All-new Citroën C3 Aircross SUV unveiled – RM115,888

Naza Euro Motors Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of Citroen here in Malaysia, is proud to announce their latest addition to the current line-up which is the
all-new 2019 Citroen C3 Aircross SUV
. For this year, the new C3 SUV boasts exceptional space, modern driving technology, comfort as well as safety.

According to Yasser Awan, Chief Executive Officer, Naza Euro Motors Sdn Bhd, “Bringing together all of Citroën’s expertise in cabin space, modular design and comfort, this people-minded SUV stands out in the B-segment SUV with its unique body styling.”

“We are confident that the All-New Citroën C3 Aircross SUV will be well received among SUV fans in Malaysia as this truly is the most spacious and versatile urban SUV that offers practicality, class-leading space and safety features distinctive to Citroën.”

“This year, Citroën celebrates 100 years of a brand that is truly ‘people minded’ and has always been “Inspired by People” and their lifestyle. Citroën is proud of this DNA and will be celebrating a century of boldness, creativity and the French way of life that have shaped the Citroën brand today,” added Yasser.

Modular design and ample space play a major role in the ultimate design of the new C3 as it not only possesses unique body styling and multiple personalisation options but also something fresh to the current compact SUV segment here in the country.

At the front, the All-New Citroën C3 Aircross SUV sports Citroën’s classic graphic signature two-tier lights. The upper part consists of the halogen headlight with LED daytime-running lights connected to the chevrons.

At the rear, the powerful shoulders of the All-New Citroën C3 Aircross SUV emphasise its width and muscular look of the SUV. The imposing front and rear bumper topped by a protective skid plate echoes the front end and once again affirms the car’s robustness and SUV character.

Did we mention that it has that ‘venetian blind’ window effect at the side rear window panels and 17-inch diamond-cut “4Ever” alloy wheels.? Sexy…

Measuring 4.15m in length, 2.0m in width, and 1.64m in height coupled with its 2.6m long wheelbase, this well-proportioned SUV offers better stability and passenger comfort, especially those who seek something different yet comfortable and unique.

The All-New Citroën C3 Aircross SUV, boasts a whopping boot space in its segment – the boot’s standard volume of 410L can be conveniently increased to an impressive load volume of 520L when the rear seats are sledded to the front and boot floor lowered.

Under its chic-looking bonnet lies a small but powerful 1.2-liter PureTech three-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces around 110hp and 205Nm of maximum torque. Controlled by a 6-speed Tiptronic auto transmission, this mighty SUV can go from 0-100km/h in just 10.4 seconds and hit a top speed of 200km/h.

The same amount of care and attention has been into designing its new ‘Urban Red ambience’ interior with Citroën’s Advanced Comfort, which focuses on bringing total well-being on board and an extraordinary “at-the-wheel” experience.

Space and comfort are still the forefront, especially upon seeing its clever dashboard design, comfortable seats with impressive seating flexibility and numerous storage compartments.

Major functions are within reach on an intuitive 7-inch touchscreen at the centre of the dashboard, integrated with the brand’s signature Citroën Connect Radio and compatible for use with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, MirrorLink, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB.

Safety features that helps to complete the overall compact SUV package with 5-star Euro NCAP rating includes:

6 airbags

Electronic Stability Program (ESP)

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)

Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)

2 ISOFIX anchorage

Rear sensor plus reverse camera with a 180-degree view

Naza Euro Motors Sdn Bhd has priced it at
RM115,888
 (on-the-road without insurance) and the new C3 Aircross SUV comes in two colour pack options; Black (Passion Red and Breathing Blue) and Orange (Soft Sand and Natural White).

As a bonus, Naza Euro Motors will be offering 3 years free service to the first 100 units of the Citroën C3 Aircross SUV in conjunction with Citroën’s 100th Year Anniversary. For more information, head over to
www.citroen.com.my
.


Guide to buying a Digital Video Recorder (dashcam)

In recent years, you’ve probably been come across many reports about motorists being ‘saved’ by video evidence from a dashcam or digital video recorder (DVR). Where before there might have been a dispute between the parties involved as to who was responsible for the accident, a recording from a DVR would almost immediately end any argument. And the use of DVRs has broadened to not only recording accidents but also the reckless driving behaviour of others which can help police taken action against.

The value of DVRs, which have been available for many years now, has been recognized even by car companies who offer them as standard or optional items in new cars nowadays. Hyundai Sime Darby Motors was probably the first one to do so in Malaysia with the 7
th
 generation Hyundai Sonata it launched in 2015. The DVR was installed neatly with a connection to the power supply so it was like part of the car’s systems.

Today, many other companies also offer DVRs, and some even offer units that are mounted at the rear to supplement the forward-facing one. These units are usually tested for reliability and durability by the distributors and installed by them so they give a warranty as well.

But anyone can also install a DVR in their vehicle and they do not need a specialist as it is easily mounted on the windscreen and a cable connected to a USB port or 12V socket (which used to be for cigarette lighters) provides power. Like GPS route navigation units, prices of DVRs have come down quickly over the years. You can now get a simple unit for around RM100 and for more money, you can get high-tech features and higher quality.

The other features are secondary and in the newer units, even the lower priced ones have them since the features are all programmed together. Some of these features are impact sensors, collision warning, still image capture and so on. But for most people, all that is expected would be the ability to record and that is what every DVR does – though the quality varies.

The more you pay, the better the quality will be and what is important is the image quality. There’s no point having a recording which is not sharp and while you might see the other car hitting you, its numberplate might not be clear enough. The minimum resolution would be what is known as 1080P Full HD and the higher the resolution, the more clarity there can be if small areas need to be enlarged.

There are units which can capture at higher resolutions of 4K and they have very good image sensors (the ones made by Sony are regarded as the best). These can record video with a lot of sharpness but it will also mean that the capacity of memory card to store the video will need to be larger as the file sizes will be much bigger.

Motorists can also have DVRs facing rearwards to record the view behind, as well as facing into the cabin.

The video recordings are stored on memory cards, the popular size being microSD which is the same as what you probably have in your mobilephone. These come in various capacities and while you would need to put in a new SD card when the one in your phone is full, the recordings in the DVR are looped so when it is full, the oldest one will be over-written by a new one. This is usually fine in most cases if the card has a large storage capacity and depending on how much you use the DVR, it might even be good for a few days of recordings.

How many recordings can be stored depends on the file size and besides the image quality being a factor, this can be fixed by selecting the duration (3 minutes, 5 minutes, etc). A 64GB card can store 480 1-minute recordings if taken at 30 fps and 1080P but if at 4K/30 fps, then it can only store up to 144 1-minute recordings before the first one will be over-written.

The reason for not having a continuous recording of your journey is to make locating a specific section easier. The time stamp is shown so you can locate a specific spot on your journey to review when you wish to do so. It’s also easier when you want to download a specific section (to pass to the police or insurance company as evidence). The card can be removed and with an adapter, inserted into a computer for access.

Unless you never drive at night, you will also need the DVR to have night vision capability. All DVRs can record at night but the quality will vary greatly, and this is usually related to the price. The very expensive units may have special software to enhance the image in low light conditions but generally, the cameras have a wide dynamic range which adjusts exposure to maintain clarity and sufficient contrast to make out details.

The frame rate per second (commonly referred to as ‘fps’) also helps in image quality. The more frames per second means the better the details. High-quality DVRs can take videos at up to 60 fps which is pretty good and down to 30 fps, you can still get smooth playback. The cheaper units might record at 20 fps or slower and this can make playback jerky with poor image quality.

The field of view – that’s the area covered from left to right – should be as wide as possible.  Currently, the range is between 130 degrees and 160 degrees; the wider it can be, the better so that accidents that may happen on the side (like being rammed by someone who didn’t stop at a red light) can be more clearly seen.

Some DVRs may have ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) features like those provided in Honda SENSING and Toyota Safety Sense. These may detect lane departure, give distance warnings or even alert the driver when the car in front moves off. However, they may not be as accurate as the advanced systems developed by the carmakers.

Three of the ADAS features in a Honda DVR.

There are also some units which can keep recording even while the car is parked. The value of this is questionable since the camera is only facing forward but if there are additional cameras, then someone attempting to break in could be recorded. To save power and storage space, some DVRs will only record if there is motion detected.

In the past few years, there have also been dual front-mounted cameras (besides rear-facing cameras). These have one camera recording the view forward and the other recording the view inside the cabin. Not everyone may like or need such a feature and it is more appreciate by taxi drivers who will have strangers in the car and need to have a record for their own protection.

The more expensive DVRs may also have GPS receivers which can include the car’s precise location along with the other information embedded in the recording. With special software, it will be possible to retrace a route on digital maps and even see the speeds the car was running at.

Some DVRs can connect a mobilephone or tablet via wifi or bluetooth and with an app, it is possible to manage the DVR settings easily or transfer files.

Virtually all DVRs have the ability to also record sound and some people may like it while others would rather not have any record of what is said on a journey. It is usually possible to switch off audio recording if not required. Some units might also accept simple voice commands like ‘TAKE PICTURE’ to record a still image.

Almost all DVRs have a feature to lock files so that they cannot be tampered with. This would be important after an accident has occurred and the driver can either manually lock the file or the impact will activate a lock on a specific file so that the evidence is safely preserved.

Thanks to having a DVR, the driver of this car had proof that the man had purposely run in front of his car and then jumped on it to make it look as if the driver had been at fault (to try to claim compensation).
Click here
 to read more about this incident in Klang.

Installing a DVR is like buying insurance – you hope that you do not need it but if you have an accident, then you might be very glad you spent the money to put one in the car. Besides recording accidents, DVRs are also useful to record videos of roadtrips where you may have gone through a nice area. Or if you are in the right place at the right time, your DVR might catch other vehicles having accidents or even a meteor shooting across the sky ahead!


Aston Martin DB5 Junior for the little ones

Aston Martin’s DB5 is well known as the ‘James Bond car’, having appeared as a gadget-packed sportscar in the movie ‘
Goldfinger
’ (as well as ‘
Skyfall
’). Only 1,059 units were produced and sold between 1963 and 1965, so it is a rare model. As part of its Continuation program, the company is currently making
25 units of the ‘Goldfinger’ car, complete with the array of gadgets
, priced at the equivalent of RM17.7 million.

While the original DB5 is not readily available and only 25 people will get to own the Goldfinger cars, there is now the DB5 Junior, a two-thirds scale replica that runs on electric power. It is the result of a collaboration between Aston Martin and The Little Car Company and based on Aston Martin’s reference 3D scan of an original DB5 to ensure complete accuracy and authenticity.

Developed over the last 15 months as a collaboration between the two companies, the junior car is priced at £35,000 (about RM195,000). Like all Aston Martin models, customisation of the DB5 Junior is possible in almost the same manner. Only 1,059 units will be available  – the same production volume as the original DB5 – on a first-come, first served basis with a refundable deposit required.

The DB5 Junior is around 3 metres long, and 1.1 metres wide. It is designed to easily accommodate an adult and a child side by side. The aluminium honeycomb chassis and composite body provide a very rigid platform whilst keeping the total weight down to around 270 kgs.

Absolute authenticity was key throughout the development of the car. For example, the DB5 Junior sports the same iconic Aston Martin ‘wings’, ‘shield’ and DB5 badges as the original 1963 model. Like its big brother, the dashboard is filled with functional Smiths instruments, which have been cleverly updated for the modern era.

The fuel gauge has been converted into a battery meter, while the oil temperature now monitors the temperature of the electric motor. Finally, the same Smiths clock as seen in the original 1960s car sits proudly in front of the passenger seat.

The perfect two-thirds scale steering wheel has a racing-style quick release to make entry and exit easier for the driver. Power is regulated by billet aluminium accelerator and brake pedals and, as would be expected, there are working headlights, brake lights, indicators and a horn. However, there are no 007 gadgets which is a pity.

In true DB5 style, the car comes in the famous Silver Birch colour as standard, with a full black leather interior and carpet set. There is even a boot at the rear for storage.

Like the real car, the DB5 Junior sits on double wishbone suspension at the front  and even the roll centre and camber gain match the original geometry. At the rear, there is a live axle that is of the 1960s period, with authentic upper and lower trailing arm suspension and Panhard rod.

Behind each of the 10-inch wire wheels are ventilated disc brakes. Like modern hybrid and all-electric cars, there is regenerative braking which contributes to recharging of the battery pack.

Powered by a torquey electric powertrain delivering 5 kW (6.7 bhp) to the rear wheels, the DB5 Junior can zip to a maximum speed of almost 50 km/h. The removable battery pack under the bonnet is said to provide 16 to 32 kms driving range, depending on how the car is driven. A second battery can be added for extra range and replacement of each pack is easily done in seconds.

For safety, there are three modes to suit the skill of the driver, with the power output reduced to 1 kW (1.3 bhp) for less experienced drivers. Besides a maximum speed of around 20 km/h, this mode has a remote kill switch which will disable the car if it is further than 30 metres. The Expert mode  generates maximum output available and for the ultimate driving experience, a rally-style hydraulic handbrake is included.

DB5 Vantage Junior

There is also the DB5 Vantage Junior available in the UK for £45,000 (around RM250,000) which has a powerful 10 kW (13.4 bhp) electric motor. This output is delivered to the wheels through a Limited-Slip Differential. Performance is further enhanced by the lightweight carbonfibre body and a second battery pack, doubling the range to between 32 and 64 kms.

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


First Made-in-Malaysia Proton X70 officially rolls out at Tg. Malim factory

At long last, locally-made versions of the Proton X70 are now being released, one year and one day after it was launched in Malaysia as the first joint product of the DRB-HICOM partnership in the Malaysian carmaker.

Until today, Proton has been making the X70 in China and bringing the SUV in as a completely built-up (CBU) vehicle, just like some models of other makes from Europe and Japan. However, even though the vehicles were made in China, many parts were sent from Malaysian suppliers so even before today, Malaysian-made parts have been incorporated.

One of the reasons for using parts from Malaysia was that the X70 is a righthand drive model and the factory in China doesn’t make such a variant, so parts have not been made there. The other reason could be that the volume required was ‘small’ by the standards of vendors in China and as their supply would not be needed after a year, it was probably not worthwhile for them.

The plant in Tanjung Malim, Perak, has been in existence since 2004 but when Geely became involved, a major renovation was undertaken and a new RM1.2 billion extension was added. New manufacturing processes and equipment were also installed to raise efficiency and productivity along with quality.

Developing the vendor eco system

At the same time, Proton worked together with local and overseas vendors to establish a supply chain for parts required to build its first SUV, would be in place when production activities began. During the preparatory phase prior to start of production some months ago, Proton worked closely with its local vendors to match them with other companies who were already supplying components for the SUV.

These efforts resulted in 7 new joint-ventures being formed as both local and foreign companies started partnerships based in Malaysia to share competencies and production resources.

Other business relationships established include technical agreements and foreign direct investments, resulting in a total investment of RM263 million and the creation of 1,084 jobs as the vendor community gears up to create a pipeline of high technology components for the X70 and future models.

Production hub for RHD vehicles

“Today marks a historical milestone for Proton as we take another step towards being a global automotive brand. By producing the Proton X70 in Tanjung Malim, we have taken a quantum leap in our abilities as this is by far our most ambitious undertaking to date. This new plant will not only produce future products jointly developed with Geely but it will also be a centre for right-hand-drive production as we begin exports to countries all over world,” said Dato’ Sri Syed Faisal Albar, Proton’s Chairman, at the exclusive and private roll-out ceremony held earlier today,

An Conghui, President & CEO of Geely Auto Group, confirmed that Proton’s position within the Geely Auto Group is to be a valuable partner to grow sales in ASEAN markets.

“PROTON has undergone a tremendous transformation over the past 2 years. This experience has worked out very well for us at Geely Auto as we are happy to help Proton realize its global aspirations. We will continue to support Proton as it grows in the Malaysian market and in the wider ASEAN region and beyond,” he added.

Proton sales doubled in November


Drama-Filled Start To Round 1 of The GR Vios Sprint Cup

Race Day One (6 May 2023)

The Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Sprint Cup is not just about speed and skill, but also about teamwork and strategy. Race 1 of the Gazoo Racing Vios Sprint Cup was won by the Laser Motor Racing team of Eddie Lew and Amer Harris at Sepang International Circuit.

The Malaysia Championship Series (MCS) event, the GR Vios Sprint Cup, which is only in its second year, consists of two 1-hour races on Saturday and Sunday. Teams of two drivers are vying for RM60,000 in total prize money each racing weekend.

The winner of the overall championship in each of the two races at the GR Vios Sprint Cup will receive RM10,000 in cash, followed by the first runner-up who will receive RM8,000, the third-place finisher RM6,000, and the fourth and fifth-place finishers RM4,000 and RM2,000, respectively.

The GR Vios Sprint Cup is a one-make series, and as everyone is driving similarly prepared race cars, the focus is on driving prowess, experience, and racecraft.

Lew was the only senior driver among the top 14 competitors in the one-hour race, which was heavily influenced by the involvement and boldness of new drivers. The race started with a total of 20 vehicles or 40 drivers. Inigo Anton and Ariff Azmi of Axle Sports came in second and were 2.5 seconds back, while Freddie Ang and Tungwei Hsiao of Telagamas Toyota came in third and were 18 seconds back.

However, the day’s best drive came from Gazoo Racing rookie Ariff Azmi and Filipino driver Inigo Anton. Though he started the race from third on the grid and fell as far back as seventh, Philippines Vios Cup winner Anton nevertheless responded to the challenge and finished on the podium in his debut race in Malaysia.

“Racing the Toyota Vios at the Sepang International Circuit is fantastic. I’ve never been here before, and the competition has been fierce. It’s been exciting, even though the car is a little different from how I’m used to driving back in the Philippines. The 18-year-old, who is participating in Malaysia for the first time and is regarded as one of the most well-known race car drivers in the Philippines, said, “I would definitely like to be back and I’ll make sure to encourage my other Filipino drivers to join.”

Race Day Two (7 May 2023)

With no less than four drivers competing for the top three podium spots and the lead changing many times with five laps to go, Race 2 of the GAZOO Racing Vios Sprint Cup at the Sepang International Circuit came down to a nail-biting finale.

Dramatic beginnings were also seen in the one-hour race. A collision heading into the opening corner of the race forced Kulim Top Wheel’s Foo Yung Chieh into the barrier with up to five cars in front of him. This brought out the safety car for two laps.

At the restart, Timothy Yeo of Axle Sports held onto the lead from pole position for six circuits until relinquishing it to Mitchell Cheah of Prima Pearl TD Racing. Jwan Hii of Laser Motor Racing was in third. Yeo was the first to pit for the required driver and tyre change, and when teammate Hayden Haikal took over for the next stint, the team rejoined in 11th place with the advantage of having already stopped.

Cheah, on the other hand, continued to race for a further five laps before completing his pit stop to make room for Mika Hamiki to take the wheel. His pit stop allowed Putera Adam of Laser Motor Racing to take the lead, just ahead of a charging Hayden, with a second Axle Sports vehicle driven by Inigo Anton coming in third. Mika surprised everyone by leaving the pit ahead of the three battling competitors to recover the lead in the race just as we were beginning to believe that these three would be the ones to win it.

Everything, however, changed with five circuits left as Hayden overtook Putera Adam for the second position and then Mika for the lead. Hayden ultimately triumphed by a margin of 1.5 seconds.

While Putera Adam and Mika fought it out in the final corner for the two remaining top podium spots, Inigo came out on top to take second place. Mika had to settle for fourth place as Putera Adam ultimately crossed the finish line in third.

“It was an incredibly intense race. I saw the carnage occurring behind me and I just took advantage of that to try to build a healthy lead ahead of our scheduled pitstop,” said 26-year-old Yeo.

“The strategy to pit early worked in our favour and when I came out of pit lane, I could see Mitchell just ahead of me. That made my task easier instead of having to chase him down for several laps.

Towards the end of the race, I just had to be patient. I knew I had a better pace and after Putera made a slight mistake I seized the opportunity to push ahead,” said Hayden.

This year, the GR Vios Sprint Cup will have two rounds, the second of which will take place at the Sepang International Circuit from June 23 to 25.


New warehouse in Shah Alam, Selangor, will improve parts operations for Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia

The population of Mitsubishi vehicles in Malaysia has been growing, especially with the popularity of the Triton and undoubtedly with the coming Xpander model. As the number of vehicles increases, so too will the demand for replacement parts.

In a proactive move, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia recently migrated to a new parts warehouse in Shah Alam, Selangor as part of an expansion plan to meet with increasing aftersales demands.

Faster delivery of parts

The new facility has a storage capacity of up to 40,000 square feet, enabling the consolidation of all holdings under one roof to improve warehouse operations. This move will also speed up delivery of parts required by all authorized service centres nationwide.

“The relocation of our warehouse is in line with the continuous growth of Mitsubishi Motors business in Malaysia. The new parts warehouse is located at a strategic location with less road congestion and easy access to Federal and KESAS highway. With this accessibility, we will be able to accelerate our parts delivery to MMM’s business partners as we constantly seek to improve customer’s aftersales experience by reducing cost and increasing our work efficiency,” said Tomoyuki Shinnishi, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia.

In Malaysia, there are 52 authorised Mitsubishi Motors service outlets and 52 showrooms (out of which 46 are 3S Centres).

Visit
www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my
 for more information on products and services from the brand.

First Mitsubishi Motors dealership in Melaka with new brand Visual Identity


Porsche Global – Vehicle deliveries In 2018: A Clear Increase After Nine Months! [+New Macan Video]

Positive development over the course of the year:
Porsche AG
 increased its vehicle deliveries by six percent to 196,562 vehicles in the first nine months of 2018. The performance of the Sports Car manufacturer was particularly strong in Europe: the growth here was
9%
 to
66,551 units
. In Germany alone, deliveries increased by 13 percent to 24,709 vehicles. Growth in China, the largest single market of Porsche, was also four percent with 56,254 vehicles delivered. In the model ranges, the Panamera showed the largest percentage increase: up to the end of September, deliveries of the four-door Sports Car increased by 60 percent. The 911 also saw double-digit growth with a plus of 19 percent. The highest-volume model ranges remain the Macan (see below) with 68,050 delivered vehicles and the Cayenne with 49,715 units.

“In Germany and Europe overall, our attractive product range meant that we were very well positioned to meet the strong demand for our Sports Cars in the first nine months,”
 says
Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing.

“We are also extremely satisfied with our growth rates in the USA and China.
There are a number of significant challenges that await us in the fourth quarter, and we will take proactive steps to ensure that we face up to them successfully. This includes the changeover to the new WLTP test cycle and petrol particulate filters and the farewell to diesel engines,”
 says von Platen.

The new emissions legislation has been in force in Europe since 1st September. The launch of new models will be staggered after the changeover. At Porsche, this will start with models from the two-door 911 and 718 Sports Car series as well as the new Macan (above & below), which was presented at the
Paris Motor Show
 last week. Porsche has not had any diesel models in its product range since the middle of February 2018. At the end of September, the Executive Board took the final decision to no longer offer any diesel-powered vehicles in future.

At the same time, Porsche is experiencing a great increase in customer interest in hybrid models. For example, more than 60 percent of vehicles from the Panamera model range were delivered with plug-in hybrid drive in Europe. In spite of the challenges, Detlev von Platen, the Member of the Executive Board responsible for Sales, assumes that Porsche will again achieve the record of last year when 246,375 vehicles were delivered to customers.

PORSCHE AG

Vehicle deliveries

January – September

2017

2018

Difference (%)

World

185,898

196,562

+6%

Europe

60,838

66,551

+9%

Germany

21,880

24,709

+13%

America

50,386

52,417

+4%

USA

41,237

42,626

+3%

Asia-Pacific, Africa

and Middle East

74,674

77,594

+4%

China

54,090

56,254

+4%

VIDEO on the new Porsche Macan…

https://www.piston.my/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/PV18_0069.mp4


2019 Perodua Bezza Limited Edition launched – 50 units only!

Perodua has officially launched the
2019 Perodua Bezza Limited Edition
 earlier today at MAEPS, Serdang. The unveiling was held in conjunction with the Malaysia Autoshow 2019 which opens its doors to the public from today until Sunday (11-14 April 2019).

To make things even more special, the unveiling as done by none other than Malaysia’s very own Prime Minister, YAB Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Perodua Global Manufacturing Sdn Bhd President, YBhg Datuk Ahmad Suhaimi Hashim.

So, what’s so special about this very limited 2019 Perodua Bezza Limited Edition? Well, there will only be 50 units available for the entire Malaysian market. Bookings can be made at the Malaysia Autoshow 2019 throughout the four days with a price of RM44,900 (on-the-road sans insurance).

According to Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd Managing Director, YBhg Dato’ Dr Zahari Husin, “The Perodua Bezza Limited Edition is all about sporty individuality. With GearUp accessories exclusive to this model, you can now proudly stand out from the crowd in Malaysia’s favourite sedan!”

Based on the Perodua Bezza 1.3 Premium X variant, the Bezza Limited Edition comes with

Ivory White paint scheme

Full GearUp body kit finished in matte black with an all-round red lower pinstripe

Matte black rear spoiler

Blacked-out roof

Dark grey alloy wheels

Red door mirror covers

Geometric graphics on the bonnet and lower sides

GearUp seat covers with new red stitching & coil mats

Red air vent surrounds

“Only 50 units of the Perodua Bezza Limited Edition will be produced, and they will only be available for booking at the Malaysia Autoshow 2019 from 11-14 April at MAEPS. Visit us here and be one of the lucky 50 owners today!” added Dato’ Dr Zahari.

Visit Perodua at Hall A, MAEPS this 11-14 April to take advantage of exclusive deals across its product and service range, as well as cash prizes up to RM20,000 in total.


2021 Renault 5 Prototype

To know more about promotions at BHPetrol stations, visit
www.bhpetrol.com.my
.

Retro models have a certain appeal to the young and of course to the old, who remember the originals. Perhaps they bring back memories of happier times or of what is perceived to be more adventurous periods in automobile history.

Car designers often look to previous models for inspiration and sometimes use certain elements in a new model. Sometimes they may even recreate or, in the more popular term used today – reimagine – a model in the 21
st
 century.

Reimagining a cult model

Understanding that the soul of a brand is in its roots, Renault’s designers have chosen to reconnect with the past and draw inspiration to find the spirit of the glorious times. They have created the Renault 5 Prototype, a model that immediately brings to mind the cult model from Renault’s past, the R5.

The role of the Renault 5 Prototype is to show that Renault will democratize the electric car in Europe with a modern approach to the popular and essential car. Like its predecessor, it is a compact and cute city car but with a modern, 100% electric twist.

The modern approach is evident in the chosen finishes and materials, which are inspired by the worlds of electronics, furniture and sports. It has also kept the fun, anti-crisis and mischievous side  with the pop of yellow highlights.

Urban, electric, attractive

This prototype embodies modernity relevant to its time – urban, electric, attractive – and is immediately recognizable. With a modern treatment of lines and flush surfaces with futuristic detailing (lights, front face, etc, the result is resolutely in the spirit of the current times.

The styling elements taken from the original design in a modern way hide very modern functions. For example, the bonnet air intake hides the charging hatch; the rear lights include aero flaps, and the foglamps in the bumper are daytime running lights. There is even a hint of the original ‘5’ on the side grid, the wheels and the rear logo.

French in many ways

The front end and the textile roof drawn from the world of furniture are full of ‘French charm’, a hint of mischief, character that pulls on the heartstrings. The front and rear logos light up, bringing the car ‘to life’. The French flag in the rearview mirrors to underline the “invented in France” side of the electric vehicle, while the headrest lights and the name displayed on the small transparent screen on the dashboard, invite you to hop in for a ride.

The fenders extend a bit and those who remember the potent R5 Turbo of the 1980s. It had a more aggressive widebody appearance and the engine was actually in the middle. It won four times in the WRC and is a collectors item today.

‘Renaulution’
 strategic plan

Renault has not said anything about this prototype going further and unveiled it in conjunction with the announcement of its ‘
Renaulution
’ strategic plan. The plan calls for about a third of Renault sales to be electric vehicles by 2025, by which time the company will have launched at least 7 EVs. This could be one of them.

The original R5 actually started off as an idea penned by a Renault designer in his free time. When his bosses saw it, they liked it and authorised developing it into a production model. It was produced between 1972 and 1985 and sold worldwide, including the USA. It cost about RM10,800 in Malaysia in the mid-1970s. During the 1980s, a powerful variant known as the R5 Turbo (below) was developed, primarily as a
homologation special
 for use in rallies. It was quite a different car as the 1.4-litre engine was mid-mounted and produced 160 ps/21 Nm, which went to the rear wheels instead of the front wheels.

Renault Megane eVision concept previews new Megane for 2022 (w/VIDEO)


5G And How It Will Impact Automotive Technology From Now On

For most people, ‘5G’ – the fifth generation of cellular connectivity technology since 1979 – is associated with telecommunications. Since the deployment of 5G networks in South Korea in April 2019, the technology has been adopted in many countries. Malaysia launched the network at the end of 2021 and by December 2022, 50% coverage of populated areas nationwide was achieved, according to Digital Nasional Bhd.

While 5G may seem to be mainly applicable to mobilephones and internet connectivity, it actually has a far wider scope of application which includes the auto industry. While cars already have connectivity to the internet (and therefore the World Wide Web) and can receive software updates ‘over the air’ (OTA), the much faster speed of 5G transmissions will expand the capabilities of cars in not just driving but also safety.

The carmakers and their suppliers are already developing more and better ways to use 5G technology to make the cars of the present safer and more versatile. One example is the Pirelli 5G-connected Cyber Tyre which was presented last year. This tyre, still a prototype, contains a sensor, processor, and communication system in an embedded disc the size of a coin.

With it, the tyre itself can instantly share real-time data about its air pressure, temperature, and even tread depth as well as acceleration along longitudinal, lateral, and rotational axes. It also has the ability to sense and report water and ice on the road. Not only is the information provided to the driver but can also be shared, via 5G, with other vehicles on the road.

For future mobility, 5G will allow vehicle-to-vehicle communication in real-time, due to higher bandwidths of up to 10 Gbit/s and an estimated latency in data transmission of less than 1 millisecond.  The new mobile network standard will enable completely new functions in the vehicle and beyond.

By far, the most significant thing which 5G will enable is autonomous vehicle operation. Such vehicles, which can operate without driver control, are under development with some already running on public roads. The extremely high speed of 5G allows the vehicle to be in real-time communication with its environment, a crucial capability for ensuring immediate responses to any situation (especially potentially hazardous ones).

5G will make possible Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication where a vehicle some distance ahead (and not visible) can notify your vehicle that it is stopped by the roadside due to a problem. Vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication will share data with intelligent roadway infrastructure, eg the timing of traffic light changes. 5G will also be able to realise Vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P)  communication where, for example, a pedestrian’s mobilephone could send of signal of the pedestrian’s presence on the road.

All this generates huge amounts of data which can be over 4 terabytes daily for an autonomous car. 5G will provide the capability to transmit the gigabytes of data quickly because it will be crucial. While streaming a movie to the infotainment system in the car at a moderate speed might not be an issue, data on a pedestrian walking across the road must be processed by the computer immediately, with responses made in split seconds otherwise an accident can occur.

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In most countries, the infrastructure to support autonomous cars is virtually non-existent and having 5G alone is not enough. There needs to be active antenna systems and network technology tailored to autonomous operation, besides other important elements such as clear road markings and standardized signage.

Still, the availability of 5G now already allows for some new technologies to be introduced in cars. HD road mapping is one of them, providing enhanced mapping that is much more accurate and detailed. HD road mapping is now under development and will give route guidance systems 3D data of roads. This will be valuable as autonomous operation increases.

At the same time, 5G also offers many advantages in vehicle production. Seamless communication in real-time is a pre-requisite in allowing wireless production robots and employees to work together smoothly in the future. Unlike other wireless technologies, 5G is more reliable, reacts more robustly to high usage levels and is therefore particularly suitable for connecting sensors, machines and devices operated by human beings.

5G, along with advances in computing, will propel automotive technology forward at a faster pace.  With the faster connectivity will come increase interaction between vehicles and the road infrastructure, leading to a smarter motoring ecosystem.

Volvo Cars working with China Unicom to develop 5G technology for automotive applications

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


All 19 limited edition Ford Ranger Splash trucks booked!

Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC) has announced that all 19 units of their limited-edition Ford Ranger Splash have been successfully pre-booked ahead of the Lazada 11.11 Shopping Festival on the LazMall’s Ford Official Store.

According to Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director of SDAC, “The runaway success of the recent collaboration with Lazada demonstrates how fully Malaysian consumers have embraced eCommerce. It is also a proof point of the on-going strong demand and consumers’ confidence in our ‘Built Ford Tough’ Ford Ranger. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our customers, and we thank you all for that.”

This achievement marks two very unique milestones in the world of online shopping as well as automotive. The Ford Ranger Splash is the first pickup truck to be sold online via eCommerce and also the first vehicle in Malaysia to be sold via the ‘Chup Dulu’ promotional mechanics that allowed buyers to book the cars ahead of the Lazada shopping festival.

The limited-edition Ford Ranger Splash comes with a variety of upgraded exterior features which includes:

All black colour scheme with fluorescent yellow ‘Ranger Splash’ decals

Matte black front kangaroo bar

Special all-black front grille, side mirror cover, rear bumper, sports bar, alloy wheels & fender flares

Built-in toll reader

360º Around View Monitor Camera

For more information, visit
www.sdacford.com.my
 or download the Ford MY app on the AppStore or Google Play.

19 units of Limited Edition Ford Ranger Splash to be sold exclusively on Lazada


Michelin appoints new Managing Director for Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei

There’s a new Michelin Managing Director in town and his name is Tushar Gupta for Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei. Replacing the highly regarded Pascal Nouvellon (who was promoted to a new global role over at Michelin HQ in France), Mr Gupta will be taking over the role which started back in September 2019.

“Having been with the Michelin family for almost a decade, I am excited to take us further in the automotive and tyre industry – especially in Malaysia where the market is strong and our presence is well-established through the Michelin, BFGoodrich and TYREPLUS brands. As I carry out my duties as the new Managing Director for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, I aspire to pursue change in the consumer mindset when it comes to tyres and road safety, while also maintaining Michelin’s presence in the heart of our local consumers,” said Mr Gupta.

With vast experience in the world of Michelin thanks to his multiple roles in the past (Corporate Development Manager – SEA, Australia & India, Director of Global Corporate Development – France, Zone Director of Michelin Aviation Tyres – Asia Pacific),  Mr Gupta promises to uphold customer-focused policies as well as strengthen the overall retail experience across its dealers network.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV launched – From RM700


How the Proton X50 achieved the full 5-star rating from ASEAN NCAP

Car-buyers all over the world are always concerned about the safety standards of the car they are interested in getting. After all, they will be using it daily and while no one wants to have an accident, it can happen unexpectedly and when it does, that’s when the protective systems and engineering become vital in minimising injuries.

Today, buyers can be better informed about how safe a model is, thanks to the New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) which started in the European car industry 24 years ago. The program, conducted by the independent Euro NCAP organisation, involved crash tests and other assessments of new vehicles which were analysed and star ratings would be awarded, depending on the performance in the tests.

NCAP for ASEAN region

Since then, as awareness grew in other parts of the world, including Malaysia, regional NCAPs were established. This was an important move as there would be some models which might be sold or developed for specific regions. In ASEAN, the
Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS)
, an agency under the Transport Ministry, was instrumental in starting a NCAP for the region. The
ASEAN NCAP
 is recognised and part of the Global NCAP organisation which shares information and discusses matters relating to motor vehicle safety standards.

Zanita Zaunuddin, Head of the Safety and Intelligent Drive team at Proton which engineered the X50 to score 5 stars.

While consumers have come to know about ASEAN NCAP ratings as they are publicised in articles as well as advertisements, the ratings are not mandatory for Type Approval of a vehicle to be permitted for sale in Malaysia. Nevertheless, because NCAP ratings are easy to understand and provide consumers with useful information on how safe a model is, manufacturers strive to achieve the best results and get a 5-star rating, the maximum currently awarded.

Adapted from Geely Binyue

For this reason, when the Proton X50 began development, its performance in the ASEAN NCAP was targeted to be no less than 5 stars. The X50, being adapted from Geely’s Binyue SUV model, already had sound engineering but it was not as straightforward as simply changing the badge and making styling changes here and there. To become a Proton model required a new engineering programme which included meeting the highest ASEAN NCAP standards.

The task fell to the Safety and Intelligent Drive team at Proton, headed by Zanita Zainuddin. To ensure a 5-star rating, crucial, yet subtle changes had to be made, involving performance tuning, material replacement and parts repositioning. One crucial change made was on the bodyshell of the X50. In initial frontal collision tests during development, the front floorboard often experienced tearing, certainly unacceptable by any standard. To overcome this, the engineers had to reinforce the area with ultra-high-strength steel, thereby shifting the force of impact to other areas that do not present any threat to occupant safety. Overall, 40% of the body, including the front, side and back, was made using a combination of high-strength steel variants.

It’s not a straightforward matter to convert from the lefthand drive Geely Binyue (above) to the righthand drive Proton X50 (below).

Another change was on the driver’s footrest, next to the accelerator and brake pedals. It was not a simple matter converting from the lefthand drive of the Binyue to the righthand drive for the X50. In fact, Geely had not developed a righthand drive variant so Proton would have to re-engineer certain areas for the conversion.

The engine is always placed under the bonnet towards the right side of the vehicle, regardless of the driving side. Therefore, during a collision, the driver of a righthand-drive Proton X50 would be more vulnerable to foot injury as compared to the driver of a lefthand drive Geely Binyue. To safeguard the driver’s resting foot from such harm, the footrest for the X50 had to be modified to ensure that the foot remains on the footrest by reducing slippage.

Improving for ASEAN NCAP from C-NCAP

Being a model primarily for the China market, the Binyue was developed to meet the requirements of C-NCAP, which is the NCAP for that country. Although there are common criteria among all the NCAPs, there are also some differences with ASEAN NCAP.

One example is the curtain airbags. ASEAN NCAP emphasizes that the static deployment of curtain airbags covers a range of body types for the different people that may be in the vehicle. Therefore, the curtain airbags for the X50 had to be adjusted to provide additional cushioning to the head area during impact, primarily during side collisions. Since this greatly improves occupants’ safety, it was highly recommended that the additional provision be incorporated in future Geely models.

Child Occupant Protection

C-NAP is also less focussed on the issue of compatible seats for child occupants, which is an important area in ASEAN NCAP referred to as Child Occupant Protection (COP) and contributory to the overall assessment. Zanita’s team made a changes which included lengthening the hook on the ISOFIX attachment point for compatible childseats. This not only made it easier to install the seat but also to readjust its angle to ensure secure positioning. The work done by Proton in such areas has been shared with Geely and will help it to be ready for such requirements if introduced by C-NAP in 2021.

Results of ASEAN NCAP’s assessment of Child Occupant Protection for the X50.

Related:
Full ASEAN NCAP Report for Proton X50

Benefits of being in the Geely Group

Geely and Proton have both benefited from each brand being subjected to different safety and market standards. The best practices are being gathered and shared, ultimately benefitting consumers who get to enjoy not only a comfortable ride but also a very safe one. Additionally, having Volvo – widely acknowledged as the world leader in automotive safety – as part of the group means being able to get assistance in advancing safety technologies.

“Proton has always emphasized safety as one of its unique selling points, unbiased to any country or platform. It is not surprising then that we continue to challenge ourselves so that this DNA is inherent throughout our range of models, be it our locally produced car or the current joint development with our partner Geely,” said Zanita.

All-new Proton X50 launched – priced from RM79,200


Audi A7 Sportback comes loaded with AI technology

Audi’s new A7 Sportback sports improved looks, performance and is brimming with technology. It is said to combine the practicality of a station wagon with the svelte curves of a sedan. Featuring Audi’s new design language, the car has been fitted with the latest drivertrain and mild hybrid technologies.

At the front, the single-frame grille, narrower headlights and contoured air inlets  provide the car, which is wider and lower than the A8, with a more elegant and more classy look. The design and arrangement of the 12 adjacent lighting segments that are separated by narrow spaces mimic that of the binary digits, 0 and 1.

The car’s long and sleek bonnet, short overhangs and muscular stance makes the A7 Sportback a very good looking car. As for its dimensions, the car is 4,969 millimeters long, has a wheelbase of 2,926 millimeters and is 1,908 millimeters wide, but is only 1,422 millimeters high.

Audi’s tapered rear design is retained for the new car with its larger rear harch terminating with a curved lip and an integrated rear spoiler that rises at high speeds. The animated rear lights turn on when locking and unlocking the car – its a sight to behold as are the turn signals.

Inside, Audi’s meticulous attention to detail has allowed for a neat layout of the array of switchgear. The 10.1-inch upper display that is titled toward the driver features black panel optics and a graphite grey aluminium clasp. It is operated by the MMI touch interface system that replaces the older rotary push button setup.

At the bottom of that, there’s a second 8.6-inch display that is used to access the climate control system, comfort functions and text input. Available as optional extras are a head-up display system and a more sophisticated 12.3-inch display that offers virtual switch gear instead of physical ones.

This MMI package will be made available with a choice of two sound system upgrades with the noteworthy onr being the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System capable of delivering advanced 3D sound.

AI or artifical intelligence is at the heart of the A7 Sportback, and by pushing the AI button, drivers will be able to active the remote parking pilot and remote garage pilot systems. They allow the vehicle to maneuver in and out of parking spaces autonomously.The driver can even get out of the car and activate the system via the MyAudi app and allow the car to do the rest.

Monitoring the car’s autonomous activity is the central driver assistance controller (zFAS) that merges the data from a sophisticated set of sensors to continually compute an image of the surroundings.  Depending the upgrades that are chosen, the A7 Sportback can come with as many as five radar sensors, five cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors and a laser scanner.

This generation of the car is equipped with a new mild hybrid system that consises of a V6 engine and a 48-volt primary electrical system.  A belt alternator starter (BAS) recuperates energy under braking, which can be up to 12kW of power, and stores it within a lithium-ion battery.

The V6 engine is a 3.0-litre TFSI turbo engine that produces close to 340bhp and 500Nm of torque. Coupled with a 7-speed S tronic dual clutch gearbox, it allows the car to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 5.3 seconds. The quattro drivetrain which consists of a clever all-wheel drive and steering systems allow for better maneuverability and stability.

At cruising speeds, the A7 Sportback is able to coast in freewheeling mode  with the engine shut off but then restarts it via the BAS, once more power is required. Adding to that, the new start-stop function uses a front mounted camera that can anticipate when the vehicle in front is about to move, and activates or shuts off the engine accordingly.

Audi says that the new A7 Sportback will be in showrooms in places like the UK as early as the beginning of next year. Built in Neckarsulm, Germany, the car should hit markets worldwide sometime next year, though the exact details haven’t been revealed yet.


Save up to RM11,500 when you buy a new Volkswagen Passat Elegance or R-Line

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has announced that the great deals for the Volkswagen Passat Elegance and Passat R-Line have been extended. Customers get the first year of insurance free (worth RM5,500) as well as 1-year of free petrol (as a rebate) rebate worth RM2,500. Those who place their booking via the
 Volkswagen eShowroom
 will enjoy additional RM3,500 of rebates, bringing the total savings to as much as RM11,500.

With the current sales tax exemption (until June 30, 2021), the Passat Elegance is priced from  RM181,856 and the Passat R-Line is from RM203,411.

The Passat Elegance and its sportier sibling, the Passat R-Line comes with a 2.0 TSI turbocharged engine paired with a 7-speed wet clutch direct shift gearbox (DSG). The output 190 ps/320 Nm which goes to the front wheels. The Passat R-Line also comes with Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) and other hi-tech features to enhance driving dynamics.

Already an owner?

Those who already own a Volkswagen older than 5 years can take advantage of the Repair Package  specials. These are available for the front and rear shock absorbers, front and rear brake discs – and from this month onwards –  front and rear wheel bearings and timing belt. Additionally, the parts and labour on selected models come with a 30% discount and 2-year warranty for peace of mind.

When making replacements, all parts used are 100% Volkswagen genuine parts, including related  components such as nuts and bolts. In some cases, related items are also replaced to ensure better performance and safety.

All work is carried out by trained Volkswagen technicians and in accordance with global standards with approved Volkswagen tools.

Volkswagen owners are required to download the
Volkswagen Cares
 mobile app to be eligible, and in order to receive their item e-vouchers. These e-vouchers can then be presented at any Volkswagen authorized service centres throughout Malaysia.

VPCM also encourages booking of service appointments in advance and this can be done online. Owners can choose preferred dealership, date and time. Free pick-up and delivery services are also available upon request for those who are busy or who would rather not leave home at this time.

For those who do visit Volkswagen dealerships nationwide, you can be assured that all the facilities  follow strict guidelines under the Volkswagen
#SafeHands
 initiative. There are stringent hygiene processes in place including the sanitising of premises and key touchpoints, proper safety screenings, contactless vehicle acceptance and sanitisation of all display and test drive units.

For more information, visit
www.volkswagen,com.my
.

Customers who buy Volkswagens can have new vehicle delivered to their homes


Porsche 911 GT3 achieves amazing lap times on the Nordschleife

The Nordschleife race track in Germany has become the main proving ground of manufacturers looking to be crowned the king of supercars. Automakers and teams from all over the world head to the the legendary race track with their latest and greatest creations to one up the competition.

Referred to as ‘The Green Hell’by Formula 1 legend, Sir Jackie Stewart, the Nordschleife gained notoriety over the past few decades for punishing driver and car for the slightest mistake and taking the lives of many others who have pushed just a little too hard around several of its merciless corners.

That is exactly why Porsche took its latest 911 GT3 there for a few hot laps. Porsche believes that if you can drive fast on the Nordschleife, you can drive at that speed anywhere else in the world. And after its first day on track, the car achieved a time of 7 minutes and 12.7 seconds, blitzing the record of its predecessor by an astonishing 12.3 seconds. Surprisingly, the new 911 was in stock configuration and had no work done or given performance upgrades before it went on track.

The new 911 is equipped with a 500bhp naturally aspirated engine that is mated to a Porsche 7-speed PDK gearbox. It comes with rear-axle steering and Michelin Sport Cup 2N1 tyres, which allow the car to cling to the road with relative ease.

Speaking of the accolade, Frank-Steffen Walliser, Vice President Motorsport and GT cars at Porsche, said, “By achieving this time, we have emphatically proven that the new 911 GT3 not only provides the best driving experience, but can also deliver an impressive performance on the Nordschleife. The focus was on optimising the driving quality and adapting to the slight increase in engine power.”

This won’t be Porsche’s only outing, expect more record shattering feats from the new 911 in the coming months, which would cause a few sleepless nights for some in Italy.


Perodua Models Now Between 1-3% Cheaper With SST Reintroduction Against GST!

In line with the government’s reintroduction of the
Sales and Service Tax (SST)
 effective
1 September 2018
, Perodua has released new prices for all its models, which are reduced by between
 1-3%
 (for selected models, the image above refers to the car, ya –
Ed.
) compared with Goods and Services Tax (GST)-era pricing.
“Based on the new tax structure, almost all Perodua models see
price reductions
 compared to the GST price structure,”
 said
 Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd Managing Director Dato’ Dr Zahari Husin.

To recap, the government zeroed the GST rate (from 6%) on 1 June 2018, opening up a ‘tax holiday’ and a spike in vehicle demand that lasted three months. In July, the Finance Ministry announced that the SST, which was due to replace the GST, would be set at 10% for sales and 6% for services.
“We wish to thank all Malaysians, especially our 3.3 million valued customers who have chosen Perodua as their brand of choice. We will continue to offer the best value in the Malaysian market with our new prices,”
 said Dato’ Dr Zahari.

“On Perodua’s service and parts, we will continue to give competitive pricing to our customers. We truly appreciate the unwavering support the people have shown for our products and services, and will continue to improve ourselves for our customers.
Please visit any of our sales and service outlets nationwide and speak to our authorised sales and service advisors to learn more about our products and services,”
 said Dato’ Dr Zahari.


Ford invests big money in Valencia facility

Ford Motor Company is spending a substantial amount of money on its Valencia plant in preparation for the next-generation Ford Kuga medium-sized Sports Utility Vehicle. More than €750 million (RM3.7 billion) has been poured into the facility to facilitate several upgrades that are related to cost efficiency and productivity improvements.

In total, Ford has spent about €3 billion (RM14.7 billion) since 2011 for its manufacturing site in Spain, which currently employs 8,000 workers across all of its operations. Its latest investment signals the Blue Oval’s commitment to this facility and its workforce.

“This major investment reconfirms in the clearest way our continuing commitment to the Valencia region and to Spain. I also want to thank the national government in Madrid and the Generalitat Valenciana for their continued support,” said Steven Armstrong, president and CEO, Ford of Europe, Middle East and Africa.

About 25% of all vehicles sold in Europe are SUVs, which is probably the reason for Ford’s recent investment strategy. According to the automaker, sales figures for the Kuga this year stands at 126,900, which is a 22% increase compared to the same period in 2016. And it happens to be Ford’s third top-selling model after the Fiesta and Focus.

It also accounts for 50% of the total production numbers at the Valencia facility, which speaks volumes about Ford’s mindset of maintaining a foothold in the highly competitive European SUV market.


Chevrolet develops a Blazer SUV with Ultium EV technology

General Motors is fully committed to going electric as quickly as possible and all its divisions are headed in the same direction. While some of the divisions have shown concept cars, Chevrolet has revealed a production-ready electric model – the 2024 Blazer EV.

“The 2024 Blazer EV sets a new tone for electric SUVs, with options and intuitive technologies that help position Chevy for leadership in one of the fastest-growing EV segments,” said Scott Bell, Vice-President of Chevrolet. “Along with the all-new Silverado EV and Equinox EV coming next year, we are making great strides in offering more choices for zero tailpipe-emissions vehicles — choices that make switching to an EV easier than ever.”

The Blazer EV is not a combustion-engined Blazer with an electric powertrain. It was developed independent and uses
GM’s modular Ultium Platform
 which has been designed for multiple applications. The Ultium platform and its batteries are the heart of GM’s strategy. The batteries are unique in the industry because the large-format, pouch-style cells can be stacked vertically or horizontally inside the battery pack. This allows engineers to optimize battery energy storage and layout for each vehicle design.

The athletic styling of the Blazer EV mimics that of the 2018 Blazer – with  performance cues inspired by the Camaro and Corvette. Each version has a muscular, athletic profile with taut  converging body lines. Prominent front-fender extractor vents associate with Chevy’s motorsports legacy.

The designers elevated the Blazer EV’s presence with a bold, dual-element LED exterior lighting signature that also has choreographed lighting sequences. These activate when the driver approaches or walks away. The effect features a full light bar and illuminated Bowtie emblem on the front. The front lighting also conveys the state of charge while the vehicle charges. A sequential orchestration of the lighting increases in speed and intensity as the battery’s charge increases.

Inside, the cabin also makes a modern design statement. Like the exterior, many of its elements draw inspiration from Chevrolet’s sportscars and performance heritage, such as a flat-bottom steering wheel and sculpted vents inspired by turbines.

An expansive, 17.7-inch-diagonal colour touchscreen is the focal point of the cabin and the command centre for the vehicle’s infotainment system. A large 11-inch-diagonal colour Driver Information Centre in the instrument cluster complements the central touchscreen.

With design and engineering developed to live up to the legacy of the iconic Super Sport performance designation, the Blazer EV SS offers customers the most powerful experience in the line-up. It features an exclusive performance AWD propulsion configuration designed to produce up to 557 ps/878 Nm, and unique WOW (Wide Open Watts) mode enabling very quick acceleration.

When it comes to charging, the Blazer EV uses an 11.5 kW onboard AC charging module for home charging and public charging, along with high-speed DC public fast-charging capability of up to 190 kW. It can recharge in about 10 minutes and get around 125 kms of range. A fully charged battery pack is claimed to be good for 515 kms.

A major enabler of the Blazer EV’s technologies is Ultifi, GM’s new end-to-end vehicle software platform. It separates the vehicle’s software from the hardware to enable the frequent and seamless delivery of software-defined features, apps and services to customers over the air (OTA). Ultifi will allow customers to upgrade and personalize their vehicle as improvements and new features become available over time.

Besides four different versions for sale to the public, Chevrolet will also be offering a pursuit-rated Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV) model for police fleet applications. These PPVs will have the largest Ultium battery in the line-up and a specific interior designed for police officers with ample room to accommodate emergency equipment and gear. To go on sale from mid-2023, the Blazer EV will have prices ranging from US$44,995 to US$65,995.

GM looking forward to all-electric future with Ultium batteries


Nothing less than the world’s best audio system for Rolls-Royce

When you own a car from a brand that is often used as a superlative term, it would be expected that the quality of musical entertainment within would also be superior. This was clear in the brief for Bespoke Audio for the Rolls-Royce Phantom: to integrate studio quality audio into a motorcar.

Indeed, the men and women who created Bespoke Audio for the brand’s flagship benchmarked the system against a recording studio’s playback room rather than systems created for automotive applications. However, configuring an audio system for a car is significantly more challenging than creating an audio system for a static, purpose-built facility because external disruptions such as road surfaces, wind buffeting and ambient noise corrupt audio quality dramatically. Therefore the team at Rolls-Royce built the environment the audio system was destined for in tandem with the audio system itself.

The Architecture of Luxury

Only the Architecture of Luxury, the marque’s proprietary spaceframe, could allow the brand to meet its brief. Aluminium was selected as it has a higher acoustic impedance than steel, reducing external noise entering the cabin. Further optimising the material’s acoustic properties is the construction technique; engineers eschewed traditional methods, instead introducing extrusions and complex internal structures to both improve the rigidity of the motor car and minimise flat, resonant surfaces.

The largest ever cast aluminium joints in a body-in-white and double-skinned bulkhead and floor sections better insulate sound; measures that both isolate external noise and optimise the performance of sound inside the cabin.

The designers also gave the acoustic performance of the bass speaker special consideration at the architectural stage. Exceptional low frequency performance is engineered into the very fabric of Phantom as it incorporates a resonance chamber into the body’s sill section; the frequency response of the Bespoke Audio speaker component defined the chamber’s size and shape. In essence, the car itself is a subwoofer.

World’s most silent automotive soundstage

In addition, the Phantom is equipped with 6 mm thick acoustically dampened glass, which combines double-glazing with infrared and UV protection and high-strength laminated safety glass. 130 kgs of dense, high-absorption sound insulation is installed throughout the car – in the headliner, doors and boot cavity – to drastically reduce reverberation.

Rolls-Royce also worked closely with its tyre partner to invent ‘Silent-Seal’ tyres, which feature a specific foam layer placed inside the rubber carcass that reduces overall tyre noise by 9 decibels compared with a standard alternative. When a Rolls-Royce acoustic test engineer first reviewed results road and vibration tests, the sound levels were so low that he asked to check that the measuring instruments were calibrated correctly. They were and Rolls-Royce lays claim to the Phantom being the most silent car in the world.

State-of-the-art optimisation technology

A powerful amplifier controls 18 channels (one for each speaker), providing a 1,300-watt output. State-of-the-art optimisation technology and high precision magnesium-ceramic compound speaker cones enable near-infinitesimal changes in sound with an outstanding frequency response.

Two active microphones in the cabin also enable an adaptive function, detecting the absence or over emphasis of frequencies before triggering the amplifier to adjust the loudness of certain frequency ranges to counteract it. The Bespoke Audio system makes the most of the highest quality, uncompressed dynamic rate music providing an exceptional listening experience.

But to finely tune the Bespoke Audio system required the most sensitive of ‘instruments’ – the human ear. This helps to judge the more intangible, subjective elements of audio, such as timbre, pace and responsiveness.

Thousands of kilometres are driven to ensure Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ systems are the very best, listening to a wide range of music – from house to heavy metal, and trap to techno. Only when the engineers can truly ‘visualise’ musicians playing around them do they sign off the sonic delivery. These factors contribute to a uniquely Rolls-Royce standard of sound for customers, many of whom are themselves musicians and will settle for nothing less than perfection.

Click here for other articles and news about Rolls-Royce in PISTON.MY


PLUS commends Bomba and other government agencies for swift action at Ayer Keroh toll plaza incident

Motorists who were travelling to Ayer Keroh along the North-South Highway yesterday would have experienced some delays in the afternoon due to the closure of exit lanes at the Ayer Keroh Toll Plaza. This was necessary because of an incident at 11:30 am involving a lorry carrying WRDA 96M (a chemical admixture used in construction work) which spilled the chemical as it turned a few metres before the toll plaza exit lane. Although no one was injured, the situation was considered hazardous and taking into account the safety of highway users and toll plaza staff, the Fire and Rescue Department ordered the exit lanes to be immediately closed to all vehicles. The closure was also to facilitate cleaning, evaluation and removal works to be done in a safe and controlled environment.

Throughout the closure period, information and messages on the incident were continuously disseminated through highway electronic message boards at strategic locations, the PLUSTrafik Twitter and other social media platforms. Highway users were advised to exit the PLUS highway through the Simpang Ampat (Alor Gajah) and Jasin toll plazas.

“The Fire and Rescue Department teams from Ayer Keroh, Alor Gajah and Tangga Batu as well as Hazmat and Propel were able to undertake immediate and smooth incident clearance works and it contributed to all exit lanes being re-opened to all at 3:50 pm,” said PLUS Chief Operating Officer, Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi. He applauded and thanked all agencies for their collaboration in controlling and containing the chemical spillage incident.

“PLUS would also like to thank all highway users for their cooperation and understanding throughout the whole event. They enabled us to carry out smooth and swift clearance works during the incident,” he added.


Lexus flagship gets updated with more advanced safety systems

Three years into its product cycle, the fifth generation of the LS, flagship of the Lexus range, has received its first update which, besides cosmetic changes, see the introduction of Lexus Teammate advanced driver assist technologies.

Towards autonomous motoring

Lexus Teammate is another step towards autonomous motoring and is based on the Mobility Teammate Concept. The technology has five characteristics: Perceptive, Intelligent, Interactive, Reliable, and Upgradable. It can seamlessly incorporate future software updates that allow functions to be continually added and performance to be continually enhanced to meet customer needs.

Advanced Drive performs peripheral recognition, estimates vehicle position, calculates vehicle lane and position, adjusts speed, and conducts other tasks on motor-vehicle-only roadways for safe driving support all the way to the roadway exit.

Advanced Park uses cameras and ultrasonic sensors to provides parking assist through driver operation of intuitive controls. It automatically controls acceleration, braking, and gear changes. It not only provides people with safety as a matter of course but also with a parking experience that gives them a sense of precision and security.

Through integrated cameras and ultrasonic sensors, the latest advanced parking assist technologies support the driver in recognition, judgment, and operation. Besides support of all operations – steering, acceleration, braking, and gear changes – the bird’s-eye view display also shows the ideal steering wheel positions for a safe and secure parking experience.

High-tech lighting

The new LS also features BladeScan AHS (Adaptive High-beam System), which debuted as a world’s first on the partially redesigned Lexus RX in 2019. In this system, LED-sourced light shines onto a blade mirror spinning at high speed and is transferred to a lens to illuminate the road ahead. While the light does not appear to be moving due to a residual image effect, BladeScan AHS precisely controls light distribution by synchronizing the rotation of the blade mirror and switching the LED headlamps on and off.

Because the effect of the high beam can be expanded in a more-natural manner, the system illuminates areas that might be difficult to see with conventional high-beam systems, such as the shoulder of the road. It also allows the driver to recognize pedestrians and road signs much earlier, without impeding the visibility of drivers of oncoming or preceding vehicles.

Other technical changes include increased battery assist during acceleration at often-used driving speeds with more quietness in the hybrid variant. The petrol engine of the LS500 has been retuned for improved initial engine torque at often-used driving speeds to offer greater acceleration response. Shift timing has also been recalibrated to enhance smoothness and provide a wider acceleration range for each gear so there are less frequent downshifts.

All variants of the new LS have undergone Active Noise Control and Engine Sound Enhancement tuning for improved quietness, a key aspect of Lexus since the first model was launched in 1989.

A newly developed Adaptive Variable Suspension solenoid reduces damping force, while the vertical spring rate (stiffness) of the run-flat tyres and the rigidity of the stabilizer bars provide optimized performance. Also, the orifice inside the engine mounts has been changed so as to alter damping characteristics, resulting in a reduction in vibrations transmitted into the cabin.

Interior changes

“Hospitality’ has been a feature of Lexus models right from the start and greatest efforts are made to provide occupants with the best comfort to enjoy each journey. For the latest LS, the interior presents various expressions amid the transition of time. Ornamentation is available for the first time in ‘Nishijin & Haku’ (with ‘haku’ being the Japanese word for ‘metal leaf’). By expressing the existence of a ‘path of moonlight on the sea’ formed by the sparkles of light on moonlit waves through the silver threads of Nishijin brocade and the sparkle of platinum leaf, Lexus has aimed to provide the comfortable and relaxing atmosphere that would be expected of a true brand flagship.

Besides a digital rearview mirror for the driver, the multimedia system features a new touch display and is compatible with SmartDeviceLink, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Convenience has been greatly enhanced by the ability to control the display screen and audio functions by using an iPhone and Android smartphone linked to the 12.3-inch touch-operated wide display.

The seat coverings feature deeper stitch points, and the underlying seat pads have low-resilience urethane. Vibration absorption and soft seating contribute to even more enhanced comfort.

New paint technology

Gin-ei Luster – a new paint technology and colour providing deep shadows and robust highlights is used on the bodywork of the LS. This comes from much effort spent in the development of silver paint finishes. The new colour is applied using the Sonic Method, which condenses the paint volume of paint containing radiant material (aluminium flakes). The new colour also employs the latest paint technology in which an aluminium evaporation coating is spread over surfaces in high density.

With a smooth, mirror-like texture that is all but absent of a granular touch, the most-notable characteristics of Gin-ei are the beautiful sparkles of light found in its highlights and the sense of depth created by its deep shadows. It reacts to the even slight amounts of surrounding light and that transforms in concert with the transition of time and with changes in the environment to display a variety of expressions.

Providing a safer mobility experience

“The LS, as a flagship, has constantly pursued innovation and has provided new technologies and value for its customers,” said Lexus International President, Koji Sato. “In developing the new LS, we furthered the evolution of the exceptional quietness and comfort that has been a steadfast constant since the model’s first generation, and, by employing the advanced driving assist technologies of Lexus Teammate, we aimed for a mobility experience that is much safer and more secured than before.”

The new model will go on sale in Japan towards the end of 2020, so sales in overseas markets like Malaysia would only start in 2021.

Revised Lexus pricelist with exemption of 5% Sales Tax


2020 BMW M340i xDrive Sedan launched in Singapore – RM964,605

Singapore has got it good when it comes to BMW cars as the latest
2020 BMW M340i xDrive Sedan
 was made officially available in the country. Bear in mind as the car was just launched globally at the end of last month with two variants available for different markets around the globe; Saloon and Touring.

The Singaporean market got the former variant and it’s equally powerful as it is elegant and sophisticated. Powered with a 3.0-litre inline-six M TwinPower Turbo engine produces a whopping 374hp and 500Nm of torque. 0-100km/h only takes 4.4 seconds and that says a lot for this limited-edition model. Top speed? Limited to 250km/h.

Other noteworthy features include:

M-specific design features with optimised aerodynamic properties

M-specific sports seats with Sensatec and Alcantara

BMW Individual headliner in Anthracite, M pedals, M-specific floor mats and interior trim strips in Aluminium Tetragon

Three-zone automatic climate control

Ambient lighting, extended storage and an automatically dimming rear-view mirror

Park Distance Control with sensors

BMW Live Cockpit Plus complete with navigation system and an 8.8-inch Control Display

Connected Package Plus including Real-Time Traffic Information, Remote Services, Concierge Services and Apple CarPlay

Speaking of limited-edition models, there are only 340 units of the BMW M340i xDrive Sedan produced worldwide and that comes with a price tag for its exclusivity. For those who are interested to buy one in Singapore, it’ll cost you a grand total of $315,888 (around RM964,605).

For more information, check out the link, below.

2020 BMW M340i xDrive range unveiled – Saloon & Touring variants


Make Payments Through Your Car

Mercedes-Benz has just created new technology that will make it possible to validate transactions without a PIN number or smartphone confirmation using just a fingerprint sensor that is built into the car’s interior. The objective is to make it easier to pay for car-related services.

The German automaker is the first in the world to legally and securely include this kind of payment identification in a car. At first, this new feature will only be available to German users, and it only supports Visa. Mercedes Pay+ will gradually add and activate additional card systems as it is implemented throughout Europe.

Vehicle-based two-factor biometric authentication is possible. As a result, it’s no longer necessary to authenticate a payment using a specific application or input a PIN code. All that is needed is a fingerprint. Currently, this significant innovation is only used to pay for digital services and on-demand hardware updates from the Mercedes me Store.

This could include anything that helps control the comfort of the vehicle, such as cabin climate control or seat heating. It could incorporate enhanced navigation services, for example, in terms of infotainment. This payment mechanism will eventually be expanded to other services, beginning with refueling.

The
EQS
 and EQE series, as well as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and C-Class, are compatible car models that already include fingerprint readers.

Mercedes-Benz (like BMW) just implemented Plug & Charge technology, which allows electric vehicles to be charged without the use of a card or a smartphone application. The goal is to have nothing else to do but connect the charging terminal to the vehicle’s dedicated connection.

The vehicle is then instantly identified thanks to digitally recorded registration data. Billing occurs automatically at the end of the charging procedure via a data exchange between the automobile and the charging station.


Fuel Price Updates For July 21 – July 27, 2022


250 SWB Revival – legendary Sixties Ferrari modernised

The team at GTO Engineering has created what they believe to be the ultimate interpretation of a legendary Sixties Ferrari. Named the 250 SWB Revival, it is based on the 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione, one of the most successful Ferrari race cars of the period.

Enhanced, improved or rebuilt

GTO Engineering has revived the legend with its modern experience and given it ultimate road and track customisation opportunities. From the chassis to the cockpit, every element of the 250 SWB Revival has been strictly enhanced, improved or rebuilt at the company’s facility in the UK.

Pricing starts at around £850,000 (about RM4.65 million) and each 250 SWB Revival takes between 12 – 18 months to complete, depending on specification.

Drawing on extensive knowledge, know-how, historical technical drawings, industry insight and with 200 years’ combined experience working on the Italian sportscars, , the GTO Engineering team has developed the 250 SWB Revival as a more usable, customisable and bespoke variant of the highly collectable original Competition car.

‘The greatest GT car in the world’

Driven in period by the likes of Sir Stirling Moss who hailed it as ‘the greatest GT car in the world’ as it took wins at Le Mans (1960 class win), Tourist Trophy (1960) and Spa GP (1960), it’s today regarded one of the most notable, collectable and appreciating cars of its type. Thus it is rarely seen on the road and only occasionally at historic race meetings.

“The 1960 Competition car is the one to have – not only is it the shorter chassis, improving drivability and handling, but it has disc brakes (the 250 SWB was the first to have them on a Ferrari GT car), and an aluminium body rather than steel,” said GTO Engineering Managing Director Mark Lyon.

“But it has one major drawback,” he revealed. “Because it was made in so few numbers, it’s not really a car you can take to the shops or drive on the lock-stops without fearing damaging the body or destroying originality. The 250 SWB Revival is a ‘best of’, based on original drawings and knowledge, with an added usability, driveability and the option to make it as road or race-focused as you’d like.”

Based on 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione

Utilising original drawings, measurements and knowledge, the GTO Engineering 250 SWB Revival uses a hand-built tubular frame underneath a hand-beaten aluminium body. It’s based on the shorter format of the 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione specifications, which is about 20 cm shorter than the 250 GT.

Built in house, each Columbo V12 engine in the car takes over 300-man hours to produce. The GTO Engineering team can build to 3.0-litre, 3.5-litre and 4.0-litre specification and can offer bespoke displacements according to customer requirements. Each engine is paired with triple carburettors.

The 4-speed or optional 5-speed gearbox was also created with their own internal design package. Designed to be a precise gearchange that works in traffic and at high-speed, for enhanced usability.

Incorporating the disc brake design from period, of which the 250 SWB was the first Ferrari GT car to include disc brakes, there are traditional disc brakes, with optional lighter and more heat-efficient aluminium brake calipers.

Road-legal or for racing

Customers can choose to have a road-legal car or in a racing specification. If the latter, then the car will have a full roll-cage, with the option of a competition-inspired gearbox as well as bug screens. Bug screens were used heavily in period at endurance races and rallies to stop bugs smearing on the windscreen and decreasing visibility.

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


Bugatti’s RM55.1 million La Voiture Noire ready for delivery to only customer

For the 0.003% of the world’s population who are classified as ‘ultra-rich’, buying cars is no longer just about personalization to the highest degree. That may make the car unique but there may still be many of the same model that others can own. These days, some manufacturers are selling cars so exclusive that they are true ‘one-offs’ which no one else can own.

The Bugatti La Voiture Noire is an example, and claimed to be the most exclusive model in the world. The design for a customer was first presented 2 years ago and now, the hypercar has been completed and can soon be delivered.

“With the completed La Voiture Noire, we are demonstrating once again that we develop the world’s most sophisticated hyper sportscars,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President of Bugatti. “With its use of visible carbonfibre in jet black, the coupe’s breathtaking sculpture looks especially elegant. It’s a veritable grand tourer that went from being a vision to a reality – a unique project which stands for Bugatti’s full creativity and artistry.”

Historically significant name

The name ‘La Voiture Noire’ will be familiar to Bugatti enthusiasts. Ettore Bugatti’s son, Jean, developed and drove one of just four Type 57 SC Atlantics produced, a car which was described as the ‘most perfect’ and the fastest automobile of its time. Jean named his model ‘La Voiture Noire’ – the black car. Jean Bugatti had a real flair for shapes and developed saloons and coupes of dramatic beauty. With the Atlantic, he had created a masterpiece.

1936 Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic

That car disappeared without a trace shortly before the Second World War. It is now considered the automotive equivalent of the Amber Room, one of the greatest mysteries of the automotive world, and as a vehicle of indescribable value.

Reinterpreting the Atlantic

The idea for this homage came to Design Director Achim Anscheidt more than 20 years ago but years passed until it became possible to realize this unusual project. “We were rather in awe of the idea of developing the La Voiture Noire. No other vehicle in the long history of Bugatti has acquired the same legendary status as the Type 57 SC Atlantic and has become so synonymous with the brand. We had a great deal of respect for this historical responsibility as well as for the customer,” explained Anscheidt.

For the reinterpretation, the designers had to cast their minds back and seek to understand the automobile, the bygone times, the technology, the materials, and the creators – and then update this work to the 21st century.

Minimalist coupe

The 21
st
 century La Voiture Noire is a minimalist coupe, much like the Atlantic back then, thanks to reducing the essentials, reduced lines, and the absence of a large and dominant rear wing. The designers reinterpreted the spirit of the historical car and developed a specific shape stylistically and technically speaking. This includes the dorsal seam down the centerline, the extended front section, the clear lines, and the romanticism of the rear.

With great attention to detail, they created a bodywork with a unique surface finish – visible carbon fiber with a clearcoat known as ‘Black Carbon Glossy’ which generates virtually no reflections. The bumpers are integrated gently into the bodywork while the windscreen appears to merge with the side windows like a helmet visor.

The lack of disruptive lines means the surface appears to have been cast in one piece – nothing interrupts the visual flow. This transforms the vehicle’s attitude from a hyper sportscar to a grand tourer. A unique sense of drama is generated by reducing the essentials and the teasing out of this essence of beauty and elegance from the surfaces.

Extraordinary details

In addition, it boasts some extraordinary details. There are more than 25 individually milled lighting elements per side in the headlamps – an immense amount of work, even for a one-off. Each and every cell of the 3D-printed front grille has been refined and examined to ensure they all look perfect together.

The rear is dominated by an elegant rear light which, for the first time, features a single-piece surround with no joints. Six individual tailpipes serve as a nod to the car’s well-known template. A newly developed parametric design at the front and rear means the body parts appear to be sealed, but they are actually air-permeable.

The interior is entirely with grain leather in Havana Brown, basing its choice on the historical model. This natural material contrasts with specially polished and turned aluminium inlays in various locations on the centre console, the centre spine, and the doors. The driving modes can be changed by means of a sophisticated rosewood switch.

During development, every new part had to pass strict Bugatti testing and quality procedures, was measured, and was put through its paces time and again. Extensive simulations were followed by testing in the wind tunnel and on test benches, and then on test tracks and proving grounds covering the entire range of speeds. Modifications to the bodywork, cooling, thermodynamics, wheels, and wheelbase result in new balance which requires perfect coordination.

And what’s the price of having the only car of its type in the world? Bugatti says that it cost the customer 11 million euros (about RM55.1 million). Yes, you would have to be among that 0.003%…

Click here for more articles about Bugatti.


Ford builds F-22 themed F-150 Raptor

Ford’s F-150 Raptor is one powerful behemoth of a truck that needs no introduction. It’s a tough and capable off-roader that surmises the American dream of sticking it to the man as well as mother nature.

The Blue Oval has taken its latest Raptor and customized it to incorporate design cues of the US Air Force’s Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor fighter jet. This particular truck has been auctioned off during the annual auction at AirVenture Oshkosh.

The purpose of this really cool customization job is to raise money and awareness for the Experimental Aircraft Association Gathering of Eagles. It’s an organization and an event committed to aviation and encouraging youth involvement in flight.

Over the years Ford has raised more than $3 million (RM 12,856,500) for this annual event since 2008 by creating these customized one-of-a-kind vehicles. The automaker has also served as exclusive automotive sponsor of the 2017 AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

This F-22 inspired F-150 Raptor was eventually picked up by Gary Ackerman of Gaudin Ford in Las Vegas, Nevada for a whopping $300,000 (RM 1,285,650). Ackerman serves as Honorary Commander/Ambassador for the United States Airforce’s F-22 Squadron at Nellis Airforce Base in Nevada.

Ford design manager Melvin Betancourt and Ford Performance led the design and engineering work of the F-22 F-150 Raptor, said, “Our job – both in the air and on the ground – is to intimidate the competition.The money we raised will enable Young Eagles to reach for the skies as well.”

The modifications that were made are more than skin deep and Ford has released an extensive list of features that set this particular Raptor apart from its civilian counterpart. The vehicle has custom suspension, unique exterior trim pieces and off-roading equipment that help it tackle the worst of conditions.

The following is what the truck comes with:

Whipple-intercooled, high-output 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost® making 545 horsepower and 895Nm of torque

Modified Addictive Desert Design front suspension and bump stop kit

Deaver rear spring pack to provide a smooth, progressive suspension

Fox bypass series shocks with adjustable compression and rebound valving to customize damping for on-road and off-road use

Innov8 Racing custom forged beadlock wheels with Falcon Wildpeak tyres

Upgraded Alcon six-piston painted calipers, oversized rotors, high-friction pads

Modular off-road 1.3-million candela LED lighting system by KC Hilites

Kicker audio system with 1,500 watts of amplification

Unique Sherwin-Williams exterior paint integrating F-22 Raptor jet cues including titanium grille with front silhouette of the aircraft; jet cues

featured on the interior as well

Amp Research power retracting steps

DeBerti two-tyre, gas and ProEagle jack holder

LineX sprayed bedliner

All-stainless-steel cat-back Borla exhaust system with carbon fiber tips

DeBerti carbon fiber fender flares, hood and fender vents

Paint hand-cut and polished to a mirror finish by Independent Detail

The US Air Force’s F22 Raptor is a technological marvel for the 21st century. It is considered a stealth fighter that is able to evade enemy radar with relative ease. Unlike conventional fighter jets like the F-16 Fighting Falcon, its weapons are stored internally. Once the pilot has chosen the target and is ready to fire, only then do its pod bay doors open, exposing the precision weaponry.

This aircraft is one of the deadliest fighter jets in existence and as such, its no wonder that Ford chose it as the the design theme for its ever popular powerhouse, the F-150 Raptor.


Shell Rimula Ultra 5W30 is company’s new flagship fully-synthetic heavy-duty diesel engine oil

Pick-up truck owners who want the best lubrication and protection for the turbodiesel engines in their vehicles now have an advanced product from Shell to do it. The all-new Shell Rimula Ultra 5W 30 is Shell’s most advanced fully synthetic heavy-duty diesel engine oil yet and complies with the tough European ACEA E6 and ACEA E9 specifications. It also has manufacturers’ approvals for use in the modern diesel engines that meet Euro 4 to Euro 6 emission standards.

Shell Rimula Ultra 5W 30 is claimed to offer longer oil life and extended oil-drain intervals of up to 150,000 kms, better engine wear protection in all kinds of operating conditions, as well as better fuel economy.

New premium engine oil can provide superior protection and lubrication for the latest powerful turbodiesel engines in pick-up trucks like the Ford Ranger Raptor.

Strengthening premium lubricants offering

Shell Lubricants General Manager – Malaysia & Singapore, Baljit Singh, said that the introduction of the all-new Shell Rimula Ultra further strengthens the Shell Rimula portfolio of premium low viscosity synthetic lubricants available in Malaysia that includes the Shell Rimula R6 LM and R5 LE.

“As the largest lubricants supplier in the world for the past 12 consecutive years, we at Shell understand the needs of our customers. We are a partner you can trust to deliver the most advanced and proven lubricant solutions that are backed by unmatched technical support,” he said.

First market in ASEAN to sell flagship product

Speaking at the new product launch in Kuching, Sarawak, Shell Lubricants Marketing Manager – Malaysia & Singapore, May Tan said: “There is a global shift towards low viscosity synthetic lubricants due to proven benefits such as improved oil and engine performance; longer oil-drain intervals and fuel economy that add up to lower total cost of ownership. This is critical for fleet operators, especially in today’s challenging economic environment. We see Malaysia as the right market for it and we are the first market in ASEAN to launch the new flagship product today.”

“The all-new Shell Rimula Ultra is a result of Shell’s technology leadership in lubricants, which is driven by world class research and development and extensive technical collaboration with leading vehicle manufacturers, universities and industry bodies,” she added.

For more information on Shell Rimula Ultra 5W 30, visit
www.shell.com.my/rimula
.