Honda City range now has a hatchback variant

During the 1960s and up till the Japanese economic ‘bubble’ burst in the early 1990s, the Japanese carmakers offered a much wider range of model variants than today. Each model would have a number of bodystyle variants – typically sedan (2-door and 4-door), hatchback, coupe, hardtop and stationwagon. But after the economic bubble burst, numbers became very important and small numbers meant that the variant and even model could no longer be justified.

The decline in sales of coupes, for example, saw the popular sports models like the Toyota Celica and AE86 Levin, Nissan Silvia and Honda Prelude being retired while resources were focused on the big number models and mainly sedans. When SUVs started to become hotsellers, that segment got a lot of focus and product developers got a lot of money.

https://www.piston.my/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2020-Honda-City-Hatchback.mp4

It’s still a ‘big numbers’ game today and when a sizable niche is identified, then dedicating a variant to it may become justified. This would seem to be the case with the Honda City which has been a sedan all along since being introduced as an ‘Asian Car’ in the mid-1990s (disregarding the fact that the original City was a small hatchback in the 1980s). It’s done very well, especially in the ASEAN region, and has reached the seventh generation.

City Hatchback takes place of Jazz/Fit

Now, exactly a year after the latest generation was launched in Bangkok, Honda has introduced a hatchback variant for the first time. Where the Jazz/Fit used to have a relationship with the City, it appears that Honda has now decided that the City can have its own hatchback, allowing the Jazz to be developed along other lines (perhaps towards full electrification).

As the Fit, the hatchback did very well and reflected the different tastes of new Japanese consumers when it was first introduced in the early 2000s and became the first model to beat the Toyota Corolla to become the bestselling car in the domestic market. However, in recent years, it seems that the appeal of the model has dropped in some markets, notably the USA where it will no longer be on sale after this year. This could well be due to the HR-V having higher appeal with its SUV image.

The declining numbers of the Jazz may even see further development stopped or as mentioned earlier, it will become a full EV model. Meanwhile, there are still people who would like a hatchback instead of a sedan and the move to provide such a bodystyle as a variant of the City would appear to be a clever move. Certainly, it will be a direct rival to the Toyota Yaris, a relation of the Vios.

Traditional conversion from sedan to hatchback

The development of the City Hatchback looks like quite a straightforward job, not unlike the variants of the 1980s where the front half was common to virtually all variants, with the rear half being styled differently. In this case, the third ‘box’ of the 3-box sedan bodystyle has been removed and the roofline slopes downwards to the rear. A very traditional sort of hatchback, one might say.

Hatchbacks are usually shorter than their sedan brothers and a comparison with the
 latest City
 shows a difference of 208 mm as the overall length is 4345 mm. However, the wheelbase is similar, as is the width, but the top of the roof is 21 mm higher from the road.

While the Jazz has more ‘extroverted’ styling, the City Hatchback styling seems to take the safe route to appeal to a broader range of buyers, including those who might normally only like a sedan. Those who like a hatchback often see it as a practical car with more variability in accommodating people and cargo.

Honda ULTRA seat concept in City Hatchback.

Versatile interior layout with ULTRA seats

The Ultra Seat concept is adopted, this having first appeared in the first Jazz. It’s a simple but very clever idea with the rear seats able to be raised so as to provide a tall space to carry things like plants. Like other hatchbacks, the backrests can also be folded to lengthen the cargo compartment for longer items.

From what can be seen in the pictures, the cabin is pretty much the same as the latest City. This obviously allows Honda to save money by sharing many items, a skill that the Japanese developed to gain an advantage in reducing production costs.

1-litre turbo powertrain with CVT

Only one powertrain with a CVT is offered for the City Hatchback – the 1-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder VTEC engine which produces 122 ps/173 Nm. Similar to what is offered in the sedan, the small engine size is okay for Thai buyers but still a question mark for Malaysians, hence the Malaysian City having a 1.5-litre unit. Edaran Tan Chong Motor has made a bold decision (not that it really had a choice) to offer a 1-litre turbocharged engine in its
all-new Nissan Almera
 so we’ll see if that helps change perceptions.

City Hatchback or New Jazz for Malaysia

It would make sense for Honda Malaysia to offer the City Hatchback but whether a variant has been developed with a 1.5-litre powertrain is not known. Jazz sales have been okay in Malaysia and there is a
new generation
 already on sale in Japan but it may save money to assemble a variant of the City rather than invest in jigs for a new Jazz generation.

Another possibility is that Honda could use the City Hatchback to gauge response to the 1-litre engine. It has seen a successful transition in downsizing the engines of the Civic and CR-V to 1.5 litres and times could well have changed that Malaysians no longer ask ‘can go up Genting or not?’ when they see a 1-litre engine.

Click here to read more about the Honda City RS V e:HEV, available in January 2021.


New Porsche 99X Electric Gen3 To Race In Season 9 Of Formula E

The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team will enter its fourth year in the all-electric Formula E single-seater World Championship from the 2023 season, running a Porsche 99X Electric Gen3. Seven automakers have registered to race the new Gen3 in Season 9. They are DS Automobiles, Jaguar, Mahindra, Maserati, NIO, Nissan and Porsche.

This third generation of racing cars will be the fastest, lightest, most powerful and efficient electric racing cars ever built. The intention behind the development of the new Gen3 cars is to set new benchmarks in motorsport in terms of performance, efficiency and sustainability – the goal of  the FIA and the Formula E organization.

The overall concept of the 99X Electric Gen3 and the other contenders of the new Formula E generation constitute a major evolutionary step. The cars have reduced weight and feature a shorter wheelbase and narrower track. While the battery pack has shrunk in size, it is more powerful. The proportion of recuperative energy has grown.

The aerodynamics and design have also undergone modifications. All in all, the new vehicles are more agile, which also improves performance on the racetrack.

Developed in-house by Porsche Motorsport, the powertrain can generate maximum drive power of 350 kW on the rear axle – 100 kW more than the predecessor generation (Gen2). The electric motor achieves about 95% power efficiency compared to around 40% for an internal combustion engine. Over 40% of the energy used is recuperated via regenerative braking.

This will also be the first-ever formula car with both front and rear powertrains. The new front powertrain adds 250 kW to the 350 kW at the rear, resulting in energy recovery with an output of up to 600 kW – more than double the regenerative capability of the Gen2 powertrains.

The new ultra-high-speed charging capacity of the Gen3 racing cars should add around 600 kW of energy during the race. This means that the chargers of the new Formula E generation would be almost twice as powerful as the world’s most advanced commercial chargers. Moreover, the fast-charge technology should guarantee a consistently high battery performance.

According to the component manufacturer, the battery cells in the new Gen3 cars are made from sustainably sourced minerals. After every race season, the battery cells can be reused or recycled. For the construction of the carbonfibre bodywork, the manufacturer states that recycled carbonfibre is used from retired Gen2 cars. This should reduce the carbon footprint of production by more than 10%.

Natural rubber and recycled fibres will make up 26% of new Gen3 tyres and all tyres will be fully recycled after racing.

To determine measures that can help reduce environmental impact, the carbon footprint of new Formula E racing cars is measured from the very start of the design phase. All unavoidable emissions will be offset as part of Formula E’s net zero carbon commitment.

The striking new look of the Porsche racing car was inspired by the Porsche brand purpose ‘Driven by Dreams’. It signifies individuality, uniqueness and a future-oriented progressive zeitgeist that also appeals to a younger target group.

The best result by the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team after 3 seasons has been a 1-2 finish at the Mexican e-Prix earlier this year.

“There’s a sense of excited anticipation as we head into Season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season. Our team and our drivers António Félix da Costa and Pascal Wehrlein still have a lot of work to do ahead of the first race with our new Porsche 99X Electric Gen3 in Mexico on 14 January. However, we’re confident that we’ll make further progress before the start of the season and that we will be in a good position when the cards are reshuffled amongst the teams with the arrival of the new cars,” said Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E.

Formula E Gen3 racing car unveiled, to be used from Season 9 in 2023


New Vehicle Sales & Production Hit All-Time High Of 720,658 Units In 2022

After the very difficult time in 2021 and 2020, especially the latter which was severely impacted by the lockdown measures to fight COVID-19, the Malaysia auto industry’s sales rocketed to a record high in 2022. With a Total Industry Volume (TIV) of 720,658 units of new vehicles sold and a total production volume of 702,275 units, the industry hit the highest ever numbers in its history which goes back to 1967 (when local assembly began). It’s also the first time that the 700,000-unit has been crossed in both sales and production, noted the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) which compiles the data annually.

All data and charts by Malaysian Automotive Association.

Factors that boosted sales
A number of factors contributed to this achievement besides lifting of the constraints caused by the pandemic which had depressed sales in 2020 and 2021. With steady economic recovery in 2022, sales rose quickly and although demand was high, supply was short in the first half of the year due to production disruptions. These disruptions were caused by shortage of parts, especially microprocessor chips, a situation that affected the global auto industry.

The sales boost was also due to many wanting to take advantage of the sales tax exemption that the government had provided to help the industry recover. The exemption was set to end on June 30, 2022 and there was therefore a surge in orders which companies were unable to fully fulfill due to shortages of vehicles. But the government has given up to March 31, 2023 for deliveries to be completed for the tax exemption to still be allowed (provided the booking was done before the cut-off date).

The 41.6% increase in TIV would have to be seen in the context of 2021’s TIV having been low at 508,883 units, having been dragged down by the drop in sales in June and July due to the extended lockdown suspending activities. In 2022, other than January and February, monthly sales volumes have been above the 50,000 unit mark, with December having recorded the highest TIV of the year – 76,657 units.

The Passenger Vehicle (PV) segment, which consists of passenger cars, window vans, SUVs and MPVs, accounted for 89% of the TIV with the Commercial Vehicle (CV) segment (which included pick-up trucks) being 11%. Although the percentage of CV sales remained the same in 2022, the volume was higher in tandem with the rise in overall TIV.

SUVs are the second most popular passenger vehicles in Malaysia, and Proton’s two SUV models are the segment leaders.

SUVs accounted for 30% of sales
Where MPVs used to be the second bestselling vehicle type in the PV segment, this category has no dropped to third with SUVs moving up in their place. This mirrors global trends for many years now and in 2022, SUVs accounted for 30% (194,038 units) of PV sales. As most pick-up trucks are bought for private use these days, this category should really be in the PV segment but due to harmonization with the other countries in ASEAN where pick-up trucks are classified as CVs, the MAA does likewise for the Malaysia data.

Although electric vehicles (EVs) have been available in Malaysian for many years and sold in very tiny numbers, 2022 saw battery electric vehicles (BEVs) starting to be sold in bigger numbers. This was due to the government allowing full tax exemption on BEVs to make them more ‘affordable’ and spur market adoption. As the exemption was only announced late in 2021, planning and ordering of vehicles from overseas took a while so the 2,631 units registered during the year are not indicative of the real demand which was higher.

2,631 new electric vehicles were registered in 2022.

The move towards BEVs is being encouraged by the government to address climate change by moving towards carbon neutrality. The tax exemption and other incentives are aimed at speeding up adoption but the reality is that BEVs still have fairly high prices due to the relatively young technologies they use. As can be seen, even when taxes are not factored in, the cheapest can only be around RM140,000. In order for mass adoption, BEVs would need to be priced at Vios level, if not Myvi level – and that’s very difficult.

Volvo Car Malaysia is the first company to assemble electric vehicles locally, and a few other companies have also indicated that they will be doing the same. However, exemption from all duties for EVs will only be up till the end of 2025 if they are assembled locally.

The exemption is only up to the end of this year and the end of 2025 if a BEV model is assembled locally (Volvo Car Malaysia has done so with its Recharge models). Though it helps in some ways, the period is short and there is the danger that when the incentive is removed and prices of BEVs shoot high up again, people will just ignore them. This is what happened 10 years ago when a similar incentive was given for electrified vehicles; after the incentive stopped, so did sales.

Datuk Aishah Ahmad, the MAA’s President, said that the industry would prefer a longer period as big investments need to be made. A longer period would give investors more confidence as they can plan for the long-term, rather than what appears to be a year-to-year review that makes things uncertain.

Hybrids are a better bet and a number of models are already assembled locally now, allowing their prices to be lower. In 2022, almost 20,000 vehicles with hybrid powertrains were sold. These included models like the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, a few Honda models (City, Civic, HR-V) as well as the Nissan Serena.

Looking ahead
The record TIV of 2022 is actually a bit of a ‘flash in the pan’ and will be seen as an anomaly in years to come. It happened for the reasons explained earlier although there’s no doubt that the volume would have risen higher over three years. The MAA does not expect a higher figure in 2023 and has instead made a more cautious forecast of 650,000 units which is 9.8% lower than 2022’s TIV.

Explaining the forecast, Datuk Aishah said that the MAA considered the slower economic growth globally as well as continuing supply chain issues, and the pandemic is also not over yet. Sales numbers will be high at least for the first quarter of the year because companies will be rushing to deliver the vehicles ordered before the end of June 2022. In fact, some companies have this as the top priority and customers who booked later will have a slightly longer wait.


Renault Global – A Much Better Year In 2017

RÉSULTATS COMMERCIAUX MONDE 2017

Groupe Renault has increased sales for the 5th consecutive year with 3,761,634 vehicles sold. Including Lada, The Groupe reported an
8.5%
 rise in global registrations (passenger cars + LCVs) in a market that grew 2.3%. The group market share now stands at 4.0% (+0.2 points vs 2016).
In the LCV (light commercial vehicles) segment, the group set a new record with 462,859 registrations, a rise of 4.1% on 2016.

GLOBAL SALES RESULTS IN 2017

The Renault and Dacia brands increased sales to record levels with 2,670,982 and 655,235 vehicles sold respectively. Lada sales jumped 17.8% to 335,564 registrations, while Renault Samsung Motors sales fell 10.1% to 99,846 vehicles.

GLOBAL SALES RESULTS IN 2017

“We set a new group record with sales of over 3.7 million vehicles in 2017. We are continuing to increase sales volumes and market share across all regions. Our strategy of range renewal and geographic expansion is continuing to bring results. In 2018, we will pursue our growth and internationalization of our sales in line with the Drive The Future plan,”
said
Thierry Koskas
,
 member of the
Executive Committee, EVP, Sales and Marketing Groupe Renault.

GLOBAL SALES RESULTS IN 2017

In Europe
, in a market that grew 3.3%, group registrations rose 5.6% to 1,911,169 vehicles. The group took a 10.8% share of the European market, up 0.2 points.
The Renault brand alone saw sales rise 3.7% for a market share of 8.2%. Renault sales were buoyed in particular by the complete renewal of the Megane family in 2016, and the launch last June of new Koleos. Clio remains Europe’s second best-selling vehicle, while Captur is the number-one crossover in its class.

GLOBAL SALES RESULTS IN 2017

Electric Dreams
 – In the electric vehicle segment, Renault maintained its leadership with a market share of 23.8%. Sales volumes increased 38%. Registrations of ZOE, Europe’s top-selling electric vehicle, rose 44%.
Even before the launch of new Duster at the very start of 2018, the Dacia brand set a new European sales record with 463,712 registrations (+11.7%), and market share of 2.6%, a rise of 0.2 points. The rise is linked primarily to the strong results of Sandero phase 2, launched at end-2016.

GLOBAL SALES RESULTS IN 2017

Outside Europe
, the group increased volumes and market share across all regions. Group registrations rose 11.6% in a market that grew 3.3%. Sales outside Europe now account for 49.2% of the total.
Groupe Renault consolidated its positions with the success of its new range: Renault Kaptur, LADA Vesta and LADA XRAY in Russia, Koleos in China, Megane Sedan in Turkey, Duster Oroch and Kwid in the Americas.

Over on this side of the globe,

In the
 Asia Pacific region
, registrations increased 17.0% in a market that expanded 2.7%.
In
 China
, Renault sold over 72,100 vehicles compared with 35,278 in 2016, thus doubling sales volumes in the space of one year. New Koleos consolidated its success with over 43,400 registrations.
In
 India
, Renault continues to rank as the number-one European car brand with market share of 3.1%. Sales fell 14.9% pending the ramp-up of Captur.

2018 Market Outlook for Groupe Renault –
In 2018, the global market is expected to grow 2.5% vs 2017. The European market is expected to expand 1% with an increase of 1% for France.
At international level, Brazil is expected to expand by 5% and Russia close to 10%. China is expected to grow by 5%, and India by 6%.
Against this backdrop, the group is expected to reap the benefits of range renewal across all regions in 2018 and to pursue growth
2
 in sales, driven by international markets, in connection with the new Drive The Future plan.

For the FULL listing of Global Renault 2017 Sales, click here:
Global News Release_A new sales record for Groupe Renault

1
At constant scope

2
At constant scope


GOLADIES campaign offering free GoCar Garage trials for women drivers

GoCar Malaysia – an on-demand app-based platform that offers ‘mobility-as-a-service’ – is running the GOLADIES campaign which provides free GoCar Garage trials with upgrade options to encourage more women drivers to experience the benefits of its digital car service and maintenance solution.

Using the GoCar App, the
first 300 women customers
 to apply the relevant promo codes will receive a free or upgradable pit-stop oil change service (only premium Total or Shell branded oils).

The promo codes are as follow:

“PITSTOP1”
 for Mineral Oil service package, totally free (normal price RM98)

“PITSTOP2”
 for Semi-Synthetic Oil service package for only RM30 (normal price RM128)

“PITSTOP3”
 for Fully-Synthetic Oil service package for only RM100 (normal price RM198)

They can also enjoy having their car serviced without needing to take time off work or leave their homes. GoCar’s GoValet door-to-door delivery service will be available for free during the campaign period. Other benefits include free 2-hour use of a GoCar vehicle, free car wash and sanitisation and a free 31-point vehicle inspection to ensure their vehicle is in tip-top condition. This would be particularly useful now that many people are keen on making long trips after over a year of restrictions.

The one-time-only promo codes must be used
between  October 21 and November 30, 2021
, but customers will have until December 31, 2021 to make their service appointments. The GOLADIES campaign is available only within the Klang Valley area. Vehicles will be serviced at the GoCar Garage Hub in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

“GoCar Garage is the latest offering in our increasing focus on mobility-as-a-service to harness technology to improve customer experiences. We understand that car servicing is generally not an enjoyable experience, and the prospect of unexpected costs can be unsettling. For women, there also tends to be greater concerns about being overcharged or taken advantage of, which is why our GoCar Garage solution is ideal for them,” said Wong Hoe Mun, CEO of GoCar Malaysia.

“With our seamless end-to-end platform, they can complete the entire servicing process with just their mobilephones. Furthermore, they can be assured of OEM-level service excellence as our technicians are trained to work on any make and model of passenger vehicle,” Mr. Wong added. “More importantly, we are the only third-party car service centre to provide upfront quotations for pre-approval so they can rest assured of full transparency in our pricing.”

Through the GoCar mobile app, customers can easily schedule and confirm their service appointments, select or request required services, make payments and arrange for door-to-door delivery, anytime and from anywhere. In addition to the 45-minute oil change, other services include battery inspection and replacement, tyre services, air conditioning repair and maintenance, brake repair and maintenance, engine cooling system and replacement, electrical diagnosis as well as body and paint repairs.

The mobile app tracks all requested services and generates quotations to mitigate any possibilities of unapproved mark-ups. Furthermore, these cost breakdowns will only be generated if the technicians think a procedure is required after inspection. Work will only begin after customers give their confirmation and approval.

BHPetrol Syngard 8000 Eco meets latest API SP service standard


VIDEOS: Feature – 2019 Subaru Forester Tested On & Off-Road! [+Videos & Mega Photo Gallery]

Motor Image Malaysia
 can’t build the Subaru XV fast enough! Such is the demand for the XV that this new 2019
Subaru Forester
 will likely only see the light of day in Malaysia come the second quarter of 2019, and all of them will be in CKD (locally-assembled) form. Here’s the official launch video from Subaru @ Taiwan…

We however, managed to get a hands-on look and feel of the new Forester recently in Taiwan, and following this
launch coverage
, the next day we headed to an area where Motor Image (MI) had set up both an on-road and off-road course for us to have a go on with the new Forester. Here’s the on-road test drive video, shot hand-held so do forgive the shake…

Next was the off-road sector of the test drive, and here’s where the new Forester really came into its own. For an SUV destined to be used predominantly on-road, it’s quite amazing just how well it handled the rough terrain of this course…

The new Forester utilises a a ‘boxer’ direct-injection 2-litre, 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine, mated to a CVT, and I have to be honest, with
156bhp
 and
196Nm
 of torque, I thought the latter was a typo, but it isn’t. Where generally vehicles these days produce upwards of 200Nm, one-ninety-six seemed quite inadequate.

But as can be seen in the first video, and my commentary, it didn’t seem to bother the Forester much as it hurtled around the test course. Active Torque Vectoring – sensors constantly monitor each wheel to gauge traction, actively enhancing or retarding power to each wheel depending on the given driving scenario as well as terrain – ensured that the Forester remained composed despite our best efforts to send it into the bushes.

It was the off-road sector however that really impressed as far as testing the new Forester was concerned, for this is where the benefits of SGP or Subaru Global Platform really came to fore. I’ll give you and example why. Don’t you just hate it when you’ve reached an off-road campsite only to find regular cars and even small mopeds already there? I know I do, and it’s happened a lot in the past.

Well, it’s safe to say that with the new Forester, and given the kind of terrain we traversed during the test, that’s not going to happen anytime soon. There is no way a regular passenger car would be able to tackle the course we put the Forester through without serious damage to it, and its occupants too perhaps. As I said in the second video, my own car would be in pieces halfway through, and would have flipped three times toward the end. With Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and X-Mode, not to mention a Hill Hold and Hill Descent feature, the Forester revels the occasional off-road venture. You may never find the need for it, but it’s heartening to know it’s there if you need it.

Subaru is also boasting the use of ‘
EyeSight
‘ in the new Forester. So what exactly is EyeSight? Well, it’s an advanced
driver assist technology
 that includes automatic pre-collision braking, pre-collision throttle management, adaptive cruise control, lead vehicle start alert, lane departure and lane sway warning.

It has been confirmed by
Glenn Tan, Managing Director, Tan Chong International Ltd
, (below, right) that EyeSight will be available in the new Forester when it gets here in Q2 2019, for selected variants, and there’ll likely be three variants in all.
“The All-New Forester is now bigger and better with an all-round enhancement to its technology, interior and exterior to create an SUV that boasts performance, comfort and maximum safety”
 said Glenn.
“We are thrilled to launch the new fifth generation Forester and are confident that the model will excite drivers and create amazing experiences with their loved ones.”

At launch, these are four variants of the new Subaru Forester:

– Subaru Forester 2.0 i-S EyeSight

– Subaru Forester 2.0 i-S

– Subaru Forester 2.0 i-L EyeSight

– Subaru Forester 2.0 i-L

Stay tuned to
Piston.my
 as we keep you up to date on the impending launch of the new 2019 Subaru Forester, in the meantime, for more details, click the link below.

2019 Subaru Forester official press release (click to download)
:
Subaru 2019 Forester Press Release

2019 Subaru Forester Photo Gallery…


BMW M340i xDrive – the first ever BMW M model assembled in Malaysia

BMW M GmBh is the high-performance subsidiary of BMW AG which has its own line of models. Until now, these models were only available for the Malaysian market in CBU form, imported from Germany. This, of course, meant higher import duties payable, bumping up their price.

Now, if you want the M340i xDrive, you can get it for a lower price and it doesn’t have to be a grey import either. Thanks to BMW Group Malaysia’s decision to assemble the model locally, it is available brand new for
RM402,354.13
 (excluding insurance, with full Sales Tax exemption), the first time a M model has been assembled in Malaysia.

Derived from the 3-Series, the M340i xDrive has the same athletic design with sportier elements. The locally-assembled version comes with the M Aerodynamics Package and BMW Individual High-gloss Shadowline trim. A metallic Cerium Grey finish is applied on items such as air inlets in the front bumper, the kidney grille and its surround, along with the exterior mirror caps.

Most powerful 3-Series derivative

The M340i xDrive has the most powerful engine in the 3-Series range, a TwinPower Turbo 6-cylinder petrol unit producing 387 bhp/500 Nm.  All that output goes through an 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission and is then distributed intelligently by BMW’s xDrive system to all four wheels.

The all-wheel drive system, which has its origins in the 3-Series of 1985 (325iX), has a sporting rear-wheel bias, while modified power steering provides noticeably more direct feedback. The M Sport differential optimises traction and driving stability when cornering at high speeds or accelerating out of a bend, changing lanes or on different road surfaces.

With all-wheel drive transmitting the power efficiently to the road, the M340i xDrive can go from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 4.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 250 km/h. A combined fuel consumption figure of about 13 kms/litre is claimed although that would be when the driver is not enjoying the full performance of the car.

Maximising performance

Also contributing to maximised performance is variable sport steering and the specially-tuned 10 mm-lowered Adaptive M suspension. This can be electrically adjusted at any time to suit the road and driving conditions.

All that power needs good stopping power too and the engineers at BMW M have developed M Sport brakes for the model. Mounted behind 19-inch M wheels (with runflat tyres), these have 4-piston fixed calipers at the front and single-piston floating calipers at the rear in blue with the ‘M’ designation. The use of large-diameter discs increases the surface area available for braking.

The M environment within

Though derived from the 3-Series, the cockpit has M-specific philosophy which gives a sportier environment within. Standard equipment includes sports seats for the driver and front passenger upholstered in Leather Vernasca (Black or Cognac, with black decor stitching), an M leather steering wheel, front door sill finisher with illumination, and a BMW Individual headliner in Anthracite. M-specific pedals, M-specific floormats, and interior trim finishers in Aluminium Tetragon with highlight trim finisher in Pearl Chrome are also present.

Convenience features include automatic 3-zone air-conditioning, the Comfort Access system with contactless opening of the tailgate, while entertainment is delivered via a 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Surround Sound System.

The BMW Live Cockpit Professional has a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument panel, complemented by the BMW Navigation System Professional with a 10.25-inch touchscreen. Also standard is the Head Up Display that projects information on the windscreen and an electric glass roof.

Advanced safety systems

BMW M has made sure that the M340i xDrive’s high performance is matched with advanced safety systems.  Besides powerful BMW Laser Lights with high beam assistant up front, there is the Driving Assistant which includes Lane Change Warning, Crossing Traffic Warning at the rear, Rear Collision Warning, and Speed Limit Assist.

In the event that the driver become drowsy or loses concentration, Lane Departure Warning will alert him if the car deviates out of its lane, with active steering intervention to guide it back safely. Autonomous emergency braking occurs automatically taken if a collision is about to occur and the driver has not braked or taken any appropriate action.

The M340i xDrive is available in Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Sunset Orange, and Portimao Blue. As with other new models, it comes with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty with a Free Scheduled Service Programme, BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline, The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App – BMW Privileges Card and BMW Service Online.

In showrooms from this weekend

Available at selected authorised BMW dealerships nationwide from this weekend, the M340i xDrive can also be booked at the
BMW Shop Online
 with a transfer of RM1,000. Financing is available from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia which has monthly instalment plans starting from RM4,468 (terms and conditions apply).

Locally-assembled BMW 218i Gran Coupe M Sport launched at RM211,367


Nissan Pavilion opens in Yokohama and visitors can pay with electricity from their EVs (w/VIDEO)

Even though the COVID-19 situation continues, the Nissan Pavilion was opened today in Yokohama, Japan. The 10,000 sq. metre interactive centre to show off Nissan’s products and technologies, located near the company’s headquarters, will be opened until October 23, 2020.

“The Nissan Pavilion is a place where customers can see, feel, and be inspired by our near-future vision for society and mobility,” said Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida.

With its leadership in sales of electric vehicles (EVs), Nissan will naturally be focussing a lot of EVs at the Pavilion. And in a global first, EV drivers will be able to discharge power from their car’s battery pack to pay for parking while visiting the Nissan Pavilion. The payment system is just one of the many innovations customers can experience at the Pavilion, built to show how Nissan moves people to a better world.

Showcase of EV technologies

Other examples of EV technology having synergies with society will be demonstrated at Nissan Chaya Cafe, which operates on power supplied by
Nissan LEAF
 EVs and solar energy. Visitors can also enjoy virtual experiences that allow them to feel the thrill of Formula E electric street racing or go for a ride in the
all-new Nissan Ariya EV crossover
.

Other innovations on show besides Nissan Energy technologies include the ProPILOT advanced driver assistance system as well as Nissan’s Invisible-to-Visible (I2V) technology, which combines information from the real and virtual worlds to assist drivers.

A Mobility Hub offers various services such as EV car-sharing and rental bicycles. Offered by Nissan and the local community, these services aim to provide increased freedom of mobility.

https://www.piston.my/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Nissan-Pavilion-in-Yokohama.mp4

Nissan Energy

Nissan introduced the world’s first mass-market electric car, the zero-emission Nissan LEAF, in 2010. Since then, the company has partnered with governments and businesses around the world to expand the uses of EVs. The company’s Nissan Energy Share and Nissan Energy Storage technologies allow electricity from EV batteries to be stored, shared and repurposed, for instance by powering homes or businesses.

In Japan, Nissan has also entered agreements with local governments to use LEAF EVs as mobile batteries that can supply energy during natural disasters. In another partnership, the company is repurposing used EV batteries to power streetlights.


The Volkswagen Marketplace – Now Open For Business!

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is set to make history once again with the launch of
“Volkswagen Marketplace”
, an e-platform where customers can reserve a Volkswagen car and enjoy exclusive online offers. A first-of-its-kind platform in Malaysia, Volkswagen Marketplace launches with an exclusive online-only deal on only
20 units
 of the
Passat 1.8TSI Trendline Cyber
.

These units are offered at an amazing online price of
RM135,888
 and comes with 5-year free maintenance, and 1-year free insurance. Customers will also be able to enjoy a low interest rate of 0.88% per annum on the Passat 1.8TSI Trendline Cyber.

Under the hood of the Passat 1.8TSI Trendline Cyber is the 1.8L TSI turbocharged engine paired with a 7-speed direct shift gearbox (DSG). This combination provides an output of 180PS and torque of 250Nm between 1,250rpm and 5,000rpm. Four colours are available for the Passat – Pure White, Deep Black, Indium Grey and Reflex Silver.

To make a booking, customers just need to follow a few simple steps to select their model, preferred dealer and submit in their details. A reservation will need to be accompanied by a credit card payment of RM1,500 (reservation fee), this amount will be deducted from the total price of the selected car. A Volkswagen sales representative will be in touch with the new owner to finalise the purchase until the car is fully registered and ready for collection.

Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM
 said that the idea of creating an e-platform such as Volkswagen Marketplace had been in the pipeline for some time, and the recent success of VPCM’s partnership with Lazada further spurred the idea.
“The rise of e-commerce has changed the way people shop, and selling 12 Beetles on Lazada in just 20 minutes confirmed our belief that Malaysians are ready and receptive to buying cars online. This as an important development for the brand and we are very excited to be able to bring Volkswagen Marketplace to Malaysia.
Volkswagen Marketplace is a permanent platform for us, and we will be regularly updating it with new offers, so interested customers should definitely keep on a lookout for them”

The Volkswagen Marketplace is easy and simple to use. These are the five simple steps to follow once the customer logs on to the
Marketplace.

Step 1: Select Volkswagen model.

Step 2: Select the preferred dealership.

Step 3: Enter customer details to continue with the reservation.

Step 4: Finalise reservation by submitting a fee of RM1,500 (credit card only)

Step 5: The selected dealer will guide and assist the customer throughout the purchase process, car registration up till the car delivery/collection.

All Volkswagen models now come with 5-year manufacturer’s warranty and 5-year roadside assistance. For more information, visit marketplace.volkswagen.com.my


The other side of the BRABUS business – armoured SUVs

BRABUS is well known for its high-performance upgrades to Mercedes-Benz models and while that forms the bulk of its business, the company can also do special protection vehicles for customers who need protection from more than just accidents.

The company produces an innovative variant of the current Mercedes-Benz G-Class armoured in accordance with the VR6 Plus ERV standard, known as the INVICTO. The all-terrain vehicle comes in three different versions: PURE, LUXURY and MISSION.

In order to provide the occupants with maximum protection against small arms fire and explosives, the engineers from BRABUS developed the ‘INVICTO Shelter Cell’, a self-contained, self-supporting and bolted-down protective cell. In addition, there are further protective elements that are in part produced using a special 3D printing process and, of course, all-around extremely tough bulletproof glass.

After extensive ballistics and explosives testing, the protection levels of the INVICTO are confirmed to meet high industry standards. The armoured SUV can resist not only 7.62 x 39 calibre rounds (used in automatic weapons such as the AK-47), but also hand grenades and 12.5-kg explosive charges.

However, the high level of protection remains largely unseen from the outside. It’s all ‘under the skin’ with high-tech materials used. A common feature of all three INVICTO models is the innovative special protection package developed specifically for the body of the G-Class. The doors and the hatch are fitted with newly developed protective elements, including extremely tough bulletproof glass.

In order to fit them into the body of the G-Class, the engineers developed an innovative structure for the upper windshield frame. It is the first time anywhere in the world that protective elements are used which are made in a 3D printer using additive manufacturing processes.“ .

”

Unlike vehicles where the armour is retrofitted, the individual elements of the protection system by BRABUS is not welded separately into the bodyshell of the vehicle. Everything is bolted-down as a unit. To this end, the company manufactures precise-fit, hot-rolled steel armour plates and additional protective elements made from materials such as carefully selected fabric and fibre structures as well as from ceramic and metal composite materials.

Among the many special constructive features of the INVICTO Shelter Cell is the fact that there is no narrowing of the door openings whatsoever. Getting in and out of the vehicle comfortably is crucial for many owners of a G-Class. In addition, the protective cell has a zero-gap design. This means that the individual components of the armour are installed without any gaps between them. This is of elementary importance for providing maximum security under small arms fire or an explosive attack.

But active safety is not overlooked either and the engineers revise suspension settings and also components to match the increased weight as well as maintain safe handling. There’s also a high-performance braking system and 20-inch INVICTO wheels with special run-flat tyres.

In addition, the vehicle frame was reinforced in the area of the side members and the strut towers were reinforced as well. Despite the outstanding level of protection added, the weight increase is only about 1,000 kgs, which is relatively little in comparison.

The INVICTO can be ordered with various petrol engines available for the current G-Class models. The cost of the protection packages start at 354,600 euros, which is equivalent to about RM1.7 million. If you are someone who needs such protection, chances are the cost will not be an issue!


Singapore RTS On Track For 2026 Completion

Image source: ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Passengers will be able to get from Johor Bahru’s Bukit Chagar station to the Woodlands North station and vice versa in about five minutes, once the 4km RTS Link is completed.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that the link is on track to be completed by the end of 2026.

After a meeting with Johor’s chief minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Loke said that “There were some delays previously, but MRT Corp is rectifying them, and we will do everything possible to ensure it is completed according to schedule.”

“It is progressing well, and we are on track. I am being briefed about the progress from time to time and I have also given them strict instructions to follow the schedule. We are committed to that bilateral agreement,” he added.

In a Facebook post, Datuk Onn Hafiz said that the progress is now at 32.78 percent completion.

Singapore’s Transport Minister S. Iswaran said the construction of the RTS Link on their side was also progressing well with a completion of 45 percent.

The new link is an important addition to the existing road connection between Singapore and Malaysia as the train service can carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction, boosting the tourism and economic sectors of both countries.


Bowler Motors to prepare Land Rover Defender rallycar for championship series in 2022

Bowler Motors, an off-road performance vehicle specialist in the UK, has developed a Land Rover Defender rallycar that will compete in its own championship in 2022. Known as The Bowler Defender Challenge, it will consist of seven events in the UK, the first of which is scheduled to be in March.

There are 12 entries available for the one-make series, with each team competing in identical Bowler-prepared Defenders. For those with limited experience or none, the company can offer training and support to gain the necessary licence before moving directly to the series. The Challenge has been an ideal platform on which to gain motorsport know-how before joining other Bowlers and competing in rally-raid events across the globe.

For 2022 and beyond, the Challenge will continue to focus on delivering a fun environment that fosters the development of driving and competition skills yet retains the involving, engaging feel of a real motorsport family.

Defender 90 model used

Bowler will prepare the rallycars using the Defender 90 with a 300 ps Ingenium 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Each vehicle will be completely stripped back to install a full FIA-standard roll cage. The front and rear subframes are modified and given additional bracing for a new bespoke performance suspension set-up. Designed in collaboration with Fox, it increases the ride height by 25 mm. In place of the standard wheels are Bowler rally-spec 18-inch wheels.

Bowler’s engineers will add a suite of electronic components, from fire protection and electrical cut-offs to additional lighting and vehicle control systems – all integrated  with the existing electrical architecture. Competition racing seats are also installed and the gear selector is repositioned for the optimal racing position. Additionally, Bowler-developed column-mounted paddle shifts will provide quicker shifting action.

Strengthened structure

During the conversion, the engineers subtly modify and stiffen the already rigid Defender bodyshell to cope with the extreme conditions of off-road competition. The standard doors are trimmed to remove the sill covering section, which allows the fitment of full-length, side-to-side underbody protection panels. A modified front end increases airflow to the cooling system and houses additional race-level lighting

Packages for the 2022 Challenge will start at £99,500 (about RM574,500) which the vehicle. Options include training, series logistics and vehicle support and customers can also choose from a range of accessories developed as part of this programme .

“The development of the new Bowler Defender Challenge rallycar perfectly illustrates the mutual benefits of Bowler joining Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations. Our technical support married to Bowler’s legendary rally expertise has turned the extraordinarily capable Defender into a purposeful competition machine,” said Michael van der Sande, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations which has owned the Bowler business since 2019.

Incidentally, for those who are interested in getting a new Defender, we hear that Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia will make the model available in the near future. To register your interest, visit
www.landrover.com.my
.

Latest Land Rover Defender, soon to be available in Malaysia.

Special edition of Land Rover Defender pays tribute to expedition legacy of 4×4 brand


Lamborghini Huracan EVO Rear-Wheel Drive – for the purists

Lamborghini starts off the new year with the announcement of the Huracan EVO Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD), a model it has developed for purists. Despite blistering performance numbers, Lamborghini says the Huracan EVO RWD is not focused on straight-line speeds or lap records: it proclaims its designation as an instinctive driver’s car.

“The Huracan EVO rear-wheel drive puts the car in the driver’s hands: the driving experience is delivered by the hardware,” said Stefano Domenicali, Chairman & CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. “This car reminds the driver of Lamborghini’s pure engineering origins: the driver is at the centre of the Huracán EVO RWD’s performance, with unfiltered feedback and an emotive and more engaging driving experience controlled by the driver.”

He explained that the supercar’s performance relies on the harmony between man and machine.: “Driving skills and the Huracan EVO’s RWD mechanics deliver perfectly balanced dynamics, physical feedback and a pure performance. The Huracán EVO RWD enhances the V10 Huracán line-up with a model appealing to brand newcomers as well as those seeking sublime driving fun,” said Domenicali.

The Huracan EVO RWD delivers 610 bhp of power at 8000 rpm and 560 Nm of torque at 6500 rpm. Weighing just 1,389 kgs, this output enables a claimed top speed of 325 km/h with 100 km/h reached just 3.3 seconds after take-off.

The V10 engine delivers more than just power to the rear-wheel drive set-up: the sound of the naturally aspirated powerplant combines with the specially tuned traction control system to deliver the most emotive, fun-to-drive experience in both dry and wet conditions, and even snow.

New Performance Traction Control System

The new Performance Traction Control System (P-TCS) is calibrated specifically for rear-wheel drive, delivering torque even during the phase where the car is realigning following drifting or side-slipping. Whereas a ‘normal’ traction control system delivers a sharp decoupling, waiting for a car to become completely stable before delivering torque again, the P-TCS car delivers torque in advance, avoiding a harsh torque cut and assuring better traction when exiting a corner.

The P-TCS intervention is calibrated according to the Huracan EVO RWD’s driving modes, selected via the steering wheel’s ANIMA button (Adaptive Network Intelligent Management: ‘soul’ in Italian). In STRADA, the P-TCS minimizes rear wheel slippage to ensure stability and safety in all conditions: with a more proactive strategy P-TCS manages torque delivery on low-adhesion surfaces.

In SPORT mode, the P-TCS maximizes the fun-to-drive experience: the rear wheels can slide and skate during acceleration, for easy drifting fun without compromising safety. The system recognizes conditions where the angle of oversteer increases rapidly and limits torque delivery to the rear wheels, allowing the driver to perfectly control and stabilize the car.

In CORSA, the P-TCS is calibrated to achieve the rear-wheel slip that optimizes the car’s traction and agility when exiting a corner, allowing the driver to maximize performance. The P-TCS improves smoothness of intervention by 30% compared to the previous Huracán RWD model; improves corner-exit traction by 20% and enhances oversteer by 30%.

The hybrid chassis integrates lightweight aluminium and carbonfibre with an aluminium and thermoplastic resin body. The Huracan EVO RWD sits on double wishbone suspension with overlapped quadrilaterals and passive shock absorbers and has front/rear weight distribution of 40:60.

The electro-mechanical, servo-assisted Lamborghini Dynamic Steering (LDS) is tuned specifically for this car, ensuring maximum feedback. The7-speed dual clutch gearbox is said to give the fastest gear changes, with launch control for maximum acceleration from a standing start. The 19-inch Kari rims with specially-developed Pirelli P Zero tyres are fitted with ventilated and cross-drilled steel brakes. As an option 20-inch rims and carbo-ceramic brakes are available.

Huracan EVO RWD (left) and the Huracan EVO.

Fresh design

The Huracán EVO RWD continues the V10 Lamborghini’s design language with new front and rear features, clearly differentiating it from its 4WD stablemate. The RWD version is characterized by a sculpted, purposeful persona, complemented by a new front splitter and vertical fins within the larger, framed front air intakes. The rear bumper in high gloss black incorporates a new diffuser unique to the Huracán EVO RWD.

Inside, the cockpit features an HMI 8.4-inch touchscreen in the centre console of the car, controlling all aspects of the car’s functions as well as managing full connectivity such as telephone calls, internet access, and including Apple CarPlay.

Both inside and out, Lamborghini’s Ad Personam program provides many options for colour and trim personalization. In order to emphasize the shape of the car, the new colour known as Giallo Belenus (yellow) has been developed together with a dedicated leather and Alcantara colour for the interior trim, matching the new exterior paint.

The first customers will take delivery of the new Lamborghini during this quarter and for those who are buying it in the UK, the price is 137,000 Pounds, equivalent to around RM735,580.

Sian – Lamborghini’s first production hybrid super sportscar


2023 Ferrari Purosangue revealed

Although it seems like every carmaker has a SUV today, that’s not really been the case. Ferrari did not jump on the SUV bandwagon like Lamborghini but even they have to offer customers such a car. And as with some other carmakers, they have tried to disassociate their new Purosangue as ‘another new SUV’ but rather, another new Ferrari.

Porsche tried that same line too when they launched the Cayenne as their first SUV, referring to it more as ‘another new Porsche’. And Rolls-Royce, perhaps feeling ‘Sport’ and ‘Utility’ are not appropriate for the brand to be associated with, chose to initially refer to their Cullinan as ‘a high-bodied car’.

But ‘SUV’ has become so embedded today, after having been in use since the `1990s’, that carmakers trying to call their SUVs something else have eventually had to call them that. Some try to use crossover which refers to a blending of SUV and passenger car, with a bit more of the latter.

Anyway, here it is – the first ever SUV in Ferrari’s 75-year history. Just as Volvo took a long time to come out with its first SUV because it had to be satisfied that the important issues of safety were fully addressed, Ferrari has also taken time to ensure that the driving dynamics and performance of allow the Purosangue to have the Prancing Horse on its bonnet.

To enable the company to achieve the ambitious goals set for this project and create a car worthy of a place in its range, a completely different layout had to be developed. The average modern GT’s engine is mounted forward in the car, almost straddling the front axle with the gearbox coupled directly to it. With the Purosangue, the mid-front-mounted engine has the gearbox at the rear as a  transaxle layout.

The Power Transfer Unit (PTU) is coupled in front of the engine to provide a unique all-wheel drive  transmission. This delivers the 49:51 weight distribution that the engineers consider to be optimal for a mid-front-engined sportscar.

Adapted from the 812 Superfast engine, the Purosangue’s engine (F140IA) is the most powerful engine ever developed by Ferrari for a 4-seater car, and also the most powerful in its segment. It maintains the architecture similar to the most recent Ferrari 12-cylinder units, ie a 65° angle between cylinder banks, a 6.5-litre capacity, dry sump and high-pressure direct injection.

It is tuned, however, to produce the highest amount of torque at low revs without losing the feeling of linear, never-ending power typical of Ferrari’s naturally-aspirated V12s. 80% of the maximum torque is generated at 2,100 rpm, peaking at 716 Nm at 6,250 rpm. The maximum power output of 725 ps is reached at 7,750 rpm.

The engine programming includes a new patented function derived from Ferrari’s Formula expertise that optimises the torque during transient acceleration manoeuvres in the low and mid-range. It has a single and a multi-spark function to make the combustion as efficient as possible at all revs. The ECU also controls combustion in the chamber to ensure that the engine is always working at peak thermodynamic efficiency, thanks to a sophisticated system that recognises the octane rating (RON) of the fuel in the tank and adjusts the ignition timing accordingly.

The F140IA’s soundtrack is an integration between the symphony created by the engine’s combustion sequence and Ferrari’s ability to control the acoustics in the cabin. The equal-length exhaust manifolds are tuned to guarantee the 12 cylinders are in perfect harmony. The new plenum with optimised intake duct accompanies the V12’s high notes with the body of the medium frequencies. The two progressive silencers, the response of which is now included in the Manettino settings, cater for in-town and performance driving.

The resulting soundtrack is typical Ferrari, with those unmistakable V12 harmonics present, yet subtle, until the driver accelerates hard. As the engine speed approaches the 8,250 rpm redline, there’s a crescendo that reaches its pinnacle at the kind of high revs only Ferrari’s engines can deliver.

The layout of the 8-speed, oil-bath dual-clutch transmission was optimised through the adoption of a dry sump and a significantly more compact clutch assembly. The reduced height lowers the centre of gravity to contribute to enhanced handling.

Total gear shift times have been reduced compared to the previous 7-speed DCT, with new gear ratios having shorter spacing, and a longer top ratio is geared for greater economy in highway driving.

With earlier SUVs, aerodynamics were not too important given their lower speeds than passenger cars. However, this aspect soon became important as SUVs became faster and sportscar manufacturers started to offer high-performance SUVs capable of very high speeds.

Thus the Purosangue’s bodywork was subject to the same sort of aero development as all other Ferrari sportscars. With the taller stance, new solutions had to be found for stability and these included an air curtain that aerodynamically seals the front wheels, preventing turbulent transverse air flows being generated.

Length: 4973 mm | Width: 2028 mm | Height:1589 mm |Wheelbase: 3018 mm

The primary focus of the Purosangue’s aero design was the car’s centreline section, essential to both the airflow design and to reduce the drag coefficient, as well as minimising the frontal surface area. The car’s front silhouette was designed to create the most seamless continuity of profile possible between the area of maximum curvature of the bonnet and the windscreen header rail. The rear area of the roof, the rear screen and the spoiler, on the other hand, demanded most work because it is fundamental to managing flow separations and pressure fields.

The best possible compromise between the need for the smoothest design possible for the roof-rear screen line and the need to reduce the height of the tail itself was achieved by using two elements that complete the aero package for the rear of the car: the suspended spoiler and the nolder on the lip of the boot.

While the suspended spoiler helps neutralise the curvature of the roof downstream of the area over the heads of the rear-seat passengers, the nolder, which is barely 7 mm high, channels the wake vortices to create a slight recompression at the tail of the car.

The suspended wing on the bonnet, just ahead of the A-pillar, dubbed the ‘aerobridge’ in reference to a similar element introduced on the F12 berlinetta, plays a very different role to its namesake. While the latter’s aerobridge deflects the airflow from the bonnet downwards to boost downforce, the one on the Purosangue is designed to reduce drag.

There’s no rear windscreen wiper installed on the Purosangue, so the glass has to be cleaned only by air flowing over it. By shaping the lower surface of the suspended spoiler in a curved, the right airflow speed is maintained as it moves towards the rear screen. There are two pairs of vortex generators at each end of the lower surface of the spoiler, which optimise the uniformity of the scrubbing.

Also interesting is the unconventional location of the headlights, which made it possible to create two air intakes above and below the DRL. The upper one is used to channel air into the complex blown system which vents underneath the front aerobridge. The lower one, on the other hand, is used to channel air to the brake cooling system. The design of the vertical outside surfaces of both air intakes includes an air-catcher which maximises the quantity of air channelled through them.

For the Purosangue, the very latest vehicle dynamic control systems are used, including independent 4-wheel steering and ABS ‘evo’ with the 6-way Chassis Dynamic Sensor. Also making its world debut is the new Ferrari active suspension system which was first previewed some 10 years ago on a prototype at the Geneva Motorshow. This very effectively controls body roll in corners as well as the tyre contact patch over high-frequency bumps to deliver the same performance and handling response as other Ferraris.

The all-new chassis has a lower structure made entirely from high-strength aluminium alloy. Together with the structural elements of the upper body, it makes up a spaceframe chassis that is lighter than Ferrari’s previous 4-seaters despite being larger.

The carbonfibre roof is standard to keep weight down and lower the centre of gravity. It has rigidity levels similar with a glass roof while weighing 20% less than an aluminium roof with soundproofing.

Redesigning the bodyshell (made from materials ranging from aluminium to carbonfibre) from scratch also meant the designers could incorporate rear-hinged back doors (referred to as ‘welcome doors’) to make movement in and out easier while keeping the car as compact as possible.

The cabin has four generous-sized seats and being a SUV, the driver has a more commanding view all round than any other Ferrari. The packaging has been designed to still provide a driving position that is as close to the floor as possible to give the driver a strong connection to the car’s dynamic movements.

The driver’s cockpit is inspired by the SF90 Stradale and is almost exactly mirrored on the passenger side. Like all other Ferrari models today, there is an entirely digital interface with a 10.2-inch display which provides all the information required.

The Purosangue’s interior architecture is based on the dual cockpit dashboard concept which has been extended and replicated in the back of the car, creating four areas quite distinct in terms of their functionality, volumes, materials and colours.

For the first time in Ferrari history, the cabin has 4 separate and independently adjustable seats. The integration of comfort-focused components, the use of variable density foams, and the new suspension system mean that the Purosangue can provide unprecedented occupant comfort and a layout with sportiness and luxury.

Instead of the traditional carpeting or leather used to trim the floor, owners can opt for a high-strength fabric used in military uniforms, giving exceptional toughness and durability. A new very elegant and contemporary dark brown semi-aniline leather has also been introduced. Lastly, trim sporting the optional new carbonfibre weave integrating very fine copper wire offers a highly sophisticated take on traditional carbonfibre.

The boot volume is the largest ever provided on a Ferrari. Additional space can be created by the usual method of folding down the rear backrests. The aluminium rear hatch is electrically activated and opens to 73
o
.

Sustainable materials have been used extensively throughout the Purosangue, opening up the possibility for new combinations. In fact, 85% of the launch trim for the car was sustainably produced using recycled materials. In fact, the Purosangue is the very first car in the world to use a  special version of Alcantara made of 68% of post-consumer recycled polyester.

Needless to say, every purchaser of the Purosangue can customise the SUV to whatever their imagination can come up with. Additionally, for the first time with a Ferrari, customers can personalise the roof of their car. If they don’t want the carbonfibre version, there is  a full-length electrochromic glass roof which can darken at the touch of a button.

And as a sign of the times, as an absolute first for the Ferrari range, the Purosangue comes an air quality sensor that can check the air outside the car and improve quality in the cabin by smart air recirculation control. The filters can prevent particles of up to PM2.5 from entering the car so there should be a pretty clean and healthy environment for the occupants.

First deliveries will start in 2023 with righthand drive versions rolling out during the second quarter of the year. Official pricing in various markets has not been announced but in Italy, the Purosangue will have a base price of €399,000, equivalent to around RM1.8 million today.

Ferrari 296 GTS has Southeast Asian premiere at Sepang International Circuit


Jaguar Racing ready for Formula E season-opener in Saudi Arabia this Friday

Visit
www.bhpetrol.com.my
 to know more about promotions at BHPetromart.

With the original opening round in Chile having to be postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions in the UK making it difficult for teams to travel on time to South America, the season-opener for Season 7 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will be in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. The venue was originally scheduled for later in the year and will have two races, both run at night. This will be the first time the all-electric single seater series is being run after dark.

The first of the two night races will be on February 26 – just 4 days away – and among the teams getting ready for this new season is Jaguar Racing. The British team has much experience in Formula E, having participated in 5 seasons.  This year sees one of the strongest pairings on the grid with Sam Bird and Mitch Evans using the new Jaguar I-TYPE 5 racing car. Since the last race in August 2020, development of the new car has centred around an all-new in-house powertrain, suspension and state-of-the-art invertor which uses 24-carat gold.

To control costs the carbonfibre chassis and battery are common components and the same for all 12 teams competing. This allows the focus to be on developing electric vehicle powertrains which are efficient and lightweight, the technology and solutions eventually being transferred to production Jaguar Land Rover models with electrified powertrains.

“The team have worked harder than ever to create the most efficient, state-of-the-art race car and we will be pushing for points, podiums and wins,” said James Barclay, Jaguar Racing Team Director. “We have spent months developing the Jaguar I-TYPE 5 and we are now looking forward to take to the track in Diriyah for the double-header season opener and first ever Formula E night races.”

The engineers have focussed on efficiency gains, reduced weight and lowered the centre of gravity of the powertrain. New suspension will provide greater adjustment from track to track and a more efficient invertor will improve switching speeds and performance.

Jaguar Racing will also debut the use of new sustainable materials called TYPEFIBRE, which the car’s new prototype seat is made from. It will be tested at speed in different temperatures, loads and environments around the world as part of the team’s
Race to Innovate
 mission – sharing the benefits of race technology with road cars and, in turn, Jaguar customers.

During the 3 days of intense pre-season testing at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Spain earlier, the I-TYPE 5 showed it on-track potential over 370 laps. “We learned a lot about the car – the hardware, the software and the systems – and we’ve understood what works well and how we can make the Jaguar I-TYPE 5 go faster. Overall, it was a really useful test,” said Sam Bird.

This is New Zealander Evans’ fifth season with Jaguar Racing while Britain’s Sam Bird, who has won races in every Formula E season, is new to the British team this season. Both drivers have experienced the Saudi Arabian street track – Evans secured points last year and Bird was victorious in the 2019 season-opener in Diriyah, located on the north-western outskirts of the country’s capital city, Riyadh.

Start of the race in Diriyah in Season 6 last year.

The 2021 Formula E season is the first of the series to be granted full world championship status by the FIA in view of its truly global coverage. It will be the third year for the teams to be racing with the futuristic Gen2 race cars.

6-round Formula E Accelerate esports championship for 2021


Infiniti posts record first quarter in 2017

Infiniti Q50

Infiniti has announced that it has recieved record sales in the first quarter of 2017 by posting sales of 67,367 vehicles worldwide for the entire quarter, which is said to be an 18% percent increase compared to the same period last year. In March alone, the automaker shifted 28,406 vehicles which a 14% increase from last March.

Roland Krueger, President of Infiniti Motor Company said, “It is gratifying to see that customers around the world continue to appreciate the design, performance and quality they expect from Infiniti. The Infiniti team, and in particular our retail partners, can be very proud of the record first quarter and record month, following our record year in 2016. Our momentum is of course led by new products, with the Q30 and Q60 now on sale in key global markets. The momentum continues next week when we unveil the QX80 Monograph full-size SUV design study in New York, and the QX50 SUV crossover concept in Shanghai the following week.”

In the USA, Infiniti had the best quarter by selling 43,561 vehicles which is a 33% increase. Further up north, in Canada, the automaker sold 2,800 vehicles but in March alone, 1,292 vehicles were sold. It was a similar story in China too, with the Japanese giant selling 10,000 vehicles and posting a 4% increase in sales for the quarter. For markets in Asia and Oceania, Infiniti has also achieved record sales in countries such as Australia and Taiwan.

Whether  the automaker can maintain this momentum for the remainder of 2017 remains to be seen, and all we can do is wait and see.


Waze Beacons enable GPS signals to be received inside SMART Tunnel

GPS – Global Positioning by Satellite – navigation systems are widely used today and provide motorists with easier route guidance to get to destinations. They can be used anywhere on the planet (provided you have the digital map in the system) as the 24 satellites that encircle the earth provide complete coverage. The systems receive signals from the satellites to determine the exact location of the vehicle.

Because the systems get positioning data from the satellites above, their antennas need to be within ‘line of sight’ in the open. That’s why you may sometimes get a message saying ‘SIGNAL LOST’ on your system when you pass through a tunnel and definitely when you are underground in a basement carpark.

Those who drive through the SMART Tunnel in Kuala Lumpur will be aware of this drawback. While on the long road that runs from Sg. Besi to Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Imbi, the GPS system will not work as it cannot receive signals. However, some systems do have compass mode which can still provide some positioning capability.

Waze and the company operating the SMART Tunnel have made it possible to bring the signals into the tunnel with Waze Beacons installed. These are Bluetooth-enabled devices that can be transmit signals to GPS systems in cars as they pass by. There are 240 Waze Beacons over 5.2 kms of the tunnel, installed just before the MCO started over 150 days ago.

Waze Beacon

Waze Beacons are small units installed in the walls and send out signals using Bluetooth connectivity.

While U Mobile is involved in the Waze Beacons project for the SMART Tunnel, motorists with compatible smartphones and navigation apps can also access the service at no charge even if they are registered with other telcos.

Incidentally,
Waze Beacons are also being installed by TRX City
 adjacent to the tunnel. Given the network of roads below the large TRX site, the beacons will help ensure better location services, increased driver safety, and better visibility of real-time traffic events while driving underground.

Waze Beacons was launched in 2016 and the concept has successfully been introduced in the USA, Brazil, France, Italy, Australia, Norway, and Czech Republic. In total, they are found in roughly 260 kms of tunnels and roadways worldwide.

“The Waze team and I are pleased to bring the Waze Beacons Program to Malaysia, the first Southeast Asian country to adopt the technology,” said Gil Disatnik, Waze engineer and Global Lead of the Waze Beacons programme Head of the Waze Beacons Program. “We are excited to bring the Waze Beacons programme to the SMART Tunnel, the very first double decker tunnel in the world to be fitted with Waze Beacons to provide seamless navigation to commuters in Malaysia.”

“Tunnel safety is a very important topic and with better visibility, as well as traffic flow into, through and out of the tunnel, we can help to ensure safer road conditions for all. We look forward to expanding the Waze Beacons programme to other areas in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia,” he added.

Yes, Waze MOTORCYCLE and CAR modes can give you two different routes.


Peugeot delivers 298 fleet vehicles for KL 2017

Nasim Sdn Bhd, a member of Naza Corporation Holdings and the authorised distributor of Peugeot vehicles in the country, has officially partnered with the Kuala Lumpur 2017 SEA Games by handing over 298 fleet cars comprising of the 408, 508 and Traveller range during the handover ceremony in Shah Alam.

The partnership was witnessed by Minister of Youth and Sports, YB Brig. Gen. Khairy Jamaluddin accompanied by officials from Ministry of Youth and Sports, Malaysia Organising Committee for KL2017 games (MASOC) and Olympic Council of Malaysia.

“We are proud to have Naza and Peugeot as a Platinum Sponsor of the KL 2017. Peugeot is an established premium automotive brand that has been supporting various sporting events across the world and we are proud to have them as part of this remarkable journey,” said YB Brig. Gen. Khairy Jamaluddin.

Speaking on behalf of Naza, SM Nasarudin Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin, Group Executive Chairman/Group CEO, Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd. said, “It is an honour for Naza to be part of this spectacle, and we hope that these 298 cars would deliver prestige, quality and a spectacular driving and passenger experience for all at the KL2017. Naza’s theme of Driving Champions (#DrivingChampions) signifies our proud efforts to be part of the nation’s history and ambition to be champions of both the 29th SEA Games and the 9th Para Games.”

Apart from this, Naza is also contributing a Peugeot 208 as a pledge car that will tour around the country garnering support for the Malaysian athletes by having the general public sign messages of support for our national heros. The first to sign the car was YB Khairy Jamaluddin followed by SM Nasarudin Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin, Datuk Wira SM Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin, Group Executive Chairman/Group CEO, Naza World Group of Companies and SM Faliq Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin, Deputy Executive Chairman & Managing Director, Naza TTDI Group.

The messages on the pledge car will later be shown to our athletes at an undisclosed date, that will know doubt give them the drive needed to be the best they can be during the games.

Naza will also be giving away 100 free tickets to the opening ceremony of Kuala Lumpur 2017, which will be held at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on 19th August 2017 to 50 lucky winners. All you have to do to be eligible for a free ticket is to take a picture with the pledge car with your respective message or caption and include #PeugeotMalaysia, #DrivingChampions and #NazaCorp when they are post on social media.

The Kuala Lumpur 2017 games will be held from August 19-30, followed by the ASEAN Para Games from September 17-23.


BHPetrol initiates Tabung Pahlawan ATM to collect donations for armed forces veterans

Although Malaysia is fortunate not to have a history of wars, there have nevertheless been times when our armed forces have been called upon to respond to serious situations affecting the security and peace of the country. At such times, the members of the armed forces have made great sacrifices which we should appreciate.

This year, Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd which markets BHPetrol fuels and lubricants, has initiated the Tabung Pahlawan ATM or Malaysian Armed Forces Warriors Fund campaign together with the Jabatan Hal Ehwal Veteran (JHEV) or Veterans Affairs Department.

The fund, officially launched today, aims to collect donations from the public through BHPetrol stations. Collection boxes are places in the BHPetromart stores of 204 stations where the public can easily make their donation to show appreciation. The collection program will run until the end of 2021 and the donations collected will be channeled via the JHEV to retired veterans of the armed forces who may be disabled, as well as dependents who are in need. Cash donations are recognized by the Income Tax department as tax-deductible amounts when submitting annual returns for assessment.

According to Mejar Jeneral Dato’ Dzulkarnain bin Ahmad, donations collected in 2020 amounted to RM8.5 million but there was a target of RM10 million. He therefore hoped that the general public and corporate sector could support the campaign for the Tabung Pahlawan ATM.

Leslie Ng, CEO of Boustead Petroleum Marketing, making a donation to the Tabung Pahlawan ATM.

The campaign for Tabung Pahlawan ATM and collection of donations at BHPetrol stations was suggested by the Ministry of Defence as a platform to channel donations. According to Leslie Ng, CEO of Boustead Petroleum Marketing, this latest campaign is part of its ongoing support for the armed forces, especially the Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) or Armed Force Pension Fund Board which is also a major shareholder of its parent company, Boustead Holdings.

So the next time you are at a BHPetrol station, whether to purchase fuel or to buy stuff at the BHPetromart, spare a thought for the veterans who have helped to protect our nation so you can do so in safety and make a donation.
Click here
 for the locations of the stations where donations can be made.

To know more about other activities of Boustead Petroleum Marketing and its products and services, visit
www.bhpetrol.com.my
.

BHPetrol’s Mudah Menang Contest could win you RM33,333 for just RM30 of fuel

The National Vaccination Program in Malaysia is free of charge.


BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe becomes ‘The Ultimate AI Masterpiece’

BMW may be best known for its cars and motorcycles, but the German carmaker is also associated with arts and culture, with numerous initiatives for the past 50 years. With over 100 projects worldwide, BMW Group’s cultural commitment has been an essential part of corporate communications, with the main focus on modern and contemporary art, jazz and classical music as well as architecture and design.

“Social commitment is a major concern of the BMW Group. There is no doubt that cultural engagement is part of the BMW Group,” said Maximilian Schoberl, Head of BMW Group Corporate and Governmental Affairs and Executive Vice President.

Its latest project is
‘The Ultimate AI Masterpiece’
, a unique exploration of art and technology that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate entirely new works. The virtual art installation debuts in conjunction with Frieze New York 2021, as well as the 50th anniversary of BMW Group Cultural Engagement.

‘The Ultimate AI Masterpiece
’ virtual art installation was created in partnership with creative technologist Nathan Shipley of Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, and Gary Yeh, art connoisseur/founder of artDrunk.  The duo leveraged the NVIDIA StyleGAN artificial intelligence model to cross-reference over 50,000 images of artwork spanning 900 years of history and a curated set of 50 works from renowned and emerging contemporary artists BMW has worked with over the past 50 years.

Using these inputs as a basis for understanding art, the AI then generates entirely new works of art, merging what it learned classical art and the styles noted from the contemporary artists. These new works have been projection-mapped onto a virtual rendition of BMW’s 8-Series Gran Coupe.

To document the creative process behind the virtual installation, Shipley and Yeh collaborated digitally from different parts of the world – Yeh in Seoul, Shipley in San Francisco – and virtually joined each other for an engaging discussion on the technology behind the artwork created by the AI, as well as BMW’s decades-long support of the arts.

“AI is an emerging medium of creative expression. It’s a fascinating space where art meets algorithm,” said Shipley. “Combining the historical works with the curated modern works and projecting the evolving images onto the 8-Series Gran Coupe serves a direct nod to BMW’s history of uniting automobiles, art, and technology.”

“During an unusually isolated time in history, we took the opportunity to curate and work with artists from around the world as a means to give viewers a true art experience digitally,” Yeh, who is also an art collector, explained. “It was particularly exciting to push the boundaries of art, see how technology may influence the art world in the years to come, and build on 50 years of cultural engagement at BMW.”

Frieze New York begins its tenth edition, taking place for the first time at The Shed in Manhattan, New York, this week. Reimagined for its new location, the fair brings together over 60 major galleries and sees a strong representation from New York, celebrating the creative spirit of the city. A dedicated edition of Frieze Viewing Room will run parallel to the fair, until May 14, and will feature an expanded list of over 160 exhibitors, connecting international galleries and audiences unable to travel.

BMW brand logo modernised with visual style of today to suit digital age


New Record For Vehicle Sales In March 2023

March was the final month for delivery of new vehicles that were exempted from sales tax, the provision having been allowed by the Finance Ministry after the tax exemption ended on June 30, 2022. Understanding that the demand had been very great as many people wanted to save on the sales tax, and production was not sufficient to fulfill the orders by the deadline, the ministry allowed the car companies until March 31, 2023 to deliver the vehicles booked before the deadline.

The 9-month allowance was certainly appreciated as the industry had production disruptions due to shortages of parts, especially microprocessors. During the second half of last year, vehicle output was inconsistent even though efforts were being made to maximise the numbers, with priority being given to the tax-exempted orders.

Furthermore, March is also the end of the financial year for some car companies and there is usually a final strong push to end the financial year with the best numbers. Thus the March Total Industry Volume (TIV) of new vehicles shot up by 24% to reach 78,849 passenger and commercial vehicles.

Data source: Monthly reports of Malaysian Automotive Association

Second time over 70,000 units
This was a new record for the industry, beating the 76,657 units reported in December 2022. Other than these two months, the monthly TIV has never gone past the 70,000-unit level since the Malaysian Automoative Association began keeping records in the 1960s.

While the TIV for March 2023 was just 8% higher than for March 2022, the cumulative TIV for the first quarter of the year (Q1) was 20% higher than the same period in 2022. Due to the constant pressure to deliver as many vehicles as possible, the numbers in January and February were higher than the same months last year.

Sales

Production

Production, likewise, saw a big jump with 29% more vehicles being completed by the assembly plants during Q1 2023 compared to Q1 in 2022. Stockyards were usually empty for many months as new vehicles were loaded on carriers and sent off as soon as possible.

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NB: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia does not provide monthly sales data for Mercedes-Benz passenger and commercial vehicles and Mitsubishi FUSO commercial vehicles, and only provides total numbers on a quarterly basis.

Looking ahead
Now that the pressure of delivering new vehicles has eased off, the industry is waiting to see the true market situation and adjust accordingly. April is a short month with the Hari Raya festive period, so the orders taken are not indicative of what lies ahead.

However, there is a sense of caution as many industry executives feel that, at best, the annual volume will equal what was achieved in 2022. These past two years have been unusual years, with the rare incentive of sales tax exemption and also recovery of the market after the pandemic.

Historically, a big surge cannot be sustained and the years that follow may see a lower TIV for a while. The full duty-exemption on electric vehicles may be helpful only in a small way as not everyone will want to go electric, and the prices of the models are not in the mass market range.

Perodua In ‘Overdrive’ With Higher Output And Deliveries This Year


Tips On Getting Your Luggage First After Landing

So when we came across an article by Hong Kong based publication DimSum about tips to on how to get your luggage quicker, we thought it would be good to share. Here’s the gist of it:

Fragile sticker

You can request that the agent at the check-in desk put a ‘fragile sticker’ on your bag. Fragile bags will normally be loaded last and released ahead of the other bags. Also, they might experience less wear and tear. The drawback of this strategy is that occasionally, staff members fail to notice these stickers.

Last to check-in

“Bags will always be loaded front to back on the bag carts, so if you check in last, your bags will be in the last bag cart, which will make them the last on the aircraft, and the first off the aircraft at your destination. If they are the first off the aircraft, they will most likely be the first on the bag carts and then the first to be unloaded at baggage claim,” says gate agent Thomas Lo Sciuto.

Be kind

Be kind to the counter and gate agents to increase your chances of getting your baggage out early. Lo Sciuto says that these employees are more inclined to go above and above to assist you if you are friendly with them. This might entail anything from making sure your luggage is loaded aboard the aircraft first to making sure it receives extra care when it lands.

It’s important to remember that these methods aren’t failsafe, and there’s always a chance that your bag could get delayed or misplaced. It might be worthwhile to try if you’re willing to take the risk.


Rolls-Royce In 2017 – The Year Of Bespoke [+Videos]

The Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bespoke department is an extraordinary collective of designers, engineers and craftspeople, who bring the marque’s discerning and influential patrons’ most ambitious and personal visions to reality.

Rolls-Royce Dawn, Byblos 50th Anniversary, Goodwood
Photo: James Lipman / jameslipman.com

Today, almost every motor car that leaves the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England, is Bespoke. 2017 was the year that Rolls-Royce elevated Bespoke to unprecedented new levels, resulting in one of the most significant years for Bespoke in the 114-year history of the brand, surmised in this video…

What follows is a snapshot of some of the finest examples of Bespoke design and craftsmanship to be completed by the luxury house over the past 12 months.

Rolls-Royce Torpedo
Photo: James Lipman / jameslipman.com

‘Sweptail’

Rolls-Royce ‘Sweptail’, the realisation of one customer’s coachbuilt dream. Premiered in 2017, ‘Sweptail’ is a compelling representation of true luxury, taking Bespoke coachbuild personalisation to new heights. Check out the video…

The result of a collaboration between patron and artisan, ‘Sweptail’s’ bold design embraces the marque’s heritage as the world’s leading coachbuilder whilst reaffirming its pinnacle position in Bespoke personalisation.

This automotive equivalent of Haute Couture draws on the lineage of 1920s and 1930s Rolls-Royce motor cars. The client’s vision was for a coachbuilt two seater coupé featuring a large panoramic glass roof. The result is a contemporary masterpiece.

Rolls-Royce Torpedo
Photo: James Lipman / jameslipman.com

The grille, milled from solid aluminium, presents a distinct formality. The side profile of ‘Sweptail’ defines its stately character, whilst the rear taper of the motor car pays homage to the world of racing yachts, shaping a completely new perception of a dramatic Rolls-Royce coupé. The elegant and characterising rear culminates in the registration number 08, milled from ingots of aluminium and hand polished to a mirror finish.‘Sweptail’ is a personal, Bespoke, motor car like no other.

New Phantom and ‘The Gallery’ – An Art Gallery on Wheels

New Rolls-Royce Phantom was unveiled to global critical acclaim in 2017. At the heart of the motor car’s design aesthetic is ‘The Gallery’, a contemporary and luxury reinterpretation of a motor car’s dashboard and instrument panel.

An application of glass runs uninterrupted across the fascia providing an unprecedented opportunity to present artwork, within your motor car. ‘The Gallery’ is an innovation that furthers Rolls-Royce’s unparalleled Bespoke vision and mastery of materials and craft.

Dawn and Wraith at Porto Cervo

Two unique motor cars were created in honour of the 2017 Rolls-Royce Summer Studio, Porto Cervo, Sardinia. A Bespoke Dawn drophead coupé and a Wraith Black Badge were commissioned to encapsulate the essence of this beguiling island.

Dawn adopted a nautical theme, evoking emotions of a languid Mediterranean sojourn. The Porto Cervo motif, encrusted with genuine Sapphires and Mother of Pearl, is embedded into the front facia of the motor car. The navy blue and arctic white hues complement an expanse of teak, including the decking and floor.

The Porto Cervo Wraith playfully emulates Sardinia’s night time ambience. A two-tone Diamond Black exterior is contrasted with gloss and matt paint applications, while black woven leather door panniers infer Wraith Black Badge’s dark and complex character, under the night sky.

‘Spirit of Calligraphy’ Ghost

A special one-off commission unveiled in Dubai in 2017, the Bespoke ‘Spirit of Calligraphy’ Ghost draws its design inspiration from the ancient art of Arabic calligraphy. Words are harmoniously moulded into shapes, creating a unique effect where texts and images become one. Sir Henry Royce’s resonant words “Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it”, in their Arabic form are shaped into Rolls-Royce’s flying mascot, the Spirit of Ecstasy. The calligraphy motif, created by renowned artist Khaled Al Saai, features as a silver inlay on the centre panel and as embroidery on the rear centre seat, amidst an eye-catching array of Turchese, Black and Arctic White leathers.

‘Elegance’

Commissioned for an individual collector, the Ghost ‘Elegance’ raised the bar of Bespoke by becoming the first motor car to be finished in a paint infused with diamonds. Named ‘Diamond Stardust’, the unique paint incorporates 1,000 diamonds crushed to form a very fine powder, giving the finished panels unmatched lustre and sparkle.

The flanks of the motor car are highlighted with Mugello Red and Black twin coachlines, reflected inside with black leather seats and accents in Mugello Red, carried through stitching on the doors and piping on the seats. The detailed fascia of smooth open-pore Tudor Oak veneer is also complemented with a Mugello Red single stitch along the top of the dashboard, and finished with a Bespoke clock.

‘Dawn in Fuxia’

In 2017, US collector Michael Fux was presented with his tenth Bespoke model from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Following a visit to Pebble Beach in 2016, where he collected a cluster of eye-catching fuchsia petals, he challenged the Bespoke team at Goodwood with a commission to bring a striking new colour to Dawn. Subsequently unveiled during The Quail automotive gathering in California, the vibrant ‘Dawn in Fuxia’ represents the addition of another unique hue to the Rolls-Royce Colour Collection, and is reserved exclusively for Mr. Fux to use. His most recent commission is his second Dawn, having collected the first – in one-off ‘Fux Blue’ – in 2016. Reminiscent of that car, the interior of ‘Dawn in Fuxia’ is trimmed in stunning Arctic White leather.

‘Dawn B50’ for Hotel Byblos

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Hotel Byblos in Saint-Tropez in 2017, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars revealed the ‘Dawn B50’, a highly Bespoke and unique motor car inspired by the warmth and vibrancy of the Côte d’Azur. Commissioned by the Hotel Byblos as the automotive ‘Jewel of Saint-Tropez’, the Dawn B50 exudes two dominant exterior colours. The lustrous combination was developed exclusively to celebrate the hotel’s anniversary, along with bespoke door treadplates and a unique hand-painted coachline on each side bearing the ‘B50’ logo. The sophisticated interior takes inspiration from the intense Mediterranean sun, with vibrant tangerine tones that accentuate the dashboard and echo the stitching across the seat upholstery and floor mats.

Homage to a special Silver Dawn

Prominently displayed at the Home of Rolls-Royce is a remarkably rare 1952 Silver Dawn, one of very few ever made. It was sold new to a customer in Canada, and in 2017 a commission for a new Dawn from the same country led to a beautiful homage to this particular car in its 65
th
 anniversary year.

Finished in two-tone Midnight Sapphire and Jubilee Silver, the new Dawn closely emulates the original finishes of the 1952 motor car, with a Bespoke painted coachline, broken for the first time on a Rolls-Royce. Inside, Selby Grey and Navy leather are combined with Crossbanded Walnut Burr veneer, closely matched to the original. The finishing touches include a Bespoke clock with ‘1952’ lettering and a Spirit of Ecstasy veneer inlay.

Inspiration from South Korea

The ‘Bespoke Collection for Korea’ unveiled at the British Embassy in Seoul, embraced the aesthetic heritage of South Korea with a contemporary flare. The Ghost Seoul Edition reflects colours that grace the country’s Taegukgi national flag, finished in bright Andalusian White with a twin coachline in Cobalto Blue and Mugello Red – along with a hand-painted Bespoke motif that captures the silhouette of the iconic Namsan Seoul Tower. Inside, the black leather is complemented by contrasting bands in Arctic White, as well as blue and red highlights for stitching and piping.

The ‘Wraith Busan Edition’ is inspired by the hues of the coastal city of the same name, with a two-tone exterior in Royal Blue and Jubilee Silver that conjures up the shimmer of the surrounding sea. The rear pillar motif echoes the delicate latticework of traditional Korean ‘hanok’ screen doors, and is also carried inside the car across the dashboard. Emulating the dusk sky across nearby mountain ranges, a single coachline in Blushing Pink draws attention to the shoulder line. The colour is also applied to the seat stitching, instrument panel and ‘RR’ headrest monograms inside, as the final flourish to the Selby Grey and Cobalto Blue upholstery.


Formula E Season 8/Round 10: Marrakesh E-Prix

The Atlas mountains of Morocco have always provided a stunning backdrop for Formula E’s event in the North African country, with the first Marrakesh E-Prix held in 2016. The track follows the Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan – named after the Crown Prince of Morocco – before spilling out onto the streets of Marrakesh’s hotel district.

Going into this year’s Marrakesh E-Prix, Mercedes-EQ’s Stoffel Vandoorne was in the lead for the Drivers’ World Championship with a 5-point advantage over nearest challenger and double champion Jean-Eric Vergne (DS TECHEETAH). Edoardo Mortara (ROKiT Venturi Racing) was just 2 points back in third place while Mitch Evans (Jaguar TCS Racing), who won last time out in Jakarta, sat fourth. With a maximum of 29 points on offer in Marrakesh, any one of those 4 drivers could lead the championship after the race.

And it was Mortara who moved to the top of the championship with a win as the ROKiT Venturi Racing driver fended off severe pressure from DS TECHEETAH teammates Antonio Felix da Costa and Vergne throughout. Da Costa had started from pole position and, after falling behind Mortara during the early duo of ATTACK MODE activations, he clung to the back of the Swiss’ car as the race reached its climax. But the Season 6 champion couldn’t make it past the ROKiT Venturi Racing driver who looked utterly unflustered throughout the race, collecting his third win of the season, as well as the standings lead.

Vandoorne meanwhile found it hard to hold on to his lead as a braking issue in qualifying left him down in 20th on the grid. He recovered to finish eighth but with just 4 points on the day, his lead was lost to Mortara.

Vergne had found himself in second heading into the closing stages with 2% of usable energy available before he slipped back behind da Costa to an eventual fourth position. Fellow title challenger Evans fought from sixth on the grid to the podium with a final lap lunge on Vergne for silverware and a handful of extra, crucial World Championship points for himself and Jaguar TCS Racing.

The 2.971-km circuit with 12 turns, three straights and a series of bends is known to be an energy-zapping circuit. In the searing 33-degree heat, drivers and engineers elected to jump early for their two mandatory ATTACK MODE boosts. This was based on the school of thought that it would be more efficient and effective in the long run to draw that extra 30 kW through the batteries and powertrain.

In the mix was Lucas di Grassi (ROKiT Venturi Racing), who battled to fifth and vital points for the Monegasque team, who now lead the Teams’ World Championship. Reigning World Champion Nyck de Vries (Mercedes-EQ) secured sixth and Jake Dennis (Avalanche Andretti) had to settle for seventh. Vandoorne did make up an impressive 12 spots to finish eighth in the end after his qualifying disappointment. Sam Bird wound up ninth for Jaguar TCS Racing, and Oliver Rowland – who ran as high as second spot early on – rounded out the points-paying positions in 10th.

The next round will be in New York City July 16/17 for Rounds 11/12 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The much-anticipated double-header takes place on the streets of the Red Hook district of Brooklyn against the spectacular backdrop of the Manhattan skyline. This will be followed by a double-headers  at the London E-Prix at the end of July. The Season 8 championship then climaxes in Korea where the Seoul E-Prix will be held for the first time on August 13/14.

McLaren Racing to take over Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team for 2023 entry