All-new Kia K5 sedan (for Korean market) revealed today

A new generation of the Kia K5 sedan is due for launch in Korea next month and as a prelude to the launch, the carmaker has released the first official pictures. They show the new model as having a sportier fastback profile with a new design direction for the brand.

Like other Kia models over the past 12 years, the ‘Tiger Nose’ has been a permanent feature which has been presented in various interpretations. For the new K5, it is imposing and referred to as the ‘Tiger Nose Evolution’. It has a wide, three-dimensional design which integrates the grille and headlamps more organically than before. Above the grille is the deeply-contoured bonnet and characteristic lower bumper, emphasizing the smooth lines on the front of the car and enhancing the K5’s on-road presence.

The texture of the grille is modelled on the texture of shark skin which has powerful and sporty image. The grille is made with a matrix of interlocking details to give the K5 a classy and dynamic look. The K5’s new front headlamps feature a distinctive ‘heartbeat’ daytime running light signature.

More muscular profile

The profile of the K5 displays a greater sense of muscularity than its predecessor, with the body narrowing slightly at the midpoint between wheelarches. A distinctive crease runs the length of the  body, while a dash of chrome above the car’s new frameless windows adds greater drama to its flowing, fastback roofline.

The rear has a new rear-combination lamp design which provides a sporty silhouette mirrored by the three-dimensional design of the subtle rear wing. The unique rear light signature mirrors the slender ‘heartbeat’ motif found at the front of the car, while the flash of chrome from the roofline loops around the base of the rear screen, unifying the side and rear profile.

Longer and wider

The new K5 is longer and wider, with overall length extended by 50 mm to 4905 mm and the width by 25 mm to 1860 mm. The wheelbase is longer too at 2850 mm while a 20-mm drop in the height nicely complements the sleeker style.

Malaysians know the K5 as the Optima, sold by Naza Kia Malaysia. However, it remains to be seen whether Kia will has developed a righthand drive (RHD) variant for markets where cars travel on the left side of the road. Korean manufacturers don’t necessarily see RHD market volumes as being substantial enough for them to cater to and prefer to focus on the huge lefthand drive markets like China and North America.

Visit
www.kia.com
 to know more about Kia models available in Malaysia.

Kia’s Futuron concept is inspired by UFOs and flying saucers! (w/VIDEO)


Volkswagen Golf R-Line: Fun and practical but is it worth your money?

There was a time when the Volkswagen Golf was the de facto go to car if you wanted something cheap and reliable as your daily runner.

Today though, the Golf is far from cheap (in Malaysia at least), but for some, it is still the ideal day to day companion.

Price & Competition:

At RM178,110, this Golf 1.4 TSI R-Line with Sound & Style package is punching above its weight; it is up against some of the finest from Europe and Japan.

Take the new Mazda CX-5 Turbo for example, it offers more living room, more power and comes with the decades old seal of Japanese reliability. A seal trusted by many.

Then there is the BMW 1-Series, the entry-level pawn to the world of Bavarian motoring. The Golf may better in some aspects, but let’s face it, in Malaysia, a BMW holds a lot more bling-factor than VW when arriving at a family dinner party. That’s just how we roll.

What is it like?

There are many other great options in the market too that would happily thumb their nose at the VW. So, what’s the case for the Golf then?

A lot actually. As I found out after a couple of days with one.

I like its size for one. It makes it easier to “kung-fu” your way around traffic jams and snug into parking lots.

I also like the interior and its fine quality, decent leg and shoulder space. Maybe not for the rear passengers though as it can get quite cramped back there.

It is also surprisingly quiet at all speeds, something that I think is extremely important in modern cars. Find a car with great insulation and you will be one step closer to finding the perfect car.

What we like about it:

Features like cruise control are nifty to have, but it is features like a Speed Limiter that make my list of must haves in a car. Why? Well, I spend a significant amount of time on highways, and I sometimes involuntarily creep into speeds that will amuse the “pak ciks” sitting beneath the overhead passes. They have sent me a couple of letters telling me how they are such big fans of my speeding habits.

These days I prefer to set the limit and just let my mind wander. Speed guns have nothing on a car with a speed limiter.

Friends say I’m getting dull, but I have come to appreciate regular, negligible features such as an auto dimming rear view mirror, rear air-conditioning vents, dual-zone temperature control. In fact I appreciate these features so much that anything lesser just doesn’t cut it anymore.

And there’s also features like the app-connect smartphone connectivity that launches either the Apple CarPlay or Android Auto applications, depending on which part of the never ending apple vs android war you are aligned to.

You access these apps via a 12.3-inch high-definition touch screen display that seems more like an on-board computer screen than an entertainment unit. Which is a good thing, simply because you spend so much time in a car that entertainment and the way you access it is important. You could have 500hp under your right foot, but when you’re stuck in traffic all that power is useless. A good entertainment system though goes a long way, traffic or not.

And this particular model with its sound and style package has quite a bit of entertainment to offer since it comes with a 300W Helix sound bar placed in the booth (seen below). This gives you rich bass that wouldn’t be out of place in a Dr Dre rap video, and makes you want to take the long way home since you would probably want to spend more time with your 90s hip-hop playlist.

The package also gives you aluminium sports pedal and side scuff plates, but the sound bar is easily the coolest part about this package. If you don’t mind the RM4,000 premium over the standard golf and don’t mind sacrificing some space in the booth, spend on the Sound & Style package.

Engine, Power and Performance:

When it comes to driving it, the Golf offers a plush ride, dull but precise handling and an aura that matches its expensive price tag. Of course not as indulging as its elder siblings, the GTI or the R, but there’s always a little hint that it wants to play  behind all that vanilla character. Perhaps it is the R-line specific design with the rear spoiler, sill extension and 17-inch wheels, or perhaps it is the way it holds on to its gears in Sport mode, and lets you ride the wall of torque just the way a classic hot hatch would. Either way, there is a fun side to the Golf, but it runs out of breath pretty quickly.

That’s not to say that it is a sports car on a budget since the 1.4-litre TSI engine only makes 150PS (147hp) and 250Nm of torque. But to make it feel sportier than it really is, it offers three driving modes – Sports, Normal and Eco – and another called Individual that lets you customize how the steering feels, how quickly the throttle responds to your foot and how quickly the seven gears shift. It doesn’t do anything to the suspension though, so you could ask the car to be at its sportiest, but you can’t do anything about its softish suspension, which kinda takes the fun away.

Sportiness may not be part of this Golf though, but fuel economy definitely is. It’s 50-litre tank capable of taking you past the 600km mark depending on whether you tickled the pedal or consistently stomp the hell out it.

Should you buy it?

So why isn’t such a well-sorted car enjoying brisk-er sales in Malaysia?

When it comes to the asking price, the Golf sits in a rather awkward position. It sits in a spot where buyers who have the money are willing to pay the RM50,000 or so for a Mercedes-Benz or a BMW. Because that amount translates to just a few hundred Ringgit in monthly installments and just a few thousand more in downpayment. So why the hell not?

But that’s probably the only case against the Golf considering there really isn’t much not to like.

You could argue that its rather expensive for a hatchback, but that would be missing the point of a modern Golf. It may have been go-to car for cheap and cheerful cars once upon a time ago, but the Golf has grown up to be one that pampers and indulges your senses in a way only a continental car can. And that means forking out more money.

But then again, if you don’t give a damn about the brand like some of us and would get a Golf because you like well-engineered cars, I’d say hold back a little longer and go for the complete package instead – the GTI. That’s where things get serious very quickly.


The story behind TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and why it was created

‘GAZOO’ has been in international motorsports news for a number of years and in more recent years, it has also gained increasing presence in Malaysia. In the context of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, ‘GAZOO’ means ‘garage’ but this was not how it started.

Back in early 2000, Akio Toyoda (current President of Toyota Motor Corporation) was back in Japan to join the Board of Directors after having served in various roles at different Toyota subsidiaries around the world. Among his responsibilities was the creation and supervision of a website that was given the name ‘GAZOO.com’ and the name was derived from the Japanese word ‘
gazo
’ which means ‘image’ or ‘photo’.

GAZOO.com, which still exists today, is a website gathering images of the vehicles in stock at each of the dealerships. It also contains dozens of virtual shops for consumer goods and services and provides information about new and used vehicles. This is, of course, a common thing today but 20 years ago, the internet was still in its infancy so it was quite a revolutionary idea.

The Gazoo.com website goes back some 20 years and though its content looks common these days, it was revolutionary when it started.

The first use of GAZOO in racing

In 2007, a team of Toyota test drivers, including Akio, were to participate in the Nurburgring 24-Hour race. For various reasons, they were not allowed to refer to their team as ‘Works Toyota Racing’ and perhaps because Akio was in charge of GAZOO.com, he suggested and could authorize the use of the name to be used by the team. That would probably be the first time the GAZOO name appeared in motorsports.

From then on, GAZOO Racing began to develop and its racing activities increased. The team was like an unofficial affiliate of Toyota and usually ran development models like the FT-86 and LF-A to carry out testing in extreme conditions.

Akio Toyoda is one of the very few car company Presidents who races and he also personally gets involved in testing and development of new models.

After Akio became President in 2009, GAZOO Racing began to expand as it was given new roles related to motorsports. Being a racing driver and car enthusiast, Akio wanted to generate more excitement for the sport among the young and GAZOO Racing was to expand the role of promoting motorsports beyond that of traditional automakers. Its mission would also be to carry out grassroots activities aimed at creating new generations of car enthusiasts.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing has been active and successful in the World Endurance Championship, World Rally Championship and also the Dakar Rally.

The GAZOO Racing Company is born

Until 2015, Toyota had different racing organizations and a decision was made to unify them under the GAZOO Racing banner, with brand differentiation as TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and LEXUS GAZOO Racing. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, which was in charge of vehicle development for motorsports activities, was renamed GAZOO Racing Company in 2017 during the restructuring of Toyota Motor Corporation.

The newly created GAZOO Racing Company was thus a more business-focussed unit and would start to develop GAZOO Racing or ‘GR’ as a performance brand like AMG for Mercedes-Benz and M for BMW. It would be independent in one sense but also an important contributor to Toyota’s R&D with experience and information gained from motorsports activities.

GR Garage

As part of its business activities, the GAZOO Racing Company established the GR Garage, a new dealership channel which would not only sell performance parts and high-performance models such as the GR Supra and GR Yaris but also be ‘the most fun car shop in town where enthusiasts can gather, talk, and enjoy cars together’. It was another approach to creating greater interest in motorsports and motoring in general that Akio was trying to generate.

The GR Garage concept was introduced in Japan and dealerships opened in many cities. As GR models start to be offered in many countries, the GR Garage concept is also following and the first country outside Japan to introduce it was Malaysia at the end of 2019 when the GR Supra was launched in the market. Selected authorized Toyota dealerships (5 at this time) have incorporated the GR Garage concept on their premises and specialize in GR products.

GAZOO Racing comes to Malaysia

Malaysia is in fact one of the first countries to have a strong GAZOO Racing presence which began about 3 years ago. Before then, in Thailand and the Philippines, TRD (Toyota Racing Development – an in-house division specializing in performance products) was prominent in motorsports but not in Malaysia. So when GAZOO Racing Company stepped up its activities, it was also timely for the Malaysian market to instead use the GR platform.

The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival began in 2017 and had a carnival-like atmosphere with motor and motorsports-related activities, including the Vios Challenge one-make series.

The first activity in Malaysia was the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival (TGR Festival) held in 2017, replicating an annual event in Japan which was created by the GAZOO Racing Company in its initial years. The TGR Festival has a carnival-like atmosphere with a motorsports and auto-related theme. The highlight of the TGR Festival has been the Vios Challenge, a one-make series run on specially-prepared street circuits in Penang, Terengganu, Johor and Kuala Lumpur/Selangor, as well as the Sepang International Circuit. This successful series has completed three seasons and enters its
fourth one in 2021.

Additionally, UMW Toyota Motor also got involved in digital motorsports or eSports with the
Toyota GR Velocity eSports Championship series
 which began in 2018. This Malaysian event inspired the running of the
GR Supra GT Cup ASIA

2020 as the first virtual motorsport racing championship in Asia. The regional event, held in October this year, saw the best sim racers from 5 countries – Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and India – competing against each other.

The GR range in Malaysia started with the GR Supra and this month, the GR Yaris and Vios GR-Sport have been added.

The GR cars

And, of course, there are the products – the
GR Supra
,
GR Yaris
 and the
Vios GR-Sport
 (presently only available in Malaysia). These models bring to the Toyota brand a sporty and livelier image that supports the promise of ‘fun-to-drive’. They can help diminish the perception of Toyotas being reliable and durable but lacking the performance sparkle. It’s not that Toyota has never produced performance models, but most have never reached our market due to high import taxes making their prices unappealing. But times have changed and with the GR models, the brand now has a side that can appeal to the younger and future generation of customers.

Season 4 of Toyota GAZOO Racing Festival to have 6 events with 11 races in 2021


Mitsubishi Triton stays strong in the pick-up truck segment

The all-new Mitsubishi Triton drew a lot of attention with its bold new appearance and those looks (and, of course, its reputation as a very capable truck) must have persuaded many people to want to own one. In fact, sales of the pick-up truck have continued to grow since its launch in January last year (although it was previewed in late 2018 at the KL International Motor Show). It accounted for 71% of MMM’s sales, with the remainder being the Outlander and ASX SUVs.

Although sales of new pick-up trucks in Malaysia fell by 21% in 2019, with the total volume of locally-assembled models dropping by 27.1% as companies scaled back production in the light of reduced demand, Mitsubishi’s Triton registered an increase of 2.4% (compared to 2018) during the year with 5,792 units sold. The higher volume also captured a market share that was 3.8% more at 16.5%.

The momentum has continued into 2020 with Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) reporting that its January sales achieved an all-time high market share for the past 10 years at 22.8%. The company didn’t provide the actual sales volume and as the monthly report from Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) is delayed, we can’t determine those numbers.

Additionally, MMM says the Triton was the model in the pick-up segment that achieved positive growth and, with over 4,300 units delivered, expanded its overall sales with a 1.6% increase from April 2019 to January 2020, comparing to the same period last financial year. MMM’s Financial Year calendar is from April 2019 to March 2020.

“We are happy that we closed 2019 and began 2020 strong with the Mitsubishi Triton that has managed to capture the hearts of Malaysians with the DNA of the best handling pick-up truck. With the achievement of ranking number one in JD Power 2019 Malaysia Customer Service Index (CSI), we are committed to deliver top-notch service to all our customers,” said Tomoyuki Shinnishi, Chief Executive Officer of MMM.

The Triton, imported as a CBU (completely built-up) model from Thailand, is available with 2.4-litre MIVEC and 2.5-litre turbodiesel engines. Customers can also choose either a 4×4 or 4×2 drivetrain. Prices start from RM79,890 and MMM gives a factory warranty of 200,000 kms (or maximum of 5 years).

Mitsubishi Triton sales rose in 2019 despite decline in pick-up truck segment


Limited edition Mitsubishi Triton Knight for same price as Triton Adventure X

Not satisfied with the top-spec Mitsubishi Triton Adventure X? Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM)now has something even more exciting – the Triton Knight. Announced today, this is a limited edition variant and only 120 people in Malaysia will get to own one.

It’s a special festive gift from MMM as you don’t have to pay extra for the additional items. The RM137,900 pricetag for the Triton Knight is the same as the Triton Adventure X and there’s also the best-in-class 5-year (or maximum of 200,000 kms) warranty.

The Triton Knight, powered by a 2.4-litre MIVEC turbodiesel engine, is available only in White Diamond and stands out with its grey-coated front bumper garnish and bonnet protector. Besides side window deflectors, there are also Knight stickers to identify this exclusive version. A sports bar also added to the sportiness of the truck.

Additional accessories at no extra charge

Additional accessories are scuff plates and exclusive carpet mats with red stitching and Knight embroidery. The Triton Knight also comes with a 7-Inch Touchscreen Audio System which is Apple Carplay and Android Ready so the majority of drivers can have maximum connectivity.

Like the Triton Adventure X, the Triton Knight gets an All-Round Monitor (ARM), a feature that uses multiple cameras around the vehicle to create a bird’s-eye-view. This helps the driver during parking and manoeuvring, especially in tight spots.

For added peace-of-mind while motoring, the Triton Knight has a Driving Video Recorder (DVR). Many motorists now fit one in their car but being a standard accessory, it is properly and neatly installed in the cabin. With a DVR running, there is a recording of any incident that might occur and this can be used as evidence if there is a dispute.

Cash rebates for loyal customers

If you miss out on getting the Triton Knight and still want a Triton, and you already own a Mitsubishi vehicle, MMM would like to reward you for your loyalty by giving a cash rebate of up to RM3,000 cash rebates on top of ongoing promotions (selected Triton variants).

In addition, pick-up truck owners of other brands who make a purchase of selected Triton variants will also be entitled to RM2,000 cash rebates on top of current promotions.

Visit
www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my
 for more information or to locate a showroom in Malaysia.

Updated Mitsubishi Triton Quest – the workhorse truck that also looks good for personal use


September New vehicle sales summary – Total Industry Volume down by 13%

KEY POINTS:

♦ The Total Industry Volume (TIV) for the month declined by 13% or 6,482 units month-on-month compared to the TIV for August.

♦ The decline in sales was attributed to many holidays and also the belief by some consumers that Budget 2020 would have something which would reduce new car prices. However, it should be apparent that for some time now, changes affecting the auto industry are not announced during the Budget presentation (as they were in the 1990s and before).

♦ The TIV in September 2019 was 43% higher than in the same month in 2018 because, a year ago, the GST-free period had ended and sales slowed down substantially. 40,266 passenger vehicles (excluding pick-up trucks) were registered in September 2019 compared to 27,018 vehicles in September 2018.

♦ However, for commercial vehicles, the difference was small – 4,400 vehicles in 2019 against 4,222 in 2018.

Source: Monthly reports of the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA)

♦ Going into the fourth and final quarter of the year, October sales are expected to improve and sales promotions start kicking in to start clearing stock before the year ends.

♦ The cumulative sales volume after 9 months has reached 442,991 units, 3% lower than for the same period in 2018. The MAA has forecast 600,000 units for 2019 so the remaining volume is 157,009 units. With 3 months to go, that means 52,336 units must be delivered during each of the month.

♦ Cumulative production, however, was higher in 2018 for the first 9 months with 426,041 units leaving local plants. For the same period in 2018, the total number was 420,498 units. To see what vehicles each plant produced this here,
click here
.

All the locally assembled models and where they are produced


Jaguar Trilogy of Vision GT Cars completed with Vision Gran Turismo Roadster

The Vision Gran Turismo (Vision GT) project began 9 years ago when Polyphony Digital, the Japanese videogame developer famous for its Gran Turismo series, invited carmakers to design cars with no limits on technical specifications. The designers jumped at the opportunity and created some amazing cars which were close to fantasies and very futuristic. These cars were incorporated in the virtual world of Gran Turismo 6, which later became Gran Turismo Sport.

Since 2013, many carmakers have provided their designs and gamers around the world have chosen their favourite models to use in races. Jaguar has been among the participating companies, with two cars submitted – the original Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Coupe and the extreme Vision Gran Turismo SV endurance racer.

Third Vision GT model

The British carmaker has now added its third all-electric virtual gaming sportscar – the Vision Gran Turismo Roadster. This is an all-electric single-seater which combines the race-proven powertrain from the Coupe with a taut, sculpted form inspired by the iconic, timeless Jaguar D-type.

The flowing surfaces, dramatic lines and perfect proportions of the first two Jaguar Gran Turismo Vision cars are instantly recognisable but, in place of a deployable canopy, the Roadster has a swept-back aero screen directly in front of the driver.

Behind, there’s a modern interpretation of the fin synonymous of the 3-time Le Mans-winning D-type, aerodynamically-optimised using the latest computational fluid dynamics tools to be deployable at speed for enhanced stability with minimal drag.

The fin also features one of the beautiful details to be found throughout the Roadster, the form of a Union Jack etched – using the Jaguar monogram pattern – into the fin itself, and subtly illuminated by LEDs. The theme continues with the hand-crafted leather straps on the front fenders and iconic roundel lights in the front grille.

Open-cockpit racing experience

The dramatic, driver-focused interior combines lightweight, luxurious materials and finishes with stunningly intricate details. Looking out onto the gracefully long bonnet with the unmatched all-round visibility inherent to open-cockpit racers, gamers will be fully immersed in the action.

The Roadster’s light, stiff monocoque body is expertly and meticulously crafted from carbon-fibre composites and advanced aluminium alloys. A state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery pack is packaged as low down in the structure as possible, contributing to the low centre of gravity, low roll centre and near 50:50 weight distribution that are fundamental to the car’s outstanding driving dynamics.

3 motors, 1,020 ps/1,200 Nm

The Roadster is designed to bring gamers the pure, visceral driving experience of an open-cockpit Jaguar sportscar. It is powered by 3 electric motors generating a total power output of more than 1,020 ps and instant, maximum torque of 1,200 Nm. Power from the battery is fed to the light, powerful and compact motors, developed using learnings from Jaguar Racing’s Formula E experience. Acceleration from 0 – 60 mph (96 km/h) is said to be under 2 seconds and a maximum speed in excess of 320 km/h is possible.

“As a car designer, being part of the team that has delivered three virtual cars for the Gran Turismo series has been a dream project. Since the reveal of the Vision GT Coupe in 2019 and Vision GT SV in 2020, we wanted to curate the perfect way to present the full line-up of the three cars together when we revealed the Roadster,” said Oliver Cattell-Ford, Exterior Designer, Jaguar Advanced Design.

Available in Gran Turismo 7

The Vision Gran Turismo Roadster is now available in the new Gran Turismo 7 for PS4 and PS5 consoles. In recognition of Jaguar’s three versions of their Vision GT car, the design team created new bespoke liveries of these cars, which are not directly available in GT7. These new liveries feature specially developed black and grey paints and subtle graphics which emphasise the cars’ inherently dramatic, beautiful designs. In GT7, players can re-create these new liveries using the Livery Editor feature.


From Model TT to Ranger – the story of Ford trucks

A new generation of the Ford Ranger will be launched in Malaysia soon, and given what we know about the new model from the global debut, it’s destined to continue the success story of its predecessors. But it’s not just the Ranger that is a successful truck model for Ford; in fact, Ford trucks have been dominant in the company’s sales for decades – and the bestselling vehicle in the USA.

Over 100 years of truck experience

Ford knows how to build great trucks because it has a history of making them for more than 100 years. Throughout its history, Ford has continuously improved its trucks with new innovations that improve their ability to get the job done. The cumulative experience means that today’s trucks like the Ranger have superior performance and are more durable and reliable than ever.

1917 Model TT – the first Ford truck.

The first Ford truck was created just 9 years after the first Model T began putting the world on wheels. Henry Ford received requests from customers asking for a vehicle that could carry heavier loads and provide greater utility for the work and deliveries which had been done by horse-carriages.

On July 27, 1917, Ford introduced the Model TT and it was able to bring out this new model so fast because it retained the Model T cab and engine. It was an approach that would be used till today where platforms, including powertrains, are shared among models, with the bodywork being different. The Model TT came with a heavier-duty frame capable of carrying one ton of payload.

First F-Series introduced in 1948

The formula for success

Similar to the Fordson tractor introduced in the same year, Ford envisioned a chassis that could accommodate beds and cargo areas that were made by other parties (like today’s commercial vehicle body-builders). By enabling such flexibility to customise the basic design, there would be increased functionality to get work done.

It was a formula for success. By 1928, Ford had sold 1.3 million Model TTs before replacing the truck with the more capable Model AA with a 1.5-ton chassis. Ford marketed its early trucks largely in rural areas, according to Bob Kreipke, a Ford historian. “Model AA trucks in particular had a certain class to them,” he said. “Customers could use them on the farm, yet still take them to church on Sunday.”

1935 Model 50 with Ford flathead V8.

Like the Model TT, the Model AA was available exclusively as a chassis cab offered in two lengths, with new powertrain and axle options for greater capacity. To stay ahead in what had become a hotly competitive business, Ford replaced the Model AA with the even more capable Model BB in 1933. Many were outfitted as mail and freight vehicles, as well as ambulances and other types of commercial vehicles. Two years later, Ford introduced the 1935 Model 50 pick-up truck , powered exclusively by its famous Ford Flathead V8 engine.

1953 Ford F-100

Making trucks more innovative

By 1941, Ford had sold more than 4 million trucks. Changing over to war production resulted in the loss of consumer sales but a gain in experience building heavy-duty military truck chassis and 4-wheel-drive personnel carriers. A year after consumer production resumed in 1947, Ford drew on that knowledge to provide even more innovations for its customers.

“After the war, a lot of rural Americans moved to urban and suburban centres looking for work, and many took their Ford pick-ups with them,” said Kreipke. “Ford saw this as an opportunity, and began work on the next generation of trucks for 1948 – which came to be known as F-Series Bonus Built trucks.”

Ford truck advertisement in 1965

After a successful run with the first generation F-Series, the second generation arrived in 1953 with  increased engine power and capacity. The model line was also rebranded, with the F-1 becoming the F-100, while F-2 and F-3 trucks were integrated into the new F-250 line. Meanwhile, the F-4 became F-350 and the larger Class 8 trucks were spun off into a new C-Series commercial truck unit.

Ford trucks became dual-purpose vehicles – for work on weekdays and for family getaways on weekends.

Changing the truck role

Throughout this period, Ford trucks started looking less utilitarian, sporting features like 2-tone paint, automatic transmissions, and improved heater and radio offerings. New standard features debuted with the 1953 F-100, including armrests, dome lights and sun visors. Lower and with a wider cab, the new truck featured integrated front fenders and a more aerodynamic design.

45 years later, in the ASEAN region, the same thing would happen as Ford introduced the Ranger as its idea of the ‘Asian Car’. It came with a stylish look that was rugged, and had the features and convenience of a passenger car. In Malaysia, the timing was just right as local regulations had changed to permit use of trucks as private vehicles rather than only for commercial use.

First generation of the Ranger built and introduced in ASEAN in the 1990s.

Built Ford Tough

In 1961 – 44 years after the Model TT – Ford introduced its fourth-generation F-Series. It continued to have innovations that kept it a market leader, eg the revolutionary twin I-beam front suspension which debuted in 1965. An upscale Ranger package appeared in 1967 and advertisements emphasized improved comfort, value and durability, as Ford trucks now offered power steering and brakes, and a lower chassis profile.

Built Ford Tough

By 1977, the F-Series trucks were clear market leaders and sometime that year, a copywriter for a Ford truck magazine is said to have written three simple words that would come to define the brand:  Built Ford Tough. It is more than a slogan – it’s a brand promise to owners and the mantra for Ford’s entire truck team.

Developing truck culture

In the years that followed, truck culture became very much part of American life. Trucks had become universal family vehicles; in addition to being only work trucks during the week, people also used them for weekend getaways. Ford trucks thus made American lifestyle more active and in 2022, the same thing is happening in Malaysia with Sime Darby Auto ConneXion’s ‘
Ford Ranger Getaways
’.

While the F-Series has been dominant in North America, Ford has also used its truck expertise with the Ranger in other parts of the world. Versatile and efficient, the Ranger has built a reputation for being tough and capable, leading it to thrive in diverse markets around the world.

Raptor – the performance truck

And while performance for a truck usually refers to the loads it can carry, Ford also added a new dimension to truck performance in the way that enthusiasts understand it. With the assistance of Ford Performance, the company’s high-performance division, the Raptor was created to enter the specialty truck segment. Inspired by desert racing and designed specifically to meet the needs of off-road truck enthusiasts, the Raptor was the first off-road trophy truck from a major manufacturer.

Developed by Ford Performance, the F-150 Raptor set the bar high for off-road performance. The same formula was applied to the Ranger to also create a Raptor variant that has become the ultimate truck, with no rivals.

To know more about Ford trucks available in Malaysia, especially the
next-generation Ranger
 coming soon, visit
www.sdacford.com.my
. If you sign up
here
, you can get an exclusive invitation to a debut event at a city near you as well as receive regular updates to keep you informed.

Next Generation Ranger Set To Debut At The End of This Month!


Honda produces 600,000th vehicle at Pagoh Plant

Honda has reached another milestone, but this time, its for the production of the 600,000th vehicle at its local plant in Pagoh, Melacca. Besides this, there was more cause for celebration because the vehicle that allowed the automaker to hit that figure, which was a Honda City, also aided Honda in achieving its 100,000th sale of the current fiscal year (1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017).

It has been 14 years since Honda’s Pagoh plant began operations and in the beginning, it only had a single manufacturing line which could only cater to the assembly of four different vehicles which were, the CR-V, City, Civic and Accord. Since 2014 however, the company added a second line at the facility that allowed it to manufacture more models at the same time to cope with market demand.

Speaking of the milestone, Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Katsuto Hayashi said, “The addition of the No.2 Line in 2014 has enabled Honda Malaysia to grow at an accelerated rate. We achieved 300,000 production units in just three years as compared to 11 years taken earlier to reach the first 300,000 units. I believe this was achieved through good strategy and strong challenging spirit from the Honda family.”

Honda says that due to these two manufacturing lines at Pagoh, it has been able to shorten the waiting period for vehicles that are in high demand by rearranging the processes to increase capacity where needed. The automaker has even gone so far as to say that for high demand vehicles like the BR-V, the waiting period for any customer to receive his/her vehicle, is only about 1 to 2 months.

The plant has some of the latest technologies such as the automated Smart Welding Machine to produce high rigidity body frames and a painting facility that features Spray Robots and does under body coating. All vehicles that roll off of the production line are put through the 2.1km long test course to ensure that they pass Honda’s quality and safety standards.

Despite the praise that the automaker lavished on its state of the art facility, it also attributed this milestone achievement to the tireless efforts of its legion of dealers, suppliers, employees and partners.


New Porsche Cayenne To Have Dashboard With Three Screens, Making Passenger More Of A ‘Co-Driver’

At Auto Shanghai next month, the new Porsche Cayenne will have its world premiere and as is the practice these days, some of the highlights are revealed in advance. For the new generation of the successful SUV model, Porsche will have a completely new dashboard concept which is referred to as the Porsche Driver Experience, not just for the driver but also the front passenger.

Described as ‘a groundbreaking display and control concept’, the Porsche Driver Experience has a fully digital display, versatile individualisation and intuitive operation. While there is still a driver-centric approach – as would be expected of a sports SUV – the front passenger also gets more opportunity to interact with the vehicle.

Dashboard in new generation has three displays and a design that emphasises width, while the dashboard in the current generation (below) is more driver-oriented.

Departing from driver-oriented approach
In virtually all cars, there are usually two display areas – the instrument panel ahead of the steering wheel and a display panel in the middle of the dashboard. Some manufacturers have started to integrate the two panels and created a wide single screen, but it is still very much oriented towards driver use.

The dashboard in the new Cayenne, which takes elements of the Taycan electric sportscar, has more room to include an additional display on the passenger side. While the high-resolution 12.3-inch central display is the control centre of Porsche Communication Management (PCM) and, as before, the driver can operate numerous driving and comfort functions, there is now an additional touchscreen on the passenger side.

This additional 10.9-inch display allows the front passenger to easily access and manage certain functions as well, taking on a more active role as a ‘co-driver’. For instance, the passenger can work on the route navigation system to locate a destination or select entertainment. In many cases, these may be done by the driver so letting the passenger help is good for safety.

A special foil ensures that the display cannot be seen from the driver’s seat, so it is also possible to have videos streamed onto the screen without causing distraction to the driver.

The driver’s 12.6-inch digital instrument cluster in a so-called curved and free-standing design has various display options (up to 7 views), a redesigned centre console and a latest-generation steering wheel.

The automatic gear selector is now located to the right of the steering wheel, making room on the centre console for a large air conditioning controller in a sophisticated black panel design. The curved display does not require a hood to prevent reflections, thus giving it a modern, slimline appearance.

Balance between digital and analogue
A key feature of the Porsche Driver Experience is the right balance between digital and analogue elements, the subject of debate at the moment. All the controls that are important to the driving experience are also grouped directly around the steering wheel.

Typically for a Porsche, the new engine start button is to the left of the steering wheel. The gear selector is now to the right of the steering wheel between the instrument cluster and the central display. . The combination of touch recognition and haptic feedback with mechanical air conditioning switches as well as a physical volume controller allows settings to be made quickly and intuitively on the clearly laid out control surface.

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Visual emphasis on width
Visually, the new dashboard design emphasises width. The increased horizontal emphasis of the dashboard makes the interior look even wider. The air vents are vertically aligned in typical Cayenne fashion and, for the first time, Porsche has designed all the air outlets in the cockpit without louvres.

After the Taycan (since 2019), the Macan (in 2024) and the 718 (middle of the decade), the Cayenne will become the sportscar manufacturer’s fourth model line with an all-electric powertrain. There will also be another all-electric SUV above the Cayenne added during the second half of this decade.

Extensively Upgraded Porsche Cayenne Undergoing Final Testing

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Hap Seng Star opens first Mercedes-Benz Accessories and Collection Boutique in Malaysia

While most people will think of cars when mention is made of Mercedes-Benz, the brand also has a range of exclusive lifestyle products for owners as well as those who are not owners [yet]. These products are available at most authorised Mercedes-Benz outlets and at Hap Seng Star’s new Autohaus, they are presented in a Luxury Lifestyle Boutique that is part of the showroom.

RM3.5 million investment

The Autohaus, situated along Jalan Sultan Ismail, was originally opened in 2004. It has since undergone a RM3.5 million refurbishment exercise to create the first new Mercedes-Benz Retail Brand Presence in the ‘Golden Triangle’ of Kuala Lumpur. The Mercedes-Benz Accessories and Collection Boutique is the first of its kind in Malaysia.

“With this investment, we aim to create the best experience for our customers throughout their ownership journey. Hap Seng Star embraces the Mercedes-Benz spirit of innovation, luxury, and world-class service, delivered by experienced personnel with in-depth product knowledge and exceptional service skills,” said Harald Behrend, Group Chief Operating Officer of Hap Seng Consolidated Berhad and CEO of Hap Seng Group Automotive Division.

Providing the luxury experience

There’s also a private lounge on the second level, while a cafe on Level 3 is available with refreshments for customers. The Autohaus also sells cars, of course, and  the spacious delivery bays, are special illuminated to provide a unique vehicle hand-over experience for the new owners.

“The new Autohaus by Hap Seng Star reaffirms Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s commitment to create a fascinating brand experience at every point in the customer journey. The new brand presence promises an authentic luxury experience with a modern touch. Our aim is to connect our customers not just with a car, but also a lifestyle experience that encourages a sense of joy, luxury and exclusivity,” said Dr. Claus Weidner, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.

Hap Seng has invested a total of over RM300 million to date in enriching customer touchpoints nationwide. Its Mercedes-Benz Autohaus network is in 11 locations nationwide, with three in East Malaysia.

Click here for other news and articles about Mercedes-Benz.


Fuel Price Updates For December 15 – December 21, 2022

Based on the Automatic Pricing Mechanism, the pump price of RON97 petrol will be RM3.55 per litre after midnight today, a drop of 20 sen this time. The downward trend in fuel prices has been on for a few weeks now and hopefully continues towards the RM3.00 per litre level.

RON95 petrol and biodiesel continue to be subsidized to maintain their prices but the government would like to find a way to ensure that the subsidies are more targeted to reach those who really need that assistance, rather than also applicable to those already able to afford expensive luxury cars as well.

FUEL-SAVING TIPS

Regardless of whether fuel consumption matters to you, it’s good to try to use less of it as fossil fuels will eventually be finished on the planet. Here are some ways to reduce the fuel consumption in your vehicle:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 for more videos at The Piston Show.


2020 Nissan Patrol gets advanced Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies

Long before ‘SUV’ became a segment in the auto industry, Japanese carmakers were already producing such vehicles, except they were usually referred to as dual-purpose vehicles or 4×4 vehicles. Such vehicles originated in the 1950s and were developed on the heavy-duty ladder-frame platforms used for commercial vehicles so they were robust and could carry heavy loads.

First generation of the Patrol in the 1950s.

Over the years, these vehicles evolved as market needs changed and one of the models which has remained in constant production all these years has been the Nissan Patrol. Some 1.9 million units have been sold around the world since the model debuted in 1951. Known for its durability, reliability and all-terrain performance, the Patrol remains the flagship of Nissan’s 4×4 line-up.

Advanced Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies

Recently, the model (currently in its sixth generation) was updated with enhancements that offer customers higher levels of sophistication, comfort, safety and connectivity. In particular, as with other new Nissan models, the Patrol gets the latest advanced Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies.

This extensive suite of advanced safety and security technologies is complemented by Intelligent Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection and an Intelligent Forward Collision Warning system.

Strongest V6 and V8 engines in the segment

At the same time, the new Patrol retains its class-leading power with customers having a choice of the strongest V6 and V8 engines in the segment. The base 4-litre V6 produces 275 bhp/394 Nm while the 5.6-litre V8 produces 400 bhp/560 Nm.

An All-Mode 4X4 system lets the driver switch modes to handle different highway and off-road conditions. It also has a Hydraulic Body Motion Control with improved suspension and vibration reduction. Two hydraulic systems connected by cross-link hydraulic pipes to the 4-wheel independent suspension’s hydraulic cylinders absorb road bumps and help reduce body lean when cornering. This helps minimize fluctuation of view of those on board and provides a more comfortable ride. Unlike other similar systems, this does not need a power source, so there is no effect on fuel economy.

More connectivity

Inside, a new centre console incorporates dual displays featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the occupants to make the most of their smartphones. New diamond-stitch quilted leather seats with added padding provide a luxurious feel, as does the new hand-stitched steering wheel. Climate control and powered lumbar support are optionally available for the front seats. Significant reductions in noise and vibration result in a quieter, more pleasant cabin. Improved cooling and air flow distribution systems lead to quicker cooling, ideal in hot climates.

“The Patrol is one of our longest-standing and most cherished models, with a long and proud heritage,” said Joni Paiva, Regional Vice-President of the Africa, Middle East and India region at Nissan. “The new Nissan Patrol represents the peak of luxury and ultimate capability and will continue to provide authentic experiences to its loyal customers in the Middle East and around the world.”

Given the large engine sizes it comes with, the Patrol is offered in markets where fuel prices are not a big issue for motorists. For this reason, Nissan has introduced the Patrol in the Middle East first and then other markets and this will be the case for the latest Patrol.

Click here for other news and article about Nissan in PISTON.MY

Visit
www.nissan.com.my
 to know more about 4×4/SUV models available in Malaysia


Perodua Faces Challenges In Second Half 2018 But Maintains 209,000 Unit Sales Target

Despite a great first half (1H18) of record sales and after-sales results, Perodua is preparing to face many challenges in the second half (2H18) and is maintaining its sales target of 209,000 units by end-2018.
Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh
 (below) said that the compact car company is also maintaining its production target of slightly over
215,300
 vehicles this year which is a
7.5%
 increase compared with 200,100 vehicles made last year.

On a year to date basis, Perodua sold 117,100 vehicles for the first 6 months of 2018, 17.5% up on the 99,700 units sold in the same period last year and a half-year record for the carmaker. Against a 289,700-unit 1H18 total industry volume (TIV), Perodua took 40.4% market share, also a half-year record.

“Due to the increase in sales, Perodua has also increased its vehicle production to 109,000 units between January and June 2018 which is an increase of 10% compared with 99,000 units in the same period last year,”
 Datuk (Dr) Aminar said. He said that Perodua purchased some RM2.28 billion from vendors for the first six months of this year, which is a reduction from RM2.33 billion in the same period last year.
 “The decrease in the amount is due to forex rate savings enjoyed in the first half of the year despite the increase in volume,”
 Datuk (Dr) Aminar said.

The 117,100 registrations comprised 46,860 Myvis, 33,870 Axias, 23,555 Bezzas and 12,815 Alzas, retaining the top spots for all four models in their respective segments. “We attribute this sales record to continued strong demand for the new Myvi as well as for our other models in the first quarter while towards the end of the second quarter we saw a surge in sales due to the zero-rated Goods and Services Tax (GST),” said Datuk (Dr) Aminar.

The new Myvi continues to be Perodua’s most popular model – since its November launch, over 65,000 have been registered out of over 115,000 bookings collected. By way of comparison, Perodua closed 1H17 with 35% of a 284,500-unit TIV. Its 1H18 monthly market share breakdown was 39.7% for January, 42.2% February, 41.5% March, 42.3% April, 51% May and 31% June. The June dip was due to an overall market sales spike brought on by the zero-rated GST.

“Our sales peaked in May at almost 22,000 units. However, we do not foresee this momentum continuing in the subsequent quarters of the year. While engagement with the government is on-going, we are still unclear on the full mechanism of the impending Sales and Service Tax (SST). On the assumption that there will be an increase in vehicle prices from September onwards; we foresee that the public will go through a period of adjustment hence resulting in less demand for a certain duration. Perhaps the impact would be up until December 2018 where, typically, most players would give good offers to reduce their carry-over stock into the following year,”
Datuk (Dr) Aminar said.

On bookings, Perodua received over 185,000 orders in 1H18, a 24% boost over 1H17 and another half-year record. In June alone orders surpassed 40,000, and the carmaker is working overtime to meet the demand, the President and CEO said.
“Unfortunately, apart from a few units of the Alza, we expect all orders made this month to be fulfilled only from 1 September onwards. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused but we believe we still offer the best value in the market at present,”
 Datuk (Dr) Aminar added.

On after-sales, Perodua’s service intakes at its 179 service centres nationwide saw a 6% growth from 1.026 million vehicles in 1H17 to 1.083 million in 1H18. In preparation for a record 2.14 million service intakes expected this year, Perodua aims to further improve its standards, skills and knowledge of its after-sales staff nationwide through its National Technical Skill Contest.

First held in 1997, the Perodua National Technical Skill Contest puts service advisors, foremen, mechanics, and for the first time this year, Body & Paint service advisors, through a series of tough customer-related scenarios. “Participants are judged on how correctly, thoroughly, quickly and efficiently they solve the issues given, and not just from a technical perspective – they also have to demonstrate a strong focus on the all-important Customer Satisfaction,” said
Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd Managing Director Dato’ Dr Zahari Husin.

This year’s contest was among the largest Perodua has ever conducted, with more than 2,000 after-sales staff across the country, from dealers as well as branches, taking part in the preliminary round in February. The national finals held on 19 July saw mechanics
Nur Adilin Mohd Yusuf (KK1 branch)
and
 Muhd Izuan Kamarul Baharin (Nagoya Automobile),
foremen
 Jamaluddin Ja’asa (Seremban branch)
and
 Felix Chee Tuin (Posh Auto),
service advisors
 Noor Faziha Md Anas (Ipoh2 branch)
and
 Siti Fatimah Abu Samah (Roda Juara),
as well as Body & Paint service advisor
 Arthur James (KK1 branch)
 emerge as the winners.

“The victors represent the best Perodua has to offer in the country in terms of service, and are examples to us all. Their technical expertise, customer focus and problem-solving skills will be cascaded throughout our after-sales divisions for our customers’ benefit,”
 said Dato’ Dr Zahari.
“After-sales plays an extremely crucial role in our quest to satisfy and delight our customers. Via healthy competition, the Perodua National Technical Skill Contest serves to exercise and ensure our service capabilities remain up to standard, competitive and relevant to the ever-changing needs and wants of the customer. People First in Perodua’s slogan refers to both our employees and customers. We will never cease to develop and improve the capabilities of our employees so that they can better serve our customers and retain their trust,”
 he added.


Kia aims to be leader in PBV (Purpose Built Vehicles) segment by 2030

There’s a segment of the global auto market which is not generally known to most people outside the industry although the vehicles in this segment would have been generally termed as ‘light commercial vehicles’ or LCVs before. Now they are referred to as Purpose-Built Vehicles or PBVs, and this segment has been growing significantly. From a sales volume of 320,000 units in 2020, it is expected to increase to 1.3 million units in 2025.

While the PBV functions essentially like a vehicle for commercial purposes, its role is far more diverse due to modern mobility requirements. Thus it has to be more optimized for different purposes moving people or cargo. Mobility services such as car-sharing and ride-hailing are expanding as consumers’ mentality changes from owning a car to using mobility. A global market research company predicted that the mobility sharing service will grow from 1.2 million units in 2021 to 4.9 million units in 2030. For this reason, PBVs specialized in mobile services are trending.

Kia’s PBV strategy and product plans up to the 2030s.

At the same time, the demand for logistics has also rapidly increased, partly due to the huge growth in e-commerce that has taken place over the past 2 years during the COVID-19 pandemic. In other words, the PBV will be an important link in last-mile mobility for people as well as goods.

The Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) is therefore giving much attention to development of PBVs as future mobility solutions. While investing in R&D on electrification and autonomous driving technology, it is also developing PBV-related technologies, such as developing core parts, producing various types of vehicles, and researching platform-based body module assembly technology.

Ray 1-seater van

In 2020, Kia (part of HMG) announced its mid-to-long-term future strategy, ‘Plan S,’ and declared that it would transform from an automaker to a future mobility solution provider by expanding its businesses such as electric vehicles, mobility services, and PBVs. It also revealed that it would respond early to the market with PBVs based on existing cars by 2023, with the Ray 1-seater vans and 5-seater full-flat models to satisfy the growing national demand for small cargo delivery services.

Now comes the Niro Plus, its first PBV which is being offered in Korea as a general model and zero-emission taxi. The carmaker has modified the first generation Niro EV to make it suitable for the demands of modern-day car-hailing.

To meet the demands of Korean operators, the length and height of the Niro Plus taxi model have increased by 10 mm and 80 mm, respectively, to give occupants more space inside the cabin. Slimmed-down structures have also contributed to the greater cabin space, and the seats and door trim have been thinned down.

First generation of Niro from which Niro Plus has been developed.

The Niro Plus can offer more sustainable means of working and travelling, so Kia is planning a general version of the Niro Plus for private ownership. This can be used for many business and recreational purposes including car-hailing services. One usage scenario could be where a small business owner uses the Niro Plus for work during the week and when it’s the weekend or a holiday, he or she can use the same vehicle for leisure activities such as camping or touring the countryside.

“Kia is transforming its business strategy to focus on popularizing EVs, and introducing new mobility products that are tailored to the needs of users in markets around the world. The Niro Plus is our first step into the world of PBVs, a market that holds great potential for future development,” Sangdae Kim, Head of Kia’s eLCV Business Division.

As the PBV market grows, Kia plans to gradually expand its range from micro to large PBVs that can potentially offer an alternative to public transportation or even be used as mobile offices. A general, non-taxi version of the Niro Plus will be made available in some overseas markets in the second half of this year. In addition to the battery electric vehicle (BEV) version, there will be plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrains to meet specific market conditions.

Kia aims to become a market leader by 2030 and to achieve this, it is developing a dedicated platform upon which PBVs of different shapes and sizes can sit, meeting evolving customer needs and market trends. The first Kia dedicated PBV model will be launched in 2025, by which time the global PBV market is expected to mature. It will be similar in size to a mid-sized vehicle, with inherent scalability.

Kia Malaysia reveals 5-year plan with 61% of local production to be exported


Additional 3,923 units of Toyota Avanza need fuel pump replacement

No matter how much effort a manufacturer puts into quality control, there will be some occasions when some parts which are not perfectly made slip through the system and get into the market. When that happens, responsible manufacturers will quickly identify where the faulty parts are and take remedial measures to replace them.

In the case of manufacturers like Toyota, recalls to replace or rectify faulty parts are not common but do happen. And because of concern for customers’ safety, the carmaker acts quickly to recall affected vehicles by having a Special Service Campaign in collaboration with its distributor; in the case of Malaysia, that would be UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT).

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

Special Service Campaign

The distributor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Malaysia has announced a Special Service Campaign (SSC) for the Toyota Avanza MPV to replace the fuel pump. This  SSC is an expansion of an earlier campaign.

Based on the information received from Toyota Motor Corporation, there are 3,923 units affected  and they were
manufactured from October 2017 to June 2019
, and distributed nationwide.

Faulty fuel pump

The fault in the fuel pump may stop it operating and if this were to occur, warning lights and messages may be displayed on the instrument panel. This may be accompanied by engine power hesitation which could result in the vehicle stalling and being unable to restart.

UMWT will officially notify all its affected vehicle owners to being their vehicle to an authorised service centre to replace the fuel pump unit. The owner will not have to pay anything for all costs related to the exercise.

If you are not the original owner

It is possible that some of the units may have owners who were not the ones who originally purchased the vehicles. In this case, they might not receive the notification as the contact details UMWT would have in its database might only be for the original owner. Nevertheless, if the vehicle is among those being recalled, the current owner can still get the support at no charge.

For further information, Avanza owners  may contact any authorised Toyota Service  Centre or call the Toyota Freephone at
1800-8-TOYOTA (869682)
.

12,997 units of Toyota Hilux and Fortuner recalled for brake booster issue


Mugen to build motorcycle engines?

Think of a motorcycle engine builder, and there is a very good chance that Mugen will not be the first to come to mind. In fact, powerhouses such as S&S and even Polaris are the first companies that come to mind. Mugen is usually associated with Hondas, actually, very mad Hondas. Hardcore, modified beyond the point of horsepower recognition type of Hondas. In Malaysia at least.

Mugen is also a specialised engine builder that supplied engines to Formula 1 teams like Lotus, Ligier and even Jordan, with whom the company achieved a 1-2 finish in Spa-Francorchamps in 98.

But the truth is, Mugen has been dabbling in motorcycles for a while now. In the 70s, the company, which was founded by the son of Soichiro Honda, created a prototype engine called the MRV1000. It was a 1000cc engine featuring twin-carburettors, but it never made production.

And then, in 2012, Mugen collaborated with Honda to produce an all-electric superbike to race in the Isle of Man TT. The legendary race has a class for all-electric superbikes called TT Zero, in which the Mugen-Honda powered superbikes have been dominant ever since. And just for your information, the average speed of Mugen-Honda electric bikes have increased from 165km/h in 2012, to 192km/h in 2015.

Now though, the company seems quite serious about dabbling into proper internal combustion engines for motorcycles with its latest engine concept called the MRV1400.

Showcased at the recently concluded Tokyo Motorcycle Show, the new engine concept is a 1400cc engine featuring a similar layout to its ancestor, with distinctive pushrod tubes and a separate transmission.

At the show, the engine was showcased next to a drawing of a sleek naked roadster, with Mugen even going as far as requesting show-goers for feedback on whether or not it should build the new MRV1400. Interestingly the new engine also features Keihin carburettors, but in these days of strict emission standards, it is unlikely that a carburettor engine will meet emission regulations. Sadly, Mugen will need fuel injectors if it wants its engine to see the light of day.

So what about production? The company says that even if the engine does make it to full-time production, it will not happen before 2020, and it will take even more time for the engine to make it into a full-fledged production motorcycle.


Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia donates Mitsubishi Triton to the Dignity Farm School in Bentong, Pahang

Although many companies have focussed their CSR (corporate social responsibility) efforts on providing help to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still many sections of society which need help, especially the under-privileged urban poor.

Recently, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) offered such help in the form of a Mitsubishi Triton 4×4 truck to the
Dignity Farm School
 in Bentong, Pahang which is a one-stop holistic and community learning centre.

It will be used for the farm’s daily operations, and to provide transport for the Orang Asli to schools where they are given transformative youth education programs grounded in community building, natural agriculture, and skills development.

Helping underprivileged and indigenous community

The Triton was handed over earlier this month by MMM’s Chief Executive Officer, Tomoyuki Shinnishi. Explaining the decision to help the Dignity Farm School, Mr. Shinnishi said: “In line with the Malaysian government’s efforts to reopen schools soon with tightened and updated standard operating procedures to adhere to, we at Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia feel it is a strategic time post-lockdown to relook into how we can do more for the underprivileged and indigenous community in terms of education and health.”

“We are happy to work with the Dignity Farm School a place where skills and knowledge are connected and taught from a wellspring of sources and experiences, combining practical skills and theory in a farm setting. This, in return, will also prepare the underprivileged children in the future to enter an agricultural and tourism workforce requiring both innovation and manpower,” he said.

“The school is located in a remote area of Bentong where a 4×4 like the Triton is required. It has passed many endurance tests and we hope that it will assist the Dignity Farm School well in many of their adventures to come, no matter what the terrain,” added Mr. Shinnishi.

Activities at the Dignity Farm School.

Mitsubishi Motors CSR vision

MMM’s initiative supports the Mitsubishi Motors CSR vision for 2021 which is ‘Inspiring Lives Today for a Greater Future’. Its mission is to implement CSR activities that provide aid to support underprivileged children, and to collaborate with NGOs in promoting a sustainable economy, society, and environment.

As part of the company’s various and ongoing COVID-19 aid efforts, MMM also donated a Box of Hope containing food necessities and a bag of rice to the B40 groups in Malaysia. This effort will benefit more than 150 families across the nation.

To know more about the Triton and other Mitsubishi models available in Malaysia, visit
www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my
.

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia provides essential items needed by our hardworking frontliners


Volkswagen Alor Setar Upgrades 4S Centre With Addition Of Body & Paint Workshop

Volkswagen Alor Setar
, operated by
Lee Motors Autohaus Sdn Bhd
 has upgraded their dealership from a 3S centre to a 4S centre with the addition of a Body & Paint facility. This brings the total of Volkswagen 4S centres in the country to 10.

Volkswagen Alor Setar is a one-stop centre that spreads over three floors. Spanning over
35,352
 square feet, the showroom is located on the ground floor, aftersales service on the second floor and the latest addition of Body & Paint on the third floor. The outlet is strategically located at
Aman Central
 which is the main business hub for the state of
Kedah
.

The new Body & Paint workshop offers services such as
accident repair, paint touch-up and respray, panel knocking recovery, chassis alignment
and
 paint mixing
. The facilities available are a spray booth, two preparation bays, a polishing and finishing bay, as well as a two-post hoist bay. A
Car-0-Liner alignment bay
 is available and manned by trained professional panel beater and painters. Volkswagen Alor Setar also uses one of the world’s best water-based paints –
Cromax Pro Waterbase
, at its new Body & Paint workshop.

Additionally, the 4S outlet is equipped with cargo lifts, diagnostics tools as approved by Volkswagen Germany as well as a special CCTV system where customers can watch their cars being serviced from the comfort of the customer lounge.

Eugene Lee, Director and Dealer Principal of Lee Motors Autohaus
 said that Lee Motors is fully committed to serving customers with the best service offers and convenience.
“Our goal is to serve as a one-stop centre for all things Volkswagen in the region, and to continue building trust amongst our customers and enhance the overall ownership experience.”

Erik Winter, Managing Director Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia
 (above) also congratulated Lee Motors on the upgrade.
 “Lee Motors have been part of our dealer network for 5 years, and we commend them on their commitment to ensure that high quality and standards are met for our customers. Together with our other dealer partners, we will continue to uphold our Volkswagen Cares promise to increase the joy of ownership of our owners.”

Volkswagen Alor Setar 4S Centre operates from
Sunday to Friday from 9:00am to 6:00pm
 and is closed on Saturdays and on public holidays. Working hours are applicable to sales, service and body & paint.

For more information, please visit an authorized Volkswagen dealership or go to
www.volkswagen.com.my


How The Ford Ranger Raptor’s Sound Goes From Mild To Wild

One of the pleasures that driving enthusiasts enjoy is the ‘music’ from the exhaust of their cars. It can convey emotion and form part of the car’s character, especially with sportscars. Some manufacturers have their engineers spend a lot of time and effort to ensure that the car has a sound unique enough to become an aural signature that signifies the presence of the car near or far.

Generally, the growls or roars have been associated with sportscars but now, Ford is also bringing a new feature to truck owners which will allow them to customise the exhaust sound in various ways. It’s made possible by the new active valve twin exhaust system fitted to the 3-litre twin-turbo V6 engine of the latest
Ranger Raptor
.

The system is designed to control the noise emitted from the powerful engine by adjusting the opening of valves – much like a saxophone or a large pipe organ – to change the sound. The driver can select sounds in 4 different drive modes: Quiet, Normal, Sport or Baja. The Baja mode is very loud and Ford reminds owners that it should only be used in off-road conditions.

“For the new Ranger Raptor, we wanted to really make the character of the truck come alive, to emphasise the power and define the presence of the vehicle, but not make it tiring when it didn’t need to be. We spent hundreds of hours tuning and developing the sound of the vehicle and really think we have something that sounds right for the truck,” said Justin Capicchiano, Ford Performance and Special Vehicle Engineering Manager.

Avoiding upsetting the neighbours
One of the key features customers love most about performance vehicles is their powerful exhaust note. And while that exhilarating sound is appropriate on the motorway or out in remote areas, it might be considered ‘irresponsible’ in a residential area, especially early in the morning or late at night.

By selecting Quiet mode, owners can keep the exhaust sound to a minimum. Even better, it is possible to schedule a ‘quiet start’, which sets the Ranger Raptor to always start in Quiet mode. Alternatively, a quiet time (with start and end times) will also be helpful for owners to keep their friendship with neighbours.

Switching between modes and sound
Changing the exhaust sound requires just the press of a button on the steering wheel that looks like an exhaust pipe. The first press displays a pop-up message on the digital instrument cluster of the selected mode, while pressing the button again allows changing to another selected exhaust mode.

Click on the image to hear the V6 exhaust sound in Baja mode.

“There’s a lot involved in the science of sound, and we wanted the Ranger Raptor to sound the way it looks and drives. The team had to consider and model everything from the whistle produced by the turbochargers to filtering out prolonged tones when driving at a constant speed,” said Capicchiano.

“From computer modelling to physical prototypes, the intention was to create a distinctive and emotionally exciting engine note that will have the hair standing up on the arms of those who hear it. We want you to know it’s a Ranger Raptor driving down the road before you see it,” he said.

To know more about the Ranger Raptor, visit
www.sdacford.,com.my
.


McLaren Racing reveals 2022 F1 car as well as Extreme E and IndyCar challengers

The MCL36 is McLaren Racing’s new Formula 1 car for the 2022 world championship which sees significantly changed technical regulations. The new regulations – which include a switch to 18-inch wheels – have forced the engineers to completely overhaul their designs but the FIA expects that the racing will become closer and more exciting for fans.

With aerodynamics being crucial to performance, Formula 1 cars are designed with features to generate as much downforce as possible. At the same time, this must be achieved without sacrificing performance so it’s a challenge which engineers faced when developing the MCL36.

Gulf Oil racing car inspiration

The new bodywork, described as having ‘speed and elegance… very vibrant’ by McLaren CEO Zak Brown uses similar colours as before but with a different livery. It has ‘Fluro Papaya’ as the dominant colour which will certainly make the car easily identifiable on the track. The blue (lighter than in 2021) is similar to that used by Gulf Oil in its racing cars before, and the racing link with the oil company goes back to 1968.

More sustainable fuel

McLaren will continue to use the Mercedes power unit in the MCL36 which, apart from being improved, has been retuned to run on E10 fuel instead of E5. This is the most significant regulation change of the hybrid era began in 2014. The change is part of the FIA’s move towards making motorsports a sustainable activity and fuels must use sustainable ethanol. The engineers have had to optimize the combustion process but just how well the engine will run on E10 fuel will only be known during official pre-season testing towards the end of this month.

The drivers are the same ‘Commonwealth pair’ as in 2021 – Daniel Ricciardo from Australia and Lando Norris from Britain. Ricciardo, who finished 8
th
 in the Drivers’ Championship last year, began racing in 2011, while Norris, aged 22, entered F1 with McLaren in 2019.

Lando Norris in the McLaren Racing MCL35M at a round of the 2021 F1 World Championship.

McLaren Racing finished fourth in the championship last year with their highest points finish since 2012 that included one race win during the year. They have 20 world championship titles to their name and will be trying just as hard in 2022 to add another. The new regulations are helpful, in a way, in levelling the playing field again as each team has to now start to make their car more competitive from essentially the same ‘base’. The promise of closer racing could also be advantageous for some drivers.

2022 Arrow McLaren SP Team IndyCar racing cars

IndyCar and Extreme E challengers

Also unveiled at their base in England was the team’s IndyCar and Extreme E challengers. In addition, the livery of team’s esports programme, McLaren Shadow, was also shown to the world. The team also presented the 2022 Arrow McLaren SP team of Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist who will start their 2022 IndyCar campaign at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Florida, on February 27.

Emma Gilmour and Tanner Foust will race with this all-electric rallycar in the Extreme E series this year.

The McLaren Extreme E all-electric off-road racer will be used for the second season of the all-electric off-road series which began last year. The drivers will be Emma Gilmour from New Zealand, and 4-time US rallycross champion, Tanner Foust. Gilmour, who has also taken part in the WRC, becomes the first female McLaren racing driver, in-line with the team’s commitment to showcase and inspire diversity in motorsport. The McLaren Extreme E team will be on the starting line for the first round of the
2022 Extreme E Championship
 at the Desert X-Prix in Saudi Arabia next weekend.

A McLaren F1 racing car for just RM799.90!


Perodua Alza Wins Vehicle Of The Year Award

The Perodua Alza is a B-segment multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) that was launched in November 2009 as the company’s first purpose-built MPV. The name “Alza” is derived from the Spanish verb “alzar”, which means “to rise” and rise it did.

The
second-generation Alza
, which is based on the W100 series Daihatsu Xenia, was introduced in 2022. It received the “W150” model designation and was assembled alongside the Malaysian market’s Toyota Veloz.

The Perodua Alza was recently named Vehicle of the Year at the DSF.my-Allianz Vehicle of the Year (VOTY) Awards 2023, which took place recently, at The Saujana Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The winner was chosen for its value for money, best equipped new car for the year, latest safety features, and adaptability of a 7-seater in one package.

Since 2017, the Malaysian motoring website
www.dsf.my
 and Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Berhad (Allianz General) have hosted the VOTY awards, which recognise the best technology as well as the persons and teams behind the scenes. It included electric vehicles in its segments this year because there are around 19 new EVs being tested.

Other winners on the night included the Honda HR-V Turbo (Crossover of the Year), Maserati Grecale GT (Performance Luxury SUV of the Year), and Ora Good Cat Ultra 500 (Electric Car of the Year), with Salawati Yusoff, Chief Branding Officer Pro-Net, named Automotive Lady of 2023, and Kelvin Chuah, Head of Sales Jaguar Land Rover, named Automotive Gentleman of 2023.

DSF.my-Allianz VOTY Awards 2023 Winner’s List:

Vehicle of the Year 2023 – Perodua Alza

Crossover of the Year – Honda HR-V Turbo

Performance Luxury SUV of the Year – Maserati Grecale GT

Family Sedan of the Year – Toyota Vios

Luxury SUV of the Year – Range Rover

SUV of the Year – Kia Sorento 2.5L

Hybrid of the Year – Honda Civic e:HEV RS

Compact Car of the Year – Perodua Axia

Exterior Design of the Year – Hyundai Staria

Cabin Design of the Year – Mazda MX-30

Pickup Truck of the Year – Ford Ranger Wildtrak

Electric Car of the Year – Ora Good Cat Ultra 500

Electric Crossover of the Year – BYD Atto 3 Extended Range

Electric Luxury Sedan of the Year – Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+

Electric SUV of the Year – Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric

Electric Performance Car of the Year- Jaguar I-Pace P400

Automotive Lady of 2023 – Salawati Yusoff, Chief Branding Officer, Pro-Net

Automotive Gentleman of 2023 – Kelvin Chuah, Head of Sales, Jaguar Land Rover

Malaysia’s No.1 Car Insurer – Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Berhad


F1 – Lewis Hamilton to race for Ferrari in 2021?

The world of Formula 1 is never as exciting without all its drama and turmoil thrown into the mix. The latest one surrounding five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes at the end of 2020 to join Ferrari is probably the biggest talking point so far.

According to Toto Wolf, Team Chief of Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport, “”You have to simply acknowledge that probably it’s in every driver’s head to drive at Ferrari one day. It’s the most iconic, historic Formula One brand out there and I totally respect if a driver has the desire to drive at Ferrari.”

“Even within the team we have discussed it and with Lewis we have discussed it and we have agreed on the topic. We had the discussion when we negotiated the last contract and I think that you just have to be open-minded and understand that drivers will explore opportunities that exist and benchmark themselves,” added Wolf.

Lewis Hamilton who’s currently 34 years old is currently inked with Mercedes until the end of year 2020. If all goes well (like how it’s going now), there’s a huge possibility that we might see Hamilton equal Michael Schumacher’s seven world titles.

With the strong performance by Mercedes so far, it’s unlikely that this will happen. Hamilton won the Spanish Grand Prix for the third year in a row with his teammate, Valtteri Bottas, completing the one-two finish.

The Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow drivers, Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc, are currently sitting in fourth and fifth respectively in the 2019 championship with roughly half the points of the current leader, Lewis Hamilton. Do you think the F1 grid will dramatically change in 2021?


SDAC Ford Announces CNY Sales Promo & New Ranger Editions

Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the sole distributor of Ford in Malaysia is ushering in the Lunar New Year by extending its prosperity sales promotion exclusively for the powerful, economical and innovative Ford Ranger XLT.

For starters, new Ford Ranger XLT owners can drive home the feature-packed truck with extended ZERO maintenance costs for five years or 100,000km
 (T&C apply)
. Valid from now until
February 28, 2018
, the consumer-first promotion includes rebates up to
RM5,000
shopping vouchers and exclusive, limited-edition angpow packets.

SDAC is also offering more rebates and goodies for other Ford models. New owners of the Ford Ranger WildTrak, for one, will receive an extra-special New Year gift of up to RM5,000 in rebates, shopping vouchers and exclusive angpow packets. This makes the WildTrak an even sweeter buy for those looking for power, performance, safety and leading-edge technology in a truly iconic model.

A Ford Focus or Fiesta, on the other hand, offers rebates up to RM23,000, three years free maintenance and five years warranty.

“As we usher in the year with more luck, longevity, happiness and prosperity, these exclusive deals are ideal value for existing owners looking for an opportunity to upgrade or new customers looking to be proud Ford owners,”
 said
Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion
.

“Alongside our year-round commitment to offer a great ownership experience, these deals also show our appreciation to loyal Ford customers for their support over the years,”
 he continued.

To ensure a safer, smoother journey home during the festive holidays, SDAC is encouraging Ford owners to take advantage of a free, 27-point vehicle inspection by Ford-certified technicians using only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. There are also discounts of up to 20 percent on selected parts, including brake, timing belt and lubricant package; and a 10 percent labour discount on selected packages.

Customers who spend more than RM350 on a single valid Tax Invoice will also receive Free Ford merchandise available only at authorised dealers. The promotion is available nationwide from
December 18, 2017 until February 17, 2018
 while stocks last.

SDAC are also welcoming the new year with brand new limited editions for its rugged Ranger line up! The Ranger WildTrak, which now comes in
Meteor Grey
 and the FX4 in
Cool White
, are currently available at authorised dealers nationwide.

These exclusive new colour options are in addition to the previous Cool White and Pride Orange for the Ranger WildTrak and Meteor Grey for the FX4.

The tougher and more efficient 3.2L Ranger WildTrak 4×4 in Meteor Grey retains a blend of unmatched smart technologies in safety and is complemented by a functional interior as well as best-in-class water-wading, towing and payload capabilities.

It exudes a power-packed
200 PS at 3,000 rpm
and
 470 Nm of torque
 to tackle any terrain with ease. The WildTrak also features the latest SYNC™3 hands-free infotainment system that comes with an eight-inch touchscreen to bring the power of Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto to your Ford.

The 2.2L Ranger FX4 in Cool White features trims and accessories in matte black colour for the functional rollbar and 18 inch wheels, conveying a sense of power and performance. With
160 PS on tap
and
 385 Nm torque
, the four-cylinder turbo diesel Duratorq engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. The Ranger FX4 can haul a 1-tonne capacity load.

“Our customers in Malaysia are familiar with the iconic Ford Ranger, the best-in-class, award-winning pickup truck known for its raw unrivaled capabilities, advanced smart technologies and safety features that is built tough but still stylish in appearance,”
 reiterated Syed Muzri.
“The Ranger WildTrak and FX4 built on this foundation with new colours we think you will love to start the year with.”

The Ford Ranger WildTrak in Meteor Grey is priced at
RM141,588
 OTR without insurance while the Ford Ranger FX4 in Cool White is priced at
RM121,888
 OTR without insurance. Prices are inclusive of GST. For more information on these special edition Ford Rangers, visit SDAC’s newly-launched multilingual website (Bahasa Malaysia and Simplified Chinese) at
www.sdacford.com.my
.


F1 (Round 18) – 2019 Mexican Grand Prix Starting Grid

Race starts at 1:10 pm in Mexico Sunday/3:10 am on Monday in Malaysia

With Max Verstappen demoted 3 positions, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc takes pole position for the Mexican Grand Prix.

Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen qualified for pole position but his joy was short-lived. He was penalised 3 places for ignoring warning flags after Valtteri Bottas had crashed.


Smallest Fire Truck In The World!

As we have seen for a long time, the Japanese are masters at making compact cars. It has something to do with their road conditions which are narrow, and also led to the creation of the unique
kei
class in the country. The initial regulations in 1949 allowed
kei
 car dimensions to be no more than 2.8 metres long and 1 metre wide. By the end of the 1990s, they were allowed to be up to 3.4 metres long and 1.48 metres wide.

Besides
kei
 cars, which could only have 660 cc engines (in Japan), there was also a category of
kei
 trucks which also had the same dimensional restrictions so they were pretty small. The
Perodua Kancil
 was adapted from a Daihatsu
kei
 car called the Mira so you can imagine just how small the
kei
trucks were.

While Toyota and Nissan did not make
kei
 cars, the other carmakers such as Daihatsu, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, Suzuki and Subaru had
kei
cars as well as trucks (which generally used the same simple platform). They sold well during the 1990s and were even exported to other countries, including the USA, surprisingly.

All images from
Bring a Trailer.com

Besides being used for commercial purposes, the
kei
trucks were also equipped to serve as public service vehicles such as fire trucks. Some of the carmakers had such mini fire trucks which would draw attention overseas. They were certainly tiny compared to regular fire trucks and would be able to fit inside the passenger cabin!

In the mid-1990s, Honda offered its Acty Crawler as a fire truck and it was available for 5 years. One unit, which had been used in the Nagano Prefecture northwest of Tokyo, was converted to lefthand drive after its public service ended and in December last year, it was shipped to the USA.

Now, with just 3,600 kms on the odometer, it has appeared for auction on Bring a Trailer.com and bidding has reached up to US$12,750 today (about RM57,070). Bids are accepted only until the morning of March 1, 2023.

According to Bring-a-Trailer.com, the vehicle has the original 656 cc 3-cylinder engine which is mounted at the rear. It has a 4-speed manual transaxle and a rear locking differential as well, along with 12-inch wheels. Tracks can also be installed on the rear wheels to travel over soft terrain.

It also has RealTime 4×4, which was available even back in the 1990s and useful in areas where there was a lot of snow and ice. The RealTime system would evolve into the intelligent AWD system found in models like the
Honda CR-V
 today.

The fire truck was well preserved in its original condition (including the identification of the Nagano Fire Department on the doors) as the vehicle is also fitted with emergency lighting, a siren system, a PA system as well as mounts for fire-fighting gear. A raised platform is installed on the rear bed to provide fire-fighters with a high point to spray water from or for climbing up to buildings.

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

Despite their small size, the
kei
 trucks are allowed on US roads as they meet the basic requirements and those older than 25 years can be imported with few restrictions. In most states, they can even be used on the highways although there are a few that do not allow them to do so. Generally, they are used as basic transporters and popular due to their low cost of maintenance, continued reliability and compactness, making them useful for getting around cities.

A Truck Wins Hot Wheels Legends Tour For The First Time

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


CT-1 – The Shape-Shifting Microcar For Urban Mobility

‘Shape-shifter’ tends to be associated with something scary as it has often been used to describe beings that can transform into something else – usually mean and nasty – like those Terminators. However, the term also refers to anything that can alter its shape and EV tech start-up City Transformer has a shape-shifting microcar that is ideal for urban mobility.

Called the CT-1, it is the world’s first microcar that can change its wheelbase to suit different traffic conditions. It can become narrower for better manoeuvrability and easier parking, and wider for better stability when travelling at higher speeds.

City Transformer presents the CT-1 as the next chapter in sustainable and intelligent urban mobility. With its small footprint, it can address issues of congestion in inner cities without sacrificing key core attributes such as safety, comfort, and the fun-to-drive factor.

More importantly, it is a battery electric vehicle so there are zero emissions and virtually noiseless movement. Compared to 2-wheelers, it is a safer option as a 4-wheeler with the added protection of a sealed cabin.

“It’s time we re-think mobility,” said Udi Meridor, City Transformer’s COO. “The roads and avenues closer to the city centre suffer from chronic congestion and resulting pollution. And most of this traffic chaos is the result of larger vehicles being on the road with just one single occupant inside the cabin.”

“There is no doubt that congestion is an overriding issue for megacities across the world. And this issue is getting more acute. Loss of time, loss of productivity, health problems, environmental damage – the list of negative effects of inner-city traffic chaos is overwhelming. But these challenges have helped to inspire the City Transformer team to develop a unique mobility solution specifically for the urban environment that makes daily transport leaner, cleaner, and far more efficient,” he said.

The CT-1 can intelligently adapt its dimensions and handling to the individual needs of the driver and the driving environment. The compact two-seater has been designed so that it can reduce its track width from 1.4 metres to 1 metre to allow it to manoeuvre into the smallest parking spaces. This unique wheelbase transformation can take place on the road in real-time.

The CT-1 is built with City Transformer’s in-house developed and highly advanced modular skateboard architecture. Weighing just 590 kgs – including the battery pack which is 80% smaller in mass compared with most other standard EV batteries on the market today – the CT-1 offers a claimed 180 kms real-world zero-emissions driving range. The time it takes to do a weekly shopping trip for the family – less than an hour – is also enough to recharge the battery pack from 10% to 80%.

Part of its original design objective was for the CT-1 to have a reduced number of parts, components, and subsystems compared with conventional vehicles. In terms of a direct comparison with an internal combustion (ICE) vehicle and an electric vehicle (EV), the CT-1 cuts the number of parts needed from around 25,000 (ICE) and 8,000 (EV) to just 1,500 (CT-1).

The 2.5-metre long CT-1 combines the advantages of a motorcycle with those of a car to create a unique overall mobility solution, without the inherent design-related disadvantages of more traditional polluting vehicles that currently make up the urban mobility landscape.

Further increasing its adaptability for cities, the CT-1 has been carefully developed to enable shared use. It therefore will come as standard with intelligent sharing, fleet management, usage optimisation, and personalisation functions that are accessible via an intuitive digital interface. Designed to be activated via mobile apps, the CT-1 can be personalised and customised by customers via City Transformers’ own cloud-based sharing and management services, as well as being integrated into an existing fleet management infrastructure.

The CT-1 is scheduled to enter production in 2024 but City Transformers is taking pre-orders with a refundable €150 (RM710) deposit. When it goes on sale, the company expects the price to be €16,000 (about RM76,000) ex-factory.

While such microcars may make sense, getting Malaysians to buy them will be difficult as they have only two seats. Motorcycles would still be cheaper, and even a small car like a Perodua Axia would be able to take at least 4 persons. The only way such vehicles can be popularised so they are worth selling is to ban conventional motor vehicles from the city. However, that can only be done when there is a really efficient public transport service.

Citroen oli Concept Proposes Lighter, Simpler Approaches To EVs


Lexus and Infiniti demonstrate off-road capabilities of their large SUVs in all-female rally

Although the Range Rover, launched in the mid-1970s, can lay claim to being the first premium SUV, large premium SUVs only appeared in the late 1990s. However, the two Japanese premium brands – Lexus and Infiniti – had developed their own versions of luxury SUVs based on existing 4×4 models of their parent brands, Toyota and Nissan, respectively.

As the volumes are relatively small, it has not been viable to develop their own models so up till today, the large SUVs are still adapted from the models of the other brands. Unlike the newer models, these two original ones retain the greater degree of ruggedness and capability for off-road driving. This year, both companies are using the Rebelle Rally to demonstrate this.

Lexus J201 Concept

Lexus, Toyota’s premium luxury brand, has a range of SUVs today but before the RX came out in 1997, its only SUV was the Land Cruiser-based LX. The model line continues up till today, offering a large premium SUV which is also pretty rugged.

The LX has gone through the usual evolutionary improvements over the years being launched in 1995 and to remind people how rugged it is, the company has developed the J201 Concept which uses the current LX570’s platform. The ‘J201’ designation is even derived from the internal Lexus chassis code of the LX470 – URJ201.

The inspiration for the J201 project came from seeing how a growing number of Lexus SUV owners are going off-road with their adventurous activities. The concept SUV, which has a supercharged 550-bhp engine, is for what Lexus calls the ‘Experiential Adventurer’ and has been built by overlanding experts, Expedition Overland.

The J201 Concept will demonstrate its capabilities in the 10-day Rebelle Rally, an all-female event covering over 2,000 kms of off-road terrain in the US states of California and Nevada. The crew will be defending Rebelle Rally champions, Rachelle Croft and Taylor Pawley of The X Elles.

Infiniti QX80 Rebelle

Infiniti, Nissan premium luxury brand, also has a big flagship SUV, the QX80 which has been around for the past 16 years and is based on Nissan’s Patrol model. Like Lexus, Infiniti has also prepared a special QX80 for the Rebelle Rally. The crew of the 5.6-litre 400-bhp SUV consists of Nicole Wakelin and Alice Chase (Team Wander Women).

Infiniti worked with off-road specialists CALMINI Products to prepare the QX80, installing off-road suspension components, custom front and rear bumpers suited for demanding approach and departure angles, heavy-duty control arms, thicker skid plates, and chunky all-terrain tyres.

The red QX80 also has Off-Road Monster 18-inch wheels, a PowerTank air-up tank and digital air-down kit, plus a unique and secure custom safety cage.

About the Rebelle Rally

The Rebelle Rally was started a few years ago by Emily Miller, 51, who is very active in adventure events. Apart from being only for women, the event is unique in that the participants cannot use modern devices – no smartphones, no GPS systems – and must find their way from point to point using maps and compasses… and maybe following the sun. Yes, the old-fashioned methods of navigation that adventurers used.