Lexus LF-30 concept shows the electrified future of Toyota’s luxury brand (w/VIDEO)

Since Lexus was created in 1989 as Toyota’s luxury brand, it has usually been used as a technological showcase, introducing new technologies that in later years trickle down to Toyota models (Optitron meters are on example). It has enjoyed autonomy to choose its direction and product portfolio, coming out with successes like the RX which was a game-changer when it appeared in 1997. And while the Toyota brand steadily gravitated towards electrification, Lexus stuck with big internal combustion engines that still had demand from its upper strata customers.

This is not to say Lexus has not been supporting hybrids; since the launch of the RX 400h in 2005, the brand has been among the pioneers in electrification technologies, examples being the two-stage reduction gear and the multi-stage hybrid system.

Like most global brands that want to continue their business into the next decade, Lexus now has to prepare for electrification on a bigger scale, as the ‘big picture’ for the Toyota Group dictates. At the same time, its upcoming generation of electrified vehicles must offer the brand experiences that have been part of the reason for its continuing success.

LF-30 – Lexus Electrified Vision in 3-dimensional form

The Lexus LF-30 Electrified concept unveiled at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show targets a fundamental leap in vehicle performance, handling, control and driver enjoyment –  even as mobility within our society continues to change with autonomous driving and vehicle electrification.

Presenting the vision in 3-dimensional form as the LF-30 concept, the technology of Lexus Electrified enables integrated control of powertrain, steering, suspension, and brakes, realizing the ultimate potential of the motor control technology cultivated in hybrid vehicles. With this technology, it is claimed that it will be possible to control the driving force to provide ideal vehicle posture according to each driving situation, enhancing safety and driving pleasure.

Lexus Advanced Posture Control technology regulates the drive-power output from high-torque electric motors to adjust vehicle posture in tune with human sensibilities. Completely independent control of front and rear drive wheels allows appropriate provision of front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive, depending on the driving situation.

Compact and lightweight drive-power units expand freedom in vehicle packaging and are used to enable the driver to enjoy ideal driving, regardless of the road surface or driving conditions. As a core element of Lexus Electrified, Lexus intends to widely apply this technology throughout its line-up of electrified vehicles.

New design freedom with a BEV

In taking up the challenge of expressing a new design that could only be achieved with a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) powered by in-wheel electric motors, Lexus visually articulated the LF-30’s unique energy flow. The car’s form is meant to visually express the energy created by the wheels set at the corners of the bodywork streaming toward the vehicle cabin and past the driver to directly flow onto the road surface. ‘Voltaic Sky’, the colour of the exterior, employs a leading-edge metal-infused coating to achieve a unique quality tinted by a touch of blue-green.

Taking advantage of a shape that has no defined bonnet – made possible by being a BEV – Lexus’ designers further evolved the signature spindle form to span the entire vehicle architecture. The window glass, which continually stretches from the front to rear, the muscular fenders, and the wing-shaped headlights now form the contours of the Lexus iconic spindle.

The shape of the body is fashioned with an elegantly flowing front which transitions into a linear and sharp rear. In addition to the wing-shaped headlights, the sharpness of the rear lights and side air intakes combine to achieve both excellent aerodynamics and cooling performance, resulting in styling fused with function.

The opacity of the side windows can be freely adjusted, providing occupants with expansive views of the surrounding scenery and a high level of privacy at night and in other situations. The colour of the front face of the car and luminescence patterns help identify from the outside whether it is being operated in its normal mode or in its autonomous driving mode, reflecting the brand’s pursuit of both a high level of styling and functionality.

Tazuna
 – new Lexus concept

Adhering to Lexus’ fundamental human-centered philosophy, the cockpit was designed based on the new Lexus concept of ‘
Tazuna
’. Inspired by how a single rein can be used to achieve mutual understanding between horse and rider, the steering controller-mounted switches and head-up display have been coordinated to a high degree, creating a space that enables the driver to focus on driving while controlling various functions, such as the navigation and audio system and driving-mode selection, without having to shift one’s vision or operate manual switches.

As an indication of the future image of a
Tazuna
 cockpit, the LF-30 employs next-generation interfaces, such as gesture control and enhanced presentation of vehicle information through AR (augmented reality). With the layout of the front passenger seat echoing that of a first-class seat on an airliner, the interior is one in which a sense of openness and a sense of envelopment coexist.

The rear seats use artificial muscle technology to mold to their occupant, and can support various modes such as reclining, relaxation, and alert functions. A Mark Levinson audio system creates a next-generation listening environment, in which minute speaker control establishes ideal acoustic spaces for music listening pleasure for the driver and each passenger, and speakers built into the headrests not only provide an optimal audio environment but also have a noise-cancelling feature that contributes to enhanced quietness.

A glass roof above the rear seats features voice control and a gesture-controlled ‘SkyGate’ display window that uses AR to display various types of information, such as a realistic star-filled sky, user-favourite videos, and even navigation.

Sustainable materials

In addition to its unique design, the interior also indicates the direction of next-generation luxury by using sustainable materials to reduce environmental burden.
Yakisugi
 (charred cedar), a traditional Japanese material, is used in the floor and steering controller while recycled metal was processed into fibres for use in creating the pleated door trim. This approach expresses Lexus’ distinctiveness and innovative spirit.

Based on the latest autonomous driving technology concept of ‘Lexus Teammate’, the LF-30 features advanced driving support functions in the form of a Chauffeur mode and a Guardian mode. Occupants can enjoy both comfort and peace of mind during autonomous driving with advanced posture control technology being employed. Furthermore, a self-parking function and a front-door pick-up function in which the LF-30 autonomously moves from driveway to doorstep will provide an especially high level of convenience.

The LF-30 also carries the ‘Lexus Airporter’ drone-technology support vehicle. Using autonomous control, the Lexus Airporter is capable of such tasks as independently transporting baggage from a household doorstep to the vehicle’s luggage area.

Specifications of the LF-30 concept

First production Lexus BEV next month

While we won’t see a model looking like the LF-30 in Lexus showrooms anytime soon, we will see the first BEV with a Lexus badge having its global debut next month. It’s not known if this will be adapted from a current model (like how Volvo has done with its XC-40 Recharge) or something entirely new. But it is confirmed that the first Lexus PHEV with a new dedicated BEV platform will be launched in the early part of the next decade.

By 2025, Lexus will have electrified versions of all its models, with the aim for sales of electrified models being higher than those of conventional internal combustion engine models.

Visit
www.lexus.com.my
 to know more about Lexus models you can buy in Malaysia today.


2019 Subaru Forester officially in Malaysia – From RM139,788

The all-new 2019 Subaru Forester has arrived here in Malaysia and it comes with some very interesting upgrades that makes it more dynamic and comfortable than ever before. The fifth generation Forester was launched earlier today at the revamped Subaru showroom in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

The 2019 Subaru Forester highlights four key pillars from Subaru’s Core Technologies which are Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, Boxer Engine, Subaru Global Platform, and the EyeSight driver-assist technology. A host of improvements from the previous gen makes the 2019 Forester a step ahead of its competition when it comes to driving dynamics as well as safety.

According to Mr Glenn Tan, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Tan Chong International Limited, “The all-new Forester is bigger and better, both inside and out. This is the first Forester that incorporates all Subaru’s four core technologies, which means a safer, more comfortable and enjoyable driving experience for drivers and passengers. With EyeSight, the journey is safer and less stressful.”

One of the biggest highlights for the all-new Forester is the award-winning safety features embedded within the car. Its signature Eyesight advanced driver-assist technology which helps to reduce the strain of driving includes:

Automatic pre-collision braking

Pre-collision throttle management

Adaptive cruise control

Lead vehicle start alert

Lane departure & lane sway warning

Subaru also introduced a brand-new chassis for the 2019 Forester. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, the driving experience has been further enhanced by delivering less hakes, road noise, and 50% improvements in handling. This is a good combination to have with its 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine which produces 155hp at 6,000rpm and 196Nm of torque at 6,000rpm.

All the power is sent to its Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive unit via a CVT transmission with seven-speed manual mode which offers enhanced acceleration and fuel efficiency. There’s also the X-MODE function which helps drivers to navigate through rougher terrains whenever needed.

Other noteworthy features include:

Active Torque Vectoring

Hill Descent Control

1,775-litre boot space (252 litres more than the previous gen)

With the latest-generation Forester riding on Subaru’s latest innovative platform, the interior space has been further enhanced since the car is now 30mm longer. This means more legroom for passengers to sit comfortably while having the ability to carry more cargo than ever before.

Other creature comforts available in the new 2019 Forester are individual seatback pockets, rear air-conditioning, rear USB charging ports, 6.3-inch Multi-Function Display, and many more. Want one? There are three variants on offer and the prices are as follows:

Subaru Forester 2.0i-L – RM139,788

Subaru Forester 2.0i-S – RM149,788

Subaru Forester 2.0-S EyeSight – RM159,788

To know more, head over to
www.subaru.asia/my/en/home/
.

Motor Image Subaru Announces Lubricant Partnership With MOTUL & Addresses Steering Defects Issue


‘Pay, Pump & Go’ with Setel at all Petronas stations in Klang Valley

Tired of waiting in line at petrol stations to pay at the counter? Line too long at the ATM machines? With Setel, Malaysia’s first mobile app for fuel payment, you can just ‘Pay, Pump & Go’ right at the terminal located at the pump, now available at all
Petronas
 stations in the Klang Valley area.

The Setel app also recently introduced its latest feature called ‘Refer A Friend’. In their efforts to encourage Petronas fans to go cashless, app users will be rewarded just by spreading the word to their friends and families.

Every time a user’s unique referral code is used to register a new user and the new user transacts a minimum RM30 worth of fuel via the app at any Setel-enabled Petronas station, the referrer will earn credits for fuel. RM5 and RM6 respectively will be rewarded for the first and second referral and RM7 for the third referral onwards. The referred user will also get RM5.

According to Iskandar Ezzahuddin, CEO of Setel, “The introduction of the Refer A Friend feature is our way of giving back to our current users while encouraging more people to experience the convenience that Setel brings to refuelling. More than just an e-wallet for PETRONAS stations, the Setel app is changing what has always been accepted as the standard process when refuelling at petrol stations. With Setel, customers can enjoy a convenient retail and experience, faster fuelling, and richer loyalty proposition.”

As part of Petronas Dagangan Berhad’s (PDB) initiative for communities to create innovative solutions and enhanced customer experience, the Setel app was birthed adopted to help ease users into the future that is cashless e-payment.

It was created back in July 2018 to help go through all the aches and pains of refuelling your vehicles which includes the hassle of using debit and credit cards where there’s usually a RM200 hold each time you fill up your car.

“Setel was developed to provide a new retail on-the-go experience for consumers who demand a quicker, more convenient lifestyle; allowing them to move like never before. The support that we have received from the public has been very encouraging. As we continue to grow our presence in the country, we will continue to introduce more innovative features that are not only focused on fuelling at the pump, but also providing an enhanced end-to-end experience for our customers on-the-way, at, and after leaving the PETRONAS station,” Iskandar continued.

All transactions are tracked, and convenient e-receipts allow for a better overview of expenses for fuel. Setel is integrated with the PETRONAS Mesra loyalty programme allowing users to earn Mesra points without needing to physically swipe their card.

Setel can now be used at all PETRONAS stations within the Klang Valley. It is available to download for free on iOS and Android via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Petronas launches Malaysia’s first mobile refuelling service


Renault OpenR puts a huge smartphone in the car

Car manufacturers are constantly introducing new technology in their models, often (but not always) starting at the top end due to the high initial cost. The innovative technology may be unique to the manufacturer and is described in detail but gets lost as the model it is in may also be significant as well. But over time, the innovative technology starts to spread to other models and becomes a standard feature. Two examples would be the Mercedes-Benz MBUX and Peugeot’s i-Cockpit which can be found in every new model each manufacturer launches.

Renault too has a new breakthrough in on-board technology that it is now introducing, and it would be worthwhile remembering that it first appeared at the beginning of 2022. It’s called OpenR and takes the touchscreen to a new level. In time, it will surely start to appear in other new models to come.

Evolution of displays over 35 years

The first production car with a touchscreen was the Buick Riviera some 35 years ago. Since then, in-vehicle electronics have come a long way, with the hardware becoming more efficient, the experience smoother, and screens getting larger and having higher resolution. Navigation is now effortless and intuitive, and the applications can be easily updated ‘over the air’, so they always perform at their best.

And one thing hasn’t changed much recently: multimedia systems in vehicles are looking more and more like smartphones. The main challenge for Renault when developing its new Megane E-TECH Electric was to offer an even better interface enabling customers to find everything they need very fast and intuitively.

Totally new electronic architecture

To achieve this, an electronic architecture like nothing the market has seen before was developed. It modernises driver assistance systems and enhances viewing comfort, and the Megane E-TECH Electric is the first car to get it.

From where the driver is sitting, the striking feature of Open R is its sweeping digital display made of up two screens forming an ‘L’. The vertical 12-inch screen is on the car’s centre console, with a horizontal 12.3-inch screen is built into the dashboard, behind the steering wheel.

Together, the two screens span 774 sq. cm. and maximise the display area to provide an immersive experience. They are the biggest screens Renault has ever built into a vehicle, with the glass panels blending into the cockpit’s lines. They are in the best position for the driver to see it and operate easily, to take full advantage of the multimedia capabilities without taking their eyes off the road.

CMF-EV platform

The technical feat overlaps with the arrival of the all-new CMF-EV platform for electric vehicles. Thanks to it offering new design flexibility, the engineers were able to move the air-conditioning unit into what used to be called the ‘engine bay’ (but now has only an electric motor). This freed up more space in the cockpit which, in turn, allowed the centre console to have a large and flush screen. The shifter and MULTI-SENSE interface are also transferred to the steering wheel, improving ergonomics and opening up more space in the middle of the passenger compartment and on the centre console.

While touchscreens and digital displays have allowed many functions to be placed on the screens, Renault’s designers have not been ‘excessive’ in this trend. They maintain some physical buttons – for example, to adjust the air-conditioning – in a subtle way beneath the central screen. This line of chrome-plated buttons looks natural in the cockpit and avoids the ‘fake’, unused buttons beneath the console that previous vehicle generations often had.

Like the latest smartphones, the OpenR screen (made by Continental) uses aluminosilicate-based Gorilla-type glass. It is tempered, ultra-resistant to shocks, scratch-proof and estimated to last 15 years. It comes with anti-reflective and anti-smudge coating. The ultra-fine contouring protects the screen’s edges. The HD quality of the TFT panel and finish combine to yield crystal-clear images.

The dashboard screen also has anti-reflective coating, and uses advanced micro-blinds technology (the technology that privacy screens for computers use). This means the ‘visor’ that usually shields the meters from sunlight is no longer needed – so the interior design is even sleeker. As for brightness, the panels adapt to outdoor light levels, so they are easier to read and don’t tire the eyes of the driver.

With OpenR, the user experience is said to be a lot like having a smartphone built into the car. This is a good approach since most people would be very familiar with their smartphone. That way, they don’t have to learn to use a whole new system.

Linked to Google ecosystem

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available but the interface is designed to avoid having to use a phone altogether. All the features are at users’ fingertips, and the OpenR Link system runs on the Android OS, so all the familiar apps are there. Being associated with the Google ecosystem means that drivers can have all the classic and favourite apps brought into the car, and they also enjoy customisation like on their smartphone. And being plugged into Google’s ecosystem also means that the car can be part of their ‘digital life’.

These include the popular Google Maps which, on a screen that is 6 times bigger than an average smartphone screen, will give a much better user experience. Google Maps has also been optimised for electric cars and includes a route planner specifically for such zero emission vehicles. The planner can factor in real-time vehicle data, weather information and other variables to suggest a stop at a charging station, tell the driver what the battery charge level will be on arrival at that charging station, and tell them how long it will take to charge the battery. It can also estimate the battery charge level when the car reaches its destination.

As many drivers have found, using Google Maps means that they can get updated maps as millions of users help contribute and improve Google’s database. So unlike earlier on-board navigation systems where owners had to periodically obtain new digital maps (for a fee), Google Maps is constantly updated – and it’s free.

On the hardware side, Renault chose American specialist Qualcomm which has supplied its third-generation Snapdragon Automotive Cockpit platform. This is built around an ultra efficient processor that has plenty of extra capacity to handle future applications. As a result, the motion on the screen is 7 times smoother than with the previous generation. Qualcomm will also offer its expertise in connectivity, digital cockpits and visualisation, its service platform, as well as driver assistance – including autonomous driving.

However, the screens, computing power and system also require some form of ‘intelligence’ behind the human-machine interface (HMI). For that, Renault approached South Korea’s LG Electronics, which developed the software platform to pair the two screens so the driver can display the navigation maps on the display behind the steering wheel.

The new Renault Megane E-TECH Electric.

Groupe Renault ready for changing auto industry with new Mobilize business unit


Maxim E-hailing Collaborates With Driving Schools In Malaysia

Maxim, a company that operates in 18 countries and focuses on e-hailing, parcel courier, towing, jump start, cargo, and food delivery services, is offering a chance for e-hailing partner-drivers to get a Public Service Vehicle (
PSV
) operator’s license.

This partnership with Malaysian driving schools will allow e-hailing drivers to attend classes at driving schools all over Malaysia.

A strategic partnership with at least 21 driving schools is being formed throughout areas in Malaysia such as Sungai Petani Kedah, Kuantan, Melaka, and the city of Labuan, Sabah.

Recently a discussion to share insights into the e-hailing industry and educate potential partner-drivers about the importance of a PSV license was held at Wawasan Sibu Driving School Sdn Bhd and East Cost Driving School located at Kuantan.

For easy accessibility to the nearest driving school or to contact the person in charge, partner-drivers just have to download the Taxsee Driver application. To encourage and support the partner-drivers, Maxim Malaysia reimburses the cost of the PSV. This is also to ensure that the partner-drivers are not financially burdened.


Hennessey Mammoth 1000 6×6 TRX – bigger, badder and superfast with 1,012 bhp V8

The American state of Texas is huge and it follows that everything there is also ‘XXL’ in size. It’s also where the Mammoth 1000 6×6 TRX has been designed, engineered and built by Hennessey, the hypercar manufacturer and high-performance vehicle creator. The Mammoth is the company’s biggest ever truck with a length of 7.2 metres, width of 2.2 metres and standing almost 2.1 metres tall.

The enormous 6×6 pickup truck makes ordinary cars and trucks look small – and we’re talking about American models. It starts life as a Dodge Ram TRX pick-up and Hennessey then adds a load of off-road kit from locking rear axles and Bilstein suspension, to 20-inch wheels clad in 37-inch off-road tyres. A third axle is added, extending the truck’s length by more than 1.2 metres feet and creating a giant load-space.

Under the chest-height bonnet is a mighty 6.2-litre Dodge Hellcat V8 engine which, even in standard form, is already quite a beast. The Hennessey team then adds a high-flow 2.65-litre supercharger, fuel injectors and high-flow induction system alongside performance-boosting calibration to push output to 1,012 bhp/1,314 Nm.

“Everything we do at Hennessey Performance is turned up to 11, but the Mammoth 1000 6×6 is definitely turned up to 12! Everything on the Mammoth 6×6 is bigger, badder, and more imposing – plus, it’s still super-fast, while being a total powerhouse off-road. It’s the undisputed king of the road!” said John Hennessey, the company’s founder and CEO of the US$449,950 (about RM1.93 million) truck.

Hennessey has a track record of success when it comes to gigantic and exclusive 6×6 trucks. The company has built and delivered more than 20 VelociRaptor 6×6 and Goliath 6×6 Silverado trucks to customers around the world. And each model it builds is offered with warranty coverage of 2 years/ 24,000 miles.

VelociRaptor 6×6

To date, Hennessey has re-engineered more than 12,000 vehicles for customers all over the world. Besides modifying a diverse range of sports, and muscle cars since 1991, the company has also developed specialised trucks and SUVs  as well as has its own hypercars – the Venom GT and Venom F5.

Venom F5 hypercar has 1,817 bhp 6.6-litre engine.

Hennessey Performance’s Project Deep Space is a 6-wheel drive Hyper GT!


New vehicle sales and production summary for August 2020

Source: Malaysian Automotive Association

♦ It should be noted that the sales volume shown for August does not indicate the Total Industry Volume (TIV) as some companies have chosen not to share their data on a monthly basis and will only do so on a quarterly basis.

♦ Although the August sales volume was 8% lower than July’s, the government’s Sales Tax exemption incentive continued to help boost sales as the same month in 2019 registered 3% lower sales.

♦ Cumulative sales after 8 months have reached 285,045 units, 28% lower than for the same period in 2019 but a slightly narrower gap compared to the January – July period for both years.

♦ To achieve the MAA’s 470,000-unit forecast for 2020, the industry must sell an average of 46,238 units in the remaining 4 months. The 52,800 units sold in August were therefore above that level but can high volumes be sustained till the end of the year?

♦ Production rose again as the plants could resume normal production capabilities and respond to the increased demand. The output rose by 5.4% to 50,228 units which comprised 47,934 passenger vehicles and 2,294 commercial vehicles. However, the loss of almost 3 months of production has put the cumulative output 31% behind that of 2019 in the same 8-month period.

Source: Malaysian Automotive Association


Free family protection plan for new Nissan X-Trail and Serena S-Hybrid buyers

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM), as one of the original Malaysian car companies, has always cared about its customers in Malaysia. While much of its customer care has been centered around ownership of Nissan vehicles, it has also looked for other ways it can offer value-added services and benefits to being a Nissan owner.

The latest initiative is FWD Protect Direct, a new collaboration with FWD Takaful Berhad (formerly known as HSBC Amanah Takaful (Malaysia) Berhad) which provides Direct family takaful protection plan with a total coverage of RM100,000 – at no extra charge.

Since plan for entire family

Available with new Nissan X-Trail and Serena S-Hybrid models, the 1-year complimentary scheme is an online takaful plan that offers pure protection for the entire family in a single plan. There are options for individual, couple, family (up to two children) and single parent (up to two children) plans to suit different family needs. With only one certificate, it saves the customer from having to manage multiple takaful certificates for the whole family.

Customers who purchase and register a new X-Trail or Serena S-Hybrid from by April 30, 2020 will receive a FWD Takaful promo card with a unique code and details on how to redeem their complimentary 1-year takaful coverage online. Redemption has to be done before May 30, 2020.

Instalments from RM749

Additionally, ETCM offers attractive monthly instalment plans for Nissan models from as low as RM749 for the Almera, RM958 for a Navara, RM1,275 for the X-Trail and RM1,295 for a Serena S-Hybrid.

10 lucky customers may also stand a chance to win CUCKOO Healthy Home Appliances worth up to RM60,000 when they purchase and register any Nissan model during the month of February 2020.

Experience the various Nissan models at the Nissan Test Drive Carnival over the 2 weekends (February 15/16 and 22/23) at selected ETCM showrooms across the nation. At each showroom, there will be special deals, fun-filled activities and a chance to win attractive prizes too. The chart below shows where the event will be during the two weekends.

For more information, visit
www.nissan.com.my
 or call the Nissan Customer Care Centre hotline at
1-800 88 3838
.

Additional choices in Nissan X-Trail range from Edaran Tan Chong Motor


Viper Niza Racing To Use Aston Martin GT3 And GT4 For Endurance Racing

Since making its entry in 2015, Viper Niza Racing has been among the more successful fully Malaysian racing teams in regional and international competition. Its most significant victory was the class win at the
2019 TCR SPA500 24-Hour endurance race in Belgium
 with a CUPRA Leon.

Now, after 105 race starts by its driver and Team Principal & Owner, Douglas Khoo, Viper Niza Racing is taking a big step forward with two new racing cars for an assault in international and regional GT sportscar racing.

Unveiling the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 and GT4 racing cars today, Douglas said that among the reasons why the team is focusing on GT racing is the fact that there are more races to participate in, especially in Asia. With the prototype or LMP category in the Asia Le Mans series, there are a limited number of races.

The team has so far used the Ligier JS P3 LMP3 race car (left) and the TCR CUPRA Leon (right)

Watch: Racing the Viper Niza Racing CUPRA Leon around Sepang!

“Endurance racing has always been where our passion lies, and we will continue to focus on long-distance races as we have done previously in the TCR and Asian Le Mans Series. The TCR CUPRA Leon remains in our racing program moving forward but sadly, our time with the Ligier JS P3 LMP3 race car has come to its end as the car is no longer technically eligible to compete under current regulations,” he said.

“Our time in the LMP3 race car has given us a wealth of experience and knowledge and after so many great and memorable years of competing in this class, we feel that now is the most opportune time to move on to the GT3 and GT4 sportscar racing classes. These classes have exponentially grown to become increasingly competitive over the recent years with the participation of the world’s top sportscar manufacturers,” explained Douglas.

Why Aston Martin was chosen
While there are a number of choices among German and Italian sportscars for GT racing, Viper Niza Racing found Aston Martin Racing (AMR) to be willing to regard them as more than just another customer. AMR, with a long history of supporting customer teams, was the sort of partner Viper Niza Racing would like to have as it is looking to establish a longer term partnership.

Douglas Khoo (left) being welcomed to the AMR family by Weiron Tan, Director of Aston Martin Racing Asia.

“There’s no question that they bring immense capabilities to this partnership,” said Weiron Tan, Director of Aston Martin Racing Asia as he welcomed Douglas and his team to the AMR family. “Viper Niza Racing’s degree of commitment, professionalism and technical competence in endurance racing is next to none compared to the best teams in the world and they have continued to invest in and demonstrated this throughout their years of endurance racing.”

Weiron said that the team will receive the same full level of professional racing support that is given to customer and partner teams in the region. It’s AMR Asia’s responsibility, besides its role as representative and distributor supplying the racing cars, two of which are now with the Viper Niza Racing team.

First race in Singapore
The Viper Niza Racing Vantage GT3 will make its debut in the Singapore F1 Grand Prix on October 1 & 2, with Douglas competing in the TSS (Thailand Super Series) support race. The series, which is the biggest in Thailand, features two 25-minute sprint races around the 5.063-km Marina Bay Street Circuit on Saturday and Sunday and will be held for the first time in Singapore.

“Despite Singapore being a sprint race, it will provide us with much needed seat time to shakedown and familiarize ourselves with the new car. The plan moving forward, however, will be to solely focus on endurance racing events,” said Douglas, who will also have longtime endurance racing partner, Dominic Ang, as team mate.

Immediate events lined up for the near future will include competing in another two rounds of the Thailand Super Series in October and December.

The AMR Vantage GT3 and GT4
Aston Martin Racing’s Vantage GT3 and GT4 racing cars contest in more than 20 major international series globally, with an extensive and wide-ranging race program that spans the full spectrum of the GT and endurance racing ecosystem. Both cars carry on with Aston Martin Racing’s successful legacy in sportscar racing, and are powered by the British marque’s latest generation 4-litre V8 twin turbocharged engine.

The Vantage GT3 is a full-blown racing car designed from the ground up which replaces Aston Martin’s most successful customer car, the V12 Vantage GT3. It offers customers the latest in racing car technology, with development drawing on all the years of engineering and competing in international sportscar racing. The engine produces in excess of 400 kW (544 ps) of power and more than 700 Nm of torque.

The Vantage GT4 is modeled after Aston Martin’s standard production Vantage sportscar and is engineered for gentlemen drivers, giving customers and enthusiasts a direct and hard-edged racing car with competitive package, advanced aerodynamics and state-of-the-art safety features that can be maintained by amateur teams. The engine’s output is rated at more than 350 kW (476 ps) of power and more than 550 Nm of torque.

HardKhor Motorsports Report: Malaysian Team Viper Niza Racing wins TCR race ProAm class in Belgium


Rolls-Royce Cullinan – The “Effortless, Everywhere” Luxury SUV Makes Its Malaysian Debut! [+Videos]

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Kuala Lumpur
 has introduced what’s likely the most luxurious SUV ever made, the
Cullinan
. Equally at home on the streets of Kuala Lumpur or on the country roads of East Malaysia, Cullinan will take a new segment of adventurous customers to the ends of the country in ultimate luxury.

Speaking at the launch,
Mr. David Kim, Asia Pacific Regional Sales Manager for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
 commented,
“Cullinan has been Rolls-Royce’s most anticipated new model, not least here in Malaysia, in a country where the mix of wide open roads and off-road terrain suit our new motor car. In addition, we know that Cullinan will complement the varied lifestyles of our highly successful customers here.”

Rolls-Royce customers are now able to purchase in Malaysia a super-luxury SUV that can go effortlessly, everywhere in ultimate luxury and style. Cullinan is underpinned by a bespoke platform called the ‘Architecture of Luxury’, unique to the brand, which accords the car a level of performance, comfort and refinement never before seen in the SUV segment.”

Mr. Anas Zawawi Khalid, Director for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Kuala Lumpur,
 said,
“We are very excited about the arrival of Cullinan. Many of our customers have been waiting to add this pinnacle SUV to their stable of cars because of the promise of its versatility, unmatched levels of super-luxury and comfort, as well as on- and off-road performance. This remarkable motor car is creating tremendous amounts of interest amongst younger, affluent customers who are new to Rolls-Royce but who value adventure and freedom of travel without compromise.”

Each Rolls-Royce Cullinan is Bespoke, pricing is dependent on customer specification

Estimate pricing: from
RM 1.8 million
 (before tax)

For the
FULL
 details on the new Rolls-Royce Cullinan, click to download this:
ROLLS-ROYCE LAUNCHES MALAYSIA’S MOST LUXURIOUS SUV


Rocks Flung At Woman’s Car Breaking Her Windshield

A woman experienced a traumatic event on Sunday when inconsiderate people threw rocks at her car, breaking the windshield along Jalan Mempaga, close to Lurah Bilut, Pahang.

Nurcahaya Jaafar, 35, claimed that she was driving a Perodua Viva at the time of the incident, which happened at around 8:50 p.m., along with her husband and two kids aged six and seven months old.

She said they had broken their fast at her family’s home in Rancangan Tanah Pemuda (RTP) Lebu and were heading home.

“The roads are very dark and on the way home I saw many pieces of white rocks in the middle of the road,” she said.

“I turned on the high beam to avoid the rocks, but suddenly I heard an explosion-like sound from a rock being thrown on the right side of the door. At that time I also saw glimpses of people throwing rocks from the left and right side and I suspected they were using catapults at close range,” she added.

Even in fear, she continued her journey home as quickly as she could. She was upset about what had happened to her car but thankful that nothing had happened to all of them.

She also hoped that the authorities would take immediate action and arrest the irresponsible perpetrators so that no one else would become a victim and face such an alarming experience again.


BMW i Vision Dee Previews Technologies And Features Of NEUE KLASSE Models

In the 1950s, carmakers displayed futuristic concept cars with amazing features that were expected to be available eventually – and many of those features are commonplace today. With the BMW i Vision Dee concept, the German carmaker is also showing the sort of technological features that can be expected in its cars – as early as 2025 in the NEUE KLASSE models.

NEUE KLASSE is a brand new platform for fully electric models which will appear from 2025. It represents the third phase of the carmaker’s electrification strategy. The platform’s name is inspired by the ‘Neue Klasse’ of the 1960s, when a new range of models was introduced between 1962 and 1977. The 21
st
 century NEUE KLASSE is, however, more than a vehicle platform as it encompasses new software architecture and promotes sustainability.

Full potential of digitalisation
“With the BMW i Vision Dee, we are showcasing what is possible when hardware and software merge. In this way, we are able to exploit the full potential of digitalisation to transform the car into an intelligent companion. That is the future for automotive manufacturers – and, also, for BMW: the fusion of the virtual experience with genuine driving pleasure,” said Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

“At the same time, BMW i Vision Dee is another step on the road to the NEUE KLASSE. With this vision, we are looking far into the future and underlining the tremendous importance of digitalisation for our upcoming product generations,” he said.

Technology demonstrator
The name ‘Dee’ stands for ‘Digital Emotional Experience’ and the technology demonstrator showcases  future digital functions that will go far beyond the level of voice control and driver assistance systems we are familiar with today. For example, the BMW Head-Up-Display extends across the full width of the windscreen, providing a glimpse of the next vehicle generation.

The digital experience begins outside the car, with a personalised welcome scenario that combines graphical elements, light and sound effects. The headlights and sealed BMW kidney grille also form a common phygital (fusion of
phy
sical and di
gital
) icon on a uniform surface, allowing the car to produce different facial expressions.

This means i Vision Dee can communicate with people, expressing moods such as joy, astonishment or approval visually. The car can also project an image of the driver’s avatar onto the side window to further personalise the welcome scenario.

Simplified design
The design of has been deliberately simplified to focus attention on the digital experience and the DNA of the BMW brand. Though the styling is simple, the bodywork can change its colours with numerous possibilities for different patterns. The technology for this uses 240 individual E Ink panels, already shown earlier on the
iX Flow prototype.

Inside, digitalisation goes hand in hand with reductive use of materials, operating controls and displays to ensure nothing distracts from the digital experience. The unconventional design of the steering wheel, with its central vertical spoke, creates touchpoints that come to life when approached or touched and can be operated by moving the thumb.

These phygital touchpoints control selection of the content projected onto the windscreen and, together with the Head-Up Display, thus support the principle of ‘hands on the wheel, eyes on the road’.

Shy-tech features
The BMW Mixed Reality Slider, in combination with the advanced Head-up Display, is the digital highlight and central operating control of the i Vision Dee. Using shy-tech features on the instrument panel, drivers can decide for themselves how much digital content they want to see on the display. In parallel, dimmable windows can also be used to gradually fade out reality.

Mixed reality can be experienced in an immersive way that engages different senses without requiring any additional tools, creating a new dimension of driving pleasure for the occupants.

“With BMW i Vision Dee, we are showing how the car can be seamlessly integrated into your digital life and become a trusty companion. The vehicle itself becomes your portal to the digital world – with the driver always in control,” said Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design. “Implemented the right way, technology will create worthwhile experiences, make you a better driver and simply bring humans and machines closer together.”

Innovative new process at BMW Group factory allows personalisation in painting (w/VIDEO)

Click here
 for more BMW videos at The Piston Show.


There Will Be Only One Bugatti Chiron Profilee – And It Will Be Auctioned

Each time Bugatti announces a new model, it is sold out almost immediately. And because only a very small number will be made, it is already a collector’s item. The
Centodieci
, for example, was so sought after by customers that all 10 units were booked even before being officially revealed.

With the Chiron Profilee, however, it is a different matter: Bugatti has announced it and shown it but is not taking any bookings for the single unit built. This will be a truly one-of-a-kind model which will be put on auction by RM Sotheby’s on February 1, 2023, with a percentage of the proceeds going to benefit charitable causes.

“It is – in every sense – a unique piece in Bugatti’s history and a true collector’s item. And we wanted to give a fair chance to any devotee of the Bugatti brand to acquire this unique car, so we decided to partner with RM Sotheby’s to auction it,” said Christophe Piochon, President of Bugatti Automobiles.

Explaining the creation of the Profilee, Piochon said: “Taking customer wishes to explore a less radical version of the
Pur Sport
 seriously into consideration, we started with the design and development of the Chiron Profilee in autumn 2020. By the time we saw the pre-series vehicle coming out of production, all Chiron slots limited to just 500 were assigned for. But we knew that what we had created was too beautiful to be hidden away.”

It’s rare for manufacturers to spend the time and effort to bring a car to full production specification when they know only one can ever be produced. But the Profilee has been fully developed, tested and has passed each of the high-quality standards that Bugatti applies to all of its cars, allowing it to acquire a single Type Approval for Europe.

Truly bespoke design
The Profilee is a truly bespoke design featuring a sweeping fixed tail at the rear, which carries out two crucial functions. Firstly, the wing ensures stability and control right up to the Profilee’s 380 km/h top speed by increasing downforce over the rear axle, and secondly, it uses negative pressure to suck hot air out of the engine compartment via two interior tunnels in the high-temperature carbonfibre wing.

Air flows both over the top of the wing to generate downforce, but also under the wing to draw air from the engine compartment. “We incorporated an elegant, fixed sweeping tail that is both aerodynamically and thermodynamically optimized for the incomparable performance available to the Chiron Profilee’s owner, while keeping the graceful and timeless shape of the original Chiron,” said Frank Heyl, Deputy Design Director at Bugatti Automobiles.

At the front of this hyper sportscar, there are wider air inlets and an enlarged Bugatti horseshoe grille to help funnel more cooling air into the radiators. A revised front splitter works in tandem with a sculpted underbody to further increase downforce and maximize airflow.

In character, the Profilee maintains much of the purity of the Pur Sport; designed for lateral grip and ultimate acceleration. It is powered by the same 1,500 ps development of the Bugatti W16 engine, with 15% shorter transmission ratios than the Chiron Sport.

The Profilee can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.3 seconds and up to 200 km/h in 5.5 seconds, it is claimed. The top speed is 380 km/h compared with the Chiron Pur Sport’s 350 km/h.

Inheriting best characteristics of Pur Sport
Chassis tuning includes a change in the camber angles of the wheels on the front and rear axles and harder springs with a front-heavy balance. The springs are 10% stiffer compared with the Chiron Sport and the rear axle carries 50% more negative camber, offering improved grip in bends, without forfeiting any driving comfort. It is a blend of the best characteristics of the Pur Sport with a beautiful, elegant design.

The Profilee is finished in a primary colour of Argent Atlantique, exclusively developed for the car. No other Chiron model has this shade. The lower part of the car is finished in exposed carbonfibre, tinted in the existing Bugatti colour of Bleu Royal Carbon.

The wheels are also unique, especially designed, manufactured and tested for the Profilee, and finished in a shade of Le Patron, created to match the carbonfibre tint of the lower half of the body. Polished aluminium elements reflect the famous shape of the Bugatti horseshoe grille.

Familiar interior with unique feature
The interior will be familiar to Chiron owners but it also has something unique. It is the first Chiron fitted with a woven leather finish in the interior, applied to the dashboard, door panels and center console. In total, more than 2,500 metres of leather strips are used to create this complex and beautiful finish.

Production run for Bugatti Chiron coming to an end


VPCM Announces Golf R-Line With Vienna Leather Seats

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) announced that the new
Golf R-Line
 now comes with ‘R-Line’ Vienna leather seats.

“Unmistakable in looks, Golf R-Line comes with the ‘R-Line’ styling package, which includes ‘R-Line’ front and rear bumpers, rear spoiler, ‘R-Line’ badges on its radiator grille and side panels  – and now the new ‘R-Line’ leather seats.”
 –
VPCM
.

Read more about the Golf R-Line
here
.

The Golf R-Line’s
1.4TSI
 turbocharged engine is mated with a 7-speed dry clutch direct shift gearbox (
DSG
), to give an impressive output of
150PS
 and a torque of
250Nm
 between 1,500 to 3,500rpm. The new Golf R-Line with seat upgrade is now
RM159,888
* or just RM1,669* per month.

For more information, visit any authorized Volkswagen dealership or
www.volkswagen.com.my

.

*Terms and conditions apply


Formula E: DS Techeetah’s Da Costa widens lead with third consecutive win

DS Techeetah’s Antonio Felix da Costa produced another dominant display to tally a third win in a row in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship with a lights-to-flag victory in the Berlin E-Prix yesterday. The win extended the Portuguese driver’s championship lead to 68 points, keeping Sebastien Buemi (Nissan e.dams) at arm’s length throughout the encounter, whilst Lucas di Grassi (Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler) came out on top in the battle for the final step on the podium.

Da Costa again started well, and immediately covered Buemi into the first corner. Nyck de Vries (Mercedes-Benz EQ) produced a flyer off the line and was late on the brakes into Turn one, passing Alex Lynn (Mahindra Racing) for third in a cloud of tyre smoke, right around the outside.

Max Guenther (BMW i Andretti Motorsport) had been the big climber in the opening stages, making a trio of moves to find his way into eighth position by lap two. It’s a pity we were denied the opportunity to see the racy German make further progress, however, when his iFE.20 picked up a puncture on lap 9. The team later retired the car – Guenther seeing his championship challenge begin to ebb away.

The lead duo stretched their lead further out front, pulling out 2 seconds on de Vries behind as the Mercedes-Benz driver continued his duel with Lynn – his mirrors full of the Brit’s Mahindra M6Electro. 15 minutes into the race, and none of the Drivers’ Championship top 5, apart from standings leader da Costa, of course, were in points-paying positions.

In the battle for sixth spot that raged all the way through the race, Oliver Rowland (Nissan e.dams), Sam Bird (Envision Virgin Racing), Lynn and Edo Mortara (ROKiT Venturi Racing) all leapt for ATTACK MODE, but the Mahindra man miscued, leaving Lynn exposed as those around him benefited from the extra 35 kW of usable energy.

Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler’s Lucas di Grassi had made his way by de Vries for fourth on lap 11, and the pair responded to the group just behind by hitting the activation zone themselves. The Brazilian made it count – getting the jump on third-placed Frijns as the Dutchman was a lap late to the ATTACK MODE party.

The third full-course yellow of the evening was caused by de Vries’ stricken Silver Arrow 01, after two prior cautions for the collection of some rogue debris, forcing the Dutchman out of the action – a real shame for the 25-year old.

On the restart, da Costa was able to create a 2-second cushion to the Nissan of Buemi behind – enough to see him able to take ATTACK MODE and retain his lead with 20 minutes left to run. It looked a done deal.

Vandoorne, as in Round 6, was quietly going about his business climbing through the field from 13th, this time around. On lap 22, the Belgian pulled off an audacious three-wide move on Rowland and Bird to go right around the outside of the pair of them and into fifth spot with Frijns the next in his sights.

Frijns, meanwhile, was scrapping hard with di Grassi for the final spot on the podium, as the Brazilian employed all of his experience to fend off Frijns’ advances – the pair very evenly matched, both running the Audi powertrain.

The two duelled back and forth as they activated ATTACK MODE one after the other for the second time, and it was a straight fight to the finish with Frijns clambering over the back of the Audi for every one of the final five laps.

Vandoorne joined the gaggle with two laps left, as did Bird, to make it 4 into one for the final step on the podium. Di Grassi’s experience and guile served him well, however, as he clung on for silverware with Frijns, Vandoorne, Bird and Rowland following.

Vergne’s frustrations were clear for all to hear, with complaints that he was losing his rear tyres ringing around his engineer’s ears with just under ten minutes plus one lap to run. The Frenchman’s pace, as in the first running of the Reverse Berlin Tempelhof Circuit, fell away towards the end of the race, with Mortara pinching eighth and Andre Lotterer ninth with Vergne winding up 10th.

The reigning champion is yet to unlock the DS Techeetah in the same way his team-mate so spectacularly has so far in Berlin. Da Costa held Buemi at bay to take the win and his dominant performance sees him extend his championship lead to 68 points over both di Grassi and Vandoorne, with 120 left to play for. DS Techeetah’s advantage in the Teams’ running is now 65 points to BMW i Andretti Motorsport.

As with other motorsports events, new practices have been introduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and all participants must wear face masks.

The second double-header of the most intense season finale in motorsport history, Rounds 8 and 9, will see a return of the Traditional Berlin Tempelhof Circuit, set for
this weekend
. However, the cars will race in a reverse direction this time, providing a new challenge to the drivers.

Formula E resumes on August 5 with 6 rounds over 9 days!


1,527 units of Honda City, HR-V and BR-V models recalled to inspect AC generator wiring

Some people may regard vehicle recalls to fix manufacturing defects in a negative way, perceiving them as evidence that the brand’s products are unreliable or poorly made. However, in mass production where millions of parts and vehicles are made, there are likely to be some times when something is wrongly done or made. Nevertheless, over the years, manufacturers and their suppliers have cut down these defects to very tiny percentages.

When a manufacturer does detect a defect, it has the responsibility to its customers, especially if it concerns something that concerns safety. A responsible manufacturer will therefore conduct a recall of the affected vehicles, and provide the necessary replacements at no cost to the customer. So customers should be happy when their manufacturer does that – although frequent recalls would be another matter…

Honda Malaysia has done recalls from time to time, its most massive exercise being to replace the Takata airbag inflator module. That was a crucial recall as there was a very high risk of people being seriously injured or even dying if the module broke up.

Now comes another recall (two different ones actually) which the company says is proactive, meaning it is a precautionary safety measure as no incidents have been reported. In the first one, technicians will inspect the nut torque on the Alternating Current Generator (ACG) to determine if it is correctly tightened on the ACG terminal of the engine harness. If not, there may be poor contact and a battery malfunction which may lead to engine stoppage while driving or being unable to start the engine after the car stops. The models affected are 1,068 units of the City (2021) and City Hatchback (2022)

The second issue requires inspection of the bolt earth grounding tightness, also to check if the tightening of bolt earth grounding is correct otherwise the wire harness will be loose. This may cause poor contact terminal and may result in engine stoppage while driving or being unable to start the engine after the car stops. The models affected are 343 units of the HR-V (2020) and 116 units of the BR-V (2021). All the models affected were assembled at the Honda plant in Melaka.

Honda Malaysia apologises for the inconvenience caused to the affected customers and assures the public that all current production and selling models are not affected in this recall. The company believes this product recall is necessary as customer safety is Honda Malaysia’s top priority, and will continue to uphold transparency and stringent controls.

Owners of the affected vehicles will be informed via notification letters which will include details of the recall. Honda Malaysia urges those with affected vehicles to contact any authorised Honda dealer in Malaysia to make an appointment upon receipt of the notification. They can then bring their vehicles for inspection and necessary action (subject to parts availability). The inspection, repair and replacement of affected parts are free of charge and all costs related to this recall activity will be borne by Honda Malaysia.

In the event that you are not the original owner (whose records will be with Honda Malaysia) but want to check if your vehicle is affected and obtain the necessary support, call Honda Malaysia’s toll-free number at
1-800-88-2020
.

77,708 Honda vehicles added to recall list for fuel pump replacement


First impressions of the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid (video)

Toyota hybrids aren’t new in Malaysia and although the early ones were not sold here, there was a short period about 10 years ago when UMW Toyota Motor imported
the third generation of the Prius
 (the
first mass-produced hybrid car in the world
) as well as the smaller
Prius c
 and also the
Lexus CT200h
. During that period, the government had allowed hybrids and EVs to be sold duty-free, so they were priced attractively. After the government stopped the duty exemption, the prices went up again due to high import duties as well as the higher cost of hybrids, and demand for hybrids fell.

Now, as there is an increasing need to address climate change, especially global warming, carmakers like Toyota are using various approaches to ensure that ‘
no customer is left behind
‘. Toyota recognises that different countries and different regions may be at different stages of development with regards to the infrastructure to support electrified vehicles. In the more advanced regions like Europe, Japan and North America as well as China, the network of recharging stations is extensive so owners of electric vehicles can easily find a place to recharge their vehicle.

In Malaysia, while the government has just started to give support to promoting fully electric vehicles, the infrastructure is not yet developed enough. There are only around 400 recharging stations in the country at this time and most are are the bigger cities and towns. In view of this, UMW Toyota Motor has taken the position that hybrids are a better approach for now as they do not require the infrastructure since they are self-charging. And besides, there are around 3,700 petrol stations all over the country so refuelling is easy enough.

Owners of hybrid vehicles can travel as far as those with vehicles using petrol or diesel combustion engines, and have no fear of running out of ‘fuel’ in the battery pack. The hybrid system thus offers the benefits of electric drive without the issues of recharging and ‘range anxiety’ where the motorist has to worry if he or she can find a place to recharge – not to mention the fact that recharging is not as fast as refuelling petrol.

To increase the usage of hybrids, UMW Toyota Motor has therefore decided to assemble some models in Malaysia at its own plant. The first of these is the Corolla Cross Hybrid which will be launched this week with a price of around RM137,000. It is the first Toyota hybrid model assembled in Malaysia and also the first model with the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) that is assembled locally. Besides the 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty, there is also a separate warranty on the battery pack that is 8 years long (with the option of extending to 10 years). Unlike other battery warranties, the warranty for the Corolla Cross Hybrid covers a few additional hybrid-related components as well. So those who have had concerns about the high cost of replacement if there is a problem can have peace of mind.

We’ve driven the Corolla Cross Hybrid from the Klang Valley to Ipoh and then Penang and back and we have first impressions to share with you in this video.

To know more about the Corolla Cross Hybrid, visit
www.toyota.com.my
.


Full-width displays on dashboard coming soon to more cars

The vehicle dashboard – that area below the windscreen at the front of the cabin – began with one side being dedicated to the driver (and associated with the ‘cockpit’ of an aircraft) and the other for the front passenger. It was generally like that for decades, the surface of the dashboard punctuated by various controls, switches and other ornamental decorations.

As more electronic systems were installed and more information could be presented on displays, the cockpit area widened. Then came infotainment, when more than just a radio or CD-player provided entertainment; as connectivity grew, the dashboard came the be used to house various systems which even passengers used and even wider displays appeared.

From pillar to pillar

Now, as we have seen with some of the latest Mercedes-Benz models, huge displays extend the full width of the dashboard to provide all kinds of information for the driver and other occupants. Fifty years ago, such an idea may have been seen only in concept cars but are now becoming a reality in production models the public can buy.

Dashboard of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class in the 1950s and dashboard in the latest Mercedes-EQ EQS (below).

The concept won’t be limited to a few brands as Continental has developed a pillar-to-pillar display and it is available to any carmaker. In fact, one global vehicle manufacturer has already placed a major order with Continental and will have the super-wide display in a production model in 2024.

Continental’s display that extends across the entire width of the dashboard is an integrated display solution from one roof pillar to the other at the front, providing space for a growing number of vehicle functions, digital services, as well as communication and infotainment applications. The solution makes the display the central visual interface between the driver, front passenger and digital driving experience.

Milestone in evolution of the car

Its launch in a high-volume production model marks another milestone in the evolution of the car into a smart device as part of the internet of things (IoT). Whether it is navigation, warning signs, movies, news, social networks, office applications or booking apps to plan the route, the information will be shown and easily viewed. Continental adds that the content will be ‘fully immersive and offers drivers and passengers a completely new user experience’.

“A driving experience that is digital and safe is becoming the most distinctive feature of modern cars. The size of the displays and their intuitive operation play a central role here. In short, what used to be horsepower is now screen diagonals and user experience,” said Dr. Frank Rabe, Head of the Human Machine Interface business unit at Continental.

“With the user experience, we already create value today. Each year, we supply a total of around 120 million products for human-machine interaction, equipping one in four cars worldwide. With the increasing significance of automated driving, the way in which we spend our time in cars is becoming even more important. As a result, there is also a growing need for solutions and services for the in-vehicle user experience.”

From pointer instruments to digital displays

Speedometer, tachometer, fuel consumption gauge – the time of the classic instrument panel is over. In view of the multitude of new vehicle functions and digital services that are pushing into cars with increasing connectivity, traditional pointer instruments and centre consoles are now too rigid and inflexible. The switch to vehicles with electric powertrains also changes some of the running information that has to be shown.

An exclusive focus on the driver is also no longer appropriate for the wide range of communication and infotainment services now available for vehicle occupants. Therefore, displays have been getting bigger and bigger for years. This also poses design challenges which, over time, have resulted in different shapes: from flat displays to curved displays that fit seamlessly into the cockpit, into V, C, L or S-shaped displays, accommodating both the driver and the front passenger, so that they can be reached with minimum effort.

As the size increases, several displays are connected under one surface to form a single unit. Creating invisible transitions is not the only crucial aspect here. Sensors and cameras that record driver behaviour can be seamlessly integrated. Convex and concave shapes are also increasingly being used so that the user can perceive the operating elements intuitively.

Transforming vehicle electronics architecture

Whether it is 3D without special glasses or pillar-to-pillar displays, Continental has been a pioneer in this digital cockpit evolution. In addition to the further development of screen solutions, the company is also driving forward the transformation of the vehicle electronics architecture with concepts such as the high-performance computer for the cockpit. In view of the fact that a few high-performance computers will replace the previous large number of dedicated control units in the future, the pillar-to-pillar display is the next evolutionary step and an expression of the increasing convergence of the car to a mobile data centre.


Flexible Rack System Adds Versatility To Ford Ranger

With the
latest Ford Ranger
, a lot of effort has gone into making it the most versatile Ranger ever, a transporter for work or for recreation. To achieve that, the project team spent hundreds of hours
talking to customers
 around the world to see how they use their pick-up trucks on a daily basis and what features and capability they expected.

A lot of feedback was acquired and considered, leading to the new Ranger having the versatility inside as well as outside the vehicle. The large and functional cargo box can take large items of all shapes and there are also accessories to close it off for security.

Ford also collaborated with JAC Products to develop a unique Sliding Load Rack and Folding Roof Rack which allow owners to load items spanning the length of the roof and cargo box. Known as the Flexible Rack System (FRS), it can be used for a ladder, timber, a door, canoe, surfboards or even bicycles.

Developed by a team of Ford Australia Special Vehicle, the Sliding Load Rack can be operated by just one person. It slides within a C-shaped channel mounted to the top of the load box sidewalls and can be locked in five different positions allowing for the secure support of different length items. A pop-up crossbar increases the height of the loading platform to match the Folding Roof Racks.

One-person operation
“The Flexible Rack System redefines how customers can use their Next-Gen Ranger and is just another example of Ford’s ingenious design features on Next-Gen product,” said Nik Tibhuvan, senior engineer, Special Vehicle Engineering. “Both can be operated easily by one person and have been put through a lot of the same durability testing as Ranger itself.”

As mentioned earlier, when developing the new Ranger, Ford teams met pick-up truck owners and learned how they used their trucks. It was during these clinics the team determined a need for a feature like the FRS.

“We learned from our customers that they would load things like canoes into the cargo box and then lean them up against the sports hoop before tying them down. This was awkward and meant the cargo box couldn’t really be used for storing anything else a customer might want to take with them,” said Danny Trentin, application specialist, Ford Ranger.

“We also learned of their frustrations when it came to carrying items of longer lengths. With an 80-kg dynamic load limit, the Flexible Rack System eliminates those frustrations,” he said.

Designed to fit
As an item that can be moved along the cargo box, the Sliding Load Rack had to look like it belonged no matter where it was positioned, said Max Tran, chief designer of the Ford Ranger. So, his team created a design that allowed it to sit within the profile of the vehicle.

“We wanted the Sliding Load Rack to ‘belong’ on Ranger, no matter where it was positioned,” he said. “It needed to be functional, of course, but it also needed to match and complement the shape of Next-Gen Ranger while being user-friendly and as quiet as possible when deployed.”

Engineered for purpose
When it came to operating the Sliding Load Rack, the team wanted it to be something one person could position easily and quickly as well. Once deployed, in one of the 5 defined locking points, it should also be rock solid.

Unlocking the Sliding Load Rack on one side automatically releases it on the other side, allowing the hoop to slide easily in the rails. A system of 4 roller bearings angled at a precise 37 degrees, retractable stabilisers and locks ensure easy movement when unlocked but prevent the Sliding Load Rack from moving when locked in position.

Because the cabin and cargo box of a truck move independently of one another, the team engineered the Sliding Load Rack with a degree of compliance which means the 80-kg dynamic load limit applies on and off-road, while the static capacity is rated at up to 250-kgs.

Torture-tested
Every Ranger is Built Ford Tough and the Ford accessories that go with it must also have the same toughness. It was therefore important that, as well as being easy to use and looking good, the FRS was robust. “This meant torture testing it like we did with Ranger,” said Tribhuvan.

The team developed an 80-kg platform that could be adjusted to different lengths to match the 5 different lockable positions along the cargo box and then subjected the FRS to many of the same durability tests as Ranger itself.

Various features built into the design of the new Ranger make it the most versatile Ranger ever, for work or for recreation or just daily transport.

“Part of our durability test involves our infamous Silver Creek Road test track which is so tortuous that we have to use autonomous driving robots to complete this phase of the testing. The FRS was tested at full load and completed 77 runs on the track, passing with flying colours. It completed 400 runs with no load,” said Tribhuvan.

The Sliding Load Rack not only had to be strong, but it also had to handle everything the outdoors could throw at it. “We tested the system with bulldust, red dirt, salt and water, to replicate the sort of real-world grit and muck owners will encounter,” said Tribhuvan.

Once covered in filth, the Sliding Load Rack was cycled more than 3,500 times to replicate approximately 10 years of use. Cleaning of the system is made easy with drainage holes in the track which allow owners to simply wash the channel with a garden hose.

Visit
www.sdacford.com.my
 or any authorised Ford dealer to know more about the new Ford Ranger.

Seven Great Things about the Next-Generation Ford Ranger

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


French Award For Naza Automotive Group CEO Dato’ Samson Anand George

Dato’ Samson Anand George, Group Chief Executive Officer of Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd
 was recently conferred the
Ordre National du Mérite
 by the French government, underlining his contributions towards the French nation through the automotive industry. The Ambassador of France to Malaysia, Frédéric Laplanche, conferred the distinguished award to Dato’ Samson at a conferment ceremony held at the Residence of France, Kuala Lumpur.

A French order established by Napoléon Bonaparte in 1802 and restored by decree in 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle,
l’Ordre National du Mérite
 (the National Order of Merit) is awarded by the President of the French Republic and seeks to reward distinguished men and women for their civil or military achievements.

Dato’ Samson (above, right) said of the award,
“I am truly humbled and honoured to be conferred the Ordre National du Mérite, a recognition by the government of the French Republic. Our association with France began with the Peugeot 206 CKD project in 2006 and this partnership has since culminated in a Joint Venture that both NAZA Group and Groupe PSA have forged to make Naza Automotive Manufacturing (NAM) in Gurun, Kedah its ASEAN manufacturing hub.”

“We look forward to enhancing business opportunities and greater collaboration with French companies in the automotive industry,”
 he added.


Goodyear Malaysia adds another Ultra High Performance Tyre to Eagle F1 range

Goodyear Malaysia has strengthened its range of Ultra-High Performance (UHP) tyres with the addition of the Eagle F1 Sport. The new tyre is described as ‘a fun sports tyre option with good handling and braking performance for the aspiring racing enthusiast’.

“The Eagle F1 range is the embodiment of Goodyear’s long history of involvement in the racing arena. With the introduction of the Eagle F1 Sport, we aim to continuously uphold Goodyear’s manufacturing quality and technological capabilities of our research and development team, by providing more high performance tyre options for the day-to-day road user, at competitive prices for Malaysians,” said Alex Ng, MD of Goodyear Malaysia.

The Eagle F1 Sport tyre is said to provide improved handling and braking performance, and would be an option for upsizing. Its strong points are increased steering response, improved dry handling and enhanced cornering abilities.  Compared to the Eagle F1 Directional 5, the Eagle F1 Sport has 20% less rolling resistance, with tyre weight reduced by up to 14%.

Precise and responsive handling

The signature Eagle Claw tread design has stronger shoulder blocks and  with ActiveControl Technology, the shoulder contact patch of the tyre is maximised. Increased stiffness improves the cornering stability and steering precision when negotiating bends and corners.

The Eagle F1 Sport is also a quiet tyre, thanks to noise barrier strips which are made of rubber. They are positioned between the ply and liner to reduce noise generation. Narrower lateral grooves on the tyre also help to reduce vibrations and road noise for improved comfort.

Superior braking performance

Complementing the handling qualities is good stopping power with Goodyear’s DynamicBraking Technology. The combination of the Eagle Claw tread and high silica loaded tread compound with upgraded polymer matrix enhances braking capabilities on both wet and dry surfaces. Furthermore, an improved cavity shape provides a wider footprint for better contact and pressure distribution.

Wide rim flange protectors on all sizes provide protection to the tyre and rim from accidental curb damages while manoeuvring and parking.

22 sizes, priced from RM294

Retail prices for the Eagle F1 Sport range from RM294 to RM678 per tyre and they are available in 22 sizes ranging from 16 inches to 18 inches. Sizes start from 195/50R16 and go as wide as 255/35R18.

Wider tyre range with more choices in Goodyear Eagle F1 family.
Click here to read more
.


A Porsche stars again in new Top Gun movie, and it’s not a replica this time

“Top Gun: Maverick
” – the sequel to the 1986 movie – will finally screen this week after its release was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For those who love planes and flying action, it’s one of the greatest all-time movies and from the trailers shown in the past months, we are assured of lots of fantastic action – and they’re with real planes, not CGI.

Car enthusiasts will remember that the original
 Top Gun
 had a Porsche which appeared a number of times in various scenes. It was driven by ‘Charlie’, the girlfriend of ‘Maverick’ (Tom Cruise) and the first time we saw it in action was when she sped across an intersection chasing after him.

That Porsche was a classic model, a 1958 Speedster… but it was actually a replica, not one of the original 3,676 cars built. The one in the movie was made by Intermeccanica and had a fibreglass body resembling the model. Looked pretty authentic anyway.

The Porsche Speedster in the 1986 ‘Top Gun’ movie.

In the new movie, another Porsche will also appear for brief moments and its presence was already spotted in the commercial that Porsche showed at the Super Bowl 2022 event in February. Apart from the other Porsche models shown, there is one which is a late 1970s 911 S with Maverick and Penny Benjamin, another character who is his girlfriend. What a coincidence that both girlfriends had Porsches!

It’s a very beautiful image of the car which could have come out of a catalogue. The car actually appears earlier than this picture and we would suggest you keep your eyes on the background during one of the night scenes when Maverick and Penny are on the bike.

There’s another small Porsche as well and it’s on Maverick’s wrist. It’s not so clear what model it is but in 1986, many people noticed that Maverick wore a Porsche Design Chronograph which had a black PVD coating. It was on him all the time and fans wonder if it could be the same watch used again… after all, that would be a collectors’ item.

If you saw the original movie and remember it well, you will see many lines, gestures and actions that are recreated in ‘
Top Gun: Maverick’
. In fact, these recreations can be seen right from the opening scenes and the movie also closes in the same way.

Bike fans will also remember that Maverick was on a Kawasaki GPZ900R Ninja. Guess he didn’t keep the bike for 30 years and instead got a new one – the Kawasaki Ninja H2 (the carbon edition) – which has a supercharged 998 cc engine and is considered a ‘hyperbike’. As the trailers have shown, he again races along the road alongside the runway, seemingly racing with a fighter jet taking off.

In 1986, Maverick has a Kawasaki GPZ900R Ninja (above) and for the new movie, he has switched to the Ninja H2 hyperbike (below).

For those who still don’t know what this new movie is about, the storyline continues from the original a few decades later. Maverick remains a captain and ‘despite the best efforts, refuses to die. He is recalled to train ‘the best of the best’ pilots at
Top Gun
 for a secret and very dangerous mission. Just as he was a cocky pilot when he was a student at
Top Gun
 in 1986, so too are those he has to train. But they also show professionalism and know that they have to put aside personal feelings when it comes to flying jets at over 1,500 km/h.

Top Gun: Maverick
 will start screening in Malaysian cinemas from Wednesday May 25, 2022.

The New Land Rover Defender can fly too! (w/VIDEO)


Renault to offer hot hatch with four wheel steering

Renault has announced that its all-new Megane Renault Sport will feature four-wheel-steering, a first for the hot hatch segment. Called the 4CONTROL four-wheel-steer technology, this system should enable the car to offer drivers enhanced agility, cornering performance and steering precision.

The rear wheels assist in steering through the use of an electromagnetic actuator mounted on the rear axle. This entire system has been calibrated to increase the limits of what the car is capable of which will probably result in better agility, cornering stability and higher speeds.

Buyers will have the option of choosing between having the car with a Sport or Cup chassis. The former will offer drivers a blend of performance and ride comfort characteristics, which is a better comprise for more practical use. The latter, has been engineered to deliver the best on track performance possible, resulting track focused resposiveness and  feedback.

When launched, the new Megane Renault Sport with four-wheel-steering will offer better responsiveness especially during hard cornering, putting lesser cars at a disadvantage. How well this system does in real life, remains to be seen. But we are sure Ford and Volkswagen won’t take this news lying down.


PHS Automotive Malaysia Recall For 2,767 Vehicles (2008 – 2017)

The Takata airbag-related recalls have been ongoing since the early 2000s and millions of vehicles of numerous brands have had their airbag inflator modules replaced. The replacement was urgent as there were many cases where the inflator module broke up during inflation of the airbag. With the broken metal pieces shooting at the driver (or front passenger) at up to 200 km/h, serious injuries and deaths occurred in the vehicles.

The dangerous inflator modules were installed in the early 2000s and though it is now over 20 years later, there are still many vehicles in use which may not have had the module replaced. As it is quite a long period of time, the vehicles may also have changed ownership so the authorised distributors (who are primarily responsible for handling recalls) may be unable to inform the actual owners of the vehicle at present as they may not have contact information.

In this case, those who own affected vehicles should contact the authorised distributor of the brand for assistance if they are aware of a recall. Representatives of brands in Malaysia would be obliged to assist in such critical matters.

PHS Automotive Malaysia (PHSAM), which handles the Audi brand in Malaysia, is such a representative and has announced a voluntary recall for 2,767 Audi vehicles. The recall covers the following models manufactured between 2008 to 2017:
A4 Sedan, A5 Sportback, A6 Sedan, Q5 and TT Coupe
. These were fitted with Takata airbags or the gas generator (inflator module) for the airbag unit on the driver’s side, passenger side and the curtain airbags.

According to Audi’s latest information, it is possible that the gas generator housing may be damaged if the airbag is deployed. This could cause small metal parts to become dislodged from the housing, posing a serious safety risk.

“At Audi, safety is paramount, and this will continue to be one of the distinguishing factors in our ongoing efforts to improve aftersales service. We recognise that the top reasons customers choose Audi are for its performance and safety features – and it is a high standard we will continue to uphold responsibly,” said Erik Winter, Managing Director of PHSAM.

“Although we have determined the number of vehicles for this recall, it’s possible that not all of them will need replacement parts. Nevertheless, we want to encourage owners to get their vehicles inspected at our service centres for better peace of mind,” Mr. Winter said.

Owners who are unsure whether their Audi vehicle is affected by this recall campaign are advised to visit the Audi Malaysia website. Alternatively, they can contact Audi Customer Service at
1-800-22-2834
 or email
 info@phsautomotive.com.my.
 The owner will not be charged for the parts and labour costs related to this recall exercise.

Incidentally, owners of vehicles which are 5 years and older are also eligible for the recently launched Audi Plus programme. This offers a 10% discount on maintenance service at any Audi Centre in Malaysia. Customers will also receive 3 service discount vouchers which are applicable within a period of 3 years after the 5th year of service along with complimentary Audi Roadside Assistance nationwide for up to 12 months from the date of voucher redemption.

New airbag concept from ZF can reduce injuries from side-on collisions


Volvo Cars and Geely to merge engine operations to create stand-alone business

Volvo Cars and Geely, both part of the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (ZGH), intend to merge their existing combustion engine operations into a stand-alone business. This will see the establishment of  a new global supplier that will seek to develop next-generation combustion engines and hybrid powertrains.

The proposed new business would clear the way for Volvo Cars to focus on the development of its all-electric range of premium cars. Volvo Cars is building an entirely electrified product range as part of the company’s ambition to put sustainability at the core of its operations. By the middle of the next decade, it expects half its global sales to be fully electric and the other half hybrid, supplied by the new unit.

A Volvo Drive-E 4-cylinder engine

For Geely, the planned new entity means technologically advanced and efficient combustion engines and hybrid powertrains would be available to Geely Auto, Proton, Lotus, LEVC and LYNK & CO. The planned new business would represent a significant industrial collaboration between Volvo Cars and Geely, with substantial operational, industrial and financial synergies.

Additional business opportunities

The planned new stand-alone business can also supply powertrains to other manufacturers, providing possible growth opportunities. This is not new as some major carmakers also have subsidiaries that supply engines to other carmakers. For example, in the early 2000s, Renault Moteurs provided the 1.8-litre engine for the Proton Waja 1.8 and later on, the engine for the Savvy.

Geely Auto’s engine factory in Yiwu, China, has a planned capacity of 1.2 million engines and transmissions a year.

The proposed new business is intended to be an attractive employer for approximately 3,000 employees from Volvo Cars and around 5,000 employees from Geely’s combustion engine operations, including R&D, procurement, manufacturing, IT and finance functions. No reductions in the workforce are anticipated.

Both Volvo Cars and Geely are in the process of carving out their ICE (internal combustion engine) operations into new units within their respective organisations as a first step towards a merger of the two into a combined new stand-alone business.

Volvo Cars believes the electrification of the automotive industry will be a gradual process, meaning there will be significant ongoing demand for efficient hybrid powertrains alongside fully electric offerings. “Hybrid cars need the best internal combustion engines. This new unit will have the resources, scale and expertise to develop these powertrains cost efficiently,” said Hakan Samuelsson, Volvo Cars’ President & CEO.

China Eco-Car Assessment Program makes Geely work harder at attacking NVH


Michelin launches new Pilot Sport 5 in Asia and Australia

Building on the successful Pilot Sport 4 tyre, Michelin today launched the new Pilot Sport 5 in Asia and Australia today. For markets in Asia, the fifth generation of the popular high-performance tyres will be offered in up to 43 sizes for 17-inch to 21-inch wheels. The Malaysian market will have 26 sizes from 17 to 19 inches, with 21 more sizes from 17 to 21 inches to be made available by the end of this year. The recommended retail prices of the new tyres range from RM700 to RM1,900.

Sophisticated features

Targets at sportscar and high-performance sedan drivers, the new Pilot Sport 5 has a range of sophisticated features and is, of course, improved in performance over its predecessor. The key features include Dual Sport Tread Design technology, Groove Clear, Dynamic Response technology, MaxTouch Construction, and Premium Touch Sidewall Design.

Dual Sport Tread Design technology is like having two tyres in one as there is a two-sided functionalized tread design inspired by Michelin’s motorsport experience. On the inner side of the tyre is a tread pattern with large grooves and high void ratio for enhanced wet road traction, while the outer has rigid blocks for better grip on dry roads. Groove Clear is the association of large longitudinal grooves that guide water under the tyre into wide transversal channels from which the water is ejected to keep the contact patch as dry as possible.

Shorter stopping distances

Independent testing showed that on a wet road, the Pilot Sport 5 stopped 1.4 metres (new tyres) and 4 metres (worn tyres) shorter than other premium brands. On a dry road, the stopping distance was 1.3 metres shorter. Other testing also showed that the Pilot Sport 5 lasted 33.5% longer than tyres from other premium brands. This longevity is due to the MaxTouch Construction that maximizes the tyre’s contact with the road and evenly distributes the forces of acceleration, braking, and cornering without sacrificing performance.

Lasting performance

Michelin also makes sure that its tyres provide lasting performance throughout the lifespan. This is made possible by Dynamic Response technology that uses a high-density aramid and nylon hybrid belt which promotes driving precision for optimum transmission of steering instructions onto the road. This belt, which is located just below the tread, is both very resistant and light. Thus, at equivalent weight, the associated nylon and aramid are 5 times more resistant than steel.

The tread pattern usually gives character to a tyre but for the Pilot Sport 5, the sidewall too has been given sporty and appealing aesthetics. Michelin’s patented velvet sidewall branding, called Premium Touch Design has a matte-black velvet-like micro texture which gives a premium look and feel.

Drivers who care for their tyres and for safety will regularly check on the tread wear (besides the pressures). To make it easier, Michelin has added Wear2Check, an easy-to-find and easy-to-read tread wear indicator (TWI) on each tyre. This is visible by three tiny holes on certain tread blocks, indicating the area where the TWI is running across.

“With the Michelin Pilot Sport 5, Michelin further strengthens our complete and best overall high-performance Pilot Sport range, with ‘Performance Made to Last’ being our key differentiator. Inspired by motorsports, the tyre is perfect for drivers who demand sporty driving performance and expect nothing but the best. What’s more, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 goes one step further in aesthetics, as evidenced by its 2021 Contemporary Good Design Award – one of the world’s most prestigious international design awards,” said Michelin Malaysia’s Managing Director, Oliver Biggart.

Michelin Malaysia introduces BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A tyre for SUVs and pick-up trucks


Proton In 2018 – Part 4: Caring For The People With 0% GST Right Away!

Zero rated immediately.

With immediate effect, all Proton cars
sold and registered
 from
16 May to 31 May 2018
 will include service vouchers equivalent in value to the difference between the current and new price of the car after GST is zero rated. Additionally, PROTON Customer Care is offering a 6% discount on periodical maintenance (labour and periodical maintenance parts only) to all owners who bring their car in for servicing at authorised service centres.

This service initiative will commence on
19 May to 31 May 2018
 and customers servicing their cars from 16-18 May 2018, will be given a 6% discount at their next scheduled service (subject to showing the receipt from their previous service). Additionally, PROTON , is enhancing the deal by offering the option of choosing between the aforementioned service vouchers or a
cash rebate
 of the same value.

Zero instalment. Zero interest

These offers are in addition to the current Kosong-kosong promotion where buyers of the Proton Iriz (Executive and Premium variant), Proton Ertiga (all variants) and Proton Exora (all variants) who sign up for 9-year loan tenures with Hong Leong Bank are eligible for 0% financing for the first year. Those who opt for the Proton Saga or Proton Persona instead and finance their purchase with a 7-year loan from PROTON Commerce are eligible to receive free 3-months instalment, subject to terms and conditions.

“PROTON is supportive of the new Malaysian government’s efforts to reduce the cost of living for the rakyat. Despite zero rated GST only coming into effect on 1 June, we have decided to reward our customers immediately as a token of gratitude for their support and in the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan,”
 said
Abdul Rashid Musa, PROTON Vice President of Sales & Marketing.

The offer is applicable to all Proton cars bought and registered from 16 May to 31 May 2018 and supplements other sales promotions.

“PROTON announced an initiative to give Malaysian car buyers the benefit of paying zero rated GST prices before it comes into effect recently. Today, we are giving them options on how they would like to receive this benefit, either as service vouchers or a cash rebate. There is now no reason to wait until 1 June 2018 to buy a new Proton as we have delivered the savings ahead of time,”
 said
Abdul Rashid Musa, PROTON Vice President of Sales & Marketing.


DS E-TENSE PERFORMANCE – a very high-performance mobile laboratory

While the extreme design of the E-TENSE PERFORMANCE may make it seem like just a showcar, it is actually intended for use as a high-performance laboratory by DS Automobiles, the spin-off brand from Citroen which became a standalone brand.

The prototype has been conceived to accelerate the development of technology for the future of DS Automobiles design. It has been devised, developed and created by DS Performance, which has been successfully participating in the single-seater electric Formula E series.

DS Performance has been participating in single-seater electric Formula E series with the French-Chinese TECHEETAH team since 2016.

“Our objective is to apply the experience acquired in Formula E and the expertise that we’ve taken from our international titles to a project which predicts the high-performance electric car of tomorrow. It is a laboratory that we will use to analyse the behaviour of components and to develop them with a view to future manufacturing. The idea is also to find solutions to lower costs, make them easier to manufacture and explore implementations in production models. The next generations of the E-TENSE range will benefit from these developments,” said Thomas Chevaucher, Director of DS PERFORMANCE, the brand’s motorsports division.

Up to 8,000 Nm

The powertrain is made up of two electric motors giving a combined power of 600 kW (250 kW at the front, 350 kW at the back) corresponding to 815 hp and torque of 8,000 Nm at the wheels. Taken straight from DS PERFORMANCE developments for Formula E, these two electric motors prioritise the use of energy in the most effective way. If, physically, the DS E-TENSE PERFORMANCE keeps a braking system with discs and pads for safety, only the regeneration system is used for braking.

The battery pack is one of the fundamental parts of the very high-performance mobile laboratory. It is compact and housed in a carbonfibre-aluminium composite envelope. This is situated in a central rear position for optimum weight distribution. The battery pack, using experience from  electric car racing, is developed jointly with TotalEnergies and its subsidiary Saft. It uses innovative chemistry and an immersive cooling system for cells – at odds with current technology – thanks to a bespoke design of Quartz EV Fluid solution. This battery permits phases of acceleration and regeneration of up to 600 kW, enabling the exploration of new avenues for future generations of production vehicles.

The design language

The DS Design Studio Paris was responsible for the extreme form with a frontal appearance that has a new surface for expression in place of the grille. Already suggested by the
DS AERO SPORT LOUNGE
, this treatment combines the DS Automobiles logo with a 3-dimensional effect that displays a special welcome sequence.

On either side, new daytime lights combine technology and design with unprecedented thinness to give a wide span of light (made up of 800 LEDs). Two cameras are used instead of headlamps, providing a visual identity while enabling useful data to be collected while on the move.

To go with the aerodynamic lines, the bodywork introduces a ‘beetle-effect’ interference colour. Depending on exterior conditions and the viewing angle, the perception of the colour changes and gives a striking contrast against the gloss black surfaces stretching to the bonnet.

The cockpit has been conceived to gather data. Bucket seats and a Formula E steering wheel create an ambience devoted to high performance but there is also comfort and attention to detail. An in-car FOCAL Utopia sound system with a pair of exclusive Scala Utopia Evo speakers give a unique signature sound.

Formula E’s Gen2 EVO racing cars will run for the last time in Season 8 in 2022, with Gen3 being used in 2023


Driving licence renewal can be deferred during February and March

As in 2020 when the first Movement Control Order (MCO) restricted movements to the extent that even government offices had to shut down, the Ministry of Transport Malaysia has announced that renewal of driving licences need not be done if they expire
between February 1 until March 31, 2021
.

This is in view of the travel restrictions which presently limit people to a range of 10 kms from their homes, and also to reduce crowds at the JPJ offices. Unless another announcement is made, renewal will have to be done within 30 days from March 31, 2021.

This exemption is, however, not for those with commercial vehicle and vocational licences (GDL and PSV). They can still renew their licences as they are classified under Essential Services.

While renewal of the driving licence can be deferred, the vehicle must still have valid insurance. A copy of the insurance e-cover note must be available for inspection if requested by an authority. Valid coverage is important in the event of an accident.

Many insurance companies will be able to provide renewal services online, and companies like MyEG also handle renewals of driving licences and roadtax online. They can deliver the documents to an address provided for a small fee.