Polestar 2 Gets Major Updates With Substantial Performance Increases

Polestar is updating its 5-door electric performance fastback, the Polestar 2, with major changes for the 2024 model year. Orders for the car, priced from 50,190 euros (about RM234,000) in Germany, are now being accepted online in certain with first deliveries to start during the fourth quarter.

The major update for the compact EV is not only confined to cosmetic changes but there are also substantial performance increases with all-new electric motors, even more powerful batteries, sustainability improvements and, for the first time in a Polestar, rear-wheel drive.

2024 Polestar 2 (right) gets new high-tech front end that reflects the design language first seen on the Polestar 3.

The SmartZone makes its debut on Polestar 2, signifying the shift from ‘breathing’ to ‘seeing’, and reflecting the high-tech nature of the brand’s models. Similar to the Polestar 3, the SmartZone hosts some of the vehicle’s most important active safety features, including the front facing camera and mid-range radar.

Next-generation motors
EV technologies are in a constant state of advancement so it’s not surprising that Polestar has next-generation electric motors and inverters for the Polestar 2. These are said to offer substantial increases in both efficiency and performance.

Single-motor variants are now rear-wheel driven, powered by a newly developed permanent magnet motor and silicon carbide inverter. The new motor has a power output of up to 220 kW (an increase of almost 30%) and is optimised for maximum efficiency and high torque (490 Nm, up from 330 Nm. This has lowered the 0 – 100 km/h time by as much as 1.2 seconds, to a claimed 6.2 seconds.

Rear-drive bias
The dual-motor version now has a rear-drive bias that increases driving pleasure and performance, thanks to a completely re-balanced drivetrain setup and torque-ratio. The new rear motor is the primary drive source, supported on the front axle by a new asynchronous motor. This enables higher total system output of 310 kW and 740 Nm (increased from the original 300 kW and 660 Nm), vastly improved traction, greater overall efficiency and higher.

“Changing from front- to rear-wheel drive in the single-motor variants, and re-calibrating the torque ratio in the dual-motor variant for an increased rear-wheel drive feel, elevates the Polestar 2 driving experience to a whole new level,” said Joakim Rydholm, Head of Chassis Development at Polestar. “The updated Polestar 2 is an even more playful and agile car, retaining its compactness and complete sense of control, while at the same time becoming more mature with added comfort.”

Supporting efficiency gains, the front motor can now be disengaged completely when not needed. When the driver wants more power, the front motor re-engages instantly and seamlessly. Up to 350 kW are available with the optional Performance Pack, and this upgrade can be obtained without going to a service centre. Customers can make the purchase online and will be sent the Performance Pack software over the air to be installed automatically.

Better range, quicker charging
All new Polestar 2 versions will come with upgraded lithium-ion batteries, with a positive impact on efficiency and capacity as well as charging times. Long-range versions now feature 82 kWh batteries from CATL with 27 modules. The battery for standard-range versions retains a capacity of 69 kWh with 24 modules, and is now supplied by LG Chem.

The updated batteries benefit from a redesigned battery disconnect unit, upgraded busbars and improved cell chemistry – enabling faster charging rates of up to 205 kW DC for long-range batteries and 135 kW for the standard-range battery.

Range improvements are in effect for all versions due to the larger and improved batteries, and the optimisation of power delivery from the more powerful motors. The front motor disconnect function on the Long-range Dual motor variant is particularly effective at maximising range, which is now up to 592 kms, a significant increase of 105 kms.

The Standard range Single motor version is now capable of up to 518 kms, an increase of 40 kms. The longest range is claimed for the Long range Single motor variant which is said to be able to travel  up to 635 kms, an increase of 84 kms.

“Typically in the car industry, a facelift introduces superficial visual changes that often destroy the original intention of the car’s design theme. With the new model year Polestar 2, we rather went below the surface and upgraded substantial tech and mechanical components of the electric drivetrain. This is the best Polestar 2 yet, and with the updated front design with the new SmartZone, the best looking one, too,” said Polestar CEO, Thomas Ingenlath.

Polestar 3 Will Have Driver Monitoring Technology From Smart Eye


Fuel Price Updates For September 1 – September 7, 2022

No change in fuel prices for coming 7 days.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.


How numberplates are issued in China

The United Nations estimates that China currently has a population of 1.42 billion. As the economy grows and living standards improve, demand for cars is also ballooning. Even so, the Chinese registration-number system manages with just 7 characters, the same number, for instance, as the Czech Republic. How that’s possible? This is a little misleading because the first character is Chinese and may take any of more than 30 different forms. The main reason, however, lies elsewhere: the limit on the number of registration plates issued in the largest cities.

In 2004, approximately two million cars were registered in both Beijing and Shanghai. Yet by 2010, there were 4.8 million cars in Beijing and ‘just’ 3.1 million in Shanghai. This is because, ever since 1994, Shanghai – along the lines of Singapore – has been restricting the number of plates available and issues them through a bidding system.

Auction price averages RM58,000

With demand outstripping supply many times over, plate prices are spiralling. To give you some idea, at the beginning of 2018, the 11,000 plates on offer attracted more than 220,000 bids and the auction price averaged almost US$14,000 (about RM58,000), which is more than what some locally-made cars cost!

Beijing also caps the number of plates issued, but waited until 2011 to launch this policy. This restriction was primarily introduced in response to the overcrowded roads and the suffocating smog that, as late as 2013, was seriously affecting the city for more than half the days of the year. Unlike Shanghai, however, Beijing has opted to hold a public lottery every 2 months. Under this system, plates in Beijing are more affordable than in Shanghai. However, the likelihood of obtaining one is decreasing every year because rocketing numbers of applicants are chasing an available pool of plates that is diminishing as each year goes by.

While different sources cite different numbers, The Economist drew directly on government statistics to discover that, at the beginning of 2018, any private individual wanting to own a car with an internal combustion engine had a 0.2% probability of winning the numberplate lottery (in February, 6,460 plates were made available to approximately 2.8 million applicants, averaging one plate per almost 450 hopefuls).

Slightly better for electrified vehicles

The situation is slightly better for electrified cars (referred to as NEVs or new energy vehicles) which primarily include plug-in hybrids, battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. Special plates are issued for NEVs, with 54,000 being made available for distribution among approximately 390,000 private applicants in 2019 (businesses are a separate group and have been allotted 6,000 plates).

Unlike the situation with ICE vehicles, these plates are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. There is currently a waiting time of about 8 years for those wanting a numberplate for an electrified car.

Some cities have gone down a third route that combines a lottery with an auction. In practice, this means that some plates are auctioned and the rest are put in a draw. Guangzhou pioneered this method, which has since spread to other cities.

In all of these cities, anyone wishing to buy a car must first be in possession of the plates. Since numberplates are transferable (and lifelong), this has combined with the circumstances above to create a black market in numberplates. Some people rent out their plates (illegally). Sham for-cash marriages are another phenomenon, as married couples are permitted to transfer numberplates between them.

Format of the numberplate

And what do Chinese plates actually look like? The current format was first introduced back in 1992 and was updated in 2007. Passenger-car plates comprise white lettering – usually 7 characters – on a light-blue background. As already noted, the first character is Chinese and denotes one of the provinces. It is followed by a Latin letter to indicate one of the areas within the province. Alternatively, some provinces (such as Beijing) use a special letter here to single out, for example, taxis, police cars, and the employees of certain state institutions.

There are then 5 characters making up the vehicle’s unique identifier. Initially, only numbers were used, but in some provinces, all of the numeric combinations were used up, so letters were introduced alongside numbers. The combination of characters is randomly generated by computer.

‘SEX’ was once allowed

In 2002, a new plate personalisation system was trialled in some cities, but it was very short-lived. Customised plates could have one of three forms for their unique vehicle identifier (the character for the province and the letter for the sub-region could not be changed): DDD-DDD, DDD-LLL or LLL-DDD (with D and L standing for digit and letter, respectively). Though some combinations were banned (e.g. “CHN” for China), many others – such as PRC, USA and, surprisingly, SEX – were permitted. Indeed, such combinations made their way on to the streets and some of them caused uproar among the authorities (for example, USA-911, which may well betray a love of America and the iconic Porsche model – but could just as well refer to the events of September 2001). This system was soon abolished and replaced by the original one from 1992.

As already mentioned, NEVs use a specially formatted numberplate featuring black lettering on a green background. The vehicle identifier is either D or F – the letter D denotes a battery electric vehicle, while the F symbolises other NEVs, especially plug-in hybrids and FCEVs.

Hong Kong and Macao, as special administrative regions, stand apart in the Chinese numberplate system. Both have their own system, reflecting their colonial past. The citizens of these regions who wish to drive their car to mainland China must apply for a Chinese plate. Likewise, when citizens of the Chinese mainland want to visit Hong Kong or Macao, they must apply for a local plate. The Chinese numberplates of cars from Hong Kong and Macao also have their own specific format – white lettering on a black background.

Information for this feature article was provided by SKODA.


DBX – the first-ever Aston Martin SUV is unveiled today, priced from RM798,000 (w/VIDEO)

Aston Martin officially joins the SUV bandwagon today with the all-new DBX – the first SUV model in its 106-year history. It’s the culmination of a development programme that began when Dr. Andy Palmer joined Aston Martin Lagonda from Nissan as President & Group CEO in 2014 and made a SUV project one of the company’s priorities.

When you think back 5 years ago, there were no true benchmarks for the Aston Martin SUV to observe. It was a segment previously unexplored and bringing both the versatility and indulgence expected of a luxury SUV with sportscar levels was a bold new challenge for the company.

“DBX also marks a key moment in the delivery of the third and final phase of our Second Century Plan, not only representing the promised expansion of our portfolio but also signalling the start of production at Aston Martin’s second manufacturing plant,” said Dr. Palmer. “We have both delivered this model through our expertise, but also by garnering invaluable experience and knowledge from external counsel, including our Female Advisory Board. This is a real landmark for this great British brand, and I promise that DBX will reward all who experience it in their everyday lives.”

“DBX is a car that will give many people their first experience of Aston Martin ownership.

As such, it needed to be true to the core values established in our sportscars,

while also providing the lifestyle versatility expected of a luxury SUV.”

Dr. Andy Palmer,  Aston Martin Lagonda President & Group CEO

All-new platform, sportscar structure

The foundation of the DBX is a new dedicated SUV platform, something rarely seen across the sector. By taking such an approach, all departments within Aston Martin could innovate and push the boundaries of what British design and engineering can create, resulting in a truly remarkable product that has ‘British-ness’.

Utilising bonded aluminium, a construction method Aston Martin has refined through the development of its sportscars, the body structure is both very light and incredibly stiff, with an overall kerb weight of 2,245 kgs. The exceptional stiffness inherent in the design of the new platform has also enabled the DBX to achieve exceptional dynamics both on and off-road.

Adaptive triple volume air suspension has been combined with the latest 48V electric anti-roll control system (eARC) and electronic adaptive dampers to provide the new SUV with a huge breadth of ability. With its capacity to raise the ride height by 45 mm or lower it by 50 mm, the air suspension gives the capability to tackle a wide range of terrain.

The eARC can limit the SUV’s body roll for handling that is much more akin to that of a sportscar than an SUV. This sophisticated system of adaptive air suspension, dampers and eARC allows for maximum ride comfort when transporting up to 5 occupants and their luggage, while maintaining a highly responsive and engaging dynamic capability.

Powered by a new version of the 550 ps/770 Nm 4-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine also used in DB11 and Vantage, the DBX has a sound character that is unquestionably Aston Martin. The active exhaust system ensures this is a luxury SUV that can sound refined one moment and exhilarating the next. But the soundtrack is not everything and to enhance fuel economy, the engine has cylinder deactivation. Yet it can also propel the DBX from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 290 km/h.

Transmitting this power and torque to the ground is a 9-speed torque convertor automatic gearbox, allied to an all-wheel drive system with active differentials. The drivetrain features an active central differential and an electronic rear limited slip differential (eDiff). This allows the torque to be moved precisely both fore and aft in the vehicle and also across the rear axle.

First 5-seater Aston Martin

Aston Martin’s first ever full-size 5-seat model has been designed to be extremely adaptable to a wide variety of lifestyle needs and owners. It can accommodate the world’s 99th percentile male and 5th percentile female, which covers a broad range of heights. The use of sportscar seat packaging in the front not only provides the driver with exceptional support and long-distance driving comfort, but also provides knee and footwell clearance for those sitting behind.

Small touches throughout, including separate central armrests, glovebox design and the ergonomic positioning of the car’s key control systems, have been guided carefully by the input of the brand’s Female Advisory Board, dealership feedback and a variety of private focus groups held worldwide. Not limited to this area, the guidance provided has been key to the success of DBX’s overall design.

With 632 litres of boot space and 40:20:40 split folding rear seats, the DBX possesses all the flexible load capacity expected of an SUV with class-leading interior space. The load space offers a practical and cleanly designed space. A narrow load sill and broad aperture maximises the practicality for a variety of luggage, such as suitcases, golf bags and ski equipment.

An industry first, both the headlining and electric roof blind are available in a luxurious Alcantara finish, providing a harmonious design, light obscuration and solar attenuation without compromising headroom. Throughout the cabin, DBX maintains an authenticity of materials, with judicious use of metal, glass and wood throughout the cabin.

Another design highlight includes the elegantly crafted bridged centre console allowing for both flexible storage below and a beautiful, architectural centrepiece. This feature keeps valuables close to hand while not occupying the passenger seat and away from dirt on the car’s floor mats. As part of ‘Q by Aston Martin’ – Aston Martin’s personalisation service – optional features of this centre console can be machined from a solid piece of wood, such as Walnut, for added tactility.

Framed by these materials is an abundance of technology. A 10.25-inch TFT screen sits elegantly flush in the centre console, while a huge 12.3-inch TFT screen provides a wealth of information to the driver. Apple CarPlay comes as standard (will DBX owners used only iPhones?), as does a 360-degree camera system and ambient lighting that offers 64 different colours in two zones.

Sportscar style with SUV functionality

The DBX’s exterior combines the elegance of Aston Martin’s sportscars with the functional style of SUVs. However, the big story is about the aerodynamics which were an important consideration within the design process.

At the car’s front, the daytime running lights (DRLs) have an integrated aerodynamic duct, which channels air through the front wheel arches and along the side, helping to reduce both drag and lift while also cooling the brakes. Air flows cleanly over the roof, through the rear wing, over the rear window and on to the rear flip. This unique approach and design detail allows the rear screen to self-clear on the move. Aerodynamic design has also played a key part in passenger comfort because as one of only a few companies using computational aeroacoustics technology, Aston Martin’s engineers have been able to keep cabin noise to a minimum at speed.

Further adding to the desirability of DBX, the first 500 owners of this landmark model will benefit from an exclusive ‘1913 Package’. Fitted with a unique fender badge, sill plaques and an inspection plaque detailing its limited build-run; each of these first examples will be personally endorsed and inspected by Dr. Palmer. In addition, each customer will also receive a unique build-book signed by both Aston Martin’s CEO & Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman and an invitation to a regionally hosted Waldorf Astoria celebration cocktail party, hosted by a member of the Aston Martin Lagonda executive team.

As for the Malaysian market, Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur is ready to accept bookings. The DBX will be priced from
RM798,000.00
 (excluding duties). For more information or to find out where to send your deposit cheque, call 03 2163 1196.

Final testing for first Aston Martin SUV before December launch


BMW Malaysia Introduces New 8-Series @ RM1.08 Million!

BMW M850i xDrive Coupe

BMW Malaysia
 has introduced
The 8
, the newest member to the premium automaker’s portfolio of luxury vehicles. Developed on the race track to achieve supreme agility, precision, and poise, The 8 combines powerful engine with
BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive
 system and BMW
EfficientLightweight
 design measures – set to introduce new benchmarks in the luxury coupe segment.

“At the BMW Group, we’ve always had our sights on the future, and the First Generation BMW 8 Series is testimony to that. First introduced in 1989, the luxurious sports coupe was bold and ahead of its time in terms of performance, innovation and luxury. It was the first BMW vehicle to introduce electronic drive-by-wire throttle, Dynamic Stability Control and Integral Active Steering with the use of multi-link rear axle technology. Three decades on, we have taken the future-looking legacy of the BMW 8 Series and we are bringing this luxurious sports coupe into the modern era to set standards for the future.”
 said Mr.
Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia.

The 8 is introduced in the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe variant, boasting outstanding performance, emotion-stirring design, state-of-the-art luxury, exceptionally advanced equipment features when it comes to display and control technology, driver assistance and connectivity. Here’s an in-depth look at the new M850i as explained by BMW Malaysia themselves…

The exterior design of The 8 demonstrates a modern form of sporting appeal with a new styling language focusing on clarity, modernity and emotional engagement. The car’s low-slung design, an elongated silhouette with a slim window graphic and a roofline flowing elegantly into the rear with distinctive ‘double-bubble’ contouring, a long wheelbase and wide track widths are the defining visual elements of The 8’s proportions.

The latest V8 engine with incredible power delivery and acoustics also debuts in the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe, serving prodigious power delivery and an equally impressive soundtrack, which is further enhanced by the flap-controlled sports exhaust system.

A new design language for sporting appeal.

Everything about The 8’s appearance convey pure dynamism and turns the luxury coupe into a sports car brimming with passion and character. Onlookers will be greeted by the trademark hexagonal kidney grille with its elements framed by a single-piece surround. The 8 comes standard with the BMW Laserlight – the slimmest headlights of any BMW model to date.

The side view is dominated by a dramatic interplay of surfaces using sleek character lines to trace the flow of the air exiting the Air Breathers. Whilst the surfaces curve inwards of the far side of the front wheels, they flare outwards again above the rear wheels. This combines with the strikingly tapered glasshouse to create a muscular shoulder line. At the rear, the interplay of horizontal and diagonal lines emphasises the car’s width and low centre of gravity. The LED taillights add to this effect by extending deep into the flanks. Twin exhaust tailpipes with a trapezoidal contour are positioned on either side of the rear apron’s lower section.

The BMW M performance model is instantly recognisable by its exclusive exterior appointments in Cerium Grey, an M rear spoiler and illuminated door sills bearing the model name. It comes standard with an additional front spoiler to minimise the lift that occurs at the front axle at high speeds.

The 8 comes with exceptionally powerful 19” M Sport brakes along with blue painted M callipers. The standard specification for the BMW M850i xDrive coupe also includes 20” M light-alloy wheels in y-spoke style 728 M with mixed tyres. Specifically with the choice of the Sunset Orange exterior colour offering, the option for wheels in the Style 728 M in Jet Black are available.

BMW’s trademark Hofmeister kink has also been updated to a tightly-angled version.  Carried over from the concept car, The 8 features the ‘double-bubble’ which mimics the rush of air rearwards along the roof at high speeds. To reduce the aerodynamic drag of The 8’s streamlined body, it has an almost fully sealed underbody, active air flap control with adjustable kidney grille slats and Air Curtains including Air Breathers.

The modern and minimalistic exterior design language is continued inside the new BMW 8 Series Coupe, creating a relaxingly luxurious ambience. All lines point lengthways, automatically directing the gaze to the front and emphasising the focus on sporty driving. All control elements are clearly arranged. A concise surface design lets the high-quality materials really stand out. The use of trim finishers, for instance, is restricted to the sports car-style transition between the centre console and the instrument panel.

In addition to multifunction seats and the M leather steering wheel, the M Sport package include an anthracite BMW Individual headliner, M pedals, M driver’s footrest and special floor mats to inject the cabin with distinctly sporty flair.

The newly developed sports seats are upholstered as standard in Merino leather. The fulled leather trim for the door shoulders and instrument panel is also standard. Thanks to the low seating position of both rear seats, it has been possible to design the head restraints as an integral part of the backrests. The rear backrest can be split 50:50 as standard and folded down to increase the capacity of the 420-litre luggage compartment.

For the first time ever, active seat ventilation is also made available where the cooled air is sucked in from the interior then guided along the body to the seats’ built-in fans for particularly effective temperature control of the seat cushions and backrests.

Formidable power generates supreme dynamic performance.

The introduction of the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe also marks the premiere of a new V8 engine. The latest generation of the 4.4-litre eight-cylinder unit has been radically revised and optimised. Two twin-scroll turbochargers with charge air cooling located within the V-shaped space between the cylinder banks, High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing all form part of the BMW M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology which generates a top speed of 250 km/h.

The BMW M850i xDrive Coupe delivers a maximum output of 390kW/530hp which is on tap between 5,500 – 6,000 rpm. The maximum torque of 750Nm is available over a wide rev range from 1,800 to 4,600 rpm for prolonged forward thrust. It can do the century sprint in merely 3.7 seconds and posts a fuel consumption of 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres.

The V8 engine is paired with the latest-generation 8-speed Steptronic Sports Transmission whose increased ratio spread, new transmission management and optimised hydraulic control produce sportier gear shifts while also enhancing its efficiency and smoothness. Shift paddles on the steering wheel are included as standard for manual gear selection.

Likewise, the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system operates more efficiently than ever before. With its rapid, precise and fully variable distribution of torque between the front and rear wheels, it maximises traction and handles stability even in highly dynamic driving situations. At the same time, the rear-biased set-up guarantees a driving experience for which BMW sports cars are renowned for. The electronically controlled rear differential lock fitted as standard on the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe gives the car an even sportier edge. The locking effect generated by an electric motor limits speed compensation between the inside and outside rear wheel when cornering, making it possible to power out of bends with eye-catching dynamic verve.

Honed on the race track.

The construction principle and tuning of The 8’s chassis are designed to harness the dynamic potential of its powertrain technology, and make best use of the car’s underlying concept to achieve maximum sports performance. Optimised weight, a low centre of gravity, well-balanced axle load distribution, ideal wheelbase length and a wide track, plus a rigid body structure and favourable aerodynamic properties provide all the right ingredients to this end.

All standard light-alloy wheels are fitted with mixed-size tyres, whose traction-enhancing effect was factored into the tuning of the chassis. The suspension technology developed for The 8 consists of a double-wishbone front axle and a shear panel fitted to the five-link rear axle which optimise stiffness and the chassis components’ connection to the body. The maximised camber settings on both axles, meanwhile, increase power transfer potential at high cornering speeds.

In addition to the Adaptive M Suspension, The 8 also comes standard with Integral Active Steering which reduces the car’s turning circle when manoeuvring, increases agility at moderate speeds and optimises poise and assurance when changing lanes and cornering at high speeds.

Unique innovations for comfort and safety.

The 8 is an extremely advanced model within its segment. Not only does it come with active cruise control with Stop & Go Function, it also offers Driving Assistant Professional as a standard. The driver assistance includes Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning, Pedestrian Collision Warning, Crossing Traffic Warning (front and rear), Emergency Stop Assistant, steering and lane control assistant, Lane Keeping Assistant with active side collision protection and Evasion Aid which now reacts to pedestrians.

The BMW Live Cockpit Professional comes as standard in The 8. The latest-generation display and control concept consists of a high-resolution instrument cluster behind the steering wheel with a screen diagonal of 12.3” as well as a 10.25” Control Display which run on the new BMW Operating System 7.0. Further components of the BMW Live Cockpit Professional include an adaptive navigation system, a hard-drive based multimedia system with 20GB of memory, two USB ports, Bluetooth and WiFi interfaces.

Drivers can benefit from the car’s intelligent connectivity capabilities thanks to its built-in SIM card and the unlimited data volume, which allow them to use Intelligent Emergency Call to automatically summon swift assistance in an emergency and receive regular updates for the navigation system’s maps. Other services include Concierge Service and Remote Services.

Making its debut in The 8 is the perfect co-driver – BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, an intelligent, digital character that responds to the prompt “Hey BMW”. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant learns routines and habits, and is subsequently able to apply them in the appropriate context. In addition to ensuring there is always a genuine BMW professional on board, capable of explaining the different functions, the assistant awaits the driver’s every command, is always there to assist them and even provides casual conversation. One unique feature over other digital assistant is that drivers can give it a name, for example, “Hey Jamie”, to lend even greater individuality and personality.

The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant will benefit from constant technical upgrades and be able to learn more preferences and favoured settings. Based on the driver’s favourite settings, it can even activate a combination of them to enhance well-being. For instance, “Hey BMW, I feel tired” triggers a vitality programme that adjusts the lighting mood, music and temperature, among other things, in order to make the driver feel more awake.

Also for the first time, The 8 features the BMW Digital Key. The Digital Key employs Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to allow the new luxury sports car to be locked and unlocked from a smartphone. The smartphone simply has to be held up to the door handle to open the door. Once inside, the engine can be started as soon as the phone has been placed in the Wireless Charging or smartphone tray. Via the BMW Connected App, the Digital Key enables the driver to share the key with up to five people.

In terms of exterior colour offering, The 8 offers selections of Carbon Black metallic, Black Sapphire metallic, Sonic Speed Blue metallic, Barcelona Blue metallic, Sunset Orange metallic and Mineral White, matched with Black, Cognac or Ivory White BMW Individual Merino full leather trim sports seat. The 8 will be available at all authorised BMW dealerships nationwide from Friday, 15
th
 March 2019. Alternatively, visit
www.bmwbethefirst.com.my
 to pre-book.

Dynamic financial programme.

With the Balloon Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe can be owned with monthly instalment plans starting from RM 12,418.00 (based on estimates of an 80% loan on a five-year tenure).

Complete premium ownership experience.

Owners of The 8 can also experience the complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership experience which includes:

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

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

BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline

The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App – BMW White Card

BMW Service Online

The retail price
(on the road, without insurance, and with BMW Group Malaysia’s latest 5 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty, Free Scheduled Service Programme and BMW Tyre Warranty Programme) for The 8 is:

The BMW M850i xDrive Coupe – RM 1,088,800.00

				BMW M850i xDrive Coupe


Volkswagen GEN.TRAVEL Design Study Offers Maximum Vehicle Autonomy

In the future (probably quite distant), people will travel in vehicles which can operate completely without human control or management. This will be when Level 5 autonomy is possible, at which time the question will be whether we can regard the vehicle as the ‘car’ we drive today.

At Chantilly Arts & Elegance event being held in France this weekend, the Volkswagen Group will present an innovative design study that will show what a Level 5 autonomous vehicle might be like, with a realistic outlook for the mobility of the coming decade.

For obtaining customer response
The prototype, known as the GEN.TRAVEL, is an Innovation Experience Vehicle (IEV) to test the concept and new functionalities for customer response. Based on the study results, individual features may later be transferred to production vehicles.

With GEN.TRAVEL, the Volkswagen Group is proposing a completely new vehicle category in the premium portfolio between sedan and MPV. It redefines long-distance mobility of the future and can be a flexible, sustainable Mobility-as-a-Service alternative to short-haul flights.

Unique modular interior concept
The electrically-powered GEN.TRAVEL has a unique modular interior concept that can be customized for each journey. Depending on the configuration, up to 4 people can be transported in comfort.

For business trips, there is the conference set-up with four comfortable seats facing each other and a large table in the middle. Dynamic lighting creates a pleasant working environment and avoids the danger of kinetosis (motion sickness). For family trips, the GEN.TRAVEL with front seats can be configured to entertain the children using augmented reality.

Another configuration is the overnight-setup which allows the conversion of 2 seats into 2 beds that can be folded out to a full-flat position. An innovative passenger restraint system ensures maximum safety, even in a lying position. The lighting system influences melatonin production to help passengers fall asleep and wake up naturally.

The interior is light, with a natural design. All HMI (human-machine interface) elements are produced using sustainable materials, combined with recycled or natural materials.

For maximum comfort, the GEN.TRAVEL has eABC (electric Active Body Control), an active suspension system that calculates vertical and lateral movements such as acceleration, braking, or cornering ahead of time, and optimizes the driving style and trajectory accordingly.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and platooning – fully autonomous driving in convoys – can be used to further increase the range for long-distance journeys.

Exterior design
The futuristic exterior of the GEN.TRAVEL is divided into two parts. The transparent, glass cabin is incorporated into the lower section which houses all the technical features. The edge of the window is at waist level, making it very low so as to maximize the view of the outside.

The wing doors of the GEN.TRAVEL facilitate better entry and exit. At the same time, when passengers are lying down flat in the car, they do not experience any external influences.

“The GEN.TRAVEL offers us a glimpse of the travel of the future. It shows us what autonomous driving will look like in the future. The GEN.TRAVEL embodies the visionary design of beyond tomorrow for the mobility of tomorrow. Efficient shaping characterizes the extremely distinctive design. Thus, in an age of technical perfection and virtually unlimited possibilities, ‘form follows function’ becomes ‘form follows freedom’. The automobile will not only be better, but also more exciting than ever before!” said Klaus Zyciora, Head of Volkswagen Group Design.

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


Cycle & Carriage Bintang Launches “Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile” Service

Tired of waiting at showrooms for your Merc to be serviced? Well, here’s good news then,
Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad
 recently launched the
Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile
. A first-of-its-kind in Malaysia, this new service offers customers best-in-class services with minimal wait time, conveniently at their doorstep.

The Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile, housed within a
Mercedes-Benz Vito
, is designed to give customers the luxury of convenience and hassle-free maintenance services for their cherished Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The services include
scheduled maintenance services, wiper blade replacements, key battery or infrared replacements and battery replacements
 right at a customer’s doorstep, without having to drive into a service centre.

“Our customers are important to us, and we dedicate ourselves to continually learning and understanding their different needs and preferences. We aim to be a trusted dealer partner by translating our insights into innovative services and experiences that enhance the overall customer journey. The Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile is a shining example of a premium service that delivers greater convenience and peace of mind when it comes to caring for our customers’ cherished Mercedes-Benz vehicles,”
 said
Cycle & Carriage Bintang Chief Executive Officer, Wilfrid Foo.

Cycle & Carriage is the pilot for the roll-out of the first Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile, and its service is currently available to Cycle & Carriage customers in the Klang Valley only.

In celebration of the Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile launch, Cycle & Carriage is
waiving the service fee
 for the first three months. Customers can schedule an appointment with any Cycle & Carriage dealership within the Klang Valley to enjoy the Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile services. Along with added convenience and quality, customers are assured greater transparency with cost estimates provided ahead of services including itemised costs for required parts and labour costs. This enables customers make more informed decisions about the maintenance of their Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

“The Cycle & Carriage brand is almost 120 years and we have, in the many decades, nurtured a personal relationship with Mercedes-Benz fans and owners. The ownership experience is a journey. And Cycle & Carriage is passionate about making it an exceptional journey for every Mercedes-Benz fan,
” added
Wilfrid
.

The Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile is manned by two qualified technicians and fully equipped with the
Xentry Diagnosis
 system, special tools and technician hand tools to perform off site repair and maintenance jobs, and operates daily (except public holidays),
Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm
, and
Saturday to Sunday from 8.00am to 1.00pm
.

To book an appointment, customers can call their respective Cycle & Carriage service centres or directly call
The Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile
 hotline at
+603 – 6192 9200.

*Terms and conditions apply


Nissan Ambition 2030 – a long-term vision towards sustainability for Japanese carmaker

Nissan will be stepping up its electrification strategy as it aims to be carbon-neutral across the lifecycle of its products by its fiscal year 2050. With its new long-term vision – Nissan Ambition 2030 – announced today, the carmaker will advance technologies to reduce its carbon footprint and pursue new business opportunities and become a sustainable company.

Having been a strong promoter of electric vehicles (EVs), starting with the LEAF, Nissan will continue to place electrification at the core of the company’s long-term strategy. In this respect, it aims to accelerate the electrification of its vehicle line-up and rate of technology innovation with investments of 2 trillion yen (about RM76.2 billion) over the next 5 years.

23 new electrified models to come

By fiscal 2030, the Nissan range will see 23 new electrified models, including 15 new EVs, to achieve an electrification mix of more than 50% globally across the Nissan and Infiniti brands. Within the next 5 years, 20 new EV and e-POWER equipped models will be launched and with these new models, more than 75% of sales in Europe will be electrified models by 2026. In Japan, the mix is expected to be more than 55% of sales, while in China, it will be more than 40% of sales.

“We are proud of our long track record of innovation, and of our role in delivering the EV revolution. With our new ambition, we continue to take the lead in accelerating the natural shift to EVs by creating customer pull through an attractive proposition by driving excitement, enabling adoption and creating a cleaner world,” said Nissan COO Ashwani Gupta.

Representing the next stage of Nissan’s electrified future, the company today also unveiled three new concept cars that offer enhanced experiences through sophisticated technology packaging. These concept cars are being developed under Nissan EV Technology Vision, a technology study that looks beyond the Ariya and next-generation crossover EV. The technology considers the direction of future EVs, and how advancements in battery technology, hardware and packaging can offer customers a wide variety of mobility solutions to match their needs and lifestyles.

All solid-state battery (ASSB) technology

At the core of Nissan EV Technology Vision is the integration of all solid-state battery (ASSB) technology that integrates with optimized components into a skateboard-like structure that allows for a variety of vehicle types. The optimum hardware structure will bring out the full potential of future complex software configurations and further realize the precision, performance, efficiency and versatility of EV offerings. Recharging time will be reduced to one-third, it is claimed.

CMF-EV platform

ASSB, which offers innovative integration of the body, chassis and battery pack, has ideal geometry with electric drive. Motors are located at the front and rear and together with a very low centre of gravity and ultra light weight, optimal mass distribution can be achieved. To efficiently manage and operate the vehicle precisely, AI (artificial intelligence) will also be integrated and this includes technologies such as Advanced e-4ORCE and Advanced ProPILOT.

Nissan will also continue to advance its lithium-ion battery technologies and introduce cobalt-free technology to bring down the cost by 65% by fiscal year 2028. The proprietary ASSB will be installed in EV models by fiscal year 2028.

In addition to technology upgrades, Nissan will localize manufacturing and sourcing to make EVs more competitive. The carmaker will expand its unique
EV Hub concept, EV36Zero
, which was launched in the UK, to core markets including Japan, China and the USA. EV36Zero is a fully integrated manufacturing and service ecosystem connecting mobility and energy management with the aim of realizing carbon neutrality.

Preview of future models

For those who worry that electrification will mean the end of sportscars from Nissan, this seems unlikely to happen. Even in the EV age, there will be sportscars although they may have a different sort of feel from today’s musclecars with combustion engines. They will still offer impressive performance, thanks to the high torque characteristics of electric motors.

The
Max-Out concept
(above) is one idea which Nissan designers are looking at and it is a convertible. Technical details are not available at this time but there is the promise of ‘a new driving experience with superlative stability and comfort’. The low centre of gravity will provide dynamic cornering and steering response with limited body roll and the occupants will feel united with the car. The 2-seater has a unique ability to morph the seating, flattening into the floor for more interior space when needed. This would be ideal when the driver is out on the road alone.

The Max-Out will have Advanced e-4ORCE which offers powerful, smooth and high output, ride comfort, and independent brake control. This electric-drive 4-wheel-control technology integrates Nissan’s electric propulsion and 4WD control technologies with chassis control technology to achieve a huge leap in acceleration, cornering and braking performance on par with the latest sportscars.

The
Surf-Out concept
 (above), as the name suggests, is more of an adventure concept with the bodystyle being that of a compact pick-up. It is all-terrain capable and could have a variety of power outputs to suit different conditions. The low and flat cargo space will make stowing gear convenient, while the vehicle can also supply electric power for other devices or equipment. Like the Max-Out, this concept vehicle is also engineered with Advanced e-4ORCE.

With the
Hang-Out concept
 (above), the designers are exploring new ideas for interior layouts. This is possible as the floor is completely flat from front to rear. Thus, the cabin can be a mobile living room which travels off the highway. Theatre-style seating will make viewing movies on the built-in display enjoyable for everyone. Special effort is made to suppress vibrations and jolts so that the occupants are less likely to experience motion sickness.

The driver will have the support of Advanced e-4ORCE and Advanced ProPILOT to make journeys safer and more comfortable. ProPILOT technology is already available in some Nissan models as the carmaker was the first to introduce a combination of steering, accelerator and braking that can be operated in full automatic mode. This technology enables autonomous operation during highway driving in single-lane traffic.

Nissan aims to expand ProPILOT technology to over 2.5 million Nissan and Infiniti vehicles by fiscal year 2026. The company will also further develop its autonomous vehicle technologies, aiming to incorporate next generation LIDAR systems on virtually every new model by fiscal year 2030.

Besides the three models, a more advanced concept model is the
Chill-Out
 (above), which shows some of the design language that we might see in future Nissan vehicles. It sits on the modular CMF-EV platform of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.

Designed specifically for electric vehicles, the CMF-EV platform is exceptional in its modularity. For example, it allows for the installation of batteries of different heights which means it can be used for low sedans as well as SUVs which have more ground clearance. The platform is variable in its length, making it applicable for more different types of vehicles.

Nissan to invest £1 billion in establishing Electric Vehicle (EV) Hub as a world-first EV manufacturing ecosystem


Malaysia’s Taj Aiman finishes second overall in first-ever GR Supra GT Cup ASIA

Online racing or sim racing has been growing over the years and this year, its popularity has accelerated (or at least activity) due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. As people around the world were forced to stay home and large-scale activities like motor racing were not permitted, the alternative very quickly became racing online. There were already some popular series running and some manufacturers began to also create their own championships.

One of them has been Toyota which has been stepping up its presence in motorsports through Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR). One of the new activities created was the GR Supra GT Cup ASIA 2020, a regional event which would see the best sim racers from 5 countries – Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and India – competing against each other.

Organized by Toyota Motor Asia Pacific, it was the first virtual motorsport racing championship in Asia. Each country has held its own series to find three of the best racers, and these were the ones who represented the country. The 15 contestants challenged each other using identical GR Supra RZ20 racing cars on the PlayStation platform, watched by millions of viewers worldwide… certainly way more than a real-world race.

Three races, 15 competitors

The event comprised 3 races, starting at the Fuji Speedway in Japan. At the end of this race, A. Aleef from Singapore led the pack with a strong 6-second lead. He was followed closely in second and third place, respectively, by Muhammad Iqbal Ahmad Suji and Taj Aiman, both from the Malaysian team.

The second race was an exciting 5 laps through the night ‘Shuto’ expressway of Tokyo – obviously only possible in the virtual world! Lap 5 saw one of the most exciting duels of the race as Suji, Tanapat (Thailand) and Shaz (Singapore) race 3-wide through the long straight to compete for P7 in a one-lane turn. But it was Aleef who again finished with a strong first place, followed closely by N. Sirigaya (Thailand) and T. Lallave (Philippines).

Nurburgring was where the final battles took place. This circuit runs over 20 kms and has more than 150 turns, requiring a mandatory pitstop and tyre change. After 3 intense laps, Taj Aiman came in first with an incredibly close second from Sirigaya and Aleef in third.

The overall winners were determined by their total points at the end of the three races. Aleef had the highest score of 36 points, while Taj Aiman came second with 33 points, and Sirigaya was in third with 25 points.

Overall winner faces global challengers

Aleef won US$6,000 in cash and a coveted spot to race in the global final GR Supra GT Cup 2020 in December. He will this represent Asia against the best of class e-Motorsport challengers from around the world.

Taj Aiman, placed second, received US$3,000 while Sirigaya, who came in third, won US$1,500 USD. All three winners were also awarded trophies.

“It has been a phenomenal year for me, having won the Toyota GR Velocity Esports Championship, given the honour to represent Malaysia and going on to finish second in the GR Supra GT Cup Asia, What an incredible experience!” said Taj Aiman. “Coming in second and just 3 points short of an overall victory is tough but that’s racing, and it is what it is.”

Malaysian event inspiration for GR Supra GT Cup Asia

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) continues to be the first, and remains as the only car company in Malaysia to be associated with e-Motorsport activities. The company has run three seasons of the Toyota GR Velocity Esports Championship, which was also instrumental in inspiring the very first GR Supra GT Cup Asia series.

The Toyota GR Velocity Esports Championship has been held in Malaysia over the last three years.

“With simulator racing becoming more competitive and also regarded as an important stepping stone for some of the world’s best real-life racers and teams, it is important that Malaysian virtual racers are also given the opportunity to compete at regional as well as international levels. At Toyota, we are delighted to be able to provide them with this exposure,” said Akio Takeyama, GAZOO RACING Malaysia’s Chief Motorsport Officer.

President of UMW Toyota Motor, Ravindran K., said the company’s contribution to Malaysian motorsports will continue both on the racing track and in the virtual world as it aspires to bridge both disciplines and bring motor-racing to the masses.

“It’s amazing to see how far virtual racing has come and, in many ways, today becoming an important element in accelerating the learning and development of a driver on the track. Virtual racing has also been instrumental in growing the interest and appreciation for motorsports and moving forward, UMWT will continue to invest in its potential,” he said, adding that part of UMWT’s initiatives include the recent launching of a GAZOO RACING Young Talent Development Program which is aimed at allowing both young karters and simulator racers to transition into real racing.

UMW Toyota Motor starts GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program


The Defender V8 in ‘No Time to Die’ can be yours too

Land Rovers have appeared in various James Bond movies and will again star in the latest one to have its world premiere later this month. A video released last year showed
Defenders in action
, flying through the air in ‘
No Time to Die’
, and for those who want a similar vehicle, Land Rover SV Bespoke has created the Defender V8 Bond Edition.

Only 300 units will be offered through Land Rover dealers worldwide and there will be a choice of the Defender 90 or 110 bodystyles. To have the same stealthy look, the Defender V8 Bond Edition gets an Extended Black Pack with 22-inch Gloss Black alloy wheels and signature Xenon Blue front brake calipers.

The bespoke touches extend to the practical interior, with a specially developed start-up animation for the intuitive Pivi Pro infotainment system touchscreen that honours Land Rover’s long partnership with the James Bond franchise. At night, customers will also spot unique ‘007’ puddle lamp graphics flashed on ground outside the doors.

There are, of course, ‘Defender 007’ badges on various parts of the bodywork and inside, laser etching details that each unit is ‘one of 300’. Each vehicle is specially commissioned by the vehicle personalisation experts at SV Bespoke in the UK.

Based on the recently launched Defender V8, the Bond Edition is powered by a 5-litre 525 ps/625 Nm supercharged petrol engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This provides levels of performance that were never available in the original Defender and expertly developed suspension tuning allows the driver to make use of all that capability.

“The Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition is an exclusive take on the most powerful production Defender ever made, inspired by vehicles on screen in
‘No Time to Die’
. It represents a meeting of two great British brands and is a unique celebration of Land Rover’s 38-year association with James Bond,” said Finbar McFall, Land Rover Brand Director.

Besides the Defender, there will also be two Range Rover Sport SVRs, a Range Rover Classic and Land Rover Series III in the film, which is the 25
th
 one since 1962. ‘
No Time to Die’
 will be released progressively worldwide from the end of September, with the first screening taking place in the UK on September 30.

Going by some recent pictures of camouflaged Defenders on Malaysian roads last month, it is likely that Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia will be introducing the model in the near future. If you want to be alerted about the launch, you could let your interest be known at a
Land Rover showroom
.

New Land Rover Defender to star in next James Bond movie (w/VIDEO)


Lotus Elan – The Car For The Swinging Sixties

Sixty years ago, at the 1962 British Motor Show, Colin and Hazel Chapman presented their new Lotus model – a small sportscar called the Elan which was ultra modern, lightweight and promised to be fun to drive. It was a contrast to other sportscars that had come out around the same time, like the Jaguar E-Type, AC Cobra and Ferrari GTO.

What drew the media to Lotus – which had been only in business for just 10 years – was the fact that its racing team had already won eight F1 races and several times at Le Mans. And just as the Mini was attracting celebrities, so too did the new Elan. Culturally, it was an icon as the Swinging Sixties embraced cool new design.

On TV, it was driven by Diana Rigg in ‘
The Avengers
’; Peter Sellers owned one, gifting another to his then fiancee Britt Ekland. Jimi Hendrix posed on the bonnet of another, and it even inspired the lyrics to The Beatles’ song ‘
A Day In The Life’
.

Actually, the British Motor Show was not where the Elan had its debut. This came a week before at Ford Motor Company’s main London showroom in Regent Street. It was attended by VIPs, media and Lotus and Ford executives and was a truly exclusive and private event.

Why was the Elan unveiled at Ford premises? A letter from Ford’s Parts and Accessories Operations in England to its dealer network explained more: the Lotus Elan was ‘powered by a Lotus modified 1500 cc 122E Consul Classic (also known as the ‘Kent’) power unit. The Elan also incorporates a Ford gearbox, differential and carrier assembly and a number of small components.’

Advertisements from Ford were placed in the newspapers and motor mentioning the ‘race-winning association between Ford and Lotus’ and congratulating ‘Colin Chapman and his team of designers on an outstanding achievement with which we are proud to couple the name of Ford’. At the same time,
Autocar
 provided an in-depth technical summary and preview of the Elan.

Introduced in 1962 as a roadster (Drop Head), an optional hardtop was offered in 1963 and a coupe (Fixed Head) version came along in 1965. It was the first Lotus road car to use a steel backbone chassis, a technology that continued until 1995 on all Lotus road cars including the Europa, Excel and the Esprit supercar.

The Elan was technically innovative with the backbone chassis, fibreglass body, 4-wheel disc brakes, and 4-wheel independent suspension. It was typically Lotus in being engineered to be light and weighed just 640 kgs. The twincam 1499 cc engine, which produced 100 bhp, was later uprated to 1558 cc with an additional 5 bhp being delivered. Owners of the 1.5-litre Elan had their engines upgraded as well.

The Elan Sprint, a more powerful 1973 alternative, could hit 60 mph (92 km/h) in 6.6 seconds, which even now would be considered respectably fast. In 1973, it was impressive performance indeed and with the low mass, it was almost unbeatable on a country road.

Mirroring the changing lifestyles of the Chapmans, an Elan +2 was introduced in 1967 with two rear seats. These were compact but by no means occasional, accommodating the growing Chapman family.

The Elan +2

Assembly of the cars which had fibreglass bodies.

Four different Elan series were produced up until 1973, and the +2 ended the following year. With a production run of 17,392 cars, the Elan family was one of the most successful in Lotus history, surpassed only by the Elise (35,124 produced between 1996 and 2021).

Elan owners in the UK gathered for an anniversary celebration at the Lotus factory last month.

Production of Lotus Elise, Exige and Evora has ended


Edaran Tan Chong Motor offers warranty extension for Nissan vehicles

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn. Bhd. (ETCM) today announced that the warranty of all Nissan vehicles distributed and sold by the company will have an extension of 30 days from the last day of the Movement Control Order (MCO) period, if the warranty expiry date falls within the period that the MCO is on.

The existing warranties will remain valid, even if the preventive maintenance service schedule intervals cannot be performed during this MCO period.

Customers are encouraged to reschedule service appointments within 30 days after MCO is lifted in order to keep their vehicle warranty active. Appointment rescheduling can be done via the
DriveOn
 mobile app, Tan Chong Ekspres Auto Servis Sdn. Bhd. (TCEAS) website, Call Centre or direct booking with TCEAS Service Centres (after the MCO expires).

To cater to the anticipated surge of service appointments after the MCO period, TCEAS will extend its business operation hours from Monday to Friday, 8.30 am up to 8.00 pm. In Kelantan and Terengganu, the operating days will be from Sunday to Thursday.

ETCM had also earlier informed its customers that while all its sales and aftersales outlets will remain closed in accordance with the MCO, Roadside Assistance and Towing services will still be available to assist in an emergency. However, if the vehicle is towed to a service centre, it will have the remain there as repair work cannot be undertaken during the MCO period.

For more information, roadside assistance or towing services, members of the public may call
1800-88-3838
, or visit
www.nissan.com.my
.


Proton sales grow 46% in spite of market contracting by 1.3% this year

News from Proton has been good all year long, with upbeat press releases arriving at our mailboxes every month. And as the end of the year approaches, the carmaker reports that its cumulative sales volume (including export deliveries) is almost at 80,000 units (79,833 to be exact) after 10 months. This represents a growth rate of 46% in a market where the Total Industry Volume (TIV) has decreased by 1.3% to date.

Pending official industry data from the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), Proton estimates its market share to be 16%, which is 5.2% higher than the previous year. It has strengthened its hold on second place in the overall sales chart and is confident of maintaining this position to the end of 2019.

While sales of the X70 SUV have contributed to Proton’s upswing – over 24,000 units have been delivered so far – the Saga has also drawn a huge number of customers since being launched in August. Over 28,000 bookings have been received and in October, the new model posted its highest sales figure for over four years. 4,273 units were sold last month and for the first 10 months of the year, the cumulative total is 30,331 units, which is a 26% increase over the previous year.

“We are humbled by the response our products have received from Malaysian car buyers. In the space of just 8 months, we launched our first SUV and updated all our other models, giving Proton the youngest model range for any car brand in Malaysia. The hard work has paid off with increased sales and we are now confident of being able to sell 100,000 units this year, providing us with a solid base to move forward in 2020 and beyond,” said Dr Li Chunrong, Chief Executive Officer of Proton.

Dr. Li said the company is matching the commitment of its dealers by continuing to invest in training programmes for sales and service staff to ensure the level of service delivered matches the premium image the brand aspires to. “As we grow the number of 3S/4S outlets, we can then deliver an improved brand experience to more Malaysian car buyers. Proton will continue to focus on improving customer service levels as we know it is one of the keys to building long-term brand loyalty,” he added.

Proton starts off final quarter of 2019 with 9-month sales volume higher than for whole of 2018!


Ford Ranger wins International Pick-up Award 2020

Following a 3-day group test in Sweden against 4 other nominees, the Ford Ranger emerged victorious in the challenge for the International Pick-up Award 2020 (IPUA). The latest Ranger with its technical and safety advancements, was up against the Mitsubishi L200 (Triton in Malaysia), revised Nissan Navara and Renault Alaskan, and Toyota Hilux. The Ranger, manufactured in Thailand, previously won the IPUA in 2013.

The fifth running of the biennial International Award for 1-tonne Pick-up trucks ‘was a very close run competition’, according to Jarlath Sweeney, Chairman, International Van of the Year Jury. Voted by 18 members of the International Van of the Year jury, just 6 points separated the top two contenders in the final tally. The Ranger scored 78 points to the 72 received by the Mitsubishi L200, with the Toyota Hilux coming in third.

Only 6 points separated the Mitsubishi L200 (Triton) from the Ranger.

“Jury members adjudged the Ranger to be the best all-rounder and noted that it’s a bestseller too, as the previous version together with this revised model dominate the European marketplace with almost 30% share of the IPUA 1-tonne segment. So the public recognize its merits also! Marks were allocated on each vehicle based on powertrain efficiencies, load volume and capability, driver and passenger comfort and safety aspects, as well as low total cost of operation from a business point of view,” added Jarlath.

Commenting on the ongoing success of the Ranger from both the press and public, Hans Schep, General Manager Commercial Vehicles, Ford of Europe said: “We are delighted that the Ford Ranger has been recognised by the IPUA jury for a second time, which is a testament to the enduring appeal of Europe’s favourite Pick-up. With its all-new powertrain and enhanced capability – not to mention the exciting new Raptor model – the Ranger is now moving the game on once again.”

The Volkswagen Amarok was the first winner of the International Pick-up Award when it began in 2011.

Previous IPUA winners have been the Volkswagen Amarok V6 (2018), Nissan NP300 Navara (2016), Ford Ranger (2013, and Volkswagen Amarok (2011).

To test-drive or know more about the Ford Ranger that won the award, visit
www.sdacford.com.my
.

All 19 limited edition Ford Ranger Splash trucks booked!


BIKES: Benelli Opens New “BEST-Shop” Outlet In Kajang

Italian superbike brand
Benelli
 has launched its first ever Benelli exclusive station named
BEST-Shop
 in Selangor, and fourth in the country by authorized dealer Kedai Motorsikal Tenaga Sdn Bhd.

The Benelli BEST-Shop Kajang is located at
No.2, Jalan Hentian 2, Pusat Hentian Kajang, Jalan Reko, 43000 Kajang, Selangor
. The newly renovated corner-lot showroom contains a motorcycle gallery to showcase full range of Benelli motorcycles, state-of-art service center, genuine accessories and spare parts corner.

“Benelli has received overwhelming response in Malaysia since the launch of few popular demand models including super cub RFS 150i, touring bike TRK 502 and classic Leoncino. Backed by this demand, an exclusive showroom and service centre in Selangor state will ensure all Benelli owners can enjoy the best-in-class ownership experience that our brand stands for.”
, said
En. Asri Ahmad, Operation General Manager of MForce Bike Holdings Sdn Bhd
.

En. Asri added,
“Benelli Malaysia has recently been selected and appointed as the sole Road Test Center in South East Asia by Benelli Global. Therefore, all new Benelli motorcycles will be tested in Malaysia before launching in other ASEAN countries. This new milestone gives us immense pleasure and motivation indeed! In 2017 Benelli Malaysia was awarded the best in Global Sales, Network Sales Management & Product Launching, we are on track to achieve the feat again for 2018 and also en route to be the best in After Sales Service for the year 2018 as well”.

The BEST-Shop Kajang operates from 9am – 7pm from Mondays to Fridays, 9am – 6pm on Saturdays and is closed on Sundays. For more information, please contact BEST-Shop Kajang at Tel 03-8737 2161, Fax 03-8741 0891 or log on to Benelli’s official website at
https://malaysia.benelli.com/
  or Facebook page at
http://fb.com/malaysia.benelli


2019 Suzuki Katana is coming to Malaysia!

It was recently announced on Bikes Republic that the latest generation 2019 Suzuki Katana will be sold in the UK market at a cool £11,399 (RM 61,741.80). This seems like a good deal for a bike with legendary status and if it does come to Malaysia, we reckoned that the numbers will be a bit higher than this.

With that being said, the question remains; will this baby arrive here on Malaysian shores? According to a recent post made by Suzuki Malaysia Facebook page, the answer is “Heck yes!” On March 18
th
 2019, the page posted a few photos of the new Suzuki Katana with the caption “Suzuki Katana in action! On its way to Malaysia.”

Upon inspection in the comments section, theirs is still no concrete information regarding its arrival date and recommended retail pricing just yet. What we do know about the new Katana that was officially launched last year at INTERMOT is that it’ll be running a 999cc inline-four engine from the 2005 Suzuki GSX-R1000 which was long-stroked and had better power delivery from low to mid range.

As the Katana enters the modern age, it now comes ready with all the electronic riding aids like ride-by-wire throttle, power modes, 3-level traction control, ABS, slipper clutch, and many more. Our best guess on the pricing? We’re lucky if we can get this baby here in Malaysia around the RM80,000 mark.


Lyft working with Ford for autonomous ride service

Ford has been all over the news these past few weeks and this time it’s no different. The American automaker has teamed up with Lyft, a transportation network company to explore how autonomous vehicles can benefit both parties.

Similar to Uber, Lyft works by connecting drivers to passengers through a mobile app. Those wishing to use the service will need to sign up with Lyft and fill in their details and payment method.

Drivers who wish to drive for Lyft are subjected to stringent security checks including face to face interviews with the company before being approved as a driver. Apart from this, Lyft also limits the number of hours drivers are allowed to operate each day, which does offer passengers the peace of mind of knowing that their driver won’t fall asleep while at the wheel.

Through its partnership with Lyft, Ford will explore the following categories:

How to create a technology platform that it can easily connect with a partner’s platform (such as Lyft’s) to effectively dispatch a self-driving vehicle

Which cities to work with to deliver a self-driving vehicle service based on shared data and information

The kind of infrastructure necessary to service and maintain a fleet of self-driving vehicles to maximise availability to consumers

Ford has been hard at working on research and development of its self-driving technology that includes its Argo AI’s virtual driver system. It is also looking into building the proper infrastructure to allow for better access of this technology by the general public.

Autonomous vehicles are said to be the future of transportation, because once the human element is eliminated from the system, incidents of fatigue related accidents or driver error could be reduced dramatically.

As such, the partnership between Lyft and Ford will involve building a service based around the actual needs and wants of people. They will need to make sure that safety and dependability can be guaranteed in order to convince the general public to trust self-driving technology.

Initially, a joint technology platform will be developed where Ford will deploy human-driven vehicles on Lyft’s network to test the interface and ensure compatibility with Lyft’s app and customer usability.

At the same time, Ford will also connect its self-driving test vehicles to Lyft’s network but they won’t be made available to the latter’s customers. Instead, it will allow the automaker to develop the technology to ensure that it meets the safety requirements and needs of future customers.

According to a statement by the automaker: “The partnership with Lyft will accelerate plans to build a profitable and viable self-driving vehicle business. With Lyft’s network and respected brand experience, Ford expects its ability to scale self-driving vehicles will play a critical role in safely bringing this technology to mainstream consumers.”

Such a partnership isn’t groundbreaking, Lyft’s rival, Uber has partnered with automaker’s like Volvo to test its own version of autonomous transportation. In fact, Uber has been ramping up R&D in this area to push this cutting edge technology to the masses in record time.


Federal Court upholds ruling on liability of logistic company to settle unpaid toll charges for use of PLUS highways

Vehicles travelling on PLUS highways (as well as the highways of other concessionaires round the country) are required to pay toll charges. But it appears that there are some drivers of commercial vehicles who have somehow managed to get away with not paying the charges, and PLUS has taken their employer to court to claim unpaid charges.

Logistic company liable for employees/drivers

PLUS had filed a suit against a logistic company named Berjasa Logistics Sdn Bhd (formerly known as Sin Kung Logistics (KL) Sdn Bhd) to recover unpaid toll fares involving 19 vehicles found to be  registered to the company and driven by its employees over the past few years.

File image of a commercial vehicle using a PLUS highway.

Unpaid amounts totalled over RM518,000

The unpaid amounts totalled RM518,369.27 and in July 2017, the logistic company was considered by the High Court as well as Court of Appeal to be liable for its employees’ failure to pay toll charges. An additional RM100,000 in costs was also included in the judgement.

The Federal Court has unanimously upheld the decision by the High Court and Court of Appeal, ruling that the logistic company is vicariously liable whenever their drivers and/or employees failed to pay the required toll charges.

PLUS takes the deliberate act of evasion from paying toll seriously and seeks full cooperation from all logistic companies and heavy vehicle owners to continuously monitor and take appropriate actions against their drivers and/or employees.

In addition, PLUS has identified several toll fraud tactics by the heavy vehicle drivers and is taking the necessary preventive measures including initiating legal actions. At the same time, PLUS continues to collaborate and work closely with the relevant authorities to curb toll fraud activities along the highway.

PLUS urges highway users to observe SOPs at all times


Nissan’s ‘X-in-1’ Approach For Electrified Powertrains Will Lower EV Costs By 2026

The basic idea of an electrified powertrain is that there is one electric motor (or more) powering the wheels which receives electricity from a battery pack. Besides these two main elements, there are also ancillary systems which support their operation. In most cases, each is a separate component in the drivetrain.

Nissan has announced a new approach which it will take to electrified powertrain development, which it calls ‘X-in-1’. Under the approach, core EV and e-POWER powertrain components will be shared and modularized. This can bring about a 30% reduction (compared to 2019) in development and manufacturing costs by 2026.

Through the X-in-1 approach, Nissan expects to be able to further increase the competitiveness of its EV and e-POWER vehicles. Under its long-term vision,
Nissan Ambition 2030
, the company aims to bolster its line-up with 27 new electrified models, including 19 EVs, by fiscal year 2030. The carmaker wants to bring the unique value of its electrified vehicles to the broadest range of customers by introducing the most suitable models to each market at the appropriate time.

Senior Vice President Toshihiro Hirai, who leads powertrain & EV engineering development, said: “We make the most of our expertise and know-how from our more-than-a-decade long development and production of electrified technologies. Through our innovations in electrified powertrain development, we’ll continue to create new value for customers and deliver 100% motor-driven vehicles – EVs and e-POWER – as widely as possible.”

The X-in-1 approach, which covers 3-in-1, 5-in-1, and other possible variants, has been developed to enable EV and e-POWER core components to be produced on the same line. With the 3-in-1 electrified powertrain, the motor, inverter, and reducer are modularised and is planned for use in EVs. A 5-in-1 version, which additionally modularizes the generator and increaser, is planned for use in e-POWER vehicles.

With the X-in-1 approach, sharing and modularizing core components improves production efficiencies and reduces electrified powertrain costs. This can bring e-POWER price to parity with combustion engine vehicles by around 2026.

Size and weight reduction of the unit improves vehicle driving performance and minimizes noise and vibration. The adoption of a newly developed motor reduces the use of heavy rare earth elements to 1% or less of magnet weight.

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In another strategy to being about cost parity between EV and combustion engine vehicles, thereby increasing adoption of EVs, is development of battery technology. Nissan is focussing on all-solid-state batteries (ASSB) as its next-generation battery. Such batteries are more stable and safer than the lithium-ion batteries and recharge at one-third the time it takes today.

Nissan is working on lowering battery costs and will have a pilot ASSB production line by 2024 at its plant in Yokohama. The batteries will be used on a small scale until 2028 when the company expects to start marketing them widely.

Nissan Conducts More Stringent Testing For EVs (w/VIDEO)

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 for more videos at The Piston Show.


New Mitsubishi Delica Mini To Go On Sale In Japan Next Month

Malaysians probably remember the Mitsubishi Delica as a medium-sized van which was popular as a people-carrier before the MPV appeared. While it has been a medium-sized van for personal and commercial use during its 55-year history, the Delica has also had a little brother in the form of the Delica D:2 since 2011.

This was actually a Suzuki Solio which was sold under the Mitsubishi Motors brand and gave the carmaker something to offer in the mini MPV segment in Japan. It complemented the Delica D:5 which had been launched earlier and was popular as an all-purpose MPV.

Next month, Mitsubishi Motors will begin selling the new Delica Mini, a super height-wagon kei-car model that joins Delica D:5 family. With SUVs being so popular these days, the styling of the Delica  Mini also takes on some SUV elements that give a rugged image. The ‘Hero’ body colour is a new option in the carmaker’s range with its  Ash Green Metallic finish suited for a variety of environments.

Like other current Mitsubishi models, it has the 3-dimensional Dynamic Shield front design which expresses power and security. The headlights have distinctive semi-circular LED position lights built in to give a ‘friendly’ look to the Delica Mini. In addition to the glossy black wheel arches, the lower edges of the front and rear bumpers have a  skid-plate form, in keeping with the SUV image.

Inside the 3.4-metre long vehicle, the compact but still spacious cabin has a  horizontally-themed instrument panel with a black base colour. This is accented by a light grey colour emphasizing the feeling of width and making the tray and drink holders easy to see.

The seats are covered with a stain-resistant, breathable, water-repellent fabric. In addition, the application of raised embossment to the sitting surface and centre of the seatbacks makes for functional seats that are comfortable and resist moisture.

The luggage board and rear seatbacks are also made of material that easily wipes clean so  wet items and muddy outdoor supplies that may be loaded after a day at the seaside are not a problem.

To maximise legroom, the rear seats have a sliding range of 320 mm. For better comfort, the seats on each side can also slide and recline, making various arrangements possible. The rear sliding doors have an opening width of 650 mm and with the level floor, entry and exit are easy enough.

In addition, the adoption of hands-free auto sliding doors allows for opening and closing even with both hands full of luggage. The doors are operated by the kick sensor on the underside which detects the presence of a foot and then opens the doors. This sort of feature was only available in luxury models not so long ago.

Being classified as a kei-car means the engine size is restricted to 0.7 litres, and the DOHC 12-valve unit produces up to 64 ps/100 Nm. Drive to the front wheels or all four wheels is through a CVT.

The Delica Mini comes standard with Grip Control to provide better traction on slippery road surfaces. Hill Descent Control is a standard feature, keeping the vehicle at a low speed electronically to allow for safer driving when going down steep hills or slippery roads.

MI-PILOT driver assistance technology and active safety technology. There are no less than 8 types of driver assistance functions, including Forward Collision Mitigation system and Emergency Assist for Pedal Misapplication to avoid having the car crash into a wall accidentally when starting off.

Since the pre-orders for the new Delica Mini began in January this year, the number of orders has reached about 9,000 units. Some 60% of all customers have selected 4WD models, and the fully equipped Premium models accounts for over 80% of the orders. In Japan, the Delica Mini is priced from 1,804,000 yen (about RM60,105).

Mitsubishi Motors To Produce Minicab-MiEV In Indonesia


New colour choices for 2022 Honda City and Accord

Changing colour choices for new cars may seem like a simple thing for the marketing company – just tell the plant what new colour to paint and it will be done. However, the process of adding or changing to a new colour is actually not as easy, from what we understand from people in the industry. There must be evidence that the new colour is going to be popular and justify the plant or manufacturer doing durability tests, and in some cases, marketing people have told us that when they do try to ask for a colour change, the manufacturer will ask if it will result in more sales than with the current colour. If not, why waste time and money to develop and test a new colour?

But inevitably, colours have to be changed to refresh the range and Honda Malaysia does that periodically. Their latest new colour options are for the best-selling City and flagship Accord models. Both models can now be ordered with a new Meteoroid Gray Metallic finish that replaces the Modern Steel Metallic colour. The City also gets a fresh and vibrant Ignite Red Metallic colour option, replacing the Passion Red Pearl colour.

“The Ignite Red Metallic and Meteoroid Gray Metallic colours are introduced in the All-New City Hatchback for the first time. Both colours have been well accepted by the market and we expanded the new colour options to the All-New Civic. To further excite the market, we are now offering these new colour options in the City and Accord as well. The new colours further emphasise the styling of the City and elevate the sleek profile of the Accord. We will continue to enhance our products to deliver the Joy of Buying to the customers,” said Madoka Chujo, Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO.

She said that sales of the latest 5th Generation City have exceeded 32,500 units since its launch. “It was Honda Malaysia’s best-selling model in January and February this year, with 38% contribution to the company’s overall sales during that period,” she added.

The current Accord is the 10
th
 generation of the executive model and was introduced to the Malaysian market in 2020. It was the first time a Japanese mass market manufacturer introduced a turbocharged engine in a D-segment car. The model received favourable response from Malaysians with more than 2,200 units sold to date.

For more information on the City, Accord or other Honda models in Malaysia, visit any authorised Honda dealership. The locations of dealerships can be found at
www.honda.com.my
.

Honda Malaysia aims to sell 80,000 units in 2022 and introduce Certified Used Car business


Have a different type of Sunday at the Mitsubishi Triton 4×4 Adventure

If you’re in the Desa Tebrau area of Johor Bahru this weekend and want to experience something different, drop by at the Mitsubishi Triton 4×4 Adventure. At this event which is in the Linear Park and presented by Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), members of the public can experience the capabilities of the latest Mitsubishi Triton pick-up.

Member of the public can test-drive the vehicle over a few obstacle courses. For example, the Devil’s Angle has a hill slope which will show how the Hill Descent Control functions on the new Triton.

Another course has muddy terrain, which is specially designed to show off the Super-Select 4WD II system and off-road mode. Last but not least is the Log and Roll course where the suspension and overall cabin comfort can be experienced.

Visitors to the Triton 4×4 Adventure event can also take part in the Mitsubishi Agility Challenge to test the vehicle’s handling. There are prizes to be won for those who can complete obstacle courses featuring slalom, sharp cornering, manoeuvring, and a parking challenge in a tight space within the shortest time. Points will be earned for every completion of challenge and winners can win up to RM700 of cash prizes daily.

Other activities with prizes and rewards are:

♦ Test drive and stand to win an iPhone 11;

♦ Test drive and stand to win Grand Prize of RM888 cash daily;

♦ The first 100 participants to test drive any Mitsubishi model at the event will receive a free Boba Tea drink from The Alley;

♦ Customers who put a booking fee of RM300 for any new Mitsubishi model will receive an exclusive Ralliart tumbler.

Customers who book and register a new Mitsubishi Triton VGT Adventure X, Triton VGT AT Premium and Triton VGT MT Premium can choose to either enjoy an interest rate of up to 0.88% (with H-P financing from Maybank or Public Bank), OR cash rebates. These promotions are valid from now
until December 31, 2019
.

Low interest rates and rebates for Mitsubishi Triton, Outlander or ASX


Shell FuelSave 95 Ekstra Kilometre, Ternyata Berbeza campaign starts

Shell FuelSave 95 is a high quality, proven petrol with robust capabilities that deliver extra kilometres. Now, with Shell Malaysia’s latest brand campaign –
 Shell FuelSave 95 Ekstra Kilometre, Ternyata Berbeza
 – motorists are invited to take a refreshed look at its Shell FuelSave 95 proposition.

Benefits of Shell FuelSave 95

Designed with DYNAFLEX technology, Shell FuelSave 95 saves fuel with reduced friction by up to 90% in critical engine parts to maximize fuel economy. At the same time, it also keeps the engine clean with up to 95% of deposit formation prevented. Finally, there is the extra protection available against wear, corrosion, and deposit build-up, thanks to its ‘Triple Action’ formula.

These key benefits align closely with the findings from a consumer study which revealed that Malaysians chose ‘better mileage’ and ‘cost-savings’ as their top considerations for a quality maingrade fuel. Taking a leaf from the study, Shell Malaysia embarked on the refreshed brand campaign to give Malaysians what they asked for in top quality maingrade fuels: extra kilometres without extra cost.

Invitation to experience

“We place customers at the heart of everything we do; all our fuels are developed with their needs in mind. With the current COVID-19 pandemic affecting many Malaysian households financially, we resonate strongly with our customers and understand that a little extra goes a long way. Shell FuelSave 95 aspires to deliver instant fuel economy from the very first drop and is the smart choice for customers. But don’t take my word for it, try it today and experience for yourself the difference of Extra!” said Shairan Huzani Husain, MD of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn. Bhd.

To initiate the launch of the campaign, Shell treated Malaysians to a campaign teaser video showcasing not all fuels are created the same, while highlighting Shell’s promise of Extra. There will be more engaging content in this campaign, including a heart-warming TVC that follows the story of a loving Dad who takes care of his baby, with the help of Shell FuelSave 95.

To make the journey extra rewarding, Shell Malaysia has partnered with BonusLink to give customers up to 4X Points whenever they spend a minimum of RM50 to refuel at Shell.


Suzuki Misano Concept –  merging adrenaline rush of 2 wheels with driving experience of 4

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

Although Suzuki is well known for motorcycles, its first motorised vehicles were actually cars and that was way back in the late 1930s. It only began making motorised bicycles in the 1950s and went back to making cars in the 1960s and accumulated experience in 2-wheelers and 4-wheelers.

So it’s not surprising that the Misano concept, a design project by 24 students at Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in Turin, Italy, in collaboration with the Japanese manufacturer is a car that has inspiration from motorcycles. Motorcycle racing fans will, of course, know that the name is also that of a racetrack in Italy.

Only 1 metre at highest point

The Misano concept is around 4 metres in overall length and is just 1 metre above the ground at its highest point (which is the top of the roll-over hoops). The topless design adopts the classic barchetta silhouette which gives very good aerodynamics but what is unusual is the tandem 2-seat layout – like a motorcycle.

It’s not the first concept car with the passenger sitting directly behind the driver – some others that come to mind are the Volkswagen L1, Nissan Land Glider and Mercedes F300 Life Jet.

Other concept cars with tandem seating – Nissan Land Glider (top), Mercedes F300 Life Jet (above left) and Volkswagen L1 (above right)

Offset seating area

Unlike most of the other concepts, however, the width of the Misano is more generous with space. The seats are positioned on the left side while the right side of the cockpit us used for luggage space and to accommodate a battery pack.

Access is through the single door on the left side of the car which has a glass panel to give the driver a feel of being closer to the road. The windscreen is also motorcycle-inspired, shielding the driver’s side but not extending the full width.

No steering wheel

Another motorcycle element is the steering control. Instead of the conventional steering wheel and pedals, there is a control stick to ‘merges the adrenaline rush of two wheels, with the driving experience of four’, according to the designers. Today’s generation will probably be fine with that, having grown up on computer games and joysticks.

Eye-catching S-shaped headlights on either side of the nose and there is no grille since the Misano Concept is meant to be electrically powered. Powertrain details are not available suggesting that this is nothing more than a design study – which is very appealing.

The concept car is currently being  shown to the public at Mauto, the Italian national automotive museum in Turin.

Wild One MAX – the R/C model that you can drive!


New Rolls-Royce Ghost stretched for those who want more space

Before developing the new Ghost, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars consulted its customers extensively to ensure that they would provide exactly the sort of limousine the new generation of buyers expect and would want to own. One of the expectations was for a chauffeur-driven ‘business tool’ during the week to be able to transform into a serenely comfortable and dynamic self-driven saloon for the weekend.

The new Ghost Extended is the answer, offering enhanced rear seating space with no compromise to driving dynamics. It is 170 mm longer than the standard Ghost and the wheelbase has been stretched by the same length to 3465 mm. All the extra space available goes to the rear to create more legroom than any 4-seat sedan.

Engineered, not cut

Unlike some other limousines which gain their extra length by a crude cutting and welding approach (usually done by independent customisation companies), the Ghost Extended’s bodywork is originally engineered as an extended model. Beam-melted metal components are welded to the body-in-white, while parts made by multi-jet fusion and selective laser sintering are individually fitted.

Customer centricity has informed every step of the development process, which led to the Ghost’s minimalist design. The designers worked to cloak the extra length by only extending the rear door and body around the rear door apertures, preserving the lines of the car.

A suite of enhancements to the rear of the cabin reflects Ghost Extended’s flexibility. For the first time, a reclining Serenity Seat can be specified, offering a new dimension of rear seat comfort akin to a business jet cabin environment.

The rear cabin can also alter its environment, transitioning from business to leisure. For celebrating another contract signed or a birthday, there’s a champagne fridge provided between the rear seats.  Designed with the advice of a Master Sommelier, the refrigerator operates two cooling modes, chilling to 6 degrees and 11 degrees C., The optimum serving temperatures of non-vintage champagne is around 6 degrees and vintage champagnes is around 11 degrees.

Technology without distraction

Rolls-Royce claims the Ghost is the most technologically advanced car it has ever created for sale. However, technological functions have been deployed with care to reflect customer demand for a serene environment, free from unnecessary distractions. Standard in all Ghosts is the new
Micro-Environment Purification System
 which was described in an earlier article.

[
Click here to read more about the technologies in the new Ghost
]

A suite of technologies enhances the driving experience in urban and country settings, as well as ensures safe motoring. This includes laser headlights with more than 600 metres of illuminated range and key safety enhancements such as a 7×3 high definition head-up display, vision assist with day and night-time wildlife and pedestrian warning, alertness assistant, active cruise control, collision warning, cross traffic warning, lane departure and lane change warning.

A 4-camera imaging system creates a panoramic view with all round-visibility and there’s also a helicopter view (which Rolls-Royce was the first in the world to offer many years ago) to help with parking. However, the owner can also use the self-parking capability and have the car positioned precisely with little personal effort needed.

The new Rolls-Royce Ghost makes its world debut