BMW Concept 4 with huge kidneys previews next 4-Series coupe

The kidney grille appeared on a BMW, the 303, for the first time in 1933.

Back in earlier years, rookie motoring journalists writing about BMW would have constantly been reminded of the two design elements of the company’s cars – the kidney grille and the blue and white roundel. It was standard text to mention them when describing a new BMW. Those who know BMW’s history know that the roundel was inspired by a propeller as the company had been making aero engines before it ventured into making cars.

The kidney grille wasn’t on BMW’s first cars, appearing only or the first time on the 303 in the 1930s. Thereafter, it would become a permanent part of the BMW ‘face’, re-interpreted by the designers again and again in the decades that followed. For production models, the proportions of the kidney grille were appropriate to the car’s size and inserted between the bonnet edge and top of the bumper.

For concept cars where the designers had more latitude to experiment, various more sophisticated interpretations were presented. Some were quite appealing, high-tech and elegant while those in recent years seem to border on the ‘bizarre’ with their outsize proportions which take the grille beyond the confines of the front end. On such occasions, as with the Concept 4 on display in Frankfurt this week, the massive kidney grille comes to the forefront of commentaries.

New face of the 4-Series range

Grabbing the attention at the heart of the front end is the vertical kidney grille. The distinctive grille, remarkable air intakes and prominently sculpted surfaces provide an immediate advert for the car’s performance and its engaging character as a driver’s car.

“The kidney grille has always been a signature feature of BMW cars,” stressed Domagoj Dukec, Head of BMW Design. “The BMW Concept 4 presents a confident and classy take on this iconic feature. At the same time, the BMW Concept 4 offers a look ahead to the expressive face of the 4-Series range.” The vertically oriented grille fits seamlessly into both the proportions of the front end and BMW’s illustrious past. Indeed, its form and design reference legendary classics such as the BMW 328 or the BMW 3.0 CSi and therefore shine the spotlight on the BMW brand’s long and successful history as a maker of fine coupes.

The kidney grille is also home to some elaborate details. The grating itself contains horizontal trim elements with a faceted cut which create a neat contrast against the sporty design of the front end and lend depth and exclusivity to the grille. Look closer and another highlight is revealed: the intricate grating within the kidneys and air intakes, which is made up of an array of small ‘number 4s’ joined together.

The slim and focused twin headlights are slightly angled and team up with the kidney grille to lend the front end a modern look with a strong identity. The striking LED light elements have no glass cover; instead they are worked into the body like three-dimensional sculptures. This allows them to bring an even greater sense of modernity and technical sophistication to the front end. The sharply contoured bonnet extends the lines of the front end through powerful volumes and edging of precision. The bold surfacing frames the kidney grille like a gemstone.

Aesthetic essence of a modern BMW coupe

The Concept 4 displays BMW’s signature proportions at their most modern form yet. The stretched bonnet, long wheelbase, flowing roofline and short overhangs create a modern, elegant and dynamic coupe outline and send energy coursing through the low-slung body even while it’s standing still.

Within the silhouette, the ultra-pure surfaces of the concept car form a powerful main body. The interplay of tautly chiselled volumes and a small number of extremely precise contours create a rare sense of emotion and dynamism. The expressive exterior paint tone Forbidden Red accentuates the car’s surfaces particularly vividly; those in the light at any one time project a rich, glossy red, while shade creates an almost black effect and a striking contrast. The interaction of contours and volumes therefore exude a dramatic sense of radiance and depth.

The athletic body incorporates a slender glasshouse with a narrow window aperture, which further emphasises the dynamism of the side. The long, sweeping roofline flows smoothly into the bootlid, giving the rear end a high-class and sporty aesthetic. The bulging rear wheel arches lend visual expression to the power coursing through the rear wheels and accentuate the muscular shoulders higher up.

Sophisticated details

Look more closely and further classy details are revealed. The minimalist, two-section exterior mirrors emerge harmoniously out of the weather strips. The lower section in polished aluminium extends the weather strip in a flowing movement and becomes a mirror surface, while the aerodynamically optimised rear section is in body colour and rounds off the design of the mirrors in dynamic fashion. On the inside of the mirrors is an apparently floating BMW logo, which only comes to light on more detailed inspection.

The light-alloy wheels of the Concept 4 are equally rich in detail. The 21-inch items represent a heavily ‘dished’ take on the sporty 5-spoke design, drawing the eye into their centre-points. The fronts of the intricate spokes have a high-polished finish, while the set-back surfaces are finely ground to create a slightly darker effect and give the rim design a sophisticated contrast.

Eye-catching, dynamic rear end

The rear sits low over the road, as befits a sporty car. The character line transitions from the flanks into the rear end in a broad, horizontal sweep and visually reduces the coupe’s height off the ground even further. Picking up where the front end left off, generously sized and clear surfaces with only a small number of lines are the dominant theme.

Purism runs through every element of the rear end and creates a prominent tail graphic. The sporty glasshouse is indented into the powerful body, allowing it to chisel broad and athletic shoulders into the Concept 4’s design. The vertical air outlets frame the lower section of the rear and emphasise the car’s broad stance. The LED rear lights consist of a single fibreoptic element, which lends the familiar BMW L shape a cutting-edge ‘heartbeat’ graphic and dispenses with a glass cover. Their contours underscore the sportingly horizontal focus of the rear end and accentuate its brawny stance on the road.

The striking diffuser integrated into the muscular rear apron sets the seal on the car’s rear-end design. Its vertical fins break up the clean surfaces of the car’s tail to send a statement of fine sporting pedigree, while the High-gloss Black paint finish with metallic particles lend it additional visual impact. The pair of exhaust tailpipes highlight a new and dynamic free-form, a detail of the Concept 4’s design that expresses what this car is all about: the modern essence of a coupe with a huge dose of aesthetic appeal.

The Concept 4 looks ready to be added to the assembly line as the next 4-Series Coupe, though how much those huge kidneys are downsized remains to be seen.

Click here for other new and articles about BMW in PISTON.MY


All-new 5th generation Toyota RAV4 now in Malaysian showrooms

The Toyota RAV4 is a historically significant model in Toyota’s line-up. Introduced in 1994, it came at a time when motorists were beginning to appreciate SUVs and created a new segment in the car market almost overnight.

While the earlier SUVs (which were also rather big) were traditionally based on chassis-on-frame construction, Toyota designed the RAV4 with a monocoque bodyshell – the same as a passenger car. So it handled like a car and was also almost as comfortable; for many making the switch to the RAV4, the transition was easy as it felt like a passenger car when driven.

First generation of the RAV4 which created a new market segment almost overnight from the mid-1990s.

The RAV4 set off an ‘explosion’ in the SUV segment and in the years that followed, virtually every manufacturer would introduce a SUV (if it didn’t have one) or expand its SUV range. Demand kept growing and even the luxury segment began to have SUVs.

In 2019, the RAV4 was the world’s best-selling SUV and to date, over 10 million units have been sold worldwide. Now comes the fifth generation of the model which got off to a good start by being voted
Japan’s Car of the Year 2019-2020
.

The all-new RAV4 imported by UMW Toyota Motor is available in two variants with 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre engines, priced at
RM196,436
 and
RM219,664.50
 (Peninsular Malaysia price, excluding insurance premium). The vehicles are imported as Completely Built-Up (CBU) units from Japan and come with a 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty. [
Click here for price list
]

The prices are higher than the popular rivals in the local market but bear in mind that the RAV4 is imported as CBU from Japan whereas competitors in the same class such as the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 are assembled locally with lower tax imposed on them (apart from getting incentives from the government for investments in local assembly). And the strength of the ringgit (or lack of it) these days also has an impact on pricing.

Evolving with trends

Over the years, the RAV4 has grown in size from the original design. The latest generation, with an overall length of 4600 mm, it is 445 mm longer than the first generation, while the overall width of 1855 mm is 160 mm wider. The wheelbase of 2690 mm is 280 mm longer. This moved the RAV4 up a notch is size categorisation and Toyota filled its place with the more compact C-HR.

The styling also evolved with trends although even the first generation was stylish in its own way. The latest fifth generation has an octagonal theme giving a chiseled appearance with a front end that is bolder.

The door mirrors have been repositioned from the window panel to the door panel, increasing forward visibility around the A-pillars and contributing to a general increase in all-round visibility for better situational awareness.

Concept sketch for the new RAV4 shows how the octagonal theme was adopted, giving the model a chiselled appearance.

The RAV4 rides on 18-inch alloy wheels, wrapped with 225/60R18 dual-purpose tyres. Unlike the earlier RAV4s, the spare wheel is no longer on the rear door – which used to be a must for the SUV image. These days, apart from a few models, the spare wheel is carried on board and in the case of the RAV4, it’s a space-saver type for emergency use only. Thankfully, it isn’t hung under the vehicle like the traditional SUVs.

Joining the TNGA era

While the original RAV4 departed from traditional SUV construction by having a unitary monocoque structure, the latest model has TNGA, which stands for Toyota New Global Architecture. This is the brand new platform developed for use in a wide range of new Toyota models.

The TNGA structure is also monocoque and is 57% more rigid. With the adoption of a ring structure, the torsional rigidity of the body has increased. Contributing to the rigidity is the reinforcement in many areas, strengthening the structure. This enhances agility while also providing a smoother, quieter ride.

Adopting the TNGA platform allowed the engineers to position the powertrain lower down which means a lower centre of gravity for better stability. Using high-strength hot-stamped steel and aluminium have also reduced weight in the upper body, again helping to shift the centre of gravity downwards. A new saddle-style fuel tank distributes weight of the fuel evenly side-to-side.

The suspension consists of MacPherson struts at the front and trailing wishbones, a straightforward layout which is clearly oriented towards on-road driving rather than off-road motoring. Handling and comfort were the priorities and a select group of takumi (highly trained master craftsmen) helped to refine the ride comfort, focusing on tuning details.

A new steering system is installed in the RAV4. The new parallel-type electric power steering system is rack-mounted rather than column-mounted, unlike the previous model. The new design helps enhance turning response and gives a natural feel that can help reduce fatigue on long drives.

The engineers also gave a lot of attention to reducing noise levels in the cabin, this aspect being important to the perception of quality. The reinforcements in the structure help, along with low noise features like integrating the floor silencer and expanding the surface area of damping materials.

Practical interior with car ambience

With the new platform, the interior designers took the opportunity to do a complete redesign of the cabin. As with earlier RAV4s, the interior concept focusses on practicality but blends in modern passenger car ambience with many convenience features.

The new dashboard layout incorporates a slimmed-down instrument panel which is installed low, giving the driver better visibility. Bright and clear Optitron meters (originally developed for the Lexus luxury models) are used on the instrument panel. The TFT Combination Meter can be switched between analog and digital displays.

Infotainment is right up to date with a 7-inch display and a range of connectivity options such as Mirrorlink, Miracast, AUX and Bluetooth. AppleCarPlay and Android Auto are also available so occupants can connect their compatible smartphone and access apps from the dashboard. There’s also voice command which enables management of certain features or handsfree telephony.

Seating comfort is improved with thicker cushions and enlarged lumbar support pads and there’s also a Seat Ventilation System installed – something which you usually find on luxury models.

Large cargo space with auto-opening door

The RAV4 is a 5-seater with two rows of seats, and the back row can be folded flat to increase the cargo floor length for more cargo volume. The cargo area is large enough to even accommodate a 62-inch bicycle with the front wheels having to be removed.

Where the earliest RAV4s had side-hinged rear doors, the door for latest one is top-hinged. There are pros and cons to this as a top-hinged door requires extra space behind the vehicle to open whereas you can open a side-hinged door a bit to put things in. But what will be greatly appreciate is not just powered operation for opening and closing but also a handsfree operation. Placing a foot under the rear bumper will unlatch the door and it raises automatically – a great feature to have when both your hands are full.

Feedback from owners of earlier generations told the new RAV4 development team that many owners have outdoor activities. This led them to come up with useful features to support such activities. For example, the inside handle of the rear door can be used for clothes hangers or camping lights. The wide and long ceiling can be used as a storage area with a nylon strap strung across the passenger grips. Numerous hooks are available to secure irregular-sized luggage as well.

A new engine family

With this new generation, the RAV4 gets an entirely new powertrain with Dynamic Force engines. Lighter and more powerful, these 4-cylinder petrol engines have a combination of a very high compression ratio (13:1), advanced D4-S fuel injection (combining direct and secondary port injectors), high-speed combustion technologies, VVT-iE intelligent variable valve-timing (both sides), and ultra-low internal friction. The thermal efficiencies are as high as 40%, double the average of most internal combustion engines.

The 2.5-litre version produces up to 207 ps/243 Nm of torque while the 2.0-litre engine produces up to 173 ps/207 Nm. The bigger engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission (Direct Shift 8-AT) but for the 2-litre unit, there’s a CVT with Sequential Shiftmatic.

For both transmissions, the driver can choose from Eco, Normal and Sport modes to suit driving preference or conditions. Selection of the preferred mode is done by pressing switches on the centre console. Paddle shifters are also provided (both variants), allowing the driver to make manual selections without removing the hands from the steering wheel.

Both variants have front-wheel drive rather than 4-wheel drive. When the RAV4 was first introduced, SUVs all had 4-wheel drive although there were also 2-wheel drive variants available, especially for the flatter regions of the US market. But as time went on, manufacturers found that the new generation of SUV buyers didn’t seem to care much for 4WD. Omitting 4WD meant weight reduction, with cost savings which could be used to provide more features. Those who had to have 4WD could still get it in more expensive variants but the majority were satisfied with 2WD.

Integrated active safety systems

Like most of the latest Toyota models, active safety systems are no longer independent elements but integrated to work together to help the driver avoid accidents and maintain better control of the vehicle. Besides the now-standard provision of systems such as ABS, Traction Control and Vehicle Stability Control, Toyota has developed an integrated package known as Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) which is used in the RAV4 and many of the Toyota’s latest models.

TSS consists of four driver-assistance systems – Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert with Lane Tracing Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control at All Speeds (DRCC), and Automatic High Beam (AHB). Lane Tracing Assist operates using the camera and radar to recognize lane markers or the preceding vehicle’s driving path. It estimates the vehicle’s position in the lane and then implements steering assist to remain in the lane, even on roads with curves.

Lane Tracing Assist guides the RAV4 along curves.

DRCC
 is a more advanced form of cruise control which can vary the cruising speed depending on conditions, while AHB detects the headlights of an oncoming vehicle or tail lights of a vehicle ahead and automatically switches to low beams.

Other safety features and systems in the RAV4 include Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert both of which alert the driver when other vehicles are in the blind spot during changing lanes and reversing.

Besides the camera used for the TSS, there are also six other cameras around the vehicle. The first two are the Driving Video Recorders (DVR) mounted in the front and rear positions inside the cabin and the other four cameras are tiny one installed around the body for 360-degree coverage. The driver can view the surrounding areas next to the vehicle while parking, a great benefit in narrow or tight parking spaces.

Apart from the engine immobilizer and alarm system, UMWT also installs a Vehicle Telematics System (VTS) in the RAV4. This system uses GPS/GSM for tracking so if the vehicle is stolen, its location can be identified quickly and the authorities informed to recover the vehicle. The service provider for the VTS can also provide emergency assistance from its 24-hour command centre.

Visit
www.toyota.com.my
 to find out more about the new RAV4 and where to view it.

FIRST DRIVE: 2020 Toyota RAV4 2.5L


Mercedes-AMG Project ONE hypercar stars in new Forza Horizon 5 game (w/VIDEO)

At the all-digital gamescom 2021 this week, Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios are showcasing an all-new Forza Horizon 5 gameplay with the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE ‘Forza Horizon Edition’ as the star. The unique Forza Horizon Edition possible has an exclusive body livery that emphasises its unique character and makes it clear that this car will not be available for purchase in the real world. In addition to the Forza Horizon Edition, the AMG hypercar can also be configured in other equipment and colours.

The virtual counterpart of the hypercar with Formula 1 drive technology is presented in extremely detailed graphics and the currently highest fidelity in the digital world. Players are immersed in a hyper-real open world in which the landscape of Mexico is recreated.

The special experience of driving the ultimate top model from the high-performance subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz is also amazingly realistic. Virtual acceleration, braking, steering and agility as well as active aerodynamics correspond to the features of the actual model which has yet to be launched.

Close cooperation between Mercedes-AMG and Microsoft’s Forza team has enabled hyper-realistic representation of the special features of the unique 2-door car. With the different ‘Track’ and ‘Road’ driving programmes, dusty tracks in Mexico can be mastered just as dynamically as asphalt highways. The active aerodynamics of the hypercar are also meticulously recreated. The gaming community can look forward to breathtaking driving performance, with more than 1,000 ps of virtual power and a digital top speed of over 350 km/h.

“The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is strictly limited to 275 units in the real world. We’re delighted that there’s now a perfect digital variant exclusively in Forza Horizon 5. Thanks to our close cooperation with Microsoft, we can now virtually offer the unique driving experience of our hypercar to a large group of enthusiasts in the best and most impressive way currently available on the gaming scene,” said Philipp Schiemer, Chairman of the Board of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

“We have featured Mercedes-AMG vehicles in every Forza game; however, this is the first time we’ve partnered to feature a Mercedes-AMG vehicle on the cover of a Forza game. I cannot imagine a more exciting car to start with than the amazing Mercedes-AMG Project ONE,” added Alan Hartman, Vice-President of Forza Racing Franchise, Xbox Game Studios. He added that other performance vehicles from Mercedes-AMG are also available in Forza Horizon 5.

Forza Horizon 5, the follow-up the popular simulator released in 2018, the open-world Forza Horizon 4 driving, takes the Horizon Festival to the very realistic and vibrantly presented Mexico. Featuring the largest, most diverse open world ever in a Forza Horizon game, Forza Horizon 5 is set against a vibrant, ever-evolving landscape with nearly limitless driving action across living deserts, lush jungles, historic cities, hidden ruins, pristine beaches, vast canyons and a towering snow-capped volcano – the highest point ever in a Horizon game. The game will be available globally on November 9 for the current consoles of the Xbox family, including Windows PC.

Revealed in 2017, the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is still under development. It will be a road-legal hypercar with only 275 units to be produced, Each one is priced from 2.28 million euros (around RM11.38 million) and all have already been booked.

Increased track testing for Mercedes-AMG Project ONE prototype


Red Bull Advanced Technologies to build £5 million RB17 hypercar

Red Bull Advanced Technologies (RBAT) will build and sell a hypercar which uses much of what they have learnt making and racing Red Bull Racing F1 cars. The Red Bull 17 (RB17), as the model will be known, will also use some of the technologies that have been disallowed in the sport.

It will be very exclusive, of course, and only 50 people in the world will get to own one. They will have to be very rich to afford the expected pricetag starting from £5 million (around RM26.8 million) for each car. The RB17 will be supported directly by the factory, with servicing and maintenance support tailored to each owner and their usage profile for the car.

Ownership includes more than the hypercar, bringing a close association with the Red Bull Racing team through access to simulators, vehicle program development and on-track training and experiences.

Red Bull Racing has been among the top F1 teams and has developed many advanced technologies which will be used in the hypercar.

‘RB17’ creates a direct link to the F1 cars which began ‘RB1’ in 2005 when the team entered Formula 1. It has reached ‘RB18’ in 2022 and ‘RB17’ actually was never used because last year’s racing car was designated ‘RB16B’ as it was fairly similar to the RB16.

The 2-seat RB17 will have the typical hypercar specs and a twin turbo V8 hybrid powertrain will develop over 1,100 bhp. Designed around a carbonfibre-composite tub, the RB17 features the most advanced ground effect package available in a series production car.

RBAT plans to build 15 cars a year from 2025 so new RB17s will be coming up till the end of the decade. “The RB17 marks the first time that a car wearing the Red Bull brand has been available to collectors,” said Christian Horner, CEO of Oracle Red Bull Racing and RBAT.

“The RB17 marks an important milestone in the evolution of Red Bull Advanced Technologies, now fully capable of creating and manufacturing a series production car at our Red Bull Technology Campus,” he added.


Spectator Killed In Race Car Crash At Dato’ Sagor Circuit In Perak

Saturday was the last day of 2022 but a tragedy would mark the end of the year at the CCT Battle of Champions race. A spectator was killed when a car went off the track and hit him at the Dato’ Sagor Circuit in Kampung Gajah, Pasir Salak, Perak.

Footage of the incident which circulated on social media showed two cars racing closely with each other and coming into contact. One car got diverted off the track and headed towards a group of people who were standing in an open area just next to the track, and one was injured fatally.

It was reported that the spectator had moved closer to the track to record the action and was not actually authorised to be in that area but was not stopped by marshals in time. The absence of any protective barriers along the edge of the track meant that no one should have been allowed in the area but it appeared that there were others standing around too. As is often the case, there is the assumption that ‘nothing will happen’ so it is not dangerous.

Source of images: Social media

The tragedy could have been prevented had there been the proper safety measures that should be installed at a racing circuit. With the high speeds of the cars, loss of control can occur at any time or in this case, a collision, and the cars can go off the track. Barriers would stop them from travelling far off the track but at the same time, spectator control also needs to be strict.

Those who participate in motor racing – drivers and riders – understand that they are taking a risk as an accident can occur and they could be seriously injured or even lose their life. Even then, the FIA – the world motorsport governing body – has comprehensive regulations to protect them that require approved safety equipment to be installed on the cars and participants must also wear proper safety clothing to minimise the risks.

In Malaysia, we have had accidents at circuits which have lacked safety measures. In some cases, ‘ignorance’ may be claimed or there’s a ‘
tidak apa’
 attitude because the seriousness of motor racing and its risks is not understood enough. Economic reasons may also be the reason why safety measures are inadequate because proper safety measures cost a lot of money, and organisers don’t have that much.

To make a circuit safe requires more than just piling tyres around the course. A good example of just what is required can be seen in the Vios Challenge series run by UMW Toyota Motor for the past 5 years. Other than the Sepang International Circuit, the other circuits in the series have been specially set up and have been constructed to international safety standards.

An example of proper safety measures can be seen in the Vios Challenge one-make series where concrete barriers and high fences provide protection for spectators. Even when the cars have accidents, they are contained within the track and do not crash out of it. However, such measures which meet international standards are costly.

This means hundreds of thousands of ringgit for thick concrete barriers and high fencing. It’s the sort of expenditure which many Malaysian organisers cannot afford as their events cater for the grassroots crowd in most cases. So they are run with limited budgets that don’t really allow for proper safety measures.

While motorsports need to be promoted at grassroots level and newcomers need to have a chance to compete, organisers also have a responsibility to ensure that safety is not compromised. Bodies like the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) need to be more strict about minimum safety measures and if they cannot be met 100%, then the event should not be sanctioned.


F1/Round 5: Highlights and Provisional Results of 2022 Miami Grand Prix

The 72nd Formula 1 race on American soil saw Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc getting off to a good start and reaching the first corner before his team mate, Carlos Sainz, who had been caught by surprise by a hard-charging Max Verstappen. Mercedes-AMG’s Lewis Hamilton was also displaced from his eighth starting position briefly by Alpine’s Fernando Alonso who got a good slingshot start.

Going into the first turn, Hamilton had contact with Alonso and later, the Mercedes-AMG driver reported that he felt damage at the rear. Hamilton’s team mate, George Russell, who had started in 12th position, also had a bad start and slipped down to 15th to drop behind Alfa Romeo’s GuanYu Zhou who would have to retire by the 8th lap due to a technical issue.

The two Aston Martins had started from the pitlane as the cars had ‘fuel issues’, while Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, who did not take part in qualifying due to an earlier crash, started from the back of the grid.

On lap 10, as Verstappen got within DRS range on the start-finish straight, he got past Leclerc whose car seemed to have damaged tyres. Behind Leclerc was his team mate Sainz who was pursued by the other Red Bull, Sergio Perez. 8 seconds behind the four frontrunners were two former team mates – Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas – duelling for fifth place.

On lap 12, Scuderia AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda was the first driver to return to the pits to change his medium tyres for hards, rejoining at the back. He was closely followed by Haas F1’s Kevin Magnussen who also wanted to get onto hard tyres like Tsunoda. However, Verstappen seemed to be doing okay with his medium tyres. None of the top 10 cars were called in for tyre-changes.

On lap 20, Perez began to drop back noticeably and seemed to be losing power. However, his engineers could not see anything on the telemetry but he had slipped back by almost 3 seconds during the lap. Whatever it was, his gap from Sainz extended to 7 seconds. Later, the engineers would report that a sensor issue had been the cause.

Lewis Hamilton was the first of the top 10 to come in on lap 23, retaining his position as he shot back out. Two laps later, Leclerc came in, glad to finally be rid of the tyres that were making it a struggle to drive his car. When he rejoined, he was down in fourth, 27 seconds behind Verstappen in the lead and 2 seconds ahead of Bottas. After the Alfa Romeo driver was a wide gap to Russell who was some 16 seconds furtherback.

Finally, Verstappen came in for hard tyres on lap 26, losing the lead which was taken over by Sainz. And just two laps later, both Sainz and Perez came in at the same time, with the Red Bull crew getting four tyres changed in less time than the Ferrari crew (apparently there was a wheel nut problem). Verstappen was back in the lead, with a 7-second gap from Leclerc.

Russell, who had started in 12th, had done well to be up to fifth by lap 30, managing to stay keep Bottas back as Hamilton tried to close the 4-second gap. He was still on his original tyres, one of the last few drivers who had not come in. But Hamilton was not happy as the tyres were running hot with the high track temperatures.

Further down the field, Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel was also having a hard time with his tyres, and the only glimmer of hope given to him as he struggled to stay close to McLaren’s Lando Norris was that rain ‘might come in 3 minutes’. Russell too was hoping for a change in weather – or a Safety Car making an appearance.

Lap 41 provided the huge crowd with some excitement as Scuderia Alphatauri’s Pierre Gasly and Alonso made contact  when the Alpine locked up going into Turn 1. Gasly was unable to avoid and fell to to 11th spot but worse, Norris was just behind and couldn’t avoid him and slid off to the side to end his race. Out came the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) – with Russell probably smiling under his helmet. The Stewards decided that Alonso was at fault and gave him a 5-seond penalty.

With the VSC activated, Russell came into the pits, along with Alpine’s Esteban Ocon who decided to take on soft tyres. Perez also made a second stop, this time to go to medium tyres again. Gasly had come in just as the VSC ended and was heard to say that he thought something had broken.

The race got underway again with 10 laps remaining of the 57-lap race. Verstappen sped off with Leclerc just behind. Their team mates were under 3 seconds behind and both also close enough to duel for the third place.

Russell was playing the dutiful No. 2 to his team mate as he kept clear of Hamilton who was aiming to get past Bottas, which he did by lap 48. That was as far as the 7-time world champion would make it as it was then a 3-second gap to Perez. One lap later, however, Russell found himself in an advantageous position after having overtaken Bottas as well and slipped ahead of Hamilton into fifth place. However, he was later told to give the place back to Hamilton as the move had been done off the track.

As the race reached its final 5 laps, the excitement was building up. Verstappen was able to keep Leclerc from passing while Sainz was managing to hold third place for Ferrari. Verstappen made no mistakes and crossed the finish line to big cheers from the Red Bull fans. Another good day for the Dutchman who is now climbing back up the championship ladder.


BMW Motorrad Malaysia Continues To “Make Life A Ride” With BMW Motorrad Nightfuel In Johor

Bikers take note!

The ultimate BMW Motorrad Malaysia lifestyle event returns to unite premium motorcycle enthusiasts from across the country, through great food and music. Set to take place at Puteri Harbour Front’s car park, the fifth edition of BMW Motorrad Nightfuel will feature exciting activities for motorcyclists and BMW Motorrad fans to enjoy.

With lucky-draw
 ‘Win with BMW Motorrad’

sessions taking place, they will also stand the chance to ride into the night with special prizes. Adding to the excitement, attendees will play witness as BMW Motorrad Malaysia will be introducing their latest model at the event.

NOTE: Tickets are required to attend the BMW Motorrad Nightfuel in Johor, while walk-in registration is also available on the day of event.

Details of the event:

Date                :
6
th
 October 2018, Saturday

Time               :
7:00PM to 11:00PM

Venue             :
Puteri Harbour Front (Car Park)

Persiaran Puteri Selatan, Kota Iskandar,

79100 Nusajaya, Johor.

For more details on BMW Motorrad Nightfuel or to purchase the entrance ticket, kindly visit BMW Motorrad Malaysia’s website
HERE
.
 To join the convoy, please contact your nearest BMW Motorrad authorised dealers. Click
HERE

to find out what happened in the previous BMW Motorrad Nightfuel in Putrajaya.


Porsche Continue Support For CarPlay

Electric vehicles require special handling when operating and maintaining them because they are intricate. Thus, navigational software is crucial to an EV. That has been
General Motors
‘ justification for excluding CarPlay and Android Auto from its next models and directing owners to its own Google-based built-in map app instead.

But Porsche has revealed that the
Taycan
 now supports Apple Maps EV routing as a reminder that enabling CarPlay doesn’t always mean giving up such services.

Every Taycan produced is compatible with this update, which is really included within the most recent version of the My Porsche App for iOS. Model years 2021 and older require a free software upgrade that can only be completed at a Porsche service centre. Otherwise, everything is really practical.

According to Porsche, every Taycan has a charging planner that optimises stops depending on factors including the expected state of charge (SOC) at arrival, traffic circumstances, and typical speed. However, because drivers engage with their cars in so many different ways, using Apple Maps EV Routing gives travellers additional options for planning their routes.

When advising charging stops, Apple Maps EV routing employs real-time vehicle information to assist users in reaching their destination. Apple Maps locates suitable charging stations along the journey by examining elevation variations along the route and other variables. If a customer continues to drive when the charge is too low, a path to the closest compatible charging station is provided.

Porsche’s navigation app, as well as those of many other automakers that sell EVs now, offer this kind of “smart” navigation that takes into account details about the vehicle’s state of charge and how a planned route would affect range. Apple and Google, on the other hand, haven’t exactly been standing by and letting their software lag behind; for the automakers that want to benefit, much of the same data can now be exchanged through phone projection.

Porsche doesn’t have any issues with brand awareness despite having spun itself off on the stock market and making a profit in the process. Stopping its consumers from using the app that makes them happy is not one of its top priorities. Maybe GM should pay attention if it wants people to enjoy it. We definitely feel that Apple CarPlay is a necessity in our daily lives and every car should have it.


Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG is a fire breathing monster!

The Mercedes A45 AMG is small but packs a mighty punch

When it comes down to a proper hot hatch, there are very few cars that deserve the title. It takes a lot to be crowned a worthy hatch, it needs to be the perfect blend of power and control, and that is where the Mercedes Benz A4 AMG shines bright.

Featuring intelligent all-wheel-drive system that only engages when it detects slip, and combined to the most powerful four-cylinder production engine ever made and you have a true monster of a machine. Some say that the asking price is a little too steep for such a small car, but then they would not really understand the joys of having controllable power. Flip the page to read about the car that has taken Malaysian car enthusiasts by storm.

Ultimate hot hatch

Mercedes A45 AMG is the ultimate balance of power and control

It was not too long ago that auto makers though they had reached the limits of a front wheel drive machine. That was when Renault packed about 250 horsepower and the world was at awe. But then Ford came and blew everyone away with the 300 horsepower Focus RS, and that is where the power war started, and right now Mercedes Benz occupies the throne with its latest AMG models.

The Mercedes Benz A45 AMG is not your ordinary A-class. From the outside it may look as if a boy racer had his way and plonked on those aggressive looking wings and blades. And those black rims may look like they came from a mod shop somewhere in Sunway, but there is a lot more to the A45 than meets the eye.

You see, the A45 is a case of form following function; those wings and blades aid aerodynamics to keep the car planted at speed, and those rims are bigger and lighter to give you better control. It also idles with a mean sounding burble and it works through the gearshifts with a loud bang which is bound to terrify the uninitiated. It is nothing like the standard A-class, and that is just on the outside, step inside and everything is yet again very different from the base car.

For starters the overall design of the dashboard is similar to the standard car, but is differentiated with some carbon fibre effect trim running across the dash and some ruby red highlights around the air-conditioning vents. This lends an air of sportiness, but it is the form fitting seats that are the real highlight here.

Sports seats are usually a nightmare for big sized drivers, but in the A45 you can electronically adjust the amount of support your upper and lower body needs. Get the settings right and the seats clasp you perfectly in place through the hardest of corners.

Interior build quality also feels better than the standard A-class thanks largely in part to the generous use of Nappa leather. The most noticeable difference here is the centre console mounted gear selector. While the standard A-class features a steering column mounted shifter stalk, the aluminium shifter in this AMG is much welcomed. It is a solid piece of metal and has an expensive, chunky feel to it. Even the steering mounted aluminium shifter pedals are made of aluminium, and unlike the usual plastic shifters, the ones here feel rock solid.

The interior comes with all the driver comforts you expect like bluetooth with USB connectivity, navigation and such. And it is of course very sporty when compared to the standard A-class, and rightfully so as the A45 packs a very special punch. Powering this small package is the most powerful series-production four-cylinder engine in the world. The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged engine is, like every other AMG engine, hand built by a single engineer. It outputs 360 horsepower and 450Nm of torque, which is good enough to catapult the car to 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds, and on to the electronically-limited 250km/h.

All that power is normally transferred to the front wheels via the AMG SpeedShift DCT 7-speed sports transmission. But in the event the front wheels are overloaded with power, which happens a lot when attacking corners, there is a multi-disc clutch with electro-hydraulic control that allows variable torque split. This channels power to the rear wheels to a split 50:50 (front/rear) of power distribution, providing maximum control when you most need it. But there is no indication of it working, no blinking lights, no sound, nothing, just maximum control when things get hairy.

There is no doubt that this A45 AMG is a very fast car, there are very few cars that could hold a wheel to it out on the open road. It drives beautifully and picks up the slightest change of direction thanks to a brilliant chassis and suspension. It is as responsive as a hardcore hot hatch should be, but it throws all delicacy to the wind and picks up all the bumps on the road and hops and skips over inundations. This makes the car feel rough and too taut for regular highway cruising. Your wife or girlfriend will not be impressed by the ride quality, but find a winding road and the A45 comes to its own. It lets you brake late with gearshifts banging home complete with engine blips. As with a lot of modern sports cars, it makes you feel like a proper driving hero simply because there is so much power to compensate for the lack of driving skill.

The A45 AMG is the perfect driving machine for those who like small fast cars. It may not be very comfortable if you want something for long distance comfort cruising, but there is the GLA 45 AMG if comfort and power is your thing. It rewards drivers who are willing to brave its limits, and that is what it does best, driving hard. The asking price is steep, but if you are in the market for a proper fire breathing hot hatch, then this A45 AMG is the finest monster you will get.

Gallery


Tesla’s Gigafactory woes cause ripple effect

Tesla has caused a bit of a stir in the battery market. Many electronics companies that require supply of cylindrical batteries for their products, are facing a significant supply shortage. This is due in part to Tesla sweeping Panasonic’s entire inventory of such batteries to meet its own demand.

The company’s Gigafactory, which functions as its battery manufacturing facility, has run into production problems and other delays. And as such, it has looked to Panasonic to shore up demand. According to a news article by
etnews
, it says that it’s almost impossible to source these batteries from within Japan.

Companies all over the globe have rushed to alternative suppliers that include Samsung, SDI, LG Chemicals and Murata for the required material. Demand has been so high that, even these manufacturers aren’t able to cope. The problem may have some serious repercussions for the businesses of various smaller entities, if left unresolved.

This Gigafactory is Tesla’s crown jewel that plays a major role in its parts supply chain as well as having the ability to run on renewable energy. The EV maker is looking to this sate-of-the-art facility to play a pivotal role in the company’s operations.

Source:
etnew
s


Movement Control Order extended to April 28, 2020

The Movement Control Order (MCO) has been extended. Originally set to end on April 14, it will now end on April 28,2020. Announcing this extension, the Prime Minister said that the government would also tighten border controls to ensure movement was monitored closely.

The lengthy period of restricted movement which has seen most companies, other than essential ones, ordered to be closed has been very challenging for businesses. In the auto sector, although workshops can operate, they can only provide emergency services and not normal servicing. Obviously, sales of vehicles have come to a standstill and even though some companies are providing ‘online purchases’, customers would still not be able to take delivery of their vehicles since the registration process cannot be done.

With car showrooms not able to operate for almost the whole month, April will be the worst month ever in the industry for both new and used vehicle sales.

However, the government will allow certain sectors to operate with specific conditions to protect the workers. It has already relaxed the restriction on places like hardware stores and shops selling vehicle spare parts, permitting them to open from 8 am to 4 pm on Mondays and Thursdays. Other types of business that can operate will be announced in due course.

The extension of the MCO takes it into the fasting month and as stressed by the National Security Council, as long as the MCO is in effect, there can be no Ramadan bazaars and gatherings for prayers are also forbidden. This is to prevent close contact which can allow transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus.


Toyota Ready To Race Liquid Hydrogen GR Corolla in Fuji 24 Hours Next Month

Hydrogen is seen as having a lot of potential as a fuel for vehicle propulsion systems. It is a very clean energy source and is the most abundant element in the universe. For this reason, some carmakers have been developing propulsion systems which use hydrogen in various forms.

Currently, the gas is used in a fuel cell which has a chemical reaction that generates electricity that can then be stored and used to power electric motors. Companies like Toyota, Honda and Hyundai have already
commercialised fuel cell electric vehicles
 (FCEVs) for some years now, selling them in certain markets.

Hydrogen can also be used in other forms and Toyota has been carrying out R&D into liquid hydrogen as a fuel. It is still in early stages but is using motorsport as a development laboratory. In the high-pressured world of competition, extreme conditions are created and provide engineers with useful data for development work.

Fire forces withdrawal
With the Super Taikyu season moving to the Suzuka Circuit in Japan, Toyota has indicated that the first race for its liquid hydrogen-powered GR Corolla will be the Fuji 24 Hours in May. Although the car was to have competed in the opening round on March 18, it caught fire during a test run at the circuit on March 8 and could not be repaired in time for the race, so the team had to withdraw.

Toyota has been quick to provide details of the incident to address concerns that hydrogen is dangerous or that an explosion took place. However, investigations showed that the fire was caused by a loosened joint in the hydrogen supply piping. Hydrogen leaked from the joint and ignited, burning the surrounding plastic parts.

The leak occurred at the joint nearest to the engine, where it is exposed to the engine’s movement and vibration as the car accelerates or slows down. At the same time, the incident also demonstrated that the safety equipment was functioning properly, shutting down the hydrogen supply in less than one-tenth of a second. As a result, the fire was extinguished before it could spread, and no one was injured.

Naturally, counter-measures have been taken and in addition to revising the structure of the joint, the design was modified to isolate it from heat sources and stop the flow of hydrogen in the event of a leak.

Fire caused by design issue
The key point is that the fire was caused by a design issue and did not mean that hydrogen is inherently dangerous. As GAZOO Racing Company President, Tomoya Takahashi explained: “Given a spark, gasoline will burn in any environment. Hydrogen, on the other hand, only ignites at certain concentrations and temperatures. Specifically, it needs a 4% concentration in air and a temperature of at least 550℃ – so hydrogen will not ignite under any other conditions.”

For technology development
Neither President Koji Sato nor Chairman Akio Toyoda – who drives the racing car –  regard the matter as a serious incident. “This car competes in the ST-Q class, a category set up with the goal of developing technology that will play a part in creating our future mobility society. The purpose of such testing is to identify issues. Getting a car running on liquid hydrogen at racing speeds is something no one in the world has ever done before,” said Mr. Sato.

“We undertook this effort to help create a hydrogen society. As we’ve said from the outset, the future will be shaped by acting with purpose and passion. Even as the engineers say it can’t be done, they’ve managed to develop the technology in an agile way while competing well and keeping an eye on what’s going on around us,” added Mr. Toyoda who races under the name of ‘Morizo’.

Liquid instead of gas
Until last year, the hydrogen-powered Corollas had been fueled by gaseous hydrogen. In general, the ability to run on a liquid fuel boosts the energy density per unit volume and increases driving range. Switching the fuel from gas to liquid also allows for more compact mobile hydrogen stations.

Liquefaction reduces the required size of transport trucks and eliminates the need for facilities that boost pressure up to 70 MPa. This shrinks the footprint of a station to about one-quarter of that needed for gaseous hydrogen. As with combustion engined vehicles, refuelling could also be done in the pit area. What’s more, since refueling no longer needs to be done at pressure, multiple cars can be filled up in succession – just like in today’s racing conditions.

Moving forward, Toyota will focus on challenges such as maintaining the ultra-low temperature ꟷ253°C during refueling and storage, and dealing with natural vaporization as tanks heat up, as it strives to pick up the pace of technological development.

ORC ROOKIE Racing Team Showcases Toyota’s Hydrogen-Fuelled Cars At Thai Endurance Event


Driver Who Crashed Into 6 Vehicles In Bukit Jalil Arrested And Found To Be Under Influence Of Drugs

Dashcam screenshot from social media.

Imagine yourself having a peaceful drive on a Saturday morning (traffic jams notwithstanding), minding your own business and obeying all the traffic laws. You’re waiting at a traffic light and suddenly, a car comes from behind and rams into your car. The crash would certainly be a great shock, and the start of a tiring process of having to make a police report and then dealing with the insurance company to get compensation for repairs. Normally, it can be a nightmare…

That’s what happened to six motorists last Saturday when a Lexus crashed into their cars as they were waiting at a junction near the Lumba Kuda Roundabout along the Bukit Jalil Highway in Kuala Lumpur. A motorist in one of the fortunate cars not to be hit got the footage on his dashcam of the crash which also resulted in the vehicle overturning.

Fortunately, no one was injured in the crash but police investigations have found that the driver of the Lexus was under the influence of drugs. After being arrested and taken to a police station, he was tested and found positive for marijuana. He is being charged under Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless and dangerous driving.

For the other motorists who have the misfortune of having their cars damaged, the process of getting repairs done can be lengthy, depriving them of use of their cars for some time. Typically, the car will first have to be checked by the police and conditions photographed before it can be sent to a workshop. As the other motorists are innocent parties, their cars are unlikely to be detained while the case is being investigated.

The workshop will make an assessment of the damage and then the owner can decide whether he wants to pay himself or he will claim from his insurance company (provided the car has comprehensive coverage). If he wants to make an insurance claim, then an adjuster will come to verify the charges and repairs necessary and determine the amount the insurance company will cover. The amount may not be as much as the estimate by the workshop as some items may not be accepted for replacement and are to be repaired instead.

Many workshops, especially those of the car brands, will assist in the process. The insurance companies themselves will also usually be helpful in making the process as smooth and fast as possible. In some cases, depending on the type of policy and benefits offered, there might even be additional allowance to provide for loss of use of the car for a limited period. So choose your insurance company carefully and find out what extra benefits are offered.


Petrol Station Owner Fined RM40,000 For Allowing Singaporean Car To Fuel Up On RON95

A petrol station operator was fined RM40,000 after he admitted that he allowed a vehicle with a foreign registration number plate to fuel up on RON95 petrol four years ago.

This case is recorded as the first of it’s kind involving a owner who is charged with the offence involved.

Phan Chib Chan, 59, pleaded guilty of his wrongdoings when his offence was read to him in Mandarin in front of Judge Datuk Che Wan Zaidi Che Wan Ibrahim.

According to the facts, Phan was said to have made the offence at his petrol station located at Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Susur 4 Johor Bahru on 13 May 2019 around 10:40am.

Phan had allowed a Singapore registered BMW to fill up 54 liters of RON95 petrol worth RM114.30.

He had violated Regulation 12A of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974 and Raja Nor Iklas told the court that Phan had been previously been given a compound notice for a similar offence.

Phan Chib Chan was represented by lawyer Lim Chon Sin.


2021 Bentley Continental GT Speed

Bentley Motors has revealed details of its new Continental GT Speed which will go on sale in mid-2021 and be the flagship of the Continental GT range. Presented as ‘the most dynamic road car in Bentley’s 101-year history and ultimate performance-focused interpretation of the world’s benchmark luxury Grand Tourer’, the new Continental GT builds on a long tradition of Speed variants, starting with the original in 2007. That first generation itself was inspired by the 3-Litre Speed models of the 1920s.

“The world’s most luxurious Grand Tourer is now truly more capable than ever before, with a new sportier edge which will appeal to performance-focused drivers,” declares Dr. Matthias Rabe, Member of the Board for Engineering at Bentley Motors. “The Speed is the latest chapter in the Continental GT story, helping Bentley customers to create their own extraordinary journeys.”

New chassis technology

The pinnacle performance Continental GT features advanced chassis technology that includes a new Electronic All-Wheel Steering system and an electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) for a level of agility said to be unlike any other Bentley road car. The system is significantly more active on the GT Speed than it is on the Flying Spur, where its primary purpose is a reduction in turning circle and enhanced high-speed stability.

For the Active All-Wheel drive system, the traction control and torque distribution has been recalibrated in all driver modes to provide a noticeable character shift relative to the standard Continental GT. Maintaining Bentley’s philosophy of the vehicle feeling progressive and secure, yet still be dynamic, this approach rewards drivers of all abilities. To achieve this philosophy in BENTLEY and COMFORT mode, overall grip is balanced between the front and rear wheels; in SPORT, this mode has been calibrated with a more rear-biased torque–split in all driving scenarios.

Improved cornering dynamics and the extra grip provided by the new systems allows the driver to exit any corner with an increased level of precision and confidence. In turn, the car is able to extract the maximum performance from the available traction for powerful acceleration with composure from the apex.

Working alongside these systems are the key chassis technologies that deliver body control and ride comfort with no compromise to one another – namely Bentley’s 3-chamber active air suspension with adaptive damping, and Bentley Dynamic Ride – the 48V active anti-roll control system that Bentley pioneered on the Bentayga and third-generation Continental GT.

Depending on the mode, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) System allows the driver to experience an even greater level of freedom before the Speed’s safety systems intervene to correct any anomalies. When switched to Dynamic mode, the ESC extends the freedom of the driver, allowing an experienced pilot to set and alter the cornering stance of the car at their discretion.

ESC can also be switched off, allowing a driver-focused experience previously only seen in Bentley’s racing machines. After utilising strong turn-in performance on-track, thanks to the All-Wheel Steering and eLSD, the driver can choose to balance throttle and steering to deliver effortless, progressive yaw angles.

To complement the extra capability of the chassis, a newly-engineered Carbon Ceramic brake system has been introduced as an option on the GT Speed. The carbon ceramic material saves over 33 kgs of weight (all of it un-sprung mass) and produces extremely low levels of brake dust.

659 ps W12 TSI engine

The new GT Speed is equipped with an uprated version of Bentley’s 6-litre W12 TSI engine, delivering 659 ps – a 4% increase (24 ps) over the current W12 model – whilst maintaining a massive 900 Nm of torque. Factory testing shows a top speed capability of 335 km/h) and  0-100 km/h time of 3.6 seconds. The dual-clutch, 8-speed transmission shift is twice as fast in SPORT mode as in the standard W12 model.

Related:
The German engine that was born on a Japanese bullet-train

During the journey, the Variable Displacement system can shut down half of the engine’s 12 cylinders under certain conditions, with the transitions between the two being imperceptible. Intake and exhaust valves, fuel injection and ignition are all shut down on defined cylinders, with the engine running as a 6-cylinder for improved fuel efficiency.

Unique and luxurious cabin

The 4-person cabin of the new Continental GT Speed showcases Bentley’s expertise in creating the world’s finest automotive interiors. Handcrafted materials blend with unique trim and badging that are only available in the Speed and can be further personalised if desired. Bentley’s Diamond in Diamond quilting is included as standard, and Speed embroidered headrests distinguish the cabin of the most potent Continental.

The interior can be further personalised with a choice of 15 main and 11 secondary hide colours, as well as the use of leather in lieu of Alcantara for the Speed colour split. The centre console can be finished in new dark tint engine turned aluminium, bringing a geometrically perfect machined surface and a beautifully patterned finish. GT.

Click here for other news and articles about Bentley.


Things To Know About The Most Powerful Muscle Car In The World

The first thing that comes to mind when we hear someone say ‘Muscle Car’ is Dominic Toretto’s 70′ Charger from the
Fast and Furious
 franchise. We got to admit, that was one fast and furious car that in the movies, was extremely powerful and stuff of dreams for every motorhead.

In real life, a new demon has made its way into the car scene and it is brutal. Dodge has introduced the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 with a whopping 1,025 horsepower!

It comes with standard 17-by-11-inch rear and 18-by-8-inch front forged aluminum wheels, with a lightweight carbon-fiber wheel option that allows it to lift the front end of the car during a launch. So yes, we could without a doubt, imagine Dom driving that.

Here are things you need to know about this Demon 170 that is tearing up the streets:

It reaches 100km/h in just 1.66 seconds and delivers the highest G-force acceleration of any production car at 2.004 gs
Delivers 1,025 total horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 1281Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm on E85 ethanol blend
Demon 170 produces 900 horsepower and 1098Nm of torque on E10
Its the seventh and final Dodge “Last Call” special-edition vehicle, is history’s first-ever eight-second factory muscle car
Runs the quarter-mile in an NHRA-certified 8.91 seconds at 243 km/h

Producing full performance at the drag strip results in the Challenger SRT Demon 170 receiving an NHRA violation letter “ban” for running a sub-nine-second quarter-mile without a safety cage and parachute.

Extensive component upgrades/features critical to harnessing the 1,025 horsepower include:

Modified 3.0-liter supercharger features a larger snout with 105mm throttle body and 3.02-inch pulley

All-new driveline includes HIP (Hot Isostatic Pressing) processed housings, larger 240mm ring and pinion, pressure cast new case and new mountings, rear axle housing is 53% stronger with new geometry rear differential housing and featuring Direct Connection logo, larger rear cover-mount fasteners, increased case depth and more

Rear prop shaft 30% stronger than original Demon and stronger half shafts designed with larger inner-connecting spline and revised heat treatment

315/50R17 Mickey Thompson ET Street R drag radials — never offered before on a production car — critical to vehicle performance, deliver extra tractive force

Patent-pending TransBrake 2.0 includes torque-shaping capability, a technology used in competitive drag racing with easier driver interaction to dial-in preset torque limits

The unique Drag Mode suspension provides maximum forward drive and custom race settings for drag calibrations and it is the first-ever factory production car built with staggered drag radial tires and fender flares. It also comes with a revised rear suspension for an increased contact patch.

The Challenger SRT Demon 170 will be available in 14 exterior color options and carries a unique reworking of the original Demon badge featuring a 170-neck tattoo and a new E85 representative yellow Demon’s eye

The interior adds a yellow and red serialized Demon instrument panel badge with four interior choices, including standard lightweight cloth with driver seat only, optional full cloth interior, premium Black Nappa leather and Alcantara or Demonic Red Laguna leather

“To celebrate the end of the HEMI muscle-car era, we pulled off all the governors to reach a new level, a new benchmark of ‘factory-crazy’ production car performance,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand chief executive officer.

“In 2015, Dodge shocked the world with the 707-horsepower Hellcat. Then, in 2018, we did it with the 840-horsepower Demon, and now we are doing it again with the 1,025-horsepower Demon 170, the world’s first sustainable-energy, eight-second, factory-production, street-legal muscle car,” he added.

The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 will be available at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $96,666 (RM2,1830.63). Production will begin this summer and will be limited to at most 3,300 units, with 3,000 for the U.S. and 300 for Canada.


Honda to withdraw from Formula 1 after 2021 season

Honda has announced that it will not participate in the Formula One World Championship as a power unit supplier after the 2021 season ends. The carmaker, which was the first Japanese manufacturer to participate in Formula 1 in the 1960s and a regular name in the decades that followed, made the decision in order to concentrate corporate resources on research and development of new power units and energy technologies.

Why Honda is stopping

“At this time, Honda made a decision to further accelerate such initiatives and strive for the realization of carbon neutrality by 2050, in order to realize a sustainable society.  To this end, our current goal of electrifying two-thirds of our global automobile unit sales in 2030 will become a checkpoint we must pass before we get to the 2050 goal, and therefore we must further accelerate the introduction of our carbon-free technologies,” said Takahiro Hachigo, President, Representative Director and CEO of Honda Motor Co.

“For the future realization of carbon neutrality, as a part of this change, we decided to allocate our energy management and fuel technologies as well as our human resources amassed through F1 activities to research and development of advanced power unit and energy technologies. Under such an enhanced R&D system and capability, Honda will focus on the creation of advanced power unit and energy technologies and the realization of carbon neutrality in the future,” he explained.

Racing is in Honda’s DNA

Declaring that ‘racing is in Honda’s DNA’, Mr. Hachigo said that the company will continue to be passionate about taking on challenges and striving to become No. 1 in all categories of racing in which Honda participates.

“Ever since our founding, Honda has been advancing its technologies, developing its engineers and nurturing its strong passion for victory through challenges we have taken in motorsports,” he said. “We still have 7 more races this season, and we are introducing a new power unit with improved performance for the next season. In order to fulfil expectations our fans place on Honda, we will work together with Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri to continue competing with our utmost effort and strive for more victories all the way to the end.”

Honda had resumed its involvement in F1 in 2015 after a 9-year absence, but it did not enjoy the sort of great successes as it did in earlier years. In 2019, it scored three wins last season and has had two wins so far in the 2020 season. The victory of Scuderia AlphaTauri at this year’s Italian Grand Prix was the first time a power unit manufacturer had won with two different teams since the start of Formula One’s hybrid era in 2014.

Commenting on the announcement, Red Bull Racing’s Team Principal, Christian Horner, said: “As a team, we understand how difficult it has been for Honda Motor Company to reach the decision to step back from Formula One at the end of the 2021 season. The shifting focus within the automotive industry has led to Honda’s decision to re-deploy their resources and we understand and respect the reasoning behind this. Their decision presents obvious challenges for us as a team, but we have been here before and with our strength in depth, we are well prepared and equipped to respond effectively, as we have proven in the past.”

“Scuderia AlphaTauri and Honda have built up a very good and professional relationship since we started to cooperate in 2018,” said Team Principal, Franz Tost. “We enjoyed great success together in the last few years, winning a race and finishing on the podium twice, with one second and one third place. It’s unfortunate that Honda has decided to stop their commitment in Formula One, because their Power Unit’s performance has been improving constantly and dramatically to become one of the best engines on the grid in a short period of time, since they returned to the sport.”


Fuel Price Updates For September 2 – September 8, 2021


6-speed manual gearbox for Toyota GR Supra only for 3-litre model

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR), the high-performance arm of the Japanese carmaker, has finally revealed details of the manual transmission for the GR Supra. It is part of a number of updates for the model which is now in its third year of production.

Available only for the 3-litre versions as well as a limited-run A91-MT Edition model, the manual transmission has been engineered and tuned specifically for use with the straight-six engine. The engineering team modified an existing transmission housing, driveshaft and gearset and removed elements that were not required, such as the acoustic package, which reduced weight.

At the heart of the transmission is a newly engineered large diameter clutch with a reinforced diaphragm spring. The larger friction area and a stronger spring are deemed necessary for the GR Supra’s high-torque engine which generates up to 500 Nm in standard form. The newly developed 6-speed manual gearbox is described as an ‘intelligent Manual Transmission’ (iMT) and has software that prioritizes sporty performance when required.

With an automatic, it’s possible to use second gear when pulling away uphill when opposite wheels are on surfaces with different grip levels – eg when the car is parked on partly icy road, progress is smooth with no rolling back or wheelslip.

With a manual gearbox, first gear must be used and releasing the clutch brings a greater risk of wheelspin. To address the issue, the TGR engineers tuned the car’s TRAction Control (TRAC) system for smoother operation like that experienced with an automatic. The system is also optimized for the GR Supra’s characteristic high engine torque, wide tyres and rear-wheel drive.

The car’s behaviour when accelerating out of a corner is a key element in the ‘Fun to Drive’ quality Toyota promises with the GR Supra. For the manual version, the traction control has again been the focus to ensure an ideal balance of agility and stability when exiting a corner on the throttle. TRAC intervention has been calibrated to maintain stability – so the car keeps faithfully to the driver’s intended line – while allowing the right amount of power for a sporty experience.

The ambition to make the GR Supra fun to drive in the most demanding scenarios inspired the introduction of a new Hairpin+ function. This is designed to allow experienced drivers more freedom and reward when taking tight bends on an uphill gradient (more than 5%) with a high-friction road surface. More ‘freewheel’ spin can make such routes more enjoyable to drive, so the engineers optimized engine torque control to allow a greater difference in the degree of wheelspin on the left and right-side tires.

To counter the possibility of ‘snap-off’ oversteer – something that may be hard to control with the car’s Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) alone – an Anti-Roll Program has been included for both the manual and automatic versions. This intervenes at an earlier point with the VSC to cover any sudden loss of grip when the car’s high-response suspension setting it used.

In addition, the Track mode has been tuned to allow for easy drifting with freedom of throttle control. The vehicle remains agile, but there is less risk of spinning thanks to specific engine and torque control.

When upshifting, the parameters are tuned to optimize engine torque at the moment of clutch engagement and release; on downshifts, the software has been fine-tuned for consistent performance with rev-matching. The iMT is set as the default but, if the driver prefers, it can be switched off in Sport mode. To avoid a sluggish take-off and a low in-gear acceleration feel, the final drive ratio has been shortened, from 3.15 (in the GR Supra automatic) to 3.46 (in the GR Supra MT).

The lever ratio was specifically set to minimize the effort required to make shifts and engage reverse gear. The weight and shape of the 200 gm gear knob, along with the quality of shift engagement, have all been precisely defined. Just as with the GR Yaris, close attention was also paid to how a manual shifter could be accommodated in the cockpit of the GR Supra.

Just as with the GR Yaris, close attention was also paid to how a manual shifter could be accommodated in the cockpit of the GR Supra. Ergonomics were studied thoroughly and the console unit and position of the drive mode selector were adjusted to provide a 43 mm clearance between the shift knob and the control panel. The spherical shift knob has also been shaped to allow a firm grip.

In addition to the new manual transmission, TGR has also further refined the steering and suspension with modified stabiliser bushings and retuned adaptive variable suspension (AVS) and other chassis control systems to improve handling performance and ride comfort.

For certain versions, the 19-inch forged alloy wheels come with a new design of revised spoke and cross-sectional shapes and premium Titanium Dark Silver finish. They are said to have greater strength and are lighter, with a weight reduction of 1.2 kgs per wheel.

Customers also have three new exterior colours to choose from – Volcanic Ash Grey, Dawn Blue and Avalanche White – while the interior is now available with a tan trim option.

Toyota has not announced pricing for the additional manual version but exports from the factory in Japan will start later this year.

To know more about the GR Supra or to purchase on in Malaysia, visit
www.toyota.com.my
.


Authorised Nissan showrooms opening again for business from this Friday

Over at Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM), opening of all its authorised Nissan showrooms will take place progressively from tomorrow (Friday, August 20). With the exception of a few outlets, all showrooms (branches and dealers) in Perlis, Penang, Perak, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan, Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan will open from tomorrow. Those that do not will do so by August 23. However, in Kedah, Melaka and Johor, the showrooms will still remain closed until further notice.

Peace-of-mind experience for customers

“ETCM adhere to strict standard operating procedures (SOP) ensuring the safety of its employees and a peace-of-mind experience for customers at all times. Only vaccinated employees including post-vaccine incubation period are allowed to resume work in Nissan showrooms. All employees will be wearing face mask, undergo frequent body temperature check, and regular disinfecting will be carried out at the showrooms including display and test drive vehicles, the company said in a statement today.

Customers are also advised to comply with SOPs when entering the premises; ensure full vaccination including post-vaccine incubation period, provide proof of digital certificate on
MySejahtera
, have a body temperature below 37.5°C and wear a face mask. Other SOPs set by the Government remain active.

Customers requiring more information can visit
www.nissan.com.my
 or call the Nissan Customer Care Centre hotline at
1800-88-3838
.

Tan Chong Motor Holdings organises in-house vaccination programme for employees


All-New Toyota Vios Officially Launched! Prices Start At RM77k, Built At Toyota’s Newest Manufacturing Plant In Malaysia [+Videos]

Following the preview of the
All-New Toyota Vios
 at the
KL International Motor Show 2018
 in November last year, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT), the official distributor of Toyota vehicles in Malaysia, announced its official introduction and delivery to its customers recently.

“Since the first model was launched in 2003, we have sold almost half a million Vios, making it the most popular in its segment. Over the years, we have set the standard for this vehicle segment and I am pleased to announce that this new model, the third generation Vios will continue to set the standards for many years to come,”
 said
Mr. Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.
In case you’re wondering how much the new Vios costs, check out the official price list below:

As you know Piston.my previously covered the
Media Drive
 of the new Vios
here
, (<–link) with 2 videos, and below is yet another video we produced during the drive…

“We were also very pleased to have been able to give the public a preview of the All-New Toyota Vios during the KL International Motor Show 2018. We are extremely happy and appreciative of the overwhelming response that we have received from the public. This is indeed an encouragement for us to continue to produce ever-better cars for our customers in Malaysia, especially with the support shown to us by our fellow Malaysians,”
 he added.

With this latest update, the Vios receives not just refreshing new looks but also many improvements and features which make it more enjoyable and safer to drive. All variants have been rated the maximum five stars by ASEAN NCAP and come with seven SRS airbags, Vehicle Stability Control and Hill-start Assist Control.

Check out our final say of the new Vios in the video below…

Notable changes inside the car are the redesigned dashboard and instrument panel, new seat upholstery and cushioning, redesigned centre console box, addition of USB charging ports and a cabin lamp for rear occupants, improved/added storage spaces and a fully automatic air-conditioning system for all variants. The drive will also be more pleasant as noise and vibrations are lower with the use of improved insulation materials and measures.
For the Vios 1.5 G, there are now paddle shifters and 16-inch alloy rims as a standard accessory. This top-of-the-line variant also gets an Optitron meter with colour Multi Information Display and DVD-AVX infotainment system with USB mirroring.

Other standard features include leather upholstery, electrochromic rear-view mirror and a Drive Mode switch. Safety is further enhanced with a
Blind Spot Monitor, Panoramic View Monitor, Front Digital Video Recorder
and
 Rear Cross Traffic Alert,
 features were previously only available on the larger Toyota models.
Available for viewing and test-drives at Toyota showrooms nationwide from today, the All-New Vios comes with a
 5-year warranty (unlimited mileage).
 Every new Vios owner also gets a free 24-SEVEN Road Assist membership for the first year. This provides peace of mind to customers who can receive roadside assistance with just a call, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

The All-New Vios is the first model to roll out from UMW Toyota Motor’s new manufacturing facility at
Kawasan Perindustrian Bukit Raja, Klang, Selangor.
 One of the most modern, most advanced and most efficient Toyota plants in the world, it is built in line with the Malaysian government’s direction of new vehicle production in the country.

“UMW Toyota Motor foresees the auto industry in the country having bigger potential in the future. As such, the company has invested approximately RM 2 billion in this new high-tech and highly efficient manufacturing plant. It is the company’s vision for the plant to be able to produce more advanced energy-efficient vehicles with high technology and high value in coming years to meet and exceed the expectations of our customers in the future,”
 said
 Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.

“This is the future of Toyota production in Malaysia,”
Mr. Takeyama
added
. “The plant is highly automated to ensure high quality vehicles are produced with better efficiency. Many local engineers and technicians were sent to Japan to undergo production training to upgrade their skills to perform at their best at the new plant.”

For more information, members of the public can visit toyota.com.my or any authorised Toyota dealership throughout Malaysia.


Ford Driving Skills for Life programme aims to create better drivers

The Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) programme by Ford, which it has organised in Asia for the past 10 years, is meant to educate drivers of the importance of road safety. This year, organised in conjunction with local distributor of Ford vehicles, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), saw over 140 Malaysian drivers taking part to better understand how to deal with different types of situations whiel driving.

According to the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS),  7,152 people were killed out of the 521,466 road accidents that were reported last year. And as such, the automaker and its local distributor believe programmes such as this will help drivers be more vigilant while on the road which would in turn, reduce the number of road accidents reported each year.

Those who attended this year’s DSFL included members of the CitiCLub by CitiBank, employees of Sime Darby Berhad, fans of Ford Malaysia’s social media channel, as well as members of the general public. The six half-day training session workshop was conducted by a panel of safety experts and was held at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS).

“Driving Skills for Life is designed to equip drivers with the skills they need to be better and safer on the road. Road safety is a very serious issue and we feel it is our responsibility to help reinforce this message among Malaysian motorists,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion.

During the workshop, attendees were made aware of the risks that drivers face while on the road, dealing with unexpected situations, the peril of distracted driving such as the use of mobile phones while behind the wheel, hands-on driver training that covers hazard recognition, vehicle handling, speed/space management, and distraction awareness.

DSFL is free-of-charge and is part of Ford’s global corporate social responsibility programme. Besides Malaysia, the automaker conducts this awareness programme in a number of countries such as China, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.


50 years ago – launch of the Lamborghini Countach

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

Although the North American International Auto Show has typically been held in January, it is the Geneva International Motor Show in March which has traditionally been considered the first major international motorshow for the year. The event often sees exotic and futuristic models being displayed and 50 years ago, the undisputed highlight was the Countach LP 500 by Lamborghini. However, the bright yellow sportscar was unveiled at Bertone’s stand so as not to distract attention from the new Miura SV that was making its debut.

Strong, positive response

Response to the Countach was so positive that Lamborghini was convinced it could be a successful production model and quickly set its engineering team to work. The Countach project, internally coded as ‘LP112’, where LP indicated the rear longitudinal position (‘
Longitudinale Posteriore
’ in Italian) of the 12-cylinder engine, stemmed from Ferruccio Lamborghini’s desire to maintain the image of a company at the forefront of style and technology following the Miura.

How the name was chosen

The origin of the car’s name lies in the dialect of the Piedmont region of Italy. In its final stages of assembly, the car was hidden in a shed for agricultural machinery on a farm near Grugliasco (a province of Turin) to avoid possible work stoppages related to labour unrest, and was ‘discovered’ by a farmer who exclaimed in amazement and enthusiasm, ‘Countach!’ (a word in Piedmontese dialect expressing ‘wonderment’). When Piedmont-born Marcello Gandini became aware of the fact, he thought that this word had a particularly strong communicative force and also convinced Nuccio Bertone, Ferruccio Lamborghini and his engineer colleague, Paolo Stanzani of this.

While the original car that was displayed was eventually destroyed during a crash test in England, the second prototype that was close to the production model was unveiled at the 1973 motorshow in Geneva and also displayed at the Paris Motor Show the same year.

The beautiful, clean, futuristic lines of the Countach were styled by Marcello Gandini, Design Director of Carrozzeria Bertone. Gandini was also responsible for the decision to use the scissor doors, which since that time have characterized the production of Lamborghini’s 12-cylinder models.

The third prototype shown at the 1974 Geneva Motor Show was virtually a pre-production unit of what would come to be the LP400 Countach that went on sale the same year. The LP500, with a more powerful 4.8-litre engine (the LP400 had a 3.9-litre engine) was introduced 8 years later.

LP500 gets bigger engine

The LP 500 was a substantially different car for the LP400, which had a dry weight of around 1,100 kgs. It had a platform frame rather than a tubular one, and on the 12-cylinder engine were air intakes with a shark gill design. Some of the body panels were of kevlar (a high-strength material used for bulletproof vests) and inside, it featured sophisticated electronic instrumentation.

In 1988, Pagani created a restyled version of the Countach which became its 25th Anniversary Edition (shown above). It was regarded as the most refined and possibly the fastest variant of the Countach, able to go from 0 – 60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 295 km/h. Between 1980 and 1983, the Countach was also used as the Safety Car during the Monaco F1 Grand Prix.

The Countach that was used in ‘The Cannonball Run’ movie.

A legend in automobile history

From 1974 to 1990, 1,999 Countachs in 5 different series were produced, representing a model that, in addition to ending up displayed on the bedroom walls of an entire generation and being used in dozens of films, allowed Lamborghini to survive the most difficult years of its history and to enter permanently into the halls of legend.

The last front-engined Lamborghini sportscar


Hyundai Kona Electric officially launched, priced from RM150,000

Hyundai Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has certainly been quick to start the EV (electric vehicle) ball rolling. Of course, this is not the first EV to be sold in Malaysia. Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia sold the
 i-MiEV
 in 2008 and Edaran Tan Chong Motor has already sold two generations of the
Nissan LEAF
, while
Porsche
,
BMW
 and
MINI
 have also introduced EV models in recent years.

However, this time things are different as there is exemption of all taxes for such vehicles which was announced during the proposed Budget 2022. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs), ie fully electric and not hybrids, will be allowed to be imported and sold duty-free for a limited period and then those that start assembling them will also enjoy the duty-free incentive a bit longer. Exemption from paying roadtax has also been include in the proposed Budget 2022.

As Malaysians have long complained about taxes bumping up prices and making cars too expensive, the thought of not having to pay any tax would be exciting. Lower prices would be expected, and this was the case when the government gave the same exemption 10 years ago for hybrids and EVs.

However, the new Kona Electric is not exactly within the ‘affordable’ bracket for most people as even the cheapest of the three variants has prices (excluding insurance) starting from
 RM149,888
. That’s for the e-Lite version and for the better equipped Kona Electric e-Plus, it will be
RM169,888
. A third variant is the e-Max which is priced at
RM199,888
.

In the UK, prices of the Kona Electric start from £27,950 which is about RM157,000 at today’s rates. Of course, those are retail prices which include applicable taxes over there. However, like many governments, the UK government also provides incentives to those who buy EVs and currently, purchasers can get a grant up to £2,500 (about RM14,000) on vehicles costing up to £35,000 to offset the cost. Additionally, EV owners can also get a grant of up to 75% (or maximum of £350) to pay for installing a charging point at their home.

The point here to note here is that EVs are not cheap at this time, so don’t expect ‘duty-free’ to bring prices down to the levels of models sold by the Malaysian brands. Wherever they are sold, EVS have high pricetags and manufacturers hope that governments will provide incentives to offset the high cost of purchase and help accelerate increase in numbers sold. The technology is still expensive but if volumes can quickly rise, then economies of scale will kick in and production costs can start to drop, with retail prices also being reduced.

Anyway, back to the Kona Electric in Malaysia which was officially launched today (but deliveries will only be in 2022). The difference in the prices of the three variants are largely related to their battery pack capacities and equipment levels. The e-LIte and e-Plus share similar lithium-ion polymer battery packs which have a capacity of 39.2 kWh whereas the e-Max at the top of the range has a battery pack with a greater 64 kWh.

The different battery capacities have implications on range with the lower-capacity pack having a range of up to 305 kms while having more energy on board can take the e-Max up to 484 kms. Like fuel consumption, range figures depend on driving style and conditions. Faster speeds will draw more electricity faster as the motor needs more power. Regenerative braking helps to reclaim some wasted energy during braking which goes to the battery pack.

Besides range, the other thing that those planning to own an EV would want to know is the time it takes to recharge a battery pack. At this time, it is not as quick as refuelling petrol in a car though continuously advancing technology has been bringing the times down. But having to recharge will be something you need to get used to, just like recharging your phone every night.

In the case of the Kona Electric, the recharging time can take between 4.5 hours and 7.5 hours, depending on the type of charging outlet used. You can use the standard outlet at home but it will be slow (up to 31 hours) but if you have access to a high-powered DC fast-charging station, then the time to ‘refuel’ from 0% to 80% can be less than an hour. HSDM offers charging station installations for customers who have homes where a charging station can be installed.

There are differences in power output from the motors in the different variants. The e-Lite and e-Plus, with the 39.2 kWh packs, generate 136 ps/395 Nm to give a claimed 0 to 100 km/h time of 9.9 seconds and top speed of 155 km/h. Th e-Max has a more powerful motor generating 204 ps but also 395 Nm and this variant can go from standstill to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 167 km/h.

The nice thing about electric motors is that maximum torque is available from standstill so the car accelerates strongly off the line. However, deceleration characteristics are different as there is no conventional gearbox. To enhance braking, it is also possible to use the paddle on the steering wheel to slow down.

The other aspects of the Kona Electric are generally like the Kona with a petrol engine. But the Kona Electric also stands out with its EV-specific elements. The bumper, wheel and headlight designs are different and with no need for a traditional grille for cooling purposes, the front end is ‘sealed’.

The interior has a similar horizontal layout as the other versions with new ambient lighting. The instrumentation reflects the EV-nature of the vehicle, with the tachometer space occupied by a meter showing the battery charge and power levels. There’s also a gauge to let the driver know how much range is left with the energy in the battery pack.

For the money asked, it’s only to be expected that HSDM will provide a comprehensive safety features as standard. The e-Lite has a few less systems (hence the lower prices) while the e-Plus and e-Max are similar. Hyundai’s active safety systems are packaged as the Smartsense suite which helps the driver to avoid accidents or reduce the severity when accidents (mainly collisions) do happen.

Besides a 2-year/50,000-km warranty on the vehicle, there is also a separate warranty of 8 years/160,000 kms for the battery pack. This is to give owners peace of mind as the battery packs are expensive – much more expensive than those small black ones in the engine bay of your car. HSDM also offers optional warranty extension for another RM10,000. This will extend coverage to 5 years or a maximum of 100,000 kms and they even include free service maintenance for 3 years or a maximum of 50,000 kms.

Older Hyundai models can now be covered under HSDM’s Extended Warranty programme


Renault EZ-ULTIMO: Premium Robo-Vehicle Hints At The Future Of Ride-Hailing & Urban Mobility [+Video]

At the
Paris Motor Show
,
Groupe Renault
 unveiled
EZ-ULTIMO
, its robo-vehicle concept, an autonomous, electric, connected, and shared mobility service solution offering a premium travel experience. Available on-demand, for a single trip, for an hour or for a day, EZ-ULTIMO caters to people looking to enhance a special moment through a private trip in a city, a premium tourist experience or businesses looking to offer premium journey services to its clients. Here’s a short video of what it looks like while in service…

“As consumer trends change and people are enjoying ride-hailing services more and more, a new paradigm for mobility will emerge.  Embodying this revolution, Renault EZ-ULTIMO offers a unique luxurious experience aboard a robo-vehicle that can be adapted depending on the service provider,”
 said
Laurens van den Acker, SVP Corporate Design
.
“Inspired by contemporary architecture, and completely integrated in future smart cities, EZ-ULTIMO will provide an exclusive experience for all. With autonomous, electric and connected cars, we are entering a new exciting era in automotive design.”

Attractive and refined robo-vehicle, inspired by French style…

The EZ-ULTIMO concept opens-up new arenas for Renault design. Because it’s a robo-vehicle, the traveller can truly enjoy the journey in a space designed like a personal lounge, equipped with all the comfort and services needed to either relax or concentrate.

Through its design, EZ-ULTIMO embodies the EASY LIFE genes of the Renault brand. Welcoming and comfortable, it offers a wide automatic opening and a seat on a swivelling slide for easy passenger access. For an intimate journey, passengers are protected from outside view by slightly transparent facets on the upper part of the bodywork. The refined interior of EZ-ULTIMO reflects French elegance and is inspired by the world of living. Tailor-made, it is dressed in noble materials such as wood, marble and leather, allowing passengers to enjoy a top-of-the-range and relaxing living space.

Equipped with level 4 autonomous driving technology, EZ-ULTIMO covers a wide range of use cases. This robo-vehicle is connected to infrastructures, can adapt to an urban environment, to the motorway or to a shuttle service on dedicated roads.

Re-inventing Life on Board…

As mobility continues to evolve with connected and autonomous cars, Renault believes customers will seek more enriched on-board experiences, reinventing travel time, personally and professionally. To embrace this revolution, the Group has invested in Groupe Challenges and collaborated on a first concept: the
Augmented Editorial Experience
. AEX is a realist immersive experience which combines personalized premium content, multi-media experiences and mobility – so as to turn travel time into a learning experience for future EZ-ULTIMO passengers for instance.

The EZ concepts trilogy…

Following
EZ-GO
, with its vision of shared mobility, and
EZ-PRO
, a vehicle robot dedicated to last mile delivery, EZ-ULTIMO is the third concept from the same modular platform. Inspired by the ambition to offer sustainable mobility for all, this trilogy of electric, autonomous and connected concepts illustrates the Groupe Renault’s vision of tomorrow’s shared urban mobility.


Range Rover Velar To Go Fully Electric By 2025

As part of a larger makeover of JLR’s lineup, the Range Rover
Velar
 will be re-launched as an electric vehicle (EV). Next year, development on converting the factory into an EV production facility will begin, and production of the electric Velar is anticipated to begin before 2025. The Velar’s future had been up in the air until lately with reports suggesting that it may be dropped altogether.

The current Velar is produced in Solihull, England alongside the
Jaguar F-Pace
 and has many similarities with it. According to sources, its successor will switch from the well-known D7 architecture onto an entirely new platform dubbed EMA in addition to being constructed at a new site.

The EMA is anticipated to be a more obviously “road-focused” concept than the MLA structure that will support the electric variants of the full-sized Range Rover and Discovery. However, information regarding its technical make-up and capabilities is yet to be revealed.

However, according to JLR, the EMA would have a “simple” design built around floor-mounted batteries with 800V hardware for quick charging, enabling the electric Velar to match the speed of its upcoming Porsche and Audi competitors.

Additionally, JLR has stated that the EMA’s custom electric motors will have the “most torque dense” in-class efficiency of about 6-7 km per kWh. This suggests that the Velar and its similarly sized range-mates should mimic the long-distance touring capability of its ICE predecessors and likely outperform them in terms of low-speed off-road performance.

Test mule vehicles for the Velar EV are anticipated to hit public roads and test tracks in the coming months after the platform entered a late-stage engineering approval process over a year ago.

A crucial turning point in the development of the Range Rover brand will be the redesign of the Velar. In an effort to accentuate their distinct positioning and foster a greater feeling of connectedness between top-tier flagships and entry-level models, JLR will divide its product lines into four basic families: Jaguar, Defender, Discovery, and Range Rover.

To that aim, the electric Velar will undoubtedly draw stylistic and technical cues from its full-sized predecessor, but it will be significantly smaller and less expensive than the present model. The current Velar is priced at around RM722k in Malaysia, so we can expect its successor to be around or slightly higher than that price.