Highlights Of The Season 4 Vios Challenge Night Races (Second Night)

The finale of the fourth season of the Vios Challenge one-make racing series, part of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival, saw lots of suspense and on-track drama from start to finish. Like the F1 race held in Qatar the same night, the final round (consisting of two races for each class) was run at night, a first for the series.

Malaysia’s prince of drift and also TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Malaysia ambassador drove to his third  overall championship title in the Super Sporting Class for veteran drivers, while Clement Yeo charged to his first ever overall title in the Sporting Class for amateur drivers. Actor Shukri Yahaya finally captured his first overall title in the Promotional Class after 4 seasons of racing, and young simulator racer Naquib Azlan was crowned the first ever overall champion in the Rookie Class.

The final race of the season at the Sepang International Circuit produced some of the year’s most  intense battles on track as no less than 3 individuals were in close contention for the overall  championship title in each of the four classes.

“We could not have asked for a more exciting finish to the season,” said TOYOTA GAZOO Racing  Malaysia Chief Motorsports Officer Akio Takeyama, who was also a participant in the races. “Faced with an incredibly challenging season as a result of the global pandemic, we are thankful that we were able to conclude the championship. The introduction of a night race also made the Vios  Challenge even more unpredictable and quite a spectacle enjoyed by both drivers and spectators.”

SPORTING CLASS

The second night’s race started in dramatic fashion with no less than 6 cars involved in skirmishes from the very first lap of the race as a result of the wet track. Clement Yeo made a brilliant start from fifth position on the grid to stay within a car’s length of Panglima City Racing Team’s Kenneth Koh, before eventually passing him for the lead. Behind, the  battle for third, fourth and fifth positions was even more intense which saw 23 Motor’s Ady Rahimy  being the first to be pelted off the track, followed by Team Fokus Tetap’s Lim Chun Beng and  subsequently Dato’ Ken Foo, A. Shanmuganathan, Eric Yong and Amirul Haikal.

The early incidents brought out the Safety Car on lap 6 of the 20-lap race, reducing what little gap Yeo had built over Koh. When the race resumed 3 laps later, all the attention then shifted to  Dream Chaser’s Bradley Benedict Anthony and Ady who were trading places for third position.

Yeo paced himself well in the remaining 10 minutes of the race, but it was once again Bradley who  stole the limelight when he shot pass Koh for second place and that was how the first 3 places  on the podium would be decided. The race victory sealed Yeo’s campaign to become Season 4’s Sporting Class overall champion which got him a prize of RM50,000.

PROMOTIONAL CLASS

All eyes were on actors Shukri Yahaya and Zizan Razak who both had their sights set on becoming the  overall champion in the Promotional Class. Of the two, Shukri could be considered the most experienced, having participated in all four seasons. Overall victory had eluded him so far and he was determined that this time, he would take home the crown.

The 18-lap race began fiercely with Zizan taking the lead and Shukri in tow, while singer Khai Bahar  was in third. Positions remained unchanged in the first 5 laps of the race until Zizan made a mistake  by going wide. While Shukri grabbed the lead, Zizan never recovered from that mistake and remained in third while the front two drivers consolidated their lead to being almost 10 seconds ahead.

Shukri was determined to win and put up a strong resistance against Khai who seemed to have a quicker pace. The two were separated by only 0.3 seconds when the chequered flag came out with Shukri barely ahead. A penalty meted out to Shukri however, relegated  him to second and promoted Khai to race winner, but the overall points he had consistently accumulated throughout the season was enough for Shukri to claim the overall championship title in the Promotional Class.

SUPER SPORTING CLASS

The battle of the pro racers saw an incredibly fierce battle at the front between 3 drivers, each  of whom could win the overall championship. In the end, it was 23 Motors’ Mitchell  Cheah who exerted his dominance to win the 20-lap race ahead of Prima Pearl Auto’s Tengku Djan Ley and Telegamas Toyota’s Freddie Ang in third place. However, a post-race penalty against Cheah promoted Tengku Djan to first place.

“There was tremendous pressure going into tonight’s finale with so much being at stake, but I told  myself that I needed to run a smart race,” said Tengku Djan Ley who claimed his third Super Sporting  Class overall championship title to win a prize of RM70,000.

“It has been both an incredibly challenging and rewarding season. I started the first 2 races of the  year very well with back-to-back victories, but the following 2 races did not turn out favourably and  as a result we lost a lot of valuable points. A third-place finish in the Saturday race and a win tonight gave us the result that we needed. I would like to take this opportunity to thank not only my team and sponsors, but also to commend everyone in the Super Sporting Class for a very hard-fought  season,” he added.

ROOKIE CLASS

This season also saw a bunch of newcomers who received guidance and training under the GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program, a demonstration of Toyota’s commitment towards the development of Malaysian motorsports. The programme, for those between the ages of 14 and 20,  identified young racers with potential, based on their karting and sim-racing accomplishments, overall performance and level of commitment. They underwent intensive training both on and off  the track under the close guidance of instructors to prepare them for racing in Season 4.

Naquib Azlan turned out to the surprising star of the season, having performed consistently and remaining at the top of the results. Impressively, he participated in a saloon car race with only experience drawn from competing as a simulator racer. It showed that there is value in simulators too as well as the realism that can help drivers gain experience in the virtual world.

“It was a dream come true. Never did I expect to enter racing in real life and to have been able to  perform as well as I did. I am extremely thankful. I have to say a very big thank you to Toyota for having the trust in me and giving us the opportunity, the team, to Alex Yoong who helped all of the rookies throughout the entire journey. This is something that no other manufacturer has done and  to represent Toyota is such an honour. I look forward to doing this again next season,” said Naquib.

Bringing Malaysian motorsports to a higher level

UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K., said the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival and  Vios Challenge is aimed at not only creating a series that is more affordable and accessible to the racing community – especially the younger generation of drivers – but setting out to bring as well as  promote motorsports to the masses.

“The Vios Challenge has also become an attractive breeding ground for young racing talent due to its  lower cost of entry and one-make format that is greatly centred on honing driving skills and racecraft. And with 4 separate categories of racing, the series showcases incredible talent on track for the delight  of spectators. Throughout the 4 seasons, the event has successfully attracted more than 5 million spectators (both on-site and online) which I hope will contribute to growing local awareness, interest and especially greater appreciation for motorsports in Malaysia,” said Mr. Ravindran.

Highlights of the Season 4 Vios Challenge Night Races (first night)


As Good As New! MBM & Hap Seng Star Launch Certified Pre-Owned Mercedes-Benz Centre

Check this out folks! A pre-owned centre that looks better than most new car showrooms… wow. In the tradition of delivering an
“exceptional automotive experience to customers”
,
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MBM)
 together with authorised dealer
Hap Seng Star (HSS)
 have launched the Mercedes-Benz
Certified Pre-Owned Centre
 by Hap Seng Star Kinrara. With an investment of
RM41.6 million
, this new pre-owned centre reflects the combined efforts of both principal and authorised dealer to provide customers with more options and thus forging an even greater connection to a wider customer audience for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Nice one!

“We are pleased to launch this first standalone Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-owned Centre by Hap Seng Star. It not only represents an extension of the Mercedes-Benz brand, but also helps us further enhance our reach to a broader customer audience. As our dealer network grows with the launch of this Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-owned Centre, so too does our ambition to create new experiences for our customers. Our successful partnership with Hap Seng Star allows us to continue creating customer touchpoints and most importantly, bringing the Mercedes-Benz brand closer to our customers,”
 said
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia President and CEO, Dr Claus Weidner.

With a built-up area of
46,210 sq ft,
 the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned Centre by Hap Seng Star Kinrara is able to display over 100 showroom vehicles, which makes it the biggest pre-owned centre and is managed by 24 personnel to deliver a complete one-stop solution in sales and financial services exclusively for Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-owned vehicles. The facility is equipped with a lifestyle café, children’s playground and Mercedes-Benz lifestyle products are also available for purchase.

Commenting on the launch,
Hap Seng Consolidated Berhad Group Chief Operating Officer and Hap Seng Star Chief Executive, Mr Harald Behrend
, said,
“It gives us great pleasure to launch this standalone Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-owned centre in Malaysia. Here, in this dedicated facility, we are able to deliver to our customers the same driving experience as owners of a new Mercedes-Benz.”

To-date, this is Hap Seng Star‘s second Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-owned centre, the first centre was established in Hap Seng Star Balakong Autohaus in 2016. Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned Centre by Hap Seng Star Kinrara is located at No. 18, Jalan BK 1/13, Bandar Kinrara Industrial Park, Puchong, Selangor, on the same street as Mercedes-Benz Hap Seng Star Kinrara Autohaus.

In conjunction with the launch of Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned Centre by Hap Seng Star Kinrara, Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia and Hap Seng Star officially introduced
Young Star Agility Financing,
 a programme that offers Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts a chance to own a certified pre-owned Mercedes-Benz cars in impeccable condition and at an attractive and market price.

“With
Young Star Agility Financing
, we are empowering more customers with the ability to own a Mercedes-Benz vehicle. By creating a comprehensive, yet innovative financing and flexible insurance solutions, Young Star Agility Financing is customized for individuals who seek value, unrivalled benefits and most importantly, peace-of-mind coverage,”
 said
Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia, Managing Director, Mr Mike Ponnaz.

Under
Young Star Agility Financing
, Mercedes-Benz customers enjoy flexible end of agreement options and end-to-end solutions such as flexible financing, insurance solutions, service maintenance and extended limited warranty tailored to the customers’ preference. Further ensuring customers’ peace-of-mind, the future value of Mercedes-Benz vehicles will be guaranteed by Hap Seng Star.

In conjunction with the launch of Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned Centre by Hap Seng Star Kinrara, an opening carnival will be held on the weekends of the
6
th
 and 14
th
 October 2018
. The carnival which is open to the public, allows visitors to explore the widest selection of Pre-Owned
Mercedes-Benz Certified
vehicles. Customers who made a booking from
now until 30
th
 November
 could stand a chance at winning a premier massage chair and many other valuable prizes.

“As always, we remain focused on providing our customers with the Best Products and Best Customer Experience. We will continue expanding customer touchpoints nationwide, investing in developing key areas including talent, technology, production and service,”
 concluded Dr Weidner.

Young Star Agility Financing
is currently available at Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned Centre at Hap Seng Star Kinrara and Mercedes-Benz Hap Seng Star Balakong Autohaus. Customers can get more information by visiting
https://www.mercedes-benz.com.my/passengercars/buy/used-cars/stage.module.html#
.


Scenic View Head-Up Display By Continental Has Full-Width HUD Panel

In the early years of the automobile, just maintaining control of the car was the most important thing for the driver to do. Knowing how the engine was running and the speed were secondary. Over time, meters and warning lights were added to provide the driver with information that could help him drive better or alert him of problems. The increasing number of meters to display led to the creation of the instrument panel as an integral part of the dashboard, with the area in front of the driver being referred to as the ‘cockpit’, a term taken from aircraft.

In the past couple of decades, the instrument panel has evolved from having mechanical devices to digital graphic displays which allow more information to be shown by having changeable displays. Some information (eg energy flows in a hybrid powertrain) is also shown on the panel in the middle of the dashboard.

Looking at the instruments while driving means the eyes move down and the driver may not be watching the road ahead momentarily, which can be dangerous. One approach to helping the driver keep eyes ahead all the time was to take an idea from fighter aircraft – the Head-Up Display (HUD). This is a display projected on the windscreen ahead of the driver with information such as speed and other warnings.

The first HUD for a production car (a Nissan Silvia) appeared in the 1980s but it was a simple display and did not really seem meaningful to drivers. In the years that followed, some carmakers would offer it but it did mean costly additional hardware as well so it was mostly found on expensive models. As the cost came down and technology improved, the HUD started to appear in more cars.

Head-Up Display (HUD).

Some manufacturers like Peugeot and Mazda came up with features that mimicked HUDs by positioning a panel at the base of the windscreen. Information was displayed by a small projector inside the instrument panel housing. This was a lower cost approach as it did not require special windscreens and it allowed the driver to keep eyes ahead while being able to see the information.

Lower cost approach to providing a HUD by Peugeot (left) and Mazda (right).

Continental has had an ongoing project known as the Cockpit of the Future where it has been developing various types of displays for cars which provide a broad range of information. These use the latest display technologies for clarity in all kinds of lighting conditions.

Scenic View Head-Up Display
Next week, at the 2023 edition of CES – the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas – Continental will display its latest concept called the Scenic View Head-Up Display. While HUDs typically occupy a small area on the glass, the Scenic View HUD stretches from the left side to the right side with various displays showing different information on a black panel.

Like the displays in some Mazdas and Peugeots, this approach creates a reduced look-down angle and higher focal distance for drivers. It provides critical information that drivers need while keeping their eyes on the road.

The Scenic View HUD displays the information of the instrument cluster, centre display and passenger display at the base of the windscreen. It reflects an extremely wide virtual image spanning the entire cockpit. With these expanded viewing areas, the virtual image is visible to everyone in the vehicle, so all occupants can be ‘involved’ in the journey (if they are interested).

Low power consumption
To achieve this effect, display modules are hidden inside the dashboard and reflected in the lower black-print area of the windscreen. The visible brightness allows for safe usage in all environmental lighting conditions. Due to the large expanse of display area, Continental engineers developed a propriety algorithm which optimizes the power consumption.

The structure of the system, as well as the fact that it’s all digital, also gives new opportunities for innovative dashboard designs for vehicle manufacturers. By hiding the displays inside, a significant amount of new space is available on the dashboard. One standardized module can be reused across different vehicle lines in different configurations, from one to four displays. This flexibility reduces costs, as well as R&D and integration efforts.

“Vehicle safety is our number one priority. Scenic View HUD brings vivid, exciting display technologies to a vehicle in a way that prioritizes safety. It’s a totally new design concept to show information in the vehicle. A driver is more connected to the road with the Scenic View HUD, thereby ensuring a better, safer driving experience,” said Jens Brandt, Head of User Experience Business Area, Continental North America, after the announcement that the Scenic View HUD won the CES 2023 Innovation Award in the Vehicle Tech & Advanced Mobility category.

Curved Ultrawide Display

Curved Ultrawide Display
Besides the Scenic View Head-Up Display, Continental is also displaying its Curved Ultrawide Display which also spans across the entire width of the cockpit. ‘Ultrawide’ means a width of more than 1.2 metres – from one A-pillar to the other. The design, which can be integrated in the dashboard, creates a new dimension of user experience while the innovative operating concept based on a ShyTech control panel ensures greater safety and comfort.

Already under development for some years, the Continental ShyTech display can hide behind various materials and appear by magic when it’s needed. It combines a purist design with display and operating surfaces that only appear when they are needed. This is not only relevant with regard to entertainment electronics in the car of the future, but will soon help drivers keep an eye on all the important information in an intelligent way.  While the market introduction of the Scenic View HUD is not announced yet, the ShyTech display will be available to carmakers from 2025.

3D graphics on instrument panels are already in some cars and Continental is working on a 3D display panel for the future.

Continental AMBIENC3 concept vehicle shows interior of the future

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


Shell Announces 4th Year Joint Promotion With MasterCard To Aid Underprivileged Children

Hmong little boy

You can make a difference too. Shell would like to invite all Malaysians to help in the lives of underprivileged children through its
Shell Raya Charity Campaign 2018
. Now in its fourth year, this initiative has been expanded to take place over 9 days, with an increased donation of up to
2 sen (RM0.02) for every litre of fuel
 pumped with the participation of
Mastercard
.

On
19 May, 26 May, 2 June
 and
9 until 14 June 2018
, Shell will donate
1 Sen (RM0.01)
 for every litre of fuel pumped at any Shell station nationwide. An additional donation of
1 Sen (RM0.01)
 per litre will be made by Mastercard when motorists pay using their Mastercard.

“Shell’s mission is to make life’s journeys better for all Malaysians, by offering high quality fuels and making a positive impact in the communities where we operate. Children are the future of our nation, and we believe in supporting those in need to help them achieve their full potential. Through the generous support of Malaysians over the past 3 years, we have made a difference in the lives of over 5,200 underprivileged children.”
 said
Shairan Huzani Husain, Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd.

Perry Ong, Country Manager, Malaysia and Brunei, Mastercard
 echoed the sentiment,
 “Mastercard is honoured to collaborate with Shell on a campaign that gives back to the community during one of Malaysia’s key festive seasons. This initiative underscores Mastercard’s commitment to support important causes such as children’s development as part of its global Priceless Causes effort which brings together partners and cardholders to do good. Donations will play a part in supporting the provision of school meals as an essential form of nourishment for children’s wellbeing. Additionally, cardholders can also make charitable contributions via the
Mastercard Donations Platform
, a digital platform which lets people donate conveniently and safely.”

The Shell Raya Charity Campaign focuses on capacity building for underprivileged children since its inception in 2015. Thanks to the generosity and support of Malaysian motorists, donations have allowed charitable organisations to fund educational programmes, renovate facilities, and upgrade office equipment.

This year, the funds will be donated to seven selected charitable organisations across the country;
The Kalsom Movement (Nationwide), Yayasan Chow Kit (Klang Valley), Majlis Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Malaysia (East Coast, North, South), Project T.R.Y (Transforming Rural Youth, Sabah), Pertubuhan Ibu Bapa Kanak-Kanak Keperluan Istimewa Sarawak, Montfort Youth Training Centre (Sabah),
and
 HAUS (Sarawak).

Every contribution matters, and Motorists are invited to take part in this initiative beginning
Saturday, 19 May 2018
 by simply fuelling up at any Shell station nationwide. Be sure to mark the remaining dates –
26 May, 2 June and 9 until 14 June 2018
 – in your calendar.

For more information and details on the campaign, please visit
www.shell.com.my/CSR


New Mitsubishi ASX Is Shared Model With Renault Captur, Only For Europe

At last, a new Mitsubishi ASX has officially been announced. The model has been around a rather long time, being freshened with cosmetic updates and special editions for the past 12 years. At one point, Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) even had plans to assemble it at Proton’s factory but when that did not materialize, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia went ahead to have it assembled at the Tan Chong plant in Kuala Lumpur.

If this new second generation of the ASX looks somewhat familiar, you’re right. It’s similar to the Renault Captur sold by TC Euro Cars in Malaysia and has been adapted to become Mitsubishi model. Having joined the Renault-Nissan Alliance in 2017 (after Nissan acquired a controlling share in MMC), the carmaker had access to the products and technology of the Alliance. This helped it to freshen its model line-up which had stagnated due to its weak financial position.

Renault Captur (second generation)

First generation ASX

The adoption of the Captur is not surprising as as MMC has been implementing structural reforms in Europe in line with the ‘Selection and Concentration’ strategy in its mid-term business plans announced two years ago. It has already frozen the development of new car models for European markets while concentrating its R&D resources and investments on the ASEAN region, where MMC is competitive. The company has also decided to end new car sales business in some European countries, by 2023.

Following common industry practices, the new ASX makes use of a Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance platform, the CMF-B, but rather than have different styling, MMC has opted to follow the Captur’s appearance.

However, to give it a Mitsubishi identity, it has the brand’s Dynamic Shield design concept at the front with the familiar 3 three-diamond badge. The Dynamic Shield incorporated is not as aggressive looking as in the Triton and XPANDER as the designers must have been constrained by the existing apertures for the Captur. To incorporate a bolder look would have meant major panel changes, adding engineering cost to the development program.

The profile is more rounded compared to that of the original ASX and like the Captur, the roof has a black colour to give a ‘floating’ effect. The rear end, like the front, also follows the Renault product with the ‘claw’ shaped rear lights that car designers seem to like nowadays.

Size-wise, the new ASX would be similar to the Captur which means that it is 65 to 70 mm shorter (depending on how the bumpers are shaped) that the previous model. However, the Captur is 2003 mm wide, which is 30 mm more width than the first generation of the ASX.

With intelligent packaging, the shorter length probably makes little difference to spaciousness, but the wider body would add certainly comfort for the occupants. The cargo area is said to be spacious with variability not only by folding the backrests but the rear seat can also slide forward a bit.

MMC has not said much about the cabin design which is pretty much the same as in the Captur. The infotainment panel in the middle is a 9.3-inch screen which is in a portrait orientation which is more favoured these days.

Primarily intended for the European market at this stage, the new ASX has electrified powertrains but no battery electric version. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain has a 1.6-litre petrol engine with 2 electric motors (an alternator-starter and a main motor), an automatic, multi-mode gearbox, and a 10.5 kWh battery pack. A second hybrid model (not PHEV) has a 1.3-litre turbocharged engine with a lower capacity 1.3 kWh battery pack.

MMC will continue to also offer a non-electrified version with a 1-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. This will probably be for Eastern European markets where lower-priced models are required.

The new ASX will be manufactured at a Renault factory in Spain, with first deliveries to customers in selected European markets starting March 2023.

There is no mention on whether we will see new ASX in ASEAN. Normally, products engineered based on a European cost base have been difficult to price competitively for this region which is more price-sensitive. That’s why the Japanese manufacturers have developed specific products largely for ASEAN markets.

New Outlander PHEV to be produced in Thailand.

As mentioned earlier, MMC will focus more on the ASEAN region and it is making big investments in this core region, followed by business developments in Africa, Oceania and South America. It will also be electrifying its range with the Outlander PHEV to be produced in Thailand in future. Besides that model, there’s also the
Triton
 and
XPANDER
 which are popular so there would be no great need for the ASX for now.

To know more about the Mitsubishi models available in Malaysia and where to test them, visit
www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my
.

Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance to spend 23 billion euros on massive electrification push


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles Delivers 24 FUSO Trucks To Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles
 (MBM CV), authorised distributor of
 FUSO
 trucks in Malaysia, together with authorised FUSO dealer,
Vista Wheels Sdn Bhd
, officially delivered 24 FUSO trucks to
Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd
, the only and largest privately-owned oil refinery plant in Malaysia.

“As a long-time trusted partner of the nation’s haulage and logistics industry, MBM CV is pleased to continue our on-going pledge to the Malaysian market. Our commitment in providing trucks of the highest quality, while offering reliability and economic efficiency is of the utmost importance to us and to our customers. We are absolutely pleased that Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd has placed their confidence in our highly reliable and economical commercial vehicles and extensive service network. It is a trust that we greatly value and appreciate deeply,”
 said
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, Vice President, Commercial Vehicles, Mr Albert Yee.

A FUSO customer since 2011, Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd’s recently purchased fleet of 24 FUSO light-duty trucks comprise primarily of the FE71PB and FE83PG series. The FE71PB series is commonly used for short distance distribution and inter-state logistic transportation while the FE83PG series is suitable for unpaved or rougher terrain. MBM CV’s authorised FUSO dealer, Vista Wheels Sdn Bhd, will provide extensive aftersales support and vehicle maintenance for Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd’s FUSO fleet which travel routinely to its branch offices nationwide.

Speaking at the handover ceremony of the latest five FUSO trucks,
Vista Wheels Sdn Bhd, Managing Director, Mr Book Lim Guan
, said,
“In the haulage industry, we understand that customers require vehicles that are safe, durable and perform well under pressure. Peace-of-mind is what customer’s look for, and together with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles, we are proud to deliver the highest level of quality and service to Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd.

Established in 2008, Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd’s primary business is to provide an integrated solution of waste management and recycling used engine and other mineral oils for companies. A member of the EXSIM Group Of Companies, Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd is currently on an aggressive expansion drive, with plans to open their 12th factory in Labuan this year. Todate, FUSO trucks make up 90% of the company’s 61 units of the commercial vehicle fleet. Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd is set to further expand its fleet by year end.


OPINION PIECE: FEATURE – Why Our Malaysian Road Tax System Should Have Died Along With The Dinosaurs

I’m getting ready for a massive hit soon
. Well, not to me
physically
 per se, but more toward my bank account, and it’s all because of our ridiculously archaic road-taxation system for private registered vehicles. But first, let’s take trip down memory-lane shall we?

A long, long time ago, in a galaxy… well, right here actually, cars, and more to the point, large capacity cars with big engines, were seen as ‘luxury goods’. Ownership of these ‘big-engine-big-body’ cars were seen as items that only the wealthy could afford. I’ll give you an example, in 1982 a
Mercedes-Benz 280SE
 (above) cost a whopping $90,000. I’ve used the ‘dollar’ symbol because back then the designation ‘RM’ for our currency didn’t even exist yet. To put that price into perspective, my old family house in
Kelana Jaya
 (then known as Ladang Seaport) at the time cost $47,000. Yes, you could technically buy two houses for the price of one luxury Merc.

Photo from Wikipedia

As such, the powers that be levied a hefty road tax on any privately registered car above a certain cubic-capacity (cc), like the gargantuan
Mercedes W140 S320
 above, its owners had to shell out more than RM3,000 for road tax every year. Road tax is somewhat liveable up to
2,000cc
, and it gets a bit more painful up to 2,499cc. It’s anywhere above that mark when things go from painful to downright suicidal, especially in this day and age. Above 2,499cc, the cost of annual road tax for privately registered cars goes up
exponentially
, and is calculated
per cc.

Image from Lelong.my

So now you know why typically in the past (and even till today), luxury carmakers, or rather any carmaker in the
D-segment
 would always try to keep their cars’ cubic-capacity below 2,500cc, for example the
Toyota Camry 2.4
 (above). For that engine displacement, the road tax is a somewhat liveable
RM879
 per annum. However, increase that cubic-capacity to just
400cc more
, and the road tax is a whopping
RM1,630
 a year.

Image from Top Gear Philippines

Does anyone remember the
Honda Accord 3.5 V6
 (above) that was sold here for a brief spell a decade or so ago? I do.
I loved it
. It was the ultimate
sleeper
. It also came with a yearly road tax of
RM4,380
! I’ve purchased whole, complete, running cars for less than that. No wonder it’s all but disappeared over here. Shame really. And that leads me nicely into the crux of this triade…

Automotive technology has progressed by leaps and bounds in the last few decades, and collectively carmakers the world over have unceremoniously dispensed with the old adage of
“No replacement for displacement”
 in lieu of smaller engines with forced-induction in the form of turbochargers and superchargers. It was now possible to achieve better power and better fuel-efficiency without the need for big cc engines. Case in point, the new
Mercedes-Benz C200
 (<–link) C-Class (above & below).

It’s capable of producing
184bhp
and
 280Nm
 of torque from a
 1,500cc, 4-cylinder
 turbocharged engine. Let that sink in a while. Here’s the clincher: it’s a luxury car with the cubic-capacity of a Toyota Vios that’s going to cost owners a paltry
RM90
 a year in road tax.
Let that sink in even further.

While on this subject, how about a supercar that pays the same? None? Have you forgotten the
BMW i8
 below? With its hybrid-powertrain, technically the i8 only has a
1.5-litre, 3-cylinder
 ‘engine’, and thus… it has the same yearly road tax as the aforementioned Vios. How ridiculous is that?

Image from Wired

Now price wise, the
Mercedes C200
costs
 RM249,888
 and the
BMW i8
 retails for more than
 ONE MILLION
Ringgit. So let’s rewind a bit now, back to 1983 actually, when the
Mercedes-Benz W126 280SE
 (below) was brand spanking new, a car that I personally own today. It cost circa 90k Malaysian dollars in 1982, big money in the 80’s, and perhaps it was justified back then to call it a big-ticket luxury item. However, that was
36-years ago
.

Fast-forward to 2019, and in a few weeks I’ll be shelling out a whopping
RM1,630
 for a year’s worth of road tax for the W126 above, which is enough to keep both the BMW i8 and Merc C200 on the road for the next
 eighteen years
. So yeah, owners of newer luxury cars – with smaller force-fed engines – that cost many, many times more than my W126, will be laughing.
Hysterically
. To say that our Malaysian road tax system is overdue for a revamp is a major understatement.

Now don’t get me wrong, I personally think that smaller force-fed engines in luxury cars is a brilliant move. They’re less polluting and more efficient, but long-gone are the days when a luxury car was defined by the cubic-capacity of its
engine
, that much is very evident with the current crop of luxury cars for the masses, like the
BMW 1-Series
 above. It only needs a
3-cylinder 1,499cc
 engine to produce a healthy
136bhp
and
 220Nm
 of torque. Not too long ago you’d need an engine in excess of 2-litres and 4-cylinders to do the same. And again, this BMW only costs RM90 a year to keep road-legal.

What can we do for older cars still on the road?

One idea I came up with some time ago when the ill-conceived blanket end-of-life “scrapping-policy” idea for cars over a certain age was mooted, was a
yearly
 inspection for all cars over 20-years of age, to ensure that they were all still roadworthy. And to compensate owners for this mandatory yearly inspection, a reduction in annual road tax could be implemented, i.e. a
50%
 immediate reduction in annual road tax for all privately owned cars 20-years and older that pass this yearly inspection,
75%
 reduction for cars 25-years and older. Not only will this eradicate cars that are too badly maintained from entering public roads, but it will also inspire owners to take care of their cars better, ensuring they are roadworthy. How’s that for a start? –
Chris Wee.

UPDATE: My good friend
Bobby Ang
 of
EVOLTN

saw this article today and made a very good suggestion! Base road tax on the cars’ value as mandated by INSURANCE paid yearly on any privately owned vehicle.
“You need to buy insurance, it is mandated, and you have your insured value against your loan amount, or how much you think it’s worth, and this value goes down yearly. Thus following insurance price (a.k.a. insured value) is the best method for road tax .”
 –
Bobby Ang, EVOLTN.

This is actually quite brilliant for newer cars, and might I add: As an incentive, discounts on yearly road tax for new cars can be given based on
NCD
 /
NCB
 as well. No claims, slightly
lower road tax
. This will ensure motorists drive safer too. Since nobody likes losing their NCD, now with no claims they can benefit from lower road tax as well. Nice one Bobby! –
Chris Wee.

Quick Road Tax Guide…

CC         RM

1,500 = 90

2,000 = 380

2,499cc = 879

2,500 = 880

2,800 = 1,630

3,000 = 2,130

3,500 = 4,380

For more road tax calculations, click this
link
.


5 Things You Need To Know About The Honda WR-V

The long awaited small SUV from Honda is just around the corner! For the time being, Honda’s Winsome Runabout Vehicle (WR-V) will be the only small SUV competitor for the Perodua Ativa. We have driven the car before its Malaysian debut, and this is what you need to know about the highly anticipated SUV.

Engine

The WR-V is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine that produced 121PS and 145Nm of torque. That may not seem like a lot, but it is a small SUV and that is actually quite sufficient to get around. In comparison to the Ativa, the WR-V has an additional 23PS and 5Nm of torque.

Just so you know, the 1.5-litre NA is the same unit found in the Honda City. The WRV is obviously meant to be efficient and comfortable, and it does its job quite well. So don’t worry, although you may think it is underpowered, we can assure you that this small SUV can get your family and you up to Genting with no hesitation.

The fuel consumption is rated at 14.6km per litre. For a 35-litre fuel tank, that’s not bad at all. It provides for about 510km of range and that is pretty impressive. But of course, it depends on the driving style as well. If you have a heavy foot, then expect more stops at the petrol station.

Design

If you’re not familiar with the existing Honda models, at first glance of the front end, you would probably ask yourself, “Who shrunk the CR-V?” However, if you happen to be a gear-head, you would instantly know that the WR-V has its own design language but shares certain features with the HR-V and CR-V. For instance, the grille and the placement of the rear door handle which is found on the upper side rather than on the door panel is similar to the HR-V.

The Malaysian RS will most likely feature the same exterior kit as the one introduced to the Thai market including a variant that features the chrome chequered grille and 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels. Power-retractable door mirrors, automatic LED headlights with sequential turn signals, LED daytime running lights, and LED front fog lights are additional features.

We are still unsure if the dual-tone paint job on the Thai-spec WR-V RS will make it to Malaysia, but there is a good chance that it will given how good it looks. Additionally, Malaysians appear to enjoy dual-tone paint jobs, so Honda will miss an opportunity if they do not provide this at launch.

Dimensions

The overall measurements for the WR-V are 4,060mm long, 1,780mm wide, and 1,608mm tall. But pictures do not actually justify the size of the WR-V. In fact, despite being slightly wider than the Perodua Ativa, it is smaller overall. The Ativa is 5mm longer, 27mm taller, and has a wheelbase that is 40mm longer than the WRV. However, the WRV is 70mm broader, giving it additional shoulder room. Besides, a bigger structure does not always mean more interior space.

On the spaciousness front, the front passenger seat had enough room, and the back seat had adequate capacity. However, our six-foot-framed colleague would have liked a bit more legroom behind the wheel. We do believe that the seats could be slightly wider, but it is understandable that doing so would have required giving up interior space. So if you have a slightly bigger build, like this writer, do not worry, you will fit into it just fine.

The booth capacity is 380 litres, but the WR-V lacks Honda’s incredibly useful Ultra seats (Thai-spec edition), hopefully, the Malaysian spec has them. The seats can, however, be divided 60:40 for greater convenience.

Interior Design and Features

The dashboard’s passenger side is covered in faux leather, while the door panels are composed of hard plastic. The interior of the RS variation features plenty of red stitching, a feature reserved only for Honda RS cars, and seats are clad in a combination of synthetic leather and cloth.

The interior has a nice feel to it as we found everything to be well-planned and put together. You will find a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Although there are two Type A USB connections up front, strangely, the passengers in the back seat will only have access to a standard 12-volt auxiliary power supply. Additionally, there is an auxiliary power unit up front that can also be utilised to power dash cams and other devices.

For the one behind the wheel, you will find an analogue metre panel that has a 4.2-inch TFT screen that displays all the standard information, including the trip computer, fuel gauge, and consumption statistics.

Six speakers distributed throughout the cabin make up the entertainment system. However, that only applies to RS versions; non-RS variants have only four speakers. Whether or not that is the same for the Malaysian market remains to be seen.

In addition, unlike the Thai version, which only had one (on the passenger seat), the Malaysian WR-V will include storage flaps on the backs of both front seats.

Driving and Safety Features

Safety is a top priority for Honda, thus the WR-V has Honda Sensing, an extensive and cutting-edge safety system that incorporates eight safety functions, including:

Lead Car Departure Notification
Adaptive Cruise Control
Collision Mitigation Braking System
Forward Collision Warning
Lane Keep Assist System
Road Departure Mitigation
Lane Departure Warning
Auto High Beam
LaneWatch Camera (left side for blind spot assist)

Six airbags, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Vehicle Stability Assist, an auto door lock, and ISOFIX anchors are included in the WRV’s passive safety features.

We are not sure how many variants are likely to enter the Malaysian market but we can assume that just like the City sedan/hatchback lineup, there should be four available variants with the RS being the highest. We will just have to wait and confirm further details at the official launch this Thursday.


BMW Group Malaysia’s offers for Chinese New Year

This coming Chinese New Year will start the Year of the Rat, which is also the beginning of a new cycle of the Chinese zodiac. For those who are planning on buying a new car, this could be a good time to join the BMW or MINI family.

BMW Group Malaysia is having Chinese New Year offers which include cash rebates with financing solutions to make it easy to purchase a new BMW or MINI model. The offers are available at all authorised dealerships nationwide.

BMW 330i M Sport – winner of the Premium Executive category in the
2019 Malaysia Cars of the Year Awards
.

Deals for BMW

Until March 31, 2020
, customers can obtain attractive financing interest of 1.38% for the 530e M Sport, and 1.88% for models including the 330i M Sport, 530i M Sport, 520i Luxury, 740Le xDrive LCI, 630i GT, X1 sDrive20i, X3 xDrive30i Luxury and X3 xDrive30i M Sport.

During the promotion  period, new owners of the BMW 330i M Sport will also receive a complimentary BMW Ultimate Protection Programme for one year. It is described as a first-of-its kind insurance plan that covers both the owner and their BMW vehicle. Owners of other models mentioned will also enjoy the same benefit, with the added advantage of a one-year complimentary BMW Comprehensive Insurance.

BMW ChargeNow card provides easy access to public charging stations in many locations across Malaysia.

Additionally, those who choose the 530e M Sport or 740Le xDrive LCI and have it registered by March 31, 2020 will receive a complimentary BMW i Wallbox and BMW ChargeNow card. The former will enable recharging of the battery pack to be done at home while the latter will provide easy access to public charging stations in many locations across Malaysia.

If you prefer a MINI

MINI Malaysia’s ‘
Springs Into Action
’ campaign has festive offers which will be available up to the end of March 2020. These include monthly instalments starting from RM2,388 and cash rebates of between RM8,000 to RM22,000 on selected models.

Take a test-drive at an authorised MINI showroom in Malaysia and you will receive limited edition MINI Chinese New Year Ang Pao packets (while stocks last).

Additionally, for the first 20 owners of the MINI 3 Door or MINI 5 Door (during the campaign period), there will be an exclusive invitation to the exciting MINI Track Driving Experience. This will enable a new owner to immediately understand why the MINI has been so highly regarded for its go-kart handling.

2020 MINI Clubman unveiled – RM298,888


Nearly One Million Accidents On Malaysian Roads In Two Years

Approximately 915,874 traffic accidents were reported between 2021 and 2022, according to the Transport Ministry.

Minister Anthony Loke reported that there were 370,286 accidents in 2021 and 545,588 accidents in 2022, with 6,080 deaths (1.1%) and 4,539 deaths (1.23%) respectively.

According to a research by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), human behaviour is the primary factor in road accidents, followed by design, the state of the road infrastructure, and the condition of the vehicles.

“Miros and the Road Transport Department are continuously running campaigns and enforcement measures to promote safe driving etiquette,” Loke said.

Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan (BN-Kuala Pilah) requested that the Transport Minister identify the primary contributing factor in fatal traffic accidents and outline short, medium, and long-term solutions.

In response, Loke stated that in order to address the issue of traffic accidents, the Transport Ministry introduced the Malaysia Road Safety Plan (PKJRM 2022-2030) on January 27, 2022.

“The goal is to reduce the number of road accidents by 50% come 2030. Various programmes and strategies involving stakeholders from local communities and the private sector have also been planned,” he said.

He claimed that in order to raise car safety standards, both active and passive tactics were used. This has been accomplished, he said, “through the establishment of a vehicle research and safety test centre and improving the standards and mechanisms used to evaluate a vehicle’s safety.” He also said that additional steps had also been taken.


Customers Scammed By Car Salesperson With Deposit Money

Photo of police report from FB group posting

Over the weekend, a story involving a salesperson for a Japanese automaker went viral. When it came time to take delivery, it was revealed that the deposits made by the customers previously were not properly remitted to the dealership for the car purchase. The salesman is accused of taking deposits from consumers that were intended to go towards the purchase of a car.

Dealerships have repeatedly warned clients to be wary of phoney sales representatives who demand payments be sent to personal bank accounts. In 2021,
Perodua
 issued a similar announcement, which was previously published.

Scammers appear to have discovered a solution, maybe as a result of the 1MDB case, which involved payments to bank accounts that had similar names but were not precisely the same. Cash deposits of up to RM90,000 were made to a non-personal bank account, however the bank account was not truly the dealership’s, according to a Facebook post that included a police complaint.

We must be particularly cautious because it appears that scammers have picked up their game recently. Always double-check the correct bank account for deposits with the finance team at the dealership. A warning sign in this situation would be the absence of Sdn Bhd from the bank account name; Sdn Bhd is typically used for car dealerships. To be certain, you can always ask the cashier in the after-sales area or call the dealership to get a confirmation of the accounting details.


Peugeot 3008 Wins Overall MAI Car Of The Year Award 2018!

The hall erupted when the announcement was made. Having initially won the “Compact Crossover” category earlier, this
European Car of the Year 2017
, the
Peugeot 3008
SUV, emerged as the overall
Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) Car of the Year 2018
at the awards ceremony that gathered the automotive industry’s crème de la crème, held at The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

Laurence Noel, CEO of Naza Automotive Manufacturing (second from left) and Dato’ Samson Anand George, Group CEO, Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd (third from right) receiving the Car Of The Year 2018 Award from (from left to right) Dato’ Madani Sahari, CEO, Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI); YAB Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Prime Minister of Malaysia; YB Datuk Ignatius Darell Leiking, Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and Mr Yamin Vong, Chairman, Panel of Judges, Malaysia Car of the Year 2018

Lionel Faugeres (right), General Director, ASEAN Operations, Groupe PSA receiving the Compact Crossover Of The Year Category Award earlier in the evening

Dato’ Samson Anand George, Group CEO, Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings
 who received the award said,
“It is a great honour for Peugeot Malaysia to receive this coveted award as it stands as a testament to the Peugeot 3008 SUV’s enduring popularity. Being a celebrated SUV the world over, the Peugeot 3008 SUV received more than 60 international awards and accolades so far and with 430,000 units sold worldwide. The Peugeot 3008 SUV proved its mettle in Malaysia as our best-selling model in the country, and we will continue to offer best quality products to the market.”


Exclusive McLaren Senna XP cars pay tribute to one of the greatest F1 drivers

Ayrton Senna was one of Formula 1’s greatest drivers and tragically died in an accident on the track at the age of 34. But he is remembered and honoured in many ways and recently, a McLaren dealer in Beverly Hills, California, unveiled three one-of-a-kind McLaren Senna XP cars. The XP cars were specially commissioned by the dealer from McLaren Special Operations (MSO) and each has a pricetag of US$1,435,328 (equivalent to RM5.95 million).

Only 500 examples of the McLaren Senna were made available globally during the car’s limited production run, and all were snapped up by enthusiasts before production even began in 2018. The XP cars are even rarer, being traditionally the factory experimental prototypes and initial test cars, and then re-built to individual customer specifications after the model program is completed.

Photo credit for all images: Robert Grubbs

Inspired by Senna’s remarkable achievements

The Beverly Hills XP vehicles are inspired by three of the most remarkable achievements in the career of F1 driver. Each car features a fully exposed gloss carbonfibre bodywork with unique paintwork detailing matching the hosting countries’ colours of the corresponding Grand Prix. The flags of these countries are hand painted on the rear wing which, together with the exquisite detail airbrushed onto the interior extended carbonfibre sills, shows the racing exploits of the great man.

These features and the fully bespoke interiors in matching tinted gloss carbonfibre, took the craftsmen and women at MSO 780 hours to create. The finishing touches are bespoke brake calipers, a steering wheel with special 12 o’clock marker, an etched accelerator pedal, headrests embroidered with the nation’s flag and name of theme and a special 1 of 1 dedication plaque.

Master of Monaco
 celebrates Senna’s six wins, five of which were consecutive victories, at the famous street circuit between 1989 and 1993. Considered by most as requiring more concentration over a single lap than any other circuit, the drivers get closer to the barriers at Monaco than at any other Grand Prix. In 1988, Ayrton qualified on pole by over 2 seconds driving what he later said was “well over something conscious”.

Lap of the Gods
 pays respect to one of Ayrton’s greatest victories at Donington Park in the UK during the 1993 season. He started from 5th place on the grid to lead the race in the wet and changing conditions by the end of the first lap. Ayrton solidified his status and went to finish in first place over 1 minute ahead of the next car. This incredible drive by Ayrton is widely regarded as the best opening-lap charge in F1 history, and rightfully so.

Home Victory
 (
vitória em casa
, the Portuguese translation of Home Victory) pays homage to Ayrton’s home country of Brazil and his first home win in 1991. Against all odds, Ayrton won the race at the Interlagos circuit with only 6th gear remaining through the final laps; with competitors catching up to him, his superhuman effort and great luck led him to victory in the emotional race.

“I only returned to reality when I saw the finish line” he said. “Then I felt happy to be alive, to be in Interlagos, in my homeland, and with my happy compatriots. It wasn’t the greatest victory of my life, but one where I gave everything I had.”

New McLaren 620R brings the track-only 570S GT4 to the streets


Goodyear Malaysia donates tyres to Sekolah Kebangsaan Seksyen 20, Shah Alam

Goodyear Malaysia has kindly donated tyres to Sekolah Kebangsaan Seksyen 20, Shah Alam as part of the school’s recreational activities and workshop training. Committed to taking care of the environment and community, the donation was carried out to impart the knowledge to the students on the importance of recycling and its effects.

With the donated tyres, Sekolah Kebangsaan Seksyen 20, Shah Alam aims to not only reuse the tyres as decorations like creating sculptures, they plan to make use of them for practical purposes as well. This will in turn create a more stylistic and hands-on approach to learning which is getting more crucial in this day and age.

Inspired by one of the teachers at that very school, Mr Aizatul Ashraf stated “School children absorb information and knowledge from many sources, including their surroundings. By showing how the tyres are used as pots for plants and decorations around the school, I hope that they learn that everything can be put to good use with the right mindset.”

This idea was inspired by the unveiling of two statues crafted by professional sculptors, made entirely out of Goodyear tyres at the 2018 Cotton Bowl. The Cotton Bowl is annual college American football match, played between two teams in the semi-finals as part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) college football league.

According to Anthony Fonseka, Marketing Communication and Service Manager, Goodyear Malaysia, “We are more than happy to support this community in which we are proud to be a part of. We know the tyres are being put to good use, so we hope that this will inspire and empower the students of SK 20 to take care of the environment by constantly finding new ways to repurpose used items in a safe environment.”

“The tyres that we donated to the school would have been recycled and so are unsuitable for the market. We are happy to see them serving a new decorative and practical reasons, which to us is the same as being recycled. We now have more space in our inventory and the school has new tyres put to good use. We’d say it’s a win-win situation!” added Mr. Fonseka.

Goodyear launches tyres for flying cars!


First Rolls-Royce Phantom with Hawaiian Koa Wood

‘Bespoke’ is customisation taken to a higher level and at the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective, consisting of designers, engineers and craftspeople, the limits of Bespoke are very high. Virtually any request will be met – while ensuring that safety is not compromised. In a world often dominated by luxury commodities designed for mass consumption, a Bespoke Rolls-Royce exemplifies the notion of true luxury.

A recent example is the latest Phantom Extended created in a 3-year collaboration between the customer  and the Bespoke Design team, resulting in the creation of a deeply personal legacy. For the ultimate car enthusiast, Jack Boyd Smith, Jnr., this personal legacy features an unusual example of a rare species of Koa Wood.

Future classic for the JBS Collection

The realisation of Mr. Smith’s vision reflects both his personality and his love and passion for unique vintage cars. The one-of-a-kind creation joins his personal collection of more than 60 unique cars in The JBS Collection Museum. This latest Phantom Extended will undoubtedly become a future classic.

Referred to as the Koa Phantom, it is the first Rolls-Royce Phantom that incorporates Koa Wood, a rare species of tree that grows only on Hawaiian soil. The inspiration derives from Mr. Smith and his wife Laura’s love for the warmth and character of Koa Wood, having spent significant amounts of time in Hawaii. His ongoing connection to the Koa species is rooted deep within his family, with a Koa Wood rocking chair (pictured below) that has been a centrepiece in their home for many years.

Non-negotiable requirement

Mr. Smith was determined to bring the warm, familiar atmosphere of the wood to the interior of his Rolls-Royce. As they embarked on the creation, Mr. Smith quickly learned that his non-negotiable design would require allowing the craftspeople time to perfect their art. The unique Koa tree grows only in Hawaii and is protected in Hawaiian State and National parks. Koa Wood can only be harvested from private agricultural land and owing to the very specific growing conditions required, to find such a unique log from this extremely limited resource, is truly rare.

A Rolls-Royce Wood Specialist described the find as a ‘one in a million chance’. Some aspirant brands use more commonly available Koa Wood specimens but, for Rolls-Royce, only the finest example of this extraordinary species would do. Mr. and Mrs. Smith patiently waited for 3 years for their perfect veneer, as the Rolls-Royce Wood Specialist negotiated with a supplier for a highly prized log from his own, personal collection.

The specimen acquired displayed a unique depth of character rarely seen, with a figure in the grain that creates the effect of velvet. The craftsmen and women of the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Woodshop embraced the challenge of preserving this rich textural finish in the Phantom Extended.

Replicating an 80-year old finish

The Koa Phantom exterior shines a deep blue by day; by night, it is hidden in the darkness. The Bespoke ‘Packard Blue’ hue is colour-matched to Mr. Smith’s 1934 Packard Twelve Coupe, a rare motor car in his personal collection. Creating an exact match to an 80-year old finish was no small feat, and even included shipping parts from vintage cars to the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood. After testing on more than 40 test panels, the formula was finally deemed a perfect match.

An elegant hand-painted coachline in Dove Grey runs the length of the deep, dark blue Phantom, matching the wheel centre pinstripes. The driver’s door bears the personalised initials ‘JBS Jr’ while the passenger door bears the initials of Mrs. Smith, ‘LAS’.

On opening the coach doors, a personalised treadplate reads, ‘Hand-built in Goodwood, England for Laura & Jack Boyd Smith, Jr.’ Across Phantom’s fascia lies the Gallery – an uninterrupted piece of glass behind which clients can commission unique works of art and design. For the Koa Phantom, the wood itself takes centre stage, preserved and exhibited at the heart of the car, showcasing its natural beauty.

Koa Wood embellishes the Dove Grey leather interior that is matched to the Packard Twelve and offset by Navy Blue highlights and piping. Above, a Bespoke handcrafted starlight headliner consisting of 1,420 fibreoptic lights on navy-blue leather, depicts the constellation of the night sky above Cleveland, Ohio, on Mr. Smith’s date of birth.

The Rolls-Royce monogram on the headrests is matched to the exterior finish while the rear compartment is adorned with a Champagne fridge, accompanied by a pair of crystal champagne flutes and decanter, engraved with the clients’ initials.

A Picnic Hamper too

A hand-crafted Koa Wood Picnic Hamper completes this unique project. Koa Wood, saddle leather and stainless steel are meticulously crafted in a process that takes more than 500 hours to complete. The saddle leather trim and interior leather is Dove Grey, matched to the interior of the one-of-a-kind Bespoke Phantom. Stainless steel features on both the exterior and interior of the hamper; with plaques that read, ‘Laura & Jack Boyd Smith, Jr.’

The hamper includes hand-made wine glasses and decanters from the Ajka Crystal factory in Hungary, famed for its traditional techniques. The stainless-steel cutlery is hand-made in England. The 12-piece set is produced to the highest standards by expert craftspeople using traditional polishing and grinding techniques – a tribute to British steel heritage. Wedgwood porcelain plates add a final flourish to the hamper.


Toyota LQ Concept can bond with drivers emotionally?

Toyota Motor Corporations has announced the “LQ”, a concept vehicle that has the advanced ability to build an ‘emotional bond’ between car and driver. That’s right, the next-generation Toyota “Concept-I” comes ready with automated driving capabilities and “Yui”, Toyota’s next-level AI that can learn from the driver and deliver a personalised mobility experience.

According to Daisuke Ido, LQ development leader, “In the past, our love for cars was built on their ability to take us to distant places and enable our adventures. Advanced technology gives us the power to match customer lifestyles with new opportunities for excitement and engagement. With the LQ, we are proud to propose a vehicle that can deliver a personalized experience, meet each driver’s unique mobility needs, and build an even stronger bond between car and driver.”

The Toyota LQ Concept follows the main theme of “Learn, Grow, Love”. By learning and understanding the driver’s preferences and needs, the concept vehicle hopes to cue the development of future vehicles and bridge the gap closer between car and its occupants.

A public test run will be organised starting June 2020 and those who are interested can apply via a mobile app. The main features that can be found in the Toyota LQ Concept are:

Yui Mobility Expert and AI Agent (information access, music streaming, high-speed communication)

Technology designed to provide safety, peace of mind, and a comfortable mobility experience (automated driving, valet parking system, seats with alertness and relaxation functions)

Advanced equipment and technology (new HMI functions, Organic LED meter display, air purification coating)

There are a lot of ‘world’s first’ features introduced in the new Toyota LQ Concept and with an EV range of around 300km plus Level 4 Autonomous Driving, we’re guessing that the future of mobility is geared towards more comfort and ease than ever before. There’s still a long way to go but for Toyota’s case, it might be sooner than expected since the public test run will commence next year.

Toyota Mirai Concept previews next generation of FCEV to be launched at the end of 2020


PUSPAKOM Offers Free Inspections For Private Vehicles As Contribution to Improving Road Safety

With many people going to travel long distances later this month as they
balik kampung
 to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri or go on holidays during the festive holiday period, there will be a need to ensure that vehicles are in a safe running condition.

While it may not be necessary to have the vehicle serviced if it is not due, a safety inspection would be good to carry out. Safety inspections are available at many companies and PUSPAKOM is also offering free Vehicle Inspections for owners of private vehicles. This Free Vehicle Inspection initiative is available
between April 10 and 20, 2023
.

PUSPAKOM’s mobile inspection services will not be available until further notice.

The free inspection, which is based on the VVI (Voluntary Vehicle Inspection) procedure, is available at all PUSPAKOM branches nationwide (except the ones in Shah Alam, Taman Bukit Maluri and Pasir Gudang) between 8 am and 5 pm. No prior appointment is required and priority will be given so there should not be a long wait.

Additionally, a Mobile Inspection Unit will also be deployed to offer the inspection service at the following locations:

Wisma DRB-HICOM  – April 11 | 9.00 am – 4 pm
MMU Cyberjaya (staff only) – April 11 | 9 am – 4 pm
Sinar Karangkraf Sdn Bhd – April 12 | 9 am – 4 pm
Setia Alam Impian – April 15 | 9 am – 4 pm
Lotus’s Ara Damansara – April 19 | 9 am to 4 pm

A car undergoing inspection at PUSPAKOM

The VVI focusses on important areas such as the brakes, tyres, suspension, lights, parts under vehicles, as well as compliance with exhaust emissions and tinting laws.

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“This Free Vehicle Inspection campaign is one of PUSPAKOM’s Corporate Social Responsibilities to raise public awareness of the importance of vehicle safety, especially during the festive season,” said the CEO of PUSPAKOM, Mohammed Shukor Ismail Shukor.

“It will help owners to be aware of the condition of their vehicles using PUSPAKOM’s computerized equipment. The information can then be used as a reference to perform proper maintenance,” he explained, adding that there will also be a simple contest for those who come for the inspection.

PLUS Aims To Cut Fatalities On Its Highways By 7% In 2023


Fuel Price Updates For June 24 – June 30, 2021


Toyota widens reach with Flagship Stores on Lazada and Shopee

Online shopping has been growing in popularity over the past few years and with the COVID-19 pandemic, its growth has accelerated. These days, you can get almost anything online and now, the list includes Toyota vehicles.

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has opened online stores at two of Malaysia’s e-commerce platforms – Lazada and Shopee – to reach further. Being online, the Toyota Malaysia Flagship Stores are open 24/7 so they can be visited at any time of the day, making it convenient for shoppers.

“As online shopping is now part of daily life, UMW Toyota Motor is also establishing a presence on the popular ecommerce platforms of Lazada Malaysia and Shopee with the Toyota Flagship Stores. We want to make it as easy as possible for customers to buy Toyota vehicles in Malaysia, especially if they are looking for great money-saving deals. This follows the earlier introduction of the Toyota Online Showroom which was very well received,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.

Online-only special deals

From time to time, car-buyers will find special deals on selected Toyota models, with booking fees as low as RM250. And just like purchasing other goods online, payment can be made the same way, ie by credit card or electronic fund transfers from banks. Chat support is also available at the online stores (Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 5:30 pm) for customers who may have queries.

One of the deals currently offered at the Toyota Flagship Store.

Currently, there’s a special promotion for the Fortuner SUV (limited stocks) worth RM22,760 and it comes with 5 years of free scheduled maintenance (terms and conditions apply).  There are other exclusive deals for the Innova, Harrier and Hilux (limited stocks) as well. The deals are available only for online bookings at the Toyota Flagship Stores on both Lazmall and Shopee Mall.

“Online sales of new cars have been gaining popularity in other countries and are more appreciated with the current situation whereby consumers may be reluctant to go to showrooms due to health concerns. We therefore offer online channels through the popular e-commerce platforms as well as our own Toyota Online Showroom so they can be fully informed and then make the purchase conveniently,” added Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.

Revised Toyota Pricelist after Sales Tax Exemption


Volvo will introduce unsupervised motoring in California first

Carmakers wanting to enter the US market have often found that the west coast state of California is a good place to start. It seems that consumers there are receptive to new trends and new cars, so Volvo Cars will introduce its unsupervised autonomous driving feature, Ride Pilot, to customers in the state of California first.

‘Unsupervised’ would mean that Ride Pilot offers the highest level of autonomous motoring where humans do not have to be involved at all. It’s the stuff of science fiction movies and will free up more time for the occupants to do other things. Whether we can call it ‘driving’ any longer is something that will need to be debated.

In tandem with the introduction of Ride Pilot, the company is also setting a new standard for safety, with over-the-air (OTA) software updates in combination with a state-of-the-art sensor set-up. The software is developed by autonomous driving software company Zenseact, together with Volvo Cars’ in-house team of developers, and developers from Luminar, one of its technology partners.

The sensor set-up consists of more than 2 dozen sensors, including Luminar’s cutting-edge Iris LiDAR sensor, which will be tightly integrated with the developed software. Luminar’s LiDAR sensor will complement 5 radars, 8 cameras and 16 ultrasonic sensors in Volvo Cars’ upcoming fully electric SUV. This standard sensor set-up provides excellent vision and perception reliability. Together with continuous, over-the-air software rollouts, the system will ensure full redundancy and enable Volvo Cars to achieve safe autonomous driving with Ride Pilot.

For autonomous motoring to be safe with no supervision by humans, the vehicle will have to be able to scan all round with various sensors to detect other vehicles and hazards. The sensors will include cameras mounted in the windscreen like the ones shown below.

Rigorous testing and verification

While this software-sensor combination, and the safety it enables, will be standard, available from day one on the new SUV and improved over time, Ride Pilot will be made available to customers only once it has gone through Volvo Cars’ rigorous verification and testing protocol. This includes validation of the technology as safe for use on highways in a number of varying conditions. This new flagship for the company will be revealed later this year.

As part of this verification process, Volvo Cars is already testing autonomous driving functionalities on roads in Sweden together with Zenseact, and collecting data across Europe and the USA. By the middle of this year, the company intends to begin testing on roads in California (pending approvals from relevant authorities), where the climate, traffic conditions and regulatory framework provide a favourable environment for the introduction of autonomous driving.

But where and how far autonomous driving will be permitted is not known yet. In some countries where autonomous vehicles are permitted to operate, only limited sections of public roads can be used. On such roads, the surrounding environment is properly prepared to ensure that the imagery systems can correctly function to detect and identify road hazards and signage.

More free time on a journey

The name ‘Ride Pilot’ implies what the driver can expect: when the car is driving on its own, Volvo Cars takes responsibility for the driving, offering the driver comfort and peace of mind. By using Ride Pilot, drivers will be able to free up time while driving, and spend it on secondary activities such as reading, writing, working or socialising. The feature can also help drivers arrive at their destination rested and recharged, by reducing the mental strain that may come with driving, especially in traffic jams or heavy traffic.

Without the need to supervise what the car is doing, the driver will be able to do other things like read or even talk on a phone without breaking any law. Perhaps the occupants could even sleep on the journey – but can it be called ‘driving’ then?

“We are proud to announce the planned US launch of our first truly unsupervised autonomous driving feature, as we look to set a new industry standard for autonomy without compromising safety,” said Mats Moberg, Head of Research and Development at Volvo Cars. “Having Zenseact’s brand-new AD software and Luminar’s LiDAR standard in our new fully electric SUV is a game-changer for Volvo Cars, as well as for automotive safety and autonomous driving.”

Human drivers use two eyes, autonomous cars need three eyes


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia pushes ahead with enhanced brand experience

To know more about promotions at BHPetromart, visit
www.bhpetrol.com.my
.

For many years now, one of the industry events early in years has been a presentation of the previous year’s performance by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM), and a look at its plans for the new year. Unfortunately, with the MCO and concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, physical interactions have to be minimized and events with big groups are out of the question.

Virtual showroom

So this year, the presentation is done in the good old fashioned way with a press release. The New Normal ties in with the launch of its e-commerce platform, a virtual showroom that allows customers to find out more about the German models online.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Virtual Showroom

“2020 placed great demands on us as a society. Despite the challenges, the situation also presented us with an opportunity to be more resilient and agile in this new technology-led environment. While the safety and of our customers is our top priority, we explore innovative ways to optimize our offerings. The virtual showroom is an example of our pursuit in continuous digitalisation effort to bring the best experiences for our customers,” said Dr Claus Weidner, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.

In 2020, MBM hosted its first ever digital premiere car launch for the latest Mercedes-AMG compact cars, with the digital debut of the new all-new A 35 hatchback, A 45 S and the CLA 45 S. The company also hosted its first regional digital premiere of the all-new GLB SUV for Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, and ended the year ended with a virtual launch of the new GLA.

Detailed quality checks at the assembly plant in Pekan, Pahang.

The models assembled locally at the plant in Pekan, Pahang, still stand at 13 variants from 5  model lines – C-Class, E-Class and S-Class sedans; GLC and GLC Coupe SUVs; as well as two Mercedes-AMG models, the C 43 and the GLC 43 Coupe. That’s certainly a big difference from the period before MBM started when only 3 model lines (and a couple of variants) were assembled – the C-Class, E-Class and S-Class. The company plans to localise additional models in the compact car and SUV segment this year.

In the continuous pursuit of the
Best Customer Experience
 initiative, Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Alor Setar and Kuala Lumpur were also renovated substantially to be more luxurious. This saw the transformation of a conventional point of sale to a place where a customer can encounter the brand family and immerse themselves in a fascinating car purchasing and ownership journey. The first of its kind Mercedes-Benz Lifestyle Accessories and Collection Boutique was also opened.

One-stop solution for customers

Despite the pandemic, customer services providing customers with aftersales support saw a throughput of over 140,000 vehicles in 2020. This achievement was supported by various service differentiation offerings including extended service and warranty grace period (due to the MCO), Express Service, Drop&Go, Door-to-Door, Star Mobile, and the implementation of Mercedes-Benz Star Shield Programme, covering comprehensive safety measures across dealerships nationwide.

Star Mobile is managed by Cycle & Carriage in the northern region.

Other highlights included the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz Original Tyre Programme, which makes its dealer network now a one-stop service provider, and the implementation of various contactless convenience include the Mercedes me Adapter and Online Appointment booking.

Mercedes-Benz Financial services

Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia (MBSM) has been offering a range of comprehensive and innovative finance and insurance solutions for Mercedes-Benz customers when purchasing their new vehicles. MBSM financed more than 50% of all Mercedes-Benz vehicles sold by authorised dealers in Malaysia and reached a concrete servicing portfolio of RM2.27 billion. It also recorded new contracts worth over RM717 million and introduced new financing and insurance solutions, the Star Protect and Star Protect Plus programme.

Going forward

MBM has a comprehensive strategy to further enhance its position in current luxury and  performance segment. Amidst a challenging year ahead, the company intends to build a strong momentum by offering desirable and innovative products by leveraging its strength as a luxury brand and grow local economic value.

“We are cautiously optimistic about the auto industry’s recovery in 2021. Geared with our comprehensive customer-centric strategy, we are confident it will be an interesting journey as we innovate new ways we communicate and conduct businesses in the future together with our partners,” said Dr. Weidner.

“We want to assure our new and existing customers that we are with them throughout their ownership. We have accelerated most of our efforts to combine physical and digital touchpoints for a seamless customer journey. From dealerships with luxurious brand presence to digital launches and virtual showroom– it is all now easily accessible from anywhere. This new and improved presence is meant to simplify processes and enhance our brand experience by leveraging data and technology in this era,” added Michael Jopp, Vice-President of Sales & Marketing.

The new Mercedes-Benz GLB-class


From zero stars to 5 stars in NCAP tests

China’s auto industry goes back many decades but it was only in the 1980s, as the country’s economy opened up, that the industry began to expand. Numerous new car companies were established, largely with government support to help them get going, and apart from joint-ventures with foreign carmakers, there were also many that developed on their own.

In the auto industry, the name of the game is numbers – to achieve the biggest volumes possible so that economies of scale can push production costs down. To build up to the critical levels, aspects like quality and safety may not be as high a priority as producing as many vehicles as possible. It’s a normal evolutionary process in the auto industry and once the critical annual volume is reached, then attention can be given to other areas as increasing profits provide the financial resources for more R&D.

So it’s not unusual that the early cars from Chinese companies had low quality and it should be remembered that the Japanese and Koreans also went through that phase. In the 1960s, when the Japanese cars started to sell in noticeable numbers in Malaysia, they were considered fragile and thought to be ‘made from Milo tin can materials’, which was really a myth. But in time, they improved quality and moved so far ahead as to lead the industry in that aspect.

For the Chinese carmakers, the 2000s were a time of rapid growth and getting into world markets. While their vehicles were selling well in China and there was then little emphasis on safety, the same was not the case in other countries. Safety standards were well established and independent organizations like Euro NCAP and Germany’s TUV and ADAC conducted assessments on new vehicles which included crashing them.

The severely damaged Landwind X6 tested by Germany’s ADAC in 2005 increased the negative perception of the passive safety of Chinese vehicles.

The early Chinese cars exported to Europe had poor ratings then, and a SUV model called the Landwind X6 showed a shocking result in Euro NCAP’s crash test in 2005 when it was so severely damaged that it got zero stars. Though testing by some other organizations suggested that it was not all that bad, the negative publicity became associated with cars from China.

The need for better engineered cars with better protection for occupants saw the establishment of safety standards by the China Automotive Technology Research Centre in 2006. This was the start of C-NCAP (China’s New Car Assessment Program) which would eventually adopt international standards typically led by Euro NCAP. There is now a Global NCAP organization which coordinates and assists national and regional organizations in this field.

NCAP tests are not required by law in any country, but their results are of interest to car-buyers who will be better informed of the level of safety a model offers. Manufacturers therefore aim to achieve the best result – 5 stars – for their new models. During development, they are made aware of the various requirements in the tests and engineer their vehicles to meet or even exceed those requirements.

Many new models nowadays can score the maximum of 5 stars but some get less either because of their design or because they may not have sufficient protective capability or features. In some cases, reduced equipment may also mean a lower score, but the vehicle will also cost less. So it is up to the buyers to decide whether they value their lives enough to pay the extra for better safety or settle for a less safe car and save money instead.

The NCAP requirements or protocols are constantly evolving and are periodically updated with tougher requirements as new technologies become available and also to push manufacturers to make their cars safer. Thus a model which may have scored well in 2003 might not achieve the same result today because the requirements have become tougher. For example, in 2008, Euro NCAP (and other NCAPs followed later) made it a requirement that Electronic Stability Control (ESC) must be present to be able to get 5 stars. If a model scored well in all areas but had no ESC, it would get only 4 stars. This basically forced the industry to make ESC a standard feature before long, providing motorists with better active safety.

Another example is the provision of airbags for both front occupants. This was promoted by
ASEAN NCAP
 for models sold in the region and before long, manufacturers made dual front airbags standard across the range.

The upgrading of protocols is done in discussion with the industry to ensure that sufficient time is given for carmakers to improve their engineering or further develop technologies that will make it possible to meet new tests. There is also the cost factor as imposition of new technology too fast can make cars more expensive.

In the case of China, C-NCAP (which set standards) was behind the global NCAP standards at the start. However, by 2012, the protocols were upgraded to become close to what Euro NCAP had. For example, the main frontal offset impact speed was increased from 56 km/h to 64 km/h, and there was a general increase in the thresholds for injury scores of the dummies.

By 2018, the vehicles that were made in China and also the regulations set by the authorities were comparable to those in Europe. This meant that Chinese vehicles had safety standards that could be considered as world-class, with most of the models sold globally being able to match those from other makes.

A recent example of this achievement is with the latest HAVAL H6 from GWM (Great Wall Motors). The new SUV was given a 5-star rating by ANCAP, the NCAP organization for the Australasian region. Even more impressive was that the model had met ANCAP’s latest 2022 protocols which are tougher.

“This is GWM’s first new HAVAL SUV model to the Australasian market for a number of years. Delivering a 5-star vehicle to the market – against ANCAP’s latest 2022 protocols – demonstrates the brand has kept pace with the latest ANCAP safety standards and consumer safety expectations,” said ANCAP’s CEO, Carla Hoorweg.

The H6 achieved excellent results in 4 aspects – Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), Child Occupant Protection (COP), Safety Assist and Vulnerable Road-User Protection, with scores of 90%, 88%, 81% and 73%, respectively.

Details of the results showed that the H6 got a ‘GOOD’ grade in AOP. It has got a full score in tests such as side impact, oblique pole, whiplash protection, and rescue and extrication. In addition to the 70%+ high-strength steel vehicle frame, the vehicle is also equipped with an omnidirectional airbag that can effectively protect front and rear passengers from injury during a crash.

In terms of COP, the H6 also did very well. It received a full score in dynamic test (side) due to the lower ISOFIX anchorages and top tether anchorages installed in the rear seat. These further strengthen the connection between the childseat and the vehicle body, thus providing better safety protection for children.

Vulnerable Road User Protection is something which GWM would have given attention to earlier because C-NCAP had already been looking into it for some years now. The China In-Depth Accident Study (CIDAS) which was developed like Germany’s GIDAS identified that around 22% of serious crashes involved pedestrians. This led C-NCAP to also evaluate vehicles to rate how well pedestrians were protected in a collision.

The H6 also performed well in this aspect, thanks to features like an energy-absorbing space in the front bumper. Also, the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system can detect pedestrians and cyclists ahead and automatically brake the car if the driver does not take action to prevent it.

There are still new cars that cannot score a single star in NCAP tests (w/video)


BMW Increases M3 Touring Production Due To Popularity

As predicted, the M3 Touring is in high demand in Europe, and the brand is barely keeping up with deliveries. According to BMW M CEO Frank van Meel, the company even doubled production capacity at its site in Munich to keep up.

The M3 Touring’s popularity has shocked the firm, according to the CEO.

According to reports, BMW M has been considering a lighter and more potent CS version of the M3 Touring because of the high demand for the model. The specific modifications that may be done to this model are unknown, but it stands to reason that it would benefit from a variety of new aerodynamic enhancements and could make use of various M Performance Parts.

The vehicle’s 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine would also undergo modifications, perhaps matching the M3 CS sedan’s 543hp and 649Nm of torque.

While the prospect of an M3 CS Touring is intriguing, according to BMW Blog, manufacturing of the model has not yet been approved, and its future is contingent upon BMW’s ability to secure the necessary capacity at its Munich facility.

M5 Touring

In addition to this, we are expecting to see the third
M5 Touring
 that is being developed. Test drives are now being conducted on public roads, BMW Group proving grounds, and racetracks all over the world.


First AMG Experience Centre in the world opens in Shanghai

When AMG became part of the Mercedes-Benz family in 1999, its growth accelerated as it took on the role of being the carmaker’s high-performance and motorsports arm. Not surprisingly, Mercedes-Benz boosted marketing of AMG products as well as used the already established name as a branding advantage, expanding its presence globally.

Before long, a sales network of AMG Brand Centres and AMG Performance Centres were established around the world. In China alone, there are 120 AMG Performance Centres and exclusive AMG Brand Centres in Beijing and Shanghai, the sales network said to represents a key factor in the success of the brand’s growth objectives.

Now Mercedes-AMG has gone further with its first Experience Centre opening near Shanghai. The new AMG Experience Centre is situated on an area of around 1,305 square metres directly adjacent to the Zhejiang International Racing Circuit. A highlight and attraction of the new facility is the  opportunity to experience the AMG vehicle range on the racetrack, assisted by AMG Driving Academy and qualified instructors.

An extensive pool of vehicles encompassing the very latest models – including GT3 and GT4 racing cars – is available for test drives and driving events on the 3.2-km circuit. In addition to exclusive use of the track, the Zhejiang International Circuit offers special monthly track days for customers and fans to take part either in their own vehicles or in AMG vehicles booked from the Centre.

There are 12 functional areas and 4 display areas over two floors, providing an extremely comprehensive brand and product experience and allowing visitors to discover for themselves the many facets of the driving performance of AMG models.

The showroom on the ground floor provides an insight into the history of Mercedes-AMG. The vehicles and technologies on display can be explored in analogue form as well as digitally using VR technology. Specially trained AMG experts are on hand to provide detailed information and individual guidance. If a customer expresses an interest in buying, they will be put in touch with their nearest AMG retail partner.

The facilities on offer are further enhanced by the Cafe63 lounge and an exclusive selection of high-quality lifestyle accessories available from the AMG Shop. The whole area can also be used as an event location.

In the interactive experience zone on the first floor, motorsport enthusiasts can experience racing simulators and AR applications. A slot car racetrack controlled via brainwaves is yet another technological highlight that serves to emphasise the experience-oriented nature of the AMG Experience Centre.

The architecture of the AMG Experience Centre builds on the familiar and established design features of the AMG Brand Centres, while also integrating a series of individual elements that emphasise the unique character of the format.

Being part of the Mercedes-Benz family has enabled AMG models to get more exposure at dealerships around the world, like this one at a Cycle & Carriage Bintang showroom in Malaysia.

10 things about AMG you may not have known


Malaysia Still Lacking EV Charging Stations

According to Chang Lih Kang, the Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) minister, Malaysia still lacks the 10,000 EV charging stations that are intended to be installed by 2025, despite the fact that demand for such stations is only expected to increase. There are currently only about 1,000 EV charging stations in Malaysia.

“Our market and nation are still new to EVs. There aren’t enough charging stations, which means the EV ecosystem is still not complete. Manufacturers are reluctant to enter the market as a result,” he said, after witnessing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Alibaba Cloud and Agmo Holdings Bhd.

As reported by The Star, the two digital platforms worked together to make it easier for EV users looking for charging stations to find them and the services offered by Agmo EV Superapp applications that could be downloaded on Android and iOS.

Before choosing which EV charging station to visit, the application offers a comprehensive integrated system that includes cashless payment options, navigation support, and rates offered at the various stations.

Alibaba Cloud is a well-known service provider from China, and Agmo is a digital solutions and application development specialist involved in digitalizing the needs of customers’ business operations through the development of mobile and web applications as well as the provision of digital platform-based services.

In line with Agmo’s statistics, Selangor had the most charging stations, followed by Kuala Lumpur and Johor.

Chang stated that many schemes for the growth of the regional EV industry would be carried out by the government through the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation with the assistance of the Ministries of Investment, Trade, and Industry and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).


Nissan and JAXA working on Lunar Rover Prototype with e-4ORCE AWD technology

Nissan’s 4×4 SUVs like the
Patrol
 and
Navara
 pick-up trucks can travel over all sorts of terrain on the planet. Soon, there will also be a Nissan vehicle moving around on even more hostile terrain which won’t even be on Earth. It will be on the moon and the vehicle will technology which Nissan has developed for use on Earth.

The Lunar Rover Prototype jointly developed by Nissan and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is a project which has been ongoing since January 2020. Nissan’s research work applies the motor control technology it has developed through its production of mass-market electric vehicles such as the LEAF as well as the e-4ORCE all-wheel control technology featured in the all-new
Ariya electric crossover
.

A lunar rover must be able to traverse the moon’s powdery, rocky and undulating terrain and be energy efficient. Furthermore, energy sources for operating vehicles in space are limited. With e-4ORCE, the vehicle’s performance can be boosted over tricky terrain.

Ultimate driving performance

Nissan has focused on the development of stable driving performance that enables customers to drive their cars with greater confidence. Its e-4ORCE technology precisely controls all 4 wheels independently, providing the driver with confidence in various conditions.

In its joint research with JAXA, Nissan is evolving e-4ORCE technology to improve its performance in sandy terrain and other harsh conditions. When vehicles are driven in sand, their wheels frequently spin and dig in, limiting forward progress. A high level of driving skill is required to avoid getting stuck. To meet this need, Nissan has developed driving-force controls that minimize the amount of wheelspin in accordance with surface conditions.

Sharing knowhow

Through the joint research, Nissan aims to contribute to the technological evolution of automotive technology and space exploration technology by sharing knowhow gained from test-vehicle development and combining it with JAXA’s knowledge of rover research.

“The uses of automobiles and driving situations are wide-ranging. We aim for the ultimate driving performance through our research and development, and believe the knowhow gained from this joint research with JAXA will lead to innovations in our vehicles that will bring benefits to customers,” said Toshiyuki Nakajima, General Manager of the Advanced Vehicle Engineering Department in charge of e-4ORCE control development at Nissan.

GM believes its Lunar Rover helped pave the way for its modern advanced EV vehicles


TCEC previews new Renault Clio GT Line in Malaysia

New and sporty Renault Clio GT Line poised to enter Malaysian market soon with a projected starting price of RM118,000.
The Renault cars line-up is about to get bigger once again with the addition of the new Renault Clio GT Line. The compact hatchback was previewed not too long ago by official distributors TC Euro Cars Sdn Bhd (TCEC) and is slated to enter the local market before the year ends.

Unlike the Renault Clio RS 200 EDC, the Clio GT Line stands as a more basic version that slots below the aforementioned performance-oriented model. TCEC states that the model is directed squarely at buyers seeking a hatchback with stylish and sporty design but without the RS badge’s performance edge.

Previewing the New Renault CLIO GT LINE_2: (from left to right) Mr George Chu, Area Operations Manager of Asean Operations, Renault Asia Pacific; Mr Reza Mutalib, GM, TC Euro Cars Sdn Bhd

Though it looks identical to the Clio RS 200 EDC, the Clio GT Line differs slightly as it dons halogen headlamps, a pair of LED daytime running lights and a slightly different 17-inch alloy wheels design as well.

Crucially, the Clio GT Line uses the Renault brand’s turbocharged 1.2-litre TCe 120 four-cylinder petrol engine sitting up front. The mill, which develops 118hp and 190Nm of torque, is paired with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to power the front wheels. The 0-100km/h sprint time stands at a respectable 9.4 second whilst the claimed fuel efficiency average is rated at a very frugal 5.2 litres/100km.

On board, the Clio GT Line comes primed with fabric-covered seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. There is also standard premium features such as keyless entry with engine push-start button, cruise control, automatic headlamps and wiper activation, as well as a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with navigation function paired with a Renault Bass Reflex audio system.

Previewing the New Renault CLIO GT LINE_1: (from left to right) Mr Reza Mutalib, GM, TC Euro Cars Sdn Bhd; Mr George Chu, Area Operations Manager of Asean Operations, Renault Asia Pacific

On the safety front, the Clio GT Line offers multiple airbags lining the cabin, as well as the all-important ISOFIX child seat mounts, not forgetting the complete trio of ABS brakes with electronic stability control (ESC) and hill-start assist. You’d be glad to know all these comes as standard as well.

TCEC is poised at launching the new Renault Clio GT Line in Malaysia towards the end of this year with an estimated price tag of RM118,000. Said figure includes a five-year unlimited mileage manufacturer’s warranty plan as well.

PIC CREDIT: TCEC/Renault Malaysia

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