Microlino – the zero emissions bubble car for the 21st century

The era of the ‘bubble cars’ was during the 1950s and 1960s and were low-cost, very basic, motorized vehicles for two persons. They were made by manufacturers that no longer exist with the exception of companies like Citroen and BMW, the latter having produced the Isetta under licence from Italy’s ISO Rivolta. As more conventional and spacious sedans became affordable, their popularity faded and they were regarded more as novelties.

The bubble car era was at its height in the 1950s and 1960s. The first electric bubble car was designed in 1942 (above) and named ‘electric egg’, but was never produced. One of the better known bubble cars was the Isetta, made by BMW (below) under licence from an Italian company. It used a 250 cc engine from a BMW motorcycle.

The bubble shape offers optimal space utilization though it has a constraint on size. It has been used today for microcars, especially the new generation of electrically-powered vehicles. Such vehicles are sold in Europe as ‘quadricycles’ and have a following large enough to justify their existence as a business.

How much car do you really need?

Microlino, a Swiss company, believes that the bubble car design is ideal for personal mobility in today’s urban environments. It started with a simple question: “How much car do you really need for your daily commute?” which three brothers in a Swiss family asked themselves. Coming from a completely different sector, they could not understand why most cars today are too big and too heavy for their purpose. On average, a car is occupied by just 1.2 people, travelling a daily distance of only 30 kms.

In their view, the ideal vehicle would be something between a motorbike and a car. Small and agile, but at the same time weatherproof and spacious enough for shopping. In the course of their research, they came across the bubble cars of the 1950s and used those models as inspiration for the first designs in collaboration with the Swiss university ZHAW.

Positive response after first display

A prototype was developed in China in mid-2015 and displayed at a small stand at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. Though still in prototype stage, there was strong interest and in just two days, some 500 reservations were made by visitors. This gave them the confidence to begin engineering the vehicle to be produced for sale and they collaborated with Tazzari, an Italian car manufacturer specialising in small electric vehicles.

By the beginning of 2018, the first prototype was completed and could be submitted for homologation so that it could be registered for use on public roads. As publicity of the vehicle, known as the Microlino, became more widespread, more orders were received and at last count, they now number more than 16,000. Three prototypes have been built and after another two more, the company is looking at starting commercial production in Italy before the end of this year. Pricing will start at 12,000 euros (about RM59,000) with customers having some options to customize their vehicle.

Electric power for 21st century

While those old bubble cars used small petrol engines, the Microlino is powered by an 11 kW/100 Nm electric motor which provides a top speed of 90 km/h. Customers can choose from two lithium-ion battery packs which, depending on driving style and conditions, will give a range of between 125 kms and 200 kms, more than enough for daily urban use. Charging is said to take a maximum of 4 hours with a 2 kW wall socket.

Entry through the front

Measuring 2430 mm long, 1500 mm wide and 1450 mm tall, the cabin has space for two persons sitting next to each other and like the old bubble cars, entry is through the front. The question then is what about the steering wheel and column? As the pictures show, this is a standalone element at the front of the cabin and remains in place when the door is swung open. Presumably, it is engineered with safety in mind otherwise the Microlino would not be street-legal.

The folding roof was developed by Magna Car Top Systems, an expert in the field of convertible tops and roof systems. It can easily be opened and closed with one hand while driving and lets in a gentle breeze. The folding roof will be available as an option and comes standard in the premium versions.

The old bubble cars had a rather flimsy structure but the Microlino has more robust engineering, thanks to computer-aided design and modern lightweight but strong materials. It follows the monocoque concept, like modern cars, and is made out of pressed steel and aluminium parts, the first product in its category to use this structure. It weighs just 513 kgs with the battery pack installed.

Nissan to introduce all-electric minivehicle next year


Transport Minister Answers Questions About Roadtax/Driving Licence Matters

Following the
announcement by the Transport Minister
 that drivers and motorcyclists will no longer have to display the roadtax sticker on the windscreen or carry a physical driving licence, there were many questions which popped up on social media. The minister and his team must have looked through them and decided to promptly provide answers and clarification via social media channels last night as well.

These are the 6 questions which answers were given for:

Is it mandatory to download the ‘MyJPJ’ app?

No. It is just one of the options to obtain a digital copy of the roadtax and driving licence.

If the ‘MyJPJ’ app cannot be downloaded or cannot show the digital roadtax information, will I be charged with committing an offence?

No. Enforcement officers will be able to check on the roadtax and driving licence status on their systems.

Will roadtax and driver’s licence fees still have to be paid after they expire?

Yes. Payment must be made. The only change is that there is no need to stick [roadtax document] on the windscreen.

What about senior citizens who may not have smartphones or when in areas that have no internet service?

No worries as the digital format is not mandatory. It is still possible to obtain a roadtax sticker and physical driving licence from the JPJ if required.

If the driver of the vehicle is not the owner of the vehicle, it will not be possible to show the digital roadtax so what can be done?

The digital roadtax can be printed out on paper and a copy kept in the vehicle. However, if such a document is not available for inspection, it will still not be considered an offence. The enforcement officers will check the details on their equipment.

Why do I have problems accessing MyJPJ since this morning?

As with any new system introduced, there will of course be many people who want to sign up. The traffic has therefore been very high.

Finally… A Permanent Solution To The Roadtax Sticker Problem – Just Don’t Display It!

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 for more videos at The Piston Show.


KINTO ONE offers a different way to own a new Toyota or Lexus

Trends in car ownership are evolving and these days, there is growing interest in what are known as subscription plans. Customers choose a model, and a fixed instalment is paid each month over an agreed period of a few years. The amount includes maintenance costs, insurance and even roadtax so it is convenient.

But there is a catch: ownership of the car is not the customer’s at the end and he or she can either return it or negotiate to buy it over, or even start a new subscription. It’s a good opportunity to upgrade to a new car every few years, and no hassles of having to sell off the old one first.

First in the world

A number of companies in Malaysia offer this approach and the latest to join is Toyota with its KINTO ONE scheme. Introduced by Toyota Capital Malaysia, KINTO ONE is a global financing scheme which the carmaker has introduced in many countries, and it already has a very big presence in the Europe. For Malaysia, it is the first-in-the-world Islamic based car medium-term subscription program.

Originating from the Japanese word
kinto-un
, which means ‘flying nimbus’, as the future image of  mobility, the name is in line with the spirit of providing services that quickly appear when  necessary, enabling mobility as per the user’s wishes, and are kind to the environment.

All-inclusive instalment

Unlike the traditional hire purchase (H-P) financing facility, KINTO ONE is an all-inclusive, fixed monthly payment, car subscription  plan. The fixed subscription covers registration costs of the vehicle, annual comprehensive insurance coverage and roadtax, as well as scheduled maintenance and preventive maintenance costs. At the end of the term, which can be 2 years or 3 years, the customer can return the car.

Some of the Toyota and Lexus models available under the KINTO ONE plan. The monthly amounts may appear high but remember that they include costs like roadtax, insurance and servicing – which you would have to pay anyway. So all an owner really has to pay for is fuel, paking and toll charges – and fines.

“KINTO ONE is the  direct translation of a strategic partnership between Toyota Capital Malaysia and UMW Toyota Motor and is a distinctly curated response to the new generation lifestyle seeking  mobility. It is about the shift of consumer behaviour from car ownership to car usership. It is about Toyota’s  vision of ‘Mobility for All’,” said Thomas Chai, President of Toyota Capital Malaysia.

Good for corporate sector

Mr. Chai added that KINTO ONE is also aimed at the corporate sector which wants to be ‘light in their assets’ but still require the functionalities of being mobile. The full range of aftersales and support services will be handled by authorized Toyota dealers nationwide, with 24-hour emergency assistance also provided.

“It all seems new and revolutionary for KINTO ONE aiming to cater to the newer generation of car owners seeking for freedom and mobility through its all-inclusive fixed monthly subscription plan, but KINTO ONE has already been introduced in many parts of the world. While it is newly launched here in Malaysia, we  are starting with our learning curves way past the introductory stages. With strong support from Toyota Motor Corporation and the abundant availability of intellectual discourses amongst KINTO operators around the world, it has made our market introduction journey a very enriching  one,” said Ravindran Kurusamy, President of UMW Toyota Motor.

KINTO ONE is exclusively available online via the website (
www.kinto-my.com
) where customers can view the car models available, decide on which subscription plan suits them and then apply online. The subscription plans also cover Lexus models available in Malaysia.

Two more financing schemes available for new Toyota purchases


F1 (Round 12): Preview & Starting Grid For 2020 Portuguese Grand Prix

Race starts at 1:10 pm in Portugal/9:10 pm in Malaysia

Round 12 of the 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship will see teams race in Portugal for first time in 24 years. Not since 1996 has there been a Portuguese F1 Grand Prix although the country has had its own GP since the 1950s. In its first 10 years, it was run on a street circuit and then from 1984 until 1996, at the Estoril circuit. The poor condition of the circuit led to it being dropped as a F1 venue when the government was slow in making the required improvements.

However, the twelfth round is not being held at 48-year old Estoril circuit but the newer Algarve International Circuit, referred to as the Portimao Circuit as it is close to the city of that name. The circuit was completed in 2008 and is FIA-certified for world championships.

It has been added to the 2020 calendar as one of the circuits available in view of others being closed or conditions not suitable due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no certainty that the Portimao Circuit will be used again in future.

While the circuit has never hosted a F1 race, it has been used as a test venue for F1 teams on three occasions. Within two months of its completion, Ferrari and McLaren conducted a 2-day test; a month later, McLaren and Toyota came, followed by Renault, Toro Rosso and Williams.

A lot of ups and downs

The hillside circuit to the north of the city has been likened to a scaled down Spa-Francorchamps, as it is defined by frequent changes of elevation. The track features a wide variety of corners and also a long pit straight that measures almost a kilometre in length. A number of blind corners also call to mind Austin’s Circuit of the Americas.

“On paper, the track layout itself should suit higher downforce levels but because of the long main straight, we’re likely to see teams trialling different wing settings in practice to decide where the compromise is – being faster in the corners or protecting yourself on the long straight,” said Mercedes-AMG’s Toto Wolff.

“We’re expecting overtaking to be tricky in Portugal due to the flowing nature of the track and lack of heavy braking zones. The only DRS zone is on the main straight and the quick final corner will make it harder for cars to keep a tight gap. The zone itself is very long, so this should give drivers the chance to close up on their rivals,” he explained.

No historical data

This being a new venue, there is an absence of historical data to call upon. So achieving the perfect car set-up will be tricky and complicating matters is the fact that the entire track has been resurfaced for its first ever F1 race this weekend.

To best cope with the uncertain demands of the layout and the new surface, Pirelli is providing the hardest tyres in the range. The C1 compound will feature as the white-banded hard tyre, the C2 as the yellow medium and the C3 as the red soft tyre.

Championship positions

In the Drivers’ Championship, Lewis Hamilton remains in his commanding lead, now 69 points ahead of team mate Valtteri Bottas. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to narrow the gap to Bottas to just 14 points after the Mercedes-AMG driver did not finish at the Eifel Grand Prix a fortnight ago. Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo’s first podium since 2018 vaulted the Australian to fourth in the standings with 78 points, 10 points ahead of BWT Racing Point’s Sergio Perez.

In the battle for the Constructors’ crown, Mercedes-AMG have reached almost 400 points and 180 points ahead of second-placed Red Bull Racing. This weekend’s race could confirm the team’s seventh consecutive title. To do so, it would need to score 40 points or more than its closest rival. Incidentally,  the Portuguese GP has twice been the championship-deciding race for the Drivers Championship (1984 and 1993).

Behind the top two, BWT Racing Point have overtaken McLaren to sit in third place with 120 points, though the gap is just 4 points. Ricciardo’s podium put Renault in fifth, 2 points behind McLaren.


Honda City Hatchback RS e:HEV price announced as RM107,783

Following the launch of the
Honda City Hatchback
 in December, for which there are more than 5,200 bookings, Honda Malaysia has now announced the price of the City Hatchback RS e:HEV which was not revealed earlier. Without insurance, the price is
RM107,783.09
 and this price without sales tax will be applicable until June 30, 2022. There are 3 colour options – Ignite Red Metallic, Meteoroid Gray Metallic and Platinum White Pearl.

This is the first time that the City model is offered in a hatchback bodystyle and the flagship version also comes with e:HEV technology that uses the 1.5-litre Sports intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) powertrain coupled with Electric Continuous Variable Transmission (e-CVT). The hybrid powertrain produces 109 ps/253 Nm and can run in hybrid, engine or even fully electric mode, the latter available for a limited distance depending on the battery pack level.

The City Hatchback’s e:HEV system can run on just the electric motor powered by the battery pack, saving fuel and with no exhaust emissions.

However, as a hybrid electric vehicle, there is no need for recharging from an external source as the battery pack will recharge while the car is being driven. Recharging constantly takes place either by the engine or through regeneration during braking and coasting. This is therefore a more practical approach to electrification for Malaysians at this time when the network of recharging stations is still very small.

Specific to the City Hatchback are a Gloss Black front Grill, Solid Wing and Door Mirrors, and standard are LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights, LED front foglights, a rear spoiler and LED rear light units, along with 16-inch alloy wheels.

The interior follows the layout of the sedan and comes with red-stitched Ultrasuede® Seats. The City Hatchback offers additional versatility as it comes with the 4-mode ULTRA Seat, a feature that originated in the first Jazz. The ULTRA Seat allows for different seating layouts in the cabin to suit different usage requirements, including one for carrying tall items like plants.

With the ULTRA Seat, it is possible to fold the seats upright to create more vertical space to carry tall items like plants.

This variant also comes with a 7-inch Interactive TFT meter, 8-inch Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity as well as rear air conditioning. Other first-in-segment features are Honda LaneWatch to monitor the blind spot on the left side, Electric Parking Brake and Remote Engine Start.

Honda LaneWatch uses a small camera on the left door mirror to monitor the blind spot behind the car and display real-time images on the centre screen.

Like the City Sedan RS e:HEV, this hatchback variant also has Honda SENSING, the camera-based driver-assistance system which allows Level 2 autonomous driving as well. Honda SENSING consists of Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning and Auto High Beam. With the systems active, the workload on the driver is less so fatigue on long journeys can be reduced as well as motoring safety being enhanced.

Honda CONNECT is also included and this smart Telematics Technology allows owners to connect with the City Hatchback via a smartphone application. The owner can be easily informed of the car’s status as well as other useful information.

For more information or to locate a showroom for a test-drive, visit
www.honda.com.my
.

New Honda City Hatchback officially launched, priced from RM75,670


Inter-state travel allowed for married couples and family from Wednesday

Interstate travel will require police permission between March 18 and 31, 2020.

While the Movement Control Order (MCO) is still on, the government has decided that families can be reunited if they are in different states. Announcing this at the daily press briefing today, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, said married couples can cross state lines
from Wednesday, January 27, 2021.

The provision is for couples who have been forced to stay in different locations due to work. “The National Security Council special meeting has heard their appeal, and we have agreed to give some flexibility,” he said.

Must meet two conditions

The spouse as well as family will be permitted inter-state travel but must meet certain conditions. Firstly, police permission will be required, which means getting an authorisation letter to show at roadblocks. Second and more importantly, every person travelling must do a swab test first to ensure they are not infected with COVID-19. This is for the protection of other family members and is important because it is known that many infections around the country have started because of inter-state travel earlier.

The MCO Permit Forms can be downloaded from the MKN’s Telegram channel or from the PDRM website. They can print out the form to fill in the details and submit two copies at the police station for approval.

How motorists can help to prevent the spread of COVID-19


Mitsubishi XPANDER Venture Event Shows Off Capabilities Of 7-Seater Crossover

Words, pictures and even videos cannot convey the same appreciation of a vehicle’s capabilities in the same way as personally driving it, and Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) understands that. To provide the experiences of its products, it has had events where the public can get behind the wheel to take a test-drive in specially prepared courses. To show more extreme capabilities of models like the Triton, they even brought in Dakar Rally champ, Hiroshi Masuoka, to provide ‘taxi rides’.

During the first quarter of 2023, there are opportunities to experience their bestselling model, the XPANDER 7-seater crossover, at the Mitsubishi XPANDER Venture Event. The first one will be held this weekend (January 14/15) at Dataran Karnival, Perkarangan Shah Alam, Selangor. The location is next to the Shah Alam Stadium (
click here for directions
).

What you will experience
At the event site, visitors can register to test drive the XPANDER through a course which shows off the capabilities of the vehicle. To start off, they will feel the comfort of the XPANDER going over simulated bumps. It’s not surprising that it can cope well with rough surfaces as the model was developed for ASEAN conditions where road conditions vary greatly.

Next, drivers will get to see how the turning radius of 5.2 metres gives the XPANDER good maneuverability. Together with its compact size, it should be easy to move around in congested urban areas and in shopping centre carparks.

After the maneuverability test comes the demonstration of Traction Control, a standard feature in the XPANDER. Normally, such a test would be done on a wet surface that is slippery but in Malaysia, with our heat and sunshine, the Bomba truck would run out of water very quickly wetting the road! So the MMM people have set up a roller platform which allows the wheels to spin. When Traction Control activates, power to the spinning wheels is decreased and wheels with grip move the vehicle forward safely and surely. This keeps the vehicle stable on slippery surfaces, an important contribution to safety.

Then comes something which may not be encountered often – a Side Traverse section where the XPANDER gets tilted as it moves along the side of a slope. MPVs are usually tall but the XPANDER has a carefully chosen height to ensure stability even when it is tilted – which also happens during hard cornering (though you might not realize it).

Finally, you can take the XPANDER ‘swimming’… a test which shows that it can cross flooded stretches of road (or rough ground). This is due to having ground clearance of 205 mm, which is high enough for flash floods so you don’t have to wait by the roadside for the water to subside. A word of advice when you do cross flooded roads: gently press on the brake pedal after you reach dry road to ‘wipe’ water off the brake pads.

Lucky draw prizes for test-drivers
Besides the driving experience (for which you get an exclusive cap), there are also other activities and promotions at the site from 10 am to 6 pm. Each person registering for a test-drive can participate in a lucky draw with prizes like Nintendo Switch, G Shock, and North Face Jacket. Celebrities Sherry Alhadad, Sharifah Shahirah and Bell Ngasri will also be around to meet fans.

And if you are convinced after the drive and want to buy an XPANDER, there are special offers during the Chinese New Year festive period. These include a special trade-in program that offers RM2,000  support for customers who trade in their existing vehicle for a new XPANDER.

Two other venues
On February 4/5, the XPANDER Venture event will be held in Johor Bahru at the Toppen Mall Outdoor Carpark, and on March 4/5, at Kompleks Sukan Likas in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

For information on Mitsubishi models in Malaysia, visit
www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my
.

MMM believes in letting the public personally experience its vehicles and periodically has unique events to show off their capabilities.


Finally… A Permanent Solution To The Roadtax Sticker Problem – Just Don’t Display It!

For years, motorists have complained about the poor quality of the roadtax stickers on the windscreen peeling off or curling, and at one stage, the print even faded. Past Transport Ministers were aware of the matter but never seemed to be able to get it resolved.

Now the new Transport Minister has done it and his solution is very straightforward – don’t use a sticker any longer! Perhaps, in the past, the authorities were stuck with the thinking that the roadtax sticker must be displayed for checking but this is the age of digitisation and there are electronic solutions that do not require a sticker.

The announcement was made today by the Transport Minister who also said that it will be with immediate effect (
from February 10, 2023
). While there is a law under Section 20 of the Road Transport Act which requires a roadtax sticker to be shown, this will no longer be enforced. Perhaps an amendment will be made in due course to the regulation.

After the JPJ switched from paper to sticker-type roadtax discs, motorists complained of curling and even fading but a solution was never found

until today.

The move will be done in phases, initially for private vehicles and motorcycles registered in Malaysia. Other classes of vehicles such as commercial vehicles and those registered by companies as well as public service vehicles will still have to display the sticker on the windscreen.

So how do you show that you have paid your vehicle’s annual roadtax? This can be shown on digital device such as a smartphone or a tablet after the vehicle owner has registered for an account at the JPJ portal (
https://public.jpj.gov.my/
) or use the MyJPJ phone app. The app is available for free at the Apple App Store, Google Play Store and Huawei App Gallery. With their personal details provided, they will be able to access information on the status of their motor vehicle licence and also driving licence.

There may be some people who may not be familiar with using electronic devices and they should not worry as they can still go to a JPJ office and obtain a printed copy. This can then be shown whenever required, just as you show your MyKad.

The Transport Minister reminds the public that they should keep their vehicle and driving licences up to date and valid. Inspections will still be carried out by the authorities at any time and those without valid licences will be charged with committing an offence.

There might be one problem though: how will someone who has borrowed a friend’s car show the image or information about the vehicle’s roadtax status if they do not own the vehicle and therefore do not have access? Perhaps they will then have to print out a copy to show. In fact, now that the law has been eased a bit, printed copies should be permitted so motorists should keep one in their car in case they have problems with phone connection.

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 for more videos at The Piston Show.


10 Nissan customers receive RM13,988 massage chairs as winners of the ‘Festive Bonanza Hari Raya’ campaign

Ten lucky customers who purchased and registered a new Nissan vehicle during the ‘Festive Bonanza Hari Raya’ campaign by Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) recently received a GINTELL DéSpace Star Massage Chair worth RM13,988 each.

The models purchased by the winners from various parts of the country during the campaign period in May and June 2019 were the Nissan X-Trail, Serena S-HYBRID, Navara and Almera.

Buy a new Nissan vehicle before the end of this year and you could win an apartment at The ERA, Duta North Kuala Lumpur.

‘Buy Car Win Home
’ Grand Contest still ongoing

Additionally, each winner qualified for the ‘
Buy Car Win Home
’ Grand Contest where Nissan customers stand a chance to win a brand new 2+1 rooms serviced apartment (worth up to RM665,000) in The ERA, Duta North Kuala Lumpur.

This contest is a unique collaboration between ETCM and JKG Land Berhad. The ‘
Buy Car Win Home
’ Grand Contest started in December 2018 and
ends on December 31, 2019
. Customers who purchase and register a new Nissan vehicle during this period qualify with a contest entry.

Experience the all-electric Nissan LEAF

Incidentally, during this weekend and the next, ETCM is having the
Nissan Electrifying Drive Carnival
 at selected Nissan showrooms across the nation. Members of the public can experience the latest Nissan LEAF, the world’s best-selling all-electric vehicle. Many attractive prizes can be won and there are also fun tech activities like the Tech Drive Virtual Reality Experience.

Click here for driving impressions of the Nissan LEAF

For information and the locations of the showrooms, visit
www.nissan.com.my
 or call ETCM’s Nissan Customer Care Centre at
1-800-88-3838
.


Fuel Price Updates For August 29 To September 4, 2020


Aston Martin snatches Maserati’s Head of Advanced Powertrain

Aston Martin seems to be pretty busy readying thier fleet of new vehicles, which is probably part of the after effect of its agreement with Mercedes-Benz AMG. The German automotive giant has agreed to supply engines to the Gaydon based automaker and has also acquired a 5% stake in the company.

The strategy is especially evident with its recruitment of ex-Maserati man, Joerg Ross as Chief Engineer of powertrains. Ross, is a seasoned veteran in the powertrain business having served as the Head of Advanced Powertrain division at Maserati.

Prior to this, he held senior management positions at IAV, Scuderia Ferrari F1 and Ford. In total, he has spent more than 25 years in the automotive industry and has no doubt seen his share of technological advancements.

He will be responsible for the development of Aston Martin’s engines, transmissions and electrification work. Ross will be based at the company’s HQ at Gaydon, Warwickshire and will be reporting to Vice President and Chief Technical Officer, Max Szwaj.

“We are delighted to welcome Joerg to the Aston Martin team. His considerable experience and knowledge will prove invaluable for the Engineering team as we prepare the business for the next generation of Aston Martin products,” said Max Szwaj.

Born in Remscheid, Germany, Joerg holds a degree and a PHD in Mechanical Engineering from the RWTH Aachen University, Germany. He speaks several languages including German, English and Italian.

Speaking of his appointment, Ross said, “I’m delighted to be joining Aston Martin at what is an exciting time for the brand. The company is at a significant point in its history, with the recent announcement of its first all-electric car the RapidE. I’m excited to play a part in developing Aston Martin’s future vehicle strategy.”

It seems like the UK based supercar maker has big plans for the not so distant future. Though many consider an AMG engine in an Aston Martin as sacrilege, their proven reliability and power delivery should complement the elegantly styled sporty bodywork of Astons of the future.


Renault MORPHOZ – the car that changes shape according to needs! (w/VIDEO)

The MORPHOZ concept is Renault’s vision of personal, shareable, electric mobility of the future. Drawing on the Alliance’s new modular CMF-EV 100% electric platform, it offers a number of different configurations for power, capacity and range, as well as user options and boot space.

The concept is faithful to the brand’s DNA embodying Renault’s Family Petal design strategy and heralds a new family of electric models over the coming years. It represents changes in technology, society, the environment and also human behaviour. The MORPHOZ also supports the carmaker’s strategy is to become a supplier of smart mobility solutions for the cities and regions of the future.

Dual use of batteries

Being an electric vehicle (EV), batteries are naturally at the core and with the MORPHOZ concept, Renault is now looking at a different area: the dual use of batteries. When not being used for driving, the batteries remain in the car but can power appliances in the house or the local area via smart charging devices and V2G (Vehicle to Grid) bi-directional technology.

Batteries used in the extended Travel mode are taken out of the vehicle and stored in a charging station for use in other vehicles or to power equipment such as self-service bicycle charging stations or street lighting.

With such a battery-sharing system, there is no need to produce batteries with a nominal 90 kWh capacity for every vehicle. Limiting production in this way is thus good for the carbon footprint and the environment.

The new neighbourhood ecosystem

The MORPHOZ embodies the Me/We concept which says that what is one person’s can be shared. It challenges the idea of the car as private and instead encourages shared use. It meets all the family’s requirements, meaning they don’t have to buy a second or even a third vehicle when it’s not necessary or need a larger vehicle for occasional reasons.

It meets the needs of new kinds of community that are developing around digital infrastructures, regenerative resources and social well-being. As a single vehicle which can also serve the communal well-being, it suits new patterns of living in these urban communities, such as the co-living trend in housing.

The sharing capabilities of the MORPHOZ are central to this philosophy, with the removal of keys and starting cards, for example. It also anticipates regulations which will soon insist on car-sharing for all cars. Everything is accessed using the smartphone, which works as a digital key. This makes sharing with other people easier without the need to swap keys; drivers instead receive an unlocking code which allows access and use of the vehicle for a pre-determined period.

Smart City ecosystem

As a symbol of Groupe Renault’s vision of electric mobility in the years after 2025, the MORPHOZ is a key part of the transformation to Smart Cities, where connected technologies, smart and open data, IoT devices, smart networks, new materials and clean energies can be used to design and build a positive future.

Its Level 3 driving autonomy enhances the safety of everyone by removing human error behind almost 90% of road accidents. Its sensors also detect pedestrians and cyclists, actively alerting the driver to them in manual mode, in order to avoid accidents.

Its electric powertrain helps to improve air quality and means it can be used in areas that are out of bounds to vehicles with internal combustion engines. The shorter City version is ideal for city traffic, with a reduced footprint and less extensive vehicle facilities.

Connectivity and Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) recognises the driver on approach, activating a light sequence on the doors to indicate recognition, and unlocks/opens the doors. The cabin is crossed by a raised centre console which represents the ‘brain’ of the MORPHOZ. There is a special holder for the driver’s smartphone, which is then drawn into the console’s wooden panel to serve as the main data source. The AI will then, if authorised, use data and information from the smartphone to perform its tasks.

The AI lets the driver see the surrounding area by processing real-time data from external sensors and images from the vehicle cameras, especially the set which replace the door mirrors. Light displays on the inner doors and windows signal the presence of a pedestrian or a cyclist in the blind spot.

The social role of the AI on board is clear by the shared screen located between the seats on the centre console. This is where passengers can scroll through the music library on one of their smartphones or where they can play video games against each other. This screen also lets the users control the comfort of the cabin through the MULTI SENSE settings.

Like the new ZOE’s seat fabric, the cabin in the MORPHOZ uses a selection of recycled materials: wood for the dashboard, plastic for the inner doors and fabric for the seats.

Dedicated and adaptable electric platform

Like the CMF-B platform launched last year on the all-new Clio and used on the latest Captur, the CMF-EV allows engineers to design, build, adjust, and fine-tune electric vehicles more efficiently. The innovative architecture features a long wheelbase, reduced overhangs and a flat floor. A streamlined battery pack means the vehicle can be designed closer to the ground and with a lower roof to deliver improvements to aerodynamic performance.

The configurable concept can transform into two different modes: from the shorter City form to the longer Travel version. It is fully adaptable to fit the needs of drivers and passengers, with City mode fitted with the right battery capacity for day-to-day commuting or shopping while in Travel, it is able to accommodate the added capacity needed for long-distance journeys. The Travel Extender battery pack offers an additional 50 kWh of power, for a total capacity of 90 kWh and a total range of up to 700 kms.

2020 Renault Megane unveiled, with plug-in hybrid variant available for the first time


The Ford Mustang Mach 1 is back!

The last time a Ford Mustang Mach 1 was displayed for sale in showrooms in America was 17 years ago. It’s never been forgotten by Mustang fans and there must also have been people within the company who wanted to see it revived with the latest generation.

Now it is back and like the original Mach 1 in 1969, the all-new descendant bridges the gap between Mustang GT and Shelby models. “Bold styling, great acceleration and speed – Mach 1 says it all,” said Jim Farley, Ford’s Chief Operating Officer. “This is one of those special Mustangs that truly brings a smile to the faces of our owners, enthusiasts and fans – including me – so there’s never been a better time to bring back Mach 1 and have it go global too.”

Most track-capable 5-litre Mustang

The all-new Mustang Mach 1 is set to become the most track-capable 5-litre Mustang ever, thanks to a newly designed front end, plus Ford Performance parts from the Mustang Shelby GT350 and Shelby GT500 models as well as an optional Handling Package for greater at-limit handling.

The specially tuned V8 engine has a projected 480 bhp at 7,000 rpm and 570 Nm of torque at 4,600 rpm. Integrated into the engine are revised Shelby GT350 components including the intake manifold, oil filter adapter and engine oil cooler, increasing engine oil cooling capability by 50%.

The Mach 1 also comes standard with a Tremec 3160 6-speed manual transmission from the Shelby GT350. And for the first time, Ford has added rev-matching while the transmission is paired with the GT350 oil cooler system and the Mustang GT’s twin-disc clutch and short-throw shifter.

Drivers can also opt for the 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission with an upgraded torque converter and unique calibration that enables optimizing torque capability, shift character and overall enhanced performance. A second air-to-oil cooler increases cooling capacity by 75%.

Recapturing Mach 1 style

The new Mach 1’s grille harkens back to the original with a deep 3D mesh, shark-nosed section and faux lamp elements. Flanking the fascia are new side grilles below each turn signal lamp. A low-gloss Magnetic pony badge is centered on the grille, with low-gloss magnetic and black accents providing a premium look. Yet everything is true to Mach 1’s bold heritage, including low-gloss Magnetic mirror caps and the rear spoiler.

Focus on downforce

A front splitter optimized to the fascia shape improves track performance and provides a more aggressive appearance, while a matched rear spoiler works in concert to create ideal lift balance. Mach 1 features 22% more downforce than a Mustang GT with Performance Pack Level 1 and the downforce improvement jumps to approximately 150% with the Handling Package.

A new underbelly pan, the car’s most aerodynamically important upgrade, extends further rearward than on a Mustang GT Performance Pack to smooth and increase the airflow under the front of the car. Large underwing features in the belly pan increase downforce, while special belly pan airfoils in the brake cooling ramps improve downforce and assist the brake cooling flow – a first for Mustang.

The interior features a unique Dark Spindrift instrument panel with aluminium accents. Ebony seats with an accent stripe hint at Mach 1 heritage in cars equipped with a leather interior. Other interior upgrades include new door sill plates, an updated splash screen on the 12.3-inch all-LCD instrument cluster, a white cue ball shift knob, and engraved badging that displays the vehicle’s unique chassis number.

This generation of the Mustang is the first one which has righthand drive variants engineered and built at the factory for wider global sales. However, for now, Ford will only concentrate on supplying to the North American market.

Sime Darby Auto ConneXion also offers the latest Mustang with 2.3-litre EcoBoost and 5-litre engines. Visit
www.sdacford.com.my
 to know more.

Ford Mustang is bestselling sportscar in the world – for the fifth consecutive year


Hyundai SEVEN concept SUEV – a lounge on wheels

The Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) has many new models in the pipeline, virtually all electrified either as battery electric (BEV) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). It seems that HMG – which consists of Hyundai, Kia and Genesis – can’t wait to show the world what’s coming and throughout this year, we’ve seen production models being launched as well as concept cars that preview what’s to come.

The Hyundai SEVEN is one of those that will be coming and is described as the brand’s future sport utility electric vehicle (SUEV). It is likely to be a product in the
IONIQ EV sub-brand
 and ‘SEVEN’ suggests that it would be somewhere at the top of the range, the same way the
Kia Concept 9
 is likely to be a flagship model.

Next-generation customer experience

HMG has developed the
Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP)
 that will be used by all three brands and is optimised for EVs. This includes the SEVEN which has interior architecture to provide greater freedom and comfort for passengers. Following the
45 concept
 in 2019 and the
Prophecy concept
 in 2020, the SEVEN concept opens a new chapter for the IONIQ brand. It promises a next-generation customer experience with the most advanced technologies within a vehicle that is designed as an innovative living space on wheels.

“The SEVEN concept demonstrates Hyundai’s creative vision and advanced technological development for our electrified mobility future,” said Jose Munoz, President & CEO, Hyundai Motor North America. “Its innovative interior space, eco-friendly powertrain and cutting-edge safety and convenience technologies reveal an exciting future for Hyundai SUV customers.”

Aerodynamically redefining the SUV

The SEVEN concept makes full use of the flexible E-GMP to have a long wheelbase and flat floor beneath its an aerodynamically pure silhouette. The low, leading edge of the bonnet, a single, streamlined roofline and elongated wheelbase communicate a clear break from traditional SUVs powered by internal combustion engines. The pure volume of SEVEN’s minimal forms contrast with the powerful stance and commanding, rugged presence.

Aerodynamic efficiency and minimum wind resistance are vital for BEVs to go further, and the SEVEN is claimed to have a 480-km range. Thus every area on the bodywork is carefully shaped to allow air to flow smoothly. Even the wheels have integrated Active Air Flaps, which deploy or retract depending on brake-cooling or low-drag requirements.

At night, the SEVEN is easily identified by IONIQ’s signature Parametric Pixel lights that deliver a Welcome Light Sequence on start-up. Parametric Pixels provide a common design thread, linking digital and analog styles, a reminder that its designers considered every aspect of SEVEN’s design, down to a single pixel.

Welcoming premium lounge

The concept SUEV’s interior design priority lies in the innovation of space and makes full use of the 3.2-metre wheelbase. With the flat floor, the designers have explored an alternative to the traditional row-based seat arrangements, creating a more fluid interior layout. The Pillarless Coach Doors offer a grand entrance to reveal a welcoming interior with a completely new dimension of space. The streamlined roofline, long wheelbase and flat floor that extends to the third row opens new opportunities to furnish the interior like a premium lounge.

The SEVEN also embodies Hyundai’s future vision of autonomous mobility. The driver’s seat features a retractable control stick that hides away when not in use. Without the need for the usual driver’s equipment, the ultra slim cockpit and integrated screens create a lounge-like experience. The seat arrangement is unlike traditional SUVs, with swivelling lounge chairs and a curved bench seat. This seat arrangement can be customized depending on driver-controlled or autonomous driving modes.

Highlights of the vehicle are the Universal Island console, specially designed home appliances and a multi-functional Smart Hub graphic user interface. When the Smart Hub and front seats combine with the rear chaise-lounge seating, the SEVEN has an environment where the occupants can experience quality time alone or together in the glow of side-door ambient light. In transit, SEVEN’s built-in mini fridge provides chilled refreshment on the go and there are even shoe-care compartments to refresh passengers’ footwear.

The vision roof features a panoramic screen that not only displays various content based on passengers’ tastes, but also changes the overall interior atmosphere to guarantee maximum relaxation and pleasure during the journey.

Eco-friendly materials

The SEVEN uses various eco-friendly materials while offering segment-leading hygienic features, such as Hygiene Airflow System and UVC Sterilization. The Hygiene Airflow System takes inspiration from the sophisticated airflow management of passenger aircraft. In its vertical mode, air is taken in through built-in air intakes in the roof rails from which the air travels inwards from above, and extracted through the exterior vent behind the rear wheels. In its horizontal mode, the air flows from the slim dashboard to the rear vents.

Most importantly, this system can activate independently whether the vehicle is in motion or not to reduce cross-contamination among passengers and isolates the airflow between front and rear occupants.

Bio-paint is used for the exterior and hygienically-recycled and renewable materials throughout the interior. Mineral plaster, bamboo wood and carpet, bio resin and interior paint are based on renewable sources that can reduce pollution from the production process. Extensive use of copper and hygienically treated fabric with proven antibacterial functions ensure all surfaces inside the SEVEN remain clean at all times.

UV-C Sterilization activates once the vehicle is vacated of its passengers. The control stick, first-row storage drawer and speakers pop up and then, integrated sanitizing UV-C lights help clean the living space of bacteria and viruses. In addition, there are sanitizing storage compartments in the bench and Smart Hub console for personal belongings.

“SEVEN paves the way forward for what an SUV needs to become in the EV era with a unique aerodynamic pure form that does not compromise on its rugged personality. The interior opens up a new dimension of space that cares for its passenger as a family living space,” said SangYup Lee, Senior Vice-President, Head of Hyundai Global Design.

IONIQ – from model name to brand name


Bespoke automotive manufacturer R-Reforged, based in Switzerland, has announced plans to produce its Aston Martin Vantage V12 Zagato Heritage TWINS in-house at its new facility in England. 38 Aston-Martin-licenced units and handbuilt as the 38 Coupe and Speedster TWINS that celebrate the centenary of the Zagato Atelier (1919-2019) and 60-year long partnership between the Milanese ‘Signature’ and British sportscar manufacturer.

19 pairs to be produced

Offered solely in pairs to just 19 customers (with the majority already sold), the sculpted Vantage V12 Zagato Heritage TWINS by R-Reforged were created by Zagato and R-Reforged to combine the best of two automotive worlds: a sporting Speedster in its purest form and a timeless Coupe.

Each features iconic Zagato design cues synonymous with the carrozzeria, notably the ‘double bubble’ roof on the Coupe and, exclusively, the 100th anniversary gold Z badging.

Now derived from the later V12 Vantage, the 19 Coupes and 19 Speedsters feature a reworked version of its 5.9-litre 48 valve, naturally aspirated engine to produce 600 bhp (85 bhp more than the original).

Carbonfibre body with bespoke features

Clothed in an all-carbonfibre body, both incorporate an active aero and deployable rear wing to improve stability at high speeds whilst maintaining the clean surfaces and pure lines of the Zagato design. Combined with a number of other design tweaks such as new, centre locking 19-inch bespoke alloy wheels designed by APP Tech, the overall effect is muscular, purposeful yet graceful and unmistakably Aston Martin.

Owners can specify every element of their cars to the designers, before being invited to witness the team of skilled craftspeople at R-Reforged’s newly-created facility start making their cars. They will see first-hand a blend of traditional and contemporary processes, ranging from Bridge of Weir leather trimming to the latest in additive manufacturing. Options include an ‘infinity’ colour palette with the opportunity to match the interior and exterior to any colour sample provided by the client.

“The Aston Martin Vantage V12 Zagato Heritage TWINS by R-Reforged are undoubtedly a highlight of our centenary celebrations,” said Andrea Zagato. “A beautiful, bespoke and intrinsic part of our history and creative association with Aston Martin. To own these collectible cars will be a very personal and emotional experience.”

The cars will be unveiled in mid-2020 with production set to begin in the fourth quarter of this year.

Aston Martin V12 Speedster – inspired by the F/A-18 jet fighter


Boon Siew Honda Launches New Dash 125

Boon Siew Honda Sdn Bhd has introduced its latest model with the official launch of the new
Dash 125
. This new 125CC cub is the answer for riders who are looking for a bike that offers the whole package – improved performance and stylish design.

Speaking at the launch ceremony,
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Boon Siew Honda, Mr. Keiichi Yasuda
 (below) said,
“Over the years, the higher CC cub market has grown
increasingly competitive and challenging due to greater customer demand. As a company that is committed to bringing new values for the joy of customers, Boon Siew Honda has been refining our model offerings to meet the expectation of Malaysian riders for superior riding experience. Having understood the current trend and demand in Malaysia, we are extremely excited to introduce the new Dash 125 that is set to push the benchmark higher in the cub segment.”

The new Dash 125 received several value-added upgrades from its previous model, the Wave Dash that was first introduced 7 years ago. At the heart is the engine which is now 125cc to give riders a dashing ride that is better and more spirited in performance, making the new Dash 125 a great bike for those who are looking for a cub that has better performance within a reasonable price range.

The new Dash 125 offers a stylish and dynamic silhouette with its improved exterior. The new model is now equipped with LED headlights to offer better illumination and safety for riders who travel day and night in this fast-paced living environment. To add more aggressiveness in its aesthetic, the new Dash 125 is equipped with a stylish leg shield, sporty rim lining, cutting-edge mirror design as well as a new speedometer.

This new model also sports a new exterior, which is more contemporary with four colour options, which are Pearl Magellanic Black, Vivacity Red, Pearl Nightfall Blue and the Repsol Edition. Prices are as stated below:

Dash 125
 (Single Disc-Brake)
RM5,999

Dash 125
 (Double Disc-Brake)
RM6,299

Dash 125

Repsol Edition
 (Double Disc-Brake)
RM6,499


CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept

CUPRA, the high-performance subsidiary of Spanish carmaker SEAT, has revealed the design language that will be used for its urban electric vehicle (EV). Instead of just sketches, the company has built a full-sized prototype which it calls the CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept that will be displayed at the IAA Munich International Motor Show this month.

The CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept is designed as a racing car to push the limits in a radical interpretation of an urban electric car. Having a racing car as the basis for the design is because Racing is at the core of CUPRA’s DNA.

New electric car to be launched in 2025

“The CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept is a radical interpretation of the company’s urban electric car, due to be launched in 2025. This racing concept gives an idea of the design language of the future street-car and will inspire its creation” said Wayne Griffiths, CEO of CUPRA. “It builds on the design foundations of the 100% electric urban vehicle, that will be launched in 2025.”

This racing version will influence the road version of the urban electric car, but the core elements are enhanced to give the vehicle an even more rebellious character. At the front, the shark nose was created using a negative surface. The front face is also emphasized by the new triangular signature in the headlamps.

Its wraparound window graphic generates the visual effect of a helmet – as in the CUPRA Tavascan Concept – and gives continuity between the windows around the whole car to deliver the effect of a floating roof.

Moving to the side, the car shows athletic proportions, thanks to the wedge line – from the C-pillar to the front door – with diagonal sculptural surfaces., that create tensional contrast. The rear view of shows athletic shoulders, in a new interpretation of the design seen in the CUPRA Formentor.

Influence from virtual world

The rear features an iconic design, thanks to horizontal proportions. On top of that, the large spoiler – usually seen on racing cars seen in the virtual world – gives it an imposing sharp look underlined by the negative surface beneath it.

“The CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept injects a gamification look to the racing car, projecting a radical interpretation of the company’s urban electric car,” said Jorge Diez, CUPRA Design Director. “Each contoured line and sculpted surface in the design is brought to life by a livery that uses kinetic particles to add movement to the surface as light shifts across it.”

Volkwagen MEB platform for EVs

The car’s overall length is 4080 mm, with a width of 1795 mm and height of 1444 mm, which makes is slightly larger than a Volkswagen Polo but smaller than a Golf. It sits on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB (modular electric drive matrix) platform engineered for EVs. The output for the concept car is said to be 250 kW of continuous power and up to 320 kW at its peak. The factory claim for the 0 to 100 km/h sprint is 3.2 seconds.

Volkswagen Group MEB platform designed for electric vehicles.

The CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept is more than just a preview of a new model for CUPRA. It also involves the rest of the Volkswagen Group, which SEAT is part of. “The urban electric car is a key strategic project not only for our company, but also for the Volkswagen Group, as our aim is to produce more than 500,000 urban electric cars per year in the Martorell factory in Spain for different Group brands. The urban electric car will democratise and make accessible electromobility to the masses,” said Griffiths.

SEAT to use CUPRA high-performance brand for first electric car


Dongfeng’s new compact SUV ready for launch in mid-2020.

With the COVID-19 pandemic crisis in China appearing to subside and businesses are resuming operations, some carmakers are already looking at launching new models later this year. One of them is Dongfeng Motor Corporation (DFM) which is readying a new compact SUV, to be called the Yixuan RV, in June this year

Tough sharing the same over styling as the Yixuan model in the Aeolus range, it has a more aggressive design language. The angular front design elements complement the large matrix centre grille to create a bold look. When viewed from the side, the profile of Yixuan RV incorporates a bi-colour design, and the chromed sash molding and wheel rim well echo the overall design styling.

This is the first SUV developed from the DFM’s CMP modular platform which was jointly developed with the French PSA Group (which has Peugeot and Citroen). Dimensionally, the new model has an overall length of 4610 mm and width of 1830 mm with a wheelbase of 2680 mm. This would put it around the same size as a Hyundai Tucson.

The interior styling of this new model is also similar to Yixuan, with a similar looking console, floating central control screen, multifunction steering wheel and red/black leather seats. What differentiates the RV version is the carbonfibre-like pattern on the trim.

Customers will be able to order the Yixuan RV with either a 1-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged engine with a maximum power of 125 bhp/196 Nm, or a 1.5-litre (also turbocharged) 4-cylinder engine that produces 150 bhp/230 Nm. Transmission options available are 5-speed manual or a 6-speed dual-clutch unit.

About Dongfeng

DFM’s history is longer than most other carmakers in China, going back to 1969 when it was founded as the Second Automobile Works Co., Ltd. This was before the country’s automotive industry took off (in the 1980s) and its main products then were trucks. Since the 2000s, it has also been producing passenger vehicles and collaborates with the PSA Group as well as Renault and Nissan.

Dongfeng’s factory in Wuhan lost 3 months of producton this year and has been slowly increasing output since resuming operations from the end of March.

Last year, it sold almost 3 million vehicles, made up of 2,463,620 passenger vehicles and 468,333 commercial vehicles. This year, it is aiming for 3.1 million vehicles although the lengthy shutdown would impact that target especially as DFM production facilities are located in Wuhan and Hubei province whichh were at the epicentre of the pandemic.

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


Malaysia’s Third National Car Is A Go – MIGHT Announces Launch By 2020! [+Video]

No, your eyes don’t deceive you; there really is a
Third National Car
 on the way!
MIGHT
 or the
Malaysian Industry-Government for High-Technology
 held a press conference recently and here’s the video on it…

With ambitious plans to have a ‘prototype’ vehicle (note we didn’t say
“car”
) by early 2019, and a vehicle on the road by
2020
 (note we still haven’t said
car
) MIGHT seems confident that this endeavour, funded entirely (or almost entirely) by the private sector and not the taxpayers, will have ‘semi-autonomous’ driving capabilities and packed with the latest cutting-edge automotive components, and built using “Disruptive Technology
*
” (*see below gallery). While domestic sales are a given, exports to neighbouring countries are a key area that MIGHT be looked into.
See what I did there?

So why haven’t we said
“car”
 despite it being in the title and project name? That’s because despite the plans to have a prototype unveiled in the next
6-months
 or so (if ‘early 2019’ is anything to go by; we’ll peg it as the first quarter), there’s still no decision if the vehicle will be a passenger sedan, hatchback, SUV, MPV or truck. Neither was any indication given to a choice of powertrain, i.e ICE, Hybrid, Diesel, PHEV, electric, etc.

A quick glance at MIGHT’s
website

didn’t do much to alleviate any of the confusion or questions. No decision yet on body-style, no decision yet on powertrain, and yet a working prototype will be ready in “early 2019”, with an actual vehicle ready for sale to the masses by 2020. This we gotta see…

Our friends at
 Behind the Wheel
 summed it up best
 “Basically they’re counting on the use of disruptive technology* (see below gallery for definition) in place of conventional vehicle development and production methods to hit all the ambitious targets set here, much like (what) Elon Musk achieved with Tesla; However, someone neglected to inform them that there’s only one real-life Tony Stark and Musk has already filled the opening”.
 Touche fellas.

What is Disruptive Technology?

A disruptive technology is one that displaces an established technology and shakes up the industry or a ground-breaking product that creates a completely new industry. Harvard Business School professor Clayton M. Christensen coined the term
disruptive technology
. In his 1997 best-selling book, “The Innovator’s Dilemma,” Christensen separates new technology into two categories: sustaining and disruptive. Sustaining technology relies on incremental improvements to an already established technology. Disruptive technology lacks refinement, often has performance problems because it is new, appeals to a limited audience and may not yet have a proven practical application. (Source:
Whatis.TechTarget.com
)


Chery Announces Return To Malaysia, With 5-Model Line-Up To Come

The last time Chery was in Malaysia was some 17 years ago and its experience was not good, nor would those who bought its products have had good experiences either. To be fair, the market conditions then were different, the products were also not as advanced and the brand was handled by a local company. When it left the market, it was not missed although its return has been much anticipated.

However, while Chery has entered neighbouring markets and started its business over the past year, it has been careful with the Malaysian market because it knows that its past image was not good. So it has been hard at work trying to present a better image, which is why you would have seen and read a lot about the brand, what it promises and what products are going to be available – but it did not start up.

Now, after months of preparing the market, Chery is officially back with a preview event today. And this time, it is directly involved in marketing activities with its own company, Chery Malaysia, and is therefore responsible for its own destiny. Other carmakers have also found it better if they are closely involved and direct the business in the market as they are the brand owners. Customers ultimately benefit as brand owners will always be thinking long-term and be willing to spend to grow the business.

“At Chery, getting close to consumers is of paramount importance. Besides communicating our recent global successes and showing them our leaps in technology, quality and design, this preview event is also a platform for us to directly engage with Malaysian consumers and deeply understand their hearts and minds with regards to automobiles,” said Chery Malaysia’s Country Director, Leo Chen.

Today’s Chery OMODA 5 SUV (above) and Chery models in 2007 (below).

For its return to Malaysia, Chery will start off its range with no less than 5 models. But don’t expect names like QQ or Eastar which would bring back bad memories although the Tiggo is back in a much more modern form with the latest technologies. While the original Tiggo in 2007 was essentially a single model, today it is the name for a family of SUVs of different sizes.

The model that is drawing a lot of attention is the OMODA 5, a fairly new SUV model that only began sales in China in the middle of this year. Its bold styling gives it a character that is quite distinct in a crowd of SUVs (and the SUV market is pretty crowded). The pictures, however, make it look bigger than it actually is and its dimensions of 4400 mm length and 1830 mm width actually put in in the Proton X50 and Perodua Ativa class. So it’s a ‘B+’ segment model but not too big to qualify to be in the C-segment.

There are a few engine options for the OMODA 5 and Chery Malaysia has not confirmed which one they will offer. The unit being previewed today had a 1.5-litre engine and with the limited information available, we only know from sites in China that it has  an output of 156 ps and a 9-speed CVT. There is also a 1.6-litre TGDI engine available and drivetrains are front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The specs Chery decides for Malaysia would be determined by the feedback they get from today onwards.

Chery Tiggo 8 Pro

As for the Tiggo Pro range, there are three models – 4, 7 and 8. This range has already been launched in many markets The Tiggo 8 Pro is the flagship of the range, with 3 rows of seats. It is powered by a 197 ps/290 Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine, one of Chery’s powerplants which has won awards in China for its high efficiency. There is also a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version which was previewed, and this might also be among the models to be sold in future.

One notch down is the Tiggo 7 Pro, a C-segment SUV which has a 156 ps/230 Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged engine with a CVT. The entry-level model will be the Tiggo 4 Pro, which is a compact SUV with a 111 ps/141 Nm 1.5-litre engine and CVT. There are other engine options for all the models but we suspect that Chery Malaysia will pick these and have only front-wheel drive for the Tiggo Pro range and AWD for the OMODA 5.

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro (left) and Tiggo 8 Pro (right)

As always, when asked about pricing, the answer is ‘competitive’, and Chery Malaysia is aims to compete in Malaysia with its products assembled locally. From what we understand, the local assembly plan is a certainty and they are probably waiting for regulatory approvals and reviewing the incentives that are offered to investors. Alternatively, some models might also come from Indonesia where Chery’s factory began operations a month ago. These can be imported and sold without import duty as a benefit under the AFTA agreement.

Of all the Chinese companies, Chery would have the longest experience overseas, having exported its products for over 20 years. While its early years may have been marked with failures in some markets (like Malaysia), it has nevertheless steadily increased its export volumes and has been China’s top passenger car exporter for 19 consecutive years. It has sold over 10 million vehicles worldwide in 80 countries and regions so it is a global player.

CHERY OMODA 5

CHERY TIGGO 4 PRO

CHERY TIGGO 7 PRO

CHERY TIGGO 8 PRO


ASEAN NCAP testing to include Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems

The New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP) assessment protocol for 2021-2025, introduced in Indonesia last year, has four pillars of assessment. These are Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), Child Occupant Protection (COP), Safety Assist (SA) and Motorcyclist Safety (MS).

Under the SA domain, ASEAN NCAP will be assessing the effectiveness of Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) systems installed in vehicles. This new development mirrors the progression in assessment procedures and aspects that older organizations such as Euro NCAP.

What is AEB?

AEB is a braking system that is applied automatically by the vehicle in response to the detection of a likely collision in order to reduce the vehicle speed and potentially avoid such collision, or reduce the effects of the impact. Detection is by camera and radar and over the years, the ability to recognise different forms has improved, increasing its effectiveness.

The S80 was the first Volvo model to have AEB in 2007 and it was demonstrated using this procedure (above). In 2011, the S60 was the first model sold in Malaysia with AEB (below).

Available in Malaysia since 2011

The system began appearing in models from Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Volvo in the early 2000s and thereafter began to spread throughout the industry. Initially, due to the cost of AEB, it was offered on high-end models but eventually, as costs came down, lower-priced models like the Ford Focus began to have it. Today, even cars like the Perodua Myvi have AEB. The first car with AEB in Malaysia was the Volvo S60 launched in 2011.

ASEAN NCAP will be assessing two types of AEB systems under the upcoming protocol – AEB City and AEB Inter-Urban. With the new protocol set to commence this coming January 2021, ASEAN NCAP is preparing to strengthen its capacity and capability in the area of testing the effectiveness of AEB systems. This is a significant milestone in ASEAN NCAP assessment as currently (under the 2017-2020 protocol), the assessed vehicle only receives points based on the availability of the system inside the vehicle.

How AEB works: Cameras and radar scan the road ahead and if a vehicle is detected, the system will warn the driver. If the driver does not act in time by braking or slowing down, the brakes will be activated automatically.

The assessments will cover the following:

Effectiveness of AEB City system in a car-to-car rear stationary scenario by driving the vehicle forward at a speed of 10 – 60 km/h towards another stationary vehicle.

Effectiveness of AEB Inter-Urban system in a car-to-car rear moving scenario by driving the vehicle forward at a speed of 30 – 60 km/h towards another vehicle that is travelling at constant speed.

Development testing

Recently, the organization conducted AEB development testing over two days at Bandar Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur where there is a discussed runway as it was formerly an airbase for the TUDM. This follows the first development test held in 2018 in which ASEAN NCAP tested the effectiveness of blind spot technology fitted in vehicles in order to detect the presence of motorcyclists riding at the blind spot zone of a moving vehicle.

Cameras at the top of the windscreen scan the road ahead to detect other vehicles.

“I am proud that ASEAN NCAP with the support from MIROS has successfully organized this development test in our effort to enhance our capacity and capability in AEB testing. This is part of our preparation to conduct such assessment for the new 2021-2025 protocol,” said Adjunct Prof. Ir. Dr. Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim, the new Director-General of MIROS (Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research). He is also Secretary-General and Acting Chairman of ASEAN NCAP.

“As other technologies such as AEB becomes more mature, it is timely that we perform the actual physical assessment of the system and elevate our current assessment from just rewarding points on its availability in the vehicle,” he added.

“As the new MIROS D-G, I would like to thank the manufacturers who are involved in providing their vehicles for this development test. We are grateful for their support and willingness to participate in this test to ensure that the systems equipped in their vehicles are at the best performance. Their commitment in safety is commendable and we hope other manufacturers will follow suit in the near future. With the requirement on the effectiveness of AEB fitment under the new ASEAN NCAP protocol, we are making safety a priority, not a luxury,” Adjunct Prof. Ir. Dr. Khairil Anwar stressed.


Nissan take life-size remote controlled GT-R around Silverstone

You may have heard of miniature RC or remote controlled vehicles, the same machines that have brought joy to children and adults all over the world since the 1980s. In fact, special RC tournaments are conducted annually, in several parts of the world to prove who has the best reflexes at successfully maneuvering their vehicles past challenging miniature circuits.

Nissan has decided to take this one step further by introducing a full-size RC vehicle in the form of the latest iteration of the GT-R supercar. It has done this to celebrate the launch of the highly acclaimed Gran Turismo Sport game for the PlayStation 4 console.

Called the GT-R/C the vehicle is a fully standard car with the stock V6 engine that puts out 542bhp and an all-wheel-drive system. Engineered in the UK by JLB Design Ltd, the car has been fitted with four robots that operate the steering, transmission, brakes and throttle. Six computers mounted in the boot update the controls at up to 100 times a second.

The vehicle is driven/controlled though operating an unmodified DualShock 4 controller that connects to a micro-computer which interprets the joystick and button signals and transmits them to the GT-R /C’s on-board systems. From an operator’s perspective, there is no discernible difference between the game and the real life car with the exception of the viewing angles.

This vehicle was driven around the Silverstone circuit by NISMO racing driver Jann Mardenborough. If that name sounds familiar, it is because he is one of the most successful winners of GT Academy, Nissan’s unique driver discovery and development programme.

Mardenborough controlled the GT-R/C via the DualShock controller from the cockpit of a Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter. Since the controller had to be within a 1km distance of the car to safely control it, the helicopter had to fly at a very low altitude for the duration of the session.

As a safety net, the GT-R/C was fitted with  two independent safety systems, operating on different radio frequencies, which allow two additional operators to apply full ABS braking and cut the engine, should there be any signal interruption from Mardenborough’s controller.

Speaking of the event, Mardenborough said, “This was once-in-a-lifetime, truly epic stuff. The GT-R /C has brought my two worlds together – the virtual of gaming and the reality of Motorsport – in a way I never thought possible.”

“The response from the car when using the controller was far more engaging than I thought it would be. JLB Design has done an incredible job at making everything respond really well,” he added.

Next year, Nissan will be taking this car on a tour to primary and secondary schools in the UK to promote future careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths subjects. And maybe, inspire the next generation of engineers to turn to Nissan’s R&D platform.


Preview of the updated Nissan Navara PRO-4X, to go on sale on April 16

Remember the ‘Mothertrucker” which arrived in the market 13 years ago? It had big numbers – in size and in engine output – which inspired Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) to give it that nickname. Since 2008, it has made its mark in many markets, including Malaysia where it was initially assembled locally but importation later switching to completely built-up (CBU) vehicles from the Nissan production hub for the model in Thailand.

It’s currently in the third generation which was launched here in 2015 and after 6 years, the truck has received updates to refresh its looks and also technology. It’s hard to say just how long Nissan plans the model cycle – typically around 10 years for light commercial vehicles, including pick-up trucks – as previous generations have had short and long product cycles. Usually, an update takes place about halfway through the product life so would this suggest that for this generation, it will be 12 years? The first generation was in production for 7 years while the second generation was 10 years.

Anyway, whatever the time-frame, the updated Navara is now on Malaysia soil and will be officially launched by ETCM on April 16. Unlike some other companies, ETCM has decided not to do any teaser campaign and is revealing the specs now, with only the prices being withheld till the launch date.

Dominant black theme

The new Navara is designated PRO-4X and has styling changes that clearly differentiate it from the 2020 model. The styling changes at the front and rear, in particular, have increased the overall dimensions slightly but the basic bodyshell is actually unchanged in size. Up front is a new ‘Interlock’ grille with a mesh design finished in flat black. The black colour is also used for the door handles, door mirrors, roof rails, alloy wheels and fender flares, giving a bold look to the already imposing body.

New 2021 Navara front end (above) has a very different look from the one on the 2020 model (below).

Look closely at the headlights and you’ll see four cubes inside. These make up the segment-first quad-LED Projector lighting system, complemented by C-shaped Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). LEDs are also used for the rear lights, with a C-shaped visual signature.

While the Nissan emblem is not the
 new one that was announced last year
, it does get some special treatment on the Navara and looks more modern than before. And just so everyone knows which Nissan model this is, the name ‘NAVARA’ is stamped on the leading edge of the bonnet as well as on the rear panel in extra-large letters.

While there are four colour choices, ETCM has not said how many variants there will be although we would guess that there would probably be a similar number as before, including a single cab for customers who want a workhorse instead of a leisure machine. The vehicle in the pictures is likely to be the top variant as it has all the latest features and technologies.

Same 2.5-litre turbodiesel

As for the engine, we’ve also been told of only one powerplant which is the same one used before – the YD25 in-line 4-cylinder turbodiesel with intercooler. This engine can generate up to 190 ps/450 Nm which gets to the four wheels through a 7-speed automatic transmission with manual mode. As with other traditional pick-up trucks, there’s a transfer case with High and Low ranges that can be selected by a switch.

For very difficult conditions of if the vehicle is trapped in sand of thick mud, the new Electronic Locking Rear Differential system will lock both rear wheels so they rotate at the same speed instead of power being diverted away from the spinning wheel. Thanks to modern technology, the driver does not need to get out in the mud as much as before.

Besides the strengthened rear axle, the rear multi-link suspension has been given dual-rate coil springs for better body control even when heavily loaded. Stability is also improved along with ride comfort and handling.

Cabin more for personal use

Like SUVs, pick-up truck usage has also gravitated towards personal daily use as an alternative to a passenger car. As such, interior designers have been making cabins more and more passenger car-like to the extent that if you were brought inside blindfolded and seated, you would not be able to tell that you are in a pick-up truck.

With the latest Navara, the Zero Gravity- Inspired (not zero gravity) front seats are standard, and the rear seats have been improved in cushioning and structure for better support and comfort. Rear passengers now get a new fold-down armrest in the middle with built-in cupholders. Under the rear seat, which can be folded up, is a small compartment for storing tools. In the version we were shown, the seats had leather upholstery although, going by past practice, other variants may have different materials.

To improve quietness, acoustic laminated glass is used for the windscreen as well as the side window glass on the front doors. Laminated glass, which does not shatter when hit by large stones, has a sandwich construction and in between the two layers is an acoustic layer which absorbs external noises.

More tech can be seen in the dashboard which has a full-colour 7-inch High Resolution Digital Display for the instrument panel and an 8-inch Advanced Touchscreen Display for infotainment. The system is Appel CarPlay & Android Auto Ready so apps from compatible smartphones can be easily transferred and accessed from the screen. Other equipment includes a new sporty 3-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, 4 USB ports (including one which is a Type C port).

On either side of the rear cargo bed (which is 1469 mm x 1560 mm) is a new Utili-Track Channel System (shown below) for securing goods. It is made up of 2 channels and 4 heavy-duty forged aluminum cleats that can be locked anywhere along the channel.

The payload is now rated at 1.1 tonnes and to make opening and closing the tailgate easier, there is a Tailgate Assist system which ‘lightens’ the weight. The bumper also has an integrated step, with an anti-slip pattern, for easy access to the cargo bed.

Generous dose of new technologies

As mentioned earlier, the new Navara has received a generous dose of new technologies, clustered under the umbrella of ‘Nissan Intelligent Mobility Technologies’. These provide a 360
o
‘safety shield’ for the vehicle to protect the occupants from injuries.

New for the model is an Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM) with Off-Road mode. Available when in 4×4 (Low) mode, the monitor helps the driver spot any obstacles around the vehicle. Being able to see what is on the ground around and ahead will give the driver more confidence when driving over rough, unknown terrain and also reduce hitting obstacles or dropping into big potholes.

As with many passenger car models today, there are pro-active safety systems that monitor, warn and even act to prevent an accident. For example, Intelligent Predictive Forward Collision Warning will alert the driver if a collision is likely to occur with a vehicle ahead and if no action is taken, the brakes will come on automatically to prevent the collision.

Other active systems include Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist, Blind Spot Warning, Intelligent Moving Object Detection and Intelligent Driver Alertness. These are all standard for the PRO-4X variant though they may not be available in other variants, which is usually the case.

Now we await the price announcement from ETCM but if you want to be personally informed, you can register your interest at any authorized Nissan showroom around the country. The locations can be found at
www.nissan.com.my
.


Laser Motor Dominates Round 2 Of GR Vios Sprint Cup

With the top two fastest qualifying speeds and victories in Race 1 at the Sepang International Circuit, Laser Motor Racing dominated the first day of the
GR Vios Sprint Cup
 weekend.

Teammates Eddie Lew and Amer Harris came in second, while Putera Adam and Jwan Hii took the lead with the fastest time of 2 minutes, 52.302 seconds. Hayden Haikal and Timothy Yeo of Axle Sports completed the top three positions.

The GR Vios Sprint Cup has two 1-hour races on Saturday and Sunday, 2-driver teams, a required pit stop, and a driver switch. Toyota’s presence in motor racing has expanded thanks to this move, which has also given Toyota dealers and privateers the chance to compete in saloon car racing at lower costs and, more importantly, the chance to succeed as a racing team and actively take part in the development of young talent.

When heavy rain fell just before the start of Race 1, participants were caught off guard. While the rain stopped, the track remained wet, which meant that all bets on the top qualifiers were off.

Putera Adam and Amer defended their positions at the front of the pack as they entered the first corner at the beginning, with Naquib Azlan of Axle Sports pursuing them in third. Hayden, who experienced gearbox issues on the formation lap and Mitchell Cheah of Prima Pearl TD Racing, who was scheduled to start sixth, both failed to qualify for the race. Tengku Djan Ley, Tengku Mahaleel, and Zizan Razak of the Prima Pearl TD Racing team also failed to start the race.

While Amer and Naquib battled for second place, with second position changing hands multiple times in the first laps, Putera Adam had a clear track ahead of him, extending his lead to as much as 7.4 seconds by the fourth lap.

At the halfway point of the race, Putera Adam made the required driver change pit stop, and Jwan Hii was given the duty of driving the car to the finish line. At that point, the lead had increased to more than 51 seconds. As soon as he returned to the track, Hii had a 13-second advantage over Nabil Azlan, who had replaced his brother Naquib in the #17 Axle Sports vehicle. Eddie Lew, who replaced Amer in the second Laser Motor Racing vehicle, maintained third place but lagged further behind by 13 seconds.

However, as Nabil increased the pressure, Hii’s lead would shrink to 7.9 seconds. Despite this, Nabil was unable to stop Hii from crossing the finish line.

The team from Distinctive Model led by William Aaron Haikal and Ady Rahimy made the highest improvement of the day, moving up from grid position 7 to finish in fourth.

Three female drivers competed in the 21-Car GR Vios Sprint Cup lineup, including sisters Nurul Husna and Auni Nasharuddin, who drove for Rock Racing, and Adele Lew, who was paired with Kenneth Koh in the Panglima City Racing Team.

Tomorrow, June 25, Race 2 will begin with a reverse grid order based on the results of Race 1, with the slower qualifier of the two drivers starting the one-hour race.

Participants in the GR Vios Sprint Cup compete for total prize monies amounting to RM60,000 per race weekend with the overall champion in each of the two races awarded RM10,000 cash, followed by RM8,000 for the first runner up, RM6,000 to the third place winner, and RM4,000 and RM2,000 for the fourth and fifth place winners respectively.


LOOKING BACK: The forgotten Volvo P1900 sportscar with a fibreglass body

Volvo isn’t well known for sportscars although it has had such models in its history, the best known being the P1800 that gained worldwide fame in the TV series ‘The Saint’ in the 1960s. However, that was not Volvo’s first sportscar and before the P1800, there was a model called the P1900 Sport which was sold in 1956 and 1957.

The P1900 Sport project was initiated when Assar Gabrielsson, one of the two founders of the car company, visited the USA in the early 1950s to study the market. He saw that American motorists liked big sedans, which Volvo would produce and be successful at later on. At the same time, he noticed that there was a strong following for small sportscars from Europe. The Chevrolet Corvette also impressed him and he decided that Volvo should produce a small sports model.

Although Sweden was not a place where convertibles were appreciated a lot due to its climate, Gabrielsson believed that there was a market for a small topless sportscar in other places, the USA being one of them. So he asked his engineers to come up with a platform which was adapted from the PV444 but instead of a steel body, it had a tubular frame on which a fiberglass bodywork was attached.

Volvo didn’t have the expertise in fiberglass so they commissioned a company in California called Glasspar which was a specialist in making fiberglass boat hulls and also kitcar bodies. Glasspar was also asked to come up with a design for the sportscar and coached with Volvo’s production people on the use of the lightweight material.

Meanwhile, the engineers moderated costs by using many components from the PV444, adapting its 4-cylinder engine for the purpose. The engine had a 1.4-litre displacement and two carburettors, with modifications made to increase performance to 70 bhp/103 Nm. It was mated to a 3-speed manual transmission and hydraulic drum brakes were used all round.

The 966-kg car was 4.22 metres long with a wheelbase of 2.4 metres. The first running prototype was tested in 1954 and reached 155km/h.

Not surprisingly, there were issues with the fiberglass body which cracked and fitting the doors properly was also difficult. The chassis was found to be weak and the transmission didn’t seem suitable for a sportscar (a 4-speeder was deemed too expensive at the time).

The issues were addressed and by the following year, Volvo showed off the new P1900 Sport to the media and dealers. It had set a production run of 300 cars for 1955 but production only started in 1956. Cars were exported to the USA (where it was priced at $US2,600), Brazil, Morocco  and South Africa but in the end, most were actually sold in Sweden.

By then, a new CEO, Gunnar Engellau, was in charge and after spending a weekend with the P1900, he felt it lacked the high quality expected for the brand. Furthermore, the company was actually losing money on each car and so he ordered production to stop – after 68 cars had been built.

Engellau wasn’t against sportscars and started a new project which led to the P1800 and its ES derivative, this time using a steel body to avoid the issued with fibreglass. But it would be another 40 years after the P1900 that Volvo would offer another convertible, a variant of the C70, in 1997.

Volvo P1800 (background) and P1800 ES

1997 Volvo C70 Convertible

LOOKING BACK: The car that saved Volvo in the 1980s


Mercedes-Benz is the world’s most valuable luxury car brand of 2019

The Best Global Brands 2019 has just concluded and the folks from Mercedes-Benz definitely has something to shout about as they took eighth place yet again in the list of the best brands in the world. According to the list, they’re the only European car manufacturer to be included in the top 10 list and just one step behind Toyota, the only other car brand in the top 10.

According to Bettina Fetzer, Head of Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars, “We are proud to have achieved 8th place in the ‘Best Global Brands 2019’ again, with a further increase in our brand value. This is a magnificent achievement by the entire Mercedes-Benz team – and by this, I mean every individual who strives for the success of our brand on a daily basis. This result is both a confirmation and an incentive. Alongside the best products and services for our customers, we are developing Mercedes-Benz into a sustainable luxury brand – after all, the star is our most valuable asset.”

In terms of brand value, Mercedes-Benz saw an increase of about five percent which totals to an astonishing 50.832 billion US dollars. That’s an amazing RM212.757 billion big ones for us here in Malaysia. These figures were meticulously calculated by US brand consultancy, Interbrand who’s also in charge of coming up with the list for the Best Global Brands.

Through sheer determination and hardwork, Interbrand assessed the 100 most valuable brands in the world according to three aspects

Financial performance of the brand’s products or services

Role of the brand in the buying decision process

Strength of the brand with a view to safeguarding the future revenue of the company

To check out the complete list of the Best Global Brands 2019, click
HERE
.

New Mercedes-AMG GT R & GT C launched – From RM1,558,888


2023 Geneva International Motor Show To Be Held In… Doha!

When it started in 1979, the Dakar Rally (or Paris-Dakar Rally, as it was known then) ran from Paris to Dakar on the western coast of Africa. 43 years later, the Dakar Rally is still running – but it is actually in Saudi Arabia. In fact, between 2009 and 2019, it was held in South America after being forced to relocate due to security issues along the original route in Africa.

Next year, we will also see another famous event – the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) – not being held in its original city of Geneva in Switzerland but in Doha, Qatar. It will be the first time since the first Geneva Motor Show was held in 1905 that the event is relocating and will be held in November 2023.

The Geneva International Motor Show used to be the first major international motorshow each year, and often had concept cars and design studies as its highlights.

In 2020, the event had to be cancelled at the last moment due to the COVID-19 pandemic and urgent measures taken by the Swiss health authorities banned public gatherings of more than 1,000 people. Many other international events around the world were also cancelled or postponed but the cancellation of GIMS also seemed to make carmakers rethink their participation in such events and rethink marketing strategies.

While GIMS has traditionally been the first major international motorshow each year in March (though the North American International Auto Show which runs earlier has gained significance), often seeing the debut of new concepts and models, carmakers also began to see online promotion as becoming increasingly viable. With the pandemic creating uncertainties, commitments were slow to come for their future participation after 2020. As a result, the 2021 and 2022 events could also not run.

Brands from Malaysia have also participated in the Geneva motorshow. In 2010, Proton displayed its EMAS concept (left) while Bufori also had its Geneva model there.

”Our team has worked very hard to ensure that GIMS 2023 can take place in both Geneva and Doha,” said Sandro Mesquita, CEO of the Geneva International Motor Show. “In these uncertain times, many brands are not in a position to commit to participating in a show in Europe in the winter. After assessing all the elements, it has become clear to the foundation that the 2023 Salon cannot take place in Geneva as planned.”

”We have done everything possible to ensure that we could host GIMS 2023 in Geneva in February. The enhanced event format and project had been very well received. But in the end, the risks overweighed the opportunities,” explained Maurice Turrettini, President of the foundation Comite permanent du Salon international de l’automobile de Geneve.

”Due to the uncertainties in the global economy and geopolitics, as well as the risks related to the development of the pandemic, the organisers have decided to focus exclusively on the planning of the event in Doha in 2023,” he explained, adding that the original plan to hold the show in two parts, with the first in Geneva, would not be carried out and only the second part in Doha would be realised.

The Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre in Qatar will be the new home for the Geneva International Motor Show from 2023.

GIMS in Doha will take place in November 2023 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre as well as several other decentralised venues, and will offer many unique and spectacular driving experiences. “We are now fully focused on organising GIMS in Doha and look forward to confirming the dates and format of this ground-breaking event with our partners at Qatar Tourism shortly,” said Mesquita, adding that the event in Qatar is scheduled to take place every 2 years.

The Tokyo Motorshow has also shifted venues since its first event in 1954 (above), but it has always been around the Tokyo area. After the first few years in a park, it moved to a proper exhibition hall in Harumi. By the late 1980s, the event had grown to become a major international motorshow and its venue moved to the huge Makuhari Messe complex (below) near Tokyo Disneyland in 1989. It would remain there until 2009 when conditions changed and the number of exhibitors became less. As a result, the venue was moved closer to Tokyo at the smaller Tokyo Big Sight convention centre (bottom) where it has been since 2011.

Makuhari Messe

Makuhari Messe

Tokyo Big Sight

Tokyo Big Sight


Miami, USA to have Formula 1 race in 2022

The US state of Florida, which has had the famous Daytona 500 race since 1959, will also have a round of the Formula 1 World Championship in 2022. Miami will be the 11
th
 location in the USA since the modern F1 championship began in 1950. The other circuits have been at Riverside, Sebring, Watkins Glen, Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas, Phoenix, Indianapolis and the Circuit of the Americas (Texas).

“We are looking forward to bringing the greatest racing spectacle on the planet to Miami for the first time in our sport’s history. The Hard Rock stadium entertainment campus in Miami Gardens exists to host the biggest global events to benefit the entire greater Miami region and Formula 1 racing is as big as it gets. We have worked with specialist designers to create a racetrack that we, Formula 1 and the FIA believe will provide great racing and we hope to create best-in- class unique fan experiences that are reflective of the diverse and dynamic nature of Miami,” said Tom Garfinkel, Managing Partner of Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix.

Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

Brand new track

Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins, will sit at the heart of the circuit. The Formula 1 organisation and the FIA will be liaising closely with the promoter who will build a brand new track that will provide high-speed straights, multiple overtaking opportunities and exciting racing while meeting the highest safety standards.

The circuit will be 5.41 kms long, have 19 corners, 3 straights and potential for 3 DRS zones with an estimated top speed of 320 km/h. It’s not known if Hermann Tilke, the engineer who has designed many of the modern F1 circuits (including the Sepang International Circuit), will be involved.

The new circuit will be built on the grounds around the Hard Rock Stadium.

The race will provide an additional tourist boost and economic impact to local businesses in the greater Miami region. Additionally, there will be a programme to support local businesses and the community to ensure they get the full benefits of the race being in Miami Gardens, including a STEM education programme through F1 in Schools as well as the opportunity for local businesses to be part of the race weekend.

“We are thrilled to announce that Formula 1 will be racing in Miami beginning in 2022. The US is a key growth market for us, and we are greatly encouraged by our growing reach in the US which will be further supported by this exciting second race. We will be working closely with the team from Hard Rock Stadium and the FIA to ensure the circuit delivers sensational racing but also leaves a positive and lasting contribution for the people in the local community,” said Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1.

A Formula 1 race in California in 1976.

Spectator presence still uncertain

Meanwhile the FIA and Formula 1 said that during the 2021 FIA Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Italy, 4,523 tests for COVID-19 were performed on drivers, teams and personnel between April 12 and April 18. Of these, 2 people tested positive. The aggregated information from each Grand Prix is being provided for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency.

As in 2020, the races this year will be run under stringent Standard Operating Procedures with participants required not only to undergo COVID-19 tests but also operate in a ‘team bubble’ which prevents interaction with others during the event. Spectators have not been allowed so far, although in 2020, two events (in Portugal and Russia) allowed spectators with social distancing measures applied. The organisers are hopeful that the situation will ease further as the season proceeds and limited numbers of spectators could be allowed into the circuits.

Most of the races in 2020 were run without spectators present, while the teams had to operate in a strict ‘bubble’.