GM to cut operations in India and South Africa

Since Barra took over GM in 2014, the one-time largest automaker in the world has taken aggressive steps to narrow its focus to China, the highly-profitable North American light truck and sport utility market,
DETROIT: General Motors Co plans to quit selling vehicles in India by the end of this year and will sell operations in South Africa, the latest steps in a strategy of focusing cash and engineering effort on fewer, more profitable markets.

The Detroit automaker said today it will take a US$500 million charge in the second quarter to restructure operations in India, Africa and Singapore. It will cancel most of a planned US$1 billion investment to build a new line of low-cost vehicles in India.

About US$200 million of the charge will be a cash expense, GM said. The moves are expected to save US$100 million a year in a sector of GM's global business that last year lost about US$800 million, the company said.

GM president Dan Ammann said the latest restructuring moves - and a series of earlier decisions to quit unprofitable markets - allow GM to focus more money, engineering effort and senior management time on expanding where the company is strong, including China and the North American pickup and SUV business, where GM has a "product onslaught coming."

GM also has said it is investing about US$600 million a year in efforts to develop autonomous vehicles and transportation services.

"What are we spending our time doing?” Ammann said. “Are we spending time pursuing opportunities … or all of our time fixing problems?”

GM, like its Detroit rival Ford Motor Co, has found it increasingly expensive to compete in emerging markets outside of China. GM sold just 49,000 vehicles in India and South Africa combined last year.

Chief executive Mary Barra travelled to New Delhi in 2015 to announce a plan to invest US$1 billion there to build a new line of Chevrolet models developed as part of a Global Emerging Market vehicle program - GEM for short. Since then, auto sales overall in India have slumped, and GM has failed to gain traction against incumbents such as Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.

Now, GM plans to stop selling Chevrolet brand vehicles by the end of the year and will produce vehicles only for export at its remaining factory in Talegaon. The company currently employs about 2,500 workers there.

GM said it would continue work at its design and engineering center near Bangalore.

The US$5 billion GEM program, which GM is developing with its Chinese partner Shanghai Automotive Industries Corp, remains on track to account for about 2 million vehicles a year in global sales volume, mainly in Latin America, Mexico and China, Ammann said.

"The market opportunity for GEM has continued to grow," he said.

In a separate move, GM plans to stop building Chevrolet vehicles in South Africa and sell its South African factory to Japan’s Isuzu Motors Ltd, along with the 30 percent stake the U.S. automaker owns in a truck venture with Isuzu Motors. Isuzu agreed in February to buy out GM's 57.7 percent stake in a joint venture in Kenya.

GM also will cut an undisclosed number of staff at its GM International Operations headquarters in Singapore. About 200 people work in that operation, the company said.

Since Barra took over GM in 2014, the one-time largest automaker in the world has taken aggressive steps to narrow its focus to China, the highly-profitable North American light truck and sport utility market, Latin America, vehicle financing and transportation services that ultimately could use autonomous vehicles.


Netizens want police to take action against Penang Bridge superbikers

                GEORGE TOWN: Social media users have called for the police to take action on a group of superbike riders who performed dangerous stunts along the second Penang Bridge.

In a 44-second video which has since gone viral, the bikers can be seen riding at high speeds with the speedometer on one of the bikes shown hitting 285kph at one point.

Several bikers were seen pulling “wheelies”, seemingly oblivious to the danger and two also exchanged fist bumps in the video posted on Facebook.

They did not travel on the motorcycle lane throughout the journey, and it is learned that the video was posted by one of the bikers on social media two weeks ago.

In 2020, a 28-year-old male nurse was arrested for riding his motorcycle at high speed on Penang Bridge.

A video showed that his bike crossed the bridge in a little over two minutes.

Police subsequently launched an investigation following reports received, and tracked the suspect to his home at Rifle Range Flats, where he was arrested.


Peugeot, IBM working to connect cars to shops and servicing

                FRANKFURT: PSA Peugeot Citroen and IBM are working together to hook cars up to the Internet, going beyond mapping and infotainment to link vehicles up to shops, service networks and urban transport grids, the companies said on Wednesday.

Financial terms of the new, seven-year partnership were not disclosed. The agreement to develop new types of valued-added services for vehicles builds on an initial partnership between the automaker and technology consultant announced a year ago.

The companies said in a joint statement they planned to develop services for drivers and passengers, as well as back-end applications that could perform preventive car maintenance and traffic management functions.

The partnership looks beyond existing driver navigation, roadside assistance and infotainment offerings popularized by tech firms such as Google and Apple, and map services from Nokia's HERE unit and TomTom.

Software analytics from the car and tapping into smart grids of sensors on traffic signs and streetlights could help manage congestion and cut down on pollution, as well as feeding back to service networks for preventive car maintenance programs.

It could also link vehicles to retailers, an IBM executive said.

Axel Rogaichus, head of IBM's automotive consulting practice in Europe, told Reuters it was one of the largest partnerships the computer services supplier had agreed so far in the automotive industry.

IBM reached a separate partnership agreement in 2013 with Germany's Continental AG, a top global auto parts supplier, to build an "electronic horizon" platform that enables cars to anticipate upcoming obstructions, for example.

IBM and PSA, Europe's second largest carmaker, said they had agreed to share responsibilities for developing, selling and marketing, and implementing connected services with new and existing clients of the firms.

The companies said they had established a center to work together in Paris to develop the new range of services.

The latest deal focuses on connecting passenger vehicles into a variety of network-connected platforms that IBM is developing with other auto industry partners.

But Rogaichus stopped short of saying whether Peugeot might consider working with other automakers to advance urban smartgrids and other remote, connected-car functions.


Mitsubishi Triton gaining popularity among Malaysians

                PETALING JAYA: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) announced an increase in the Mitsubishi Triton market share at 28% for financial year to date 2020.

From January to May 2020, the Mitsubishi Triton consistently maintained its market share by 22% or more for five consecutive months, an increased from the same corresponding period of 2019 which was at 17.8%.

The pick-up truck segment saw a 45% downsize in May 2020 because of the challenging economic situation. In spite of this, the Mitsubishi Triton was the only brand that successfully achieved positive growth by 1.0% with 483 units sold for May 2020 as compared to the same period last financial year.

MMM’s financial year 2020 is from April 2020 to March 2021.

READ MORE: Triton Adventure X marks the spot File photo of Mitsubishi Triton Quest launch in 2019.

“While the automotive industry is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are happy that the Mitsubishi Triton retained its popularity with with a strong market share of 28% for financial year to date 2020. We are glad that the Triton comes in as a reliable and helpful utility truck to assist our customers to get through these tough times,” said Tomoyuki Shinnishi, Chief Executive Officer of MMM.
READ MORE: When Mitsubishi ruled the Rally
He added, “MMM have taken serious precautionary measures to ensure that our products, services and facilities are safe for all. During the conditional Movement Control Order (MCO) phase, MMM have introduced a contactless product demonstration via video call, as well as Test Drive 2U online service.

"We want to ensure that the company is still able to provide a worry-free experience for customers who wish to learn more or test-drive a Mitsubishi model from home.

“We thank our business partners and customers for playing their part to curb the spread of COVID-19 by adhering to the SOPs that have been set for all MMM showrooms. During the recovery phase of the MCO, MMM and its authorized dealers will still continue to follow all SOPs and guidelines strictly,” Shinnishi concluded.

MMM is the official distributor of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles in Malaysia. For more details, visit the website.


2019 updated Nissan X-Trail: Smarter and safer

                Flowing with the on-going winds of change in vehicle buyers’ preferences for SUVs (sports utility vehicles), Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) is re-focusing its vehicle model range strategy in the Malaysian market.

The phasing out of the Teana means re-engaging customers with an alternative vehicle that serves similar demands and the newly introduced X-Trail facelift model has come in at the right time.

What makes the latest X-Trail a prime candidate to fulfil the demands of Teana customers is the move by Nissan to make the SUV a quieter and more refined vehicle to drive with better NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) solutions.

The improved NVH insulation measures were made in four key areas and among the usual places such as the firewall between engine bay and passenger compartment, it also included the wheel arches.

We could discern this more polished side of the new X-Trail right away and affirm the impression during the drives from the ETCM 4S centre in Glenmarie, Shah Alam to the Belum Rainforest Resort in Gerik, Perak and back.

ETCM arranged the media drive with two of the expanded four variants that the latest X-Trail now offers – the 2.0L Hybrid 2WD (a new two-wheel drive variant to top this model range) and the 2.5L 4WD (the previous range topper and only part-time four-wheel drive option).

The other new addition to the latest X-Trail range is the 2.0L MID 2WD (meaning mid specification) to pander to those who want the 2.0L 2WD model with a bit more standard equipment and leather upholstery.

The X-Trail 2.0L Hybrid 2WD also holds the boast of being the first locally assembled hybrid vehicle in the mid-range SUV segment.

As EEVs (energy efficient vehicles) already account for more than 60% of ETCM sales, the addition of the X-Trail Hybrid should boost that number further as all four variants are certified as such.

Following our positive take on the X-Trail Hybrid after the 300km plus drive (each way) over a variety of highway and b-grade roads, we feel ETCM is heading in the right direction with its model strategy here.

We began with the X-Trail Hybrid for the drive to Gerik and were impressed with the initial burst of speed as the battery kicked in to assist the primary source of power from the engine.

We were further impressed with the suppression of engine and CVT (continuously variable transmission) noise that we were already familiar with in the Serena S-Hybrid.

This was reconfirmed many times over on the highway to Ipoh where we could flex the engine to gain speed for overtaking or enjoying a quick gallop when the highway was clear.

And this impression was pretty constant right through the vehicle; from the driver’s seat, the front passenger’s viewpoint and the rear passenger’s perspective.

Wind noise was also effectively reduced even we were going above the legal speed limit and the only constant was the varying pitch of road noise coming through (gratefully at lower noise levels as well).

It must be duly noted here that the ‘silent treatment’ we enjoyed was also contributed by the updated 2.0-litre dual cam engine with twin CVTC (continuous variable-valve timing control) and more importantly, direct fuel injection.

This type of fuel feed allows better engine combustion that in turn leads to improved build-up in road speed; engine output is strong with 144PS and 200Nm.

If we had reservations about the initial vague brake pedal feel because of the unusual brake modulation that comes with energy regeneration for the hybrid system, we soon got used to its operation as we drove along.

From Ipoh to Gerik, we switched to the X-Trail 2.5L 4WD as scheduled and found the spongy brake pedal an initial set-back.

The braking performance was, however, better than expected with strong and progressive retarding action that allowed us to drive fast as we were confident we could apply the brakes and slow the X-Trail down in very good time.

With a port fuel injection engine that delivers more at 171PS and 233Nm, there was no lack of push but the greater intrusion of engine and CVT noise reminded us more of the Serena S-Hybrid.

Surprisingly, our observation of this higher engine noise intrusion was noted from the front passenger and rear passenger perspective; it sounded far better suppressed from the driver’s seat.

Perhaps the NVH insulation measures were greater around the driver’s area or there are more dashboard components and items that helped to stifle the roar.

What we enjoyed thoroughly was the good handling dynamics through the winding road route to Gerik with corners of varying camber and degree of tightness.

A taller vehicle like an SUV tends to lean more noticeably when pushed through a corner but the Nissan engineers appeared to have tuned the suspension system of the latest X-Trail well.

We could drive the X-Trail 2.5 4WD in 2WD mode very quickly through most of the corners without the SUV leaning too much and that boosted our confidence to push it harder in exploring its limits.

On a more social note, both X-Trail variants lived up to their executive tags in being silent cruisers for the benefit of everyone on board.And of course, to live up to its fresh new status are the visual changes in the front and rear such as the new V-Motion front grille and new front bumper with signature LED (light emitting diode) boomerang daytime running lights and headlamps.

The rear sees new smoked LED boomerang tail-lamps, fresh bumper design with chrome garnish and new 17-inch alloy wheels in dark titanium (except for the X-Trail 2.0L 2WD that has silver units).

Stepping inside, we noted the new leather-wrapped gear shifter to complement the leather upholstery for the variants we drove, new door panel decoration with carbon fibre design in gloss finish, fresh Piano Black air vent trims and new 5-inch Advance Drive Assist Display.

As it were, the X-Trail is already well endowed with a sporty flat bottom steering wheel with controls, dual power leather front seats with ‘Zero Gravity’ inspired technology, leatherette dashboard and kneepads, and a premium 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display.

In seating arrangement, only the non-hybrid X-Trail variants come with the 5+2 arrangement as the sizeable battery pack of the hybrid takes away a lot of interior space.

There is also a full list of ‘intelligent’ items to aid the driver in one form or the other such as the Intelligent Around View Monitor with Intelligent Moving Object Direction, Intelligent Ride Control, Intelligent Engine Brake and Intelligent Trace Control.

The last item applies the braking force on each wheel individually when taking a corner to help the driver steer smoothly through the turn, which duly did its work in getting a positive feedback from us.

The top three variants come with Lane Departure Warning (with noticeable beeps that would not come on if you use the indicators), Blind Sport Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert when reversing.

In addition, the top two models have the Intelligent Forward Collision Warning with Intelligent Forward Emergency Braking, Intelligent Cruise Control and High Beam Assist.

Despite the updates, the prices remain unchanged for the existing models; RM133,888 (on-the-road without insurance) for the X-Trail 2.0L 2WD and RM153,888 for the 2.5L 4WD.

The X-Trail 2.0L 2WD MID is available at RM145,888 and the X-Trail Hybrid tops the range at a premium RM159,888.

They come with a five years unlimited mileage warranty that includes HEV – Hybrid Electric Vehicle – components and lithium-ion HEV battery.

A two-year or 40,000km Periodic Maintenance Service is part of the launch campaign and there is a new colour to consider in the Imperial Umber hue (a metallic variation on the solid Wine Red theme).

Some good news for local Nissan customers is that a more compact SUV is due to arrive, probably within a year, to serve as the entry model with attractive prices.

That means there is an opportunity for them to enjoy a similar level of strong dynamic driving and refined motoring in a smaller and “intelligent” package.


Bang, flames, chemicals: What happens when electric cars catch fire

                GENEVA: It starts with a loud bang. Seconds later, metre-long flames are leaping outwards from the car, sending copious amounts of thick, black soot and smoke everywhere.

To see what the impact of burning electric car batteries would be on rescue services and other nearby drivers in tunnels or car parks, the Swiss Materials Testing and Research Institute (Empa) has deliberately set a number of electric cars on fire in enclosed spaces.

The resulting video footage and findings are somewhat alarming.

"The visibility in the previously brightly lit tunnel section quickly approaches zero," the testers said, backing up their analysis with various videos of exploding electric cars.

"After a few minutes, the battery module is completely burnt out."

Their conclusion from tests: Fire departments familiar with fires in conventional cars should generally be able to deal with the fire, and the tunnel or underground car park walls and pipes should not be put at additional risk.

The problem isn't with the fire, however, rather how it's put out. The water, used in much larger quantities for electric car fires, presents a health risk.

"Under no circumstances must chemical fire-fighting water be allowed to enter the sewerage system," say the Empa experts.

Fire services say they are relieved to hear that the highly corrosive and toxic hydrofluoric acid in lithium-ion batteries used in cars did not leak in deadly levels during tests of car fires.

And yet Karl-Heinz Knorr, Vice President of the German Fire Brigade Association, admitted that battery chemicals mixing with the water used to put out the fire was indeed a problem.

Preventing this water from reaching the sewage system or ground water was easier said than done, Knorr said. In serious cases, electric car fires may force authorities to purify or cut off ground water in surrounding areas.


Audi teams up with Marvel Studios on 'Avengers: Endgame' digital short featuring Captain Marvel

                WASHINGTON: Audi and Marvel Studios are back together, this time with a humorous digital short in conjunction with “Avengers: Endgame.”

The video, called “The Debriefing,” follows Brie Larson as Captain Marvel and her re-introduction to society after years away from Earth.

The video also features the Audi e-tron SUV, the brand’s first all-electric vehicle, unveiled in the US last fall.

When Captain Marvel returns to Earth after years away, a government agent recaps all she’s missed, including advances in the war on gluten, technology and the formation of the Avengers. In her efforts to embrace the future, Captain Marvel is introduced to the all-new Audi e-tron SUV and takes it for a spin – where the agent notes: “Speed limits are still a thing.”

Marvel Studios’ "Avengers: Endgame" debuts in US theaters on April 26 (the flick premieres in Malaysian cinemas today. The film will feature the all-electric Audi e-tron Sportback concept while Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) trades his Audi R8 for the all-electric Audi e-tron GT concept.

“Since Tony Stark introduced the world to the iconic Audi R8 in 2008, Marvel fans have really embraced the brand. We’re eager to introduce them now to the all-electric Audi e-tron SUV and expect an equally strong fan reaction to Tony Stark’s new supercar the all-electric Audi e-tron GT concept,” said Audi of America marketing vice-president Loren Angelo.

“Each collaboration with Marvel Studios and Audi has brought something new to the table, “ said Mindy Hamilton, senior vice president of Global Partnerships, Marvel. “This time, it’s bringing the most powerful Super Hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain Marvel, into the storytelling and we couldn’t be more excited to see fans watch this story unfold.”

Audi vehicles will also make an appearance at the "Avengers: Endgame" Hollywood premiere.


Jaguar XF high-wire act

                LONDON: The all-new 2016 Jaguar XF has been revealed through a dramatic 'high-wire' water crossing in the heart of London's business district.

Expert British stunt man Jim Dowdell, veteran of Hollywood movies including Bond, Bourne and Indiana Jones, drove the “new cat” 240m across a high-wire to highlight the lightweight aluminium-intensive architecture featured on the vehicle.

The feat took place high over the Royal Dock in London's Canary Wharf.

"Over my 35 years in the industry I've driven Jaguar vehicles on many Hollywood movie sets. However, the biggest test for me on this stunt was the unpredictability of the elements.

“Potential oscillation in the high-wires from wind speeds meant it added a real challenge. The wires are only 34mm in diameter so the journey required absolute precision, balance and control" said, expert stuntman Jim Dowdell.

Meteorological experts and structural engineers were on hand to determine precise drive conditions, based on comprehensive crosswind analysis.

As a contingency, Dowdell was rigged up with abseil equipment, a cherry picker crane was on hand and a RIB safety speedboat waited on the banks.

The full technical and range specifications of the latest XF will be released on April 1 during its global motor show debut at the 2015 New York International Auto Show.

But for now, here what’s known so far.

The latest Jaguar is 7mm shorter and 3mm lower than its predecessor, and with a 2,960mm wheelbase it comes in 51mm longer for more rear leg-room, knee room and head room.

Two 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engines will be offered in the first model year rated at 340hp/450Nm and 380hp/450Nm while mated exclusively to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Front suspension are of front double wishbone and the rear is an Integral Link suspension, which is combined with near-50:50 weight distribution, for that ideal balance between agility, comfort and refinement.

As standard, advanced passive damper technology has been fitted to provide an exceptionally comfortable ride, but for additional control the optional Adaptive Dynamics system will determine the optimum damper settings for driving conditions.

When fitted, Jaguar Configurable Dynamics, first developed for the Jaguar F-TYPE, will provide even more control and enables the driver to individually tailor settings of the suspension, steering, engine and eight-speed automatic transmission.

For select markets, such as the US, which demand all-wheel drive (AWD), Jaguar has engineered a new torque on-demand system.

The transfer case uses a chain drive instead of gears and is light, quiet and efficient.

Capability is also enhanced by the advanced control system first used in the Jaguar F-TYPE AWD with the Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD).

This system delivers rear-drive handling with the performance and traction benefits of AWD.

Also standard on the all-new XF is All-Surface Progress Control system, developed for low-speed driving in adverse conditions.

This system is designed to automatically manage the brakes and the throttle to deliver additional traction, enabling the car to pull away smoothly in low-grip situations; the driver only has to steer.

As for infotainment and connectivity, Jaguar is providing an InControl Touch system, which features an eight-inch touchscreen or the optional InControl Touch Pro with a 10.2-inch touchscreen to InControl Apps and InControl Remote.

To handle large amounts of data, the optional Jaguar InControl Touch Pro features a 10.2-inch touchscreen, a solid-state drive, a quad-core processor.

Furthermore, it runs on an ultra-fast Ethernet connection - a next-generation network offering exceptional data transfer rates and when combined it said that they deliver incredible graphics, fast response times and a truly exceptional performance.

To complement the InControl Touch Pro is a reconfigurable 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster.

Jaguar Land Rover pioneered this technology with the Range Rover and is now bringing it to the sedan segment.

The all-new Jaguar XF offers a wide range of available advanced driver assistance systems, including full-LED headlights and Laser Heads-Up Display.

The all-new aluminum-intensive 2016 Jaguar XF will be manufactured at the Jaguar Land Rover Castle Bromwich Plant alongside the all-aluminum Jaguar F-TYPE and Jaguar XJ.


Six new models from Mercedes EQ, EQS to arrive in 2021

                STUTTGART: Mercedes-Benz says its plan to roll out electric cars is running on schedule, with the EQS set to be the first to arrive on the market next year.

The EQS is the first to use the new electric architecture for electric vehicles of the luxury and executive segment at Mercedes-Benz.

Further models based on the new architecture will follow soon. They include the EQE business saloon and the SUV variants of EQS and EQE.

At present, intensive test drives are being conducted mainly at the Test and Technology Centre in Immendingen just outside Stuttgart to validate the production maturity.

 Christoph Starzynski, vice-president electric vehicle architecture at Mercedes-Benz and responsible for the EQ vehicles.

In the compact class, production of the EQA, the fully electric brother of the GLA, will start later this year, followed by the EQB in 2021.

The new generation of electric vehicles in the luxury and executive segment is based on a custom-developed architecture, which is scalable and can be used across model series. The wheelbase and track as well as all other system components, especially the batteries, are variable thanks to the modular design.

In other words, this vehicle architecture makes it possible to build Mercedes-Benz electric cars from saloons to large SUVs.

The EQS will allow customers in the luxury segment to fully benefit from all the advantages of an all-electric architecture with respect to space and design. With ranges of up to 700km (according to WLTP), the EQS meets the requirements of a modern in the S-Class segment in this respect as well.

Mercedes-Benz will continue with its recipe for success in production, and designs its vehicles and factories to be able to build different models flexibly on the same production lines.

The EQS will be produced together with the S-Class in "Factory 56" in Sindelfingen, one of the world's most modern car factories.

The electric vehicles also use cross-sectoral technologies from Mercedes-Benz such as, for example, the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) control and display system or the driving assistance systems.

The Vision EQS concept car provided pointers to the design of the coming EQS in September 2019. The camouflaged prototypes undergoing testing are also foretelling key design features that are novel for the luxury segment such as the cab forward design or the coupé-like "one-bow" styling.

Further details of the design of the models EQS SUV, EQE and EQE SUV remain a secret to the public for the time being.

Mercedes-Benz will introduce the all-electric architecture in 2021. At the same time, the company will continue to electrify the most successful platforms. In addition to the EQC mid-size SUV (EQC 400 4MATIC) and the all-electric EQV people carrier (EQV 300), customers in the compact car segment can look forward to two all-electric SUVs, the EQA and EQB. Production of the EQA will start before the end of this year.

As part of its "Ambition 2039" initiative, Mercedes-Benz is working on offering a CO2-neutral new car fleet less than 20 years from now. The company wants electrically powered cars including all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles to account for more than half of its sales by 2030.


British inventor James Dyson cancels electric car project

                LONDON: Britain's James Dyson has cancelled his ambitious project to build an electric car, the centrepiece of a £2.5bil (RM13bil) investment in technology, saying he could not see a way to make it commercially viable.

Dyson said his engineers had built a "fantastic car" and that the project was not being closed due to any failures in research and development.

"However, though we have tried very hard throughout the development process, we simply can no longer see a way to make it commercially viable," he said in an email to staff.

The company had tried to find a buyer for the project but had not succeeded, he said.

Dyson, the billionaire inventor of the bagless vacuum cleaner, announced the project two years ago, building on the company's expertise in batteries and electric motors to developing a vehicle.

Singapore was selected a year ago as the location for a new plant to build the vehicle, which was targeted at markets in China and elsewhere in Asia.

The company had previously said it would build a new two-storey manufacturing facility in the city-state, scheduled for completion in 2020, with the first cars rolling off production lines a year later.

Some 500 engineers were working on the project, mostly based at its site in Malmesbury and Hullavington in southwest England.

Dyson said the company was working to find alternative roles for as many of them as possible in its home business, which makes air purifiers, fans and hair dryers as well as cleaners.


SMART Tunnel listed among CNN’s top 10 world's greatest tunnels

                PETALING JAYA: The SMART Tunnel in Malaysia has been listed as one of the top 10 world's greatest tunnels by CNN.

The article explains that the tunnel is expected to prevent billions of dollars of possible flood damage and costs from traffic congestion in Kuala Lumpur's city centre.

Built in 2007, the SMART (stormwater management and road tunnel) project serves as storm drainage and road structure. The stormwater tunnel length runs 9.7km while the motorway tunnel length is 4km.

The tunnel, the longest in Malaysia, was built to solve the problem of flash floods in Kuala Lumpur.

The article further elaborated on the tunnel's operations, stating that it can be used in three ways. First, it acts as a road tunnel when there is no flood.

In situations where flood levels are moderate, rainwater will be diverted to the lower drainage chamber in the tunnel while the upper level of the tunnel remains open to motorists.

Finally, the tunnel will be closed to traffic during exceptionally heavy floods and is used fully for floodwaters to pass through with the use of watertight gates.

Since its opening, flood-prone areas such as Masjid Jamek, Dataran Merdeka, Leboh Ampang and Jalan Melaka have been spared from major floods.

The SMART tunnel is no stranger to international recognition. In April 2015, it was described by the United Nations as one of the most innovative projects in the world for an urban issue.

In 2011, it received the UN Habitat Scroll of Honour Award for its innovative and unique management of stormwater and peak hour traffic.

Other tunnels named in the article are the Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland, the Channel Tunnel which links the UK and France, Eisenhower Tunnel in the USA, the Spiralen Tunnel and the Laerdal Tunnel, both in Norway, China's Guoliang Tunnel in Henan Province and Bund Sightseeing Tunnel in Shanghai, Japan's Seikan Tunnel and the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line.


BMW welcomes actor Christoph Waltz as co-creator

                MUNICH: The BMW Group is entering into a cooperation with one of the most prominent players in the US cinema, actor Christoph Waltz, who takes on role as co-creator for the premium brand.

To kick off the partnership, Waltz played a central role in the design world premiere of the BMW iX. The future model of the BMW Group celebrated its premiere at #NEXTGen 2020.

"The discussions we had with Christoph Waltz in the run-up to #NEXTGen 2020 about future technologies, social change and the future significance of driving pleasure were very inspiring. He gave us new perspectives with his openness, pragmatism and a certain degree of impatience. I am delighted to have won a co-creator in Christoph Waltz, who will challenge us again and again with his thoughts and ideas," says Oliver Zipse.

When it comes to cars, Waltz appreciates premium quality, technological precision and attention to detail and observes the latest developments in electric mobility, networking and automated driving.

"I am delighted about every new technological impulse that comes not from Silicon Valley but from Europe, and I would like to see more of it," says Waltz.

"What I was able to learn at BMW in this area impressed me very much. BMW is a very steeped-in-tradition, but at the same time extremely future-oriented company."


Sony testing an electric car guided by 5G

                LONDON: Back in January 2020, Sony surprised many by announcing its automotive ambitions with a concept car bearing the name Vision-S, unveiled at the CES tech show in Las Vegas.

At the time, the Japanese electronics company explicitly left open whether the vehicle would ever enter mass production. Now, Sony has given us the first sign that it's taking its mobility plans seriously.

The tech manufacturer has announced that it's further developing the new electric car prototype powered by the new 5G network delivering super-fast wireless Internet, allowing the car to load software updates and get real-time driving information over the wire.

Together with mobile phone provider Vodafone, Sony is testing the car on a track in western Germany, both companies announced on Wednesday. Among other things, the aim is to maintain a stable connection to the mobile network even when driving at high speeds.

Sony was the first major electronics company to publicly announce its own car project, but there has been speculation for years about Apple's plans to launch an electric car. The only concrete information so far is that the iPhone maker is testing technology for autonomous driving.

The Vision-S is foremost intended to demonstrate the possibilities of Sony's technical developments, particularly in software, sensors and security technology, as well as a complete entertainment system.

Sony's tech-centred plans come as younger drivers are looking more and more at what high-tech features are offered in the interior, and less what happens under the hood.

In the cockpit of the Vision-S, there's a long display that almost reaches from door to door, not unlike the one Chinese newcomer Byton has in its electric SUV.

Sony, itself a leading maker of camera sensors, would be well positioned to enter the car market as sensors for automated driving play an increasingly important role.

Experts had long expected that with the advance of electric vehicles, electronics companies would increasingly enter the car business.


10 people called up over reckless driving and supercar 'blockade'

                JOHOR BARU: Ten people will be summoned by the police to give their statements over a viral video where a fleet of supercars were seen stopping at KM34 of the North-South Expressway near Sedenak.

Johor police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said police have identified the registration numbers of the cars involved based on closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera footage at the highway.

"They will be giving their statements by this evening (March 22). We will investigate the matter further based on three main angles. This includes reckless driving and for blocking the road.

"The female driver in the four-wheel-drive vehicle had also made a police report, claiming that she was hit. We will investigate this as well," he said, adding that the woman has received treatment from the hospital.

He said this in a press conference at the Johor police headquarters here today.

Comm Kamarul said that the case is being investigated under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act for driving recklessly and Section 147 of the Penal Code for rioting.

"We would like to advise road users to drive carefully and prudently. The number of cars on the road are expected to swell after the border reopens and it is important that everyone prioritise safety," he added.

On Monday, Kulai OCPD Supt Tok Beng Yeow said the driver of the 4WD vehicle, which was seen in the viral video tailing a convoy of supercars before colliding with one, has been arrested at about 1am the same day at the Kulai police headquarters.

“The suspect had surrendered herself to the police and was arrested for further investigation.

“She will be remanded for three days starting from Monday until Wednesday,” he had said in a statement here on Monday.

Earlier, a video showing a fleet of supercars stopping at KM34 of the North-South Expressway near Sedenak went viral over social media.

There was also another 20-second video showing the four-wheel-drive tailing the supercars before the incident.

In a statement on Monday, Supt Tok said initial investigations revealed the incident occurred at about 6.10pm on March 18.

It involved a 4x4 Ford Ranger which crashed into a Lamborghini, he said.

"The Ford driver had tried to cut off the Lamborghini in a zig-zag pattern.

"The driver of the Lamborghini tried to evade by going to the left side of the road but was run into.

"This led to a scuffle between the two drivers before the whole convoy of luxury vehicles decided to stop in the middle of the road," he said.


Malaysia's strong electrical, electronics base reason for Tesla's entry, says Zafrul

                PASIR GUDANG: Tesla’s decision to enter Malaysia is due to the strong foundation of the electrical and electronics (E&E) ecosystem, says Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.

The Investment, Trade and Industry Minister said that this was also the same reason why Amazon Web Services (AWS) chose to invest at least RM25.5bil in the country by 2037 to set up their digital infrastructure.

"Our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has also announced that AWS investment will bring in high-end quality jobs for the locals and will have a spillover effect on our local economy.

"So when we talk about the automotive industries, companies like Tesla are coming here because we have the ecosystem that supports the E&E ecosystem.

"It is not so much on the incentive; it will help, but what makes Malaysia so attractive to these types of investors is that we can support the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem," he said.

He said this when met by reporters after the officiating ceremony of the Industry Excellence Award 2024 at The Oasis, Johor Port, here, today.

Zafrul also quoted Tesla saying that a big part of the company's supply chain was coming from Malaysia.

"So they decided to relocate their business here, and this will have a positive impact on our economy, especially our SMEs and any new SMEs that might be created from the supply chain.

"Malaysia is actually the seventh largest E&E and semiconductor market in the world, so that is why when we invite investors to come, we must ensure that the ecosystem is also ready.

"So when they come here, they will have the support of the supply chain, vendors, services, parts, and others," he said.

On March 1, the International Trade and Industry Ministry was reported as having approved Tesla’s application to import battery electric vehicles (BEV) into Malaysia.

Tesla would also establish a head office in Malaysia, introduce Tesla's "experience centres,” service centres, and establish its "Supercharger" network.


First drive of new Chevy Colorado and Trailblazer in Cebu

 Trailblazer.

The latest incarnation of the Chevrolet Colorado pick-up truck will be making its arrival today while the Trailblazer is scheduled to hit our shores next year.

Both vehicles were the centre of attention at the recent Ride and Drive event in Cebu, and journalists from the Philippines and the South East Asian region were invited to a preview of the new 4X4 vehicles at the Shangri-La Mactan.

 Colorado.

The new Colorado and Trailblazer presented there, both in its second generation in the Southeast Asian region, have undergone changes in its exterior with angular lines and sporty front fascia to make it look tough yet stylish. The interior too has undergone changes to its dashboard, refinement in terms of materials and better noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels.

The mills have been upgraded for its 2.8L and 2.5L Duramax four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines with Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT) which produce 200PS and 500Nm of torque and 180PS and 440Nm of torque respectively.

 Colorado.

The high torque output is sure to raise eyebrows when compared to the competition. Depending on the region, the new vehicles come in six-speed manual and auto transmissions with 2WD and 4WD variants.

Among the new features for the VGT variants include electric power steering, remote start engine, auto headlamps, auto rain sensors, front and rear park assist, tyre pressure monitoring, lane departure warning, forward collision alert, rear cross traffic alert, driver knee airbag and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The safety features are abundant with anti-lock braking system (ABS), panic brake assist (PBA), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (ESC), hill descent control (HDC) and hill start assist (SA).

The MyLink infotainment system features an 8-inch colour touchscreen and the latest in connectivity technology with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It is clear that Chevrolet has taken these vehicles to the next level for the modern consumer to fit their lifestyle and employ it as a practical and durable machine for loading and off-roading and also a daily driver which offers comfort and versatility.

For the Ride and Drive event, a fleet of left-hand drive Colorados and Trailblazers were prepared to make the trip up to highland where the Danasan Eco Adventure Park was located. The road leading up was narrow and windy and it proved to be challenging navigating through the dense population inhabiting either side of the road on top of the oncoming traffic.

 Trailblazer.

We drove the Trailblazer SUV on the way up and found it to be very cosy and comfortable with its quiet cabin and pliant suspension.

Despite being a seven-seater SUV, the Trailblazer’s handling was impressive through the twisty road. The Colorado pick-up was then used for the drive back and interestingly we drove the rear-wheel drive 4X2 variant unintentionally.

There was a noticeable difference here as it was not as refined a drive as the Trailblazer. A stiffer suspension setup meant that it was not as comfortable too.

 Trailblazer.

To be fair though, we were meant to drive the 4X4 Colorado and we were also told the suspension is set up to haul heavy loads and performs differently under those conditions which we didn’t experience during the drive.

When we reached our destination in Danasan, an off-road course had already been laid out to test the capabilities of these two 4X4s. And both the Colorado and Trailblazer easily adapted to the demanding terrain put before them.

Besides testing the new vehicles, Chevrolet stopped by the Nicolas Tiongko High School where they delivered ultra-durable footballs to the students and also provided building materials to help refurbish a section of the school building and waterworks which were badly damaged by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.

All Trailblazer photos below


Want to visit a Mercedes-Benz showroom? Read this first

                PETALING JAYA: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia have announced the implementation of the Mercedes-Benz Star Shield safety protocol programme during the CMCO period in Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, and Selangor from Oct 14 to Oct 27, 2020.

It states that all Mercedes-Benz authorized dealers nationwide will remain open for business as usual during this period adhering to all guidelines set by the government.

All test drives, routine service and maintenance and/or repairs will be carried out as usual with stringent SOPs in place.

Service24h Roadside Assistance will remain operational for emergency breakdown and technical issues.

The Mercedes-Benz Star Shield programme is a safety protocol for our dealers and customers. It consists of a comprehensive safety plan that includes the provision of masks and hand sanitizers, cleaning and sanitization of showroom cars and common areas, temperature checks and limited customers per entry.

In order to minimize social contact, the Mercedes-Benz Star Shield also includes initiatives such as the Drop & Go, Door-to-door and Express Service.

The health, welfare, and safety of employees and customers continue to remain a top priority and customers are encouraged to book their service or test-drives online and follow SOPs at all times.


BMW spreads joy at Bangsar Shopping Centre, KL

                PETALING JAYA: BMW Group Malaysia is celebrating the season of giving at Bangsar Shopping Centre, Kuala Lumpur, from now until Dec 26, giving the public a chance to win exclusive BMW merchandise via lucky draw contests, test drives of their dream BMW models.

The initiatives are also in support of fulfilling the Christmas wish lists of the children from Shelter.

Visitors can help fulfil a wish by buying an item off the children’s list and dropping them off in the ‘Joy of Giving’ box placed in the boot of the First-Ever BMW X7 that is on display next to La Bodega.

In doing so, they will also be entitled to the lucky draw and an exclusive BMW Christmas gift wrapper.

“As we approach the end of 2019, we wanted to give thanks for all that we have achieved at BMW Group Malaysia this year. To share this gratitude with our customers who have remained loyal to the brand, we are inviting them to a month of celebration with us at the Bangsar Shopping Centre," said BMW Group Malaysia managing director Harald Hoelzl.

"This year is especially unique as well because we have partnered with Shelter, a local children’s home to spread the Joy of Giving to the underprivileged children of Malaysia.”

Test drives are also available on-site for the new BMW X3 and BMW 530e. Customers who participate in the test drive will be entitled to the lucky draw and a special and exclusive BMW Christmas gift wrapper.

Customers can also bring home the exclusive BMW Christmas gift wrappers when they purchase more than RM200 worth of items at Bangsar Shopping Centre.


New Penang police cars upgraded to better fight crime

                GEORGE TOWN: The Penang police have received 70 brand new police cars to further strengthen the force in combating crime.

Each of the Proton Inspira CVT for the Mobile Patrol Vehicle (MPV) unit with striking green reflector strips has been patrolling the streets in Penang since yesterday.

It is equipped with GPS and dashboard cameras, as well as a police Command, Control, Communications and Computer Integration (C4i) system designed to integrate policing effectively and strategically.

Penang deputy police chief Deputy Comm Datuk A. Thaiveegan said it was vital to have sufficient patrol cars in the state as the MPVs were the frontliners of the force.

“This is to ensure that we can increase our omnipresence in public areas for effective crime prevention.

“It can also help us maintain public order and peace effectively,” he told a press conference after launching the new cars during the monthly police gathering at the state police headquarters in Penang Road yesterday.

DCP Thaiveegan said five of the spanking new vehicles would be utilised by the state contingent headquarters while the rest would be distributed evenly to the five police districts in the state.

He said the Penang MPV fleet currently has 233 patrol cars, including five Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X which are used mainly for highway pursuit.

He added that the other older patrol cars would also be gradually replaced when they reach their usage life span.

In August, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar had said that the Proton Inspira patrol cars, complete with the new-look green reflectors on the side — representing the force’s Go Green concept — would replace vehicles which are eight years or older.


2019 Geneva Motor Show: Facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLC

                GENEVA: Also making its world premiere at the show is the facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLC.

The updated GLC gets a new operating concept including MBUX and gesture control, innovative driver assistance systems and a redeveloped engine range.

On the updated GLC's exterior, there are redesigned headlamps and chrome elements that now run from front to rear.

There are also standard-fit LED High-Performance headlamps with the torch-design daytime running lights, as well as the heavily contoured radiator grille with the dynamically shaped double louvres and the diamond lattice.

The redesigned full LED tail lamps also ensure an unmistakable light signature.

The interior offers an infotainment system equipped with large multimedia touchscreen displays.

The latest generation of the MBUX – Mercedes-Benz User Experience – infotainment system demonstrates an impressive array of intuitive and multifaceted operating options such as the expanded voice control and the intelligent Interior Assistant, which recognises hand gestures by the driver and front-seat passenger.

Overall, the driver assistance systems have been significantly expanded and enhanced with features such as exit warning, emergency lane and tailback functions.

New features in the GLC are the standard-fit KEYLESS-GO start function using the turbine-look start-stop button and the option to activate driver assistance systems on the multimedia display.

When it comes to market mid-2019, the GLC will have new petrol and diesel engines with more power and greater efficiency – further engine variants will follow later in the year, including an electrified variant in the form of a plug-in hybrid.

In the GLC 200 and GLC 300, the M 264 four-cylinder petrol engine replaces the M 274 predecessor engine, while the OM 654 four-cylinder diesel engine replaces the OM 651 predecessor engine.

With the model update, the GLC is for the first time equipped with the DYNAMIC BODY CONTROL suspension with adjustable dampers for the front and rear axle.

Depending on the driving situation, speed and condition of the road, the damping is controlled individually for each wheel in interaction with the engine, transmission and steering characteristics.

In addition, the suspension can be combined with a sport steering system with a more direct steering ratio.

It is operated with the DYNAMIC SELECT switch and offers three selectable stages: The two stages "Sport“ and "Sport +“ deliver a firmer set-up of the damper characteristics, while "Comfort“ mode provides an especially comfortable ride.


2018 Geneva Motor Show: David Brown debuts 600hp Speedback Silverstone Edition

GENEVA: David Brown Automotive showed off the Speedback Silverstone Edition at the Geneva Motor Show.

Limited to a run of only 10 production cars, each one will be made using traditional coachbuilding techniques at the company’s headquarters and workshop in Silverstone. It is the most performance-oriented car ever produced by the company.

The car packs a 5.0-litre twin-scroll supercharged V8 engine delivering over 600hp and 768Nm of torque, David Brown Automotive’s most powerful and performance focused model yet. It can sprint from 0-100kph in 4.2s and has top speed of 250kph.

The engine is mated to a six-speed ZF automatic transmission and drive is delivered through the Grand Tourer’s rear wheels.

Advancing the finely tuned Grand Tourer formula set by Speedback GT, Speedback Silverstone Edition includes an upgraded suspension system for enhanced handling and dynamics, as well as comfort, refinement and cutting-edge technological features for an on-demand, responsive and exhilarating driving experience.

A fully automated Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system, safety technologies, performance brakes and active rear differential make the Silverstone Edition a retro-inspired, driving-focused Grand Tourer for the modern age.

It has the sleek profile of a classic racer with its menacing, streamlined stance. The Silverstone Edition is fitted with unique, forged 20-inch ‘Afterburner’ bespoke designed alloy wheels. A bespoke signature pattern grille is fitted with twin LED auxiliary driving lamps, enhancing visibility and complimenting the dark ceramic LED technical headlamps and clear lens tail lights.

Inside the cockpit, a Sixties-inspired, brogued and embroidered interior trim decks out the car. The ‘Antique’ and ‘Ebony’ leather hides are bound by contrasting tan stitching, and the Kvadrat ‘Remix’ premium fabric adds to the aeronautical personality within the cabin. An open-pore, wood veneer finish fades rearward, with metal inlay completing the dashboard, which features jet-inspired air vents to pay homage to the aeronautical and racing past of the Silverstone Circuit.

The two-seater configuration – with rear luggage storage space in the place of rear seats – features heated and adjustable sports seats that are adorned with a stylised Silverstone Circuit outline embroidered into the tan leather. Like Speedback GT, the folding ‘event seat’ features prominently at the rear of the car with an additional bespoke stowage feature. The application of leather and Alcantara extends to the steering wheel, also fitted with bespoke brushed aluminium switchgear.

The in-car technology package includes satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and a 7.1-channel Bowers & Wilkins® surround sound audio system.


GM to shut South Korean plant, more cuts could follow

                DETROIT/SEOUL: General Motors Co said it will close one of its four plants in South Korea and incur an US$850 million impairment charge as part of a restructuring of its money-losing business in Asia’s fourth-biggest economy.

The US automaker said it would decide the future of its remaining South Korean operations within weeks, amid ongoing talks with the government and labour unions on how to cut costs and make the business profitable.

“Time is short and everyone must move with urgency,” said GM president Dan Ammann.

The move is the latest in a series of steps the US automaker has taken to put profitability and innovation ahead of sales and volume. Since 2015 GM has exited unprofitable markets including Europe, Australia, South Africa and Russia.

GM would take charges against profits of US$850 million to reflect the South Korean restructuring costs, including US$375 million in cash related to employee expenses, the company said in a statement. Most of the financial writedowns would be recorded by the end of the second quarter.

South Korea had for years been a low-cost export hub for GM, producing close to a fifth of its global output at its peak. But sharp rises in labour costs, weakening demand for sedans, which GM Korea mainly produces, and big investments in neighbouring China hurt the South Korean business’s competitiveness.

The plant shutdown is part of its broader Asia business restructuring. Excluding profits from China, GM said its Asian operations lost money in 2016. GM Korea posted a total of 1.9 trillion won (US$1.8 billion) in net losses between 2014 and 2016.

In recent years, GM ceased manufacturing in Australia and Indonesia, and significantly restructured its Thai operations. It is also winding down efforts to sell cars in India and is turning its manufacturing facilities there into an export hub.

The automaker’s decisions to exit other unprofitable markets have exacerbated problems for GM Korea, which used to build many of the Chevrolet models GM once offered in Europe. Declining sales of small cars in the United States have also hurt demand for Korean-made Chevrolets.

The first step in the South Korean restructuring plan is the closure of GM’s plant in Gunsan, southwest of Seoul, which employs 2,000 out of GM’s 16,000-strong South Korean workforce.

The factory was running at about 20 percent of its full production capacity last year, GM said. The automaker’s three other assembly plants in South Korea built 485,403 vehicles in 2017.

GM sells Chevrolet and Cadillac brand vehicles in Korea, and more than half the vehicles built by GM’s Korean plants are exported.

A GM Korea official said the company planned to start a voluntary retirement programme for all its workers, not just those at Gunsan, from Tuesday. The official declined to be named as the decision had not been made public.

Ammann said a decision on investments in new models for the remaining South Korean plants to build depended on the government’s willingness to offer funding or other incentives, and on whether unions would agree to cut labour costs.

“If we are successful in working with our stakeholders to restructure and get to a viable cost structure, we would see an opportunity to invest” in new vehicles, Ammann said.

South Korea’s state-run development bank owns a 17 percent stake in GM Korea. The Detroit automaker owns 77 percent of the operations while GM’s main Chinese partner, SAIC Motor Corp Ltd, controls 6.0 percent.

The South Korean government said in a statement it regretted GM’s “unilateral” decision to close the plant. It said it wanted to conduct an audit of GM Korea as it weighed options to help with the restructuring plan.


Bosch CEO warns coronavirus could hit global auto supply chains

                STUTTGART: The chief executive of Robert Bosch, the world’s biggest auto components supplier, warned that coronavirus could impact its global supply chain, which is heavily dependent on China.

“We are naturally concerned, but on the basis of the facts today, we have no disruption to our business or supply chain,” chief executive Volkmar Denner (pic) said at a meeting with journalists in Fellbach, Stuttgart on Tuesday, in remarks which were embargoed for today.

Bosch is relying on China as a global manufacturing base for exporting electric motors, transmission and power electronics for electric cars.

“We need to wait to see how things develop. If this situation continues, supply chains will be disrupted. There are forecasts that predict the peak for infections will drag on until February or March,” Denner said.

“In Wuhan Bosch has two plants making steering systems and thermotechnologies, with around 800 employees. There have been no reports of infections,” Denner said.

Bosch’s China plants have been shut for Chinese new year and the holiday has been extended to February 3, an extension which will not disrupt Bosch’s global business, Denner explained.

Bosch has been in China since 1909 and has 23 automotive manufacturing facilities in more than 60 locations in the world’s largest auto market, which is home to the largest Bosch workforce outside of Germany.

Bosch employs 403,000 people globally.

Bosch makes multimedia infotainment systems in Wuhu, brake booster systems in Nanjing, automotive electronics for use in connected and automated driving in Wujin, 48-volt battery systems in Wuxi and builds electric vehicle motors, transmissions, and power electronics in Taicang.

Bosch sales in Asia Pacific reached 22.5 billion euros last year, of which more than 10 billion euros came from China.

Bosch expects global automotive production to fall 2.6% to 89 million cars in 2020 due to a decline in demand in China, the United States and Europe.


Renault Talisman Estate breaks cover

PARIS: Renault has taken the wraps off the Talisman Estate which will stand alongside the model’s saloon version that was revealed on July 6.

This new large estate car delivers the same technological features as the saloon, along with extra load-carrying ability.

It promises high driving enjoyment, thanks to the combination of the 4Control chassis and active damping, while Multi-Sense technology provides a personalised experience.

The Talisman Estate features the same dimensions as the saloon, along with the same proportions, sleek profile and high waistline.

The polished aluminium roof bars accentuate the sweeping roofline that is extended by a long lip spoiler. The C-pillar and chrome-bordered side windows contribute to the impression of finesse and sleekness. The slope of the rear window adds a dynamic touch without detracting from boot space.

As a wagon, it has generous interior space, with front seats that benefit from integrated ventilation.

Cargo space is equally spacious at almost 1,700dm3.

Travelling comfort is enhanced with the R-Link2 multimedia tablet, BOSE Surround Sound and a range of driving aids and equipment.

The wagon offers the same range of engines as the saloon version.

There will be two petrol engines (Energy TCe150 and Energy TCe 200) and three diesel variants (Energy TCe150, Energy TCe 200 and twin turbo Energy dCi 160).

While the petrol wagons use only a seven-speed dual clutch EDC automatic transmission, the diesel versions come with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual clutch EDC automatic transmission.

The Renault Talisman Estate will go on sale in Europe during the first half of 2016.

There are no current plans for the car to be produced in right-hand drive or sold in Britain. It also means it won’t be imported into Malaysia, which was never a wagon market in the first place.


VinFast pulling out all the stops to secure top battery tech

                HANOI: What's up with VinFast these days? Well, it wants to make electric cars and to do that, it's seeking to strike deals with leading battery makers from around the world.

Vingroup's vice chairman Thuy Le said the Vietnames automaker is teaming up with a number of companies in battery research and manufacturers from the US, Israel and Taiwan to ensure that VinFast's EV models will be equipped with cutting-edge batteries.

VinFast is working with Israel's StoreDot, a company known for its extreme fast charging technology that allow battery to charge to 80% of capacity in under 5 minutes. StoreDot's technology has been proven to work well on cellphones, drones and e-scooters. Instead of graphite, StoreDot uses nanoparticles in their batteries, which allows much faster charging speed compared with current technology.

Thuy Le said VinFast would leverage on Storedot tech to leap ahead of other EV makers and become one of the few manufacturers with the most advanced battery technology in the world.

VinFast is keen to use solid-state batteries and is talking to Taiwan's ProLogium, which also has a 100% solid-state battery experimental facility for cars.

VinFast has also singed an MoU with China's Gotion High-Tech to supply lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries that can be produced at a low cost and is suitable for mid-range electric cars.

According to Thuy Le, Vingroup is conducting battery R&D activities on its own as well as part of its ambition to achieve self-sufficiency in EV battery supply and to roll out the highest quality of batteries.

Setting up battery plants in Vietnam, Europe and the United States are also on the drawing board, she added.


Mercedes-Benz E 350 e previewed priced under RM400K

                SUBANG JAYA: During the official launch of the locally-assembled Mercedes-Benz E-Class limousines - the E 200 and E 250 Avantgarde and Exclusive variants - members of the media was privy to a preview of the upcoming top-of-the-range E-Class, the E 350 e plug-in hybrid.

The E 350 e is due to be launched later this year and for those who want nothing but the range-topping variant will have to be a little patient as deliveries for this locally-assembled car is due sometime in the third quarter of this year.

While the exact price was not given, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia vice-president (sales and marketing, passenger cars) Mark Raine said it will priced just under RM400, 000.

The E 350 e will come equipped with the AMG Line exterior and interior featuring 19in AMG five-spoke wheels, Multibeam headlights and Airmatic suspension.

The car comes with the 2.0 litre engine producing 208hp and 350Nm of torque and the electric motor produces 87hp and 440Nm of torque.

In all-electric mode, the car has a range of 33km.

Other features include Nappa leather upholstery, preconditioning and the Burmester Surround Sound System.


Gentex transforms rear-view mirror into high-tech vision system

                DETROIT: Gentex Corp is broadening its role from a traditional Michigan-based auto parts maker to a supplier of high-tech vision systems that eventually could be integrated into self-driving cars.

General Motors Co will be the first automaker to use a new rear-view mirror developed by Gentex, on the 2016 Cadillac CT6 sedan. The car goes on sale early next year and the mirror will be offered at extra cost.

At the flip of a switch, the full display mirror converts into a video display that provides a panoramic view behind the vehicle.

Called the Gentex Full Display Mirror, it incorporates a rear camera and software that transforms a prosaic piece of hardware into a platform for more advanced safety technology, marketing director Craig Piersma said.

Piersma said BMW would be the next automaker after GM to use the Gentex mirror, but declined to specify on which model. BMW declined to comment.

While relatively young tech-focused suppliers such as Mobileye NV have become investor favorites as the auto industry ramps up development of advanced driver assistance systems - the building blocks for future self-driving cars - Gentex has quietly been turning out 30 million rear-view mirrors a year.

Founded in 1974, Gentex is one of the world's largest suppliers of auto-dimming automotive mirrors, but it also has steadily beefed up its capability as an electronics manufacturer, expanding its expertise in cameras and displays.

Among its products is the camera-based SmartBeam system that automatically switches headlamps from high to low beam. It also provides collision and lane departure warnings and vehicle and pedestrian detection.

Gentex will focus its technology development around the rear-view mirror. "We don't compete with Mobileye," Piersma said. He said Gentex works with vehicle manufacturers and other suppliers to tailor its mirrors and displays for specific vehicles.

 The 2016 CT6 sedan.


EV maker Lordstown backtracks to say it has no binding orders

                DETROIT: Electric-truck maker Lordstown Motors, which recently raised concerns about its ability to remain in business, on Thursday backtracked from earlier comments made by the startup's president and said it has no binding purchase orders.

At an Automotive Press Association event here on Tuesday, Lordstown president Rich Schmidt had said, "currently, we have enough orders for production for '21 and '22'... Those are firm orders we have for those two years."

However, in a filing with the US securities regulator today, the company said, "although these vehicle purchase agreements provide us with a significant indicator of demand for the Endurance, these agreements do not represent binding purchase orders or other firm purchase commitments."

On Monday, just days after the company said it may not have enough money to stay in business over the next year, chief executive officer Steve Burns and chief financial officer Julio Rodriguez resigned.

The resignations followed the company's reports of conclusions from an internal investigation into claims made by short-seller Hindenburg. Hindenburg, which took a short position on Lordstown shares in March, alleged that the company had misled consumers and investors.

Although Lordstown declined Hindenburg's accusations of overstating the viability of its technology and misleading investors about production plans, the company acknowledged that it overstated the quality of pre-orders for its electric truck.

In a filing today, the company said it pushed its annual meeting of stockholders to Aug 19 from June 17.


SDAC teases new Ford Ranger arrival with 2.0L bi-turbo mill

                KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the sole distributor of Ford in Malaysia, revealed more details about its upcoming new Ford Ranger lineup.

The month-end launch will consist of the Ranger Wildtrak, XL and XLT, and will introduce Malaysia’s first Ford Performance vehicle range, the Ranger Raptor.

The Raptor is expected to take centre stage at its nationwide launch at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2018 in November.

The new Ford Ranger will feature a host of upgrades, including the first new-generation 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine, coupled to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The bi-turbo engine variant is available in both the Ranger Raptor and Wildtrak, while the 10-speed automatic transmission is available in the Ranger Raptor, Wildtrak and right down to the XLT+ variant.

These updates means that the new Ranger will have the smallest yet most powerful engine in the market for a pickup, with improved performance and fuel efficiency.

Staying true to its aspiration as a pickup for every lifestyle, the new Ranger comes fitted with more smart and innovative driver-assist technologies.

These first and only in-class features include Semi-Automatic Parallel Parking (SAPP), ensuring hassle-free parking in narrow city streets, as well as an Autonomous Emergency Breaking (AEB) system, that detects pedestrians and vehicles before alerting the driver with an audible warning.

If the driver fails to react, it can automatically apply the brakes and come to a full stop.

Loading and unloading work materials, weekend getaway luggage or even your mountain bike will be less of a chore with the first and only in-class Easy Lift Tailgate – incorporating a torsion bar to make lifting and lowering the tailgate effortless.

Other first and only in-class features in the new Ranger include Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Adaptive Cruise Control.

For more information or to register your interest on the new Ford Ranger, log on to www.sdacford.com.my, which also features a chatbot in English, Malay and Chinese.


Tesla to unveil electric pickup 'cybertruck' on Nov 21

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc plans to unveil its electric pickup truck, "cybertruck," on Nov 21 in Los Angeles near the SpaceX rocket factory, chief executive officer Elon Musk tweeted here on Wednesday.

Musk had said in January that Tesla might be ready to unveil the truck by summer.

"Cybertruck doesn't look like anything I've seen bouncing around the Internet. It's closer to an armoured personnel carrier from the future," Musk had said in a tweet here last month.

Carmakers including Ford and General Motors are racing to design radical new takes on their most profitable pickup truck models, replacing combustion engines with batteries in a bid to outflank Tesla’s plan to eclipse their brands.

Ford’s F-150 pickup and GM’s Chevrolet Silverado are the top selling vehicles in the US market.

The reveal would happen a day before the Los Angeles Auto Show opens to the public.


Latest Kia software upgrade introduces EV route planner and music discovery service

                SEOUL: Kia has announced a series of improvements to its vehicles, available as a free software update.

The most prominent upgrade is the introduction of EV route planning.

The new feature is included in the latest software update that Kia has dispatched for its EV6 and all-new Niro EV fleet.

The navigation system now detects charging stations along the route and adds them as waypoints automatically.

Drivers can travel long distances without worry – even when the remaining battery charge is low.

The system automatically recognises if battery levels are insufficient to reach the destination and alerts drivers along with a selection of charging stations in the vicinity.

To ensure optimal charging time, the vehicle will, if needed, automatically start the battery conditioning process.

The proposed route is based on an algorithm that takes into consideration the state of charge, Live Charging POI (points of interest) information and the current energy consumption which is based on many external factors like topography, weather condition and traffic, as well as the driver style and/or mode.

The update ensures that EV planning information will be maintained even in case the server routing changes to embedded routing due to network issues.

In this case, the system will perform recalculations including existing recommended EV POI’s and distance information. All data will update automatically after switching to CCS mode again.

The new update also prioritises frequently used charging and filling stations in the search.

They can be viewed by selecting Navigation > POI categories > EV charging/Filling stations > Near current position.

The system will display a list of charging/filling stations near the vehicle's current location and will identify the ones visited several times recently.

In addition, favourite charging/filling station data is now synchronised between Head Unit and phone application. Finally, the EV Route Planner functionality is available now and it will be continuously improved via software updates in the future.

The EV route planning function is the cornerstone of Kia’s latest software update, but it includes several smaller yet interesting upgrades as well.

Among them is the introduction of the music discovery service Soundhound. The software identifies songs played on the radio and will download song title and artist information from the server, displaying them on the main screen.

Lastly, the latest software update features new and improved icons and symbols which bring fresh nuances to the interface, as well as adjustments to the menu structure.

These adjustments include easier menu navigation and improved visibility of certain icons and sub menus.

These feature improvements are available for many existing Kia models as software updates and will come standard with all new models – starting with the EV9.


Ferrari to mark Schumacher's 50th birthday with exhibition

                MARANELLO: Formula One legend Michael Schumacher will be honoured by Ferrari with a special exhibition to mark his 50th birthday on Jan 3, the Italian team confirmed on Monday.

Schumacher — a seven-time Formule One world champion — suffered severe head injuries in a skiing accident five years ago and has not been seen in public since.

The "Michael 50" exhibition in the Ferrari Museum here will be run in association with the Keep Fighting Foundation launched two years ago by the Schumacher family.

"It is intended both as a celebration and a mark of gratitude to the most successful Prancing Horse driver ever," Ferrari said in a statement.

Germany's Schumacher drove for the team from 1996 to 2006, winning five of his record seven drivers' titles from 2000-2004.

Ferrari also won six constructors' titles during his time with the team.

The exhibition will allow the public to discover the contribution that Schumacher made to the car's development as a driver and later as a consultant, Ferrari said.


Home from home: Mercedes-Benz doubles down on China

                BEIJING/SHANGHAI: Mercedes-Benz, the German company founded by the inventors of the motor car, is pouring more resources into its cutting-edge research and design capabilities in China as the centre of gravity of the new auto world shifts eastwards.

In a drive to create a "home away from home", Mercedes-Benz is doubling down on bases in Beijing and Shanghai to stay ahead of regulations and consumer trends in a car market that outstrips the United States and Germany combined.

Three years after initially announcing plans to strengthen its research and development (R&D) in the country, the luxury car brand owned by Daimler will unveil its new Tech Center China in Beijing this month.

Reuters has spoken to four people close to the tech centre and the brand's Chinese design studio who are familiar with the company's new China strategy. All declined to be named because they are not allowed to speak with the media.

With 1,000 engineers, the new tech centre is more than three times the size of the one Mercedes-Benz opened in 2014 and the first outside Germany that can test "everything", putting it more "on par" technically with the far bigger R&D headquarters near Stuttgart, a person close to the centre said.

Mercedes-Benz has also invested significantly in upgrading its Chinese design studio and has moved the whole team from Beijing to Shanghai, a megalopolis of about 25 million people known as the car design capital of China.

Mercedes-Benz has good reason to elevate its Chinese operations.

Its car sales in China jumped 12% last year to a record 774,000 despite the pandemic, streets ahead of its next two markets, Germany on 286,000 and the United States with 275,000.

About 80% of the cars it sold in China were also made there, typically with an array of China-only features and models, and Asia overall accounted for almost half its global sales in 2021.

China's auto market, the biggest in the world since 2009, is expected to carry on growing steadily, with demand forecast to reach 35 million vehicles by about 2030 versus 25 million now.

'Second home'

But Mercedes-Benz, like all foreign automakers in China, is under growing pressure from local EV startups such as Xpeng , Li Auto and Nio and their stylish vehicles with high-tech features tailored to Chinese consumers.

That's why the German carmaker's "second home" strategy for China is focused on making its design and technology more agile, to respond quickly to the ever-shifting landscape and to firmly entrench the Mercedes-Benz brand, the four sources said.

"The expectations in China are for the in-car experience to be served by a localised digital services ecosystem, and such solutions must be conceived and built by people that live in China and truly understand the mobile internet," Bill Russo, head of consultancy Automobility Ltd in Shanghai, said.

Mercedes-Benz customers in China are 36 years old on average - roughly 20 years younger than in Germany - and are more tech-savvy, but they are also notoriously disloyal, hopping from brand to brand as trends shift.

Mercedes has spent 1.1 billion yuan (RM710mil) upgrading the centre, with much of the investment ensuring it can do an array of testing locally - rather send new technologies back to the Sindelfingen headquarters in Germany.

"A key reason for the expansion is to gain the proximity to those customers and their needs," the person close to the tech centre said. "Here, we finally have everything we need to test the car fully," said the source.

The centre has modern chassis test benches and others including for noise, vibration and harshness, as well as batteries and e-drive powertrains and it has the flexibility to swap in new ones as technology develops, two sources said.

Mercedes has also added functions deemed important for Chinese customers, such as a team dedicated to intelligent, connected electric vehicle (EV) technology.

"Tech savvy customers here require that you're very local in terms of intelligence, connectivity and autonomous driving," one of the sources said.

Think rose gold

All four sources said a sharper focus on the customer in China in recent years is already paying off.

A drive to create China-only colours led to research into the preferences of younger luxury goods buyers. While sensitive to being seen as hip and tech-savvy, there has been a revived interest in styles inspired by China's ancient dynasties.

As part of that research, the studio came up with "rose gold metallic", a variation on rose gold tones adjusted for cars first used as an exterior colour for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class L sedan in 2018. New EVs such as the EQA and EQB now come in rose gold, and it's also an interior tone in the EQC.

"Global ideas, inspired by China," said one source close to the studio, adding that while Mercedes needs to cater to its China customers first, some China-grown ideas will go global.

Moving the studio to Shanghai was partly driven by the need to significantly speed up the design process by making it more digital, as most virtual model-making vendors are based there.

"Besides, Shanghai is a lot easier a place to recruit design talent," said the source close to the studio, which is just north of city's prime waterfront district The Bund.

Designers typically sketch a car on paper or a touch-sensitive computer screen and expert modellers then help sculpt the designs into clay models. Mercedes-Benz plans to more or less do away with those physical models.

Under the new process, the Shanghai studio will review its designs using virtual tools, except for the occasional quarter-size physical models, according to one of the four sources.

If the studio makes it to the final of internal competitions for car designs, it will send designers and modellers to the main studio in Germany to create life-size models for the last round, the source said.

Rules of the road

Daimler's drive to strengthen its technology development in China also comes at a time when the cost of failing to be in step with Beijing policymakers has never been higher.

Beijing's sweeping regulatory crackdown in recent months has wiped billions of dollars off the value of some of the country's best-known private firms, and has weighed on the auto sector.

That's partly because tensions between the United States and China have created a tricky environment for foreign companies to import technology developed elsewhere.

And from battery technology to new kinds of mobility including smart connectivity and autonomous driving, Chinese policies and regulations are shifting and evolving rapidly.

"If you respond to change after policies and regulation kick in, it's too late," said one of the contacts close to Daimler.

With that in mind, the tech centre works closely with the brand's external affairs team which keeps its finger on the regulatory pulse - and that has proved key when it comes to so-called vehicle-to-everything, or V2X, technology.

V2X controls communications between a car and "everything" outside, from 5G cellular signals to low-earth-orbit satellites to smart traffic lights and cameras on the road.

In China, vehicles will soon have to come with full-fledged V2X capabilities to achieve a top safety ranking under a new version of its vehicle safety evaluation system, or New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), which is expected in 2025.

"We knew this regulation was going to be implemented. We started developing those self-drive technologies including V2X to be in compliance with the new law and did so well before new regulation kicks in," one of the tech centre sources said.


Kia Sorento and Sportage launched in East Malaysia

                PETALING JAYA: Naza Kia Malaysia, the official distributor of KIA vehicles in Malaysia, has introduced the highly sought-after all-new Kia Sorento and all-new Kia Sportage to East Malaysia.

In line with KIA’s brand identity, the Sorento and Sportage’s target market are the go-getters who lead a confident and active lifestyle and thus need a vehicle to match it.

“East Malaysia is a growing market with strong potential. Because of the states’ wide and rugged terrain, East Malaysians are constantly on the lookout for SUVs that can not only handle these types of roads but make the journey comfortable and safe. The All-New Sorento and All-New Sportage fit the bill perfectly,” said Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings, Group Chief Operating Officer, Datuk Samson Anand George.

 (From left) B.P Hong, Managing Director, Yu Lee Hong & Autocare Service Centre Sdn Bhd, Samson, Nazman S.H.C Yusof, Head Of Company, Naza Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Zainuddin Mohammad, Head of Sales, Naza Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd during the unveiling of the new Sportage.

“The SUV segment of Malaysia’s market has grown in Sabah and Sarawak this year compared in 2015. Seeing the increasing demand for SUVs in East Malaysia, we made the strategic decision to make this region a platform for our diesel strategy and strengthen our position here,” he added.

Recognised for its excellence worldwide by automotive juries since its international introduction, the new Sorento boasts a full mantle of awards such as outstanding product design at the Red Dot Awards, prestigious design award at the iF Design Awards, highest ranked midsize SUV in initial quality by JD Power, Best Family SUV at the Drive Car Of The Year Awards, Best Family SUV at Australia's Best Cars Awards, Car of the Year at the CarsGuide Car of the Year Awards and International SUV of the Year at Road & Travel Magazine's International Car of the Year (ICOTY) Awards as well as several other accolades.

 Kia Sorento.

Delivering a premium look and feel, the new Sorento effortlessly blends style, practicality and technology.

The evolutionary styling changes subtly alter the character of the new Sorento, highlighting its sleek and dynamic bodyline profile, thus creating a sophisticated continental appearance and ensuring the new Sorento has a bolder on-the-road presence.

The face of the new Sorento incorporates projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights as well as a huge 'tiger-nose' grille, with a distinctive three-dimensional cubic mesh pattern. For the petrol premium variant, 19-inch chrome rims complete its muscular stance, available for the first time in a Kia.

 Kia Sorento.

The styling of the new Sorento’s cabin follows a 'modern and wide' theme, providing the interior with a stable, horizontal layout and appearance. A higher proportion of soft-touch materials and leather creates a modern luxury feel to the cabin and gives the new Sorento a genuine premium vehicle ambience.

The new Sorento has a number of advanced on-board technologies to improve convenience and further enhance the ownership experience including a 7-inch TFT LCD screen on the supervision cluster, a smart power tailgate, 10-way power assisted driver seat, seat variations for the 7-seater, Smart Parking Assist System, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), electronic parking brake and drive mode select system, allowing the driver to choose from Normal, Eco or Sport. Features differ according to the variants.

The Diesel variant is equipped with an R 2.2 CRDi engine which produces 200PS and 441.3 Nm of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Petrol variant is powered by a Theta II 2.4 MPI engine with Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (DCVVT) which produces 171PS and 224.6Nm of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

 Kia Sorento.

The front suspension is fitted with Macpherson Struts to improve ride quality while the rear suspension is fitted with a Multi-Link suspension which incorporates both superior ride and handling stability.

On and off paved roads, the innovative AWD coupling system helps the new Sorento maintain the utmost traction on rough, loose or slippery surfaces and helps improve lateral stability in cornering.

Occupants can expect class-leading safety features designed for maximum protection in all variants such as six airbags, vehicle stability management (VSM), electronic stability control (ESC), anti-lock brake system (ABS) and hill-start assist control (HAC) among many others. This high level of safety helped the All-New Sorento achieve five star ratings from Euro NCAP and NHTSA NCAP as well as was selected as IIHS’s Top Safety Pick.

The new Sorento comes in Clear White, Aurora Black Pearl and Silky Silver with five-year unlimited mileage warranty. Terms and conditions apply.

 Kia Sportage.

Meanwhile, the new Sportage offers breathtakingly distinct design, an attractive interior, cutting-edge technology and advanced features.

For the first time, a new ‘GT Line’ specification is available to Sportage customers. Designed and engineered to appeal to those looking for a sportier driving experience from their Sportage, the GT Line specification delivers all the versatility of the Sportage while adding greater visual and dynamic appeal to those customers that desire it.

The new Sportage features a bold new look that exudes a sense of sporty and powerful energy from every angle that ultimately creates visual harmony out of the tension between sharp, defined feature lines and smooth surfacing.

 Kia Sportage.

The attractive 'face' of the new Sportage emanates a seductive force thanks to its elegantly designed headlamps with LED daytime running lights, ice cube LED fog lamps and Kia's hallmark 'tiger-nose' grille.

The new Sportage boasts a sleek interior that beautifully mixes innovation, comfort and world-class design infused with premium materials.

The refined driver-oriented cockpit promises optimal control by maximising clever functionality. The result is an interior that majors on refinement and modern sophistication with greater soundproofing measures adopted to reduce significantly the intrusion of exterior noise.

A range of advanced on-board technologies improve the ownership experience. This includes a supervision cluster with a large 4.2-inch TFT-LCD screen and driver and passenger power seats.

Exemplary performance comes in the form of the new Sportage’s Nu 2.0-liter MPI engine, producing 155ps and 192Nm torque with Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (DCVVT) and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

 Kia Sportage.

The front suspension is fitted with Macpherson Struts to enhance steering response and provide a comfortable ride feel. The rear suspension is fitted with a Multi-Link suspension that boosts ride comfort and driving stability.

Its top-of-the-line essential safety features provide a comfortable environment for occupants while emphasising optimal convenience. These safety features include six airbags, anti-lock brake system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), dynamic brake control (DBC) and hill-start assist control (HAC), all encompassed in an Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) body structure. This resulted in a maximum safety rating score of five-stars in the Euro NCAP crash performance tests.

The new Sportage was also a proud winner at the 2016 ‘Red Dot Awards’ for Product Design and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's top award for Top Safety Pick+ in 2016.

Available in Mercury Blue, Fiery Red, Snow White Pearl and Mineral Silver, the new Sportage comes with five years warranty with unlimited mileage. Terms and conditions apply.


Lego reveals the latest Land Rover Defender?

                PETALING JAYA: Motoring journos may have uncovered what the soon-to-be-launched all-new Land Rover Defender is going to look like thanks to ... Lego?

Lego recently released the Technic 42110 Land Rover Defender set which, as stated on Lego fansite, The Brothers Brick, describes it as 'a 2573-piece Lego Technic replica of the legendary utility vehicle.'

Automotive news site Motor1.com however, thinks this "replica" has more to do with the future model than the past.

The Lego Technic Defender set is a two-door version. The all-new actual Defender will come in two variants: the Defender 90 (two-door variant) and Defender 110, the four-door variant.

The Motor1 site also posted spy-shots of the Defender test  mules so you can see for yourself if their observations are accurate.

The latest images have given the public a look at the rear axle suspension, the steering wheel and the rest of the dashboard.

The Defender 110 and Defender 90 use air suspension and coil springs respectively. It is natural to assume the front axles of both variants would follow the same setup as their respective rear ends.

The all-new Defender is set to be launched in September, 2019.

Interestingly, the Lego Technic Land Rover Defender set comes with a working steering mechanism and a 4-speed sequential gearbox. The chassis carries three differentials and an independent suspension and the final touch, a working winch at the front of the vehicle.

Defender fans might want to check this Lego set out which comes with an asking price of £159.99 (RM846.20).


'Germany's most beautiful pothole' to be preserved by road authority

                COLOGNE: Dazzling tropical colours, miniature plants and a tiny goldfish figure in the middle of it all. What at first glimpse appears to be a magical pond is actually a pothole in a street.

Artist Maren Doerwaldt prompted debate across Germany when she transformed a pothole in a car park in the city of Moenchengladbach into an idyllic miniature pond landscape and posted the result on Instagram.

After fears that what has come to be known as "Germany's most beautiful pothole" would be destroyed by road authorities "fixing" the pothole, the work of street art will now be allowed to remain as a one-off in the city.

 Doerwaldt turned a pothole into an idyllic miniature pond landscape and posted the result on Instagram. — dpa

Road management authorities say the mini-pond spectacle is now to be saved with the help of a transparent epoxy resin filling. This would make it still visible, but at the same time safe to drive on.

"Basically, of course, we have to ensure traffic safety in Moenchengladbach. Therefore we can already announce that the current procedure must remain a unique exception," said a spokesman for the city’s road management company.

Authorities were quick to caution that not all the city’s potholes can be filled with such a resin. "Any artists who come up with the idea again must be prepared for their works of art to be temporary."