Day 2 Of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival/Vios Challenge Season 4/Round 1

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many things in our lives but mankind has survived for so long by adapting to changes and moving on. This has been the case in motorsports, in Malaysia as well as in other countries; to continue to have such activities requires change, at least in the short-term. The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) Festival had to change for its fourth season this year, with the most significant difference from the past three seasons being that there could not be the huge crowds attending.

With this change, the organisers moved the action online with a livestream over two days to bring the action to fans not just around Malaysia but also globally as the internet is accessible from virtually anywhere on the planet. According to a GAZOO Racing Malaysia official, there were more than 2 million viewers online – certainly way bigger than any audience that a single round has had.

“On track especially, the suspense and quality of racing in the Vios Challenge has not diminished, in fact amplified even more, despite a one-year break. Brand affinity for GAZOO Racing has grown tremendously over three seasons of organizing what is today recognized as Malaysia’s premier motor-racing series, and I would like to thank all our GAZOO Racing fans and online viewers for their continued support, even in the absence of an on-ground festival,” said UMW Toyota Motor’s President, Ravindran K.

“Looking ahead to the following rounds, we hope to bring spectators back to the festival and enhance our live broadcast reach in line with our mission to bring motorsports to the masses,” he added. “One of the biggest challenges has been to organize the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival while doing our utmost best to retain the same level of energy and excitement it has been known for over the past three seasons. Yes, there are many limitations considering we are now in the recovery stages of a post COVID-19 pandemic era, but we are nevertheless grateful that motorsports activities can continue despite stricter standard operating procedures.”

SUPER SPORTING CLASS

The drama and outcome in the Super Sporting Class was again a repeat of yesterday’s first race victory for Tengku Djan Ley who ended the race weekend with a double race win. Starting from sixth position on the grid, Tengku Djan again played a waiting game before mounting an 11th hour assault for the race win, finishing ahead of Season 2’s Super Sporting Class champion, Boy Wong, who returns to the podium after a long absence, and Laser Motor Racing’s Mark Darwin who rounded up the top three positions.

The lead in the 20-lap race exchanged hands several times with Mark Darwin emerging the top contender in the opening laps of the race. His lead of almost 3 seconds however, evaporated when the Safety Car came out and at the restart, faced the onslaught of challenge from Boy and M7 Japan Project Team’s Syafiq Ali. Tengku Djan’s assault came in the 15th lap and he gradually extended his lead to 3.5 seconds by the time he took the chequered flag.

“In dry weather conditions, everyone was quick and I basically capitalized on the situation out on the track and made full use of it,” said Tengku Djan, well known for his drifting skills as well. “Racing is very much weather dependent, and there are so many variables at play such as the tyres. It’s a long 20-lap race and you have to be able to manage your tyres and car, knowing when to push and when to hold back. Maybe I just managed to do a better job of this.”

ROOKIE CLASS

Naquib Azlan showed that yesterday’s win was no fluke and that he has The Right Stuff. He was victorious again today ahead of Jwan Hii and Amer Harris who makes his second appearance on the podium.

The fight for the lead again exchanged hands several times during the 20-lap race with all three drivers, including Mika Hakimi in contention for victory. “At one moment, I was down to last position and I had to climb my way back up with a damaged car so I really didn’t know what to expect. I just kept my head down, kept my cool,” said 20-year-old Naquib who has actually driven thousands of laps at Sepang – on a simulator.

“Yesterday was really unpredictable with the wet race, and it boiled down to instinctive driving. What I never expected was the high degree of racecraft demonstrated by the Super Sporting Class drivers who were very aggressive, but it gave us a lot of knowledge going into further races in the season,” he said.

“Sim racing helps me prepare before coming to a racetrack and with experienced trainers and a data engineer helping us out in the GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program, I have learnt more about my driving…I want to learn more and proceed further,” Naquib added.

For Jwan, the dry conditions were well-suited to his driving preference. “I’m more comfortable in the dry,” said the 18-year-old. “It’s been quite a journey for me coming from karts to saloon car racing. Personally, I feel that the simulator sessions have had a huge impact in terms of racecraft and consistency.”

SPORTING CLASS

Racing to only his second win in the Sporting Class since joining last season was Haji Sutan Mustaffa Salihin had a flawless start which kept him at the front for the 20-lap race. By the time the chequered flag appeared, he was a comfortable 4.4 seconds ahead of Eric Yong and Adam Khalid who finished second and third, respectively.

“I’m actually speechless because we struggled since the practice session on Friday to get the most ideal set-up for the car. And when we finally found a set-up we were comfortable with, the rain started and unfortunately, I had to race in the wet conditions, forcing me to make a strategic decision to play it safe and get the car to the finish to try for a better result for Race 2 with the reverse grid format that would see starting at the front of the starting grid,” said Haji Sutan.

“My strength has always been with my start and the ability to get a strong launch as we head into the first corner. I managed to do this as planned and from then onwards, it was a matter of being precise and consistent throughout the race,” he revealed.

Preparing for Season 4, Sutan made a conscious effort to enhance on fitness stamina and strength. “With the Movement Control Order, I weighed in at 80 kgs and that can be a big disadvantage for me, especially competing in a class with a lot of younger drivers. I told myself I needed to do something and I began exercising and controlling my diet. I managed to reduce my weight by 15 kgs, and that has been a huge motivational push for me,” said the 49-year old veteran racer.

PROMOTIONAL CLASS

The battle of celebrities in the Promotional Class saw actor-comedian Zizan Razak winning again, certainly impressive for a newcomer to the series. He finished the 18-lap race with an unassailable 8-second gap over second place winner singer Khai Bahar and fellow Vios Challenge newcomer TV presenter, Ahirene Ahirudin.

“I expected stiff competition from the very beginning, especially from the likes of Shukri Yahaya and Nabil Ahmad. I knew they were going to be fast because they have the experience of competing in previous seasons but what I can say is my experience so far has been exciting,” Zizan said.

GAZOO Racing Malaysia’s Chief Motorsport Officer, Akio Takeyama (left), with Zizan Razak and Shirene Ahirudin (right), the two newcomers who have made a very good impression in their debut races in the Promotional Class.

Commenting on his third season competing in the Vios Challenge, Nabil said his journey so far has indeed been a fulfilling one. “I’ve learnt a lot from my very first race when I tried to beat actress Diana Danielle [who is not among the participants this year]. Back then, I had a hard time controlling my ego which was to not lose to a lady driver. But racing has taught me that it is not all about winning but more importantly, the skill and commitment which helps you to evolve into a better racer,” Nabil explained.

“In the process, I believe we have all also learnt to become more patient drivers on the road,” he said Nabil after leading the race today but then dropping all the way back to 10th position after a racing incident involving Shukri.

The range of high-performance Toyota GR models – GR Supra, GR Yaris and Yaris GR-Sport – led the racing cars of the Vios Challenge in a Drive of Honour around the Sepang International Circuit.

The next rounds

After this weekend’s first round, the second Round will be held from July 16 – 18, also at the SIC, while the third and final rounds will be from September 24 – 26. The use of SIC is probably in case there are limitations to the number of spectators, or if the races must still only be run without spectators. By September, perhaps things will be better and a  custom street circuit can be used, as with previous seasons. Each round has 2 races with individual round prize money, and with points being scored as a championship series.

Season 4 of the TGR Festival will also see the introduction of the GR Vios Sprint Cup and GR Enduro Cup (an endurance race). The former will consist of 2 rounds with 2 races each, and the latter will be run in conjunction with the annual Sepang 1000km Endurance Race. The 2 Sprint Cup rounds will be in March and May, while the Enduro Cup will be in November.

These additional events are independent of the Vios Challenge series and intended to provide drivers and teams with more racing activities to use their cars, and the opportunity to win additional prizes.

Both the Vios Sprint Cup and Enduro Cup will retain the format of a one-make race, and only cars used in the Vios Challenge will be eligible. The races, however, will only be run as one single open class and drivers competing in the Vios Challenge. Teams meanwhile, are also not confined to competing with their regular driver/s signed up in the Vios Challenge and are free to field new drivers for both events (but they must have the requisite competition licence).

Day 1 of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival/Vios Challenge Season 4/Round 1


Perodua supports government initiatives to fortify Malaysia’s automotive industry

Following a recent announcement by the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), Perodua has expressed its support for the government’s initiatives to sustain Malaysia’s automotive industry amidst the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

“Perodua is in full support of the government’s aim to fortify Malaysia’s automotive industry in these trying times, and its various initiatives to achieve that aim,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

“As Malaysia’s biggest carmaker by volume, we are eager and ready to step forward and work with the government to ensure the industry’s continued survival in this difficult time,” he added.

TIV needs to be 500,000 units

According to reports, MARii estimates a 28% drop in new car sales this year due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) brought about by COVID-19. It estimates that a minimum 500,000 units for the Total Industry Volume (TIV) would be needed in 2020 for automotive businesses’ continued survival.

According to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) which compiles monthly sales report, the TIV up till the end of April was 106,601 units. This means that monthly sales for the remaining 8 months would have to be around 49,175 units to reach MARii’s figure.

Based on consultation with its members which are the various importers and distributors, the MAA has already revised its forecast downwards by 33% to 400,000 units from 600,000 units. That’s a TIV level almost similar to what was achieved 19 years ago in 2001

Incentives proposed to stimulate demand

Among the incentives MARii outlined to stimulate demand are a temporary waiver on downpayments, reduced loan interest rates and joint subsidies between carmakers and the government for roadtax and insurance for a limited period.

“It is indeed a challenging time for all of us. However, Perodua is confident that with the government’s collaboration, the industry as well as its ecosystem of suppliers and dealers will be able to weather the storm together,” Dato’ Zainal said.

As reported earlier,
Perodua sold delivered 7,886 vehicles in Ma
y and a total of 52,920 vehicles during the first five months of 2020. This accounted for a 41% share of the market against an estimated January-May TIV of 129,401 units.

“Perodua is also doing its part to sustain its vast ecosystem of suppliers and dealers. Besides our volume, we assist and support them through investments, purchases and advance purchases, longer credit terms as well as various operational transformation initiatives and development programmes,” Dato’ Zainal added.

Click here to find out more about the latest happenings at Perodua
.

Perodua delivered 7,886 vehicles in May as restrictions eased


Kia Malaysia reveals 5-year plan with 61% of local production to be exported

After a period of obscurity, Kia is ready to move forward with great determination and has formulated a plan to grow its volume in the ASEAN region. Having established a new business operation in April this year, the Korean carmaker has a partner – Bermaz Auto – which took over the brand from Naza (along with
Peugeot
 as well). Bermaz Auto and Kia have formed a joint-venture company called
Kia Malaysia
 which will manage the brand’s activities in the country. Distribution and retail operations will be handled by Dinamikjaya Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Bermaz Auto.

Kia Malaysia’s operations will include local assembly, the first time the carmaker is making a direct investment for assembly operations. It considers this to be a key factor for growth as it will enable Kia vehicles to be sold around the ASEAN region at competitive prices. This is because they can be assembled in Malaysia and exported to other markets without import duties imposed by those countries, a privilege accorded by the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) agreement.

Previously, there were some Kia models assembled locally but the volume was small and therefore not efficient. Now, Kia has set a target of 100,000 units in total from 2022 to 2026. The vehicles will be for the Malaysian market as well as export. The export plans are ambitious and will account for more than 50% of annual production each year. By 2026, the company expects to export up to 19,000 units from the 30,000 units targeted for that year.

The vehicles – comprising new generations of the
Carnival
,
Sorento
,
Sportage
 and
Niro
 – will be assembled at the Inokom plant in Kedah. This plant, which began operations in the 1990s, assembles for brands such as Mazda, BMW and MINI. Incidentally, among the plant’s shareholder’s is Hyundai Motor Company, which is affiliated with Kia in the Hyundai Motor Group. Hyundai’s share is 15% and it has been a shareholder since the plant started in 1997.

From what Kia Malaysia has revealed of the coming products, all four models will be produced with combustion engines as well as electrified powertrains. The Carnival and Sportage will be hybrid electric while the Sorento and Niro will also have plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains. A fully-electric version of the Niro will also be produced, and this would enjoy attractive incentives offered by the government for battery-electric vehicles.

ICE: Internal Combustion Engine | HEV: Hybrid Electric Vehicle | PHEV: Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle | BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle

The Inokom factory in Kedah which will assemble Kia vehicles. It began operations in 1997 assembling Hyundai and Renault vehicles.

Omitting passenger cars may not be a disadvantage as Kia’s past models have enjoyed limited success. Their SUVs have met with good response and the new Carnival is also a big leap from the previous generation. Now the task for Dinamikjaya will be to assure customers that it will offer the best aftersales support to those who buy a Kia. The company will examine all past promises to customers and see how to best move forward with existing owners.

Teaming up with Bermaz Auto is advantageous for Kia as the team in this company have long experience in all aspects of the auto industry. They are led by Dato’ Seri Ben Yeoh, whose career spans 5 decades, during which time he has been involved in brands like Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Daihatsu, Proton, Mazda, Skoda and Hyundai. Senior members of his team were even involved in setting up and running the Inokom factory before it was acquired by Sime Darby Motors.

Bermaz Auto takes over Kia business in Malaysia, with local assembly to commence in 2022.


A McLaren F1 racing car for just RM799.90!

Racing cars are expensive machines, and Formula 1 racing cars are very expensive machines. That’s why each team has only a few cars built so team managers dread accidents during races that damage the cars. But you can own a Formula 1 cars for just RM799.90 – although you won’t be able to drive it or sit in it. Still, it will look good in your home or office.

The racing car is the McLaren Formula 1 Race Car by LEGO Technic and it’s been developed in close collaboration between engineering experts from the LEGO Group and McLaren Racing. Just like its real-life counterpart, this LEGO model is truly a one-of-a-kind piece of engineering excellence and packed with functionality.

2021 livery, 2022 looks

While the model has the team’s distinctive 2021 season livery, it gives fans a glimpse of what they might expect from
McLaren Racing’s new F1 season model in 2022
, which will see big technical changes in the regulations.

The LEGO Technic version is fully modeled on the life-size version featuring a V6 engine with moving pistons, steering activated from the cockpit, suspension and even a differential lock! Although LEGO Technic has many high-performance cars in its range (like the Senna GTR), the McLaren Formula 1 Race Car is the first Formula 1 car.

1,432 pieces to assemble

Like every LEGO Technic model, this one will provide many hours of enjoyment (actually, LEGO says it can be done in about 2 hours) being assembled. There are 1,432 pieces and when completed, the car is over 13 cm high, 65 cm long and 27 cm wide. It also comes with stickers of the various sponsors supporting the team.

McLaren Racing’s F1 drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris delighted to see their racing car reproduced by LEGO Technic.

“We are excited to unveil the unique LEGO Technic model of our McLaren F1 car, a fun and engaging product that celebrates our 2021 season livery while giving fans a hands-on interpretation of the new 2022 F1 car design. This has been made possible by an agile collaboration with the LEGO Group team, who have truly embraced the spirit of our brave and bold approach to design. The final product looks fantastic, and we cannot wait to make this available to our fans,” said James Key, Executive Director, Technical, McLaren Racing.

The LEGO Technic McLaren Formula 1 Race Car will be available from March 1, 2022, at LEGO Certified Stores, on-line retailers and other major retailers and department stores in Malaysia.

The McLaren racing cars in action during the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship.

McLaren Elva joins LEGO Speed Champions series


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Introduces The Mercedes-AMG SL 43

The renowned roadster classic of Mercedes-AMG, the new, special Mercedes-AMG SL 43, has been unveiled by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia today with a sportier and more opulent appearance.

The SL has undergone a transition over the course of its 70-year development history from a thoroughbred racing car to an open-top luxury sports car, and this represents another significant turning point for the brand.

It is the first car in the world with an electronic exhaust gas turbocharger. This technique, which originated in Formula 1, resolves the trade-off between a big supercharger with high peak power but slow response and a compact supercharger with a fast response but relatively low peak power.

Exterior

It features the typical SL design language as it features flush-fitting door handles that blend seamlessly into the appearance, a long wheelbase, short overhangs, a long bonnet, the passenger compartment set further back with a steeply raked windscreen, and a powerful rear end. Opening and closing the three-layer fabric soft top in black takes only about 15 seconds thanks to the space-saving Z-fold and is possible to do so even at 60 km/h.

The SL 43 has an integrated, automatically extending back wing, sports suspension, and Digital light that offers even higher precision than the Multibeam LED headlamps, minimising the risk of other road users being dazzled.

It comes in twelve paint finishes including the two exclusive SL colours hyper blue metallic and Manufaktur monza grey magno.

Other exterior features:

AMG Exterior Chrome Package
53.3 cm (21-inch) AMG 10-twin-spoke forged wheels
AMG light display
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus
Fabric soft top in black
19″ silver-painted brake callipers

Interior

The interior of the Mercedes-AMG SL 43 also features a combination of analogue geometry and the digital world, which Mercedes calls a “hyperanalogue” interior.

The entirely digital instrument cluster, which is built within a three-dimensional visor, serves as an example of this. The basic MBUX infotainment system provides users with a variety of display options and operating modes. The powerful wing-like instrument panel is symmetrical and divided between an upper and lower part. The four galvanised turbine nozzles are the focal point. Their surfaces take the shape of strong power domes that blend into the instrument panel. The centre console flows into the lower portion of the instrument panel, elegantly joining the two components.

The instrument cluster’s 12.3-inch high-resolution LCD panel is built into a high-tech visor that eliminates sunlight-induced reflections instead of being intended to stand alone. When the soft top is open, the tilt of the touch screen on the central console may also be electrically changed from 12 degrees to 32 degrees to prevent distracting light reflections brought on by various sun locations.

A heads-up display, Nappa leather AMG Performance steering wheel, AMG steering wheel buttons, electrically adjustable luxury seats in black NAPPA leather, and AMG aluminium trim are all included in the SL 43’s interior. Also included are front seats with multicontours and climate control, as well as MBUX augmented reality for navigation.

Performance

The SL 43 comes with Sports suspension as standard. Five links on the new SL’s multi-link front axle are positioned entirely within the rim, making it the first Mercedes-AMG production car to ever have this feature. The kinematics are greatly enhanced by this. A 5-link arrangement is also used to regulate the wheels at the rear axle.

Under the bonnet of the open-top 2+2-seater is an in-line four-cylinder petrol engine with two litres displacement that provides befitting propulsion. It has an output of 381 hp and a maximum torque of 480 Nm, plus an additional short-term boost of 14 hp from the RSG (belt-driven starter generator) in certain driving situations.

Price

This four-cylinder SL is priced at RM 999,888 on the road without insurance (with 10% Sales Tax).

Specifications

Engine Displacement (cc)
1,991
Rated Output for Combustion Engine (hp/rpm)
381/6,750
Rated Torque for Combustion Engine (Nm/rpm)
480/3,250 – 5,000
Rated Output for Electric Motor (kW)
10
Rated Torque for Electric Motor (Nm)
150
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (sec)
4.9
Top speed (km/h)
275
Kerb weight/payload (kg)
1,810/375


Sarawak Seeks Approval For Pan Borneo Highway To Cut Into Brunei

Image source: Borneo Post

Sarawak is asking Brunei for understanding over the continuation of the Pan Borneo Highway project connecting Sarawak and Sabah, which will cross into the country’s territory.

According to Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, via Sarawak’s coastal road construction project, the Pan Borneo project’s proposal to construct a motorway that crosses Brunei’s territory would be carried out.

“We had briefed the Brunei government about our proposal to continue the Pan Borneo project to build a highway connecting Sabah and Sarawak that cuts through Brunei, which had been cancelled by the previous Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration.

“We also briefed them (the Brunei government) that we will continue this project through our coastal road project,” he said.

As stated by Awang Tengah, the Barisan Nasional government of the time had approved the proposed motorway that passes through Brunei.

He also emphasised that when the project was initially proposed, agreement had already been made with the Bruneian government.

However, the project was dropped by Putrajaya when PH took over the administration after the coalition won in the 14th General Election in 2018.

He added that he had discussed the potential northern coastline motorway project with the Brunei administration and explained how all of these road connectivity projects would be implemented.

Plans to build a new airport and a new port in Lawas were also shared during the briefing.


Citroën wins award in France for personalized Cxperience Concept

Citroën’s Cxperience Concept won the  the Concours d’Elégance “Best of Show” at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille, which was held at the  Domaine de Chantilly venue. Admired by a crowd of 16,000 people, the car sports a futuristic body style.

The low slung hood, crease-less silhouette and angular contours that resemble the letter X, this particular Citroen is a sight to behold. It was introduced to demonstrate Citroën’s modern vision of automotive comfort, and was revealed to the public at the Paris Motor Show one year ago.

The car was personalised by Chinese designer Yang Li specifically for this event. It was named  joint winner with one of the other concept cars in the “Best of Show” prize. There were five concept cars in total that were in the running for the prestigious Concours d’Elégance award.

Unlike other events of this nature, to participate in the Concours d’Elégance at Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille, each manufacturer was invited to put on display a concept vehicle that it had designed in collaboration with a renowned fashion designer.

Citroën, together with Yang Li, took the Cxperience Concept and turned it into a personalised piece of art. This award-winning concept car has already received a number of accolades, such as the RTL- Auto Plus Grand Prix awards.

Besides these concepts, the event also played host to a car show that consisted of 90 historic vehicles from all corners of the globe .The crowed of 16,000 people were treated to a spectacular display of exotic cars of the past, present and future.

Citroen’s Cxperience concept is said to demonstrate the Brand’s “Be Different, Feel Good” promise in the hatchback segment. The distinctive body style, elegant contours and generous use of exotic materials, showcases the company’s designing and engineering capabilities.


Special Deals from the NAZA Automotive Group this Merdeka Season

If you’ve been thinking of getting a new vehicle this year, this month and the next would be a good time to find great deals. Various companies are celebrating the Merdeka season by giving their customers special offers and at the NAZA Automotive Group, there are models from three different cars brands to choose from. There should definitely be something for you!

NAZA Kia Malaysia will reward 62 lucky customers

Naza Kia Malaysia, the official distributor of Kia vehicles in Malaysia, will start its ‘
Fuel your Freedom, Discover Malaysia with Kia
’ campaign from tomorrow. During the period until September 30, 2019, 62 customers who purchase and register a new Kia vehicle will be rewarded with RM620 worth of petrol vouchers to discover Malaysia!

Special price for Peugeot 5008

Prefer a European SUV? Nasim Sdn Bhd, which represents Peugeot in Malaysia, will let you drive home a new 5008 SUV – winner of multiple awards – for RM161,888. This special price is applicable during August and September 2019, while stocks are available.

Premium affordably-priced MPV from Citroen

The Grand C4 Space Tourer is a premium family-friend MPV from Citroen. Buy one before September 30, 2019 and you pay only RM139,888 to Naza Euro Motors. Apart from the typical design flair of Citroens, the Grand C4 Space Tourer comes with an Advanced Comfort programme  and state-of-the-art safety features as well as latest-generation technologies for provide a safe and enjoyable journey.

For more information about the models available from each brand, click on the links below to visit their respective websites:

NAZA Kia Malaysia –
www.kia.com/my
 | Nasim Sdn Bhd –
www.peugeot.com.my
 | NAZA Euro Motors –
www.citroen.com.my


5th Generation Range Rover launched in Malaysia

For most modern cars, a 50-year span might mean 10 generations of models but for the Range Rover, there have been only five, with the latest one arriving in Malaysia today. Launched in England in October 2021, the new luxury SUV’s arrival was delayed due to the pandemic and also production. It is now available in Malaysia with a price starting from RM1,268,000 (duty-free) and RM2,488,000, inclusive of duties but without insurance.

The first model to use the brand’s new Flexible Modular Longitudinal Architecture, the new Range Rover retains the many design elements that have characterized what was the first luxury SUV for decades. The clean long form, clamshell bonnet and split rear door are just a few of them.

It’s not surprising though that there is such strong continuity in the Range Rover’s design. ‘Guardian of Land Rover DNA’ Professor Gerry McGovern has led design teams for the model since the third generation and has ensured that this DNA is present in every model of the brand.

The first generation that was introduced over 50 years ago.

With the latest generation, there is a strong sense of refinement with the reductive surfaces, polished appearance and precise detailing. The trademark profile tells you it’s a Range Rover but the modernist design philosophy adopted also makes it clear this is a new generation.

The rear end is a departure from the past, though, and takes on a very modern look. A dark crossbar unites slim vertical rear lights which are dark until they light up, either being switched on or when the brakes are depressed. As can be seen, this darkened rear light idea is designed with safety not being compromised, unlike what some motorists in Malaysia are doing by
painting their tail lights black
 – which prevents the brake lights from being seen.

The rear door is still a 2-section design, something which has always been an important feature for the Range Rover. Over the years, owners became used to sitting on the lower horizontal section to watch cricket or just enjoy the sunset and it is considered a must-have, regardless of whatever engineering is needed.

New for this generation is the Versatile Loadspace Floor with a floor panel that can be raised forward, across the width of the load area around its mid-point, forming a partition to contain smaller items. It can also pivot backwards along its leading edge to serve as a backrest when using the lower tailgate for seating.

Under the skin, the MLA-Flex body structure has 50% greater stiffness, useful when travelling off-road but then again, few Range Rover owners do serious off-roading. Nevertheless, more stiffness is always better for handling and ride comfort – provided the chassis is also engineered well. That’s something Land Rover engineers know well from decades of developing 4×4 vehicles.

With the Range Rover, there is more emphasis on refinement since this is a luxury model. While owners may drive one to their farm or to the beach, the reality is that most of the time, the SUV will be used on highways and around town. So comfort is a high priority and this aspect could be said to be fit for a queen since it was one of the vehicles that the late Queen Elizabeth used often.

With a 75 mm longer body, the latest generation has more cabin space behind the four flush-fitting doors and glazing. Engineering enhancements have reduced sound transmission by 24% and to make things quieter is third-generation Active Noise Cancellation technology to create quiet zones for the occupants.

The centre of the dashboard is dominated by a large 13.1-inch curved floating glass touchscreen with Pivi Pro infotainment system. It’s a sophisticated system but also has a simplified user experience with high-definition graphics. Pivi Pro is powered by two high-performance Qualcomm Snapdragon processors for lightning-fast processing, with various connectivity options Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

For the driver, there is a large 13.7-inch Interactive Driver Display which also has HD graphics and can be configured to personal preference. Besides an overhead view and 3D surround imagery, should the vehicle be taken off-road, the driver can also ‘see’ through the bonnet. An advanced feature called ClearSight Ground View displays an image of the ground ahead so that obstacles or holes can be avoided. It’s quite an amazing feature but then again, you would expect it from Land Rover.

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLRM) is offering the Range Rover L460 with a 530 ps/750 Nm 4.4-litre V8 engine and though this may seem ‘excessive’ in the age of downsizing, many advanced technologies bring fuel consumption to level far lower than what the old V8 in the model used to have. The engine is also cleaner with hybrid powertrains (available in other markets) making it even cleaner.

The proven 8-speed automatic transmission continues to be used along with the advanced 4×4 system. Using decades of experience in off-road mobility, Land Rover engineers developed Terrain Response 2 system which puts an electronic ‘co-driver’ in the cockpit to assist when driving off-road. This system has various modes for different terrain conditions and optimizes the various chassis and drivetrain systems for the best grip and stability.

As the flagship of Land Rover’s range, the Range Rover has always been a pioneer with drivetrain technologies and chassis technologies. Next-generation Electronic Air Suspension is offered, along with intelligent aerodynamic features to enhance performance. The ride height can be lowered when cruising over 105 km/h, improving stability.

The Range Rover also has all-wheel steering which reduces the turning circle to less than 11 metres, something an owner would appreciate given the vehicle’s size. For this, the rear wheels steer up to 7.3 degrees in the same direction as the front wheels. At speed, this also provides greater stability.

Though launched today, JLRM says that it has bookings going back to October 2021 from customers who simply had to have one and did not need to know how much it would cost. These early customers will be getting their Range Rovers soon and as more stocks arrive, others will also take delivery.

Range Rover Sport begins third generation, with fully electric model coming in 2024


Flood Relief Assistance Program For Nissan Owners

With the monsoon season still ongoing and the risk of floods, especially in the East Coast areas, motorists unlucky enough to have their vehicles caught in deep water may find themselves having a big bill for repairs. Unless they have included insurance coverage for floods, compensation will not be given by the insurance company.

Over the years, Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn. Bhd. (ETCM), together with Tan Chong Ekspres Auto Servis Sdn. Bhd. (TCEAS), have been offering various forms of assistance to Nissan owner who have flood-damaged vehicles. This year, they are again announcing a special Nissan Flood Relief Assistance program for owners of Nissan vehicles nationwide.

The program offers 30% discount on parts and labour charges (at TCEAS outlets) to help alleviate the financial burden that the owners will be faced with. In many cases, water will also have entered the cabin, damaging the upholstery. Those who wish to have the damaged upholstery restored will be charged a special rate of RM1,655 nett for sedan models and RM1,988 nett for MPV, SUV, pick-up and vans models.

Settle bill in instalments – interest-free
If the bill is high, the amount can be settled in up to 12 instalments under the Easy Payment Plan. That would certainly help to ease the financial stress and even better, no interest will be charged. There will also be a warranty of 6 months/10,000 kms for all Nissan Genuine Parts replaced.

Other support available in relation to the floods are Fee Towing and Door-to-Door Towing (terms and conditions apply). Nissan owners can also request for the Collect & Delivery service for usual maintenance service over the weekends.

For more information or assistance, Nissan owners can contact Nissan Customer Care Centre Hotline at
1800-88-3838
 or call the nearest TCEAS outlet or Nissan Authorised Service Dealer for an appointment. The contact details can be found at
www.nissan.com.my
.

Tips for driving during this rainy season and what you should do if your car is damaged by flooding


F1/Round 7: Provisional Results and Highlights of 2022 Monaco Grand Prix

Just as the race was preparing to start, rain came down heavily, creating additional levels of stress. There was uncertainty about which tyres to start on, made worse by the fact that the street circuit is used by normal traffic at night, so it was a bit greasy too.

The formation lap was to start behind the Safety Car so everyone was required to be on full wet tyres. However, as the rain got heavier, there was a delay extending the start time to 16 minutes later than scheduled. After the cars moved off on the formation lap, the rain got even heavier and the red flags came out, so the race was suspended even before it started. There were remarks that the rainfall was unusually great… a climate-change message?

Frustrated in the pits waiting for the rain to stop, Alfa Romeo ORLEN’s Valtteri Bottas sent this tweet out to the world.

While safety considerations were understood, the teams were frustrated that they had to sit still waiting. As the rain suddenly ended 55 minutes after the race should have started, the race Director sent a message to the team to be ready to start in 10 minutes. The track was still wet, there were still dark clouds but it seemed that the race could get underway. A second message informed that the race would start at 4:05 pm – 65 minutes after the original scheduled time.

“For us, the preparation is before the start of the race and then the teams have the full allocation of tyres in blankets and can decide at the last minute what they want to do and the decision is up to the teams. The real problem here is the level of grip because we are on a street circuit. It is not the temperature because we tested the tyres in this temperature, but it is the level of grip that is really low. If the sun is coming out, the track is going to dry out very quickly, so it is another important choice for the teams’ strategists,” said Pirelli’s Motorsport Director, Mario Isola.

The 20 cars cautiously followed the Safety Car driven by birthday boy, Bernd Maylander, around the wet circuit. Two laps were completed as the race got underway with a rolling start. But even before the start took place. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll had a rear puncture and Williams Racing’s Nicholas Latifi slid into the barrier.

Charles Leclerc had sprinted off and was holding the lead with his team mate Carlos Sainz protecting him from Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen who were just seconds behind. Scuderia Alphatauri’s Pierre Gasly, in spite of a slide, set the fastest lap in the early stages. But just two laps later, on lap 9, Leclerc used the advantage of clear air to set a faster lap time.

By lap 12, the two Ferraris and two red Bulls were 8 seconds away from the rest, with McLaren’s Lando Norris and  Mercedes-AMG’s George Russell duelling carefully for 5th place. Russell’s team mater, Lewis Hamilton was trying to move forward but it was hard to get past Alpine’s Fernando Alonso.

Hamilton came in on lap 16, switching to intermediate tyres. He managed to get back out in time to lose just one position to Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, slotting into ninth place. Meanwhile, Russell was asked to manage his tyres, possibly till slicks could go on. Right after Hamilton, Perez dropped out of third place and came in on the next lap for intermediates as well.

On lap 19, both Leclerc and Verstappen came in and took on intermediate tyres. However, Haas F1’s Mick Schumacher  who also came in took on hard tyres, much to everyone’s surprise. The order then was Sainz in the lead, still on the first set of tyres, followed by Perez and then Leclerc.

As the 20th lap approached, Hamilton and Ocon were dicing and on one occasion, had contact. The Mercedes-AMG driver was uncertain if his car was damaged but did not report any unusual condition.

On lap 22, it was time to go to hard compounds and both the Ferraris quickly shot into the pits. Perez took over the lead as Sainz returned to the track behind him and Verstappen slotted into the space ahead of Leclerc.

Yellow flags appeared on lap 26 as Schumacher crashed and the Virtual Safety Car was activated initially and then the Safety Car went out. With Schumacher’s departure, both Haas cars were out of the Monaco GP as Kevin Magnussen had retired earlier. Sainz too had a heart-stopping moment as his car slid towards the barrier but there’s probably some rally DNA from his father and he managed to save the car from crashing.

As Schumacher’s car was being cleared, it was found that the barriers were quite severely damaged and more time was needed to make repairs. The decision was made to put out the red flag (which the Red Bull boss predicted) and stop the race, and the drivers headed back to the pits. The running order at that time on lap 29 was Perez, Sainz, Verstappen and Leclerc. Six seconds away from the Ferrari driver was Russell in fifth place.

The race was suspended for 19 minutes and resumed with a rolling start. The running order when the red flag had come out was Perez, Sainz, Verstappen and Leclerc. Six seconds away from the Ferrari driver was Russell in fifth place. The forecast was that there would be no more rain for the remaining 44 laps of the 77-lap race – but there was also the possibility that time might run out at the 2-hour limit.

The four frontrunners sped off but this time, Russell and Norris were also closer, just a few seconds further back and ready to take advantage of any slip the Ferrari or Red Bull ahead made. Behind Norris was a big 15-second gap to the next car.

Perez had the advantage of clear air but the race was not going to run for 77 laps and was likely to have only 29 laps remaining. Hamilton was again stuck behind Alonso and trying to take over 7th place. The Alpine driver seemed to be losing the pace although the team’s engineers said nothing was wrong. Still, it was difficult for Hamilton to get past on the narrow track.

Understanding that the race was shortened, Norris was beginning to plan for a more aggressive effort to take the fifth place from Russell before the race ended. The main consideration was whether the tyres could take the increased efforts and last for another 20+ laps – and Pirelli said that there was an outside chance of rain before the race ended.

And it was not only the Mercedes-AMG driver being frustrated by Alonso but others as well and the gap from the front got wider and wider. In fact, when Hamilton asked how far ahead the front-runners were, his team suggested that he not think of that and instead think of how far they were behind – which was about 30 seconds! By lap 51, Perez was already seeing the backmarkers not far ahead.

As Perez closed in on the lapped cars ahead, Sainz began to put the pressure on. Encountering traffic would make things tricky for the Mexican Red Bull driver who had to look ahead as well as watch behind. Verstappen and Leclerc were about 2 seconds away, also in a position to grab a better spot if the opportunity came up.

The pressure on Perez was very great as the Ferrari was right behind, almost under his wing. His tyres were not in great shape and at that point, no one was certain what the outcome of the race would be. The four leaders came up behind Alfa Romeo ORLEN’s Zhou GuanYu who got out of the way quickly to let them pass.

It was clear that with 5 minutes remaining, the front drivers were giving everything that had as there were moments when they looked like they would lose it. Sainz was pushing Perez and Verstappen was also pressuring from behind.  Latifi was also in the way but moved aside and then there was some space to the next cars so the leaders began to push harder.

The clock stopped at lap 64 and Perez held on to his lead through 19 corners to cross the finish line and win the 2022 Monaco GP. Sainz was not letting up and neither was Verstappen so it was that order of finish, with a disappointed Leclerc coming up behind in fourth.


Carsome Certified Lab – Southeast Asia’s Largest Car Refurbishment Facility

Carsome, a regional e-commerce automotive platform, recently launched the Carsome Certified Lab, said to be the largest car refurbishment facility in the region. The facility complements the other services offered to dealers and buyers of used cars which include inspection, ownership transfer and financing.

Located in the Bukit Raja industrial park, Selangor, the facility covers over 185,000 square feet of floor area and is a fully-functional Lab which can transform a pre-owned car to be as good as new. It is able to refurbish up to 2,000 vehicles per month, which is an industry-leading volume in Southeast Asia. Similar facilities will be opened in other parts of Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand over the coming 12 months.

175-point inspection before refurbishment

Each Carsome-Certified car must go through a stringent 175-point inspection to ensure that it is free from fire, flood and major accident damages. Only if it is certified can be it refurbished and the bulk of the investment is spent on mechanical and general repair, body and paint, as well as car detailing.

The work carried out covers all areas of the vehicle, including engine and electronic systems. Each process is performed by skilled and experienced technical specialists while adhering to global safety standards. These efforts ensure that all Carsome-Certified cars are safe, comfortable and look as good as new.

5-day money-back guarantee

All Carsome-Certified cars come with the ‘Carsome Promise’ which, besides confirming that they have passed the 175-point inspection, includes a 1-year warranty and 5-day money-back guarantee. The prices are fixed with no hidden fees.

“Carsome Certified exists to give consumers the options of pre-owned cars that are more superior. All our cars go through world-class refurbishment at Carsome Certified Lab, so that our customers can choose their dream car from our largest selection of best-in-class, quality-assured cars. This is our continuous effort in eliminating consumer and industry pain points,” said Carsome Certified CEO Mei Han.

More peace of mind buying pre-owned Honda vehicles from Honda Certified Used Car dealers


Top performers in Euro NCAP’s evaluation of assisted driving technology

When Euro NCAP was established in 1997 as an independent organisation to conduct safety performance assessments on vehicles sold in Europe, the testing was largely on passive safety. Crash tests were highlighted as they showed how good (or bad) a car was when it collided with an obstacle or was rammed from the side. The levels of protection for the occupants within the car were also assessed, including child restraint systems.

As time went by and more advanced safety systems became common, Euro NCAP began adding them to its assessments. For example, in 2011, it began to include Electronic Stability Control (ESC) in ratings and since 2014,Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) has also been assessed.

Automatic Emergency Braking test

By giving ratings to numerous areas, Euro NCAP has provided a basis of comparison for car-buyers to make more informed decisions. At the same time, because more ‘stars’ suggested a safer car, the manufacturers also aimed to achieve the maximum 5-star rating by ensuring that their new models met the tough test requirements. In this way, Euro NCAP has been continuously pushing the industry to upgrade safety features and systems, benefitting motorists with safer cars.

As Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) become more commonly included in new models, the organisation has
added Assisted Driving systems
 to its list. These systems are, however, assessed outside the regular overall rating system. The findings are intended for the information of buyers, giving them a better idea of the effectiveness of the systems advertised.

The tests consist of a series of critical highway driving scenarios, such as typical cut-in and cut-out scenarios, designed to show how effectively the system is able to support the driver in avoiding a possible crash. It also evaluates how driver and system cooperate and how the system ensure that the driver remains engaged in the driving task, avoiding over-trust. Finally, the vehicle’s ability to mitigate the consequences of a crash, referred to as safety backup, is tested, in case an accident is unavoidable.

“We have been publishing Assisted Driving gradings for a couple of years now and we are seeing real improvements in system performance. Most manufacturers realise that it is important that drivers enjoy the benefits of assisted driving without believing that they can hand over control completely to the car, and that’s one of the aspects that our assessment considers,” said the Secretary-General of Euro NCAP, Michiel van Ratingen.

The most recent models tested have been the
Jaguar I-PACE
,
Polestar 2
,
Volkswagen ID.5
 and
Nissan Qashqai
. While the Jaguar (oldest car in the group) had its system is rated as ‘Entry level’, the new Qashqai stood out in this round of tests. With almost perfectly matched scores for Driver Engagement and Vehicle Assistance, the car’s
ProPILOT
 with Navi Link system demonstrated excellent balance between helping the driver and preventing over-reliance. In the area of Safety Backup, the SUV was said to really excel, with an almost-perfect 93%.

Nissan Qashqai

The assistance technologies in the
Volkswagen ID.5
, one of the carmaker’s range of BEVs (batter electric vehicles), received a “Very Good” rating, and reached 4 out of 4 possible points – the highest possible score. The testers were impressed by the innovative systems of the ID.5 highlighting maximum comfort and an excellent level of assistance.

In the ID.5, Volkswagen uses innovative, fully connected assistance systems, the optional ‘Travel Assist with swarm data’ being the best example. Within the limits of the system, it can actively keep the vehicle in lane and maintain both the distance to the vehicle in front and the maximum speed set by the driver.

Volkswagen ID.5

Among other things, the system uses the Adaptive Lane Guidance function which actively keeps the vehicle in the middle of the lane. However, ‘Travel Assist with swarm data’ is able to adapt to the driving style and can also keep the vehicle on the right-or left-hand side of the lane.

Euro NCAP starts to assess Highway Assist systems


BMW Group Malaysia Announces New Vehicle Prices With SST

BMW Group Malaysia
 has announced its latest vehicle pricing, now with
 Sales and Services Tax (SST)
 compliant prices for BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad vehicles. You can download the actual lists here:

BMW Malaysia Price List

BMW Motorrad Malaysia Price List

MINI Malaysia Price List

Appended below are the new retail prices for BMW Malaysia vehicles as at
1st September 2018:

Mini…

MINI 3 Door

The New MINI Cooper S 3 Door RM 245,888.00

The New MINI John Cooper Works Hatch RM 306,888.00

The New MINI John Cooper Works Hatch with Panoramic Sunroof RM 315,888.00

MINI 5 Door

The New MINI Cooper S 5 Door RM 256,888.00

The New MINI Cooper S 5 Door with Dinamica Leather Seats RM 261,888.00

MINI Clubman

MINI Cooper Clubman RM 211,888.00

MINI Cooper S Clubman RM 262,888.00

MINI John Cooper Works Clubman RM 335,888.00

MINI John Cooper Works Clubman with Panoramic Sunroof RM 344,888.00

MINI Countryman

MINI Countryman Sports RM 240,888.00

MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid RM 250,888.00

MINI John Cooper Works Countryman RM 355,888.00

MINI John Cooper Works Countryman with Panoramic Sunroof RM 364,888.00

BMW…

1 Series

118i M Sport

CKD

Hatch

RM 185,800.00

was RM 188,800.00

-RM 3,000.00

***

3 Series

318i Luxury

CKD

Sedan

RM 202,800.00

was RM 205,800.00

-RM 3,000.00

***

330e M Sport

CKD

Sedan

RM 258,800.00

was RM 258,800.00

RM 0.00

**

4 Series

420i Coupé Sport

CBU

Coupé

RM 351,800.00

was RM 344,800.00

+RM 7,000.00

430i Coupé M Sport

CBU

Coupé

RM 424,800.00

was RM 416,800.00

+RM 8,000.00

M4 Coupé

CBU

Coupé

RM 772,800.00

was RM 760,800.00

+ RM 12,000.00

5 Series

530e Sport

CKD

Sedan

RM 328,800.00

was RM 343,800.00

-RM 15,000.00

**

530i M Sport

CKD

Sedan

RM 379,800.00

was RM 388,800.00

-RM 9,000.00

***

M5

CBU

Sedan

RM 1,010,800.00

was RM 998,800.00

+ RM 12,000.00

7 Series

740Le xDrive

CKD

Sedan

RM 594,800.00

was RM 598,800.00

-RM 4,000.00

**

X1

X1 sDrive20i Sport

CKD

SAV

RM 227,800.00

was RM 230,800.00

-RM 3,000.00

***

X2

X2 sDrive20i M Sport

CBU

Sports Activity Coupé

RM 328,800.00

was RM 320,800.00

+ RM 8,000.00

X3

X3 xDrive30i Luxury

CKD

SAV

RM 313,800.00

N/A

N/A

***

X5

X5 xDrive40e M Sport

CKD

SAV

RM 390,800.00

was RM 388,800.00

+ RM 2,000.00

**

BMW i

i8 Coupé

CBU

Coupé

RM 1,408,800.00

N/A

N/A

BMW Motorrad…

SPORT

R1200RS

RM 103,900.00

S1000RR EU4

RM 107,900.00

S1000RR EU4 Motorsport Edition

RM 109,900.00

TOURING

R1200RT

RM 127,900.00

R1200RT Spezial

RM 135,900.00

K1600GT

RM 162,900.00

K1600Bagger

RM 162,900.00

K1600GTL

RM 171,900.00

K1600Grand America

RM 171,900.00

ROADSTER

G310R

RM 26,900.00

S1000R

RM 88,900.00

R1200R

RM 99,900.00

HERITAGE

R nineT Pure

RM 83,900.00

R nineT Scrambler

RM 88,900.00

R nineT Urban GS

RM 88,900.00

R nineT Racer

RM 89,900.00

R nineT

RM 103,900.00

ADVENTURE

G310GS

RM 29,900.00

S1000XR

RM 106,900.00

R1200GS (non-TFT)

RM 107,900.00

R1200GS

RM 110,900.00

R1200GS Adventure (non-TFT)

RM 116,900.00

R1200GS Adventure

RM 121,900.00

URBAN MOBILITY (Scooter)

C650 Sport

RM 66,900.00

C650 GT

RM 70,900.00


The Ultimate Caterham Seven is now available

Caterham Cars has launched a CSR version of its most powerful European car – the Seven 485. The 485 CSR is positioned as the pinnacle of the EU range of Sevens, with an output of 237 ps/206 Nm in torque from its 2-litre Ford Duratec engine.

Priced at €54,995 (about RM252,000), the 485 CSR has a claimed 0 – 100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds and can push on to a top speed of 225 km/h. Weighing just 580 kgs, the 485 CSR achieves 409 ps per tonne, almost the same as a Lamborghini Huracan or a Ferrari 599!

The ultimate Caterham Seven

“This is now the ultimate Caterham Seven to have if you’re outside the UK. We’ve had to trim our EU range because of the WLTP regulations but I’m delighted that we can still offer our continental European customers something that really reflects what Caterham has always been about – the thrill of driving,” said Graham Macdonald, CEO of Caterham Cars.

Adding purpose and initiative to the 485 CSR over its standard 485 brother is its pushrod inboard front suspension, its fully independent, double-wishbone rear suspension, 15-inch CSR alloy wheels, shod with Avon ZZS tyres and aero front wing guards.

Caterham Seven range in 2019

Well equipped out of the factory

Delivered from the Caterham factory, the 485 CSR includes carpeted interior panels, a carbonfibre dashboard, adjustable leather seats, a collapsible Momo steering wheel, a limited-slip differential and a choice of 4 paint options.

Options available to owners who want to up the level of luxury even further include carbonfibre front wings, carbon leather side panels on the interior, a black Alcantara dashboard and LED high-intensity daytime running lights.


Hyundai Motor Expands Future Design Direction & Performance At The 2018 Busan International Motor Show

Hyundai Motor has elaborated on a step forward in its design philosophy with providing a more detailed blueprint for ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ by unveiling the
HDC-2 ‘Grandmaster’ SUV
 concept and presented a new
N Brand Global Strategy
 with line-up expansion at the
2018 Busan International Motor Show
.

Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President and head of the High Performance Vehicle & Motorsport Division

Having first introduced the ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ direction with the HDC-1 ‘Le Fil Rouge’ concept vehicle at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, Hyundai further explored and elaborated on the philosophy with its latest SUV concept vehicle, the HDC-2 Grandmaster concept (below). The Le Fil Rouge sedan provided a clear direction for Hyundai’s design philosophy, while the new SUV concept vehicle further proved the versatility of this design language that will be portrayed in future Hyundai vehicles, opening up new possibilities for an even wider spectrum of attractive designs.

Hyundai also introduced the Veloster N (below) at the Busan International Motor Show, laying out the blueprint for its High Performance N Brand. Hyundai will further diversify its N Brand Product Portfolio including High Performance N models, N Line Vehicles with new design and performance enhancing elements and N Option, customization parts by N, which is available for the entire Hyundai line-up. In addition, Hyundai showcased the enhanced Tucson with refined design and enhanced active safety features including a standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA).

Exemplifying the theme of ‘Future Mobility Life’, Hyundai divided its booth into five distinct spaces – Garage N, Hyundai Veloster Street, Design Gallery, Hydrogen Electricity House and the Life Square – all of which aim to highlight Hyundai’s design philosophy and mobility life, as well as to provide valued customer experience.

Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President and head of the High Performance Vehicle & Motorsport Division
, said
“I am thrilled to share our vision for the Brand today with you. We will continue to diversify our products and tailor them to the unique needs and experiences of each customer, so that every Hyundai vehicle provides a fun-to-drive experience throughout everyday life.”

“Today we showcased two concept vehicles as a blueprint for our evolved design strategy,” said
SangYup Lee, Vice President and head of Hyundai styling
. “Making a big step forward in terms of design with the Hyundai Look strategy, we will move towards becoming a brand that customers can really relate to emotionally. Moving on from being a brand that provides a great value, we will aspire to also become a brand that is widely beloved by our customers”

More…

Veloster N and N Brand Global Strategy…

First introduced at the North American International Auto Show in January 2018, the Veloster N is Hyundai’s second N model, following the ‘i30 N’ launched in Europe last year, and the first model to be showcased to Korean customers.

As part of Hyundai’s High Performance N Business, the Veloster N offers differentiated exterior and interior designs, focusing on fun-to-drive characteristics and providing the best driving performance to drivers, as well as passengers.

Equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged high performance engine and 6-speed manual transmission, Veloster N boasts maximum power output of 275hp and torque output of 36.0 kgf·m.

With launch control function for spontaneous start and rev matching function for dynamic gear change, Veloster N is also a true ‘Cornering Rascal’ ready to take on any difficult corners.

Hyundai’s N Vehicles demonstrate that the thrill of driving should be measured by the driver’s heartbeats per minute (BPM), rather than revs per minute (RPM), emphasizing exhilarating sensations experienced behind the wheel.

Veloster N is a part of Hyundai’s N brand Global Strategy, which aimed to provide a ground-breaking experience for drivers. Hyundai’s N line-up is based on the company’s philosophy of providing high performance driving technology and an exciting driving experience reminiscent of motorsports, granting dynamic feeling and sensation to everyday drivers.

The market response to the first N Model, ‘the i30 N’, has been so positive that the company is even considering increasing the production volume.

Elaborating on the high performance division, Schemera said “Our motorsports vehicles will spearhead the N Brand at the apex of the brand’s hierarchy. Not to mention that the valuable experience and technology derived from our success in motorsports will cascade down to all the future N products.”

HDC-1 Le Fil Rouge and HDC-2 Grandmaster concept: A step forward with the Hyundai Look…

During the 2018 Busan International Motor Show, Hyundai showcased the first SUV concept featuring the Hyundai Look, a demonstration of evolving Hyundai design philosophy.

Debuted at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, the Le Fil Rouge concept car highlights Hyundai’s evolved design direction under the theme of ‘Sensuous Sportiness’. Following the concept, the HDC-2 Grandmaster model reinterprets Hyundai’s design DNA, and is designed through harmonization of four key elements – proportion, architecture, styling and technology – thereby bringing emotional value and desirability.

The concept name of Grandmaster is derived from the game of chess. While the world’s finest chess champion is called the grandmaster, the concept vehicle is named to indicate that just as the sum of all chess pieces completes the game of chess, all forthcoming Hyundai vehicles will come to form a harmonious vehicle line-up demonstrating the Hyundai Look while each maintains distinctive character and role.

The beauty is further enhanced by the architecture and styling. The new approach of this ‘Light Architecture’ creates a perfect silhouette to the front and the rear, not to mention its technological innovation, which couples spectacular design with a comfortable experience for drivers and passengers. The design elements of ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ will be applied to Hyundai’s upcoming sedan and SUV models.

Tucson SUV…

The redesigned and enhanced 2019 Tucson features changes inside and out and is an attention-grabbing SUV. Its bold cascading grille and new headlight/DRL design create dramatic impressions.

Also, Hyundai applied an 8-speed automatic transmission and HTRAC all-wheel drive system for improved driving performance as well as better fuel economy.

Incorporating the latest technologies and safety features, the 2019 Tucson meets modern consumers’ daily needs and provides peace of mind with enhanced safety.

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) and Driver Attention Warning (DAW) are equipped on all 2019 Tucson models to further enhance safety. Hyundai’s extra efforts to make the 2019 Tucson safer were recently recognized by top industry experts and consumers alike – J.D. Power named Tucson the Most Dependable Small SUV and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) selected the vehicle as a Top Safety Pick.

＊
Above mentioned features and specification may vary by market.

The enhanced Tucson goes on sale in the Korean market in the third quarter of 2018.


Proton Reports A 35% Increase Of Sales In May

Following a sluggish start to the second quarter in April, national automaker Proton reported a 35% increase in sales in May attributable to what it called a total industry volume (TIV) rebound.

With 62,970 units sold over the first five months of the year, the largest number of any brand in Malaysia’s automotive sales table, and a 38.9% increase over the same period last year, is the sales total. Proton’s market share is predicted to be 21.5% for the month and 20.9% for the year based on estimates that Total Industry Volume (TIV) recovered by 32.2% in May and closed at 61,600 units.

When the Proton brand made its debut in Mozambique on May 24, it entered a new export market, becoming its first for 2023 and 12th overall. The Proton
X70
 and Proton
X50
 are being offered by the local importer as a starting point, and they are being marketed for their safety features and accessible luxury. Along with entering a new market, May 2023 saw 217 vehicles sold as part of the Proton Saga, making it the biggest month for export sales so yet.

With 5,819 units sold in May, the Proton Saga continued to be the model with the highest overall sales. With 27,214 units sold so far, a stunning rise of 51% over the previous year, this achievement positions it second overall for A-segment sedans.

Three Proton models continue to dominate category sales overall. With 2,801 units sold in May, the Proton X50 continued to dominate the B-segment and total SUV sales. The Proton Persona, which sold 2,290 B-category sedans last month, came in second place, although it still leads the segment overall. Meanwhile, the Proton Exora, which has been popular for years, sold 440 units to maintain its dominance in the C-segment MPV market.

The Proton X50, Proton Persona, and Proton Exora have all shown YTD sales growth of 31%, 78%, and 39%, respectively. This data shows that demand for Proton’s products is still robust despite competition from younger rivals. This is still true for the Proton Iriz, which saw its YTD sales grow by 47% thanks to the 732 units sold in May.

The all-new Proton
X90
 finished its first three weeks of sales with 257 units sold, placing it second in the D-segment SUV market, while the Proton X70 sold 929 units in May.


Two top awards for Proton in 18th Malaysia Cars of the Year Awards (COTY 2019)

In its 18
th
 year running, the Malaysian Car of the Year (COTY) program – now known as Malaysia Cars of Year Awards – saw Proton receiving the top award of Overall Car of the Year for the first time. The award was for the Proton X70 SUV, a model which has helped to not only bring people back to the brand’s showrooms but also restored pride and confidence in what is still seen as a national marque.

Proton’s CEO, Dr. Li Chunrong (above), was also voted the Automotive Man of the Year in recognition of his leadership in turning the company around and putting it on a forward and upward trajectory. His strategy of upgrading showrooms to enhance the customer experience and boost quality in products and services has paid off with Proton doing much better during 2019.

The other category winners were as follow:

Passenger Cars

Entry Level –
Proton Saga 1.3 (Facelift)

Compact Car –
Toyota Yaris

Family Sedan/Hatchback –
Mazda3 2.0 SKYACTIV

Premium Compact Executive –
Mercedes-Benz A250

Large Family Sedan –
Kia Optima GT

Premium Executive –
BMW 330i M Sport

Large Premium Executive Sedan –
BMW 530e M Sport (PHEV)

C suite –
BMW 740L

SUV & Crossovers

People-Mover –
Perodua Aruz 1.5

Compact Crossover & SUVs –
Honda HR-V 1.5 Hybrid

Midsize Crossover & SUVs (5 Seaters) –
Proton X70

Midsize Crossover & SUVs (7 Seaters) –
Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 Diesel

Premium Midsize SUVs –
Porsche Macan

Premium Luxury SUVs –
Mercedes-Benz GLC 63

Premium Compact SUV –
Volvo XC40 T5

Others

Pick-Up Truck –
Ford Ranger 2.0 XLT

MPV –
Kia Grand Carnival 2.2D (facelift)

Hot Hatch –
Renault Megane R.S. 280 Cup

Coupe –
BMW M2 Competition

These two models spearhead the dawn of the EV age in Malaysia.

Honorable Mentions – Electric Vehicles

BMW i3 and Nissan LEAF

Past Overall Award Winners

2018 – Peugeot 3008

2017 – Honda Jazz Hybrid

2016 – Honda Civic 1.5 TC

2015 – Mazda2

2014 – Honda City

2013 – Volkswagen Golf GTI

2012 – Ford Ranger 2.2 XLT

2011 – Peugeot RCZ

2010 – Volkswagen Passat

2009 – Peugeot 308 Turbo

2008 – Mazda6

2007 – Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0GT

2006 – Honda Civic

2005 – Mercedes-Benz CLS

2004 – BMW 530d

2003 – Volvo XC90

2002 – Perodua Kelisa

Many different models have won the overall award over the years, with Honda having won the most times.

Previous Recipients – AUTOMOTIVE MAN OF THE YEAR

2018 – Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad (Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award)

2017 – Datuk Dr. Zahari Husin, MD, Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd

2016 – Yoichiro Ueno, CEO and MD, Honda Malaysia

2015 – Roland Folger, President & CEO, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia

2014 – Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh, President & CEO, Perodua

2013 – Datuk Ben Yeoh, Managing Director, Bermaz Motor

2012 – Datuk Samson Anand George, Chief Operating Officer, Nasim Sdn Bhd

2011 – Datuk JP Chin, Principal, JPM Motorsports

2010 – SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, Joint Group Executive Chairman, NAZA Group of Companies

2009 – Datuk Syed Abdull Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar (Perodua) and Datuk Dr Ang Bon Beng (Edaran Tan Chong Motor)

2008 – Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Tahir, (Proton)

2007 – Datuk Saw Choo Boon (Shell Malaysia)

2006 – Tan Sri Nasimuddin SM Amin (Naza)

2005 – Datuk Frank Steinleitner, (DaimlerChrysler Malaysia)

2004 – Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Ariff (Proton)

2003 – Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Omar (Perodua)

2002 – Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin (Naza)


All-electric Porsche Taycan debuts in Malaysia with pricetag starting from RM725,000

Electrically-powered cars have been in the news more and more in recent years but they have actually been around since the 1800s. In fact, between 1900 and 1912, a third of all vehicles on US roads were powered by electricity, However, when the internal combustion engine (ICE) improved in reliability and performance, electric cars were pushed into extinction as their performance stagnated. After the 1930s, there was little interest in such cars.

It would not be until the 21st century began that pure electric cars would make a comeback, although the hybrid powertrain which used an electric motor with an ICE debuted just as the 20th century was ending. The electrification of cars got underway and this decade will see a surge of models appearing as a number of companies have them in final stages of development.

The early electric cars have had limited performance which raised the question of whether one of the elements of driving pleasure – high performance – would eventually be lost. Hybrid technology advanced a lot and showed that it was possible to have electrification and high performance – but that still included a ICE. What about a pure electric propulsion system?

Full electric but with Porsche DNA

With the new Taycan, launched today in Malaysia by Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) , Porsche shows that high performance need not be lost just because of electrification. Just as its engineers made sure that when the company introduced its first SUV, it would still have the dynamics of a sportscar and the character of a Porsche, they also made sure that the brand’s first all-electric car would do justice to the name ‘Porsche’.

Actually, an electrified car is not entirely new to Porsche and with much attention given to the pioneering Toyota Prius hybrid, and Nissan LEAF and Tesla electric cars, the company reminded the world that Dr. Ferdinand Porsche designed what can be considered the world’s first hybrid powerplant for a car back in the late 1890s. And it was even produced until 1915 although only a small number of cars were actually sold.

Advanced battery technology

100 years later, automotive technology has of course progressed greatly, along with the technologies more specific to electric cars, such as battery technology. Porsche has stayed at the forefront of the technological envelope and used the latest hardware for the Taycan which began as the Mission E concept 5 years ago.

For example, the Taycan is the first production electric vehicle with a system voltage of 800 volts, instead of the usual 400 volts. This is a particular advantage for owners while on the move as full recharging of the lithium-ion battery pack can be done in just over 36 minutes. However, this requires a 175 kW direct current (DC) charger.

Recharging port is behind a flap on the front fender.

The overall capacity of the Performance Battery Plus is 93.4 kWh and can conduct higher currents, thus speeding up the charging process significantly. Taycan drivers can also charge their cars with up to 11 kW of alternating current (AC) at home using the Porsche Mobile Charger Plus kit. The car can also be recharged at public charging stations, some of which do have the DC facility.

Those who are close enough to a Porsche Centre in Malaysia can get free use of the DC chargers installed at each location. During the charging time of around half an hour, the owner can enjoy a cup of coffee at the lounge or even do some work.

Porsche performance levels

Energy from the battery pack, located under the middle of the car, powers the electric motors which can generate up to 560 kW (761 ps) overboost power in combination with Launch Control in the flagship Taycan Turbo S, and up to 500 kW (680 ps) in the Taycan Turbo. If you wonder why ‘Turbo’ is used when there is no turbocharger, it’s just Porsche’s way of providing a sort of reference point to the relative performance levels of the models.

There’s also a third model – the Taycan 4S – which has a standard Performance Battery. This gives a performance level of up to 390 kW (530 ps) via overboost power in conjunction with Launch Control. It can be increased to a maximum of 420 kW (571 ps) with the optional Performance Battery Plus.

As would be expected, the performance numbers reflect the high torque characteristic that electric motors generate from almost standstill. The Taycan Turbo S, with 1,050 Nm of torque will go from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 2.8 seconds while the Taycan Turbo, with 850 Nm, does the same run in 3.2 seconds. The Taycan 4S is no slowpoke either and will still do 0 to 100 km/h within 4 seconds and get up to 250 km/h.

The profile of the driving modes essentially follows the same philosophy as in other Porsche models. This is supplemented by special settings which enable optimum use of the electric drive. Sport Plus and Individual modes are part of the Sport Chrono Package, which comes as standard on the Taycan Turbo S.

So in as far as straightline performance is concerned, these Porsches can provide the same adrenalin rush as their ICE brothers. However, the feeling won’t be the same with the electric motors being smoother as there isn’t that distant reverberation from reciprocating pistons that can be discerned through the steering wheel and pedals.

Perhaps Porsche engineers are working on creating some sort of ‘classic feel’ but for now, there is the Porsche Electric Sport Sound. This is basically a sound clip that comes on during acceleration, adding a sense of ‘drama’ in spite of the electric whine. In some markets, it’s an optional feature but SDAP has specified it as standard for all the Taycan models.

How far can you go?

What about range? This is something that is on the minds of most people who consider an electric car because you can’t just pull into a station to get extra volts when you need them. The recharging network is growing but nowhere close in coverage to the petrol station network which is the product of over 100 years.

Just like the ICE Porsches, the more powerful the car, the less range it will have (and how the car is driven is still a factor). In this case, the range is dependent on the capacity of the battery pack. The 79.2-kWh battery pack of the Taycan 4S can last for a claimed range of 408 kms and if the owner installs the Performance Battery Plus upgrade with about 18% more capacity, the range can be extended another 55 kms. The more expensive Taycan Turbo and Turbo S come with the 93.4-kWh battery pack and for the former, the range is claimed to be up to 452 kms while for the latter, it’s between 390 and 416 kms.

While the ICE is non-existent, there are still many elements of the Taycan which are still ‘conventional’ and familiar. Around the chassis, there’s still adaptive air suspension with 3-chamber air springs and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). The double wishbone front axle and multi-link rear axle are of aluminium and at each wheel are Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake discs.

Futuristic look but still familiar

While Toyota sought to make an impact with a ‘futuristic look’ for the world’s first mass-produced hybrid car, Porsche’s designers have given their first all-electric model a blend of a familiar form with some advanced styling elements. We were already given a preview with the Mission E concept in 2015 and many of the ideas of designer Mitja Borkert have been retained.

The traditional Porsche form (with a Cd of 0.25) is evident, with the Panamera coming to mind. The LED matrix headlights which form a visual unit with the air curtains, provide a futuristic touch. The 4-point daytime running lights that are typical of the brand are flatter and wider than any other Porsche.

The lighting technology includes PDLS Plus where the matrix deactivates segments of the permanent high beam cone in a targeted way. 84 individually controlled LEDs can be adjusted as required by switching off or being dimmed so specific areas ahead can be fully illuminated.

Look of 1963 – as well as tomorrow

As with the exterior, the designers also gave the interior a familiar look and feel. They even looked to the original 911 from 1963 for inspiration when designing the dashboard. The freestanding 16.9-inch curved instrument cluster forms the highest point on the dashboard while a central, 10.9-inch infotainment display and an optional passenger display are combined to form an integrated glass band in a black-panel look and provides the ‘look of tomorrow’.

All user interfaces have been completely re-designed for the Taycan. The number of traditional hardware controls, such as switches and buttons, have been greatly reduced. Instead, control is intelligent and intuitive – via touch operation or voice control.

Sustainability is a big thing in manufacturing today and the sustainable concept of the electric sports car is promoted by offering an entire leather-free interior standard for the Taycan Turbo S and Taycan Turbo (option for the Taycan 4S). The upholstery uses Race-Tex microfibre, a textile partly made from recycled polyester fibres while the flooring is of Econyl recycled fibre, made from recycled fishing nets.

As safe as any Porsche

Needless to say, all the active safety systems are provided and there are up to 8 airbags around the cabin to cushion the occupants from serious injuries. The Taycan has already been tested by EuroNCAP which gave it a maximum score of 5 stars. While the lightweight bodywork structure is conventional in one sense, it has also had to take into consideration the presence of the high-voltage battery pack which is cleverly integrated into the bodyshell structure.

The crash sensors of the Taycan were developed to meet the specific requirements of electric vehicles. Additional sensors are therefore used to reliably disconnect high-voltage equipment in the event of a crash. Also in the event of an accident where the airbag is deployed, the battery connection to the vehicle is disconnected as a precaution so that no voltage is live.

First deliveries in 2021

Prices for the Taycan start from RM725,000 for the Taycan 4S, RM999,000 for the Taycan Turbo, and RM1,195,000 for the Taycan Turbo S – all with applicable taxes but without insurance. Unfortunately, you will have to pay the full sales tax as the first deliveries can only start from the first quarter of 2021, after the expiry of the exemption period.

Click here
 to find out more about Porsche’s first all-electric sportscar.


February 2022 New Vehicle Sales, by Brand

Data for BMW and MINI is only provided by BMW Group Malaysia every three months. Data for Kia, Peugeot and Volkswagen not available at this time. Data for Mercedes-Benz is not available as Mercedes-Benz Malaysia does not wish to reveal their sales data. Source: Malaysian Automotive Association.


Isuzu Malaysia Appoints New Chief Operating Officer

Isuzu Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (IMSB) has appointed
Atsunori Murata
 as its new
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
. He will be overseeing all operational aspects under the Commercial Vehicle Division.

Revealing the appointment during a recent media event, the
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Koji Nakamura
 said,
 “Atsunori Murata has held diverse leadership roles throughout his employment with Isuzu Motors Japan, with experience particularly in sales and business development, product planning and operations. I believe that his extensive experience will prove to be a vital advantage to this organisation, in order to maintain Isuzu Malaysia’s position as No. 1 preferred Commercial Vehicle (CV) in this country”.

(L-R) Mr. Yuji Shinya (新矢侑史) Advisor, Parts Operations, After Sales Division, Mr. Ryo Kakogawa (加古川良) Chief Operating Officer, After Sales Division, Mr. Atsunori Murata (村田笃纪) Chief Operating Officer, Commercial Vehicle Division, Mr. Koji Nakamura (中村幸滋) Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Masayuki Suzuki ( 铃木正幸) Chief Operating Officer, Light Commercial Vehicle Division

Murata has been with Isuzu Motors Limited since 1998. He brings with him 20 years of experience in international sales and business management, having had the opportunity to serve various markets such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, EU countries, and the United Nations. Furthermore, Murata cultivated vast experiences in coordinating business, sales and aftersales planning, corporate finance management and manufacturing coordination for commercial vehicle during his secondment to Isuzu Trucks South Africa in 2010, and Isuzu Motors Sub Saharan Africa in 2015.

Upon returning to serve Isuzu Motors Japan, he was tasked as Chief Coordinator for the Tokyo Motor Show 2017, aside from coordinating other automotive events that required his expertise and knowledge.

“I am thrilled to join Isuzu Motors Malaysia, and look forward to taking on this new challenge. I have been privileged to coordinate and manage automotive business units on a global scale, and I will do my very best to bring Isuzu Malaysia to the next level in the local automotive industry”,
 he said.

In addition to Murata, new faces who recently joined Isuzu Malaysia, under the After Sales Division (ASD), include Ryo Kakogawa as Chief Operating Officer (COO); Katsushi Shimauchi as Senior Advisor for Service Marketing; and Yuji Shinya as Advisor for Parts Operation.

For more details on Isuzu’s range of vehicles, please call 1-300-88-1133 or visit
www.isuzu.net.my
 .


Winners of Honda ‘1 Million Dreams’ Special Edition Cars announced

The wait is over for the thousands who submitted entries for Honda Malaysia’s
‘1 Million Dreams
’ campaign
 where seven lucky winners will each get a Special Edition Honda model as a prize. The campaign started on February 25, 2021 and submission of entries closed on March 24, with the draw held at the Grand Finale today.

They are Shaiful Rezza bin Abdul Razak, a policeman who won the
 Jazz Special Edition
 which was reserved for frontliners to win; Chuah Sze Yong, who won a
Civic Special Edition
; Lim Lye-Gaik, who gets a brand new
CR-V Special Edition
; and Abdul Hakim Bin Mohd Radzi, who will be driving now owns an
Accord Special Edition
.

There are three more ‘
1 Million Dreams’
 Special Edition models which are the
BR-V
,
All-New City
 and
HR-V
, and the winners will be announced by campaign partners CUCKOO, Shopee and Watsons in early April 2021.

The event is the culmination of the various activities organised to celebrate the 1 million vehicle sales milestone achieved by Honda Malaysia since its establishment. The campaign, which has the seven Special Edition models as the highlight, saw over 155,600 entries received in just one month.

Member of the public were invited to participate in the activities to obtain entry forms and those who had registered on the Honda Touch app got 5x more entries. Besides requesting for a test-drive at any authorised Honda dealership, there were 5 other ways for them to obtain entries.

“I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to all the lucky winners. The seven winners will be the only seven people in Malaysia who own these one-of-a-kind Special Edition cars, which were uniquely designed to celebrate this major milestone,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Toichi Ishiyama.

“In addition, Honda Malaysia allocated the Jazz
‘1 Million Dreams’
 Special Edition specially for frontliners to win. This is our initiative to say thank you to all the frontliners who have been working tirelessly over the past year to protect the health and safety of everyone in Malaysia,” added Mr. Ishiyama.

“The 1 millionth sale unit is an important milestone for Honda Malaysia since we began our sales journey in 2001. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all Honda customers, members of the media, our dealer partners and the Malaysian Government for their unwavering support for Honda Malaysia. It is this strong support that has driven us to achieve the 1 millionth sale unit,” he said.

Honda Malaysia invites all Malaysians to visit the ‘
1 Million Dreams’
 Grand Finale Funfair which is on today and tomorrow from 10am – 10pm at the
Bukit Jalil National Stadium (car park C)
 on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. At the event are a Ferris Wheel, Merry-Go-Round, Bumper Cars, Paratrooper ride, Instax Photo-Booth, with free gifts for visitors and food trucks on-site to fill hungry tummies after all the excitement. There are also test-drives of various Honda models available.

Admission is free but the public is reminded of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) specified by the health authorities. Be sure to have a facemask on, use hand sanitizers and practice social distancing. You will also be required to check-in with the MySejahtera app and have your temperature taken as the carpark is a public area. Honda Malaysia will be providing basic necessary protective items to all visitors if they require them, and will also ensure that sanitization is carried out frequently.

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


First view of the next Hyundai i10, to be unveiled at Frankfurt Motorshow

With the 2019 Frankfurt Motorshow nearing, a number of carmakers are building up interest in their brands by releasing teaser images of new models that will debut at the event. The latest to do so is Hyundai Motor which will be unveiling the all-new i10 hatchback, besides a few other models.

The i10, a popular model in developing countries, joined the Hyundai range in 2007 and this new generation will be the third one, internally designated ‘LA’. The single sketch released shows a more dynamic design with a contrast between soft surfaces and sharp lines.

The second generation of the i10

Energetic, agile look for A-segment

The proportions for the all-new model have also been redefined, it appears, in width, height and wheel size, resulting in an energetic and agile look. This new design is expected to stand out in the A-segment.

The wide front grille expresses a sporty character and incorporates Daytime Running Lights, thus continuing this feature of the i10’s heritage. The triangular air curtains accentuate the width and stance of the car, as well as improving aerodynamics. The X-shaped C-pillar, visible from far away, clearly identifies the car and draws the eye to the pillar-mounted logo. Unique triangular volumes visually emphasise the width of the car and highlight the position of the wheels at the four corners.

Aiming to be recognised as a leader in its segment, the new i10 will feature a range of new Connected Car and safety features. Blue Link, Apple Car Play, Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging and a rearview camera are a few of them.

Extensive list of safety features

Depending on the market, the new i10 could have one of the most full-featured safety packages in its class. This will include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist using a front radar sensor to detect not just cars but also pedestrians ahead. The car will also have Driver Attention Warning and Lane Keep Assist System as standard while High Beam Assist will be an optional feature.

Inokom i10 assembled in Malaysia from 2008 till 2016.

The i10 was one of the first passenger car models to be assembled at the Inokom factory in Kedah. It was sold under the Inokom brand from 2008 and production continued until 2016.

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