2021 Toyota Innova to go on sale soon and you can book one from today

After making a big splash with the launch of multiple models last month, UMW Toyota Motor starts off the new year by being the first company to announce new models that will be in showrooms soon. The first of these is the updated Toyota Innova for 2021 which has cosmetic changes and additional safety systems made standard.

Bookings are accepted from today for the new Innova which is available in three variants: Innova 2.0X – from
RM129,677
; Innova 2.0G – from
RM121,483
; and Innova 2.0 E – from
RM111,622
. There are six exterior colour choices, with the Innova 2.0X having an additional choice of Crimson Spark Red Metallic. Every new vehicle comes with a 5-year warranty and no limit on mileage covered. [
Click here for latest pricelists
]

Styling enhancements

The 2021 Innova’s cosmetic changes alter the appearance of the front end noticeably, with a chrome and black theme used for the grille and chrome for the door mirror housings and integrated turn signals. The foglamps and foglamp bezels have also been redesigned for a bolder appearance.

The flagship Innova 2.0X comes with exclusive styling enhancements such as new wheelarch mouldings for protecting the bodywork, new bodyside mouldings and redesigned side skirts that add a sporty touch.

While the lightweight 17-inch alloy rims of the Innova 2.0X are now in Dark Mica Metallic instead of black, those on the Innova 2.0G get a more dynamic new design. At the rear, the garnish on the back door has been restyled, while the roof spoiler (only for the Innova 2.0X) has been reprofiled for aerodynamic improvements.

Changes within

The large and bright 9-inch capacitive touchscreen for the infotainment system also serves as a display for the Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) which is now standard for the Innova 2.0X and Innova 2.0G. The PVM display has been changed from a 2D view to a 3D view to provide the driver with a better perspective of the vehicle and its surroundings for more precise maneuvering in tight spaces.

Responding to customer feedback, more charging ports have been added. The front 2 USB ports have been repositioned in the dashboard from the centre console and an additional USB port has been provided for those in the third row of seats. All the ports have Fast Charging capability for compatible smartphones and other portable devices. Additionally, a wireless charging pad located in the centre console is also available as an option.

The Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert systems which can help prevent collisions with other vehicles are now standard for the Innova 2.0X and Innova 2.0G. The entire Innova range qualifies for the maximum 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating. All variants come with 7 SRS airbags and every one of the occupants on 3 rows has a 3-point auto-retracting seatbelt.

All variants have ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist, as well as Vehicle Stability Control with Traction Control, Emergency Stop Signal and Hill-start Assist Control.

Better security

Besides the standard electronic security system, UMWT is now installing a Toyota Vehicle Telematics System (VTS) which can track the vehicle’s movements using GPS and GSM technology. In the event that the vehicle is stolen, the VTS Command Centre can determine its location and inform relevant authorities to make recovery faster.

Bookings can be made at all Toyota showrooms nationwide as well as online at
build.toyota.com.my
. Locations of all showrooms can be found at
www.toyota.com.my
 or by calling the Toyota Freephone at
1800-8-TOYOTA (869682).

Click here for other news and articles about Toyota.


Fuel Price Updates For February 3 – February 9, 2022


UMW Toyota Motor aligns CSR initiatives with Toyota’s ‘Start Your Impossible’ global campaign

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) has announced a realignment of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in line with the global corporate initiative called ‘Start Your Impossible’ established by Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC).

This shift by TMC is carried out to inspire employees, partners and customers to achieve greater heights by attempting missions that they themselves deem impossible – a core company belief that has inspired boundless innovations, transforming the company from that of an automotive to a mobility manufacturer.

Through the new CSR realignment, UMWT has added a mission to realize impossible dreams through sports in its philanthropic pillar. “This year, we will be working with the Paralympic Council of Malaysia to enable more differently abled children to participate actively in sports,” said UMWT’s Deputy Chairman, Akio Takeyama.

Fund-raiser in November

The initiative, Mr. Takeyama said, will begin with a fund-raiser through a Toyota Outrun fun run
on November 17, 2019
 at Bandar Rimbayu, Kota Kemuning, Selangor. UMWT expects about 3,000 participants to join in the event. A registration fee of RM50 per participant will apply and the proceeds will be channeled to Paralympic Council of Malaysia’s ‘
Fitness and Exercise with Person with Disabilities
’ programme.

“The funds will be used to equip para athlete trainers around Klang Valley with the skills to train differently abled children. We believe that this would be a sustained effort to discover more hidden talents among children with disability and help them achieve their dream in sports,” Mr. Takeyama added.

Abdul Latif Romly (thrid from left), ambassador for the campaign, with UMWT’s management and representatives from other organisations which will be involved in the CSR initiatives.

Abdul Latif Romly to be campaign ambassador

UMWT has also appointed Paralympic Champion Abdul Latif Romly as its ambassador for this campaign. On the appointment, Mr. Takeyama said: “Latif was up against impossible odds at the 2016 Summer Paralympics. The world saw him broke the T20 long jump world record three times on the same day. It was impossible. Then it wasn’t. At Toyota, mobility is about overcoming challenges and making dreams a reality. That’s why we’re teaming up with Latif to support differently abled children so they too can start their impossible”.

For more information on the Toyota Outrun or to register (from September 10),
click here to go to the event microsite
.

UMWT will also be continuing its other CSR initiatives such as the Toyota Classics, which have brought world-class orchestras for the past 30 years to perform in Malaysia. A total of about RM9 million in gross proceeds from the concerts over the years has been donated to some 70 social, environment and charity organizations to support worthy programs.

Click here for other news and articles about Toyota on PISTON.MY


GO AUTO Haval Announces “Freedom From GST” Promotion

In conjunction with the upcoming Merdeka and the last month for the Goods & Service Tax (
GST
) to be zero rated, Go Auto Sales Sdn Bhd, the exclusive distributor for
Haval
 SUV in Malaysia, is running the
Freedom From GST
 promotion on all Haval models. The promotion will be from now until
31 August 2018
 offers new and existing HAVAL customers with savings worth up to
RM6,600
 which covers zero-rated GST and rebates ranging from RM500 to RM1,500.

Aside from the current promotion, the Company will be organising another HAVAL mall roadshow at
The Curve Shopping Mall, Petaling Jaya from 9 – 12 August
 as part of the ongoing Reimagine Campaign which began earlier this year.

“Being the final month for our customers to enjoy the zero-rated GST before the introduction of Sales & Service Tax (SST), Go Auto takes the opportunity to add-on from the existing tax holiday with the current promotion. This month, as part of the Independence Day – where Malaysians celebrates kemerdekaan, our promotional theme seems to be apt as we celebrate Malaysia’s special day. Aside from that, the Company definitely hopes to continue giving Malaysians the opportunity to own SUVs at competitive prices,”
 said
Executive Director of Go Auto Group, Dato’ SM Azli SM Nasimuddin Kamal.

“We will be having our following HAVAL mall roadshow at The Curve next week and I invite everyone to see our SUVs and enjoy our current offerings in addition to the fun-filled activities we have prepared. I am confident our range of SUVs can certainly meet customers’ needs,”
 Dato’ Azli added.

NB: For more information on reimagine campaign visit HAVAL’s microsite http://reimagine.haval.my/. Customers can contact Customer Care at 03-5569 7332 or email us at customercare@goauto.com.my. Customers can also visit www.haval.my or our official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/havalmy or instagram page at www.instagram.com/havalmy.


PROLOGUE SUV will start new electric era for Honda in North America in 2024

In April this year, Honda announced that by 2040, it will
sell only fully electric vehicles
 (not even hybrids), a bold move that will end its relationship with the internal combustion engine much loved by Soichiro Honda.

While different regions may move at different speeds along the road to electrification of their vehicles on a national basis, advanced markets like North America are likely to start having a higher proportion of electric vehicles (EVs) in the coming years.

New BEV series for North America

Honda will therefore be focussing on products for that market and has announced that it is working on a new series of high-volume battery electric vehicles (BEV) to introduce in North America in early 2024. The range will be known as PROLOGUE and will be led by an all-new SUV and herald the new electrified era for the company.

The carmaker already has a range of electrified vehicles on sale, but these are mostly with hybrid powertrains, apart from the Clarity which uses hydrogen fuel cell technology to generate electricity for powering the car.

In addition to the Prologue, the company will introduce an all-electric model under the Acura brand as well. Acura currently has hybrid models as well, including the 573-bhp NSX and the new all-electric model will be a SUV as well.

GM Ultium platform and battery pack (below).

GM’s Ultium platform for EVs to be used

Both the Honda and Acura vehicles will utilize the highly flexible
global EV platform powered by Ultium batteries
 developed within the strategic partnership with General Motors. The platform will be engineered to support Honda’s driving character. As part of the agreement to jointly develop electric vehicles, Honda will incorporate GM’s OnStar safety and security services into its new SUVs, seamlessly integrating them with HondaLink.

Production of the SUVs will combine the development expertise of both companies, and they will be manufactured at GM plants in North America. In the second half of the decade, Honda also plans to launch a new series of EV models based on a new e:Architecture, with development led by the Japanese carmaker. These new models will be launched in North America first, followed by other regions.

Honda’s EV History

Though EVs have grown in prominence in recent times, Honda has been involved in developing and producing such vehicles for almost 25 years. In 1997, it introduced the EV Plus, a small electrically-powered hatchback which was the first BEV from a major automaker to use nickel-metal hydride batteries instead of heavy lead-acid batteries.

EV Plus was produced between 1997 and 1999.

After the limited production of the EV Plus, Honda came out with the Insight in 1999. This was one of the first volume-produced hybrids in the market. The FCX came out in 2002 and it was the industry’s first commercialised vehicle using fuel cell technology that was originally developed for the space program. The FCX was succeeded by the Clarity in 2017.

First generation of the Insight, one of the early volume-produced hybrids. This unit was driven from Thailand to Singapore in January 2001 to demonstrate the high fuel efficiency.

FCX – the first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCEV) which was commercialised.

“We know customers who have a good experience with a hybrid vehicle are more likely to buy a battery electric vehicle in the future,” said Dave Gardner, Executive Vice-President of American Honda. “Our strategy is focused on introducing a higher percentage of hybrids in core models in the near term, making a committed effort to achieve higher volume leading to the introduction of our Honda PROLOGUE.”

Honda will stop selling models with combustion engines from 2040, range to be fully electric


F1 (Round 11) – Highlights of the 2019 German Grand Prix and Results

♦ Rain created a drama-filled race which delighted spectators who had not seen so much action in a while.

♦ Aston Martin Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen collected his second win of the 2019 season. The Dutch driver has won 7 F1 races to date.

♦ Lewis Hamilton, who was ill, finished 11th but got promoted two positions up as a result of 30-second penalties imposed on both Alfa Romeo drivers for start-line offences.

♦ Robert Kubica’s promotion to tenth place gave the Williams team, powered by Mercedes engines, its first point of the season.

♦ Russian driver, Daniil Kvyat, had two reasons to celebrate after the race. First was his unexpected third place after a chaotic race and second was the birth of his first child the same day.

♦ The event might not have been run this year had Mercedes-Benz not come in to provide support as the main title sponsor and provided much-needed financial support.

Next race in Hungary on August 4


Seven Months Partial Lane Closure For NKVE

The New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) will have a seven-month partial lane closure starting on March 30 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

This is to accommodate upgrading works of a new railway bridge by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) between the Shah Alam and Subang exchange.

The works are to be carried out at night with the support of the Malaysian Highway Authority and KTMB, according to PLUS.

PLUS senior general manager Mohd Yusuf Abdul Aziz said, “Staggered lane closures will be activated at night between KM10.5 and KM11.3 of the NKVE. The lanes will be reopened fully to users from 5 am to ensure there is no disturbance to traffic flow, especially for road users during peak hour.”

“The KTM bridge would be elevated from the present 4.5m to 5.4m to enable more heavy vehicles to pass through the stretch. There would be no traffic disruption during the festive season and works will not be carried out for around 10 days during, before and after the Hari Raya celebration,” he added.

Do plan your trips using the PLUS app to receive the latest traffic updates and follow traffic signs and instructions by PLUS during construction hours.


‘Find My Device’ App Helps Car Owner Recover Stolen Property Within An Hour

Image for illustration purposes only.

Even with sophisticated locking systems, a car still has one vulnerable area – the windows and windscreen. Unless you have bulletproof glass, it is not difficult to smash the glass and unlock the door to enter. The alarm may go off but thieves can be quick and remove what they want and be gone before they get caught.

That’s why it’s always advisable to take your valuables with you or make sure that they are well hidden and cannot be seen by someone who looks in. Arvin Tharan, a member of the
USJ Community group
 on Facebook, had the misfortune of having his very valuable items – an Apple watch, a MacBook Pro and an iPad – stolen when thieves broke the glass of his car.

He had earlier parked his car in the SS14 area of Subang Jaya, he said, and had gone to a restaurant for a meal. When he returned to the car, he saw the rear window broken and upon checking, saw that his bag with the Apple devices was gone.

At first, he tried to see if anyone’s CCTV cameras had captured the robbery taking place. But none were pointed in the direction of his car. Then he had an idea: use the ‘Find My Device’ feature on his iPhone. This uses an app and service provided by Apple and can track all iOS devices. “All these devices are able to be tracked as long as they have their battery charged,” Arvin said.

Arvin Tharan’s post in the
USJ Community Facebook Group
.

“I open the ‘Find My Device’ app and locked all my devices,” he said. This would ensure that the thieves could not access the MacBook and iPad. Then he started to look for their location; his property was stolen in SS14 and the location shown in the app was in the Sri Petaling area, about 17 kms to the east of Subang Jaya.

He went to the nearest police station to make a report and then informed them that he knew where the thieves might be. “I requested for immediate help as I could still locate them.” The police must have been impressed and accompanied him to Sri Petaling.

Thanks to GPS accuracy being pretty good today (it was less accurate in the 1990s), Arvin was able to identify a
kopitiam
 where the thieves possibly were. However, the police said that it was better for them not to enter and tip off the thieves to their presence (even though they were not in uniform). So Arvin went in himself and slowly looked at the customers inside.

“I acted like I was looking for food to buy. Then I went around the location that the app was showing. Finally, I found a guy with my watch and just to be sure, I went closer to them but acted like I was making an order near them,” he said.

Arvin even took video of the police making the arrests. [Image source: USJ Community Facebook Group]

Having confirmed that there were at least two thieves (they were chatting) at the table, Arvin went out and informed the police who went in and arrested the men. Arvin learnt that they had criminal records and one had broken into 16 cars before.

The whole episode took about an hour from the time he had returned to his car and realized his things were stolen to the time the thieves were arrested in Sri Petaling. Not everyone might be as quick-thinking as Arvin to make use of modern technology to help recover his property. Apple must be happy with this real life demonstration of the usefulness of its app.

While the ‘Find My Device’ feature is used only for Apple devices, there are also
systems that are installed in cars to track them
. A number of models come with them as standard or options, or tracking devices can be installed by the owner. They typically use the GPS/GSM network to show the car’s location which can be monitored by a command centre. If an owner makes a request after the car is stolen, the location can be determined and authorities will be informed to recover the car.

Honda Connect advances Safety, Security and Convenience


Proton/Bank Rakyat offer special financing packages to graduates and government employees

Buying a new car is a better idea than buying a used one. You get not just a brand new car, never driven before but also a warranty to cover defects over a number of years and (depending on the company), free scheduled service which saves you money. But for many, even though the gap has narrowed, it is still not easy for them to commit to taking a H-P (hire-purchase) loan to buy a new car.

Up to 100% financing

To help those who want to own a new Proton, specifically fresh graduates and government employees, Proton and Bank Rakyat are collaborating to offer special financial packages that can provide up to 100% financing. To be eligible for the packages, the applicants must be Malaysians who are new graduates aged between 20 to 30 years, or government employees aged between 18 to 60 years old.

There are two special packages, which run until
December 31, 2019
: An-Naqlu 1 – which offers 90% financing starting at an attractive rate of 2.88% per annum; and An-Naqlu 2 – which offers 100% financing starting at 3.30% per annum. Models available for these packages are the Persona, Iriz, Exora and Saga.

Special service and insurance schemes

“Under this special scheme, Bank Rakyat offers customers easy financing approval, while Proton makes it more attractive with a free service package of up to 2 years, depending on the models that they choose,” said Fazli Hisham Shukor, Director of Corporate Sales at Proton.

Customers will also get free scheduled service for up to 2 years (depending on the model chosen), which helps to save money too.

On top of this, customers will also benefit from an enhanced insurance package. Designed with Etiqa Takaful and Zurich Takaful, the Proton Insurance Programme provides customers special coverage which includes key care cover, flood relief allowance and also all driver coverage, including a guarantee of zero excess charges for Proton vehicles up to 10 years old.

More information can be obtained at Proton outlets nationwide. Companies interested in fleet programmes can send in their requests to
corporatesales@proton.com
.

More news and articles about Proton
here
.

Proton’s ‘1 Tank Adventure’ invites owners to experience the sights, sounds and cuisine of Malaysia while driving economically


Fuel Price Updates For October 6 – October 12, 2022

Fuel price updates for the following week (effective after midnight today) see the price of RON97 petrol costing another 5 sen less per litre, bringing it below the RM4 level. Other grades remain unchanged as the government continues to subsidize the pump prices.

FUEL-SAVING TIPS

Right tyre pressures:
 Under-inflated tyres will cause more rolling resistance (not to mention faster wear) which will worsen fuel consumption. Be sure they are inflated to the minimum recommended by the manufacturer and a bit more might also be better.

Service the engine regularly:
 Engine parts wear out or get dirty over time and reduce the operating efficiency of the engine. Regular servicing ensures that adjustments are set correctly and periodically, parts like filters or sparkplugs need to be replaced.

Switch off the engine more:
 Many motorists do not fully realize that the engine is burning fuel every second it is running. They will keep the engine running for long periods while waiting for someone to buy things or waiting for their children to come out from school. This is very wasteful and running the air-conditioner at the same time wastes more fuel. Switch off the engine when you are going to be stationary for more than 5 minutes and you’ll find your fuel consumption improving.

Don’t carry unnecessary weight:
 The less weight your car has to move, the less hard the engine has to work. So whatever you do not need to keep in the boot should be taken out. This includes those golfbags and camping gear.

Slow and steady:
 You don’t have to drive at a crawl to save fuel but if you just drive more frequently at 80/90 km/h instead of 100/110 km/h, you could save 10 to 15% in fuel. Keeping a steady speed rather than ‘pumping‘ the pedal will also save on fuel.

Plan trips:
 If you have different places to go on a single journey, spend a few minutes to think about the route so that you avoid congested areas. You may have to travel a few extra kilometres using a less congested route but you will actually use less fuel because the car won’t be stuck in a jam burning fuel going nowhere. Plus you will probably be less stressed out when you reach your destination.


Boy Steals Bus And Goes For A Joyride

According to reports, a 12-year-old boy entered a private bus operated by A&S Transport and went on a joyride. This occurred for around five hours in the morning on Wednesday (April 12), in Singapore.

It was reported that the routes taken by this joyride went through Tampines, Bedok, Pasir Ris, and Punggol.

Based on a social media post published the same day, he had driven 100 kilometres on a quarter tank of diesel while being pursued by police officers.

The boy damaged the bus and abandoned it. His actions mirror the video game, Grand Theft Auto.

The child seems to have tried his luck at starting buses after allegedly trespassing on another A&S Transit bus earlier at night. There were no injuries reported and the boy is assisting with investigations in relation to the case.

In addition to that, an official statement was released by A&S Transit stating that they are aware of the public concerns regarding the case and it is not in A&S’s intention for the matter to be public.

However, they noted that they would like to address the concerns that have arisen. The statement read “The issue involves a minor and we do not wish for any undue stress on the person, taking into consideration that it is approaching the school examinations period. A&S hopes for all of us to take a gracious and forgiving approach in guiding our youths and supporting them in pursuing their passion.”


MForce Bikes Launches All-Electric NIU Scooter

Boasting a cruising range of approx.
80km
, a top speed of
55kmh
 and a 3-hour charge time from zero, MForce Bike Holdings recently launched the all-new, all-electric, zero-emissions NIU scooter!

In terms of size, the NIU is quite small, and ideal for use around the suburban area for grocery runs and leisure rides, as well as daily-commuting, since the NIU is
JPJ approved
 and road-legal to be used on public roads. The NIU uses
BOSCH
 brake-energy regeneration technology and its battery is by
Panasonic
. It’s equipped with front and rear
ABS
 as well.

A short ride around the launch area at Gurney Plaza (below) showed that the NIU is absolutely silent when it comes to propulsion, and gets to its top speed of 55kmh very quickly. There’s no lag at all, and with
3 riding modes
 in terms of power delivery the NIU accelerates very rapidly, and in total silence.

You can find out more about the NIU at the “NIU Concept Store” in Gurney Plaza Penang, which was officially opened on the same day as the launch. The NIU is priced at
RM8,800
 on the road.


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

The last of the Camel Trophy events was held in 2000 but to this day, the legendary off-road challenge held annually remains in the mind of many. Land Rovers were used in 18 of the events which served to demonstrate the superior capabilities of the British 4×4 vehicles (the ‘SUV’ term was not used then).

This month, Land Rover North America continue the expedition legacy of the brand with a limited production Defender Trophy Edition that will be only for the US market. Limited to 220 units, each priced at US$90,000 (about RM380,000), the vehicle is inspired by the
Classic Defender Works V8 Trophy
, of which just 25 units were produced (and sold out within 3 days). The special edition uses the latest Defender 110 P400 X-Dynamic SE version with a special wrap that mirrors the colour on the Defender Works V8 Trophy.

A standard version of the latest Defender 110.

The Defender Trophy Edition also has an Extended Black Exterior Pack, Off-road Pack, Cold Climate Pack, Advanced Off-road Capability Pack, tow hitch receiver and modern technologies such as  ClearSight RearView, Air Suspension Pack, and an 11.4-inch Touchscreen.

Like every Land Rover past and present, the Defender Trophy Edition can tackle on any type of terrain and endurance challenge. Additional all-terrain equipment includes an expedition roof rack, front undershield, deployable ladder, winch installation kit, integrated air compressor, and loadspace rubber mats.

Customers who buy a vehicle will have an opportunity to attend (with a partner) a one-day off-road adventure in the Land Rover US Trophy Competition. Up to 90 teams will compete at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina in October this year. The estate is a historic 32 square km property which has a history covering 132 years.

Competitors will face a number of on and off-road challenges, including physical and team building obstacles, using their Defenders. They will also receive expert one-on-one coaching as part of the adventure, enabling them to learn driving techniques and skills to make maximum use of their vehicles.

The overall winning team, as determined by a judging panel, will go on to compete at The Land Rover Trophy Competition at Eastnor Castle in the UK, the spiritual home of Land Rover testing and development, to take place early 2022.

The Camel Trophy events were held between 1980 and 2000, and various Land Rover models were used by participants in 18 of the events. The locations each year were in different parts of the world, including Sabah in 1996. Half a dozen Malaysians were also among the international group of participants. SAfter the events, the vehicles – Range Rovers, Defenders and Discoverys – were sold off to become collectors items.

2021 Land Rover Classic Defender Works V8 Trophy (w/VIDEO)


Improved Michelin Primacy SUV tyre available with wider range of sizes

With SUV popularity continuing to grow worldwide, demand for replacement tyres for such vehicles has also grown. As demand grows, SUV owners also want better tyres with improved performance, just like how passenger car tyres have constantly been improved. At the same time, SUV tyres are also required to perform well in more varied surface conditions as owners may sometimes go off-road.

Michelin constantly updates its wide range of tyres and following on from the Primacy SUV, the company now introduces the Primacy SUV+ with new and enhanced Michelin technologies as well as a wider range of sizes.

“With the launch of MICHELIN Primacy SUV+, we are convinced to better capture the SUV market potential, as the tyre not only provides a more complete SUV portfolio, but also offers performance and safety made to last, plus market-leading longevity, as well as a quiet and comfortable drive – making it the best partner for both daily commutes and long journeys,” said Michelin Malaysia’s Managing Director, Oliver Biggart.

The new features of the Primacy+ are the Michelin Premium Touch sidewall design (only on 18-inch sizes and larger), higher silica loading and functionalized polymer, and MaxTouch Construction.

The Premium Touch sidewall design, already used in some newer Michelin tyres, gives a velvet-like micro texture that enhances the aesthetic appeal of the tyre. Wet and dry braking performance are said to be greatly improved – without compromising mileage nor rolling resistance – with the new compound while MaxTouch Construction optimizes the contact patch for even wear and longer tread life.

Improved performance

The Primacy SUV+ also has full depth and high sipe density with a U-shaped groove design. This maintains water evacuation even when the tyre is worn – important on the wet road conditions that Malaysian motorists frequently drive in these days. The chamfered tread blocks are more resistant to distortion under pressure, while StabiliGrip sipes help with braking performance as they optimize tyre and also remove water more efficiently.

“Significant safety improvements to the Michelin Primacy SUV+, attested by a number of tests, ensure not only superiority over competitors, but also maximum driving confidence and control behind the wheel for SUV drivers,” said Mr. Biggart.

Longer mileage

He was referring to test results on wet roads against main competitors where the Primacy SUV+ stopped 3.3 metres shorter when new, and 4.2 metres shorter when worn. In addition, its drivable mileage was found to be 10% longer than competitors’ average. The tests were conducted by independent parties, not Michelin.

The Primacy SUV+ is now available at all authorized Michelin tyre dealers nationwide. There are 26 sizes across the 16-inch to 20- inch range so the new tyre should be suitable for a wide range of SUV models. Recommended retail prices are between RM600 and RM1,600 (depending on the size) and if you shop around a bit, you might find some dealers offering better discounts than others.

Michelin Malaysia introduces BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A tyre for SUVs and pick-up trucks


VISION EQXX does 1,000 kms on a single charge!

‘Range anxiety’ was something which concerned many who were considering a battery electric vehicle (BEV). The earlier models could go just a 100+ kms on a fully charged battery pack but the distance gradually increased as battery technology advanced. As battery packs were made more energy-dense to store more electricity, the vehicle could go further and further before recharging was needed. Today, the average is around 350 kms but just as with the consumption of fuel by combustion engines, range is affected by driving conditions and driving style.

But range anxiety is now less concerning not only as cruising distances increase but the network of recharging stations is also growing. So it is possible to ‘refill’ along the way on a long journey and now, it is more a matter of how long that takes – and manufacturers are also reducing the time.

Battery technology has come a long way in the past decade and if we take the Nissan LEAF as an example, the range with the first generation launched in 2010 was under 200 kms; today, the latest generation is claimed to be able to go up to 385 kms.

Breaking through technological barriers

In future, the distance will be even greater and Mercedes-Benz has proven that it is possible to go up to 1,000 kms on a single charge. This was achieved with the
VISION EQXX
 technology demonstrator which the company is using to test technologies under development. This software-defined research prototype is part of a far-reaching technology programme that combines the latest digital technology with the brand’s pioneering spirit, the agility of a start-up and the speed of Formula 1. The mission in developing the VISION EQXX was to break through technological barriers across the board.

“The VISION EQXX is the result of a comprehensive programme that provides a blueprint for the future of automotive engineering. Many of the innovative developments are already being integrated into production, some of them in the next generation of modular architecture for compact and midsize Mercedes‑Benz vehicles. And the journey continues. With the VISION EQXX, we will keep testing the limits of what’s possible,” said Markus Schafer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer responsible for Development and Purchasing.

From Germany to the south of France

To show what is electrically ‘feasible’, the research vehicle completed a 1-day road trip across several European borders: from Germany across the Swiss Alps to Switzerland, on to Italy, past Milan and finally to its destination, the port town of Cassis in the south of France. The journey started in cold and rainy conditions and proceeded at regular road speeds, including prolonged fast-lane cruising at up to 140 km/h on the German autobahn and near the speed limits elsewhere.

The route profile set and the weather conditions presented the VISION EQXX with a wide variety of challenges. Different various sections of the route helped document the effect of the many efficiency measures. These measures include tyres specially developed by Bridgestone with extremely low rolling-resistance.

Throughout the journey of 11 hours and 32 minutes, it was not recharged and covered 1,008 kms in everyday traffic – with the battery’s state of charge on arrival shown as being around 15%. That was estimated to be good for another 140 kms or so, and the average consumption was a record-breaking low of 8.7 kWh per 100 kms.

Power from sunshine

However, Mercedes-Benz reveals that although it did not receive conventional recharging, it still received electricity from an external source – the sun. On its roof are 117 solar cells to collect sunshine which is converted to electricity and fed to the 12V battery. This battery does not power the electric motors but supplies power to auxiliary areas such as the navigation system. This this removes the demand from the high-voltage battery pack. The solar panel feature is said to increase  the range by more than 2%, which adds up to 25 kms on a journey of over 1,000 kms.

Like most other BEVs, the VISION EQXX also uses recuperation – the recovery of braking energy – to provide some energy to the battery pack while on the move. The recuperation effect occurs on any type of gradient and during every braking manoeuvre.

The VISION EQXX was driven in real-life conditions and to have independent proof, the charging socket was sealed, and the car accompanied by a representative from TUV Sud, the independent German certification body.

Technological advancements accelerating

In the early era of the PC (personal computer) in the 1980s, the processing power doubled every two years, but this has accelerated as time passed. It might be the same for battery and EV technology which is continuously advancing each year so from the 500 kms possible in some models today, the increases might be greater and who knows, by the next decade, the 1000-km range which is amazing today might be possible in BEVs for sale to the public.

The most efficient Mercedes-Benz ever built – the Vision EQXX


Jeremy Clarkson tops the list of Greatest Automotive Icons

Jeremy Clarkson has defeated Hollywood legend Steve McQueen to be crowned screen’s greatest automotive icon. This is the finding of a study by Hyundai Motor which surveyed 2,000 people  in Britain recently.

While McQueen is known as ‘The King of Cool’, thanks to his effortless style and tough guy persona, Clarkson has been ridiculed over the years for his dedication to stone-wash denim. But it’s the ex-
Top Gear
 presenter who topped the list.

Clarkson has been involved in some of the most impressive (and outrageous) TV moments over the past 25 years, whether it was driving to the North Pole or riding motorcycles from Ho Chi Minh to Ha Long Bay in Vietnam.

Steve McQueen and his Ford Mustang in ‘Bullitt’.

McQueen, meanwhile, starred in films such as
Bullitt, The Great Escape,

Le Mans
and
 On Any Sunday
. And in his films, the memorable action scenes were actually done with real cars and motorcycles, not by using CGI.

Fast and the Furious
 leading man, Vin Diesel, beat 007’s Sean Connery, with the tough guys making up the top five.

GREATEST AUTOMOTIVE ICONS

1. Jeremy Clarkson

2. Steve McQueen

3. Richard Hammond

4. Vin Diesel

5. Sir Sean Connery

6. James May

7. Paul Walker

8. Daniel Craig

9. Sir Roger Moore

10. Jason Statham

“The best cars and films are always the subject of fierce and fun debate and thanks to the internet and streaming services, there is no shortage of shows and websites to keep us occupied,” said a spokesman for Hyundai.

Best car film – The Italian Job in 1969

The very best car film, according to the 2,000 people surveyed in Britain, was
The Italian Job
, followed by Steve McQueen-starring
Bullitt
 and the
Fast and the Furious
 series. In addition to being named the greatest car movie,
The Italian Job
 also features the most popular car chase to ever appear on the big screen.

Aston Martin DB5 and Sean Connery who, for many years, played the role of James Bond, agent 007.

James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 was named greatest movie car ahead of
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
 and the De Lorean from
Back to the Future
.


Hyundai Motor Group Develops Robot To Handle Charging Process For EVs (w/VIDEO)

Motorists have had to refuel their cars themselves since self-service was introduced at petrol stations decades ago. While the payment process has been made more convenient by having cashless facilities at the pump but the process of inserting the nozzle is still unchanged. Even with so much automation in the world, a human still has to do it.

For owners of electric vehicles (EVs), this process may be done by a robot in future, making it unnecessary for them to handle any equipment. It will improve safety and convenience, and be useful if the charger is in a spot where it is exposed when rain falls.

The Hyundai Motor Group has developed such a robot which can communicates with the vehicle, automatically open the charging port and plug in the cable. Referred to as an Automatic Charging Robot (ACR), it is still under development but a working prototype has been shown to the public following a CGI version revealed in July last year.

“The ACR will help to make EV-charging easier and more convenient, especially in dark environments. It will also improve accessibility, particularly for people with mobility barriers, as charging cables become thicker and heavier to enable high-speed charging,” said Dong Jin Hyun, Head of Robotics Lab, Hyundai Motor Group. “We will continue developing the ACR for increased safety and more convenience, so that all EV customers can soon benefit from using it at charging stations.”

The ACR, which may appear deceptively simple at first glance, is an example of HMG’s advanced robot technology. HMG’s Robotics Lab has considered diverse variables in developing the ACR, such as the parking location of the vehicle, the shape of the charging port, the weather, potential obstacles and weight of the charging cable.

In order for a robot to fasten a charger to the charging port securely, software technology that can simultaneously calculate these multiple variables is required. To this end, HMG’s team has developed an algorithm that applies 3D camera-based AI technology to robots, and next-generation control technology based on this application allows robots to accurately handle heavy chargers.

Given that that most EV chargers are installed outdoors without cover, the  engineers designed an   outdoor EV charging station at the R&D centre and evaluated performance in various conditions. As a result, the ACR has secured a waterproof and dustproof grade of IP65. This means it is protected from total dust ingress as well as from low-pressure water jets from any direction. The ACR can therefore be reliably operated even in extreme environments.

In addition, a safety pole is installed with a built-in laser sensor around the robot to prevent possible accidents by enabling it to detect stationary and moving obstacles.

The ACR starts operating when the EV is stationary, communicating with the vehicle to open the charging port, and calculating the exact location and angle through a camera mounted inside. While this would require certain common protocol for communication, the ability to handle the variable factors allows flexibility to work with different models.

After all information is confirmed, the robot then picks up the charging cable and fastens it to the vehicle’s charging port to starting the charging session. Once charging is complete, the robot removes the charger, returns it to its rightful place, and closes the cover of the charging port.

As autonomous vehicle control becomes more common, it might even be possible to extend the process to include moving the vehicle away to be parked in another spot. In this way, the ACR will be immediately available for use by another vehicle. Autonomous parking capability is already possible but very limited in availability.

HMG predicts that robots will support humans with EV charging in near future, overcoming accessibility issues and inconvenience for some EV drivers.


Hayden Haikal Aiming For First International Championship Title At Thailand Super Eco

Young Malaysian racer Hayden Haikal will be putting in his strongest effort when he competes for the prospect of being crowned the overall champion in the Thailand Super Eco saloon car series at the Buriram Chang International Circuit located towards the northeast of the country.

With three 2nd places and two race wins in 6 rounds of racing so far, the 18-year-old is currently 2nd in championship and just 20 points behind Na Dol Vatanatham who has 105 points to his tally.

Both drivers have proven to be dominant in the series and their races results almost identical, but Vatanatham has the advantage of one extra race win as a result of Hayden’s misfortune in scoring any points in Round 2 due to a technical issue with his Honda Brio.

Hayden Haikal

“Mathematically, I have a good shot at winning the overall title in the Thailand Super Eco Series but it’s going to be a very tall order, especially with the dominance championship leader Vatanatham has demonstrated over the last six rounds. Anything is possible is the last two races of the season. I just have to remain focused, drive my own race and let the math sort itself out,” said Hayden, admitting that while he would be gunning to end the season on a high, the prospect of coming in second in only his first full season competing in Thailand would be equally an achievement he can be proud of.

The final two rounds of the Thailand Super Eco series will consist of two 12-lap races on Saturday and Sunday. A total of 23 drivers will be taking to the grid with Hayden being the only foreign driver. For a first-timer competing in Thailand, Hayden has quickly established himself as one of the series’ favourites with his matured driving and consistent results.

Hayden Haikal (Car No. 81) in action during one of the rounds of the Thailand Super Eco series this year.

The Thailand Super Eco Series is run on both street and permanent circuits. Hayden’s Thailand Super Eco Series campaign kicked off in June with the first two rounds held at the Bangsaen street circuit before rounds 4-6 moved to the Buriram Chang International Circuit.

Already having 5 years of experience competing on street and permanent circuits in the Malaysian Vios Challenge one-make racing series, his debut at the Bangsaen Grand Prix proved anything but intimidating for Hayden who confidently raced to a second place finish in the race.

Hayden has been a regular participant in races at the Sepang Circuit, including the Vios Challenge one-makes series.

“Overall, it has been a fantastic year of racing for me, having won the Super Sporting Class for professional drivers in the Vios Challenge and recently being placed second overall in the Sepang 1000KM Endurance Race. And now, being in contention for the championship in Thailand in only my first year racing abroad is just phenomenal,” he said.

“My original intention was to gain as much exposure competing abroad. To be in the position that I am going into the final two races is indeed a huge boost in my racing career and another important step in moving up the motorsports ladder,” Hayden said.

Let’s wish him all the best of luck this weekend for a position on the podium at the Buriram Chang International Circuit.

Team Mitsubishi Ralliart’s Triton Wins Asia Cross Country Rally 2022 On First Attempt

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


Christmas is coming early for Ford fans

It’s the the most wonderful time of the year, especially if you have your heart set on purchasing a new Ford. Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the sole distributor of Ford vehicles in Malaysia is offering unbeatable deals for its customers this Christmas season.

As a means to spread the holiday cheer, Ford will be giving awy an exclusive blue nose and reindeer antlers to customers who sign up to test drive a Ford vehicle at any of the company’s authorized dealers nationwide.

Adding to that, those who purchase a new vehicle can expect even better rewards in the form of rebates and other attractive packages. A purchase of a Ranger WildTrak will come with up to RM5,000 worth of cash rebates. For those who opt for a Ranger XLT instead,  you get a zero-maintenance cost package for up to 5 years or 100,000km plus cash rebates.

If those deals don’t tickle your fancy but want something a little more compact instead, Ford has you covered here as well. With the purchase of a Focus or Fiesta, you will be able to enjoy cash rebates of up to RM23,000 in addition to a 3-years free of cost maintenance package and a 5-year warranty.

And if you already own a Ford but still want to enjoy a jolly Christmas with the Blue Oval, you still can. Just take your vehicle in for a complimentary 27-point vehicle health inspection by a Ford-certified technician. Sweetening the deal further are discounts of up to 20 percent on selected parts that include lubricants, brake, timing belt and other packages.

There’s also a 10 discount on labour costs as well as other maintenance packages for selected Ford models. And if this news has you pacing your living room impatiently for a Ford Service Center to open tomorrow – hold on. This promotion will be made available nationwide starting on December 18th 2017 and and will end on February 17th 2018.

“We are glad to extend these attractive service and maintenance packages to ensure that our customers’ vehicles are in their best condition for a safe travel,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director, SDAC. “Let’s make this holiday season a memorable one with our loved ones.”

Customers who spend more than RM350 on a single valid tax invoice at a Ford centre can expect to receive exclusive Ford merchandise. That said, these items are only available at authorized Ford dealers nationwide while stocks last.

If you would like to know more, visit
www.sdacford.com.my
 or head on over to your nearest Ford dealership to experience the best that the Blue Oval has to offer the Malaysian automotive market.


Fuel Prices For May 2 – May 8, 2020

Fighting COVID-19 is our joint responsibility. Protect yourself and others: make these 6 simple precautions your new habits.


Elon Musk Once Laughed At BYD, Never Saw Them As Competition

Elon Musk’s
Tesla
 outsold classics like Toyota and Honda, two brands that have long dominated the market for traditional ICE and hybrids. Musk, however, has good reason to be concerned. According to him, the biggest challenge to Tesla right now isn’t a traditional automaker but a cutting-edge Chinese EV company.

In the past, Musk used to think that the same EV brand was a joke. Musk was once questioned about BYD, the Chinese EV car manufacturer, during an interview back in 2011. Musk responded, “Have you seen their cars?” while laughing aloud.

What do you think of BYD?
Elon Musk starts laughing… have you seen their cars ?

pic.twitter.com/aSvcqmOAo8
— Tesla Owners Silicon Valley (@teslaownersSV)
May 27, 2023

But Musk’s views on
BYD
 have considerably evolved over time. “That happened a long time ago. These days, their cars are fiercely competitive,” Musk stated. To be honest, a lot has changed since 2011. From an early-stage EV manufacturer, Tesla has developed into the largest EV manufacturer in the world and the most valuable automaker by market value. Musk also clarified that BYD cars are now very impressive.

Since Tesla launched its first overseas vehicle assembly factory in Shanghai in late 2019, Elon Musk has made no secret of his enthusiasm for Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers and the work culture in the Asian nation. When asked to name the firm’s toughest rival in January of this year, Tesla’s CEO responded, “Some company out of China,” declining to name the company.

“They put in the most effort and work the hardest. So, if I had to make a bet, I’d say a Chinese business is most likely to come in second to Tesla,” Musk remarked. He was likely referring to the most well-known Chinese EV manufacturers, such as BYD, Nio, and XPeng.

More than 1.85 million plug-in electric vehicles were sold by BYD in 2022, 946,238 of which were BEVs. That is not that far behind Tesla, which sold 1.3 million BEVs throughout the world last year.


Audi To Race In Formula 1 From 2026

Audi has confirmed that it will race in the Formula 1 World Championship from the 2026 season, with Audi Sport being responsible for the activity. As a consequence, the high-performance division is discontinuing its LMDh project for endurance racing but will continue with the RS-Q e-tron project for the Dakar Rally. It will announce the team partner by the end of this year.

Audi recognizes Formula 1’s high popularity in its key markets as well as with young target groups. It has particular interest in the sport because it is seen as ‘a spectacular platform for the most demanding electrified racing cars in the world ‘and the brand will be able to show its ‘
Vorsprung durch Technik
’ in this highly competitive environment.

Formula 1 is watched globally and one of the sporting events with the highest reach in the world. In 2021, more than 1.5 billion TV viewers watched the races. On social media, Formula 1 is now experiencing the highest growth rates among the world’s most popular sports.

“Motorsport is an integral part of Audi’s DNA,” said Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG. “Formula 1 is both a global stage for our brand and a highly challenging development laboratory. The combination of high performance and competition is always a driver of innovation and technology transfer in our industry. With the new rules, now is the right time for us to get involved. After all, Formula 1 and Audi both pursue clear sustainability goals.”

The key to getting involved is the world’s most popular racing series is the clear plan to become more sustainable and cost-efficient. The new technical rules, which will apply from 2026, focus on greater electrification and advanced sustainable fuel, areas which Audi has been active in developing.

In addition to the existing cap on costs for teams, a cost cap for power unit manufacturers will be introduced in 2023. Formula 1 has also set itself the ambitious goal of being a carbon-neutral racing series by 2030.

“In view of these major technological leaps that the series is making towards sustainability in 2026, we can speak of a new Formula 1. Formula 1 is transforming, and Audi wants to actively support this journey. A close link between our Formula 1 project and AUDI AG’s Technical Development department will enable synergies,” said Oliver Hoffmann, Member of the Board for Technical Development.

For 7 years (until 2021), Audi Sport was involved in the Formula E series with the ABT Schaeffler team. The team was the most successful in the all-electric single-seater series with 14 victories out of 84 races.

From 2026, the electric power output for the power units, consisting of an electric motor, battery, control electronics, and a combustion engine, will increase sharply compared to today’s Formula 1 drive systems. The electric motor will then be nearly as powerful as the combustion engine, which has an output of about 544 bhp. The highly efficient 1.6-litre turbocharged engines run on advanced sustainable fuel – also a prerequisite for Audi’s entry into the series.

Audi Sport to develop power unit

The hybrid power unit will be built at Audi Sport’s Competence Centre Motorsport in Neuburg an der Donau, not far from Audi’s headquarters in Ingolstadt, Germany. “For the development and manufacture of the Formula 1 powertrain, we will build on the valuable expertise of our motorsport employees, continue to invest in our motorsports center, and also recruit highly specialized professionals,” said Audi Sport Managing Director Julius Seebacht.

The facility already has test benches for F1 engine testing as well as for electric motor and battery testing. Additional necessary preparations are currently being made in terms of personnel, buildings, and technical infrastructure, with everything essential to be in place by the end of the year. A separate company was recently established for the power unit project as a wholly owned subsidiary of Audi Sport.

Audi aims to be first carmaker to win Dakar Rally with fully electric rallycar


Road Closures in Kuala Lumpur this weekend

If you’re going to be out late tonight in Kuala Lumpur, you should be aware that there will be road closures and preparations for the KL Standard Chartered International Marathon 2019 which is to take place this Sunday, September 29, 2019.

At least 28 roads will be closed some time during the day, starting
from 3:45 am on Saturday morning (September 28)
. The roads are: Jalan Raja, Jalan TAR, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Ampang, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Lebuhraya DUKE, Lebuhraya AKLEH, Jalan Kuching, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, Jalan Raja Abdullah, Jalan Langgak Tunku, Jalan Dang Wangi, Jalan Tunku, Jalan Tun Ismail, Jalan Dato Onn, Jalan Sultan Salahuddin, Jalan Parlimen, Jalan Damansara, Lebuhraya Sultan Iskandar, Jalan Kinabalu, Bulatan Sultan Hishamudin, Jalan Cenderawasih, Jalan Kampung Pandan, and Jalan Pahang.

If you want to know the specific roads and times of closures,
click here for a detailed list
.


SDAC Announces 0% GST Prices For Ford Vehicles In Malaysia

Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC)
, the sole distributor of Ford in Malaysia, today announced the updated prices for its full range of Ford models, effective 1 June 2018 in conjunction with the implementation of the
 zero-rated GST
.

The new prices, which offer savings of up to
RM33,000
, will remain in effect until the reintroduction of the sales and services tax (SST). Malaysians should take advantage of this tax-free window of opportunity, place their bookings now and get their loan documents submitted and approved so that they can enjoy the GST savings come 1 June, as well as other on-going promotions.

The price list of key Ford models with and without GST, can be downloaded here:
SDAC Ford Prices Pen Msia GST ZERO summary 18052018

East Malaysia Prices here:
SDAC Ford East Malaysia Prices GST ZERO summary 18052018

(All prices stated are on-the-road, excluding insurance and any short-term promotional offers)

“There is no better time than now to own a Ford. The tax-free timeframe between 1 June until the implementation of the SST offers a great opportunity for customers to enjoy substantial savings across our full line-up”
 said
Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, managing director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion
.

“Customer satisfaction is a top priority for us. In addition to passing down savings from the removal of the GST, customers can enjoy more benefits through a host of irresistible promotions and prizes that is part of our ‘Triple Celebration’ campaign,”
 he added.

Celebrate SDAC’s 10
th
 anniversary with a galore of amazing promotions and prizes…

In conjunction with its 10-year anniversary, SDAC is offering incredible deals on selected models until 30 June 2018. Customers who purchase a Ford Mustang will get to drive home a free brand-new Ford Fiesta 1.5L Sport. Limited units of the Ford S-Max are also on offer at celebratory prices starting from RM147,000.

Additionally, customers who purchase any Ford Ranger Wildtrak variant will receive free service and maintenance for two years or 40,000km (whichever comes first).

Customers who purchase any Ford Ranger variant also stand to win fantastic prizes including a grand prize of one brand new Ford Fiesta 1.5L Sport and 15 units of Huawei Mate 10 Pro smartphones. Winners are determined through a monthly lucky draw, with five smartphones to win each month. With the first draw completed, there are still 10 units of smartphones to be won. The grand prize winner will be announced after the final draw in June.

Triple Celebration with ‘Raya Joy & Enjoy’ 13-day only sales promotion…

To add to the festivities, SDAC is offering more attractive prizes with the ‘Raya Joy & Enjoy’ sales promotion, which will run from 1 June to 13 June 2018.

Through this Raya promotion, one daily prize in the form of electronic goods, a smartphone or a gadget is up for grabs over 13 days in the countdown to the Hari Raya festival.

The ‘Raya Joy & Enjoy’ offer is valid for registration of any Ford model within the promotional period. Customers are strongly encouraged to book and submit all their loan documents now so they can still be in time to register their vehicles from 1 – 13 June and be in the running to win.

For more information on Ford, visit SDAC’s multilingual website (
www.sdacford.com.my
), which also features a chatbot now available in three languages – English, Bahasa Malaysia and Simplified Chinese – to provide a better customer engagement experience.


Ingress Auto Is Offering Five Great Reasons To Trade Up To A BMW!

The festive season brings many things to cheer for. Being Malaysian, we get a bounty of public holidays, scrumptious food everywhere, and great deals on new cars.

With the upcoming Chinese New Year that will be celebrated at the end of this month, Ingress Auto is offering plenty of reasons to trade in your car. Any car.

If you have ever been dreaming about owning a BMW, Ingress Auto wants to give you five great reasons to trade up.

Rebates of up to RM65,000
Yes you read that right. Ingress Auto wants to give you rebates of up to RM65,000, depending on the model of your choice. Now that is a sweet deal.

Get a BMW Lifestyle Voucher worth RM2,000
What is a lifestyle voucher? Well, ever noticed that every time you visit a BMW dealership, there are bound to be plenty of merchandise such as t-shirts, caps, diecast models, and even travel bags. Well, Ingress Auto will give you a RM2,000 voucher which you can use to purchase any of those items.

BMW Financing as low as 0.92%
Okay, this is a fantastic deal guys, besides the points mentioned above and below of course. Opt to take a loan from BMW to purchase your BMW and you could enjoy a 0.92% interest rate for the financing. That is among the lowest available in the market at the moment.

Festive CNY Basket
Now what is a festive season without all the hampers and baskets? How can you go through Chinese New Year without getting a hamper? Ingress Auto has your back and will throw in a Festive CNY Basket for you, in pure festive spirit of course.

Complimentary Touch ’nGo card worth RM2,888
You know what makes us feel good about paying tolls? When someone else is paying for it. And receiving a Touch ‘nGo with RM2,888 preloaded in it just makes driving so much more stress free.

Trade in any car for a BMW
Yes, we know we mentioned five great reasons earlier, but hey, Ingress Auto always has a couple of tricks up its sleeve. And the great news is you can actually trade in any car of yours for a BMW this Chinese New Year season, only at Ingress Auto.

If you’re a BMW fan who has grown up dreaming about one day owning a BMW, the time has never been better.

Visit
Ingress Auto Damansara
 this 14th and 15th of January from 9am to 5pm for the ultimate Chinese New Year deal.

Visit
IngressAuto.com
 for further information, or call
03-7721-2288
.

Terms and conditions apply.


Toyota Eco Youth program is now 20 years old

UMW Toyota Motor’s Toyota Eco Youth (TEY) program has now been on for two decades, during which time the importance of preserving the environment has been nurtured among Malaysian youth. It has also empowered the youth with Toyota’s own problem-solving skills and knowledge.

For the 20th edition of TEY, the Ministry of Education once again joins forces with UMW Toyota Motor to run state and national level competitions. It is the leading program cultivating environment consciousness and innovation amongst the youth of the nation, with Leaderonomics Community as the working partner for this year’s initiative.

Over the course of the last 20 years, TEY has introduced various themes with one common goal: molding an environmental conscious society of the future. A total of 258 schools, 1,910 secondary school students and 762 teachers have successfully benefited from the program and invigorated environmental initiatives in their school compound or district.

Additionally, the program gives them a platform to lobby their ideas with stakeholders that involves local authorities, community and even media.

Reimagining Mobility

The theme for the 20th edition is ‘Reimagining Mobility’, which depicts the creation of safe and eco-friendly mobility solutions for the nation. The spirit of inclusivity and freedom of ideas are the foundation to this year’s theme.

“Toyota Eco Youth has been leading the way in Malaysia for 20 years and this year promises even more innovation and advancement under the theme of ‘Reimagining Mobility’,” said Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor. “The young people of this country are the seeds of its future and TEY aids in growing their creativity and bring their innovations to fruition. We see this program as a tool to assemble the brightest minds of our nation to propagate a greener future for all of us”.

3-year program, instead of one year

The program is open to secondary school students aged 13 – 16 years old and there is unlimited school participation. However, unlike previous years which have been completed within a year, the concept for this year’s TEY program is will run for 3 years.

The 2020 edition of TEY will also see the class of 2020/2021 having the privilege to return as facilitators for the following year’s batch. The digitalization angle of TEY is taken up a notch by setting up a TEY Apprentice online club.

The top 16 teams for Year 2020/2021 TEY members will be equipped and trained with project management skills that incorporate Toyota’s Problem Solving Methodology. With the knowledge harnessed, the top 16 TEY competitors will build a prototype solution based on their local community. This dual-pronged approach that has been curated for TEY ensures that they are both theoretically and practically comprehensive.

Students can register now via
www.toyota.com.my/toyotaecoyouth
, or with their respective schools. The format of this program will be fully online which includes the interactive e-learning lessons and workshops. The final judging phase enables students to showcase their progress through social media and livestream channels.

RM64,000 prize pool

This year’s prizes are also doubled to further reward ingenuity amongst the youth and winning teams will stand a chance to win cash prizes from a RM64,000 prize pool.

“The pandemic has not deterred us from our steadfast commitment to empower the youth of our nation through the Toyota Eco Youth program. With every problem comes an opportunity and this pandemic has enabled us to circumnavigate these obstacles to digitalize the program mechanics to be online,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor. “This move is in line with our progressive approach that enables TEY to continuously develop the youth despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.”

Since its inception, UMW Toyota Motor has invested more than RM7 million on the program. It hopes that students benefiting from this program can become ambassadors in the future to advocate environmental sustainability and overcome mobility limitations.

Click here for other news and articles about Toyota and UMW Toyota Motor
.


Isuzu Dura Miles Challenge shows fuel efficiency of 1.9-litre Blue Power engine

Isuzu Malaysia’s Dura Miles Challenge has proven that the Isuzu D-MAX is a champion when it comes to fuel economy. It has seen the pick-up truck being driven from Bangkok to Singapore on just one full tank of fuel, certainly an impressive achievement.

In the automotive world, technology constantly advances and the Isuzu D-MAX has become a more efficient all-round vehicle with new capabilities as well as those already embedded in its DNA. It has the new 1.9-litre Blue Power turbodiesel engine that produces more power and torque than the 2.5-litre powerplant it replaces.

To demonstrate its capable performance and engineering supremacy, Isuzu Malaysia loaded a 1.9-litre Single Cab model to its maximum permissible capacity of a ton and took it through some of the highest accessible hills along the Titiwangsa Mountain Range. In total, it clocked over 1,000 kms and two bars of fuel still remained in the tank.

“The prowess of the Isuzu D-Max continues to astound with its remarkable capabilities. Despite being the pick-up truck with smallest displacement on the market, the 1.9-litre Isuzu D-Max completed the challenge with absolute ease and confidence. It truly suggests that the Isuzu D-Max 1.9-litre Blue Power has what it takes to get any job done,” said Chief Operating Officer of Isuzu Malaysia, Masayuki Suzuki.

Prior to starting its journey from its ‘birthplace’, the Isuzu-Hicom Malaysia factory in Pekan, Pahang, a thorough inspection of the vehicle was conducted by PUSPAKOM. This was to verify its conformity as a showroom-standard unit.

With its crates, bonnet and fuel tank sealed, the D-Max headed north for its first challenge – the East-West highway linking Jeli in Kelantan and Gerik in Perak with a climb to the peak of 1,052 metres before ending at Ipoh for the night.

The next day, the route was even more daunting as the lone white D-MAX travelled up 1,112 metres to Tanah Rata in Cameron Highlands before heading on to Fraser’s Hill (1,222 metres) via Raub. From there, the journey took on an even-bigger challenge: the climb up to Genting Highlands at 1,604 metres before ending at the Isuzu Service Centre in Shah Alam, Selangor after clocking 1,145 kms.

It was certainly a very long way to go from Pekan to Shah Alam but the D-MAX passed through the gates of the finish point with ample fuel to spare in its 76-litre tank. Based on the reading from its on-board computer, the 1.9-litre engine had consumed an average of just 7.2 litres/100 kms or 13.7 kms/litre.

“Through advanced technology, the new 1.9-litre RZ4E-TC engine is by far the most fuel-efficient engine ever produced by Isuzu Motors and this was clearly demonstrated in this exercise. Perhaps some vehicles can travel long distances on a tank of fuel, and some can probably manage to carry a ton of weight or climb mountains. But to achieve all three criteria with one vehicle is a true feat of a competent vehicle,” added the CEO of Isuzu, Malaysia Koji Nakamura.

Isuzu BluePower engine

All D-Max models (including the 1.9-litre Single Cab) come with a 5-year 150,000-km warranty. To know more about the range and to locate a showroom for a test-drive, visit
www.isuzu.net.my/pickup
.

FIRST DRIVE: 2019 Isuzu D-MAX 1.9 – “Blue Power”


Mercedes-Benz VISION AVTR concept – inspired by the AVATAR movie (w/VIDEO)

Car designers look everywhere for inspiration and ideas in the quest to create something ground-breaking. In the case of the Mercedes-Benz VISION AVTR concept, it was the AVATAR movie, with several of the creatures providing the inspiration.

The concept car’s name stands not only for the close collaboration in its development with the AVATAR team but also for ADVANCED VEHICLE TRANSFORMATION. This showcar, now on display at CES 2020 in Las Vegas, is said to embody the vision of Mercedes-Benz designers, engineers and trend researchers for mobility in the distant future.

‘Inside-out’ design structure

The holistic concept of the VISION AVTR combines the design disciplines of interior, exterior and UX on an unprecedented scale. The distinctive ‘inside-out’ design structure combines inside and outside into an emotional whole with a stretched ‘One Bow’ design and organic design language. The spectacular opening and closing of the doors is inspired by the wings of a banshee or ikran, the flying mounts of the Na’vi from AVATAR.

Instead of a conventional steering wheel, the multifunctional control element in the centre console allows human and machine to merge. By placing the hand on the control unit, the interior comes to life and the vehicle recognizes the driver by his or her heartbeat and breathing (a great security feature).

By simply lifting the hand, a menu selection is projected onto the palm of the hand, through which the passenger can intuitively choose between different functionalities. For example, real-time 3D graphics can be used to explore the fictional world of Pandora from different perspectives. The curved display module creates the visual connection between passengers and the outside world.

Organic battery technology

The VISION AVTR uses a revolutionary battery technology based on graphene-based organic cell chemistry that is completely free of rare earths and metals, a first. The materials of the battery are compostable and therefore completely recyclable. In this way, electric mobility becomes independent of fossil resources. As a result, Mercedes-Benz underlines the high relevance of a future circular economy in the raw materials sector.

The 33 ‘bionic flaps’ on the back of the car are reminiscent of scales of reptiles. They can communicate with the driver and through the driver with their outside world through naturally flowing movements in subtle gestures. The front and rear axles can provide drive in the same or opposite direction, which allows the VISION AVTR to move sideways by approximately 30 degrees. The so-called ‘crab movement’ gives the concept car an animal-like appearance even in its movement.

This is not the first time that Mercedes-Benz has created a ‘bionic’ car. In 2005, it displayed a concept car that was inspired by the boxfish. The fish was a role model from nature, lending itself to an aerodynamically efficient, safe, comfortable and environmentally compatible automobile not just in detail features but in its overall form and structure.

In 2005, Mercedes-Benz designers looked to nature – the boxfish – for their Bionic concept car.

Sustainable materials

The seats of the VISION AVTR are refined by vegan DINAMICA leather. This is the first and only microfibre that guarantees environmental sustainability throughout the entire production cycle. The floor is decorated with an innovative wood called Karuun. The raw material for Karuun (rattan) grows very fast as a natural raw material and is harvested by hand in Indonesia. The material gives the interior warmth and radiates naturalness.

“The aim of the VISION AVTR is to show us a signpost for a livable future, even if it will probably never be built. This concept car makes speculative science visible and tangible. As researchers and scientists evolve new theories or develop existing ones, they depend on their imagination. They leave the ground of what can be proved today and enter an area of speculation – a scientifically substantiated ’what if?’. This is exactly the approach we have taken with the VISION AVTR,” said Alexander Mankowsky, who is described as a futurologist at Mercedes-Benz.

Vision Mercedes Simplex sculpture embodies heritage and future of luxury brand


MIDA-Perodua Digital Transformation Ecosystem Programme to promote adoption of Industry 4.0

With the accelerated pace of development in industries, a revolution is taking place and where the automotive industry is concerned, this revolution will take companies to the next level with cutting-edge technologies, processes and machinery. This transformation of the automotive industry is referred to as Industry 4.0., a term inspired by Germany’s ‘Industrie 4.0’, a government initiative to promote connected manufacturing and a digital convergence between industry, businesses and other processes.

To promote the adoption of Industry 4.0, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Perodua are gearing up through a strategic partnership to introduce the MIDA-Perodua Digital Transformation Ecosystem Programme. The programme aims to upgrade local automotive suppliers and to digitalise their manufacturing processes through adoption of Industry 4.0.

Developing local players’ capabilities
“Local companies play a major role in building the nation’s industry ecosystem–geared to support large companies and MNCs. The initiation of the MIDA-Perodua collaboration in 2020 was crucial to ensure a steady development of our local player’s capabilities in the automotive industry,” said Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA.

“Under MIDA’s initiative to facilitate these companies to adopt digitalisation and Industry 4.0, we have been successful to contributing immense growth in Perodua’s manufacturing volume, through the empowerment of its industry partners and service providers.” he said.

Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, President & CEO of Perodua.

Local technology ecosystem development
According to Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, Perodua’s President & CEO, the MIDA-Perodua Digital Transformation Ecosystem Programme is aligned with the government’s efforts to enhance local technology ecosystem development activities in terms of supply and value chains, research and development activities, and innovation and commercialisation. The programme has shown a promising sign as the first group of participants had implemented their proposed projects.

“The implementation of Industry 4.0 is not only for the automotive supplier’s benefit, but the impact of this programme will contribute greatly to the national’s digital transformation agenda. The programme also can fast-track Malaysia’s industries, from small to large, as it provides both funds and guidance,” Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin said.

“Perodua’s role has always been to develop the automotive ecosystem and this programme is another example of our commitment towards this objective,” he added.

Eight participants in programme
The first phase of MIDA-Perodua strategic partnership has brought forth three potential Perodua-friendly partner – LSF Technology Sdn.Bhd., J.K. Wire Harness Sdn. Bhd. and Autoliv Hirotako Safety Sdn. Bhd. These companies have also been granted Domestic Investment Strategic Fund as part of the government’s initiative to assist the local companies to embark into the global supply chain.

Moving forward to Industry 4.0, MIDA and Perodua have identified five more vendors with much potential and growth opportunities. These are Armstrong Auto Parts Sdn. Bhd., Ingress Aoi Technologies Sdn. Bhd., Namicoh Suria Sdn. Bhd., P.D. Kawamura Kako Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. and Kumpulan Jebco (M) Sdn. Bhd.

MIDA, being the pivotal principal promotional agency of Malaysia, will be extending their support services to help more companies obtain growth in terms of productivity, talent and bridging financial and technology gaps.

The agency is confident that through such facilities and empowerment measures, these automotive players will be able to increase their business offerings and expertise to innovate its products and services and climb the supply chain ecosystems.

Auto industry looking forward to introduction of 5G


Continental AMBIENC3 concept vehicle shows interior of the future

As the actual job of driving a car gets taken over by a computer in future, the interior space will become more than just a place to sit while travelling, it will be a space where the occupants, besides driving when necessary, can relax or work. These three activities are set to merge in the digital, connected and sustainable vehicles of the future.

Continental has been looking at interior spaces which it terms “Third Space”. To show what the future of vehicle interiors could be like, it has built the AMBIENC3, a concept vehicle in which everything is designed and imagined within a shared blueprint. It has stylish, light and robust surfaces for the floor, walls and ceilings, the seats, lounge and tables; natural, subtle and bright colours; warm, clearly defined lighting effects; and unobtrusive sounds.

The AMBIENC3 is full of new surface solutions made from innovative and sustainable materials. It is based on a Volkswagen T2 microvan, a vehicle of rich emotional charm that provides a meeting point for retro appeal and future direction.

“With the AMBIENC3, we are connecting a globally renowned icon of the automotive world with new, intriguing surfaces and future-focused technologies, whose attributes assist driving, working and relaxing as effectively as possible and distinguish them through colour, design and material,” said  Ralf Imbery, Global Director Innovation, Transformation & Design at Continental’s surface experts. “With the AMBIENC3 we are demonstrating our expertise in terms of sustainability, design, functionality, ‘third space’ development and customer centricity. It sees us bringing together key drivers for the future of the mobile interior.”

Focus on sustainability

One highlight of the concept vehicle from Continental is a light and sound concept that creates different moods. Natural and renewable raw materials are used for the surfaces, as well as recycled and reclaimed materials – with no compromise in quality. Passengers in the AMBIENC3 can breathe clean air, thanks to low-emission, low-pollutant materials.

Light surfaces also help to lower the vehicle weight. This reduces energy consumption – and, by extension, CO
2
 emissions – and therefore also increases the driving range of electric vehicles.

Natural, subtle, bright colours, plus gently flowing forms are defining elements of the AMBIENC3 interior and give it a cozy yet modern feel. The interior helps motivate passengers to work, but also encourages them to relax. Although the functions in the AMBIENC3 are always intuitive to use, there are no permanently visible controls. In fact, buttons and switches are nowhere to be seen. This is ‘Shy technology’ in use where, in OFF mode, the functions in the surfaces are invisible.

Design and function go hand in hand

Other innovative highlights of the concept vehicle include a light and sound concept that creates different moods, and heatable materials. Made using functional printing methods, these can generate heat in seconds. Other surfaces in the AMBIENC3 are distinguished by special attributes such as optimized soiling characteristics, maximum abrasion resistance and even self-healing in the event of damage.

The AMBIENC3 sets new standards in customer orientation. With solutions and surfaces that can be customized using digital printing techniques, Continental offers automakers with a host of options when it comes to tailoring vehicles to their customers’ individual requirements, upgrading interiors with new and surprising functions, and ensuring connectivity.

For example, staynu (stay new) technology makes surfaces more dirt resistant, easier to look after and more robust than ever. As the name implies, this technology helps the material to stay (and look) ‘as new’ for longer. Material equipped with this protection is used for the driver’s seat in the AMBIENC3. Stains are no longer an issue, and the material is long-lasting, low-cost and environment-friendly.

Other surfaces in the AMBIENC3 use laif technology, which delivers outstanding breathability –allowing air and water vapour to pass through – and an exceptional soft feel. An agreeable side effect of this new technology is that the breathable surfacing provides passive temperature control. Offering the look and feel of real leather, surfaces with laif technology provide an excellent alternative for which no animal needs to give up their life.

External designers create Virtual Interiors for Lexus LF-Z Electrified concept

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


JLR’s connected assistant aims to revolutionize personal transportation

Jaguar Land Rover has released information on some pretty interesting tech that it has been working on. It’s touted as an ‘intelligent and connected’ steering wheel that aims to revolutionize the future of mobility.

The device, fittingly, resembles a futuristic square-shaped steering wheel that rests on a circular stand. Similar in function to Amazon’s Echo and Google Home voice assistants, this device is home to JLR’s voice-activated AI assistant called Sayer.

According to the automaker, users will be able interact with it through voice commands, enabling Sayer to carry out  hundreds of different tasks. For instance, Sayer could signal your membership of JLR’s  on-demand service club.

This club allows for either sole vehicle ownership or the option of sharing your car with others in the community. Putting this into perspective, once autonomous vehicles are legalized in your country, Sayer will act as your transportation liaison officer.

If you don’t own a vehicle, Sayer can call upon the vehicle of your choosing and schedule it to show up at your doorstep at the stipulated pick-up time. This summarizes JLR’s vision of future mobility. A steering wheel could be the only part of a car that you might ever own.

Here’s a scenario that the automaker thinks will help play out Sayer’s true value:

“Need to be at a meeting two hours away from home by 8am tomorrow? Simply ask Sayer from the comfort of your living room and it will work out when you get up, when a car needs to autonomously arrive at your door and even advise which parts of the journey you might enjoy driving yourself.”

Considered a well-sculptured art piece, Jaguar Land Rover’s intelligent steering wheel of the future, is designed to blend in with the rest of your future smart home’s decor.

And the intelligent assistant that resides in it was named after Malcom Sayer, one of the automaker’s most prominent designers who worked with the British marque from 1951 to 1970.

This interesting piece of tech will be showcased at the inaugural Tech Fest at Central St Martins art, design and technology college in London, UK. It’s an event that is open to the general public from 8th to 10th September to witness innovative tech creations.


Updated Perodua Bezza for 2020 to be launched soon, orders accepted now.

For the past week, social media has been buzzing with rumours and leaked information about an updated Perodua Bezza for 2020. In the past, some companies would just deny that a new or updated model was coming soon, often because it would affect sales of the current model. However, in these days of social media when the distinction between fact and fake are blurred, speculations can be damaging too so the best thing is to quickly release as much information as appropriate and end the speculation.

This morning, Perodua confirmed it will introduce an updated Bezza sedan, its first new model for the new year. Improvements made are based on customer feedback and the 2020 model will be available in 4 variants – 1.0 G with manual or automatic transmissions; 1.3 X Automatic; and 1.3 AV Automatic. Pricing (excluding insurance) in Peninsular Malaysia ranges from
RM34,580 to RM49,980
 and orders can be placed at all 186 sales outlets nationwide.

The changes for 2020

♦ New sharper front-end styling (restyled bumpers and grille)

♦ LED headlamps

♦ Two-tone side skirts

♦ New 15-inch alloy wheels (X and AV variants)

♦ Power-adjustable door mirrors standard for all variants (retractable on AV).

♦ Two new body colours – Garnet Red (exclusive to 1.3 litre variants) and Granite Grey

♦ Advanced Safety Assist 2.0 (ASA 2.0) added to AV variant

♦ Vehicle Stability Control for X variant

♦ White-illuminated gauges, keyless entry and start, as well as front corner sensors, on X and AV variants.

♦ All variants get reverse sensors, while the AV now has a reverse camera.

ASA 2.0

The 2020 Bezza is the most affordable sedan in Malaysia with this suite of driver assistance safety systems. ASA 2.0 comprises Pedestrian Detection (up to 50 km/h), Pre-Collision Warning (up to 100 km/h), Pre-Collision Braking (up to 80 km/h), Front Departure Alert and Pedal Misoperation Control, all of which work together to mitigate collisions.

“The Perodua Bezza was our first sedan and Malaysia’s first Energy-Efficient Vehicle (EEV) sedan, with an upper-body developed completely by us. It has proven very popular with Malaysians, with 184,000 units sold since its July 2016 launch,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

“As a
People First
 company, we are constantly listening to our customers to learn how we can improve our products and services, of which the 2020 Perodua Bezza is a notable result,” he added.

To place a booking or get more information, visit
www.perodua.com.my
 to locate a showroom in Malaysia.


Video: We drive the Honda City Turbo 2 and Honda Motocompo from 1982!

Did you know that Honda introduced a solution to traffic jams in the 80s?

This involved a foldable mini motorcycle that could be placed at the back of the Honda City Turbo.

It was Honda’s solution to urban mobility back when it was not even an issue. Talk about fore sight.

In this video we drive the Honda City Turbo 2 then we ride the Honda Motocompo and try folding and unfolding it to see what it was like.


Nissan Kicks with e-POWER technology makes global debut in Thailand (w/VIDEO)

Although the Nissan Kicks, inspired by the streets of Brazil, has been around since 2016, it has not been available in ASEAN. To make up for that, the carmaker has launched the e-POWER version and it’s actually a world debut which took place in Thailand. The model is built at the Nissan factory in the country as well.

The Kicks e-POWER, as the ‘e’ suggests, uses an electrified powertrain. The technology used in e-POWER has been proven in Japan where it has been available for the past few years. The compact hybrid powertrain uses an EM57 electric motor, generator and inverter that generates electricity from its 1.2 litre DOHC 12-valve 3-cylinder petrol engine. Electricity is stored in a 1.57 kWh lithium-ion battery pack

The e-POWER system can generate a maximum power output of 95 kW/129 ps, with up to 250 Nm of torque. Unique to e-POWER technology, when extra acceleration is required or when climbing a steep hill, the electric motor receives power from both the battery and the engine to enhance its performance. During deceleration, the engine stops running, and regenerative power is used to charge the battery until the vehicle comes to a complete stop, wasting no energy generated from deceleration.

The driving experience is also enhanced by intelligent accelerator technology. Its one-pedal technology (also found in the latest LEAF EV) allows drivers to launch, accelerate, decelerate, or stop the car by using only the accelerator pedal. By using only one pedal, tasks such as judging the distance between cars, decelerating, and stopping when going downhill or stopping for traffic lights are greatly simplified.

The driver can choose from 4 driving modes: Normal, S, Eco and EV. In Normal, the car produces strong acceleration off the line and stopping power (lifting off the acceleration pedal) that is claimed to be on par with the braking of its conventional petrol-powered counterparts. In S, the car accelerates quicker with enhanced stopping power. Eco is the fuel-saving mode which is regulated by battery power. EV mode uses stored battery electric power only, allowing a quiet drive experience without the petrol engine operating.

The Kick features 14 best-in-class Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies. These include Intelligent Cruise Control, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection and Intelligent Rear View Mirror.

Inside the Kicks

Inside, the passenger cabin features high-quality design and refinement, including the modern and simple ‘Gliding Wing’ instrument panel design that is dominated by a centrally-mounted 7-inch full-colour display housing a comprehensive infotainment system.

Intelligent Integration elements are powered by Nissan Connect, a multi-infotainment system with 8-inch touchscreen Colour Display Audio. It keeps customers ahead of the curve by bringing infotainment, navigation, safety and security under a single platform with a seamless connection via smartphone (Apple CarPlay for iOS).

“The launch of the all-new Nissan Kicks e-POWER in Thailand represents the disruptive and innovative DNA of Nissan that we continue to bring to the region,” said Yutaka Sanada, MC Chairman and Regional Senior Vice-President, Nissan Asia & Oceania. “This is an exciting day for Nissan and Thailand, as a key global production and export hub for Nissan and regional leader driving the company’s vision for electrification of mobility.”

In Thailand, the price range for the four versions start from 889,000 baht and goes up to 1,049,000 baht (RM120,650 – RM142,360). The battery pack is designed to last for up to 10 years and the electric system for up to 5 years. This is complemented by a factory warranty of 3 years or maximum of 100,000 kms.

Coming to Malaysia?

Last year, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) did some promotion of EVs and also launched the s
econd-generation LEAF EV
 as well as the
X-Trail Hybrid
. With the Almera already long in the market, it would seem like a good idea to replace it with the Kicks. However, whether the e-POWER variant will be offered or just with a conventional powertrain remains to be seen. Typically, ETCM is tight-lipped about new models although it has mentioned that this new model will be offered in future.

Visit
www.nissan.com.my
 to know more about the LEAF and X-Trail Hybrid.