Fiat Opens World’s First Metaverse-Powered Store

Shopping online is commonplace these days and during the lockdown periods of the past two years, many companies stepped up their online business activities as their physical retail outlets were forced to close. While there was already a trend starting towards increased online stores selling by car companies, the pandemic accelerated things in order for brands to remain accessible to customers.

Today, virtually every brand has an online showroom which mainly provides information on the latest models and if a customer is ready to make a purchase, the process can be started online as well. However, in some countries, physical presence is still required to complete the transaction as documents need to be officially signed.

Now Fiat has come out with what it says is the world’s first metaverse-powered store, taking the digital experience to a more advanced level. Starting off in Italy, the Fiat Metaverse Store provides a more sophisticated ‘shopping experience’ and there’s a real FIAT expert – called a FIAT Product Genius – on hand to answer questions.

What’s the ‘metaverse’?
But how does a ‘metaverse’ differ from other online automotive stores? According to
Wikipedia
, the metaverse is ‘a hypothetical iteration of the Internet as a single, universal, and immersive virtual world that is facilitated by the use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) headsets.’ The term originated 30 years ago in a science fiction novel ‘Snow Crash’ as a combination of ‘
meta
’ and ‘
universe
’.

It thus offers an experience that is far more immersive than online stores but does not require visitors to use VR headsets, avatars or specialized hardware. With any computer or smartphone, they can ‘enter’ the FIAT Metaverse Store where the Product Genius will welcome them and interact with them as they view the products. The scope of information is diverse and extensive, allowing audio and visual displays of technology to show how EV charging modes work, for example.

Virtual test-drive on rooftop
A virtual test-drive is also provided by the completely immersive tool and it is done on the roof of the Lingotto building in Turin. That’s the famous building with Fiat’s test-track on the roof and which was used for action scenes in the original version of the movie, ‘
The Italian Job
’. Of course, a test-drive in a real car can also be arranged at a dealership in the real world.

Visitors to the Fiat Metaverse Store can take a virtual drive around the test-track on top of the Fiat factory in Turin. Built in the 1920s, the factory operated until the late 1970s. It was used for action scenes in the original version of the movie, ‘The Italian Job’.

Customisation options can also be shown so the customer knows how the vehicle will look in his or her preferred colour, and with the various accessories available.

Not open 24/7
Unlike other online stores which are usually ‘open 24/7’, the Fiat Metaverse Store has specific ‘working hours’ – 9 am to 8 pm on weekdays, and 10 am to 6 pm on Saturdays. The Product Genius also needs to rest and have his day off!

Initially, the Fiat Metaverse Store has only the New 500 La Prima by Bocelli on display but by the end of the month, the entire New 500 range will be available. More models will be added during 2023 and the concept will be progressively introduced for other markets.

New 500 La Prima by Bocelli,

The FIAT Metaverse Store has been developed in collaboration with Touchcast and Microsoft. Touchcast’s Metaverse-as-a-Service platform is built on the Microsoft Cloud, and provides customers with access to the metaverse which is the synthesis of digital and physical into an immersive experience.

‘Tech it easy’
“At Fiat, we are once again the frontrunners in offering our customers an innovative and stress-free brand experience. In pure Fiat style, the Fiat Metaverse Store is the first of its kind in the automotive sector. It is a magical experience: an immersive human-driven journey into the world of Fiat. Simple and user-friendly, pursuing the idea of ‘tech it easy’, and accessible for everyone, thanks to its technology,” said Olivier Francois, Fiat CEO and Global Stellantis CMO.

“In short, it’s our way of making our customer’s experience tailor-made, thanks to the interaction with a person and even more simple which is in line with our social mission of meeting people’s current need for a simplified life,” he added.

Fiat 500 lovers – this one’s for you!

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 for more videos at The Piston Show.


Caterham Cars no longer owned by Tan Sri Fernandes and Datuk Kamarudin

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

Caterham Cars is no longer owned by Malaysians Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Datuk Kamarudin Meranun (who became owners in 2011), having been acquired by VT Holdings of Japan. The automotive group, which has been the importer for the Seven since 2009, assumes custodianship of the legendary British sportscar brand which is almost 50 years old.

VT Holdings currently sells over 120 cars annually and is one of Japan’s largest retailer groups with over 200 showrooms nationwide. It also has investments in the UK, Spain, Thailand and South Africa, and imports two and four-wheeled brands such as Royal Enfield and Lotus for the Japanese market.

Motorsport, and the global track-day communities, have always played a central role in Caterham’s commercial success. The brand now joins a group led by Chief Executive Kazuho Takahashi, who shares the same passions, having raced competitively in JGTC, Super GT and Super Taikyu championships for the past 20 years.

Commenting on the acquisition, Mr. Takahashi said: “VT Holdings is proud to welcome Caterham to the group. We have not only purchased a globally renowned performance car manufacturer but become custodians of a motoring legend. We will protect and develop the Seven to meet the legislative challenges that lie ahead.”

Caterham Cars began as a Lotus 7 dealer during the 1960s and when Lotus discontinued the model, the dealer, Graham Nearn, purchased the rights to continue using the Seven design and made the cars in a small volume. The Seven has remained popular and highly regarded by car enthusiasts.

Caterham Cars today exports to 20 markets globally with exports accounting for 60% of its annual new car sales volume.

The Ultimate Caterham Seven is now available


Edaran Tan Chong Motor announces ‘Raya Datang Awal’ promotion for Nissan buyers

Hari Raya Aidilfitri
 is coming soon and for those planning to have a new vehicle to celebrate, Edaran Tan Chong Motor is offering some special deals. Selected models come with accessories packages worth up to RM10,150, and there’s still the sales tax exemption (except for pick-up trucks) which the government is allowing until June 30, 2022.

During the month of April and May, ETCM is also having a contest with RM50,000 worth of Lazada e-Vouchers to be won. Lucky purchasers of new Nissan vehicles will have a chance to win Lazada e-Vouchers (RM5,000 per winner. T&C apply). The e-voucher can be used for purchases on the Lazada e-commerce website which would be great for those who are doing Hari Raya shopping.

While some companies have indicated that their order bank has become quite full and ready stocks are not available right away, ETCM says it has anticipated the festive season demand and has prepared stocks for fast delivery. After all, the company has been selling cars to Malaysians since the 1950s and understands the market well.

For those interested in the
Almera Turbo
, a test-drive will provide an opportunity to experience its advanced technology, especially in the turbocharged engine. The high torque output gives strong acceleration but at the same time, fuel
consumption can be up to 18.4 kms/litre
 as one owner proved. Those who test-drive the Almera Turbo will receive a Watsons Voucher worth RM30 in appreciation of their interest.

The
’Mothertrucker’ Navara
 has proven to be well suited for dual roles of personal transport as well as workhorse. There are five variants to choose from for different requirements and budgets, with prices starting from RM111,050.

Nissan owners, wherever in Malaysia they are,  are assured of aftersales services from Tan Chong Expres Auto Servis (TCEAS). Appointments can also be booked online using the
DriveOn
 app available at the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

All new Nissan vehicles come with a 5-year warranty covering manufacturing defects and other than the Navara, there is no limit on mileage travelled after registration. For the Navara, the mileage limit is 150,000 kms or 5 years, whichever comes first.

For customers who are not able to visit Nissan showroom, there’s the
Nissan Online Showroom
 where information on the models and offers available can be found, and test-drives can also be requested. If a purchase decision is made at the Lazada Nissan Flagship store, a low-booking fee payment online is now available and a Sales Representative will assist in completing the purchase process.

For more information,
www.nissan.com.my
 where the locations of authorised Nissan showrooms can also be found.

FEATURE: A closer look at the Nissan Almera Turbo engine


Celebrate Raya with Volkswagen this 22 June 2019!

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) wants to celebrate Raya with you this Saturday (22 June 2019) and they’re prepared to bring the house down with some exciting offers. The nationwide Raya Open House will commence at all dealerships in Malaysia this Saturday, 11am to 5pm.

Visitors who attend the Volkswagen Raya Open House will have the opportunity to test out their latest models while current owners can indulge in their Hari Raya sales and aftersales promotions. Like free stuff? Book a brand-new Volkswagen this Saturday and you will receive an additional RM2,000 petrol voucher on top of the ongoing promotion of RM1,000 petrol voucher, bringing it to a total of RM3,000!

Here are the current ongoing sales promotions for Volkswagen’s latest models.

Model

Savings from

Low Interest

Monthly loan from

Polo

RM4,000

–

RM741

Vento Comfortline

RM8,000

–

RM800

Vento Highline

RM6,000

–

RM892

Golf R-Line

RM2,000

–

RM1,788

Golf GTI

–

–

RM2,572

Golf R

–

–

RM3,176

Tiguan Highline

RM2,000

1.88%

RM1,598

Passat Comfortline

RM15,000

1.88%

RM1,575

Passat Highline

RM4,000

RM1,865

Beetle Sport

RM5,000

–

RM1,538

As for aftersales, there will be loads of promotions which customers can take advantage of such as:

Air-cond

Owners are invited to a complimentary air-cond check at Volkswagen service centres, while those who are due for an air-cond service or filter replacement will receive additional 20% discount as part of the air-cond promotion available till the 30th of June.

Tyres

As part of the ongoing tyre promotion which has been extended till the end of the year, Continental tyres are available from as low as RM184, and owners will get additional benefits such as free installation, alignment and balancing depending on the different tyre packages.

Battery

Those in need of a battery change will receive 20% discount off new batteries starting from RM365, depending on model, under the ongoing battery promotion, which has also been extended till the end of the year.

For more information, visit a Volkswagen dealership or

www.volkswagen.com.my
.

Volkswagen ‘Sound & Style’ range announced – From RM174,990


A Truck Wins Hot Wheels Legends Tour For The First Time

‘Texas Toot’, the nickname of an ultra-custom 1992 Autozam Scrum micro truck built by Craig Meaux of Beaumont, Texas in the USA was picked as the winner of this year’s Hot Wheels Legends Tour recently. The vehicle will be immortalized as a 1:64 Hot Wheels die-cast vehicle for sale worldwide, as well as inducted into the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends.

Customized in Meaux’s garage and built entirely for fun, ‘Texas Toot’ started life as a stock Japanese import in 2020, before becoming this year’s Hot Wheels Legends Tour champion. This custom Kei truck features a fabricated 5-foot hydraulic lift, Chevrolet 454 big-block, TH400 transmission, 12-inch drop reverse rotation FTI transfer case, 250 shot nitrous kit, train horns and massive custom welded 30×15 wheels.

‘Superhero’ truck
Following this bucket list win, and in true challenger spirit, Meaux intends to use his passion project in burn-out competitions, which he is sure to dominate in what Jay Leno calls his ‘superhero’ truck.

“I wasn’t expecting to win, so this is a dream come true,” said Meaux. “I wanted to create something that no one else had. I didn’t have previous experience with this sort of fabrication, so it’s awesome that it came out the way it did and to have everybody enjoy the truck.”

Held at Jay Leno’s Garage, the virtual Global Grand Finale of the event was co-hosted by the celebrity car enthusiast and motorsports ambassador Jarod DeAnda. For this fifth annual Hot Wheels Legends Tour Global Grand Finale, 10 custom builds from around the world –
including Malaysia
 – were considered by a panel of judges. Their task was to find the model which best represented authenticity, creativity and garage spirit.

Past winners of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour (above from left): 2018 – 2 Jet Z | 2019 – THE NASH | 2020 – 1970 Pontiac Firebird and (below) 2021 – Volvo P1800 Gasser.

First Hot Wheels Legends truck winner
“The competition was strong in 2022 but turning a Japanese mini truck into a monster truck was hard to beat,” said Ted Wu, Vice-President, Global Head of Design for Vehicles, Mattel. “As the first truck to be crowned since the inception of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour, we hope Craig’s passion project inspires builders and fans from around the world to set big goals and follow their dreams. I cannot wait to see what this super-sized mini truck looks like in 1:64-scale!”

‘Where Legends Are Made’ campaign
As part of this exciting finale event, Hot Wheels announced the brand’s first-ever adult-facing campaign, ‘Where Legends are Made’. Designed to further engage the global car enthusiast community, this campaign serves as an umbrella for the adult-facing activities that Hot Wheels will launch in the future, expanding beyond traditional automotive into pop culture.

This includes segments such as fashion, film, gaming, NFTs and luxury, while remaining true to the brand’s car culture heritage with builder activities such as the Hot Wheels Legends Tour – the world’s largest travelling custom car show.

Wu said that ‘Where Legends are Made’ was created to expand the brand’s reach to more adult auto enthusiasts with an affinity for Hot Wheels and encourage them to celebrate their passion and become collectors. “Membership in our exclusive Red Line Club tripled in 2021, which proves that there is a strong demand for premium limited-edition die-cast cars and a desire for an adult members-only collector community for Hot Wheels die-cast vehicles,” he added.

In the past two years, one Malaysian entry has been picked for the Global Semi Finals and this year, the entry was most appropriate to represent the country: a customised 2015 Proton Suprima S. The car was built by William Chong, a trailer truck technician from Negeri Sembilan, who was among the 204 Malaysian entries.

The Malaysian finals were held in collaboration with Art of Speed Malaysia
.

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 to see more videos at The Piston Show.


F1 community provides expertise to develop life-saving breathing aids

A breathing aid that can help keep COVID-19 patients out of intensive care, adapted by mechanical engineers at University College London (UCL) and clinicians at UCL Hospital (UCLH) working with Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains (Mercedes-AMG HPP), has been approved for use in the Britain’s National Health Service (NHS).

The breathing aid, known as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), has been used extensively in hospitals in Italy and China to help COVID-19 patients with serious lung infections to breathe more easily when oxygen alone is insufficient.

Since March 18, engineers at UCL and HPP and clinicians at UCLH have been working round the clock at UCL’s engineering hub MechSpace to reverse engineer a device that can be produced rapidly by the thousands. It was produced within a rapid timeframe – fewer than 100 hours from the initial meeting to production of the first device. 100 devices are to be delivered to UCLH for clinical trials, with rapid roll-out to hospitals around the country ahead of the predicted surge of hospital admissions.

Andy Cowell, MD of Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains, said: “The Formula One community has shown an impressive response to the call for support, coming together in the ‘Project Pitlane’ collective to support the national need at this time across a number of different projects. We have been proud to put our resources at the service of UCL to deliver the CPAP project to the highest standards and in the fastest possible timeframe.”

‘Project Pitlane’ is a collective of UK-based Formula 1 teams and their respective technology arms coordinating a response to the UK government’s call for assistance with the manufacture of medical devices. It will pool the resources and capabilities of its member teams, focusing on the core skills of the F1 industry: rapid design, prototype manufacture, test and skilled assembly. F1’s ability to respond rapidly to engineering and technological challenges allows the group to add value to the wider engineering industry’s response.

Mercedes-AMG HPP is responsible for the development of the powertrains in the F1 racing cars. It has considerable depth of expertise in both hardware and software across all elements of the Formula 1 hybrid Power Unit.

The collaboration demonstrates the way that universities, the NHS and industry are coming together to help the national response in Britain to the coronavirus outbreak by providing vital technologies to the NHS which can enable them to care for patients who require respiratory support. Reports from Italy indicate that approximately 50% of patients given CPAP have avoided the need for invasive mechanical ventilation. However, such devices are in short supply in UK hospitals.

UCLH critical care consultant Professor Mervyn Singer (UCL Medicine) said: “These devices will help to save lives by ensuring that ventilators, a limited resource, are used only for the most severely ill. “While they will be tested at UCLH first, we hope they will make a real difference to hospitals across the UK by reducing demand on intensive care staff and beds, as well as helping patients recover without the need for more invasive ventilation.”

CPAP machines are routinely used by the NHS to support patients in hospital or at home with breathing difficulties. They work by pushing an air-oxygen mix into the mouth and nose at a continuous rate, keeping airways open and increasing the amount of oxygen entering the lungs. Invasive ventilators deliver breaths directly into the lungs, but require heavy sedation and connection to a tube placed into the patient’s trachea (windpipe).

Why you should Stay Apart


Suzuki returns to Malaysia with the new Swift Sport

When Proton formed a technical tie-up with Suzuki, which led to the creation of the Proton Ertiga, the Japanese carmaker decided to show its support for the partnership (small though it was) by withdrawing from the Malaysian market in 2016. It was the same sort of move made by Mitsubishi Motors some 30 years earlier when it was involved with the Malaysian carmaker. The difference though was that Mitsubishi Motors had a stake in the company and could look at a long-term relationship whereas Suzuki was essentially just providing a product that Proton could adapt quickly.

The move by Suzuki disappointed its customers and fans, which had built up over 10 years. Although not all the products sold well, the brand image was strong. For enthusiasts especially, the Swift Sport was a hot little hatchback that offered zesty performance. Sadly, their favourite brand had abandoned the market and those who did own the cars kept them for as long as possible.

First Swift Sport launched in 2007.

Back with a new distributor

Now Suzuki is back, and it’s doing so through a new distributor – Naza Eastern Motors Sdn Bhd. (NEM) which is part of the Naza Group. Interestingly, although Naza has handled many different brands, it has never had a Japanese brand until now.

Suzuki has a wide range of models, from minicars to hatchbacks to SUVs, all small models. It did try to get into a larger sized market with a model called the Kizashi but never succeeded. The Suzuki model which Malaysians know best is the Swift which was introduced in 2005 when Suzuki Malaysia began operations.

Times have changed and while the plain vanilla Swift was popular back then, the market is filled with many more competitors today so NEM has decided to import just the Swift Sport, at least for now. This variant is the more iconic one and will surely have many who are eagerly waiting to get one.

Priced from
RM139,900
 (excluding insurance), the new Swift Sport is from the latest third generation with a 1.4-litre BOOSTERJET engine. Like many small engines today, this engine has direct fuel injection and turbocharging with intercooling which pushes output up to 140 bhp/230 Nm. The dual variable valve timing is electrically operated on the intake side but has hydraulic operation on the exhaust side.

During development, Suzuki’s engineers virtually eliminated the typical delay in power delivery (turbo lag) by attaching the compact turbocharger directly to the cylinder head as well as incorporating the exhaust manifold into the cylinder head casting. This design ensures optimum gas flow with minimal heat loss through to the turbo unit.

No manual transmission

The power goes to the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission which will disappoint enthusiasts. One of the strong attractions of the previous generations was that they were available (in Malaysia) with manual transmissions. This was at a time when companies were beginning to discontinue manual variants of their models due to diminishing demand.

It is likely that NEM did some market studies and found that the volume potential was higher for an automatic transmission variant than for a manual transmission. They could listen to a limited group of enthusiasts who might tell them ‘everyone who buys a Swift Sport will want a manual’ but the reality today is that most people are satisfied with an automatic. At least it’s not a CVT…

With the automatic transmission, the car is claimed to be able to do 0 to 100 km/h in 8 seconds and reach a top speed of 205 km/h. If you don’t drive with the pedal floored most of the time, you could get 16.4 kms per litre and we learnt that, unlike the previous 1.5-litre engine, this new one can deliver 100% of the rated output with RON95 petrol. The previous engine was apparently tuned to give its maximum output with RON98 which we do not have, and with RON97, dyno testing showed that the output was 1 bhp less.

While the suspension layout is fairly straightforward, careful tuning has been done to give greater driving stability, optimised roll rigidity, and improved dynamic response. The rear suspension was specially designed to ensure good high speed stability and the trailing arm was developed exclusively for the Swift Sport to minimise deformation during cornering. The rigidity of the torsion beam is also tuned to provide optimal roll stiffness.

Suzuki engineers developed a new platform called ‘HEARTECT’ which is said to provide enhanced fundamental vehicle performance due to being light and highly rigid. The underbody’s structure and component layout are incorporated in a highly rigid frame that resists distortion while also dissipating  impact energy. More welds are used to increase structural rigidity of the body.

Swift design DNA retained

While the technical aspects have changed significantly since the last time Malaysians had a Swift Sport to buy (officially), the design retains a familiar form that can be traced all the way back to the Concept S of 2004. That shape has evolved over the years but remains recognisable as a Swift. For the Swift Sport, the appearance is more expressive, in keeping with the sport image.

The 2004 Concept S

Black-out roof pillars give the impression of a ‘floating’ roof while dark trim running along the lower sides establishes a low centre of gravity. The handles for the rear doors are up on the roof pillar, an idea which is not unique nor new as it can be found on some other models. It gives a cleaner look to the door panel though some people will get confused not seeing a handle in the usual place.

Sporty cabin

As would be expected, the Swift Sport’s cabin has a sporty flavour with semi bucket front seats that should hug the body well to keep it in place during the spirited driving which an owner is bound to indulge in. The seats have tubular frames set within the side supports of both the seatback and seat base cushion with urethane pads for additional support.

The dashboard has a rather ‘classic’ layout, somewhat different from most of today’s cars. It’s functional with a basic tone of black to create a high contrast interior space. For added sport appeal, the tachometer features a red dial face and the speedometer is coloured silver. A digital multimedia info display between the meters shows, among other things real-time engine output (bhp and Nm), g-forces and turbo boost.

The 3-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, with red stitching, multi-function switches and paddle shifters, has a D-shaped design with a flat bottom, a feature usually found in sportscars.

The ventilation controls are in the form of large rotary knobs which will be appreciated by drivers as you don’t have to look down at them to make adjustments. Above the knobs is a 7-inch colour touchscreen for the infotainment system which has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink for connectivity.

The Swift Sport has Suzuki‘s Total Effective Control Technology (TECT) for collision safety. This makes use of collapsible structures that absorb impact energy in the event of a collision, a frame structure that effectively disperses impact energy, and rigid cabin structure. Six airbags are provided for cushioning at the front and sides.

No driver-assist systems

While we usually read of driver-assistance active safety systems in almost every new model launched today, NEM doesn’t mention this in its materials. This is not to say that the model was developed without such systems as the Swift Sport sold in other markets does have a camera and radar which detect hazards and active systems that will give autonomous emergency braking.

Nevertheless, there is ABS with Brake Assist and Electronic Stability Program which no car should be without today. There’s also cruise control which is the basic type as it cannot be adaptive without a camera or radar.

As the official distributors, NEM will of course provide all the necessary aftersales support and has one 3S service centre in operation with immediate effect. Presumably, they will have a network in due course and will also provide services to those who  already own a Suzuki.

Click here for a Swift Sport brochure
.

While Suzuki motorcycles were on Malaysian roads in the 1960s, the 4-wheelers appeared in the 1970s, with the early models being the SJ/LJ (above) – a miniaturized Jeep – and the SS80 which was known as the Alto elsewhere. The SJ was a simple vehicle with 4×4 and could go almost anywhere as it was light and small. However, in those days, small vehicles were not in great demand so the Suzukis had limited sales. Later on, with the Swift in the 1980s and then the Vitara, the brand started to gain followers. When Suzuki Malaysia began operations in 2005, it got off to a great start with the positive response to the new Swift which was later assembled locally as well while the Swift Sport was imported. There were other models like the APV, SX4, Kizashi (pictured below) and S-Cross which were sold but the numbers were limited. When Suzuki tied up with Proton, it withdrew its own products from the market as a show of support – perhaps thinking it would have a long-term relationship. But that was not to be after one model (the Ertiga) and the brand remained absent from the market for 5 years.


Pink returns to F1 on Alpine’s new racing cars

With BWT (a supplier of water treatment systems) partnering with the Alpine F1 team, the new 2022 racing cars have taken on ‘flipped’ livery with pink becoming the most prominent colour. This unique livery, which highlights the partnership with BWT, will be used for the first two races of the season while the historic blue of the Alpine brand will be maintained.

Second F1 car by Alpine

The BWT Alpine F1 Team’s new car is known as the A522 which is its second F1 car. It has been under development over the past 18 months to meet the significant regulation changes introduced for the 2022 season.

Besides a completely new chassis and car build, the A522 also has an all-new RE22 power unit. The engine specification and packaging has allowed the team some extra freedom in shaping the rest of the car to better exploit the latest technical regulations and adjust for the new E10 fuel specification, E10 which is the next step to sustainable fuels in the sport.

Fernando Alonso (left) is a 2-time World Champion, while Esteban Ocon has been in F1 since 2016.

The team will again have the services of Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon, who were ranked 10
th
 and 11
th
 in the Drivers Championship last year. Ocon enters his third consecutive year powered by a Renault engine, while Alonso embarks on a historic and potentially record-breaking 20th season in F1. The 40-year old Spaniard has been World Champion twice (2005 and 2006) and was the youngest world champion, and then youngest 2-time champion in the sport’s history at the time.

The Alpine A521 in last year’s championship where the team finished fifth in the Constructors Championship.

About BWT

BWT (Best Water Technology) is Europe’s market leader in water treatment, with the mission to provide water of perfect quality for all purposes, everywhere in the world, directly from the tap, the water dispenser, or the table water filter. Its pink colour symbolizes the company’s mission to ‘Change the World – sip by sip’ and to make it a little bit better every day by implementing the Bottle Free Zone concept. In this respect, BWT will also be deepening its partnership with Formula 1 over the next few years. A multi-year partnership is part of the joint commitment against the use of single-use plastic and for sustainable positive change.

BWT was earlier involved in F1 with the Racing Point team which was rebranded in 2021 to become the Aston Martin COGNIZANT F1 Team.

Besides partnering with the Alpine F1 team, BWT is also a partner with Formula 1 and is committed to eliminating the use of single-use plastic bottles at event facilities.

“We plan to make the Paddock free of single-use plastic bottles by 2025. To achieve this goal, BWT is providing water stations throughout the Paddock and the Paddock Club where drivers, crew and fans alike can enjoy fresh local water mineralized with magnesium, zinc, and silica in reusable bottles,” a statement from BWT said.


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

The Tokyo Motor Show 2019 is going on at full swing at the moment and all of the major Japanese manufacturers are showcasing their possible future in the automotive industry. Nissan is bringing their heat to the show with not one, but two concept vehicles and one of them is the Nissan Ariya Concept.

This very sexy crossover EV is fitted with twin electric motors that promises powerful acceleration paired with state-of-the-art driver assistance technology. This very vehicle signifies the direction of Nissan in reinventing themselves into something that will strongly shift the very automotive industry into a completely new level.

The Nissan Ariya Concept places a vital role in their evolutionary automobile phase that features spacious yet premium cabin with high-tech features that further elevates the car’s electric capabilities. Embodying the Nissan Intelligent Mobility vision of personal transportation, their new direction hopes to unify pure electrification and vehicle intelligence for the ultimate mobility experience.

According to Yasuhiro Yamauchi, representative executive officer, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., “The Ariya Concept represents a strong collaboration between design and engineering. It is the next stage of Nissan’s future design language as we embark on a new era for the company – the next stage in our evolution.”

2020 Nissan Formula E race car wears a ‘kimono’


The New Land Rover Defender can fly too! (w/VIDEO)

The age of flying cars for the masses has yet to start but it must be coming, going by what the new Land Rover Defenders are shown doing in a movie. The 4×4 brand’s products have always been known and admired for their off-road capability on any terrain, wading ability across rivers and extreme durability. Now it appears that they will soon develop some sort of flying capability too!

That they can fly and mimic motocross bikes that swoop 30 metres over ground made them the natural choice for use in ‘
No Time To Die
’, the James Bond movie that will be in cinemas this April.

It’s not the first time that the Defender has starred in a Bond movie, but it is the first movie for the all-new Defender that was launched last September.

Ten Defenders were acquired for the movie for use in an exciting chase scene, and one of the SUVs has the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) 007 which indicates it was the seventh vehicle to be produced. Customers who have ordered their Defenders will soon be getting them but demand has been very great so Land Rover expects it to exceed supply.

The dramatic scenes are used in Land Rover’s television commercial for the new Defender and demonstrate its various capabilities on tough terrain. The commercial also give an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at how those flying scenes were done so you can see it wasn’t CGI. The rehearsal footage includes further extreme tests as the vehicle is driven at top speed through swamps and rivers.

The chase sequence in ‘
No Time To Die
’ was led by stunt coordinator Lee Morrison, working alongside Oscar-winner Chris Corbould, the special effects and action vehicles supervisor. “We pushed the Defender further than we believed possible to generate the maximum excitement, and to give fans an insight into the uncompromising challenge of producing an incredible chase sequence which you can look forward to seeing in ‘
No Time To Die
’,” said Morrison.

“We developed a new test standard for Defender, the most challenging we’ve ever had and unique to this vehicle. Physical strength and durability is measured by a number of different tests including a bridge jump test which gave us confidence to deliver what the stunt team needed to create for ‘
No Time To Die
’, with no modifications to the body structure except the installation of a roll cage,” revealed Nick Collins, Vehicle Line Director for the Defender at the factory.

Putting these vehicles through their paces was Jessica Hawkins, whom Morrison handpicked from the Formula 3 W Series after spotting her potential. He wasted no time in giving her the opportunity to feature in what will be her first ever motion picture.

All-new Land Rover Defender makes global debut in Frankfurt


Audi Plus+ Program For Owners With Older Audi Vehicles

Carmakers work hard to maintain their relationship with customers who have bought their products. They hope that once someone has joined their ‘family’, he or she will continue choosing the brand for subsequent car purchases. To encourage this, customer retention programs are important and offer a variety of benefits for owners.

PHS Automotive Malaysia (PHSAM), which took over as the
official distributor of the Audi brand
 in Malaysia in July last year, has been busy not just on new model plans but also looking at how they can serve existing owners. In particular, they want to give attention to owners with older Audi vehicles that are no longer under warranty.

This has led to the introduction of a new loyalty programme, Audi Plus+, which is for Audi owners with vehicles 5 years and older. It is not only for those who purchased their vehicles from authorized Audi dealerships before but also vehicles that have been directly imported or sold by parallel importers (also referred to as ‘grey imports). However, vehicles not originally purchased from authorised dealers would have to undergo an Audi Condition Check (charges may apply) to be eligible for Audi Plus+.

The Audi Plus+ programme offers Audi owners three 10% service vouchers which can be utilized  within a period of 3 years after the fifth year of service. Additionally, Audi Malaysia provides complimentary roadside assistance for up to 12 months from the date of voucher redemption.

As the service vouchers are redeemable only at authorized Audi Centres, owners will be assured of genuine Audi parts being used for all servicing work. Genuine parts such as oil and air filters, battery chargers, wiper blades, windshield washers, spark plugs, brake pads, etc are of the same high quality as the vehicles and fit precisely since they are specifically engineered for each model.

Erik Winter, Managing Director of PHSAM, explained that Audi Plus+ is an extension of PHSAM’s on-going customer care efforts to foster an exceptional drive experience for Audi owners, including those with older models.

“Owners can expect comprehensive and seamless service at our Audi Service Centres through this programme, as our technicians have undergone extensive training, assessment, and certification by Audi. In addition to the right expertise, they are also best equipped with precise tools and machinery to inspect and maintain the vehicles according to manufacturer guidelines,” he said.

More information is available at Audi Malaysia’s website or at Audi Centres in Selangor (Glenmarie and Setia Alam), Perak (Ipoh) and Penang (Juru).

Audi Malaysia To Sell e-Tron EV Models From Mid-2023

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Béla Barényi – the man who made cars crumple to save lives

For many who have been in a car when it has been involved in a serious accident, the safety features that they may thank for having saved their lives would likely be the seatbelt and perhaps the airbag as well. There’s no doubt that these two safety features have saved tens of thousands of lives and reduced the severity of injuries for many thousand more.

However, just as vital to preventing deaths and reducing injuries has been the structure of the car itself. This is what has first contact with another object – a vehicle, a tree, a lamp post or even a building – and it receives the enormous forces of impacts. These forces are transmitted through the body and each the cabin where they can cause injuries as various parts are smashed into humans.

Thanks to pioneering work by a Daimler Benz engineer in the late 1940s, modern car structures have been engineered in such a way as to diminish the impact forces so they do not cause great harm. The engineer was Béla Barényi and his innovation – called the passenger car safety cell – is a fundamental feature of passive automotive safety to this day. It was patented in Germany by Daimler-Benz and described as ‘a passenger car body with a passenger safety cell’. The Patent No. 845 157, which also identified Barényi as the inventor, had the title ‘Motor vehicle, specifically for personal transport’.

The engineer was fortunate to work at Daimler-Benz which was just as passionate about safety as he was. There were other carmakers at that time who carefully avoided topics about crash safety; particularly in the post-war period, nobody wanted to be reminded about the dangers of driving. The topic was viewed as a sales killer right up to the 1970s.

Barényi’s innovation had completely changed how vehicle construction should be with regard to occupant protection. For decades, engineers had taken the approach that the more rigid the body could be made, the better the protection would be during an accident. So a tank would have been very safe – but rather impractical on public roads.

Barényi’s studies showed that that the forces generated during an impact were transferred to the occupants with hardly any prior absorption. And with no seatbelts to retrain them (airbags would come 30 years later), they would also be thrown about the cabin, if not out of it.

These findings led Barényi to find a way to have absorb the kinetic energy built up during a collision. He came up with an overall vehicle concept which consisted of three cells: the safety cell in the middle where the occupants were seated, and cells at the front and rear which were connected to it. This concept was developed some years earlier when Barényi did his own ‘Terracruiser’ and ‘Concadoro’ studies, and when he joined Daimler-Benz, he was able to realise them.

The text of the patent application explained the purpose of this design as follows: “The forces generated during a collision are […] absorbed by the [front or rear] cell section.” Later on, a catchy expression was coined for these areas of controlled deformation: crumple-zones. The safety cell that encircled the occupants and protected them from the impact forces acting on the vehicle structure also came to be referred to as a ‘safety cage’.

The 1959 Mercedes-Benz W 111 model (referred to as ‘Fintail’) was the first car to have the safety cell concept in its design.

In 1959, the safety body with its rigid passenger cell was used for the first time in a production model – the Mercedes-Benz W 111 series which had the distinctive ‘fintail’. Mercedes-Benz also increased the awareness of developers where automotive safety in general was concerned. The W 111 model also had a new safety steering wheel (also developed by Barényi) with a large impact plate and a deformable connecting piece between the plate and the end of the steering column, which was moved forward.

With new technologies, especially computer-aided engineering, the concept of the safety cell has evolved further. The impact forces are not just absorbed but also dissipated by carefully designed structural members to provide ‘paths’ around the cabin area. Nevertheless, the fundamental objective remains and that is to prevent or minimize the forces that reach the occupants. Béla Barényi received more than 2,500 patents for his inventions, most of which related to automotive innovations and enhancements.

Today’s cars have even better protection all round, not just at the front and back, but Barényi’s fundamental idea of having a strong safety cell around the occupants remains.

All-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class set to be a pioneer in safety features again (w/VIDEOS)

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


PROMO: Amazing Car Deals This Month with KIA Mega Merdeka!

Naza Kia Malaysia
, the official distributor of KIA vehicles in Malaysia, proudly introduces the
KIA Mega Merdeka
 campaign with exclusive deals and value-added privileges for the Kia Cerato 1.6 SX and the Kia Picanto EX, as a tribute to the 61
st
 Merdeka nationwide celebrations for all Malaysians to enjoy before the SST kicks in come September.

Take this golden opportunity to purchase any of the two models where throughout the campaign, the
Kia Cerato 1.6 SX
 is offered at an exclusive price starting from
RM83,032.45
 (on-the-road without insurance) while the
Kia Picanto EX
 is available starting from
RM47,079.43
 (on-the-road without insurance). Both come with Kia’s standard 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage for that added boost. Apart from the limited-time prices for the KIA Mega Merdeka, customers will also receive a free

Red One
 SIM
 card for every purchase of the Kia Cerato 1.6 SX or Picanto EX in the month of August, and a special privilege available for Cerato 1.6 SX models only – free maintenance service for first three years including parts and labour fees for a hassle-free car maintenance experience.

The KIA Cerato 1.6 SX gives off a sophisticated vibe with its attractive styling, fluid appearance and advanced convenience. On the road, the KIA Cerato’s aggressive exterior matches its prowess underneath the hood and also comes with a motor-driven power steering (MDPS), Bluetooth connectivity, push-start ignition, an 8” touchscreen display with rear view camera and enhanced safety features, among others. On the other hand, the Picanto EX variant is uniquely modern, designed with safety and power in mind, with futuristic details and dynamic design for a more fun urban drive look. Inspired by iconic designs, the EX variant takes Kia’s A-segment car up a notch with its stronger build with subtle edginess and a rich body volume to fulfil customer’s demands. Furthermore, its open-link style radiator grille visually enhances the Picanto’s wide proportions to achieve that modern sleek look.

The KIA Mega Merdeka campaign is available for a limited time only and valid at all Naza Kia showrooms nationwide from now until
31
st
 August 2018
, while stocks last.


As market goes into downturn, Proton’s sales also dip by 37%

2021 for the auto industry started low but as the first quarter progressed, sales volumes rose. However, with the second quarter, it appears that the market is going into a downturn. By Proton’s estimate, the May Total Industry Volume (TIV) of new vehicles registered fell by around 20%. While the Movement Control Order (MCO) may have had some effect, but shortages of chips – vital components for the many electronic systems in modern cars – have been slowing down output from the assembly plants.

For Proton, after seeing strengthening sales with each month, it reports that its May volume was down 37.1% from April. The Malaysian carmaker sold 9,440 units (some of which were exported) and with this volume, its estimated market share would be 20.3%.

Up to the end of May, the cumulative  volume reached 57,283 units which translates to a market share estimated at 23.5% and an increase of 2.4% over the same period in the previous year.

As with the previous month, the X50 and X70 continued to lead their segments by a considerable  margin. 1,899 units of the smaller SUV model were delivered in May while the X70 had 1,523 new owners. This brings the cumulative total of 3,422 units for the domestic as well as export markets.

Exports reach new 98-month high

Meanwhile, Proton’s overseas sales continue to gain momentum despite international markets going  through varying degrees of lockdown. With 669 units comprising the Saga, X50 and X70  exported in May, the company’s international sales division recorded its best month since March 2013. As a  result, total export sales for 2021 are now less than 100 units behind the total for the whole of last year.

“Car sales in Malaysia dipped in May due to factors such as chip shortages and the implementation of MCO in  the middle of the month. Despite most industry players having healthy order books, most brands struggled to  meet demand. For Proton, the numbers were high enough to retain second overall in the sales table and we  also received a welcome boost from our export division who set a 98-month high despite restrictions on international shipping,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.

Focusing on the future

With the full lockdown in effect (tentatively until June 14), all Proton sales outlets have to be closed. However, its authorised service centres are allowed to operate. Proton owners are requested to make a prior appointment before going to the service centre (which should be within 10 kms of their home address).

The company will also be considering utilising the enforced break to retool its sales plan for the remainder of 2021. It aims to future-proof its business against regulatory changes and external factors such as the coronavirus.

“2020 proved to the world that business as usual can be disrupted without warning. To remain competitive in an unpredictable environment, Proton, along with its vendors and dealers, need to have the flexibility to pivot quickly to take advantage of unexpected opportunities. As such, we will intensify our efforts to implement a framework to meet upcoming regulations locally and internationally which is vital for future growth,” Encik Roslan said.

“We are also finalising our model launch plans for the rest of this year. The current MCO will push some of these dates back, but Proton remains committed to meeting our launch targets and creating some excitement for  our customers in 2021,” he added.

With greater attention to overseas business, Proton aims to double export volumes in 2021


Tax-Exemption On EVs Is Extended After All

It seemed surprising that when the Prime Minister/Finance Minister presented Budget 2023 yesterday, there was
no mention of any matters related to the auto industry
. In particular, the auto industry was waiting to hear about the extension of the tax-exemption for electric vehicles (EVs) which had been proposed in October. Back then, the proposed Budget 2023 by the previous government had extended the exemption for CBU (completely-built-up) EVs for one more year, ie till the end of 2024. However, as the Budget was not tabled in Parliament, it was not confirmed which is why we had the new one presented yesterday.

The Finance Ministry, through its website, had also posted information regarding this matter as part of the revised Budget 2023 Touchpoints and it’s good news. The exemption of excise and import duties for EVs imported in CBU form will continue till the
end of 2025
. For companies that assemble EVs locally, the exemptions will be provided till the
end of 2027
, along with full import duty exemption for components used in the assembly of the EV models. Incidentally, EVs in this case refers only to battery electric vehicles and fuel-cell electric vehicles and not electrified vehicles such as hybrid (HEV) or plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), for which there are other incentives given.

The government is giving tax exemptions on EVs for the next few years to encourage more people (like this first batch of owners of the BYD ATTO 3) to switch to such vehicles.

The provisions are in line with the government’s National Automotive Policy 2020 and the Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint 2021 – 2030 which supports the development of the EV industry. In this context, adoption of EVs has also to be promoted, hence the exemptions on import and excise duties for a few years. This will reduce the retail prices of EVs, making them more accessible to a wider group of Malaysian consumers.

The extensions were listed under the subject of Green Practices in Budget 2023. Other initiatives include the Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS) with a scope of financing extended specifically to the EV sector amounting to RM3 billion until 2025. There will also be a  review and improvement of Green Investment Tax Allowance (GITA) incentives and Green Income Tax Exemption (GITE), while improved solar activity incentives will include Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).

With the development of the EV charging network being a high priority – the government wants 10,000 charging points nationwide by 2025 – companies that manufacture EV charging equipment will be given 100% income tax exemption on statutory income from assessment year 2023 to assessment year 2032 and 100% Investment Tax Allowance for a period of 5 years.

Companies which manufacture EV charging equipment will be given 100% income tax exemption on statutory income for up to 10 years, depending on when they apply.

Companies that make early investments are obviously eligible to enjoy the tax exemption for a period up to 10 years and those who commence later will only enjoy whatever is the remainder of the period up till 2032. Applications can be made to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority(MIDA) until December 31, 2025.

For companies which rent non-commercial EVs, there are also tax deductions allowed, with the maximum eligible rental amount limited to not more than RM300,000. This proposal by the Finance Ministry replaces the current tax deduction provisions of up to RM100,000 for EVs costing not more than RM150,000, and RM50,000 for those that exceed that price.

The Finance Ministry also proposes a review of excise duty and sales tax exemption on the sale or transfer of individually owned taxis and hire-cars. Since Budget 2012, excise duty and sales tax exemption have been allowed on the sale/transfer/private use/disposal of budget taxis and hire-cars subject to certain conditions which include the vehicle age being not less than 7 years from the date of registration.

For Budget 2023, the proposal is expand the excise duty and sales tax exemption on sale/transfer/private use/disposal of individually owned taxis and hire-cars. Instead of the restriction to just budget taxis and hire-cars, other types of taxis will also be eligible. Additionally, the vehicle age condition is the be reduced to a minimum of 5 years from the date of registration. This proposal is intended to assist individual taxi owners affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and will be subject to approval by the Customs Department.

PLUS And TNB Collaborate To Add More DC Fast-Chargers For EV Users Along N-S Expressway


Nissan Newbird – body of a Bluebird, heart of a LEAF EV

During the 1980s, Nissan was among the early Japanese carmakers to begin setting up overseas plants – not plants merely assembling cars but full-fledged factories that carried out the almost all the manufacturing processes. As the brand was very popular in Europe, the company decided to establish a factory there and after considering a few countries, it settled on Britain.

At a former airbase in Sunderland, in the north-eastern corner of England, was chosen for the factory site and operations began from 1986. It has assembled both Nissan and Infiniti models (Q30 and QX30) as well as the LEAF EV since 2012.

Combining past, present and future

Celebrating 35 years of production at the Sunderland plant, Nissan commissioned a very special project which would combine a major past product with the technology of today and tomorrow. Called the ‘Newbird, it is a conversion of the Bluebird model – the first car off the factory’s production line in 1986 – which has its combustion engine replaced by the fully electric drivetrain of a LEAF.

The project was managed by Kinghorn Electric Vehicles, a family-run company based in Durham, just 24 kms from the Nissan factory. Kinghorn EV specialises in the conversion of classic cars to full electric using second-life Nissan LEAF motors, inverters & batteries so they are very familiar with the powertrain.

“Electric vehicles are not just the future, they’re the now! Converting older vehicles to electric gives you everyday use of these iconic vintage models, but they’re just as enjoyable to drive. They’re more reliable and, importantly, don’t produce harmful emissions when driving. With this project, we think we’ve created a car that captures the soul of the Nissan Bluebird, with the heart of a Nissan LEAF, said George Kinghorn, owner of the company.

Change of heart

The Bluebird was extensively modified to integrate the LEAF’s electric drivetrain. The original petrol combustion engine and gearbox were removed and a LEAF motor, inverter and 40 kWh battery pack installed, with the battery modules split between the engine bay and boot for optimised weight distribution.

Updates and modifications were made to the power steering, braking and heating systems to enable them to be electrically powered. A custom suspension was also installed to support the additional weight from the battery packs. To match the car’s electric updates, the original Nissan bonnet badge received a LED backlight (for when the vehicle is static).

For the exterior of the 5-door hatchback car, Nissan Design Europe created a new graphic motif inspired by design cues of 1980s consumer technology, combined with a 21st century aesthetic.

The car is recharged through the original fuel flap on the left side which provides access to the charging port. The battery can be recharged at up to 6.6 kW and the original driver instrument panel has been connected to the EV system to enable the fuel gauge to show the charge level in the battery pack.

As the Bluebird was not originally designed to carry a battery pack, it has to be installed in the boot.

The car’s range from a single charge is estimated to be up to 210 kms and should be able to go from 0 to 100 km/h in under 15 seconds. Given the high torque from start that is characteristic of an electric motor, the performance should be zippier than the original. However, the Newbird is not homologated so it cannot be used on public roads.

Production time halved

In 1986, it took over 22 hours for the first Bluebird to be completed. Today, modern manufacturing processes and technologies have halved that time to 10 hours. To date, after 35 years, the number of vehicles produced by the factory has exceeded 10.5 million. Although some scenarios which suggested manpower would drop with more automation, the number of staff employed at the Nissan factory has grown from 430 in 1986 to 6,000 today.

Nissan Manufacturing UK began operations 35 years ago.

Incidentally, for those who recall the Bluebird being sold in Malaysia, the one in the UK was different. In fact, in the 1980s, Nissan had two Bluebirds produced in different parts of the world and one had front-wheel drive, while the other had rear-wheel drive. So when discussing the model with Nissan executives, one had to first clarify which market was being referred to. The one sold in Malaysia in 1986 was the older one with rear-wheel drive whereas the one built in the UK had switched to the newer front-wheel drive model and was produced in sedan, hatchback and stationwagon bodystyles.

The last Bluebird sold in Malaysia by Edaran Tan Chong Motor was the Bluebird Altima in the 1990s. Nissan officially ended the Bluebird line in 2001 although it did continue with a smaller model called the Sylphy that also carried the Bluebird name.

To know more about current Nissan models available in Malaysia, visit
www.nissan.com.my
.

Nissan to invest £1 billion in establishing Electric Vehicle (EV) Hub as a world-first EV manufacturing ecosystem


Online debut for RM2.7 million Porsche 911 Speedster in Malaysia

Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) tonight launched an exclusive Porsche model – the new 911 Speedster – in a new way, using online media. The virtual launch event reached across Malaysia, giving Porsche fans a chance to get a first look at the RM2.7 million car which pays tribute to Ferry Porsche’s dream of over 70 years.

Combining it with motorsports technology suitable for everyday use, the 911 Speedster draws parallels with the 356 through many of its design features. The distinctive design and high-performance powertrain are based on GT technology, revisiting the dream of a puristic, open-top sportscar.

Paying homage to the 356 ‘No. 1’ Roadster is the Heritage Design package which the 1,948 customers can specify as an extra-cost option. Specially designed by Style Porsche and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, the package takes the driver back to the roots of the Porsche brand. Incidentally, the female star (Kelly McGillis) drove a 1957 356 Speedster in
‘Top Gun
‘, the 1986 movie. The car appeared on two occasions during the movie.

The 2020 911 Speedster and the 1957 356 Speedster

“Porsche has always represented a dream, and the Speedster concept was aimed at paying tribute to an idea that runs through the history of Porsche. As the idea of the Speedster was conceived to commemorate 70 years of sports car fascination, the launch of the new 911 Speedster in our market could not be timelier. Coinciding with Sime Darby Auto Performance’s 10 years as the Porsche partner in Malaysia, we are thrilled to be introducing this limited edition model to mark this milestone,” said Christopher Hunter, CEO of Sime Darby Auto Performance.

GT3 engine with 510 bhp

The heart of the new Speedster is adopted from the 911 GT3- a naturally aspirated 6-cylinder boxer engine with 4-litre displacement. It can spin up to 9,000 rpm and peak output is 510 bhp/470 Nm. This can rocket the car from standing still to 100 km/h a claimed 4 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 310 km/h.

Befitting its status as a driver’s car, Porsche only offers the 911 Speedster with a manual 6-speed sports transmission. It features an auto-blip function which precisely and independently compensates differences in engine speed between the gears when downshifting through automatic throttle blips. A mechanical differential lock with asymmetric locking action is installed at the rear.

The GT philosophy behind the new Speedster is also reflected in its chassis. With its sporty rear-axle steering and dynamic engine mounts, the chassis is based on the technology of the 911 GT3. Control systems such as Porsche Torque Vectoring, Porsche Stability Management and PASM with sports tuning and lowering by 25 mm have been precisely adapted to the new requirements.

The open-top two-seater runs on 20-inch forged Speedster alloy wheels with central locks. The standard equipment includes Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes with internally vented and perforated ceramic composite brake discs.

True to the design language of the 911

The aesthetically shaped convertible top compartment lid has double-bubble streamliners – a feature of this sportscar type ever since the 911 Speedster from over 30 years ago. It is the largest and most complex component to date that Porsche has used in a road model made of a single piece of carbonfibre reinforced plastic. Two trim elements in the double bubbles make room for the roll-over protection system that immediately activates if the car flips upsides down.

A weight-saving roof structure replaces the basic tonneau cover that was used for the concept model earlier. Despite its puristic design, the fabric convertible top is suitable for everyday use. Together with the shortened window frames with their lowered cowl top panels and the smaller side windows, it gives the 911 Speedster an athletic profile.

Inside the Speedster

The interior is characterised by black leather elements for the side bolsters and head restraints of the carbonfibre composite full-bucket seats, the armrests in the door trims and the shortened gear lever. The centre panels of the seats are upholstered in perforated leather, while the lightweight door panels with black door pulls and stowage nets reduce the overall weight.

“Speedster” logos adorn the head restraints and the visible carbon door sills as well as the central rev counter. Like the other instruments, it has black dials with white needles as well as green digits and scales – features reminiscent of its famous forebear, the original 356 Speedster.

For those in Kuala Lumpur who want a closer look at the 911 Speedster, a unit will be on display at Porsche Sungai Besi
 from June 13
 (for a limited time). Visitors are requested to call first to secure an appointment slot so that social distancing requirements can be met.

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

20 years of the Porsche 911 GT3


Toyota Megaweb showroom in Tokyo to close at the end of 2021

Car enthusiasts, especially Toyota fans, who have been to Japan would probably have had a chance to visit Megaweb, a huge Toyota showroom in Tokyo. Opened in March 1999, Megaweb is part of a commercial complex known as Palette Town in the Odaiba area that fronts the Tokyo Bay. Although it is described as an amusement theme park, it also has big stores, restaurants, a digital art museum and even a large music space. Almost 127 million people have visited Megaweb to date.

The sad news is that Megaweb will be closing at the end of this year. While the pandemic may have reduced the number of visitors, the reason for closure is said to be related to a move by the owner of Palette Town which wants to redevelop the site as an arena.

‘Look’, ‘Ride’ and ‘Feel’ automobiles

While everyone refers to it as ‘Megaweb’, it is officially the Toyota City Showcase and it offers visitors a chance to ‘Look’, ‘Ride’ and ‘Feel’ automobiles. As a car showroom, the latest Toyota models are on display, with special exhibits related to some of the models. For instance, when the Mirai FCEV was launched, there were displays to provide insights into the hydrogen fuel cell system.

A special display showing the hydrogen fuel cell system of the first Mirai FCEV when it was launched 7 years ago.

The History Garage

The 2-storey History Garage is the most popular area with many classic models of different makes. There are special themes and lots of historical items as well. Many of the displays are parked in front of vintage facades that give just the right atmosphere.

For the ‘Feel’ part, there is a small outdoor driving course where the public can try some of the latest models. Of course, there is also a shop at Megaweb where the usual souvenirs can be purchased as well as performance parts.

Many of the latest models can be driven on a small test course (above) and for those who prefer to experience the technologies in a simulator, there are also such units available (below).

Vehicles are parked in this vertical structure which automatically brings them to the display floors when needed.

AMLUX Tokyo

Before Megaweb, Toyota also had another huge showroom in another part of Tokyo which was in existence from 1990 to 2013. This was called AMLUX and it was developed and owned by a subsidiary of the carmaker. It was conceived in the days before Japan’s ‘Bubble Economy’ burst so it had a certain extravagance. Toyota noted that a trend began to emerge that found consumers thoroughly examining products on their own before purchasing them. To improve recognition of Toyota vehicles in response to this trend, it began to work on creating non-sale showrooms based on a new concept, and AMLUX was a prime example.

AMLUX in Tokyo

AMLUX was intended as a showcase of Toyota vehicles and technology. It had four floors and each floor had a theme, with special displays of old models in the basement. There was even a small cinema with seats that moved and at times, certain smells were introduced if the scene was one of driving through a countryside! There were also restaurants and AMLUX was one of the first auto sector showrooms in Japan where visitors could also dine (Honda was the first to put a restaurant in a showroom).

With increased use of online channels for shopping, which even the auto industry has shifted to, lavish showrooms may not be justifiable. However, people may still want to see the real machines close up, and certainly experience them as well if possible. For the future generation of car enthusiasts, we certainly hope carmakers like Toyota will continue to provide such facilities.

The story behind TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and why it was created

Even after you recover from COVID-19 infection, your quality of life may be affected and you may suffer for a long period after that. So do your best to avoid being infected by taking the necessary measures to protect yourself as well as others, and also get vaccinated.


Fiat 500X Fulham FC Edition built to celebrate partnership and fans

Football fans might find this news quite interesting considering its nature. A special edition Fiat 500X has been launched in London to celebrate the partnership between Fiat Chrysler Motor Village UK and Fulham Football Club.

As the name suggests, this particular 500X been given a new colour scheme that pays tribute to that of the Fulham football team. The extended wheelbase 500 gets distinctive styling details, exclusive black, white and red paint finish and unique ‘FFC’ badging, as well as other standard equipment.

Apart from that, and like its base model sibling, the Fulham edition 500X also comes with alloy wheels, front fog lights with cornering function, rear parking sensors, climate control, six airbags, cruise control and 5-inch touchscreen with navigation, Bluetooth, USB and aux-in socket.

As of now, only 15 examples of this vehicle will ever be created, which is designed exclusively for Fulham FC season ticket holders. A prize draw will also be conducted where one lucky winner will get to drive a new Fiat 500X Fulham FC Special Edition for two weeks and have the keys handed to them by the team’s players.

“This is another excellent example of how we are teaming up with Fulham FC and its supporters,” says Fabio di Prima, managing director, Motor Village UK. “Of course, if a non-season ticket holder would like to buy the Fulham FC Special Edition – or any other of our large range of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles cars – we would be delighted to sign them up!”

Motor Village UK is the official car partner to Fulham FC and offer enticing deals to club season ticket holders on new Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Abarth cars. We shall have to wait and see if other automakers follow suit and team up with the leading clubs of the UK’s Premier League to introduce their own version of football team themed vehicles.


2022 Maserati Levante updated with cosmetic changes and safety system enhancements

While much attention is on the
new Grecale
 launched recently, Maserati’s first SUV – the Levante – has received updates for the 2022 model year. With the cosmetic updates, the Levante gains a more unified identity with the rest of the Italian carmaker’s range by adopting the common language for its key models.

The changes can be seen in the grille and new rear light clusters which have a boomerang shape inspired by the units on the
3200 GT styled by Giugiaro
. To emphasise the boomerang shape, the light clusters are produced with a state-of-the-art 3K injection moulding technology, giving the unit a 3-colour lens. They are black around the edges, red in the middle and clear in the bottom section.

Coupe profile for SUV

Though it is a SUV, the design concept of the Levante has a couple profile which enhances aerodynamics. The imposing grille, which was inspired by the
2014 Alfieri concept
, pays homage to historic Maserati cars like the
Tipo 60 Birdcage
. The new front grille with the tuning fork design now comes in chrome for the GranLusso trim and Black Piano for the GranSport.

The GranLusso trim is identified on the exterior by a series of elegant chrome inserts in the front fascia, chrome front/rear skid plates, body colour rear spoiler, black-painted brake callipers, 21-inch Anteo wheels and GranLusso badges on the fenders.

The wider, more muscular rear end has a sharper horizontal element and a body-colour lower extractor embracing the four exhaust tips. Alongside the sportier bumpers, the GranSport exterior is also discernible for the front and rear Black Piano inserts, the GranSport badges on the front fenders, red brake callipers and either 21-inch Helios or 21-inch Anteo wheels.

The Levante is available with V6 and V8 twin-turbo engines with 3.0-litre and 3.8-litre displacements.

The existing differences between the various trims remain unchanged. On the GranSport trim, the side air intakes in the lower fascia have a more aggressive design, defined by two aerodynamic wings that give a sense of further stability, visually ‘pushing’ the weight of the car’s nose towards the massive front wheels. The side bezel blades and the splitter are styled to improve the airflow distribution.

Updates for instrument panel

Inside, the main changes of the 2022 Levante are largely seen in the 8.4-inch central display and instrument cluster. The central screen is now frameless for a more contemporary look, with almost all the surrounding bezel removed. The improved resolution, graphics and visual effect make it look like a single curved screen with the air vents cut into it, enabling vertical reading of the whole display.

The name Maserati is screen-printed on the back of the screen at the bottom of the display for a 3-dimensional effect. There is also a subtle but very sophisticated change to the instrument cluster, which now includes a large tachometer and speedometer (still analogue but with updated graphics) on either side of a 7-inch TFT display.

Much of the plastic from the previous version is eliminated and replaced with real anti-dazzle flat glass covers over the instruments. All these changes give the instrument cluster a more high-tech look and generate a richer impression. Effects are achieved by alternating glossy and matte blacks. The perimeter ring which contains the numbers is reflective glossy black, while the central ring containing the indicator lights is matte black.

Active Driving Assist

Newly added is Active Driving Assist (ADS), an evolution of Highway Assist introduced in 2018. The system works with Adaptive Cruise Control and keeps the vehicle centered in its lane. It uses a radar and forward-looking camera to scan the road ahead for other vehicles and hazards.

The latest Levante is available in Malaysia through Naza Italia and priced from
RM808,800
 (inclusive of taxes and duties) with full specifications and options.

Grecale, Maserati’s second SUV, makes its debut


PARIS MOTORSHOW: Porsche Announces 911 Speedster Will Go Into Production In 2019!

The 911 Speedster concept study, presented during the
70th
 birthday of the sports car manufacturer, will be produced as a limited special edition: Porsche has decided to start producing the purist Porsche 911 Speedster in the first half of
2019
. Exactly
1,948 units
 of the open-top two-seater will be built. The number reminisces the Porsche 356 “Number 1” that received its operating license on June, 8 back in 1948. In Paris, Porsche presented this year’s second Speedster Concept study. Its Guards Red paintwork is a reference to the 1988 911 Speedster of the G-Model generation. The new cross-spoke 21-inch wheels in cross spoke and the black leather interior create a tasteful and sporty appearance.

Dream becomes reality: The driveable 911 Speedster Concept, initially presented on June 8 in 2018 in Zuffenhausen as a “Heritage” version, will go into production in 2019. The car was developed at Porsche Motorsport in Weissach in cooperation with Style Porsche and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. The future 911 Speedster, based on the 991 range, will be the first car to be offered with the new Heritage Design Packages. This exclusive accessory line by Porsche Exclusive allows for an even higher degree of personalization for the 911.

In addition to the eye-catching paintwork, 21-inch center lock wheels are another visual highlight of this latest concept study presented in Paris. Their cross-spoke wheel design is similar to that of Porsche racing cars such as the 911 RSR and the GT3 R. The tinted daytime running lights were also inspired by racing. Matching the study’s paintwork, they are kept in red. The two “Talbot”-shaped exterior mirrors as well as the fuel tank cap – centrally positioned on the bonnet – shine in black-chrome and platinum. In contrast to the previously shown “Heritage” version, the interior is using partly perforated black leather upgraded with red highlights.

All body components as well as the entire technology of both the 911 Speedster Concept cars are identical. This includes the shortened window frames with their lowered cowl top panels and the smaller side windows as well as the carbon-fibre rear bonnet with the double-bubble cover behind the seats. Both cars come with a lightweight Tonneau cover, fitted by Tenax buttons, instead of a convertible soft top.

The concept cars’ body is based on the
 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet
. The fenders, as well as the front and rear bonnet are made from lightweight carbon fibre composite while the chassis was taken from the 911 GT3. Furthermore, the GT development department provided the exhaust system with its titanium tailpipes and the drivetrain including the manually operated six-speed gearbox. The same goes for the centrepiece of the limited special edition: The Speedster Concept is powered by a naturally aspirated flat-six engine developing more than
500bhp
 and capable of engine speeds up to 9,000 rpm.


Malaysian Automotive Association appeals to government to allow auto industry facilities to resume operations

The Malaysian auto industry, like many other industries in the country, has been badly impacted by the measures taken to fight the COVID-19 pandemic since last year. Representing the new motor vehicle distributors, assemblers and manufacturers, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) commends the government for its efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus in order to save lives.

However, the MAA feels the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO), Phase 1 and Phase 2 of National Recovery Program approach needs to be reviewed and re-considered, especially for key economic states like Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Perak, Johor, Penang and Negeri Sembilan. The EMCO approach had been enforced in Selangor and WP Kuala Lumpur for more than 2 weeks now while some states have transitioned into Phase 2 of the NRP.

Whole supply chain affected

“The whole supply chain in the automotive sector has been seriously affected particularly by the complete shutdown of operations in EMCO states/localities like Selangor and WP Kuala Lumpur. Feedback received from many of our members indicated that business operations – even in non-EMCO states – are hampered due to disruptions in the supply chain”, said Datuk Aishah Ahmad, President of MAA.

During the EMCO stage, not a single business activity from the automotive sector is allowed to operate, while for states under Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the NRP, the vehicle showroom and distribution centres are still not allowed to operate despite the opening up of most of the other economic sectors.

Production and distribution of automotive products (motor vehicles, components and parts) and sales of vehicles have been halted since June 1, 2021. The stoppages of all these activities will have far-reaching implications to the entire automotive ecosystem nationwide. In April last year, sales and production plummeted to almost zero when the first MCO was in force.

Implications of continuing closures

While automotive companies may suffer from loss of revenue, profitability, export markets and closure of businesses, their employees face issues such as pay cuts, loss of income (particularly for sales personnel) and even retrenchment in certain cases. The government will also lose in terms of lower revenue collected from excise duties, import duties, sales taxes and road taxes for motor vehicles.

The closures of automotive workshops and parts centres in EMCO states/localities such as Selangor and WP Kuala Lumpur will not only cause inconvenience to all vehicle owners in general but may also endanger those whose vehicles may have defects or problems. Failure to repair faulty parts in such vehicles can pose a serious risk to all road-users. These include vehicles which may be belonging to frontliners such as those in the PDRM, Ministry of Health, etc. who may encounter damages or breakdown in the course of doing their work.

With factories and distribution centres (for vehicles and parts) in EMCO states/localities unable to operate, this will disrupt the supply chain to business operations in states/areas under Phase 1 and 2 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP). As a result, the recovery efforts by the government will be negated.

Increasing damaged inflicted

The consequences arising from stoppages of the automotive factories, workshops, and distribution centres (for vehicles and spare parts) in EMCO states/localities is indeed very serious, the MAA stresses. The longer these facilities do not operate, the greater the damages inflicted on to the automotive industry in particular, and the country in general.

The MAA is therefore appealing to the government to allow automotive sector activities (workshops and distribution centres for passenger and commercial vehicles and spare parts) to operate with immediate effect albeit at certain capacity and with strict SOPs in place in states under EMCO, Phase 1 of NRP and Phase 2 of NRP.

Selangor and WP Kuala Lumpur account for close to 50% of Malaysia’s total industry volume of new vehicles each year. Many of the key automotive companies for both production of vehicles and components are located within these two states. In addition, some MAA members also have their sole and or central distribution centre (for vehicles and spare parts) located within the Klang Valley.

In addition, to reduce congestion at ports, the MAA is proposing to allow a window of two to three days per week for receiving and storing cargos for the automotive sector similar to what was practiced during MCO 1.0 last year. The Malaysian automotive industry is heavily dependent on the domestic market. Export markets exist but are insufficient to sustain the industry.


Fuel Price Updates For December 12 – December 18, 2020


Laguna Seca turns 60 this year!

Laguna Seca, the world renowned racing circuit, turns 60 this year. The legendary track known especially for its ‘corkscrew chicane’ that consists of a hard left and right turn coupled with a 5.5 story drop in elevation. It has played host to some of Motorsport’s most competitive races that include Can Am, Trans Am, Indy Car, and 500cc Motorcycle Grands Prixs.

“We are incredibly pleased to celebrate the 60th birthday of a track that grabs your heart,” said Gill Campbell, general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “Great names like Hill, Moss, Andretti, Brabham, Rossi, McLaren, Shelby, Donohue, and so many more are what makes this one of the world’s racing gems.”

“We honor all of the past and present leaders, staff, volunteers, racers, and fans who have made this place what it is and continue pushing it forward for future generations to enjoy,” he later added.

Since its opening in 1957, Laguna Seca has undergone many changes and developments to improve driving conditions. But its inception, came to be out of necessity rather than vanity purposes. Prior to its introduction, road races were held at Pebble Beach but due to certain tragic events, organizers sought a safer course.

A handful of businessmen came together to form SCRAMP or Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula. It and the the Monterey Chamber of Commerce negotiated a five year deal and paid $3,000 to the US Army for use of the land. A fundraising campaign was started to fund the build from which, $125,000 was finally collected.

In a mere 60 days, the track was completed, and in time to host the first race in November where 100 entries were received and 35,000 spectators arrived. Today the Mazda owned circuit is a well known race track that is steeped in history. It’s 11 turns, 3.6km circuit is a favourite among many racing drivers and Motorsport fans all over the world.

That said, Laguna Seca doesn’t just serve one purpose. It’s recreation area is considered a prime location for year-round camping sessions and hosts other lifestyle and community events such as Sea Otter Classic, a leg of the upcoming 2018 Amgen Tour of California, Turkey Trot, concerts, and monthly Twilight Cycling rides.

A birthday celebration was held in the Hospitality Pavilion on Wednesday, November 8 to commemorate the occasion. This is part of a year-long celebration that also includes a programme called Racing Through the Decades feature display. Here, some of the more memorable cars will be arranged for an exhibit.


Limited edition Mitsubishi Triton Phantom Plus Edition introduced; only 1,000 units available

Like many other car companies, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has been quiet over the past two years due to the pandemic. Now that things are gradually returning to normal, the company is also resuming its activities and to start off, it has introduced a limited edition of the popular Triton pick-up truck. Known as the Triton Phantom Plus Edition, only 1,000 units will be available for sale (imported CBU from Thailand) and all come in a bold Jet Black Mica finish.

Priced at RM139,700 (excluding insurance, Peninsular Malaysia registration), the Triton Plus Phantom Edition is positioned below the flagship Triton Athlete model, having similar features and equipment as the Triton Premium. As with the other Triton versions, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia offers a long warranty of 5 years or maximum of 200,000 kms.

While the exterior styling is essentially similar to the top versions of the Triton range, the limited edition model stands out with the spotlights on the roof of the double cab. Inspired by the Triton Absolute concept truck displayed in Bangkok two years ago, the spotlights are developed locally and their fitment has been approved by the JPJ.

The spotlights, which are in narrow LED strips on the left and right side of the lead edge of the roof, provide powerful additional lighting which would be useful in off-road situations. They are wired to the headlights and will only be available when the high beams are in use. There is also a separate switch to keep them off if not required.

The Triton Phantom Plus Edition can also be identified by the red accents on the front and rear skidplates as well as more distinctive bodyside moulding on the front and rear doors. The sports bar behind the cab has a matte finish and at the rear end, the tailgate has ‘PHANTOM’ moulded into it along with ‘PHANTOM PLUS’ decals on the sides.

Below the muscular wheelarches are 18-inch alloy wheels finished in a gloss black, with Yokohama Geolander all-terrain tyres fitted as standard.

The Triton has always had a stylish and spacious cabin for 5 persons and for the limited edition, there are sportier seats with leatherette upholstery and carpet mats with red accents. To emphasis the limited edition status, the PHANTOM name is also incorporated on the seat upholstery.

There is also a ceiling air recirculation system to improve comfort within the cabin.

For management of the infotainment system, there’s a 9-inch touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard. For those with compatible smartphones, it’s possible to transfer favourite apps to the screen using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.

The technical aspects of the model are the same as the other Tritons with a 2.4-litre MIVEC turbodiesel engine  which produces 181 ps/430 Nm max torque. Variable Valve Timing enhances efficiency to extend the cruising range of the Triton.

The 4×4 system is the same as the other Tritons with a gated shifter and selection of the 2H, 4H and 4L ranges done with an Easy-Select rotary knob. This is a lot more convenient than the old trucks which required operating a second lever. For more control over gear selection, there is also a sequential manual mode. There’s also Hill Descent Control to help when going downhill whereby the computer will manage the speed and the driver just has to concentrate on steering and avoiding obstacles.

Besides the Triton Phantom Plus Edition, there are 6 other Triton variants to choose from, with prices ranging from RM81,390 to RM146,600. Those in the Kuala Lumpur/Selangor area can see the Triton Phantom Plus Edition and other models at a roadshow at Pavilion Built Jalil from today until Sunday (August 7). There are also stalls selling camping gear at the roadshow for those who want to pick up such items for adventures with their truck.

To know more about the Triton and other Mitsubishi models, or to locate a showroom in Malaysia, visit
www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my
.

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia offers 1-hour test-drives without salesman being present


Ferrari 296 GTS has Southeast Asian premiere at Sepang International Circuit

Just a few months after its global debut, the Ferrari 296 GTS – the ‘topless’ version of the 296 GTB – is in Malaysia, with its Southeast Asian premiere held at the Sepang International Circuit recently. Apart from the allure of being a berlinetta spider, this is the first ever Ferrari spider with a rear-wheel drive-only PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) architecture in which the engine is integrated with a rear-mounted electric motor. The hybrid drivetrain is derived from Ferrari’s Formula 1 racing cars and another example of racing technology being transferred to road cars.

Plug-in hybrid powertrain

The 296 GTS uses the new 663 ps 120° 2992 cc V6 coupled with an electric motor capable of delivering a further 167 ps, the same unit found in the 296 GTB. With the additional power generated by the electric motor, total system output from the powertrain is 830 ps/740 Nm, of which 165 ps comes from the electric motor. This allows it to achieve a new specific power output record for a production car of 221 ps/litre.

Hybrid powertrain technology used in Ferrari’s Formula 1 racing cars has been brought to the 296 road car.

The powertrain assembly comprises the engine that powers the rear wheels via the 8-speed DCT and E-Diff, and the MGU-K located between the engine and the gearbox. A clutch is set between the engine and the electric motor to decouple them when in electric-only eDrive mode.

Sound-wise, the V6 engine rewrites the rulebook by harmoniously combining two characteristics that are normally diametrically opposed: the force of the turbos and the harmony of the high-frequency notes of a naturally-aspirated V12. Even at low revs, inside the cabin, the soundtrack features the pure V12 orders of harmonics; at higher revs, there is that typical high-frequency treble. This Ferrari’s soundtrack matches its performance, creating a sense of unprecedented involvement even with the top down.

Power with efficiency

Being a PHEV gives the 296 GTS the best of both worlds – lighting quick performance and also zero emissions motoring which can be up to 25 kms in all-electric eDrive mode. As was the case with the SF90 Stradale, customers who want to take the car further, especially on the track, can specify the Assetto Fiorano package which includes lightweight features and aero modifications.

The innovative top

With the RHT (retractable hard top) in use, the silhouette remains very similar to that of the 296 GTB. When it is stowed away, a sleek, sporty design is created. The lightweight RHT takes 14 seconds to retract or deploy at speeds of up to 45 km/h.

The need to stow the RHT inside the engine compartment required the creation of a new tonneau cover design. As a result, the folding roof splits into two sections that fold flush over the front of the engine, thus maintaining the engine bay’s thermal dissipation characteristics and the balance of the overall design. This also allowed the designers to introduce a window in the rear section of the engine cover through which the new V6 is clearly visible.

When the top is retracted, the cabin and the rear deck are separated by a height-adjustable glass rear screen which guarantees optimal passenger comfort even at high speeds. The separation line between the car’s body and the roof is above the B post.

Redesigning the 296 GTS’s engine bay to seamlessly integrate the RHT means that the engine has the same rich tone and intensity as the 296 GTB when the roof is up. The exhaust resonator system (Hot-Tube) has been optimised for the new cockpit geometry. The dropping of the top creates a direct, completely unobstructed connection between the cockpit and the sound produced by the single tailpipe exhaust line.

Radical aerodynamic solutions

The 296 GTS adopts several radical and innovative solutions in aerodynamics. The aero choices have turned the active aero paradigm, introduced from the 458 Speciale onwards, on its head. On the 296 GTS, an active device is being used not to manage drag but to generate extra downforce. The LaFerrari-inspired active spoiler integrated into the rear bumper allows the 296 GTS to generate a high level of rear downforce when required – up to a maximum of 360 kgs at 250 km/h.

The aero development work done on the 296 GTS means that even in low-drag configuration, the car can deliver more downforce than previous applications. In high-downforce configuration, there is an additional 100 kgs in downforce, thanks to the active spoiler.

The brake cooling system was developed around the Aero calipers that debuted on the SF90 Stradale, with ventilation ducts integrated into their castings. This cooling concept requires a dedicated duct to correctly channel cool air coming in through the air intakes on the front bumper through the wheelarch. In the case of the 296 GTS, the intake has been integrated into the headlight design.

This made it possible to push the design of the car’s underbody to new extremes, increasing the cooling capacity of the underbody without having to adopt any active front aero mechanisms. The signature aerodynamic element at the front of the 296 GTS is the ‘tea-tray’, a concept widely applied to single-seater racing cars. The rear surface of the bumper works in synergy with the upper surface of the tea tray to create a high overpressure field, which counteracts the depression field that characterises the underbody.

High levels of driver engagement

The car’s dynamic development focused around boosting pure performance and delivering class-leading levels of driver engagement. The targets were achieved by honing the architecture and keeping all the main vehicle components as compact as possible, as well as managing energy flows and their integration with the car’s vehicle dynamic controls.

The 296 GTB’s chassis was redesigned and optimised to improve torsional rigidity and bending stiffness compared to previous spider applications. From a chassis perspective, at 2600mm, the wheelbase is 50 mm shorter than previous Ferrari mid-rear-engined berlinettas to the benefit of the car’s dynamic agility. Other solutions that enhance the car’s handling and performance include the brake-by-wire system, the ‘Aero’ brake callipers, electric power steering, the rear active aero device and SCM-Frs magnetorheological dampers.

Meticulous attention was paid to reducing weight to ensure the car’s balance and delicacy of handling. The added weight of the hybrid system was offset by a number of different solutions, including the new V6 which weighs 30 kgs less than the V8 unit used on previous berlinettas.

Digital interface for cockpit

The 296 GTS’s cockpit was developed around the new concept of an entirely digital interface. This interior layout draws on the latter’s stylistic coherence for its forms. While with the SF90 Stradale the designers wanted to highlight the presence of the advanced technology and underscore a clear break with the past, in the case of the 296 GTS, the idea was to clothe that technology to sophisticated effect.

The cabin has the concept of the formal purity of the functional elements. When the engine is off, the onboard instruments go black, underscoring the minimalist look of the cabin. Exclusive Italian leather trim to the seats and trim is further enhanced by the noble technical materials used on the functional components. Aerodynamic flaps have been integrated into the rear trim structure to reduce buffeting and increase comfort in open-top driving.

The sculptural door panel is a seamless continuation of the dashboard in terms of both materials and colour. On the central medallion, the styling cue is a deep lozenge-shaped scoop, a three-dimensional element. This type of architecture makes the entire door panel look extremely light and integrates the theme that connects it to the rear trim.

“The convertible version of Ferrari’s first 6-cylinder road-going car takes driving thrills to new heights. Subtly restyled to accommodate the open top, the Ferrari 296 GTS adds a sense of freedom to the fun of every journey. At the wheel of the 296 GTS, you get to enjoy the result of Ferrari’s exploration into electric technology and also have the ability to make the most of the weather and your mood, maximising driving pleasure,” said Damien Woo, General Manager, Ferrari Malaysia, Naza Italia Sdn Bhd.

With Ferrari’s 7-Year Genuine Maintenance programme, the 296 GTS is priced from
RM1,448,000
 (before duties, customization options, taxes and insurance) from Ferrari Malaysia.

Naza Italia introduces Ferrari 296 GTB PHEV, priced from RM1,228,000