F1/Round 14: Preview & Starting Grid For 2021 Italian Grand Prix

Race starts at 3 pm in Italy | 9 pm in Malaysia

Round 14 of the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship is the Italian Grand Prix, which takes place at the Monza Circuit north of Milan. This is the most frequented track in Formula 1 and Monza is running a round for the 71
st
 time. The only time Monza did not host a round was in 1980, when the Italian GP was held at Imola.

The 5.739-km circuit is therefore familiar to the teams who know how different it is from the tight, maximum downforce Zandvoort Circuit last weekend. Nicknamed ‘The Temple of Speed’ and in existence for 99 years, Monza is all about pace, and some of the highest speeds of each season are reached on the long straights. In fact, 85% of the lap distance will be taken at full throttle, the highest of any F1 track.

The teams will therefore be giving attention to downforce and use packages designed for the high-speed straights. Monza has the lowest downforce level of the year, requiring a special rear wing for the event. This is a talking point every year at the Italian Grand Prix, but there would still be enough downforce to – in theory – drive a car upside down.

The lower downforce levels at Monza, combined with the long straights, decreases the temperature of the tyres, resulting in more frequent wheel lock-ups than at other tracks. This also impacts brake stability as it makes the car more nervous and unpredictable under braking, increasing the possibility of a lock-up. A lot of time can be found in these slow-speed chicanes and big braking zones, but the run-off areas can be unforgiving if you make a mistake.

According to the technicians at Brembo, which supplies the brake systems for the F1 cars, the Monza Circuit is a very demanding circuit for brakes. On a scale of 1 to 5, it is rated 4 on the difficulty index, the same as Sochi where the GP will be held at the end of the month. The low aerodynamic load used to take advantage of the really long straights means highly violent throttle-off moments on the three chicanes. making them particularly demanding for the driver.

Each team can choose from 6 different Brembo front discs, depending on the temperatures expected during the race and the specific race strategy. There is the medium cooling option with 800 holes, high cooling with 1,250 holes and very high cooling with 1,480 holes. Each of these then offers a sub-option with a process on the outer diameter – the so-called groove.

In the case of very high cooling, the holes are arranged in 7 different rows, in the intermediate case in 6 rows and the other case in 4 rows. They measure 2.5 mm in diameter each and are precision-machined individually. It takes 12 – 14 hours to punch all the holes on a single disc. The mechanical component tolerance is only four hundredths.

As for the tyres, Pirelli is providing 3 compounds in the middle of the range: the most popular selection of the season. The P Zero White hard is the C2, P Zero Yellow medium is C3, and P Zero Red is the C4. The same compounds were selected for the last 2 years, offering a good balance for all the different demands of the circuit.

The Italian GP is the second race this year that will have the new Sprint qualifying format. First run at the British Grand Prix in July, it proved to be popular with the drivers as well as the spectators. The Sprint Qualifying Race is 100 kms long which is 18 laps of Monza. No pit stops are required so the drivers will be going flat out from start to finish.

The start of the Sprint race saw Hamilton fumble and while his team mater got off well, Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo also got past the Mercedes-AMG driver and Land Norris as well! But collisions further back, starting with Pierre Gasly and a McLaren brought out the Safety Car. But it was only our till the third lap and racing resumed – by which time, Hamilton had dropped to fifth place.

The Scuderia AlphaTauri team had a bad day as Gasly (last year’s Italian GP winner) was out and Yuki Tusnoda had also sustained damage. Gasly’s retirement enabled Charles Leclerc to move up, while Lance Stroll had to work hard to prevent Sergio Perez from taking over his position.

Verstappen tailed Bottas who was about 2 seconds in the lead. The Dutchman didn’t have to try too hard and just keep his second position since the Finn would have to start from the back even if he won the race. The only thing that Verstappen would miss out on was just 1 point.

For Hamilton, things were just not working out, even with DRS and Norris remained in his sights ahead. The thing is, it was just an 18-lap race so there was not a lot of time and every second counted. In the end, he had to settle for fifth place, while Bottas took the chequered flag. The additional points don’t do anything to the rankings as they were on 3-2-1, so tomorrow will see the reigning World Champion having to work very hard to regain the lead.


PSA: If You Only Use RON97 Petrol, We Have Good News For You!

31 cents
. Yup, that’s how much
less

RON 97
 will be come
 1st Dec 2018
. So drive frugally for the next few hours! From RM2.81 per litre, RON 97 will be only RM2.50 per litre tomorrow. Here are the official prices for fuel from
1st to 31st Dec 2018:

RON 95 = RM2.20 per litre (no change)

RON 97 = RM2.50 per litre (less 31 sen)

Diesel = RM2.18 per litre (no change)


Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato concept explored off-road supercar design

The
 Lamborghini Urus
 is celebrating 4 years since its launch in December 2017, during which time 16,000 units have been delivered worldwide. With 650 bhp, the Super SUV has supercar performance for the road but it has also shown an ability to face extreme challenges. On Lake Baikal in Russia, the Urus set a speed record on ice with a top speed of 298 km/h and an average speed from a standing start of 114 km/h over 1,000 metres. It also reached the highest motorable road in the world at the top of the Umling La Pass in the Himalayan part of India, more than 5,800 metres above sea level.

The Urus has been
Lamborghini’s best-selling model
 since its launch 4 years ago, with 16,000 units delivered worldwide.

The capability of the Urus inspired Lamborghini’s designers to explore new possibilities for off-road super sportscars and in 2019, they came out with the Huracan Sterrato, a concept car based on the V10 Huracan which drew on off-road expertise developed with the Urus.

It was not the first time that Lamborghini’s designers explored high performance and off-road capabilities. In the 1970s, Lamborghini’s test driver Bob Wallace modified two models to create desert-going high performance sportscars – the  Jarama Rally and the Urraco Rally.

The Sterrato concept is based on the Huracan EVO with the same 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated engine producing 640 bhp. The Huracan EVO’s LDVI (Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata) with predictive logic, controls the Sterrato’s systems including 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel steering, modified suspension and torque vectoring, anticipating the next moves of the driver to ensure perfect driving dynamics.

Calibrated for off-road driving (including low-grip surfaces) and tuned to maximize traction and acceleration, the LDVI system in the Sterrato provides enhanced rear-wheel drive behaviour, producing more torque together with additional stabilization in oversteering manoeuvres.

Huracan EVO

The Sterrato is intended for rough and demanding environments and its appearance illustrates this.  More ground clearance is necessary in rough terrain so 47 mm is added, with the car’s front approach sharpened by 1% and the departure angle enhanced by 6.5%.

The wheel track is enhanced front and rear by 30 mm, with 20-inch wheels on balloon tyres set into widebody wheelarches with integrated air intakes. The larger tyres have been specially developed with increased sidewalls to improve the absorption of bumps and also provide good grip. Wide, rugged, open shoulder blocks with self-cleaning qualities provide excellent off-road surface adherence with improved traction and braking and are highly damage-resistant.

When driving over rough terrain with rocks and loose stones, the underside is at risk of being damaged. To prevent this, the Sterrato is fitted with underbody reinforcements and body protection, including a rear skidplate that acts as a diffuser. Aluminium reinforcements are integrated within the front frame and covered with an aluminium skidplate, with aluminium-reinforced sideskirts.

The bodywork’s special protective composite material includes stone-deflecting protection around the engine and air intakes and mud guards in hybrid materials of carbonfibre and elastomeric resin. An off-road LED light package puts a LED light bar on the roof and LED lights with flood function on the bumper.

A specially-designed interior trim reflects the sporty off-road character of the Sterrato, featuring a new lightweight titanium roll-cage, 4-point seatbelts to the new carbonfibre bi-shell sports seats, and aluminium floor panels.

Lamborghini Countach in ‘The Cannonball Run’ listed in US National Historic Vehicle Register


Volkswagen records sales growth despite ongoing diesel-gate issue

Despite the ongoing diesel-gate scandal, Volkswagen’s sales figures don’t seem too shabby. Based on a report published by the automaker, things are starting to look rosy again for the German based manufacturer.

In the past two months alone, VW’s sales figures have grown by 3.5 to 4.0 percent. That equates to roughly 2.9 million vehicles that have been sold worldwide in the first half of this year. By comparison, the automaker managed to sell 0.3 percent more cars this year than it did during the same period in 2016.

There’s also been above average market growth in certain areas. in the US, where VW’s image has been hit the worst, saw an increase of about 8.2 percent. In South America there was  a 12.2 growth, Russia recorded 17.9 while China only saw an increase of about 0.2 percent.

Volkswagen attributes the rise in sales these past few months to its broad portfolio of vehicles, which have been able to appeal to varying tastes. Despite the dark clouds that have been looming directly above the automaker, many car buyers still regard VW vehicles as some of the best in the world. And with the launch of new models like the  Polo, Arteon and Tiguan Allspace, VW hopes this rusrugence in sales will be bolstered even further.

“The Volkswagen brand is on the right track. There is strong demand for our cars throughout the world and our strategic realignment is showing positive effects on business operations”, explained Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen brand.

He added, “We have successfully embarked on a new phase in our company. Our objective is to position Volkswagen in such a way that it is fully and completely viable for the future so that we can continue to play a leading role in the automobile world of the future.”

Financially, VW has taken a number of steps to help weather the storm, which include improving vehicle costs and  optimizing its product portfolio. The result, is a robust manufacturing system that is able to cope with demand and churn out new as well as improved vehicles in a timely manner.

The Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand have said that sales forecast of this year is expected to rise 10 percent compared to the same period lat year. Also, an operating return of 2.5 to 3.5 percent on sales of higher end models is to be expected. Medium-term and long-term return on sales of the brand are expected to reach at least 4 per cent by 2020 and 6 per cent by 2025.

If things continue to pick up, VW may finally be able to put this diesel scandal behind them and continue to produce some of the best cars that they have to offer. And we hope that this happens sooner rather than later.


Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors provides subsidies to sales consultants and dealers

Responding to the Prime Minister’s call to safeguard the welfare of employees to prevent loss of jobs and livelihoods during this Movement Control Order (MCO) period, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) is proactively offering subsidies for dealers and sales consultants to alleviate their financial constraints.

For sales consultants, HSDM will provide a special monthly Hardship Allowance for sales consultants from April to June 2020. This is only applicable to those who have been in service for 3 months or more, and not for those serving notice. The subsidy will be distributed through their dealerships.

Sales consultants will receive subsidies in the form of monthly Hardship Allowances from April to June 2020. [File picture taken before MCO]
Dealers are offered financial subsidies for online marketing expenses and purchase of hand sanitisers, disinfectants and thermometers for use at their sales and service outlets. This will be helpful for them as they have to comply with the strict Standard Operating Procedures for the protection of customers as well as staff.

“The pandemic has badly affected the auto sector. We understand the hardship of our dealers and sales consultants, and we hope the subsidy will help ease their financial burden and help with the cost of health and safety measures at all authorised Hyundai sales and service outlets,” said Low Yuan Lung, Managing Director of HSDM.

HSDM assures customers and visitors alike that health and safety measures are already in place at service outlets that have reopened. The other sales and service outlets which will soon resume operations will also be taking health and safety measures such as hand sanitisation and temperature checks at all showroom entry points. Sanitisers will also be readily available at all customer touchpoints.

Additionally, there will be regular disinfection of the outlet (especially at high customer touch-point areas), with periodic disinfection of all customer/prospect-related vehicles. Test drive vehicles will be disinfected before and after every test drive in the presence of the customer for assurance.

To create greater awareness for the public regarding good hygiene practises, relevant messages will be shown on table standees, leaflets and posters.

7th Generation Hyundai Elantra makes its global debut online from Hollywood


Fuel Price Updates For August 11 – August 17, 2022

Fuel Price Updates for coming 7 days has a 10 sen drop while other prices of other grades are controlled.

Fuel saving tips
Slow and steady:
 You don’t have to drive at a crawl to save fuel but if you just drive more frequently at 80/90 km/h instead of 100/110 km/h, you could save 10 to 15% in fuel. Keeping a steady speed rather than ‘pumping‘ the pedal will also save on fuel.

Switch off the engine more
: Many motorists do not fully realise that the engine is burning fuel every second it is running. They will keep the engine running for long periods while waiting for someone to buy things or waiting for their children to come out from school. This is very wasteful and running the air-conditioner at the same time wastes more fuel. Switch off the engine when you are going to be stationary for more than 5 minutes and you’ll find your fuel consumption improving.

Right tyres pressures
: Under-inflated tyres will cause more rolling resistance (not to mention faster wear) which will worsen fuel consumption. Be sure they are inflated to the minimum recommended by the manufacturer and a bit more might also be better.

Service the engine regularly
: Engine parts wear out or get dirty over time and reduce the operating efficiency of the engine. Regular servicing ensures that adjustments are set correctly and periodically, parts like filters or sparkplugs need to be replaced.

Don’t carry unnecessary weight
: The less weight your car has to move, the less hard the engine has to work. So whatever you do not need to keep in the boot should be taken out. This includes those golfbags.

Plan trips
: If you have different places to go on a single journey, spend a few minutes to think about the route so that you avoid congested areas. You may have to travel a few extra kilometres using a less congested route but you will actually use
less
 fuel because the car won’t be stuck in a jam burning fuel going nowhere. Plus you will probably be less stressed out when you reach your destination.


Tata Motors to launch EV models with ZIPTRON technology developed in-house

Tata Motors will soon offer EVs (electric vehicles) with its own state-of-the-art technology which will be launched during  2020. Known as ‘ZIPTRON’, the EV powertrain technology is a building block towards the Indian carmaker’s strive for commonality so as to drive economies of scale. Pursuing this strategy will help to make new technologies affordable for Indian consumers.

While full details have not been released, the new technology embodies important characteristics such as an efficient high voltage system, zippy performance, long range, fast charging capability, a battery pack with warranty of 8 years, and adherence to IP67 standard which relates to protection from water.

In-house development

Speaking at the announcement recently, Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD of Tata Motors said: “We are proud to present this state-of-art technology brand – ZIPTRON – which has been designed in-house while utilizing our global engineering network. At the heart of our future EV line-up, this technology will deliver a thrilling driving experience to our customers aspiring to go-green. Rigorously tested across 1 million kms, ZIPTRON technology is well proven, advanced and reliable. With this technology, we hope to usher in a new wave of eMobility in India and accelerate faster adoption of EVs, supporting the government’s vision.”

ZIPTRON battery pack

The ZIPTRON powertrain has a highly efficient permanent magnet AC motor providing superior performance on demand. It is claimed to have best-in-industry protection against dust and water, an important requirement for Indian motoring conditions. Furthermore, ZIPTRON technology has smart regenerative braking to charge the battery while on the drive, enhancing the range.

The Tata Motors’ Electric Vehicle Business Unit has also been supporting the IIT Bombay Racing Team for the past 4 years as a key sponsor to help a team of 70 budding engineers fulfill their aspirations of developing an electrically-powered racing car.

In the coming months, Tata Motors will be starting a campaign to introduce ZIPTRON technology as well as educate consumers on EVs.


PETRONAS AutoExpert Is Now In Ipoh

Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) has introduced Is Tayar Maju Sdn Bhd vehicle service centre under  Pembangunan Usahawan Automotif MARA-PETRONAS (PUMP), the first in the state.

MARA’s Deputy Director General, Dato’ Zulfikri Osman said, the opening of the service centre is in line with MARA’s objective in developing a dynamic and competent community of automotive entrepreneurs.

He added, “Since 2021, MARA is actively strengthening the business brand of the PUMP program in improving its image and meeting industry standards, further strengthening the brand of the program so that it is seen as equivalent or better than competitors in the market.”

“The improvement of this image for the service centre is more fresh, dynamic and bold and is able to attract more customers to visit with a cheerful, comfortable exterior and interior design and a maintenance workshop equipped with modern equipment,” he said during the inauguration of Is Tayar Maju Sdn Bhd.

Also present were members of MARA’s Management and Subsidiaries, representatives of PETRONAS, industry players and entrepreneurs in the field.

PUMP, that collaborates with PETRONAS Lubricants Marketing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (PLMMSB) is equipped with a comprehensive structured training module and then the entrepreneur will carry out the process of modifying the premises to create an outlet under the brand.

In addition to training and modification, selected entrepreneurs will also receive advisory services and be assisted with business financing facilities for those who qualify. The renovation process is expected to take 3 months.

“MARA targets entrepreneurs who want to improve the image of the service center and upgrade the service center to a better one. In addition, we also encourage graduates of Institusi Pendidikan MARA (IPMA) and Public and Private Higher Education Institutions to venture into or run businesses in the automotive field,” he said.

“PETRONAS is very pleased to be able to continue working with MARA to empower the economy of entrepreneurs in Malaysia. We will provide full support to the entire PETRONAS network
AutoExpert especially in terms of technical skills, training, equipment and marketing, so that all PUMP operators get sustainable value,” said Chief Executive Officer of PLMMSB, Mohd Zameer B Mohd Zahur Hussain who was also present at the opening event.

To date, a total of 20 PUMP outlets have been developed involving a financing allocation of RM10.3 million. Entrepreneurs under this program have achieved a sales value of RM15.85 million.

The opening of the Is Tayar Maju Sdn Bhd outlet owned by Ismail bin Ahmad, 52, can indirectly contribute to the development of the local economy in addition to creating job opportunities for local residents.


F1 (Round 5):  Preview & Starting Grid for Emirates Formula 1 70th Anniversary Grand Prix 2020

Race starts at 2:10 pm British time/9:10 pm Malaysian time

Following the British Grand Prix a week ago, F1 extends its stay at Silverstone this weekend with Round 5 of the 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship – the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix. The event has been named in celebration of the inaugural World Championship, the first event of which was the British (and honorary European) Grand Prix which took place at Silverstone on May 13th, 1950.

The circuit is noted for its fast, flowing corners but the intricacies of the lower-speed ‘Arena’ section between Abbey and the Wellington Straight are often where time is to be gained or lost. Silverstone is a difficult circuit on which to overtake and qualifying position is frequently paramount: thus, these sections receive just as much attention in set-up discussions as the famed high-speed turns at Copse, Stowe and the Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel complex.

Whereas last weekend’s British Grand Prix used the three hardest compounds in Pirelli’s range, a change in allocation this weekend alters the complexion of the race. For the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix, the allocation moves a step softer with C2, C3 and C4 tyres available.

While every team converged on a one-stop strategy last Sunday, the use of softer tyres on a fast, high-energy circuit makes a similar plan inherently risky this weekend. With a two-stop race more likely, greater strategic options come into play on the fast Silverstone layout.

“This weekend at Silverstone will be a real challenge with higher temperatures and softer compounds. The hotter conditions brought the field closer together last week and the softer tyres will mean more pit stops and more variability with strategy, so we can expect a good fight,” said Toto Wolff, Mercedes-AMG team boss.

After 4 rounds, Mercedes-AMG driver Lewis Hamilton already has a commanding lead of 30 points in the race for the Drivers’ Championship. His closest rival is team-mate Valtteri Bottas, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen a further 6 points back.

With the contribution made by Hamilton’s victories, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS team has an equally daunting advantage in the Constructors’ Championship table, enjoying a 68-point lead. The controversy over the brake ducts on the BWT Racing Point car, which were the subject of a protect by the Renault team, reached a conclusion yesterday as the FIA decided to deduct 15 championship points from the team’s current standing. They have also been fined €400,000 (about RM1.97 million).

BWT Racing Point will be appealing but Ferrari, McLaren and Renault have also issued statement that declare an intention to appeal against that decision. There are other issues which have come to light which the teams now want the FIA to clarify.

*: BWT Racing Point had a 15-point deduction for a technical issue.


Castrol Game Changers Contest offers you a chance to go to England to watch an EPL match!

While Castrol is a leading name in the automotive and motorsports world as one of the leading lubricant companies, the brand also has a presence in non-automotive events such as the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship. With its sponsorship of such world-class events, supported by various campaigns and activities, the brand has had exposure globally along with its versatile range of high-performance lubricants.

This year, Castrol’s presence in the football world will grow even further with the signing of an exclusive sponsorship with the English Premier League (EPL) for 2½ years, commencing from January 2022. As the most-watched football league on the planet, the EPL is broadcast in 212 territories to over 543 million homes, with a potential viewership of 4.7 billion.

Through this sponsorship, Castrol aims to showcase its evolving serve and maintenance business and provide an avenue to many customers to engage in two things they are passionate about – automotive and football.

Castrol subsidiaries around the world will also be having activities relating to the EPL sponsorship and in Malaysia, there will be various digital activations for the digital presence of Castrol Malaysia. One such activity will invite Malaysians to share their individual recreations of memorable football moments on social media in the ‘Castrol EPL Original Moment’ contest. There will also be bi-weekly activities for social media users where questions and games related to football matches will be asked. Through these events, football fans will be able to show off their knowledge in an engaging and fun way.

Some of the exclusive merchandise that can be won at booths promoting the Castrol Game Changers Contest.

Throughout the year, there will also be other on-site campaigns which will include the Castrol Game Changers Contest. An exclusive Castrol X EPL Rover will be at key locations nationwide between May and September to promote the contest. At the various venues, members of the public will have a chance to win Castrol X EPL merchandise when they purchase Castrol MAGNATEC or Castrol EDGE engine oils.

Click here to know more about the Castrol Game Changers Contest

Following the Castrol Game Changers Contest, 20 lucky participants (and their partners) will be selected from the entries to take part in a Race Off event. The top 8 teams that win the Race Off will proceed to the next and final level of the contest which will be a 2-on-2 futsal match. There will be two Grand Prizes of 4 tickets to watch an EPL match live in England in 2023.

For Castrol Malaysia, this year is of historic significance and there will be various celebrations throughout the year. One of them which has already been run in March was
Castrol Hari Mekanik
, which returned in a big way for the fourth consecutive year.
Castrol Auto Service
 (CAS) is also celebrating its 20
th
 anniversary this year and there are great promotions and deals for customers.

This is an exciting era for Castrol Malaysia and Singapore. The EPL sponsorship adds another feat to Castrol’s long list of milestones, particularly in our collaborative efforts with football organisations worldwide. This alliance will further showcase Castrol’s range of products and services to its audience and create a platform for us to engage with them, as well as appreciate them for being with us all this while. We are very excited to kick off the celebrations soon,” said Keow Mei-Shan, Marketing Director of Castrol Malaysia & Singapore.

To know more about Castrol products and services in Malaysia,
click here
.

Castrol Malaysia and Continental Tyres Malaysia to collaborate in offering products and services


Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Launched: 256hp, 390Nm – RM159,800

Chery is no longer the brand we knew of from 20 years ago. The company is vastly different and has five major global R&D centres with a team of over 7,000 people actively conducting research and development.

Besides that, Chery now has 10 major factories, 1,500 overseas service outlets and boasts 11.3 million vehicles sold worlwide.

The company is obviously much different now and has the most advanced manufacturing techniques to attain excellent quality.

On the Malaysian front, Chery has launched the
Omoda 5
 and the Tiggo 8 Pro and we were taken away by the pricing! For this article we will focus on the Tiggo 8 Pro. This one aims to take on the big boys, such as the Proton X90 and Kia Sorento.

Unlike the Omoda 5, the Tiggo 8 Pro comes in a single luxury variant and we are not complaining as this single variant offers more than enough.

The Tiggo measures at 4722 mm in length, 1860 mm in width and 1705 mm in height and is capable of seating 7. It is built on the Modern T1X Platform. It comes with LED headlights, an illuminated logo that’s found on the front “galaxy” grille and the rear end features a full-width LED bar and T-shaped third brake lights. It is fitted with a set of 19-inch dual-tone alloys wrapped with 235/55 tyres.

The Tiggo 8 Pro is actually an improved version that in China is called Tiggo 8 Pro Max. To make things less complicated and not sound like an iPhone model, the “Max” was dropped for the Malaysian market.

Other exterior features include LED daytime running lights (DRL), powered tailgate, quad tailpipes and roof rails. Colour options available are only Dark Black and Khaki White.

The interior gives you the feel of driving a German continental car due to its premium aesthetics. Inside you will find 7-seats, a floating dual-screen setup that consists of an instrument display cluster and an infotainment display that measure 24.6 inches in total.

Just below the air conditioning vents, the climate control is controlled by touch-sensitive buttons. It also has a leather-wrapped flat bottom steering wheel and there are a total of eight Sony speakers which is a Burmester-style speaker grilles that you can find in a Mercedes.

In addition to that, it has memory function for the driver seat, heating and ventilation function for the front seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Mobile phone wireless charger, multi-colour ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, independent third-row aircon and electric panoramic sunroof with electric sunshade.

With all three rows of seats in place, the boot has a capacity of 193 litres, or 1,179 litres with 3rd row seats folded down and 2,101 litres with 2nd and 3rd row seats folded down.

It is propelled by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder petrol turbo engine. 256hp and 390Nm are solely sent to the front wheels and is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The Fuel consumption (combined) is 7.4 L/100km.

Safety wise, the Tiggo come with the full ADAS suite that comes with a 540-degree camera. Yup, you read that right. Its the 360-degree camera system that consists of an underfloor camera. Standard ADAS features include:

Front collision warning (FCW)
Adaptive cruise control (ACC) & integrated cruise assist (ICA)
Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
Lane departure warning (LDP)
Lane departure keeping (LDK)
Rear cross traffic alert (RCTA)
Traffic sign recognition (TSR)
Traffic jam assist (TJA)
Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
Blind spot detection
Door open warning

How much for all this? The Tiggo 8 Pro is priced at RM159,800, on the road without insurance.

Additionally, Chery Malaysia presented its warranty plan, which covers the vehicle for seven years or 150,000 kilometres in addition to five years of free service (with alternate years of free labour). The engine has a 10-year or 1-million-kilometer warranty. However, this is only available to the first 3,000 customers. After that, it returns to seven years/150,000 km. However, add RM2,000 for an extended warranty plan if you really want the 10y/1m bundle.

As for local assembly, this will be done at a 200-acre manufacturing facility in Kulim, Kedah, in partnership with Inokom Corporation Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Sime Darby Motors Malaysia. More information on that later.


Proton Partners With E-Bidding Companies

Proton has established formal strategic alliances with three reputable E-Bidding Companies (EBC) to improve the way that trade-in vehicles are disposed of for customers. The company is certain it has made great progress towards providing a quicker and more effective means for clients to own new cars by working with EBCs myTukar, MUV, and Carsome.

It has become clear that customers need a better option to trade in and get rid of their old cars as sales volume keeps increasing. Customers may expect a variety of advantages from these collaborations, including improved convenience, reliability, competitive trade-in values, pricing transparency, safe payment and ownership transfer, daily auctions, quicker disposal, and thorough inspections.

Customers will be able to send their vehicles for auction through an easy-to-use online portal thanks to Proton’s relationship with EBCs. Customers might save time and effort by not having to visit numerous dealerships or haggle with potential buyers as a result.

Customers will be able to earn competitive trade-in values for their cars through an honest and open auction system. Consumers receive a flawless experience thanks to the clear pricing approach, which guarantees that consumers can make knowledgeable decisions during the trade-in process. The payment and ownership transfer processes are also accelerated to reduce any potential delays or issues.


Fuel Price Updates For February 17 – February 23, 2022


Connectivity technologies make motoring safer and give more peace of mind to Toyota owners

Connectivity is a popular term in use today; in the context of the car, it refers to the ability for different electronic devices to interface and interact. Connectivity in earlier days could be said to have started from the radio sending broadcasts that could be received on the radio in the car. As time went on, drivers could also connect their own devices to listen to a personal selection of music, usually via a cable and then wirelessly by Bluetooth.

Today, connectivity is at a far more advanced level as connections can be made to the internet with wireless broadband services, and smartphone apps can also be mirrored on the infotainment system of the car. The location of the vehicle can also be determined precisely – anywhere on the planet – using GPS (Global Positioning by Satellite) systems.

Today’s connectivity technologies in cars can bring smartphone apps to the dashboard and even connect to the internet for information and entertainment.

Carmakers have used these new technologies to the fullest to make motoring safer and also give drivers more peace of mind. For Toyota owners, the GPS technology is used not only for route guidance and navigation systems that make it easier to find a location but also for enhanced vehicle security.

Toyota Vehicle Telematics System

This is the Toyota Vehicle Telematics System (VTS) available in many models today. It was introduced by the UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) in 2019. With VTS, the vehicle’s location is monitored using GPS, and its location can be pinpointed on a mobile application. This means that it will be easier for relevant authorities to find the vehicle in the event it is stolen.

Furthermore, VTS is also able to detect an impact experienced by the vehicle. This would suggest an accident, in which case emergency services may be dispatched by the 24/7 command centre to the scene, speeding up rescue actions and perhaps saving a life.

VTS also allows vehicle owners to review their trip history with minute-to-minute reports. They can know the distance covered and overall duration of their journey – useful for those who make claims for travelling expenses. The mobile application. Which can track multiple vehicles, can also review driving patterns during each journey as well as set driving parameters as safety measures with younger or new drivers.

“Connected mobility is a concept that is revolutionizing the automotive industry and it  essentially brings greater peace of mind with the ownership of a car. This enables the driver to form  somewhat of a personal and unique relationship with his vehicle, an interaction that was never available 20 to 30 years ago,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.

Toyota’s use of connectivity technologies provides more peace of mind when travelling long distances as assistance is immediately available should an emergency occur.

Toyota 24Seven Road Assist

UMWT also offers vehicle owners Toyota 24Seven Road Assist via its mobile application, an industry first. This is an evolution of what used to be ‘a call away’ for around-the-clock roadside assistance. With almost everyone having a smartphone these days, the mobile app is more convenient and all it takes is just a few swipes on the phone to get immediate assistance.

“We have been providing our customers with Toyota 24Seven Road Assist for the last 20 years. This is a service that continually undergoes enhancements to ensure that they never have to  worry when they are on the road. As mobile technology grows more advanced, naturally the next logical step would be to introduce a mobile application that would bring this service to the next higher level,” said Mr. Ravindran.

Toyota 24Seven Road Assist is not just for the time when accidents occur but can even be called upon if the vehicle has run out of fuel or has a puncture. This is certainly a welcome support service when on a long journey. A request via the mobile app will bring help quickly and because the location is known via GPS, it is easier for the support team to find the vehicle.

Free minor on-the-spot repairs and nationwide towing (up  to 50 kms) are offered to all Toyota owners using Toyota 24Seven Road Assist (terms and conditions apply).

A key  feature built into the mobile app is an SOS button with a real-time tracking feature. Users have the ability track the travel route and time of the help that is on the way to  them. Further assurance is in the fact that the help is from a trusted authorised Toyota outlet or service provider. If necessary, Toyota’s Freephone number
1-800-888-247
 can be used to speak to a human operator, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

“As technology advances, so will cars. This is inevitable, and we have seen vehicles rapidly evolving over the last 20 to 30 years to becoming increasingly safer, cleaner, more economical, offering better performance, to now growing even more intelligent and are able to provide greater forms of interaction with the driver. Suffice to say that transportation and communication will become increasingly reliant on one another moving forward in an era of seamless and connected mobility,” said UMW Toyota Motor Deputy Chairman, Akio Takeyama.

UMW Toyota Motor introduces Toyota Synergised Mobility to present a new aspect of the brand


One year later, the Nissan JUKE Rally Tribute concept becomes a reality

Nissan started participating in the Safari Rally in 1963 and in 1966, a Bluebird entered by the team became the first Japanese car to win its class in the gruelling event. Other victories followed and by 1970, Nissan finally took top honours, winning all three prizes – overall (with a Datsun 1600 SSS), class and team. In 1971, a Datsun 240Z won to give the brand its second consecutive overall victory in the rally.

The original Datsun 240Z which won the Safari Rally.

From concept sketch to one-off model

Paying tribute to the successes in the legendary rally half a century later is the Nissan JUKE Hybrid Rally Tribute. The special model has now moved to become a fully operational one-off vehicle following the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the original concept images. Its unveiling previews the European introduction of the JUKE Hybrid soon.

“The JUKE Hybrid Rally Tribute represents our optimism and daring mindset. We are currently preparing an exciting new chapter of JUKE history in advance of the introduction of the new JUKE Hybrid in the summer. It will offer the excitement and agility customers would expect of our iconic crossover, with both improved performance and efficiency. The JUKE Hybrid Rally Tribute takes its playful character to a new level. “Speaking about the decision to bring the JUKE Hybrid Rally Tribute to life,” said Coralie Musy, Vice-President, Brand and Customer Experience of Nissan’s AMIEO region.

Advanced hybrid powertrain

The JUKE Hybrid powertrain consists of a new generation Nissan internal combustion engine specifically developed for working in a hybrid powertrain application. It produces 69 kW (94 ps) and 148 Nm of torque.

The main electric motor produces 36 kW (49 ps) with 205 Nm of torque, while there is a 15 kW contribution from a high voltage starter/generator, all of which is fed by a 1.2 kWh water-cooled battery. The net result is a powertrain providing 25% more power than the current petrol engine option, with a claimed fuel consumption reduction of approximately 40% in the urban cycle.

Smart automatic gearbox

Also carried over from the production version of the JUKE is an advanced low friction multi-modal gearbox that provides optimal use of the propulsive power, whether electric, petrol engine, or both. To reduce friction, this motorsport-inspired gearbox uses dog clutches instead of conventional synchroniser rings to shift the 4 ICE (internal combustion engine) gears and 2 EV (electric vehicle)  gears.

Additionally, to reduce friction, this gearbox does not use a clutch. All vehicle starts are 100% electric, and the 2 EV motors are used in combination to synchronise the gears, delivering smooth, connected and responsive acceleration.

The gearbox is controlled by an advanced algorithm, managing the shift points, battery regeneration, as well as the advanced series-parallel architecture. The powertrain can seamlessly navigate through different hybridisation combinations (series, parallel, series-parallel) according to acceleration and power requirements and without any driver input.

Rally-inspired modifications

Like the
Gripz concept car
 that was displayed at the 2015 Frankfurt Motorshow, the JUKE Hybrid Rally Tribute takes its design cues from the iconic 240Z that competed so successfully in the desert rally over 50 years ago.

The most obvious modification are the enlarged wheelarches to accommodate the tailor-made off-road tyres, while the additional lights mounted on the bonnet and roof echo those of the 1970s era.

Similarly, the black of the bonnet and enlarged black wheels are a visual homage to the 1971 rallycar. To further provide period accuracy are vintage sponsor logos and the number 11, while the additional reinforced plates under the front and rear valances offer protection to the vehicle’s underside. Reinforced and long-travel suspension has been fitted all-round, while the tyres are 265/70 R16.

Inside, the cabin has been modified with the fitment of a tubular cage to stiffen the bodyshell and to offer protection in the case of an incident at speed in the challenging desert environment. The rear seats have been removed to provide space for spare wheels and 4-point harnesses have been added to secure the driver and navigator safely in their racing seats.

Other modifications to the interior include the fitment of a competition fire extinguisher, an intercom system with a pair of headphones (though the JUKE Hybrid Rally Tribute would be much quieter than the rallycar), the fitment of Alcantara trim on the steering wheel, and a hydraulic handbrake with a high-reach handle.

As part of the Juke Hybrid Rally Tribute project and in line with exploring rallying while being as eco-conscious as possible, the powertrain uses liquids and biofuels provided by Shell, Nissan’s partner for the 1971 East African Rally.

What if the original Nissan Silvia was produced today?


The Fastest Volkswagen R To Lap Nurburgring-Nordschleife (w/VIDEO)

The Volkswagen Golf R celebrates its 20
th
 anniversary this year and to mark this milestone, a
 Golf R “20 Years”
 became the fastest R model of all time on the famous Nurburgring-Nordschleife racetrack in Germany. The anniversary model bettered the previous lap record of a Golf R on the 20.832-km long course more by 4 seconds with its official lap time of 7:47.31 minutes.

From 241 ps to 333 ps
The achievement reflects how the Golf R’s performance – particularly engine output – has risen from the first model in 2002 which had 241 ps/320 Nm. It was known as the Golf R32 then and used a 3.2-litre 6-cylinder engine.

The Golf R “20 Years” delivers 333 ps/420 Nm from its 2-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, 13.6 ps more than the latest Golf R. With this increase output, the Golf R “20 Years” is claimed to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and can go faster than 270 km/h but is electronically limited to that top speed.

But it is not just the power of the turbocharged engine that makes the special-edition model the most dynamic Volkswagen R of all time on the Nordschleife. The clear increase in performance is also the result of the extensive standard equipment with technical highlights such as the R-Performance package, Driving Dynamics Manager and R-Performance Torque Vectoring.

The record was set by touring car racing driver and Volkswagen R development driver, Benjamin Leuchter, who actively involved in the development of the R-Performance package for the Golf R “20 Years”.

Custom driving profile
Alongside the regular ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Race’ driving profiles, the special-edition model also comes as standard with the additional ‘Special’ and ‘Drift’ profiles. For racing around the Nordschleife, the driver chose the ‘Special’ profile which was developed specially for the track.

This profile gives the Golf R a set-up that meets the unique requirements of what is probably the most demanding racetrack in the world. This includes adjusting the shock absorbers to a more soft and comfortable setting due to the enormous loads at the maximum performance level when driving on such tracks.

As one of the 15 possible settings of the controlled shock absorbers, this guarantees optimum road contact on tracks with a large number of bumps, just like the Nurburgring. Together with the adapted steering wheel and drive settings, this makes it possible to take the large number of fast and medium-fast bends on the Nordschleife in an ideal way.

The modified shift characteristics of the 7-speed gearbox allow gear changes with more intensive. The optimised exhaust system sound in the low engine speed range and the rougher engine sound in the cabin underlined the car’s increased dynamic performance.

Enhanced engine tuning
The step forward in development compared with the predecessor model is also shown by the enhanced engine tuning of the Volkswagen Golf R anniversary vehicle. The preloaded turbocharger is also kept at a constant speed in overrun mode so that the engine can develop its power more quickly in subsequent acceleration. This process is supported by the continuously open throttle valve. When the driver takes his foot off the accelerator and then accelerates again, this allows faster build-up of the torque and noticeably improves the engine’s responsiveness.

“With this car, I can drive here on the Nurburgring and the next stop is then the baker’s shop or the DIY store. The car is really an all-rounder that can do everything,” said a visibly impressed Leuchter. That’s exactly the concept pursued by Volkswagen R which has developed models as Volkswagen’s premium performance brand since 2002.

All-new Volkswagen Golf R revealed


Special edition Ford GT introduced

The Blue Oval has announced that it will be offering a heritage edition of its latest supercar, the Ford GT. Called the Ford GT ’67 Heritage edition, it is an attempt by the company to pay homage to the legendary 1967 GT40 Mark IV that made history by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Mark IV GT40 has a special place in the hearts of many Ford fans, because the car was a dominant force of the famous endurance race, outpacing Ferrari mind you, and taking home the crown four times in succession.

And as such, this new car, will feature the same paint scheme as well as unique interior features that not only set it apart from the regular car, but invoke a sense of heritage that can be traced all the way back to the mid 1960s.

“In creating a worthy successor to the ’66 Heritage edition, we logically looked at our next historic Le Mans victory with the all-American team of Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt,” said Dave Pericak, global director, Ford Performance.

He later added, “The Ford GT ’67 Heritage edition pays homage to that win, with a modern take on one of the most important vehicles in Ford’s storied history of racing.”

Buyers of the Ford GT ’67 Heritage edition will get a car that has a gloss-finish ‘race red’ paint scheme that is accented with contrasting white stripes and exposed carbon-fibre trim pieces. The number 1, will be placed on the hood, and doors of the car, which is a nod to the championship winning ’67 racer.

Apart from that, other aesthetic tweaks include a 20-inch forged aluminium wheels in silver satin clear coat with black wheel nuts as well as red calipers and silver rear view mirror caps.

On the inside, the car features a new leather trim with red accent stitching for the carbon-fibre seats, which is the same colour scheme adopted for the steering wheel. The seatbelt webbing is red in colour and the paddle shifters are anodized grey.

As proof of the car’s authenticity, there will be a unique serialized identification plate denoting the production number of the specific vehicle with respect to the total production number. Other bits include an exposed matte carbon fibre door sills and air register pods.

The new car is the second iteration of Ford’s homage to the 1967 Mark IV GT40 with the first being, its predecessor, the original Ford GT. The Ford GT ’67 Heritage edition can be viewed at
FordGT.com
 using the configuration tool.


Are You A Rebel? BMW Malaysia Wants You For The New X2! [+Videos]

BMW Malaysia will introduce the much-anticipated
BMW X2
 in Malaysia this week. The first-ever
Premium Compact Sports Activity Coupe
 from the premium automaker goes above and beyond any rival past and present in the segment, bringing new dynamism and sheer driving pleasure to set a new and bold definition of cool to the segment. On that note, BMW Malaysia is Looking for Rebels with the First-Ever BMW X2 – The Ones Who Dare to Be
Bold, Loud, Strong
and
 Different.

The First-Ever BMW X2 is slated to be introduced on
21
st
 March 2018
 but the Newest Premium Compact Sports Activity Coupe from the premium automaker can now already be
pre-booked online
 with a chance to win one of a kind and exclusive experiences.

Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia
 (above) said,
“We look forward to further boost the BMW X range here with the extroverted BMW X2. Our newest Premium Sports Activity Coupe will stand out from the crowd in any setting and will set a very distinct impression on the roads around the country. The First-Ever BMW X2 is for the Cool Rebels, the ones who will break boundaries and challenge the status quo further.”

Have a look at just how much fun this new X2 Coupe from BMW is, thanks to this video from
EVO Aurizn
, who drove the car in Portugal recently… presenter Beng is a bit of a rebel herself actually, how apt!

The First-Ever BMW X2 can be pre-booked at
app.bmw.com.my/x2
 from
16
th
 March to 20
th
 March 2018
 with a booking fee of
RM3,000.00
. Successful applicants will also be in the running to win One of a Kind and exclusive experiences from BMW Malaysia, such as an opportunity to travel to the
BMW Alpine xDrive Driving Experience in New Zealand
, a place at the
BMW M Track Day at the Sepang International Circuit
 and a spot in the
Advanced Module Course of the BMW Driving Experience
 at the Sepang International Circuit.

Grand Prize – BMW Alpine xDrive at the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds.

The Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds is an award winning automotive proving ground located in the South Island of New Zealand. The facility is one of the key locations in the world for the winter testing of vehicles.

BMW Malaysia is offering successful customers who pre-booked their New BMW X2
online
 and financed their vehicles through
BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia
 a chance to win a trip to the
Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds, New Zealand
, from
26th June to 28
th
 June 2018
 for the BMW Alpine xDrive Experience. Check out the videos below:

The highlights of the programme include a helicopter ride from the Millbrook Resort in Arrowtown to the grounds, a full day BMW snow driving experience which includes drifting, slalom, technical hill descents, ice driving, drag racing, and hot laps with qualified BMW Driver trainers.

Additionally, should the winner finance their first ever BMW X2 with BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the premium automotive financing company will also provide the winner with its Assurance Shield Programme, a complete life insurance product for the vehicle owner with the addition of coverage for the financing of the vehicle.

Tobias Eismann, CEO of BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia
 in explaining the Assurance Shield Programme further said,
“The insurance offering is attached to the vehicle owner in his or her registered name and offers not only complete life insurance protection but also protection for the payment of the vehicle for the security of the spouse and the family in the event of unfortunate circumstances.”

First Runner-Up – BMW M Track Day:
Also up for grabs is the chance to drive a selection of BMW M vehicles on the Sepang International Circuit in conjunction with the upcoming BMW M Track Day programme later in the year. Check out the action thanks to AutoBuzz in the video above…

Second Runner-Up – BMW Driving Experience:
An introduction to more skillful driving on the Sepang International Circuit. The Advanced Module of the BMW Driving Experience combines technology and driving skills to assess and overcome potential hazards in an exhilarating driving programme created to share safety and responsible driving techniques as part of BMW Malaysia’s Safety 360
0
 Programme. Have a look at what’s in store for you thanks to the video above by EVO Aurizn.


Bentley to launch 5 new hybrid models in 2022, first EV in 2025

Every sector of the auto industry has to meet carbon-neutrality targets during this target and even the brands in the uppermost segments are not exempted although their volumes may be relatively lower. While all will eventually offer models powered only by electricity (battery electric vehicles or BEVs), the transition period will see hybrid powertrains being used for electrification. It is anticipated that more than 20% of sales this year will come from the brand’s hybrid models.

Bentley already started this transition a few years ago with the
Bentayga Hybrid
 and has followed up with the
Flying Spur Hybrid
. It is continuing with development of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and has announced that 5 new models will be launched this year. As Bentley has only 5 model lines (including the Flying Spur and Bentayga), these new cars HEVs will likely be variants of the models, one of which will be the Continental GT.

The Bentayga Hybrid (above) and Flying Spur Hybrid (below) will be joined by 5 more hybrid models in 2022.

From 2025, the carmaker plans to launch one new BEV every year under its ‘Five-in-Five’ plan that is part of its
Beyond100
 strategy to reduce the brand’s environmental impact. Innovative steps will be taken to neutralise Bentley’s carbon footprint even further towards its aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. These include a commitment that all its global retailers will be carbon-neutral by 2025 (or sooner), with production zero impact by 2030.

To realise this strategy, Bentley has committed a sustainable investment of £2.5 billion for product development as well as transforming the factory in Crewe, England, to become a ‘Dream Factory’ – a digital, zero environmental impact, flexible and  high-value manufacturing facility.

The Crewe site is already a certified carbon neutral facility, and the next initiatives will be an extension of on-site energy production with solar power. Moreover, Bentley is investigating using sustainable biofuel in fleet cars, including its Heritage Collection.

“
Beyond100
 is the boldest plan in Bentley’s illustrious history, and in the luxury segment. It’s an ambitious and credible roadmap to carbon neutrality of our total business system, including the shift to 100% BEV in just 8 years,” said Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, which is part of the Volkswagen Group. “Our aim is to become the benchmark not just for luxury cars or sustainable credentials but the entire scope of our operations. Securing production of our first BEV in Crewe is a milestone moment for Bentley, and the UK, as we plan for a long-term sustainable future in Crewe.”

Bentley’s sales have continued to climb and the total of 14,659 vehicles delivered in 2021 exceeded by 31% the record volume set the year before. This achievement was driven by new model introductions, a fresh product portfolio and increasing demand for the hybrid models.

While the Americas region took the most vehicles (4,212 units), it was China where Bentley saw the biggest growth of 40% to 4,033 units. The Asia Pacific region posted an increase of 37% which was also said to be a record performance as 1,651 vehicles were delivered, against 1,203 sold in 2020.

Click here for other new and articles about Bentley


New vehicle sales and production for the first half of 2020

The official numbers are out and as expected, they show a grim picture of the auto industry’s performance in the first 6 months of this year. For the first half (H1) of 2019, the Total Industry Volume (TIV) was almost 300,000 units but this year, it fell by 41.1% to 174,675 units.

As the chart shows, the unprecedented contraction started in March when the Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented in the middle of the month and the slide continued through April with a 99.7% drop compared to April 2019 as no business could be done. By May, the situation shows signs of improvement that the government was willing to relax the MCO and allowed many businesses to resume operations, with strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to be observed.

The resumption began with service centres and factories and then showrooms were also allowed to open for business. While large numbers of customers didn’t visit showrooms, many companies began to promote their online services for booking which at least started the purchasing process without having to physically be in contact with the customer.

May saw a climb in numbers to 23,960 units and then came some good news that was part of the government’s plan to help industries recover: the sales tax of 10% would be exempted from June 15 to December 31, 2020. For locally-assembled models, which make up the dominant share of new vehicles sold, the exemption would be 100% and for imported CBU models, it would be 50%. It was hoped that the lowering of prices would encourage people to buy new vehicles.

Like passenger vehicle sales, commercial vehicle sales also fell this year but pick-ups continued to have the biggest volume.

Even with just two weeks in June when the prices were reduced (although Perodua started adjusting prices downwards a bit earlier), sales shot up by 91.7% from the May TIV to 44,695 units – even higher than the 42,526 units reported in June 2019.

2020 forecast revised twice

When the MCO was in force and its impact on the industry was clear, the MAA revised its forecast for the year downwards to 400,000 units. Then, when the government announced the exemption of sales tax, the forecast was revised again as it was felt that the auto industry-specific incentive, along with other economic incentives, would help to boost sales. The revision saw the TIV for 2020 going up to 470,000 units.

This means that, for the second half of the year, the TIV would have to be 295,325 units or almost 50,000 units each month. That may appear a bit ambitious but last year, 5 of the six months in the second half of the year saw volumes over 50,000 units. However, consumers were uncertain about the economy then, not their lives; it is different this year with concerns about COVID-19. Many people have lost their jobs (the unemployment rate increased to 5.3% in May from 3.3% in February) or had big pay cuts and buying a new vehicle might be one of the last things on their mind.

Used car business booming

The used car industry is experiencing a boom, though. According to MAA President, Datuk Aishah Ahmad, apart from wanting to spend less on a vehicle purchase (or not at all), many people may be reluctant to use public transport to avoid risks of infection and therefore buy a low-priced used car for their transport needs.

Obviously, the auto industry would like more assistance from the government to help in its recovery but understandably, the government has to help other industries as well. The new National Automotive Policy (NAP) which was announced at the beginning of the year has yet to be implemented and the MAA will soon be meeting MITI to get more clarification on the policy as well as to offer suggestions on how the industry can be helped in its recovery. The MAA President thinks that the policy is unlikely to be changed despite the challenging economic conditions.

Other ASEAN markets

As always, the MAA press conference also included an overview of how other ASEAN markets are doing and as would be expected, there was a big drop in the total regional sales and production volumes by 42% and 39%, respectively. Only Myanmar did not have a decline in sales (in fact, its sales increased by 5%) during the first 6 months of 2020 but that market is small – less than 8,000 units over a 5-month period. Compared to the 5-month period in 2019, production in Thailand and Indonesia, the two big markets which also export substantial numbers of vehicles, dropped by 40% and 33%, respectively, while Malaysian production was 51% down.

After 2020

The MAA’s forecast for the next few years is conservative and as the TIV for 2020 is going to be lower than normal – the last time it was around 470,000 units was in the early 2000s – 2021 is expected to see a 17% increase to 550,000 units. However, after that, the TIV may slow down and a 9.1% increase to 600,000 units is forecast for 2012. Thereafter, it may be just 2% a year till the end of 2024.

At this time, it’s hard for anyone to say with certainty how things will be. As the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said, ‘the trajectory of the pandemic remains hard to predict’. Unlike economic recessions where business drops but when things get better, it picks up and continues to grow. This pandemic situation is like a world war, with devastation including loss of lives as well, that impacts virtually everything and with the economies so interconnected, every country will be affected.


Petrol Subsidy Program postponed

The Petrol Subsidy Program (PSP) due to commence in January 2020 has been postponed. Apparently, according to the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, the decision to postpone had been made 12 days ago during a Cabinet meeting.

The reason given in a statement issued this afternoon by the ministry is to allow ‘fine-tuning of the implementation process’ by the Ministry of Finance. A new date of implementing the PSP has not been announced but in the meantime, more explanation and clarification will be made so as to ensure people fully understand the PSP.

The minister added that the postponement would also benefit eligible motorists who are registering for the PSP. As is well known in Malaysian culture, doing things at the last moment is a common bad habit and the Finance Ministry hopes this will make things less hectic for them to handle.

The postponement does not have any immediate effect for those who are entitled to receive subsidies since the mechanism would provide subsidies only once every 4 months. Eligible motorcycle and car owners in Peninsular Malaysia will receive RM12 a month and RM30 a month, respectively.

The dedicated site for registering for the PSP seems to be offline until tomorrow.

Meanwhile, all motorists purchasing RON95 fuel (to be upgraded to the Euro4M standard from this Wednesday) and diesel will continue to enjoy subsidies to maintain the retail prices at RM2.08 and RM2.18 a litre, respectively. Hopefully, the postponement also means that the plan to raise the petrol price by 1 sen each week until it reaches levels determined the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (based on factors that include global oil prices) will also be postponed.

The price of RON97 petrol, which is not subsidized, has been be determined by the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM) each week. RON100 petrol, available only from Petron, is not under any price control. The last price shown on its website was RM3.10 a litre.

First details of targeted fuel subsidies revealed, starting January 2020


Nissan Navara VL With Intelligent Mobility Launched

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) today introduced a new addition to the Navara model line-up, the
Nissan Navara VL Plus,
with
Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM)
 technology and enhanced safety features.

The new Navara VL Plus is equipped with
Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM)
, a Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM) technology which uses 4 cameras to provide a 360° bird’s-eye view of the vehicle for easier navigation in tight spots and tricky parking situations.
7 SRS Airbags
(dual front, side and curtain airbags, as well as driver knee airbag) are also included for added protection, while the new
Digital Speedometer
 housed within the
Advance Driver-Assist Display
 offers more driving convenience.

“Imagine a whole new driving experience, moving through life with more excitement, confidence and connection to the world around you. Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM) offers that through Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM), which is available on our 3 best-selling models; X-Trail, Serena S-Hybrid and now the Navara”,
said Mr
 Christopher Tan, Sales and Marketing Director
of
 ETCM.

The Navara VL Plus remains unchanged in delivering a dynamic driving performance; with a
2.5 litre turbo intercooler diesel engine
 that outputs
190 PS
 and
450 Nm of torque
, and fitted with a first-in-class
7-speed automatic transmission with manual mode
 for an invigorating drive.

Additionally, the Navara is the first Japanese pickup in Malaysia with a
Multi-Link Rear Suspension System
 that offers an unprecedented driving comfort and handling, similar to SUVs. Along with
Zero Gravity Inspired Seats
, comfort is further enhanced as it eliminates driver fatigue on long journeys. Whether for recreational or business use, the Navara is a reliable double-cab pickup that can accommodate a full payload of one tonne.

The new Nissan Navara VL Plus comes with 5-years or 150,000km (whichever comes first) warranty, and is also available in the aggressive Black Series package.

NAVARA 2.5L VL PLUS

NAVARA 2.5L VL PLUS – BLACK SERIES

Peninsular Malaysia

RM119,869.08

RM123,642.67

Sabah

RM121,700.23

RM125,473.82

Sarawak

RM121,705.41

RM125,479.00

Labuan

RM121,600.00

RM125,400.00

Langkawi

RM120,600.00

RM124,400.00

On-the-road price inclusive 0% GST without Insurance.

Black Series package includes: Matte Black Headlamp Eyelid, Matte Black Front Grille, Blackout Front Bumper, Matte Black Fog Lamp Cover, Matte Black Overfender, Matte Black Side Mirror Cover, Black Sport Bar.

The Navara VL Plus will make its appearance in the upcoming
Nissan Nationwide Test Drive Carnival
 at selected showrooms over 2 weekends (4
th
 to 5
th
 August and 11
th
 to 12
th
 August), starting from 10am to 8pm. Members of the public are invited to visit the Nissan Nationwide Test Drive Carnival and be the first to experience the new Navara VL Plus.

Attractive deals, prizes and activities are offered in the carnival, including the fun and engaging
Nissan Nurtures Nature eco-friendly activities
 that are centered around the 3R environmental philosophy:
Reduce, Recycle and Reconnect:

Reduce – Herbs planting activity; grow your own herbs, bring more green into homes to reduce Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and produce more Oxygen (O2).

Recycle – Transform waste into useable items; a showcase of using a used tyre that can be creatively made into a rustic furniture.

Reconnect – Retreat to nature allowing its serenity to refresh, rejuvenate and re-energize the body and mind. A series of Eco Talk will be introduced to educate owners and customers on why and how we could play a role in contributing back to the environment.

Nissan Nationwide Test Drive Carnival dates and venues:

Date

Region

Venue

11
th
 – 12
th
 August

Central

ETCM Petaling Jaya
*

Central

ETCM Puchong

Northern

ETCM Weld Quay

Northern

ETCM Ipoh

Southern

ETCM Seremban

Southern

ETCM Johor Jaya
*

Sarawak

ETCM Kuching

Sabah

ETCM Sandakan

Exclusively with Nissan Nurtures Nature activities.

Eco Talk session is only available on Saturday (4
th
 August and 11
th
 August 2018).

Nissan Roadshow dates and venues:

Date

Venue

6
th
 – 12
th
 August

AEON Seri Manjung, Perak

9
th
 – 12
th
 August

Starling Mall, Petaling Jaya

17
th
 – 19
th
 August

Kluang Mall, Johor

21
st
 – 25
th
 August

AEON Tebrau City, Johor Bahru

22
nd
 – 26
th
 August

Mid Valley Megamall Exhibition Centre, Midvalley, Kuala Lumpur

For more information, visit
www.nissan.com.my
 or call ETCM’s Nissan Customer Care Centre at 1800-88-3838.


7th Generation Hyundai Elantra makes its global debut online from Hollywood

The COVID-19 pandemic may have disrupted the auto industry in many ways but some activities have been planned months in advance and cannot be cancelled unless forced to. In the case of the all-new Hyundai Elantra, the carmaker used The Lot Studios in West Hollywood, California for its global debut online and broadcast worldwide. Given the current situation in America, this approach was probably the best.

This is the seventh generation of the Elantra and the 4-door sedan as the pictures show, the new  Elantra has a sportier coupe look. It is longer, lower, and wider compared to the sixth-generation model with the front cowl point moved back around 50 mm. These minor changes dramatically changed the shape of the car but had limited impact on cabin space. In fact, most key interior dimensions increased.

Parametric Dynamics Design

‘Parametric Dynamics’ is the phrase Hyundai designers use to describe the dramatic look of the new Elantra. Like the first generation, the seventh-generation Elantra/Avante has a bold character,” said Luc Donckerwolke, Executive Vice-President and Chief Design Officer, Hyundai Motor Group. “The fresh aesthetic was completed through unconventional lines and a face that broke a taboo in automotive design. The new Elantra is highlighted by its stance that looks like geometric crystals and divided body surfaces to get a strong emotional response from the customers.”

The new Elantra sit on Hyundai’s third-generation vehicle platform and besides weighing less, this new platform also allowed the engineers to lower car’s centre of gravity for more agile handling. The multi-load path structure also improves occupant safety during a collision.

‘Immersive cocoon’ cabin

The cabin has been packaged like an ‘immersive cocoon’ which envelopes the driver like an airplane cockpit. Low, wide structures go from the door all the way to the centre console. The low, wide structure also provides ample interior room. A large interface consisting of two connected expansive 10.25-inch touchscreen displays enhances the futuristic feeling.

A coupe-like profile typically compromises headroom but not so with this new model. With 1031 mm of front headroom and 947 mm of rear headroom, the latest Elantra actually has more front headroom and no less rear headroom than its predecessor. The longer wheelbase also provides best-in-class rear legroom and the wider track width means improved shoulder room in the front and rear.

Besides having Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to put smartphone apps on the dashboard, dual Bluetooth support is also available, so two devices can be paired at the same time – one for phone calls and one for streaming audio.

Digital Key and Voice Recognition System

Depending on the market, customers can also include an optional smartphone-based Hyundai Digital Key. This uses a dedicated mobile app, Near Field Communication (NFC) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology to allow the car to be unlocked, started and driven without a physical key via applicable Android smartphones.

The enhanced natural language voice recognition system has more and better feature control. This system includes Speech-to-Meaning and Deep Meaning Understanding technologies, delivering speed and accuracy in voice recognition and responses, and an ability to understand context, such as the user’s location to support natural interactions.

Hybrid powertrain for the first time

A hybrid powertrain is now available in the Elantra line-up. This powertrain uses a 1.6-litre GDI Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder petrol engine that works with a 32-kW electric motor. Total system output is 139 bhp with up to 264 Nm of torque. Powered by a 1.32 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, the high-efficiency electric motor has an electric-only driving mode that delivers instantaneous torque at low speeds, with available power-assist at higher vehicle speeds.

The powertrain is mated to Hyundai’s quick-shifting, 6-speed, dual-clutch transmission, said to be a differentiating point between the Elantra Hybrid from its key competitors. Hyundai claims that the estimated fuel economy will be over 21 kms/litre.

As for the petrol version, this uses a 2-litre MPI unit that produces147 bhp/179 Nm. Hyundai says that a best-in-class consumption figure will be achieved, due in part to an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). This transmission, developed in-house, has superior efficiency and replicates gearshifts like those in the automatic transmissions that customers are used to.

The transmission performs continuous shifts by the modulating pressure of the transmission’s pulley, depending on driving conditions and driver inputs. It uses a wide-ratio pulley system, which provides a broader ratio of operation compared with its competitors. This allows for improved fuel economy at higher gear ratios and improved performance at lower ratios.

Hyundai’s new Shift Control Strategy used by the IVT improves linearity between driver inputs, vehicle behaviour and acceleration. Shift response closely replicates automatic transmission step shifts.

SmartSense Safety

Hyundai’s safety suite is known as ‘SmartSense’ and comprises a new array of standard advanced safety technologies such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection; Lane Keeping Assist; Lane Following Assist; High Beam Assist; and Drive Attention Warning.

A more advanced package (at extra cost) Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist; Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist; Smart Cruise Control; Highway Driving Assist; Safe Exit Warning; and Reverse Parking Collision Avoidance Assist.

Production of the new Elantra begins in Korea and America in the second half of the year with shipments starting in the fourth quarter. It’s not known when the new model will be available in Malaysia though it would almost certainly be in 2021 if it continues to be assembled locally at the plant in Kedah.

The Story of N – Hyundai N (w/VIDEO)


Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Named UK’s ‘Best Hybrid’ In What Car? Awards

You read that right; the Hyundai Ioniq

has been named the UK’s ‘Best Hybrid’, while the high-performance i30 N was commended as the ‘Best Hot Hatch for £20,000-£30,000’.

The awards, judged by members of the
What Car?
 road-test and editorial team, praised the Ioniq Hybrid for its cost, equipment and drivability and the all-round performance capability of the i30N.

Steve Huntingford, Editor of
What Car?
 said,
“In the last year, we’ve seen a huge increase in the number of people reading about hybrid cars on
whatcar.com
, which is why we felt it was important to recognise the best models in the class.
Toyota may have had the market for affordable hybrids pretty much sewn up with the
Prius
 but now there’s a top-notch alternative in the shape of Hyundai’s Ioniq…”

More than any other car, the Ioniq shows that you can now drive a hybrid without having to accept any compromises. Not only is it clean, temptingly priced and cheap to run, but it’s more practical, better equipped and better to drive than its rivals
”
he added.

Stay tuned for our upcoming feature and video on why the S.Koreans are beating the Japanese at their own game, coming soon!


Formula E/Round 3: First-ever win for TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team

Mexico City was the venue for the third round of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship yesterday, with 22 drivers whizzing around the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez track in the all-electric single-seaters. A perfect mix of long, fast straights and a technical infield section produced intense races and high drama for the 40,000 spectators who turned up.

The circuit in Mexico City, part of which passes through the Foro Sol stadium, has new artwork that represents the modern, progressive, innovative values of Formula E’s race locations. The patterns draw on the rich cultural history of Mexico and combine this with modern-day artistic influences featuring a diverse tapestry of colours and patterns celebrating traditional techniques such as weaving, ceramics and mosaics, in a modern way.

Fresh from a third place finish in Round 2 (which was run at the same venue as Round 1 in Saudi Arabia last month) and a strong opening weekend for his new team, ROKiT Venturi Racing’s Lucas di Grassi would be the one to watch in Mexico. The Brazilian has made two trips to the top step in Mexico City, most recently in Season 5 after his first win two seasons earlier. Teammate Edo Mortara is looking to continue his fine opening weekend form and stay at the top of the drivers’ standings after winning the second of two races in Saudi Arabia.

Mortara’s win followed reigning World Champion Nyck de Vries’ victory in Round 1, as the Mercedes-EQ team immediately got to grips with the all-new Duels qualifying format. De Vries and teammate Stoffel Vandoorne dominated to take a one-two finish in the opening race of the seaon. The German manufacturer, which will leave Formula E after this season, sits just a point behind its customer outfit in the Teams’ World Championship, so Mercedes power is currently the benchmark.

The race

The competition was as close as it has ever been in the championship. Pascal Wehrlein led team mate Andre Lotterer in a historic 1-2 for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E, with the pair finishing 9 seconds ahead of the other cars, and both driver and team sealing their first ever victories in the championship. It was a perfect race for Porsche, with Wehrlein leading from Julius Baer Pole Position and fending off standings leader Mortara early on. The pair did drop into the pack behind the Swiss-Italian and Jean-Eric Vergne (DS TECHEETAH) for a brief period but gained a mighty energy advantage on the rest while still matching the leaders’ pace.

Into the final 15 minutes, Wehrlein and Lotterer picked their moment and passed Vergne and then Mortara for the lead. As they crossed the finish line, they were well ahead of the rest and could more than making amends for the heartbreak in Puebla in last season.

“It was very important for me [to win here], I have raced here a couple of times in the Championship and been close so many times. Here in Mexico last year was heart-breaking to finish in P1 but then get disqualified. It was payback this weekend and it feels amazing,” said Wehrlein.

Vergne was able to take third, with teammate da Costa battling to fourth after a number of skirmishes. Mortara did enough to hold on to the Drivers’ World Championship lead with fifth – the Venturi more marginal on energy than the Porsches and DS’ as the race wore on.

Reigning champion de Vries managed to end in sixth, a second ahead of Envision Racing’s Robin Frijns. Sebastien Buemi (Nissan e.dams) showed a stronger turn this time out to take eighth and points, just ahead of teammate Maximilian Guenther and Jake Dennis (Avalanche Andretti). Mortara thus heads the Drivers’ standings by 5 points over de Vries, with Wehrlein jumping to third with the Round 3 race win.

From Mexico City, the championship moves back across the Atlantic Ocean to Italy, where Rounds 4 and 5 will be run in Rome on April 9 and 10.

Formula E: Mercedes-EQ dominates opening round but ROKiT Venturi Racing grabs lead after Round 2


TyreSafe urges drivers not to fully rely on TPMS for tyre safety

Modern day cars, especially the higher end ones, are fitted with tyre pressure monitoring systems or TPMS. And even if that isn’t the case with lower end ones, there are plethora of aftermarket kits that offer the same level of functionality if not more.

A tyre pressure monitoring system does have its advantages. It serves as an early warning system to drivers, notifying them when there is a sudden drop in tyre pressure, which could indicate a puncture. This will allow him/her enough time to get the problem sorted out before its too late.

Apart from this, TPMS can also indicate to drivers when the air in each tyre requires topping up. As soon as air pressures drop below the normal values, TPMS will activate an indication light on the meter cluster to warn drivers of an issue.

Though this may seem like a Godsend, TyreSafe, a company in the UK has taken it upon itself to remind vehicle owners that they shouldn’t rely solely on TPMS for tyre safety. TPMS has its uses, it has proven to have improved driver awareness as far as tyre pressures are concerned.

That said, TPMS does not warn drivers of the condition of their tyres and whether they have sufficient tread depth left. These two criteria are just as important as air pressures are, when it comes to tyre safety. Tyres that have heavily degraded could disintegrate at any moment in time, posing a major threat to vehicle safety.

TPMS is a reliable technology and should work well for a significant amount of time, but this does not mean that they are safe from malfunctions or failures. This is because  batteries of the wheel-mounted sensors can ran out of power or the sensors themselves, can provide inaccurate readings over time.

This is why the UK based company is urging vehicle owners to remain vigilant and ensure that their TPMS is monitored regularly for signs of failure. This way, the chances of them failing could be considerably less than usual.

Your tyres are what connect your vehicle to the road. And regardless of how sophisticated your on-board electronic driver aids are, they won’t be able to do much good if the tyres aren’t up to the task at hand. Looking after your tyres are just as important as the attention given to the engine and gearbox.


Mercedes-Benz S-Class tames King of the Jungle

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has for decades, been regarded as the most technologically advanced production vehicle on the planet. Features and systems that are common place in regular econoboxes today, were first introduced on the S-Class years earlier. The car represents Merc’s never-ending pursuit of automotive perfection.

This notion can be proven by looking at the spec sheet of the latest car. Not only does it come with the a slew of advanced active and passive safety systems, but can also alter interior lighting, ambiance and fragrance, depending on one’s mood. This allows for an even more relaxing driving experience then that offered by its predecessors.

In a promotional video advert released by the company recently, these very features have been highlighted. It depicts the day in the life of a top level exec, as he goes through the motions of running a company. The lighthearted nature of the video portrays the stresses that ‘alpha male’ top level management execs are put under on a day-to-day basis.

The video reaches its climax toward the end of the clip where the boss, heading out in his S-Class, gets stuck in a traffic jam. As he is about to implode into manic rage of biblical proportions, the car’s interior system activates its various ‘mood changer’ features that help him calm down, and enjoy the moment.

This amusing yet relatable video is one of many that have been published by the automaker on its official
Youtube channel
. Check it out and let us know what you think of the car and its advanced tech features.


HMSB Presents 7 Honda City To “Joy Of Buying” Contest Winners

Honda Malaysia
 has concluded the
Joy of Buying
 contest with the prize-giving ceremony to present the seven grand prize winners with a brand new City each. Held from
1 September to 31 October 2018
, the Joy of Buying contest was to celebrate
Honda’s 70th Anniversary
 and Malaysia’s Unity. The contest also emphasizes the 3 Joys of Honda, which are
Joy of Buying, Joy of Selling and Joy of Creating
.

Honda Malaysia President and Chief Operating Officer, En. Roslan Abdullah
 (below) said,
“This contest is an effort to show our sincere gratitude and appreciation to our beloved customers. It is the strong support of our customers that has enabled Honda Malaysia to be the No.1 brand in Non-National segment for three consecutive years. We would like to thank all our customers for believing in the Honda brand. We will continue to provide the Joy of Buying to our customers to meet their demand for greater customer satisfaction.”

The two-month Joy of Buying contest received more than 4,800 submissions nationwide, of which, a total of 301 winners have been chosen. In addition to the seven grand prize winners of a City each for 7 weeks, there are 17 winners in the second place who will receive a Sony Blu-ray Home Cinema System each and 277 other winners will be rewarded with Honda official merchandise.

En. Roslan also added,
“This contest takes lead from our tagline, and seeks to find the most creative answer on “how the slogan ‘The Power of Dreams’ has changed the customer’s way of life.” The Power of Dreams has inspired Honda to what it is today, turning a dream into reality as we aspire to provide mobility solutions to make lives better.”

The City has maintained its leadership No. 1 position in the B-segment and it is Honda Malaysia’s best-selling model. This year, the model has contributed more than 30,200 units sold or 32% to the total Honda Malaysia sales from January to November, making it the highest sales unit contributor during this period.

For further information on the Joy of Buying winners, Honda models and its after-sales service, call the Honda Toll-Free number of 1-800-88-2020 or log on to www.honda.com.my.


Polestar Finally Adds A SUV To Its Range, To Be Built In America From 2024

Eventually, every carmaker adds a SUV to their range, a trend which started in the 1990s and reached the pinnacle of the car market in 2018 when even Rolls-Royce introduced a SUV it calls the
Cullinan
. Now Polestar, the company owned by Volvo (which is owned by the Geely Group), has finally come out with its SUV, the Polestar 3.

As Polestar produces only battery electric vehicles, the Polestar 3 is therefore powered only by electricity, no combustion engine or even hybrid option. And like other carmakers who make their SUVs in the USA because of the huge market for such vehicles, Polestar is also going to make its SUV there although production will be done in China during the first year and shift to America in 2024. Its other models are presently made in China and Sweden.

In line with Polestar’s commitment to transparency on its manufacturing, emissions and material impact, a complete Life-Cycle Assessment will be completed on the model when production begins. Subsequent assessments will follow throughout its life cycle, and work will continue to constantly find ways of reducing its carbon footprint.

Technology base shared with Volvo
The Polestar 3, to be priced from £79,900 (about RM423,000) is the first model on a new all-electric technology base developed by and shared with Volvo Cars. The first version will have a dual-motor configuration and a power bias towards the rear. The standard powertrain output produces a total of 360 kW (489 ps) and 840 Nm of torque. With the optional Performance Pack, total output is boosted to 380 kW (517 ps) and 910 Nm.

Adjustable one-pedal drive is included, as well as an electric Torque Vectoring Dual Clutch function on the rear axle – an evolution of what was originally developed for the
Polestar 1
. A decoupling function is also available for the rear electric motor, allowing the car to run only on the front electric motor to save energy under certain circumstances.

A 111 kWh battery pack provides the Polestar 3 with a claimed driving range of up to 610 kms. The lithium-ion battery features a prismatic cell design housed in a protective aluminium case with boron steel reinforcement and liquid cooling. A heat pump is included as standard to utilise ambient heat for climate and battery pre-conditioning.

The Polestar 3 is also equipped for bi-directional charging, enabling future potential for vehicle-to-grid and plug-and-charge capabilities.

Advanced chassis control is provided by dual-chamber air suspension as standard, allowing the SUV to adapt between comfort and dynamic suspension characteristics, and the car can adjust its active damper velocity electronically once every 2 milliseconds (500 Hz).

Given the taller stance of a SUV and its more functional cabin layout, it cannot follow the sleek design of other models. With the Polestar 3, the designers have adopted a new aerodynamic profile where strong focus has been placed on retaining the hallmarks of an SUV, including a powerful and wide stance. This has been led by subtle yet effective aerodynamic optimisation – including a front aero wing integrated into the bonnet, an aero wing integrated into the rear spoiler, and rear aero blades.

Materials used inside the Polestar 3 have been selected for their sustainability credentials, while raising premium aesthetics and luxury tactility. These include bio-attributed MicroTech, animal welfare-certified leather and fully traceable wool upholsteries.

Centralised computing with the NVIDIA DRIVE
This is the first car from Polestar to feature centralised computing with the NVIDIA DRIVE core computer, running software from Volvo Cars. Serving as the AI brain, NVIDIA’s high-performance automotive platform processes data from the car’s multiple sensors and cameras to enable advanced driver-assistance safety features and driver monitoring.

The infotainment system is powered by a next-generation Snapdragon Cockpit Platform from Qualcomm Technologies.  As a central component of the Snapdragon Digital Chassis – a comprehensive set of open and scalable cloud-connected automotive platforms – the Snapdragon Cockpit Platform will be utilised to provide immersive in-vehicle experiences with its high-performance capabilities to deliver high-definition displays, premium quality surround sound and seamless connectivity throughout the vehicle.

New era of safety
With Volvo Cars embarking on a new era of safety, the Polestar 3 carries next-generation advanced active and passive safety technology from Volvo Cars as part of its DNA. This includes the latest innovation – interior radar sensors that can detect sub-millimetre movements within the cabin, to help protect against accidentally leaving children or pets inside. The system is also linked to the climate control system to avoid heat stroke or hypothermia.

Further collaborations with industry-leading safety technology provide the Polestar 3 with cutting-edge ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) technology that integrates seamlessly, thanks to the centralised computing power.

22 sensors all round
As standard, there are no less than 5 radar modules, 5 external cameras and 12 external ultrasonic sensors to support numerous advanced safety features. The SmartZone below the front aero wing connects several of the forward-facing sensors, a heated radar module and camera, and now becomes a signature of Polestar design.

Inside, two closed-loop driver monitoring cameras bring leading eye-tracking technology from Smart Eye to a Polestar for the first time, geared towards safer driving. The cameras monitor the driver’s eyes and can trigger warning messages, sounds and even an emergency stop function when detecting a distracted, drowsy or ‘disconnected’ driver.

Customers will also have the option of including a Pilot Pack with LiDAR from Luminar which will add an additional control unit from NVIDIA, 3 cameras, 4 ultrasonic sensors and cleaning for the front- and rearview cameras, providing accurate real-time data about the car’s surroundings (especially in the long-range field). This enables enhanced 3D scanning of the car’s surroundings in greater detail and helps prepare the car for autonomous driving.

Android Automotive OS is the in-car operating system, co-developed with Google and fronted by a 14.5-inch centre display. It is an evolution of the technology first launched in
Polestar 2
 – the first car in the world with Google built-in – and a revolution of functionality and design for the large SUV segment. Over-the-air (OTA) updates are included to allow for continuous software improvement and the introduction of new features without the need to visit a service point.

Related:
Volvo is preparing infotainment systems for the future when the driver doesn’t have to drive

Polestar 2 offers advanced lighting technology to drivers