Cleaner cabin environment in Proton X70 with use of N95 filter

Besides using its R&D and production facilities to produce face shields
 for the frontliners in hospitals helping to treat COVID-19 patients, Proton has also turned its attention to improving the air quality in the cabin of its cars. Even in ‘good’ times, the air around us has pollutants from exhaust fumes, haze, etc. While most of us travel with the windows closed, the air quality inside can still be affected by air from outside.

Having clean air in the vehicle is obviously important, especially when motorists can spend long periods of time inside. To prevent contaminants from getting in, Proton has gone a step further by introducing the N95 Cabin Filter in the 2020 Proton X70. Incorporated in the ventilation system, this filter is superior to conventional dust and pollen filters.

Superior filtration

The N95 Cabin Filter, as the name suggests, can remove 95% of particles that are larger than 0.3 microns. Additionally, it can remove 98% of PM2.5 dust particulates, which is important to promote respiratory health. PM2.5 particles are very tiny – about 3% the diameter of human hair – so it requires a very fine filter to stop them from entering the cabin. Apart from effectively filtering smoke particulates, dust and bacteria; the N95 filter can help to promote an allergy-free environment by reducing allergens from pets, aphids and pollen.

Integrated in ventilation system

The N95 Cabin Filter is an integral part of the air-conditioning system in the X70. It can function in both fresh and recirculation modes, as long as the blower fan is switched on. There’s no need to activate it as it works all the time to filter the air passing through,whether it is drawn in in from outside or recirculated air.

Providing this filter is no doubt just a first step by Proton to make the environments in its cars as clean as possible. It would be working with Geely, which is already active in developing solutions that address concerns about viruses in the air. Volvo, another affiliate in the Geely Group, also has much experience in developing clean-air systems for cars and would be contributing its knowledge as well.

Geely Auto looks at ‘passenger safety’ from a different perspective, aims to make cars ‘healthier’


Proton sees surge in June sales with tax-exemption Incentives

After suffering loss of production and sales in March, April and May this year due to the Movement Control Order suspending most commercial activities, a rebound has been evident in new vehicle  sales. With the
s
ales tax-exemption incentives
 provided by the government, which will last till the end of the year, June sales are expected to be strong when the Malaysian Automotive Association releases the full data.

Meanwhile, Proton reports that its total number of sales was 9,623 units for June. This is the second highest volume for the brand in 2020. The number also represents a 69.5% growth over May 2020 and a 26.3% increase over the same month in 2019 when the world wasn’t affected by a pandemic.

Data sources: Proton and Malaysian Automotive Association

Saga sells the most

The models contributing to the surge in sales were the Saga, X70 and Persona. The Saga, which  celebrates its 35
th
 anniversary this month, had its best sales month in nearly 6 years with 4,447 units sold.

1,909 units of the X70 were delivered to new owners around the country while the Persona retained its position as the best-seller in the B-segment sedan category for a second consecutive month.

The cumulative volume for Proton after the first 6 months of 2020 is just slightly over 37,000 units and the company estimates its market share to be 21.2%, a 6.5% increase against the same period last year.

The Saga celebrates its 35th birthday this month.

Busy second half of 2020 expected

“Proton’s sales in the first full month of business since February have been encouraging. While we remain cautiously optimistic for the second half of 2020, the demand for Malaysian cars in general and Proton vehicles in particular points towards increased consumer confidence in our products. This interest has also been buoyed by the recently announced sales tax holiday which, in our opinion, has stimulated demand”, said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.

Encik Roslan said the second half of the year will be a busy one. ”Kicking things off will be our 35th anniversary celebration for the Proton Saga. We hope to use the occasion as a springboard for other activities this year as we continue our efforts to redefine Proton’s customer experience via a mix of 3S/4S outlets and innovative new products,” he added.

Revised Proton prices with additional ‘Tax Holiday’ Promotion


Renault’s approach to reducing accidents – limit its vehicles’ top speed to 180 km/h

Speed doesn’t kill – it’s the driver behind the steering wheel who kills himself or others because he or she does not drive in a safe manner. In a perfect world, there would be no need to speedtraps, speed limits and speedbumps because every motorist would know how to drive sensibly and safely according to the conditions. Unfortunately, the world is not perfect where motoring attitudes are concerned and because of the reckless drivers who cause accidents – some fatal – the rest of us are also constrained by measures meant to keep us under control.

For decades, manufacturers have tried to find ways to address accidents with their vehicles and because they could not control the attitude of the driver, they instead made their cars as safe as possible, providing sufficient protection when an accident occurred. Then they also added driver assistance features to help drivers keep their cars under control, or to take actions to prevent accidents.

Still, the accident numbers are high, even in developed countries. Police still issue thousands of summonses for speed limits being exceeded. As one way to reduce accidents,
Volvo made a decision in 2019
 that all its vehicles would have the maximum speed limited to 180 km/h. Regardless of how powerful they are, the top speed will be fixed with the hope that it will make a difference over time.

Speed-limit policy starts in 2022

Now the Renault Group is doing the same thing, announcing recently that it will limit the top speed of models of the Renault as well as Dacia brands to 180 km/h as well. The first model in 2022 to be subject to this policy will be the Megane-E which will come equipped with an automatic speed limit adjuster, set by default to prevent it from going faster than 180 km/h. However, high-performance models may not have a speed-limiter.

This move is just one part of the carmaker’s Safety Plan in which it strives to optimise safety for its  employees and all those who use its vehicles. The plan covers Prevention and Rescue, with the former encompassing ‘Detect and Inform’, Guide, and ‘Act’. For Rescue, the company will provide access for first responders at accident sites as well as install a Rescue Code to help them.

To ‘Detect and Inform’, Renault will install equipment in vehicles that will generate a ‘Safety Score’. This will be based on an analysis of driving data using sensors around the vehicle. By being aware of this ‘Safety Score’, it is hoped that safer driving will be encouraged.

To ‘Guide’ drivers is a ‘Safety Coach’ which can process road and traffic data to inform drivers of potential risks on their route. It can also give real-time warnings on danger-prone areas. Ultimately, greater awareness of hazards along the road should help reduce the chances of an accident occurring.

‘Act’, which uses ‘a fail-safe mechanism’ is likely to be a pro-active and autonomous system that assist drivers, which is available with other brands nowadays. The mechanism will trigger automatically in the event of a clear and present danger (eg a dangerous turn, loss of steering wheel control for a prolonged period, drowsiness, etc.). With a ‘Safe Guardian’, the vehicle will slow down and return to a safe driving mode.

How fast rescue teams can extract occupants from a vehicle in an accident is crucial and Renault is working to make it as fast as possible.

Helping rescuers work faster

The attention given to first responders – the people who reach an accident site first and can provide assistance  – is aimed at reducing emergency response time and give emergency services easy vehicle access in the event of an accident.

The Renault Group has also developed two major innovations, which will be rolled out on all future releases in Europe. The first is called ‘Fire-fighter access’ which will help fire-fighters put out accidental battery fires (which can occur mainly in electrified vehicles). It considerably reduces response time (from nearly 2 hours to only a few minutes). Already a feature on electric vehicles, it will be added to all future hybrid rechargeable and electric models of the Group.

Each vehicle will have a ‘Rescue Code’, and this is a QR code to help first responders identify a vehicle and access its structural information. This can help them safely and quickly reach and extract the occupants. The Renault Group has already trained fire-fighters in 12 countries in Europe on how to use the code, while also donating several hundred vehicles to be used for training purposes.


Setel Provides More Convenient One-tap Operation To Start Refuelling

Setel users now have a more convenient option of starting refuelling with the ‘One-Tap Fuelling’ feature. This allows them to activate the pump with just one tap upon arrival at all PETRONAS stations nationwide. The new solution is available to the first 1,000 registered Setel users around Malaysia, with a staggered rollout in the next 2 months.

Current Setel users who are interested to receive early bird access can opt-in by posting an Instagram Story or Tweet of their
Dah Setel So Far
 page with the caption: “
I want One-Tap Fuelling now
”, tag @setel and include the #SetelOneTapFuelling hashtag.

From now until October 4, 2022, they also have a chance to win limited edition Setel gift boxes when they upload their most creative video on Instagram or Twitter showing their experience using the ‘One-Tap Fuelling’ feature’

In the upcoming enhancements, motorists will be able to pre-set their preferred fuelling amount – either by litres or a full tank, in the Preferences page when setting up the new feature. Motorists can also pre-set their preferred payment method, which includes CardTerus for direct payments via a debit or credit card, as well as Setel Share, which allows users to share their Setel Wallet or CardTerus with two others to pay whilst jointly earning Mesra points.

“We are constantly innovating and developing solutions that meet our users’ ever-evolving needs, especially in this endemic period where Malaysians are travelling more frequently than before. Over the past 4 years, our loyal users have continuously raved about their refuelling experience at PETRONAS stations. With this new enhancement that brings about a refuelling journey from the usual 5 clicks to just one tap through a one-time setup, Setel offers a more personalised and faster refuelling journey for its users. Gone are the days of rummaging through wallets for cash or cards to refuel and earn loyalty points,” said Mazlin Erawati Ab Manan, Chief Executive Officer of Setel.

Setel’s contactless service can be used at EV charging stations as well.

Setel has been in the market since July 2018, offering a mobile platform for motorists patronising PETRONAS stations. In recent times, it has also added EV charging for use by those owning electric vehicles. Its services include Setel Express, an in-app service for Setel customers to track their e-commerce deliveries and pick up/drop off parcels at selected PETRONAS stations.

RFID can now be used for fuel purchases at Shell stations


Top 15 Motoring New Year’s Resolutions for 2018

It’s that time of year again, when many reflect on their shortcomings and learn of what needs to be done to make improvements for 2018. Such efforts are what you and I would identify as New Year’s resolutions. Apparently motorists in the UK have their own list of vices that they would like to eliminate by mastering proper driving skills.

According to the data that was acquired by Young Driver, 24% of British motorists say that they must make a habit out of checking tyre pressures and engine oil levels. Though many consider these as rudimentary tasks that require little effort to accomplish, procrastination is probably the reason for the problem.

Learning to master parallel parking is another resolution that about 17% of motorists hope to cross off their list in 2018. It’s a task that many consider is akin to performing open heart surgery or solving world hunger. Directly below it, is the need to conquer fear of driving on highways. Young drivers usually make up the majority of motorists who suffer from this problem.

Following is the top 15 list of Motoring New Year’s Resolutions for 2018:

To check tyre pressure and oil levels regularly (24 per cent)

To learn how to parallel park properly (17 per cent)

To conquer fear of driving on motorways (16 per cent)

To get better at reversing (15 per cent)

To not get road rage (14 per cent)

To perfect reversing into a parking bay (13 per cent)

To switch off phone when driving (13 per cent)

To speed less (11 per cent)

To stop checking messages when at traffic lights (11 per cent)

To conquer fear of driving on country roads (10 per cent)

To be more courteous to other road users, including cyclists and pedestrians (9 per cent)

To stop using a phone behind the wheel (8 per cent)

To always use indicators when turning (9 per cent)

To use mirrors more (8 per cent)

To not drive so close to the car in front (5 per cent)

Regarding this topic Laura White, head of marketing for Young Driver, said, “One in five newly qualified drivers will have an accident within six months of passing their test, and research shows that starting them learning from a younger age can half that risk – but it’s also vital that they have good role models to learn from outside of their lessons.”

Established in 2009, Young Driver aims to help teach youngsters to drive over a longer period, therefore encouraging a safer generation of new drivers. The programme is sponsored by Vauxhall, and uses dual control Vauxhall Corsas and fully qualified instructors to teach 10-17 year olds how to drive at over 50 venues across the UK.


Volkswagen’s design boss wants to know what you think of a pick-up version of the ID. Buzz

Developing new car designs is a challenge as the designers have to anticipate trends and look ahead to market needs. They may have new ideas and features, but how will car-buyers respond? To get an idea of how people feel, concept cars are built and displayed to show proposed designs so feedback can be collected. From what they learn, they can know what appeals and what doesn’t and create a winner with the next new model.

These days, it’s not necessary to spend money making a concept model as digital renderings can provide very realistic representations. Furthermore, it’s not even necessary to display the cars in physical form (though it is still done at motorshows to draw crowds). There is now social media – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter – where millions of consumers can be reached and their opinions collected.

Recently, during World Design Day, Volkswagen Group Design boss Klaus Zyciora posted just one image of an idea on his Instagram page (and also the Volkswagen Group’s) and wrote: “On the way from an idea to production, there are a lot of unseen design drafts made – like this one: An #IDBuzz pick-up! What do you think about it?”. His post immediately went global and his team must still be going through all the comments posted.

The pick-up derivative of the just-launched
ID. Buzz
, the 21
st
 century electric successor to the iconic Transporter/Kombi, is just a proposal. The design is not based on the production ID. Buzz but draws more on the original concept of the model that was first shown in 2017.

ID. Buzz BEV (battery-electric vehicle) which will go on sale in Europe later this year.

The new Amarok undergoing testing. It is more of a workhorse type of pick-up whereas the proposal for the ID. Buzz variant would be towards lifestyle activities and usage.

It would undoubtedly sit on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform for electric vehicles which has been developed to accept many bodystyles. In fact, even before the ID. Buzz goes on sale in Europe later this year, the carmaker has said that work is being done on a ‘California Camper’ version (shown below) as well as an autonomous variant for ride-sharing operators. Both are expected to enter the market in 2025.

Volkswagen already has a new generation of the Amarok pick-up truck on the way, with a battery-electric version likely to appear in the second half of the decade. The Amarok is a workhorse vehicle and Volkswagen may see some potential in the lifestyle segment where it can offer this ID. Buzz pick-up.

Volkswagen’s designers have always been thinking of a modern pick-up based on the Transporter. This was one idea which was displayed at the carmaker’s Autostadt exhibition complex in Germany in 2006.

Clearly, it is not being conceived as a workhorse and would be aimed at customers who want to take along their activity gear like bikes or surfboards, just like the original Transporter (except the surfboards went on the roof).

Many of the styling elements would be just ideas for now so it’s hard to say how the final product could look like but the proportions of the 4-door cabin and short rear deck will probably be adopted. Below the doors appears to be integrated side-steps which could also make it to production as they suit the overall design well.

Volkswagen has produced a pick-up version of the Transporter/Kombi for decades.

The idea of a pick-up variant of a van is not new to Volkswagen as previous Transporter generations did have such a variant. Like the MEB platform, the original platform for the Beetle was also versatile enough for different bodystyles. One of them, known as the ‘Doppelkabine’, may eventually be regarded as the grandfather of the ID. Buzz pick-up if it does make it to the showrooms in future.

If you would like Volkswagen ‘s design head to know what you think about the pick-up concept,
click here
 to post your comments on his Instagram page.


The see-through Wedding Beetle of Mexico

You’ve probably seen the beloved Volkswagen Beetle in many different forms. Imaginative creators converted the original bulbous shape into something more unique and head-turning, funny or outrageous.

In Mexico, Rafael Esparza-Prieto created the Wedding Beetle, an enchanting white, wrought iron-bodied coachbuilt car from the 1960s. The talented welder and blacksmith in Mexico City was reportedly working at a local parts shop in 1968 when his boss asked him to create a one-of-a-kind Beetle shell to display and attract new customers.

Using the Beetle as the basis, Esparza-Prieto built the skeleton of the vehicle out of white wrought iron and artistically filled in the gaps with unique floral patterns and decorative swirls. The auto store owner was so impressed with his work that he displayed the finished product on a rotating platform outside his business, where it quickly drew attention.

Even the Volkswagen executives at the newly-built Puebla plant just down the road (where new Beetles were being made daily) came to look. Impressed, Volkswagen commissioned Esparza-Prieto to make two more Wedding Beetle pieces ahead of the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City — and these were drivable.

The wire shell left the vehicle’s simple, yet sophisticated, mechanics fully exposed so anyone – the driver, passengers and even other vehicles on the street – could see under its ‘skin’.

Athletes, artisans and auto enthusiasts from around the world admired the car. As it gained popularity at the Games, Volkswagen commissioned Esparza-Prieto to build an additional 20+ units in a similar fashion to display at different dealerships around the world. The white metal whimsical designs of the car evoked images of Cinderella’s horse-drawn carriage and the cars were loaned to happy couples as picturesque getaway cars for their special day.

After Esparza-Prieto moved to California, he built two more Wedding Beetles on his own. Along with his original creation, there are believed to be around 23 Wedding Beetles in total. Several other welders have since mimicked his work and built their own wrought iron versions of the car using different colours and patterns.

Highly sought-after by collectors, these artistic cars are often used for post-wedding photoshoots. As there is no windscreen or sheet metal to protect passengers from weather or stray pebbles, they are not suitable for everyday use (and would not be road-legal anyway). But the Wedding Beetle created by Esparza-Prieto over 50 years ago still does what it was intended to do: make people stop and stare.

In 2011, to preview the new Evoque, Land Rover also made a wire-frame model that was displayed in many countries, including Malaysia.


EON Joint-Venture With Saudi Arabia’s Petromin Express To Offer Aftersales Services

The DRB-HICOM Group – via its subsidiary, Edaran Otomobil Nasional Berhad (EON) – is venturing into aftersales services with the establishment of a joint venture with Petromin Express, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Petromin Corporation. Petromin Express is the world’s fifth largest fast-fit service brand and operates in the Middle East, Africa and is looking to new markets in Asia.

The joint-venture company, which will be 51:49 shared between Petromin and EON,  is expected to commence pilot operations of the business in January 2023, with 4 outlets during the 18-month pilot run. The pilot will enable management to derive a longer strategic roadmap for the business including capital requirements for expansion.

A Petromin Express service centre in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Growing sector in auto industry
DRB-HICOM’s move into the automotive aftersales market in Malaysia is timely as this is a large and growing area of business, especially with the population of vehicles in use. In 2021, this sector  generated revenue of approximately RM42 billion.

Modelled after Petromin’s highly successful Petromin Express outlets in Saudi Arabia, the new company aims to offer Malaysian vehicle owners a unique experience of fast-fit aftersales services with a quick turnaround time.

While the services will be offered to all vehicles, the company will be targeting vehicles aged between 5 and 10 years which no longer have warranties in effect. Such vehicles will no longer be restricted by warranty conditions and can therefore be serviced by any other company.

Kalyana Sundaram Sivagnanam, Petromin’s Group CEO (left) and Akkbar Danial, CEO of EON (right) signing the joint-venture agreement, witnessed by Dato’ Sri Syed Faisal, DRB-HICOM Group Managing Director, Dato’ Sri Syed Faisal Albar.

Complementary new business
The collaboration complements DRB-HICOM’s existing and extensive automotive value chain. The group is already involved in automotive manufacturing via Proton, retails several foreign automotive brands under the EON umbrella, and also offers mandatory inspection services via PUSPAKOM.

“Petromin’s collaboration with DRB-HICOM will allow it entry into the lucrative Malaysian aftersales servicing market by partnering with Petromin Express, a well-established and trusted corporate brand in the automotive sector. Their vast know-how and operational expertise, coupled with DRB-HICOM’s market intelligence and extensive customer reach, will create an ideal synergy that will propel this partnership to great heights. At the same time, we are very excited to be offering a new, affordable and convenient service to Malaysians,” said DRB-HICOM Group Managing Director, Dato’ Sri Syed Faisal Albar.

Petromin’s businesses
Besides its Petromin Express business with over 700 outlets across Saudi Arabia, Petromin has a substantial lubricants business with products exported to over 35 countries. It also operates operates petrol service stations and distributes Nissan vehicles in the Kingdom.

Commenting on the new partnership, Petromin’s Group CEO, Kalyana Sivagnanam, said: “After decades of transforming the mobility solutions landscape in the Middle East and North Africa region, Petromin is looking forward to helping in transforming and pioneering the aftersales service experience for the discerning customers in Malaysia and around the globe. We are optimistic that this relationship will yield significant impact on the market in the face of game-changing technological, economic, and societal trends.”

DRB-HICOM to develop Tanjong Malim area in Perak to become Automotive Hi-Tech Valley


One In Every Five Cars Sold Will Be An EV In 2023

This year, roughly one in every five cars sold are anticipated to be electric vehicles because of the rising market for them.

The rapid electrification of road transport, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), will have significant effects on the energy sector as it will reduce the requirement for five million barrels of oil per day by the end of the decade.

“Electric vehicles are one of the driving forces in the new global energy economy that is rapidly emerging and they are bringing about a historic transformation of the car manufacturing industry worldwide,” said IEA executive director Fatih Birol.

The IEA predicted that yearly sales of electric vehicles will increase by 35% to 14 million this year in its annual report on the subject. It is estimated that, up from 4% in 2020, the market share would be 18%.

According to the IEA, sales of electric vehicles are mostly concentrated in China, Europe, and the US. The IEA said that China held the top spot, selling 60% of all-electric vehicles globally last year.

Sales would be further boosted in the upcoming years, according to the report, by policies like the Inflation Reduction Act in the United States, which provides consumers with considerable subsidies to switch to electric vehicles.

By 2030, the average percentage of electric vehicles sold in China, the EU, and the US is expected to reach about 60%, according to the IEA.


New Honda Insight is marked improvement over predecessor

Honda is gearing up for the unveil of its all new Insight at the upcoming  North American International Auto Show that will take place in January. The unveil will be of a prototype vehicle that will serve as a precursor to the actual production version, slated for launch later next year.

Unlike its predecessor, the new Insight will feature a sedan body-style and be positioned above the Civic as a refined family car. Sporting a similar silhouette to the current generation Civic, the 2019 Insight inherits the rather handsome and front grille of the Accord but with sleeker contours.

As for the rear, the automaker has chosen a less cluttered approach to the design, fitting angular LED taillights that slightly resemble those from a certain German manufacturer. That said, the entire design, is a step in the right direction. Where the second generation Insight resembled a MPV, the new one forgoes that look for a more business-like one.

“With its sophisticated styling, dynamic stance, ample interior space and best-in-class performance, the all-new Insight embodies Honda’s approach to creating electrified vehicles without the typical tradeoffs,” said, Henio Arcangeli, Jr., senior vice president of Automobile Sales and general manager of the Honda Division, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

“You won’t have to be an electrification advocate to appreciate the new Insight – it’s a great car in its own right, independent of what’s happening under the hood,” he later added.

Honda says that the new Insight will come with premium features and the performance that will win over the favour of many. Its two-motor hybrid powertrain will be able to provide all the benefits of a hybrid but none of the compromises.

Cars bound for the North American market will be built at Honda’s Greensburg, Indiana plant, alongside Civic and CR-V. This latest addition to the family is part of the Japanese automaker’s plan, that by 2030, two-thirds of its products will consist of only electrified vehicles.


Service centres closed but assistance still available from some car companies

With the Movement Control Order (MCO) in effect for 2 weeks, most industries are required to suspend their operations and activities unless they are designated as essential services or industries. Where the auto industry is concerned, this means not just closing the head office and branches but also showrooms, service centres and assembly plants. No new vehicles will be produced and deliveries will not be carried out. This situation will last till March 31, 2020.

Nevertheless, many car companies are maintaining support for their customers who may have problems with their vehicles. At this time, the MCO does not stop travel on public roads so the vehicles may still be used for essential journeys, ie to replenish supplies or buy medicine. You can also go to restaurants that are allowed to operate but you must take the food home, not dine on their premises which would be an offence.

If you are travelling on PLUS expressways and have a breakdown, there are telephones every 2 kms to call for help.

Should you have problems with your vehicle at such times, it will still be possible to get assistance. Towing services are allowed to operate and virtually all car companies and insurance companies offer such assistance if you contact their Call Centre, most of which operate 24 hours every day. The following companies have informed us of the numbers that their customers can call if help is needed:

Daihatsu: 1-300-88-3667

Ford: 1-300-38-3181

Perodua: 1-800-88-5555

Proton: 1-800-888-398

Lexus: 1-800-88-LEXUS (53987)

Mazda: 1-800-22-8080 or 1-800-18-8011

Mercedes-Benz: 1-800-88-1133

PLUS: 1-800-88-0000 (emergency telephones also available every 2 kms on PLUS expressways)

Renault: 1-800-18-8663

Toyota: 1-800-99 TOYOTA (869682)

Volkswagen: 1-800-18-8947 (Customer Care) | 1-800-88-2389 (Roadside Assistance

The latest information provided by the National Security Council concerning the MCO is that, besides towing services, mechanics are permitted to operate during the 2-week period and workshops may also carry out vehicle repairs (but probably not normal servicing).


HARMAN Ready Vision Advances Head-Up Display With Augmented Reality

While carmakers make a large part of a car, many of the systems and features usually come from companies that are specialists the area. These are areas such as instrument display panels, transmissions, audio equipment and of course, wheels and tyres. Their specialisation allows them to be more focussed on making advances that meet changing demands of the carmakers as well as customers.

HARMAN, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, is one such supplier to the auto industry. Although well known for audio electronics in its history of over 40 years, HARMAN now also offers its expertise to the automotive industry. More than 50 million vehicle on the road today are equipped with the company’s different brands of audio and connected car systems (Infinity, Mark Levinson, JBL, Bang & Olufsen being among them).

At CES 2023, the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas which is on this weekend, HARMAN is displaying Ready Vision, a set of Augmented Reality (AR) head-up display (HUD) hardware and AR software products to enhance driver safety and awareness. Ready Vision’s AR software integrates with vehicle sensors to deliver immersive audio and visual alerts that empower the driver with critical knowledge and information, in a timely, accurate and non-intrusive manner.

Going beyond conventional HUD
Ready Vision goes beyond the
Head-Up Display (HUD)
 which is already available in a number of models. It bridges the physical and digital worlds by displaying intuitive turn-by-turn directions on the windscreen to help enhance driver cognition.

Related:
The Head-Up Display (HUD) – from fighter jet to passenger car

The system also uses computer vision and machine learning for 3D object detection to deliver non-intrusive collision warnings, blindspot warnings, lane departure, lane change assist and low speed zone notifications to the driver, with high precision.

Two display sizes
The AR HUD hardware, which can be configured to suit the vehicle’s design, offers a large field of view, long virtual depth, optimal eye box and high brightness with a compact package volume and wedgeless windscreen design. Initially, HARMAN offers Ready Vision in two versions – Large with a 12-inch x 4-inch Field of View and Extra-large with a 15-inch x 5-inch Field of View – to suit different vehicle sizes.

The AR software integrates multiple sensors such as navigation, ADAS and microphones to create smart and timely visual and audio alerts. It also incorporates HARMAN’s flagship directional and spatial audio into its software platform to help enhance driver perception and support their ability to respond to threats faster, while enabling them to keep their eyes on the road with intuitive and clear prompts.

“This launch is a key component of HARMAN’s mission to enhance the safety of drivers, passengers and pedestrians, while cultivating transformative in-cabin experiences,” said Armin Prommersberger, Senior Vice-President of Product Management, HARMAN International. “Ready Vision solves key industry challenges around driver safety by helping drivers better understand their surroundings and enabling an eyes-forward, focused journey. Our new product empowers the driver with the right information at the right time, even in the most unfamiliar driving scenarios, making their time on the road more intuitive and safe.”

The Head-Up Display (HUD) – from fighter jet to passenger car

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series – designed for the track but road-legal too

Since 2006, the Black Series High-Performance Cars from Mercedes-AMG have never failed to impress. From the puristic SLK 55 AMG Black Series to the latest GT Black Series, the exclusive range from the specialists at the carmaker’s high-performance subsidiary has been synonymous with a very special type of car.

The GT Black Series launched by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia today continues with uncompromisingly sporty and expressive design, with the most consistent technology transfer from motorsport to a  production car. It is designed for the racetrack but is road-legal too.

Improved V8 biturbo engine

The AMG GT Black Series represents a new highlight in this approach. It is the most powerful Mercedes-AMG with a 4-litre V8 biturbo engine, adaptable to special conditions of various racetracks.  Further development puts significantly more power (730 ps) than the previous flagship model of the AMG GT family, with even more agile throttle response, thanks to maximum torque of 800 Nm.

What does this improved engine do for performance? It enables the sportscar to go from standing still to 100 km/h in a claimed 3.2 seconds, crossing 200 km/h in less than 9 seconds, and on to a top speed of 325 km/h (only on racetracks). The superlative performance level is not only reflects in the power delivery but also with a distinctive soundtrack.

Power goes to the rear wheels through a 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7G dual-clutch transmission. The unit is located on the rear axle in a transaxle arrangement for optimal weight distribution, as is the case for all AMG GT models. It has been modified for use in the AMG GT Black Series and adapted to the increased torque of 800 Nm.

The Race Start function is now even more impressive, thanks to the increased starting revs, the more sensitive wheel slip control and the sports tyres fit for the racetrack. Furthermore, the transmission cooling has been adapted to the tougher requirements, and the transmission ratios have also been slightly modified.

Sophisticated aerodynamics

The sophisticated aerodynamics make a significant contribution to high driving dynamics and stability on fast circuits. As with the AMG GT R and AMG GT R PRO, aerodynamics experts and designers have worked closely and the similarity to the AMG GT3 and AMG GT4 racing cars is visually and technically stronger than ever before.

At the rear is the new apron with a large diffuser, two rounded twin tailpipe trims on the outside left and right, side wheel arch ventilation, and the innovative rear aerofoil concept. Both aerofoil blades are made from carbonfibre, can be mechanically adjusted and therefore adapted to various track conditions. The second, lower positioned blade was made particularly small and narrow because this is ideal for the air arriving from the front of the car.

The detailed aerodynamic work also includes the now almost fully panelled underbody. This area must not only meet aerodynamic requirements but also thermal ones (for heat dissipation). The flat underbody is equipped with specially designed longitudinal fins. These air channellers have been meticulously optimised to ensure optimal airflow to the rear diffuser. The entire package accelerates air flow, significantly increasing downforce up to well over 400 kgs at 250 km/h.

The lightweight carbonfibre roof, with a sunken centre, as well as the carbonfibre tailgate with small spoiler lip and larger rear windscreen made from lightweight thin glass, are all key components of the intelligent material mix and lightweight construction. Moving to the front of the car, the glass used to make the laminated glass windscreen is likewise thin and therefore light in weight.

AMG coil-over suspension

The double wishbone concept locates the wheel with high camber and toe-in stability. This enables high cornering speeds and gives the driver optimum road feel when cornering at the extreme limits. Wishbones, steering knuckles and hub carriers on the front and rear axle are made entirely from forged aluminium in order to reduce the unsprung masses. The spherical bearings on the upper and lower wishbones of the rear axle come straight from motorsport.

Their design means they have no play, which means toe-in and camber do not change even under high loads. The coil-over suspension offers yet another advantage which serious racing drivers value greatly: the wheel load distribution can be individually adapted for every wheel and thus optimise handling.

AMG TRACTION CONTROL

For use on closed racetracks in ESP OFF mode, the AMG TRACTION CONTROL enables the driver to get individual support for controlling the immense power of the Black Series – and without any ESP brake intervention whatsoever. The level of support can be fine-tuned, providing the ideal level of assistance for each driver and each track situation. Control is exclusively via corresponding maps in the engine electronics and without any intervention in the ESP system, as is also the case with the GT3 racing car.

The AMG development has a major advantage over conventional systems in that it anticipates situations with the help of a friction coefficient evaluator and other data processed by a control unit within a fraction of a second. The maximum permissible drive slip on the rear wheels is calculated depending on the selected AMG TRACTION CONTROL level. When the wheels reach this level of slip during acceleration, the traction control modulates the engine output so that this level is not exceeded and the vehicle continues accelerating with this specified slip.

An exclusive contrasting colour

The interior design emphasises the leading position of the AMG GT Black Series. It may be for the racetrack but there’s exclusive nappa leather combined with sporty DINAMICA microfibre in black with orange contrasting topstitching. The instrument panel and the newly designed lightweight door panels, which are now equipped with loop pull handles instead of conventional handles, are trimmed in black DINAMICA microfibre.

The fully digital instrument displays from the AMG GT family with an instrument cluster measuring 12.3 inches ahead of the AMG Performance steering wheel, and a 10.25-inch multimedia monitor on the centre console. The instrument cluster offers different designs with the three AMG-specific display styles to suit driver preference. Coloured display buttons in the V-shaped central console integrate the display and control of transmission logic, suspension, ESP, exhaust system, rear aerofoil flap and start/stop function. As they still have a mechanical pressure point, they can also be operated whilst wearing racing gloves.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has an allocation of 13 units of the AMG GT Black Series, each having a base price of RM3 million (without insurance). And at the time of writing, all of them already have an owner waiting for delivery. Whether or not these owners will use them as the engineers developed them – for the racetrack – remains to be seen, but they will certainly be a rarity on our roads.


Shell Eco-marathon Asia returns to Malaysia

The Make the Future Live Malaysia 2019 was officially launched yesterday at the Sepang International Circuit and at the centre of it all lies the 10
th
 Shell Eco-marathon Asia endurance race.

Over 100 students from 18 countries (Asia Pacific and Middle East) will compete on which vehicle can travel the furthest while using the least amount of energy.

The Shell Eco-marathon is a global program (and one of the world’s longest-running student competitions) that challenges students and educational institutions to design, build, and compete ultra-energy-efficient cars.

According to Datuk Iain Lo, Chairman of Shell Malaysia, “This year, Shell Eco-marathon has returned to Malaysia to celebrate a decade of competition between Asian universities. Each year, we see an increase in innovations in vehicle design, in fuel efficiency performance, as well as in participant team spirit. The flag-off that kick-started Shell Eco-marathon Asia today will not just start the competition but also signals the beginning of many journeys of discovery in cleaner energy.”

The 10
th
 Shell Eco-marathon Asia competition is divided into two different categories; Prototype (futuristic and highly aerodynamic vehicles) and UrbanConcept (vehicles that resemble cars of the present).

Three sub-categories are branched out based on the team’s choice of energy source; Internal Combustion Engine (Gasoline, Diesel, Ethanol), Hydrogen Fuel Cell, and Battery Electric Power.

Vehicles must pass a detailed technical inspection before they are allowed onto the track to see how far they can go on the least amount of fuel. As of today, over 45 student teams have passed the technical inspection of which three are from Malaysia.

Thursday (2 May 2019) will mark the end of the competition during the Shell Eco-marathon Drivers’ World Championship Qualifier where the best UrbanConcept teams in the region will compete for their place in the Drivers’ World Championship in London in July.

In addition, a small number of Shell Eco-marathon student teams are taking part in the development of a potential global category for the future. The Shell Eco-marathon UrbanConcept Autonomous Category continues to be developed with students, academics and businesses to build a category that can provide a challenging competitive arena for students to test their ideas and skills.

In Asia, teams will exhibit their UrbanConcept car in autonomous mode at Make the Future Live Malaysia. The driver will demonstrate their car moving along a stretch of track without their hands or feet controlling the vehicle. More details about the developing category will be available in due course.

For more information on Make the Future Live Malaysia and Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2019, head over to
www.shell.my/makethefuture
.


Could Chery Be Preparing For Local-Assembly in Malaysia?

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent visit to China was a successful one by any measure.

According to reports, 19 Memorandum Of Understanding related to various sectors were signed. And the total amount of that sums up to RM170 billion!

Some of those sectors were MOU’s were signed include electronic vehicle’s, electronics, big data and digitalisation.

The automotive sector too was involved and one of it involves Chinese car maker, Chery.

Soon after the visit to China ended, Chery sent out a statement to the local media stating that Chery executives were involved in an “in-depth conversation” with the Minister of International Trader and Industry of Malaysia, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.

Part of the discussions included an investment plan and development direction in Malaysia.

Soon after that discussion, the executives from Chery International were also invited to participate in a round table conference with the Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim and Malaysia-China Business Forum.

In October of last year,
Chery announced a return to Malaysia with a five model line-up
. But since then the company has been largely silent.
Members of the local automotive press would occasionally receive press statements
 suggesting that Chery’s gears are quietly turning in the background.

Chery has also previously mentioned the setting up of a wholly-owned subsidiary in Malaysia, which according to an official statement, is due to be unveiled in the second quarter of this year.

Now all of this could be seen as journalistic fluff meant to drum up the Prime Minister’s visit to China.

But considering the success of Chinese automotive makers GWM and BYD in the Malaysian EV market, it won’t be too far fetched to assume that Chery may be considering local assembly of certain Chery models.

And why not? GWM and BYD have already proven that the local market is warming up to Chinese carmakers already.

Local assembly would make sense since this will almost certainly allow Chery to price their cars competitively and also create a strong network of dealers with strong spare parts availability.

The only thing that remains to be seen though is who will Chery’s assembly partner be since setting up its own assembly plant would almost certainly be too costly.


Ford SuperVan Set To Compete In Pikes Peak Hill Climb

The all-new enhanced Ford SuperVan 4.2 is Ford Performance’s thrilling entry for the 101st running of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo.

The event will highlight the innovative design, cutting-edge technologies, and distinctive features of the refined all-electric demonstrator that enhance its performance for the demanding hill climb.

Ford automobiles have constantly left their imprint on the renowned Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, with a history that dates back to the first race, which was completed in a Ford Model T, in 1916.

With his extensive knowledge and great skill set, motorsports icon Romain Dumas will be the lucky driver chosen to carry on Ford’s proud heritage at America’s most prestigious mountain race when he drives the SuperVan 4.2 for the eighth time this year.

Working together once again, Ford Performance and the specialists at STARD Advanced Research and Development produced the SuperVan 4.2. It takes centre stage as the automotive industry advances towards an electrified future by showcasing the enormous potential of electric cars in motorsports. With updated aerodynamics and a powertrain designed specifically for hill climbs, it is poised to electrify the storied Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

The SuperVan 4.2, an improved version of the SuperVan 4, has undergone a thorough redesign of its aerodynamics that was expressly designed to increase downforce—more than 1995kgs at 241km/h—while cutting through the high-altitude air of Pikes Peak. A front splitter and lightweight rear spoiler made of carbon fibre are two important aerodynamic components that helps it stay firmly planted on the mountain’s twisty roadways. Additionally, the weight of its chassis was reduced to enhance overall stability and give agility on the winding mountain routes.

The powertrain has also undergone refinements. The van maintains its all-wheel-drive system while achieving an ideal power-to-weight ratio by lowering the number of STARD UHP 6-phase motors from four to three and using STARD’s Ultra High Performance Li-Polymer NMC pouch cells. One motor powers the front and two power the back. The SuperVan 4.2 can reach its full potential with 1,400 horsepower of combined discharge power at its disposal, and it can also take use of the battery’s enhanced 600 kW regeneration performance for the best possible energy utilisation.

With a focus on the chassis, Ford Performance and STARD gave the SuperVan 4.2 a revised regenerative braking system with carbon ceramic brake discs, magnesium forged wheels covered in Pirelli P Zero race tyres. Upgraded driveshafts, a perspex windscreen, and a minimal race interior to remove any weight that was not necessary for the van to finish the mountain in the fastest time possible.

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is set to take place on Sunday, June 25.


Sime Darby Auto ConneXion offers Home or Office Delivery Test Drive

For a long time now, it’s been a ‘buyers’ market’ rather than a ‘sellers’ market’ and car companies have been trying different ways to draw customers to their brand and products. Sales and aftersales services and facilities have been raised in quality and customers who visit showrooms may be pampered with food and drink, besides a very comfortable environment.

However, in this time of reduced showroom traffic, the car companies are going further in reaching out to customers. For example, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC) is enhancing its customer services by offering to bring new models to the customer’s home or office for a test-drive.

Added convenience for interested customers

The Home or Office Delivery Test Drive provides convenience to customers who may be busy or just don’t wish to travel to the showroom. The service is available within a 10-km radius of the customer’s chosen dealership.

To arrange for the test drive delivery, customers can either contact a Ford dealership nearest to them, submit an online test drive request via the SDAC-Ford website, or send a message to the Ford Digital Salesperson on the WhatsApp sales line at
019 204 1200
.

“During this period, we understand that customers are in search of additional services for added convenience. That is why we are providing an additional option of delivering our test drive vehicles to our customers home or office to show our commitment of continuously enhancing our customer support and service,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, MD of Sime Darby Auto ConneXion.

Precautionary safety measures will be practiced by the sales consultant upon delivering the test drive vehicle. This includes the use of a face mask, recording of body temperature and sanitising the vehicle. The sales consultant will also be seated at the back to adhere to the current social distancing practices.

Showroom visitors welcome too

“Of course, customers are still welcome at our showrooms. For those who prefer to visit a Ford dealership, they can be assured that the necessary safety precautions to ensure health and safety are being practiced. This includes social distancing, temperature checks upon entering the premises, hand sanitiser dispensers located in the showrooms and frequent sanitising of high frequency touchpoints,” added Tuan Syed Ahmad Muzri.

Other existing touchpoints to assist customers in getting in touch with SDAC include the website chatbot to assist users on website navigation, Customer Care and Road Assist service line which is available 24/7 at
1300 38 3181
, online book a service appointment, and submission of enquiries and feedback via the
SDAC-Ford website
.

Visit
www.sdacford.com.my
 to know more about the Ford models available in Malaysia and the locations of dealerships throughout the country.

The New Ford Ranger FX4


Cyclists Tour Around Ipoh With Isuzu

Around 750 cyclists took advantage of a Sunday morning without any cars to explore Ipoh city and its surroundings. The cyclists took part in the Isuzu Fun Ride 2023, which was organised by Weng Fatt Otomobil, one of Isuzu Malaysia’s authorised dealers, in conjunction with the company’s recently-completed 3S Centre.

The event was officially kicked off by Pasir Pinji assemblyman YB Goh See Hua, Isuzu Malaysia CEO Shunsuke Okazoe, COO Kenkichi Sogo, and Weng Fatt Otomobil Director Cheng Kah Yik. The latter two later joined the riders for a shorter 3-kilometre ride.

Such activities not only enable participants to gain a greater understanding of cities by taking in its charm at a leisurely pace, but they are also a healthful and environmentally beneficial activity that is ideal for cyclists of all skill levels.

The Isuzu Fun Ride began at the Isuzu 3S facility on Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun and travelled 40 kilometres while passing numerous city landmarks. It then made its way back to the showroom, where participants were given refreshments and the chance to win fantastic prizes in a lucky draw competition.

The Isuzu Fun Ride in Ipoh will be the fodder for similar events in future with rides planned by Isuzu dealers in other major locations around the country. Stay tuned to announcements in
pickuptruck.isuzu.net.my
 or
https://www.facebook.com/ISUZU.DMax.Malaysia/
.


Aston Martin Rapide AMR available in Malaysia

Although production of the Rapide ceased two years ago, the model continues in the Aston Martin range as the Rapide AMR. First revealed in 2018 as a concept, the production version was displayed at last year’s Geneva Auto Show where the company announced that it will make 210 cars.

Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur has brought in two of those units, priced from
RM1.1 million
, excluding duties and taxes. These are the last two units still available in Southeast Asia.

Link to racing team

AMR stands for Aston Martin Racing, the official motorsport operation for the British brand. ‘AMR’ is used for special editions, drawing a direct engineering and aesthetic link between the  company’s successful racing team and its roadgoing cars.

At the heart of the Rapide AMR is a naturally aspirated drivetrain that draws much of its technology and character  from the potent Vantage GT12. Larger inlet manifolds with tuned length dual inlet runners enhance  the airflow into the 6-litre V12 engine.

Combined with new engine and gearbox calibration,  increases in output take maximum power to 603 ps and 630 Nm. Claimed acceleration is 4.4 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and a maximum speed as high as 330 km/h.

Standard carbon ceramic brakes

As standard, the Rapide AMR comes fitted with carbon ceramic brakes. Measuring 400 mm at the front with 6-piston calipers and 360 mm at the rear with 4-piston calipers, this is the first time that a Rapide has been fitted with such strong stopping power.

The carbon ceramic discs are also part of AMR’s ethos to use lightweight  components whilst reducing unsprung mass they have a noticeably beneficial effect on the driving experience. Much of this development work has been completed at the newly opened AMR Performance Centre  at the Nurburgring.

Alongside the new tyres, brakes and aerodynamics, the Rapide’s suspension has also received considerable  attention. The new Rapide AMR rides 10 mm lower than a Rapide S and although the three stage adaptive  dampers remain, they have been thoroughly reengineered to create a car that is more focused, agile and  dynamic.

The 4-seat Rapide AMR is available in Standard and Signature schemes. Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur  has one of each scheme. The car with the Signature scheme is finished in Stirling Green paint with Lime accents and a Lime stripe for the  definitive AMR look. The Standard scheme is Onyx Black, with adding AMR Lime accents to the splitter, sills  and rear diffuser.

More information is available at www.astonmartinkualalumpur.com and to get a quotation, you can write to astonmartinkl.enquiries@wearnes.com.

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


McLaren offer new options for its new Sports Series models

Following in Porsche’s footsteps, McLaren too have decided to introduce a new range of options and accessories that have been developed for the 540C, 570S and 570GT.

The latest additions to the automaker’s option list are meant to provide protection to the vehicle when on the road and provide more visual appeal then when in standard form. Available for all McLaren Sports Series models, this new collection can be purchased from, and fitted by McLaren retailers.

The protection options include indoor and outdoor vehicle covers, branded floor and luggage bin mats, as well as front skid plates which are said to protect the diffusers from contact with the ground.

Apart from that McLaren is also offering a plethora of visual upgrades including a number of forged alloy wheel designs in stealth, silver and diamond cut finishes as well as a number of lightweight coloured brake calipers.

There are also three carbon fire packs to choose which come with the following:

Carbon fibre side intakes

Carbon fibre mirror casings

Carbon fibre side skirts

Carbon fibre aero blades

Carbon fibre front splitter

Carbon fibre rear bumper

Carbon fibre rear wing

Carbon fibre rear diffuser

Carbon fibre rear deck and plenum cover

McLaren says that these additions save a noticeable amount of weight compared to the trim that’s available as standard. Having said that, the supercar maker isn’t content with offering just exterior tweaks, as it is also offering a slew of interior options that are decked out in Carbon Fibre. These options include switch packs and IRIS surround, upper speaker surround, sill finisher with McLaren branding and side tunnels, all in carbon fibre.

In addition to these new add-ons, more special bits come from the McLaren Special Operations (MSO) section that have been designed and engineered by the MSO team which include a front splitter, rear wing and rear bumper. All these options as well as those mentioned earlier can be fitted to existing customers’ cars, if they so choose.

For the full comprehensive list of options on offer by the manufacturer, visit the McLaren website at
www.retailers.mclaren.com/
.


New vehicle sales increase by 33% in 2022

While 2021 was a difficult year for the car companies, 2022 has seen significant increase in volumes in spite of the ongoing supply shortage of certain parts, limiting output from the plants. According to the Malaysian Automotive Association, which has been compiling industry data since 1967, the Total Industry Volume (TIV) in the first six months of 2022 was 331,386 units, an increase of 82,208 units or 33%.

This big increase is attributed to the pent-up demand for new vehicles but it has also to be noted that the TIV for the same period in 2021 was low due to the restrictions of the Movement Control Order (FMCO) in June 2021. As can be seen in the chart, the strict restrictions saw a sharp drop in sales.

Total Industry Volumes – 2022 vs 2021. All charts provided by Malaysian Automotive Association.

Following the government’s decision of
not extending sales tax exemption incentive
 for passenger vehicles (under the PEMERKASA+ package) after June 30, 2022, bookings surged as those who wanted to beat the deadline rushed to place bookings for new vehicles. Although they would not get their vehicles before the deadline, the government has allowed the exemption to be allowed provided the new vehicles are registered by March 31, 2023.

TIV (Total Industry Volume) of new vehicles by month.

This pushed the June TIV to 63,366 units, an exceptionally high volume as companies rushed whatever stocks they had to customers. The figure could have been higher, had there not bee the shortage of vehicles due to the shortages of chips and components which affected certain makes.

The top 5 brands

The top 5 brands retained their 2021 ranks, with Perodua still leading. While volumes rose, the markets shares of Perodua and Proton decreased, but the market shares of the non-national makes rose.

Higher output from factories

Total production volume in the first half of 2022 also increased likewise by 31.8% to reach a total of 317,933 units compared to 241,288 units in the same period last year. The much higher total production volume seen this year was because there was a total lockdown enforced by the government in June 2021 which shut down factory operations. In addition, the higher output was also in response to the high demand.

Production volumes for first half of 2022 and 2021.

Forecast revised upwards

For the whole of 2022, the MAA has raised its forecast to 630,000 units in view of the strong and positive market trend. This is 30,000 units more than the original forecast announced at the beginning of the year. This means that during the second half of the year, monthly saves will have to be at least 49,760 units.

Revised forecast for 2022. *: Original forecast was announced in January 2022.

In revising its forecast, the MAA has taken various economic and environmental factors into account as well as drawn on input from its members. The association expects the country’s economic recovery to maintain its momentum and the Finance Ministry  is maintaining its official GDP forecast of 5.3% to 6.3% for 2022.

However, there are still some factors that can slow the economic growth, such as geopolitical tensions, escalating oil prices, inflationary concerns, and increases in food prices. These may also make consumers hesitate in making purchases, while business in the auto industry may faced increased logistics and shipping costs and experience supply chain disruptions. Bank Negara Malaysia’s recent decision to increase the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) by 25 basis points to 2.25% may also dampen consumer confidence.

Looking ahead till 2026…. assuming that there are no major disruptions in Malaysia or globally.

Sales figures in other ASEAN markets from January to May 2022. The data for electric vehicles is based on officially reported numbers by members of the respective automotive associations in each country.

143% increase in Isuzu D-MAX sales in first half of 2022


Best times to drive to the East Coast this weekend

Ever since the East Coast Expressway (LPT2) was opened in 2015, providing a fast and smooth highway link from the Klang Valley to Kuala Terengganu, many people have found it preferable to drive to the East Coast than use the bus. Prior to the LPT2 being available, the highway link was only up to Karak and the rest of the way was on winding roads which limited speeds and a journey would take many hours.

As a result, traffic volumes have been increasing over the past 4 years and it is common for congestion to occur from the Bentong toll plaza all the way to the toll plaza at Gombak. Naturally, it doesn’t help that the terrain is undulating with slopes causing traffic to slow down further. Fortunately, heavy commercial vehicles will not be allowed to use the highway on January 23rd/24th and 27th/28th.

ANIH Berhad, the concessionaire which maintains the 60-km highway from the Gombak toll plaza to the Bentong toll plaza offers suggestions on the best times to travel during the Chinese New Year period. It notes that the express buses heading to destinations on the East Coast enter the highway during two periods of the day – between 9:30 am and noon and 9:30 pm and midnight. Therefore, motorists are advised not to also start their journeys during these periods.

The chart below shows the suggested times for travel to the East Coast on January 23rd – 25th (Thursday to Saturday), and then if returning on the 26
th
 or 27
th
 (Sunday or Monday).

Travelling between midnight and 6 am would be congestion-free but be sure you are up to it and have had sufficient rest to remain awake and alert! If you are drowsy, pull over at a R&R and have a nap rather than struggle to continue. There is the danger of what is known as ‘microsleep’ where you doze off suddenly and you would no longer control the car – and an accident could occur.

You won’t have to endure congestion when travelling after midnight but be sure you are up to it and have had enough rest before starting the journey so you do not become drowsy.

ANIH Berhad also reminds motorists to ensure that their Touch ‘n Go and RFID e-Wallets have sufficient balance for the toll payable. Reloads can usually be done at the Gombak and Bentong Toll Plaza Customer Service Centres from 7 am – 10 pm but between January 23rd and 27
th
, reloads will not be available at the toll plaza booths.


Malaysian round of Hot Wheels Legends Tour returns for third time

In 2018, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hot Wheels, the Hot Wheels Legends Tour began as a series of 15 car shows hosted across Walmart locations around the USA. Over the past 4 years, the competition has gone beyond US borders and grown internationally. It now covers 5 continents in countries that include Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Malaysia and, recently, Indonesia.

The Hot Wheels Legends Tour has been successfully held in Malaysia for the past two years, in spite of the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. And this year, it returns for the third time, again in collaboration with Art of Speed Malaysia (AOS).

As a celebration of car culture, the Hot Wheels Legends Tour is a global search for a custom car worthy of being reimagined as a 1:64 scale Hot Wheels die-cast vehicle. The model will then be made available for sale in more than 150 countries around the world.

Malaysian custom car enthusiasts can present their creations which will be judged against local fellow hobbyists and have a chance at greatness. For the 2022 edition, the winner selected from the Asia Pacific region (Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia) will not only move on to the Global Semi-Finals in October 2022 but will also have an additional opportunity for their custom build creation to be transformed and reimagined into a one-of-a-kind (OOAK) limited-run die-cast vehicle available for sale. This is the first time that Hot Wheels is offering such a prize.

The 2020 Hot Wheels Legends Tour, also hosted by Art of Speed Malaysia, had to be done online due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions that did not permit gatherings.

“After four years and dozens of events, it’s incredible to see how much the Hot Wheels Legends Tour has grown, both in the US and abroad,” said Ted Wu, Vice-President, Global Head of Design for Vehicles, Mattel. “Pivoting largely to virtual events over the past two years, we saw the competition unite in an entirely new community of global garage builders and Hot Wheels fans. We’re excited to continue this growth in 2022 as we return to our live event roots. This year’s competition is guaranteed to be the best yet, and we can’t wait to see which epic builds emerge during the Tour.”

The Malaysian round

Shortlisted entries will enter the Malaysian finals in August 2022 and will be judged by members of the Hot Wheels design team as well as local guest judges. The judging panel will have Tengku Djan, a Malaysian professional drift driver; DEV JBC, an award-winning car builder and founder of BIMMERZ ADVOCATE GARAGE; and Ahirine Ahirudin, a lover of all things motorsports and 2-time podium winner in the Vios Challenge of the TGR Racing Festival.

Ravinder Singh’s ‘Mercenary’ was chosen as the best of Malaysian entries for the Hot Wheels Legends Tour in 2020.

Each submission will be judged on authenticity (how closely the build embodies the Hot Wheels spirit), originality (how well the design stands out from the rest), and garage spirit (how well the design exemplifies the attitude of ‘built not bought’). The top 10 Malaysian entries will be recognised with a certificate, trophy, and exclusive merchandise, and the Top 3 will also receive a limited edition Legends mail-in car.

Abdul Wahab’s 1986 Daihatsu Mira van which was the winning entry in 2021 and represented Malaysia in the Grand Finale event.

Global Grand Finale

The Legends Tour will culminate with a Global Grand Finale event in November 2022 which will be livestreamed to the world. A winner will be chosen from the finalists and the winning build will be inducted into the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends. It will join previous champions including the 2018-winning 2JetZ, 2019-winning 1957 Nash Metropolitan, 2020-winning 1970 Pontiac Trans Am, and 2021-winning 1969 Volvo P1800 Gasser.

Registrations in Malaysia are now open and can be submitted online at
https://artofspeedmy.com/hot-wheels-legends-tour-2022/
. Entries close on July 31, 2022.

The global winner of the 2021 Hot Wheels Legends Tour was this 1969 Volvo P1800 – named ‘Ain’t No Saint in homage to the original  ‘The Saint TV series. It  was built by Lee Johnstone of JD Racing, with Steve Wright and Steven Spiller, in the UK.

Hot Wheels at 1oth Art of Speed

Incidentally, at the coming
10th Art of Speed event
 in MAEPS, Serdang next month, there will be a life-sized Hot Wheels Legends Tour blister pack backdrop. Enthusiasts and visitors can have a professional photo taken with their custom car. This opportunity will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis. There will also be a Hot Wheels Legends tour booth where visitors can buy Hot Wheels products and limited edition Hot Wheels Legends Tour products.

Abdul Wahab’s 1986 Daihatsu Mira van will be Malaysia’s entry in Hot Wheels Legends event


Fuel Price Updates For January 2 – January 8, 2021


Road closure at Shah Alam Interchange on Ebor-Shah Alam Access Road in Selangor

Motorists who are travelling along the North-South Expressway Central Link (ELITE) are advised that there are maintenance works at the Shah Alam Interchange on the Ebor-Shah Alam Access Road at KM0 (Northbound). It will be closed to all vehicles
from 10 pm to 5 am daily until Sunday, August 9. 2020
.

Highway users travelling from Ebor/ELITE heading to Shah Alam/Bukit Jelutong are advised to utilise the alternative route by exiting the highway via the Setia Alam Toll Plaza. They can re-enter the highway by doing a U-turn at the Setia Alam Toll Plaza and continue their journey to Shah Alam/Bukit Jelutong.


Honda e starts Honda’s electrification strategy in Europe

The automotive industry is changing faster than at any time in its history, with a convergence of trends and developments shaping the face of the sector beyond all recognition. Honda predicts that by 2030, the development of automobiles will be centred around electrification, automation and services. Environmental issues, such as climate change, are driving demand for cleaner mobility and accelerating the electrification of automobiles.

The new fully-electric Honda e is inspired by this 2030 prediction, engineered from the ground up to deliver a package perfect for the modern urban environment. It first appeared in concept form in 2017 as the ‘Urban EV’, followed by an almost production-ready prototype at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.

Finally having its global debut in Frankfurt last year, the compact EV features cutting-edge technology and advanced intelligent connectivity to keep owners in sync with everyday life. The Honda e sets new technology benchmarks in the compact EV segment, with intuitive infotainment services and connected apps that seamlessly integrate with the owner’s modern lifestyle, accessed via the dual touchscreen displays, Honda Personal Assistant artificial intelligence or via the My Honda+ smartphone app.

Design-wise, the Honda e has a simple and clean modern appearance which somehow also brings to mind the original Civic. That Civic was a model of innovation in its time and the Honda e reimagines the identity of a small Honda for the next era of urban mobility.

Exemplifying such design philosophy is the Side Camera Mirror System (SCMS) that replaces conventional side view mirrors, with compact cameras that provide live images to two 6-inch screens inside the vehicle. The camera technology, a first in the compact segment, brings significant benefits for safety, aerodynamics and packaging.

The interior uses subtle, contemporary materials to create a relaxing lounge-like. The generous wheelbase allows passenger space comparable with that of cars in the segment above, with step-through access contributing to the spacious interior environment.

The Honda e also offers Single Pedal Control System to improve driving efficiency in urban environments. When activated, the system enables the driver to seamlessly accelerate, slow and stop the car using only the accelerator pedal. The Single Pedal Control System provides linear deceleration control that gives the car a more agile response. By decreasing in frequency the need to use both accelerator and brake pedals, it helps the driver feel more comfortable in stop/start congested city traffic.

The wide rear bench seat provides sofa-like seating, adding further to the ambience of a modern living space. Ceiling spot lamps above the occupants’ heads and out of direct eyesight contribute further to the comfortable and sophisticated feel, like you are switching on your living room light, and are activated by a button on the B-pillar.

The Honda e provides the most comprehensive range of driver aids in its class, addressing the demand for more safety provisions that is topping consumer expectations today. An enhanced suite of safety features sees the addition of three new safety technologies. These are Collision Mitigation Throttle Control, preventing sudden acceleration in either reverse or drive upon starting the car when there is an obstacle in the way; Low Speed Brake Function which applies emergency braking while driving at low speed, and Lead Car Departure Notification System which notifies the driver when the car in front has started moving.

Providing additional support to drivers is the Honda Parking Pilot, which continues the theme of user-focused technology. The system assists the driver in locating an appropriate space and then manoeuvring the car efficiently into it. It does this through the use of 4 cameras and 12 sonar sensors. A multi-view camera detects the white line of a parking spot, while the sensors recognise the actual parking space. The system can execute up to 5 parking patterns which covers virtually all parking scenarios.

The all-new EV-specific platform (with rear-wheel drive) has been engineered to deliver fun and effortless electric performance (154 ps/315 Nm) with exceptional driving characteristics in urban environments. The claimed acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h is 8.3 seconds, with a 136 ps variant doing it in 9 seconds.

The 35.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides a claimed range of 222 kms, and 80% of charge can be ‘refuelled’ within 30 minutes in rapid charging mode. Reinforcing the function-led design approach, the car’s advanced charging port is integrated centrally in the bonnet for ease of use from either side of the car. The lid is made of high-strength glass and operated via the key fob or My Honda+ app. LED lighting visible through the sleek cover welcomes the driver upon approach to the car, and communicates by illuminating blue when charging, or red if the charging system detects an error.

In the UK market, the Honda E with the more powerful powertrain will cost £28,660 (about RM152,000) while the lowered powered on will be around 9% cheaper. The prices are after a rebate is given as an incentive for purchases of EVs. The Nissan LEAF, which is the world’s most widely sold EV, costs around £32,500 (RM173,000) even with a rebate but it has a higher-capacity 62-kWh battery pack.

The Honda e is the start of the carmaker’s electrification offensive in Europe. Over the next 36 months, there will be all-new hybrid-only Jazz, a SUV and an additional battery electric vehicle. Honda’s new ‘e: Technology’ branding will unify all its electrified products under the same global name. Ahead of its European 2022 electrification goal, Honda will expand the application of its e:HEV dual-motor hybrid system to the entire line-up of Honda vehicles in Europe, starting with the next-generation Jazz, available from the middle of 2020.

Honda e previews connectivity features you could get tomorrow


Volvo Car Malaysia launches #SafeDrive road safety campaign

Raya is around the corner and you know what that means? Heading home to be with your loved ones, which also means getting on the roads with thousands of other Malaysians with the same goal. Volvo Car Malaysia has launched the #SafeDrive road safety campaign with one main message to promote: WEAR YOUR SAFETY BELTS.

According to Mr Nalin Jain, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia, “All automotive safety technologies rely on the three-point safety belt as a reference point. Without the safety belt, any protective or preventive features in a car could become ineffective. The misconception that the public have is that airbags, crash structures, and active safety systems alone are enough to protect in-car occupants; this is of course, inaccurate.”

FUN FACT: Did you know that the three-point safety belt was actually invented by Nils Bohlin, a Volvo engineer? Introduced back in 1959, the three-point safety belt became the single most important safety innovation ever to introduced for vehicles. What’s even more amazing was the fact that the safety belt patent was given away free of charge for public use in 1968. #GoodGuyVolvo

“Volvo is continually introducing many safety innovations, but it is high time that we get back to the basics – we will work closely with the Road Safety Department (JKJR) and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) to raise public awareness on the importance of using the three-point safety belt. I believe the increased use of safety belt by all car occupants, will help to reduce the number of road fatalities and serious injuries in the country,” added Mr Jain.

Volvo has also been actively collecting crash data from crash incidents for more than 40 years. With the announcement of Project EVA (Equal Vehicles for All), any car manufacturer has access to the said research data in order to produce safer vehicles of the future.


2019 Honda CBR650R & CB650R launched – From RM43,499

Boon Siew Honda (BSH) displayed quite a setup for this week’s Malaysia Motorshow 2019 which is currently being held from 11-14 April 2019 at MAEPS Serdang. Their centre of attraction? Two new machines in the form of the
2019 Honda CBR650R and Honda CB650R ‘Neo Sports Cafe’
.

According to Keiichi Yasuda, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Boon Siew Honda Sdn. Bhd, “In 2018, Boon Siew Honda had successfully launched a total of 7 units of high-performance big bikes in Malaysia and we are happy to have received an overwhelming response from the market. And, we shall also look into the middleweight segment demand from the market as well. Therefore, today we launch the All New CBR650R & All New CB650R.”

2019 Honda CBR650R – RM45,499 (on-the-road without insurance)

Judging by the looks alone, the new CB650R will certainly attract quite a huge following especially with that affordability price combination. Coming in with a sharp and defined look fit for the modern era, the new CBR650R replaces the outgoing Honda CB650F with a more sportier riding stance and performance.

Being 6kg lighter than its predecessor, the bike’s riding ergonomics has also been improved by repositioning the major anchor points of the riding position. This goes hand in hand with the bike’s new 649cc inline-four engine which produces 95hp at 12,000rpm and 64Nm of torque at 8,500rpm (5% more than the previous gen CB650F).

The All New CBR650R comes with advanced specifications: adjustable 41mm SHOWA Separate Fork Function (SFF), Upside-down forks, radial-mount four-piston front brake calipers, Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) and assist/slipper clutch.

In addition, the CBR650R is equipped with other practical features such as full LED lighting and new LCD instruments display, which now includes a Gear Position and Shift Up Indicator, as well as emergency stop signal for safety purpose.

Two different colours are available for the Malaysian market; Grand Prix Red and Mat Gun Powder Black Metallic.

2019 Honda CB650R – RM43,499 (on-the-road without insurance)

It’s clear that Honda is directing all their latest naked machines into the Neo Sports Café family which started from the Honda CB1000R and Honda CB250R launched not too long ago. The latest addition into the mix in the 2019 Honda CB650R and it fits perfectly in the middle of the range.

Modern and minimalist being at the forefront of the CB650R’s design language, this baby offers a much more relaxed and dynamic riding experience which is perfect in and out of bustling cities. Perfect for those looking for a balance between everyday riding and weekend warrior alike.

The All New CB650R comes with the same specification with All New CBR650R. For the 649cc engine, a revised intake and exhaust, plus new cam timing and compression ratios bring a 5% peak power boost and smoother, stronger torque delivery through the mid-range.

The All New CB650R also comes with advanced specifications: adjustable 41mm SHOWA Separate Fork Function (SFF), Upside-down forks, radial-mount four-piston front brake calipers, Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) and assist/slipper clutch. The result is a desirable naked middleweight with a unique combination of looks, performance and top-line specifications.

Interested in getting one for yourself? Well, there are two different colour choices which are Candy Chromosphere Red and Graphite Black. For more info, head over to any of the Honda BigWing Centres or check them out at
www.hondabigbike.com.my
.


REVISITED: Volkswagen Vento 1.2 TSi Reviewed [+Videos]

I
hate
 this goddam car. Ever since the first time I drove it in mid-2016 during its official media drive (below), I knew I’d end up eventually hating it, and sure enough, I did. But before I create any (more) confusion – because sarcasm really doesn’t translate well in text – let me be clear. I hate it because it’s so damn
good
.

The VW Vento 1.2 TSi is like the baby sedan of the Volkswagen family, and boy is it ever belligerent. Part of my ire comes from the fact that the annual road-tax for this car is a paltry
RM55
, whereas I’m paying five times more than that yearly, for a car that’s nowhere even close to being this awesome. Seriously, a car paying only RM55 a year for road-tax has no damn business being this good.

And that’s just one of my smaller capacity cars that I’m comparing the Vento to, I’ve not even touched on the 2,800cc monster I also own, for which I’m paying (grabs calculator) 25 times more annual road-tax. And again, it’s nowhere near as good. Let that sink in a bit, and maybe you’ll start to feel my angst.

So you see, why I hate the Vento is because it made me seriously question my lifestyle choice of personal transport. Having always been (or for as long as I can remember, which is not very long) an old-school and classic car kinda guy, I began to consider the possibility of selling all the cars I own and settling once and for all, for a ‘new’ car, like this Vento. Now this wasn’t an easy feat to accomplish on the Vento’s part by any means, but it definitely gave it a go…

The official media drive encompassed a series of switchbacks as well as flat-out bursts on the highway. On the B-roads, the Vento performed very well, darting from corner to curve with uncanny dexterity, while on the highway when we weren’t puttering around and enjoying the elevated levels of comfort and low NVH, it managed to keep-up with much higher capacity sedans. Case in point a popular 2.4 family sedan, not known to be a slouch.

The Vento was able to tail this sedan at speeds exceeding
190kmh
 (actual photo above) and beyond, and all the while still feel composed and un-stressed. Even my co-driver who was at the wheel at the time (unabashed blame-shift right there), a guy not easily impressed, was
impressed
. As was I.

105Ps
 and
175Nm
 may not seem like a lot, and something tells me these figures are modest. it comes from a
4-cyl, direct-injection, turbocharged
 engine that’s only a
1,197cc
 (hence the ridiculously low annual road-tax).

To put that into perspective, my
Kawasaki Voyager XII
 motorcycle has a bigger engine, but yet again, nowhere near as powerful. Oh yeah, while on that matter, that bikes’ annual road-tax also costs five times more than the Ventos’. For the full specifications and price list (the Vento’s, not my bike), click this
link
.

Well, if you’re tired of reading about it, have a look at this recent in-car video when I got my hands on the little Vento again, while I go off and sulk for a while…

So this time around, for this revisit of sorts, I had the Vento for a whole week, and after all was said and done, this was my final say on the car…

So yeah, the VW Vento, it’s made me question everything I’ve ever held dear to my heart, insofar as my personal thoughts and feelings on the automotive realm are concerned, and for that reason, and that reason alone, and maybe also because it costs
less
 than a hundred grand, I still
hate
 it. Just kidding. –
Chris Wee.

VW Vento 1.2 TSi Photo Gallery (photos during official media drive in 2016 by Aaron Lee)

For the full spec sheet, click this:
vw-modelspecsheet-vento1-2-wm


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Achieves Record Sales In 2017

2017 was the fourth consecutive record year for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM), achieving an all-time high sales record of
12,045 vehicles
 sold in 2017. This translates into an overall 2.3 per cent growth compared to 2016. The three-pointed star is well ahead of the pack in the premium segment, maintaining a 2.3 per cent market share*.

“Mercedes-Benz Malaysia enjoyed a remarkable year in 2017 as a result of our customer centric strategy. We’re very proud of our achievements in 2017. It is the result of great teamwork from everyone in the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia team including our dealer partners. We understand our customers’ requirements and target to fulfill their expectations. To deliver the Best Products, we launched 17 new models…” (cont’d)

“To offer the Best Customer Experience, we launched nine new and upgraded dealerships, including a brand new dealer group, Auto Commerz Sdn Bhd. As a result, we successfully achieved a record-breaking year, our best ever performance in the history of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia. Moving into 2018, we are confident of the growth potential in the Malaysian automotive market and will continue to invest substantially in developing key areas including talent, technology, production and service. This is the strategy behind maintaining our position as the No. 1 premium brand in Malaysia,” said
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia President and CEO, Dr Claus Weidner
(above, second from right).

“We are delighted to have delivered a record-breaking 12,045 Mercedes-Benz Cars to customers in Malaysia and by this confirming our position as the leading premium brand. Our locally produced vehicles, especially the new E-Class and the GLC have been our growth drivers. We are thankful that our customers have put their confidence in our premium products. With our innovative mobility solutions, digitalisation initiatives as well as upcoming product highlights, we are confident of continuing on this success path,” said
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, Sales & Marketing, Vice President, Mark Raine
(above).

For FY2017, MBM’s sales was driven by the locally produced limousines which recorded 7,041 units sold. This was followed closely by the Mercedes-Benz SUVs with 2,599 units sold, spurred by the introduction of the locally produced Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 and GLC 250. Growth within this segment is expected to continue. The Mercedes-Benz compact cars recorded a total of 2,031 units sold, while the aspirational Mercedes-Benz Dream Cars, also known as the brand shapers, recorded a total of 374 units sold.

MBM marked the the year by launching six new 43 series models namely, the Mercedes-Benz E 43 4MATIC (above), SLC 43, C 43 4MATIC (below), C 43 4MATIC Coupe, GLC 43 4MATIC, GLC 43 4MATIC Coupe and later, the AMG GT R.

Complementing its line-up of Best Products, MBM invested in initiatives that demonstrated its signature Best Customer Experience by organising various customer engagement activities focusing on the different interests of its target audience. These included the Ultra Singapore 2017, Urban Hunting movement, and Hungry for Adventure in East Malaysia.

In addition, MBM also launched a Mercedes-Benz branded charging station in Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC) and hosted the Mike Horn X Hungry for Adventure event, featuring the greatest explorer of all time who is currently on a two-year journey – Pole2Pole mission.

Moving even closer to its fans and customers, MBM continued to innovate exciting platforms to enhance customer touch points in 2017. These included mobile roadshows, the Mercedes-Benz Gallery, Customer Care Centre, and Test Drive Booking System. MBM also introduced experiencing cars in Virtual Reality, Digital Signage, Product Experts, Online Service Booking, Mercedes-Benz Financial Calculator and also a one-stop integrated state-of-the-art web platform which facilitates the needs of both new and existing customers known as OneWeb.

In regards to its dealer network, MBM introduced SalesTouch, a mobile sales tool which enables product experts and sales consultants to provide customers with real time information. The feature complements its existing features which are the Service Differentiation and Product Experts.

Always in touch with customers’ needs, MBM launched a new campaign in late 2017 in partnership with its sister company, Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia (MBSM). The campaign, in anticipation for the Chinese New Year celebration in 2018, offers personalised and flexible financing packages to give Mercedes-Benz fans total peace of mind to finance their dream Mercedes-Benz cars based on their respective financing commitments.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has
33
 dedicated dealerships nationwide delivering the Best Products and Best Customer Service throughout the entire customer journey. To date, Mercedes-Benz has the largest premium dealer network in the country.

In FY2017, Mercedes-Benz achieved a total investment of over
RM

1 billion
 in the Malaysian market. One-third of this investment was made in its Pekan Production Plant and MBM Training Academy in Puchong, Selangor. This strategy demonstrates the leading premium German marque’s commitment in supporting the nation’s ambition of becoming an EEV hub.

*As of YTD November 2017

NB: The numbers for 2017 are unaudited and subject to change.


New Volkswagen Arteon R-Line 4MOTION launched

As with other car companies these days, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has to use online media to launch its new products and today, it officially introduced the new Volkswagen Arteon R-Line 4MOTION. Assembled locally, the 4-door fastback is priced from
RM247,671
 without insurance and with full sales tax exempted (until the end of 2021).

Facelifted version

The Arteon, as flagship of the Volkswagen range in Malaysia, has been in the market since 2020 and the one launched today has the cosmetic changes of the updated model that made its global debut last June. Besides the exclusivity and sportiness that the R-Line package adds, the new model also comes very extensively equipped with high-tech and premium features as standard.

These include a full-LED headlight system with Dynamic Cornering Lights while the LED 3D rear taillights have sequential turn signals. The driver’s seat has 14-way adjustment while the luxurious ambience can be personalised with a selection of 30 colours (of adjustable intensity) for ambient illumination.

New, more powerful engine

Under the bonnet, the powertrain is a new and more powerful one. While being similarly turbocharged and having a 2-litre displacement, the EA888 TSI engine in the latest Arteon produce 280 ps with 350 Nm of torque available between 1,700 and 5,600 rpm. These numbers are 70 ps and 30 Nm more than before and still flow through a 7-speed DSG wet dual-clutch transmission. The claimed acceleration time is 5.6 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, with fuel consumption said to be up to 13.5 kms/litre.

All-wheel drive with 4MOTION

What’s significant for the new model is that the power goes to all four wheels, instead of just those at the front. The system enabling this is 4Motion, Volkswagen’s all-wheel drive (AWD) system. While many people may think that AWD is only good for off-road driving, it is actually useful on the road too.

With all 4 wheels powered, traction is improved and this will be appreciated on wet or slippery roads. Acceleration can also be improved and grip during cornering is also better. Of course, the Laws of Physics still apply so having 4MOTION doesn’t mean that you can drive around a corner faster than the capability of the tyres to grip the road.

AWD systems like 4MOTION have ‘intelligence’, sending power to whichever wheel needs it at any given moment. If it senses a wheel starting to spin, the system cuts the power going to that wheel and sends more power to whichever of the other wheels can best use it. Because it all happens automatically, the driver can focus on driving.

The 4MOTION system in the Arteon R-Line is one of two versions which Volkswagen developed. In Arteon application, because the engine is mounted transversely, an electro-hydraulic Haldex coupling is used whereas the other version for models like the Touareg SUV employ a mechanical Torsen centre differential to distribute power to the front and rear wheels. This is because of the engine being installed in a longitudinal orientation.

Power delivery is on an infinitely variable basis by a multi-plate clutch. Normally, power is mainly transmitted to the front axle, which saves energy. However, in the event of an impending loss of traction, the rear axle is activated in a fraction of a second. The distribution of power to all four wheels becomes active before wheelspin occurs, rather than being reactive. A loss of traction is therefore virtually excluded. However, should any wheel slip occur, power is immediately transmitted to the wheels where it is needed. An Electronic Different Lock also helps to improve traction and reduce understeer.

Dynamic Chassis Control, which is standard, has up to 15 selectable increments which are varied using the adaptive dampers. There are also 5 different driving modes (Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport and Individual) so driving preferences can be personalized.

Extensive safety features but no AEB

In the area of safety, Volkswagen has always made sure that its customers get the best possible protection and as the flagship model, the Arteon has an extensive list of safety systems to help the driver avoid accidents. These driver assistance systems include Lane Assist, Side Assist, Driver Alert, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. There’s also a 360° Area View system which let’s the driver see all around the car not only for precise parking but also to spot hazards. The display is customisable to full or split views.

If an accident does occur, there’s a Post-Collision Braking System which prevents a second collision (if the car is propelled uncontrollably), and an Intelligent Crash Response System that activates to cut fuel supply, switch on hazard lights and unlock the doors to enable rescuers to get to the occupants.

The usual active safety systems like ABS with Brake Assist and Electronic Stability Control are also present but it is rather surprising to find Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) not available. This system activates to automatically apply the brakes if the driver does not do so when a collision is likely to occur. According to VPCM’s Managing Director, Erik Winter, AEB is available for the Arteon but the system is still undergoing tests in Malaysian conditions so it is not being installed yet.

However, while AEB is not present for now, there is something called Maneuver Braking which is active from around 1.5 km/h up to 10 km/h. It is active during reversing as well as moving forward, so it is effective during parking and prevents bumping into a wall or another vehicle. The Maneuver Braking system is basically an extension of the Park Distance Control system which has been around for a long time.

Arteon drivers will also be alerted to reduced pressures in the tyres by the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. Once the normal pressures are set, any significant change will be noticed so the driver will not drive too far on an under-inflated tyre and damage it.

Interior with R-Line silver trim

The spacious cabin of the Arteon with R-Line silver trim has EgoComfort seats which are handsomely sculpted and upholstered in Nappa Carbon leather. The seats are structured for comfort and reduced fatigue on long journeys and for the driver, there are up to 14 adjustment options as well as a massage function. The ambient lighting has a choice of 30 colours with adjustable intensity to match just about any mood.

The high-resolution 11.7-inch Digital Cockpit not only shows the usual information like road and engine speeds but can also have a navigation map overlaid across the instrument panel. The display is customizable with 6 views for over 30 combinations, including 2D and 3D navigation.

The 9.2-inch Discover Pro infotainment system comes with voice and gesture control and supports wireless App-Connect to Apple Car Play and Android Auto. Besides using the touchscreen, the driver can also go handsfree and use voice commands or switches on the steering wheel.

Going with the flagship status of the model is the premium Harman Kardon sound system which has 12 speakers (11 speakers plus an additional centre one). The speaker grilles are crafted from ultra-thin 0.5 mm high-strength steel to support optimal acoustic performance. The 700W digital sound system employs a 16-channel digital amplifier with surround sound that can be enhanced by pre-determined acoustic settings – PURE, CHILL OUT, LIVE and ENERGY.

Trade-up offer

VPCM has a Trade-Up campaign for existing owners of the Touran, Cross Touran, Sharan, Passat CC and Passat (B7) who want to buy a new Volkswagen. With this campaign, owners will be able to enjoy an additional RM3,000 in trade-in value for all models currently on sale, including the all-new Arteon R-Line. While the present FMCO conditions do not allow for showroom visits, bookings for the new Arteon (as well as other models) can be made via the
Volkswagen eShowroom
 which is always accessible from a smartphone or computer. For more information, visit
www.volkswagen.com.my
.