All-new 6th generation Honda CR-V makes first appearance in America

While attention in Malaysia is on the
new Honda HR-V
, another new model is capturing the attention of Honda fans in America – the new CR-V. Predictably, the company is starting the launch of the popular SUV in its bestselling market where, along with the Toyota RAV4, it created a new market segment almost overnight over 25 years ago.

While retaining the form of a traditional SUV, the new CR-V adopts the new design language with a large front grille. It’s almost 70 mm longer, with the A-pillar moved back 127 mm and 75 mm outwards. This is to improve forward visibility although, in an SUV, the driver already has a commanding view with the higher seating position than in a passenger car.

Focus on hybrid po

For the North American market, there will be two hybrid powertrains – one with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine and the other with a 2-litre engine. Honda says the engines, which are also used in other models, have been refined and for the smaller engine, the 4-2 exhaust port cylinder head helps maintain peak power over a broader range of rpm.

The CVT has been updated to reduce noise and vibration with significant drivability and performance improvements include Step-Shift programming that simulates gear changes at full throttle. An updated Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System improves traction management in slippery conditions and can now send up to 50% of engine torque to the rear wheels.

Civic-themed interior

Inside, the new interior layout has the most cabin and cargo space in CR-V history. While it has functionality, its styling theme is also similar to that of the latest Civic. Body Stabilizing Seats for the front occupants reduce fatigue and improve posture, while there are lots of mut-have tech features for the driver and passenger.

More advanced safety features

The 6th-generation CR-V also gets more advanced active and passive safety technology. This includes the latest version of Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) architecture that has been enhanced for even better compatibility with larger vehicles.

First introduced on the new Civic, the new driver and passenger front airbags can minimize the potential for severe brain trauma associated with angled frontal collisions. The new front driver’s airbag uses an innovative donut-shaped structure to cradle and hold the head to reduce rotation. The passenger-side front airbag uses a 3-chamber design to achieve a similar result, with two outer chambers designed to cradle the head and minimize rotation.

Updated Honda SENSING safety and driver-assistive technology is installed, with a new camera and radar. The camera has a 90-degree field of view while the radar has a 120-degree field of view for maximum coverage of the area ahead.

The new CR-V shown here is for the North American market (where it is also manufactured) and the model which will eventually come to the ASEAN markets (probably in 2023) is likely to have cosmetic and technical differences to suit the region’s needs.

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


FIA Confirms 6 Power Unit Suppliers For Formula 1 From 2026 – 2030

As the teams begin their phased unveiling of the new cars for the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship, the FIA has also confirmed that 6 manufacturers have registered as Power Unit Suppliers for the 2026 – 2030 seasons of the championship.

The manufacturers that will supply the F1 power units are Alpine Racing,
Audi
, Ferrari, Honda Racing Corporation, Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains and
Red Bull Ford
. It’s interesting that Honda has signed up to be an engine manufacturer after 2025 when Red Bull Racing, which will use its engines until then, will switch to a new power unit jointly developed with Ford (and so will Scuderia AlphaTauri).

The era of turbocharged hybrid powertrains in Formula 1 began in 2014 and continues till today.

Who will Honda supply to?
It would mean finding a new team to partner and with the FIA considering two more teams, perhaps Honda could be their supplier. However, the Andretti team (which is ready to join) can be ruled out since it will be partnered by GM’s Cadillac unit which would likely also register to supply engines.

“The confirmation that there will be 6 Power Unit manufacturers competing in Formula 1 from 2026 is testament to the strength of the championship and the robust technical regulations that have been diligently created by the FIA in close collaboration with Formula 1 and the Power Unit manufacturers,” said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

“The Power Unit is at the forefront of technological innovation, making the future of Formula 1 more sustainable while maintaining the spectacular racing. I am grateful for the confidence of world-leading automotive manufacturers demonstrated by their commitment to Formula 1,” he added.

Red Bull Powertrains will provide the Honda-based power units for the Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri teams until 2025, after which the new partnership with Ford will see the two companies developing a new power unit to 2026 regulations.

New regulations from 2026
The power units of the six registrants will be developed in accordance with the technical regulations which will be applied from 2026. Financial regulations will reduce the overall costs for competitors whilst retaining the cutting-edge technological showcase that is at the core of the sport.

To maintain the spectacle, the power units will have similar performance to the current designs, utilizing high-power, high-revving internal combustion engines and avoiding excessive performance differentiation to allow for improved raceability. The ICE will retain the V6 1.6-litre layout at the same RPM, with a reduced fuel flow rate to aim for a power output of approximately 400 kW (about 545 ps).

The Energy Recovery System (ERS) will be increased in power to 350 kW (around 475 ps). This will remain a key area of competition between the manufacturers, with an emphasis on energy flow management to achieve the key objectives of spectacle, increased hybridisation and similar overall performance to the current power units.

100% sustainable fuel
Environmental sustainability for motorsports is a key objective of the FIA. On this respect, the 2026 Power Unit will include an increase in the deployment of electrical power close to 50% and utilize a 100% sustainable fuel. This means all fuel components must come from sustainable sources – either non-food-bio-derived, from genuine municipal waste or from sustainable carbon capture. This ensures that no new fossil carbon will be in the fuels used in F1 racing cars.

The fuel regulations encourage any sustainable production method to be followed without prejudicing on-track performance so fuel suppliers can use F1 as a step in their own pathway to global and commercial scaling up of sustainable technology. More parameters will be limited to ensure the fuel developed is a relevant, drop-in petrol that will be competitive whichever production method is produced.

Haru Oni plant In Chile Begins Producing eFuel For Porsches


F1 / Round 13: Highlights & Results of 2022 Hungarian Grand Prix

A new name was on pole position for F1 Round 13 – George Russell – and in his mirrors were two red Ferraris ready to outrun him to the first corner. But the young Mercedes-AMG F1 driver was ready and although Carlos Sainz was able to come up alongside as the cars moved off, Russell held on to his slight lead.

His team mate, Lewis Hamilton, starting from was able to slip past both on the first lap to move from seventh to fifth. The two Red Bulls also moved up two positions before the first turn. However, further back, there was an incident between Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel and Williams Racing’s Alex Albon which brought out the F1 Virtual Safety Car (VSC) for a while. The moment the VSC was deactivated, Russell was able to take advantage of the lull to open up a gap with Sainz.

Haas F1’s Kevin Magnussen had contact with McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo and the former’s car sustained damage to the front wing. It was severe enough that Magnussen got the black and orange flag which required him to return to the pits to fix the damage.

By lap 11, Verstappen was up to fifth and taking on Hamilton for the position. McLaren’s Lando Norris was just ahead but both drivers were able to get past him and continued their duel for the fourth place Norris was displaced from. However, Verstappen was heard to be asking questions about an issue with his car which was alarming him. 8 seconds ahead, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was shadowing his team mate who was looking for a way past leader Russell.

Cars were being called in and on lap 17, Russell came in for mediums but Sainz, though called in, did not do so right away and stayed in the lead that the Mercedes-AMG driver had given up. But on the next lap, Sainz came in and Leclerc took over the lead with Hamilton in second and Russell in third, both not within striking distance. Hamilton too would come in on lap 20 for a change of tyres. The forecast for rain was 60% at that point.

On lap 22, Leclerc finally came in, and Russell was back in the lead. When the Ferrari driver rejoined, he managed to slot in ahead of his team mate, which can’t have been a happy moment for Sainz. Leclerc was around 2 seconds behind Russell, while Sainz was 5 seconds and having to watch out for a hard-charging Verstappen. At the back of the top 10, Ricciardo had passed two cars to get back into the points.

On lap 28, Leclerc was close enough to challenge Russell in each corner but the British driver remained calm and held his lines. It took 3 laps for the Ferrari to pass and take the lead but Russell did not give that up easily either.

Leclerc didn’t waste time pulling away and left Russell to be dealt with by Sainz, who was getting closer. Verstappen was still a threat to Sainz but the Dutchman did not have to worry about Hamilton who was some distance behind.

As the 70-lap F1 race passed the halfway mark, all 20 cars were still running which was not always the case. Rain was also coming down lightly and could change things dramatically for the remainder of the race.

Scuderia Alphatauri’s Yuki Tsunoda spun at the chicane on lap 36, bringing out the yellow flags. But he was not immobilized and continued going but was in last place. Pirelli was expecting who went from medium to hard to probably do a one-stopper while everyone else would have to stop again.

Although he was within reach of Russell, Sainz had to go from attack to defence as Verstappen came up behind him. The second position would have to wait first while he held on to his third place. And then Sainz got a break when the Red Bull team called Verstappen in to put on mediums. When he rejoined, he was down to sixth behind his team mate, Sergio Perez. It was still drizzling and heavier rain was forecast by lap 62.

Leclerc gave up his lead on lap 40 to pit, and Russell followed him off the track as well, giving Sainz the lead. With the fresh tyres seemingly warmed up, Verstappen thought he was ready to fight and went flat out – and spun. He was able to recover quickly before Russell could take advantage and held on to his fourth place as he headed in pursuit of Leclerc, whom he passed on lap 45.

Hamilton took over the lead on lap 48 when Sainz came in to switch to soft tyres. It remained to be seen if that was the right move for Ferrari. With Red Bull pitting so early, they should have stayed out and put the soft tyres on later.

It was now Verstappen going after Hamilton in the lead, trying to close the gap of 6 seconds. Leclerc was 3 seconds behind the Dutchman with Russell in fourth and Sainz in fifth. On lap 51, it was Russell’s turn to try to displace Leclerc but the Ferrari driver was making it very difficult.

Hamilton rushed into the pits on lap 52 to get onto softs, rejoining in fifth between Sainz and Perez. Verstappen was now in his more familiar position at the front with a 6-second lead over Leclerc.

The F1 Stewards had finally decided on the Ricciardo – Stroll incident and it was deemed that the Aussie driver was at fault and he received a 5-second penalty.

Leclerc finally had to give way to Russell on lap 53 and the Mercedes-AMG driver took over second, with the 6-second gap behind Verstappen that wasn’t going to be easy to close. Having lost his position, Leclerc came in on lap 54 to get rid of the hard tyres and run on softs for the rest of the race. At that point, the top 5 were spaced many seconds apart and the order was likely to stay till the end. Barring unexpected incidents, the only battle for positions was likely to be between Russell and Sainz.

As 10 laps remained of the 13th F1 round, Verstappen looked comfortable in the lead and if rain came down, he could even benefit from it. It was an achievement coming into the lead from tenth at the start, and he did not have to worry about Russell being an immediate threat.

No more distractions for Hamilton as he pushed forward past Sainz and moved into third and a place on the podium right behind Russell. Now the question was whether Russell would let his team mate past but it did not seem to be so, although it would be Hamilton eventually finishing second. With two Mercedes-AMGs chasing him, Verstappen could not afford to make any mistakes – and also pray his car would not fail.

As 5 laps remained, rain slowly started coming down. At the end of the top 10, Vettel had managed to take over the last points-paying position from his team mate, Lancer Stroll.

And then on lap 68, Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas went off on Turn 11 as his car lost all power. The yellow flags came out, followed by the VSC. It was active for just 1½ laps and then it was a rush to the finish. The rain was heavier and Verstappen was doing his best not to lose it. And he didn’t, taking the eighth chequered flag of the F1 season at Hungaroring.


Proton’s cumulative volume for 2021 goes past 100,000-unit level for third consecutive year

In spite of being a challenging year for the auto industry, 2021 will still see Proton staying above the 100,000-unit level for the third year in a row. In fact, even with one month left, the Malaysian carmaker has already reached a cumulative total volume of 100,566 units. This has been achieved with a sales volume of 14,187 units (domestic + export) during November

Another month of growth

With the market on the upswing, Proton too has enjoyed revived interest by car-buyers, with a 6.2% increase over October sales. This would be the third consecutive month of growth. And looking back at a year ago, November 2020 sales were 24.3% lower.

*Volume for 2021 is from January – November.

The market share of the Malaysian market for the month is estimated to be 24.5% and for the 11-month period, the share has grown by 1.9% to an estimated 22.8% at the end of November 2021.

Saga remains bestseller of the brand

The evergreen Saga remained the brand’s bestseller and had its best sales month since December 2020. 5,666 units were sold nationwide, placing it at the top of the A-segment sedan class, a position the company is hopeful it will retain to the end of the year.

The younger X50 also had a record month in November with 4,010 units delivered. That is significantly better than its previous high of 3,839 units set in October. Its bigger brother, the X70, remained in high demand and gained 1,901 new owners in November, also giving it leadership in the C-segment SUV class.

TOP THREE PROTON MODELS IN NOVEMBER

The Exora MPV is still dominant in the C-segment MPV market and saw a fourth consecutive month of growth 434 units sold. There is demand for the other models but, as with many carmakers, Proton has experienced component supply issues for the Iriz and Persona. This has limited their production volumes and only 642 and 1,534 units, respectively, were available for delivery to customers.

Limited by supply, not demand

“November was a good sales month for Proton though overall industry numbers continue to be limited by supply and not low demand. Crossing over the 100,000-unit threshold with a month to go is a high point for us after another year disrupted by COVID-19,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.

“We are humbled by the achievement and are now confident of ending the year with an increase in total sales. This will make Proton the sole national brand to grow sales and market share this year and give us a strong base heading into 2022 as we look to consolidate and improve our ranking both domestically and overseas,” Encik Roslan added.

Proton’s new Gallery of Inspiration shows carmaker’s past, present and future


VW has a selection of merchandise for its fans

Volkswagen is stocking up on its merchandise and accessories this festive season, just in time for its fans’ holiday shopping frenzy. A plethora of items that bear images of VW vehicles or its logo, are on sale on the German automaker’s site.

After browsing through the selection, we are quite sure some diehard fans will breakdown, whip out their credit cards, and partake in some serious online shopping. There are a number of Christmas stamps as well as red and green ink available to help you spruce your generic greeting cards.

Then, theres a Campervan Egg Cup, which is said to be one of the best selling items on the site. It helps to brighten up the look of breakfast tables, or kitchens at any time of day. For those who live in countries that experience more temperate climates, there are some cozy Campervan Heritage cushions that are said to be ‘equally soft and huggable’.

If you are going skiing this time of year, VW has you covered. There are pull-out ski and snowboard holders that can be used to store your equipment in a Caddy or Transporter van. Its convenient pull-out extenders make it easy to load and unload all your winter gear. It is used in combination with roof bars and can hold up to six pairs of skis or four snowboards.

Last but not least, for those who value the practice of saving money, the Campervan Money Box is something you would like. Designed in the shape of a classic T1 Campervan, the colorful box is being offered with a number of different design options to choose from.

These are just a few of the items that are currently on sale, and if you want the extensive list,
CLICK HERE
. Though it would make little financial sense to purchase these items for someone residing in Malaysia, it’s nice to know that automakers like VW take the trouble to build more than just family cars.


F1 / Round 15: 2022 Dutch Grand Prix Highlights and Provisional Results

As the drivers left the grid for the first of 72 laps, the home crowd filled the air with orange for their countryman – championship F1 leader Max Verstappen. Both Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc got a good start but it was the Red Bull driver who had a slight edge. Further back, Mercedes-AMG’s Lewis Hamilton also sliced through the grid and had just a tiny bit of contact with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz who had been one slot ahead of him on the grid.

With Zandvoort having very short laps, the cars raced across the starting grid again within a very short time. Haas driver, Kevin Magnussen, provided some drama in the opening lap as his car went wide into the gravel and although he bounced off a barrier, he managed to remain in the race but in last position. His team mate, Mick Schumacher, was not doing well either, having slipped two positions back from eighth on the grid.

Within the first 12 minutes, 6 laps had already been completed and Verstappen was already setting the fastest time. But just one lap later, Leclerc pushed hard and did an even faster lap, gaining a bit on the Dutchman. Hamilton was less than a second behind Sainz who was dropping back from the front two.

Tyre degradation was appearing and Scuderia Alphatauri’s Pierre Gasly went into the pits for new tyres, followed by McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo. They had started on softs which did not seem to be a good choice. Alpine F1’s Fernando Alonso also came in on lap 13 for tyres. Schumacher’s pit-stop was frustrating as it took a while before he could be released.

Lap 15 saw Sainz and Sergio Perez, the other Red Bull driver, pitting. It was messy as Sainz could not shoot back out straight away due to Perez coming past and the Ferrari driver was still for 11 seconds – which is a long time in the pitlane.

As Leclerc headed off to the pits, Hamilton inherited second place, 12 seconds behind Verstappen. When the Ferrari driver got back to the race, he was fourth with Mercedes-AMG’s George Russell ahead.

When Verstappen finally came in on lap 19, Hamilton took the lead, followed by Russell. Switching to mediums, the Dutchman had a very quick stop as usual, returning in third place and about 8 seconds behind Hamilton, and 5 seconds ahead of Leclerc. Up to that point, both Mercedes-AMG drivers were still on their original tyres – a one-stop strategy?

The Alfa Romeo ORLEN team must have been grateful that their cars remained in the race, Zhou Guan-Yu in 13
th
 and Valtteri Bottas in 15
th
 place. But Zhou picked up a 5-second penalty for exceeding the speed limit in the pit lane.

On lap 28, Verstappen closed in on Russell and speeding along the main straight with DRS open, he easily slipped past the Mercedes-AMG into second as he powered his way around on the outside. One lap later, Hamilton left the lead to Verstappen as he rushed into the pits. While changing tyres, Russell, Leclerc and Perez passed by so he rejoined in fifth, 11 seconds ahead of Sainz.

It was Russell’s turn on lap 31 which gives second place to Leclerc, who has a 7-second gap to close with Verstappen. He’s comfortably ahead of Perez who has to keep an eye out for Hamilton sneaking up on him. It was hard to say which Mercedes-AMG driver might have a chance at winning the F1 race as Russell was faster than Hamilton at times.

Halfway through the F1 race, Verstappen looked steady in the lead with an 8-second gap from Leclerc, with Perez around the same time gap from the Ferrari driver. This meant his focus could be entirely on Hamilton who was in his mirrors. Hamilton gets past on lap 37 but Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel is in the way and the Mercedes-AMG driver cannot pull away from Perez quickly enough. Perhaps too focussed on Hamilton, Perez is caught by surprise as Russell slips past him as well into fourth place.

On lap 45, there was confusion when Scuderia Alphatauri’s Yuki Tsunoda pulled to the side as he seemed to have tyre problems. He was able to make it back to the pits where his wheels were checked. He rejoined and then had problems again after 3 laps and pulled over between Turns 4 and 5. but the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) was activated as the Japanese driver left his car.

This triggered a flurry of activity in the pits and on lap 49, Verstappen pit from the lead! The Mercedes-AMG drivers also did the same, but the Red Bull driver got back out and still kept his lead. Racing resumed on lap 50 as the VSC was deactivated. Hamilton was then 12 seconds behind Verstappen, with his team mate 3 seconds away. Instead of being able to keep the lead, Hamilton had been forced into working for the win again due to the VSC.

Alfa Romeo lost a car again as Bottas came to a stop on the main straight while he was in 18
th
 place. The F1 Safety Car came out on lap 56 and Verstappen shot straight to the pits for softs. But the Mercedes-AMG duo did not do the same, so Hamilton was back in the lead with his team mate shadowing him. However, on lap 58, as the cars diverted along the pit lane because the marshals were clearing the Alfa Romeo, Russell did a stop and got soft tyres. That dropped him to third behind Verstappen.

The F1 Safety Car ended its duty after 3 laps. Mercedes-AMG had a buffer between Hamilton and Verstappen but lost it. They had a good chance of Hamilton winning but if he could not, then Russell was ready to take over. As the race started, the Dutchman pulled out and swooped past the Mercedes-AMG easily. The Dutchman regained the lead in the Dutch Grand Prix with 11 laps remaining.

Within a short while, Verstappen had already opened the gap to 2 seconds. As the cars charged through Turn 1, Russell passed Hamilton who was very frustrated at having mediums while his British team mate had softs that worked a lot better. From being in the lead, Hamilton now had to deal with a determined Leclerc who passed him on lap 66.

Verstappen had the speed to stay ahead no matter how hard Russell tried, while Hamilton struggled with his tyres to try to keep Sainz from also displacing him. How quickly his fortunes had changed.

Clocking a fastest lap, Verstappen again won in front of his home crowd which went crazy as their hero sped across the finish line. He had pretty much led from pole position on the grid and got it right again.


Ford wins both 2021 Green Car of the Year and Green Truck of the Year Awards

It’s hard to imagine that a pick-up truck – especially one as big and heavy as the Ford F-150 – can win the
Green Truck of the Year Award
.  However, the version that won the award from Green Car Journal is the latest one with a 3.5-litre PowerBoost full hybrid powertrain. Green Car Journal, in given it the award, also noted the F-150’s high-strength, military-grade, aluminium alloy bodywork which continues as a differentiator in the pick-up segment.

Hybrid an important differentiator

“The Ford F-150 earns its well-deserved
2021 Green Truck of the Year
 honour for an array of important reasons that distinguish it from the crowd,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and GreenCarJournal.com. “The 2021 F-150’s redesign keeps things fresh. The addition of a full hybrid engine option is an important differentiator, as is this pick-up’s available Pro Power Onboard output system with 120-volt and 240-volt outlets for tradesmen and construction sites.”

EcoBoost, 10-speed transmission + electric motor

The PowerBoost full hybrid V6 powertrain (described above) is said to deliver the most torque and horsepower of any light-duty full-size pickup in America. The powertrain combines Ford’s proven EcoBoost engine and 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission with a 35-kW (equivalent to 47 horsepower) electric motor integrated into the transmission. A range of 1,120 kms is claimed for a full tank of fuel.

Most significant electric vehicle effort

Ford also won the Green Car Journal’s
2021 Green Car of the Year
 for its Mustang Mach-E, the fully electric variant of the bestselling sportscar in the world. The Journal recognised the Mustang Mach-E as being Ford’s most significant electric vehicle effort to date, calling it a truly special entry in today’s electric vehicle market. It also praised the decision to expand the Mustang stable for instant name recognition, while keeping aligned with Mustang’s well-established heritage and lineage.

“With the all-new Mustang Mach-E and F-150 with PowerBoost hybrid and Pro Power Onboard, we’re electrifying two of our most popular nameplates to give customers new capabilities and choices not possible without electrification,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford Chief Product Platform and Operations Officer. “We’re honoured that earning the Green Car and Green Truck of the Year awards affirm Ford is on the right path working to meet our sustainability commitments while innovating to give our customers more.”

The F-150 is not available in Malaysia but Sime Darby Auto ConneXion offers the Ford Ranger, also Built Ford Tough, with a choice of powertrains. To locate a showroom to view or test-drive one, visit
www.sdacford.com.my
.

Ford Ranger XLT Plus gets facelift with enhanced features


AOS 2019 – Stand a chance to win a Hayabusa-powered MINI + more!

Art of Speed Malaysia
 returns for its 8
th
 year, bringing in the world of Old-Skool and Kustom Kulture to the masses in ways you can’t even imagine. For this year’s extravaganza happening on 27-28 July 2019, AOS 2019 promises to be bigger and better than ever before with tonnes of giveaways including a
custom Suzuki Hayabusa-powered MINI
!

AOS 2019 will be showcasing some of the finest locally built custom cars and bikes, art galleries, interactive activities and as stated before, more chances for visitors to win some amazing prizes and giveaways; a bonus considering all the festivities they have planned out for the ultimate ‘Kustom Kulture’ weekend.

Expecting a gigantic crowd of over 40,000 people for that weekend, AOS 2019 will again be held at the
Malaysia Agro Exposition Park, Serdang (MAEPS)
 from 10am to 7pm. But wait, there’s more with the afterparty known as the
SoundCircus
 where some local acts will be taking centre stage like Hujan, Bittersweet, Masdo, Gerhana Ska Cinta, Kapow and many others.

As usual, AOS will be bringing some amazing international figures from the likes of MOONEYES, The Cutrate, Mighty Motor, Return of the Café Racers, Fuel Tank Magazine, Speedhunters.com, Pipeburn, Chopper Journal Magazine, and other great individuals that are highly regarded in the industry.

Shige Suganuma of MOONEYES

Want to witness a few rare ‘unicorns’ of the custom world? Well, you definitely do not want to miss AOS 2019 where they will be bringing in a few gems and we’re talking legends of the custom scene. They are:

HEIWA MOTORCYCLE (JAPAN) with their BMW R9T Custom, which was commissioned by BMW Motorrad

MOON OF JAPAN 1961 Ford Falcon Sedan Delivery “PANTASTIC”

HOT DOCK CUSTOM CYCLES (JAPAN) with their 1948 FL Harley-Davidson Custom “StG Nautilus”. The bike was awarded “Grand Champion” at S&S 50th Anniversary “World’s Largest Build-Off” in 2008

PAN SUMI and the PANTASTIC

Other special highlights include:

Art of Speed Invitational Car Build Off 2019 powered by PETRONAS

Unveiling the Hot Wheels Japan Historics 3 series “Legendary Japanese Cars”

Hausboom x Hot Wheels official 1:1 scale New Beetle Gen 1 (to be given away as part of their grand lucky draw)

VANS “Era” showcase + skateboard clinic

Hail Vintage exhibition

Kustom & Koffee Talk (with our very own Keshy Dhillon + more!)

Roda Rumble 2019

Strider Race

MINI 60th Anniversary Malaysia celebration

Hot Wheels Club Malaysia Custom Contest & Play Zone

These are just some of the highlights that will take place on
27-28 July 2019
. There’s more in store for all attendees and we reckoned that it’ll be the best Art of Speed Malaysia yet. To get your tickets, head over to
https://aos.qtic.my/
. General Weekend Pass is RM20, SoundCircus is another RM35 but if want to experience the whole thing, we suggest you get the Speedlane ticket at RM50 where you you’ll get both the General Weekend Pass and SoundCircus plus entry into the hall an hour earlier at 10am.

Our last advice?
DO NOT MISS ART OF SPEED MALAYSIA 2019 OR YOU WILL REGRET IT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIVES
 (or until the next AOS event where it’ll always be awesome, in our opinion).


Toyota Gazoo Racing Heads South This Weekend!

The Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) Festival makes it way to
Medini City
 in
Iskandar Puteri, Johor
 this weekend 19th to 21st January, and brings with it a totally immersing experience with non-stop motor racing action, A-list celebrity activities and impressive prizes including a brand new
Toyota Vios Sports Edition
 that will be presented to a lucky visitor.

Having thrilled crowds in Penang and Kuala Lumpur with total attendance of 50,000 visitors, the Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) Racing Festival is expected to attract a sizeable crowd in Medini City on Friday 19
th
 and Saturday 20
th
 January 2018, particularly as the excitement of the Vios Challenge continues to develop with great intensity.

With the championships in mid season and no runaway winner in sight, the duels are beginning to heat up in all three categories where some of the top racing drivers will be competing. Spectators can expect a thrilling weekend of racing on the street circuit that features one of the longest straights of the championship and a hairpin turn, promising lots of overtaking action.

One such race category that fans will definitely be keen to catch will be the Promotional Class where celebrity racers Fattah Amin, Shukri Yahaya, Diana Danielle, Janna Nick, Geraldine Gan, Danny Koo, Venice Min and Shawn Lee will be battling it out for glory. Shukri Yahaya took a popular win in the last event in MAEPS Serdang and he will be out to bring the battle to Shawn once again.

For celebrity watchers, it will be a starry event in Medini as apart from the eight racing celebrities, Media Prima’s
Drama Sangat
 bus tour celebrities including Nazrief Nazri, Intan Najwa, Adiba Yunos, Aishah Azman, Raja Afiq, Ruhainies, Zie Zainal and Aliff Yasraff will be at the event meeting fans and giving away prizes and souvenirs during their meet and greet sessions.

The young at heart will also not be forgotten as superhero Ejen Ali and Comot will be making appearances throughout the weekend.

There will be lots of prizes and souvenirs to be given away throughout the weekend but the biggest prize will be a
Toyota Vios Sports Edition
 that is being offered as the grand prize in the lucky draw.

Fans of Toyota cars will further be treated with a showcase of the latest models including the 2018 Toyota Vios and the show-stealing C-HR that remains one of the biggest attractions everywhere it goes. There will be test drives of most Toyota models as well.

Be sure to catch the stunt performance of Japanese World Champion drifters Masato Kawabata and Drift Samurai, Takahiro Imamura who will be out to thrill, performing their brilliant drift shows in a pair of Toyota 86 drift cars.

In keeping with UMW Toyota Motor’s efforts to promote healthy, safe and wholesome activities, the race track at the Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) Racing Festival in Johor will be open for an hour to cyclists who register on Saturday morning, allowing them an opportunity to experience the circuit in a safe and controlled manner.

Another attraction of the Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) Racing Festival in Medini City is the presence of some of the region’s top food trucks from Johor including Brader Doug, Tacoloco, Salys Streetfood, Aromorasa to name a few.

Entrance to the Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) Racing Festival is free and activities begin from 9am daily stretching till 6.30pm. For the latest developments, event information and everything about the Vios Challenge, visit the homepage Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia, follow the Insta page or like the Facebook page.


New Vehicle Deliveries Pick Up In November, On Track For 700,000 Units in 2022

After the dip in deliveries last month, the Total Industry Volume (TIV) picked up again during November, increasing by 6% over October’s number to end at 64,404 units of passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

Of the 64,404 units, 89% of the vehicles delivered were passenger cars (excluding pick-up trucks), an increase over the volume in October as the assembly plants were able to complete more vehicles.

Comparing to the same month in 2021, the TIV in 2022 was 7% higher, with the variance for commercial vehicles (including pick-up trucks) being 11% greater.

Source: Monthly reports of Malaysian Automotive Association

Cumulative deliveries for 11 months reached 642,306 units, 45% higher than for the same period in 2021 which had been impacted the lockdowns that saw activities being suspended. This means the cumulative TIV has passed the 630,000 units that the MAA had forecast for 2022 – and that was with an upward revision of 30,000 units which was made in July.

With the tax exemption for battery electric vehicles, some 3,000 units have been delivered this year, all CBU imports. The number mentioned by the JPJ officer during the BYD launch recently was a bit misleading as it actually referred to all electric vehicles – including 2-wheelers – which are currently registered with the JPJ.

Source: Malaysian Automotive Association

Although most companies report ‘stable’ production and supply of parts, there are still some small issues that still disrupt production. Apart from the backlog still continuing as new orders come in, there is a rush to ensure that those customers who booked before June 30, 2022 get their vehicles so that they do not have to pay sales tax. The government, understanding the supply problems faced by the industry, allowed until March 31, 2023 for deliveries and registration to be done to still enjoy the tax exemption.

Unusually, the total output from the assembly plants around the country in November was higher than the total volume of deliveries with 65,669 units reported. This was 11% higher than the output in October, and 13% higher than October 2021.

Cumulative production from January to the end of November totalled 633,421 units, 48% or almost 206,000 units more than the same 11-month period in 2021.

As in most years past, December should see a surge in sales and if there are 60,000 deliveries, then the TIV for the year will shoot past 700,000 units which will be quite an impressive achievement.

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


Finalists for 2021 European Car of the Year announced

There are many
Car of the Year
 (COTY) events all over the world today and there’s even a
World Car of the Year
. The one that started it all was the
European Car of the Year
 (ECOTY), which began in 1964 as a collaboration between automobile magazines of a number of countries.

Unlike COTY events in other countries and regions, the ECOTY has just one winner each year. “The object of C
ar of the Year
 is to find a single, decisive winner. The voting process is designed for that purpose, and not to provide a scale of merit of all competing cars. There are no categories, sub-divisions or class winners,” according to the ECOTY website.

The nominees are models sold in at least 5 European countries with an expected annual volume of 5,000 units. A shortlist of 7 contenders will be established by voting from a multinational jury. Technical innovation and value for money are said to be particularly important factors.

(Top row) Skoda Octavia, Toyota Yaris, CUPRA Formentor; (Above) Volkswagen ID.3

This year, the seven models on the shortlist for the 2021 Car of the Year are:

Citroen C4

Cupra Formentor

Fiat New 500

Land Rover Defender

Skoda Octavia

Toyota Yaris

Volkswagen ID.3

Fiat New 500, Citroen C4, Land Rover Defender

The Volkswagen ID.3 is the only EV in the shortlist this year. It is one of the models in the German carmaker’s all-electric range. 10 years ago, EV models were more individual and the first one to win the ECOTY was the Nissan LEAF in 2011, followed by the Opel Ampera (GM Volt) the following year. But then car companies began to have EV or hybrid variants in a model line (eg the Hyundai IONIQ) so the distinction is somewhat blurred now. Last year, the
Peugeot 208
 was the winner and it has variants with internal combustion engines as well as electric powertrains.

In 2011, the Nissan LEAF was the first EV to win the European Car of the Year

A final voting round at the end of February will determine the Car of the Year for 2021, with the winner announced on March 1. Normally, the announcement would be made in Geneva, at the motorshow but with the pandemic and also the sudden cancellation of the event last year, it is now announced online.


EXTREME E | ROUND 2 – Ocean X Prix in Dakar, Senegal

The Rosberg X Racing team was victorious again in the second round of the Extreme E series, this time held at Lac Rose on the coastline of Dakar, Senegal. The crew of Johan Kristoffersson and Molly Taylor faced intense pressure from rival teams during the two days of the event which was known as the Ocean X Prix.

While the Desert X Prix, the first event in April, was run in dry desert conditions in Saudi Arabia, this round was along the beach fronting the Atlantic Ocean. High drama in the Grand Final saw two of the four cars retiring at the first corner, which left Rosberg X Racing to extend their championship lead and Veloce Racing to snatch a surprise result, bouncing back from their disastrous Desert X Prix.

Sandy but very different from Saudi Arabia

The Extreme E drivers loved the tight and technical Ocean X Prix course which made for close racing and had several options for alternate routes as drivers made their way over sand dunes.

“The race format here has been a big step forward from Al-Ula in terms of development for race excitement – but it’s still early stages and there’s still a way to go. One needs to analyze again, and I think we keep on seeing more and more glimpses of such awesome motor racing and this will continue to evolve into a super spectacle the more we go on. Remember, nobody’s ever done this before, and you have to be open-minded and accept that you are going to learn and make it more and more exciting each time,” said Nico Rosberg, Founder and CEO of Rosberg X Racing.

“I love this whole championship and being in the role of team principal – I’m still as competitive as hell even though I’m not actually driving. Anyway, we have the two best drivers in the car who are doing a much better job than I could – and I couldn’t be happier!” the former F1 driver added.

Races on the beach

A Shoot Out saw three top teams face off in spectacular fashion. Segi TV Chip Ganassi Racing, Andretti United Extreme E and ACCIONA | Sainz XE Team had all endured mechanical gremlins plaguing their qualifying runs.

Timmy Hansen stole the advantage into the first corner with Sara Price and Carlos Sainz in hot pursuit. The Spanish rally driver patiently waited for his opportunity and wrestled the lead away from Hansen before entering the switch zone.

At the driver swap, Laia Sanz ran into trouble failing to successfully connect her communications cable. Nonetheless, Sanz re-joined in the lead and looked to have the edge but Kyle LeDuc had other ideas. The 39-year old fired out of the switch zone in third place but quickly set about closing the gap to the top two. LeDuc showed his mettle by slicing through the gap to Catie Munnings and claiming second place, followed quickly by a spectacular move on Sanz to claim victory in the Shoot Out.

Drama unfolded before the first corner in the Ocean X prix Grand Final as GridPlay winners Veloce Racing opted to start on the third grid slot, but the advantage was quickly lost as Stéphane Sarrazin was squeezed out at the first gate dropping back to last position.

JBXE’s Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky picked up rear-wheel damage before she even reached the first corner and inevitably was forced to retire the car, as was Cristina Gutierrez in the X44 car who came to blows with the Rosberg X Racing ODYSSEY 21 – in an incident reminiscent of the two Formula 1 World Champions on-track disputes in 2016 – at turn one and ended her day on the sidelines.

Molly Taylor and Sarrazin were therefore left to fight it out for the lead, with the Frenchman closing the gap throughout the lap and ending his stint hot on the heels of the 2016 Australian Rally Champion.

To ensure officials could safely clear the stricken X44 and JBXE cars, a brief red flag was deployed, as the intense battle for the lead was put on hold whilst the drivers made their way into the switch zone. A standing start restart was initiated as Jamie Chadwick and Johan Kristoffersson prepared for an all or nothing, one-lap showdown.

A close-fought drag race down to the first gate ended with light contact between the two ODYSSEY 21s handing Kristoffersson the advantage. Once he had reached the technical section of the course, the three-time FIA World Rallycross Champion began to stretch his legs opening up a 15-second advantage to win Rosberg X Racing’s second Extreme E X prix in succession.

“It’s so fantastic to have won today! Coming here, it felt like we had a lot of work to do over the weekend, and it certainly didn’t come easy. But with every session, we just kept our heads down and just saw where we needed to improve, and everything totally paid off in the end,” said Rosberg X Racing’s Taylor.

Sailing to Greenland

With the conclusion of the Ocean X Prix, the Extreme E fraternity and vehicles return to the championship’s floating paddock – the St Helena. This specially configured ship is being used to provide transport to each venue to reduce carbon emissions and also serve as a scientific laboratory for researchers accompanying the event. The next round will be the Arctic X Prix in Greenland on August 28/29.

The other side of EXTREME E

Apart from being an exciting motorsport series, Extreme E is using the power of sport, and the excitement of motor racing, to inspire fans to take practical steps on climate change. At each of the race locations, various environmental activities will be carried out to help local communities as well as create awareness.

In Dakar, Extreme E has teamed up with local NGO, Oceanium, to plant one million mangrove trees in Senegal. In addition, Extreme E will support the EcoZone Project, a living lab that addresses the Lac Rose community’s primary needs while preserving the environment through experiential learning, regenerative agriculture and a circular economy.

The Oceanium project, which Extreme E has identified in partnership with TO.org, will focus on five areas totalling 60 hectares – the equivalent of around 112 football fields – with the aim of reforesting mangroves, providing education to local populations and improving social cohesion.

Mangroves are one of the richest ecosystems in the world, providing essential goods and services and playing an important role in the life of coastal communities in countries like Senegal. In addition to being an excellent carbon store, they reduce flooding and erosion from storms, act as nurseries for fish and filter salt and pollutants from water.

Senegal has around 185,000 hectares of mangrove estuaries in the regions of Casamance and Sine Saloum but unfortunately, these are disappearing very quickly. Between 1980 and 2000, 25% of Senegal’s mangroves and 35% of the world’s mangroves were lost due to droughts and deforestation. The loss of mangroves is having a negative impact not only on the environment, but also on local communities that depend on them for their livelihood, making it so important to restore these degraded areas.

After Formula E, Extreme E will take electric cars into off-road competition


Honda to introduce new CR-V to Malaysians soon

Honda will be launching the 5th generation CR-V very soon and that should have many Malaysians excited. It is a complete redesign, both inside and out with the vehicle featuring muscular styling and a plethora of driver aids that are more common place in expensive German luxury cars.

For the new CR-V, Honda’s designers incorporated more angular styling compared to that used by its predecessor. The LED projector headlights are elongated and blend with the contours of the front fascia. The grille is wider and more prominent at the front, giving the vehicle a more rugged look. The signature chrome bar that stretches across the grille features a two piece design with the thin upper section stretching across the entire front end.

The side profile is not that far off from the 4th gen vehicle but the lower roof line and wider side countours are more sporty attributes that will make it a more appealing SUV. At the rear, Honda chose a simple yet elegant design with the two piece rear lights arrangement that are integrated with the metal chrome trim panel, which stretches from one side of the boot to the other.

Despite not growing much in size, the new CR-V is still bigger compared to the vehicle it replaces. It’s 4,584mm long, 1,855mm wide and 1,679mm high but that increases 10mm for the 4WD model. It has a wheelbase of 2,660mm and offers decent ground clearance of 198mm for the 2WD one and 208mm for the 4WD variant. Honda says that cabin space is best in class and will be quite accommodating to taller passengers. Cargo space is good too, with about 1,084 litres with the rear seats fare folded flat to the floor.

This is all well and good but the features that deserve the most praise are the driver aids. Unlike previous generation CR-V vehicles, the new one, has cutting-edge tech that should boost any driver’s confidence while on the road. Called Sensing, the system makes use of a monocular camera on the top of the windshield and milimeter wave radar in the grille to detect obstacles, impending collisions and other safety related risks.

This Sensing safety suite consists of seven features, which are Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Low-Speed Follow (LSF), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), and Lane Departure Warning (LDW).

The ACC and LSF features allow the driver to set a desired cruising speed and take both feet of the pedals, which will then allow the vehicle to maintain said speed, apply brakes and when necessary accelerate to maintain a safe distance to the vehicle in front. It even works in stop and go traffic situations, which should be a major benefit to those who face traffic jams on a regular basis.

Forward Collision Warning and Collision Mitigation Braking work together to act as the driver’s third eye. When the FCW detects a risk of a collision with the vehicle in front, it triggers visual warning audible alerts to the driver. CMB on the other hand, scans traffic conditions in front of the vehicle and if it detects a potential collision, it will automatically apply the brakes to slow the vehicle down and reduce the severity of a collision.

Besides front collision, impacts from the sides are also a major concern especially when crossing intersections. Here too, Honda’s new CR-V has your back covered. Through the use of Lane Keeping Assist, the system uses the vehicle’s camera to monitor lane markings and adjust steering input to ensure that the vehicle stays in its lane.

Road Departure Mitigation is a warning system that alerts the driver (when speeds are within 72km/h to 180km/h) when he or she veers off into another driver’s lane or too close to the edge of the road. The steering wheel will vibrate to alert the driver, and when necessary,  steering and braking input will be made automatically to keep the CR-V out of harm’s way.

Lastly, there’s Lane Departure Warning which is integrated with the Road Departure Mitigation system. It will remind drivers to use the appropriate signal lights if it detects that the vehicle crosses into another lane without the proper use of the turn signals.

Honda will be conducting five roadshows this month across the country to allow Malaysians to have a closer look at the new CR-V before it’s official launch for our market. If you are interested in the vehicle, the following are the respective locations where Honda will conduct the aforementioned roadshows.

4 June 2017
 Gurney Paragon, Penang 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

7 – 11 June 2017
 Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

11 June 2017
 Imago Mall, Kota Kinabalu 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

16 – 18 June
 2017 AEON Tebrau City, Johor Bahru 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

18 June 2017
 Plaza Merdeka, Kuching 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

If you wish to buy the CR-V, you can pre-book the SUV at any of the 91 authorised Honda dealerships nationwide right now and be one of the first to drive it home when it is offically launched. For more information, visit the automaker’s local website at www.honda.com.my.


Ferrari SF90 Stradale launched – 986hp hyper hybrid

Ferrari has just dropped the bomb with the unveiling of their latest and most powerful road-legal supercar yet and yes, it is a hyper hybrid monster machine. The task to triumph over the LaFerrari seems like the most daunting task in automotive history but the mad geniuses over in Italy succeeded and boy, are we excited about the new Ferrari SF90 Stradale.

‘Go big or go home’ might seem like the right move for most folks who are looking into building something better, but Ferrari really went through the drawing boards to ensure that the latest Ferrari SF90 Stradale packs a more powerful punch in a more compact package. The whole car only weighs 1,570kg.

In other words, the SF90 Stradale comes with a 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 engine that produces 769hp and 800Nm of torque. It is Ferrari’s most powerful V8 engine yet but that’s not enough to dethrone the LaFerrari now, is it?

In order to do just that, three lithium-ion powered electric motors (two at the front, one at the rear) offer an additional 217hp which concludes to a super massive 986 magnificent ponies and 800Nm of gut-wrenching torque. In short? The SF90 Stradale is the most powerful road-legal Ferrari to date.

In order to keep things sort of under control (it’s not easy with 986hp at your disposal, we reckoned), an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission system comes ready for the job. Ferrari also decided that for the first time in history, their new hypercar will be an all-wheel-drive model. Sexy.

Here are some numbers to whet your appetite a bit. 0-100km/h? 2.5 seconds. 0-200km/h? 6.7 seconds. Top speed? 340km/h (limited for obvious reasons). It’s also super-fast around the bends, folks. While the previous LaFerrari clocked in a 1:19.70 at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track, the SF90 Stradale triumph with a 1:19 flat.

This is all partly thanks to the new aerodynamic design which offers a massive 390kg downforce when travelling at 250km/h. Ferrari is super proud of this achievement as it sets a new benchmark for downforce for high-performance road-going vehicles.

The new hypercar’s pure electric driving mode has been enhanced as well. Thanks to the three additional motors, it is able to drive around clean and silent for 25km at a maximum speed of 135km/h.

That’s Kajang to Kuala Lumpur on the highway without using a drop of fuel, going at 25km/h above the highway speed limit.

Four different driving modes are available in the latest SF90 Stradale; eDrive, Hybrid, Performance, and Qualify. Sitting in the Formula 1-styled cockpit, drivers can choose the said setting via the mounted toggles on the steering wheel.

Hybrid uses the batteries and electric motors at their disposal just like any other hybrid car, turning it on and off between the gas-powered engine automatically depending on driving conditions.  Performance uses the V8 to charge the batteries and Qualify releases all 986hp together for one hell of an experience around any world-class circuit.

With all that being said, there is still no news on price, availability, or how many Ferrari will build. We can expect that it’ll go on sale probably at the end of the year which also means that we have to wait excruciatingly for the next few months to find out. WHAT.A.TEASE.


SEAT building fully automated warehouse

SEAT is hard at work  constructing a 43.7 metre tall building that will be able to  process 119,000 boxes of parts and components. This new project is part of the automaker’s commitment to making the Martorell factory a benchmark of Industry. It will function as an  automated logistics centre and equipped with smart technology.

Once completed in the final quarter of 2018, the facility will be the tallest logistics warehouse in Spain. And it will play a major role in SEAT’s logistics strategy and supply chain. Once construction is complete, SEAT’s new warehouse will have a total surface area of 5,700 square metres. It will be divided into two facilities, the first will be 43.7m high and the second one will be 21m high.

The first facility will have a capacity for 24,000 containers stored in seven aisles. The second one, will feature five aisles for storing more than 95,000 boxes. The entire project is said to be a breakthrough in terms of logistics processes for the Martorell factory. Martorell has also helped SEAT bag a number of accolades including the  Manufacturing Excellence 2017 award.

Speaking of the place, SEAT Vice-President for Production Dr. Andreas Tostmann, “The creation of this wholly automated logistics centre once again demonstrates that SEAT is a benchmark company in every area of Industry 4.0,”

“With this project we are taking a qualitative leap forward in our service capacity and our vision of achieving logistics management excellence by increasing efficiency in the manufacturing process of our vehicles,” he added.

The current move should help the Spanish automaker secure its position and market share in Europe amidst increasing competition from Korean and Chinese automakers. SEAT is owned by the Volkswagen group and as such enjoys a number of benefits that include technology and platform sharing, which helps reduce R&D costs.


BIKES: Modenas Dominar D400 – Why It’s The BEST Bike Deal Right Now! [+Video]

As we waited for the official price announcement of the new
Modenas Dominar D400
 at its
launch
 recently, many deduced correctly that it would probably cost below RM20k; what we didn’t realise though was just how
much lower
 than RM20k it would be…

When the final price of
RM13,788
 was finally revealed, many – including yours truly – thought it was a mistake, but it wasn’t. Incredibly this
373.3cc
 bike, which was
 “born to sprint, built to tour”
, would be a lot cheaper than even a new 200cc scooter.

Boasting a matching
35hp
 and
35Nm
 of torque from a single-cylinder, 4-valve, DTS-i ‘triple-spark’ engine mated to a 6-speed gearbox with slipper-clutch, the D400 – from Bajaj Motorcycles of India – even comes with front and rear ABS as standard.

Despite having 3 spark-plugs, not all of them fire all the time. It’s like a variable firing sequence, depending on throttle input, and of course, speed. Speaking of the latter, the D400 cruises comfortably at 110-140kmh, topping out at about 160kmh, and surprisingly, very little vibration can be felt through the handlebars even at that speed.

The sweet-spot is 110-130kmh, which makes the ideal touring speed, on any bike; any faster and you’ll find yourself missing quite a lot going on around you. Here’s my first impression after the recent media ride organised by Modenas…

With its upright riding position, the Dominar D400 affords its rider a very comfortable commute, be it for the daily-grind or the occasional long-distance tour. For the latter, a top-box and maybe a set of panniers would be in order, and during the official launch, GIVI displayed their fully kitted-out touring version of the bike (below).

(L-R) Amirudin Abd Kadir, Dinesh Kulkarni, Dato’ Abdul Harith Abdullah

All in all, I really enjoyed riding this bike, but if I had only one complaint it would be the tyres. They seem to work better on rugged-terrain than they do on asphalt, so buyers would be wise to scrap them and opt for a better set. Despite the tyres’ shortcomings, the Dominar D400 was still able to tackle twists and turns with the kind of gusto normally associated with sport-bikes. It’s very nimble when the straights turn to twisties.

That tyre issue only shows itself in the latter instance, and it’s an easy fix, something most bikers do anyway, and hardly worth complaining about, because inherently, this really is the best deal in town right now. If you’re not into maxi-scooters or litre-class bikes, if you just want something to commute daily and head out of town with occasionally, the buck stops here. Good looks, comfort, fuel-efficient and a price that’s hard to beat. What more could you ask for? –
Chris Wee.

Modenas Dominar D400 Photo Gallery…


Perodua resumes free Tweckbot inspections with new safety measures

Tweckbot – the long-running complimentary vehicle inspection service by Perodua – has resumed operations. A team will be station at Tesco Extra Bukit Tinggi Klang in Selangor this weekend
(September 12 and 13)
 from 9 am to 5 pm daily.

The free service will also be available at two other locations in Selangor – Tesco Puncak Alam
(September 19/20)
 and Tesco Extra Ampang
(September 26/27)
, also from 9 am to 5 pm.

“As Malaysia Day nears, we foresee many Malaysians taking vacations or returning to their hometowns. For their safety and peace of mind, it is crucial that their Perodua vehicles are in good working order,” said Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Tweckbot personnel will inspect over 50 points on a Perodua vehicle. These include the engine, transmission, cooling system, brakes, power steering, clutch, tyres, suspension and electrical system.

New Normal operating procedures

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to prevent its spread, comprehensive health and safety measures have been adopted for the protection of its valued customers and staff. Dato’ Zainal emphasised that these safety measures will be the new normal operating procedures for Tweckbot moving forward.

All Tweckbot customers will be required to undergo temperature checks and will need to comply with contact tracing protocols as mandated by the government. Tweckbot stations will have a more spaced-out layout with demarcated areas for waiting, consultation and vehicle inspection to minimise movement, and the entire station will be evacuated and sanitised twice a day.

“Our technicians will wear face shields at all times and every vehicle will be thoroughly sanitised before and after inspection. Physical distancing and the wearing of face masks apply at all times,” Dato’ Zainal said.

He added that for the protection of the public, the number of vehicles inspected has to be limited to slots on a first-come, first-served basis.

20% discount on parts/accessories

Customers who inspect their vehicles with Tweckbot will get a 20% discount voucher, redeemable for the purchase of selected parts and accessories at any authorised Perodua service centre (terms and conditions apply).

Visit
www.perodua.com.my
 for more news and to know more about the model range available.

Perodua expands on public protection initiative


Bugatti Baby II soon to be delivered to customers

At the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show, Bugatti announced a new ‘baby’ as its 110th birthday present to itself. It was the reimagining of the original Bugatti Baby, developed in partnership with The Little Car Company, for enthusiasts old and new.

A year later, the company has completed the design and testing phase, with production of 500 units commencing. When it was first announced, all 500 cars were booked within just 3 weeks but as some customers have had a change in circumstances due to recent global events, there are now a few units still available. Prices range from €30,000 to €43,500 (equivalent to RM150,000 – RM216,000).

Like the original but bigger

The original Bugatti Baby was born in 1926 when Ettore and his son Jean decided to build a scaled-down Type 35 for Ettore’s youngest son, Roland, on the occasion of his fourth birthday. They had intended the present as a one-off car but customers who saw it were so enthusiastic that the Baby went into production and was sold between 1927 and 1936.

Cherished by Bugatti enthusiasts worldwide, no collection is complete without a Baby. However, with only around 500 ever made, they have been the preserve of the lucky few.

The original Baby, referred to internally as T 52, was a scaled-down version of the Type 35 (above). It was meant to be a one-off for Bugatti’s son but customers liked it so much that Bugatti built another 500.

While the original Bugatti Baby was a 50% scale version of the car that brought Automobiles Ettore Bugatti to fame in the 1920s, the Bugatti Baby II (as it is referred to) offers more in terms of size and considerably more in terms of performance.

Eight-year olds would struggle to fit in the original half-scale Baby whereas, at 75% scale and designed for ages 14 and above, the Baby II has definitely become more of a young adult. Those who have had the opportunity to drive it describe it as ‘more of an unruly teenager than a Baby’.

“Ettore Bugatti himself was already interested in catering to the children of Bugatti enthusiasts and designed the Type 52 miniature car as a genuine Bugatti. That was a sensation at the time,” said Stephan Winkelmann, President of Bugatti. “We are continuing this tradition with the new edition of the Bugatti Baby II, and I am delighted that we have found The Little Car Company, a partner that shares the same values as us. With the Bugatti Baby II, we invite a young generation of enthusiasts to fall in love with the wonderful world of Bugatti.”

Iconic design, today’s technology

The Bugatti Baby II is available in three versions – a base model, the Vitesse and Pur Sang. The base model has a composite body and a 1.4-kWh battery pack. With the Vitesse, there’s a more powerful 2.8-kWh battery pack in the carbonfibre body. Its upgraded powertrain includes a Speed Key like its big brother, the Chiron.

The Pur Sang version is targeted at collectors. This offers the same powertrain as the Vitesse but with hand-formed aluminium bodywork. Using the same traditional coachbuilding techniques as the original Bugatti Type 35, each aluminium body takes more than 200 hours of skilled craftsmanship to create.

Variable speed limit and power

Still rear wheel drive like the original, all versions of the Baby II have a limited slip differential, high performance hydraulic brakes and selectable driving modes. The Base model can be limited to 20 km/h in Novice mode while Expert mode limits speed 45 km/h with a maximum of 4 kW of power.

The Vitesse and Pur Sang versions include the Novice and Expert driving modes but also offer extra performance from the upgraded powertrain, unlocked by the legendary Bugatti Speed Key. This allows for up to 10 kW (13.4 bhp) to be used. With a total weight of just 230 kgs, the Baby II will be spinning the Michelin tyres as it sprints from standstill to a 70 km/h top speed. Depending on the weight of the driver, 0 – 60 km/h could be done in just 6 seconds.

Although the Baby II would not be legal on public roads so its driver won’t be travelling to the grocery shop down the road, the base lithium-ion battery pack combined with regenerative braking can give up to 25 kms of range on a single charge, with the larger battery pack in the Vitesse & Pur Sang doubling that figure. That means longer driving sessions on the test course around the home.

Like the full-sized electric cars, there’s the same balance of performance or range. If the driver prefers to enjoy the full performance of the Baby II, then the range would of course be less. If recharging is too time-consuming, the battery pack can be easily taken out and replaced with one already charged and ready to do.

Andy Wallace, a British racing driver who is also Bugatti’s test driver, was involved in tuning the handling of the Baby II.

Authentic handling too

When it comes to handling, the Baby II is completely true to its mythical predecessor, the Bugatti Type 35. Based on a digital 3D scan of an original Lyon GP car with identical geometry and suspension, the handling is as authentic as an enthusiast could hope for.

The only nod to modernity is the introduction of adjustable dampers, allowing tailoring of the handling in ways not possible in the Type 35’s heyday. Bugatti’s test driver, Andy Wallace, was also involved in the final development of the tuning and set-up of the Baby II.

Other features which will appeal to enthusiasts include faithful working replicas of the original Type 35’s instruments, with some adaption for modernity. The turned aluminium dashboard is as present and correct as it was on the original Type 35, and custom ‘EB’ switches operate the LED headlights.

The car can even be customised in multiple colours for both the exterior and interior, including the exact same solid shades available on the Chiron, and an online configurator is available.

Bugatti Divo hypercar reaches final phase of development


Hyundai i30 TCR completes testing in Spain

Hyundai Motorsport has started testing its new generation i30 TCR at Motorland Aragon in Spain. This is part of the development phase that will allow engineers to refine the car’s characteristics and make it a competitive racer on racing circuits.

Prior to the trip to Spain, the vehicle had already undergone a number of shakedowns, but the session on this track will prove invaluable to Hyundai engineers who are working around the clock to ensure that the car runs well and at a competitive pace. According to Hyundai, the sessions were completed without major reliability issues and the team even tested alternative settings as they work to develop a base set-up for the car.

The automaker considers the 5.3km track at the Aragon circuit the perfect venue for driver Garbriele Tarquini to refine the handling balance through both slow and high speed corners, as well as under heavy braking for the hairpin at the end of the long back straight.

Several different engine map settings were tested for the car’s 2.0-litre turbocharged engine to identify one that yielded the best performance figures. The engine is mated to a sequential gearbox with steering mounted paddle shifters as per racing regulations.

Speaking of the testing session, Customer Racing department manager Andrea Adamo said: “We were able to work on the balance of the car, and start developing an initial set-up that we can use in future, not only for the handling, but the important engine and differential settings. We can now use these as a base for future tests as we turn our focus to gaining the maximum performance from specific components.”

This racecar is based on the new road-going i30 but was designed and built in accordance with the TCR regulations that were first used in 2015. Currently, the TCR category is used as the platform for a number of international and national championships, as well for classes that compete at endurance events.

Hyundai’s car has been shipped back to its headquarters in Alzenau, Germany for the team to prepare it for its next test outing in the schedule. Expect more from the automaker as it gears up to take on other seasoned manufacturers in circuit racing championships around the world.


Volvo Cars working with China Unicom to develop 5G technology for automotive applications

5G – the next generation of mobile network technology – will become commercially available from 2020 onwards (third quarter in Malaysia) and users will benefit from significantly more advanced connectivity. Carmakers are also using 5G technology for communication between cars and infrastructure. For example, Volvo Cars and China Unicom are joining forces to work together in researching, developing and testing automotive applications of 5G and emerging vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology.

As the fifth generation of mobile network technology, 5G is many times faster, has a higher data capacity and offers lower response times than its 4G predecessor. As more data can be transferred to and from cars more quickly and with less latency, more applications for cars become possible.

The two companies are exploring a range of different applications of 5G technology for automotive use in China, identifying potential improvements in areas such as safety, sustainability, customer convenience and autonomous driving.

Using 5G technology, cars may also communicate with traffic lights in order to establish an optimal speed and create a so-called ‘green wave’ for smoother flow.

For example, when a car is aware of upcoming traffic issues such as roadworks, congestion or accidents, it can take pre-emptive action such as slowing down or suggesting a different route. This can help traffic safety for people inside the car as well as around it, while avoiding start-and-stop traffic improves efficient energy use.

Other examples include the possibility for cars to find open parking spots more easily with the help of traffic cameras. Cars may also communicate with traffic lights in order to establish an optimal speed and create a so-called ‘green wave’, and with each other to optimise safe exits and entries from and onto highways.

”Volvo has been a leader in realising the potential of connecting our cars to enable new features and services such as detecting and sharing locations of slippery roads between vehicles,” said Henrik Green, Chief Technology Officer at Volvo Cars. “With 5G, the network performance is improving to allow for many more real-time critical services that can help the driver be safer and get a smoother and more enjoyable ride. We look forward to collaborating with China Unicom on developing those services for the Chinese market.”

Traffic safety can improve as more cars are equipped with 5G technology that allows vehicle-to-everything (V2X) connectivity.

China is currently rolling out 5G across its major cities and like most regions, it is also widely expected to implement its own regional standards for V2X technologies. Volvo Cars’ collaboration with China Unicom helps it to be suitably prepared for local requirements and create a strong presence in V2X in its biggest market. 5G connectivity will be a part of the next generation of Volvos, based on the next generation SPA2 modular vehicle architecture.

“5G will fully enable the development of automatic driving, improve the safety of driving and bring a new experience by building a collaborative service system of ’people, vehicles, roadway, network and cloud‘. China Unicom and Volvo Cars will sincerely cooperate with each other, jointly develop a business deployment route under China’s national conditions, which is believed to become an industry model in China,” said Liang Baojun, Vice-President of China Unicom Group.


90 options for the Porsche Taycan owner who wants a more personalised car

For some time to come, owning a Taycan – Porsche’s first all-electric sportscar – will already be something special. But there will be owners who want a higher degree of personalisation and for these customers, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur offer up to 90 exclusive options to choose from. The special equipment packages for the exterior and interior are hand-finished with high-quality components so they are of the same standard as the rest of the car.

The highlights among the exclusive options offered by the company’s own manufactory include the Sport Design package in three variants and 21-inch Exclusive Design wheels with carbon aeroblades.

Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur has extended its capacities to coincide with the launch of the Taycan. The factory space was expanded by a third to 2,000 square metres and 4 new lifting platform workstations were added. 150 square metres of storage space was also created and the vehicle logistics were optimised with a direct connection to the finished vehicle loading facility. The team has also grown with the additional vehicle finishing experts.

Exterior options

Three variants of the Sport Design package are available, all giving a more dynamic look. They differ with respect to the inlays in the lower front apron, in the sill panels and in the side fins of the diffuser. Depending on the package, these are painted in the exterior colour or in Black (high-gloss) or are made of carbonfibre.

The LED matrix headlights with Dynamic Light System Plus are available with a 3-dimensional circuit board graphic in the headlight housing as well as daytime running light elements in Glacier Ice Blue. The 21-inch Exclusive Design wheels with aeroblades made from forged and milled carbon combine excellent aerodynamics with lightweight construction: The weight reduction per wheel set is more than 3 kgs compared with a similar wheel variant.

Sporty, high-quality interior

The Carbon interior package is inspired by motorsports. Large areas in the front and rear doors as well as trim elements on the sides of the centre console are finished in matt carbonfibre. The accent package also offers a choice of contrasting colours in the interior, with the front and rear door trims painted in the exterior colour.

The Taycan’s sporty character is accentuated by the seatbelts available in the colours Graphite Blue, Truffle Brown, Lime Beige, Crayon, Blackberry, Meranti Brown, Slate Grey and Bordeaux Red.

About Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur

The customisation of production vehicles is the core competence of Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. The more than 30 employees have access to an extremely wide range of visual and technical customisation options for the exterior and interior.

Added to this is a wide range of special colours and high-quality materials such as leather, carbonfibre, aluminium and elegant wood finishes for interior elements. Even customer wishes that are not covered by the 600 order options in the customisation programme can be realised by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur for selected models. The requirements for quality, technology, road safety and full compliance with international laws are all met.

The facility has specialised in personalisation work since 1986. Besides the special customer cars, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur also manufactures limited production runs, such as the recent 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series. As part of the Heritage Design strategy, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur works together with the Style Porsche design department on designing exceptional vehicle concepts which combine the footsteps of history with the contemporary cars of today. The objective is to give exclusive sportscars the finishing touch using contemporary interpretations of design elements from past icons from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Star Wars theme for Porsche Taycan debut in Asia-Pacific region


Revised prices of 2020 Hyundai models

Note: Only 2020 models qualify for Sales Tax exemption. Prices shown do not include insurance premiums.

Sime Darby Auto Hyundai will bring new models to you for a test-drive


Peugeot to sell new Landtrek pick-up in Africa and Latin America

Pick-up trucks have not been entirely unknown in Peugeot’s range, although they have been rare. Mainly seen in Africa markets, Peugeot has had pick-up variants of the 403, 404 and 504 in the past, Now, as part of the brand’s international expansion, it is aiming for a slice of the 2.4-million 1-ton pick-up segment, albeit in Africa and Latin America. Europe and other markets are not in the marketing plan.

Its new entry is the Landtrek and while Peugeot doesn’t mention the background of this new model, it is known to have been jointly developed by the French carmaker and Changan, the latter selling its version as the Kaicene F70 in China since last October. Changan and Peugeot have had a joint-venture company for some time but early this year, it was sold off to the Baoneng Investment Group.

The Peugeot Landtrek was jointly developed with Changan which sells its version as the Kaicene F70 in China (below).

The Landtrek follows the typical pick-up fundamentals and is engineered with high priority given to durability and payload capacity. Before being confirmed for production, prototypes covered 2 million kms of testing on all kinds of terrain and in different weather conditions.

Dimensionally, the Landtrek is of the same size as other pick-ups in the market. It measures 5.33 metres in length for the double cab version and 5.39 metres for the single cab versions, all with a width of 1.92 metres.

The interior design draws some of its elements from 3008 and 508 models, notably the 3008’s 2-spoke steering wheel and the 10-inch HD screen at the top of the dashboard inspired by the 508. The aim has been to provide a passenger car-like cabin (for up to 6 persons) for maximum comfort on any terrain.

The modularity of the rear bench seat is unique in the 1-ton pick-up segment and its backrest can be folded 60/40 or 100%. When folded down, the backrests can support a load of up to 100 kgs. At the front, there is a choice between 2 independent seats with central armrest or a 3-seater Multiflex bench seat. With the latter, there is the possibility of folding down the central backrest to make room for an armrest/work table or to load bulky objects weighing up to 75 kgs.

Besides 6 airbags and Electronic Stability Control, there’s also Hill Descent Control, Anti-Skid control and Trailer Swing Control. The Lane Departure Warning system will alert the driver if the truck wanders off the lane while 1 to 4 cameras can be installed to facilitate manoeuvring by providing a 360° view.

Claimed to have ‘the most accommodating cargo box in the segment’, it can take in 2 Euro-pallets in the Double Cab versions and 3 Euro-pallets in Single Cab versions. The payload can be up to 1.2 tons in some versions and the towing capacity is 3 tons.

The turbodiesel engine, likely to be the more popular of two powertrain options, has a 1.9-litre displacement and produces 150 ps/350 Nm. The petrol option is a turbocharged 2.4-litre unit which generates 210 ps/320 Nm. Both engines can be ordered with a 6-speed Getrag manual gearbox and the petrol version can also be specified with a 6-speed Punch automatic gearbox with sequential operation, Sport or Eco modes.

Like most pick-up trucks, the Landtrek has a transfer case with High and Low ranges to provide maximum capability in the toughest conditions. The rear differential is equipped with the eLocker system with automatic disengagement and provides extra traction when one wheel spins. It can travel across water that is 600 mm deep and clear rough terrain with 235 mm of ground clearance.

Groupe PSA starts Peugeot vehicle exports from Naza Automotive Manufacturing, its production hub for ASEAN


3 things you didn’t know were possible when buying a second hand car

It doesn’t matter how seasoned you think are at inspecting a second hand car, because when buying one, you never truly know what you are getting yourself into. While a car maybe running well as you drive it off the dealership floor, a month or two later, it could become your worst nightmare.

With a car that has been used, you never quite know the problems you are inheriting. Whether its an overheating issue, underlying rust problem or dodgy suspension, there are definitely risks involved when going down this route. And as such, here are three things that should make you question a car’s condition even further:

#1 Tampering with the digital odometer

See, most modern cars come with digital odometers. They are electronically controlled and the memory of the vehicle’s mileage is kept by the computer system even if you remove the battery. Tampering with such a system might seem harder than the effort needed with a conventional metered odometer, but it’s possible, provided that you know what to do. All you need is a laptop, special software and a cable to connect your car’s brain to the computer. In a matter of a few clicks, your mileage read out could go from 130,000km to just 85,000km – it’s that simple

#2 Shoddy patch work

Sometimes, when owners want to get rid of thier cars in a hurry, choose to do the bear minimum with regards to repairs. This is especially true with cars that have been damaged in an accident. Instead of paying for a proper repair job, minor patch work is done to address the car’s aesthetics instead of addressing the underlying structural damage to the car. That is why you should never believe the ‘accident-free’ claim that’s constantly thrown out there during a second-hand car dealer’s sales pitch. The best way to know for sure, is to take your trusted mechanic with you for a thorough inspection.

# 3 Tyre swapping fiasco

This has happened to us. Some unscrupulous dealers will swap out a vehicle’s good tyres for worn ones just before completing a sale. Its not uncommon, but it’s a trick that some dodgy dealers have used in the past to make a profit. The correct tyres are left on the car during the viewing, but are swapped just before the keys are handed to you. As such, be sure to make a note of this and ensure you get what you paid for.

Keep these three things in mind and they should help you make an informed decision on which cars are worth the money and which ones aren’t worth a second glance.


SpareXHub to hold surplus BMW, MINI and Volkswagen parts sale next month

SpareXHub, a Malaysian-based e-commerce platform for discounted, genuine auto spare parts will be organizing a 2-week long sale next month. The sale is for genuine BMW, MINI and Volkswagen car spare parts and there will be discounts of up to 85%. The sale will take place from

September 1 –
September 14, 2021
 between 10 am and 6 pm (10 am to 1 pm on Saturday) at
Aramex PJ, No 12, Jalan Tandang, Seksyen 51, Petaling Jaya 46050
 in Selangor.

New, original and genuine

All items offered by SpareXHub are guaranteed to be new and original but at discounted prices. This means that you can save money getting genuine parts (usually the best option for replacements) instead of aftermarket products by other companies.

SpareXHub has a wide range of parts of many different brands and models, and all the parts are original as well as genuine.

SpareXHub has over 2,500 BMW and MINI spare parts and 500 Volkswagen parts. These range from regular maintenance service items such as filters to body parts such as bumpers. There are also interesting genuine accessories if you want to enhance the looks of your car.

Brand experts can offer assistance

With more than 100+ years of experience in the team, SpareX can cater to the needs of automotive stockists, independent workshops and car owners. Brand experts will be on hand to ensure you purchase the right parts for your car and provide you with the necessary knowledge, information and guidance.

Brand specialists are on hand to provide assistance in selecting the right part as well as offer advice.

Appointment required

All customer visits are strictly by appointment only. This means that prior registration and confirmation will be required. Once this is done, the organizers will be ready for your arrival and to ensure that all COVID-19 SOPs are strictly adhered to. Customers are encouraged to use the SpareX online platform and e-payment services for a more seamless process. Click on this
Google form link
 to book an appointment slot.

For more information about SpareXHub or to find a part for your car, visit the SpareXHub website at
www.sparexhub.com
. You may also contact a representative of SpareXHub directly via Whatsapp at
018-205 0120
 or via email at
sales2@sparexhub.com
.

Don’t overlook brake fluid when servicing your vehicle!


Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia Launches New Tiger 800 range, Bonneville Speedmaster & Bonneville Bobber Black!

I think it’s only fair to say right-off-the-bat that personally, I am blown away by what Triumph “Fast Bikes Malaysia” has achieved in this country over the last couple of years.

From humble beginnings at a shoplot in Kg.Pandan KL, to a spanking new 3S Centre in PJ, Fast Bikes (FB) the official distributor of Triumph Motorcycles in Malaysia has not shown any signs of slowing down; on the contrary, under the leadership of Dato’ Razak al-Malique, FB Triumph just seems to be getting stronger as the years progress.

Very recently, FB Triumph introduced three new models at a glamorous evening event in Bukit Tinggi, Pahang, attended by 350 guests from the Triumph Motorcycle Club officially known as the
RatPack
, guests and us, the members of the media… which means we got to ride them! More on that later…

“We wanted to celebrate the launch of the new bikes amongst people who have stood by the brand through the years, from the very first customer to the one who has just bought his Triumph and is now a member of the RatPack. We wanted these bikes to be welcomed by the people who are most passionate about the brand,”
 said
Dato’ Razak al-Malique, Chief Executive Officer of Fast Bikes Sdn Bhd.

Speaking of the new bikes, they include the new “Tiger 800s” in the form of the
XR, XRx, XRx Low, XRT, XCx, XCa
, which start at a selling price of
RM56,900
 up to
RM81,900
. Also launched was the new
Bonneville Bobber Black
 and the
Bonneville Speedmaster
, which start at
RM79,900
. Below is the detailed price list of the models launched:

NEW TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES PRICE LIST

MODEL

PRICE (RM)

Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black

79,900

Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster

79,900

Triumph Tiger 800 XR

56,900*

Triumph Tiger 800 XRx/XRx Low

69,900

Triumph Tiger 800 XRT

77,900

Triumph Tiger 800 XCx

74,900

Triumph Tiger 800 XCa

81,900

All prices quoted include GST but exclude insurance.

*Special promotional price valid for six months from March 3, 2018. Normal recommended retail price is RM59,900.

In reference to the new addition to the Bonneville Bobber in the form of the Bobber Black, Dato’ Razak said,
“The Bonneville Bobber has taken the Triumph brand to unprecedented heights. It is a bike that appeals to just about anyone, and is perfectly suited for those who prefer a touch of classic bobber styling. And now the Bobber Black is set to complement the Bonneville Bobber package with its bold custom style, elegant engineering and more importantly, a thrilling hot rod ride and sound.”

For the
FULL
 details about the new models launched, click this:

Triumph_2018 New Models_Backgrounder

Time to Ride…

Before the official launch of the new models, FB Triumph invited the bike motoring media to have a go at them at Bt.Tinggi, and while it never takes much convincing for me to swing a leg over any bike, this one had me doubly excited because I’d learned that the Thruxton R, although not one of the launch bikes, would be in the mix as well. I’ll get to that later…

First-up for me was the
Tiger 800 XCx
, (above) and maybe I should have started on something a bit lower down the ranking because as far as this dual-purpose genre of bikes is concerned, Triumph has made a doozy. You can read the full spec list in the link above, which is impressive in itself, but the most impressive thing about this bike is the way it handles around twisties.

With effortless grunt on tap, enabled by a ride-by-wire throttle response that is neither too lethargic nor frantic, it’s the kind of bike that you could ride tirelessly all day. Long-distance trips are going to be a walk in the park with this thing.

It’s no big secret that Triumph has a certain carmaker that also makes bikes in its cross-hairs when it comes to the Tiger 800 series, and if first-impressions are anything to go by, the latter has definitely raised the bar this time.

The way this bike takes on corners, and the agility is has when it comes to flicking from corner to curve really beggars belief. It’s the kind of bike that will keep hounding you to ride more, ride harder, ride faster, and thanks to spot-on ergonomics and riding comfort, not to mention a slew of active safety systems and ride-modes, you won’t want to stop. Over 200 engine and chassis improvements have been made over its predecessor. Yes,
200
. Its “triple engine” is good for
95Ps
 of peak power output, and its safety systems can be turned-off
completely
 in “off-Road Pro” mode for rugged terrain riding.

In addition to those aforementioned systems, both the Tiger XCx and XRx come with an adjustable full-colour, auto-dimming TFT instrument cluster, new signature LED lighting, updated cruise control, a five-position adjustable screen, high-specification Brembo front brakes, new suspension configurations, handlebar-mounted switch cubes with elegant backlit buttons (yes, the buttons have a light at the back to illuminate them in the dark), enhanced chassis and new premium bodywork.

“The Triumph Tiger 800 XCx and XRx have come to be some of the most successful adventure bikes in in their respective segments. Both bikes are very easy to ride, offer great control and comfort, and now have been updated to offer even more technology improving on the now infamous Tiger triple engine spirit,”
 said Dato’ Razak about both the new Tiger 800’s.

Triumph Tiger 800 Photo Gallery… (Bobber Black below)

Triumph Bobber Black…. Be afraid.

Next up for me was the “Bonny” Bobber Black, and if ever there was a case for chalk-and-cheese to be used when comparing two bikes from the same stable, this would be it. First-off, it’s a lot more powerful than it appears to be. Yes, it’s low and sleek, looking more like a cruiser / cafe-racer type deal, but don’t (no, really don’t) let its looks fool you. Under all that sleekness is a mean 1,200cc parallel-twin that’s just begging to have its
106Nm
 of torque unleashed.

I mention torque before horsepower (
77Ps
) because it took me by surprise. Where the aforementioned XCx is linear and progressive in its throttle response, the Bobber Black just wants to rip your arms out of their sockets, with no apology whatsoever. It. Is. Brutal.

With a tagline that reads
Darker, Meaner, Stronger,
 it makes no excuses for what it really is; this is a bad-boy bike if there ever was one. But how can something that looks so ‘bad’, ride so good? I’ll be honest, I doubt that anyone would want to ride this bike long-distance, although it would be more than up for it, nah, this bike is for boulevard cruising, and despite the gargantuan amounts of grunt coming from that litre-plus parallel-twin, you’ll wanna take your time and let the rest of the world ogle it.

You can find more details about the Bobber Black (and the Tiger 800’s too) here:
Triumph_Bukit Tinggi Launch_Press Release_English

Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black Photo Gallery… (Speedmaster follows)

The Bonneville Speedmaster…

Unfortunately, the test ride didn’t include the Speedmaster, but just looking at it, I reckon its going to be a real hit with the ‘retro’ crowd, especially those in the DGR or Distinguished Gentlemen Riders club. Here’s the official release on it…

The Bonneville Speedmaster on the other hand works on the classic DNA of the Bonneville family and blends it with the Bobber’s unique attitude but with practicality and versatility. It offers more laidback riding ergonomics with swept back beach bars, twin and single seat set up whereas the Bobber is a strict single-seater.

It also comes with forward set foot pegs, 16-inch wire spoked wheels and a larger 12-litre fuel tank for increased range, which makes the Speedmaster ideal for long distance cruising.

Powering the Speedmaster is Triumph’s critically acclaimed 1200cc High Torque parallel-twin engine with an even higher torque engine tune of the Bobber. Peak torque is rated at
106Nm
 at 4,000rpm – a
42% increase
 from the 2015 Triumph Speedmaster and 10% more than the current generation Bonneville T120. Horsepower is rated at 77PS and is transferred through a slick shifting six-speed gearbox. Peak power output is up 25% on the 2015 Speedmaster, and 10% on the Bonneville T120.

“The Bonneville Speedmaster provides a level of comfort, practicality and versatility to the otherwise very capable Bonneville family. It is perfectly suited to those who want a dash of classic styling to their touring machine, or for those who wish to add pillion versatility to their ride. The Speedmaster brings a new dimension to the Bonneville family with a more classic British custom cruiser laid back style,”
 said Dato’ Razak during his speech at the launch of the four new motorcycles.

Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster Photo Gallery…

Finally, the one that pulled at the heart-strings… hard!

I did mention something about the Triumph
Thruxton R
 at the beginning of this article so it’s only fair that I give it due recognition. It was part of the test ride line-up and I was really hoping it would be horrible to ride, because insofar as looks are concerned, this has to be one of the most beautiful modern-retros out there.

Well, dammit, it didn’t suck. At all. In fact it was simply incredible to ride. Everything about this bike, okay maybe not the leaned-forward riding position which may get tiring after a while, but everything else, even the
sound
 it makes is spot-on perfect. I don’t care how much power it makes, I don’t care what it costs (a lot), it’s simply incredible, and my dream bike garage would definitely include this…. next to a Tiger XCx.

As far as first-impressions go, the new Triumph bikes make a very good one, and all I can say is if you’re looking to get into ANY of the genres that Triumph bikes has a model in, you’d be very wise to go check them out before deciding on which to buy. Really, you need to test ride them, because just reading about them really won’t do. So go, don’t take my word for it, go ride them now, shoo. –
Chris Wee
.

CW’s Photo Gallery…