Magna Offers eBeam Technology To Electrify Pick-Up Trucks With Lower Cost

As the auto industry transitions towards electric vehicles (EVs), there is increasing use of common platforms which have been developed and engineered specifically to integrate electric motors, related systems and battery packs. These are flexible platforms which can be used for different  vehicle types by varying the platform dimensions.

However, most of such platforms are suited for passenger vehicles which have limited payload demands. They may not necessarily be suitable for pick-up trucks which have greater load-carrying requirements, hence the continued use of the chassis frame instead of a monocoque structure.

Magna International, the Canadian automotive systems and parts manufacturer, has come up with new technology which provides a simple way to electrify a pick-up truck without losing truck capabilities. Known as eBeam technology, it is the first significant change to solid beam rear axle in trucks in more than 100 years.

Magna’s scalable eBeam technology integrates with a battery electric or hybrid powertrain system and offers a structure-oriented design to support high-payload vehicles, with matching power for continuous-duty usage. The approach presents an economical solution that helps automakers bring new electrified trucks to market more quickly without high development costs.

Designed specifically to transition pickup trucks and light commercial vehicles to hybrid or full battery electric powertrain systems, eBeam can be used with existing truck architectures, without requiring unique suspension, chassis or brake systems. The eBeam drops in place of traditional beam axles, reusing existing suspension and brake systems, and preventing the need for expensive restructuring of existing truck platforms. – speeding the transition towards electrification of these vehicle segments.

“It is a bold endeavour to electrify pick-up trucks, whose owners demand the towing and hauling capabilities they are currently used to, and we’ve accomplished it with our eBeam technology,” said Tom Rucker, President, Magna Powertrain. “We know axles are core elements of a truck’s strength, and we are excited to have developed the first significant improvement to the solid beam axle in over 100 years.”

The eBeam technology is offered in three packages with power ranges between 120 kW and 250 kW. The powertrain can have a single motor with single speed or dual speed, or a twin motor with single speed, including torque vectoring.

To have 4×4 drive, Magna also offers several complete powertrain solutions incorporating an electric drive system at the front of the truck, including advanced software and controls for seamless integration.

One such solution is EtelligentForce which uses an intelligent operating strategy that controls the two eDrives, which include an eDS Mid+ at the front and eDS eBeam at the rear, both featuring next-gen eDrive technologies.

Complementing EtelligentForce is Magna’s sophisticated Energy and Motion Control software which controls two eBeams, with a steerable eBeam Mid at the front and an eBeam High at the rear. The software includes off-road specific Drive Modes (selectable crawl, auto hill ascent/descent) and torque distribution capabilities (high range, e-selectable low range) – and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

The systems are available only to automakers who would purchase them in large volumes, and are not sold as retail products to the general public.

Volkswagen Group To Introduce MEB+ EV Platform With Improved Range And Charging Speeds

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Toyota IMV models (Hilux, Fortuner, Innova) receive updates

The Toyota IMV (Innovative International Multi-Purpose Vehicle) range which has been in the market since 2005 has continuously received updates over the two generations produced. The range consists of the Hilux pick-up, Fortuner SUV and Innova MPV, all conceived within the same development programme although the platforms differ due to the different operating requirements.

Another round of updates has taken place and the latest models have been announced with the following prices (without insurance):

Toyota Hilux (5 variants) –
from RM92,880

Toyota Fortuner (3 variants) –
from RM169,167

Toyota Innova (3 variants) –
from RM115,553

Orders are now being accepted at all authorised Toyota showrooms nationwide and while the Hilux pick-up is readily available, deliveries of the Fortuner SUV and Innova will commence only in January 2022. With the extension given by the government, customers can still enjoy the full sales tax exemption next year for the Fortuner and Innova but the Hilux, being a light commercial vehicle, does not qualify for the exemption. All the models are assembled locally at the ASSB plant in Shah Alam, Selangor.

The engines have been retuned to meet stricter exhaust emission standards that will be introduced in Malaysia next year.

The updates  improve convenience and comfort, with the petrol engines tuned to meet stricter emission control standards in advance of implementation of the Euro4 standards in 2022.

“The IMV range of products has been a great success in Malaysia and other markets around the  world, providing durable and reliable mobility for thousands. The Hilux, in particular, has been the  best-selling pick-up in Malaysia for many years and even today, we see demand exceeding supply.  Rest assured that our assembly plant is rushing to fulfil outstanding orders but as always, without  sacrificing quality,” said UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K.

New Hilux

Malaysia’s best-selling pick-up truck is available in 5 with a choice of 2 turbodiesel 4-cylinder engines with 2.4-litre and 2.8- litre displacements. Both engines are fuel-efficient and extra fuel-saving can be achieved with the use of an ECO mode.

The passenger-oriented double cab variants – Hilux 2.8 Rogue, 2.4 V and 2.4 E – have 6-speed  automatic transmissions and a dual-range 4×4 system. The other variants – Hilux Double Cab 2.4 G and Single Cab 2.4 – are equipped with 6-speed manual transmissions but both also have 4×4  drivetrains. These are intended more for customers who require vehicles for heavy-duty work.

The Hilux is well equipped with a wide range of features and equipment for convenience and safety. For the latest Hilux 2.8 Rogue and 2.4 V, the front air-conditioning system is upgraded to a dual zone type in place of the single-zone type. With the dual-zone feature, the driver and front  passenger can set their preferred temperatures separately.

New Fortuner

The Fortuner is a 3-row 7-seater SUV which took over the role of the Land Cruiser in ASEAN markets, The medium-sized SUV is available in three variants – Fortuner 2.8 VRZ, Fortuner 2.7 SRZ and  Fortuner 2.4. Responding to market demand, the Fortuner 2.4 is now made available throughout  Malaysia, together with Fortuner 2.8 VRZ and 2.7 SRZ.

Like the Hilux, the front air-conditioner of the latest Fortuner 2.8 VRZ and 2.7 SRZ  have a  dual-zone feature to allow separate temperature settings for the driver and front passenger. A  wireless charger pad for compatible smartphones is now standard for all variants. The rear USB  port for the Fortuner 2.8 VRZ has also been changed to the newer Type-C port, making it more  convenient to recharge for those with the newer generation of smartphones.

The same proven and reliable powertrains are used with 6-speed electronic automatic  transmissions and dual-range 4×4 systems. The 2.7-litre petrol engine has been retuned so that it can meet stricter emission control standards, upgrading to Euro4 from Euro2 standards.

New Innova

The Innova offers seating for 8 persons with generous storage space.  Currently in its second generation, this Toyota MPV is available in three variants – Innova  2.0X, 2.0G and 2.0E. While all three variants have the same 3-row cabin, the Innova 2.0X comes with generously sized Captain’s Seats in the middle (so the occupancy is reduced by one person).

For those who have compatible smartphones, a wireless charging pad is now standard in every variant. This makes it simpler to recharge a compatible phone as no cables are needed. Multiple USB ports are also available around the cabin, making it  easier to charge phones and tablets.

The fuel-efficient and reliable 2-litre 16-valve petrol engine for all three variants has also been upgraded  to meet the stricter Euro4 emission control standards.

5-year warranty

All three models come with a 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage for the Fortuner and Innova,  and a maximum of 150,000 kms for the Hilux (terms and conditions apply). UMW Toyota Motor also offers a wide range of financing plans, including subscription plans, to suit different needs. There are also financing and leasing programs for those who are purchasing vehicles for  commercial use.

For more information, visit
www.toyota.com.my
.

Enhanced ownership experience with new Toyota Loyal-T Programme


New Phantom declared Luxury Car of the Year

The eighth generation Rolls-Royce Phantom is the epitome of automotive luxury. Despite looking similar to its predecessor, which was launched in 2003, the new car comes with updated technology and an interior filled with spectacular opulence.

If you would like to know about the new Phantom,
CLICK HERE
. The car has been recognized by several well-known automotive publications as well as the world’s most prestigious and discerning critics.

Several of them lavished praise on the Phantom by saying: “Is the pinnacle, the epitome, of motoring luxury” (Autocar), “Is an all-new version of the finest car in the world” (The Independent), “Utterly defines luxury” (PistonHeads) and “Has changed what a car can be” (GQ).

BBC Top Gear Magazine has awarded the car the coveted ‘Luxury Car of the Year’ award  just weeks after its global media launch on the banks of Lake Lucerne in Vitznau, Switzerland. The Phantom nameplate, is the oldest in automotive history and is said to portray Rolls-Royce’s tireless pursuit of perfection.

Speaking of the latest accolade, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, commented, “Phantom points the way forward for the global luxury industry. It is a creation of great beauty and power, a dominant symbol of wealth and human achievement.”

He added, “That this is recognized by Top Gear Magazine and the rest of the world’s media is deeply gratifying and a reflection of the skill and passion of everyone who created this truly unique example of pinnacle luxury.”

The car is built on an all-new and proprietary aluminium spaceframe, 6mm two-layer glazing. It has more than 130kg of soundproofing, that combined with the whisper quiet V12 engine and seamless shifting gearbox, make the Phantom the most silent motor car in the world.


Honda opens new 4S centre in Kelantan

Honda customers in Kelantan should be happy with the news that the state’s first Honda 4S centre is now open for business. The 4S centre (Ban Chu Bee Honda 4S Centre), which comprises of sales, service and spare parts departments as well as a paint and body shop boasts a total build up area of 62,200 square feet.

It is said that a total of RM22 million was invested in the facility which features a slew of amenities for Honda owners or potential owners to enjoy while waiting to be attended to. Some of them include a customer lounge and an executive lounge, complimentary Wi-Fi services, kid’s corner and a surau.

There are 20 service bays available at the facility with bays for fast service (5 bays) , tyre service (1 bay), general repair (8 bays) and for air-conditioning (1 bay).

Previously, Honda was only capable of servicing 22,600 vehicles a year in Kelantan but thanks to the launching of the new facility, the ceiling has now been raised to 22,00 vehicles a year. The facility is not only the largest of its kind in Kelantan, but in the entire east coast too.

Honda has had a great start to 2017 with its BR-V receiving 10,000 bookings while the facelifted City received close to 3,000 bookings since its launch three weeks ago. The Japanese automaker isn’t done just yet, as it is currently planning to launch another two more models sometime in the coming months.

Speaking of the latest growth in customer base, Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Katsuto Hayashi said, “Last year, Honda Malaysia sold 91,830 units and of this total, the East Coast region contributed 8% with sales of more than 7,200 Honda vehicles. Kelantan contributed 34.6% towards this regional sales and Honda Jazz was the favourite among the customers here. In the past five years, Honda Malaysia sales in East Coast region have increased by 172%.”

Expect more from Honda soon but till then, if you plan on getting your Honda serviced at the latest 4S centre in Kelantan, contact Ban Chu Bee (Honda 4S Centre) at 09-744 3337 / 09-744 5893  which is located at Lot 1349, Jalan Pasir Mas-Salor 15100 Kota Bharu, Kelantan.


TCEC Renault Announces First Round Winners Of “Buy & Win” Contest

TCEC, the sole franchise holder for Renault vehicles in Malaysia last week announced the three winners from the first-round draw of the
Renault ‘Buy & Win’ contest
. Najhan Pata bin Sairi, Guillaume Li Ting Khoo and Saraswathy A/P Kulasingham, who purchased the Fluence, Captur and Captur models respectively, each drove away with RM1,500 worth of travel vouchers.

Through the Renault ‘Buy & Win’ contest, customers who purchase any Renault model within the campaign period stand to win some attractive prizes. Following this first round draw, there is still a Renault Twizy full-electric vehicle worth
RM86,800
 and more holiday prizes to be won.

The next two draws for the holiday prizes will be conducted in May and July respectively, while the lucky winner of the Renault Twizy will be decided concurrently during the July draw after the campaign ends.

The Renault ‘Buy & Win’ contest is currently on-going and ends on 30 June 2018. All winners will be notified via phone and an official notification letter will be sent to their mailing address. Attractive promotions through
Renault ‘Favours the Bold’

campaign ending soon

TCEC is offering attractive promotions with savings of up to RM30,000 on the popular Renault Koleos, Captur and Fluence models under the ‘Favours the Bold’ campaign, which ends on 31 March 2018.

Customers who purchase the Koleos – Renault’s premium SUV – will receive a free service and maintenance package worth RM6,850
[1]
. Available in 2WD and 4WD versions, prices for the Renault Koleos start at RM184,200
[2]
.

The trendy turbocharged Renault Captur crossover, which is priced at RM109,0002, is also available through the campaign at only RM98,0001.

Additionally, customers who prefer the reliable and solid Renault Fluence sedan will appreciate the promotional price of RM89,8881. The offer translates to RM30,000 in savings and is valid for the Dynamique variant, which is priced at RM119,8882.

[1]
 All promotions and promotional prices listed are for Peninsular Malaysia and subject to terms and conditions

[2]
 All prices of vehicles stated are on-the-road inclusive of GST, without insurance, for Peninsular Malaysia and private registration


Lambo V12 Vision GT – from virtual vision to real car

Ahead of the World Finals of the 2019 FIA Certified Gran Turismo Championships taking place in Monte Carlo, Monaco, Lamborghini has unveiled its new concept car, the Lamborghini Lambo V12 Vision Gran Turismo. It had started off as a highly visionary concept within the digital environment of the iconic racing game Gran Turismo Sport for Sony PlayStation 4, where it will be available from early 2020.

“Lamborghini is a very young brand, and this is why we present our newest virtual vision in the form of a real model, with a highly futuristic and cool design to be enjoyed by the young generation of racing game and super sports car enthusiasts,” said Stefano Domenicali, Chairman & CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.

The Lambo V12 Vision GT, which uses the powertrain from the
 Sian FKP 37
, features a very exciting design produced by Lamborghini Centro. The design builds on historic Lamborghini design DNA, expanding the potential of the design language in a very futuristic way. Focused on the single centre line, the iconic silhouette of all Lamborghini models, it emphasizes a single-seater layout conceived for a racing game where a passenger is not needed.

The concept car’s powerful overall design is dedicated to sophisticated aerodynamics. A large wing housing a significant Y-taillight dominates the rear. All elements are designed as high performance surfaces, integrating design and aerodynamics. The main body is disconnected from the fenders, and the hexagon-inspired theme in the side windows is inspired by the Lamborghini Marzal from 1968. The Lambo V12 Vision GT uses the typical Lamborghini Y-signature for both front lights and rear lights.

Ultimate virtual car

A visionary concept requires an interior design ahead of its time. The driver enters the cabin like a jetfighter pilot, from the front of the car. The main driving controls are located within the futuristic steering wheel and all driver information is projected virtually in front of the driver.

“The Lambo V12 Vision Gran Turismo is created to provide the ultimate virtual car for young fans and gamers, who are ultra-enthusiastic about Lamborghini and its futuristic aspirations,” said Mitja Borkert, Head of Lamborghini Centro Stile. ”It is an opportunity for the design talent within Lamborghini to stretch its wings and visualize a car that, like every Lamborghini, is a head-turner and the best driving experience, but also mirrors Lamborghini’s push on future technologies, particularly in the arena of lightweight materials and hybridization.”

Sian – Lamborghini’s first production hybrid super sportscar


MINI Countryman Blackheath Edition makes Malaysian/ASEAN debut, priced from RM253,888

The first special edition of the new MINI Countryman generation – the Blackheath Edition – is now available in Malaysia. This limited edition model features a dramatic all-black design, reminiscent of the stunningly dark shrub land of Blackheath in southeast London in the UK.

The Countryman Blackheath Edition, which is also making its debut in ASEAN, has blacked-out design features – the highly-coveted stylistic choice for timeless elegance. It is available only in Midnight Black, the first time this exterior shade is offered on this generation of the Countryman.

What it comes with

The limited edition comes with matte tone Bonnet Stripes in Brushed Aluminium as well as original MINI accessories. Piano Black Trims stylishly enhance the headlights and taillights, front grille, door handles, front and rear emblems and the COUNTRYMAN badge on the tailgate.

The Blackheath Edition also has newly designed LED foglights and aerodynamic mirror caps which were first seen on the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman 306HP that debuted last year. 19-inch John Cooper Works Circuit spoked wheels are fitted with run-flat tyres, along with the John Cooper Works Aerodynamic kit.

The Blackheath Edition is the first MINI Countryman to be powered by the newly updated MINI TwinPower Turbo engine (192 bhp/280 Nm), paired with the 7-Speed Sport Dual Clutch Transmission. Claimed 0 to 100 km/h time is 7.5 seconds with a top speed of 225 km/h, while consumption is said to be up to 15.1 kms/litre.

Sophistication within

Giving the cabin a touch of sophistication is the sleek Anthracite headliner complemented with sports seats in Leather Cross Punch in Carbon Black. The interior is further accentuated with the MINI Yours Illuminated Interior Trim in Piano Black, allowing the driver full personalisation from 12 ambient colours via a single toggle. Music is delivered by 12-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System with DSP Amplifier and Class-D technology with a 360-watt output.

The 8.8-inch MINI Navigation System can be operated via the touchscreen, centre console or voice control. Also included is the advanced MINI Connected with built-in 4G SIM technology that is permanently present in the car and meets the 4G mobilephone standard, along with the Intelligent Emergency Call and MINI TeleServices.

The current update of the MINI Connected App links the driver to an exceptionally wide range of digital services such as Concierge Service, Apple Carplay and MINI Online that allow mobility planning to be integrated seamlessly in day-to-day digital routines.

Priced from
RM253,888
 (without insurance), the Blackheath Edition is covered by a 4-year unlimited mileage warranty. Owners also enjoy free scheduled service during that period as well as access to a Roadside Assistance programme for the first 5 years of ownership.

MINI Malaysia Welcomes The New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid! [+Video]


Mercedes-Benz A45S AMG: The Hot Hatch History Will Never Forget!

There was a time when hot hatches were the ultimate in driving experience. They offered the purest driving experience despite being small in size and power.

Then came the mid-2000s and the power craze that ensued. That’s when all car makers seemed to hurry to lay down as much power as they could as quickly as possible.

This meant doing away with some of the basics that made a hot hatch such as light weight, only the barest of necessities, and as little in the form of driving aids as possible.

That was when the likes of the Ford Focus RS, the Megane RS and Clio RS as well as the Civic Type R reigned supreme. This was in Malaysia of course. Europeans had other contenders, but let’s keep it local. On that note – we also had the Satria GTI (not really mid-2000s) and the Satria R3.

Now though we have the Mercedes-Benz A45S AMG, a hot hatch that is powered by the most powerful four-cylinder ever made.

This AMG is so intelligent that it is able to send power to individual wheels when needed rather than between the front and back axle,
like the cheaper but less intelligent A35 AMG
. It’s also interesting to note that the engine of the A45S is still made by a single person who then signs off on the engine (shown below), but the A35 though is powered by an engine that was put together on a conventional assembly line.

The A45S AMG offers 421hp and 500Nm of torque.

It does the 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds.

These were numbers that Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini once offered. Today, these numbers are available in an A-Class.

Let that sink in.

But that aside, the A45S is such an animal to drive, that it almost make you doubt your driving skills.

It makes you think that you don’t have the skills to fully exploit its potential.

At one moment it is just chugging along, and with just a tap of the accelerator it threatens to tear your face off with unbelievable acceleration.

You truly have to feel it at least once in your life. Forget paying for a roller-coaster ride, pay an owner of an A45S AMG to let you feel its launch control.

Let’s start with the design

A standard A-Class on steroids is the easiest way to sum it up. You will probably see a lot of pretenders on the road, those that have spent their fair share of time in a local body shop in Sunway or someplace.

The front aero works are functional though and work to cool the brakes and channel air to the radiator mounted at the bottom of the front bumper.

The design is basically acceptable, except for those fake exhausts that are basically regular exhaust housings for a regular set of exhausts. The kind that you could find on a Proton Iswara.

What about the interior?

A fantastic place to be in and that is putting it lightly. Let’s start with the seats because that’s where you will be spending all your time on whenever you are driving this car.

Fantastic, adjustable and intelligent – that’s how I would describe it.

Not only are the seats in the A45S AMG full sports seats with adjustable side bolstering. But the seats also feature a technology called Mercedes-Benz Seat Kinetics.

This tech is aimed to improve comfort and to safeguard your back and discs. When selected, this mode constantly and minutely adjust the seat settings by a few degrees or millimetres, and it is all aimed at improving comfort over long hours.

Besides that, there is the massive twin-screen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) display, with each monitor measuring in at 12.3-inches, which results in a massive 24.6-inch screen just ahead of you.

As you would expect, the MBUX is basically the avatar through which you access all the digital goodies the A45S has to offer. Digital goodies like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, all the settings of the car, and even the different driving modes.

I like the driving modes because it turns the beast into a little charmer when the going is steady. And you select the different driving modes via a switch at the centre console, or a dial located on the steering wheel. Which curiously looks like it was inspired by Porsche’s boost button that is similarly located at the same place as the Mercedes. Talking about drive modes, this takes me to my next point.

How does it drive?

As you would expect of an AMG – but more! Because of the aforementioned driving modes, the car really does have a near Jackyl & Hyde character at the touch of a button.

Select Race mode and it turns into a fire breathing dragon that will have your passengers unashamedly offering their recently consumed lunch to the floor mats.

This is of course the point at which the car is at its finest. The most AMG you can get in a hot hatch.

In this mode, the acceleration is so fierce that I sometimes forget to breathe. This mode is also way past my skill level so I only dabbled with it a couple of times, for giggles.

In Sport mode though, the car simply offered a glimpse of what it was capable of doing. I am not sure why anyone would select this mode when you can simply go full power in Race mode. Perhaps this is to scare passengers without scaring yourself.

Comfort is the mode I spent most of my time in because I reckon the people who buy this car will be spending a lot of their time commuting in this mode except for that occasional blast up to their favourite roads.

Unless you have a car for different purposes.

Simply put – the A45S AMG has a mode for every mood you are in. And if you don’t know what mood you are in, there is individual mode that lets you select how you want certain elements of the car to feel like. Such as the suspension, the accelerator and the heft of the steering wheel.

But it can also be very tiring to live with. Simply because you are always aware of what is under your right foot, you tend to take short cuts.

Such as when you are cruising along in traffic and see an opening that would get you to your destination quicker. Usually you would not think of such a manoeuvre because it wouldn’t be very nice to cut anyone off.

But with 421hp under your right foot in such a small car, it is as simple as nudging the throttle, and listening to the turbos spool in about a quarter of a second and before you know it you are already in that small opening in traffic. All this without disrupting the pace of traffic, save for that small annoyance to the driver you just cut off.

Should you buy it?

Of course you should! This car will go down in history books as a legend. It is up there with the hot hatch greats such as the Renault 5 Turbo. It is a car that history will remember and will forever speak about as that car that once had the most powerful four-cylinder engine in the world.

It doesn’t only have the most powerful engine, but it is also incredibly fun to drive.

As tiring as it can be, I looked forward to getting into the seat every chance I got.

The interior too can be a charming place to be in. With a Burmester sound system offering a orchestra-ish experience and enough USB plugs to light up an LED christmas tree, it has almost everything you could want.

Buy it if you can. Get someone else to buy it if you can’t afford it. Create opportunities to drive it every chance you get. Because cars like this don’t come often. We motor heads are lucky to be alive during the era of the A45S AMG. Enjoy it any chance you get.

As for the price, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia wants RM437,673.41 for the A45S AMG. Which is a lot of coin for an A-Class. But don’t think of it as an A-Class, because it will never make sense to fork out that much for such a small car. Instead, think of it as a fire-breathing baby-AMG – perhaps then it would make sense.


Limited-edition Maybach by Virgil Abloh unveiled

Virgil Abloh may not be a familiar name to many, but he was a collaborator with Mercedes-Benz on various design studies, particularly related to luxury products. Abloh, who passed away last year, was an artist, architect, engineer, creative director, artistic director, industrial designer, fashion designer, musician, DJ and philanthropist. As such, his visions and ideas were of much interest to Gorden Wagener, Mercedes‑Benz Group AG Chief Design Officer.

Together, they worked on projects such as
Project Gelandewagen
 and
Project MAYBACH
 and now, Abloh’s cooperation with Mercedes–Maybach culminates in the launch of a limited-edition bespoke
S-Class
 and capsule collection, inspired by Project MAYBACH. It’s the final chapter of Project MAYBACH and is available in a strictly limited run of 150 units.

The Project MAYBACH electric showcar.

The launch coincides with the release of a capsule collection designed by Abloh and in collaboration with Off‑White. It has been developed in connection to the Project MAYBACH electric showcar and is exclusively available to buy on Off‑White, Farfetch and Maybach Icons of Luxury online stores, as well as Off‑White stores in select markets.

The limited edition Maybach by Virgil Abloh is a fully equipped Mercedes‑Maybach S‑Class S680 which follows the tradition of the ultra-luxury brand that has a history of over a century. It has been created by Mercedes‑Benz’ most specialised customization and craftmanship team. The exterior features the unique two-tone colour combination created for Project MAYBACH, with the upper part lacquered in a glossy obsidian black and the lower part, side flanks and special forged rims painted in a sand hue.

Superlative levels of craftsmanship will be evident throughout the cabin which has an identical two-tone colour scheme. The 4-seat configuration, steering wheel, doors, lower dashboard and ceiling are lined in black and sand-coloured nappa leather, complete with sand-coloured decor trims and strips. The highpile floormats are black with a sand-coloured leather border and embroidered Mercedes‑Maybach logo.

To enhance its monolithic appearance, the window frames are painted, and a special Mercedes-Maybach and Virgil Abloh logo is inscribed on the piano black middle of the centre console, rear cushions, head restraints and door sill panel.

Unique to the limited-edition S‑Class is a bespoke user interface which presents the driver with an even more luxurious variation of the Maybach MBUX suite of cutting-edge technologies. Han picked visual elements are used to enrich the digital content. For example, the home button has a coloured border and brand logo denoting the edition, and profile pictures are decorated with luxurious fashion accessories.

All customers will be given a special custom-made wooden box covered in sand-coloured nappa leather emblazoned with the Mercedes‑Maybach and Virgil Abloh logo. The gift box contains a 1/18 scale replica of the limited-edition car, the two car keys and a carabiner hook. In addition, each car will come with a complimentary and exclusive car cover featuring the Mercedes‑Maybach and Virgil Abloh logo.

“I’m incredibly proud of the work we have created in collaboration with Virgil. From Project Gelandewagen, which set the benchmark for fashion/automotive collaborations with our iconic G‑Class, to Project MAYBACH which brought the distinguished Mercedes‑Maybach heritage into the future, together with Virgil, we truly broke new ground. The limited edition Maybach by Virgil Abloh exemplifies the symbiosis between innovative design and ultimate craftsmanship now available on the road,” said Wagener.

New generation of Mercedes-Maybach S-Class arrives in Malaysia, priced from RM1.9 million


ChargEV’s 225kW DC And 22kW AC Chargers Available At Berjaya Times Square

After more than a month of testing, ChargEV has finally opened its fastest DC chargers at Berjaya Times Square. These are Kempower machines with two nozzles that can supply the 225kW listed maximum output.

Instead of a time-based system, these chargers will calculate how much to charge EVs depending on the number of kWh supplied.

Until the end of April 2023, the DC Chargers at Berjaya Times Square’s ground-level main entrance will cost RM1.20 per kWh.

EV owners need to take note that they can park for 30 minutes for free at the charging station. If you want to leave your car at the bay for more than 30 minutes, there will be an RM20 valet fee.

Additionally, six 22kW AC chargers from ChargEV have been installed in Basement 1 of the same mall. The AC units cost RM0.80 per kWh for non-members and RM0.60 per kWh for ChargEV members.

With the ChargEV app, which is accessible through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can activate the chargers.

Members of ChargEV can take advantage of a promotion that offers 20% or 50% off their first Grande Handcrafted Drinks at Starbucks when they use the AC or DC chargers, respectively.

Simply provide your ChargEV membership ID from your phone at the desk to take advantage of this deal. The soft launch of their chargers coincides with the two-week validity of this promotion.


BMW X7 xDrive40i Pure Excellence MHEV Updated For 2023

Although volume matters in local assembly to justify the investment in jigs at the plant, the premium manufacturers like BMW have still chosen to assemble their flagship models locally even though the volume may not be large. Local assembly, with the incentives provided by the government, allows them to price their models more competitively than if they were brought in as completely built-up (CBU) models so it is essential to do so in order to grow volumes.

The X7, which is the flagship SAV (Sport Activity Vehicle) of the BMW range, has been assembled since early 2021 (on sale since May of the same year) at the BMW facility in the Inokom plant in Kedah. For 2023, the model – named ‘The President’ by BMW – has received updates which include cosmetic changes as well as more enhanced digitalisation capabilities.

Externally, the large SAV has a new frontal appearance with split headlights that are part of the brand’s new luxury class design language. The twin LED headlights have separate functions, with the upper ones serving as daytime running lights. The front apron has also been revised with more sculpted surfacing and a new double-slat kidney grille design with chrome elements as frames for the central air intake.

At the rear, the 3-dimensional taillights have fresh new internal graphics and the layout has repositioned reversing lights. Another new feature is the glass-covered chrome strip connecting the two taillights, which further emphasises the width of the SAV.

Dimensionally, the X7 has not changed since this is just a mid-cycle update. But it is still a very imposing vehicle, with the high ground clearance placing it high up in traffic. The high seating position gives the driver and occupants a commanding view of the surroundings, one of the reasons why many people like driving such vehicles.

As with recent new models, the BMW Curved Display and Operating System 8 are making their debut, bringing a revision to the interior design. Besides improved connectivity, there’s also a wide range of digital services and assistance systems.

The BMW Curved Display comprises a 12.3-inch Information Display and 14.9-inch high-resolution touchscreen Control Display as a single panel. The instrument panel appears significantly lower with discreetly integrated air vents, while the outer air vents are framed by chrome elements. Further enhancing the premium ambience is the ‘Lindenwood Fineline’ fine wood trim, sport leather steering wheel and M Headliner ‘Alcantara’ anthracite.

The various vehicle systems can be controlled in multiple ways using the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, multifunction buttons on the steering wheel,
BMW iDrive Controller
 as well as touchscreen and gesture control. The BMW Live Cockpit Professional also includes the BMW Head-Up Display as a standard feature, allowing the driver to keep eyes on the road ahead while being aware of important operating information.

The Ambient Light Strip below the interior trim finisher offers the in-thing in today’s luxury models. The backlighting creates a special appearance of spatial depth with its crystalline looks and prismatic structure. The Ambient Light includes the Welcome Light Carpet for the entrance areas on the left and right, with the Crafted Clarity trim (featuring handmade elements made from cut crystal glass) as a complementary feature.

The X7 now also offers a 6-seater configuration with two individual seats in the second row. The seats have new Sensafin upholstery with decorative stitching. Overhead is the large panoramic glass roof, a feature that was once only available in CBU models. Nowadays, modern manufacturing processes allow sunroofs to also be offered in locally-assembled models.

The large size of the X7 also means generous boot space, with up to 750 litres of volume when the backrests of the third row are flat. As with other luxury models, the rear door is powered for ease of opening and closing, and the sill height is also low enough to make loading easy.

The X7 is one of BMW Malaysia’s electrified models with new mild-hybrid technology using a 48V starter generator. The hybrid powertrain uses an inline 6-cylinder petrol engine with total output of 375 ps/540 Nm. Though weighing over 2,300 kgs, the SAV can get from standstill to 100 km/h in a claimed 5.8 seconds (0.3 of a second quicker than the 2022 model) and continue on to a top speed of 250 km/h.

Standard for the chassis is two-axle air suspension complete with automatic level control. Air suspension allows ride comfort to be provided over a wide range of surface conditions while also maintaining dynamic handling qualities. Additionally, Integral Active Steering provides greater manoeuvrability at low speeds with agile handling in the medium speed range by adding rear-wheel steering.

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BMW has developed a wide range of driver assistance systems and the X7, being the flagship, gets the latest and more advanced. These include the Parking Assistant Professional and Driving Assistant which use both a camera and ultrasound to capture imagery and sense the surroundings. The imagery and data is sent to a computer for assessment and if there is a risk of an accident, the relevant action is taken to warn the driver or even act autonomously (eg activating the brakes). One of the assistance systems can also start an automated parking manoeuvre.

The new X7 xDrive40i Pure Excellence is priced from RM654,800 (without insurance) and BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia offers a financing plan with a monthly instalment plan starting from RM7,581 (terms and conditions apply). Besides a 5-Year unlimited mileage warranty, there’s also a free scheduled service programme as well as other benefits that BMW owners receive to make their ownership more enjoyable.

Sime Darby Auto Selection Offers Extended Warranty With BMW PHEVs


DRB-HICOM to develop Tanjong Malim area in Perak to become Automotive Hi-Tech Valley

In the mid-1960s, when the Malaysian government started the auto industry with a call to manufacturers to assemble vehicles locally, the first ‘auto city’ began to form in the Klang Valley. Vehicle assembly plants were set up in the newly created Shah Alam industrial area of Selangor and related businesses also built factories nearby to supply them parts.

As the industry grew, other areas of the country also saw auto-related factories and businesses being developed. These were in the Tampoi area of Johor and also in Pekan, Pahang, where manufacturers like General Motors, Honda, Mitsubishi Motors, Fiat and Tata had their vehicles assembled.

Pekan in Pahang also has a small automotive manufacturing complex which was developed by DRB-HICOM since the 1980s. Carmakers such as Isuzu, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors and Volkswagen assemble their vehicles there today.

When the National Car project started in the early 1980s, the Proton factory was situated in Shah Alam, mainly because many suppliers were also in the Klang Valley which also has the largest concentration of new vehicle sales. Perodua, however, chose an area in northern Selangor near Rawang for its manufacturing complex but with the North-South Highway, it had easy connections to the Shah Alam area for suppliers to deliver parts.

By the late 1990s, the auto industry was booming and Proton was seeing rapid growth in volumes that it needed a second factory. Tanjong Malim in Perak was chosen and though far from the Klang Valley, the distance was no longer an issue with the highway connection that also went to Port Klang. DRB-HICOM even made plans to create a ‘Proton City’ which would be an ‘auto city’ like Toyota City in Japan and Detroit in the USA.

The Proton factory in Tg Malim, Perak.

However, the late 1990s saw the Asian Financial Crisis seriously affecting the country’s economy and projects like Proton City could not proceed as planned. It had been planned that suppliers would set up factories in the area to support the Proton factory which was designed to produce up to 500,000 vehicles. However, response was poor and with the severe downturn, the idea of Proton City could not take off although Proton began operations at its factory to make a new generation of models.

20 years later, the Proton City idea is restarting although this time, the concept has been updated to take into account changes in the auto industry. Rather than being just a ‘Proton City’, DRB-HICOM will develop the Tanjong Malim area into an Automotive Hi-Tech Valley (AHTV) with the aim of becoming an industry hub for the ASEAN region.

Besides supporting Proton, the AHTV is expected to attract businesses which are involved in new technologies and systems relevant to the global automotive industry. These would include electrification, Artificial Intelligence, autonomous technologies and advanced connectivity.

AHTV will be developed with an integrated ecosystem that will be a catalyst to revitalize domestic automotive sector in line with the direction of the National Automotive Policy 2020. Its aim is to bring Malaysia’s automotive industry to be on par, if not more advanced, than those in neighboring countries.

Perhaps it could help make Malaysia once again the best place in ASEAN to manufacture motor vehicles, which was the case in the 1970s. Back then, this country had the best infrastructure, a growing economy, well educated workforce and a level playing field which was attractive to investors.

An early supporter of the AHTV is the Geely Holding Group, which is also DRB-HICOM’s partner in Proton. The Chinese company has signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) to jointly develop AHTV and collaborate to identify vendors and investors to the hub. The involvement of Geely, which has rapidly become a diverse global automotive group, will bring their technological strength in the automotive ecosystem as a boost for AHTV. This can be an impetus for auto and component manufacturers, especially from China, to invest in local production facilities, to create new business and export opportunities. Essentially, AHTV has the potential to become a gateway to ASEAN and other markets for companies that make it as their base. To date, there are already 17 vendors with facilities within the area.

DRB-HICOM has also signed another MoU with the Perak state government to jointly identify suitable additional land in the area for AHTV development.  The current area surrounding the Proton factory measures 4,000 acres, with most already occupied by University Pendidikan Sultan Idris, factories of existing vendors, commercial premises and residential properties.

Part of the area originally developed as Proton City which will now be developed into the Automotive Hi-Tech Valley.

To boost the automotive talent pool in Malaysia, AHTV will establish a research university. This will create an educational framework to nurture a new generation of engineers for the automotive industry in areas of Engineering, IT, Design, Artificial Intelligence, Mobility Solutions & Software Development. This will strengthen local R&D capabilities and ensure competitiveness of local original equipment manufacturers.

The scale of the AHTV will see some 370,000 job opportunities being created in the area, with more than 160,000 opportunities during the first phase of development.

Proton constructing additional stamping facility at Tanjung Malim factory


The 2020 MINI John Cooper Works GP has 300hp!

The very first working prototype of the 2020 MINI John Cooper Works GP was recently previewed publicly for the first time as part of the 24 Hours Nürburgring pre-race programme and trust us when we say this, you will want one of these bad boys.

The John Cooper Works GP is set to storm the market in 2020 and only 3,000 units will be produced for global consumption. The new MINI John Cooper Works GP is currently completing set-up runs on the legendary Nürburgring-Nordschleife as part of its series development process.

This means that the GP version is not even in its final production stage yet as the brand focuses on pushing its performance even further. At the 24-hour race, the MINI and John Cooper Works engineers will interrupt their testing programme for a short while to present the disguised prototype of the new MINI John Cooper Works GP to the public for the first time.

There are many outstanding updates to the new John Cooper Works GP such as high engine power, model-specific suspension technology harmonised with John Cooper Works motor racing expertise, weight-optimised construction and precisely defined aerodynamic properties. The result is a MINI that goes around Nürburgring in less than eight minutes!

This is all thanks to a new four-cylinder engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology that pushes the performance up to 300hp and that is just insane for a soon-to-be-produced car of this size. Other noteworthy updates include:

Wide open air intakes

Large light alloy wheels

New aero package

As stated earlier, there will be 3,000 units available come 2020 and if you’re interested, better get that money ready because limited editions of this nature will not come cheap. BUT it will be worth every cent.

BMW & MINI launch 1-year extension service and repair programs


Sime Darby Auto ConneXion wins two awards from Ford for excellence in customer satisfaction

Caring for customers is a key – even crucial – element of any business. Customers who have a satisfying experience at dealerships and owners who have a great ownership experience will remain loyal customers, and might even be ‘ambassadors’ for the brand.

Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), the sole distributor for Ford in Malaysia, must be doing this well as its principal, Ford Motor Company, has conferred two President’s Awards for the company’s excellence in ensuring the highest level of customer satisfaction in sales and service in 2021.

The prestigious awards are recognition of SDAC’s achievements as one of the very best Ford distributor and dealer organisations in the world. The President’s Award is the top distinction in Ford’s annual rewards and recognition programme, designed to acknowledge its distributor partners for delivering outstanding customer experience and operations.

SDAC received the 2021 President’s Awards for Sales and Service for achieving the highest customer satisfaction scores in both sales and service amongst the distributor markets across various regions. These scores are based on ratings collected from an actual customer feedback and satisfaction survey that Ford conducts with customers in each market, including Malaysia.

Introduced in 2016 regionally, the annual awards programme evaluates distributors primarily on their highest level of overall customer satisfaction and includes sales and parts performance.

Lounge for customers at the service centre.

“We are truly honoured to receive the President’s Awards this year. Having won the Chairman’s Award in 2019 and 2020, we have continued to dedicate our efforts to innovating and finding new ways to enhance customer experiences and improve customer satisfaction. We remain committed to pursuing world-class service excellence for all our Ford customers in Malaysia,” said Turse Zuhair, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion-Ford.

“Despite the challenges, 2021 was a tremendously successful year for SDAC. Their dedication, resilience and perseverance have led to various key achievements. In particular, the success of ‘Ford Ranger Getaways’, which is a great example of a truly holistic programme designed to provide a richer and more immersive experience for customers, beyond just sales and service,” he added.

Ford Ranger Getaways provide owners with an opportunity to fully enjoy ‘The Ranger Life’.

Ford Ranger Getaways
 is a community-based adventure platform that brings together customers, other like-minded people and Ford enthusiasts through a series of unique local drive and adventure experiences. Customers can choose from a range of getaways, including off-roading courses to test the limits of their vehicles, becoming a pilot for a day, enjoying a leisurely day with nature or relaxing during a simple retreat with family.

To know more about Ford vehicles and services and showroom locations in Malaysia, visit
www.sdacford.com.my

‘Live The Ranger Life’ celebrates Ford’s pick-up truck evolution into the modern lifestyle machine that it is today


Castrol Hari Mekanik Malaysia celebrated for fourth consecutive year

Castrol, one of the world’s leading lubricant brands, is back for the fourth consecutive year with a unique celebration of Castrol Hari Mekanik Malaysia (HMM) on March 18, 2022. This year’s event – the only one of its kind in Malaysia – takes on a unique theme: ‘The Game Changers’, in honor of the unsung heroes of every vehicle owner’s life.

As has been the story of Castrol Hari Mekanik Malaysia since the beginning, this marks an extension of Castrol’s efforts in paying tribute to the mechanics of Malaysia, a deserving community that has been a backbone of the brand for many years. Castrol HMM 2022 will be a fully virtual experience, with various activities planned, including social media contests, jersey giveaways and engagement with influential KOLs (key opinion leaders).

To take things a step further, Castrol HMM 2022 marks the first-ever collaboration opportunity ith the English Premier League (EPL), in line with the theme. As the most-watched football league in the world, the EPL is broadcasted in 212 territories to 643 million homes, with a potential TV audience of 4.7 billion viewers. The league brings together millions of fans worldwide like no other; and Malaysia is no exception.

This collaboration explores the dynamics of mechanics and footballers as kindred spirits, with the same drive and hard work to strive to live their passion and achieve their goals. Mechanics, like the rest of us, love and enjoy football, which has been a big part of the Malaysian lepak culture for years. Castrol hopes to alleviate the love and respect the people of Malaysia have for our mechanics via this partnership with the EPL.

To commemorate the event, Castrol will be giving away exclusive Castrol X EPL merchandise, which include jerseys, caps, and flasks. This merchandise will also be a part of the social media contest. With an aim to provide social media users an avenue to channel their loyalty to Castrol and love for football, Castrol hopes to get to the masses with a nationwide reach, therefore encouraging more participants to celebrate our local mechanics. Participants of the contest will have to snap a photo of themselves in their favourite football jersey or Castrol t-shirt with either their car or bike and with the background of any Castrol branded workshop; and proceed to post their photo on Facebook or Instagram with the caption of thanking or appreciating their mechanic.

The most liked Facebook or Instagram post with the hashtags #CastrolHariMekanik and #CastrolEPL will win exclusive Castrol X EPL merchandise.

“Castrol is proud to have selected “The Game Changers” theme for 2022 as a tribute and respect to our local mechanics. This year’s celebration is extra special for us, as we have EPL joining us in honouring our mechanics. In the past few years, the pandemic has affected the lives of many of us. The mechanic community, despite facing the loss of livelihood due to various economic restrictions, soldiered on and performed their duty in attending to our vehicles with dedication, and meticulousness. We are grateful to Malaysia’s mechanic community, along with the other frontliners, for having our back during trying times,” said Keow Mei-Shan, Marketing Director of Castrol Malaysia & Singapore.

“We hope our event will bring more awareness to the dedication and selflessness of mechanics in our country, and via this online campaign, we look forward to having as many Malaysians join our cause,” she concluded.

To find out more about Castrol and its products, visit
www.castrol.com/my
 .

Castrol Hari Mekanik Malaysia honours mechanics’ contribution to the nation


GAZOO Racing parts now available in Malaysia for sporty personalisation

GAZOO is a name that has been around since the early 2000s although back then, it was known only in Japan. It was the name of a website that was created and supervised by Akio Toyoda, currently. President of Toyota Motor Corporation. At that time, he had just joined the Board of Directors after having served in various roles at different Toyota subsidiaries and digitisation was accelerating.

From being the name for a website (which still exists today) that served as a hub for virtual shops mainly dealing in the auto business, GAZOO began to appear in motorsports towards the end of the 2000s. Being a racing driver and car enthusiast himself, Akio wanted to generate more excitement for the sport among the young and GAZOO Racing was to expand the role of promoting motorsports beyond that of traditional automakers.

Related article:
The story behind TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and why it was created

Today GAZOO Racing is a major part of Toyota which is responsible for motorsports and high-performance products. Its scope has progressively broadened and in countries like Malaysia, GAZOO Racing (GR) has been established as a new performance brand.

Growing name in Malaysia

“GAZOO Racing is a name that has gained tremendous traction in the Malaysian market since we first introduced the brand here in 2017. The brand represents Toyota’s motor racing activities worldwide, and this has translated into a great number of initiatives locally that include the organizing of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival, Vios Challenge one-make race,
GAZOO Racing Velocity Esports Championship
, the launch of
exclusive GR vehicles
, the roll-out of the
Vios GR-S in Malaysia
 and establishing the
GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program
 for young racing drivers,” said Akio Takeyama, GAZOO Racing Malaysia’s Chief Motorsports Officer.

Exclusive GR parts

Now GAZOO Racing Malaysia is making available GAZOO Racing (GR) parts and accessories that are exclusively for the GR Yaris, Vios GR-S, Vios and Yaris. “The  availability and sale of GR parts and accessories is a further extension of these initiatives as Toyota steps up its efforts to gain a bigger foothold in Malaysian motorsports,” said Mr. Takeyama.

Exclusive to the limited-edition GR Yaris are 5 styling upgrades –  a GR Front Spoiler with Rear Extension; GR Side Skirts; GR Rear Bumper  Spoiler; GR Sports Muffler and an GR Interior Panel Set (carbonfibre design).

All other parts are available for the Vios GR-S, Vios and Yaris. This, however, excludes the GR start/stop button, GR emblem, GR carpet mat, which already come standard in the Vios GR-S.

Only available at selected outlets

All GR Parts and accessories come with a 1-year warranty and to ensure quality fitment, customers  can have the products installed at the respective GR Garages and GR outlets. The parts can be purchased only at 5 GR Garages and 39 GR outlets (Toyota dealerships that have teams competing in the Vios Challenge racing series).

The five GR Garages nationwide are Fokus Tetap (Shah Alam, Selangor), PCM Klang Motor (Klang,  Selangor), Wing Hin Auto (Balakong, Selangor), Telagamas (Kulim, Kedah) and Mutiara Motorsports  (Masai, Johor). The list of GR outlets can be found at
www.toyota.com.my
.

UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K., said the availability of GR Parts allows customers to have a higher degree of personalization for their vehicles, especially those who share the passion for  motorsports. “GR is as much about performance as it is about styling, safety and lifestyle, and this is reflected  throughout the introductory list of parts we are making available today,” he said.

“While GR models are a pedigree of their own, the GR brand is not confined to only outright performance. The brand also conveys driving enjoyment and excitement, and this is precisely what  customers can look forward to with the availability of these parts and accessories,” he added.

GR Heritage Parts project to reproduce Toyota Supra parts for sale


War Against COVID-19: Shell contributes to frontliners, the nation’s heroes

In the War Against COVID-19, the frontliners are those in the healthcare services, especially the ones who have been working day and night in challenging conditions to save lives. These are our Malaysian heroes whose sacrifices and dedication will always be remembered.

Shell Malaysia demonstrated their support and care for the nation’s frontliners during this fight against COVID-19 through a series of outreach initiatives aimed to lessen their worries and challenges. Essential items such as hand sanitizers, mineral water, food and beverages were among the items contributed to medical frontliners at Hospital Sungai Buloh, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, and Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun in Ipoh.

Additionally, through Shell stations located across the country, the company has contributed essential items to local communities and frontliners. The initiatives include supplying electricity for lamps and fans as well as temporary tents, along with contributing food and drinks to local authorities.

“The act of caring for others and looking out for each other is essential for all of us as Malaysians to survive, and thrive through these uncertain and certainly testing times. Shell is committed to the well-being of the communities where we operate, and we want to do everything we can to help our frontliners in the fight against this global pandemic. We recognize the challenges faced by these brave Malaysians and we hope these care packages, made up of essential items will give our frontliners some needed support,” said Shairan Huzani Husain, MD of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd.

He added: “We also have our very own Shell frontliners who are on the ground, every single day, taking care of our customers’ needs, and ensuring the nation’s heroes can get to work and do what they need to for the safety of every Malaysian. As one of Malaysia’s essential services, we are helping to fuel the nation through the dedication of these very frontliners. We are also ensuring care packages are provided to them as our gesture of thanks for their courage in ensuring Shell stations remain open and ready to continue serving customers. They are all our heroes.”

Besides the care packages, Shell and BonusLink have joined forces to launch an initiative to enable customers to contribute and show their gratitude to the nation’s frontliners. Over the past week,  BonusLink members have been invited to show their support to the frontliners by simply contributing a minimum of 100 points (equivalent to RM1) which will be channelled directly to the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) COVID-19 Fund.

Shell has pledged to match RM1 for every 100 points (RM1) donated during the period. All donations to Tabung COVID-19 will be used to assist MOH to purchase medical equipment, PPEs and other medical necessities.

Shell urges all Malaysians to stay safe by staying at home during the Movement Control Order (MCO), and by practicing meticulous personal hygiene as advocated by the Ministry of Health. Together, we can flatten the curve of COVID-19 infections.

Find out more about Shell’s initiatives at
www.shell.com.my
.

No more 50 sen charge for TnG reloads at Shell Stations along PLUS Expressways (NKVE and ELITE) and East-Coast Expressways


K-pop sensation BTS rides Hyundai Palisade to Billboard Music Awards

Hyundai Motor will be taking K-pop mega group BTS for their journey to the 2019 Billboard Music Awards onboard their all-new flagship SUV, the Hyundai Palisade.

All seven members of BTS are Hyundai Global Brand Ambassadors arrived at the Las Vegas McCarran International Airport on 29 April 2019 and to commence their US tour, they’re welcomed and ferried around in style with the Hyundai Palisade.

BTS will participate and perform at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards ceremony at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 1, where the band is nominated for two awards in the Top Duo/Group and Top Social Artist categories.

Following the 2019 Billboard Music Awards, BTS will kick off its U.S. tour on May 4 in Los Angeles at the Rose Bowl Stadium.

With BTS gaining explosive global attention for its music and related videos, the group’s promotional ambassadorship is expected to give a major boost to Palisade’s worldwide advertising campaign.

Teaming up with BTS has given Hyundai a global platform to highlight Palisade’s bold, cutting-edge design and functions, including the masculine, ironclad-looking exterior and spacious, classy interior.

According to Wonhong Cho, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Hyundai Motor, “These days, the way people consume media contents is rapidly changing, and the way companies communicate their brands is becoming more advanced. To successfully respond to these changes, communicating with young generations through most iconic figures has taken a paramount importance in branding.”


F1/Round 17: Highlights & Provisional Results For 2021 US Grand Prix

As the lights went green, both drivers on the front row got off to good starts and were side by side heading to Turn 1. Neither was willing to back off and in the end, it was Max Verstappen who had to go wide when Lewis Hamilton did not let him pass. But the Dutchman recovered quickly and rejoined alongside team mate Sergio Perez.

The first vehicle contacts occurred when Wiliiams Racing’s Nicholas Latifi bumped into Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll at the start and the Canadian driver spun. Alpine’s Esteban Ocon also got hit by the Alfa Romeo of Antonio Giovanazzi, resulting in the Alpine’s front wing being damaged and he had to head to the pits for a replacement. As he rejoined the race, he almost collided with a fast-moving Latifi who had also come in.

There was a lot of jostling for better positions in the first laps, and starting positions quickly changed. Williams Racing’s George Russell was able to move up to 14th from the back, while McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo moved from 7th to 5th after getting past Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.

From lap 8 onwards, the switch to hard tyres had started for most cars, except for Valtteri Bottas and the two Aston Martin drivers. Verstappen came in on lap 10, and Hamilton was forced to do likewise next, The Red Bull Racing driver inherited the lead as Hamilton went into the pits and wasted no time opening up the gap which was almost 7 seconds when the Mercedes-AMG driver came out again.

On lap 16, Pierre Gasly’s AlphaTauri had suspension problems serious enough that he had to pit. The problem was serious enough that he did not leave and was the first retiree of the USGP.

Bottas had been struggling to improve on his position but did not make much progress until lap 20 when he finally got past AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda to move into 8th – only one position better than what he started at (he had incurred a 5-place penalty on the grid for a sixth engine change).

On lap 22, Alonso got past Giovanazzi but it had occurred off the tracks, and after clarifying with the Race Director that it was not permissible, he had to give back the 11th place he had acquired, while Giovanazzi’s team mate, Kimi Raikkonen, moved further ahead. A lap later, an angry Alonso again has a close encounter with  Giovanazzi and this time it was the reverse as the Alfa Romeo driver was told to give back the place to Alonso,

The Virtual Safety Car appeared on lap 29 for a while as a marshal had to get onto the track to collect some debris left by one of the cars during a minor collision earlier. At that point, Hamilton had closed in to around 3 seconds from the leader with no worries from the next car behind (Perez) who was some 17 seconds away.

On lap 30, Hamilton moved into the lead as Verstappen came in for his second tyre change. As he rejoined, he was just behind his team mate but got past quickly and began closing in on his rival who was trying to open up a gap so that he could safely go for a tyre change. This time, the Mercedes-AMG team might get it right. However, Verstappen was not making things easy by steadily eating away at what started as a 16-second gap.

Hamilton finally came in on lap 37, spent 2.4 seconds in the pits to get another set of hard tyres and when he came out, Verstappen was almost 8 seconds in the lead. Not a big gap and still 19 laps left which meant an interesting fight ahead. The tyres should last but track temperatures were high too and could be an unexpected factor. Further back, Perez and Ferrari’s Charle’s Leclerc were reasonably safe in their 3rd and 4th positions, respectively, with wide gaps between them.

Ocon became the second driver to retire as his team radioed him to return to the pits. They didn’t seem to want to explain why but it was a disappointment as he was running well. Alonso, his team mate, was in 13th and trying to take home at least 1 point from the race for the team. But he too would retire 5 laps from the end with a wing problem.

With 10 laps remaining, Hamilton was 2.5 seconds behind Verstappen, pushing as hard as he could and collecting fastest lap along the way. It appeared that Verstappen was not going as fast as he could have, which may have helped the Mercedes-AMG driver close in.

On the second last lap, Vettel was able to slip into the points-paying 10th as Raikkonen spun off into the gravel.

The last lap provided the American spectators a thrilling dual as the gap was under 2 seconds between the leaders. Hamilton seemed to be pushing very hard and sliding round some corners. It was going to be tight and Verstappen had one last back runner – Haas F1’s Mick Schumacher – to get past. But Verstappen just made it across the finish line with less than a second’s gap from Hamilton to win the USGP for the first time.


Ken Block’s Daughter To Do Tribute Drive With  1,400 bhp ‘Hoonipigasus’ At Pikes Peak Hillclimb

A year ago, the late Ken Block and his Hoonigan Racing Division unveiled their ‘Hoonicorn’ – a one-of-a-kind, mid-engine, 1400 bhp, Porsche SVRSR, that was dubbed the ‘Hoonipigasus’. It was built with the sole purpose of going fastest overall at the most iconic and legendary hillclimb in the world, beating record-holder Romain Dumas who set it with a Volkswagen ID.R in 2018.

Engine issues prevented Block from making the run in 2022 and he had been looking forward to doing it this year. Unfortunately, in January this year, he died in an accident when the snowmobile he was on flipped back onto him.

Ken Block’s daughter, Lia, and her 1985 Audi Ur Quattro.

Block’s family – a wife and three daughters – usually remained in the background and it was only when the tragedy occurred that the world came to know them better. Not surprisingly, the eldest daughter, Lia, already learnt drifting at the age of 13 (in a Ford Escort) and has been competing in rallies since 2021.

Tribute run, not race
As a tribute to her father, Lia, now 16, will drive the Hoonipigasus in this year’s Pike Peak Hillclimb in June. Though already experienced at handling cars at the limit, she is under no illusions about setting records and in fact, her run will not be timed. Dad’s not around but surely he will be with her in spirit all the way up.

The Hoonipigasus at its unveiling ceremony a year ago.

A decade in the making
The car’s creation was a decade in the making, beginning with BBi Autosport’s desire to build the ultimate vintage Porsche racecar. BBi’s had successes at the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb but wanted to capture the crown and they teamed up with Block.

For Block, Pikes Peak was not a new race as he had raced in a Group N rallycar back in 2005, his first year ever in racing. The car had only 200 bhp, not a lot for racing up to the top of the 4,303-metre high mountain. In 2017, he used something a lot more powerful – a 1,400 bhp, twin-turbo, methanol-fueled 1965 Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR V2. You can see him in action in the
‘Climbkhana: Pikes Peak’
 film
.

Ken Block was familiar with the Pikes Peak Hillclimb, having taken part in it since 2005.

But it was not enough and what he really wanted to do was race up the mountain in the top-spec class. Teaming up with BBi Autosport, the Hoonipigasus was created as the first-ever mid-engine, AWD, twin-turbo vintage Porsche 911.

Just 1,000 kgs
The Hoonipigasus, as it was called, was specifically built to suit Block’s driving style and features a transmission tunnel, known as the ‘Chorizo Tunnel’, which goes from shoulder height down to the front axle, resulting in a lower centre of gravity. Weighing just 1,000 kgs, the machine features GPS Height-adjusted suspension.

“The Hoonipigasus is an absolute dream-come-true type of build,” said the founder of BBi Autosport, Betim Berisha, when it was unveiled last year. “It doesn’t get any more mental from a tech, power, aero, and visual standpoint. The original vision of the car came from a longtime friend of mine, Joe Scarbo of Scarbo Performance, nearly a decade ago. We then teamed up with our most talented engineers and designers, threw the book out, and took an unconventional path. We are building the world’s nastiest 911.”

New Lamborghini Urus sets record at Pikes Peak even before launch


Pump Petrol @ BHP & Win RM5,000 Cash Daily!

Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd, which markets and distributes BHPetrol fuel and lubricants, is giving away
RM5000
 cash every day to their eCard loyalty program customers in
 “eCard Pump & Swipe”
contest.

BHPetrol’s General Manager Supply, Retail and Government Public Affairs,
Ir Azizul Azily Ahmad
 presented the contest prize of RM5000 cash to Prof Dr Khairul Azmi bin Abdul Kadir being one of the daily winners. Prof Dr Khairul Azmi has been an eCard member since the last four years and is a regular customer for BHPetrol Taman Tun Dr Ismail, and pumps Infiniti Euro5 Diesel. He plans to donate his winning prize to the mosques and surau’s in conjunction with the Ramadhan month coming soon.

The promotion which runs from
1
st
 April to 30
th
 April 2018
 at BHPetrol service stations with eCard acceptance, offers RM5,000 cash to one lucky winner every day.  To participate, customers just need to make a minimum purchase of RM30 of fuel products (Infiniti 95, Infiniti 97, Infiniti Diesel and Infiniti Euro5 Diesel) in a single receipt and swipe their eCard.

BHPetrol eCard is a loyalty programme whereby they are offering great privileges and rewards to their eCard members. Members get 1 ePoint for every RM1 spent at BHPetrol service stations and their participating merchant outlets. Members can instantly redeem their points for an extensive range of items and gifts, including RM10 worth of fuel or merchandise with only 950 ePoints. Besides, members can also redeem exciting gifts featured in BHPetrol Rewards Catalogue or via online – ecardrewards.bhpetrol.com.my for more variety of gifts.

For full info on the contest, log on to www.bhpetrol.com.my.


The exceptional and exclusive Twin Turbo Furious 300+ from Jacob & Co.

In 2019, Bugatti and Jacob & Co. signed a partnership to create unique timepieces. To inaugurate this partnership led by performance, two timepieces were created. These watches, based on the Twin Turbo Furious and the Epic X Chrono, were directly inspired by the unique design and spirit of Bugatti hypercars.

This year, new watches in the Twin Turbo Furious collection are being introduced, as well as now the Bugatti Chiron, a completely new line. After the Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon, the watchmaker has created the Twin Turbo Furious  300+ – inspired by the fastest hypercar ever created.

Last year, the Chiron Super Sport 300+ made Bugatti the first carmaker to break through the mythical 300 mph (480 km/h) barrier. Behind the steering wheel of the car was Le Mans winner Andy Wallace who set the world speed record at 304.773 mph (490.484 km/h).

Only 3 pieces for sale

In order to celebrate the world’s fastest series production hyper sportscar, Jacob & Co. captured the essence of the Super Sport 300+ in the design as well as the sophisticated technology of their new creation.  Only three pieces will be made for sale.

The Twin Turbo Furious Bugatti 300+ features a black titanium twin triple-axis tourbillon movement, that includes a decimal minute repeater and a mono-pusher chronograph with reference time. It is housed in a forged carbon and black DLC titanium case, to echo the exposed carbonfibre bodywork of the record-breaking hyper sports car.

Exclusive technology

The presence of a tourbillon in a watch’s movement already places a timepiece among the elite of the watchmaking world. Jacob & Co.’s Twin Turbo Furious goes one step further incorporating two accelerated triple axis tourbillons into its striking design. The tourbillons work together to compensate for the effects of gravity on the precision of the movement.

Another very rare component is the Twin Turbo Furious 300+’ decimal minute repeater. In order to simplify the audible indication of time, the Twin Turbo Furious chimes on demand the ten minutes intervals after the hours and before the minutes.

“In Jacob & Co., we have found a partner who understands the way we see exclusivity and how every object carrying the Bugatti name has to combine extreme power and the most sophisticated technology with pure luxury and the unmistakable Bugatti aesthetics and elegance. The Twin Turbo Furious is another product created in the spirit of this partnership,” said Bugatti President, Stephan Winkelmann.

A lap in the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport hyper sportscar (w/VIDEO)


New Porsche 718 Spyder & 718 Cayman GT4 unveiled

The Porsche 718 family is proud to announce their latest additions into their ever-growing line-up which are the Porsche 718 Spyder and 718 Cayman GT4. These two new variants sit on the very top of the model series that offer superior agility and ultimate driving experience for those who seek driving bliss.

Both of these models share the same technical base which is a perfectly balanced mid-engine concept that comes equipped with a powerful four-litre six-cylinder naturally aspirated boxer engine paired with a (get this) six-speed manual transmission.

Want power? There’s 415hp and 420Nm of torque under the hood for both models which is between 35hp-45hp more compared to the previous generation Spyder and Cayman GT4. There’s not a single curve of racetrack that drivers won’t appreciate the latest Porsche 718 additions, especially with efficient aerodynamics, a full GT chassis and powerful brakes.

0-100km/h? 4.4 seconds. Top speed? 301km/h for the Spyder and 304km/h for the Cayman GT4. All of which can be obtained with a fuel consumption efficiency of only 10.9L/100km. This is all thanks to the new addition adaptive cylinder control and Piezo injectors that temporarily interrupts the injection process in one of the two cylinder banks, thus reducing fuel consumption.

The entire aerodynamics package has gone through the drawing boards where the new Porsche 718 models feature 50% more downforce without affecting drag. This is all achieved with their new single-chamber arch rear silencer, fixed rear wing, GT-style front end with large front spoiler lip and air curtains.

If you prefer something powerful with the top down, the 718 Spyder is perfect for those looking for a bit more freedom in their driving experience. Compared to the GT4, the Spyder has a rear spoiler that pops up when it reaches 120km/h for greater downforce and control.

In short, the new Porsche 718 Spyder is the first model in the Boxster family to generate aerodynamic downforce at the rear axle. Sweet.

When it comes to their chassis, Porsche pulled out all the stops by including a high-performance GT chassis. This latest addition offers superior cornering dynamics and lightweight spring-strut front and rear axles taken inspired from racing. This is further enhanced with Porsche’s Active Suspension Management damping system for sharper handling.

Other notable specifications include:

Porsche Stability Management (PSM)

Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV)

Large aluminium monobloc fixed-calliper brakes

Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (Optional)

Clubsport package (Optional)

includes a rear steel roll bar, a hand-held fire extinguisher and a six-point seatbelt

The latest 718 Spyder and Cayman GT4 is priced at EUR 93,350 and EUR 96,206 respectively (RM438,137 and RM451,541) in Germany. No immediate news on its availability elsewhere in the world but we’re pretty sure they’ll make their way to Malaysian shores soon enough.

1200hp Porsche 911 Turbo hits 338kmh – on sand!


All-New Toyota Camry Receives 5-Star ASEAN NCAP Safety Rating [+Crash Test Videos]

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT)
, the distributor of Toyota vehicles in Malaysia has announced that its newly launched 2019
Toyota Camry
 has been awarded with a
full 5-star rating
 at the recent
New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries
 (ASEAN NCAP) crash test result.

The All New Camry which was launched December last year in Malaysia, received 49.04 points for the Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), 22.68 points for Child Occupant Protection (COP) and 19.75 point for Safety Assist Technologies (SATs) assessments. With the Camry scoring in all aspects including effective breaking avoidance, seat belt reminders, blind spot technology and advance safety assist technologies, it received
5-Star rating with an overall score of 91.47 points.

Completely redesigned for the 8th generation since it was first introduced for the Malaysian market in the early 1990s, the All New Toyota Camry is available in the 2.5V variant.  It is featured with advanced Toyota Safety Sense such as Pre-collision System, Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) as well as Automatic High Beam (AHB). The styling of the Camry is more futuristic and expressive. Using the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, the company had taken a new approach in designing, engineering and developing a Camry that has very responsive handling, tougher vehicle body and other world-class features that provide peace of mind, as well as the pleasure of driving.

The announcement was made at the launching ceremony of the ASEAN NCAP Labelling Compliance Guideline 2019 for Malaysia by
Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution bin Ismail, Minister of Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP)
.

It will become mandatory for manufacturers to display the ASEAN NCAP rating label on their vehicles on sale starting from 1
st
 March 2020, to ensure that consumers are well aware of the NCAP ratings of the vehicle they want to purchase.

And here’s an interesting video on the evolution of the Camry’s crash safety from 2002 to 2018…

For more information and details results if the ASEAN NCAP, visit
www.aseancap.org
.

Customers who require more information on All New Toyota Camry and other Toyota models can log on to
toyota.com.my

or visit the nearest Toyota showrooms. For further assistance, call Toyota Freephone line
1-800-8-TOYOTA (869682).


Management team of new Peugeot distributor announced

Following the announcement of the
appointment of Berjaya Auto Alliance Sdn Bhd (BAASB) as the sole distributor of new Peugeot vehicles
, including aftersales services and parts distribution. the company has announced its management team. The brand portfolio includes Citroen and DS Automobiles, which are also in Groupe PSA along with Peugeot.

The new team at BAASB is headed by Dato’ Wong Kin Foo, presently a director in Bermaz Motor Sdn Bhd. Dato’ Wong, as Managing Director of BAASB, will report to the board of BAASB, which consists of representatives from Berjaya Corporation Berhad (BerjayaCorp) and Bermaz Auto Berhad (BAuto).

The board is chaired by Dato’ Sri Robin Tan Yeong Ching, CEO of BerjayaCorp and Dato’ Sri Ben Yeoh, Executive Chairman of BAuto, as well as Dato Francis Lee, CEO BAuto, amongst others.

Some of the management team members of BAASB: (Top) Board members Dato’ Sri Ben Yeoh (left) and Dato’ Francis Lee. (Above) Michael Moh, Head of After Sales;, Dato’ K.F. Wong, Managing Director; and Ian Khong, Head of Marketing.

All the members of the team have long experience in the auto industry and some, like Dato Sri Ben Yeoh, have worked in many different companies, including the distributors of Mazda, Toyota, Proton and Mercedes-Benz. Dato’ Wong was CEO at Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad, the company long associated with the Mercedes-Benz business in Malaysia.

Other key members of BAASB include Michael Moh, who is Head of After Sales and, Berjaya Auto Alliance Sdn Bhd and Michael Chen who is Head of Sales.

Mr. Moh has had a 40-year career in the auto industry on the service side, his last position being Vice-President, After-Sales at Mercedes-Benz Malaysia. Mr. Chen is a seasoned veteran, also with 40 years of automotive experience, having worked with brands such as Datsun/Nissan, Hyundai, Suzuki and Foton. He was also among the pioneers in the national car project with EON Bhd.

Also on the team is Ian Khong as Head of Marketing and though younger, he has had experience working with brands such as Mitsubishi, Toyota, Mazda, Ford and Proton. Over his 26-year career, he has gained experience in various aspects of the auto industry… besides having been a rally driver.

BAASB will operate from the group headquarters in Glenmarie, Shah Alam, Selangor, with plans for  expansion in the near future.

We’re certainly looking forward to reporting on the activities of BAASB which, with the experienced team, will certainly take the Peugeot brand to a new level. They already have a proven record with Mazda and can now draw on that experience for the French brand.

Click here for other news about Peugeot.


New 2021 Nissan Navara revealed!

Nissan today unveiled to the world its new Navara pick-up, updating the current one which was introduced in 2014. As with its other pick-up models, the Navara benefits from over 80 years of experience making such vehicles which have become popular in many regions of the planet.

Described as the most advanced Navara yet, the new Navara comes with many best-in-class technologies, including an array of Nissan Intelligent Mobility features and safety systems. “We packaged the new model with a full set of advanced technologies to ensure enhanced dynamic performance on and off-road, as well as safety and comfort ushering in a new age of toughness, tech, and peace of mind,” said Ashwani Gupta, Nissan’s Chief Operating Officer.

Current Navara

While the familiar tough looks of the Navara continue, it has also been given a bolder appearance. The front end adopts carries the new ‘interlock’ grille – a unique feature found exclusively on the Nissan pickup family and first introduced on the latest Nissan Titan – which gives the impression that it is coming out and ‘grabbing’ the engine.

Distinctive LED headlamps

Besides the model name embossed on top of the grille and across the full width of the rear door panel, the Navara also has a segment-first all-new, high-tech C-shaped quad LED projector headlamps. Each of the four distinctive projector units have their own intricate bezel shape, giving a visual signature to the vehicle

Apart from adding a level of sophistication to the rugged design, they also provide greater illumination, which would definitely be appreciated when driving off-road or in bad weather. At the back, the LED tail lamps with their greater brightness also help improve safety as the vehicle’s presence will be more visible.

Body-on-frame construction

The new Navara continues to use body-on-frame construction, with the cabin and cargo bed being separate units that are bolted onto a strong chassis frame. This has been the traditional construction for pick-up trucks and also SUVs, although the latter have moved towards monocoque construction (like passenger cars) in recent times.

Body-on-frame construction is still regarded as being more suited for the sort of usage that the Navara would typically have. It not only copes better with rough terrain but can also handle heavy loads.  It has an increased payload capacity which Nissan says is the best in the 1-ton class.

There’s also a strengthened rear axle and additional truck bed volume (depending on region), as well as retuned suspension settings. An integrated step in the new rear bumper makes bed access easier and reduces fatigue caused by repeated loading and unloading. Additionally, the bed is equipped with a flap-type, tie-down hook to secure both large and small objects, making it easier for loading and unloading without interference.

New PRO-4X grade for the Navara comes with distinctive look with a black Nissan emblem, a black front bumper and black grille, door handles, roof racks and running boards accented by 17-inch black wheels and all-terrain tyres. It also has lively, orange-red accents, a tint inspired by the colour of magma, contrasted with the dark grille, wheels, and mirror caps.

Powertrains to be carried over

Nissan has not mentioned the powertrains that will be available but does say that there will be ‘carried-over powertrain options’. Thus it is likely that the YS engines will continue to be used, these being proven over a 10-year life. They are used by Alliance members in light commercial vehicles and for such vehicles, proven reliability is more important to customers than having new technologies.

The current engine line-up consists of a 2.5-litre petrol engine from the QR family and 2.3-litre turbodiesel engines, with 7-speed automatic and 6-speed manual transmissions. This will probably be the same for the new Navara although one cannot discount the downsizing trend which may see a smaller displacement engine being available for some markets.

One of the Nissan turbodiesel engines in the current Navara.

Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies

As in other new Nissan models, Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM) technologies are highlighted as the big thing in the new Navara. These are technologies which create a ‘360-degree safety shield’ for the vehicle, as well as helping the driver to avoid accidents.

NIM technologies include Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning as well as Intelligent Driver Alertness, which prompts drivers to take breaks through visual and gives audible alerts when changes in driving style or steering behaviour are detected.

Many vehicles now come with a display that shows a simulated overhead view so the driver can see all around when manoeuvring. The new Navara also has this, which is called the Intelligent Around View Monitor. However, NIM technologies add something else that enhances safety – Moving Object Detection. This helps drivers notice people and other vehicles surrounding or approaching the vehicle.

The system also features an off-road monitor, enabling the driver to observe surrounding obstacles at low speeds when in 4×4. This gives the driver more confidence when travelling over rough terrain and can help avoid damage to the bodywork.

Besides the rearview camera, there is also Rear Cross Traffic Alert which uses sensors to detect vehicles coming from either side when reversing out of a parking bay. This will be an especially useful feature for pick-up drivers as the vehicle is long, and will reduce the stress (as well as accidents).

The pickup also comes with new automatic safety and convenience features such as a rain-sensing wiper and a speed-sensing door lock that activates when the vehicle speed exceeds 25 km/h.

While driving, there is an Active Brake Limited Slip Differential system to improve grip and stability. It does this by managing power delivery and wheel braking between the front and rear axles and between the left and right of the vehicle. There’s also a Vehicle Dynamic Control system to help in keeping the car under control on slippery corners, and ABS to prevent wheel lock-up.

Added convenience and comfort

Inside, the new Navara gains added convenience and new features that are driver-oriented to make driving more enjoyable and comfortable. The rear seats are more comfortable, with upgrades to the seat cushions and back shapes. Interior quietness is also claimed to be significantly improved with increased amounts of sound deadening insulation and a laminated windshield and front windows.

The new Nissan Connect infotainment system meets the needs of modern travellers, providing Bluetooth streaming audio, voice recognition, and navigation. Everything is shown on an 8-inch screen, with a 7-inch higher resolution TFT screen complementing it. Besides having multiple USB ports throughout the vehicle for charging devices, there is also a Type-C USB port in the console, allowing more modern devices to be recharged.

Made in Thailand, Mexico and South Africa

For the ASEAN and Australian markets, the new Navara will be produced at Nissan’s plant in Thailand, which is also its strategic manufacturing and R&D hub for ASEAN. The first market to receive the new model will, not surprisingly, be Thailand which is the second largest truck market in the world. Other production hubs for the model will be in Mexico and South Africa, starting later on.

As Edaran Tan Chong Motor stopped assembling the model locally with the current generation, the new one should be available in Malaysia more quickly, probably in the first half of 2021. With local assembly, there’s a delay as local parts suppliers start up and the plant has to be prepared for the new model, not to mention the fact that the CKD kits from the overseas factory may also be available only at a later time.

If you prefer the current Navara, Edaran Tan Chong Motor should still be selling it for some time more. Viewing and test-drives are available at authorised Nissan showrooms and their locations can be found at
www.nissan.com.my
.

New Nissan brand logo for a new era


This is the 800hp McLaren Elva – no roof, windscreen or windows!

There’s a new McLaren ‘Ultimate Series’ roadster and it’s called the McLaren Elva. This is the very first McLaren road car that comes with an open cockpit and offers an entirely new dimension to their Ultimate Series line-up. The Elva is a very special and limited model indeed as only 399 examples will be made for global consumption.

According to Mike Flewitt, CEO of McLaren Automotive, “The McLaren-Elva M1A [Mk1] and its successors are in many ways the true spiritual forerunners of today’s McLarens – superlight, mid-engined cars with the highest levels of performance and dynamic excellence. It’s fitting that the new McLaren Ultimate Series roadster – a uniquely modern car that delivers the ultimate connection between driver, car and the elements and with that new height of driving pleasure on-road or track – acknowledges our rich heritage with the Elva name.”

This two-seater beast of beauty is constructed around a bespoke carbon fibre chassis and body with the roof, windscreen, and side windows were taken out of the equation. This means that whoever is lucky enough to get behind the wheel will get the ultimate driving experience that McLaren has to offer.

Paired with that super lightweight carbon fibre chassis is a powerful 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 (the same family as the Senna and Senna GTR) that produces around 805hp of pure McLaren performance. Labelled as the lightest McLaren road car yet, drivers are able to experience 0-100kmh/h in under three seconds while 0-200km/h is achieved in just 6.7 seconds. That’s faster than the Senna, folks.

Going back to the design, the Elva carries a very striking yet unique façade thanks to its low front nose, pronounced front fender peaks, carbon fibre rear fenders, and those twin rear buttresses. While the Elva is considerably missing the major elements that most people associate with safety, McLaren stated that its form and sculpture of the upper cabin is more than enough to provide a ‘secure environment’.

Helmets can be worn for those who require a bit more confidence and a factory option fixed windscreen is also available for most markets around the globe. The Elva also comes with the world’s first aero protection called Active Air Management System (AAMS).

Air is channelled through the nose of the Elva which comes out of the clamshell and directed over the cockpit that amplifies the driving experience whilst creating a ‘bubble’ of calm. This is all thanks to a very clever deflector that deploys at the edge of the bonnet to create a ‘low-pressure zone’. AAMS is able to detect when to deploy the deflector according to the speed the car is travelling.

As for driving dynamics, the Elva also offers a wide array of parts and functions to ensure that you’re always glued to the ground with high levels of downforce as well as that signature McLaren manoeuvrability thanks to its full-width active rear spoiler, flat underfloor, unique rear diffuser, and many more.

According to Rob Melville, Design Director at McLaren Automotive, “Our mission with the McLaren Elva was to create an open-cockpit, two-seat roadster that delivers the most elemental of driving experiences. Formula 1-inspired shrink-wrapped volumes create a technical sculpture that is as striking as it is remarkable, the exterior flowing into the interior in a stunning example of a new and unique McLaren ‘blurred boundaries’ design principle that has allowed us to seamlessly bring the outside in, to further enhance driver engagement while remaining true to our philosophy of making no compromises.”

Want one? It’s yours for only £1,425,000 (around RM7,622,327). This is before all the personalisation options made available by McLaren Special Operations (MSO) which includes a 24-carat gold engine bay heat shield. In other words, super-duper fancy, man.

2020 McLaren GT launched in Malaysia – RM908,000