Increase in traffic to be expected as more sectors are permitted to resume operations

Over the past week, there have been remarks on social media by motorists who have become frustrated by what seems to be the increasing number of vehicles on the road. This is in spite of the Movement Control Order (MCO) restricting a large portion of the population to their homes. This being the case, it is expected that the traffic volumes should be less.

However, it has to be noted that the MCO does not stop people from travelling if they wish to go to the supermarket to buy essential items or to pick up food orders. So there will still be many vehicles on the road daily and their occupants (should be one person in the vehicle) are not breaking the law.

70% of motorists are in essential services

What the police have found is that 70% of the vehicles on the road are those being driven by people in essential services – those who work in banks, hospitals and telcos, for example. And as additional sectors have been allowed to resume operations, there will be more and more vehicles on the road in coming weeks when the companies receive their approval letters and recall their employees for daily work.

The other thing to also remember is that the roadblocks will inevitably create a queue. On the Federal Highway between Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya, for example, three lanes are closed off and traffic is directed to a single lane. Each vehicle has to stop and be checked which requires a bit of time. It may be helpful of the police have two lanes instead but manpower may be an issue as they have had to set up roadblocks nationwide.

Travel during off-peak hours

From the police studies, about 25% of the motorists are those who are buying essential items or doing other permissible things such as going to a hospital. Of course, there are also those who travel for invalid reasons which is why the checking is needed, and those who are found to be doing so are likely to be arrested and have to pay a RM1,000 fine as well as spend time in jail.

The police recommend that those who are out buying stuff travel at non-peak hours which would be after 9 am or before 5 pm. In this way, there will be less traffic on the road so those who are working in the essential services can proceed with less delay.

Less crime, less accidents

Meanwhile, it has also been found that crime and road accidents have fallen significantly. Since the MCO started on March 18, the number of road accidents has dropped by almost 70%, with a total of 10,382 accidents recorded between March 18 to April 14.

However, the reduced traffic on many roads has also led some motorists to ignore laws. There have been complaints of speeding and even more dangerous, not stopping for red lights at junctions. Yes, it’s nice to drive around but you still need to adhere to laws.

The police and army personnel are manning the roadblocks day and night, in the hot sun and lately in the rain. If you wish to do so and can afford it, drop off a box of water or drinks for them on your way home after buying your essentials. Let’s show our appreciation to these frontliners.

Face mask not compulsory

Incidentally, wearing a face mask is not compulsory when out of the home (unlike in Singapore now). So if you choose not to wear one while driving, you will not be committing any offence. Of course, for the personnel at roadblocks who have to check thousands daily, it would  make them feel more comfortable if the driver has a face mask on but there are no grounds for being detained if he or she does not wear one.

All other earlier regulations relating to travel remain in force and we are not aware of any changes. The authorities have clarified that those who have to travel beyond the 10-km range because they have to go for specialised medical treatment are permitted to do so. Of course, they should have documents to prove their need to travel further. The police are not insensitive to genuine cases and what angers them is people who tell lies or simply refuse to follow the basic instruction to
#stayathome
.

Limited activities in auto industry permitted in final (hopefully) phase of MCO


Child Gets A Helicopter Ride To School Near Shah Alam

Helicopters rarely land in our backyards, but that was the sight for a nearby neighbour from Shah Alam who captured a helicopter dropping off a child close to a school on camera.

A white helicopter is said to have landed in Shah Alam on April 17 at a vacant parcel of ground beside a primary school.

After seeing the helicopter twice in his neighbourhood, a local homeowner who wished to remain anonymous uploaded a minute-long video of the helicopter landing in a field of a residential neighbourhood. A shared image showed a child leaving the helicopter while the pilot stood close to the chopper.

The youngster was observed entering the school’s grounds after going down the street towards the back entrance of the school while wearing a school uniform.

According to a local news portal, the resident that filmed the incident said “On May 5, I raised the matter with the school via Facebook, not only to report the helicopter issue but also to raise concerns about parents parking their cars along the roads in our neighbourhood.”

The CAAM will look into whether the helicopter’s operator had a proper permit when it landed in the residential area, according to Shah Alam police head Iqbal Ibrahim.

It is not the first time in Malaysia that a helicopter has allegedly landed in a field close to a residential area. When a businessman deployed his helicopter from Kuala Lumpur to Padang Ipoh in Perak to pick up 36 packages of nasi ganja, a similar occurrence had place in July 2021.


Proton launches new range of Genuine Oils

There are many brands of engine oil in the market and all the reputable ones can do a good job of lubricating and protecting the engine. With Genuine Oils, however, the specifications and formulation of the oils are specially tailored for the carmaker’s vehicles and therefore should provide optimum performance. Each manufacturer can claim that their Genuine Oil offers the best performance and this may be true too because the engineers who may have worked on the engines know exactly what is needed.

Proton has just launched a new range of Genuine Oils (PGO) which have been developed in collaboration with its technical partner, Petronas. The oils meet the most recent standards specified by the American Petroleum Institute (API), which motorists would be familiar with. The top fully synthetic grade meets the latest API SP standard (5-litre pack only), while the others meet API SN.

In terms of viscosity, the fully synthetic PGO has a viscosity of SAE 5W-30 and 10W-30, the latter meeting the API SN service standard and available only in a 4-litre pack. Then there is a semi-synthetic grade which has passed the API SN standard and has a 10W-30 viscosity, while the mineral oil is 15W-40 and also meets the API SN standard.

The new Genuine Oils are available at all authorised Proton  service centres and will also be available from parts stockists. However, for the time being, the parts stockists will carry only the semi-synthetic and mineral PGO.

“The launch of PGO lubricants is another step in Proton’s journey to being a premium Malaysian automotive  brand. We worked closely with our partners on the formulation to ensure it met our exacting requirements and offers our customers the engine protection their Proton models deserve at an affordable price. By having a full list of products, we are also able to cover our entire model range including the latest TGDI engines used by our SUVs,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.

The advantage of Genuine Oils

Many authorised service centres of the various brands have a policy that the only oil that can be used is what they supply, which is often a Genuine Oil of the brand or one approved by the carmaker. Customers might not be allowed to bring their own oil to use. Furthermore, warranty conditions may also force owners to use the oil supplied by the service centre and could become void if an ‘unauthorised’ oil is used.

Understandably, this is something that not all owners may agree with. They may feel it is their right to choose their own oil, and they might even be able to buy it for less and save money. However, there are also valid reasons why service centres insist on their oil being used and why the warranty can be at risk if another oil is used.

Firstly, the oil supplied will be the one that meets the requirements of the manufacturer, especially if it is a genuine oil. These requirements, in simplified form, are usually found in the Owner’s Manual and focus on two things – the API standard and the viscosity. If the customer can meet both requirements, there shouldn’t be an issue.

But then there is the question of quality of the oil brought in by the customer. Some may unknowingly buy recycled oil or oil that is of a poor quality but sold as if it meets all the standards. They may not be aware and think that they are saving money. If this inferior oil goes into their engine because they insist on using it, who will be responsible if the engine has problems or even gets damaged? Would it be fair on the manufacturer to accept responsibility when the oil used was not one they were assured of quality?

For this reason, manufacturers want to have control on the products used and if something does go wrong, then they can justifiably provide compensation. Many consumers may not understand this point but it is one of the reasons why, during the warranty period, you need to comply with the requirements.

Once the warranty period is over, then you are free to use whatever oil you wish and go to whichever service centre you to go to. So it is best to be patient and abide by the requirements. Besides, many authorised service centres today have amenities for owners, like complimentary food and drink, so you can have a good ownership experience.

EON now has a website dedicated to Proton products and services


12-year-old boy gets drift car as birthday present

Many of us car enthusiasts were bitten by the automotive bug at an early age. Some of us had pinup pictures of Ferrari F40s and Lamborghini Diablos on our bedroom walls with aspirations of one day owning one of them.

In the case of 12-year-old Nikolass Bertanss, adolescence should prove to be a lot more interesting. He has his very own E36 BMW M3 that he uses for drifting. As absurd as that may sound, it gets better, the car was given to him as a gift for his birthday.

It’s been fully modified with a lot more power, better suspension, a roll cage and a ton of other upgrades to make it a competitive drift car. Unlike the standard M3, this one has had its original engine swapped out for a powerful V8 that sounds amazing.

Despite what many might think, Bertanss has some crazy skills when it comes to drifting. A skilled drifter, he is fully capable of handling his car around drift tracks with great aplomb. And will probably get even better as he matures.

The car’s cockpit has been reworked to accommodate his smaller size. It’s pedals can be adjusted according to his liking, which in the long run, can be pushed further back to accommodate his growing stature. This will allow Bertanns to grow into the car as he gets older and is of legal age to participate in competitive drifting.

Check out the videos by Youtube Channel
robywork
s
 and see for yourself how getting children interested in cars at an early age can save them from any other types of addictions.


BMW M2 CS Racing Is Official Safety Car of 2022 MotoGP

Since 1999, BMW M has been a partner of MotoGP and that commitment continues in 2022 with a new Official Car. It is a first in the BMW M safety car fleet as the M2 CS Racing is the first thoroughbred racing car to be used as the lead car in the series. It heads the fleet of powerful BMW M safety cars in the 2022 season which begins on March 6 with the Grand Prix of Qatar.

“M stands for Motorsport – something we are underlining with the new BMW M2 CS Racing MotoGP Safety Car,” said Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH. “BMW M GmbH combines high-performance production automobiles and motorsport under one roof. It is for this reason that we selected a race car from our BMW M Motorsport range to be the new MotoGP Safety Car – an appropriate choice to mark the 50th anniversary.”

“The BMW M2 CS Racing has been successful in a wide range of championships – and, as a thoroughbred race car, is perfectly suited to leading the field as the safety car in the pinnacle of motorcycle racing. We are looking forward to our 24th season as ‘Official Car of MotoGP’ and to seeing the BMW M2 CS Racing in action as a safety car for the first time in Qatar,” he added.

The M2 CS Racing is part of BMW M Motorsport’s extensive range of racing cars. It is successful in championships around the world, and there are also multiple international and national one-make cups featuring the car. BMW M Motorsport drivers and teams also score points towards the BMW Sports Trophy on their outings with the M2 CS Racing.

As well as an engine generating up to 450 ps (depending on the version), the racing car also has motorsport-specific driving aids like ABS and DSC, a mechanical limited-slip differential with pre-load and separate cooling, as well as specially manufactured drive shafts and a carbonfibre roof.

For its role as the MotoGP Safety Car, the M2 CS Racing only required modifications in a few areas, including the addition of light bars and front lights. The livery of the new safety car is a reference to the 50th anniversary and based on the anniversary logo of BMW M GmbH.

Completing the BMW M fleet for the 2022 MotoGP season are the M3 Competition Safety Car, the M4 Competition Safety Car, the M5 CS Safety Car, the M8 Competition Gran Coupe Safety Car, the X5 M Competition Medical Car, and two M 1000 RR Safety Bikes. The fully-electric
i4 M50 Safety Car
 will also lead the field in the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup, the electric motorcycle series held on the MotoGP support programme.

BMW M to unveil i4 M50 as new Safety Car for MotoE World Cup


Soul Red and the importance of paint finish to Mazda designers

When you look at any car, one of the first things you will often notice is its colour. The colour can enhance the image of the car, complementing its other qualities. Mazda’s designers understand this and in their belief that ‘colour is an element of form’, there is a focus on developing colours that highlight the beauty, quality and uniqueness of its KODO design aims to evoke the same feelings as appreciating a work of art.

Since colour is an important element, Mazda has developed a selection of premium paints that use advanced technology to highlight exterior shape and beauty. With flowing body lines that show off the nuances of curves that are highlighted by the shifting reflections from the interplay of light and shadow, developing a paint to match this is a complex craft. The designers work relentlessly to stretch the possibility of paint and scrutinise the ideal colour.

In a process called
Takuminuri
 (Takumi: master craftsman, Nuri: painting), cutting-edge painting robots use data obtained through simulation painting with Mazda’s best craftsmen to replicate traditional techniques to give mass-production vehicles a precise, high-quality and hand-sprayed finish.

The first premium colours

Starting with Soul Red Metallic and later Machine Grey in 2016 as the first premium colours offered, the three-layer structure comprising clear, translucent and reflective coats with aluminium flakes allowed Mazda designers to achieve colour brightness and depth at the highest level.

Building on the Takuminuri technology and with the idea to create the ‘world’s most beautiful red’ to symbolise the
KODO: Soul of Motion
 philosophy, Mazda designers studied how people perceived colour and light and translated this ideal red into numerical values based on ergonomics to spray with Mazda’s Aqua-tech system.

Not wanting to add a fourth layer of paint due to its environmental impact, the design experts challenged convention to combine light-absorbing flakes along with high-brightness aluminium flakes in a single paint layer.

Soul Red was one of the first two premium colours from Mazda and it is available for all models today. It is also available for the Mazda models assembled in Malaysia.

Further enhancement of Soul Red

Boasting an increase of approximately 20% greater colour saturation and 50% more depth than the already popular Soul Red Metallic, the development of Soul Red Crystal achieved precisely controlled reflections which produced more vivid highlights and even deeper shadows for a fresher, lustrous appearance.

The R360 Coupe of the 1960s.

Throughout Mazda’s history, the brand has often innovated in paint technology and colours. Examples are the bright colours to highlight the form of Mazda’s first passenger car, the R360 Coupe, and colours such as ‘Grand Prix Red’, ‘Corn Yellow’ and ‘Impulse Blue’ on the 323/Familia to appeal to chic couture in the late 1970s.

Corn Yellow was the ‘hero’ colour for the 323/Familia, along with other colour choices available (below) which appealed to the consumer tastes of the 1970s.

Special edition of the MX-5 in the colours of the Mazda 787B racing car which was the first Japanese car to win the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1991.

And not forgetting the world’s best-selling sportscar, the MX-5 which has had an array of limited-edition colours such as British Racing Green, the distinctive orange and green ‘Le Mans 24’ livery and the exclusive Racing Orange body paint available for the 30th Anniversary Edition.

A new premium colour

Polymetal Grey is the latest premium colour developed and will be offered on certain models. This new paint finish combines bright aluminium flakes and opaque pigment, fusing the hard appearance of metal with plastic’s characteristic glossy smoothness. The colour’s tonality changes depending on the light, accentuating the car’s form.

The MX-5 RF in Polymetal Grey, the latest premium colour.

Mazda’s approach to using advanced paint technology does not neglect the need to ensuring that there is reduced environmental impact of the painting process. This is in keeping with the brand’s long-term
Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030 Vision
.

Visit
www.mazda.com.my
 to locate a showroom where you can view the latest Mazda models in Malaysia.

Bermaz Motor creates limited edition Mazda CX-3 to celebrate brand’s 100th anniversary


Updated and refreshed 2022 Jaguar XF now available for booking

The latest Jaguar XF is now available from Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLRM), the model updated with a new distinctive exterior design and enhanced interior. Priced from
RM498,800
 (with 10% sales and service tax, but excluding roadtax, registration fees and insurance), the new Jaguar XF will be available in the R-Dynamic version. Orders are now accepted at the showrooms.

This version comes with a revised front-end design that features a new grille with a repositioned ait intake. The Full LED headlights not only provide strong illumination but also a ‘Double J’ visual signature to identify the XF from afar. The rear bumper profile has also been given a sleek profile.

The enhanced interior maintains the luxury and comfort for which all Jaguar models are known. Its dynamic and bold cockpit design has been devised with the driver’s experience in mind. The cockpit has a sportier centre console that merges into the dashboard.

A wider 11.4-inch curved glass HD full colour touchscreen is now provided and besides being 48% larger than before, it is also 3 times brighter for enhanced clarity. The latest Pivi Pro infotainment system has a simplified menu structure that streamlines access to common tasks from the home screen in two taps or less.

With enhanced connectivity, using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, drivers can easily connect their smartphones to the touchscreen and use popular apps from the screen. There is now a wireless charging pad for compatible smartphones, making it unnecessary to have cables.

Other notable features with the latest XF include the segment-first Active Road Noise Cancellation technology which can help to reduce the noise levels within the cabin. The technology can lower disruptive noise peaks by 10 decibels and overall noise levels by 3 to 4 decibels. The system, which employs technology developed by Silentium, works like the noise cancellation systems in headphones. Tyre and road noise are constantly monitored by sensors on all 4 wheels and an opposite frequency is generated (through the Meridian sound system) to cancel out the noises.

The new XF also benefits from the latest generation of driver assistance technology, providing alerts to the driver when there is a risk of an accident and taking action (like automatic braking) if the driver fails to act in time. Besides monitoring the position of the car in its lane and warning the driver when it starts to wander out of the lane, there is also a Driver Condition Monitor which will determine when the driver may be drowsy and recommend stopping for a break.

The version imported by JLRM has a 2-litre 4-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine powering the rear wheels. With an output of 250 ps/365 Nm, the claimed acceleration time from 0 to 100 km./h is within 7.1 seconds. Power delivery flows through Jaguar’s 8-speed automatic transmissions which also has a manual mode that the driver can use with shift paddles on the steering wheel.

“With performance at the heart of its DNA, the new Jaguar XF continues to redefine modern luxury. With its inspiring design, intuitive state-of-the-art technology and engaging dynamics, we are pleased to raise the bar once again to elevate the driving experience of our vehicles for customers,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director of JLRM.

“We strive to offer world-class vehicles that suit the diverse needs and preferences of Malaysians. In line with this, the Jaguar XF is a mid-size luxury sedan that is best in its class, renowned for its superb performance. With continued robust growth in the luxury car market, we are confident that the latest model is a highly attractive option,” added Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director, Retail & Distribution, Sime Darby Motors Malaysia.

The latest XF appeared in the opening car chase action in ‘No Time to Die’, the James Bond movie that was screened last year.

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia showroom upgraded and now has Robot Assistants!


Fuel Price Updates For December 30, 2021 – January 5 , 2022


UAE-based Huber pays homage to the Lamborghini Aventador with ERA

While the Dubai police force has gained fame for having a number of supercars in its fleet, there is no car industry of significance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, there is a company there which personalises and refines cars for the supercar owners. Its name is Huber and it recently showcased a project that pays tribute to Lamborghini Aventador which celebrates its tenth anniversary.

Called ‘ERA’, the supercar has a new kind of aero package, and the team aspires to usher in a new way that automotive design thinks about the aftermarket. Basically, the company’s version has front and rear bumpers with an entirely new design in carbonﬁbre, and an optional carbonﬁbre bonnet as well. Additionally, the parts will be available in exposed carbonﬁbre in various colours.

“While we might be the new kid on the block, we feel that when designing new aero packages for a car, you have to consider both a clean sheet of paper and the North Star of its pre-existing DNA as your guide,” said founder Sean-Peter Huber who, like many in his team, have a background in automotive design. This new generation of designers is driven by the common understanding that the aftermarket can apply new aesthetic elements and functionalities to the techniques of carmakers’ design studios to create a new, improved rendition on some of the world’s most revered supercars.

The fully funded project has nothing to do with Lamborghini and production is complete with ﬁrst bumper units already promised to select Aventador owners worldwide. Prices are not mentioned but it is obviously the beginning of a new business venture for the company.

It’s not known how long Huber has been in existence although its website says that ‘Huber’s founding mission was to give rise to one-oﬀ designs, over the years, the company has developed and evolved a diverse design collection ready for production’.

“The team aims to get many of these designs on the road,” Huber explained, “and the ERA is just the beginning of a range of designs we wish to bring to fruition”. They aim to build a new community of collectors and car enthusiasts who will appreciate professional automotive design in the aftermarket business.

The Aventador as it was when Lamborghini launched it in 2011.


Land Rover Defender 110s to support BRX Team in 2021 Dakar Rally

Land Rover will be involved in the coming 2021 Dakar Rally, traditionally starting in the first week of the new year. The company has assigned two units of the latest Defender 110 model as support vehicles for the Prodrive-backed team, Bahrain Raid Xtreme (BRX), which will be among the participants. The team drivers include 9-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb and 2-time Dakar Rally winner, Nani Roma.

Production standard models

The two Defenders will be production-standard models and used by the team’s support staff. The Indus Silver models are powered by Land Rover’s 400-ps straight-six Ingenium petrol engine which has Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology. They have the Explorer Pack which includes an Expedition Roof Rack, Raised Air Intake, Wheel Arch Protection and Exterior Side-Mounted Gear Carrier. In addition, a Deployable Roof Ladder provides easy access to a roof box, which will help BRX carry all the necessary kit.

The fact that these vehicles are unmodified is testimony to the intrinsic capability and durability of the legendary 4×4 vehicles of the brand. The latest Defender is said to have undergone the most demanding engineering test and development programme in the company’s history.

“The crew need to know our support vehicles will be able to carry all of the necessary kit and be relied upon to get to the next service location, whatever the conditions. New Defender provides a unique combination of all-terrain performance, rugged practicality and comfort – a crucial combination for the unpredictable Dakar conditions and after long days behind the wheel,” said BRX Team Principal, Paul Howorth.

The BRX rallycar developed by ProDrive for the 2021 Dakar Rally.

About the Dakar Rally

Though called the ‘Dakar Rally’, the event – billed as the toughest off-road event in the world – will be run in Saudi Arabia, the same country as in 2020. The event did have Dakar as its finish point between 1997 and 2007 and during those years, the participants would race from Paris and down the west coast of Africa to Dakar. However, security concerns forced the organisers to find a new and equally challenging route, which was in South America.

From 2009, (the event had to be cancelled in 2008 when terrorist threats were too serious), it was held on the western side of South America in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. The name was retained as it had become legendary.

The route for Dakar 2021.

However, the teams have found logistics complex and the cost of travelling to South America has been high. The host countries have also been unhappy with the extremely high fees charged by the organisers for the event. This led to the event moving to Saudi Arabia for 2020 as the Kingdom has been willing to sign a multi-year contract. The shorter distance from Europe is also more acceptable to the teams.

The 2021 route will see the participants starting in Jeddah on January 2 and then doing a clockwise route around the country to finish in the same city 13 days later. There will be 12 stages and the total distance will be 7,646 kms.

Third Dakar Rally victory for Carlos Sainz, with a different team again


Police to use in-car radar and iCOPS during ‘Ops Selamat’ between January 28 and February 6

For the police to catch motorists exceeding speed limits, they need to have evidence and the most common approach in Malaysia is by using speed cameras that are installed by the side of highways, or hand-held units operated by personnel. Without the evidence provided by a reliable device to show the speed the vehicle was travelling at, it would be hard to issue a summons that can be challenged in court.

Soon, the police will use a new method of determining vehicles speeds and it will be done from patrolcars with radar devices mounted on them. These are not new but are being deployed by the police when
Ops Selamat
 is carried out between January 28 and February 6. They devices will be installed in vehicles patrolling highways around Malaysia which are expected to have at least 1.6 million vehicles on the move during the festive season.

Using vehicles to track speeds is not need to the Malaysian police and as far back as the 1970s, before radar-based devices were used, they had a system inside patrol vehicles which measured the speed of a vehicle between two points on the road. When the car passed the first point, a timer would be started and stopped when it passed the second point, and a computer would calculate the speed.

Photo credit:
Sinar Harian

Later, as hand-held radar ‘guns’ became available, this was an easier and more accurate way to detect speeds. Fixed radars with cameras were also used as speed-enforcement devices along some highways, the first being the original Karak highway in the 1980s where the devices used solar power.

The vehicle-based radar will make it easier for the police to record vehicles committing offences at any point on the highway, rather than just fixed locations which are often known to motorists who regularly pass them.

Additionally, besides the installation of radar devices on the patrol vehicles, there will also be increased use of the iCOPS system to more quickly identify vehicles that have outstanding summonses. Failure to settle summonses has led to the police having a huge backlog to clear, so they sometimes offer discounts as incentives for motorists to pay up. There was one instance when the police database was so clogged up that it had problems.

Photo credit:
Sinar Harian

The iCOPS system, which has been in use since 2015, has helped the police build up a database of vehicle profiles estimated to number over 6 million to date. The system is used in conjunction with Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology which can recognise numberplates so that they can more easily be checked against the database.

Besides identifying vehicles that have outstanding summonses, the iCOPS system can also help police to quickly know if a vehicle has been reported stolen. There is no need to even key in the number as the ANPR would determine the registration number optically and check it against the database. The iCOPS system is used with a Panasonic heavy-duty tablet in the car.

During the coming festive season, at least 1.6 million vehicles will be travelling on highways.

‘
Ops Selamat
’, which has been absent for two years, is aimed at minimizing road accidents during the festive season as well as prevent burglaries. The latter can occur at homes where the residents have gone off on holiday or ‘balik kampung’.

For motorists who are travelling along PLUS highways, assistance will be readily available with the
PLUSRonda
 teams on standby. The PLUSRonda service, which has been available for over 30 years, can offer various forms of assistance and the personnel are trained with technical as well as medical skills so they can attend to breakdowns and also save lives.

PLUS apologises, will reinstate 43 lanes to SmartTAG lanes to address congestion issue


The ‘Godfather of Pickups’ from BRABUS

BRABUS is well known for taking Mercedes-Benz products and injecting them with an extra dose of power for those who want to stay ahead all the time. Much of its work is on engine and chassis upgrades but with the 800 Adventure XLP Superblack, they have gone further. This new model begins life as a Mercedes-AMG G63 SUV and BRABUS engineers then add 500 mm to the wheelbase to allow the overall length to be extended by 690 mm. They also add the brand’s Widestar bodykit which increases the width by 117 mm.

The company fabricates elements from sheet steel such as the new rear wall of the cab, the robust cargo bed and the side-opening tailgate. The bedsides are produced from carbonfibre using the complex prepreg process. The likewise black Flexiteek bedliner is a direct technology transfer from the construction of high-performance boats by BRABUS Marine.

The rear end of the 4-door cabin is shortened with the boot area becoming an open cargo bed and the spare wheel that was on the back door moved right against the cabin. And that transforms the ‘Godfather of SUVs’ into the ‘Godfather of Pickups’.

The rear view is characterized by the pickup tailgate that reveals the origin of this supercar with an exposed carbonfibre panel. The WIDESTAR rear fascia with stylized exposed carbonfibre skidplate rounds off the view from the rear.

To make getting in and out easier with the high ground clearance, BRABUS has added black-coated running boards. Adapted to the extended wheelbase, they can optionally be supplemented with power-retractable steps. LED lights in the flares, which are activated by pulling on a door handle or by the Keyless-Go signal when approaching the vehicle, ensure a safe step also in the dark. They illuminate the ground to the left and right of the vehicle as well as the running boards of the rocker panels.

‘Black on black’ theme

‘Black on black’ is the theme for the interior of the 800 Adventure XLP SUPERBLACK. The upholstery shop created a particularly exclusive BRABUS Masterpiece interior that has the finest black leather with sporty carbonfibre elements. Along with the headliner made from black Alcantara, high-end refinement includes covering the entire interior and the vehicle floor with the finest black leather.

The centre sections of the seats feature seashell diamond quilting and perforations applied with pinpoint precision. Many interior elements were enhanced with the ‘Heritage’ brand pattern, which pays tribute to the founding year of BRABUS with its embossed ‘77’ signets. No less than 206 cockpit elements (trim panels, handles, switches, loudspeaker covers, air vents, etc) are glazed in ‘Shadow Chrome’ to match the interior design.

Carbonfibre elements on the steering wheel, dashboard, centre console and door panels add sporty touches in the cockpit. They are complemented with aluminium for components such as the pedals, door lock pins and the BRABUS RACE paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

PowerXtra+ treatment for engine

It would not be worthy of the BRABUS badge without a power boost which comes from the 800 PowerXtra+ tuning package for the G63’s twin-turbocharged, 4-litre V8. PowerXtra + treatment includes replacing the production turbos with two newly configured BRABUS high-performance turbos. In addition to a larger compressor unit, they have a modified core assembly with reinforced axial bearing and produce a maximum boost pressure of 1.6 bar. This bumps the output to 800 ps/1,000 Nm which flows to all four 22-inch Monoblock HD wheels through a 9-speed automatic transmission.

The 5.2-metre long pickup, which weighs 2,936 kgs, can reach 100 km/h in a claimed 4.8 seconds after take-off and the top speed is electronically limited to 210 km/h due to the all-terrain tyres.

If you buy one in Germany, the price of the 800 Adventure XLP SUPERBLACK starts from 725,900 euros (about RM3.44 million ringgit). Import the vehicle to Malaysia before June 30, 2022 and you can save 50% on sales tax.

The other side of the BRABUS business – armoured SUVs


Updated Honda CR-V coming soon, bookings accepted now

The rush of new model introductions, some delayed by the MCO earlier in the year, continues and today, Honda Malaysia has announced that an updated Honda CR-V will be in showrooms before the end of this year. Bookings are now accepted at all 101 authorised dealerships nationwide.

The CR-V was the first model that Honda Malaysia assembled at its new plant when the facility opened in Melaka in 2003. Since then, over 100,000 units have been sold, of which more than 36,000 have been of the 5
th
 generation which was launched in 2017.

Restyled front bumper of New CR-V has a bolder look than the previous one (below).

“We are confident that the New CR-V will not only continue to live up to this stellar track record, but also regain its status as No.1 in the Non-National SUV segment as it offers a complete package comprising bold exterior, VTEC Turbocharged engine as well as Next Generation Advanced Safety Technology – Honda SENSING. We believe the enhanced New CR-V is an ideal SUV for families and professionals with a keen sense of sophistication and style,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Toichi Ishiyama.

The changes

The exterior of the New CR-V receives cosmetic changes with a new black grille combined with Honda’s signature LED headlights. The restyled front and rear bumpers have a wing-style chrome fascia, while the rear end has new dark chrome and new smoked finish taillights, plus a new tailpipe finisher. The 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels have a new design as well.

Owners of the New CR-V will no longer have to press a button to open the tailgate. It now comes with a Handsfree Power Tailgate which will open (and close) when a foot is positioned under the rear bumper.

The CR-V has a 1.5-litre VTEC turbocharged Earth Dreams engine with an output of 193ps/243 Nm, which makes its more powerful than a conventional 2.4-litre engine. Having a smaller displacement helps in fuel efficiency which can be enhanced with activation of the ECON mode.

The CR-V is available with all-wheel drive (AWD) that is managed by an Intelligent Control System. Torque is distributed optimally to the wheels, providing better traction and control on all surfaces.

Full Honda SENSING suite

The New CR-V will come with a full suite of Honda SENSING that that consists of eight systems, all of which work with a camera mounted at the top of the windscreen. The systems are Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Low-Speed Follow (LSF), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), and Auto High-Beam (AHB).

In addition, Honda LaneWatch (shown above) is now a standard feature. This is a noteworthy innovation by Honda which provides a real-time image of the blind spot along the left side of the vehicle from a small camera mounted on the left door mirror. The image, which is clear day and night, is displayed on the infotainment screen in the middle of the dashboard, so the driver does not have to turn the head so much to view.

Pricing for the New CR-V is not revealed yet but it would, of course, have full exemption of the 10% sales tax until December 31, 2020. Visit
www.honda.com.my
 for more information or let a Honda dealer know of your interest to be updated.

Honda Insurance Plus plan upgraded with more benefits


All-New Toyota C-HR Makes Its Global Debut

Toyota has been making the C-HR, a subcompact crossover SUV, since 2016. Hiroyuki Koba, Toyota’s head engineer, started the project’s initial stages of development in 2013 as a model that will slot between the Corolla Cross and the Yaris Cross.

With cutting-edge design, technologies, and a variety of electrified hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains with increased power, and extended all-electric driving capabilities, the all-new, next-generation Toyota C-HR raises the bar for the exceptional quality and status of its predecessor.

Exterior

The eye-catching design of the new Toyota C-HR is consistent with the aesthetic shown by the prologue model unveiled in late 2022. It has the appearance of “a concept car on the road” thanks to its unusual bodywork.

With its coupe-like lines, the original Toyota C-HR broke the norm for SUV design. The new model’s “super-coupe” profile gives these a sharper rendering. The all-electric bZ4X is also seen with the same frontal treatment, which shows the new face of Toyota SUVs.

There are diamond-cut character lines along the side of the vehicle, underscoring the flush door handles which are featured on a Toyota for the first time. The car’s dynamic looks are further strengthened by short overhangs and large wheels which are up to 20-inches.

There will be a new type of bi-tone paint design that extends the contrast black roof all the way to the rear bumper and into the back three-quarters of the vehicle.

Aerodynamic efficiency allows optimisation of airflow over and around the vehicle in detail including the front bumper and format of the rear roof spoiler.

The bumpers are formed from a new resin material that is pre-coloured in the mould – an innovation that is expected to save hundreds of tonnes of CO2, according to Toyota.

New high-strength steels and a new panoramic roof design are only two of the design and technological solutions that have been made to lighten the car’s weight. Low-emissive and infrared-reducing coatings on the fixed panoramic roof maintain heat within the cabin in cold climates and avoid overheating in hot climates.

This avoids the need for a conventional sunshade, saving 5kg in unit weight, improving headroom by 3cm and reducing the need to use the air conditioning to maintain a comfortable temperature.

Interior

As the driver approaches their car, an automatic welcome scene runs out, complete with the brightening of the exterior lights and illumination of the new Toyota C-HR light signature on the back door. The driver’s preferred settings for seat position, digital instrument display, head-up display and multimedia screen are automatically applied.

The Toyota C-HR features a new, 12.3-inch fully digital combi-meter (depending on equipment grade). The display can be adjusted to prioritise different content according to driver preference or the kind of journey being made, for example making the active ADAS function information prominent when joining a highway.

The Toyota C-HR will be available with a digital key system, where the user only has to have their phone on their person to access and start the vehicle.

The ambient lighting system introduces options for internal direct and indirect lighting to reflect the cabin atmosphere, whether it be cool or warm, or the time of day, and offers a wide spectrum of colors—a choice of up to 64.

The transition from bright morning tones to more calming ones in the evening has been planned out as a 24-shade schedule that changes as the hours pass. Additionally, the lighting design will increase safety by reinforcing the Safe Exit Assist system’s auditory and visual alerts and turning on inside red illumination when there is a potential for a rear-end accident with oncoming cars or cyclists. The Toyota C-HR is the first Toyota model to benefit from these extensions to ambient lighting functionality.

Depending on the model grade, the Toyota Smart Connect multimedia package comes with a wireless smartphone connection through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, an eight or 12.3-inch touchscreen, and an on-board voice assistant.

In its POI function, the system will display details like EV range and nearby charging stations. Toyota’s MyT smartphone app will allow owners to operate several vehicle systems remotely, including the air conditioning system to pre-heat or pre-cool the vehicle.

The ability to fully remote park with the driver outside the car will also be possible using an app, enabling even more precise handling in constrained situations.

The new car features twice as much recycled plastic as its predecessor, which is used in more than 100 distinct parts. These include a brand-new PET bottle-recycled cloth for the seat upholstery. Further savings have been achieved by adopting a new automated painting process using water-based paints and by adopting a new animal-free material as an alternative to leather for the steering wheel cover.

Powertrain

The C-HR will only be available with electrified powertrains, including two hybrids, in Europe. The first system has a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine and produces 140PS in total; it is followed by a 2.0-litre system that produces 197PS.

A 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system with 223PS joins the hybrid powertrains (HEVs). The C-HR with the PHEV technology can travel up to 66 kilometres on pure electricity with a completely charged battery.

With real EV capability, a very competitive range, and Regeneration Boost (a “one-pedal”-like driving experience) with three operational levels for easier progress in city traffic, the system can significantly reduce driving stress. Additionally, it will automatically alter the drive mode to maximise energy efficiency, identifying the ideal locations for energy recharging while travelling along a route selected by the navigation system of the vehicle.

Thanks to the introduction of a new geofencing function, the Toyota C-HR PHEV will automatically switch to EV operation when the car enters a low emission zone (LEZ), optimising battery usage across the entire trip (when using a navigation system and the sufficient battery charge is available).

Toyota C-HR Premiere Edition

At launch, the new Toyota C-HR range will feature a special Premiere Edition model, showcasing the highest levels of equipment and styling.

The exterior of the Premiere Edition is a distinctive Sulphur bi-tone. A head-up display, perforated leather seats with contrast Sulphur stitching, and a Skyview panoramic roof are all included in the cabin.

According to Toyota, all performance data are provisional prior to homologation. Final specifications will be confirmed later; feature availability and vehicle specification may vary among models, grades and according to market availability.


Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross unveiled

Mitsubishi fans who were expecting a resurgence in performance vehicles manufactured by the brand, will be disappointed. Though the Japanese automaker has revived the Eclipse nameplate, the vehicle that carries the name, is a crossover.

The angular styling is inline with Mitsubishi’s current design language, and overall, the Eclipse Cross has a silhouette that is a cross between a hatchback and an SUV. The raked roof, elongated rear taillights and overall compact dimensions give it an almost car-like presence.

Sporting similar looks to the Outlander SUV, the Eclipse Cross is powered by an all-new 1.5-litre turbocharged engine that develops 163bhp and 250Nm of torque. It can be mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or an automatic one with Sport mode.

The automatic unit features step logic technology that enables it to offer the efficiency of a CVT but the responsiveness of a standard geared transmission. It sends power to the wheels via the latest generation Super All-wheel Control (S-AWC) system.

Available in a number of trim levels, the Eclipse Cross is fitted with sophisticated infotainment system with smartphone compatibility (support for Apple Play and Android Auto), six speaker system and a touch-pad controller.

The vehicle comes with the latest safety tech that include Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) that uses radar technology to detect a risk of collision, ABS, Active Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Brake Assist, seven airbags, dusk and rain sensors and automatic operation of the headlamps’ dipped beam.

Other features include leather trim, electrically-adjustable driver’s seat, electric opening panoramic roof, 18-inch alloy wheels, a head-up display, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and keyless start, electrically folding door mirrors and of course, silver side sills.

Though many consider it a major let down, the new vehicle does add to Mitsubishi’s SUV portfolio, which should help boost its bottom line. Evidently, the automaker is done with producing fast sedans, instead, its focusing on building capable and electrified SUV styled vehicles.


The Fullerton Concours d’Elegance In Singapore Is Coming!

The inaugural
Fullerton Concours d’Elegance
, a three-day celebration, is set to transform The Fullerton Heritage precinct in Singapore from
29
th
 June to 1
st
 July, 2018
. Organised as the pinnacle event to mark the
90
th
 anniversary of the iconic Fullerton Building
, now home to The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, it offers visitors a diverse range of activities and experiences that embody the building’s rich heritage and the brand’s passion for luxury hospitality and lifestyle.

Anchoring the event will be a showcase of more than
90 vintage and classic cars
, as well as supercars from around the world, taking visitors on a journey through time across The Fullerton Heritage precinct. Other highlights include gala dinners, live music performances, art and cultural exhibitions, workshops, family fun activities, luxury yacht displays and charity car convoys set against a panoramic view.

Cavaliere Giovanni Viterale, General Manager, The Fullerton Heritage
, said,
“As one of the most iconic colonial buildings in Singapore, The Fullerton Building has been preserved with the highest form of recognition for its national significance. Likewise, the Fullerton Concours d’Elegance represents the pinnacle in automotive heritage and excellence, celebrating the best in collector and car design. The event will be a fitting showcase that not only pays tribute to the heritage of the Grand Dame, but also celebrates the building’s continued relevance in bringing the community together and creating shared memories.”

The Fullerton Building was gazetted as a National Monument on 7
th
 December 2015 in recognition of its pivotal role in Singapore’s history. It previously housed the General Post Office, once the “most important post office in the East,” and served as “Mile Zero” from which all of Singapore was measured. Today, the Fullerton Building serves as the cornerstone of The Fullerton Heritage precinct, which comprises seven key establishments: The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore, The Fullerton Waterboat House, One Fullerton, The Fullerton Pavilion, Clifford Pier and Customs House.

Activities have been curated to ensure there is something for everyone. Highlights of the celebration include:

An unprecedented tribute to automotive excellence

The preeminent Concours d’Elegance (competition of elegance) showcases some of the finest examples of pre-war and post-war collector cars in terms of history, craftsmanship, power and technology. Restored vintage cars from the 1920s, antique cars from the 1930s, classic cars from the 1970s, and modern marvels will be prominently displayed along the picturesque waterfront at Clifford Square and Clifford Pier, in the iconic Fullerton Hotel Singapore and at Fullerton Square.

Highlights include the classic 1934 Austin Seven Ulster Special, which boasts an aluminium body with no doors, a 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II from the hotel’s recently restored Rolls-Royce fleet, and the legendary Lamborghini Miura previously owned by Don Miura himself. Visitors will be the first in the region to see the 2018 Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge and 2018 Ferrari Portofino. Additionally, innovative electric car prototypes created by the students from Nanyang Technological University will be displayed at One Fullerton.

For the first time in Singapore, visitors can also view the largest display of cars owned by
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, Sultan and Sovereign Ruler of the State and Territory of Johor Darul Ta’zim
.

Admission to the Fullerton Concours d’Elegance starts from
S$9.90 *(RM 29.30) for a Single-Day Pass
. Gold Passes are also available for access to VIP areas and the after-party at Lantern in The Fullerton Bay Hotel. Children under five years old will enjoy free admission.

More…
For the full press release and to know more about the Fullerton Concourse d’Elegance, click here:
Press Release – The Fullerton Concours d’Elegance_160418_CRE

For more information about the car list, to vote for your favourite cars and purchase tickets, visit

http://www.fullertonconcours.com/
.


Safe practices implemented at all authorised Honda dealerships for customers’ peace of mind

All authorised Honda dealerships throughout Malaysia are now fully operational with regards to both showrooms and service centres. Earlier, only service centres had been permitted to resume operations but under the less restrictive Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), the full range of services can now be provided. However, areas such as children’s play area and cafes will remain closed.

Adhering to the Health Ministry’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), all dealerships will conduct temperature screening for customers and require the use of hand sanitizers (to be available at the facilities). Individuals recording temperature of 37.5 degrees C. and above or are exhibiting symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath will be advised to leave the premises to immediately seek medical attention.

The customer flow at all dealerships has been arranged to have only one entrance and one exit for a more effective check-and-control measure. High traffic or frequently used areas such as the door handles and washrooms are sanitized and disinfected on a regular basis every day.   Upon entrance into the showroom, face masks will be provided to the customers. Both customers and Honda sales advisors are required to wear face masks before engaging in any discussion.

All display cars in the Honda dealerships will be cleaned using certified sanitisers regularly every day. Sales advisors are required to adhere to the recommended social distance of 1 metre from customers during the explanation on the exterior of the Honda models. During the demonstration and explanation of interior features of the car, the sales advisors will sit in the rear seat to maintain social distancing at all times.

The same practices will apply during test-drives, with gloves also being provided for use by customers, with the vehicles being sanitized before and after each test drive session, with particular attention to the areas and accessories that are frequently touched. Honda Malaysia encourages the use of contactless payments using electronic transfers.

With regards to hand-over of new vehicles to customers, Honda Malaysia says that in view of the current situation, customers are advised to limit the number of people present to ONE person to avoid having a large crowd in the showroom.

As reported earlier, customers requiring aftersales services must make an appointment first. The number of customers present at any one time for vehicle service in the dealership is limited at minimum capacity.

For those concerned about their vehicle warranties, the company has made special considerations in view of the restrictions caused by the MCO. Warranties which expired between March 18 and May 12, 2020 are extended until June 11, 2020. Scheduled servicing which was required between March 18 and May 12, 2020 can be done before July 11, 2020.

“Even as our dealers commence operations in full, we will continue to emphasise customers and associates’ safety by practising social distancing as well as following the safety practices and guidelines. We have implemented strict precautions for everyone’s wellbeing,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Toichi Ishiyama.

“Honda Malaysia emphasises that the company is monitoring the development of the situation in the nation closely and working hard to ensure a safe environment in all its operations including dealerships to provide customers with peace of mind when visiting a Honda dealership,” he added.

Honda Malaysia and SOCAR offer cars for use by frontliners


Hyundai to start pilot autonomous vehicle sharing service in California from next month

Electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous self-driving cars are going to be part of our lives in future. In Malaysia, perhaps it will take a while for them to become significant numbers although Edaran Tan Chong Motor is taking the initiative to start selling EVs such as the
Nissan LEAF
 now. Autonomous cars will take a lot longer as our conditions present challenges, particularly in the area of safety.

In the more developed countries, the infrastructure is already well developed to enable autonomous cars to function safely. They need to have good roads and clear signage and not have motorcyclists weaving in and out of traffic. We have a long way to go in these matters…

California is one such place and the west coast state of America has traditionally been an ‘early adopter’ for the auto industry. For this reason, Hyundai Motor, in collaboration with Pony.ai and Via, will start running a fleet of self-driving Hyundai KONA all-electric SUVs around the community of Irvine.

Free shared, on-demand service

Known as BotRide, the free shared, on-demand, autonomous vehicle service will operate on public roads from November 4 this year. Using the BotRide app (iOS and Android), the public can hail an autonomous KONA directly from their smartphone. Via’s advanced algorithms enable multiple passengers to share the same vehicle. The app directs passengers to nearby stops to await pick-up and drop-off, allowing for quick and efficient shared trips without lengthy detours, or inconvenient fixed routes and schedules.

“The pilot service introduces BotRide to several hundred Irvine residents, including college students. The goal is to study consumer behaviour in an autonomous ride-sharing environment,” said Christopher Chang, Head of Business Development, Strategy and Technology division, Hyundai Motor Company. “We are going to learn about ecosystems, where the vehicles travel and optimize the customer experience. BotRide, is another example of Hyundai’s ongoing efforts to actively build expertise in mobility technology as well as the company’s commitment to providing more user-friendly mobility services to customers.”

Navigating complex road scenarios

Integrated Hyundai and Pony.ai technologies enable the BotRide vehicles to navigate complex road scenarios safely. These vehicles are equipped with Pony.ai’s latest sensor hardware and proprietary software to identify the precise position of surrounding vehicles, handle pedestrian traffic in urban areas, accurately monitor its surroundings, predict the behaviour of other road-users, and precisely plan actions accordingly. In addition to self-driving capabilities, BotRide is validating its user experience in preparation for a fully driverless future.

BotRide launches with multiple popular destinations where a passenger may hail a ride using the BotRide app. The service area covers several residential, commercial, and institutional points of interest. BotRide’s technology prioritizes passenger-to-system interactions such as automated onboard passenger verification, giving riders the chance to familiarize themselves with technologies expected to become commonplace in an autonomous mobility future.

“Through BotRide, Hyundai is leveraging cutting-edge autonomous vehicle and mobility technologies to introduce a new, safe, and convenient form of transportation to the public,” said Daniel Han, Manager, Advanced Product Strategy, Hyundai Motor America. “The BotRide pilot service represents an important step in the deployment and eventual commercialization of a growing new mobility business. In addition to the technology partners powering BotRide, the broader city and community ecosystem have also played an important role in making BotRide possible.”

Hyundai begins testing Level 4 Autonomous Driving in Europe


Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team to face new challenges to defend titles

Formula E, the single-seater motorsport championship for fully electric cars, began in 2014 and the first three carmakers to participate were Renault, Audi and Mahindra. Seven seasons have passed and for the eighth one, the team from Mercedes-Benz will again compete, having started in the 2018 – 2019 season.

The Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team opts for continuity and will once again field the strong, well-proven driver pairing of reigning World Champion Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne in their third season.

Continuity is important

“Continuity and stability definitely play a big role,” said Team Principal Ian James. “How does the saying go? ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!’ But at the same time, there’s another old adage that being successful does not automatically mean that there’s no room for improvement. Nyck and Stoffel both play an absolutely key role in that respect. They’ve been phenomenal as drivers so far while also making a huge contribution to the development of this team that we’ve built up from scratch, so having that continuity going into Season 8 is a tremendous advantage.”

There will be plenty of fresh challenges awaiting the team in the 16 races at 12 different venues that include new street circuits in Jakarta, Vancouver and Seoul. There is also a new qualifying format when drivers go head-to-head after the group stages. Both drivers think that the new qualifying format seems very promising and should prove really interesting.

More power for the racing cars

All Formula E cars are homologated for Season 8 but drivers will still have more power available, thanks to a number of changes to the rules. Power on tap in races will increase from 200 kW to 220 kW and drivers will in future have 250 kW at their disposal when using Attack Mode instead of only 235 kW.

Same platform to be used

Because of the team’s forward-thinking approach to development, they will be able to use the same hardware for the new season, and yet get more power out of the power unit. “That was part of our work when we opted for a platform homologated for 2 seasons,” said Pierre Godof, Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains. “Part of our durability testing included the duty cycle for Season 8, which we see as the second half of a long season to all intents and purposes. It’s why right from the start, we designed the power train so that it could also be used for Season 8.”

In another innovation, the race duration of 45 minutes plus one lap could be extended by as much as 10 minutes should there be any Safety Car or ‘Full Course Yellow’ periods. 45 seconds will be added to race time for every minute of an SC or FCY period. If, however, one of these periods proves necessary after 40 minutes has elapsed or starts subsequently, then no more time will be added to the race.

In Season 7 of the Formula E series, the Mercedes EQ team won both the Drivers and Teams championship titles.


Michelin Malaysia adds more sizes for X MULTI Z 2 range for commercial vehicles

Although commercial vehicles may not change as frequently as passenger cars, the tyres they run on have technologies which are continuous improved in many aspects. This is the case with the Michelin X MULTI Z 2
,

introduced in February last year
 as the latest addition to the tyremaker’s best-selling range in the East Asia and Australia regions.

3 major breakthrough technologies

There are 3 major breakthrough technologies in the X MULTI Z 2, beginning with REGENION. This technology enables differently shaped grooves to be used, ensuring minimal tread deformation. The advantage of minimizing tread deformation is that rolling resistance is lowered, leading to less fuel consumption.

The X Multi Z 2 tyre is suitable for long-distance, regional and urban use.

With the ground-breaking 3D metal printing techniques, the longitudinal grooves regenerate as the tyre wears, delivering a high level of grip and traction throughout the tyre’s lifecycle in all weather conditions. There is also a lower wear rate, claimed to be more than 20% compared to its predecessor, the X MULTI Z.

INFINICOIL is another technology and this adopts reinforced tread plies with a continuously wound steel wire of up to 400 metres long (depending on tyre size) inside the casing. The high tensile steel wire increases tyre strength and thus optimizes the ground contact patch and delivers high mileage potential.

This technology provides greater stability throughout the tyre’s lifetime, help reduce risk of sudden pressure loss for better vehicle control, extend mobility even when punctured, and improve uneven wear as it flattens the contact patch – thus, contributing to longer mileage and less unexpected breakdown incidences.

Finally, the use of HT NYLON provides strengthened bead endurance that helps not only reduce tyre damage linked to long-distance/high-speed usage and continuous usage cycle by 10% but also increase retreadability.

Additional sizes

New size offerings are now available for a wider range of applications. These new sizes – 295/80R22.5 and 12R22.5 – along with the original 11R22.5 are available at all authorized Michelin truck tyre dealers around Malaysia.

“We are proud to bring in new additions to the line-up of sizes offered by the Michelin X MULTI Z 2 range. The truck tyre market is an important segment that bolsters economic activities for the nation, and is crucial now more than ever, as we go into yet another movement control order in Malaysia. Thanks to the three core revolutionary technologies, the Michelin X MULTI Z 2 brings to our targeted customers uncompromised safety performance and helps meet their delivery timing and efficiency – thus, leading to increased productivity and improved cost-effectiveness for their businesses,” said Michelin Malaysia’s Commercial Director for B2B, Muhammad Arya Subrata.

Click here for others news about Michelin products and activities.


World Rallycross Championship goes electric as well

In tandem with the electrification trends in the auto industry, rallycross is also moving towards zero emissions. Even now, we have the Formula E single-seater series on street circuits, the Extreme E off-road series, with the World Rally Championship now running hybrid electric rallycars in the top category.

First ever electric rallycross championship
Next is the World Rallycross Championship (World RX) which was officially launched yesterday in Norway, which the highest percentage of electrified vehicle sales in the world (around 80%). The first-ever electric rallycross world championship is FIA-sanctioned as part of the organization’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

The original intention was to introduce full-electric cars in the World Rallycross Championship in 2021. However, following a World Motor Sport Council decision, it was decided to delay the implementation until 2022 due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a delay to introducing electrification to the FIA World Rallycross Championship,” said Gyarfas Olah, President of the FIA Off-Road Commission.

“Nonetheless, we are committed to a new, electric future which has, as guiding principles, cost control and demonstration of the huge power capabilities of full electric road car-based Supercars. Together with Kreisel, we are developing a performance package which is sustainable and enables teams to be part of a highly competitive electric racing series. The fans, who are used to very spectacular races in rallycross, will be thrilled by the acceleration power of the coming RX1e cars.”

However, the FIA RX2e Championship, the first-ever FIA electric rallycross championship, was part of the 2021 season. The RX2e car, jointly developed by Spanish electro-mobility specialist QEV Technologies and Swedish rallycross team Olsbergs MSE, was successfully run in events.

Powertrain can be retrofitted
The powertrain kits are provided by Austria’s Kreisel Electric, the official supplier of the electrification kit to the championship. The kit can be retrofitted to existing internal combustion-powered World RX Supercars or built into an all-new chassis.

The kits are priced at 300,000 euros (about RM1.37 million) with an additional 100,000 euros for 4 years of technical support. The cost is said to be lower than the current Supercar power units over the same period. Performance levels of RX1e will be higher than existing ICE Supercars, with a significant power and torque increase and with a contained weight gain.

Fastest, most powerful RX cars
As in the WRC, the top tiers will run the new RX1e rallycross cars with twin motors, pushing out 500 kW (equivalent to 680 bhp) and 880 Nm of instant torque. They will be able to accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h faster than a Formula 1 car and are fastest and most powerful competition cars ever seen in the World RX.

With the new era in rallycross, a new convention for categories has been introduced: Supercar will become RX1; Electric Supercar will be known as RX1e; the new Junior electric series will become RX2e; and Super1600 will be known as RX3.

Extreme E to add Extreme H in 2024 with hydrogen fuel-cell powered rallycars


Racing in F1 helped Honda develop advanced hybrid technology

Carmakers may spend a lot of money on racing activities but in many cases, such activities also support R&D for the company to develop new technologies for future models. Honda has been on such company and even in the 1960s, before it was established as a serious carmaker, it was already in Formula 1, the first Japanese company to do so.

Honda’s founder believed that the experience of working in a racing team was invaluable for the engineers. They had to find solutions to problems very quickly and in the high-pressured environment of motorsports. The benefits were understood, and Honda made sure that it remained active in motorsports, with many technologies flowing to production models.

In the 1960s, Honda was the first Japanese manufacturer to race in F1 and its engineers benefitted from the experience of working in the high-pressured environment.

The latest Jazz is an example of advanced Honda hybrid innovation transferring from the racetrack to the road. Using engineering expertise from its motorsport team, Honda is drawing knowledge from its Formula 1 Hybrid Power Unit (PU) programme to improve the energy efficiency of the brand’s e:HEV hybrid system.

The latest Honda Formula 1 Hybrid Power Unit, named RA620H, uses a highly efficient 1600 cc 6-cylinder internal combustion engine, combined with an Energy Recovery System. The advanced hybrid electrical systems ingeniously recycle energy produced by the brakes and exhaust gases to generate extra boost power for acceleration and to reduce turbo lag.

Last season, Honda’s Hybrid Power Unit helped its partner teams, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso (now known as Scuderia AlphaTauri), achieve a total of 3 race wins and 6 podium places.

Honda’s partner teams in F1 are Scuderia AlphaTauri (formerly Scuderia Toro Rosso) and Aston Martin Red Bull Racing.

During races, Honda Formula 1 engineers are constantly assessing and changing the ratio of energy recovered and deployed by the hybrid system to deliver optimum performance. The expertise they have developed in running hybrid power units at optimum efficiency and power output inspires Honda’s range of advanced e:HEV powertrains in its passenger cars.

The beneficiary of this technology is the Jazz. Its e:HEV hybrid system recycles energy and harnesses it to charge the battery and support engine output, for strong performance, seamless switching between drive modes and maximum efficiency.

“During a Formula 1 race weekend, teams have to manage very carefully how much fuel they use to comply with the sport’s regulations. In a race, we can divide the total fuel allowance over the number of laps, but there are going to be situations where a team might wish to use more fuel in order to get higher performance and in other parts of the race they will want to save fuel for later, while behind a safety car for example,” explained Yasuaki Asaki, Head of PU Development.

“In a race, the communication between the race engineer and the driver is key to achieving that best balance. However, in our road-going e:HEV hybrids, we apply our expertise to ensure the Powertrain control units deliver the best possible power to efficiency ratio for the driver, in any required driving mode,” he said.

The e:HEV system (shown above) is newly developed for Jazz consists of two compact, powerful electric motors connected to a 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine; a lithium-ion battery; and an innovative fixed-gear transmission via an intelligent power control unit.

To deliver a rewarding driving experience and exceptional efficiency, the e:HEV hybrid set-up seamlessly selects from three interchangeable drive modes:

EV Drive:
 the lithium-ion battery supplies power to the electric propulsion motor directly.

Hybrid Drive:
 the engine supplies power to the electric generator motor, which in turn supplies it to the electric propulsion motor.

Engine Drive:
 the petrol engine is connected directly to the wheels via a lock-up clutch and drive force is transmitted directly from engine to the wheels.

In most urban driving situations, optimum efficiency is achieved through seamless transitions between EV Drive and Hybrid Drive. At highway speeds, Engine Drive is used, supplemented by an on-demand peak power ‘boost’ from the electric propulsion motor for fast acceleration. In Hybrid Drive, excess power from the petrol engine can also be diverted to recharge the battery via the generator motor. EV Drive is also engaged when the car is decelerating, harvesting energy through regenerative braking to recharge the battery.

Rather than using a conventional transmission, the Jazz is equipped with a newly-developed Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT) with a single fixed-gear ratio to create a direct connection between moving components. This transfers torque with a linear feel during acceleration across all drive modes.

Honda Origins – the manga version of Honda’s history


New MINI Cooper Countryman Launched in Malaysia

BMW Group Malaysia has finally launched the new MINI Cooper Countryman here in Malaysia. The new car is bigger than its predecessor, measuring 4,299mm in length, 1,822mm in width and 1,557mm in height. The new Countryman has a higher ground clearance and a raised seating position which should complement the MINI ALL4 Bodykit very well.

Including the kit, the Countryman has unique rear and front fenders, Piano Black bumper element and a silver coloured sump guard. There are roof rails on the roof that allow for a fitment of a roof rack, roof box or a bicycle rack. It has satin-finished aluminum with silver-coloured side sill top. And now for the first time ever, the car comes with auto LED Headlamps with Cornering Lights which keep the path ahead illuminated based on the steering position.

Available as either the Cooper Countryman or Cooper S Countryman, the former is fitted with 18-inch Light Alloy Wheels while the latter comes with 19-inch ones. Both rim types are wrapped in run-flat tyres which should offer better convenience in case of a puncture. Thanks to the larger dimensions, the Countryman offers a larger storage volume (450 litres) and increased cabin space. The interior comes with Cloth Firework Cabon Black upholstrey with Hazy Grey interior surfacing which is complemented by the subtle use of chrome and a John Cooper works sports leather steering wheel with paddle shifters.

The front seats can be adjusted electronically, but both front rear door pockets offer small storage space as does the centre console that now extenteds to the instrument panel. Two cup holders are fitted in front of the gear selector. The rear tailgate can be operated electronically and for added convenience a sensor has been fitted below the tailgate that can be operated with your foot.

Unlike its predecessor, the new car has a picnic bench that folds out of the boot and offers seating for two. In the centre console sits a 6.5-inch high resolution infotainment system which has in-car smartphone integration. The apps that are download can accessed via the car’s controls and is view-able via the LCD panel that is also integrated with the rear view camera.

There are two engine options available. The Cooper Countryman comes with a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbo engine that is mated to a 6-speed automatic Steptronic transmission. It produces 136bhp and 220Nm of torque. MINI says that you should get about 6 litres per 100 km on a combined cycle. Opt for the Cooper S Countryman however, and you will get a 192bhp 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo engine which is also mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. It will return 6.5 litres per 100km when driven frugally.

For the suspension, the car comes with a single-joint spring strut axle at the front and a multi-link rear axle at the back. The car also has electro-mechanical steering with Servotronic function and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) which should come in handy during emergency maneuvers. A welcomed feature is the Hill Hold Control which keeps the vehicle in place when stationary on an inclination. For safety, the car comes with two front, sides and the ceiling airbags for aided protection.

There are a number of body colours that are available which include Chestnut, Island Blue, British Racing Green, Chili Red, Light White, Melting Silver, Midnight Black, and Moonwalk Grey. The Thunder Grey colour option is only available with the Cooper S Countryman, so if you want people to know that you didn’t buy the standard car, this is the colour to have.

As for prices, the Cooper Countryman is available for RM239,888 while the Cooper S Countryman can be yours for RM269,888. Both variants come with a 4-year unlimited mileage Warranty with a free scheduled service package.

If you are interested, head on over to your nearest MINI dealership or visit the company’s local website to learn more.


German automakers strike deal with home regulatory agencies

It looks as though German regulators are getting tough on manufacturers of diesel engines. Based on a news article published by
Auto Express
, Big name automakers such as Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and BMW have reached an agreement with the German authorities to update 5.3 million cars with software tweaks enabling them to run a lot cleaner.

This news affects vehicles with Euro5 and 6 diesel engines and the new software will reduce the amount nitrogen oxide emissions emitted by 25 to 30 percent. Having said that, 3.8 million of those vehicles are Volkswagens, which makes up a majority of the total stated earlier.

As many of you already know, VW found itself in a bit of a pickle when regulatory agencies in the US and Europe discovered that the automaker had installed cheat devices in its vehicles. These devices allowed them to circumvent the rather stringent diesel emissions regulations that were put into force in recent years.

As result of the scandal, VW has had to pay hefty fines in these markets on top of initiating programmes to roll back the effectiveness of the devices. Apart from that and to help alleviate the anger of many disgruntled VW owners, the company has opted to buy back their vehicles at reasonable prices.

BMW and Daimler, the latter being the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, are also introducing incentives for customers who trade in their older and dirtier burning diesel vehicles for new models that are more friendly to the environment.

We aren’t sure whether such practices will be adopted in other markets but for now, it looks like only German car buyers will benefit from this. That should suit the rest of us just fine because the days of the diesel engine are numbered. The advent of practical electric cars will soon render eco oil burners obsolete and relegate them to the history books.

Source:
Auto Express


Human drivers use two eyes, autonomous cars need three eyes

Human beings have two eyes to view their surroundings as they drive, sending images to the brain which then makes the necessary decisions to brake or avoid hazards. When an on-board computer takes over the entire job of operating an autonomous car, two ‘eyes’ are not enough and a third sensor is needed. The first two eyes – already in use – are the camera and radar and the third is a long-range lidar sensor for light detection and ranging.

Bosch has a production-ready lidar system that is suitable for automotive use. This laser-based distance measurement technology is indispensable for driving functions at SAE Levels 3 to 5 (the different levels of autonomy). The new sensor will cover both long and close ranges – on highways and in the city.

By exploiting economies of scale, Bosch aims to reduce the price for the sophisticated technology and make it affordable for the mass market. “By filling the sensor gap, Bosch is making automated driving a viable possibility in the first place,” said Bosch Management Board Member, Harald Kroeger.

Alert to all automated driving situations

Only the parallel deployment of three sensor principles ensures that automated driving will offer maximum safety when it is available. This has been confirmed by Bosch analyses, where developers investigated all use cases of automated driving functions – from highway assist to fully automated driving in cities.

For example, if a motorcycle approaches an automated vehicle at high speed at a junction, lidar is needed in addition to camera and radar to ensure the reliable sensing of the two-wheeler. In this instance, radar can struggle to detect the bike’s narrow silhouette and plastic fairings. Moreover, a camera can always be dazzled by harsh light falling on it. As such, there is a need for radar, camera, and lidar, with the three technologies complementing each other perfectly and delivering reliable information in every driving situation.

Lidar is an essential element

We can think of laser as a ‘third eye’: in lidar systems, the sensor emits laser pulses and captures the laser light that is scattered back. The system then calculates distances based on the measured time it takes for the light to bounce back. Lidar offers very high resolution with a long range and a wide field of vision. As a result, the laser-based distance measurement tool can reliably detect even non-metallic objects at a great distance, such as rocks on the road. This means there is plenty of time to initiate driving manoeuvres such as braking or swerving.

At the same time, using lidar in vehicles exposes the lidar system’s components, such as the detector and the laser, to many stresses – above all, with regard to temperature resistance and reliability over the vehicle’s entire lifetime. Because Bosch can draw on its sensor expertise and systems know-how in the fields of radar and camera technology when developing the lidar, the company can ensure that all three sensor technologies dovetail with each other.

Lidar will work with the cameras and radar to provide the computer with more comprehensive imagery ,

“We want to make automated driving safe, convenient, and fascinating. In this way, we will be making a decisive contribution to the mobility of the future,” said Kroeger. Bosch’s long-range lidar will fulfil all safety requirements for automated driving as well as enable automakers to efficiently integrate the technology into a very wide range of vehicle types in the future.

Artificial intelligence makes systems even safer

Recently, Bosch engineers succeeded in taking the camera technology used in cars to a new level by enhancing it with artificial intelligence. The camera technology detects objects, categorizes them into classes such as vehicles, pedestrians, or bicycles, and measures their movement. In congested urban traffic, the camera can also recognize and classify partially obscured or crossing vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists quickly and reliably. This allows the vehicle to trigger a warning or an emergency braking manoeuvre as required.

The engineers are also continuously refining radar technology. The latest generation of Bosch radar sensors is even better at capturing the vehicle’s surroundings – even in bad weather or poor light conditions. Their greater detection range, wide aperture, and high angular separability are the basis for this improved performance.


No more traffic jams with Uber Copter – From $200 (RM830)

Uber, one of the world’s most recognized ride-hailing service, will be expanding their current offering to greater heights – literally. The recently announced Uber Copter will provide helicopter rides starting 9 July 2019 in New York City from $200-$230 per person (RM830-RM956).

The same concept applies when booking any Uber rides – via its app. The first destination set for Uber Copter will take passengers from Lower Manhattan straight to Kennedy International Airport which takes around eight minutes for a one-way trip.

Point to point multimodal journey planning and booking = no stress transport to and from JFK.
https://t.co/nhj55m1BKb
 via
@NYTimes

— dara khosrowshahi (@dkhos)
5 June 2019

With the goal of providing the fastest way to the one of the world’s busiest airports through one of the world’s most congested cities (and infamous traffic jams), Uber Copter is perfect for those who wants to save a lot of time and not go through the heartache of any traffic congestions.

How much time will New Yorkers save from flying high with Uber? Driving from one destination to the other will take roughly an hour and double that time during rush hour. Other modes of transports offer around 75 minutes but with Uber Copter, they promise to cut down the travel time to as little as 30 minutes from the moment you place the booking via the app.

According to Eric Allison, head of Uber Elevate, “This is a trip that so many travelers make a day, and we see an opportunity to save them a huge amount of time on it. “Our plan is to eventually roll out Uber Copter to more Uber customers and to other cities, but we want to do it right. The main goal of this initial venture is to understand the operations behind aerial vehicles.”

Each ride can accommodate up to five adults and to make things even more convenient, customers can place their bookings at that very moment up to five days in advance. While this is not really the vision they had in mind when they introduced Uber Elevate a few years back, it’s a great start for what’s to come.


Motorists continue to like the blues – for their vehicles

As the year comes to an end, PPG – a leading supplier of automotive paint globally – looks at the colours motorists chose for their new vehicles in 2019. Because PPG operates in some 70 countries, it has been able to get data on consumer preferences although it must also be said that the data can be influenced by local assemblers who pick certain colours.

Nevertheless, collaboration between PPG’s more than 20 colour experts generates a fact-based approach to trends and consumer preferences, resulting in a unified voice on colour direction. The company believes this is reflective of current consumer attitudes and spans cultures, regions and markets.

Blue reflects consumers’ desire for adventure, relaxation and reliability

For 2019, blue was found to be increasingly popular, albeit holding a steady 8% of the total global colour popularity data – second only to neutrals like white, black, silver and grey. According to the experts, blue reflects consumers’ desire for adventure, relaxation and reliability.

“We see bolder colours making a comeback in many consumer segments. The versatility of automotive blues – from light sky blue to rich indigo – allows consumers to make a statement, while also ensuring the colour maintains a certain level of practicality,” said Jane Harrington, PPG Manager, Colour Styling, Automotive OEM Coatings.

“Now more than ever, consumers have a desire to make a statement – whether it be through their colour choices or the brands they buy,” Ms Harrington said.

Europeans love the blues

Europe saw the largest number of consumers choosing blue for their vehicles in 2019, at a high of 11%, up 1% from last year. Close behind, in North America, blue was on 10% of vehicles leaving factories – the highest next to neutral hues. The Asia Pacific area saw 7% of consumers choosing blue, with South America having only 2% blue automobiles.

In China, white is still the most popular choice for all types of vehicles.

While it’s anticipated that we could see more blue automobiles for the next 4 years, the hue offers many nuanced shades that can be transformed with different pigment effects, fine or coarse metallic flakes, luminous micas and sparkling glass flakes. Chromatic blues with slight red or green undertones are already appearing across the automotive market and will continue to evolve over the coming years.

Consumers aren’t just choosing blue hues in their automobiles, but also gravitate toward the colour in their homes, electronics and automotive accents. The PPG paint brand earlier this year announced its 2020 Colour of the Year – Chinese Porcelain – a blend of cobalt and moody ink blue that imparts calmness, hopefulness and restful sleep – precious commodities in a restless world.

“The need for simplicity and escapism from technology is, in part, the reason that consumers are craving blues that bring us closer to natural elements such as the sea and sky – elements that represent peace and serenity,” said Dee Schlotter, Senior Colour Marketing Manager, PPG Paint Brand. “The increasing need for connection in an unmoored world was a reoccurring theme at PPG’s Global Colour Workshop.”

Blue for wheels too!

“Beyond colour preferences on the exterior of automobiles, consumers are looking to incorporate more colourful choices for their wheel accents,” said Jennifer Solcz, PPG Global Segment Manager for Wheels, Industrial Coatings. “We’re seeing wheel designers now opting for complementary blue and blue-grey tones, and bolder choices for logos, racing stripes and other embellishments for a cohesive, custom look.”


New BMW M8 Coupe and M8 Gran Coupe launched

BMW Malaysia tonight introduced the M8 Coupe (F92) and M8 Gran Coupe (F93) as the newest high-powered members of its portfolio. Priced
RM1,452,960.88
 and
RM1,455,145.25
, respectively, the new BMW models are with a choice of seven colours: Alpine White, Brands Hatch Grey, Marina Bay Blue, Motegi Red, Black Sapphire, Donington Grey and Barcelona Blue. The interiors come with Merino Leather, in either Black or Silverstone.

Optionally, BMW Individual is available for owners to personalise their cars. For those who cannot wait, one unit of the M8 Coupe in BMW Individual Frozen Bluestone exterior is available for purchase immediately (at an additional RM30,000).

Both new models are available at authorised BMW dealerships nationwide from today. If you are convinced one of these cars is for you, go straight to the BMW Online Shop at
www.shop bmw.com.my
 where you can place your booking for RM5,000.And who knows, you might also get to win a new BMW i8 Coupe.

With the Balloon Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the M8 Coupe and M8 Gran Coupe can be owned with monthly instalment plans starting from RM16,578 and RM16,598, respectively (terms and conditions applicable).

New frontal design language

The two models present the newly introduced 8-Series design language with muscular sculpted surfaces and distinctive characteristics at the front. These include the new M-specific front apron, along with the BMW kidney grille featuring M-specific decorative mesh, double slats and M8 designation.

The slender BMW Laserlights with high-beam assistant are positioned slightly higher than the kidney grille, widening towards the road to emphasise the low-slung stance and low centre of gravity.

Both exterior mirrors have the characteristic M twin-stalk design and in typical fashion of BMW coupes, there are frameless side windows with BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line. Flared aluminium wings with M gills and M8 designation emphasise track width and wheel size.

Towards the rear, both models sport the M rear spoiler, as well as M-specific M8 rear diffuser and M-specific exhaust system with twin tailpipes and chrome trims.

Other highlights of the two-door M8 Coupe and four-door M8 Gran Coupe include the soft-close function for doors and carbon roof made of self-coloured carbonfibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) that saves weight and lowers the centre of gravity. 20-inch M light alloy wheels in Double-spoke style 810 M Bicolour with mixed tyres are fitted.

Most powerful BMW M engine

Both cars have the same powerplant under the long bonnet: the completely redesigned high-revving S63 V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology. This 4.4-litre unit is the most powerful BMW M engine ever built for a production model, generating up to 600 bhp/750 Nm. That gives a 0 to 100 km/h capability claimed to be 3.3 seconds and a top speed beyond 250 km/h but not attainable since the maximum speed is electronically limited.

The engine’s characteristics can be personalised in one of three modes –  the default EFFICIENT setting, SPORT or SPORT PLUS. Depending on the mode selected, the system will change the response to accelerator pedal pressure as well as the sound characteristics of the flap-controlled exhaust system. A Sound Control button next to the gear selector lever is available for drivers wanting to adjust the sound from the M exhaust system according to their personal preferences.

Power flows through a new 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, operated sequentially via an M8-specific gear selector in S mode, or manually via paddles on the steering wheel.

Driving dynamics are enhanced with the M xDrive all-wheel drive system that has rear-wheel bias. For skilled and experienced drivers, the fully variable torque split can be adapted to personal preferences. The 4WD default setting can be switched to 4WD Sport and, with the DSC switched off, a rear-wheel-drive-only 2WD mode can be used on the track.

The models are also fitted with the M-specific integrated brake system. This innovative technology combines brake activation, brake booster and braking control functions in one compact module. The required brake pressure is established by an electric actuator, optimising braking dynamics and pedal feel as well as the precision and speed of DSC stability control interventions.

Sporty cockpit

As would be expected, the cockpit of both models has a sporty, low seating position with controls grouped into clusters according to their function. The M Sport seats, with illuminated M logo, come with many electric adjustment options including a Memory function.

The rear seats – upholstered in Merino leather as standard – are moulded to provide maximum lateral support which will be appreciated during ‘dynamic’ driving. With the rear backrests folded, the coupe has 420 litres of cargo space in the boot while the Gran Coupe has another 20 litres more.

For infotainment, there’s the BMW Live Cockpit Professional running on the BMW Operating System 7.0. This package consists of an all-digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a high-resolution 10.25-inch Control Display and a full-colour Head-Up Display with additional M-specific displays.

Both models can be operated via the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant’s latest voice control system, direct menu control buttons, the intuitive iDrive Touch Controller with its rotary/push button, the touchscreen Control Display or the Gesture Control system.

The new M Mode selector on the centre console can be used to control the driver assistance systems as well as the content of the instrument cluster displays and the Head-Up Display. M Mode can be used to activate the ROAD and SPORT settings and in addition to the M Mode selector, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant enables drivers to use their normal, natural voice and speech pattern to interact with the vehicle.

BMW ConnectedDrive provides Connected Package Professional such as Remote Services, Teleservices, Intelligent Emergency Call, Apple CarPlay and Concierge Service. Other highlights include the Digital Key to unlock, start and lock the car using a compatible Samsung smartphone (available as part of the Comfort Access).

Limited-Time, Special Programmes

From August 15 to September 30, 2020
, BMW Group Malaysia is offering special programmes and campaigns for a range of BMW M models. The Limited-Time M Town Special Support offers new owners of the M2 Competition, M4 Coupe, M5 Sedan, M850i xDrive Coupe an attractive price reduction of RM25,000, RM45,000, RM70,000 and RM75,000, respectively.

BMW and MINI owners can now enjoy Door-to-Door Service


Infiniti QX50 to debut at Shanghai Motorshow

Infiniti’s QX50 Concept will make its debut at the on going Shanghai Motorshow. The next-generation premium crossover is said to offer futuristic design elements that complement the modern drivetrain very well.

The company stated that the QX50 will be the first vehicle in the world to have an engine that can adjust its variable compression ratio while on the move. This Variable Compression Turbo (VC-Turbo) engine will have the ability to adjust to the needs of drivers as and when power or fuel efficiency is favoured.

Infiniti also says that the QX50 will feature autonomous drive support technologies that will allow the vehicle to operate unaided. Besides the tech, the company has designed it in such a way that the interior and exterior designs complement each other very well and lend to a muscular silhouette. It’s space-centric cabin will have decent levels of comfort while offering modern and elegant levels of craftsmanship.

“INFINITI is pleased to debut an SUV concept in the world’s fastest growing segment, here in the world’s largest market,” said Roland Krueger, president of INFINITI Motor Company. “The QX50 production vehicles will feature advanced autonomous drive capability and will be the first vehicle in the world to be powered by an engine that can adjust variable compression ratio on the fly.”

Infiniti says that its goal is to produce a vehicle that looks muscular yet elegant, has futuristic autonomous technologies but ultimately, offer high levels of driver engagement – a must for those looking for something more than just a mode of transportation.