Increased Autonomous Capabilities For Volkswagen Travel Assist System

Even though autonomous motoring – where the vehicle can operate and guide itself without human involvements – is still many years away, there are already a number of systems that can act autonomously to prevent accidents or reduce driving fatigue. For instance, automatic emergency braking activates if the driver does not take action in time to prevent a collision. Adaptive cruise control maintains a safe gap with a vehicle ahead by adjusting the set cruising speed.

These systems make use of cameras and radar to identify other vehicles and objects ahead, and a computer processes the data at super high speeds to determine if there is a dangerous situation. Technological advancements have seen the capabilities of the sensors increasing and accuracy of data becoming better and better. More sensors installed around the vehicle’s bodywork provide 360-degree coverage in the more advanced systems today.

Volkswagen is constantly advancing its safety technologies and for its electric-only ID. range, it has introduced new and more sophisticated driver assistance systems either as standard or as options. The carmaker aims to make the latest technologies accessible to a wide customer base as quickly as possible.

The autonomous Travel Assist system has been enhanced with more intelligence whereby the vehicle can perform assisted lane changes on the highway (above 90 km/h) if the turn signal lever is tapped briefly. It can use swarm data or also learn recurring parking manoeuvres, making motoring more convenient.

Besides lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control, the Travel Assist system can also adapt itself to the driver’s driving style and can also keep the vehicle further left or right in the lane instead of exactly in the centre. The cruise control system is predictive the vehicle speed can be adapted to speed limits and the speed adjusted for bends, roundabouts, or winding roads.

With the use of swarm data, Volkswagen is taking the next step towards highly autonomous driving. The anonymised swarm data is generated by several hundred thousand Volkswagen Group vehicles. For this, the vehicle fleet also collects map material with specific features from the area surrounding the vehicle – such as marker lines and road signs – and automatically transmits this information to the cloud.

From there, individually adapted data is sent to the participating Volkswagen models that are currently driving along the relevant road sections. The database is growing all the time, thanks to the large number of participating vehicles.

Autonomous Travel Assist capability is thus increased even further by swarm data, improving comfort and the level of assistance for the driver. With anonymised swarm data from other Volkswagen models (if available), Travel Assist with swarm data can use just one identified road lane marking to keep the vehicle in lane. In this case, the assistance system is also available on country roads without a central lane marking.

Autonomous parking assistance (including searching for a space) has been available for over 10 years and Volkswagen’s Park Assist Plus now has a memory function which can be used to teach the vehicle up to 5 individual parking manoeuvres. The memory function remembers parking procedures at speeds below 40 km/h and covering distances of up to 50 metres.

This allows the vehicle to be parked in the porch or in a garage. The driver only has to park the vehicle once and save the parking procedure. If visiting the same location, the driver will not have to do anything and just monitor the vehicle’s movements. It can also continue parking manoeuvres that have been started by the driver and complete them if possible.

The enhanced Travel Assist autonomous features are primarily highlighted for the
ID. BUZZ MPV
 (shown above) but are also optionally available for other ID. models (ID.3, ID.4 and ID.5). Features requiring online connectivity (ie swarm data) are presently only available in European markets.


Targa variant joins the latest Porsche 911 range, continuing a 55-year tradition

The Targa top is a feature of Porsche’s which goes back over 50 years and offers a semi-convertible design that has been available on the 911 model. Although the concept is used by some other carmakers, the ‘Targa’ name can only be used by Porsche which was clever enough to apply for trademark protection many decades ago.

And through the different generations of the 911, a Targa variant has been offered alongside the Coupe and Cabriolet. The same applies to the latest generation and this third body variant is available as the all-wheel drive 911 Targa 4 and 911 Targa 4S models.

Fully automatic roof system

As with earlier Targa models, there is the innovative, fully automatic roof system. Just like the original Targa model from 1965, it consists of a characteristic wide roll hoop, a movable roof section above the front seats and a wraparound rear window. The roof can be opened and closed within 19 seconds.

The exterior of the 911 Targa is characterised by the design elements of its 992 model generation. Compared to its predecessors, the latest bodywork features significantly more pronounced wheel housings at the front and, between its LED headlights, its bonnet has a distinctive recess evoking the design of the first 911 generations.

The rear is dominated by a wider, variably extending rear spoiler and seamlessly integrated, elegant light bar. With the exception of the front and rear sections, the entire outer skin is made from aluminium.

The interior echoes the 911 Carrera models and is characterised by the clear and straight lines of its dashboard and its recessed instruments. The 911 models from the 1970s provided the inspiration here. Alongside the centrally-positioned tachometer – very much a defining feature for Porsche – two thin, frameless freeform displays extend the information provided to the driver.

A compact switch unit with 5 buttons for direct access to important vehicle functions is located below the 10.9-inch centre screen of the Porsche Communication Management (PCM). Standard PCM features include online navigation based on swarm data as well as Connect Plus with Apple Car Play.

At the rear lives a 6-cylinder, 3-litre Boxer engine with twin turbochargers. Tuned for the 911 Targa 4, it produces 385 ps/450 Nm and, in combination with the optional Sport Chrono package, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, it is claimed. For the 911 Targa 4S, the output is 450 ps/530 Nm, giving a claimed 0 to 100 km/h time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed said to be 304 km/h, 15 km/h faster than the 911 Targa 4.

Both cars use an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (PDK) and intelligent all-wheel drive Porsche Traction Management (PTM) is standard. Alternatively, the 911 Targa 4S can be ordered with the newly developed 7-speed manual gearbox, with which the Sport Chrono package is included.

New technology has also been integrated to extend the range of features for both 911 models. For the first time, Porsche InnoDrive, which includes adaptive cruise control, is available. Thanks to the enhanced Smartlift function, ground clearance can be programmed so that it is raised for everyday use.

The original 911 Targa. It was presented in 1965 as ‘The first standard safety cabriolet in the world’. The fixed Targa bar, derived from the roll-over bar which had proven itself in racing events, guaranteed a high level of protection for the occupants. The hood concept, patented in August 1965, also had other advantages. It solved the problem of the fabric hood bulging unattractively at speed on motorways just as reliably as it did the issue of body distortion, which was common with convertibles at that time.

Further developed chassis

The electronically-controlled variable damping system PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) is part of the standard equipment on the new 911 Targa models. This system automatically adjusts the damping characteristics in terms of driving comfort and handling to each driving situation and has two manually adjustable maps, Normal and Sport.

On the Targa 4, deceleration is taken care of on both axles by 330-mm brake discs with black 4-piston monobloc fixed calipers. The red-painted brake callipers on the Targa 4S have 6 pistons at the front axle, 4 at the rear while its discs measure 350 mm front and rear. The Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake can be ordered as an option.

Visit
www.porsche.com.my
 to know more about the new and pre-owned models available in Malaysia.

Bringing modern connectivity to old Porsche models


Peugeot’s innovative i-Cockpit continues to evolve after 10 years in the market

At Geneva in 2010, Peugeot displayed the SR1 concept car which represented a new era at Peugeot Design. A new head of design and team had come up with new styling concepts and among them was the i-Cockpit. This was an innovation in dashboard design which met with positive response, leading Peugeot to introduce it in production models within 2 years.

The first model to have the i-Cockpit was the 208 in 2012, giving the popular hatchback a new iconic feature that would become an element in the brand’s DNA. With the i-Cockpit, key information is directly within the driver’s line of sight, reducing the need to take the eyes off the road.

It’s almost like the Head-Up Display (HUD) except that it does not project information on the windscreen ahead of the driver. It is therefore not as expensive to incorporate but at the same time differs from traditional instrument panel layout and positioning.

Why does it work better?

To design the i-Cockpit, ergonomics, visibility and architecture must be taken into account, ensuring all body types are comfortable with maximum outward visibility. To achieve this, anthropometric data was studied on a global scale. It isn’t just the driver’s height that matters; their chest to leg ratio that needs to be assessed. For example, some people have a longer torso compared to their leg length. But for others, it’s quite the opposite. If the average height of a man is 1.76 metres, the length of his torso varies from 87 to 98 cm. This has a direct impact on the positioning of his vision.

This anthropometric data made it possible to calculate the range of adjustment for the seats or steering wheel. This reinforces the feeling of being in a ‘cocoon’ and optimises ergonomics, whatever the driver’s size.

Elements of the i-Cockpit

The main elements of the i-Cockpit are the compact steering wheel, raised instrument display, large HD touchscreen in line of sight, and a series of piano keys (or toggle switches) allowing direct and permanent access to the main comfort functions.

The i-Cockpit uses a 3-level arrangement for efficient ergonomics and driving comfort. Like a HUD, the information falls within the driver’s line of sight so that he or she does not need to take their eyes off the road ahead, improving safety. With traditional layouts, the eyes usually have to be diverted downwards a bit to view the meters, momentarily drawing the driver’s vision away from the road.

An unusual feature on the tachometer is the way it sweeps around the face. In conventional meters, the sweep would be clockwise, from the lower left around to the right. For the i-Cockpit, the sweep is counter-clockwise so the pointer rests on the right side when at idle. The designers were perhaps obsessed with having symmetry in the motion, with the speedometer (on the left side) sweeping clockwise.
It’s disconcerting for new drivers but something that an owner would get used to.

The cockpit ergonomics are also part of the i-Cockpit with a wraparound layout to put switches and knobs within easy reach. The steering wheel has paddles which allow manual selection of gears, if preferred, without removing the hands from the steering wheel.

The 3D cluster

To date, over 5 million motorists have the i-Cockpit in their Peugeot vehicles. The concept continues to evolve and the latest innovation is the 3D i-Cockpit instrument cluster offered in the latest 208 which is the 2020 European Car of the Year. Visteon Corporation collaborated with Peugeot in the development of the more advanced i-Cockpit, said to be the industry’s first fully digital cluster displaying holographic objects. The instrument cluster represents the first real 3D cluster in automotive production.

The digital cluster displays advanced reflections to create the impressions of 3D graphics. The cluster is composed of a high-definition 10.25-inch ‘background’ thin-film transistor (TFT) and a 7-inch ‘foreground’ TFT projected on a semi-reflective blade.

The leading-edge display creates a 3D projection of approximately 15 mm between the front and rear images. This projects information like a hologram and the information is dynamic and animated. It can get closer to the eye depending on the degree of importance or urgency, and potentially increasing driver reactivity by half a second.

The 3D cluster is the first of several variants in the Groupe PSA brand line-up that will be launched over the coming years in a number of sizes. Identifiable by the two TFTs surrounded by tell-tale satellites, it also provides high-quality graphical content with animations and 3D content on both screens, in a complex and calibrated mechanical structure.

Click here for other news and articles about Peugeot
.


Engine oil specially tailored to meet the demanding requirements

Most motorists will leave it to the authorised service centres maintain their vehicles to provide the right engine oil specified and approved by the manufacturer. Some of these engine oils have specific formulations with high quality components and additives that enable the engines to run at their best.

For those who are no longer bound by warranty conditions of the manufacturer which usually require them to use the engine oil supplied by the authorised service centre, Shell Malaysia offers a premium quality oil with proven performance – the new Shell Helix Professional range.

For demanding requirements

While the existing Shell Helix Ultra range caters to the wide and varied needs of the mainstream consumer market, Helix Professional is specially tailored to meet the demanding requirements and specifications of a select group of car engine manufacturers.

According to Shell Lubricants General Manager for Malaysia and Singapore, Nyon Kam Yew, the new Shell Helix Professional range enables the car manufacturers’ official service centres and specialist workshops to deliver more value via customised service packages to benefit their customers.

“This is yet another innovative solution from Shell, the top lubricant supplier in the world for the past 13 consecutive years and the largest provider of finished lubricants to automakers. With the new Shell Helix Professional range, these businesses can now incorporate a genuine, premium quality engine oil with proven performance from a trusted brand in special value service packages,” he said.

Two grades, fully synthetic

The Helix Professional range is available with two grades – Helix Ultra Professional ABB 5W-40 and Helix HX7 Professional SN 5W-30. Developed for high performance petrol and diesel engines, the fully synthetic Helix Ultra Professional ABB 5W-40 is formulated with Shell’s proprietary PurePlus Technology that uses a 99.5% pure base oil made from natural gas.

Both engine oils also have Shell’s Active Cleansing Technology to keep the engine close to factory-cleanliness. This technology provides resistance to physical and chemical degradation and prevents build-up of performance-robbing deposits. The wear and corrosion protection is also superior, even in extreme operating conditions.

Besides maintaining performance at high level, the engine oils provide enhanced fuel economy as well as superior sludge and wear protection to keep maintenance costs low.

Easy decision-making with new Shell Helix engine oils


Jeepster Beach Concept

Visit
www.bhpetrol.com.my
 for more information.

Jeep has had a lot of different models since its first vehicle came out of the factory in 1945. During the early years, Jeeps were pretty much utilitarian vehicles, especially those which were used by the armed forces. Other companies like Ford and even Toyota began promoting 4×4 vehicles for recreational purposes and configured them for such use.

Jeep decided to also compete in the segment which would only take off in the 1990s. It came out with a model called the Jeepster Commando which catered to growing interest in leisure time use of 4×4 vehicles. It was the first compact 4×4 vehicle with an automatic transmission and, unlike the Jeep CJs of its day, it boasted modern amenities such as doors, roll-up side glass, a heater and roof, as standard equipment.

‘Resto-Mod’ project

The Jeepster made an impact in its early years but a change of engine caused a decline in the early 1970s. However, like many classics, it gained cult status years after it was discontinued. This year, the designers at Jeep picked the 1968 Jeepster for their ‘Resto-Mod’ project,  seamlessly blending it with a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.

The Jeepster Beach concept, like the original, is made for fun in the sun, and this ultimate beach-themed cruiser continues that tradition by embodying a spirited, carefree attitude. The body was modified and the exterior fuses original chrome trim with an updated, brightly coloured two-tone paint scheme of Hazy IPA and Zinc Oxide.

Vintage looks, modern mechanicals

While the Jeepster Beach concept maintains the outward appearance of a vintage Jeepster, it commands peak performance both on and off-road delivered by the modern-day Wrangler. Under the bonnet lives a high-tech 2-litre 4-cylinder engine pushing out 270 bhp/400 Nm. It has direct-injection and uses a twin-scroll, low-inertia turbocharger mounted directly to the cylinder head, along with a dedicated cooling circuit for the turbocharger, intake air and throttle body for exceptional responsiveness, performance and fuel efficiency. An 8-speed automatic transmission mated to a 4:1 transfer case delivers power to all four 35-inch tyres.

The custom interior features low-back bucket seats trimmed in red leather. The rear seat was replaced with a chrome, 4-point safety cage and the carpets were removed to make cleaning out sand a breeze.

The original Jeepster Commando was produced by Kaiser Jeep in 1966. There were four bodystyles – roadster, wagon, pick-up truck and convertible. Even after American Motors acquired Jeep in 1970, the Jeepster remained in production. In 1972, it gained extra length in the wheelbase and was also re-engineered to use AMC engines. However, these engines were not suitably matched to the Jeepster and customer numbers began to fall, leading to the model being discontinued in 1973. By then, AMC had a new Cherokee to attract customers to showrooms.

LEGO releases first ever Jeep SUV model


Michelin’s airless UPTIS tyre now undergoing testing, market launch in 2024

Air has been used to fill tyres and give them their form for over 133 years, used for bicycles and then motor cars. The use of air has been a simple and cost-effective (air is free) solution to providing hard wheels with an outer layer that could absorb bumps and other road irregularities. Pneumatic tyres, as such tyres are known, are used for all sorts of vehicle today – from two-wheelers to family cars to Formula 1 racing cars and even aircraft.

However, there has always been one disadvantage of having air inside – a puncture will allow the air to leak and the tyre cannot function properly. Depending on the speed at which the air leaks, the tyre might remain usable even at lower pressures than normal but rapid and sudden loss of air – and therefore pressure – can be dangerous and loss of control might occur.

Over the years, tyremakers have found various solutions to the problem of pressure loss by developing stronger tyres with special structures. This has led to run-flat tyres which can continue to be used even when there is no air in the tyre, allowing the motorist to reach a place where it can be replaced or repaired.

Making air unnecessary

Still, the majority of tyres rely on air inside to support them and so long as they are made of rubber, there always remains the possibility of a nail or sharp object causing a puncture. So researchers have long searched for a tyre that does not have to rely on air. Many ideas have been tried but few have been able to go beyond concept stage.

One idea that has shown promise since being presented to the world in 2019 is Michelin’s Unique Puncture-proof Tire System (UPTIS). The system eliminates the need for air with a revolutionary structure capable of supporting the vehicle, while also delivering a safe, comfortable ride. Without air, flat tyres and pressure loss are no longer an issue.

Genuine technological breakthrough

UPTIS is said to represent a genuine technological breakthrough thanks to its unique structure and materials. Ushering a new generation of airless solutions developed by Michelin, it combines an aluminium wheel and a flexible load-bearing structure made from glassfibre reinforced plastic (GFRP), a high-tech material.

The UPTIS concept is also a fundamental step towards more sustainable mobility. It can generate  significant benefits for motorists, fleet owners and the environment. Apart from peace of mind for motorists as being immobilized or inconvenienced by flat tyres will no longer be a worry, UPTIS can enhance efficiency for fleet owners by reducing the risks of vehicle downtime and eliminating tyre-related maintenance needs (pressure checks and inflation).

Punctures can be of all sizes and when they are too large, the tyre cannot be repaired. It is then thrown away. Michelin says that every year, 20% of tyres are discarded as scrap due to flats and rapid pressure loss (12%) or irregular wear and tear caused by poor tyre pressure (8%). Extrapolated on a global scale, this is the equivalent of 200 million tyres, or 2 million tonnes – that’s 200 times the weight of the Eiffel Tower! This airless technology can help drastically reduce the number of tyres that are scrapped.

Prototype tyres with UPTIS are now being run in a joint programme with General Motors using the Chevrolet Bolt EV. Data collected will be used to improve the tyre for commercialisation by 2024.

Real-world testing

The development programme has now reached the stage of producing prototypes in volume for real-world testing as the final test before the tyres are offered to the public. The data collected by engineers during this period of testing will enable them to perfect the prototype in preparation for its market launch in 2024.

You can’t see pollution from tyres but it is frighteningly high!


Chevrolet Reveals New Corvette Z06 GT3 Racing Car For 2024 Season

Chevrolet and Corvette Racing have a brand new GT3 racing car for customer teams to run in 2024. Although its competition debut is a year away, Chevrolet recently displayed the new Corvette Z06 GT3.R, its first racing car that fully meets FIA GT3 technical regulations.

Designed and developed as a collaborative effort between GM’s Competition Motorsports Engineering division and Pratt Miller Engineering, the Z06 GT3.R is a therefore a landmark racing car for Chevrolet. It takes the level of technology transfer between racing and production to a new level with more shared components and features than ever before.

“Corvette Racing has been an important influence on the design of Corvette production cars for 25 years,” said Tadge Juechter, Executive Chief Engineer, Corvette. “Corvette production and racing teams worked together closely in development to maximize the benefits of a mid-engine design, sharing lessons learned that set both programs up for all-out performance on the track.”

The Z06 GT3.R begins its life as an aluminium chassis frame from Chevrolet’s Assembly plant in the state of Kentucky, which Pratt Miller then welds a purpose-built steel roll-cage onto. The double-wishbone suspension at the front and rear – similar to that on the
Z06 production model
 – has a higher level of adjustability and allows fitment of racing-specific tyre sizes.

Advanced aerodynamic strategies also link the road-going Corvette and its GT3 counterpart. Motorsports engineers worked with the GM Design Studio to develop an aero package specific to the Z06 GT3.R to optimize levels of downforce, stability, drag reduction and cooling.

The goal was to design a GT3-spec Corvette that is suitable across different tyre specifications, balance-of-performance settings and other customer preferences while not sacrificing performance or drivability on a variety of tracks and racing surfaces.

Rear 3/4 view of 2024 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R parked in a race car garage. Pre-production model shown. Actual production model may vary. Model year 2024 Corvette Z06 GT3.R will be available later this year.

In order to enhance performance of the Z06 and Z06 GT3.R, each uses similar carbonfibre splitters which provide optimal downforce at the front of the vehicles. On the underside of the Z06 GT3.R, a new and purpose-designed carbonfibre diffuser routes air from the front of the car toward the rear in order to create an optimal level of overall stability.

Aggressive and efficient ducting moves air to cool internal components. Intakes at the front of the Z06 GT3.R draw in air to cool the front brakes. A single, large opening on the bonnet — a new design philosophy from the C8.R — extracts out air after it moves over the radiator.

The Corvette Z06 GT3.R will use a 5.5-litre, flat-plane crankshaft DOHC V-8 engine, also derived from the production Z06. This engine began on-track development in 2019 with the initial testing of the C8.R, ahead of its use in the production Z06.

Built on the same line as all production Corvette Z06 engines, the powerplant shares more than 70% of its parts with the production Z06 engine, including the crankshaft, connecting rods, cylinder heads, fuel injectors, coils, gaskets and a variety of other sensors.

Safer structural features
Safety has also been given a lot of attention, and the engineers worked have incorporated a number of safety features into the GT3.R. The integrated steel roll-cage is slightly modified from the current racing Corvette to provide easier ingress and egress.

Building on safety construction from the C8.R. For instance, the side-impact crash structure between the driver’s side door and roll cage has an outer casing of carbonfibre and Kevlar, and is filled with an aluminium honeycomb construction.

Full year of track testing
To date, the Z06 GT3.R has had a two-year testing program, starting with virtual simulation through Chevrolet’s Driver in the Loop simulator in early 2021. Track testing took place in September 2022, which means the Z06 GT3.R will have a full year of on-track development when it deliveries to customers start in the third quarter of 2023.

Chevrolet and Corvette Racing is establishing a complete customer support program that will be available to teams running the Z06 GT3.R in North America and elsewhere around the world. Besides having full spares packages of bodywork and internal components for its customer teams in supported championships, engineers will assist teams while full engineering, race strategy and other items also are incremental support options.

‘Born to race’ Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is America’s new supercar

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 for more Ferrari videos at The Piston Show.


F1/Round 8: Preview & Starting Grid For 2021 Styrian Grand Prix

Race starts at 3 pm in Austria/9 pm in Malaysia

Last year, as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across Europe, virtually all public activities had to be stopped. This included motorsports and the 2020 Formula 1 World Championship never even got a chance to start as the season-opener in Australia had to be cancelled at the last moment as the government decided that the crowds would be a health risk.

The cancellation of the first round led to the rest of the calendar having to be revised, but only after the situation was clearer in the second half of the year. Finally, when the organizers could get venues that would permit racing, the calendar had to be compressed into 6 months which was quite a strain on the teams. After a delay of almost 16 weeks, the 2020 championship finally started on July 5 with the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, followed by the Styrian Grand Prix at the same circuit the following weekend.

Strict procedures were established and enforced, with a limited number of participants allowed into the circuit – and no spectators. ‘Bubbles’ were created for each team, and interaction was kept to a minimum and of course, measures like wearing face masks and social distancing were adopted. These measures continue to be enforced this year although some circuits have allowed a limited number of spectators to attend.

Second running of Styrian Grand Prix

This weekend sees the Red Bull Ring being used for the eighth round of the championship and like last year, it will again be used the following weekend for the ninth round. The difference is that this round is known as the Styrian Grand Prix (named after the region the circuit is located in) and the following one will be the Austrian Grand Prix. This is only the second time that there has been a Styrian GP.

The Red Bull Ring was originally known as the Osterreichring and hosted the Austrian Grand Prix continuously from 1970 to 1987, as well as from 1997 to 2003. It was later bought over by Red Bull’s co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz and, after being renovated, renamed as the Red Bull Ring in 2013. From 2014, F1 rounds were held at the track as the Austrian GP.

The teams are therefore familiar with the circuit which has the shortest lap (less than 64 seconds) in the regular F1 calendar. However, while the Red Bull Ring has the quickest lap time, the track length of 4.318 kms is only fifth shortest, behind Brazil, Mexico, the Netherlands and Monaco.

While many F1 tracks are cut into hillsides, few can compare to the Red Bull Ring for elevation change. From the lowest point to the highest point around the circuit, the change in elevation is 63.5 metres.

High risk of bodywork damage

Mercedes-AMG’s Toto Wolff describes the track as ‘one of the most aggressive’ when it comes to the shape, depth and spacing of the kerbs. The high ‘sausage kerbs’ on the corner exits are also aggressive, so therefore it’s one of the harshest on the car’s suspension. “Because of the aggressive nature of the kerbs at the Red Bull Ring, the risk of bodywork damage is high, and we often see drivers picking up damage in practice as they push the limits of the track,” he said.

The track has a high amount of track warp, where the banking of the track changes from one side to the other, with Turn 3 being one example. Here, the track drops towards the apex, with the racing car passing over the crest of the hill, whilst picking up power on exit. This causes the car to lift a wheel, which can lead to struggles with braking, stability and traction.

Medium level of difficulty for brakes

According to Brembo engineers, the Red Bull Ring has a medium level of difficulty for brakes. On a scale of one to five, it earned a three on the difficulty index, matching the score of other tracks such as Budapest and Zandvoort.

At turns 2, 5 and 8, the drivers do not need to use the brakes. On average, over an entire lap, the braking system is active for 10+ seconds. Only Imola has recorded a lower value, despite having 8 braking sections compared to 7 at the Red Bull Ring. From the start to the finish of the race, the drivers will use the brakes for no more than 12 minutes, or 16% of the race and the load on the pedal will be more than 100 kgs their weight.

Pirelli doesn’t consider this track especially demanding on tyres, which makes it possible for the softest tyres in the range to be used. “Once again after last year Austria hosts a back-to-back race, which means that the teams have plenty of data on this track and recent experience of how to deal with its particular challenges and tactics,” said Mario Isola – Head of F1 and Car Racing at Pirelli. “However, having two different tyre nominations is a first for the Red Bull Ring, so it’s going to be interesting to see how the teams get to grips with the softest C5 tyres for the second race weekend – and how the new selection influences strategy.”

Pirelli, in agreement with the FIA, Formula 1 and the teams, has also tested a new rear construction of tyre in free practice yesterday to evaluate its effectiveness to further improve robustness of the tyres. Each car was given two sets of the new tyres during the free practice sessions. If the test results are successful, the new rear specification will be introduced from the British Grand Prix onwards, replacing the current specification. With this new structure, Pirelli says it can provide a tyre that can guarantee even greater levels of integrity under the extreme conditions that can be generated by the current cars.


Over 8,000 Potholes Patched Up Since Last Year

One of the most annoying things about driving in Malaysia is the
potholes
 that are found all over our roads. However, according to The Star, as of April of this year, the Works Ministry has reported that 2,138 potholes had been fixed as part of the “Zero Potholes” project.

According to Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad, the Public Works Department (JKR) and federal road concession holders fixed 8,519 potholes on federal roads in Peninsular Malaysia last year as part of the plan, which started in July 2022.

In 2021, JKR also created a pothole monitoring application system (ASaPP) to track potholes on federal roads in Peninsular Malaysia using an app for smartphones, tablets, and desktops. The ASaPP system, which is open to all parties concerned, will record any complaints regarding pothole repairs, and any encountered potholes will be quickly corrected and reported there.

In Peninsular Malaysia, these partners also include the federal road maintenance concession businesses, district JKR offices, and the JKR headquarters, according to Abdul Rahman.

As stated by Abdul Rahman, a pothole is defined as having a width of between 200 and 1,000 millimetres and a depth of 25 millimetres. If the damage is larger than a pothole, it is considered road damage and must be repaired permanently as part of the routine pavement maintenance schedule. He also stated that as part of the Zero Potholes plan, pothole repair work will be completed within 24 hours of the damage being discovered or reported.

JKR will also carry out inspections to make sure repairs are made in accordance with specifications and to keep track of the quality of the pothole fixes. At the same time, Abdul Rahman stated that the Standard Specification for Roadworks (JKR/SPJ/2008) must be followed in order for pothole repairs to be of a high enough level.

To ensure high-quality and long-lasting repairs, JKR will closely monitor the pothole repair process from the selection of materials obtained from authorised quarries.


New Honda Civic Driven in Malaysia: What’s It Like and Should You Buy It?

“When people think of a Honda, there’s a very good chance they will think of the Civic.”

Words by the Head of Sales and Marketing of Honda Malaysia,  which I thought couldn’t be more true.

The Civic has come to cement itself as the de facto go to car once a person makes enough money to afford moving up to a six figure sedan.

It is also a status symbol of sorts.

I once knew someone who did not want to marry her boyfriend until he bought a Civic.

Such is its appeal.

So when Honda announced that it was introducing an all-new Civic, naturally the media went into a frenzy.

And when photos were published, Honda fanboys (and girls) simply melted.

The latest generation Civic is elegant in its design, more spacious than ever, and though we are not allowed to show you interior photos until after its launch, we can say that the interior is nicer that you can imagine.

Both in terms of quality and design.

How does it drive?

Powering the new Civic is the same 1.5-litre turbocharged engine that is in the current generation Civic and CRV.

But this time it has been tuned up to produce 10PS and 20Nm more torque.

In total,  the Civic puts out 182PS and 240Nm of torque, which is plenty for a C segment car.

But it is the way the Civic puts down this power that is even more impressive.

Honda Malaysia invited a select group of journalists to drive the car around the South Track of the Sepang International Circuit.

But they also provided a Toyota Corolla Altis and the current generation Civic as a reference point.

The new Civic felt more eager to respond to the throttle while the handling was sharper around a slalom test.

Body roll was obviously reduced over the previous generation Civic as well.

But what was truly impressive though was how refined the drive was.

The engine is mated to the same CVT gearbox as before, but this time the droning noise that is so typical of such gearboxes has been turned down a couple of notches.

The noise and vibration insulation is also a couple of notches better, and you don’t feel any vibrations from the tarmac in the seats either.

You could argue that the tarmac at Sepang Circuit is smoother and does not reflect real-world driving conditions, and you would be right.

And you would be right. But you can usually feel some powertrain vibrations in your bum from a C segment car, but that is no longer there.

And this is proof that the Civic has matured into a more family oriented car without forgetting its sporting roots.

Very much like a 90s or early 2000s BMW 3-Series.

The new Civic is also a lot sportier in nature, and that is largely thanks to a new Drive Mode Selector – a feature that is available for the first time in a Civic.

This gives you access to three different modes – Eco, Normal and Sport.

Each does what it is named after and controls things like throttle response, steering heft and the overall character of the car.

What’s so nice about it?

I would say the interior and the way the powertrain is packaged.

The exterior design is also a much welcomed departure from the obviously aging design of the current generation Civic.

It isn’t as dramatic as the FD was or the FC for that matter, but the new FE generation Civic is elegant and understated now.

And those gorgeous daytime running lights will help it stand out from the crowd.

I know that looks are subjective, but I am quite sure thousands will love the interior of the new Civic.

The honeycomb design that spreads across the dash, subtly hiding the air-conditioning vents are an original touch unseen in any other car. Honda or otherwise.

The steering wheel too is thicker and feels luxurious in your hands.

The quality of the switches feel like they belong in a continental car rather than an affordable mass-produced C-segment Honda.

The seats in the Civic have always been among the best in the segment, and still are. This time though the padding is supple for added plushness while overall support has been extended to the bottom of your thighs and shoulders.

And because the car is now much bigger in overall proportions, the interior is spacious.

The dramatically rising a-pillars and the wider c-pillars allow more light into the cabin via larger windows, further accentuating the sense of spaciousness.

The spaciousness extends into the booth as well, which now seems like it can accommodate three golf bags.

What about technology?

You wouldn’t expect anything lesser of a Honda, and so the Civic comes brimming with tech.

The RS variant we drove came with an updated Honda SENSING that now features something called Lead Car Departure Notification System.

This system alerts the driver when the car ahead has moved ahead, perfect when in traffic or at a traffic light when most drivers are either on their phone or simply dreaming.

The full suite of enhanced Honda SENSING safety features in All-New Civic RS are as below:

Lead Car Departure Notification System (NEW)

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

Low-Speed Follow (LSF)

Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)

Forward Collision Warning (FCW)

Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS)

Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)

Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

Auto High Beam (AHB)

It is unclear if this will make it down to other variants of the Civic, but in typical Honda Malaysia fashion, only the top two models will receive Honda SENSING. And this will then trickle down to other variants as the model goes through its life cycle.

But of course, that’s not all the new Civic comes loaded with, it also features plenty of other safety features as well, such as:

Honda LaneWatch

Six Airbags

Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)

Agile Handling Assist (AHA)

Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)

Auto Brake Hold (ABH)

Hill Start Assist (HSA)

Walk Away Auto Lock

Remote Engine Start

And a new safety feature for the Civic called Driver Attention Monitor that alerts the driver to take a rest if it detects erratic driving.

Should you buy it?

There is a shift in demand towards SUV’s, hence why cars like the HRV are selling so well. But there is a huge appeal in cars like the Civic as well.

There was a time where people wanted an SUV because it offered more space. But with the amount of space the new Civic offers, that argument is no longer valid.

It may not offer the higher up sitting position of an SUV, but if you want a sporty sedan with a well-built interior and a drive quality that is similar to a continental car, then yes, you should buy the Civic.

We can’t tell you anything about the price as Honda Malaysia did not reveal anything, but expect it to be similar in price to the outgoing model.

The order book opened today –
more details here
!


Polestar chooses 6 countries for initial launch

Polestar
, the electric performance brand that is a spin off from former parent company Volvo, will be introducing its first ever vehicle to a select number of markets. The car will be offered with a subscription service to  the U.S.A., China, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands.

Outlets called Polestar Spaces, will be launched in these countries, serving as showrooms for the general public. The spaces are expected to open by the middle of 2019 in these 6 chosen countries due to the high initial demand for the vehicle. That said, eventually, the Polestar 1 will be introduced to more markets across the globe.

When it was introduced in October, interest in the car was so overwhelming that approximately one customer per minute was registering their interest in being one of the first to receive it. Other than its performance credential, what’s makes the Polestar 1’s presence so extraordinary is the fact that it will only be offered with a subscription service.

That means that owners won’t be able to buy the car outright, instead they will pay a monthly fee that covers insurance, depreciation, collection and delivery for inclusive servicing, and various on-demand benefits as-and-when required. This will negate the need for hefty deposits, down payments and complicated insurance and bank loan applications.

Production for the Polestar 1 is expected to begin by mid-2019 in the automaker’s new state-of-the-art, purpose-built Polestar Production Centre in Chengdu, China. The highly anticipated car is a 2+2 Grand Touring Coupé with a 600hp Electric Performance Hybrid powertrain. Once launched, it’s bound to cause quite a stir in the industry.


Audi’s A8 flagship gets enhanced, with an exclusive version for China

The Audi A8 is one of the German carmaker’s older models with a history going back to 1994. Asa a flagship model, it typically introduced pioneering technology and the first A8 was built with a significant innovation – an aluminium monocoque structure called the Audi Space Frame (ASF) which brought weight down without losing structural strength. The weight savings were of great value to a large limousine like the A8.

Since then, the model has had four generations, the current one having been introduced in 2017. An update has therefore been due and the enhanced A8 makes it debut this week. Noticeable exterior changes are the new advanced headlights and taillights, new elements which give a sharper design, while also adding presence and authority.

Advanced headlight systems

Comparable with video projectors, the Digital Matrix LED headlights use DMD (digital micromirror device) technology. Each headlight has approximately 1.3 million micromirrors, which disperse the light in tiny pixels and precisely control them.

One new function is lane and orientation lights for highways. The new A8 comes with Digital OLED rear lights (OLED = organic light emitting diode) as a standard feature. When ordering the car, there are two rear light signatures to choose from – three with the S8. In conjunction with the assistance systems, the digital OLED rear lights have a proximity indication feature.

Beyond the basic exterior, Audi is offering its customers a chrome exterior package and, for the first time in the A8, the new S line exterior package. The look is even more defined with the additional black appearance package.

Reduction as a design medium

The architecture of the interior is strictly horizontally oriented to emphasize the car’s width. In the dark, the ambient light package plus stages the interior and the reading lights in the rear use Matrix LED technology.

The range of seats and seat equipment is varied;– especially for the back seats, many options are available. The relaxation seat in the A8 L is the most luxurious with numerous adjustment options and a footrest on the back of the passenger seat. Passengers can use it to have the bottoms of their feet warmed and massaged to various degrees.

Navigation and Audi connect

MMI Navigation plus is standard and supported by the third generation modular infotainment toolkit (MIB 3). The likewise standard online and Car-2-X services from Audi connect augment the navigation system. They are divided into two packages: Audi connect Navigation & Infotainment and Audi connect Safety & Service with Audi connect Remote & Control.

Customers can also choose various infotainment hardware. The new screens in the back are tailored to the usage needs of today’s rear-seat passengers. That means two 10.1-inch displays with full HD resolution and full connectivity options.

Three different driver assistance systems

There are about 40 driver assistance systems available for the enhanced Audi A8. Some of them – including the Audi pre sense basic and Audi pre sense front safety systems – are standard. The options are clustered into the ‘Park’, ‘City’, and ‘Tour’ packages. The assistance package plus consolidates the packages. Features like the night vision assistant and surround view cameras are available separately.

Engine range

For this generation, there are three powertrain options.  Apart from the 3.0 TFSI as a V6 engine, the 4.0 TFSI, which is available for the A8 and the S8 in various output levels, distributes its 4 litres of displacement to 8 cylinders with cylinder on demand technology. The A8 is also available with a turbodiesel engine and a plug-in hybrid model will follow.

All engines use an 8-step Tiptronic and with an electric oil pump, the automatic transmission can change gears even when the combustion engine is not running. The constant all-wheel drive quattro with the self-locking centre differential is also standard, and can be optionally supplemented with the sport differential (standard in the S8 ). It actively distributes torque between the rear wheels during fast cornering and thereby makes the handling even sportier and more stable. The adaptive air suspension with controlled damping is standard. Progressive steering is another standard feature but dynamic all-wheel steering is an option.

As for the S8 S8 TSFI quattro – the sporty top version of the flagship family – the biturbo V8 generates 571 ps/800 Nm and has mild hybrid technology. This uses the A8’s 48-volt main electrical system. Only in the S8 comes with predictive active suspension, sport differential, and dynamic all-wheel steering built.

A8 L Horch for China

Exclusively for the Chinese market is the A8 L Horch. This is 5.45 metres long, which is 13 cm longer than the standard A8 L. Inside, the expanded diamond quilting, logo embossing in the cushions, and deep-pile floor mats in the back emphasize the exclusivity of this version for the largest car market in the world. On the exterior, there is a specially designed Singleframe with vertical braces as well as the Horch badge and the ‘H’ crown. For the first time in the D segment, customers in China will be able to order their car  with a 2-color finish.

Audi grandsphere concept show Audi’s future electric flagship and technology


F1/Round 18: Preview & Starting Grid For 2021 Mexico City Grand Prix

Race starts at 1 pm in Mexico/3 am (Monday) in Malaysia

While the racing teams are on the west side of the Atlantic Ocean, they have 3 races in the hemisphere – after the US Grand Prix in Texas, this weekend sees the second one in Mexico City. The event has been known as the Mexican Grand Prix for the 20 times in has been held since 1963 (last year, it was cancelled due to the pandemic) but this year, it will become known as the Mexico City Grand Prix.

An event special to Honda

The Mexican Grand Prix has been held at the same circuit which was originally named the Magdalena Mixiuhca Circuit but renamed to Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in honour of the country’s racing drivers, Ricardo and Pedro Rodriguez. This circuit in particular is special to Honda because it was the first Japanese team to win a Formula 1 race in the 1965 event. While it did not participate as a factory team later on, it was an engine supplier and contributed to the victories of Williams (1987) and McLaren (1988-1989) in the Mexican rounds of the championship.

Honda RA272 winning the 1965 Mexican GP – the first F1 win by a team from Japan.

5 times higher than Petronas Twin Towers

The 4.3-km circuit set within a sports park has always presented a unique challenge for the engineers. At 2,385 metres above sea level, it is situated at the highest altitude of any circuit and that’s 5 times higher than the height of the Petronas Twin Towers. This means the air is thinner (by about 25%) so the operating conditions are unlike other tracks. This is where forced induction is vital to avoid the loss that naturally-aspirated engines suffer due to less air being available.

There are also has implications on aerodynamics and the racing cars will be set up with maximum downforce. But because the air is thin, resistance is less so the cars will be able to hit very high speeds of around 350 km/h too.

The drivers will have to be alert for cooling problems with the brakes and the turbochargers will also have to work harder, so there is a risk of the Power Unit failing. Cooling the car appropriately is probably the biggest challenge in Mexico. For the Power Unit, the lack of mass flow of air limits the cooling potential, which requires careful management to ensure reliability.

Red Bull Racing or Mercedes-AMG?

Going into the final quarter of the championship, the battles for the Drivers and Constructors titles are still tight. The lead has alternated between Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS and Red Bull Racing and after the US Grand Prix, Max Verstappen has a lead of just 12 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton 275.5 points. Running in third is Valtteri Bottas with 185 points and he will be starting from pole position for the race after a surprise qualifying run to beat his teammate by 0.145 second. 35 points behind him is Sergio Perez who will be in fourth place on the grid, alongside his teammate, Verstappen.

Historically, the Mexican Grand Prix has been one of the races where the Drivers championship has been decided but in those years when Hamilton was confirmed champion (2017 and 2018), the event was the 19th round of a 20-race calendar.

In the Constructors championship, the positions are reversed and it is the German team that is ahead of Red Bull Racing by 23 points. The fight for the title will be confined to these two teams, while third will be fought by McLaren and Scuderia Ferrari which are just 3.5 points apart with 5 rounds remaining.

F1: Australian GP to be replaced by Ooredoo Qatar Grand Prix in November


Aston Martin Unveils Its First Ultra-Luxury Showroom

With the launch of a new ‘ultra premium’ flagship showroom in New York,
Aston Martin
 has outlined its vision for future dealerships.

The ‘Q New York’ location is on historic Park Avenue, and the British company hopes to give ‘the most advanced premium specification experience accessible anywhere in the world’.

The first-of-its-kind facility will be a major aspect of Aston’s future customer experience strategy, with executives promising to create ‘the absolute finest possible atmosphere for its most demanding clients’.

Visitors are greeted by a massive window with one of the largest single panes of glass ever installed in a New York skyscraper, while within is an amazing 2,100-bulb chandelier spanning a stunning 40-metres.

Buyers will be given significant personalization options once inside, in state-of-the-art facilities, as Aston Martin seeks to cater to the rising market of customers who want to make their cars stand out from the crowd.

The facility will host some of Aston Martin’s most unique vehicles, such as the DB12 and the much-touted Valkyrie AMR Pro hypercar. Those visiting the site will also have access to concierge services, specially chosen high-end dining experiences, and overnight travel experiences.

The Q by Aston Martin subsidiary has seen substantial expansion in recent years, with a record number of Aston Martin units sold with bespoke touches and features in 2022, representing a 51% year-on-year increase. Notably, the Americas will be the fastest growing region for Q by Aston Martin in 2022, with 92% year-on-year growth.

“The launch of our first flagship Q site, in our largest commercial market, is the latest distinct manifestation of Aston Martin’s transformation to an ultra-luxury brand,” said Lawrence Stroll, executive chairman of Aston Martin. “It displays our desire to promote global growth and offer elevated customer experiences that reflect our owners’ love of Aston Martin,” he added.

Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin said, “Creating wondrous places, spaces and experiences are important design statements for us. And just as we belong in Formula One as British makers of ultra-luxury high-performance sports cars, Aston Martin belongs in New York City. It’s a place where dreams come true.”

Q New York is now officially open at 450 Park Avenue, with appointments available to be scheduled by any Aston Martin dealer.


New Land Rover Defender to star in next James Bond movie (w/VIDEO)

James Bond, undeniably the world’s best-known secret agent, has driven a great variety of cars in the past 57 years since he first appeared in
Dr. No
. Many were sportscars and thanks to Q branch, some of them had fancy accessories like rocket launchers, ejection seats, machine guns and tyre-shredders. Being an agent of the British government, Bond often drove the latest British models with Aston Martins featuring prominently in the last few adventures.

A display of the cars used in ‘Die Another Day’, the 2002 James Bond movie.

In April 2020,
No Time To Die
, the 25th official James Bond film (and the fifth one starring Daniel Craig as Agent 007), will premiere and as with the previous films, there will be exciting car action. Seeming to reflect trends in the market, there will be more SUVs and in fact, the New Defender from Land Rover will appear prominently on the big screen. This will be the first movie to feature the
New Defender which was launched in September this year
.

Other Land Rover models you will see at different points in the movie will be the Range Rover Sport SVR, Land Rover Series III and Range Rover Classic. The British 4×4 manufacturer has had a long-standing partnership with EON Productions on the Bond films which goes back to 1983 when a Range Rover Convertible appeared in
Octopussy
.

Land Rover’s design team worked closely with Special Effects and Action Vehicles Supervisor Chris Corbould on the specification of the Defenders in the film. Based on the Defender X model in Santorini Black, with darkened skidpans, 20-inch dark finish wheels and professional off-road tyres, they were the first Defenders to be built at Jaguar Land Rover’s new production facility in Slovakia.

Stunt coordinator Lee Morrison (shown below) and stunt driver Jess Hawkins pushed the vehicle to extremes, making maximum use of pioneering off-road tech, 900 mm wading ability and 291 mm ground clearance for
No Time To Die
’
s
 spectacular car chase action.

“Designing and co-ordinating the action sequences for the Bond franchise requires a non-compromising mindset. We needed an unstoppable vehicle to help us battle against the elements, steep descents and river crossings so we chose the new Defender. I’m beyond impressed that the Defender is not only back but much, much better!” said Morrison.

All-new Land Rover Defender makes global debut in Frankfurt


Tax-free incentive helps boost Proton sales to highest volume in over 8 years

2020 will be remembered as a very bad year for the auto industry in Malaysia and other countries. The COVID-19 pandemic stopped sales (and production) leading to unprecedented contraction of markets by nearly 100%. When business was allowed to resume, consumers remained still worried about uncertainties of the future, leading to more cautious spending/

This of course doesn’t help the economy to recover so the government has had to allocate billions for aid to various sectors to provide incentives to consumers and encourage them to start buying. For the auto industry, the assistance is in the form of exemption of sales tax, which will be given till the end of the year.

The incentive seems to work as most companies have reported high sales numbers, although the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) expects that when the year ends,
the Total Industry Volume (TIV) will be around 470,000 units
 – 22.2% or 134,287 units lower than the TIV in 2019.

Among the companies experiencing healthy sales numbers is Proton which reports that its total sales volume in July was its highest since June 2012. Compared to June 2020, the increase was 37.2% while compared to July 2019, it was 45.7%. And with 13,216 units delivered, the carmaker estimates that it should have a market share of 63.2% of the TIV for the month.

Four models are said to have topped their respective segments. The Saga, with 5,421 units (including all 1,100 units of the
35
th
 anniversary edition
) sold led in the A-segment. The popular X70 recorded its best month since being launched as 3,087 units of the SUV were delivered to new owners nationwide.

The other two Proton segment leaders were the Persona and Exora, with 3,043 units  and 792 units, respectively, sold in July.

“Proton’s performance in July 2020 was our best in over 8 years. We are especially happy with how our models are faring within their segments. We also note that there has been a positive effect on other areas of the business as a result of the encouraging sales. For instance, Proton Commerce, our in-house vehicle financing provider, saw an increase of 100% in the number of loans it disbursed compared to the previous month. Therefore, we are thankful for the support shown by all Malaysians and as for now, we remain cautiously optimistic for 2020,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of  Proton Edar.

“For August, Proton aims to continue to excite the market and stimulate sales in preparation for more model introductions later in the year. Our production, quality, sales and aftersales divisions are all working hard to ensure we are able to meet consumer demand as well as deliver a level of customer service befitting the brand promise that we have set out,” he added.

Proton Used Car Management division sees increasing business


Edaran Tan Chong Motor helps preserve mangrove habitat in Kuala Selangor

Mangrove habitats are important in nature’s ecosystem as they are capable of storing 4 times more carbon mass than tropical forests, thus reducing the amount of carbon dioxide, a gas that causes global warming, They are also known to help prevent erosion of coastal areas by stabilizing sediments with their dense roots and branch network, filtering pollutants and trapping rubbish that originated from land. Their presence along coastal areas has also been known to help reduce the impact of tsunamis.

Preserving the mangrove habitat is therefore important and recently, 61 participants involving Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) employees, Nissan family members and friends, worked together to plant 310 new mangrove trees to battle climate change in the near future.

Nissan Nurtures Nature campaign

The planting session was part of an effort to reconnect with nature and environmental awareness through ETCM’s 3
rd
 series of Nissan Nurtures Nature campaign. It was held at the Kuala Selangor Nature Park and after the planting session, the participants also took the opportunity to clean the surrounding area and collected a total of 97 kgs worth of waste.

The mangrove areas are also home to a wide array of fishes and shellfish, including migrating birds. During a cruise along the Sungai Buloh River, participants were able to see many different types of birds including the globally endangered ‘Milk Stork’
(Myceteria Cinerea)
 and ‘Lesser Adjutant Stork’
(Leptoptilos Javanicus)
.

3R environmental philosophy: Reduce, Recycle and Reconnect

ETCM introduced Nissan Nurtures Nature in June 2018 to encourage customers and their families, business partners, non-profit organizations, as well as employees to join hands in creating positive and meaningful changes to the environment and communities centred on a 3R environmental philosophy:
R
educe,
R
ecycle and
R
econnect.

Members of the public who wish to know more and receive updates about the Nissan Nurtures Nature campaign may contact ETCM’s Customer Relations Department at
03-4047 8788
 or send an email request to
crd@tanchonggroup.com
.

Click here for more news about ETCM and Nissan at PISTON.MY


BMW caters to extravagance with the 8-Series Edition Golden Thunder

‘Golden Thunder’ is not the title of a new Chinese movie but the name of a special edition of the BMW 8-Series created by BMW Individual. Available for three body variants, its extravagant enhancement is in the form of specific design accentuations in gold along with high-end BMW Individual equipment features for both the exterior and interior.

The 8-Series Edition Golden Thunder is said to be for ‘customers with the very highest expectations in terms of style and quality’. The exclusive enhancements give the edition models the character of a custom-built vehicle.

Available for all model variants – coupe, convertible and Gran Coupe – the M sports package is also a standard feature in the range which covers the 840i and 840d xDrive through to the M850i xDrive.

A body finish in Sapphire Black metallic or Frozen Black metallic and carefully selected colour accentuations in gold give a distinct appearance. The dark look is supplemented by BMW Individual High Gloss Shadow Line with extended features and black brake calipers for the M sports brake system.

A striking contrast is created by means of golden accentuation lines running from the front apron to the side skirts and on into the rear apron. Other features finished in gold are the exterior mirror caps, the M rear spoiler (exclusively available for the 8-Series Coupe) and the 20-inch M light alloy wheels in double-spoke design.

Sportscar flair and individual luxury are also combined in the interior of the edition models to create an extravagant ambience. This is created by the extended BMW Individual Merino leather trim in black with the ‘Edition Golden Thunder’ inscription embroidered on the front headrests and the BMW Individual Alcantara Anthracite roofliner for the Coup and Gran Coupe, but in particular by the interior trim finishers in Aluminium Mesh Effect Gold.

On the centre console, the finely structured and high-end shimmering surfaces are supplemented with an edition emblem. The edition models also feature CraftedClarity glass applications for selected controls and the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System.

The Edition cars will be produced at the BMW plant in Dingolfing, Germany from September 2020.

‘The Boss’ gets electrified with the new BMW X5 xDrive45e M Sport