2021 Rimac Nevera – the 412 km/h hypercar from Croatia

Croatia, a country across the Adriatic Sea from Italy, is not a particularly large country. Its population of 4.13 million is less than Singapore’s 5 million+ and annual sales volume has been around 63,000 units (apart from last year when new vehicle sales contracted worldwide due to the pandemic). It has a fairly active auto industry with many factories producing autoparts for export as well as a few domestic carmakers.

Notable among these is 11-year old Rimac Automobil, an ambitious carmaker which specialises in high-performance electric cars. Its earlier Concept One gained global exposure as an official track car during the first season of the all-electric Formula E championship in 2014. Since then, the company has continued to develop models with new technology and its latest is the Nevera hypercar. The Nevera is the production-ready iteration of the Rimac C_Two concept car, which was revealed at the International Geneva Motor Show in 2018. Since then, Rimac’s engineers have refined their new flagship through an extensive development program.

A 10-year ‘impossible’ journey

“This is it. This is the car I had in mind when I embarked on the ‘impossible’ journey ten years ago. All our hard work has resulted in the Nevera – our record-breaking hypercar. This car was born to outperform, and to raise the bar, redefining the norm for performance cars. And not only in performance – but as an all-around package,” said Mate Rimac, founder and CEO of the company.

“The Nevera proves what is possible when there are no restraints placed on technology, development, or ambition. We have now unveiled a car that pushes the hypercar market to a higher level, we have utilized the full potential of the electric powertrain today, proving what we’ve always been saying – that electric hypercar, in the form of the Nevera, is beyond exciting, and that is as thrilling on the track, as it is crossing continents,” he said.

Signature ‘cravat’ feature

Rimac favours lean and effective engineering at every stage, and that philosophy is exemplified in the form-follows-function nature of the Nevera’s design. It is applied to every single detail, including the car’s signature ‘cravat’ feature, which is incorporated into its flanks. It is functional too, serving as an air intake for the rear cooling systems.

As the design evolved, many changes were made to the Nevera’s bodywork; for example, the redesigned air diffusers and intakes deliver a 34% improvement in aerodynamic efficiency over the early prototypes. The profile of the bonnet, the shape of the pillars and the design of the diffusers, splitters and radiators have all been intensively analysed and refined to improve airflow and downforce. Inlets and cooling channels have been painstakingly developed to increase the cooling efficiency of both the brake and powertrain systems, resulting in a 30% improvement at low speeds and a 7% enhancement at high speeds.

Rimac has also created many new innovative active aerodynamic elements for better cooling, performance, stability, and efficiency. The front bonnet profile, underbody flap, rear diffuser and rear wing can each move independently, driven by complex algorithms that provided the optimum aerodynamic configuration for every driving situation. Switching from ‘high downforce’ to ‘low drag’ mode reduces aerodynamic drag by 17.5% to create a drag value of 0.3 Cd. Changing back into ‘high downforce’ mode increases downforce by 326%.

World’s most advanced monocoque construction

The hypercar’s groundbreaking monocoque incorporates a bonded carbonfibre roof, integrated structural battery pack and rear carbonfibre subframe. This is believed to be the largest single carbonfibre piece in the entire automotive industry. Weighing less than 200 kgs and utilising 2,200 carbon fibre plies with 222 aluminium inserts, the monocoque encases the car’s battery to form a compact yet incredibly strong structure.

Powertrain developed in-house

The key to the Nevera’s high performance is Rimac’s pioneering electric powertrain. The unique H-shaped, liquid-cooled, 120kWh, 6960-cell battery pack was designed from scratch by. Capable of producing 1.4MW of power, the lithium-manganese-nickel battery pack also forms an integral part of the car’s core, adding 37% structural stiffness to the carbonfibre monocoque.

The battery pack’s optimum positioning low and central within the car’s floor contributes to an ultra-low centre of gravity. This helps create an excellent 48:52 front/rear weight distribution and the best possible handling balance. High-power recharging can ‘refuel’ an empty battery pack to 80% in 19 minutes, it is claimed, and the range is 550 kms.

Four bespoke surface-mounted permanent magnet motors drive the four wheels individually. Together, they generate 1,914 hp and 2,360Nm of torque, which is triple the output of a ‘conventional–engined’ supercar. The front and rear wheels are each connected to a pair of single-speed gearboxes. The electric motors are 97% efficient and completely maintenance-free throughout their operating life. The Nevera is claimed to take 1.85 seconds from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) and if there is a road which is long enough – and no speedtraps – it should be able to reach a maximum speed of 412 km/h.

An experienced person will find the available driving modes useful for a more engaging drive. The SPORT mode sharpens the response of the throttle, brakes, suspension and steering, while DRIFT mode sends more torque to the rear wheels to accentuate oversteer and help hold the car in a controlled power slide on the track. In expert hands, TRACK mode sets the Nevera to full, unrestrained configuration to allow drivers to exploit the car’s full potential.

Minimalist design cabin

The Nevera is as much a capable grand tourer as it is a performance hypercar with space for two occupants and their luggage. Configured for both track driving and comfort, the layout of the cockpit is divided into two zones. Digital screens eliminate switchgear, with only essential tactile controls present, thereby freeing up space.

The cockpit features a trio of high-definition TFT screens, which present as much, or as little, information as the user requires. The focus of the top segment is entirely placed on driving pleasure and performance, while the lower part houses the infotainment system, comfort controls and driving data. From the cockpit, the driver can monitor every aspect of the car’s performance with real-time telemetry – downloadable to a laptop or smartphone for later review.

World’s first AI Driving Coach

To enable drivers to extract maximum performance and help them further develop their track driving skills, Rimac has developed the world’s first AI (Artificial Intelligence) Driver Coach. Using 12 ultrasonic sensors, 13 cameras, 6 radars, and the very latest NVIDIA Pegasus operating system, the Rimac Driving Coach adds an additional, immersive experience behind the wheel. The system overlays selected race circuits in real-time, offering clear and precise audio and visual guidance, to enable drivers to perfect their racing lines, braking and acceleration points and steering inputs.

Only 150 units will be available and no two Neveras will leave the factory looking the same or bearing the same specification. The customer will have the ability to choose from a comprehensive range of bespoke trims and material options. In addition to the company’s premium individual personalisation program, Rimac will offer its flagship in various editions: GT, Signature, Timeless or Bespoke. The price of a Nevera starts at 2 million euros (around RM10 million) but after all the personalisation, the final amount will obviously be more.

Aspark Owl – first Japanese electric hypercar – claims acceleration record


GWM Malaysia Launches First 4S Centre in USJ Subang

Strengthening and cementing its commitment to its Malaysian customers, GWM Malaysia has launched its first 4S centre in USJ Subang.

Operated by Superhub Auto, this new facility represents a significant advancement for Great Wall Motor in growing its dealer network in Malaysia. And it is the first of 15 dealerships to be launched this year together with facilities in Sabah and Sarawak as well.

The official opening of the new Superhub 4S flagship store, which includes sales, service, spare parts, and body & paint facilities, was officiated by Mike Cui, Managing Director of GWM Malaysia as well as Directors from Superhub Auto.

With this launch, Great Wall Motor hopes to give their devoted consumers a seamless and personalised experience. The brand’s dedication to providing excellence at every touchpoint is reflected in this all-inclusive sales and service hub.

Great Wall Motor is choosing top-tier dealers as part of its ongoing network growth plan to improve network coverage. This strategic move is motivated by the brand’s commitment to giving its consumers ownership and peace of mind. Great Wall Motor wants to give everyone access to a wide range of GWM’s goods and unmatched after-sales assistance, thus it is growing its dealer network.

Also at the launch were the GWM CANNON and China’s best-selling SUV, the HAVAL H6, which were available for test drive together with the Ora Good Cat. The launch of the first two cars is planned for Q4 of 2023.

Great Wall Motor’s approach to product development and network expansion confirms its brand confidence and dedication to customers in Malaysia. The business is committed to releasing more high-quality products and expanding its network coverage so that clients may take advantage of the most recent developments in automobile technology.

For Great Wall Motor Malaysia, the official opening of the Superhub 4S Centre and All-in-One Experience Hall at USJ is a tremendous accomplishment.

Customers can visit GWM’s new 4S showroom in USJ, Malaysia, or check out their
website
 for more details. The location of the 4S centre is available on Waze and Google Maps.


ETCM Waives 6% GST For Nissan Vehicles Ahead Of 1st June Implementation, Announces “Raya 2018” Campaign & RM450,000 Worth Of Prizes Up For Grabs

In line with the Government’s move to zero-rate Goods and Services Tax (GST) effective 1 June 2018,
Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM)
 has announced the implementation of
0% GST
 by offering
GST Rebates
 for Nissan passenger vehicles registered from
16 to 31 May 2018
. Under this GST Rebates promotion, ETCM will provide a
 full GST cash rebate
 for Nissan passenger vehicles registered from 16 to 31 May 2018. Note that with the GST Rebates in effect, the
Price Protection Promise
 is no longer valid.

Additionally, customers can also enjoy
Duit Raya Rewards
 via the
‘Blissful Journey with Nissan’
 promotion throughout the month of
May 2018
. ETCM is rewarding 5 lucky owners the opportunity to take home an
OSIM uLove Massage Chair
 (worth
RM19,988
) and other prizes worth up to
RM450,000
, with a purchase of a new NISSAN vehicle.

Speaking of which, check out our coverage on the new Nissan Serena
launch
 and
media drive

(NB: please disregard the prices listed in those two links, refer to the chart below).

Nissan 0% GST Savings & Rebates:

NISSAN MODELS

GST REBATE

DUIT RAYA REWARD

TOTAL SAVINGS

ALMERA

Worth up to RM 4,625.10

Up to RM 10,000

Up to RM 14,625.10

GRAND LIVINA

Worth up to RM 5,783.25

Up to RM 7,000

Up to RM 12,783.25

TEANA

Worth up to RM 8,506.53

Up to RM 5,000

Up to RM 13,506.53

X-TRAIL

Worth up to RM 9,419.99

Up to RM 10,000

Up to RM 19,419.99

All-NEW NISSAN SERENA S-HYBRID

Worth up to RM 8,304.41

Up to RM 2,000

Up to RM 10,304.41

SERENA S-HYBRID

Worth up to RM 8,055.36

Up to RM 6,000

Up to RM 14,055.36

NAVARA

(2018 models)

Worth up to RM 6,770.92

Up to RM 8,000

Up to RM 14,770.92

NAVARA

(2017 models)

Worth up to RM 6,770.92

Up to RM 13,000

Up to RM 19,770.92

ETCM also announced their reduced vehicle prices in conjunction with zero-rated Goods and Services Tax (GST) effective 1 June 2018. In the event of a new tax structure implementation, On-The-Road prices may vary for Nissan vehicles. For more information, visit www.nissan.com.my or call the
Nissan Customer Care Centre Hotline at 1800 88 3838.


SUV takes No.1 position for first time – and it’s the Proton X50

Having enough vehicles to deliver has been an ongoing problem for some time, due to the difficulty in completing vehicles as critical parts like microprocessors are in short supply globally. There is some progress in increasing output and at Proton, the effort has paid off with the carmaker able to deliver a record number of its X50 SUV in July.

And not only was it a new monthly sales volume record for the model but from their market intelligence, Proton also found that the 4,763 units of X50 delivered nationwide was the highest number for any model in the market. It’s been a long time since Proton could enjoy such an achievement and reflects the increasing output of vehicles from its factory in Tg. Malim, Perak.

Proton factory in Tg. Malim, Perak.

The record number of units also strengthens Proton’s position as the leader in the hotly contested SUV segment and is also the first time such a vehicle has led the overall market in volume.

The X50 accounted for 41.5% of the total Proton registrations for the month – 11,477 units (domestic + export). The cumulative volume for 7 months has reached 71,601 units, an increase of 19.7% over the same period in 2021.

Proton had a 22.7% market share in July, based on its estimation of the Total Industry Volume for the month being 50,500 units. Its cumulative volume from January to July would likely see its market share going up to 18.7%.

Proton X70

Besides the impressive performance of the X50 in July, the X70 also sees continued strong sales. With the
updated model launched in early June
, interest has grown and 1,704 units were registered in July. This allowed it to retain sales leadership for C-segment SUVs, contributing to Proton’s cumulative SUV volume in 2022 going past 31,500 units.

Strong performances by other models
The rejuvenated Proton also continues to record strong numbers, with 4,521 units registered in July and bringing total volume for the year to 28,005 units. The figures also indicate the 2022 model, launched on May 12, achieved 9,811 registrations in just 80 days.

The Exora MPV also retained its long-standing leadership position with 476 units registered. However, due to approval delays in July, the Persona and Iriz numbers were not their usual high as registrations had to be temporarily suspended.

“Following a hectic June where automotive industry players scrambled to lock in bookings before the end of sales tax incentives, July was a month of consolidation where market demand fell to normal levels, and everybody concentrated on fulfilling orders already received. Proton was no exception and with our parts supply situation continuing to improve, we were finally able to show the true sales potential of the Proton X50,” said Roslan Abdullah, Deputy CEO of Proton.

“The company is immensely proud of the model becoming the first SUV to be crowned as the best-selling vehicle in Malaysia and we are thankful for the support from our customers. This achievement and Proton’s sales leadership in other segments shows our business plan is on the right track and repays the confidence placed in the brand by buyers, investors and other stakeholders,” he said.

The export business
In the first 7 months, Proton’s export sales have surpassed the total volume of 2021. The 380 units shipped overseas in July contributed to bringing the cumulative volume to 3,102 units. This bolsters the Malaysian carmaker’s position as the leading vehicle exporter in the country and places the company in a strong position to help improve Malaysia’s trade balance in the future. The main models being exported are the Saga, X70 and X50.

“The easing of restrictions in global trade has been a major boost for Proton’s export division. With 5 months to go, we are on target for yet another year of double-digit percentage growth, though our enthusiasm is couched by economic issues faced in overseas markets,” said Encik Roslan Abdullah.

Proton Commerce Sdn Bhd
Proton’s financing subsidiary, Proton Commerce Sdn Bhd, has announced it will honour all Letters of Understanding (LOU) at the stated interest rate even if they were issued prior to recent interest rate hikes. Terms and conditions apply, and funds must be disbursed by December 31, 2022, but it ensures customers who already have an LOU from Proton Commerce and are awaiting their orders do not have worry about being charged a higher rate for financing.

“We are working to ensure that despite recent interest rate hikes, our customers will still be able to afford the vehicles they ordered. It’s vital to ensure we convert as many bookings as possible into transacted sales as this will help drive registrations as we continue to strive for more future success,” said Encik Roslan Abdullah.

Proton Tg. Malim engine facility assembles new-generation engines


Wiesmann reveals ‘Project Thunderball’, its all-new electric sportscar

Wiesmann, a German carmaker founded by two brothers, has been in existence since 1988 although it may not be as well known as other specialist carmakers. Until it ran into financial problems and ceased operations in 2014, it had a steady business making and selling retro-styled sportscars with BMW M V8 and V10 engines.

It came out of dormancy in 2016 after being qcquired by Contex Global, a technology company, and has since been developing new models. One of them, codenamed ‘Project Thunderball’, is an electrically-powered convertible sportscar with rear-wheel drive. Development appears to have been completed and a fully engineered car built for preliminary presentation to the world.

With the promise of being ‘the world’s most exciting electric sports car’, the Thunderball (we don’t know if that will be its name in the market) has two electric motors at the rear end. These have a combined output of 494 kW (671 ps) and 1,100 Nm, which should take the 1,700-kg roadster from standstill to 100 km/h in a claimed 2.9 seconds.

The 83 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which comes from another sportscar company, Roding Automobile, will have 800V technology and can be charged at levels of up to 300 kW. A 500-km range on a full charge is targeted.

GT MF5, produced in 2009, had BMW V8 and V10 engines. Only 65 units were available.

Having many years of experience developing sportscars, Wiesmann intends to maintain the driving dynamics that its customers have enjoyed in its combustion-engined models. One approach is the way it has programmed the regenerative braking system to give the sort of feel which has been lost in most electric vehicles today. The Thunderball’s system will have 5 levels of braking and stronger braking forces that drivers can manage when heading into turns.

The styling will still have some retro undertones although there are also elements of modernity which reflect the new era of powertrains (and also the company). Besides the signature grille shape that was last seen on the company’s MF5 model, the new car will also retain the long-nose profile reminiscent of British sportscars.

The interior, like the exterior, has a blend of retro and modern themes. Modern materials like carbonfibre will be used for the dashboard which will incorporate a large display screen and no less than 7 analogue meters. The sports seats will also have carbonfibre shells to keep weight low.

Wiesmann will build the Thunderball at its own factory in Germany and has indicated a starting price of €300,000 (about RM1.37 million).

Jaguar XK European by Thornley Kelham – an automotive icon reimagined


Geely Auto retains No.1 Chinese brand position for third consecutive year

Geely ICON to be launched this year.

With a total of 1.361 million vehicles sold in 2019, Geely Auto retains its position as the bestselling Chinese brand for a third consecutive year. The achievement was helped by strong December sales which saw a 39.3% increase year-on-year to 130,036 units. The total volume includes sales of Lynk & Co vehicles sold by the Group’s 50%-owned joint venture).

During 2019, sales of Geely’s New Energy Vehicles increased significantly with total sales of 113,067 units, a year-on-year increase of 68.6%, becoming a new driving force for the carmaker’s growth. A total of 57,991 vehicles were exported in 2019, a year-on-year increase of 110.6% which suggests that Geely Auto is accelerating its expansion in overseas markets.

Geely grew as domestic market declined

Geely’s growth can be considered impressive when seen in the context of the dual pressure of a global economic downturn and adjustment in the automotive industry. As China’s domestic auto market declined sharply in 2019, Geely Auto actively strengthened its global competitiveness. An example was Geely Auto’s Belarus joint venture plant which saw its 20,000th vehicle produced.

The Geely Atlas SUV is produced in Russia at a joint-venture factory.

A notable development during the year was the launch of a new high-end pure electric brand called Geometry. This is part of a 3-prong product development strategy through Geely Auto, Lynk & Co, and Geometry. The product matrix of these brands has continued to be upgraded in the direction of high quality, high tech, high value.

One of the models in the Lynk & Co range.

Geely has also launched the Geometry brand as a pure electric brand.

Looking ahead in 2020

In 2020, Geely Auto says it will continue to implement its development strategy with stability as a focus and has set the annual target for 1.41 million units, 3.6% higher than for 2019. The company sees this year as a key year to advance its brand and technology with 6 new products to be launched, including the second BMA architecture-based SUV from Geely Auto, the Icon. Other models known to be in the pipeline are the first mid-size SUV from Geely Auto (codenamed VX11), a new coupe SUV based on the CMA architecture, the Lynk & Co 05, and G13, the codename for the second pure electric model from Geometry.

Geely ICON to be launched this year.

“The global automotive market is facing an unprecedented change not seen in over a century. Challenges and opportunities exist side by side. With the market as the battlefield, Geely Auto will take user demand as a guide, products as our core, and market share as our goal. We will adhere to a high-quality development strategy, maintain our footing on the uncertain road, compete on technology and brand, accelerate our global expansion, push Chinese manufacturing up the global value chain, and raise the level of Chinese auto brand in the world,” said An Conghui, President of Geely Holding Group, CEO and President of Geely Auto Group.

Volvo Cars and Geely to merge engine operations to create stand-alone business


Rolls-Royce Tests Worlds Biggest Commercial Aircraft Engine

The world’s largest geared turbofan, the UltraFan demonstrator, has been run for the first time by Rolls-Royce, beginning a long test programme that the engine manufacturer thinks will usher in a new era of more effective propulsion systems.

In 2014, the UltraFan concept was revealed to the public and features a gigantic geared design that is exclusive to Rolls-Royce and is not made by any rival company elsewhere in the world compared to other large engines from the company that are now in use. The test allows Rolls-Royce to demonstrate ghe feasibility of the engine at this scale while also providing a range of two-shaft, three-shaft, direct drive, and geared propulsion technologies to power future aircraft.

The UltraFan is the largest engine ever built for an aeroplane. However, this prototype wasn’t made to power a specific jet. But according to Rolls-Royce, there are ways to incorporate innovations from the UltraFan research programme into contemporary Trent engines. The scalable Ultra Fan technology with 11339 – 49895 kg thrust has the potential to power new narrowbody and widebody aircraft expected in the 2030s, according to the manufacturer.

At the level of the engine system, the demonstrator will be used to assess a wide range of cutting-edge features, including a high-power gear-driven architecture, lightweight, high-temperature materials, and a brand-new high-pressure core. The business also claims that the emphasis is on making the most of the lessons learned from testing the new engine, which, thanks to its Advance3-based core and power transmission, marks a significant departure from the conventional three-shaft designs that have been the defining feature of Rolls-Royce’s large engine configurations since the 1960s.

The company has, however, ventured into uncharted waters. The engine started, ran up to idle, and was then abruptly turned off again. “That’s mostly because the things that you take for granted—like the way you schedule the fuel, the control laws, all those things—all have to be evaluated at the start of the program. It feels slow, but we’ve deliberately not rushed it because it’s the first time, and it’s an extremely important asset. So we just want to make sure we get it right and have resisted pressure to get it done by a certain date,” said Alan Newby, director of aerospace technology and future programs at Rolls Royce.

The test programme was conducted at TestBed 80, a specially constructed area at the company’s facilities in Derby that can accommodate the UltraFan. The firm spent £90 million (RM514.4 million) to construct TestBed 80.

Rolls had originally intended to operate four engines during the initial test programme, but delays and cost constraints have forced them to limit this to just one, with spare parts on hand to assemble a second one as needed.

Beyond the current test effort, a more in-depth study on the UltraFan architecture is being done as part of Europe’s Clean Aviation aeronautics research programme. With the help of hybrid-electric technology and direct hydrogen combustion, the Heaven (Hydrogen Engine Architecture Virtually Engineered Novelly) project, which is being led by Rolls-Royce, aims to advance the UltraFan.

Rolls-Royce’s UltraFan programme, according to Gary Elliott, CEO of the Aerospace Technology Institute, has substantially enhanced the fuel efficiency of aircraft engines. The technology created as part of the programme has significantly advanced knowledge on how to improve engine performance while minimising environmental effects.

Rolls-Royce also manufactures the Trent XWB-97 engines at TestBed 80. As part of the Project Sunrise programme, 12 Airbus A350-1000s operated by Qantas will be deployed on upcoming flights between Sydney and London and New York using 24 of these engines.


F1: Round 1 – Preview & Starting Grid of 2020 Rolex F1 Austrian Grand Prix

Race starts at 3:10 pm in Austria | 9:10 pm in Malaysia

After a delay of almost 16 weeks, the 2020 FIA Formula 1 World Championship at last gets going this weekend with the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. The return to racing takes Formula 1’s teams into the green heart of Austria, and to a venue that, despite being one of the sport’s shorter circuits, packs quite a punch.

The Red Bull Ring’s compact configuration, made up of just 10 corners and a sequence of short, fast straights, results in it having one of the quickest laps in the sport. One circuit in a F1 car is regularly below 68 seconds and more than 70% of the lap will be spent at full throttle.

However, the circuit is situated in mountainous country and its altitude at 660 metres above sea level puts power units under more stress than at many venues. The creates issues with cooling of engines, often a headache for teams at this circuit.

It’s a similar tale with brakes. While braking events are few at Spielberg, there are three in particular, at Turns 1, 3 and 4, that arrive in quick succession and that can lead to troublesome overheating.

“It’s great to be back! The new car obviously feels different than the 2018 car we got to test at Silverstone a few weeks ago, but I think we have also been able to continue to improve the car compared to last year, so that’s a big positive,” said reigning World Champion, Lewis Hamilton.

“The track was a little bit greasy and while the grip will pick up, it feels like the track only improved a very small amount. It was looking good out there today (Friday), but you can never take too much from practice. You never know what power and fuel other teams are running. So we will take today’s result with a pinch of salt, try and improve the car tonight and come back for the fight tomorrow,” he said.

The 20 cars, in action for the first time this season, will take to the Austrian track more than 4 months after the end of pre-season testing in Barcelona. 6-time Constructors’ Champion Mercedes-AMG remained the benchmark, though Red Bull Racing looked to have gained ground on the Silver Arrows. Ferrari, meanwhile, had an inconclusive test phase and left the Spanish track with more questions to ask than were answered during testing.

“We didn’t have any trouble with the cars. It was good for us all to be back at the track and it was good to see that the team got up to speed fairly quickly and had no problems running through all the procedures. In terms of speed and competitiveness, it was an interesting day. I think we’ve seen that we are not at the top, that we are not the favourites,” said Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. “It’s up to us to develop and work so that the car gets faster. We’re lacking grip and downforce compared to others. So it’s a mix of all these things.”

Not taking chances – all participants have to observe safety measures which means face masks whenever possible, and social distancing. Constant testing takes place to ensure no one is infected.

However, the world has changed immeasurably since and the teams have been though the longest shutdown in the sport’s history. Work resumed on this season’s cars only at the beginning of June and in Austria, things could be very different. The 2020 championship may well be the most unpredictable in recent memory.

This will be the 33rd World Championship Austrian Grand Prix. The first was held in 1964 on a circuit at an airbase. Constructed close by, the Osterreichring made its calendar debut 50 years ago in 1970 and hosted the race until 1987. A shortened version of the circuit, named the A1-Ring, was used between 1997 and 2003, and now called the Red Bull Ring, the track has hosted the race since 2014.

This will be the first time a Formula 1 season has started in Austria. It is also the latest start to a season in the history of the championship, beating the previous record holder, the 1951 season, by 37 days. That year, the first race of the season took place on May 27, in Monaco.

Alain Prost has been the most successful driver at the Austrian Grand Prix with victories for Renault in 1983 and then McLaren in 1985 and 1986. Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen, who won in 2019, can this weekend match Prost’s record and become the first driver to take 3 consecutive wins in Austria.

As for teams, McLaren has been the most successful constructor at the Austrian Grand Prix with 6 wins. Niki Lauda won for the British team in 1984, while Prost’s double was followed by victory for Mika Hakkinen in 1998 and 2000. David Coulthard took the team’s last win in Austria, which was 19 years ago.

2020 F1 championship to start in July with up to 18 races planned in 6 months


VW’s ID. SPACE VIZZION shows the stationwagon will continue to exist in the electric age

It’s been 3 years since Volkswagen announced its ID. family of all-electric models which will begin entering various markets and segments from 2020. As a group (including other brand such as Audi and Skoda), Volkswagen will forge ahead with the fundamental change of system in individual mobility and systematically aligning with electric drives.

The ID.3 will be the first model to go on sale from next year, assembled on the modular electric-car production platform known as ‘MEB’. At least 70 new electric models will be available by 2028 – instead of the 50 previously planned. As a result, the projected number of vehicles to be built on the Group’s electric platforms in the next decade will increase from 15 million to 22 million.

Production version in 2021

Besides the ID3, a compact model, other models have already been confirmed for production within the next 3 years. A fourth one has just been added and this will be based on the ID. SPACE VIZZION wagon concept revealed today. The study will be displayed at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show later this month but the production version will only be released in late 2021. Different versions are planned for North America, Europe and China.

Volkswagen describes the ID. SPACE VIZZION as ‘a wagon of tomorrow’ and we can presume it will be a stationwagon variant of the ID. VIZZION concept which was shown last year. But given the entirely ‘clean sheet’ that the engineers and designers can start from, the vehicle will likely be more functional that today’s stationwagons.

The ID. VIZZION SEDAN concept shown in 2018

A new ’crossover wagon’ segment?

Volkswagen says it will have a ‘completely independent and progressive character’ that combines the aerodynamic characteristics of a Gran Turismo with the spaciousness of an SUV. So we could see the birth of a segment called the ‘crossover wagon’ in future.

In fact,  Klaus Bischoff, Head of Volkswagen Design, suggests that there will indeed be a new segment: “So far, with our ID. family, we have shown what is possible with electric vehicles in each known car category. With the ID. SPACE VIZZION, we create a new, fully electric segment.”

590-km range targeted

As for the design, the front and roof sections are particularly precise, with openings for the airstream for optimal aerodynamics. Powertrain details are not given but a range of 590 kms is targeted with the high-efficiency drive system.

Inside, the concept model defines a completely new paradigm of intuitive usability with its completely digitized cockpit. The materials are consistently made from sustainable raw materials, such as the new AppleSkin, an artificial leather with a proportion of residual matter from apple juice production.

Visit
www.volkswagen.com.my
 to know more about models available in Malaysia today


Hyundai picks up Red Dot Awards for fourth consecutive year

It’s quite well known that Hyundai vehicles have become far more desirable over the years thanks to the impressive work of its design team and the company’s improved use of quality materials. The improvements haven’t gone unnoticed as the Korean automaker has been awarded with the Red Dot Award for outstanding design for the fourth year in a row.

Winners of the award are picked out by a panel of 21 international design experts, professors and journalists who review over 5,000 product design works from more than 50 countries. The cars that bagged the award for Hyundai were the Azera and i30 in the Product Design category. In previous years, winners of the Red Dot Awards were the i10 and Genesis in 2014, i20 and Sonata in 2015, and IONIQ in 2016.

Criteria that made the Azera eligible for the ‘high design quality’ award were it elegant looking design, the originality of said design its desirability among younger car buyers. , The i30 received an ‘Honorable Mention’ for its competitive looking design. Prior to this award, the i30 had already bagged two other similar accolades from the PIN UP Design Awards and 2017 iF Design Awards.

The Red Dot Awards is organised by Design Zentrum Nordheim Westfalen, which reviews new and interesting works from a wide range of categories to determine each year’s most praised designs.

Over the years, Hyundai has managed to transform itself from being a mediocre econobox manufacturer, to one that makes some of the best looking cars that are within reach of the average Joe. It’s clever use of materials, manufacturing processes and killer designs have attributed to the brand growing in popularity around the world.


VIDEO: BIMS 2018 First Official Public Day @ Bangkok International Motorshow 2018 – Walk-Around Video!

The sights and sounds of
BIMS 2018
, plus narration and my take on one of the best motorshows in the region. I’m just walking around saying hi to random people, it’s a blast, you really should visit this show sometime. –
Chris Wee
.

Trivia: BIMS is one of the only motorshows in the world where the cars on display are also for
sale.
Guess how many cars were sold at BIMS last year? Answer in the video below!

More to come!


Hannah Yeoh Speaks To Fernando Alonso About Developing Racing Career of Malaysian Wonder Kid, Travis Teoh

In a Facebook post today, Hannah Yeoh, Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Minister paid homage to Malaysian wonder kid Travis Teoh.

Travis, who started racing at six years old and is now 12, has had a spectacular run in the MAM Malaysia Karting Championship and the IAME Series Asia where he secured multiple wins.

During the meeting with Travis in Parliament recently, Hannah also got into a video call with F1 Double World Champion Fernando Alonso to speak about the development of Travis and paving his way into the world of motorsport, particularly Formula One.

Travis started his racing career with Double R Motorsport (DRM) where he received coaching from Mohd Rohairijaz Mohd Ropin, the owner of the DRM racing team.

During his stint at DRM, Travis won National and International titles including the DPK Racing series where he was the 2022 winner for the FIA-CIK World Championship in the OK Class. From there, Travis was handpicked by Fernando Alonso to join his young talent development program under Fernando’s very own A14 Management company.

In her Facebook post, Hannah Yeoh mentioned that she is always looking for ways to enhance and promote Malaysian talent at the world stage through partnerships, and wished the best to Travis, Fernando Alonso and A14.

She ended her post by mentioning that Travis left a lasting impression when he said he works very very hard. She noted that is not a typical reply from a 12 year old boy.

All images from Hannah Yeoh’s Facebook Page.


SpareXHub Offers Genuine Parts For Older Ford Models With Up To 72% Discount

Genuine parts are always the best to use when it comes to replacing parts in your motor vehicle. They are designed and manufactured to the same standards as the vehicle they are intended for, and should fit perfectly.

However, genuine parts can be hard to find if the vehicle you own is an older one. Over time, distributors may reduce the stocks of genuine parts they keep for older models as demand diminishes, and they also need space for parts for the newer models.

If it’s genuine parts for older Ford vehicles that you’re looking for, SpareXHub is the place to go to. This Malaysian e-commerce company has been operating for a few years now, and its founders have 100+ years of combined experience in the automotive and tech industry. So they know the importance of using genuine parts, and have built up a vast inventory dating back to the Ford Courier which was first launched in 1997.

SpareXHub firmly believes that ‘Every Part Has A Car’ and. as it enters its fourth year in operations, is building towards a virtual inventory of 500,000 genuine spare parts with a base of more than 100,000 customers.

Announcing its renewed collaboration with Sime Darby Auto Connexion, SpareXHub will be offering attractively discounted genuine spare parts for Ford models that include models such as the Mustang, Ranger, Courier, EcoSport, Escape, S-Max/Galaxy, Everest, Transit, Fiesta, Focus, Kuga and Mondeo.

SpareXHub has genuine parts for older Ford models. including the Courier pick-up, which was launched in Malaysia
25 years ago.

“Going into the second phase of this partnership, we can confidently say that we have been able to reach out to a growing number of Ford customers. In Phase 1, SpareXHub successfully fulfilled the orders for 413 genuine Ford spare parts worth more than RM182,000. The numbers may be small but as long as it brought value to another Ford owner, that’s what matters to any brand,” said SpareXHub co-founder Devindran Ramanathan.

“Many (vehicle owners) may be under the false impression that genuine spare parts are difficult to obtain or are too expensive. The collaboration with Sime Darby Auto Connexion not only dispels this misconception but will also enable them to source genuine spare parts for ageing models from a trustworthy platform,” Mr. Devindran said.

SpareXHub focusses on those Ford owners whose vehicles’ warranty period has ended and to provide them with greater access to genuine spare parts at affordable prices. SpareXHub offers savings on the parts, some of which are for models as old as 25 years, which are available exclusively on
www.sparexhub.com
.

SpareXHub and Sime Darby Auto Connexion are also introducing a multi-tiered discount of up to 72% (off the recommended retail price) for individual owners, independent workshops and stockists who purchase the genuine parts.

Mr. Devindran added that, for independent workshops, the discounts factored into the price of these genuine spare parts will not only provide them with a healthy margin but also discourage them from sourcing for third party or non-genuine spare parts. “Collectively, this will contribute significantly towards eliminating the trade of imitation spare parts which pose a great safety threat to vehicle owners,” he said.

Besides Ford models, SpareXHub’s inventory also includes an extensive range of components and merchandise for BMW, Mini, Bentley, Porsche, Ford, Nissan, Land Rover, Jaguar and Volkswagen. These are sourced directly from the respective authorized automotive brand owners, and are available with generous discounts.

While it is Malaysian-owned and based in this country, SpareXHub accepted orders from anywhere in the world and offers generous discounts as well.

For more information and to see what genuine parts are available, visit
w
ww.sparexhub.com
.

Sime Darby Auto Selection Service Centre for post-warranty vehicles


Hyundai Motorsport develops next rallycar for customer teams to use in 2021

Since the establishment of its Customer Racing division in 2015, Hyundai Motorsport has been providing teams and drivers competitive cars for rallies or circuit racing. From its competitive i20 R5 rallycar to the competitive i30 N TCR, Hyundai Motorsport-built cars have claimed victory in several championships, including national rally series in France and Spain, as well as consecutive titles in the FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) in 2018 and 2019.

The i20R5 has been in competition since 2016.

5 years of experience

Drawing on the Customer Racing department’s 5 years of experience with the i20 R5, an all-new rallycar has been developed for privateer teams and drivers. Revealed recently, the new i20 N Rally2 is an improved all-round package based on the strong foundation of the new road-going i20 N chassis.

The i20 N Rally2, to be entered in 2021 rallies, retains the dynamic look of the road car – part of Hyundai’s new ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ identity – which includes several elements inspired by motorsport. With the exception of the 5-speed sequential gearbox from the i20 R5, nearly every other part of the i20 N Rally2 is brand new, including the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine.

“The i20 R5 was the first car from our Customer Racing department, and the new i20 N Rally2 shows how far we have come in the 5 years since the creation of the department,” said Team Principal Andrea Adamo. “Every area of the new car is an improvement over the original, thanks to the work of our dedicated team of designers and engineers.”

Fresh approach

The design process began in January this year with a specialised group of designers and engineers leveraging the experience of the i20 R5 project. In doing so, they have been able to take advantage of the growth of the Customer Racing business since 2015, which has seen the department grow from a handful of people to a team of 60.

The development of the i20 R5 has continued, with the engineers providing several updates to the original car in recent seasons to improve handling and performance. The i20 N Rally2 carries over these enhancements, with the new chassis allowing further gains in nearly every aspect of the car.

New suspension components and dampers give the car more driver-friendly handling characteristics on all surfaces – vital for the Rally2 category, which forms the basis for national and regional championships as well as WRC 2 and WRC 3 classes.

On a mission for more success

The i20 N Rally2 is developed with the aim of continuing the success of the i20 R5, which has claimed numerous titles with our customers since its debut in 2016. The i20 R5 customer teams will continue to receive the same level of support, uninterrupted by the development of the new car.

“Our focus is now on testing the i20 N Rally2 to further develop each aspect of the design to improve performance and reliability, while also ensuring the handling enables each of our customers to achieve the best possible results when they start competing with the car in 2021,” said Adamo.

Hyundai N reveals RM20e electric midship racing car (w/VIDEO)


New Vehicle Sales And Production Volumes Drop For First Month of 2023

Not surprisingly, after the record Total Industry Volume (TIV) of December 2022 with 76,657 units of new vehicles delivered nationwide, the TIV for January 2023 dipped by 35% to 49,461 units. This consisted of 43,927 units of passenger vehicles (excluding pick-up trucks) and 5,534 units of commercial vehicles (including pick-up trucks).

The decline was partly due to the short sales month as there was the Chinese New Year festive season with long holidays. The big push to close sales for 2022 with promotions by many companies also persuaded many customers to make their purchases in December.

However, it should also be noted that the industry continues to be delivering vehicles for outstanding orders, some as far back as the middle of 2022. Production disruptions due to shortage of parts, particularly microprocessors, had reduced supply of new vehicles from the local assembly plants as well as from factories overseas.

Production stabilized during the fourth quarter of 2022 and this was reflected in the increasing monthly registrations. Nevertheless, many of the vehicles delivered (especially for high-volume brands like Perodua and Proton) were for orders made many months earlier.

Until March 31, 2023, many companies are still supplying new vehicles to those customers who booked before June 30, 2022 and are entitled to sales tax exemption. The government had allowed an extension of time for deliveries to be made after the expiry of the exemption in view of the industry facing production difficulties.

Data source: Monthly reports of Malaysian Automotive Association

While the push at the assembly plants to complete as many vehicles as possible was apparent by the monthly increase in volumes during the final quarter of 2022, output in January 2023 dropped by 15% compared to the December volume of 68,881 units.

The long holiday break for the Chinese New Year holidays was partly the reason for the decrease, although some companies report shortages of parts for some models. Just one part not being available means that the vehicle cannot be completed for delivery.

With demand for commercial vehicles expected to rise and businesses start to move forward more positively, output of commercial vehicles rose was 10% higher in January 2023 compared to the same month in 2022.


McLaren elects new Design Director

McLaren Automotive has decided to elect Rob Melville as its new Design Director with immediate effect and will report directly to Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Jens Ludmann. He will be responsible for further the developing the company’s design strategy, philosophy and principles as wells working with the engineering and manufacturing functions and customer insights team.

Speaking of his promotion, Melville said, “I am thrilled to be given the title of Design Director for McLaren Automotive. I remember when I got the call to come and join McLaren back in 2009 and the joy I felt then is the same today. We have developed a fantastic design team and have integrated a design philosophy that I feel passionately about. I have always believed that great design tells a great story and that is what we do here at McLaren. I’m incredibly proud.”

Melville started his career as a designer with Jaguar Land Rover where his sketches influenced designs that eventually turned into the Evoque production car. Later on, he joined GM as Senior Designer and was responsible for evolving and realizing the Cadillac design principles and philosophy.

Melville joined the supercar maker in 2009 as a Senior designer but it was only in 2014 that he was promoted to the position of Chief Designer. Since joining McLaren, he was worked on a number of amazing projects which include the McLaren P1, evolution of the 12C, 650S and 675LT as well as the company’s Sports Series.

He led the design of the 720S, which happens to be the first model in the second-generation Super Series. McLaren will be launching 12 new vehicles in the near future as part of the Track22 business plan.


Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan and GLA SUV now available at lower prices with local assembly

The resumption of activities in the car industry seems to be bringing a flood of new models… as if these were all parked in the yards just waiting to be launched. Of course, during the two and a half months of shutdown, plants were not turning out cars so there must be a rush to complete assembly since permission was given to restart from mid-August.

Launched into the market today are the locally assembled versions of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan and GLA, both offered in Progressive Line (A 200 and GLA 200) and AMG Line (A 250 and GLA 250). Assembling locally at the plant in Pekan, Pahang, means that the entry-level models can be priced lower due to incentives offered by the government. Depending on the model, reductions (compared to the price if the model was imported as a CBU) are up to RM17,100 as the following chart shows:

If the cars are purchased before the end of 2021, there are additional savings from the exemption of sales and service tax which is significant at these pricing levels. And because the models are assembled locally, the exemption is 100%, rather than 50% for models that are not assembled locally. So if you are keen on one, you have about two months left to get it at a cheaper price. Units are immediately available so you won’t be made to wait past the exemption period.

Returning to the new models, both are already familiar to Malaysians, having been available earlier. In fact, the latest GLA was introduced late last year but where the imported CBU GLA 250 had 4MATIC all-wheel drive, the locally assembled one does not. The A-Class Sedan, in its current form, has been in the market since April 2019.

The A 200 and GLA 200 have a 1.3-litre turbocharged engine (above), while the A 250 and GLA 250 have a more powerful 2-litre engine (below).

Same platform and engines

Both models sit on the same platform with MFA2 (Modular Front-wheel drive Architecture 2) which makes it possible for the plant to assemble two different bodystyles. They also share 4-cylinder turbocharged powertrains – the A 200 and GLA 200 using the 1332 cc M282 unit with 163 ps/250 Nm, and the A 250 and GLA 250 powered by the 1991 cc M260 engine that produces 224 ps/350 Nm. The smaller engine is paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission while the bigger one has an 8-speed DCT.

Though the A-Class began life as a hatchback over 20 years ago, the sedan version that was added in 2018 has gained greater popularity, especially in markets like Malaysia. The formal appearance seems to be more appealing to customers and though defined as a ‘compact’ model, it still has pretty good interior space and a generous boot volume.

The cabin has the modern, avant-garde look that characterizes the current generation of models with the 3-pointed star. A lot of attention has been given to the dashboard design and its integration with the interior architecture. The designers completely dispensed with a cowl and created a wing-shaped form that extends without visual discontinuity from door to door. The five air vents are also a highlight of the dashboard with their high-quality turbine look and meticulously designed air guidance vanes.

Intelligent and intuitive MBUX

Also present in all models is the intuitively operated MBUX infotainment system (Mercedes-Benz User Experience). The much-publicised MBUX system comes with standard features, but an owner can very quickly personalize the system with the wide range of options. The intelligent system keeps learning about the owner, enhancing personalization, and the software can also be updated periodically to provide new or improved features.

While the equipment of the Progressive Line is fairly comprehensive and includes extras like a Comfort-oriented suspension option, the AMG Line has sportier features that are in keeping with the high performance image of the sub-brand. These include the detailed grille and larger 19-inch AMG alloy wheels. Incidentally, all variants come with the same LED High Performance headlights as well.

Utility and variability

The GLA, being a SUV, offers more space inside and the occupants are also seated higher up. With ‘utility’ in the middle of its name, there is much utility value with flexibility to move people or cargo or both with variable layouts. The load floor is also height-adjustable and can be configured into a long, almost flat, space all the way to the front seats.

Both models come with many driving assistance systems which offer the driver cooperative support to avoid accidents. The systems can automatically activate the brakes if a collision is imminent and the driver has taken no action to prevent it. In the GLA 250, Blind Spot Assist warns of vehicles, including bicycles, in the blind zone and also signal the driver with a visual warning in the exterior mirror if a vehicle is driving past if the door is about to be opened.

Review: Mercedes-Benz A35 AMG – A double edged sword that will have you loving it and hating it!


Learning 4×4 skills at the Ford Ranger/Raptor Training Experience

Since the late 1990s when the laws on registering pick-up trucks changed and they could be registered for private use, many Malaysians have switched to such vehicles. For many, becoming a truck owner has introduced them to a whole new lifestyle where they can go far off the highway and explore our beautiful countryside.

The Ford Ranger and its more powerful brother, the Ranger Raptor, is among the popular trucks in the market, offering the convenience features of a passenger car and yet being ‘
Built Ford Tough’
 to be driven over any type of terrain.

The Ranger is certainly a very capable vehicle but not all owners (especially those coming from passenger cars) know how to make use of all its capability. Understanding this, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC) organised a Ranger/Raptor Training Experience to provide them with the knowledge and skills to take their vehicle further.

The Ranger/Raptor Training Experience was held in Sepang, Selangor, on a specially prepared course which gave owners the chance to discover the full capabilities of their trucks. By tackling the challenging obstacles created around the course, the owners gained confidence to be able to pilot their vehicle safely in different types of terrain.

The session was part of the Ford Ranger Getaways program which is a community and experiential platform designed to provide owners with a unique experience of ‘Living the Ranger Life’  through a series of local adventures.

“This is a segment first in Malaysia where customers can make bookings via a digital platform. These specially curated outings aim to offer opportunities for customers, their friends and families to get together and build camaraderie with like-minded individuals while supporting domestic tourism that has been impacted by the pandemic,” said Turse Zuhair, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion-Ford.

Durian buffet coming up next

In June, the Ford Ranger Getaways will offer an off-road durian adventure to Penang. The 2-in-1 off-road course will begin at Ford Juru outlet on the mainland side and the participants will then head to Jeti Batu Musang at Batu Kawan (also on the mainland). There, they will have the chance to test the limits of their Rangers across various obstacles, with guidance from a professional driving instructor. These include water-wading, jungle track driving, light rock climbing and more.

After the 4×4 experience, they will then head to Green Acres Orchard at Balik Pulau, a well-known spot for durians on the island. Following a short tour of the orchard, the participants can then kick back and savour the all-you-can-eat durian buffet and a hearty lunch. The getaway package is priced at RM976 per vehicle (Rangers only, of course) for a recommended maximum of 4 persons per vehicle.

There will also be other destinations for the Ford Ranger Getaways, designed to let owners and their friends experience 4×4 off-roading as well as have an adventure. There is also one special package which will put them behind the controls of an Airbus A320. No, it won’t be a real one, but the simulator is said to give a very realistic experience and the route programmed is over the virtual skies of Kuala Lumpur.

For those who want the real thing, another package lets them become a pilot for a day. They will be in the cockpit of a small aircraft with a professional pilot guiding them and can get an aerial view of the nation’s capital from around 500 metres up under the guidance of a professional pilot.

To find out more about the Ford Ranger Getaways and to make a booking,
click here
.

‘Ford Ranger Getaways’ by SDAC-Ford provide owners with ways to enjoy their truck to the fullest


Nissan gets experts from the creators of Pac-Man to help develop better in-car sounds

While systems like Proton’s GKUI, Ford’s SYNC and the Mercedes-Benz MBUX can intelligently communicate with you and help you with your motoring nowadays, cars have been ‘speaking’ to drivers for a long time. This has been in the form of clicks, beeps, bells or buzzers, with the earliest sound was probably the clicking of the signal lights.

As time went on, other warning sounds were added. For example, if a passenger does not put the seatbelt on, a sound of some sort will provide a reminder. Or when the fuel level gets too low, there will be a warning so the driver will start looking for a petrol station. Japanese cars, from the 1970s, even had a chime that would sound when the speed passed 100 km/h.

In most cars, there is a seatbelt warning light on the instrument panel and usually a sound to remind the occupants that their seatbelt is not on when the vehicle starts moving.

Higher quality warning and reminder sounds

The familiarity of the sounds can be important so that virtually any driver will recognise their meaning. At the same time, they need to be ‘right’ so that the driver will respond in the correct way. While most companies use generic sounds, Nissan has teamed up with experts at the Bandai Namco Group to develop in-car sounds for the latest and future Nissan models such as the Rogue, Pathfinder, Note and Qashqai.

The Bandai  Namco Group is the entertainment company that developed videogame classics like Pac-Man and Tekken, and also the Gundam sci-fi military hobby items. Their expertise was called upon to help create a higher quality sound that uses pitch, tempo and tone to get information across. Ultimately, Nissan wants the ‘voice’ of its vehicles to have more personality and character.

Nissan is working with Bandai Namco, the creators of the Gundam characters and toys (and earlier, Pac-Man), to develop better sounds for use in future car models.

“We wanted to make it easier to understand the information in the car and provide an emotional tone so that people feel the Nissan brand,” said Hiroyuki Suzuki, Nissan’s lead engineer for in-car information sound design. “In game development, Bandai Namco’s sound creators develop sounds that simulate players’ intuitive understanding. We collaborated to create sounds that can help drivers have a similar intuitive understanding, in addition to creating sounds that will become synonymous with Nissan’s global models.”

Developing informational sounds

There is psychology involved in the design of informational sounds. And who knows better than the sound designers of videogames? “There are two types of sound in a game: one creates the world view of the story and express how it develops; the other is functional and absolutely vital for playing the game because they give you feedback or warn you of danger,” said Minamo Takahashi, the sound director at Bandai Namco Research Inc.

Latest Nissan Qashqai

Distinctly Nissan and functional

He notes that similar to gaming sounds, vehicle cabin alerts must convey important information without distracting the driver. But despite how realistic videogames have become, Takahashi said  there is still a big difference to making sounds that work in the real world. Working with the Nissan team, he developed sounds that are both distinctly Nissan and functional.

“It was a very intense process,” he revealed. “We stayed for days in the studio, had various discussions and went through trial-and-error with Nissan people from the sound engineering, product planning, design, and testing divisions to find out what kind of sound is suitable for the Nissan brand.”

Once the tones were created in line with the brand’s image, the next step was to create variations of the tones according to the urgency and seriousness of the information being conveyed to the driver. As Nissan’s ergonomics test engineer Miwa Nakamura explains: “Research has shown that urgency depends on the frequency of the sound, and that severity depends on the frequency itself. In order to intuitively understand what types of sounds are used, each sound is divided into functional groups and differentiated by tone.”

Besides creating a new signature sound, Nissan engineers also had to consider the devices being used to emit cabin alerts. When they realized that the monotone devices commonly used would not emit the more layered tones that Bandai helped produce, they had to find a solution.

“There is a limit to the expressiveness of those devices, so we developed a new speaker,” said Hato Hiroshi, a Nissan expert of vehicle system design. A new high-quality speaker fits under the dashboard close to the driver and is optimized for the new information soundscape in Nissan cars, making the important warning sounds distinctive from the sound from the audio speakers.

Through the partnership, Nissan engineers were able to get a new perspective from sound creators who make videogames. Meanwhile, the gaming experts enjoyed a new application of sound design.

“When I got in a car and listened to the sound coming out, I felt the same way I felt when first playing a game I worked on,” said Bandai Namco’s Takahashi. “Even if the industry is different, that sense of accomplishment when you reach your goal is the same.”

Click here for other news and articles about Nissan.


Shell Malaysia’s initiative helps small food businesses during Ramadan period

Shell Malaysia continues to find ways to help local communities in the areas where they operate. Its latest initiative,
#RamadanWithShell
, creates opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to sell their delicacies at Shell stations.

This nationwide initiative aims to support local and small-time food vendors by providing them an avenue to market their goods during this difficult time and to bring Ramadan local delicacies to customers at stations.

950 stations participating nationwide

Until May 23, 2020, customers will be able to purchase a variety of  Ramadan local delights such as Nasi Campur, Nasi Beriani, Asam Laksa, various selections of local Kuih, Murtabak, Bubur Lambuk, drinks and many other local delicacies at 950 Shell stations nationwide for takeaway. Apart from these pre-packed Ramadan delicacies, customers are also able to make it a combo along with Shell SELECT and deli2go favourite snacks and beverages at promotional prices, starting from as low as RM6.

Some of the items available at the stations

Siti Zubaidah, Shell Station retailer in Pontian, Johor, invited Azizah, a local vendor to sell her kuih at the station. “When I was informed about the #RamadanWithShell campaign, Azizah’s offering came to mind. Her spread of local kuih is delicious and I was extremely excited to provide her a platform to sell her Ramadan delicacies,” said Zubaidah.

“With the Movement Control Order which can make it difficult for small businesses like mine to thrive, this initiative by Shell is a welcome help as I am able to continue selling my kuih here at the Shell Station,” said Azizah, a single mother with 5 kids. “I am extremely thankful to Puan Zubaidah and Shell for inviting me to sell my selections of local kuih during this Ramadan month.”

Part-time vendor Mazlan and his 14-year-old son Mohd Alif Mazlan has been able to sell many bottles of sugarcane juice at a Shell station too. “In the beginning, we were rather worried for this year’s Ramadan. Every year, we would sell air tebu at the local Ramadan bazaar, and things looked bleak this year without the yearly Ramadan bazaar. Thankfully, with the Shell initiative, we are able to sell about 30-40 bottles a day at Shell Station Inderapura in Kuantan, Pahang. Thanks to Shell for helping us through this difficult time and providing us the avenue to promote our product.”

30% discount for Shell SELECT items

Aside from the local delicacies offered at Shell stations nationwide, 100 Shell stations are collaborating with Foodpanda to deliver selected Ramadan combos to customers’ doorsteps. During the promotion period, Shell SELECT customers who order through Foodpanda with the promo code ‘SHELLRAMADAN’ will enjoy 30% off for all Shell SELECT items in Pandamart, with a minimum purchase of RM15. (*Terms and Conditions apply)

“At Shell, our customers are at the heart of everything we do. Now more so than ever, with the uncertainties and unpredictability brought about by COVID-19, we need to hold steadfast to the values that define us as an organization and enables us to contribute back to Malaysians,” said Shairan Huzani Husain, MD of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd.

“Our latest initiative allows us to help our fellow Malaysians carry on conducting their businesses. We believe in doing things that matter and, at the same time, we try to make a difference in the lives of those we serve,” he added.

War Against COVID-19: Shell contributes to frontliners, the nation’s heroes


MIROS and Lazada Malaysia to work together on Child Restraint System Awareness

The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) and Lazada Malaysia today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together to raise awareness on the importance of child restraint systems (CRS) in reducing road fatalities. As part of the initiatives under the MoU, Lazada Malaysia has launched its Car Seat Assurance programme – a curation of CRS products on LazMall – which currently offers over 40 product models from 6 local and international brands.

Prices range from  RM100 to RM1,599 and Lazada gives assurance that each childseat bearing the Car Seat Assurance icon are sold by companies which have submitted to Lazada copies of UNR44 or UNR129 certificates (which are strict and comprehensive sets of child carseat safety regulations by the UN) as well as crash test reports. This product documentation has also been submitted to MIROS for further evaluation as part of an ongoing process to ensure that product safety is not compromised.

Compulsory use of child restraint systems, ie childseats, will come into effect from January 1, 2020. All childseats must meet the United Nations’ ECE R44/04 and ECE R129 specifications.

The Lazada Car Seat Assurance icon on the lower right corner is for products which are confirmed to meet the regulations that are based on UN standards. MIROS also reviews the documentation to ensure that product safety is not compromised.

“We are delighted to have Lazada on board to carry out this initiative which will contribute to the government’s objectives to reduce serious road traffic injuries and fatalities. Through the Lazada Car Seat Assurance programme, we hope to educate more parents on the importance of CRS use and choosing the appropriate CRS for their children which meets the requirements detailed in the Guidelines for Child Restraint System in Malaysia,” said Dr. Siti Zaharah Ishak, Director-General of MIROS.

“We also need to change the perception that regulation-compliant childseats are unaffordable and make it easier for Malaysians to purchase childseats from wherever they may be and accessible throughout Malaysia,” Dr. Siti added.

Visit
www.miros.gov.my
 to download a free copy of the MIROS guidelines on childseats.

During the first 6 months of 2020 when the law is in effect,
summonses will not be issued
 to motorists who do not place their small children in childseats. Enforcement officers will give warnings and advice instead. The firm decision to introduce the law comes from the fact that less than 30% of motorists have been found to provide childseats, while a MIROS study found that 31 out of 53 (58 per cent) children and infants died due to road accidents.

Child car seat: No summonses for first six months of 2020


#dropthetop: Ferrari SP3JC – A One-Off Offering Exclusive Open-Top V12 Motoring!

The latest
Ferrari
 one-off project, the
SP3JC
, has been officially consigned to its owner. Designed by the Ferrari Styling Centre, the SP3JC was commissioned by a Ferrari client and collector whose brief set out to create a pure, uncompromising roadster using the chassis and running gear of the
F12tdf
.

The sole one-off car to be commissioned on this limited-series special, the SP3JC is the maximum expression of open-air motoring, harking back to Ferrari’s epic V12-engined spiders of the 1950s and ‘60s. The striking one-off makes an important and individual styling statement and represents the outcome of over two years of intense work, with close involvement from the client throughout the process.

The SP3JC features a very muscular stance with dynamic sculpturing on the flanks designed to emphasise the front-engine layout, a distinctive air intake outline at the front, and a dramatic rear fascia with horizontal slashes contributing to a wider stance. The client’s passion for Pop Art is reflected in the strong graphics, and the unique combination of the Azzurro Met and Giallo Modena livery over the main Bianco Italia colour scheme underlines the car’s sensual volumes.

The sporting theme is reinforced by specific detailing such as split glass inserts on the bonnet to show off the
780cv V12 engine
, a flying bridge between the fairings of the integral carbon-fibre roll hoops and a brushed aluminium external fuel filler cap. The seats are trimmed in blue leather with a white insert. The blue leather extends to the lower dashboard and the colour is picked up in the contrasting stitching to the rest of the interior trim.


Audi designs first animated virtual car for movie

Audi has had a long and successful career in the movie franchise with some of the biggest names in cinematic history, especially in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Now, they’ve teamed up with Twentieth Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios to create the first-ever Audi animated virtual concept car for the latest animated film, Spies in Disguise.

Starring the very charismatic Will Smith and arguably the industry’s best Spider-Man actor, Tom Holland, the video below called “Lunchbreak” features the Audi RSQ e-tron concept car being driven in fully automatic mode by the characters played by Smith and Holland, super-spy Lance Sterling and scientist, Walter Beckett.

The short video features an intense car chase with the duo in the streets and underground shafts located in Washington, DC. The animated Audi concept car can be seen driving with full autonomous features and additional boost kick which are all being controlled by the Functions on-demand capabilities.

According to Sven Schuwirth, Vice President Brand Audi, Digital Business and Customer Experience, “The action-packed super-spy storyline provides us with a creative medium to showcase innovation and technology, and all that is possible with the future of mobility.” The movie will be playing in theatres around the glove starting Christmas 2019.

2020 Audi e-tron Sportback unveiled – all electric, all-wheel-drive, all awesome (w/VIDEO)


50 Years Of Aston Martin V8

In the early 1970s, Aston Martin was undergoing significant change as Sir David Brown sold it to a Company Developments Ltd. The change of ownership brought with it new optimism for the company’s future, but the engineering and design ethos of the David Brown era was also retained. This enabled the birth of the AM V8 as a successor to the DBS V8.

The DBS V8  had championed the use of Aston Martin’s first V8, which was the first new engine for more than 10 years, so the AM V8 was essentially a styling exercise. In place of the angular nose of the DBS was a more curvaceous, purposeful front end which gave a much more muscular look. Key to that new nose was the arrival of two 7-inch quartz iodine headlamps and a black mesh grille.

The return of a small open ‘power bulge’ on the bonnet; the ‘Coke-bottle’ flanks; and the use of Aston Martin V8 side strake badges completed the exterior styling revisions. That this same William Towns’ shape, in essence, would represent the Aston Martin ‘look’ for almost 2 decades shows the importance of its debut in 1972.

This first version of the 5.3-litre engined AM V8 retained the Bosch fuel injection system from the DBS V8, and while power and torque figures were not commonly quoted, it is believed that these cars were good for as much as 320 bhp, with around 490 Nm of torque. Mated to a ZF 5-speed manual gearbox or optional Chrysler Torqueflite 3-speed automatic, the early 1970s sportscar took around 6 seconds to go from standing still to 100 km/h and on to a top speed of about 260 km/h.

As was often the case in Aston Martin history, production numbers of these early cars were incredibly small by today’s standards. A mere 289 cars were built between April 1972 and July 1973. They were succeeded by cars with less complex Weber carburetion, the later cars also featuring larger bonnet scoops.

Numerous updated versions followed over the years, with the arrival of Volante in June 1978 for those seeking open top motoring. What united the cars, though, aside from their style, performance and exclusivity, was their luxury. The finest Connolly hides, sumptuous Wilton carpeting and, from the arrival of the ‘Oscar India’ cars, the use of burr walnut dashboard trim, were among the many features that defined these cars as luxury models.

Naturally enough, AM V8 saloons also had a proud club racing history and cars were entered by enthusiast owners in the UK as well as other countries.

The V8 Vantage
No AM V8 retrospective would be complete without reference to the original V8 Vantage. It was hailed at its 1977 introduction as ‘Britain’s first supercar’. It could outrun a Ferrari Daytona in the 0 -100 km/h sprint and, if pushed to the limit, it could record a top speed of 274 km/h. Critical to the huge performance leap of this Vantage was a significant upgrade to the V8 engine.

The carburettors were changed to the larger 48 IDF Weber which were fitted to revised inlet manifolds. Together with larger valves, revised exhaust manifolds, revised camshafts and a higher compression ratio, the engines were capable of 380 bhp. At the time, though, and with typical British modesty, the power output was described by Aston Martin simply as ‘adequate’.

The chassis was stiffened with adjustable Koni dampers, shortened springs and a larger front anti-roll bar. Wider 255/60 VR15 Pirelli CN12 tyres were fitted together with spacers to widen the track. The external modifications were clear, and aerodynamic in nature. The aim was to reduce lift at high speeds and a boot lid spoiler was added at the rear to generate downforce.

Reunited with James Bond
Towards the end of its reign, the AM V8 saloon, and corresponding V8 Volante, played another important part in Aston Martin history by reuniting the marque with its most famous ‘owner’ – James Bond.

In the 1987 film ‘
The Living Daylights’
 (Timothy Dalton was Bond in that movie), producers EON took the decision to return Bond to his familiar position behind the wheel of an Aston Martin using a V8 Volante that, through the magic of the movies, was ‘winterised’ into a V8 saloon by Q branch.

Like the car in ‘
Goldfinger
’, it has lots of gadgets – including a jet engine booster rocket! There were also retractable outriggers for use on snow and ice, and twin heat-seeking missiles. So iconic was the car’s appearance that, in the most recent film ‘
No Time To Die’
, Bond (Daniel Craig) was once again seen behind the wheel of his beloved V8.

Enduring appeal of the V8
Reflecting on the enduring appeal of the AM V8 in all its many forms over almost 2 decades of production, Aston Martin Works President, Paul Spires, said: “The 1970s were, in many ways, a testing time with social and economic unrest rife. Yet, through it all, we created the AM V8 which, today, is rightly seen as one of the jewels in our illustrious history. That so many of these big, brutish sportscars survive and thrive today is testament not only to their enduring appeal but also to the legion of owners, past and present, who have worked so hard with us to keep the cars running.”

“As all things 1970s seem, once again, to be back in fashion, it’s only right that we mark the 50th anniversary of one of our most desirable heritage models,” he said.

Lunaz turns 1960s Aston Martin DB6 into electric sportscar for more than US$1 million


DeLorean’s all-new electric sportscar revealed, but it won’t travel through time

Since being established in 1995, the modern DeLorean Motor Company (actually legally known as DeLorean Motors Reimagined LLC) has continued business associated with the famous stainless steel sportscar featuring gull-wing doors that appeared in ‘
Back to the Future’
 in 1985. While it’s done pretty well with the business, it has decided to also produce a brand new car and has been teasing this new model for the past few years.

Various teaser images have been released from time to time and even the design studio, ItalDesign, showed a darkened image of a sportscar with the gullwing doors, suggesting the model would be the DMC-12 reimagined for the 21
st
 century. Interestingly, ItalDesign (owned by Volkswagen since 2015) was founded in 1967 by Giorgetto Giugiaro who was the designer of the DMC-12.

Today, the company has released a number of images that show us the complete car, uncamouflaged, which will be known as the Alpha5. “The Alpha5 is a representation of the past 40 years of DeLorean,” said Troy Beetz, Chief Marketing Officer of DeLorean Motor Company. “There was this enormous responsibility to make sure we honoured the history of the DeLorean brand, but an even greater responsibility in curating its future…I think we did both with the Alpha5.”

Already confirmed earlier was the fully electric powertrain that the Alpha5 will have. The DMC-12, went on sale in 1981, had French engines (from Citroen and Peugeot) which were underpowered, but the performance hinted by DeLorean for the new car will allow it to take on electric sportscars like the
Porsche Taycan
.

It will be able to go from 0 to 100 km/h in around 3 seconds, with the top speed electronically limited to 250 km/h. As to whether it will have four or two driving wheels, that will be known later. For now, DeLorean will say it has a battery pack of 100+ kWh and will be able to go up to 480 kms. But for sure it will not be able to travel through time like the DMC-12 in the movie.

It would have been tempting for the designers to reimagine the DMC-12 more closely but the wedge form that was the in-thing in the 1980s would look dated today. So it is mainly the louvres at the back and the gullwing doors that connect to the past while the rest of the car is the typical sleek and aerodynamic form of sportscars today.

While the DMC-12 was futuristic in its day (and still is), it had poor quality with a lot of problems that owners had to live with. The Alpha5 should be a lot better built with modern manufacturing techniques and the strict safety regulations will also ensure that it has to be strong and have all the required safety systems.

From what
Autocar UK
 has learnt, the car will be built in Italy. Since ItalDesign can also handle low-volume manufacturing, perhaps they will make the car. The British magazine was also told that there will be 88 units offered initially and this particular number references the speed at which the DMC-12 as a time-travel machine could go back in time in the movie – 88 mph (142 km/h).

The global debut of the Alpha5 will be at the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance in California in August this year. However, production is expected to start only in 2024.

The Electric Mustang by Charge


All-new 7th generation Hyundai Elantra 1.6 launched with one variant only, priced from RM158,888

It’s not often that a new model arrives in Malaysia less than a year after it has its global debut. Often, the manufacturer may start with a lefthand drive model, or give priority to important markets like the domestic market or the USA. In the case of the all-new Hyundai Elantra, it’s been just 9 months since the 7th generation of the model was
introduced to the world from Hollywood
 – online. That’s the new normal for the auto industry, with a number of new models having their launches online due to restrictions in many countries.

But one of the reasons why Malaysia is able to get the new Elantra so quickly is that it is not assembled locally, unlike the generation before which was assembled at the Inokom factory in Kedah. This time round, Hyundai Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) decided to import CBU (completely built-up) from Korea and as the Elantra is one of the carmaker’s more successful global models, righthand drive variants are important enough to be available right from the start.

More models for this market

For some models, Hyundai has chosen not to develop RHD variants probably because of the smaller potential volumes than LHD. This has resulted in a ‘dry season’ for HSDM in the past few years but now it appears that things are picking up again, product-wise, with new models becoming available for this market.

We’ve already
described the new Elantra last week
 and today, the only thing to report is the price which has been announced as
RM158,888
 (private registration in Peninsular Malaysia, excluding insurance and 5% sales tax exempted till December 31, 2020). There is only one variant available for now and the price is said to be an introductory one. The warranty is 5 years long, or a maximum of 300,000 kms, which would be good for those who are high-mileage drivers.

“The new Elantra is a game-changer, not just in its looks but the entire package that comes with it. Its sporty elegant look that comes with a high-tech premium interior and Hyundai’s Smartsense features make it an unbeatable C-segment car in its class,” said Low Yuan Lung, MD of Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors.

Return to the 1.6-litre size

The 7th generation Elantra comes with a powertrain from the Smartstream family and where the engine size was 2 litres before, it is now 1.6-litres, the same as when the Elantra first appeared in the 1990s. Back then, even with 16 valves, EFI and all that, the output was 114 ps with 139 Nm of torque. The Smartstream G1.6 MPi engine in today’s Elantra produces 123 ps and 154 Nm, thanks to many advances in engine technology that improve efficiency.

And where the driver of the 1992 Elantra had basically one engine ‘map’ for its tuning, the Smartstream engine has 4 different programs that the driver can choose, according to personal preference or driving conditions. For instance, acceleration can be prioritized by selecting the Sport mode while fuel consumption can be lower with the Eco mode. There’s also a Comfort mode for relaxed cruising and a Smart mode where the computer makes decisions based on driving style and conditions. Basically, it’s like having 4 different engines in the engine bay!

Better than a conventional CVT

The powertrain also has an advanced
Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT)
 developed by the Hyundai Motor Group. It’s better than a CVT while keeping the benefits of the CVT. It also eliminates the ‘rubber band feel’ of CVTs and reproduces the manual transmission’s shifting pattern to give better responsiveness.

Rather than having no set gear speed (as in CVTs), the driver can also take advantage of the virtual gear speeds generated by the IVT as needed, which do a great job in approximating the fun feel of the manual transmission.

The new Elantra rides on a new platform and its overall length has been increased while the roofline is marginally lower. Though seemingly minor, the small increases have enabled the designers to change the appearance of the car without encroaching on cabin space.

Unconventional design language

The coupe-like form is sportier and incorporates a design language called ‘Parametric Dynamics’. The language has elements not commonly used by car designers, so it gives the new Elantra a ‘disrupter-spirit’ image. With Parametric Dynamics, there is an intricate design of geometric crystals cut and divided body surfaces with the clever usage of line patterns.

Aircraft cockpit theme

The interior has been designed with an aircraft cockpit for the driver’s area. A large interface consisting of two connected expansive touchscreen displays will give that sort of feel. While there is no Head Up Display (HUD) like a fighter jet, the TFT LCD Supervision cluster provides a lot of information about the car’s operation, including the air pressure in each tyre. The meter display is available in three different presentations, each giving more emphasis on certain information.

The 8-inch infotainment system displays a wide variety of useful information and has Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity as well as multi-connection Bluetooth support which allows for two devices to be paired at the same time (one for phone calls and one for streaming audio).

Hyundai SmartSense

The Elantra is also very well equipped with safety systems and features, with a number of them integrated in the SmartSense suite. These are driver-assistance systems such as forward collision/autonomous emergency braking, Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Smart Cruise Control,           Lane Keep Assist  and Lane Following Assist and even Leading Vehicle Departure Alert.

The sensors for the Blind Spot monitor are also used for the Safe Exit Warning whereby the occupant can receive a warning when opening the door if there is a vehicle approaching on the side. There is also a monitor on the driver’s actions and the Driver will be alerted if found to be driving in an unsafe way.

Click here for other news and articles about Hyundai.


Proton’s ‘1 Tank Adventure’ invites owners to experience the sights, sounds and cuisine of Malaysia while driving economically

Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, many fuel economy runs were organized by clubs and leading car companies would participate to demonstrate how economically their models could run. However, on the matter of fuel consumption, most Malaysian motorists didn’t seem to take much interest as the price of petrol was low. So, before long, economy runs faded out but for the car companies, there were other selling points to promote.

Now Proton is reviving the economy run activity with new approaches. The inaugural edition of the event that was known as the
‘1 Tank Adventure’
 last year focused mainly on routes in Peninsular Malaysia but the 2019 competition will feature 2 rounds in East Malaysia (one each in Sabah and Sarawak). The Grand Final will see participants embark on a journey from Kota Bharu to Johor Bharu using just a single tank of fuel.

This second running of the
‘1 Tank Adventure
’ invites Proton owners to experience the sights, sounds and cuisine of Malaysia while driving economically. It will commence on September 14, 2019 with 3 preliminary rounds and a Grand Final. The participants will consist of owners of the 2019 Proton Iriz, Persona and Saga as well as invited media members and celebrities. Over RM100,000 worth of prizes are waiting to be won this year.

Scenes from last year’s event

Demonstrate real-world fuel efficiency

One of the main aims of the ‘
1 Tank Adventure
’ is to demonstrate the real-world fuel efficiency of the current range of Proton cars. Participants will be required to drive their cars over a variety of roads and traffic conditions to deliver fuel economy figures that can be replicated by other owners on a daily basis.

“Proton would like to demonstrate the efficiency of our cars by embarking on some epic journeys around the country. These figures won’t be obtained in a controlled environment but in driving conditions owners experience every day. Ultimately, we will prove the current range of Proton cars can deliver fuel economy figures that will help keep running costs low,” said Dr. Li Chunrong, Proton’s CEO.

Showcasing improvements

The ‘
1 Tank Adventure
’ will also showcase the improvements Proton made to the Iriz, Persona and Saga, models updated and launched in 2019. From incorporating the ‘
Hi PROTON!
’ voice command system, improving build quality, adding Internet connectivity and creating a variant with the most comprehensive safety equipment list for a car priced below RM40,000, each model has a unique set of characteristics to appeal to its target market.

As in last year’s event, the participants will get to experience the driving dynamics of the latest models

Additionally, the participants will get to test the dynamic capabilities of the cars during driving sessions held at each round. They will perform maneuvers in a safe and controlled environment and for many, it will be the first time they experience the limits of tyre adhesion. The aim of the exercise is to show the participants what their own cars are capable of, thus reinforcing the message about Protons having class-leading dynamics.

“We would like to use the ‘
1 Tank Adventure
’ to remind Malaysians there are many factors to consider when buying a car. Proton has updated its entire range in 2019 and this is a great opportunity to travel around the country to show everyone the result of our hard work. With revised styling, improved quality, better handling and ride comfort as well as higher equipment levels and value for money, we have models to suit every budget and need,” added Dr. Li.

For more information and updates on the event, visit
www.proton.com
.

For other articles and news about Proton in PISTON.MY,
click here
.