.

But for the immediate pandemic use - should its vaccine candidate win market approval – it has production sites with regulatory approval in Germany with a capacity to produce hundreds of millions of doses.

The company, based in Tuebingen and backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is a pioneer of the so-called messenger RNA approach, which is also pursued by BioNTech and its partner Pfizer as well as Moderna.

RNA molecules are single-stranded versions of the DNA double-helix. Thanks to their recurring molecular pattern, they can be produced in a relatively simple biochemical process that do not require genetically modified living cells, which are needed to produce most other biotech drugs.

CureVac is also building a new stationary site that could increase its output tenfold to billions of doses.

The “microfactories” would be built at Tesla Grohmann Automation in Germany, Musk said in a Twitter thread late on Wednesday night.

Tesla acquired the company that develops automated manufacturing systems for batteries and fuel cells in 2016 to expand its production.

CureVac has been working with Tesla Grohmann to develop the mobile printer technology, a person familiar with CureVac said.

Musk did not elaborate on his plans. Tesla and CureVac were not immediately available to comment.

Musk, who is known to make impromptu announcements on Twitter, had in March said that Tesla has extra FDA-approved ventilators that can be shipped free of cost to hospitals within regions where the electric-car maker delivers.


LA Auto Show 2019: The futuristic concept models

                LOS ANGELES: Over the years, the LA Auto Show has provided car makers with a chance to show off vehicle concepts that not only reflect that brand and its current mission, but also represent the company's design and technological future; 2019 has proved no different.

Over the week, companies like Karma, Lexus, and Hyundai have debuted some of their more futuristic models to date.

Karma SC2 and 2020 Revero GTS

Karma unveiled not one, but two concept models earlier this week in LA: the successor of Karma Automotive's SC1, the aptly named SC2, and the Revero GTS. While the Revero is a levelheaded representation of the brand's near production future, the SC2 is a wild, high-tech electric convertible model with scissor doors that demonstrates the California-based company's intensely futuristic long-term vision.

ID Space Vizzion

Like most of the concept models presented under the ID family name, Volkswagen's ID Space Vizzion wagon has the potential to be the precursor of a production model for North America and Europe. With an estimated range of 300 miles, this would be a practical EV for families of the future.

BMW Vision M Next

The high-performance M Next concept by BMW gives people a "sporty glimpse" into the brand's future. The driver experience was the main focus of the vehicle. Its motor sporting inspiration lent to the integration of the model's 600hp powertrain that can push the model to 62 mph in 3 seconds.

Lexus LF-30

Lexus's fully electric LF-30 concept's show-stopping feature is its four in-wheel motors that together generate 536hp. With over 300 miles of range, similar to other electric concepts that have been revealed over the course of 2019, this concept -- like the Space Vizzion -- demonstrates the practicality of the next generation of EVs.

While a handful of other concept models made appearances at the show over this week, they were simply souped-up versions of previously announced vehicles that show various models' ability to be customized with accessories to suit each individual customer. The original concepts above, however, represent not only each brand's vision of their respective futures, but provide a look ahead at the automobile industry as a whole.


Kia Stinger on the way out?

                PETALING JAYA: The Kia Stinger is slated to be axed by April 2022, according to a South Korean auto blog site.

Citing unnamed industry sources, Korean Car Blog wrote that the Sohari plant in Gwangmyeong would be retooled for mass production of electrified vehicles that would include a hybrid Carnival MPV.

The Stinger is made at the plant and the sources said there are no plans to continue making it past April next year.

Poor sales are always the death knell for car models and it's a fact that the Stinger, introduced in 2017, hasn't been making money for Kia.

The Stinger underwent a facelift recently, and there's every likelihood that that will not be enough to keep the sports car in the Kia portfolio past 2022.

Meanwhile, the Stinger remains on sale until Kia says otherwise.


Rolls-Royce Spectre EV wafts into California wine country

                SAN FRANCISCO: Big, sumptuous and virtually silent. Rolls-Royce has unveiled in the US its first fully-electric car, the Spectre, a coupé which is more exclusive and expensive than any other production electric automobile on the planet.

It seems Rolls-Royce aims to electrify high society and the BMW-owned British maker will be selling the first EV in the ultra-luxury class from autumn onwards. Prices for this sublime form of "green" transport start at around US$420,000 (RM2mil).

The bluff-faced car was unveiled last Wednesday at Calistoga in California's wine-growing Napa Valley.

The coupé with the doors hinged backwards in the opposite direction to almost any other car on the road, measures 5.50 metres from front to back - about the same as a chunky pick-up truck.

The Spectre features the iconic Rolls-Royce upright grille, although its electric motor has no need of air cooling, and drivers peer over a traditionally long bonnet. Both grille and Spirit of Ecstasy mascot have been re-profiled aerodynamically for the electric age.

The Spectre runs on a 102 kWh battery, which is claimed to allow for a regal range of 500km and can be recharged with up to 195kW, according to the manufacturer.

Instead of the customary V12 petrol engine, the Spectre has two electric motors, one at each end.

A combined 430 kW/584hp and 900Nm of torque enable it to silently waft through the landscape or strike fear into hearts of sportscar drivers on the motorway.

Spectre dashes from a standstill to 100kph in a mere 4.5 seconds and keeps going until the 250kph mark comes up on the speedometer.

The car costs twice as much as its internal combustion-powered predecessor but loyal Rolls-Royce customers are unlikely to flinch at the price.

The Spectre also costs double what you pay for a BMW i7 limo, for example, with which it shares the drive technology and all-wheel steering.

These more common underpinnings are unlikely to put off potential buyers but those who order today will not be able to park one in their gravel drive until the year after next.

By then, the next electric Rolls-Royce should be ready. After all, the British no longer plan to fit combustion engines in their cars.


Hyundai Mobis invents foldable steering wheel

                SEOUL: Hyundai Mobis has just announced that it has developed a foldable steering wheel.

It's useful as it can allow for more space in the driver's seat and bring about design innovation.

The Hyundai Mobis foldable steering system features a steering wheel that can move forwards and backward up to 25cm. It took the company two years to come out with the unique steering wheel; it is filing patents to protect its innovation.

To develop this system, Hyundai Mobis designed new core parts of a steering system, including a column and a reaction force control device, and applied a sliding rail mechanism, securing system durability and reliability.

The system enabled the application of assorted designs, including a storage type where the steering wheel can be retracted into the dashboard, as well as the foldable one. This means that an innovative driver's seat, which we would only be able to see in future concept cars is now coming closer to fruition.

The new foldable steering system is also compatible with the Steer by Wire (SBW) steering system the company had developed before. The SBW system controls steering with electrical signals by connecting the steering wheel with a device designed to deliver the steering force generated from the steering wheel to the wheels.

The SBW system allows for optimal steering performance under various driving conditions and minimises the vibrations that come from a rumble strip or a speed bump to the steering wheel, thus enabling the driver to drive in a comfortable and stable manner.

The redundancy design of some core electronic parts, such as sensors and ECU in the system, ensures that the vehicle is capable of maintaining normal steering in an emergency.


BMW iNext gets steering wheel designed for autonomous car

                MUNICH: The BMW iNext is the first vehicle in the partially-autonomous series being developed by the German manufacturer, which is why its new steering wheel has been specially designed to switch between highly-autonomous and active-steering modes.

The idea is to quickly be able to detect, via its design and flattened bottom, the angle at which the wheels are turned when retaking control of the vehicle, therefore preventing the need for sudden movements and lowering accident risk.

The wheel was also designed to improve vision over the dashboard and increase driver comfort. Lighted indicators in the sides of the steering wheel also inform the driver of the availability of automatized driving functions or when it is necessary to retake control of the vehicle.

Although directly descended from the Vision iNext electric, the autonomous SUV concept first unveiled in 2018, the BMW iNext will not be appearing in the ring with the Audi e-tron and the Mercedes EQC before 2021.


Honda WR-V open for booking ahead of Q3 launch

                PETALING JAYA: Honda Malaysia today announced that the Honda WR-V is now open for booking at all 101 dealerships nationwide.

The model will be available with an RS variant that sports a newly designed RS emblem, unique front grille and 17” dual-tone alloy wheels.

In the run-up to the launch in Q3, Honda Malaysia is holding exclusive previews in selected Honda dealerships for customers to be among the first in Malaysia to get up close with the SUV (see table).

Customers who want to place bookings for the WR-V can either log on to prebook.honda.com.my, download the HondaTouch application on their smartphones or visit any of the 101 authorised Honda dealerships nationwide.

For more information on the WR-V, customers can call Honda Malaysia’s toll-free number at 1-800-88-2020 or log on to www.honda.com.my.


LG Innotek comes out with new automotive lighting

                SEOUL: South Korea's LG Innotek has developed an automotive lighting product that it said is brighter and provides more uniform lighting.

"Nexlide-M", a flexible stereoscopic automotive lighting, is also said to improve design flexibility with its thin width.

It can be mounted on automobile lighting devices in various designs including daytime running lights (DRL) and rear combination lamps, which lump together tail lights, brake lights and turn signals.

LG Innotek said Nexlide-M emits clear light with fewer parts.

In addition, Nexlide-M is touted to be four times brighter than existing products in the market at 500 Candela, which is a unit to measure brightness.

According to Reports Insights, a global market research institute, a global automobile lighting market was estimated to be US$21.9 billion in 2022 and is predicted to reach US$32 billion by 2030.


Modenas Karisma 125 updated for 2022

                KUALA LUMPUR: Motosikal dan Enjin Nasional Sdn Bhd (Modenas) has updated its Karisma 125 all-time favourite entry-level scooter that is now priced at RM5,397 without insurance and road tax.

The new 2022 model now gets a 124.8cc fuel injected four-stroke single-cylinder engine that meets the latest Euro 4 fuel and Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEV) standards.

The fuel-efficient engine delivers 7kW at 7,500rpm and 10Nm of torque.

Aside from a 5.1-litre fuel tank, the Karisma also has a 14-litre underseat compartment and front twin pockets.

Available in three colour schemes of Aqua Blue, Duchess Gold and Mystic Red, the Karisma also features sporty graphics that would appeal to younger riders.

Also included are a pair of of LED headlights, daytime running lights, and front and rear LED signal lamps.


Lamborghini Countach returns as US$2.6m hybrid with 825hp

                SAN JOSE: Lamborghini has resurrected the ultimate poster child for fans of fast cars.

The Countach LPI 800-4 is an all-new, limited-edition production supercar that pays homage to the Countach’s status as a one of the most revolutionary whips in history.

"It imagines how the iconic Countach of the ’70s and ’80s might have evolved into an elite super sports model of this decade,” said Stephan Winkelmann, the president and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, in a press statement about the car’s debut on Aug 13 at the Quail motorsports gathering in Carmel near here.

Built on an all-wheel-drive hybrid platform that combines a V12 engine with a 48V e-motor and supercapacitor technology, the modern Countach gets 770hp from its combustion engine and 34hp from its electric one, for 825hp total.

According to Lamborghini, the car will hit 100kph in 2.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 355kph - numbers that decimate the nearly 5-second sprint and 180mph specs of its forbearer.

Rebirth of an icon

Named after an expression of surprise in the Italian Piedmontese dialect and pronounced "COON-tosh," the scissor-doored, trapezoidal Countach is one of the very few Lamborghini models whose name isn’t related to bullfighting. (The Espada is another.)

Originally unveiled as a prototype at the 1971 Geneva motor Show, the 5.0-litre V12 wedge was styled by the legendary designer Marcello Gandini and dubbed LP500.

The wealthy approved-and filled Lamborghini order books with eager deposits on the novel design. By 1974, Lamborghini was producing the road-going Countach LP400.

Revolutionary elements for a production (not racing) car - its aluminum sheet metal body fitted over a tubular space frame, the dashboard design, the scissor doors, and even an early cruise-control system-quickly influenced multiple other models.

The car also had horrible side- and rear-visibility, poor cabin ventilation, windows that were permanently half-shut, ponderous gears, and a near-impossible-to-park body shape, but enthusiasts weren’t deterred.

All the old elements

The LPI 800-4 at the Quail had a red-and-black-leather interior and in an exclusive Bianco Siderale paint colour with a whiff of pearlescent blue that evoked Ferruccio Lamborghini’s own Countach LP 400 S.

Multiple other elements hark to its origins as well, such as hexagonal wheel arches and that distinctive Countach face: strong, flat lines along the front with a low rectangular grille and headlights.

NACA ducts are cut into the side and doors, and a distinctive periscopio-a glass periscope of sorts built into a depression in the roof to aid visibility-runs across the roof to the rear of the car.

As with the entire Countach family, there are four exhaust pipes; these connect within the carbon-fibre rear diffuser. Lamborghini added airscoops in the car’s prominent shoulders, which are embellished with the distinctive Countach slatted gills.

The monocoque chassis and all the body panels are in carbon fibre, which makes the Countach LPI 800-4 light, at 1,595kg. The most visible exterior carbon-fibre features are in the front splitter and around the front window and wing mirrors.

Today, a vintage Countach, according to Hagerty, is worth about US$1.3 million for a concours-worthy model. Examples in good but not the-best-of-the-best condition hover near US$910,000.

The periscopio LP400s are the most collectible Countaches.

Lamborghini will make 112 of the hybrid Countach at a price of US$2.64 million (RM11.2mil). Deliveries start worldwide in early 2022.


Feb 8-14: Petrol prices up, diesel down

PETALING JAYA: Petrol prices will go up while diesel will cost less to buy from tomorrow.

RON95 petrol will go up 2 sen to RM2.33 per litre, RON97 up 3 sen to RM2.61, and diesel will be down 3 sen to RM2.31.

The new prices were announced on RTM1 today. See table above.

The new fuel prices will take effect at the stroke of midnight from Feb 8-14.


Singapore police warn of car rental scams during CNY

                SINGAPORE: Singapore police warned the public today of car rental scams during the Chinese New Year period, even as victims of such scams lost at least S$25,000 (RM75,500) between January and November last year.

These car rental scams usually involve victims paying a deposit or the full amount to rent a vehicle after responding to advertisements put up by scammers.

Some scammers also use a temporary office to appear credible, said the police in a statement, noting that in the first 11 months of 2019, at least 35 reports on car rental scams were made.

After a victim makes payment, the rented vehicle is not delivered to him on the proposed day of collection, and the scammers become uncontactable.

The police advised the public to be wary of car rental advertisements that use generic photographs, adding that photographs of cars up for rent should match the make and model of the vehicle advertised.

Consumers should also rent vehicles from reputable car rental companies, and check with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra) to confirm that a car rental business is registered.

Car hirers should also insist on documents with details on the vehicle rental, such as those for payment and the particulars of the parties involved, and keep a copy for their reference.

They should also ask to see the car to be rented and its lo g card to verify its ownership.

Members of the public who want to provide information related to such scams can call the police hotline on 1800-255-0000, or submit it online.

Those who require urgent police assistance can call 999.

Members of the public who come across car rental advertisements that seem too good to be true can call the anti-scam helpline on 1800-722-6688 to verify them.

They can also visit the anti-scam website to find out more about scams, and join the "Let's Fight Scams" campaign by signing up as an advocate to receive updates and share them with family and friends. - The Straits Times/Asia News Network


Trucks in China are watching if drivers doze, speed or slack off

A display of the company’s various AI technology on a truck at the G7 headquarters in Beijing, China. Using Internet of Things technology, G7 can employ anti-fatigue cameras to call out bad driving, built-in advanced driver-assistance systems to send warnings about insufficient space between vehicles on highways, and real-time cargo weighing to prevent stealing. — Bloomberg
BEIJING: Trucks in China connected to G7’s fleet-management network do more than just haul goods across the vast nation.

Using Internet of Things technology, they can employ anti-fatigue cameras to call out bad driving, built-in advanced driver-assistance systems to send warnings about insufficient space between vehicles on highways, and real-time cargo weighing to prevent stealing.

Beijing-based G7 aims to monitor all steps along a product’s logistics journey, from warehouse to delivery, remotely.

Covid-19, which has seen a jump in online shopping as people stay home and avoid crowds, has presented an added opportunity, with customers including FedEx Corp, Amazon.com Inc, China Post and Walmart Inc more focused than ever on security and tracing, according to G7 founder Zhai Xuehun.

It’s ultimately aimed at making logistics more efficient. Reducing the cost of transporting goods means higher margins for not only trucking companies but also manufacturers. Consumers benefit too through lower costs and products that arrive on time and in better shape.

Logistics costs in China accounted for around 15% of economic expansion in 2019, versus single digits in Europe and the US, a discrepancy that underscores the imperative for China to lower the expense, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst James Teo.

 Employees program a smart system for gas pumps at a laboratory at the G7 headquarters in Beijing, China. — Bloomberg

“Logistics demand in China is growing rapidly, driven by the fast growth of e-commerce,” Teo said. “The number of parcels that logistics companies have to handle is rising, so there’s a need to improve efficiency in order to lower unit costs.”

G7, which was founded in 2010 and takes its name from the G7 Beijing-Urumqi Expressway, the world’s longest desert highway, collects a plethora of other fleet information too, ranging from how many times drivers use their cellphones while on the road to how many times they stop to refill gas and what electronic payment methods they rely on.

Its technology can also provide real-time updates on a truck’s payload and temperature, helping to ensure goods that need to remain cold, for example, are delivered in optimum condition. Artificial intelligence is also used to help lower the rate of accidents by determining whether drivers are losing focus based on the frequency of their blinks. If the driver’s behaviour fails to response to a buzz alert, service hotline staff will place a call urging them to take a rest.

“There’s never been so much emphasis put on China’s circulation industry since the country was established,” Ren Xingzhou, former head of the market-economy research unit under the Development Research Center of the State Council, said at a conference last month. “The efficiency of circulation and logistics directly impacts overall economic development.”

G7, which has already attracted backers including Temasek Holdings Pte and Tencent Holdings Ltd, is working on plans to start a new round of funding and may consider an initial public offering at some point, chief financial officer Zhang Jielong said, declining to elaborate. The company’s last fundraising round was in 2018 when it raised money at US$1.2bil (RM4.87bil), Zhang said.

 An employee looks at video footage captured by the company's fleet-management device while working on an artificial intelligence system to identify risks of collisions at the G7 headquarters in Beijing, China. — Bloomberg

And demand from investors, particularly in China, to get in on the ground floor of the technologies that will power tomorrow is rising. SoftBank Group Corp’s Vision Fund 2 is leading a US$113.5mil (RM461.20mil) investment round in a California-based startup called Flock Freight that seeks to change the way goods get trucked around the US, a person familiar said earlier this month.

Other G7 backers include Eastern Bell Venture Capital Management Co, Hopu Investment Management Co, Bank of China Ltd and Tsinghua Holdings Venture Capital Co. The company has raised a total of US$510mil (RM2.07bil) over six rounds, according to Crunchbase.

“The next decade will bring an era of deepening digitalisation,” Zhai said from G7’s headquarters, where a wall-sized screen displays real-time data and images of the some 1.8 million vehicles connected to the company’s platform.

“The digital and visual management of logistic fleets will be our historic contribution to the industry.”


2017 New York Auto Show: Automakers unveil new SUVs but also focus on EVs

A Toyota FT-4X concept vehicle sits on display during the 2017 New York International Auto Show. — Bloomberg
NEW YORK: Automakers unveiled new sport utility vehicles at the New York auto show on Wednesday, boosted by low fuel prices and increasing demand, but said they were also moving ahead with new US electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles for the US market.

Ford Motor Co showed off a redesigned Lincoln Navigator luxury SUV with an aluminum body that cuts nearly 90.72kg off its weight.

Subaru Corp unveiled a concept seven-passenger Ascent SUV Concept, meanwhile, saying it planned to start selling the large SUV in 2018, and General Motors Co showed off a new larger seven-passenger Buick Enclave.

Not to be outdone, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV took the wraps off a new limited version of its Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV, with 707 horsepower and a 6.2-litre V-8 engine, while Toyota Motor Corp showed off a concept SUV aimed at outdoorsy millennials called "FT-4X" for "Future Toyota."

SUVs accounted for nearly 40 percent of total US vehicle sales in 2016, up from 32.6 percent in 2014, as a growing number of Americans ditched cars for more fuel-thirsty larger vehicles.

 A Range Rover Velar HSE SUV at the New York show. - Bloomberg

President Donald Trump has said he will revisit strict 2022-2025 vehicle fuel efficiency requirements set by the Obama administration, a move that may reduce future requirements.

But after investing substantial sums in electric vehicles, automakers say they are not backing off their plans to compete in the EV market segment.

Ford alone is investing US$4.5 billion to introduce 13 new electric and hybrid vehicles over the next five years, Chief Executive Officer Mark Fields told reporters at the New York show.

Honda Motor Co unveiled a new Clarity electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid version at the show and the Japanese automaker said it sees electric or hybrid vehicles accounting for two thirds of all sales worldwide by 2030.

Nissan Motor Co, meanwhile, said it will unveil a new version of its electric Leaf later this year with a longer battery range than its current version.

Volkswagen, the world's biggest automaker, said it will sell at least three new electric vehicles by 2020, partly due to an agreement with California aimed at settling its diesel emissions cheating scandal.


Honda launches CB-F concept bike online

                TOKYO: Honda has launched its CB-F concept bike online.

Initially, the bike was supposed to make an appearance at the 36th Osaka Motorcycle Show 2020 and the 47th Tokyo Motorcycle Show. Both shows were cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The CB-F concept is a fusion of advanced technology with a design paying homage to the CB900F（CB750F in Japan） - a Japanese global bike which became an icon in the past 60 years in part through the North American racing scene.

The concept uses a 998cc water-cooled, four-stroke, four-valve, inline four-cylinder DOHC engine which is housed in a lightweight chassis made of high-tensile steel with a mono-backbone.

The suspension is made of a front inverted front fork while the rear uses a lightweight aluminium single-sided Pro-Arm.


VW to improve traffic with quantum computing

                LISBON: Volkswagen Group has announced its development of a smart traffic management system powered by quantum computers to increase global road transport efficiency.

The German manufacturer's team of IT experts have recently developed a traffic management algorithm powered by quantum computers to precisely predict urban traffic movement.

With this information, "public transportation organisations, taxi companies, and transport service providers will be able to deploy their fleets considerably more efficiently while minimising wait time for passengers."

The benefit of using quantum computing for such a complex task is its speed and enormous capacity to crunch extensive datasets. Supercomputers are often not advanced enough to use such immense volumes of information to develop an optimized solution, so quantum computers are currently the best option to forecast traffic volume, transport demand, and travel times.

In the case of traffic optimisation, Volkswagen's process consists of two steps: the analysis of anonymous user movement data with conventional computers, and the optimization of traffic flow thanks to predictive analytics with quantum computers.

If machines can simultaneously predict what vehicles are doing and where their final destinations are, traffic can be organized and managed to move faster, safer and more efficiently. This could considerably reduce excessive passenger wait times, vehicle shortages, and barren public transport routes.

The group intends to test the algorithm in Barcelona where the traffic database is abundant.

Volkswagen is presenting this project, along with D-Wave, the quantum computing company providing VW with quantum computers for the project, at the Web Summit tech conference in Lisbon, under way now.


Delphi and Singapore to launch test of self-driving taxis - VIDEO

                SINGAPORE: Delphi Automotive Plc will launch a small test fleet of automated taxis in Singapore next year, aiming to ferry passengers around a city district in one of the first real-world tests of automated rides on demand, the company said today.

The project, run in partnership with the Singapore Land Transit Authority, will road test a concept that many companies investing in automated driving believe offers the fastest path to making such technology commercially viable.

A cab ride in a dense urban area can cost US$3 to US$4 a mile, Delphi vice-president of engineering Glen DeVos said in an interview. "We think we can get to 90 cents a mile" with an automated vehicle.

That drops the price of transporting goods and people, and allows for the costs of automated driving systems to be spread over hours of operation and multiple users.

Initially, the cars will have drivers ready to take over if the piloting systems fail, DeVos said. But by 2019 or 2020, "we'll have removed drivers from the car," DeVos said.

By 2022, the Singapore authority plans to launch a regularly operating automated cab service, Delphi said. The company said it plans similar projects in North America and Europe.

A United States site could be selected later this year, DeVos said. Delphi plans to start the project with a fleet of Audi vehicles equipped with automated driving and mapping systems. Later, DeVos said the project will expand with the addition of electric vehicles.

Other companies are studying the economics of using automated driving systems to replace human drivers in taxi or ride-hailing services, including Uber Technologies Inc and Lyft, which is collaborating with General Motors Co.

Delphi is working with other companies, including Israel's Mobileye NV, to develop the sensor systems to enable vehicles to operate autonomously. The Singapore Land Transit Authority will supply infrastructure to help vehicles navigate safely.

Delphi is doing its own mapping, but DeVos said "we are looking at mapping alternatives including a service offered by Mobileye.

The Singapore project was deliberately kept to a small scale, DeVos said. "We are going to do it incrementally in a very controlled manner," he said.

 Delphi's Mobility Cloud and automated driving technologies support future Autonomous Mobility on Demand solutions.


Production begins for fully electric Volvo XC40

                GHENT: The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 production start represents a significant step towards Volvo Cars’ ambition to reduce its CO2 footprint per car by 40% by 2025.

Customer demand for the XC40 Recharge P8 has been strong and, while order books remain open, every car scheduled to be built this calendar year has already been sold.

The first cars are scheduled to be delivered to customers in Europe later this month.

The start of customer car production follows a period of preparation in which the Ghent plant has built a limited number of pre-production cars.

This process, standard procedure for every new model, aims to optimise the production flow and ensure top-notch quality of every car built. All relevant production staff have also received extensive training on safely building electric cars.

“Today is a momentous occasion for Volvo Cars and for all employees here in Ghent,” said Javier Varela, Head of Global Industrial Operations and Quality. “As we continue to electrify our line-up, the Ghent plant is a real trailblazer for our global manufacturing network.”

As a fully electric version of the best-selling XC40 SUV, the first Volvo to win the prestigious European Car of the Year award, the XC40 Recharge P8 is based on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), an advanced vehicle platform co-developed within the Geely Group.

The all-wheel-drive XC40 Recharge P8 offers a projected range of more than 249 miles (400km) (WLTP, Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) on a single charge and output of 408hp.

The battery can charge to 80% of its capacity in approximately 40 minutes on a fast-charger system.

The new, Android-powered infotainment system offers customers unprecedented personalisation, improved levels of intuitiveness and embedded Google technology and services, such as the Google Assistant, Google Maps and the Google Play Store.

The XC40 Recharge P8 also receives larger software and operating system updates over the air.

The battery pack is protected by a safety cage embedded in the middle of the car’s body structure. Its placement in the floor of the car also lowers the car’s centre of gravity, for better protection against roll-overs.

Inside, an innovative approach to all-round functionality gives drivers plenty of storage space, for example in the doors, under the seats and in the luggage compartment. Because it has no internal combustion engine, the car gives drivers even more storage space via a so-called ‘frunk’ under the bonnet.


VW organises Vento driving experience in JB

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) will be organizing a Volkswagen Driving Experience this weekend at Angsana Johor Bahru Mall from Oct 15 to 16.

The activity will be conducted at the mall’s open air carpark A, over five sessions each day from 12.00pm to 7.30pm and is absolutely free of charge to members of the public with a valid driver’s license on a first-come-first-served basis.

While utilising the Vento for the activity, participants will be exposed to the basics of car safety and driving skills, which includes proper sitting and steering wheel position, emergency braking, defensive driving skills and a slalom course.

Furthermore, a Vento stunt show will be on hand to thrill the audience during the event.

The recently launched Vento (Wind in Italian and Portugese) is locally assembled and is available in three trims while being priced on the road with GST without insurance at RM80,655 for the entry-level Trendline, RM87,655 for the mid-range Comfortline and RM94,620 for the range-topping Highline. A five-year warranty with unlimited mileage is included.

Both Trendline and Comfortline variants get a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre (1,598cc) multi-point injection engine producing 105PS at 5,250rpm and 153Nm of torque at 3,800rpm and is mated to a six-speed automatic.

On the other hand, the range-topping Highline gets a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox mated to the more potent 1.2-litre (1,197cc) turbocharged TSI engine, which produces 105PS at 5,000rpm and 175Nm (23Nm more) from 1,550 to 4,100rpm.

Additionally, the Vento has a 5-star rating by Asean NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) for its crash performance and range of safety features.


Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival season 4 opener set for March 27-28

                SHAH ALAM: It's "pedal to the metal" time for Malaysian motorsports as four-wheel racing returns after almost a year’s absence, with Round 1 of Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival Season 4 at the Sepang International Circuit from March 27-28.

Conforming to strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) and operating under a sports bubble amidst the COVID-19 threat, Round 1 of the highly-anticipated Vios Challenge will be held as a closed-door event with racing fans invited to what is being planned as the biggest live streamed racing carnival in Malaysia, aired over two days.

The Vios Challenge will consist of four classes of racing which includes the inaugural running of the Rookie Class featuring six new graduates of the Gazoo Racing Young Talent Development Programme who are stepping up from karting and simulator to racing in a saloon car for their very first time; the Promotional Class which will field local celebrities, three of whom are new faces; the Sporting Class for charging amateur drivers; and the Super Sporting Class for elite and professional drivers.

As a meticulously-curated live streamed event, fans and viewers will get an uninterrupted front row seat into the Vios Challenge race weekend which will feature three qualifying sessions, six exciting individual races, pit lane insights, interviews with racers, a celebrity-studded performance and other exciting content, in addition to having the opportunity to win lots of attractive prizes up for grabs.

UMW Toyota Deputy Chairman and Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia’s Chief Motorsport Officer Akio Takeyama said it’s exciting to be back racing.

"But as much as we would like to immediately open our doors to race fans for them to be on site, the threat of the pandemic has offered up a new and perhaps an even more promising way of enabling millions of race fans to catch the action on and off the track during the race weekend via live streaming and in the comfort and safety of their homes.

“The Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival has primarily been about bringing motorsports to the masses – this focus has not changed - and to a great extent, we have successfully accomplished this by bringing the races to so many different locations since 2017.

"The opportunity to live stream the carnival and an entire race weekend would mean reaching out to an even larger and wider audience, including racing fans outside of Malaysia. The challenge before us today is to bring the energy and atmosphere of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival online,” he said.

In the Promotional Class, actor Shukri Yahaya will lead the star-studded line-up and will be joined by actress Janna Nick, presenter Nabil Ahmad and singers Wany Hasrita, Nabila Razali and Khai Bahar.

They will be joined by three newcomers, actor Zizan Razak, singer/song writer Talitha Tan and television personality Ahirene Ahirudin.

Last season’s Promotional Class champion Shawn Lee meanwhile, makes his fourth consecutive season appearance but this time rejoining as a privateer in the Sporting Class for amateur drivers after earning a class promotion.

It will be Lee’s second stint in the competitive class having won the Promotional Class in Season 1, moving up to Sporting Class in Season 2 and returning to win his second Promotional Class title in Season 3.

Names to look out for include last season’s runner-up and Dream Chaser driver Bradley Benedict Anthony, Season 3’s second runner-up Haji Sutan Mustaffa, and a long list of race winners and podium contenders who include Kenneth Koh, Adam Khalid, Datuk Dr Ken Foo, Lim Chun Beng, Tom Goh, Mirza Syahmi and Dannies Ng.

The Sporting Class will field a total of 19 drivers gunning for the prospect of being crowned the new champion in Season 4.

In the intensely competitive Super Sporting Class, two-time Vios Challenge champion and recently minted Toyota Gazoo Racing Ambassador Tengku Djan Ley returns to the grid to defend his title.

Last season’s Sporting Class champion and the youngest ever winner of the Vios Challenge, 16 year-old Hayden Haikal meanwhile, has also earned a promotion into the Super Sporting Class and the chance to prove himself worthy against a grid of 11 professional racers.

Other contenders in the class to look out for will be Season 2 champion Boy Wong, last season’s runner-up Mark Darwin, last season’s second runner-up Freddie Ang, and big names the likes of accomplished racers William Ho, Kenny Lee, Keifli Othman, Syafiq Ali and former Sporting Class champion Brendan Paul Anthony.

Also sharing the grid with the professionals but classified in a separate class of their own will be the six new young drivers in the Rookie Class. They are simulator racers Mika Hakimi, 17 and Naquib Azlan, 20; and karters Amer Harris, 17; Jwan Hii, 18; Putera Adam, 14; and Troy Eimann, 16.

Takeyama said the Rookie Class is another exciting new element in Season 4.

"It is the result of several months of training and you will be surprised at how well these young drivers have adapted to saloon car racing. This is another small way of giving back to the racing community in Malaysia, opening the door for talented drivers to progress up the racing ladder,” he said.

Overall, Season 4 Toyoyta Gazoo Racing Festival will feature three unique racing series throughout the year, offering 11 spectacular races.

The season ahead will be anchored by the three rounds and a total of six races in the Vios Challenge.

And for their first time, Gazoo Racing will also make its presence felt in the national racing series with the introduction of the Gazoo Racing Vios Sprint Cup which will see two rounds and a total of 4 races being held, and the Gazoo Racing Enduro Cup that will be run in conjunction with the annual Sepang 1000km Endurance Race.

All the action of Round 1 will be broadcast live on the UMW Toyota Motor website at toyota.com.my and toyota.com.my/tgrmalaysia/ on the Toyota Malaysia and Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia Facebook pages.


Tesla's release of new 'self-driving' software closely watched by US regulator

                SAN FRANCISCO: The US auto safety regulator said on Thursday it was closely watching Tesla Inc’s release of a software version intended to allow its cars to drive themselves, saying it stood ready to protect the public against safety risks.

Tesla on Tuesday night released a beta, or test version, of what it calls a “Full Self Driving” software upgrade to an undisclosed number of “expert, careful” drivers.

The release prompted online posts by excited recipients who shared video snippets of their car driving apparently autonomously on city streets at night.

During a Tesla earnings call on Wednesday, chief executive Elon Musk said the latest upgrade was planned to be widely released by the end of this year, with the system becoming more robust as it collected more data.

“NHTSA has been briefed on Tesla’s new feature, which represents an expansion of its existing driver assistance system. The agency will monitor the new technology closely and will not hesitate to take action to protect (the) public against unreasonable risks to safety,” the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a statement.

NHTSA in July said its special crash investigation team had “looked into 19 crashes involving Tesla vehicles where it was believed some form of advanced driver assistance system was engaged at the time of the incident.”

Musk for years has promised self-driving for the company’s vehicles but missed several self-imposed deadlines.

Researchers, regulators and insurance groups say true self-driving is still years away and more complex than companies anticipated several years ago. They have criticised Tesla’s promotion of its existing semi-automated Autopilot system as dangerously misleading.

A consortium of self-driving technology companies, Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE), which includes Ford Motor Co, General Motors Co and Google’s self-driving unit Waymo, criticised Tesla’s approach.

“Public road testing is a serious responsibility and using untrained consumers to validate beta-level software on public roads is dangerous and inconsistent with existing guidance and industry norms,” PAVE said in a Thursday statement.

Autopilot and similar advanced driver assistance systems can provide steering, braking and acceleration support under limited circumstances, generally on highways.

Tesla's website describes the new software release as "Autosteer on City Streets," saying the system requires active driver supervision and does not make the car autonomous. here

Tesla owners can buy “Full Self Driving” for US$8,000 in hopes of eventually receiving the upgrade. Musk said early Thursday the price would rise by US$2,000 on Monday, but later in the day tweeted US price hikes would be pushed to Thursday next week. Similar price increases will apply in other countries as the test version was released there, he added.

On Twitter, Tesla owners receiving the test version posted videos of their experience, claiming the car "literally sees everything," setting indicators on its own and navigating turns even without clear lane markings.

They also posted a picture of the software update release notes, which said the system “may do the wrong thing at the worst time,” urging drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and pay extra attention.

Reuters could not reach Tesla for comment on NHTSA’s statement and to confirm the authenticity of the release note.

In other related developments, India’s richest state Maharashtra has invited Tesla to set up shop, weeks after Musk suggested entering the country next year.

In a tweet here on Thursday, state tourism and environment minister Aaditya Thackeray said he and industries minister Subhash Desai held a video call with Tesla executives earlier in the day to invite them to the state.

Tesla’s entry into Asia’s third largest economy could come at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is increasingly focusing to promote the use of electric vehicles.

Over in Berlin, Tesla's executive overseeing construction of the electric carmaker's "gigafactory" has left his position, a source familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

Tesla declined to comment on whether Evan Horetsky, head of engineering, procurement and construction at the German plant, was still with the US company. Horetsky could not be reached for comment.

German broadcaster RBB was first to report the departure. RBB said there would be no delays in the factory’s planning application process as a result of Horetsky leaving.

The Berlin plant will be the fourth Tesla Gigafactory - producing cars and batteries - and the first in Europe.


Australian who filmed four dead and dying police sent to prison

Pusey (right) is taken away from his home by police in Melbourne on April 23, 2020. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison today. — AP
CANBERRA: A speeding driver in Australia was sentenced to 10 months in prison on April 28 for offences including what a judge described as the “heartless, cruel and disgraceful” filming of four dead and dying police officers who had just been hit by a truck on a freeway.

Richard Pusey, a 42-year-old mortgage broker, had earlier pleaded guilty in the Victoria state County Court to a rarely-prosecuted charge of outraging public decency over his commentary in crash scene videos shot with his phone. It was the first time the charge had been prosecuted in the state since 1963.

The most serious charge he admitted was reckless conduct endangering persons, which carries a potential maximum of five years in prison.

Judge Trevor Wraight sentenced Pusey to 10 months in prison, backdated to when he was taken into custody 296 days ago.

Police had pulled Pusey over for driving his Porsche at 149kph on Melbourne’s Eastern Freeway in April last year.

Police were considering impounding the sports car because Pusey had far exceeded the 100kph speed limit when a truck crashed into the officers, Porche and two police cars in an emergency stopping lane.

Pusey, who avoided injury because he had been urinating behind roadside bushes at the time, did not help but instead filmed the scene.

His profanity-laden commentary while filming included “he’s smashed”, “justice”, “absolutely amazing” and “beautiful.”

“I think everyone got cleaned up,” Pusey said. “I guess I’ll be getting a... Uber home, huh.”

When one of five bystanders who came to the aid of the stricken officers asked Pusey to help, he replied: “They’re dead”, and continued filming.

Wraight described Pusey’s conduct as “callous and reprehensible”.

“Your conduct... was heartless, cruel and disgraceful,” the judge said.

Wraight told Pusey that ongoing media coverage of the case showed that the “public has demonised you”.

The judge said while Pusey’s personality disorder might go some way to explain his behaviour, it was a serious case of conduct that outraged public decency.

Pusey had also pleaded guilty to speeding offences and possessing the illicit drug Ecstasy, which he tested positive to using along with cannabis in roadside testing after he was pulled over. He was fined A$1,000 (RM3,176) and was disqualified from driving for two years.

While his sentence is almost completed, he is likely to remain in custody for unrelated matters.

Two weeks ago, Mohinder Singh, the truck driver who killed the four officers, was sentenced to 22 years in prison.

He had been drug-effected and sleep-deprived when he struck the officers and pleaded guilty to four counts of culpable driving causing death, three charges of drug trafficking and one of possessing illicit drugs.


Cycle & Carriage dishes up CNY promo for Mercedes-Benz

                KUALA LUMPUR: Cycle & Carriage is offering an array of discounts for Mercedes-Benz owners and their cars to look their best during the upcoming Chinese New Year festivities.

So get ready for this annual big reunion with Cycle & Carriage and enjoy special savings when you secure any services available from now until Feb 15

Festive glow

Cycle & Carriage is offering grooming services such as the "Vehicle Exterior Polish and Wax", "Windscreen Polishing", "Vehicle Interior", and "Wheel Detailing" services to give a "glow" to the vehicle's exterior and interior.

A range of Mercedes-Benz Grooming products including "Car Shampoo", "Wheel Cleaner", "Interior Glass Cleaner", and "Window Cleaner Intensive" are available at the showrooms for those who preferred a hands-on approach.

Both service and grooming products can be enjoyed at 18% discount during the festive season for extra shine at better value.

Stay cool on way to Reunion dinner

Get 18% off either of Cycle & Carriage's two air-conditioning services - “Vehicle Interior and Air Conditioning Cleaning without Filter” or the “Vehicle Interior and Air Conditioning Cleaning with Filter” that includes a combination of fine-particle filters.

Health check up and more 'huat'

The "Cycle & Carriage Vehicle Family Reunion Health", a 30-points health check inspection that includes tyres, brakes, fluids, wiper, undercarriage, and systems check comes with an auspicious price of RM88 only.

If the vehicle's brake pads and disc require replacement, enjoy Cycle & Carriage’s “Stop & Go promotion” with a 18% discount.A bigger Mercedes-Benz

If you are looking for a bigger, better car to kick start the new year, find your perfect fit at Cycle & Carriage.

Whether you want to provide a safer ride for your family or aim to upgrade your Mercedes Benz driving experience, you may opt for a bigger car or SUV such as the Mercedes-Benz GLC or GLE for more room space and extra comfort on your journey to the big reunion.

Travel in style like a Mercedes-Benz fan

From Mercedes-Benz branded shirts, to Mercedes-Benz branded watches, sunglasses and bags, discover what will suit your personality best so you can strike a pose this Lunar New Year and capture the ultimate #CNYOOTD for your ‘gram.

To ensure customers' peace of mind, Cycle & Carriage has a wide network to offer coverage to the northern, southern and central parts of Peninsular Malaysia.

Find out more about the different Autohauses across Peninsular Malaysia at https://www.ccb.mercedes-benz.com.my/en/desktop/about-us/locations.html.


Mazda MX-5 is Car of the Year Japan

READ ALSO: New Mazda MX-5 in Malaysia

HIROSHIMA: The Mazda MX-5 has been named the 2015-2016 Car of the Year Japan.

All passenger vehicles with an expected annual sales volume of over 500 units, announced or launched in Japan between Oct 1, 2014 and Oct 31, 2015 are eligible for this year's Car of the Year Japan award. The roadster followed the Mazda Demio (Mazda2) last year to become the sixth Mazda vehicle to take the Car of the Year award Japan.

At an award ceremony held at the Tokyo International Exchange Center in Tokyo Bay, the MX-5 sports car tallied 442 votes, pipping the Honda S660 mini-coupe by 41 votes when the last of the sixty juror’s votes were read out. The BMW 2-Series, which finished in third place, totalled 177 votes to pick up the Import Car of the Year gong.

"This result is thanks to everyone's enthusiastic support, and we are both grateful and proud that our Roadster has received such a prestigious award," said Mazda president and CEO Masamichi Kogai.  "Inspired by this win, we will continue building cars that offer driving pleasure, aiming to become a 'one-and-only' for our customers that they will choose again and again."

The lightweight open-top two-seater front-engine rear-wheel drive sports car is the sixth model in Mazda's new-generation lineup of vehicles that feature the full range of Skyactiv technology and Kodo-Soul of Motion design.

In redesigning the model, Mazda aimed to further deepen the experience of driving fun and managed to both perfect the driving position and reduce the weight of the car by over 100 kilograms. While ensuring that the model would remain a true driver's car, Mazda engineers were determined to make the vehicle practical enough for daily use, adopting a weatherproof, easy-to-open-and-close top and ensuring enough space in the luggage compartment for two carry-on-sized bags.

The MX-5 is available in Malaysia for RM226,376.32 (OTR with insurance).


CarSifu Auto Show is back with the latest and greatest

File pic of CarSifu Auto Show. Check out some of the most popular cars on sale in one spot, starting tomorrow.

Vroom power: Visitors to the auto show beginning tomorrow can get up close with some of the latest additions to the line-up of Volvo, Toyota, Subaru, Proton, Honda, Perodua and Nissan.

KUALA LUMPUR: The latest hot wheels in the market will once again be on full display at the CarSifu Auto Show here – its first in three years.

And for the first time, the showcase will head out of the Klang Valley, to Johor.

For the KL edition, motoring fans and the public will have the opportunity to check out the latest car models over five days starting tomorrow at Mid Valley Megamall, from 10am to 10pm daily.

After it concludes here, CarSifu Auto Show 2022 will move to Johor Baru’s The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey for round two of the excitement from Oct 26-30.

The event, organised by Star Media Group, was last held in 2019 and put on hiatus because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Visitors to the auto show beginning tomorrow can get up close with some of the latest additions to the line-up of Volvo, Toyota, Subaru, Proton, Honda, Perodua and Nissan.

These latest rides will come in bodystyles of sedans, hatchbacks, sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) to cater to a wider range of customers.

While the traditional internal combustion engine is still the most popular choice of power among Malaysian motorists, the auto show will give a shout-out to new energy vehicles such as hybrids and all-electric vehicles.

For Volvo, there will be the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, which is Malaysia’s first locally assembled electric vehicle (EV), among others.

Toyota will be showcasing the Corolla Cross Hybrid SUV, and the sporty Vios and Yaris compact models.

Subaru will present its all-wheel-drive Forester and XV GT Edition SUVs that are offered with the cutting-edge “EyeSight” Advanced Driver Assist system.

Meanwhile, look out for Proton’s three popular models – the newly unveiled X70 which comes with a locally assembled 1.5-litre TGDI engine, the X50 which is a best-selling compact SUV, and the affordable Saga that comes with a low starting price.

Honda will highlight its all-new HR-V SUV model that is available in three powertrains of 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC, 1.5-litre DOHC VTEC Turbo and 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC hybrid as well as the new City V-Sensing variant equipped with Honda Sensing smart driving assistance system.

The runaway success of the year – the latest-generation all-new Alza MPV – will be available at Perodua’s display. Visitors can check out this seven-seater MPV’s array of safety, comfort and connectivity features.

If you are keen on a bigger MPV, you may want to have a look at Nissan’s latest Serena S-Hybrid Premium Highway Star, which boasts a spacious and luxurious interior and low fuel consumption.

Local custom car mat-maker Trapo Asia will be unveiling its new Trapo Classic Mark III and Hex II series at the auto show.

Known for its anti-bacterial range of car mats, Trapo will be offering a 12% discount on all car mats and 20% off Oxtra accessories at the event.

Trapo, founded in Melaka in 2016, will hold a Trapo Time Attack Challenge race simulator, where visitors who get the fastest lap stand a chance to take home attractive prizes.


Get savings and freebies under Nissan campaign

                KUALA LUMPUR: Local Nissan distributor Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has launched its Raya Datang Awal promotion offering freebies and giveaways.

Selected models are available with free accessories packages worth up to RM10,150.

Lucky purchasers of brand new Nissan vehicles will have a chance to win Lazada e-Vouchers (RM5,000 per winner).

The e-voucher can be used for purchases on the Lazada e-commerce website for countless items, which would be perfect for those who are doing Hari Raya shopping.

Furthermore, the ongoing exemption on Sales & Service Tax will enable buyers to save more if they register their vehicles before June 30.

All visitors who test-drive the Almera Turbo will receive a Watsons Voucher worth RM30 in appreciation of their interest.

Other models available are the Navara pick-up truck and X-Trail sports utility vehicle.

Nissan owners are assured of the best aftersales services from Tan Chong Expres Auto Servis (TCEAS) that has a nationwide network putting a service centre within easy reach of customers in every state.

For convenience, appointments can also be booked online using the DriveOn app available at the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

All new Nissan vehicles come with a five-year warranty covering manufacturing defects and other than the Navara, there is no limit on mileage travelled after registration.

For the Navara, the mileage limit is 150,000km or five years, whichever comes first.

For customers who are not able to visit Nissan showroom, they may view offers, necessary product information and get doorstep test drive of their dream Nissan vehicle from the comfort of their home through Nissan Online Showroom at https://nissan.com.my/onlineshowroom/.

If a purchase decision is made, via Lazada Nissan Flagship store, a low-booking fee payment online is now available and our Sales Representative will be in touch to assist in completing the purchase process.


Aston Martin reveals Vantage V12 Zagato Heritage Twins by R-Reforged

                LONDON: R-Reforged revealed the first brace of cars created to celebrate Zagato’s centenary - the Aston Martin V12 Zagato Heritage Twins by R-Reforged.

Making their debut are the first pair of Twins, which are prototypes specified by Andrea and Marella Zagato and reserved for the private Zagato collection.

Exclusively available as a pair in Coupé and Speedster form, just 19 pairs will be hand-built at R-Reforged’s new 2,800 square metre facility in Warwick, UK.

Styled at Zagato’s Milan headquarters, the iconic Italian design house has evolved the 2011 Aston Martin Vantage V12 Zagato Coupé to form and created a new, pure Speedster twin.

Both body styles will be fully clothed in carbon fibre with a new splitter and wings at the front end as well as a sleeker tail that possesses active aero.

The Twins can be bespoked in either matching or individual designs thanks to one-to-one sessions with designers and engineers.

“The essence of this project was to create a perfect ‘garage’, comprising of two desirable and collectable cars; Coupé and Roadster,” said Andrea Zagato.

“Limited to just 19 pairs, a significant number, recalling the year Zagato was formed, the Aston Martin V12 Zagato Heritage Twins by R-Reforged mark a remarkable milestone for the Milanese atelier.

Nothing less than an up-tuned 5.9-litre V12 will be found under the long hood, ready to deliver almost 600bhp (+80bhp) to the rear wheels thanks to the addition of a performance aluminium air intake and Titanium exhaust system.

Ride height has been reduced by 10mm before stretching its track width by 20mm - lowering its centre of gravity and upping its corner-carving abilities simultaneously.

Each corner will feature 19-inch wheels with a centre-lock forged by Formula One supplier APP Tech, with an increased offset for a more "flush" fitment before getting wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber.

R-Reforged is now able to offer a full-body ‘visual carbon’ finish as a further option which will require a 400-hour process.

This includes the carbon fibre parts being coated in a bespoke lacquer to provide UV stability prior to tuning both the colour and density of the tint to any shade requested.

Alternatively, the body paint colour can be matched to any sample, whether matt, satin or gloss.

Inside, owners can expect nothing less than Bridge of Weir’s finest Grade A leather with an almost infinite range of colours, bespoke patterns and textures.

Choices to-date include a mottled surface texture, just like that of a pebble, and gloss leather to complement the exterior body finish.

There's also colour-matched horn push button on the steering wheel, the first time in the Vantage’s history that has been done.

Other examples include a sleeker, longer windscreen for the Speedster and retooling the entire carpet boot moulding for added durability.

Each car takes a team of 12 craftspeople 16 weeks to assemble.

All cars are extensively stripped, analysed and thoroughly refreshed before receiving over 500 new components.

Underlining the ownership experience is a series of specially tailored gifts for owners.

This starts with a Twins carbon fibre presentation case that catalogues specification details using scale models and samples.

Customers will continue to receive a stream of themed gifts, invitations and experiences throughout their ownership.

Ensuring the cars’ performance matches the build quality and finish, the prototype cars will be used to determine final geometry, damper settings and spring settings at Spain’s IDIADA test facility early in 2021.

Before then, these Twins, which are ultimately destined to reside in Zagato’s private collection, will be on display at the flagship Aston Martin St. Gallen dealership in Switzerland until early 2021 before embarking on a global tour including the US and Europe.

"Despite having created over 450 models since our formation, we chose Aston Martin, which has surely been our most prestigious partner over the last 50 years, to mark this celebration. The cooperation with R-Reforged ensured that we could create an instant classic,” added Zagato.


BMW expecting a strong reception at Mobile World Congress

                BARCELONA: BMW has a novel idea for dealing with mobile internet reception black holes — turning cars into mobile digital radio wave networks.

At this year's Mobile World Congress, which officially opened its doors on Monday, in Barcelona, Spain, BMW will be showcasing a new research project — the ‘Vehicular CrowdCell'.

The idea is simple. As more cars on the road become connected, mobile internet hot spots, the demand for high-speed web access will also increase.

But the further away from a cell tower, the weaker the signal, unless there is a relay or booster, so why not turn cars into signal amplifiers for the benefit of all?

The project, in partnership with Peiker and Nash Technologies follows on from the concept that BMW unveiled at last year's event, an in-car femtocell. The femtocell was developed to boost the signal and reception for occupants in a car wanting to use mobile devices for data-hungry applications, turning the car's normal antenna into a magnet for high-speed internet data. The new prototype concept piggybacks this technology in order to offer an on-demand signal boost for those near the car, too.

"The 'Vehicular Small Cell' will optimise in-vehicle connectivity of mobile devices for our customers," explains Dr. Peter Fertl, project manager at the BMW Group. "At the same time, the integration into a network of "Vehicular CrowdCells" will enable the ubiquitous and seamless availability of high-quality mobile radio connections outside the vehicle."

And as well as helping individuals access content more quickly while out and about — either on foot or inside a BMW — the company envisions the technology being integrated into vehicular services such as a fleet of ride sharing cars that cover a specific geographical region.

When parked, they would be able to fill in all of the signal dead spots (or ‘white spots' as they're called in the telecoms industry) in the area. Capable of understanding the strength, peaks and troughs of data flow, they could amplify coverage automatically when it's needed.

This year's Mobile World Congress runs Feb 22 - 25.


All-new Ford Galaxy revealed

COLOGNE (Germany): Ford Motor Company has revealed the all-new Ford Galaxy, which has advanced as a spacious, refined and technology-laden people mover offering luxurious travel for seven passengers.

Featuring the company’s latest global design language with a sophisticated grille and slim-line headlamps, the all-new Galaxy offers seven full-size seats, enabling families to easily switch between seating or load space with a segment-first feature that raises third-row seats at the push of a button.

Comfort is enhanced for front seat passengers with massaging Ford Multi-Contour Seats; and for rear seat passengers with integral link rear suspension that offers a smoother, quieter ride.

The all-new Galaxy also supports drivers in town and on the highway with advanced technologies including Intelligent Speed Limiter,  Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection and Glare-Free Highbeam technology.

“Families across Europe have grown up with the Galaxy. Customers are reassured by its ability to carry seven in first-class comfort and safety, and to constantly surprise with its unmatched versatility,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. “The all-new Galaxy enhances those qualities with improved dynamics, fuel efficiency and refinement – as well as useful innovations.”

The all-new Galaxy makes it easier than ever to maximise space for passengers and luggage. A control panel in the rear luggage compartment enables all five second- and third-row seats to be folded flat at the push of a button. As a segment-first, the panel also can be used to automatically raise the third row seats.

A flat load floor makes it easier to load large or bulky items, and the ability to slide and recline second- and third-row seats individually means seating and loadspace combinations are as easy to tailor to the school run as for trips to the airport. Beneath the boot floor the new Cargo Management System offers 20 litres of hidden storage, and helps to carry taller items.

“Galaxy has always been a car designed around the needs of seven, and our new model takes this philosophy to even greater heights with every occupant benefiting from outstanding levels of comfort and refinement,” said Andrew Kernahan, Ford Galaxy chief programme engineer.

Ford’s integral link rear suspension configuration delivers the compliance required for greater comfort, while retaining lateral stiffness for enhanced steering and handling. Also introduced to all-new Mondeo and all-new S-MAX, it allows the wheel to move further rearwards on impact with bumps. This delivers improved impact absorption for a smoother ride and reduced noise levels. Galaxy also is offered with self-levelling rear suspension that maintains optimal ride height for comfort and handling.

All-new Galaxy technologies also make parking easier with Perpendicular Parking which can detect and reverse the car hands-free into spaces alongside other cars in the same way that Active Park Assist helps drivers to parallel park.

Park-Out Assist helps drivers exit a parallel parking space, the system operating the steering while the driver operates the accelerator and brake. Side Parking Aid delivers audible alerts and on-screen distance indicators to obstacles around the vehicle. Cross Traffic Alert warns drivers reversing out of a parking space of vehicles that may soon be crossing behind them and Front Split View Camera enhances the driver’s field of vision when pulling out of a parking space or junction with a 180 degree camera system installed at the front of the Galaxy, and displays the image on the 8-inch high-resolution touchscreen in the centre console.

Further driver assistance technologies offered with all-new Galaxy include Blind Spot Information System, Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Keeping Alert and Aid and Driver Alert.

Ford SYNC 2 with Voice Control enables drivers to operate phone, entertainment, climate and navigation systems using simple conversational language. A useful tool for family road trips or holidays, drivers can even bring up a list of local restaurants by saying: “I’m hungry” or search for attractions and points of interest by name.

Powerful, fuel-efficient new engines will further enhance driving appeal in town and on the highway. The all-new Galaxy will be available with Ford’s new 210PS 2.0-litre TDCi Bi-turbo diesel engine that offers enhanced responsiveness and 450Nm of torque from 2,000rpm.

“The new high-powered TDCi diesel engine follows the downsizing trend we’ve led with our EcoBoost petrol technology. Smaller engines deliver better fuel efficiency and emissions, and we claim the power back with advanced technology,” said Andrew Brumley, chief engineer, Ford Engine Programs. “Sequential bi-turbo technology delivers the seamless performance consumers want every day in all conditions, and makes turbo-lag a distant memory.”

Ford’s enhanced 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine with single variable geometry turbocharger technology is offered with 120PS, 150PS and 180PS, featuring revised engine block, new cylinder-head and fuel injection designs, and lean NOX trap exhaust after-treatment system for cleaner emissions.

Petrol engine options include Ford’s new fuel-efficient 160PS 1.5-litre EcoBoost and 240PS 2.0-litre EcoBoost. The entire Galaxy engine range meets Euro Stage VI emissions standards with CO2 emissions and fuel efficiency.

The all-new Galaxy offers a contemporary and sophisticated appearance. At the front a raised trapezoidal grille is positioned above a distinctive full-width lower grille. The slim-line headlamps flow into the raised beltline that is designed to present a strong, mature and elegant character.

The mature and sophisticated interior design, including a sculpted centre console that flows from the upper instrument panel and a wrap-around dashboard that flows into the front doors. The open and airy interior benefits from a large glass area and optional full-length retractable panoramic glass roof.


Fuel prices unchanged in November

                PETALING JAYA: Petrol and diesel prices remain unchanged in November.

Motorists will continue to get RON95 petrol at RM2.05 a litre, RON97 petrol at RM2.45, diesel at RM1.90 and Euro5 diesel at RM2.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin announced earlier today that the Government has decided not to give the public prior notice on fuel price changes to prevent petrol pump operators from controlling the sale of fuel to consumers.

The notice would only be issued to the Petroleum Dealers Association of Malaysia at midnight on the last day of every month, Bernama quoted him as saying.

The Government implemented the managed float system to determine the price of RON95, RON97 petrol and diesel from Dec 1 last year.