Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia is giving RM1,000 off on any new vehicle purchased by December 7, 2020

This month is a good time if you’re shopping for a new car this month as some companies are offering special deals that can save money. One of them is Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) which is giving another RM1,000 off for all new Volkswagen models booked through authorised dealers
from today till December 7, 2020
.

This offer is valid for bookings made at all Volkswagen dealerships nationwide or if you prefer to do so from the comfort of your home, you can use the eShowoom. This online facility has a Vehicle Configurator so you can be more specific about your requirements with the vehicle you want to buy.

Passat R-Line – one of the models that you can get the discount for.

The Volkswagen range in Malaysia currently consists of the Vento, Golf, Passat, Tiguan and Arteon. Customers enjoy a 5-year warranty (unlimited mileage), 3 years of free scheduled maintenance and complimentary Roadside Assistance for the first 5 years.

Milestone number for mobile app

Two years after its launch, the Volkswagen Cares mobile app has reached the milestone achievement of 30,000 downloads and members. The app is part of the Volkswagen Cares aftersales initiative to provide the best for Volkswagen owners in the country.

A completely local initiative, the Volkswagen Cares app was developed and is managed locally for the Malaysian market. It is an essential tool for owners who can stay in touch with VPCM and its dealers easily.

Improving overall ownership experience

“The app was created to make our services more accessible to our customers, and further improve their overall ownership experience. The convenience of accessing the Volkswagen world via mobile app is offered in different Volkswagen markets around the world, and what we are also delighted to note is that our app has seen an unparalleled take-up rate compared to other markets managed by the Porsche Holdings Group,” said Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM, adding that a revamp in 2021 will see enhancements being made to the app.

Free vouchers for service and service package vouchers are offered through the app. Those with vehicles five years and older under the Volkswagen Care Plus programme may also view and access their benefits through the app. Roadside assistance is also available via the app.

Non-Volkswagen owners can also use the mobile app at no charge. They can find out about sales offers, view videos and receive sales and event updates. It is available for IOS and Android devices and can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play Store.

Click here for other news and articles about Volkswagen.


Puspakom Kuching Operations Relocate To Kota Samarahan Starting August 1, 2023

From 1 August 2023, Puspakom Kuching operations will move to a new branch at Puspakom Kota Samarahan which is located at Lot 11320 & 11321, Block 59, Kota Samarahan Industrial Estate (Extension), 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak with operating hours from Monday to Friday, 8.00 morning to 5.30 pm.

The final date of operation of the Puspakom Kuching branch is 27 July 2023. Accordingly, the public dealing at Puspakom Kuching is advised to plan their vehicle inspection by making an appointment at
www.mypuspakom.com.my
 Vehicle owners who have an inspection certificate that expires between 28 to 31 July 2023 are recommended to make an initial inspection from the date of expiry of the inspection period.

Puspakom Kota Samarahan has an area of 4 acres and can carry out all types of vehicle inspections for commercial and private vehicles. This inspection centre can provide a better customer experience with the presence of five inspection lanes to accommodate a higher vehicle capacity of a total of 500 vehicles per day.

In addition, customers can obtain insurance renewal facilities and Motor Vehicle License (Road Tax) at the counter provided immediately after completing the vehicle inspection.


Sales Tax exemption to continue until end of 2021

The Prime Minister tonight announced that the exemption of Sales Tax (SST) which began on June 15, 2020 and was due to end at the end of 2020 but was then extended till June 30, 2021 has again been extended. This time, the extension continues till the end of 2021. The exemption is provided as one of the measures to help support business sustainability in these difficult times, especially with another imposition of a total lockdown forcing many businesses to close from June 1 to June 14.

The exemption conditions are unchanged: for all models assembled locally, full exemption of the 10% tax will be given while for models imported in XBU (completely built-up) form, the exemption will be half, ie 5%. While the savings for low-priced models may not be significant, they can be amount to quite a lot for the more expensive models.

The sales tax exemption has not been provided for pick-up trucks as they are classified as commercial vehicles, and the government is already providing other forms of support to the commercial sector.


New 765LT continues the McLaren ‘Longtail’ story

The ‘Longtail’ story that began with the McLaren F1 GTR race car in the 1990s and, since 2015, has seen road-legal LT models introduced has a new chapter with the introduction of the new 765LT. Lighter, more powerful and with even higher levels of performance on both road and track, the 765LT is said to be the most dynamically advanced and engaging LT model ever from McLaren Automotive.

The LT promise of being ‘limited to the few’ is also fulfilled, with just 765 individually numbered cars available globally for customer order. Deliveries are set to start from September although with the current lockdown situation in the UK, this may be changed.

Advanced carbonfibre technologies

Advanced carbonfibre technologies and bespoke carbonfibre LT body panels and aerodynamic features are key to an 80-kg weight reduction over the 720S. Together with power of 765 ps/800 Nm from the 4-litre, twin-turbocharged McLaren V8 engine, transmission gearing optimised for scintillating in-gear acceleration and LT-specific suspension springs and dampers, this is the basis for the wholly immersive driving experience the new 765LT delivers.

“The 765LT is the most accomplished and exhilarating LT model ever from McLaren Automotive. Incredible performance and astonishing levels of driver engagement – the result of hundreds of detailed engineering actions undertaken to ensure the purest possible connection between driver and car – are the stand-out attributes of an LT developed with single-minded determination to deliver a wholly immersive driving experience to those who secure one of the 765 available to customer order,” declared Mike Flewitt, CEO of McLaren Automotive.

Highest levels of driver engagement

The McLaren Super Series chassis dynamics have been further enhanced in the 765LT to provide the ‘communication and feel’ that allow a driver to fully exploit the extreme performance of the car when appropriate, but also enjoy it at lower speeds.

The steering retains McLaren’s distinguished electro-hydraulic assistance but has been further honed with a quicker ratio and a stiffer torsion bar for even purer driver feedback. The state-of-the-art, linked-hydraulic Proactive Chassis Control II suspension introduced with the 720S features updates to both software and hardware to meet the dynamic requirements of the 765LT; advances made during the development of the McLaren Senna and Speedtail have seen the suspension system algorithms revised to ensure even greater precision and control.

In comparison to the 720S, front ride height is reduced by 5 mm and the front track is 6 mm wider, changes that together improve both grip and balance. New lightweight main springs feature additional ‘helper’ springs to reduce unsprung mass and maintain load in the suspension on full rebound, while the use of two springs saves weight in comparison with one larger dual-rate spring. Roll stiffness is increased, further enhancing vehicle stability.

The aerodynamic performance is key to the abilities of the car on track, but also influences higher-speed road driving behaviours. The extended front splitter and elongated active rear wing work in conjunction with the carbonfibre floor, unique door blades and the extended rear diffuser to deliver aerodynamic downforce 25% greater than that available to a 720S driver, adding a further dimension to already excellent aerodynamic performance.

The new, high-set static position of the ‘Longtail’ active rear wing aids powertrain cooling by drawing hot air out of the engine bay as well as increasing downforce, while the airbrake functionality reduces dive sensitivity under heavy braking. This allows the front springs to be softer than would be required if they were solely responsible for maintaining the front ride height, which in turn enables improved front axle compliance characteristics, to the benefit on-road driving.

Braking performance is immense with latest-generation carbon-ceramic discs, together with calipers from the McLaren Senna. Formula 1-inspired integrated caliper cooling – a technology introduced with 765LT – delivers cooling air to the front calipers and discs, reducing brake pad temperatures by up 50 degrees during track driving and ensuring that both consistency of pedal feel and outright braking performance remain impeccable.

“A McLaren LT really challenges us to push the boundaries of what is possible – especially with regards to weight reduction – and the 765LT is no exception. The 720S is already very light, helped by innovations developed in previous LT programmes, but we have investigated every area of the car to deliver even further savings: ‘helper’ springs in the suspension enable a 1.5- kg reduction, a bespoke lightweight centre tunnel saves 1.4-kg and optional carbonfibre fenders are 1.2kg lighter than the standard panels,” revealed James Warner, Chief Engineer for the 765LT.

Carbonfibre interior

The use of carbonfibre throughout the track-focused interior brings further weight-optimisation. The standard lightweight, carbonfibre-shelled racing seats are a combined 18 kgs lighter than the 720S sports seats. The central tunnel of carbon composite material has a panel thickness of just 0.8 mm. More weight reduction is possible by specifying even more carbonfibre options from the MSO Defined range developed by McLaren Special Operations.

The primary hub in the 765LT for driver convenience, comfort and connectivity functions – including McLaren Track Telemetry – is an 8.0-inch, high-resolution Central Infotainment Screen that works in conjunction with a Folding Driver Display to provide an integrated driver information platform.

The Folding Driver Display and Central Infotainment Screen surrounds are available in carbonfibre to complement the finish of the window switch surrounds, steering wheel clasp and Active Dynamics Panel surround.

The 765LT is not a car for those wanting to keep a low profile and the standard colour choices reflect this. There are 17 exterior paint colours, including two – Nardo Orange and Smoked White – unique to the new LT. Of course, a customer can also specify a personal choice of colour which MSO Bespoke commission will provide.

Exclusive McLaren Senna XP cars pay tribute to one of the greatest F1 drivers


Perodua’s free Tweckbot inspection service to be offered this month

Since 2011, Perodua has been providing its Tweckbot complimentary mobile vehicle inspection service. Over 8,000 vehicles have been inspected nationwide during that period and there would have been some owners who would have been grateful to be alerted of a problem to attend to before starting off on their long journey.

Important service – provided free

The Tweckbot service is part of Perodua’s road safety push and will be offered during the Aidil Adha and Merdeka holiday periods this year. This is timely as it is important to conduct checks on vehicle roadworthiness in preparation for long balik kampung drives during festive periods.

“The free 50-point Tweckbot inspection includes checks to the engine, transmission, cooling system, brakes, power steering, clutch, tyres, suspension and electrics, and will give our customers total peace of mind for the long journeys ahead,” said Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Discount voucher given after inspection

The Tweckbot team will be at the northbound Rawang rest area on the PLUS Highway during
August 24/25
 from 10 am to 5 pm. Customers who inspect their vehicle with Tweckbot will get a voucher that can be used to redeem a 20% discount on parts and accessories at any authorised Perodua service centre.

“Tweckbot aims to promote the importance of checking one’s vehicle regularly, to service them at authorised Perodua service centres, and to only use genuine Perodua products and parts, all in the name of safety,” Dato’ Zainal said.

“In the spirit of Aidil Adha, Perodua hopes it can share knowledge and awareness of the importance of safety with the close-knit community that is the Malaysian public. Also, this Merdeka will mark 62 years of Malaysian independence and it is our hope that our minds too can be liberated to embrace and prioritise safety in every aspect of our lives.”

“Safety is a mindset first and foremost, and as a
People First
 company, Perodua will do all it can to promote this mindset amongst its employees, customers and the general public. We believe safety is everyone’s right,” Dato’ Zainal said.

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

Visit
www.perodua.com.my
 for information on Perodua products, services and promotions


Flying Spur Hybrid Odyssean Edition previews future Bentley products

As part of its
Beyond100
 strategy, Bentley will pursue sustainability in every area of its business as well as the products it makes and sells. The journey has already begun and a limited edition of the Flying Spur Hybrid provides a preview of what will come.

The Flying Spur Hybrid Odyssean Edition uses an advanced hybrid powertrain which can prove that hybridization will not compromise luxury or performance. The new powertrain combines a 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine with an advanced electric motor, generating a total of 544 ps/750 Nm (significantly more power than the Bentayga Hybrid). While able to cover the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in a claimed 4.3 seconds, the limousine is also said to have a range of over 700 kms when fully fuelled.

Sustainable materials throughout the cabin

New, even more sustainable materials are used throughout the cabin, directly reflecting design details showcased in Bentley’s centenary concept car. The cabin features panels of beautifully crafted tweed made from 100% British wool, twisting a blend of tonal colours into a bespoke yarn to create a unique natural luxury textile especially for Bentley.

The open-pore Koa veneer fascias and waistrails use 90% less lacquer than high-gloss veneers, and allow the natural surface texture and aesthetic of the wood to be enjoyed. Selected from only the very best, most figured stock available, open-pore veneer is painted with just three ultra-thin layers of lacquer, together totalling only 0.1 mm in thickness.

The centre console is finished in a sleek, minimalist Piano Linen veneer, while a dedicated tri-colour leather scheme lends the whole interior new depth. Together with new materials, sustainable leather is used widely across the cabin, thanks to its long-term durability. Indeed, Bentley’s own 1955 S1 Flying Spur was referenced during the design process, as the car still retains its original leather interior which, in spite of now being 66 years old, is still in immaculate condition.

Accents to the interior are in a soft, warm hide called Autumn, with customers able to choose from 5 specifications that utilize Beluga, Porpoise, Cricketball, Brunel or Burnt Oak leather in tandem with light, modern Linen hide. A unique Odyssean Edition treadplate becomes apparent when entering or exiting the car, and is matched with exterior D-pillar badging.

In common with the finishes seen in the EXP 100 GT interior, an exclusive new embroidery style sees thread colours blend calmly into one another across the width of each seat, defining and accentuating the ‘lofted diamond’ pattern unique to the Flying Spur – together creating a stunning effect employed here by Bentley for the first time.

On the exterior, painted Pale Brodgar accents on the 21-inch 10 twin-spoke wheels and lower brightware (front and rear bumpers, headlight and tail light surrounds and lower body side chrome) give a unique visual character. A curated exterior palette of six colours have been recommended to harmonise with the Pale Brodgar accents, but the full Bentley palette can be chosen from.

Real-world usage of Bentley Hybrids

As part of Bentley’s journey towards electrification and the
Beyond100
 strategy (delivering a product range composed entirely of plug-in hybrids or battery electric vehicles by 2026), a research activity has been undertaken to gain insights into customer usage of the Bentley Hybrid from owners.

Over 90% of owners use their first generation Bentayga Hybrid on a daily basis or several times a week and nearly 100% make use EV mode, which means running only on electrical power with zero emissions. Half of them consistently have journeys of less than 48 kms. In real-world terms, this means that the majority of the journeys, whether office commuting or school runs, can be achieved predominantly whilst producing zero emissions.


A 100% Malaysian Team Set To Create History at Le Mans

The 24 hours of Le Mans is the pinnacle of motorsport endurance racing. Widely considered as the holy grail of motorsport. Win here and your name goes down in history as one of the greatest, ever.

Le Mans has been the stage of great duels, of victories and bitter defeats, terrible crashes that has claimed many lives. It is also the stage of some fantastic technology, incredible display of talent, and for a country as small as Malaysia, it is the ultimate calling for local race teams. And that brings us to our topic, the story of Viper Niza Racing.

The team is said to be the first ever all Malaysian race team to compete in Le Mans. But this is where we need to clarify that the team is not actually competing in the legendary 24 hours of Le Mans, but one of the supporting racing called Road to Le Mans which acts as a curtain riser for the actual endurance race.

Viper Niza Racing will compete in the Road To Le Mans this weekend with two drivers – Douglas Khoo and Dominic Ang – and will be the first all Malaysian team in history to compete in the race.

Many Malaysians have raced at the 24 hours of Le Mans as well as the Road To Le Mans, but this is the first time that an entire team, every mechanic and even the video team is all Malaysian.

Driver and Team Principal Douglas Khoo is optimistic about the weekend, “Road to Le Mans is undoubtedly one of the greatest races in the world of motorsport. It may not be as iconic as the main event, but competitors are still able to soak in the ambiance of having thousands of spectators witness our cars, which in turns provides superb visibility for our sponsors, in this case our sponsors are Motul.”

“I expect a challenging weekend, both Dominic and I are under no illusion that this is going to be easy. But our mechanics are ready for the challenge, and our Nissan powered Ligier JS P3 LMP3 race car has been thoroughly shaken down, and we are comfortable behind the wheel of the car.”

Viper Niza Racing is no stranger to high level competition. The team has been actively competing in the TCR Asia series. as well as the Asia Le Mans Series. The team has enjoyed multiple podium finishes in all series, and carries a wealth of experience going into a legendary race like the Road to Le Mans.

Piston.my wishes the team lots of luck for the race weekend.


F1 / Round 16: 2022 Italian Grand Prix Highlights and Provisional Results

The starting grid for this F1 race did not follow the positions of qualifying as nine drivers had penalties that demoted them to other starting spots. While Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc – who clocked the fastest time in qualifying – was able to keep his pole position, Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen lost his second grid position which was taken by Mercedes-AMG’s George Russell. The Red Bull driver had to start from seventh, just ahead of Williams Racing’s Nyck de Vries who was taking the place of Alexander Albon who had appendicitis.

Leclerc got off to a great start but by the chicane, Russell had managed to position alongside the Ferrari as he had braked a bit later. However, Leclerc managed to hold his position and sped off after the near-contact.

Verstappen cut through the cars quickly to move up to fourth but Mercedes-AMG’s Lewis Hamilton found it difficult to move ahead in the traffic at the back. But Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz managed to get up a few places where he began to tussle with Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Perez for 15
th
 place.

Going into lap 5, Verstappen slipped past Russell who didn’t seem to put up much of a fight and was about 2.3 seconds behind Leclerc.

At the back, Sainz was slicing through traffic and passed Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel into 11
th
 place. He was chased by Perez who was distracted by a determined Esteban Ocon in his Alpine.

On lap 8, Perez had to make an unscheduled pit stop as there was a problem with his car. While in the pits, he got another set of tyres and there appeared to be smoke and fire at the front brakes. Nevertheless, he was able to rejoin the race but was last in the pack.

Vettel reported that his car was losing power and on lap 12, he had to pull over near Turn 7. Race Control decided to activate the F1 Virtual Safety Car (VSC) so that the marshalls could remove the Aston Martin.

The VSC was on only briefly and Leclerc pit for tyres but Verstappen and Russell remained running. Fortunately, for the Ferrari driver, he was able to slot back in ahead of fourth placed Daniel Ricciardo of McLaren who had been about 9 seconds behind Russell. And just as Leclerc zoomed off, Riccciardo saw another Ferrari pass by as Sainz too took over his fourth place.

While Leclerc was getting worried about his engine, Verstappen was slowly extending his lead, with nearly 7 seconds between him and Russell at lap 18. The Ferrari driver was some 9 seconds behind Russell.

Alpine’s Fernando Alonso didn’t have the pace this time and couldn’t keep McLaren’s Lando Norris from getting past. He became increasingly concerned but his engineer said nothing showed in the data. De Vries, on his first F1 outing, was holding on to 8
th
 spot but got black-flagged for exceeding track limits.

As the race reached near the halfway mark, the cars in the midfield began heading into the pit for new tyres. Leclerc’s early stop still meant he might have to come in again and he was warned of this when told of ‘Plan C’.

Verstappen was beginning to lose grip and came in on lap 26. Going to medium compound tyres. He was still for 2.4 seconds and managed to rejoin behind Leclerc who had inherited the lead. The gap would start to close once the Dutchman got his tyres up to temperature.

Meanwhile, on lap 28, Hamilton was beginning to make progress as he passed Alonso into sixth. His next target was Norris who was 9 seconds away. Russell in fourth was not letting Sainz get far. But on lap 31, Sainz gave up his position as he went into the pits, rejoining in eighth.

Alonso turned up in the pits on lap 32 after being called in when his engineers found an ‘issue’ (suspected water pressure problem). It was serious enough that he had to retire from the race. His retirement gave Ricciardo the 10
th
 spot and a point, valuable for the team.

Leclerc was called in on lap 34 and got soft tyres, so Verstappen was back in the lead. The Ferrari managed to rejoin ahead of Russell who was still watching out for Norris. Hamilton also came in but when he rejoined, he encountered a bunch of slow back-markers whom he had to work his way through. It took him 3 laps to get back up to sixth.

With the fresh and soft tyres, Leclerc started to push harder and set a fastest lap. 13 laps remained and Verstappen also worked harder to respond to the Ferrari’s increased speed.

It was a bad day for Aston Martin as Lance Stroll was also called in – and then had to retire. However, his car’s problem was brake-related, different from Vettel’s powertrain issue.

As 8 laps remained, Leclerc was still unable to close the gap with. However, his team mate was able to close in on Russell to try to take the podium spot.

The F1 Safety Car was called out on lap 47 as Ricciardo was forced to a stop when his car lost power. The crews quickly ran into the pit lane in preparation for arrivals. Russell was the first of the front-runners to come in and so did Sainz, but Hamilton stayed out.5 laps remained.

Verstappen came in on lap 49 to get soft tyres and was followed by Leclerc. No change to the two front positions while Russell and Sainz were in third and fourth.

As 3 laps remained, the Safety Car was still circulating because the McLaren was still parked next to the track. The cars began to line up behind the Safety Car on lap 51 and even after another lap, it had not departed. And on the final lap of 53 laps, as the F1 cars crossed the finish line, it was Verstappen who claimed victory – which he deserved considering where he started from.


New Ferrari 488 Pista Sneak Peek Before Geneva Motorshow!

The
Ferrari 488 Pista
, which will be unveiled at the upcoming
Geneva Motor Show
, is the successor to Ferrari’s V8-engined special series  – the 360 Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia and 458 Speciale – which have received critical acclaim for their performance and undiluted handling.

The car’s development evolved directly from the company’s involvement in the
 FIA World Endurance Championship
 – where it has won five Manufacturers’ titles in the GTE class in the six years since the series’ inception, taking 29 out of 50 races – and 25 years’ experience in running the Ferrari Challenge one-make series.

The Ferrari 488 Pista’s extensive weight saving solutions, along with engine, vehicle dynamics and aerodynamic developments all derive from Ferrari’s racing cars: the 488 GTE and the 488 Challenge. The result is a car with an uncompromising mission:
to offer track-like performance on and off the road, even when in the hands of non-professional drivers.

Compared to the 488 GTB, the new model weighs an impressive
90 kg less
 (1280 kg dry) which, when combined with the largest ever increase in engine power for a special series car (+50 cv), results in a new benchmark for Ferrari’s V8 sports cars.

Its engine is the
most powerful V8
 in Ferrari history and is an extreme evolution of the turbo unit that has won the overall International Engine of the Year award titles in both 2016 and 2017.

It punches out
720bhp (530kW)
 and
770Nm
 of torque with the highest specific output of in its class (185 cv/l)  and is now lighter too, thanks to solutions adopted from the 488 Challenge, including Inconel exhaust manifolds and lightweight crankshaft and flywheel, but also thanks to additional features, such as titanium con rods and carbon-fibre intake plenums.

Ferrari 488 Pista Photo Gallery (more tech details after)

More info on the Ferrari 488 Pista (specifications at the bottom)…

In the Ferrari 488 Pista, torque (770Nm) is higher than the 488 GTB at all engine speeds, delivering a feeling of consistently smooth, powerful acceleration with even faster turbo response times despite the increase in power. The engine sound is unique and unmistakably Ferrari, as such a special car warrants. Both the sound quality and the intensity are higher than the 488 GTB in all gears and at all engine speeds in proportion with the progressive increase in power.

The Ferrari 488 Pista makes full use of Ferrari’s motor-sports experience for maximum aerodynamic performance even on the road. Among the racing solutions adopted is the front F1-inspired S-Duct and the design of the front diffusers which feature a ramp angle that was optimised for the 488 GTE to create strong suction for increased downforce.

The underbody vortex generators have also been redesigned, and the rear diffuser incorporates the same double kink as the 488 GTE to increase the air extraction and downforce generation compared to a traditional diffuser. In addition, the rear blown spoiler is higher and longer and the shape has been optimised. The final result of all these interventions is an impressive 20% increase in downforce.

The vehicle dynamics were designed to enhance driving pleasure and make the car’s full potential available to all drivers, professional or otherwise. The objective was to make the car’s performance on the limit easier to reach and control.

This was achieved by synergies between the development of the mechanical set-up and the electronic dynamic controls integrated into version 6 of the Side-Slip Angle Control system. SSC 6.0 incorporates all the following systems: E-Diff3, F1-Trac, the magnetorheological suspension (SCM) and, for the first time ever, the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer. The FDE features a world-first: it uses Ferrari software to adjust the brake pressure at the callipers.

This additional level of control further fine-tunes the 488 Pista’s performance through, and powering out of, corners making the car’s handling even more effortless, intuitive and predictable. The extra confidence the system gives means that drivers can more easily control yaw angles, even on the limit, and develop a completely symbiotic relationship with the car resulting in the perfect combination of genuinely extreme performance and driving thrills.

The suspension set-up is completed by new tyres developed specifically for the car by Michelin. The design of the Ferrari 488 Pista is focussed on functional aerodynamic concepts while the cockpit is pared back in keeping with its very sporty vocation. Ferrari Design used innovative elements, such as the aerodynamic S-Duct at the front, as an opportunity to visually shorten the car’s nose, creating an original floating wing effect.

The racing livery colour scheme is an integral part of the design of the car and the way it dives into the S-Duct underscores the berlinetta’s compact yet imposing forms. Contrasting edging on the aerodynamic elements on the bumpers and flanks add structure to the design.

The concept of the front is echoed in the dolphin-tail rear spoiler which appears suspended to provide an impression lightness and efficiency, while the rear volumes add a sense of power to the tail.

The car’s underlying sense of extreme purpose is also highlighted by the adoption for the first time on a Ferrari of optional new 20” carbon-fibre wheel rims, while other carbon-fibre parts include the engine cover, bumpers and rear spoiler.

Ferrari 488 Pista Short technical specifications…

ENGINE

Type                                         V8 – 90° twin turbo

Overall displacement           3902 cc

Max. power output *            530 kW (720 cv) at 8000 rpm

Max. torque *                         770 Nm at 3000 rpm in  7
th
 gear

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT

Length                                    4605 mm

Width                                     1975 mm

Height                                    1206 mm

Dry weight**                         1280 kg

PERFORMANCE

0-100 km/h                           2.85 s

0 -200 km/h                           7.6 s

Max. speed                              > 340 km/h

* With 98 octane petrol

**With optional lightweight content


Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia Adds 6th Outlet For East Coast Region

The new vehicle market in the East Coast region of Peninsular Malaysia has historically been smaller than that of the west coast. Nevertheless, it has steadily grown over the years and now with more roads and a highway connecting more of the region to the west coast, more people are keen to have their own cars.

The development of the East Coast has obviously been watched by the car companies and they have been opening more outlets in states like Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang. The latest to do so is Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) which recently officially opened a new Mitsubishi Motors 3S Centre in Kemaman, Terengganu.

Operated by Okuan Motors Sdn Bhd, the dealership offers the full range of services customers require when considering a Mitsubishi vehicle and aftersales services when they become owners. The outlet, situated along Jalan Raja Udang 2 at the Kemaman River Front Biz Centre, has a built-up area of 5,000 sq. ft. It includes an integrated and fully-equipped service centre with 3 service bays for service, maintenance and general repairs.

This is the second Mitsubishi Motors outlet operated by Okuan Motors, which has been an authorised dealer for the brand since 2015. Its other outlet in Kuantan, Pahang, is a 4S facility which also offers body & paint services to repair or refinish vehicles.

“As a strong dealership that is committed to raising the bar in customer experience, Okuan Motors has expanded its footprint to Terengganu, opening another 3S centre offering both sales and aftersales services,“ said Shinya Ikeda, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia. “Okuan Motors has been one of our top-performing dealers in Pahang and we are optimistic that we will continue to work hand in hand to keep the sales momentum going.”

“This latest showroom is MMM’s sixth outlet in the Eastern region. It is to serve our customers better as we see a huge potential for business growth, especially for the
Triton pick-up truck
 and
XPANDER 7-seater crossover
,” added Mr. Ikeda.

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Production of new Volvo and BMW electric models underway in Belgium and China

Volvo XC40 Recharge production in Ghent, Belgium

Additional choices of electrically-powered cars will be in showrooms soon with the start of production of new models from Volvo and BMW. From the Swedish carmaker’s factory in Belgium is the XC40 Recharge while BMW has begun rolling out its new iX3 at the BMW Brilliance Automotive joint venture (BBA) in China.

Volvo XC40 Recharge

The XC40 Recharge is the first of several fully electric Volvos to come. By 2025, Volvo expects 50% of its global sales to consist of fully electric cars, with the rest hybrids. Customer demand for the XC40 Recharge has been strong and at this time, every car to be built during this calendar year has already been sold. First deliveries to customers in Europe will commence later this month.

As a fully electric version of the popular XC40 SUV, the XC40 Recharge is based on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), an advanced vehicle platform co-developed within the Geely Group. It has a projected range of over 400 kms on a fully charged battery pack which can be charged to 80% capacity within about 40 minutes (with a fast-charger system).

The XC40 Recharge, Volvo’s first model to win the ‘European Car of the Year’ title, has the typically high safety standards the brand has been known for. However, being a EV without a conventional engine means it has a different architecture and Volvo engineers have reinforced the frontal section to address that issue.

The battery pack is protected by a safety cage embedded in the middle of the car’s body structure. Its placement in the floor of the car also lowers the centre of gravity of the car, for better protection against roll-overs.

BMW iX3

The fully-electric iX3 is  the first pure electric model from the BMW brand. The iX3 has been developed under the strategic “Power of Choice” approach to cover broad spread of customer requirements and statutory regulations around the world.

It has fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology with major progress made in terms of power density, operating range, weight, installation space requirement and flexibility. Electric motor, power electronics and transmission arranged in a central housing for the first time. The claimed operating range is between 460 kms and 520 kms, depending on the test cycle used).

Power transfer is to the rear wheels from the eDrive electric motor which produces maximum output of 286 ps/400 Nm. This gives the SUV a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time claimed to be 6.8 seconds which is close to that of the X3 30i that does the same run in 6.4 seconds.

The iX3 will be the brand’s first model to also be produced for export at the joint venture factory in China. As well as intelligent manufacturing and state-of-the-art technologies, the production facility in Shenyang is also distinguished by its comprehensive quality management system.

A special ‘zero defect concept’ ensures that the globally high market requirements for electric mobility are met. There is rigorous testing of everything from the battery to the finished car to guarantee the vehicle safety. These include 128 mechanical tests and 994 software functionality tests ensure the high quality of the high-voltage battery packs throughout the entire lifecycle. Another 140 functional tests check every aspect of the vehicle during acceleration, in particular road conditions and on rocky roads.

The tyres on your car may generate electricity in future!


Perodua resumes sales operations, to reconsider target of 240,000 units for the year

As with other many other car companies, Perodua has also resumed operations of its sales, aftersales centres, and related facilities nationwide. The re-opening of Perodua’s sales and aftersales centres comes after the resumption of its manufacturing activities at its headquarters complex in Sungai Choh, Rawang, Selangor recently. In total, Perodua has 191 sales, 197 service and 69 Body & Paint centres nationwide.

“Deliveries have started in stages this week and we expect that we can see more Perodua vehicles produced and registered in the coming weeks,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad said.

Standard Operating Procedures will be strictly followed at all sales and aftersales centres for the protection of customers and employees.
.

Dato’ Zainal Abidin thanked Perodua customers for their patience, understanding and loyalty. We expect to be able to deliver nearly all existing orders within the year,” he said.

Impact of long closure

The effects of the shutdown of over 2 months ordered by the government under the Movement Control Order has had an impact on sales figures, as evident by the
data compiled by the Malaysian Automotive Association
 (MAA) up till the end of July.

“We are currently evaluating the impact of the lockdown that was introduced on June 1 2021 to our operations and we will announce our revised targets for the year soon,” Dato Zainal said. The Malaysian carmaker had set a target of 240,000 units for 2021 but after 7 months, its cumulative sales have reached only about 41% of that number.

Strict adherence to SOPs

While Perodua has met the required criteria for vaccinations of its employees – which determine the workforce capacity at the factory – the company has also established safety guidelines for its customers when visiting its sales and aftersales centres throughout the country. In accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures specified by the Health Ministry, these safety requirements include being fully vaccinated, wearing a facemask, making an appointment at the sales and/or service outlet before making a visit and to always observe physical distancing. All visitors must, of course, register on
MySejahtera
 as well as have their temperatures checked.

To know more about Perodua models and the locations of showrooms and service centres, visit
www.perodua.com.my
.


Discovery Channel presents the story of young Vietnamese automaker VinFast tomorrow night

With its motorbike-filled motorways, Vietnam has never been a country that’s been associated with the production of cars although it does have some assembly plants. But VinFast, Vietnam’s first domestic automotive manufacturer, is driving the charge to shift perceptions of the country from being a car assembly shop to a major automotive manufacturer.

In a new documentary, ‘
Geared for the Future
’, to be broadcast on
Discovery Channel  [Astro Channel 55
1] at 8:05pm
 and
Discovery Asia [Astro Channel 571] at
 8:45 pm
 tomorrow night (
Friday March 27
), racing driver and car enthusiast Claire Jedrek, gets inside the action as VinFast sets its eyes to compete on the global automotive stage.

In this Discovery special, Claire speaks to experts and key industry players including Dr. Tran Đình Thien, member of the Economic Advisory Group of Vietnamese Prime Minister, motoring expert Keshvinder Singh Dhillon (Keshy) and Van Anh, Deputy CEO of VinFast, to uncover the story of Vietnam’s miracle growth and VinFast’s journey and goal of becoming the biggest automaker in Southeast Asia.

VinFast is fast proving itself as a major driving force after building Vietnam’s first homegrown car brand from scratch. In 2018, the company successfully launched its first car models within a span of just 2 years with an estimated investment of US$3.5 billion. It only took them 21 months to build a factory, complete car design, and start mass production – creating a record in the global automotive industry.

Claire visited Southeast Asia’s first fully digital automotive factory, observing the state-of-the-art technology that gets the job done. She shares with viewers the challenges behind creating a car that would appeal to the Vietnamese people and, at the test track, puts a VinFast car to the test.

PISTON.MY’s Keshy Dhillon and Claire Jedrek

These made-in-Vietnam cars may have just hit the market, but the company is ready to go full throttle. To date, the company has already received more than 17,000 orders from the domestic market. Its range will soon expand to include luxury cars, SUVs, electric motorbikes and buses which it plans to sell in other Southeast Asian markets and beyond.

First flagship models of Vietnam’s Vinfast score 5 stars in ASEAN NCAP tests


Toyota March Promotion Offers Up To RM15,000 Savings!

Although the Chinese New Year festive season may be over, the excitement at Toyota showrooms around the nation continues. During the month of March, there are great promotions which customers can save more – up to
RM15,000

(for selected units only)
 – on purchases of new Toyota vehicles but also add value with extra accessories provided at no extra charge.

Excite your drive with the best services from Toyota at all its showrooms nationwide, not only on weekends but the whole year round. Especially for
 17 & 18th March
and
 24 & 25th March
, join the Toyota showroom weekender event. Also,
“Get Fun, Get Bolder”
 with the new and rugged Avanza X where you can get a
RM1,000 cash rebate
 or a free rims and tyres upgrade worth
RM3,062.

Find out more on Toyota’s promotional offers for the month of March in the details below, valid from now until
31st March 2018
:

Model

Promo cash rebate

Vios

Up to RM3,500 cash rebate + Free Accessories (worth up to RM4,100) + Prepaid Maintenance Package (worth RM2,125)

Camry

RM3,000 cash rebate + Body Coating (worth RM2,700) or Free Accessories (worth RM2,500)

Avanza X

RM1,000 cash rebate + Top Up Accessories (worth RM3,062)

Hilux

RM1,000 cash rebate + Free Accessories (worth RM3,485)

Fortuner

RM1,000 cash rebate + Free Accessories (worth RM2,500)

Innova

RM2,000 cash rebate + Free Service (worth RM1,000)

(All offers are for selected variants and subject to Terms and Conditions, while stocks last).

Customers who require a financing plan may also check out Toyota Capital services offers like the
Toyota 2-Tier Plan
 which offers lower monthly instalments for graduates and Toyota Drive financing plan, the first of its kind where customers can save more.

For peace of mind, all Toyota models comes with a
5-year warranty and unlimited mileage
 (except for Toyota Hilux with maximum mileage of 150,000kms). To enhance the value of your Toyota, the warranty is transferable to the next owner within the terms and conditions.

To find out more about these attractive offers, customers can visit any Toyota showrooms where test-drives are also available, or visit
toyota.com.my
 for further information.


Drive 4 Paul Malaysia is happening this weekend!

The first ever
Drive 4 Paul Malaysia
 event is taking place this weekend and it promises to be one hell of an epic car culture gathering here in the country. Organised by Retro Havoc and Paul Walker’s charity foundation, Reach Out Worldwide (ROWW), the charity event is set for an awesome show with the announcement of Tourism Malaysia and MARii to collaborate with
Drive 4 Paul Malaysia
.

Over 420 cars from all walks of life will be taking part in the car show happening this Saturday (12 October 2019) at Bandar Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. The event is open to public with each entry charged at only RM10. All proceeds will be donated to ROWW foundation for their disaster relief efforts that take place all over the world.

What makes the event even more special is a special guest appearance in the form of the late
 Fast & Furious
 megastar’s brother, Cody Walker. Being the CEO of ROWW, he’s indeed ecstatic about the upcoming event where all of the fundraising including ticket sales, registration fees, merchandise, and F&B sales will be funnelled to their non-profit organization to make the world a better place.

There will be loads of activities for the entire family from car show to exciting games. Perhaps the biggest highlights will be several replicas from the
Fast & Furious
 movie franchise which include the iconic blue and silver Nissan Skyline from
2 Fast 2 Furious
, Ford Escort MK1, Subaru V10, and many more.

According to Datuk Musa Yusof, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, “This is a good effort to welcome Visit Malaysia 2020 which is just around the corner, and also to fill up our 2019 motorsports calendar. We will have Malaysian GP from 1 to 3 November 2019, and hottest newcomers FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR), with the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) from 14 to 15 December.”

To know more about the
Drive 4 Paul Malaysia
 charity event, head over to head over to
www.facebook.com/Drive4PaulMalaysia/
 or check out our previous article, below.

Drive 4 Paul Malaysia – A tribute to Paul Walker


Mazda Training Centre celebrates 126 graduates

The Mazda Training Centre currently operated by Bermaz Motor (the authorised distributor of Mazda here in Malaysia) announced that 126 graduates proudly graduated from the institution last week.

These honoured individuals graduated from three different technical programs which are:

Mazda Apprenticeship Program (MAP) – 26 graduates

Mazda Mechanic Program (MPP) – 51 graduates

Body & Paint Program (BPP) – 49 graduates

The Mazda Training Centre was established with the purpose of providing Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs to cater to meet the ever-growing demand for skilled workforce at Mazda service networks.

Students and graduates at the training centre have the added benefit of guaranteed opportunity to be employed as professional technicians at Bermaz’s after-sales network upon program completion.

The institution is also certified by several governing bodies on Motor Vehicle Mechanic Training provider which include Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran (JPK), Institute of Motor Industry (IMI), UK and Mazda Motor Cooperation.

Utilizing endorsed Motor Vehicle Mechanic Syllabus and Mazda Master Program inspired by Mazda Corp., practical training is based on Mazda’s revolutionary Skyactiv Technology combined the latest technology and tools. Bermaz currently has four Mazda Training Centres located in the Klang Valley and Penang. Two more centres will be established soon in Kedah and Johor.

Much like Mazda’s Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030 vision, Bermaz believes in creating sustainable future for the youth by inspiring them to unlock their potential in the automotive industry and enhancing their lives with invaluable knowledge and practical skills.


Lotus shows more views of its Evija all-electric hypercar via a configurator

Only 130 people in the whole world will get to own the Lotus Evija all-electric hypercar. With
production of the 2,000 ps car
 set to start later in 2020 (now dependent on the lockdown situation in Britain), customers will soon be able to specify their personalisation requirements.

The exclusive nature of the Evija means every customer’s car will be unique. Requests for personalisation on every aspect – from striking exterior paint colour combinations to highly detailed interior trim – are all part of the enhanced ordering process.

The starting point for every car’s specification is an all-new touchscreen configurator. Designed especially for Lotus, its ultra-powerful graphics processor creates stunning high-definition ‘photo-realistic’ images and animations. Developed using advanced gaming software, these allow the buyer to build and personalise their own car from the ground up and visualise it from every angle, inside and out.

Thanks to an advanced imaging technique known as ray-tracing, they can even place their Evija into multiple environments around the world to see how localised sunlight levels will affect their choices. The final element is the creation of a fully personalised ‘360-degree fly-through’ film exclusive to each customer.

Lotus has released a series of all-new images of the Evija captured from the configurator. They show a car set inside the Lotus Design studios and finished in stunning Atomic Red with Carbon Black accent pack. They are accompanied by a new animation which additionally reveals the car in Solaris Yellow and Carbon Black.

The configurator is just one element of the Evija experience. At regular intervals during the purchase process, each customer will receive from Lotus a unique gift to reflect the exclusive and technical nature of the Evija. That will culminate in a beautiful handcrafted build book, packed with stunning imagery of the customer’s individual car during key moments of its assembly. The book will be presented to the customer with their Evija key as part of the handover celebrations.

Related article:
Facts and figures of the world’s most powerful series production road car

“We know every customer journey will be unique and our highly experienced customer relations team is ready to support any requests. With state-of-the-art digital tools such as the new configurator, we can accommodate customer preferences and requirements from anywhere in the world at the touch of a button,” said Simon Clare, Executive Director for Global Marketing at Lotus.

Lotus Evija prototypes complete high-speed testing as electric hypercar debuts in China (w/VIDEO)


Summary of New Vehicle Sales and Production in April 2021

Source: Monthly reports of Malaysia Automotive Association

A year ago, new vehicle deliveries stopped as the first Movement Control Order (MCO) was in force although 141 vehicles still reached their customers. A year later, although the MCO is still in force in varying degrees, sales and deliveries continue and in April 2021, the Total Industry Volume (TIV) was the third highest in 12 months with 57,912 units registered.

Cumulative sales for the first four months of this year compared to the same period in 2021 were 89% higher,as would be expected with sales in March and April 2020 having been impacted severely and dropping to the lowest level ever.

For some brands, new vehicle supply was also a factor in April sales being 12.3% lower than March due to the global shortage of computer chips used in the many electronic systems in cars today.

On the production side, it was the same thing a year ago as plants were also ordered to stop operations and only 275 units were reported to have been completed in April 2020. This year, 51,390 vehicles were assembled locally during the same month. As mentioned earlier, shortage of computer chips – a crucial item – saw production dropping diminishing.

93% of vehicles assembled locally were passenger vehicles (excluding pickup trucks).

It should be noted that the as Mercedes-Benz Malaysia does not wish to reveal its sales numbers, they are not included in the data above.

Forecast for May

The Malaysian Automotive Association expects the TIV to continue falling, and May registrations are likely to be lower than April. Although the latest MCO allows for businesses and factories to continue operating, stricter controls on public movements may dampen sales.

Besides the effects of the MCO, the Hari Raya festive period would also be a factor in diminished sales volume. Additionally, supplies of vehicles are also likely to remain affected by the chip shortage.


Rolls-Royce re-establishes its Coachbuild department to go beyond Bespoke

‘Coachbuilding’ may sound like an old or outdated term and it is indeed old – as old as the motorcar itself – but it is not outdated as it refers to the art and science of creating bespoke (custom-made) bodywork on a pre-assembled chassis. It was actually how cars were made before Henry Ford introduced mass production and that virtually ended coachbuilding – except at a few manufacturers, among them Rolls-Royce.

More than a century of coachbuilding experience has given Rolls-Royce its unique Bespoke capabilities which have developed in the modern era. This has made it possible for those who buy a Rolls-Royce to personalise virtually every aspect of their cars’ appearance and specification.

17EX (1928)

Constraints still existed

Although, in theory, a coachbuilt Rolls-Royce could be any shape the customer desired, in practice there were constraints. Rolls-Royce cars were designed on proven technical principles that were, in the minds of the company’s founders, unarguable and inviolable. By insisting on fixed dimensions for the bulkhead behind the radiator, they were able to ensure the bodywork maintained the essential proportions that visually identified it as a ‘true’ Rolls-Royce.

Those proportions remain enshrined in the marque’s design tenets to this day. Examine any contemporary Rolls-Royce and it exhibits the 2:1 ratio of body height to wheel diameter first established with the Silver Ghost in 1907. The body shape is defined by three fluid lines running the length of the car: the ‘waft line’ that gives the car its sense of movement; the ‘waist line’ that lends it purpose and presence; and the silhouette, which expresses its individual character.

Phantom II CDC (1934)

Considerable scope

These basic principles allow considerable scope, as evidenced by the highly distinctive forms of Phantom, Ghost, Wraith, Dawn and Cullinan. Patrons and designers therefore enjoy considerable creative freedom in a coachbuilding project, within these fundamental design parameters. It will, after all, bear the Spirit of Ecstasy figurine above the grille – another immutable principle – so must be a genuine Rolls-Royce worthy of the name, and recognisably so.

However, while customers have always been able to personalise their car’s appearance in numerous different ways – beginning with a choice of 44,000 paint colours – their options for altering its overall outline have historically been limited by the underlying structure. For this reason, fully coachbuilt Rolls-Royce cars have been rarities in the modern era and much of the sensation around Sweptail arose precisely because it was such a unique event.

It was made possible by a seismic change in the marque’s manufacturing process, which was first deployed to great effect and global acclaim with the eighth and current generation of the Phantom. This Phantom was the first car to be built on the marque’s proprietary structure – an all-aluminium spaceframe chassis, designed and engineered from the ground up to be scalable for a range of different models.

4050HP Phantom (1926)

In essence, it creates four fixed points at each corner of the car. The distance between them can be whatever the designers and engineers want it to be: bulkhead, floor, crossmember and sill panels can all be stretched or shrunk or increased in height as the design requires. The concept has proved brilliantly successful, forming the basis for the Cullinan SUV launched in 2019, and in 2020, the new Ghost.

New possibilities for coachbuilding

This flexibility opens up new possibilities for coachbuilding. By moving away from monocoque construction to something closer to a traditional rolling chassis, Rolls-Royce has reacquired the freedom to construct almost any body shape its customers can imagine, constrained only by fundamental design and engineering requirements.

The Sweptail (2017)

This means that Rolls-Royce and its customers can now look beyond merely Bespoke and build the car itself, to personal requirements. In this way, it is perfectly aligned with a lifestyle in which the customer’s investments in luxury – property, clothing and jewellery to works of art, yachts or private aircraft – are personal, individual and unique.

Evolutionary and revolutionary

With the Architecture of Luxury, the marque has ushered in a new coachbuilding movement that encompasses both highly sophisticated 21st Century technology and materials, and a tradition extending back more than 100 years. It is both evolutionary and revolutionary.

“The ability to personalise almost every aspect of their motor car is one of the main reasons our patrons come to us. But we know some wish to go further still. In 2017, we stunned the world with our first fully coachbuilt motor car of the modern era – the spectacular Rolls-Royce Sweptail. This was, by definition, an entirely unique commission; but in our minds, it was the start of a journey,” said Torsten Muller-Otvos, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

“We have formally re-established our Coachbuild department for those patrons who wish to go beyond the existing restraints, and explore the almost limitless possibilities this opens up for them. We are able to offer our customers the opportunity to create a motor car in which every single element is hand-built to their precise individual requirements, as befits our status as a true luxury house.”

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


Hyundai IONIQ Scores Double Victory @ Carbuyer & DrivingElectric Awards 2018

The Hyundai IONIQ has continued its winning ways in 2018, picking up two awards at the Carbuyer & DrivingElectric Awards;
Carbuyer Company Car of the Year and DrivingElectric Compact Plug-in Hybrid of the Year
. These latest victories come a little over a month after the IONIQ Hybrid was named as
WhatCar?
’s Best Used Green Car.

Available as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicle, IONIQ is the most versatile alternative-fuelled vehicle on the market. In IONIQ Hybrid form it boasts fuel economy of up to
68.2mpg
,
(4.1L / 100km)
 while the Electric version is capable of
174 miles (280km)
 of zero emissions motoring on a single charge. The IONIQ Plug-in offers an enticing mix of both, with
30 miles (48km)
 of zero emissions motoring and the peace-of-mind of a
1.6-litre GDI
 range-extending petrol engine.

Tony Whitehorn, Hyundai Motor UK President & CEO
, said:
“On behalf of the whole team at Hyundai Motor UK, it’s an absolute privilege to see our electrified vehicles picking up even more awards. Hyundai has been a pioneer in this area of the market, not only with the IONIQ, but also with the 300-mile-range Kona Electric and with our NEXO Fuel Cell Vehicle, which offers 414 miles of zero emissions motoring and even cleans the air of particulates as it drives. We’ve invested heavily in our vision of a green future, and it gives me great pleasure to see others recognising it, too.”

Judged and presented by the expert editorial team of Carbuyer.co.uk and DrivingElectric, both run by Dennis Publishing, the awards are designed with genuine consumer interests in mind, delivering on the publications’ promises of being the internet’s most insightful car-buying research tool and specialist electric vehicle website, respectively.

Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief of Carbuyer.co.uk
and
 DrivingElectric
 said:
 “By offering the IONIQ with a choice of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric powertrains, Hyundai created a unique proposition in the market – one that’s perfectly tailored for company car drivers looking to minimise costs. More than that, the IONIQ is practical, comfortable and good to drive in all its guises, a great company car to suit a range of usage patterns.
Although it was the IONIQ range as a whole that won Carbuyer’s Company Car of the Year, the judges picked out the IONIQ Plug-in Hybrid for particular praise as DrivingElectric’s Compact Plug-in of the Year.
The Hyundai IONIQ is at its best in plug-in hybrid form delivering family-friendly practicality and the prospect of zero exhaust emissions motoring for owners who can operate it within the genuine 26-mile real world electric range. Solid build and user-friendly tech also count in the favour of this great value all-rounder,”

For more information on the Hyundai IONIQ click here:
https://www.hyundai.co.uk/new-cars/ioniq


Cadillac will join World Endurance Championship and IMSA series in 2023 with LMDh racing car

In 2023, endurance racing will begin a new chapter when the Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) and Le Mans Daytona h (LMDh) prototypes start racing for the first time. This new era will start off officially with the 2023 Rolex 24 at Daytona. The event is usually held on the last weekend of January or first weekend of February as part of Speedweeks.

To date, carmakers that have confirmed their participation with LMDh racing cars are Acura, Audi,  BMW, Porsche, Alpine and Lamborghini. To that list can be added Cadillac, which may seem unusual as most people don’t associate the American luxury carmaker with motorsports.

However, Cadillac does go racing and some recent achievements include winning the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2021, 2018 and 2017; winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona 4  times in a row (2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017); and winning the Michelin North American Endurance Cup 4 times (2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017).

The carmaker’s LMDh car is referred to as the Project GTP Hypercar. It is a third-generation prototype racing car from the American brand. In 2023, Cadillac will contest the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the World Endurance Championship (WEC), including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“Cadillac will be competing again on the world racing stage, and we are all thrilled to return to Le Mans after 20 years,” said Global Cadillac Vice-President Rory Harvey. “By competing in both the 2023 IMSA and WEC championships, Cadillac Racing has the opportunity to demonstrate its capability, craftsmanship and technology.”

Co-developed by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and Dallara, the Project GTP Hypercar incorporates key brand design characteristics. Elements of the brand’s heritage such as vertical lighting and floating blades are present throughout and connect the Project GTP Hypercar to the future of Cadillac.

“The Project GTP Hypercar is a unique convergence of form and function and showcases Cadillac’s future performance aesthetic,” said Chris Mikalauskas, lead exterior creative designer, Cadillac. “We have plenty more to come, from the upcoming race car to amazing production vehicles.”

“Competing for the overall win at Le Mans with an iconic American brand like Cadillac is an honour,” added Laura Wontrop Klauser, GM Sportscar Racing Program Manager. “The entire team is excited to continue building Cadillac’s racing legacy by competing against the very best internationally and in the world’s toughest race.”

The new racing car will begin on-track testing in the near future. It will be powered by an all-new 5.5-litre DOHC V-8 engine that will be paired to the LMDh common hybrid system. The hybrid system will be composed of systems and components supplied by Bosch, Williams Advanced Engineering and Xtrac. Bosch will supply the motor generator unit (40 kW), while the battery system and control electronics from Williams will go on from below the chassis. The total system output will be limited to 500 kW.

Bosch, Williams Advanced Engineering and Xtrac will supply the systems and components for the common hybrid powertrain used by the LMDh racing cars.

The P1359 gearbox (pictured above) developed by XTrac has a 7-speed transverse arrangement with an integrated motor-generator unit (MGU) driving into the gearbox through an optimised geartrain. The gearbox uses Xtrac’s proven P1254 integrated valve actuator gearchange system. It houses full form ground and Xtrem polished gears and shafts in a magnesium RZ5 casing, which is a structural part of the car taking all of the loads from the rear suspension and rear impact structure, rear wing, and safety wheel tethers.

The gearbox also includes a limited-slip plate differential with an externally gas-charged pre-load and a semi-dry-sump oil system. Integral to the gearbox is a 3-litre engine oil catch tank which simplifies the powertrain installation, and the whole package including the MGU drive, but not including the MGU itself, weighs 78 kgs.

Porsche and Penske preparing new LMDh prototype for endurance races from 2023


Maserati – Main Partner For The Gran Premio Nuvolari 2018

The
Gran Premio Nuvolari
, a regularity rally only open to historic cars built between 1919 and 1972, will be held from 13 to 16 September on a route which starts and ends in Mantua, the birthplace of Tazio Nuvolari. The Maserati Levante (above), the brand’s first SUV, presented in the MY19 version at the 25
th
 edition of the Festival of Speed held at Goodwood from 12 to 15 July, features a restyling that has combined important technical updates, such as the new, improved short-stroke paddle shifters, the adaptive Full LED Matrix headlights, with the addition of the GranLusso and GranSport trims and the introduction of new contents such as “Pieno Fiore” leather, the new external colours, the new wheels and a wider selection of interior trims.

Participant in Maserati 6C with 6-cyl, 3500 cc engine

The Maserati cars taking part in the event include: the A6 1500 Berlinetta designed by Pininfarina and built in 1949 – the first Maserati road model, a sports car intended for gentlemen drivers, with a “1500” engine that provided the basis for Maserati racing and road cars of the following years, starting with the A6 GCS; and a Quattroporte built in 1968 – a car that marked a milestone in the history of Maserati, since the first Quattroporte generation, in 1963, created a completely new market segment, that of the luxury sports sedan. Maserati will also be opening the parade of over 300 teams taking part in the GP Nuvolari by organising the Maserati Tribute, a “race within the race”, with the cars in the current range – the Quattroporte flagship, the Ghibli sports sedan and the Levante SUV – lining up on the front row.

“We are delighted to be Main Partner of the Gran Premio Nuvolari, which commemorates legendary Mantua-born driver Tazio Nuvolari, who won major victories with Maserati,”
 commented
Umberto Cini, General Manager Maserati EMEA Region
.
“It gives us great pleasure to drive Trident brand cars over more than 1000 kms of roads unrivalled anywhere in the world, through beautiful Italian landscapes, in a unique blend of history, passion and tradition, all values expressed to the full by Maserati, which is also proud to reaffirm its role as international ambassador for Italian excellence.”

The 2018 edition of the GP Nuvolari, held this year for the
28
th

time, offers a new-look route with the first stage from Mantua across the Po Valley and the Apennines to the Adriatic Riviera, the second stage from Rimini through the beautiful landscapes of Tuscany, Umbria and Marche regions and back to Rimini, and the third stage from the Adriatic Sea through the towns and cities of Emilia Romagna to the finishing line in Mantua.


Fuel Prices For December 28 – January 3, 2020


New Suzuki Jimny Rhino Edition Launched In Malaysia – RM174,900

Nearly two years following the Suzuki Jimny’s comeback to the Malaysian market,
Naza
 Eastern Motors Sdn Bhd has released the Jimny Rhino edition. This limited-edition model intends to revive consumer interest in Suzuki’s famous Jimny and give buyers a unique ownership experience.

A Jimny Lifestyle Drive was held to mark the debut of this new edition. Mohamad Irwan Shahril, Chief Operating Officer of Naza Eastern Motors, and more than 30 Jimny owners participated in a convoy drive from the Suzuki Cars Petaling Jaya Showroom to the Malaysia 4WD Training & Experience Centre (M4TREC) in Semenyih where the Jimny Rhino Edition was unveiled. This was followed by an off-road demonstration and exercise by Suzuki Jimny instructors.

The “Real Offroader” and rhino graphic decals running across the hood and profile in red, grey, and black are the main attraction. The Suzuki Heritage grille, which complements the chrome side mirrors, and the front and side bumper under garnish are examples of nostalgic elements. The rear spare tyre cover with the Rhino logo and the red mud flaps with white ‘Jimny’ writing are other throwback design elements. Additional weather protection is provided in the form of front and rear differential guards as well as rain and wind deflectors.

“Suzuki Cars Malaysia is proud to offer these enhancements, which improve the overall driving experience and give the Jimny Rhino Edition a touch of individuality,” Irwan remarked.

All current Jimny owners will be able to purchase the RM 15,000 Jimny Rhino Kit version, which comes with the same enhancements as the new variant.

“This programme demonstrates our dedication to enhancing the ownership experience and giving customers the chance to customise their cars the way they choose. Suzuki Cars Malaysia aims to strengthen its brand loyalty and customer retention by providing exceptional experiences for Jimny owners. As the official distributor for Suzuki cars in Malaysia, we are committed to delivering the highest quality vehicles and services, ensuring customer satisfaction, and building a reputable brand presence in the market,” he added.

The Suzuki Jimny All Grip was originally introduced on the market by Naza Eastern Motors in July 2021 with a limited palette of colours. With only 30 units being produced, the Jimny Rhino edition is now readily accessible in pure pearl white and features the recognisable Rhino logomark that honours the history of the Suzuki SJ series and the second generation Jimny, which made its debut 41 years ago.

The Jimny Rhino Edition is priced at RM174,900 before insurance and is now available for viewing at Suzuki Cars Petaling Jaya Showroom.


German Artist Turns The McLaren Artura Into A Work Of Art

McLaren Automotive has unveiled a special design for the
McLaren Artura
 hybrid supercar created in conjunction with renowned German artist Cevin Parker.

Contemporary self-taught abstract artist Parker, who lives and works in Berlin, has recently shown his work at the IncubARTor exhibition in Hamburg. It must be said that this is a unique piece of art and is not something you see every day. It will definitely be an eye-catcher at car meets.

Why the Artura? Well because the Artura, a high-performance hybrid supercar in McLaren’s first series production, embodies the combination of art and modern technology. The name Artura, which combines the words “art” and “future,” symbolises the fusion of cutting-edge technology with striking art.

The Artura offers a fittingly unique driving experience with its advanced V6 engine and rapid torque from its electric motor. The car’s sleek, aerodynamic shape draws inspiration from contemporary art and serves as the ideal backdrop for the iconic partnership between McLaren and Cevin Parker.

The modern design of McLaren is well complemented by Parker’s abstract art, and the company’s values are reflected in his creative thinking and use of technology such as augmented reality. Additionally, being a keen automotive fan, Parker’s work portrays the essence of emotion and ephemeral moments, a topic also present in his life. The Artura embodies these emotions, and its design shows the constant effort to balance beauty and performance.

For the purpose of showcasing their joint creation, McLaren and Cevin Parker photographed the one-of-a-kind Artura in some of Parker’s eye-catching Berlin locations. The car will also be on exhibit at occasions all year long, such as the ART Basel Miami and the Nit D’Arte in Palma de Mallorca.


Power boost for latest Toyota GR Supra

As the first global model to be developed by Toyota GAZOO Racing, the Toyota GR Supra has made an impact wherever it has been launched, including Malaysia. Besides drawing on Toyota’s sportscar heritage, the fifth generation in the legendary nameplate also has  advanced powertrain, chassis and safety technologies.

In the spirit of
Kaizen
 (Japanese for ‘constant improvement’), the latest GR Supra has received upgrades which further extend its capabilities. Specifically, the 3-litre engine has additional output which should deliver better performance numbers.

The upgrades centre around the turbocharged inline-six engine which now delivers 388 ps of power at between 5800 and 6500 rpm, an increase of 14% compared to the output when the model was originally launched.

Maximum torque remains at 500 Nm, but peaks through a slightly wider range of 1800 rpm – 5000 rpm instead of 1600 rpm to 4500 rpm.

The engineers increased the power output not just by tuning but also added a new dual-branch exhaust manifold with 6 ports (instead of two), which improves heat management. A new piston design also reduces the engine’s compression ratio from 11:1 to 10.2:1.

The improved engine with the torque band raised retains the eagerness to rev to the redline. With the standard 8-speed ZF automatic transmission, the acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h is said to be 2/10ths of a second quicker, or a claimed 4.1 seconds from 4.3 seconds.

Complementing the extra power are some chassis improvements aimed at increasing roll resistance and enhanced cornering stability. Taking note of feedback from owner in the time that the car has been in the market, the latest GR Supra has received chassis retuning with a new Performance Rod added to increase lateral rigidity.

Apart from the fitment of red-coloured brake calipers with the Supra logo at the front, other technical specifications and features remain the same. Standard with the GR Supra are the Adaptive Variable Suspension and Electronically-Controlled Limited-Slip Differential.

There are seven colour choices customers can select from, but the Deep Blue Metallic exterior finish is no longer available. The available colours are Prominence Red, Lightning Yellow, White Metallic, Silver Metallic, Ice Grey Metallic, Black Metallic and Matte Storm Grey Metallic.

To enable its drivers to take the car to its limits safely, advanced technologies are used. These technologies include a variety of active systems which work together to assist the driver when necessary. Additionally, there are features like a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Intelligent Parking Sensor with Emergency Braking Function and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The standard interior features of the GR Supra include a head-Up Display, memory function for the power seat and JBL audio system with 12 speakers situated around the cabin.

Priced from
RM589,987
 (with sales tax exemption and without insurance) and
RM611,880
 (without sales tax exemption and without insurance
),
the new GR Supra is now available for booking from selected authorised Toyota GR Garage showrooms nationwide.

Visit
toyota.com.my
 for more information or to locate a GR Garage showroom in Malaysia.

GR Heritage Parts project to reproduce Toyota Supra parts for sale


BIKES: Naza Premira Introduces Three New Limited-Edition Vespa Models!

Naza Premira Sdn Bhd
, official distributor of the Vespa brand in Malaysia introduced three limited edition
Vespa
 scooters recently;
Vespa 946 (RED)
(below)
, Vespa Sprint Carbon
 (2nd pics down)
 and Vespa Sei Giorni
 (above) to Malaysian shores.

Expressing uniqueness and a distinctive lifestyle, Vespa is the ultimate symbol of Italian elegance and its scooters are designed for those who appreciate the true meaning of life with the brand interpretation

“Not for Everyone”
. Infused with style, comfort, safety and sturdiness, the Vespa 946 (RED), Sprint Carbon (below) and Sei Giorni are unrivalled in today’s scooter market.

Vespa 946 RED: For Those Intrigued by Uniqueness and Style…

The Vespa 946 (RED), is an all-red version of the classic Vespa 946 scooter; a highly exclusive model dedicated to aesthetic and technological perfection. The Vespa 946 (RED), has a style and cutting-edge technology that will rewrite the future while evoking memories of the inspiration and creativity of the original idea behind the Vespa.

As per Vespa tradition, the Vespa 946 (RED), uses
steel
 bodywork embellished with eye-catching aluminium components such as the mudguard and the side covers that houses the engine, transmission and mechanical parts. An epitome of timeless elegance without having its safety compromised, the exclusive scooter also comes with double disc type brake system complemented by a dual-channel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and an innovative Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) traction control; exclusive to the Piaggo Group, that prevents loss of grip and ensures superior traction at all times.

The ultra-modern and eco-friendly Vespa 946 (RED), is powered by a 150 cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine with three valves, which consumes minimal fuel, makes very little noise and boasts exceptionally low emission levels. The Vespa 946 (RED), is priced at
RM66,000
 (no, that’s not a typo) and is available exclusively in the colour red.

Vespa Sprint Carbon: For Those Who Know Life is a Sport…

A combination of sporty personality and innovative technology, the Vespa Sprint Carbon is the most modern version of the Vespa sport idea. It was made to heighten riding pleasure and safety while embodying the heritage and tradition of vitality and youthfulness of the legendary vespino

With its small and lightweight body that is comfortable and protective, the Vespa Sprint Carbon is quick, extremely agile and modern, perfect for the youths and young at heart looking for dynamism and enjoy riding round town in style. The sporty “small body” scooter is entirely made of steel, characterised by its bold rectangular headlights and large 12” wheels with spectacular aluminium alloy rims.

The Vespa Sprint Carbon packs a punch with the Piaggio Group’s new and ultra-modern i-Get 150 cc air-cooled engine capable of brilliant performance, lower operating costs with reduced noise and extremely high overall efficiency. Designed to make the ride smoother, quieter and more comfortable, the engine is also environmental-friendly with approval in compliance with the Euro4 Multi-Directive. Additionally, the Vespa Sprint Carbon also stands out for its generous equipment package which includes a USB socket, located inside the leg shield back plate compartment and comes standard with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). Available in the colour black, the Vespa Sprint Carbon is priced at
RM17,400
.

Vespa Sei Giorni: For Those Ever-Ready for Travel and Adventure…

Reminiscent of Vespa’s classic nature, the Vespa Sei Giorni is the heir to the original Vespa Sport “Sei Giorni” specifically built for the taxing “Sei Giorni Internazionale di Varese” regularity competition of 1951, where it earned 9 gold medals, making it the undisputed protagonist. The Vespa Sei Giorni is a special version, produced in numbered edition and dons a “Special Edition” plate on its leg shield back plate bearing its serial number.

The Vespa Sei Giorni is designed with the characteristic elements such as the “faro basso”; the low position of headlight assembly on the front fender, and the handlebar like the one on the original Vespa Sei Giorni, as well as its iconic exposed metal pipe. Its uniqueness is also enhanced by the black number plate taken directly from the livery of the Vespa, highlighted by all black parts and gritty red details. The scooter also comes with a single-seat look saddle – actually passenger approved, to highlight the sporty spirit of the Vespa Sei Giorni.

Perfect for moving around elegantly, the Vespa Sei Giorrni uses the most powerful engine in the history of Vespa scooters – the modern and technological 300 Euro 4, a single cylinder, 4-stroke, 4-valve, liquid-cooled, electronic injection engine capable of putting out 15.6kW of power at 7,750 rpm, ensuring quick response in acceleration and overall brilliant performance.

Boasting the style, comfort and safety of the typical Vespa GTS range, the Vespa Sei Giorni is equipped with a spacious helmet compartment and a large and comfortable seating area, ergonomically crafted to ensure absolute comfort even for long distances. In addition to its standard ABS safety feature, the Vespa Sei Giorni also has a USB port located inside the compartment of the leg shield and front turn LED lights that function as day running lights. The Vespa Sei Giorni is available in the colour green and is priced at
RM38,000
.

The exclusive Vespa 946 (RED), Vespa Sprint Carbon and Vespa Sei Giorni are available for viewing from September 2018 at selected authorised Vespa dealerships and outlets nationwide.

*While stocks last.


EXTREME E: ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team Dominates Desert X-Prix To Take First Ever Win

The Sainz family may have been a bit disappointed that Carlos Sainz Junior missed out on the podium at the
Bahrain F1 GP
 last weekend, having been overtaken by BWT Alpine’s Fernando Alonso in the last quarter of the race. But they can still celebrate with Sainz Senior’s team taking their first ever win in the Extreme E all-electric off-road series over the weekend.

The ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team finished ahead of Veloce Racing and Rosberg X Racing (RXR) after a battle over the sands of NEOM in Saudi Arabia during the Desert X-Prix. The crew of Laia Sanz and Mattias Ekstrom dominated the race from start to finish, establishing a comfortable lead as Veloce Racing and RXR fought over the runners-up spot.

In fourth place were ABT CUPRA XE, having recovered well from a crash in opening round’s Redemption Race to make it to the Grand Final second time around. No.99 GMC HUMMER EV Chip Ganassi Racing finished fifth, marking two Grand Finals out of two for the team’s new driver-pairing of RJ Anderson and Extreme E newcomer Amanda Sorensen.

The Desert X-Prix double-header delivered two maiden victories, with wins for Veloce Racing and ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team. What’s more, with the Round 2 podium featuring the same top three teams from Round 1, they will be the ones to watch as the series heads into the next X- Prix weekend in Scotland in May.

“We had designed a strategy for the Grand Final and I executed it as well as I could. I am really happy that it turned out to be fruitful. It is always easier to race in front and have a clear view in front than being behind another car and having to deal with all the dust. I really enjoyed every corner. Laia drove very well and managed the gap perfectly. It is a good victory for the team,” said Ekstrom.

“It is also very special for Carlos. We have been teammates at the Dakar Rally for the past two years, but ever since I joined ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team he has been really caring. He has taught me many things, as a father would. He is a great guy and it makes me really happy that we can dedicate this victory to him,” he added.

The Grand Final

As the top 5 teams from Qualifying took on the Grand Final in Extreme E, Ekstrom set the tone for the race as he charged into the lead. Behind the Swede, Veloce Racing’s Kevin Hansen dug deep to get ahead of RXR’s Johan Kristoffersson to take second place, as the RXR machine bounced sideways through the dips in the course.

Just as the front three got some breathing space from No.99 GMC HUMMER EV Chip Ganassi Racing’s Anderson and ABT CUPRA XE’s Klara Andersson in fourth and fifth, respectively, Hansen accidentally hit the pit limiter. The Veloce Racing ODYSSEY 21 dropped back into third while Hansen recovered from the sudden loss of speed.

Ekstrom continued to extend his lead as the other teams lost time tussling for position, with Kristoffersson defending hard against Hansen until the Veloce Racing driver took a wider line and completed the overtake on RXR for second place.

Following the driver change, which saw Veloce Racing’s Molly Taylor and RXR’s Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky door-to-door as they exited the Switch Zone, it was a comfortable run for Sanz. The Spaniard kept a cool head to complete a clean run, while Taylor brought her ODYSSEY 21 home in second for Veloce Racing.

RXR’s Ahlin-Kottulinsky fended off Nasser Al-Attiyah in the final stages of the race to claim the third step on the podium, with ABT CUPRA XE finishing fourth after Al-Attiyah got past No.99 GMC HUMMER EV Chip Ganassi Racing’s Sorensen.

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Redemption Race

The remaining 5 teams fought it out in the Redemption Race in pursuit of those all-important sixth to tenth place championship points. Carl Cox Motorsport looked to have taken an early lead in the race as Timo Scheider pushed his ODYSSEY 21 to the limit, bouncing round the outside of the opening right-hander. X44 Vida Carbon Racing’s Fraser McConnell, however, stuck to his trusted inside line to jump to the front of the pack.

Behind them was Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E’s Timmy Hansen, followed by NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team’s Tanner Foust in fourth, and JBXE’s Heikki Kovalainen in fifth, until Foust pulled out onto a wider line and cut back in to overtake Hansen for third place.

Scheider kept just 2 seconds adrift of X44 Vida Carbon Racing’s McConnell as the German ran in second for Carl Cox Motorsport. Meanwhile, the front three pulled away from Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E and JBXE, and as they approached the Switch Zone, Scheider was late on the brakes, making contact with McConnell as they entered.

Carl Cox Motorsport managed to get the better of X44 Vida Carbon Racing at the driver change, as Christine GZ emerged ahead of Cristina Gutiérrez. The X44 Vida Carbon Racing driver soon retook the lead, however, as the NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team continued a trouble free run behind but JBXE ended their Desert X Prix with a DNF.


Tengku Djan/Mika Hakimi duo win first race of GR Vios Sprint Cup

The races in the Vios Challenge one-makes series typically take around 25 to 30 minutes around half the Sepang International Circuit but with the GR Vios Sprint Cup, the drivers race for up to an hour and they circulate on the full course of 5.534 kms. The extended time and number of laps made things more challenging and exciting and the lead changed multiple times from start to finish in the first race yesterday.

The first ever running GR Vios Sprint Cup saw a total of 18 cars with 36 drivers. Starting from pole position was S&D Tama Motorsports’ Freddie Ang but his leading position was lost by the very first corner to Boy Wong of Axle Motorsports, with Tengku Djan (Prima Pearl TD Racing) following.

From fourth on the grid, veteran racer Tengku Djan paced himself, picking off the front-runners one at a time before positioning himself as high as second by lap 10, 30 minutes into the race. At this time, the pit window opened for a driver change.

“As the pit window presented itself, we considered the overall race strategy and decided that it was just the right time to pit for a tyre and driver change. With the car running hot, it was better to make a pit-stop and take that chance to cool the car down, cool the tyres down before going back on track to attack again,” said the eventual winner.

“It’s a one-hour race and it’s a lot more stressful. Fitness definitely plays a role and it was definitely hot today as well. For example, in a race where everyone is on identical cars, I close the windows on my car so I get better aerodynamic efficiency… but that means you’re essentially cooking in the car and without fitness, you will mentally breakdown,” he explained.

Of his younger team mate Mika Hakimi, Tengku Djan said: “Mika has proven himself in the
GAZOO Racing Young Driver Development Program
 last year and had some really good races in the Rookie Class. After a few sessions preparing for the Vios Sprint Cup, he came straight up to the pace. The pace is definitely there but there are some areas he will need to look into for example a little more aggression so that he can pressure the car in front more efficiently.”

With the final 30 minutes of the race unfolding, Prima Pearl TD Racing’s fate was left in the hands of the 19 year old driver. “In these kinds of races, you really have to pick your battles and that’s precisely what I did. I told myself that I would only go all out in the final two laps. I wanted to close the gap on Nabil immediately after taking over from Djan but it was better to just let the battle between Nabil and Goh play out ahead of me and save my tyres for the end,” Mika said after the race.

He put in a great drive in what was to be a game of nerves. From third, he had quickly challenged Tom Goh (the second driver for S&D Tama Motorsports) for second position before setting his sights on the lead – a move that no one anticipated, and would not come until the final few corners of the last lap. “When you have Djan as your team mate, you really need to be on your top form!” he added.

Finishing second clearly disappointed was Nabil Azlan (Axle Motorsports) who made a crucial mistake in the last lap. “I made a mistake in shifting gears. I am really sorry to the team because we could have won it. At the exit of turn 2, I wanted to shift into 3rd gear but I accidentally went into 1st,” said the 20-year-old, also a graduate of UMW Toyota Motor’s GAZOO Racing Young Driver Development Program. “I’m happy that I showed by pace here today but disappointed that I could not finish first.”

For third place winner Goh, meanwhile, starting from pole position was an incredible boost considering the tough competition he and team mate Ang were in. “The Vios Sprint Cup is a really exciting format, especially with the compulsory pit stop and driver change. I was hoping to win from pole position, but Mika and Nabil were really super fast and all I could do was to try to defend as best as I can,” said Tom.

The second part of the GR Vios Sprint Cup, which is held in conjunction with the Malaysia Championship Series (MCS), is on today. Total prize monies amount to RM60,000, and the overall champion in each of the 2 races at the GR Vios Sprint Cup stands to win RM10,000 in cash.

UMW Toyota Motor is also putting up an additional RM30,000 in prize monies for its Toyota dealer teams making the GR Vios Sprint Cup the second most lucrative racing event in Malaysia next to the Vios Challenge.

With pandemic-related restrictions now eased, spectators are allowed to be at the racetrack to watch the race. Or you can also watch the live broadcasts at
UMW Toyota Motor’s Facebook page
 from the comfort of home.
Click here
 for more information on GAZOO Racing Malaysia’s activities.

UMW Toyota Motor starts GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program


Acura Type S Concept sets the stage for return of Type S performance variants [w/VIDEO]

Acura, Honda’s premium luxury brand, will unveil a brand new concept car that sets the stage for re-introducing Type S performance variants to the brand’s line-up after a decade. The Type S Concept which will debut this Friday in California represents a fundamental step toward fulfilling Acura’s return to Precision Crafted Performance, which started with the debut of the second-generation NSX.

Building on the foundational beauty and style of the Acura Precision Concept, the Type S Concept’s powerful form is characterized by a wide track and low stance, with an expansive bonnet that stretches forward from the A-pillars.

Conceived at Acura’s design studio in California, the Type S Concept showcases new elements of the brand’s design including next-generation, four-lamp Jewel Eye LED headlights, an open-surface Diamond Pentagon grille, and ‘Chicane’ daytime running lights and taillights, both drawing inspiration from the Acura ARX-05 Daytona Prototype racing car.

Refined style, raw emotion

Building off its powerful stance, the Type S Concept’s front end reflects both form and function. Large centre and side intakes are capable of supplying required airflow to a high-performance engine and brake package, with detailing evolved from the NSX and Acura Precision Concept.

The headlights are underscored, literally, by translucent white ‘Chicane’ LEDs that serve double duty as running lights and turn signals. The front section transitions to a side profile that communicates both power and elegance.

Sheer surfaces and continually shifting angles are balanced by sharp, intersecting lines that create the impression that every surface is changing shape as it flows front to rear. Sheer side surfaces gradually open-up to muscular rear wheel arches, emphasizing the concept car’s wide track.

A sharp and distinctive tail features an upswept decklid with a sharply creased centerline (drawn from the bonnet) and integrated forged carbon spoiler. There are also ‘Chicane’ LED taillights, a large rear diffuser and quad chrome exhaust outlets complete the look.

Forged carbonfibre

In addition to the rear decklid spoiler, forged carbonfibre – created by bonding layers of carbon on top of one another to exceed the strength of traditional interwoven carbon – is applied to the front and rear splitters, side sills, rear decklid spoiler and multi-spoke 21-inch wheels.

A ‘square’ 285-series tyre set-up ensures high levels of grip in the most dynamic of driving situations. All four corners feature drilled Brembo high-performance brakes with 4-piston calipers, providing ample stopping power and an aggressive appearance.

The Concept’s bespoke Double Apex Blue Pearl paint reflects a liquid and electric hue that pays homage to blue Type S heritage models. This unique finish employs nano pigments and a colour-infused clear coat that impart a sense of fluidity and motion and enhance the paint’s lustre and brilliance.


Thieves using WhatsApp to steal cars

Car thefts have always been an epidemic issue despite car manufacturers amping up their safety features. Statistics in the UK have shown that over 112,00 cars were stolen between 2017-2018, which is up by 50%. It turns out that UK thieves have been exploiting WhatsApp in order to complete their dirty deeds.

According to the UK’s vehicle protection specialists, AX, criminals and crime syndicates are sharing their ‘shopping lists’ or orders via the social media platforms through several WhatsApp groups. Makes and models are shared so that thieves can organise their efforts and steal according to the custom orders placed by the crime syndicates.

Neil Thomas, AX’s Director of Investigative Services, stated “The highly organised criminal networks are constantly looking for more secure ways to carry on their ‘businesses’ online and use social media with encrypted messaging capabilities or even online games to covertly communicate with each other. The sheer volume of thefts is practically a car theft epidemic and is enabling criminals to purchase costly technology which then fuels even more car crime.”

Their modus operandi involves finding ‘targets’ to steal after receiving the orders via the social media platform, preparing fake number plates from similar vehicles for extra-fast ‘cloning’ procedures and using high-tech equipment to bypass any keyless or safety features.

To avoid car thefts, it is always recommended that you park your vehicles near well-lit areas, preferably in places where there’s a lot of traffic or near security personnel. It has also been recommended to use to good old steering or pedal locks in hopes that it can deter or at least slow down the theft process long enough for someone to notice or stop the entire attempt altogether.

Top ten most stolen cars in Malaysia