Quicker shift times in future Kia/Hyundai hybrids with Active Shift Control

The beginning of the computer age in the 1980s saw the rapid development of electronic systems for management of many different functions in cars. This led to significant leaps in performance and efficiency as computers could calculate at thousands of times a second, making adjustments to match operating conditions precisely.

One area where such lightning-fast management was valuable was in the automatic transmission. The transmission control unit (TCU) worked with the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to coordinate gearshifts and as technology advanced, to eliminate the parasitic power losses.

Optimizing transmission efficiency

Now the Hyundai Motor Group has developed the world’s first Active Shift Control (ASC) transmission technology for future Kia and Hyundai hybrid models. The innovation optimizes transmission efficiency by monitoring the rotational speed of transmission with a sensor installed inside the electric motor at 500 times per second to quickly synchronize the rotational speed with that of engine.

ASC applies new control logic software to the Hybrid Control Unit (HCU), which then controls the electric motor to align the rotational speeds of the engine and transmission to reduce gearshift time by 30%. With the synchronization, shift time is reduced from 500 ms to 350 ms, increasing smoothness.

“The development of world’s first ASC technology is a remarkable innovation which incorporates precise motor control to automatic transmission,” said KyoungJoon Chang, Vice-President and Head of Powertrain Control System Group of Hyundai Motor Group, “It will not only save fuel but also provide a more fun driving experience for our customers.”

Development of the ASC technology is completed and is ready to be used in future Kia and Hyundai hybrid models.

Independently developed control logic software

Conventional hybrid vehicles do not have torque converters to further improve fuel economy as torque converters lose energy during the process of transmission. Although fuel efficient, such a system also requires longer shift times to ensure smoother gear changes.

ASC technology allows the hybrid’s electric motor to also take control of gearshifts by applying new software logic to the Hybrid Control Unit (HCU) to mitigate issues with slower shift time. This not only improves a hybrid vehicle’s acceleration performance and fuel economy, but also durability of the transmission by minimising friction during gearshift.


New airbag concept from ZF can reduce injuries from side-on collisions

Airbags have been in cars since the early 1980s, initially being installed at the front to give additional protection to the passenger and driver. Then airbags were installed at the sides (usually in the seats), giving protection against side collisions. Today, there can be up to 7 airbags on the front and sides of a cabin – curtain airbags over the window openings and a small airbag under the steering column to protect the driver’s knees (the seventh airbag).

Airbags for the rear occupants have been under study for a long time but there have been some issues which are still hard to resolve, preventing them from being offered. For example, the positioning of the passenger is critical and if this cannot be sufficiently controlled, then an airbag could cause injury instead. The mounting point of the airbag would also have to be optimised, especially with the greater area between the passenger and the seat. There are, however, airbags integrated in rear seatbelts available as options in some Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Ford models.

New dangers from side collisions

While research continues to find new and better solutions in passenger restraint systems, much attention is now also focussed on side-on collisions on the opposite side of the passenger. If the impact is severe enough, it can throw the passenger’s body toward the middle of the vehicle. The latest results from crash tests have shown this, referred to as the far side in professional circles, and it’s dangerous.

In certain crash events, the test dummies show that the passenger’s torso could bend over the centre console while the seat belt hold the pelvis back in the seat. As a result, the thoracic spine twists and the cervical spine can be overstretched. The dummy data readings indicate that serious injuries could result.

Far-side safety countermeasures present an untapped area for injury reduction and as far back as 2015, ZF showcased a far-side airbag concept for the first time. Installed in the inward-facing side of the driver’s seat, the airbag can help to provide better protection to both the driver and front-seat passenger.

A new Euro NCAP test requirement

Euro NCAP has now become the first safety organization in the world to react to the far-side problem. The new test requirements that will be introduced in 2020 will expand the scope of the investigations into side-on collisions on the side of the vehicle opposite to the passengers. A total of 16 points within the Euro NCAP are awarded to side-on collisions; in future, 4 of these points will focus solely on the topic of far-side collisions. A car can achieve a maximum of 38 points in all four categories for the protection of adult passengers.

Recent evaluations of the national accident data, collected by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from 2004 to 2013, present a detailed picture of the serious injuries that an be caused by far-side collisions: 43% of the injuries suffered were to the chest and abdomen and 23% were head injuries. Around 53% of the chest injuries were caused by contact with the centre console or the backrest, while 21% were caused by the passenger colliding with external structural elements, such as the metal parts of the door.

Different from other airbags

The design of the ZF far-side airbag therefore focuses on two chambers that are arranged in a specific way to complement each other. “This special design was developed based on the fact that we want to support the head in the upper area as early as possible. The shoulders of the passenger are usually held in place between the two chambers. The entire upper body is therefore better supported on both sides,” explained Dominique Acker, an engineer involved in the preliminary development of side airbags in the Passive Safety Systems Division.

The considerably larger far-side airbag is integrated in the driver’s seat in a similar fashion to a side airbag. In the event of a side-on collision, the airbag control unit can trigger the far-side airbag shortly after the standard side airbag. In order to stabilize the far-side airbag, it is either fixed in place on the seat frame with a strap or supported by the centre console.

It can also be triggered when a collision takes place on the driver’s side. This is due to the fact that if there are people sitting in both of the car’s front seats, lateral acceleration can cause the two car occupants to collide with one another. In this instance, the far-side airbag can help prevent this exact scenario from taking place.

The airbag therefore differs from the front and side airbags: the function of these airbags is to help reduce the body’s momentum by ‘enveloping’ the passenger, while the far-side airbag provides the passenger’s body with more support. “The pressure in the chambers is therefore higher than in most other airbags,” explained Acker, revealing that the airbag will be offered in a compact-class vehicle in 2020.


All-new Volkswagen Golf R revealed

It used to be that the Golf GTI was the most powerful variant of the Golf range but these days, it is the R version that is eagerly awaited by enthusiasts, and Volkswagen has now revealed the one for the latest 8
th
 generation Golf. As with its predecessor, there is again a boost in output from the engine which is the 2-litre turbocharged TSI unit.

The new figures are 315 bhp, about 9% higher than before, with torque increasing to 420 Nm. This gives a claimed 0 to 100 km/h capability of 4.7 seconds and a top speed that is over 250 km/h but restricted to that speed. Customers can choose from a 6-speed manual transmission or 7-speed DSG, depending on the market.

As before, there is Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system to get all the power to the road through all four wheels. This is a newly developed torque vectoring system with selective wheel torque control on the rear axle, significantly increasing the car’s agility, particularly when cornering.

As a world first, the all-wheel drive system is also networked via a Vehicle Dynamics Manager with other running gear systems such the electronic differential locks and the DCC adaptive damping system. Thanks to this close integration of the different systems, the new Golf R offers optimal traction and neutral handling with precision.

Drift profile available

Among the choice of profiles to customise driving characteristics, there is also a Drift profile meant for track use (or private roads) only. When selected, the parameters for the ESC stability control (change to ESC Sport) and the distribution of power via the all-wheel drive system enable the Golf R to drift.

The car features a strut-type front and a multi-link rear suspension. Compared with its predecessor, the spring rates and anti-roll bar rates have both been increased by 10%. A new aluminium subframe helped to reduce the weight of the front suspension. The transverse link mounts and hub carriers on the rear suspension of the Golf R have also been modified.

Customized body design

Like all 8
th
 generation Golf models, the R is a five-door model and has its own customized design and exclusive and sporty equipment. The new front bumper features a motorsport-style splitter and R-specific air intake grilles, with high-gloss black elements. At the top of the radiator grille is a blue crossbar which lights up as an LED strip as soon as the engine starts and stretches all the way into the fenders to act as the daytime running lights.

The distinctive features of the Golf R’s side design include 19-inch aluminium-alloy wheels (with blue brake calipers), exclusive side skirts, matte chrome exterior mirror caps that project the R logo onto the road when the doors are opened and closed, and lowered bodywork.

The rear bumper is also a unique design element which now incorporates a newly designed high-gloss black diffuser. It is framed at the sides by chrome-plated twin tailpipes for the standard sport exhaust system. A roof spoiler is included to generate downforce for stability at high speeds.

Digitalized interior layout

With the Mk 8 Golf, Volkswagen has digitalized many of the displays and controls. This has given more options for the driver to customise the instrument panel, along with the graphics on the 10-inch Discover Pro touchscreen display.

For better support and body restraint, the driver and front passenger sit in sport seats, with Nappa leather seating surfaces that feature carbon-look elements with blue accents in the side sections, as well as a blue R logo in the backrest.

The multifunction leather-wrapped sport steering wheel has also been given a specific design, with ergonomically shaped DSG paddles, blue contrast stitching, and an R button for direct selection of the various driving profiles. Like the other latest Golf variants, the Golf R has ‘touch’ controls on the steering wheel with haptic feedback to the driver.

Other standard equipment for this sportiest and more powerful Golf includes carbon look dash panel décor, R-specific door trim, brushed stainless-steel pedal caps and driver footrest, and 30-colour ambient lighting for the dash panel and doors that is synchronized with the display.

We await the arrival of the new Golf generation in Malaysia which should be sometime next year. Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia has been offering a mixture of variants in the current range which has included the Golf R, so it should also be available in due course.

Volkswagen R-Line in Malaysia expanded to four models


Goodyear reCharge tyre creates its own treads when needed (w/VIDEO)

Ever since the pneumatic tyre was invented, motorists have had to live with the possibility of the air inside leaking out due to being punctured by a nail or damage from hitting a pothole. Loss of air pressure, which is what keeps the tyre in its hard shape to roll along, means the tyre cannot be used and has to be replaced. Not something you want when you are on the way to a meeting or a holiday resort.

Various solutions have been developed over the years which try to keep the tyre usable even when the air is gone. Run-flat tyres are capable of continuing even when deflated, though at limited speeds and for a limited distance. Obviously, they need to be replaced or repaired as soon as possible.

More specialised tyres for off-road use have flexible foam inside which can maintain the tyre shape even when air has leaked out.

Regenerating the tread

Now Goodyear is taking another approach with a prototype tyre it calls recharge. This is reloadable and has a tread compound that can be recharged with individual capsules, radically simplifying the process of replacing your tyres.

Filled with a customized liquid compound, these capsules allow the tread to regenerate and the tyre to adapt over time to climatic circumstances, road conditions, or simply how you want to travel. Thanks to artificial intelligence, a driver profile would be created around which the liquid compound would be customized, generating a compound blend tailored to each individual.

The compound itself would be made from a biological material and would be reinforced with fibres inspired by one of the toughest natural materials in the world – spider silk. This would make it both extremely durable and 100% biodegradable.

No maintenance needed

In addition to radically simplifying the process of replacing tyres using the rechargeable capsules, the tread would be supported by a lightweight, non-pneumatic frame and tall-and-narrow shape. This is a thin, robust low-maintenance construction that would eliminate the need for pressure maintenance or downtime related to punctures.

“Goodyear wants the tyre to be an even more powerful contributor to answering consumers’ specific mobility needs,” said Mike Rytokoski, Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer, Goodyear Europe, “It was with that ambition that we set out to create a concept tyre primed for the future of personalized and convenient electric mobility.”

Recharge is just a concept for now although it could become one of the features of tyres of the future. Only thing is, if the tread can be regenerated, then the tyres doesn’t need to be replaced. That’s good for the environment but is it going to be good for company business?

Goodyear Eagle F1 range in Malaysia widens with more choices


MANSORY’s complete conversion package makes the Aston Martin DBX even more exclusive

In the first 6 months of this year, 1,595 units of Aston Martin’s first SUV and first 5-seater were delivered to customers worldwide, joining the 1,516 units in 2020. That’s not a huge number by global industry standards so it is pretty exclusive (it should be for around RM1 million each) even if you get one in ‘standard’ form. But in that stratospheric segment, most customers want more exclusivity and personalisation, so the carmakers have special divisions to cater to such needs.

For those who prefer not to use the services of the carmaker, there are also companies that specialise in personalisation of any motor vehicle – in appearance, in fittings and even in upgrading performance. In recent years, such companies have given attention to SUVs, which even the luxury brands could not ignore.

MANSORY’s complete conversion package gives a more aggressive look to the standard DBX (below) while still maintaing the recognisable form.

One of them is MANSORY, the 32-year old car modification firm based in Germany. MANSORY has already done a number of luxury SUVs and now with Aston Martin’s DBX also in the market, it offers a more exclusive model for those who must be different.

The company has developed a complete conversion for the SUV which includes upgrading of the engine by the Performance Department. The V8 twin-turbo engine of the DBX has its engine management system replaced and new and larger turbochargers are also installed. For better efficiency, a sports air filter and high-performance sports exhaust system are also installed.

The exhaust system is offered in two versions for customers to choose. They differ recognisably in the positioning of the tailpipes; either located in the area of the standard rear apron opening, or terminating as closely spaced double pipes in the middle of the carbonfibre rear apron.

After this engine conversion, the output rises to 800 ps from the standard 550 ps while torque hits 1,000 Nm, about 43% more than standard. This improves performance to a maximum speed of 325 km/h and 0 to 100 km/in a short 3.8 seconds (according to MANSORY’S tests).

The high-speed performance is helped by the refined aerodynamics of the vehicle. This results in an impressive wide-body styling in combination with optimised aerodynamics with increased downforce for significantly improved cornering performance at higher speeds. For this purpose, the front of the DBX is redesigned with a completely new apron including an integrated front lip made of carbonfibre. The ultra-light and painted carbonfibre bonnet with additional cooling air outlets (visible carbon) revises the front section.

On the flanks, MANSORY-designed extensions continue the design language and make the DBX look significantly more powerful, but also lower and more elongated. To increase the downforce on the rear axle, the engineers developed a special spoiler for mounting on the tailgate and a matching roof spoiler – both of which take up the design language of the standard tear-off edge of the tailgate and are also made entirely of carbonfibre.

In addition, a new rear apron with diffuser skilfully sets off the striking tailpipes of the sports exhaust system. Numerous carbonfibre components such as trim strips, mirror housings and air intake trims add further striking highlights, some of which are further accentuated with accents in the special Limegreen colour.

The DBX also features a new wheel design called ‘DX.5’ in 24×10 inch (front) and 24×12.5 inch (rear) dimensions with matching 295/30R24 and 355/25R24 tyre sizes. The rim design optimises ventilation of the brake system on the one hand and emphasises the car’s dynamic appearance.

These not only fill out the front and rear wheel arches coherently, but also combine both sportiness and technical elegance in the best possible way. The colour scheme of the rims was chosen to match the overall colour concept of the car – black and Limegreen.

The interior – matching the exterior design – is kept entirely in black. The Limegreen colour used to accentuate details on the exterior is also found in many places in the interior. The edging of the floor mats, the seats, the centre console, the decorative stitching on the dashboard and the sports  steering wheel are all finished in this colour. Individually embroidered floor mats, the use of fine visible carbonfibre and the covering of almost all surfaces with the finest leather add further highlights to the handcrafted interior.

Lister Stealth to be the fastest, most powerful British SUV (w/VIDEO)


Kia’s ‘Electric Mission’ gains insights into the electrification of personal transport in Europe

Following a 4,100-km drive through the world’s most developed electrified car markets, Kia Motors collected data that provides insights into the major trends for electrification in Europe. Referred to as the ‘Electric Mission’, the project was carried out in partnership with automotive research consultancy World Shopper.

The Electric Mission lasted 10 days, with a team of researchers visiting towns and cities across Northern Europe that are shaping the future of electric mobility. The team completed the journey in a Kia e-Niro all-electric crossover, passing through Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

During the road trip, World Shopper’s industry analysts met with more than a hundred decision-makers and stakeholders in the world of vehicle electrification, gathering data and first-hand insights for the Electric Mission report. The researchers also met with consumers, exploring attitudes towards electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, trends for electric vehicle adoption, and how they integrate electric vehicles into their daily lives.

The report suggests that consumers are still put off by the perception of high electric vehicle purchase costs, inadequate vehicle charging infrastructure, and long charging times. Crucially, the report also shows how drivers have successfully switched from petrol and diesel vehicles and incorporated electric vehicles into their lifestyle.

Home charger makes a difference

The report found that consumers can more easily make the transition from fossil fuels to electric power by installing a home charging point. Often subsidised, or offered with the purchase of the electric car, home chargers enable drivers to leave home every morning with a full battery – not a luxury enjoyed by drivers of conventional vehicles.

Owners of the e-Niro, for example, can set off every day with the maximum 455-km range when the battery pack is fully charged – a range significantly further than most drivers cover in a single day. The report found that the average single drive would only require around 4kW of the e-Niro’s 64 kWh battery capacity.

Adapting ‘refuelling’ habits

While the research from Kia and World Shopper highlighted a shift towards charging vehicles at home or at the office, many people have also fit electric vehicles into their lives by adapting their day-to-day charging habits. In Norway, for example, many drivers use vehicle recharging time to have something to eat, have a coffee, or catch up on their email.

The proliferation of fast chargers at service stops on major roads enables drivers to quickly recharge their vehicles sufficiently for a week of commuter driving in the space just 30 minutes. For example, charging a vehicle with a battery pack of 50kWh using a 175 kW fast charger, a driver can recover an 80% battery charge in between 15 and 30 minutes.

Sharing the experiences of others

Kia found during its research that one of the easiest ways for buyers of fossil fuel vehicles to overcome any concerns around electric vehicles was hearing about positive experiences of their friends and family. With vehicles such as the e-Niro making long-distance, zero-emissions transport possible, many drivers just need to hear about the added benefit of lower running costs, maintenance costs and lower vehicle taxes to be convinced. Word-of-mouth remains the number one reason why many people have switched to electric power in certain markets, and the longer driving range of the new generation of electric vehicles is now making them a truly viable choice for the majority of drivers.

Explosions that prevent electric shocks in electric vehicles after accidents


Back-to-back victories for Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans in Formula E Rome e-Prix

Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans claimed back-to-back victories in the Formula E Rome E-Prix double-header of races with a dramatic win in Round 5 after a first place finish in Round 4 the day before. The Kiwi driver led Poleman Jean-Eric Vergne (DS TECHEETAH) in second and Envision Racing’s Robin Frijns.

DS TECHEETAH’s Vergne had pulled away from pole position while his former teammate and TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team driver Andre Lotterer passed Avalanche Andretti’s Jake Dennis into second. By the top of the hill and Turn 7, Dennis had reclaimed second, dropping Lotterer back down to third.

With a collision between Mahindra Racing’s Alex Sims and Nissan e.dams’ Max Gunther, the German driver retired to the pits, ending his race in the first 5 minutes. Despite setting the fastest lap in Qualifying earlier in the day, Dennis started losing ground after Lotterer attacked at Turn 7, reclaiming second. Shortly after, Evans managed to slip past into third.

Squeezing into Turn 4 side by side, standings leader and ROKiT Venturi Racing driver Edoardo Mortara tried to pass DS TECHEETAH’s Antonio Felix da Costa, with the Portuguese racer closing the door on the Swiss, damaging the front wing of his car. Mortara then clipped the wall on Turn 19 and coasted to safety, retiring from the race with a suspected driveshaft failure.

Italian driver Antionio Giovinazzi had lots of support from the crowd but the DRAGON/PENSKE AUTOSPORT drivers’ car came to a stop on the track between Turn 8 and 9, which brought out the Porsche Taycan Safety Car. When the Safety Car was brought in and the racing recommenced, 24 minutes remained. Vergne led Evans for less than a lap before the opportunist Evans overtook into Turn 4 to take the lead.

Dennis continued to slip down the order to seventh as the race passed the halfway mark. At the front, Evans continued to lead Vergne, with Porsche’s Lotterer in second and Frijns in third. Enjoying the benefit of the extra power gained through his 8-minute ATTACK MODE, Frijns made his way up the order and took race leader Evans up the hill on Turn 7.

Paying the price for closing the door earlier on Mortara, da Costa received a 5-minute time penalty while back at the front, Lotterer was looking to take the lead with extra power gained through ATTACK MODE. Now in second, the German driver was close on the tail of Frijns who was desperately trying to hold on to the lead.

With seconds of his ATTACK MODE power left, Lotterer made his move on Frijns to take the lead into Turn 4. Now setting the pace, the German driver was closing in on his first victory in the Formula E World Championship with 10 minutes left on the clock.

After a short Safety Car outing while Sims’ Mahindra racing car was recovered when it spun on Turn 14, racing was back underway. Added Time provided an extension of the race.

Saving his ATTACK MODE until the end of the race, Evans took the boost with less than 8 minutes of the race remaining. With extra power, Evans went after Lotterer, hunting the German driver before taking the lead on the hill up to Turn 7. With Evans holding firm, Vergne slipped past his former teammate Lotterer, jumping to second, before Frijns made a move on the German to knock him off the podium and into fourth.

With Envision Racing’s Nick Cassidy in the wall at the top of Turn 7, the Taycan Safety Car again made a brief appearance before coming in to leave a last lap dash for the finish. Evans was out in front and Vergne close behind, with the Frenchman was on the attack to regain his lead. However, he was unable to catch Evans and the Jaguar driver made it across the finish line first. Close behind, Vergne to join on the podium in Rome was Frijns.

The championship next moves to Monaco for a single round on April 30. This is a much-anticipated event as the Gen3 cars for the next season will be unveiled for viewing.


Tag Heuer Celebrates 2019 With A Tribute To Avant-Garde Watchmaking @ KLCC

TAG Heuer
 was the first to ring in the New Year at Suria KLCC, with a pop-up exhibition highlighting
TAG Heuer Avant-Garde Watchmaking
 and unique legacy through exclusive and historical timepieces. Curated by
Catherine Eberlé-Devaux, TAG Heuer Heritage Director
, the exhibition is a tribute to TAG Heuer’s watchmaking innovations since 1860.

Creator of many firsts in Swiss watchmaking, TAG Heuer is relentlessly striving to bring additional technical performances to its iconic timepieces, from achieving ultimate accuracy to developing “disruptive designs” reflecting the brand’s unique spirit.

Among the models presented for the first time in Malaysia, visitors will have the chance to discover the oscillating pinion, patented in 1887, the Monaco V4, the first-ever watch mechanism powered by belts and the Mikrograph, launched in 1916, the first stopwatch accurate to 1/100th of a second used at the Olympics in the 20s.

They will also learn more on the Time of Trip, launched in 1911, the first 12-hour on-board chronograph for cars and airplanes with a power reserve of eight days, and on the TAG Heuer Monaco launched in 1969 and celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019, the first square water-resistant chronograph equipped with the first self-winding automatic chronograph movement.

The final highlight is a race car
Porsche 911
, visible in its
Gulf Heuer
livery, tribute to the relationship between Gulf Oil and TAG Heuer since the 70s, and of course a reminder of
Steve McQueen
 (below) in his legendary role in the movie
Le Mans
, where he chose the TAG Heuer Monaco to wear throughout the filming.

The exhibition was inaugurated on January 7th by
 Amelia Sillard, Vice President of TAG Heuer Southeast Asia, Tay Liam Khoon, Executive Director of Cortina Watch, Andrew Brien, Executive Director of Suria KLCC and Francis Tan, Chief Operating Officer of Suria KLCC.

“All the pieces presented in this exhibition are major breakthroughs TAG Heuer has created since 1860, and are the best illustration of the brand Avant-Garde spirit and incredible legacy in watchmaking”
 said
Amelia Sillard
.
“It’s a real pleasure and honour to be able to show those unique museum pieces, especially flown in from Switzerland, in Kuala Lumpur”

The TAG Heuer exhibition, in partnership with Cortina Watch, will run from now till the 13th of January at the concourse of Suria KLCC.


Fuel price updates for June 4 to June 10, 2020


Round 2 of Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival and Toyota Vios Challenge is on this weekend in Kuala Lumpur!

For Round 2 of the third season of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival and Toyota Vios Challenge racing series, the purpose-built circuit is in a unique location – the former Kuala Lumpur airport of the 1950s/1960s which became a RMAF airbase after Subang International Airport was opened. Following the closure of the airbase some years back, the 488-acre site was to be a huge commercial development known as Bandar Malaysia.

While construction works are underway, the 1.99-km long runway offered an opportunity for the organisers of the Toyota GAZOO Racing event to create a racetrack that is 1.7 kms long with exceptionally long straights.

Aerial view of the circuit for Round 2 at Bandar Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. Jalan Sg. Besi over the SMART Tunnel is on the left side of the picture.

“As a street racing series, one of the most challenging tasks is to find a venue that is not only large enough to accommodate both the racing circuit and festival ground but more importantly, accessible and as close as we can to fans and spectators. These challenges however, also present us with the unique opportunity to explore venues never before used or envisioned as a racing circuit,” said UMW Toyota Motor’s Chief Motorsports Officer, Akio Takeyama. “In the case of Round 2, the former airport is as unique as it gets and the location as central as you can be in Kuala Lumpur.”

Circuit must meet international safety requirements

Construction of the circuit at Bandar Malaysia took approximately 3 weeks. This work involved transporting, positioning and interlocking hundreds of 4-tonne concrete blocks and debris fencing to form the inner and outer parameters of the track. The track must meet FIA (the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) safety specifications.

Hundreds of 4-tonne concrete blocks must be positioned around the circuit to ensure that spectators are protected if the cars crash against the barriers.

“Street racing brings out the best in Malaysian racers. The absence of run-off areas makes it extremely unforgiving, more intimidating and even more difficult to master. It requires 110% concentration, focus and precision from the drivers. For spectators, a street race is even more exciting visually as they are able to be closer to the action,” said Mr. Takeyama who has been a participant in the Vios Challenge sine the first season.

In three seasons of the Toyota Vios Challenge series, the race has been held at various stadium and exhibition grounds in Terengganu, Johor, Penang and the Klang Valley, as well as at the Sepang International Circuit.

Emulating street races such as the historic annual Macau Grand Prix, the Toyota Vios Challenge is no less exciting. More importantly, Mr. Takeyama added, it provides drivers with a more challenging race, an even greater level playing field, the excitement on driving on a variety of tracks, and contributes to them honing their technical and driving skills.

Meanwhile, UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K., said the prospect of transforming an airstrip into a full-blown racing track is a manifestation of both Toyota and its GAZOO Racing philosophy of breaking tradition and pushing the boundaries.

“Innovation is not only reflected in the vehicles we produce but it underlines the way we think and do things, and in the case of the Toyota GAZOO Racing Festival, it means turning the least expected venues into tracks to bring motor-racing closer to the masses,” said Mr. Ravindran.

2 days of close racing

Round 2 of the Toyota Vios Challenge will feature 2 days of racing with three driver categories as usual – Celebrity, Amateur and Professional. 10 local celebrities competing in the Promotional Class include Shawn Lee, Shukri Yahaya, Diana Danielle, Nabil Ahmad, Janna Nick, Khai Bahar, Wany Hasrita, Nabila Razali, Ain Edruce and Syafiq Kyle. Both Shawn and Wany will start with one race win each after winning the opening two races of Season 3 in Kuala Terengganu earlier.

Fans of celebrities get to meet them during breaks between races.

“Round 2 is going to be a very exciting because we will be competing on a new track. There’s really no way of preparing for it in terms of setting up the car until we get a chance to drive on the track during the official practice session and evaluate the surface condition and overall flow of the circuit. From what I gather so far, it’s going to be quite a fast track,” said Shawn.

Among the big names in Malaysian motorsports driving in both the Sporting and Super Sporting classes for amateur and professional drivers, respectively, include Season 1 and Season 2 Sporting champions Brendan Paul Anthony and Brendon Lim; Season 1 and Season 2 Super Sporting champions Tengku Djan Ley and Boy Wong; and experienced drivers like Kenny Lee, William Ho, Mark Darwin, Kenneth Koh, Sutan Mustafa and Syafiq Ali. The Sporting Class will also feature 15-year-old Hayden Haikal.

A totally new track to learn quickly

For Super Sporting Class driver Kenny Lee, the first practice session is critical to uncover much of the unknown. “I have never had the opportunity to visit Bandar Malaysia in the past and therefore I don’t know what the surface condition is like. The first thing everyone will be looking into is certainly the final track layout and finding the fastest racing line around the track. We’ll also have to carefully look at the surface conditions especially in the braking zones because you never know, some areas can be a bit bumpy, slippery or even dusty,” said Kenny.

Another aerial view of the circuit which has been laid out on the runway that aircraft used to land on. Note the exceptionally long straights but as every car will have the same performance levels, it will be driver skill and strategy that makes the difference, not power.

Tengku Djan Ley shares the same sentiment, saying drivers will in essence have only about 90 minutes throughout the race weekend to learn the new track. “We have a track walk on Thursday evening and the official practice starts on Friday, so essentially you only have a couple of laps to try and decipher the entire track and obtain enough information that will go into setting up the race car. Those who are able to do this will have an advantage,” he said.

“There’s really not much that can be done to the set-up apart from experimenting with different tyre pressures, suspension settings and alignment combinations, but these small changes do make a big difference on track,” he added.

For race fans and spectators, the Toyota GAZOO Racing Festival will offer a variety of activities for all the family. There will be Toyota’s fleet of vehicles (with test drive sessions available), a drift performance by professional Japanese drivers, a concert, beyblade tournament, racing simulators  and the display of the all-new Toyota GR Supra.

Entrance is free of charge and the event is from 9 am to 6 pm on this
Saturday and Sunday, November 9/10 2019
.

Click here for more information about the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival and Toyota Vios Challenge


‘Fast & Furious’ heaven at Drive 4 Paul Malaysia 2019!

As some of you may already know, the
Drive 4 Paul Malaysia ‘Tribute to Paul’ car show
 was held at Bandar Malaysia earlier today where hundreds of cars gathered to pay tribute to one of Hollywood’s finest stars, the late Paul Walker aka “Brian O’Conner” from the Fast & Furious movie franchise.

It was a sight to behold as over 420 cars were handpicked just for the show and it was truly a JDM heaven for those lucky enough to attend. If you stand at the right the spot, it’s just Nissan Skylines all around you and then some. Thousands congregated at the old Sungai Besi Airport for the charity event.

The organisers of the whole thing, Retro Havoc, stated that all proceeds collected from merchandise sales to public entry ticket purchases will be funded to the late Paul Walker’s disaster relief foundation, Reach Out Worldwide (ROWW). To make things even more exciting, the CEO of ROWW was present to witness the whole extravaganza and it was none other than Paul’s brother, Cody Walker.

From our experience, it was like being at the set a Fast & Furious movie. From all Skylines, Supras, and RX-7s, to drifters burning rubber all day long, attendees were quite blown away from what the organisers managed to accomplish right here in our own backyard.

There were also some very cool classic and modern American muscle cars to further amp up that F&F vibe with a dash of Italian beauties, courtesy of a number of Ferraris, Alfa Romeos, and Lamborghinis. Even MARii (Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute) had a huge presence at the show as part of their grand support for the whole event.

We can see that the whole import and tuner scene is a crazy one here in Malaysia based on all the fine examples that were present at today’s mega car show. Even Cody Walker was ecstatic about the car culture and all of its Malaysian passionate fans who not only came to see the cars but also to be in the presence of the CEO of ROWW.

By the looks of things, the folks from Retro Havoc have already made their mark in the Malaysian car culture probably have cemented themselves in the history books as the first guy in the country to organize the Drive 4 Paul “Tribute to Paul” car show and charity drive. Anyway, enjoy our mega photo gallery, below!


BIKES: Castrol Accelerates Ahead With The Launch Of The All-New Castrol POWER1 Oil!

Castrol Malaysia
 has announced the launch of the all-new
Castrol POWER1
 by unveiling a total of four new variants – All tailor made to suit a motorcycle’s special demands. The new formulation boasts better performance as a direct result of improved technology and product specification upgrade.

The four new variants that were introduced are
 Castrol POWER1 Cruise 4T 15W-50 1L, Castrol POWER1 Racing 4T 10W-40 1L, Castrol POWER1 Scooter 4-AT 5W-40 1L
and
 10W-40 1L
. Along with the launch, a total of two existing variants were relaunched with new improved formulations, namely the
Castrol POWER1 4T 10W-40 1L
and
 Castrol POWER1 Racing 4T 10W-50 1L.

Setting itself apart from its competitors, the new Castrol POWER1 with
Power Release Technology™
, optimises friction which in return provides motorcycle enthusiasts with faster, more superior acceleration at the twist of the throttle. In a 5.2km 3-stage acceleration test using 101kW 4-cycliner supersports engine, the new
Castrol POWER1 10W-40 is 6.6 seconds quicker than a competitor 10W-40 and 2.8 seconds quicker than a previous formulation
.

Speaking at the launch,
Keow Mei-Shan, Marketing Director of Castrol Malaysia
 said
“We are constantly evolving to keep abreast with the needs of our consumers. The new Castrol POWER1 range is the direct effect of that very initiative. What remains at the forefront is our focus in continuously offering the best – Whether it’s an entirely new range or an improved formula, it comes with years of expertise and thorough research”

While the new Castrol POWER1 offers superior acceleration at the twist of the throttle, the new
Castrol POWER1 SCOOTER with Scootek Technology™
 boasts superior acceleration at the mere touch of the throttle. Separately, the Castrol POWER1 CRUISE with Power Sustain Technology™ manages heat and friction in big bikes, ensuring continuous power delivery during long rides.

As the proud sponsors of the
Castrol LCR Honda
 team and in conjunction with the MotoGP, Castrol also announced the new
Castrol POWER1 RACING with Race Derived Technology ™
, proven to stay strong and deliver acceleration in race track conditions.

Understanding that smooth acceleration is crucial among bikers, the new Castrol POWER1 line caters to riders across different bike segments who are faced with ever-changing traffic conditions, in ensuring continuous top performance.


All-new SEAT Leon designed to continue as Spain’s bestselling car

SEAT, the Spanish carmaker that is part of the Volkswagen Group, has unveiled the all-new Leon which will have its public launching in Geneva in March. Over 2.2 million units have been sold since it was added to the SEAT range in 1999 and, like the latest Volkswagen Golf 8 and Skoda Octavia 4, it sits on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB Evo platform.

“The SEAT Leon has been improving generation after generation being able to conquer new customers. In 2019, the Leon was the best-selling car for SEAT with more than 150,900 vehicles delivered, as well as being the best-selling car in Spain during the past 5 years,” said SEAT’s Executive Vice-President for Sales & Marketing and CUPRA CEO, Wayne Griffiths. “We have now created the best Leon ever. The new Leon has been designed keeping the ‘created in Barcelona’ spirit and at the same time being the safest, most connected and with the widest range of engines the brand has ever seen. We believe we have all the ingredients to make of the new Leon a great choice not only for private customers but also for corporate fleets.”

The new Leon is available in 5-door hatchback and estate (below) bodystyles.

Evolutionary approach to design

The exterior design takes an evolutionary approach that enhances the volume and proportions of the vehicle, with the increased wheelbase which translates to 49 mm extra legroom for rear occupants, and length for both the 5-door and the Estate. The form was specifically developed to enhance overall efficiency with improved aerodynamics that have the drag coefficient (Cd) lowered by around 8% compared to the previous generation.

Typical of Spanish design philosophy, the car’s appearance has a lot of personality, with a stronger three-dimensional connection between the grille and headlights together. The headlights are set back, giving it deeper focus while making it instantly recognisable. The body surfaces have evolved, with stronger shapes creating more shift in the light and colour tone across the body, which together create a more elegant design.

The new Leon gets the latest in lighting technology, with the cold white light colour of the LEDs provide superior luminosity of up to 900 lumens, (standard LEDS provide up to 550 lumens), thanks to the packing of 22 LEDs per module. There is integration of all the dipped beam, high beam and daytime running lights. Dynamic indicators more clearly show car’s intended direction of travel when turning, apart from being eye-catching features.

Functionality, minimalism and sleekness

Inside, the evolutionary theme continues with a clear emphasis on functionality, minimalism and sleekness. The smooth-surfaced, slim yet wide dashboard gives the appearance of lightness and appears to float. The effect is created with the help of the decorative mouldings that surround the dashboard and continue through into the front doors.

The cabin has been ergonomically designed to increase comfort, with everything within decluttered, reducing the number of physical buttons to a minimum, with a focus on the main infotainment screen, which includes gesture recognition, providing all key interaction and commands from the occupants.

Interior light is an important feature of the all-new Leon. It includes a wraparound dashboard light that covers its entire width and continues through the doors. It’s not only an ambient decorative light, but it also provides a number of key functions including blind spot detection.

A fully connected car

The Leon is declared as the brand’s first fully connected car, interfacing extensively with the more digitalised world. At the heart of the interior is the SEAT Digital Cockpit which brings together a high-resolution 10.25-inch configurable driver instrument cluster and 10-inch infotainment system. Its ‘diagonal’ graphic design positioning gets inspiration from the Diagonal avenue of Barcelona, the home city of the company. It’s also the first time that the design interface has been created at the new SEAT Digital Lab.

A new voice recognition system enables a natural understanding of language to allow the user to interact with the infotainment system using natural commands, making corrections and referencing previous commands. With the Full Link system, the occupants can connect their smartphones and access their digital data no matter what device they use – either wireless Apple CarPlay (based on Bluetooth or WLAN) or Android Auto using a cabled connection.

The built-in eSIM delivers the eCall service which has been required on all new cars since April 2018. This service directly contacts emergency services should an incident occur. At the same time, the system transmits vital data to the emergency services such as the car’s location (based on GPS data), engine type, and number of passengers.

Car2X connectivity is a cloud-based technology that enables drivers to receive advanced warning on the status of upcoming traffic lights or an incident on a motorway further up the road, with traffic information appearing in real-time on the screen.

Wide range of powertrains

Besides petrol (TSI) and diesel (TDI) engines, customers can also have mild-hybrid (eTSI) and plug-in hybrid (eHybrid) powertrains. Transmissions available are both 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG (direct shift gearbox) transmission. The DSG automatic transmission now benefits from shift-by-wire technology. The system is designed so that the gear selector is no longer mechanically connected to the gearbox, instead using electronic signals to indicate a shift.

The petrol engines are all direct-injection, turbocharged units with outputs between 110 ps and 190 ps. These include a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder unit as well as a 1.5-litre TSI 4-cylinder unit. Both engines use a Miller-cycle combustion process and variable geometry turbocharger to ensure performance and efficiency, as does the integrated Active Cylinder Management.

There are 2 diesel powertrain options, both 2.0 litre TDI units, with outputs of 115 ps and 150 ps. The turbodiesel engines introduce a new Selective Catalytic Reduction system that includes dual AdBlue injectors to significantly reduce NOx emissions compared to previous generation diesel engines.

As for the Mild Hybrid (eTSI) powertrains, these employ the 1.0 TSI and 1.5 litre TSI petrol engines which are mated to a 48V starter-generator, with energy from a lithium-ion battery pack. The car can coast (no pedal input from the driver) with the engine switched off (while retaining all key electric functions, such as power steering), harvest energy under deceleration and provide electrical torque assistance during acceleration.

The eHybrid variant is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and this uses a 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine with the electric motor, a 13-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and 6-speed DSG transmission. The system output is 204 ps and recharging a totally empty battery pack to 100% is said to take less than 3.5 hours. The PHEV Leon can run on electric power only with a claimed range of 60 kms.

Highly-developed assistance systems

The latest Leon is the safest vehicle the brand has ever developed, the carmaker declares. The safety systems see more of its surroundings and react to obstacles on the road or sudden movements by other drivers, thanks to the integration of a suite of updated and completely new advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The new technologies continually sense the environment to offer the optimum protection whatever the scenario.

Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control (PACC) and Emergency Assist 3.0 protect the vehicle and its occupants while driving or stationary. PACC uses feeds from GPS data delivered from the navigation system and input from the front-mounted camera and Traffic Sign Recognition, allowing it to proactively adjust the cruising speed depending on the road layout ahead (bends, roundabouts, junctions, changes in speed limits and built-up areas). This reduces the requirement for driver input and also sudden speed changes and manoeuvres.

Production of the new model has started at the SEAT factory but prices are unlikely to be announced till March. However, like Skoda, SEAT products would be slightly cheaper than equivalent Volkswagen models.

Modernism-inspired camouflage used to disguise new SEAT model


Shortage of stock pulls Proton’s volume down in January

After ending 2021 with its highest annual sales figure since 2014, new deliveries for Proton in the first month of the new year dropped to 4,453 units (domestic + export) from 14,147 units the month before. Besides the drop of over 60% was higher, the total volume was also 25.3% lower than what was reported for January 2021. According to Proton, lack of available stock was the main factor as parts supply issues affected production of all models.

This was also the crystallisation of the knock-on effect of the severe flooding in Selangor at the end of last year. While Proton’s production facilities in Shah Alam and Tanjung Malim were unaffected by the floods in December, its vendors were not as lucky. Many have production facilities in Shah Alam (having set up to be near the original factory) and were thus affected by flood waters.

This had a direct effect on the output in January, leading to a shortage of units to fulfil orders. The situation was further compounded by minimal carry-over stock from the previous month as the company worked to close the gap between supply and market demand.

Persona was the bestselling Proton passenger car for the month, although this was largely dependent on stock available for deliveries to customers. Parts shortages prevented the two factories from being able to assemble more vehicles.

“After a successful end to 2021, January was a very tough month for Proton. Our short supply situation  became magnified by the lack of units being produced, creating a severe shortage for our dealers. Thankfully,  production for all our models resumed in January, though some required more time than others. We are, however, confident of meeting our targets for 2022 based on market projections as well as our sales and marketing plans  for the rest of the year,” said Roslan Abdullah, Deputy CEO of Proton.

Proton X50 – bestselling model of the brand in January

Among all models, the X50 and X70 SUVs were the first to resume production and this was reflected in  their sales volume for the first month of 2022. 2,601 units of the X50 and 799 units of the X70 were delivered during the month. Although the individual totals were modest compared to the previous month, when combined, they helped  to position Proton as the number one SUV brand in Malaysia.

Flood relief efforts

One and a half months after the December floods took the nation by surprise, over 1,200 flood-affected Proton vehicles have been received at authorised service centres around the country. They are divided into 4 categories, depending  on the severity of the damage suffered, before assessments are made and repairs get underway.

“Proton would like to remind all customers with flood damaged cars to send their vehicles to our network of authorised service centres to enjoy benefits such as free towing and car wash services as well as discounted parts and labour charges. We are also thankful to the government for the RM1,000 assistance voucher, which  has proven to be invaluable for many of our customers,” added Encik Roslan.


2020 MINI Clubman unveiled – RM298,888

MINI Malaysia took to the stage today to unveil their latest 2020 MINI Clubman for the local market. Major updates on the new MINI Clubman can be seen inside and out that offers an elevated MINI experience for fellow fans and enthusiasts of this compact premium automotive brand.

According to Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia, “Following our 2016 introduction of the MINI Clubman in Malaysia, the New MINI Clubman today is ready to champion its predecessor with new innovations and successes of its own. Featuring the iconic six doors, a new transmission system and a range of high-level digital advancements, we are thrilled to present a segment-leading vehicle packed with the familiar driving thrill that is characteristic of our MINI vehicles. The New MINI Clubman will be a symbol for outstanding driving fun in Malaysia.”

The biggest new exterior feature has to be its very sexy Indian Summer Red colour option. Paired with elegant interior accentuations and sophisticated yet high-tech connectivity, the new MINI Clubman is safer and more convenient than ever before with the integration of 4G SIM technology.

Upfront, you’ll notice a redesigned radiator grille that’s now sportier and more distinctive, a set of new LED headlights and fog lights with Piano Black outlines that completes the new front-end façade. Other updates like the new air inlet structure also offer a much bolder Clubman that hopes to draw in more crowds to the premium brand.

A set of 18-inch light-alloy wheels finished in the MINI Yours British Spoke two-tone design further elevates its visual appearance. Together with rear laterally opening wings, it’s hard to find anything close to this (especially for its unique six-door feature that no other rivals are offering in the local market).

The new 2020 MINI Clubman comes in the Cooper S variant which is fitted with a 2.0-litre MINI TwinPower Turbo engine that produces 192 hp and 280Nm of torque. This translates to a 0-100km/h time of only 7.2 seconds. Top speed? 228km/h. This power unit is paired with MINI’s new seven-speed Dual Clutch Sports automatic transmission.

Step inside the cabin and you are welcomed with the MINI Yours Walknappa Leather Lounge Carbon Black seats (with the iconic Union Jack motif) and sporty steering wheel wrapped in the same premium leather material. The addition of Frozen Blue lighting also creates a very premium ambience for anyone who’s lucky enough to sit in one of these babies.

Other highlights include:

MINI Yours floor mats featuring black piping and aluminium-coloured seam patterns

MINI Yours side window design label

12-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System

High-resolution 6.5-inch MINI Navigation System with a touch screen

Advanced MINI Connected with built-in 4G SIM technology + many more

The new 2020 MINI Clubman is priced at RM298,888 (OTR without insurance). Six colour options are available for those who are interested in getting one; Indian Summer Red, New British Racing Green, Pepper White, Thunder Grey, Melting Silver and Starlight Blue. For more information, head over to
www.mini.my
.

Buy a new MINI before the end of 2019 and enjoy The Great British Deal!


Naza Italia To End 15-Year Business Relationship With Ferrari

Ferrari and Naza have been associated for the past 15 years but the association will come to an end after this month. The Italian sportscar maker will end its business relationship with Naza Italia Sdn Bhd – aka Ferrari Malaysia – on April 8, 2023 and a new company will take over as official distributor for Malaysia.

Confirming the termination, a statement from the Naza Automotive Group today explained that the company has been reviewing the brand mix of its automotive business to find the right fit for its business strategy. “We have agreed to conclude our relationship with Ferrari S.p.A due to the non-alignment of their expectations to our strategy,” the statement said, giving assurance of support to Ferrari for a smooth transition of business.

“The parting of ways with Ferrari is timely for us as it will enable us to focus on our other brands and serves well for our other brands as we will be able to reallocate resources to brands that fit into our automotive business strategy,” Naza added.

The progression from being just an importer of Ferraris to an authorized distributor was a natural one for the Naza Group which had been dealing with imported cars since the mid-1970s. Besides Ferrari, Naza Italia also handles Maserati, an affiliate in the Stellantis Group. So the high-end facilities it has invested in since 2008 will still be of use for a luxury brand.

Naza continues to represent Maserati and the Suzuki brand (for 4-wheelers) in Malaysia.

While the Naza Group has been associated with other cars brands such as Kia, Peugeot and Chevrolet – and even had its own automotive brand at one stage – it has also ended representation of those brands. However, it
took on Suzuki
 in April 2021 and continues to represent the brand which had earlier stopped its 4-wheeler sales in Malaysia after it had briefly worked with Proton and provided a model which was sold as the Ertiga.

At this time, no further information has been provided by Ferrari Asia-Pacific concerning the new party that will represent the brand in Malaysia.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi To Launch ‘Mission Ferrari’ Roller-Coaster With Multisensory 5D Experience!

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 in ‘Goldfinger’ reborn – complete with the gadgets!

Car chase scenes were in movies a long time before ‘Goldfinger’, the James Bond movie, appeared in 1964. But it was in this 007 movie, only the third of many to come, that the Aston Martin DB5 became famous, especially with its built-in gadgets like machine-guns behind the headlamps, tyre slashers, numberplate-changer and even an ejector seat, to name a few.

Dubbed ‘the most famous car in the world’ and renowned as being among the most desirable and sought-after classic Aston Martin models, only 900 units of the DB5 were built by Aston Martin between 1963 and 1965.

Now, 55 years after the last new DB5 left the factory, the company is once again making the DB5 in a strictly limited number. Created in association with the producers of the James Bond films, EON Productions, they even have a broad suite of working gadgets seen on the car in the 1964 film.

The Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Continuation cars are history in the making, part of the  Continuation car programme which began in 2017 with the DB4 GT Continuation. Each of the 25 cars takes around 4,500 hours to complete and while there is still the old-world craftsmanship, the highest possible quality is achieved by using modern engineering advancements and performance enhancements.

All the new cars are meticulously detailed authentic reproductions of the DB5 seen by millions around the world in 1964. They all come in one exterior colour  – Silver Birch – just like the original.

The cutting-edge gadgets were developed in association with Chris Corbould, the special effects supervisor who has worked on more than a dozen Bond films. While there will not be an ejector seat, owners will get with their car the following:

Rear smoke screen delivery system

Rear simulated oil slick delivery system

Revolving number plates front and rear (triple plates)

Simulated twin front machine guns

Bullet resistant rear shield

Battering rams front and rear

Simulated tyre slasher

Removable passenger seat roof panel (optional equipment)

Simulated radar screen tracker map

Telephone in driver’s door

Gear knob actuator button

Armrest and centre console-mounted switchgear

Under-seat hidden weapons/storage tray

Remote control for gadget activation

Installing simulated machine-guns behind the lights (left) and the oil-sprayer at the rear (right) – all not working, of course.

The cars feature original DB5 styled aluminium exterior body panels wrapped elegantly around an authentic DB5 mild steel chassis structure. Under the bonnet, there’s a 4.0-litre naturally aspirated inline 6-cylinder engine with a 6-plug head, three SU carburettors and oil cooler. The output of 290 bhp goes through a 5-speed ZF manual transmission to the rear axle which also has a mechanical limited slip differential.

Servo-assisted hydraulic Girling-type steel disc brakes, rack and pinion steering – which has no power assistance – and a suspension set-up comprising coil over spring and damper units with anti-roll bar at the front, and a live axle rear suspension with radius arms and Watt’s linkage, complete the dynamic package.

Sean Connery, the original James Bond, with the DB5 in 1964 and Daniel Craig who used it in ‘Skyfall’ in 2012 (below).

First deliveries of the DB5 Goldfinger Continuation to customers will commence in the second half of 2020. Each car is priced from £2.75 million (about RM14.8 million).

James Bond’s 50th anniversary Aston Martin DBS Superleggera unveiled


Formula E’s Gen2 EVO racing cars will run for the last time in Season 8 in 2022, with Gen3 being used in 2023

Just as Formula 1 will have a major change in technical regulations from the 2022 championship, Formula E – the all-electric single-seater championship – will also transition to an entirely new generation of racing cars in Season 9, which will be in 2023. Referred to as ‘Gen3’, the new racing car is described as ‘a machine created at the intersection of high performance, efficiency and sustainability’. Formula E manufacturers are set to take delivery of Gen3 cars in the first quarter of 2022 for further intensive development testing on and off the track, and will use the Gen2 cars for Season 8.

World’s most efficient racing car

A series of design, performance and sustainability innovations in the Gen3 car make it the world’s most efficient racing car, with at least 40% of the energy used within a race produced by regenerative braking during the race. It will be the first formula car with both front and rear powertrains: a new front powertrain adds 250 kW to the 350 kW at the rear, more than doubling the regenerative capability of the current Gen2 car to a total of 600 kW.

The Gen3 racing car is sleeker and its design is inspired by the aero-efficient delta wing of a fighter jet, optimised for street racing. The Gen2 EVO racer (below) will be used for the last time in 2022 during Season 8.

The new powertrain will use an electric motor delivering up to 350 kw of power (470 ps), making it capable of a top speed of 320 km/h, with a power-to-weight ratio that is twice as efficient as an equivalent 470 ps internal combustion engine.

It will also be the first formula car that will not feature rear hydraulic brakes due to the addition of the front powertrain and its regenerative capability. Being lighter and smaller than the Gen2 car, it wil enable faster, more agile wheel-to-wheel racing.

Aligned with Life Cycle Thinking

The Gen3 racing car is the first formula car aligned to Life Cycle Thinking with a clear path towards second life and end of life for all tyres, broken parts and battery cells. In addition, it will be net-zero carbon, maintaining the championship’s status as the first sport to be certified as net-zero carbon since inception.

All carbon fibre broken parts will be recycled by an innovative process from the aviation and aerospace industry into new fibres reusable for other applications. A pioneering process will deliver 26% sustainable materials into the composition of tyres.

Additionally, new financial regulations will be introduced October 1, 2022 for Season 9. There will be 2 sets of financial regulations to be introduced by the FIA to monitor and control spending levels of competitors, one for teams and one for manufacturers. This will enhance long-term financial sustainability of Formula E, supporting retention of current participants and attracting investment in the championship from new manufacturers, teams, investors and commercial partners.

ROKiT Venturi Racing fastest in testing

Meanwhile, after a combined total of more than 4,100 laps (equal to almost 14,000 kms) of pre-season testing at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Spain, ROKiT Venturi Racing’s Edoardo Mortara recorded the fastest time of the week during the final session as the test drew to a close.

DS TECHEETAH’s double champion Jean-Eric Vergne placed the next best time of the week, just 0.041 seconds back, while another Mercedes-EQ powertrain closed out the top three times of the week, with Vandoorne’s Silver Arrow 02 also within a tenth of-a-second.

The top 17 drivers recorded times faster than Antonio Felix da Costa’s pole position qualifying lap from last season. Their first race of Season 8 will be in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia at the end of next month, followed by another 15 races in major cities of 9 countries, with the final round in South Korea in August.

The last time the teams were in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, was in February this year for the opening round of Season 7, which was also Formula E’s first night race.

The final round of Season 8 will be held in Seoul, capital city of South Korea.

Mercedes-EQ team ends Formula E involvement with double championship win at Berlin EPrix


New Sales Record For Isuzu D-MAX In 2022

Ever since the latest generation of the Isuzu D-MAX made its debut in Malaysia in 2021, sales have kept growing. Already popular in its previous generation, the substantial changes in styling and more premium nature of the new truck attracted even more customers.

With average monthly orders much higher than for previous generation, it’s not surprising that the total number sold in 2022 was just slightly short of being double the number achieved in 2021. During 2022, Isuzu Malaysia delivered 9,211 units of the D-MAX nationwide, exceeding its original target of 8,000 units and eclipsing the previous record of 6,480 units in 2016. Given the disruptions to supply that affected the whole industry, perhaps the number could have been even higher if more vehicles had been available.

The impressive performance was spurred by huge interest in the 1.9-litre variants that have proven to be unbelievably light on running costs. yet a heavyweight when it comes to design, features, capability, performance and safety. Making up 79% of the total portfolio, the 1.9-litre variants have especially, particularly for customers in Peninsular Malaysia where 55% of the pick-up trucks are sold.

Significantly, the flagship D-MAX X-Terrain made inroads into the upper segment of the truck market where it fits well with its premium lifestyle image. As the flagship model, the D-MAX X-Terrain is not only stylishly rugged but also has features which are comparable to a passenger car. This is especially so in the area of safety where there are Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) to make driving safer and less tiring.

The active systems installed are similar to those found in the latest passenger cars. These include Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Turn Assist, Pedal Misapplication Mitigation, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Manual Speed Limiter, and a Multi-Collision Brake system that applies the brakes should any of the 7 airbags be deployed.

With extensive safety features and systems, the D-MAX has been able to achieve the full 5-star rating from ASEAN NCAP, which makes it as safe as many passenger cars sold in the ASEAN market.

The impressive features as well as performance has been recognised by the experts in the automotive media, with the D-MAX receiving ‘Pick-Up Truck of the Year’ titles from various organisations.

“Despite facing stock limitations from the factory, the third-generation Isuzu D-MAX achieved extraordinary heights in terms of market penetration. Thanks to its exceptional design and future-looking features, the latest generation Isuzu D-MAX brings new levels of driving comfort and performance without losing any inherent Isuzu family traits. It is a true representation of a modern day pick-up truck,” said Isuzu Malaysia’s CEO, Shunsuke Okazoe.

“Our focus for this year will be to ensure that our customer experience remains positive as we aim to reduce the delivery times and to enhance our network. I wish to thank all our customers for their support and patience and also our partners who have helped us rise to the top despite the challenges faced in the supply of vehicles,” added Isuzu Malaysia’s Chief Operating Officer, Kenkichi Sogo.

The
latest D-MAX range
 has different variants to suit different needs and budgets. These include the Single Cab which is suited for a workhorse role and double cab versions with different powertrains. All D-Max variants come with a 5-year/150,000 km warranty (whichever comes first) but for the X-Terrain, Isuzu Malaysia is giving an additional 2 years – and no limit on mileage travelled after registration. This class-leading warranty shows that there is great confidence in the long-term durability of the vehicle.

To know more about the latest D-MAX or to locate a showroom for a test-drive, visit
pickuptruck.isuzu.net.my
 or
www.facebook.com/ISUZU.DMax.Malaysia
.

Switching to the trucking lifestyle with the Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


Honda’s new premium cabin air filter can lower infection risk from COVID-19

Cabin ventilation systems in cars used to have either fresh air brought in from outside, or recirculated air. In some countries, manufacturers added filters especially to trap pollen and help those who had allergies. But generally, the system was quite straightforward and advancements were largely in improving cooling (or heating) efficiency and distribution of air.

Over the past 20 years, companies like Volvo have gone further to improve air quality, and some systems also have ion generators to freshen the air. Now Honda has developed a premium cabin air filter which it says can reliably captures viral aerosols, is highly effective at capturing a wide range of harmful germs, allergens and even viruses related to significant health problems, – including infection risks associated with the SARS COV-2 virus or what the world knows as COVID-19.

Honda genuine accessory

The Honda premium cabin air filter was developed in cooperation with Freudenberg of Germany and is offered as a new Honda genuine spare part in the European market, as an alternative to the standard Honda pollen filter in most recent models.

“As society is now more aware than even of the impact of germs and viruses such as COVID-19, we expect the demand for protective solutions to increase rapidly. This premium cabin air filter is a great example of Honda working together rapidly with its suppliers to deliver a product of real benefit that improves the health and safety of driver and occupants,” said Eiichi Hino, President Honda Access Europe NV.

Significantly reducing concentration of viral aerosols

This new premium cabin air filter provides active protection by significantly reducing the concentration of viral aerosols. This is achieved by a unique multi-layer design that effectively filters, captures and suppresses noxious environmental gases as well as inorganic and biological particles and aerosols.

The premium cabin air filter is available as a Honda accessory for recent models, including the new Honda e.

4-layer filtration system for maximum protection

The fine particle filtration layers provide improved protection against virus transmission in comparison to standard filters. They demonstrably separate not only droplets (> 5 μm), but also critical viral aerosols (droplet nuclei significantly below 5 μm).

The filter can trap more than 90% of viral aerosols and an innovative second step inactivates almost 100% of the captured viral load via a bio-functional layer impregnated with fruit extract. The first two microfibre layers of the Honda premium cabin air filter capture most ultrafine aerosols, dust and pollen while the third layer, made of activated carbon, is responsible for the adsorption of harmful pollution such as particulates and acid gases.

An innovative fourth bio-functional layer coated with the active substance of fruit extract then effectively inactivates captured viral aerosols and prevents them from being released back into the cabin air. This has been conclusively proved by a comprehensive series of tests conducted in collaboration with the Austrian Research Institute OFI.

Fresh air also important

Coronaviruses are spread in droplets produced when those affected sneeze, cough or breathe and can remain infectious on surfaces for hours or even days. Wind disturbances, temperature changes and humidity can all cause that these particles become airborne again, at which point they can be picked up by the filter. To lower the infection risk in the vehicle cabin, it is generally recommended to increase the fresh air supply to reduce the concentration of aerosols. In recirculation mode, removing viruses from the air largely depends on the efficiency of the filtration system and the air exchange rate.

Geely Auto looks at ‘passenger safety’ from a different perspective, aims to make cars ‘healthier’

The National Vaccination Program in Malaysia is free of charge.


New Ford Dealership Opened In Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

East Malaysia, though having a smaller volume of sales than Peninsular Malaysia, continues to grow and for companies selling pick-up trucks, it is an important market. Due to the varied nature of the roads in the region, pick-up trucks are ideal for travelling around so they are very popular.

Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), which has a range of Ford trucks to offer, has been strengthening its presence in East Malaysia over the years. Following the recent debut of the Next-Generation Ford Ranger in Sabah, the exclusive distributor for the brand in Malaysia has appointed a new dealership in Kota Kinabalu.

The new Ford Kota Kinabalu dealership is located at the Inanam Auto Hub and operated by Boston Auto Sdn Bhd. It is SDAC’s 7
th
 outlet in East Malaysia (and the 36
th
 in Malaysia) and strategically located within Sabah’s capital city.

The new dealership’s premises occupy a total built-up area of 20,000 square feet. The showroom can display up to 4 vehicles at a time, while the adjacent service centre has 8 bays. Ford Certified Technicians, equipped with special tools and diagnostics equipment, are on hand to provide a complete range of maintenance and repair services.

“We are pleased to continue expanding our presence in East Malaysia. As the third largest pick-up market in Malaysia, prospects are indeed ripe to strengthen our customer base in Sabah. We are extremely happy to appoint Boston Auto as our new dealership that will enable us to enhance accessibility to world-class Ford vehicles and a full range of services, to deliver a distinctive experience for customers,” said Turse Zuhair, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion-Ford.

The latest Ranger Raptor comes with a 3-litre V6 turbodiesel engine.

Ford Kota Kinabalu’s opening comes at just the right time when the new generation of Rangers has just entered the market and interest is high. With a steady flow of vehicles from the Thai factory, deliveries are ongoing nationwide. As in Peninsular Malaysia, the
full range of Rangers
,
Ranger Raptor
 and also the
new Everest
 will be available through Ford dealerships.

To know more about the latest Ford vehicles and the locations of authorised Ford dealerships in Malaysia, visit
www.sdacford.com.my
.

Seven Great Things about the Next-Generation Ford Ranger

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


VW Considers Ditching Touchscreen Controls In Future EVs

One of the biggest automakers in the world, Volkswagen, has made the decision to stop using touch controls in its cars. Customers prefer classic knobs and buttons to operate different aspects of their vehicles, according to the company.

This choice was made following years of testing touch controls, which were viewed as a method to update the driving experience. Volkswagen has discovered that many consumers, however, find it challenging and distracting to utilise touch controls while driving.

The company will instead concentrate on using conventional buttons and knobs to manage features like climate control, audio, and navigation. Volkswagen is making this choice as part of a larger attempt to streamline and improve the usability of its cars.

Volkswagen is not the only company to abandon touch controls. Other automakers have discovered as well that consumers like conventional controls. For instance, in response to customer complaints over the touch-only interface of its iDrive system, BMW recently announced that it will be adding physical buttons.

Similar to
Hyundai
, which has committed to maintaining physical controls due to the attention risk that touchscreens present. Ian Callum, a renowned former design director for Jaguar, has also criticised touch controls for the same reason.

Volkswagen is emphasising technical advancement in addition to streamlining the production of its cars. The business recently disclosed that it would make significant investments in autonomous driving and electric vehicle technology. These expenditures are part of Volkswagen’s bigger strategy to dominate the car sector.

The
VW ID.7
, which will go on sale in 2024, will be similar to the redesigned
ID.3
 in that it will have a larger display and fewer physical buttons. VW reportedly received conflicting input on a prototype ID.7 interface with buttons and decided to use customisable home screen icons rather than fixed single-function buttons. As part of a larger movement to return to buttons, the ID.7 is apparently planning to replace its haptic touch controls on the steering wheel after launch.

VW did not issue a statement as to whether the interface of the U.S.-market ID.7 will add physical controls after launch. According to reports, VW’s new CEO Thomas Schäfer stated in October that the company might reinstate buttons in its interiors in response to customer input. The VW ID.2all concept, which has physical controls on the steering wheel and beneath the touchscreen, served as a showcase for its new direction.


SDAP Previews All-New Porsche Cayenne Months Ahead Of Launch [+Video]

It’s not due to be officially launched here till around the 3rd quarter of this year, but that didn’t stop Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) the official-importers of the Porsche marque in Malaysia to preview the all-new Cayenne to the media today…

The 3rd generation Cayenne will continue the traditions of Porsche’s first SUV, and will come in
two
 variants; a
340bhp 3.0-litre Turbo
 and a
2.9-litre V6 Bi-Turbo
 with
440bhp
.

The Cayenne Turbo produces 40bhp more than its predecessor, while the Cayenne S Bi-Turbo now has 20bhp more than the model it replaces. The latter will do the 0-100kmh sprint in less than 5-sec, and reach a top-speed of 265kmh.

Here’s a closer look at the new Cayenne by our friend Bobby Ang from Aurizn / EVO Malaysia, who drove it overseas recently:

The new Cayenne is available now for pre-order at all Porsche Centres; Glenmarie, Sg.Besi and Penang (Juru Autocity)

For the FULL press release, click here:
Sime Darby Auto Performance presents the new Cayenne

While we were there, SDAP also had the delectable 918 Spyder on display…

New Porsche Cayenne Photo Gallery…


F1/Round 2: Highlights & Provisional Results For 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

♦ The day started with rain that continued to the start of the race, and some drivers had incidents even while preparing to get to the starting grid. Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin had brakes on fire while Sebastian Vettel had brake issues without a fire, and Carlos Sainz slid off and damaged part of the front wing which needed to be quickly replaced. Charles Leclerc also spun during the formation lap, showing how slippery conditions were.

♦ Not surprisingly, the start of the race saw a mess in the first corner. Verstappen was quick off the line and then got in contact with Lewis Hamilton. with the latter heading into the grass. Nicholas Latifi was less lucky though, colliding with Nikita Mazepin and ending up heading into a barrier, triggering deployment of the Safety Car.

♦ Yuki Tsunoda, who had broken his gearbox in an accident during qualifying, had to start from the back of the grid but was able to speed through the pack to 15th place in the first lap. The wet conditions also saw Mick Schumacher crashing at the pit lane exit, and he had to go with a damaged front end for a couple of laps. Fortunately the Safety Car was still out but it didn’t help that he could not get into the pit lane again due to the debris – from his own car earlier.

♦ Racing resumed when the Safety Car pulled in on the 6th lap, and Max Verstappen shot off again, pursued by Hamilton. The wet conditions were slowing tyre-warm-up so the drivers had to adjust accordingly. Only Pierre Gasly and Mazepin had chosen to start off with wet tyres.

♦ By lap 13, Sergio Perez was in fourth but was informed that he was given a 10-second penalty (stop/go) for overtaking while the Safety Car was leading the convoy earlier. He would have to work hard to stay well ahead of Daniel Ricciardo who was tailing him.

♦ The track was slowly drying by lap 15 but still slick in some parts, and Carlos Sainz was caught on wet patches twice. While Latifi’s race ended early, his Williams team mate George Russell was up in tenth place and holding on well.

♦ With one-third of the 63-lap race completed and the track conditions slowly drying, the teams were watching each other to see who would come in to change from the intermediates. It was Vettel who would be the first but he was also hit with a 10-second penalty (stop/go) for not having wheels fitted at the 5 minutes signal (before the race started). He came back in on lap 24, while in 17th place, to serve his penalty.

♦ Verstappen came in on lap, and Hamilton slipped into the lead, still with the damaged front wing. When the Red Bull driver rejoined, he was in third place but quickly got Hamilton in his sights and started the chase. He didn’t have to work hard as the Mercedes-AMG driver also came in to change tyres. By lap 28, every car had come into the pits at least once.

♦ On lap 31, Hamilton slid off into the gravel and touched the barrier, coming to a stop for a short while. But he managed to reverse out and rejoined the race, though down in seventh.

♦ His team mate, Valtteri Bottas was not so lucky – he had a collision with Russell which got debris all over and the Safety Car was called into action. Hamilton took the opportunity to get back and have the damaged wing changed. There was some much debris that the Stewards decided to stop the race on lap 34 for clean-up work. All cars were required to return to the pits and wait. For Hamilton, it may have been a small blessing as his team could work on the repairs with less pressure.

♦ At the time the race was stopped. Leclerc was 15 seconds behind race leader Verstappen but things would be different when racing resumed. 17 cars were still in the running and there would be 29 laps left to run.

♦ The race was restarted after 23 minutes with a rolling start after the cars circulated for one lap with the Safety Car at the front. And though track conditions were drier, Kimi Raikkonen slid off into the gravel! Verstappen shot off (and almost crashed), while Leclerc was quickly passed by a determined Lando Norris. Tsunoda was in tenth but a spin dropped him all the way to the back.

♦ Hamilton was ninth when the race restarted and within 2 laps, he had passed Stroll and Raikkonen to move into 6th, and was working hard to get to the front. In the process, he set the fastest lap which would get him one extra point if no one else was quicker in the race.

♦ With 10 laps remaining, Verstappen was still in the lead and 17 seconds ahead of Hamilton who was in 4th and trying to get past Leclerc. Norris was closest to the leader and even he was about 16 seconds away.

♦ Hamilton got past Leclerc on lap 55 but Verstappen had been pushing harder and the gap to third place (Hamilton) had extended to 18 seconds – and would extend to more than 20 seconds with 4 laps remaining.

♦ With 3 laps remaining, Hamilton pushed past Norris but the gap was just too big to reach Verstappen, and unless the Dutchman had very bad luck, he would take the chequered flag. He had beat Hamilton’s fastest time but in the effort to pass Norris, Hamilton had set an even faster time so he would still claim that 1 extra point even though he would not win the race.

♦ Further back, while Vettel had to pull out with gearbox issues Alpine and Alfa Romeo Racing Orlen could celebrate with the first points of the season as their cars finished in the top ten.


BRABUS makes the EQS by Mercedes-EQ even more aerodynamic

BRABUS is well known for enhancing the looks and performance of Mercedes-Benz models. Thus far, since it began business in 1977, it has doe impressive work with cars with combustion engines. But with the electric age round the corner, the company has also to prepare for the future and it has begun doing so.

Perhaps because its extensive experience is with combustion engines, it has not yet developed comprehensive expertise with electric powertrains so it is not focusing on that area yet. Instead, it is enhancing performance by further optimizing aerodynamic efficiency, which can also have a positive effect on performance.

BRABUS in fact has a listing in the Guinness Book of World Records related to aerodynamics. In 1985, it refined the bodywork of a W124 Mercedes-Benz sedan and brought its Cd down to 0.26. That was a world record at the time and is still a value achieved by only a few, far more modern cars today.

Its first effort in the 21
st
 century is with the latest EQS from the Mercedes-EQ range. Already one of the most aerodynamic production cars in the world, BRABUS has been able to lower its Cd value (the measure of wind resistance) by 7.2%.

Confirmed in wind tunnel testing, the lower drag in turn reduces the driving resistance, which makes it possible to extend the range, which the more streamlined shape increases by 7% on average in the speed range between 100 and 140 km/h.

The refinement done on the EQS bodywork with components produced from carbonfibre (with exposed structure) give the sedan sporty looks that generate the ‘BRABUS 1-Second Wow Effect’. The bodywork components can have a glossy or matt sealed finish.

The BRABUS front spoiler gives the EQS an even more dynamic face. In addition, the carbonfibre lip reduces drag, and its raised outer edges also minimize front-axle lift by 100%. This naturally also improves the handling stability at high speeds.

The carbonfibre trim for the side air intakes in the front fascia also play a role in the more striking face and route the airflow even more purposefully to the radiators and front brakes. The designers also developed carbonfibre air deflection elements installed in front of the rear wheelarches. These add some sporty lines to the sides and positively influence the airflow.

The rear end is enhanced with a diffuser and a spoiler, both made from that same hi-tech composite material. It reduces aerodynamic lift at the rear by up to 40%.

The BRABUS Monoblock wheels have been tailor-made for the wheel wells of the EQS. They are available in numerous designs and diameters from 20 to 22 inches. With the Monoblock M wheels, there is a disc design that is aerodynamically favourable.

The BRABUS wheels not only benefit the looks but also enhance handling. This improvement can be further amplified with the plug-and-play BRABUS SportXtra module which is adapted to the air suspension. It lowers the ride height of the sedan on the front by 15 mm and on the rear axle by 29 mm. This ride-height lowering also plays an important role in the reduction of the drag coefficient.

As with its other models, BRABUS offers numerous refinement options for the interior of the EQS, enabling customers to personalize extensively. The range of options includes scuff plates with backlit BRABUS logo, whose colours change in sync with the ambient lighting; BRABUS aluminium or carbonfibre pedals; high-quality floormats and a velour mat for the boot. The latter two sport the logo of the tuner and feature leather edging.

The ‘Godfather of Pickups’ from BRABUS


Honda Malaysia offers two extra benefits for new vehicle purchasers until the end of 2021

Honda Malaysia has announced two programs for new customers who purchase new Honda vehicles from authorised dealers. One is enhanced coverage with the Customer Car Loan Protection Program and the other is a Vaccinated Customer Program, both running till the end of 2021.

The Customer Car Loan Protection Program is available to all customers who register a new Honda vehicle between October 1 and December 31, 2021. For a period of 1 year after the purchase, they will be able to receive a RM12,000 subsidy if they lose their job (terms and conditions apply). The subsidy to support the customer for the monthly instalments is a 100% increase compared to previous insurance coverage.

During the first year of vehicle ownership, Honda customers will be subsidised for their loan repayments if they lose their job.

Additional benefits

Additionally, the Customer Car Loan Protection Program includes death or permanent disability coverage of RM20,000, which has also increased by 100% compared to the previous insurance coverage. There is also Burial or Cremation coverage of RM2,000 and Repatriation Expenses of RM5,000. With a total coverage amounting to RM39,000, coverage and benefits are more extensive than normal vehicle insurance coverage.

“We are mindful that having an ownership of a personal mode of transport to commute safely with one’s family is an important need for most Malaysians. By introducing the enhanced Customer Car Loan Protection Program, we aim to help our customers by providing them with some financial support to ease their monthly instalments should the customer be unexpectedly out of employment. This enhanced personal accident insurance initiative is to protect the car loan of new Honda customers so that they can continue to enjoy their new car with peace of mind and without disruptions,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director and CEO, Madoka Chujo.

Vaccination has extra benefits

Under the new Vaccinated Customer Program, all new Honda customers will be entitled to a service voucher worth RM250 with a 1-year validity (terms and conditions apply) if they are registered for the national vaccination program. Those who have received vaccination confirmation and an appointment, or have been vaccinated either partially or fully, also qualify for the benefit.

The customer is required to complete the new car registration within the program period from October 1 to December 31, 2021. They will be required to show proof of their participation in the vaccination program via the
MySejahtera
 mobile application.

Purchasers of new Honda vehicles during the program period that runs till the end of this year will receive a service voucher worth RM250 if they are vaccinated for protection against COVID-19.

“This program is an initiative by Honda Malaysia to support the Malaysian Government’s vaccination program and to encourage people to get vaccinated in an effort to achieve herd immunity. We strongly believe that these programs that we have initiated will help support our customers to tide through this difficult period and more importantly, we wish to share with them the joy of owning a Honda car,” said Ms. Chujo.

Authorised Honda dealerships nationwide have commenced operations with strict compliance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). In September 2021, all Honda dealerships nationwide participated in the ‘
I’m Vaccinated’
 campaign and all personnel on duty at showrooms and service centres are already fully vaccinated.

For more information on the enhanced Customer Car Loan Protection Program and new Vaccinated Customer Program, visit any authorised Honda dealership or call Honda’s Toll-Free number at
1-800-88-2020
. Information and location of showrooms can also be found at
www.honda.com.my
.

New Honda models to be launched in Malaysia before year-end