Is this the most beautiful Jaguar in the world?

There are many beautiful creations when it comes to the modern era of vehicle manufacturing. With so many great examples from around the globe, it’s easy to get lost in all the stunning madness.

But then, there are a few classics like this particular Jaguar that some would argue is the most beautiful of the all.

Revered by many as one gorgeous classic machine, this 1954 Jaguar XK120 was properly restored by Jaguar Classic experts for life-long Jaguar enthusiast (who also happens to be a male model), David Gandy. However, this is no normal restoration, ladies and gents.

It took the entire team of experts a total of 2,700 hours (around 11 months) to rebuild the XK120 complete with unique upgrades and various weight reduction processes in order to turn it into a ‘race-ready’ vehicle inspired by the XK120 Lightweight.

The original 3.4-litre inline six-cylinder XK engine used to produce 160hp back in 1954 when it rolled off the factory floor. At this spec, it was able to hit 0-60km/h in 10 seconds flat and a top speed of 200km/h.

This particular model has been upgraded with an additional 45 horses under the hood with enhanced durability and a fast-shifting four-speed manual gearbox. Drool.

To further enhance its exterior, a solid black paint job was chosen to complement the car’s interior which uses ‘aged saddle tan leather’. A custom 15-inch steering wheel and custom-fitted front seats were installed just for the owner’s ultimate comfort.

According to David Gandy, “Having driven a Jaguar XK120 at the Mille Miglia in 2013 and 2014, I knew that I wanted to own one of these incredibly special cars. The team at Jaguar Classic have done such a remarkable job engineering this car and executing everything that I asked for and it was amazing to have such an in-depth involvement in its creation.”


Proton Tg. Malim engine facility assembles new-generation engines

Proton has long had its own engine factory, with the first one having been opened in the Glenmarie industrial estate of Selangor in the 1990s. Over the years, this factory has provided millions of engines for various Proton models and continues to do so.

Now, with the new generation of engines in the carmaker’s latest models, it is time to have a new facility to assemble the 1.5-litre TGDI (Turbo Gasoline Direct Injection) JLH-3G15TD 3-cylinder engine used in the X50 and X70 models. This is the first time the engine is being assembled outside China at is one of the most advanced automotive engine assembly lines in the country at the Proton Tanjung Malim manufacturing complex in Perak.

Located within the Engine and Powertrain facility, the assembly line covers an area of 18,000 sq. metres and has a current maximum capacity of 180,000 engines when running on three shifts. The new facility is also part of the RM1.8 billion Proton is making to upgrade its facilities at Tanjung Malim, also known as Proton City.

Award-winning engine

The award-winning JLH-3G15TD engine is used not only by Proton but also by other brands in the diverse Geely Group. When the many other models are included, over 750,000 vehicles sold globally are now powered by this engine.

The engine, the result of a project which started about 10 years ago, follows industry trends of downsizing to gain better fuel efficiency and also reduce undesirable exhaust emissions. While downsizing the displacement on its own has meant lower power output, this is not the case with the JLH-3G15TD. In fact, in spite of its smaller displacement and one cylinder less, its output is actually comparable to much bigger engines with 130 kW and 255 Nm.

This has been possible with advanced technologies, 4 valves per cylinder, dual variable valve timing, optimised thermal and lubrication systems, a low inertia turbocharger, and homogenised 200-bar direct fuel injection system. It is also capable of meeting Euro 6 requirements.

Localisation of parts

As a Malaysian carmaker, Proton has always prioritised localisation and where possible, it has sourced parts from Malaysian suppliers, although in the era of globalisation, there are also some suppliers from other countries in the region. For this new engine, there are currently 72 parts supplied by 19 Malaysian and 4 ASEAN vendors.

The company is also using the new assembly line to advance its human capital development goals, with 202 workers directly employed to work there. With an average age of just 24 years, they represent the next generation of skilled automotive manpower for the nation.

“Proton’s new engine assembly line showcases the company keeping its promises to its stakeholders. When the agreement was made to partner with Geely in 2017, one of our commitments was to invest in Malaysia’s automotive industry both financially and through the introduction of new high technology components. The new assembly line does this while also giving PROTON an avenue to attract and develop young talents who will help drive the automotive industry and the company into the future,” said Roslan Abdullah, Deputy CEO of Proton.

A closer look at the facility

Featuring 88 stations consisting of 17 automatic, 15 semi-automatic and 56 manual stations, the high-tech assembly line was built using an IR 4.0 ethos applying a high level of automation to boost productivity. A climate-controlled clean environment with an anti-static station to allow for the discharge of static electricity protects the electronic components used, while the assembly line utilises a conveyor system. This is not only smoother but is also cleaner, more durable and less costly to operate than one that uses a chain.

All workers on the assembly line have undergone extensive training with Geely as well as the suppliers of the machines used. The equipment comes from well known suppliers such as ABB, COMAU, FEV China, FEV India, WiBeda and Hangxin.

The Internet of Things (IOT) technology is deployed in the form of intensive data capture and analytical tools to ensure that the quality meets the standards required and are maintained. Additionally, 207 Error Mistake Proofing (EMP) controls and 34 intelligent high-resolution cameras have been installed on the line to prevent process and assembly defects and reduce downtime with 100% real-time defect detection capabilities.

“Quality is the main priority at our new engine assembly line. We know we need to show Malaysians that Proton is capable of building reliable high-quality products, so we have left nothing to chance. Aside from the quality monitoring measures deployed on the assembly line, we also work closely with our counterparts at Geely to trouble shoot issues and share best practices in our efforts to produce a world-class engine,” added Encik Roslan Abdullah.

Proton constructing additional stamping facility at Tanjung Malim factory


Early Bird Pre-launch Vouchers for Honda Official Merchandise Special Edition

Visit
www.bhpetrol.com.my
 for more information.

As part of the celebration of passing the 1 millionth sales unit milestone by Honda Malaysia, the company has prepared the Honda Official Merchandise Special Edition which will be officially available from April 1, 2021 at Honda Malaysia Official Store (on Shopee). The Special Edition items are a collaborative effort with local streetwear brand, Pestle & Mortar Clothing.

Prior to the launch of the collection, Honda Malaysia is offering a special reward to customers – Limited Early Bird Pre-launch Vouchers worth RM20, which is equal to 2,000 Shopee Coins. Customers can register for the Pre-launch vouchers via Honda Malaysia’s Official Facebook page from now
until March 28, 2021
.

A unique voucher code will be sent to customers on March 31, 2021. The use of the voucher codes is based on first-come-first-served basis whereby the first 100 customers will be able to use it to shop for the Honda Official Merchandise Special Edition on Shopee (terms and conditions apply).

“The
‘1 Million Dreams
’ Campaign was launched not only to commemorate the achievement of reaching 1 million sales units, but to also thank Malaysians for their unwavering support and trust in our brand,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Toichi Ishiyama.

“The Special Edition collection draws inspiration from the journey of Honda Malaysia as a company that has touched more than a million Malaysian lives, and also from the proposition that 1 million people have experienced and driven a Honda at some point in their life. It emphasises the idea of 1 Million Dreams driven by 1 million people,” Mr. Ishiyama said.

The specially-designed ‘
One Million Dreams
‘ Collection is available in limited quantities only. It comprises 6 unisex items in stylish and trendy designs – Reversible Bucket Hat, Neck Pouch, Polo Shirt, Short and Long Sleeve Shirts as well as a Racing Jacket. A bundled package is offered at a special price for customers who purchase the Honda Official Merchandise Special Edition and selected ‘TEI’ Series Merchandise from Honda Malaysia Official Store.

Special offer for City and BR-V

Another special offering during the ‘
1 Million Dreams
’ campaign is a special rebate, service voucher and spare parts voucher worth up to RM5,000 for the latest City (excluding the RS e:HEV variant) and BR-V. This special rebate is an additional reward on top of the current promotion available at all authorised Honda dealerships nationwide. The special offer is available only for customers who register their new cars
by March 31, 2021
.

To know more about the City and BR-V or to locate a showroom for a test-drive, visit
www.honda.com.my
.


Custom specification for Aston Martin V12 Speedster

Aston Martin has revealed more details of its forthcoming open cockpit V12 Speedster, of which there will only 88 cars available. Customers will be able to choose a custom specification that is certain to underscore the cars’ instant collector’s item status.

Deliveries of the hand-built cars will commence from mid-2021 with the price of the car likely to be  US$1 million (about RM4.14 million) or more after a customer customizes it further.

The new car aligns gracefully with a heritage that features not only the exceptional DBR1, but also the CC100 which was unveiled in 2013 as a celebration of Aston Martin’s 100 years of sportscar excellence.

The DBR1

The DBR1 is, to date, the most successful racing machine constructed by Aston Martin, having triumphed in the 1959 at both the 24 hours of Le Mans and the 1,000 kms of Nurburgring, also winning the latter in 1957 and 1958. After its debut in 1956, the DBR1 recorded a further string of famous victories which culminated in Aston Martin taking the World Sportscar Championship in 1959.

Although a car made for competitive racing, the DBR1 was also a precursor for some of the marque’s most well-known heritage ‘DB’ road cars. At the car’s heart from 1958 onwards lay a 2992 cc straight six engine mated to a David Brown 5-speed gearbox. It was capable of powering this 800-kg sportscar to an estimated top speed in excess of 240 km/h.

Produced as a pure racing model – not directly derived from a road car – just five examples of the DBR1 were ever built, one of which was for private use. Such a rich and important history has inspired the brand to create a dedicated optional DBR1 specification for the new V12 Speedster.

Elements from Le Mans winner

Featuring cleverly integrated custom elements reminiscent of the Le Mans-winning car, the V12 Speedster DBR1 specification offers highlights such as the iconic Aston Martin Racing Green paint finish, Clubsport White pinstripe and roundels, a Satin Silver anodised grille with Clubsport lipstick graphic, Conker saddle leather and Viridian Green technical textile/Caithness leather.

Unique Aston Martin Racing Green driver and passenger helmets sit under transparent ‘windows’, while solid silver ‘wings’ badges glint beneath transparent enamel. There’s also finely judged application of gloss carbonfibre, Caithness Green leather and satin silver brushed aluminium switchgear in the open cabin.

Satin black diamond turned 21-inch centre lock wheels are a feature of this specialist specification, which each Aston Martin V12 Speedster spending more than 50 hours in the painting process alone at the brand’s advanced paint facility.

700 ps V12 engine

At the car’s heart lies a high-performance variant of Aston Martin’s now 5.2-litre V12 Twin-Turbo engine, capable of generating an output of around 700 ps/753 Nm. Accompanied by a V12 ‘soundtrack’, this output flows to the wheels through a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission mounted towards the rear of the car. A 0 to 100 km/h time of 3.4 seconds is claimed, with a top speed of about 320 km/h.

“Creating a bespoke specification that nods to the glory of the DBR1 has been a huge privilege for my team and I, and I very much look forward to seeing these cars being driven with the same enthusiasm that we have applied to their design,” said Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman.


Taming a Hurricane: Driving The Fastest Street Legal Lamborghini Huracan Around Sepang Circuit!

A hurricane is one of the most destructive forces on the planet. A category one hurricane has wind speeds of between 119km/h to 153km/h, while a category five has sustained wind speeds of above 253km/h.

So when a car maker introduces a car called Huracan (Spanish for hurricane), you know that it means business.

The Lamborghini Huracan is already one of the wildest cars on the planet in terms of design and performance. But it’s not entirely new either, in fact the Huracan has been around since 2014.

Since then, a number of iterations have been introduced, each promising to be faster, meaner and more exotic than the last.

But nothing can be better than a Huracan that is designed to be raced. The Huracan GT3 EVO is one of the most successful race cars in the Lamborghini stable.

It has won the 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring and even the Blancpain GT Series Asia, among many other race series around the world.

But the problem with the Huracan GT3 is that it is a proper race car, which means regular rich folks can’t buy one to drive on the road.

But Lamborghini is one of the most successful supercar company’s in the history of the automobile, so it wasn’t about to sit around and not allow its customers to experience one of the best race cars it has ever built.

Enter the Lamborghini Huracan STO – the fastest street legal Huracan ever made!

STO stands for Super Trofeo Omologata, which simply means that the STO is a road-legal homologated version of the Huracan Super Trofeo Evo and GT3 Evo race cars.

Simply put, the Huracan STO is a street legal reimagination of the GT3 race car. Lamborghini’s official website says the STO is “a super-sports car created with a singular purpose, the Huracan STO delivers all the feel and technology of a genuine race car in a road-legal model.”

The STO delivers a unique race car like driving experience from the moment you sit inside.

The regular two-point seat belts have been replaced with motorsport derived four-point harnesses that are similar to those used in the GT3 race car.

Since it’s a road-going car, Lamborghini has included creature comforts such as air-conditioning and even an audio system. The interior is covered in lightweight alcantara leather and carbon-fibre adorns everything from the floor to the roof and the door panels. Even the seats are constructed of lightweight material.

Adding to the race car feel is a titanium roll cage that protects the driver and passenger should the worse happen.

But at the heart of it all is a race-derived 5.2-litre, V10 naturally-aspirated engine. This is the same engine that powers the Lamborghini Huracan race cars. Lamborghini says the engine is nearly identical to the race engines and offers a direct pedal-to-throttle feel that is the same as a race car. Even the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox offers quicker gear shifts so that there is no loss of power during acceleration.

Lamborghini is one of the few car makers left that has not adopted forced induction. Naturally-aspirated engines rely on big cylinders or ultra high revs to create power, but these engines are also among the most responsive and provide the best engine note.

As for power, the STO puts out 640PS at 8,000rpm and 565Nm of torque at 6,500rpm. But because 75% of its body is made up of light weight carbon-fibre, the STO is capable of some astonishing performance figures, such as a zero to 200km/h acceleration time of just nine seconds flat! Top speed is rated at 310km/h.

Those in the know will probably think that these figures are not all that much. Cars like the Porsche GT2RS and even the discontinued Ferrari 488 make more power than the STO.

But the STO is not about pure power alone. It is about quick lap times and driving pleasure. For instance, Lamborghini pitted the STO against the Huracan GT3 EVO race car around a race track in America and found that the STO was just under two seconds slower than the race-only GT3 which was on race tyres while the STO was on road tyres. That is the ultimate proof of performance.

It also partly achieves this by using rear-wheel-steering. This turns the rear wheels in the same direction as the front wheels, giving it incredibly agility in slow and fast corners.

There are also other race derived technologies such as the the width of the car that is wider than the road car to give it better grip, a windscreen that is 20% lighter and suspension that is stiffer for more direct control of the car.

Part of the race experience that the STO offers is phenomenal braking performance. The Huracan STO boasts a new braking technology called CCM-R braking system. The system is provided by renowned braking experts Brembo using materials that is used in Formula One. The discs on the STO are said to provide four times higher thermal conductivity and 60% higher stress resistance. What this ultimately results in is strong braking performance that does not fade even after many laps.

One of the things that supercars tend to suffer from is brake fade, and that ultimate slows lap times because drivers have to brake earlier. But because the brakes on the STO have effectively solved this issue, this means you can drive at the knife’s edge of performance every single time and get the same braking performance.

The Huracan STO is undeniably one of the ultimate driver’s car in the modern world. It does not have that power figures owners can boast about, but it is a car that is appreciated when you drive it. The sound that it creates is one of pure emotion. You don’t only hear it in your ears but you feel it in your heart as well. And that what the STO is about, a pure unadulterated driving experience that overloads your senses and leaves you wanting more each time you drive it. There are very few cars left these days that are able to do that.

The Lamborghini Huracan STO is now available in Malaysia for RM1.48 million before taxes and customisation.


Fuel prices for August 17 to August 23 2019


Third generation of Ford Everest revealed

Following the reveal of the
new Ford Ranger
 last year, Ford has now finally given the new Everest SUV its global debut. While the press materials don’t mention the Ranger, it’s no secret that the two models are essentially shared products, with the Everest being a SUV version of the pick-up. The connection has been important, particularly in Thailand, where it is advantageous to be a truck-based SUV.

Ford design DNA
For the new Everest, which starts its third generation, the chassis has wider tracks and a longer wheelbase. The styling is that of a modern SUV with the same ‘C-clamp’ headlamps and strong horizontal upper grille bar at the front, now the signature look of Ford’s trucks and SUVs. For the Everest, the front end also has a mix of horizontal and vertical elements. The wider tracks add a muscular image to the vehicle with a more dramatic swell over the wheels.

The new integrated or stand-off roof rails are more than just a design detail as the Everest roof can now support static loads of up to 350 kgs and dynamic loads of up to 100 kgs. This means owners can carry bikes, canoes, a cargo pod or roof-top tent. A universal mounting system allows for addition of a range of accessories.

“We showed customers the Everest at several points during the design process, and their feedback was consistent: They loved the exterior with the strong and rugged design, but they also thought it was sleek and modern,” said Max Wolff, Design Director for China and Ford’s International Markets Group. “They said that the Everest would give them the confidence to go off-road; it looks like a proper SUV.”

Three engine options
Depending on the market, the Everest will be available with turbodiesel and petrol engines. There is a new 3-litre turbodiesel V6 and the proven 2-litre turbodiesel, and from 2023, a 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine. The present generation sold in Malaysia has a 2-litre bi-turbo diesel engine and this is likely to be maintained while the petrol engine would probably also be offered. Ford’s 10-speed SelectShift automatic will continue to be available as well as a 6-speeder.

Besides the 50 mm increase in the track for a more controlled ride on-road, revisions have been made to the damper settings ‘to inject more fun and control’ into the Everest’s ride, on and off-road. There will be two 4×4 drive systems – a 2-speed electronic type (also known as a part-time 4×4) and an advanced, permanent 4-wheel drive system with an electronically controlled on-demand 2-speed electromechanical transfer case with selectable drive modes.

A rear locking differential is fitted and, in some markets, the Everest will also be available with 2-wheel drive. As with the current Ranger and Everest, the vehicle can move through water up to 800 mm deep.

‘Sanctuary’ in the cabin
While customers told the Ford people that they wanted toughness and capability on the outside and underneath, for the Inside, they wanted a ‘sanctuary’. So the designers put a lot of thought into the function and feel of the interior, taking inspiration from modern homes and bringing in plush materials, premium finishes and ambient lighting all in areas where customers can appreciate them the best.

The sense of spaciousness is amplified by the full-width dashboard. Access to the third-row seats is much easier, thanks to second-row seats that slide further forward than before. Additionally, all occupants now have places to store their things and depending on the model, charge their devices with power outlets in all three rows (some variants will have wireless charging pads).

Ford’s interior designers prioritised flexible seating in the new Everest so the second-row slides with a 60:40 split seatback and the 50:50 split third row in the 7-seater configuration can be folded at the touch of a button. Importantly, both the second and third-row seats have been designed to fold flat to allow for long loads to be carried safely.

To stop items falling out of the back opening when the tailgate is up, there is a small lip, affectionately known as the ‘apple catcher valley’, at the rear of the cargo area. The team also created an underfloor compartment for storing small items.

“One of the first things you’ll notice when you get into a new Everest is how quiet it is,” said Wolff. “We’ve all been in vehicles with multiple rows of seats, where you have to twist your head around and almost shout to be heard by passengers in the second or third rows. That’s an issue we wanted to solve for the Everest, so the interior would be a quiet place in which you can easily talk to your family or friends and enjoy the journey together.”

Customer-focused technology
In addition to a more refined and comfortable interior, Ford focused on incorporating the latest connectivity and technology features. 8-inch or 12.4-inch digital instrument panels replace the traditional analogue clusters so it’s a ‘glass cockpit’ now. Additionally, in the middle of the dashboard is a high-resolution touchscreen in either 10.1-inch or 12-inch sizes, running Ford’s latest infotainment system known as SYNC 4A.

The portrait-orientated screen also is linked to a 360-degree camera with split-view display to make parking easier in tight urban spaces or to assist when negotiating particularly tricky terrain. In addition, the driver can control the new exterior zone lighting system via the touchscreen which means they don’t have to park, work, camp or do anything in the dark.

Where available, the Everest’s dedicated off-road screen displays vehicle information and a front camera view of the terrain ahead, with predictive overlay guidelines designed to help the driver negotiate obstacles. With a single button press, the driver can view their driveline and diff-lock indicators, steering angle and guides, and vehicle roll and pitch angles. The camera views also help the driver guide the SUV into position to connect a trailer.

Driver-assist technologies
Ford has always treated its SUVs and pick-up trucks the same way where safety is concerned, giving just as much safety technology as its passenger cars. For the Everest, there are new and enhanced driver assist technologies and safety features to take the stress out of driving and help drivers to remain focused.

A new far-side airbag positioned between the driver and front passenger provides additional protection in the event of a side impact. Depending on the variant and the market, the addition of the far-side airbag and dual knee airbags brings the number of airbags up to 9, which cover all 3 rows.

With Active Park Assist 2.0, the new Everest can help the driver fit safely in tight spaces at the press of a button. The system takes care of the steering, gearshifts, acceleration and braking to manoeuvre into parallel or perpendicular parking spaces. It will also steer itself out of a parallel parking spot when prompted.

The Everest is primarily made in Thailand, along with the Ranger, and is expected to go on sale later this year. As Sime Darby Auto ConneXion has been selling the Everest, it would likely continue with the new generation, perhaps in 2023. If you’re interested in getting the current model, there should be some stocks available. Visit
www.sdacford.com.my
 to locate a showroom for more information.

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


BMW Group Malaysia starts 2021 with 4 new models

Starting off 2021 in high gear after
a successful year
 before, BMW Group Malaysia has unveiled four new models in the BMW and MINI brands. The new models solidify its portfolio of offerings to Malaysian buyers while reaffirming the company’s investments in the local automotive landscape.

BMW X7 xDrive40i Pure Excellence

Assembled at the BMW facility in Kedah, the new X7 xDrive40i Pure Excellence is the largest model in the BMW X range. Its imposing appearance and stature belies versatility and agility, complemented by advanced powertrain and chassis technology.

The bold design of the X7 is fronted by the imposing kidney grille which gives exceptional road presence to the vehicle. This makes the slender BMW Laserlight headlights look even slimmer. The headlights can illuminate up to 600 metres ahead and are supplemented by LED foglights and high-beam assistant.

The X7 variants has large windows and a long, dynamically flowing roofline that hints at a spacious interior. Equally striking are the 21-inch light alloy wheels in Y-spoke style 753 Bicolour with run-flat tyres as standard. The variant also features a fully-electric tailgate in the rear with the Comfort Access feature.

Under the large bonnet panel is the familiar inline 6-cylinder petrol engine which has an output of340 bhp/450 Nm. This is enough to take the large SUV – sorry, BMW terms their SUVs as S
A
Vs (Sport Activity Vehicles – from standing still to 100 km/h within a claimed 6.1 seconds. And with all the advanced engine technologies, the fuel consumption of the vehicle, which weighs around 2,300 kgs, can still be as good as 10.5 kms/litre.

6

Power is distributed to all 4 wheels via an 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission and BMW’s xDrive system. The sophisticated chassis design has a two-axle air suspension which, along with Dynamic Stability Control, enhances handling and stability on the road.

As with the imported variant, the locally assembled variant X7 comes with Executive Drive Pro that includes active roll stabilisation. Ride comfort is further enhanced by the intelligent Dynamic Damper Control system which processes data from the navigation system and front camera.

The interior features opulent ‘Crafted Clarity’ handmade diamond-cut trim element and a range of standard equipment including a sport leather steering wheel and electrically adjustable comfort seats with active seat ventilation in front. The BMW Live Cockpit Professional with BMW Operating System 7.0 is interfaced with the fully digital, user-configurable 12.3-inch instrument cluster and an equally large central touchscreen Control Display.

A Head-Up Display is also standard, projecting important running information on the windscreen. Together with the voice-controlled BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and BMW Gesture Control, the driver will not have to take the hands off the steering wheel so much, improving safety.

The X7 is offered with a choice of 5 exterior finishes and selected interior colour combinations. The price is not announced yet, but customers can register their interest at authorised dealerships or BMW Shop Online at
shop.bmw.com.my/
.

BMW 430i Coupe M Sport

The signature kidney grille of the BMW 4-Series Coupe has generated controversial debate. Its designers explain that it is a homage to historic icons in BMW’s history (such as the BMW 328), reinterpreting the iconic form and embodying it into a sporty, contemporary coupe form.

By virtue of its purist design language, the 430i Coupe M Sport utilises techniques in proportions and minimal number of lines to accentuate its athletic stature, combining it with the aerodynamics and sporting elegance. It has the longest coupe doors to be found on any BMW, creating an overall elongated and dynamic impression.

Compared to its predecessor, the dimensions are slightly larger with 130 mm more length, 27 mm more width and 6 mm added to the height, while the wheelbase has been extended by 41 mm.

Standard equipment includes 19-inch M light alloy wheels in Double-spoke style 797 M Bicolour with mixed tyres and runflat tyres, and M Sport brakes with blue-painted brake calipers and ‘M’ designation. Under the rear end are exhaust tailpipes finished in high-gloss chrome.

All 430i Coupe M Sports sold in Malaysia come with a M Aerodynamics Package already installed at the factory. They are also fitted with BMW Laserlights with High-beam Assistant, LED foglights, and the BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line.

With 258 bhp/400 Nm on tap, the TwinTurbo 4-cylinder petrol engine will take the 430i past the 100 km/h mark in a claimed 5.8 seconds, after which continued acceleration will get it up to a terminal velocity of 250 km/h. The upgraded 8-speed Steptronic Sport Transmission is said to have improved efficiency which can return a fuel consumption figure of 15.2 kms/litre. But that would be if the driver is not enjoying the full performance of the car – which may be hard to resist!

For exploring the high limits of handling, there are advanced control systems such as ARB technology (actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation), which enables significantly faster and more sensitive wheel slip control. Further enhancing the sporty driving dynamics are the M Sport suspension, M Sport brakes and Variable Sport Steering.

The cockpit is designed with the sporty driver in mind, as BMWs have always been. A high centre console separates the zones for the driver and front passenger. Seamless integration of the instrument cluster and Control Display forms a large workspace, displaying extensive information but in an easily accessible manner. Visually enhancing the interior ambience are the welcome light carpet and ambient light with 11 predefined lighting designs.

The rear seats provide passengers with a sporty seating experience of a coupe, while still providing ample headspace. A 40/20/40-split for the rear backrests allows the 440-litre luggage compartment to be varied in length to carry more or longer items.

The 430i Coupe M Sport has a choice of four exterior colours and the leather Vernasca upholstery with black decor stitching comes in Black, Tacora Red or Cognac. Authorised BMW dealers nationwide have the car on display, and you can also make a booking via
BMW Shop Online
 for RM1,000.

New MINI Countryman variants

The original Mini cars were assembled in Malaysia from the 1960s until 1982. In 2018, locally assembled versions of the modern MINI began rolling off the line at the plant in Kedah and the range has continued to expand. To start off 2021 are the new Cooper S Countryman and Cooper SE Countryman.

The Countryman, measuring over 4 metres, is the biggest and the most versatile member of the MINI family. It offers significant optimisation in terms of space, versatility, functionality and ride comfort, and includes a plug-in hybrid drive variant.

Both the new Cooper S Countryman and Cooper SE Countryman now feature the MINI ALL4 Exterior Optic. The differentiated front and rear bumpers with decorative elements and sump guard in aluminium matt provide a rugged look. They also come with auto LED headlights with cornering lights, bonnet stripes, roof rails and side sills.

The Union Jack Rear Light now represents an abstract interpretation of the Union Jack, with a more block-designed triangular surface, resulting in stronger lighting. A special detail is the dark tinted cover which lends a distinguishing mark to the lighting units.

Run-flat tyres are standard rubber for the Cooper S Countryman which is fitted with 19-inch MINI Turnstile Spoke. The Cooper SE Countryman also has similar tyres but have different 19-inch wheels.

Inside, both variants feature the MINI Yours Illuminated cockpit in Shaded Silver, combining the illuminated cockpit bezel in Shaded Silver with the Dark Silver door bezels and Hazy Grey. The interior ambience is enhanced with a Satellite Grey Headliner and Leather Cross Punch in Carbon Black. The steering wheel is wrapped with MINI Yours Walknappa leather Steering and a signature Union Jack insignia is also featured at the bottom of the steering wheel.

For the first time, the Countryman has a 5-inch digital instrument cluster. But drivers can look down less at the instruments as there is a Head Up Display which shows them vital operating information on the windscreen ahead of them.

The updated 8.8-inch  touchscreen display with navigation has a refined surface look, with the audio control panel and switchgear seamlessly integrated into the control unit. In-car entertainment comes from a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system.

A 2-litre TwinPower Turbo engine powers the Cooper S Countryman, its 192 bhp/280 Nm giving a 0 to 100 km/h capability claimed to be 7.5 seconds with a 7-Speed Dual Clutch Sports Automatic Transmission. As for the Cooper SE Countryman, a 1.5-litre TwinPower Turbo engine with an electric motor (pictured above) provide a combined output 224 bhp/385 Nm of torque. This hybrid powertrain can rocket the car to 100 km/h in a claimed 6.8 seconds and on to a top speed said to be 194 km/h.

The Cooper SE Countryman, which comes with all-wheel drive, has the latest eDrive technology which includes a high-voltage lithium battery pack. Recharging the battery pack takes from 3.25 hours to 5 hours, depending on the type of power supply and outlet available. A fully charged battery pack can give a pure electric range of up to 48 kms.

Owners can access the eDrive Services on their MINI Connected App which provides information such as current battery status, electric range, charge timer, personal efficiency status data, the nearest charging station and pre-conditioning.

Authorised MINI dealerships nationwide now have the new Countryman variants which come with a choice of 6 colours including, for the first-time, Sage Green – a captivating hue inspired by nature. The MINI Online Shop at
www.mini.my/minionlineshop
 has more information and also accepts bookings.

BMW Group Malaysia was the leader in the premium automotive segment in 2020


BMW i Andretti Motorsport ready for Season 6 of Formula E with the BMW iFE.20

Season 6 of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship sees the BMW i Andretti Motorsport team joining, for the second season, in the competition for all-electric single-seaters. Much preparation has gone on both on the racetrack and in the simulator, with extensive analysed of the findings from the first season.

“In our maiden season, with a win, two pole positions and several podiums, we showed that we are able to bring home top results in Formula E. However, we know that the performance level is extremely high and is likely to rise. But in this competitive environment, our aspiration must be to continue improving in our second season and be able to be among the front-runners battling for the top positions,” said BMW Group Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt.

“Irrespective of the results, we want to show just how dynamic and emotive electric racing can be, through good and exciting races. And away from the racetrack we will be present with BMW i. We will continue to use Formula E as a platform to present innovations in electric mobility, autonomous driving and other BMW Group cutting-edge fields to the general public,” he added.

Highlighting the technology transfer between racing and production, Marquardt said that the technology transfer between racing and series production remains a central pillar of BMW’s involvement in Formula E. “Our objective for the works entry for Season 5 was to establish an efficient technology cycle between BMW i Motorsport and BMW i, and we were very successful. BMW i engineers are already benefitting enormously from the technological insights we are getting from the extreme use case of Formula E as they develop future production model engines. We will continue this close collaboration next season, for the benefit of both parties,” he said.

The BMW iFE.20

Like its predecessor, the BMW iFE.20 also has a uniform chassis as stipulated by Formula E regulations. BMW expertise remains primarily in the core of the car, the enhanced drivetrain. The characteristic of the BMW Racing eDrive02 was revised based on the detailed information on the individual racetracks that the team gathered in their maiden season, and modified to suit the specific challenges of Formula E races. The changes affect the E-motor and the inverter.

The main goal of the modifications is to improve the efficiency of the drivetrain. The same glycol as is used in production vehicles is now also used for its water circulation system. The BMW i Motorsport engineers also optimised the software that calculates energy management strategies, and the simulator in Munich. The rear-end structure was also reworked, to provide more flexibility for the set-up.

When working on the BMW Racing eDrive02, the BMW Motorsport engineers cooperated intensely and closely with their colleagues in BMW i production development. The iFE.20 serves as a tech lab for road car production. The knowledge gained by BMW i Motorsport engineers in the tough competitive environment of Formula E flows straight back into the development of future E-drives for BMW production vehicles. Motor racing makes it possible to test new materials, technologies and methods in extreme conditions and without having to take into consideration restrictive factors.

From the exterior, the slightly modified design of the iFE.20 is evident. It maintains some of the elements of its predecessor, including the blue and white corners which intersect in the style of the BMW logo. The view from above has also been accentuated which, considering the usually elevated seating position of spectators at Formula E races, plays a particularly important role. On top of this is the asymmetric layout, which provides maximum visibility at race speed. The striking changes also include the non-reflective, matt black cockpit element, which has been extended to the whole driver environment. It puts even more focus on the driver and highlights his pivotal role in Formula E.

The BMW logo pattern emphasised in its predecessor has been given a slightly more abstract interpretation for the iFE.20. In return, there is greater accentuation of the progression of colour from blue to violet, the natural colours of electricity. Also, the BMW i Motorsport ‘Spirit Marks’ established during the course of last season are now also reflected in the design of the cars.

The BMW iFE.18 in action at the New York round of Formula E Season 5 in July this year.


From Swatch To smart

The smart brand is among the younger automotive brands in the world, with its original concept of a compact city car having been conceived in the early 1990s. And it wasn’t just a basic car with compact dimensions; the brainchild of Nicolas Hayek, the man who created the Swatch watch, it was to be cheap, trendy and practical for almost anyone – like the watches.

Hayek believed there was a market for such a car, especially with the congestion in cities. But he also realised that he knew a lot about making watches… but little about making cars. So he knocked on the doors of Renault and VW, but they were not interested. Little did he know then that Mercedes-Benz had noticed his idea in 1993 and it matched their idea of a city car which they had been exploring for many years.

One of the original smart models sold in Malaysia in the mid-2000s.

The German automaker established Micro Compact Car AG in Switzerland in April 1994 to make the car, and Hayek was invited to participate with a 49% stake. Though the media initially called it the ‘Swatch car’, a decision was made to create a new brand called smart (small ‘s’), the name being created by combining
S
watch,
M
ercedes
and
art.

Things moved very quickly because in that same year, plans were already being made for the production of the car. A site in France was selected (and later nicknamed ‘smartville’) and further development of the model saw a concept study being displayed at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Positive start in 1998
Production started in July 1998 and the first smart cars were delivered to customers in October. During the last quarter of 1998, 20,000 units were sold, an impressive start for the young company. By then, Daimler-Benz AG also decided to have full ownership of the company, and in 2002, the company’s name was changed to smart gmbh to be more readily identifiable with the brand.

With the new name, the model range expanded quickly to offer more variety for the youthful target market. Even the approach to selling smart cars was different from traditional retail concepts used by the rest of the car industry (certainly far different from selling a Mercedes-Benz!). smart was the first car company to open a dealership on the internet and its showroom concept (called smart Centres) – with cars stacked on top of each other in glass towers  – was designed by an Italian specialist.

During the early years of its existence in the European and American markets, demand was high. In the US especially, high fuel prices back then made the economical smart car a practical choice. But as SUVs became the popular choice, smart began to see decline. Furthermore, though the car was small, it was not cheap to make and profit margins were also small. That’s one of the reasons why Henry Ford II disliked small cars: he said he would have to sell millions to make the same sort of money that he did with Ford’s traditional large models.

Geely partners Mercedes-Benz
Even for a large manufacturer like Mercedes-Benz, supporting smart was seen as being costly and so a new business direction was adopted. This saw a switch to offering only electric vehicles (EVs) in 2019 and at the same time, Daimler AG (then the parent company of Mercedes-Benz) formed a
new joint venture
 with the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group to operate the smart brand.

Geely was already making much progress in EVs with its own R&D capabilities and having the smart brand, with its association with Mercedes-Benz, would be an asset. For the German carmaker, it also allowed an easier way to sell smart cars in China, which is the world’s largest car market.

And so the smart brand gained a ‘second wind’ which would see a new generation of smart cars built in China. The new generation would be designed by Mercedes-Benz with engineering from Geely’s global resources. As before when it pioneered innovation in urban mobility, the new smart company became the world’s first carmaker to switch its entire model range to electric power only.

Concept #1 presented in September 2021. Other than the door design, the rest of the production model which is known simply as smart #1 looks the same.

Concept #1
Despite the global pandemic which impacted business around the world, there was rapid progress at smart. By September 2021, the
Concept #1
 (‘hashtag 1’) was presented at the IAA MOBILITY 2021 event in Munich, Germany. It was a SUV, a starting model that will eventually expand to include other types in the range.

The Concept #1, painted glossy white, had a design language that would evolve for the new generation of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs). “The new sporty Concept #1 is a redefinition of the smart brand in a very cool grown-up way,” said Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler Group. “We have created a completely new design DNA that has the potential to establish smart as the leading design brand.”

The Concept #1 was pretty much what the production model (pictured above), known simply as smart #1, would look like. Its world premiere took place in April 2022 in Berlin, with bookings being accepted in China right away. In the first 24 hours of opening for bookings, 10,000 people signed up for a smart #1, an impressive response.

In the months that followed, all regulatory approvals were obtained and of importance to consumers, the
EuroNCAP rating
 was a full 5 stars. In all categories of the assessment (which included crash tests, the smart #1 scored top marks. In fact, the scores for Adult Protection and Child Protection were as high as 96% and 89%, respectively – far exceeding the industry average.

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Coming to Malaysia
Malaysia will also be one of the markets where the smart #1 will be sold, with its launch to take place this year. Planning has already been underway since Proton signed a distributorship agreement with smart last year. However, while Proton is developing its own EV models, the smart business will be handled by its NEV subsidiary,
PRO-NET
. This will allow complete focus on all aspects of the smart business and we’re told that even the approach being taken will be different, with a separate network for sales and aftersales.

In this context, the PRO-NET team has been hard at work to prepare for marketing activities as well as the vital aftersales support. This includes contributing to the charging infrastructure and PRO-NET is collaborating with
Gentari
 to set up 20 DC fast-charging points this year. It understands that in order to give people confidence to own an EV, availability of charging points is a crucial factor as it relates to range. The company will also offer home-charging solutions to customers as well as other connected services related to charging such as the smart App.

PRO-NET Established To Handle Proton’s New Energy Vehicle Business


Lamborghini forms official eSports factory team

In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic kept people in their homes and racing activities came to a standstill, Lamborghini started a one-make championship online. Not surprisingly, the event known as ‘
The Real Race
’ was a success as driving enthusiasts took to racing virtually. More than 2,500 drivers from 109 countries participated in the first edition of the Lamborghini eSports championship.

Huracan GT3 EVO for all participants

The immersive competition had the Huracan GT3 EVO for use by all participants. Each car had  exclusive race livery created by Centro Stile, Lamborghini’s in-house design department. Participants could customize the looks in 12 different versions, with each car displaying the trademark logos of long-standing Lamborghini Squadra Corse partners – Pertamina, Pirelli and Roger Dubuis.

The competition returned in 2021 with 10 races and a new and upgraded regional format. The new format had a more global approach as racers competed both in traditional Grand Prix and in three Endurance races to earn points within their regional tournaments in Europe, America and Asia. As in 2020, they all drove a Huracan GT3 EVO in Assetto Corsa Competizione, the advanced racing simulation game.

Assetto Corsa Competizione was developed alongside car manufacturers and provides a dynamic platform for Lamborghini’s latest racing series. It has photorealistic weather conditions and graphics, night races, motion capture animations, reaching a new standard in terms of driving realism and immersion. The game is also used by official Lamborghini Squadra Corse test and race drivers in their real-world preparations.

The winners of the 6-month long championship enjoyed a track experience with the Lamborghini Squadra Corse and a VIP experience at Lamborghini Headquarters. Additionally, the top-ranked  player of each regional series would be invited to become a Lamborghini Official Sim driver.

Creation of a ‘factory team’

Lamborghini decided to create its own official team – a ‘factory team’, just as in real life competition – to build on the valuable experience gained with
The Real Race.
 The eSports Team represents a further opportunity to expand the brand’s presence in a sector that is constantly developing, highly competitive, and also strengthen its commitment to the eSports scene.

The three sim drivers chosen to represent the brand in the major international eSports competitions are Jordan Sherratt, Gianfranco Giglioli and Giorgio Simonini. Sherratt (South African, 23) and Giglioli (Italian-Venezuelan, 24) will compete together in the GT World Challenge Esports Sprint Series Europe, and Simonini (Italian, 22) will join the pair to form the crew for the 2022 Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports Endurance Championship.

The Sprint calendar consists of 5 races and started last weekend with the Misano race. The last round is set for August 3, with the grand finale scheduled in the virtual version of the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza.

The Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports series starts next weekend (April 16) with the 12 Hours of Bathurst, the famous Australian endurance race. Here too, there are 5 rounds on the calendar, with the competition concluding on August 27 with the 9 Hours of Kyalami at the famous circuit in South Africa.

Support from Squadra Corse

The three sim racers have been training hard, sharing important information on driving and set-up. They will be supported during the season by the Squadra Corse staff who are dedicating a team principal, driver coach and engineers to offer their expertise in the development and analysis of telemetry data, from the track to the virtual simulation.

“Sim racing is an important platform in today’s motorsport scene. Videogames were born to allow those who didn’t have opportunities for real-life racing to be like the professional drivers. Now, after several decades of development in the industry, sim racing is getting closer and closer to its real-life counterpart. Moreover, sim racing is an additional tool for us to develop some of the fundamental aspects of real racing, such as car set-ups and software applications that will play an important role in the future of our brand,” said Automobili Lamborghini’s Head of Motorsport, Giorgio Sanna.

The expanding universe of eSports


2020 Honda Insight unveiled in the US – From RM94,203

The latest 2020 Honda Insight has just been unveiled for the US market where it now comes with updated styling combined with premium driving experience and outstanding fuel efficiency. The new Honda Insight now comes with a new Platinum White Pearl colour option to further elevate its premium-ness.

There will be three different variants which are the Honda Insight LX, Honda Insight EX, and the top-of-the-range Honda Insight Touring. Pricing for US consumers starts from $22,930 to $28,340 (RM94,203 to RM116,429).

With an EPA-rated 55 mpg2 city fuel economy (LX, EX) in combination with premium sedan design and driving performance, Insight brings the style consumers desire with fuel efficiency that’s easy on the wallet. The 2020 Insight carries forward all the elements that have made it one of America’s top-selling compact hybrids.

A combination of best-in-class cabin space, premium interior, and updated styling makes the Insight one of the best PHEV in its category. Combined with a cool 151hp produced by its 1.5L 4-cylinder working on the Atkinson cycle, paired with dual electric motors provides great performance and generous fuel economy to match (4.27L/100km).

Available in LX, EX, and Touring trims, all Insights come standard with multi-element LED headlights, push-button start, and the Honda Sensing® suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies. Insight EX adds an 8-inch Display Audio with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration, while Insight Touring adds leather seating surfaces, an 8-way power driver’s seat, Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™, dual-zone automatic climate control, and more.

10,000th locally-assembled Honda hybrid model delivered


Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron to debut in America

The Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron to be driven by Ken Block has been completed and will make its North American debut at the Rolex Motorsport Reunion later this month. This is the first time the drift artist is working with Audi after having long associations with Ford and Subaru.

Unlike all previous cars that Block has used, the S1 e-tron quattro – to be used in the next installment of his famous Gymkhana series, ‘Electrikhana’ – does not run on petrol because it has no combustion engine. Instead, it has dual motors powered by electricity, and Block will show that even with electrification, extreme performance is still possible.

Design of the S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron was inspired by the legendary quattro S1 (below) that set a new record in the Pikes Peak Hillclimb in the 1980s.

Inspiration for the design of the one-off car came from the legendary quattro S1 rallycar that sped up Pikes Peak in record time. The entire development, including the technology, of the S1 Hoonitron was conducted by Audi Sport.

Audi Design was brought in for the styling work only in December 2021. Typically for a project of this magnitude, designers and engineers would spend a year or more just developing the concept. However, in the case of the S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron, an accelerated timeline of just 4 weeks was targeted at the Audi Sport facility in Germany.

After about a month of labour-intensive work, the S1 Hoonitron was finalized. Block flew over to provide his input and also learn how to drive an all-electric car sideways and in circles. “I’m familiar with a wide variety of cars using internal combustion engines and transmissions, but there were a lot of new things for me to learn. Spinning into a donut at 150 km/h directly from standstill – just using my right foot – was an all-new experience for me! Our work was focused on getting the car and I used to each other. My thanks go to the whole Audi Sport squad for their outstanding teamwork,” he said.

“The S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron combines a lot of what Audi was already famous for in the 1980s,” added Block. “For instance, the car’s spectacular aerodynamics have now been translated into a totally modern form. I think it’s cool that the Audi designers have been inspired by their own past and uniquely transferred the car’s technologies and appearance into the present.”

The S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron brings electrification directly to the performance car enthusiast’s doorstep. Besides powerful electric motors, there’s all-wheel drive, a carbonfibre chassis, and incorporation of the full suite of safety standards as dictated by the FIA.

From 1984 to 1987, Walter Rohrl, as a member of the Audi Sport team, drove the original Sport quattro S1 during the Group B era of rallying. Audi had gained an unfair advantage in the early 1980s when it used the quattro all-wheel drive system in its rallycars. The ‘unfair advantage’ propelled the success of the brand in off-road, pavement, and track competitions alike, with significant performance benefits.

Today, the Audi quattro system has evolved with the latest technologies and credentials adapted from the world of motorsports. The modern interpretation, the S1 Hoonitron, serves as a nod to this significant period, while remaining sharply focused on the commitment toward electrification.

The gripping story of Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system


Transport Minister Asks MIROS To Investigate Genting Highlands Accident Which Caused 7 Deaths

(Photo: BERNAMA)

The winding road up to the Genting Highlands resort complex on the border between Selangor and Pahang is well known by Malaysians (and even Singaporeans). For drivers, it is a challenging drive and being able to drive up is ‘test’ of a car.

But for the families and friends of a group of tourists who travelled along that road recently, it will bring memories of a tragedy. They were involved in an accident when the van they were in crashed into the concrete divider, with 6 of the passengers being killed right away. A seventh person who was the co-driver, died later in hospital.

According to the police, the group was returning to Penang from Genting Highlands when the driver lost control of the van at a bend near Km 4.8 and it crashed into the divider. The impact was severe at the front and killed the driver, and caused serious injuries to the co-driver. It is not known how four of the passengers died and whether everyone had seatbelts on.

The accident attracted the attention of the Transport Minister who said that he has asked MIROS ( Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research) to carry out investigations into the accident. “I have asked MIROS to look into all aspects, including the design of the road, to obtain the full picture behind the tragic incident, which was believed to be due to loss of control while approaching a bend.”

“The MIROS report will be submitted to the Transport Ministry and the Works Ministry [which oversees road design]. We need to take note of the lessons from this to avoid a recurrence,” he said, adding that he had also asked Apad (Land Transport Agency) and the JPJ (Road Transport Department) to look into the company that was providing the transport service for the tourists.

The road up to the Genting Highlands complex was opened in 1969 and has a length of about 18 kms. It is a privately owned road which was originally accessed from the old Gombak – Bentong road. Later, after the Karak highway was opened in 1979, an access was built from the highway over the Genting Sempah tunnels. A ramp was added later on to give direct access from the highway before the tunnel.

In the early years, the road was narrow and not well lit. As the traffic volumes grew with the increasing popularity of the resort which includes a casino, the property owners widened the road and also created a dual carriageway in some sections to increase safety.

The steep climb has been regarded as a challenge for motorists and one of the questions asked about a new car – especially one like the Perodua Kancil when it was launched – was ‘can it got up Genting?’. Actually any car can go up the slope but how fast it can do so is a different matter.

Nevertheless, the road was (and still is) a ‘test course’ for some car companies whose drivers will go up and down to assess performance. In 1995, even Audi had a team drive a prototype model up the road because the Germans were told that it was very challenging. And of course, these days there are various groups that do drives there almost every weekend.

In earlier years, it was not uncommon to see cars coming down the slope with smoke blowing out from their wheels. Many drivers would apply the brakes for long periods to moderate the speed and this would cause the brakes to overheat and start smoking. Back then, the brake discs were not ventilated in many cars so they overheated quickly. Today’s brake systems have ventilated discs and are also designed to fade less after excessive use.

The correct way to drive down a steep slope is to use a lower gear. Of course, with many cars having automatic transmissions these days, that might not be possible. The solution would usually be to select ‘L’ (low) or manually select gears if that feature is available. Avoid using the brakes for long periods.

Select a lower gear, if possible, when driving down a steep slope so that you do not have to use the brakes so much.

In any case, when driving along such roads, it is best to drive at a moderate speed without your capabilities (unless you are a skilled driver). Be sure your lights are on if your car does not come with daytimes running lights. On sections where there is no solid divider and only lines separating flows on both sides, be alert for oncoming vehicles that may come over to your side, especially at corners and curves. The drivers may be racing with others and overtake recklessly or they might have lose control.


F1 (Round 15): Preview & Starting Grid For 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix

Race starts at 5:10 pm in Bahrain | 10:10 pm in Malaysia

The disrupted 2020 Formula 1 World Championship enters its closing phase this weekend with the first part of a Middle East triple-header. It will certainly be gruelling for the teams who have endured a compressed calendar that only started in the second half of the year after the COVID-19 pandemic forced postponements and cancellations as countries tried to get the pandemic under control.

The first of the final three rounds will be the Bahrain Grand Prix at the circuit in Sakhir. It has been the venue of the Bahrain GP since 2004 and only in 2011 was the event not run due to domestic problems.

There are a few circuit layouts and for this weekend, the GP Circuit will be used. This has 15 turns and a lap length of 5.412 kms. Regardless of which circuit, the conditions are tough and the surface is highly abrasive. Despite the track’s rural location, surrounded by sandy desert, the sand does not actually present the cars with any major issues and the circuit surface (surrounded by 1,120 palm trees) can clean up very quickly.

One of the key considerations will be traction coming out of slower corners and protecting the rear tyres. Pirelli is offering the C2, C3 and C4 tyres this weekend at Sakhir, one compound softer than used in 2019 when most drivers opted for a 2-stop strategy.

Turn 10 is one of the trickiest corners because it has a long, combined corner entry that gets tighter towards the apex – which is blind over a crest. Drivers begin to apply the brakes while also negotiating the wide corner arc of Turn 9 and the track drops away at the apex. All of these factors cause the front-left tyre to go light and increase the risk of a lock-up. The balance is on a knife-edge through this sequence, as drivers battle cornering and braking, so you may see mistakes at this point on the track.

The Bahrain Grand Prix is always punishing on the brakes, with 7 braking events and 3 of those being classified as ‘heavy’ by engineers in the Mercedes-AMG team. Mechanical grip is also an important area in Bahrain, to propel the cars out of the slow turns. This is in stark contrast to the set-up approach for tracks like Silverstone and Mugello, where high-speed corner performance is the priority.

The 57-lap race starts at twilight; as the light dims and temperatures fall to around 26 degrees C., the drivers will be circulating in lighting from 495 posts. Over the projected two hours of the race, they should cover 308 kms, averaging 58 gear-changes on each lap.

Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari have had the most victories at this circuit, the driver having won 4 times and the team having won 6 times. Lewis Hamilton has won 3 times so a win tomorrow will bring him equal to the German driver.


Lunaz rebuilds a classic Jaguar model as EV using ocean rubbish

Lunaz is a young (in existence since 2018) British company which remanufactures and electrifies vehicles, and it claims to be the world’s leading creator of upcycled, restored and electrified classic cars. Models which it has electrified include the Jaguar XK120, 140 and 150, Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Rolls-Royce Phantom V, Bentley Continental, and
Range Rover Classic
.

The company typically does work on commission, and it has three divisions providing all the necessary services that further the legacies of the most celebrated cars in the world. Its most recent project which has been completed is a 1952 Jaguar XK120.

The car presented a world-first for a project of this type – a leather-free interior that utilises ocean clean-up materials. This includes carpets that are woven from reclaimed nylon sea-fishing nets. Additionally, the backing of these carpets is upcycled from marine plastic pollution such as plastic bottles.

The process of reclaiming waste materials from the ocean is already being successfully utilised in the worlds of fashion, fine furniture making and high-end watch manufacturing. Global demand for these kinds of sustainable materials is driving significant positive environmental impact: for every tonne of the raw material produced to make the materials that make Lunaz’ carpets, 7 barrels of crude oil can be saved and nearly 7 tonnes of carbon will not be emitted.

In handing over this beautiful electrified and upcycled Jaguar XK120, we conclude a project that has empowered our designers to re-imagine the traditional classic car material palette. We are proud to take materials and create processes that significantly reduce the global impact of enjoying these cars by unlocking the power of upcycling,” said David Lorenz, Founder & CEO of Lunaz (which has David Beckham among its investors).

While such a car is already exclusive, Lunaz’ customers would expect to be able to personalise their cars further and this is handled by an in-house design department. The team works in close collaboration with customers to understand their aesthetic and personal sensibilities. In the case of this very special build, the customer visited Lunaz throughout the commissioning and specification process to understand the way that alternatives to leather and innovative upcycled materials perform from a visual and comfort perspective.

This led to a decision (by the customer) to create an entirely leather-free interior specified to complement the bespoke Obsidian Blue exterior colour scheme. This was painted in-house at Lunaz’ home in Silverstone, UK and is one of the limitless palettes of colours available to every Lunaz customer.

This very close collaboration yielded an interior finished in an innovative blend of textiles, traditional woods and upcycled materials. For example, the seat frame is constructed from recyclable aluminium. This offers both a contemporary aesthetic and an alternative to traditional classic material palettes while delivering the functional requirements of the seat.

The seats are finished in a super-high-quality fabric material. Subtle reference to the driver-focus of this particular car is made through the addition of a black stripe to the driver’s seat.

The Burr Walnut veneer wood has a contemporary aesthetic through a satin lacquer. Wherever possible, material from the 70-year old car was painstakingly restored to minimise the requirement to create new materials. This extended to the substrates which were then re-veneered in sustainably sourced timber.

Lunaz’ team of engineers subtly integrated the latest infotainment and audio technology into the car. This includes the discreet placement of a screen installed with Apple CarPlay to operate the customer’s preferred navigation and music streaming apps.

The Lunaz modular powertrain used in the Jaguar was developed by a team of engineers drawn from some of the leading names in automotive design and technology and under the leadership of Jon Hilton, former Technical Director of Renault Formula 1.

Lunaz’ proposition has created unprecedented global demand from both new classic car owners and existing collectors seeking to rebalance their collections in line with shifting global sensibilities. An independent environmental audit found that once a Lunaz vehicle undergoes the brand’s process of re-engineering and electrification, it reclaims more than 80% of the embedded carbon of the original car’s manufacture.

Therefore, this approach represents a sustainable means to keep the most celebrated cars in history on the road while addressing the other key barriers to classic car ownership, usability and reliability.

Lunaz turns 1960s Aston Martin DB6 into electric sportscar for more than US$1 million


F1/Round 22: 2022 Abu Dhabi Prix Preview And Starting Grid

Race starts at 5 pm in Abu Dhabi | 9 pm in Malaysia

After 21 rounds in 19 countries, the 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Championship has reached its final round this weekend at the Yas Marina Circuit, the venue of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2009 and also where racing after sunset began for F1. Since 2014, it has been the last round of the championship and is likely to remain so till the end of the decade.

Last year saw changes made which resulted in a faster, more flowing track, with improved overtaking opportunities. The main changes were removing the old chicane at the start of the second sector and widening the following hairpin. The twisty chicanes at the start of the final sector were replaced by one long, banked corner. This has improved overtaking possibilities into the hairpin at Turn 5, at the new banked Turn 9 and in the final sector where the corners in the hotel complex were opened up.

The changes also reduced the lap length from 5.554 kms to 5.281 kms, which saw the number of laps increasing from 55 to 58 for a total distance of 3.06.2 kms. Almost all of the laps will be run after the sun has gone down, with the race starting at 5 pm and the sun setting 35 minutes later. 4,700 lights turn night into day for the drivers as they race around at over 330 km/h.

The changes to the track increased speeds and loads through some corners. However, as the circuit will still be smooth, with average stress on the tyres in terms of wear and degradation, the 3 softest compounds in the P Zero range will again be the suitable choice, according to Pirelli.

“Last year’s modifications to some of the straights and corners on the Yas Marina track have made the circuit faster, balancing the longitudinal and lateral demands on the tyres – whereas previously it was more about traction and braking,” said Pirelli’s Mario Isola, Director of Motorsports. “Despite these changes to the layout, there is still going to be a lot of attention paid to the rear tyres in order to guarantee the best traction over long stints.”

Formel 1 – Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, Großer Preis von Abu Dhabi 2022. George Russell

Formula One – Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, 2022 Abu Dhabi GP. George Russell

Minimum cornering speeds and gears used by the Mercedes-AMG drivers at Yas Marina.

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.

The pit lane at Yas Marina is the only one in F1 to feature a tunnel. Drivers pass under the track at the pit lane exit, re-joining on the left-hand side of Turn 2. It’s a tricky place to feed cars back onto the racing line as they return to the circuit mid-corner and can sometimes be unsighted.

With Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing already confirmed as winners of the Drivers and Constructors titles for 2022, attention at this season finale focuses on the tight battle for the runners-up spot in the Drivers Championship. Verstappen’s unwillingness to help his team mate Sergio Perez move forward and get extra points in Brazil meant that Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is even with him so it will be a fight right to the finish. Both drivers have 290 points but Leclerc is considered as runner-up because he won more races this year.

In the Constructors Championship, 19 points separate Ferrari from the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS team after the latter scored a 1-2 result in Brazil. Further down, 5 points separate Alfa Romeo ORLEN  and Aston Martin who will also want to try to move up with a good finish.

The Mercedes-AMG team has had the most wins at this race, with 6 consecutive victories between 2014 and 2019, and 5 of which were by Lewis Hamilton. If Red Bull Racing, which won last year, can win again tomorrow, then it would equal the score.

Farewell to Sebastian Vettel
This is the final F1 race for Sebastian Vettel, as the 4-time World Champion will retire after his 299th F1 start tomorrow. Seb, as he is often called, made his F1 debut in 2007 at the US Grand Prix. Over the 16 years since, he has won 53 times, putting him third on the list of all-time winners, behind Hamilton (103) and Michael Schumacher (91).

He holds the record for most consecutive wins in a season, with 9 scored in 2013 and his 4 titles in a row between 2010 and 2013 is a tally matched by Hamilton and Juan Manuel Fangio, and only surpassed by Schumacher. Vettel remains the sport’s youngest champion as he was 23 years and 134 days old when he won his first race in 2010.


Mazda Brings Back The Rotary Engine – As Part Of A Plug-in Hybrid Powertrain in MX-30 e-SKYACTIV

The Wankel rotary engine was first used in a car in 1964 and it seemed like a revolutionary concept that many carmakers licensed it to use for their models. However, virtually all found it to have issues which they didn’t want to waste time and money trying to address and gave up. Only Mazda worked hard to commercialize the rotary engine and succeeded in doing so from 1967.

Unfortunately, some of the characteristics of the rotary engine – high emissions and consumption – were unacceptable as the world grew more environment conscious. By 2012, Mazda had no choice but to stop using the rotary engine and it seemed that it was gone forever. From time to time, there would be rumours of its return and Mazda insiders would say ‘we are working on it but still need time…’. The last time the rumour was strong was with the Vision Study Coupe concept.

Today, the rotary engine returns but not in the way enthusiasts would expect it. It is not used as a primary propulsion system but is instead adapted for use more as a power generator in the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain of the new MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV model.

With the 200-km range of the
MX-30 EV
 having made it less attractive than other EVs that could go further, Mazda had considered using the powerplant as a range-extender but opted for a plug-in variant. That allowed it to further reduce the size and cost of the battery pack, compared with a range-extender concept.

Thanks to the use of aluminium, the 8C rotary engine is over 15 kgs lighter than the twin-rotor Renesis engine used in the RX-8. The use of direct fuel injection reduces emissions and increases fuel economy, while the engine also features an Exhaust Gas Recirculation system to improve efficiency at low rpm and low load running

Coupled with the electric motor which generates 170 hp/260 Nm, plus another 74 hp from the 830 cc single rotor engine, gives high output with a more compact and light powertrain than a reciprocating combustion engine. There are 3 drive-modes – Normal, EV and Charge – and overall acceleration is said to be better than the MX-30 EV.

When running on just the electric motor, a range of 85 kms is claimed and this figure was targeted after looking at data of real-world usage of EVs. As it can draw liquid fuel from the 50-litre fuel tank, the rotary engine allows for long-distance travel without the range anxiety of a battery electric vehicle.

Compatibility with both AC charging and rapid DC charging is another benefit, meaning 3-phase AC charging takes around 50 minutes, while DC rapid charging can be completed in around 25 minutes.

The MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV plug-in hybrid model offers a third powertrain choice (a mild hybrid is also available in Japan, Australia and New Zealand) in the MX-30 range. This fits in with Mazda’s Multi Solution Approach of continuing forward towards electrification and carbon neutrality, but still providing a choice of mobility solutions for customers.

Mazda Announces 1.5 Trillion Yen 3-Phase Plan For Electrification Of Model Range

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BMW’s battery pack technology reduces replacement costs

When people started buying hybrids and electric vehicles, the issue of battery pack costs was not so apparent. Perhaps it was due to having used batteries in conventional cars which could last a few years and replaced periodically at a relatively low cost. However, the battery pack in an electrified vehicle (hybrid/EV) is different from the typical 12V battery in millions of vehicles. While the small battery in the engine bay provides electricity to start the engine primarily, the battery pack in an electrified vehicle actually powers the vehicle.

Due to the need to store large amounts of electrical energy, the battery packs have to be bigger and use more advanced technologies and materials. Conventional 12V batteries have typically used a lead-acid combination and though improved over the years, their process of generating electricity through chemical reaction has not changed.

Unlike the conventional 12V battery (left) that has been used for decades in millions of vehicles, battery packs in hybrids and EVs are much larger and cost a great deal more.

Because battery pack technology is still evolving as storage capacity increases, the cost of the new technology is still high, not to mention the economies of scale are still lower than for conventional lead-acid batteries. This means they cost much more and for the early owners of electrified vehicles, there was the sudden shock of discovering that the cost of replacement was very high.

In Malaysia, depending on the model, the price was RM7,000 upwards. This led to reduced appeal for electrified vehicles and in order to provide peace of mind, the companies selling such vehicles began to offer a separate warranty on the battery pack which was longer than the factory warranty for the vehicle.

The prices have come down a bit and the battery pack for some Honda models sold in Malaysia is around RM5,500. Like those 12V batteries, the battery pack can last a while though there is no specific service life promised. Extreme operating conditions or rare system problems can shorten the life which is why the warranty is useful. But this does have an effect on resale value since the next owner would have to consider the added cost of replacement at some point in time.

Battery pack in a BMW 530e M Sport (one section exposed to show the cell module inside).

To address this key concern for electrified vehicle ownership, BMW’s high-voltage battery presents solutions to concerns around repair and maintenance by developing their batteries where single modules are replaceable. In the case of a lithium-ion battery pack (increasingly used) that houses multiple modules, there are multiple cells.

In most cases, if a battery pack starts to have problems or has reached the end of its service life, the whole unit has to be replaced – at considerable cost. However, the high-voltage battery pack used in BMWs does not necessarily require this expensive approach.

In the 530e M Sport, for example, the battery pack gas up to 6 cell modules. Should one of the modules be faulty, it does not mean the whole battery pack needs to be replace. Just that module can be changed and the cost is RM5,000 per cell. Although built to last the lifetime of the vehicle, BMW Group Malaysia still offers a comprehensive warranty coverage of 6 years/100,000 kms for the battery packs in its vehicles which should give peace of mind to owners.

The lightweight battery pack is capable of storing a great deal of energy, giving the 530e M Sport a maximum output of 83 kW which can get it to a maximum speed of 120 km/h in full electric driving. Recharging time is dependent on the type of system used but said to be under 3 hours with the BMW i Wallbox, with a fully charged battery pack giving an all-electric range of up to 40 kms.

BMW Group’s high-voltage battery technology is available in the plug-in hybrid variants of both BMW and MINI models.

BMW’s high-voltage battery technology is available in the plug-in hybrid variants of the 5-Series, 7-Series, as well as the all-electric i3s and the MINI Plug-In Hybrid.

Production of High-Voltage Batteries for BMW Hybrid Vehicles underway in Thailand


Ford introduce Ranger Black Edition for Europe

Ford unveiled an exclusive Black Edition of its ever popular Ranger at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It’s based on the European market’s Limited Series variant that comes with a unique colour scheme and a plethora of features that set it apart from the base vehicle.

This particular Ranger comes with de-chromed body in Absolute Black with a black finish for the radiator grille, alloy wheels, sports bar and exterior detailing. Adding to this level of exclusivity, only 2,500 examples of this variant will ever be produced. And all of them will be offered with the Double Cab body-style only.

Besides this, the Black Edition is fitted with satellite navigation, front parking sensors and rear view camera, Ford SYNC 3 multimedia system with 8-inch touchscreen, dual-zone electronic climate control, leather seat trim, and power-folding as well as heated door mirrors.

Speaking of the latest addition to the stable, Hans Schep, general manager, Commercial Vehicles, Ford of Europe, said, “Ranger customers appreciate the vehicle’s tough, go-anywhere capability and its rugged good looks, and we expect this attractive new limited series to be snapped up within weeks.”

In Europe, the Ford Ranger is the top selling pick-up truck as of July 2017, which also marks an increase of 12.1% in sales for the automaker. It managed to shift 23,100 compared to the same period last year.

It’s a similar story in Malaysia, despite fierce competition, the Ranger is still one of the favorites because of it what it is able to offer local customers.


First-ever rally raid podium with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing for Fernando Alonso

After joining TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, Fernando Alonso seems to be enjoying much better times than when he was racing in Formula 1. Recently, he achieved his first-ever rally raid podium with the team after a solid performance at the 2019 Al Ula-Neom Cross-Country Rally in Saudi Arabia.

In just their third rally raid competition together, Fernando and navigator, Marc Coma, took home the third-place trophy for the first time since the Spanish duo started their preparations towards the 2020 Dakar Rally just over 2 months ago.

The first 2 of 4 stages took place near the northwestern city of Al Ula which featured two loops of approximately 220 kms each day on mixed terrain of open desert, sand and stone strewn sections, and rocky paths. For Fernando and Marc, this event represented a new challenge of competing on unfamiliar terrain against a field of local rally raid specialists who had more experience.

Nevertheless, the Spanish duo brought their Toyota Hilux home in fourth place after the first stage after negotiating through the dust kicked up by frontrunners, trailing the leader by just 7 minutes 24 seconds. As their Hilux was brand new – only 20 kms on the clock – when they arrived in Saudi Arabia, Fernando elected to take a zero-risk approach during the opening stage by not pushing the vehicle too hard.

After a largely clean run on a route similar to that of the previous day and as they pushed to reduce the overall gap, they picked up a puncture towards the closing part of the stage which was made up of rocky paths. The pair lost approximately 2 minutes 30 seconds to replace the flat tyre, which resulted in an additional 7 minutes 35 seconds of deficit to the leader while maintaining a solid fourth place overall.

The final 2 stages of the event took place near the new city of Neom, on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea, approximately 460 kms northwest of Al Ula. This new and unfamiliar terrain and conditions included areas of tricky navigation which pushed competitors to their limits.

Despite the challenges, the duo showed strong pace over the course of the penultimate stage to bring their Hilux back home third-fastest overall and losing just 17 seconds to the leader after some 180 kms of high-speed driving.

They started the final day in third place overall following a late retirement overnight and securing the final podium spot with consistent pace throughout the day despite some time loss due to inaccurate road books and tricky navigation. Their split times showed excellent speed, a clear indication that they have already reached a highly competitive level in rally raid despite their relative lack of experience as they transition into new motorsport disciplines.

The 2019 Al Ula-Neom Cross-Country Rally is the last of 3 rally raid competitions for Fernando and Marc in their intensive training programme to prepare for the 2020 Dakar Rally. The Spanish pairing first entered what turned out to be an eventful Lichtenburg 400 in South Africa before tackling the formidable Rally of Morocco. They persevered through a wide variety of challenges and learnt invaluable lessons along the way.

With under two months to go before the Dakar Rally, Fernando and Marc will continue private testing before joining their TOYOTA GAZOO Racing teammates in Saudi Arabia in January 2020 for the Dakar Rally. Yes, you read that right – the next edition of the Dakar Rally will be held in Saudi Arabia which will be the third region used for the legendary event that started in 1979 as the Paris-Dakar Rally. In 2009, security concerns forced the organisers to stop using the route down West Africa and the event shifted to South America, but still retaining the ‘Dakar’ name.

The route of the 2020 Dakar Rally which will be held in Saudi Arabia for the first time since the legendary event began 40 years ago.

The Toyota Hilux is a global bestseller. To know more about the models available in Malaysia, visit
www.toyota.com.my
.

“Being there” helps Toyota make its cars ever better (w/VIDEO)


New BMW 1 Series to be launched in July

Fresh after the reveal of the 2 Series bimmer, BMW has spilled the beans on the new 1 Series that should be launched at the same time as its bigger brethren. The compact premium car will come in 3-door and 5-door form and will be offered in three new editions which are Edition Sport Line Shadow, Edition M Sport Shadow and M140i Edition Shadow.

Subtle design changes help differentiate these variants from the rest of the line-up. They include black kidney grille, black inserts in the LED headlights and darkened LED rear lights. There are also 5 new light-alloy wheels to choose from but they will only be made available in 17 and 18-inch form. Inside, the new 1 Series features a newly designed instrument panel and various design tweaks to improve drivers’ attention and provide for a better feeling of spaciousness.

The addition of new materials and premium leather upholstery help give the car a more elegant apperance, which is a welcomed feature for vehicles in it’s category and price point. BMW’s famous iDrive system governs the 8.8-inch touchscreen and various other functions including voice control, Navigation and touch-sensitive interface.

Those wanting a little more sophisticated will not go empty handed because the 1 Series comes with the BMW Connected Drive services that ensure that the car is connected with systems that enable Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) with hazard preview, On-Street Parking Information, vehicle access via Remote Services and the integrated Microsoft Exchange function for sharing and editing emails, calendar entries and contact details. Smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay, inductive charging and a WiFi hotspot for up to ten devices are all features that are available with BMW’s latest infotainment system.

Petrol Engine options for the 1 Series are similar to that of the 2 Series BMW. they include three, four and six cylinder petrol engines as well as three and four cylinder diesel ones. Power output range from 109bhp for the basic 116i to 340bhp for the fire-breathing M140i. Touted as the only compact hatch with rear-wheel-drive, the new 1 Series has also been made available with the xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system as an option.

If you are interested in the car, you would be happy to know that BMW has added two new exterior colours for the bodywork, which are Sunset Orange and Seaside Blue. Expect more from BMW in the months leading up to the official launch, but we will do our part to ensure you get the latest news.


New Mercedes-AMG GT R & GT C – From RM1,558,888

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has unveiled their latest-generation Mercedes-AMG GT R and GT C earlier today. The expansion of their top range offering come with some very awesome technical marvel that promise greater speeds, agility, and all-round driving nirvana on and off the tracks.

According to Michael Jopp, Vice President, Sales & Marketing Passenger Cars, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, “The Mercedes-AMG GT R and GT C embody the core value of our brand, “Driving Performance”, in a unique way. They are brutal, incredibly powerful and agile. At its début four years ago, it not only turned the heads of customers and sports car enthusiasts, but also created new dimensions in the competitive environment. These new generation models will deliver an incomparable thrill that our drivers experience on the road and track.”

Starting with the Mercedes-AMG GT R, this beauty comes in hot with a 4.0-litre AMG V8 turbocharged engine with a power output of 585hp and 700Nm of torque. All its power is handled via an AMG Speedshift DCT seven-speed transmission package that propels to from 0-100km/h in just 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 318km/h.

The GT C variant is just as powerful but tuned for a more modest 557hp and 680Nm of torque. Centennial speed is reached in just 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 316km/h.

When it comes to design, the latest AMG addition into the Malaysian market embodies a perfect balance between hot and col. With its low-slung front section and shark nose-like radiator grille, the new GT R and GT C scream superior aerodynamic superiority and efficient cooling capabilities.

The GT R variants also comes with wheel arch liners and cooling air slits for optimum airflow towards its double wheel arch radiators. This feature is further enhanced with the additions of air curtains on the outside of the front car. Carbon components offers greater driving prowess which are not only light but also add stability and agility.

Another great benefactor to both these cars when it comes to aerodynamics is the adoption of AIRPANEL active air management system where vertical louvres are electronically controlled to be opened and closed in by an electric motor to improve airflow and aerodynamic performance based on speed and vehicle position.

If you prefer something a bit more motorsports-like, the GT R comes with a suspension package bred for the racetrack. Aluminium parts forming its wishbones, steering knuckles and hub carriers help to reduce unsprung masses and reduce elastic movements of the entire vehicle in extreme manoeuvres.

Paired that with the AMG Ride Control system and you can basically tailor setup the car according to own personal preferences for both road and track driving. The GT C also comes with AMG Ride Control, but it’s paired with a set of electronic adaptive damping system that’s able to ‘read’ the road and tune it accordingly and ensuring you have the best ride no matter where you go.

Other notable features include:

LED high performance headlights

Multi-chamber reflector system

Carbon-fibre roof, AMG 5-twin-spoke forged wheels & yellow-painted brake callipers (GT R)

Panoramic sunroof, AMG cross-spoke forged wheels & red-painted brake callipers (GT C)

Fully digital instrument display with the 12.3-inch instrument cluster & 10.25-inch multimedia display

AMG steering wheel buttons

If you yearn for something more, there’s also the AMG Track Package on offer which comprises of a roll-over protection system, enclosed 4-point safety harnesses for driver, and a 2-kg fire extinguisher. This helps to increase vehicle rigidity and amp up its safety levels for some serious track-shredding good times.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has priced their new Mercedes-AMG GT R and GT C at RM1,712,888 and RM1,558,888 respectively (OTR price without insurance). For more information, head over to
www.mercedes-benz.com.my
 or visit any of the authorised showrooms located nationwide.

Mercedes-AMG GT R photo gallery

Mercedes-AMG GT C photo gallery

2019 Mercedes-Benz B 200 Progressive Line & GLA 200 Style launched – From RM223,888


RFID tag can now be used on PLUS highways in Kedah and Penang

If you are driving on PLUS highways in Kedah and Penang and your vehicle has a RFID tag, you can now enjoy faster passage through the toll plazas. From today (Wednesday, July 22). All 9 closed toll plazas from Hutan Kampung all the way to Sungai Dua will open their dedicated toll plaza lanes.

The RFID lanes, which can only be used by privately-registered vehicles, have been available at other toll plazas (open toll system) since the beginning of this year. Those have been at Jitra, Lunas, Kubang Semang, Penang Bridge, Mambau, Lukut, Kempas, Perling, Lima Kedai and Tanjung Kupang.

However, plans by PLUS to roll out across its plazas with 84 closed toll systems (payment based on distance travelled) from April 1 2020 had to be deferred due to COVID-19 pandemic which subjected the country to the Movement Control Order (MCO). Since the implementation of the Recovery MCO, PLUS has resumed its program of RFID implementation.

“Our Northern highway customers can enjoy the convenient, swift and safe RFID experience.  Aligned to the Government’s directive to move towards Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll highway, the introduction of RFID on closed toll system is a next step to make this goal a reality. The RFID technology allows for faster throughput thus reducing congestion at the toll lanes, which is the primary objective for PLUS adopting it,” said Datuk Azman Ismail, Managing Director of PLUS.

“Coincidently, its cashless and contactless transaction not only reduces human interaction at the lanes, but also eliminates the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Linked to an e-wallet as the source of funds, the RFID will reduce cases of insufficient card balances that cause hold up at lane. The ability to top up the e-wallet online helps replenish e-wallet balances regularly and negates the human interactions at toll plaza (for insufficient card balances) that increases the risk of COVID-19 transmission,” he explained.

Datuk Azman Ismail  said PLUS anticipates a positive uptake of RFID tags from Penangites, while highway users in Kedah will want to start using the complementary electronic payment system to the SmartTag.

Touch’nGo Sdn Bhd is giving away 1,500 free RFID tags in a limited time only promotion, and PLUS currently offers complimentary RFID tags on a first come-first served basis (and while stocks last) at selected Fitment Centres in Penang and Kedah only. This is in conjunction with the
#JomRFID
 campaign, especially during the Hutan Kampung-Sungai Dua the public pilot program kick-off.

Besides going to the Fitment Centres, motorists can also purchase the RFID tag online and attach it to the headlight or windscreen themselves. The price is the same as at the Fitment Centre but you probably have to pay a delivery charge.

To redeem these complimentary RFID tags, customers are required to register as a PLUSMiles member at
jomrfid.plusmiles.com.my
. They will then receive a voucher code for redemption. After the full redemption of 1,500 complimentary RFID tags, 15,000 users will be able to receive 500 PLUSMiles reward points when purchasing an RFID tag at RM35 each at the selected Fitment Centres.

PLUS customers now have PUTRI to help them with their enquiries