REVIEW: Mercedes-Benz A 250 AMG Line – “German Emotion”

What can you get with RM267,888? A lot of things, we bet. If you ask Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, they will post probably point towards the Mercedes-Benz A 250 AMG Line. Why? Because that is how much it costs and we here at Piston.my had the opportunity to test this bad boy out (huge thanks to Mercedes-Benz Malaysia for the hook-up).

Globally, the new A-Class is quickly becoming the go-to model for those who are looking for something premium yet youthful. Stylish but not to flashy. Powerful yet contented. From our first impressions, that was what we thought of the A 250 AMG Line and most folks would tend to agree, even before taking the car out for a spin.

Infused with Mercedes-Benz’s ‘Sensual Purity’ design philosophy, the A 250 is pretty much like an iPhone. Sleek, minimalist, and unadulterated. From a company renowned for its efficiency and functionality, the A 250 went the other way when initially sketched on the drawing boards where the designers went with stirring emotions instead.

The result is a car that’s so fresh and so clean, clean that it manages to break through the conventional audience of the brand and straight towards the hipsters and millennials who want something different than what their parents drive. Step inside the car and you’ll quickly understand what we mean.

A balanced interior welcomes any occupants with style and pizzazz. That thing which looks like a stretched-out iPad is actually the instrument panel and centre console which offer information and control of the vehicle in probably the most stylish manners amongst other competitors in its class.

Everything seems to work in unison to provide an almost surreal driving experience, especially with its ability to alter its ambient lighting to any colour you desire. It was a time when this particular editor was hooked with Billie Eilish and listening to her single ‘idontwannabeyouanymore’ while driving in the heart of Kuala Lumpur at night was sublime and emotional (in the best manner possible).

Moving on the performance, the A 250 has a thing or two to kick things up a notch. Its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine is able to produce 224hp and 350Nm of torque, propelling it from 0-100km/h in only 6.2 seconds. We had loads of fun testing this, over and over again and we can safely say, those first six seconds were ecstatic.

With all that power pushing a hot hatchback that only weighs less than 1,400kg, the A 250 is able to reach great speeds. Fiddling with its seven-speed DCT transmission was loads of good fun but we found a slight issue when braking hard. We noticed that the car tends to sway ever so slightly from the rear during hard braking. All it took was some steering correction to keep it going straight, which is not hard to do, but it still required some manoeuvrability to ensure that you reach a safe and complete stop. Weird, this one.

The lowered comfort suspension and direct-steer system might have something to do with this and after going through all possibilities, we concurred that the A 250 AMG Line is tuned more towards the comfort driving spectrum rather than performance (more than we initially suspected).

With that being said, the A 250 AMG Line does provide a sublime driving experience even for those sitting at the back. Quick note: The A 250 AMG Line does look sleek and low but based from one of our readers who own this very model, some fancy manoeuvres were needed when driving over unregulated speed bumps, especially when fully loaded. Curse you, speed bumps.

Mercedes-Benz is also known for their safety and the A 250 AMG Line is no exception. Fitted with Active Brake Assist and Adaptive Highbeam Assist just to name a few, rest assured that there’s always that bit of assistance to help you out when you need it. We hope that you don’t have to but hey, having those safety specs are very reassuring, especially with a car that costs as much as a premium apartment.

All in all, we love how the A 250 AMG Line is able to connect with its drivers and occupants on an emotional level rather than the usual German automotive perfection. You can be pleased with driving around at night while enjoying the urban nightlife or you can tear up the mountain roads to blow off some steam.

Whatever the case may be, it’s a versatile piece of machinery and we wouldn’t want it any other way. For all you 80s and 90s kids who want to step things up to a new level, you should highly consider the A 250 AMG Line. If you want something a bit classier with a slightly lower dose of performance, the
A 200 Progressive Line
 might just float your boat.

Mercedes-Benz EQ Range unveiled in Malaysia


War on COVID-19: GoCar and Shell Malaysia team up to make frontliners’ commute easier

UPDATE: The offer has been extended to April 28, 2020 which is the extended expiry date of the MCO.

The nurses, doctors and other healthcare personnel are the frontliners in the War Against COVID-19. They are working long hours and placing themselves at risk of being infected but they do so for the sake of the rest of us.

To help ease their daily challenges, GoCar Malaysia and Shell Malaysia are joining forces to make travel easier for healthcare frontliners. From now until April 14, 2020, GoCar is offering 200 Nissan Almera located at 127 Shell stations across Peninsular Malaysia for free to such personnel, with Shell providing RM30 vouchers to fuel their journeys.

Safer journey for frontliners

This initiative aims to make their commute from their place of stay to hospitals and other facilities easier and safer. Registrations can be done via GoCar’s website upon verification of healthcare personnel status online. Once successful, registrants will receive a GoCar promo code worth RM483 that can be used to book a Nissan Almera followed by a Shell Fuel e- voucher worth RM30, delivered via email, on a first come-first served basis.

Commenting on this collaboration, Alan Cheah, CEO of GoCar Malaysia, said: “At GoCar, we strive to act fast to give back to the community in any way possible, now more than ever. We are excited to work on this with one of our biggest partners, Shell Malaysia who shares and supports the same value too. As our frontliners continue working tirelessly for us, we are doing our part to keep them safe by helping them travel in isolation in GoCars with Shell supporting the necessary petrol needed.”

Since the outbreak began, GoCar has seen the need to ramp up frequency for cars to be cleaned and disinfected. “It is our main priority to ensure our cars are continuously cleaned for all GoCar members to use, especially in a time like this. This also means we have to monitor our own frontliners’ well-being closely and make sure they are safe on the job,” Mr. Cheah said.

“Aside from taking body temperature and monitoring their health daily, all on-ground staff are given a comprehensive cleaning kit consisting of face masks, hand gloves, hand sanitisers, disinfectant sprays, and anti-bacterial fabric sprays to be used while on duty. They have also been placing and replenishing anti-bacterial wet tissues in each car for the convenience of all GoCar members to use whenever needed,” he added.

“Shell Malaysia is pleased to join forces with GoCar to offer a more convenient and safe way for our healthcare frontliners to travel. With our wide network of Shell stations across the country, we are able to make these GoCars easily available to our frontliners at 127 stations nationwide and, at the same time, fuel their journeys to where they must go. We are all striving to do what we can to heed the nation’s call to flatten the COVID-19 curve, and Shell is undertaking this initiative to ensure our nation’s health frontliners are able to  go well in their journeys to the battleground of this pandemic,” said Shairan Huzani Husain, MD of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd.

He added that while Shell continues to show support towards the healthcare frontliners, the well-being of its site staff and customers remain a priority. “Thanks to our own frontliners, Shell is able to give customers a peace of mind when they are at our stations,” he said, explaining that the company has been implementing several safety measures and prevention guidelines.

War Against COVID-19: Shell contributes to frontliners, the nation’s heroes


Nissan to reveal new all-electric delivery vehicle in Tokyo

Nissan will unveil a new electric delivery vehicle during the Tokyo motorshow. Alongside it, a new emergency response vehicle called the Paramedic Concept will be on display too, showcasing some of the company’s life-saving technology as well as other features.

The new ambulance is based on Nissan’s NV350 Caravan and boasts a capacious cabin that will provide patients increased comfort and allow for a better work environment for paramedics. Nissan says that the vehicle builds upon the success of its predecessor, which was built exclusively for the Japanese market.

Nissan’s Intelligent Around View Monitor and tech help reduce the spread of germs. In addition to that, the vehicle is also fitted with an additional lithium-ion auxiliary battery that powers life-saving medical equipment when patients are in remote areas or in need of emergency assistance.

Like the standard NV350 caravan, the ambulance version will also get a slew of safety tech that include Intelligent Emergency Braking, Vehicle Dynamic Control with traction control system functions and Hill Start Assist.

That said, the all-electric van, called the e-NV200 Fridge Concept that is based on the standard NV200, will probably steal the limelight. Meant to be the future solution to current urban delivery challenges, its compact dimensions will enable it to maneuver and park fairly easily in the tightest of spaces.

Nissan’s concept vehicle will be able to overcome the hurdle that plagues many large delivery trucks – low height and width restrictions in urban areas. Apart from that, a sizable additional battery is packed into the cargo space to supply juice to a refrigeration unit.

This feature will allow the all-electric vehicle to deliver chilled foods to any destination without the massive carbon footprint that comes with operating a similar size diesel powered truck. The automaker believes that because of this, the vehicle will be of great value to commercial users in addition to the reduction in cost of ownership.

And since it will be able to enter areas that are strictly off-limits to larger vehicles, operators will be able to service more clients and generate better business than before. It’s a win-win situation that the Japanese automaker hopes will sway commercial users toward its all-electric van.


VIDEO FEATURE: Could You Really Use A MANUAL Transmission Daily? We Find Out In the Best One Available, The Honda Civic Type-R! [+Video]

Manual gearbox. Three pedals. Stick shift.

Call them what you will, but they’ve been dying a slow and painful death locally. It’s no big secret that Malaysians – thanks largely to our traffic conditions – are understandably only buying automatic cars for their daily needs these days, opting to let their left leg do absolutely nothing. Hell, there’s even a special driving license that you can apply for that allows you to drive ONLY automatic cars nowadays.
Sheesh
.

Thankfully, there are still manual transmission’d cars out there to be had new (but a lot more in the used-car market), and we recently got our hands on the latest generation
Honda Civic Type-R
, replete with
6-speed manual
 gearbox, and here’s what Piston.my’s editor thought… do forgive the silly-ass grin on his face.

“The Civic Type R which was launched in November 2017, is the world’s fastest front-wheel-drive (FWD) production car. Powered by a highly advanced
2.0-litre VTEC Turbocharged
 engine, producing
310PS
 and maximum torque of
400Nm
, the CTR was engineered to deliver the most rewarding drive in the hot hatch segment, both on the road and on the race track. The 3-Way Driving Mode offered in the All-New Civic Type R –
COMFORT, SPORT
 (default) and
+R
 allows drivers to experience different dynamic performance depending on the driving environment. The different modes provide drivers with both the race car-like performance and the desired comfort that is required as a daily commute car”
 –
Honda Malaysia.

HMSB recently also announced a year-end promo, in which it’s stated there is
 “up to RM50,000 savings”
 followed by mention of the
Civic Type-R
. Could it be the CTR is even more affordable now? Details at this link:
https://www.piston.my/2018/12/05/promo-honda-malaysia-offering-cash-rebates-up-to-rm50000-for-year-end-3xtraordinary-savings-campaign/

So, what are you waiting for?
#yolo
. –
Chris Wee.

Honda Civic Type-R Photo Gallery…


Mazda introduce limited edition MX-5

Mazda has introduced a limited edition variant of its sports coupe that it calls, MX-5 Z-Sport. This nomenclature was last used with the 3rd generation MX-5 back in 2007. The car gets a deep cherry red fabric hood, 17-inch black BBS wheels, and Machine Grey Metallic paintwork.

As for the interior, it gets Sand Leather seats, Z-Sport floor mats and scuff plates. On top of that, each car comes with an individually numbered Z-Sport plaque on the dash. Made exclusively for the UK market, Mazda has limited production of the Z-Sport to just 300 cars.

Like the base car, it is powered by a 2.0-litre 160bhp engine, has a limited slip differential, Bilstein dampers and a strut brace. Its predecessor, was graced with similar specs. It had the same capacity engine, 17-inch BBS wheels, Radiant Ebony Mica paint, brushed aluminium dash inserts, alloy pedals and stitching on the steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake.

Commenting on the launch of the new MX-5 Z-Sport, Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director Mazda Motors UK said, “The MX-5’s new cherry coloured roof was shown for the first time in public at the recent Tokyo Motor Show where it received a very positive reception.”

Though the Z-Sport isn’t that dissimilar from the MX-5 sold in Malaysia, we do hope that more variants of the car are offered to markets outside the UK and Japan. Fans of the brand and car outside these markets, would definitely be delighted to know that Mazda is looking out for them as well.


Fuel Price Updates For June 3 – June 9, 2021


BIKES: Benelli Malaysia Launches New VZ125i “Skuchai” @ RM5,288!

Benelli Malaysia
 has launched its first scooter-cub, called the
VZ125i
. Powered by a
124cc, two-valve, four-stroke single-cylinder engine,
featuring
 electronic fuel injection (EFI)
, a single overhead camshaft (SOHC) and TLI ignition, this scooter-kapchai – or colloquially known as a “skuchai” – produces
8.4hp
 @ 7,500rpm) and
9.0Nm
 torque @ 6,000rpm.

More about the Benelli VZ125i by Benelli Malaysia… (text & photos courtesy of Benelli M’sia)

The distinctive features of the VZ125i put riders in complete control. The all-new CVT gearbox is fast-starting and executes immediate and silky smooth shifts. Its reinforced shock absorption system — featuring a telescopic front fork, telescopic spring oil-damped rear suspension for the standard version and telescopic spring sub-tank oil-damped rear suspension for the special edition. Both rear suspension versions are latest technology powered by Kayaba (KYB). The tubeless tires and large diameter 220mm double piston disc brakes maximize the safety of scooter and enhance riding experience.

The Benelli VZ125i was designed with thoughts of both practicality and user-friendliness. Several of the key components including belts, camshafts, crankshafts and fans which were developed to suit Malaysian market in any condition by improving the reliability and durability of the engine. Additionally, other unique features such as anti-theft lock, under seat helmet hook, USB port for charging and front hanging hook make the VZ125i an everyday companion you can rely on.

Designed by Benelli’s international designers, the appearance of the VZ125i is eye catching and exciting. Its streamlined stylish outlook is dynamic and unrestrained as only a Benelli can be. Benelli VZ125i equips with LCD full digital speedometer, LED headlight and indicators turn heads with hazard light function. The incorporation of hazard light function is the first in this category.

Of course, the VZ125i proudly wears Benelli’s heritage and passion on its sleeve. The stylish decal livery ties it to Benelli’s century-plus history of engineering and design excellence which featuring a unique and novel design of the marque’s lion logo. Targeted sales of VZ125i is set at 15,000 units per annum.

Compared to similar scooters in this category, users will be amazed with Benelli VZ125i’s competitive price and its unique product features. There are 3 colour options which are ‘Matte Blue’, ‘Chili Red’ and ‘Matte Black (SE)’. VZ125i retails for
RM5,288.00
 and VZ125i (SE) at
RM5,588.00
 (all prices are including SST & excluding road tax and insurance). The Benelli VZ125i will be available at local authorized Benelli dealers’ showroom from
December 2018
.

Specifications:

Engine and Transmission

Displacement (c.c.)

124

Engine mode

1-cylinder/4-stroke/2-valve / SOHC

Bore & Stroke(mm)

Ø53.5×55 mm.

Rated Output

6.3kW/7500 r/min

Compression Ratio

9.0:1

Fuel System

EFI

Ignition

TLI

Starter

Electric and Kick

Lubrication System

Pressure splash lubrication

Cooling System

Forcedly air-cooled

Gearbox

Automatic CVT

Clutch Type

Automatic

Exhaust System

Short-acting catalyst and oxygen sensor

Certification

Exhaust Emission Euro 3

Physical Measures

Dry weight（kg）

101

Ground Clearance (mm)

137

Wheelbase (mm)

1280

Chassis and Dimensions

Front Suspension

Telescopic forks, 82mm

Rear Suspension

Telescopic coil spring oil damped

Single shock absorber, travel 55mm

Front Tire

70/90-14

Rear Tire

80/90-14

Front Brake

Disc

Front brake Diameter (mm)

220

Rear Brake

Drum

Rear brake Diameter (mm)

130

Other Specifications

Fuel Capacity(L)

4.9

About Benelli

Benelli is Power, Technology, Quality, Value and legendary Italian design. Since 1911, Benelli is pure passion.

For more than 100 years, Benelli motorcycles have impressed mightily on the street, in the dirt, and in racing from our capable and affordable scooters, to our high-end, big-bore sport and naked bikes, and everything in between. Benelli motorcycles represent a perfect combination of form and function. With peerless Italian styling from our Italy-based Design Center, to our ultra-modern manufacturing capabilities, Benelli offers motorcycles that not only function superbly, but ones that light your emotional fire.

Benelli. Nothing like it anywhere.


Want A Totally Different Car Buying Experience? Visit LEXUS!

Lexus Malaysia
 recently opened the doors to its refurbished flagship
Lexus
 facility in Mutiara Damansara, marking its further elevation beyond being just a premium automotive brand. Guests can now experience the exquisite Lexus luxury lifestyle in a facility that truly elevates all the five senses and more.

Through liberal use of high-tech digital innovation and technology, the new facility is able to create an unparalleled Lexus experience for every guest who visits the new outlet be it for a brand new Lexus automobile, quality after-sales care, a high-quality certified pre-owned vehicle or simply to purchase Lexus Lifestyle merchandise.

In presenting the new Lexus Mutiara Damansara, Ravindran K., President of Lexus Malaysia said that the enhancements to the facilities allowed Lexus Malaysia to redefine its core brand values and to clearly showcase them with a truly exclusive Lexus experience.

“Not by any means is the Lexus brand and its products deemed conventional. Neither then should the retail experience be. By designing innovative ways to excite and change the world, Lexus remains the visionary luxury brand that anticipates the future for people and society,”
 said
Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of Lexus Malaysia
.

Part of the challenge for a luxury lifestyle brand is to remain in step with the customer and at Lexus, this challenge is amply met through its
omotenashi
 mantra by anticipating and fulfilling customers’ needs at every touch point.

Highlights of the new Lexus Mutiara Damansara include:

The Lexus Centre will delight all the senses beginning with the Lexus Signature Scent of
Wild Earth
 greeting visitors.

Seamless and wireless sales and service experience where customers and prospects are able to receive precise, consistent and updated information via the Lexus Touch tablets.

Coffee is of the highest quality and sourced from Cafés Richard, a highly sought-after French brand synonymous with high-end Parisian cafés.

A highly-digitalized experience with surround LCD displays, digital vehicle information consoles, real-time service status and digital reading materials available throughout the building.

A Mark Levinson audio system is installed in an acoustically tuned room for guests to experience the kind of audiophile-quality sounds they can enjoy in select Lexus vehicles.

The flagship outlet boasts a retail space offering an array of well-stocked premium quality Lexus Lifestyle Collection merchandise allowing customers to fully enjoy their lifestyle aspirations.

The new Lexus Centre features a Zen Room where guests can enjoy a few moments of tranquility relaxing to soft music on massage or lounge chairs while their vehicles receive expert care.

The new
Lexus Mutiara Damansara
 facility on
Jalan PJU7/2
 (after IKEA) is open daily showcasing brand-new and pre-owned Lexus models as well as offering quality care for all Lexus vehicles. For more details, visit
Lexus.com.my
.


UMW Toyota Motor expects positive sales trend to continue through second quarter of 2022

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) had a significant jump of 32% in its March sales volume with 8,487 units reported, compared to 6,432 units the month before. The improvement in sales is attributed to promotions during the month which offered value-added benefits worth RM4,000 for popular models such as the Vios and Yaris.

Although conditions were challenging with the floods in Selangor causing some parts suppliers to temporarily stop operations, UMWT’s first quarter cumulative sales volume total of 22,447 units was 31% greater than for the same period in 2021 when 17,151 vehicles were sold.

The positive trend is expected to continue through the second quarter, with a boost expected when new and improved models make their appearance later in the year

Circumventing the global challenges on parts supply shortage, Ravindran K., President of UMW  Toyota Motor, said: “We are constantly reviewing and adapting to the changing circumstances and  uncertainties. Toyota has always been known for our proficiency in supply chain management and  risk mitigation measures. Leveraging on these experiences, we are working closely with our  suppliers and monitoring the developments closely to ensure minimal impact to our production  and our customers.”

“As Malaysia transitions towards the endemic phase, UMW Toyota Motor is appreciative of the  support we have received from our customers throughout these unprecedented times. We remain  committed towards achieving continuous growth for the Toyota brand as well as for the local  automotive industry through our cutting-edge innovative product and solution offerings. As we  transform towards sustainable mobility, Toyota aims to leave no one behind as we continue to be  at the forefront in offering value for money innovations equipped with technological  advancements and state-of-the-art safety features across all our products,” he added.

Promotions for Hari Raya festive season

Until May 1, 2022, UMWT will be running the ‘
Pandu Uji dan Menang Duit Raya
’ contest at showrooms nationwide. During this period, those who test drive any Toyota model could collect ‘duit raya’. Each test drive will entitle the customer to a contest entry to win ‘duit  raya’ worth RM100. Those who take the test drive and complete a vehicle purchase can win RM200  ‘duit raya’. A total of 30 winners will be selected every week.

In addition, all Toyota showrooms will continue their ‘
Bersama Lebih Bermakna
’ celebrations with the Ramadan Weekender on April 16 and 17. Customers can visit the showrooms to find out more about ‘Bulan Puasa’ deals and value-added offers as well as receive exclusive gifts (while stocks last) when they test drive any of the Toyota vehicles available.

New 3S centre in Cyberjaya

Toyota owners in Cyberjaya now have an authorised service centre close to them. Operated by Otomobil Sejahtera Sdn Bhd, the new facility is a 3S centre offering sales, service and spare parts as well as Body and Paint services for repairs or repainting vehicles.

“From the point of purchase, to aftersales service, and on to their next repurchase, it is important that customers feel the Toyota touch at every step. This new 3S service centre is just our way of bringing our brand closer to our customers, wherever they may be, while ensuring they have seamless access to our services whenever they need them,” Mr. Ravindran said.

For more information about Toyota vehicles or to locate an authorised dealership in Malaysia, visit
www.toyota.com.my
.

2022 Toyota Camry 2.5V – more than just a mid-cycle refresh with a brand new engine


MG gears up for launch of new compact SUV that sports ‘Emotional Dynamism’

MG, will be launching its new compact SUV soon, which the automaker says will mark an exciting new era of design for the company. The Chinese owned British automaker is looking to dip its toes into the hotly contested waters of the compact SUV segment with the MG XS.

The new vehicle will join the automaker’s MG3 and MG GS to offer UK customers a home grown alternative to the Japanese and Korean offerings. Sporting an angular look, the new design philosophy is based on what the automaker calls, ‘Emotional Dynamism’.

It has been said the new vehicle has been designed in a way that best expresses the company’s new design language that emphasizes the premium nature of the XS. Though not groundbreaking, the the curved lines and creases of the frontend do give the vehicle an interesting look.

The new face features an enlarged grill design that was inspired by the automaker’s older vehicles but modernized to have a more contemporary look. MG says that the larger grille is able to accommodate a bigger badge, which, for vanity purposes, helps show off the brand’s heritage that can be traced to the early days of the automobile.

Carl Gotham, Design Director of SAIC European Design Centre, said, “It’s a really exciting time for MG as it starts to roll out its new brand identity. Emotional Dynamism brings to the fore a premium feel to the new Compact-SUV with exceptional attention to detail throughout, such as the distinctive detailing on the ‘eye’ headlights and signature tail lights.”

“It has a level of detailing and range of impressive features you would not expect to find on a car of this size or price,” he later added.

MG is expected to divulge more details regarding the brand’s new design direction closer to the launch date of the new vehicle. The automaker has stated that it is confident that latest addition will be able to bolster its sales figures that are already up by nearly 83% year-on-year.

The British automaker can trace its roots back to 1924 and has produced some of the most stunning vehicles from the golden area of the automobile. Stay tuned and we will let you know more when further details are released regarding the MG’s design direction.


Ford elects Jim Hackett as new president and CEO

There has been a major shake up at Ford Motor Company. Rumours of President and CEO of the Blue Oval, Mark Fields, being fired was rife these past few days. Many speculated that Ford’s global performance shortcomings played a part in him being axed from his post.

Ford however, released a press release stating that Mark Fields, after a 28-year career at the company has elected to retire and vacate his position as the top man of the American based automaker, which will be filled by his successor, Jim Hackett.

Hackett, 62 was the former CEO of Steelcase, Interim Athletic Director at the University of Michigan and until June 1st, executive chairman of Ford Smart Mobility LLC. Reporting directly to Executive Chairman Bill Ford, he will lead the automaker’s worldwide operations and 202,000 workforce for the foreseeable future.

“We’re moving from a position of strength to transform Ford for the future. Jim Hackett is the right CEO to lead Ford during this transformative period for the auto industry and the broader mobility space. He’s a true visionary who brings a unique, human-centered leadership approach to our culture, products and services that will unlock the potential of our people and our business,” Bill Ford said.

Hackett and Bill will place a lot of emphasis on three priorities at the company, which are sharpening operational execution across the global business, modernising Ford’s global business and transforming the company to meet future challenges.

Speaking of the contribution of Mark Fields, Bill said, “Mark Fields has been an outstanding leader and deserves a lot of credit for all he has accomplished in his many roles around the globe at Ford,” Bill Ford said. “His strong leadership was critical to our North American restructuring, our turnaround at the end of the last decade, and our record profits in the past two years.”

Other shake ups at the company include Jim Farley being appointed as executive vice president and president of Global Markets, Joe Hinrichs as executive vice president and president of Global Operations, Marcy Klevorn as executive vice president and president of Mobility, Mark Truby as vice president of Communications and Paul Ballew as Global Chief Data and Analytics Officer.

These new appointments will be made effective on 1st June 2017 and with these major changes Ford hopes to strengthen its position as a key player in the global automotive market.


The Grand Tour searches for The American’s replacement

Since the departure of the American, the trio of Clarkson, Hammond and May from The Grand Tour have had to scout around for a replacement. A series of short clips have been released on the show’s
Youtube channel
, depicting the ‘rigorous vetting’ process that drivers are put through to determine what they are made of.

Meant to be taken as a jovial introduction to the second season, which will air in early December, Clarkson and Hammond, each are given a say in the process. They decide to allow their respective candidate to demonstrate his/her capabilities. Surprisingly enough, Clarkson’s pick is none other than former F1 driver, Mark Webber.

Webber is given the opportunity to take a Porsche and Mercedes-Benz around The Grand Tour test track. Things go as planned in the Porsche but the clip takes a bizzare twist once the Australian-born F1 driver gets his hands on the Merc. We won’t ruin it for you, check out the video for the fully story.

Hammond’s pick is an actual stunt driver, and an experienced one for that matter. The youngest of the trio is adamant that moving forward, someone with a background in stunt driving would be better suited for the role on the show rather than a regular racing driver.

Check out all three videos and let us know your thoughts on the subject and who you suspect could be The American’s replacement in the upcoming season.


Naza contributes Kia Cerato to ILKBS in preparation for WSC 2019

The good folks from the Naza Group has generously contributed one unit of their very popular Kia Cerato to the Skills Training Institute of Youth and Sports (ILKBS) in support of Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) and Malaysian contestant, Mohamad Ridzuan.

Why? The young and very talented Mohamad Ridzuan will be taking part at the WorldSkills Competition 2019 (WSC 2019) in the Car Painting category. And what better way to prepare and get used to the competition than a Kia Cerato as his blank canvas to practise and sharpen his art skills ahead of the competition.

According to SM Nasaruddin SM Nasimuddin, Group Executive Chairman & Group CEO, Naza Corporation Holdings, “The Naza Group is a progressive company promoting sustainable development and growth and part of our core values is providing a platform for youths to achieve their dreams. With that, we are pleased to be a part of IKLBS’ preparation for the WSC 2019. We wish Mohamad Ridzuan the best of luck for the competition and we are proud of him for representing our country on the international stage.”

The Kia Cerato will be used for Mohamad Ridzuan’s training and preparation for the WSC 2019 held at Kazan, Russia from 16th to 27th August 2019. 60 countries, also members of WorldSkills International (WSI) will be competing at the WSC this year.

WSC was introduced with the aim to sharpen the skills of youths in various industries and inspire them to achieve new heights to turn their passion into profession. We here at Piston.My would like to wish all the best to Mohamad Ridzuan. Make Malaysia proud!

KiaSafe prevents thieves from hacking into your keyless entry system


DRB-HICOM Commercial Vehicles Launches The Tata Super Ace & Ultra Range Of Commercial Vehicles In Malaysia

Tata Motors
, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, along with its authorized distributor DRB-HICOM Commercial Vehicles Sdn. Bhd. (DHCV), recently launched the Tata Super Ace and the Ultra range of commercial vehicles in Malaysia. These vehicles have been designed for the modern commercial vehicle customer, with superior performance, world-class cabins, high load carrying capacity and flexible body-load configurations.

Tata Super Ace –
The Tata Super Ace is a 1 ton mini-truck from Tata Motors, for inter-city and intra-city transportation solutions. Optimally powered by a 1405 cc diesel engine, combined with a new body design and cutting edge technology, the Tata Super Ace will offer customers with an opportunity to start their dream business with a very small investment. The Tata Super Ace is based on the popular Tata Ace mini-truck from Tata Motors. Having sold over a million units since it was first launched in 2005, the Tata Ace has been a revolutionary product and is a result of Tata Motors deep understanding of the market and consumer.

The Tata Ace has been a preferred choice for last-mile transportation with a footprint spanning 28 countries across South Asia, Africa and the ASEAN. The Tata Super Ace can be customized for various small scale business operations, for the transportation of construction items, food grains, fruits, FMCG and white goods or could be configured to be a food truck, an ice-cream truck or a mobile store on wheels.

Tata Ultra range of commercial vehicles –
Based on a combination of world-class performance parameters, with enhanced levels of durability and reliability of the Ultra platform, this range will enable Tata Motors to set new benchmarks in the Intermediate commercial vehicles space in Malaysia. A combination of driver comfort, high load carrying-capacity and safety, along with best life-cycle cost, makes this new offering from Tata Motors, versatile for various applications.

The Ultra 814
 offers enhanced levels of durability and reliability on the Ultra platform.  It is powered by new generation NG 3.0 Lt CRDI engine coupled with next generation transmission. Available in 4.5T Payload with highest body option of 5.5M, Tata Ultra provides customers complete flexibility, for varying business requirements. All these together make the Ultra 814 a reliable asset and the most efficient solution for optimum business profitability. The
Ultra 1014
 offers faster turnaround time and enhanced profitability for any goods carrying business, making it an ideal work-horse for movement of materials across distances.

The driveline of the Ultra 1014, has the latest NG 3.0Lt engine with an output of 140 HP, a new-generation transmission with aluminum casing – the 6 Speed – G-550 overdrive gear box, with cable-shift mechanism and axle technology, with reduced weight, ensures superior performance and greater fuel efficiency for varied payloads. The longer wheelbase of 4530 mm makes Tata Ultra the perfect Business Utility Vehicle, suitable for varying business applications such as FMCG, white goods etc.

Speaking at the event, DRB-HICOM’s Dato’ Abdul Harith Abdullah, Chief Operating Officer, Automotive Distribution, Defence and Manufacturing & Engineering said,
 the launch was a key milestone for the Group in getting a foothold of the growing CV market in Malaysia.

“With these new products unveiled today, which are competitively priced with superior features, we are confident it will gain traction amongst our target users in the near term. DHCV’s deep expertise in the area of importing, assembling and distributing foreign marques in Malaysia is well established since 1979.

Our local knowledge coupled with a robust dealer network across the country has been crucial to our success thus far. With our partner Tata Motors, we are confident about making a significant impact in the selected commercial vehicle categories and thus grabbing market share incrementally in what is a very competitive niche market. The economy is poised to grow this year which bodes well for our joint venture with Tata Motors.”

Harith added that they are very confident about the market acceptance of the new Ultra variants and specifically, Tata Super Ace which is expected to be popular with small business owners across Malaysia.

Commenting on the launch of the three new commercial vehicles, Mr. Rudrarup Maitra, Head – Commercial Vehicles, International Business, Tata Motors, said,

“Malaysia is one of our key markets in South-East Asia and we are delighted to be a part of one of the fastest growing ASEAN nations. An integral part of our presence here is DRB-HICOM, a partner that has showcased tremendous enthusiasm and passion over the years. With this partnership we can truly establish a long-term relationship with our customers in Malaysia.  It gives us immense pleasure to chart out our growth story and expand our portfolio in this market. We are delighted to bring the three new commercial vehicles to Malaysia today.”

DHCV and Tata Motors say they will continue to explore new potentials, customer’s preference and conduct researches for new product variants to sustain their growth and expansion for the medium to long term.

Customers in Malaysia are currently served by a network of 24 outlets located at strategic locations and in major townships, nationwide. DHCV aims to expand this reach in tandem with sales growth and market.

For the full price list of the new Tata commercial vehicles, click here:
Price List – New Models


Geely Holding and Volvo Cars to form joint-venture company producing powertrains

Geely Holding (or more correctly, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group in full) has been building up its portfolio of brands over the past two decades. While allowing the brands – which include Lotus, Volvo, Polestar and Proton – to operate autonomously, there has also been a strong effort to fully utilise the available synergies that such a large group of companies enables. Sharing resources can give a competitive edge in the business and Geely Holding has therefore not just developed the car companies but also looked at how it can create its own ecosystem for other elements.

One important area is powertrains and while each of the companies has had its own R&D in this area, a ‘centralised’ powertrain company would be beneficial to the group. To establish this, Geely Holding has announced a joint-venture with Volvo Cars to create Aurobay, a new company that will be in the powertrain business. The new company will be a global supplier of complete powertrain solutions including next-generation combustion engines, transmissions and hybrid solutions.

Aurobray will get Volvo’s engine facilities

Aurobay will initially be jointly owned by Volvo Cars and Geely Holding and as part of the creation of Aurobay, Volvo Cars will transfer all assets in its wholly-owned subsidiary Powertrain Engineering Sweden, including its engine plant in Sweden as well as the related R&D team, along with its engine plant in China and other relevant assets to the joint-venture in coming months.

The creation of the stand-alone joint venture and the transfer of assets allows Volvo Cars to focus fully on the development of its new range of all-electric models in coming years. The company aims to have 50% of its global sales volume made up of fully electric vehicles by 2025, of which 50% will be hybrids using powertrains supplied by Aurobay. By 2030, it will no longer sell vehicles with combustion ends and offer only fully electric models.

For Geely Holding, the new entity will benefit from the addition of a strong R&D team and technologically advanced and efficient combustion engines and hybrid powertrains for its portfolio of brands, creating a strong base for substantial operational, industrial and financial synergies.

Supply to other companies outside Geely Group

The new business also has plans to supply customers outside of the Geely Holding Group, with the objective of becoming a leading player in the supply of high-quality, low emission, cost-efficient powertrains solutions. The supply of engines to other companies isn’t something unusual and larger carmakers have been doing so for a long time. For example, Proton used to source engines for the Waja and Savvy from Renault.

Besides making and supplying powertrains to Geely Holding Group companies, Aurobray will also supply them to other companies.

Besides the new powertrain business, Geely Holding and Volvo Cars have other plans for collaboration. These include sharing of electric vehicle architecture, joint procurement, autonomous drive technologies and aftersales.

“As shareholders and portfolio-managers of both wholly-owned and listed companies, Geely Holding sees significant benefits from deeper partnerships and alliances whilst maintaining independence,” said Li Shufu, Chairman of Geely Holding. “We are encouraged by the potential synergies and growth opportunities created by this collaboration, which will create two even stronger globally competitive companies in the rapidly changing world of automotive technology and new mobility services.”

Volvo Car Group aims to have assured battery supply with gigafactory joint venture


PROTON – MSF Merdeka Race Carnival 2022 Is On At The Sepang International Circuit This Weekend

With the pandemic behind us and life almost normal (still have to observe some SOPs like wearing masks in crowded places), many public activities can take place again. And with National Day coming up, a number of companies and organisations are having special activities for Malaysians to celebrate in a big way.

One of them is our Malaysian carmaker, Proton, which has partnered with Malaysia Speed Festival (MSF) to run the PROTON – MSF Merdeka Race Carnival 2022 this weekend at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC). MSF is a national-level racing series which started in 2010 and offers affordable blue-collar motor racing which has helped develop as well as the grassroots-level racing in the country.

While this weekend’s carnival will appeal to motorsports fans in particular, there are also activities for all the family at SIC. The company will also have a special promotion for current Proton models, genuine spare parts and financing packages and merchandise.

Additionally, technicians will be on hand to inspect Proton vehicles to ensure that everything is in tip-top condition. For those who are thinking of trading-in their current vehicle for a new Proton, there’s also free evaluation of used cars.

Visitors can also learn more about Proton’s technologies in its various vehicles and pick up tips for tips for car maintenance and driving safety. There will also be demonstration runs of how Proton’s Advanced Driver Assist Systems actively help the driver avoid accidents and how the Auto Park Assist feature in the X50 works.

Find out about the X50’s technologies and safety systems.

Various Proton car clubs have been invited to gather at the event, with a mix of several clubs, while tomorrow will see at least original Proton Saga club members gathering in support of the MSF Saga Cup Merdeka Enduro race in the evening.

Owners of unique and interesting modified cars will also be displaying their specially crafted pride and joy in an event supported by Retro Havoc, Motor Maniac, and Biadap. Proton’s R3 performance division will also display its successful Preve and Satria Neo racing cars that pay homage to the brand’s success at the Sepang S1k races.

For the little ones who cannot go on test-drives or participate in certain activities, there’s still lots to keep them occupied and happy. Besides an inflatable Water Park and Bouncy Castle, they can have fun Hot Wheels, Giant Jenga and be entertained by a clown.

Besides racing simulators, adults can test (and show off to their friends and family) their skills in a challenging autocross course. Using a Proton model, they need to complete the course in the shortest time without any penalties and the top 3 fastest times today and tomorrow will win MSF & R3 merchandise. Those who are fans on Proton’s Facebook and Instagram pages will get privileged access.

If you’ve never experienced driving around the SIC, which has hosted Formula 1 races, Proton offers a sight-seeing lap for those who place a booking for a new Proton vehicle during this event or purchase a minimum RM200 of R3 merchandise. If the purchase is RM300 or more, an exciting experience of a ride in a Proton R3 racing cars with one of the skilled drivers is also offered.

Incidentally, there will be special appearances by veteran racers Karamjit Singh, Farique Hairuman, James Veerapen and Leona Chin who will be happy to talk about their experiences with fans.

Malaysian rally legend Karamjit Singh will be at the event to meet fans.

Besides stunt driving shows, MSF stunt driver Faidzal Alang will attempt to set a record at the SIC by driving around the full 5.52-km circuit on 2 wheels. This attempt will take place tonight and be observed by officials from the Malaysia Book of Records.

There will, of course, be racing activities as well today and tomorrow. The MSF Merdeka Race runs a series of 1.5-hour endurance races in a special round of the Malaysia Speed Festival Racing Series that takes place annually during Merdeka weekend. Over 150 cars take part in this race which sees various racing cars from original classic Saga to World Touring Car Series cars taking part.

There will also be a club-level Superbike racing series which sees budding clubman racers duel each other around the track at speeds of up to 280 km/h. Also in the programme is a Megalap Time Attack.

Finally, in conjunction with 65th National Day, 65 units of various Proton models will travel in  convoy around the circuit.

Admission is free to the SIC Main Paddock but before going, you need to fill up a form to gain entry. To download the form,
click here
.

Have fun at the PROTON – MSF Merdeka Race Carnival 2022!


Lexus LC 500 Convertible has global debut at 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show

With positive response to the concept model of a convertible version of the Lexus LC 500 shown at the North American International Auto Show in January this year, Lexus decided to go ahead and make a production version. 10 months later, the new LC 500 Convertible has its global debut at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show. Sales will commence in selected markets from mid-2020.

Unveiled in stunning Morphic Blue – to be produced as a 300-unit limited-edition from launch – the LC 500 convertible artfully harnesses the coupe’s sleek contours and sleek proportions while further leveraging the LC design. Incidentally, this is only the third production convertible in the 30-year history of the brand.

The compact roof design allows the bootlid of the convertible to be lifted and widened to further emphasise the low and broad stance, while retaining the coupe’s flowing roofline and strong aerodynamic performance.

High-quality fabric roof design

Excellent packaging ensures the LC 500 convertible body is just 10 mm longer (4.76 metres) and 5 mm taller than the coupe, with a retained 4-seat capacity and near-identical luggage space. Carefully selected roof fabric ensures optimal tension and no wrinkling, without the supporting frame visible through the fabric.

The roof design is enhanced by Lexus’ signature attention to detail, confirming excellent thermal properties, superb refinement and effortless retraction in just 15 seconds while travelling at up to 50 km/h. The automatic folding mechanism stores the roof under an integrated tonneau cover when lowered, melding elegantly with the LC’s beltline that kicks up at the end of the doors to provide a tight and clean wrap-around appearance.

The beautifully crafted and indulgently specified interior is enhanced by exclusive door handles and ‘L’ embossed headrests with neck heaters inside the LC 500 convertible – supporting the leading comfort and luxury that is the Lexus DNA.

Focus on aerodynamics and quietness

A focus on aerodynamics around the beltline and rear mold design creates a space to feel the excitement of open-air driving without hindering conversation in the car. In combination with a transparent polycarbonate wind deflector, wind flow inside the car is suppressed and impressive quietness achieved, it is claimed. Likewise, the audio system can adapt its performance to deliver the best sound quality depending on whether the roof is open or closed.

In colder climates, the Lexus Climate Concierge will maintain a comfortable environment within the seating area, taking into consideration whether the top is up or down. The appropriate adjustments will be made to the air conditioning, seat heaters, neck heaters and even steering wheel heater.

Active Noise Control (ANC), combined with sound insulation and absorption techniques, supresses unwanted noises and unpleasant frequencies while emphasising the soundtrack of the 477 ps/540 Nm Lexus 5-litre V8 petrol engine (with a DirectShift-10 automatic transmission). A sound generator transmits sensual engine intake sound through the dash panel, while an exhaust valve further enhances the sound of the high output.

With the fabric roof and open top, additional safety provisions must be incorporated to protect the occupants in the event of a roll-over. Besides the strong structure around the windscreen and taller side airbags, there are also struts which will extend if the car turns upside down.

Rigidity level equal to coupe

A newly designed body structure also achieves a rigidity level equal to the coupe. For maximum strength and reduced weight, the front bow structure of the roof frame is produced in magnesium alloy. A strategically placed and shaped rear suspension tower brace is composed of lightweight die-cast aluminium to minimise added weight, and a Performance Damper is adopted for high-quality ride comfort.

Exploiting the advantages of the GA-L front-and-rear multi-link rear-wheel drive platform, the LC 500 convertible features new Active Cornering Assist and active roll-bar technologies to further enhance the driving experience. A 52:48 weight distribution also shifts slightly rearward compared with the coupe.

Topless Lexus LC confirmed for production this year


Perodua and Naza Group contribute to ‘war effort’ against COVID-19

Perodua recently provided additional support for the ongoing efforts of the staff at the Sungai Buloh Hospital which has been designated a major medical facility to handle COVID-19 cases. The carmaker sent 150 mattresses, 200 pillows and 250 pairs of rubber shoes to the hospital for use in its war against the coronavirus pandemic.

Paying tribute to the frontliners who have been working non-stop to save lives, the carmaker said on its Facebook page: “As a caring, People-First company, we’re committed to supporting our national heroes and heroines. You guys are amazing!”.

The mattresses and pillows contributed by Perodua. Such items are much needed by the hospital with the number of cases.

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, Perodua has often provided support to hospitals. Last year, it provided the
pediatric ward at the Selayang Hospital
 with medical equipment which included pulse oximeters (oxygen measurement devices) and portable screens.

RM1.25 million from Naza Group

Meanwhile, the Naza Group of Companies has donated RM1.25 million to the government’s COVID-19 fund. The cheque was presented to the Prime Minister by SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, Group Executive Chairman & CEO, Naza Corporation Holdings.

Encik SM Nasarudin commended the government on the initiatives it has currently undertaken.  “We hope the contribution by Naza Group will help alleviate the plight of those financially impacted by job disruptions and loss of earnings resulting from this global pandemic. We are all thankful for the selfless commitment shown by our medical practitioners, the police and armed forces and other frontliners in helping to manage this situation and keep us safe,” he said.

“Apart from this monetary contribution, Naza Group will actively look at ways we can leverage through our businesses to assist the Ministry of Health in managing this unprecedented crisis. As Malaysians we must come together during this critical period to overcome the adversities that lie ahead,” he added.


BMW Group Malaysia Enhances Premium Ownership Experience

Apart from the quality and image of the product, owners of premium models also expect their experience to be equally premium… especially considering that they pay a lot for their vehicle. The premium brands spare no effort to ensure that the ownership experience is a premium one and in the case of BMW Group Malaysia, there are also initiatives to go further.

To enhance the ownership experience for those ith older models, BMW and MINI authorised dealers throughout Malaysia are now having a Value Service Campaign which comprises a series of service and repair packages. These packages, which include BMW and MINI Genuine Parts & Accessories are offered at attractive all-inclusive prices.

Introducing the Value Service Campaign, Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia said: “BMW Group Malaysia continuously strives to develop programmes that enhance the Premium Ownership Experience for our loyal customers. Our new Value Service Offer exemplifies our commitment in providing excellent aftersales services to our loyal customers and supporting them on their BMW or MINI ownership journey – ensuring that the promise of Sheer Driving Pleasure remains true, regardless of how old their beloved vehicle may be.”

He added that with these packages, BMW and MINI owners have a special opportunity to maintain their premium vehicles at the highest level with genuine parts and accessories, as well as limited-time complimentary engine oil and reductions on service fees.

Each package comprises of a specific set of BMW and MINI Genuine Parts & Accessories, including brake pads and brake disc, batteries, wipers, V-belt, belt tensioner, tyres, as well as engine and transmission mountings.

The new campaign is, however, exclusive only to certain BMW and MINI models that are 5 years old or older. The BMW models are the 3-Series (F30 and F90), 5-Series (F10 and E60), 7-Series (F02 and E66), X1 (F48 and E84), X3 (F25 and E83), and X5 (F15, E53 and E70), For MINI, the models are the Clubman (F54 and R55), Countryman (R60), and Cooper S (F55, F56 and R56).

From now
until May 31, 2023,
 owners of the selected models will also get a complimentary engine oil service and 30% reduction in labour charges with every purchase of one of the four packages offered in the campaign.

In the second phase – from June 1 to December 31, 2023 – owners will be able to enjoy exclusive reductions of up to 20% on all BMW and MINI Genuine Parts & Accessories that are offered under the four packages, along with the 30% reduction in labour charges.

Sime Darby Auto Selection Offers Extended Warranty With BMW PHEVs


PLUS reduces traffic congestion by 48.2% by stopping reload services at toll plazas

If motorists are responsible and considerate, they would ensure that their tollcards have sufficient value before they travel on highways where toll is collected. With so many places, especially petrol stations, where the Touch’nGo cards can be reloaded, there is no excuse for not doing so. However,  PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) has found that many have insufficient balance in their tollcards, resulting in them having to reload at the toll plazas and causing traffic congestion at the exit lanes of the toll plazas.

To reduce traffic congestion on all outbound lanes in the Central Region toll plazas, PLUS made the decision to close the Reload Counters since August 1, 2019. This move, over the past 2 months, has seen a significant reduction of up to 48.2% in the number of low-traffic or inadequate balance customers trying to reload at the exit lanes at toll plazas in the Central Region which are located along routes between Seremban and Ipoh Selatan.

5% of motorists waste the time of 95%

On August 1, 2019, the first day, 5% of vehicles had insufficient balance for their tollcards. Although 5% is small, it involves 42,500 vehicles that queue up to reload, creating unnecessary congestion and  wasting the time of 95% of other travellers on the highways.

The move to cease offering reload services at the toll plazas is also aimed at ensuring the safety of PLUS personnel as accidents involving heavy vehicles have occurred at toll booths in recent times.

“PLUS would like to thank the customers who have contributed to the 48.2% reduction in congestion at toll plazas in the Central Region by increasing their Touch’nGo card value. PLUS also appreciates the efforts of all Touch’nGo counters and service providers and counters and machines to ensure that Touch’nGo card or value-added kiosks are operating at all times to facilitate transactions,” the company’s statement said.

It added that this progressive initiative is also made possible with the strong support of the Malaysian Highway Authority, the regulator whose main aim is to ensure the safety and comfort of every Malaysian highway-user.

No more reload services in other regions soon

PLUS will continue to cease reload services at its toll plazas in the Southern and Northern Toll Plaza exit lanes soon.

Reload services are available at more than 10,000 locations nationwide such as ATMs, petrol stations, convenience stores, R&R areas and shopping malls.


Head For the Mountains On Next Ford Ranger Getaways Event

The Ford Ranger has a go-anywhere capability while also being just as practical for daily transport around the city. Owners of the popular
 ‘
Built Ford Tough
’
 pick-up truck have been able to create their own adventures and explore many areas of our country with their friends and family.

This May, the
Ford Ranger Getaways
 organised by SDAC-Ford have the mountains as destinations for weekend adventures. There are two events to choose from – A Trip Through Nature at Gunung Jerai on May 6, and Chase the Sunrise in Cameron Highlands on May 27/28. The latter event will be the first overnight trip in this year’s Ford Ranger Getaways series.

Both getaways are customised group trips to offer a fresh and engaging way of exploring the natural beauty of Malaysia’s Banjaran Titiwangsa (Titiwangsa Mountain Range). Besides enjoying a pleasant retreat and discovering the beauty of  natural landscapes, the excursions are also great opportunities to meet and build bonds with fellow Ranger owners and their families.

“Over the years, the Ranger has evolved into a modern lifestyle vehicle that customers are choosing not just for work, but also family and play. As the first and only in-segment adventure-based platform of its kind on e-commerce, created exclusively for the Malaysian market, Ford Ranger Getaways aims to offer immersive experiences through which customers can discover the versatility of the Ranger Life with like-minded individuals or unlock the potential of their Rangers,” said Turse Zuhair, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion-Ford.

During the journeys, the vehicle owners will have an opportunity to use features like Hill Descent Control as they drive through 4×4 challenges at Bukit Kuang. A professional driving instructor will be present to offer guidance and tips on off-road driving.

Picture yourself on a tropical adventure in the Great Barrier Reef, or an exquisite culinary experience in Italy, or a historical tour in Egypt. Come explore the world! Join the Monthly Travel Bonanza 2023! Spend a minimum of RM30 at participating BHPetrol stations and stand a chance to win great prizes every month! Exclusive for BHPetrol eCard app members only.

Both getaways allow for up to 4 persons per vehicle with package prices starting from RM456.02 per person and there’s also a Family Package for RM1,716.49 (4 adults) for the Gunung Jerai trip. The Cameron Highlands event starts from RM1,047.77 per person.

All prices are inclusive of insurance for travellers up to 80 years old, so you can bring along your grandparents) and children aged 16 and below can travel for free.

Ford Ranger owners have always enjoyed exploring the country, especially during the memorable Lanun Darat events organised by Ford Malaysia 20 years ago. Today. SDAC-Ford offers the Ford Ranger Getaways with a wider range of activities and destinations for all the family to enjoy.

The Ranger Getaways are open to owners of all generations of the Ranger. Those who own the latest Ranger generation launched last year can enjoy a 30% on one event as one of their Inner Circle privileges.

Since being introduced early last year, the Ford Ranger Getaways have seen maximum attendance at every event, so book early if you wish to join. Information and booking can be found at
shop.sdacford.com.my/getaway
s
.

Seven Great Things about the Next-Generation Ford Ranger


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

After not being run for 3 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) 2022 returned this month. The tough event held in the northeastern part of Thailand and in Cambodia saw Team Mitsubishi Ralliart taking overall first place after 6 days of competition over 1,200 kms.

The event saw the participation of a total of 56 machines – 21 in the motorcycle category, 2 in the sidecar category, 32 in the car category, and 1 in the truck. Legs 1 to 3 were run over courses in the area around Buriram, while Leg 4 brought the participant to the border between Thailand and Cambodian. For Leg 5, the participants crossed into Cambodia to race to finish line near the World Heritage site of Angkor Wat.

The first half of the rally consisted mainly of high-speed stages on rough, dry unpaved roads, while the second half was more challenging with large, deep puddles scattered on muddy roads caused by heavy rain, and a tougher course compared to the earlier stages.

Due to one of the Team Mitsubishi Ralliart drivers (Sakchai Hantrakul) being infected with COVID-19 and having to retire right away, the team had to continue the rally with two Tritons driven by Chayapon Yotha and Rifat Sungkar. Even from the early stages, the Triton of Chayapon was already taking the lead.

Despite suffering from a flat tyre in SS2 on the second day of the competition, Rifat Sungkar had steadily moved up from 8th to 4th overall position, prioritized focusing on a solid finish to the final day rather than aiming for the fastest time.

The final stage was the most demanding as it had rough dirt roads with large holes and deep ruts, and muddy roads that were difficult to escape from if stuck. Some drivers were unable to extract their vehicles fast enough and failed to finish within the 2-hour time limit.

Click here
 to watch videos of the event by Team Mitsubishi Ralliart.

With his comfortable lead, Chayapon drove his Triton calmly and made sure that there were no mistakes or damage. With a total time of 8:22:42, he took overall victory in the Asia Cross Country Rally 2022 which was his first attempt. Rifat Sungkar finished in fifth position, 17 minutes and 14 seconds behind the winner.

Throughout the event, the drivers had the guidance of off-road veteran, Hiroshi Masuoka, who was the director of Team Mitsubishi Ralliart. He had been participating in the Dakar Rally since 1987 and won it in 2002 and 2003 with the Mitsubishi Ralliart team.

“For this year’s AXCR, we built on the high reliability and durability of the Triton by tuning the engine and chassis, and entered the rally with specifications relatively close to the production vehicle. Even so, the two Tritons delivered powerful driving, and I am very proud of our high finish,” said Masuoka.

He commended the drivers and team for their efforts, and also appreciated the extensive know-how which Mitsubishi Motors has accumulated over the years. “We would like to feed the knowledge we gained through our participation in the AXCR back into the development of production vehicles, and build Mitsubishi vehicles that are even tougher, more powerful, and more reliable,” he said.

TOP 5 FINISHERS
1st – Chayapon Yotha (Mitsubishi Triton) 8:22:42
2nd – Jaras Jaengkamolkulchai (Toyota Hilux Revo) 8:28:29
3rd – Ikuo Hanawa (Toyota Fortuner) 8:28:34
4th – Takuma Aoki (Toyota Fortuner) 8:38:26
5th – Rifat Sungkar (Mitsubishi Triton) 8:39:56

Visit
www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my
 to know more about the Mitsubishi Triton and where you can test one in Malaysia.

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has sold 100,000 Tritons in Malaysia


Future-Gen Electric Myvi In The Making?

National automaker Perodua has provided a glimpse of how its all-electric path might develop in the future by showcasing that vision through its Electric Motion Online (EMO) concept.

The EMO, an electric hatchback visualisation that made its premiere at the Malaysia Autoshow today, isn’t a full-sized study as you might assume; instead, it’s a 1:6 scale model that offers an exterior design perspective exploring an electrified future.

The sleek charger component that was put alongside the study serves as a clear indication that the EMO is, as its name implies, electric. Although there was no accompanying information, the EMO game simulator in a booth next to the display provided some details.

It states that the B-segment vehicle has dimensions of 3,895 mm in length, 1,735 mm in width, 1,515 mm in height, and 2,500 mm in wheelbase, which exactly match those of the existing Myvi. The electric vehicle’s performance statistics include a ten-second 0–100 km/h time and a 160 km/h top speed with 95 PS and 121 Nm. A 50 kWh battery gives the concept an operational range of 300–350 km, and it is claimed that it only takes 20 minutes to charge the battery to 80% SoC using DC charging at up to 300 kW.

The five-door hatch’s design, which is consistent with the automaker’s standard fare, is extremely angular with short overhangs, but you’ve certainly seen some features like the quirky grille and overall lines elsewhere before. There were no views of the interior as this is a clay model but we could be very much looking at a futuristic
Myvi
 here.

Other information such as partnerships with other automakers and price estimations we not disclosed. Although, it is predicted to be ready for production by 2025. But that was just a rough figure shown to us by Perodua.


When Volvo drove a car off a building for a crash test (w/VIDEO)

Volvo Cars recently conducted its most extreme crash test ever, and it was not within the advanced Safety Centre but outdoors – with cars dropped from a crane! Ten Volvos, of different models, were dropped several times from a height of 30 metres.

Before the drop, Volvo Cars safety engineers made exact calculations about how much pressure and force each car needed to be exposed to, in order to reach the desired level of damage.

Simulating extreme accidents

The purpose: to help rescue services to prepare for any possible crash scenario and to simulate the forces that erupt in the most extreme crashes, beyond what can be simulated with ordinary crash testing.

This unusual approach helped create enough damage to adequately simulate the damage found in the most extreme crash scenarios. All findings from the crashes and the resulting extrication work will be collected in an extensive research report. This report will be made available free of use to rescue workers elsewhere, allowing them to benefit from the findings and further develop their life-saving procedures and capabilities

Similar extreme test in 1985

The crash test conducted recently was not really Volvo’s first extreme test: 35 years ago, its American subsidiary had a then-new 760 driven off a building and it fell 14 metres, hitting the ground nose-first. The impact was equivalent to a frontal collision at 50 km/h, the front end crumpling as it was ‘programmed’ to do so in order that the impact energy could be absorbed.

Back then, there was no GoPro and no drones for recording and conventional video equipment was used. Nevertheless, the resulting video – which was like a scene from an action movie – provided scary views from the seats through the windscreen as the ground rushed up.

At that time, the ‘crash’ was done not for helping rescue workers understand what a severely crashed car is like but more for promoting the safety of Volvos, and particularly the crucial value of using seatbelts.

Today’s cars are stronger

In the 1980s, the construction of most cars was fairly conventional with basically steel and plastic materials that could easily be cut. They were as safe as could be during that era, with Volvos being among the best in occupant protection. However, many of today’s cars use stronger materials, with the latest Volvos made of some of the hardest steel found in modern cars. They have more complex structural designs, and the presence of high-voltage electrical systems and battery packs in hybrid models must also be considered.

The XC90 structure has more extensive use of hot-formed boron steel, which is the strongest type of steel presently used in the car body industry.

Volvo therefore continuously crashes its cars, the recent one being an example, in order to get information on how the structure deforms. This will help rescuers who may use hydraulic rescue tools known in the industry as ‘jaws of life’. Extrication specialists often talk about the golden hour: the time-span they need to get injured occupants out and to the hospital for treatment.

Usually, rescue workers get their training vehicles from scrapyards. But these cars are often up to two decades old. And in terms of steel strength, safety cage construction and overall durability, there is a vast difference between modern cars and those built 15 to 20 years ago – like the 760 in the video.

Rescue worker using ‘jaws of life’ to cut body structure if the doors cannot be opened to get the occupants out.

This makes it crucial for rescue workers to constantly update their familiarity with newer car models and review their processes, in order to develop new extrication techniques. In other words, these training sessions can mean the difference between life and death. So at the request of the rescue services, Volvo Cars decided to step things up a notch.

“Normally we only crash cars in the laboratory, but this was the first time we dropped them from a crane,” said Hakan Gustafson, a senior investigator with the Volvo Cars Traffic Accident Research Team. “We knew we would see extreme deformations after the test, and we did this to give the rescue team a real challenge to work with.”

50 years of ‘CSI’ work to make cars safer


All-New Hyundai NEXO & Hyundai Kona Honored With Prestigious Red Dot Award

Hyundai Motor
 has won two of this year’s
Red Dot Design Awards
, one of the most renowned international design and innovation prizes. Hyundai’s Fuel Cell vehicle NEXO and the subcompact SUV Kona (above) were awarded in the Cars and Motorcycles category. The Kona gained recognition for outstanding design and innovation in ‘SUV/Off-road vehicles’ and the Hyundai NEXO showed its excellence in its subcategory.

The prestigious award evaluates the product’s functionality, durability, level of innovation and overall quality under aspects of form and function. The NEXO (above) is Hyundai’s second-generation fuel cell electric vehicle. It is characterized by a pure and calm design emphasizing its streamlined silhouette and by a floating roof.

The All-New Hyundai NEXO shapes the future of driving and is the eye-catching, technological flagship of Hyundai. The first dedicated hydrogen-powered SUV combines the practicality of an SUV with the clean advanced fuel cell know-how offering the most advanced technology on the market with autonomous driving capabilities, smart advanced driver assistance systems and strongest powertrains in the segment.

The Kona broadens Hyundai’s successful SUV line-up. With its sleek, sharp and colorful design it creates a unique proposition in the sub-compact SUV segment. Bold exterior lines, a pleasantly spacious interior and a powerful engine line-up make the innovative subcompact SUV suitable for modern, urban customers.  Design is increasingly the number one reason why customers choose the Hyundai brand.

Receiving this prestigious recognition in the fifth consecutive year reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to producing cars that demonstrate a unique and evolving design language. The 2018 award follows the recognition in 2017 for the Hyundai Azera and an ‘Honorable Mention’ for the i30, the prize-winning IONIQ (above) line-up in 2016 as well as double recognition in 2015 for i20 and Sonata and for i10 and Genesis (below) in 2014.

Drawing on a prominent jury consisting of high profile designers, professors and journalists, the Red Dot Design Award is recognized globally as one of the most sought-after marks for high quality design. The 2018 contest attracted entries from 59 countries, making the Red Dot Award the largest product competition in the world.


Malaysian Man Arrested for Assaulting Woman in Traffic

The man seen in a viral video, believed to have assaulted a female driver near Lata Iskandar, Tapah, has been apprehended by the police.

The video shows him exiting his vehicle and knocking on the window of the female driver’s car, questioning her driving skills. Unsatisfied with her response and the tone of her reply, he proceeded to strike her on the head, instructing her not to raise her voice.

Fortunately, the entire incident was captured on camera by a passenger in the car. The 29-year-old suspect, who worked as a factory supervisor, was arrested in Serdang after a police report was filed by the 24-year-old woman.

Perak Police Chief, Datuk Seri Mohd. Yusri Hassan Basri, stated that the vehicle driven by the male suspect is registered under a woman’s name with an address in Tanjong Karang, Selangor. The efforts to locate and apprehend the suspect were successful.

Further investigation will take place at the Tapah District Police Headquarters (IPD). The case is being investigated under Section 325/506/509 of the Penal Code.

It is crucial to always remain vigilant of our surroundings while driving, including being mindful of erratic drivers and road bullies. It is advisable to ensure that any incidents are recorded to strengthen your case, if necessary.


F1 (Round 12) – 2019 Hungarian Grand Prix Starting Grid

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

♦ Max Verstappen will start from pole position with Valtteri Bottas alongside. It’s the first F1 pole position for the 21-year old Aston Martin Red Bull Racing driver.

♦ The 4.38-km circuit is often referred to as ‘Monaco without walls’ because of the tight and twisting layout. This is not good for the Ferraris as their downforce is not as strong as the leading rivals.

♦ Improved aerodynamics on the Williams cars have helped George Russell perform better. This is especially important on the Hungaroring circuit’s flowing sequences of slow and medium-speed corners and frequent changes of direction. The teams are using the highest levels of downforce seen all year at a purpose-built track to Hungary.

♦ The Ferrari team is concerned about tyres. The circuit layout also places relatively high lateral loads on tyres and that, allied to often high track temperatures, means that rubber is put under some stress. Sebastian Vettel expects it to be a very difficult race today in terms of tyre management and given the characteristics of the car.

♦ This will be the last round before the teams take a summer break. The next race will be in Belgium on September 1.

♦ As the team managers enjoy their holiday break, they will also be thinking about the driver line-up for 2020. Although there are rumours of Verstappen moving to Mercedes-AMG, this is unlikely to happen and the team’s boss will be looking at retaining Bottas or letting current reserve driver Esteban Ocon partner Lewis Hamilton.


2020 Mercedes-AMG A35 previewed to AMG Owners Community Malaysia

Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad (C&C) recently previewed the all-new Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic Sedan to the AMG Owners Community Malaysia while hosting their intimate gathering to celebrate their first-ever anniversary of the club’s existence here in the country.

According to Mr Wilfrid Foo, CEO of C&C, “Your car is often an extension of your personality. As owners of this prestigious brand, your exceptional journey, especially performance enthusiasts such as yourselves, is a priority to us at Cycle & Carriage. With 120 years of experience under our belt, we are looking to the future and embracing digital and technological advancements to raise the benchmark of premium automotive retail and customer experience. The newly renovated C&C Mutiara Damansara Autohaus is a physical manifestation of our efforts in this direction and we are just getting started.”

Members of AOCM were granted first-hand insights of the all-new Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic Sedan which was presented by Guido Brormann, AMG Regional Sales Manager SEA. Mr Foo also added by saying “Cycle & Carriage is happy to offer the community with a clubhouse here at Mutiara Damansara Autohaus that’s befitting the stature and prestige of a modern luxury lifestyle that you as owners of an AMG masterpiece, can be proud of. We do this to set the pace in the luxury retail circuit to enable us to provide you with exceptional ownership journeys for another 120 years and beyond.”

New Mercedes-AMG GT R & GT C launched – From RM1,558,888


Volkswagen reveal its concept vehicle of the future

Volkswagen revealed a pretty interesting concept during the on going Frankfurt Motorshow. It’s called the SEDRIC and is a representation of the automaker’s vision of future mobility. Resembling a futuristic toaster, this urban mobility vehicle is meant to cater to the needs of the modern traveler.

The capsule-like vehicle aims to be the answer to transportation problems of the future. And its fully automated systems will be able to relieve the driver of some of his/her responsibilites or be able to function without one. According to VW, more such concept vehicles are in the pipeline which include sports cars, touring sedans and commercial vehicles.

“Our team is already working on ideas for an entire Sedric family. This will range from fully autonomous vehicles for the city, through luxurious long-distance mobility and spectacular sports cars, self-driving delivery vans and heavy trucks,” commented the Chief Executive Officer of Volkswagen AG, Matthias Müller.

Sporting electrification and digital network tech, VW says that it will promote ‘simple, convenient, sustainable and safe mobility for everybody at the touch of a button’. Users will be able to call upon the vehicle when needed though Volkswagen’s mobility app called OneButton. Working as a digital assistant, it can get occupants from A to B conveniently.

Sedric will make a huge social contribution because thanks to autonomous driving, it can act as a stand alone transportation service for visually-impaired people, members of the older generation, physically-challenged individuals and children. Apart from that, VW has calculated that Sedric could be able to save drivers about 38,000 hours on daily commutes.

This vehicle was developed through cooperation between Future Center Europe in Potsdam and Volkswagen Group Research in Wolfsburg. Sedric is a completely new take on the transportation system by merging the established discipline of vehicle design with that of user experience and feedback.

Volkswagen has also said that Sedric will act as a platform for continuous technological developments that will help the automaker solve issues that are related to environmental protection, demographic change, business and traffic safety. The development of these systems centre around cameras, 360-degree lidar sensors, long and short-distance radar and ultrasound sensors, a hardware and software architecture.

This information will be used for data processing and vehicle control by powerful computers that use intelligent software to drive the vehicle and control its electrification systems. That said, this technology is still in its infancy, and many more man hours of research and testing is needed before VW sees the fruits of its labour.


Ford Ranger Stormtrak Makes Debut In Thailand

Sitting right above the Wildtrak but below the Raptor, the 2023 Ford Ranger Stormtrak  was unveiled at the Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) and it looks magnificent.

With Toyota releasing the
Hilux GR Sport
 a few weeks ago, Ford seems to have joined in on the hype by releasing a Ranger on steroids too. This beast runs on the same powerplant as the Wildtrak – a 2.0-liter bi-turbo diesel engine paired to a 10-speed e-Shifter automatic gearbox which kicks out a maximum power of 210 horsepower and a peak torque of 500 Nm.

It sits on 20-inch wheels featuring a new design that has red highlights which are wrapped and snuggled by 255/55/20 tyres.

The front is pretty much the iconic Ranger look that features a distinctive black grille which houses auxiliary lights. The rear sides have additional black decals to compliment the aggressive look that the Ranger has. This comes with a
flexible rack system
offering a convenient adjustment of the sports bar in five ways with one hand which is pretty convenient if there is only one person to load and unload items stored on the rack.

Besides the exterior, there are a few changes in the interior that is quite eye-catching. Additional red trimmings are beautifully incorporated to compliment the leather seats which also comes with the words “Stormtrak” embroidered in it and is also seen in the leather dash topper which gives it a bold look and makes you feel like a boss when driving it around.

This Stormtrak comes with a 12.4-inch instrument cluster, 12-inch infotainment unit, dual-zone automatic air conditioning system, electric parking brake, and Active Park Assist system which should help owners squeeze this monster into tight parking spaces.

For the time being, the Stormtrak will be available in the Thai market with two different variants which are:

Stormtrak 4×2: THB 1.264 million (RM 165k)
Stormtrak 4×4: THB 1.399 million (RM 183k)


Volkswagen ID.R – new colour, new record attempt

The 680hp all-electric
Volkswagen ID.R
 has stormed through the racing world with all of its might this past year. And every time we see it breaking a world record, we see it in different colours. Now, a special livery in red has been unveiled and the electric beast is ready for another record-breaking attempt.

Its next target? Tianmen Mountain, China. This will be its fifth attempt in setting a new world record for the ascent of Tianmen Shan Big Gate Road, which features more than 99 tight hairpins. Known as the “Heaven’s Gate”, the 10-km road is regarded to be one of the most demanding mountain roads in the world.

The Volkswagen ID.R is no mere racing car, ladies and gentlemen. With several records under its belts (obtained within a few months) like Pikes Peak, Goodwood, and the infamous Nürburgring, the 680hp electric-powered monstrosity is ready for another showdown with a motto, “Race the Future”.

According to Dr. Stephan Wöllenstein, CEO Volkswagen China, “The pioneering ID.R is the ambassador for our fully-electric ID. family, which will be launched in China from 2020. I think we have come up with a spectacular livery for the ID.R for its ‘China Challenge’ in September. The ID.R’s records have allowed us at Volkswagen to demonstrate our passion for e-mobility and its potential in a diverse range of conditions. The ID.R is the ﬁrst member of the ID. family to take to the roads of China.”

Back when it was in the light grey colour scheme (the colour scheme of the ID. family), it broke the record at the
Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 2018
 by a whopping 18 seconds. Just a few weeks later, it descended upon
Goodwood Festival of Speed
 and set a new e-record there. No biggie.

Almost a year after, the Volkswagen ID-R broke cover again. This time, in blue (referencing the brand’s electric cars and the partner, Volkswagen R GmbH). In true spectacular fashion, it broke the lap record for electric cars at the very demanding
Nürburgring-Nordschleife
 by about 40 seconds!

Now, it has been awakened from its slumber and this time, it sees nothing but red. Will this be its greatest record-breaking attempt yet? Stay tuned to
Piston.My
 for more updates.

All-electric Volkswagen ID. R breaks Goodwood Hillclimb record set by McLaren F1 racing car


Abbie Eaton is The Grand Tour’s racing driver

Ladies and gentlemen, our new driver.
#TheGrandTour

pic.twitter.com/R94SQhvOGz
— The Grand Tour (@thegrandtour)
December 15, 2017

After 9 months of searching high and low for a ‘tame racing driver’ to replace the unpopular ‘American’ on Amazon’s The Grand Tour, the team have found a winner in Abbie Eaton. The former trio of BBC’s Top Gear, Clarkson, Hammond and May have broken convention by introducing a female to take the role of the show’s racing driver.

The news was announces on The Grand Tour’s twitter page with a caption “Ladies and gentlemen, our new driver”. Just stopping short of mentioning her name, The Grand Tour hopes that 25-year-old Eaton provides a breathe of fresh air to a segment that hasn’t been particularly entertaining in the first season. Mike Skinner, a former Nascar racer played the role of the American.

His character had an abrasive nature, seeming irritated and obnoxious about having to drive non-american cars around the show’s test track. Meant to portray the character traits of true rednecks, Skinner wasn’t particularly liked by fans and viewers alike. Even his professional racing credentials weren’t enough to convince viewers to overlook his less than funny rants.

Eaton, who has taken part in numerous professional racing competitions, is a British born racing driver who has 28 wins and 38 podium finishes to her name. She was the 2010 Production Touring Class B champion and 2014 Mazda MX-5 supercup champion. A seasoned racer with several big title finishes, Eaton should be more entertaining to watch than The American.


First look inside the ID.4 – Volkswagen’s first all-electric SUV

Volkswagen’s ID family of all-electric vehicles designed from scratch consists of at least seven models, of which two are ready for the market. The first is the ID.3, a hatchback based on the original ID concept shown 4 years ago. Production is underway and order-taking began in July this year, with first deliveries starting in October 2020.

Now attention is being switched to the ID.4, which will be the brand’s first all-electric SUV, to reach the first customers before the end of this year. Like what some other carmakers have been doing, highlights are being revealed prior to the commercial launch (at the end of this month).

Following a description of the aerodynamic exterior, we are now being told about the interior. Having had the opportunity to start from a clean sheet – or perhaps a clean hard disk might be a more appropriate term – the interior designers have been able to provide plenty of space with a purist approach. This has been partly helped by the use of the new MEB platform, developed for electric vehicles.

Traditional SUV elements maintained

While there is much departure from traditional SUVs, some elements are maintained – like the large door openings, commanding all-round view and high seating position. These are what people have been buying SUVs for and would still expect even if the powertrain is entirely different.

The door handles on the ID.4 lie flush with the body and come with electric unlocking. Inside, the cabin area is a generously planned space with the rear seat bench offering as much space as a conventional SUV in the next higher category. There’s also plenty of luggage space and even with the rear seats in use, the available volume is 543 litres.

The front seats are sporty and comfortable, their design and structure bearing the seal of approval by the German Campaign for Healthier Backs. They will come with a number of electrical adjustment options, while their pneumatic lumbar supports have a built-in massage function.

The materials used underline the character of the ‘feel-good’ lounge. There will be versions with seat covers made from animal-free materials. They are constructed of a combination of leatherette and ArtVelours – a microfibre material that consists of around 20% recycled PET bottles.

Ample sense of space

The ID.4’s interior design underlines the ample sense of space. Similar to the exterior design, it appears flowing and lightweight, focussing on the essential. The dash panel seems to be floating, as it is not linked to the centre console, which has been designed as an independent component.

The steering wheel, steering column, the housings of the display and control panels in the doors come in trendy Piano Black or purist Electric White. The bright colour sets a futuristic highlight throughout the vehicle interior and underlines its clear-cut design.

A large, tilting panoramic sunroof made of glass (optional) gives unrestricted view of the sky. As darkness falls, the background lighting can be adjusted within a 30-colour spectrum to set striking highlights in the vehicle interior.

Klaus Zyciora, Head of Volkswagen Group Design, emphasises that the entire display and operating concept has been designed logically and with a straightforward character. “The intuitive operability of the ID.4 brings a new, electric ease to the crossover SUV category,” he explained.

ID.Light

ID.Light is a new feature that will be offered in all ID. models. This is a light strip below the windscreen which supports drivers in a host of situations with intuitive lighting effects in different colours.

For instance, ID.Light will signal to the driver that the vehicle’s drive system is active and that the car has been unlocked or locked. It accentuates information issued by the driver assist and navigation systems and signals braking prompts and incoming phone calls.

In conjunction with the navigation system, ID.Light helps to smoothly guide drivers through traffic. By blinking, it recommends a lane change and can also warn the driver if their ID.4 is in the wrong lane.

For sale in major regions

The ID.4 will be part of the globally booming, compact SUV segment and Volkswagen’s plans call for it to be produced and sold not only in Europe but also in China and later in the USA. For this reason, the Volkswagen brand will be investing 11 billion euros in electric mobility by 2024 as part of the
Transform 2025+
 strategy.

2020 Volkswagen ID.3 makes global debut


Proton gears up for another challenging year with a 32% increase in sales volume targeted

Going into a new year and new decade, Proton is gearing up for a stronger push in 2020 to become No.1 in the Malaysian market and No.3 in ASEAN. Last year’s performance was impressive as the carmaker sold more than 100,000 units again (100,821 units, including exports), a volume not achieved since 2015. By its internal estimates, Proton believes it achieved the strongest sales growth among the top 5 brands in Malaysia in 2019, with overall market share likely to be 16.7%.

In the past, the achievements would have put everyone in a celebratory mood, lulled into complacence again and relaxing. The company is back in a good position so pressure on the accelerator pedal can be eased. But for Dr. Li Chunrong, the company’s CEO, what was achieved in 2019 is now history and backing off is the furthest thing from his mind. He’s not going to allow the company to fall into the trap where everyone starts to become complacent and suddenly, other brands zip past because they didn’t take their foot of the throttle.

For 2020, Dr. Li has given everyone in the Proton family a new set of challenges – sell 32% more vehicles and reach 132,000 units (he thinks a higher number is possible) with more attention on exports as well. The target is 4,000 units for this year but there are challenges in going into other markets where Japanese brands have dominance and volume to price their products competitively. So Dr. Li hopes the government will give Proton help in its export efforts, mainly to make its prices competitive enough which is difficult as the production cost is still high.

Two new products in 2020

The Proton range for 2020 will remain the same and there will be two product launches during the year – the locally-assembled X70 and the smaller X50 later in the year. Assembly of the X70 at the Tg. Malim plant in Perak started late last year and stocks are building up so it shouldn’t be long before Malaysian-made units arrive in showrooms. Rumours are that it will have enhancements which increase its appeal and value for money compared to the ones which have been imported in CBU (completely built-up) form from Geely’s factory in China.

The Geely Binyue will be the basis for the new X50 which will be launched in Malaysia later this year.

As for the X50, it is no secret that this will be adapted from a Geely model known as the Binyue, just as the X70 was adapted from the Geely Boyue. And like the Boyue, it’s not just a matter of changing the badge on the grille and getting Proton Design to add a Malaysian touch to the styling. To develop the X50 will require an engineering program that is almost like developing a new model, more so because there is no righthand drive version. The advantage of using the Binyue platform is that it has been fully engineered so time and money can be saved, an approach used by other carmakers which share platforms.

Dr. Li revealed that, unlike the X70, the X50 won’t be made in China and shipped to Malaysia initially. The factory in China is probably not very happy to have to do the ‘small’ volume of X70s when it needs all the capacity it has for producing Geely vehicles so the first X50 will come from the Tg. Malim plant. Perhaps Geely is confident that enough experience has been gained in the X70 project that the X50 can be born in Malaysia instead of China.

The future of the other legacy models remains unknown but with the Saga doing extremely well, Proton has even started a second shift to produce it. It is clear that quality was something which matters a lot to Malaysians and neglecting it in the past was one of the reasons for Proton’s sales decline. With Geely providing guidance and assistance, build quality has risen and the cars are now very much in demand, topping their segments as well.

More 3S outlets to be opened

One of the things which Dr. Li felt needed a major transformation was the retail network. He saw that the experience Proton customers were getting, whether in the showroom or service centre, was not good enough. So one of his early efforts focused on upgrading the outlets and insisting that the dealers must invest in 3S facilities that provide sales, service and spare parts (and more, if possible) in one location. He met with resistance initially, but he did not give up and slowly convinced the dealers that it was in their interest to provide facilities that made the experience of owning a Proton a very good one.

Proton showrooms today are very different from before and customers have an experience that can make them want to own a Proton and be proud owning one.

Today, while there are still 1S (showroom only) outlets which are old ones, the majority are 3S and 4S outlets. During 2020, the number will be raised to at least 150 and that is considered optimum for the projected volumes to be sold. Dr. Li understands that dealers must make good money and the sales per outlet must be reasonable. He won’t make the previous mistake when Proton acquired USPD and together with EON, doubled the size of its network, with the assumption that its sales volume would also be doubled. Instead, dealers suffered and not surprisingly, motivation was poor which impacted the brand.

As the Proton CEO said, 2019’s achievements are history and 2020 is a new challenge, so expect to read more news about Proton as it speeds upwards and forward to regain its dominance in the Malaysian market.

Proton’s annual sales crossed the 100,000 level in 2019, first time since 2015