Why Using Euro5 Diesel Is The Right Choice

Today, Euro5 diesel is available to motorists nationwide, enabling them to run on a cleaner, high-quality fuel that is not only good for the engine but also for the environment. But prior to this day (November 12) in 2014, the fuel was only up to the Euro2 standard which was significantly less environment friendly. However, due to the controls that the government have on the petroleum industry and also the higher costs, the upgrading of fuel standards was slow.

The upgrading of standards was important because the newer generation of diesel engines requires fuel of better quality with much lower levels of sulphur. Furthermore, Singapore had become stricter on the exhaust emissions of commercial vehicles and as a great number cross over from Malaysia daily to deliver goods, the transport industry also needed to have better fuel.

The first company to make the decision to provide Euro5 diesel was Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd, which markets the BHPetrol brand of fuels and lubricants. After discussions with the government which was supportive of the move, the company began to supply Infiniti Euro5 diesel to a few stations in Johor. This was to quickly address the issue for the lorry operators going to Singapore.

BHPetrol was the first brand with Euro5 diesel in Malaysia, introducing the higher-quality fuel on November 12, 2014.

It was not a simple task to make Euro5 available at every BHPetrol station because Euro2 diesel still had to be available to give motorists a choice as Euro5 diesel would cost 10 sen more per litre due to the additional cost of processing. The different grades must be stored in separate underground tanks and either existing tanks had to be used, or new ones added if there was space.

Over time, BHPetrol Infiniti Euro5 Diesel began to appear in more and more of its stations around the country. Motorists with newer vehicles using more efficient turbodiesel engines were happy that they could get the right fuel for their engines. The high sulphur content in Euro2 diesel was a problem for the more advanced injection systems as they caused clogging which would affect the fuel delivery.

Modern turbodiesel engines like Mazda’s SKYACTIV-D powerplant require high-quality fuel with very low sulphur content so BHPetrol Infiniti Euro5 Diesel would be the right choice.

While BHPetrol Infiniti Euro5 Diesel may meet the same standards as the Euro5 fuels of other brands which also entered the market later, there are some differences in its formulation which make it the right choice for many motorists. The formulation is the ‘recipe’ for producing the fuel and that ‘recipe’ is the secret which BHPetrol will not reveal.

It’s like your favourite
nasi lemak
; you probably have a stall that you go to regularly with what you believe to be the best nasi lemak in Malaysia. It may be the rice, or the taste of the sambal or the preparation of the fried chicken that is special. And the recipe is a secret which only the
makcik
knows and it was passed down from her mother who had spent many years perfecting it.

The same applies to fuels and while all fuels may have the same base stocks (petrol or biodiesel), the additive package is unique and proprietary. The additives provide benefits like removal of deposits, enhanced combustion and maintenance of cleanliness of fuel delivery systems.

While the additives may not be a secret as they are chemical compounds (which can be analyzed), the precise ‘recipe’ which makes up the additive package is what differentiates one fuel brand from others. This is similar to the secret recipe of one
nasi lemak
 stall which you may prefer to others. You might be able to find out what the ingredients are, but the quantity used and the cooking process makes the difference.

This is how BHPetrol Infiniti Euro5 Diesel, the first brand of Euro5 diesel in Malaysia, is differentiated from other diesel products in the market. It has a unique and advanced package of additives that provide motorists with benefits that keep their engine operating at full efficiency.

BHPetrol Infiniti Euro5 Diesel removes both new (Keep Clean) and existing deposits (Clean Up). Even for older diesel engines with indirect injection, BHPetrol’s fuel will be beneficial. It effectively removes deposits that form over time and, if used regularly, maintains engine cleanliness by preventing further deposit build-ups.

When developing the ‘recipe’ for BHPetrol, the additive supplier considered the tough operating requirements, besides the need to conform to Euro5 standards for fuels. For reference, they used an DW10 CEC F 98-08 engine test conducted by an independent laboratory which showed that modern diesel engines running on diesel with no additives would experience 6.2% power loss after about 25 hours of running time.

BHPetrol wanted its Infiniti Euro5 Diesel to provide Full Restoration of power and for carmakers, this means that power loss must be less than 2%. After much experimentation, they developed an additive package which completely removed deposits as a first step and when measured, the full engine power was restored, outperforming the requirements.

For a diesel engine to operate efficiently, the high-pressure fuel injectors must be kept clean so the spray can be fine and complete. This means that the tiny holes must not be clogged up by deposits and Euro5 diesel can help to keep them clean.

BHPetrol Infiniti Euro5 Diesel’s additives have also been chosen to work effectively in modern turbodiesel engines. These engines have extreme temperature pressures which form hard-to-remove deposits. When deposits start to form, they gradually clog up the fuel injectors which have very tiny openings. As they clog up, the fuel spray pattern is altered and optimum fuel delivery is compromised leading to poorer fuel economy and power loss.

The long-term benefit of vehicles using BHPetrol Infiniti Euro5 Diesel is that the air quality will not worsen and can improve over time. This is because the Euro5 standard allows no more than 10ppm (parts per million) of sulphur compared to 500ppm for Euro2M. It is therefore a much cleaner fuel which produces lower emissions for a cleaner environment. As a significantly higher grade diesel, it also extends engine life and improves fuel efficiency.

Additionally, the Euro5 standard also sets limits on particulate matter (PM). This is the black soot that is visible from diesel engines that pollutes the environment. Under the Euro2 standard, the PM level was set at 100 mg/km but to meet Euro5, it must not be more than 5 mg/km, or 20 times less. The significant reduction required is achieved by the use of a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) which can capture up to 95% of the PM generated by the engine.

In addition to environmental and health issues, the sulphur in the fuel also contributes to increased acid levels in the engine that can cause damage to engine and emission control systems. The presence of sulphur in the engine exhaust gases limits the effectiveness of many exhaust after-treatment technologies, resulting in higher emissions of other pollutants.

Sulphur, like lead (banned from fuel), has long been used for lubricity, to reduce the friction between the moving parts inside an engine. Lowering friction is important for fuel efficiency as well as reducing damage to the parts. If the sulphur was reduced without compensation, then the efficiency of the engine would become worse. Fortunately, there are various additives which are available which can also improve on the lubricity so that efficiency is maintained or even improved.

With BHPetrol fuels, the advanced package of German additives includes such components that enhance lubricity. These advanced additives have been proven to provide not just a good balance of performance and fuel economy but also enable better mileage. This is achieved through various factors such as reduction of internal friction and more effective cleansing and prevention of deposit formation.

Models like the Mazda CX-5 2.2D will run at their best with Euro5 diesel.

If you own a vehicle with a diesel engine, BHPetrol Infiniti Euro5 Diesel would be the right choice. It’s available in both B7 and B10 biodiesel grades to cover almost every type of diesel engine in the market. To locate a BHPetrol station, visit
www.bhpetrol.com.my
.

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


Belgium’s 56-year old Ypres Rally finally included in World Rally Championship

Belgium will become the 35
th
 country to host a round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) when the 2021 Ypres Rally Belgium is run. This should have happened last year but the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the 8
th
 round of the 2021 WRC and will take place next week (August 13 – 15).

Rally started in 1965

The Ypres Rally is not new and was in fact first run in 1965, 8 years before today’s WRC began. The event started one year after the town’s historic Market Square was chosen as a location for a time control during a Rallye Monte-Carlo concentration run. Since then, it has grown in stature, being a round of the European Rally Championship.

It is an asphalt rally and driving precision is a vital ingredient for a success. The farmland roads around Ypres are narrow and twisty, with many tight junctions. Brake too late or push too hard and a diversion into one of the many drainage ditches is often the result.

Corner ‘cutting’ is also commonplace, which results in mud and other debris being dragged onto the road. In the event of rain – a constant menace – an extremely slippery surface is created with the challenge multiplied on cobblestone sections.

New to most competitors

As well as being a new addition to the WRC calendar, Ypres Rally Belgium is new for many of the World Rally Car competitors. Only Thierry Neuville (who is from Belgium) and Craig Been have competed in Ypres before. Having won in 2018 and 2019 respectively, the Hyundai team-mates will be expected to set the pace when the 20-stage event begins.

“I’m really looking forward to Ypres. It hasn’t been in the WRC before but it’s a really legendary event that everybody in rallying knows about. In the test, we could already see that the conditions are tricky. Normally, the drivers are taking really big cuts and there is a lot of mud and dirt on the road, so the conditions can be really demanding and changeable,” said
Kalle Rovanpera, winner of the last round in Estonia
. “One of the key points going there for the first time will be to know where the grip is and to see how we can include that information in our pacenotes.”

Current WRC positions

The current positions in the WRC have TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s Sebastien Ogier topping the chart. Having won 4 of the 7  rounds this year, the Frenchman has a 37-point over team-mate Elfyn Evans, with Neuville 15 points further back. Ogier is set to benefit from running at the front on the first pass through Friday’s sealed-surface stages, which are expected to be in a clean state.

With the WRC2 championship top five either not competing in Ypres or not eligible for points, several rivals have the opportunity to make up lost ground in the title chase. They include Nikolay Gryazin, who was a competitor in the ERC Junior Championship when he made his one and only Ypres start to date in 2016, plus Jari Huttunen and Oliver Solberg. The Nordic pair will be giving the Hyundai i20 N Rally2 its competition debut.

In WRC3, which has attracted 19 entries, Frenchman Yohan Rossel will be aiming to extend his lead at the top of the standings but faces strong opposition from a number of leading local drivers, many of whom have extensive Ypres knowledge. Among them are former Ypres winner Pieter Tsjoen, whose last WRC appearance was as a co-driver in Rallye Monte-Carlo in January, Belgian champion Adrian Fernémont and current Belgian championship leader Ghislain de Mevius.

The route

Located in the Flanders region of northwest Belgium, legs one and two follow ultra-compact routes north and south of Ypres respectively and comprise tight and twisty farmland roads lined by drainage ditches and telegraph poles. Following morning Shakedown, 8 stages – including the classic Kemmelberg complete with a cobblestone climb – are scheduled on Friday from early afternoon until late evening. Hollebeke, the rally’s longest stage at 25.86 kilometres, is run twice on Saturday August 14, while Dikkebus and Watou are among the Ypres favourites to also feature on day two.

The deciding leg on Sunday is all-new and located some 300 kms to the east with roads in and around the famous Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, home of the Belgian F1 Grand Prix, providing the challenge. While they are more flowing in nature, they are not to be underestimated.

New Rally1 category with hybrid technology for World Rally Championship in 2022


F1/Round 6: Results and Highlights of 2022 Spanish Grand Prix

The high temperatures caused much concern as race preparations started, the heat growing quickly and even the drivers needing to stay hydrated. Pirelli engineers were warning of tyre degradation and teams were figuring out how their drivers should manage the tyres and how many stops would work. All the drivers chose to start on softs, except Mercedes-AMG’s Lewis Hamilton who had medium compound tyres on his car.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc got off to a good clean start from his pole position, outrunning Red Bulls’ Max Verstappen to the first turn. However, Leclerc’s team mate, Carlos Sainz did not get a good start and the fumble allowed the other Red Bull, Sergio Perez to slip into third place.

Hamilton must have been counting on the tyres to help him get off the line fast and as he raced up to Sainz, the Spaniard suddenly pulled ahead and the Mercedes-AMG driver had to manoeuvre away. Problem was, Haas F1’s Kevin Magnussen was nearby and brushed into Hamilton’s car before heading into the gravel. But he managed to get back onto the track although Hamilton had a puncture and had to quickly get back to the pits. And that excitement was in just the second lap.

Hamilton’s car was then fitted with soft tyres and when he rejoined he was way down the field. There would be a lot of work ahead, and uncertainty as to how the Stewards would judge the incident with Magnussen. But his team mate, George Russell was doing great, having taken second by lap 10. He had gotten past Sainz who spun into the gravel, and was followed by Verstappen too. So the young British driver had two angry bulls coming after him as he chased after Leclerc who was 10 seconds ahead.

Verstappen passed Perez to go after Russell but on lap 14, Russell and Verstappen came into the pits and took on medium tyres. Both teams have skilled pit crews and got quick stops, with Russell able to get off faster. However, Verstappen had a frustrating problem which was that the DRS flap on his car could not open properly.

Lap 19 saw Perez coming in for mediums and when he rejoined, he was in fourth. With fresher tyres though, he would have more confidence to push harder if necessary but Verstappen was 7 seconds ahead at that time.

16 seconds behind Perez was Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas in fifth. He was not yet hassled by BWT Alpine’s Esteban Ocon who was busy trying to stay ahead of Sainz. Hamilton was way back in 16th, struggling to get through traffic. Even to get past Alfa Romeo’s Zhou GuanYu proved difficult as the Chinese driver managed to stay out of reach.

Leclerc was about 8 seconds ahead of Russell when he came in on lap 22 for his first stop. It took just 2.2 seconds from top to go again and when he rejoined, he still had a 5-second gap from the Mercedes-AMG driver. Russell was doing his best to keep his second place with Verstappen trying everything to get past. On lap 26, seeing how his angry team mate was struggling to overtake the Mercedes-AMG, Perez radioed to the team to ask Verstappen to back off and let him go after Russell instead.

And on the next lap, disaster struck the leader who was 12 seconds ahead… Leclerc’s car visibly slowed down and seemed to have lost power. He managed to get back to the pits but did not come out again, and his leading position was taken over by Russell. It was Leclerc’s first retirement of the season.

Since Perez wanted a go at Russell, Verstappen decided to go into the pits, switching from the mediums to softs. The Mexican Red Bull was eager to do battle with the British driver who was less than a second away.

With temperatures hitting almost 40 degrees C., many cars were coming in for tyre changes. With half the race completed, the Stewards informed Pierre Gasly’s Scuderia Alphatauri team that he was given a time penalty for an earlier collision with Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll. On the same lap, Zhou had to retire again, the second time in a row.

Russell put up a good fight but on lap 33, Perez outsmarted him and took over the lead. Now the Mercedes-AMG driver had to watch for Verstappen who was closing in from 6 seconds away. By then, Hamilton had moved up to sixth but some 44 seconds behind Verstappen.

Russell came in on lap 37 for new tyres and rejoined in third. Right after, Perez also came in which let Verstappen take over the lead. Russell was comfortably ahead of Bottas so he could concentrate on regaining his position. For the Dutchman though, the lead was unlikely to last till the end as his soft tyres were already 13 laps old.

On lap 43, drivers who were comfortably in points-collecting positions were Oc0n, McLaren’s Lando Norris, and BWT Alpine’s Fernando Alonso. Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel was also in the top 10 but when he dropped out for tyres, he rejoined down in 14th and that allowed Scuderia Alphatauri’s Yuki Tsunoda to move into 10th and get at least 1 point (if he could stay there till the end).

On lap 45, Verstappen finally came in to get the mediums; after 2.4 seconds of standing still, he rejoined and got in just ahead of Russell so it was 1-2 for the Red Bulls. Russell was 10 seconds behind, reasonably safe from Bottas who was 14 seconds away. He would get on the podium but which step would depend on whether the Red Bulls would get their bad luck again. Verstappen certainly wanted to win as it would then move him into the championship lead.

The gap between the two Red Bulls was less than 2 seconds when team orders came over the radios and Perez was told to move aside and let Verstappen take the lead since has quicker. He mumbled something about it being ‘unfair’ but obeyed the orders nonetheless, as he is expected to.

Russell decided to come in again and get new rubber, which allowed Bottas to move into third position. When the Brit rejoined, he was in fourth and just 3 seconds behind the Alfa Romeo. He had to watch out for Sainz, though, who was not far behind. It took 1 lap for Russell to regain his third position and as he was doing it, Perez also shot into the pits to get new tyres as a precaution in case he had to work harder in the closing stages.

Sainz and Hamilton began duelling on lap 60 and the Mercedes-AMG driver closed in on the main straight, then swept around on the outside to get past into fourth position… quite an impressive recovery from the back. Unlike Red Bull, the Mercedes-AMG team was unlikely to ask Russell to move aside and would instead just be praying that their two cars would make it through the remaining laps and collect a nice set of points.

With 2 laps remaining, Verstappen looked set to take the chequered flag, followed by his dutiful team mate across the line. Russell was also on the way to finish third but then Hamilton’s car had overheating problems and Sainz swept past on the second last lap.

And so it was a 1-2 for Red Bull but not 3-4 for Mercedes-AMG as Sainz took Hamilton’s place. Fortunately, the race ended as Bottas was coming up behind Hamilton.


MID-WEEK FEATURE: 5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Buy The Mercedes-Benz AMG GTC (But Really Should!)

Speechless
. Utterly speechless. Seriously, what could I possibly say or write about in regards to the
Mercedes-Benz AMG GTC
 that would persuade or dissuade you to buy one?
 Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Niente.
 But here I am again, at the wheel of something so automotively audacious that it beggars belief. Granted, I’m fully aware that there are other supercars out there offering similar specs, some even more gratuitous than this, but here’s the caveat; as a
‘complete’
 package, this red monster from
Affalterbach
 is hard to beat…

I had to pinch myself twice when I got the offer from
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM)
 to have this car over the recent CNY break, a grand total of
11 days
. Considering the fact normally we only get regular run-of-the-mill cars for 4 days at most, 11 days with something from MBM’s
Dreamcars

stable was well, a dream come true really. It was almost poetic that the AMG GTC was painted a stark shade of bright red, a very
‘ong’
 (lucky) colour for
Chinese New Year

2019
 indeed.

The videos above already say everything I feel about this car, so instead of telling you why you should buy it in this article, I’m going to highlight
5 points
 on why you
shouldn’t
! Here we go…

Looks: Being an attention grabber ain’t for everyone

While fully aware that looks are indeed
very
 subjective – some still think the
Fiat Multipla
 is a beauty queen – I didn’t meet anyone over the span of 11 days that wasn’t simply
bowled-over
 by the way the AMG GTC comes across. With its short rear-end, and very long front-end (housing an absolute beast, more on it below) the GTC definitely tips its cam-covers to the days of iconic roadsters like the Jaguar E-Type. The formula is simple, but the execution is extraordinarily difficult.

And unlike the aforementioned Jag, the GTC doesn’t suffer the indignity of looking like it’s riding on stilts. This is one of the
widest
 cars I’ve ever tested (check the last photo in the gallery, it almost didn’t fit in my porch) and it sits squat to the road, giving it a very muscular stance. The whole package comes-off brilliantly, and to me the GTCs proportions are spot-on perfect.

So perfect in fact that it received heaps of attention everywhere it went, and sometimes that got a bit lairy because other drivers come
way too close
 to have a better look. And on more than one occasion I actually saw drivers taking photos of this car with their phones while doing 110kmh on the highway; one hand on the wheel, one hand on the smartphone. Highly dangerous because your hands inadvertently steer where you look. So if you want to keep a low-profile in life, this is
not
 the car for you.
Really
.

Specs: 1 Man, 1 Engine

“All show, no go”
 definitely doesn’t apply to the GTC. With
550bhp
and
 680Nm
 of torque from a
4-litre V8 Bi-Turbo
 engine up front sitting right over the axle, this car will sprint to 100kmh faster than it took you to read this sentence. About
3.7sec
 actually, in 4 different ‘selectable’ drive modes. Keep the power on and it’ll see a top-speed of
317kmh
. Being a bona-fide AMG means that one engineer was responsible for this cars’ engine (
Fabian Rou
, take a bow) from the first bolt to the last nut. AMG prides itself on its
“One Man, One Engine”
 credo, and that man’s signature is proudly displayed on the engine cover. Power goes to the rear-wheels via a
7-speed dual-clutch
 auto transmission with steering mounted paddles.

This car is
blindingly
 quick, there’s no other way to put that, and honestly it’s a speeding-ticket waiting to happen because it doesn’t feel like it’s moving while doing legal highway speeds. If you’re not paying attention, 160kmh feels like
eighty
. This is
not
 an exaggeration. That’s how well this car is sorted.

Comfort: What’s that?

Right, so being a strict two-seat roadster, it’s a bit of a given that colossal amounts of interior space are not to be found in the GTC. so if you need that, buy an SUV instead. There are suspension settings to choose from, however, riding on those 19- and 20-inch AMG wheels (which cost more than my whole car) shod with 35-series tyres aren’t going to offer the most plush ride you’ve ever experienced. Don’t forget this is a
supercar
 offering superlative performance, so if you want comfort, buy an S-Class instead. And as can be seen in the video, there’s not much boot-space either. Again, if you need cargo space, buy a truck.

Price: If you have to ask…

More than a million after taxes
. You need a very,
very
 healthy bank account to keep this baby on the road, for not only is its annual road-tax quite a hefty sum, things like those super-grippy
 Michelin Pilot Super Sport
 tyres are going to require replacing quite regularly and those, well, let’s just say you could buy another whole used-car for the price of 4 of
those
. I think it’s very fair to say that if your bank account doesn’t reflect two commas (and the first numeric can’t be anything from 1 to 9) you’d be ill-advised to own this.

Ownership Experience: Can you live with it daily?

Well, let’s get this out of the way right now,
no
, the GTC is not a
daily-driver
 by any stretch of the imagination. This is not the kind of car you buy to trundle to work and back home with. This isn’t even really a
car
 anymore to be perfectly honest, it’s a
statement
. The AMG GTC is something you buy not to fulfill a need, it has been created to satisfy a
want
.

That’s why it’s classified as a
‘Dreamcar’
 by Mercedes-Benz themselves. This is the kind of car you
dream
 of owning someday, to be used for fun – and
 only
 that – especially on weekends, for the occasional Sunday leisure drive, or to attend some glitzy gala event where you step out of it onto a red carpet, lined with red velvet ropes and paparazzi. The rest of the time, this car will be sat at at home, looking absolutely resplendent. The kind of car you look at, admire and quietly say to yourself “Yeah, I
deserve
 this…”. Mercedes-Benz, making dreams come true for over a century. What an
incredible
 car this is. –
Chris Wee.


New 2019 Nissan Serena launched in Japan

The Nissan Serena is Nissan’s best-selling minivan that’s sold all over the world but the folks in Japan has been graced with a new model. The new Nissan Serena comes with a refreshed new look inside and out along with a host of new intelligent safety features as standard. How cool is that?

The Serena has been a favourite for those who are looking for comfortable driving, spacious cabin, and multiple seating configurations to suit their everyday lifestyles. These features have been further amplified with the addition of several driving performance technologies like the ProPILOT driving assistance system and e-POWER.

The Japanese market now can enjoy the new Serena which comes with a new Adaptive LED Headlight System that automatically controls the 12 LED lights in the headlight unit when it detects oncoming traffic via its forward-facing camera. This not only helps other drivers remain safe on the roads by reducing high beam brightness but also illuminate targeted areas for the drivers to see better.

Another key component of the new Serena’s safety technology is the addition of Nissan Intelligent Mobility which now comes as a standard feature across the entire model range. This new addition helps with providing safety monitoring from the front, side and rear for better safety and manoeuvrability.

This includes:

Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention

Blind Spot Warning

Rear Cross Traffic Alert

Emergency Assist for Pedal Misapplication

As for the newly added ProPILOT driving assistance system, the new Nissan Serena offer greater vehicle controllability, especially when drivers are fatigued or stressed on the roads. It helps by optimizing speed control, braking in various conditions, and providing a comfortable and relaxing driving experience.

As for the design, the new Serena features a refreshed façade with the company’s signature double-V motion design which is recognisable via its updated headlights and bold chrome grille. Sharper accents with an integrated chin spoiler give it a sharper and more modern look.

The Highway STAR variants come with a more aggressive feature thanks to its lower updated bumper, exclusive rear taillights, and a redesigned rear bumper. As for the e-POWER variant, customers can enjoy 16-inch exclusive aluminium wheels.

Nissan continues to offer the Serena in two-wheel- and four-wheel-drive configurations. Gasoline-powered models come equipped with either the existing 2.0-liter MR20DD engine; or the MR20DD-SM24 powertrain for S-HYBRID models.

An HR12DE-EM57 e-POWER power plant, which includes a small gasoline engine that charges a battery pack, is also available for 7-passenger models. The 100% electric drive e-POWER system delivers powerful acceleration and a quieter cabin experience during vehicle operation.

Other features include:

Intelligent Rear-view Mirror

One touch auto-slide door

Third row auto slide switch

Hands-free auto sliding doors

This new model only refers to the one for the Japanese domestic market and the features may not necessarily be available in the version for the Malaysian market. To know more about the Malaysian Nissan Serena S-HYBRID version which also has advanced safety technologies, visit
www.nissan.com.my
.


SDAC Announces Ford Ranger Raptor & Mustang To Star @ KLIMS 2018!

Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC)
, the sole distributor of
Ford
 in Malaysia announced its participation in this year’s Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2018 which will take place from
23 November 2018 until 2 December 2018
 at the
Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC)
. The show will see the official launch of Ford’s most anticipated vehicle of the year, the Ranger Raptor – the first and only factory-built, high-speed off-road performance truck. Combining the Ranger’s
‘Built Ford Tough’
 character with Ford Performance DNA, the Ranger Raptor sets a new benchmark in off-road capability and opens up a new premium pickup segment.

Alongside the
Ranger Raptor
(below), Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) will also unveil the New
Mustang
 (above) exclusively to visitors, the only unit flown into Malaysia on air freight, and will be showcased specifically for the 10-day show.

The SDAC-Ford stand will focus on delivering an immersive customer experience journey through interactive technology. It will enable visitors to engage with the brand through socially shareable content. Interactive experiences include the Virtual Reality Test Drive which educates visitors on Ford’s safety technologies, while the Augmented Reality Experience transports drivers to the various terrains the Raptor is able to overcome through its Terrain Management System (TMS).

Another highlight will be the Self-Guide Audio Tour, where visitors will be able to tour the stand at their own pace with a fully narrated audio guide headset. This “personal tour guide” will inform visitors on the stand’s design concept, educate visitors on the vehicles on display and promotions and happenings.

Visitors who make a vehicle booking of the New Ranger and New Mustang at the 10-day show will stand a chance to grab cash vouchers in a wind tunnel machine. The first 888 customers who register their new Ford Ranger will each receive an electrical goods voucher worth RM1,000
1
. Customers who purchase any new Ford Ranger variant will also be in the running to win a Ranger Raptor under the ‘Buy A New Ford Ranger, Win A Ranger Raptor’ Contest
1
. On top of that, Sime Darby Auto Connexion will be offering new Ranger including New Ranger Raptor customers up to 2 years free maintenance or up to 40,000km for customers who successfully register their vehicle before 31 January 2019, whichever comes first
1
.

The SDAC-Ford stand (No.1009) is located at
Hall 2, Level 1 of the MITEC
 and is open to the public from 10am to 10pm on weekends, and 11am to 10pm on weekdays from November 23 until December 2. For more information and ticketing info, visit
www.klims.com.my
.


BMW M4 ///M Heritage Edition to make debut in mid-September

An exclusive new BMW M4 ///M Heritage Edition will make its world debut on the legendary racetrack in the Eifel, a low mountainous region in western Germany, on 13 September. Based on the M4 DTM developed by BMW M Motorsport, the special edition of the M4 Coupe has an exterior replicating the colours of the BMW M GmbH logo.

Characteristic colours of the legendary racing cars

Immediately after the founding of the BMW’s high-performance subsidiary in 1972, the characteristic colours already adorned these racing cars, which were based on the 3.0 CSL and became highly successful in touring car racing.

The BMW 3.0 CSL which, in the 1970s, gained sporting fame and fortune as a successful touring car.

The M4 Edition///M Heritage takes up this unmistakable colour combination on unique exterior and interior design features. There is a choice of the three body colours – Laguna Seca Blue, Velvet Blue metallic and Imola Red available for the limited edition model.

Furthermore, the two-seater’s carbonfibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof boasts a striking decorative strip in the BMW M colours, which is integrated into the CFRP composite at the factory using a special manufacturing process. Likewise unique are the forged, 20-inch M light alloy wheels in a star spoke design finished in Orbit Grey matt and fitted with mixed tyres.

Exclusive colours and materials within

The interior is also characterised by an exclusive selection of colours and materials. The spectrum of equipment includes model-specific full leather M seats in a bicolour design and with prominent openings within the area of the seatbacks. Each seat colour is oriented towards the exterior paint and is complemented by partly bicoloured contrast stitching.

In conjunction with the exterior colours Laguna Seca Blue and Velvet Blue metallic, the seats come in Silverstone/Black with turquoise stitching or Velvet Blue and Orange respectively. With the exterior finish Imola Red, the seat colours Red and Black correspond with yellow and red contrast stitching.

There are interior carbon trim strips designed exclusively for the M4 Edition ///M Heritage and whose CFRP structure incorporates the stripe design featuring the three characteristic M colours. Both the interior trim strips and the door sills bear emblems with the imprints “Edition ///M Heritage” and “1/750” as an indication of the limited edition of this model. The lettering “///M Heritage” – in turquoise, orange or red respectively – is also to be found on the front headrests.

Only 750 units to be offered worldwide

Powered by a 450 bhp/550 Nm straight 6-cylinder engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology, the M4 Edition ///M Heritage will be produced and sold worldwide between November 2019 and April 2020. Only 750 units will be available.

Click here for other news and articles about BMW on PISTON.MY


2020 new vehicle sales – the Top 5 brands in Malaysia

To know more, visit
www.bhpetrol.com.my
.

The Total Industry Volume (TIV) for 2020 was expected to be lower than the 604,281 units recorded in 2019 and in the first half of the year, many would have expected it to be significantly lower. However, with the consistently high numbers in the second half of the year, the TIV closed at 529,434 units, 12% lower than 2019 but well past the forecast of 470,000 made by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

When the year had started, the MAA had actually forecast 607,000 units for the year, but revised it substantially downwards by 23% as the seriousness of the pandemic and its impact on the industry became clear. The nationwide shutdown naturally resulted in lost sales, with April seeing the most dramatic drop to virtually zero as no business could be conducted.

Proton sales rose in 2020 and its overall market share went above 20% for the first time since 2013.

When the commercial sector was progressively allowed to resume, there was some consumer hesitance but then the government came out with its PENJANA program to help the economy recover and  for the auto industry, the help was in the form of sales tax exemption for 6 months (extended a further 6 months until June 2021). This would lower retail prices and Malaysians always love it when they can escape paying tax, of course. The exemption applied to both locally-assembled and CBU models, except that the exemption for the latter was half and not the full 10%. Still, it made a difference, especially for the expensive models that are mostly CBU anyway.

Proton sales increased

It was expected that the sales volumes would be lower in 2020 but Proton didn’t suffer such a decline. The carmaker already had a healthy order bank and during the year, total vehicle deliveries were 8,524 units higher than in 2019, finishing off at 108,524 units. The volume was an increase of 8.8% over the 100,821 units sold in 2019.

Perodua, in spite of a big backlog of orders, still saw a reduction in volume of 20,178 units, 8.4% lower than the 240,341 units delivered in 2019. But it still retained the No. 1 position which it has had since 2006.

Among the non-national brands, Honda was in the lead but sold almost 25,000 fewer vehicles. Next was Toyota which sold 58,501 vehicles, while Nissan reported 14,160 vehicles. For the rest of the brands, the reduction in sales volume amounted to 20,451 units.

Malaysian makes gain in market share

In terms of market share, both Malaysian makes gained at the expense of the main rivals. Reflecting its higher sales, Proton’s share rose to 20.5%, an increase of 3.9%. The last time the carmaker had a share of 20% or more was in 2013 and the years before. Perodua, in spite of less deliveries, saw a 1.8% increase in its share to just above 41%. In most years, its share has been around 30%+.

Optimistic forecast for 2021

For 2021, the MAA is forecasting 570,000 units – an increase of 100,000 units from its 2020 forecast, which is 8% higher than the actual TIV achieved. Strong growth (18%) is expected in the commercial vehicle segment which will continue to require vehicles for the various projects underway around the country. If the pandemic doesn’t worsen, the association and its members expect the high demand to continue into 2022 before settling down to a 3% rate of increase annually.

New vehicle sales in 2020 declined by 12% but exceeded 470,000-unit forecast


Toyota to start selling second generation of Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle in late 2020

Toyota introduced its first commercially-available hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle (FCEV) – the Mirai – in 2014. Technically sophisticated with its advanced technology, the Mirai has served as a catalyst for increasing global awareness of how a future clean and sustainable hydrogen society might be achieved.

Now, 5 years later, after real-world usage and further developments in fuel cell technology, the second generation is due for introduction towards the end of this year. It will be available initially in Japan, North America and Europe.

At the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show,
Toyota provided an early glimpse
 of the advances it is making across the board with the new Mirai, in terms of technical excellence, dynamic performance, and desirable design. Efficiency is still a critical area, and Toyota is targeting a 30% increase in the Mirai’s driving range (around 500 kms with the first generation model) through improvements to the fuel cell system and the use of larger on-board hydrogen tanks.

The new Mirai sits on Toyota’s latest rear wheel drive modular platform (TNGA-based) which has been engineered to accommodate different powertrains – including a hydrogen fuel cell – at the outset. It further gives the new Mirai a higher degree of body rigidity, which contributes to greater agility and responsiveness, and a lower centre of gravity, which makes for nimble, rewarding handling.

There will be three tanks – one long, two short – which together increase the fuel capacity by around one kilogram of hydrogen compared to the current model. As well as extending the potential driving range, improvements in the performance of the fuel cell system give more linear, smooth response when moving off. Handling is also said to be light and easy on winding roads.

First generation of the Mirai. Some 10,000 units have been sold since 2015.

Concept model of second generation which was shown last year.

The big change for the new Mirai’s is its exterior design, with low lines and a sleek, taut bodywork with large, 20-inch diameter wheels that together generate a powerful and distinctive look.

The interior has been conceived as a simple, modern space with a warm, comfortable ambience that adds to the sense this is a car that’s genuinely enjoyable to drive and travel in. Key elements include a 12.3-inch centre display and an instrument panel that wraps around the driver. The platform and intelligent packaging allow for five seats to be provided in place of the current Mirai’s four.

“We have pursued the goal of making a car that customers will feel they want to drive all time, a car that has an emotional and attractive design and the kind of dynamic and responsive performance that can bring a smile to the driver’s face,” said Yoshikazu Tanaka, the new Mirai’s Chief Engineer who also headed the team for the development of the first generation.

“I want customers to say ‘I chose the Mirai not just because it’s an FCEV, but because I simply wanted this car; it just happens to be an FCEV.’ We will continue our development work focusing on that feeling, and we hope that with the new Mirai, we will be a leader in helping realise a hydrogen energy society,” he added.

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


Final tribute to the Beetle in the US market (w/VIDEO)

A year after officially announcing the end of its production, Volkswagen has produced a final tribute to the iconic Beetle. Taking the celebration of life to the world stage, the ‘People’s Car” is honoured in an animated short film entitled ‘
The Last Mile
’. It will debut during ‘
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2020
’ on an American TV station.

The animated film details the story of a boy whose major life events—from childhood to elderly age—are shaped and influenced by the presence of a Beetle. Fans of the classic-bodied car may recognize details of past advertising campaigns as well as pop culture references such as cameos from Kevin Bacon’s character in ‘
Footloose’
 and artist Andy Warhol.

A rendition of ‘
Let it Be
’, the 1970 Beatles song, performed by the Pro Musica Youth Chorus serves as the soundtrack throughout the animation. The film ends with a not-so-subtle wink and nod to Volkswagen’s electrified future.

“The Beetle is easily one of the most recognizable cars in the history of automobiles,” said Saad Chehab, Senior Vice-President, VW brand Marketing. “Honouring it properly required a medium with just as much versatility and universal appeal as the car itself. While we chose the classic Beetle as the star of the animation, additional campaign components in Times Square honour the latter two generations of cars and their place and presence in American culture. We are proud of our past but our eye is on the future – hence our choice of New Year’s Eve to hint at our upcoming long-range EV and the 2020 Atlas Cross Sport.”

The Atlas Sport SUV and the new Volkswagen brand logo.

Complementing the film’s debut during New Year’s Eve festivities in the USA, Volkswagen will adorn New York City’s Times Square with a celebration of films, messages, and hints at its future brand design, including the more modern Volkswagen logo. Utilizing multiple billboards and digital spaces, the future of the brand’s
Drive Bigger
 messaging and images of the 2020 Atlas Cross Sport will be on full display as the clock ticks down to 2020.

Volkswagen unveils a new logo and brand design for new era


Tune Protect launches PAYD benefit – insurance rebates up to 20%!

Tune Insurance Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Tune Protect Malaysia) has launched their latest PAYD benefit which stands for ‘Pay-As-You-Drive’, an opt-in feature to their motor insurance where drivers who drive less get more rewards. It’s a complementary plan for those who choose to be insured under Tune Protect and it won’t affect the car’s No Claim Discount (NCD) whatsoever.

In the pursuit of encouraging drivers to drive less (and those who prefer to take the public transportation or save the environment), Tune Protect’s PAYD benefit will reward registered customers with up to 20% refund on their annual motor insurance premium at the end of the policy period.

According to William Foo, CEO of Tune Protect Malaysia, “As motor insurance is compulsory for every registered vehicle, we would like to encourage low mileage car owners to maximise the value of their insurance coverage with PAYD as they would get to enjoy a refund from the basic premium that is paid at the inception of their motor policy. PAYD targets a relatively untapped car owners’ market by offering them a unique value proposition that is suited to their lifestyle.

Those who are eligible for the new Tune Protect PAYD benefit are:

Private car owners a 28-60 years old

Vehicles aged 0-3 years old

Vehicles that are sum insured between RM40,000 to RM300,000

This particular feature of the Tune Protect Motor insurance is perfect for those who are active in the ‘Park & Ride’ driving community (those who commute to work by bus, LRT, MRT, etc.), ‘second car’ customer segment, as well as city and neighbourhood drivers.

This is a two-tier system where those who drive less than 6,000km in the year can reap the 20% refund benefit on their motor insurance premium at the end of the term. The second tier covers those who drive between 6,000km-8,000km where they will be refunded 15% of the total basic premium paid for the motor insurance under Tune Protect.

Khoo Ai Lin, Group CEO of Tune Protect Group Berhad also added, “In line with one of Tune Protect strategic pillars of leading in product innovation and differentiation, PAYS is the second on-demand and usage-based product that we have launched to the market after Sports+, a Personal Accident (PA) product for extreme sports enthusiasts, which was launched last November.”

For more information, head dover to
www.tuneprotect.com/payd
.
 Get rewarded today (and at the end of the policy term) with Tune Protect PAYD!


Mercedes-Benz EQC goes into production – First all-electric Mercedes

The Mercedes-Benz EQC is finally going into full production mode and orders are beginning to come in for the electric vehicle ahead of its global launch. Produced at the brand’s Bremen plant which is also known as the world’s largest Mercedes production facility, the full-electric SUV is ensured with the highest production standards when it comes to manufacturing and assembly.

According to Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, “With the Mercedes-Benz EQC, we are entering a new era of mobility. It is part of the growing family of all-electric vehicles at Mercedes-Benz and combines brand-defining features such as quality, safety and comfort. We offer our customers progressive design and unique ride comfort – and this with a range absolutely suitable for everyday use.”

The EQC 400 4MATIC will be the electric vehicle pioneer with avant-garde design that is seamless, clean, and full of highlights synonym to the premium vehicle brand. Combined with the ultimate goal of electric mobility and everyday convenience, the EQC will be able to travel up to 470km for every single full charge.

As for pricing, the Mercedes-Benz ‘s first all-electric vehicle will start at €71,281 (around RM331,057) in Germany for the base model. With its effortlessly superior driving impression, high level of acoustic comfort and exciting driving dynamics, the EQC displays all the brand’s hallmark attributes – the Mercedes of electric vehicles.

Hit 315km/h with the 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S


Progress On The JB-Singapore RTS Link Project

Image source: MRT Corp

The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project is developing well, with work on various components such as depots, stations, land lines, and marine lines having achieved 32.42 percent completion.

Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh, chairman of the State Works, Transportation, and Infrastructure Committee, stated that the Johor government is dedicated to ensuring that the high-impact public transportation project is operational by 2026.

“To ensure this project development runs smoothly, a task force was set up on Oct 21, 2020 to help facilitate any matter related to the state government such as land issues and so forth, with PLANMalaysia Johor as its secretariat.

“We expect the project infrastructure to be completed in December 2024 and operational by December 2026. So far we are running on schedule and the project development is closely monitored by the Transport Ministry,” he added.

According to him, the commencement of the service would let Malaysians and Singaporeans travel more easily because the trains can carry up to 10,000 passengers an hour in each direction.

The RTS Link is a four-kilometer shuttle service that connects Malaysia at Bukit Chagar station with Singapore at Woodlands North station.


Sony has developed a second EV and this one’s an SUV

At CES 2020 (the major consumer electronics trade show in Las Vegas), the Sony Group announced that it would be venturing further into the mobility business, with a sleek prototype car called the VISION-S. At that time, though, what it displayed seemed to be a concept car to show off various technologies, which is also done by other electronics companies

However, the company was actually going further with the concept car and began quietly developing it into a running prototype. By CES 2021, it revealed that there was a running prototype and it was being
tested on public roads
 and on a test track in Austria. Engineers also started verification tests of the safety and user experience of the imaging and sensing technology installed inside and outside the vehicle, along with the human-machine interface (HMI) system.

The VISION-S 02 concept (left) joins the original VISION-S 01 prototype.

Second prototype displayed

At CES 2022 this week, Sony has not only provided an update on the progress of the project but is also displaying a second prototype, the VISION-S 02. This has a SUV design as a new form factor and rides on the same EV/cloud platform as the original VISION-S 01 prototype. By offering entertainment experiences utilizing the large interior space and variations of a 7-seater, this new prototype will promote the accommodation of a large variety of lifestyles within a society where values are becoming increasingly diversified.

The VISION-S 02 measures almost 4900 mm long and 1930 mm wide, which is about the size of a Lexus RX300. It has 200 kW electric motors powering the front and rear wheels so there’s all-wheel drive and the claimed top speed is expected to be over 180 km/h.

Advanced sensor system

Electronics are obviously one of Sony’s strengths and it has been developing a sensors system to support the driver. The system recognizes and analyzes the surrounding environment in real-time, using sensors installed to cover all around the vehicle. These sensors include high-sensitivity, high-resolution, wide dynamic range CMOS image sensors and LiDAR sensors that accurately sense 3-dimensional space.

In addition, the system provides intuitive driver interaction in conjunction with the vehicle’s sound system and HMI system, so that the driver can accurately judge the status of the surrounding environment, such as the presence of emergency vehicles, even from inside the vehicle.

Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors are used to provide monitoring functions for driver authentication and to watch over passengers. They also support intuitive gesture and voice commands that are intended to enhance usability of the car interface. Additionally, in order to deliver an environment that suits each user’s preferences, the vehicle will include a new function that allows users to customize the display theme and the acceleration and deceleration sounds of the vehicle.

Vehicle settings, key locks, and user settings can be synchronized by linking the vehicle to the cloud using mobile communication, including 5G communication, which features low-latency, high-capacity, and high-speed capabilities. In addition, since updates are reflected in the vehicle via over the air (OTA), it is possible to provide security and evolve service functions and value-added offerings continuously.

5G connectivity

5G driving tests were also conducted from April 2021, the next-generation network connectivity enabling a continuous connection between the in-vehicle systems and the cloud, in order to synchronize data and control signals, and update the systems OTA (Over The Air).

“Real time mobile communication turns cars into databases on wheels. In our 5G Mobility Lab, the VISION-S Prototype learns to communicate in real time. Together with Sony, we are preparing the first prototype for 5G so that in the future new features can be imported into the car over the air and with a simple software update,” said Hannes Ametsreiter, CEO of Vodafone Germany, which is collaborating with the Japanese company.

Utilizing Sony’s in-house technologies and knowledge of communication technology and security cultivated through the development of smartphones, it has positioned remote operation as an important technology in anticipation of the arrival of the autonomous driving era.

Enriching the mobility entertainment space

The seat speakers, which create a three-dimensional sound field, and the streaming service compatible with ‘360 Reality Audio’ provide an immersive music experience. The high quality would only be expected from Sony, which has a strong reputation in this field.

In addition, to provide a high-quality movie experience, the VISION-S models include the fully integrated digital video service ‘BRAVIA CORE for VISION-S’. The service enables shared or individual video playback on the front panoramic screen and individual rear-seat displays. Further extending the possibilities of in-vehicle entertainment, gaming capabilities have expanded to being able to play PlayStation games through a remote connection to a console at home, in addition to the ability to play streaming games through the cloud.

To make the best use of AI and robotics technologies, Sony will soon establish an operating company called Sony Mobility Inc., through which the company intends to explore entry into the EV market.


The tyres on your car may generate electricity in future!

Our older readers will remember the dynamo which was a small device rotated by the bicycle wheel. As it rotated, sufficient electricity was generated to light up the lamp. That simple idea of using the tyres to indirectly generate electricity is being revived with a new technology being developed by engineers in Japan.

Sumitomo Rubber Industries, together with Professor Hiroshi Tani of Kansai University, have developed the ‘Energy Harvester’ that takes advantage of the build-up of static electricity. Known as ‘frictional charging’, it can produce power efficiently as the tyre turns. However, where the dynamo used a magnet and coil to generate electricity, the Energy Harvester has a much more sophisticated approach.

Inside are two layers of rubber each covered in an electrode, along with a negatively-charged film that interfaces with a positively-charged film. When fixed to the inside of a conventional tyre carcass, it generates electricity as the tyre deforms during each rotation.

Eliminate reliance on car’s battery

The engineers believe the Energy Harvester could lead to practical applications as a power source for sensors used in Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems and other small automotive devices without drawing on electricity from the vehicle’s battery or electrical system.

The Energy Harvester is being developed as part of Sumitomo’s R&D programme to come up with technologies that target improvements in safety and environmental performance. The research project has now been selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency as a Type FS Seed Project under A-STEP (Adaptable and Seamless Technology Transfer Program through Target-Driven R&D). Sumitomo Rubber Industries will now advance this research with support from the Japan Science and Technology Agency.


Independent Studies Find Subaru BRZ And Toyota GR86 To Have Major Oil-Pressure Issues

Toyota warranty issues have revealed at least two engine failures in the
GR86
 sports car, which is related to the Subaru BRZ and is powered by the Subaru FA24D four-cylinder engine. Owners have reported potential problems with the car’s lubricating system, and at least one has opted to investigate more.

Brian Armstrong, the owner of a 2022 Subaru BRZ, claims to know three different people who have blown their cars’ FA24 engines on track, which prompted him to conduct this testing.

Armstrong fitted up two oil pressure sensors with data-logging capability to his and another’s vehicle in separate positions on the engine to try to pinpoint a potential problem. This data can be overlaid with engine RPM and other information when connected to the vehicle’s CAN bus.

The three cars were tested on the same day at Thunderhill Raceway Park in Willows, California, with the majority of the analysis taking place on the Thunderhill West section of the track. In addition to the two new FA24D-equipped cars, an older FA20-powered Subaru BRZ was tested as a control reference.

Armstrong’s testing of new FA24D-powered cars reveals regular reductions in oil pressure around hard right-hand corners, especially when turning in quickly or changing elevation. Slower, less aggressive right-hand turns do not appear to generate any declines. A pressure drop from 62 psi to 28 psi is recorded near Turn 5 on Thunderhill East, which is a huge 15kgs of pressure at high RPM.

Elevation changes combined with right-hand turns appear to be especially difficult for the vehicle’s lubricating system to keep up with, as the pressure reduction remains for some time in these cases.

Armstrong noted that these pressure drops are significant enough to cause bearing damage, even if not an immediate failure.

Similar problems seem to exist with the older FA20-equipped BRZ when making right turns, though not to the same degree as their larger 2.4-litre cousin. On the 2017 model, there are occasional brief downward spikes, but nothing as frequent or significant as in the newer models.

The other Toyota tested in the video had its pan dropped to inspect for room temperature vulcanizing (RTV), the sealant that has been identified as a potential failure spot, but Armstrong’s car hasn’t. Although Armstrong claims the new rubber is not as grippy as what is available on the car from the factory, both cars have new tyres and modestly adjusted suspensions. Oil coolers are the only significant lubricating system change made to both vehicles.

Only one BRZ and one new GR86 are included in the testing of new cars. Before anyone makes any damning conclusions, further study under various circumstances needs to be conducted. Though, the fact that an inexperienced driver was able to duplicate the results so easily is notable. The testing was carried out on the same day on the same track with the same equipment, and the specifications of the two cars are remarkably similar.

What Armstrong is demonstrating here may not be a smoking gun, but it’s a very strong hint that the FA24D’s lubrication system may have issues when travelling at high speeds and that RTV-related obstructions or constraints may make matters worse if the engine is already oil-starved.

To perhaps stop some of these oil pressure decreases, Armstrong intends to continue testing his car using aftermarket parts.

Armstrong is clear in his recommendations to owners. Check that your oil level is correct, install an oil cooler if you’re experiencing high temperatures, and take the pan into consideration as well. A heavier-weight oil could also be beneficial, at least on the track.

A publication has reached out to Toyota and Subaru for comment on Armstrong’s findings but has yet to hear back from either.

It is not immediately clear if Malaysian cars are affected, but we would be careful during track days.


Proton Introduces Updated Persona 1.6 To The Media!

It’s here!
 From its beginnings in 2007, the effervescent
Proton Persona
 has received a major facelift, but not only that, it’s also had a total of
303 improvements
 from the previous model. Most notably the
“Infinite Weave”
 and
“Ethereal Bow”
 design cues from the
Proton X70
 have now also been added to this Persona FL.

Available in 4 variants all utilising the same
1.6-litre engine
, 3 of the 4 variants are mated to a
CVT
 gearbox, however, one variant will be offered with a
5-speed manual
 transmission. Which of course begs the question, will this powertrain see its way into the
Proton Iriz
? Don’t forget during the media preview of the latter, it was noted that the “R” in Iriz was larger and painted red, clearly signifying for something a lot more sporty to come… You can read more about the FL Iriz in this
link here
.

As far as features are concerned, the 2019 Persona is loaded to the g(r)illes with kit, for example, in the top of the line model, GKUI or voice-command is now standard equipment, and across the range, both active and passive safety systems are very admirable, for example, all variants are equipped with
ABS, Traction Control, Electronic Stability Control, and Brake Assist &
EBD
, not to mention
Hill-Hold Assist
 and a
Reverse Camera
with
 all-round parking sensors
. Passive safety wise,
all variants get 6-Airbags
. This has warranted the 2019 Persona to receive a full
5-Star Asean NCAP Safety Rating
.

The Official 2019 Proton Persona Press Release will be in the next installment, so stay tuned!

2019 Proton Persona Photo Gallery…


Fuel Price Updates For April 15 – April 21, 2021


HardKhor Motorsports Feature: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) 200th race

HardKhor Motorsports, our contributor, explains how two events – at Sepang and at Le Mans – are related and why this is important to him personally and to many Malaysians in motorsports.

Let me take you back over 30 years to 1986 in Germany where Porsche launched its Carrera Race Series for the Type 951 which was the 944 Turbo. By 1989, the 944 model was at the end of its model life and Porsche decided to go with the Type 964 Carrera 2.

The 911-based racing car debuted in 1990… and thus began the most successful and longest running one make/model racing series ever… adding very much to Porsche’s stunning 60 years of racing and more than 30,000 victories the world over!!

France introduced the Porsche Carrera Cup in 1987, Japan in 2001, and in 2003, the UK, Australia and Asia joined in. Today, there are 25 countries and regions running their own Carrera Cup Series.

Porsche Carrera Cup Asia begins in 2003….

Porsche Malaysia started out in 2000 as AutoEurokars and owned by Tan Sri Dato’ Mokhzani Mahathir, with the introduction of type 996, the first water-cooled 911.

The Carrera Cup racing version based on the 996 GT3 road car was introduced in 2003 and AutoEurokars brought EKS Motorsports (based in Sunway, Selangor) in as the technical services team for the PCCA Race Series. This series originally was based on the Arrive & Drive concept as logistics & technical/team management service were all taken care of by EKS and Porsche Asia Pacific.

AutoEurokar’s Jaseri Racing Team entered a car in the first season of PCCA. I was the team manager and we also prepared the Porsche for the first 12-Hour Merdeka Millennium race. We would enter this iconic endurance event for the next 10 years in various 911 GT3 Cup & RSR versions and we always had a helping hand with technicians seconded from EKS Motorsports.

Porsche Carrera Cup Asia in 2019…

16 years have passed since PCCA began here in Asia and EKS Motorsports is still the technical services support group for the series. Meanwhile, many Malaysian and Malaysian-based drivers have come and gone in the PCCA but one name stands out: Earl Bamber (pictured below).

Bamber lives in Kuala Lumpur and during the 2013-14 season, he raced in the PCCA with Team Nexus Infinity owned by Malaysian Adrian DeSilva and then for the LKM Team run by Malaysia-based Arrows Racing, winning two PCCA titles along the way.

2015 saw Bamber recruited as a Porsche works driver and he went on to win the Le Mans 24-Hours
twice
 (in 2015 and 17) in the LMP1 Porsche 919 Hybrid.

Last Saturday celebrated the PCCA’s 200th race and Adrian DeSilva returned to the series in the Pro-Am class. He was joined just for the weekend by Timothy Yeo.

So you can now understand why Porsche and the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Series is closely tied to Malaysia, Malaysians and Malaysian teams involved with motorsports.


BMW Group Malaysia and Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia offer support for flood-damaged vehicle repairs

Volkswagen offers discount, interest-free repayment

Owners of Volkswagen vehicles who have had their vehicles damaged by the floods will be pleased to know that if they use authorized Volkswagen service dealerships, they can get 30% off parts and labour for repair works. This offer is available from now
until February 28, 2022
. Owners are encouraged to download the new Volkswagen Cares app (Apple App Store/Google Play Store) to redeem the flood relief support voucher. Terms and conditions apply.

To further alleviate the financial burden that many may be facing, there is also an easy payment plan where owners have the option to spread out their bill over 6 or 12 months with no interest charged (terms and conditions apply).

“All of us at Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia are deeply saddened by the flash floods that struck Malaysia over the weekend. Our thoughts are with those who are impacted and are facing loss and damages in the aftermath. We hope that our assistance will help to relieve the burden of our owners during this difficult time,” said the company’s Managing Director, Erik Winter.

BMW Group Malaysia offers reductions and rebates

BMW Group Malaysia is also offering support to its customers with up to a 20% reduction on parts repair for BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad owners affected by the flood over the weekend. Authorized dealerships will also provide an RM300 rebate on the towing cost for affected owners. The reduction and rebates are valid
until January 31, 2022
.

“Following the flood cases that have been reported in various states in the country, we remain committed to deliver peace of mind for our customers throughout their ownership experience, even during this challenging time. To this end, BMW Group Malaysia and our network of dealers stand ready to provide our customers with the needed support when it comes to their vehicles,” said Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia.

To obtain support, owners can contact their preferred authorized dealership or contact the BMW Roadside Assistance for more information. Alternatively, they may also contact the Customer Interaction Centre at
1 800 88 3000
.


Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer, now available with turbocharging too

The Porsche 911 which was launched in 1964 remains one of the classic sportscars of all time, with its original concepts maintained (apart from air-cooling) to this day. It is obviously a collector’s item and much sought after and for those who want find one, there’s now an option from California-based Singer Group – the Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer – Turbo Study.

First restoration with turbocharging

While Singer has been offering reimagined 911s for the past 13 years, this is the first road-going one with turbocharging. The Turbo Study is a response to requests from owners for restoration services that incorporate turbocharging. More than 70 owners have reserved bespoke restorations enabled by the study.

As with all Singer’s restoration services in collaboration with owners of the 911, the Turbo Study takes the Type 964 generation (produced between 1989 – 1993) of air-cooled cars as its starting point. The study features a new evolution of the ‘Mezger’ air-cooled flat-six. Now in 3.8-litre form, the engine has twin turbochargers with electric wastegates. Bespoke air-to-water intercoolers are mounted inside the intake plenums.

The ‘shark fin’ on the rear fender is reimagined as an intake and supplies cold air to the engine bay to optimize combustion and cooling performance. The use of forced induction enables power outputs starting at 450 bhp. The availability of turbocharged torque allows for effortless speed-matching on hilly terrain to flat autobahn, together with deep reserves of overtaking ability. A higher power output may also be specified by the owner, with a more overtly sporting focus provided by a sports exhaust system and appropriate damping characteristics.

AWD or RWD

The study draws on all-wheel-drive experience that has been developed in-house since the first AWD Classic Study restoration, undertaken in 2014. In recent years, this experience has been brought together with research into turbocharging and high-performance ride and damping expertise. Customers can specify rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive for the Turbo Study.

An owner may decide to specify the AWD configuration to enhance sure-footed deployment of power and torque in all seasons and surface conditions. The RWD configuration allows owners to pursue an alternative sporting focus, if preferred. In both cases, an optimized 6-speed manual transmission underlines the driver engagement that Singer is renowned for.

Advanced materials for bodywork

A bespoke carbonfibre body maintains the careful balancing of iconic DNA with cutting-edge engineering and material science. While inspired by the turbo cars of the mid-1970s, the bodywork is reimagined to optimize aesthetic and functional performance. As always, the use of carbonfibre allows reduced mass and enhanced stiffness, further sharpening dynamic responses.

The car in Wolf Blue shown in the pictures is actually a customer’s car, customized using the results of the Turbo Study to reflect a personal vision. This owner has pursued a focus on high-performance, luxury grand touring capabilities. The interior has a Malibu Sand theme with Black Forest wood accents.

Singer Vehicle Design All-terrain Competition Study (ACS)


F1 (Round 17): Preview & Starting Grid For 2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Race starts at 5:10 pm in Abu Dhabi/9:10 pm in Malaysia

It has been a challenging year for the Formula 1 World Championship with the first half the year seeing suspension of activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And once things improved and countries were willing to allow some events to run – with strict conditions – a revised calendar events was quickly drawn up. Some new tracks found to make up the venue numbers and, in some cases, two races were run at the same circuit over 2 consecutive weekends. This enabled the championship to have 17 rounds, starting in July and ending this weekend in Abu Dhabi.

The championship has not been without memorable moments, with Romain Grojean’s accident at the Sakhir Circuit in Bahrain being the most shocking. But fortunately, the many safety measures that had been devised over the years worked and helped prevent loss of life.

Lewis Hamilton will race

And then there was the episode of Lewis Hamilton, already confirmed as the 2020 World Champion, testing positive for COVID-19 and having to go into self-isolation. This resulted in him missing the second race in Bahrain, with his place taken by George Russell who was released from the Williams Racing team to drive for the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS team in Hamilton’s car.

George Russell is back to driving his FW43 with Williams Racing, while Lewis Hamilton recovers in time for the final round tomorrow.

Russell put in a fine performance, even getting ahead of team mate Valtteri Bottas. But a big mix-up of tyre-changing and then a puncture prevented Russell from what might have been victory or at least a podium finish. It was a huge disappointment to everyone, with the team being fined as well for the wrong fitment of tyres.

Hamilton was tested again this week and returned negative results and was permitted to leave Bahrain and enter Abu Dhabi, just an hour-plus away by air. He was pronounced fit enough to drive and so Russell returned to his team to race this weekend at the final round.

4,700 lights for evening race

This is the twelfth time since 2009 that the Yas Marina Circuit has been used for a F1 round, usually the season finale. It starts at 5:10 pm and the 55-lap race continues into twilight when 4,700 lights come on to provide illumination around the 5.554-km track.

The teams are obviously familiar with the circuit and how to set up for it. They have also come to understand how to make compensations for the differences in track temperatures that are higher during the early practices but cooler for qualifying and the race which occurs in the evening.

Low abrasion on circuit

Traction demands are high and abrasion is not, especially as there are no support races this year. Overtaking becomes more difficult as the race progresses, because the softer tyres – Pirelli will bring the three softest compounds to Abu Dhabi – produce a lot of marbles. This means there is a big loss of grip when running off the racing line.

There are 7 braking events at the Yas Marina Circuit and 2 of those are classified as ‘heavy’ (meaning the driver is braking for 0.4 seconds or longer, with 4
g
 or more). It punishes the brakes, but the long straights allow them to cool, keeping temperatures at bay – unlike tracks such as Budapest where a relentless run of corners and lack of long straights make it difficult to cool the brakes.

The pit lane is the only one in F1 to feature a tunnel, with drivers passing under the circuit at the pit exit, in order for cars to rejoin on the left-hand side of Turn 2. Because the drivers are fed back onto the track during a corner, it can prove tricky to see other cars.

The championship battle

With 5 victories at this circuit since 2011, Lewis Hamilton has won the most times. Sebastian Vettel is second with 3 wins to his name. Mercedes-engined cars have won 7 times in 12 years, while Renault-engined cars have won 3 times.

While the crowns for the Drivers and Constructors titles have already been confirmed, there is still a great deal at stake in this final race of 2020. Max Verstappen is 16 points behind Bottas and could still finish off second in the championship.

While Red Bull Racing (to become Aston Martin Red Bull Racing in 2021) is secure in runner-up position, the order for third, fourth and fifth places remains undecided and will be fought between BWT Racing Point, McLaren and Renault.


Free private vehicle inspections by PUSPAKOM from January 11 – 21, 2020

During the 25 years that PUSPAKOM Sdn Bhd has been operating its vehicle inspection services, the company has frequently upheld its corporate social responsibility by helping vehicle owners and drivers ensure their vehicles are safely on the road. This year, it is again having its #drivesafenoregrets Voluntary Vehicle Inspection campaign for all private vehicle owners.

This campaign is in conjunction with the coming Chinese New Year and the inspection will be conducted at no charge. It will run for 11 days from January 11 to January 21, 2020 at all PUSPAKOM Vehicle Inspection Centres (except in Shah Alam and Pasir Gudang which are exclusively for heavy vehicles) during operating hours.

In addition to the services available at its centres nationwide, PUSPAKOM will also deploy its mobile units to selected locations where vehicle inspections can be done on the spot. The locations are as follow:

Ulu Pudu Park, Kuala Lumpur –
January 11

Dewan Gemilang Square, UKM Bangi –
January 14

Tesco Extra Ampang (parking block B), KL –
January 18

Insa Dunia Food Court Carpark, Bukit Mertajam, Penang –
January 22

JPJ (Road Transport Department) Alor Setar, Kedah –
January 23

“We at PUSPAKOM have always been concerned about the safety of vehicles and road-users in Malaysia. Every time around the festive periods, responsible vehicle owners and drivers will think about maintaining their vehicles before returning home. We encourage them to use the Free Voluntary Vehicle Inspection service offered by PUSPAKOM. The normal fee for the inspection is RM50 per vehicle but during the campaign period, there will be no charge,” said PUSPAKOM’s CEO, Shukor Ismail.

He said that every inspection will cover 25 points such as tyre condition, suspension, exhaust emissions, and tinted glass verification. The vehicle owner will receive a report on the findings which can be used as reference if any rectification work is needed at a workshop.

To locate a PUSPAKOM inspection centre in Malaysia, visit
www.puspakom.com.my
 or call
1-800-88-6927
.


ETCM Introduces New Variant For Nissan Serena, the J Impul & Announces Roadshows

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM)
 has introduced a new luxury variant of the Nissan Serena 2.0L S-Hybrid that dynamically enhances and exudes premium-ness; the
New Nissan Serena
J
 IMPUL
.

Designed by Nissan specialist and tuner
IMPUL
, the
Chrome-Plated
J
 IMPUL Front
 and
Rear Lip Spoiler
 on the Nissan Serena
J
 IMPUL is specifically made in Japan to create a high precision, 3 dimensional design via injection moulding to achieve
10% downforce
 and improve high speed stability. The
18-inch
 IMPUL Millennium Alloy Wheels in Black and Polished finish enhances the luxurious design and compliments aerodynamics, while the Mocha-coloured
Diamond Quilted Premium Leather Seats
 further embodies the soul of Japanese luxury.

“The introduction of the New Serena J IMPUL is tailored for customers who seek and appreciate Japanese luxury, while
the 2.0L S-Hybrid system continues to offer best-in-class fuel economy of 14.2 km/L
(NEDC R101) earning the Nissan Serena the Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) status. With thoughtful and innovative features like the Hands-Free Dual Power Sliding Door, Dual Back Door, 7 USB-Powered Ports, Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM) with Intelligent Moving Object Detection (I-MOD), and Smartphone connectivity with Apple CarPlay™, contribute towards making the Nissan Serena 2.0L S-Hybrid the No.1 Best-selling Non-National Mid-size MPV in Malaysia*
”,
said Mr.
Christopher Tan, Sales and Marketing Director of ETCM.

The New Nissan Serena
J
 IMPUL comes with standard
5-years unlimited mileage warranty
, while the accessories come with 3-year or 100,000km warranty (whichever comes first).

*(Source: MAA from May to October 2018)

NISSAN SERENA 2.0L S-HYBRID

J
 IMPUL

PREMIUM HIGHWAY STAR

PREMIUM HIGHWAY STAR

HIGHWAY STAR

Two-Tone Exterior Colour

(RM)

Single-Tone BLACK Exterior Colour (NEW)

(RM)

Two-Tone Exterior Colour

(RM)

Single-Tone BLACK Exterior Colour (NEW)

(RM)

Single-Tone Exterior Colour

(RM)

Peninsular Malaysia

149,800.00

147,800.00

143,800.00

141,800.00

131,800.00

Sabah & Sarawak

152,300.00

150,300.00

146,300.00

144,300.00

134,300.00

* OTR Price inclusive 10% Sales Tax without Insurance, Private Registration

* Two-Tone Exterior colours: Imperial Umber (Roof) with Cashmere Gold (Body), Diamond Black (Roof) with Brilliant White (Body), Diamond Black (Roof) with Tungsten Silver (Body)

* Single-Tone Exterior colours: Cashmere Gold, Brilliant White, Diamond Black and Tungsten Silver

NB
: Existing Nissan Serena S-Hybrid (C27) owners who are interested, may also opt for an upgrade to the
Chrome-Plated
J
 IMPUL Front
 and
Rear Lip Spoiler
. Please call 03-4047 8786 or email
impul@tanchonggroup.com
.

The luxurious New Nissan Serena
J
 IMPUL will make its appearance at the upcoming
Nissan Test Drive Carnival
 (see schedule below gallery) at selected showrooms over two weekends on
7
th
to 9
th
 December and 14
th
 to 16
th
 December 2018
, starting from 10am to 8pm. Members of public are invited to visit the carnival and be the first to experience the
New Nissan Serena
J
 IMPUL
.

Nissan Test Drive Carnival dates and venues:

Date

Region

Venue

7
th
 – 8
th
 December

East Coast

AEON Kota Bharu

8
th
 – 9
th
 December

Central

ETCM Petaling Jaya

Central

ETCM Kajang

Central

ETCM Puchong

Northern

ETCM Bayan Lepas

Northern

ETCM Sg Petani

Southern

ETCM Seremban

Southern

ETCM Batu Pahat

Sabah

IMAGO Mall, Kota Kinabalu

Sarawak

ETCM Kuching

14
th
 – 15
th
 December

East Coast

ETCM Kuala Terengganu

Sarawak

ETCM Bintulu

15
th
 – 16
th
 December

Central

ETCM Glenmarie

Central

ETCM Mahkota Cheras

Central

ETCM Jalan Raja Laut

Northern

ETCM Butterworth

Northern

ETCM Ipoh

Northern

ETCM Taiping

East Coast

ETCM Kuantan

Southern

ETCM Melaka

Southern

ETCM Johor Jaya

Sabah

ETCM Sandakan

Nissan Roadshow dates and venues:

Date

Venue

4
th
 – 9
th
 December

Capital 21, Johor Bharu, Johor

6
th
 – 9
th
 December

Starling Mall, Petaling Jaya, Selangor

6
th
 – 9
th
 December

Kuantan City Mall, Kuantan, Pahang

7
th
 – 9
th
 December

Kluang Mall, Kluang, Johor

13
th
 – 16
th
 December

Aman Central Mall, Alor Setar, Kedah

14
th
 – 16
th
 December

Vivacity Mega Mall, Kuching, Sarawak

For more information, visit
www.nissan.com.my
 or call ETCM’s Nissan Customer Care Centre at 1800-88-3838.


Discover The Full Capabilities Of The Ford Ranger Yourself

The pick-up truck was once just for work and regulations (in Malaysia) before the late 1990s did not permit registration for private use. When the regulations changed, Ford was the first to show people the fun side of owning a pick-up truck with its Ranger. Built tough for workhorse duties, the Ranger was also a very capable truck able to travel over difficult terrain.

Today’s Ranger
 is even more capable but many people don’t realise just how capable, or they do not have an opportunity to take it to its limits. Sime Darby Auto ConneXion, the sole distributor for Ford in Malaysia, can help Ranger owners discover the capabilities of their Ranger at a course specially designed for beginners.

To be held on
March 19
, the Ford Ranger Getaways M4TREC Beginner 4WD Course offers any Ranger owner the chance to master his or her vehicle. Participants will also gain in-depth familiarity with their vehicle and might even discover some features which they did not realise their Ranger had.

The beginner-level off-road driving course is conducted by M4TREC’s team of HRDF-certified professional instructors who are also expert off-roaders. It is an ideal way to learn and experience the basic techniques of off-road driving in a safe and controlled environment.

M4TREC is Malaysia’s 4WD off-road training and experience centre that operates the country’s first permanent, purpose-built and publicly accessible 4WD training facility. The 6-acre site is located in Semenyih, Selangor.

“After the vehicle purchase, getting training is one of the best investments customers can make to unlock the true potential of their Rangers for work, family and play. We strongly encourage all Ranger owners, especially our next-gen customers, to take this opportunity to acquire more in-depth knowledge about their vehicle and elevate their driving skills, safely and effectively,” said Turse Zuhair, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion-Ford.

Ranger owners who sign up for the half-day Ford Ranger Getaways M4TREC Beginner 4WD Course are welcome to bring along a companion. The participants will gather at Ford Ara Damansara before convoying with other Ranger owners to the M4TREC facility.

During the training session, participants will learn and put to practice the basic techniques for tackling obstacle courses such as Dirt Track, Roller Ramp, Frame Twister, Ridge Crossing / Slide Slope, Mud & Ruts, Rutted Track, Ditch, Hill Descend, Hill Ascend and Mud Dash. At the end of the session, a Certificate of Completion will be presented to each participant.

The course is priced at RM992.89 per person, with a maximum of two participants per vehicle. Specific to Next-Generation Ranger owners for whom this is their first event, there is a 30% discount with their Inner Circle privilege card code.

Besides this course, there are also other activities in the
Ford Ranger Getaways programme
 which is specially tailored for Ranger owners.
Click here
 to know more.

To find out more about the latest Ford Ranger or
Ford Everest
, visit
 www.sdacford.com.my
.

‘Ford Ranger Getaways’ by SDAC-Ford provide owners with ways to enjoy their truck to the fullest

Click here
 for more Ford videos at The Piston Show.


120 Volkswagen Tiguan SUVs provide transport at PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is once again the Official Automotive Partner of the PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi (LTDL). It is the third time for Volkswagen’s involvement in the event which is being run for the 25
th
 time.

VPCM has provided 120 units of the Tiguan Highline for use throughout the 10-day event by riders, safety marshals and officials. The model provided has a 1.4-litre turbocharged direct injection TSI petrol engine with a 6-speed wet clutch direct shift gearbox (DSG). Its output of 150 ps/250 Nm means there is adequate power for all situations while also being economical.

Latest Volkswagen Tiguan Highline, priced from RM165,990.

The Tiguan’s SUV bodystyle makes it ideal for its role in the LTDL. It has a spacious cabin and cargo area to transport gear and other items. To date, 5 million units of the Tiguan have been sold globally, the bestselling SUV in Volkswagen’s range.

“We are honoured to be back as part of LTDL this year as the race celebrates its Silver Jubilee, and we are confident that the Tiguan will be a good fit and support to the operations team in terms of safety, endurance, agility and speed. On behalf of Volkswagen, we wish the participants all the very best for this year’s race,” said Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM.

Le Tour de Langkawi is a multiple stage bicycle race that has gained many accolades and is now recognised as a highlight in the global competitive cycling calendar, attracting the world’s top road cyclists. 21 teams are taking part in the event which started in East Malaysia and continue across Peninsular Malaysia from Kuala Terengganu. The finale will be at its birthplace in Langkawi on February 14.

Visit
www.volkswagen.com.my
 to know more about the Tiguan and where to test-drive one.


Clarkson’s Pneumonia was more serious then initially thought

In a previous article we reported that Jeremy Clarkson had to be admitted in hospital while on a vacation due to a bout of Pneumonia. What we, and many others were unaware of however, was the severity of his illness.

According to a recent news piece by
Car Throttle
, Clarkson stated that he was in pretty bad shape before being admitted in hospital. Three days prior to his admission, the former Top Gear host was experiencing spasms in bed.

After a series of tests were conducted, his doctor informed him that things were far worse and that if he didn’t do exactly as instructed, there was a very real chance that Clarkson would succumb to his illness.

His right lung was more than half full of mucus and to make matters worse, he was running a very high fever too. This made it difficult for him to breath and function normally. Fortunately, he sought treatment just in time but will require 2 months of rest.

Still in recovery, Clarkson joins his Grand Tour co-host Richard Hammond, who has a fractured leg, on the sidelines leaving James May as the only member of the team, to soldier on. The Grand Tour is currently filming the second season this year, however, these recent setbacks should push the release date of this second season even further.

Clarkson covered his health scare extensively in his column of the
Sunday Times
. He goes on to talk about the irony of what this illness did to him considering that, prior to this, despite his militant attitude to life and utter disregard for healthy living, has never fallen ill or needed to take a sick day.

That said, we wish Clarkson a speedy recovery and hope that the trio get back to work as soon as medically possible.

Source:
Car Throttle
,
Sunday Times


Lamborghini launches Urus SUV

Lamborghini has finally introduced its highly-anticipated SUV to the masses. It’s called the Urus, after a famous Spanish fighting bull – the nomenclature of choice for many of the automaker’s models. The styling is inline with lamborghini’s current design language, featuring  a swooping bonnet, angular headlights and massive front bumper.

The front fascia, especially the lower region, have been assembled with a series of fins and honeycomb styled inlets that offer sufficient cooling for the car’s engine and also aerodynamic efficiency. The raked roof line makes the Urus look more like a hatchback than a full-fledged SUV. A minimalist approach to the LED tail lights, diffuser and bumper assembly lend a cleaner look to the entire look of the rear.

On the subject of engines, the Urus features a twin turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 powerplant that produces 650bhp and 850Nm of torque. Mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the road via Lamborghini’s all-wheel-drive system. Torque is split 40/60 between the front and rear, which changes depending on the chosen mode (Off-road, Snow, Sand or tarmac) and driving behaviour.

As such, the Urus is able to sprint to 100km/h from a standstill in just 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 305km/h. It has an air suspension system, that enables ride height changes as well as rear wheel steering, which at low speeds, turns in the opposite direction to the front ones, for better cornering ability. Lamborghini’s various driving mode selection enables the muffling of the exhaust note when discretion is needed.

Despite its size, the Urus’ body has been kept fairly light through the use of aluminum and Steel. This blend offers a good level of rigidity and lightweight properties, and contributed to it weighing only 2,200kg. It features frameless doors, torsional beams replacing a C-pillar, and cross-members made of aluminium.

Stopping power has been made available through the use of carbon ceramic brakes measuring  440 x 40 mm at the front and 370 x 30 mm at the rear. They are said to offer virtually no brake fade and optimizes pedal feel regardless of driving conditions. Wheel options range from 21 to 23-inches that can be fitted to a variety of tyre types that have been especially developed by Pirelli for the automaker.

Like other Lamborghinis, the interior has been layed out with a decent blend of sportiness and luxury appeal. There’s a decent infotainment system and a slew of connectivity options to cover your entertainment needs. It is coupled with an 8-speaker setup that can be upgraded to a high-end Bang & Olufsen Sound System with 3D sound and 1,700 watt output and 21 fully active speakers.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are fitted as standard and offer a decent level of safety and security to driver and passengers. The High Beam Assistant automatically fades headlights in and out of high beam mode as required, front and rear parking sensors and cruise control are also included as standard, as is the PreCognition system preventing or mitigating collisions.

The Urus is one of the the most technologically advanced Lambos in the stable and features keyless start, electrically operated rear taligate as well as a whole slew of others. Unlike other models, the Urus is meant to offer a blend of luxury, comfort and sportiness that isn’t really offered by other vehicle manufacturers.


W14 – Back To Black In The Name Of Performance

The unveiling of the 2023 F1 machines continues with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team presenting its W14 E PERFORMANCE racing car today. Silver and black being the colours of the team, the decision was made to go with black this year ‘in the name of performance’. While taking inspiration from the legendary creation of the original Silver Arrows, instead of stripping back paint to shiny aluminium beneath, it will be sleek black carbonfibre on the W14.

“You will see that the car has some raw carbon bits, along with some that are painted matte black. Of course, when we changed the livery in 2020, the main driving factor was to support the diversity and equality causes which are always close to our heart. The colour black became part of our DNA at that point, so we are pleased to return to it,” said Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team.

The historical links don’t end there, however, with the black livery also echoing the 1993 Sauber C12. That car utilized ‘Concept by Mercedes’ power and signalled the 3-pointed star’s return to the pinnacle of motorsport for the first time since 1955.

Commenting on the looks of the car he will drive this year, Lewis Hamilton said, “To see the evolution of the car and the changes that have been made is fascinating. We’ve redesigned, optimized, and innovated so many parts of the car and that is impressive. And I love the new livery! It says, ‘we mean business’!”. George Russell added: “Aesthetically, it looks great! It’s bold, aggressive and stands out.”

The car’s new look isn’t limited to the architecture, either. The iconic black livery from 2020 and 2021 has been refined as part of a significant project to reduce overall weight. The underlying concept of the W13 has been retained and development focused on core performance areas. That has led to a car that retains the distinctive DNA of its predecessor and introduces a combination of notable changes that are visible on first inspection – such as the gulley bodywork on the engine cover – and others beneath the surface.

Areas targeted include reducing overall weight, giving the drivers a more consistent car balance across the speed range, and better matching the aerodynamic characteristics to the demands of the aero regulations. This is borne out in areas such as a significantly lighter chassis, revised front suspension geometry, cooling system adjustments and a refined aerodynamic concept based on last year’s learning.

With the Power Unit hardware freeze in effect, focus has shifted to two key areas: reliability and software. “We’ve got the final performance software freeze of this regulation cycle ahead of the start of the season so that’s been a lot of work. We have found the most performance recently through the way we use the engine and that means software upgrades. Knowing that it is the final opportunity for development has ensured it’s been a real push to pack in as much work as possible,” said Hywel Thomas, Managing Director of Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains.

The challenges presented by the W13 weren’t limited to the chassis, either. The effect of the bouncing on the Power Unit was of concern, and reliability fixes have been implemented. “By the end of the season, the engines were battered and bruised,” Hywel continued. “We have looked at the design changes made on the chassis, along with those on the engine, and done the work as a team. The biggest changes on the Power Unit this year are the reliability items to make ourselves more robust if we find the car hitting the ground.”

Reliability, correlation, and learning will be the focus when it comes to pre-season testing in Bahrain. With just 3 days of running before the first race weekend of the season, an efficient and successful test is imperative. “The chassis side have got an enormous amount of work that they want to complete to learn. We’ve got to learn as much as we can, to work out how to get the most performance out of the car and what we can learn to feed into the next developments,” said Hywel.