Aston Martin confirms production of first fully-electric supercar

Aston Martin has confirmed that the RapidE, which was unveiled two years ago in concept form, will enter production in 2019. It will be a limited production run vehicle with just 155 cars being produced in total. And it will be the first fully-electric model to be produced by the Gaydon based manufacturer.

No word yet on whether there would be styling changes or if the production car will retain the same curves and contours as the concept. But the car will be based upon the forthcoming Rapide AMR concept, which means that styling and vehicle dynamics wouldn’t deviate too much from that of the Rapide S albeit the electric motor(s) will take the place of the standard car’s  glorious V12.

Speaking of the RapidE, Aston Martin President and CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, said, “RapidE represents a sustainable future in which Aston Martin’s values of seductive style and supreme performance don’t merely co-exist alongside a new zero-emission powertrain, but are enhanced by it. RapidE will showcase Aston Martin’s vision, desire and capability to successfully embrace radical change, delivering a new breed of car that stays true to our ethos and delights our customers.”

The RapidE will be jointly developed with Williams Advanced Engineering who also worked on the original concept car. Together the team are striving to meet Aston Martin’s goal of producing an energy-efficient vehicle that retains the style and soul of the legendary sports cars of the past that have bared the company’s name.

Aston Martin has yet to release substantial information pertaining to performance other than a statement that the car will offer the kind of experience that has been absent from other Aston Martin cars. That said, it might be awhile before the automaker divulges more data.


Fuel Prices For October 12 – October 18, 2019


More public recharging stations than petrol stations in Britain now

In Britain, there are now more public places to recharge electric vehicle (EVs) than station selling petrol or diesel. In fact, the difference is almost 1,000 – 9,300 EV charging locations compared to 8,400 fuel stations.

This is the finding of Nissan’s UK subsidiary, based on available data and the company says that the crossover actually happened more than a year before Nissan’s 2016 prediction of August 2020. It is believed to be the result of the accelerating adoption of EVs amongst British motorists.

Fuel stations are everywhere

The global fuel station network today is a product of some 100 years of expansion. Places where vehicles can refuel can be found even deep inside the jungles of Africa or the mountain passes of the Himalayas. In Britain, the first fuel station was opened in November 1919 and as the vehicle population grew, so too did the number of stations to meet demand.

However, since 1970, almost 80% of the stations have closed, whilst the number of EV charging locations has increased from a few hundred in 2011 (when the Nissan LEAF went on sale) to more than 9,000 in August 2019.

‘Range anxiety’ can be dismissed

Of these locations, more than 1,600 provide ‘rapid charging’ which can recharge a typical EV battery pack to around 80% capacity in under an hour. According to Zap-Map, two new rapid charge devices came online every day in the last month. Almost all UK motorway service stations now have charging stations installed, the majority of which provide a rapid charge option. So it would be possible for owners of EVs such as the LEAF to travel around the country without ‘range anxiety’.

Transport for London has installed more than 1,000 EV charge points in the last year alone, as supply of fossil fuel within the capital city is becoming scarcer. One of the country’s oldest stations, the Bloomsbury Service Station which had been in operation since 1926, was closed in 2008.

“We’ve moved beyond the early concerns of range anxiety with EVs now exceeding the vast majority of customer’s daily driving needs. The next challenge is for charging infrastructure to keep pace with the number of EVs on the road, and that the experience of recharging is as enjoyable and effortless as that of all-electric driving,“ said Kalyana Sivagnanam, MD of Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd.

Since Nissan launched the first mass-market electric vehicle – the LEAF – in 2010, EV technology has continually improved, with the latest models both affordable and practical for the majority of new car buyers. As a result, Britain is experiencing unprecedented growth in the demand for battery-powered personal transport.

The latest LEAF is now also available in Malaysia. Find out more at
www.nissan.com.my
.

Click here to read more about the latest Nissan LEAF


Older Hyundai models can now be covered under HSDM’s Extended Warranty programme

A warranty is like medical insurance – you pay for it hoping that you never have to make a claim but if you are seriously ill, then you will be so glad you have the insurance. With a warranty for motor vehicles, it’s the same thing. You have the coverage which gives peace of mind, and if the vehicle runs fine, then you don’t need to make a claim. But should there be a failure, the warranty will likely cover repair or replacement costs that can sometimes be shocking.

All new vehicles come with a warranty of a certain period, typically to cover manufacturing defects or faults that are not due to the owner’s usage. These warranties end at some point – either based on time or mileage – and then the protection ends.

For vehicles up to 8 years old

For Hyundai owners who want the continued peace of mind after the original warranty ends, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) now offers an Extended Warranty Programme for selected Hyundai models. The vehicles should no longer than 8 years from the manufacturing date and with a travelled mileage of under 300,000 kms on the fifth year from the car’s original purchase date.

Applicable models are the AD/MD Elantra, LF Sonata, TL/LM Tucson, DM Santa Fe and TQ Starex. To qualify for the Extended Warranty programme, the vehicles must have a good service record at authorized Hyundai service centres in Malaysia, and owners are required to send in their vehicles to an authorized service centre for a routine service according to HSDM’s recommended service interval.

Hyundai models that qualify for the Extended Warranty programme include the Elantra (above) and Santa Fe (below).

“Most extended warranty programmes by a car brand are offered by premium and luxury car brands but we are offering this programme for Hyundai cars as we are confident of the quality of our vehicles, and we want to help our customers maintain their cars longer with peace of mind,” said Low Yuan Lung, Managing Director of HSDM.

Functions like a new car’s warranty

While the original factory warranty is included in the purchase price of the vehicle, the Extended Warranty requires payment of RM1,280 annually to remain in effect. The Extended Warranty will function just like a new car’s warranty but covers mileage of not more than 30,000 kms a year. It covers internal and primary components of the transmission system as well as other electrical components of the engine, transmission, motor and modular parts of the vehicles.

It also covers complimentary repairs and parts replacement while under warranty. The coverage limit per claim is set at RM10,000. However, any item that has been claimed beforehand can be claimed again should it be proven faulty with a claim of up to RM50,000 on the total aggregate (until it is fulfilled).

Hyundai Sime Darby Motors enhances ownership experience with new aftersales loyalty programmes


Former top Arab rally driver Mohammed Ben Sulayem elected President of FIA

The 21st century is regarded as the ‘Pacific Century’ with the ascent of China into a global economic power. This decade might also be the ‘Middle East Decade’ in motorsport with the recent election of Mohammed Ben Sulayem from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as President of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the 117-year old governing body for world motorsport and the federation of the world’s leading mobility organisations.

Ben Sulayem, 60, received 61.62% of the votes from FIA Member Clubs, which are from 245 Member Organisations in 146 countries on 5 continents. The closest other candidate for the position was Britain’s Graham Stoker, who received 36.62% of the votes (with abstenstions of 1.76%). Ben Sulayem takes over from Frenchman Jean Todt, who was President since 2009 and served 3 terms, the maximum permitted.

Ben Sulayem has a strong motorsports background as a rally driver, having been14-time FIA Middle East Rally Champion and would be among the most successful motorsport drivers from the Arab world. He won 61 international events from 1983 to 2002, some of them when he was with the Toyota works team participating in the World Rally Championship. Towards the end of his rallying years, he also drove Fords.

Apart from being President of the Emirates Motorsports Organisation since 2005, he has had a presence at the council level in the FIA since 2008 when he became the first Arab named as Vice-President of the FIA, and the first to be elected to the FIA World Motor Sport Council (as Vice-President for Middle East). He campaigned under the banner ‘FIA for Members’, committing to double motorsport participation worldwide, strengthen diversity and inclusion and be a leading opinion-former on sustainable mobility.

“I am very honoured to have been elected FIA President at the conclusion of the Annual General Assembly in Paris today. I thank all the Member Clubs for their esteem and trust. I congratulate Graham for his campaign and his engagement to the Federation. I wish to express my infinite gratitude in the name of the FIA and that of its Members to Jean Todt for all that has been achieved over the past 12 years. I am committed to pursuing the important work and make motorsport and mobility take further steps forward,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Elected for a 4-year term, the new President’s team will include Carmelo Sanz de Barros as President of the Senate, Robert Reid as Deputy President for Sport, and Tim Shearman as Deputy President for Mobility and Tourism.

There will also be Vice-Presidents to represent various regions, just as Ben Sulayem represented the Middle East before. Taking on his role is Abdulla Al Khalifa from Bahrain), while Rodrigo FERREIRA ROCHA from Mozambique will cover Africa. North American activities will come under Daniel Coen from Costa Rica, with Brazilian Fabiana Ecclestone (wife of Bernie Ecclestone) looking after South America. Lee Lung Nien from Singapore will be responsible for Asia-Pacific motorsport, and Sweden’s Anna Nordkvist with Spaniard Manuel Avino looking after Europe.

India lost its seat on the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) for the first time in more than three decades. The incumbent Gautam Singhania was unable to retain his position on one of the 14 WMSC seats.

Jean Todt was President of the FIA for the past 12 years.

Speaking on departure from the role as FIA President, Todt (husband of Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh) said: “A chapter has come to an end. We can be collectively satisfied of our achievements in motor sport and safe and sustainable mobility over the past 12 years. I would like to warmly thank my team, our administration and all our Member Clubs for their unwavering commitment, enthusiasm and resilience. I congratulate Mohammed on his election as FIA President and wish him, his team, and the Federation the best of success for the years to come.” Todt has been conferred the status of Honorary President of the FIA in recognition of his contributions.

FIA research finds solutions to reduce spinal injuries in cross-country events


Honda Malaysia Opens 12th Johor Dealership, Now Has 97 Dealerships Nationwide!

Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
 (Honda Malaysia) has officially launched its latest
Honda 3S Centre
 located in
Pasir Gudang, Johor
by
 Yong Ming Motor Sdn. Bhd
. (Yong Ming Motor). With this opening, Honda Malaysia has
97 dealerships
 nationwide with
12 dealerships in Johor
 to-date to provide easier accessibility and more convenience to customers.

Yong Ming Motor invested a total of
RM18.5 million
 into the 77,000-square foot building in Pasir Gudang that is equipped with latest facilities and equipment. This 4-storey building (including basement parking) houses 14 bays, comprising 9 Service Bays, 3 General Repair Bays and 2 Tyre Service Bays that can accommodate up to 30 cars per day. On top of that, the new Honda 3S Centre has conducive and comfortable lounges especially for customers to relax in or catch up on work. There is also a free flow of food and beverage for customers to enjoy, Kids Corner and appropriately-assigned prayer rooms for Muslims to perform their prayers while waiting for their cars to be serviced.

Yong Ming Motor has a well-established relationship with Honda for over 48 years and the opening of this new Honda 3S Centre in Pasir Gudang marks its second Honda dealership. The first Yong Ming Motor Honda dealership opened in Skudai, where they have maintained high quality sales and after-sales service which has enabled them to consistently emerge as a top dealer.
Honda Malaysia Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Toichi Ishiyama
 (below, centre) said,
“With customer satisfaction being our main priority, it is very important for Honda Malaysia and
our dealership partners to work together closely in order to serve our mutual customers better. This can only be achieved with strong support from our partners such as Yong Ming Motor. We believe this dealership expansion in Johor will provide more convenience to our customers, particularly in Pasir Gudang. Customers will be able to enjoy high quality service and after-sales offerings at an authorized Honda dealership nearer to them with upgraded facilities to enhance their Joy of Buying.”

The
 Director of Yong Ming Motor, Mr. Kenneth Cheng
 (above, left) said,
 “We are grateful for the opportunity given to us by Honda Malaysia to grow our customer base in this area. Previously customers in this area had to travel far to view the latest models or to service their cars but with our new dealership we aim to offer them the best Honda experience closer to where they are. This showroom that we are opening today represents our continuing commitment to Honda Malaysia.” The opening of new Yong Ming Motor Honda 3S Centre in Pasir Gudang is timely to support the increasing customers and after-sales service intake in Johor and able to provide the best quality service to them.

Based on the record, the after-sales intake rose
51%
 in the past five years. From January to November of 2018, the southern region alone recorded over
235,000
 service intakes, an increase of 13% against the same period last year.

In terms of sales performance by region, the southern region was the second highest contributor with more than
17,000 units sold from January to October 2018
 an increase of 2% when compared to the same period in 2017. This achievement is largely thanks to the Johor state which was the highest contributor to the southern region, accounting for over 12,000 units sold. Model-wise, the B-segment leader, City tops the chart as the best-selling model in the southern region. This model contributed 24% to the total southern region sales followed by Civic and CR-V which contributed 11% and 9% respectively to the regional sales units during this period.

To make an appointment or to find out more about the services and facilities, customers can contact Yong Ming Motor (Honda 3S Centre) at 07-255 8888 or visit them at PTD 209607, Jalan Bandar, Business Centre II, 81700, Pasir Gudang, Johor or log on to www.honda.com.my for more information.


Peugeot to increase EV range with e-308 and e-308 SW in 2023

Continuing with its electrification drive forward, Peugeot has added battery electric versions of the latest 308 generation to its line-up. To be available in 2023 in Europe in hatchback and stationwagon bodystyles, the e-308 and e-308 SW join the plug-in hybrid versions already available. The e-308 SW is one of the first fully electric stationwagons from a European carmaker.

The new cars have the latest Peugeot design language with the brand’s new badge proudly displayed in the centre of the grille. However, the bonnet is longer, with fang-shaped light signature framing the Matrix LED headlamps and the 3-claw LED lights at the rear to identify the models as part of the Peugeot family.

Both new models will have a brand new electric powertrain with a 115 kW (156 bhp) motor powered by a new high-voltage battery pack with a 54 kWh capacity. Full technical details are not available yet but Peugeot is giving a range of up to 400 kms on a fully charged battery pack.

With an on-board 3-phase 11 kW charger provided with the car as standard, rapid charging is possible from stations with 100 kW supply. This allows recharging from 20% to 80% in less than 25 minutes, it is claimed. The charging port is at the rear end but not in what is normally a fuel tank lid.

As with many cars today, drivers will have a choice of three driving modes – Eco, Normal or Sport – to suit personal preferences or driving conditions. However, the way the performance changes is obviously different from similar modes in combustion powertrains. There is also a ‘BRAKE’ mode which can improve range by optimising energy recovery when the accelerator pedal is released.

To further improve range, much attention has been paid to aerodynamic efficiency. There are also different 18-inch aluminium wheels specifically developed for these electric versions. The tyres are also low-friction types to reduce rolling resistance.

Inside, the new e-308 and e-308 SW share many similarities with the current 308 generation, including the i-Cockpit which its compact steering wheel, customisable digital head-up display, and central 10-inch colour touchscreen. The interior designers have come up with fully configurable virtual i-toggles and connectivity includes the latest Peugeot i-Connect Advanced technology for the infotainment system. Depending on markets, there will be two trim levels.

Advanced safety technology is provided with the latest generation of driving aids to improve make motoring safer. Active systems include Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, long-range blind spot monitoring (up to 75 metres on both sides) and Rear Traffic Alert, which warns of danger when reversing.

In European markets, owners will be able to enjoy a range of services from Peugeot to add convenience to their motoring. A MyPeugeot app is available for use with smartphones which communicates with the car. Using this app, the owner can schedule a remote charge, or launch a thermal pre-conditioning remotely.

There is also the Free2Move e-solutions smartphone app which allows users to plan their journey by anticipating the recharging stages, thanks to the integration of the recharging stations present on the route.

The introduction of the new e-308 and e-308 SW are the latest development in Peugeot’s aim to offer every model line with an electrified variant by 2025.

BAASB officially opens first Peugeot 3S facility in Selangor


e:N2 Concept Previews Design Of Next Honda EV Exclusively For China Market

With Chinese being the largest EV market in the world, any carmaker wanting to sell there must have EV models to offer. There is little time to waste as so many brands keep coming out with new models and Honda has already started selling its e:NS1 and e:NP1 electric SUVs earlier this year.

They will be joined by the e:N2 in future and to give an idea of what the second set of models will be like, the carmaker is showing the e:N2 Concept at the Fifth China International Import Expo in Shanghai. By 2027, Honda plans to have 10 models in the e:N series which will be identified by the luminescent ‘H’ emblem in the front .

The e:N2 Concept uses similar design language as the e:N GT Concept previewed last year as part of the range of future Honda EVs to be sold exclusively in China. It features sharp and dynamic body lines and surface finishing which highlights the dark metallic look, aiming to present a totally new styling approach.

The interior is designed as a ‘space where occupants can enjoy intellectual exhilaration’. To this end, the digital cockpit is clean and uncluttered. Besides an intelligent presentation of lighting and scents, Honda CONNECT features provide smart hospitality for the occupants.

Technical details are not given but Honda says that the new model will be built on the e:N Architecture F, a dedicated architecture developed exclusively for the e:N Series.

“The e:N2 Concept represents the value of our e:N Series, which will ‘redefine the fun EVs can offer to customers’ with their unique driving pleasure, the value as a mobility space and design. In China, Honda will continue delivering a broad range of electrified mobility products unique only to Honda and experience our rebirth into an electric mobility brand,” said Toshihiro Mibe, Director, President & Representative Executive Officer of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

About the e:NS1 and e:NP1
Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co., Ltd., a Honda automobile production and sales joint venture in China, began selling the e:NS1 and e:NP1 in China in April this year. They are the first Honda-brand EV models in China.

Manufactured and sold by Dongfeng Honda, the e:NS1 and e:NP1 EVs are exclusively for China.

The two EVs use Honda’s e:N Architecture F which consists of an electric motor that delivers both instantaneous output and delicate control in various driving situations. The large-capacity battery is said to provide a range of up to 510 kms.


Concept Mercedes-Maybach EQS for the new generation of customers

There was a time when SUVs – vehicles for driving off the highway in rough terrain – would not have been seen as being relevant in the luxury class. Those who bought luxury cars wanted comfort and generally cruised around cities and travelling on highways to their mansions in the countryside. But times have changed and as SUVs became more comfortable and more ‘civilised’, just about every segment started to have one or more. And even Rolls-Royce has a SUV (the Cullinan), along with Bentley.

Mercedes-Maybach, also in that same stratospheric segment of the market, therefore could not ignore offering a SUV as well and while there is the very capable G-Wagen, it is not exclusive enough in concept so the brand has designed its own model based on the modular architecture for luxury and executive-class electric vehicles. This will be the brand’s second SUV after the
GLS 600 4MATIC
 which was launched in 2019.

With the Concept EQS, Mercedes-Maybach is providing a preview of a future SUV model which will be appropriate for the brand as it joins the journey into a zero-emissions future of motoring. “Many of our Mercedes-Maybach customers are digitally connected to a high degree and place the highest demands on our digital solutions. They also expect the brand of their choice to stand up for sustainable values and take responsibility for the environment. The Concept Mercedes-Maybach EQS fulfils all these points and embodies sophisticated luxury in a more progressive way: the all-electric powertrain not only makes consistently sustainable mobility possible, but also enables a new level of calm and relaxation for passengers,” said Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for Marketing & Sales.

‘Near production’ model

The design is said to be ‘near production’ and shows identifying features that are characteristic of Maybach – such as the elaborate two-tone paint finish. It also has elements from the Mercedes-EQ family that is all-electric, with the appearance consistently following the concept of ‘purpose design’. The transition to a new technological era is recognisable at first glance.

Continuous transitions, without breaks and edges, characterise the seamless design. The expressive surface modelling and muscular shoulders are further characteristic features. And numerous chrome applications set brand-characteristic accents. The pronounced wheel wells with cladding in high-gloss black emphasise power and emotionality.

The upright black panel front also flows seamlessly into the wraparound bonnet and headlights. The LED light units showcase the lighting with individual diamond blocks framed with a fine-knit mesh of the Maybach emblem. The classic Maybach lettering on the front bonnet, the upright Mercedes star and the longitudinal chrome-plated trim strip in the centre of the bonnet are a tribute to tradition.

The aerodynamically optimised side running boards bear a customised inlay with the Maybach emblem. Generously dimensioned 24-inch light-alloy wheels in the Maybach ‘bowl’ design – with 5 short spokes and a flat centre section – as well as Maybach lettering, emphasise the exclusive appearance.

“With the Concept Mercedes-Maybach EQS, we’re transforming the brand into an electric future after 100 years. In conjunction with the new-style aerodynamic SUV proportions, we’re completely redefining the luxury SUV of the future,” said Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler Group.

Emotional and stylish statement

The interior of the Concept Mercedes-Maybach EQS is just as emotional and stylish a statement as the exterior – realised completely virtually. The lounge character promises luxurious travel at the highest level. The front seats show parallels to the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. The First-Class rear suite with two generous individual seats – also inspired by the S-Class – as well as the High-End Rear Seat Entertainment System will offer the highest level of comfort on board. And because the SUV concept allows for more seat height, the calf rest could be made even larger.

Plenty of freedom of movement

The centre console appears to float like a continuous ribbon from the cockpit to the rear seats, creating a particularly light and elegant impression of space with plenty of freedom of movement. In combination with many indirect and direct ambient lighting features, the impression of space and interior components appear visually lighter and also seem to float.

The standard vase insert invites you to bring seasonally appropriate floral decorations and thus nature into the interior of the Maybach. Underneath, a large storage area offers plenty of space for utensils or for individual equipment options such as folding tables, a box of champagne goblets or a refrigerated compartment.

Newly designed door panels with floating armrests and controls with the appearance of elegant sideboards emphasise the simultaneously luxurious and modern character of the interior. The concept for colours and materials has been inspired by the world of fashion. Perfect craftsmanship, high-quality materials and extraordinary details show a new level of exclusivity.

For the concept model, the colour combination of white and a deep, dark blue creates a spacious and technically sophisticated environment. A special highlight is the trim element in a white chrome look. Its rosé gold-coloured pilaster strips follow the shape perfectly. Additional rose gold-coloured accents create an ideal contrast and contribute significantly to the luxurious feel of the interior.

Another unexpected contrast is brought to the interior by a fashion-inspired, progressive textile of the highest quality. It is used generously around the rear-seat area, while flashes of it also appear in further details in the interior. A progressive graphic printed on leather in the roof liner area demonstrates the perfect fusion of a traditional luxury material with modern technology.

Maybach-specific display styles

Needless to say, the dominant MBUX Hyperscreen is present up front, with Maybach-specific display styles and content. This large, curved screen unit is composed of 3 screens under a glass cover that appear to merge into one.

With adaptive software thanks to artificial intelligence, MBUX adapts completely to its user. It makes personalised suggestions for numerous infotainment, comfort and vehicle functions. With the zero-layer menu, the most important applications are always offered on the top level within the field of vision, according to situation and context. Searching through submenus is no longer necessary.

The market launch of the production version of this Maybach SUV is not known but the company says that its powertrain will be similar to another all-electric SUV, the EQS, will be in showrooms in 2022. What is already known about this EQ SUV model is that it will be a high-performance model with two powerful electric motors to give all-wheel drive. A range of 600 kms is expected, depending on usage conditions.

2021 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class (Z223)


Ford organises Driving Skills for Life to promote safety

Ford together with Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC) organised the brand’s global Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) programme as part of their ongoing effort to promote safe driving behaviour as well as road safety awareness here in Malaysia.

Over 30 drivers from SDAC’s corporate partners from telecommunications to utilities participated in the half-day workshop located at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) near Putrajaya.

With high traffic accident rates recorded daily here in Malaysia, basic road safety awareness is crucial to promote safer driving behaviours amongst road users. According to MIROS, more than 43% of drivers operate their vehicles while using their mobile phones and less than 10% actually use the seatbelt while seating at the back.

According to Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director of SDAC, “Road safety is an important topic and we are proud to partner with Ford who has the know-how, to promote a safer driving behaviour among Malaysia motorists. Ford Driving Skills for Life Programme provides useful tools and resources to help driver understand many unpredictable scenarios that could happen on the road while equipping them with knowledge to tackle the situations accordingly.”

The workshop focused on four main areas of training which are:

Distractions – Making smart decisions behind the wheel to limit distractions and stay focused on the task of driving

Hazard recognition – How to scan for trouble approaching intersections and safety zones

Speed and space management – Learning how to adjust speed to maintain space around, ahead and behind a vehicle while avoiding being rear-ended

Vehicles handling – Understanding the vehicle’s capability and learning to better control the vehicle by leveraging its safety features such as Autonomous Emergency Breaking (AEB), Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning

DSFL is Ford’s flagship global corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme funded by the Ford Motor Company Fund. Globally, Ford DSFL has been introduced to 35 countries for the past 16 years of existence in training licensed drivers of all ages. To date, the program has trained more than 1,000 individuals in safe driving practices in Malaysia.

Ford Ranger Sales Carnival starts now!


1.5-litre Powertrain in Proton X50 TGDi Flagship wins China auto industry’s ‘Nobel Prize’.

The auto industry’s move towards engines that are smaller in displacement began about 10 years ago as a practical and cost-effective way to reduce fuel consumption as well as emissions. Unlike the older small engines, the modern powerplants did reduce performance or driving pleasure. On the contrary, with modern technology, they could generate as much or even
more
 power and torque than even larger engines.

There are other advantages from this downsizing of engines too. They are more compact, especially if a 3-cylinder configuration is adopted which, in turn, means lower weight that again helps with fuel economy. Not so obvious to most is also the lower engine weight at the front improves the front-rear weight balance of the vehicle so the handling is better.

Joint development with Volvo

Geely took note of the trend over 10 years ago and as part of its forward-looking strategies, it began a  joint development project with Volvo to develop a new powertrain family. The project, which would utilise part of the R&D investment of 20.73 billion yuan (RM 13 billion) during the decade, was carried out at Volvo’s R&D centre and the China Euro Vehicle Technology (CEVT) in Gothenburg, Sweden, as well as the  Geely Automotive Research Institute in Hangzhou, China.

A ‘Nobel Prize’ winner

One of the engines that was co-developed was the 1.5-litre TGDi engine (1.5TD). The advanced engineering of this new engine as well as the 7DCT transmission won the Geely Holding Group the first prize in the China Automotive Industry Awards for Science and Technology on October 28, 2020.

The highest honour from China’s Society of Automotive Engineers in this year’s China Automotive Industry Awards for Science and Technology.

This highest honour from China’s Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE-China) is the most prestigious and influential technological award for the China automotive industry, considered as the industry’s ‘Nobel Prize’.

The award joins the ‘China Heart’ awards won by Geely for powertrain development earlier. These are the awards given to the Top Ten engines in China each year and are regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the auto industry.

Small and compact – but powerful

The 1.5TD engine ticks all the boxes that a modern powertrain must have: powerful performance, lightweight structure, high reliability, good fuel economy and high fuel efficiency. Adopting advanced and innovative technologies, this small, efficient engine can develop up to 177 ps of power with up to 255 Nm of torque.

These are numbers which would be seen for engines with larger displacements but the 1.5TD engine achieves them with just 1477 cc. Helping to boost the output are a low-inertia turbocharger, direct fuel injection and continuous variable timing for both the intake and exhaust valves (Dual VVT).

Engines with three cylinders can be less smooth than the 4-cylinder units. To address consumer concerns about this issue, the engineers worked hard at reducing the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels to that of 4-cylinder engines. No less than 120 NVH optimisation exercises were done as well as the dedicated design of 12 key parts such as counterweighted crankshafts, a vibration damping balancer shaft and dual mass flywheel with centrifugal pendulum absorber damper. Additionally, a low noise timing belt, high stiffness oil pan, asymmetric oil pump impeller, and engine compartment and vibration dampener also effectively eliminated perceivable engine vibrations for the occupants.

The 7DCT with a new standard

The 1.5TD is typically paired with Geely’s world-class 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (7DCT). Developed based on Volvo’s high standards, this transmission sets a new standard for transmissions in the industry.

Weighing less than a conventional 6-speed automatic transmission, the 7DCT offers fast and accurate shift response along with high efficiency. It has a maximum efficiency of 97.2% and 0.2 second shift response time. For the driver, the 7DCT provides more enjoyable driving with the advantages of manual and automatic transmissions as there is the option of selecting gears manually too.

An international powertrain

Accepted and recognised at an international level, the 1.5TD engine powers more than 600,000 vehicles worldwide and the 7DCT transmission is estimated to be used in over one million vehicles by the end of 2020.

The 1.5TD + 7DCT powertrain is also found in the latest Proton X50 1.5 TGDi Flagship, endowing it with powerful and responsive driving performance, coupled with fuel efficiency and proven reliability.

Visit any Proton showroom to experience the performance of the 1.5TD + 7DCT. To locate a showroom near you, visit
www.proton.com
.


eTurbo by BorgWarner to debut in passenger vehicle in 2022

Within 2 years, a major European carmaker will offer an innovative eTurbo which is said to have reduced turbo lag; better low rpm engine torque and faster time-to-torque. BorgWarner, which developed and will produce the eTurbo, said it recently secured the supply contract for the high-performance turbocharger. While the carmaker’s name cannot be revealed at this time, it is confirmed that its passenger vehicle model will be the first mass-market eTurbo Application when it appears in 2022.

The eTurbo consists of a mechanical turbocharger with an electric motor directly coupled to the shaft which can serve as either a motor or a generator. The integrated solution delivers the traditional benefits of a standard turbocharger with the added advantage of electrified boost assistance for superior response.

Additional benefits include reduced emissions through after-treatment management and precise air/fuel ratio control. The electrical function can be deactivated to return it to normal turbocharger function, and EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) can be driven on demand due to intentional back pressuring of the engine.

The eTurbo is claimed to deliver a more than 200% improvement in transient boost response along with steady state torque improvement. This enables further engine downsizing – an ongoing trend in the industry – resulting in better fuel economy and reduced emissions with no loss of performance.

BorgWarner says it is especially suited for Miller Cycle engines and can also improve performance for new combustion concepts due to electrical assist over complete engine speed range.

The industry is downsizing engines to improve fuel efficiency and using turbochargers to boost performance at the same time. Ford’s EcoBoost engine (pictured) in the Fiesta is one example.

Beyond the vehicle performance aspects, the eTurbo can harvest excess exhaust energy and directly convert it to electrical energy to be used for accessory power or charging the battery. This has implications on the battery pack, which can be reduced in size and therefore have less weight.

While the eTurbo will be used first on a passenger vehicle, BorgWarner anticipates opportunities for future adoption in the commercial vehicle sector as well. The company has a range of eTurbo offerings, including full-performance 48-volt and high voltage compliant architectures. Additionally, customers have the choice of integrated or semi-integrated power electronics.

“BorgWarner’s eTurbo is a powerful and efficient solution, capable of delivering crucial benefits for our customers, including improved performance, better fuel economy, reduced emissions and more efficient energy usage,” said Joe Fadool, President & General Manager BorgWarner Emissions, Thermal and Turbo Systems. “We believe this is the largest industry award to date for this type of technology and is an important milestone for our company.”


Good response to new Honda CR-V, rebate period for new City extended

Whatever gloom and doom was said about car sales in the first half of the year doesn’t seem to be the case the way sales have been going these past few months. Many have lost their jobs or have reduced incomes so the thinking is that consumer spending should go down, especially for things like new cars.

Yet companies are reporting strong sales and one of them is Honda Malaysia which says that its new Honda CR-V has seen a 180% increase in bookings within a month since its official launch in November 2020. This number – more than 1,700 units – has exceeded expectations. To-date, more than 1,300 customers have received their new SUV.

Of the three variants available, the CR-V 1.5 TC-P with 2WD (priced from RM157,615.91 without insurance) is the most popular, accounting for 46% of total bookings. The engine choices are a 2-litre 4-cylinder i-VTEC or 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged VTEC, and all engines come with a CVT. Only one variant has all-wheel drive. Incidentally, Dark Olive Metallic is the most preferred colour among the 5 colours, accounting for 30% of bookings.

“The New CR-V is an all-rounder SUV with a sporty driving experience that is suitable for different kinds of lifestyles; be it as a family car or daily commute for work. We believe the New CR-V is the ideal SUV for customers, especially families and professionals who have a discerning taste for SUV with top-notch specifications,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Toichi Ishiyama.

Click here to read more about the new CR-V

Special Sales Rebate extended to end of month

The company has also announced that the ‘
All-New City 12.12 Special Sales
’ with a rebate worth RM2,000 has been extended to December 31, 2020. It was originally only for December 12, but Honda Malaysia is giving more time for customers to visit authorised Honda dealerships to view and test-drive the new model.

Customers can now book and register their cars
by December 31, 2020
 and they will be entitled for the rebate once the booking and registration requirements are met and completed (terms and conditions apply).

Commenting on the response to the new City, Mr. Ishiyama said that, since its launch, close to 5,800 units have been delivered from the factory in Melaka. “To date, we have received over 11,100 bookings for the All-New City and the ‘All-New City 12.12 Special Sales’ have been received,” he said.

“With the travel ban on inter-district and inter-state lifted since December 7, we acknowledge the feedback from our customers and understand that most customers would like to visit Honda dealers to test-drive the cars. Therefore, we have decided to extend the offer until December 31, 2020,” he explained, adding that the company endeavours to continue to work hard to meet customer demand and deliver the cars to all customers in a timely manner.

SOPs are strictly observed at Honda dealerships for the protection of customers and staff.

Mr. Ishiyama stressed that the well-being and safety of customers and Honda associates at dealerships is a priority. “We would like to emphasize that all Honda dealerships adhere to strict Standard Operating Procedures according to the guidelines set by the government,” he said.

To locate an authorised Honda dealership in Malaysia, visit
www.honda.com.my
.

Next month,, the New City range will be joined by another variant – the City RS e:HEV.
Click here to read more about it
.


2020 Mitsubishi Mirage & Attrage launched in Thailand – From RM65,300

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has launched the updated
2020 Mitsubishi Mirage and Attrage
 models with updated stylings and features for the Thailand market. The facelifted compact models are said to be launched in other markets in stages where they offer a much sharper and dynamic design cue with a touch of elegance for the interiors.

Locally produced at their Laem Chabang Plant, both the Mirage and Attrage have adopted the new Dynamic Shield front design which sweeps around the sides towards the middle. The result is a more powerful look and presence thanks to the addition of square grille lines with its horizontal/vertical bar pattern.

The design for its multi-bulb LED combination lamps have been optimised to be wider and stable. The same treatment is given to the rear with the updated L-signature horizontal LED combination lamps that stretch across the width of the car. They are also offering the updated models with new 15-inch alloy wheels (two-tone diamond for Mirage & silver finish for Attrage).

As for the interior, both facelifted models come with:

New front armrest & hand-touch areas

Sporty carbon meter panel & power window switch panels

Sporty-look fabric/synthetic leather combination (Mirage)

Monotone design with synthetic leather seats (Attrage)

Smartphone Display Audio (SDA) system with a 7-inch display (Attrage)

Power production remains unchanged with a 1.2-litre MIVEC three-cylinder engine that produces around 78hp and 100Nm of torque. Pricing for both models in the Thai market ranges from 474,000 – 624,000 Baht (around RM65,300 – RM86,000).

Updated Mitsubishi Triton Quest – the workhorse truck that also looks good for personal use


320 ps makes the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan R the most powerful Tiguan ever

Volkswagen has announced the most powerful Tiguan to date: the Tiguan R. With a power output of 320 ps, the SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, it is claimed. The capability comes from the EA888 evo4 TSI turbocharged engine which also generates up to 420 Nm between 2,100 rpm and 5,350 rpm.

Developed by Volkswagen R

The Tiguan flagship was developed by Volkswagen R, the carmaker’s high-performance division. It’s not just the impressive performance that characterises the Tiguan R but also the extensively customised equipment. The exterior has R-designed bumpers with aerodynamic elements in high-gloss black or matching the body colour chosen by the customer.

The exterior mirror covers are in matt chrome and there is a unique and also high-gloss black rear diffuser, black wheel housing extensions and 20-inch Misano alloy wheels (21-inch available as option). The exterior of the Tiguan R can also be personalised with the Black Style design package.

Exclusive interior fittings

Inside, the Tiguan R sets presents a sportier ambience with features such as stainless steel pedals, premium sport seats that have integrated head restraints and R logo developed exclusively for this version. The Digital Cockpit, a highlight of the latest generation of Volkswagens, is additionally customised with an integrated lap timer and sports R-specific decorative trim in Carbon Grey. The decorative trim elements are illuminated via the background lighting.

New 4MOTION all-wheel drive system

Power from the 4-cylinder engine, with a 7-speed DSG, is distributed to four wheels by the new all-wheel drive system. This is the 4MOTION system with R-Performance Torque Vectoring. Volkswagen engineers have incorporated a rear final drive with two multiplate clutches for the first time which not only distributes power between the front and rear axles but also  variably between the left and right rear wheels.

With the new all-wheel drive system, Volkswagen claims that there is noticeably improved handling agility when cornering, making the Tiguan R’s driving dynamics a new benchmark for SUVs.

Other technical R equipment includes a powerful 18-inch brake system with blue brake calipers, a DCC chassis (with adaptively controlled shock absorbers) lowered by 10 mm, and a driving profile selection enhanced for the Tiguan R with an additional R profile. This particularly sporty mode can be activated directly by means of a blue R button on the new multifunction sports steering wheel. The ESC (Electronic Stability Control) can be deactivated by drivers who are skilled and want to explore the performance limits.

As standard, the Tiguan R comes with a 4-branch sports exhaust system but customers can also choose the optionally available titanium exhaust system from Akrapovic and 21-inch Estoril alloy wheels.

Volkswagen’s bestseller globally

While many may think the Golf is Volkswagen’s bestselling model, that is not so and the Tiguan is its bestselling model today. It is relatively young in the carmaker’s range, having been introduced in 2007. However, that coincided with the rapid growth in the SUV segment globally, and with the timing being right, sales rocketed.

The annual volumes have increased almost eightfold since the first full year of production. In 2019, one in seven of the 6.18 million Volkswagen vehicles manufactured was a Tiguan, for a total of 910,926 units. In fact, a Tiguan left the production line every 35 seconds last year – a new record for the model.

The R-Line range available in Malaysia includes the Tiguan Allspace. Visit
www.volkswagen.com.my
 to know more.


Russian Cyclocar flying car to use cyclic propellers and hybrid powerplant (w/VIDEO)

Although there have been prototypes of flying cars for many decades, it’s only in the past few years that the idea has become a more serious venture. Even Audi and Porsche have, with aerospace partners, looked into developing vehicles that can fly as well as be driven along roads. In many cases, it appears that the potential usage is not for personal, individual transport but as taxis or transporters.

At the Russian Academy of Sciences, a flying car project is now underway under the framework of the Foundation for Advanced Research ‘Cyclone’. The project, undertaken by the academy’s Siberian branch of the Institute of Thermophysics, is for the development of an aeromobile called the Cyclocar.

Cyclic propellers and hybrid powerplant

The method of lifting the vehicle off the ground uses cyclic propellers which are powered by electric motors from a sequential hybrid powerplant with a petrol combustion engine or a turboshaft engine employing a gas turbine.

The advantages of using cyclical propellers are fast control of the thrust vector through 360 degrees, low noise level, and compactness. A cyclic propulsion device is one of the most complex aerodynamic devices to design but scientists and engineers of the Novosibirsk Institute of Thermophysics have been able to solutions to the inherent problems.

During the first stage of work, ground tests of a cyclic propeller with a diameter of 1.5 metres were carried out. The results obtained during the tests on traction and consumed electric power fully confirmed the viability of the concept for powering the Cyclocar.

As the pictures show, the cyclic propellers will be installed at the side of the body with their frames. Special attention is being given to the design of the propeller frames to prevent people from being close to them while they are spinning as well as to resist damage from foreign objects.

More compact than a helicopter

The dimensions are 6.2 metres in length and 6 metres in width. Besides the compact dimensions in comparison with helicopters, a useful capability is landing on an inclined surface (up to 30 degrees) and docking against vertical surfaces like buildings.

The Cyclocar is expected to be able to take a payload of 600 kgs with 6 persons on board. Its maximum speed will be up to 250 km/h and it will have a flying range of up to 500 kms. The present layout has boarding from both sides as well as the rear where there is a ramp that can be lowered at any angle. The interior configuration can be varied to carry long items or even medical modules for use in disaster areas.

Like driving a modern car

The designers expect that operating the Cyclocar will be no more difficult than driving a modern car. It can be flown by the operator on board or remotely controlled, with the possibility of being used like a drone. The pilot-operator can, if needed, use manual control or automatic control, depending on the situation.

The next phase will see prototypes being built for flight tests and a fully functional Cyclocar is expected to be ready for production in 2024. The vehicle is intended for use by the military rather than the civilian sector.

The Audi Air Taxi developed in collaboration with ItalDesign and Airbus, was shown in 2018.

Klein Vision’s AirCar successfully completes flight tests in Slovakia (w/VIDEO)

Even after you recover from COVID-19 infection, your quality of life may be affected and you may suffer for a long period after that. Avoid being infected by taking the necessary measures to protect yourself as well as others, and get vaccinated as well.


Turkish Grand Prix to replace cancelled Singapore Grand Prix

With the cancellation of the Singapore Grand Prix again as the government is uncomfortable having too many foreigners entering the country during this pandemic period, Turkey has again been added to the 2021 Formula 1 calendar. The date of the Turkish Grand Prix will be on October 3, the same weekend originally scheduled for the Singapore Grand Prix.

This will be the second year in a row that the Turkish Grand Prix is being run, last year having been the first time since 2011. The 2021 Turkish Grand Prix, which was to replace the cancelled Canadian GP, was removed in May when strict travel restrictions (imposed by the UK) were expected to make it difficult for teams to travel there from their base in the UK.

Most of F1 community vaccinated

However, things have changed and it is now possible to travel to Turkey and the Formula 1 organisation has decided to use the venue. The organisers have taken many measures to protect the health of those involved and say a significant proportion of the F1 community has been vaccinated already.

The circuit for the Turkish Grand Prix will be the same Intercity Istanbul Park or Istanbul Racing Circuit (or initially, Istanbul Otodrom) in the country’s capital city. The track was opened in 2005 and was another project of Hermann Tilke, who has designed many of the modern F1 circuits around the world.

One of the most challenging circuits

Istanbul Park has often been regarded as one of the most challenging modern circuits in F1. Of the 14 turns, Turn 8 is ‘legendary’ – a fast, high-g 640-metre left-hander with multiple apexes. Though today’s racing cars are better designed to handle the turn compared to 10 years ago, the speed (around 270 km/h) and duration in the turn will still place a lot of loads on the tyres.

“Due to the increased downforce levels, the iconic Turn 8 will be less of a focus than before. It was pretty much flat-out in the 2011 cars, but it will become even less of a challenge in these 2020 machines. So, teams don’t need to compromise the setup so much for it,” said Mercedes-AMG’s Toto Wolff.

Besides Turn 8, there are also other challenges around the 5.338-km long circuit that the drivers will do 58 laps on. It will be tough and technically demanding, with the long back straight that allow DRS to enable overtaking heading into Turn 12. The end of the lap consists of a combination of three low-speed corners where braking stability on entry and traction on exit are important.

Lewis Hamilton passes his team members after taking the chequered flag at the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix where his seventh world title was confirmed.

Lewis Hamilton confirmed his 7th title in Istanbul

Last year, when the teams returned to the Istanbul Park circuit, they were familiar with the layout but much of the data from earlier races was somewhat outdated. This year, things will be better with the experience of having run a race last year, which was won by Lewis Hamilton. It was in Istanbul that Hamilton confirmed his 2020 title to make a total of 7 in all.

This weekend sees the first of two rounds at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. The first is the Styrian Grand Prix, and the second round to be held one week later will be the Austrian Grand Prix.

After a thrilling
French Grand Prix
, Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing top the championship charts. The Dutch driver is 12 points ahead of Hamilton, whom he beat to the chequered flag at Paul Ricard, while his team is 37 points ahead of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS team.

F1/Round 7: Highlights & Provisional Results For 2021 French Grand Prix


Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W206) Now Assembled Locally, Priced From RM287,888

Six months after introducing the latest generation of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W206), Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has launched the locally-assembled version. As with other models assembled in Malaysia, the new C-Class comes from the brand’s facility in Pekan, Pahang.

Two versions of the sedan are offered – the C200 Avantgarde priced from
RM287,888
 (excluding insurance) and the C300 AMG Line from
 RM327,888
 (without insurance). Local assembly naturally saves money and unlike some cases, there doesn’t seem to be any significant difference in the features and equipment compared to the CBU versions we saw earlier.

Both models are powered by 4-cylinder turbocharged engines, the C200 having a 1.5-litre displacement and an output of 204 ps/300 Nm, while the C300’s 2-litre engine produces 258 ps/400 Nm. Both engines get additional assistance with the integrated starter generator which can add 15 kW (equivalent to 20 ps) and 200 Nm to the output for brief periods. The same 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission with 9 speeds is used to deliver power to the rear wheels.

The classic sedan form that has characterised the C-Class is maintained with a more modernised appearance that has sporty elements. The C200’s Avantgarde line features include the radiator grille design with central Mercedes star as well as elegant trim strips in high-sheen aluminium and chrome with 18-inch 5-spoke wheels.

For the C300 with AMG Line, the grille incorporates the star design in chrome. To distinguish this version are LED High Performance headlamps with Adaptive High Beam Assist, 19-inch AMG multi spoke wheels and a panoramic sunroof is standard.

The rear ends of both models are similar, but this generation has had more attention given to the tail lamp units. For the first time in a C-Class, they have a 2-piece design, with the light functions divided between the side wall and bootlid lamps.

For this new generation, the interior has influences from the latest S-Class so its image is elevated. Notable features in the cabin are the high-resolution 12.3-inch free-standing display, which makes a difference from traditional cockpits with the classic round meters. The touchscreen appears to float above the expanse of trim and is slightly tilted towards the driver for easier viewing.

The dashboard is divided into an upper and a lower section. Above the wing-like section are a trio of  flattened round vents reminiscent of aircraft engine nacelles. The tablet-like central display flows down to the centre console which has a rear padded section for the armrest and a front section in lustrous jet black, divided by a chrome insert.

As with every new Mercedes-Benz in recent times, the new C-Class comes with MBUX and includes MBUX Navigation Premium. The MBUX multimedia system has extended functions and comes with a LTE module to connect to Mercedes me, the app that allows the owner to interact with his car. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make it possible to transfer favourite apps like Spotify or Waze onto the display screen and use them from there.

The system also has a fingerprint scanner but this is not used for security. Instead, it is used to retrieve stored profiles of different occupants (usually the driver) with regards to their personal preferences such as seat and steering adjustments, air-conditioning settings and even the ambient lighting levels.

Besides the advanced driver assistance systems to help the driver’s awareness and intervention when action is not taken to avoid an accident, there is also an emergency call (e-call) system. This will send a message to a control centre to notify of a possible accident when sensors detect a severe impact and deployment of the airbags. This could bring rescuers faster and make a difference in saving a life.

Each new C-Class comes with the URBAN GUARD vehicle protection package which is a security system for the car that can be helpful on recovering it if stolen. This makes use of the Mercedes me app and besides the usual security systems, it is also possible to deactivate the car keys preventing their use to start the engine. There is also visualisation with camera images to identify possible cause of parking damage.

For those interested in buying the new C-Class, Mercedes-Benz Financial has various financing plans starting from RM2,388 per month (for the C200). Additionally, there’s a MobilityPlus programme with a guaranteed temporary Mercedes-Benz replacement car if the car is retained by the service centre for 48 hours or more.

Why The New W206 Mercedes-Benz Is The Best C-Class Ever!


Original launch Land Rover from 1948 restored to running condition

After playing a starring role in Land Rover’s 70th anniversary celebrations last year, the ‘missing’ original launch Land Rover demonstration vehicle from the 1948 Amsterdam Motor Show has returned to the road for the first time since the 1960s, following a year-long restoration.

Rebuilt by a team of experts at Land Rover Classic at its Classic Works facility in England, which is dedicated to preserving Land Rovers out of production for 10 years or more, it was renovated using a mixture of traditional skills, original drawings and 21st century technology.

Found in a garden after decades

The historically important pre-production vehicle, which had vanished for decades but was found in 2016 in a garden near the Solihull factory where it was built, has been kept as authentic as possible and returned to its correct 1948 specification – including left-hand drive configuration, prototype braking system and all-wheel drive controls.

This approach required the team to strip the vehicle down to its bare chassis and begin a painstaking process of testing and checking which components could be reused and rebuilt following decades of decay and rust.

“It was important to strike the right balance when restoring the launch Land Rover. While there was a need to replace some parts, we were keen to keep as much of the original vehicle as possible in order to retain the unique characteristics of this 70-year old model. The team has done an incredible job and the end result is a testament to the unique expertise and tireless passion of the experts at our Classic Works facility,” said Calum McKechnie, Head of Land Rover Classic.

While the front axle required no significant repairs, the rear axle showed signs of extreme damage and fatigue. To understand the extent of the problem, the original part was X-rayed and depth-tested using state-of-the-art techniques and found to be strong enough to keep, rather than be replaced. During this process, the technicians even uncovered the original axle number, which was thought to be lost.

Original 4WD system

The original through-dash selectable 4WD system controls, known by enthusiasts as the ‘Organ Stops’ due to their similarity with the controls found on church organs, were also reinstated. The trio of pull-push knobs on the dash panel operate the 2 and 4-wheel drive transmission and High and Low range gear selection. This system was only fitted to some early pre-production Land Rovers, before being replaced by a simpler set-up for production. Land Rover Classic technicians used their expert knowledge to reinstate the original combination of rods, levers and linkages to replicate the design of the vehicle when it made its first appearance in 1948.

Pre-production Land Rovers were also fitted with a Lockheed braking system, while customer vehicles featured Girling brakes. Over the intervening decades, the rare set-up on the ‘missing’ Land Rover had been removed, so Land Rover Classic referenced period drawings to restore the authentic Lockheed design. This meant engineering replacement master and wheel cylinders, drums, pads and backplates before the brake pipes were carefully hand-fitted to match the routes followed on the original vehicle.

Year-long restoration of flaking paintwork

The flaking exterior paintwork doesn’t look like it has been subject to a year-long restoration but the goal was always to retain the patina of this important vehicle. Minor repairs were made to the original panels to remove tears and sharp edges. Where new panels were needed, they were recreated in original 2 mm thickness aluminium – unique to pre-production models – and painted in the original light green paint, colour matched from the underside of the original seat base, before being aged to complement the original panels.

“Bringing this historically important Land Rover back to life was a huge challenge, given its wear, tear and decay from the elements since the 1960s, but also a real pleasure. Being able to open up our archive and revisit the original Land Rover engineering programme from over 70 years ago was a great privilege for the whole team,” noted Michael Bishop, one of the engineers on the restoration team.

With the original badge missing, the team went to great lengths to ensure this was recreated exactly as it was more than 70 years ago. To do this, they digitised a photograph of another Land Rover on the stand at the 1948 Amsterdam Motor Show. In-house Computer-Aided Design specialists then transposed the photograph to calculate the size of the lettering and its position on the front wing to cast an accurate replacement.

Interesting discoveries…

Interesting discoveries during the work included an original sixpence coin from 1943 which had been deliberately left under the galvanised capping of the rear tub, as a hidden memento. The  team also worked with the Forestry Commission to identify the wood type used for the sections at the rear of the front seats. These ash elements were then replaced like-for-like.

With a fully-rebuilt engine incorporating specially-made pre-production-specification high-compression pistons, the result is a vehicle that drives just like it did when it left the factory and retains the unique patina acquired over more than 7 decades of use and disuse.

Related story:
The Last Overland Expedition For The First Land Rover Driven From London To Singapore


Day 1 of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival/Vios Challenge Season 4/Round 1

When the pandemic hit last year and brought things to near-standstill, motorsports activities were suspended as such events typically have huge crowds which are a definite no-no these days as they can promote the spread of the coronavirus. No one knew just how long the situation would last and motorsports organisers kept praying that things would ease so they could run some events.

At UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT), even though the final round of Season 3 of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) Festival had to be cancelled, there was optimism that the pandemic could not go on ‘forever’. And although Season 4 could not start off around the usual time in the third quarter of the year, planning was still done with a hope that eventually, the new season could be run.

The company even decided to use the ‘downtime’ to train a group of young men who excelled in karting and sim racing (or eSports). They were recruited for the
GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program
 where they would not just receive professional training – physically and mentally – but also have cars to use during the Vios Challenge. The new Rookie Class would complement the hugely popular Promotional Class in the series which had local celebrities taking part.

And so, with the green light given by the health authorities, Season 4 could get underway this weekend – but with some conditions for the protection of participants. Apart from the strict observance of Standard Operating Procedures that every Malaysian should now be familiar with, the public also could not attend the event held at the Sepang International Circuit. This is similar to many motorsports events in the past year, including F1 races, where spectators have been absent. Instead, organisers have provided live broadcasts of the races and GAZOO Racing Malaysia has done likewise for this weekend’s activities.

The broadcasts are on the UMW Toyota Motor and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Malaysia websites at
toyota.com.my/tgrmalaysia/
, and also on the

Toyota Malaysia
 and
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Malaysia
 Facebook pages.

“This is our fourth season organizing the Vios Challenge and the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival, and we constantly challenge ourselves to improve and push the limits not only in terms of our vehicles but also what the brand represents,” said GAZOO Racing Malaysia’s Chief Motorsport Officer, Akio Takeyama (who has been racing in every season in the Promotional Class).

“We are very much committed to continuing with such activities moving forward and you can expect an even better performance from Toyota, our vehicles, the activities we undertake, and from all the drivers who continue to support in making the Vios Challenge a huge success,” he promised.

Only the North Track is used for this round and it is about half of the full circuit. It has a length of 2.706 kms with 9 turns and 5 straights.

PROMOTIONAL CLASS

Mr. Takeyama, who is also Deputy Chairman of UMWT, found himself on the winner’s podium after finishing second position in the battle of the celebrities in the race while newcomer Zizan Razak stormed to victory in a wet race, with fellow newcomer Ahirene Ahirudin coming in third place. Quite an impressive showing for the two first-timers in the Vios Challenge.

Earlier in the race, actor Shukri Yahaya had shot into the lead from pole position with TV presenter Nabil Ahmad in second and Zizan in third position. An early mistake however, sent Nabil out of contention for a podium finish which paved the way for a two-car battle for the lead between Shukri and Zizan. The latter eventually inherited the lead as early as the third lap with a brilliant overtaking move.

“Because this was my first race, I was honestly just out to gain experience. The rain however, worked in my favour. I enjoy driving in the wet!” said Zizan.

Starting the race from sixth position, TV presenter Ahirene kept her calm throughout the 18-lap race and benefitted from the misfortunes of Shukri, Nabil and singer-song writer Talitha Tan who started the race ahead of her.

“I want to thank Toyota for inviting me to join Season 4. I was a bit nervous before the start of the race, especially with the rain making it more difficult and challenging. I really wasn’t expecting anything and I just wanted to enjoy the race,” said Ahirene, who has racing experience on 2-wheelers and is also in the Royal Malaysian Navy.

SUPER SPORTING CLASS

In this top-tier class, the lead exchanged hands 4 times in the 20-lap race before GAZOO Racing ambassador and Prima Pearl Auto driver Tengku Djan Ley overtook M7 Japan Project Team’s Syafiq Ali for the lead in the very last lap for victory. Coming in third was 16-year-old Hayden Haikal who was making his debut in this class after impressive racing in the previous season.

The start of the race around the North Track (half of the whole circuit) was delayed for 20 minutes due to a brief thunderstorm as the cars lined up on the starting grid. Conditions on the track precipitated for two citing laps behind the Safety Car for safety reasons and the Race Director decided on having a rolling start instead of a conventional grid start.

Laser Motor Racing’s Mark Darwin led the first 2 laps from pole position with Hayden and Tengku Djan hot on his heels. Hayden pushed into the lead on the third lap and held the lead for more than 10 laps before conceding to Syafiq who later led for another 5 laps. With all the action up front, the experienced Tengku Djan paced himself and was ready to strike in the very last lap.

“Instead of me paving the way, I let others do it. It was a difficult race to begin with as Syafiq was super fast. Rather than trying to defend my position I decided to just follow him and understand what the front competitors were doing and observe where their strengths and weaknesses were. I knew the race would be decided in the last 2 laps and that was when I started to push and began to make my move,” said Tengku Djan who is also Season 3’s defending Super Sporting Class champion.

ROOKIE CLASS

In the battle of the young drivers in this new Class, the top 3 podium positions were surprisingly dominated by two simulator racers and a single karter. The graduates of the GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program certainly made a good impression on their debut race.

For Naquib Azlan, who was fastest throughout practice and qualifying, the 20-lap race could not have been a more memorable debut for the young simulator racer who was racing in a saloon car for the very first time. He finished the race ahead of karter Amer Harris and a second simulator racer, Mika Hakimi.

“The weekend has gone really smoothly and we managed to achieve everything we set out to do throughout practice, qualifying and the race. I was hoping to have been able to keep up a little bit more with the Super Sporting Class drivers [in times] but the main goal was to win the Rookie Class. These guys [in the Super Sporting Class] are really quick,” said Naquib.

Representing the karting fraternity, Amer was also pleasantly surprised with his result. “I had a really bad start and to be honest, I wasn’t expecting to be up to speed especially in the rain. I caught up to Naquib but I later made a mistake,” said the 17-year-old.

Related:
Naquib Azlan Shows That Sim Racers Can Also Perform Well In Real-World Racing

SPORTING CLASS

With 19-drivers on the grid, the Sporting Class was the most highly-anticipated race, and the return of the rain made conditions even more challenging for the drivers. At the end of the 20-lap race, it was Crestmax Motorsport’s Adam Khalid who took the chequered flag ahead of Team Distinctive Model’s Clement Yeo and privateer Eric Yong, all three of whom have been podium finishers in the previous seasons.

“At the start of the race, it was really tough to find the best racing line because it was dry throughout practice and qualifying and this was the first time I’ve driven the car in the wet. After dropping back a few places and managing to regain my momentum and composure, I tried to save the car for tomorrow’s race. Hopefully, it will be a dry race tomorrow,” said Adam.

Yeo meanwhile, was the biggest gainer in the race having started from seventh position on the grid. “The conditions were very slippery. Every single corner was a gamble and I believe we all struggled for grip. I had a good and lucky start and I was fortunate to have had a clear path ahead,” he said.

Tomorrow sees the second series of races in the Vios Challenge and you can watch the live broadcasts at the times show below:

The broadcasts will be on the UMW Toyota Motor and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Malaysia websites at
toyota.com.my/tgrmalaysia/
,
 and also on the

Toyota Malaysia
 and
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Malaysia
 Facebook pages.

Season 4 of Toyota GAZOO Racing Festival to have 6 events with 11 races in 2021


Bridgestone wins GM’s Supplier of the Year Award

Bridgetone Corporation, the world renowned tyre maker has bagged an award from General Motors for Supplier of the Year during the 25th annual Supplier of the Year awards ceremony in Florida. This is the second time in a row that Bridgetone has received this award but its the company’s 15th such award overall.

Winners of this award are chosen based on performance criteria in Product Purchasing, Indirect Purchasing, Customer Care and Aftersales and Logistics. The judges are from the global team of GM’s purchasing, engineering, quality, manufacturing and logistics executives.

“I am proud of the effort and dedication that earned Bridgestone this honor for the 15th time,” said Mike Martini, president, original equipment, U.S. and Canada, Bridgestone Americas Tyre Operations. “This award is a testament to our product, engineering and manufacturing performance at Bridgestone, and belongs to the dedicated teammates across our global organization who bring value and innovation to partners like GM.”

Bridgestone Corporation’s headquarters is in Tokyo, Japan. And it is one of the world’s largest tyre and rubber company. Besides manufacturing tyres, it is also involved in manufacturing a broad range of products which include industrial rubber, chemical products and sporting goods. Bridgestone products are sold in over 150 countries across the globe including our own.


Ford issue safety recall for Mustang in North America

The Blue Oval has decided to issue a safety compliance recall for about 6,000 of the 2017 Ford Mustang cars made, for an inspection of the left interior door handle return spring. Apparently, cars affected by the recall may have had their left-hand door handle built with a disoriented return spring which could increase the potential for the return spring to become unseated.

According to the company, if the return spring does become unseated, during a side-impact crash, the impact experienced by the interior door handle may cause the door to unlatch and inturn increase the risk of injury.

As of now, there are no reports of any accidents or injuries that are related to this issue. There are about 5,470 affected vehicles in the United States, 20 in Mexico and 266 in Canada. These vehicles were built at Ford’s facility at Flat Rock Assembly Plant from January 13, 2017 to January 31, 2017.


Special Offers From Volkswagen For Chinese New Year Of The Rabbit

With the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit about to start later this month, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has festive special offers with savings of up to RM4,000 on selected models. These include the Golf GTI, the Tiguan Allspace family (Life, Elegance and R-Line), and Arteon R-line 4MOTION. The offers are on until the end of February 2023.

Until March 31, 2023, there will also be a Volkswagen Genuine Services aftersales campaign. During the campaign period, owners who spend a minimum of RM800 at any authorised Volkswagen service centre in Malaysia will receive an RM30 official merchandise voucher. The vouchers can put owners in the running to win more merchandise, including the highly sought-after Volkswagen sun chairs.

The Tiguan Allspace family

For Volkswagen Cares Plus subscribers
Volkswagen Cares Plus (VCP) subscribers will receive a complimentary disinfectant kit with every service and utilisation of the VCP service discount vouchers provided in the Volkswagen Cares app. The Volkswagen Cares app can be downloaded on the Apple App Store for iOS users, and the Google Play store for Android users.

VCP is an exclusive programme for Volkswagen owners with a vehicle that is 5 years and older. It also comes with benefits such as 2 years of complimentary roadside assistance, including battery support 24 hours a day.

This weekend (January 7/8), all Volkswagen dealerships nationwide will also be holding Chinese New Year showroom celebrations, with deals and test drives available. Authorised Volkswagen service centres are also offering vehicle checks which are free. Whether you are going to travel long-distance or just enjoy the peace and quiet in town, it’s worth sending your vehicle in to ensure everything is in good condition. Owners are advised to schedule their appointments through the Volkswagen Cares app.

To know more about Volkswagen products and services and the locations of authorised dealerships in Malaysia, visit
www.volkswagen.com.my
.

Volkswagen’s Office Chair For The Fast-Moving Executive (w/VIDEO)

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


First Edition of latest Bentley Bentayga V8 available to Malaysian buyers

For those who want a rare collectible version of the new Bentley Bentayga V8, the First Edition is now available in Malaysia. With a selection of Bentley options included, the First Edition is priced
from RM935,000
 (excluding taxes and insurance), a difference of RM191,900 from the base price of the standard price of the latest Bentayga.

Top specs for limited run

The First Edition is a limited run so only a certain number will be available to each market. Each SUV comes with Bentley Dynamic Ride (and active roll control system), Touring Specification as well as Mulliner Driving Specification. This specification includes 22-inch black-painted and directional alloy wheels and sports pedals.

With the new Bentayga, the interior has undergone revisions that include a new centre fascia and steering wheels, door trims and seats (which are also now available with ventilation at the rear of the 5-seat option). There’s also up to 100 mm more legroom for rear occupants, depending on the configuration.

First Edition buyers can choose from a wide range of leather upholstery and wood veneers, allowing the unique contrasted stitching on the diamond quality areas to stand out. There’s First Edition badging around the vehicle and customers can also ask for the words or the Bentley wings to be embroidered on the seats.

Revised exclusive interior

The latest hardware and software includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside the existing wired system, for connectivity flexibility. Rear seat occupants can enjoy journeys with a large touchscreen remote control tablet, similar to that introduced in the latest Flying Spur.

The exclusive nature of the First Edition is complemented by the best audio system available from Bentley – Naim for Bentley. This 1,780W system specially customized for the Bentayga comes with 20 speakers and 8 listening modes, ranging from Digital Media to Classic.

The First Edition doesn’t come with a more powerful engine but the standard V8 performance should satisfy even the most demanding driver. The 4-litre 32-valve twin scroll turbocharged engine produces up to 550 ps/770 Nm that gives a claimed 0 to 100 km/h capability of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 290 km/h. This output is intelligently distributed to all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Click here for other news and articles about Bentley
.


CMCO: Restriction on number of occupants in vehicles will no longer apply from tomorrow

It’s been almost 70 days that Malaysia has had the Movement Control Order (MCO) which has restricted movements besides other activities nationwide. In the earliest days, the conditions were very strict and while it was permitted to travel out of the home for the purpose of buying food or essential items, or seeking medical attention, only one person was allowed in the vehicle (except in emergency cases).

The concern then was about the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus and the measure was necessary to stop transmission. Roadblocks were set up to check on vehicles and many people got into trouble for not following that order. It presented some problems for some families where the wife – who usually did the shopping – might not know how to drive so husbands had to learn how to find things at supermarkets!

By the end of April, the conditions were relaxed a bit (although a 10-km limit was set for the distance of travel), and two persons were allowed in the vehicle. They had to be family members and living in the same household. This made sense since they were already staying together.

In the early weeks of the MCO, police set up roadblocks to check on vehicle occupants,

Within a short time, up to 4 persons were allowed to travel together in the vehicle and again, the condition was that they must be family members living in the same household. For taxis, however, the number of passengers was still restricted to two persons.

With things improving – as evident by declining numbers – the government began easing restrictions and even allowing businesses to resume operations. Today, it has been announced that the 4-people-per-vehicle ruling will be removed with effect from tomorrow (Wednesday May 27). Vehicles can now carry as many as permitted so those with MPVs can now take the whole family out. Yes, that condition remains – they must all be family members from the same household.

CMCO is still on

Many people don’t realize that the MCO – now Conditional Movement Control Order or CMCO – is still active. Though life seems ‘normal’, people are still required to remain at home unless they must go to work or do essential shopping. Cruising around town to ‘makan angin’ is actually not permitted and gatherings are also forbidden.

For this reason, the authorities were very firm on the conditions for the Hari Raya holiday period. Apart from prohibiting interstate travel, which meant no ‘balik kampung’ journeys. Visits were only allowed on the first day of Hari Raya and the traditional Open House was discouraged. For those who had to have it, they could only have up to 20 people in their home at any one time – and that number was dependent on the size of the home because of social distancing requirements.

No more ‘turn around’ only at roadblocks; police will issue summonses for not obeying CMCO regulation


500,000 BHP Go Shop Vouchers Worth RM 10 Million Up For Grabs

Boustead Petroleum Marketing
 Sdn Bhd (BHPetrol) and GO SHOP Malaysia are rewarding Malaysians with more than
500,000 Go Shop
 vouchers worth RM20 each at participating BHPetrol stations with
BHPetromart
 convenience stores.

Customers can purchase fuels and goods (excluding Touch n’ Go, e-Pay services and tobacco) for a minimum value of RM30 per transaction from
8 to 18 of February 2018
 to qualify for the RM20 Go Shop voucher.

Baba Tan, BHPetrol’s Retail Senior Marketing Manager with Jason Chong, Vice President of Go Shop Malaysia, at the launching ceremony at BHPetrol, Jalan Kewajipan.

The RM20 voucher can be redeemed on Go Shop’s official website or Go Shop mobile app, by keying in the unique promo code embossed at the back of the voucher. The voucher is valid till 31 March 2018.

10 lucky customers who successfully redeemed the Go Shop voucher will also win
RM1000
 worth of BHPetrol vouchers each, while another 43 customers will stand to win
RM10,000
 worth of products from Go Shop.

For more information on BHPetrol, log on to
www.bhpetrol.com.my

For more information on Go Shop, log onto
www.goshop.com.my
 or download the official Go Shop app via the Malaysian Apple Store (iOS users) and Google Play Store (Android users)


Cycle & Carriage Bintang sends the service centre to your home

Many service centres are resuming operations and welcoming owners who must be eager to have their vehicles serviced or repaired. However, some owners may be busy, especially with the sudden announcement that businesses can commence next week. Thus they may not be able to send their vehicles in for servicing.

For such customers, Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad (C&C) has a personalised service which brings the service centre to the home. Known as the Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile, it’s actually been available for the past two years. The service includes scheduled maintenance work, wiper blade replacement, oil filter, air filter, combi filter and dust filter replacement, key battery replacement and car battery replacement.

“We introduced this first-of-its-kind service to the Malaysian market in 2018 on a trial basis. Now, with the Movement Control Order and social distancing, the Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile service provides customers peace-of-mind as they are able to remain within the safety and comfort of their homes while our technicians care for their vehicle on-site,” explained C&C CEO, Wilfrid Foo.

Transparency with cost estimates

In compliance with the current health and safety requirements, all contact points in the vehicle (a Vito van) are sanitised after every service and C&C conducts temperature checks on its technicians daily. Along with added convenience and quality, customers are assured greater transparency with cost estimates provided ahead of services including itemised costs for required parts and labour cost. This enables the customer to make a more informed decision about the maintenance of their Mercedes-Benz vehicle.

“Cycle & Carriage is dedicated to providing
Exceptional Journey
s to customers. We are continually learning and understanding each customer’s needs and preferences. We aim to be a trusted dealer partner by translating our insights into innovative services and experiences that enhance the overall customer journey. The Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile is a shining example of a premium service that delivers greater convenience and peace of mind when it comes to caring for our customers’ cherished Mercedes-Benz vehicles,” said Mr. Foo.

The Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile travels with two qualified technicians and is fully equipped with the Xentry Diagnosis system, special tools and technician hand tools to perform the stipulated maintenance jobs.

It is available by appointment within the Klang Valley. During the MCO period, availability is daily (except Sundays and public holidays) from 9 am to 3 pm, and Saturday from 9 am to 12 noon.pm.

Door-to-Door service as an alternative

Alternatively, Mercedes-Benz owners can also use C&C’s ‘Door to Door’ service. They can call their preferred C&C authorised service centre and their vehicle will be picked up for servicing and then returned when the work is completed. The service (for which there is a charge) is available up to 30 kms driving distance from the authorised Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. For the owner’s peace of mind, the vehicle will be covered by insurance between the home and service centre.

Cycle & Carriage Body & Paint facility gets 100% score again from Daimler AG


Porsche Upgrades Cayenne’s CarPlay Experience With More Controls

Apple CarPlay is arguably one of the best device-to-car applications introduced in the history of the automobile. It offers seamless connectivity between an Apple device and a car, but one of the major drawbacks is that CarPlay does not integrate vehicle settings, which means that a user will have to backtrack to the main menu to change vehicle settings, which can be annoying and distracting.

But Porsche seems to have figured it out, and claims to be the first manufacturer to do so.

The Porsche companion app, which is available on the App Store and lets users access a car’s status and get real time data such as travel range, tyre pressure, trip data, close status of the windows and doors, among others. It also allows users to remotely turn on the air-conditioning, and even supports remote parking.

The app has obviously been useful but it has now been upgraded to make it simpler for drivers to control numerous car functions from within the
CarPlay
 interface. A supposed first for any car maker.

The My Porsche app, which was updated on Monday, gives users access to several aspects of the car, including the battery’s level of charge, destinations for the navigation system, and air conditioning settings. These features have been added to CarPlay in an update to the app.

Drivers can now view images of their exact car model within CarPlay, as well as sound profiles, radio station controls, climate management, and ambient lighting, according to the upgrade. The various settings can be configured inside wellness modes like “relax” or “warm up,” and can be called up using Siri, using quick actions in CarPlay.

In order to enable their use through the primary vehicle interface, the My Porsche App also establishes connections between accounts with third-party services offered by Porsche Communication Management, such as Apple Music.

With intentions to shortly roll out the modifications to additional models, the new software is now available in the Porsche Cayenne only.

Porsche’s app modifications are consistent with Apple’s CarPlay ambitions. Apple presented a vision of CarPlay at The Apple Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2022 in which it is more closely integrated with the vehicle and gives access to in-car capabilities, including real-time connections with the vehicle’s own systems.

The increased level of integration follows a similar update that Porsche released in May. In that update, Porsche made it possible to locate EV chargers in the Taycan’s built-in version of Apple Maps. Users may also examine information like the vehicle’s state of charge (SOC), anticipated traffic conditions, and average speed through Apple Maps rather than the Porsche version that comes built-in.

Porsche was on the list of automakers involved in the development of the next-generation CarPlay. However, it is certain that neither Tesla nor
GM
 drivers will be able to use the updated CarPlay interface.


BMW Financial Services Malaysia extends BMW Engage to BMW Premium Selection

BMW Financial Services Malaysia today announced the service extension of the BMW Engage feature to the all-new BMW Premium Selection digital experience – in line with their commitment to digitalise touch points early last month.

The BMW Premium Selection digital experience offers a wide selection of pre-owned vehicles from the BMW portfolio. From now on, prospective customers in the BMW Premium Selection range will also be able to use the BMW Engage platform to initiate the financing pre-approval process.

With the BMW Engage platform, they can calculate the monthly instalment, generate a quotation, submit an application and obtain pre-approval. The fully-digitalised financing application platform enables customers to tailor the financing of their vehicle to their own needs, and to apply through a contactless process from the comfort of their own home  or office.

“When BMW Engage was introduced early this year, it was a reverberation of our commitment to our loyal customers to continue delivering the Premium Ownership Experience – no matter the distance. The digital feature became a timely and necessary solution for customers during that period of physical divide at the height of the pandemic, and it continues to further enhance their purchasing journey,” said Tobias Eismann, MD of BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia.

“As we enter a new normal, we are proud to extend BMW Engage to the pre-owned vehicle segment by expanding its coverage to the BMW Premium Selection portfolio. At the same time, we are also proud that through this, we are able to extend another avenue for customers to join us in our ongoing efforts to assist the B40 community in attaining the highest level of safety for their children while on the road, via the BMW Safety 360° subsidy programme,” he added.

Related links:
BMW Premium Selection range of models
 |
BMW Engage platform

BMW Premium Selection goes digital

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


Honda wins big at KBB

Honda has bagged a number of new awards in North America, with the most notable of the lot being awarded to the 2018 Accord. It has been named Overall Best Buy of 2018 by Kelley Blue Book (KBB). It is one of 7 accolades that the Japanese automaker won from a total of 12 ‘Best Buy’ award categories.

According to the judges, the Accord bested the competition because it managed to outclass its rivals in all categories despite being considerably cheaper. Besides this, it also offers decent fuel consumption and features that offer the best bang for your buck.

The following is the full list of Honda vehicles that were recognized during the awards ceremony:

Overall Best Buy:
2018 Honda Accord

Mid-Size Car:
 2018 Honda Accord

Small Car:
2018 Honda Civic

Electric/Hybrid Car:
2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid

Small SUV/Crossover:
2018 Honda CR-V

Midsize SUV/Crossover:
2018 Honda Pilot

Minivan:
2018 Honda Odyssey

Speaking of Honda’s latest achievements, Jeff Conrad, senior vice president of the Automobile Division of American Honda, said, “We’re exceptionally proud to have dominated this year’s Kelly Blue Book awards, which really reinforces our unique focus on individual car buyers and on delivering the best overall value.”

Honda’s reputation for building vehicles of decent quality with impressive reliability standards have won over many North American car buyers. Despite stiff competition from local and Japanese rivals, it still continues to win award after award.