Lexus reveals DIRECT4 technology for future hybrids and EVs

The transition to electrified vehicles has been taking place across the auto industry since this century began although for the premium and luxury brands, it may appear slower. Perhaps these brands in the upper stratosphere of the market want to make sure that when they do go all the way to fully electrically powered cars, their customers will still enjoy the same comforts and performance.

Lexus, Toyota premium luxury brand, has been working towards this to ensure that the ‘Lexus Driving Signature’ will be present in future hybrid and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). While it obviously shares resources with Toyota, it also has its own technological advancements and one of them now being revealed is DIRECT4, which will be a core Lexus Electrified technology.

DIRECT4 is a new system which can provide instant electric control to all four wheels to transform dynamic performance, working instantaneously according to driving conditions and driver intentions It is said to also give greater design freedom to reimagine Lexus’ signature design.

First glimpse of new BEV design concept

At the 2019 Tokyo Motorshow, to illustrate its new global electrification strategy, Lexus displayed the futuristic LF-30 concept car (pictured below). The new strategy, called ‘Lexus Electrified’ targets a fundamental leap in vehicle performance, handling, control and driver enjoyment.

Lexus Electrified technology supports this vision with DIRECT4 for its next generation of battery electric and hybrid electric vehicles. DIRECT4 precisely controls the delivery of drive torque from front and rear electric motors and braking force to all four wheels. By automatically adjusting the balance of front and rear-wheel drive, the system adapts the driving conditions to the driver’s intentions, changing the driving feel and giving the car the best driving posture.

The system uses a front and rear e-axle, each featuring a high-torque electric motor and transaxle, focusing on optimum drive force distribution. As the motor is directly connected to the wheels by a single driveshaft, it operates without delay.

Its operation is intuitive and highly responsive, giving the driver a genuine sense of being fully connected with the vehicle. Moreover, it provides an ideal balance of predictability and excitement, with powerful, linear acceleration and exhilarating cornering. At the same time, the system is engineered for quietness and comfort, which will always be expected by those who travel in a Lexus.

Supporting the Lexus Driving Signature

In developing DIRECT4, Lexus has been able to draw on its experience in electrified vehicle technologies. This expertise supports the development of ‘Lexus Driving Signature’ that will define the dynamic performance of Lexus’ next-generation vehicles.

According to Chief Designer Koichi Suga, electrification technologies will impact on vehicle design as well as performance, for example with no requirement to provide front cooling for an engine and radiator. This will present new opportunities to express technological advances in the car’s 3-dimensional form.

New Lexus IS introduces ‘The Lexus Driving Signature’


New DS 7 Crossback SUV launched in Malaysia – RM199,888

The first DS 7 Crossback made its official ‘preview’ sometime at the end of last year during the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2018 (KLIMS) and today, Naza Euro Motors Sdn Bhd has officially launched it for the Malaysian market.

The new DS 7 Crossback represents the first model of the brand’s second-generation line-up and it promises nothing but luxury, style, and sophistication unlike any other SUV in the market. Aesthetically pleasing to the senses, the new DS 7 comes with the very recognizable DS Wings, diamond-effect gloss black grille, Active LED Vision, and other ‘charismatic’ features.

According to SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, Group Executive Chairman & CEO, Naza Corporation Holdings, “Designed to be charismatic, muscular and sensual, the all-new DS 7 Crossback demonstrates personality instantly with its elegant touches that is sure to turn heads on the road. The all-new DS 7 Crossback SUV is a premium SUV that comes with a competitive price without compromising the experience of the DS brand.”

Going back to the DS Active LED Vision system, the DS 7’s lighting system is able to adapt to different road conditions with the right amount of illumination thanks to five different modes; Town Beam, Country Beam, Motorway Beam, Adverse Weather and High Beam. The coolest feature has to the 180-degree turn of the headlamps’ inner parts to create a ‘hypnotic visual effect’.

Rolling on bespoke 19-inch Onyx Black alloy wheels, this set of fine-looking wheels further amp up the DS 7’s exterior look and feel by bringing the entire façade together in one massive yet sophisticated SUV. Make yourself to the rear and you’ll quickly find a set of full LED 3D rear tail lights.

Powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the new DS 7 Crossback produces 163hp at 6,000rpm and 240Nm of maximum torque from as low as 1,400rpm. All that power is transferred to the wheels via a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters if you’re feeling ‘sporty’.

Step inside its luxurious cabin and you’re welcomed with Balast Black alcantara leather interior, 12.3-inch digital instrument clusters and eight-inch HD touchscreen to monitor and control many aspects of the vehicle. There are also other premium features such as:

Apple® Carplay and Mirrorlink connectivity

Wireless smartphone charger

Premium HiFi Focal Electra 14-speaker sound system

R.M. R180 chronograph analog clock

Bluetooth hands-free with media streaming

Leather steering wheel

Automatic dual zone air-conditioning system

There’s currently only one variant of the DS 7 Crossback available here in Malaysia which is the Performance Line and it is priced at RM199,888 (OTR without insurance). Four colour options are available; Nera Black, Pearl White, Absolute Red, and Platinum Grey. For more information, head over to
www.dsautomobiles.com.my
.


Volvo’s Radar System Will Detect Children Left Inside The Car

It’s hard to imagine that parents can take their children out in a car and forget about them after parking and getting out. But from the periodic news reports of children being trapped in cars because their parents forgot about them, it does happen – and sometimes a tragic death occurs.

US government statistics show that since 1998, more than 900 children in America have died after being left in hot cars. Heartbreakingly, a majority of hot car deaths occur because someone forgot that their child was in the car at the time. No statistics are readily available for Malaysia but it does happen too.

Volvo as a safety pioneer has given this matter attention and used its technological expertise to develop a system which can help ensure that no one will be left behind or forgotten. It’s a radar system for use inside the cabin and also covers the boot compartment. The radar’s sensitivity is strong enough to detect the tiniest movements at sub-millimetre scale – such as those of a sleeping toddler or even a pet.

The radar sensors, installed in the overhead console, the roof-mounted reading lamps and the boot of the car, will make their first appearance in the new EX90 battery-electric SUV to be unveiled on November 9, 2022. They will also be installed in future models as time goes on.

“No one chooses to be distracted or tired, but we know it can happen,” said Lotta Jakobsson, Volvo’s  senior technical specialist in injury prevention. “We’re all human and distraction is a fact of life. With the help of cutting-edge technology, we’ll support you when you’re not at your best and help you avoid leaving family members or pets behind by accident.”

To avoid ‘reminder fatigue’, the experts have determined that the best time to signal the potential presence of family members left inside the car is when you attempt to lock the car. Every time you try to lock the car, the interior radar system is activated and determines whether your car is empty of any people or pets, before it allows the car to be locked.

If a family member or pet is detected inside, the car will remain unlocked and the car will display a reminder to check the cabin for occupants on the centre console screen. The car’s climate and ventilation system can remain on if people or animals are detected in the cabin, to improve comfort. This can also help lower the risk of hypothermia or heatstroke. The climate system will remain working as long as the high-voltage battery has enough charge.

The radar operates on the 60GHz frequency is suitable for automotive use but will require approval from authorities in each country where the vehicle is sold. When approval is obtained, the system can be activated so it is likely that Volvo may pre-install it at the factory.

The heartbeat sensor
This is not the first time Volvo has developed an occupant-sensing system as it had a heartbeat sensor in the S80 20 years ago. This was one of the features of the sophisticated Volvo Personal Communicator (VPC) that allows remote control of many systems in the car from the key fob in your hand.

The heartbeat sensor could pick up the vibration of a beating heart – both human and animal – so it could alert the driver if he or she locked the car and forgot about the sleeping child. A signal would be transmitted to the remote control unit, which would alert the driver via a combination of audible signals and vibration pulses.

At the time Volvo demonstrated the prototype in the early 2000s, it showed a child being trapped in the boot although that scenario was a bit far-fetched! A child would likely be trapped in a boot if he or she was kidnapped and the kidnappers would already be aware!

The heartbeat sensor was meant more for personal security as it could detect someone who had entered  the car. The scenario was one of those movie scenes where the bad guy manages to get in and hides behind the seat waiting for the driver. With the heartbeat sensor, the driver would be alerted 100 metres from the car. If he was James Bond, then he would probably get in but anyone else could quickly go away.

A description of the Heartbeat Sensor in the Owner’s Manual of the 2006 Volvo S80.

The heartbeat sensor feature was mentioned during the 2000s but then faded away so it was probably not a selling point. But the VPC evolved into the Personal Car Communicator and offered features that were advanced in their time. At one stage, Volvo said that someone who forgot to lock their car when it was left at the airport could do so when they landed in another country as the VPC could connect to a cellphone network.

Entire Volvo model range can now receive Over-the-Air (OTA) updates


Honda To Partner  Steel Maker To Produce EV-Related Materials

South Korea’s POSCO, the sixth-largest steelmaking company in the world and Japan’s
Honda
 Motor signed a comprehensive memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Tuesday. This partnership is to expand cooperation in the electric vehicle (EV) industry.

Prior to this, Posco was understood to have agreed in principle to a contract last year with a duration of at least five years with
Ford
. This contract is only for the supply of cathode materials and other key EV battery minerals, including lithium and nickel.

However, the POSCO-Honda partnership intends to expand beyond the existing steel industry to include the secondary battery material sector as well as other EV-related areas such as eco-friendly car plates, anode and cathode materials, solid-state battery materials, and recycling programmes.

According to POSCO Chairman, Choi Jeong-Woo, the recent collaboration between the two firms expanded their existing partnership in the steel sector to the secondary battery material sector.

The previous result of the existing partnership and collaboration was the development of advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) sheets that are 30% lighter than conventional materials while maintaining their strength. The AHSS sheets developed by Posco and Honda have been used in various models of Honda cars, including the Civic Type R and Accord Hybrid.

The two firms intend to begin by exploring the supply of anode and cathode materials in the secondary battery material market. Periodic business and technology exchanges will be used to foster joint technological development for solid-state battery materials. They also want to connect Honda’s EV business with POSCO Group’s global recycling operations.

Discussions in the steel sector will focus on eco-friendly steel for carbon neutrality, expanding motor core sheets for EVs, and non-oriented electrical steel sheets for motors, which will outnumber the current supply of automotive plates.

POSCO and Honda will form sector-specific working groups, engage in long-term cooperation, and hold frequent exchange meetings to help steel and secondary battery material industries expand internationally. A cooperative response framework, similar to the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), might be devised to handle global EV supply chain concerns.

Chairman Choi stated that the collaboration would generate a win-win situation for POSCO Group’s full value chain strategy for secondary battery materials and Honda’s EV expansion strategy. According to Honda’s President Mibe, this movement will emphasise the company’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality for all product categories by 2050.

Global EV demand is expected to rise from 13.57 million units this year to 22.36 million units in 2025 and 59 million units in 2030, based on market predictions. In response to increasing carbon limits around the world, securing an eco-friendly steel and secondary battery material supply chain is critical for the EV era.


Amazing facts that you might not know about the SRT Demon

The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is probably the most powerful drag focused muscle car you can buy. It has a monstrous 6.2-litre HEMI V8 that delivers 840bhp and 1044Nm of torque but shares only 38% of its parts with the less powerful Hellcat V8. It has a new crankshaft, pistons, connecting rods and supercharger.

Built at the Saltillo Engine Plant in Mexico, the Demon’s engine cylinder heads are machined on dedicated CNC machines to ensure perfect production. The engine block is deck plate honed to minimise bore distortions. And once completely assembled, the powerplant is dyno tested for 42 minutes under load up to 5,200rpm before it is approved for use.

Here are some facts about the engine:

– Forged alloy steel crankshaft with 90.9-millimeter stroke and revised balancing

– Induction-hardened crank bearing surfaces; individual journal optimized main bearing clearances

– Forged high-strength alloy pistons; 30-micron increased piston to bore clearance

– Powder forged connecting rods; upgraded shank and big end; revised ultra-high tensile fasteners

– Flow doubled on piston cooling oil jets

– Revised design valve springs

– 33 percent increase in oiling for valve springs and rocker tips – lubrication and cooling

– Single-groove collects on valve stems for improved stability

– Fuel injector pressure increased 27 percent

– Oil pan and windage tray optimized for high acceleration – tested up to 1.8g

The car is fitted with a TorqueFlite 8HP90 Eight-speed automatic transmission that is able to change gears in just 400 miliseconds. And the Demon’s drivertrain consists of a limited slip differential that that has a 20% thicker prop shaft than the Hellcat’s, made of high strength, low alloy steel tube and high strength steel stub shafts. The strengthened internals are able to cope with the mind blowing acceleration launch forces of up to 1.8 g.

Unlike some muscle cars, the hood scoop on the demon is functional and is the largest of its kind for a production car at 292 square centimeters. It is part of a high flow, low restriction intake system that helps deliver cool air into the supercharger – the air-flow is rated at 33 cubic meters per minute. A another feature worthy of mention is the SRT Power Chiller. It redirects air conditioning refrigerant from cabin to chiller unit, which reduces charge air temperature by -8 degrees Celsius.

During a 1/4 mile drag run, a Demon’s engine sucks in 4.9 cubic meters of air, which is the equivalent to the lung capacity of 816 humans combined. Putting that into perspective, in just 244 meters, the car sucks in as much volume of air as that found in its cabin – that’s a lot.

In order to keep the high performance engine cool, the Demon has a very efficient cooling system that is able to remove as much as 258kW of heat from the engine when running at the limit. That same amount of heat can boil nearly 950 ml of water in just 1.2 seconds.

A remarkable car by any standards, the Dodge SRT Demon is only available to purchase in North America for now. It’s an amazing technological achievement for drag racing, but for anything else, it falls well short of the mark.


Big Increases in February Sales For Most Brands With 29% Higher Cumulative Volume

After the drop at the start of the year, sales for almost all brands picked up again in February, even though this is the shortest month of the year and typically sees low sales. However, with the urgency to deliver vehicles to those customers who had booked prior to the June 30 2022 deadline for sales tax exemption, many companies rushed to get vehicles registered.

Data source: Monthly reports of Malaysian Automotive Association.

Among the non-Malaysian makes, Toyota has again gotten off to strong start as an indication of its determination to retain the lead in the segment. However, Honda will be putting in a strong challenge this year as it has announced that there will be three all-new models, one of which is known to be the WR-V compact SUV. This takes the brand into Perodua and Proton territory as it will be a rival for the Ativa as well as the X50.

The erratic production volumes reflect the disruptions caused by shortage of parts, especially microprocessors which are needed for the many electronic systems in today’s vehicles. Just one microprocessor not available and the vehicle cannot be completed. Some manufacturers have even taken to sending vehicles out with some features omitted due to the systems lacking the necessary microprocessor. However, some stability is beginning and the plants are able to push out more vehicles.

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March should see higher numbers as well since it is the final month for deliveries of those long outstanding orders. It’s also usually a strong month because it is the end of the financial year for some car companies, so there is maximum effort to close their books with the best numbers of the year. And there are also promotions for the Hari Raya festive season to attract buyers.

Honda Stays At No.1 Position In Passenger Vehicle Sales in Malaysia For 2022

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RM8 million Rimac C_Two goes through crash test – FIVE TIMES

The world of hypercars is getting more and more awesome by the day with more companies releasing super limited and very powerful editions that only the elite of elites can buy. Take for example the RM8 million Rimac C_Two which comes with a 1,888hp. With that amount of power, you can theoretically propel the car to a top speed of 415km/h!

But there’s a downside when it comes to the process of getting the cars into production and ultimately safe for drivers. Even these limited edition hypercars have to go through crash tests and other safety assessments in order to pass its global homologation process. It’s super painful to watch but the Rimac C_Two had to go through FIVE crash tests in order to achieve this.

These steps are necessary for safety, even for small-volume manufacturers like Rimac Automobili and just watching the crash test video gave us the mini horrors every time we click play. You can watch it yourself in the video link posted below but be warned, it’s not for the car enthusiasts’ faint of hearts.

Rimac is also performance several other test to ensure that the C_Two’s performance, durability and reliability are all up to par with their super high standards before releasing them to their future owners. All of these processes will take a number of years to complete but we’re confident that once they’re successful, the Rimac C_Two will be a proper, proper beast to drive.

The all-electric Rimac C_Two is already sold out after three weeks of its launch and it is expected to begin its delivery to customers around the world sometime in the year 2020. Priced at €1,795,532 each (around RM8.2 million), all 150 units are currently spoken for and that alone is enough to say that this is no mere hypercar.


Nissan Juke Rally Tribute Concept pays homage to 1971 Safari Rally-winning Datsun 240Z

During the 1970s, Japanese cars began to enter international motorsports events and their presence became increasingly noted as they won major events. One such event was the legendary East African Safari Rally, a tough dusty event that went around the Kenya countryside. As it was part of the World Rally Championship, major manufacturers took part and among them was Nissan, which used different models.

It was the iconic Datsun 240Z sportscar which won the 1971 event, driven by Edgar Herrmann with navigator Hans Schuller. To underline the superiority of the 240Z, two other cars finished in second and seventh positions. Furthermore, the victory represented the brand’s second consecutive victory in the rally. The sleek and low-slung 240Z was powered by a 2.4-litre straight-six engine, producing 210 ps.

The victorious car is on display today, having been fully restored in 2013. It is part of Nissan’s Heritage Collection which is housed in Zama, close to Nissan global headquarters in Japan.

Revealed on the first day of 2021 event

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Nissan’s victory in the Safari Rally, the carmaker is preparing a Juke Rally Tribute Concept. These images are being released to coincide with the first day of the
Safari Rally Kenya
 which sees the event once again being on the WRC calendar after an absence of 19 years.

The JUKE Rally Tribute Concept, as you can guess, is developed from a production Juke. It’s a very appropriate car to use with a raised stance, short front and rear overhangs strong potential off-road performance.

With enlarged wheels arches to accommodate the tailor-made off-road tyres, the vehicle’s stance is made more imposing, while the additional lights mounted on the bonnet and roof are reminiscent of the old rallycars. Back then, rallies were also run through the night so extra and powerful lighting was important. Two spare wheels are also visible at the back.

Colour themes reminiscent of 240Z rallycar

The JUKE Rally Tribute Concept’s black bonnet and black wheels are especially related to the 1971 240Z that competed in the RALLY. Those same cues also served as inspiration for the Gripz concept car which Nissan presented at Frankfurt Motor Show in 2015 which, in turn, influenced the design of the production Juke that was introduced in 2019.

A major difference under the bonnet is the type of powertrain used. While the rallycars of the 1970s had petrol engines, the Juke Rally Tribute Concept will have an electric hybrid powertrain. This is in support of Nissan’s commitment to the electrification of its range, especially in Europe.

“The Juke Rally Tribute Concept celebrates an iconic moment in Nissan’s heritage, with the participation and victory of the legendary 240Z in the East African Rally in 1971. As well as celebrating that victory, it reflects Nissan’s pioneering history in crossovers, striking design and electrified powertrains. We’re delighted to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the victory of that remarkable achievement with these striking images,” said Coralie Musy, Vice-President, Brand and Customer Experience, Nissan Automotive Europe.

The 2021 Safari Rally Kenya

The Safari Rally Kenya starts today as the sixth round of the 2021 World Rally Championship. It was to have been run last year but the pandemic forced its cancellation. Instead of the route of 6000 kms of open-road of yesteryear, the event will have 18 stages and a total of 320.19 competitive kilometres. But what remains unchanged is the dusty conditions (which could also be wet and muddy), rough terrain and high temperatures – and they will also see wildlife like the drivers in the 1970s. None of the WRC’s frontline drivers have experienced the Safari, which means ‘adventure’ in the Swahili language.

Safari Rally Kenya to run next week after an absence of 19 years from WRC (w/VIDEO)


Secrets of the Audi V10 engine

At its 8,700 rpm limit, each one of the pistons found in the 10-cylinder Audi R8 engine is traveling approximately 27 metres every second. Or you can put it another way: adding up all 10 cylinders’ worth of work, the engine’s pistons can cover more than 950 km/h. That’s about as fast as your standard domestic commercial aircraft. Each piston outpaces those found in today’s Formula 1 cars.

The 90° 5.2-litre V10 Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) engine was born from the necessity that its performance exceeded the greatest expectations of a supercar customer while still providing refinement and smoothness. Its FSI system was refined through development in Audi’s original Le Mans endurance cars.

Compared with a V8 engine of similar size, the V10 has smaller, lighter pistons, allowing it to rev more freely. Compared with a V12, it has fewer moving parts, reducing complexity and internal friction.

For the US market, the current street-legal R8 V10 Performance is able to generate up to 602 ps at 8,100 rpm and 560 Nm of torque at a 6,700 rpm. That speed and the firing pattern of the cylinders – 1 – 6 – 5 – 10 – 2 – 7 – 3 – 8 – 4 – 9 – give the R8 a hissing tenor exhaust note that builds to a crescendo. Where in turbocharged engines, a turbocharger can act as a sound muffler in the engine, the naturally aspirated V10 wails, with its exhaust baffles opening at higher rpm for full effect.

The V10 engine went into production in 2009, initially making 525 ps and serving as a higher engine option for the R8. Like the entry 4.2-litre V8 engine at the time, which made 420 ps, it was developed by what is now Audi Sport GmbH, the performance sub-brand of Audi.

Like the V8 of the era, the basis of the V10 engine could be found in other Audi models, such as the S6 and S8 sedans. Unlike its sedan counterparts, however, the V10 in the R8 had a different engine crank, designed for a lighter weight, freer-revving engine and adopted dry-sump oil lubrication, which eliminated the need for a traditional oil pan.

In its place, the R8 had and continues to have a baffle plate below the engine that collects outgoing oil and serves as a reservoir for cycling oil through the engine. The oil pump module consists of a suction and feed pump for filling the oil reservoir and a suction and pressure pump for supplying oil to the engine.

This allowed engineers to mount the engine lower, which drops the centre of gravity of the car. It also allows the engine to withstand higher lateral forces as the oil pump will never be starved from cornering too aggressively. An oil cooler is run from the left-side air intake blade to keep the engine running cooler.

The dry-sump lubrication system is identical from the road-going R8 to the R8 LMS GT3 racing car, which can see much higher G-forces on tracks like Daytona and the Nurburgring due to extreme banking, slick tyres and aerodynamic changes increasing downforce.

Extensively re-engineered from the first to the second generation, the current R8 V10 performance engine still retains 40 valves (two intake and two exhaust valves per cylinder), but its springs and the roller-type rocker arms are now made of ultralight and ultra-high-strength titanium, versus steel alloys in previous applications, among other modifications.

The latest V10 also features cylinder on demand (COD) technology, which also contributes to the engine’s efficiency. Under low to intermediate load conditions – when one of the four upper gears is engaged – it shuts down the cylinders of one bank by deactivating their injection and ignition processes. The driver does not notice the transition; at stronger acceleration, the cylinder bank is activated again immediately.

The gripping story of Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system

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The Story Behind Porsche’s Choice of Colours for Le Mans

Porsche’s 963 design honours historically significant motor racing hues and recognises the dual commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Porsche sports cars and the 100th year since the event’s first contest was held in France. Porsche is the most successful manufacturer at the world’s greatest endurance race, celebrating its centenary this year, with 19 overall victories and 110 class wins.

The three Porsche 963s competing in the Hypercar class at Le Mans are distinguished by seven contrasting stripes in the colours of yellow, red, dark blue, light blue, green, pink, and orange. They all pay tribute to outstanding and exceptional efforts made during the biggest and most illustrious long-distance race in history.

Orange

The Porsche 963’s orange stripes pay homage to the legendary Gulf look of the Porsche 917. The blue and orange racecar was driven by Steve McQueen, who played the role of Michael Delaney in the film Le Mans, which is still popular today and regarded as one of the best motor racing representations in history.

Pink

In 1971, the Porsche 917/20 showed up in a pink livery. Anatole Lapine, a Porsche designer, at that time, drew the butchers’ chops of pork on a pink basecoat. Endearing nicknames were quick to appear such as the “truffle sniffer from Zuffenhausen”, “Sau” (German for female pig) and Pink Pig. However, the meaty car underperformed in terms of sporting performance: when racing in fifth place, Kauhsen/Joest retired soon before the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2018, a Porsche 911 RSR dressed in the “Pink Pig” style won the GTE class at the Sarthe.

Green

Anatole Lapine made his first artistic mark in motorsport with the long-tail Porsche 917 driven by Gérard Larrousse and Willi Kauhsen. The green and purple waves painted on the “hippie” car with around 1,500 spray cans created a psychedelic effect. While the paintwork created some anxiety on the executive floor, racing team owner Hans-Dieter Dechent and his sponsor Martini & Rossi were overjoyed. The speedy “hippie” also created ripples in the motor racing scene. While Hans Herrmann and Richard Attwood won the first overall victory for Porsche at Le Mans in 1970, Larrousse/Kauhsen finished second.

Light Blue

Hans-Dieter Dechent took his squad to Le Mans for the first time in 1970, with the Italian spirits brand Martini. Helmut Marko of Austria and Gijs van Lennep of the Netherlands won in the Martini Racing Porsche 917 KH. The duo broke a distance record that seemed unthinkable at the time: the 5,335 kilometres they travelled were thought to be a record for all time. The white Porsche with the eye-catching light blue, red, and dark blue stripes is still a cult favourite today.

Dark Blue

The Rothmans design, with its dark blue and white highlights and red and gold embellishments, is connected with Porsche’s winning streak. The Porsche 962C with this livery finished first in the world’s most famous long-distance classic in 1986 and 1987. Porsche revived the legendary paint job at Le Mans about 30 years later. The Porsche 911 RSR with the Rothmans appearance set a new qualifying record for GTE cars in 2018. The vehicle finished second in its class, trailing its sister car in the “Pink Pig” livery.

Red

After nearly losing out on Porsche’s maiden overall victory with a 908 LH at the introduction of the 917 at Le Mans, the sports car manufacturer from Zuffenhausen doubled down in the 1970 season. The goal was to launch a full-on assault with three vehicles from John Wyer’s new works squad, as well as others registered under Porsche Salzburg. These cars flew Austria’s national colours of red and white.

Yellow

The centrally placed yellow stripe with a red border was inspired by Porsche and Penske’s successful past. The relationship between the US squad and the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer bore fruit in the early 1970s. Even more stunning were the performances of the Porsche RS Spyder in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) kitted out in the yellow and red livery of its primary sponsor DHL.

So there you have it, the stories behind each colour. It’s not just a bunch of colourful stripes slapped on because Porsche takes everything into detail.


2021 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class (Z223)

Back in 2002, Daimler-Benz revived a 93-year old brand name it had acquired in 1960 (but didn’t use it then) with the aim of offering something beyond the upper reaches of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class flagship level. It wanted to create an ultra-luxury model that could be compared to Rolls-Royce and Bentley, the British brands owned by the BMW Group and Volkswagen Group, respectively.

Perhaps it was unfortunate timing and the world did not need another brand like that, or it was just the approach which was taken that saw the Maybach – as a standalone brand – not gaining a big clientele. It expected to sell 2,000 cars a year but by the time the brand ceased operations in 2012, only about 3,000 had been sold over a 10-year span.

In 2015, the Maybach brand was brought back again but this time, it was to be part of the S-Class range, an additional variant right at the very top. That made more sense to customers and perhaps even provided a safe haven for the model to grow from.

It fared better in this approach and over the past 5 years, around 60,000 examples of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class have been delivered worldwide. Last year alone, around 12,000 units were sold, with China, Russia, South Korea, the USA and Germany being the main markets.

The Maybach differs from the S-Class in being more exclusive and much more luxurious, as was the tradition of the original Maybach. Distinguishing features at the front include the distinctive bonnet with a chromed fin and the Mercedes-Maybach radiator grille. This is highly recognisable by its vertical, three-dimensional trim strips.

The rear doors are wider than those of the brother models, and the C-pillars feature a fixed quarterlight. On request, electrically operated comfort rear doors can be installed. The exclusive appearance can be enhanced by a two-tone paint finish with a dividing line which is applied by hand, a process that takes up to one week.

Shared with latest S-Class

The interior shares the completely new interior design of the latest S-Class. The sculptured look of the dashboard, centre console and armrests appears to float above an expansive interior landscape. Up to 5 display screens are available, with a 12.8-inch OLED central display as a high-tech control centre. A 12.3-inch 3D driver display with three-dimensional representation of other road-users and pronounced depth and shade effects can also be provided.

Active ambience lighting – an animated LED light band with intelligent comfort and safety functions – produces a rose gold white and amethyst glow. The ‘Welcome Rear’ entry display welcomes passengers with a special light show and new adaptive rear lighting follows the wishes of the occupants in terms of brightness, and size and position of the light spot.

Although advanced technologies are key features, there is plenty of classic luxury too. Traditionalists will appreciate the large areas of trim on the front seats, and high‑quality wood surrounds encasing the rear of the front seat backrests.

MBUX with more personalisation

The distinctive look of the driver display underlines the special status of the Mercedes‑Maybach. And there is, of course, MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) – the advanced and intelligent infotainment system. The second generation MBUX can network with a wide range of vehicle systems and sensor data. The possibilities for personalisation and intuitive operation have become far more extensive and MBUX Interior Assist can also be installed in the rear.

MBUX Interior Assist recognises numerous occupant intentions. It recognises eye-direction, hand gestures and the body language of the occupants, so as to assist with automatic vehicle functions as the situation requires. It is also able to recognise movements and gestures by the rear occupants with the help of 3D laser cameras in the ceiling.

For example, the belt extender for the outer rear seats automatically offers up the seatbelt when MBUX Interior Assist recognises the occupant’s intention to reach for the belt by hand movements. The exit warning function has also been extended and is able to register that a rear passenger intends to leave the vehicle.

Electrified powertrains

The engines of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class are electrified and have an integrated second-generation starter-generator (ISG). This provides a boost of up to 15 kW, facilitates efficient ‘gliding’ when driving at constant speed, makes the start/stop experience even more comfortable, and makes the drive system more efficient overall.

All-wheel drive is standard with the 9G-TRONIC transmission improved and adapted for the ISG. The electric motor, the power electronics and the transmission cooler have now moved into or onto the transmission. An electric refrigerant compressor is used which means that even when the engine is not running (start/stop and gliding phases), the cabin air can still be cooled. This will also help to keep the champagne or other drinks chilled in the refrigerated compartment.

Supreme comfort

It goes without saying that a car of this class will require the best ride comfort, and this is provided by the AIRMATIC air suspension with continuously adjustable damping. Optional rear-axle steering improves manoeuvrability in urban areas, reducing the turning circle by up to 2 metres.

The optional, fully active E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension on a 48V basis uses a stereo camera to scan the road ahead and smoothens out undulations. It also gives additional protection in the event of a lateral collision, as it raises the vehicle level. It can reduce the loads acting on the occupants because it directs the impact forces towards particularly resistant structures in the lower area of the vehicle.

Ride comfort also means quietness and the big sedan is said to have very good low NVH (noise, vibrations, harshness). The extended measures mainly benefit the rear section with additional absorbent foam installed in the rear wheel arches, and thicker laminated class in the fixed quarterlights of the C-pillars.

Active road noise compensation is used for the first time. The system reduces unwanted low-frequency noises using counter-phased sound waves. Noise-optimised tyres with foam absorbers can also be installed.

Especially in the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, particular attention has always been paid to safety in the rear section. During severe frontal collisions, the rear airbag can considerably reduce the loads acting on the heads and necks of seatbelt-wearing occupants on the outer rear seats.

In day-to-day driving, new and extended assistance systems are provided to relieve driver stress. This enables the driver to stay alert for longer and reach the destination more safely and comfortably. When danger threatens, the assistance systems can respond according to the situation and reduce the severity of possible collisions, or even avoid them.

With the DRIVE PILOT, conditionally automated driving becomes available from Mercedes-Benz. From the second half of 2021, on suitable motorway sections and where traffic density is high, the DRIVE PILOT can offer to take over the driving, initially up to the legally permitted speed of 60 km/h.

Sales of the new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class will commence in the some markets next month and then in Germany and other markets from early 2021. Customers in North America and China will get their cars during the second quarter of 2021.

Mercedes-Maybach chooses China to launch its first SUV – the GLS 600 4MATIC


Improved electrified powertrains for Volvo PHEV models in Malaysia

Batteries are one of the most crucial parts of an electric vehicle (EV); without it, the electric motors won’t run and the vehicle won’t move. So it’s not surprising that battery technology is continuously being advanced. It could be even more advanced, had the EVs which were around over 100 years ago remained popular but the drawbacks of batteries then meant that the combustion engine gained more favour and killed the EV.

In the 21
st
 century, the EV’s popularity has been ‘forced’ by regulations which aim to address climate change as quickly as possible. Thus, advancement of battery technology has to be accelerated to provide better storage capacity and greater efficiency. Within a year, batteries can make big leaps in performance to give better range, an important factor in EV acceptance.

An example is with Volvo, which is almost entirely focussed on EVs. Its Recharge T8 models now have improved plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains with better performance and driveability. This comes from a new long-range lithium-ion battery pack of 18.8 kWh, up 62% from 11.6 kWh. The increased capacity is due to the addition of a third layer of cells. The resulting extension in a claimed electric-only range of between 70 and 90 kms, almost double the previous maximum range of 49 kms.

Improved driving performance comes from a new rear electric motor generating the equivalent of 145 ps, which is almost 65% more than the previous motor’s output. Overall system output, in combination with the petrol engine, has been boosted to 462 ps, which is 55 ps more than before.

The improvements are also beneficial to the environment as being able to drive longer distances in pure electric mode means less emissions of carbon dioxide (CO
2
), the gas that is causing global warming.

In Malaysia, the new Recharge T8 powertrain will be available for the 60 and 90 models, ie XC60, S60, V60, XC90 and S90.

Additionally, the XC60 and S90 PHEV models will also have One-Pedal Drive settings which are useful in stop-and-go traffic. A feature used in Volvo’s BEVs (battery electric vehicles), One-Pedal Drive is claimed to enable more effective battery regeneration and higher regenerative power that can improve fuel efficiency. The animation below shows how One-Pedal Drive works.

https://www.piston.my/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Volvo-One-Pedal-Drive.mp4

Using One-Pedal Drive, the driver uses the accelerator pedal predominantly to manage the car’s speed. Each time the foot is lifted off the pedal, regenerative braking activates automatically. This differs from the conventional approach that requires depressing the brake pedal before regeneration can take place. It would therefore be especially effective in slow-moving traffic, allowing the battery to be more frequently topped up.

“Our new line of PHEVs will transform the way our customers experience electric driving,” said Charles Frump, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia. “The improved powertrain lets our customers drive sustainably at a longer distance, at the same time providing them with range confidence that fits the needs of their everyday lives.”

Mr. Frump also said that there will be price adjustments across the range from next week. The adjustments will start with current models of the XC40 T5, XC40 Recharge T5, XC60 B5, and XC90 B5. The new line-up of the 90 and 60 models will be sold at a ‘new price point’ when they exit from the assembly plant in Shah Alam, Selangor. The price for the current Recharge T8 models remains the same and will be sold while stocks last.

Concept Recharge – a manifesto for the next generation of all-electric Volvos


Bugatti and VIITA develop a range of smartwatches

Even if you don’t own a Bugatti (and only a small number do), you can still own a smartwatch which matches their cars in technology, materials and design. Together with Austria’s VIITA Watches, a new range has been developed named in tribute to the French marque’s hypercars: the Bugatti Ceramique Edition One Pur Sport, Bugatti Ceramique Edition One Le Noire and Bugatti Ceramique Edition One Divo.

Each handmade smartwatch model offers an innumerable number of technical features, including 90 different sports, oxygen level in the blood, acceleration, and specifically for the Bugatti watch, a GPS tracking mode. To quickly adjust to new technologies and customer demands, VIITA has developed its own software.

More than 1,000 parts

The team that developed the watches comprised watch experts as well as IT specialists who integrated more than 1,000 individual parts. Forming the backbone of every smartwatch is the high-strength and hypoallergenic cover, forged from lightweight titanium. The display is a high definition 390×390 pixel LED touchscreen with 16.7 million colours, within a scratch-resistant housing of sculpted sapphire glass.

The bezel – located at the most exposed point on a watch – is carefully sculpted and milled from scratch-resistant ceramic to the smallest of tolerances, made possible by an ultraprecise CNC process. The bezels for all three models are made of scratch-resistant ceramic, elaborately finished by hand in a production process lasting 20 days. With the special key supplied, the customer can replace a bezel within one minute.

All types of data

The watch measures and stores numerous types of electronic data, among them health data. A new dual-sensor measures both heart rate and heart rate variability to report individual health data. Cardiovascular recovery, training recommendations, biological age and stress level measurements are each generated and supported by VO2Max.

The GPS sensor has been especially developed for the watch and has an entirely new level of accuracy and resolution rate. Wearers taking it to the racetrack can have their lap times and acceleration values logged automatically by the GPS sensor. This feature is applied for the first time in the world in a smartwatch.

Battery life is claimed to be up to 14 days between charges, made possible by a custom-built 445mAh power cell. As a statement of the quality of the watch, a warranty of 5 years is given.

There is the option of a tailored Bugatti rubber wrist strap or a bespoke titanium strap to complement the titanium theme of the case. It is also possible to customize the watches to reflect the owner’s personal style.

Priced from RM4,500

The watches will be available in the fourth quarter of this year and Bugatti is now accepting full prepaid pre-orders on Kickstarter. Depending on the model and spec, the cost would range from €899 to €999 (about RM4,500 – RM5,100).

A Bugatti engine on your wrist


Yuki Tsunoda to drive for Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda in 2021 F1 championship

A Japanese driver will again appear in Formula 1 for the 2021 season, the first time in 6 years of the Formula 1 World Championship. He is Yuki Tsunoda, a member of the Honda’s Junior Driver program, who has been given a drive with Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda.

Third in 2020 F2 championship

The 20-year old is also a member of the Red Bull Junior Team and this year has been racing for the Carlin team in the FIA Formula 2 championship, regarded as the main feeder series for Formula 1. In his rookie F2 season, Tsunoda took 3 wins, finished on the podium a further 4 times and ended the year in third place overall in the championship. The points collected were enough for him to be granted a Formula 1 super license.

He also completed a test in a 2018 Formula 1 car at Imola in early November and recently took part in the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi, driving for his new team.

“Like most racing drivers, it has always been my goal to race in Formula 1, so I am very. I want to thank Scuderia AlphaTauri, Red Bull and Dr. Helmut Marko for giving me this opportunity and, of course, everyone from Honda, for all their support so far in my career, giving me great opportunities to race in Europe,” said Tsunoda who, like many F1 drivers, got started in karting.

Fast learner

“Red Bull has been following Yuki’s career for a while now and I am sure he will be a great asset to our team. Watching him in Formula 2 this year, he has demonstrated the right mix of racing aggression and good technical understanding. During the test in Imola in November when he drove our 2018 car, his lap times were very consistent over a race simulation, he progressed throughout the day and gave our engineers useful feedback. In addition, his integration with the Honda engineers has been seamless, which certainly helps. At the test in Abu Dhabi, he proved to be a fast learner and that he is ready to make the step to Formula 1,” said Franz Tost, Team Principal of Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda.

Tsunoda will be the 18th Japanese driver to race in F1. The last time a Japanese driver took part was in 2014 when Kamui Kobayashi drove for the Caterham team. Prior to that, Kobayashi had been with the Toyota and Sauber teams between 2009 and 2012.

While there will again be a driver from Japan next year, it will also be
Honda’s last year in the Formula One World Championship
 as a power unit supplier. The carmaker, which was the first Japanese manufacturer to participate in Formula 1 in the 1960s, announced its decision in early October, explaining that it is being done in order to concentrate corporate resources on research and development of new power units and energy technologies.

Provisional calendar for 2021 Formula 1 World Championship


Porsche 718 Spyder RS: Pinnacle Of The Mid-Engined Family

Porsche is releasing the most potent iteration of the well-known mid-engined roadster yet: the new Porsche 718 Spyder RS, thirty years after the Boxster concept vehicle was unveiled. The high-revving, naturally aspirated
911 GT3
 engine is being used in an open-topped, mid-engined sports car for the first time. The 718 Spyder RS is the
718 Cayman GT4 RS
‘s open-top sibling.

Exterior

The new Porsche 718 Spyder RS and 718 Cayman GT4 RS both have very identical front ends. The front bonnet that comes standard is composed of CFRP (carbon fibre-reinforced plastic) and has a sizable air exit above the bumper. The Cd (drag coefficient) value is unaffected while the two NACA vents improve brake cooling.

The bumper’s side-blades at the ends increase downforce. Because the 718 Cayman GT4 RS’s huge rear wing and slightly shorter front spoiler lip produce more total downforce on the Cayman, a larger front spoiler lip is needed to establish aerodynamic balance. The 718 Spyder RS has a stunning tear-off edge resembling a ducktail in place of a wing. According to Porsche, every element of aerodynamics is carefully coordinated. They guarantee maximum driving stability at high speeds while preserving the car’s aerodynamic balance.

A single-layer, lightweight soft-top that is manually controlled is included with the Porsche 718 Spyder RS. Amazingly simple, the design just has two components:

a weather deflector
a sun sail.

Both can be stored in the car either together or separately and are entirely detachable. The driver and front passenger can be shielded from the sun’s glare by using the sun sail alone as a “Bimini top.” The passenger compartment in this instance is still largely open to the side and behind the occupants.

When the side windows are lifted, this forms a complete top with the weather deflector that effectively protects against rain. The roof’s total weight, including the mechanical components, is only 18.3 kg. That is 16.5 kg and 7.6 kg less than the 718 Boxster and Spyder, respectively. Weather permitting, drivers who want to remove an additional eight kilogrammes from the vehicle’s weight can drive without using the top at all.

Powertrain and Suspension

The new 718 Spyder RS shares an identical powertrain as the 718 Cayman GT4 RS coupe. The 4.0 litre, six-cylinder boxer engine can rev up to 9,000 rpm, producing a maximum torque of 450 Newton metres and an output of 500 PS. The six-cylinder engine propels the two-seat roadster from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds when coupled with a short-ratio seven-speed PDK gearbox. In just 10.9 seconds, the sports car reaches 200 km/h, figures never heard before in a Boxster. The new range-topper has 80 PS more than the 718 Spyder without the ‘RS’ moniker, and it also accelerates to 100 km/h in half a second less time. Instead of 300 km/h, the top speed is now 308 km/h.

The new 718 Spyder RS is only offered with the Porsche dual clutch gearbox (PDK), just like every other contemporary RS model. This gearbox ensures optimal performance while accelerating through each of its seven ratios. Even when manually shifting gears, drivers are able to keep their hands on the wheel thanks to the aluminium steering mounted gear shifters. An ergonomic selector lever on the centre console is another option available to the driver. Along with having a more potent engine, the new model performs better because it is lighter. The Spyder RS weighs 1,410 kilogrammes, which is five kilogrammes less than the closed 718 Cayman GT4 RS and 40 kilogrammes less than the 718 Spyder with PDK.

The 718 Spyder RS’s chassis, which was created to provide the most enjoyable driving experience possible on winding roads, incorporates parts from both the 718 Cayman GT4 RS and the 718 Spyder. It has been lowered by 30 mm and comes standard with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with sports tune. A mechanical limited-slip differential, ball-jointed suspension bearings, and 20-inch forged aluminium wheels are additional characteristics of Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV).

The attitude of the chassis is typified by exceptionally neutral handling, quick steering, and razor-sharp steering precision. Each of the constituent components—ride height, camber, track, and anti-roll bar—can be modified. To achieve a more laid-back, typically convertible-style setup, spring and damper rates have been decreased as compared to the 718 Cayman GT4 RS.

Interior

The inside of the car has a sporty vibe because only the functional and ergonomic necessities remain. The yellow 12-o’clock marking is on the grippy Race-Tex-covered RS sports steering wheel. The basic full bucket seats have an incredible amount of lateral support and are built of lightweight CFRP with a carbon-weave surface. The perforated Race-Tex seat centre has a contrasting colour against a black background, while the seat coverings are constructed of black leather. Arctic Grey or Carmine Red are contrasting hues.

The headrests have the ‘Spyder RS’ badge stitched in the corresponding colours. Leather has been used to cover the trim and dashboard. There are four plain and three metallic exterior paint colours available, as well as the exclusive hues Arctic Grey, Shark Blue, and Ruby Star Neo, as well as the new Vanadium Grey Metallic.

Optional Weissach Package

Additionally offered as an option for the Spyder RS is a Weissach Package. This particularly performance-focused equipment package can be specified along with the incredibly light-weight, optional forged magnesium wheels. Here, the tailpipes for the sports exhaust systems are composed of titanium. The limited-edition 935 from 2018 served the inspiration for the style. Inside the car, the dashboard’s upper portion, which is coated in anti-glare Race-Tex, is a striking aesthetic feature. A Porsche Design Timepieces handcrafted chronograph, made at Porsche’s in-house watchmaking facility in Solothurn, Switzerland, is only accessible to purchasers of the Porsche 718 Spyder RS.

The dial is made of carbon, the strap is made of automobile leather, and the exceptionally lightweight case is made of titanium. These materials were chosen to complement the design of the car. The rear rotor on the 718 Spyder RS is an exact replica of the corresponding wheel rim design.

Price

We are yet to get a local price tag, but the Spyder RS will carry a starting price tag of $162,150 when it begins arriving at American dealerships in Q3 of next year.


Koenigsegg Jesko Red Cherry Edition is jaw droppingly gorgeous

It’s not everyday you get to see a car that has the ability to move the soul. Some brands have succeeded while others have succeeded more, but when it comes to Koenigsegg, the Jesko really takes the cake and this Koenigsegg Jesko Red Cherry Edition is indeed a masterclass of its very own.

Luxuxy and Expensive from Germany posted their Jesko Red Cherry Edition photoshoot and we can’t stop drooling all over them. Even in photos, the rare supercar looks stunning AF and we can’t imagine what would happen if we saw it live in person (we would probably blow our minds in drop our jaws straight to the floor).

The Koenigsegg Jesko has only been seen in the white colour scheme, which was already breath-taking but man oh man, Red Cherry looks outstandingly good on this baby. Paired with black accents, shiny exposed carbon fibre, and those dual matte racing stripes, there’s no denying that the car looks…what’s the word…perfect.

Talking about shiny exposed carbon fibre parts, the Jesko is packed to the brim from the front splitter, aero winglets, doors, side skirts, wheels, rear wing, and many more. The list just goes on, folks. The Jesko loves its carbon fibre goodness.

Of course, we can’t forget about the performance aspect of this bad, beautiful beast. Sitting under the hood is a monstrous 5.0-litre twin-turbo V8 powerhouse that produces…wait for it…1,600 ponies and 1,500Nm of ‘head snapped clean right off’ maximum torque. Bloody hell, those are some huge numbers. Top speed? Estimated at 482km/h. Yikes.

Want to get a Koenigsegg Jesko of your very own? Well, we wish you all the best since all 125 units have been sold at $2.8 million each (around RM11.6 million). You’ll need some serious cash just to convince any of its owners to let it go.

Credit:
Luxury and Expensive

Koenigsegg achieve new world record with Agera RS


Ford’s smart technology can sanitize police vehicles within 15 minutes

In pre-pandemic times, policemen in vehicles transporting people to hospitals or police stations have had the risk of picking up diseases from their passengers. But that was a reasonable risk in their line of duty. Today though, the COVID-19 coronavirus is a threat so serious that personnel who have to interact with people known to be infected must wear personal protection equipment. However, policemen have no way of knowing if a person they arrest or help is infected and the best they can do to protect themselves is to wear a mask and gloves.

“Law enforcement officers are being dispatched as emergency responders in some cases where ambulances may not be available,” said Stephen Tyler, Ford police brand marketing manager. “During one trip, officers may be transporting a coronavirus patient to a hospital, while another trip may involve an occupant who may be asymptomatic (showing no signs of being infected).”

A Ford engineering team had already initiated a project in late March to look for ways to decontaminate vehicles and around that time, the New York City Police Department also alerted Ford to its need for a more efficient disinfecting process as the pandemic grew in intensity.

One approach they considered was using heat. Ongoing research suggests that the coronavirus cannot tolerate very high temperatures and can be deactivated. Ford worked with The Ohio State University to determine the temperature range and time needed.

Hotter than Death Valley

The solution: Bake the vehicle’s interior until viruses inside are inactivated. Using the Ford Police Interceptor Utility’s own hybrid powertrain and climate control systems, a software solution enables vehicles to elevate passenger compartment temperatures beyond 56 degrees C. (132.8 degrees F) –  hotter than Death Valley on its hottest day – for 15 minutes, long enough to help disinfect vehicle touchpoints.

The software warms up the engine to an elevated level, and both heat and fan settings operate on high. The software automatically monitors interior temperatures until the entire passenger compartment hits the optimal level, then that extreme temperature is maintained for 15 minutes.

Operational trials with vehicles owned by some police departments indicated that the high temperature could reduce the viral concentration inside the vehicle by more than 99%. This heated process can be used by law enforcement regularly to help sanitize vehicles when officers are not inside.

Greater coverage

When used in conjunction with sanitization guidelines approved by US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, flooding the passenger compartment with elevated air temperature can help reach areas that may be missed by manual disinfecting procedures. Heat has the ability to seep into crevices and hard-to-reach areas, helping reduce the impact of human error in applying chemical disinfectants.

“Officers can now use this self-cleaning mode as an extra layer of protection inside the vehicle in areas where manual cleaning is prone to be overlooked,” said Tyler. “This virus is an invisible enemy and we are proud to provide a solution to help the law enforcement community fight it.”

There are multiple ways to monitor progress of the heating. Hazard lights and taillights will flash in a pre-set pattern to notify when the process has begun, then will change at the end to signal completion. The vehicle’s instrument cluster will also indicate progress. A cool-down process brings the temperature down from its highest points.

This example of Ford’s smart vehicle technology can be installed in Police Interceptor Utility vehicles that were supplied between 2012 and 2019. The police departments with their own service centres can install the software using their own diagnostic service tools or dealers can do the job.

Ford Police Interceptor Utility has a hybrid powertrain

“First responders are on the front lines protecting all of us. They are exposed to the virus and are in dire need of protective measures,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford Chief Product Development and Purchasing Officer. “We looked at what’s in our arsenal and how we could step up to help. In this case, we’ve turned the vehicle’s powertrain and heat control systems into a virus neutralizer.”

To locate a dealership to test-drive or buy Ford vehicles in Malaysia, visit
www.sdacford.com.my
.

How motorists can help to prevent the spread of COVID-19


Toyota’s touching mobility inspired video

Toyota will air a touching yet inspiring short promotional film in the US on NBCSN during the Winter Olympic Trials with an Olympic and Paralympic message that delivers hope and breaks new ground for Toyota. It aims to encapsulate the Japanese automaker’s evolution from being an automotive company to a mobility one.

The 1 minute long clip depicts the resilience of the human spirit and its ability to overcome almost insurmountable problems with the help of cutting edge tech. Throughout the video, several of Toyota’s machines that include electric wheel chairs, automated robots, assisted prosthetics and micro cars, can be seen improving the daily lives of those with mobility issues.

This film has been created as part of the company’s eight-year global sponsorship of The Olympic and Paralympic Games. The theme of this particular video is ‘Mobility For All’, and highlights the mobility stories of Olympic and Paralympic athletes and other individuals.

A total of 15 athletes are part of ‘Mobility For All’, including  Tatyana McFadden, the world’s leading wheelchair racer, Brad Snyder, American Paralympic swimmer and former captain of the U.S. Naval Academy swim and Rami Anis, a swimmer from Syria, part of the Refugee Olympic Team.

According to the automaker, the latest video will be part of an entire series of short films that will be aired globally throughout The Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2018. Each of them will based on inspirational stories and feature Toyota’s range of mobility products that include concepts and actual production vehicles.

Through them, Toyota wants people to know of its commitment to making the world a better place with the development of better mobility solutions. Like its rival Honda, the company is heavily invested in changing how we perceive personal transportation and revolutionize the concept to allow for a more sustainable future.


McLaren celebrates 1995 Le Mans victory with special edition of 720S

In 1995, McLaren made its 24 Hours of Le Mans debut with seven McLaren F1 GTR cars entered in the endurance classic. It was the first time the McLaren F1 GTR had competed in a race of greater than 4 hours’ duration and the first time the production-based machine had competed against sports-prototype cars.

Leading from the second hour of a race held in treacherously-wet conditions, the McLarens dominated from then on with the Ueno Clinic-sponsored car driven by JJ Lehto, Yannick Dalmas and Masanori Sekiya emerging victorious. The trio completed 298 laps – one more than its closest rival. The win headlined a McLaren 1-3-4-5 finish and Sekiya became the first Japanese driver to win Le Mans.

25 years ago, McLaren won the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race on its first try.

This month, the company is celebrating that impressive achievement – victory on its first attempt in the 24 Hours of Le Mans – with a special edition 720S coupe. The 720S Le Mans takes the 720S supercar to a new level of exclusivity.

Each of the Le Mans edition cars carries a dedication plate featuring a ‘McLaren 25 Anniversary Le Mans’ logo. The VIN of each car will begin with 298, in recognition of the number of laps completed by the race-winning F1 GTR.

Powering the 720S Le Mans is the mid-mounted, 720 ps M840T 4.0-litre McLaren engine. The twin-turbocharged V8 propels the car from 0-100 km/h in a claimed 2.9 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 7.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 341 km/h.

A carbonfibre Monocage II central structure and Proactive Chassis Control II suspension system help to ensure that the 720S is the lightest car in its class, with an unparalleled breadth of dynamic ability.

The fully-functional roof scoop channels air to provide additional cooling for the powertrain and helps to drive heat evacuation – ideal for the additional demands of circuit driving. The carbonfibre louvred front fenders reduce aerodynamic lift generated by the rotation of the front wheels, as well as reducing vehicle weight.

Customers have a choice of exterior and interior colour combinations, with all cars featuring a portfolio of unique features as standard. Unique 5-spoke LM wheels echo the design of the #59 F1 GTR wheels and also feature ‘Le Mans’ etching with gold-coloured brake calipers behind them.

The interior has a choice of two bespoke black Alcantara themes with accents in McLaren Orange or Dove Grey. The carbonfibre racing seats have embroidered headrests with ‘McLaren 25 anniversary Le Mans’ logo.

To further enhance the motorsport connection and for track use, a titanium harness bar and 6-point harnesses from the MSO Defined range can be added. Satin finish visual carbonfibre air vents, extended shift paddles and extended sill trim with McLaren branding from the same range are also available, and two option packs of satin finish visual carbonfibre interior components can be specified.

Just 50 units of this Le Mans edition will be available for sale worldwide with a base price starting at £254,500 (about RM1.341 million).

Exclusive McLaren Senna XP cars pay tribute to one of the greatest F1 drivers


Sime Darby Opens Upgraded Ford Facility in Kota Kinabalu

Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC),
Ford Motor Company
’s exclusive distribution partner in Malaysia, today announced the opening of its newly upgraded Ford dealer showroom and service centre,
Sime Darby Auto Connexion Kota Kinabalu
.

Strategically located at Jalan Limau Manis, the
3,216 square-metre
 facility is designed with Ford’s global Brand@Retail standards, including six additional service bays with vehicle hoists, totaling 13 service bays. The facility also features a dedicated customer service lounge with complimentary Wi-Fi, where customers can enjoy hot beverages and snacks while waiting for their service appointments.

“Sime Darby Auto Connexion (Kota Kinabalu) is designed to offer an unmatched customer experience, with convenience, efficiency and comfort,”
 said
Syed Ahmad Muzri Bin Syed Faiz,
 (below)
managing director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion
.
 “This upgraded facility is part of Ford and SDAC’s network expansion and customer service enhancement plan aimed to offer the very best sales and aftersales services to better serve growing number of Ford customers in East Malaysia.”

Staffed by certified technicians, the Kota Kinabalu showroom is equipped with the most up-to-date diagnostic equipment and special tools to provide Ford Authorised Service, and maintains a full supply of genuine spare parts.
 “The quality of the ownership experience we provide is just as important as the quality of our world-class Ford vehicles,”
 said
Truong Kim Phong, managing director, Asia Pacific Emerging Markets, Ford Motor Company
.
“The newly upgraded Sime Darby Auto Connexion (Kota Kinabalu) demonstrates our joint commitment to offer Ford customers an even better experience.”

The Sime Darby Auto Connexion (Kota Kinabalu) is located at
Jalan Limau Manis, Off Jalan Lintas, 88450 Inanam, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
. The Showroom is open from 8:30am-5.30pm from Monday to Friday, and from 8:30am-12:30pm on Saturday, while Service Centre opening hours are 8:00am-5:00pm from Monday to Friday, 8:00am-12:30pm on Saturday.

For more information, call the Kota Kinabalu hotlines – showroom
088 425 255
, service centre
088 427 666
, or visit
www.sdacford.com.my
.


Singapore is first export market for Perodua Aruz

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

Singapore is the first export market for the Perodua Aruz, joining the Myvi and the Bezza in the island republic. Imported and sold by Perocom Auto Pte, Ltd., Perodua’s distributor since 1997, the Aruz is priced at S$92,999 (equivalent to RM286,409), inclusive of Goods and Services Tax and a Certificate of Entitlement (COE).

First Perodua 7-seater in Singapore

As the first 7-seater offered by Perodua in Singapore (the Alza has not been sold there), the Aruz offers three rows of seats and the second and third rows can be folded and set in various configurations. This will provide extra flexibility in carrying cargo and people.

Standard equipment for the version exported to Singapore (Aruz X) includes LED headlamps, 17-inch 2-tone alloy wheels, keyless entry and pushbutton engine start, and an infotainment system with a touchscreen which also doubles up as a display for the rearview camera.

As in Malaysia, the Aruz sold in Singapore has an all-aluminium 4-cylinder engine with a 1.5-litre displacement and Dual VVT-i in the 16-valve cylinder head. With Eco Idle and a 4-speed electronic automatic transmission, the fuel consumption is claimed to be up to 15.6 kms/litre.

5 stars from ASEAN NCAP

The Aruz has been
evaluated by ASEAN NCAP
 and was rated at the maximum of 5 stars. Vehicle Stability Control, 6 airbags and ISOFIX points are among the safety features. [
Click here for ASEAN NCAP’s full report
]

“The arrival of the Aruz in Singapore marks the first 7-seater offered by Perodua in the island nation,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad. “With nearly 58,000 units sold in Malaysia since its debut in 2019, the Perodua Aruz was Malaysia’s best-selling SUV overall in 2019 and 2020. We are looking forward to sharing the Aruz’s space, safety, versatility, durability, practicality and fuel efficiency with our southern neighbours.”

Perocom Auto also imports the Myvi and Bezza and previously sold models such as the Kancil, Kembara, Kelisa, Viva, Axia and earlier generations of the Myvi.

Perodua’s export markets

Besides Singapore, Perodua also exports to Brunei, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, the Seychelles, and Fiji. Its vehicles are also exported to Indonesia where they are sold under the Daihatsu brand and the model name of Sirion. This is significant as it means that the Japanese carmaker considers Malaysian-made quality as being of a standard high enough to put its own badge on the car.

The Myvi made in Malaysia is sold as a Daihatsu Sirion in Indonesia.

To know more about the Aruz and other Perodua models in Malaysia, visit
www.perodua.com.my
.

Perodua aims for 9% increase in sales volume to 240,000 units in 2021


Latest Proton Saga launched in Pakistan

Proton’s quest to become more export-oriented continues with the addition of another international market for the Proton Saga which is Pakistan. The latest model of the brand’s bestseller made its debut in Pakistan earlier this month, the eighth overseas market where it is offered besides Brunei, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, Mauritius and Nepal.

The Proton Saga line-up for Pakistan consists of three versions -, the Saga with manual transmission, Saga with automatic transmission and a better equipped Saga Ace AT.

Additionally, 100 units of the Saga R3 Limited Edition will also be available, and customers can have it with a manual or automatic transmission.

As in Malaysia, the launch of the Saga in Pakistan was done online due to the present COVID-19 pandemic making large gatherings unsuitable.

Present at the launch was the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan, Ikram Mohammad Ibrahim. Encik Ikram said that he hoped Proton’s operations in the country will further strengthen economic ties with Malaysia.

Following the launch of the X70 in December last year, the Saga is the second model to be offered in Pakistan. Currently, all Proton models are imported from Malaysia in completely built-up (CBU) form but the company’s partner, Al-Haj Automotive, is preparing for local assembly operations at its new plant in Karachi by the third quarter of 2021.

With a planned capacity of 25,000 units per annum, the plant will enable sales of Proton cars to grow quickly in the market which Proton sees as having much growth potential. “I am thankful to our fellow Pakistanis for making the Proton Saga an instant success in Pakistan. This car will definitely stand out for its reliability, durability and value for money,” said Hilal Khan Afridi, CEO of Al-Haj Automotive, who is confident that Pakistani customers will be attracted to the Proton brand and its products.

100 units of the Saga R3 Limited Edition will be sold in Pakistan.

As the second quarter of 2021 starts off, Proton is looking to increase its international market presence to achieve its long-term goals. Besides the Saga – the volume seller in most markets – the X70 and X50 are also being exported.

“Exports are an important pillar for PROTON and will account for an increasing percentage of our sales volume in coming years. Aside from promoting the features of our products, we also leverage on the high quality reputation of Malaysia’s manufacturing sector, which lends credibility to our own product story. In 2021, aside from exploring new opportunities, we will also ramp-up efforts to re-enter major ASEAN markets such as Thailand and Indonesia,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.

With greater attention to overseas business, Proton aims to double export volumes in 2021


Sultan of Johor is the first Toyota GR Supra owner in Malaysia

It was only a couple of days back when UMW Toyota launched their most exciting model to date, the
2020 Toyota GR Supra
. In pure awesomeness, the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, took delivery of Malaysia’s first Toyota GR Supra on the same evening the car was launched! How cool is that?

#Repost @mugello7• • • • • •Thank you His Majesty The Sultan of Johor #A90  From @MutiaraMotors #mugello7

Posted by
Mutiara Motors
 on
Jumaat, 20 September 2019

It was confirmed by a Facebook posting made by Mutiara Motorsport Johor Bahru, Malaysia’s first (and currently only) certified GR Garage for Malaysia’s southern region. The photo shows Mutiara Motors director, Datuk Mokhtar Ahmad, personally delivering the A90 Supra in Lightning Yellow to the Johor Ruler himself.

Priced from RM568,000 to RM580,000 (on-the-road excluding insurance), the price tag varies for different premium colour options and packages. Available in only one variant, the GTS, the 2020 Toyota GR Supra comes ready with a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine that produces 340hp and 500Nm of maximum torque.

UMW Toyota also announced the GR Garage, a program for Toyota dealers here in Malaysia to officially sell the A90 Toyota Supra together with aftersales, parts, and accessories. More GR Garage dealers will be announced in due time but for now, the first batch of the 2020 Toyota GR Supra is said to have sold out.

To know more about the very exciting 2020 Toyota GR Supra, check out our launch article below or visit
https://toyota.com.my/vehicles/gr-lineup/supra
.

2020 Toyota GR Supra has landed in Malaysia! From RM568,000


Phone On The Lap While Driving Will Get You In Trouble With The Cops

Did you know that in Australia, it is illegal to hold a mobile phone in your hand or have it resting on any part of your body, such as your lap, when driving? This applies even if you’re stopped in traffic.

The worst part? The phone does not need to be turned on or in use for it to be an offence. If you hold your phone or have it on your body, you will be fined even if you’re not operating the phone, or it’s turned off.

Well, that’s just for Australia right? Wrong. Recently, a woman in Penang was issued a summon to appear before a magistrate in August for using her mobile phone while driving. She had the phone on her lap and at a roundabout, she held up the phone for just a couple of seconds to double-check the direction while using a navigation application.

A policeman had spotted her doing so and pulled her over. The woman and her sister tried to explain that she just took a glimpse at the phone which was on her lap. However, according to the policeman, even putting the phone on her lap was wrong.

Drivers are not permitted to set their phones on the lap, according to George Town OCPD Asst Comm Soffian Santong. Instead, they should place the phone in the car such that the driver can glance at the screen while still being able to view the road. This is due to the fact that you will need to glance down at the phone you are holding in your lap to see the map. This can result in a mishap.

Even with a phone mount for their vehicle, according to Soffian, drivers shouldn’t randomly tap or flick the screen. If something goes wrong with the navigation, stop and correct it. You risk bumping into someone when adjusting the phone.

In addition, he said, drivers are not permitted to pick up their cellphones when stopped at a red light because doing so could cause traffic to stop because the driver might not notice the light turning green.

Drivers who are caught texting or talking on the phone while driving have to appear before a magistrate. If found guilty, those accused of using a cell phone while driving might face fines of up to RM1,000 (with a minimum of RM300) or jail terms of up to three months. Second-time offenders face a maximum fine of RM 2,000 and a maximum prison sentence of six months, or both.


Gymkhana on a budget with a Subaru Impreza

We are sure you’ve heard of Ken Block, the rallying/rallycross racer and adrenaline junkie who’s known all around the world for his amazing gymkhana stunts videos. In them, Block executes some pretty amazing stunt maneuvers/driving while getting from point A to point in the most flamboyant way possible. It’s a more extreme take on gymkhana racing.

Unlike Block, most of us do not have the resources nor the expertise to have a specifically built gymkhana track and a supped up rally car to drive on it. Well, that’s where our story begins today. Tyler Witte, a Youtuber, has taken it upon himself to show the rest of us that you don’t need sponsorship backing to have fun on a gymkhana course.

The stunts in this video, which was reported by
motor1
 and
car throttle
, depicts some seriously entertaining action as Witte thrashes his modified first generation Subaru Impreza Coupe on a DIY gymkhana course setup at a construction site. Granted, the stunts aren’t as daring as those attempted by Block, but they are entertaining enough to show us car nuts that you can have motorsports-like fun on a budget. All you need is some ingenuity, technical know-how and enough open space to indulge in your own gymkhana shenanigans.

Little is known about what’s under Witte’s Impreza’s hood, but the first generation Impreza was produced in 1992-2000 and came with a number of engines ranging from the docile 1.5-litre EJ15 boxer to the high displacement 2.5-litre EJ25 – all of which, were flat four engines. The 2.0-litre and 2.2-litre engines came as turbocharged variants which offered impressive performance figures at the time. These engines were mated to either a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual transmission.

The most coveted of the first generation Impreza cars was the coupe version called the Impreza 22B STI. Produced between March and August 1998, the 22B was built to commemorate the automaker’s 40th anniversary and to celebrate Subaru’s third consecutive manufacturer’s title in the FIA World Rally Championship. Compared with the standard car, the 22B received significant changes in design and mechanical upgrades, making it a vehicle with exceptional power and handling characteristics, but we digress.

Take a look at the video, then let us know what you think. And if it appeals to you, we will publish more content like this in the near future.

Source:
motor1
,
car throttle


20th edition of Toyota Eco Youth program will run for 3 years

To know more, visit
www.bhpetrol.com.my
.

The Toyota Eco Youth (TEY) program, organised and managed by UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT)  for the past 19 years, will continue into its 20
th
 edition with a longer program. Unlike previous years which have been completed within a year, the concept for this year’s TEY program is that it will run for 3 years. For this 20th edition of TEY, the winners will return as facilitator in the 2nd year to mentor the new  batch and establish a TEY Apprentice Online Club. The winners will then continue with proof of concept and Intensive Prototype Development.

283 teams registered to participate

To date, it has involved 258 schools, 1,910 secondary school students and 762 teachers throughout the country. The program is open to secondary school students aged 13 – 16 years old and there is unlimited  school participation. For this year, 283 teams from 177 schools have submitted registrations but only a maximum of 16 teams from schools will take part.

In the 19 previous years, the teams have set up displays of their work but for this 20th edition, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the whole program will be conducted online.

“The Toyota Eco Youth has been running continuously for 20 years and we hope that those who  have participated continue to grow their creativity help propagate a greener future for all of us,” said Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.

For the 20th edition of TEY, UMWT is again collaborating with the Ministry of Education and will  run state and national level competitions. Additionally, for this year, the Leaderonomics  Community also joins as a working partner.

Activities conducted online

In view of the present COVID-19 pandemic situation, the official launch of the National-level competition took place online recently. UMWT Executive Director of Sales, Mohd  Shamsor Mohd Zain, announced the teams which come from all over the country, including Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.

Encik Mohd Shamsor also introduced Agent M (Mobility), consisting of 3 – 4 members per team.  Each Agent M will select a C.A.S.E. (Clothing, Apps, Smart Tools or Eco-Friendly Vehicles) and  present solutions to environmental issues. Their solutions will be presented in a video uploaded for judging and public viewing.

‘Reimagining Mobility’ is the theme

The format of this program will be fully online, and the 16 teams will be equipped and trained with project management skills that incorporate Toyota’s Problem Solving Methodology. They will then be required to build a prototype solution based on the theme of ‘
Reimagining  Mobility
’. This theme depicts the creation of safe and eco-friendly mobility solutions for the nation with a dual-pronged approach to ensure that they are both theoretically and practically comprehensive which includes the interactive e-learning lessons and workshops.

The final judging phase will require the team to showcase their progress through social media and livestream channels. The prize money has been doubled with the total pool of cash prizes amounting to RM64,000.

Some of the winning teams in the 2019 event.

“Since the inception of Toyota Eco Youth, UMW Toyota Motor has spent over RM7 million on the program,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor. “In spite of pandemic, we will not diminish our support for such programs as they are an important part of our Corporate Social Responsibility.”

For further information on the 2020/2021 Toyota Eco Youth Program and updates, the public can  visit
www.toyota.com.my/toyotaecoyouth
.


myTukar’s services and processes to enhance EON’s business with strategic partnership

Edaran Otomobil Nasional Berhad (EON) has formed a strategic partnership with  myTukar, a used car online selling platform, for vehicle trade-in activities. Under the agreement, myTukar will  facilitate the end-to-end trade-in process for EON’s customers via certified myTukar inspectors performing vehicle inspections on-demand for its customers.

EON, a subsidiary of DRB-HICOM Berhad, operates dealerships for several brands namely Proton, Mitsubishi Motors, Audi and Volkswagen, via EON, EON Automart, Euromobil and HICOM Auto, respectively, through a network of 20 branches nationwide.

myTukar inspection centre.

Enhancing services to EON customers

Fong Hon Sum, myTukar CEO believes the partnership will benefit from EON’s established distributor network, while providing EON the opportunity to enhance their service to customers. “myTukar is honoured to embark on this partnership journey with one of Malaysia’s most diverse conglomerates with a comprehensive automotive business,” he said.

“ The collaboration will enable EON to leverage on myTukar’s proprietary technology-enabled platform to provide EON’s customers with instant and transparent valuations for trade-in vehicles. This will enhance customer experience at EON’s network because they are now effectively a one-stop solution centre,” added Mr. Fong.

EON is a subsidiary of the DRB-HICOM Group and is associated with a number of automotive brands.

Win-win situation for both parties

Dato’ Sri Syed Faisal Albar, Group MD of DRB-HICOM, echoed Fong’s belief, stating that the partnership is a win-win situation that provides both parties with tremendous potential and possibilities.

“There is great synergy in this partnership and we are very pleased indeed to have found a like-minded partner in myTukar. Trade-ins has always been a sore point for car buyers, who today are increasingly demanding a more transparent and simplified process in their transactions. We believe myTukar’s innovative trade-in system will help boost sales of new automobiles across our branches, and more importantly enhance the overall customer experience at all our outlets. This will lead us to create more value for our customers,” said Tuan Syed Faisal.

The collaboration with EON will cover on Peninsular Malaysia initially. However, myTukar has been on an aggressive expansion drive this year with the opening of 7 new branches throughout the country. Further expansion to East Malaysia, starting with Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, is also in the pipeline, which should be beneficial to EON in the future.

myTukar is the first within the used car online trading platform in Malaysia to be awarded an ISO 9001:2015 Certification for Quality Management Systems. The certification is part of myTukar’s continuous effort in ensuring the highest levels of quality, trust and transparency throughout all stages of car selling on the innovative technology-enabled platform, to complement its ongoing expansion.


First Look At The Volkswagen ID.7… But It’s Still Camouflaged (w/VIDEO)

Although Volkswagen began selling its ID. range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in 2020 and 5 models to date, none of them is a sedan. The first was a hatchback (
ID.3
), followed by three crossover SUVs (
ID.4
,
ID.5
 and ID.6) and one MPV/minivan (
ID.Buzz
). During the second quarter of this year, the range will get its first sedan which is designated the ID.7. The sedan will be offered in the three primary markets of China, Europe and North America.

The model is being previewed this week at the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, USA, but like the ID.4 and ID.Buzz when they were first previewed before launch, the ID.7 also has camouflage that is somewhat unique.

40 layers of paint have been applied, of which some are conductive while others have insulating properties. A total of 22 areas of the car can be controlled separately and are electrified below the top layer of paint (electroluminescence) so that they light up. If all this is connected to a sound system, the rhythm is visualized by illumination of individual areas! Volkswagen says this is an interactive feature and symbolizes the next step in the digitalization of the future flagship model of the ID. family.

QR codes on the bonnet and on both sides provide an interface between the physical and digital worlds. The entire camouflage also takes the QR code theme further and thus hides the contours of the final production vehicle.

Based on ID.AERO concept
However, it is also mentioned that the ID.7 is based on the ID.AERO concept which was shown in June 2022 in China. The characteristic features of the design include the aerodynamic front section and roof, which both help to reduce energy consumption and increase the range. Air intakes located in the front end guide the air flowing through them down the sides of the vehicle to the rear in a targeted way. They therefore form an air curtain, which calms the airflow at the sides of the vehicle. The roof slopes to the rear and thus contributes to the very good drag coefficient of the ID.7.

“With the new ID.7, we are extending our electric model range into the upper segments. The sedan will offer top-class technology and quality. The ID.7 is one of ten new electric models that we are planning to launch by 2026. Our goal? To deliver suitable products for our customers in every single segment,” said Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars.

700 kms range claimed
At this time, technical details are still not provided other than that the range is claimed to be up to 700 kms. Like the other ID. models, the ID.7 also uses the modular electric drive matrix (MEB) specially developed for BEVs. That is has been used for a hatchback, SUV, MPV and now, a sedan, shows the versatility of the platform and architecture.

Given the recent problems with its infotainment systems and the issues with the haptic controls on the steering wheel (which will be discontinued), Volkswagen is emphasizing that the ID.7 will have a new display concept with a 15-inch screen and an augmented head-up display.

Innovative climate control system
The climate control system is also said to be innovative, with new air conditioning controls integrated into the first level of the infotainment system and featuring illuminated touch sliders. The new air conditioning concept has intelligent vents which work with a number of functions.

For instance, the ID.7 can detect when the driver is approaching based on their key and will already start to cool the interior on hot days or heat the interior on cold days before the driver gets into the vehicle. The Smart Air Vents control the flow of air and move dynamically to distribute the air over large areas as quickly as possible. If there are passengers in the car, the air can be directed straight to the body or ventilate the interior indirectly.

These functions are visible at all times on the new large display and can be activated and saved individually for each user. Special requests can also be activated using voice commands. If the user says ‘
Hello Volkswagen, my hands are cold
!’, the system responds by starting the steering wheel heating function. At the same time, warm air is directed towards the hands.

With its ID.7 sedan, Volkswagen will have a BEV representative in the upper middle class of the high-volume segment. To date, since the first ID.3 models were delivered in September 2020, around 500,000 units of the ID. family have been sold worldwide. This volume milestone has been reached about one year earlier than planned, despite the ongoing difficulties in the supply chain.

Volkswagen ID.4 is the third EV to win World Car of the Year title

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


Volkswagen Dealers Participate In Retail Qualification World Championship (RQWC 2019)

The Volkswagen Training Academy in Glenmarie recently hosted the National Finals of the 2018/2019 Volkswagen Retail Qualification World Championship (RQWC). The Volkswagen RQWC is a global assessment that consists of online tests, theoretical and practical assessments, and exams that is open to all dealer staff – in particular services advisors, master technicians and parts service advisors. The assessment was created and tailored with the mission to strengthen dealer networks, improve quality and customer satisfaction in addition to providing insights on global standards and practices.

Kicking off last year, a total of 311 participants from the Volkswagen network in Malaysia took part in the online test, and a total of 27 top performers were chosen for the National Finals. The final 27 participants consist of 10 service advisors, 10 parts advisors and 7 master technicians.

The champions of the RQWC National Finals are Mr Lu Weng Jen from MHV Autohaus (Volkswagen Gombak) in the Service Advisor Category; Mr John Leow Zhi Kuan MHV Autohaus (Volkswagen Gombak) in the Parts Services Category; and Mr Yeoh Chun Ping from Goh Brother Motors (Volkswagen Juru) in the Master Technician category.

The 2018/2019 National Finals, which took place from the 19 to 21 February at the Volkswagen Training Academy was broken down into several modules for the respective categories over three days.  Services advisors were tested on soft skills, dialogue reception and aftersales systems, whereas parts advisors were tested on role-play scenarios, aftersales systems and underwent a written exam. The Master technicians were tested on dialogue reception, diagnostic competency, technical professional competency and systematic methodology.

Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM said that participations in global assessments are a way to continuously ensure excellence in local standards. “It goes without saying that our customers are our top priority – and this is but one of the major initiatives we are taking to uphold our Volkswagen  Cares philosophy to provide value-added, quality products and more importantly, exceptional service to our customers across our network.“

The syllabus for the RQWC National Finals are provided by Volkswagen AG, while execution and evaluation were conducted locally by a panel of judges from Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM). For more information, please visit
www.volkswagen.com.my