Proton Iriz wrecked on motorcycle lane of Federal Highway

Our sister site,
BikesRepublic.com
 published an article where it was reported that a Proton Iriz owner had ventured into the motorcycle lane of the Federal Highway and ended up in a bit of a pickle near the Mid-Valley-Puchong section.

We aren’t too sure whether this was an honest mistake or a deliberate attempt by the driver to bypass the infamous daily Federal Highway bumper to bumper crawl. And it’s still unclear what exactly transpired that led to the car ending up wedged between a drain and the adjacent parapet.

It’s possible that the car may have lost traction, veered of the road and ended up  with its left tyres in the ditch. Or it could have been equally likely that, the car wound up there due to the driver’s lapse in judgement whilst attempting to maneuver past the bollards.

Either way, this wouldn’t be the first time that a four-wheeled vehicle has entered an area that is essentially designated for two-wheelers. Such a move is usually attempted by errant drivers who try to ‘cut queue’ or beat the traffic jam completely in an attempt to shave significant time off their daily commute.

Though this might come as news to many car drivers, the motorcyclist lanes on the Federal Highway are considered unsafe by many road users due to the many hazards along the way, which include flooding, poor visibility and road surfaces that have degraded to an unsafe level. Many motorcyclists and media outlets have been quite vocal about this, and we hope that the authorities take appropriate measures to ensure that steps are taken to improve the road conditions there.

As the Raya holiday season approaches, we here at Piston urge our readers to exercise caution while on the road. Leave the shenanigans of speeding and racing for the racetrack and instead, drive within the speed limit at all times. For more tips on how to prepare your vehicle for the journey home,
click here
.


Lamborghini Urus Performante Takes the Super SUV’s Performance To A Higher Level

Ever since Lamborghini launched its first SUV, the Urus, sales have been exceptionally high and propelled it to become the bestselling model for the Italian sportscar maker. In fact, in 4 years, it has produced over 20,000 of the SUVs, which makes the Urus the most successful model the company has ever produced.

But like any progressive company, Lamborghini has not left the Urus as it is and has been inspired by success to raise the bar on its Super SUV. With the new Urus Performante, there are revisions in styling and both the powertrain and chassis have also received improvements for higher performance.

“The Urus set a new standard at its launch, taking Lamborghini’s design DNA and technological talent and delivering the world’s first Super SUV for a new era. The Urus Performante sets the bar even higher for the SUV segment,” said Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini Chairman & CEO.

Extensive use of carbonfibre
The Urus Performante can be identified by a pure, sharper, more prominent bonnet and bumper design/ Deep cuts in the bonnet lines extend down to the new front bumper, and the bonnet has an air outlet forged from lightweight. A roof in carbonfibre is also available as an option, reflecting the Urus Performante’s extensive use of composite materials that makes it the car with the highest number of carbonfibre parts in its segment.

The front bumper and splitter in carbonfibre sport assertive new lines. There are new black front air-intakes which deliver increased engine cooling, while a new air curtain draws airflow over the front wheels. The aerodynamic design theme decreases drag to contribute to the overall aerodynamics efficiency with the newly-designed rear spoiler increasing downforce of the Urus Performante by 38% at the rear end.

In profile, the SUV’s lowered stance is accented by its prominent front, and rear wing and bumper, increasing overall length by 25 mm. The rear is equally distinctive by its purposeful high-performance design as the rear spoiler with carbonfibre fins takes design inspiration from the Aventador SVJ.

The lower rear bumper and diffuser are also in carbonfibre with a lightweight titanium Akrapovic sports exhaust as standard. This generates the characteristic Lamborghini resonance depending on the drive mode selected.

“The Urus Performante’s very bold and characterful design perfectly integrates the improved aerodynamics incorporating the front bumper’s air curtain, with significant visual differentiation including the new lightweight carbonfibre bonnet and extensive use of carbonfibre throughout reminding of its ‘Performante’ heritage. This benchmarking Urus is designed as a unique driver-oriented Super SUV,” said Mitja Borkert, Head of Design.

Ad Personam options available
Inside, the cockpit features Nero Cosmus black Alcantara as standard with a new hexagonal seat stitching design known as the ‘Performante trim’. Customers have a wide choice of options in colour and trim, with further Ad Personam customization including interior matt carbonfibre details, red door handles, and a customized kickplate with the Ad Personam logo.

A new HMI graphic, with a dedicated design for the Urus Performante, features on both the centre console screen and in a large arc across the main display.

Increased power output
Under the bonnet, the V8 twin turbo powerplant power has gained a 16 ps increase to 666 ps (640 ps for the Chinese market due to homologation reasons) with 850 Nm of torque to take it up to a top speed of 306 km/h. With overall weight decreased by 47 kgs, the Urus has a best-in-class weight-to-power ratio of 3.2, allowing it to go from 0 – 100 km/h in a claimed 3.3 seconds and from 100 km/h to standstill in 32.9 metres.

The re-engineered drive modes allow the driver to select the perfect set-up for every surface condition to enjoy more comfort or sharper, stronger throttle response with enhanced agility. Besides the standard drive modes, there is also a new RALLY mode which provides more fun dirt tracks with amplified oversteer.

Prior to its global debut, the Urus Performante’s high level of performance was demonstrated when it
set a new record
 in the production SUV category on the 2022 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Road, beating the record set 4 years ago.

Chassis upgrades
Under the bonnet, the V8 twin turbo powerplant power has gained a 16 ps increase to 666 ps (640 ps for the Chinese market due to homologation reasons) with 850 Nm of torque to take it up to a top speed of 306 km/h. With overall weight decreased by 47 kgs, the Urus has a best-in-class weight-to-power ratio of 3.2, allowing it to go from 0 – 100 km/h in a claimed 3.3 seconds and from 100 km/h to standstill in 32.9 metres.

New steel springs lower the Urus Performante’s chassis by 20 mm, with a wheel track that is broader by 16 mm, over which wider carbonfibre wheelarches surround the new optional 23-inch or forged 22-inch lightweight wheels with titanium bolts and specially developed Pirelli tyres.

Special-developed Pirelli tyres
The tyres come alongside with an evolution of the Urus Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R. For the first time, the Pirelli semi-slick tyre has been developed to meet the characteristics of an SUV, with this particular variant developed in co-operation with Lamborghini. The result of the collaboration is a tyre with increased capability, achieving performance both on dry asphalt with high ambient temperatures and on wet surfaces with colder temperatures.

Open APs No Longer Valid To Import New Lamborghinis


Manual Transmission Not Ruled Out Yet For Nex-Gen MINI Models

Mini introduced a special “
1to6
” manual variant last month, which was generally speculated to be its final three-pedal vehicle. Sources inside Mini are now claiming that its manual gearboxes haven’t been completely ruled out for the next-generation Cooper, so those rumours appear to have been premature.

However, if Mini continues to use them, which according to sources is still theoretically viable on the new platform for the car, they won’t be as freely accessible as they were in the past.

A rumour about manual Minis was started by Stefanie Wurst, the head of the Mini brand, who claimed in an Autocar interview that she was “99% sure” that future models wouldn’t be offered with three pedals. The publication added that Mini would only use a ZF eight-speed transaxle for its remaining ICE vehicles, including the next-generation 2025 Mini Cooper hardtop. But 99% isn’t 100%, and according to a source at Mini, there’s a good chance we’ll see more manual Minis.

Mini has already listened to its customers and turned its lauded electric vehicle (EV) convertible
prototype
 into a limited-edition model for particular areas. It was created solely as a design exercise, a source told a news site, but the overwhelmingly enthusiastic response from enthusiasts persuaded Mini that it was worthwhile carrying out a limited production run. The same might occur if enough people purchase Mini manuals today and push for more in the future.

By adopting the strategy that others have suggested—faking a manual box—Mini could maintain some of that analogue engagement as electrification fully takes root over the course of the next ten years. They have mentioned how certain CVTs are programmed to mimic geared transmissions in particular and Toyota’s concept for an EV that mimics a manual transmission, adding that Mini is closely monitoring the development of this technology.

Even though authenticity isn’t the first priority, it is obvious that Mini still values the manual experience. That will most likely show up in lucrative limited-run models like the 1to6 or upcoming JCWs. We may have to settle for knockoff recommendations if we can’t afford them since limited-run models nowadays come with an eye watering price tag.

In the end, it’s not looking as bright as you would want it, for serious manual Mini enthusiasts. Although the door may be shut, it has not yet been latched.


XC60 optimised with Polestar powertrain

Polestar, Volvo cars’ performance arm has fitted an optimized powertrain to the XC60, which moves it inline with the XC90 T8 as the most powerful models the Swedish automaker produces at the moment. It’s engine now offers 421bhp, putting it in the big leagues of powerful 4×4 vehicles that you can buy today.

The work that Polestar did has resulted in improved engine performance and gearbox functionality specifically in the mid-range. The gear-hold function maintains the same gear when cornering with high lateral g-force in order to avoid unsettling the balance of the vehicle.

“Our goal is to create usable performance in everyday driving situations for Volvo owners who want an enhanced driving experience,” said Henrik Fries, Vice President, Research and Development at Polestar. “The new XC60 has provided us with an excellent base to work on with a dynamic chassis and a state of the art powertrain. With the Polestar optimization, it makes the new Volvo XC60 a true drivers’ car.”

Polestar’s expertise in making super Volvos, is a culmination of more than two decades’ worth of motorsport derived R&D with Cyan Racing, its on track partner. As such, the XC60 now has better  engine performance, throttle response, off-throttle response, gearshift speed and hold.

In total, there are five variants of the XC60 that have been made available with the Polestar optimization option, which are the T8, T6, T5, D5, and D4. We don’t know if the option will be made available over here, but we are sure it will be welcomed with open arms.


Rolls-Royce collaborates with Hermès to create the Phantom Oribe

The Bespoke division at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will create an exclusive car to a customer’s requirements whatever they may be (as long as safety is not compromised). For many years now, Bespoke’s business has been growing as virtually every person who buys a Rolls-Royce will want it personalised in some way. Some may be simple requirements while others may be quite sophisticated – like the Bespoke Phantom conceived in a unique collaboration with Hermès, the French luxury goods company.

Over 3 centuries of combined experience

This is one of the examples of Bespoke’s work which the world gets to see as not all of the models they prepare are publicised if their owners do not agree to do so. “This magnificent expression of our pinnacle product represents a landmark for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, bringing together two houses with more than three centuries’ combined experience and heritage. It is the result of a deep, genuine collaboration between the Houses of Rolls-Royce and Hermès, in which designers, materials specialists and skilled craftspeople worked side by side to create a truly one-of-a-kind Phantom. It has been an extraordinary privilege to unite on such a creatively challenging, technically demanding commission and bring our client’s remarkable vision so beautifully to life,” said Torsten Muller-Otvos, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

The one-of-a-kind Phantom Oribe reflects the personality and passions of its owner, Japanese entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa, who envisioned the car as a ‘land jet’, bringing the serene exclusivity of private air travel to the road. ‘Oribe’ comes from antique Japanese Oribe ware, which Maezawa-san collects.

Matching the glazes of Oribe ware

The car’s striking two-tone exterior matches the characteristic green and cream glazes of Oribe ware. The upper part is finished in Oribe Green, a fully Bespoke colour created exclusively for the client; in an unusual move, Rolls-Royce has made the paint available for use on the client’s private jet the Phantom will be paired with. Developed over many months by specialists in the Surface Finish Centre at Goodwood, it perfectly captures the lustrous, deep-green glaze that characterises these 16
th
 century ceramics. The effect is beautifully completed by the cream-white lower section.

The Oribe ware-inspired colourway harmoniously continues through the interior, created and realised through a true meeting of minds between Hermès designers and craftspeople and the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers and craftspeople. Together, they applied their shared expertise and ingenuity to ensure every individual component embodies the finest traditions of both companies.

Hermès leather

The interior is finished predominantly in Hermès Enea Green leather, extending to details that include the immediate touch-points of the client (eg the steering wheel, duchess handles, gear selector and controls for the climate settings). The leather flows around the upper instrument panel, interior pillars and parcel shelf. It also enrobes less visible surfaces including the glove compartment and luggage compartment lining, centre console, decanter stowage compartment and Champagne cooler.

Delicate Hermès piping adorns the headrest cushions and calf supports of the rear seats, while soft Seashell White accents and matching lambswool floor mats create a sense of light and space throughout.

Equestrian heritage of Hermès

The interior is also replete with examples of Rolls-Royce Bespoke design and handcraftsmanship. Wooden speaker frets, for example, are formed by meticulously perforating the Open Pore Royal Walnut veneer applied to the doors, creating a seamless, textured aesthetic and delicate haptics. Open Pore Royal Walnut is additionally applied to the centre and rear consoles and picnic table backs; in another first for Rolls-Royce, the interior features Hermès ‘Toile H’ canvas on the door armrests, centre and rear consoles and, most notably, the signature headliner.

Hermès brings its distinctive equestrian heritage and innovative craftsmanship know-how to the car, with the leather upholstery created using stitching and edge-painting techniques originally employed by master saddlers.

For the Phantom’s Gallery, a feature unique to Rolls-Royce, that runs the length of the motor car’s fascia, Hermès commissioned an artwork based on a design by the celebrated French artist and illustrator Pierre Peron who created many of the House’s iconic scarves. The work, inspired by the famous Hermès horse motif, is hand-painted on Open Pore Royal Walnut and is presented as though staged in an art gallery, behind glass.

“This unique Phantom is a fusion of East and West, ancient and modern, serenity and exhilaration. It was a great creative and cultural exchange working with Hermès; we learned a great deal from each other. It is always a pleasure when a client brings us a bold, clear and imaginative vision, and a great thrill to see it realised so perfectly,” said Michael Bryden, Lead Designer at Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective.

Exclusive Rolls-Royce Wraith with an astronaut’s view


Why Nissan designers didn’t put a tablet display in the Ariya Concept

When digital graphic displays were available for use in cars, they were inserted in the dashboard, usually in the middle section. Before long, interior designers began to bring the display ‘out’, giving it the form of a tablet like an iPad slotted onto the dashboard. Perhaps this made installation easier and users would also have appreciated the familiar tablet shape.

However, Nissan designers who work on next-generation vehicles consider other aspects as they attempt to balance design, technology and utility. For the Ariya Concept, they chose a different path when developing the display.

This prioritized design and vision over the latest trends. Instead of a tablet, the all-electric crossover has a curved, two-screen display reminiscent of a wave. It adds to the sense of a ‘horizon’ throughout the car, from elements in the door all the way to the rear of the cabin.

The layout reflects Nissan’s new ‘Timeless Japanese Futurism’ design language, also expressed in the Ariya Concept’s unique frontal ‘shield’. But the horizontal design wasn’t chosen for its good looks alone. In addition to conveying information better for the human eye, the layout does so from a safer location — in the line of sight, closer to the road.

By matching the cabin’s horizon aesthetic, it becomes a seamless part of the dashboard. Nissan’s design team calls this
engawa
 – the undefined space between where you are, and where you are going.

“The human eye naturally looks from side to side when driving,” explained Tomomichi Uekuri, Senior Manager of the engineering team involved in HMI (Human-Machine Interface). “People can see and absorb more information if it’s laid out horizontally. Peripheral vision works this way as well.”

The Ariya Concept’s display keeps driving information in an instrument cluster location similar to that of a traditional car, while displaying entertainment information, comfort controls and system status in the centre screen. Both are wrapped together in a sleek panel that flows seamlessly between driver and passenger.

Even though there are two screens, information can move or be swiped between them to create the feeling of a single display. For example, if you want your route directions and map in front of the steering wheel, they can appear there. They can also move to the centre, or disappear when no longer needed.

“The display’s wave construction is innovative and utilizes an ergonomic layout for both the meter display and the centre display, not only for visibility, but also allows the driver to easily reach the touch screen,” Uekuri said.

It took the design team many tries to arrive at the innovative display. The team built similar displays into a large black ‘box’ that they affectionately named ‘the Monolith’, a nod to the movie ‘2
001: A Space Odyssey
’. They chipped away, figuratively speaking, at the housing until it became what’s seen in the final concept car.

As a result, the sleek, seamless display looks like a natural, integrated part of the interior design – not a slab out of time and place.

Nissan Ariya Concept unveiled at Tokyo Motor Show 2019 (w/VIDEO)


1,900 ps Pininfarina Battista hyper GT undergoing final tests before deliveries commence

2022 looks like the year of electric hypercars as some manufacturers will either unveil their products or start deliveries. Among them is Automobili Pininfarina which has announced that its Battista hyper GT – Italy’s most powerful production car ever – will start going to customer in early 2022. Final production prototypes have been running with test-drivers completing assessments of various systems.

Nick Heidfeld, ex-Formula One and Formula E driver, is a Test and Development Driver for Automobili Pininfarina who has been working with the engineers for the past 2 years. “From the first time I experienced Battista’s performance in 2019 in an advanced simulator, to today on road and track, I believe the Automobili Pininfarina team has successfully developed a unique hyper GT that is enormous fun, as well as incredibly fast,” he said.

Heidfeld has experienced the Battista on the road and track in Italy in production-intent form, accompanied by its emotive soundscape for the first time. “In this test, I was able to drive Battista with full power available. The effect under acceleration is completely mind-bending – drivers will never bore of the experience, no matter how many times they feel it. This roadcar sprints faster than a Formula 1 car, and in Furiosa mode, I was left with a huge grin on my face every time. Every client that experienced Battista with me was positively overwhelmed by the experience – there is simply nothing like it!” said Heidfeld.

The Furiosa mode mentioned unleashes the full 1,900 ps, which also utilises the full torque available from the 4 independent electric motors. Originally projected to produce 2,300 Nm of torque, the Battista is now developing an increased 2,360 Nm. This comes from two 250 kW motors at the front, and two 450 kW motors at the rear, with 280 Nm of torque for each front motor and 900 Nm at each rear motor. Their combined output makes it possible to go from 0 – 100 km/h in a claimed time of less than 2 seconds and reach a top speed of 350 km/h.

Besides the Furiosa mode, there are 4 others – Pura, Calma, Energica, and Carattere. Control of the driving experience is provided by a beautifully-milled rotary dial, ergonomically situated right next to the driver, allowing for quick changes in driving mode, each one lending a unique character to the Battista’s drive, perfectly adapted to a range of driving conditions.

Calibrated using thousands of kilometres of software simulation before being introduced to development cars, the driving modes allow the driver to fine-tune the driving experience and unlock both the full potential of the advanced torque vectoring system and honed characteristics of the Battista.

The system recuperates and transfers electrical energy without using the brakes – the active energy shifting takes place directly via the 4 electric motors, resulting in a much faster, more precise and efficient shift of torque compared with torque vectoring by braking.

The motors are powered by a powerful 120 kWh lithium-ion battery and, depending on driving style and other conditions, the range is claimed to be up to 500 kms.

“The handling on open roads – even on unpredictable surfaces – proved Battista to be beautifully balanced. Just how a hyper GT should feel. Battista’s performance on track had already surprised and impressed me after I experienced it in Nardo earlier this year, so my expectations on this occasion were set high. This test however confirmed that the team has achieved its target of creating a new type of hyper GT which is rewarding on all surfaces. The ride quality and damping both feel excellent, and the steering feels natural and the perfect fit for what we want to achieve in Battista. I am very sensitive to steering feel as a racing driver, and the sweet spot here is for it to feel light yet connected, and direct yet smooth,” explained Heidfeld.

Paolo Dellacha, Automobili Pininfarina’s Chief Product and Engineering Officer, commended Heidfeld for his input which has helped the engineers to fine-tune the car. “Nick has been a brilliant partner throughout the whole development programme, not only for his driving skills and unique experience in both Formula 1 and Formula E, but also for his ability to evaluate and improve the programme in its various stages of development by delivering the anticipated view of our customers,” he said.

The Battista in production form made its global debut at California’s Monterey Week in August this year. Potential customers had an opportunity to experience the hypercar on the scenic coastal roads and listen to its ‘tailor-made exterior soundscape’. Those who decided they must own one would have to book a unit which will cost from €1.98 million (about RM9.37 million).


Sim racers from 5 countries to compete in GR Supra GT Cup ASIA 2020 this month

With a President who is a racing driver himself, it’s not surprising that Toyota is getting more involved in different forms of motorsport, including the fast-growing digital motor racing or e-motorsports. E-motorsport is one of the key pillars of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) to bring thrill to car enthusiasts and engage those looking to pursue new challenges in the virtual world. Furthermore, the key learnings and real-time experiences gained from the TGR’s motorsport activities remains eminent to the development of Toyota vehicles.

Later this month, Toyota Motor Asia Pacific (TMAP) will bring 15 top e-motorsport players in Asia together for its first virtual motorsport showdown – the GR Supra GT Cup ASIA 2020.

The regional round on October 25 will see three top challengers from each of the five participating countries – Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and India – will compete online. The winner will be the regional champion who will then go on to participate in the final of the global GR Supra GT Cup 2020 to be held this December.

The GR Supra GT Cup ASIA 2020, a one-make race championship in Gran Turismo Sport, began in June 2020 with national-level qualifying races hosted by Toyota affiliates in each of the five participating countries.

In Malaysia, hosted by UMW Toyota Motor, the event was known as the
Toyota GR Velocity Esports Championship
 and the final round was held last month. The top three finalists were Taj Izrin Aiman Taj Madira, Mior Muhammad Hafiz and Muhammad Iqbal Ahmad Suji, who will represent Malaysia in the GR Supra GT Cup ASIA 2020.

Commenting on the GR Supra GT Cup ASIA 2020 Regional Round, David Nordstrom, Vice-President of TMAP said: “The GR Supra GT Cup ASIA challenge is all about the power of passion, cars and limitless possibilities and we are excited to engage with the aspiring players in the region. It is a great feeling to race on-line. Indeed, my racing moments on simulator captures some of the exhilaration I have experienced on real racetracks around the world.”

“It’s a feat to have these incredible players competing in the legendary sportscar, THE GR Supra, and we look forward to having fans join us to experience virtual racing with Toyota, by watching the regional finale,” he added.

Toyota GR Velocity Esports Championship Grand Final


Cycle & Carriage Bintang opens a Mercedes-Benz Virtual Showroom

Cycle & Carriage, associated for decades with the Mercedes-Benz brand, now has the first Mercedes-Benz virtual showroom in Malaysia. Responding to trends, the Cycle & Carriage Virtual Showroom offers the same high-touch retail engagement online that customers get with the physical retail experience.

“The low-touch economy spurred by e-commerce marketplaces has propelled a need for us to re-engineer our strategy in the luxury car segment. While our physical retail experience will certainly be here to stay, complementing it with an immersive online experience and seamlessly incorporating both channels would make the purchasing journey better for our customers,” said Cycle & Carriage Bintang CEO, Wilfrid Foo. “Our customers’ car-buying journeys can begin not just at our showroom, but at their fingertips. We hope that with a seamless offering, we can deliver on our promise of delivering Exceptional Journeys to our customers in ways that meet those needs.”

Immersive high-quality experience

Simulating a physical showroom, customers can virtually explore both the showroom and vehicles in an immersive experience. For now, there are nine Mercedes-Benz models on display. Visitors can select external and internal 360-degree views of the models, and customise them using the configurator.

There are also exclusive Cycle & Carriage Expert Review videos for more in-depth understanding, with detailed information also available just a click away. Once customers have previewed each vehicle and have an interest, they can also make an appointment for a test-drive at their preferred Cycle & Carriage Autohaus.

Meeting customers’ evolving needs

“We believe that to be a trusted dealer partner, we need to deliver on that promise of meeting our customers’ evolving needs. Our new virtual showroom is one of the many investments we are making to nurture the overall customer experience and together with our physical showrooms, our customers can begin their ownership journey with confidence,” added Mr. Foo.

Cycle & Carriage has been in existence since 1899, starting in Kuala Lumpur as a general goods store. It is today a leading regional automotive group in Southeast Asia that distributes, retails and provides aftersales services for passenger cars as well as commercial vehicles of various brands.

Listed on Bursa Malaysia, Cycle & Carriage Bintang is one of the leading dealer groups for Mercedes-Benz passenger and commercial vehicles, as well as a dealer group of FUSO commercial vehicles. It has 12 outlets across the country, with three Daimler AG-certified ‘Centre of Competence’ facilities.Cycle & Carriage Virtual Mercedes-Benz Showroom.


Sime Darby Motors Repair Facility Certified To Volvo Standards

Sime Darby Motors represents (through its subsidiaries) a number of different automotive brands and as part of its commitment to principals, it has to provide a high standard of sales and aftersales support. Besides showrooms, Sime Darby Motors also has a Centralised Body and Paint Centre located in Bukit Jelutong, Selangor, to provide repair and refinishing services.

The Sime Darby Motors centre was recently accredited to the Volvo Certified Damage Repair (VCDR) standard for such facilities. This means it meets the high standards set and required by the Swedish carmaker for such services. The VCDR standard involves the use of a state-of-the-art body repair system and advanced tools, including a fast and highly accurate 3D sensor-equipped measuring system. An efficient paint booth setup was also put in place, creating a well-ventilated and dust-free environment.

Apart from the services, the VCDR standard also requires sustainable technology and processes to be integrated within the facility to minimise environmental impact and promote sustainable energy consumption. For example, a low-pressure ventilation system with automatic controls reduces the emission of carbon dioxide and emission of microscopic particles, thereby minimizing air pollution. The system also has lower energy consumption while the machinery utilizes batteries when heating the electric system.

More than 80% of the air will be sucked in through a filtration system that reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The use of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in paint is now replaced with a water-based paint, reducing the Volvo employee’s exposure to hazardous chemicals.

The Sime Darby Motors Centralised Body and Paint Centre located in Bukit Jelutong is currently one of only two Volvo service centres in Malaysia to meet the VCDR standard. The facility, which has a capacity of 1,260 vehicles a year, can handle all Volvo models, including the newer ones with hybrid and fully electric drivetrains.

“This is part of our dedicated efforts to continuously unlock value for our customers. By integrating the VCDR standard at our Sime Darby Motors Centralised Body and Paint facility, this supports our commitment to good Environmental, Social and Governance practices, while ensuring that we provide world-class end-to-end services for Volvo cars,” said Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director of Retail and Distribution of Sime Darby Motors Malaysia.

Restoring Your Volvo To A Certified Safe Condition After An Accident


Workforce of the two Malaysian carmakers vaccinated via PIKAS

PIKAS (
P
rogram
I
munisasi Industri COVID-19
K
erjasama
A
wam-
S
wasta), the public-private partnership immunisation program for employees in the manufacturing sector, has been helping speed up vaccination of the Malaysian population. The large workforces of both Malaysian carmakers – Perodua and Proton – as well as those in businesses associated with them have receive vaccinations over the past weeks.

Proton reports that, following the second round of vaccinations last week, over 86% of its 8,486 employees are now fully vaccinated for protection against COVID-19 infection. The number is expected to increase over the coming weeks as 98% have already received their first dose, in line  with the company’s aim to achieve herd immunity in its chain of operations.

As with the first round of vaccinations, the sports complex at the company’s Tanjung Malim plant in Perak was repurposed as an industry vaccine dispensing centre, catering for staff and vendors in the area, while those based in Shah Alam went to the Shah Alam Convention Centre in Selangor.

“PROTON is pleased to announce our PIKAS vaccination programme has been a resounding success. There are  more than 60,000 people in our business ecosystem, including staff from vendors and dealers, so we are thankful to MITI, MOSTI and the Ministry of Health for their guidance to coordinate such a mammoth task and  ensuring everyone registered on
MySejahtera
 has been given the vaccine,” said Dr Li Chunrong, CEO of Proton.

80% already received one dose

“We estimate more than 80% of our operations chain would have received at least one dose of the vaccine by the  end of August and this helps to ensure Proton is able to hit the ground running once the automotive industry is  given the greenlight to resume operations nationwide,” he added.

To prepare for resumption of business activities, the carmaker has relooked at its business procedures to reduce the likelihood of infections being  spread. Procedures at retail operations have been further tightened to protect customers and staff alike while production processes at all the plants have been scrutinised for any possible risk of infection to both downstream and upstream operations.

“Proton is committed to helping Malaysia lower the number of COVID-19 infections to quickly achieve the milestones in the National Recovery Plan. We have created new processes in all areas, from our production lines to our corporate offices, ensuring a new and safer work environment. It also means strict new rules will be enforced throughout the company and measures such as virtual meetings and splitting work between home and the office will be the norm for the near future,” Dr. Li said.

Perodua employees and suppliers vaccinated

At Perodua too, PIKAS has been used to organise a vaccination exercise for the employees and suppliers. Some 13,000 Perodua employees and suppliers have received the first dose of the vaccine at the Perodua Vaccination Centre since the end of July.

The vaccination facility is within the Perodua manufacturing complex in Sg. Choh, Selangor. Besides maintaining a high level of hygienic cleanliness by daily sanitization, there are also strict security checks at the main entrance to control movements so that there is no crowding.

Perodua’s initiative will not only prepare its workforce for the time when operations are allowed to resume but also contribute to ensuring protection against COVID-19 infection for a large proportion of the people in the Hulu Selangor district where the carmaker’s headquarters and factories are located.

Tan Chong Motor Holdings organises in-house vaccination programme for employees

The National Vaccination Program in Malaysia is free of charge.


The Next-Generation Ford Ranger Heads To East Malaysia

The
next-generation Ford Ranger
 continues its journey around the country on a series of previews before it officially starts to become a regular showroom display nationwide. After being shown in the Klang Valley, Penang and Johor Bahru, the all-new Ranger will cross the South China Sea to East Malaysia.

Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC) will hold previews at Vivacity Megamall in Kuching, o
n September 7 – 11
, and at Suria Sabah Shopping Centre in Kota Kinabalu on
October 5 – 9, 2022
.

Ahead of its showroom launch, these last two preview events that are part of the nationwide debut tour of 5 regions over 5 weekends for the public to get a first-hand look at the latest generation of Ford’s iconic vehicle.

Those who have received their exclusive event invitation will have a seat at the unveiling ceremony at the events. They will also be able to learn all about the new Ranger through an in-depth presentation. Registrations are open 30 minutes prior to the unveiling ceremony.

Apart from getting close-up to the vehicle, there are also exclusive Ford merchandise items to be won so pay attention to the presentation!

If you want to receive an exclusive invitation,
click here
 to select which of the two venues you would like to go to. Alternatively, you can visit
www.sdacford.com.my
 for more information.

Six versions available
There are six versions of the new Ranger available, with

prices ranging from RM108,888 to RM162,888
. All have double cabs and two versions are available with manual transmissions. A bit later on, the
Ranger Raptor
 will also be imported and we understand that this more hardcore version has already attracted much interest and SDAC-Ford has received many orders.


Fuel price updates for August 8 to August 14, 2020


Introduction of new brand logo marks start of Proton’s next chapter

Ever since Proton formed its partnership with the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (more commonly referred to as Geely) in 2017, it has been on an upward trajectory in all aspects of the business. Given the troubled years of the late 2000s and early 2010s, perhaps Proton should have embarked on such a partnership earlier because the auto industry was already changing. In the late 1990s, globalization led the bigger players to realise that consolidation was going to be vital for survival as competition intensified.

Daimler AG’s Jurgen Schrempp created a ‘mega car company’ by ‘merging’ Daimler and Chrysler and thereafter, other companies formed alliances or merged as well. But at that time in the late 1990s, Proton felt it was about to ‘graduate’; it had learnt all there was about being a carmaker and by 2000, the CEO confidently told Malaysians and the world that it was a full-fledged carmaker ready to take its place in the global arena as a credible brand. It did not need to rely on other carmakers any longer; on the contrary, the CEO said: “Other carmakers are knocking on our doors for our technology.”

However, various domestic and internal issues prevented Proton from moving ahead and worse, it slipped from leadership in its own market where it had been able to hold the biggest share. Various parties with different interests either supported moves to find partners or simply rejected the idea on the grounds that Proton would lose its Malaysian identity.

By 2016, it was clear that having a foreign partner was the only way for Proton and DRB-HICOM picked Geely because it was the ‘best fit’. The partnership has since worked well and facts and figures suggest that it won’t be long before Proton is up at the top. It’s already No.2 in overall sales; registering a 36% growth in a market that saw a 5% decrease in sales; and it is the only major brand to have double-digit growth in 2019.

This has come about with assistance and guidance from Geely in many areas, especially quality. The Chairman of Proton Holdings, Dato’ Seri Syed Faisal Albar, added that much serious effort had gone into ‘improving and correcting the fundamentals’ of the business. And while the dealerships have all been upgraded significantly to enhance and improve the customer experience, attention has also been given to changing the mindset of those who work for the brand. It is no longer like the early years when it was a seller’s market and customers had limited choices as competition today means that they can consider many alternatives.

So, 2 years after starting a new chapter in its history, Proton’s progress is back on track and it is winning back the trust of customers in its most important market. “Our ambition is to become a truly modern, global automotive brand. Our new ethos comprises our core values of always using innovative technology, our commitment to reliability and adopting an international point of view,” said Dr. Li Chunrong, CEO of Proton.“

Having completed one chapter, Proton is now about to embark on the next one and to signify this, the brand logo has been given a subtle makeover. It is a more stylized representation of the tiger head, rendered in silver, with a stronger finish. The new design ‘uncages’ the figure (with more geometric lines) which has its head held high to show a determination to move forward to success.

Accompanying the new logo is Proton’s new tagline which will now be ‘
Inspiring Connections
’. It is said to encapsulate the brand’s aspiration of ‘utilizing technology and mobility to help make human connections that inspire a successful life’.

EVOLUTION OF THE PROTON LOGO

Proton’s first logo appeared with the Saga, its first model. To strengthen its identity as a Malaysian National Car, the logo incorporated the Malaysian flag with the star and crescent on a dark blue background. The combined elements were inserted at the top of what resembled a shield with a grey finish. This badge was used only on the Saga up till 1993.

During the late 1980s when the first exports of Proton cars began, there was actually an alternate logo used for some markets. This was an entirely different design which did not use the Malaysian flag although a yellow ‘star’ with 14 points in the middle alluded to its identity. Surrounding the central elements was a circle of silver stars set on a blue background.
According to a former Proton executive who was involved in the export business, the alternative logo was used to ‘play it safe’. “We were a young company, just getting into the car-making business and we felt we had to take into consideration the sensitivities of some of the markets we entered. Our new dealer partners in some of those markets suggested that a less ‘Muslim-looking’ logo would be better and so we followed their advice and came up with something neutral,” he recalled. However, the alternate logo was used only for a small number of markets in Europe. It was eventually dropped as Proton’s confidence grew and the brand got established and accepted. Some units appeared on Malaysian roads but these were cars that were brought back from overseas by some owners or the badge was changed.

The next time the logo was restyled was in 1993 when the Wira was introduced as the third Proton model after the Saga and Saga Aeroback. This logo continued with the theme of the Malaysian flag and retained the colours but the larger part of the grey shield was omitted. The logo became more compact within a triangular shape which could still be regarded as a ‘shield’.

With the launch of the Waja in 2000, a new logo appeared on the grille that reflected a bolder and more confident Proton. It was a major change as the star and crescent were no longer used and instead, the head of a tiger was used. The triangular shield was maintained and the PROTON name appeared at the top, over the tiger’s head which was within a circle.
The new logo was greeted with different views and the young generation made comparisons to the ‘Thundercats’, characters from an animated TV series in the 1980s. But by and large, the new logo was accepted over time and served as a brand logo as well as corporate logo.

In 2008, coinciding with the launch of a new Saga generation, the logo underwent a subtle change. Its overall appearance was similar to that which was used from 2000 but it became monochrome and metallic-like with silver and black only. An engineer suggested that the change was a cost-saving moving but the monochrome badge was used only on the cars, while the corporate logo (below) appeared to become more ‘robust’ and retained the original colours.

2016 saw a more substantial change to the logo and the PROTON name was no longer present. The stylistic elements were retained with the tiger head still ‘caged’ inside a circle and the triangular shield serving as a background. The monochrome theme was also retained although the overall size of the logo was slightly larger. This badge continued to be used in the Proton-Geely era with the PROTON name gaining more prominence on its own along the back of the cars.


Aston Martin Zagato family of four introduced

Aston Martin has revealed the final two cars of its Zagato family. As the name emplys, all four have been designed by the world renowned design house, Zagato. They are based on the Vanquish S and feature unique styling that differ from that of the regular Aston Martin cars.

The Vanquish Zagato Coupe and Volante were introduced last year with a limited production run of 99 cars each. According to the automaker, the order books have already been filled and customers can expect to get their cars by 2018.

What many will find most intriging about this news however, is the introduction of the Zagato Speedster and Shooting Brake. The latter is rather unusual because it breaks convention and may have purists up in arms. Though it and the Speedster retain the same basic design of the Volante and Coupe models, their rear quarter sections are where things get interesting.

The Shooting Brake is still considered a two seater GT and is said to offer an airy experience thanks to the large rear hatch. The Roof’s lines flow smoothly from front to rear without distortion or disruption to the suave silhouette.

Since all four are based on the same car, the Speedster shares a similar design to the Volante and Coupe safe for the double bubble rear roof. Though this many not be to everyone’s taste but the subtlety of the design allows for a more uniformed finish.

Aston Martin has limited the production of the Speedster to 28 cars in total, which is significantly less than the 99 car limit for the other three. This makes it a rare Aston and one that will probably become a collector’s item.

Though each car has its own individual styling that make it unique when compared to the other three, all share certain similarities which include the Vulcan inspired ‘blade’ tail lights, 3D Cagato ‘Z’ motifs in the front grille and rear vent meshes.

Andrea Zagato, CEO of Zagato said of the enduring creative partnership: “Zagato’s relationship with Aston Martin began with my grandfather and the DB4 GT Zagato, almost sixty years ago. To have a creative ‘marriage‘ thrive for three generations is something as unique as the cars themselves.”

All four get the Vanquish S’ near 600bhp V12 engine, which is mated to a Touchtronic III transmission. Thanks to adaptive damping, rigid body structure and a balanced suspension setup, the cars will be able to offer a good amount of driving pleasure.

Check out the relatively large picture gallery below and let us know your thoughts on the newly introduced Zagato family of four.


Fuel price updates for July 11 to July 17, 2020


UMW Toyota Statement On Takata Airbag Replacement Issue

Image credit: Aaron Lee Photography / UMW Toyota PR

(Published as received, 4th June 2018)

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT)
 the distributor of Toyota and Lexus Vehicles in Malaysia announced its support today towards the government’s seriousness in handling the Takata Airbag replacement issue.

Understanding the urgency of the situation, the Minister of Transport, YB Anthony Loke, has instructed Road Transport Department (JPJ) offices
not to allow
 the renewal of roadtax if a vehicle has not had the affected module replaced.

The replacement of the Takata SRS airbag system’s inflator module is necessary because of propellant degradation within the module which can cause the airbag to break up when inflating. This may result in sharp metal pieces being sprayed towards the driver and/or front passenger, causing serious injuries or even death.
 The defect affects millions of vehicles worldwide made over the past 15 years by many different vehicle manufacturers.

“Since 2013, Toyota Motor Corporation has been actively addressing this issue. The affected vehicles have been identified and distributors worldwide have been informed to initiate Special Service Campaigns. During these campaigns, the airbag inflator modules have been replaced at no charge to the owners,”
 explained Mr.
 Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.

UMWT has reported a high completion rate of
91%
 for Lexus vehicles that are below 3 years old and
53%
 for Toyota vehicles that are below 6 years old for the replacement of the inflator modules. It urges owners of older Toyota and Lexus vehicles to come forward to have the affected airbag inflator modules replaced quickly. The vehicle range for affected Toyota vehicles are from 2001–2014 and 2007-2016 for affected Lexus vehicles.

UMWT further assures its customers that efforts have been made to request owners to bring their vehicles to authorised service centres for the free replacement of the module and notification letters have been sent to owners based on their contact details in its database.

“Safety is our highest priority and we have made every effort to contact owners through various means. We are grateful to the Transport Minister for his concern and will fully support this initiative,”
 said Mr.
Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.

UMWT urges any concerned parties and customers who have queries regarding this matter to contact them where full support will be given so that there will be no issues with regards to road tax renewals pertaining to non-airbag replacements.

Toyota also has created a
VIN
 (Vehicle Identification Number) checker on its website toyota.com.my to allow Toyota owners to check if their vehicles are involved in any special service campaign including the Takata airbag inflator module replacement. Affected customers will have to provide their contact details to enable an aftersales representative to contact them with arrangements for the replacement of the affected inflator module.

Besides the online checker, Toyota owners can also find out about any other ongoing Special Service Campaigns by calling the Toyota free-phone at
1800-8-TOYOTA (869682).


Ferrari F8 Spider Driven: Facelifts Are Not Supposed To Be This Good!

The heart is a weird thing. It is what keeps you alive, and yet it is also the same spot where you feel such powerful emotions as joy and sadness.

The factually inclined amongst us would argue that you feel those emotions because the brain sends signals to your body to release dopamine or serotonin chemicals. These are chemicals that make you feel feel happy.

My body was packing about four cups of coffee by 10am that morning, and was filled with those two chemicals linked to happiness.

And that was because I had my sights on the Ferrari F8 Spider. I had a full 8 hours with it. That was the joy part.

Over the buildings in PJ though, I could see dark clouds blowing in. And I was about to spend my day with over 700 horsepower under my right foot. That was fear.

I would like to say that the F8 Spider is quite possibly one of the most beautiful Ferraris of modern times.

But that would not be 100% accurate because there are others like the F12, the LaFerrari Aperta and perhaps even the 360. In this writer’s eyes at least.

But as I write this, I would like to put it out there that the new Ferrari Daytone SP3 is among the most beautiful, Ever!

Back to the F8 Spider.

This is a Ferrari that evokes emotion. One that looks fast while its standing still. And there is not a curve that looks out of place.

Every curve and inch of the F8 serves a purpose. Whether it is to channel air to cool the brakes, lead air in and out of the engine bay, or to simply to push the car down to the road as you drive faster. There is nothing about the F8 that is not doing something.

But the best thing happens when all of those things combine to create something beautiful – and that would be the F8 Spider.

The engine is probably the star of the show – a 3.9-litre, twin-turbo, V8 engine that puts out a mind numbing 720hp and 770Nm of torque.

And to think that this is an entry level Ferrari sports car.

What I really like about modern Ferraris is how driver centric the interior feels.

Everything is about the driver.

There aren’t too many levers hanging around behind the steering wheel either. Just two of the most important – the shifter pedals.

Everything else like the indicators, wipers and light controls are located on the steering wheel in the form of buttons that are perfectly formed to fit your fingers.

The audio, GPS and car data are displayed on the meter panel up ahead which is a joyous mixture of new and old.

The entire meter panel is dominated by a huge rpm meter flanked by digital screens that give you the audio, gps and data about the car and such.

The passenger can be left to be mesmerised by the experience of being propelled by one of the best engine’s ever made by mankind.

Or F8 buyers can opt to have something called the Ferrari Passenger Display, which is a small rectangular sized display that looks like it has been neatly inserted into the dashboard right in front of the passenger.

This display feeds the passenger data about the car such as the speed and rpm, as well as the gear selected and even the manettino settings.

But as brilliant as the interior may be and as ingenious the engine is, the real star of the show is the driving experience, because let’s not forget that this is a Spider – and nothing gets more dramatic than a drop top Ferrari.

The engine of the F8 is an engineering masterpiece. It is so good that it won the 21st edition of the International Engine & Powertrain of the Year in 2019.

And for the record, Ferrari is the only car maker to have won that award four years in a row. This is a company that doesn’t only build great cars, but they engineer the best engines.

Back when the award was presented, the 3.9-litre V8 engine was powering the 488 GTB and Pista. Now though, the already brilliant engine has been further refined to power the F8.

And what do you get when you continuously refine an engine that is already brilliant – fantastic performance!

The F8 Spider’s engine puts down power quicker than your brain and hands can digest. And this is partially due to the fact that there is almost zero turbo lag.

If you follow Ferrari history, you might remember that Enzo Ferrari had said that the company only produced road cars so that they could build race cars to go racing in.

Well, that is not lost. Because the zero turbo lag in the F8 Spider is derived from the Ferrari Challenge cars – the 488 Challenge to be specific.

Ferrari has placed turbo rev sensors to detect when power is needed, and this maximises the efficiency of the turbochargers. Simply put, the turbochargers almost feel like they have been hard wired to your right foot, that iconic whistle of a turbocharger comes alive with every flex of your foot.

It really does feel like you have been hardwired into the cars central system, and that the car knows what you are about to do before you even know what you are about to do.

And of course this is also down to the fact that the gearbox is equally as brilliant as the engine.

The seven-speed dual clutch transmission is one of the fastest shifting I have ever experienced in my career.

I never doubted Ferraris brilliance when it comes to powertrains and power delivery. After all, these are the same guys who introduced pedal shifters in Formula 1.

And they have continuously developed the technology.

So it is this combination of engine and gearbox that has combined to offer one of the best driving experiences money can buy.

Put that in a car that looks like a piece of art with a roof that is able to fold away at speeds of up to 50km/h in just 14 seconds.

You can see how it folds and unfolds in the video embedded above of this article.

So the F8 Spider may be the facelift successor to the already very capable 488, but mid-life facelifts are not supposed to be this good.

As to why I was afraid of those rain clouds. I guess that is what we are hardwired to feel when we feel threatened.

My brain thought that I could easily hurt myself with 720hp at my disposal to the rear wheels. I was afraid I might get it wrong and bin it.

Well, it was as simple as turning the manettino switch to Rain mode.

The Ferrari F8 Spider is ferocious yet docile. And considering that this is just a facelift model, it really is not supposed to be this good because facelifts are usually reserved for cosmetic upgrades.

But then again, you don’t expect Ferrari to create something as unexciting as ‘just another facelift’.

The Ferrari F8 Spider is now in Malaysia with prices starting from RM1.18 million before duties and taxes and customisation.


UMW Toyota Motor reports rising Toyota and Lexus sales as market moves towards normalcy

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a big impact not only on people (many of whom lost loved ones) but also on businesses. Apart from reduced business due to restricted movements, forced suspension of activities also made things worse. But now things seem to be heading towards some normalcy and as life gradually returns to normal, businesses are seeing a steady improvement in sales.

In the auto sector, which was allowed to resume operations from the second half of August, the number of new vehicles produced, sold and delivered also rose significantly in September, the first full month of operations.

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) reports a total sales volume of 8,033 vehicles, an increase of 5,509 units over the August volume. This was made up of 7,931 Toyota vehicles and 102 Lexus vehicles. The volume was also 43% higher than for the same month in 2020 when 5,605 vehicles were sold.

On a cumulative basis, year-to-date sales of Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Malaysia reached 43,594 units at the end of September. In the same 9-month period in 2020, the total volume reached only 25,978 units, an indication of the severity of the first Movement Control Order (MCO) during the second half of 2020.

“We are certainly pleased to see the market steadily moving towards normalcy as the past few months have been challenging for us. Our showrooms have been open and receiving many customers daily, and bookings for the latest models have been increasing. As a result, our total sales in September for Toyota and Lexus vehicles was a phenomenal 223% greater than the August volume,” said President of UMW Toyota Motor, Ravindran. K.

All SOPs followed

Mr. Ravindran said that even before the lockdown was lifted, all facilities had been sanitized and ready for visitors in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) specified by the Ministry of Health. The SOPs are now strictly observed at all outlets and a company-wide program was undertaken to ensure that the entire workforce is fully vaccinated.

“I would like to assure our customers that they will be safe and protected when they visit our showrooms or service centres but at the same time, we remind them that they need to comply with the SOPs. This means having temperature scans and registering their visit using the
MySejahtera
 app, as well as using hand sanitizers and facemasks at all times,” he said.

‘Visit & Win’
 promotion

To welcome visitors back to Toyota showrooms nationwide, UMWT is having a ‘
Visit & Win’
promotion with a total of RM30,000 worth of prizes to be won. You do not have to buy anything at all; all you need to do is visit any authorised Toyota showroom, take a picture and then upload it to social media (eg Facebook or Instagram) with a caption. Once it is posted, let UMWT know what the URL is so that it can be viewed and judged.

There are 38 prizes to be won, with the Grand Prize being an iPhone 12 (64GB); 2 second prizes of Samsung 55-inch 4K LED TV; and 2 third prizes of Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Iron. Consolation Prizes are TT Racing Maxx Gaming Chairs, Bose Quiet Comfort 35 Wireless Headphones, Kingston HyperX Gaming Keyboard, Philips Portable Car Air Sanitizer, and customized Touch’nGo cards with RM100 pre-loaded. Additionally, everyone visits the showroom will receive a free Safety Kit (which stocks last).

Those who plan to buy a new Toyota vehicle can enjoy low instalments with Toyota
EZ Bel
i. If they are government employees, UMWT has the
Jom Drive
 program (in collaboration with Toyota Capital Malaysia) with special benefits and a selection of financial plans. Applications (with supporting documents) will be hassle-free and processed speedily so that they can enjoy their new Toyota within a short time.

Loyal customers not forgotten

“Our loyal customers who have supported the brand for more than 5 decades are also not forgotten. We now have the new
Toyota Loyal-T program
 with better service and bigger rewards,” Mr. Ravindran added. “The program makes use of the Toyota Drive mobile app for convenience and ease of communicating with UMWT.”

With business activities now normalizing, UMWT has been busy preparing for an exciting future when Hybrid Electric Technology is introduced with
Toyota models assembled locally
. These new models will have more efficient powertrains with less emissions and quieter running.

Locally-assembled hybrid models coming soon.

“Toyota Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) are at their most advanced today, and are the immediate and economical solution for mass market production and sale in terms of reduced CO
2
 emissions, practical usage, and price acceptance by customers. We are absolutely positive that the HEV is the most accessible and realistic choice for Malaysian customers in terms of practicality and infrastructure, with an enormous potential in Malaysia,” said Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.

UMW Toyota Motor introduces Toyota Synergised Mobility to present a new aspect of the brand

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


Lexus Malaysia invites you to its Open House this weekend

Chinese New Year is a time when many homes have an Open House, welcoming visitors to celebrate the beginning of a new year together. This forms an important fabric of Malaysia’s multi-racial culture which is enjoyed by everyone.

At Lexus Malaysia too, there will be an Open House this weekend (February 1 & 2) with all Lexus Centres nationwide welcoming visitors to their showrooms from 10 am to 4 pm.
Omotenashi
 (hospitality) is a dominant element in Lexus culture and visitors will experience it as they are invited to partake in the merriment, fun and festive activities prepared exclusively for them.

All visitors to Lexus CNY Open House celebrations will also receive an exclusive door gift and be treated to a Lion Dance performance.

While at the Lexus Centre, it would be a good opportunity to also find out more about the Lexus models available and even experience them on a test-drive. The Lexus range today offers premium sedans, SUVs and sports coupes, all engineered to the superlative standards that have defined the brand for 30 years.

Those who take test drives will receive a gift as a token of appreciation from Lexus Malaysia. Should they be convinced that they want to own a Lexus, there are exclusive deals throughout the duration of the event.

All the new models sold by Lexus Malaysia come with a comprehensive warranty 5 years with no limit on mileage travelled after registration. Complete aftersales support is available at authorised Lexus dealerships across Malaysia with professional technicians having received extensive training by Lexus at the service centres.

For more information and to locate a Lexus Centre in Malaysia, visit
www.lexus.com.my
.

Lexus goes fully electric with the UX300e


Dinamikjaya Motors opens new Kia Flagship 3S Centre in Selangor

Dinamikjaya Motors Sdn Bhd
, the new sole distributor for the Kia brand in Malaysia, is picking up speed now that the
locally-assembled Kia Carnival
 has started rolling out of the Inokom plant in Kedah.

The company has officially opened its first flagship 3S Centre in the Temasya Industrial Park at Glenmarie, Shah Alam, Selangor. It provides the full range of services, ie sales, service and sale of spare parts, at one location for the convenience of customers and owners.

The flagship outlet features Kia’s new brand identity which was introduced last year as part of its brand transformation to a new image. The new brand identity aims to shift the customers’ mindset and provide them with a meaningful experience with Kia. Dinamikjaya Motors, like the other subsidiaries in the Bermaz Automotive Group, is committed in providing the best ownership experience to customers.

Kia Store concept

Adopting the Kia Store concept, the spaces in the showroom are separated by red loop across the store that connects the display area and customer area. The wood tone radiates an earthy coziness with a minimalistic and natural sensibility that gives the customer a warm space. The point of this space initiates a whole new customer experience in the journey of purchasing a car.

With a built-up area of 39,240 sq ft, the showroom can display up to 4 vehicles. In the display zone, an achromatic colour theme infuses a futuristic tone on the metallic surfaces and reflections, offering tranquillity that ensures the display vehicles receive undivided attention.

Aftersales support

The service centre with state-of-the-art facilities has 20 bays and a team of trained and skilled technicians to look after Kia vehicles, including the fully electric EV6. It is equipped with the latest manufacturer’s diagnostic system equipment and maintenance tools. Customers who wait can use the comfortable waiting lounge which has refreshments and a working space (with complimentary wifi).

The showroom is open seven days a week while the service centre operates from Mondays to Saturdays. Kia owners who have vehicle problems or an accident can obtain support from the 24/7 roadside assistance service by calling
1800-22-2228
.

As the new distributor, Dinamikjaya Motors would like to establish contact with all Kia owners in Malaysia. If you are a Kia owner, you should provide them with your contact details so that they can keep you informed of any technical updates, recall notifications or other matters related to your ownership of a Kia vehicle.
Click here
 to obtain a form to submit your details which will be kept and protected in accordance with the law of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) of Malaysia.

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


Toyota Eco Youth program continues to cultivate environmental consciousness

The Toyota Eco Youth (TEY) Program began 20 years ago and has become an annual event which UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) continues to run. Even the ‘new normal’ brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic did not dampen UMW Toyota  Motor’s efforts to cultivate environmental consciousness among Malaysia’s younger generation.

Spirit of inclusivity and freedom of ideas

For its 20th year, the event has an aptly coined theme –
 Reimagining Mobility
 – to promote the spirit of inclusivity and freedom of ideas as the foundation for creation of safe and eco-friendly mobility, despite the challenges of the  pandemic.

Digital/online platform

In view of the pandemic conditions, the format has been revised to run on a fully online platform. Launched in January 2021  (for secondary school students aged 13 – 16 years old), it attracted the participation of 282 teams  from 177 schools, the highest ever participation recorded by the program.

The adaptability of the program into a digital/online platform has included interactive e-learning  lessons and workshops which proved to be highly effective. All in all, school teams were able  to showcase their ideas through impressively produced videos and online presentations.

Since last December, 16 shortlisted teams have been formulating their proposals which were  posted in social media channels for the public to view. Additionally, each team developed a  podcast episode presented on Spotify.

The final judging phase in April saw 10 finalists being selected and the winning teams will be chosen after making their respective ‘pitches’ through live presentations on May 29, 2021.

Waste and recycling themes

Addressing the issue of waste and recycling were popular themes for the proposals. Showcasing impressive capability for innovation and advanced technology, many schools put forward ideas for digital smart tools, supported by carefully built prototypes.

Prize money doubled

“As always, we are highly impressed by the quality of the projects and the innovative ideas  proposed. It is never easy for our judges to choose the best as everyone is a winner in their own way,” said President of UMW Toyota Motor, Ravindran K.

This year, UMWT has doubled the prize money to further reward ingenuity amongst the youth.  Winning teams stand a chance to win cash prizes from a RM64,000 prize pool.

About the Toyota Eco Youth program

The program began 20 years ago in collaboration with the Malaysian  Ministry of Education. Over the course of two decades, 258 schools, 1,910 secondary school students and 762 teachers. Have participated.

Each year, challenging and interesting themes have been provided, and participants have come  up with innovative solutions and proposals applicable to their school or community. Over RM7 million has been spent by UMWT to run the program annually.

An annual event that has the participation of secondary schools from all over the country.

“Toyota Motor Corporation and UMW Toyota Motor are proud to be playing a part in cultivating environment consciousness and innovative thinking for the young generation. This year, we are pleased to share our vision for mobility with these students. It is assuring to know  that the next generation will be ready to face new challenges that arise as we all strive to make our planet a more mobile and inclusive place for everyone,” said Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.

UMW Toyota Motor introduces Toyota Synergised Mobility to present a new aspect of the brand


Perodua sales picking up but sales target for 2021 is lowered by 10.8%

As the industry gets back into gear with the resumption of business activities allowed by the government after a long period of forced closure, sales and new vehicle deliveries are picking up again. It is clear that although these are challenging times, there is still demand for new vehicles, as evident by Perodua registering almost 7,000 new vehicles in the roughly two weeks of operation last month.

The Malaysian carmaker reported that it delivered 6,988 vehicles in August, compared with only 655 units in July. In the first 6 months of this year, before the shutdown, the average sales each month were around 16,000 units. On a year-to-date basis, Perodua registered 104,933 vehicles, a 12.5% drop compared with 119,977 vehicles sold between January and August last year.

The factory is also in full swing as it can operate with full workforce capacity due to Perodua’s initiative to have its
 employees vaccinated using the PIKAS program
. Some 13,000 employees and also suppliers received the first dose of the vaccine from the end of July. They were vaccinated at the headquarters complex in Sg. Choh, Selangor.

From January to July this year, the number of vehicles produced at the two factories in the Perodua complex totalled 98,944 units, which was 1,116 units more than the same period in 2020. This was probably due to Perodua having boosted production in view of the high demand that had been creating a backlog of deliveries.

“We are working on closing the gap by further increasing our manufacturing output as well as further improving our Standard Operating Procedures to ensure the safety of our people and our customers,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

However, he said that the company has lowered its sales target for 2021. “Based on the time and resources available, we are reducing our sales target by 10.8% to 214,000 units for this year from our earlier target of 240,000 units,” he said, while expecting that production and registration numbers will multiply in September as the situation normalises.

“Our main concern now is to ensure that the automotive industry will be able to sustain itself this year as COVID-19 and the semiconductor supply shortage continue to haunt the manufacturers both domestically and globally,” Dato’ Zainal said.

He said that Perodua was able to secure enough supply of semiconductor chips to ensure production would resume smoothly this year and that most of Perodua’s outstanding order would be met within the year. “For now, the semiconductor chip supply is still a global issue and we are working with our partners and suppliers to limit any disruption it may cause,” he added.

To know more about Perodua’s range of vehicles and services available, visit
www.perodua.com.my
.

Perodua alerts customers of scams detected in connection with new Ativa SUV


F1/Round 1: Preview & Starting Grid for 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix

Race starts at 6 pm in Bahrain/11 pm in Malaysia

In past years, the season-closing rounds of the Formula 1 World Championship have been held at venues in the Middle East but this year, due to the Australian GP – the traditional opening round – having to be postponed till later in 2021, the Bahrain Grand Prix has been selected to be the first round of the 2021 championship. It is not, however, the first time that Bahrain has had the opening round as it had the honour in 2006 and 2010.

The first round comes just 16 weeks after the 2020 race and 2 weeks after a 3-day pre-season test session at the same track in the desert. Memories of the last race would still be strong in the minds of everyone, especially the shocking fiery crash that Romain Grosjean survived. The Frenchman had already planned to retire from the sport in October, before the accident, and had hoped to participate in the final round but the doctors advised him not to do so and he sadly did not have a chance to close his F1 career with one last race.

The Schumacher name appears in F1 again, with the legendary driver’s son, Mick, driving for the Haas F1 team.

Newcomers to F1

Grosjean’s place in the American Haas F1 team is taken by Mick Schumacher – yes, the son of the legendary F1 driver – and Nikita Mazepin. Both the 22-year old drivers are newcomers to F1, having moved up from F2 with Schumacher being the reigning F2 champion.

Yuki Tsunodo, 20, drives for the Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda team this year, the first Japanese driver in F1 since Kamui Kobayashi drove for the Caterham team in the 2014 season.

Yuki Tsunoda
 is another newcomer, the first Japanese driver in 6 years of the F1 Championship. A member of the Honda’s Junior Driver program and Red Bull Junior Team, the 20-year old has been given a drive with Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda.

The last time Fernando Alonso was in a F1 race was at the 2018 Abu Dhabi GP. The 2-time world champion has been brought back by the newly formed Alpine F1 Team (which is the Renault F1 Team rebranded). He is no stranger to the French team, having raced for them for 6 seasons, besides having been with Minardi, Ferrari and McLaren. The Spaniard began racing in F1 in 2001 and is among the popular older drivers.

Many fans will remember Fernando Alonso’s time with the Mild Seven Renault team and now he’s back again with the French team.

The performance of the cars remains intriguing after the test session. Defending Constructors Champions Mercedes-AMG have suffered a difficult test spell, posting a lower lap count than other teams. Last year’s challengers to the champions’ dominance was Red Bull Racing and set the pace on two of the 3 days. McLaren, AlphaTauri and Alpine also look to be in good form.

Aston Martin is back in Formula 1 after some 60 years with Sebastian Vettel as one of its drivers. The company is also supplying the Vantage (below) for use as the official F1 Safety Car in some of the rounds.

“From the moment the third day of testing finished, we got our heads down and started to figure out how we can return to Bahrain in stronger form for the race,” said Mercedes-AMG boss, Toto Wolff. “While these cars share some parts from their predecessors, there have also been significant rule changes to interpret and overcome. We have also had to change the way we work in response to the cost cap. But as we have found before, it’s from the difficult moments that we learn the most.”

Past winners

Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have the most wins at Bahrain – four each. Vettel’s wins were with Red Bull Racing and Ferrari while Hamilton collected all his victories as a Mercedes-AMG driver. Ferrari has had the most wins at this event with a total of six since Michael Schumacher won in 2004.

Pirelli’s 400th GP

Pirelli, the official F1 tyre supplier, will celebrate its 400th Formula 1 Grand Prix at this weekend’s race. The brand’s first GP was the inaugural F1 race at Silverstone in 1950, won by an Alfa Romeo. Since then, there have been 240 wins, 243 pole positions, 247 fastest laps, and 727 podium places in Formula 1 for the Italian tyre firm.

Giuseppe Farina in an Alfa Romeo with Pirelli tyres at the 1950 British Grand Prix.


Third And Final Genesis X Concept Drops The Top

Following the
Genesis X Concept
 and then the
 Genesis X Speedium Coupe Concept
, the third and final member of the series has been revealed as the Genesis X Convertible Concept, which will be displayed at the coming Los Angeles Auto Show.

As with the two earlier concepts, the X Convertible showcases the Athletic Elegance design language of the Hyundai Motor Group’s luxury brand. This includes the Genesis Crest Grille and with the X Convertible, the design is taken further up the emotional scale.

The X Convertible concept materializes the brand’s Athletic Elegance design language in its purest form. The ideal proportions are complemented by design purity to exemplify the continued refinement in orchestrating design elements that make up Athletic Elegance which will be used in coming Genesis models.

The long bonnet, generous dash-to-axle, short front overhang, and long wheelbase are drawn rearwards towards the long deck, accentuating its stately yet relaxed poise. The anti-wedge Parabolic Line creates tension between the full surfaces through a gently rearward-sloping horizontal beltline, while muscular blisters around the wheels form an athletic ‘Coke bottle’ plan view and integrate into an elegant silhouette when viewed from the side.

The characteristic quad lights — from which Genesis’ Two-Line graphic identity originates — are also present on the X Convertible. As in the X Speedium Coupe, this graphic identity integrates the new EV face and forms an abstract of the Crest Grille. The cooling function for the powertrain and batteries has been relocated to lower openings in the front bumper.

The rear end features a concave elliptical ducktail intersected by horizontal quad rear lights, as seen on the X Concept and X Speedium Coupe. The continuity of the elliptical shape is interrupted and crowned by a V-shape indentation that hints at the crest and wings of the Genesis logo.

The wheels are a combination of Genesis’ G-Matrix pattern orchestrated by an aero dish concave section. The spacers of this aero dish serve to extract heat from the brakes.

The exterior of the X Convertible is painted in Crane White. White cranes represent nobility and sanctity in Korea, and Genesis wanted to weave these cultural elements into its colourways. The body surface coated in white with pearl particles, achieving a luxurious sheen that dynamically frames the contrasting interior.

The Genesis X Convertible shares its architecture and electric powertrain (which has not been detailed) with the other two concept cars. Being conceived as an open top, the architecture has been modified to incorporate a folding hardtop roof with transparent moon roofs above the front occupants.

The interior of the X Convertible has a driver-centric 4-seat asymmetric layout — a consistent theme throughout all recent Genesis concept cars. Its wraparound instrument panel seamlessly integrates with the centre console and cocoons the driver cockpit, emphasizing not only its performance-oriented attributes but its connection with the driver.

Inspired in part by traditional Korean roof architecture — which relates to both the brand’s origins as well as the most important aspect of convertibles — the interior design features Giwa Navy and Dancheong Orange colours. These give the cabin a modern look and feel for a vibrant character.

Giwa Navy, the primary interior colour, is named after ‘Giwa’, the roof tiles on Korean houses. Made from recyclable wool fabric, the textured, woven pad graphic wraps around the cabin, contrasting with the smooth and sleek leather surfaces of the seats.

Meanwhile, Dancheong Orange — named after the traditional decorative colourings on traditional Korean wooden buildings — serves as a bold accent colour, encircling the cabin in a two-line motif and featuring on the stitching of the seats and fabric.

Being a mobile ‘open-air theatre’, the X Convertible provides a sensory experience for all occupants that differs from closed cars. ‘Dropping the top’ allows the occupants to have a direct connection with the surrounding environment in almost the same way as a motorcyclist (but with more comfort).

The sensory experience is taken a step further with its electric powertrain and high-performance sound system developed by sound master Guk-il Yu from the Korean design studio MSD-Metal Sound Design. First installed in the X Speedium Coupe, the immersive audio system was specially conceived to optimize acoustic performance.

“Genesis started life by producing sedans mainly targeting business users. While creating a new, differentiated design DNA, we gradually increased the emotional appeal by applying this DNA to the SUV typology. Now, electric powertrains have given us the perfect scenario in which to enjoy nature and propelled the brand to create vehicles with even greater emotional resonance,” said Chief Creative Officer, Luc Donckerwolke. “We are in the process of transitioning Genesis into a company that will deliver products for customers to enjoy.”

Genesis joins Playstation Gran Turismo World Series, with intent to enter motorsport

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


TVR to launch first car in September at Goodwood

TVR is back, and will be unveiling its first sports car at the upcoming Goodwood Revival, which will take place from September 8th to 10th of this year. Created in conjunction with Gordon Murray design, the 1200kg car is said to be powered by a 5.0-litre Cosworth developed V8 engine.

It will offer 400bhp per tonne and as such, should be able to cover the 0-100km/h dash in under 4 seconds. Little less is known about it for now, but the automaker has gone on to say that it will be a ‘sure-fire’ hit when it is eventually unveiled.

Speaking of the planned public launch, Les Edgar, Chairman of TVR said, “We are incredibly excited to be unveiling the new car at the Goodwood Revival. It’s the first time a global launch of a new car has occurred at the event, and it seems an entirely appropriate place for us to do it, with the marque’s motorsport heritage and an enthusiastic audience of dedicated car fans – and in our 70th anniversary year. After a series of secret private viewings organised for the benefit of existing customers for the new car, we know that we have a sure-fire hit on our hands, and very much look forward to seeing the public reaction in September.”

The new TVR, when launched at Goodwood, will be showcased along with a number of special classics from the glory days of the brand. The launch celebration is being carried out in September to commemorate the marque’s 70th anniversary, that’s right, TVR is now 70 years old.

This news has us excited because TVR has always been known as a sports car maker that loves to defy convention. It’s sole purpose of existence is to create absurdly powerful driver-focused cars that require serious concentration and lightening quick reflexes to tame.

Stay tuned, and we will let you know more about the car as soon as we find out.


F1/Round 12: Preview & Starting Positions of 2022 French Grand Prix

Race starts at 3 pm in France/9 pm in Malaysia

From the Red Bull Ring in Austria two weeks ago, the Formula 1 teams have travelled 1,100 kms west to the Paul Ricard Circuit in France for Round 12 of the 2022 world championship. This is the 62
nd
 French Grand Prix that is a part of the Formula 1 World Championship and it was on the calendar of the very first championship in 1950.

However, the Paul Ricard Circuit has not always been the venue of the French GP and including this weekend’s event, has held it 18 times. Other circuits that have hosted F1 rounds have been Reims, Clermont-Ferrand, Le Mans, Dijon and Magny Cours.

Paul Ricard is an interesting track which features no less than 247 possible track configurations – ranging from 800 metres to 5.86 kms (the lap length for this weekend’s race will be 5.842 kms). While it is used for many races, it is also a popular track for testing and it is possible to make it something like Monza or Monaco or a combination of both circuits. There’s also a sprinkler system that can simulate wet weather driving on 64 of the different layouts.

One of the circuit’s special and eye-catching features are its brightly coloured run‑off zones which offer plenty of grip and replace the more usual gravel traps. The blue zone is not especially abrasive and has only a small negative effect on cars going off track, while the red zone close to the barriers has a much coarser texture and slows cars down (and can flat-spot tyres). Both of these distinctive zones use tarmac combined with tungsten to create an abrasive surface that helps reduce car speeds when they exceed track limits.

The circuit itself has been regularly resurfaced with fresh tarmac and provides a high grip level, compared to other tracks in F1. Plus, the tarmac is very dark in colour, which is why it gets so hot in the sun and can reach temperatures approaching 55°C, one of the year’s highest figures. The asphalt is extremely smooth and while smooth tarmac means tyres don’t wear out as quickly, they are much more difficult to warm up. But the normally high temperatures experienced at the track, especially in summer, should help with getting heat into tyres.

“This year’s French Grand Prix takes place nearly a month later than it did last year, when it rained on Sunday morning, so it’s fair to expect warmer temperatures. This year’s generation of tyres and compounds is different and more resistant to overheating than the 13-inch versions used last year, so we’ll have to see how that affects the strategy,” said Mario Isola, Pirelli’s Motorsports Director.

The layout used for F1 racing will challenge teams in optimizing set-ups as there are varied demands. Of the 15 turns, 6 are left-hand and 9 are right-handers. Many of the right-hand corners are long sweeping turns, which puts a great deal of stress on front left tyres. All in all, the Circuit Paul Ricard has a good mix of fast, medium and slow corners.

Defined by long straights, the circuit’s first sector ends in a low-speed complex that requires agility and good traction on exit for the high-speed run to Turns 7 and 8. The faster sequence following the sweeping Signes curve will put more energy through the tyres.

Although the track is generally very smooth, there is one heavy bump. Turn 5 was remodelled for the 2021 season with the intention to make it a slightly banked entry towards the apex, similar to Turn 4 in Austria but in the end, there is now a bump where the track drops away from the car between Turn 4 and Turn 5.

Brake cooling at Paul Ricard is not as critical as at some other circuits, because there is enough track between braking zones to allow pads and discs to cool down sufficiently, so overheating is not a particular problem. Brembo’s technicians agree and on a scale of 1 to 5, it has a difficulty rating of 2, the joint lowest of the season with Silverstone.

Gear positions and cornering speeds of Mercedes-AMG racing cars.

The most demanding braking is on Turn 8, the chicane that bisects the 1.8-km long Mistral straight. The cars come onto it at 319 km/h and brake for 2.12 seconds, covering a distance of 116 before going into the turn at 135 km/h. For 53 laps, the drivers have to exert a load of 141 kgs and during that time will experience a deceleration force of 4.7
g
.

In the championship standings after half the season has been completed, Charles Leclerc’s win in Austria a fortnight ago closes the gap with leader Max Verstappen, cutting it down to 38 points. The Dutchman’s team mate, Sergio Perez, had bad luck and failure to finish dropped him to third place, 21 points behind the Ferrari driver.

In the Constructors championship, Red Bull Racing still has the lead with 359 points, 56 points ahead of the Italians. The British-based Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Team is some way down with 237 points.


Review: Kia EV6 – For The Tech Geeks

The Kia EV6 is one of those rare cars that seem to have it all, and by have it all we mean great looks, a spacious interior and technology that would make a Tesla seem outdated. So why don’t we see more of them on the road?

These days, you cannot take a short trip to the store without being bombarded with something or other about electric vehicles. Either your neighbour would have bought a new EV or someone on the radio will be talking about it.

But whether you believe in them or not, EV’s are all the rage these days, and it is going to be that way for some time.

So which EV is the best? Since EV’s are not exactly cheap, which should you be spending your money on in case you are interested in getting one.

In this writer’s opinion, the best EV is the one that has an official manufacturer’s presence in the country. Forget about Tesla’s and all the other EV’s that are available in the grey market.

Where are you going to go if something breaks down? The sales person might say that EV’s are a lot more reliable since there’s no engine. But what happens if a stone hits the windscreen and shatters it? Or a motorcyclists accidentally breaks your side mirror, which we all know happens a lot in KL. Or if you get rear ended?

There are many who will say that there are shops out there can get you parts. Fact of the matter is, anyone with an internet connection will be able to source parts for you, but it’s not backed by a manufacturer’s warranty or knowledge. So don’t bother getting an EV on the grey market.

So now that we have narrowed that down, let me then introduce you to the Kia EV6, one of the best looking and most capable EV’s currently in the market.

The size of the car is the first that gets you, it is a very big car. It rides on the Electric-Global Modular Platform, the same platform found on the Hyundai Ioniq 5. But though it is slightly bigger than the Hyundai, the EV6 curiously has a shorter wheelbase.

For reference, it is about the size of a Tesla Model 3, slightly taller in fact. And it wouldn’t be dwarfed next to a Ford Ranger. That’s saying something.

The design is the next thing that will impress because there’s nothing about the EV6 that is normal. The front and rear lights are LEDs but it is the taillights that are truly extraordinary and look like they came out of Tron.

But the futuristic touch does not just end there. The flap that conceals the charging ports open up simply by touching the edge of the flap. The door handles sit flush with the body like those of a Nissan GTR, but pop up to greet you as you approach the car.

Inside, the air-conditioning settings are located on the touch panel (shown below) that also switches to the audio controls at the touch of a button (shown further below). The digital panel switches between both controls as part of Kia’s infotainment/climate switchable controller technology. But I suspect that will confuse some of the elderly drivers or passengers. The nod to the advanced tech is everywhere, but that is what the EV6 is all about – technology.

The interior is spacious to say the least. There’s no way anyone can be uncomfortable in the EV6. Even the front seats have been specially designed to be slimmer and stronger than those of a regular car. They even recline to a near horizontal position at just the touch of a button as part of Kia’s Premium Relaxation feature.

The Kia EV6 is all about trick technology though and that starts with what lays underneath the car.

In Malaysia, the EV6 is only offered with the Long Range all-wheel-drive powertrain, and that means it comes with a bigger 77.4kWh battery which Kia claims is good for a range of 506km based on the WLTP standard.

The battery powers two electric motors, one each for the front and rear axle, and the motors produce a combined system output of 325PS and 605Nm of torque.

In terms of performance figures, Kia says the EV6 needs just 5.2 seconds to reach 100km/h from a standstill and maxes out at 185km/h.

As for charging, the EV6 is one of the most intelligent EVs around. Unlike most electric cars that can only receive a certain amount of voltage during charging, the EV6 is compatible with 400 and 800-volt DC fast chargers.

This means that it is able to support up to 350kW of DC charging. That amount of power will get the battery of the EV6 from 10% to 80% state of charge in just 18 minutes.

Admittedly though, there are not that many 800-volt DC chargers where else the 400-volt chargers are more common. But the EV6 has a trick up its sleeve. The inverter of the EV6 boosts incoming power up to 800-volts. So with that, it should take a little over an hour if you’re charging with a 50kW DC charger which are more readily available at most charging spots.

The EV6 boasts other party tricks as well, such as the Remote Smart Parking Assist System that lets you park the EV6 using just the remote. This is perfect when parking in and out of tight spaces. The tech is not new and was available in BMWs as far back as 2018, but it is still a handy feature to have especially in tight parking spots in Malaysia.

Other than that there is also the Vehicle to Load technology. This gives you 220V of AC current to power lifestyle devices. When the EV6 is fully charged, the Vehicle to Load feature offers 3.6kW of power, which more than enough to charge items like a scooter or an e-bike.

The EV6 offers plenty of talking points, such as the fact that you can even play sounds of nature or sounds of firewood crackling in case you are tired of listening to the radio.

But the biggest let down though is the fact that the EV6 is not readily available and you will have to wait quite a while to get yours. And perhaps that is why many flock to the grey market.

But should you be willing to wait, the Kia EV6 and all of its wonders can be yours for RM301,000, and as part of the package, you get a five-year or 150,000km warranty on the car while the battery is covered for seven years or 150,000km.

Specifications
:

Battery: Lithium-Ion 77.4kWh

Charge time: 73 mins with 50kW / 18 mins with 350kW

WLTP Range: 506km

Horsepower: 325PS

Torque: 605Nm

Gearbox: E-Shift

0-100km/h: 5.2 seconds

Top speed: 185km/h

Price: RM301,000

We like
: Good looks, loads of tech

We don’t like
: Not readily available


Perodua Donates Another 5 Units of Myvi to Selangor Police

Perodua today handed over another 5 units of the Myvi to the Selangor Police Contingent as a service to the public and country. The donation is part of the Malaysian carmaker’s ongoing activities relating to Corporate Social Responsibility which has seen other cars also being donated to the police earlier.

The 5 Myvis were handed over by Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin (right), Perodua’s Chairman, to Dato’ Arjunaidi Mohamed (left), the Police Chief of the PDRM Selangor contingent.

The Myvis will be assigned to police stations in the Hulu Langat and Gombak districts and used for various purposes. The value of the donation is RM400,000 and this includes 2 years of free scheduled maintenance and required parts for each car. The car is, of course, also covered by the 5-year factory warranty that all Myvis come with.

The units provided are the Myvi AV version which comes with Perodua Smart Drive Assist that comprises Advanced Safety Assist (A.S.A.), Driving Assist, Parking Assist and Headlamp Assist. Apart from the PDRM blue/yellow livery on the bodywork and a light bar on the roof, the cars are pretty standard as they are not intended to be used for pursuit.

Senior police officers inspecting the new cars for their fleet.

Of course, if necessary, the Myvi’s ‘hidden’ capabilities can be drawn upon. As we have seen in many incidents, the Myvi (which has come to be nicknamed ‘King’) seems invincible as it can crash into shops, fly through the air and even tip over other cars it rams!

But while these have gained it fame in a notorious way, there’s no denying that the Myvi is a much-loved car by Malaysians as it occupies the top spot in sales year after year. This year, the Myvi accounted for almost 30% of the 127,543 vehicles delivered by Perodua.

There are 5 versions of the Myvi available with prices ranging from RM46,500 to RM59,900 (excluding insurance). 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre engines are available, but all versions use a CVT and manual transmission is no longer available with this generation.

To know more about the Myvi or to locate a showroom to test one, visit
www.perodua.com.my
.

Perodua Myvi 1.5 AV tested – we find out why this model is still the bestseller in Malaysia