New BMW X1 arrives in Malaysia, priced at RM280K

KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Group Malaysia launched the new X1 today, pricing it at RM279,800.

The second-generation sDrive 20i sports activity vehicle features a 2.0-litre engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology which outputs 192hp and 280Nm of torque.

The X1 has an all new engine and chassis technology, and newly designed interior.

Sprinting from standstill to 100kph is done in 7.7 seconds, allowing th X1 to hit a top speed of 225kph. The average fuel consumption is 5.9 litres per 100 kilometres, while C02 emissions stand at 136 grams per kilometre.

READ ALSO: First drive in Munich

It also features the all new BMW ConnectedDrive Services and Apps for a varied selection of driver assistance systems.

"With its commanding appearance, versatility, innovative connectivity and groundbreaking BMW EfficientDynamics technology, the new X1 has all the elements to remain a stand-out player in the segment," said BMW Group Malaysia managing director and CEO Alan Harris at the X1 launch here.

The X1 is available in the Sport Line variant and is the first  X model to be created on the new, efficiency-optimised front-wheel drive platform.

The exterior boasts robust proportions and powerfully sculpted surfaces, which lend the vehicle an assured apperance. The interior offers significantly more space with a premium ambience.

Other highlights of the car include the latest, powerful and highly efficient four-cylinder engine, all-new chassis technology, a new segment leading  BMW ConnectedDrive suite of technologies – the first in the Malaysian premium segment.

LED headlights highlights an extended range of features including LED daytime running lights and parking lights, cornering lights, adaptive light distribution and LED rear lights. Its rear features wide taillights in typical BMW L-shaped light strips. The X1 also features 18” double spoke light alloy wheels as a standard offer with the Sport Line package.

At 4,439mm long, 1,821mm wide and 1,598mm tall, the proportions of the X1 follow the Sports Activity Vehicle blueprint in compact form. However, with 53mm of growth in height, the X1 offers more interior space for passengers and luggage. The bigger space also arose because of the front-wheel drive platform and the transversely mounted engine.

The seats are raised 40mm, thus giving every occupant a better all-round view, which also means added safety in road traffic. Rear-seat passengers get an additional 37mm of legroom. Entering and leaving the car are also more convenient now. In combination with the lowered position of the instrument panel and large window surfaces, the elevated view creates a pleasantly generous sense of spaciousness.

A 40/20/40-split folding rear seatback allows for increased seating comfort in the rear or increased luggage capacity from 505 to 1,550 litres.

Additional features include air conditioning in the rear, a sports leather steering wheel, sports seats, an electric parking brake, two cup holders in the front, storage compartment package with features such as storage compartments under the front seats, storage nets on the front seatbacks, and a rear centre armrest with cup holders, among others.

The bonnet, bumpers and many other chassis components are made of aluminium while the air vent control, Air Curtains and wind deflectors on the wheel arches, as well as a largely smooth underbody and aeroblades on the rear enable a drag coefficient (Cd) value of as low as 0.28.

Rounding off the combination of the economical BMW TwinPower Turbo engine, intelligent lightweight construction and sophisticated aerodynamics are additional BMW EfficientDynamics technologies such as the Automatic Start/Stop function and ECO PRO mode.

The X1 is equipped with a 6.5” control displayand BMW Navigation Professional.

It is available in Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Mineral Grey, Chestnut Bronze and Mediterranean Blue, with a range of Leather Dakota upholstery colour choices including Black, Red highlight and Mocha.


Latest Porsche 911 GT3 arrives at RM1.76mil

                SEPANG: Porsche in Malaysia has introduced the all-new Porsche 911 GT3 that comes with vastly improved performance and racing pedigree.

The seventh generation 911 GT3 and 911 GT3 with Touring Package are now open for pre-order with prices starting from RM1,766,244 with SST exemption.

Designed as a true road-legal GT race car, the new 911 GT3 inherits elements straight from racing; for the first time, the car features a double-wishbone front suspension layout taken from the Le Mans-winning 911 RSR race car.

It comes with specific geometry and calibration to change the car’s turn-in behaviour and allowing for sure-footed agility on the racetrack.

Its sophisticated aerodynamics with swan-neck rear wing mounting and striking diffuser are also from the 911 RSR, allowing for approximately 50% more downforce without affecting drag coefficient.

The manually-adjustable rear wing and diffuser elements can also be set to increase aerodynamic downforce by up to 150% in better managing higher cornering speeds.

The 911 GT3’s six-cylinder boxer engine, featuring individual throttle bodies for each of its six cylinders, is capable of revving up to 9,000rpm.

The updated 4.0-litre naturally aspirated engine delivers 510PS and 470Nm of torque to propel the GT3 from 0-100kph in 3.4 seconds and to a top speed of 318kph.

The new 911 GT3 achieves a Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time of 6:59.927 minutes, approximately 17 seconds faster than its predecessor.

Despite a wider body, larger wheels, as well as additional technical and safety features, the new 911 GT3 retains a weight similar to its predecessor.

Using the standard six-speed manual transmission, the 911 GT3 weights just 1,418kg (seven-speed PDK: 1,435kg).

This low overall weight figure is achieved through extensive use of lightweight materials: the front bonnet and rear wing are made from the carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), the windows are made from lightweight glass, and the starter battery is a small LiFePO4 unit.

In addition, forged lightweight wheels and a sports exhaust system reduce weight by more than more than 10kg.

The 911 GT3 with Touring Package, offered at no extra cost, comes with a six-speed manual GT sports gearbox as standard, is more refined and suited for sports car lovers while delivering the same performance as the purist 911 GT.

The Touring Package also gets an automatically extending rear spoiler instead of a fixed-type which offers the necessary downforce at high speeds while maintaining a more understated aesthetic.

Silver-coloured trim strips made of high-gloss anodised aluminium on the side windows are another distinguishing feature, while the front end is painted completely in the exterior colour.

The rear lid grille features a unique ‘GT3 Touring” logo, which sits above the signature Porsche lettering, also finished in silver.

Almost all optional equipment available for the 911 GT3 can be specified in combination with the Touring Package.

This includes all exterior and wheel colours, LED headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) and Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS), Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB), lift system on the front axle, seat variations, assist systems, audio systems and the Sport Chrono package.

The cockpit is designed in line with the current 992 generation, but the GT3-specific instrument cluster features a central rev counter, which goes up to 10,000rpm, flanked by two high-resolution 7.0-inch displays featuring the new track screen.

This feature allows the driver to simplify the digital displays to prioritise vital track information such as tyre pressure, oil pressure, oil temperature and fuel tank level at the touch of a button.

It also includes a visual shift assistant with coloured bars to the left and right of the rev counter and a shift light to facilitate more accurately-timed gear changes.

Like all 992 generation 911 models, infotainment in the 911 GT3 is centred on a high-resolution 10.9-inch touchscreen display featuring the latest Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system with online navigation and Porsche Connect Plus.

This system also supports the Porsche Track Precision App, which helps drivers maximise their track sessions and improve lap times by providing detailed driving data, including live displays and video analyses.

Due to increased demand for customised equipment among Porsche GT models, the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur range has been updated to include GT3-specific options such as a lightweight roof made of exposed carbon fibre, exterior mirror tops made of carbon, darkened LED matrix headlight bases and matching Exclusive design rear lights with an arc of light without the red components.

Optional Guards Red or Shark Blue painted wheel rims allow owners to enhance the visual impact of the black alloy wheels.

Inside, equipment details such as the dials for the rev counter and Sport Chrono stopwatch, seat belts and trim can also be customised to almost any colour of choice.

For even more exclusivity, Porsche offers its special ‘Paint to Sample’ programme with 105 classic shades from Porsche’s past catalogue, as well as bespoke possibilities according to a customer’s choice, subject to availability.

Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) chief executive officer Christopher Hunter said motorsport had always been a core tenet of the Porsche brand identity.

"The 911 GT3 has long exemplified this passion for racing by transferring every ounce of expertise gained on the track onto the road. With the all-new 911 GT3 we are launching today, we are giving our customers the purest driving thrills possible behind the wheel of a Porsche 911.

“While the 911 GT3 makes for an ideal Sepang companion for the active community of track-going Porsche owners here in Malaysia, those who prefer to experience the dynamic qualities of the GT3 in a more understated fashion across longer journeys can go for the Touring Package which transforms the GT3 into a more road-oriented grand tourer (GT)," he said.


Kia debuts new Seltos compact urban SUV

                NEW DELHI: Kia has taken the wraps off its new Seltos compact SUV here.

The new model will first be released in India and South Korea. The global launch is slated to be completed by the end of the year.

It is based on the SP Signature concept shown at the Seoul Motor Show in March 2019.

With its long bonnet and strong shoulder line, and its LED headlight that extends across the grille, the Seltos is presented as a relatively robust model.

Inside, the cab includes the Uvo Connect Infotainment system, which can be controlled using a 10.25-inch touchscreen, as well as the Sound Mood Lighting system. Options include an overhead display system displaying driver information such as speed, as well as detailed navigation.

The Seltos will be available in diesel and petrol versions for powers of 136hp to 177hp, with a 6-speed torque converter or a 7-speed DCT respectively. Three drive modes will be available: Normal, Eco (fuel economy) and Sport (for increased terrain feedback).

The Seltos is equipped with six airbags, an Anti-lock Braking System, a traction mode control system, brake assist, hill-start assist, as well as front and back parking sensors.


On the food trail with VW Passat

It was a fine May day when we took off to sample a series of Malaysian delights and taking us there was a car we have become quite familiar with, albeit with some updates this time.The Volkswagen Passat has been in the Malaysian market since 2011, when it arrived fully imported.Two years ago, the CKD (completely knocked down) Passat was launched with a price tag lowered by some RM15,000.Recently, it was updated with new features such as Bluetooth for telephone connectivity and audio streaming, 12-way electrically adjustable front seats for better long-haul comfort, and an improved anti-theft alarm with immobiliser and electric folding mirrors.Externally, there’s no way of telling if it is or isn’t a Passat with enhanced features, still having a 1,517kg kerb weight comfortably atop a set of 17-inch wheels with 235/45 tyres and no external markings to tell it apart.It’s a sporty cruiser costing RM169,888 (on-the-road without insurance), being RM1,000 cheaper than last year with a few more elements found within for this year.Although it comes with a humble displacement of 1.8-litres for its four-cylinders – turbocharging and direct injection has compensated well.It produces 158bhp from 5,000 to 6,200rpm and 250Nm of torque from 1,500 to 4,200rpm and uses a seven-speed DSG gearbox.In order to appreciate the additional equipment, Volkswagen Group Malaysia organised a “food trip” with lots of highway driving.With three journalists in a Passat, we made off at 10am from Café Barbera in Bangsar; a stone’s throw away from Wisma Volkswagen on Lorong Maarof, Kuala Lumpur.From there, we travelled north for two hours to the quiet town of Bidor, Perak to indulge in some duck drumstick noodles at the original Pun Chun restaurant on Jalan Besar.At the Pun Chun restaurant in Bidor; on the right is a pair of steamed pork buns (char siew pow) next to a plate of roasted duck (siew ngap) paired with roasted pork (char siew) and lightly garnished with some parsley.It was here that tales of succulent and tender herbal duck meat originated.After the satisfying meal, we had a driver swap, allowing me to relax in the front powered passenger seat and take in the scenery as we pushed further north towards Ipoh.The beauty about electrically adjustable seats is finding that preferred position is easier, compared with the manual mechanical type.It was a comfortable drive, and thanks to the comfortable suspension, I dozed off and awoke at the next destination - Ming Court Hong Kong Dim Sum.Tim sum at Ming Court Hong Kong Tim Sum in IpohNestled in Jalan Leong Sin Nam, just behind Excelsior Hotel, the entrance can often be missed by those who are not so alert.In any case, we had to deal with the plethora of dim sum dishes served to us.After the dim sum meal, we left for Kellie’s Castle, located near Batu Gajah where an unfinished, ruined mansion lies; previously built by a Scottish planter named William Kellie Smith.For this part of the journey, I moved to the rear seats.The Passat’s generous rear leg-room comes in handy with people often lounging into their seats.Thus, having more knee room than necessary comes as a major bonus here.The Passat’s firm suspension handled uneven roads very well.We also managed to steal a moment to enjoy a cup of coffee at the Clearwater Sanctuary Golf Resort before finally hitting the road home.For us, the “food trip” served as a strong reminder of the Passat’s charming blend of spaciousness, comfort, performance and handling.It stays well-planted during spirited driving on twisty roads and feels effortless when cruising at low or high speeds.


All-electric Volkswagen ID.R to stand before China's gateway to heaven

                BEIJING: Volkswagen is in an all-out offensive to promote its electric mobility in China and to make it as memorable as possible, it'll be pitting its ID.R against the country's 1,519m Tianmen Mountain.

The mountain, deeply rooted in Chinese mythology and believed by many to be the gateway to heaven, has 99 corners throughout its 11km route for the fully-electric ID.R to navigate through to the top while wearing its new red livery.

By next year, the German carmaker plans to have no less than 10 electric vehicle options for its China market and that will be followed by rolling out the fully-electric ID. product family that's based on Volkswagen's Modular Electric Drive Unit (MEB) platform.

By 2023, there should be some 10 ID. models planned, all fully connected in different body styles, and ready to take to China's streets.

Volkswagen has been producing cars in China since 1983 through joint ventures with the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) and the First Automotive Works (FAW).

Together with the joint ventures, Volkswagen Group China now operates 33 production sites with more than 100,000 employees in total.

The country is also the largest individual market for Volkswagen. In 2018, the Group sold 4.21mil vehicles in China, of which 3.11mil were Volkswagen brand models.

With global sales of 6.24mil Volkswagen cars in 2018, this means that every second Volkswagen car sold was in China.

According to market data from the Center of Automotive Management (CAM), around one million e-cars were sold in China in 2018.

In 2020, more than five million electric cars are expected to drive out onto the country's roads.

For this reason, a SAIC Volkswagen plant in Anting near Shanghai will be converted to produce vehicles based on the MEB platform.

Likewise, a FAW Volkswagen plant in Foshan will build electric cars on the MEB platform with production planned in 2020 for both plants.


Partitions and bubbles: How the coronavirus is changing taxis

                BERLIN: From Beijing to New York, footage has emerged of taxi drivers cordoned off in bubbles by a layer of soft plastic taped around the driver's seat, from the roof to the console.

The makeshift measure, aimed at protecting them from passengers, is an understandable one, given reports that taxi drivers in places such as Thailand and Taiwan have picked up the coronavirus from their clients.

Meanwhile in Europe, where the virus has been confirmed in hundreds of thousands of people, taxi drivers are starting to kit out their cars with plastic partition walls separating the front from the rear.

Partitions are already an everyday sight in London's black cabs, where a large rear is separated off from the front by a sheet of hard plastic. And yet they are less familiar for cab drivers in many other parts of the planet, where passengers share the same interior.

The pandemic now appears to be changing this, and one company in Germany has started selling flexible polycarbonate screens that can be mounted behind the headrests of the front seats.

"This is a practical emergency measure," says Matthias Meltke, an entrepreneur in the town of Boehlen, near the city Leipzig in central Germany. He's fitted more than 50 taxis with partitions, each costing about €120 (RM569), since the virus arrived in Germany.

"At the moment, drivers and passengers are a bit afraid of each other," says the businessman, who came up with the idea while chatting to a friend from a taxi company.

He's not the only one to have had the idea, however. A taxi company in Liverpool has resorted to a similar measure, spurred by the outbreak. "We are fitting plastic protective screens into our cars," Liverpool's Alpha Taxis announced in March.

For those who don't have a partition or plastic bubble, face masks are advised. Taxi associations in Germany and elsewhere have been calling on drivers and passengers to wear masks inside the car.

"After all, we are currently driving the risk groups around and are very interested in protecting both passengers and ourselves," says Michael Oppermann from an association of taxi drivers in Germany.


Mitsubishi Triton roughing it out in style

                Landing in Kota Kinabalu, East Malaysia is always a pleasure with the immediate sense of Kuala Lumpur’s fast-paced lifestyle hitting the brakes all the way to a nice. Slow. Cruise...

Thanks to Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, we were able to try out the new Triton VGT with a manual transmission and the VGT Adventure with an automatic gearbox.

But before we could try out the two Tritons in East Malaysia’s “outback”, we first had to take a 180km southwest bus ride (shadowing the coastline) from the airport to Hotel Seri Malaysia in Lawas.

During the comfortable three-hour journey, we watched nature’s flora and fauna go by while others took the opportunity to catch a nap.

The hotel would be our final stop of the day to rest our weary heads, not before getting a brief on what’s to be expected for the next few days – a convoy of 15 Triton pickup trucks and lots of bumpy love.

The convoy consisted of the mid-range Triton VGT with a manual transmission and the Triton VGT with an automatic transmission as well as the range-topping Triton Adventure – only available with an automatic gearbox.

Off the bat, the Japanese pickup truck already seems impressive with a best-in-class turning radius of 5.9m, while playing host to luxury amenities such as a 4WD selector and keyless entry with push-start button.

Other luxuries include a six-speaker audio system with a seven-inch touchscreen CD/MP3/USB player, 16-inch wheels with 245/70 series tyres and a three-spoke steering wheel with volume controls as well as tilt and telescopic adjustability.

The range-topping VGT Adventure model, however, adds automatic Xenon headlights, daytime running lights, paddle-shifters, reverse camera, automatic wipers, dual-zone climate controls, cruise control, leather seats, bluetooth, voice commands and 17-inch alloy wheels with 245/65 series tyres.

Under the hood, it’s still a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel, but now it produces 176bhp and an additional 50Nm at 400Nm of torque over its predecessor - thanks to the inclusion of a variable geometry turbo (VGT) system.

Rising early the next morning, it would be a full day of dust as we bounced our way through one of East Malaysia’s many logging trails to test out the new Triton’s mettle.

For most of the day, we would be in a Triton with a five-speed manual transmission mated to the 2.5-litre turbo-diesel that added some fun while working with all three pedals on the bumpy trail.

Shifting gears were smooth and working the clutch was nothing short of effortless, with some sections of the 60km route deemed flat enough to gun through the dirt and gravel.

But the main challenge was keeping the Triton from stalling when navigating through steep angles that should have required 4L (low ratio) mode.

Aside from the manual gearbox, having a manual 4WD selector (2H, 4H and 4L) does help to speed things up a little more compared to the automated 4WD selector dial located on the central tunnel - especially when using 4L mode, which simply requires a quick stop in neutral, shift into 4L and off we go.

By mid-day, we had reached Long Lidong and took a short break before pushing on to Merarap Hot Spring Lodge where we soaked our battered bodies in therapeutic hot spring water, feasted the night away and retired as the cool winds began gusting and bringing in a sudden flurry of rainfall that lasted – as Lionel Ritchie would sing – “All Night Long”.

By sunrise, the rain had stopped and the river next to our lodge left a wet and muddy trail for our enjoyment later in the day.

Our final leg of the trip for the new day would take us north, to Sutera Habour Resort back in Kota Kinabalu and this time it would be in the range-topping Triton VGT Adventure for the next 230km that consisted of muddy trails, logging routes and tarmac too.

Thanks to the rain, we were able to experience the Triton’s part-time 4WD system with a hybrid limited slip differential (LSD), which helped in providing some much appreciated uniform traction when traversing through some muddy sections.

The LSD would disallow any one of the four wheels to receive more power than the rest and ensured that all wheels were equally powered, which meant fun tail-wagging sessions became a rarity.

Finally, back on tarmac, and chatter between everyone in the cabin came to a halt, perhaps secretly appreciating the “smooth” road that would be the last bit before the journey ended.

The Triton would keep itself well poised around the bends and pitch and roll was well taken care of by the suspension’s front independent-wishbone with coil springs and rear elliptical leaf springs for a stiff yet surprisingly well-damped ride.

Regardless of the road ahead being of nature’s terrains or man’s tarmac, the chassis will always feel rigid due to the predominant use of high-tensile steel.
With the Triton’s 2.5-litre turbo-diesel mill equipped with a VGT system, power delivery was right on the money, especially with 400Nm of much needed torque for when playing in nature’s backyard.

And together with paddle shifters, coupled with the steering wheel’s tilt and especially telescopic adjustability to really dial in those preferred ergonomics, it all helped to enhance comfort levels and ultimately driving pleasure.

During some parts of the entire journey, we were able to experience the rear seat, albeit through the mountains, which proved to be surprisingly comfortable with a generous amount of legroom thanks to the “J-line” that’s been designed into the Triton - right between the cab and the cargo bed.

Although the Triton isn’t the most powerful in its class, it does feel ‘well put together.

It also does well to stand out with its abilities such as the assuring traction from the hybrid LSD and class leading 5.9m turning radius.

With the amenities it affords, like paddle shifters, leather upholstery (Adventure only) telescopic steering wheel and comfortable rear bench to name a few – it’s simply a proposition that not many could say no to with the Triton VGT (M/T) and Adventure being priced on-the-road with GST without insurance at RM92,115 and RM108,274 respectively.

Read our take of the fifth generation Mitsubishi Triton during an off-road experience or during its launch.


Oxbotica, Google Cloud partner to scale up autonomous software

                LONDON: Oxbotica and Alphabet Inc's Google Cloud said today they are partnering up to speed up the deployment of the British self-driving software startup's autonomous software platform to customers around the world.

Oxbotica will use Google Cloud infrastructure to create "scalable, safe, and reliable" autonomous driving solutions for its customers in last-mile logistics, agriculture, light industry, and public transport, the companies said.

The companies said Oxbotica will use Google Cloud products to develop and test its self-driving technology, including generating digital twins to validate its platform.

Oxbotica will also use Google Cloud's cyber-security expertise to ensure the secure use of self-driving technology.

Cloud infrastructure is seen as crucial for developing autonomous vehicles at scale.

Wayve, another British self-driving startup, is using supercomputer infrastructure designed by its investor Microsoft to process vast amounts of data as it develops machine learning-based models for self-driving cars.

Developing fully self-driving vehicles that can go everywhere has proven harder and more expensive than expected, but investors are continuing to fund startups that target simpler self-driving vehicle solutions far removed from pedestrians and other vehicles operated by unpredictable humans.

Oxbotica said in January it had raised US$140 million (RM617mil) from investors to speed the deployment of AVs in areas including heavy industry, ports and airports.


Hyundai app exposed vehicles to high-tech thieves, say researchers

                TORONTO: Software vulnerabilities in a Hyundai Motor Co app that lets a car be started remotely made the company's vehicles susceptible to theft from high-tech thieves for three months before the company fixed the bug in March, a cyber security firm said on Tuesday.

Hyundai introduced a flaw in a Dec 8, 2016 update to the mobile app for its Blue Link connected car software that made it possible for car thieves to locate vulnerable vehicles, unlock and start the vehicles, said Tod Beardsley, research director with cyber security firm Rapid7 Inc.

Hyundai confirmed the bug's existence and said it moved quickly to fix the problem.

The US Deparment of Homeland Security issued an advisory about the vulnerability on Tuesday.

"No known public exploits specifically target these vulnerabilities," the advisory read. "High skill level is needed to exploit." Both the company and Beardsley said they did not know of any cases of car thieves exploiting the vulnerability before Hyundai pushed out the fix to Android and iPhone users in early March.

"The issue did not have a direct impact on vehicle safety," said Jim Trainor, a spokesman for Hyundai Motor America.

"Hyundai is not aware of any customers being affected by this potential vulnerability." The bug surfaced as the auto industry bolsters efforts to secure vehicles from cyber attacks, following a high-profile recall of Fiat Chrysler vehicles in 2015 and government warnings about the potential for car hacks.

Risks have multiplied in recent years as vehicles have grown more complex, adding features like mobile apps that can locate, unlock and start them.

"What's changed is not just the presence of all that hackable software, but the volume and variety of remote attack surfaces added to more recent vehicles," said Josh Corman, director of the Atlantic Council's Cyber Statecraft Initiative.

Fiat Chrysler recalled 1.4 million US vehicles in 2015 after two security researchers demonstrated that they could get remote control of a Jeep traveling at high speeds.

The Blue Link bug is not as frightening as the ones uncovered in the Fiat Chrysler vehicles. Moving vehicles are not vulnerable to attacks using the Blue Link app, and a hacker would have to be near the owner of a targeted vehicle who is using the mobile app via an insecure WiFi connection, Beardsley said.

General Motors Co patched a similar bug in its OnStar vehicle communication system in 2015 that had the potential to let hackers break into cars.


Top Gear hires Chris Evans

                LONDON: Top Gear has a new host after BBC Productions announced that television and radio presenter, Chris Evans, has signed on for the role.

According to the BBC, Evans was thrilled to get the job and signed a three-year deal with BBC Two, although having previously insisted that he was not interested.

However, Clarkson’s co-hosts Richard Hammond, James May and former executive producer Andy Wilman will not re-appear on the show.

“I promise I will do everything I possibly can to respect what has gone on before and take the show forward,” said Evans.

LISTEN to Evans explain how he got the job

With Evans becoming the new host for the popular TV show, he stood firm that he will not leave his popular “R2 Breakfast Show” on BBC Radio 2.

Clarkson was asked to leave the Top Gear programme in March after having punched a producer while on location.

Known as a car enthusiast, Evans had previously rebuked rumours that he would fill Clarkson’s shoes and that he wasn’t interested in the spot.

Top Gear, made by BBC Production, will begin production in the weeks to come and Clarkson's final appearance on the show will be shown on 28 June.

The episode will involve two films made before his suspension, as a trio with Hammond and May, showcasing classic cars and old 4x4 vehicles in their final challenge.


MACC in hot pursuit of car cloners

                PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will go all out to nab syndicates involved in cloning luxury cars from across the Causeway.

“We will go after those involved, irrespective of their rank or status,” MACC deputy chief commissioner Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali said at its headquarters here yesterday.

Mustafar, who is in charge of graft prevention, said of the 21 suspects arrested so far, eight were Road Transport Department (JPJ) officers.

On further efforts to eliminate inside jobs related to falsification of road tax discs and car registration documents, he said MACC was working closely with JPJ’s special 25-member squad assigned to the task.

“There will always be some bad apples. What’s important is not only to weed them out but also to instil integrity among the officers to prevent further corruption,” he added.

Mustafar said the matter was brought up for discussion with Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Paul Low during a meeting on Jan 7.

Among the measures, he said, was the implementation of the Vehicle Entry Permit system this July.

“All vehicles entering or exiting the country will have details of the vehicles and owners in the system. This will let the authorities keep a record of the vehicles,” he said.

He said MACC also recommended that the penalty for replacing lost road tax discs be increased from the present RM150 fee.

Meanwhile, the Selangor Road Transport Department (JPJ) has revved up its crackdown on cloned cars in the state, with 26 such vehicles detected barely a month into the new year.

State JPJ director Nazli Md Taib said cloned cars were becoming a serious problem.

“In the first 19 days of this year, there were already so many found. I believe there are many more out there,” he told a press conference at the Selangor JPJ headquarters yesterday.

Nazli said a special team had been set up to detect cloned vehicles by checking their physical condition.

The most popular clones, he noted, were Honda and Toyota models, with some Toyota Vios cars going for as low as RM4,000.

“JPJ is working closely with police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in this operation,” he added.


Porsche is electrifying its managers

                STUTTGART: The management of Porsche is setting a good example: with immediate effect, managers who are entitled to a company car are consciously switching to the all-electric Taycan and plug-in hybrid models.

Thanks to attractive offers, an increasing number of employees who are entitled to lease vehicles are also deciding in favour of corresponding models.

This is having noticeable effects on the Porsche vehicle fleet: by the end of this year, the share of sports cars that are exclusively battery-powered or equipped with plug-in hybrid technology will double – to around 50 per cent.

Porsche is continuing to pursue a three-pronged drive strategy consisting of efficient combustion-engine cars, plug-in hybrids and all-electric sports cars.

The same also applies to the company car fleet. This means that managers still have the option of choosing a model line that is available exclusively with combustion engines – such as the iconic 911 sports car. However, with the development of synthetic fuels (eFuels), Porsche is already working on also permitting practically carbon-neutral operation of gasoline engines in the future.

“Porsche would like to become the most sustainable brand for exclusive and sporty mobility,” says Andreas Haffner, Member of the Executive Board for Human Resources at Porsche.

“It is therefore logical for us to extend our electric offensive to include company cars and the employee leasing programme. With our employees as authentic ambassadors of electric mobility, we can contribute to even greater sustainability.”

With five plug-in hybrid variants currently in the Cayenne and Panamera model lines and eight versions of the all-electric Taycan and Taycan Cross Turismo, company car drivers can choose from an extensive range of efficient and powerful sports cars.

The changeover will take place at the next vehicle swap, which normally takes place after 15 months. Like for the sports cars with combustion engine, managers who are entitled to a company car will also receive a fuel card for their fully and partially electric vehicles – in this case a charging card.

Parallel to this changeover in its own fleet, Porsche is investing in establishing a global charging network: an internal high-power charge park with six DC charging stations went into operation just a few days ago at the Zuffenhausen location.

Porsche employees can charge their electric vehicles there with up to 350 kW. In February 2020, the sports car manufacturer opened the most powerful fast-charging park in Europe at its production location in Leipzig. This includes six internal fast-charging points. With Porsche Destination Charging, at least 7,500 additional charging points will be available worldwide by 2025.

Porsche will invest more than 15 billion euros in electric mobility, digital transformation and sustainable production by 2025. The company expects that half of Porsche models delivered will be electrified in 2025.

In Europe, a good third of customers already order their Porsche with an electric or partially electric drive. It is forecast that this figure will even increase to more than 80 per cent worldwide in 2030. Porsche is also the first car manufacturer to set itself the goal of being carbon-neutral throughout the entire value chain by 2030.


Continental Tyre opens inaugural training centre in Alor Star

                ALOR STAR: Continental Tyre Alor Setar has officially opened its first training centre that spans 1,507 square feet and will provide its 730 employees with 655 training sessions per year from its shop floor.

The new centre will also be used for onboarding and basic training sessions, which extend a comprehensive overview for new employees.

The company's aim is to help build a workforce that produces high-quality products by further enhancing employees’ knowledge and skills, to inspire and cultivate the right attitude towards safety, quality and efficiency while providing state-of-the-art computerized and manual training in a vocational skill and a tailor-made enrichment education.

The training process is key to adapting its employees with operational and manufacturing evolution by equipping them with the necessary competencies to close the gaps in organizational performance.

 Bernabe officiating the new training centre.

“With this investment, we aim to ensure the long-term success of our tyre plant in Alor Setar. Only with knowledge and know-how in advanced manufacturing technologies, we will be able to keep our competitive position in our global manufacturing network and deliver best quality and performance tyres ‘Made in Alor Setar'," said Continental general manager Carlos Bernabe.

The company in Alor Star produces passenger and light truck tyres as well as two-wheel tyres for Continental in Malaysia and the APAC market.

It has also been producing tyres in the country since 1979 while employing more than 1,000 personnel and is now eager to empower its employees.


Agnelli heir held Armani tie-up talks to build luxury empire, say sources

Elkann posing with the Ferrari Roma in Rome in 2019. — Reuters
LONDON: John Elkann, scion of Italy's Agnelli family, has been exploring a possible tie-up with fashion designer Giorgio Armani as part of a plan to build a luxury conglomerate potentially anchored around Ferrari, five sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Elkann, who chairs Franco-Italian car group Stellantis, offered to buy a minority stake in the Milanese fashion house led by 87-year old Giorgio Armani, but his latest proposal was rebuffed earlier this month, two of the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The deal would have established the Agnellis as major players in the fashion industry alongside the Arnaults and Pinaults in France.

Discussions with Armani - which is valued by analysts at about 6 billion euros ($7.09 billion) - did not progress due to the designer's reluctance to sell, two of the sources said, adding talks were informal and no bank was involved.

A spokesperson for Elkann and the Agnelli family holding company Exor said: "Exor has made no approach and Exor has made no proposal (for Armani)."

Armani declined to comment.

A possible deal with Armani would have been crafted through investment firm Exor or Exor-controlled carmaker Ferrari – but Elkann's latest offer was rejected, the sources said.

"Discussions are dead for now," one of the sources said.

The move reflects efforts by the founders of Fiat Chrysler - who own 53% of Exor - to expand beyond the car industry and increase their exposure to the luxury market after a series of recent investments.

Exor took a 24% stake in Christian Louboutin in March in a deal that valued the French brand, most famous for its signature red lacquered sole stilettos, at 2.25 billion euros.

In June, it entered a partnership with Hong Kong's The World-Wide Investment Company to support medium-sized Italian companies focused on high-end consumer goods. Last year, it became the largest shareholder in Chinese luxury group Shang Xia, which was co-founded by France's Hermes.

"If there is someone who could create a serious competitor to the French conglomerates, it's Elkann," said one banker familiar with his strategy.

"He has the money, credibility and family prestige to do that."

 Armani had indicated he was willing to form a partnership with another Italian company. — ReutersEyes open

Speculation about succession plans at the fashion house founded in 1975 by Armani, known as King Giorgio, has been heating up.

The brand, which is famous for its elegant suits and evening gowns, is expected to draw interest from French luxury companies LVMH and Kering, said sources at the groups, although they said Armani did not want to sell to a foreign group.

Armani told US magazine Vogue in April that he could consider joining forces with another Italian company, opening the door to a possible business partner for the first time.

He said the Covid-19 crisis had "made us open our eyes a bit."

The Milanese fashion house, whose net revenues grew 2.3% to 2.16 billion euros in 2019 after three years of declines, has yet to release its 2020 earnings.

The company is one of Italy's trophy assets and its valuation - which hovers at about three times its sales - could even hit 8 billion euros, one Milan-based analyst said.

Armani, who has no children, set up a foundation in 2016 that would serve as a succession tool, preventing his business from being bought or broken up after his death.

In June, after showcasing his latest menswear collection, he hinted at succession plans, saying he was preparing his future with his closest aides.


2024 BMW 5 Series sedan: Bigger, fully vegan interior, in-car gaming

                MUNICH: The new 2024 BMW 5 Series sedan is the brand's first model to feature a fully vegan interior as standard.

This includes the surfaces of the seats, the dashboard and the door panels, as well as the steering wheel for the first time.

Also, as a world first, the 2024 5 Series now includes the Active Lane Change Assistant with eye confirmation.

The vehicle suggests a lane change and this can be carried out for the first time by looking in the exterior mirror to confirm the lane change.

The Active Lane Change Assistant takes over the necessary steering movements automatically, the traffic situation permitting.

Also, in-car gaming premieres in the new 5 Series sedan with the AirConsole platform.

Video streaming is possible on the Control Display, and so-called casual games can be played while the vehicle is stationary, while charging the high-voltage battery of the BMW i5.

Like all previous model generations, the new 5 Series sedan is produced at the BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, where the electric motors and high-voltage batteries for the BMW i5 are also manufactured.

With its market launch due in October 2023, the 2024 5 Series sedan will be offered worldwide with all-electric drive and, also with plug-in hybrid systems as well as petrol and diesel engines including 48-volt mild hybrid technology.

The all-electric BMW i5 M60 xDrive is the top model, and combines an up to 442 kW/601 hp drive with hallmark M performance.

Two highly integrated drive units on the front and rear axles make up an electric all-wheel drive.

The system torque generated is up to 820 Nm when M Sport Boost or the M Launch Control function is activated.

This enables the i5 M60 to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, while its top speed is electrically limited to 230 km/h.

Meanwhile, the BMW i5 eDrive40's electric motor drives the rear wheels and generates 250 kW/340 hp and torque of up to 430Nm with Sport Boost or Launch Control function.

The i5 eDrive40 accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 6 seconds, while its top speed is 193km/h.

The space-saving high-voltage battery is located in the underbody and provides a usable energy content of 81.2 kWh.

The respective WLTP values are 455 - 516 km for the i5 M60 xDrive, and 497 - 582 km for the i5 eDrive40.

With the new MAX RANGE function, the range can be increased by up to 25% by limiting power and speed and deactivating comfort functions.

The Combined Charging Unit (CCU) of the BMW i5 enables AC charging with an output of up to 11 kW as standard and up to 22 kW as an option.

The high-voltage battery can be charged with direct current with a power of up to 205 kW.

Battery charge level in the i5 can be raised from 10 to 80% in around 30 minutes.

The all-electric 5 Series models are also the first BMW vehicles with the Plug & Charge function.

This enables the vehicle to authenticate itself automatically at compatible public charging stations without having to use an app or charging card.

A unique feature is the Multi Contract Option, which allows customers to digitally store up to five individual Plug & Charge-enabled power contracts from different providers in the vehicle.

There are also new petrol and diesel engines with 48-volt mild hybrid technology, combined with a new 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission as standard.

In Europe, there will be four-cylinder 520i sedans with 208hp, the 520d and the 520d xDrive with 197hp each.

Other petrol engines with four and six cylinders are available outside Europe.

The model range will be supplemented in spring 2024 by two variants with plug-in hybrid drives.

A new in-line six-cylinder diesel engine will be available for the 5 Series sedan from 2024.

Another variant of the i5 with electric all-wheel drive will also follow in 2024.

The new 5 Series sedan will feature directly controlled wheel slip limitation, integrated braking system and sport steering with variable steering ratio as standard.

Light alloy wheels in 18-inch or 19-inch sizes (BMW i5 and plug-in hybrid models) are also standard.

Compared to its predecessor, the new 5 Series sedan has grown in length by 97mm to 5,060mm, in width by 32mm to 1,900mm and in height by 36mm to 1,515mm.

Its wheelbase was lengthened by 20mm to 2,995mm.

The front view of the new 5 Series Sedan has a modern interpretation of the twin headlights and BMW kidney grille.

LED elements arranged almost vertically serve as turn indicators and daytime driving lights.

The BMW kidney grille, which projects far forward, features a wide surround and optional BMW Iconic Glow contour lighting.

The cockpit of the new 5 Series has a significantly reduced number of buttons and controls compared to the predecessor model.

The fully digital display system consists of a 12.3-inch Information Display and a 14.9-inch Control Display.

The steering wheel has also been redesigned with a flattened lower section and haptic feedback on the control panels, and the selector lever on the centre console.

The new 5 Series sedan has Parking Assistant, including Reversing Assist, as standard.

The standard equipment also includes optimised smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.


Display physical road tax stickers when crossing borders, says Sarawak minister

                KUCHING: Malaysian vehicles crossing the border from Sarawak to Brunei or Kalimantan, Indonesia, must continue to display physical road tax stickers, says state Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin.

He said drivers must also carry physical driving licences with them in both countries.

"Drivers must abide by the laws and regulations of those countries. Both Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia are maintaining the usual procedures of displaying physical road tax on vehicles and carrying physical driving licences when entering those countries," he said in a statement today.

Lee said his ministry would work closely with the consul-general's offices of Brunei and Indonesia in Kuching on the matter.

He also pledged to bring it up in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) meeting.

On Feb 10, federal Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that drivers no longer needed to carry a physical driving licence or display the road tax sticker on their vehicles.

He said they could instead apply for the digital version of their road tax and driving licences on the Road Transport Department's (JPJ) website or MyJPJ app.

Lee said drivers in Sarawak should take note that this was the first phase in the federal Transport Ministry's initiative to encourage drivers to switch to the digital platform to help reduce long queues at JPJ counters.

"The public should not panic because during this early stage, all owners of private vehicles are given time to adapt to the digital system," he said, adding that drivers could still obtain physical copies of their road tax and driving licences from JPJ or the post office for now.


Drive-in theatres experience a revival across US amid Covid-19

                WASHINGTON: Drive-in movie theatres are one of the few businesses experiencing a renaissance amid the coronavirus pandemic.

As one of the few entertainment destinations you can still visit outside of the home, they’ve experienced a boom in popularity and demand over the past couple months.

“We’ve seen a resurgence in interest across the country. Our shows are selling out every night. It’s the best market I have ever seen in all my years in business,” says Jim Kopp, owner of The Family Drive-in Theatre in Stephens City, Virginia.

The open-air venues are uniquely suited to thrive while many brick-and-mortar theatres have temporarily closed. Though there aren’t many left in the US — about 330 still exist, compared to over 5,400 multiplexes — they’ve been bright spots of entertainment, comfort and nostalgia at this difficult time.

“We’ve heard from a lot of folks that they didn’t even realise drive-in theatres still existed [before the pandemic],” Kopp said.

The Family Drive-in Theatre, which has been a staple in the community since 1956, has reopened with an abundance of caution to help protect their patrons. Moviegoers must buy tickets and concessions online, don face masks outside and maintain a proper social distance from fellow guests and their cars.

Theatre management has also limited the two-screen drive-in to half capacity, closed the children’s outdoor playground and covered their movie speakers in protective wrap. Bathrooms are sanitised by attendants after every use.

“Folks want to come, have fun and feel safe in their automobiles all while maintaining proper social distancing,” says Kopp. “Our lifestyle has been so disrupted [by the pandemic] and our theatres provide a chance for people to return to normalcy.”

In honour of the US National Drive-In Movie Day, Kopp offered 10 tips on how to make your next (or first) drive-in movie experience a success:

> Secure tickets in advance: Most drive-in ticket sales have moved online, so be sure to scope out the best showtimes online and buy your ticket ahead of the show. “It’s automatic insurance that you’re going to get in,” says Kopp.

> Arrive early: Demand is high, especially during the summer, so Kopp suggests moviegoers arrive at least an hour early to secure a spot near the front of the screen. If you’re looking to beat the crowds and avoid parking hassles, you may want to consider a weekday screening.

> Pack toys and games: After arriving early, you’ll have some time to kill before the film starts. Be sure to pack some light entertainment, such as a book or card game, for you and the kids.

> Dress comfortably: Consider wearing cozy clothes, such as shorts and leggings, and extra layers to stay warm and relaxed. Kids can always wear their pajamas to the show, which makes it convenient for parents when putting them to bed after a late screening.

> Bring bug repellent and sunscreen: Most drive-in movie theatres are in or around wooded areas, which means bugs. Unless you enjoy swatting them all night, pack some spray. Sunscreen is another good option for protection from those hot summer rays.

> Pack a portable radio and extra batteries: While The Family Drive-In has speakers located throughout the pavilion, the noise of fellow guests can carry over and Kopp suggests packing a small AM/FM radio to make sure you capture every bit of dialogue.

> Bring pillows and blankets: One of the biggest perks of drive-ins is sitting outside underneath the stars. To make the experience cosier, put down the back rows of your parked Atlas or Tiguan and open the trunk towards the screen.

> Order from the concession stand: Drive-ins typically make most of their money from concession stands. Kopp doesn’t accept a salary and puts all the theatre profits back into his business. To adjust to current safety measures and to continue keeping revenue fluid, he has moved the theatre’s concession operations online. Patrons can now order boxed goods via an app. An exception to the rule is to buy a food permit, which typically ranges from US$5-US$10. It allows you to bring in food from outside while helping the drive-in owners offset the loss of revenue from the concession stand.

> Put away your cellphone: Refrain from any cell phone use during the show. It can be disturbing to guests and distracts from the experience.

> Prepare to have a good time: “Sit down, relax and enjoy the show,” Kopp says.


Apple sees autonomous cars as 'core' technology

                LOS ANGELES: Apple views autonomous driving systems as a "core technology" for the future, chief executive Tim Cook said in an interview.

Cook told Bloomberg television that Apple wants to move into the automotive sector because "there is a major disruption looming" from new technologies.

The auto sector, Cook said, is being transformed by artificial intelligence and autonomous driving technology as well as by the development of better electric cars and the growth of ridesharing.

"We are focusing on autonomous systems," he told Bloomberg.

He said Apple sees this as "the mother of all AI projects" and that this is "a core technology that we view as very important."

While Apple has given no indication of specific projects for autonomous vehicles, it has joined the list of companies with permits to test self-driving cars in California, according to state records.

The California-based tech giant is expected to focus on software systems, letting partners manufacture vehicles, but would understandably want to be able to test its navigation technology in cars.


Go anywhere for 8 people in new Land Rover Defender 130

                LONDON: Land Rover is expanding the Defender line with the introduction of the Defender 130 that is capable of seating up to 8 people.

The Defender 130 is available to order now from £73,895 (RM407,000) on-the-road in the UK.

It joins the other Defender variants namely the Defender 90 and Defender 110.

Like the other Defenders, the new 130 body design borrows its name from the original Defender family, inspired by the longest model in the line-up.

It allows customers to effortlessly transport up to eight people across any terrain and is the ultimate demonstration of Defender’s breadth of talents.

A host of exterior and interior design enhancements and technologies distinguish the new Defender 130, balancing comfort with customary Defender durability and capability.

It has an extended body for greater interior space, and is meant for all-terrain family expeditions with up to eight on board in superior comfort.

The increase in body length retains the Defender’s off-road capability and articulations, and three rows of seating in 2+3+3 arrangement.

The Defender silhouette is elegantly extended by 340mm, for enhanced interior space with vast maximum load capacity of 2,516 litres and three rows of full-size seating.

For families, ISOFIX child seat attachments are found on up to five of the passenger seats, on the outer seats of the second and third rows, as well as the front passenger seat.

The five-seat version of Defender 130 offers a vast load area of up to 2,516 litres with row two folded.

Exclusive new Sedona Red colour and four-zone climate control are uniquely available on Defender 130, with standard air suspension for enhanced comfort.

A striking exterior option pack called Extended Bright Pack gives the new Defender variant a unique character, with Ceres Silver Satin finish to lower body cladding around the entire vehicle.

It is fitted with larger 11.4-inch Pivi Pro touchscreen as standard, while occupants enjoy purer air with advanced Cabin Air Purification Plus as standard

Another party trick in the 4X4 is that it can find and navigate to any 3m square on the planet, without the need for a phone signal, using the advanced Pivi Pro infotainment system.

That is thanks to the use of the global location platform, what3words, giving customers accurate and precise navigation even in the most remote environments.

A sophisticated interior is provided by Light Oyster leather and new Natural Light Oak veneer, with white powder-coated Cross Car Beam and extended chrome detailing.

It has 3,893 litres of cargo volume even with the rearmost seats in place. When the seats are not in use, they stow to create a large loading area, giving customers the ultimate choice in configuring the interior arrangement that best suits their needs. They are split in 40:20:40 configuration for added convenience.

The Defender 130 is available with a choice of electrified powertrains, including the P300 and P400 mild-hybrid Ingenium six-cylinder petrols, and the D300 Ingenium six-cylinder diesel.

Mild-Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology underpins Land Rover’s six-cylinder Ingenium powertrains, providing seamless responses as well as enhanced fuel economy.

It uses a 48V belt-integrated Starter Generator (BiSG) that harvests energy normally lost under braking and deceleration, that is stored and used later in the journey, while also making the stop-start system more rapid and efficient.

The P300 and P400 use a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine making respectively 300hp and 470Nm of torque from 1,500-4,250rpm (0-100kph in 8s), and 400hp and 550Nm of torque from 2,000-5,000rpm (0-100kph in 6.6s).

The D300 diesel also uses a 3.0-litre six-cylinder mill producing 296hp and 650Nm of torque from 1,500-2,500rpm (0-100kph in 7.5s).

The Defender 130 is available in HSE, X-Dynamic SE, X-Dynamic HSE and X specifications, in addition to a First Edition.

The First Edition is available in three combinations, each one featuring a distinct colour and design theme:

> Fuji White with Extended Bright Pack with Light Oyster Full Windsor Leather interior and Natural Light Oak Veneer
> Sedona Red with Ebony Full Windsor Leather seats and Smoked Oak Veneer
> Carpathian Grey with Vintage Tan Full Windsor Leather and Rough-Cut Walnut Veneer

The First Edition model builds on the HSE specification with an extensive equipment list including Matrix LED headlamps, heated second and third-row seating, four-zone climate control, Meridian Surround Sound System, Driver Assist Pack and Privacy Glass.

All feature 20-inch alloy wheels as standard, with a choice of P400 petrol or D300 diesel Ingenium six-cylinder powertrains.

All Defenders come with keyless entry as standard. When the key fob is detected approaching the vehicle, it automatically unlocks when it is within 1.5 metres. When leaving the vehicle, it will automatically lock when the key fob is more than 1.5 metres away.

At the same time, Land Rover has also announced that the Defender Hard Top 90 and 110 family are now available with X-Dynamic and X specifications.

On a side note, Land Rover celebrated the Queen's Platinum Jubilee year by gifting her a specially commissioned Defender 130 for use by the British Red Cross.

> FULL SPECIFICATIONS OF LAND ROVER DEFENDER (pdf)


Mercedes to quit Formula E after 2022

                STUTTGART: Formula E champions Mercedes will withdraw from the all-electric series at the end of the Gen2 era in 2022 to concentrate on Formula One, the carmaker said on Wednesday.

The announcement comes three days after Dutch driver Nyck de Vries won the Formula E world championship title after finishing eighth in the season's final race in Berlin, with Mercedes also winning the teams' title after Stoffel Vandoorne's third place.

"Mercedes-Benz today announced that it will conclude its ABB FIA Formula E success story as a team entrant and manufacturer at the end of Season 8, in August 2022," the manufacturer said in a statement.

"Moving forward, the company will concentrate its works motorsport activities on Formula 1, reinforcing the sport’s status as the fastest laboratory for developing and proving sustainable and scalable future performance technologies."

In December, German manufacturers Audi and BMW confirmed they would exit Formula E at the end of this year.

Mercedes announced a new strategic direction for its brand in July, with the aim of going all-electric by the end of the decade.

"As part of the new strategic direction, the brand has deliberately chosen to shift resources for this accelerated ramp-up of electrification, including the development of three electric-only architectures to be launched in 2025," the carmaker said.

"Therefore, Mercedes will reallocate resource away from its ABB FIA Formula E World Championship programme and towards applying the lessons learned in competition to product development in series."


VW concept car replaces steering wheel with ‘digital chauffeur'

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen is going full steam ahead with its electric vehicle campaign, preparing to unveil the fourth addition to its I.D. family at the Geneva Motor Show. But this time, there's no steering wheel.

For most of us, the future of driving means environmentally friendly cars, therefore electric and hybrid vehicles, right? Dream a little more and we probably start imagining a fully connected car with a built-in butler... maybe we won't even have to drive?

Well, it looks like Volkswagen's ‘vision' for the future — a long sleek sedan, a concept appropriately named I.D. Vizzion — reflects this view of a clean, safe and comfortable car.

With no way for a driver to manually steer, this is an autonomously driving automobile that could essentially chauffeur customers unable to drive themselves, for example because of their age.

 The I.D. Vizzion concept.

Accompanying the “digital chauffeur” on the journey would be the “virtual host”, in other words, an in-car assistant that responds to voice commands and gestures, remembering different “vehicle guest” preferences, such as temperature settings or seat position. This is all made possible “thanks to complete embedding into the digital ecosystem,” explains Volkswagen in an announcement made this week.

Debuting at this year's Geneva Motor Show (March 8 - March 18), the I.D. Vizzion concept is a 5-metre long premium glass MPV with an electric drive system, designed to travel at up to 180kph. Equipped with 111 kWh lithium-ion batteries, the concept is designed to drive up to 665km when braking regeneration is factored in.

These specs are similar to those of the previous three models demonstrated by the brand — the original I.D, the I.D. Crozz and Buzz — meaning the series will be reasonably fast and powerful, however this may not even feel relevant in the future when "vehicle guests" (as VW describes them) can optimise how they use their time during commutes.

Volkswagen describes the I.D. Vizzion as the “technological backbone of future Volkswagen electric vehicles," enabling "long driving ranges and maximum space utilisation at optimal costs.”

Volkswagen has plans to introduce more than 20 electric vehicle models by 2025 and will roll out a compact electric I.D.2 in 2020, followed by the electric I.D. CROZZ3 SUV and an MPV in the I.D. BUZZ4.


Lynk & Co reveals new 02 crossover hatchback and European sales plans

                GOTHENBURG: Lynk & Co is a Chinese startup vehicle manufacturer that most of the public probably won't have heard much about yet, but that's likely to change in the future after the company announced plans for a new model and its second crossover to be sold in Europe in 2020.

The company is a sister brand to Volvo as it has the same Chinese owners, and the new model it has just announced is currently called the 02, which is the third model the brand has announced.

Somewhat confusingly, the previous model it revealed was called the 03, which is a sedan. Not too much about this new model has been divulged yet, but it's obviously a small hatchback of some sort with more than a hint of crossover thrown in for good measure.

The Lynk & Co brand will officially launch in Europe next year in 2019 with a young urban audience identified as its target market. Interestingly though, the company's boss insists the main competition for the fledgling brand will be ride-sharing services such as Uber rather than other vehicle manufacturers.

This is because the company intends to offer electrified models through a subscription-based system and using a combination of city-based and pop-up shops as well as direct online sales instead of a traditional dealership network.

At an event in Amsterdam recently, the company's boss Alain Visser said the target audience were "people who don't want to own cars," and went on to add "Plenty of people love cars, but don't want to own one."

When questioned about actually selling to such an audience, Visser told the UK's Autocar publication: "We've done so much research to see that this will work and that people will go for this model. All the information is that it's a pretty resounding yes. Of course, if you ask our engineers they'll say our competitors are Lexus and Audi, from a technology point of view. But from a brand point of view, it's beyond the car industry."

The Lynk & Co 02 will be built at Volvo's production facility in Belgium, and it's probably safe to assume it will use Volvo's compact modular platform and powertrains.The company insists it will only be producing vehicles with electric powertrains in Europe, but hybrids are also a possibility in certain markets around the world.


Perodua Bezza launched with over 4,000 bookings in hand - VIDEOS

                PETALING JAYA: Perodua's first sedan, the Bezza, has received overwhelming response with 4,028 bookings in five days.

Perodua president and CEO Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said deliveries of the Bezza will start on Friday.

"So far, we have 7,000 units in stock and we will ensure timely deliveries," he said at the energy efficient car's official launch at One World Hotel by International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed today.

There are five variants, priced on-the-road at RM37,300 (1.0L manual): RM39,300 (1.0L auto): RM42,800 (1.3L manual): RM44,800 (1.3L auto Premium) and RM50,800 (1.3L auto Advance) - all of which comes in six colour choices of Sugar Brown (new), Ocean Blue (new), Lava Red, Ebony Black, Glittering Silver and Ivory White. Each sedan comes with a five-year or 150,000km (whichever comes first) warranty.

The Bezza, with a 508-litre boot and rolling on 14-inch wheels with 175/65 series tyres has a wheelbase of 2,455mm, while measuring 4,150mm-long, 1,620mm-wide and 1,510mm-tall.

It comes with eight plus one seating and storage configurations with a 60:40 split-folding rear seat with trunk pass-through feature and each front seat-back has a hook to hang your "da pao" (takeaway) as well as a storage pocket and an anti-theft “handbag hook” on the side of the front passenger seat.

The Bezza comes standard with dual front airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake force distribution, ISOFIX child seat anchor points with top tethers and a seatbelt reminder (SBR) system for the driver.

Only the range-topping 1.3-litre Advance variant with a four-speed automatic transmission gets dual front SBR, vehicle stability control, traction control, hill start assist, regenerative braking, multimedia system with navigation, Smart Link for Android smartphones, a reverse camera and eco idle - a start-stop function to help save fuel in stop-go traffic. As for the rest of the 1.3-litre variants, wiper speed link-to-vehicle-speed has been included.

The Bezza is powered by a new 1.0-litre three-cylinder and 1.3-litre four-cylinder engines that have been improved with more power and fuel efficiency, compared with those in the Perodua Axia and Myvi.

With a 36-litre fuel-tank capacity as standard, the 1.0-litre (998cc) 1KR-VE engine with VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing - intelligence) mated to a five-speed manual produces 78hp at 6,000rpm (76hp when mated to a four-speed automatic) and 91Nm of torque at 4,400rpm, .

The larger displacing 1.3-litre (1,329cc) 1NR-VE four-cylinder engine gets dual VVT-i instead and produces 104hp at 6,000rpm (103hp with four-speed automatic) and 121Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. However, power for the range-topping Bezza Advance has been rated at 101hp.

Optional extras include GearUp items such as a sporty body kit that includes front and rear bumper kits, side skirts, and a rear spoiler. Other items include side door protectors, door visors, chrome door handles (for standard G variant only), chrome front and rear scuff plates, luggage tray, hood and door insulations, front and rear Diamond seat covers and door trims with white double-stitch finish.

The GearUp optional accessories come with a six-month warranty and have an instalment plan available (only for new car purchasers).

READ MORE:
VIDEO: Carsifu talks about Bezza and first drive
Full Perodua Bezza specs
Perodua Bezza to drive auto sales
Perodua Bezza gets top safety rating
Perodua Bezza priced from RM37,300 to RM50,800
Bezza name used in 2010 for Perodua concept car

Perodua Bezza with GearUp accessories

Perodua Bezza Advance


B10 biodiesel to roll out after numerous delays

                KUALA LUMPUR: After several postponements, Malaysia is confident of implementing the B10 biodiesel programme this year.

Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the Government was finalising an “extensive consultation” process.

“That is why it takes us a bit of time to be able to present the paper to the Cabinet. The paper should be ready as soon as possible. I can’t give you a deadline.

“I have been giving you deadlines, but we could never keep to the deadline. There is still some testing to be done and some final discussions to complete,” he said during a press conference at the Palm and Lauric Oils Conference and Exhibition, Price Outlook 2016/2017 here yesterday. “I am confident it will be this year,” he told reporters.

He added that Malaysia had already put in place an efficient system that would allow the enforcement of the B10 system to take within two days of implementation.

Asked why Malaysia could not keep up with Indonesia, which has already implemented the B15 biodiesel and is planning to move further to implement the B20 biodiesel, he said Malaysia “has its own system”.

“There are costs involved, we have to be practical – there are many considerations. We feel B10 is sufficient at the moment, in view of our stocks and in view of the cost,” he said.

On the crude palm oil (CPO) export tax, he said it would be enforced when prices touched RM2,250 per tonne.

A monthly average CPO price above RM2,250 per tonne incurs a tax, which starts from 4.5% and can reach a maximum of 8.5%.

“For March it will be zero (tax), so we will see how the prices are in March and go on from there,” he said.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in his speech said Malaysia earned RM63.2bil from 26.2 million tonnes of palm oil product exports in 2015.

The sector, he said, contributed to 8.1% of Malaysia’s total merchandise exports.

“The Government will continue to facilitate the development of the palm oil industry by making available grants for specific projects for the period 2016 to 2020.

“These include an allocation of RM250mil to encourage investments in the production of oleochemicals and food and health value-added products, and RM4.5mil to smallholders and plantation companies to acquire in-field machineries,” he said in a speech read out on his behalf by Uggah.


Having a blast with BMW M in Incheon

                The BMW M Series used to garner appeal with only a niche section of buyers, but it has definitely seen a boom in the last five years.

It probably had to do with the fact that BMW is producing more M models to cater to the increase in worldwide demand. An excellent example is the M2 Coupé, which today fetches a higher price slightly used than a new one in Europe.

This is because BMW is not increasing the production volume of this model significantly despite the strong global demand. Those who don’t want to wait months or longer to get their cars would gladly pay a little more for a slightly used one.

The current M scenario was presented by BMW M GmbH sales and marketing vice-president Peter Quintus at the BMW Driving Centre in Incheon, South Korea.

 Quintus with the M4 Coupe

Since introducing BMW M Performance Automobiles - cars that are race track ready, in 2011, the ready uptake by customers was highly encouraging.

Sales grew from under 10,000 M Performance vehicles in 2012 to 30,356 cars in 2016, and this was in addition to the BMW M Automobile range that came with less powerful engines.

With both M models, the growth rate since 2011 showed an upward trend from 19,118 cars to 67,829 in 2016, with an annual sale surge of almost 39% in 2015 and more than 40% in 2012 and 2014.

BMW M GmbH sees 2016 as its best year after having recorded the highest number of M vehicles sold thus far. While it looks like sales might have reached a saturation point, Quintus says that M car sales during the first quarter still showed an upward trend.

Our visit to the BMW Driving Centre in South Korea was to experience the safe and dynamic quality of BMW M and M Performance cars when driven hard.

 An M6

For us, the four routines started with a slalom run before braking hard at the end of it to see how these M cars would come to a safe stop while taking avoiding action.

The more enjoyable ones were taking to the 2km circuit of varying corner tightness and camber in different BMW M cars to feel their dynamic behaviour under the respective settings during a timed mixed trial course.

Picking an X5 M for the first slalom-emergency stop routine, we were advised to exit the slalom course at 80kph before hitting the brakes hard until we came to a complete stop.

We were beginning to turn at the point of braking and if we went too fast, the vehicle would understeer off the artificially wet course, which we did on the first run. We were probably above 90kph when hitting the brakes and did better in subsequent runs to stop within the course by maintaining the recommended speed.

As expected, the X5 M took to the slalom course with little body roll and apart from knocking into a few cones on the first run, it was a well-behaved SUV (sport utility vehicle) when braking hard into a corner.

Our first foray on the 2km circuit was in the M2 Coupé; this car is powered by a 3.0-litre straight-six engine that punches out 370hp at 6,500rpm and 465Nm or torque between 1,400rpm and 5,560rpm.

 The M2s out for some hard driving.

It has a seven-speed double clutch transmission with Drivelogic and you could choose Normal, Sport or Sport Plus; the final option means traction control is switched off.

Performance-wise, the M2 Coupé would spirit you to 100kph in 4.3 seconds; fast enough to take your breath away! We were under convoy control with each of us (our group had three Malaysian and two Australian journalists) taking turns to follow the pace car over two laps.

The pace was anything but slow as each of us pushed the M2 Coupé with the different dynamic settings. By manually selecting the gears via the steering wheel paddles, the M2 Coupé revealed its track ready prowess taking to the respective corners with good grip and stability.

We preferred Sport and Sport Plus as the firmer suspension settings meant higher limits of driveability through the twisty sections. Lunch break was followed by another fast drive on the 2km circuit, this time in the BMW M3.

 The M3s

Our group instructor had pre-set two driving modes that we could choose from to gauge the car’s dynamic qualities. Soon after hitting the track we realised how refined the drive was compared to the earlier one in the M2 Coupé, which felt raw by comparison. The settings allowed us to feel the M3 in somewhat Normal mode and in a more dynamically efficient poise respectively.

It has the same engine as the M2 Coupé but is chipped to deliver more; 431hp from 5,500rpm to 7,300rpm and 550Nm from 1,850rpm to 5,500rpm. By being a heavier car, its 0-100kph sprint is not much quicker but still fast enough at 4.1 seconds for the seven-speed double clutch transmission model, which we drove.

The M3 handled the track’s twisty character with better aplomb; we felt less of the car’s physical force as we barrelled into each corner, downshifting and getting it pointed the right way to follow the pace car as best as we could.

We recalled our exhilarating drive with the M3 and M4 on the racing circuit in Faro, Portugal some three years ago, and enjoyed more of the same in South Korea.

 An M6

Our exuberance was clearly evident when we overtook another group of journalists driving the M2 Coupé, not once but twice, in a controlled manner on the single straight.

The final routine of a timed mixed course was to get the best of the M2 Coupé dynamically by steering it through at the quickest time possible. This section comprised of a slalom, a sharp turn, a mini-roundabout, a chicane and a short sweeper before finally coming to a complete stop within a boxed section.

We were advised to take the course in second gear but were free to choose the dynamic settings; Normal, Sport or Sport Plus. Fully aware of our hard charging style into a corner and losing the rear sometimes, we opted for mostly Sport and clocked consistently in 1 minute 21 seconds.

We found the corner after the slalom the hardest to deal with as we felt the turbo lag when flooring the accelerator to pick up speed. We tried downshifting to first on exiting the slalom but found too much power at hand forcing us wide at the corner.

After the fifth attempt, we decided to select Sport Plus to see if we could get a faster time with traction control off but the approaching rain called for an earlier stop.

How did the others in my group fare? Both my Malaysian colleagues improved to 1 minute 20 seconds subsequently but the two Aussie journos were clearly quicker, often doing 1 minute 19 seconds.

The session proved that if adrenaline driving is your cup of tea, the BMW M Performance car range is definitely the way to go.


Geely speculated among three shortlisted as Proton partners

                SHAH ALAM: The final three shortlisted as potential foreign strategic partners for Proton all have the criteria that can propel the national carmaker to greater heights, Proton chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Kenali said.

He said the three shortlisted original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) were now the frontrunners as the company believes they would be able to provide good technology and know-how, sharing best practices with Proton.

"They also want to use Proton as a stepping stone to penetrate Asean and we have an interest for them to partner us to grow market share in the region specifically, and the global market next.

"Hopefully in the future, we can capitalise on their assets and intellectual property to take us to greater heights," he told reporters after the launch of a Proton-Petronas co-branded product here today.

Proton is undertaking a request for proposal (RFP) exercise seeking a partner that can provide a strategic, operational and cultural fit on a permanent basis with the intention to grow its automotive business.

"From 15 parties who submitted conceptual proposals based on the RFP, the number was reduced to eight, then five, and now three are left, all based on Proton's evaluation of their capabilities, resources and ability to work together," he explained.

But Ahmad Fuaad declined to confirm if China's Geely Automobile Holdings, owner of Swedish carmaker Volvo Cars Corp, is one of the remaining three, or which region the three are from.

On whether the OEMs are interested in owning Proton's entire stake, Ahmad Fuaad said it was too early to discuss the matter.

"The deal is for the whole group of Proton, including Lotus Group, our wholly-owned unit. But depending on how they propose to us, it can be either both, or one (entity), or a combination," he said.

On Lotus, Ahmad Fuaad said the manufacturer of sports and racing cars is a very good asset with a brand value of its own with its numerous Formula One wins.

"Lotus is being turned around. The sales are picking up. They just got access to the US market through the Evora 400 model.

"The US market is quite big. Lotus sales in the US market can hit more than 2,000 per year, enough for the company to break even and turn profitable in the future," he said.

Ahmad Fuaad said Proton expects to receive a complete proposal in February 2017 from the interested parties and will make an announcement after a final partner is selected.

"There could be further negotiations prior to the conclusion, but hopefully a signing can be done by May 2017," he added.


Honda BR-V not under-powered, says chief engineer

Update: The Honda BR-V was launched in Malaysia on Jan 5, 2017 in two variants. The V variant is RM92,800 while the E variant is RM85,800.

KUALA LUMPUR: The new Honda BR-V seven-seater crossover was designed with the comfort of families in mind.

Development of the BR-V also centred on providing nimble sedan-like driving comfort, and also the versatility of an SUV (sport utility vehicle) with a higher ground clearance of 201mm.

"When we designed the BR-V, it was with the family in mind. Hence, the BR-V has features like 11 cup holders, and an efficient rear air-conditioning blower that provides comfort for the second and third rows," said the BR-V's project leader Atsushi Arisaka.

During a recent interview, he also told writers the BR-V has class-leading head, knee and leg room for second row occupants.

"Also, adults can sit comfortably in the third row where the seating position is almost the same as the second row seating in the Honda Jazz hatchback."

For ease of access, the rear door opening of the BR-V is the biggest among Honda's seven-seater vehicles.

As for the mid-way bend on the side window line, Arisaka said it was to provide better visibility for rear occupants.

Meanwhile, to a question on whether the 1.5-litre BR-V would be "under-powered", Arisaka said the BR-V should not pose issues where power is concerned.

The BR-V shares its 1.5-litre engine with the Honda City sedan and Jazz.

Kerb weight for the BR-V is 1,231kg (E variant) and 1,240kg (V variant), compared with the City which weighs 1,075kg to 1,106kg (depending on variant).

"It is more than 100kg heavier than the City, but about 100kg lighter compared with the 1.5-litre Honda Freed minivan."

The transmission is the Earth Dreams M-CVT (continuously variable transmission) found in the 1.8-litre Honda Civic.

"This CVT is a higher capacity-type and can cover a wider torque range, especially during uphill drives and highway acceleration," said Arisaka.

Based on fuel consumption tests in Thailand, the BR-V can deliver 15.5km per litre.

Challenges in developing the BR-V included the layout for the air-conditioning piping for the rear blower.

"We had to find a way to fit the rear air-conditioning piping, without affecting the cabin roominess."

Another challenge was Asean sourcing for the stylish and curved aluminium roof rails on the BR-V.

"It was nearly impossible to find companies with the technology to produce these aluminium roof rails in Asean countries. In the end, we found a supplier in Thailand."

While the BR-V uses the Honda Brio 5-door hatchback's platform, improvements have been made such as higher body rigidity for better safety and ride comfort on highways and rough roads.

"We used the Brio platform because parts commonality is the highest in selected markets."

However, the BR-V also shares components with other Honda models.

"The steering wheel and engine bay design is from the Jazz, and the meter instrumentation is from the City."

The BR-V also earned a maximum 5-star safety rating from the ASEAN New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP).

The BR-V is assembled at Honda Malaysia's Pegoh plant in Malacca, and has been tailored to suit the preferences of Malaysian buyers.

"For example, the suspension settings, tyres and wheels as well as NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) characteristics are specific to the Malaysian market. Also, only Malaysia gets the DRLs (daytime running lights) on the BR-V."

Malaysia is the fifth country to launch the BR-V after Indonesia, Thailand, India and the Philippines.


China's Wuling Motors cuts Mini EV starting prices to below RM20K

                BEIJING: China's Wuling Motors has lowered starting prices for its Mini EV electric vehicles to as low as 29,800 yuan (RM19,281), the company said today.

Some new energy vehicle models saw price cuts of as much as 13,000 yuan (RM8,411), it added in a statement.

The tiny two-door four-seat Hongguang Mini comes in five battery pack options that offers a range of 120km to 280km. There's even a two-seat cabriolet version, which is good for 280km.

A single electric motor in the rear axle produces 27hp and 85Nm of torque.

The Hongguang Mini is the brainchild of SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co., a joint venture between SAIC Motor Corp. and Guangxi Automobile Group Co., two state-backed automakers, and US giant General Motors Co.

The original Hongguang Mini comes in around 20 different base colours, which can be switched up, and buyers can customise the interior as well. — Reuters/Bloomberg


Electric cars outsell diesels in Europe for first time

                HAMBURG: Widespread scepticism about electric cars seems to be giving way to more acceptance in Europe, where EVs outsold diesel cars in August for the first time.

According to data from 26 European markets, a total of 151,737 new electrics and hybrids were registered last month, an on-year increase of 61 per cent.

Total European electric car sales volume since January stood at 1.32 million units, said analyst Felipe Munoz. The figures were compiled by the JATO Dynamics automotive information service.

Sales of diesels are in the doldrums worldwide, partly due to the damage done by the Volkswagen Group's emissions scandal and a growing number of bans in urban areas.

Many makers have dropped diesel motors from their ranges although they remain popular with SUV buyers.

Experts say the electric car market is holding up well despite the disruption in automotive sales caused by the pandemic.

In Europe, demand was particularly strong for the electric versions of the Fiat 500, Peugeot 208, Hyundai Kona, Opel Corsa, Kia Niro and VW's ID.3 which was Europe's top-selling EV during the month.

Overall, new car registrations in Europe last month fell by 18 per cent to 713,714 units, the lowest since the same month in 2014. This came amid a computer chip shortage which has slowed production and lengthened waiting lists.

Electric vehicle sales have surged in all three top car markets over the year, according to the global energy industry website power-technology.com.

Sales went up by 160 per cent in the first half of 2021 from a year earlier, to 2.6 million units. This represents 26 per cent of new sales in the global automotive market.

China is the world's top EV market, with 1.1 million vehicles sold in the first half, or 12 per cent of global sales. In the United States, EVs have found less favour. Just 250,000 units were sold, accounting for 3 per cent of sales.


People may drive more as they underestimate walking speed, says study

                PITTSBURGH: You might often think that car travel is your only feasible option to get from A to B. But researchers have found that people are terrible at estimating how long it would take to leave their car at home and walk or bike instead.

Participants in a study by Penn State University were asked to estimate how long it would take them to bike or walk to a common location in town, with the majority incorrectly estimating it would take longer than in reality.

The results - released in March - help researchers better understand the barriers keeping people from walking or biking - also known as "active travel" - instead of using a car.

"Travelling by foot or bike has a lot of benefits, but not a lot of people do it," said Melissa Bopp, associate professor of kinesiology, Penn State. "They may think they can't do it because it's too far and it'll take too long, when it turns out it's really not."

It was found that around 70 per cent of the 505 participants wrongly overestimated the travel times for both walking and biking.

Dangaia Sims, who worked on the study while earning her doctorate in kinesiology at Penn State, says that the biggest factor in such inaccurate travel predictions is a lack of experience with active travel, which is best rectified by actually walking or biking more.

"Experience with active transportation will usually give someone a better understanding of how long it actually takes to commute," says Sims.

"Often people indicate that the reason they choose to drive is that it's much quicker than walking or biking when, in reality, that may not be the case."


BMW sells cars globally despite tariffs, no reason to change Mexico plans, says board member

                SAN LUIS POTOSI (Mexico): BMW sees no reason to change its plans for Mexico in the wake of US threats to slap duties on Mexican imports, a board member of the German carmaker said on Thursday, adding the company sells cars globally despite tariffs placed by most countries on imported vehicles.

The automaker also foresees no immediate change to its investment plans for North America, said Oliver Zipse, BMW board member in charge of production.

Zipse was in the central Mexican city of San Luis Potosi for the inauguration of a US$1 billion BMW plant.

Still, other automakers have warned that the imposition of punitive duties on Mexican imports could be damaging to the industry, with Toyota Motor Corp saying on Tuesday the proposal could cost its major suppliers US$1 billion.

Last week, Trump said Mexico must take a harder line on stopping the flow of migrants across the US-Mexico border or face 5% tariffs on all its exports to the United States from June 10, rising to as much as 25% later this year.

BMW is producing its 3 Series at the San Luis plant, which started up in April and has a capacity of up to 175,000 vehicles per year.

The company plans to ship 2,000 vehicles to the United States from the new Mexican plant in April to July.

"It will increase our already strong footprint in North America and provide us with further model variety in addition to our big SAV (sports activity vehicle) production plant in Spartanburg,” said Zipse in prepared remarks.

Asked if BMW will try to lobby US officials to drop the tariffs, Zipse suggested that the company will let its robust presence in the United States do the talking. He noted BMW’s plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is its largest in the world, with 14,000 direct employees.


Electric vehicle study sees opportunity for utilities

                BOSTON: Increasing demand for electric vehicles in the United States over the next decade will create revenue opportunities for electric utilities that invest in greater grid capacity and offer EV charging and related services, according to a study released today.

The study, by the Boston Consulting Group, assumes a significant leap in consumer demand for electric vehicles, which continue to account for only a fraction of US vehicle sales.

BCG estimates that 20 to 30 percent of all US new car sales by 2030 will be electric or hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles. Last year, plug-in hybrids and pure EVs accounted for just 2 percent of total US car sales, according to the website InsideEVs.com.

BCG predicted that up to 12 percent of all vehicles on US roads will be plug-in hybrid or pure electric by 2030, stretching “the capacity of the current grid” when charging in certain locations or at certain times of day.

The study’s authors suggested that utilities consider expanding their range of services and explore such options as subscription services that impose a flat EV charging fee while providing customers with a free home charger that automatically charges a vehicle overnight and during periods of off-peak demand.

Utilities also were urged to consider offering consulting services, as well as software solutions to both consumer and commercial customers for energy and fleet management.


Twists and turns in case of stolen Lamborghini

                SERDANG: Police recovered a yellow Lamborghini Gallardo near the Rawang toll plaza, two days after it was stolen from a 31-year old businessman in Puchong at 12.05am on July 26.

Serdang OCPD Asst Comm Megat Mohd Aminuddin Megat Alias said police had set up a task force to track down the Lamborghini, adding that a 52-year-old man and a 47-year-old man were arrested in connection with the theft.

The 52-year-old was arrested at a restaurant along Jalan Radin Bagus, Sri Petaling, at about 5pm on July 28 following a report lodged by the businessman. This was followed by the arrest of the 47-year-old at the Rawang toll plaza at 8pm on the same day.

ACP Megat Mohd Aminuddin said that the car was stolen following an accident where the Lamborghini was rammed from behind by a BMW. “He stopped his car. A man stepped out of the BMW and told the businessman that he had no money to compensate for the damage,” he said.

ACP Megat Mohd Aminuddin said that another man got out of the BMW after the Lamborghini’s driver finished his discussion with the other man. “After both men finished their discussion, another man got out of the BMW and pointed a parang at the businessman,” he explained.

ACP Megat Mohd Aminuddin said the businessman ran to the side of the road and the culprits made away with the Lamborghini.

In a twist of events, ACP Megat Mohd Aminuddin however added that the Lamborghini did not belong to the businessman to begin with. “We are checking with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to track down its rightful owner,” he said.


Road closure, traffic diversion on Damansara Link for work on flyover

                PETALING JAYA: There will be a road closure and traffic diversion along the Sprint Highway (Damansara Link) heading to Bangsar from Petaling Jaya to facilitate the reconstruction of a flyover.

The existing flyover along Jalan Johar will be demolished and rebuilt starting Saturday (Oct 29).

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) said in a statement that the route from Petaling Jaya towards Bangsar via Jalan Maarof will also be fully closed effective Saturday.

Traffic will be redirected where motorists heading to Bangsar from Petaling Jaya can make a detour via Jalan Beringin-Jalan Damanlela-Jalan Damansuria.

In anticipation of the escalated traffic congestion especially during peak hours, road users from Petaling Jaya to Kuala Lumpur are advised to use the four alternative routes provided (see graphic).

They are the Penchala Link, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim and Kerinchi Link as well as Jalan Universiti.


VW posts record sales, over a million vehicles sold

                WOLFSBURG: Even with the US automotive market beginning to contract and with the continued fallout from the marque's role in falsifying data regarding its diesel-powered cars' efficiency and emissions, the VW group on Monday announced that for the first time in a single month its combined sales have surpassed one million vehicles.

In total, 1.01 million compact cars, crossovers, SUVs and vans were snapped up from Saudi Arabia to Cincinnati.

"This record result demonstrates the strength of the Volkswagen Group. Vehicles from our brands are thrilling more and more customers worldwide — our new SUVs in particular are very popular. China continues to play an important role in this respect," said Fred Kappler, Head of Group Sales.

In September China accounted for 406,500 cars, a 6.3% increase on last September and an amount that nudges year to date sales in the country up to 2,895,000 vehicles.

However, the group saw market gains around the world. North American sales were up 21.8% due to the company's focus on country-specific SUV modes including the Atlas — a car built in the US for the US and a vehicle quickly helping to rehabilitate the brand following two years of negative press.

In fact, the only areas where sales took a dip were in its native Germany (3.3% down, despite the launch of the new VW Polo) and western Europe, which dipped 0.5%.

The results arrive as Jato Dynamics official data shows the US market is contracting. Over the third quarter sales fell 1.1% compared with Q3 2016 but the shape of the market is changing. Twelve months ago, cars and minivans made up 44% of the country's market. Today, SUVs, CUVs and pickup trucks represent 60%, meaning that those brands with the best spread of off-roaders, trucks and vans are benefiting from this increasing shift in consumer tastes.

Over Q3, demand for SUVs in the US jumped another 4.9% and there was a 4.7% rise in pickup sales while all other types of car saw serious declines in demand.

Nevertheless, the VW Group has done enough to gain a 3.7% US market share, making it and its brands the ninth most popular car company in the country, just behind Subaru but ahead of Mercedes parent, Daimler.

Jato's figures also drill down to individual models and here, the outright winner in the US is Alfa Romeo. Two years ago it was trying to return to the US and today it can boast a 2902.5% increase in sales. In a distant second place is Hyundai's new luxury marque, Genesis, which has seen a 91.4% improvement in sales while in third place, Aston Martin, has seen sales jump by 41.6% year on year.