Volvo to move away from diesel power

In a recent article on
Car Throttle
, it was reported that
Volvo
 is currently in the process of moving away from diesel engines. A pioneer of oil burner powerplants, Volvo seems to be abandoning diesel for electric power citing Tesla’s ability to produce exceptional cars that are in very high demand right now.

As we’ve mentioned in a previous article, Volvo’s short term plan is to provide some form of electrification for all models in its current line up. And at the same time, It’s also gearing up to produce its first ever all-electric vehicle, which is slated to hit markets around the world in 2019.

The move to halt R&D of future diesel engines was revealed by Volvo’s CEO Hakan Samuelsson in an interview with German newspaper
Frankfurter Allgemeine
. That said, the Swedish automaker isn’t moving away from diesel engines completely. Electric and petrol powered engines/motors still lack the torque and range of large and powerful diesel engines. And Volvo, being a major player in the trucks segment, isn’t just going to give up its share of the market. Until it finds a viable alternative, diesel power will remain the mainstay of Volvo trucks.

This decision, for now at least, will mainly impact passenger vehicles. The requirements for cars and SUVs are far lower than whats expected from trucks. Expect to see the automaker downsize its petrol powered options for electrified ones as it moves to offer cleaner and more environmentally friendly vehicles for its customers.

Source:
Car Throttle
,
Frankfurter Allgemeine


Rolls-Royce Spectre Revealed!

In 1900, Rolls-Royce co-founder,
Charles Rolls, experienced an electrically-powered car
. Even back then, there were cars that were running on electricity but the technology then made them impractical and inconvenient. Nevertheless, Rolls understood the potential of such cars as clean, noiseless transport and foresaw a time when they would be popular again – with the appropriate supporting infrastructure (ie charging stations).

Today, more than 120 years later, that time has come and Rolls-Royce fulfils the prophecy of its founding father with the presentation of the Spectre. This totally new model not only marks a very historic moment for Rolls-Royce but is also a historic moment for electrification: the technology has now reached a standard where it is able to provide the Rolls-Royce experience.

“The advent of our first battery-electric motor car marks the start of a bold new era for Rolls-Royce. It is also the culmination of a long, painstaking process, in which every element in creating this landmark car has been considered in the minutest detail, over numerous iterations. It states the direction for the future of our marque and perfectly answers a call from the most discerning individuals in the world to elevate the electric motor car experience, because Spectre is a Rolls-Royce first and an electric car second,” said Torsten Muller-Otvos, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, as he unveiled the car today.

History behind the name
Regarding the name, Mr. Muller-Otvos explained that it was decided from the start of the project. “From the very outset, we determined that it would bear the name ‘Spectre’ – the first series production Rolls-Royce ever to do so. It was a decision initially inspired by our heritage: ‘Spectre’ cars were always associated with ground-breaking technical innovations, the relentless pursuit of perfection, and a sense of mystery and otherworldliness. The motor car we now present to the world embodies all those qualities, while making the Spectre name entirely its own.”

“There is a pleasing symmetry between the Spectres of the past and the present-day incarnation. In our history, Spectre is a name synonymous with technical innovation and development, and Rolls‑Royce motor cars that go on to change the world. Though separated by almost a century, both the Spectres of the 1930s and our own today are the proving-grounds for propulsion technology that will shape our products and clients’ experiences for decades to come,” he added.

A new class of car
Rolls-Royce introduces the Spectre as the Ultra-Luxury Electric Super Coupe, a new class of car, and one which refers to its indulgent proportions, specified in response to a commitment that there is no greater luxury than that of space. In overall length, it measures 5453 mm with a width of 2080 mm, on a wheelbase of 3210 mm.

The designers drew inspiration from worlds far beyond automotive, including haute couture, modernist sculpture, nautical design, tailoring and contemporary art. Modern yacht concepts, specifically the clarity and precision of line, intelligent use of reflection and application of taper were among the references.

From the front, the split headlight treatment is intersected by the widest grille ever bestowed on a Rolls-Royce. The vanes of the Pantheon grille are now smoother in section and a flusher fit, designed to help guide the air around the motor car’s front. The relaxed angle and polished stainless steel finish of the grille does much to enhance the car’s presence using environmental reflection.

The most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce
Along with an aero-tuned Spirit of Ecstasy figurine – itself the product of 830 combined hours of design modelling and wind tunnel testing – the grille enhances the car’s unprecedented drag coefficient which, at just 0.25 Cd, makes Spectre Rolls-Royce’s most aerodynamic car ever.

The headlight treatment is a contemporary Rolls-Royce design tenet. The sharp daylight running lights emphasise the car’s imperious 2-metre width and are offset with lower lamp clusters that appear darkened, at first glance, but hide jewellery box-like darkened chromium housings for the headlights.

To affirm the Spectre’s expression after dark, the grille is softly illuminated, with 22 LEDs lighting up the sandblasted rear side of each of the vanes, their gentle glow reflected in the polished front surfaces for a subtle and 3-dimensional night signature.

In profile, the sharp, vertical bow line at the front of Spectre draws the eye rearward to its monolithic flanks. The lower line – known as the ‘waft line’ – borrows directly from yacht design. This ‘waft line’ is the visual representation of the ‘magic carpet ride’ and its upwards sweep toward the front is inspired by the gently lifting bow of an accelerating power boat.

The silhouette’s most dramatic feature is the fastback. Following the roofline back, the tail lamps are set into the largest single body panel ever produced for a Rolls-Royce, which extends from the A-pillar to the luggage compartment. The jewel-like vertical tail lamps themselves are colourless for neutrality, in anticipation of the myriad of colourways selected by clients during the commissioning process.

The proportional demands of the Spectre’s scale required Rolls-Royce to embolden its wheel strategy. It therefore has 23-inch wheels – the first production 2-door coupe to be equipped with such large wheels in almost 100 years.

Architecture of Luxury evolved
Under the skin is an evolution of the ‘Architecture of Luxury’ that was developed by Rolls-Royce exclusively for its models. It was clearly a forward-looking architecture that can now also be used for electric drive (which was actually a fundamental consideration when it was first conceived). Indeed, the inherent flexibility of the architecture and ease of integration of an electric powertrain has freed engineers, designers and craftspeople to focus on the quality of experience, authenticity of design and innovation in Bespoke.

For the Spectre, Rolls-Royce engineers have unlocked further benefits. The sophisticated extruded aluminium sections and integration of the battery into the structure enable it to be 30% stiffer than any previous Rolls-Royce. The flexibility of the architecture has also allowed engineers to place the floor halfway between the sill structures rather than on top or underneath them.

A channel has been created for wiring and climate control pipework between the battery and the floor, with the battery mounted underneath, providing a perfectly smooth underfloor profile. This not only creates a low seating position and enveloping cabin but realises a secondary function for the battery – almost 700 kgs of sound deadening.

Most connected Rolls-Royce
The Spectre is the most connected Rolls-Royce in history, with Decentralised Intelligence processing capabilities to ensure the continuity of the Rolls-Royce experience, as well as its progression. For this to be realised, a dedicated control has been handmade for each of the 141,200 sender-receiver variables, and in nearly all cases engineers have designed several more sub-variables for variations in climate, ground speed, road type, vehicle status and driving style. These have been crafted over the course of Spectre’s 2.5 million kilometre testing programme, both on advanced proving grounds and on real roads around the world.

The Spectre’s digitally integrated evolution of the renowned Planar suspension system is an orchestra of systems with precisely defined responses to driver inputs and road conditions, made possible by the latest software and hardware developments, delivering Rolls-Royce’s hallmark ‘magic carpet ride’. Using a suite of new hardware components and leveraging Spectre’s high-speed processing capabilities, the Planar system can decouple the car’s anti-roll bars allowing each wheel to act independently, preventing the rocking motion that occurs when one side of a vehicle hits an undulation in the road. This also reduces high-frequency ride imperfections caused by shortcomings in road surface quality.

Once a corner is identified as imminent, the Planar system recouples the components and stiffens the dampers; the 4-wheel steering system is then prepared for activation to ensure effortless entry and exit. Under cornering, 18 sensors are monitored, and steering, braking, power delivery and suspension parameters are adjusted so that the Spectre remains stable.

An actual customer may ask, in passing, about the performance of the Spectre but for the enthusiasts to whom such numbers are more meaningful, its electric powertrain generates 430 kW (585 ps)/900 Nm to give a 0 – 100 km/h time expected to be 4.5 seconds. Rolls-Royce has not mentioned the capacity of the battery but says that consumption is 21.5 kWh/100 kms.

Most technologically advanced features
Of more interest to someone who will be the owner of a Spectre will be the interior, a space that can be personalised with near-infinite possibilities by the experts at the company’s Bespoke division. Many customers are likely to already have experienced being in a Rolls-Royce but the Spectre offers even more technologically advanced features.

Alongside the extraordinary, illuminated surfaces, the Spectre is equipped with a completely redesigned digital architecture of luxury named SPIRIT, presented in quintessential Rolls-Royce style. Not only will SPIRIT manage the car’s functions but it is seamlessly integrated into the marque’s Whispers application, allowing owners to interact with their car remotely, and receive live information curated by the marque’s luxury intelligence specialists.

For the first time ever, they are now able to extend their Bespoke commission beyond the physical world and into the digital architecture that underpins SPIRIT. For example, the colour of the dials can now complement the interior hue of the car, a feature inspired by the marque’s customers’ typical  love of bespoke timepieces.

The all-new front seat design has been inspired by British tailoring, with lapel sections that can be rendered in contrasting or matching colours to the main base. Bespoke stitching, embroidery and intricate piping has, as ever, been considered in their inception.

Continuing the night sky theme
Some 16 years ago, a Rolls-Royce customer wanted the ceiling of his car to resemble the night sky and of course, the Bespoke specialists created it, calling the feature the Starlight Headliner. Now drawing inspiration from the timeless mystique of the night sky, there is another night-time theme.  For the first time on a series production Rolls-Royce, the Spectre is available with Starlight Doors, which incorporate total of 4,796 softly illuminated ‘stars’ (2,398 on each door panel).

The coach doors can also be commissioned with a backdrop of wood Canadel Panelling, which takes its name from the cove in the south of France where Sir Henry Royce and his design team spent their winters.

The same theme continues with the Illuminated Fascia which was developed over the course of 2 years and more than 10,000 collective hours. It incorporates the Spectre nameplate surrounded by a cluster of over 5,500 stars. Located on the passenger side of the dashboard, the illuminations are completely invisible when the car is not in operation.

The very best product
“At Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, perfection is about more than making the very best products. It is a culture, an attitude and our guiding philosophy. Indeed, it is our founding father Sir Henry Royce who said ‘strive for perfection in everything you do’. Spectre has been conceived within this culture. It is perfectly in tune with the sensibilities of our time,” declared Mr. Muller-Otvos.

While the model has now been unveiled, testing is still ongoing and production will start next year, with the first customers receiving their cars during the fourth quarter of 2023.

Leading every Rolls-Royce for 110 years – the Spirit of Ecstasy


Aptera plans to start producing solar-powered cars by end of 2022

Sunshine has energy which can be converted into electricity. With that energy source shining down on our planet daily for around 12 hours, it would seem that we should make use of it to power the many different types of modern equipment that we use today. And that is already happening with solar panels collecting sunshine which is converted to electricity for industrial use as well as things like water heaters in homes.

Now that there is this rush towards electrification of cars, why not use solar energy which is unlimited – and costs nothing? Manufacturers are spending billions in developing electric vehicles and surely they would have been able to come out with solar-powered cars by now. After all, they can even use hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity which is then used to power cars.

Why are there few solar cars?

The problem is that the technology is still not advanced enough to generate the amounts of electricity constantly to keep a car running. Maybe in the
Star Trek
 age another 250 years in the future, a small solar panel will be enough to power a car indefinitely but at this time, an array of solar panels on a medium-sized car would need around 8 days to fully charge a battery pack of 70 kWh. So it’s a technological issue that is keeping development of solar-powered cars at a snail’s pace for now.

But there are many ongoing efforts and such cars are ‘just around the corner’. In fact, by early 2023, one company might be able to start delivering solar cars to people who have booked one. The company is Aptera, a car company that started in 2005 in California, closed down and was revived in 2019 with a plan to make a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) that also uses solar power primarily, and a battery pack as a range-extender.

The idea of using solar power as a supplementary energy source for cars is not new. Companies like Toyota and
Hyundai
 have put small solar panels on the roofs of some models for additional electricity to power ancillary equipment.

Up to 1,600 kms range

Aptera’s solar electric vehicle (sEV) will require no charging for most daily use and the company claims that it can cover up to 1,600 kms per full charge if the battery pack is used as well. This is achieved with its ‘Never Charge system which uses 180 cells on diamond-shaped solar panels covering 3 square metres of the car’s body. These can collect sunshine to convert to as much as 700W which would be good for 64 kms of driving per day. Those 64 kms of essentially free range are collected by over 3 square metres of solar panels on the bodywork.

A section of the solar cell array that covers 3 square metres of the vehicle’s bodywork.

If you’re just driving around town daily, then you really would not need to recharge. But for longer distances, then there is a battery pack which has stored electricity to provide the extra range required. And Aptera says that recharging can be done with a household power supply, though how long it will take is not mentioned.

Propulsion is by 3 liquid-cooled in-wheel electric motors (two in front, one behind) that can give an acceleration time of 3.5 seconds from 0 to 96 km/h and a top speed claimed to be almost 180 km/h. For stability, there will be all-wheel drive and vectorized torque control.

Three wheels, instead of four

To maximize use of the electricity available, the sEV has to be as light as possible, requiring less energy to move. In fact, having three wheels instead of four is partly due to saving weight. At between 818 kgs to 1,000 kgs, the vehicle is said to weigh 65% less than other EVs on the market today. Aptera’s engineers have also used many different example to reduce energy loss, and by eliminating the fourth wheel, the contact point for friction and potential energy loss is lessened.

The body is built with ultra-lightweight composites and its arched shape mimics the physics of an eggshell to create a safety cell that is claimed to be much stronger than steel.

Aerodynamic efficiency of 0.13 Cd

Besides light weight, the other important factor is aerodynamic efficiency or how slippery the shape can be so that wind resistance is minimized. Less energy will be needed to overcome the wind resistance so performance will be better and at the same time, the energy saved can be used for extending range.

The aerodynamic form of the vehicle, which has a Cd of 0.13, is inspired by nature. The teardrop-shaped central body allows air to flow around it to ‘follow & copy’ that shape. This means airflow contacts the body at a certain angle around the front wheel area, as the air is being bent around the tapered nose. The wheel covers are tapered inward and the rear is tapered outward, making the overall shape more aligned with the main bodywork.

At the single rear wheel, the story is different. The wheel is positioned at the centreline of the vehicle and optimizations were applied to the bodywork in front of the wheel. Guiding the air in such a way that it avoids hitting the exposed part of the tyre, providing gains in terms of aerodynamic efficiency.

Intelligent cabin packaging

The sEV is a small vehicle and seats only two. However, intelligent packaging has ensured that those two people can carry a lot of gear or a lot of shopping from the supermarket. The layout has both occupants side by side, rather than in a tandem position like a motorcycle (as some solar vehicles have been designed). Much of the thinking behind the interior has been with manufacturing simplicity and flexibility in mind.

As would be expected, there are storage areas for the stuff we all carry these days as well as things like wireless charging pads. Environmentally-conscious materials are used, such as biodegradable and plant-based leather, recycled PET and 3D knit materials, bio-based plastic thread and recycled felt.

Pricing to be from US$29,500

Aptera is confident of moving into the production phase by the end of this year as it has received US$40 million (about RM178.3 million) in crowdfunding and commitments. It has also been accepting $100 (RM446) deposits from interested customers (it says there are already 25,000 reservations) and expects to price their first solar vehicle from US$29,500 (about RM131,500).

Free sunshine helps Proton save up to RM5.85 million on electricity costs


Electrified BMW models will still have sounds that give an ’emotional aural experience’ (w/VIDEO)

One of the pleasures for car-lovers is the sound of the engine and the sound of the exhaust, music to their ears, so to speak. While a loud exhaust sound may be disturbing to some, car enthusiasts equate it with performance, the louder the better. In fact, engine sound was considered important enough that, as cars got quieter, some carmakers developed ‘noise generators’ to boost the sound level for the driver’s pleasure.

With the age of electric cars starting, it is apparent that this pleasurable ‘music’ will vanish and in place of throaty growls are the hum and whizzing of electric motors. In fact, electric cars are so quiet that manufacturers have to put devices to generate warning sounds for pedestrians.

‘Sheer Driving Pleasure’ has been a promise of every BMW, especially the BMW M models, and this includes the engine and exhaust sounds. Even with electrification and silent powertrains, BMW promises that the pleasurable aural experience will still be present.

The aural experience

Companies like BMW have long sold their products with the promise of driving pleasure, which includes the aural experience. So electrification of its cars can affect that selling point even if driving dynamics can still be maintained.

So the German carmaker is taking a new approach to this matter and aims to provide an ‘emotionally rich aural experience’ to BMW drivers with BMW IconicSounds Electric. This is a sound portfolio created for BMW models that are electrified – both full electric as well as plug-in hybrids (PHEVS). To oversee the development, they have even created a position of Creative Director Sound at the BMW Group, which is currently held by Renzo Vitale.

Hans Zimmer (right) in his studio talking to Renzo Vitale, Creative Director Sound at the BMW Group.

Hans Zimmer creates the sounds

Vitale is collaborating with composer and curator Hans Zimmer (whose award-winning works include
The Lion King, Gladiator,
 the
Pirates of the Caribbean
 series,
The Dark Knight
 Trilogy,
Inception
 and
Blade Runner 2049
), to produce a distinctive driving sound specially for electric BMW M cars.

“Every BMW has its own character, which is reflected in the sound it makes,” said Zimmer. “So for the electrically driven BMW M models, we have developed a driving sound which accentuates their emotional driving experience particularly vividly and ensures their performance can be felt with even greater intensity.”

The work is a continuation of Zimmer’s association with BMW. Earlier, he was involved in the development of an inspiring ready-to-drive sound for electrically-powered BMWs which instils a sense of excitement at the prospect of electric driving when the START/STOP button is pressed. The latest chapter in this collaboration covers drive sounds for the iX and i4, including a differentiated sound for the M-specification version of the i4.

BMW iX

While the hush of electric driving enhances comfort, the driving experience loses a degree of emotionality. This is where BMW IconicSounds Electric steps in to give the experience of ‘
Sheer Driving Pleasure
’ with all the senses. In the future, electric driving pleasure will be enhanced by acoustic feedback to every movement of the accelerator. Like the on-board driving modes selectable at the touch of a button, the driving sound also takes its cues from the driving situation and the driver’s personal preferences.

Different sound ‘modes’

In the basic setting, BMW IconicSounds Electric employs a strikingly transparent timbre with spherical components to convey the basic character of an electrically powered BMW model. An immersive and pleasant atmosphere is created initially in the i4 in COMFORT mode but when the accelerator pedal is pushed down hard, the direct relationship between how the car is being driven and the sounds it makes changes: the sound experience deepens as load and speed increase.

In SPORT mode, in particular, the car’s aural spectrum is more dominant and powerful, the sound providing a constant ‘commentary’ on the driving situation. Drive system processes are registered within milliseconds and acceleration, load changes or recuperation given a suitable acoustic accompaniment.

Only when the vehicle is travelling in ECO PRO mode is the acoustic feedback reduced to nothing. Here, the silence of the drive system underscores the driver’s decision to adopt an ultra-efficient driving style.

Electrically-powered BMWs may not have the original sounds of a powerful combustion MPower engine but the electronic sounds created and synchronised with the car’s movements and performance should help to still provide the ‘music’ to enthusiasts’ ears.

In the version developed specifically for electrified BMW M models, the drive sound is charged with extra energy. Overall, the drive system note displays a less harmonious but engagingly rousing and technical sonic profile. Acceleration sparks a rich intensification of the soundtrack’s development, authentically reflecting the car’s performance character.

“When you press the pedal of an M car, you suddenly get goosebumps all over your body,” said Vitale. “We translated this feeling into a drive sound that expresses a fusion of superior power and flowing energy.”

The new IconicSounds Electric drive sounds are expected to feature in the i4 and iX over the course of 2022. In cars with earlier build dates, the new sounds can be imported retrospectively via Remote Software Upgrade, should the customer wish. The new spectrum includes one ready-to-drive sound and one stop sound, plus a driving sound which will be made available in the relevant version for models.

Hans Zimmer to create e-sounds for BMW Group vehicles


Wearnes Autohaus Independent One-Stop 4S Car Service Centre [+Videos]

Have you been looking for a place to get your car looked after since its warranty expired? If you think that henceforth post-warranty that your choices are limited to ‘cherry-tree’ workshops or small ones fashioned out of shop-lots, think again!

Wearnes Autohaus located in Segambut KL, is an independent 4S service centre and might just be the place you’ve been looking for. In addition to regular car maintenance for all types of cars, they also offer a wide variety of automotive-related services, check out this video of our recent visit there…

What blew us away was that in addition to the fact that Wearnes Autohaus also does crash-repair, as well as complete resprays of vehicles, they also provide a courtesy car for anyone getting their car resprayed there, for up to 10-days! We’ve never heard of such a thing.

Wearnes Autohaus calls itself a “One-Stop” Automotive Centre, which means that just about every facet of car maintenance can be taken care of, and if they really can’t, they’ll help you find a solution. Wearnes also will assist you to sell your car, should you require it, and if time just doesn’t permit you to do so yourself.

Tyres, alignment & balancing, car tint, detailing, and even Blaupunkt ICE and Akrapovic exhaust systems are to be had here. Here’s my final say on the Wearnes Autohaus experience! To find out more, log on to www.wearnes.com.my
(more details after the photo gallery)

Balik Kampung Campaign…

Starting from the
8th of May 2018 up until the 30th of June 2018
, Wearnes Autohaus Service is having a “Balik Kampung Campaign” offering an engine oil change of BP Castrol 5W-40 fully synthetic for the following brands with amazing prices:

Volkswagen – RM288

Audi – RM388

Volvo – RM388

Vellfire/Alphard – RM388

BMW – RM488

Mercedes Benz – RM488

Wearnes Autohaus Photo Gallery…

More on Wearnes Autohaus Service – Malaysia’s First Independent 4S Service Centre

Wearnes brings more than a century of experience in servicing various luxury marques into one highly professional independent 4S Service Centre in Kuala Lumpur, known as Wearnes Autohaus Service.

Situated in Segambut, strategically a stone’s throw from downtown Kuala Lumpur, Wearnes Autohaus Service is backed by the same expertise and understanding of customer needs gained from more than a century of experience with various premium automotive brands across the world.

From buying and selling, to servicing and repair, body and paint, even quality accessories, Wearnes Autohaus Service is the first independent 4S Service Centre to cater to every automotive need of even the most discerning of customers.

VIP Treatment, Yet Reasonable Prices

Whatever one’s purpose at Wearnes is, the customer can expect first-class treatment amidst cosy surroundings. The showroom floor building is fully air-conditioned and furnished in accordance to premium marque standards, and laid out to give a comfortable, spacious, and airy feel.

Owners waiting for their cars to be serviced can stay connected through the facility’s high-speed wireless internet system while relaxing at the customer lounge in which complimentary refreshments are served.

Customers walking into Wearnes can expect to be treated no different than those walking into 4S centres of premium marques. Yet, the experience comes at only a small expense, for Wearnes charges a fraction of labour costs compared to premium 4S centres whilst offering the same level of expertise and equipment. This gives motorists access to premium levels of service at reasonable prices.

Service by Experts

Leveraging from knowhow gained from maintaining premium vehicles of various makes, Wearnes Autohaus Service is staffed by highly-trained technicians working with the latest equipment ensuring that they are able to competently service, maintain, and repair even the most sophisticated vehicles.

From wheel alignment, mechanical servicing, major servicing, brakes, suspension, exhaust repair, through to body and paint work, Wearnes Autohaus Service has the equipment and manpower for the job. The tools and processes at Wearnes’ disposal meet even the most stringent standards set by premium marques such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche.

Additionally, Wearnes works closely with many insurance companies and has acquired pre-approved status in some cases, meaning most accident repairs can commence immediately without the need to wait for the lengthy claim process. Prompt, and without hassle.

Wearnes Autohaus Service promises fast turnaround without compromise on quality from its line-up of fully-trained technicians.

All work is carried out on-site, ensuring quality of the servicing work. Depending on the customer’s preference, Wearnes only utilizes genuine or high quality OEM parts, covering repair works with unlimited mileage warranties of 12 or 6 months respectively.

Body & Paint – The Final Touch to Your Masterpiece

To those interested in changing their cars’ colour or even just a simple touch up from a minor scratch to a major repair can now look to Wearnes Autohaus Service. Highly trained staff are dedicated to ensure paints are mixed meticulously to satisfaction of the customer. All paint jobs are done inhouse to have a lock on the quality of the job is up to par as one can expect from an authorized service centre.

Trustworthy Pre-Owned Cars

Wearnes Autohaus Service offers a selection of the finest quality pre-owned cars in the market at the most competitive prices. Cars are subject to rigourous checking as well as meticulous restoration and repair before being put on the showroom floor.

For those looking to trade-in their existing cars, Wearnes Autohaus Service is a reputable and trustworthy company that guarantees a fair and hassle free selling experience. No charges are hidden, and owners are invited to drive in their vehicles for free on-site evaluations.

Quality Accessories

Owners seeking to enhance and personalize their vehicles have a variety of quality premium accessories to choose from at Wearnes Autohaus Service. A wide assortment of interior accessories complement a full selection of premium tinting films are on offer for any motorist seeking to add a touch of class to their vehicles.

Enthusiasts seeking a performance upgrade for their vehicles are offered sporty exhaust solutions from Akrapovic, for which Wearnes is an appointed official dealer of the brand in Malaysia.

Balik Kampung Campaign

Starting from the
8th of May 2018 up until the 30th of June 2018
, Wearnes Autohaus Service is having a “Balik Kampung Campaign” offering an engine oil change of BP Castrol 5W-40 fully synthetic for the following brands with amazing prices:

Volkswagen – RM288

Audi – RM388

Volvo – RM388

Vellfire/Alphard – RM388

BMW – RM488

Mercedes Benz – RM488

Location / Contact

Wearnes Autohaus Service is located along Jalan Segambut Tengah that is accessible from major roads such as Jalan Duta, Jalan Ipoh, and Jalan Kuching.

Wearnes Autohaus Service Sdn Bhd

39 Jalan 2/57B, Jalan Segambut Tengah

51200 Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia

T: +603 6259 8221

F: +603 6259 8225

E: wearnes.service@wearnes.com

www.wearnes.com.my, www.facebook.com/WearnesAutohausService

About Wearnes

Established in 1906, Wearnes Automotive has built its reputation for excellence and best customer service in the automotive industry for more than one hundred years. The group specialises in operating as an authorized importer and distributor for select iconic luxury and premium passenger cars.

With successful operations in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Hong Kong and Vietnam, the group has established itself as one of the preferred premium Automotive Dealer Groups in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Now Wearnes is expanding the excellence of its services to new horizons by establishing its very first independent service centre in Malaysia – Wearnes Autohaus Service. Drawing on the company’s expertise and understanding of customer needs, this landmark new venture will continue our proud history of excellence, forged over the last century.

Wearnes Autohaus Media Visit Photo Gallery…


Classic Range Rover gets electrified by Lunaz

The original Range Rover was launched in 1969 and final production took place in 1996. It has come to be known as the Classic Range Rover and can be regarded as the first premium 4×4 (the ‘SUV’ term didn’t exist then). Well-kept units are collectors items and with the engineering having been robust, they remain capable vehicles even today.

Electrifying classic models

For those who want the Classic Range Rover, there is also a new source from Lunaz, a company in England that specialises in making electric classic cars. Lunaz has earlier ‘electrified’ Jaguar, Bentley and Rolls-Royce classics and now intends to also create an initial run of 50 original Range Rovers built in the ‘classic era’ between 1970 and 1994.

The original Range Rover which as produced between 1969 and 1996.

Since unveiling its electrified classics, Lunaz has received requests from customers to apply its re-engineering and restoration approach to the Range Rover. In response to this, the company has decided to offer two versions – the ‘Town’ and ‘Country’ specifications – which can be delivered in mid-2021.

The more urban expression of these cars will be presented with increased focus on rear-seat and driver comfort, reflecting their dual use as either self-driven luxury vehicles or chauffeured cars. They will be available in both standard and long wheelbase and either the classic 3-door configuration or the 4-door models.

Lunaz has been converting these other classic models with electric powertrains. These include the Jaguar XK120 (below).

Modern engineering, classic looks

The ‘Country’ specification will include a full suite of engineering, technological and design features that augment a full electric classic off-roading experience for the first time. Every vehicle Lunaz produces goes through a full bare metal restoration and re-engineering process ahead of conversion to the company’s proprietary electric powertrain. This approach allows Lunaz to answer the questions of usability and reliability that detract from the experience of owning the most celebrated classic cars in the world.

The electric classic Range Rovers will include a 4-wheel drive system, updated suspension including anti-roll bars and uprated brakes. Within the cabin, the pure utility of the original interior design will be significantly elevated. The Lunaz design philosophy balances the integration of technology and usability within a classic architecture.

Design Director Jen Holloway and her team will work in close consultation with customers to tailor the car to their exact requirements. Material palettes that honour the textile interior that debuted on the original classic Range Rover will be offered as well as more traditional upholstery options with the very finest leathers and woods.

Usability is further enhanced with the inclusion of a full suite of contemporary technologies. Modern conveniences and features will include an infotainment system, air conditioning and entertainment screens integrated into the existing design scheme to ensure the spirit of the original car is maintained.

Electric vehicles have usually been expensive due to the advanced and new technologies but those that have become mainstream models have the benefit of economies of scale to push prices down. Not so with the classic electric Range Rovers by Lunaz which are expected to start at £245,000 (about RM1.33 million), ex-factory. This is the price of exclusivity and being one of 50 owners in the world.

You don’t have to wait 20 years for a fully-electric Rolls-Royce


Naza KIA Ends 2018 With Its Most Extravagant Promotion Yet!

Naza Kia Malaysia
, the official distributor of
Kia
 vehicles in Malaysia, is ending the year with their
 “Year End Surprise”
 campaign starting from
1st December to 31st December 2018
 with up to
RM15,000
 savings up for grabs! Headlining the campaign offers is a 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage and also up to 5 years free maintenance service.

The all-time favourite
Kia Cerato
 now comes with huge savings of
RM15,000
 and also comes with a
FREE 1-year insurance
. Save
RM10,000
 for the New
Kia Optima
 large family sedan (above) or get the compact and fun
 Kia Picanto
 (below) that now comes with
2 years of FREE maintenance service
 for added peace of mind. Not forgetting the New
Kia Rio
 with
RM5,000
 savings, this new hatchback comes packed with new advanced features such as the
6-speed Automatic Transmission
 and also is the first in its segment to comes standard with a Blind Spot Monitoring System, giving the driver a better alerted drive.

Looking for a bigger SUV? Get the New Kia Sorento (below) that comes with a powerful turbo diesel engine and an
8-speed transmission
, or the New Kia Sportage that comes with a newly designed LED headlamp that is both practical and striking.

These offers are only applicable for all bookings within the campaign period and with limited units available. So don’t miss out on these deals! Terms and conditions apply.


smart #1 Previewed in Malaysia: 440km range, 66kwh battery, BRABUS Model Soon?

Pro-Net, a subsidiary of Proton, has just introduced the smart #1 into the electric vehicle (EV) market in Malaysia. The all-electric compact SUV, which is a touch bigger than the smart ForFour, is the result of a partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Geely.

The smart #1 actually made its global debut in April 2022 where during the second half of 2022, China, Europe, and the UK were some of the first places to receive it.

Prior to its launch here in Malaysia, we had the opportunity to actually test it out. The right-hand drive Premium, left-hand drive Premium (China spec) and the Brabus variant.

The design of the smart #1, which is a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely. It was designed by the Germans and is built on Geely’s modular Sustainable Electric Architecture (SEA), which also serves as the foundation for vehicles like the Lotus Eletre, Volvo EX30, and Zeekr 001.

The smart #1 will only be available as a rear-wheel-drive model, with a single motor generating 272PS and 343Nm of torque. It does 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds and has a driving range of 440km WLTP cycle. There are three available drive modes: eco, comfort and sport. However, these are the Premium variant specs.

The Brabus variant, on the other hand, puts out 428PS and 584Nm of torque. It does 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds! It has dual motors providing a four-wheel drive configuration. However, due to it having this much power, the driving range is reduced to 400km. There are four available drive modes: eco, comfort, sport and Brabus. Both variants are limited to a top speed of 180km/h.

Another feature included in the Brabus trim is the engine imitation sound that plays through the speakers. A Brabus engine sound and a V8 engine sound.

In addition, the Brabus variant has three additional trims to choose from: Pure+, Pro+ and Premium+.

It features a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 66kWh. The 10%-80% charge time is three hours with 22kW AC charging and less than 30 minutes with 150kW DC charging.

The exterior of the smart #1 Premium variant features an active grille shutter, flat-faced 19-inch wheels, and frameless doors and has a drag coefficient of just 0.29.

The Brabus trim, however, gets twin nostrils as a styling element, a sportier front bumper, an aggressive grille, a rear spoiler, 19-inch dynamo-styled alloy wheels and a two-tone paint scheme with red accents.

The central infotainment screen, which is 12.8 inches in size regardless of which variant you choose, controls almost everything. It features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8155 chipset, a CPU and chipset designed for the gaming industry, and its home screen is filled with graphics and information.

Unlike the variants available in China, we get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Many important features of the system are hidden in submenus; for example, turning off the system’s excessively loud fake engine noise will lead you deep into the system, while adjusting your mirrors requires tapping the screen and then repeatedly pressing the buttons on the steering wheel.

It also has a 9.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a ten-inch heads-up display, a panoramic glass roof and 13-speaker Beats sound system.

The majority of the materials are soft to the touch, especially the Alcantara swaths in the Brabus model. Also, note that Smart chose a combination of real and synthetic leather and not vegan alternatives here.

The Brabus gets a little extra on the interior as well with a black-themed interior, Alcantara/leather-wrapped steering wheel, microfiber suede seats, headrests with the Brabus logo in red stitching and alloy pedals. The booth space measures in at 323L but can be expanded to 986L while the frunk has a 15L available space.

Another neat little feature is that the front grille lights up and will follow the beat of the music that is playing in the car at the time.

The smart #1 has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. The safety features include:

Seven airbags
Full complement of driver assistance features
Autonomous emergency braking
Adaptive Cruise Control with stop and go
Lane centring assist
Lane change assist
Lane keep assist
Blind spot monitoring

Keshy’s Driving Notes:
On top of the preview session that Timothy just touched on, we also got to drive the smart #1 around the Proton test track at the Centre of Excellence in Shah Alam.

Simply put, the #1 drives like any other EV, it is silent, power delivery is instantaneous and there’s pretty much nothing that truly makes it stand out from the rest.

Except for the fact that the #1 has a steering feel that I really like.

EV’s tend to feel dull and disconnect the driver from what happens at ground level with the tyres. But in the #1, there’s a good feel for what the tyres were doing, and the steering wheel feels chatty. And this gave me the confidence I needed to barge into the oval track (which goes up to a 20 degree banking, NASCAR like) at about 110-120km/h.

I have to say that this is one of the my favourite EV’s at the moment, but not only from a driving perspective.

But before I tell you about what else I like about the #1, I have to say that the Brabus model feels like a proper rocket. But that artificial sound it makes is a little too fake, and too loud. So loud, that it reaches a point where it started to hurt my ear drums. And I wasn’t the only one complaining about it. Good thing that it can be turned off.

So onto what I like about it. I like it’s size.

I believe EV’s should be small because EV’s are meant to be practical urban commuters. And the #1 is exactly that. It is perfectly sized. Slightly bigger than a MINI, perhaps about the size of a Countryman.
Inside, there’s a lot of hints of Mercedes-Benz, such as the buttons, but we are not allowed to tell you much about the interior due to an ongoing embargo.

So if you are considering an EV, I would tell you to wait until smart Malaysia introduces the pricing because the #1 could just be the EV for you. It is for me at least.


New Toyota 2S outlet opens at Taman Petaling Utama

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has extended their already extensive network of showrooms and dealers here in Malaysia with the launch of a new Toyota 2S outlet in the Klang Valley. Located at Taman Petaling Utama, this service and spare parts facility is operated by Laser Motor Sdn Bhd where they will be able to cater to the masses living in the nearby Petaling Jaya, Puchong, and Kinrara areas.

Laser Motor is not new in the Toyota family as they’ve been operating an authorised dealer for 16 years with a showroom located in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. They also have other outlets in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan which also includes Body & Paint services.

Mr. Ravindran K. President of UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd said, “We commend the Laser Motor Group on their initiative to enhance their facilities within the Toyota network in Malaysia. With more outlets in strategic locations, customers will not have to go far to acquire quality sales and aftersales services.”

To accommodate the rising numbers of new Toyota vehicle owners in the area, the new 2s outlet comes with a spacious and comfortable customer lounge for owners to relax while waiting for work to be done on their vehicles. Full amenities are provided for their comfort and convenience, and those who are busy will be able to stay connected with free wifi service.

14 bays are available to handle larger volumes of maintenance works efficiently. Those who are interested to get their lovely vehicles serviced can head over to the address, below or call 03-7773 1818.

No. 30E, Jalan PJS 1/46,

PJS 1, Taman Petaling Utama,

46150 Petaling Jaya,

Selangor Darul Ehsan.

Toyota & Shell launches ‘Balik Kampung Safety Campaign’


BMW Group Malaysia provides official pricing structure for BMW i Charging facilities nationwide

There was a while when it seemed that if you owned an electric vehicle (EV), you were free of having to buy petrol (or diesel) and all you had to do was plug in to a charging point and get the battery pack recharged. While electricity, wherever it is supplied, still costs something, it didn’t seem that way as no one really asked for money – at that time.

You can still charge ‘for nothing’ if you can install a charging station at your own home but with charging facilities now commercialised as the number of EVs goes up, getting the battery pack recharged will just be like buying liquid fuel – you have to pay for it.

As public usage of charging stations keeps growing, the charges will be adjusted according to demand. DC Fast Chargers, which shorten charging time (if the EV is able to accept such charging), are expensive to set up so the charges for using them will be higher.

Standardised prices

To ensure a fair and standardised experience for all EV owners in Malaysia, BMW Group Malaysia has released an official pricing structure for BMW i Charging facilities across the country. The Pay-Per-Use pricing structure for charging at any authorised BMW dealership listed below is as follows:

BMW and MINI EV owners can also expect greater accessibility to charging facilities across the country as BMW Group Malaysia partners with multiple key EV charging providers such as JomCharge and Tenaga Nasional Berhad, in addition to chargEV. This strategy will ensure that owners of our BMW electrified vehicles will have access to the widest range of charging facilities no matter where they are in Malaysia. Customers and members of the public can therefore expect to see many more BMW i Charging facilities located in key areas.

Over 400 charging stations

In partnership with chargEV, BMW Group Malaysia has successfully provided access to a comprehensive network of over 400 charging facilities across Peninsular Malaysia, as well as in Sabah and Sarawak. The infrastructure network comprises of AC Chargers located strategically to enable peace-of-mind when travelling, whether intercity or out of state.

BMW EV owners who use chargEV-powered BMW i Charging facilities can register as a member at RM240 per annum to enjoy preferential Pay-Per-Use charging rates, as well as complimentary usage of all their AC Chargers nationwide. With the chargEV mobile application, users can also locate charging facilities at over 250 locations nationwide and are also able to reserve chargers, start and stop charging remotely, as well as view their vehicle’s charging status in real time.

Removing the worry of EV owners

“Our vision for an Electric Future spans beyond just the expansion of our EV portfolio and infrastructure here at BMW Group Malaysia. We have long been working on fostering a viable ecosystem that is future-ready and one that electrified mobility can thrive in, knowing that the main roadblock to EV adoption remains to be range anxiety and a worry that there may not be enough charging facilities in place across the country. Through our many partnerships with local tech and EV industry leaders over the past few years, we have been able to continuously grow our network of charging facilities where the needs are highest,” said Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia.

“With an official pricing structure in place, we are taking the next step in the ever-maturing EV ecosystem in Malaysia, by endeavouring to provide fair and adequate access to these facilities for all EV users in Malaysia – regardless of make and model, as electrification remains a shared responsibility amongst automakers in solving climate change,” he added.

Malaysians understand merits of EVs but misconceptions remain, BMW survey finds


BYD to enter premium luxury market in Europe with Han EV model

China’s BYD, which started off in 1995 as a company making batteries, is getting ready to enter the competitive premium luxury market in Europe. And it will do so with its new flagship model, the Han EV. The Han EV is the first full-electric passenger car equipped with BYD’s advanced ‘Blade Battery’ technology said to deliver greatly enhanced safety, improved range capability and a simplified, smaller pack design.

Drawing on its 25 years of developing battery technology, BYD is using its most advanced EV technologies for this model. The Blade Battery pack has been developed by BYD over the past several years. The singular cells are arranged together in an array and then inserted into a battery pack. Due to its optimized battery pack structure, the space utilization of the battery pack is increased by over 50% compared to conventional lithium iron phosphate block batteries.

BYD mentions safety a lot with regard to the battery pack because it has seen that, in the past few years, many EV manufacturers have fallen into a competition for ever-greater cruising range. When the range becomes the prime factor to consider, this focus then leads to ‘unreasonable pursuits of ‘energy density’ in the battery industry’. In the company’s view, this is not a practical focus as safety considerations are diminished in power battery development. BYD’s Blade Battery is said to bring battery safety back to the forefront, a redirection from the industry’s tenuous focus on this crucial aspect.

To this end, it has subjected it to extreme tests. For example, in nail penetration tests, the battery pack emitted neither smoke nor fire after being penetrated, and its surface temperature only reached 30°C to 60°C. Under the same conditions, a ternary lithium battery exceeded 500°C and violently burned, and while a conventional lithium iron phosphate block battery did not openly emit flames or smoke, its surface temperature reached dangerous temperatures of 200°C to 400°C.

Other extreme test conditions included being crushed, bent, being heated in a furnace to 300°C and overcharged by 260%. None of these resulted in a fire or explosion.

The Blade Battery pack can produce a stable current of up to 800 amps. With power from a high-performance silicon carbide motor-control that has improved peak-current capacity of 58%, the Han EV is claimed to be able to go from standstill to 100 km/h time in a claimed 3.9 seconds, with the fully-charged battery pack able to last for up to 605 kms.

The Han EV is also China’s first mass-produced EV equipped with the ‘IPB Intelligent Integrated Brake System’ by Bosch. This system not only brings braking safety with higher precision but also delivers a longer range and improved braking comfort.

BYD Blade Battery Pack

While BYD has pursued the tradition of naming its passenger cars after Chinese dynasties, the Han EV has been conceived, designed and manufactured to the standards more in tune with luxury European cars.

The 4980 mm long sedan has BYD’s new ‘EV Dragon Face’ design language, blending elements of a traditional Chinese Dragon with modern European design cues. The curved front-end and Daytime Running Lights evoke the shape of a traditional Chinese dragon’s face. The high waistline evident along the length of the vehicle integrates seamlessly with the sweeping back line of the D-pillar to deliver a strong sense of movement. A tapered rear lighting cluster envelopes the entire width of the car emphasizing a dynamic attitude.

“The use of the ultra-safe Blade Battery, as well as BYD’s in-house pure electric platform, body structure design, eco-friendly materials and safety systems make the Han EV the safest electric car currently on the market. We believe that the Han EV combines the best of Eastern wisdom and Western aesthetics,” said Yubo Lian, Senior Vice-President of BYD and President of the BYD Auto Engineering Research Institute.

Due for introduction in China at the end of June 2020, the Han EV will go on sale in Europe in due course. The company is confident it can be a contender in the premium-spec, executive car segment and expects to price it in the €45,000 to €55,000 range (about RM212,000 – RM259,000). It is not known if BYD will produce righthand-drive versions, though.


Huber delivers first unit of its Lamborghini Aventador facelift

Earlier this year, coachbuilder Huber announced a Lamborghini Aventador facelift, and the first unit has been delivered to a customer in the United Kingdom. The customer is the membership Secretary of the Lamborghini Club UK, Ciro Ciampi who also founded the car community known as ‘Petrolheadonism’.

Ciampi received his latest toy on the lawn of the former residence of David and Victoria Beckham. The property is currently home to one of Britain’s most private car collections, creating a spectacular setting for the handover. The scene was not only complemented by the car collection  but also by the attendance of Italian supercar patron, Fabio Lamborghini. He was impressed by the Era and happy to give his approval by being the first to unveil the car to the world.

Designing for the aftermarket

Led by Sean-Peter Huber, the UAE-based brand is on a mission to build a new community of collectors and car enthusiasts who value going back to the drawing board. His passion for car design has put them in uncharted territory in the aftermarket, but the first steps are already telling of what an exciting future the brand holds.

Entitled ‘Era’ to mark 10 years of the Aventador and to pay homage to the
end of its production
, Huber’s Era has created a new take on one of the worlds most revered supercars. The team focused on creating new body panels that respect the familiar DNA, exchanging the front and rear bumpers with an entirely new design in carbonfibre and an optional carbonfibre boot. Huber said: “The Era should remind us of how much we all admired the Aventador when it was launched in 2011”.

Limited to 21 sets

The fully-funded project is independent of Lamborghini with the first batch of bumper units already taken up by selected collectors who have been supporting Huber’s vision from the start. The Era price starts at 30,000 euros (about RM150,000) and will be limited to 21 pieces in the current edition.

According to Raj Singh, founder of Supercar Service Ltd (Huber’s UK distributor), in their 11-year history, they have not found an aftermarket design that integrates so well with the LP-700-4 chassis. As an option to customers around the world and to assure quality control, Huber has designated Supercar Service as ‘flying service’ partner, sending personnel to customer locations to assemble the Era.

Production of Lamborghini Aventador ends with LP 780-4 Ultimae

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


5 tips when involved in a road accident

Road accidents happen every single day and the probability of you getting into one are unfortunately quite high. With the number of cars currently on the road, nobody really wants to get involved in any unfortunate circumstances but the folks from Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Malaysia (Bosch AA) have a few tips on how to get through them as smooth as possible.

Between 2017 to 2018, a total of 14,273 cases of road accidents were reported and the numbers have not been improving by a significant margin. As part of the
Bosch AA “Drive for Life” safety campaign
, here are five tips that come in handy if you are ever involved in one.

1) Assess your situation

First, breathe. Then, calmly assess yourself for injuries before checking on your passengers. Once everyone’s safety is accounted for, try moving your car to a safer spot and assemble the warning triangle behind your car. Only when it is safe, have passengers exit the vehicle and wait by the side of the road, ideally behind a road barrier. If you feel threatened or intimidated in any way, call the police immediately and inform them of the incident and your location.

2) Assess your vehicle

When it is safe to inspect your car, take photos of the damages on your vehicle and of all other vehicles involved. This will help with potential disputes later on. Exchange the following information with the other drivers:

Car plate number, road tax, vehicle model and colour

Driver’s name, IC number and contact details

While it is common practice to exchange personal particulars with other driver(s) involved in the accident, it can be unsafe especially for women to disclose this information to a stranger. If you personally feel uncomfortable sharing your contact details, provide contact details of a close male family figure or friend instead.

3) Understand procedure

It is ideal to lodge a police report within 24 hours unless you need medical attention and to also consider the jurisdiction you’re in. Upon filing a report, a police officer will take photos of your car and your case will be assigned to a traffic investigating officer.

For insurance claims, you will need a copy of the police report, the investigating officer’s report detailing who is at fault and photos of the accident scene.

4) Service your car regularly and use quality car parts

Even though only about 20% of road accidents are caused by poor vehicle and road conditions, prevention is always better than cure. Regular upkeep of your car and the usage of quality car parts can increase the car’s reliability, performance and safety. It not only helps reduce the risk of car breakdowns can help as well as help you avoid becoming a statistic.

5) Feeling overwhelmed? Keep a copy of these tips in your car

It will help you remember what to do in the event of an accident and keep you prepared to face the unexpected and handle any situation with confidence!

So, always be safe on the roads by driving according to the law and being considerate to others. We’re all out there trying to go somewhere whether to work or back home to be with our loved ones. These five tips will not only help you in case of emergencies but also help those around you settle any unfortunate mishaps as efficient as possible. May the force be with you!

Bosch launches ‘Drive for Life’ safety campaign


Goodyear to supply tyres for WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup from 2020 – 2022

Following the announcement of Pirelli as the sole tyre-supplier for the World Rally Championship (WRC) from 2021, the FIA has also announced that Goodyear’s tender for supplying tyres to the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup has been accepted. The tyremaker will be the official tyre supplier for the series over the next 3 years, covering the 2020-2022 seasons.

The 2020 WTCR season has 10 races on three continents including races in Morocco, Hungary, Germany, Slovakia, Portugal, Spain, China, South Korea and Macau, with Malaysia hosting the finale. The events are triple-header races, resulting in a 30-round highly competitive race calendar.

Eagle F1 SuperSport racing tyres

Goodyear will supply its latest generation of Eagle F1 SuperSport racing tyres in both slick and wet specifications, beginning with the 2020 WTCR season opener in Marrakech in April.

The WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup is promoted by Discovery-owned Eurosport Events and administered by the FIA. Its high appeal to spectators is because the cars are racing versions of high-performance production models from brands such as Alfa Romeo, Audi, Cupra, Honda, Hyundai and Lynk & Co.

“Goodyear has a long and successful history in motorsport and we are very proud it has chosen the WTCR as an international racing flagship. Discovery and Goodyear will be very active together all year long to reconnect that iconic brand into the racing community with quality content and a full range of very creative activations. We have no doubt that Goodyear will be a first-class partner on the technical and marketing fronts of WTCR,” said François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events, the WTCR promoter.

Long history in top-level motorsport

Goodyear has a long history in top-level motorsport, winning 368 Formula One GPs, more than any other tyre manufacturer. The FIA WTCR contract rekindles memories of Goodyear’s race-winning heritage in the European Touring Car Championship, a forerunner of WTCR, in the 1970s and 1980s. In recent years, Goodyear has been the sole supplier of tyres to NASCAR and announced its comeback into global motorsport earlier this year, supplying tyres to the FIA World Endurance Championship and European Le Mans Series.

“We are excited to be joining Eurosport and the FIA by becoming the official tyre supplier for the FIA WTCR. This complements our recent comeback into global motorsport through the FIA World Endurance Championship. It allows Goodyear to connect with fans in a wide range of countries, and also prove the performance of our Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport range of racing tyres,” said Mike Rytokoski, Vice-President & Chief Marketing Officer, Goodyear Consumer Europe.

Goodyear Eagle F1 range in Malaysia widens with more choices


F1 (Round 13) – 2019 Belgian Grand Prix Starting Grid

Race starts at 3:10 pm in Belgium/8:10 pm in Malaysia


PUSPAKOM: Only 35 out of 200,000 e-Hailing cars inspected in first 10 days

PUSPAKOM has announced that from 1 to 10 April 2019, only 35 e-Hailing cars were sent for e-Hailing inspection at their centres nationwide. This is considered as a very, very small number as it has been estimated that there are over 200,000 such vehicles operating in the country.

In percentage, that’s only 0.02% from the estimated figures and that has raised quite an alarm in the government’s effort to regulate all e-Hailing services here in Malaysia. It wasn’t too long ago that the Ministry of Transport announced that all e-Hailing operators must get their vehicles properly inspected and drivers need to obtain a PSV (Public Service Vehicle) license by 12 July 2019.

There’s no doubt that the new regulations assigned for e-Hailing operators have hit a wall that seems difficult to climb but according to PUSPAKOM, getting vehicles inspected is far from difficult. So, the question now is why are e-Hailing drivers reluctant to send their cars (especially vehicles that are 3 years old and older) for inspection early on?

There are many reasons or possibilities why, but the biggest misconception is that these drivers assume that they must acquire the PSV license first BEFORE getting their vehicles inspected at PUSPAKOM. Those who wish to continue providing such services have been informed that it’s time consuming to obtain the required license with all the training, courses, and exams.

Nevertheless, PUSPAKOM again urge these drivers that they can get the inspection done before getting their PSV license and they should do it as soon as possible to avoid congestion later on (especially with the fasting month and Hari Raya Aidilfitri around the corner).

They do have enough centres around the country (54 to be exact) that provide such services and 19 locations are open 7 days a week to ensure that drivers in high traffic areas like Klang Valley can get it done over the weekend or any other time that won’t disrupt their working hours.

To know more, head over
www.puspakom.my
 or check out the PUSPAKOM Official Facebook page for more information. So, to all e-Hailing drivers, we love you and your services so get this small task done and over with and continue with your great work, okay? Much love!

E-hailing drivers must have PSV License starting April 2019


Perodua GearUp ISOFIX Child Car Seats on promotion – From RM660

In the name of safety, Perodua is doubling their efforts on their child car seat safety campaign ahead of the official government mandate by the year 2020. Apart from its already available GearUp ISOFIX Child Car Seat models promotion, Perodua will be running a promotional and awareness campaigns throughout the month of Ramadan on the use of child car seats.

In conjunction with this, from 13 May to 30 June, Perodua will be offering its GearUp ISOFIX Child Car Seats at promotional prices of RM660 for the Infant Seat and RM780 for the Toddler Seat, reduced from the respective RM785 and RM975 currently.

According to Perodua Auto Corporation Sdn Bhd Vice-President Datuk Ahmad Suhaimi Hashim, “As a Malaysian carmaker, we feel it is our responsibility to educate our customers and the public on road safety. We understand that education is a long-term process, and we are committed to it. Our friendly authorised sales and service advisors at your nearest Perodua outlet will only be too happy to explain the benefits of using the GearUp ISOFIX Child Car Seats and how to correctly install them.”

“In addition to learning more about our child seats and their benefits, we also welcome the public to learn more about our current after-sales campaign, which offers 50% off labour charges when you spend RM170 and up, before tax and discount, in one receipt. This offer is available at all authorised Perodua service centres nationwide on 14, 16, 21 and 23 May (1pm-5pm), 27-31 May (8am-5pm) and 3 June (8am-5pm).”

“This safety campaign is very important to us as we believe that safety is a must for everyone. Perodua will continue to work hard to elevate our safety standards for the benefit of our customers and the Malaysian public,” added Datuk Suhaimi.


Chevrolet Malaysia offer Double Bonus promotion for Colorado

Naza Quest Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor of Chevy vehicles in Malaysia has launched a new sales promotion called the “Double Bonus”.This promotion provides a rebate of up to RM6,000 and 3 Years/60,000km complimentary Parts & Labour Service for all variants of the new Chevrolet Colorado. Buyers are eligible for the deals from 1st March 2017 onward.

Chevy’s high spec Colorado is offered with a 2.8-litre Duramax VGT engine that produces 190hp and 500Nm of torque is priced at RM112,788. The variant offered with the 2.5-litre engine on the other hand develops 180hp and 444Nm of torque and is priced at RM90,188.

Features for the various variants of the Colorado include Engine Remote Start, 8-inch infotainment touchscreen system with four speakers and compatibility with Apple CarPlay, Traction Control, Front Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Tire Pressure Monitoring System and 3 airbags (Driver, passenger and knee).

Chevrolet Malaysia is also offering a comprehensive 5 Year/ 200,000km warranty and 1 year complimentary Chevy Assist Membership on all variants of the new Colorado as part of the manufacturer’s Complete Care programme. Visit your nearest Chevrolet dealership to learn more.


Sian – Lamborghini’s first production hybrid super sportscar

It was not so long ago that hybrid models being introduced were vehicles with modest performance. The carmakers introducing them stressed on environment-friendliness more than performance since they did help reduce exhaust emissions. However, development of hybrid technology, which went into mass production in the late 1990s, accelerated as the major carmakers wanted to achieve economies of scale as quickly as possible and push costs down.

Within 10 years, the new hybrid models were faster and went further too. The advancement was timely since advanced countries were beginning to introduce strict emission regulations that requires ‘electrification’ of powertrains to meet. Fully electric powertrains are still expensive but hybrid powertrains offer a transitional solution that was acceptable.

You would think that where the supercar manufacturers are concerned, hybrids would be of no interest but Lamborghini will soon show that it can produce a super sportscar – like the rest of its range – with a hybrid powertrain. To be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motorshow this month, it will be called the Sian – the name meaning ‘flash’ or ‘lightning’ in dialect of the Bolognese region in Italy. This is in reference to the first electric application in a Lamborghini production car.

Fastest Lamborghini of all time

The Sian will be the fastest Lamborghini of all time, thanks to a unique new hybrid system which focuses on providing the highest power possible via the lightest solution. It has a V12 engine – huge for a hybrid powertrain – and a 48-volt e-motor. The 6.5-litre V12, which incorporates titanium intake valves and is uprated to 785 bhp at 8,500 rpm (the highest output ever from a Lamborghini powerplant) combines with the 34 bhp from the electric motor. Total system output is 819 bhp with a weight-to-power ratio claimed to be better than that of the Aventador SVJ, achieved through extensive use of lightweight materials.

The Sian has a claimed a top speed of over 350 km/h so it will be able to keep up with any other Lamborghini model. More significantly, it lays claim to having the fastest acceleration of any production Lamborghini ever – 0 to 100 km/h in less than 2.8 seconds.

Advanced and world-first technologies

The energy accumulation technology is a world-first. Rather than a lithium-ion battery, there is an innovative supercapacitor application. This technology was pioneered originally in the Aventador but has been dramatically developed to store 10 times the power. It is 3 times more powerful than a battery of the same weight and yet 3 times lighter than a battery producing the same power.

The Sian incorporates a highly advanced regenerative braking system developed by Lamborghini. Thanks to the symmetric behaviour of the supercapacitor, which contrary to normal li-ion batteries can be charged and discharged with the same power, the energy storage system is fully charged every time the vehicle brakes. The energy stored is an instantly-available power boost, allowing the driver to draw immediately on increased torque when accelerating away, up to 130 km/h when the e-motor automatically disconnects, improving the elasticity manoeuvres and making it more than 10% faster than a car without this system.

A design heading for the future

The Sian’s design is visionary and futuristic as would be expected of a car that takes Lamborghini into a new era. Taking futuristic inspiration from the Countach, the Gandini line is evident in its profile, while the silhouette introduces new features such as the characteristic aero wings, giving the Sian an unmistakable profile. The iconic Lamborghini ‘Y’ shape can be seen in the NACA air inlets on the doors, glass elements are included in the engine cover, and the diagonal line features in the front bonnet, as in the Countach.

In the roof, the ‘Periscopio’ tunnel that originally incorporated a rear mirror in the Countach adds a bold feature that links with the slats of the rear engine cover and important elements contributing to the car’s aerodynamic efficiency.

“The Sian is a masterpiece in possibilities,” said Stefano Domenicali, Automobili Lamborghini Chairman & CEO. “Not only does the Sian deliver a formidable hypercar design and engineering tour de force today, it augments the potential for Lamborghini as a super sportscar brand for tomorrow and for decades to come, even as hybridization becomes more desirable and inevitably essential. With the Sian, Automobili Lamborghini demonstrates its dynastic strength as a legendary super sportscar brand for the future.”

63 units at US$3.6 million each

Like the
Aventador SVJ 63 Roadster
 which we wrote about earlier, Lamborghini will produce and sell only 63 units of the Sian. The number has been chosen to commemorate the founding year of the company – 1963. Each of the 63 customers who have already paid their deposits will spend upwards of US$3.6 million (about RM15.2 million), the final price depending on the degree of customisation.

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


Michelin Launches #SafewithMICHELIN Social Media Campaign [+Video]

MICHELIN is inviting Malaysians to participate in a social media campaign this Chinese New Year as part of the Company’s
Safe with MICHELIN
campaign that encourages motorists to maintain safety a top priority as they head back to their hometowns this festive season.

Simply post a photo of yourself, family or loved ones on
Facebook
 or Instagram, and talk a bit about your favourite memories related to the picture. Entrants can also tag their family members and loved ones, and encourage them to travel home safe, accompanied by the hashtag
#SafeWithMICHELIN
.

Participants of the social media campaign stand a chance to win prizes up to
RM7,000
. The grand prize comprises an Air Asia e-voucher worth
RM1,500
. The first runner up will win an Air Asia e-voucher worth
RM1,000
 while the second runner up will bring home a
RM500
 Air Asia e-voucher.

Meanwhile, 100 consolation prizes on offer include 10 MICHELIN Bluetooth headsets worth RM70 each, 20 MICHELIN model cars (Ford T Camionnette M026) worth RM60 each, 35 MICHELIN ceramic mugs worth RM30 each, and 35 MICHELIN GPS holders worth RM20 each.

And speaking of tyres, here’s what yours go through every single day, so do take care of them properly…

“Every holiday season, our social media feeds are full of charming photos and holiday greetings to our loved ones. Our social media drive serves as a perfect platform for Malaysians to join in the conversation online and extend their well wishes to their family and friends who are travelling on the road this coming Year of the Dog,”
 said
Michelin Malaysia Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Pascal Nouvellon
.

“By participating in the social media campaign, Malaysians will not only get to wish holiday cheer to their loved ones but also to remind them to stay safe on the roads during the festive season. On top of that, they will get the opportunity to win exciting prizes to make the celebration extra merrier,”
 he added.

The
Safe with Michelin
 campaign will further showcase a video entitled “CAR-ING KIDS” which will feature children talking about a memory of their most favourite road trip with their families, their views and understanding of road safety and the role of tyres, and their wishes for their parents to drive home safe this holiday season.


WTCR: Cyan Racing Lynk & Co confident to win in Sepang

The final round of the 2019 FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) right here in Sepang, Malaysia (dubbed the WTCR Races of Malaysia 2019) is set to be a massive showdown between the greats in the touring car championship. Team Cyan Racing Lynk & Co together with the Cyan Performance Lynk & Co squad are ready to bring home the overall team championship as well as an uphill battle for the driver’s championship titles.

Image credit: WTCR

It was a massive undertaking considering the fact that the teams had a very short window of time to get the cars (Lynk & Co O3+), drivers, and teams ready for the 2019 season but judging by their major success so far, it comes to as no surprise to the amount of attention they’ve been getting from the touring car racing scene.

Image credit: WTCR

So far, team Cyan Racing Lynk & Co is comfortably leading the team championship with 593 points ahead of their closest rival, the BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse who has 532 points. That’s a 61-point lead thanks to their star drivers, Yvan Muller and Thed Björk, but with three races happening on Sunday, they certainly need to keep their focus with 75 more points up for grabs, especially with less than desirable qualifying results.

Image credit: WTCR

Their sister squad, Cyan Performance Lynk & Co, together with their drivers, Yann Ehrlacher and Andy Priaulx, is currently sitting in fourth position in the team’s championship with 302 points. That’s already a huge achievement for a new team but they too have an uphill battle against their closest competitors, BRC Hyundai N LUKOIL Racing Team.

We had a rare opportunity to sit down with all four drivers and in short, all of them essentially voiced the same opinions regarding the final WTCR round here in Malaysia. Basically, they’re ecstatic with their results this season so far but with a handicap literally weighing them down, the final three races are not going to be a walk in the park for them.

Yvan Muller (R) and Thed Björk (L), Cyan Racing Lynk & Co

According to Yvan Muller himself, “Since the beginning of the day, we struggle with the balance and especially the speed. We are 30kg heavier than the second heaviest car, so that is worth six-tenths here. In these conditions it’s complicated. That costs us a lot over the weekend, but never mind, we never give up. We’ll see on Sunday.”

Yann Ehrlacher (R) & Andy Priaulx (L), Cyan Performance Lynk & Co

Alexander Murdzevski Schedvin, Head of Geely Group Motorsports, was also present for a short interview with fellow media members earlier today. He too was excited with the results both teams have obtained during the course of the season and he stated that the teams have a clear goal on what needs to be achieved come Sunday.

Alexander Murdzevski Schedvin, Head of Geely Group Motorsports

Three races will commence tomorrow (Sunday, 15 December 2019) at 3.15pm (Race 1) followed by Race 2 at 6.15pm and an evening Race 3 at 8.10pm. Entry tickets are still available for purchase starting at RM220. If you’re a fan of production-based racing, then you can expect great action on Sunday, probably more so than Formula 1.


Bell & Ross Introduces BR03-92 ‘Nightlum’

If you happen to be a watch aficionado in addition to being a car-nut (so many are), well, famed watch maker Bell & Ross has just released this, the new
BR03-92 NIGHTLUM.

“With its modern design and functionalist dial, this new timepiece fulfills the mission of displaying time with the utmost efficiency, dear to Bell & Ross”
 –
B&R
.

The BR03-92 Nightlum returns to basics with its pure and simple lines. It evocative name recalls an outstanding readability at nighttime. With its unparalleled brightness, the green tinted
Superluminova® C3
(below) is ultra-phosphorescent and allows for an easier reading of indexes and large numbers, be it day or nighttime.

The minimalist design of the BR03-92, with its black matte ceramic case, ultra-phosphorescent green numbers and grey-green lambskin strap will seduce every pilot watch lover.

BR03-92 NIGHTLUM
 is
now available exclusively at Bell & Ross Boutiques at
Pavilion
 Kuala Lumpur, The
Gardens
 Mid Valley City Kuala Lumpur,
Gurney Plaza
 Penang. The BR03-92 Nightlum

retails for
RM16,400.

Full Press Release:
NEWS-NIGHTLUM-EN

BR03-92 Nightlum Photo Gallery…


Motorist Super App Now Available For Malaysia As Well

Motorist,
 an online automotive concierge platform which has been available in Singapore since 2015, and in Malaysia since 2018. It is now expanding its scope with services comparable to what is offered to motorists in Singapore with the launch of the Motorist Super App for Malaysia.

The app for smartphones and tablets offers a full range of services and information that relates to vehicle ownership, besides also being a place for buying and selling vehicles. It encompasses matters pertaining to driving, managing and maintaining the vehicle from the time it is purchased until the time it is sold.

With the launch of the Super App for Malaysia,
Motorist
 has also included safety ratings of some 150 models which have been assessed by
ASEAN NCAP
 (the New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian countries). This information is made available through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) which is involved in ASEAN NCAP.

Information on the Motorist Super App includes ASEAN NCAP ratings for many models as well as links to traffic cameras.

“We are excited to introduce the Super App to vehicle owners in Malaysia and to collaborate with MIROS to drive awareness on vehicle safety through the app,” said Martin Belson, General Manager of Motorist Technology Sdn Bhd which operates the Motor Super App.

Mr. Belson said that the inclusion of ASEAN NCAP ratings (which will be updated as more new models are assessed) is one of the value-added services. “By providing such information, those who are buying a vehicle will be able to make a more informed decision on the level of safety provided.”

Other services available include reminders for roadtax expiry and insurance renewal. Over the past few years, Motorists has signed on partners in the insurance industry and also has over 2,100 certified automotive partners for other services. Users will be able to save time by receiving competitive quotes within 24 hours for motor insurance for vehicles they want to buy.

The Super App’s smart tools and services include alerts on summonses and should traffic fines can be paid online as the app will connect to relevant payment portals. If there are vehicle recalls, these will also be drawn to the attention of owners of the relevant models (if the recall is applicable to the Malaysian market).

The app also has a link to live feeds of traffic cameras on all major highways so motorists can check on traffic and road conditions before they start their journey. In addition, with the app’s ‘Co-Driver’ feature, users will receive real-time audio alerts when approaching police enforcement camera zones, as well as reminders to drive more responsibly.

Through its Super App,
Motorist
 will also help to create communities of owners of various vehicle models. This will enable owners to share information on their experiences with the model which may be beneficial.

As the same app is also used in Singapore and Thailand, those who drive to the two countries will still be able to enjoy similar features with the information switched to the country. Mr. Belson said that the aim is to reduce the number of apps that one has to refer to on a smartphone, hence the extensive range of features on the Motorist Super App which is available for download and installation at no charge from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Guide to buying a Digital Video Recorder (dashcam)


3rd Generation Peugeot 308 makes global debut

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

As mentioned earlier, the
new badge for the Peugeot brand
 will make its first appearance on the new Peugeot 308, which now enters its third generation. Revealed today, the new hatchback continues to share its appearance with other recent models but has significant change under the skin.

It is a larger car than before, with a wheelbase that is 55 mm longer and the body over it extended a further 110 mm. The beneficiaries are the occupants, especially those in the rear, who have more space. The overall height has also been lowered by up to 20 mm in the interests of aerodynamic efficiency so from being rather bulbous before, it has a sleeker profile.

The second generation of the 308 which was launched in Malaysia in 2015.

Further evolution of i-Cockpit

In terms of technology, the new 308 has the latest-generation driving aids and a further evolution of the i-Cockpit with 3D technology. It also comes with i-Connect Advanced, an infotainment system that is said to be intuitive to use and always connected.

Depending on the market, there will be combustion engines – petrol as well as diesel – and also plug-in hybrid powertrains. This is another step towards Peugeot’s aim of offering an electrified variant across its entire model line-up by 2025. It will be interesting to see if we get the hybrid powertrain as a way for Berjaya Auto Alliance Sdn Bhd (BAASB), the new distributor, to discard the legacy of the previous engine. The combustion engines will be a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol unit (108 bhp or 128 bhp), and a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder diesel with 128 bhp.

Hot hatch variant with 300 bhp and AWD

Like many new models from the French Group, the new 308 sits on the EMP2 platform – shared with the Citroen C5 Aircross, Vauxhall Grandland and DS 7 Crossback. The hybrid variants are front-wheel drive but there will also be a PSE (Peugeot Sport Engineered) 4-wheel-drive hot hybrid hatch with around 300 bhp.

A late-life update for the outgoing 308 introduced elements of Peugeot’s current i-Cockpit interior layout but the latest generation gains an updated set-up that mirrors the predominantly digital and angular design of other Peugeot interiors.

A key development is the small steering wheel, which features sensors to detect the driver’s grip levels when using driving aids. This downsized, performance-inspired steering wheel houses certain controls for the infotainment system and driver aids. However, the centrally mounted 10-inch touchscreen – angled slightly towards the driver – replaces the majority of physical buttons and switches. A row of so-called ‘i-toggle’ switches below this screen can be individually configured to control separate functions, according to the driver’s preference.

Innovative ‘high-vent’ architecture places the air vents in the optimum position for efficiency and comfort. This layout also ensures that the standard 10-inch central touchscreen, located slightly lower than the digital cluster, is closer to the driver’s hand and eye line for easier and safer operation.

The air conditioning system also benefits from the addition of the AQS (Air Quality System) which constantly monitors the quality of the air entering the vehicle and is capable of activating air recycling on its own. Some variants of the new 308 feature Clean Cabin technology, an air treatment system that automatically filters out polluting gases and particles. The prevailing outside air quality is displayed on the central touchscreen.

The driver gets a new compact control for impulse selection of the modes (Reverse, Neutral, Drive) and two buttons (Parking and Manual) of the 8-speed automatic gearbox. There’s also a Driving Style Selector to choose different driving modes (Electric, Hybrid, Eco, Normal and Sport), depending on the powertrain and driver’s preference.

First model for BAASB?

It’s likely that BAASB will be starting off with this new model, given that it is the first with the new brand identity. Whether it will be assembled locally is the question; Peugeot already has an assembly plant in Gurun, Kedah, and the 308, being a high-volume model, would certainly be a good candidate for adding to the line. That would help to moderate the price and stay competitive.

Peugeot owners in Malaysia asked to update information with new company handling the brand


Hennessey Turns The Mustang Dark Horse Into A 850hp Beast

The H850, a highly-tuned thoroughbred variant of the 2024 Mustang Dark Horse, is the most recent product from Hennessey Performance. In addition to being a supercharged stallion, it also features supporting modifications and a complete warranty.

Ford’s brand-new Mustang Dark Horse leaves the factory with a 5.0-litre Coyote V8 engine that produces 500hp. A Tremec six-speed manual gearbox or a Ford 10-speed automatic can be requested during purchase. The customer also receives large heart-stopping Brembo brakes in any configuration.

Standard Dark Horse

In addition to the supercharger, Hennessey has also upgraded the fuel pump, the fuel injectors, the high-flow intake system. In addition to that, the proprietary Hennessey Performance Engineering Engine Management software is used to optimise such physical modifications. The outcome? 850hp and 880Nm of torque.

To distinguish it from the crowd of Mustangs, the H850 gets some visual updates including forged aluminium wheels, a carbon fibre front splitter, side skirts, and a rear spoiler. The head restraints have “Hennessey” writing stitched on them to enhance the car’s appearance. The exterior also features the same script and the Hennessey H emblem.

Performance expectations for the H850 Mustang Dark Horse have not been disclosed by Hennessey, as well as the price. However, it has stated that the bundle will continue to include its standard warranty assurance. That also includes a limited warranty that is valid for three years or 57936km. The fourth quarter of this year will see the start of production.

MotoMalaya

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Perodua To Fully Reimburse GST From Now Till June 1

Perodua will fully reimburse the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to customers who purchase a new Perodua vehicle, service their Perodua vehicle or buy parts between
18 and 31 May 2018
, ahead of the zero-rated GST implementation on
1 June 2018.

“Perodua will fully reimburse our valued customers the GST amount in cash upon registration or servicing of their vehicles as well as parts purchased; this GST rebate initiative represents our commitment to customers to always place them first in everything we do. Please visit any of our 179 authorised sales outlets nationwide to learn more. On behalf of Perodua, I wish to extend our gratitude to all our customers for your continuous support over the years”

Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd Managing Director YBhg Dato’ Dr Zahari Husin
 said.

Dato’ Zahari said that this GST rebate is Perodua’s own initiative and that he hopes customers would take advantage of this at both its sales and service outlets.
“For our customers who have made transactions at any of our service centres today (18 May 2018), we will reimburse you in the form of e-vouchers, which is valid on 1 June 2018 onwards. Starting from 19 May 2018, our customers will receive an instant 6% cash rebate for vehicles serviced,”
 he added.

The GST rebate amounts are based on the vehicles’ nett selling price without GearUp accessories, insurance and other selling expenses.

Please see attached list of GST rebates.

NEW VEHICLE PURCHASES (PENINSULAR MALAYSIA)

Model

Colour

GST Rebate (RM)

Axia 1.0 Std E MT

Solid/Metallic

1,345

Axia 1.0 Std G MT

Solid/Metallic

1,897

Axia 1.0 Std G AT

Solid/Metallic

2,007

Axia 1.0 SE MT

Solid/Metallic

2,062

Axia 1.0 SE AT

Solid/Metallic

2,172

Axia 1.0 Advance AT

Solid/Metallic

2,337

Bezza 1.0 Std G MT

Solid/Metallic

2,028

Bezza 1.0 Std G AT

Solid/Metallic

2,138

Bezza 1.0 GXtra MT

Solid/Metallic

1,997

Bezza 1.0 GXtra AT

Solid/Metallic

2,111

Bezza 1.3 Premium X MT

Solid/Metallic

2,328

Bezza 1.3 Premium X AT

Solid/Metallic

2,439

Bezza 1.3 Advance AT

Solid/Metallic

2,769

Myvi 1.3 Std G MT

Solid/Metallic

2,493

Myvi 1.3 Std G AT

Solid/Metallic

2,606

Myvi 1.3 Premium X AT

Solid/Metallic

2,719

Myvi 1.5 High AT

Solid/Metallic

2,916

Myvi 1.5 Advance AT

Solid/Metallic

3,114

Alza 1.5 S MT

Solid

2,851

Metallic

2,878

Alza 1.5 S AT

Solid

3,016

Metallic

3,043

Alza 1.5 SE MT

Solid

3,071

Metallic

3,098

Alza 1.5 SE AT

Solid

3,236

Metallic

3,263

Alza 1.5 Advanced AT

Solid

3,544

Metallic

3,572


Michelin Pilot Sport 5: What Makes It So Good?

Tyres are the most important yet the most under-rated part of a car. The fact that something the size of a human palm can keep a person safe in all types of conditions is something to be respected.

Yet, many still do not understand the importance of having a good set of tyres. It is quite common to see tyres that are well past their “use by” dates and in terrible condition. But manufacturers are not to blame here, tyre technology is now at its best we have seen since the advent of the tyre.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is one of those tyres. Those in the know will appreciate the fact that the Pilot Sport comes from a long line of great tyres. That is no surprise though as Michelin, the second largest tyre manufacturer in the world after Bridgestone, has nearly a hundred years of experience developing tyres.

But what makes the new Pilot Sport 5 so special? The Pilot Sport has always been the go to tyre for those seeking a tyre that offers longevity, grip and quietness over all surfaces without breaking the bank. Known simply as PS5, the new tyre builds on those qualities, as we found out during a recent event at the Sepang International Circuit.

Michelin says the new PS5 offers better wet weather grip, is quieter and longer lasting than its predecessor, the PS4, which curiously will still be available in the market together with the PS5.

It is impossible to test the claim that the new PS5 lasts longer, but for every other claim, there was a specially laid out course.

Michelin also has another product but designed for SUV’s, known as the Primacy SUV+ which also promises all of the qualities of the PS5 but purpose built for SUVs. And so we began our test with SUV’s that were shod with Primacy and competitor tyres. The first aim was to test the quietness of the tyre.

To do this, Michelin provided a decibel meter that captured the interior noise for us to compare against the competition. The results were quite remarkable. The first group recorded 56.3 decibels on the Primacy while the competitor tyre recorded 61.3 decibels over the same surface and at equal speed.

The second group then confirmed the Primacy noise suppression superiority when they recorded 60.53 decibels over the competitors 64.2 decibels. The only thing that was different here were the cars, the first group did their test in Toyota Fortuners while the second group did it with Honda CRVs.

The second test was the wet braking test. To do this, we were told to accelerate to about 80km/h and slam on the brakes as hard as we could. The surface was of course inundated with flowing water.

To do this we were provided with Mercedes-Benz cars, which were Michelin’s partners for the duration of the event.

We did the test in four stints – twice in an A-Class sedan that was fitted with PS5’s and competitor tyres, and once again in an SUV, a GLA, that was fitted with Primacy SUV tyres and competitor tyres.

Slamming on the brakes just as the tyres hit the wet patch, it must be said that all tyres held their grip and the cars did not squirm under hard braking with ABS engaged. But the point here was to see which tyre provided the least braking distance. The last thing you want is a tyre that takes too long to stop.

And just to mix things up, Michelin also added worn down PS5’s and competitor tyre just to show how much grip levels deteriorate as the tyre goes through its life cycle.

For starters we compared new vs used PS5, and the new tyre brought the car to a stop in just 25.12 meters while the competitor tyre did it in 30.39 meters. That’s about 15 feet in difference and hugely significant in heavy traffic conditions.

The used PS5 on the other hand brought the car to a stop in 27.59 meters while the competitor tyre did it in 36.8 meters. That’s 9.21 meters in difference, or over 30 feet difference in stopping distance.

Assuming new cars are between 10-14 feet in length, that is about three and a half car lengths for the used competitor tyre to bring a Mercedes-Benz to a halt from 80km/h. In an emergency, that would surely result in a collision.

But just for reference sake, the Primacy SUV tyres brought the Mercedes GLA to a stop in just 27.4 meters while the competitor tyres needed 29.85 meters. The worn tyres on the other hand brought the GLA to a complete stop from 80km/h in 36.92 meters and the worn competitor tyres did it in 39.07 meters. The difference is not as dramatic as the PS5’s but significant no less.

The final course involved a high-speed turn that finished off with a dry condition emergency brake test. This time we were provided with a Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Though there are no numbers to prove the claim, but the Michelin’s did turn towards where we wanted the car to go while the competitor tyres ended up understeering wide.

The results were clear and there is little doubt that the Michelin PS5 and Primacy were the superior tyre in all conditions. But how did Michelin create such a superior tyre? Reserch and development coupled with advanced technology of course.

Michelin says that it uses multiple technologies in a single tyre. Such as Dynamic Response Technology that reduces tyre flex for more accurate and direct handling. Then there is the MaxTouch Construction that evenly distributes forces of acceleration, braking and cornering which results in longer tread life. And for wet weather, the tyres offer Dual Sport Tread Design with an internal, side and large longitudinal grooves that flush water away for wet weather traction.

It is also worth noting that all Michelin passenger and light truck tyres come with a six year warranty from the date of purchase, provided that the tyres were sold within three years of the manufacturing date.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and Primacy SUV+ tyres are now available in Malaysia.