Canoo unveils fully electric pick-up truck with production to start in 2023

Canoo Inc
., the American company which is
working with the Hyundai Motor Group
 to develop a new electric vehicle (EV) platform, has also been working on its on purpose-built EVs with a proprietary and highly versatile platform architecture. The result of its efforts has been revealed in the unveiling of a fully-electric pick-up truck which will go into production for first deliveries beginning in 2023. By then, it won’t be the only electric pick-up as a few other companies have also said they will start delivering their EVs then.

The pick-up truck is the third vehicle that will be based on the company’s proprietary multi-purpose platform architecture, enabling the accelerated development timeline. While traditional EV platforms have power units, shock towers and mechanical steering columns that take up space within the vehicle, Canoo’s EV platform functionally integrates all the critical components of an electric powertrain to be as flat and efficient as possible.

Prototype Canoo EV platform which was run in desert conditions.

By incorporating steer-by-wire and other space-saving technologies, the thin platform, with no need for an engine compartment, allows a flatbed size comparable to America’s best-selling pick-up truck (the Ford F-Series) on a smaller footprint. This makes the vehicle easier to manoeuvre and more convenient to drive and park in any terrain.

“We are so passionate about building vehicles that can change people’s lives,” said Tony Aquila, Executive Chairman of Canoo. “Our pick-up truck is as strong as the toughest trucks out there and is designed to be exponentially more productive. This truck works for you. We made accessories for people who use trucks – on the job, weekends, adventure.”

Unique features

Canoo’s pick-up truck has several unique features to help customers do more with their vehicles. Among them is a pull-handle bed extension that can extend the standard 6-foot ((1.83 metres) bed to a fully enclosed 8 feet (2.44 metres), allowing big items plywood sheets to easily fit inside. The payload is rated at up to 816 kgs.

The pull-handle bed extension also helps with loading and unloading the truck. When the bed is extended, a second layer of tailgate doors can be swiveled out. The bed-extension also houses a secondary lamp, containing all tail lamp functions, so the truck can be driven while the bed space is maximized. The extension also serves as a license plate holder.

Cargo Storage

To maximise utility, there’s a fold-down worktable with electrical outlets. The table is extendable to allow a large work surface on the go, in addition to providing an area to put on gear before heading out exploring. Tools and other equipment can be stored in a cargo storage area at the front.

Both sides of the vehicle house built-in flip down tables in two expandable depths. Integrated in the side panels of the truck bed, each table can serve as a workbench with multi-functional power sources in close proximity.

On the side of the vehicle, there is a hidden step to allow quick and easy access to the truck bed. Underneath this step is a flexible storage area for items such as a first-aid kit, cooler for snacks and drinks, lockable laptop storage and more. This space-efficient feature is only possible due to Canoo’s ultra-flat platform.

Modular bed

The truck bed is modular, thanks to Canoo’s space divider system designed to keep items separate and secure. The bed wall also incorporates modular wheel chocks to secure bikes and configurable tie-downs for ladders, large equipment and other materials.

The pick-up truck can double as a mobile powerplant too. Electrical power can be supplied all day for tools and devices, ideal for situations like natural disasters where power generating infrastructure might be non-functioning. The draw of electricity is said to have around 10% impact on vehicle range.

The third brake light can double as an overhead light to illuminate the cargo bed at night. There’s also perimeter lighting on all sides of the bed wall for added visibility around the vehicle.

Customers can add roof racks which are in variable sizes for extra cargo storage when needed. The roof rack is easily accessible from the flatbed or via the sidestep. Alternatively, Canoo has a variety of camper shells to fit onto the bed for covered and enclosed accommodations while travelling around.

Powertrain configurations

The truck’s powertrain can generate pp to 600 hp/746 Nm torque with two electric motors. The battery pack is claimed to be able to currently provide a range of 320+ kms although this is likely to change as battery technology continues to advance.

How big is it?

In standard form, the pick-up truck is 4677 mm long, which makes it shorter than a Ford Ranger (double cab) which has a length of 5426 mm. However, when the bed is extended, the overall length will be similar. So if the extended bed is not needed, the truck is about the same length as a Honda Civic, which would make it convenient to drive around in urban conditions.

While it is not as wide as a Ford Ranger Raptor, it is a bit wider than the average Japanese pick-up truck with an overall width of 1980 mm (bodywork). It sits on a wheelbase of 2850 mm and the roof of the cab is at 1920 mm with 18-inch wheels.

Canoo has already developed an electric delivery van using the same platform.


Fuel Price Updates For March 18 – March 24, 2021

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www.bhpetrol.com.my
 for more information.


Dodge Challenger And Charger Orders Close For Good On 31 July 2023

Although electric vehicles offer immediate power and mad acceleration, they can never come close to the raw sound and power of a V8. Specifically, two of the most iconic American muscle cars, the Dodge Challenger and Charger.

2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody

It was announced some time ago that the era of these two cars is due to come to an end. And that time is nigh, according to reports the order books are closing in two weeks’ time. But of course, here in Malaysia, we can only get them on the grey market, unless you have a base back in the U.S. and would like to buy one there.

2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody

However, in the US, the carmaker has confirmed that all orders for muscle cars for the 2023 model year must be submitted by the end of July. It’s truly the “Last Call” for aficionados seeking to order a Dodge Challenger or Charger, especially a high-horsepower variant like the Scat Pack, SRT Hellcat, or a special-edition model.

Demon 170

This will be the final opportunity for buyers to order any new Challenger or Charger powered by the Hemi V8 in addition to the seven limited edition “Last Call” cars that Dodge introduced in the latter part of last year, which includes the
Demon 170
. The model’s manufacturing will stop no later than December 31, 2023.

Dodge Charger Daytona SRT

Dodge Hornet PHEV

Dodge has already provided a look into the all-electric future of its muscle car portfolio with the Charger Daytona SRT concept, marking the end of an era for the business. The Hornet R/T also demonstrates what Dodge is capable of with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.


New Porsche Macan Launched in Europe [+Video]

The new
Porsche
Macan
 now comes with an efficient 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with improved combustion chamber geometry. It delivers a performance of
185 kW (252 hp)
 and has a maximum torque of
 370 Nm
. In combination with its seven-gear PDK dual-clutch gearbox, the compact SUV can go from
0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds
 and reach a top speed of
225 km/h
. Its consumption rate is 8.1 l/100 km according to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). With the model having received a full makeover, the most prominent new features in terms of design, comfort, connectivity and driving dynamics include the three-dimensional LED light panel at the rear and the new fully interconnected
Porsche
communication
 management system with 10.9-inch touchscreen inside the vehicle. Check out the video!

Newly tuned chassis for enhanced balance

The vehicle dynamics of the
Macan
 remain its core feature. The overhauled chassis increases comfort and makes the
Macan
 even more enjoyable to drive. As is typical for a sports car, it comes with mixed-size tyres, enabling the driver to take full advantage of the benefits of the intelligent all-wheel drive
Porsche
 Traction Management (PTM) system and adopt a dynamic driving style. Newly developed tyres with improved performance characteristics allow for even better lateral dynamics. The wheel diameters range from 18 inches as standard to an optional 21 inches.

A more streamlined design with full LED lights and new colours

In keeping with
Porsche
’s design DNA, the new
Macan
 features a three-dimensional LED light panel on the rear of the vehicle. The brake lights with their four-point design are another excellent embodiment of the brand’s identity. LED technology is incorporated as standard into the newly designed main headlights, while the
Porsche
Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS Plus) option can be used to control light distribution adaptively. The
Macan
’s front end has been thoroughly redesigned and now appears wider. Drivers now have more scope to express their personality thanks to the addition of four new exterior colours – Mamba Green Metallic, Dolomite Silver Metallic, Miami Blue and Crayon.

Fully interconnected: the new
Porsche
 Communication Management (PCM) system

The
Macan
 offers a range of digital possibilities through the use of the new
Porsche
 Communication Management (PCM) system. The full-HD touchscreen is now 10.9 inches in width (previously 7.2 inches). As in the Panamera and Cayenne, the user interface can be adapted to suit personal requirements via predefined tiles. Fully interconnected as standard, the new system features mobile phone preparation, two audio interfaces and intelligent voice control.

New options: GT sports steering wheel, air ioniser and traffic assistant

An expanded range of options with enhanced assist systems is available to choose from with the new
Macan
. The optional GT sports steering wheel echoes the style of the
Porsche
 911. A mode switch integrated into the steering wheel – including sport response button – is part of the optional sport chrono package that can be fitted in the
Macan
.
Porsche
 has extended the list of options designed to enhance convenience, which now includes a heated windshield and an air ioniser that – together with the fine particulate air filter (fitted as standard) – improves the quality of the air inside the vehicle.

Available for enquiry now: the new
Macan
 with more features included as standard

The new
Macan
 is now available for enquiry at
Porsche
 Centre Glenmarie, Sungai Besi,
and
 Penang
. The range of standard features has been expanded to include LED main headlights, the new PCM with online navigation and Connect Plus, and an anti-theft alarm system with interior surveillance.


Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar To Enter 6-Hour WEC Race At Fuji Speedway This Weekend

After making its competitive debut in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) with the new
Peugeot 9X8
 at the Monza round in Italy two months ago, the Team Peugeot TotalEnergies is in Japan this week for a second 6-hour showdown. Two units of the new Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) will race at the Fuji Speedway this weekend to collect more information in racing conditions.

Commenting on the first race in Italy, Peugeot Sport Technical Director Olivier Jansonnie, said: “We needed that first race. We had achieved as much as we could in testing so, in order to ramp up our preparations and development, it was time to pitch ourselves directly against our opposition in a true race-weekend environment.”

Encouraged by the potential of a car whose homologation is now fixed (meaning that any further modifications will be strictly limited and regulated), the two driving crews were able to acclimatise to racing in traffic and compare the 9X8 to the championship’s other hypercars.

“We collected a great deal of information about the car and team. We also ran into a few problems that we hadn’t previously encountered in testing, some of which we were able to rectify on-site, others that we have been continuing to work on since Monza. This is a tried-and-tested process in motorsport,” Jansonnie explained.

“At this early stage, it should be noted that we are concentrating more on reliability and performance than on refining race strategies. That is perfectly normal for such a new project, up against rivals with – in some cases – more than 10 years of experience in the sport. We are all fiercely competitive here at Team Peugeot TotalEnergies and we recognise that both the car and team have scope for significant improvement, but we have yet to come across any issues that we cannot resolve, so that’s very positive,” he said.

Disappointed that the team was not able to take full advantage of the 10-minute qualifying session in Italy to properly demonstrate the 9X8’s potential, Jansonnie has since gone into even greater detail with his team in order to optimise its work on the car with the clock ticking down. It focused particularly hard on this aspect during two private tests carried out between Monza and Fuji.

“In Japan, we will be discovering the circuit for the first time, so we need to make sure we maximise every on-track session from Friday morning through to Sunday afternoon,” he stressed.

Preparing for Fuji’s challenges
The 6 Hours of Fuji – Round 5 of the 2022 WEC – poses an altogether different challenge to Monza in a number of ways. Jansonnie and his team realise this, particularly as it is held halfway around the world. “For long-haul events like this, we need to adapt our procedures because we do not have the same regular facilities at our disposal – like motorhomes and trucks – as we do when we race in Europe,” he said.

The circuit and region’s unpredictable weather – with heavy and prolonged downpours likely – represent further unknowns for the team, although not for the whole team. Its drivers like Jean-Eric Vergne and Gustavo Menezes have raced at Fuji in the past, while Loic Duval and James Rossiter spent a part of their career based in Japan. The benefits of that experience will complement the data already acquired by the crews and their engineers from their work in the 9X8 simulator as they endeavour to prepare as well as possible for the unique demands of this iconic Japanese track.

The 4.563-km Fuji Speedway where the fifth round of the 2022 World Endurance Championship will be held. It was opened in December 1965 and has been owned by Toyota Motor Corporation since 2000.

“Monza could have gone better for us, but that was entirely to be expected at such an early stage of an ambitious project like this. Our car [#93] ran into problems in the race that led to our retirement. During the run that I completed in free practice, though, we were close to the Toyota in terms of pure pace, which proves that we are in the right ballpark with this non-conventional car. I’m completely convinced about that. Our first race was another significant milestone on this exciting journey and now, for Fuji, the goalposts shift again. But that’s what keeps the adrenalin flowing!” said Vergne who will share the racing car with Paul di Resta and Mikkel Jensen.

New era in endurance racing
The 9X8 starts a new era for Peugeot in endurance racing, the motorsport category where it was previously victorious with the 905 and 908 in the 1990s and in 2009. Conforming to the regulations that govern the ACO and FIA’s new Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) category, the 4 wheel-drive racing prototype has a 2.6-litre bi-turbo V6 engine powering the rear wheels and a 200 kW electric motor driving the front wheels.

Inside the Peugeot 9X8.

The racing car, without a rear wing, measures 4.995 metres in length, has a width of 2 metres and is just 1.145 metres tall. With lots of lightweight materials in its bodywork, it weighs 1,030 kgs and its tank holds up to 90 litres of TotalEnergies’ 100% renewable Excellium Racing 100 fuel.

The completion of vital development and testing phases, necessary to achieving reliability and performance for the 9X8, led to its competitive debut being delayed until after the 2022 Le Mans 24 Hours. Its first entry in the WEC was thus at the 6 Hours of Monza on July 10 and this weekend, it will be at the Fuji Speedway.

Peugeot 9X8 hybrid hypercar to join 2022 World Endurance Championship


Renault Kiger debuts in India, to go on sale from March 2021

To know about other promotions, visit
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.

In spite of the hugely challenging conditions last year, Renault continued to improve its business in India, giving it confidence to accelerate expansion plans and double our annual sales volumes over the next couple of years. The market has remained strong in the French carmaker’s Africa-Middle-East-India-Pacific market, accounting for about 20% of sales.

The push forward today gained an additional offering for the Renault range for the sub-continent with the unveiling of the new Kiger SUV. The
concept model was shown late last year
 and the production version looks very similar; in fact, Renault already said that around 80% of what was in the concept would be retained in the production model.

Renault Kiger concept shown last year, and the production model (below)

Follows concept model styling

The designers have given the Kiger several features to add sportiness. The front grille’s 3D graphic finish with honeycomb-shaped chromed effects is an example, while the aluminium finish skidplate is a highlight at the rear, along with the LED double C-shaped lighting signature.

The Kiger that will be in showrooms in India has the same overall silhouette of the concept SUV. It has an overall length of 3991 mm and overall width of 1750 mm and sits on the same CMFA+ platform as the Triber and the Nissan Magnite.

Best-in-segment roominess

The Kiger is said to provide ‘record levels of roominess’ and a couple distance of 710 mm between the front seats – the best in its segment. At the rear, there is also claimed to be the best-in-segment second row legroom and elbow room. Cargo volume is also the biggest in class with 405 litres (expandable to 879 litres) with a floor length of up to 1565 mm.

The ‘smart cockpit’ was designed to give a practical onboard experience without detracting from style. It has a high, wide dashboard centre console focused around a large 8-inch floating touchscreen that features wireless smart phone replication for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

1-litre engine, turbo and non-turbo

The powerplant available at launch is only a 1-litre 3-cylinder engine, with and without a turbocharging. The naturally-aspirated engine develops 72 ps/96 Nm while the turbocharged one has an output of 100 ps/160 Nm.

The more powerful engine will be available with a 5-speed manual transmission or X-TRONIC CVT. For the other variant, there is also a manual transmission or the option of an EASY-R robotised gearbox.

Pricing is expected to start from Rs 6 lakh (about RM34,000) with sales to start by the end of the first quarter of 2021.

2021 Renault 5 Prototype


How motorists can help to prevent the spread of COVID-19

NOTE: This article was published in February 2020 before the COVID-19 epidemic became a pandemic and before the Malaysian government issued the Movement Control Order on March 18, 2020.

COVID-19, the coronavirus disease which began in December in Wuhan, China, is now spread all over the world. Malaysia, which took the necessary measures of surveillance and quarantine quite early, has fortunately not experienced a rapid increase in cases.

While our daily life can still continue without restrictions – unlike some places where there are lockdowns limiting movement – there is still a need to be mindful of the situation and take precautions to protect ourselves, our families and our friends. There are worrying projections of how the virus will eventually infect millions around the world but these are just projections. No one can know for sure what’s going to happen and more important right now is action which can be taken to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.

The closed environment of a car cabin and the closeness of occupants means that a more conscious effort is needed to maintain cleanliness to help prevent spread of COVID-19.

Some facts about viruses

As our website is motor-related, we’ll talk about actions by motorists that can help. But before we get into that, let’s first understand what the known dangers are. To start with, the virus is transmitted like the flu which we have lived with all our lives. With flu, vaccines have been developed to treat those infected (but many still die every year) and hopefully, a vaccine will quickly be found to fight and prevent COVID-19.

The virus is spread mainly from person-to-person, either through close contact (within about 2 metres or 6 feet) or through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. At this time, leading medical authorities say there is still not enough strong evidence to support concerns that it is airborne (as in floating around) as well.

It is also possible to be infected from touching a surface or object that may have been in contact with a person having the virus. Droplets containing the germs may have transferred onto things like door handles, buttons, computer keyboards or even eating utensils. You won’t get sick right away but when your hands or fingers touch your mouth, nose, or possibly the eyes, the germs your hands picked up could be transferred. You may not realise it but you probably touch your face often and that is the reason why health authorities strongly recommend frequent washing of hands with soap and water (for at least 20 seconds). You can also use a hand sanitizer that requires no water but can still provide a degree of disinfection on your hands.

The virus can stay alive and dangerous for some time; early evidence suggested that it could be up to 9 days. Research is still ongoing to determine if higher temperatures will kill it but recent reports also express concerns about its ability to survive longer than 9 days. There’s still a lot that is not known about COVID-19 but almost every day, new findings are made as scientists race to understand it.

What you can do

Okay, now that you have an idea of how the ‘enemy’ operates, how do you protect yourself inside the car? The first thing would be to keep areas that are usually touched clean and this does not mean just wiping them with a wet cloth but using liquids or tissues with antiseptic properties. It’s a simple process to just wipe door handles, window winders (if your car still has them), switches, buttons, steering wheel, and even surfaces like the dashboard.

The door handles, dashboard, switches, steering wheel and audio system controls are some of the spots where fingers and hands will frequently touch.

Actually, such cleaning practices are good hygiene anyway as there have always been germs everywhere. Only thing is, this time, one of the germs is very dangerous so a more conscious effort is needed to keep the cabin areas clean. Carmakers like Geely Auto are already doing R&D on materials that could help in this area.

Keeping the air clean

The air-conditioning system blows cool air into the cabin and unless it has a very effective filter, the air is likely to also contain germs. This is inevitable as over time, dust collects inside the vents and ducts, bringing with it germs. Again, you’ve lived with this condition but now things are more serious, especially as the recirculating system can pick up germs inside the cabin as well.

Dead bacteria in the system is one of the reasons you sometimes get a bad smell. Mould, mildew, fungi and micro-organisms grow as a result of the damp conditions in the system, allowing bacteria to also collect, grow and die.

For this reason, some manufacturers have air purifying systems incorporated in the ventilation systems of their cars. These were originally meant to protect the occupants from pollen but Toyota found that installing a nanoe generator could also inhibit the growth of allergens, bacteria and viruses in the air, besides enhancing air quality. It provided this feature (developed by Panasonic) in the Camry some 8 years ago and also offers it in some other models.

More recently, as an urgent response to the COVID-19 epidemic, Geely Auto completed development of the
G-Clean Intelligent Air Purification System (IAPS)
 which automatically filters out harmful particulates – including airborne viruses – from the vehicle’s internal air environment. The carmaker says that the filtration is of the same level as an N95 respiration system. The ‘N95’ designation means that at least 95% of very small (0.3 micron) particles used in testing can be blocked.

Related story:
Geely Auto develops car virus-filtering system within 20 days

Ionizers can deactivate viruses

If you don’t own a Toyota Camry or a Geely model (Protons don’t have the IAPS yet), you can still install an ionizer which generates negative ions into the cabin air to keep it fresh and are known to deactivate (not kill) airborne bacteria and viruses so they cannot infect. Companies like Panasonic, Sharp, Philips and Blaupunkt make small units that can slot into the cupholders between the seats and are powered from the cigarette lighter or USB ports.

Ionizers for cars can help to not only keep the air fresh but also deactivate viruses so they cannot infect.

A word of warning: as such devices electrically charge air molecules inside their casings, they could cause interference with remote control devices so don’t place your keyless entry fob near them.

Periodically disinfecting the cabin is also a good idea and you can use disinfectant sprays for this. Most are okay for such a purpose but do read the warning notes before using. You’re not going to have 100% coverage but it is still helpful. Who knows – the spray may kill that one tiny virus droplet on the steering wheel and save you from getting infected.

This article is presented for information as we believe that it is better to be ‘safe rather than sorry’. For the latest official updates on the COVID-19 situation, visit the
website of the Malaysian Ministry of Health (KKM)
.


2020 Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo is an aerodynamic masterpiece

The world of GT racing championship is packed with some of the world’s best-looking cars and for the 2020 season, Ferrari is bringing in a new version of their 488 GT3 to the fight in the form of the 2020 Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo. So, what has Ferrari done to further improve arguably one of their most successful cars in racing history?

Five main focuses were targeted for this particular updated package; aerodynamics, vehicle dynamics, ergonomics, safety, and reliability. Following the strict regulations of FIA, power and aerodynamic efficiency performance are within their rules of competitive GT racing.

Ferrari spent over 18,000 hours of calculations for CFD simulations and wind tunnel testing to upgrade the 2020 Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo’s aerodynamics and overall car stability for next season. This resulted in a brand-new front-end design which comprises of new smaller dimensions with flicks for more downforce, tapered front door section and rear wing vents.

Vehicle dynamics of the 2020 Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo are also optimised with a longer wheelbase for better tyre performance and endurance. The car’s overall weight has also been reduced to ensure that they get a performance advantage by using ballast during races to lower its centre of gravity. They’ve also upgraded the car’s traction control and ABS systems for good measure.

The same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine is used without any modified components. With close to 700hp being produced to the wheels, Ferrari managed to fit in a new engine management system to improve its reliability and ‘guarantees smoother, more precise torque delivery.’

Other updates include:

New seat developed jointly with Sabelt (more rigid and robust but is also 2.4 kg lighter with new belts and a new buckle)

Additional 24H/Endurance package option (includes front bumper with additional headlights, engine oil & coolant quick-fill couplings, carbon-fibre clutch, GTE brake callipers & steel wheel nuts)

Extra optional features (sensors for the coolant level and refuelling completion with warning lights, and Le Mans-type, 4,500 lumen LED main headlights)

The new components and improvements introduced in the 2020 version of the 488 GT3 Evo are also available as upgrade kits for existing cars. For more information, head of
www.auto.ferrari.com
.

Ferrari Classiche Academy lets you experience driving supercars before the electronic age


New Porsche 911 GT3 offers pure racing technology

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www.bhpetrol.com.my
 to know more about promotions at BHPetromart.

Porsche goes racing to bring back technology that transfers into production models and with the new 911 GT3, this is very clearly evident. The seventh edition of the sportscar, developed in close collaboration with Porsche Motorsport, transfers pure racing technology into the model that customers can buy.

Example: the double wishbone front axle layout and sophisticated aerodynamics with swan neck rear wing and striking diffuser originate from the successful 911 RSR GT racing car 911 RSR. Likewise, the 510 ps 4-litre 6-cylinder boxer engine is based on the drivetrain of the 911 GT3 R, tried and tested in endurance racing.

Faster than before

The distinctive strength of the 911 GT3 lies in the sum of its characteristics. With a top speed of 320 km/h (318 km/h with PDK), it is even faster than the previous 911 GT3 RS. With a 6-speed manual transmission, it has a claimed 0 to 100 km/h time of 3.4 seconds.

Sophisticated aerodynamics

The sophisticated aerodynamics benefit from the experiences gained from racing and generate significantly more downforce without noticeably affecting the drag coefficient. In the performance position, the manually set wing and diffuser elements significantly increase the aerodynamic pressure for high cornering speeds. This is, however, reserved strictly for circuit use.

Despite a wider body, larger wheels and additional technical features, the weight of the new GT3 is on a par with its predecessor. With a manual gearbox, it weighs 1,418 kgs (slightly heavier with the PDK). The weight-savings come from a front bonnet made of carbonfibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP), lightweight glass windows, optimised brake discs and forged light-alloy wheels, along with the cover for the rear seat compartment. The lightweight sports exhaust system also reduces the weight by no less than 10 kgs.

Race-oriented instrumentation

The cockpit is in line with the current model generation. A new feature is the track screen; at the touch of a button, it reduces the digital displays to the left and right of the central tachometer, which reaches up to 10,000 rpm, to information such as tyre pressure indicator, oil pressure, oil temperature, fuel tank level and water temperature – essential when driving on the circuit. It also includes a visual shift assistant with coloured bars to the left and right of the tachometer and a shift light derived from Porsche Motorsport.

Customers who desire more customised equipment can refer to Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur’s range which includes the new 911 GT3. It is supplemented by GT 3-specific options such as a lightweight roof made of exposed carbonfibre.

As exclusive as the 911 GT3 itself is the individual chronograph that Porsche Design offers exclusively to those who buy the sportscar. Like its motorised role model, it boasts a dynamic design, consistent performance and high-quality workmanship. Its housing reflects its Motorsport genes. Just like the connecting rods of the GT3 engine, it consists of robust, lightweight titanium. The coloured ring of the dial can be customised in the paint colours of the 911 GT3.

Bookings by Malaysian customers for the new 911 GT3 are now accepted by Sime Darby Auto Performance. For more details,
click here
.

Porsche to assemble in Malaysia for regional market?


Porsche to assemble in Malaysia for regional market?

Porsche to assemble in Malaysia? That’s the current topic among enthusiasts following a report in
The Edge Weekly
. The business website mentions that its source has said the investment has been approved by Malaysian authorities and that the assembly will be done at the Inokom factory in Kedah.

It would be quite an unusual development for the German sportscar maker as it has never built its cars outside Germany. It has two factories – the original one at Zuffenhausen and the 19-year old one in Leipzig. In its 2019 financial year, total production from the two factories was almost 275,000 vehicles.

Porsche has come a long way from the time it began making sportscars in the 1950s. Today, it has two factories supplying to the whole world – the original one from the 1950s in Zuffenhausen (below) and a second one in Leipzig (bottom), both in Germany.

Porsche builds its vehicles for the whole world at just two facrories – the original one from rhe 1950s in Zuffenhausen and a second one in Leipzig (below), both in Germany.

Porsche being a strong brand, demand for its products has always been good although the coronavirus pandemic which impacted the auto industry did result in a 12% decline in deliveries last year. In the first half of 2020, Porsche sold 55,550 vehicles to customers in the Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East regions, with China’s intake of 39,603 units making it the biggest single market worldwide for the carmaker.

So is it time for Porsche to establish a production hub in the Asia-Pacific region? Bear in mind that the 100,000+ volume is made up of 5 model lines with the specialized all-electric Taycan being the sixth. Obviously, assembling outside Germany would not involve all the models so it would be one or two, with the Cayenne being the most popular so it could be a good candidate.

Manufacturers invest in overseas production facilities in places where they can get good incentives by government to do so. They obviously require a good infrastructure as well. At one time, the potential domestic market volume was important since they would assemble in another country and primarily want to sell there, with exports being secondary. However, with the formation of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) as a single trading bloc and duty-free exchange of goods, it is no longer just one country to look at but the potential of regional volume, which can be quite big.

Local assembly of vehicles in Malaysia began in 1967.

Up till the 1980s, Malaysia was an excellent place for any carmaker to have a production base. It had a good infrastructure, a well educated workforce which was also familiar with the English language, a stable government and a growing economy. It had begun local assembly activities in 1967 so a broad range of locally-made components was available. Manufacturers who chose to assemble locally had their vehicles taxed at lower rates so they could be priced attractively.

However, things changed after the mid-1980s when Malaysia decided to have its own National Car, with the government being an investor in the project. Naturally, it had protection so it could compete against established brands and with the protection, the playing field was no longer level like before. The market came to be dominated by one brand while others had to fight in a far smaller slice of the market.

In the interests of ‘free trade’ and also as a member of the World Trade Organisation, the government never stopped anyone else from selling in Malaysia. They were welcome to import their vehicles in CBU (completely built-up) form and pay much higher taxes, or assemble them locally and have lower taxes but still more than what Proton had to pay.

While having a national car, the government nevertheless wanted to also make Malaysia a production hub in ASEAN. However, it basically wanted carmakers to build their factories in Malaysia but export almost all the production; the domestic market was to be left alone. While this may be fine in theory, as mentioned earlier, manufacturers prefer to look at the domestic market first. If they are to export to another country, why can’t they do it from their own factories in Japan or Europe? The shipping costs would be the same anyway and they would probably have lower production costs as well as the vehicles would be made in high-volume factories with better economies of scale.

The AFTA agreement helped but Malaysia has so far not benefitted much. When the manufacturers first learnt of the single market being formed, and the ability to export around the region without import tax, they were attracted. The market size estimated when AFTA was signed in the early 1990s was about 550 million consumers, with many steadily moving upward economically, and a potential GDP of US$750 billion.

So they looked at making investments and besides incentives, they also looked at domestic market potential. Malaysia was seen as ‘protected’ so it was not seriously considered, not that the government really cared since Proton was selling everything it could make anyway. So Thailand, where the playing field was seen as level, got big chunks of investment as Ford and GM built brand new factories to make their products for the region. Indonesia too saw investments with the aim of expanding existing factories to produce more and export.

Ford did consider Malaysia and had a plan to make the Escape SUV in Malaysia for the region. The plans were confirmed but then Malaysia decided that it did not want to open up as planned under the AFTA agreement because it said that its auto industry had been battered by the Asian financial crisis. It needed some extra years to recover, so the market had to stay closed. A frustrated Ford, realizing that it would not be practical to use Malaysia, tore up its plans and put its money into the Philippines where it had a factory.

Only Volvo seems to have chosen Malaysia as a hub of sorts but that is more a historical thing. Its factory here was the first to open when Malaysia began calling for local assembly and although it had production in Thailand, that was closed down and everything concentrated in this country for the region from 2012.

For the other carmakers, Malaysia was still and attractive market because it was the largest passenger car market in ASEAN. Thailand was a pick-up truck market and in Indonesia, the biggest demand was for MPVs. So in spite of the difficult environment, many carmakers continued to operate in Malaysia, make the necessary investments periodically to upgrade their plants and kept refreshing their model lines.

Porsche has been officially in Malaysia for a long time, with Sime Darby Auto Performance representing the brand since 2010.

But the much desired objective of the government – to be a regional production hub – remained elusive. There have been a few National Auto Policies (NAP), each one stating that aim, and offering various types of incentives without much detail. The general way that the Malaysian government’s Ministry of International Trade & Industry has liked to operate is with ‘customised’ incentives, perhaps believing that the approach would be more appreciated by investors.

However, many in the industry have expressed a dislike for the approach, preferring the details to be open for all to know and work with. Transparency is important for these businessmen, and as one veteran industry executive said, “How can I know that my competitor might have received a better incentive but actually invested less?”. So the has remained an indifference and even with the latest NAP announced a year ago, the lack of transparency and detail continued. Many people were disappointed that only an outline was provided and could not even begin to start working out plans to propose to their head office. Anyway, since then, the government has changed so it could be that the NAP will see a revised form, depending on the MITI minister.

For many years. Daihatsu has been taking the Myvi made in Malaysia and selling it as a Daihatsu Sirion in Indonesia. Mazda has also been exporting the CX-5 assembled in Malaysia (below) to Thailand.

Over the past decade, some companies have tried to export from Malaysia with limited success. Perhaps only Volvo and Mazda (with the CX-5) have been doing well with exports but Toyota started and stopped exporting its Malaysian-made Hiace to Thailand. Proton and Perodua export, of course, and of note is the fact that the Myvi made in Malaysia is taken by Daihatsu for sale in Indonesia as a Sirion under its own brand. That says a lot about Perodua’s quality as a Japanese carmaker would not simply use a product made by someone else.

Porsche and Sime Darby

The report by
The Edge Weekly
 mentions that Porsche will use the Inokom plant in Kedah, which is not surprising. The plant, opened in the late 1990s, is owned by Sime Darby and a unit of the company is also the importer and distributor of the German sportscars. It would make things a lot easier for the same parties to also work together on an assembly project.

If Porsche is indeed going to do it, then it will not just be an assembly program to set up. The carmaker has not done completely knocked-down (CKD) activities before so it will have to set up a new department just for it. Perhaps, being in the Volkswagen Group, it will be able to get assistance from its colleagues in Wolfsburg as there is local assembly of some Volkswagen models being done in Pahang.

The Inokom factory in Kedah which assembles vehicles from the BMW, Hyundai, MINI and Mazda brands.

It is not just a matter of picking a model and putting it into a box in disassembled form for assembly in another country. The model has also to be engineered for local assembly, taking into account the level of automation and capabilities of the workforce. This is often the case with picking models for overseas assembly. Volvo had to first invest in laser welding equipment before it could consider assembling the XC60 in Malaysia.

The two Porsche factories in Germany are very advanced with manufacturing processes that ensure high quality. It is unlikely that all the manufacturing processes at Inokom will be identically advanced, so some modification may be needed, and that means an engineering program to develop a ‘Malaysian CKD model’.

It is possible that the ‘SKD’ (semi knocked down) approach will be taken although this approach was stopped by the government in mid-2019. With SKD, bodyshells can be imported already welded together. While the government no longer allows SKD, one never knows with a ‘customized incentive’ and also, the government of today is not the same one that formulated the 2020 NAP.

The Cayenne SUV would be a good candidate for assembly as it is popular throughout the region.

Righthand drive or lefthand drive? This is also another issue, especially if the volume is not going to be very big. What some carmakers have considered – Geely and Great Wall Motors being among them – is that a production hub in ASEAN could be dedicated to righthand drive (RHD) versions which they do not make in their own country. This is more applicable to the Chinese carmakers though as the other global players have long coped with making cars with the steering wheel on either side. So Malaysia could be designated to make RHD models for most of the ASEAN markets and when volumes get higher, then they can also consider LHD.

As for quality, there is nothing inferior about Malaysian assembled vehicles today. The manufacturers have many processes that ensure the quality standards are very high, even if they might not be exactly similar to those of factories in Japan or Germany.

The only thing is consumer perception even though one can say that in this era of globalization, people don’t really care as long as the quality is not poorer. Many years ago, when Proton was assembling the Lotus Elise and tried to export it to Japan, the customers there indicated that if they wanted to buy a Lotus, it had to be made in England. Likewise, when Mazda and Toyota wanted to source some of its models from Thailand for its ASEAN markets, customers in Singapore did not want them and wanted to have cars from the Japanese factories.

Finally, the price – which is often the first thing Malaysians think of when they hear that a model will be assembled locally. For a long time, they have been conditioned to expect that a model that is assembled in Malaysia will be cheaper and that is because there is a lower tax rate and in more recent times, the government also rewards those who make investments with subsidies that can offset production costs to allow lower retail prices. So yes, a locally-assembled Porsche could be cheaper though probably not by a huge amount.


F1/Round 19: Highlights & Provisional Results For 2021 Sao Paolo Grand Prix

With the engine change, Lewis Hamilton’s fifth place finish in the Sprint Race put him 10 places behind his team mate who was on pole position but that was at least better than the back of the grid that he had started from for the Sprint Race due to disqualification of his Qualifying times.

Valtteri Bottas was quicker off the start line and first into Turn 1 but by Turn 2, it was Max Verstappen who emerged in the lead. As Bottas had to run wide, an alert Sergio Perez immediately passed by to trail his team mate. Meanwhile, Lando Norris was struck with a puncture (after hitting Carlos Sainz’ Ferrari’s wing) and had to limp back to the pits.

Within the first 3 laps, Hamilton was up to 5th and had Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to pass before reaching Bottas. Two laps later, he appeared behind his team mate and got past easily and into third place, ready to go for the two Red Bulls.

Further back, Scuderia AlphaTauri’s  Yuki Tsunoda collided with Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin and with much damage to the front wing, the Safety Car had to come out to control the field while marshalls cleared the debris. It stayed out for 3 laps before racing was allowed to resume.

Just as the drivers were starting to pick up speed, Haas F1’s Mick Schumacher radioed that his wing was dragging under his car after contact with Kimi Raikkonen’s Alfa. The Virtual Safety Car was activated as he crawled back to the pits. Only 13 laps had passed after about 20 minutes since the race had started.

When the Virtual Safety Car ended, Verstappen wasted no time in extending the gap and sped off to a 2-second lead from Hamilton, with his team mate Perez acting defence. Bottas meanwhile was doing the same thing behind his team mate but he wasn’t under pressure like Perez was.

On lap 18, Hamilton made it past Perez but the Mexican managed to regain his position, The next time round, the Mercedes driver tried again and this time, he kept his position was prepared to do battle with Verstappen. Perez now had to focus on Bottas right behind rather than chase Hamilton and was falling back.

On lap 25, Verstappen was still holding on to his lead with a gap of almost 4 seconds from Hamilton. But the Red Bull driver was also starting to feel his tyres going, and the question was whether to come in for a single stop and switch to hard tyres for the rest of the race.

The first of the frontrunners to come in for a tyre change was Hamilton on lap 27, and Verstappen came in on the next lap. Both cars switched to hard tyres. Perez was also brought in but the Mercedes-AMG team decided to leave Bottas running for a while more. So the Finn took over the lead from lap 29, as Verstappen raced towards him with Hamilton not too far behind.

Stroll’s car still had some loose bits that started to fall off on lap 31, activiting the Virtual Safety Car. Bottas was brought in for his tyre change but the VSC ended and when he rejoined, he just managed to get ahead of Perez. Verstappen meanwhile had taken over the lead.

At the halfway point in the race, many drivers were coming in. Pierre Gasly was trying hard to keep his 8th position as McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo kept snapping at him.

Hamilton took over the lead on lap 40 as Verstappen shot into the pits to make another tyre change. His return to the track was slowed down by Williams’ Nicholas Latifi who was just reaching the end of the pit lane. Bottas was brought in but when he rejoined, he was down in 5th, over 25 seconds from the front so there was not much he could do to help.

An incident between Verstappen and Hamilton on lap 49 attracted the attention of the Stewards. He had challenged Verstappen for the lead going into a turn but was unable to get past and forced to go wide. However, no irregularity was found and the Race Director told the teams that no action was going to be taken. The Mercedes-AMG team didn’t like that as they believe the Red Bull driver had forced Hamilton to run wide.

In spite of the various collisions, no one retired until lap 50 when Stroll’s car – which had earlier come in contact with Tsunoda’s – had to pull out, making him the first driver to end his race early. Around the same time, Ricciardo also pitted and never came out again, becoming the second retiree of the day with a Power Unit problem.

10 laps later, on lap 59, Hamilton finally moved into the lead at Turn 4. Verstappen had to work very hard to prevent his rival from collecting those 25 points, which would make it trickier for his championship chances. The Dutchman had also to watch out for Bottas who was running third by then.

With 3 laps remaining, Hamilton could still keep the lead and maintain a gap of about 7 seconds from Verstappen. Bottas has fallen back a bit but would be ready to take over if anything happened to the two duelling drivers ahead.

On the remaining lap, Perez was quickly brought into the pits and fitted with soft tyres to try to get at least one more point for fastest lap. Verstappen wasn’t going to get by Hamilton who would be first to cross the line after 71 laps.

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


VW Golf R gets special performance pack

Volkswagen has announced a new Performance Pack upgrade for the Golf R that will boost handling, especially at the limits. This pack has only been made available for cars equipped with the DSG gearbox. It consists of a new brake system, rear spoiler, de-restricted top speed and 19-inch ‘Spielberg’ alloy wheels.

Known as the R-Performance brake system, the entire setup is 2kg lighter than the standard one. VW says that it offers superior performance too, thanks to ‘built pin discs’ that should offer better driver feedback.

These built pin discs have an aluminium brake pot with a cast steel friction ring that’s joined to the brake pot via cast pins. Compared to other configurations, this one expands radially when under stress, which boosts durability and should prove useful when the car is driven on track.

Volkswagen has restricted the Golf R’s top speed to 249km/h but with this package installed, it up’s the figure to 267km/h for the hatchback and 270km/h for the Estate version. The former also gets a special rear spoiler that will help produce 20kg of extra downforce.

In addition to this performance pack, VW is also offering a bespoke Akrapovič exhaust package for the hatchback version of the Golf R. The entire system, which is 7kg lighter than standard, is made from low density and high strength titanium. It’s tailpipes are circular instead of oval and features valve control technology, which allows for more pleasing exhaust notes.

VW has tuned the system to work in-sync with the car’s Driving Mode Selection options, that include  Eco, Normal, Sport and Race. This should allow for a less audible tone from the throaty exhaust pipes when cruising through town, but emanate a more aggressive one when more sportier driving modes are selected.

Unlike the Performance package, VW says the exhaust system can be fitted to both manual and DSG transmission versions of the Golf R. This should be pleasing news to those wanting to take their cars to the next level without voiding the factory warranty.


Volkswagen launch three new cars and attractive deals in time for the festivities

Volkswagen has a few treats for Malaysians this festive season. Besides launching three new cars, the German automaker is also offering some pretty sweet deals for those interested in purchasing a new VW.

The new Beetle, Vento ALLSTAR and Vento GT have been launched simultaneously and will be on display at Mid Vally Megamall from 24 to 28 May 2017. The Beetle, has been updated with new styling and an array of body colours that include Pure White, Tornado Red, Blue Silk, Dark Bronze, Habanero Orange and White Silver.

Compared to the outgoing car, the new one gets 2-zone climatronic AC system, touchscreen infotainment system with App-Connect, leather trim “Vienna” seats with front seat lumbar support, bi-xenon headlamps and LED daytime running lights. The car is powered by a 103bhp 1.2-litre turbocharged TSI engines that is mated to a 7-speed DSG transmission. The new Beetle is available to order in Design and Sport variants with prices starting from RM136,888.

The Vento ALLSTAR which is priced from RM78,888, receives minor design tweaks that allow out to stand out when compared to the base car. it is available in Reflex Silver and Candy White body colours and comes equipped with leather seats, aluminium sports pedals, rear spoler, black door strips and trunk garnish as well as ALLSTAR scuff plates, emblems and carpet mats.

Its mechanicals are of the tried and tested kind because it is equipped with VW’s workhorse 1.6-litre MPI engine which is paired to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The engine develops close to 105bhp and 153Nm of torque that will allow the sedan to offer a fuel consumption figure of just 6.5-litres per 100km.

Volkswagen is also throwing in a new MY VW Drive App with the Vento ALLSTAR. It provides drivers with numerous functions including driving style, fuel consumption tracking, enhances driver safety and control as well as provides information on car status and performance. It will also allow drivers to get help from Mondial Roadside Assistance in case of an emergency.

Lastly, the Vento GT is now available to order with a price tag that starts from RM89,888 but comes loaded with a total of RM9,000 worth of exclusive accessories that include a Stain black roof and exterior mirror wraps, black door strips, leather seats, aluminium sports pedals, GT aerokit as well as GT scuff plates, emblems and carpet mats.

The car has been made available in either Reflex Silver or Candy White body colours. But it will only come with the 1.2-litre turbocharged engine and 7-speed DSG gearbox, the same combination as what is offered with the new Beetle. Touted as the sedan with the highest torque in its class, the Vento was awarded the Compact Car of the Year award at last year’s 2016 Malaysia Car of the Year ceremony.


Choose value & assurance with Honda Insurance Plus (HiP)

Honda Malaysia is strongly encouraging Honda owners to choose value and assurance when it comes to taking care the after-sales part of owning Honda vehicles in the country. Customers are able to do by opting for the
Honda Insurance Plus (HiP)
.

The insurance plan with the tagline “Built by Honda. Protected by Honda. Repaired by Honda.” Focuses on providing the most comprehensive coverage for Honda owners here in the country by offering three strong pillars; Rescue, Protection, and Savings.

With the Honda Insurance Plan, any unfortunate incidents can be handled by the HiP rescue teams 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In case of emergency, just contact the HiP 24/7 emergency assistance line, 1-800-18-1177.

In times of accident*, car breakdown* or flood*, the 24-hour emergency towing service will be dispatched to retrieve the affected Honda car and send it to the nearest Honda Authorised Body and Paint Centre within a 450km round trip radius for inspection and repair.

Not sure on what to do in case of unwanted mishaps? HiP members are always updated and guided to ensure that any claim procedure is done properly and professionally. This insurance plan also offers things like roadside repair service with free labour up to RM200 per event such as jump-start, battery replacement, changing a flat tyre and fuel refill, exclusive of spare parts.

What about Protection? Well, Honda vehicles that have been involved in accidents or breakdowns will be sent directly to a trusted Honda Authorised Body and Paint Centre and inspected by specialists who adhere to Honda standards.

All 23 of these said centres nationwide provide 100% genuine body and part replacements and comes with six months warranty or 10,000km service warranty. Customers will be able to get their cars back quicker and with faster claim approval, especially for pre-approved claims below RM20,000 repaired only at Honda Authorised Body and Paint Centres.

HiP also offers great savings when it comes to extending their overall coverage terms and replacement costs. HiP members are eligible for coverage that includes 100% pay-out for theft or total loss due to accident based on the sum insured.

With this comprehensive HiP, Honda customers can be on the road with greater peace-of-mind and enjoy hassle-free service in the event of an unforeseen incident. Existing and new Honda customers can apply or renew their HiP at all authorised Honda dealers.

For more information on HiP, customers can visit any of the 98 authorised Honda dealerships nationwide or call Honda’s Toll-Free number at 1-800-88-2020 or log onto www.honda.com.my for more information.


Hyundai’s first Sport Adventure Vehicle (aka pick-up truck) – the Santa Cruz (w/VIDEO)

This seems to be the month of the pick-up truck (at least for readers in Malaysia) as we have yet another new model to tell you about, following the new
Nissan Navara
 and
Isuzu D-MAX
. This one is from Hyundai Motor, which has never before offered a modern pick-up truck, although it has had light commercial vehicles with a flat bed at the back.

Santa Cruz is the name of Hyundai’s pick-up truck which it refers to as a ‘Sport Adventure Vehicle’ (BMW refers to its SUVs as Sports Activity Vehicles) and it comes after some 20 years of internal debate. As far back as the early 2000s, the company was looking for a single vehicle for the ASEAN region, and like Ford, it saw big numbers of a pick-up truck. However, it never went on to develop a model until now.

Monocoque, not chassis frame

With the Santa Cruz, the focus market seems to be the USA which is the largest market in the world for such vehicles. And like the Honda Ridgeline, the platform is a monocoque type with a unitary structure like a passenger car; typical pick-up truck construction uses a chassis frame. The Honda has been around for some 15 years, sold mostly in North America, and is currently in its second generation so the approach probably has some validity.

Hyundai doesn’t highlight the monocoque structure, perhaps because it could be perceived as a weakness as chassis frames are tougher, or maybe customers just won’t care anyway – the same way that today’s SUV buyers are not too bothered by not having AWD. Instead, it elaborates on the driving dynamics of the vehicle which can be expected to be better than traditional pick-ups.

Big engines for US market

As the primary market is to be North America, a big engine is no problem and a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder  direct-injection unit is available with or without turbocharging. The former produces around 190 bhp/244 Nm while the turbocharged unit generates 275+ bhp/420 Nm. Like most of Hyundai’s models, it is fitted with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission which is the company’s own development.

There is AWD with a system called HTRAC, a multi-mode system providing an electronic, variable-torque-split clutch with active torque control between the front and rear axles. The system has a wide range of torque distribution variability, tuned for conditions such as straight-line acceleration, medium and high-speed cornering, and hill starts.

Smaller than a Toyota Hilux

Compared to a
Toyota Hilux double cab
, the Santa Cruz is a small vehicle as it is 4970 mm in length and 1905 mm in width, while the Toyota is 5325 mm in overall length and 1855 mm wide. The wheelbase is also 80 mm shorter, so the Santa Cruz is small by American pick-up standards.

The size of the vehicle was probably influenced by the target buyers which are mainly in urban areas, so a more compact size would be appreciated. Hyundai’s studies found that ,any of these potential customers carry gear which would be more convenient to store in the large open bed of a truck, than an enclosed SUV.

The  Santa Cruz has therefore been designed to offer versatile transportation that is equally flexible for urban, adventure, occupational or even home improvement gear. To keep the cargo safe, there is a lockable tonneau cover as well as a hidden bed storage.

Dual cockpit design like a car

The interior of the Santa Cruz is designed like a passenger car with an enveloping dual-cockpit design that encapsulates each passenger. There is a rugged undertone to the cabin, with a modern the technical ambience that appeals to those who appreciate cutting-edge technologies in their daily lives. Under the rear seats is storage space to supplement the space on the open bed.

The Santa Cruz was primarily developed in the Korean carmaker’s American design studio and to emphasise that, the rear tail lamps are embossed with tiny ‘Designed in California’ wording. The new model will be made in Hyundai’s factory in America, with deliveries starting in the second half of this year.

Hyundai Sime Darby Motors has a wide range of models already and we hear that some more are coming, but it is very unlikely the Santa Cruz will be one of them. The model will probably be only lefthand drive and with already established players in the segment, it would be hard for a newcomer to attract enough buyers to support a business case to sell it.

2021 Hyundai Kona goes on sale with two variants and one Smartstream engine choice

The National Vaccination Program in Malaysia is free of charge.


VW exec gets 7 years in prison for involvement in ‘dieselgate’

If you thought that the diesel-gate saga that has surrounded VW these past few years has finally been put to rest, then you are sadly mistaken. According to an article by
The Guardian
, Oliver Schmidt, a senior executive at Volkswagen, has been sentenced to 7 years in prison by a US Court.

The sentence given to Schmidt was proportional to his involvement in the scandal. His alleged involvement, allowed VW to evade pollution limits on several of its diesel models sold in the US. On top of his prison term, a $400,000 (RM1,635,200) fine has been levied on the VW exec as well. Both punishments are considered to be at top end of sentencing guidelines.

During his tenure at the company, Schmidt served the role of general manager in charge of VW’s environmental and engineering office in Michigan. The US government believes despite being in direct contact with regulatory bodies, he failed to disclose the method/software that was used by the automaker to circumvent US emissions regulations.

Schmidt is another casualty of the US government’s ongoing investigation into Volkswagen officials’ involvement in misleading regulatory authorities. In August, a
VW engineer
 was sentenced to 40 months in prison for his part in the diesel-gate saga.

The article in The Guardian also states that it is highly unlikely that other high level execs will be brought to trial because they are already back in Germany. VW has openly admitted to its misdeeds and vowed to make things right through payment of fines to regulators as well as assisting customers who have been directly affected by the saga.

Source:
The Guardian


The Petrol Subsidy Program has been cancelled

Throughout much of last year, the subject of ‘targeted’ fuel subsidies was discussed because the government wanted only the groups that need fuel at subsidized prices get them.
The approach was finalized and announced in early October
 with a planned implementation date at the beginning of 2020. However, in late December, it was announced that the
Petrol Subsidy Program (PSP), as it was known, would be postponed
.  The reason – to allow ‘fine-tuning of the implementation process’ by the Ministry of Finance.

A new date of implementing the PSP was not given and the postponement was used to provide more explanation and clarification to ensure people fully understand the PSP. In any case, the postponement did not have any immediate effect for those who would have been entitled to receive subsidies as the mechanism provided subsidies only once every 4 months. Eligible motorcycle and car owners in Peninsular Malaysia were to receive RM12 a month and RM30 a month, respectively.

The PSP is’dead’

You will note that we are using the past tense and that’s because the PSP is ‘dead’. It was announced by the Deputy Minister for Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs today. He said one reason the government made the decision to abandon the PSP approach after considering the price difference of fuel between the Peninsula and East Malaysia.

Other reasons were not given although it seems likely that the unexpected economic challenges faced by the government this year would have provided a persuasive argument to not use the RM2.4 billion that had been allocated for the PSP this year.

Motorcyclists would have received RM30 a month under the subsidy program.

The program would have provided direct assistance to 8 million motorists in the lower income groups, while those who did not qualify would pay prices for fuel at rates determined by the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM) with no subsidy. This has been the case with RON97 petrol which has been priced according to a ‘managed float’ that is adjusted on a weekly basis.

So what happens now?

Presumably, the current arrangement will continue until such time that a new approach of using subsidies more effectively can be planned. Last month,
the ceiling prices for petrol and diesel were removed
, which led consumers to believe that the prices of RON95 petrol and diesel will go beyond the levels that they were capped at.

The last time that subsidies were applied to offset higher cost of fuel prices was in early February this year.

Under the PH government, it was decided that the prices of the two grades of fuel would not exceed RM2.08 and RM2.18 a litre, respectively. If they did (according to the APM), then subsidies would be used to offset the additional cost to keep them at those levels.

However, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs ministry quickly issued a statement to say that the action taken with the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Determination of Maximum Retail Price for Petrol and Diesel) (No. 8) (Revocation) Order 2020 was for enforcement purposes. It would allow the Finance Ministry to ensure that prices set would be adhered to (although there has not been any reported case of stations not following the designated pump prices).

What are the ceiling prices?

The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs minister clarified that the ceiling price was not revoked. But since early March, the government has not had to use any subsidies to maintain the price levels as global oil prices kept falling. They are slowly increasing though still well below the ceiling prices. It should be noted that the statement by the minister did not specifically say that the original ceiling prices would be maintained nor that subsidies would be applied. He only said that the pump prices would follow the APM so we won’t know what will happen until RON95 petrol reaches RM2.08/litre or diesel reaches RM2.18/litre.


Peugeot to return to endurance racing in 2022 with hypercar (w/VIDEO)

This weekend sees the running of the 88th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which was originally scheduled for its usual date in June but had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On this weekend too, Peugeot and TOTAL officially commence their Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) project. This will see a new racing car, developed to new regulations, for the top tier endurance category.

“Le Mans is the holy grail of the automobile world,” said Jean Philippe Imparato, Peugeot brand CEO. “It is the race who determines its winner. For us, this represents 3 victories but also the endless sweat, tears and joy and an incredible team spirit with TOTAL, with whom we celebrate 25 years of collaboration.”

“The Le Mans Hypercar project provides us possibilities for joint development on the entire energy system of the car. We can work on the efficiency of our fuels – for all the competitors, as the exclusive supplier- or for the lube, specifically designed for hybrid vehicles. It will also allow TOTAL and SAFT to study new battery solutions alongside Peugeot,” said Philippe Montanteme, TOTAL’s Strategy/Marketing & Research Director.

The choice of the LMH category was dictated by several criteria, one being that of a certain aerodynamic freedom. This makes it possible to incorporate, with the support of Peugeot Design, the aesthetic detail of the brand. Draft sketches have already been prepared which show the first design thoughts and verify the fundamental required elements, particularly in terms of dimensions.

The hypercar specifications

After various phases of studies for the general structure, the aerodynamic concept and the choice of engine architecture will come the final decision of the electrical framework. This will lead to development of the hybrid powertrain that can generate 500 kW.

“The hypercar will have 4-wheel drive, equipped – as required by the regulations – with an electric motor and a maximum power of 200 kW on the front axle. The total power level will be identical to that of a 100% thermal 2-wheel drive car (500 kW or approximately 680 ps) that will be distributed between the 2 axles.
In comparison with what we currently know in LMP1, the car will be heavier so as to be compatible with road vehicles. It will also be longer and slightly wider,” revealed Olivier Jansonnie, Technical Director WEC program at Peugeot Sport which will be involved.

“This regulation is also different because it incorporates ‘BoP’ or ‘Balance of Performance’. It certainly sets limits, but also allows room for many technical possibilities in our development, specifically on the general shape, as long as a certain overall aerodynamic efficiency is not exceeded. This will be measured in a 1:1 scale wind tunnel and which will be part of the BOP,” explained Jansonnie.

Debut in 2022

He added that the aerodynamic concept has been confirmed, engine framework has been decided and the functionality of the hybrid system and its fundamental design are chosen. “We still have several steps left before our debut in endurance in 2022,” he said.

Peugeot is no stranger to Le Mans and endurance racing, having successfully competed with the 908 turbodiesel in earlier years. It stopped participation suddenly after 2011 due to a decline in sales as the company needed to conserve resources on the launch of new models.

“This category unites our entire company and all of our entities, with features and technologies similar to those of our production cars. We are coming back to endurance racing because we have the opportunity to work the sport in a different way, with the hybridization of petrol and electricity. Peugeot Sport is changing its identity and launching its label of electrified high-performance vehicles. This endurance program allows us to integrate ourselves fully into the transition of energies,” declared Imparato.

Carlos Tavares, Chairman of Groupe PSA and also a racing driver, will be the official starter of the 88th 24 Hours of Le Mans race today. He will be in a Peugeot 908 which the brand used in endurance racing between 2007 and 2011.

Two more WEC races to be run, with replanned Le Mans 24 Hours in September


Volkswagen signs new partnership with Universiti Malaysia Pahang

Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VGM) together with Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) have formed a new partnership last week when they sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This partnership will in turn enhance the current education, research, and technology in automotive together with one of Malaysia’s leading technical universities.

The ceremony which was held at UPM’s Pekan campus saw the agreement made official by UMP’s Vice Chancellor Professor, Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim and VGM’s Pekan Plant Manager, Danny Auerswald.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Deputy Dean Associate Professor of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing (FKMP), Dr. Nik Mohd Zuki Nik Mohamed. VGM and Pekan Volkswagen Head of Pilot Hall, Nor Hayati Othman.

According to VGM’s Danny Auerswald, “We are very pleased to partner with UMP and we are looking forward to working closely with the students in recognising their talents and hard work. Talent cultivation is something that is actively practiced at Volkswagen AG, and it is great that we are able to be working with local students for this. We are confident that the students at UMP will have plenty to learn and benefit from this collaboration.”

Apart from making leaps in the automotive industry, the partnership will also aim at developing autotronics technology, supplying the country’s workforce with high-skilled individuals, and enhance their overall efforts on students in the electronic and programming streams.

A new platform will also give ample opportunities for academic developments and researches to be linked more directly with the ever-evolving automotive industry. Other aspects like sharing of content and experts in the field with also assist in the advancement of the technical, engineering and vocational education (TVET).

This is indeed an amazing initiative in further developing our local minds and talents with global knowledge supplied by VGM via its assembly plant which is currently assembling four Volkswagen models locally; Polo, Vento, Passat, and Tiguan.

Volkswagen Group Malaysia has pledged to share their expertise, resources, and knowledge on German engineering via its plant in Pekan where UMP students will be given the opportunity to complete their internships and ultimately expand their practical understanding.


Next Volvo XC90 to have LiDAR technology and AI-driven supercomputer as standard

In order for autonomous vehicles to function safely, especially when the need for driver intervention is not required, sensor technology must be extremely precise and detailed. While the computer can make intelligent decisions to control the movements of the car, the sensors are its eyes and must collect data of the surroundings and the potential hazards.

At present, many cars already have radar and camera sensors to scan the road ahead, enabling identification of pedestrians and other vehicles. Even earlier, there were already sensors to detect vehicles in the blind spot and this has advanced to include vehicles that approach from the left or right as a vehicle is reversing out of a parking bay.

With the next generation of the Volvo XC90, to be revealed in 2022, state-of-the-art sensors will be used which will include LiDAR (
Li
ght
D
etection
A
nd
R
anging) technology developed by Luminar and an autonomous driving computer-powered by the NVIDIA DRIVE Orin system-on-a-chip, as standard. This will be industry-leading safety technology that can help to save even more lives as the company sets a new benchmark for automotive safety.

By combining this state-of-the-art hardware with Volvo, Zenseact and Luminar software for the next generation of its well-established collision-avoidance technology, Volvo Cars aims to reduce fatalities and accidents as a whole with this new safety package.

“Volvo Cars is, and always has been, a leader in safety. It will now define the next level of car safety,” said Hakan Samuelsson, Chief Executive of Volvo Cars. “By having this hardware as standard, we can continuously improve safety features over the air and introduce advanced autonomous drive systems, reinforcing our leadership in safety.”

With the new safety package, Volvo Cars aims to reduce collisions, and the reduction rate is anticipated to accelerate over time via over-the-air software updates. The new technologies are also designed to specifically address those traffic situations which result in a large portion of the remaining severe injuries and fatalities found today.

“In our ambition to deliver ever safer cars, our long-term aim is to achieve zero collisions and avoid crashes altogether,” said Henrik Green, Chief Technology Officer at Volvo Cars. “As we improve our safety technology continuously through updates over the air, we expect collisions to become increasingly rare and hope to save more lives.”

Once introduced, the technology is expected to mature over time, becoming more capable and allowing the car to assist and improve the capabilities of a human driver in safety-critical situations. Whereas previous generations of technology largely relied on warning the driver for potential immediate threats, this new safety technology will, over time, increasingly intervene as needed to prevent collisions.

While saving lives and preventing injury remains the company’s first priority, Volvo Cars also sees a potential added benefit of lower insurance costs as car crashes involving Volvo cars become increasingly rare.

Beyond the sensor suite and Artificial Intelligence computing performance, Volvo’s forthcoming flagship model will also come with back-up systems for key functions such as steering and braking that make it hardware ready for safe, unsupervised autonomous driving once available.

These back-up systems, alongside LiDAR and the computer software, will enable the Highway Pilot functionality, developed in-house together with Volvo Cars’ autonomous driving software development company, Zenseact. An autonomous driving feature for use on motorways, the optional Highway Pilot will be activated for customers when verified safe and legally allowed for individual geographic locations and conditions.

Earlier this year, Volvo Cars announced it will use NVIDIA technology to centralise computing. The core computer and autonomous drive computer, both powered by NVIDIA technology, allow its cars to become safer, more personal and more sustainable over time through over-the-air updates, while also providing it with the computing power required for vision and LiDAR processing. The company has already been using the high-performance, energy-efficient NVIDIA DRIVE since 2016.

NVIDIA Orin system-on-a-chip maintains safety architecture.

In 2019, the Volvo Group (which produces commercial vehicle models) also signed an agreement with NVIDIA to jointly develop the decision-making system of autonomous commercial vehicles and machines. Utilizing NVIDIA’s end-to-end artificial intelligence platform for training, simulation and in-vehicle computing, the resulting system is designed to safely handle fully autonomous driving on public roads and highways.

Volvo takes a different approach to helping reduce distractions to drivers


Save money when you buy a Ford Ranger Raptor or WildTrak this month

It’s that time of the year again when car companies want to make the festive season a more joyful one for you with money-saving offers if you plan on getting a new vehicle. Thanks to the coming of the Year of the Rat in conjunction with the Chinese New Year, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), which represents Ford in Malaysia, has attractive prosperity deals for the Ranger Raptor and Ranger WildTrak.

Until January 31, 2020
, customers who purchase a Ford Ranger WildTrak or Ranger Raptor won’t have to pay for scheduled maintenance for the first 2 years (or maximum of 40,000 kms). Ang Pao worth RM2,000 and an exclusive Ford Performance Golf Umbrella are also included in the promotion.

Ford Ranger Raptor

During the same promotion period, the Ranger WildTrak will cost RM3,000 less with the cash rebate SDAC is offering. This can offset the downpayment, reducing the amount of the hire-purchase loan and therefore the monthly instalments.

Benchmark for pick-up trucks

Since being originally launched in the late 1990s, the Ranger has been a benchmark in the pick-up truck segment. Besides inspiring a trend to depart from the boring old utilitarian design, the Ranger also introduced, many class-leading safety features showing that Ford cared about the lives of its customers.

Ford Ranger Wildtrak

With the latest Ranger WildTrak, there are smart safety technologies which are on par with passenger cars. And of course, ‘
Built Ford Tough
’ capabilities ensure that the vehicle can take on any kind of terrain and provide many years of reliable service to its owner.

The Ranger Raptor – Malaysia’s first and only performance pick-up – will get the adrenalin gushing. It has Ford’s Performance DNA and features like the Terrain Management System, a huge Bash Plate underneath to protect against impacts and FOX Racing Shox dampers that will soak up the shocks from jumps.

Both variants, as with the rest of the Ranger line-up, come with a full manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or maximum of 100,000 kms.

For more information the Rangers available in Malaysia, visit
www.sdacford.com.my
.

Ford Ranger wins International Pick-up Award 2020


Shell and Porsche team up to provide first cross-border high-performance charging network in Southeast Asia

Motorists in Europe who own electric vehicles can drive across the continent, confident that they will be able to recharge their vehicles in different countries. On the Asian continent, that same capability may take a while to realise but a start has been made by Shell and Porsche Asia Pacific in the Malaysian Peninsular. The two companies have partnered to make road trips in electric vehicles (EVs) between Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Penang a possibility.

This initiative is the first cross-border high-performance charging (HPC) network in Southeast Asia which will drive the future of electric mobility in the region starting from one of the world’s busiest international land border crossings at the Sultan Iskandar Building and Woodlands Checkpoint at the southern tip of the peninsular. While it is not possible to do so with current travel restrictions between the two countries, the two companies are gearing up for the time when the borders will reopen, and motorists will be able to travel again across the Causeway and Second Link.

Through this partnership, 6 Shell stations will be equipped with 180 kW direct-current (DC) chargers, offering the highest charging capacity currently available in Singapore and Malaysia. The first 4 stations will be ready during the second half of 2021 and the remaining two by the first half of 2022.

The chargers come with two CCS Type 2 charging connectors, allowing a single vehicle to be charged at up to 180 kW, or two vehicles to charge simultaneously at up to 90 kW each. The sites will be integrated in the existing Shell charging networks, comprising 18 Shell Recharge 50 kW fast charge points at Shell stations and 87 Greenlots public charge points in Singapore, as well as 18 ‘Reserve + Shell Recharge’ charge points in Malaysia. Furthermore, they will complement the established 175 kW high-performance chargers available at all Porsche Centres in Malaysia, as well as the growing ‘Porsche Destination Charging’ network at selected hotels, airports, sports clubs, and other lifestyle venues.

As electric mobility starts gaining momentum in Singapore and Malaysia, the network will enable smooth, convenient, and reliable electric road trips between the two countries. Once launched, the chargers will be available for all EVs that utilise the CCS Type 2 charging connector, which is widely used across both countries, with Porsche customers enjoying special rates at Shell Recharge.

Shell’s new 180kW high performance chargers are equipped to charge EV’s such as the
Porsche Taycan
 from zero to 80% battery capacity in around 30 minutes, providing up to 390 kms of extra travel distance. The petroleum company is also offering additional benefits to Porsche customers such as reserving the HPC points in Malaysia in advance using their mobile app, and preferential prices for food and beverages at the Shell Select shops.

“Customers are at the heart of everything we do,” said Shairan Huzani Husain, Cluster Managing Director, Mobility Malaysia and Singapore, Shell. “We have been investing in building EV charging infrastructure to reduce range anxiety for our customers and this initiative is one of many examples of Shell providing solutions catered to our customers’ need for cleaner energy solutions. In 2019, we introduced EV charging in Singapore and in 2020, we introduced solar-powered retail stations in Malaysia. Now EV customers across the borders can experience Shell Recharge, and also recharge themselves with drinks and snacks at our Shell Select shops.”

The Porsche Centre at Sime Darby Motors City complex in Ara Damansara, Selangor which is part of the charging network.

The charging network complements the locations and retail formats for current and future Porsche enthusiasts in Malaysia, such as the newest Porsche Centre Ara Damansara as well as the upcoming Porsche Centre Johor Bahru, which are designed to foster brand experience and exclusivity.

The ASEAN markets hold strong potential for Porsche to unlock and we see an opportunity to shape electric mobility in the region. Our high-performance network across Singapore and Malaysia will serve as a lighthouse project for other countries to follow,” said Matthias Becker, Vice-President Region Overseas and Emerging Markets of Porsche AG.

Click here
 to know more about Taycan and other Porsche models and services in Malaysia.

Porsche’s all-electric Taycan fully revealed, priced from RM632,000


Hyundai offers special ‘N Homecoming’ at Nürburgring 24 Hours

300 lucky motoring enthusiasts will be receiving invites for a very special ‘N Homecoming’ hospitality experience at the 2019 Nürburgring 24 Hours Race. The sad news is that the invites will only be from countries that sell N vehicles where Malaysia is not a part of…yet.

If you happen to be from one of the countries that do offer Hyundai N models and even luckier enough to receive the said invite, you’ll be heading to the infamous “Green Hell” iconic circuit to enjoy driving academy, helicopter tour, and of course, a display of Hyundai N models.

Why Nürburgring? Well, the N brand (which stands for Namyang, Hyundai’s R&D facility in Korea) was born and bred at thanks to legendary track and what better way to celebrate their participation since 2016 then a hosting a series of special events under the banner ‘N Homecoming’.

Nürburgring also happens to be the home to the 3,600-square-meter Hyundai Motor European Test Centre, where Hyundai N models are developed and tested.

What will visitors get from this amazing Hyundai-Nürburgring experience?

Hyundai N fan truck

Promotional booth @ Ring Boulevard

Special model displays (Hyundai i20 WRC rally car, the i30 N TCR and the i30 Fastback N)

N Corso lap around Nürburgring (only for 55 lucky folks)

Special pit box & helicopter tours (for special guests only)

According to Mr. Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President and Head of Product Division, Product Operation & N Sub-Division at Hyundai Motor Group, “We’re delighted to offer our customers the chance to experience ‘N Homecoming’, a unique once-in-a-lifetime hospitality at this year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours race. This event is one of the highlights of the Hyundai motorsport calendar and made all the more special by the fact that the N brand was born and honed here. This event will serve as a celebration of the Hyundai N brand.”

Hyundai Nexo arriving soon in Southeast Asia market


MG’s Cyberster Roadster To Go On Sale in 2024

MG may sound like an old name and most Malaysians who do know of the brand might only have those old British sportscars in their minds. The MG brand is also no longer owned by a British company but by China’s SAIC since 2007.

The MG brand has actually been doing quite well in some markets and is sold in Thailand. It was supposed to come into Malaysia at one time but that has not happened yet. Perhaps we’ll see it soon with the wave of brands from China starting to sweep in.

MG’s modern products have been mainstream models but it is starting a new chapter with a high-performance electric sportscar. This is the Cyberster, just unveiled at Auto Shanghai in production form after the
concept model
 was first shown two years ago at the same event.

Production version of Cyberster (above) has many styling differences from the concept model of the same name (below) shown 2 years ago.

Concept adapted for production
The production model takes the same name as the concept but its design has been adjusted in various areas to make it more suitable for manufacturing. Concept cars often have styling features which may be exciting and futuristic but are either impractical or expensive to incorporate – or might not even meet safety regulations

.

The production model is a 2-person roadster, which recalls the classic MG models of the past. This is apparent with its distinctive long bonnet, low nose and curvaceous surfaces. At the same time, it is very much ‘21
st
 century’ with striking new features such as the distinctive scissors doors and Kammback rear design.

“Our intention was to create a completely new roadster ready for a new generation of sportscar drivers and which opens a bold and compelling new chapter for MG,” said Carl Gotham, Advanced Design Director of the company’s design studio in London. “The focus for Cyberster was to create a design that was respectful of the brand’s illustrious past and to bring back that sporting bloodline, while also being absolutely clear that it should be modern and forward-facing like the MG of today, completely in tune with the rapid transition to electric vehicles.”

Promise of high performance
While MG has not provided technical details, it is known that the powertrain will be single and dual motor, with the most powerful version producing up to 535 ps. That sort of output would certainly guarantee brisk performance in a roadster with a combustion engine. But the Cyberster has a battery pack which adds more weight than a tank full of petrol, so that will have an influence on performance.

When MG presented the Cyberster concept, it said that a 0 to 100 km/h in less than 3 seconds was targeted, with a projected EV range of 800 kms. The acceleration time might be possible though the range is somewhat optimistic. But ranges are creeping up and already reaching 700 kms.

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Production of the Cyberster will start in 12 months so the first deliveries are expected around the middle of 2024. Customers in China will probably get the first cars, followed by those in Europe. By then, perhaps MG will also be in Malaysia and sportscar fans will have another choice.

MG4, one of the brand’s EV models sold today.

The MG MAZE is certainly not the sort of MG your grandfather knew


Mercedes-Benz add All-Terrain and Cabriolet to E-Class line-up

Mercedes-Benz has expanded its E-Class portfolio with the addition of the All-Terrain Edition and Cabriolet variants. The former will be of interest to those who have a more active lifestyle and prefer something with more cargo space and better ground clearance than a traditional estate vehicle will allow. As such, it is 92mm taller than the E350d AMG Line Estate and when cranked up to the highest suspension setting, offers a maximum ground clearance of 156mm.

The car is similar in appearance to the standard Estate variant safe for the matte plastic panels that line the fenders and a number of other trim panel. It also comes with electrically folding tow bar with a 13-pin adapter and 4MATIC permanent four-wheel-drive, making it fit for mild off-road use.

Merc’s All-Terrain comes a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel engine that develops 258bhp and 620Nm of torque. As such, it can sprint from 0-100km/h in just 6.2 seconds, which is a respectable feat considering the vehicle’s size and weight.

The All-Terrain Edition comes equipped with a Burmester surround sound system, Air Body Control air suspension, panoramic electric sunroof, Comand Online with a 12.3-inch infotainment display and 12.3-inch cockpit display, electrically operated front seats, LED Intelligent Light System, Keyless-Go Comfort package, privacy glass, split folding rear seats, 20-inch twin-spoke alloy wheels and a towing capacity of up to 2,100 kg.

It’s driving behaviour can be altered through the use of the Dynamic Select system, which allows the driver to tailor steering, suspension and accelerator settings. And when the All-Terrain mode is chosen, the car’s ride height is raised by 20 mm.

The Cabriolet version however is based on the E-Class Coupe and features an electronically controlled fabric roof than can go up or down in just 20 seconds at speeds of up to 50km/h. And the roof can be selected in three different colours as a no-cost option, which are black, dark blue and dark brown.

As for engine options, there are four, which are a 2.0-litre diesel (194bhp) in the E220 d, 2.0-litre petrol (245bhp) in the E300, a 3.0-litre V6 (258bhp) in the E350 d 4Matic and a 2.0-litre biturbo V6 (333bhp) in the range topping E400 4MATIC.

Additional features include the Airscarf neck-level heating system and Aircap (redirects the air flow over the cabin), Agility Control suspension, Magic Vision Control wiper system, LED high performance headlights, reverse camera, heated front seats, and ambient lighting with a choice of 64 colours. Available as optional extras are the  Air Body Control air suspension, Command Online and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen.

There’s no word yet whether the All-Terrain will ever make it to our shores but if the demand is high enough to warrant such a move, Mercedes-Benz will probably do so.


Honda Civic Type R – Rally version?

There are honestly thousands if not millions of Honda Civic Type R fans around the world, but did you ever think that one day, there will be a ‘Rally Version’ to blitz around the unpaved roads? The folks from Ralph Hosier Engineering got there first and built what’s now known as the Honda Civic Type OveRland!

Judging by the looks, the off-road Civic Type R is certainly not 100% ready yet (due to production complications due to obvious reasons) but the car looks banging with its raised chassis and those rally tyres which are heavily influenced by some of the world’s greatest rally and adventure vehicles.

Ralph Hosier Engineering is able to pull off this feat by mounting a bespoke trailing arm and modified transverse links at the rear to give that extra three inches of ground clearance. As for the rubbers, a set of 255/55/18 BF Goodrich tyres wrapped around rally-derived, lightweight wheels complete the whole look together with that classic Championship White colour choice.

According to Ralph Hosier himself, “These two wildly different interpretations of the Civic Type R (the other one made by Team Dynamics Motorsport, we’ll get to that later) showcase the standard car’s attributes, but also reflect the advanced, sporty and playful nature of the entire Civic range. We have also had a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate what can be done with a road car.”

The other Honda Civic Type R modified by Team Dynamics Motorsport that was unveiled at the 2019 SMMT Test Day in Bedfordshire is basically a showcase on another simple yet huge potential of the car’s capabilities using only ‘off-the-shelf’ performance parts.

Maintaining its streel-legal credibility, Team Dynamics essentially bumped up every aspect of the car from its ECU (Superchips), induction system (ITG), intercooler (PWR), sports cat (Dream) and exhaust (Scorpion). This resulted in a 25% performance increase to a very healthy 400hp and 500Nm of maximum torque.

Being at the hem of the Halfords Yuasa Racing team aka “Honda British Touring Car Championship works team”, the agility of the Type R has also been improved by installing Goodridge stainless performance braided brake hoses, Eibach Pro performance springs, adjustable anti-roll bars and rear camber arms, and Dunlop DZ03G track day tyres wrapped around Team Dynamics’ 19” Pro-Race lightweight competition-derived wheels.

James Rodgers, team manager at Team Dynamics, said, “We’re familiar with the race-winning FK8, however we wanted to showcase what can be extracted from the car with just a few light modifications. The standard car, which we call a race car for the road, is so competent that it really doesn’t take much to take it to the next level.”