MICHELIN Showcases Its Range Of All-Terrain Tyres At Its First Off-Road Days Event

MICHELIN
Malaysia kicked-off 2018 with the MICHELIN OFF-ROAD DAYS event from
20 to 23 March
 to showcase MICHELIN’s range of
SUV
 and
4 x 4
 tyres, including its latest innovation in on- and off-road tyres – the
MICHELIN LTX FORCE.

L-R: 1. Mr. Kuang Boon Keat, Customer Engineering Support, Michelin Malaysia 2. Mr. Pascal Nouvellon, Managing Director, Michelin Malaysia 3. Mr. Duy Pham, Marketing Manager, Michelin Malaysia 4. The Michelin Man, aka Bibendum, Michelin’s Mascot

The MICHELIN LTX FORCE features both on-road and off-road capabilities and toughness – from asphalt highways, concrete roads, to unpaved, gravel, sand, and wet mud path. The week-long event saw a diverse group of tyre and car enthusiasts test drive and experience first-hand the adaptability of the MICHELIN LTX FORCE tyres at on- and off-road terrains in the Sepang Circuit.

Consumers were able to experience the tyres’ full potential on various vehicles, including the Toyota Hilux and Toyota Fortuner, as well as witness on-site comparison against other tyres in the market. Themed
“By Passion, By Necessity”
, the event was aimed at the SUV and 4×4 market segment which is a growing market globally. The theme also addresses the need of today’s drivers who travel for work and leisure, from the daily worker to the avid adventurer.

In Malaysia, the SUV / 4×4 segment accounts for almost
12%
 of total Passenger Vehicles sold in 2017 – or
61,275 units
 – according to the Malaysian Automotive Association. Global Insights estimates that the SUV market is expected to grow at a rate of 9.7% by the year 2022, while the Malaysia Tire Forecast and Opportunity Report projects tyre sales to increase by 6.6% the same period.

MICHELIN Malaysia’s
Managing Director, Mr. Pascal Nouvellon
(above) revealed:
“Over the past two years, the SUV tyre segment has outgrown the passenger car tyre segment globally; and will continue to do so for the next five years as more people are seeking safety and versatility in vehicles and would expect the same from their tyres. At MICHELIN, we strive to deliver tyre safety that people deserve – simply.”

The MICHELIN LTX FORCE’s on-road capabilities are enabled by CompacTread Technology, whereby reinforcement between tread blocks increases the contact area with the ground, for better braking and safety; BevelTread Technology, whereby a rounded sloping edge cuts the peaks of noise power at the frequency which is sensitive to human ears, thus providing a peaceful ride; and
CushionGuard Technology
, which absorbs road imperfections for a more comfortable drive.

Its off-road toughness is enabled by Extended Sidewall Biting Edge, which improves the sidewall’s cut-chip resistance; plus Deep and Open Shoulder Design for off-road traction. True to its tagline “Whatever The Terrain, One Tyre Handles It”, the MICHELIN LTX FORCE is the best option for drivers who seek the best driving experience on all types of roads.

“Off-road technologies behind the MICHELIN LTX FORCE are derived from the World Rally Championship (WRC), one of the world’s most demanding rallies – thus, providing another example of MICHELIN’s “From Track to Street” philosophy. At the same time, on-road technologies improve braking performance on both wet and dry roads, as well as increases durability. Through a series of tests held at the event, consumers could witness the MICHELIN LTX FORCE braking to an average distance of 2 meters shorter versus its competitors on-road, which is a crucial safety feature. Third party studies also revealed that the tyre delivers 35% more mileage”
 added Mr. Nouvellon.

With the MICHELIN LTX FORCE, customers can be ensured of safety and versatility with excellent on-road grip and great off-road traction, as well as of longevity and durability with better mileage and a tougher design.

MICHELIN LTX FORCE is available in a wide range of fitments – from 15 to 18 inches – at TYREPLUS car service outlets, MICHELIN EXPERT CENTRE and authorized dealers across the nation.


Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia’s Authorised Dealer Opens Biggest Showroom in Northern Region

JM Auto Gallery (Alor Star), an authorised Mitsubishi Motors dealer, has been associated with the brand for 14 years and has been growing with it. Confident of continued growth, the dealership has relocated to a new site in Alor Setar, Kedah, as well as opened a new 3S centre in Langkawi.

The relocated in Alor Setar outlet is a 3S (sales, service and spare parts) facility so customers and owners of Mitsubishi vehicles can obtain the full range of services. Besides viewing the latest models in the biggest Mitsubishi Motors showroom (10,00 sq ft) in the northern region, there’s a fully equipped service centre with 8 service bays.

JM Auto Gallery’s new 3S outlet in Langkawi incorporates the latest Mitsubishi Motors’ brand identity with the global brand message ‘Drive Your Ambition’. Like the one in Alor Setar, it has the  latest models on display and include a kids corner and customer lounge, as well as an integrated service centre.

The new Mitsubishi Motors 3S outlet in Langkawi.

“JM Auto Gallery (Alor Star) is no stranger to the Mitsubishi Motors family and has been business partners with Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) for the past 14 years. The dealership has been a key contributor to
MMM’s sales which in 2022 increased by 37.3%
 compared to the volume in 2021,” said Shinya Ikeda, Chief Executive Officer of MMM.

“We are happy to see that the dealership is confident with MMM’s business growth has upgraded its showroom facilities, and also opening a new 3S outlet in Langkawi to serve customers better,” he added.

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Ryoichi Inaba, Division General Manager, ASEAN B Division of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, who was present at the opening was also impressed with the commitment shown by JM Auto Gallery. “This shows Malaysian dealers’ confidence in the Mitsubishi brand. I am pleased to see the team taking the leap forward toward enhancing customers’ overall experience,” he said, adding that the company is committed to focusing on the ASEAN markets, including Malaysia.

Visit
www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my
 to know more about Mitsubishi products and the locations of authorised showrooms in Malaysia.

XRT Concept Previews Sixth Generation of Mitsubishi Triton


Mitsubishi’s eK X and eK Wagon kei cars score highest ratings in JNCAP tests

Like other carmakers, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) aims to provide mobility with zero traffic accidents. In pursuit of this goal, it is fully committed to developing and implementing active and passive safety technologies and protection, even with its small
kei
-class cars.

Demonstrating its efforts in this aspect are the scores achieved by the eK X and eK Wagon in the latest assessments by the Japan New Car Assessment Program (JNCAP). Both models have been awarded the highest rating with the highest ‘ASV+++’ rating. ‘ASV’ refers to ‘Advanced Safety Vehicle’, as defined by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The top rating was in preventive safety performance and the maximum 5-star rating in collision safety performance.

Driver assistance tech

The eK X and eK Wagon come equipped with driver assistance technology which encompasses preventive safety measures to support the drivers in avoiding collisions, or mitigate the collision damage.

These include Lane Departure Warning (LDW) which alerts the driver with a warning buzzer and information screen display when the vehicle is about to stray from its lane, while Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) assists the driver in moving the vehicle back to its lane.

The Emergency Assist for Pedal Misapplication installed in both
kei
 cars prevents sudden acceleration by unintentional operation of shift lever or pedal. A Multi Around Monitor gives the driver a good view of the surroundings when parking so that hazards or small children can be spotted.

In addition, the built-in Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) autonomous emergency braking system which detects pedestrians and vehicles ahead, and Automatic High Beam (AHB) which switches between high beam and low beam automatically contribute to safer motoring.

RISE bodywork

The eK X and eK Wagon, which are structurally similar, have high levels of collision safety performance built in, thanks to the company’s RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) bodywork. It combines collision energy absorbing front body design with a deformation-resistant passenger compartment, as well as 6 SRS airbags for frontal and side protection.

The
kei
 cars are designed to further improve the pedestrian safety with an energy-absorbing in the bonnet to protect the head area of pedestrians. A structure inside the bumper is specially designed to reduce injuries to the legs of pedestrians in the event of a collision.

It may seem like the safety systems are nothing new but the important point is that they are now being offered in
kei
-class cars, which are the smallest and cheapest in the market. Historically, such cars were equipped in a basic manner but with consumers expecting better protection, manufacturers have to make them safer as well.

Car of the Year winners

Launched into the Japanese market in March last year, the eK X and eK Wagon were winners in the
Car of the Year Japan 2019-2020
 in Small Mobility category. Additionally, the models were also selected as the
RJC Car of the Year 2020
.

MI-TECH concept shows how future Mitsubishi SUVs could be like


Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia shows appreciation for efforts of frontliners

To show appreciation to the nation’s frontliners in the War against COVID-19, Volkswagen Passengers Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has updated its ‘Welcome Back’ aftersales campaign announced earlier. The frontliners refer to the government hospitals doctors, nurses and administrators, personnel of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and Malaysian Armed Forces as well as RELA and Malaysia Civil Defense (Angkatan Pertahanan Awam).

For this brave and dedicated group of Malaysians, there are additional benefits if they are Volkswagen owners. The benefits are a small token of appreciation to ease their burden and offer peace of mind.

The additional benefits include priority booking, complimentary car sanitization and a 10% discount off the total bill (terms and conditions apply). Volkswagen owners who are frontliners are required to indicate their respective occupational areas when registering online, and a Volkswagen representative will be in touch for verification.

Once verified, the additional benefits will be credited into their Volkswagen Cares App wallet and will be ready to be used for their pre-booked appointment. The appointment must be made within 30 days after the Movement Control Order is lifted.

The ‘
Welcome Back’ campaign, announced earlier
, offer Volkswagen owners a gift and an additional RM50 engine oil voucher (for owners not redeeming their free maintenance service and non-Volkswagen Cares Plus members).

To register and book an appointment, visit
www.volkswagen.com.my
 where the Volkswagen Cares mobile app can be downloaded to enjoy the benefits.

Volkswagen prepares to welcome back owners in Malaysia after MCO ends


EV Batteries Still A Great Concern For Insurers

Thatcham Research has stated that a lack of data on
EV batteries
 continues to present problems for insurers who are obliged to write off EVs after minor accidents, possibly jeopardising EV adoption.

In a report titled “Impact of BEV Adoption on the Repair and Insurance Sectors,” which the UK Government’s innovation agency Innovate UK funded to examine differences between EVs and fossil-fuel models, the British automotive risk intelligence company cited a “concerning lack of affordable or available repair solutions and post-accident diagnostics.”

Insurance companies have complained that many EVs lack the ability to assess even slightly damaged battery packs after accidents, causing them to write off cars with low mileage. This results in increased premiums and reduces the benefits of switching to electric.

A replacement battery might cost more than the used price of the car after just one year, making it uneconomical to replace them. Batteries can account for up to 50% of the cost of an EV.

Head of engineering research at Thatcham, Adrian Watson, stated that in a perfect world, insurers might decide whether to repair or write off EVs based on information about their condition following an accident.

Even though the percentage of electric vehicles on British roads is just about 1.65%, Thatcham reported that EV-related insurance claims are already 25.5% more expensive than their fossil-fuel equivalents and take 14% longer to repair.

Damaged EVs that are awaiting repair must be stored outside at a minimum distance of 49 feet from other items due to their potential fire hazard.

According to Thatcham, just two EVs might be properly quarantined in an outside facility that can currently house 100 fossil-fuel vehicles.

Back here in Malaysia, around 2,631 EVs were sold last year which was an 860% increase from the 274 sold in 2021. In January, JPJ reported that more than 10,000 fully electric vehicles were registered in their database. However there is little to no data available on accident and write off rates involving EV’s.


Updated Proton Iriz and Persona set to take the fight to Perodua!

The Proton Iriz and the Persona have always only enjoyed some success in the Malaysian B-segment. Not a lot as the competition in that segment is intense and the Myvi really is king of the hill. But that much desired segment success that Proton has longed for could just be around the corner.

To achieve this, Proton has updated the Iriz and Persona for 2019, and both now offer first in-class technology features.

For starters, the cars now feature intelligent infotainment systems accessed via a 7-inch touchscreen function. What this means is that both the Iriz and Persona use an embedded eSim card that connects the car to the internet.

Through this system, the car offers applications for music streaming and online navigation. And through the eSim, the system will also receive Over The Air (OTA) updates with new apps added to the system when they become available.

It also has 16GB of internal memory and features a mirroring function for Android smart phones.

And for those who were impressed with the voice recognition which made its debut in the X70, the Iriz and the Persona too offer the same voice recognition app with the now famous catchphrase ‘Hi Proton’!

An updated car usually features aesthetic updates as well, and both the Iriz and the Persona too feature an extensive exterior redesign.

The Proton ‘Ethereal Bow’ grille design which debuted on the X70 now sets the new Iriz apart from the old. And this is completed by a new set of front and rear bumpers, a black rear garnish, new rims, as well as a shark fin antenna.

As for the Persona, Proton says it has been restyled more conservatively but also features the Ethereal Bow as well as the Infinite Weave pattern which is now a styling trademark for Proton.

The restyled Persona is topped off by a new boot spoiler, updated bumpers and new rims.

The prices of both cars have also been revised with prices for the Iriz starting from RM36,700 for the standard 1.3 up to RM50,700 for the top of the line 1.6 CVT.

The Persona on the other hand is priced at RM42,600 for the standard 1.6 manual, and up to RM54,600 for the 1.6 CVT. These prices are for Peninsular Malaysia, our readers from East Malaysia will have to pay RM2,000 more across the board and can refer to the price table below.

But it doesn’t just end there. Proton is spicing up the package even further and gives you an even better reason to buy these two cars.

Proton is offering:

1. Free two-year road tax for cars booked prior to the launch date

2. Free two-year road tax for the first 1,000 units registered

3. Free 5-year internet data with 12GB/year

4. Interest rates starting from just 2.93%

5. Free labour for 3 scheduled service appointments up until 20,000km

6. Insurance coverage package which the table below simplifies for you.

With these updates, especially with the new intelligent infotainment system, Proton is set to continue its march to the top of the market.

The company has enjoyed huge success with the X70 garnering a very healthy 25,000 bookings with 11,000 units delivered.


10% Reward For Those Who Report Vehicle Customs Duty And Tax Evasion

The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) is rewarding anyone with reliable information on the evasion of customs duties and taxes, as well as the criminals, with 10% of the amount of the seizure.

If the seizure is valued at RM1 million, 10% of the amount, which is RM100,000, would be awarded to the informant. There is a provision for informants, which shall be assessed in accordance with the category.

The products included alcohol, cigarettes, and automobiles, according to Deputy Minister of Finance Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, who also indicated that the informant’s name will remain undisclosed.

Maslan stated that the rewards had been given out by JKDM for a long time but had not been publicised and that the information supplied is necessary to stop acts that would hurt the people and the nation.

Recently, seven people have been detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on suspicion of decreasing the charges on luxury automobiles, resulting in the loss of nearly RM33 million in customs tax.

With a target of RM588 million for this year, Negeri Sembilan JKDM has already collected more than RM300 million in revenue as of June 31 this year.

Those with information can
contact the Royal Malaysian Customs Department
.


BMW X5 PHEV uses world’s first FSC-certified tyre

Pirelli is the first company in the world to produce a range of FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) tyres which represent a new horizon for increasingly sustainable tyre production. The tyres are made from rayon and FSC-certified natural rubber which comes from FSC-certified plantations.

What is FSC?

FSC forest management certification confirms that plantations are managed in a way that preserves biological diversity and benefits the lives of local people and workers, while ensuring it sustains economic viability. In Malaysia, 684,913 hectares of plantations are FSC-certified (as of January 2021).

The complex FSC chain of custody certification process verifies that FSC-certified material has been identified and separated from non-certified material as it makes its way along the supply chain, from the plantations to the tyre manufacturer.

 Malaysia has 684,913 hectares of plantations FSC-certified to preserves biological diversity and benefits the lives of local people and workers.

First fitment on BMW X5 PHEV

The world’s first FSC-certified tyre is the Pirelli P Zero and the first vehicle in the world to have it as Original Equipment is the BMW X5, specifically the
xDrive45e Plug-in-Hybrid
. It is sized 275/35 R22 for the front wheels and 315/30 R22 for the rear wheels.

The use of this tyre complements the ‘green’ philosophy of the PHEV. The BMW Group has also conducted a full-cycle CO
2
 certification for the X5 xDrive45e from raw material procurement, the supply chain, manufacturing and the use phase, all the way to recycling.

“As a premium manufacturer, we aspire to lead the way in sustainability and take responsibility,” said Andreas Wendt, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Purchasing and Supplier Network. “We have been committed to improving cultivation of natural rubber and increasing transparency in the supplier network since 2015. The use of tyres made of certified natural rubber is a pioneering achievement for our industry. In this way, we are helping preserve biodiversity and forests to counteract climate change.”

Low rolling resistance and quieter

The new tyre, produced only at Pirelli’s factory in the USA, is designed to specifically target environmental sustainability along with low rolling resistance as well as lower noise levels.

The FSC certification for the natural rubber used to make the new P ZERO tyre for BMW’s X5 Plug-in-Hybrid procured from certified plantations is the latest step on the path that Pirelli has been on for many years towards the sustainable management of the natural rubber supply chain. This is achieved through a roadmap of activities based on the training and sharing of good practices in the countries of origin of the material, in line with the principles and values contained in the Pirelli Sustainable Natural Rubber Policy, which was issued in 2017.

To know more about the X5 PHEV or other BMW models in Malaysia, visit
www.bmw.com.my
.

‘The Boss’ gets electrified with the new BMW X5 xDrive45e M Sport

The National Vaccination Program in Malaysia is free of charge.


Alfa Romeo set to return to F1 in 2018

If you thought that the Honda and McLaren Fiasco would be the only thing to look forward to in the 2018 Formula One season, you would be sadly mistaken. Alfa Romeo has just announced its return to the sport after a 30 year hiatus.

It will be joining forces with the fourth oldest team in F1 history, Sauber. The existing team will be officially renamed next season to Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team. According to an article by
Petrolicious
, this newly forged partnership will give Sauber access to Alfa’s engineering and technical know-how – a treasure trove of knowledge.

In case you didn’t know, Alfa Romeo is owned by Fiat Chrysler Automotive or FCA, and the same is true with Ferrari. This means that next year’s Sauber will be powered by a Ferrari engine, and won’t be a relic either, instead the team will have power units with 2018 specs.

Alfa Romeo was a pioneer of competitive racing during the early days of the automobile. It was involved in Motorsport very early in the company’s history. In fact, it allowed for an environment where young drivers were able to prove what they were made of, including Enzo Ferrari.

Over the years, Sauber has partnered with a number of teams including BMW. But none of them will offer the same prestige as teaming up with the likes of Alfa Romeo. Despite Sauber being a very capable team with an equally good car, they were never really able to keep up with the charging pack.

There was the odd occasion or two, where the team’s brilliance would dominate the TV screens, but these instances were few and far in between. This is partly due to the fact that Sauber never received the required financial backing or technical know-how to take on the factory back teams.

Now however, with Ferrari power, that should change and allow it to take on the front runners like Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari itself. The upcoming 2018 Formula One season is going to be an absolute sizzler. Defending champion Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes-Benz are going to have some stiff competition next year.

Source:
Petrolicious


Automobili Pininfarina reveals PURA Vision – a future pure-electric Luxury Utility Vehicle concept

Flanked by classic Pininfarina-designed cars and inspired by Pininfarina’s purity of design and engineering elegance, Automobili Pininfarina recently presented the Battista hypercar and the company’s future vision for luxury electric cars at the Monterey Car Week in California.

Besides the presentation by CEO Michael Perschke of the Battista with its enhanced front design  and his strategy for the brand moving forward, Design Director Luca Borgogno also treated guests to a preview of the PURA Vision design model. It was an inspirational view of the aesthetics of a future pure-electric Luxury Utility Vehicle from the Italian marque.

PURA Vision shows the future

“PURA Vision blends design themes which Battista Pininfarina himself made famous in creating some of the most revered and beautiful sportscars in history. Yet it is absolutely an insight into our future; a luxury vehicle like no other and once again designed to deliver thrilling EV performance,” said Borgogno.

“89 years of Pininfarina designs and creation of some of the world’s most beautiful cars will inspire everything Automobili Pininfarina offers to clients in the future.”

Luca Borgogno, Design Director, Automobile Pininfarina

The Battista joined a parade of iconic Pininfarina-designed cars in a display of automotive beauty unique even to the rarefied atmosphere of Monterey Car Week. Designed and to be hand-built at Pininfarina’s headquarters in Italy, the Battista took its place amongst past classics from the famous carrozzeria during a 4-hour drive from Pebble Beach.

Battista gets refinements

Displaying a new enhanced front end for the first time in North America, recently sculpted following wind tunnel testing and final design refinements, the Battista represented Automobili Pininfarina’s exciting future. Cars led by the legendary Lancia Rally 037 reminded the audience of what Pininfarina has established since 1930: a reputation for designing many of the world’s most desirable and beautiful cars.

The Automobili Pininfarina team now returns to Italy to continue testing and development of the 1,900 ps Battista under the management of Development Driver Nick Heidfeld and Sportscars Director Rene Wollmann. Meanwhile, the Battista show cars head to the UK for the Salon Prive event and to Hong Kong to begin the launch programme for the Asia-Pacific region.


New Audi Q8 and Q4 to complete SUV line-up

Audi is expanding its product portfolio with the addition of two new Q models – the Q8 and Q4. The Audi Q8 will open up a new segment for the German automaker’s top-end models. It is a premium SUV with a coupe-like silhouette but offers decent amount of space and the latest technologies. The Q4 on the other hand, will be responsible for penetrating the compact utility vehicles (CUVs) segment. Featuring coupe-like design as well, the Q4 will slot between the Q3 and Q5 and should complete the Q line up for the German automaker.

“We will integrate two completely new Q‑models into the existing production network and will thus increase our competitiveness in an extremely important segment,” stated Audi’s Board of Management Member for Production and Logistics, Prof. Dr. Hubert Waltl.

Audi’s Q8 will be produced in Bratislava (Slovakia) where the Q7 and Q7 e-tron plug-in hybrid are also being made. The smaller Q4 will be produced in Győr (Hungary) and will be joined by the Audi Q3 once the conditions are favorable but until then, the Q3 will continue to be produced in Martorell, Spain.

Production for the Q8 will begin in 2018 and a year later, Audi will give the green light to start production of the smaller Q4. Expect good things from the German automaker in the next couple of years but we are sure Mercedes-Benz and BMW aren’t going to take this news lying down.


Malaysia Is The Only Country Outside Japan To Introduce The New Honda HR-V Hybrid i-DCD!

Honda Malaysia
 has surprised the market with the latest addition to the Company’s Hybrid line-up. The
 New HR-V Sport Hybrid i-DCD
launched recently is yet another milestone for Honda in Malaysia as it’s the only country outside Japan to introduce the intelligent Dual-Clutch Drive  (i-DCD) Hybrid system in the Compact Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

Honda Malaysia was the pioneer in bringing Hybrid technology into Malaysia in 2004. Honda Malaysia was also the first car manufacturer to produce Hybrid vehicles locally and the third country among Honda globally after Japan and United States of America to produce the Completely Knocked Down (CKD) Hybrid model since 2012. Malaysia is the only country outside of Japan to introduce the Sport Hybrid i-DCD line-up, starting with the launch of Jazz Hybrid, City Hybrid and now with the New HR-V Hybrid, which holds the record as the first in the compact SUV segment in Malaysia with Sport Hybrid i-DCD.

Launched in 2015, the HR-V has performed positively, achieving total sales of more than 72,300 units in the year ending 2018. Honda Malaysia made history as the first marque to introduce Compact SUV to the mass market and revolutionized the segment to be one of the fastest growing segments in the Malaysian market. The

HR-V has captured an average of 81%* market share in the Compact SUV segment since its launch. It continues to maintain its No. 1 position in the segment for the third consecutive years.

Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Toichi Ishiyama said, “The compact SUV market in Malaysia has been growing over the last 3 years, with HR-V being the main contributor towards that growth. HR-V emerged as the top 3 contributors for Honda Malaysia with an average contribution of 20%* towards the overall sales. For that, I would like to thank Malaysians for their continuous support in making this possible.”

Mr. Ishiyama also added, “At Honda, our focus now is to lead the way in introducing
Next Generation Advanced Technologies
 in all our products, providing the Joy of Buying to our customers. We have introduced the Sport Hybrid i-DCD, Turbo engine and advanced safety technology known as Honda SENSING in order to meet the demands and provide the best products to our customers in Malaysia.”

The New HR-V Sport Hybrid i-DCD is powered by a 1.5L DOHC i-VTEC engine with Direct Injection which provides a boost to the vehicle performance with excellent fuel efficiency. This is combined with 7-Speed Dual-Clutch Transmission and Integrated High Power Motor. The combined output of the engine and motor assisted by the High-Power Lithium-Ion Battery provides Hybrid power that is equal to a 2.0L engine with quick response and an exhilarating drive. The Sport Hybrid i-DCD system enables the vehicle to transfer power from its battery to motor during EV Mode which results in an efficient drive.

The system also includes an Electric Servo Brake System for improved energy regeneration and Fully Electric Driven Compressor air-conditioner system for the comfort of drivers and passengers. Other Hybrid exclusive features include the 3D Illuminated Meter Cluster Multi Information Display, Shift by Wire and Sport Mode. Besides the Hybrid variant, Honda Malaysia also launched the RS variant to complete the HR-V family with a total of 4 variants
(Hybrid, RS, V and E).
This is the first time the RS is being introduced in Malaysia. To date, Honda Malaysia has received more than 4,600 bookings for the New HR-V.

The New HR-V RS is powered by a 1.8L SOHC i-VTEC engine combined with Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) that delivers a balance of performance and fuel efficiency. It is also equipped with an exciting new feature – Variable Gear Ratio (VGR) steering system for sportier driving. Introduced for customers wanting performance and a Compact SUV, the RS variant also comes with a Sporty 18-inch Dual-Tone Alloy Wheels, Sporty Design Front Grille and black front and rear bumper to further enhance its sportiness.

The New HR-V does not only feature technological advancement, but also exudes a sophisticated personality with practical and functional features such as the Multi-Utility Cargo Space which offers class leading cabin space. The New HR-V also setting new benchmark in the Compact SUV segment by introducing value added features such as Multi-Angle Rearview Camera, 8-Way Driver Power Seat (V & RS), full leather seats (V & RS), Honda LaneWatch camera (V & RS), Cruise Control and Paddle Shift. Standard Safety features in the New HR-V include Six Airbags, Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and ISO Fix.

The New HR-V is available in 5 colour options** namely Passion Red Pearl (a new colour in the Honda model line-up), Modern Steel Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, Ruse Black Metallic, and White Orchid Pearl***. Offered together with the New HR-V are three accessories packages namely Modulo Package at RM5,737****, Urban Package at RM1,716**** and Utility Package at RM902****. Honda Malaysia continues to offer an 8-years warranty with unlimited mileage for the Hybrid battery.

The New HR-V Petrol are priced as follows; RM108,800***** for E variant; RM118,800***** for V variant and RM124,800***** for RS variant, while the New HR-V Sport Hybrid i-DCD is priced at RM120,800*****.

All 4 variants of the New HR-V
(Hybrid, RS, V, and E)
 are designed to meet the differing requirements of Honda customers. The strategic price positioning would be an appealing factor for customers to purchase the New HR-V especially for both single and married national upgraders, young working adults looking for a stunning ride performance and sporty looks while the New HR-V Sport Hybrid i-DCD is likely to attract working adults considering their lifestyle and better performance for daily usage. The monthly sales target for the New HR-V Petrol variant is 1,000 units while sales target for the New HR-V Sport Hybrid i-DCD is 100 units.

Customers can visit any of Honda’s 97 Authorised Dealers to view, test drive and place a booking for the New HR-V from today onwards. For more information, please call Honda’s Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020 or log on to
www.honda.com.my

*Data from year 2015 – 2018 (up to June)

**Depending of variants

***Surcharge for White Orchid Pearl colour is RM300

****Terms and conditions apply

*****On-The-Road without Insurance


Goodyear Assurance MaxGuard SUV for modern urban-oriented SUVs

With the continuing popularity of SUVs, a segment which has been growing since the 1990s, Goodyear Malaysia has added a new tyre to cater for SUVs in the middle range. Earlier, in 2017, the company had introduced the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV which was for the more expensive models from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Now, with the new Assurance MaxGuard SUV, they cover models in a lower segment as prices start from RM375.

The Assurance line of tyres is developed more for modern SUVs, differentiating it from the older Wrangler line which could be considered more ‘hardcore’. The Wrangler has also been available but its construction philosophy has been oriented more towards pick-up trucks and the workhorse 4×4 SUVs.

The Assurance range, on the other hand, is comfort-oriented since SUVs today are used on the road more than off-road. They are also used more for personal transport than for hauling heavy cargo to sites in the jungle. So the requirements of customers will be different and Goodyear understand this.

Of course, the nature of a SUV still makes it possible for the vehicle to go off-road, although perhaps not on serious expeditions deep into the jungle. But many people who own such vehicles may also use them to go to the seaside or on trails to fishing ponds or for other types of recreation. Therefore, there is still a need for the tyre to be robust to cope with rocks and rough terrain. This is where the Assurance MaxGuard SUV tyre’s ‘2-in-1 protection’ comes in to provide a balance of grip and braking for road use, and durability when driving on rough roads.

With Goodyear’s ActiveGrip Technology, the tyre is claimed to be able to brake in shorter distances on wet roads and also provide good handling and stability. This is achieved by its tread design with an increased number of multi-biting edges and optimized distribution. Goodyear’s claims were made based on factory tests using a Honda CR-V and comparing to the Wrangler Triplemax.

The tyre also uses blended silica in its cap compound for reduced rolling resistance, which helps fuel economy. Further helping to extend mileage is the enhanced tyre footprint (squarish instead of circular), optimized tread depth distribution and cavity shape. These help the tyre to last longer, maximising the value for money spent by the motorist.

DuraGuard Technology, used in many other Goodyear tyres, makes the tyre carcass robust and that is important for withstanding cuts and punctures. The durability comes from having 2-ply construction and a strong steel belt layer that is resistant to penetration.

Because the SUVs are used more on roads and daily commuting, noise levels need to be lower. The earlier Wrangler tyres tended to be noisy because those who drove trucks were not bothered. But today’s SUVs are quieter, like passenger cars, so the tyres need to also run with less noise. Goodyear’s engineers have made sure that Assurance MaxGuard SUV meets this expectation with a carefully designed tread pattern with an angled block design that traps noise, noise reduction ribs and narrower grooves.

Sizes available for the Malaysian market. Prices are dependent on the size and start from RM375.

The new Assurance MaxGuard SUV is made in Goodyear factories in China, Malaysia and Thailand in a wide range of sizes for popular SUV models in Malaysia, including those from Malaysian brands such as Perodua and Proton. They are available for 16, 17, 18 and 19-inch rim sizes so quite a large portion of the SUV market is covered.

As with most Goodyear tyres sold in Malaysia, the Assurance MaxGuard SUV comes with the brand’s Worry-Free Assurance program where a customers can get free replacement tyres in the event of road hazard damage (potholes or punctures from nails) that is beyond repair (within the first 6 months of use, terms and conditions apply). Additionally, there is also a 5-year factory warranty that covers manufacturing defects.

Click here for other news and articles about Goodyear


Hayden Haikal Off To Good Start In Idemitsu Super Turbo Championship in Thailand

Back-to-back class victories in the opening 2 rounds of the Idemitsu Super Turbo Championship were a great start to young Malaysian Hayden Haikal’s international racing campaign in Thailand this year. The 18-year-old put in maximum effort as he got the job done and gave the Malaysian Wing Hin Motorsports team its first two victories on its maiden appearance in Thailand.

This is Hayden’s second year competing in Thailand, his first appearance in the Idemitsu Super Turbo Championship, and also the first time that Wing Hin Motorsports is racing in Thailand.

Hayden Haikal in the Wing Hin Motorsports Toyota Vios (#437) faced rivals with turbocharged cars.

“To win our very first race here on our debut is just crazy! We hope to continue this momentum for the rest of the season,” said Hayden who was in a Toyota Vios. “The drivers in my category are very competitive as I had expected. The cars the top drivers are running turbocharged cars that are way faster than our car with a normally-aspirated engine. Thanks to the team, our car, however, seemed to be the most reliable and had better handling, enabling better cornering speeds and braking compared to the rest of the field.”

In Round 1’s race at the 4.554-km Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Hayden was fastest in his class and the only foreign driver registered in the championship, He commendably handled the pressure of being up against 21 rivals to finish 8
th
 overall and first in his class. Starting from 5
th
 on the grid in Round 2 the following day, he completed the 12-lap race by improving his overall finish to 6
th
 and again first in class.

“The Chang International Circuit has traditionally been good to me. I’ve won here on 3 different occasions in the past and it suits my driving style very well. There was nothing more I could have done. The turbocharged cars just had greater straightline speed, acceleration and pace,” he said.

Hayden, who is also a regular in the
Vios Challenge
 in Malaysia, is looking to capture his first international racing title after finishing the overall runner-up in another Thai championship, the Thailand Super Eco Saloon Car Series, last year. Winning the first two rounds means he now leads the Idemitsu Super Turbo Championship.

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The championship continues with another 4 rounds, with Rounds 3 and 4 scheduled in May, and the final two rounds in June.

Layout of Chang International Circuit in Buriram province, Thailand. The 4.554-km long circuit was opened in October 2014 and is certified for FIA events, including Formula 1. It was designed by Hermann Tilke, the German engineer whose firm has designed many F1 circuits, including the Sepang International Ciircuit.

Hayden Haikal Finishes Second in Thailand Super Eco Series In First Ever International Season

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


CIMB Bank Launches “1-Minute Auto Financing InstaApproval” For Car Loans

Tengku Dato' Sri Zafrul Aziz, Group CEO, CIMB Group (centre) and Samir Gupta, CEO of Group Consumer Banking, CIMB Group (fifth left) with (L-R): Chris Tan Gim Seong, General Manager of Retail Operation, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd; Mohd Azwan Yahaya, Dealer Principle, Ingress Auto Malaysia Sdn Bhd; Roslan Abdullah, President/Chief Operating Officer of Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd; Thomas Tok Chek Kuan, General Manager of Sales, Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad; Altimet; James Tan Soon Huat, Senior General Manager, President's Office, Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd; Abdul Rashid Bin Musa, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd; Arman Hasmanizar, Deputy General Manager, Managing Director's Office, Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd and Dato' Tony Khor Chong Boon, President of Federation of Motor and Credit Companies Association of Malaysia at the launch of CIMB’s 1-Minute Auto Financing InstaApproval.

CIMB Bank Berhad
 and
CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad
 has unveiled the
CIMB 1-Minute Auto Financing InstaApproval
™, a digital platform that approves auto financing within
one minute

upon full submission of information and documents. This marks the latest addition to CIMB’s InstaApproval series, which also features the
1-Minute Home Financing InstaApproval
. This series offers a fast, secure, paperless and complete online financing approval process involving, among others, biometric fingerprint identification.

The CIMB 1-Minute Auto Financing InstaApproval™ is a paradigm shift in approval time for auto financing, which typically takes a day. It reduces customers’ waiting time for the financing decision in the process of purchasing a car.
 –
CIMB
.

Available for all types of cars, both new and used, the approval comes complete with the issuance of a Letter of Undertaking and instant notification via SMS and email to the customer and car dealer.

Samir Gupta, CEO, Group Consumer Banking, CIMB Group
 said,
“The speedy approval process of CIMB’s 1-Minute Auto Financing InstaApproval™, currently the fastest in market, is not only a reflection of our commitment to digital innovation as laid out in our T18 Strategy, but also a great milestone in CIMB’s journey to continuously enhance our customers’ experience. Our InstaApproval™ platform – which cuts down waiting time considerably – was designed around customers’ ultimate convenience. We are confident that the 1-Minute Auto Financing InstaApproval™ proposition will be a game-changer for us and our auto partners, by enabling customers to own their dream car within a minute.”

The CIMB 1-Minute Auto Financing InstaApproval™ will be available at selected partner showrooms, partner roadshows, as well as selected used car dealers. Currently, seven partners are participating in the CIMB 1-Minute Auto Financing InstaApproval™ i.e. Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad, Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd, Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Ingress Auto Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd, Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd, and UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd. More partners will be added to this platform in future.

Tengku Dato’ Sri Zafrul Aziz, Group CEO, CIMB Group (centre) and Samir Gupta, CEO of Group Consumer Banking, CIMB Group (fifth left) with (L-R): Chris Tan Gim Seong, General Manager of Retail Operation, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd; Mohd Azwan Yahaya, Dealer Principle, Ingress Auto Malaysia Sdn Bhd; Roslan Abdullah, President/Chief Operating Officer of Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd; Thomas Tok Chek Kuan, General Manager of Sales, Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad; Altimet; James Tan Soon Huat, Senior General Manager, President’s Office, Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd; Abdul Rashid Bin Musa, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd; Arman Hasmanizar, Deputy General Manager, Managing Director’s Office, Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd and Dato’ Tony Khor Chong Boon, President of Federation of Motor and Credit Companies Association of Malaysia at the launch of CIMB’s 1-Minute Auto Financing InstaApproval.

In March 2018, CIMB launched the
1-Minute Home Financing InstaApproval
™ that approves mortgages within one minute upon full submission of information and documents. The CIMB InstaApproval™ platform also facilitates applications for personal financing, Amanah Saham Bumiputera financing and credit cards. For more information, please visit www.cimbbank.com.my/insta and www.cimbislamic.com.my/insta-i.

CIMB’s InstaApproval™ platform is also offered as part of the recently launched
CIMB F.I.R.S.T.
, a holistic financial solutions proposition that is unique to each customer’s needs and life stage. CIMB F.I.R.S.T. stands for Finance, Insure, Returns, Save and Transact premised on savings, financing, insurance, investments and credit cards. It is available through www.cimbbank.com.my, www.cimbislamic.com.my and via CIMB branches for customers requiring face-to-face assistance.


GAZOO Racing to have 11 races in 2022 with addition of Vios Sprint Cup and Vios Enduro Cup

As ‘normalcy’ returns to our lives, motorsports activities are picking up and organisers are working hard on plans for events in coming months. UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has already prepared for this, having made the plans last year to have a broader range of events instead of just the
Vios Challenge One-Make series
 that has been run since 2007.

Two additional races

In 2022, in addition to the Vios Challenge (which has completed two rounds), GAZOO Racing and UMWT will run the Vios Sprint Cup and Vios Enduro Cup. These will offer another 5 races this year to make it 11 races in total.

The Vios Sprint Cup is run independently of the Vios Challenge, and will feature 2 rounds within the Malaysia Championship Series (MCS), with each round having 2 races. The event will also retain the format of a one-make series as in the Vios Challenge, to ensure a level playing field where the emphasis will be on racecraft, driving skills and experience, not engine power.

Round 1 of the Vios Sprint Cup will be held on May 20 – 22 at the Sepang International Circuit, followed by Round 2 in July at the same venue. The season finale Vios Enduro Cup will coincide with prestigious Sepang 1000KM Endurance Race (S1K) in November.

2 drivers per car

A total of 26 cars will line up on the grid for the Vios Sprint Cup with each car consisting of two drivers. To make things interesting and to level the playing field even more, the pairing of drivers must be made up of the combination of professionals, amateurs, celebrities and rookies as per the Vios Challenge classes for Super Sporting (professionals), Sporting (amateurs), Promotional (celebrities) and Rookies (young and new drivers).

The race weekend will consist of two 1-hour races. Race 1 of the Vios Sprint Cup on Saturday will see both drivers driving in two separate qualifying sessions, and the faster driver required to start the 1-hour race before making a mandatory pitstop for a driver change.

In Race 2 on Sunday, the slower driver of the pair will start the 1-hour race and again required to make a mandatory pit stop for a driver change. Race 2 will also be started as a reverse grid order based on the results of Race 1.

RM10,000 for the champs

The overall champion in each of the two races stand to win RM10,000 cash, followed by RM8,000 for the first runner up, RM6,000 to the third place winner, and RM4,000 and RM2,000 for the fourth and fifth place winners respectively. In total, the Vios Sprint Cup offers prize monies amounting to RM60,000 per round.

The Vios Enduro Cup in November will see Toyota drivers competing over 1000 km in the race that is expected to take 9 hours covering 181 laps of the Sepang International Circuit.

“The objective is to expand on our existing racing activities in the Vios Challenge. With the Vios Sprint Cup and the Vios Enduro Cup, it will mean an additional 5 races on top of the 6 races already lined up for the Vios Challenge. This will provide even more racing and rewards for participating drivers, teams and dealers and at the same time underline UMW Toyota Motor’s commitment to contribute to a more vibrant motorsports eco-system in Malaysia,” said UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K.

Those who wish to register their participation or know more about the Vios Sprint Cup and Vios Enduro Cup can contact Janet, the Race Management representative from Wing Hin Motorsports at 016-367 3300. Other information on

For more information on GAZOO Racing activities and GR products in Malaysia, visit
www.toyota.com.my/tgrmalaysia
.

The Father and Daughter racers in the Vios Challenge


Naza Sponsors ‘Wheel, Walk & Fun Run’ Event 2019

Naza Corporation Holdings
 is a proud sponsor of the
‘Wheel, Walk & Fun Run’
 organised by the Paralympic Council of Malaysia, which was held recently at the Malaysia Paralympic Sports Centre of Excellence Kampung Pandan. The event gathered close to 1,000 people from all walks of life for a national level commemoration in conjunction with the
 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
 (above, with fan), who is also the
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development
, was present to concurrently launch the ‘Tambah Emas’ Paralympic Council of Malaysia’s crowdfunding campaign together with the
Minister of Youth and Sports, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman
and
 President of the Paralympic Council of Malaysia, SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin
. Apart from being an event sponsor, Naza Corporation Holdings also sponsored the grand lucky draw prize of a Vespa S125 scooter as an attraction to the crowd.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated widely every year to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin
, who is also
Group Executive Chairman & Group CEO of Naza Corporation Holdings
 commented on the sponsorship,
“Part of Naza’s corporate social responsibility is the investment in community development. As a corporate citizen, we are proud to lend our support to the Paralympic Council of Malaysia in their endeavour to bring the para contingent and para sports to the next level. I also hope Malaysians will step forward and support the crowdfunding endeavour so that the Paralympic Council of Malaysia will be able to reach its objectives and chart the para contingent’s path to more gold medals and glory in the future.”

The ‘Tambah Emas’ crowdfunding is currently available on the mobile wallet app Boost and is aimed at financing the development of para sports from the grassroots level and prepare the national Paralympic team on their journey to the
Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
.


MINI introduce special edition 1499 GT

MINI is introducing a very special edition vehicle called the 1499 GT, all are bound for the UK market. It’s inception was inspired by the classic 1275 GT, which was based on the original Mini. The 1275 in the model name, was a direct reflection of the car’s engine capacity in cc, which was significantly larger than the standard Mini’s 998cc.

However, with the 1499 GT which is based on the current MINI One, This isn’t the case. The car doesn’t have a 1499cc engine, instead its the same 3-pot as the One but with a bit of a power bump. The automaker has slightly increaed the power, bringing the total to 102bhp.

The peppy turbocharged three-cylinder engine allows the car to sprint from 0-100km/h in 10.1 seconds, which isn’t quick by any means. Mated to it, is a 6-speed manual gearbox with  sports-car inspired rev matching technology. The car also comes with disc brakes on all four corners that will allow for better stopping power.

There are several differences between the special edition MINI and the standard car, which include the John Cooper Works Sport Pack, 17” Track Spoke alloy wheels in Black and white indicator lenses. The styling pack includes distinctive John Cooper Works front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a split level spoiler and John Cooper Works door entry plates.

Its a similar story for the inside because the car gets John Cooper Works Sports seats in Dinamica and leather, JCW badges, a JCW steering wheel in perforated leather with Chilli Red stitching and multi-function controls, Piano Black interior trim as well as a Carbon Black interior details and an Anthracite headlining.

This John Cooper Works treatment extends to the performance aspect of the car as well because it benefits from a sports suspension. It is tuned to offer an experience that matches the looks of the sporty bits.

MINI will only be making 1,499 cars and they will be available in two different body colours, which are Pepper White or Midnight Black. In Midnight Black, the car gets gold 1499 GT side stripes, while the one in Pepper White, gets the same style graphics, but in black.


All-new Honda City RS to have Honda Sensing driver-assistance system

Honda Malaysia continues with its run-up to the launch of the all-new Honda City with further information about its features. This time, the company has revealed that the 5th generation of the popular B-segment model will come with what is claims to be the most complete advanced safety features in the segment.

This will be with enhanced Honda SENSING – already available in the CR-V, Civic and Accord – which consists of seven active safety systems. Developed by Honda to meet the objective of ‘Safety for Everyone’ so that there will be a collision-free mobile society, Honda SENSING alerts and assists drivers during various driving situations.

Comprehensive suite of safety systems

The Honda SENSING suite is available in various compositions, depending on the model and market. For the Malaysian market, the new City RS i-MMD seems to get a very comprehensive suite which consists of the following:

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)

Forward Collision Warning (FCW)

Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)

Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)

Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

Auto High-Beam (AHB)

Many of the systems rely on a front wide-view camera mounted at the top of the windscreen to scan the road ahead. The imagery captured is analysed by the on-board computer to identify lane markings and the presence of vehicles ahead.

Adaptive Cruise Control, for instance, will adjust the set cruising speed to ensure there is a safe gap with the vehicle ahead. So even if the cruising speed is set at 110 km/h but the vehicle in front is travelling at 100 km/h, the system will slow down the City. If the vehicle ahead moves aside, then the speed will return to the set speed.

“The All-New City RS i-MMD offers first in segment features such as Remote Engine Start, Honda LaneWatch and Electric Parking Brake. We are now raising the benchmark further to introduce a most complete Honda SENSING feature in its segment which was previously only available in the C, D and SUV segment. I believe the upcoming 5th Generation All-New City will excite Malaysians with its advanced safety technology and class-leading features,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director and CEO, Toichi Ishiyama.

New technology at Melaka plant

Mr. Ishiyama said that several technology enhancements have been implemented at the Melaka assembly plant. These include new inner frame welding to enhance body rigidity and the use of new spray polyurethane foam to reduce body noise and vibration. He claimed that the assembly process is on par with the technology at Honda’s factories in Japan.

Honda Malaysia is also the first and only car manufacturer in the country to assemble an Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) from individual lithium-ion battery components to form a complete power unit for use in hybrid models.

The new City is larger than its predecessor with increases of 111 mm in overall length and 54 mm in overall width, moving its body size closer to a C-segment sedan rather than the B-segment that it is in.

4 variants to choose from

Four variants will be offered for the new generation, led by the RS with an intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) powertrain. This delivers maximum torque of 253 Nm, highest in its class and  comparable to a D-segment engine. Customers can also choose to have a new 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine if they prefer something more conventional.

The top RS version will come with a Remote Engine Start feature, the first in its segment to have such a convenience feature. The driver will be able to start the car’s engine from a distance and even activate the air-conditioning system. Passengers at the back will also have cool air brought to them with the additional vents.

Bookings for the All-New City were accepted from August 14, 2020 and those who have booked early receive a RM1,000 Service Voucher. “We organised a nationwide tour where people could view the All-New City RS i-MMD up close. We are delighted to receive high interest and positive feedback from the public and bookings have been very encouraging,” Mr. Ishiyama said, adding that the nationwide tour will be ongoing until the cars launch.

The latest BR-V and Civic can be ordered with the new Platinum White Pearl finish.

New colour for Civic and BR-V

Meanwhile, Honda Malaysia has also introduced the new colour option of Platinum White Pearl for the Civic and BR-V. This new finish replaces the White Orchid Pearl colour that has been available for some time.

Honda Insurance Plus plan upgraded with more benefits


EON changes its corporate logo, takes over 9 Proton Edar dealerships

A number of companies, even global ones, have changed their corporate logo over the past year and Edaran Otomobil Nasional, a subsidiary of DRB-HICOM Berhad, joins them this month.

The new logo is the third one for the company, better known as ‘EON’, since it was established in 1984. The first change after that was in 1990.  The new logo is a total departure from EON’s previous logo. It sports a stylised red ‘E’ that sits within a blue diamond, showing a forward-movement motion.

‘Coming of age’

The company’s acronym ‘EON’ also appears on a more modern font. The company says this signifies the brand’s coming of age after more than 30 years in the automotive distribution business in Malaysia.

The red ‘E’ is said to depict the boldness of the brand that retails a number of automotive brands in Malaysia. The blue diamond is a show of strength for the 36-year-old brand, as well as the typical traits that are associated with the colour blue: loyalty and wisdom.

EON was originally set up the handle distribution and marketing activities in the domestic market when the Proton Saga was launched.

EON was originally established to handle domestic distribution and marketing of Proton cars. When the role was taken over by Proton Edar, which was a subsidiary of Proton, EON became a super dealer chain as it had the most Proton outlets in the country.

With the change in its role, EON took on other brands to represent, namely Audi, Volkswagen and Mitsubishi. The other brands are sold by subsidiaries of  EON. Additionally, the company also operates the Avis car rental and leasing network in Malaysia.

Euromobil, an EON subsidiary, handles Audi.

9 Proton outlets

Along with the new logo, EON has announced the commencement of their Proton retailing business. EON now owns nine Proton dealerships, including four 4S (sales, service, spares and spray-painting) centres and three 3S outlets. Four branches are in the central region, while there are two each are in Johor and Penang. The outlets were formerly owned by Proton Edar.

LOOKING BACK – Remembering the birth of the Proton Saga and what it meant to the nation


Petronas Sprinta Launched @ Phuket Bike Week 2018! [+Videos & Photo Gallery]

Launched! It’s the first time that Petronas has ever done an official launch in Thailand, and since it’s for motorcycles, what better venue than at the iconic Phuket Bike Week!

It was indeed a full-on razzmatazz affair right at the centre stage of PBW, in fact, the branding for Petronas is so strong at this year’s event, I wouldn’t be surprised if first timers here would mistake it for a Petronas bike event instead of PBW.

More details on the new Petronas Sprinta engine oil launched will come soon, in the meantime, enjoy the sights and sounds of Phuket Bike Week in the videos below!

And not forgetting the girls of PBW as well!

Photo Gallery…


All-new Honda HR-V can be booked from today

You’ve probably heard that Honda will soon be launching the all-new HR-V in Malaysia, following its launch in Thailand and Indonesia over the past 8 months. As usual, Honda Malaysia is offering a chance for those who want to be the first in the neighbourhood to own the new model a chance to make their bookings from today.

Honda Malaysia will launch the model sometime in the next 3 months and as with the current range, there will be petrol and hybrid powertrains. The HR-V Hybrid progresses from the Sport Hybrid i-DCD system to e:HEV technology with the intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) system. Already available in the latest City, e:HEV technology in Honda’s hybrid system combines the benefits of a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor to provide more power (131 ps/253 Nm) with good fuel efficiency.

Measuring 4385 mm in length, the new HR-V is 39 mm longer than its predecessor while the 1790 mm width is similar (to the current RS version only) while the roof is 15 mm closer to the road.

The front appearance is dominant with a new grille design which is a total departure from the previous ‘wing’ theme, while the rear has fastback styling though to our eyes, it looks less sleek than before.

New exterior features include front LED Sequential Turn Signals (the signals ‘move’ as the illuminate), and a LED Taillight Strip which adds a visual signature visible from a distance. Other key exterior features include new LED headlights with DRLs, LED foglights and 18-inch alloy wheels.

As with other models, there’s Honda SENSING, a suite of active safety systems but this is only in the RS version. Honda SENSING includes automatic emergency braking, lane keeping and adaptive cruise control (with low-speed follow). Additionally, the RS version also has the useful Honda LaneWatch system which provides a real-time camera view of the blind spot of the left side of the HR-V.

This variant also has a Hands-Free Power Tailgate with Walk Away Close function, where the tailgate will start closing automatically upon detecting that the individual with the remote key is moving away from the car. Other features are Remote Engine Start and Walk Away Auto Lock functions.

“The HR-V was first introduced to the Malaysian market in 2015, and it became a best-selling as well as a sensational model. With its proven track record, the HR-V is truly the compact SUV that is loved by many Malaysians. Therefore, we are excited to be introducing the All-New HR-V in Malaysia, which is now officially open for bookings,.” said  Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Hironobu Yoshimura, adding that some 150,000 units have been sold nationwide since its launch 7 years ago.

When the HR-V was originally launched, it was a hotseller from the first day. Will this new model continue to command the biggest following in the segment? Since 2015, a number of new rivals have appeared on the scene so there are more choices at competitive prices.

To pre-book the new HR-V, customers can visit
prebook.honda.com.my
 or download the HondaTouch application on their smartphones. Honda dealerships will also accept bookings, of course, as well as provide more information. To locate a showroom in Malaysia, visit
www.honda.com.my
.


F1 / Round 14: 2022 Belgian Grand Prix Preview & Starting Positions

After the usual summer break, the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship resumes for Round 14, the 66
th
 Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps Circuit. Of the 66 times, Spa-Francorchamps has hosted F1 races 54 times, the other circuits being Zolder and Nivelles.

This circuit has the longest lap distance on the F1 calendar, with a length of 7.004 kms. As a result, it also has the least number of laps – just 44 – for the race to total 308.052 kms. For this year, the circuit has been modified with key changes but still retaining the challenges drivers have faced before. One of the reasons for the changes has been to bring back motorcycle racing and, in some sections, Turn 9, for example, there are two versions which satisfy the requirements of both car and motorcycle racing.

Besides resurfacing certain areas, there are changes to the run-off areas, realignment of barriers and fences and changes to kerbs. Additional gravel traps have been installed on mid-corner to corner exits to discourage drivers from exceeding track limits.

“Spa has undergone some of the biggest changes we have seen since we started going there in the modern era of Formula 1. But we know something of what to expect, thanks to the 24-hour race last month, as well as some asphalt samples that we have taken,” said Mario Isola, Pirelli’s Motorsport Director.

“In addition to some new asphalt on 5 corners, there are some new gravel traps on 4 corners, which are much closer to the side of the track. Drivers will need to pay more attention to track limits, and there’s also an increased chance of sharp gravel being dragged onto the surface. The epic nature of Spa remains unchanged though, with all the traditional challenges that make the circuit so exciting still in place,” he added.

Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most demanding circuits for tyres on the F1 calendar, with its particularly high lateral loads. The famous Eau Rouge-Raidillon complex is just one of the places where tyres are subjected to multiple forces: pushed into the ground by downforce and compression, while cornering at the same time. Variable weather is always well known at Spa-Francorchamps, making an outing for the Cinturato Green intermediate or Cinturato Blue full wet tyre a distinct possibility.

According to Brembo technicians, the circuit is also demanding for brakes. On a scale of 1 to 5, it is rated 4 on the difficulty index. It is the most complete track in F1 because in just over 7 kms, it has corners and straights of all shapes and lengths. One of its distinctive features is the 3 braking sections of at least 2.5 seconds, something not shared by any other track on the calendar.

This year, as a result of the increase in wheel diameter from 13 to 18 inches on the new F1 racing cars, the diameter of the brake discs has also increased. The increased braking force required has also led to an increase in the size of the Brembo brake calipers made of aluminium alloy machined from billet and nickel-plated.

The dimensions of the calipers have increased on average 10% both at the front and the rear. This year, all the teams use 6-piston calipers at the rear too; the 4-piston rear calipers used by those who preferred their lighter weight have disappeared.

Despite being the longest track in the championship, the brakes are used just 7 times per lap. The brake system is used for just under 14 seconds on each lap, amounting to 13% of the total duration of the race. Although use of the brakes is reduced, when they are used, the strain on the brake system is very high.

“The long lap distance at Spa-Francorchamps brings with it a few unique challenges. For example, if a car gets damaged early in the lap, more time is lost getting back, and the weather is very changeable, so conditions can vary massively from corner to corner. And it means the lap takes longer to complete, therefore you can’t fit as many laps into practice and qualifying run plans to test different set-up configurations,” said Mercedes-AMG’s Toto Wolff.

The teams have therefore to give much attention to set-up, balancing the desire for outright pace on the straights with enough downforce to optimize lap time in the more technically demanding second sector.

“A bigger wing will gain time in the middle sector but leave you vulnerable on the straights, while a smaller wing will provide less drag for the flat-out sections but not providing the same level of grip in the twisty corners. This is a similar predicament to Baku,” Wolff explained.

In the long history of the Formula 1 Belgian GP, Michael Schumacher has taken the chequered flag the most times with 6 victories between 1992 and 2002. His last team, Scuderia Ferrari, has also been the most successful with 18 wins, followed by McLaren with 4 less.

On the starting grid this year, there will be five previous Belgian GP winners – Lewis Hamilton (4 times), Sebastian Vettel (3 times) Daniel Ricciardo (1), Charles Leclerc (1) and Max Verstappen (1).

Audi To Race In Formula 1 From 2026


WayRay Holograktor – Metaverse on Wheels

Switzerland may be a small country – around 340,000 new vehicles sold annually before the pandemic – but it has had one of the major international motorshows, the Geneva Motor Show. It is also home to a number of specialist companies in auto design and engineering. One of them is WayRay which describes itself as a ‘deep-tech’ company and it is the only company capable of designing and manufacturing complex Deep Reality Display technology. It also has expertise in rendering the AR content in real-time around the car using a proprietary True AR Rendering Engine software.

Metaverse device on wheels

It has now applied the advanced technologies to Holograktor, is the first car designed around True AR technology and a new ride-hailing business model. WayRay calls it the very first ‘Metaverse device on Wheels’.

Backed by early investments from companies like Porsche, Hyundai, and Alibaba, WayRay is using the Holograktor car to emerge from its ‘Deep Tech’ automotive supplier status into the world of new mobility models.

“The idea is that you can choose Uber Black, Uber SUV, or Uber Holograktor. And if you choose the Holograktor, your ride will be subsidized by sponsored content, so the price will be much lower,” said WayRay Founder & CEO Vitaly Ponomarev.

Connecting virtual and real worlds

With the seamless connection of the virtual and real worlds, there can be greater safety, comfort, services, and entertainment. The 3-seat Holograktor can either be driven conventionally or by remote control via a 5G and satellite internet connection to a qualified driver. That left the question of what to do with the disengaged steering wheel in the remote mode. WayRay solved it by sliding it forwards and simply fitting it into a groove in the dashboard.

The interior has been designed around a novel 2+1 seating arrangement. The front seats are pushed wide apart to provide all three occupants with a clear view of holographic displays engineered around WayRay’s technology. Its unusual single rear seat ‘throne’ layout was inspired by data showing that more than 80% of Uber trips were for one person only

The entire car was also designed to showcase the holographic technology. Each passenger will have access to several holographic Deep Reality Display HUDs in front and on the side, with each seat fitted with joysticks for gaming and interacting with the content.

The AirKnife system creates a barrier that separates the air between passengers and cleanses the air throughout the cabin. It works together with the air-conditioning system to control the climate, filter the air, and keep passengers safe. That’s something which will be most welcome in these times.

Exterior design

The Holograktor was designed by hypercar designer Sasha Selipanov, Head of Design at RAW Design House and chief designer on the Holograktor project in collaboration with WayRay’s in-house team of designers. Selipanov’s design work includes the Lamborghini Huracan, Genesis Essentia, Bugatti Chiron, and Koenigsegg Gemera. He was trained at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, before being taken in by the Volkswagen Group.

Selipanov came to work on the Holograktor car in an appropriately modern way — via an Instagram message. “I saw a message from Vitaly on Instagram in my Inbox that said: ‘Hey! Would you like to catch up and brainstorm about a potential collaboration? Outside of being obsessed with sportscars, I’m a science geek and a bit of a physics nerd, and the fact that his company was playing around with deep-tech ideas and bringing them to customers around the world was hugely exciting. I thought that as far as non-lap-time-setting cars were concerned, this project was probably as exciting as I was ever going to find!”

At the core of the Holograktor’s design was the challenge of combining the concept car’s enormous interior space with a well-proportioned exterior, all while staying in line with all current and approaching regulations.

“We wanted to create a visual language for WayRay that took Russian constructivism as the base. If you have those early Soviet posters in mind, you can see those brightly coloured geometric shapes of triangles and blocks. Coincidentally, the triangular form is reminiscent of a prism, like the Pink Floyd “
Dark Side of the Moon
” album cover,” explained Selipanov.

It is a light-ray aesthetic that comes with the triangularity and the prism-like effect, which is just perfectly appropriate for a car built to highlight holography. Beyond that, the strong triangular shapes and solid stance are nods to the Russian backgrounds of WayRay’s founder and the designer.

That triangular theme is integrated everywhere, from the 22-inch wheels to the laser headlights and taillights and even to the shrink-wrapped form of the roof itself. While the front doors of the futuristic car open conventionally with a slight upward angle, the rear doors contain an integrated B-pillar and open rearwards and upwards, providing easy access to all 3 seats.

The Shrimp

The boxy shape on the roof of the Holograktor has been nicknamed ‘The Shrimp’ (though why that name was chosen is not explained). The shape makes it clear that the car is very different from any other car on the road and houses the holographic system for the rear passenger.

‘The Shrimp’ in its current location is, in fact, inevitable, as packaging and ergonomics constraints have led the design team to place it on the roof. It needs to be there because it contains an enormous amount of high-end technology, and it has the ideal focal length for the rear-seat passenger.

Even with the holographic system needing less than 3 litres of volume instead of the 20+ litres required by conventional HUDs, it was decided to prioritize the ride-hailing capability over hiding the technology. There is no Shrimp for the front passengers, though, as the True AR technology sits within the dashboard, aiming up at the windscreen, where the Shrimp’s projections aim down from the roof.

R RYZR concept is a driving machine you ‘wear’


Proton continues to provide help in fight against COVID-19

Back in March this year, as the COVID-19 pandemic began to surge across the country (and world), Proton quickly arranged to provide the Ministry of Health (MoH) with
50 vehicles to help their frontliners
 move around to any hotspots in need of urgent attention.

The fight against COVID-19 has not ended and throughout the year, Proton has been actively supporting the MoH in various ways. Recently, it also loaned 8 units of the Proton X70 to the ministry for use in Sabah.

Help in logistics and surveillance efforts

The SUVs will be used to assist in the ministry’s logistics and surveillance efforts in the ongoing COVID-19 fight. The hand-over was carried out at Fook Loi Corporation, a Proton dealership in Kota Kinabalu.

“The Covid-19 pandemic is probably one of the most challenging times we have faced as a nation. As  a Malaysian brand, Proton feels that it is our duty to step up, and we have been supporting the government’s efforts from the outset. Logistics in Sabah is far more challenging than in the peninsular. This next batch of X70s will act as ferry vehicles for doctors, nurses and MoH officials as and when needed. We hope our contribution will help to ease the logistical needs of medical frontliners in Sabah,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.

Besides providing vehicles, Proton also produced 60,000 units of face shields in April at their Shah Alam factory in Selangor. The face shields, essential items in the Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), were distributed to government hospitals in the country, as well as other frontliners such as members of the police and armed forces.

Cleaner cabin environment in Proton X70 with use of N95 filter


Tata Motors unveils Nexon EV with ZIPTRON Technology, on sale in early 2020

 Tata Motors has started taking bookings for its new Nexon EV, billed as ‘India’s Own Electric SUV’, which will be in showrooms in early 2020. It joins the growing EV market in India with offering such as the MG ZS, Hyundai Kona EV, and Mahindra e20.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD of Tata Motors said: “After introducing our cutting-edge EV technology, ZIPTRON, we are thrilled to unveil the first EV featuring this technology – the Nexon EV. This is a high-performance, connected vehicle that is uniquely suited to address the aspirations of Indian customers and break all barriers for EV adoption. We are confident that this development will mark an important milestone in India’s electrification journey, and further reinforce our commitment towards developing sustainable and responsible mobility solutions for India.”

Tata Motors’
ZIPTRON technology
 incorporates a powerful and high-efficiency 129-ps/245 Nm permanent-magnet AC motor powered by a high capacity 30.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. It promises to give brisk performance with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h claimed to be 9.9 seconds and a range of over 300 kms on a full charge.

Besides constant recharging with Regenerative Braking that charges the battery pack while coasting through, when plugged into a Fast DC Charger, the Nexon EV can reach 80% battery capacity within 60 minutes. In addition, charging can be done from any 15-amp plug point.

The EV comes with a best-in-industry dust and waterproof battery pack which meets IP67 standards. This high-density battery pack is liquid-cooled to handle India’s high temperature conditions. The battery pack is placed underneath the vehicle body, giving the SUV a centre of gravity more akin to that of a sedan or a hatchback, ensuring maximum stability and excellent dynamic performance on winding roads.

The 3994 mm long Nexon EV retains all its learnings from the Nexon Global NCAP rating and comes with class-leading safety features. It has been rigorously tested for 1 million kms over the toughest terrain in India, covering high altitudes, unpaved roads, steep gradients and under extreme weather conditions. Tata Motors is confident of its durability that it offers a warranty of 8 years or maximum of 160,000 kms on the battery pack and electric motor.

Tata Motors to launch EV models with ZIPTRON technology developed in-house


Last day to win a RM4,000 holiday package for just RM30

Today is the final day for the
Peraduan Jom! Cuticuti Malaysia Bersama BHPetrol
 contest where, for just a spend of RM30 at participating BHPetrol stations, you could win a holiday package worth up to RM4,000.

90 prizes to be won

The contest, which has been running since August 18, 2020, has a total of 90 prizes. The Grand Prize for 30 winners consists of 3 days/2 nights for 4 persons to Cherating/Kuala Lumpur/Pulau Pinang/Seremban with meals, tours, RM1,000 pocket money and BHPetrol vouchers worth RM300.

There are also 30 consolation prizes of RM1,000 BHPetrol vouchers and 10,000 ePoints (worth RM100). Additionally, during each week of the contest period, there have been tour packages for 3 lucky customers each week. Most of the weekly winners have already been announced and to see if you are one of them,
click here
.

Spend just RM30

To participate in the contest, customers contestants just need to spend a cumulative amount of RM30 on petrol or diesel products at any participating BHPetrol service stations and/or any shop items at the BHPetromart (excluding Touch’nGo reload, ePay reload and car wash) during the contest period. All purchases must be swiped with a valid eCard or scanned with eCard Mobile App.

Every eligible accumulated spending of RM30 will be entitled to 1 entry. Where the contestant has registered for the eCard Mobile App, he or she shall be entitled to 3 entries for every eligible accumulated spending of RM30. [
Click here for full terms and conditions
]

BHPetrol will select the required number of contestants and those who are selected (using a Winner Selection Software Programme based on random algorithm) will be required to correctly answer 3 questions related to BHPetrol, eCard and/or Royale Chulan hotel correctly to qualify as winners.

Yes, there’s a Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) on in certain areas of the country, and travel is limited in some cases. But once the situation is back to normal, you can start travelling again and wouldn’t it be nice if you have a holiday package waiting for you to use?

Don’t miss your last chance to win that holiday package!


The world’s most exclusive tail light (w/VIDEO)

Ever since LEDs started to be used for lighting units on cars, designers have had greater freedom to create more striking and unique visual signatures with the front and rear lights. The lighting units from Glohh, a British company specialising in the design of specialist lighting for luxury automobiles, have stood out and drawn attention from owners wanting more exclusivity and individuality.

Following the 2018 introduction of their GL-5i taillight which quickly became a favourite amongst Land Rover Range Rover Sport owners and automotive tuning companies, the Glohh design team has now come out with GL-5x taillight that is the flagship product.

Direct fit for Range Rover Sport

The GL-5x is a direct replacement for the Range Rover Sport’s original tail lights. Alongside introducing features never seen on the luxury SUV, it is a straightforward upgrade; no additional components are needed to complete the installation. It complies with all stringent European ECE and US Department of Transportation regulations. Pricing starts from US$1,449 (about RM6,000) for markets outside Europe.

The GL-5x features a dark-polish lens, a world-first interchangeable aerodynamic fin, an enhanced ambient light value for reduced glare, better human eye sensation and a safer road presence. Inheriting the fundamental design characteristics of the GL-5i, the GL-5x utilises shades of grey fused with a transparent lens to add mystery and intensity to the original design. This formula allows the refined internal details, previously concealed by its predecessor, to become a core part of the GL-5x identity while emphasising the Range Rover Sport’s strong stance.

“Our continued evolution is driven by a devotion to fulfil our clients demand for unique, we achieve this feat by delivering the GL-5x, the most exquisite taillight in our line-up” said Lead Designer Dr. Faheem Rafiq. “As with all Glohh products, the new GL-5x rear light combines first-class craftsmanship, state-of-the-art technology and fine design. This time, we went a step further with the introduction of a world-first interchangeable aero-fin, available in Platinum Satin and High-Gloss Black finishes, designed to appeal to the most discerning clientele.”

Uniquely tailored aerodynamic fin

The world’s first interchangeable aerodynamic fin is available in two tailored profiles – AF+ and AF-Elite – both designed to channel airflow, reducing drag and increasing stability.

AF+ features exquisite lines for a clean and elegant integration of style while AF-Elite is a highly advanced aerofoil. It further streamlines the taillights wind-cheating functionality with the introduction of sharply styled strakes. Aesthetically, it delivers powerful lines for a bold and sporty appearance, fusing form and function.

Individuality and safety

To allow owners to further individualise the identity of their taillight, both aerodynamic fins are available in exclusive colour variants High-Gloss Black or Platinum Satin, a feature unseen on an automotive taillight.

With the GL-5x, safety remains a top priority, including the introduction of an enhanced dynamic indicator. Utilising 15 eco-low energy LEDs, the turn signal spans a wide 450 mm band and has been fine-tuned to deliver a signal that is 47% brighter. Output is further sharpened by a polycarbonate diffuser, designed to distribute highly homogenous light spanning a 125-degree range, making turn indications safer for all road users.


Tailor Made Ferrari Roma brings together Italian with Japanese-inspired detailing

A Ferrari is already an exclusive machine when it leaves the factory but virtually none are ‘stock standard’ as every owner will want to personalise their car in some way. After all, when you have paid that much, what’s a little bit more to add something to make it unique? That’s what Ferrari’s bespoke Tailor Made department offers – an exclusive programme for those who wish to customise any element of their car.

Many of the cars that the Tailor Made department works on are not publicised as the owners may prefer the privacy, but there are also some cars that do become public and this one-of-a-kind Roma model is one of them. Crafted with exquisite traditional Japanese-inspired detailing while retaining the clean, sophisticated elegance of the original car.

This particular car’s story began when Evan Orensten and Josh Rubin, the founders of the American publication
COOL HUNTING,
 were offered, and accepted, the opportunity of customising a Ferrari Roma. The idea was to explore how far Ferrari’s bespoke personalisation programme could go and really push the boundaries.

The project started off two years ago with the first of several research trips to Japan where they immersed themselves in the country’s traditional crafts and artisanal methods. Then they proposed bringing some of those ideas and unique materials into the Tailor Made journey as envisioned by COOL HUNTING, and conveyed this to Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari’s Chief Design Officer, at the Ferrari Tailor Made showroom in New York.

Manzoni and his team were inspired by the parallels between Italian and Japanese culture and design philosophy: a single-minded devotion to quality, an emotional involvement with the client, and exquisite skills in craftsmanship that have been passed down from generation to generation.

An idea formed – to create a Ferrari featuring some of the unique materials developed from traditional Japanese techniques while employing Ferrari’s customary innovation to modify them to accommodate the requirements of durability and functionality that a modern high-performance car demands.

Traditional Japanese indigo dyes inspired the Roma’s colour scheme, particularly the vivid blue exterior paint which was specially developed for this car and named Indigo Metal. This vivid colour perfectly enhances the purity of the Roma’s shape – light appears to flow over its bodywork, accentuating its lines through highlights and shade.

Indigo features prominently in Japanese design culture, and the traditional dye is produced naturally. COOL HUNTING had visited Toyama, one of only 5 remaining indigo farms in Tokushima, Japan’s traditional indigo-growing region. They learned that the dye comes from a green plant which, when harvested and fermented, becomes sukumo, traditional dried Japanese indigo that is mixed with lye, sake and limestone powder to create authentic Hon-Ai indigo dye. Because of its anti-microbial properties, it was traditionally used for linens, bedding and clothing.

The same colour palette is used to tie together the vehicle’s exterior and interior into one subtle, holistic statement. The indigo shade is also found in the sakiori fabric used for the seat trim inserts and the carpets.

Sakiori is one of the world’s oldest examples of upcycling, dating from the 1700s when cotton and silk were available only to Japan’s nobility and the very wealthy. Worn-out kimonos were disassembled, their fabric cut into strands and rewoven with new fibres, creating a material that was both warm, comfortable and durable. The word comes from the Japanese saku (to rip up) and oru (to weave).

An innovative solution was identified in making sakiori a viable material. Two vintage kimonos originally made in Amami Oshima, an island in Japan’s southern archipelago were used — an indigo-dyed kimono approximately 75 years old and one approximately 45 years old, dyed in both indigo and the island’s celebrated Amami Oshima Tsumugi mud-based dye.

The indigo theme is carried through to the Roma’s headlining – a beautifully detailed piece of craftsmanship and design which is exclusively experienced by those sitting in the car. It is made up of two indigo-dyed hides made – one with a unique solid colour crafted to match the car’s colour scheme, and a hand-painted hide using a method which can be traced back to the 8th century.

The hides were then sent to Italy, where they were cut into strips and hand-woven by Italian artisans in a process called intreccio, forming an elegant one-of-a-kind work of art.

The Roma’s interior door handles also take their inspiration from Japan – they are enclosed in tightly hand-woven strips of black leather in an homage to tsukami, the ancient art of wrapping the grips of Katana swords.

The COOL HUNTING team were further inspired by a visit to Kaikado, a Kyoto-based family business known for its iconic copper tea canisters. Now made by the fifth and sixth generations of the family, the canisters are so skilfully crafted that they form a vacuum seal as the lid gently falls onto the body. The copper also adopts a unique natural patina with use.

Inspired by this, copper plating is found in details on the Roma’s gearshift gate surround and levers, which were plated in Japan. The outline of the dual cockpits, the wheel rims and the kamon are also made in this colour.

The unique crest on the car’s dedication plate on the central armrest and door sills is a custom-made ‘
kamon
’, a symbol passed down from generation to generation in Japan. Designed by Kyogen, it represents a wheel from an ox-drawn carriage (popular transportation among aristocrats during the Heian period between 794 and 1185) combined with the 8 pistons of the Roma’s V8 engine forming its spokes. The numeric theme is continued in the eight wave crests that encircle the wheel – symbols of good luck, power and resilience.

Only one person in the world can own the Ferrari BR20


Lexus LF-Z Electrified Concept

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

Over the next 4 years, Lexus will step up its electrification program and introduce up to 20 new models, with fully electric as well hybrid powertrains. As a preview of what is to come, Toyota’s luxury brand today presented to the world its LF-Z Electrified concept car. The conceptual BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) incorporates driving performance, styling, and technologies envisioned for realization by 2025.

The LF-Z Electrified has a BEV-dedicated platform which features a new 4-wheel driving force control technology known as
DIRECT4
. This uses the instant responsiveness of an electric motor’s driving force to freely control a vehicle’s four wheels for superior and highly flexible driving performance that sets it apart from conventional vehicles. The system controls the distribution of driving force through the seamless orchestration and calculation of accelerator pedal application and steering wheel operation, resulting in powerful acceleration and cornering performance that aligns near-perfectly to the driver’s will.

The use of steer-by-wire eliminates the need for a mechanical connection through the steering shaft, resulting in a more direct response between steering operation and driving force. This enables the vehicle to turn with less steering angle―and more precision―in response to driving conditions.

Lexus Driving Signature

Although the LF-Z Electrified marks the move away from conventional combustion engines, future BEV models will still have the Lexus Driving Signature, a unique Lexus driving experience that aims for a linear response that is faithful to the driver’s intentions, including the feeling of seamlessly connecting deceleration, steering and acceleration in all driving situations.

The LF-Z Electrified achieves an ideal balance and inertia by optimally positioning the battery and motors. The electrification technology allows for innovative packaging and design, and raises the Lexus Driving Signature to an even higher level by significantly evolving the basic performance of the vehicle.

By orienting the battery assembly longitudinally under the floor of the vehicle, the chassis becomes more rigid and the car’s centre of gravity is lowered for improved dynamics. In addition, this layout  helps mitigate vibrations and unpleasant noises from penetrating the passenger cabin upholding the Lexus DNA of quietness and ride comfort.

With a 90 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the LF-Z Electrified, which is said to weigh 2,100 kgs, is expected to have a range of up to 600 kms. The total system output of 400 kW/700 Nm will be able to accelerate it from 0 to 100 km/h in a projected 3 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 200 km/h.

Styling continues to evolve

Measuring 4880 mm in overall length and 1960 mm in overall width, the LF-Z Electrified’s sculpted and emotional exterior strongly accentuates the uniqueness of Lexus design. It suggests the direction of the evolution of Lexus styling where the overall form, which starts low in the front and peaks toward the rear, is composed of a continuous silhouette centered on a smooth cabin.

Large-diameter wheels that transmit the power of the high-power electric motors to the road surface are situated as much as possible at the vehicle’s four corners for a wide stance with a low centre of gravity.

Lexus designers took up the challenge of evolving the Lexus design icon of the spindle shape into a spindle body as the overall body architecture in a new form of expression. The aim was to create a 3-dimensional design that transforms the form of the body itself into the icon of the Lexus brand and to continuously develop functional expressions and styling that keep abreast with the evolution of technology.

The use of DIRECT4, which freely controls the driving force of the four wheels, enabled styling that evokes the image of dynamic driving in which the distribution of driving force is linearly shifted. The accentuation of the doors fluently transitions from the front wheels to the rear wheels, which are surrounded by shiny, projecting, flare-shaped molding.

In the rear, a clean and simple horizontal design combines with the molding that emphasizes the projecting wheels to express a powerful stance in support of a torque-strong driving force. Also, horizontally displaying ‘LEXUS’ in the continuous slender rear combination lamp contributes to styling that, along with the front of the vehicle, symbolizes the next generation of Lexus.

Tazuna cockpit with true Omotenashi

To provide a uniquely BEV driving experience, the interior is equipped with a ‘
Tazuna
’ cockpit and features an open and minimalist design. ‘
Tazuna
’ (Japanese for ‘rein’) refers to the relationship between horse and rider, who communicate through a single rein. While the cockpit is a key focal point, the low positioning of the instrument panel relative to the vehicle occupants and other measures are used to express a refreshing minimalism and a space that offers true
Omotenashi
 (hospitality).

The entire interior has been made a clean and high-quality space by a form that seamlessly connects the cowl to the front doors and on to the rear doors. Also, a panoramic roof uses long plates of glass that bring about a feeling of openness, emphasizing the minimalist environment.

In the LF-Z Electrified, Artificial Intelligence (AI), which learns the driver’s preferences and behavioural characteristics, provides constant support to the driver. Voice communication contributes to improved operability while driving. The voice recognition system uses the latest AI to recognize, learn, and adapt to a driver’s habits and preferences, supporting with tasks such as determining driving routes and even making restaurant reservations. Ultimately, it becomes the driver’s ‘concierge’ and partner for every journey.

Lexus is also working with Mark Levinson, its long-time partner in the audio field, to develop a system which can reproduce a concert hall-like audio experience. With the next-generation sound management function, active noise cancellation facilitates interaction or privacy amongst passengers, providing a quiet and comfortable interior space.

New Lexus IS introduces ‘The Lexus Driving Signature’