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

Over the next 10 years, Honda will allocate approximately 5 trillion yen in the area of electrification and software technologies to further accelerate its electrification, which is approximately 62% of the company’s overall R&D expenses budgeted for the same. This expenditure will enable it to have up to 30 EV models globally by 2030 with production volumes of more than 2 million units annually. This huge investment will help Honda achieve carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050.

The strong focus on EVs – and presumably, Honda is referring to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) – may suggest that the carmaker will be decreasing development of internal combustion engines (ICE) and hybrid vehicles (HEVs). In fact, last year, it announced the intention to stop producing and selling new ICE vehicles, including hybrids, worldwide by 2040.

However, like what a number of major carmakers are saying, hurried adoption of BEVs is not a practical approach. Due to regional differences such as the level of customer acceptance, affordability, readiness of infrastructure and economic conditions, a singular approach to switching to BEVs globally is not going to work.

Honda will therefore be working on rapid transitioning to BEVs in markets and regions such as the USA, Europe, China and Japan while continuing with a more realistic solution for other areas. In those major markets for electrification, the ratio of BEVs and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) will be increased at a faster rate. In relation to overall unit sales, these zero emission vehicles will account for 40% of volume by 2030, 80% by 2035, and 100% by 2040.

In some markets like Malaysia, Honda also refers to its hybrid technology as e:HEV technology.

And even though North America is one of the regions that is part of the main electrification plan, Honda has still allocated R&D resources to develop new hybrid models for the near-term. This is to increase HEV volume of core models such as the CR-V, Accord and Civic which are produced there. Honda currently sells 4 HEV models in North America. However, Insight production will end in June to start production of the new CR-V Hybrid this year, followed by the Accord Hybrid, which will eventually make up 50% of the sales mix of each model.

2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

“We need to take into account multiple factors, such as the living environment and the penetration rate of renewable energy, rather than simply switching to electric vehicles,” said Toshihiro Mibe, Honda’s CEO. “We are ending conventional engines but we will still focus on hybrids, and it will be our strength in 2030 or even in 2035.”

Honda, along with Toyota, were the first brands to introduce HEVs and while the Prius was the first into the market, Honda’s first generation of Insight arrived in the USA 7 months before the Toyota HEV. Following the futuristic looking Insight was the Civic Hybrid in 2002 and then the Accord Hybrid.

Honda’s first model with hybrid electric technology was the Insight, which made its debut in Japan in 1999.

The CR-Z hybrid sportscar was sold between 2010 and 2016 but due to diminishing sales of coupes, Honda didn’t follow up with a second generation.

Honda continued to improve its hybrid technology (which it also refers to as e:HEV technology in some markets) as well as try to bring costs down and developed better hybrid powertrains for the next generations of the models. It also came out with a HEV sportscar, the CR-Z, in 2010 but as sales of coupes slowed down, the model line did not continue into a second generation.

So HEVs still have a future, more so now that they have moved from being of interest to early adopters to become more mainstream in the marketplace. While most HEV buyers would be aware that their car is powered by a petrol engine as well as an electric motor, the fact that a HEV needs no recharging (a plug-in hybrid or PHEV does) makes the technology ‘invisible’. It’s like turbochargers; in the 1970s, they were distinct features in high-performance engines but today, their presence is taken for granted in the new generation of downsized engines.

In Malaysia, Honda has been selling hybrid models since 2004 and assembling some models locally since 2012, starting with the Jazz Hybrid.

Honda’s continued attention to HEVs will also be beneficial in other markets where BEV adoption may be slow. HEVs can still help in a small way on the climate change issue as they generate lower carbon dioxide gases which have been identified as a major cause of global warming.

Honda Civic Hatchback e:HEV Hybrid for Europe – will it come to Malaysia too?


BMW Malaysia becomes Official Automotive Partner for Maybank Championship 2019

A fleet of BMW 630i GT was handed over earlier today specifically for the Maybank Championship 2019 as BMW Malaysia was announced as the Official Automotive Partner. Entering its fourth edition of the world-level golf tournament, the event saw BMW Malaysia playing a huge role in the event co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour as well as the European Tour.

According to Sashi Amni, Head of Corporate Communications, BMW Group Malaysia, “The BMW Group has been prominently associated with professional golf for over thirty years now. We are present at the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world such as the Ryder Cup and the Omega European Masters. Recently, the BMW Group also reaffirmed our commitment to the European Tour until 2022 by renewing its status as an Official Partner. Our partnership with the Maybank Championship 2019 mirrors our global initiatives with the sport.”

The BMW Group is known for their long-standing history and support for all sorts of sporting tournaments of all levels that goes back to the 1989 BMW Golf Cup International. For those of you who didn’t know, it was highly regarded as the world’s largest and most successful amateur golf competition which took place in our country.

The fleet of BMW 6 Series GT will play a vital role in the entire championship period by providing assistance in chauffeuring players, officials, and VVIPS around the famous Saujana Golf and Country Club. BMW Malaysia will also showcase the BMW 630i GT and the All-New BMW X3 xDrive30i on the tournament grounds.

The Maybank Championship 2019 will take place from 21st to 24th March at Saujana Golf and Country Club. The tournament will feature Major Championship winners – Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, defending champion Shubhankar Sharma and top-ranking golfer Gavin Green, along with a list of the world’s leading golfers – all of whom are competing for the total prize of US$3 million.

Sudddenly, we have a sudden surge of huge interest in taking up golf soon. We wonder why…


Cruden thinks simulator is best for testing autonomous cars

Following the recent UK budget announcement by The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond regarding driverless cars, Cruden announced a cost effective way forward. This is a big deal considering that the UK government is set to make bold reforms that will see developers test vehicles on UK roads nationwide without a human operator by 2021.

Cruden is a well-known designer, manufacturer and integrator of open architecture driving simulators for the automotive, Motorsport, marine and motorcycle industries. And it believes that the most cost effective and risk-free way for companies to test their autonomous systems, is by using a driving simulator.

Doing so, will keep public motorists and pedestrian out of harm’s way. Currently, in states like California in the USA, autonomous cars are tested and driven on public roads. Should the unthinkable happen, and an autonomous car decides to go rogue, it could potentially cause a great deal of harm to those in the vicinity.

This is why Cruden believes that  testing driverless technology in a repeatable and highly effective environment, without risking human injury, can only be accomplished with the use of a driving simulator. In fact, Cruden’s own machines can be used to test advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicle systems.

“We believe that extensive testing of the interaction between the driver and the car, with many different types of people, is required to get the necessary acceptance of the car’s decisions in handover moments and emergency scenarios, ” said, Jelle van Doornik, development engineer at Cruden.

“Yet this is dangerous, expensive and time consuming to do with real people in real cars with real traffic. The only way to achieve this while processing large numbers of different drivers through a test programme is to use an advanced driving simulator,” he added.

The company is adamant that testing driverless cars on UK roads isn’t possible because of the inconvenience and risks that they would pose to motorists and pedestrians. That said, automakers like Volvo, Tesla and Google have made massive strides in this area with only minor setbacks. But we shall have to wait and see if automakers decide to heed their warning or ignore it completely.


BMW X3 xDrive30i with M Sport Package unveiled – RM328,800

Looking for the ultimate premium Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)? BMW Malaysia has introduced the latest BMW X3 xDrive30i with M Sport Package that has been said by many to have one of the best striking design languages and class-leading driving dynamics.

According to Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia, “Since we started delivering the third generation BMW X3 last year, we have seen over 1,600 units on the road to date. The BMW X3 is the pioneer of the mid-sized premium Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) and has been leading the segment the world over. We look forward to raising the level of the game in Malaysia with the New BMW X3 xDrive30i with M Sport package further delivering on our promise of Sheer Driving Pleasure here in Malaysia.”

If you want your very own BMW X3 with M Sport Package, better be quick about because BMW Malaysia is planning to only make 120 units for the Malaysian market. That’s right, this beauty is a limited edition with the aggressive looks of an X4 and practicality of well, an X3 (because it is one).

So, what does the M Package add to the already cool-looking BMW X3? Well, it features:

20-inch M light alloy wheels in Double Spoke Style 699 M with mixed and run-flat tyres

M Sport suspension

M Sport brake

M Aerodynamic body styling

You want power? The BMW X3 xDrive30i with M Sport Package has quite a sum thanks to its 2.0-litre four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine which produces 252hp and 350Nm of maximum torque. That translates to a 0-100km/h sprint in just 6.3 seconds and a limited top speed of 240km/h. All of its power is controlled using an eight-speed Steptronic Sport Automatic transmission unit.

Step inside the cabin and you’ll find loads of M Package goodies from the M Sport leather steering wheel and door sill finishers with M designation. Aluminium trim finish with Pearl Chrome highlights showcases a sportier design language which blends well with the Vernasca leather upholstery and contrast stitching.

Other features for the new BMW X3 xDrive30i with M Sport Package are:

M Sport Pedals

25-inch Touchscreen Navigation System Professional

iDrive Touch and a HiFi system with 12 Speakers

Triple-zone automatic climate control air-conditioning system

Power-adjustable front seats with driver’s memory function

BMW Malaysia is offering the new X3 with M Sport Package at RM328,800 (OTR price without insurance). That’s an additional RM15,000 compared to the standard BMW X3 xDrive30i priced at RM313,800. Colour options come in Alpine White, Carbon Black, Glacier Silver and Phytonic Blue.

To know more, head over to
www.bmw.com.my
.

BMW Malaysia launches new BMW 330i M Sport – RM288,800


The Starlight Headliner – Bringing the starry sky inside a Rolls-Royce

A Rolls-Royce draws attention not only by its prestigious presence but also by the wealth of details around the car. Every model has been meticulously crafted and the most familiar elements have always been the Spirit of Ecstasy, Pantheon Grille and ‘Double R’ monogram. Unless the windows are heavily tinted (or the curtains drawn), passers-by can also admire the opulence which the occupants enjoy from the many luxurious appointments.

However, one feature which is not readily visible (especially in the daytime) to those on the outside but is spectacular in presentation is the Starlight Headliner. Now a part of Rolls-Royce iconography, the Starlight Headliner, in the spirit of the marque’s dedication to fulfilling the wishes of its patrons, began as a Bespoke request.

This came from a Rolls-Royce client who was suffering from photophobia (an extreme sensitivity to light) and was only able to enjoy reading his daily newspaper under the starlight on his rural ranch. He therefore requested that they develop a similar ambience within his Rolls-Royce.

As virtually nothing is impossible to the specialists at the Bespoke division (and it has been proven on many occasions), the Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers and craftspeople came up with a way to replicate stars on the ceiling of the cabin. They embedded no less than 800 stars, creating a star-filled night sky which gave just the right level of illumination the client needed, allowing him to read while travelling.

The client took delivery of his Phantom in 2006 and gave Rolls-Royce permission not only to publicise the Starlight Headliner but also offer the same feature to other customers. Thus was born the option of the Starlight Headliner which has been refined over the past 13 years. It can extend to the entire length of the roof and the intensity of light emitted by each star varied to better reflect the night sky.

The design for the Starlight Headliner is unique to each customer.

The constellation of each Starlight Headliner is completely unique to the customer. One customer requested that the lights be configured to represent the Ursa Major and Minor constellations while another customer wanted the Rolls-Royce monogram to illuminate separately from the rest of the stars. Some may like to have their loved one’s constellation twinkling from above. Whatever the customer wants, the Bespoke Collective will make sure he or she will have it.

Typically, it takes nine hours to craft, but a personalized pattern needs its own template, which can take more than 17 hours to complete. Two Rolls-Royce craftspeople marry their skills to create this extraordinary feature. It’s the perfect alliance of traditional craftsmanship and modern-day technology.

The Starlight Headliner’s unique effect is achieved by fitting delicate fiberoptic strands at varying depths and at different angles – to cause light to escape in multiple directions and at different intensities. First, the leather is perforated with 1,400 to 1,600 holes, each carefully counted. Fibreoptic threads, which are hand-trimmed at different angles to achieve a twinkling effect, are set into these holes by hand. The craftsperson then ensures that the fibres are perfectly seated on the visible leather surface, ready to shine.

Customers can order the Starlight Headliner as an option for their Rolls-Royce and the additional cost depends on the requirements and the model. For a Phantom, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars KL says that the price would start from RM65,000.

Creating a rose garden within a Rolls-Royce Phantom


Contix Asia Launches UNIXX Engine Oils In Malaysia

Singapore-based lubricant specialist,
Contix Asia Pte Ltd
 (or the Company) today introduced its range of specially formulated
Unixx
 engine oils to Malaysians with a commitment to providing consistently high quality engineered performance at competitive prices. These engine oils use only the highest quality basestocks and are produced at ISO certified facilities in Singapore and Thailand.

Mr Tan Kok Hwee, Regional Sales and General Manager of Contix Malaysia
 said at the launch,
“Unixx engine oils are designed to enhance the overall performance of the car and meet the highest API and ACEA standards as well as various OEM specifications, emissions and energy standards. Unixx products are tested after each production run for consistency in quality and we are confident that Unixx is an ideal product for the driving conditions in Malaysia, providing good shear stability and cleaner engines. The result is a more responsive engine and a smoother drive.”

The launch of Unixx engine oils coincide with the Company’s involvement in the upcoming Thailand Super Series which was held at the Sepang International Circuit on the weekend of March 30 to April 1, 2018.

Mr Tan shared,
“We are truly privileged and proud to be collaborating with the Unixx TR Motorsports Race Team. Unixx has been tried, tested and most importantly, proven in a variety of cars participating in track racing, endurance, drag, drift and other race events in the region. These engines perform under extreme conditions protected by Unixx and we are committed to constantly improve our formulations and develop specialty grades of automotive engine oils, including our much-anticipated Racing Formula 5w50.”

“Contix Asia is in its 3
rd
 year as the official sponsor of Unixx TR Motorsports Race Team. We were champions of the 2017 Thailand Super Series, Supercar GTC class, competing in a 1
st
 generation Porsche 977 with a 3600cc engine producing 375WHP. The year prior, we were runner up in the Thailand Super Production category, racing in a Honda City. Thomas Raldorf, the team’s driver for 2018 will be racing in a 2
nd
 generation Porsche 997 GT3 with a 4000cc engine producing 510WHP at the Thailand Super Series race in the GTM class at Sepang”
 he added.

Thomas comes from a prominent racing family and has been driving competitively since the age of 10! His father, Oluf Raldorf is a very successful Rally and Circuit Racing driver from Denmark. He moved to Thailand permanently in 1997 and has been racing there since 1998, winning over 40 races in Karting, Endurance and various other race events. Please visit
http://tr-motorsport.com
 for more information on the team.

Unixx also actively supports various local street racing events. We are the main event sponsor of GXP in Thailand and sponsor of the Unixx JMS Tuner Motorsport, racing in the Malaysian Speed Festival circuit.
 “We are very proud of Azri, our sponsored driver from Kajang. He only started racing a couple of years ago and finished 5
th
 overall in the 2017 season and 1
st
 in Round 1 of the 2018 Malaysian Speed Festival,”
 Mr. Tan added.

Also at the launch was
Mr Justin Chen, Managing Director of Contix Asia
,
“We are constantly developing our range of proprietary products and will expand our range of products in Malaysia to include our Unixx Racing Formula engines oils. These oils are formulated with Polyalphaolefins (PAO) and come in a range of viscosities. We also have a specially formulated 5w50 fully synthetic oil for cars operating under extreme conditions like racing. For now, we will bring in our more popular range of oils which includes our fully synthetic Unixx Professional Formula 5W-40 engine oil, a synthetic blend Unixx Performance Formula 10W-40 engine oil, a 10w-30 and 15W-40 diesel engine oil.”

Unixx also produces a range of industrial lubricants which is available in China, Thailand and Myanmar. For more information, contact the distributors listed below the photo gallery, or visit the Unixx website at
https://contix.co/
 or follow Unixx Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/unixxmsia/

for the latest news.

For the full
price list
 of Unixx Oils click this:
Unixx Price List

For more details on the range of Unix Oils available click the links below:

Unixx PDS 5w40 fullsyn

Unixx PDS 10w30 synblend

Unixx PDS 10w40 synblend

Unixx PDS 15w40 mineral diesel

Unixx Oil Launch Photo Gallery….

UNIX Oil Distributors in Malaysia…

Distributors in Malaysia

KELANA MASA SDN BHD

14, Jalan Angkasawan U1/39, Seksyen  U1, Hicom Glenmarie

Industrial Park, 40150, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Tel : +603 5569 2808

KLF AUTOMATE SDN. BHD.

No 1-G, Jajan Puteri 5/18 , Bandar Puteri 47100, Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan.

Tel: +6011-1635 7277

Email:
klfbp5@gmail.com


Porsche 911 Carrera S & Carrera 4S introduced – From RM1.15 million

The latest generation Porsche 911 Carrera S and Carrera 4S have been officially unveiled by Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP). The unveiling which was held at the Sepang International Circuit was in conjunction with the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) that is taking place this weekend where the race version (911 GT3 Cup) will also be participating.

The main highlight of any 911 is always its outright performance where anyone can have a damn good time in any track session, but Porsche have pushed the envelope to where it can also be driven comfortably as a daily vehicle in and around congested cities like Kuala Lumpur.

The agility and driving dynamics of the new Porsche 911 Carrera S and 4S is a masterpiece of exemplary performance figures, iconic design, and new modern features that allows drivers to drive comfortably or making the tyres screams in the circuit. The new 911 is truly the epitome of an everyday sports car anyone can appreciate.

According to Christopher Hunter, CEO of SDAP, “The new 911 is a reflection of the past and a vision of the future, with its iconic silhouette and timeless design. It remains a sports car icon that has retained the public’s fascination since its arrival in the automotive scene over half a century ago. Due to the passionate and loyal following here, it comes as no surprise that Malaysia is the top market for the 911 in 2018 within the Porsche Asia Pacific region.”

“The 911 GT3 Cup Car training at Porsche Experience Centre Sepang also took place for the first time in South East Asia in 2018, a reflection of the fervent customer base. With the new standard Wet Mode function, the iconic model’s capability in handling difficult adverse driving conditions is second to none, which is especially useful in our climate.”

Talking about power, the new 911 comes with the latest generation 3.0-litre flat-six turbocharged engine which is able to produce a whopping 450hp and 530Nm that allows the beast to reach 0.100km/h in only 3.7 seconds. Top speed? 308km/h. This baby is matted to an upgraded eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and other new assistance systems like Porsche Wet Mode, Night Vision Assist, and thermal imaging camera just to name a few.

With all 911, the timeless design remains its iconic signature which anyone and everyone can easily recognize and highly appreciate. This time around, the new 911 has wider wheel housing to make way for the 20-inch wheels (21-inches for the rear).

The body is now 45mm wider on the front which houses new LED headlights and four-point daytime running lights which are cleverly integrated into the wings. The sides are further enhanced with electrical pop-out handles which are flushed seamlessly.

Moving towards the rear, fans are welcomed with a wider tail that is equipped with variable-position spoiler and a very elegant light bar. Newly designed air intakes compliment the car’s overall flow. To further increase downforce, the rear spoiler is now 25% wider which also give a much cleaner façade.

Its interior has gone through a facelift as well with a tasteful combination of traditional elements and state-of-the-art Porsche technology. The centrally positioned analogue rev counter housed between two thin, frameless freeform high-resolution 7-inch displays pair perfectly with its new 10.9-inch touchscreen.

The always reliable Porsche Communication Management (PCM) can now be accessed without hassle or distraction while driving thanks to the new interior architecture and layout. There’s also the docked-on control panel of five buttons provides direct access to essential drive and chassis functions.

The new 911 Carrera S price starts from RM1,150,000 while the new all-wheel-drive 911 Carrera 4S price starts from RM1,220,000. Head over to
https://www.porsche.com/pap/_malaysia_/
.

Redesigned Porsche 911 RSR ready to defend world championship title [w/VIDEO]


Mazda Celebrates 30-Years Of The Iconic MX-5 With Special Edition, Malaysia To Get All-New CX-8 Soon!

Bermaz Mazda
 recently previewed an all-new
CX-8 SUV
 at its headquarters in Glenmarie, and while the units on display were pre-production ones from Japan, it closely resembles the eventual model to be sold here in the near future. A likely choice of 2 powertrains will be offered, a
2.5 Petrol and 2.2 Turbodiesel
, both with varied seating arrangements including a 2+2+2 six-seater.

Aimed to sit squarely between the
CX-5
 and gargantuan
CX-9
, on-the-road prices are far from established so stay tuned to
Piston.my!

In the meantime, our friends at
AutoExpress
(<–link) have revealed yet another special edition
MX-5
from Mazda
,
which was revealed at this year’s Chicago Auto Show, marking
30 years
 of the popular roadster. Only
3,000
 examples of this celebratory model will be sold worldwide, with production being divided between soft-top and convertible hard-top ‘RF’ body styles.

“The MX-5 Anniversary Edition is finished in an exclusive ‘Racing orange’ paint colour and features forged aluminium wheels (commissioned by specialists RAYS), Brembo front brakes with calipers finished in orange, Bilstein dampers and a host of numbered “30th Anniversary Edition” badges…” –
 AutoExpress
.

Inside, this limited edition MX-5 gets orange accents and Alcantara swathing around the cabin, dashboard and gear stick, Recaro seats, a nine-speaker Bose sound system and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

This new model’s debut follows in the footsteps of the original MX-5, which was also revealed at the Chicago Auto Show back in 1989. Since its conception, the MX-5 has sold more than
 1 million units worldwide
, over 130,000 of which have found UK homes.

Mazda CX-8 & MX-5 Photo Gallery
 (MX-5 photos courtesy of
AutoExpress UK
)


Nissan Leaf Black Edition goes on sale in UK

The ever popular all-electric family hatchback may have received some added appeal. Nissan has launched a new variant of this ev, dubbed the Leaf Black Edition. As enticing as the name plate maybe, there don’t appear to be any performance upgrades for this variant over the standard car.

The Black Edition receives a number of exterior features such as 16-inch black alloy wheels, LED Headlamps, black door mirror caps and black rear spoiler. Inside, the only notable addition is the blue-stitched mats on the floor which is said to offer a more “premium” finish.

As it is with the rest of the line up, the Black Edition receives Nissan’s latest innovative technologies as standard including the NissanConnect EV telematics system and intelligent Around View Monitor.

Speaking of the latest edition to the Leaf family, Gareth Dunsmore, Director of Electric Vehicles of Nissan Europe, said “The new LEAF Black Edition perfectly showcases Nissan’s commitment to making smart, premium quality products accessible for all. This stylish black number combines dynamic styling, with Nissan’s innovative zero-emission technology to offer customers a city-savvy intelligent mobility solution. Its sleek design compliments an exciting drive, delivered through high-class engineering, demonstrating that you don’t have to compromise on style or performance when purchasing an electric car.”

Unveiled in 2010, the Nissan Leaf was the first mass-market electric family car and as of today, there are 250,000 them on the road. Powered by a 30kWh battery pack, the Leaf is able to travel 250km on a single charge, which should be more than adequate for most city dwellers.


Double win for Eddie Liew and Putera Adam duo in Vios Sprint Cup races

Up till the 1980s, Malaysian motorsports saw a regular flow of youngsters keen on racing or rallying. It was a natural progression in the sport as new blood would periodically be introduced and develop their skills, often with guidance from the veterans. However, as the cost of cars and racing became more expensive, new blood was slow in coming and while Malaysia could boast of being a host country for Formula 1, little was done to really help at grassroots level to develop future generations of racing drivers.

This situation was noticed by UMW Toyota Motor which had started the Vios Challenge as a one-makes series to draw newcomers to the sport. As a further step, the company, together with GAZOO Racing, started a
Young Talent Development Program
 in 2020. It was not exactly the best time to start it, given the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic then. But the program got started and the rookies received training, while adhering to the SOPs specified by the Health Ministry.

The first batch of rookies (front row) in the GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program which began in 2020.

Since then, two groups have graduated from the program and it has proven to have a profound impact with several of its rookie drivers quickly rising to be noticed in the top ranks of Malaysian motorsports.

Naquib Azlan, a graduate of the GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program, came from a background in sim racing and has done remarkably well in real-world racing in the Vios Challenge.

In Round 2 of the GAZOO Racing Vios Sprint Cup over the weekend, 16-year-old Putera Adam raced to a double race win, with his partner and veteran racer Eddie Liew in the #61 Laser Motor Racing Vios. The weekend also saw sterling performances by Naquib Azlan and Mika Hakimi, also from the first batch like Putera Adam. Both Putra and Naquib also went on to score podium finishes in the Malaysia Championship Series (MCS) also held over the weekend. Others from the program who competed included the current season’s Rookie Class drivers Nabil Azlan and Sharique Zulqarinain, and 2021 Rookie Class graduate Jwan Hii.

“It’s incredible to see how much and how quickly these young drivers have evolved. We are equally proud that many have also gone on to compete and are enjoying success in other events beyond the Vios Challenge and Vios Sprint Cup one-make series where they have trained so hard to develop their driving and racecraft,” said UMW Toyota Motor President. Ravindran K.

Commenting on the GAZOO Racing Vios Sprint Cup, he said: “The two-driver and one-hour format has brought a different dimension to what we and the drivers have been used to in 5 seasons of the Vios Challenge one-make race. It’s exciting to watch… it’s unpredictable… and it fulfils one very important objective that is to have elite and experienced working alongside amateur and young drivers with the hope that they will be able to impart their knowledge to the next generation of drivers.”

Held in conjunction with the Malaysia Championship Series, the GAZOO Racing Vios Sprint Cup consisted of 2 rounds with 4 individual races. It was only open to Toyota Vios cars prepared to specific regulations and each car had to have two drivers. The total prize money amounted to RM60,000 for the weekend.

The GAZOO Racing Vios Sprint Cup is run independently of the Vios Challenge but retains the format of a one-make series whereby competitors drive identical race-prepared Toyota Vios with stock standard engine and transmission, as well as suspension, tyres and fuel. This means that the emphasis is on racecraft, driving skills and experience rather than being just a ‘power game’ where the team with a lot of financial resources can develop a powerful car.

In the fourth and final running of the GAZOO Racing Sprint Cup, Putera and Liew rounded up a perfect weekend in rather precarious conditions with back-to-back victories. The race began with no rain, unlike the day before, although there was an overcast sky around the Sepang International Circuit. As race got underway, it began to drizzle which made track conditions extremely slippery and unpredictable in certain sections.

The race was essentially 18-year-old Mika’s to win, having taken over driving duties from his teammate Tengku Djan Ley in the #61 Prima Pearl TD Racing Vios, with Liew pouncing hard just 0half a second behind, and Toyotsu Racing’s William Ho in third place.

Heavy rain descended on the race with just 2 laps remaining, and the pressure to defend his lead seemed to have gotten the better of Mika who aquaplaned off the track. This allowed Liew, Ho and Prima Pearl TD Racing’s second car, the #12 with Mitchell Cheah, through. Mika fought his way back on to the track rejoining in fourth position but made a second and same mistake on the final lap in the very same corner to eventually finish fifth behind Telagamas Toyota’s Freddie Ang.

The last lap of the race had been equally nerve-wrecking for Liew who, in the heavy rain, had to fend off Ho who was left dragging his rear bumper for several laps after a botched overtaking manoeuvre much earlier.

“Today I really utilized all my experience to drive in the dry, wet and then heavy rain. It was a difficult race,” said 48-year-old Liew. For Putera who started the race for the pair, a slow getaway dropped him to as far back as 10
th
 despite starting from sixth position. Commenting on his partnership with Liew and the vast difference in age, Putera said: “It’s an honour to drive with Eddie. He’s a very good driver and he used to drive with my dad.”


This is the best Audi promo video ever

How do you make the best vehicle promo video ever? What about teaming up with one of the greatest pop cultures of all time? We’re talking about the latest Audi promo video where they’ve team up with Sony Pictures and one very iconic Marvel Cinematic Universe’s superhero, Spider-Man!

Sony Pictures Entertainment has released a very exclusive digital content to promote their latest and upcoming huge blockbuster film, “Spider-Man: Far From Home”. Titled “Science Fair”, our friendly-neighbourhood superhero aka Peter Parker showed to his school science fair in the all-electric Audi e-tron GT Concept.

Almost all MCU fans know about the involvement of Audi in many of their major blockbusters which started from the very beginning with the Iron Man starring none other than the iconic Robert Downey Jr. Naturally, the Audi product placement has been transferred over to Spider-Man and we’re loving every bit of it.

According to Sven Schuwirth, Head of Brand Audi, Digital Business and Customer Experience at AUDI AG, “Teaming up with Sony Studios gives us an ideal opportunity to stage Audi´s electric offensive in a spectacular environment and to customize this important technology for a highly engaged Audience. Therefore, product placement plays a significant role in our new brand strategy.”

The Audi e-tron GT has been confirmed to enter production by 2020 and officially delivered to customers by 2021. The one requested by Peter Parker in the short film is probably a huge step in the advancement as he discreetly requested the ‘2025’ from what we assume is an agent of SHIELD.

Whatever the case may be, we love Audi and we certainly love Spider-Man and we can’t wait to see its involvement in the upcoming MCU movie which is set to hit the cinemas here in Malaysia early next month. Go Audi!

Get Into The “Q”! Audi Malaysia Launches Latest Range Of Premium SUVs!


No dining-in at highway R&Rs but you can pre-order to minimize interaction

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

Various versions of the Movement Control Order (MCO) are in effect with interstate and interdistrict travel being forbidden unless permission is given by the police. As there will still be many people permitted to travel long distances on highways, PLUS is ensuring that their needs are met safely when they are at the rest and service areas (R&R).

Last year, the first MCO saw all R&Rs shut down completely but this time round, many of the stalls are permitted to continue business, especially those which provide fresh food, drinks and snacks. PLUS urges the public to patronize these R&R businesses as the support will go a long way to enable  the local business owners and their workers to sustain their livelihood during this period.

Dine-in is not permitted at the food courts, and to minimize interaction, food or drinks can be pre-ordered using the PLUS app.

More than 600 businesses operating

More than 600 businesses are open at the R&Rs at Dengkil (both sides), Rawang (Northbound), Sungai Buloh Overhead Bridge Restaurant, Seremban (both sides), Ulu Bernam  (Southbound), Tapah (Southbound), Gunung Semanggol (both sides), Gurun (both sides), Juru Lay-by (Southbound), Pagoh (both sides), Machap (both sides), Kulai Lay-by (Southbound) and 3 R&Rs along the LPT2 highway to the East Coast. The three are at Ajil (Northbound), Paka  (Northbound) and Perasing (Southbound).

Everyone has to observe the SOPs – temperature scanning, use of facemask, contact registration and social distancing – and for safety, PLUS has included a Pre-Order function in the PLUS App for contactless ordering, or through this link – or through
orderdisini.plus.com.my/
. They should keep a safe distance of at least 1 metre apart when lining up for food or when using any facilities.

Dine-in only allowed in CMCO areas

All businesses at R&Rs and lay-bys which are located in MCO states are still open from 6 am to 12 am for take-away only as the dining areas at the food courts are closed to prevent the convergence of crowds. For CMCO states, however, operating hours are from 6 am to 12 am and dine-in is allowed with strict physical distancing and compliance to the SOPs.

PUTRI can provide answers to common questions faster, instead of waiting for someone from the Call Centre.

Latest information on everything related to PLUS highways and facilities can be found at
www.plus.com.my
, with the
PUTRI chatbot
 making interaction faster and easier.


Perodua sales and deliveries accelerating with 102% increase between September and August

After a difficult third quarter, the auto industry is picking up again and market leader Perodua is accelerating forward as sales and deliveries rapidly increase. In the third consecutive month, the total volume has increased by 102% to 14,160 units in September from 6,988 units in August.

“The automotive supply chain has shown improvements but have yet to reach their full potential. We are continuously working with our suppliers and dealers to further improve productivity and safety,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Quality control maintained

While more vehicles are required, Dato’ Zainal Abidin explained that the increases would be gradual in both production and sales. “This is in keeping with the strict quality control measures throughout Perodua’s operations to ensure customer satisfaction,” he said.

For the period between January and September 2021, Perodua sold 119,093 vehicles, compared with 145,012 in the same period in 2020. Comparing the second quarter of the year to the third quarter, sales plummeted by 44.6% to 21,803 units between July and September as no business activities were permitted between June 1 and August 16.

Improving conditions

Dato Zainal Abidin is optimistic that the numbers will continue to improve in coming months as the country’s pandemic situation eases. “The fourth quarter of 2021 does offer a better outlook than the previous two quarters, especially the marked improvement in the reduction of COVID-19 cases nationwide as well as the nearly 90% vaccination rate of the Malaysian adult population,” he said.

All Perodua outlets are operational (unless they are in areas with specific EMCO conditions) and to locate the nearest one to you, visit
www.perodua.com.my
. As required by the Ministry of Health, all Standard Operating Procedures must be observed when visiting any showroom or service centre.

Perodua sales picking up but sales target for 2021 is lowered by 10.8%


The Ultimate Bentley Continental GT Mulliner

Bentley has placed a new version of its Continental GT Mulliner at the very top of the range and this is the ultimate version. It is the most powerful, fastest, most dynamic and most luxurious Continental GT yet created by the carmaker.

The new GT Mulliner W12 takes the best of all worlds to become the ultimate Continental GT. It combines the performance and dynamism of the Speed, the comfort of the recently-announced Azure, and the flair of Mulliner handcraftsmanship.

The W12 TFSI engine, handcrafted at Bentley’s carbon neutral factory in England, delivers 659 ps/900 Nm to take the grand tourer to a claimed top speed of 335 km/h after passing 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds  from take-off. The new engine is an uprated version of Bentley’s 6-litre W12 TSI engine with a 4% increase in power over the standard W12 model.

A combination of four chassis technologies give the new Mulliner model a level of agility, performance and ride quality that has been stretched to new levels. Bentley Dynamic Ride and three-chamber active air suspension with adaptive damping play a key role in the balance of the car.  The optional and newly-developed Carbon Ceramic Brakes, Variable Electronic Stability Control, All Wheel Steering, and an Electronic Limited Slip Differential bolster the agility and performance even further.

Combining the new systems delivers Bentley’s philosophy that a vehicle should feel progressive and secure, yet still be dynamic. To achieve this philosophy in BENTLEY and COMFORT mode, overall grip is balanced between the front and rear wheels while, in SPORT, this mode has been calibrated with a more rear-biased torque–split in all driving scenarios.

Bentley’s 3-chamber active air suspension with adaptive damping, and Bentley Dynamic Ride provide control and comfort. The 48V active anti-roll control system was originally pioneered on the Bentayga and third-generation Continental GT, and is now tuned even further with the knowledge and learning since the systems introduction.

This innovative system features powerful electric motors within each anti-roll bar to resist body roll. In their firmest setting, the motors can deliver 1,300 Nm in 0.3 seconds to counteract cornering forces and keep the body level.

The Electronic All-Wheel Steering enhances the dynamic nature of the Continental GT Mulliner W12 in each of the driving modes. This is even more apparent in SPORT mode, as the steering combines with Bentley Dynamic Ride and the electronic limited slip differential for a level of agility unlike any other Bentley road car, utilising up to 4° of steering lock on the rear wheels.

The eLSD allows true active torque vectoring across the rear axle, which is then fine-tuned with torque-vectoring by brake systems. Together, these technologies improve turn-in and provide exception traction on corner exit – and, of course, allow the keen driver to induce slip angles and to balance the car on the throttle.

The cabin is one defined by luxury and showcases a level of choice and customisation that Mulliner is well known for. A unique colour split is exclusive to the car, with a new combination of primary and secondary hide joined by a third colour through a flowing design line. Eight different 3-colour combinations are proposed by Mulliner, using Bentley’s palette of hides and threads to create striking yet elegant contrast throughout the cabin.

“Diamond in Diamond” quilting to the seats, door trims and rear quarter panels is made up of almost 400,000 stitches with each diamond containing exactly 712 individual stitches. Naturally these are available in a spectrum of coloured threads, too.

For the driver, the brushed-metal finish of the Breitling clock is carried through from the physical world to the digital, with a unique design to the main gauges of the LED main instruments cluster where careful skeuomorphic design and the application of digital textures makes the virtual dials look like real metal.

The GT family now spans a range of models each with a different emphasis, to make customer choice easier. The Azure range is for those prioritising wellbeing and on-board comfort, while those customers wishing to concentrate on driving pleasure can specify the new V8-powered GT S. Going one step further, the W12-powered Speed is the pure driver’s car. And above all these sits the Mulliner.

FEATURE – The German engine that was born on a Japanese bullet-train


Locally-assembled Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric Launched, Priced From RM288,888

It was just 8 months ago that Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) launched its first battery electric vehicle (BEV), the
XC40 Recharge
, and in doing so, it was also the first company to assemble a BEV locally. At that time, VCM said that it will launch one new Recharge model (the name given to BEVs) each year during the coming 5 years.

However, even before 2022 has ended, it has already launched the second Recharge model – or perhaps this is considered the one for 2023 (so there won’t be a new model next year). It’s the C40 Recharge Pure Electric and like the XC40 Recharge, it is also assembled locally at the oldest vehicle assembly plant in Malaysia, located in Shah Alam, Selangor. The plant is a regional production hub for Volvo, from which it exports various models around ASEAN.

Only one version of the C40 Recharge is currently assembled and even with tax exemption, it is priced at RM288,888 (without insurance), RM10,000 more than the XC40 Recharge. Still not mass market pricing but then again, this is a premium brand and the technology is expensive too.

The same… but different
At first glance, the C40 Recharge seems like the XC40 Recharge; both are SUVs but the newer model has a slightly sleeker profile and is more of a ‘coupe SUV’. It has a sportier image for those who may not want the ‘functional’ image of the XC40 Recharge.

While having some common styling elements, the C40 Recharge is of more significance as it was the first BEV produced by Volvo when it was unveiled last year. Unlike the XC40 which has powertrains with combustion engines (engine alone and hybrid), the C40 Recharge is available only with a fully electric powertrain.

The C40 Recharge (above) is a crossover coupe SUV with less of a slope at the rear end compared to the XC40 Recharge (below) which is a crossover SUV.

Both models are similar in size.

The differing details from the XC40 Recharge can be seen in the signature ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights which are augmented with new pixel LEDs. These automatically adjust to light conditions and switch on and off independently to optimise the light pattern. The familiar style for the rear vertical lights is also enhanced with segmentation that soles an engineering challenge of extending one big lamp along the roof line.

CMA platform
As a derivative of the XC40, the C40 Recharge also sits on the CMA (Compact Modular Architecture) platform that was jointly developed by Volvo and Geely. It’s a versatile platform that is used by various brands in the Geely Group, including Polestar, and with variable dimensions in many areas, it can be used for small and medium-sized models with different bodystyles.

Volvo isn’t particularly detailed when it comes to technical aspects of its vehicles and provides very basic information. The C40 Recharge has all-wheel drive with an electric motor at each axle, and a single-speed transmission. The total output is 408 ps/660Nm of torque which gives it a claimed 0 to 100 km/h capability of 4.7 seconds.

The lithium-ion battery pack, positioned between the two axles, has a 78 kWh capacity (75 kWh usable) and is said to be good for a range of over 450 kms. Recharging time can be within 28 minutes (10% to 80%) if the vehicle is hooked up to a DC high-speed charger that has a 150 kW supply. If you recharge at home, it will be an overnight affair (from 0% to 100%) and can take 8 to 12 hours, depending on the AC power supply.

Upgrade your electrical system
The idea that you can simply plug into a 3-pin wall socket is almost a myth as it is advisable to upgrade your electrical system for the purpose. Ideally, you would want a 3-phase power supply, rather than the 1-phase which many houses usually have. That’s one of the costs that someone wanting to buy an EV will have to keep in mind and the upgrade of the electrical system at home costs around RM7,000.

With the electric motor located down at the axle line, the ‘engine bay’ can be converted into a storage area for the charging cable that comes with the vehicle or for baggage.

The larger the battery pack, the more expensive it will be (which is why some carmakers put in a smaller one for the cheaper variants). Battery technology has improved greatly in the past 10 years and there’s greater reliability. But should the battery pack in the C40 Recharge be defective or fail in the first 8 years (or first 160,000 kms), VCM will replace it under warranty. For the rest of the vehicle, there’s a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Scandinavian design, as always
The interior is pretty much the same as the XC40 Recharge which means it is very ‘Scandinavian’. Volvo has long used its Scandinavian roots as a selling point, and Scandinavian design is all about simplicity and functionality. Volvo has also been sensitive to environmental issues even before the urgent concerns in recent times, so it has always been ahead in sustainability with its processes. Now it makes sure that the materials used – even the steel – in its models are of sustainable quality or carbon neutral.

The layout of the interior has a sense of organisation and thoughtfulness, with functionality very evident. The simplicity means that the driver is not distracted having to look at different areas and most of the management of features is done at the 9-inch vertical central display.

As with many other EVs these days, the owner can use an app supplied by the carmaker to monitor the status of the vehicle, especially during charging. Other remote features with the Volvo app are locking and unlocking the doors, climate control activation and also operation of the lights and horn to find the vehicle. These are offered under the Digital Services Package which is free for the first 4 years and then a subscription fee will be charged after that if the owner wants to continue using the services.

Android built-in
Like the XC40 Recharge, the C40 Recharge comes with an Android operating system specially customised for Volvo vehicles by Google. This means that there is no need to connect using Android Auto as the popular Google apps and services are built-in. The software for various systems will be regularly updated and this is done ‘over the air’, so the owner does not have to go to the service centre.

With the C40 Recharge, another interesting design element is introduced which has its origins in the Swedish landscape. The backlit translucent graphics on the dashboard and front door panels may seem like just fanciful patterns but they actually reference the topography of Sweden’s Abisko national park. The designers traced the topography of the park and used the contours to create an abstract digitalised design with a layered pattern. When the light from LED lamps comes through across the surface, there is an atmospheric 3-dimensional effect. Certainly a nice change from wood!

The graphics on the Volvo C40’s dashboard and front door panels are directly inspired by the Abisko national park in Sweden, as seen in this comparison. The contours of a topography map of the park were traced and used to create an abstract digitalised design with a layered pattern. Backlit by LED lamps, it creates an atmospheric three-dimensional effect.

The topography trim panels are among the high amount of sustainable materials used for the interior. They are partly made of recycled plastic, while the carpet is made of 100% recycled PET plastic bottles.

Leading in safety
Volvo has kept safety as its highest priority and it is an undisputed leader in this area. Today, it continues to lead with its latest Intellisafe system that provides an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) with an array of radar, cameras and ultrasonic sensors. It has active systems that can act autonomously to prevent accidents and in fact, Volvo developed autonomous braking over 20 years ago.

The C40 Recharge has a comprehensive list of active and passive safety systems, like all Volvos, but being a BEV, there are additional considerations for the engineers. In particular, the high-voltage battery pack has to be properly protected during a collision. The CMA takes this into account and there is a safety cage embedded in the middle of the body structure. This creates a built-in crumple zone around the battery pack, just as the structure above it forms a safety cage for the occupants.

New Online Sales channel
With the C40 Recharge, VCM is introducing a ‘Direct-to-Customer’ process which uses online channels. More than just a website to inform and accept orders to start the purchase process, this new facility enables customers to buy directly from VCM. Almost every step of the purchase process, including all payments, can be done online and for signing documents, either a salesman will visit the customer or the customer can go to the showroom.

Unlike other companies which assign a dealer (or the customer chooses one) to handle the purchase, VCM is more involved in the transaction. The customer can choose a preferred dealer but the transaction is still done through VCM. The dealer is, however, not excluded and does the ‘legwork’ – arranging for financing, insurance, etc – and of course gets a commission. Delivery of the new vehicle will also be done by the chosen dealer.

Dealers can still sell directly from their outlets as well and they would have the advantage of being able to offer a test-drive as well. However, VCM feels its Online Sales Channel will provide better transparency and customers will be able to see what is in stock, and how long they will have to wait. They can ‘customise’ their vehicle though, in Malaysia, there are very few options to choose from apart from the colour.

“The Online Sales platform will be instrumental in assisting the company’s nationwide retailers in delivering an outstanding Swedish luxury experience to all the customers. Our customers’ journey to owning a Volvo will be seamless from here on, and one that is in line with our hassle-free price. Together with our authorised dealers, the Online Sales platform will enhance the buying experience of every customer,” said Charles Frump, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia.

Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric: 408hp of Pure Electric Fun!


Hydrogen A Sustainable Choice For The Future, Says Yamaha CEO

Yoshihiro Hidaka, president and CEO of Yamaha Motor, has backed hydrogen as a practical and clean way to achieve carbon neutrality and said the company would develop it as a fuel source.

A multi-strategy approach to decarbonization has long been promoted by Japan’s automobile sector, which employs 5.5 million people domestically. One of those groups included Toyota Motor, the largest automaker in the world.

Multi-pathway has long been the guiding principle in the Japanese auto industry, yet whenever it was discussed, it garnered criticism. Hidaka pushed to “jointly appeal” their strategy, which has come under assault as battery-based electric vehicles (EV) manufacturers like Tesla and China’s BYD become more prominent, during the G7 conference in Hiroshima in May alongside other business leaders.

There were very few Japanese two-wheeler manufacturers testing hydrogen technology in addition to electric technology. Hidaka and the team, therefore, assumed the initiative and constructed the facility to test battery technology, hydrogen, and carbon-neutral fuel.

Yamaha created hydrogen-powered combustion engines for Toyota’s Corolla H2 Concept, which entered a
24-hour race at Fuji International Speedway in Shizuoka
 in May and became the
first liquid hydrogen race car
 in history.

In the same month, the government gave Yamaha and three other motorcycle manufacturers — Honda, Suzuki, and Kawasaki Motors — permission to establish a technological research organisation in order to collaborate on the development of hydrogen-powered engines for smaller mobility vehicles. Toyota will educate the association on hydrogen, according to Hidaka.

FCX – the first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCEV) which was commercialised.

A hydrogen-powered car would require more frequent charging due to its flammable nature and lack of fuel efficiency. Positively, the tank may be filled significantly more quickly. Hydrogen fuel cells, which produce energy and can be used to power electric motors, are more frequently employed than burning hydrogen in engines, which remains a specialist technology.

Yamaha is also aiming for the creation of “e-fuel” that is created by synthesising carbon dioxide and hydrogen. It would assist many of the manufacturers and suppliers who are a part of the industry in Japan stay in place because the design of engines using petrol, hydrogen, or e-fuel can be comparable.

Toyota has been dabbling in hydrogen power in Malaysia as well. Back in January of this year,
Sarawak deputy Premiers received hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai’s
 and this was the 2nd generation of the FCEV which actually went on sale in Japan at the end of 2020. The combined output of the electric motors is 154PS and on a full tank of hydrogen, the Mirai can travel up to 500km.

So far, there have not been any reported issues about the cars, so is it safe to say that hydrogen-powered fuel cells are the way to go? Besides the Japanese manufacturers,
other car makers like BMW
 and even
Rolls Royce have voiced their support for hydrogen power
.


Isuzu Maintains Number 1 Spot In Commercial Vehicle Market

Isuzu Malaysia ushers in 2018 on a high note, as it tops Malaysia’s 2017 commercial vehicle market by maintaining its position as the No. 1 preferred commercial vehicle (CV) operator for four consecutive years running.

Although faced with market uncertainties and price increase due to the depreciating Ringgit, Isuzu Malaysia still managed to not only retain their spot as
CV No. 1
, but also managed to capture a
13%
 share in the pick-up segment, in addition to 20% sales increase in after-sales parts.

(L-R) Mikio Tsukui, Chief Operating Officer, Commercial Vehicle Division of Isuzu Malaysia, and Koji Nakamura, Chief Executive Officer of Isuzu Malaysia

Based on the overall sales figures recently released by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), Isuzu’s ELF Light Duty truck remains a firm favourite with 5,237 units sold in 2017. Despite a slight decline in Total Industry Volume (TIV), Isuzu managed to considerably improve its market share in the CV segment to 37.1%, as compared to 2016’s share of 36.3%.

In his New Year’s address,
Chief Executive Officer of Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Koji Nakamura
, expressed his delight over Isuzu’s ability to stand firm as a company and perform well despite the various economic hurdles faced in 2017. Furthermore, Nakamura cited the public’s trust in the Isuzu brand and the long-term value that their commercial vehicles had to offer played a major role in ensuring Isuzu retains its CV No. 1 position for the fourth consecutive year.

Nakamura also attributed the company’s remarkable achievement in 2017 to the unyielding support and services provided by Isuzu Malaysia’s skilled staffs and dealers, in maintaining good relationship with customers, aside from the outstanding quality and reliability that Isuzu trucks had to offer.

According to Nakamura,
“A successful company must have good business vision. Heading into 2018, our strategy is to ensure that customer satisfaction always comes first. We will continue to ensure our customers’ needs are handled with great care and consideration, while providing excellent after-sales services at all times. Despite the current economic outlook, it is important to always offer added value to our customers.”

“Being No. 1 for the fourth consecutive year verifies the excellent quality of our products, in addition to first-rate services offered at our Sales and Service centres located nationwide. The ability to maintain this ranking also proves Isuzu’s reliability in providing time-saving and cost-efficient logistics to suit any business needs,”
 he continued.

Aside from the impressive sales volume of the Isuzu ELF Light Duty trucks recorded by MAA in 2017, Isuzu commercial vehicles in the Medium Duty, High Duty and Prime Mover categories also cemented the brand in achieving the No. 1 rank for preferred Commercial Vehicle in Malaysia.

For more details on Isuzu’s range of vehicles, call
1-300-88-1133
 or visit
www.isuzu.net.my
.


Shell & BonusLink just gave away a BMW X3!

It was a day to remember for Neeraj Kumar N Krishna Kumar as he was announced the first grand prize winner of the ‘Menangi 3 BMW X3’ contest currently ongoing by the good folks from Shell and BonusLink. Mr Neeraj came all the way from Penang to personally receive his brand-new
BMW X3 xDrive30i Luxury
, a premium SUV currently on offer by BMW Group Malaysia.

How did Mr Neeraj get so lucky? The contest mechanics can’t be easier where he swiped his BonusLink Card at Shell petrol stations every time he purchased either Shell fuels, Shell Lubricants, or any products sold within the Shell SELECT premises. For every RM40 purchase in a single day, fellow Shell customers get an entry into the contest to win one of three brand new BMW X3 units. You still have a chance to win one for yourself as the contest is still ongoing until 24 November 2019.

According to Mr Shairan Huzani Husain, Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd, “We‘re proud to organise this campaign with BonusLink to reward our loyal customers who have supported Shell throughout the years. Globally, Shell is BMW Motorsport’s Premium Technology Partner, and we are proud to work with BMW Group Malaysia to offer three units of BMW X3 xDrive30i Luxury as the grand prize. Through this campaign, we hope to make life’s journeys better by giving Malaysians a chance to own a vehicle that gives them a comfortable and safe driving experience, thereby allowing them to go well on their journeys.”

As for Mr Melvin Loi, CEO of BonusKad Loyalty Sdn Bhd, “This is indeed an exciting campaign that we’ve organized with Shell. Our Members are the backbone of the company and we are fully committed to continuously enhance the BonusLink journey by extending rewards and benefits that are meaningful to our Members. We also believe in the thrill of enjoyable experiences, one a campaign like ‘Menangi 3 BMW X3’ contest delivers.”

Winning a luxury car like the BMW X3 is a dream and I am glad to report that we have received an overwhelming number of responses thus far. I hope to see more and more Members continue to swipe their BonusLink Card at Shell for a chance to win the remaining two BMW X3 cars. Also, Members stand to win a share of 9 Million BonusLink Points when they swipe at Shell and another BonusLink Partner during the contest period.”

Mr Neeraj Kumar, who was present during the ceremony, commented “When I first received the call from BonusLink, I could not believe that I had won the BMW X3! I have been fuelling at Shell since I had my first car, but I never expected to win such a big prize just by swiping my BonusLink Card at Shell. I am thankful to both Shell and BonusLink for rewarding me and my family.”

To further add hype to the contest, BonusLink is currently going around the country in a roadshow to promote its grand prize giveaway for the remaining two BMW X3 plus many other exciting prizes. The next roadshow will make its way to Ipoh (19 October 2019), Kuantan (26 October 2019), and Johor Bahru (1 November 2019). For more information on the ‘Menangi 3 BMW X3’ contest, head over to any of the roadshow locations or visit
www.shell.com.my/menangbmw
. It’s not every day you get a chance to win a BMW premium SUV.

Shell Malaysia Strengthens Collaboration With Enforcement Agencies To Combat Fake Lubricants


How the interchange at Kg Sg Penchala turned into ‘spaghetti’

In the early 2000s, the end of the SPRINT Highway at Kg. Sg Penchala connected to the Damansara-Puchong Expressway – more commonly referred to as ‘LDP’. As Damansara Perdana and Mutiara Damansara began to develop, additional connections were created across the highway to enable motorists to easily travel to the new housing and commercial areas.

By 2010, as Mutiara Damansara and Damansara Perdana, as well Kota Damansara, began to grow, more highway links were created to give more direct access to the different sections and the interchange began to look like ‘octopus tentacles’.

The addition of ramps kept increasing, resulting in the complex ‘spaghetti’ interchange we have today that will be entry point at the eastern side of the 20.1 km Damansara-Shah Alam (DASH) Elevated Highway which will be opening very soon.

Construction of SPRINT Highway ramps to LDP at Kg. Sg. Penchala in 2002.

The western end of the DASH Elevated Highway will start from Puncak Perdana and pass through Alam Suria, Denai Alam, Kampung Melayu Subang, Pinggiran Subang, Subang 2, Subang Airport, RRIM (Kwasa Damansara), Surian, Seksyen 5 Kota Damansara, Sunway Damansara, Damansara Perdana before joining the LDP and SPRINT highways.

The DASH link is expected to reduce travelling time between Puncak Alam and Penchala from 90 minutes to 17 minutes.


Honda Malaysia Extends Model Range With New Odyssey Launch [+Videos]

Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd (HMSB) has extended its model range equipped with
Next Generation Advanced Safety Technology
 by introducing its first model for 2018, the new 7-seater
Odyssey
 MPV with Honda SENSING. Check out this quick 360-degree walk-around and interior video taken at the launch:

The Odyssey is the third model after the CR-V and Accord to be equipped with Honda SENSING, the safety feature which bagged the 2016 ASEAN NCAP Grand Prix Award in the
“Best Safety Technology”
 from a carmaker category. The launch of the New Odyssey completes the trifecta of Honda vehicles with SENSING in Malaysia, which includes its sedans, sport-utility vehicles (SUV) and multi-purpose/passenger vehicles (MPV).

The Honda SENSING* in the new Odyssey consists of six features, which are divided into the two categories of
Safety
 and
Convenience
, as well as
Comfort
:

Features for Safety:

– Forward Collision Warning (FCW) that will trigger a visual warning and audible alerts for the driver when the monocular camera and a millimetre wave radar detect that it is at risk of collision with the front vehicle

– Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) which assists in applying brake force progressively when it senses an increasing risk of collision

– Lane Departure Warning (LDW) which monitors vehicle lane position using cameras, and alerts if the driver drives out of the lane

– Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) that provides alerts, applies brakes and assists the driver’s steering to prevent driving off the road
.

Features for Convenience & Comfort:

– Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) that sets a desired speed and following interval from the vehicle detected ahead

– Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS) which uses camera to read lane markings and assist the driver’s steering to keep the vehicle in the centre of its lane

Honda Malaysia Group Vice President
,
Akkbar Danial
 said,
“In addition to Honda SENSING, the New Odyssey is expected to elevate the safety benchmark in Malaysia’s MPV segment with its unrivalled premium safety features. These include Multi-view Camera System, Smart Parking Assist System, Blind Spot Information that alerts on oncoming vehicle in the blind spot when the driver is switching lanes and Cross Traffic Monitoring that gives off a warning whistle when a collision with a cross-approaching vehicle is predicted when backing up the MPV. On top of all these features which are exclusively found only in the Odyssey, the New Odyssey is also equipped with six airbags.”

You can see him highlight some of the new Odyssey features in this short video:

The outward appearance of the Odyssey is enhanced with a new front bumper, new front grille, new LED rear lights, LED fog lights, 17” Dual Tone Alloy Wheels, Auto Retractable Door Mirrors and it is also equipped with Auto Dim Rear View Mirror. Meanwhile, the interior of the Odyssey has also received a makeover.

These include new bigger armrests for the driver seat, 4-Way Passenger Power Seat, added storage and enhanced utility as well as bigger headrest for its Premium Captain Cradle Seats with Ottoman on the second row to boost comfort and enjoyment for the passengers, especially during long journeys. The Ultra-Low Floor Platform of the New Odyssey eases passenger ingress and egress in addition to enabling this MPV to have a spacious cabin that is equivalent to a large-class MPV.

The Odyssey upholds its predecessor’s characteristics that offer a refined and exquisite silhouette, spacious and elegant interior while being fully equipped with other advanced features of an MPV. Performance-wise, the Odyssey is powered by a
2.4L DOHC
i-VTEC Earth Dreams Technology
 engine mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that gives dynamic acceleration at start and also best-in-class fuel efficiency.

The Odyssey is offered in just one variant, the
2.4L EXV
 with Honda SENSING, and it’s priced at
RM254,800
 without insurance (including GST). Honda Malaysia has set a sales target of 130 units per year for the New Odyssey.

It will be available in three colour options, of which two are the first in a Honda model. The new colours are Platinum White Pearl and Premium Twinkle Black Pearl, while the popular Super Platinum Metallic is maintained.

It is now open for booking at all
 93 Honda dealers
 nationwide. It comes with
5-year warranty with unlimited mileage and a service interval of 10,000km.

For more information on the new Odyssey with Honda SENSING or to book a test drive, you can visit any Honda authorised dealer or call Honda’s toll free number at
1-800-88-2020
, or log on to
www.honda.com.my
.

2018 Honda Odyssey Launch Photo Gallery…

*Low Speed Follow (LSF) is not equipped in the new Accord (below) with Honda SENSING or the new Odyssey MPV.


F1: Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team to make statement with black cars and racing suits

When Formula One returns to racing this weekend in Austria, it will do so in a world that has changed profoundly since the teams last gathered in Melbourne in early March for what was to have been the opening round of the 2020 championship (it was cancelled).

The COVID-19 pandemic and various tough actions taken by almost all countries saw movements restricted, and all motorsports were suspended. While that impacted racing teams, the manufacturers they represent as well as the sponsors greatly, there has also been another development which has become an almost global social issue.

Discrimination is not acceptable

In the past five weeks, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has shone a searching light on how much we need new measures and actions in the fight against racism. In sports especially, discrimination of any form is not acceptable. The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team has spent the past weeks listening to the perspectives of its team members, to learn and to reflect on the team as it is today and how they want it to be in the future.

“It’s so important that we seize this moment and use it to educate ourselves whether you are an individual, brand or company to make real meaningful changes when it comes to ensuring equality and inclusivity. I have personally experienced racism in my life and seen my family and friends experience racism, and I am speaking from the heart when I appeal for change,” said Lewis Hamilton, who is the first and still the only black driver in F1. “When I spoke to Toto [Wolff] about my hopes for what we could achieve as a team, I said it was so important that we stand united.”

Lewis Hamilton is the first and still the only black driver in F1. He says he has personally experienced racism so this initiative by his team matters a lot to him personally.

Looking inwards at itself, the team could see that there is a lack of diversity: just 3% of its workforce identify as belonging to minority ethnic groups and only 12% are women. “ This lack of diversity shows that we need to find new approaches to attract talent from many areas of society we do not currently reach. We know that our team will be stronger if we can attract talents from the broadest possible pool and we are committed to achieving this through positive action,” said Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team.

For the 2020 season, the team has therefore chosen to race in an all-black base livery as a public pledge to improve the diversity of the team. It is a clear statement of the team’s stand against racism and all forms of discrimination. The call to ‘End Racism’ will feature on the halo of both cars, and the united F1 initiative #WeRaceAsOne will be featured on the mirrors of the W11 racing car.

The racing cars will be predominantly in black, a change from the light colour sheme they started off with at the beginning of the year (below).

Diversity and Inclusion programme

“Before the end of this season, we will announce a Diversity and Inclusion programme that will include but not be limited to: continuing to listen to and raise the awareness of our team members; forensic analysis of our recruitment and development processes; collaboration with the sport’s key stakeholders to improve accessibility to our sport; and targeted education initiatives to encourage and support talented people from under-represented backgrounds who aspire to reach F1,” Wolff explained.

“We know that it will take time to build the right strategy, and consistent effort and investment year on year, and decade on decade, to make a measurable difference; our commitment to doing this is irreversible,” he declared.

At the highest levels of Daimler AG, which funds the team, there is also full support for its actions being taken. Markus Schaefer, Member of the Board of Management Daimler AG, Responsible for Group Research and Non-Executive Chairman of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team said: “In recent weeks, events around the world have reinforced the importance of continuing to fight against racism and all forms of discrimination. At Mercedes, we know that the strength of our organisation lies in the diversity of our people, and we are proud to be able to use one of our most prominent global platforms to signal our commitment to this fundamental principle of our society and our business.”

Just 3% of the team’s workforce identify as belonging to minority ethnic groups and only 12% are women. That’s going to change.

Speaking up for respect and equality

Expanding on the subject, Wolff said: “Racism and discrimination have no place in our society, our sport or our team: this is a core belief at Mercedes. But having the right beliefs and the right mindset isn’t enough if we remain silent. We wish to use our voice and our global platform to speak up for respect and equality, and the Silver Arrow will race in black for the entire 2020 season to show our commitment to greater diversity within our team and our sport.”

“We will not shy away from our weaknesses in this area, nor from the progress we must still make; our livery is our public pledge to take positive action. We intend to find and attract the very best talents from the broadest possible range of backgrounds, and to create credible pathways for them to reach our sport, in order to build a stronger and more diverse team in the future. I would also like to use this opportunity to thank our parent company Mercedes-Benz and our family of team partners who have supported and encouraged this initiative,” he said.

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, which is based in England, will strive to have more diversity in its workforce.

Drivers will use their high profile

At the heart of the team’s commitment to fighting racism and discrimination are its high-profile drivers, and most prominently 6-time world champion Hamilton. He recently announced the formation of the Hamilton Commission, a research partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering dedicated to exploring how motorsport can be used to engage more young people from black backgrounds with STEM subjects and ultimately employ them at Mercedes teams or in other engineering sectors. He and his partner, Valtteri Bottas, will race in black overalls for the 2020 season, with helmet designs adapted as well.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to Toto and the Mercedes Board for taking the time to listen, to talk, and to really understand my experiences and passion, and for making this important statement that we are willing to change and improve as a business. We want to build a legacy that goes beyond sport, and if we can be the leaders and can start building more diversity within our own business, it will send such a strong message and give others the confidence to begin a dialogue about how they can implement change,” he said.


Lexus LBX Debuts With 134 Hybrid Horsepower

The LBX, which sits below the
UX
 and is the new entry-level Lexus, is an indirect replacement for the long-gone CT hatchback. It is Lexus’ first vehicle in the B-segment ever since

The LBX sits on the GA-B small car global architecture platform which is used for the first time by a Lexus model. The new vehicle now has the essential advantages of a low centre of gravity, broad tracks, small overhangs, and a very robust body thanks to fundamental adjustments made to it to satisfy Lexus’s criteria.

Exterior

The most notable feature of the design is a new frontal configuration that “breaks” the spindle grille, which has been a defining feature for the past ten years and ushers Lexus into a new age. The seamless, frameless grille creates the spindle-shaped lines of the LBX’s body, adding to the vehicle’s aggressive posture.

The daytime running lights and turn indicators are combined into one unit in the new headlight design, giving it a distinctive visual identity. The lights’ distinctive L-shape has been modified in this new configuration to face outwards rather than inwards to match the direction of each indicator light.

The cabin appears more compact and the bonnet appears longer for a sportier profile thanks to the pulled-back front pillars. The choice of two alloy wheel designs, a 17 inch wrapped with 225/60R17 tyres and 18 inch with 225/55R18 tyres are highlighted by the flared wings, which also communicate power. Meanwhile, the low overhangs and bold tightening of the region around the rear doors suggest nimble, dynamic performance.

The car’s rear also conveys an intimidating outlook. The licence plate holder has been lowered to the bumper so that there is a clean look with the Lexus-lettered signature. The most recent iteration of the iconic L-shaped light bar used by Lexus has more visual impact, even when the turn signal and reverse lamps are not lit.

The LBX has a wheelbase of 2580 mm, 4190 mm long, 1825 mm wide, and 1545 mm height. It also weighs in at 1,280 kg.

Powertrain and Performance

A brand-new, self-charging Lexus hybrid electric system with a small and light 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine powers the LBX. Maximum output from the full hybrid system is 134 bhp with a peak torque of 185 Nm. The engine is thermally efficient, thanks to high-speed combustion technology and design elements including straight intake ports and laser-clad intake valve seats.

Other key contributors include ultra-lightweight pistons engineered for operation at high rpm and electronic intelligent variable valve-timing.

The newly designed power control unit is installed directly above the transaxle, which has a revised design that contributes to the LBX’s low bonnet line. The two motor generators are situated on separate shafts, saving even more space and shortening the overall length of the drivetrain.

The LBX’s front and rear suspension systems are intended for high stiffness and lightweight, resulting in agile, stable cornering and steering response, as well as smooth ride comfort. All versions have a MacPherson strut front suspension and have a torsion beam rear suspension, while the all-wheel drive LBX has a double-wishbone setup.

Vehicle Braking Posture Control is included in the electronically controlled braking system. This automatically adjusts front and rear braking force distribution to reduce pitching and preserve linear, reassuring performance. It also helps to reduce vehicle roll when cornering, keeping the vehicle pleasant and stable, and filtering out vibrations.

Interior

A variety of upholsteries and trims with great visual and tactile appeal demonstrate the quality and attention to detail. A vegan-friendly interior with synthetic leather and materials for the seat coverings, steering wheel, shift lever, and door trimmings is available in addition to top-quality semi-aniline leather.

It also features new Tsuyusami charcoal trim inlays, created using a new film technique that uses multiple layers to give a highly textured appearance with a sense of depth. Highlighting different parts of the cabin, the lighting design provides a range of 50 colour options, curated in themes that evoke different moods.

The driver’s cockpit is based on Lexus’ Tazuna concept, which was initially seen on the NX mid-size SUV. This places the primary controls and information sources directly around the driver, requiring only minor hand or eye movements.

The Tazuna concept is improved on certain versions with a new, 12.3-inch full digital instrument display, which is used in a Lexus for the first time. A head-up display is also available on certain versions.

The LBX is outfitted with the most recent Lexus Link Connect system, which is controlled via a 9.8-inch touchscreen. The “Hey Lexus” on-board assistant, which responds to voice instructions from both the driver and the front seat passenger, adds to the convenience.

Smartphone integration is possible via wireless or wired connections for Apple CarPlay, or via a wired link for Android Auto. The LBX provides over-the-air software updates for its multimedia and safety systems, allowing owners to benefit from enhancements without having to visit a Lexus dealership.

The LBX comes with Lexus Safety System+ which includes a Pre-Collision System with Intersection Turn Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist/Lane Keep Assist and Road Sign Assist.

Following its world debut, the LBX will go into production in late 2023 with first deliveries expected sometime towards Q2 of 2024.


2020 Acura NSX introduces new heritage colour – Indy Yellow

The 2020 Acura NSX has been turning heads for quite a while ever since its introduction and to make things even more special, there’s a new colour option available called Indy Yellow; a modern version of the very famous Spa Yellow from the NSX between 1997 to 2003.

Spa Yellow was one of the more popular colour options back in the day when the very first generation of the NSX hit the market and now, you can have the modern rendition delivered to you starting November (if you happen to live in the US, that is).

For those who would like to see the Indy Yellow NSX live in person, the car will be making its official public debut at the Monterey Car Week which will be taking place form 9-18 August 2019 in California.

Priced at $157,500 (around RM659,153), each Acura NSX is handcrafted to perfection where it comes with some very exciting specifications which include a an innovative Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® power unit consisting of a bespoke twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, 9-speed dual clutch transmission (9DCT), and three electric motors delivering instant torque.

Featuring a super advanced multi-material body and aluminium-intensive space frame, the second-generation NSX offers ultra-high rigidity and superior collision safety performance all within a super compact packaging. Very important when you have 573hp and 645Nm of max torque.

Stand a chance to win NINE cars from Honda Malaysia!


LAND ROVER NEW DEFENDER – The Design Story

For almost 70 years, the original Land Rover Defender remained in essentially the same form, altered only slightly but the basic design was untouched. It was a functional form that would become iconic and epitomise off-road vehicles that could go just about anywhere. It came to also be the Land Rover symbol throughout the world, even in the most remote places where few motorised vehicles travelled to.

With a vehicle such as the Defender, the periodic change in appearance that customers of passenger cars expect was unnecessary. Its shape was ‘timeless’, and the longer it was retained, the happier owners were because body parts became more and more readily available, not rendered obsolete by frequent changes in design. What was more important to them were technical improvements that extended the capability of the Defender or made it even more durable than it already was.

But as Henry Ford found out, changes in the world also impact the auto industry. His Model T achieved greatness and he thought it could continue to be in demand ‘forever’, but it eventually had to end. It was the same with the original Volkswagen Beetle too. Indeed, the world had changed greatly from the time the original Defender was created in the late 1940s as a simple transporter, primarily for farmers and for military use.

The change was especially apparent towards the end of the 20
th
 century as off-road vehicles became popular as ‘sport utility vehicles’ or SUVs. By the time the 21
st
 century started, this segment of the market began to heat up and was flooded with new models. It was time for the Defender to also change.

The Defender was still much respected and in some respects, it was also superior in capability. But there was a new generation of customers who liked the idea of an off-road vehicle for its rugged image and capabilities, and they also wanted something more modern and akin to the newer range of models from Land Rover.

While the classic design had a certain appeal (and still does), it was time to consider a modernised version and this was one of the great challenges that faced Professor Gerry McGovern and his team. McGovern, the Chief Creative Officer at Jaguar Land Rover, is the ‘Guardian of Land Rover DNA’ and for something as iconic as the Defender, ensuring that a reimagined product would be immediately recognisable was very important. It had to be a worthy heir to the original and not a hastily developed successor.

Over the years, Land Rover had given thought to a successor to the Defender. The most well known was the DC 100 Concept of 2011 which signalled the company’s willingness to produce a new generation. While many think that the New Defender evolved from that concept, it actually is not so and largely served to generate discussions which McGovern paid attention to.

The DC 100 concept models.

While the DC 100’s looks were exciting – as a showcar should be – it was too much of a departure from the original design and that was something McGovern understood and agreed with. A new design would need to be recognisable as a Defender while incorporating modernity and functionality.  Needless to say, it had to still be able to live up to the ‘Best4x4ByFar’ promise – and it had to be authentic.

It was clear to the design team that respect for origins was very important, to the traditionalists as well as the modern buyers who expected a more premium product that was rather different from the original which was pure function and simplicity. There was a need to have the elements that said ‘Defender’ with a modern style that would bring it into the 21
st
 century, redefining the adventure vehicle.

The most significant element is the profile with the large cubic form for the cabin, and the smaller cube at the front end. There is also the characteristic line of the roof, the shoulder running along the sides, and the distinctive wheelarches. The overhangs are also short and of course, there is the elevated position from the ground. There’s even the familiar Defender trademark Alpine light windows in the roof. The rear too has a lot of ‘Defender’ to it, with the spare tyre mounted on the very vertical door that is hinged at the side rather than the top.

“The new Defender is respectful of its past but is not harnessed by it. This is a new Defender for a new age. Its unique personality is accentuated by its distinctive silhouette and optimum proportions, which make it both highly desirable and seriously capable – a visually compelling 4×4 that wears its design and engineering integrity with uncompromised commitment,” said McGovern.

Over the decades, the Defender had grown from being just a simple canvas-topped vehicle with limited space to become a larger and longer vehicle for different requirements. While there have been numerous conversions to create custom versions, there have essentially been two official sizes for the Defender – the longer 110 version and the short 90 version. These have been retained for the New Defender and the difference in length is 435 mm and two doors less for the shorter version. Each version is aimed at a different target group with the option of 5, 6 or 5+2 seating in the 110 and up to 6 seats in the 90.

The design work took some 6 years to reach finalization because of the constant reviewing and insistence on authenticity. The resultant design that is in showrooms today has an expression that is neither too aggressive nor too informal. It is not as ‘hard’ as the original and yet has a silhouette that is distinctly different enough from the many other SUVs on the road. As McGovern put it, the New Defender has been ‘inspired by the original, but not constricted by the past’.

Inside, the cabin design departs more significantly from the original Defender, though exposed structural elements and superior functionality are very much in evidence. The interior has been thoroughly modernised in the same fashion as the original Discovery of the late 1980s which marked Land Rover’s move into the premium segment (Range Rover notwithstanding). At that time, Land Rover invited Conran, a well known interior design specialist, to create an innovative new cabin that would set the standards for models that followed.

The New Defender not only has a premium look and feel with high quality materials used throughout but it also has genuine 21st century technologies with user-friendly features. The cumulative experience of designing for adventurers has been combined with providing for today’s SUV buyers who want comfort and convenience, endowing the New Defender with a cabin environment and comfort that is unmatched in its class,

Essentially, virtually all elements around the cabin have a functional role. These include the state-of-the-art Pivi Pro infotainment system with a next-generation 10-inch touchscreen. The operation is more intuitive and user-friendly, requiring fewer inputs to perform frequently used tasks. Pivi Pro has been designed to be operated like a smartphone, which almost everyone would be familiar with. It can be customised to user preference and is integrated with other displays on the magnesium dashboard.

With Pivi Pro, Land Rover has completely changed its approach to infotainment systems. Having its own back-up battery allows the system to load immediately following engine start. Two high-performance Qualcomm Snapdragon processors with individual integrated LTE modems and Blackberry QNX operating systems provide supercomputer performance and can be updated ‘over the air’ (meaning no need to go to a service centre for the job).

The modular interior architecture is underpinned by a practical layout that extends all the way to the back. Up to seven people can be accommodated by various arrangements of the seats with an abundance of storage areas. The cargo area has a volume that ranges from 231 litres when all seats are in use, to a massive 2,233 litres at maximum capacity (for the Defender 110). With the side-hinged tailgate, loading is possible even in tight spots (like against a wall) as the door can be opened slightly whereas a top-hinged door would not be able to open upwards.

While most owners of the New Defender are less likely to go off-roading in a serious way, those who do take it for an adventurous journey on muddy terrain will be able to clean the cabin easily. Apart from the tough-wearing fabrics used, the flooring is of a rubber material that can be washed while flush door sills allow easier mopping or sweeping of water and dirt out.

The original Defender has a history dating back to the late 1940s and was in continuous production for 67 years until 2016. Its successor’s story began in 2019 and as with all models from the specialist in 4×4 vehicles, the New Defender continues a legacy while offering the best of modern technology and design.

For more information and to find the location of the closest Land Rover showroom to you, visit
www.landrover.com.my
.


Buy A Honda Civic Type-R And You Might Be In Suzuka For The F1! [+Video]

Honda Malaysia
 has announced a campaign aimed at rewarding customers who purchase and register a new
Honda Civic Type-R!
 Between
April 2018 and June 2018
, these new Civic Type R owners will stand a chance to win an exclusive trip to Japan worth up to
RM30,000
 to experience the
 2018 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix
 at Suzuka Circuit in October.

The exclusive
‘Sprint to the Suzuka Circuit’
 campaign will take place over a period of 3 months, from
April 2018 to June 2018
. Customers who purchase and register a new Civic Type R during the campaign period will need to fill up a form and answer 2 short questions at any of Honda’s 20 Sport Dealers* to be in the running to win the exclusive trip to Japan. 10 exclusive winners will be selected based on the creativity of their answers to the 2 short questions.

The 10 exclusive winners will each receive
2 Business Class flight tickets, 2 tickets to watch the 2018 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, 5 days 4 nights of accommodation in Japan and 2 official Honda merchandise, all worth up to RM30,000.

More on the Honda Civic Type-R…

The All-New Civic Type R which was launched in November 2017, is the world’s fastest front-wheel-drive (FWD) production car. Powered by a highly advanced
2.0-liter VTEC Turbocharged
 engine, producing
310PS
 and maximum torque of
400Nm
, the All-New Civic Type R was engineered to deliver the most rewarding drive in the hot hatch segment, both on the road and on the race track. The 3-Way Driving Mode offered in the All-New Civic Type R –
COMFORT, SPORT
 and
+R
 allows drivers to experience different dynamic performance depending on the driving environment. The different modes provide drivers with both the race car-like performance and the desired comfort that is required as a daily commute car.

Besides being the most powerful Honda model ever sold in Malaysia, ownership of the All-New Civic Type R is very exclusive. Every Civic Type R sold is unique, each given its own special serial number plate positioned strategically on the center console – which stands as a constant reminder of the Civic Type R’s exclusivity. Since it was open for booking on 1 October 2017, Honda Malaysia has received more than 100 bookings for the All-New Civic Type R. The fully imported All-New Civic Type R is priced at RM320,000 on-the-road without insurance.

So, register now for your very own exclusive All-New Civic Type R! Customers can visit any of Honda’s 20 Sport Dealers* to place a booking for the All-New Civic Type R during the exclusive ‘Sprint to the Suzuka Circuit’ campaign to be in the running for the trip to Japan. For more information on the All-New Civic Type R, please call Honda’s Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020 or log on to
www.honda.com.my

*List of 20 Honda Sport Dealers

No

Region

Honda Sport Dealers

1

Central

Autoworld Asia Sdn Bhd

2

Central

Botanic Auto Mall Sdn Bhd

3

Central

Global Amity Sdn Bhd (Bangi)

4

Central

Kah Motor Co Sdn Bhd – Selayang

5

Central

Sri Utama Auto Sdn Bhd

6

Central

USJ Car Express Sdn Bhd

7

Central

MH Prestige Auto Sdn Bhd

8

Central

Peringgit Sri Motor Sdn Bhd

9

Central

Tenaga Setia Resources Sdn Bhd

10

Central

The Millenium Auto Carriage

11

East Coast

Syarikat Tan Eng Ann Sdn Bhd

12

East Malaysia

Syarikat Labuan Automobile Sdn Bhd

13

Northern

Ban Hoe Seng (Auto) Sdn Bhd

14

Northern

Formula Venture Sdn Bhd

15

Northern

Kah Motor Co Sdn Bhd – Sg Pinang

16

Northern

Lee Motor SP (Car Div) Sdn Bhd

17

Northern

Yooi Cars Sdn Bhd

18

Southern

Ban Lee Heng Motor Sdn Bhd (Seremban)

19

Southern

Syarikat Motor GS Tay Sdn Bhd

20

Southern

Yong Ming Motor Sdn Bhd