eVX – The Suzuki Vitara Of The Future

To show what its future direction is like, Suzuki is presenting its eVX concept model at India’s Auto Expo 2023 in Delhi this week. The eVX is the carmaker’s first global strategic electric vehicle (EV) which will be the basis of an all-new SUV model to be launched in 2025.

The design of the eVX draws on models like the Grand Vitara and S-Cross while moving the brand forward with new elements that brings its 4×4 legacy into the electric era. With no need for air to cool the radiator, the front end is closed off and a large Suzuki badge is mounted in the centre. The futuristic lights are likely to be just for the showcar as they would unlikely be able to meet regulations.

The blocky profile of traditional SUVs is maintained but towards the rear end, there is a sportier look. The roofline slopes downwards while the fender behind the door rises to narrow the C-pillar. At the back, following current trends with other EVs, there is a light bar running the full width of the body. It’s a clean design but we’re not sure how the door would be hinged. Perhaps something more conventional might be designed for the production model.

The overall length of 4.3 metres and width of 1.8 metres would make it almost the same size as the Grand Vitara, with the typical high stance of a SUV placing the roofline 1.6 metres above the ground.

Not much is said about the powertrain of the eVX, which is being developed largely by Maruti Suzuki, the carmaker’s subsidiary in India. What has been revealed for now is that it has 60 kWh battery pack and based on an Indian test cycle, the range is 550 kms.

Marketing plans for the production model are also unknown. It would likely be built in India and exported overseas. But whether the markets will go as far as Europe remains to be seen although the manufacturer would need an EV later in the next decade when the European Union bans the sale of vehicles with combustion engines in 2035.

Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo added to Gran Turismo 7 (w/VIDEO)


BMW Malaysia Releases Prices Of Its Vehicles With 0% GST

Below are the prices for
 BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad
 vehicles with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) at
0%
 until further notice from the Ministry of Finance Malaysia.

Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia
 said,
“While we await further announcements and confirmation from the Ministry of Finance Malaysia, we look forward to continue serving our customers seamlessly. Rest assured, BMW Group Malaysia continues to offer the complete Premium Ownership experience (below).”

Click to download the new prices of BMW vehicles:

BMW Cars:
BMW – Peninsular Malaysia

MINI Cars:
MINI – Peninsular Malaysia

BMW Motorrad Bikes:
BMW Motorrad – Peninsular Malaysia

The BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership experience includes:

BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Program.

MINI 4 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service.

BMW 2-Year / 24 Month Tyre Warranty Programme for its Run Flat Tyre offering and services.

BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline.

The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App – BMW White Card, MINI Black Card and BMW Excellence Club membership programme.

BMW and MINI Service Online.


Porsche and Microsoft sign gaming partnership

Porsche is starting to take the virtual world more seriously as its marketing tool. The sportscar maker has signed a six year deal with Microsoft at the New York International Motorshow, which will see both companies collaborating in projects that cover racing games and electronic gaming competitions. As such, in future games from Microsoft’s  Forza franchise, Porsche vehicles will receive more prominence than if ever did before. This will especially be evident in the gaming series Forza Motorsport and Forza Horizon.

This partnership will allow Porsche to delve deeper into the eSports arena, which are competitions designed for gamers to compete against each other in their preferred gaming genre. This is especially true with Forza Racing Championship (ForzaRC), which is the leading eSport racing series backed by the world’s largest racing community.

ForzaRC, Porsche’s prime focus for now, is based on the current Xbox racing game Forza Motorsport 6 which already includes more than 20 Porsche vehicles since 2016. For 2017, ForzaRC will feature a motorsport championship too, where gamers from around the world can compete on the world stage. If you are interested, registration opened on 12th April 2017 at
http://www.forzarc.gfinity.net/
 and qualification will take place online beginning May 1st.

“By having Microsoft as our partner, we have the opportunity to take the pleasure of driving a Porsche and making it an experience in the virtual world”, says Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board responsible for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. “Racing games and eSports connect the real and virtual worlds and enable us to gain further access to the young target group. It means that they can develop a passion for Porsche even before buying their first sports car.”

As icing on the cake for the newly signed partnership, a new Porsche package can now be downloaded for Forza Horizon 3. It contains a total of seven current and historical Porsche vehicles,that are the 550A Spyder, 718 RS 60 Spyder from 1960, 911 Carrera RS 2.7 from 1973, 911 GT2 (type 993), Cayman GT4 and the 911 GT3 RS as well as the new Panamera Turbo.

So, if you own an Xbox, are into the Forza franchise and a die hard Porsche fan, you should be very happy with this partnership. You can expect to see a number of interesting projects from both companies in the near future.


Record Month For Perodua With 27.5% Increase In Quarterly Sales Volume

During the final month of the first quarter of 2023, Perodua made a big push in production and sales to cross the 30,000-unit level, setting records in the process. The two plants completed 33,666 vehicles while 32,179 vehicles were delivered nationwide.

The March numbers added to those of January and February took first quarter production to 84,800 units while sales were 78,564 units. These represented increases of 33.9% and 27.5%, respectively, over the volumes reported for the same period in 2022.

Commenting on the March figures, Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad said: “These achievements can be attributed to several factors, such as our efforts to fulfil the PENJANA orders before its deadline on March 31, 2023, production improvements throughout the supplier ecosystem and better coordination within our sales network.”

Sales tax to be absorbed
He said that even though there was a strong effort to boost output in order to deliver vehicles before the deadline to those who qualified for the sales tax exemption (having booked before June 30, 2022), a small number of customers were unable to get their vehicles in time.

“We apologise for the long wait and to those customers who could not get their vehicles in time, we will honour the sales exempted amount guaranteed under the PENJANA Initiative,” Dato’ Sri Zainal assured.

High demand for new Axia, launched in February, means a slightly longer waiting period.

Waiting periods shortening
Moving forward, he said that the carmaker will further build on the achievements as the number of bookings for its models continues to be healthy. “Sustained production growth has managed to reduce some of the waiting periods for certain models. “In fact, for some of our models, the waiting period has been reduced significantly, although popular models such as the Bezza, Axia and Alza have a slightly longer waiting period based on their respective variants and colour,” said Dato’ Sri Zainal.

Completed transmissions at a Perodua supplier’s factory in Negeri Sembilan.

He also revealed that the global prices of raw materials have decreased recently, easing cost pressures on suppliers to Perodua as well as to other carmakers. “These favourable conditions will give us a chance to build up our stock faster while, at the same time, enable us to reduce the waiting period for our customers,” he said.

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Sales target of 314,000 units
In anticipation of the market size for 2023 remaining over 700,000 units, Perodua has set a sales target of 314,000 units for this year, an increase of 11.3% over the 2022 volume. In order to meet this increased target, production will be raised by 14.2% to 330,000 units from the two factories at the headquarters complex in Sg Choh, Selangor.

“The increase in production will give a much-needed boost for our local industries to improve their economies of scale and to better compete with their counterparts abroad,” Dato’ Sri Zainal said.

Perodua To Make Big Push To 330,000 Unit Output in 2023, With RM1.15 Billion CAPEX to Improve Operations


LOOKING BACK: Alfa Romeo’s long history with the Italian police force

In Italy after the Scond World War, Alfa Romeo cars were legendary. They were faster than any other car, both on the track and on the road. They were powerful and they always won, like good over evil. It’s not surprising then that the Italian police force chose to use their cars.

From the 1950s, Alfa Romeo cars were selected as the official emergency vehicles. They were known as ‘volanti’ and citizens soon got used to seeing them speeding around.  The cars used by the police were nicknamed ‘Panthers’ and those of the
Carabinieri
 (military police) were called ‘Gazelles’, metaphors that underlined their power and agility.

The very first Panther was an Alfa Romeo 1900, built in 1952 and the first Gazelle came into use a few years later. The most famous police car of all was the Giulia Super, but the police also used many other Alfa Romeo models, from the Matta to the Alfasud, Alfa 75, Alfetta, 156 and the current Giulia in use today.

1952 Alfa Romeo 1900 was the first ‘Panther’.

Alfa Romeo and Italian lifestyle

The history of the brand’s relationship with the Italian Police Force runs parallel with the story of how Alfa Romeo itself evolved over the years. “There are many automotive makes, among which Alfa Romeo stands apart. It is a kind of affliction, the enthusiasm for a means of transport. It’s a lifestyle, a special way of conceiving a motor vehicle,” declared Orazio Satta Puliga, a passionate fan of the brand.

Appointed director of design in 1946, Satta Puglia had a hard task ahead of him. Not only did he need to rebuild everything that had been destroyed by the war, but he also had to transform an artisan company into a modern manufacturing force.

When he started, Alfa Romeo was producing every single mechanical part at its Portello plant, in line with strict criteria of exquisite craftsmanship. He rationalised the process, outsourcing the production of the secondary parts and cutting costs. Meanwhile, he began thinking about creating the new ‘mass produced’ Alfa Romeo models, to be built using the most efficient technical and organisational methodologies around.

The first ‘Panther’

Satta Puliga’s 1900, which dates from 1950, was the first left-hand drive Alfa Romeo and the first to have a self-supporting body. He abandoned the traditional 6 and 8-cylinder engines for a new 4-cylinder version with aluminium cylinder head and two camshafts with chain control.

The engine was powered by a single carburetor, offering brilliant performances and a low taxable horsepower. The 1900 delivered 80 hp; it was agile and fast, but also very easy to drive. It was designed to target a bigger market with the launch slogan:’ The family car that wins races.’

Alfa Romeo BAT-7 concept car displayed at 1954 Turin Motor Show.

The 1900 was also the first Alfa Romeo to be produced on an assembly line. The total manufacturing time needed to produce one vehicle was reduced from 240 hours to just 100, a revolution. This new approach led to an unprecedented success in terms of sales. The 1900 alone sold more than the total Alfa Romeo production of other vehicles up until that time.

Alfa Romeo continued collaborating with its coachbuilders. The Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica (BAT) concept car series was launched on 1900 mechanics, created by Bertone and designed by Franco Scaglione. The same engine as the one used in the 1900 was also adopted by the AR51. Better known as the ‘Matta’, it was a 4×4 launched to replace the post-war off-road vehicles of the Italian Armed Forces.

The Matta, produced between 1951 and 1954 for the Italian military.

The Giulietta story

While with the 1900, Alfa Romeo had embarked on the track of series production, it was with the Giulietta that it truly became a large-scale automotive factory. The man in the driving seat of this transformation was Giuseppe Luraghi. Born in Milan, he also practiced the ‘noble art’ of boxing. He had a reputation as an incredible manager, with a long experience at Pirelli under his belt.

From 1951 to 1958, he was general manager of Finmeccanica, the holding company that controlled Alfa Romeo. After a short period spent at Lanerossi, he returned in 1960 as President of Alfa Romeo, a position he would hold until 1974.

The Giulietta-ti

Upon his arrival at Alfa Romeo, Luraghi revolutionised how the production was structured, calling in designers Rudolf Hruska and Francesco Quaroni to reorganise the industrial processes. He realised that there was a huge opportunity as the brand had exceptional visibility, its sporting victories thrilled millions of people and fueled their dreams. It was time to translate this success into sales. The economic boom was just around the corner and the car was the most coveted possession. For Luraghi, owning an Alfa Romeo had to become the distinguishing mark of those who had truly made it in life.

From elite product to object of desire, the company now pointed all its design and industrial resources in this new direction. The Giulia was the product of this turning point in the history of Alfa Romeo, a car designed to boost sales but at the same time confirm the brand’s technical tradition and sporting vocation.

The Carabinieri and their fleet of Alfa Romeos.

The first Gazelle

The Giulietta was the first ‘Gazelle’ and is associated with the  link between Alfa Romeo and the police forces. The first Gazelle of the Carabinieri was none other than a Giulietta, destined for the patrol service. In fact, it took up service already equipped with a radio system for communicating with the police headquarters. In the language of the Italian army, the Gazelle represented the patrol vehicle driver: fast, agile and tough. Its engine (entirely of aluminium) delivered 65 hp, able to take the car up to a maximum speed of 165 km/h.

At the 1954 Turin Motorshow in 1954, the Giulietta made its debut in coupe form. The Giulietta Sprint, designed by Bertone, was a low-lying, compact, agile car that became an ‘instant classic’. It is worth noting that the sporty version was modeled on the standard one, an unconventional and typically Alfa Romeo choice that was proposed again a few years ago by Giulia Quadrifoglio.

Giulia, the revolution

Only another revolutionary car could knock the Giulietta off the top spot. Satta Puliga knew this only too well and with his team set to work on developing a new model. The Giulia was one of the first cars in the world with a differently-shaped supporting structure. The front and rear sections were designed to be shock-absorbent (to be called ‘crumple zones’ later on) and the passenger compartment was extremely rigid, to protect its occupants, solutions that would only become compulsory much later.

The 1.6-litre twin cam engine of Giulia was an evolution of the 1.3-litre 4-cylinder one, and it stood out for its sodium-cooled exhaust valves. The design of Giulia was also revolutionary, with its low front and truncated rear inspired by aerodynamics, inspiring the launch slogan ‘Designed by the wind’. Development work carried out in the wind tunnel reduced the drag coefficient of the car to 0.34 Cd, which was impressive for that era.

The Giulia went on to feature in ‘
poliziotteschi’
 films made during that period – which later became cult films. In these movies where ‘cops and robbers’ clash, the Alfa Romeo often starred as both the police car and the getaway vehicle.

The Malaysian police were the first police force outside Italy to use the Alfetta in the 1970s.

Incidentally, in Malaysia too, Alfa Romeos were used by the police force which was the first to use the Alfetta 2000 sedan (assembled in Malaysia) outside Italy. There was also a fleet of Giulias used as patrol vehicles up till the late 1970s. The cars were supplied by City Motors, then the importer and distributor for Alfa Romeo.

LOOKING BACK: The 1970 Alfa Romeo Montreal


Geely’s Zeekr EV brand to collaborate with Waymo to develop autonomous vehicle

Zeekr, the premium electric brand in the Geely Holding Group, is less than a year old, having been established early this year. Its first product, the 001, was introduced in April as the flagship of the Zeekr range, with first deliveries starting three months ago. . In the next 5 years, the young carmaker plans to introduce 6 different models to the market.

The electric mobility technology and solutions utilize Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), with in-house developed battery technologies, battery management systems, electric motor technologies and electric vehicle supply chain support.

Zeekr collaborates with Waymo

Besides its own line of production, Zeekr is also collaborating with Waymo, an American which specialises in autonomous driving technology development. It is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc, the parent company of Google. With Waymo, Zeekr will develop a new fully electric vehicle for use by  the Waymo One autonomous ride-hailing fleet in the USA.

The plan

The new purpose-built mobility vehicle is being designed and developed at Zeekr’s R&D facility, CEVT (China Europe Vehicle Technology Centre) in Gothenburg, Sweden. This facility has a proven track record in developing class leading vehicles for the wider Geely Holding Group. Under this collaboration, Zeekr will be designing and developing the future vehicle on a new proprietary and open-source mobility architecture. Waymo will take delivery of the vehicles in the United States and will then integrate its fully autonomous Waymo Driver into the vehicle platform.

The new vehicle will be designed to be rider-centric from the outset, setting a new benchmark for autonomous vehicles. The new Zeekr vehicle has been designed for autonomous use-cases and will come with a fully configurable cabin, both with and without driver controls, that can be tailored towards rider requirements of Waymo’s unmanned ride-hailing fleet.

“Zeekr was born on the ideals of equality, diversity, and sustainability. By becoming a strategic partner and vehicle supplier to the Waymo One fleet, we will be able to share our experience, ideals and provide our expertise in collaborating on a fully electric vehicle that fits Waymo’s requirements for this rapidly expanding segment in the global market for sustainable travel,” said Andy An, CEO of Zeekr Technology.

‘Rider-first’ vehicle design

Waymo will integrate its ‘Waymo Driver’ into the new vehicle which is designed to prioritize the comfort, convenience, and preferences of users. The ‘rider-first’ vehicle will have a flat floor for more accessible entry, easy ingress and egress thanks to a B-pillarless design, low step-in height, generous head and legroom, and fully adjustable seats. It will have full compliance with U.S. federal vehicle standards and eventually be without a steering wheel and pedals.

The new autonomous vehicle developed with Geely will join this fleet that includes a hybrid Chrysler Pacifica and Jaguar I-PACE.

Tested in various conditions and climates

Waymo services have been tested in dozens of American cities spanning a diverse range of conditions, climates and topographies. They include New York City, which is the most densely populated city in the country, with busy avenues, unusual road geometries, complex intersections, and constantly evolving layouts.

The prototype vehicle used for the development of Waymo’s autonomous technologies.

The Waymo fleet that the Zeekr vehicle will join has hybrid Chrysler Pacificas and Jaguar I-PACE BEVs. It’s now been over a year that the company has been offering the world’s first commercial fully autonomous ride-hailing service – with no human driver behind the wheel – in the state of Arizona. Tens of thousands of rider-only trips have been done and more people are discovering the convenience of this type of mobility.

How Waymo is preparing self-driving technology

Vaccination does not make you immune to COVID-19 infection. You can still get infected and although you may not show symptoms, you could spread the coronavirus to others. Do not stop taking protective measures such as wearing a facemask, washing hands frequently and social distancing.


2021 Rolls-Royce Phantom Tempus Collection

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www.bhpetrol.com.my
 for more information.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled the Tempus Collection of the marque’s Phantom limousine with a design concept inspired by time, astronomical phenomena and the infinite reaches of the universe. Production is limited to just 20 units and at the time of publishing, we have been told that each of the twenty already has a customer waiting somewhere in the world.

“The events of the past year have caused many people, not least our clients, to re-evaluate their sense of, and relationship with Time. At a moment in history when so much in life seems ephemeral, our patrons are seeking solace in the unique timelessness, longevity and permanence offered by a Rolls-Royce motor car,” said Torsten Muller-Otvos, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

“It is thus the perfect moment for Phantom Tempus Collection – a magnificent incarnation of our pinnacle product, inspired by a mysterious celestial phenomenon and Time, which Albert Einstein, one of the greatest minds in human history, defined as a persistent illusion,” he said.

The design of the Phantom Tempus Collection encompasses various aesthetic and intellectual themes relating to time and the cosmos. A key component is a rare astronomical phenomenon, the pulsar, unknown until 1967 and found only in the deepest reaches of space (the nearest yet discovered is 280 light years, or well over 2,700 trillion kilometres, from Earth). These very dense, white-hot stars emit electromagnetic radiation in extremely regular pulses, making them some of the most accurate clocks in the universe.

Another aspect of time – the illusion of its standing still – is captured in the ‘Frozen Flow of Time’ Gallery. This unique artwork is housed in the fascia from which the clock is
deliberately

omitted
 to signify patrons’ freedom from time and its limitations.

A single billet of aluminium is milled to form 100 individually contoured columns, representing the 100-million-year period of a rotational spin of a pulsar star. Each column is black-anodised and hand-polished to reflect the light. As the eye travels along it, the whole structure, though entirely solid, appears to ripple and flex.

A description of the Gallery can be found on an engraved plaque in the glove compartment, together with this quotation from Albert Einstein: “The distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion”.

A swirling, twisting pattern of stars is presented on the interior of the doors. Created by hundreds of illuminated perforations, additional perforations in contrasting leather add a greater depth and detail to the effect, providing an atmospheric aura even when not illuminated. The remarkable force of nature is rendered as a centrepiece in a Bespoke Starlight Headliner consisting of fibreoptic lighting and intricate Bespoke embroidery, creating the unique and beautiful Pulsar Headliner.

The exterior of the Phantom Tempus Collection is presented in a new Bespoke paint finish, Kairos Blue, created to embody the darkness and mystery of space. The paint incorporates jewel-like blue mica flakes, which glitter and glint as they catch the light, representing the stars. This effect is highlighted by black exterior detailing.

Gracing the bonnet of Phantom Tempus is the
Spirit of Ecstas
y, now in her 110th year, personalised with a unique date and location of particular significance to the client. A marriage, the birth of a child or even a major business success, can be engraved as a timeless reminder on the base of the iconic figurine.

As a finishing flourish, a unique accessory has been developed to accompany the Collection. Based on the widely acclaimed Rolls-Royce Champagne Chest, the Tempus Champagne Chest incorporates a distinctive element of the Collection. A pulsar artwork is hand-painted onto the table, below which, the perfectly appointed chest houses thermal flasks for chilling both champagne and caviar, four hand-blown crystal champagne flutes arranged to evoke the cylinders of a V12 engine and a fine mother-of-pearl caviar spoon.

In response to continuing travel restrictions and limitations on face-to-face interactions in dealerships, Rolls-Royce has created a Virtual Reality presentation for Phantom Tempus. Providing customers with a fully immersive, 360° walkaround of the Collection’s interior and exterior, they can enjoy the Phantom Tempus’ extraordinary presence at a time to suit them, wherever they are in the world.

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


EX90 – Volvo’s New Flagship Electric SUV

20 years after Volvo introduced its first SUV, the Swedish carmaker begins a new era with a totally new SUV that takes it into a fully electric future. Unveiled today in Sweden, the new EX90 is the first of a series of models that will enter the market at the rate of one per year. Volvo has declared that by 2030, it will sell only zero emission electric vehicles – one of the most ambitious electrification blueprints in the automotive industry.

“The Volvo EX90 is a statement for where we are, and where we are going,” said Jim Rowan, Volvo’s CEO. “It’s fully electric with a range of up to 600 kilometres on a single charge, designed to further raise our safety standards, the first Volvo car to be truly defined by its software and part of a wider ecosystem, connecting to your home and your other devices. The Volvo EX90 is the start of something new for Volvo Cars in many ways.”

Volvo design has always been faithful to Scandinavian themes and even in the 21st century, its roots are as strong as ever and evident in the design inside and out. At the same time, advanced technologies in core computing, connectivity and electrification optimise efficiency and aesthetics – and, of course, the keystone of the brand – safety.

Safer than any Volvo before it
The standard safety in the 7-seat EX90 is higher than any Volvo model before it. It has intelligence which is enhanced over time as it learns from new data and receives updates. There’s also an invisible shield of safety enabled by the latest sensing technology. State-of-the art sensors like cameras, radars and lidar (
Li
ght
D
etection
a
nd
R
anging) are connected to the EX90’s high-performance core computers, where NVIDIA DRIVE runs Volvo Cars’ in-house software to create a real-time, 360-degree view of the world.

Lidar sensors are able to scan the road ahead in all lighting conditions at high and low speeds. Small objects hundreds of metres ahead can be detected, allowing more time to inform, act and avoid. The sensors also contribute to improve the reliability and overall performance of Volvo’s assisted driving function Pilot Assist, with a new steering support while changing lanes.

 While the focus of sensors in other vehicles has been outwards, the EX90 also has sensors that scan the inside of the vehicle. Special sensors and cameras, powered by in-house developed algorithms, assess eye gaze concentration. This allows detection of distraction, drowsiness or other inattentiveness – beyond what has been possible in a Volvo vehicle to date.

In most cases, the system will alert the driver and then use various means to make the driver more attentive to driving. In the event of the driver falling asleep or having a serious illness, the vehicle will autonomously come to a safe stop and send out a call for help.

With the advanced and extensive array of sensors, the EX90 is the first Volvo that’s hardware-ready for unsupervised driving in the future. So in regions where autonomous motoring is permitted, the EX90 will be ready for use immediately.

‘Advanced computer on wheels’
The core system – powered by NVIDIA DRIVE AI platforms Xavier and Orin, Snapdragon Cockpit Platforms from Qualcomm Technologies and in-house developed software by Volvo engineers – runs most of the core functions inside the car, from safety and infotainment to battery management. It would not be wrong to regard it as a ‘very advanced computer on wheels’. And just as smartphones and computers receive periodic updates that improve their performance over time, the EX90 can also get
software updates over the air.

5G connectivity and Google built in
A 14.5-inch centre screen on the dashboard is the command centre providing information as well as entertainment. It comes with Google built in so many will already be familiar with the interface and use of apps. For those who have Apple devices, the EX90 also comes with wireless Apple CarPlay. And as 5G starts to be available in more and more countries, the EX90 will have the high-speed connectivity available as well. The EX90 comes with phone key technology as standard. The smartphone serves as the ‘key’ and automatically unlocks the car, starting a personal welcoming sequence.

The overall user experience inside the EX90 is designed on the principle of complexity made simple,
avoiding information overload
. The displays in the centre stack and in front of the driver provide information in a smart way that can be customised to personal preference. In this way, the driver can stay focussed on driving.

Propulsion system
The focus on the sensor technologies overshadows the propulsion system which Volvo only touches on briefly. The initially available twin-motor AWD version is powered by a 111-kWh battery pack and two permanent magnet electric motors together generating up to 380 kW (517 ps) and 910 Nm of torque in the highest performance version.

Volvo says that the EX90 will be able to travel up to 600 kms on a single charge. Recharging of the battery pack from 10% to 80% will be under 30 minutes, presumably using a high-speed charging station.

The EX90 is the first Volvo with all the necessary hardware to enable bi-directional charging. This means that the battery pack can also supply electricity to external devices – or even help to recharge the battery pack of another Volvo EV.

A Volvo would not be a Volvo if it was not designed and made with sustainability in mind. The EX90 contains approximately 15% of recycled steel, 25% of recycled aluminium as well as 48 kgs of recycled plastics and bio-based materials, which corresponds to around 15% of the total plastic used in the car – the highest level of any Volvo car to date.

Production of the EX90 will begin in 2023 in the USA and then in China.

Volvo’s Radar System Will Detect Children Left Inside The Car


Final Quarter Of 2022 Starts With A Dip, But Still Over 60,000 Units

Data source: Monthly reports of Malaysian Automotive Association

Going into the final quarter of 2022, the Total Industry Volume (TIV) of new vehicle deliveries for the month of October was 10% lower than the month before but still above the 60,000 level. 61,002 units of vehicles were delivered nationwide, compared to 67,698 units in September.

The 61,002 units were made up of 54,498 units of passenger cars (excluding pick-up trucks) and 6,504 units of commercial vehicles, including pick-up trucks.

With 10 months completed, the cumulative TIV has reached 577,902 units, which is 51% higher than for the same period last year when 383,589 units was the cumulative total. The significant increase this year has more to do with the fact that there was an extended period of lockdowns last year, which resulted in business activities being suspended. It was only during the final quarter that things began to recover – and then the industry was hit by shortages of microprocessors and certain parts.

The strong recovery of the market this year led the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) revised its annual forecast upwards by 30,000 units to 630,000 units. As at the end of October, 91.7% of this target has already been reached so it is almost certain that the year’s TIV forecast will be beaten.

Each of the remaining two months of 2022 only needs deliveries of around 26,000 to meet the forecast and that should not be difficult at all. In fact, the MAA expects November sales to be around the same level as October, and December is usually a month that sees a boost too.

The production side has also seen a significant increase in output from the assembly plants this year, in spite of the shortages that have disrupted production. The situation has stabilized in the past couple of months so the factories can complete more vehicles.

The cumulative production over 10 months has reached 567,752 units, 54% higher than for the same period in 2021. As the chart shows, production during the last quarter of last year declined greatly as there were shortages of microprocessors from global suppliers and also certain parts from local suppliers affected by floods in the Klang Valley.

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Volvo XC40 range gets PHEV Recharge T5 variant, priced from RM241,997

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

The locally-assembled Volvo XC40 range in Malaysia now has a second variant – the XC40 Recharge T5. The ‘Recharge’ indicates it is a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), so it extends the already varied PHEV range available from Volvo Car Malaysia.

The second model in the XC40 range is priced at
RM241,997.04
 for private registration in Peninsular Malaysia (excluding insurance and with full sales tax exemption until the end of June). This is RM10,346 more than the XC40 T5 R-Design.

1.5-litre petrol engine + electric motor

Unlike the XC40 T5 AWD R-Design with a 2-litre turbocharged engine, the XC40 Recharge T5 has a hybrid powertrain which is composed of a 1.5-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol engine that works together with an 82 ps/160 Nm electric motor. The total system output is 262 ps/425 Nm, which flows to the front wheels only through a 7-speed dual-clutch (wet type) transmission.

Performance-wise, the hybrid powertrain gives a zippy feel as maximum torque kicks the moment the car moves off and the level remains the same to 3,000 rpm. But if run against the T5 with just the petrol engine, the 0 to 100 km/h time is shown to be slower – 7.3 seconds versus 6.4 seconds. Nevertheless, both cars have the same top speed of 180 km/h and that is a
maximum speed set by Volvo
 as a measure for safer motoring. You may grumble but that maximum speed is 70 km/h over the highest speed limit in Malaysia anyway.

0% to 100% in 3 hours

As PHEV, it’s possible to recharge the 10.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack from an external source. This can be a household power supply – which will take up to 5 hours to fully recharge the battery pack – or a charging station which can bring the time to around 3 hours. Of course, that assumes a fully drained empty battery pack and in practice, it is likely that an owner would be ‘topping up’ the capacity the same way as with a fuel tank.

45 kms on electricity alone

While driving, the petrol engine will be used and consume fuel but because the electric motor also provides part of the propulsion, fuel consumption will be reduced and can be as economical as 45.5 kms a litre. If conditions permit, it is possible to go up to 45 kms on just electricity alone which is not only good for your wallet but also the environment. And with the fuel tank having a volume of 49 litres, the potential range with a full tank is over 2,000 kms so refuelling will probably be much less frequent.

Built on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform, the XC40 Recharge T5 has the same looks as the T5 AWD with the black roof contrasting with the 5 colour choices (although it is less evident with the Black Stone finish). The black-themed R-Design package is also fitted, probably to simplify assembly by having the same accessories and equipment.

Scandinavian with R-Design interior as well

The interior has the typical Scandinavian ambience that every Volvo today possesses. It’s in the colours , textures and minimalism that is evident around the cabin. Blended into this is underlying high-tech with the fully digital-graphic instrument panel, Intelligent Driver Information System and SENSUS, which is a fully integrated, connected navigation system. Information is shown on a 9-inch colour touchscreen display.

The R-Design package is not just to make the exterior sportier but is also applied within with sporty elements in the trim and items like the shifter and pedals. Also notable is the effort to keep the environment clean, even more important in these times. Volvo’s ventilation system has been upgraded to clean the air more effectively and ensure air quality is premium, just like the car.

Leadership in safety, as always

Being a Volvo, the XC40 comes with a very extensive list of safety systems and features, categorised under two areas of the Intellisafe package – active and passive. The active systems include City Safety which helps the driver avoid accidents with automatic emergency braking if necessary. The camera and radar systems have been improved further to be able to detect not just pedestrians but also cyclists and large animals.

One of the things which Volvo engineers worked hard to prevent was the roll-over and since the first XC90 – which was the carmaker’s first SUV – a roll-over protection system has been present to prevent such situations due to the tallness of the vehicle.

For passive protection – which is prevent or reduce injuries in an accident – the XC40 has a strong structure with the Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) that has been in use since the days of the 850 in the early 1990s. This includes a Dual-Chamber SIPSBag which deploys at the sides of the seats for additional protection.

“We are excited that we can finally offer one of our most successful SUVs as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, and thus completing our full line-up of PHEVs. The launch of the XC40 Recharge T5 is a sign of greener times ahead as we continue to strive towards a more sustainable future and do our part to not only reduce our carbon footprint, but also help our customers reduce theirs as well,” said Nalin Jain, MD of Volvo Car Malaysia.

Special deal for online booking

Customers who book online will receive a complimentary Bowers & Wilkins PX5 wireless headphone set worth RM2,800. This offer is limited to the first 50 customers who book online and must take delivery of the car before May 31, 2021 (terms and conditions apply).

Longer warranty with 2021 Volvos sold in Malaysia


Honda HR-V ‘1 Million Dreams’ Special Edition

The Honda CR-V helped to create the modern SUV segment in the mid-1990s, starting a trend that continuously enlarged the segment to this day. Along the way, a new generation of SUVs have appeared with more car-like styling as well – while still retaining the aspects of SUVs that people like. This gave rise to terms like ‘crossover’ and the association more with the ‘urban jungle’ than the natural jungle.

Honda took note of this trend and developed the HR-V (also known as the Vezel in Japan and some markets) to meet new tastes. This had a fresh, sleek design and Honda described it as having ‘the dynamic qualities of an SUV, the elegance of a coupe and the functionality of a minivan’.

RS variant chosen for Special Edition

Naturally, the HR-V would be included in the exclusive line-up of Special Edition models to celebrate the cumulative sales of 1 million vehicles since Honda Malaysia was established. A single unit of the HR-V RS variant was given the Special Edition treatment which consists of a dual-tone finish with a white body and black roof. At the front, the black grille has a red highlight line running across the lower section and there are also similar red lines on each door mirror. The alloy wheels, finished in black, also have the red highlights and of course, there are exclusive emblems on either side of the bodywork.

Inside the spacious cabin of the HR-V are exclusive features like the
‘1 Million Dreams
’ wording embossed on the leather front seats, while the leather-wrapped steering wheel has red stitching and a centre mark to indicate to the driver where the front wheels are pointed. A small ‘1 Million Dreams’ plaque is also affixed to the dashboard to identify this very exclusive model.

The HR-V RS variant used for the ‘
1 Million Dreams’
 Special Edition is powered by a 1.8-litre SOHC i-VTEC engine with an output of 142 ps/172 Nm, delivered to the front wheels via a CVT. As the top variant in the HR-V range, the alloy wheels are 18 inches in diameter and fitted with 225/50 tyres.

Like the top variants of the other Honda models, the HR-V Special Edition has many premium features – cruise control, keyless entry and pushbutton engine start/stop, paddle shifters, power adjustment for the driver’s seat, electric parking brake and automatic air-conditioning system.

Multi-utility space

The rear half of the cabin has a multi-utility space with three modes to suit different purposes. The layout can be configured for carrying tall items (like the ULTRA Seat in the Jazz), long items or large items. And if it’s just people in the back seat, the amount of space available for legroom is class-leading.

Up to 6 airbags are installed at the front and sides of the cabin, ready to deploy and providing cushioning during a severe impact. The airbags supplement the G-CON structure which absorbs impact energy before it can reach the occupants to cause injuries. Honda LaneWatch, a system for monitoring the blind zone on the left side of the car using a camera, is also provided.

Only one person gets to own the HR-V Special Edition but you can also own a HR-V, and you have a choice of three variants with 1.8-litre engines as well as the HR-V Hybrid, with prices starting from RM104,000 (excluding insurance).

Additional giveaways

Additionally, as part of the
‘1 Million Dreams
’ campaign, there is the Shopee Coins Giveaway for those who participate in any of the ‘1 Million Dreams’ activities on
honda.com.my
 or at an authorised Honda dealer! Up to 1,000,000 Shopee Coins are being given out to 150 weekly winners.

Visit any authorised Honda dealership nationwide to participate. Locations of dealerships can be found at
www.honda.com.my
.

The lucky winners will be announced at a Grand Finale scheduled to be held by the end of this month at Stadium Bukit Jalil on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. The Grand Finale Fun Fair will be on March 27 and 28 and entrance is free. Do remember that with the pandemic still on, you have to observe the Standard Operating Procedures when at the site and do remember to bring along and use a facemask.

The unexpectedly high record bookings have led to a 4-month waiting period, and Honda Malaysia’s plant in Melaka had to revise its production scheduling to try to deliver more vehicles. Fortunately, its No.2 line was in operation already and the flexible production schedule enabled revisions to be made so that customers did not have to wait long.

Since being launched in Malaysia 6 years ago, around 100,000 units have been sold. Last year, the HR-V was the third best-selling model for Honda Malaysia, accounting for 17% of its total sales. It also maintained its leadership position in the Non-National Compact SUV segment with a 73% market share.


All-new 10th Generation Honda Accord finally arrives!

At long last, the 10
th
 generation Honda Accord has arrived in Malaysian showrooms. Although the new generation first went on sale in October 2017 (in the US market), it was only in March last year that the ASEAN version was launched in Thailand, followed by Indonesia. Malaysia, in spite of the diminished D-segment market, still continues to assemble the flagship model, which has been the case since the first generation in the late 1970s.

With the D-segment smaller in size here (prompting Edaran Tan Chong Motor to stop selling its Nissan Teana), Honda Malaysia plans to sell only 200 units a month – and that too is felt to be on the high side. We don’t have the sales figures for last year (as the powerful Competition Commission won’t allow the public to know) but the production numbers totalled less than 1,000 units with an average of 77 units/month.

Nevertheless, the Accord is popular in markets like America (where it has been the overall bestselling passenger car) and so there is still enthusiasm in product development. And since the third (current) Jazz generation that appeared in 2014, Honda’s styling has become more and more aggressive and sporty, with the Accord now also following the same themes.

Some may regard the new styling, with a coupe-like rear end, as being too radical a change for a model in this upper segment. After all, cars like the Accord have usually been driven by older people with more senior positions in the corporate world. These are people who may have conservative tastes and the new looks might not go down well.

But Honda has always been a maverick in the car industry and daring enough to embark in new directions. The older management may have their conservative views but it appears that they are also open to evolving trends and willing to trust their younger designers to head in the right direction.

Comparing the latest 10
th
 generation to the first one that started off as a hatchback in 1976 is like comparing day and night. The differences are so great that it’s hard to believe they share the same nameplate. The first generation sedan was 4.45 metres long and today’s Accord is 500 mm longer, with a wheelbase that is almost similarly longer with the 55 mm increase for the 10
th
 generation. It’s also heavier – that first Accord weighed just 965 kgs whereas the 2020 one is almost 1,500 kgs.

Powertrains have greatly changed too. Until this generation, the smallest engine for the Accord was the 1.6-litre unit used in the early generations. But in this age of downsizing, small is better and so the new Accord gets its smallest engine ever – the 1.5-litre turbocharged Earth Dreams Technology engine.

It’s a bold move to have such a small displacement engine for such a big car although European motorists are fine with it. Malaysians still think of cc as being indicators of output and performance and we won’t be surprised if salesmen are asked ‘Can go up Genting Highlands or not?’, referring to the hill resort area with steep slopes. Younger customers may already accept and understand that with turbocharging, the output can be boosted and performance can be much higher.

In fact, the new Accord’s engine (with VTEC) develops 201 ps/260 Nm, considerably more powerful than the 2.4-litre engine. And apart from all that extra output is the fact that, along with the assistance of the CVT, fuel consumption will be lower and you also pay much less roadtax.

The Accord range in America has the additional option of a bigger 2-litre (K20) engine as well as a hybrid variant (also available in Thailand) but for the Malaysian market, it is banking on the 1.5-litre turbo engine only. Understandably, with the low volumes, it would make no sense to assemble two different engine variants and in any case, the other variants would cost more.

As an all-new generation, the latest Accord is essentially a clean-sheet development meaning it started almost more scratch rather than having a structural carry-over. The platform is new to accommodate the largest bodyshell the model has ever had. It is now 4901 mm long (+39 mm), 1862 mm wide (+13 mm) and though it looks low-slung because of the sleek profile, the roof is actually 16 mm higher. A 54 mm increase in the wheelbase extends it to 2830 mm, with 48 mm more rear legroom as a result of that increase.

During the development of the new Accord, the engineers worked hard at bringing down NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) as this influences the perception of quality and refinement. Spray foam helps to lower noise while High-Performance Adhesive enhances rigidity which improves durability. Laser brazing is used to join the roof and body side panels, and Honda Malaysia’s factory in Melaka had to agree to make the necessary investment for equipment to do this process before Honda was willing to allow the model to continue to be assembled here.

Having been launched almost a year ago in Thailand meant that ASEAN NCAP could evaluate the new Accord and not unexpectedly, it got the maximum 5-star rating. Passive safety apart, the new Accord also has an impressive list of active safety systems and features that will help the driver to avoid accidents or reduce the effects of accidents on the occupants.

Much of this is provided by the Honda SENSING system, an integrated package of systems with 8 components. These are Low Speed Follow, Auto High-Beam, Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, and Lane Departure Warning. Most of the systems rely on information from a camera mounted at the top of the windscreen and a millimetre-wave radar in the grille.

With Adaptive Cruise Control (which can operate down to 0 km/h) and the Collision Mitigation Braking System that will automatically apply the brakes, drivers can have an early experience of autonomous motoring as these systems are managed by a computer without involvement of a human.

Additionally, there’s the Honda LaneWatch system, an innovative idea which uses a small camera in the left door mirror to capture real-time images of that side of the car. The image is displayed on the screen in the middle of the dashboard, which the driver can see more easily than having to swivel the head to the left. Also providing additional visual coverage is a Multi-View Camera System.

Parking the car is made easier with Smart Parking Assist System with Brake Assist (Rear) that recognises the border line of the parking space and assists the driver with automatic steering assist, screen display, voice guidance and auto braking.

As with other Hondas currently in showrooms, the new Accord’s interior was packaged with the ‘Man-Maximum, Machine-Minimum’ approach. Being the flagship model, it comes with a comprehensive list of premium features that include 4-way Assistant Power Seat with Shoulder Switch, and Wireless Charging.

The instrument panel and dashboard have elements of the previous generation but enhanced with more premium and fresher looks. For example, there is a bright and clear 8-inch Advanced Display at the centre console and a 7-inch Interactive Thin Film Transistor (TFT) meter cluster.

As with the latest Civic, the new Accord also comes with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty and free labour service (terms and conditions apply). It is now available for viewing and test-drives at authorised Honda dealerships nationwide. To locate a showroom near you, visit
www.honda.com.my
.


New online platform for car insurance makes ‘shopping’ around quick and easy

The phased motor insurance de-tariffication process liberalises the fixed pricing for motor insurance that has been in place in Malaysia for over 30 years. In this new environment, the insurance industry has been gaining the flexibility to offer motor insurance coverage with new features at market-based pricing based on the risk behaviour of the policyholders.

This means, in time to come, motorists will benefit from varying coverage limits customised to match their individual risk profiles. As is the case in a number of countries around the world, credit scoring plays a part in allowing those with good credit scores to enjoy lower premiums for their car insurance.

CTOS, the well known credit reporting agency in Malaysia, aims to enter the car insurance industry by expanding its range of services to provide insurance coverage for motor vehicles. Its subsidiary company, CTOS IDS Sdn Bhd, has launched CTOS Car Insurance, an online platform for car insurance and road tax renewal.

The new service is in collaboration with PolicyStreet.com. which is operated by Polisea Sdn Bhd, an insurance technology company. CTOS Car Insurance is said to provide a fast, hassle-free opportunity to make price comparisons of policies from more than 10 insurance providers within minutes, allowing motorists to find the best deals in the market.

By comparing quotes from a large range of insurers, CTOS IDS says that motorists will be able to find savings of up to RM1,000 from their current deals.

“The strategic partnership between CTOS and an insurance technology company is the first of its kind in Malaysia. We are proud to have partnered with CTOS and believe the collaboration will pave way to more innovative, customised and inclusive insurance protection, leveraging on credit scores and big data for all Malaysians,” said Wilson Beh, Co-Founder of PolicyStreet.com.

In this new collaboration, the CTOS Car Insurance platform will offer motorists policies from leading insurance providers such as Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Berhad, Etiqa General Takaful Berhad, Zurich General Insurance Malaysia Berhad as well as other leading companies in the country.

Terms & conditions apply.

Besides roadtax renewal, the new service also comes with further other benefits. Customers who successfully renew or purchase their insurance via the platform will be able to get a free MyCTOS Score Report to stay on top of their credit health. There will also be further discounts on car insurance quotes based on the value of premiums selected.

“A one-stop centre to get an insurance policy and road tax saves time, provides more choice, and ultimately, allows consumers to make more informed decisions. CTOS Car Insurance reflects how we are focusing our partnership efforts to offer consumers end-end digital solutions in increasingly varied industries. Also, in time, we hope to be able to offer even more value by taking into account credit scores to present consumers better prices, in line with the motor insurance de-tariffication process started by Bank Negara in 2016,” said Eric Hamburger, Group CEO of CTOS Digital Berhad, the parent company of CTOS IDS.

MIB (not Men in Black) can provide compensation when you get hit by an uninsured vehicle


Fuel Price Updates For April 1 – April 7, 2021


Pirelli to be sole tyre-supplier for FIA World Rally Championship

Pirelli has been the tyre-supplier to Formula 1 teams since 2011 and from 2021, the tyremaker has also been chosen by the FIA as the sole supplier for the World Rally Championship (WRC). Taking over from Michelin, the supply contract is to run until the end of 2024.

Pirelli will supply all the 4WD cars that compete on the championship, from the WRC category that fights for the overall title, to the R5-specification WRC2 class, which is also the headlining category on regional and national championships throughout the world.

Pirelli will supply tyres to all classes in the WRC.

Commitment to supporting young drivers as well

“Our return to the top level of rallying is something that we were considering for a while, and it’s particularly fitting that this appointment from the FIA comes in the year that Ott Tanak – a graduate of the Pirelli Star Driver programme – was crowned World Champion. Supplying the WRC alongside F1 will enable us to improve our products still further by putting them against some of the most varied and demanding conditions seen in motorsport,” said Mario Isola, Pirelli’s Head of F1 and car racing.

Pirelli’s commitment to supporting the careers of young drivers is set to continue as well. Alongside the continued supply to the Junior WRC, Pirelli will also carry on equipping the Junior ERC3 class on the European Rally Championship.

Pirelli has been sole tyre-supplier to F1 since 2011 but its involvement in the WRC goes back longer.

25 world titles and 181 wins

The tyremaker has long experience in WRC, having been involved since 1973 and being the tyres used by teams that won 25 world titles and 181 WRC events. It was sole supplier to the WRC from 2008 to 2010 and since 2018, it has supplied tyres for drivers in the WRC2 category.

“Technology and passion are two key elements that Pirelli bring to motorsport, and these have allowed us to secure the single tyre supply for the World Rally Championship. We’ve supported young drivers in the Junior category for many years and now we’re returning to the top class as well,” said Giovanni Tronchetti Provera, Pirelli’s Senior Vice-President of Prestige and Motorsport.

He added that rallying has always been a perfect open-air laboratory for Pirelli’s engineers to test out new technologies that are eventually destined for road use, thanks to the extreme conditions that characterise the sport.

Tyres to be supplied

Pirelli will supply the WRC teams with tyres that have already successfully been seen on different rally championships throughout the world. The P Zero RA is for asphalt, with different compounds available to suit the terrain and weather conditions. The Sottozero Snow (with or without studs) is used for snowy conditions, the Sottozero Ice J1 is specifically designed for Rally Sweden, while on gravel, the reinforced Scorpion K can cope with a wide variety of loose surface conditions.


1965 E-Type restored by Jaguar Classic shown at Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant in London

Many companies are participating in the Platinum Jubilee (70 years) of Queen Elizabeth II, the British monarch, and among them is Jaguar, a very British brand. For this very special occasion, the carmaker provided 15 of its cars in the Platinum Jubilee Pageant recently, including a one-of-a-kind 1965 Series 1 E-type Roadster.

The unique E-type, which made its debut alongside a selection of historically important Jaguar E-types, was commissioned by a customer who had specific requirements. He wanted a Roadster manufactured in the year he was born and finished to a bespoke specification.

The team at Jaguar Classic set to work and tracked down a Series 1 E-type that was built just 2 days after the customer’s date of birth. Over the following 12 months, the car underwent a complete rebuild, beginning with the bodywork. Finished in a unique deep metallic blue inspired by the blue of the Union Jack, the new colour was exclusively mixed by the paintshop following numerous consultations and sample creations to craft the perfect hue over several months.

With the body assembly and paintwork complete, the engineering team went to work refitting mechanical elements – including many enhancements. The original 4.2-litre straight-six was replaced by a larger 4.7-litre engine, delivering better performance. It is optimised for road driving and married to Jaguar Classic’s specially developed 5-speed gearbox, giving a smoother, quieter and more refined driving experience.

The uprated suspension ensures the 57-year old chassis can exploit the performance provided by its powertrain, while wider wheels, tyres, and uprated brakes deliver the grip necessary for safe driving at high speeds. A sports exhaust and manifold ensure the E-type’s soundtrack suits its dynamic character.

The bespoke interior features striking leather upholstery finished in a shade of red inspired by iconic British pillarboxes. It was hand-finished using traditional methods at the in-house Jaguar Classic Works trim shop.

Modern technologies include 21st century connectivity provided by the Classic Infotainment system – combining touchscreen controls, satellite navigation and Bluetooth with a period-look that is perfectly in-keeping with the rest of the vehicle. Powerful exterior LED lighting also brings illumination up to modern standards.

Whilst most of the project has bespoke items, certain elements are also available for other E-type owners to purchase and benefit from. These include Jaguar Classic’s specially developed 5-speed gearbox and their Classic Infotainment system. The gearbox was originally unveiled on the E-type 60 Collection. Not only does it give the E-type added usability and comfort, but its installation requires no cutting, and therefore no loss of integrity to the vehicle.

Jaguar Classic specialises in restoration work, bringing old models to their original specification. It has the advantage of being in close contact with the factory and having access to old documents that can help in its work for clients. This bespoke example showcases the full breadth of personalisation available.

Besides the Reborn restorations for both Jaguar and Land Rover, Jaguar Classic has also been building the exclusive New Original continuation cars such as the Jaguar Lightweight E-type, XKSS, D-type, and C-type.

Various Jaguar models taking part in the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in London recently to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years as British monarch.

Original Jaguar E-Type toolkit now available from Jaguar Classic


20% discount on toll charges on PLUS highways and LPT2 tomorrow (Saturday)

If you are travelling on PLUS and LPT2 highways tomorrow (
Saturday January 25
), your toll charges will be 20% less as a discount is being offered from 12:00 am till 11:59 pm. The 20% discount is only for privately-registered passenger vehicles.

Applicable highways are the North-South Expressway, the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), Seremban-Port Dickson Expressway, the North-South Expressway Central Link (ELITE), Malaysia-Singapore Second Link Highway (Linkedua), Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (BKE), Penang Bridge and the East-Coast Expressway 2 (LPT2).

There is no discount for those passing through the toll plazas at Tanjung Kupang. Motorists who are currently enjoying the existing Penang Bridge 20% toll discount via their Touch ‘n Go cards will also not be entitled to the discount.

To facilitate a smoother traffic flow during the festive period when millions of vehicles will be travelling on the highways, all toll plaza reload facilities on the
entry lanes
 to PLUS-operated highways will be closed to customers from
January 22 until February 3, 2020
. This move is aimed at reducing traffic congestion due to the long queue at reload lanes at the toll plazas.

PLUS advises motorists to plan their journey in advance and most importantly, to reload their Touch ‘n Go card before starting their journey and make sure their card has sufficient balance to cover all toll charges along the way. There is no Touch ‘n Go card reload service provided at the
exit lane
 of all PLUS toll plazas. However, certain toll plazas do have reload services at the PLUS customer service centres.

Most petrol station stores like the BHPetromarts along the highways offer TnG reload services. Top up extra since you can also use the same card to pay at many carparks.

Motorists can top-up their cards at 11,000 reload centres throughout the country, including Touch ‘n Go Spots which are located at 34 petrol stations along the PLUS highway and also Self-Service Kiosks which located at 67 locations at selected R&R areas, lay-bys and toll plazas.

During this festive season, PLUS is expecting a total of 2 million vehicles to utilize its highways, especially during the peak periods which are from January 22 – 24; January 27, 28 and 31; and February 1 (which is a holiday in the Federal Territory).

From February 1, 2020,
toll charges on PLUS-operated highways will decrease by 18%
, as reported earlier. There will be no change in toll rates on PLUS highways until 2058 but PLUS has its concession period extended by 20 years beyond 2038.

Tips from PLUS for a less stressful drive on the N-S Highway next week


Combined Peugeot-Citroen 3S outlet opened in Alor Setar, Kedah

A new bi-marque 3S dealership handling the Peugeot and Citroen brands has opened in Alor Setar, Kedah. The new facility is the result of collaboration between Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official distributor for the Peugeot brand, and Naza Euro Motors Sdn Bhd, the official distributor for Citroen in Malaysia, as both companies aim to extends their network reach to the northern region.

“The launch of this new bi-marque Peugeot and Citroen Alor Setar outlet is the continuation of our expansion plan to increase our network and reach in Malaysia. This also ensures that we are able to cater to the needs and demands of our customers at an accessible location,” said Dato’ Nik Hamdan, Deputy Group CEO of Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings.

RM2 million investment

Built with an investment of RM2 million, the new outlet has a showroom that can display up to 8 cars. There are comfortable lounges for customers and a cafe corner within the 15,000 square feet of built-up area. The service centre has the capacity to service up to 250 cars a month with its 5 bays.

Unique to the bi-marque outlet is the full implementation of the new Peugeot and Citroen showroom concept – Peugeot Bluebox and Citroen La Maison. The Peugeot Bluebox concept aims to introduce customers to an immersive Peugeot experience that is modern and upmarket while the Citroen La Maison offers customers an interactive and fluid experience inspired by its warm and contemporary living space.

“We are confident of meeting the expectations of the Alor Setar and overall Kedah market, as the team have been extremely committed on the implementation of the two holistic concepts from Peugeot and Citroën which is sure to add to the brand ownership experience,” added Dato’ Nik Hamdan.

Groupe PSA starts Peugeot vehicle exports from Naza Automotive Manufacturing, its production hub for ASEAN


UMW Toyota Motor welcomes return of normal business activities

With the closure of retail outlets for almost 3 months due to suspension of activities by the government, there has been a clear impact on new vehicle sales and bookings. To boost sales in the remaining months of the year, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) will be having sales promotions.

For the month of September, customers can enjoy the lowest instalment for the Toyota Yaris from RM493 a month with EZ Beli, while those who buy a Toyota RAV4 can get a cash rebate of up to RM10,000. Customers can save money until the end of 2021 as the sales tax exemption applies to all new models, including imported CBU models. For the popular Toyota Alphard MPV, the savings amount to RM17,391.

Last year, UMWT reported total sales of 59,320 vehicles, consisting of 58,501 units from the Toyota brand and 819 units from the Lexus brand. The total sales volume of new Toyota and Lexus vehicles in the month of August was 2,524 units, 56% lower than for the same month in 2020. However, when comparing the first 8 months of 2021 with the same period in 2020, the total sales volume of Toyota and Lexus vehicles was 38,085 units in 2021 and 31,734 units in 2020. This was due to the continued strong sales momentum that started last year.

“It has certainly been challenging for us, but we understand the necessity of the actions taken by the Government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. On our part, we have made sure that our workforce has been vaccinated so that we can safely resume and continue our activities at our facilities around the country,” said President of UMW Toyota Motor, Ravindran. K.

“Our loyal customers are also not forgotten and we will soon announce a new program that will reward them for their loyalty to the brand over more than five decades,” Mr. Ravindran added.

He gave assurance that all sales and service outlets will follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) specified by the Health Ministry. Customers and visitors will be required to have temperature scans and register their visit using the MySejahtera app, as well as use hand sanitizers and facemasks at all times. The employees at all facilities will likewise follow SOPs for protection and safety.

Meanwhile, production activities have resumed at the two assembly plants in Selangor. While there is a small backlog of orders to meet due to the shutdown, UMW Toyota Motor expects to be able to deliver new vehicles to customers within a reasonable time-frame.

Assembly Services Sdn Bhd in Bukit Raja, Selangor, one of the two vehicle assembly plants of UMW Toyota Motor.

“We thank our loyal customers for their patience, support and understanding. It is a challenging time for everyone and we have been doing our best to assist customers by maintaining communication channels for them to use if they have a problem with their Toyota or Lexus vehicle. Now that activities can resume, we hope they will ensure that their vehicles continue to have maintenance service carried out,” added Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.

UMW Toyota Motor to invest RM270 million for assembly of Toyota hybrid models


Sepang International Circuit to close for upgrades

Sepang International Circuit (SIC) announces temporary closure for upgrades and resurfacing from February to May 2016.

Image Credit: Sepang International Circuit

The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) management have announced that it will close the circuit for several months in 2016 to accommodate its upgrading and resurfacing works. The circuit will be closed from February 15 until May 8.

Image Credit: Sepang International Circuit

According to the circuit’s press statement, the works will involve the entire length of the 5.54km-long circuit, and is a mandatory requirement in ensuring that the course continues to be homologated to meet with FIA Grade 1 and FIM Grade A circuit standards. The circuit last underwent an upgrade back in 2007.

Image Credit: BMW Group Malaysia

SIC did shed some light into what specific areas are being upgraded as well. Besides resurfacing the circuit’s entire 5.54km length, upgrades will be performed towards the drainage system, as well as the kerbs and the run-off area tarmac. The work will also involve a rebuild of the gravel bed area at Turn 1 and Turn 15.

The circuit is expected to resume its regular operation and business as soon as the revamp in completed in May.


TOYOTA GAZOO Racing to reproduce selected parts for AE86 sportscar of the 1980s

Toyota has made many sportscars over the years and some of them have become legendary and are still sought after decades after production ceased. One of them is the model that was in the fifth generation of the Corolla family in the 1980s. It had the model code of ‘AE86’ and in the Japanese market, it was known as Levin or Trueno (the name used for the Sprinter sister version) and as Corolla GT in most export markets. Today, it is also referred to as ‘
hachi-roku
’ which is Japanese for ‘86’.

Because of the many units of AE86 still in use around the world, replacement parts are still circulating, mostly by aftermarket suppliers. Now TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) has made the decision to include the model in its GR Heritage Parts Project which reproduces spare parts that have been discontinued and sells them as genuine parts.

Fifth model for heritage parts project

TGR has already been reproducing spare parts for the
A70 and A80 Supra
, the
2000GT
, and the
40-Series Land Cruiser
. Now owners of the AE86 will be able to get parts which would have the same high quality and durability as genuine parts.

Of course, unlike when the car was still in production, the reproduced parts will not be the entire list of thousands of parts. From market studies, TGR has identified parts which are in demand and for now, it will offer rear brake calipers, steering knuckle arms and rear driveshafts (from December).

Limited production run

The production run for the parts will be limited so they will be available until stocks run out. The parts will be sold by authorized Toyota dealers in various countries in the same way as normal genuine parts.

The AE86 has been amazingly enduring, with well maintained units that are over 30 years old able to have values similar or even higher (if they have performance parts added) than what the original customers paid for them in the 1980s. Even the engineers of the team that developed the model were surprised by how the car is still in demand by enthusiasts. When they developed it, the AE86 was just another variant of the world’s most bestselling car.

The ‘Initial D’ series, which featured a Trueno prominently, also helped to boost the car’s popularity.

One of the first models to used 4A-GE

It was one of the first models to use the 4A-GE LASRE (
L
ightweight
A
dvanced
S
uper
R
esponse
E
ngine), a 1600 cc DOHC all-aluminium 16-valve engine with 4 valves per cylinder (later versions had 5 valves per cylinder). The engine, which was developed in collaboration with Yamaha (which had also helped Toyota develop earlier high-performance engines) had a high output of 130 bhp. But it was the handling of the car that made it popular, especially among those who used it for drifting.

In Malaysia, UMW Toyota Motor imported a small number for sale (at prices under RM50,000!) as well as for use by its rally team in the 1980s, where it won many events. It was something of a ‘giant killer’, able to take on more powerful cars like the Nissan 240RS, although that was also largely due to having skilled drivers like Y.S. Khong behind the wheel. In later years, many used units would be brought in and readily sold.

UMW Toyota Motor’s rally team in the 1980s used the Toyota AE86 with much success.

Toyota 86 introduced in 2012 is the spiritual successor of the original ‘hachi-roku’.

AE86 reborn

The AE86 was reborn in the modern Toyota 86 model in 2012, adopting new technologies but also inherited the culture and tradition of the ‘hachi-roku’. This has been followed by the
GR86
 which went on sale last month in Japan.


10 Year Malaysian Driving License Starts From May 8th

Wouldn’t we all love it if our licence renewal was every ten years instead of the current five years? Well, now you can. The general public can begin applying for 10-year licences on Monday (May 8
th
) at JPJ offices and counters, according to a statement made by transport minister Loke Siew Fook earlier this week.

Anyone who intended to renew their licences was eligible as long as they were fit to drive. The one rule is that once you are over 70, you will need a doctor’s note that testifies to your driving proficiency.

All road safety experts and organisations shared the underlying belief that a person’s right to drive should not be taken away unless they pose a danger to other drivers.

The extension of driver’s licence validity to ten years was not unique to Malaysia; countries such as New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Australia are also doing so.

Those who renew their licence for up to ten years will also receive a 10% discount on the charge. They would be charged the same RM30 per year price, but if they renew for ten years at once, the amount will be RM270.

The Issue

However, according to a road safety expert, when it comes to suspending reckless drivers, allowing driver’s licences to be valid for up to 10 years can be difficult. The road transport department (JPJ) was typically able to keep drivers who had committed major traffic infractions from renewing their licences.

With this new policy, JPJ will find it difficult to enforce the suspension if drivers can renew their licences for up to ten years. Drivers with a track record of safe driving, on the other hand, should be eligible for licence extensions.

Those wishing to renew their licences should not be blacklisted by the police, should not have any existing restrictions imposed by JPJ, and should not be suspended as a result of a conviction or court order.

It was suggested that electronic driver’s licences be used to simplify the renewal procedure and to link the driver to records of traffic offences and crashes.


Brace yourselves, a new Lotus hypercar is coming!

This year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed is getting more and more amazing by the day. The latest to join the hype at the iconic race event is Lotus as they’re planning to reveal their latest hypercar and guess what? It’s called the Lotus Evija and it is a full-electric beast.

Previously introduced as the Lotus Type 130, attendees of the Goodwood FOS 2019 will be able to catch an exclusive glimpse of the new upcoming Lotus hypercar this coming weekend. Planned to enter the production stage in 2020, the Lotus Evija will be the world’s first British EV hypercar and will mark a significant point in history for the brand.

The Lotus Evija will also be the first major model to be launched under the new stewardship of Geely aka “the world’s fastest growing automotive group”. Pronounced as ‘ev-eye-a’, the name signifies ‘the first in existence’ or ‘the living one’ will be the talking point of the brand’s move towards greater automotive innovation.

According to Lotus Cars CEO, Phil Popham, “Evija is the perfect name for our new car because it’s the first hypercar from Lotus, our first electric offering and is the first new model under the stewardship of Geely. The Evija is a Lotus like no other, yet a true Lotus in every sense. It will re-establish our brand on the global automotive stage and pave the way for further visionary models.”

Sports car fans attending this weekend’s Festival are invited to visit the Lotus stand – on the main grid – for an exclusive glimpse of the Evija. Hidden from general sight, visitors can join a dramatic ‘light show’ experience that reveals new details and provides the best hints yet of its exterior design.

The Evija will be officially launched in full later this month in London. Stay tuned to
Piston.My
 for more updates.

This is the 700hp Toyota GR Supra Drift by HKS

https://www.facebook.com/piston.my/


Hennessey Performance’s Project Deep Space is a 6-wheel drive Hyper GT!

John Hennessey, the founder and CEO of Texas-based Hennessey Performance, is a man who loves powerful cars and his company has been ‘making fast cars faster’ since 1991. His work covers not only musclecars but also trucks and SUVs, with notable recent models like the 700-bhp Velociraptor F250 and a ZL1 Camaro nicknamed ‘
The Exorcist
’ with 1,000 bhp.

In 2017, he started Hennessey Special Vehicles to develop even faster cars, with the Venom F5 being of hypercar status and the first road car capable of achieving more than 480 km/h. The Hennessey team developed an all new, twin turbo V8 engine that can deliver 1,817 bhp which sits on a lightweight chassis enclosed by an all carbonfibre body.

The Exorcist, a Camaro ZL1 with 1,000 bhp (above) and the Venom F5 are just some of the superfast cars from Hennessey.

The F5’s combination of light weight, low drag and massive horsepower is claimed to enable an acceleration time from 0 to
300 km/h
 in less than 10 seconds, making the new Venom quicker than current Formula 1 racing cars.

Project Deep Space

Now Hennessey Special Vehicles is taking things further with a strategic product plan to introduce 3 all-new vehicles over the next 10 years. Project Deep Space, the codename for one of the vehicles, will be the world’s first 6-wheel drive Hyper-GT.

During the next 10 years, electrification will be permeating through the industry and Hennessey is going with the change by making the hyper-GT run only on electric power, generated by 6 motors. With a 50% increase in surface contact over traditional 4-wheeled vehicles, the performance of the hyper-GT will be astonishing.

Fitted with dramatic gullwing doors, Project Deep Space will be constructed with an ultra-lightweight carbonfibre chassis and body panels. The car will be a unique, ultra-luxurious, Grand Tourer that can transport 4 adults in comfort along with 4 sets of golf clubs, plus luggage.

Diamond=shaped seating layout

The distinctive diamond seating arrangement places the driver in a central position and the rear offers lie-flat seating. The interior will be fitted with the highest quality materials and for the asking price, customers will be able to add whatever they want to personalize their hypercar.

“I’ve been building some of the world’s fastest accelerating vehicles for decades, yet they have always been performance-limited by mechanical grip. Six-wheeled electric propulsion is the solution. The technology is unprecedented in this segment – both forward-thinking and innovative. Our design and engineering team is excited about embracing the future,” said John Hennessey.

World’s most expensive EV

Full specifications for Project Deep Space are yet to be announced, but Hennessey has confirmed that pricing will start at US$3 million (RM12.6 million at today’s exchange rate) which will make it the world’s most expensive EV (unless Bugatti or someone else comes out with a rival model). Only 105 hypercars will be built with production planned to begin in 2026.

Hennessey produces World’s Fastest and Most Powerful Pick-up Truck – the MAMMOTH 1000 TRX


Super affordable Shell Helix HX8 launched! From RM165

Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd has officially introduced their latest addition of premium fully synthetic engine oils for the Malaysian market that is the
Shell Helix HX8
.

Considered as one of the most affordable premium fully synthetic engine oils in the country, the new Helix HX8 series comes with the adaptive Flexi Molecule Technology for better engine protection.

What it does is offer 58% better high-temperature deposit control and viscosity stability, 78% better corrosion protection in start-stop urban driving conditions, and 40% better wear protection.

This in turn provide car owners with longer engine life plus other added benefits throughout the period from enhanced fuel economy, longer oil drain intervals to lower maintenance costs.

Two different variants are available for the Malaysian market in 4-litre packs:

Helix HX8 5W-40 – RM165 (RM166 for East Malaysia)

Helix HX8 5W-30 – RM180 (RM181 for East Malaysia)

In conjunction with the launch of the new Shell Helix products, 888 packs of the new Helix HX8 is up for grabs to car owners who register online at www.shell.com.my/helix888. No purchase is necessary and lucky winners will receive a promo code via SMS.

Additionally, purchase of Helix HX8 qualifies the consumer for the unique Shell Advantage and Rewards (SHARE) loyalty programme which offers free Shell engine oil from accumulated purchases and free Shell Helix Engine Warranty (SHEW) for cars below eight years old and 150,000 km on the odometer.

For more information, visit
www.shell.com.my/helix
 or call the Shell Customer Service Hotline at 1300 88 1808.


F1 (Round 2): Preview and Starting Grid of the 2020 Formula 1 Pirelli Styrian Grand Prix

Race starts at 3:10 pm in Austria | 9:10 pm in Malaysia

Just last weekend, the opening round of the 2020 Formula 1 World Championship was run at the Red Bull Ring in Austria and this Sunday, the second round takes place at the same circuit. It’s unusual to have two consecutive rounds at the same location but this is due to the postponement/cancellation of earlier rounds due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, the organizers have to compress the schedule for this season as they try to get up to 18 races run by the end of the year.
Ten have already been confirmed
 to date.

The FIA says that this is the first time that a region’s name has been used for a F1 round but then again, there is the European GP and Europe is also a region, isn’t it? The event also has the name of 2020 Formula 1 Pirelli Styrian Grand Prix, only the 43rd time that a round has had an individual tile. Styria is the region in Austria which the Red Bull Ring is located.

To recap on the
previous round
, the race was certainly a chaotic one and by the time the chequered flag came out, just 13 cars (of the 20 that started the race) were classified as finishers. It was the lowest number since the 2017 Australian GP when the same number completed the race.

Although the Red Bull Ring is familiar to the teams and drivers, the gap of just a week has meant that there has been limited time to analyze performance and address issue and concerns. It seemed that there were some reliability issues as certain systems in some cars had problems.

The positions of Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc and Antonio Giovinazzi were changed after they received grid penalties for various offences.

The view from Lando Norris’ McLaren.

Daniel Ricciardo (Renault) crashed during practices but still made it for the qualifying session.

For the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, the free practice sessions were used to check whether those reliability concerns were fixed. “The team is still looking into that, but I think we have made some progress. We made some good set-up tweaks and I tried to use the learnings from last weekend, in terms of one-lap pace and driving style over a race distance,” said the winner of the first round, Valtteri Bottas.

The Official F1 Medical Car assessing track conditions during the heavy rain that delayed qualifying.

Heavy rain forced the final practice session to be cancelled and today’s qualifying sessions could not start on time due to the same climatic issue. Eventually, the cars went out on wet tyres after a 45-minute wait.

In the Constructors’ battle, Bottas’ win and Lewis Hamilton’s fourth place last weekend put Mercedes-AMG in the familiar position at the top. They have an 11-point lead over McLaren which was the combination of points for the third place of Lando Norris and fifth place of Carlos Sainz, Jr. Ferrari struggled but still collected 19 points with the second placing of Charles Leclerc, plus 1 point from Vettel.

Fernando Alonso will rejoin the Renault team!

F1: Results & Highlights of the 2020 Rolex F1 Austrian Grand Prix


China Eco-Car Assessment Program makes Geely work harder at attacking NVH

New car assessment programs (NCAPs) in most countries focus mainly on safety which is a high priority to consumers these days. Since the 1970s, these NCAPs – which typically include crash tests that provide data for analysis and evaluation – have constantly evolved and set tougher demands. Although passing them is not required by government agencies, most carmakers strive to achieve the best results (5 stars) as this can influence a purchase decision. As such, the organizations managing the NCAPs have contributed to pushing safety standards upwards and making motoring safer.

Assessing ecological design

China, which only began active automobile development from the mid-1980s, also has its own NCAP (C-NCAP) which has also focused on safety since being formulated in 2006. Now, a new type of NCAP has been added – the China Eco-Car Assessment Program (C-ECAP) which is considered the most stringent vehicle assessment test in China to date. Unlike the C-NCAP, it evaluates a vehicle’s ecological design.

The program studies in-vehicle air quality, noise, materials used, combined fuel consumption, exhaust emissions, end of life recyclability, whole lifecycle greenhouse emissions, and component life cycle. Only 1% of vehicles put forward so far have received a high passing score. In a recent test, Geely’s first MPV, the Jia Ji, scored 101.24 out of 105 points, including a perfect score for interior noise quality.

The Jia Ji MPV is currently the highest scoring model in the 2019 C-ECAP and only one to receive a platinum certification for eco-friendliness.

Bringing NVH down

When developing the Jia Ji, Geely engineers paid meticulous attention to the levels of NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) and aimed to limit external noises to a maximum of 38.1 decibels at idle. To do so, 150 noise-reduction elements were installed throughout the vehicle and Active Noise Reduction (ANC) technology was used.

NVH characteristics define a manufacturer’s capability, an indicator of quality in automotive manufacturing and a reflection of the car’s overall quality. As recently as 6 years ago, knowledge of NVH and how to address it was still lacking within the Chinese automotive industry. This was why there was a big gap in quality between cars of the Chinese brands and those of established global players. Foreign models had much development in sound insulation aspects, leading to a higher perception of quality.

Measuring NVH is extremely difficult because it’s subjective to each user’s feelings. This ‘metaphysical’ nature of NVH performance also makes R&D extremely difficult. The first stage is reducing the noise and vibration of the whole vehicle to a minimum. Then comes sound quality because lowering NVH is not just about eliminating all sounds as certain characteristics are desirable. For example, enthusiasts want the louder and more assertive engine sound for sportscars while those in luxury models want quietness at even high speeds. The third stage builds upon the second and aims to integrate specific NVH qualities into the DNA of different vehicles customized according to the models positioning and desired user experience.

To reach the third stage of integrating desirable NVH qualities into the vehicle’s DNA, Geely has been developing a whole new generation of advanced vehicle architectures with NVH in mind from the very beginning. The CMA Compact Modular Architecture is one example of this.

Only NVH lab of its kind in China

The importance of NVH to Geely can be seen in their investment of a NVH laboratory at the Geely Research Institute. The NVH lab is the only one in China with a dedicated abnormal noise and vibration testing room with sound isolation and environmental controls. The lab can conduct road simulation tests in various simulated environments, evaluate the structural durability of the whole vehicle, and accurately identify abnormal noise from anywhere in the vehicle.

For NVH testing, road simulation in closed room is preferred to outdoor road testing because results can easily be replicated in a controlled environment; however, the technical and space requirements are immense, making this kind of lab uncommon in the industry.

In 2018, the Geely Auto Group released their iNTEC suite of technologies which includes G-Blue, Geely’s focus on eco-friendly technologies. The Group has obtained quite a number of patents for new technologies in the field of environment friendly materials, ecological designs, odour management systems, and intelligent air quality management systems. No doubt, many of these technologies will also be shared with Proton and provide Malaysians with even better vehicles.


AMR-C01 – the ultimate racing simulator from Aston Martin

Simulator racing has been growing over the years, both in terms of technological advances that increase realism as well as popularity globally. Companies making the hardware and software for simulators are pushing the envelope further and further, and with the AMR-C01 Racing Simulator, those who want to compete in the virtual or the real world can have the ultimate luxury home simulator.

Designed by Aston Martin and engineered by Curv, the AMR-C01 has a lightweight carbonfibre monocoque structure and utilises the latest technology to provide a fully immersive driving experience for the home user. The seating position mirrors that of the Aston Martin Valkyrie, adding a futuristic hypercar feel to the simulator.

Carbonfibre bodywork

Hand-assembled by Curv Racing Simulators, using the highest quality components and latest Assetto Corsa software, the AMR-C01 has a unique look, thanks to the work of the Aston Martin Design team. Crafted in carbonfibre, the front of bodywork is shaped to invoke the signature Aston Martin Racing grille.

The all-carbonfibre monocoque provides a rigid structure, the design of which also adds to the sporting look of the simulator. As what customers would expect of any Aston Martin car, there is a high level of refinement and surface quality as well as finish.

“This was a challenge for the design team as, although the simulator isn’t a car, it is inspired by our racing cars. It needed to exude the same elegance, boasting the same dynamic lines and balance of proportions as any Aston Martin with a racing lineage. I can picture the AMR-C01 in the most beautiful of residences as a sculptural work of art in its own right,” said Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman.

For the love of racing

Curv Racing Simulators is led by Aston Martin works driver, Darren Turner, who is a simulator specialist with over 20 years’ experience in cutting edge Formula 1 simulation. “The AMR-C01 is all about the love of racing. We’ve created a home simulator with incredible immersion that offers users the opportunity to have a great time racing in the virtual world, from the comfort of their own home,” said Turner.

Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar

Hypercar experience

“We modelled the driving position on the Aston Martin Valkyrie so users of AMR-C01 can get the full hypercar experience. I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to achieve, with design and engineering creating what I believe to be the most beautiful home simulator available,” he added.

Only 150 of these state-of-the-art simulators will be available, each priced from £57,500 (about RM304,000) in the UK. The first units can be delivered during the fourth quarter of this year.

James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 in ‘Goldfinger’ reborn – complete with the gadgets!