TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival and Vios Challenge enter Season 5 this year

After disruptions to its activities over the past two years, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival (TGR Festival) is expected to be able to proceed smoothly and with a full calendar for Season 5 this year. As before, the highlight will be the Vios Challenge one-make series which has been extremely popular, as well as the GR Velocity Esports Championship.

In the 4 seasons so far, the TGR Festival and Vios Challenge has successfully attracted more than 8 million spectators and online viewers, with social  media reach exceeding 19 million, to make it one of the most watched domestic motor-racing  events.

“Racing has opened up a multitude of opportunities for Toyota domestically and we will continue  to build on this strong momentum to drive both the Toyota and GAZOO Racing brands ahead  with exciting activities as well as products,” said UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K.

Season 5 will have 3 rounds and a total of 6 races with Round 1 being run on March 18 – 20), followed by Round 2 in June (24-26) and the third and final round in September (23-25). Two of the rounds will be held at the Sepang International Circuit and one will be a purpose-built street circuit (venue not mentioned yet).

Over the years, the Vios Challenge circuits have been specially designed at venues in Penang, Johor, Terengganu and the Klang Valley. Spectators have liked such circuits as they can be closer to the action – but safely behind protective barriers.

The street circuits (specially built for the races) allow the spectators to be closer to the cars as they race by, adding to the excitement.

4 race classes

The races will again be divided into 4 classes – Promotional Class for local celebrities; Super Sporting Class for top-level and professional drivers; Sporting Class for amateur and gentlemen drivers; and the Rookie Class for young drivers new to racing.

In total, there will be more than a half a million ringgit in prize monies, with RM70,000 and RM50,000 going the overall champion of the Super Sporting and Sporting Class champions, respectively, at the end of the season. This makes the Vios Challenge the most lucrative motorsports event in the country, which has been the case for the last 5 years.

The cars are all similar in performance, so it’s mainly driver skill that makes the difference. The tight purpose-designed street circuits have made for close racing which spectators enjoy seeing.

Affordable series for all

The format of a one-make series in the Vios Challenge has made it attractive and  affordable for not only amateur racers, but also the professionals, many of whom are in teams supported by Toyota dealers. Affordability and the level playing field it created also began attracting young drivers to participate and in Season 3, a 16-year-old was remarkably crowned the overall champion in the Sporting Class.

Today, the series has grown to include even talented rookies competing under the
GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program
 which is envisaged to provide more young drivers between the ages of 16 and 20 with an impactful and affordable platform to transition into saloon car racing in Malaysia.

Naquib Azlan, one of the talented rookies of the GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program who performed impressively in his first season.

Additionally, from the very first season, the Vios Challenge has been the only event of its kind to have a class for local celebrities to race against each other. The races have been crowd-pullers, with fans of the celebrities following them to each venue and cheering for them. Special sessions have been organised at each round so they can also get close to their favourite celebrities.

The celebrities who race have many fans who follow them to each race and in between races, there are opportunities for the fans to meet them.

Additional events

Also included in this year’s GAZOO Racing calendar will be the Vios Sprint Cup, which is run independently from the Vios Challenge. Two rounds are scheduled for April and July in tandem with the Malaysia Championship Series (MCS). Each round will have 2 races with a total of more than RM200,000 in prize monies. The event will provide even more racing and rewards for participating drivers, teams and dealers already signed up to compete in the Vios Challenge.

Last year’s season also saw a night race being run for the first time in the Vios Challenge.

GAZOO Racing will also continue to make its presence felt in the national series by once again entering a team to participate in the Sepang 1000KM Endurance Race (S1K) in November. The race will also see the second running of the Vios Enduro Cup which will have a RM30,000 prize purse.

“Overall, the objective of our racing activities is to contribute to growth of Malaysian motorsports from all aspects – to not only provide an affordable platform for competition; to  grow awareness and appreciation for motorsports amongst the masses; and to uncover, develop  and provide a conducive platform for the nation’s next generation of young and talented drivers to step up in motor-racing,” said Mr. Ravindran.

Finals of the GR Velocity E-sports Championship in 2020.

E-Sports series in fifth season

Besides the real racing on the tracks, racing will also continue online with the fifth

season of the GR Velocity Esports Championship. Billed as one of the most lucrative local online racing series in the country, the championship (first held in 2018) today attracts close to 1,000 participants with more than 1 million online spectators. UMW Toyota Motor continues to have the distinction of becoming the first and the only Malaysian car company to be directly involved with E-sports activities related to motor racing.

New GR products

Expect to see new GR and GR-Sport models during the year, along with enhancement of the GR Garage network and activities nationwide. Besides new models, Toyota and GAZOO will be organizing of GR driving clinics, experiences and activities for the owners to enable them to fully enjoy the high performance of their cars safely. They will be able to fully immerse themselves and get the most from owning a GR vehicle.

The current models available in Malaysia are the
GR Supra
,
GR Yaris
 and
GR Sport Vios
. The GR-Sport Vios, assembled at UMW Toyota Motor’s own plant in Bukit Raja, Selangor, is a tribute to the Vios Challenge racing cars. It is also the very first ASEAN-manufactured vehicle to wear the GR badge.

Toyota GR-Sport Vios – first ASEAN-manufactured vehicle to wear the GR badge.

Efforts are already underway to enhance and expand on UMW Toyota Motor’s network of dedicated GR Garages nationwide which are the only outlets that offer GR models. This will include offering a comprehensive aftermarket parts list as well as merchandise for GR and Toyota owners.

GAZOO Racing has also announced the continuation of 3-time Vios Challenge Super Sporting Class champion Tengku Djan Ley as its Malaysian Ambassador. Tengku Djan  was instrumental in assisting to develop the GR-Sport Vios.

Special mention should be made of Akio Takeyama who, besides his role as Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor, was also the Chief Motorsports Officer. Besides being a driving force for the racing series, he personally took part in the Vios Challenge for all four seasons, racing together with the celebrities. Mr. Takeyama’s tenure in Malaysia ended recently and he will be taking on a new position in Toyota  Motor Corporation in Japan. His successor as
Deputy Chairman is Takashi Obata
.

“I would like to record my excitement and commitment to chart the way forward for GAZOO Racing to continue to make an impactful and valuable contribution to Malaysia – via our involvement in motorsports and the development of young talent, through more GR experiences and touchpoints through our GR vehicles, the assembly of GR-Sport vehicles in Malaysia, the expansion of the GR Garage network and the offering of performance parts and merchandises  for Toyota and GR customers,” said Mr. Obata.

The story behind TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and why it was created


Subaru Tecnica International Unleashes Most Powerful Model Ever With Limited-Edition STI S209

Subaru Tecnica International (STI) has introduced a limited-edition STI S209 and it’s the first-ever S-line STI product produced exclusively for the US market. As an S-line product, the STI S209 encompasses upgrades in power, handling, aerodynamics and driver engagement, and undergoes final assembly in Japan, where it receives engine modifications and bodywork alterations. These changes, in total, have required the variant to be specially homologated for the US market by STI; thus, the S209 is considered the first ‘STI-built’ Subaru sold in the U.S.

The S209 carries on a high-performance tradition that dates to STI-built models that were exclusive to the Japanese domestic market – the 2000 S201 through the 2018 S208. Only 209 units of the STI S209 will be built.

Tech from Nurburgring Challenge racing car

The S209 draws inspiration and tech transfer from STI’s most formidable track machine – the WRX STI Nurburgring Challenge racing car. Like the Nurburgring Challenge car, the S209 has expanded wide-body exterior treatment which extends the vehicle’s overall width compared to a standard WRX STI.

The bulging fenders accommodate wider front/rear tracks and 265/35 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600A tyres wrapped around lightweight 19×9 forged BBS alloy wheels. The all-new tyres, developed exclusively for the S209 by Dunlop, are said to be a significant contributor to the car’s tenacious maximum lateral grip of over 1.0g.

Vents on the front fenders provide additional engine cooling, while vents on the rear fenders rectify air turbulence to reduce drag and increase downforce. Brembo brakes, with cross-drilled steel rotors and 6-piston monoblock front calipers and 2-piston monoblock rear calipers, provide stout stopping force, thanks in part to upgraded high-friction pads that deliver improved fade-resistance.

Underneath the S209’s broader body are specially developed Bilstein dampers, stiffened coil springs, a 20 mm rear stabilizer bar and pillow-type bushings for the front/rear lateral links. The S209 incorporates reinforcements to the front cross-member and rear sub-frames and, like the Nürburgring car, a flexible front-strut tower bar and flexible front/rear draw stiffeners. Other Nurburgring tech that has been passed to the S209 include front, rear and side under-spoilers; front bumper canards; and carbonfibre roof panel and rear wing.

More powerful EJ25 Boxer engine

A reworked version of the legendary EJ25 2.5-litre turbocharged Boxer engine uses an STI turbocharger manufactured by HKS. This boosts output to 341 bhp at 64,00 rpm, thanks in part to a larger turbine and compressor as well as maximum boost pressure that has been increased to 18.9 psi (16.2 psi for WRX STI). There’s also a notable bump in midrange torque to 447 Nm at 3,600 rpm, delivering higher corner exit speeds when driving on track.

The S209 comes exclusively with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission that routes power to a full-time Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system with front/rear limited-slip differentials, a Driver Controlled Centre Differential, Active Torque Vectoring and Multi-Mode Vehicle Dynamics Control. A recalibrated SI-Drive system offers three modes: ‘Intelligent’ for better fuel economy and smoother power control; ‘Sport’ for optimized power balance between response and control; and ‘Sport Sharp’ for achieving the best acceleration times. STI engineers recommend ‘Sport’ over ‘Sport Sharp’ for circuit driving, as the less aggressive throttle map allows for greater driver control.

Click here for other news and articles about Subaru in PISTON.MY


More Than 650,000 Volvos To Get Apple CarPlay Updates

More than 650,000
Volvo
 vehicles will benefit from the most recent over-the-air update, which will enhance Apple CarPlay. The manufacturer will alter the layout of the feature on the main infotainment screen and better integrate Apple’s capabilities across the interior, adding more information to the driver display.

The most major change enables Apple Maps and other navigation applications to be supported natively on the driver display, placing the information at the driver’s fingertips. Using the controls on their vehicle’s steering wheel, drivers can use the screen to display call details and answer, refuse, or cancel calls.

In addition, Volvo adds a new call mute button to the centre screen’s display. The manufacturer also makes changes to the CarPlay tile, which now shows media information and makes the play, pause, and skip buttons for the app easily accessible. Choosing whether the mirrors should fold while locking the car is something those who use CarPlay may look forward to.

Other adjustments by Volvo will “include minor engine calibration optimisations and bug fixes,” which sounds more like a phone update than a car upgrade. Only Volvo cars with Google built-in can get the update, and features may vary according to the market.

Automakers have almost limitless leeway to alter how users interact with their vehicles thanks to over-the-air updates. With subscriptions and paywalls securing features and performance capacity behind a price, it also offers them tremendous control over the experience. But upgrades can also add new features to automobiles that have previously been sold.

A late-year update for the Polestar 2 was obtainable, bringing a total of 69 hp and 20 Nm of torque. The update, which cost an additional $1,195 (RM5,485), increased the EV’s overall output to 476 hp and 680 Nm of torque and decreased the time it took to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h from 4.5 to 4.2 seconds. Is that worth the extra cash? We will let you decide.

Customers will increasingly question themselves in the coming years as car screens become a future battleground for your time, attention, and money. The digital experience provided in today’s vehicles is more important than ever, and automakers want to control it.
General Motors
 said that it would discontinue support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in favour of developing its own in-vehicle operating system, which does not speak well for future connectivity between the devices millions of people already own and tomorrow’s high-tech cars.


GIVI Explorer Tour 2017 – The Golden Triangle [+Video & Photo Gallery]

One of the most renown motorbike accessory makers globally, GIVI recently organised an
‘Explorer Tour’
 (
www.giviexplorer.com
) using some of its latest equipment in the
GIVI Explorer – The Golden Triangle Adventure 2017
.

Traversing three countries, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, the tour saw 25 riders from China, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, S.Korea, Taiwan, USA, Columbia, Bolivia, Spain, Italy, Vietnam and Malaysia, battle extreme weather and riding conditions to complete this last November.

The participants used a varied combination of dual-purpose bikes all decked-out with the latest GIVI travel accessories which could be seen on the likes of the BMW GS, Honda Africa Twin, Kawasaki Versys, Suzuki V-Strom, Yamaha Tenere, Honda X-ADV and Triumph Tiger. To check out more GIVI Explorer videos, click this
link
.

GIVI Explorer Press Release (BM only):

Siaran Akhbar – GIVI Explorer, Medan R&D

GIVI Explorer Golden Triangle Adventure 2017 Photo Gallery…


Fuel Prices For April 25 – May 1, 2020

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


Enhancing safety during the daily commute to work for staff at Perodua

Perodua’s workforce at his head office and factory complex in Sungai Choh, Selangor, numbers some 8,500 and the employees commute daily over short and long distances. Aiming to sustain its Road Safety Programme beyond the end of the Raya season, the Malaysian carmaker is collaborating with the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) to push the road safety envelope for its employees.

Kiken Yochi
 – predicting potential hazards

Recently, PERKESO trainers delivered a talk entitled ‘
Vision Zero
’ to about 150 Perodua staff, including 40 of its trainers, covering topics such as
Kiken Yochi
, careful driving and the importance of checking the condition of one’s vehicle regularly.
Kiken Yochi
 is a Japanese term for predicting unsafe conditions and learning to recognize them.

Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department Chief Assistant Director, Supt. Dr. Bakri Zainal Abidin also gave a talk on road rules and safety awareness.

“Perodua has executed many initiatives under our long-term Road Safety Programme. After carrying out many staff-wide awareness activities to great effect, we are now ready to progress to the
Kiken Yochi
 stage, where we teach our staff to anticipate potential hazards,” said. Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

“We express our utmost gratitude to PERKESO for imparting useful road safety pointers and knowledge, parts of which will be incorporated into Perodua’s own road safety training syllabus. We aim to cascade this syllabus through all our HQ staff in the span of 2 years,” he added.

Safety first within the company

“Being Malaysia’s biggest carmaker by volume and one of Selangor’s biggest employers, Perodua feels it is its duty to contribute significantly to efforts to reduce work commute accidents. We are totally committed to safety and hope our efforts can serve as an example to the rest of the nation,” Dato’ Zainal said.

“And as a People First company, Perodua cares very much for the safety and well-being of its employees, customers and the general public, because we believe safety is everyone’s right,” he added.


Morgan ends steel chassis models after 84 years

The Morgan Motor Company, one of the few historical British car companies still in business, has completed production of its last-ever steel chassis car. This is a significant development because it is the longest-ever running production car architecture of all time, anywhere in the world – 84 years (with the exception of the war years when production had to be stopped).

The firm’s steel ladder chassis was introduced in 1936, in the Morgan 4-4. This car’s name came from the fact that it was the first Morgan to have both 4 cylinders and 4 wheels; Morgan’s vehicles before this point, since the company’s foundation in 1909, were all 3-wheelers.

Supporting every 4-wheeled Morgan

The steel chassis, while undergoing many alterations, and improvements over its lifetime, went on to support the Plus 4, Plus 4 Plus, first-generation Plus 8, 4 Seater, V6 Roadster, and the 4-4’s eventual successor, the 4/4. In fact, every 4-wheeled Morgan produced before 2019, with the exception of the Aero range and second-generation Plus 8, has used a variation of the original steel chassis.

Each Morgan is handcrafted and this picture shows the bodywork being ‘married’ to the steel chassis.

The design elements of the chassis include its combination of sliding pillar front and leafspring rear suspension. The sliding pillar set-up, in particular, marked a defining characteristic of the platform, having been used by very few other car manufacturers.

With this arrangement, the hub and wheel assembly moves vertically, on a kingpin fixed rigidly at its top and bottom. It ensures there is no wheel camber change during compression or rebound, maximising lateral cornering grip. In total, 35,000 four-wheeled Morgans with a steel chassis have been made, many of which are still running today.

The final steel chassis car, a Morgan Plus 4 70th Edition, has been purchased by a loyal Morgan customer. He will place it alongside his collection of cars from the brand’s long history, which includes the Le Mans-winning Plus 4, ‘TOK 258’.

The Plus 4 70th Edition celebrates 70 years of production of the Plus 4. Limited to a run of just 20 individually numbered examples, the editions feature a gold-painted chassis, Platinum Metallic paintwork, and a host of other upgrades.

The aluminium CX-Generation platform

Morgan’s replacement for its steel chassis, the bonded aluminium CX-Generation platform, was introduced in the Morgan Plus Six, at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show. It came after 4 years of development, using lessons learnt from its previous aluminium platform found in the Aero range and second-generation Plus 8. The CX-Generation platform (pictured below on the left) has since gone on to also support the all-new Morgan Plus Four which had its debut in March this year.


JLR’s Rebranding Exercise Drops Land Rover As An Individual Brand

Having been around for 75 years, Land Rover is a brand name that is recognisable all over the world. Its original Defender model had a highly recognisable shape which is embedded in the brand’s design DNA. It is associated with 4×4 vehicles in the same way as Jeep and in fact, spread further around the world than the American brand.

In spite having periods of difficulty at different times in its history, Land Rover soldiered on like the tough vehicles it has produced. Although it can lay claim to having given the world the first premium SUV – the Range Rover – back in 1970, it only truly entered the premium segment when the 21
st
 century began.

The success of the Range Rover in the premium segment led to the company establishing its name as a brand on its own around 10 years ago. The Range Rover brand would be for the premium models while Land Rover would be for models like the Freelander, Discovery and Defender.

Change of company name
Now, in a rebranding exercise, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has decided to leave out the iconic as it takes a ‘House of Brands’ approach in its Reimagine roadmap moving forward. In fact, even the name of the company – owned by India’s Tata Motors – is changed to just ‘JLR’.

“The formation of the House of Brands is a natural evolution, with a purpose of elevating and amplifying the uniqueness of our characterful British marques. Our ultimate ambition is to build truly emotionally engaging experiences for our clients that, overtime, will build long-term high equity for our brands and long-term sustainability for JLR,” said Professor Gerry McGovern, JLR’s Chief Creative Officer and the man who has been the ‘guardian’ of Land Rover DNA.

Focu on individual nameplates
While Land Rover is no longer prominent, the company says it has not been retired altogether, and the spirit of the brand will still be maintained. Instead, there will be a focus on individual nameplates – Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar – that will be part of a plan towards electrification and becoming carbon net zero by 2039.

The new products coming
JLR has allocated £15 billion for the electrification program which includes preparing its main factory to produce only battery electric vehicles (BEVs). By the end of this decade, every model will be available with full battery power, with 6 BEV models across the Range Rover, Discovery and Defender brands by 2026. The first of these – a Range Rover BEV – will be launched in 2024. The next generation medium-size modern luxury SUVs will be fully electric as well,.

The first of 3 BEV Jaguars will be a 4-door GT with power output more than any previous Jaguar, a range target up to 700 kms, and indicative pricing from £100,000 It will be built with its own unique architecture, named JEA. The new model will be launched in selected markets in 2024, with first deliveries starting in 2025.

“We have radically reimagined Jaguar as a modern luxury brand. The key to Jaguar’s transformation is that the designs convey that they are a copy of nothing,” said Professor McGovern.

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There will still be ICE
While next generation medium-size SUV architecture, electrified modular architecture (EMA), will be electric only, as the trend to electrification in certain markets increases, JLR will retain the flexible modular longitudinal architecture (MLA) as well. This will be used for the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport offering combustion engine, hybrid BEV options.

This gives JLR the flexibility to adapt its vehicle line-up to meet the needs of different markets that are moving at different speeds towards electrification and carbon net zero targets. Malaysia, for example, has made a commitment to achieve the target by 2050.

Jaguar I-PACE Launched In Malaysia, Priced From RM460,800


Fuel Price Updates For September 5 – 11, 2020


38,000 New Perodua Myvis Delivered, 41.5% Market Share Achieved, Perodua Pilihanku Campaign Announced

Fresh from a high of
41.5%
 market share in March according to Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) numbers, Perodua has reached a new milestone of
38,000
 new Myvi deliveries as of the third week of April.

“We are both humbled and happy to have this result in our hands at the tail-end of April. By our count, the Myvi has garnered 70,000 bookings from 8 November 2017 up to 30 April 2018, and we are overwhelmed by the response,”

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

According to MAA numbers, from January to March 2018, the compact carmaker sold
55,568
 vehicles against a
135,140 total industry volume (TIV)
, returning over 41% market share. This is an improvement of more than 10.5% over the 50,260 units registered in the first quarter of 2017, making it a record first quarter for Perodua in terms of sales.

The
55,560
 sales consisted of
24,473
 Myvis,
14,962
 Axias,
10,101
 Bezzas and
6,032
 Alzas. In fact,
18%
 of all new cars registered in Malaysia in the first quarter of 2018 were Myvis.
“We thank our valued customers and all Malaysians for their strong support. We look forward to serving you better and we are continuing to improve ourselves for your satisfaction,”
 said Dato’ Dr Zahari.

On deliveries, Dato’ Dr Zahari said that Perodua is working on further improving its efficiency to ensure that deliveries would be within an acceptable time frame. He said the current waiting period for the 1.5L Myvi variants is a shade under three months; however,
1.3L variants can be delivered almost immediately at the moment.

Kicking off the festive sales campaign is the
Perodua Pilihanku
 campaign – join Customer Days this weekend (5-6 May) at all Perodua showrooms and service centres nationwide, where free vehicle inspections and cash redemptions of up to
RM1,800
 for selected models and variants await visitors.

“Grab this opportunity also to take a closer look at the newest member of the Bezza family, the Bezza GXtra, which we launched just last week,”
 Dato’ Dr Zahari said.

The third-generation Myvi is the most sophisticated and indigenously-designed model in Perodua’s 25-year history, featuring Malaysian innovations such as a built-in toll card reader and digital memory air-con. The Myvi also has a full 5-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating based on the latest protocol and is Malaysia’s most affordable car with active safety functions, courtesy of its Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) systems.
 –
Perodua
.


ID.5 e-SUV Coupe will bring Volkswagen into new market segment in 2022

Volkswagen aims to launch at least one electric vehicle (EV) every year to meet various goals of increased sales of such vehicles. By 2030, at least 70% of Volkswagen’s sales in Europe are expected to come from electric-only vehicles. In North America and China, the goal is that electric vehicles will account for at least 50% of sales. The actions taken by the carmaker are expected to decrease CO
2
 emissions per vehicle by up to 40% as soon as 2030.

With the ID. family, Volkswagen has been advancing its electric offensive in all vehicle classes in the framework of its ACCELERATE strategy. This is a brand new family of fully-electric models (also referred to as Battery Electric Vehicles or BEVs) which began with the launch of the
ID.3
 and
ID.4
 since 2019. The range will progressively expand and all models will use the VW Group’s Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB) which is a platform designed specifically for EVs.

ID.3 and ID.4 – the first two members of Volkswagen’s fully-electric ID family

The next model will be the new ID.5 which will bring the brand into a new market segment. This member of the ID. family is an e-SUV coupe and will go on sale in 2022. The 4599 mm long vehicle will be offered with three engine options and also come with a new ID. software version for better performance and functionality.

The new e-SUV coupe has light strips on the front and rear styled with visual signatures of the ID. family. Of note are the IQ.Light LED matrix headlights with intelligent high beams and 3D LED rear lights as standard to give an even more dynamic appearance (ID.5 GTX version). Many features – including the striking bumper, painted door panelling and new roof line – set the e-SUV coupe apart from the ID.4, e-SUV which was picked as the
2021 World Car of the Year
.

The Vehicle Dynamics Manager networks the drive and chassis control systems, while an optional adaptive DCC chassis can provide optimal driving dynamics. Volkswagen claims that the driver will experience an entirely new level of sporty driving pleasure, traction and driving safety.

Despite its coupe-type shape, the ID.5 has just 12 mm less headroom in the back than the ID.4. The long 2766 mm wheelbase facilitates interior spatial conditions comparable to those of SUVs in higher vehicle classes.

The ID.5 will be powered by an electric motor in the rear and for the sportier GTX version with all-wheel drive, there will be another motor powering the front wheels. All versions have a large-capacity, long-range battery pack. Using a standard Mode 3 cable, recharging with up to 11 kW of alternating current (AC) is possible and charging performance can reach up to 135 kW to be compatible with fast-charge stations. While range is important to EV owners, so is charging time and the new software 3.0 improves charging performance.

The driving performance is enhanced by a low drag coefficient of 0.26 (0.27 in the ID.5 GTX) which also boosts the vehicle’s range. This capability is further extended by the integrated spoiler in the wide-opening, aerodynamically shaped tailgate. Electric cooling air vents in the front of the vehicle open only when necessary, so as to keep wind resistance low as much as possible.

The new software generation allows for over-the-air (OTA) updates and activation of additional functions, so that the ID.5 can stay up-to-date and perform optimally for a long time. Innovative assistance systems such as Travel Assist with swarm data and latest-generation driver assistance systems help further advance towards automated driving. Park Assist Plus with memory function will take care of personalised parking processes on request.

The digital cockpit offers a new operating concept with a high-resolution multimedia system delivering brilliant visuals. An innovative augmented reality head-up display within the driver’s field of vision presents additional information. The new software 3.0 features various improvements including natural voice control (Hallo ID) and is learning-enabled. It can also go online to access information from the Cloud. Where the services are available, We Connect provides the driver with real-time online traffic information, online map updates, information about charging stations, web radio, etc.

With Car2X communication, data from compatible vehicles in the Volkswagen fleet and signals from infrastructure within a radius of up to 800 metres can be locally interpreted in a fraction of a second. This means the driver can receive alerts about dangerous areas, accidents and stationary traffic.

Now that the Malaysian government is allowing importation of BEVs with no tax imposed, many people are excited at the prospect of seeing a whole new range of cars in showrooms. Perhaps Volkswagen’s ID. models might come but the exemption is a short-term thing and companies like
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia
 would be looking at the investment they will need to make in order to sell BEVs.

As the official marketing company for the brand, they are obliged to ensure full aftersales support for whatever they sell. Unless there are long-term plans to assemble locally – which has a slightly longer tax-exemption period – the volumes they may be able to sell may not justify the investment they need to make. In any case, Volkswagen would be occupied with meeting demand in the major markets of Europe, North America and China so the incremental volumes possible in the Malaysian market may not be of significance.

Lower-priced Volkswagen ID.LIFE to help increase adoption of EVs


Fuel Price Updates For May 19 – May 25, 2022


Toyota Corolla Cross – first ever SUV variant for the model line

In the 54-year history of the Toyota Corolla, there have been different bodystyle variants which, in a way, reflected  consumer tastes and requirements of the difference periods. The model started off with a 2-door and 4-door sedan and a stationwagon, the 4-door variant being the most popular by far.

Then there was the Liftback, which offered hatchback versatility in a sleeker shape and for the younger enthusiasts, a coupe and a hardtop were also offered, available with the powerful 2T-G twincam engines. In fact, one generation of the coupe – the fifth generation of the Corolla with the code AE86 and the domestic name of ‘Levin’ – would become legendary and much sought after even up till today. A MPV-like variant called the Corolla Spacio was also developed towards the end of the 1990s and it was manufactured by Toyota Auto Body.

Responding to the SUV boom

Today, most of the variants are no longer available as Toyota streamlined the model range to focus only on the high-volume sedan. However, with the continuing growth of the SUV market, it has decided that the Corolla should also have a bodystyle to cater to this booming segment.

This is the new Corolla Cross which had its global debut today in Thailand where it is made. With ‘
Corolla Meets SUV’
 being the key phrase for the development of the Corolla Cross, the model was designed with a sturdy image combined with the utility typical of such vehicles.

TNGA platform with hybird powertrain available

It sits on the TNGA platform (GA-C) that is used for recent and future models and has a rear torsion beam suspension. The spacious cabin includes luggage space of up to 587 litres which is claimed to be class-leading. Safety-wise, it is engineered and equipped at a similar level as the Corolla Sedan and should therefore be able to rate the maximum of 5 stars when ASEAN NCAP assesses it.

Depending on the market, customers will have a choice of either a hybrid powertrain or just a petrol engine, both using a 1.8-litre engine. The engine, when used in the hybrid powertrain, produces 98 ps/142 Nm, with the electric motor adding 72 ps/163 Nm, but the total system power output available is 122 ps. The petrol engine alone is rated at 140 ps/177 Nm.

Introducing the Corolla Cross, Daizo Kameyama, Chief Engineer in charge of development, said: “Now that the Corolla Cross has newly joined the Corolla family, we sincerely hope that our customers will warmly welcome the vehicle to become part of their families: just like their partners, siblings or even friends. We wish that the Corolla Cross could assist customers in creating a new story by loading on their vehicle the people who are important to them, the luggage, and their dreams for the future.”

Will we get it in Malaysia?

As the Corolla is imported in CBU (completely built-up) form from Thailand, there’s no reason why the Corolla Cross cannot also be imported. It would certainly give UMW Toyota Motor an extra model offering, which car-buyers like. It would most likely not be the hybrid since that would cost more and as the government is not providing any incentives to help lower the retail price, it would be better to just sell the petrol engine variant.

Revised Toyota Pricelist after Sales Tax Exemption

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


Fuel Price Updates For March 24 – March 30, 2022


PSA: Weekly Fuel Prices – 9th to 15th Feb 2019: Hike!

So with CNY 2019 done and dusted (traffic in KL was awesome by the way,
sorry
) the weekly fuel float prices have been announced, which sees a hike in
Petrol
, while
Diesel
 remains the same as last week. Here are the prices for the coming week:

RON 95 – RM1.97 per litre (up 4sen)

RON 97 – RM2.27 per litre (up 4sen)

Diesel – RM 2.18 per litre (no change)

These prices will be in effect from midnight today till midnight next Friday 15th Feb 2019.


Aston Martin Works Helps Owners of Classic Models Preserve Their Cars

Owners of classic cars, especially the much sought-after models, have kept their cars for years and while they may not be driven much. Some parts may deteriorate over time. Or when purchased after many years of use, some components were already worn out and replacement parts were increasingly difficult to find.

Naturally, if you own a classic model, you want every bit of it to be as original as possible. But if the original manufacturer no longer makes those parts (industry norms for producing replacements parts are usually up to 10 years after production of the model stops), then it has to be retained and preserved.

For owners of classic Aston Martin models, there’s some good news from Aston Martin Works which will help to future-proof their cars. The company will, for the first time in decades, manufacture a number of components for models such as the DB4, DB5, DB6 and some V8 models from the 1960s and 1970s.

Like original parts
The components – primarily engine blocks, cylinder heads, and gearboxes – will be painstakingly built to original manufacturer specifications, meaning that they are like original genuine parts. In some cases, this is the first time that new parts built to factory-approved standards have been available in almost half a century.

The decision to remanufacture items such as gearboxes came about as part of the Aston Martin continuation programme that naturally led to the need for new parts. At the same time, there was also a full understanding of which parts were immediately available and which had not been manufactured for many years.

To produce the parts, Aston Martin Works has invested in the creation of new tooling to ensure the parts are produced to full and appropriate factory specifications and of course, high quality standards.

First time in almost 50 years
“Working with the exceptional engineers both here and at Aston Martin’s Gaydon headquarters, key parts suppliers were tasked with developing these new components,” said Paul Spires, President of Aston Martin Works. “The heritage department at gearbox supplier ZF, for instance, was invaluable in helping to recreate original specification gearboxes – making these parts available for the first time since the early 1970s.”

Supplied with appropriate documentation to fully support the origin of these replacement parts – a vital reassurance when replacing the engine of a DB4 GT, for instance – owners are assured that the new components have been checked and approved by the Aston Martin Works team.

Aston Martin Works
Introduced by Sir David Brown (the long-time owner of Aston Martin and also where the ‘DB’ for the cars comes from), Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell, is the historic home of the British marque and the place where over 13,300 cars have been hand-built since 1955.

Today, Aston Martin Works continues to operate out of the legendary facility in the same location. It also serves as a new car dealership and service centre with its heritage sales, service and restoration business being best known.

First ‘Goldfinger’ Aston Martin completed, priced at RM17.7 million (w/VIDEO)


New Honda HRV: Why Do Buyers Prefer the V-Spec?

At a glance:

The Honda HRV RS is the top of the line model and is RM5,000 more expensive than the second model in the line up – the V-Spec.
Despite only marginally more expensive, buyers seem to prefer the V-Spec.
Over 50% of buyers are said to prefer the V-Spec.
The V-Spec is better suited to performance than fuel economy.

The HRV has been hugely popular and for good reason; the B-Segment crossover SUV offers all the ideals anyone could want.

Young families will appreciate the space and safety features while the elders will appreciate the comfort and driving dynamics.

The newly launched third-generation HRV takes it up a couple of notches and once again is a class leader with new, never before seen features in similar SUVs.

Positioned right below the top-of-the-line Honda HRV RS is the V-Spec. Of the 7,000 HRV’s already delivered to date, about 50% consist of the V-Spec. And it is not difficult to see why it is the model of choice for many.

Around the exterior, the V-Spec is differentiated by its gloss black front grille, matte black finishing around the front and rear bumper, and a red-coloured LED light strip and brake lights.

And finally, the V-Spec features silver tipped dual exhaust-pipes, while the RS has its single exhaust neatly tucked away out of sight.

Inside, the V-Spec loses out on dual-zone air-conditioning in favour of a single-zone system, while the roof-lining is beige in colour as compared to the black in the RS.

Also, the stitching on the seats, gear knob and the steering wheel is in dark grey for the V-Spec and red for the RS. Whether this matters or not is a different story, but to me, the red has a tendency of getting dark over time, which just dulls the ambience.

RS seats shown above, but the V-Spec has the same seats but with different coloured stitching.

The leather seats are firm but comfortable and there’s plenty of space for all occupants. Multi-seats are standard across the HRV range and offer added practicality with three different seat settings to accommodate just about anything wide or long.

Creature comforts include multiple cup holders for all passengers, two USB ports up front and two at the back, and the all-important Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The V-Spec also boasts practicality in the form of adaptive cruise control, a feature also available in the RS. This allows the driver to set a desired speed and distance to the vehicle ahead, and the HRV will brake and accelerate automatically according to the pre-set settings. Handy especially when driving long distances as we found out during a drive back from Terengganu.

But the real fun lays under the bonnet, or hood if you are so inclined. The V-Spec is powered by a 1.5-litre, turbocharged engine that is mated to a CVT gearbox. It is a tried, tested and a robust powertrain that produces 181hp and 240Nm of torque.

That’s not a lot of power if you are into such things, but it is enough to catapult the 1,403kg mini SUV to 100km/h in just 8.8 seconds and onto a top speed of 200km/h.

There also steering mounted pedal shifters if you want to control when the car shifts up or down. And more importantly, there are three driving modes – Eco, Sport and Normal – for added fun. The modes are selected via a switch situated by the gear knob.

The HRV is far from a sports car though it definitely has the spirit. In corners, the tall ride height and suspension that is better suited for comfort result in significant body roll when pushed hard. This is after all this is an SUV designed for comfort and convenience, not corner carving.

Despite putting out decent power figures, the powertrain can be quite noisy during acceleration. But that can be put down to the CVT gearbox, which tends to whine when laying down power.

Running on the same 18-inch Continental tyres as the RS, the V-Spec too suffers from the same fate; there’s a significant amount of tyre noise that creeps back into the cabin at high speed.

Between 100-120km/h is when the HRV is at its most comfortable. Anything more and there’s just too much noise intruding back into the cabin, forcing you to either speak louder or turn up the volume of the music.

The V-Spec is at its finest in traffic or at regular highway speed. The auto hold button works a treat in traffic. The system automatically applies the brakes in traffic even when the gear is in Drive. This lets you rest your right foot, reducing driver fatigue especially during those long hours spent in traffic during seasonal holidays.

It is not difficult to see why the V-Spec is the model of choice for HRV buyers though. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make syncing your phone to the entertainment system nothing more than a simple snap. This is important because the reliance of modern drivers on GPS maps is at an unprecedented level.

Storage is aplenty and the fact that there’s air-conditioning vents and USB ports for every passenger makes long distance drives or even school runs more manageable.

Whether a primary or a secondary car, the HRV V-Spec is understandably the model to have. It is RM5,000 cheaper than the top spec model which means you do not need to fork out as much.

The model positioned below the V-Spec is called the E-Spec and that too is RM5,000 cheaper than the V-Spec, but you don’t get features such as electronically-adjustable leather seats in favour of fabric seats. You also don’t get the Lane Watch camera which makes driving the HRV in traffic a lot more manageable.

All of this makes undoubtedly makes the V-Spec the model to have, money no object of course.


12,732 Volkswagen vehicles in Malaysia being recalled for transmission issue

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has announced a voluntary recall for models produced
between 2011 and 2015
 to rectify the hydraulic pressure accumulator within the 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG) caused by a production deviation.

In individual cases, it has been found that the hydraulic pressure accumulator starts to run at an excessive pressure and this can cause a leak, leading to possible pressure loss. This can interrupt power transmission between the engine and gearbox.

A total of 12,732 Volkswagen vehicles have been identified as being affected by this recall. The affected models are the Beetle, Cross Touran, Golf (Mk 6 and Mk 7), Jetta, Passat (B7), Passat CC, Polo (6R) and Scirocco. This exercise does not affect Volkswagen models produced from 2016 and newer.

Some of the models sold between 2011 and 2015 in Malaysia which are being recalled.

The nationwide campaign will be executed in phases in order to manage the number of cases, and notification to identified owners will be conducted by mail with immediate effect. In the event that you own one of the Volkswagen models mentioned but do not receive any communication from VPCM, it could be that they do not have your contact details because you are not the original owner and their database has not been updated with details of the current owner. Nevertheless, your vehicle will still be accepted under the recall exercise.

Owners can also visit the
Volkswagen website
 to check if their vehicle is affected or call Volkswagen customer care at
1800-18-8947
 for further information.

Owners can use the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) usually located on the dashboard as shown to check whether their vehicle is affected.

They may then contact any authorised Volkswagen service centre to book an appointment and have their vehicle inspected and parts replaced, if need be. VPCM has taken the necessary steps with its dealer partners to ensure parts availability and that the exercise is conducted smoothly and efficiently. All labour and replacement parts for this service will be at no cost to owners.

Additionally, owners will receive a free Volkswagen Care Plus (VCP) membership card as a token of appreciation from Volkswagen. An integral part of Volkswagen Cares, VCP is an exclusive program for owners with vehicles that are 5 years old and older. Member privileges include three 20% service discounts vouchers, 2 years of complimentary Roadside Assistance, and 24-hour on-site battery support (terms and conditions apply).

“As a responsible car manufacturer, customer confidence and peace of mind is of utmost importance to us, and we hope that our owners understand that this campaign is necessary to ensure their continued confidence in the performance of their vehicles,” said Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM.

He expressed his regret for the inconvenience caused to the owners and added that while the affected vehicles have been identified, it is possible that not all the vehicles will require parts replacement. “This is a significant exercise for us, and we would like to ensure that all these vehicles are inspected. This campaign is part of our Volkswagen Cares initiative, and we are committed to a high level of customer safety, service and satisfaction,” he explained.

Free 5-Star Service Check for Volkswagens


BIKES: The New Ducati Scrambler 1100 Arrives in Malaysia, Prices Start At RM83,000!

Next Bike Sdn Bhd
, the sole distributor for
Ducati
 motorcycles in Malaysia, has launched the highly-anticipated Ducati Scrambler 1100. The Scrambler model is now available in two variants for the Malaysia market –
Ducati Scrambler 1100 Special
and
 Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport.

Dato’ Samson Anand George, Group CEO, Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings
 said,
“The Scrambler 1100 aims to meet the needs of even the most demanding motorbike enthusiasts infusing more fun, style and freedom that has been the cornerstone trademark of the Scrambler. Global sales for the Scrambler have soared past the 46,000 units mark since its first introduction in 2015 and now, the Ducati Scrambler 1100’s arrival in Malaysia completes our Scrambler line-up offering here where the full range of Scramblers is now available through Ducati Malaysia.”

“With multiple touch points, activations and customer engagements throughout the last three years, we anticipate to see more movement of the Scrambler bikes for 2018,”
 added Dato’ Samson. Just like every other Ducati Scrambler bike before it, the Scrambler 1100 does not compromise on self-expression, iconic style and a flair for fun that the Scrambler brand stands for.

The bike has been developed so it can be modified with ease and the two variants available differ in a way that they coexist with one another in the range – the Scrambler 1100 Special, being a contemporary classic, draws inspiration from the custom world; and the Scrambler 1100 Sport, as its name suggests, is the Ducati Scrambler’s interpretation of muscle bikes heritage.

The Scrambler 1100’s design is essential, mature and carefully thought out, inspired by the iconic ‘70s model while remaining faithful to the ‘Land of Joy’ spirit. Being more commanding in presence, it is larger than other Scrambler brand models at 50mm wider, 69mm longer and a bigger seat to boot for the rider and a pillion. The bike’s balanced proportions make it compact yet beefy and comfortable to ride.

In keeping with the self-expression element of the Scrambler brand, the rear subframe is separate from the chassis to make personalisation easier. The round headlight retains the glass parabola shared by all Ducati Scrambler models but is now enhanced with a new aluminium trim. The grille divides up the Daytime Running Lights system to create the four trademark ‘Land of Joy’ light segments.

On the two-element instrument panel, riders are guided by a classic round section and an additional oval element to display broader info range. The round section is fully digital and displays rider information such as fuel level, selected riding mode and the selected Traction Control level. The oval element has a speedo, a kickstand warning light and information from the Ducati Multimedia System, available as an accessory when the Bluetooth module is fitted.

An improvement on the Monster 1100 engine, both the Scrambler 1100 variants are powered by a Euro 4 compliant 1079cm
3
 L-twin two-valve engine, and in perfect Scrambler style, this power unit has a 98mm bore and a 71.5mm stroke. To optimise efficiency, the engine has been redesigned to prioritise fluid acceleration across the rev range and great handling. The twin-cylinder Desmodue engine is equipped with a single 55mm full Ride by Wire throttle body with two sub-butterfly injectors, and when paired together with a generously-sized airbox, ensures fluid power delivery and accurate control of the fuel mix aspirated into the cylinders. For this same reason, each cylinder is fitted with twin spark plugs and a secondary air system.

Excellent pulling power is also put within the rider’s reach by the 16 degree valve overlap angle. The engine puts out a maximum power of 86 hp at 7,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 88.4Nm at 4,750 rpm, with an impressively smooth delivery across the rev range. The gearbox, meanwhile, is a 6-speed unit while the clutch is the wet multi-plate type with hydraulic control, and has a servo-assisted slipper function that limits rear wheel destabilisation during down-shifting.

As with all Ducati models, the Scrambler 1100 comes equipped with the iconic Desmodromic engine valve closure system that sets in motion intake and exhaust valves that close positively and precisely using a synchronous technique exclusive to the Ducati brand name. The chassis set-up of the Ducati Scrambler 1100 features an all-new twin upper spar steel Trellis frame that envelopes the engine with a rear aluminium subframe. Weaving through bustling city traffic and steep hairpin turns feels like child’s play thanks to the wide handlebars, and further supporting this concise stability even at high speeds is the 1,514mm wheelbase.

The steel fuel tank, with an unmistakable teardrop silhouette, can hold 15 litres. With an excellent frame and outstanding chassis geometry, and despite the beefed-up size and performance, the Scrambler 1100 remains user-friendly, agile and an ultimate source of satisfaction on the road. The Sport variant of the Ducati Scrambler 1100 mounts Öhlins suspension (Kayaba on the Special variant), with upside-down 45mm forks and a rear shock with adjustable spring preload and rebound damping. Both suspensions provide 150mm of wheel travel, ensuring the tyres hug the ground on any terrain – from city streets to easy-going off-road routes. It is this balance of comfort and performance that makes the Ducati Scrambler 1100 unique.

The Scrambler 1100 variants come standard with all-new aluminium machine-finished 10-spoke wheels. The 3.5-inch x 18-inch front wheel and the 5.5-inch x 17-inch rear wheel have been designed to be light, with Pirelli playing a part to exclusively design the front tyre for the Scrambler 1100.

Excellent safety features such as Bosch 9.1 MP Cornering ABS and Ducati Traction Control (DTC), a first in the Scrambler family of bikes, entails for the rider is a feeling of freedom in a superbly comfortable riding position specifically developed for this model. To maximise stopping performance, the front wheel has a dual 330mm disc with two 4-piston Brembo M 4.32B Monobloc calipers with a 34mm piston.

The Ducati Scrambler 1100 also features three Riding Modes. The Active Riding Mode provides full engine power (86hp), a direct throttle connection and a Traction Control level compatible with sport riding. Meanwhile, Journey Riding Mode is perfect for everyday use – full L-twin power (86hp), a more fluid throttle connection and a Traction Control level developed for carefree riding. The City Riding Mode lowers engine power to 75hp similar to the Scrambler 800, and sees the throttle control become extremely fluid and Traction Control maximising safety.

As with the Scrambler’s universe of fun, joy and freedom made of motorcycles, accessories and apparel, the 1100 sees the introduction of accessories and a dedicated apparel line specifically designed for the range that includes a leather jacket, a fabric jacket and an open-face helmet co-produced with Roland Sands.

The Ducati Scrambler 1100 Special’s ‘Custom Grey’ colour with black frame and black spoked wheels is as unique to this variant as the brushed-effect swing arm and adjustable front fork with gold-coloured anodised sleeves. On the other hand, the Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport comes in ‘Viper Black’ with yellow tank trim and dual yellow striping down the middle of the tank and mudguards, with black frame and wheels.

To enhance the premium aftersales experience for owners Ducati offers the Ducati Smart Service Program, a two-year free service for parts and lubricants, or up to 30,000km including Desmodromic service*. This free service offer goes on top of the current two-year unlimited mileage warranty and is available at all authorised Ducati dealerships and service centres nationwide.

The Ducati Scrambler 1100 Special and Scrambler 1100 Sport retails at
RM83,000
 and
RM85,000
 respectively, on-the-road without insurance (0% GST).

*Terms and conditions apply.


Toyota: “No customer is left behind” in quest for carbon neutrality

Carbon dioxide (CO
2
) is known to be one of the major causes of climate change, causing global warming. However, it is a by-product of modern industrial processes and unavoidable. To address the issue of rising carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere, carmakers (as well as manufacturers in other industries) aim to become ‘carbon-neutral’ in the near future. This means that their processes, products and activities, while generating carbon dioxide, will be balanced with strategies that offset the CO2 generation to achieve net-zero emissions.

The approach most commonly being adopted, at least as far as the products are concerned, is to stop making and selling motor vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE) that have been major contributors of carbon dioxide and other undesirable gases in the environment. Some have announced a time-frame for this approach, after which they will not sell models with ICE or, in some cases, models with only ICE (meaning they will still have hybrids). These companies are investing heavily in electric vehicles (EVs), powered by battery packs or fuel cells.

Toyota does not plan to completely stop selling models with petrol or diesel engines in the near-term but, at that same time, it already has a growing line of battery electric vehicles (below) for markets that want such vehicles.

Committed to carbon neutrality by 2050

Toyota is one of the companies firmly committed to carbon neutrality by 2050. However, the company’s strategy does not entirely focus on electrification of its products to the extent that future models will no longer be powered by ICE in the near-term. In time, it may decrease the amount of development of totally new ICE powertrains as EV acceptance in the market rises.

The thing is, advanced countries have developed the infrastructure to support EVs, so consumers are assured that owning an EV is not going to be inconvenient. Apart from widespread availability of public recharging stations, some countries also offer incentives to those who buy an EV. As a result, some countries in Europe already see EVs accounting for a large proportion of new vehicle sales.

For more advanced markets with the necessary infrastructure to support fuel cell vehicles, Toyota already has the second generation of its Mirai FCEV available.

Different pace in different regions

However, in other countries and regions, the transition to EVs may be at a different pace. For example, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore already have clearly-defined plans to ‘go electric’ but Malaysia does not (although recent news suggests that some incentives may soon be announced). Countries in Africa might also be slower to stop allowing ICE vehicles due to their economies and other factors.

Toyota wants to make sure that ‘no customer is left behind’ and for this reason, it will use multiple technology solutions in its quest to achieve carbon neutrality, developing advanced electric vehicles as well as continue to make ICE as clean as possible. The carmaker’s view is that companies and societies should work together with all available technologies to achieve the best and fastest results towards carbon neutrality – using whichever solutions and infrastructures suit their local needs best.

7
th
 Environmental Action Plan

Toyota is currently in its 7
th
 Environmental Action Plan which runs until 2025. The targets for this plan include reduction of CO2 emissions by 30% or more (on average) compared to 2010 levels, and boost cumulative sales of electrified vehicles to 30 million or more. All models in the Toyota and Lexus ranges worldwide are to be available with either full electric or hybrid powertrains by around 2025.

At the same time, CO
2
 emissions are to be reduced by 18% or more throughout the entire vehicle life cycle (including manufacturing and driving) compared to 2013 levels.

“The goal is carbon neutrality. Promoting Battery Electric Vehicle sales or banning gasoline cars is not in any way the goal. It is a must that cars already on the road be made carbon-neutral. Rather than narrowing the way out by placing importance on the creation of regulations focused only on new cars and internal combustion engines, it is necessary to expand the paths to carbon neutrality by including all approaches,” said Toyota President, Akio Toyoda, in his capacity as President of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA).

Toyota to build a prototype city of the future in Japan! (w/VIDEO)


Gran Turismo Sport will be arriving in mid October 2017

After a substantial number of delays, we finally have some concrete evidence that GT Sport, the highly anticipated PlayStation 4 exclusive game, will be here soon. Based on the information we managed to gather from the gran turismo website, we now know that the highly acclaimed fifth installment of the world renowned simulation-like racing game will be put on sale  on 17th October 2017.

The new game features a super realistic graphics engine that adds a sense of realism that has been absent from most of the current generation games. The vehicle textures seem very real and the attention detail that has been placed on every car, especially the interior is something that is awe-inspiring.

There’s even a specifically designed and tailored steering wheelcontroller that took four years to develop just for GT Sport, providing players with more realistic control and feedback. It’s called the Thrustmaster T-GT and it mimics the looks of a real racing steering wheel pretty well.

More details regarding the game will be divulged as we approach the launch date which is about three months away. According to the game makers, it will blitz all previous versions when it comes to performance, realism, graphics quality as well as vehicle drivability.

Till the actual launch, take a look at these trailers and let us know what you think about the upcoming game.


Perodua Aruz SUV Now Open For Booking! OTR Estimated Prices Start From RM72,200

Perodua Aruz
, the national carmaker’s much-awaited three-row seven-seater Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), is now open for booking with estimated prices of between
RM72,200 and RM77,200
 (on-the-road before insurance in Peninsular Malaysia).

“The Perodua Aruz is our fourth transformation model, setting new standards for us in quality, space, fuel efficiency and safety – the latter bolstered by a 5-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating. With these qualities and more, the Perodua Aruz is among the best-value SUVs in Malaysia,”

Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad
 said, adding that the vehicle comes with a five-year/150,000 km warranty (whichever comes first).

“The Perodua Aruz is expected to complement our existing product line-up and based on our value proposition, we expect sales of this new model to average 2,500 units monthly or 31,200 units by end-2019,”
 Dato’ Zainal added. Two variants of the Perodua Aruz are offered, namely the 1.5 X and 1.5 Advance, with five colours available – Ivory White, Glittering Silver, Electric Blue, Granite Grey and a new Amazon Green.

Contributing to the Perodua Aruz’s
5-star ASEAN NCAP
 safety rating are
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), ISOFIX
 and
6 airbags
, which are all standard across the range. Furthermore, the Advance variant debuts an upgraded version of the Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) active safety suite, called
ASA 2.0
 (above).

ASA 2.0 adds pedestrian detection (up to 50 km/h)
 to the safety suite and increases the operational speeds of
Pre-Collision Warning to 100 km/h
 and
Pre-Collision Braking to 80 km/h
. The safety suite continues to incorporate Front Departure Alert and Pedal Misoperation Control. ASA is a driver assistance system that helps to reduce the risk of collisions and is by no means a substitute for safe driving. Always be alert and cautious behind the wheel.

“The Perodua Aruz is perfect for families and those with active, aspirational lifestyles. The elevated driving position affords great visibility all round, while the abundance of space and flexible seating layouts make the vehicle extremely versatile and adaptable to any activity you wish to undertake,”
 Dato’ Zainal said. The Perodua Aruz’s efficient powertrain, built in Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan, consists of an aluminium-block 1.5 litre four-cylinder engine with Dual VVT-i and an electronically-controlled automatic transmission (E-AT).

These join forces with Eco Idle to give a best-in-class rated fuel efficiency of
 15.6 km/l
, allowing it to be government-certified as an Energy-Efficient Vehicle
 (EEV)
. Featuring bold LED headlamps with follow-me-home function (auto lights on Advance variant), the Perodua Aruz sits on 17-inch two-tone alloys, with a ground clearance of 220 mm. Smart Entry with Push Start/Stop Button is also standard, while the Advance variant adds fog lamps and roof rails for extra style points.

The interior is at once functional, stylish and practical, with the Perodua-developed anti-snatch hook to deter handbag thieves and fold-away utility hooks on the backs of the front seats. All variants get a touch-screen radio with reverse camera display, digital air-con with two memory settings, air vents for the rear passengers and a built-in toll card reader. The second row is split
60:40
 while the third row is split
50:50
. Both rows can slide, fold and tumble, yielding a multitude of seating and loading configurations to suit every occasion and lifestyle. There are charging ports in all three rows.

Interior equipment exclusive to the Advance variant are leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with call-receive controls, plus an integrated driving video recorder. The top variant also gets
HDMI, Smart Link, Bluetooth and Navigation
 added to its touch-screen system.
 “For more information on the Perodua Aruz, we welcome the public to speak with our authorised sales advisors at any of our sales outlets nationwide. The Perodua Aruz will appear in showrooms very soon, but don’t wait – book now to elevate your life in an instant and start 2019 riding high!”
 Dato’ Zainal said.

About the name…

Perodua Aruz SUV Teaser Photo Gallery…


COVID-19 pandemic disrupts motorsports around the world

COVID-19, the coronavirus, is not only doing nasty things to humans but because of what it does, all kinds of activities around the world are disrupted, including motorsports. The first hit was in mid-February when the organisers of the 2020 Chinese F1 Grand Prix asked to cancel their event scheduled on April 19 – with the hope that it could be run later in the year. The epidemic was getting to other countries and the FIA, motorsports governing body, said it would ‘review the situation for other motorsport events globally in accordance with the changing COVID-19 environment and advisories from the World Health Organisation’.

Liberty Media, which has the commercial rights to F1, was quick to announce that the opening round in Australia as well as the following two rounds in Bahrain and Vietnam would go ahead. That, of course, was before the situation in Italy got really bad to the point that a nationwide lockdown was imposed.

Still, the 10 teams were asked to go to Australia for the race which was to be this weekend, in spite of the fact that Australia was raising its barriers, especially for people from Italy. Tests were required and one McLaren team member showed positive results after being seen to have symptoms on arrival. This led to the team withdrawing from the race and the other teams beginning to question the decision to go ahead – especially after the WHO had declared that the situation was officially a ‘pandemic’. 8 teams withdrew from the race which forced its cancellation although it couldn’t have run as the state government had also asked for the event not to be run in view of the large crowds.

Withdrawal of 8 teams as well as a directive from the state government forced cancellation of the opening F1 round in Australia.

The ‘domino’ effect starts

The cancellation of the race was announced just prior to practices being held, and one could say that the ‘dominos’ started to fall, greatly dictated by stronger actions of governments after the WHO finally declared the pandemic. The organisation had been refraining from declaring the pandemic for a while but decided it must do so in order to get more governments to be much more serious.

Bahrain had earlier announced that its event, the second F1 round of 2020, would be a ‘closed’ event, meaning no spectators would be at the circuit. It would be broadcast live on the usual TV and internet channels only. The third round in Vietnam was a question mark but thought to be possible to continue.

It’s unfortunate for Vietnam that the very first F1 race to be held there cannot start,

All events to be postponed or cancelled

Now, with governments tightening things and preventing events with large crowds so as to reduce the spread of infection, it appears that all motorsports events are cancelled or postponed. “The organiser of the Vietnam Grand Prix 2020 officially announces the delay of F1 Hanoi race due to complicated development of COVID-19,” said the statement from the Vietnam Grand Prix Company.

Bahrain also announced that its event would be postponed as well, and the FIA says that the F1 championship will resume at the end of May in Europe, possibly with the rounds in Monaco or Azerbaijan. Considering how the pandemic has shifted its epicentre from China to Italy, it seems like wishful thinking but the organisation will be constantly reviewing the situation.

The FIA has now announced that the 2020 F1 championship will resume at the end of May, possibly at the Monaco GP or the Azerbaijan GP scheduled in early June.

“Protecting people first,” emphasised Jean Todt, FIA’s President. ”Together with Formula 1, the Bahrain Motor Federation, the Vietnamese Motorsports Association, and the local promoters, postponing both the Bahrain and Vietnam Grands Prix, as with the Australian Grand Prix, was the only possible decision given all of the information currently available to us. We continue to rely on the input and advice from the World Health Organisation and governments and will work with them throughout this unpredictable period to safeguard the fans, competitors and all of the motor sport community.”

As with other championship sports events, F1 draws very big crowds which, at this time, mean a high risk of infection and spread of the virus.

No exception in Malaysia too

In Malaysia, the government has declared that all public gatherings – international meetings, conferences, sports events, social and religious events – are to be postponed or cancelled until April 30, 2020. Some organisers had already turned their events into closed events as a precaution and now would have to abide by the government’s directive to cancel or postpone. It will be messy for everyone concerned, not just the teams. Sponsors have committed money, some of which would already have been paid and owners of venues would also have to start discussions about rentals and related matters.

It’s hard to say when this situation will change, let alone end. And even if we can see a glimmer of ‘light at the end of the tunnel’, can we be sure it is not a train coming at you?


Lexus Malaysia adds new variants to RX and ES ranges

2021 sees the ranges of two of Lexus Malaysia’s popular models – the RX300 and ES250 – gaining additional versions. These are the new RX 300 Luxury Special Edition and ES 250 Limited. Orders are accepted at all 6 authorised Lexus outlets nationwide from mid-January, with sales beginning in February  2021.

Without insurance premium, the RX 300 Luxury Special Edition is priced from
RM421,909.50
, while the  ES 250 Limited is priced from
RM327,510.50
. As the government has extended the exemption of sales tax under the PENJANA program, the savings (5% of the sales tax amount) will be available until the end of June 2021. You also get a 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage.

ES 250 Limited

“The Lexus RX and Lexus ES have suitably played a key role in the Lexus family by developing a strong interest  in the Lexus brand. They have continuously delivered an overall package that not only impresses from its design, but the high level of quality finish, equipment and luxurious drive have made these the best-selling models in the Lexus stable,” said President of Lexus Malaysia, Ravindran K.

The new RX 300 Luxury Special Edition that joins the line-up alongside the Premium and F Sport variants has an exclusive bodykit which give a sportier outlook while providing aerodynamic benefits. The front bumper design is new along with that of the side skirts and rear bumper diffuser.

RX 300 Luxury Special Edition

Those buying the RX Luxury Special Edition can choose from 4 main colours – Sonic Quartz, Sonic Titanium,  Graphite Black Glass Flake and Red Mica Crystal Shine, while ES 250 Limited Edition buyers have a choice of Sonic Quartz, Sonic Titanium, Graphite Black Glass Flake or Deep Blue Mica, Depending on the exterior colour, the  interior colour theme will be either Topaz or Black.

Bamboo wood trim

For the new ES 250 Limited Edition, there is an inlay of bamboo wood trim in the  doors, dashboard, centre console and steering wheel. While offering a unique texture and a fine finish to the luxurious interior, the bamboo trim perfectly illustrates the role of the Takumi craftsman who painstakingly sculpts and finishes each piece by hand.

Bamboo trim in ES 250 Limited.

Lexus upholds its duty to be environmentally responsible and the bamboo used is hand-picked from sustainable forests in  Kochi in southern Japan.

Powertrains

Powering the sleek coupe-like ES 250 is a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine (2AR-FE) with Dual VVT-i and ACIS-III, a variable acoustic induction system for higher torque. With a compression ratio of 10.4:1, the engine produces 204 ps/247 Nm. Power delivery to the wheels goes through a 8-speed automatic Super ECT transmission with AI Shift.

ES 250

For the RX 300, the powertrain is the 8AR-FTS 2-litre 4-cylinder engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger. This proven engine produces a maximum of 235 ps/350 Nm, thanks to ESTEC (Economy with Superior Thermal Efficient Combustion) technology as well as D-4ST Direct Injection. Power goes to all 4 wheels through a compact and lightweight 6-speed automatic transmission, Super Electronically Controlled Transaxle with AI (Artificial Intelligence) Shift.

RX 300

Lexus Safety System +

Both the Lexus models come with Lexus  Safety System + (LSS+), a package of active safety systems that help the driver to avoid an accident. These include a Pre-Collision System, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, and Adaptive High-Beam System. The lighting system also has the world’s first BladeScan where blade-shaped mirrors in the headlights spin at high speed to vary the spread of light away from other road-users while providing optimum illumination of the road ahead.

“The Lexus RX and the Lexus ES have proven to be capable, sophisticated and impressive performers in their segments and they continuously exceed expectations by delivering a level of distinctiveness that cannot simply be ignored,” said Deputy Chairman of Lexus Malaysia, Akio Takeyama.

To know more, visit
www.bhpetrol.com.my
.

4-seater Lexus LM350 MPV coming to Malaysia in 2021


Alfa Romeo 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo – inspired by a legendary sportscar

Alfa Romeo has unveiled the 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo, inspired by the 1967 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, the Italian brand’s legendary mid-engine sportscar. Only 33 units of this limited-edition 4C Spider will be produced and only offered in North America. This will also be part of the final production run of the model for North America.

“Since its introduction in 2014, the 4C has been a halo vehicle for Alfa Romeo, exciting enthusiasts around the world and spearheading the relaunch of the brand in North America,” said Tim Kuniskis, Global Head of Alfa Romeo. “The 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo is an instant Alfa Romeo classic that passes the torch to the next generation of iconic Alfa Romeo vehicles, including the upcoming Tonale PHEV crossover that will start production next year.”

The 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo alongside the legendary 1967 33 Stradale.

Exclusive colour, exclusive plaques

The 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo comes exclusively in Rosso Villa d’Este tri-coat exterior colour, with grey-gold 5-hole alloy wheels (18-inch front/19-inch rear) and composite sport seats covered in black Dinamica suede and tobacco leather.

Prominently displayed around the cabin are dedicated plaques on the dashboard, side sills and centre console, the last of which is progressively numbered from 1 to 33. Customers also get treated to a matching, numbered book designed by Centro Stile that chronicles the 4C’s design concept, technology, materials and Modena assembly facility, as well as the history of the 33 Stradale.

F1-inspired chassis

The 4C’s racing pedigree is evident in its state-of-the-art Formula 1-inspired carbonfibre monocoque chassis, shown for the first time in a red transparent finish. Much of the 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo’s equipment, previously optional, comes standard, including an Akrapovic dual-mode centre-mounted exhaust, race-tuned suspension, bi-xenon headlamps, battery charger, car cover, suede/leather seats and carbonfibre halo, rear wing and Italian flag mirror caps.

Completing the refined exterior treatment are new ‘Centro Stile Alfa Romeo’ badges and available piano-black front air intake and rear diffuser.

Under the bonnet is a 6-speed Alfa twin-clutch transmission and all-aluminium 1750 cc turbocharged engine with direct-injection, dual intercoolers and variable-valve timing. With the engine producing 237 bhp/350 Nm and a kerb weight of less than 1,200 kgs, the 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo has an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 4.7 kg/bhp. This makes it possible to accelerate from 0 – 60 mph (96 km/h) in a claimed 4.1 seconds and reach a top speed of almost 260 km/h.

The 1967 33 Stradale
 is an iconic Alfa Romeo that made its public debut at the Monza circuit in Italy on August 31, 1967, on the eve of the 1967 Formula One Italian Grand Prix. Boasting a top speed of 260 km/h, the 33 Stradale was a hand-built Franco Scaglione-penned mid-engine exotic based on the Tipo 33 racing car that won its class at the 1968 24 Hours of Daytona. To this day, it represents a singular blend of leading-edge technology, racing mechanics and inspirational design, a fitting forebear to the 4C Spider. Only 18 chassis were ever produced, with most completed cars painted in Alfa’s signature red, with grey-gold wheels and black-and-tobacco interior.

Click here for other articles about Alfa Romeo.


Perodua Has Delivered Over 200,000 Vehicles In 10 Months

The cumulative sales volume of Perodua crossed the 200,000 mark at the end of last month, reaching a total of 222,203 vehicles delivered nationwide since January. The 10-month volume, when compared to the same period in 2021, was 51.2% higher but it should be remembered that there were lockdowns that limited business activities last year.

“There was a gap in sales between June and August last year due to the lockdown imposed by the government to contain COVID-19 cases. Moving forward, we expect the registration momentum to continue upwards until the end of the year,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

During the month of October 2022, Perodua delivered 25,849 units, 5% more the 24,626 units delivered in September and reflecting the improved production situation. Since last year, the industry has been affected by shortages of parts, especially microprocessors, which has limited vehicle output.

Perodua’s three bestsellers in October.

The top 3 Perodua models sold in October were the Bezza (6,768 units), followed by the Myvi (6,130 units) and the Axia (4,989 units).

During the same month, Perodua manufactured 22,974 units, bringing the total number of vehicles produced this year at its two plants to 229,811 units after 10 months. Most of the vehicles are distributed in the Malaysian market although some are exported to neighbouring countries.

Perodua’s models have close to 100% of their parts sourced from Malaysia, including powertrains which comes from factories in Negeri Sembilan.

Dato’ Sri Zainal said that the higher than expected production and sales performance has impacted the local automotive ecosystem positively, given that on average 95% of Perodua parts are sourced locally. “The high localisation rate has also help shield Perodua from the volatility in the foreign exchange market at the moment. It is our intention to further improve the local automotive supply chain as having such an industry has proven a benefit to both Perodua and consumers,” he added.

“Looking ahead, we plan to further increase our production and sales volume as we try to go beyond our earlier set sales target of 247,800 units for 2022 and, by doing so, will reduce the waiting period for our customers,” Dato’ Sri Zainal said.

To know more about Perodua models and where to get a test-drive, visit
www.perodua.com.my
.

Perodua Starts Ativa Hybrid Study Program To Gain Insights Into Electrification

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Porsche Vision 357 – a tribute to the first Porsche

Although Ferdinand Porsche’s engineering design office (Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche GmbH) was making cars from 1931, each car and every project was numbered sequentially but did not carry the Porsche name. For example, order number 22 was for the legendary Auto Union Grand Prix racing car and the Type 60 was the Volkswagen.

The numbers therefore rose with each new order, with each engine designed, or with each drawing for an axle, gearbox or tractor. In 1948, by which time the project numbers had reached 356, something of historical significance happened: for the first time, an automobile was made under the official brand name of Porsche, hence it was called the Porsche 356.

75 years later, Porsche celebrates this anniversary year with a special model which references the 356. Known as the Porsche Vision 357, it is strictly a design study, the company emphasizes, and manifests potential expressions of the future design philosophy. It tried to answer the question of what the dream of a sportscar of Ferry Porsche might look like today?

The 356 was the first model to have the Porsche brand name.

“We created a very special birthday present in the form of the Porsche Vision 357, one which uses the 356 as a basis to underscore the significance of our design DNA,” said Michael Mauer, Vice-President Style Porsche. “The design study is an attempt to combine the past, present and future with coherency, featuring proportions that are reminiscent of its historical archetype and details that visualise the outlook for the future.”

356 as a basis to design DNA
Unrestrained by the regulations that apply for production models, the Vision 357 is built on the technology platform of the 500 ps
718 Cayman GT4 RS
. Like the Cayman, the Vision 357 has process air intakes positioned high behind the driver and passenger windows, adorned with comic-style ‘Air’ decals. Like the ‘eFuel’ logo on the fuel tank cap on the right wing, the decals are reminiscent of motorsport decals. This would indicate that the 4-litre boxer engine runs on
sustainable efuel
.

With its monolithic form, the narrow passenger cell with an abruptly sloping flyline and broad shoulders, the proportions of the Vision 357 evoke the lines of the 356. The A-pillars of the Vision 357 are black and visually unite the side window surfaces into a single unit. This DLO (daylight opening) graphic resembles the visor of a helmet.

The windscreen sharply wraps around the A-pillars. As in its historic ancestor, Porsche is pushing the boundaries of glass production. The early 356s had a split windscreen with a bar down the middle. The split design was replaced in model year 1952 by a one-piece windscreen with a bend down the centre.

The functional details are integrated and underpin the sculptural character of the vehicle. This includes the concealed door openers by the side windows and the tail lights, which sit behind a patterned array of points in the body itself.

References to the 356
Another reference to the original is the grille pattern in the rear, in which the third brake light (not required in 1948) is integrated. Like all current Porsche models, the Vision 357 features a 4-point light signet in front. The round design of the headlights is also a throwback to the characteristic lights of the 356.

There are also parallels in the paintwork – the two-tone concept with Ice Grey Metallic and Grivola Grey Metallic in the rear regions of the front end recalls the grey tones that were already popular in the 1950s.

The wide track makes a bullish impression and enhances driving stability. The 20-inch wheels are made of magnesium and covered with aerodynamically advantageous carbonfibre hubcaps and central locks. Visually, they also recall a legendary Porsche wheels on the 356 A and 356 B. Those cars had drum brakes and rims with a notably large bolt circle of 205 mm.

Sporty details from the Cayman GT4 RS

Sporty details from Cayman GT4 RS
The ‘75’ anniversary logo adorns the doors and the front of the design study like a start number. The wraparound, jointless front bonnet is fastened with quick-release mechanisms, while threaded rods stabilise the large front spoiler. On the side sills, the Porsche designers employed natural fibre-reinforced plastic, first seen in the Mission R all-electric GT racing car concept presented in 2021.

The basis for the sustainable materials is provided by flax fibres from agriculture. Instead of traditional exterior mirrors, the design study is equipped with cameras on the edge of the roof. The visible tailpipe trim in the rear is made of a blueish-looking titanium, while the inside of the tailpipe is made of ceramic.

A Porsche stars again in new Top Gun movie, and it’s not a replica this time

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 for more Porsche videos at The Piston Show.


Pearl Capsule gives Lamborghini Urus buyers additional colour choices

110 years ago, if you wanted to buy the popular Ford Model T, you had a choice of just one colour – black. Henry Ford decided to offer only one colour, largely because he wanted to maximize economies of scale by buying the biggest volume of paint so costs would be lower. Black was also quick-drying which appealed to him because he wanted to accelerate production.

Today, however, apart from limited edition models, a single colour would not go down well with customers who like freedom to choose. Still, there is a limit to colour choices for mass-produced models because the paint shop can only cater to a certain number of colours at one time. And of course, volume is again a consideration but definitely, there’s more than one colour to choose from!

More exclusive colour choices

Because Lamborghini sells cars which are expensive and exclusive, it is willing to meet almost any demand by customers when it comes to colours. Its dedicated paint shop which opened in 2019 incorporates benchmarking Artificial Intelligence applications alongside combined craftsmanship and technologies, extending the potential and volume for exclusive color choices.

As well as the new pearl colours in yellow, orange and green, reflecting the customer demand for sporty and vibrant exteriors, it has now come out with a new design edition, Pearl Capsule, for ‘new adventures in colour’ for the Urus Super SUV.

First exclusive customization option

This first exclusive customization option for the Urus is created by Lamborghini’s Centro Stile design department. The assertive two-tone exterior finish embraces Lamborghini’s traditional high-gloss 4-layer pearl colours of Giallo Inti, Arancio Borealis and Verde Mantis in combination with high-gloss black roof, rear diffuser, spoiler lip and other details. The sporty matt grey tailpipes are complemented by 23-inch high-gloss black rims with body colour accent.

The interior trim is based on a unique 2-tone color combination, featuring the hexagon-shaped upholstery stitching Q-Citura with logo embroidery on the seat, plus carbonfibre and black anodized aluminium details. Available exclusively on the Pearl Capsule, the optional fully-electric seat features airy perforated Alcantara for exceptional comfort.

The Urus Pearl Capsule for the Urus offers an extended range of colors and features following the first full year of Urus production in 2019. With more than 8,300 SUVs delivered worldwide since its launch, the most popular colour options have been elegant hues of greys, closely followed by Lamborghini’s trademark yellow.

Enhancements for coming model year

Alongside enhanced standard and optional equipment, including the most comprehensive ADAS equipment in its segment, Urus owners will now be able to match their personality even more. They can choose from an updated standard colour palette and a continuously-expanding range of special colours, as well as further interior customization offered by Lamborghini Ad Personam.

“The Lamborghini Urus has attracted an extremely diverse clientele since its launch, with exceptionally varied lifestyles,” said Automobili Lamborghini Chairman & CEO, Stefano Domenicali. “Nearly 80% of those customers – of whom around 10% are women – are new to the Lamborghini brand, enjoying the versatility of their Urus whether for business, family outings or of course, leisure time. The colours preferred by owners has varied enormously, with a strong mix of more understated choices as well as traditional sporty Lamborghini colors.

“The next step for the Urus, appealing to a broad client base looking to continue their adventures everywhere from the city to the sand dunes, from the countryside to ski resorts, is to extend our Super SUV’s features and customizability. Lamborghini’s Ad Personam program and Lamborghini colors are an integral aspect of our brand. The new options allow Urus owners to choose exteriors and interiors reflecting their personality, lifestyle, and their chosen adventures in the Urus,” he explained.

Besides more colours choices, the coming model year of the Urus will offer the richest level of standard equipment in terms of technology, safety and ADAS. Notable product improvements include an exclusive new key design and updated optional Parking Assistance Package, including state-of-the-art Intelligent Park Assist. This system allows the car to park itself by managing steering, throttle and brake for automatic parallel and perpendicular parking, at just the push of a button. Optional equipment includes a new premium Sensonum sound system, featuring a 730W amplifier and 17 speakers.

Lamborghini Huracan EVO Rear-Wheel Drive – for the purists


2020 Lexus LC Limited Edition unveiled

Lexus has launched their latest 2020 Lexus LC Limited Edition with a more ‘refined and matured’ look for the performance-oriented coupe. To those who are looking for a new layer of sophistication in their lives should consider this beauty with its new exterior shade and interior colour combination.

The Lexus LC Limited Edition comes with a new classic colour palette called Terrane Khaki. This distinctive shade of green offers great depths of colour with eye catching lines to further compliment the LC’s muscular exterior.

Lexus also threw in a set of 21-inch two-tone wheels to further increase the LC’s overall ride profile to whole new dimension. If the Lexus LC was desirable before, the LC Limited Edition is even more enticing now with all its new design features.

As for the interior, it receives a two-tone colour scheme with a combination of aniline leather and Alcantara trims. Mixing it up with the very rich Bespoke Saddle Tan colour with Black Amber highlights not only provide premium levels of comfort but also a relaxing feast for the eyes.

Each 2020 Lexus LC Limited Edition is finished off with a custom sill plate to make sure that the owners are getting the real deal. Apart from its 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine matted with a 10-speed automatic transmission (which is already a crowd puller itself), there’s also a Multi Stage Hybrid System available with the 3.5-litre V6 hybrid engine.

If the Terrane Khaki hero colour is not your thing, the 2020 Lexus LC Limited Edition will also be offered in Graphite Black and Sonic Titanium. Availability in European showrooms will begin somewhere in October 2019.

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

Visit
www.lexus.com.my
 to locate Lexus Centre in Malaysia


Flying the Malaysian flag at races in China and Japan this weekend

Motorsports being what it is in the Malaysian context, news and publicity of our racers who compete outside the country tends to be limited. Their fans and enthusiasts will know about them but by and large, most Malaysians don’t realize that we do have some talented drivers winning races and championships.

Our new contributor,
Gary Khor
, talks about 6 Malaysian drivers and 1 Malaysian race team who will be participating in 3 race events spanning China and Japan this weekend. He also provides an overview of the races they will be in.

TCR ASIA : ZHEJIANG CHINA

Douglas Khoo with his all-Malaysian crewed Viper-Niza Racing team will be contesting in Zhejiang China in Rounds 5 & 6 of the 2019 TCR Asia Series (which will include the TCR China Series this weekend). This is the 4th leg in the series which has already visited Sepang (April), Zhuhai (May) and Shanghai (June).

Douglas is in his fourth season in TCR Asia and shown he has the pace to mix it with the best having out-qualified even Luca Engstler in TCR Malaysia.

Another Malaysian in the series is the winner of the 2019 Sepang International Circuit Talent Development Driver, Adam Khalid. 21 years old, Adam (below) will be in the Team Engstler VW Golf TCR. Adam came from karting, Formula 4 Asia and MCS.

The Zhejiang International Circuit, built in 2016, is in the South Eastern province of China and just South of Shanghai. It’s an undulating circuit made up of 16 corners with interesting elevation changes.

The news this weekend will also be the introduction of the latest addition into the TCR family albeit under temporary homologation. Chinese group SAIC Motor will be entering a pair of MG6 TCR’s with popular China-based racer Rudolpho Avila and Zhang Zhen Dong.

MG6 TCR

Points-leading TCR Asia and last season’s TCR Malaysia & Middle East champion, Luca Engstler with team mate Diego Moran will spearhead the TCR Asia contingent joined by WTCR campaigner Pepe Oriola, all in Hyundai i30N cars.

China TCR’s top contenders will be UK’s Daniel Lloyd, who races in TCR UK and once raced for Craft-Bamboo in the Aston Martin GT3. He will pilot the Dongfeng MacPro Racing Honda Civic FK7.

After this round, TCR Asia will head to the famous Bangsaen street Circuit in Thailand for the final rounds in late August.

BLANCPAIN GT WORLD CHALLENGE ASIA : FUJI JAPAN

A record 4 Malaysian drivers are entered in 3 race teams participating in what is arguably Asia’s best series for GT3 & GT4 cars. World-class racing cars in a world-class event with our very own world-class drivers.

After the first rounds run in Sepang and then Buriram in Thailand, the series goes to the iconic Fuji Speedway nestled in the hills. This circuit is famous for its long fast front straight and downhill section and often has changeable weather as fog and sometimes snow can descend.

Weiron Tan, who debuted last year in the WEC (World Endurance Championship) in a Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2), will be sharing an Absolute Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 with the very quick and seasoned Martin Rump and contesting in the GT3 PRO class.

Weiron Tan

Melvin Moh needs no introduction as he is easily Malaysia’s leading Endurance Race driver with several victories in 12 & 24-hour endurance races recently. In 2018, he was on the podium in all these races – the Dubai 24-Hours in a Leipart Lamborghini Huracan; the Fuji-Tec 24-Hours in an Audi R8; and the China Endurance Championships in a Mercedes-AMG GT.

He will partner Gentleman driver Daniel Au in a Craft-Bamboo Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the PRO-AM category.

Melvin Moh (Car 55)

H.H. Prince Abdul Rahman Ibrahim from Johor is making his debut in Asian GT racing in the Australian Triple Eight run Mercedes-AMG GT3. It’s his first year and he is proving to be a quick learner in these very difficult cars when driven at their limits.

Australian Triple Eight Mercedes-AMG GT3

Jazeman Jaafar, another name that needs no introduction, having raced many years overseas in F2 and other machinery, recently partnered Weiron in the JC Racing LMP2 car in the WEC. Jazeman brings with him enormous experience in many types of racing machinery and will partner H.H. Prince Abdul Rahman Ibrahim in their Triple Eight GT3.

LAMBORGHINI SUPER TROFEO ASIA 2019 : FUJI JAPAN

This is a very high-speed one-make race featuring the Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo which has a similar engine to the Huracan GT3.

Afiq Ikhwan Yazid winning the 2018 Lamborghini Super Trofeo World Final in Italy in March this year.

Afiq Ikhwan Yazid, fresh from winning the 2018 Lamborghini Super Trofeo World Final held at Vallelunga, Italy in March this year and podiums in the Suzuka round in June, will be contesting this round again. This is a PRO-AM class team and Afiq has shown blinding pace all season and has often been the fastest in qualifying.

Let’s cheer them on!