Magna’s ETelligent Reach powertrain to debut in a new EV model this year

US-based Magna, a mobility technology company, is supporting the accelerated shift towards electrification by carmakers with its all-electric connected powertrain, EtelligentReach. This latest innovation will be used for a new model that will debut this year. The complete system comprises 2 electric motors, inverters and gearboxes, and uses advanced software to maximize vehicle range and driving dynamics.

eDrive technology advancements and the holistic vehicle development approach of the EtelligentReach achieve a range increase that is said to be up to 145 kms, or 30% compared to certain production BEVs (battery electric vehicles) in this segment which is a key differentiator in the growing electrification space.

Magna’s intelligent operating strategy controls the two eDrives: the eDS Mid+ with next-gen eDrive technologies and decoupling on the front, and another eDS Mid+ with torque vectoring on the rear. This powertrain solution is said to set a new standard in range, driving dynamics and safety.

The next-gen innovations include Decoupling+, inverters with silicon carbide technology, and a boost function for a short-time increase of drive power (eg overtaking maneuvers). Magna’s Decoupling+ function on the front drive is unique in its competitive field and helps increase range without compromising driving dynamics and safety. Increased efficiency also reduces CO
2
 emissions, while the torque vectoring function can improve the safety margin by up to 10% by controlling each axle individually in all road conditions, as well as significantly reduce steering effort during dynamic cornering.

“This is definitely a story where the sum is greater than the parts,” said Tom Rucker, President, Magna Powertrain. “The EtelligentReach reduces range anxiety and improves driving dynamics, providing automakers with a complete all-electric powertrain system with AWD that is exciting and efficient. We can create maximum efficiency by precisely orchestrating how every component works in concert to achieve the best possible performance.”

Besides EtelligentReach for passenger cars, Magna also has EtelligentForce technology for light commercial vehicles (LCVs) like pick-up trucks. Also using the eDS Mid+ DCU at the front drive, there is a game-changing eBeam electrified beam axle at the rear, with an electric locking differential.

This eBeam technology is a direct replacement for traditional beam axles, requiring no restructuring to existing architectures. It utilizes existing suspension and brake systems designs, resulting in no compromise of payload or towing capacities. It is thus a structure-oriented design for high-payload vehicles with continuous-duty usage, a requirement of LCV operators.

With the shift to electrified vehicles speeding up in the industry’s pursuit of cleaner and more efficient mobility, Magna is enabling global automakers to electrify their vehicle platforms with a full range of hybrid and fully electric powertrain solutions.

Magna’s powertrain expertise is supplying power to the wheels, regardless of the power source. The company is able to supply traditional products as well as electrified components and systems to automakers as they migrate their vehicle offerings toward hybrid and electric vehicles.

Magna HDT

The company will also supply a Hybrid Dual-Clutch Transmission (HDT) to Mercedes-Benz for its next generation compact and mid-size vehicles, another example of Magna’s continuing transformation in the electrification of mobility. Two other HDT programs will launch soon with other global carmakers as the company further extends its foothold into powertrain electrification.

Experience living with an electric vehicle for RM24.90 an hour


2020 Honda BR-V finally gets its official launch

With the resumption of business after a long ‘break’ during the Movement Control Order (MCO), the car companies are trying to make up for the lost time, especially when they had new models planned for the first quarter which could not be launched, let alone delivered to customers.

For Honda Malaysia, the facelifted BR-V (did you know it means ‘Bold Runabout Vehicle?) was to have been in showrooms in April but that was obviously not possible since all showrooms had to be closed. Finally, the company can launch the new 2020 7-seater crossover MPV which is available in two variants. The E variant is priced at
RM89,900
 while the V variant is priced at
RM96,900
, both prices excluding insurance premiums.

Campaigns to help COVID-19 relief programmes

In conjunction with the launch, Honda Malaysia also announces a COVID-19 relief program  as one of the two campaigns related to the BR-V. Called the ‘
Be Kind With BR-V
’ campaign, for every unit of the model sold from today
until August 31, 2020
, the company will donate a portion of the proceeds to COVID-19 relief programmes.

At the same time, the company has also organised a joint effort among its dealers to support affected communities in their neighbourhood through a second campaign. This is the ‘
Honda Dealer Donation Drive
’ and it will run
until August 31, 2020
 as well. Honda customers can visit their nearest dealership to donate basic necessities such as dried foods or household items (cash will not be accepted). The donations will be compiled and delivered to affected communities in the areas around the respective dealers.

The latest BR-V has the usual cosmetic changes that come with a facelift like a new front grille, restyled front and rear bumpers, front foglight garnish as well as a new Dual-Tone finish for the 16-inch alloy wheels. A Shark Fin Antenna is also installed on the roof.

It’s never easy for the marketing people to get the factory to offer new exterior colours. However, this time, they managed to get a brand-new colour which is a first in Honda Malaysia’s model line-up – Marine Purple Pearl. This joins another four colour choices – White Orchid Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic and Passion Red Pearl.

Proven powertrain, now with paddle shifters

Performance-wise, the BR-V continues to use a 120 ps 1.5-litre SOHC i-VTEC engine coupled with Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT). The more expensive variant comes with paddle shifters which allow selection of gears without taking the hands off the steering wheel.

The BR-V offers a lot of versatility in its spacious cabin, with multiple configurations enabled by the 60:40 One-Touch Tilt & Tumble mechanism in the second row and 50:50 Tilt & Full Tumble in the third row. It has the biggest boot volume in its size class: 223 litres even when all the seats are in use, and up to 539 litres when the third-row is folded down.

New value-added features include tweeter speakers, a cargo bay light and cabin filter. The V variant gets a new 7-inch Display for the infotainment system, as well as new leather seats with Red Finishing matching the gear knob’s red stitching. Automatic Air Conditioning, Keyless Entry and a Push-Start Button are now standard features in the E variant.

For more information on both the Community Relief Campaigns or to locate a showroom to test- the new BR-V, visit
www.honda.com.my
.

Safe practices implemented at all authorised Honda dealerships for customers’ peace of mind

Fighting COVID-19 is our joint responsibility. Protect yourself and others: make these 6 simple precautions your new habits.


New Mitsubishi Triton Makes World Debut; Malaysian Launch In 2024

Mitsubishi is finally taking the fight to the Ford Ranger and the Toyota Hilux, with the introduction of the sixth version of the Triton midsize truck, which has received a complete makeover for the first time in nine years.

A bigger emphasis is placed on comfort and safety, and the tough bodywork is bigger than before. Also “newly developed” are the ladder frame chassis, suspension, and a more powerful turbo-diesel engine.

Compared to its predecessor, the new Triton has a boxier and more robust appearance while keeping several essential Mitsubishi characteristics, such as the split headlamps and a understated refined version of Mitsubishi’s Dynamic Shield surround the wider grille at the front, which is the truck’s focal point.

The flagship model will substitute black highlights for chrome and has a grille that is body coloured. The sculpted lines above the fenders in the profile strongly resemble those of the Nissan Navara, which is not surprising since the two trucks are related. Larger LED taillights that reach the profile are also featured on the back.

Mitsubishi highlights the broader side steps with better water drainage, the lower cargo bed height of 820 mm, and the strong stairs incorporated on the rear bumper as useful features. A variety of available extras, including the sports bar, bed liner, fender extensions and door garnish, may further spruce up the external look.

Three distinct power outputs are offered by the 2.4-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with a variable geometry turbocharger. The standard engine generates 148hp and 330Nm of torque; the mid-spec engine generates 181hp and 430Nm; and the high-output variant generates 201hp and 470Nm of torque.

One of two 6-speed gearboxes — a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic — transmits power to all four wheels. The Easy Select 4WD or Super Select 4WD-II system, which includes a limited-slip differential in addition to the lockable centre differential, is standard equipment on the Triton. The driver may also choose from the following drive modes: Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand, and Rock.

In comparison to its predecessor, the new ladder-frame chassis offers a 40% improvement in bending stiffness and a 60% increase in torsional rigidity. Weight increases have been minimised owing to an increased proportion of high-tensile steel, and the body is lighter than before. According to Mitsubishi, the revised chassis and suspension provide “significantly better ride comfort” and “road performance.”

Mitsubishi has made almost 5.6 million pick-ups over the course of 45 years, and it has great expectations for the newest model. The new Triton is scheduled to go on sale in over 100 countries, according to Takao Kato, president and CEO of Mitsubishi. The new truck, according to Kato, is “the first global strategic vehicle to be rolled out at the start of our growth phase” and is an “extremely important model” for Mitsubishi.

Thailand’s sale of the completely rebuilt Triton started today in Bangkok. The brand-new Triton will also be released in markets with a focus on the ASEAN and Oceania regions, and it will make its long-awaited return to Japan in early 2024. As for Malaysia, there is word that it will only be offered sometime in 2024 as well.


REVIEW: 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4TSI Highline

The current premium SUV market here in Malaysia is currently higher than ever with many offerings from different manufacturers. With so many Malaysians looking into upgrading their present lifestyles, SUVs seem to be the popular go-to option and Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has its feet deep within this game thanks to their popular 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4TSI Highline.

We got the opportunity to test out the latest Volkswagen Tiguan offering and here’s what we think about it (and SUVs in general). First and foremost, VPCM has priced the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4TSI Highline at RM169,456 (on-the-road excluding insurance). So, what do you get when you pay this particular amount to the folks at VW?

For starters, the Tiguan is equipped with a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged (TSI) engine that produces 150hp at 5,000rpm and 250Nm of maximum torque from 1,500rpm. This translates to an SUV that is compact, powerful, and comfortable in terms of power delivery.

Matted to a DSG six-speed wet-clutch direct shift gearbox, the term ‘Smooth Operator’ comes to mind as it gracefully takes off when you punch it down. We did find that there’s a slight delay before the power kicks in (and also when manually shifting the gears using the gear lever or pedal shifters) but once it detects that you need that extra ‘ummph’, overtaking manoeuvres can be done easily and effectively (once you get used to how the engine behaves, which will only take a short while).

So, power is there when you need it but what about fuel consumption? According to VW, the Tiguan uses around 6.7 litres of fuel for every 100km when driven normally in mixed conditions. In other words, you can travel over 800km with only a single full tank of fuel thanks to its 60-litre fuel tank capacity. Our numbers were a bit lower but not that far off from the figure above.

Looking at the design, the Tiguan looks quite normal at first but the more we look at it, the more we love its overall façade. Putting it side by side with other models from various premium brands and it doesn’t look apart at all (even with cars that are way more expensive). Its muscular, prominent lines are just stunning to look at, even from afar.

It might be one hell of a family SUV but we’re guessing that you can still get a lot of action even if you’re single and driving this beauty around (if you guys and girls know what we mean). Powerful, comfortable with commanding looks – the perfect recipe for seduction. *wink, wink*

Speaking of family SUV, the Tiguan can easily fit five full-sized adults comfortably in its cabin with a huge 615-litre boot space. Fold up the rear seat and you’re presented with a whopping 1,655 litres worth of storage – perfect for those who loves going to Ikea (and don’t want to pay for delivery).

One of the best features in the Tiguan is its 3-zone “Pure Air Climatronic” air-conditioning system. Custom settings for the Tiguan’s climate control can be individually set for the driver, front passenger, and rear passengers. No more fighting about who’s cold or hot because the Tiguan in essence is a family car and nothing is more loving than not having to fight about aircond, especially during long drives.

Sitting in the Tiguan weirdly feels modern and timeless all at the same time thanks to the addition of ‘Vienna’ combination leather seat upholstery and ‘Dark Grid’ Interior trim. They look simply amazing, comforting on the eyes, and will probably stand against the tests of time. We love how the overall look blends together seamlessly without any part looking out of place.

Are you a fan of music? Well, the Tiguan Highline variant comes with an 8-inch touchscreen display radio ‘Discover Media’ with Navigation, USB and iPod interface, SD card slot, AUX-IN, Bluetooth and eight speakers that provide super premium audio quality no matter what genre you’re currently into at the moment. It also comes with App-Connect® smartphone connectivity (MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto) so no matter what phone you use, you can get connected with the Tiguan.

All in all, the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4TSI Highline definitely deserves a notice for those who are looking for a very good SUV for long term use. Designed to be powerful, fuel efficient, comfortable, and versatile, rest assured that the Tiguan will always be there by your side no matter if you’re a family person or single and on the prowl. It might be a tiny bit more expensive but it’s a good investment to have in the long run.

We heard that VPCM is currently offering quite a deal for the Tiguan. To know more, head over to
www.volkswagen.com.my/tiguan/tiguanhighline
. If the Tiguan is not what you’re looking for, can we suggest the Volkswagen Passat, instead? You can check out the five things we love about the Passat Highline in the link, below!

Five things we like about the Volkswagen Passat


Mitsubishi Triton sales rose in 2019 despite decline in pick-up truck segment

Although accounting for 65% of the commercial vehicle segment, sales of new pick-up trucks in Malaysia fell by 21% in 2019, lowering the total volume to 35,121 units from 44,443 units in 2018. Likewise, for the models assembled locally, there was also a drop of 27.1% as companies scaled back production in the light of reduced demand.

While the decline was partly due to challenging economic conditions and uncertainty of projects continuing, the shift in consumer preference to SUVs could also have been a factor. While sales of new passenger vehicles grew by 1.2%, sales of new SUVS rose by 14.9% compared to 2018.

Market share rose to 16.5%

Despite the downturn in pick-up truck sales, Mitsubishi’s Triton model registered an increase of 2.4% (compared to 2018) during the year with 5,792 units sold. The higher volume also captured a market share that was 3.8% more at 16.5%.

“MMM will continue to provide the best-handling pick-up truck from our flagship model – the Triton Adventure X – to the Triton Quest 4×2 in order to meet our customers’ daily work and leisure requirements. We are confident of achieving our Triton sales target and that Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia will provide top-notch customer service to all its customers,” said Tomoyuki Shinnishi, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM).

A Mitsubishi Motors dealership in Sabah

“Our achievement in 2019 included being ranked No. 1 in the J.D. Power 2019 Malaysia Customer Service Index (CSI) Mass Market Study. It was the second consecutive year for MMM to be ranked at Number One, while it has remained in the top three positions for 5 consecutive years,” Mr. Shinnishi said.

He added that in terms of sales, MMM was ranked among the top two in the 2019 J.D. Power Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI). “These results were a reflection of owners’ satisfaction which was experienced at the authorized service centres of the Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia network,” he explained.

Boost in sales helped by new generation

The growth in pick-up sales was attributed to the introduction of the new generation of the Triton which has contributed to 71.2% of the overall business of MMM. “We launched the new generation in January and besides the new ‘Dynamic Shield’ design concept, it has improved quality, advanced safety features and maintains the DNA of the best handling pick-up truck,” said Mr. Shinnishi.

“Subsequently, in November, we upgraded the range-topping Triton Adventure X and Triton AT Premium with more accessories. The company also launched the new Triton Quest and Limited Edition Triton Knight to complete the Triton line-up,” he added.

Besides, the Triton, the Mitsubishi Motors range in Malaysia also includes the Outlander and ASX.

The Triton, with prices starting from RM79,890, is the only pick-up in Malaysia with a long warranty of 200,000-km (or maximum of 5 years). It certainly reflects the confidence that MMM has in the quality and durability of the vehicles which are imported from Thailand in CBU (completely built-up) form.

Visit
www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my
 for more information about the latest Triton and the location of authorised Mitsubishi Motors showrooms throughout Malaysia.

Limited edition Mitsubishi Triton Knight for same price as Triton Adventure X


World premiere of Honda N7X Concept in Indonesia previews next BR-V 7-seater

Honda today gave the world its first look at the next generation of the BR-V, presented as the N7X Concept. The original BR-V had its world debut in Indonesia in August 2015, and now, for the first time, Honda is unveiling a concept car in the country. The reason is that the BR-V is a model that was developed primarily with the Indonesia market in mind, although it is also sold in some other countries, including Malaysia.

For the second generation, the 7-seater cabin is maintained, this being an important point for customers in Indonesia. Honda understands that a car is ‘not just a car’, and considering how much time people spend in it, the vehicle is also a ‘second home’. This led the design team at Honda Asia Pacific to combine the best features of a MPV and the advantages of a SUV for the N7X Concept that will be the basis for the forthcoming new BR-V.

Designed with Gen X in mind

The exterior design is sleeker than the current BR-V and the overall size appears larger. There are some styling elements from other models, such as the CR-V, with the high ground clearance being a necessity in Indonesia and also other parts of ASEAN.

Honda product planners conducted extensive studies, primarily in Indonesia, to find out what customers expect and aimed to exceed the expectations. They focussed especially on the Generation X family, which has a lifestyle that is balanced between personal activities and family togetherness.

Details of the interior are not available other than from brief views during the presentation. With words like ‘premium’ being used, it is likely that Honda will offer the new BR-V with a higher quality than before, the same way that the City evolved upwards. Of course, with the emphasis on safety, we may see better safety systems installed, probably including an autonomous braking capability.

Honda’s idea of a 7-seater

“The N7X is our concept of what a 7-seater car should be, which not only offers pleasant driving performance but also the serenity and comfort of a premium car for all occupants. We are very proud to make Indonesia the first in the world to introduce the N7X Concept, a concept that will redefine the categories of cars and driving pleasure,” said Takehiro Watanabe, President Director of PT Honda Prospect Motor, during the world premiere online.

The current BR-V was launched at the Indonesia International Auto Show in 2015 but given the current pandemic, the future of such public events remains uncertain. Nevertheless, Honda Indonesia is displaying the N7X Concept at a shopping mall in Jakarta this week, and will probably do an online launch of the production model sometime during the second half of this year.

2019 BR-V (the model received some updates last year). Prices start from RM86,726.

The BR-V arrived in Malaysia about 2 years after its debut in Indonesia, though this second generation might not take as long. Anyway, if you prefer the current one and want to get one before it runs out, visit any authorized Honda dealer and their locations can be found at
www.honda.com.my
.

New Honda City RS e:HEV officially on sale, priced at RM105,950.45


THROWBACK THURSDAY: Celebrating Its 120th Year Anniversary, Cycle & Carriage Launches “Exceptional Journeys” Brand Promise

Cycle & Carriage
or
合发
, a leading regional automotive group in Southeast Asia with 10 brands operating in
Singapore, Malaysia
and
 Myanmar
 is launching a new brand promise –
 ‘Exceptional Journeys’
. Founded in 1899, Cycle & Carriage is celebrating its 120
th
 anniversary in 2019.

“The new brand builds on Cycle & Carriage’s passion for creating exceptional people-focused experiences. ‘Exceptional Journeys’ leads the company from focusing on delivering quality products and services, to enhancing the experience for the customers, partners, employees and communities that Cycle & Carriage engages with”
 –
C&C.

“Being 120 years old doesn’t make us a traditional company. We see ourselves as a brand that has understood and responded to the changing needs of people – our customers, employees and partners for the last 120 years. We have long-serving employees who have been with us for over 40 years. We have also been a trusted partner of one of the world’s most well-known marques, Mercedes-Benz, for nearly 70 years,”

Haslam Preeston
,
Regional Managing Director, Jardine Cycle & Carriage
(above) said.

Preeston leads the Cycle & Carriage automotive businesses across the region and has developed the new brand together with his team. He added,
 “Today, consumers are looking for a brand to identify with. It is not enough to simply have great products and services. We believe we need to find a meaningful connection with people and our customers. We need to create experiences that inspires and resonates with them.”

“Over the course of 2017 and 2018, Cycle & Carriage undertook in-depth research of our brand positioning, speaking to customers, employees, partners and other key stakeholders. The new brand captures Cycle & Carriage’s purpose of making each and everyone’s journey exceptional, whether it is a customer we serve, an employee we engage, or a brand we carry. We aim to always support them along the way and exceed their expectations. The brand also hopes to inspire people to achieve the extraordinary, their own exceptional journeys.” Today, Cycle & Carriage’s iconic two-wheel logo is an instantly recognisable mark. The Cycle & Carriage logo was also refreshed to be more contemporary in 2017, ahead of introducing ‘Exceptional Journeys’.

120 exceptional journeys for valued customers

As part of the
120
th
 Anniversary
 celebrations, Cycle & Carriage will kick off 2019 with a
regional anniversary campaign
, giving away 120 exceptional journeys of specially curated trips to three enticing destinations: Mongolia, Nepal and Korea. The anniversary campaign will take place from
10 January 2019 to 30 November 2019
 for Cycle & Carriage’s valued customers in Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar. More information can be found on
cyclecarriage.com/120

Mongolia

“Adventure”

Journey across the rolling steppes and immerse yourself in the nomadic settlements that have called the grasslands home since the time of Genghis Khan.

§  Soak up the wild splendour of the Mongol Els sand dunes.

§  Visit the Hustai National Park and get acquainted with the
takhi
, the world’s last wild horses.

§  Connect with a local Mongolian family and experience the nomadic lifestyle first-hand.

Nepal

“Culture”

Immerse yourself in the history of Kathmandu and find out why this ancient kingdom is also one of the most enchanting places on earth.

§  Unlock the wonders of Pashupatinath, a Hindu temple complex and UNESCO World Heritage site.

§  Journey to the mountain village of Nagarkot and admire the Himalayas from an altitude of 2,200m.

§  Venture into the Kathmandu Valley and uncover its stunning views and sublime beauty.

Korea

“Metropolis”

Step out in style in Asia’s capital of cool and embark on a glorious urban odyssey across Seoul to discover its thrills, sights, and sounds.

§  Witness the famous guard-changing ceremony at Gyeongbokgung Palace.

§  Stroll through the traditional Bukchon Hanok Village and re-live scenes from popular K-dramas.

§  Learn to prepare an authentic Korean meal and enjoy the best of home-cooked Korean cuisine.

An exceptional 120-year story

We reflect on our past 120 years as a company that has withstood the test of time – through the Great Depression, two World Wars and the Asian and Global Financial Crises. We grew with region’s developments and emerged as a leading automotive group in Southeast Asia.

Founded in 1899 as the Federal Stores (later renamed Cycle & Carriage) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, as a merchant trading in nutmeg and sundry goods. Later, it sold bicycles and carriages, before becoming the agent for a number of automobile brands.

Secured the Mercedes-Benz franchise in 1951 and was the first enterprise to represent this marque in Southeast Asia. The first batch of six Mercedes-Benz cars arrived in Singapore in that same year.

Listed as Cycle & Carriage Limited on the Stock Exchange of Malaysia and Singapore in 1969. The reception for its IPO of 33 million shares was overwhelming with 73 times oversubscription. The total offering size of S$241.65 million was just short of the budget of the Singapore Ministry of Interior and Defence for that year.

In April 1969, The Sunday Times reported, “The physical magnitude of the mailed application forms was staggering. Stacked in neat bundles of 100 each, and piled three to six tiers high on narrow, seven-foot long tables, the applications for 1,000 shares stretched nearly 120 ft, arranged end to end round the offices of Cooper Bros & Co., the Registrars. Other applications for larger amounts were heaped on the tables in the centre of the room.”

Apart from being prominent in the automotive sector, in the late 80s and early 90s, Cycle & Carriage Limited also acquired majority shareholdings in established companies such as MCL Land and Cold Storage (Malaysia), as well as launched its first residential property development, Hillview Villas in Singapore.

In 2002, Cycle & Carriage Limited became a subsidiary of the Jardine Matheson Group (“
Jardines
”) and the company was renamed Jardine Cycle & Carriage Limited in 2004. This firmly established Jardine Cycle & Carriage as a member of the Jardines group whilst retaining its shared heritage with Cycle & Carriage.

Today, Jardine Cycle & Carriage is a diversified group while the ‘Cycle & Carriage’ brand is used for its automotive activities Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar. With 10 brands under its banner and over 85 facilities, Cycle & Carriage is a leading automotive group and accounts for 25% of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars sold in Southeast Asia.

Preeston
 expressed,
 “We’d like everyone, customers, employees, business partners, to be part of this Cycle & Carriage story and realise an exceptional journey along with us. As Cycle & Carriage celebrates its 120
th
 anniversary in 2019, we remain committed to serving those who have been along this journey with us.”


SDAP To Enter Southern Region, Porsche Centre Johor Bahru Set For 2020!

Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP)
, the authorised importer of Porsche vehicles in Malaysia, is expanding its footprint to the southern region with the upcoming Porsche Centre Johor Bahru. With an estimated investment of RM 48 million, the new Porsche Centre Johor Bahru will occupy an estimated build-up area of 58,311 sq ft on 74,052 sq ft of land. The state-of-the-art centre is yet another prominent addition to the development of the Porsche brand in Malaysia following the recent launch of
 Porsche Centre Penang
 in 2017.

“SDAP has been the sole importer of Porsche vehicles in Malaysia since 2010 and has continuously invested into the Porsche brand, with special dedication to state-of-the-art facilities and highly-skilled employees. We see a huge potential in the southern market, with the upcoming Porsche Centre Johor Bahru, it marks another milestone for Porsche in Malaysia,”
 said
Christopher Hunter, Chief Executive Officer of Sime Darby Auto Performance.
“I strongly believe in the long-term potential for Porsche in Malaysia and I am convinced that this latest addition will support our growth whilst assuring an outstanding experience for our customers,”
 he added.

A first for Porsche in Malaysia, the new
4S
 Porsche Centre will be equipped with a sales showroom, service workshop, spare parts warehouse, and a state-of-the-art body and paint centre. In assuring the same high standards of performance, SDAP sets the standard for both technical and ecological to be in accordance to Porsche AG requirements. The facility will be equipped with the latest Porsche technology, trained professionals, and the use of genuine Porsche parts, materials, tools and equipment.

“After Sales has proven to be the key differentiator in the luxury car business. As a customer-centric brand, peace-of-mind ownership experience is a pivotal element in our approach. With the inauguration of the latest facility, SDAP aims to fulfil growing customer requirements and enhance our After Sales competencies,”
 Christopher added. Construction work is expected to commence in end of 2018 and operations are set to begin in first quarter of
2020
.


New 308 SW joins third generation Peugeot 308

Although demand for SUVs has surged over the past decade, European motorists have still had a love for the stationwagon. In fact, the C-segment stationwagon segment has remained constant since 2010. To Europeans, the stationwagon is considered a more ‘environment-friendly’ dual-use vehicle than a heavy and bulky SUV (though that argument no longer applies).

Joining the stationwagon offerings from the beginning of 2022 will be the new Peugeot 308 SW, a variant of the
new 308 hatchback
 that was revealed in March this year. The 308 SW has the same new design language elements of the hatchback but isn’t just a 308 with more length. From the rear door line, everything is different with the rear lights deeper in the body. Like most stationwagons, the longer body helps in aerodynamic efficiency which, in the case of the 308 SW, is 0.277 Cd.

LED lighting across the range

Peugeot draws attention to the lighting units which, at the front, use LED technology across the range. They are supplemented by daytime running lights (DRLs) in the shape of fangs on the front bumper. On the GT/GT Pack levels, the Full LED headlights are even slimmer and have PEUGEOT Matrix LED Technology for greater efficiency and safety. At the rear, the lights have full LED technology displaying the 3 claws that identify the brand.

The EMP2 platform has been adapted for the longer 308 SW with an extra 55 mm of wheelbase. Apart from increasing legroom for the rear passengers, the boot capacity is also more generous, as would be expected. However, the maximum volume (with rear seats in use) of 608 litres is available only in models with combustion engines as the battery pack for the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variant takes away 60 litres. Of course, the rear backrests can be folded down as well, allowing items of up to 1.85 mm to be loaded and extending maximum volume to 1,534 litres (1,574 litres for PHEV).

Peugeot Enhanced Modular Platform (EMP2).

Combustion engines and manual gearboxes still available

While it is steadily electrifying its range, Peugeot is not leaving out combustion engines yet – at least not for this generation. There are petrol and turbodiesel engines available, the former a BlueTech 1.2-litre 3-cylinder unit with 110 or 130 bhp and the latter a BlueHDi 4-cylinder with 1.5 litre displacement and 130 bhp output. 6-speed manual transmissions will still be available, along with automatic transmissions with up to 8 speeds.

One of the two PHEV powertrains for the new 308 SW. Both use PureTech petrol engines and e-EAT8 transmissions.

The most powerful engine in the new 308 SW range is the PHEV powertrain with an e-EAT8 transmission. This is offered in two versions – 180 and 225 bhp. The claimed range on a fully-charged 12.4 kWh battery pack is around 60 kms. Peugeot says that the battery pack can be fully recharged in just under 2 hours on a 32A wallbox but just a bit more than 7 hours with an 8A outlet.

Evolved Peugeot i-Cockpit

Like the new 308, the 308 SW also introduces an updated Peugeot i-Cockpit, with a new multifunction double-flattened steering wheel. The i-Cockpit is a centrepiece of the new Peugeots and has extensive levels of digitisation. With each generation, it has become more refined in terms of ergonomics, quality, design and technology and includes the PEUGEOT i-Connect infotainment system. The i-Connect Advanced option has an ‘OK PEUGEOT’ command system using natural language voice recognition to provide access to all requests related to the infotainment functions.

The 10-inch 3D display is positioned for comfortable viewing and can be fully customised with several display modes. The central infotainment HD display is a colour touchscreem, also 10 inches, with i-toggles. These are fully configurable to provide one-click access to the main functions of the infotainment system. Comprehensive connectivity options include 4 USB Type-C sockets, screen mirroring for smartphones and Bluetooth, with the possibility of connecting two devices at the same time.

The construction of the dashboard is based on a ‘high wind’ architecture which places the air vents directly in front of the occupants’ heads and provide optimal comfort. Other interior design highlights show a diversity and richness of the materials used. The LED mood lighting is hidden behind the central screen and glows over the main décor right up to the door panels which can be foamed, in fabric, in Alcantara, or made of real pressed aluminium parts.

The technology will also include the Drive Assist 2.0 pack, with driver assistance  systems that are capable of semi-autonomous motoring. In addition to adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go and lane-keeping assistance, there is semi-automatic lane change (between 70 and 180 km/h), advance speed recommendation and automatic speed adjustment in curves.

Another one for BAASB?

Although the stationwagon market in Malaysia is small and most brands don’t bother with it, it has not discouraged Bermaz Auto (BAuto) from selling the attractive Mazda6 stationwagon. As BAuto now also handles Peugeot – via
Berjaya Auto Alliance Sdn Bhd (BAASB)
 – it might well offer the 308 SW as well. And if the government can get together a coherent EV policy which gives incentives to hybrids to bring their prices down, we might see the PHEV too. Incidentally, BAuto has acquired an additional 35% stake in BAASB from Berjaya Corporation which its total stake is 55% and BAASB thus becomes a BAuto subsidiary.

3rd Generation Peugeot 308 makes global debut


PLUS urges motorists to ensure sufficient balance in tollcard, especially at Penang Bridge

During the period of the Movement Control Order (MCO) which will last until April 14 (unless extended, which we will know after April 10), the general public is required to remain at home. They are not totally ‘locked down’ and can still travel to buy essential items, medical supplies or visit hospitals and clinics. But no
makan angin
 drives and no dining at eating places, only takeaway.

The aim is to ‘flatten the curve’, which refers to bringing down the number of cases of COVID-19 so that our hospitals and healthcare system can cope. You will have read that in some countries, the number of cases has grown to such a huge, unexpected number that the hospitals do not have sufficient capacity and vital medical equipment is insufficient.

We are fortunate that we have not reach such a critical level but if we do not do our part – staying at home is what the general public can do to help – then we too could end up like Italy. And if the curve does not flatten, the government may most likely maintain the MCO longer which does no one any good.

By flattening the curve, the number of cases will be less and the hospitals will be able to help more infected people.

For those living in Penang and use the Penang Bridge, PLUS is urging motorists to ensure that they have enough balance in their Touch‘nGo card before they cross the bridge which the concessionaire manages. Topping-up needs to be done at locations other than the toll plaza which no longer does reloads to avoid the possibility of COVID-19 transmission.

It is believed that many hundreds of vehicles approach the toll plaza daily with insufficient balance in their tollcard. This causes a jam which affects the flow of commercial vehicles that are bringing essential items to the island.

The convenience stores at petrol stations can do tollcard reloads or there are ATM machines that also do it.

“We urge highway users to always ensure that they have sufficient balance in their Touch‘nGo card. They may do reload at numerous top-up zones such as bank ATM machines, convenience stores and petrol stations which are conveniently located around the island and the mainland. Self-service kiosks are also available at various points along the PLUS highway,” said PLUS Chief Operating Officer, Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi.

“Above all, the best move to curb the spread COVID-19 is to stay home and practise social distancing. By ensuring your Touch‘nGo card has sufficient balance for toll transactions, it eliminates the need to physically interact with our Customer Service Assistants and at the same time, ensure social distancing is observed,” Encik Zakaria added.


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

Although electrically-powered cars were in existence over 100 years ago and were common in the early 20th century, they faded away as the combustion engine became more favoured for vehicle propulsion. The technologies available at that time prevented improvements being made to batteries – the ‘fuel tank’ for electric vehicles (EVs) – as well as related systems such as the motors. As combustion engined vehicles improved in performance, the limited performance of EVs saw them losing popularity.

Since the beginning of the 21
st
 century, though, there has been a revival of the EV as concerns about the environment have grown. With emissions from the combustion engine affecting not only air quality but also causing climate change, governments have demanded that the auto industry find alternative propulsion systems and EVs, with zero emissions, are seen to be the quickest solution.

Huge sums have this been allocated for R&D to rapidly switch over to EVs as fast as possible. As such, the pace of technology evolution has accelerated and improvements are taking place within shorter time-frames. Each year, batteries are having greater storage capacity without growing in size and, together with other efficiency improvements, the range is extending. From less than 100 kms for the few EVs sold in the 1990s, 400 to 500 kms is now a common figure for new models.

A key element has been the development of dedicated platforms for EVs which do not have the limitations of platforms and architecture developed for combustion engined vehicles. These new platforms are optimised for EVs so they are designed for battery pack integration and can be lighter.

The Volkswagen Group, like other global carmakers, also has its own platform which it calls the ‘
M
odularer
E
-Antriebs-
B
aukasten
’, or Modular Electric Drive (MEB) system in English. The MEB system was first announced in 2017 as a platform for all future VW Group vehicles, from compact cars to vans. Due to its variability, it could be used for all type of vehicles, from compact cars to even vans.

In developing the MEB, the focus was on two aspects in particular: range and efficiency. Because the MEB was entirely new, it was possible to provide as much space as possible for the battery system. This would not have been possible earlier when EVs were usually adapted from combustion engined models with their traditional structures.

A big plus of the MEB is the modular battery concept, which allows the capacity of the battery to be optimally adapted for the intended use. For example, if the vehicle is used mostly in the city and only drive short distances, the 58 kWh battery pack would be sufficient. This reduces the prices of the vehicle. Those who frequently drive longer distances can choose a larger battery pack with 77 kWh and get extended range of more than 550 kms.

“Here, for the first time, we had the chance to develop the vehicle practically around the battery,” says Frank Blome, who was significantly involved in the development as Head of the Battery Cell Business Unit. With the Modular Cross-Sectional Toolkit (MQB), there was already a modular vehicle basis that had proven itself – and whose basic concept could be transferred to the platform developed exclusively for EVs.”

On top of that, the design of the MEB allows for a significantly larger amount of space in the interior than a combustion engines car with the same body dimensions. For example, there is the same amount of room in the ID.3 – which has the external dimensions of a Golf – as in a Passat.

The ID.3 was the first MEB model to go on sale from July 2020 and since then, other models of the all-electric ID. family have also entered the market. At present, a dozen models are already being built on the electric platform and they are not only of the Volkswagen brand but also from other brand in the Volkswagen Group such as Audi, Skoda and CUPRA. To date, more than 670,000 vehicles from the VW Group have been produced with the MEB platform, with more than 500,000 from the ID. family.

ID.3 (above) was the first MEB-based model to go on sale and the ID.Buzz (below) launched in March this year shows the versatility of the platform.

With the MEB platform already proven, Volkswagen is now moving on to the next generation – after just 3 years. The carmaker is investing substantially in its further development in order to leverage the full potential of the platform and ensure that it remains competitive.

With higher charging speeds possible from the MEB+, the time to recharge a battery pack will be shortened.

The new platform will be referred to as ‘MEB+’ and among the improvements will be the technology for charging and storage, as well as the digital infrastructure. The MEB+ will use Volkswagen’s new generation of batteries (known as unit cell) – and enable ranges of up to 700 kms. Charging times will also shorten as charging speeds of 175 – 200 kW become possible in future. Additionally, the  MEB+ will also enable significant leaps in automated driving functions.

Volkswagen will continue to expand its MEB-based model range, with 10 new models to be launched by 2026. By then, with a larger volume using the platform and improvements made, greater economies of scale would help to drive production costs down. This will enable to the carmaker to offer a model priced at around €25,000 (about RM116,000 at today’s exchange rate).

4 years After Launch, the VW ID.3 Will Start Its Second Generation

To know more about Volkswagen models available in Malaysia, visit
www.volkswagen.com.my
.

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


Land Rover Defender 90 Joins The Range In Malaysia

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia has added to its range the Defender 90, the shorter version of the latest Defender model launched here two years ago. Two versions with different engines are imported from the UK – the P300 priced from RM838,800 and the P400 priced from RM1,098,800 (excluding insurance).

Both Defenders have petrol engines from the Ingenium family, with the P300 having a 2-litre 4-cylinder unit and the P400 being a 3-litre V6 Mild Hybrid (MHEV) powerplant. A key feature of the Defender’s MHEV is its 48V battery pack that can store up to 200 Wh of electricity.

The MHEV system is not new to Land Rover, having first been used in the Evoque and has been further refined. Separate from the normal vehicle battery, it generates up to 142.5 Nm of torque which enhances acceleration.

There’s also a Belt-Integrated Starter Generator which ‘harvests’ electrical energy while driving. Whenever the driver lifts off on the throttle pedal, electricity is regenerated to the battery pack where it can be utilized.

Iconic design elements
Like the longer Defender 110, the Defender 90 has a similarly modern and bold design with all the iconic elements that immediately link it to its legendary predecessor. However, it has only two side doors and a large side-hinged door at the rear.

Available in five exterior colours, customers can also choose to add up to 170 individual accessories, the largest range ever produced for a Land Rover. It’s therefore likely that no two Defenders will be exactly the same in specifications with the numerous combinations possible.

The accessories include the innovative Exterior Side-Mounted Gear Carrier that offers extra space, as well as a new Above and Beyond Collection of outdoor performance equipment and apparel.

Legendary off-road capabilities
The Defender 90 has all the off-road capabilities that Land Rovers have been well known for. Its shorter wheelbase offers extra agility and manoeuverability while the wading depth of up to 900 mm means many rivers won’t stop a journey.

In addition, Electronic Air Suspension with adjustable height provides ride comfort as well as ease of access. When necessary, the ride height can be dropped by 40 mm, and can also be raised by 75 mm to cross rough terrain. For really bad surfaces, the vehicle can be raised another 70 mm to clear obstacles.

Dynamic on the highway too
On the highway, the Adaptive Dynamics system allows the driver to tune the vehicle’s driving characteristics to personal preference or conditions. The adaptive dampers evaluated bodily movements up to 500 times per second, and adjustments are made optimize control and comfort instantaneously.

Land Rover’s next-generation Electronic Vehicle Architecture (EVA 2.0) consists of a state-of-the-art forward-facing digital camera, advanced ultrasonic sensors and a powerful onboard network which supports a comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies.

This includes a 3D Surround Camera that provides 360-degree visibility on surrounding areas, off and on-road, for maximum security. The advanced camera system provides enhanced augmented on-screen visualization when using Wade Sensing and Land Rover’s ClearSight Ground View transparent bonnet technology (pictured above).

Convenient software updating
Owners also have the convenience of Over-The-Air (OTA) updates. A recent development in the auto industry, OTA updates allow the vehicle’s operating software to be updated when necessary without the owner having to bring the vehicle to a service centre. It’s just like the updates you get on your smartphone which keep it up to date and operating optimally.

“This is a model that has been 70 years in the making and consistent innovation has led to this feat. The Defender 90 is purpose-built for optimum durability and equipped with advanced technologies. With this, customers can embark on both on-road and off-road adventures in first-class comfort and safety, while being prepared for any environment,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia.

“With its all-terrain capabilities, we are confident that this powerful and iconic vehicle is well-suited to enhance the driving experience for Malaysians, whether on city streets or off the beaten track,” added Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director, Retail and Distribution, Sime Darby Motors Malaysia.

The new Defender 90 comes with a Land Rover Care programme which includes a 5-year warranty, as well as 5 years of free scheduled service and 3 years of complimentary roadside assistance.

The Land Rover Defender – Past and Present


Should 30 km/h zones be introduced in Malaysia?

Two years ago, at the Third Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety held in Stockholm, Sweden, participants from 140 countries (including Malaysia) agreed to no less than 18 resolutions linking road safety to sustainable development with a key aim of halving the number of traffic deaths by 2030.

The ‘Stockholm Declaration’, as it came to be known, reflects the resolve of UN members to apply speed management as a key road safety intervention. The main element of this is to strengthen law enforcement to prevent speeding and set a maximum road travel speed of 30 km/h as appropriate in areas where vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists) and motorized vehicles mix.

30 km/h, a lower speed than the typical 50 km/h that has been applied, has been chosen based on studies from recent decades in cities such as Graz (Austria), London (Great Britain), New York (USA) and Toronto (Canada) which indicated that limits set at that speed in certain zones has reductions – often significant – in road traffic crashes, injuries and deaths. Evidence shows that 30 km/h streets where people mix with traffic not only save lives, but also promote walking, cycling and a move towards zero-carbon mobility. Today, more cities around the world have established 30 km/h zones and many lives have been saved.

“Many decades ago, the world was at a crossroads: a transport system centered around the private motor vehicle versus one which maintained a share of the road for pedestrians, cyclists and users of public transport. We are again at a crossroads. I call on all policy-makers to work with national and local authorities to reduce urban speed limits to 30 km/h, as a step towards giving streets back to people and ensuring those streets are protective of health and the environment. Low-speed streets – the heart of every community – are streets for life,” said Etienne Krug, Director, Department of Social Determinants of Health at the World Health Organization.

In Malaysia, perhaps due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the introduction of 30 km/h zones had not gained a lot of attention earlier although MIROS had said it was preparing a proposal for the relevant authorities last May. It gained more attention this month when the Transport Minister mentioned it and said that his ministry would discuss the speed limit with various stakeholders.

As in other countries where the lower limit has been introduced, there will be some who are not agreeable to the idea although if it will save lives, why not? According to the minister, excessive speed is not the only factor that causes accidents and this is where MIROS (Malaysian Institute of Road Safety), which has volumes of data, has made a case for 30 km/h.

The proposed speed limit is not a ‘blanket’ speed limit and will be applied in areas that are identified as having a lot of mixing between pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles. The highways would not be subject to such a limit for obvious reasons but in residential areas and city centres, it would make a lot of sense to have motor vehicles travel slowly.

There are however some arguments where a lower speed can be counter-productive in other respects. Congestion might occur and in Singapore, speed limits were raised on a few roads because they found that the flow could be more efficient if the vehicles travelled 10 km/h faster. In Malaysia, though, our city roads are so congested that there is a ‘natural’ speed limit already working and it doesn’t even need enforcement!

There is also another danger in making motorists drive too slowly and that is a possible reduction in concentration. As their speed drops, they may feel that it is so slow that they can’t get into trouble and start to look around – and miss seeing a pedestrian crossing the road. Higher speeds usually make people give more attention to their driving as they realize that one mistake and they could go off the road. But as with many things, humans can also adapt and in time, a later generation of motorists will come to be used to lower speeds.

Motorists should also not forget that a 30 km/h speed limit is also for them and not just for ‘others’. There will be occasions when they too walk along roads, whether in their own neighbourhood with their children or in the city on the way to a meeting after parking. They may also have family members who walk more than use a car, so their safety should also be considered.

In a perfect world, we would not need speed limits because everyone would be sensible enough to drive at a speed that is safe for themselves and when there are pedestrians, safe for those other road-users. We wouldn’t have many accidents – and we should have even less with all the advanced safety systems today. Unfortunately, there are too many motorists who do not use common sense and who are irresponsible, so speed limits have been necessary, backed by laws that punish those who break them.

DENSO’s Third Generation Global Safety Package offers increased active safety


New Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport Features Natural-Fibre Body Parts

Three years after the premiere of the first Cayman GT4 Clubsport, Porsche now unveils its successor: The new
718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport
 represents a consequent further development of the successful model from Weissach. For the first time, the near-standard mid-engine racer comes in two versions ex-works: the
 “Trackday”
 model for ambitious amateur racing drivers and the “Competition” variant for national and international motor racing.

In developing the new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, the focus was put not only on further improved driveability and faster lap times but also on the sustainable use of raw materials. The 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport is the first ever production race car to feature body parts made of natural-fibre composite material. The driver and co-driver doors and the rear wing are made of an organic fibre mix, which are sourced primarily from agricultural by-products such as flax or hemp fibres and feature similar properties to carbon fibre in terms of weight and stiffness.

Powering the 718 GT4 Clubsport is a
3.8-litre flat-six engine producing 313 kW (425 hp)
. Compared to its predecessor, this represents a
40-hp increase
 in performance. The power is transferred to the rear wheels via a Porsche dual-clutch gearbox with six gears and mechanical rear axle differential lock. The lightweight spring-strut front suspension is taken from its big 911 GT3 Cup brother. The impressive racing brake system features steel brake discs all round measuring 380 millimetres in diameter. Tipping the scales at 1,320 kilograms, the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, delivered ex-works with a welded-in safety cage, a racing bucket seat as well as a six-point harness, is a real lightweight.

The basis “Trackday” version is aimed at amateur drivers who want to take part in private track and clubsport events without major effort and outlay. The vehicle features a fixed shock absorber setup. The ABS, ESC and traction control assistance systems ensure forgiving handling at the limit and can be deactivated. Also delivered ex-works is the air-conditioning system, a rescue hatch in the roof, a handheld fire-extinguisher and an 80-litre FT3 safety fuel cell. The non-road-homologated vehicle can be serviced at all Porsche Centres.

The “Competition” model features a raft of details relevant for racing. The shock absorbers can be adjusted in three stages. The safety fuel tank with a capacity of 115 litres is suitable for long-distance events. Thanks to a brake balance system, the balance bias can be infinitely adjusted between the front and rear axle. An integrated air jack system guarantees fast pit stops. The quick-release racing steering wheel adopted from the 911 GT3 R ensures a range of adjustment options for the individual needs of the drivers. An automatic fire extinguishing system adds another safety feature for the racetrack.

“The new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport possesses significantly more racing genes than its successful predecessor,”
 says
Porsche’s head of motorsport Fritz Enzinger
.
“The power of the engine has increased considerably. At the same time, we were able to increase the downforce and the cockpit is now even better suited to drivers’ needs. I’m confident that we can build on the excellent sales figures of the predecessor, of which we have delivered 421 cars.”

Technical description Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport (Type 982)

Concept

• Single-seater, near-standard production-based race car, not road homologated

Engine

• Aluminium six-cylinder mid-positioned boxer engine with rigid mounting

• 3,800 cc; stroke 77.5 mm, bore 102 mm

• Max. power: 313 kW (425 hp) at 7,500 rpm

• Max. rpm: 7,800 rpm

• Max. torque: 425 Nm at 6,600 rpm

• Compression ratio: 12.5:1

• Racing optimised water cooling with thermal management for engine and gearbox

• Four-valve technology with adjustable camshaft phasing and variable valve timing VarioCam Plus

• Fuel quality: Super Plus unleaded, minimum 98 octane

• Racing optimised electronic engine management (Continental SDI 9)

• Integrated dry sump lubrication

• 100-cell metal catalytic converter complying with DMSB specifications

Transmission

• Rear wheel drive

• 6-speed PDK gearbox with rigid suspension and electronic control unit optimised for racing

• Reinforced dual mass flywheel

• Internal pressure oil lubrication with active oil cooling

• Differential lock optimised for racing


First of 50 customers to get Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign in late 2020

After being approved for limited production, work began on the production version of the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign which was shown in June last year. While Italdesign, which has a history that goes pack as far as 1968, developed and engineered the model, Nissan’s design centres in the UK and California worked on the exterior and interior designs.

“Designers dream of creating from a blank canvas, but with GT-R, it is a canvas that has been shaped by an adventurous history, a heart powered by NISMO, and a soul reflecting 50 years of dreams of engineers, designers, artisans, developers, racers and leaders,” said Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan’s Senior Vice-President of Global Design. “The best of Japan and Italy combined with help from our California and London studios are painting on the best canvas any designer can possibly have!”

All images show rendering of the production version of the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign

The production version will go on display at the Geneva Motor Show in March next year and the first customers should receive their cars before the end of 2020. Customer demand has been strong, with a significant number of deposits already taken based on a starting price of 990,000 euros (equivalent to RM4.58 million) for each o the 50 cars that will be produced. Each unit can be personalised to the customer’s requirements.

Meanwhile, fans can see the prototype model at the
2019 NISMO Festival
 which is on this Sunday. It will subsequently be shown at Nissan Crossing in Tokyo’s Ginza district for the rest of the month, and at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January 2020.

“Our customers have relished the personalized experience provided by Italdesign, who have a long tradition in the exclusive field of ultra-rare, bespoke high-performance vehicles,” said Bob Laishley, Global Sports Car Program Director at Nissan. “Their experience with the GT-R50 has been incredible and I can say first-hand that each car will certainly be a standalone masterpiece.”

Powering each GT-R50 by Italdesign is a NISMO-tuned 720 ps/780 Nm hand-built 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V6 (VR38DETT). The engine draws on Nissan extensive GT3 competition experience and knowledge. The E-TS ATTESA all-wheel drive system will deliver power to all four 21-inch wheels. The suspension will be revised with the Bilstein DampTronic system and an upgraded Brembo braking system will be installed for stronger stopping power.

At the time of writing, Nissan says that there are still ‘a limited number of reservations’ left so if you want one, you need to contact Italdesign quickly. The address for e-mail is
aporta.gtr50@italdesign.com
.

22nd NISMO Festival will celebrate 50th anniversaries of Nissan GT-R and Fairlady Z


Fifth generation Kia Sportage revealed – to be locally-assembled in 2022?

Kia Corporation’s popular Sportage model enters its fifth generation with a new design philosophy called ‘
Opposites United
’. The first official images released show a departure from previous designs with the SUV gaining a more dynamic image.

According to Karim Habib, Kia’s Senior Vice-President and Head of Global Design Centre, the new Sportage isn’t just one step forward but instead moves on to a different level in the SUV class. It’s the result of a collaborative effort between Kia’s global design network which has studios in Korea, Germany, the USA, and China.

“When you see the all-new Sportage in person, with its sleek but powerfully dynamic stance, and when you sit inside the detailed-oriented cabin with its beautifully detailed interior and first-class materials, you’ll see we have achieved those goals and set new benchmarks. In the all-new Sportage, we believe you can see the future of our brand and our products,” he said.

New design philosophy

Revealed earlier this year, ‘
Opposites United
’ influenced every aspect of its appearance and character of the new Sportage., The principles of this new design philosophy will also guide all future Kia designs, giving them the same basic DNA, strengthening the connection with Kia’s new brand direction, ‘
Movement that inspires’
.

The front of the new SUV features a detailed-orientated black grille graphic stretching across the width. Like an intricate web, the technical graphic pulls together the main frontal, crafting an imposing front volume. The elongated grille links Kia’s modern signature ‘Tiger Nose’ grille –the visual focal point of the car – to the distinctive futuristic-styled boomerang-shaped daytime running lamps adjacent to the headlamps.

The side profile shows clean and refined body surfaces that blend the contrasting volumes together. A first for the Sportage range is a black roof, contrasting to the body colour, to accentuate the sporting profile and highlight the architecturally dynamic C-pillar that encompasses a deconstructed look.

At the rear, broad shoulders give a strong road presence  as the muscular swooping fastback flows into the rear lamps. They appear as if they cut into the body with fine precision, forming the outline of the rear lamp graphic and the main section of the tailgate.

Sculpted curved display

Inside, there is a sculpted integrated curved display with a slim touchscreen pad which sweeps almost across the cabin. Finely detailed 3-dimensonal air vents mimic the air flowing from them. Further enhancing passenger convenience, at the rear of the driver and front passenger seats are integrated hanger-type designs within the slim headrests, allowing clothing and handbags to be easily and conveniently hooked into place.

The high-tech touchscreen pad along with the advanced integrated controller act as the nerve centre for driver and passenger connectivity, functionality and usability needs. Both systems have been created to be easy-to-use, highly intuitive and soft to touch while a shift-by-wire transmission dial makes operation easier.

To be assembled in Malaysia too?

The global market launch will take place later this year with progressive introductions in various markets. This new model could well be among those that the
new representative of Kia in Malaysia – Bermaz Auto (BAuto)
 – will assemble locally next year. A subsidiary of BAuto, Dinamikjaya Motors Sdn Bhd (DMSB), will act as the sole distributor of the Korean vehicles. Newly-formed Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Kia Motors, will manage the assembly operations which will be at the Inokom plant in Kedah.

In the meantime, Kia owners are urged to provide their contact details to DMSB so that they can be contacted in future. This is especially important for those who have vehicles that still have warranties in effect (which will continue to be honoured). To register contact information,
click here
.

First and second generation of Sportage (above), and the third and fourth generation (below).

Kia introduces new corporate logo as part of bold transformation move


2022 Formula 1 calendar to have 23 races, with season-opener in Bahrain

The Formula 1 organisation has released its calendar for next year and the 2022 Formula World Championship will have 23 rounds, one more than 2021. Perhaps to be on the safe side, the Australian GP is no longer the season-opener, as it was for many years. In 2020, the opening round in Melbourne was cancelled at the last moment as the pandemic worsened and there was hope that it could be held later in the year. But that didn’t happen and in 2021, the same thing happened and Bahrain had to quickly take over for the first round.

This year, the Middle Eastern venue is again the season-opener on March 20, along with Jeddah, Saudi Arabia hosting Round 2. It will be the second time for the Jeddah Street Circuit but at this time, little is known about it since the first race on it will only be towards the end of this year’s championship. It is likely to be a night race as it would be cooler, especially in March.

The Bahrain International Circuit at Sakhir where the 2022 championship will start.

Round 3 will be held in Australia, a rather long journey down under and then for Round 4, the teams will have to fly all the way to Florida in the USA where there will be the
first ever F1 race in Miami
. It will be one of two races to be held in America, the other being Round 20 in October in Texas. The Miami circuit will be new to everyone but the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, is a familiar one already.

After Miami in the early part of May, the teams will then return to Europe where there will be 3 rounds before crossing the Atlantic again for the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. Then it’s back to Europe for 8 rounds until September 25.

The Spa de Francorchamps Circuit for the Belgian Grand Prix is the longest one on the calendar, with each lap being 7 kms long.

The only two rounds in the Far East are in Singapore and Japan during October. Both venues had cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the severity of their pandemic conditions that made it not only risky for the participants but would also have been troublesome logistically with long quarantine periods.

The Singapore GP – which was the first-ever F1 night race – is scheduled for October 2 next year. Hopefully, it will run and not have to be cancelled for the third time due to the pandemic.

After Japan (which hopefully will not be hit by a typhoon at the time), the next venue is in the western hemisphere 14 days later for the second race in America. While they are in the Americas, they will head south to Mexico City for Round 21 and then Sao Paolo’s well known Interlagos Circuit for Round 22. By then, it will be mid-November and the final round of 2022 will be at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on November 20.

Hopefully, unlike the 2020 and 2021 seasons, the schedule as published can be retained and rounds do not have to be cancelled or postponed because certain countries introduce lockdowns again or tougher quarantine requirements. The COVID-19 pandemic seems to be diminishing and health authorities in many countries are hopeful that we will be able to have ‘normalcy’ in 2022, so motorsports and other activities can be held safely.

Is the Monaco Circuit the hardest on brakes in the F1 championship? (w/VIDEO)


New Mercedes CLE Coupe Launched, Replaces C-Class And E-Class Coupe

Mercedes-Benz rarely introduces a brand-new model. However, they go all out when they do. The C-Class coupe and
E-Class coupe
 are set to be replaced by the 2024 CLE-Class in the premium midsize segment, which is gradually shrinking.

The CLE Coupe is significantly larger than the C-Class coupe, at 191 inches long, 73.2 inches wide, and 56.2 inches tall. Although it is a spiritual successor to both models, Mercedes-Benz clearly wants to reduce the number of cars in its lineup.

Exterior

In addition to being in line with the usual Mercedes design language, it has typical coupe features which are the long bonnet embedded in the front end with two power domes, the steeply sloping windscreen and the long, sloping roof towards the rear.

Its front appearance, which has more angular headlamps and strong grille sections, is interestingly more similar to the less expensive CLA-Class than either the C- or E-Class sedans. The attached rear taillight bar reminds us of the company’s all-electric EQ products. Well, at least this design resembles an actual car rather than it looking like an egg with four wheels.

18-inch light alloy wheels are standard on the entry-level model. 19-inch rims are standard on the AMG Line. Customisation options include a wide range of additional light-alloy wheels in sizes ranging from 18 to 20 inches and ten exterior colours.

Interior

Featuring a sporty steering wheel, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and a portrait-oriented 11.9-inch central touchscreen with the most recent iteration of the company’s MBUX infotainment system, the 2024 Mercedes CLE Coupe’s interior is comparable to that of the SL roadster.

The Mercedes me Store offers an optional MBUX entertainment suite. It includes streaming music from the Internet, Internet radio, plus a data plan from a chosen third-party provider.

In addition to the conventional Burnmester surround sound with Dolby Atmos, which features two speakers inserted into each front seat, there is also a 64-colour ambient lighting system.

For the first time in a Mercedes, the back seats may be accessed by releasing a sleek Nappa loop that is attached to the upper border of the backrest.

Powertrain

The CLE has an optional six-cylinder motor, unlike the current C-Class, which only offers four-cylinder engines. The 3.0-liter, twin-turbo inline-six engine in the CLE 450 4Matic produces 381hp and 500Nm of torque at its maximum capacity. It is assisted by an integrated starter generator. An all-wheel-drive system that has been modified to be lighter than the equivalent component in the C-Class Coupe is also included in this layout, along with a nine-speed automatic gearbox.

A base four-cylinder variant is also available. A 2.0-litre turbo engine with 255hp and 400Nm of torque, which is also a mild hybrid, powers the CLE 300 4Matic, which we might see entering the Malaysian market alongside the 201hp CLE 200. The same nine-speed automatic gearbox and the company’s exclusive 4Matic technology are connected to this unit.

The new CLE Coupe is six-tenths of an inch lower to the ground than a standard C-Class Sedan. At the front, there are four links per wheel, and at the rear axle, there is a multi-link construction. In addition to the normal suspension, Mercedes also provides a sportier option with firmer springs and more direct steering. This option is standard on the six-cylinder model and optional with the AMG package for the four-cylinder model.

Attention assist, active brake assist, active lane keeping assist, speed limit assist, and the parking package with a reversing camera are all included in the CLE Coupe’s standard equipment.

There are further driver-aid technologies included in equipment packages. Blind spot assist and traffic sign assist are also included in the advanced plus package. A 360-degree camera and a digital light are part of the parking package in the premium package.

Mercedes has not revealed any details on the pricing just yet but for the US, customers will be able to take delivery of CLEs in early 2024. For those who long for the open-top driving experience, a convertible version will be released soon after.


VW Bus convoy party at Hannover

Fans of the VW Bus vehicles joined in on an open-air party on the grounds of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ Hannover plant. A convoy of around 350 vehicles from all six generations of the platform traveled from Wolfsburg to Hannover, where the current T-series is being made.

The event was the final highlight of the four-day VW Bus Summer Festival in Wolfsburg’s Allerpark, of which Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles was the main sponsor. Members of the Board of Management and Works Council, Hannover Mayor Stefan Schostok, Hannover 96 Football Club President Martin Kind and a number of celebrities took part in the parade.

The convoy’s trip is symbolic of the 1956 relocation of T-series production to Hannover, the state capital of Lower Saxony, where the Transporter has been manufactured since. Though the idea of celebrating the relocation of a van plant may seem peculiar to some, many VW Bus fans consider it as important as a major religious holiday.

Dr Eckhard Scholz, Chief Executive Officer of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand, led the convoy from start to finish. He drove his own cumulus white, 1965 T1 with a near 44bhp engine for the journey. He then had a meet and greet sessions with fans at the Stöcken factory in Hannover.

Speaking of the event, Dr. Scholz, said, “It was a fantastic experience to drive to the Hannover production site with so many proud VW Bus owners in order to celebrate the conclusion of the VW Bus Summer Festival here with even more fans. Our VW Buses are more than just a means of getting from A to B.”

He then added, “They are part of a wonderful lifestyle feeling that constantly travels with you – and has done so across every vehicle generation. This easy-going lifestyle feeling could also be felt throughout the entire festival. It was simply lovely.”

During the event, many VW Bus enthusiasts had the opportunity to look at a number of T-series collector’s vehicles and reminisce about the good ‘ol days and their own past experiences. It is said that each Bus is rich in history, and that cannot be replicated or relived with another. It has offered generations, the freedom to travel where and whenever they desired.


Help the less fortunate with Shell ‘Anda Beli, Kami Derma’ campaign

It was only last week since Shell Malaysia announced their annual Raya CSR campaign for this year called the
‘Anda Beli, Kami Derma’ campaign
. Starting tomorrow (30 May 2019) until 8 June 2019, Shell will be donating:

1 Sen for every litre of Shell Fuels purchased

1 Sen for every Ringgit spent at all Shell Select stores (excluding E-Pay products, Touch N Go & in-store services)

That might seem very little but considering the fact that EACH AND EVERY Shell station in the country will be participating for the next 10 days, that amount will positively total up to a huge figure by the end of the campaign.

For 2019, the Shell ‘Anda Beli, Kami Derma’ campaign will be donating all the funds collected to three very beautiful non-profit organizations to help them with their causes; National Cancer Society Malaysia, Food Aid Foundation, and Malaysian Nature Society.

Sharing the comments from Mr. Shairan Huzani Husain, Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd, “We have increased our collection timeline to 10 days and incorporated spending at Shell SELECT to give our customers more opportunities to contribute to organisations in need. We have also chosen relevant causes that we believe are close to the heart of Malaysians, in line with our efforts to make life’s journeys better for communities in which we operate.”

The campaign is also partnering up with Mastercard for their second year now where Mastercard has pledged to donate and additional RM0.01 for every litre of Shell fuels pumped and every RM1 spent at Shell SELECT, paid with any Mastercard credit or debit card, an additional 1 Sen will be contributed to the Food Aid Foundation.

Want to donate to a specific NGO of your choice upon spending at any Shell station? You can! All you have to do is select their preferred choice of beneficiaries and submit either the original or duplicate copy of their receipt at a Shell station and indicate their choice via submission boxes prepared.

For more information and details on the campaign, please visit
www.shell.com.my/CSR
.

Toyota & Shell launches ‘Balik Kampung Safety Campaign’


TOYOTA GAZOO Racing offers the GRMN Yaris as a hotter hatch but only in 500 units

A few car companies have CEOs or Presidents who are ‘car guys’ and who even go racing sometimes but none probably is as passionate about motorsports as Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation. Since becoming President in 2009, the grandson of the company’s founder has been transforming the world’s leading automaker to meet the challenges of the 21
st
 century.

Perhaps having started driving in the era of the Japanese auto industry when there were affordable sportscars, Toyoda also came to be a car enthusiast, notwithstanding the fact that his family owned the No.1 carmaker in Japan. And being of the younger generation, he had greater exposure out of Japan where he also had a chance to go racing (although he wanted to be a taxi driver at one time), which he enjoyed greatly to the extent that he created a nickname to use when racing – ‘Morizo Kinoshita’ – in the 2009 Nurburgring 24 -Hour race. Perhaps he wanted to avoid undue attention, being who he is, or maybe he didn’t want his parents to know…

Besides racing and being directly involved in product development, especially of the high-performance GR models, Akio Toyoda has also tried to attract more of the younger generation to have an interest in cars.

When he became President, Toyoda started off promising that Toyota would make cars ‘
Fun to Drive, Again’
, reviving a tagline used in the 1980s. He gave TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) greater responsibility to not only manage Toyota and Lexus motorsports activities but also to develop products for the new GR high-performance brand.

Since then, enthusiasts around the world have been treated to a number of impressive sportscars and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing itself has also risen in prominence. Notable models like the
GR Supra
 and
GR Yaris
 have made big news wherever they have been launched and today, at the at Tokyo Auto Salon 2022, TGR has unveiled another mouth-watering hot hatch – the GRMN Yaris.

The ‘MN’ in ‘GRMN’ stands for ‘
Meister of Nurburgring
’, which is a way of paying tribute to TGR’s test drivers who have developed the products on the legendary German circuit. These would include Hiromu Naruse, the company’s chief test driver and head of GAZOO Racing who died in a crash in Germany in 2010. Naruse was Toyoda’s mentor in racing and whom Toyoda was asked to replace as ‘Master Driver’ of Toyota and Lexus.

The GR Yaris has been sold in Malaysia as well and like in other countries, the limited number of units found customers very quickly.

Since its launch in September 2020, the GR Yaris has been involved in various motorsports such as the Super Taikyu Series where the Toyota President himself (65 years old this year) got behind the wheel as Morizo and participated with ROOKIE Racing, and the Japanese Rally Championship, where it won the season championship.

Having been closely involved in the development of the GR Yaris, Toyoda wanted to ‘deliver cars to customers that evolve quickly and can be tailored to individuals in the field of motorsports’. Using lessons learned from motorsports activities, the body rigidity of the GR Yaris has been enhanced. The number of spot welds has increased compared to the GR Yaris, and body rigidity has been further enhanced by applying longer structural adhesive.

The GRMN Yaris is also wider by 10 mm, this increase said to be for improving aerodynamics, while the height has been lowered by 10 mm for a lower centre of gravity. In addition to the lightweight high-rigidity carbonfibre (twill weave CFRP) used for the bonnet, roof, and rear spoiler, removing the rear seats to make it a two-person car has achieved weight reduction of approximately 20 kgs.

The engineers also installed a mechanical LSD, a close-ratio gear transmission, and a low final gear set, which has been improved through repeated ‘breaking and fixing’. Issues under extreme use conditions were identified through driver feedback and quickly resolved. Thus the GR Yaris has evolved into a car that can be driven faster, with improved braking force, grip, cornering and following performance to give the driver more confidence pushing it hard.

Power to all 4 wheels will still come from the 1.6-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder unit already used in the GR Yaris but with higher output. As it is, the G16E-GTS engine produces 261 bhp/360 Nm, making it the world’s most powerful 3-cylinder engine and the lightest and smallest 1.6-litre turbo unit currently in production.

Only 500 units of the GRMN Yaris will be available with sales in mid-2022, only at GR Garages around Japan. Customers will be able to specify a Circuit or Rally package to suit their requirements. Each customer will get a Personalisation program that provides individually tailored customization conducted by analyzing driving data. Steering control, engine control, and drive distribution, hardware including shock absorber damping force, spring rate and aerodynamic components will then be optimized for the best performance with the specific driver.

Expecting the 500 units to be snapped up quickly, TGR is having a lottery for those who are interesting in booking the GRMN Yaris. The basic GRMN Yaris will cost 7,317,000 yen (about RM269,000) while the Circuit package will add another 1,150,000 yen (about RM42,300) and the Rally package will cost an extra 1,061,764 yen (about RM39,000).

The story behind TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and why it was created


Malaysian Winners of Toyota Dream Car Art Contest Announced

Lee Ruo Lin (Category 2; 8 to 11 years old)

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn. Bhd. today announced the winners of the 16th Toyota Dream Car Art Contest, rewarding and acknowledging creativity and expression of children through their winning artworks.

A total of three winners were selected from three categories – (Category 1: 7 years old and under; Category 2: 8 to 11 years old; and Category 3: 12 to 15 years old). The top 3 winners were chosen from thousands of submissions for the national phase of the global event.

Yu Wan Yan (Category 1; 7 years old and under)

Each year, children from all over the world have shared their ideas about the future of mobility, with some 530,000 entries received for the 2022 event. In total, the global contest received 8 million artworks from children all over 140 different countries and regions to date.

“We are delighted to receive more than 2,300 entries this year. All the submissions were extremely invigorating and stimulating, with so many fresh and novel ideas. Selecting the winners was indeed very challenging. I would like to applaud all the participants for expressing themselves so well,” said Datuk Ravindran K, President of UMW Toyota Motor.

Jason Chan Kin Lock (Category 3; 12 to 15 years old)

The Toyota Dream Car Art Contest, first held in 2004, is one of the largest global art contests for children. Through this event, Toyota aims to encourage and inspire creativity amongst children, share their dreams on how cars can make the world better, through their art. Children all over Malaysia have been participating in the global contest since 2013.

The winners for the global contest of each of the above categories will be announced by Toyota Motor Corporation in August 2023.

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Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


New Volvo 3S Centre launched in Mutiara Damansara

Volvo Car Malaysia together with their dealer-partner Ingress Swede Automobile Sdn Bhd have launched the latest Volvo 3S Centre earlier today. Located at the heart of Mutiara Damansara, the newest Volvo showroom aims to strengthen the brand’s foothold in and around the Damansara area.

Present to officiate the new Volvo 3S Centre was the Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution bin Ismail. Also present during the launch were the senior management from Ingress Corporation Berhad and representatives from Volvo Car Malaysia.

To date, there are already 12 Volvo showrooms located across Malaysia and three more will be opened by the end of the year. These Volvo 3S Centres represent Volvo Car Malaysia’s new transformation strategy in revitalising the brand’s retail presence here in the country that is the Volvo Retail Experience (VRE).

According to Mr Nalin Jain, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia, “In the premium segment, the product is not the sole factor in the consumer’s purchase decision. What’s equally important is the value, quality, and accessibility of services that they can enjoy throughout their journey with the brand.”

If you’re interested to experience the latest Volvo Retail Experience (VRE), head over to the new showroom in Mutiara Damansara (Next to Tesco). Business hours starts from 8am-6pm from Monday to Saturday and 10am-4pm (Sunday & public holidays).

New Volvo 3S Centre launched in Skudai, Johor


Honda will unveil EV at Frankfurt Motorshow

Honda will be using the upcoming 2017 Frankfurt Motorshow as a platform to  showcase its electrification plans for its European car range. Part of that plan is the introduction of the Urban EV Concept, which will provide the general public with a glimpse into the direction Honda will take for future EVs.

Unlike Nissan, Honda and Toyota don’t have their own versions of EV contenders, choosing instead to rely solely on hybrid propulsion system for its electrification product portfolio. This is why its Frankfurt announcement will play a major role in gauging the automaker’s seriousness to take on EV competitors like Tesla and more recently, Volvo and VW.

Apart from the new vehicle, Honda will also be unveiling a hybrid version of the CR-V in prototype form. The move is meant as a precursor to the launch of the all-new CR-V SUV which should take place soon. The public will get to witness first hand, the best that Honda has to offer.

Flanking this new vehicle are the facelifted Jazz supermini as well as the new diesel-powered variant of the current (10th) generation Civic hatchback. Honda Motor CEO, Takahiro Hachigo will unveil the Honda Urban EV Concept at the Honda Press Conference on Tuesday 12 September.

The
diesel powered vehicle
 will probably utilizes the new and improved engine from the previous generation car. A detailed article regarding that particular powerplant has been covered in a previous article,
click here
 to read it.

This is great news for Honda fans, because like a number of other mainstream automakers, it too will be going ‘all in’ on the EV revolution.


Proton launches special edition model to celebrate 35th anniversary of Saga

To celebrate the 35
th
 anniversary of the Proton Saga today, the carmaker has produced a special edition and only 1,100 units will be available, each priced at
RM39,300
 without insurance. While the price is the same as that of the Saga Premium version, there are extra accessories and special aesthetic treatment to make the special edition exclusive.

Firstly, a sporty theme has been chosen for this edition and that may have been influenced by the successes of R3, the carmaker’s motorsports division. If you look at the colour choices for the Saga, you won’t see a black colour among the five available. So it’s an exclusive colour specially for the anniversary edition. Coincidentally, the choice of black is a total opposite of the white-themed Saga for Proton’s 25th anniversary celebration.

The shiny black body colour has yellow highlights below the grille (which has the Infinity Weave design) and lower edge of the front and rear bumpers. The yellow accents also run the length of the side skirts and for the entire door mirror housings. You may also notice that while the alloy wheels are the same larger 15-inch ones, they have a grey finish.

The equipment level is the Premium grade, of course, so you get things like LED Daytime Running Lamps, a 7-inch touchscreen display, switches for adjusting the audio system on the steering wheel and handsfree telephony.

As the pictures show, the interior has the same dark theme but with the yellow accent treatment like the exterior in some areas. This includes the rims of the two meters and the adjustment tab on the outer air vents.

Strangely, there’s no mention of any special ’35th anniversary’ plaque or badge to identify these exclusive editions. It would be nice to have such an item as these cars are special.

The powertrain is the proven 1332 cc 4-cylinder 16-valve engine with variable valve timing to enhance fuel efficiency. It delivers 95 ps/120 Nm which provides brisk performance for the 1,080-kg car. Only a 4-speed automatic transmission is available. In case you’re not aware, Proton replaced the CVT about a year ago with a conventional torque converter type transmission.

Also announced unveiled during the online this morning was the 35th Anniversary Accessories package which consists of Front Skirting, Side Skirtings, Door Visors, Bonnet Insulator, Boot Lid Cover and Boot Tray. It is price at RM2,035 and is available for purchase separately for installation on the 2019 Saga onwards. The value of the package is actually RM2,350 but Proton is offering it for RM315 less.

“The Saga Anniversary Edition is a special gift for a special occasion to all Malaysians. It is our way of saying ‘thank you’ for supporting the Saga for the past 35 years. Plus, you can order it today by visiting our showrooms or booking online,” said Dr. Li Chunrong, CEO of Proton.

Proton has also announced today that its N95 Cabin Filter, previously only available with the X70 SUV, will be available for Saga, Persona, Iriz and Exora (for models registered after July 9, 2020). Current owners have the option of purchasing the filter for RM59 (excluding labour charges). For a limited period until October 9, 2020 there will be a 15% discount on the price of the filter.

The N95 Cabin Filter, as the name suggests, can remove 95% of particles that are larger than 0.3 microns. Additionally, it can remove 98% of PM2.5 dust particulates, which is important to promote respiratory health. PM2.5 particles are very tiny – about 3% the diameter of human hair – so it requires a very fine filter to stop them from entering the cabin. Apart from effectively filtering smoke particulates, dust and bacteria; the N95 filter can help to promote an allergy-free environment by reducing allergens from pets, aphids and pollen.

The N95 Cabin Filter is an integral part of the air-conditioning system in the X70. It can function in both fresh and recirculation modes, as long as the blower fan is switched on. There’s no need to activate it as it works all the time to filter the air passing through, whether it is drawn in in from outside or recirculated air.

LOOKING BACK – Remembering the birth of the Proton Saga and what it meant to the nation


BMW Malaysia launches new BMW X4 – RM380,000

There’s an all-new BMW X4 in town and BMW Malaysia launched it last night during their annual ‘buka puasa’ event with the Malaysian media members. The new Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) more specifically known as the BMW X4 xDrive30i M Sport now comes with improved driving dynamics, reworked design, and updated technology for a better overall driving experience.

Mr. Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia said, “The BMW X4 broke new ground when it was first introduced in 2014 as a Sports Activity Coupe. Its forward-thinking design challenged the status quo with strength and versatility capable of conquering every terrain. With powerful new proportions and increased agility, the All-New BMW X4 will continue to break boundaries and deliver the thrills of driving a BMW.”

The second-generation BMW X4 is all about flair and muscles thanks to a few exterior features that makes it a true Sports Activity Coupe. We’re talking coupe-like roofline, athletic curves, distinct M Sport characteristics, muscular flared wheel housings with those 20-inch M Double-spoke wheels, and M Sport Brakes, plus many more.

The first thing that any BMW fan will notice is its larger three-dimensional designed signature kidney grille which gives a much more commanding façade. The front end is further highlighted with adaptive LED headlights with high beam assistant, long bonnet, low windscreen, and an acoustic glass for better performance dynamics and increased driving comfort.

The new BMW X4 is not only sportier in looks but also in performance where it is now longer and wider to accommodate its new 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. This baby is able to produce 252hp and 350Nm of torque which translates to 0-100km/h in 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 240km/h.

All of its power is controlled via an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission which not only offers faster gear changes but also a low fuel consumption rate of 7.8-litres/100km. There’s also the very exciting Launch Control feature. Other exciting features include:

xDrive all-wheel drive

Adaptive Suspension

Variable Sport Steering

Electronic differential lock

Hill-Start Assistant

Hill Descent Control along with Performance Control

Step inside the cabin and one will quickly find themselves in BMW’s signature lavish interior equipped with the latest driving gizmos. A free-standing 10.25-inch Navigation System Professional with Touch Sensitive Control Display, complete with BMW ConnectedDrive offers the latest tech for a better driving experience.

Driving assistance is also enhanced with a full-colour Head-Up Display, 12.3-inch Multifunctional Instrument Display with Black-Panel Technology, and an advanced Voice Control system which has been improved to accommodate a more natural language.

Other interior features include:

Vernasca Leather upholstery in Tacora Red

Three-zone air conditioning system with separate controls for the rear seats

Large Panorama Glass Roof

Harman Kardon 16-Speaker Surround Sound System

525-litre boot space

BMW Malaysia has priced the second-gen BMW X4 aka BMW X4 xDrive30i M Sport at RM380,000 (on-the-road price without insurance). Four colour options are available; Alpine White, Carbon Black, Flamenco Red and Phytonic Blue.For more information, head to the nearest BMW Malaysia showroom or visit
www.bmw.com.my
.

New BMW 1 Series launched – 302hp M135i xDrive as range-topper