Updated Hyundai Sonata Revealed With Sportier Looks

While the early Hyundai Sonatas had a formal design language as it was largely presented as an executive sedan, the sixth generation onwards from 2009 saw a transformation of its image with the ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design language. From this more advanced look, the Sonata has evolved to become a bigger car too and by the eighth generation, ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design language (first previewed in the
Le Fil Rouge concept
) was adopted.

The eighth generation is still in production, having made its debut in 2019 (
October 2020 in Malaysia
), and although there are rumours that it will be discontinued, Hyundai Motor has still one more facelift to go through before ending the model line.

The update revealed today for the Sonata – one of its older models – has the sportiest appearance ever. With a long bonnet and wide layout that integrates a Seamless Horizon Lamp in the N-line based front end. The wide-set, hidden headlamps mimic the look on the IONIQ 6 EV though there is a large grille below the bumper line, necessary for radiator cooling.

At the rear, the new H-lights further emphasize the wide stance, while the spoiler-shaped bootlid  and muffler-shaped rear garnish give the impression of a high-performance sports sedan.

Inside the more aerodynamic form, there are significant upgrades for an improved passenger experience with the ‘floating’ theme. New interior colour combinations enhance the sense of sportiness and premium character simultaneously.

The highlight is a panoramic curved display which is appearing in a Hyundai model for the first time. This wide panel combines both 12.3-inch driver information clusters and 12.3-inch AVN infotainment system for a modern and simple dashboard layout that emphasizes the horizontal lines and expanded sense of space.

The relocation of the shifter to behind the steering wheel with a column-type shift-by-wire controller creates more space in the centre console area. The centre console is further enhanced by the palm rest that provides more comfort for the driver by extending the armrest to lean up to the palm of the hand.

Powertrain options remain the same with Smartstream petrol engines ranging in size from 1.5 litre to 2 litres, with an LPG version also available for some markets. There’s also a plug-in hybrid powertrain (shown below) with a 192 bhp output and 22.1 kms/litre claimed.

The model will make its debut at the Seoul Mobility Show at the end of the month.

Hyundai To Keep Buttons As Touchscreen Controls Are Dangerous

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Ford to build a special Focus RS for North America

Ford will be launching a limited production run variant of its world renowned Focus RS. Meant to be the last hurrah of the current generation hot hatch’s platform, the car builds upon the success of the standard one by including improvements that fans and enthusiasts wanted to see added to the car.

Apparently, Ford Performance scoured the internet to discern what majority of its fans wanted to see incorporated into the base Focus RS. What they eventually came up with, is quite interesting. Only 1,500 of these cars will be built and will only be available to order in Race Red or Nitrous Blue body colours. Both feature a new gloss black painted roof and mirror caps. The rear roof spoiler also has a gloss black finish with blue RS logos on the side wings. Fitted as standard are 19-inch painted forged alloy wheels with blue RS center caps.

The door handles, handbrake lever, and turbo boost gauge surround are wrapped in a carbon fiber skin. The RS2 package, which is an optional extra on the base car, comes as standard for the this special edition. It gets, black leather-trimmed Recaro seats with Miko-Dinamica eco-friendly suede microfiber inserts and RS logo, heated front seats with eight-way power driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, heated exterior mirrors and voice-activated navigation system.

What sets the limited edition car apart from the base RS is the Quaife limited-slip differential. Ford Performance developed this standard mechanical limited-slip diff  for the front axle to help improve power delivery and traction management even further. The Blue Oval says that it will allow the car to carry speed more easily through corners on the track and allow for maximum acceleration when coming out of them.

“To satisfy strong demand for the ever-popular Focus RS, I’m very excited that we’re bringing this limited-edition vehicle to North America. We have spent a great deal of time listening to our customers, speaking to owners’ club members, reading comments and suggestions on enthusiast websites, and even studying various forum Photoshop renderings,” said Henry Ford, Ford Performance marketing manager.

The system works by controlling the mount of torque distributed to each front wheel. More torque is sent to the wheel that has the most traction and limits it to the wheel that has less. This will reduce the differences in wheel spin to offer better acceleration and stability. Ford says that this will allow drivers to take full advantage of the 350bhp 2.3-litre engine. It also says that this new differential will play nicely with the car’s other systems which include the all-wheel-drive, Dynamic Torque Vectoring, Torque Vectoring Control and the Focus RS Drive Modes.

Only 1000 cars will be made available for purchase in the US with another 500 reserved for customers in Canada. Delivers of the limited addition Focus RS will begin towards the end of this year and into 2018.


More Details of Malaysia Autoshow 2023 Announced

As reported earlier, the Malaysia Autoshow will be on again after not being able to be run from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event, organised by the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), will be held from
May 4 – 7, 2023
 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) outside Kuala Lumpur.

Officially launched today, the Malaysia Autoshow 2023 has the theme of
‘Mobility Redefined
’ and will not be just the usual car show as it will include all aspects of the auto industry. Besides having the latest models, there will also be displays showcasing new technologies, particularly those related to mobility.

“The Autoshow is probably the only, if not among the few, opportunities for the industry players to directly access the public – to showcase the intricacies, ‘behind the scenes’ elements and the people that design and build the cars that carry our loved ones every single day,” MARii Chairman, Datuk Phang Ah Tong, said at the official launch of the event this morning.

“Visitors will have the opportunity to see the latest technologies and developments in the automobile industry. From electric and autonomous vehicles, to advances in safety and efficiency, the automobile industry is making vehicles that are not only better for the environment but also safer and more enjoyable to drive,” he said.

There will be displays indoors in the spacious halls of the MAEPS complex as well as activities outdoors. More than 100 motor vehicles from many different brands are expected to be displayed and as in previous shows, there will be special deals, including special financing packages, offered during the event.

Scenes from the 2018 event where visitors could experience high-speed driving with professional drivers (left) and also test truck models on an off-road course.

The presence of many different brands means that those shopping for a new vehicle can do so at just one location. They’ll be able to see the various choices in each segment and make comparisons. As in the past, there will be test-drives available with two routes of 4.5 kms length within the MAEPS grounds which cover 368 acres. Trucks can also be tested on an off-road course while ‘taxi rides’ by professional drivers will give the public thrilling experiences of drifting. There will also be a Safety Technology Demonstration which will show how the latest active safety systems can help reduce accidents.

The
latest Alza
 from Perodua, the event’s Platinum sponsor, will be the prize in a lucky draw for visitors this year. During the 4 days of the event, there should also be many other activities where visitors will be able to win or receive merchandise and other complimentary items from exhibitors.

One lucky visitor to the Malaysia Autoshow 2023 will win a Perodua Alza.

The complementary Malaysia EV and Charged Shows will have the latest EV models and provide visitors with insights into such vehicles as well as related issues like charging.

Besides a display of military vehicles for the first time, the Malaysia Autoshow will also be complemented by the Malaysia Bike Show, Malaysia EV Show and Charged. The Malaysia Bike Show will showcase the 2-wheelers and the related lifestyle, particularly for recreational activities. Meanwhile, the Malaysia EV Show and Charged will focus on the growing number of EVs and provide visitors with insights into such vehicles as well as related issues like charging.

Tickets for entry are priced at RM15 per person but children under the age of 10 will be given free entry, according to Datuk Phang. While there is no specific requirement to wear face masks, it would be a good idea to do so, at least within the exhibition halls where there will be large crowds. The risks will be less in outdoor areas but nevertheless, those in the vulnerable groups should consider protection for themselves.

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Husband And Wife Killed In MPV Crash on LPT2, Children Injured

Motoring along highways is generally safe as the roads are usually in good condition and there are a few lanes so that overtaking can be done safely. The traffic flow is also safely separated on two sides, reducing dangers of collision.

However, accidents can still occur and sometimes with tragic outcomes. According to a
Bernama report
, a couple were killed and their 3 children injured when their vehicle crashed at KM274 of the East Coast Highway 2 (LPT2) near the Cheneh toll plaza exit at around 4 pm yesterday. The family, who reside in Kejang, Selangor, was said to be travelling to Kg. Gelugor, Kerteh, Terengganu after dropping one of their sons off in Kuantan.

Kemaman police chief Supt Hanyan Ramlan said the vehicle, a Toyota Estima MPV, was believed to have gone out of control and hit the railings on the left side of the highway. From a picture issued by the PDRM, it appeared that the impact caused the vehicle to flip over the highway separation and land upside down between the railings.

During the impact, the couple, both in their late 40s, were ejected from the vehicle some 5 to 10 metres away. They suffered serious head and body injuries and died on the spot. Their children had light injuries to their face, legs and hands and were taken to Hospital Kemaman for treatment.

While the reason for the accident and cause of the deaths are being investigated by the police, motorists should keep in mind the need to always have their seatbelts securely fastened. If there are very small children on board who cannot use the seatbelts properly, then they should be provided with childseats. The law now requires all occupants of passenger vehicles to have their seatbelts on at all times, and childseats to be used for small children.

If there are very small children in the car, parents are required by law (since January 2020) to provide a childseat for them to be securely and safely restrained.

Some cars have systems that monitor the driver’s steering actions and if there is a lot of weaving or unusual movement, the driver will be alerted. The picture shows an alert from the Mercedes-Benz Attention Assist system which advises the driver to stop (and have drink) to regain alertness.

When travelling on highways, it is also important to be alert. The long and straight stretches can cause drowsiness and if a driver is aware of this condition, he or she should find a R&R or lay-by the stop and take a break. Driving when drowsy is very dangerous and manufacturers have installed monitoring systems in some cars which can detect such a condition and alert the driver.

ESP – the innovation that has prevented millions of accidents in 25 years


Final real-world testing of next-generation Mercedes-AMG SL now underway

On this day of March 12 in 1952, Daimler-Benz AG sent out preliminary technical information and a picture of the new Mercedes-Benz 300 SL sportscar undergoing testing on a public road. It was the first public appearance of the new racing sportscar and drew a great deal of interest.

Exactly 69 years later, Mercedes-AMG has sent out another press release – electronically this time rather than by postal mail – of a SL undergoing testing. This is the eighth generation of the model line and while the SL300 of the 1950s was tested along an autobahn which permitted very high speeds, the testing of this 21
st
 century successor takes place away from public eyes at a closed course in Sweden.

The testing follows extensive development work on the Roadster, configured as a 2+2-seater, which took place in digital form. However, a certain amount of real-world development driving with prototypes is still essential. For instance, the final tuning of the fully variable all-wheel drive system 4MATIC+, which will now be offered for the first time in the SL as well, is being undertaken in snowy regions.

The redesigned fabric roof has also to be tested and prove itself able to meet the brand’s demanding conditions in the climate near the Arctic Circle. The handling dynamics of this iconic Roadster will also be undergoing final refinement, but this will be done on the north loop of the Nurburgring circuit (amongst other places). It is there, on the most challenging racing circuit in the world, the specialists from Mercedes-AMG will make sure the new SL, due for launch later this year, confirms its sporting roots.

Different variants of the Roadster will progressively be available, branded exclusively under the Mercedes-AMG name.

On March 12, 1952 (a Wednesday), Daimler-Benz revealed the 300 SL (W 194) for the first time. The media was able to see it on a stretch of autobahn near Stuttgart. Only a few weeks later, the brand began its participation in international motorsport with that sportscar. In 5 races the car entered, it had 4 victories. Responding to calls for a production version of the highly successful racing, Mercedes-Benz launched the 300 SL Coupe in 1954 in New York, and the SL line began.

Increased track testing for Mercedes-AMG Project ONE prototype


Vincent Tan’s Luxury Car Dealer Group Named Best Rolls-Royce Showroom In The World

For the second time in five years, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London, part of Vincent Tan’s H.R. Owen Group, has been voted Rolls-Royce Global Dealer of the Year.

H.R. Owen, which is owned by the Berjaya Group, is Britain’s leading luxury motor dealer group, representing some of the world’s most sought-after premium car brands – Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, BAC, Rimac, Czinger, Hennessey and Radford.

The London dealership also made history by becoming the first to win three accolades in a single year, taking Regional Sales Dealer of the Year and Regional Whispers Dealer of the Year. The annual awards, announced in a series of in-person and virtual events, recognise the achievements of the global network of Rolls-Royce showrooms in providing great service and experiences to their customers.

This honour follows the first full year of residence in Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London’s new Mayfair home, which became the world’s first retailer to adopt a new more immersive client experience, reflecting Rolls-Royce’s growth as a global luxury goods brand.

The new showroom’s interior design is inspired by a luxury Galleria shopping experience. Each Rolls-Royce model has its own dedicated room, which is framed and presented to reflect its own personality and identity. Depending on the product, a kinetic lighting arrangement illuminates the space where clients receive delivery of their commission, employing varied sequences and orientations to create a stimulating ambience.

The Global Dealer of the Year Award, which this year was shared with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Philadelphia, honours ongoing performance in all areas of the business, not just sales. Dealers are assessed based on their performance in ownership services, marketing activities, and customer involvement, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London performed so well that it received well over 100% in all categories. In addition, the store was named Regional Whispers Dealer of the Year and Regional Sales Dealer of the Year.


Designing the Porsche interior of the future

Regardless of whether we continue to be in control driving cars or a computer does the driving, the interior of a car will remain an important aspect of car design. In fact, as autonomous motoring grows, the driver may spend less time at the steering wheel and more time with the other occupants. In this case, the cabin layout may have to change to be more suitable.

The Renndienst study

At Porsche’s Weissach Development Centre in Germany, designing interiors is just as important as exteriors and for interiors, the User Experience (UX) is a vital part of the brand experience. In the book
Porsche Unseen
, the sportscar manufacturer recently published fifteen previously secret design studies. Among them is the Renndienst study. The 6-person van concept is reminiscent of the Volkswagen racing service van that once served the factory racing team as a service vehicle. On the outside, it’s futuristic and edgeless but on the inside, it’s a modular travel cabin.

For the Renndienst study, the designers at Style Porsche journeyed far into the future of mobility. They considered design visions for the day after tomorrow in order to derive steps for tomorrow. They asked themselves how far they can expand Porsche’s design language and to which products it could be applied.

“We thought about how we could still give a distinctly Porsche flair to a passenger compartment that is so far removed from the classic sports-car interior. And how autonomous driving could be designed, but we don’t assume that our customers want to give up using a steering wheel,” chief designer Michael Mauer explained. “In order to be able to think freely about the future, boundaries must be crossed when carrying out these ‘finger exercises’. This is how the central driver position of the Renndienst came about.”

“When I want to drive, I have more cockpit feeling than in any other car. And when I don’t, the driver’s seat can be rotated 180 degrees—with one swivel, it turns to face the other passengers. We worked on materializing these basic ideas for about a year,” he elaborated further on the study.

Looking at next overall innovation

The overall UX, when it comes to interior design, is dedicated to the digital lifestyle and the relationship between driver, passengers, and vehicle. “In the Taycan, we have shown how much we think ahead,” said Ivo van Hulten, Director of UX Design. “So we were looking at a possible next overall innovation. For this, we thought and worked from the inside out.”

The side windows are designed asymmetrically. “One side is closed; passengers can retreat there,” explained Markus Auerbach, Head of Interior Design. “The other side enjoys a large window bank for an unobstructed view outside. When we close the doors, the interior feels like a protective capsule.”

A feeling of security and comfort dominates the modular interior. The passengers in the first row sit offset to the right and left in ergonomically shaped bucket seats. They can enjoy an unobstructed view of the road ahead and of their own dashboard screens. The rear seat headrests are installed in a floating position, which allows a clear view through the rear window. The luxury of adaptable space is made possible by the powertrain which is fully electric and hidden in the underbody.

UX as a success factor

The customers of the future will be the smartphone generation. “In the past, the hunger for something new was satisfied with the purchase of the product. Today, many young people are no longer just fascinated by the aesthetics of a product, but by the opportunities it offers them,” said van Hulten.

The aesthetics of the interior therefore depend on many more factors than just shapes and materials. “The questions are: Is the interior modular enough to adapt to changing circumstances even a few years after purchase? Will I be able to run updates remotely and around the clock?” Van Hulten is confident of finding answers in the form of a new aesthetic.

“A digital journey can open a gateway to a universe for us, but it can never replace the physical experience. A car is a space that moves whether I’m driving it myself or not. The seats in this van have been designed for movement; they hold and support the body,” added Auerbach.

“The bench seat allows a different sitting angle due to its curved sides—we can turn towards each other. It is a particularly communicative area that invites relaxation, offering alternative seating positions for talking, working, and relaxing,” he explained.

The visions on which the specialist departments work together are complex because they design spaces where people sit. “Cars with an unsatisfactory interior do not survive for long – because no emotional connection can be built with them,” Auerbach noted.

Inspired by ‘Knight Rider’

In the next step, van Hulten wants the Renndienst to gain a soul. He remembers the American TV series
Knight Rider
, which he enjoyed watching as a child. “K.I.T.T., the talking car, fascinated me. The strong team of the protagonist and his vehicle really captured my imagination. I connected with the car because it had a soul,” he said.

Referring to the study, he asks the question: “What kind of daily interactions do we plan – in 30 years, will we call our car and then it will come around and pick us up?” From this grand vision of the day after tomorrow, the design team is now moving backwards in time to get the specific answer for tomorrow.

The materials of the future under consideration include renewable resources such as wood, reinterpreted and combined with metals or sustainable plastics. Wood was once banished from vehicles but could soon make a comeback. Auerbach also relies on what are known as ‘smart materials’ which can do something special—for example, such materials can respond to external factors and light up without being directly illuminated. Or materials that repeatedly change their shapes to perfectly fit the ergonomics of the occupants.

The designers constantly keep their minds fresh with the ‘first principle thinking’ method. In doing so, they move away from familiar analogies and break hypotheses down into their smallest components. They focus not on familiar forms but on functions that might be of interest in the future. They ask themselves what a Porsche could be—and what it could not be. This process provides answers to questions that no one has asked before.

Prototypes and studies Porsche has never before shown to the public

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


Honda Safety Engineer Honoured For Groundbreaking Airbag Technology

Along with seatbelts, the airbag has also saved countless lives around the world. The Supplementary Restraint Systems (SRS) – so-called because they should be used with seatbelts – have been around since the 1970s and are installed in virtually all modern cars.

Airbag system
s initially began as just a bag inflating to provide a cushioning effect and prevent the head of the driver or front passenger from hitting the steering wheel or windscreen, reducing the risk of serious head injuries. But researchers have constantly tried to make airbags more effective in various ways and to provide cushioning and protection in a greater number of conditions.

Honda R&D has been hard at work for decades to make airbags better and developed a ground-breaking front passenger airbag design some years back. The airbag technology is designed to better manage lateral collision forces that can cause an occupant’s head to rotate severely at high velocity and slide off a conventional airbag, increasing the chance of serious injury.

Rather than the single inflatable chamber of conventional front passenger airbag systems, the new airbag operates something like a baseball catcher’s mitt, with an uninflated panel first catching and decelerating the occupant’s head with less force, while also directing it inward between two inflated chambers to cradle and protect the head.

Specifically, the passenger front airbag uses 4 major components: 3 inflated compartments consisting of a centre chamber and 2 outward-projecting side chambers that create a wide base across the dash and the uninflated ‘sail panel’ that stretches between the 2 side chambers.

Development and testing of the airbag system, was led by engineers at Honda R&D Americas, Inc. in the USA in partnership with Autoliv, one of the company’s safety systems suppliers. Once performance and safety aspects were validated, the airbag system was first installed in the Acura TLX and is now also available in the MSX as well as the Honda Pilot and
latest Civic
 (in the USA).

At the 2023 Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV) conference in Yokohama, Japan, Eric Heitkamp, who led the development team, received the highest honour bestowed by the US Department of Transportation for his work. While developing system technology, Heitkamp had utilized new research measuring brain injuries in vehicle collisions, including a landmark study of brain injuries.

This is the second consecutive excellence award won by a US-based Honda engineer, with Sue Bai recognized at the 2019 ESV conference (the last time these awards were presented) for industry-leading efforts in connected vehicle technology.

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The explosion that saves lives instead of kills…


The Head-Up Display (HUD) – from fighter jet to passenger car

‘Eyes on the road ahead, hands on the steering wheel’ is an important practice for safe driving. Unexpected actions by other road-users can happen suddenly, requiring an immediate response like swerving to one side or braking. For example, a motorcyclist may suddenly cut in front and if the driver happens to be making an adjustment to the air-conditioner temperature, he may not spot the motorcyclist in time and an accident could occur.

Therefore, drivers are advised to keep their attention on the road ahead as much as possible. But in modern cars, there are more and more features and gadgets provided which may cause distraction as the driver operates them. Touchscreens, for example, may be nice and neat for display of information but it requires some conscious effort and attention to touch a specific icon on the screen – during which time the driver will look away from the road ahead.

For this reason, a lot of thinking goes into the controls and switches and their placement. Many switches are now incorporated on the steering wheel so that the driver can not only operate them without taking the hands off the steering wheel but also keep their view forward.

HUD in a fighter aircraft

Instrument panels are also designed to allow easy viewing without having to lower the head too much.
Peugeot’s i-Cockpit
, for example, is designed with such an approach, allowing the driver to be kept informed without losing much of the forward view.

One idea which is appearing in more cars today is the Head-Up Display (HUD), an idea taken from military aircraft. The HUD had its origins in fighter aircraft of World War II when air combat grew more complex and speeds increased rapidly. To allow the pilot to focus on shooting an enemy down, vital information was shown directly ahead on a glass plate which he could see through. In later years, as technology advanced, it was found that other information could also be shown, reducing the need to look down.

The idea appealed to car designers because it could improve driving safety if a driver’s eyes were looking ahead more than down at instruments. However, the technology cost a lot (and is still expensive today) so HUDs in cars remained a dream, usually show in concept cars at motorshows.

The HUD is projected onto the windscreen ahead of the steering wheel and the driver can see information on it as well as the road ahead through it. While the HUDs in fighter aircraft (and also commercial aircraft nowadays) contains a lot of information, the ones in cars have considerably less although the information elements have increased over the years.

To fit a HUD in a car requires expensive hardware like a projector and while the windscreen glass can be conventional, a small area has to be specially treated or altered to allow the display to be projected clearly.

Nissan Silvia Coupe was one of the first production cars to have a HUD.

During the second half of the 1980s, the first HUDs in production cars appeared on both sides of the Pacific Ocean at almost the same time. In Japan, the Nissan Silvia (S12) coupe came with a simple HUD in 1988, while GM’s Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and Pontiac Grand Prix also had it. However, the early HUDs were also constrained by the technology available then and visibility was poor if there was bright sunshine. The high cost also discouraged their adoption and they would not start to become common till the 21
st
 century began.

In 2012, Pioneer was the first company to offer an aftermarket HUD that could be fitted to the sunvisor. Called the Carrozzeria Cyber Navi system and priced from 300,000 yen (about RM12,000 then), it had a HUD panel with a 780 x 260 pixel screen that displayed full-colour images (with augmented reality) projected from a RGB laser. However, as the system was not linked to the car, the information shown was not speed but general route guidance information.

Pioneer introduced the first aftermarket HUD in 2012 and it also had augmented reality, but it was mainly for route guidance and the display was mounted in the sunvisor.

The first generation of the Peugeot 3008 (2010) had a low-cost HUD which used a small pop-up transparent panel (above and below) on which information was projected.

Peugeot’s first 3008
 in 2010 had what could be considered a ‘low-cost’ HUD which avoided the need for special glass. Instead, a small clear plastic panel would pop up (from above the instrument panel pod) whenever the car was on the move and basic information would be projected on it. The third generation of the
Mazda3
 launched in 2013 also used a similar idea but for the more expensive CX-9, the HUD was projected onto the windscreen.

The third generation of the Mazda3 (2013) also used a similar idea as the Peugeot 3008 with a separate transparent panel ahead of the steering wheel.

The Peugeot i-Cockpit concept (above and below) positions the meters higher so that there is a HUD-like view where the driver can also see the road ahead.

As display technologies became more advanced and costs also reduced, the information on the HUD could be expanded. From showing just the speed and other basic information, today’s HUDs also show route guidance, cruise control status, gear position, safety-related information, etc. It’s still nowhere near the amount of information a fighter pilot sees on his HUD and the designers also limit the information to avoid ‘information overload’. It’s one thing to keep the driver aware but too much information can become distracting.

Information shown on the HUD of the Lexus UX. Some displays also show route guidance and other running information.

The more expensive models in the market today have HUDs as standard but if you want to have a HUD in your car, it is also possible to install one for less than RM100 although it won’t be as sophisticated as the original type. There are now products which can show basic information on the windscreen from a small projector mounted on the dashboard. The unit gets running information by being connected to the OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) port which most modern cars have to enable diagnostic machines to access the ECU.

For those who would like to have a HUD in their car, there are now aftermarket devices (above) costing less than RM100 which display information on the windscreen. There are also apps (below) for smartphones which can show information on the smartphone screen that is then reflected onto the glass.

There are also apps for smartphones which can also show a reversed image that can then be reflected on the windscreen. It’s not a satisfactory approach since the outside lighting may make the display poor. Furthermore, as the phone is not connected to the OBD, it will also have limited information to show. The road speed will be based on calculations from GPS data, and it may be possible to also see route guidance information. If you do use this option, do make sure the phone is securely mounted in the dashboard and will not fly off when you brake suddenly, causing distraction.

Augmented Reality Head-Up Display starts to appear in compact segment


Mercedes-Benz Will Increase The Performance Of Its EVs If You Pay An Annual Fee

Since the 1980s, electronic systems have been slowly taking control of the car and with electric vehicles (EVs), there is the feeling that cars have become ‘computers on wheels’. And as we move slowly towards autonomous motoring when a car can operate itself without human control, the computer will have taken over everything (shades of ‘Skynet’!).

Like the computer or smartphone you use daily, the electronic systems in cars operate with software that has millions of lines of code. As microprocessors have quickly improved in capacity and speed, the software has become more sophisticated and able to handle many different processes simultaneously – at speeds fast enough to activate the brakes if a collision is imminent.

In recent years, some companies have also started to incorporate into the software ‘paywalls’ that restrict certain features until a code is provided by the car owner. The approach is the same as what the computer software industry has been doing for decades. For example, if you purchase or renew Kaspersky’s anti-virus software, you will need to pay them and then get a code which will allow activation or renewal of the software. If you don’t, the software will either deactivate or have reduced functionality and make your device more vulnerable to virus attacks.

With so many electronic systems managing numerous functions, cars are becoming increasingly regarded as just ‘computers on wheels’.

Another way of making more money?
Some carmakers have seen this idea as offering an additional revenue channel, perhaps suggesting it as a ‘choice for customers’ to take or not. The problem is that car-buyers are not used to this and expect that when they pay the asking price, they get all the features that the car comes with. There has never been (in the past) a situation where features are ‘locked’ and only available when paid for.

Of course, the manufacturers will say this is no different from options to personalize a car. Customers have long been able to have some flexibility in choosing certain items they want with their car, eg a better audio system. What is different now is that instead of the options being physically installed, they are merely ‘unlocked’ through the operating system on board.

Slowly becoming industry trend
The trend has already started where German manufacturers have offered additional convenience or safety features which can be made available by paying subscription fees. So a customer can have remote starting or ventilated seats – if they want it, and they can have it for a month or a year or whatever the subscription plan offers.

But while it is up to owners to choose, some of the features are expected as standard and not charged extra for. In 2019, BMW thought of charging owners to have Apple CarPlay on their infotainment system but when word got out about the plan, there was a lot of negative feedback that the company decided not to do it.

Mercedes me connect Store
Mercedes-Benz offers extra features through its Mercedes me connect Store which is also available to owners in Malaysia. While the basic services (ie essential safety and maintenance services as well as vehicle data already available) will remain free indefinitely, the store offers owners additional personalization features such as digital services and innovative enhancements, if they want to have them.

Subscribing to the Navigation Package for RM608 a year will enhance the digital maps and enhance route guidance as well.

Owners can subscribe for a year or up to 3 years to have the extra features. For example, there is a Navigation Package which provides enhanced route guidance and features like 3D mapping and a revolutionary voice control with natural speech. There’s also an Individualization Package for RM400 a year which enhances the sound experience and also offers Mini Games.

Related article:
Mercedes me connect Store Now Open For Malaysian Owners

Pay to ‘unlock’ better performance
Most people won’t really complain about such offerings but what has upset Mercedes-Benz EV owners lately has been a restriction on the performance of the car if a subscription fee is not paid. This applies to the EQ range which is all the electrically-powered models. By paying extra money, the owner can enjoy quicker acceleration as the output of the electric motors is increased by 20% to 24%.

For the EQS 450 4MATIC, for example, the output can be boosted from 265 kW to 330 kW which will enable the car to go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds instead of 5.3 seconds. On its website offering the option, it says this: “
Acceleration Increase boosts this performance even further – electronically increasing the motor’s output also increases the torque significantly, giving you a faster 0-to-60 mph time. Acceleration power you can feel
.’

For US$1,200 (RM5,400) a year, the owner of a Mercedes-EQ EQS can enjoy stronger acceleration.

How much does Mercedes-Benz want for letting you enjoy quicker acceleration with its EVs? US$1,200 a year, which is equal to about RM5,400. They are probably counting on owners getting used to the extra performance that they don’t want to go back to something less quick after 12 months. So just as they pay for subscriptions to other services or to their golf club, so too will they have to pay Mercedes-Benz annually as long as they have the car.

This move has been controversial and angers EV owners who feel that the cars have a higher level of performance but Mercedes-Benz deliberately reduced it so that it could make extra money by ‘selling extra power’. Perhaps the carmaker might argue that customers have no problem paying huge sums of money to tuners to modify their engines so what’s the difference here? The difference would be that the modified engine with the extra performance is permanent, so to speak, and does not require payments in future to deliver the extra performance.

Electric powertrain of the EQS 450 generates 265 kW when purchased but subscribing to the proposed ‘Acceleration Increase’ plan for a year can boost that output to 330 kW.

At this time, the subscription plan known as ‘Acceleration Increase’ is soon to be available only in North America, and only for the EV models. There is no indication of whether it will be offered in other regions alongside other features in the Mercedes me connect Store.

The idea of customers being able to pay for additional features is not a bad one – if it saves them money during their initial purchase. Over time, they can ‘upgrade’ their EV and subscribe for a year to enjoy extra comfort or convenience. However, improved performance should not be in the list of post-purchase options where you have to keep paying annually to maintain it.

Mercedes me connect Store Now Open For Malaysian Mercedes-Benz Owners


Soon, you will be able to go only up to 180 km/h in any Volvo

Volvo’s reputation for safety has been built up over decades to the extent that it is recognised as a pioneer in the field. It therefore has a lot of credibility with its actions, even if they may be controversial. Like the announcement that it will limit all its vehicles to a maximum speed of 180 km/h which was made last year.

That decision has now been executed with the company saying it will have a maximum speed of 180 km/h for every new model from now on. The limitation is said to go beyond regulation and legislation to help close the remaining gap to zero serious injuries and fatalities in traffic.

“We believe that a carmaker has a responsibility to help improve traffic safety,” said Malin Ekholm, Head of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre. “Our speed-limiting technology, and the dialogue that it initiated, fits that thinking. The speed cap helps people reflect and realise that speeding is dangerous, while also providing extra peace of mind and supporting better driver behaviour.”

Some question whether a carmaker – rather than authorities – has the right to impose speed limits. The answer would be ‘yes’ as the cars are products bearing their brand name and they can take action that can ultimately save lives. Perhaps this means losing potential customers but that’s a decision the company has to make itself.

In Volvo’s case, apart from the direct effect of lower maximum speeds reducing fatalities in accidents, the carmaker has already identified that the problem with speeding is that above certain speeds, in-car safety technology and smart infrastructure design are no longer enough to avoid severe injuries and fatalities in the event of an accident.

The laws of physics still remain as a car travels along a road. Tyres may have better grip but at some point, that grip will still be lost if the speed is too high. Same with active safety systems like electronic stability control; at excessively high speeds, the systems will not be able to act fast enough to prevent the car from spinning out of control.

Incidentally, regarding speed limits, Volvo is believed to have purposely set the speedometer reading on some of its powerful models (like the 850 T5R) to ‘over-read’. This was mentioned to this writer by a Volvo engineer in the 1980s and the explanation was to help drivers avoid a speeding ticket.

Actually, limiting top speeds is not a new idea as sometime in the 1970s, some German carmakers agreed to set a limit of 250 km/h for their cars, even if the actual maximum speed was higher. The ‘gentleman’s agreement’ was an understanding which was partly to avoid forcing the German government to set speed limits on the Autobahn, which has many sections that are speed limit-free. It was to demonstrate a position of responsibility on the part of the carmakers in addressing the issue of safety.

However, by 2005, there was an inclination to stop the ‘informal’ agreement and while 250 km/h was still a limit for some models, high-performance versions went beyond that. Perhaps the belief was that people who buy high-performance cars – which are not cheap – will either not go too fast because they don’t want to crash or they would be skilled drivers.

In any case, there are few places in the civilised world where you can drive without worrying about speed limits. Other than on the Autobahn, highways in almost all developed countries have speed limits, the maximum being 110 km/h or 120 km/h. Apparently, there is are two highways in Abu Dhabi which have a speed limit of 160 km/h – the  highest in the world. Perhaps that’s why the police forces of Abu Dhabi (and Dubai) have supercars – including a Lykan hypercar (US$4.5 million!) – as patrol cars.

Volvo’s 180 km/h limit will apply to all its new models all over the world so those sold in Malaysia will be having them in due course. Unlike earlier speed-limiters which could be bypassed or removed, it is believed that Volvo will make sure that owners cannot do so. Anyway, the highest speed limit is 110 km/h so unless you choose to break the law, the fact that there is a speed limit imposed by Volvo is irrelevant for most people.

Volvo Care Key for safer car sharing

Apart from the speed limit, every Volvo will also come with a Care Key. This is a special key which allows drivers (or owners) to set additional limitations on the car’s top speed. Parents may want to do so when letting younger or inexperienced children use their cars.

This sounds similar to Ford’s MyKey technology which has been around for some time. The Ford system allows setting of  the maximum speed limit as well as a seatbelt reminder and even control the volume of the audio system.

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


Subaru launch WRX STI Final Edition

Subaru has introduced the WRX STI Final Edition as an official send-off for the current generation to make way for more efficient platforms that may involve electrification. The Japanese automaker will only be making 150 cars for the UK market, and it comes with the latest bells and whistles.

First of the lot is driving performance, which has been improved by changing from mechanical and electronic to fully electronic control of the Multi-Mode Driver’s Control Centre Differential (DCCD). This provides the vehicle with optimum cornering ability, by shifting power to the wheel that needs it most.

Wheel size has been increased to 19-inches to accommodate the larger Brembo brakes with yellow painted calipers. This new setup improve fade-resistance and brake performance as well as offer a consistent pedal feel. Subaru says that the improvement will prove exceptionally useful when driving at the car’s limit.

Visual disparities between the Final Edition and the regular WRX STI are subtle at best. It gets Final Edition badges and a redesigned front bumper that houses the lower grille blacked out with a geometric textured panel. The signature hexagonal grille has been sharpened with a black surround outline.

Inside, Subaru has given the car high gloss black inserts for the instrument panel, gear stick surround, door panels that complement the  steering wheel with red stitching and red seat belts. The front seats are now heated, and a larger 5.9” multi-function display has been added to the top of the dash.

Like models that preceded it, the Final Edition gets  bi-functional projector LED lights, with a single bulb enabling High Beam Assist to switch between high and low beam automatically. There’s a single-lens camera embedded in the font windscreen that detects on-coming traffic and this allows the headlights to switch to a different light intensities.

The Subaru WRX STI Final Edition has already gone on sale in the UK and it won’t be long before all 150 vehicles are snatched up.


What’s PROTON Doing In 2018? [+Videos]

Can you believe it? We’re already in the third month of 2018, almost into the second quarter, and thus far, our first national carmaker has been keeping rather quiet insofar as launches are concerned, so what are they up to? Well, this for starters…

Apart from that, believe it or not, there’s really not much going to happen car-launch wise until the
‘big event’
 in the fourth quarter of this year, when Proton unveils its new SUV based on the Geely Boyue. Sources have speculated that buyers will have all the space, performance and kit of a
Honda CR-V
, but at a
HR-V price
. That’s pretty good I’d say. Here’s a look at the Boyue in action (dialogue in Chinese):

But February 2018 apparently was a busy month for Proton as the company concentrated on activities aimed at having a successful year ahead. Initiatives for Sales, Marketing and Quality Improvement were put in place, while testing for its first above-mentioned SUV developed together with Geely continue. Here’s some of the local media testing it in China last year (dialogue in Bahasa Malaysia):

These initiatives will carry on in March and beyond, with specific models and areas targeted for improvement, namely:

Global Horizon…

On the international scene the
 Chairman of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, Li Shufu
, announced he had acquired a
9.69%
 stake in German company
Daimler
 thus making him the
single largest
 shareholder of
 Mercedes-Benz and Daimler trucks
. PROTON could gain from it via its partnership with Geely who currently owns 49.9% of the total shares of Proton.

The ongoing quality journey…

Ever since the tie-up with Geely was announced, PROTON has undergone a quality improvement programme with its partner by using an assessment system that is based on Volvo’s global scoring criteria. In December 2017, an audit was performed by Geely and showed a remarkable threefold improvement, which is testament to the effectiveness of the ongoing work between the two companies.

Further improvements are gradually being introduced and with the next audit scheduled to take place in March 2018, PROTON is confident of achieving a further improvement of its audit score. These improvements are vital as preparations get underway for the launch of PROTON’s first SUV, currently scheduled for the end of 2018.

Iriz in focus…

Despite the advent of the new MyVi and the runaway success story it has become, for February 2018, PROTON achieved sales that were equivalent to a 9.6% share of the overall Malaysian automotive market. The majority of sales was accounted for by the Saga, Persona, Exora and in particular Iriz, which “continues to attract strong interest due to their design, technology and value for money proposition” (source: Proton). Here’s our video take on the Iriz Premium 1.6:

In March 2018, PROTON’s
 ‘My Style, My Drive’
 campaign hits sales galleries nationwide and for this month, it focuses on the Proton Iriz. Customers are invited to rediscover the award-winning compact hatchback by taking a comprehensive test drive to appreciate the new features that were introduced in the updated model in 2017. You can read our full review with videos on it
here
.

At the same time, PROTON staff will also engage customers to offer advice on how to best use the various smart features of the car while select showrooms are equipped with a safety corner to demonstrate the safety aspects of PROTON’s 5-star ASEAN NCAP rated hatchback. Here’s my final say on the car…

This roadshow is still on-going so head over to your nearest Proton showroom to check it out.

–


Perodua reports strong sales in June with 21,250 vehicles delivered

The government’s move to exempt the 10% sales tax on new locally-assembled vehicles is aimed at helping the auto industry to recover after the many weeks of being forced to suspend operations. Hopefully, it will encourage people to buy at a time when many are concerned about the future.

The move seems to be working as most companies have reported seeing more orders coming in. No. 1 brand Perodua has reported a sales volume of around 21,250 vehicles for the month of June. That’s the highest figure it has registered so far in 2020 and nearly triple of the May volume (although showrooms were open only after the middle of the month). Its total volume after the first 6 months of 2020 is in the region of 74,000 units; in the same month a year ago, the volume was 121,782 units.

Note: June sales volume is approximate, pending release of data by the Malaysian Automotive Association.

File photo of a Perodua showroom

Of course, Perodua has usually been slightly behind the supply curve – not necessarily a bad thing – as it has had a backlog of orders due to the popularity of its models. The suspension of business for many weeks would have reduced the backlog somewhat although new demand should fill the order books again before long.

Perodua managed to deliver 8,601 vehicles in March before the Movement Control Order (MCO) came into effect on the 18th day, halting the carmaker’s nationwide operations for two months. The carmaker officially restarted nationwide on May 19 and delivered 7,886 vehicles before the month ended.

“The government’s sales tax exemption move has had many benefits. Buyers can enjoy
reduced vehicle prices
 – in Perodua’s case, 3%-6% less – until the end of 2020,” said Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Click here for the current Perodua pricelist

On the aftersales side, operating hours have also been extended (at selected service centres). “Customers looking to service their vehicles are invited to secure an appointment with their service centre of choice,” said Dato’ Zainal.

As always, Perodua does not forget the need to help suppliers who were impacted by the MCO. According to Dato’ Zainal, the company purchased nearly RM500 million worth of local components in June alone. “The sizeable volume increase we’ve had as a result of the increased sales allows us to help the supplier and dealer ecosystem in this time of need,” he said.

“We reiterate our commitment to the government, as Malaysia’s biggest carmaker by volume, to help the industry and ecosystem wherever we can, including sustaining employment, so that we can all get through this difficult time,” he added.

Perodua supports government initiatives to fortify Malaysia’s automotive industry


McLaren Mercedes is coming back to Formula 1!

The super successful McLaren Mercedes titan duo is coming back to the world of Formula 1 and we can’t be more excited about the legendary prospect. McLaren Racing together with Mercedes-Benz announced that the McLaren F1 team will be powered by Mercedes starting in the 2021 season.

The long-term agreement was inked for a four-year deal and they will compete in Formula 1 as a customer team and power unit supplier. The last time this happened was back in 2014 but arguably the most success this combo has ever experienced was when the contracted the likes of David Coulthard and Mika Häkkinen.

According to Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, “This agreement is an important step in our long-term plan to return to success in Formula 1. Mercedes is the benchmark, both as a team and a power unit, so it is natural we would seek to secure a relationship with the company for the next phase of our journey. This announcement reflects the confidence of our shareholders and is an important message to our investors, employees, partners and fans that we are committed to returning McLaren to the front of the field.”

As for Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, he commented by saying “We are delighted to welcome McLaren back to the Mercedes-Benz racing family with this new power unit supply agreement. Although the two brands share a prestigious history, this new agreement is all about looking to the future and beginning a new era of power unit supply for the years ahead.

McLaren have been putting in place the building blocks of their revival over recent seasons, including impressive performances this season with Renault power. We hope that this new long-term agreement marks another milestone for McLaren as they aim to take the fight to the sport’s top teams, including our Mercedes works team.”

F1 (Round 16) – Highlights Of The 2019 Russian Grand Prix And Results


Second generation of Volkswagen Amarok to go on sale from end of 2022

Collaborating on products is nothing new nor unusual in the auto industry. It costs a massive amount of money to develop a new model and unless the potential volume over the life of the model is sufficiently high, it may not be worth the expenditure on R&D. So carmakers will team up and jointly develop a new model and share the costs, which would make better business sense if the volumes are not going to be very big.

Even our Perodua teamed up with Toyota and Daihatsu to develop the first Myvi, which each carmaker then added its own styling differences for differentiation. The sharing of costs sometimes allows a better equipped product to be developed as the money saved can be used for better features.

Volkswagen is no stranger to such partnerships and has shared products with companies like Ford and Toyota, among others. In the past, its
Sharan MPV
 was also sold as a
Ford Galaxy
 and now, the latest model to be shared by the two companies is the Amarok, which is adapted from the latest
4
th
 generation Ford Ranger
 (to be launched in Malaysia this month).

First generation of the Amarok.

To be built in South Africa

The new Amarok is like the previous Rangers and Mazda’s BT-50, which was a shared product as well. And like those trucks, the Amarok will also be initially built at the same plant as the new Ranger in South Africa. Later on, production will also start at Volkswagen’s own factory in Argentina which has been making the first generation of the Amarok that was introduced in 2010.

The new Amarok was developed largely in Australia, probably at Ford’s facilities, but Volkswagen also mentions Germany which would have been where the styling work would have been done. It will be sold as a premium pick-up truck and appear in Australia and New Zealand, numerous countries of Africa, the Middle East and Europe. While North America is not mentioned and perhaps it would be a tough market to enter, it’s interesting that Volkswagen does not have Asian markets in mind either. Perhaps the dominance of models like the Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-MAX also make it challenging to compete in, not to mention the fact that the Ford version is sold widely.

The first generation of the Amarok now looks pretty dated but then again, it was developed over 15 years ago. Since then, many new technologies have been developed and trucks have also gained more sophistication. Thus for the new model, it is a big leap technologically with over 20 new driver assist systems, mobile online services, all-wheel drive technologies, and high efficiency/high-torque powerplants.

With over 830,000 units sold, the first generation established the Amarok as a tough vehicle, though a bit basic in comparison to rivals. The new one is bigger, more powerful and more athletic. It has a frontal appearance that follows Volkswagen’s design language so it is well differentiated from the Ford.

“For the new generation, we have significantly modified the Amarok’s archetypal design. It is now unambiguously more expressive and even more impressive”, said Albert Kirzinger, Head of Design at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Making a statement in itself is the new front section of the truck which will have three specification variants, as well as the top versions with off-road styling and exclusive styling. The new Amarok will be offered with two bodystyles – a 4-door double cab and 2-door single cab.

Long wheelbase enhances proportions

At 5350 mm, the new Amarok is 96 mm longer than its predecessor. The wheelbase has also been extended to 3270 mm, representing an increase of 173 mm. That allows more room within the cabin, especially for the rear passengers in the double cab. The longer wheelbase shortens the body overhangs, which is not only gives sharper proportions but is also advantageous in off-roading as there are better approach angles. The off-road capabilities of the Amarok are also enhanced by a much greater fording depth for driving through deep water; previously it was 500 mm, now it’s 800 mm.

High-quality interior

With its self-explanatory and digital displays, the interior has been configured by the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles design team in a very functional and high-quality way. The spectrum of display units is made up of digital 8-inch instruments (Digital Cockpit, fully digital) and 12-inch panels with a large touchscreen in tablet format.

After much research, the interior designers implemented a mix of digital functions and ergonomically configured buttons and/or push/rotary switches in the Amarok that are intuitive to use. The infotainment system’s volume and all-wheel drive system’s settings are controlled via such hard keys which make better sense than touch operation.

The sound system is from Harman Kardon and will be standard for the high-end versions and optional for others. It is used exclusively in the Amarok and complements the premium appearance of the leather-look instrument panel with elegant contrast stitching. The premium positioning is also matched by the seating which has electric adjustments.

Payloads of up to 1.16 tonnes

Behind the cab is a spacious load area which Volkswagen refers to as a ‘cargo box’. Its dimensions are sufficient for a Euro pallet loaded sideways. The single cab version can even take two pallets loaded sideways. The load is strapped down via eye rings on the cargo bed, each of which can take a load of up to 500 kgs. There is also boosted load capability – the maximum payload has gone up to 1.16 tonnes.

The cargo box can also be secured using an electrically operated roll cover, protecting the items inside. This roll cover can be opened and closed from the cargo box itself, from inside the vehicle or by remote control via the vehicle key.

5 turbocharged engines

Customers will have a choice of 4 turbodiesel engines and 1 turbocharged petrol engine. All the engines have high efficiency and high levels of torque. The engines offered in each market will depend on the needs of the customers. In African markets, for instance, the base specification engine will be a 4-cylinder, 2-litre turbodiesel with 150 ps output. But for many other markets, there will be a more powerful version which produces up to 170 ps.

10-speed automatic with 4MOTION systems

Amaroks with engine outputs of more than 209 ps will have a 10-speed automatic transmission as standard. This transmission is operated by an e-shifter which is a by-wire system. In addition, there will also be a 6-speed automatic transmission and manual 6 or 5-speed gearboxes for various engines and market preferences.

In many markets, the Amarok will come with Volkswagen’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system as standard. Depending on region and engine, there will be two different 4MOTION systems. One will have selectable all-wheel drive based on the given situation, and one will be permanent all-wheel drive.

Driver assist systems

With pick-up trucks spending more time on highways rather than off-road, the need for driver assist systems to make driving safer is greater. To provide this, there are more than 20 of the driver assist systems in the Amarok. Where markets are suitable, the ACC+ Adaptive Cruise Control can incorporate road signs into the automatic control of speed via camera scans.

There are also 6 different driving profiles (Drive Modes) to assist the driver in a variety of terrain conditions. These customise the characteristics of the engine and drivetrain to optimise grip and stability so the driver can confidently explore off-road areas.

Volkswagen’s design boss wants to know what you think of a pick-up version of the ID. Buzz


Edaran Tan Chong Motor’s Nissan Flood Relief Assistance Program gives owners up to 12 months to settle the total bill

For many motorists, having their vehicle damaged by flooding can mean a very expensive repair bill. If they have insurance coverage that includes flood damage, then they won’t be so badly impacted but many motorists do not have such cover as it is excluded. It can be included (along with other additional cover like windscreen breakage and passenger liability) for an additional fee and if you do live or park in an area that is likely to flood regularly, you may want to add on such coverage.

For those who will have to pay the bills themselves, companies like Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) and Tan Chong Ekspres Auto Servis Sdn. Bhd. (TCEAS) have a Flood Relief Assistance program for Nissan owners whose vehicles have been damaged by the floods. The program offers a discount on parts and labour, extended repayment on the total bill, and free towing services (terms and conditions apply).

Discount and extended repayment plan

A discount of 20% discount will be given on parts and labour charges used for repairs of flood-damaged vehicles. All Nissan Genuine parts used come with a 6-month/10,000-km warranty (whichever comes first).

Understanding that there will be other heavy expenses, especially if the home has also been flooded, owners can repay the total bill over a period of up to 12 months under the Easy Payment Plan.

Also available are Free Towing and Door-to-Door Towing service for vehicles that are badly affected by flooding. The Collect & Deliver service for usual maintenance service over the weekends is also now available.

Special upholstery restoration prices are also available at RM1,655 nett for sedans and RM1,988 nett for MPVs, SUVs, and pick-ups or vans.

Nissan owners can contact the Nissan Customer Care Centre Hotline at
1800-88-3838
 for assistance. To locate a TCEAS outlet near them, visit
www.tceas.com/servicecentre
.

Nissan recognises top performance of aftersales services by Tan Chong in Malaysia

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


New Geely ICON compact SUV launched in China

As some carmakers have done in recent years, Geely Auto used online media to launch the ICON, its latest compact SUV, to an audience across China. Just like its
online vehicle purchasing service
 that was launched earlier this month, this online event was appropriate given the restricted movements in many areas due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

Geely Auto received over 30,000 orders in the hours leading up to its launch through online pre-ordering.

The ICON’s design began life with a concept model of the same name which was shown at the 2018 Beijing Auto Show with a style described as ‘avant-garde minimalistic analogue-inspired’. Breaking from the traditional SUV design trend, Geely designers used a ‘less is better’ design ethos to move towards a purer ‘more 8-bit analogue’ form.

Global collaboration in design

The ICON is the result of global collaboration with input from Geely’s five global design centres. In particular, the exterior that was developed at its California design studio while the interior was conceived in the Barcelona studio with both being revised and brought to completion at the Shanghai studio.

On the exterior, the arrangements of the headlamps has been patterned after an infinity loop, a symbol of time, creating a unique split design. The arrangement is not only visually appealing but also improves lighting efficiency by 30% and extends road visibility to 165 metres.

Visually minimalistic with focus on technology

While being visually minimalistic, the ICON has put a focus on technology. One example: intelligent flushed door handles pop out when users approach and retract when they leave, giving the ICON a clean visual image while in motion or parked.

This new Geely model is the first in its segment to make use of 48V mild hybrid technologies that help extend fuel consumption to 17.5 kms/litre. The 48V system boosts the powerplant with a further 10 kW of power and 45 Nm of torque giving a total of 140 kW and 300 Nm. With a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission, the claimed 0 – 100 km/h acceleration time is 7.9 seconds.

Inside the ICON, the same design philosophy as used for the exterior helps give the cabin a futuristic sci-fi feel. The symbol of time is once again visually present in the design form of the air vents and central console.

Large dual interactive 10.25-inch screens, an information panel and central infotainment console dominate the dashboard. From the two interior screens and mobile devices, users can interact with ICON and connect to the world through the GKUI Geely Smart Ecosystem.

The ICON will have, as standard, a
new Intelligent Air Purification System (IAPS)
 that is N95 certified. This system, developed in record time as an immediate response to the ongoing epidemic, is a works together with the air conditioner to isolate and eliminate harmful elements in the cabin air including bacteria and viruses.

Smart technologies for safety

The ICON comes with benchmark-setting smart technologies. Its Level 2+ intelligent driving technologies are supported by 12 ultrasonic radars, millimetre-wave radar, and 5 high-definition cameras. Other driver-assist features include intelligent cruise control, lane-keep assistance, automatic emergency braking and pedestrian recognition, and one-button automatic parking.

Geely’s 360 ° Safety Identification Circle is enhanced by an additional 180°. On top of being able to see a 360° panoramic image of the vehicle on the interior screens, there is also a 180° view from the side, front, or rear of the car, effectively eliminating all blind spots from the driver’s seat.

Addressing millions of viewers online, Geely Auto Group President & CEO, An Conghui said: “Geely ICON’s launch not only showcases the core strength of Geely’s global development network, it also shows our forward thinking and demonstrates the high-tech digital future we are all moving toward. It represents Geely’s leap from merely meeting user demands to creating leading trends. Just as the Geely ICON will become a new icon for global SUVs, Geely Auto will also become an icon in terms of automotive technologies and global auto brands.”

Will Proton get the ICON?

Every time Geely launches a new model, there seems to be the expectation that it will also carry a Proton badge in due course. While Geely would be contributing some models and certainly sharing platforms, it doesn’t mean that it will let Proton have every model. There will be marketing considerations, R&D costs (since a righthand drive version would have to be developed) and also positioning of the product against other brands in the group.

Having said that, the ICON looks like a good candidate as a global model and we would not be surprised if Azlan Othman and his Proton Design team are already coming up with Malaysianised proposals.

Geely Auto develops cabin virus-filtering system within 20 days, to go into all its cars from next month


BMW Group Malaysia Launches All-New CKD X3 SAV @ RM320,000! [+Videos & Photo Gallery]

BMW Group Malaysia has introduced the All-New
BMW X3
, which will be locally-assembled (CKD) for the first time in the country, allowing its price to be
RM320,000
. This demonstrates BMW Group Malaysia’s commitment to growing its investments here in Malaysia, a move that further emphasises Malaysia as the hub for the BMW Group in South East Asia.

Mr. Harald Hoelzl,
 (above)
Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia
 said,
“Today, we celebrate a new generation of the BMW X3, which in the history of the premium automotive industry, is the creator of the mid-sized premium SAV segment in 2003. This is a perfect example on the BMW belief that the best way to predict the future is to create it. With over two generations of the BMW X3, we have delivered more than 1.5 million vehicles to lead the segment all over the world. Today, the All-New BMW X3 is set to continue to write the next chapter in BMW’s success story in the premium segment.”

Hoelzl added that with over 1,000 units already delivered in 2018, the BMW X Family is enjoying a significant 39% growth in Malaysia, compared to the same period last year. Driving this performance is The Boss – the BMW X5, and the First-Ever BMW X2. Now, with the All-New BMW X3, BMW Group Malaysia looks forward to pushing the BMW X Family further this year.

“For the very first time, the independent and passionate BMW X3 is made available from launch as a locally assembled vehicle to offer our customers here a wider choice and availability of products as well as a differentiation, option and a mix from our offering of fully imported models in the premium sports activity vehicle segment,”
 Hoelzl said.

Overall, BMW Group Malaysia delivered 3,000 BMW, MINI and Motorrad vehicles in the first quarter of 2018, charting an impressive 15% growth compared to the same period last year with 2,600 vehicles delivered. In the details, the BMW brand saw an 18% growth in deliveries with over 2,500 new vehicles in the first quarter of 2018 (Q12017: 2,100 vehicles).

MINI, meanwhile, grew by 6% – delivering over 220 vehicles compared to the same period in 2017 where 200 vehicles were delivered. While BMW Motorrad grew by 2% in the first quarter of 2018 with close to 260 motorcycles delivered to customers.

The new locally-assembled BMW X3 is priced at RM320,000 (OTR w/o insurance)

More on the new BMW X3…

The All-New BMW X3 now sports an even more striking and dynamic design language, boasting class leading driving systems and dynamics – all of which attribute to All-New BMW X3’s independent spirit. “It is only fair that the All-New BMW X3 is called The Independent in the BMW X Family,” Hoelzl said.

The All-New BMW X3 is introduced in the variant of the BMW X3 xDrive30i Luxury. The dynamic handling qualities of the All-New BMW X3 are rooted in its ideal 50:50 weight distribution, its meticulously honed chassis and the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system, which made its debut in 2003 when the first generation of the BMW X3 was launched.

Sharper Design with Distinctive Looks.

The All-New BMW X3 elevates the already bold dynamic design language of its predecessor to new, even more eye-catching territory. The third generation of the pioneering premium mid-sized Sports Activity Vehicle treads a familiar BMW X family path in combining rugged off-road looks with sporting presence. The exterior dimensions of the All-New BMW X3 may be largely unchanged, but its five-centimetre-longer wheelbase, long bonnet and short front overhang with even more finely balanced proportions – which emphasise the perfect 50:50 distribution of weight between the front and rear axle – give it the edge over its predecessor.

At the front end, the “three-dimensional” kidney grille treatment and foglamps featuring a hexagonal design for the very first time on a BMW X model, underline the confident character of the All-New BMW X3. The SAV features LED headlights with low-beam and high-beam, side lights and cornering lights. The All-New BMW X3 also features high-beam assistant which switches head lights to high beam automatically when needed. The underbody protection in Frozen Grey and high-gloss Chrome. The All-New BMW X3 sits on 19” light alloy wheels Double Spoke bicolour Ferric Grey.

Moving to the rear, the light clusters (whose three-dimensional look in full-LED guise give them significant visual impact), markedly downward-sloping roof spoiler and twin exhaust tailpipes bring matters to a suitably muscular conclusion. The cargo space offers versatility as it can be expanded from 550 litres to 1,600 litres when the seats are folded down. The Comfort Access with contactless boot operation allows for added user-convenience with keyless access to the vehicle, including contactless access to the tailgate.

Supreme Driving Pleasure, Exceptional Efficiency.

The cutting-edge BMW TwinPower Turbo 2.0 in-line four-cylinder petrol engine sits at the heart of the All-New BMW X3, which comprises of TwinScroll turbocharging, High Precision Injection, Double-VANOS variable camshaft control and Valvetronic fully variable valve timing. With an 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, the All-New BMW X3 is capable of sprinting from 0-100km in 6.3 seconds at a top speed of 240 km/h. The All-New BMW X3 is capable of generating a maximum output of 252hp and 350Nm of torque, offering supreme driving pleasure with exceptional efficiency. For the full spec sheet, click here:
BMW X3 Spec Sheet_Peninsular Malaysia

With the intelligent lightweight construction, the All-New BMW X3 is up to 55kg lighter than its predecessor, which translates to superior dynamic performance and outstanding efficiency. With that in mind, the All-New BMW X3 also has the lowest aerodynamics with a C
d
 factor of 0.29. The lower the factor, the less drag the body will induce. As a result, a balance between a dynamic yet efficient design is achieved.

Furthermore, the standard Driving Experience Control switch allows the driver choose between various configurations – i.e. ECO PRO, COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT+ modes, all of which are designed to make the vehicle more dynamic, more comfortable or more efficient to drive.

Perfect Off-Road Prowess.

The dynamic handling qualities of the All-New BMW X3 are rooted in its ideal 50:50 weight distribution, its meticulously honed chassis and the xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system. Not only has the system been offering superior grip on slippery surfaces ever since, it has had a beneficial effect on driving dynamics, too. It is interlinked with the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) meaning that the power split between all four wheels can be constantly varied to always produce the handling characteristics for which BMW is renowned, even when the driver is pressing on. Complementing the off-road capabilities of the All-New BMW X3 is Hill Descent Control which helps maintain the SAV at a steady pace when driving down a steep incline.

Comfort-Oriented Interior with a Luxurious Ambience.

The interior of the All-New BMW X3 follows BMW tradition with its driver-focused and ergonomically optimised cockpit layout and carries over many aspects of the car’s exterior design. For instance, hexagonal forms and precise, bevelled edges play a central role in the interior. The interior displays exceptional material quality, fit and finishing, and impresses functionality-wise. One example here is the well-thought-out storage concept, which offers more storage space than ever before and ensures it is easier to access as well as galvanised plating on the air conditioning, audio and steering controls which is luxury to the sight and touch within the premium vehicle.

Evidence of the attention to detail lavished by the designers on the interior of the All-New BMW X3 includes the exclusive BMW X embossing which is highly visible on the B-pillar, enter console and rear door trim. Partially hidden BMW X embossing can also be spotted between the front door and dashboard end.

Upon entering the All-New BMW X3, the driver will be welcomed into the Leather Vernasca with contrast stitching sports seat, with padded side bolsters and eye-catching shoulder section. The dashboard is also set low to offer the distinctive “Command Position”, leaving the driver with a feeling of being in control with a good all-round vision.

With the Luxury Line, the All-New BMW X3 offers leather upholstery, a Sensatec-covered instrument panel with contrast stitching and Dark Oak fine wood interior trim strips with accent strip in Pearl Chrome. The All-New BMW X3 also comes with 6 ambient light colours tones (orange, lilac, mint, bronze, blue and white) with selectable contour and mood lighting.

The All-New BMW X3 also features a rear camera, with Park Distance Control which provides an acoustic and visual (distance only) warning of the obstacle behind the vehicle. To assist the driver further, the Parking Assistant aids with automatic parking into parallel and lateral parking spaces.

Technology and Communication.

In the All-New BMW X3, the new Multifunctional instrument display with Black Panel technology replaces the traditional gauge cluster which has been a common fixture in the page. Besides displaying a breadth of information such as navigation, the three different driving modes – ECO PRO, COMFORT, and SPORT – and their specific displays have their own colour scheme and graphic style.

The 10.25-inch Central Information Display is located above the instrument panel of the All-New BMW X3 with touch control functionality, providing a quick overview of the most pertinent information and offers users intuitive access. With the BMW ConnectedDrive, owners will have seamless connectivity to their car and the world outside. To further enhance driver experience, the All-New BMW X3 also comes with the Welcome Light Carpet, creating a sophisticated atmosphere when approaching the vehicle.

In terms of external colour offering, the All-New BMW X3 offers new and bold colours of Terra Brown, Black Sapphire, Glacier Silver and Alpine White. On the interior, the Leather Vernasca Black is best paired with Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Glacier Silver and Terra Brown; whereas the Leather Vernasca Mokka is best paired with Alpine White and Black Sapphire. The All-New BMW X3 will be available at all authorised BMW dealerships nationwide from
Wednesday, 25
th
 April 2018*
, with deliveries commencing in
July 2018
*.

Complete Premium Ownership Experience.

Customers of the All-New BMW X3 can also experience the complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership experience which includes:

BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Program.

BMW 2-Year/ 24 Month Tyre Warranty Program for its Run Flat Tyre offering and services.

BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline.

The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App – BMW White Card.

BMW Service Online.

Full BMW X3 Press Release in Bahasa Malaysia & Chinese here:

Siaran Akhbar – BMW Group Malaysia Perkenalkan BMW X3 Terbaharu

媒体资讯 – 大马BMW集团推出全新BMW X3

New BMW X3 Photo Gallery…


Ford Volunteers Help Build Stronger Communities In Malaysia During Global Caring Month 2018

The
Ford Motor Company
 recently hosted its
13
th
 Annual Global Caring Month
 where thousands of Ford employee volunteers around the world venture out into their communities and lend a helping hand to those in need. Ford volunteers from
Sime Darby Auto Connexion
, the sole distributor of
Ford
 vehicles in Malaysia, joined hands with the
National Society of St. Vincent De Paul, Malaysia
 –
Rumah Ozanam and Pusat Jagaan Darul Sakinah
, to provide service and moral support, as well as to organise a series of activities to create equal opportunities for orphaned and underprivileged children. The activities included a trip to
Kidzania
, purchase of school uniforms and distribution of household supply vouchers.

Ford Global Caring Month is the signature annual event of the employee-driven Ford Volunteer Corps. Since its launch in 2005 by Executive Chairman Bill Ford, Ford Volunteer Corps members have contributed more than 1.5 million hours of community service in 50 countries, representing more than $40 million of in-kind community investments.

“We are proud to be part of the Ford Global Caring Month, and are truly inspired by all the work that Ford employees, dealers and local partners are doing across the globe,”
 said
Syed Ahmad Muzri Bin Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion
(above).
“Together with Ford, we are committed to moving forward and improving the quality of life for people in our communities where we live and work.”

In Asia Pacific, thousands of Ford volunteers will participate in various projects in China, India, Thailand, Philippines, and Vietnam, as well as in eleven countries in Ford’s Emerging Markets business unit. In addition to the volunteer activities in Malaysia, Ford Global Caring Month projects in the Emerging Markets include:

Cambodia – Renovating playgrounds in a local school

Guam – Providing financial support to public hospital and cleaning patient wards

Hong Kong – Organising activities to raise awareness of cleft lip and cleft palate conditions

Laos – Providing education on basic personal hygiene best practices for students

Mongolia – Providing teaching aids and computer equipment for a local school

Nepal – Organising activities at a rural school to improve basic sanitation knowledge

New Caledonia – Tree planting programme to promote awareness on preventing deforestation

Sri Lanka – Renovating a local school

Vanuatu – Construction work at a local education facility

Myanmar – Taking care of injured and sick animals at a local animal shelter

In September 2018, the Ford Volunteer Corps tackled hundreds of projects in cities, towns and villages on six continents.
The Ford Fund
 – the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company – has contributed more than
$700,000
 in grants to purchase tools and supplies for many of the global projects.


Honda City Remains Top-Seller In B-Segment!

Honda Malaysia
 recently celebrated a milestone for its best-selling model, which is also the No.1 model in the B-segment, the
City
, with the sales of its 300,000
th
 unit in Malaysia. The City’s popularity in Malaysia is undeniable. The 2
nd
 Generation City which was launched in 2001 sold more than 61,000 units while the 3
rd
 Generation City brought the legacy a step higher with more than 85,000 units sold. The current 4
th
 Generation City recorded more than 155,300 units since its launch in 2014. When the newly enhanced and refreshed 4
th
 Generation City was launched in March 2017, it continued to be well accepted, with more than
48,900
 units sold since then till August 2018.

Between January to August 2018, sales of the City contributed 30% to the overall sales for Honda Malaysia, and captured 51% of the market share in the B-segment. During the same period, sales showed an increase of 16% compared to the same period in 2017. These positive numbers resulted in Honda Malaysia maintaining its No.1 position in the Non-National segment and No.2 position in overall Total Industry Volume (TIV) to-date. Throughout the period of January to August 2018, the E variant emerged as the top selling variant with a sales contribution of 44% while the V variant contributed 33%. Sales from the Central region was the highest contributor at 49%, followed by Southern region and Northern region at 20% and 19% respectively.

Commenting on the milestone achieved by the City,
Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Office, Mr. Toichi Ishiyama
 said,
“We are delighted to mark this milestone of surpassing the 300,000 unit sales for the City within a span of 17 years since it was first introduced in Malaysia. This has proven the success of the City in Malaysia. The 4
th
 Generation City is the best-selling model in Honda and the model continues to lead in the B-segment. This outstanding record achievement would not have been possible without the support from our customers. I would like to extend our sincere appreciation and thankfulness to Malaysians for their support and belief in our brand, and for making City their vehicle of choice.”

The City is powered by Honda’s 1.5L i-VTEC engine combined with Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT). Paired with a fun and responsive paddle shift, the City provides the Joy of Driving through a perfect combination of performance and fuel economy. Further elevating its sleek and stylish design, the City comes with LED Headlights* with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and LED Front Fog Lights*. Dual-Tone Alloy Wheels are equipped as well to provide a stylish appearance.

The interior of the City is developed under Honda’s
‘Man Maximum, Machine Minimum’

concept, designed to maximize the space for driver, passengers and goods. The stunning 4
th
 Generation City is a model with an interior that is comparable with   D-segment space in a B-segment size, providing ultimate comfort. Trunk space in the City remains the biggest in its class at 536L, making it the perfect sedan that is extremely convenient for road trips with ample room for luggage, baby strollers and even foldable bicycles.

Reinforcing its safety features, the City is equipped with 6 airbags* from the dual front, side and side curtain that ensures a safe journey for the driver and passengers. The standard active safety features made available are Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS). The City is available for viewing and test drive at any of Honda’s
97 authorized dealers
 nationwide. Customers can call Honda’s Toll Free number at
1-800-88-2020
 or log on to
www.honda.com.my

for more information.


All-New Alphard And Vellfire Available For Booking, Toyota Continues Market Dominance

UMW Toyota Motor maintained its market dominance in June, earning remarkable sales figures of 8,559 units for Toyota and 110 units for Lexus. Toyota and Lexus combined total sales for June 2023 reached 8,669 units, exceeding the 8,004 units reported in May 2023.

Year-to-date sales for June 2023 have shown excellent growth, with a total of 48,659 units sold. This result indicates a strong 6.0% increase over the 45,911 units sold year to date in June 2022.

Another major highlight for the month of June was the unveiling of the highly anticipated
all-new Toyota Innova Zenix
, featuring both Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) and Internal  Combustion Engine (ICE) models. This introduction was a big step forward in the company’s persistent commitment to carbon-neutrality and sustainability.

Adding to that, UMW Toyota Motor also announced today that reservations for the
All-New Toyota Alphard and Vellfire
are now open. Locally, UMW Toyota Motor will offer the Toyota Alphard 2.4T Executive Lounge and Toyota Vellfire 2.5 variants with updated new powertrains and enhanced luxury features. The prices are:

Toyota Alphard 2.4T Executive Lounge RM538,000 without insurance.
Toyota Vellfire 2.5 RM 438,000 without insurance.

The month of June also saw the announcement of the 6th Season of the GR GT Cup Malaysia, which will begin on 15 July 2023 and is organised by UMW Toyota Motor.

In addition, UMW Toyota Motor has launched July incentives. Customers can get good rates on some of the company’s most popular models. In July, the Toyota Yaris is available with monthly payments as low as RM628, as well as promotional perks worth up to RM5,490. The all-new Toyota Vios is offered with monthly payments starting at RM688. The all-new Toyota Zenix has monthly payments as low as RM1,476. The all-new Toyota Zenix Hybrid offers monthly instalments as low as RM1,807 for individuals looking for sustainable mobility.


Highway Lanes For Self-Driving Trucks In Japan

In Japan, a motorway connecting Tokyo and Nagoya will soon have a lane designated for self-driving trucks.

The goal is to make it possible for the first driverless trucks to go on a designated route in total safety and apart from other vehicles.

According to Nikkei Asia, the project involves developing a 100 km road that will be exclusively used by driverless trucks initially only at night.

In theory, self-driving cars would be ideal for this reasonably straight road with three lanes on each side. Whether or not human-driven cars will also be allowed to use the lane is still uncertain.

The project is expected to be up and running by 2024. But in order to do so, it will be necessary to install sensors and cameras at regular intervals along the entire route, all connected in 5G, for real-time data transfer without latency.

In this way, if obstacles are detected, approaching vehicles will be able to automatically slow down or even stop in the event of a serious risk of collision.


Renault Mégane R.S. Trophy R sets new record at Nürburgring

The latest Renault Mégane R.S. Trophy R has simultaneously set a new record at Nürburgring for the fastest lap time set by a front-wheel-drive production car and dethrone the previous king, the Honda Civic Type R.

On 5th April 2019 the Mégane R.S. Trophy-R set a new all-time record for front-wheel-drive production cars on the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring, now a world-renowned proving ground. It covered the 20.600 km in 07’40’’100, and the official whole lap length of the Nordschleife 20.832 km in just 07’45’’389.

That’s one hell of feat which Renault was able to accomplish thanks a number of deciding factors of the Mégane R.S. Trophy-R. These include increased speed to weight reduction (up to 130 kg), improved aerodynamics and the more radical development of its chassis for improved handling.

The same 1.8-liter turbocharged engine with a new exhaust system as the Mégane R.S. Trophy, the Trophy R version punches out a cool 296hp. With less weight to lug around and better aerodynamics plus improved chassis, this baby took over the crown as the new king of front-wheel-drive at the legendary circuit.

The official debut of the new Renault Mégane R.S. Trophy-R will be held this weekend in conjunction with the Formula One Grand Prix 1™ in Monaco. Want one? Better be quick about it because the Mégane R.S. Trophy-R will be on sale before the end of 2019, as an exclusive limited edition of a few hundred units only.


30 years ago, Mercedes-Benz already had a practical EV based on the 190 model

For the past few years, Mercedes-Benz has begun its transition towards electrifications, creating the EQ range for a new line of electric vehicles (EVs). While R&D relating to EVs has accelerated in the past 10 years, the carmaker was already exploring electric propulsion 30 years ago.

In May 1990, it exhibited a 190 (W 201) model that had been converted to electric drive in the innovation market section at the Hanover Fair. “In this way, the Mercedes 190, which in terms of length and weight comes closest to the requirements of an electric vehicle, is an ideal battery test vehicle. The main objective is to assess the functional suitability of all the components in realistic situations with all the vibrations, accelerations and temperature fluctuations experienced in everyday operation,” explained the brochure issued at the time.

A mobile laboratory

The company made a fleet of electric 190s which were used to test different drive configurations and battery systems. The energy storage devices tested were mainly sodium-nickel chloride or sodium-sulphur high-energy batteries which had a significantly higher energy density than conventional classic lead-acid batteries. However, the working temperature of both systems was around 300 degrees C. which wasn’t so good.

The following year, Mercedes-Benz displayed a more advanced car at the Geneva Motor Show. This prototype with electric drive had an individual 16 kw/22 hp electric motor to drive each wheel. Total power output was 32 kW/44 hp and the energy came from a sodium-nickel chloride battery. Regenerative braking – a feature in many of today’s EVs and hybrids – returned energy to the power pack during braking actions.

A particular advantage of the concept was the elimination of weight-intensive mechanical components, so the additional weight compared to a production model with a combustion engine was only 200 kgs. It was still a substantial amount of extra weight, largely due to the battery pack.

From 1992 onwards, there was a large-scale field trial which ran for 4 years, funded by the German government. The aim of the exercise was to test EVs and energy systems, including batteries, in everyday practice. A total of 60 passenger cars and vans from several brands were involved.

100,000 kms in 1 year

The pioneering 190s were driven by various participants in the trials and these included taxi drivers who used them in daily life. There were hardly any problems and one of the Mercedes prototypes achieved a peak usage rate of around 100,000 kms in 1 year.

The results provided the engineers with new insights into battery service life, the number of possible discharge and charge cycles, range, energy consumption and reliability. In the following years Mercedes-Benz would apply the electric drive concept to other passenger models.

The first fully-electric Mercedes-Benz production model – the EQC. Its powertrain (below) was developed with the data gained from R&D activities since 1990.

All the knowledge gained by the R&D teams in the 1990s contributed to the comprehensive knowledge pool of vehicle development on which engineers draw in developing today’s vehicles. In fact, some of the engineers who worked on the electric W 201 prototypes are still active in the company’s EV development and are involved in the latest projects.

Mercedes-Benz EQ Range unveiled in Malaysia