TESTED: GAC Motor’s GS3

Although there has been an auto industry in existence in China for a long time, it concentrated largely on commercial vehicles. As there was no infusion of technology from the outside world, advancements were slower as the manufacturers either drew on Russian technology (which was also not advanced) or developed themselves slowly. As a result, when the country opened up in the 1980s and its economic boom began, the early cars were quite basic and somewhat out of date… and quality was poor too.

The early cars from Chinese brands that appeared in Malaysia (in the 2000s) thus made a poor impression, not to mention the fact that they did not have strong representatives with experience in the auto industry. Even though the cars were cheap, Malaysian consumers were wary and had already moved further up the ‘curve’ in their expectations and the Korean offerings were better.

But with the rapid expansion of the market in China to become the world’s largest, the manufacturers have had the financial and technical resources to advance their technologies. Initially, they had formed technical tie-ups with European and Japanese carmakers as a quick way to get new technology. Once they got the technology, they then began to invest in developing their own to move ahead and rely less on foreign technologies (although they too source some systems from global leaders).

Looking outside China

Many of the top Chinese carmakers have begun to enter overseas markets even though their domestic market is still taking whatever they can make. With better products than what they offered 20 years ago, they are now gaining attention and slowly growing volumes in export markets. Companies like Geely have even gone to the extent of becoming a partner in Proton, providing its technical expertise and some products.

Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. , or GAC, as it is known, is one of the carmakers that is looking at global markets and in fact has had its eyes on the US market. While it has not actually started selling in America, the 25-year old carmaker already has a presence in some 25 countries and exported over 2 million vehicles.

Experienced partner for GAC

GAC has come to Malaysia and it’s picked a very experienced company – the Tan Chong Group – to be its business partner and help build the brand here. The Tan Chong Group, as most will know, was the one that brought Nissan (then known as Datsun) to Malaysia 65 years ago. And older readers will know that those early Datsuns were like the earlier Chinese cars and were not considered as tough as the European ones that were then dominant in the market. People even called them ‘milo tin cars’ because they seemed to have body panels as thin as milo tins!

GAC is represented by WTC Automotif (WTCA) which is appointed as its official distributor. WTCA is a subsidiary of Warisan TC Motor Holdings Bhd, a member of the Tan Chong Group of companies. As such, there is the established and extensive network of aftersales outlets and also experienced people in the organization to handle the business.

“What is also important to know is that Tan Chong has always been a long-term partner with whoever it represents. We don’t just go into a partnership but we look at all aspects and especially whether sustainability is possible. Our track record will show our commitment to our brands. So, customers can have confidence in becoming owners of GAC, even though it is a new brand in the market. We will be there to support them over many years to come,” said Tan Keng Meng, CEO of Warisan TC Holdings Bhd., the publicly-listed parent company of WTCA.

GAC’s first product for Malaysia

The first product that WTCA is importing, with a view of assembling in due course, is the GS3. This is a compact SUV which is sold under GAC’s Trumpchi brand in China but because of the name’s closeness to a former US president, the company avoids using ‘Trumpchi’ outside China. Exports began in 2019 but due to the pandemic, things have moved a bit slowly and it’s only this year that the model has arrived in Malaysia.

The design of the GS3 could be said to be a ‘typical SUV’, with many modern styling elements. There is a prominent grille which is referred to as a ‘Flying Dynamic Wing 3.0’, with chrome strips to give an elegant image. The profile has some resemblance to other SUVs in the market (Hyundai Tucson comes to mind) but for the Premium version we tested, there was a 2-tone colour scheme with a black roof that gave distinctiveness.

GAC has two powertrains for the GS3 and it is the 1.5-litre unit that is in the model sold in Malaysia. The engine is said to be developed by GAC itself and unlike some other new 1.5-litre engines in the market, it does not have turbocharging. Thus, the 4-cylinder engine has a modest output of 114 ps/150 Nm with efficient breathing by having variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust sides.

The transmission, which delivers power to the front wheels only, is a 6-speed automatic torque converter type. It’s supplied by Aisin which is one of the leaders in the field of drivetrains. With the small displacement and efficient power delivery, the GS3 has a claimed fuel consumption of 14.5 kms/litre and we actually got better than that (15.1 kms/litre) during our testing.

The GS3 platform is a fairly straightforward one typical of SUVs in this segment. MacPherson struts are fitted up front with a torsion beam at the rear end. 17-inch alloy wheels are fitted at the end of each axle and the front wheels are controlled by with electrically-assisted power steering. Disc brakes are also fitted to the rear wheels, a plus point though engineers will tell you that a drum brake will suffice.

The safety systems available in the SUV are generally what would be expected in a modern vehicle with things like ABS, stability control, brake assist and brakeforce distribution being standard. Just as it chose Aisin to supply its transmission, GAC also uses the ESP (Electronic Stability Program) system from Bosch, a global leader in active safety systems.

For those who are not so confident on slopes, there’s a Hill Hold Control to momentarily keep the vehicle in place before moving off, without having to step on the brakes. If heading downwards, the computer can manage the speed to maintain a safe pace and the driver just has to steer the vehicle. A Blind Spot system is also included and alerts the driver of other vehicles coming up nearby.

Around the cabin (except at the back) are 6 airbags to provide protection during collisions. The ones on the side cover the windows so, in a violent accident, the occupants won’t get ejected (as has happened in some cases although they were probably not belted in either). For those with children, there are ISOFIX points to securely attach compatible childseats. The law requires their use now, by the way.

Widest body in class

The GS3 has the widest body in its class (1825 mm) and this means more space within, especially the space between the front seats. It’s not a big difference from rivals like the Proton X50 and Perodua Ativa but can still be physically discerned. The width of the cabin is also emphasized by the horizontal theme of the dashboard, creating a visual expanse of space.

In the Premium version, there’s also a further enhancement of spaciousness with the ‘Sliding Star View’ sunroof. It’s something which is not so common in this class so it helps give the GS3 one more selling point against rivals. Understandably, being a newcomer, the GS3 needs to offer more without costing a lot more to win over new customers.

The cabin materials have a high quality look and feel and assembly quality is very good. It’s certainly a far cry from those cars from China 20 years ago which had loose panels and hard plastics. Now, with SUVs like the GS3, the materials have nice texturing which is important to give a quality image.

Unlike the Korean designers, GAC’s designers do not seem to be trying to ‘reinvent the wheel’, so to speak. Switches and controls are conventionally shaped with no strange shapes to try to be ‘different’. There are also switches on the leatherette-trimmed steering wheel and they are laid out in an intuitive manner so a new driver will operate them easily right from the first day.

For the price that WTCA is asking, which is just under RM100,000 for the Premium version, we’d say that the features list is appropriately comprehensive (even includes a pushstart button). You also get cruise control and the Climate Control System has PM2.5 particulate filtration and purifier which helps to keep the cabin air clean and removes smells.

Driving the GS3

As mentioned earlier, past experiences with cars from China left poor impressions so to be frank, there was an assumption that the GS3 would lack refinement. But just as the Japanese cars of the 1980s were a big difference from those of the 1960s, it’s the same with the GS3. It feels as good as any modern car from a Japanese or Korean brand, and if you strip it of its branding identity, you would not think it is from China.

The engine also ran smoothly and though it lacked forcefulness without a turbocharger, the output 150 ps is good enough to give brisk acceleration and maintain high speeds easily. Remembering how the engines in those old Chinse cars didn’t take kindly to hard driving, we pushed the GS3’s engine hard using the manual mode to stay in each gear and the engine never felt like it was going to ‘explode’. In fact, though there were vibrations at higher revs, they were not the erratic type. Noise levels were also not particularly high and it could be that insulation is also generous.

The transmission operates smoothly and you can choose a default mode, litre-stretching ECO mode or a manual mode. We didn’t feel a big difference in the ECO mode though but it would probably help over long distances. The shifter has a rocker switch for changing gears up or down sequentially. However, this only works when in manual mode and not in the default or ECO modes. We think that manual selection should be available in all modes so that the driver can downshift for engine braking, reducing the need to use the brakes.

Driving the GS3 is no different in feel from a Japanese or Korean car (or even a Malaysian one). It has a pleasant ride although the standard tyres (from some Chinese manufacturer) seemed a bit on the hard side, even after the pressures had been set to what was recommended. Perhaps when it is locally assembled, more testing will be done and tyres better suited to our road conditions will be fitted.

With its compact size, the SUV has an agile feel and even when pushed hard around corners, it stays the course without drama. Of course, you don’t get a car like this for ‘dramatic’ driving and as an urban runabout, it certainly does that job well. It comes with a reverse camera as well so parking should be easy, and being a SUV, you sit higher up of course.

As for scheduled maintenance, the intervals are 10,000 kms or 6 months (whichever occurs first) and up to the first 100,000 kms, the RM63 labour charge for every alternate service will be waived. Maintenance costs (depending on mileage) will be between RM182 and RM815, the latter cost on just one occasion at 60,000 kms when the timing belt is changed. Aftersales support will be available through WTCA’s own outlets, with additional support from the Tan Chong network which is well established and nationwide. And you also get a warranty that is 5 years long or a maximum of 150,000 kms.

If the GS3 is an example of the standard that Chinese carmakers have reached today, then the other East Asian carmakers (and Malaysian ones too) will have strong additional rivals in future. We can’t say much about durability and reliability at this stage. Those early Datsuns also seemed like they were fragile and would not last long but they eventually became known for their reliability and durability which made them a household name. What’s to say that GAC products won’t go the same way?


Motorist Has Possessions Stolen While Asleep In Car

Road safety experts usually advice motorists to pull over and take a break when they are tried, especially on long journeys. It’s very important as drowsiness can lead to ‘microsleep’ which can occur for just a few seconds – even when driving. Just those few seconds of being ‘asleep’ with the eyes closed could be fatal as the car can go out of control and crash. So stop and rest when necessary, for your own safety as well as others on the road (or in your car).

A motorist by the name of Nor Izwan Izzat followed that advice and pulled over to the side of the Federal Highway in Selangor to park and sleep. It was around 3 am and he decided on the break as he felt too tired. According to his post in
Twitter
, he had parked between the PETRONAS and Shell stations near Batu Tiga.

However, perhaps being tired, he had forgotten to lock the doors and while asleep, someone came to the car and was able to open the door. Fortunately for him, he was left to sleep and not harmed. Instead, the intruder removed his bag with many of his important documents – MyKad and ATM card included – and even his house key, but did not take his mobilephone.

Nor Izwan Izzat’s police report of the theft. (Twitter @heyizwanizzat)

He was unaware of what had happened until he was awakened by a call at 7 am. It was from his bank enquiring about transactions and withdrawals from his account. It’s not explained why the bank was suspicious as money was withdrawn using what would have been a correct PIN. Nor Izwan was puzzled how the thief could figure out the PIN and make the transactions. The thief also used his debit card to make purchases, it was learnt.

Of greater concern besides losing his money was the fact that the thief also had the keys to his house. He would be able to locate the house as he had Nor Izwan’s MyKad and could therefore enter and steal things.

In his Twitter post, he also asked the public to let him know if they came across his Coach bag which had his possessions. Perhaps the thief would have removed the items and thrown it away somewhere.

He also advised those who are asleep in their cars to ensure that they lock all doors. Needless to say, they should also park their vehicle in a spot that is some distance from the road. Ideally, they should park in a petrol station compound or the R&Rs or lay-bys along the highways. Do not park in the emergency lane as stationary vehicles have caused serious accidents on many occasions.

Beware of poisonous air
The other thing to also be aware of is another danger when the engine running while the vehicle is parked. Malaysians tend to do this as they want to use the air-conditioner to stay cool. However, though rare, there have been cases of occupants in cars being poisoned to death by exhaust fumes from the idling engine. Generally, such fumes should not be able to get inside as the cabin would be sealed.

In one case in 2001, 4 occupants of a Kancil died while they were in the car with the engine and air-conditioner running for some 3 hours. An investigation carried out by SIRIM on the car found that levels of carbon monoxide (a poisonous gas) in the cabin became dangerously high when the engine was idling. However, it was not due to a technical fault and it was found that the car had a modified exhaust system and a non-standard strut bar had been installed in the engine bay. It is possible that welding or other modification work had affected the floor as tests with two other Kancils did not show high levels of the gas inside the cabin.

The ventilation systems of all vehicles usually have a recirculating mode and fresh air mode, the latter allowing air from outside to enter the cabin. As air from outside enters, the stake air inside will be forced out through vents in the bodywork. This mode is also useful when driving for long periods to freshen the air inside, although you can also open the windows briefly.

Understandably, there’s a desire to be comfortable if sitting or asleep in the car. With our hot and humid climate, the air-conditioner is therefore left running. One way to allow fresh air would be to set the ventilation system to fresh air mode instead of recirculating. Virtually all vehicles have these two modes and the fresh air mode will allow air to enter from outside and the air inside will also be vented out. This can reduce the possibility of dangerous conditions occurring within the cabin.

And as warned by Nor Izwan, make sure all the doors are locked. Most cars have central locking nowadays so it should be easy enough. If you have an older car without such a convenience, then do check and don’t assume the back doors are locked.


Porsche teams up with WTA

Porsche has teamed up with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) by committing to a multi-year partnership. This agreement will see the German automaker become the official and exclusive automotive partner of the WTA and the new title partner of the Porsche Race to Singapore”.

The Porsche Race to Singapore which is a leaderboard, used to be known as the Race to Singapore, and will, for the whole season, display the names of eight of the most  successful singles and doubles players competing in the 57 tournaments that make up the WTA. The best results of each player from each tournament will play a part in determining if they qualify for the WTA finals in Singapore. Each tournament represents one lap on the leaderboard and the respective tournament is given its own ‘pit lane board’ displaying the lap number or in this case the number of the tournament with respect to the total for the season.

The player that heads this leaderboard with the most points at the end of the ’57th lap’ race will win a place in Singapore for the finals and will also be awarded a new Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet.

“The title sponsorship of the Porsche Race to Singapore contributes to the internationalization of our engagement in women’s tennis. It intensifies our successful partnership with the WTA and enriches it with a new attractive element,” said Detlev von Platen, member of the Executive Board responsible for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. “Alongside our national activities and the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix’s worldwide presence, this new element provides value and visibility throughout the entire year in women´s tennis.”

Currently, the Porsche Race to Singapore is being led by Czech Karolina Pliskova, with victories in Brisbane and Doha. Caroline Wozniacki occupies second place after finishing runner-up in Doha, Dubai and Miami. Johanna Konta, the Miami winner, is third.

We will need to watch the entire season to see who finally drives home the shiny new Porsche 911, but expect some tough battles as players vie to be crowned champion at the end of the season.


Ford Turns P1 Racer Into The Ultimate Gaming Simulator; Launches Next Supervan Project

Towards the end of last year, Ford’s Team Fordzilla esports team unveiled a full-scale model of the
P1 racing car
 that had been designed in collaboration with gamers. Now, it’s giving people the chance to get behind the wheel and take to the virtual track by turning it into the ultimate racing simulator.

The P1 racer – now with vivid new gaming-inspired livery – is powered by an HP Z4 Workstation Intel Xeon W2295 3.00Ghz with 18 cores and the graphic card Nvidia RTX A6000 48GB. Players control the game via a built-in gaming steering wheel and pedals. Upgraded lighting, both front and back, pulses gently like the breath of a sleeping person when the P1 is waiting for the next race. They then come alive during race time as the rear lights synchronise with braking moments during gameplay to connect viewers outside with the action

Aural stimulation is also catered for, with a built-in audio system channelling a realistic, bespoke sound design to the driver to take the racing simulator experience to a completely new level.

Following the success of the P1 project, Team Fordzilla is now also launching a second series as it looks to work with gamers and Ford’s designers once again to create a new Supervan. Ford has a tradition of building race-inspired Supervans based on its Transit models, with the first appearing 50 years ago in 1971.

A Ford Transit Supervan at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed in England.

The new Supervan Vision Concept, will imagine what an extreme performance model of future Transit vans may look like as it takes the Supervan story into a new dimension. The project will follow a similar format to the P1 racer, with gamers asked to vote on the different elements of the design throughout the process. This will be kicked-off during Team Fordzilla’s live show at gamescom 2021, with viewers polled whether they want a track-focused racer or an off-road rally van.

This all comes as Ford’s involvement and dedication to gaming is highlighted by the announcement that a Ford Bronco model – the 2021 Ford Bronco Badlands – will be one of two vehicles to feature on the cover of the new
Forza Horizon 5
 game. The Forza franchise by Xbox Game Studios is one of the most popular for racing fans globally; in 2016, Ford of Europe went to gamescom with Forza and set a new Guinness World Records title for ‘Longest video marathon on a racing game’ using Forza Motorsport 6.

Latest Bronco appears as one of the vehicles available in Forza Horizon 5 game.

“For the past 50 years, Supervan has been the most extreme expression of what a Transit Van can be. So we thought, instead of developing the next Supervan on the existing Transit, why don’t we create the Transit Supervan of the future? It should be a fascinating project and I can’t wait to see how the gaming community helps to shape it,” said Hans Schep, General Manager, Commercial Vehicles, Ford of Europe.

Team Fordzilla’s P1 ultimate virtual racing car turned into a real model


Enhanced Premium Package for Porsche Macan

In conjunction with its 10th anniversary, Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) is offering Porsche Macan customers a new enhanced Premium Package for the Macan. Available until December 31, 2020, the package has three additional options, worth over RM39,000, that now come as standard.

Extending the standard features list

The complimentary options which enhance comfort, connectivity and driving dynamics are Comfort Access, Park Assist with Surround View and Porsche Active Suspension Management. Other features that are complimentary with the base price of the Macan include Apple CarPlay, BOSE Surround Sound System, Power Steering Plus, 14-way power seats, comfort lighting package and automatic dimming mirrors.

The current model also includes a 3-dimensional LED light panel at the rear and the new fully interconnected Porsche communication management system with a 10.9-inch touchscreen.

The Macan, priced from
RM439,351.00
 (excluding insurance but with applicable sales tax exemption till the end of this  year), is powered by a 2-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with maximum output of 252 bhp/370 Nm. With a 7-gear PDK dual-clutch gearbox, the claimed 0 to 100 km/h time is 6.7 seconds with a top speed capability of 225 km/h.

“We are committed to continuously enriching the ownership experience for Porsche customers, and bring fans closer to realising their dreams of owning a Porsche. The introduction of the new enhanced Premium Package for our best-selling model, the Macan, is a great way to introduce more people to the brand, especially given the rising popularity of the Macan and the overall compact SUV segment over the past few years,” said Christopher Hunter, Chief Executive Officer of SDAP.

“With the addition of these new features as standard, the Macan is now even more competitively priced as the sportscar in the compact SUV segment, providing pure driving enjoyment with every kilometre behind the wheel,” he added.

Visit
Porsche Centre Ara Damansara
 for more information on new and pre-owned Porsche models.

Reduced Prices for Porsche range in Malaysia


Volvo & KidZania Celebrate 2-Years Of Keeping Children Safe On The Road

Volvo
 in collaboration with
KidZania Kuala Lumpur
, continues to bring road safety education to schools in Malaysia. The partnership between Volvo Trucks, Volvo Cars and KidZania began in 2017 and has helped educate over 90,000 children in two years. Through the partnership, KidZania features a Volvo Car Dealership in its child-friendly cityscape. As KidZania provides an opportunity for children to roleplay as adults in various professions, the collaboration allows children to not only have fun role-playing but learn the basics of road safety as well.

In line with Volvo’s vision that no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo Car by 2020, children in KidZania learn how to be seated correctly in a car, how to properly use a safety belt as well as the importance of child seats. Over the course of two years, a total of 32,294 children were taught the basics of road safety via the Volvo Car Dealership in KidZania.

“At Volvo, we strive to create a safer future for our children. The best solution we found was education, as the change it could bring in these children’s lives is truly incredible,”
 said
Lennart Stegland, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia
(below). Extending beyond the Volvo Car Dealership in KidZania, the partnership also incorporated Volvo Trucks’ hallmark road safety campaign, the ‘Stop, Look and Wave’ campaign. It was inducted into KidZania Go! and became an integral part of the mobile school outreach programme.

With Stop, Look and Wave, children around the nation experienced what it is like being behind the wheels of a Volvo Truck. They attended a classroom session in a specially converted Volvo Trucks trailer where they learn the importance of identifying blind spots and practice proper road etiquette. A total of 57,774 school children benefited from the campaign across 260 schools and 37 community events nationwide.

“Deaths caused by traffic accidents around the world are well over 1.2 million each year,” said Peden. “If nothing is done, this number is expected to increase by 45% in the next 15 years. Volvo is committed to our vision of ‘Zero Accidents’. Aside from pioneering technology that helps save lives, we also believe that road safety education, especially among children, can truly make a difference,”
 said
Mitch Peden, Managing Director of Volvo Trucks Malaysia.

In addition to school visits, Volvo also helped underprivileged children by providing them an opportunity to learn outside the classroom. Together, Volvo Trucks and Volvo Cars sponsored a total of 1,600 people that were made up of kids and their teachers to Kidzania between January and November 2018. The most recent school visit concluded on October 23
rd
2018, where Mitch Peden and Lennart Stegland as well as a representative from the Ministry of Education met with over 380 school children and their teachers when they made their maiden trip to Kidzania.

“We are proud to have found strong partners in Kidzania and the department of education for Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan, both of whom share the same vision for road safety as we do at Volvo Trucks. We continue to make education on safety a priority for the Volvo brand with our See and Be Seen and Stop, Look and Wave campaign as we head into 2019,”
 Peden added on. The emphasis on road safety initiatives conducted by Volvo Malaysia increased awareness from all walks of life. As a result of the school outreach, Volvo Malaysia has extended its efforts on road safety at the requests of communities, associations and collaborations with governmental agencies.

To request for Volvo road safety activities, please contact Volvo Trucks Malaysia or download the Stop Look and Wave teaching materials on www.volvotrucks.my.


Final battles of 2021 Malaysian Championship Series to be held on December 15 & 16

The Malaysian Championship Series (MCS) 2021 heads into its final double-header with Round 3 and Round 4 to be run on December 15 and 16. It’s been a challenging year for the drivers and teams, not to mention the disruption caused by the extended suspension of activities due to the pandemic. The MCS 2021 will be the last action from 4-wheel racers to conclude the National  Championship calendar for 2021.

For Race 1 and 2 in Round 3 (Wednesday), the drivers will be competing for a total of 22 laps.  Race 1 starts at 10:30 am, while Race 2 will be from 3:30 pm. The next day will see Round 4 starting at 11:15 am with the competitors racing 54 laps around the 5.543 km Sepang International Circuit.

After Round 2, Alif Hamdan and Lai Wee Sing from R Engineering HMRT remain unbeaten as they are the only entry in the Touring (T) Production category. Leona Chin from the Tedco Racing team spearheaded the Malaysian Touring Car (MTC) Production, leaving Muhammad Roni Risman and his partner, Shaifulnizam from Dori’s Racing team in second place and the pairing, Natasha Seatter and Nurul Husna from Niza Racing team finished in third place.

In Stock Production 1 (SP1), Shazull Hisham and Mohd Syahrizan, from the Empire M Racing team  took the chequered flag, with Ken Urata from Rworks in second position. Chiow  Teck Song from R Engineering HMRT team finished in third place to join them on the podium.

As for Stock Production 2 (SP2), the perfect combination of Hayden Haikal and Adam Khalid in the Honda Fit GK5 throughout the 22 laps of the race earned them the class victory. Putera Adam from R Engineering HMRT finished in second position, while Eddie Lew Kar Wai and William Ho from the Tedco Racing team were in third place.

The MCS 2021 is organised by Sepang International Circuit (SIC), supported by the Ministry of Youth  and Sports, sanctioned by the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM). The Official Tyre Distributor is Yokohama while BHPetrol is the Official Fuel Partner.

Spectators (18 years old and above) are permitted to watch the races and can gain free entrance at the SIC Main Grandstand. As per government regulations, they must be fully vaccinated and show their certificates. SIC reminds everyone that they must adhere to all Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines imposed by the National Security Council to curb the spread of COVID-19. Facemasks should be worn at all times and social  distancing (minimum 1 metre apart) must be maintained.

If you cannot go to the track, you can still watch the last battles of MCS 2021 live on
SIC’s Facebook page
.

Strong start for Leona Chin in Malaysia Championship Series


MyClassic Cars Puts On A Good Show @ KLIMS 2018! [+Photo Gallery]

Now here’s something that I personally feel every Motorshow should have, a section for classic cars! I don’t think I’m the only classic car fan to visit KLIMS (or any motorshow for that matter) so let’s keep this going!

Nice one Rukshan and friends @
MyClassic Cars

(<– link to their FB page)
,
good show!

To the organisers of KLIMS, please provide better lighting next time. Like I’ve always said,
‘if you’re gonna do it, do it well’.
 –
Chris Wee.

(
NB
: Caveat – That fantastic silver
Porsche 911
 in the photo gallery above was part of the
Tom’s Stickers Motorsports
 (<– link) pavilion on Level 2 of KLIMS, next to the MyClassic Cars display)


2020 Mercedes-Benz C 200 Coupe AMG Line

An enhanced C 200 Coupe AMG Line has arrived at showrooms of authorised Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Malaysia. While ‘enhanced’ often refers only to cosmetic changes, for this model, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has also installed a new 2-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine delivering 204 bhp/300 Nm. Compared to the previous 1.5-litre EQ Boost engine, the increase in  output is 20 bhp/20 Nm, with all 300 Nm available from 1,600 rpm.

The exterior appearance of the car is given a sporty, expressive character with the AMG Line accessories. The diamond radiator grille, integrated with the 3-pointed star and pins in chrome plus an AMG-specific front apron with new geometry, gives it a bold presentation.

Black trim elements in the AMG rear apron accentuate the LED rear lamps, while 18-inch AMG 5-spoke light-alloy wheels are powerful elements in the styling.

The inside of the C 200 Coupe also has AMG Line features. These include ARTICO leather upholstery, multifunction sports steering wheel in Nappa leather, galvanized steering wheel gearshift paddles, AMG sports pedals and AMG floormats.

The driver now has the services of Mercedes me connect which adds more convenience to the ownership experience. The connected car service can be used to unlock the car, start the engine remotely, or simply check the fuel level. And of course, the app also assists in vehicle maintenance and scheduling servicing.

Other features of Mercedes me connect – which can connect from anywhere in the world that there is internet service – include Mercedes–Benz emergency call system (eCall), remote vehicle diagnostics, pre-entry climate control, predictive navigation, and parked vehicle locator.

Pricing for the new C 200 Coupe AMG Line starts from
RM336,129.38
 (excluding insurance) , with sales tax exempted for the rest of 2020. Buyers who require financing can consider Agility Financing which starts from RM4,288 per month (terms and conditions apply) with perks such as lower monthly instalments, flexible end-of-agreement options, a guaranteed future value of the car and a MobilityPlus replacement car programme.

Click here for other news and articles about Mercedes-Benz
.


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

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLRM), a 2-time winner of the Jaguar Land Rover Retailer of the Year (Asia Pacific) Award, recently upgraded its showroom at Sime Darby Motors City in Ara Damansara, Selangor. And the flagship showroom now has two extra ‘staff’ too – Robot Assistants!

Personalisation studio

The upgrading reflects JLRM’s ongoing strategy to reimagine the future by providing modern luxury to customers. As part of this journey forward, the Ara Damansara showroom offers bespoke capabilities with its personalisation studio. This includes a full-colour palette along with trim and upholstery materials for customers to touch and feel, as well as a detailed configurator which allows for customised specification of special-order vehicles.

Customers will be able to configure their vehicles in line with their preferred specifications, and have it visually simulated on a 75-inch screen based on the colour and specifications selected.

The introduction of the two Robot Assistants demonstrates JLRM’s efforts to embrace customer-facing autonomous service. The robots are part of a collaboration between JLRM and Secure Robotics, a leading provider of modern technologies in Malaysia.

Equipped with wireless internet connectivity, laser radar sensors, GPS and voice, facial and image recognition, the robots provide a novel experience for customers as well as allowing for better human resource management for the company.

The showroom has two Robot Assistants to welcome and help visitors. They are pictured with [from left] Kelvin Chuah, Head of Sales, Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia; Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia; Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director, Retail & Distribution, Sime Darby Motors Malaysia; and Dato’ Alby Chong, Group Chairman, Secure Group.
“As part of Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia’s digital transformation, the introduction of the robot marks the next step in raising the bar for customer experiences. Furthermore, as Malaysia transitions into the endemic stage, the robot also allows for customer interaction with a reduced risk of transmission. There are wide applications for technologically-driven autonomous services such as this and we look forward to exploring this further,” said Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director, Retail & Distribution, Sime Darby Motors Malaysia.

“In line with our strategy to reimagine the future, we strive to offer modern luxury through unique customer experiences. The partnership with Secure Robotics provides the opportunity to leverage on advanced technology. We are piloting the robots at our Ara Damansara showroom and aim to continue this collaborative journey to expand our capabilities and further elevate the automotive experience for our customers,” added Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia.

Customers can personalise their vehicle with the bespoke services available at the showroom.

Enhancing the experience for visitors

Alongside the enhancement of services and elevated personalisation infrastructure for vehicles, JLRM is also currently developing a digital refreshment order management programme. Customers will be able to review menus and place orders through a digital platform at a designated dining area.

With these technologies in place, JLRM expects to further improve the customer experience for both purchasing and ownership at the showroom which is presently the largest Jaguar Land Rover facility in Southeast Asia.

For more information or directions to the showroom at Sime Darby Motors City (or other showrooms in Malaysia, visit
www.jaguar.com.my
 or
www.landrover.com.my
.

RM570 million Sime Darby Motors City officially opened at Ara Damansara in Selangor


Limited-edition Jaguar F-TYPE Heritage 60 Edition to celebrate E-Type’s 60th anniversary

Next March, Jaguar will celebrate the diamond anniversary of its legendary E-type by offering a limited edition of the F-TYPE. Only 60 units will be available for sale worldwide, each priced from £122,500 (about RM662,000).

The limited-edition F-TYPE Heritage 60 Edition, as it will be known, will be hand-finished by the personalisation experts at the SV Bespoke division. It will be available in both Coupe and Convertible bodystyles with exclusive Diamond-Turned Gloss Black 20-inch forged alloy wheels, Gloss Black and Chrome exterior accents and black brake calipers.

A specially curated commemorative specification includes solid Sherwood Green paintwork, an original E-type colour that hasn’t been offered on a new Jaguar since the 1960s, and extended duo-tone Caraway and Ebony Windsor leather interior trim (normally not available for the F-TYPE).

The exclusive cars will also feature a unique aluminium console finisher inspired by the E-type’s rearview mirror casing, the E-type 60th anniversary logo embossed on the headrests of the lightweight Performance seats and E-type 60 badging shared with the
limited-edition E-type 60 Collection vehicles
 announced by Jaguar Classic earlier this year. Commemorative treadplates, an SV Bespoke commissioning plaque and Caraway-edged carpet mats provide finishing touches.

Marrying E-type inspired detailing with the F-TYPE

“The F-TYPE Heritage 60 Edition is a fantastic example of what the SV Bespoke team is capable of. Marrying E-type inspired detailing with new F-TYPE gave us an opportunity to immerse ourselves in the heritage of Jaguar’s legendary sports cars. With unrivalled access to original drawings, paint codes and reference materials, working hand-in-hand with our colleagues at Jaguar Classic, we’ve created a distinctive and highly collectible interpretation of the definitive Jaguar sports car,” said Clare Hansen, Director of Vehicle Personalisation at Jaguar Special Vehicle Operations.

The technical specifications will be similar to the F-TYPE R (launched in December 2019) with a 575 ps/700 Nm supercharged V8, all-wheel drive, plus revised dampers, anti-roll bars and rear suspension knuckles. The claimed time for the 0 to 100 km/h sprint is 3.7 seconds with maximum speed electronically-limited to 300 km/h.

“Celebrating 60 years of the iconic Jaguar E-type is the perfect moment to create our first-ever SV Bespoke limited edition – and the rarest F-TYPE, with just 60 cars available globally. We’ve worked closely with Jaguar Design to develop a theme for the F-TYPE Heritage 60 Edition that pays homage to the E-type in a contemporary way. It’s testament to Jaguar’s sportscar design lineage that the 1960s Sherwood Green colour looks as though it was designed for today’s F-TYPE,” said Mark Turner, Commercial Director, Jaguar SV Bespoke.

6 classic E-Types to be restored

Besides the F-TYPE Heritage 60 Edition, Jaguar also has another 60th anniversary project related to its iconic sportscar.
Jaguar Classic is creating 6 limited-edition matched pairs
 of restored 3.8-litre 1960s E-types, paying tribute to two of the most famous examples – the ‘9600 HP’ and ‘77 RW’.

Click here for other news and articles about Jaguar.


New Mitsubishi Motors 4S Outlet Opened in Bintulu, Sarawak

Although the Sarawak and Sabah markets for new vehicles are smaller than in Peninsular Malaysia, many car companies still give the East Malaysian region a lot of attention. Those selling vehicles like pick-up trucks and SUVs, in particular, have a large potential market that continues to grow.

The potential of the market in East Malaysia has led companies like Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) to develop its sales and aftersales network which now has 14 outlets (7 in Sarawak and 7 in Sabah), with the opening of a new outlet in Sarawak recently.

The new outlet, operated by Auto Pacifica Sdn Bhd, is a 4S outlet which means that besides new vehicle sales, aftersales and sales of spare parts, there is also body repair and painting available. This makes it convenient for customers and owners as all the required services are at one location which is along the main road of Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi in Bintulu.

The outlet has the frontage of a 2-storey shop lot and an adjacent service centre on a built-up area of 10,000 sq. ft. Its design follows Mitsubishi Motors’ brand identity with the global brand message ‘Drive Your Ambition’.

The service centre has 5 bays with trained technicians and a customer lounge with amenities ad a kids’ corner. Besides viewing the latest Mitsubishi models, customers can also get assistance for vehicle insurance renewals.

Auto Pacifica has helped to build the Triton’s popularity in Sarawak.

According to Shinya Ikeda, Chief Executive Officer of MMM, the outlet in Bintulu is one of three operated by Auto Pacifica, a subsidiary of the Samling Strategic Corporation. There is another one in Miri and the third one will open in Kota Samarahan by the end of March 2023.

“Auto Pacifica started operating as a Mitsubishi Motors dealer since 2007, shortly after MMM was established in 2005, hence the dealership is no stranger to the Mitsubishi Motors family,” Mr. Ikeda said. “As one of MMM’s top-performing dealers, contributing to Mitsubishi Motors’ market growth and making the
Triton
 top two in Sarawak and Malaysia, Auto Pacifica is committed to serving the needs of Mitsubishi customers by enriching our services and brand experience. We are grateful for this business partnership and for a premium dealership that has continuously grown with year-on-year success.”

37.3% Increase In Mitsubishi Sales In Malaysia In 2022 Take Brand To 3rd Overall Among Non-National Brands

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


Lamborghini Urraco celebrates 50th birthday

Automobili Lamborghini was established in 1963 and the sleek design of its sportscars and their high performance helped to build its reputation very quickly. With Bertone providing the designs, some of which were futuristic, almost any Lamborghini was bound to turn heads as it passed by.

Innovative technical solutions

One model which stood out for having introduced innovative technical solutions was the Urraco (Italian for ‘little bull’). Renowned designer Marcello Gandini, the principal designer at Bertone, styled the car which was unveiled 50 years ago this month at the Turin Motor Show.

The Urraco, with its sharp features, was a fast 2+2 coupe, with a mid-mounted V8 rear engine and independent MacPherson strut system on both front and rear – the first time on a production car. Only 4.25 metres long, the Urraco’s interior space was designed with an advanced theme.

Three engine sizes

Initially, it was powered by a 2.5-litre V8 producing 220 bhp at 7,800 rpm and maxim torque of 176 Nm, which took it to a top speed of 245 km/h. An interesting feature of the V8 engine was a single overhead camshaft per bank.

The technical refinement was completed by the use of a Heron chamber cylinder head with flat inner part and the combustion chamber contained in a depression in the top of the piston. This allowed for a higher compression ratio to be achieved without increasing the production costs. Another novelty for Lamborghini was the installation of 4 Weber double-body 40 IDF1 type carburettors.

The Urraco with a 2.5-litre engine, produced from 1970 to 1976, was produced in the largest volume – 520 units. A complementary variant was introduced at the 1974 Turin Motor Show which had a smaller displacement of 2 litres (217 bhp/220 Nm). This was mainly to suit the Italian market which had changed tax laws in the early 1970s. This variant was available between 1975 and 1977.

For other markets, Lamborghini was able to offer a bigger 3-litre engine that produced up to 265 bhp/265 Nm. This was sold from 1975 to 1979, and accounted for 24% of all Urracos produced. Lamborghini had hoped to sell up to 1,000 Urracos each year but in the end, only 776 were ever produced in total.

More automation in production

The production system for the car was also innovative. From the early stages, it was planned to make more use of the manufacturing capacity at the factory. The Urraco was to be much less artisanal than the other Lamborghini models which it shared little with. With computer-controlled processes, this would also enable higher output and, in keeping with the strategy of Ferruccio Lamborghini, make a Lamborghini more accessible to a wider, albeit still limited, group of customers.

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ 63 Roadster commemorates company’s founding year


Child car seat: No summonses for first six months of 2020

Malaysia’s Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, has announced that there will be no summonses issued for the first six months of 2020 for those who fail to apply the use of child car seats when travelling with children.

REMINDER: Child seats mandatory starting year 2020

The ruling has been directed to the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to ensure that fellow road users have ample time to adapt to the new ruling which will begin in January 2020. Authorities will, however, issue warnings and reminders to install the child car seats for their safety.

According to a statement reported by
The Star Online
, Loke stated “The JPJ will not issue summonses to drivers without the child car seats during this period. Instead, the drivers will be issued warnings and reminders to install the seats.”

The new ruling has made the use of child car seats mandatory beginning of next year as part of the Ministry’s efforts to reduce road fatalities related to children. According to a survey conducted by MIROS, only 30% of drivers actually use them whilst travelling.

Those looking into the market of child car seats should also rejoice on the fact that there will be no import duty and reduced excise fee as their efforts to make the products more affordable for fellow Malaysians.

BMW Malaysia to launch Child Car Seat Subsidy Program


Last Porsche 911 of the 991 generation has left the factory

Without a doubt, Porsche’s 991 series has been the most comprehensively developed generation of the 911 to date – and the most successful too, with 233,540 units produced. And its production recently came to an end with the final unit – a 911 Speedster – prepared for the US market.

“The 911 – the core of the brand – replaced the 356 in 1963 and, in the decades that followed, our rear engine model grew into an unrivalled sportscar icon. The 991 generation in particular has set new standards in terms of performance, drivability and efficiency. It fills me with pride, as well as a touch of sadness, to have to send it off into retirement. For myself, I can say that the 991 has given me enormous pleasure,” said Michael Steiner, Chief Research & Development Officer at Porsche AG.

Porsche 911 50th anniversary edition

Review of the 991 series

The 991 generation was launched in 2011 as one of the biggest development steps in the history of the model line. Nearly 90% of all components were newly designed or had undergone substantial further development.

Thanks to a lightweight body made of an innovative aluminium-steel composite, it was the first time that a new 911 had weighed less than its predecessor. The chassis, which benefited from a 100 mm longer wheelbase than the model that it replaced, could be equipped with a new, optional roll stabilization system. This was the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) and it set the benchmark in terms of driving dynamics.

The Cabriolet followed at the beginning of 2012 with another innovation. When closed, the lightweight magnesium bows made it possible to achieve a coupe-like curve of the roof that had never been seen before, and with a silhouette that was retained even at high speeds.

Porsche 911 Targa

The new 911 Targa, which came out at the end of 2012, was equally spectacular. Like the legendary original Targa, the new model had the characteristic hoop running the width of the vehicle. At the push of a button, however, the top section of the roof could be moved automatically and stored in the rear of the vehicle.

The host of innovations continued in the 911 Turbo, which saw the first active aerodynamics and particulate filter-equipped turbo engines on any 911 Carrera model.

The 991 generation also proved the ideal basis for special models and radical sports cars. Porsche celebrated the 50th anniversary of its cult sportscar in 2013 with an exclusively equipped limited edition model, of which only 1,963 examples were built.

In 2016, the 500-bhp naturally-aspirated 911 R evoked memories of the road-approved 1967 racing sportscar that had the same badge. Two other purist sportscars with classic predecessors made their debut in 2017: the sporty 911 Carrera T and the 911 GT3 high-performance variant with Touring Package offer.

One millionth Porsche 911

One-millionth 911

The one millionth 911 was also built during the 991 generation. As with Ferry Porsche’s first company 911, the not-for-sale commemorative model was painted in Irish Green and boasted leather and Pepita seats. In the same year, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur presented the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series with 607 bhp and spectacular Golden Yellow Metallic paintwork.

Porsche 911 GT2 RS

Other notable facts: The fastest and most powerful 911 racing technology ever seen in a production road-going 911 appeared in 2017 in the form of the 700-bhp 911 GT2 RS. Its naturally-aspirated sibling followed a few months later. The 911 GT3 RS had a racing chassis and a 520-bhp 4-litre naturally-aspirated engine, perfectly combining road and racetrack.

Porsche 911 Speedster

Right on time to mark the 70th anniversary of Porsche sportscars, the 911 Speedster embodied the original virtues of Porsche: lightweight construction, efficiency, purity and driving pleasure. It delivered 502 bhp from the 4-litre naturally-aspirated engine, had a manual 6-speed transmission and a high-performance sports chassis.

The two-seater was not just the last derivative of the 991 generation but has now also become the last model of the series to be manufactured. Like its ancestor and archetype, the 1948 Porsche 356 No. 1 Roadster, it will become an ambassador of the brand.

2020 Porsche 911 Carrera with manual transmission? Yes, please!


Koenigsegg Sets New 0-400-0 km/h World Record! (w/VIDEO)

With summer having receded and the cooler autumn season started, car companies are probably trying to finish off their test runs before it gets too cold. At the Rada military airfield deep in the forests of Sweden, Koenigsegg recently put a Regera to a 0 – 400 – 0 km/h run that took 31.49 seconds and set a new world record.

The time was 1.8 seconds faster than Koenigsegg’s previously unbeaten record, set by the Agera RS in 2017. CEO and founder Christian von Koenigsegg believes that the car can perform even better under the right conditions.

Actually, the conditions were perfect – sunny with almost no wind. The 2,000-metre long track was a disused military airfield at 70 metres above seas level. To have enough runway, a stretch of taxiway was used as the starting area in order to gain an extra length of around 300 metres to make the run long and safe enough.

CEO and founder Christian von Koenigsegg (left) with factory driver Sonny Persson who set the new record.

More ideal times possible

The total distance used for 0 – 400 – 0 km/h was 2048.46 metres. In better conditions, a total length of under an unbelievable 2000 metres should be fully achievable with the Regera.

However, as the runway has been unused and dormant, the surface was not great for traction. Furthermore, it was not possible to drive in a straight line as some bumps had to be avoided. Low grip level, swerving around bumps and general unevenness therefore took away some milliseconds and better acceleration.

One-of-a-kind Direct Drive transmission

“This was a good opportunity to showcase the true capability of the Regera’s one-of-a-kind Direct Drive transmission. As the Regera only has one gear, we had to make use of it from standstill to the record top speed of 403 km/h limited by rpm,” he said, adding that the car was driven by Koenigsegg factory driver Sonny Persson.

Regera powertrain

“Priority has been given to acceleration and drivability between 0 – 400 km/h – no more, no less. At any given time, the Regera can and will accelerate harder in that speed range than any other production car known to us,” von Koenigsegg said.

“What was really impressive was how incredible the Regera brakes – 8.62 seconds from 400 km/h to 0 km/h is just unheard of. It is a testament to the Regera’s balance, suspension, aerodynamics and of course its in-house design and built Koenigsegg brake calipers. The proven numbers now show the greatness of the Regera. Having said that, we know we can improve these already impressive numbers on a track with better conditions,” he said.

The car used for the run was a fully homologated production car with its luxurious fittings and seats still intact. The only modifications were a roll cage and a 4-point harness for driver safety.

“The car reaches its top speed like there is no tomorrow, but then there are no more gears. This actually suits the philosophy behind the Regera, which is ‘whoever gets to 400 km/h first wins.”

Christian von Koenigsegg

Twin turbo V8 with 3 motors

The Regera combines a powerful twin-turbo V8 combustion engine with three electric motors and cutting-edge battery power in a patent-pending powertrain technology called Koenigsegg Direct Drive. This revolutionary technology removes the traditional gearbox, making the Regera lighter, more efficient and more fun to drive than more normal hybrid solutions.

Almost two years ago, Koenigsegg set a new 0 – 400 – 0 km/h record using a production Agera RS in the US state of Nevada. That record was a fantastic 33.29 seconds and this time around, the Regera got to show what it is made of.


No, the name will not change to Voltswagen

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

At first, it was hard to believe but because it was not April 1
st
, it did not occur to anyone that this might be a joke that car companies have been known to make on the day. Furthermore, it was a German company and surely the Germans do not have that sort of humorous behaviour – especially when it comes to a company name that has been in use for over 80 years and is very recognizable throughout the world? The logo can change with the times,
and it did last year
, but the name is something sacred.

But in the absence of any clarification, the name ‘Voltswagen’ as a replacement for ‘Volkswagen’ was widely believed and reported by the media. The reason given was to amplify the change to a new era of electrification for the company with the introduction of the
 ID.4 all-electric SUV
. It was ‘a public declaration of the company’s future-forward investment in e-mobility’, according to the statement issued. The ‘partial’ release (which was at first thought to have been accidentally posted on the media website) said that the new name would come into use from May this year.

To make it more credible, an image of the ‘VOLTSWAGEN’ badge on a car was also shown while also suggesting that the models with combustion engines would continue to use the ‘VOLKSWAGEN’ brand name, which in German means ‘People’s Car’.

It was an exercise by the US subsidiary of Volkswagen and perhaps the bosses in Germany did not find it amusing as a statement came from Wolfsburg yesterday to clarify that it was indeed an early April Fools’ Day joke. The company had planned to ‘correct’ the matter by today (Wednesday), but things may have become too serious and before getting out of hand, a new statement issued confirmed that there will be no change of name. The fake press release has also been deleted so that a former US President won’t be able to use it to further attack the ‘fake media’ he hates.

This modified brand logo was not fake, though. It was developed last year to help spread the message about social distancing necessary during the pandemic. The move was done through animations and images on social media channels and other media.

The all-electric zero-emissions ID.4.

The new ID.4 to be launched in the US market in the US is the first of a family of all-electric models to come from Voltswagen… sorry, Volkswagen. By 2025, the company expects to sell a million all-electric vehicles worldwide and by the end of this decade, the group line-up (which includes Audi, Skoda, Bentley, Lamborghini and Bugatti) will have over 70 zero-emission models.

Visit
www.volkswagen.com.my
 to know more about Volkswagen products and services available in Malaysia.

Volkswagen unveils a new logo and brand design for new era


Revised Lexus pricelist with exemption of 5% Sales Tax

Note: Prices shown are for Peninsular Malaysia private registration and do not include insurance premiums.

2020 Lexus UX

For more information on Lexus models in Malaysia and to locate a Lexus Centre, visit
 www.lexus.com.my
.


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

Although Audi can lay claim to having been dominant in the World Rally Championship (WRC) with its Group B Quattro rallycar, the German carmaker has never taken up the challenge of the
Dakar Rally
. But for the 2022 edition of the world’s toughest off-road event, Audi will be there and it will  be the first car manufacturer to use an electrified drivetrain to compete for overall victory against conventionally-powered competitors.

The car that the Audi Sport team will use will be the RS Q e-tron and it’s been undergoing an intensive test program since the first prototype fired up in July this year. After overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic, the engineers now face the special challenges that the characteristics of the Dakar Rally present. The annual marathon event lasts 2 weeks and the daily stages are up to 800 kms in length. “That’s a very long distance,” said Andreas Roos who is responsible for the Dakar project at Audi Sport. “What we are trying to do has never been done before. This is the ultimate challenge for an electric drivetrain.”

Because there are no charging opportunities in the desert, Audi has chosen an innovative charging concept. On board of the car is the highly efficient TFSI engine from the DTM. It is part of an energy-converter that charges the high-voltage battery while driving. Since the combustion engine is operated in the particularly efficient range of between 4,500 and 6,000 rpm, the specific consumption is well below 200 grams per kWh.

A third motor-generator unit (MGU) is part of the energy converter and serves to recharge the high-voltage battery while driving. In addition, energy is recuperated during braking. The battery weighs about 370 kgs and has a capacity of around 50 kWh. The maximum system power of the e-drivetrain is 500 kW. The electric drivetrain offers many advantages. The electric motors can be controlled extremely precisely and can thus ensure good drivability. In addition, braking energy can be recovered.

The most recent testing was done in Morocco as crews Mattias Ekstrom/Emil Bergkvist, Stephane Peterhansel/Edouard Boulanger and Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz took turns in the cockpit of the RS Q e-tron which can now handle daily off-road distances in testing equalling the length of a Dakar stage.

The entire team is focusing its energy on continuing the development under the toughest conditions,” said Arnau Niubo, Head of Test Engineering. “It was impressive how important findings flowed back to the factory from Morocco at a daily pace. As a result, our 3 rallycars currently under construction for the Dakar Rally will have the latest technical status. At the same time, logistical preparations are in full swing.”

The three crews subjected the prototype to a total of more than 2,500 kms over the toughest terrain. The various system tests included the engineers imposing artificially high temperatures on the RS Q e-tron. Peterhansel drove the rallycar through a dry riverbed with the cooling air intakes deliberately taped off to simulate high outside temperatures – and the electric drive didn’t fail or falter.

However, the testing was not without difficult moments. Tyre damage on the rocky tracks caused Ekstrom and his partner repeated interruptions. A suspension wishbone bent by a rock, a leaking driveshaft sleeve and other components required replacement, and the bodywork needed minor repairs. But the prototype was spared nothing during its testing.

Long before Audi unveiled the RS Q e-tron to the public in mid-2021, the racing engineering team was already intensively involved in the Dakar Rally. The risks in off-road racing were at the centre of the considerations for a sophisticated safety concept. From the electrical safety of the high-voltage system to optimum passenger protection in the event of accidents, the design department had many challenges to overcome.

The protective and load-bearing basic structure of the RS Q e-tron consists of a tube frame. The regulations stipulate that this structure be made of metallic materials. Audi has opted for a heat-resistant, alloyed quenched and tempered steel from the aerospace industry that contains the alloying elements chromium, molybdenum and vanadium. The tube frame complies with the geometry defined in the regulations and fulfils the required static pressure tests.

Additional protection for the crew is provided by panels made of composite materials in the spaces between the frame. These components made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) – in some cases supplemented by the tear-resistant Zylon – prevent the penetration of sharp and pointed objects from outside.

Likewise, they protect the drivers and co-drivers from any problems with the high-voltage system. The high-voltage system of the electric drive with its energy converter itself also requires multiple protection. The encapsulation of the centrally located and thus particularly safe high-voltage battery comprises CFRP structures, some of which are reinforced by Zylon.

The protection at the bottom is very complex. In off-road sports, the underbody is the assembly subjected to extreme stresses, including metre-high jumps, whirled-up stones and large ramp angles. Its lowest layer consists of an aluminium plate that resists abrasion by hard objects and partially absorbs impact energy. The energy-absorbing foam above absorbs the impacts and distributes them to the sandwich structure above. This third structure protects the high-voltage battery and the gasoline tank of the energy converter. In the event of excessive damage, the assembly can be easily replaced during the evening service in the rally bivouac.

Optimum insulation of the system against water during river crossings and an electrically insulating extinguishing agent in the on-board fire extinguishing system protect passengers in extreme physical situations. The entire team, including drivers and co-drivers, also underwent high-voltage training in advance, as did rescue teams from the organizer.

Other regulations and devices provided by the organizer round off the overall safety concept. For example, the occupants can make an emergency call via a safety tracking system including an SOS switch and be found quickly. An accident data recorder records the most important measured variables for later analysis. An onboard surveillance camera shows what is happening in the cockpit. The Sentinel system makes overtaking safer in the dust typical of the desert. And finally, the regulations limit the top speed in the T1 category to 170 km/h.

Audi to compete in Dakar Rally 2022, return to WEC, and leave Formula E after 2021


Proton In 2018: Part 14 – 2018 Half Year Sales Hit 8,102 Units!

PROTON kicked-off the second half of 2018 by posting its strongest sales numbers for the last 30 months. Sales grew by
 31%
 over the previous month as
8,102
 Proton cars were sold to local car buyers and export customers. While Malaysian sales were driven by customers looking to take advantage of the zero rating for GST and before the implementation of SST in September, the resumption of export activities by the Company was what delivered a boost to the overall numbers.

Approximately 11.7% market share as Saga and Persona continue to be the most popular models…
PROTON experienced a third consecutive month of market share growth with an estimated 11.7% of Total Industry Volume (TIV) for the month. This compares to the 9.6% market share it garnered in June according to numbers published by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

The Saga and Persona continue to lead sales, with the former breaking through the 3,000 unit barrier for the first time in 2018…
 The Persona also achieved a new high point for the year as more than 2,221 sales were recorded, marking the first instance it breached the 2,000 unit barrier since May 2017.

The continued popularity of the Saga is attributed to its class leading affordability, spaciousness and handling as well as the ‘Best Saga deal in 10-years’ promotion where a brand new Saga could be bought for less than RM30,000 in June and July this year.

As for the Persona, its internationally recognized ASEAN NCAP 5 star rating, extensive safety feature list that includes Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control (TC) and 6 airbags as well as its spacious interior, 510L boot and long equipment list were key factors to attracting buyers.

“July was a very good month for PROTON as we had achieved our highest volume not just for 2018 but also for the last 30 months. We know that a big factor in boosting sales is the current tax holiday period with zero-rated GST prior to the implementation of SST in September but the numbers also prove that Malaysians are opening their eyes to the attractive buying proposition offered by the current range of Proton cars. We are therefore hopeful of carrying over this momentum even after SST has been introduced as we gear up for the launch of our first SUV later in the year,”
 said
Abdul Rashid Musa, Chief Executive Officer of PROTON Edar.

In other news… Exports resume for the first time since collaboration with Geely

One of the main pillars outlined for the long term growth of PROTON is export sales, which kicked off in 2018 with 517 cars shipped in July. With more shipments due before the end of the year, the Company is confident of achieving its export sales target for 2018, which will act as a springboard to selling even more cars internationally over the coming years.

Currently, the most popular export market for Proton cars is the Middle East with countries like Jordan, Iraq and Iran being the main destination. Sales in Egypt are set to resume over the final quarter of the year as the country recovers from the currency crises that had hampered their car industry over the last few years.


Alpine A110 to grace this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed

The soon to be launched Alpine A110 will make an appearance at the upcoming Goodwood festival of Speed by taking part in the annual hill climb event. The car made its debut earlier this year at the Geneva Motorshow and first deliveries to customers are expected to start in early 2018.

Alpine, is an iconic sports car brand that has produced many championship winning racers and to commemorate the impending launch of its latest vehicle, plans on displaying cars like the 1978 Alpine A442 B and 1977 Alpine A310 during the Goodwood festival.

The 2017 Alpine A110 will be a lightweight, agile and performance oriented sports car that embodies the principles that made the automaker  a formidable force in circuit racing as well as rallying competitions. the car will weigh just 1,080kg and will be 4,178mm long, 1,798mm wide and 1,252mm high.

Thanks to a 44/56 weight distribution and a low centre of gravity, the A110 is said to offer respectable agility, the very characteristic that gained Alpine cars a reputation in the 1960s and 1970s.

It’s smooth and elegant contours are reminiscent of tge world renowned Alpine sports cars that put the automaker on the map. It will be powered by a new 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 252bhp and 320Nm of torque. This, coupled with a lightweight body, gives the A110 a respectable power-t-weight ratio of 233bhp per tonne.

It will only need 4.5 seconds to sprint from 0-100km/h, which isn’t very fast by supercar standards, but are decent enough considering that it has considerably smaller engine most of its competitors.

Expect more from Alpine as it plans to take on the more established brands at their own game.


SAIC-GM-Wuling Air EV has global debut in Indonesia

It looks like the Chinese carmakers are steadily establishing their presence in the ASEAN market as sales are growing for some of the brands that have entered a few years earlier. This is not their first approach as they began to appear in the 2000s. But back then, their products were not of the same quality as what consumers had come to be used to from the Japanese and Korean brands, so they quietly faded away. Chery was one of them, having tried its luck in Malaysia and even did some local assembly but pulled out in the end.

Today, the Chinese carmakers have progressed greatly and have improved quality as well as made technological advancements themselves. With the government having given a push towards electric vehicles (EVs), they have had to develop EV technology as quickly as possible while competing with each other for a slice of the biggest vehicle market in the world.

Having their own EV technology and products is timely, of course, as government around the world are pushing the auto industry to take definite action to address climate change. Going electric is one approach and countries like Indonesia have offered attractive incentives that are drawing carmakers there to grow their EV business.

Wuling Motors, through its SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) joint-venture with General Motors, is aiming to do just that and develop Indonesia into a major overseas market. Over the past 15 years, it has gained experience in export sales, having sold one of the most popular small vans in Asia. In 2021, SGMW exported over 140,000 units from China to more than 40 countries and regions.

Now it intends to also promote its new range of models developed on its Global Small Electric Vehicle (GSEV) platform. And for the debut of its first global-market zero-emission vehicle – the Wuling Air EV – it chose Indonesia for the world premiere. Apart from the country’s attractive incentives for EV players, SGMW already has a significant presence and a manufacturing plant.

The Wuling Air will be the first EV model that SGMW will sell outside China and has been selected as the official car partner for the 2022 G20 Summit to be held in Indonesia this November. It is likely that the model will be assembled in Indonesia where there can be significant economies of scale and flexibility.

Furthermore, with the provisions of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) agreement, the EV can be exported to other markets in the region duty-free. Of course, for Malaysia, that will be the case anyway since there is presently full exemption on import duties for BEVs (battery electric vehicles).

It is likely that SGMW will produce LHD versions in China for the domestic market, complementing the joint venture’s current EV portfolio that has the Wuling Hong Guang MINIEV, Wuling Nano EV and Baojun KiWi EV. Indonesia could thus become the production hub for RHD versions.

The Air EV is the Wuling’s fourth next-generation vehicle to adopt the brand’s new look with a new design language. It has a modern appearance that is somewhat different from other small EVs, with a front fascia that features a horizontal bar extending to the sideview mirrors, and integrated LED daytime running lights.

Size-wise, there are two versions – one with a long wheelbase (LWB) and the other with a shorter wheelbase (SWB). From information released in Indonesia, it appears that only the 4-seater LWB will be offered outside China. This has a length of 2974 mm, width of 1505 mm and height of 1631 mm with a wheelbase measuring 2010 mm. The SWB version can accommodate only two persons and is 2599 mm long with a wheelbase of 1635 mm.

These are certainly very small cars as a Perodua Axia is 3645 mm in length. And while it is often said that an EV doesn’t have a heavy engine, the lithium iron phosphate battery pack is still heavy. In spite of being smaller than an Axia which weighs 825 kgs to 860 kgs, the Air EV LWB weighs 860 kgs, while the SWB version is 100 kgs less.

The powertrain will be fairly basic with a single motor driving the front wheels. There will be a choice of 30 kW or 50 kW and also Standard and Extended ranges of 200 kms and 305 kms, respectively. Top speed is claimed to be 100 km/h which is probably as fast as you would want to go in such a small car.

The price in Indonesia is rumoured to start from 275 million rupiahs (about RM84,000) and while that is down to the Honda City/Toyota Vios level in Malaysia, Perodua and Proton offer cheaper cars – and they are more spacious too. So we can’t see the Air EV coming in and besides, with the still-limited recharging network, many will be hesitant to invest in a car which could be stuck in some kampung in the rural areas because its battery can’t be recharged. Presumably, Indonesia’s plan to raise EV adoption will see a rapid development of the recharging network around the country.

The reality of producing and running electric vehicles


F1 (Round 6): Preview & Starting Grid for 2020 Spanish Grand Prix

Race starts at 3:10 pm in Spain/9:10 pm in Malaysia

The compressed revised schedule of 2020 Formula 1 World Championship continues this weekend with the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The circuit is a familiar one to the F1 teams as it is where they go for pre-season testing. Located in the Barcelona area, the circuit has been in operation since 1991.

The 4.655-km circuit has 16 turns and though many drivers have driven around it a lot, it is still challenging with its broad mix of corner types. There are swift changes in direction and a long start-finish straight that tests both the car’s strength and weaknesses. Each year, teams search for the best set-up to enable their drivers to extract the maximum from the machines.

To get that right set-up can be elusive; there are strong winds blowing at the circuit and they change not just in direction but also speed. So aerodynamics are very important although they are important everywhere else too.

Hotter than usual

For this weekend, there is concern about high temperatures. This has not been a major issue in the past as the Spanish Grand Prix usually runs in May when it is still cool. However, it is now mid-August and the engineers are preparing the cars to cope with temperatures of around 30 degrees C.

Pirelli is bringing its most durable compounds to cope with the heat and high loads of fast corners such as Turn 3. The C1 is nominated as the hard tyre with C2 and C3 and medium and soft tyres, respectively.

The hot conditions can be a problem for the Mercedes-AMG cars, as evident at Silverstone last weekend. It’s possible that similarly high temperatures could give Red Bull Racing a chance to claim a second victory of the season after Max Verstappen’s success.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been to Spain when it’s been this hot. The weather is beautiful, but it’s tricky for the car and very tough on the tyres as well. We didn’t see any blistering, the tyres felt OK and the long runs didn’t look too bad, but we also didn’t see any blistering last Friday, so we’ll have to remain careful,” said Lewis Hamilton, who will start from pole position at tomorrow’s race.

The Ferrari drivers also find conditions challenging but have been doing well in practices. “I am confident we can extract the maximum out of the car in quali and if I manage to get the balance where I want it to be, we can have a pretty good result.  With regards to the heat, out on track is not that hard because at least there’s some air, but when you are in the garage… it’s like being in a sauna!” said Charles Leclerc.

Max Verstappen is now second

After winning last weekend, Verstappen is now second in the Driver’s Championship, 30 points behind leader Hamilton. Valtteri Bottas is, however, not far behind with a gap of just 4 points.

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS team has a good lead with 180 points after 5 rounds, 67 points ahead of Red Bull Racing and 125 points ahead of Ferrari. The Italian team has had the most wins here, having won 12 times, of which 5 were won by Michael Schumacher who has also won the event the most times.


Ducati Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini Unveiled

A second collaboration between Lamborghini and Ducati was unveiled to the public at the San Marino Grand Prix at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli – the new Ducati Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini. An exclusive limited edition model, only 630 units will be built with each one priced at £55,995 (around RM288,350).

The Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini follows the
Ducati Diavel 1260 Lamborghini
 which was presented two years ago in the first collaboration between the two companies, ambassadors of the ‘Made in Italy’ brand. While the first superbike was inspired by the
Sian
 hybrid supercar, this latest one has been inspired by the
Huracan STO
.

The new superbike adopts the well-known ‘Fight Formula’ to the technical base of the Panigale V4 S 2023, while integrating elements and stylistic features that are unmistakably Lamborghini. Integrating technical and stylistic elements typical of Lamborghini DNA – and the Huracan STO, in particular – the superbike has exclusive livery in green and orange.

Huracan design elements
The Ducati Style Centre, in collaboration with Lamborghini’s Centro Stile, redesigned the superstructures of this special bike, drawing inspiration from the Huracan STO. It features specially-made forged wheels enhanced by the titanium clamping nut on the rear, with the front fender design is inspired by the air ducts integrated in the supercar’s ‘cofango’. The toe cap, radiator cover, wings, tank cover and tail are all made of carbonfibre, the same lightweight material used for all Lamborghinis.

The livery features the STO logo and the number ’63’, which refers to the year in which Lamborghini was founded. Multiply that number by 10 and you get 630 – the number of units of the superbike that will be available.

The colours used are exactly the same as those used for the Huracan STO, with a base in Verde Citrea (green) and contrasting parts in Arancio Dac (orange). The model name and the unique number of each unit are shown on a metal plate inserted in the central tank cover and an aluminium insert on the ignition key. Each owner will get a number Certificate of Authenticity for the superbike.

The superbike’s seat is also inspired by the Huracan STO’s seat finish with accents matching the superstructure. At the heart of the Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini is the 1103 cc Desmosedici Stradale engine with power of 208 ps with a dry clutch, as on the Ducati MotoGP and Superbike models.

Even more exclusivity
In addition to the 630 units, Ducati will offer an even more exclusive series dedicated to 63 Lamborghini customers. Thanks to the Ducati’s Style Centre and Speciale Clienti program, they will be able to create unique versions by customizing their Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini with livery and rims in the same colour as their car. It will then be possible to choose the brake caliper colours and seat details from those included in the Huracan STO palettes, in addition to the standard colour scheme.

Ducati Diavel 1260 Lamborghini unveiled, priced from RM130,000


No parking for your hybrid? Worry no more with Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays

Always searching for a parking spot that can also charge up your hybrid or electric car? BMW Group Malaysia has got you covered by partnering up with ParkEasy, Shell Malaysia, and Sunway Group for the launch of the latest Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays.

The 10 charging bays will span across three major Sunway Group properties with five bays available in Sunway Pyramid, three in Sunway Pinnacle, and two in Sunway Velocity. With the support from Shell Malaysia, ParkEasy is expanding and looking for other progressive shopping malls to offer such facilities.

With more and more BMW PHEV vehicles being sold here in the country, it is understandable (and very thoughtful of them) to spearhead the facility with other giants of the industry as one of their ongoing commitments to shape the nation’s automotive industry with Electro-Mobility.

According to Mr. Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia, meanwhile, “Globally, Malaysia is amongst the world’s most progressive countries in driving the Story of Visionary Mobility further for the BMW Group. This signifies not only a strong demand for electro-mobility in the country but the need for its long-term sustainability. To facilitate this vision, BMW Group Malaysia will continue to expand the accessibility of charging facilities to electrified vehicle drivers nationwide.”

With over 20 BMW I Charging Facilities located nationwide, BMW Malaysia looks forward to growing that number together with ParkEasy and Shell Malaysia in not only providing convenient vehicle charging but also ensuring that vehicle owners are reassured of the availability of strategically placed parking spots for greater ease of mind.

How does it work? Using the ParkEasy app, EV and PHEV vehicle owners can reserve a spot at any Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays 60 minutes before reaching the designated spot. Credits available in the ParkEasy app will start deducting once reservation has been placed and hourly use with the BMW i Charging facilities provided as complimentary. No more wondering around the parking lot, folks.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Tan Sri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah, Founder and Chairman of Sunway Group said, “Sustainability is not an abstract concept to us. The Sunway Group itself was founded on the concept of sustainable development. We plan to integrate technology even more deeply to establish Sunway City Kuala Lumpur as a model “smart sustainable city” of the 21st century. Today’s initiative marks another step in this direction.”

Datuk Iain Lo, Chairman of Shell Malaysia said, “As Shell ventures on touchpoints beyond our Retail stations and into premium establishments, our main focus is to enhance our customers’ journey and offer an end-to-end solution for convenience. The collaboration with ParkEasy, in partnership with BMW Group Malaysia and the Sunway Group, gives us the opportunity to continue serving our customers with new technological ways to enhance their experience with us.”

Beginning next month, owner of BMW PHEV vehicles will be entitled to ‘exclusive BMW Privileges at the Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays’. Owners old and new will be gifted with e-started packs and e-gift cards for the use of the said facility and Sunway Group properties.

Already have the ParkEasy app installed on your phone? Us the BMWMY promo code to redeem five ParkEasy credits which can be used at the Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays (limited to the first 2,000 users).

2019 BMW X5 & BMW X2 M35i previewed – Estimated RM400k-RM640k


Porsche Taycan does 165 km/h inside a building – a new Guinness World Record (w/VIDEO)

Visit
www.bhpetrol.com.my
 to know more about promotions at BHPetromart.

During this period of the pandemic, we are urged to ‘Stay indoors’ to avoid being infected and also to help cut the transmission of the virus. For many people, ‘indoors’ may mean a boring time but not for racer Leh Keen: while being ‘indoors’, he achieved a Guinness World Records title for the fastest speed by a vehicle indoors.

It’s not a new category in the world famous list of records and the last person set it at a speed of 138.5 km/h. That was 7 years ago. The rules – strictly enforced by Guinness World Records – are tough. The record tun must be done up to a standstill within the space of the building. There can be no run up, no safety net and no doors open and therefore no escape route. It means not just being able to accelerate to a very high speed but also being able to come to a stop in time.

Leh  therefore required a car that would be able to perform with such challenging conditions. It had to be one that he could trust his life with in order to safely break the record safely. With an output equivalent to 750 bhp, 4-wheel drive providing maximized grip, powerful carbon ceramic brakes and the ability to accelerate to 60 mph (96 km/h) from standstill in just 2.6 seconds, the
all-electric Taycan Turbo S by Porsche
 was the car to use.

Selecting the right building was just as challenging. In the end, it was the Ernest N. Morial Convention Centre in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. At around 93,000 square metres, the convention centre boasts having the largest contiguous exhibit hall in the country, ideal for the distance it provided. However, like many other indoor facilities, the polished concrete surface replicated ice when being driven over at speed…

“I didn’t really appreciate the scale of the record attempt until my first exploratory run. The surface is so unpredictable, so slick, that you have to have complete trust in your car. It truly was like ice – and you’re accelerating flat out, facing a really hard wall at the end. Suddenly, even in a massive space like the one we had, it seemed very small,” said Leh Keen after his record attempt. “I could feel the Taycan’s systems figuring it out, working so hard to keep me heading straight – it was such an impressive feat. To accelerate so hard on such an erratic surface was incredible. Not for a moment did I doubt I could do it.”

Leh’s strategy was to build up slowly, with low-speed exploratory runs. The standard street tyres were pre-heated as a precaution. And, when it came to the record attempt, one run was all it took. “I did take a moment on the starting line – knowing I was going to have to go as fast as I could – and stop again –  all before reaching the wall I was facing. It got my attention.”

“I used the car’s launch control and the Taycan just hooked up – the sensation of speed indoors, even in such a big space, is enormous – that wall rushed up fast. I was gentle on the brakes at the end… the Taycan’s brakes were more than up to the job. Of course, I didn’t look down at my speed, so it came as a surprise and a relief that I’d beaten the record, and by such a margin. It was a rush! I’m thankful for Porsche for trusting my abilities and for their preparations and encouragement – 165 km/h (officially 102.6 mph) inside a building. What was I thinking?”

https://www.piston.my/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/173164_en_3000000.mp4

The Taycan is available in Malaysia from Sime Darby Auto Performance.
Click here
 to find out more.

All-electric Porsche Taycan sets a drift world record (w/VIDEO)


Fuel Price Updates For December 22 – December 28, 2022

It appears that since we have had a confirmed new government, the price of RON97 petrol has become cheaper and cheaper. Of course, it’s a coincidence as retail prices of fuel are based on the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM) which takes into account many factors (not just the global oil prices). Anyway, there’s yet another 20 sen reduction after midnight today, taking the price per litre down to RM3.35.

Regardless of whether fuel consumption matters to you, it’s good to try to use less of it as fossil fuels will eventually be finished on the planet. Here are some ways to reduce the fuel consumption in your vehicle:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


Aston Martin Europe gets new boss

Aston Martin Europe has witnessed a shake up at the executive level. It has been announced that Ulrich Schäfer will succeed Mark Kenworthy as President of Aston Martin Europe. The incumbent leader will take on a new a role as Head of Global Dealer Network at the Aston Martin headquarters in Gaydon.

Schäfer is a veteran with more than 20 years of experience in the automotive and motorcycle industry. He has worked for a number of mainstream automakers that include BMW, Indian Motorcycles, Renault and KIA.  During that time, he held several senior management positions in marketing and brand management, dealer development and sales.

Prior to his appointment at Aston Martin, he worked at Polaris as Managing Director for Germany and Austria. At Aston Martin, Schäfer will be responsible for the British automaker’s brand and sales activities in 19 Continental European markets.

He will be reporting to Christian Marti, Vice President and Chief Sales Officer, and will be based at Aston Martin’s regional head office in Frankfurt, Germany. Regarded as a learned man, Schäfer holds an MBA from Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany and studied International Economics at University of Sorbonne in Paris, France.

Commenting on his appointment, President and Chief Executive Officer Dr Andy Palmer, said, “I want to personally thank Mark Kenworthy for his support job in the region, under his direction, Aston Martin in Europe has doubled the total sales on a year-to-year basis, significantly extending our market share.”

“We are delighted to welcome Ulrich Schäfer to the Aston Martin team. He brings profound knowledge and a wealth of experience by serving more than 20 years in the automotive industry. We are looking forward to working with Ulrich in delivering the Second Century plan,” he added.

This news follows a whole string of changes at Aston Martin including the decision to use Mercedes-AMG sourced engines for a variety of its supercars. The UK based firm is probably hoping that the various restructuring moves and strategies pay off in the long run.


BMW & MINI launch 1-year extension service and repair programs

BMW Malaysia together with MINI Malaysia have announced an added 1-year extension to Service + Repair Inclusive Programs for new BMW and MINI vehicles purchased between now until 30th June 2019.

What do customers get from this? New owners will be provided with 6 years of unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service programs for all new BMW cars and 5 years/unlimited mileage MINI service and repair for MINI vehicles purchased during this festive season.

According to Mr. Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia, “Customers are at the heart of what we do at BMW Group Malaysia, from best-in-class ownership experience to first-class services. In the spirit of celebration in the coming festive period, we are thrilled to extend these exclusive programs to our loyal BMW and MINI customers and deliver the complete Premium Ownership Experience.”

The scope of services made available with the extended warranty programs is in accordance to the BMW Condition Based Service (CBS) status and includes service vehicle check, engine oil change, along with servicing for air filter, fuel filter, micro filter, spark plug and brake fluid.

The exclusive offer will be available to all new purchases of BMW and MINI vehicles with a JPJ registration dated within the programs period from now to 30th June 2019. Additionally, the MINI 5 years/Unlimited Mileage MINI Service Inclusive and 5 years/Unlimited Mileage MINI Repair Inclusive Programs will also be applicable for fleet packages, duty-exempted vehicles, the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program and the Returning Expert Program (REP) customers.

BMW Malaysia also announced the BMW ChargeNow Promo where new owners of any BMW iPerformance vehicles will receive the BMW i AC Fast Charging Cable and BMW ChargeNow card. This will provide owners with a straightforward access to partner charging stations like ChargEV.

Additionally, new BMW 740Le and BMW X5 xDrive40e owners will also enjoy a complimentary BMW i Wallbox Plus and BMW i AC Fast Charging Cable with the BMW i Wallbox Promo.

For more information, head over to
www.bmw.com.my
 or
www.mini.my
.