REVIEWED: Kia Optima GT 2.0 T-GDI [+Video]

Would you believe that the Kia Optima GT has air-conditioned seats? Hard to imagine a car in this segment having such a feature, but I guess it came part and parcel in its CBU form, which also boasts a heated steering-wheel. No, really, I tried it, and it works…

Now apart from the
Kia Stinger
, which we featured
here
 taking on a Porsche and BMW, Kia isn’t really a brand known for making exciting cars, I mean seriously, can you remember back in the year 2000 when Kia debuted the Optima looking like this?

Fast-forward to 2018, and now it looks like this:

Quite an amazing transformation over the last couple of decades wouldn’t you say? You can thank Peter Schreyer for that. But you know what, it’s not just in the way the car looks that’s mind-blowing, it’s the whole package really…

Powering the Optima GT is a 2.0-litre turbocharged gasoline direct-injection engine (T-GDI) with three drive-modes (Normal, Eco & Sport) that churns out a whopping
252bhp
 and
350Nm
 of torque, sent to the front wheels via a torque-converter
6-speed
 auto-tranny with paddle-shifts. This allows the Optima GT to complete the
0-100kmh
 sprint in
7.4sec
.

The icing on the cake though, is the ‘manufactured’ engine note, that comes off sounding more like an old-school burbling V8 than an in-line four. This raspy and rumbling sound, clearly audible from the cabin, can be suppressed by selecting the
‘Eco’
 drive-mode, but becomes even more pronounced when
 ‘Sport’
 mode is selected.

It’s a brilliant car to drive, and here’s a short video of my take on it:

Perhaps the only downside to this car is its price tag. Coming in at around
RM175,000
 on the road without insurance, it falls squarely in Teana, Camry and Accord territory, and those 3 have dominated D-seg sales for the longest time haven’t they? Rhetorical question.

The funny thing is though, I reckon Kia knew this full well; I mean who wouldn’t know the market they’re trying to penetrate right? And yet, here it is, the Optima GT. It’s a lot of money to pay for an Optima, or even a Kia for that matter, a brand that has nowhere near the presence and steadfast-solid reputation of the aforementioned
Big Three
.

But maybe it’s exactly that bravado, that unabashed gall to even think of taking on the Big Three that sets this car apart from the rest. It had to be different, and it is.
Unapologetically
 so.

There’s no denying it looks very good, but it also goes really well and offers the kind of NVH suppression that’s right up there with the best of them. And it also has the plus point of being absolutely, unbelievably bonkers when it comes to sheer power.

I doubt it’ll sell in vast numbers, and maybe it shouldn’t, for it’s own sake.

Being exclusive and brilliantly, unabashedly different in a segment that’s bordering on staid, the Kia Optima GT certainly stands out head and shoulders above the rest. –
Chris Wee.

Kia Optima GT 2.0 T-GDI Photo Gallery…


Putrajaya Gets Serious About Airlines Sticking To Flight Schedules; Penalties Considered

Most airlines take pride in being able to depart airports on time, as scheduled. Passengers are entitled to expect this and while technical problems that cause delays are understandable – no one would like to fly with a known engine problem – cancellations of flights are likely to be human problems that can surely be addressed.

Unfortunately, meeting scheduled times appears to be something the airlines of Malaysia seem to aspire to as can be seen from the numerous complaints in the media. Thousands of passengers are inconvenienced each year due to flights being cancelled suddenly or rescheduled, and if they are entitled to compensation, the refund process is very frustrating.

This issue was mentioned by the hardworking Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, in response to a query by Tuaran MP, Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, on what measures are being taken by the government to put a halt to the common occurrences of flight rescheduling.

The minister said that a proposal to penalise airlines that do not abide by their flight schedules is under consideration by the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) which is the body responsible for regulating economic and commercial matters relating to civil aviation.

The schedules set can related to the airline’s licence and permit conditions and a fine imposed when those conditions are not met. “Stern action like this can be taken to ensure that instances of flight cancellations or rescheduling do not persist,” Mr. Loke said in a written parliamentary reply, adding that the suggestion is part of Putrajaya’s efforts to ensure airlines always stick to their schedules.

Mr. Loke noted that, on January 5 this year, MAVCOM had already reminded all airlines to improve their handling of flight delays and cancellations and to improve their communication with passengers while attending to the care and needs of passengers in line with the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code 2016 (MACPC).

The Transport Minister said companies that postpone or cancel any flights due to technical issues or unsatisfactory capacity must compensate passengers within 30 days or offer alternative flights. “If an airline fails to comply with MACPC, MAVCOM can impose a financial penalty of not more than RM200,000, with any ensuing offence to be punished with 10 times the penalty issued the first time,” he said.

Picture yourself on a tropical adventure in the Great Barrier Reef, or an exquisite culinary experience in Italy, or a historical tour in Egypt. Come explore the world! Join the Monthly Travel Bonanza 2023! Spend a minimum of RM30 at participating BHPetrol stations and stand a chance to win great prizes every month! Exclusive for BHPetrol eCard app members only.

From the many complaints on social media, it would appear that airlines do provide alternative flights (eventually) when scheduled flights are cancelled. It’s unknown how much is actually paid to passenger in compensations but Mr. Loke said that airlines have paid RM4.72 million in penalties to MAVCOM for failure to abide by the MACPC between 2019 and January 2023.

“As part of the ongoing effort to improve the consumer protection code, MAVCOM is currently in the process of improving the MACPC based on user feedback and important lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr. Loke said. He expects the entire process will be completed during the second quarter of this year.

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


Isuzu Malaysia to expedite delivery of new vehicles to customers

As the country continues to transition towards the recovery phase of the pandemic, Isuzu Malaysia is doing its best to fulfil customer orders, particularly those that were placed before the Movement Control Order (MCO) came into effect in March. Efforts are underway to ensure vehicles are speedily processed from the plant in Pekan, Pahang to be dispatched to dealerships around the country.

The company had received some 300 orders for various Isuzu D-Max models but as movements were restricted and the JPJ also closed its branches so registration and application for roadtax could not be done, customers could not get their vehicles.

Isuzu vehicles for the Malaysian market are assembled at its plant in Pekan, Pahang.

“While our customers do understand the circumstances for the delay, we empathise that during these trying times, our customers require Isuzu vehicles even more as these robust and versatile trucks play a key role in keeping them moving dependably and efficiently. It is therefore our aim to ensure that customers are able to take delivery of their new Isuzu D-Max pick-up trucks as quickly as possible,” said the Chief Operating Officer of Isuzu Malaysia, Masayuki Suzuki.

No procedures at dealerships

At the dealerships, a new delivery process has been put in place to ensure customers and staff are well-protected in line with the government’s call to effectively curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Standard operating procedures include a temperature record of every staff member prior to the start of each work day, compulsory use of surgical masks, disinfecting of all touch-points in the outlets three times daily, while demonstration vehicles and customer vehicles are disinfected after each human contact.

All visitors to Isuzu outlets are also required to have their temperatures while hand sanitizing liquid and if required, a face mask, will be made available at all facilities. Customers collecting their new vehicles will be informed of the delivery dates by their sales advisor and provided an appointed time of the hand-over in order to avoid crowding or prolonged exposure in the outlet.

“The procedures in the Isuzu Delivery System have been revised somewhat to incorporate the recommendations of the Malaysian government where dealing with the pandemic is concerned. We remain mindful that customers will continue to seek high-value Isuzu vehicles to serve their daily needs thus we endeavour to create the most conducive and safe environment for prospects, customers and our frontline teams,” added Mr. Suzuki.

Warranty extension

Isuzu vehicle owners whose vehicle warranties were to have expired during the MCO period will automatically enjoy a further 30-day extension from May 13, 2020 while those whose vehicles were also overdue for scheduled maintenance during this period can rest assured that their warranty will not be affected by the delay.

Customers intending to bring their vehicles in for service are advised to make prior appointments with their respective Isuzu Authorised Service Centres as each outlet is operating according to CMCO regulations in their respective states. They now practice social distancing and therefore have to limit the daily intakes based on the capacity of the individual service facility.

To arrange for viewing or test drive of Isuzu vehicles, customers may make an appointment via
Isuzu Malaysia’s Facebook page
.

Isuzu Dura Miles Challenge shows fuel efficiency of 1.9-litre Blue Power engine


You can now control a Genesis through the Google Assistant

Genesis has teamed up with Google to provide better flexibility to its customers. Through the Genesis Connected services that have now been integrated with the voice automated Google Assistant, owners can now access vehicle functions through their smartphone.

The functions include Remote Start with Climate Control, Destination Search powered by Google, Remote Door Lock/Unlock and Stolen Vehicle Recovery, send a destination to the car’s navigation system and remotely activate the horn and lights.

Through the use of the Genesis app, the system works with the Google Assistant to allow control of various functions with simple voice commands or smartphone keyboard inputs. This would make it a lot more convenient for those who are always in a hurry.

Owners are able to send commands to their Genesis vehicles with the following methods:

Voice commands via the Assistant on Google Home

Voice commands via the Google Assistant on eligible Android phones or iPhones

Text commands via the Google Assistant on a smartphone

There’s nothing revolutionary about this tech, because the Genesis connected services has been around for a while. It’s only recently that the system has been integrated with Google’s ever useful voice assistant. And its method of operation is rather simple.

A link was developed by Genesis engineers to allow for the cross communication between its services and that belonging to Google. Once a customer has successfully linked his or her account, Remote Service commands can be sent to Genesis vehicles after the Google Assistant prompts owners for their Personal Identification Number (PIN).

Once connected, interaction is as simple as saying, “Ok, Google” via your smartphone or Google Home, and asking the assistant to start your car, as depicted in the following image:

The image below demonstrates using the Assistant on phones by locating and sending destinations directly to the Genesis navigation system:

If you are unable to use voice commands, especially in crowded places, the Genesis app allows you to type the commands via the Google Assistant interface on your smartphone. The following image shows how easy it is for to lock your vehicle:

Genesis is showcasing these new features along with the recently launched Genesis Virtual Guide during a demo at the second annual WIRED Store in Santa Monica from August 23 through September 4, 2017.


Mercedes-Benz Project Gelandewagen –  the SUV as never seen before

‘Gelandewagen’ (and also ‘G-Wagen’) was a reference name to the 4×4 vehicle that Mercedes-Benz launched in 1979 which would evolve into the G-Class in the 21
st
 century. It is also the name of the first outcome of a collaboration that is a first of its kind between Mercedes-Benz and Chief Creative Director and Founder of Off-White and Men’s Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton, Virgil Abloh.

Conceptual design project

Project Gelandewagen, a conceptual design project led by Mercedes-Benz Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener and Abloh, used the Mercedes-Benz G-Class to explore ways of disrupting future perceptions of luxury. The result is a distinctive manifestation of the SUV as never seen before.

Compelled to support the arts at a critical time, a replica of the design piece will be auctioned as part of Sotheby’s Contemporary Curated, one of the auction house’s most revered series which is defined by the unique perspective of a different influential tastemaker each year, with all proceeds going to a charity that supports international creative communities. Advance bidding will begin on September 14th, 2020.

In support of creative communities

Describing Project Gelandewagen as perfectly encapsulating Mercedes-Benz’s manifestation of contemporary luxury, pushing creativity and innovative design, Bettina Fetzer, Vice-President Marketing at Mercedes-Benz AG, said: “Culture and the arts have always played an important part in both Mercedes-Benz products and the brand, and we are proud to donate all proceeds of the replica auction to support international creative communities to continue their education in the arts.”

“With Project Gelandewagen, we create a unique artwork that showcases future interpretations of luxury and the desire for beauty and the extraordinary. The result is something between reality and future,” said Wagener. “The collaboration with Virgil has seen two distinct design philosophies unite, for a one-of-a-kind re-imagination of the G that continues to celebrate the extraordinary at its core.”

G-Class racing car

From a 4×4 to a Landaulet, the G-Class has had many incarnations to date, but never a racing car – until now. The finished design simultaneously never forgets its point of origin and captures the experience of a racing car.

The design process was inspired by Wagener and Abloh owning and experiencing the G-Class first-hand and identifying opportunities for maximizing its Mercedes-AMG attitude. Together, they considered how to make the viewer look at the brand’s designs with a fresh perspective, while driving luxury away from a polished and flawless aesthetic to something raw, natural and altogether more honest.

The exterior is kept as clean as possible to emphasize the iconic silhouette of the G-Class, demonstrating its monolithic character. The final design lays its construction methods bare, and celebrates the handcrafted imperfections that make it unique. The paintwork was partially sanded by hand to create a sense of timeless simplicity.

Welds are celebrated as key design motifs, as craftsmanship takes centre stage. The indicators, outside mirrors and the bumper bar have all been removed and the body of the car widened and lowered, for a sportier effect. The distinct personality of the G-wagen remains intact, with an exaggeration of the tyres and spare wheel.

Inside the art piece, reduction reigns and the racing inspiration is clear. All interior areas have been stripped back, and the safety frame becomes a central motif. The dashboard is removed and replaced with a clean, reduced version that incorporates an analogue speedometer and fuel gauges, reminiscent of a classic car.

This contrasts with the steering wheel and seats, which are more akin to a Formula 1 racing car. Safety features and key racing elements, such as the safety frame or the 5-point seatbelts are highlighted in baby blue and bright red tones. These strong accent colours create a new kind of colour grouping, and contrast against the bare interior.

Mercedes-AMG G 63

The other side of the BRABUS business – armoured SUVs


All-new 5th Generation Honda City launched – but hybrid variant comes later

After a month-long teaser campaign, the all-new Honda City in its 5
th
 generation is officially launched for sale. In spite of the current mood of uncertainty due to the pandemic, there are already some 5,000 people who have put their money down for one and no doubt, the number will grow now that the new model is in showrooms.

The highlight of the teaser campaigns has been the new City RS e:HEV variant, which has a hybrid powertrain. Having been the first company to assemble a hybrid model locally, Honda Malaysia continues to offer it in the City with a new 2-motor hybrid system powered by intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD). Malaysia is the first country in the world to launch the RS e:HEV variant and the honour is partly because this market accounts for 40% of the hybrid vehicles Honda has sold in its Asia & Oceania region.

However, if you’re keen to get one, it’s not available right away and deliveries will only start in January 2021. So while shouting a lot about it, Honda Malaysia is not revealing its price yet but you can book one if you want and be among the first owners.

Since the hybrid model won’t be here for a few more months, we’ll focus on the other three variants first and then go back to it. As before, the variants are S, E and V, all with a 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine with a DOHC and 16-valve cylinder head. Output from this proven engine is 121 ps/145 Nm which goes through a CVT to the front wheels.

Until the end of this year, the prices will be exempted from 10% sales tax. After that, if there is no extension of the exemption, they will revert to the prices as shown below (without insurance).

Honda City 1.5S: RM76,800 | Honda City 1.5E: RM84,800 | Honda City 1.5V: RM89,800

The platform has essentially the same elements as before although, in the spirit of kaizen (constant improvement), there would be improvements in materials and engineering to increase efficiency and comfort.

ASEAN NCAP 5-star rating

The latest City has already been tested by
ASEAN NCAP
 and given the maximum rating of 5 stars, which is not surprising. Besides its strong and protective body structure, the car also has a comprehensive range of safety systems that will help the driver avoid accidents and in the 1.5V, six airbags to provide cushioning during a severe accident.

While virtually all cars today come with reverse sensors to help during parking, Honda Malaysia also includes a reverse camera in all three variants. Unlike many reverse camera systems which present only a single image, the one in the City can show three angles – wide, normal and top-down. The different views aid proper positioning of the car in a bay so it won’t appear in some social media post as an example of poor parking.

Same functionality, practicality

Inside, the new City maintains the same functional and practical layout with improvements in the quality of materials. There’s an extra 111 mm in overall length which has been put to good use by improving rear legroom while an additional 54 mm in the overall width should also do something for lateral comfort.

The standard equipment is quite extensive although the cheapest 1.5S variant does not have cruise control nor paddle shifters, and the air-conditioning system requires manual managements. However, all variants now have ducting to the rear so more cool air can reach the passengers.

The  1.5E and 1.5V variants also have Remote Engine Start which allows starting the engine before you even open the doors. While modern engines don’t really need to warm up before moving off, being able to start the engine remotely means that the air-conditioning can be activated to cool down the interior.

The audio system is a standard type on the 1.5S but 1.5E and 1.5V come with an 8-inch display panel that looks like a tablet was stuck on the centre of the dashboard. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are provided so smartphones can be easily linked and apps transferred to the display. For ease of operation, the icons on the display are large so they will be easy to select. Management of the audio system can be done using switches on the steering wheel.

Honda continues to use rotary dials for the air-conditioning system which is actually better than other methods. With rotary dials, adjustments can be easily done even without looking, certainly better than having the settings done via a touchscreen.

For those who need to recharge their devices, there are two USB ports, along with a 12V plug-in power outlet. Both are located at the front but, strangely rear passengers get two 12V sockets, (located  below the air-conditioner vents) instead of USB ports which would be more useful.

Evolutionary styling

The styling of the new City can be considered evolutionary with a sleeker profile as a result of the lower roofline. The front end has also been completely restyled with slimmer headlights. Those on the 1.5V are LEDs and all variants come with LED daytime running lights that also provide a distinctive visual ‘signature’. The rear lighting units on all variants are all LEDs, which has given more design flexibility.

The City RS e-HEV

As this variant won’t be available until January 2021, we’ll just provide an overview for now and tell you more in detail when the car actually goes on sale. As mentioned earlier, the RS e:HEV variant is a world-first with its intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) powertrain.

This electrified powertrain is an advanced hybrid powertrain with 2 motors and an Electric Continuous Variable Transmission (e-CVT). Together with a 1.5-litre petrol engine, the i-MMD powertrain can generate up to 253 Nm of torque, an exceptional output for its size. Maximum power output is 108 ps which can take the City beyond 170 km/h and yet consume fuel at a claimed rate of 26.5 kms/litre.

The fuel efficiency comes from intelligent use of the two power units, alternating between three driving modes of
EV Drive
,
Hybrid Drive
 and
Engine Drive. There are no paddle shifters but there are
 Deceleration Selector Paddles that allow the driver to slow down while also getting power regeneration to recharge the battery pack.

The RS variant will have a sportier interior with Ultrasuede upholstery and Red Stitching as well as  Sport Pedal Pads. The instrument panel also uses a 7-inch TFT screen to display a wide range of information to the driver.

To enhance the appeal of the City RS, it will be offered with Honda SENSING, a suite of driver assistance systems that are the most advanced in its class. Using a front wide view camera mounted on the windscreen, it can adjust the cruising speed, identify pedestrians and even cyclists and warn the driver or activate the brakes, if necessary. The system can also help to keep the car within its lane and alert the driver if there is wandering off the lane (or even road). Also included is an automatic high-beam system which switches to low beam if there is an oncoming vehicle so as not to dazzle the driver.

Honda LANEWATCH, which was first offered in the Accord, now reaches the City and will be available in the RS variant. This innovative feature provides the driver with a view of the blind spot on the left side of the car by using a small camera mounted below the left door mirror. The display appears whenever the signal light switch is activated. The good thing about this approach is that the driver does not have to turn the head much to see the display at the centre of the dashboard, as opposed to looking for a warning light on the door mirror.

As with other models, Honda Malaysia also offers Modulo accessories specially for the new City. There are 4 packages to suit different requirements with prices starting from RM3,007. The cost can be included in the financing of the car and therefore repaid over a number of years… something which no accessory shop would give you.

Test-drive and viewing of the new City can be done at all authorised Honda dealerships nationwide (although some may be subject to specific MCO conditions). To locate a dealership, visit
www.honda.com.my
.

Honda Insurance Plus plan upgraded with more benefits


MINI Malaysia Reintroduces The Clubman “Sterling Edition” @ RM268,888

MINI Malaysia has announced the return of the MINI Clubman Sterling Edition, with only
40 units
 available exclusively online for booking at
mini.my/clubman-sterling
. The purposefully made, limited edition MINI with unprecedented aesthetics brimming with serene elegance, now features new premium technology to further maximize the driving experience for those who truly appreciate exclusivity.

Introducing the New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition, Mr. Han Sang Yun, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia said, “It was a first in the Malaysian automotive industry when we introduced the New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition exclusively online and we are pleased to see the successful delivery of all 20 units. Within less than two weeks of its introduction, the limited edition MINI was fully booked online thus proving that Malaysians appreciate the exclusivity of exceptionally well-made premium cars.

Because of the successful response, the New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition will make a comeback in celebration of the New Year, and with new technology for an even more unique experience. Indeed, the limited edition MINI has excited and made its mark in the premium compact segment and will continue to do so.”

The New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition will once again be exclusively available for booking online at mini.my/clubman-sterling beginning 11
th
 January 2018. Once the flash sale goes live, customers will have to keep their eyes peeled for the right time to book their limited New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition. This is done by filling up the booking form on the page and making the booking fee payment when the time is right.

More on the Clubman Sterling – Exclusives.
The New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition exudes characteristics of a modern gentlemen who is chivalrous, sophisticated and confident. This is realized through the exclusive Melting Silver body colour with subtle Matte Black Jack mirror caps and roof décor. This is complemented by Black Union Jack symbols located at the side scuttles as well as bespoke 18” MINI Yours Masterpiece wheels in burnish black.

Inside, the New Precious Metal wears a combination of Indigo Blue and Pure Burgundy tones. While seated on supple seats in luxurious Chester Leather upholstery in Indigo Blue, drivers and passengers will also enjoy the MINI Yours Illuminated Interior in Pure Burgundy. This premium ambience is further enhanced with the ability to choose from 12 pre-set colours to the trims, fitting to whatever the mood and liking of the driver and passengers. Additionally, the driver will enjoy the MINI Yours Walknappa Leather steering wheel, a representation of the best in British craftsmanship. The bottom of the steering wheel is also adorned with the signature Union Jack insignia.

Further maximizing the exclusive experience of the New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition is the MINI Navigation System with a high resolution 6.5” screen in the MINI Centre Instrument. This houses state-of-the-art technology and puts a wealth of navigation information at the driver’s fingertips, easily operated via the MINI Controller. The Parking Assist function, which automatically steers the car into parallel parking spaces as well as the Rear View Camera, which eases reversing in and out of tight spots are some of the premium technology maximizing the experience of driving a MINI.

Owners of the New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition will also enjoy MINI Connected, a state-of-the-art infotainment system featuring over 30 million songs streamed live to the car. The 6.5” high resolution LCD also presents an intuitive Spotify Interface on top of the standard readings such as current fuel consumption, current fuel range and last known locations which can also be viewed on the MINI Connected phone app.

The latest generation of MINI Touch Screen Display is the new highlight of the New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition. It supports multi-touch with pinch to zoom in functionality for maps and typing. The clean and modern user interface also features brand new animations.

MINI Roadside Assistance.
The New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition is covered by MINI Malaysia’s 5 Years Roadside Assistance program, available for all new MINI vehicles with a comprehensive list of services that include a 24-Hour, 365-days-a-year Accident and Help on the Phone and On the Spot Hotline, Free Towing Services and when needed (over 200KM from residential home), Replacement Vehicle, Accommodation, Mobility Services Solutions as well as Repatriation services.

The MINI Roadside Assistance program can be accessed by contacting
1800-88-8808.

The New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition arrives with the MINI 4-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service. The estimated retail price (on the road for personal registration, without insurance) is
RM 268,888.00.


Proton Perdana wins Malaysian Good Design Mark Award

The Proton Perdana has won the Malaysian Good Design Mark award by the Malaysian Design Council (MDC). It was given to the Perdana for the Public Areas and Transportation Products category. The award was presented by YB Datuk Wira Dr Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology & Innovation to PROTON Deputy Chief Executive Officer, YBhg Dato’ Radzaif Mohamed at the event in the Shah Alam Convention Centre.

The award is a design recognition proagmme by the Malaysian government under the MDC. The objective is to recognize local industries that excel at providing quality and innovative products through research and development. The car was chosen for the award due to its overall design and capabilities which were developed and manufactured in Malaysia.

“We are encouraged to receive the recognition from the Malaysia Design Council for the Perdana. A great deal of effort has been put into developing the car and I dedicate this recognition to those talented men and women who had invested their “talent” into the Perdana project. Proton still has a lot of areas that it can improve on and this award will provide further impetus for Proton to work harder to provide better designed and engineered cars to its customers,” said Dato’ Ahmad Fuaad Kenali, Chief Executive Officer of Proton.

Based on the eighth generation Honda Accord, the Perdana which was launched on 14th June 2016 is Proton’s D-segment offering for the Malaysian market. It features the same powertrain and suspension setup as it’s Honda equivalent but has a redesigned exterior and interior.

This isn’t Proton’s first time winning such an award, the Satria Neo and Persona won similar awards by MDC in 2007 and the Iriz did the same in 2014. So, if you are interested to know more about Proton’s current offerings, visit the automaker’s website or your nearest showroom.


Proton’s cumulative sales volume higher than 2019 in spite of MCO shutdown

When automotive historians look back on 2020, it will be regarded as a dark period for the industry. Factories had to shut down for long periods, along with showrooms, and sales came to a standstill for a couple of months. It was an unprecedented situation; even during the worst recessions, business still continued.

However, it appears that the industry is recovering steadily and where the Malaysian market is concerned, the Total Industry Volume of new vehicles sold exceeded 50,000 units for the second month in a row. That’s partly due to the government exempting sales tax, which lowers the retail price, but there would also have been people who had to defer their purchases in March and April.

Market share estimated at 21.7%

For Proton, things have been going well with yet another great month – its second best – in August. During the month, 11,378 units were sold, an improvement of 24.7% over the same month in 2019. With this volume, the brand’s market share for the month is forecast at 21.6% while its year-to-date market share is estimated to be 21.7%.

With 61,672 sales so far in 2020, Proton‘s cumulative sales volume after 8 months is 46 units ahead of the same period from the previous year. The achievement is particularly noteworthy as sales in March, April and May were affected by the Movement Control Order (MCO).

The company also states that three of its models were sales leaders in their respective segments although we wonder how they determine that when the official data for individual model sales of other brands is not released. In any case, the powerful Competition Commission makes it an offence to share such information. This was declared some years back with the Competition Commissioner saying that if such data is shared by the industry, ‘the prices of spare parts will go up’. As a result, the Malaysian Automotive Association stopped releasing model sales data and the data can only be made public 12 months later.

“Proton is pleasantly surprised by how quickly we have been able to recover the lost sales during the MCO period, as it only took us three months to get back on track. By exceeding our YTD volume in August 2019, we are quietly confident of recovery from the headwinds of COVID-19. The positive effect this has on the company, our employees and the vendor community cannot be understated and we hope to continue this trend until the end of the year so as to give the automotive industry ecosystem a strong boost,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.

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

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


Hyundai Kona Electric to be available later this month, with pricing expected to be under RM150,000

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has been quick to respond to the exemption of all import and excise duties for electric vehicles (EVs) announced just last Friday by the government for the proposed 2022 Budget. The exemption will certainly make fully electric vehicles more affordable, hopefully spurring interest among Malaysians to switch to them.

The Kona Electric has a different front end from the version with a combustion engine (below) as there is no need for the traditional grille since there is no radiator to cool.

More attractive pricing without taxes

Later this month, HSDM will begin selling the Hyundai Kona Electric, the fully electric version of the
Kona SUV already sold in Malaysia
 since April this year. With the exemptions (normally a privilege given to royalty and diplomats), the model is expected to cost less than RM150,000 in standard form. This compares favourably with the version using a 2-litre Smartstream petrol engine that are priced at RM119,888 and RM136,888 (without insurance and 50% exemption on sales tax).

Customers will have a choice of two lithium-ion battery packs (at different prices, of course). The more powerful one will have storage capacity of 64 kWh for longer range while the alternative pack  will have 39.2 kWh. With a fully charged pack, range claims are 484 kms and 305 kms, respectively, although this would depend on driving style and conditions, just like with combustion engines.

47 minutes recharging time

What would be of more importance to owners would be recharging time, something which will have to be a daily practice – just like charging your phone overnight. Hyundai claims that it should take around 47 minutes to recharge from 10% to 80% using a 100kW direct current (DC) fast charger.

The Kona Electric also has an optional 11-kW 3-phase on-board charger. This allows for significantly shorter charging times using public 3-phase AC charging stations or with a private compatible wall box at home. Drivers also have the option of charging their car at a compatible regular household power socket using the ICCB-cable (in-cable control box).

Things to consider buying an EV

Owning an EV will have to be carefully considered by those interested in having such vehicles. While you will certainly save on fuel costs and help save the planet, your personal circumstances will be a factor. If you live in a condo complex or apartments, you may not have a place to recharge your vehicle if the property owner does not provide convenient power points. Then you will have to rely on public recharging stations which, at this time, are not exactly plentiful. The situation will change in coming years, but it cannot be predicted how fast the private sector will develop the recharging network.

Visually, the Kona Electric resembles the other versions but has its own bumper, wheel and headlight designs. The front end is also more ‘sealed’ since the traditional grille is not needed for cooling purposes.

The interior has a similar horizontal layout as the other versions with new ambient lighting. The instrumentation reflects the EV-nature of the vehicle, with the tachometer space occupied by a meter showing the battery charge and power levels. There’s also a gauge to let the driver know how much range is left with the energy in the battery pack.

Performance-wise, the electric motor of the Kona Electric can generate 150 kW (equivalent to 204 ps) of power and 395 Nm of torque. You don’t get the sub-5 second times that you often read about with EVs, but it can go from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 7.9 seconds. The strong point about EVs is that all the torque is available from standstill so acceleration is exceptionally quick.

The Kona Electric is one of the early models in the growing range of EVs by Hyundai. The Korean carmaker plans to introduce 12 new fully electric models by 2025 and reach a sales volume of 560,000 EVs annually. Its entire line-up will be electrified globally by 2040, by which time it expects to capture 8% to 10% of the global EV market.

Hyundai Kona Electric gets listed in Guinness World Records for altitude achievement

Vaccination does not make you immune to COVID-19 infection. You can still get infected and although you may not show symptoms, you could spread the coronavirus to others. Do not stop taking protective measures such as wearing a facemask, washing hands frequently and social distancing.


150 units of infant carrier carseats available at a subsidised price with BMW Malaysia’s support

With the
mandatory usage of childseats in cars coming into effect next month
, parents have to start making the purchases to ensure they do not commit an offence (although summonses will not be issued during the first 6 months of the year). For 150 qualified parents, there is an opportunity to buy such seats at subsidised prices, thanks to BMW Malaysia, Safe ‘n Sound and Childline Foundation.

“With only 30% of drivers using child carseats for their children, it became more imperative for us as automakers to press on for child safety, regardless of the challenges we encounter in the fight for its education and accessibility. It is encouraging to see the Ministry of Transport take a definite step into making child carseats mandatory in the year to come, but at the same time, recognise that there are parents who may have limited access to them – therefore providing tax breaks and reduced excise fee for child carseats. In support of that, we are now bringing the subsidy programme online to make infant carrier carseats accessible to households with income less than RM3,000 a month,” said Harald Hoelzl, MD of BMW Group Malaysia.

BMW Malaysia aims to accelerate the adoption of child car seats through the subsidy programme as part of the BMW Safety 360° initiative. In collaboration with Childline Foundation and Safe ‘n Sound, 150 units of infant carrier carseats will be made available at a subsidized price of RM100 each.

BMW Malaysia and Safe ‘n Sound will be subsidising 150 snskidz Ace infant carrier carseats at RM100 each. The rear-facing infant carrier carseat, which retails at RM199, can be used from birth to 13 kgs and carries the ECE R44-04 certification.

How to register

Parents can register for the subsidised infant carrier car seat at
www.safensound.com.my/pages/child-car-seat-subsidy-programme
 from now until December 15, 2019. Applicants eligible for the subsidy will be notified, after which a payment of RM100 must be made prior to the collection of the carseat.

“Parents will also be educated on the proper ways of choosing and installing the child carseats to ensure the utmost safety of their children upon collection of the infant carrier carseat. By educating them, we hope that they, too, will become advocates for child safety.” Said Datin Wong Poai Hong from Childline Foundation.

BMW also offers a range of child carseats to suit different budgets of its customers.

“While the BMW Safety 360° Programme has been running for over 5 years now, we hope to see more partners take active roles to ensure that child carseats are a norm in Malaysia, be it through education or increasing accessibility to them. Partners can also engage with Childline Foundation to further advocate for child safety. For both parents and partners, there is no better time than now to take action and they should not wait until the ruling comes into effect before considering child safety,” added Sashi Ambi, Head of Corporate Communications at BMW Group Malaysia.

REMINDER: Child seats mandatory starting year 2020


Jaguar I-PACE IS The “European Car Of The Year” 2019!

The all-electric
Jaguar I-PACE
 has been voted
‘Car of the Year’
 at the
European Car of the Year Awards 2019
. This is the first time a Jaguar has won the coveted prize. The European Car of the Year jury comprises 60 motoring journalists from 23 countries, and the award recognises technical innovation, design, performance, efficiency and value for money.

Prof. Dr. Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar Land Rover,
 said:
“For our first electric vehicle to also be the first Jaguar to win European Car of the Year gives us a huge sense of pride. I-PACE was designed and engineered in the UK from a clean sheet of paper. It is the most technologically advanced battery electric vehicle. It’s a true game-changer. Winning European Car of the Year is an honour and real recognition of what our world-class team has delivered.”

Designed and developed in the UK, the Jaguar I-PACE has had profound sales success globally, with more than
8,000
 customer deliveries to date – 75 per cent of them in Europe*. Nothing else on the road looks or drives like the I-PACE. It is engineered to take full advantage of its electric powertrain and bespoke aluminium architecture, offering sports car performance and SUV practicality.

Charging is made easy for customers using the Jaguar public charging service, accessed via a dedicated app or using an RFID key. With tailor-made charging packages and tariffs compiled into a simple monthly bill, it gives I-PACE customers access to more than 85,000 charging points throughout Europe.

The I-PACE has received 55 awards worldwide since it was revealed a year ago, including German, Norwegian and UK Car of the Year, BBC
TopGear
 magazine EV of the Year, China Green Car of the Year, and Autobest’s ECOBEST Award.

For more information on the I-PACE, visit
www.jaguar.com


GIVI Asia celebrates 25th anniversary with 15 new products!

GIVI Asia aka “The world’s most leading motorcycle accessories” celebrates its 25
th
 anniversary today and to mark things off with a bang, they’ve decided to launch a series of new products for 2019. In total, there are 15 new items presented earlier today at the Grand Ion Delemen Hotel at Genting Highlands.

In their effort to continuously commit to motorcycle safety and awareness, GIVI Asia has been striving on creating products and motorcycle accessories emphasizing on safety and quality since 1994. Their success is very clear as they celebrate their 25
th
 long fruitful year in providing the best gear for Asian motorcyclists.

Launching 15 new products simultaneously ranging from hard cases, soft bags, waist bag, waterproof garments, and helmets shows how successful they have become and what they’re striving for their future here in Malaysia. The new 2019 collection starts with:

MONOLOCK B32N-ADVANCE BOLD TOPCASE

MONOLOCK B270N TOPCASE

MONOKEY E23N SIDE CASE

G12N FIXED SYSTEM CENTRE CASE

Essentially, these are the ‘advanced’ versions of their current top cases which “guarantees ease of use, high visibility, reliability, and durability.” Looking for versality? The B32N-ADVANCE BOLD is an advanced version of the MONOLOCK B32 BOLD that comes ready with four additional components; A pair of stainless-steel rod handle on top of the lid (Multipurpose), Elastic carrying net, Specific backrest and Inner padding.

How about something perfect for daily use on small-capacity machines? The B270N MONOLOCK TOPCASE is the latest edition top case with a 27-litre load capacity. This is a facelift from the current B27N CLACK with a noticeably sleek design and aerodynamic flow. Adding on a carbon fibre like pattern finish on the top lid for a premium sporty finish.

For you adventurers out there planning to conquer the world on two wheels, the new E23 MONOKEY Side Case offers 23 litres of capacity for each side with a 5kg maximum load. They are fitted with additional integrated signal lights and high intensity prismatic reflective stripes for added safety and visibility.

Innovation is the name of the game when it comes to the latest G12 FIXED SYSTEM CENTRE where it features a 12-litre maximum load capacity and is much more compact.  Perfect for quick access and storage for all you cub lovers and enthusiasts here in the country.

Other new products include:

RIDER TECH RANGE

RBP03 RIDER TECH CAMO Backpack 15 litre

RWB05 RIDER TECH CAMO Waist Bag 3 litre

RSB01 RIDER TECH Saddle Bag 15 litre

HPS NEW GRAPHIC HELMET M30.1 CIELO

Mod Ice White, Mod Black & Slide Titanium

SAFETY AND COMFORT (WATERPROOF GARMENT)

AX PRIME Rainsuit

AH CAMO Rainsuit

AX COMFORT Rain Trousers

To know more, visit
www.givi.com.my
 or head over to the nearest GIVI Points or authorized dealers across the country.


Chrysler (FCA) ‘re-marries’ to form another mega corporation with Groupe PSA

In the late 1990s, Chrysler and Daimler merged (at least that’s what the German side called the union, although it was not really so) and created a ‘mega corporation’ in the auto industry. The move had a significant impact on the industry, beginning a rush of consolidations as companies realised that big numbers were vital for survival.

But within just 3 years of the creation of DaimlerChrysler, Chrysler was losing US$3 billion each year and cultural differences didn’t help in the trans-Atlantic marriage either. The Daimler people felt that their way was best for corporate culture, and of course, that created friction. In the end, the two sides parted company in 2007 and Chrysler rebuilt itself.

7 years later, Chrysler again ‘re-married’, and again, it was a European partner – the Fiat Group. The merger created the FCA Group with all the brands from Fiat (except Ferrari) coming together with Chrysler’s Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Ram Trucks brands.

Merger negotiations began in 2019

Though operating more globally then if Chrysler stayed single, FCA still faced strong competition and in 2019, FCA announced that it would merge with Groupe PSA on a 50:50 basis. With the need to gain approval from regulators and then the restrictions caused by the pandemic, the completion of the merger took a while and has finally taken place.

The merged entity is known as Stellantis, which we are told comes from the Latin word ‘
stello
’, and means ‘to brighten with stars’. The name will be used exclusively at the group level as a corporate brand, while the individual companies will continue to use their existing brands.

The company’s total workforce of 400,000 employees will be managed by an 11-member Board of Directors that has the grandson of Giovanni Agnelli (who headed Fiat from 1966 – 2003) as Chairman, John P.J. Elkann. The one who will run the show will be CEO Carlos Tavares, who has been heading Groupe PSA.  Like Toyota’s Akio Toyoda, Tavares, who worked with Carlos Ghosn in the Renault-Nissan Alliance, is also a racing driver.

Carlos Tavares, the CEO of the new company, is a real car-guy and like Akio Toyoda, he also goes racing!

Auto industry pioneers in group

Stellantis will leverage the strengths of the two groups to design, develop, manufacture, distribute and sell vehicles and mobility solutions around the world. Both companies have roots that go back to the early days of the auto industry; Dodge started in 1900 while Peugeot produced its first car in 1889. So there is a long heritage to boast of, which may or may not prove useful in this age of ‘disruptors’ coming into the industry.

The number of brands is certainly quite extensive with Groupe PSA having brands like Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, Vauxhall (and might have had Proton too but Geely won the pitch instead). It’s the second time that PSA is involved with Chrysler as back in the late 1970s, it bought over Chrysler Europe for US$1 + debts.

FCA and Groupe PSA have a combined portfolio of many brands that cover virtually every segment of the global market.

The brands in Stellantis cover the full spectrum of market segments from luxury, premium and mainstream passenger vehicles to pick-up trucks, SUVs and light commercial vehicles. As with most of the major carmakers, there are also mobility, finance and parts and service brands.

Global reach and synergies

Stellantis sees itself as starting from a position of considerable strength, claiming leading positions in North America, Europe and Latin America. It expects synergies to be the key to growth and further success. Besides a well-established presence in Europe, North America and Latin America through different brands, it aims to tap potential markets such as China, Africa, the Middle East, Oceania and India. By the end of 2021, it plans to have at least 39 electrified vehicles available in its range.

The group will have at least 39 electrified models by the end of next year.

Commenting on the Stellantis’ journey ahead, Tavares said: “One year after we announced this project, Stellantis is born, notwithstanding the unprecedented societal and economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This demonstrates the agility, creativity and adaptability of our company, which aims to be great rather than big, determined to be much more than the sum of its parts. It is also a further signal of the new company’s determination to be a leading player in the automotive industry in this ever-changing environment. Stellantis is dedicated to ‘pursuing greatness’ and enhancing the well-being of its employees.”

Will Alfa Romeo be allowed to live under the new FCA+PSA merger?


Naza Kia Unveils Picanto GT-Line [+Video]

Naza Kia Malaysia
, the official distributor of KIA vehicles in Malaysia, today unveiled the new top-of-the-range GT-Line variant of their best-selling compact car, the youthful, stylish and fun-to-drive
Picanto
, for the Malaysian market. We’ve reviewed it in the past
here
, and below is the video we made about it during the official media drive…

“Following the successful launch of the Kia Picanto 1.2 EX model last year, Naza Kia Malaysia is thrilled to introduce a new sporty variant of the innovative A-segment car which has stolen the hearts of Malaysian road users. We are confident the Kia Picanto GT-Line will receive no less attention on the road with its extra stylish appeal and nimble performance,”
 said
Dato’ Samson Anand George, Group CEO, Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd.

The New Picanto GT-Line boasts new features designed to add a level of excitement to the Picanto line-up. Unique to the GT-Line variant are the new colour accents on the full body kit and Kia’s signature
 ‘tiger nose’
 grille at the front to add to the aggressive stance. Perfecting the muscular expression are sporty-looking dual exhaust pipes at the rear of the GT-Line.

The New Picanto GT-Line is further fitted with
16-inch alloy wheels
 and pedals, LED daytime running lights and fog lamps, shark-fin antenna, and keyless entry. The large 7.0-inch floating touchscreen houses Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ ready functionality for full smartphone integration, suitable for the young and the young at heart.

The GT-Line is also equipped as standard with a sporty D-cut steering wheel, a rear-view parking camera, wireless smartphone charger and USB port. For maximum convenience, the GT-Line variant also comes equipped with
Full Auto Temperature Control (FATC)
 a.k.a. Climate Control, which automatically maintains the set cabin temperature for a comfortable drive.

As a visual reference, here’s what the basic Picanto looks like…

The New Picanto is carefully crafted with top-notch safety features, featuring an
Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) body construction
and
 six standard airbags (dual front, side and curtain airbags)
. Active safety features are also included, such as standard-fit
Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) with Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
, to ensure stability under braking and cornering. On top of that, the innovative New Picanto GT-Line comes with
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
 – a key technology adopted to enhance safety in urban environments and
Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
 which prevents rolling back while on a slope when releasing the brakes.

“The New Picanto boasts class-leading cabin space, with more leg- and head-room than many others in the A-segment. Boot capacity is 255 litres (VDA) – the most of any car in its class – with 60:40 split-folding rear seats, which can fold flat to increase capacity to a whopping 1,010 litres in a compact urban car.”
 –
Naza Kia.

The Picanto GT-Line is offered in Titanium Silver, Clear White and an exclusive Aurora Black Pearl colour. Available now from
RM57,888
 (on-the-road without insurance), the New Picanto GT-Line comes with five years warranty with unlimited mileage*. Visit your nearest authorised Kia showroom for more information.

*Terms and conditions apply.


Land Rover launch programme to demonstrate capabilities of iconic Defender

Land Rover is offering an incredible experience for those who appreciate the outdoors and are avid fans of the brand. It has launched a new Experience Centre Heritage Program to celebrate the history and legacy of its most iconic vehicle, the Defender.

This programme will allow consumers to experience the capabilities of the Defender by taking it off-road at Land Rover Experience Centers across the U.S.. Besides the Defender, the public can also experience other vehicles from the Discovery and Range Rover families as well.

Despite it being phased out to make way for a new and more capable vehicle, the Defender’s legacy will continue to endure though the Defender Driving Experience. Starting from this month, enthusiasts will be able to experience it first-hand at Experience Centers in California, Vermont, and North Carolina.

At these locations, the Defender will be able demonstrate its off-roading capabilities as participants of the programme take it through grass, mud, ruts, water crossings, and more with personal coaching from expert Land Rover Experience Instructors. It’s an experience any off-roading fan wouldn’t want to miss.

Regarding the programme, Kim McCullough, Vice President of Marketing, Jaguar Land Rover North America, said, “Recognized as one of our most iconic vehicles, the Defender has conquered some of the world’s most demanding terrain.”

“We are thrilled to be bringing that experience to consumers through the Land Rover Experience Center Heritage Program,” said . “Brand loyalists and new fans alike now have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a piece of history and continue to celebrate this historic Land Rover icon,” he later added.

The Defender Driving Experience will be made available at all its Experience Centres which are the Quail Lodge in Carmel, Calif., Equinox Resort in Manchester, Vt., and the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C.

Participants will not only be able to enjoy the great outdoors and develop off-roading skills, but they will also get to test the capabilities of Land Rover vehicles, both past and present. The programme will be made available as half-day or full-day events with the former costing  $1,200 and the later coming up to $1,500.

For more information on Land Rover’s Heritage Centres, take a look at the following website:
landroverusa.com/experience


Experience living with an electric vehicle for RM24.90 an hour

With the duty-free incentive for fully electric vehicles (EVs) to start next month, there may be many who are wondering if they should switch to such vehicles. While the exemption of all duties and taxes will mean a lower price, don’t expect prices to drop to the same as a
Nissan Almera Turbo
 just because they are duty-free. EV technology is still young and therefore expensive, which is why manufacturers hope governments will help by making them more ‘affordable’.

For those who are thinking of getting one, you can experience ownership for a short while with GoCar’s new GoEV programme. This programme, which requires first signing up as a GoCar member, offers affordable EV access with car-sharing and subscription options. It is available to all fully licensed drivers aged 18 and above.

Nissan LEAF used

The members can select their preferred GoEV Share or GoEV Subs plans which have 25 units of
Nissan LEAF
 fully electric vehicles. The sharing option is currently available only for round-trips (pick-up and return at the same zone) and short-term use – by the hour or by the day. Rates start from RM24.90 per hour or RM249 per day. From now until January 31, 2022, there will be a 25% reduction on rates for all GoEV Share bookings.

The GoEV programme will initially be offered in the Klang Valley where 3 GoEV zones are already in operation. Another seven will be added before this year ends.

“Global warming is at the tipping point and the negative effects of climate change will continue to perpetuate for decades. As a top contributor to greenhouse gases emissions, the transport sector must transition to full electrification, which studies have shown significantly reduces the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere,” said Wong Hoe Mun, CEO of GoCar Malaysia.

EV experience for more Malaysians

“Malaysia still has a long way to go to catch up on EV adoption and infrastructure. However, we believe that through car-sharing and subscription, we can help encourage mass adoption. We are so excited to be bringing affordable EV access to the general public. This way, everyone – not just the privileged few – can experience the EV lifestyle,” he added.

Longer terms also available

Those who want a longer duration to experience what it is like to live with an EV can opt for a 36-month subscription at RM2,299 per month. These rates are inclusive of roadtax, insurance, regular servicing and a wall box home charger to allow more efficient recharging.

To ease any potential range anxiety for car sharing customers, GoCar is also providing complimentary ChargEV cards in each vehicle, which will give users access to almost 300 charging stations nationwide. Charging stations at the GoEV zones are free to use for all GoEV customers.

If you want to know more about the Nissan LEAF or purchase one, visit
www.nissan.com.my
.

FIRST DRIVE: 2019 Nissan Leaf – “Simply Electrifying”


Concept EQT introduces the new Mercedes-Benz T-Class which will include an electric variant

The Mercedes-Benz EQ brand continues to grow each year with the addition of new all-electric models every year. In time, besides the sedans and SUVs we have already seen, there will be other model types just like the range for models with combustion engines. Next to come will be a small van and its appearance is shown in the Concept EQT.

New T-Class

This is a near-production concept vehicle that will be the first premium vehicle in the small van segment which Mercedes-Benz has designated the new T-Class as its representative. Besides the electric variant, there will also be other variants with combustion powertrains. While this new class has nothing to do with the old ‘T’ models that were stationwagons, it does offer storage versatility.

“We are expanding our portfolio in the small van segment with the forthcoming T-Class. It will appeal to families and all those private customers, whatever their age, who enjoy leisure activities and need a lot of space and maximum variability without forgoing comfort and style. The T-Class provides them with an attractive introduction into the world of Mercedes-Benz. And as the Concept EQT shows, we are consistently implementing our claim to leadership in electromobility and will also be offering a fully electric model in this segment in the future,” said Marcus Breitschwerdt, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans.

EQ design DNA

The Concept EQT will be immediately recognisable as a member of the Mercedes-EQ family with the characteristic black panel front and LED front headlights that flows seamlessly from the bonnet and gleams with a star pattern. The different-sized stars with a 3D effect are featured throughout the vehicle exterior.

Explaining the design, Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler Group, said the Concept EQT is a new, holistic van with the Design DNA of ‘Sensual Purity’. “Sensuous shapes, elegant trims and sustainable materials show that this van clearly belongs to our Mercedes-EQ family,” he said.

The interior space, which can accommodate 7 persons, is characterised by an elegant contrast of black and white. The seats are upholstered in white nappa leather and the plaited leather applications on the seat centre panel comprise recycled leather.

The instrument panel in a sensual design is also particularly eye-catching. The upper section is shaped like a wing profile with the appearance of a seashore pebble and fuses dynamically with the instrument cluster. Round air vents in high-gloss black, galvanised trim elements and the multifunction steering wheel with Touch Control buttons underline the high quality, modern appearance.

Intuitive, self-teaching MBUX

Like every new Mercedes-Benz model, the MBUX infotainment system (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) is present. The system can be conveniently operated using the free-standing central display with touch function, the touch control buttons on the steering wheel and the ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice assistant. It has the ability to ‘learn’, thanks to artificial intelligence. MBUX will be able to anticipate what the driver would like to do next with the help of predictive functions. For instance, if someone regularly calls a certain person on Fridays on the way home, the system will suggest their telephone number on the display on this day of the week.

In the high-resolution infotainment system media display, the EQ tile in the main menu serves as a central point of access to the specific displays and settings. These include the charging current, departure time, energy flow and consumption histogram. The media display can also be used to operate the navigation as well as the driving modes. On the move, it will display charging stations, the electric range and optimized route planning taking into account the charge level, weather or the traffic situation.

Maximum variability and functionality

The Concept EQT, which has an overall length of 4945 mm (22 mm longer than an E-Class sedan), has sliding doors on both sides. The openings have been made as wide as possible so that both full-sized individual seats in the third row can be reached without difficulty. If more space is required, the third-row seats can be folded or removed completely, leaving sufficient space for a pram, a transport box for dogs and other leisure equipment.

The vehicle’s elegant bottle design which tapers from the front to the rear makes the vehicle appear longer. The steeply sloping rear with a comfortable, vertical tailgate and window provides for a particularly spacious load compartment. A panoramic roof with a starscape lasered into it floods the interior with light.

An interesting feature in the concept vehicle is an electric longboard integrated into the load compartment. It is stored in a double-floor compartment beneath a plexiglass lid fitted in an aluminium frame and flush with the load compartment floor. The electric longboard is also made of aluminium and features a star pattern, giving it a particularly stylish look.

The new T-Class will be launched in 2022 and join the commercially-positioned Citan which will celebrate its premiere this year including a fully electric variant. The fully electric version for private customers will follow later.

Mercedes-EQ EQS – the first luxury EV limousine


MID-WEEK FEATURE: A History Of Motoring Heritage – Tracing The Journey Of Porsche [+Videos & Mega Photo Gallery]

The history of the automobile spans more than a century. From the early days of the internal combustion engine, to the pioneering of the car assembly line, the automobile has become such an intricate part of our lives, it’s difficult to imagine life without them. But for the new generation of car owners, besides the internet, how is it possible for them to experience what’s commonly known as the ‘golden age’ of motoring? That’s where car museums come in, and one of the most renowned is the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, and the quote by Ferdinand Porsche can be considered the very cornerstone – at least in spirit – of the Porsche Museum.

Well, his dream did become a reality, and today one of the world’s most spectacular automobile museums dedicated to the history of one of the most recognizable automotive brands in the world is located directly next to the headquarters of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, the Porsche Museum. It boasts 5,600 square metres of exhibition space in a futuristic building created by Viennese architect Delugan Meissl, which is able to accommodate over 80 vehicles – from the first Porsche design in the world, the “Egger-Lohner electric vehicle, C.2 Phaeton model” from 1898, to the latest generation of the Porsche 911.

In the first year after it first opened on
January 31, 2009
 the Porsche Museum proved wildly popular not just with the locals, but anyone even remotely interested in the Porsche brand. Over 700,000 visitors from all over the world flocked to this museum in the first year of operations alone. By December 2013, the Porsche Museum had seen a staggering two million visitors walk through its doors. Apart from housing some of the greatest models in the history of Porsche, the Museum serves as a meeting point for international customers as well as many others from all over the world who are fascinated by Porsche sports cars, even if they do not drive a Porsche themselves.

While the bold architecture of the building does indeed reflect Porsche’s distinctiveness, confidence and heritage, the exhibition of models keeps the history of the company very much alive, with all the sports cars in the “Museum on Wheels” fully functional and capable of springing into life. In short, yes, every single Porsche in the museum is roadworthy! That makes the museum suitable not just as an exhibition space, but also as a platform for communication – a core component of the regular dialog that Porsche maintains with the general public.

However, unlike other automotive museums, the Porsche Museum is unique in the sense that it does not use a “discovery zone” approach, which loosely translates to “no tour guide”. While one may be assigned if you so wish, at the Porsche Museum, the vehicles actually speak for themselves. A special ‘thematic thread’ is provided by the exhibits themselves, and not by a tour guide telling the visitor what they should think or feel. The museum furthermore embraces an educational mission to fulfill a trendsetting cultural function at the traditional Zuffenhausen location.

Using state-of-the-art museum techniques, the exhibition conveys a wealth of historical and contemporary knowledge about Porsche. Depending on their individual interests, visitors can approach the exhibits and the company’s history from a variety of perspectives. Porsche deliberately avoids marketing-led declarations in its communication with visitors, instead placing the emphasis on its cultural mission to educate. In keeping with its pre-eminent position within the German automotive industry, Porsche uses the museum as a platform for informing national and international visitors about the history and achievements of the German automotive industry. Alongside its thematic direction, the most notable attribute of the exhibition concept is its flexibility, as befits the Porsche brand.

All vehicle exhibits are “mobile” in a very real sense. In other words, the exhibition itself and all the media installations can easily be reconfigured and the exhibits changed, to maintain a high level of variety and appeal. A chronological tour presents the history of motorsport and series vehicles of the company.

As well as the exhibition, the Historical Archive and the glass-fronted workshop for classic vehicles, the museums’ predominantly white interior houses a diverse range of eating and drinking establishments – Coffee Bar, Bistro and restaurant – as well as large-capacity conference areas. The Porsche Museum can also be used as an event venue for conferences, film screenings and concerts, without intruding on the main exhibition.

Unbeknownst to many, the museum at ‘Porscheplatz’ enjoys an auspicious place in German automotive history. This was where the former Porsche engineering office relocated, from Stuttgart city centre to Zuffenhausen Plant 1, in 1938. In that same year this was the birthplace of the model that ultimately evolved into the VW Beetle, followed in 1939 by the Type 64, the fore-runner of all Porsche sports cars that was known as the “Berlin-Rome Car”. Cars sporting the world-famous Porsche crest have been built at Zuffenhausen since 1950.

The exhibition space proper consists of a bold steel structure resting on just three V-shaped pillars and seemingly floating in mid-air. It spans a void of up to 60 metres wide. Inside, the classic vehicles and around 200 small exhibits have been arranged into a meticulously planned exhibition.

The company’s product history guides the visitor through the exhibition. It conveys the “Porsche Idea” through typical attributes such as “Fast”, “Light”, “Clever”, “Powerful”, “Intense” and “Consistent”. This is the basic principle that has always inspired the company in its quest to find pioneering technical solutions to the fundamental challenges encountered in auto motive manufacturing.

The chronological product and motorsport history is augmented by the “Porsche Idea”, which serves as a common theme throughout the exhibition. Mobile audio guides feature seven different language versions. Both child-friendly information for younger visitors and more extensive information for adults can be called up on these handsets. Micro-cinemas provide complementary information for visitors.

The cool thing about Porsche Museum is that visitors access the exhibition space in the upper part of the building via a long escalator, possibly the longest escalator in the world, and their journey through time, tracing the history of Porsche through the museum, begins with Ferdinand Porsche’s first design: The aforementioned “Egger-Lohner electric vehicle, C.2 Phaeton model”. It’s the centrepiece of the permanent exhibition and serves to bridge the gap between the past and present.

Porsche keeps its history very much alive so that its customers can share in it, and as aforementioned, all the car within the museum are ‘working’ models, thus to enable the Museum to maintain and look after classic racing and sports cars fittingly, Porsche has created a dedicated museum workshop, which is probably one of the coolest ‘exhibits’ of all. Here, the museum workshop personnel prepare all classic vehicles for appearances worldwide, regularly service them and perform any necessary repairs. However immaculate the classic cars in the “Museum on Wheels” may look, they need regular care if they are to remain permanently ready for action.

The unique feature of this workshop is that its master craftsmen and mechanics do not work behind closed doors. Visitors can watch them working on the full array of classic Porsches at first hand. On their way into the exhibition, before the elongated escalator, they pass a glass partition in the lobby that affords a perfect view into the museum workshop. Such openness is quite unprecedented even on a world scale, and only to be experienced at the Porsche Museum. If they’re lucky, they’ll be able to hear one of these classics fire up.

The workshop team comprises one master craftsman, two mechanics, a leather-worker and a customer adviser. They all possess a wealth of experience in Porsche vehicles of all model years, both production and motor sport models. After all, they are ultimately responsible for correctly adjusting the sensitive high-performance engines of classic racing cars such as the twelve-cylinder turbo engine of a 917 in the manner that they require. There are two vehicle hoists, lathes and cutting machines at their disposal.

That equips them to handle virtually every service, repair or restoration task. They can even make replicas of simple mechanical components if necessary. Minor body repairs are also part of their task area. The workshop team can call upon the entire Porsche infrastructure for any tasks they are unable to complete on site, and the best part is, visitors get to see them do it daily.

Apart from the actual cars on display, the Porsche Museum serves to bring together all the amassed historical and contemporary knowledge about Porsche at a central location. The Historical Archive of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG was thus likewise relocated to the museum and is now housed directly above the museum workshop. As the Group’s “historical memory”, the Porsche archive collects all important information concerning business, technical, social or cultural matters relating to Porsche AG and its subsidiary companies. The archived items include anything worth saving about the unparalleled.

Porsche success story, from the beginnings of Ferdinand Porsche as an automobile designer, to the engineering office established in 1931 all the way to today’s Porsche AG. The files of the Porsche Archive currently cover a colossal 2,000 metres of shelf space, including bookshelves, display cases, steel cabinets, and safes.

The Historical Archive with its accumulated knowledge is available not only to internal departments but also to external users. By prior arrangement, specialists such as journalists, scientists and owners of classic Porsche cars can conduct research in the archive library, which has a reading room affording a view of the museum lobby.

As one of the most extensive image archives in the automotive industry, the Historical Archive contains over five million images, a media archive with over 1,700 hours of motion picture materials and a library with more than 3,000 books on automotive subjects. It also houses an extensive collection of written documents on the history of the company itself, as well as its products and motor racing record. These archived media are stored in around 3,500 red special containers.

Visitors to the museum can obtain a view of the user zone with library through a glass partition. Those suitably inspired by this sight will find various books about Porsche in the museum shop, carefully selected from the huge range of works already written about Porsche. Speaking of the Museum Shop, it is strategically located as the ‘final stop’ of the visit to the Porsche Museum, and fittingly, it offers a multitude of items for sale from original Porsche memorabilia, to model cars, souvenirs and even Porsche themed snacks. Actually, over a thousand different products, including books, calendars, DVDs, and t-shirts, are available from the shop. It’s a must-visit.

However, if snacks aren’t going to cut it after an arduous day of walking through the museum, the
“Christophorus”
 restaurant on the second floor is on the same level as the exhibition and is therefore accessible both through the museum and through a separate entrance. It thus remains open beyond the regular opening hours of the museum itself. The mission of top chef Thomas Heilemann and his team is to serve meals of the highest standards of culinary excellence, enabling the gourmet to enjoy Mediterranean and regional delicacies as well as the most exquisite wines

After visiting the restaurant, guests can then wind down in the adjacent Cigar Lounge. Looking through the extensive glass façade, restaurant guests enjoy a panoramic view of Porsche platz and the production building where Porsche sports cars and engines are built. Through another glass wall separating the restaurant from the exhibition, guests also have the opportunity to admire the classic cars on display in the museum itself. This interplay of past and future highlights the company’s commitment to its roots – the view from the dining room thus has a symbolic character.

All in all, do not expect to simply breeze through the Porsche Museum. A few hours are most definitely not enough to fully appreciate all that this incredible place has to offer. One does not even have to be a die-hard fan of the marque to enjoy a day at the Porsche Museum, as it really does have something for everyone. It’s a brilliant testament to the history of Porsche thought, and it really is a walk through time, experiencing the history of the automobile from the viewpoint of one of the greatest carmakers on earth.

Porsche Museum Photo Gallery (Chronology of events after the gallery)

Chronology of Events – The Porsche Museum timeline.

Build time: 4 years and 6 months / 234 week / 1642 days: An overview of the key milestones from the first official decision up to the opening of the Porsche museum:

–  July 30, 2004: The Board of Management of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG announces the decision to build the new Porsche Museum on Porscheplatz in Zuffenhausen.

– October 2004: Ten leading firms of architects from Germany, Austria and Switzerland are shortlisted for the project. In all, 170 European architects firms had submitted bids for the project.

– January 31, 2005: The jury led by architect Professor Fritz Auer (Stuttgart/Munich) chooses the design submitted by Viennese architects firm Delugan Meissl as the competition winner.

– February 4, 2005: Delugan Meissl’s Viennese firm of architects is commissioned to build the museum.

– October 17, 2005: The museum construction project is officially kicked-off with the installation of an unconventional site sign.

– September 21, 2006: The museum begins to take shape. Work on the first floor and the three supporting V-shaped pillars that are to support the dynamically shaped exhibition space makes swift progress. Some 21,000 cubic metres of concrete and 4,000 tons of reinforced steel have already been installed.

– February 2007: The shell is completed, bringing an important phase of construction to an end. The underground garage, ground floor, first floor and core elements (reinforced concrete supports) are now ready.

– November 13, 2007: The steel structure that defines the shape of the 5,600 square metre exhibition space is lowered into place onto three reinforced V-shaped pillars. Straight after it has been lowered, work on the exhibition space proper begins. This includes installing the reinforced concrete ceilings and the large ramps and stairways.

– January 2008: Exterior work on the museum façade begins. The rhombus-shaped exterior is mounted.

– October 2008: Showcases and small exhibits are set up on the exhibition level.

– November 3, 2008: The first twelve vehicle exhibits are brought into place on the museum’s second floor. The first exhibits include a 356 Cabriolet, an original 911 and the first prototype of the 924.

– November 5, 2008: The Porsche Museum logo is mounted on the glass façade.

– December 8, 2008: The museum is officially handed over to the client.

– January 28, 2009: The museum is officially opened.

– January 31, 2009: The museum opens its doors to visitors.

– December 18, 2009: The museum records its 500,000th visitor just eleven months after opening.

– January 31, 2010: The museum celebrates its first birthday.

– June 3, 2011: The Museum attracts 1 million visitors from all over the world.

December 6, 2013 The Museum welcomes two million visitors through its doors.

Total costs: Around EUR 100 million

Dimensions of museum building: Length 140 metres, width 70 metres

Total area of structure: 25,800 square metres

Weight of museum building: Around 35,000 tonnes

Concrete: Around 21,000 cubic metres

Steel: Around 6,000 tonnes

Excavated volume (earth): Around 66,000 cubic metres

For more information log on to:
www.porsche.com/museum


Toyota Prius Le Mans GR: The Latest Sporty Evolution Of The Prius

The first-generation Prius was launched in 1997; honestly, it wasn’t the best-looking car. Rather, it looked like a lost Peugeot. The following
generations
 made slight improvements to its design language making it bearable to look at.

Enter the current fifth-generation Prius that was unveiled in 2022. It came available with two powertrain options: The first option uses Toyota’s Series Parallel Hybrid System, available in 1.8-litre (2ZR-FXE) and 2.0-litre (M20A-FXS) variants and producing up to 138 hp and 196 hp respectively. The second option is a plug-in hybrid that combines a 2.0-litre M20A-FXS engine, an electric motor and lithium-ion batteries to produce a combined output of 220 hp.

Now, we would have never used the words “Prius” and “Sporty” in the same sentence. But Toyota went ahead and showed us this. Introducing the Toyota Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition. Yes, that’s a mouthful. It uses the same powertrain as the road car and is based on the most recent fifth-generation model. However, its wheels, suspension, body, and aero all received track-ready upgrades, offering us a glimpse of what a genuine GR Prius would look like.

The GR010 Hybrid race vehicle that won Le Mans in 2021 and 2022 is thought to have had an influence on these aerodynamic improvements. As a result, it receives a large rear wing, canards, side skirts, a carbon fibre hood, and a front lip spoiler. For improved visibility at night, the redesigned front bumper has two integrated fog lights, each of which is composed of four separate square LEDs. The Prius GR Edition also sports a wider wheel track, reduced suspension, and lightweight Rays wheels in addition to the aero.

Ahead of this weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Prius GR Edition was unveiled at the “Japan.Endless.Discovery” exhibition. The Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO), Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR), and Mazda are hosting the exhibition. Toyota also did announce that more GR vehicles were on the way.

It’s hard to say this, but we love how angry-looking this Prius is! We doubt that Toyota will actually put a GR-branded Prius into production for the Malaysian market but this concept won’t stop us from keeping our hopes up.


Honda Japan’s website even has a section dedicated to dogs and dog owners

Someone in Honda must be a big dog-lover and made a good case for the company’s Japanese website to have a
section dedicated to our furry friends
. Of course, the company also associates Honda vehicles in various ways while offering tips and ideas on outings with dogs in the car. There are also articles for young children, advising them about safety and how to attend and care for dogs during a journey.

There’s even section where the ‘dog-friendliness’ of each Honda model is assessed, covering aspects such as getting in and out and the comfort levels. The assessments are done by different owners and provide insights into the useful features for those who bring along their dogs. For example, with the popular N-Box model, there are comments on the ease of attaching and positioning a specially designed doggie seat next to the driver.

Range of accessories for dogs

There’s also a range of accessories specially for dogs such as a dog seat, mat, lining cover and even straps to keep the dog inside the car. Needless to say, they are all designed to match Honda models. Paw stickers are also available as well as paw-themed covers for key fobs.

The Honda Dog accessories range recently got new additions for owners who want to show the world that their canine friends are really special. Owners can now install paw-shaped wheel caps on their vehicles. The caps are 54 mm and 63 mm in diameter and fit a wide range of original Honda wheels.

If you’re a dog owner, you probably have your furry friend putting his or her paw on your hand a lot. Now, while you’re driving, you can put your hand on a paw. Honda has a cover for the shift lever which is designed like a paw. It comes in three colours – white, black and ‘Shiba’, which is the colour scheme of the much-loved Shiba Inu of Japan.

Only for Japanese market

The Honda Dog accessories are available only for the Japanese market. Perhaps they will one day be offered in other countries as well, like the the tarik hooks (grocery hooks) which were introduced in Japan in the mid-1970s and eventually became accessories or standard items in many cars all over the world.

Some of the items in Honda Malaysia’s TEI merchandise range.

Honda accessories in Malaysia

For the Malaysian market, Modulo and MUGEN accessories are available for the various models, usually for inclusion at the time of purchase. There is also Honda TEI (Trust, Equality, Individuality) merchandise such as clothes, bags and even a sports hijab for women. They are available at authorized Honda dealerships nationwide or the Honda Malaysia Official Store at Shopee. For more information, visit
www.honda.com.my
.

Video: We drive the Honda City Turbo 2 and Honda Motocompo from 1982!


Mercedes-Benz starts preview of next S-Class with details of new MBUX

As with some of its recent models, Mercedes-Benz is previewing the next generation of the S-Class (W223) in stages which highlight new features and innovations. First on the list is the new MBUX –
M
ercedes-
B
enz
U
ser E
X
perience – which goes into the second generation just two years after first being offered.

The new infotainment system has hardware and software progression with 50% more processing power, a 320GB SSD and 16GB of RAM. Over-the-air (OTA) updates will be available though this is fast becoming a common feature for cars with systems that can connect to internet services.

The ‘learn-capable’ system’s strong point is its networking with a wide range of vehicle systems and sensor data. For example, the exit warning function in the new S-Class will use cameras to recognize that an occupant wants to leave the vehicle. If another road-user is approaching in the blind spot, the active ambient lighting becomes part of the exit warning system and flashes red.

Advanced screen technologies with OLED

The latest screen technologies are used for MBUX, which is available for front as well as rear occupants (with up to 3 screens). The 12.8-inch media display has a spacious portrait format which, on request, can be offered with OLED technology and haptic feedback.

OLED panels emit light when subjected to an electric current and, unlike an LCD, they do not require external background lighting. Power is only consumed where pixels light up. Among other benefits, this ensures a better black level and even stronger contrasts. When showing typical video sequences, OLED technology has an up to 30% lower energy consumption than LCD technology.

More extensive personalization

The human factor is always the central consideration. The possibilities for personalization and intuitive operation have become far more extensive even for rear occupants.  For the driver, the new 3D driver display allows a spatial view at the touch of a button for the first time. A real 3-dimensional effect is achieved without having to wear 3D glasses.

By scanning a QR code with the Mercedes App, the vehicle is automatically connected to the Mercedes me account. As the profiles (up to seven) can be stored in the Cloud as part of Mercedes me, they can also be used in other Mercedes-Benz vehicles with the new MBUX generation

MBUX Interior Assist checks whether the childseat is correctly attached to the front passenger seat. The driver’s attention level is also monitored and ATTENTION ASSIST warns if there are signs of microsleep. Depending on the equipment level, MBUX Interior Assist recognizes up to 20 control wishes.

New convenience functions include prepositioning of the driver’s seat and outside mirrors according to body size, and operation of the rear roller blind by glancing over the shoulder. The sliding sunroof can also be operated by hand gestures. In fact, hand gestures and voice commands will likely become the dominant form of activation and management of many systems.

‘
Hey Mercedes
‘ becomes more intelligent

The voice assistant ‘
Hey Mercedes
’ listens even more carefully, and understands the occupants even better. It has the capability to understand up to 27 languages and can also be controlled from the rear. Several microphones help to tell the system which seat the voice is coming from. Flashing ambient lighting identifies the current speaker.

Domestic systems and home appliances can also be linked to the vehicle and voice-controlled, thanks to the Smart Home function although this probably means having dedicated compatible items at home.

HUD with augmented reality

Two different head-up displays (HUDs) are available, with the larger type having augmented reality (AR) content for more comprehensive route guidance. When navigating, for example, animated turn-off arrows (‘fishbones’) are projected onto the road lane at a virtual distance of about 10 metres. As this is superimposed directly onto reality, the result is directly perceptible information that is important for the current driving situation.

The driver display and media display offer a comprehensive aesthetic experience. The appearance of the screens can be individualized with a choice of up to four display styles. The number of ‘classic controls’ has been greatly reduced with 27 fewer hardkeys (mechanical switches) than in the current model.

“Our overarching goal is to offer the utmost in comfort, personalization and convenience for our customers. A system that is more detailed, thoughtful and individual than ever before. So I would even call it ‘My MBUX’,” said Sajjad Khan, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG. “Through even more ease-of-use, our customers gain extra time and added value. This goes beyond just displays and voice control. My MBUX now becomes the spinal cord, or even the central brain of the vehicle.”

More information will be presented in the next few months and the new S-Class will have its global debut sometime in September.

Although the flagship model’s history goes back to 1954, the introduction of the S-Class designation and model line began with the W116 model in 1972 (above). The current W222 generation (below) is the sixth which was launched in 2014.

Innovation in the steering wheel coming in mid-2020 in Mercedes-Benz E-Class


Honda To Launch New Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle In 2024

While many companies are now focussed on developing more battery electric vehicles (BEVs), a few are also looking further at other alternative fuels, particularly hydrogen. This gas is available in abundance and with technology from the space program, it has been possible to make a fuel cell whereby hydrogen’s chemical energy is converted into electrical energy. This can then be used to power motors and the process generates only moisture.

Some companies have developed fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) to a stage where they can be commercialised and are sold or leased to the public. Honda is one of those companies and in fact, the Japanese carmaker has over 20 years of experience in FCEVs. As far back as 2002, Honda had a running model called the FCX which was the FCEV to be certified by two US agencies – the Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board.

Though Honda did not produce large numbers of the FCX, it gained much useful real-world data (especially in different climatic conditions) for its ongoing R&D on such vehicles. This led to additional fuel-cell models like the FCX Clarity being developed which had improvements and advancements in many aspects.

There are still issues such as a refuelling network and cost which limit public acceptance of FCEVs but Honda is still pushing ahead and has announced that it will produce an all-new hydrogen FCEV which will be launched in 2024.

The new CR-V on which the FCEV will be based.

The FCEV, which will be based on the
 new CR-V
 recently launched in America, will be North America’s first production vehicle to combine a plug-in feature with FCEV technology in one model. This will enable the driver to charge the onboard battery pack for zero emissions electric around town with the flexibility of fast hydrogen refuelling for longer trips (assuming that the refuelling network grows). FCEVs can refuel in minutes, providing a familiar level of travel convenience for drivers accustomed to conventional automobiles.

The new FCEV will be built at Honda’s Performance Manufacturing Centre (PMC) in the USA. Ts is facility, which began operations in 2016, was conceived as a small volume, specialty manufacturing facility. It is focused on craftsmanship and hand-assembled vehicles such as the NSX supercar, multiple Acura PMC Edition vehicles (including TLX, RDX and MDX) along with Honda Performance Development racing cars.

This makes the PMC uniquely suited to production of FCEVs which require special assembly procedures. This approach is similar to the broad role that the Tochigi plant in Japan played in manufacturing both the original NSX (from 1989) and, later, the FCX Clarity FCEV in 2008.

Honda has long believed that FCEVs powered by hydrogen created through renewable sources will be a key part of a sustainable transportation future as they release no CO
2
 emissions at all; water and heat are the only by-products of electricity generation.

This new zero-emissions vehicle will contribute to Honda’s previously announced goal to make BEVs and FCEVs represent 100% of its global auto sales by 2040. “Honda established our goal to realize carbon neutrality by 2050 and the complete electrification of our vehicle line-up by 2040 is critical to achieving it,” said Gary Robinson, Vice-President of Auto Planning & Strategy for American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Honda’s electrification plans will still include hybrid models, at least until 2035

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


Shell Malaysia’s Charity Campaign brings in RM1.92 million

Over a period of 10 days, Shell Malaysia raised a total of RM1.92 million in its recent ‘
Anda Beli, Kami Derma
’ Raya Charity Campaign. In its fifth year, the campaign is an effort to spread the spirit of caring and sharing during the ‘balik kampung’ season.

1 sen donation for every litre of fuel

During the campaign period (May 30 to June 8 2019), Shell donated 1 sen for every litre of Shell fuel pumped and 1 sen for every RM1.00 spent at Shell SELECT stores. The money raised will go to the National Cancer Society Malaysia, Food Aid Foundation, and Malaysian Nature Society. Mastercard joined the effort as a valued partner for the second consecutive year and contributed 1 sen to the Food Aid Foundation for every litre of Shell fuel pumped and every RM1 spent at Shell SELECT stores paid for with any Mastercard credit or debit cards.

This year, motorists were given the option to donate to the organisation of their choice. Additionally, Shell’s agencies and partners came together to support this initiative through contributions in the form of media advertising and resources.

Ongoing campaign

“We are once again humbled by the generosity and support of our Malaysian motorists, in helping us raise a total of RM1.92 million for the organisations in just 10 days. We wish to thank all our customers and partners for contributing to this cause. In line with our mission to make life’s journeys better for all Malaysians, we hope this initiative will continue to inspire others to extend a helping hand for those who are in need,” said Shairan Huzani Husain, MD of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd.

He added that the continuous support and generosity of Malaysian motorists has encouraged Shell to run this campaign annually to impact more lives.

https://www.facebook.com/piston.my/


Prizes worth up to up to RM20,000 in Petron campaign

As border crossings between states are now permitted, many Malaysians are travelling more out of their towns and cities. They may be going to visit loved ones in another state whom they could not see for a long time, or they may want to have a change of scenery after months of being restricted to their own state or district.

The tourism industry, which was severely impacted by loss of business, is ready to welcome all these travellers and support from Tourism Malaysia is helping to promote domestic tourism. Other companies related to travel are also providing incentives to travel and Petron Malaysia is one of them.

The petroleum company has a 5-month long campaign which offers prizes to those who purchase its fuel (they must be registered with the company’s loyalty program). Each purchase will earn the motorist an entry for lucky draws and if the cumulative purchase amount is RM250 in one month, they will also qualify for the Grand Prize lucky draw.

Grand prize, monthly and weekly winners

Prizes for the promotion, known as ‘
Jom Jalan Jalan with Petron
’, include holiday packages and cash. Six winners will win the Grand Prize of up to RM20,000 worth of travel packages, cash rewards and fuel. Besides the Grand Prize, there are also RM5,000 worth of prizes for another 10 customers. There are also 100 consolation prizes which will be given out every month, while 1,000 weekly winners will receive RM200 worth of PMiles points each.

The winners will be selected by region – North, East Coast, Central, South, Sabah and Sarawak – to ensure every region has their own winners. The promotion runs from this month until the end of March 2022.

Driving long distances soon? Be sure to check your vehicle first to avoid unnecessary problems