Bermaz Motor accepting orders for 2020 Mazda2, MX-5 RF and CX-9

In conjunction with the
100
th
 anniversary of Mazda
 this year, a selection of updated models has been announced by Bermaz Motor for the Malaysian market. The 2020 models are the Mazda2, CX-9 and MX-5 RF. Bookings are now accepted at Bermaz branches and authorized dealerships.

All new Mazda vehicles registered from January 1, 2019 onwards have a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty + 5 years of free scheduled maintenance (except for the BT-50 pick-up truck). Both the warranty and free scheduled maintenance have a mileage limit of 100,000 kms which will be applied if it occurs earlier than 5 years.

MAZDA MX-5 RF – from RM266,154

The MX-5 holds the Guinness World Record holder for the best-selling 2-seater sportscar of all time with over one million units produced, and the MX-5 RF is the highly desirable variant in the range. It comes with a retractable fastback (that’s what the ‘RF’ stands for) which gives it a unique look compared to having a traditional soft top.

For 2020, the MX-5 RF maintains the necessary characteristics of a driver’s car: lightweight, nimble and fun-to-drive. Most importantly, jinba-ittai gives the driver a sense of being one with the car, the way a rider and horse act in unison.

New convenience features within include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This means drivers have greatly expanded range of apps which can be accessed via the MAZDA CONNECT Infotainment display.

Aligned with the premium positioning path of brand, the 2020 MX-5 RF receives an updated Mazda badging and fonts design. It has more i-Activsense safety features that include Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Smart City Brake Support and Driver Attention Alert as standard.

ISOFIX mounts for a childseat on the passenger side with airbag cut-off function are also provided so the little one can accompany daddy or mummy on the long drives.

Built in Japan, the MX-5 RF is powered by a SKYACTIV-G petrol engine that produces 181 ps/205 Nm from its 2-litre displacement. Transmission options are either a SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed manual transmission or 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

MAZDA2 – from RM103,670

Imported from Thailand, the Mazda2 is the model that welcomes drivers to the Mazda brand. Unlike most entry-level models, however, it has been developed on the concept of ‘a premium personal car that enriches everyday life’.  Furthermore, its high quality is not only in assembly and materials but also in the quality of driving.

The 2020 Mazda2 has styling updates to freshen its looks, notably a new front grille design that has a similar styling concept as the grille on the some of the newer 7th generation products such as the Mazda3 and CX-30.

The front LEDs have new signature styling and on each corner are newly designed 16-inch alloy wheels with an enhanced texture and high-brightness paint. Like the MX-5 RF, the latest Mazda2 receives updated Mazda badging and fonts as part of the brand’s path to premium.

The interior offers a comfortable space with a new blue gray interior trim to create a sense of balanced quality and playfulness. The materials used have been carefully selected and are of a high quality.

The 2020 Mazda2 comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard as well, so many of your smartphone apps (Waze, Google Maps, Spotify, etc) can be transferred onto the dashboard. The MAZDA CONNECT Infotainment display provides management and access to the apps with seamless connectivity.

As for driving dynamics, the G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) system brings more advancements to the original G-Vectoring Control. This technology, first in the SKYACTIV-Vehicle Dynamics series, was the world’s first control system to vary engine torque in response to steering inputs. It helps to smoothen the car’s motion and uses the brakes to add direct yaw moment control for further enhanced handling stability. With GVC Plus, the driver can have a reassuring feeling of control when changing lanes on the highway or when driving on slippery surfaces.

Driving comfort has also been enhanced with a retuned suspension system for smoother movement. New structured front seats improve the driver’s sense of balance, contributing to the sense of unity with the car and making driving easier.

The SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-speed automatic transmission with Manual Shift mode transmission has been tuned for smoother acceleration which minimizes the head and body movements of passengers.  As before, the Mazda2 uses a SKYACTIV-G 1.5-litre engine that produces 114 ps/149 Nm.

MAZDA CX-9 – from RM319,610

The CX-9 is the flagship of the range and for 2020, it receives a few updates that focus on elevating the premium Mazda ownership experience. On the outside, the Mazda badging and fonts design are new and there’s a new gray metallic finish for the 20-inch aluminium wheels.

Inside the 3-row cabin, black leather seats with a new silver stitching finish give a rich feeling and premium ambience. Other standard features include an updated 9-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system, Autohold function as well as i-Stop function, seatbelt reminders for 2nd and 3rd row passengers, and two extra USB charging ports at the third row.

The powerful turbocharged SKYACTIV-G 2.5T petrol engine produces 228 ps/420 Nm which is transferred to the wheels via a quick-shifting 6-speed SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission. Customers can choose to have 2-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).

The AWD variant has i-Activ all-wheel drive and the 2020 CX-9 is the first Mazda vehicle offered with the all-new Off-road Traction Assist feature. Replacing the traction control button, this feature can potentially help the driver when driving on uneven terrain. When the diagonal wheels lose traction, off-road traction assist will stop reducing the engine torque and increase the brake force on the wheels without traction. This transfers power to the wheels still on the ground to help allow the vehicle to regain traction and continue the drive.

G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) is also present as standard to improve steering response and complements the advanced safety technologies available. These are integrated in the i-ACTIVSENSE suite which includes Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Smart City Brake Support, and Lane Departure Warning with Lane-Keep Assist. The Smart City Brake Support is now updated with pedestrian detection support.

Visit
www.mazda.com.my
 to locate a showroom in Malaysia to find out more or to make your booking.

Mazda starts 100th anniversary celebrations in Hiroshima


Fuel Prices For September 21 to 27 2019

Source: Ministry of Finance


Newcomer Apollo EV Malaysia Aims For 10,000 Orders In First Year With 3-Model Range

In the early decades of the last century, there were far more manufacturers of automobiles than today. Many businessmen saw much potential in the ‘horseless carriage’ and with the internal combustion engine already developed, it was possible for anyone to make motorized vehicles. However, as the industry grew rapidly, smaller players faded away due to competition or were acquired by bigger ones and the number of carmakers became less.

Now, in the early decades of the 21
st
 century, we are seeing the same thing happening with electric vehicles (EVs). In a way, these are also ‘new’ inventions and many enterprising businessmen want to get into the business of making and selling them. However, where most of the companies 100 years ago were in America and Europe, there are now numerous big and small ones in China, the largest EV market in the world (2.4 million units sold in the first half of 2022).

The national policies of China have aggressively promoted ‘new energy vehicles’ (NEVs) – largely electric vehicles – boosting demand for such vehicles and creating economies of scale for businesses to develop and grow. And as in the early days of the automobile, investors see a lot of opportunity and are starting up. They are looking at new approaches to doing the business to gain advantage in an increasingly competitive market – and to attract the new generation of customers.

One such company is Apollo EV Malaysia Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Singapore-based Apollo EV Pte. Ltd, an investment portfolio of China International Capital Corporation. Apollo EV Malaysia has ambitious plans over the next 4 years to grow its business to the point where it can be listed on the NASDAQ in the USA by 2025.

It has created its own brand, Appollen, for its products and has Qiantu Motor in China (established in 2016) as a technical partner for the automotive side and Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) to provide digital solutions and development of the EV-related eco system.

There are already many EV brands in the market so Apollo EV’s Founder and CEO, Chris Yen, has redefined the EV to have marketing differentiation. ‘EV’, in his vision, should now stand for ‘Entertainment  Vehicle’ – a ‘device’ which has entertainment functions rather than merely a vehicle for transport. A parallel would be the mobilephone – from being just a portable device to make calls on, it has now become a multi-functional device that can do much, much more than just make calls.

The EV is already fairly standardized with ready-to-go platforms on which bodies of whatever form designers can come up with (and appeal to customers) are attached. The various components and systems are pretty much available in the open market too although each company may also invest in some innovative technology.

Appollen A1

In the case of Appollen EVs, the emphasis is on lowering weight and with lightweight materials, including composite materials and optimized engineering, the weight reduction is said to be from 25% to 40%. Two of its models weigh under 900 kgs and lower weight naturally benefits performance, more so for EVs where less weight means better range (Apollo EV is targeting 500 kms).

The battery pack is the heart of an EV and the ones installed in the Appollen EVs are lithium-ion types with liquid cooling and capacities of 26 kWh to 97.9 kWh. Charging time is claimed to be 45 minutes from empty to 80% capacity. A warranty of 8 years will be offered on the battery pack, with 6 years for the rest of the vehicle.

The first models that will be introduced in the Malaysian market next year will be the A1 and A2, with a S1 sports model. The A2 (a 2-seater) is slightly longer than a Perodua Axia while the A1 is as long as a Perodua Ativa, with the S1 2-seater coupe being about 300 mm longer than a Toyota Supra.

Appollen A2

The A1 and A2 have similar powertrains with one or two electric motors to provide front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The motor on the front wheel generates up to 70 kW/130 Nm, and for AWD, the second motor at the rear generates 90 kW/170 Nm. The lighter A2 is claimed to have a 0 to 100 km/h time of under 4.7 seconds and a top speed of over 190 km/h, while the A1 is claimed to have a time of less than 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 150 km/h.

The S1, with supercar looks and scissors doors, promises super high performance and has only AWD, with the two motors giving a total output of 410 kW/710 Nm. That can give the car a claimed 0 to 100 km/h time of less than 3.3 seconds and a top speed of over 210 km/h. A large battery pack of 97.9 kW is provided which is said to be good for 500 kms (obviously depending on how fast you drive).

Appollen S1

As with all motor vehicles to be registered for use on public roads, the Appollen EVs would have to go through the JPJ Type Approval system to ensure they meet Malaysian regulations (which include safety regulations).

The cars (which can be booked now) will initially be built at Qiantu Motor’s factory in Suzhou, China, and Apollo EV Malaysia would be using the full duty-exemption allowed till the end of 2024 to import the cars. Indicative pricing at this time is RM588,000 for the S1, RM136,000 for the A1 and RM112,000 for the A2.

Owners will be able to customize their cars with a wide range of options that will be fitted in the factory rather than at dealers. “We call this personalization program ‘Amber’, and we can make each car ‘one of a kind’. If you can imagine it, we can do it for you!” said Mr. Yen.

He also mentioned a rental program although full details about it are not available. But from what we could see, it will be offered online and customers will be able to rent one of the models at rates ranging from RM120 to RM500 day.

Aftersales support is, of course, always a big concern for buyers and Mr. Yen has given assurance that there will be full service support and parts. A total of 14 service centres nationwide will be set up by the company and there are also plans to provide a replacement car to use in the event the owner’s car has to remain in the service centre for a while. “My hope is for every Appollen customer to be able to use our cars without worry and fully enjoy their ownership experience,” said Mr. Yen.

As for the entertainment aspect, this is basically the idea of connected cars and Apollo EV Malaysia will make sure that there is plenty of content (with 100+ live streaming channels) available for viewing on the large display panels complemented by displays for the rear passengers in the A1. The infotainment system can also use Android apps and karaoke and gaming set-ups can also be created within the cabin.

Owners will also be rewarded as they drive under a ‘Drive To Earn’ program. During the first 3 years of ownership, every kilometre travelled will get them 1 point which is valued at RM1, to a maximum of RM1,000 each month. The points, referred to as ‘Appollen Carbon Credits’, will be credited to a Kepir-managed e-wallet account and can be used to purchase products and services at dealerships, service centres and also an online mall.

Apollo EV’s retail network will be divided into two types of outlets – a showroom for displaying and selling cars and a lifestyle store which will offer products and services and can also be a place to hang-out for owners and their friends.

Appollen outlets in Malaysia after the first year of sales.

The company has made a commitment to set up 6 – 8 charging stations at each of the outlets. With a target of 100 showrooms and 200 lifestyle stores within the first year of operation (presumably after deliveries commence), that can mean up to 2,400 charging stations added to the charging network nationwide. This would certainly help meet the government’s target of having 10,000 charging stations nationwide by 2025.

Qiantu Motor, which already has an international presence, wants to produce vehicles outside China as well and with Apollo EV Malaysia, it intends to set up a factory in Malaysia in future. This would give the company a production hub for righthand drive EVs that can be distributed around ASEAN. Furthermore, with the AFTA benefits of duty-free exchange of goods within ASEAN, the cars can also be priced competitively in all the regional markets.

Apollo EV Malaysia will also be working with SIRIM Berhad on R&D of EV technologies, setting EV industry standards with product safety assurance, and joint efforts to educate the public on advantages of EVs over vehicles with combustion engines.

Elaborating on the collaboration, Dato’ Indera Dr. Ahmad Sabrin, President & Group CEO of SIRIM, said the organization will assist Apollo EV in various ways. “These include patent approval, testing for EV parts and components, system integrity and verification check, product traceability, blockchain implementation on payment systems, calibration and measurement services, development of industry standards, conformity assessment, and testing and certification. This is to ensure that the EVs will be produced as safe and high-quality products that comply with industrial standards” he said.

Sime Darby Motors helps to expand EV charging network


Updated Proton Iriz and Persona debut online

The auto industry is still having most of its normal activities suspended, as ordered by the government, but for some, new model introductions need to go ahead as planned. Proton is one of the companies that planned to launch the new versions of its Iriz and Persona, and has gone ahead to do so today using online channels (which can also be used to make bookings).

Updating exercises for both models

The two new models are well established products but have been in the market some time so updating is needed. Proton DESIGN has incorporated new styling elements which continue to use the Infinite Weave with Ethereal Bow grille. As with such updating exercises, the designers have also taken the opportunity to restyle the bumpers and some areas of the lighting units. Such cosmetic changes do not require changes to sheet metal so they are less costly to do.

On the Iriz, the grille has a new profile with a red highlight whilst the Persona’s comes has more chrome for greater distinctiveness. The top versions of both models also have black roofs.

The LED headlamps (not available for the standard variants) have the convenience of automatic on/off as well as a ‘follow me home’ function which keeps them on for a while after the engine is switched off. This is to provide illumination while walking to the front door of the home.

Other new features include new styling for the 16-inch alloy wheels and new finishing on the rear combination lamps. There are also new body colours – Space Grey for the Persona and Citric Orange and Passion Red for the Iriz, which would be aimed at younger buyers.

Concept finally becomes a production model

The Iriz finally gets the sporty Active variant which was shown as a concept some 7 years ago. Back then, there was a trend towards adding ‘SUV elements’ to cars and Proton DESIGN came out with the concept. According to the Head of Proton DESIGN, it was one of those ‘skunkworks’ projects that the design team did quietly in their studio.

The Iriz Active concept which the designers at Proton DESIGN created as a ‘side project’ of their own.

“It wasn’t in the development timeline of the then freshly launched Iriz, so the whole premise was to project the future. Based on foresight and a hunch, I believe it achieved what it was created to do,” he recalled

Sportier lifestyle image

Though having the same shape and dimensions, the hatchback has moulding that runs around the body to add distinctiveness. A black roof with roof rails adds the ‘SUV touch’, while the 16-inch wheels have a new design.

The cabin of the Iriz Active has red highlights using embroidery on the front seats, door trim and carpet mats, as well as red stitching on the steering wheel and seatbelts with red straps. Red is also used on other areas to highlight the different forms. There are also aluminium sport pedals for a sporty look and feel.

More premium cabin for Persona

While the Iriz Active has a sporty interior, the new Persona Premium gets seats and door trim upholstered in brown leatherette (in the same shade that debuted on the Proton X70) to complement the enhanced interior design and give a more premium image.

A noticeable change to the interior of both the Iriz and Persona is the new 8-inch floating infotainment display panel. This ‘command centre’ has voice command functions that have been updated to control the air-conditioning system and driver’s window. Starting off with ‘
Hi Proton
’ and then saying certain commences, actions can be executed without lifting the hands off the steering wheel.

The display panel is located at the top of the dashboard for easy access, and the air vents have been repositioned accordingly. The controls for the air-conditioning now come with a digital display as well. Between the front seats, the centre console has been redesigned to provide an armrest and improved storage space.

Cleaner, healthier cabin air

Since last year, following
the initiative by the Geely Group
 which Proton is part of, more attention has been given to ensuring that the air quality in the cabin is healthy. This led to the fitment of a N95 Cabin Filter which is standard in the cars. The
N95 Cabin Filter
, as the name suggests, can remove 95% of particles that are larger than 0.3 microns. Additionally, it can remove 98% of PM2.5 dust particulates, which is important to promote respiratory health. Apart from effectively filtering smoke particulates, dust and bacteria; the N95 filter can help to promote an allergy-free environment by reducing allergens from pets, aphids and pollen.

Both cars come with a comprehensive list of features and equipment and among them are no less than 6 USB ports around the cabin. One is even thoughtfully located behind the rearview mirror for easier connection to power a dashcam, instead of having the cable dangle down to the dashboard.

Tops in safety

Proton models are top scorers in ASEAN NCAP tests and the
 Iriz and Persona have scored the maximum of 5 stars
 from the safety organization. Crash tests have shown that the reinforced body structure using Hot Press Formed steel provides very good protection in collisions, while active safety systems such as Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control System help the driver retain control of the car in slippery conditions. Airbags are, of course, standard as they are required by law as are seatbelts for every occupant.

“The Proton Iriz and Persona have won many fans since their introduction, so we took a measured approach to updating them. The styling changes and addition of a new Active variant for the Proton Iriz will help boost their visual appeal while the changes we have made to the interior and infotainment system ensures they deliver better comfort and connectivity while retaining Proton’s trademark driving experience,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.

A Launch Package (with applicable terms and conditions) is offered with both new models. This consists of a Warranty Package (5 years or maximum of 150,000 kms); Service Package (free labour service for 3 times); and a Data Package for 5 years with 1GB each month (new Iriz Active and Persona Premium only).

1989 Proton Saga wins Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional in the UK


Special Edition Renault Captur Trophy – only limited units available at RM107,980 each

Even in standard form in the showroom, the Renault Captur stands out from the typical compact crossover SUVs with its chic styling. Now, for those who want still more distinctiveness, TC Euro Cars (TCEC) has prepared a limited number of units as special editions of the Captur.

While having most of the specifications and Easy Life feature of the standard version, the Special Edition Captur Trophy, as it is known, gets some exclusive additions. The Vibrant Orange Trophy exterior colour, inspired by colour cues from the new signature Orange Tonic colour of the latest Megane R.S. (below left) is one of them.

There’s also a sporty front and rear bumper spoiler in gunmetal colour, 3D chequered flag decals and, for added convenience, a powered tailgate which automatically opens when a foot is placed under the rear bumper.

No extra cost to be a bit more exclusive

The Captur Trophy is available at no extra cost from the standard version so it goes for
RM107,980
 (on-the-road inclusive of SST, without insurance, for Peninsular Malaysia and private individual registration only). This means that it’s a really great deal which you don’t want to miss and you have to act quickly as there are only limited units.

Additionally, 5 lucky customers who purchase a brand-new Captur Trophy will get the chance to take the all-new Renault Megane R.S. home for one month. This offer aims to encourage an appreciation amongst customers for Renault’s range of products and offerings.

Also available on Renault Subscription

The Captur Trophy is also available on Renault Subscription. Under the Fixed Plan, customers pay from RM1,499 monthly for the 2-year subscription package and RM1,699 monthly for the 1-year plan. These monthly fees are inclusive of roadtax, insurance premiums and regular maintenance fees.

There is also the Switch Prime Plan where customers can enjoy the Captur Trophy as their everyday vehicle – in addition to a total of 4 months of access to the Renault family of models such as the Megane R.S. and Koleos SUV.

“Whilst many appreciate the striking design and current two-tone colour scheme on the Captur, we boost the Captur’s allure further with a whole new sporty look. Taking inspiration from the Megane R.S., the Limited Edition Captur Trophy delivers a new level of sports appeal. Coupled with the experience of the Renault Megane R.S. for one month, we have drastically turned-up the sports appeal for the Captur Trophy,” said Wong Hoe Mun, CEO of TC Euro Cars.

1.8-litre performance

The Limited Edition Captur Trophy has the same upgraded EURO 6-compliant turbocharged TCe 120 petrol engine with a start-stop function that delivers the performance and acceleration comparable to a normally-aspirated 1.8-litre engine. Mated to the 6-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) transmission, the engine offers peak torque of 205 Nm from as low as 2000 rpm and can travel up to 16.9 kms/litre, it is claimed. An ECO Mode contributes to up to 10% additional fuel savings.

Easy Life ownership experience

Renault firmly believes that the concept of ‘Easy Life’ should be experienced across all its products and throughout the customer’s ownership experience. To this end, all Capturs, including the Captur Trophy, also come with the Renault Honour trade-in programme. Through this programme for vehicles distributed by TCEC, customers will enjoy a guaranteed future value should they choose to trade-in their Captur for any new Renault model in the future. This is assurance that Renault is addressing depreciation concerns, especially in the first few years where the depreciation is the greatest.

The Renault Honour programme is available for a limited time only and customers are encouraged to confirm their participation as soon as they can.

There are 21 authorised service centres nationwide to look after Renault vehicles.

For more information on the Limited Edition Captur Trophy and other Renault models and services in Malaysia or to locate a showroom, visit
www.renault.com.my
.

Renault Subscription scheme available for latest Renault Megane R.S. 280 Cup


F1 / Round 19: 2022 US Grand Prix – Max Verstappen Wins And Red Bull Racing Confirms Championship Title

Although the F1 Drivers title was confirmed after Japan, the teams were still out to score the most points in the remaining 4 races. So the mood on the starting grid at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) was just as tense, especially for the Red Bull and Ferrari drivers who were separated by just a point. And for Mercedes-AMG, there was nothing to lose in pushing hard now…

As the lights went out to start the US Grand Prix, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz got off cleanly from his pole position but Red Bull’s Max Verstappen next to him had just as strong a take-off and was the first to reach Turn 1. Just behind, the two Mercedes-AMG cars were also closing in on the corner and George Russell locked up, coming in contact with Sainz who went into a spin.

The incident cost Russell a 5-second penalty but for Sainz, it was worse… although the damage to his car didn’t look bad, he had to retire after heading into the pits when it was found that the radiator was leaking. A big disappointment after getting to start from pole position. His team mate, Charles Leclerc was still too far back, having had a 19-place penalty on the starting grid.

After that, Verstappen took the lead and quickly began to try to extend the gap to Lewis Hamilton who had sped past Russell. The two arch rivals would have a chance to challenge each other again during the 56-lap race. Having continued on, Russell found himself under attack from Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, who had started just behind the two Mercedes-AMGs.

Some time during the first laps, Verstappen’s partner, Sergio Perez who had started in P9, had picked up some damage to his wing and by lap 7, something even came off. While he was up to fourth, it was uncertain if the car could keep going until he could come into the pits. Meanwhile, he seemed to be trying to take on Russell in spite of the damage.

On the tenth lap, Hamilton began to alert his team about tyre wear at the front. There was uncertainty about the life of the mediums on heavier fuel loads at the start. And though the weather and temperatures were good, the winds were making it tricky in some sections.

The pit stop window opened on lap 11 and the first drivers in were Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas, Scuderia Alphatauri’s Yuki Tsunoda and McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo. Hamilton came in on lap 13, giving up the chase with Verstappen. However, the Dutchman also came in a lap later, along with Russell, so everyone was going for a 2-stopper.

Perez had thus inherited the lead, with a 6-second gap from his team mate who had rejoined the race just ahead of Stroll. The Aston Martin driver had to keep an eye on Leclerc who wanted his third place while Stroll’s team mate, Sebastian Vettel, was not giving up his fifth spot yet. On lap 15, Perez came in but changed tyres without wasting time on a new front wing. He rejoined just behind Hamilton who was running third by then as Leclerc had moved up to second.

Lap 18 saw the first major incident that brought out the Safety Car when Bottas was stopped between Turn 19 and Turn 20 after having spun off into the gravel (might have been due to the winds causing instability). This was timely for Leclerc who could now zip into the pits for his change to hard tyres. He rejoined just behind Perez in fourth.

After 4 laps, the F1 Safety Car went off and racing resumed with Verstappen in the lead as the lap 22 began. Just behind him were Hamilton, Perez and Leclerc but the Red Bull driver moved to quickly widen the gap within 3 turns.

The resumption of racing was short as Alpine F1’s Fernando Alonso crashed into Stroll. Gasly was lucky to have been able to avoid the two cars. The call went out to Bernd Maylander to come back out in the F1 Safety Car again. This time, there was debris on the track so time would be needed to clean it up. While Alonso had managed to get back to the pits and then go back out again, Stroll had to pull over on the track.

Almost a quarter of the race was completed as the F1 Safety Car circulated around the 5.513-km track. Verstappen was up front, stalked by Hamilton, with Perez and Leclerc behind and Russell in fifth. Stroll’s retirement had given Haas F1’s Mick Schumacher a chance to get into the points zone.

The clean-up job was done quickly, and Verstappen was ready to streak away on lap 26 when the Safety Car departed. However, on lap 28, he sent a message of alarm to his team about problems with driveability. Leclerc was trying hard to close the gap with Perez but the Red Bulls had the speed on the straights.

It was evident that a number of cars were running with damage, some from early in the race like Perez and Russell. Some, like Norris and Alfa Romeo’s Zhou GuanYu, had also picked up debris after the Alonso-Stroll accident, which wasn’t good either. Gasly was given a 5-second penalty for not being within 10 car lengths of the F1 Safety Car.

As the race finished one hour, Verstappen was in the lead, followed by Hamilton as Perez and Leclerc remained in their duel. Within the points zone at the end of the top ten were Schumacher, Norris and Tsunoda. The Japanese driver came in on lap 34, together with Schumacher, and managed to return ahead of Gasly.

While Verstappen was having problems with the strong winds, Hamilton quickly came in to get hard tyres. This brought a reaction from Red Bull which asked Verstappen to come in for medium tyres. However, with Leclerc having come in just ahead, his pit stop was slowed down.

The lead went to Perez then as his team mate had fallen to sixth when he rejoined behind Leclerc and Hamilton. The Mercedes-AMG driver had a slight advantage with his hard tyres but not much as they also took a while to get up to the right temperature.

Perez gave up his lead on lap 39 and Vettel took over the lead, while Verstappen easily passed Leclerc into Turn 1. But the Ferrari driver was able to regain his position right after that. But Verstappen had the edge and got past a few turns later, with Hamilton in his sights next. As Vettel came in for what would be a long stop, it was Hamilton having clear air ahead of him on lap 42 of the US GP.

10 laps remained with the gap between Hamilton and Verstappen at about 3 seconds. For a change, Hamilton had a chance to give his team the first win of the season. Leclerc and Perez remained locked in battle with Russell 4 seconds behind waiting for something to happen that could move him up.

In the second half of the top ten, Williams’ Alex Albon had slipped into ninth but Norris was able to displace him quickly., Haas F1’s Kevin Magnussen was holding sixth and trying to keep Alonso from taking it.

Within 2 laps, Verstappen had knocked off about 2 seconds with Hamilton and on lap 50, with 6 laps remaining, Verstappen got past Hamilton on turn 12 to take the lead. However, the Stewards also saw that the Dutchman had run wide (twice) and gave a flag warning on track limits. Perez was determined to displace Leclerc to get onto the podium and was narrowing the gap steadily. But the Red Bull driver was also running out of tyre.

The remaining two laps saw the two champions fighting hard to win, and Hamilton even got a warning for exceeding track limits as well. But Verstappen kept his lead all the way to the finish line and with the chequered flag being waved for him (by Apple CEO, Tim Cook) for a second time at COTA, it confirmed Red Bull Racing’s F1 world title.


Malaysian motorists can now find out toll charges on Waze

Paying toll to use highways is part of motoring life these days, an added cost to motoring which is supposedly for quicker travel from A to B. There are alternative routes where you don’t have to pay toll but they will be more congested and if time is valuable to you, then paying the toll might be better to avoid jams.

However, toll charges vary on the different highways operated by nine concessionaires and if you are travelling across the Klang Valley using their highways, you will have different charges to pay. If you want to save some money, you could check out the toll charges along your route and compare the rates. But this means visiting a few of the concessionaires’ websites to get the information which is troublesome.

Toll Prices feature added

Now Waze makes it easier for you with the launch of its Toll Prices feature in Malaysia. One of its most requested features, Toll Prices will enable users to view and compare toll prices before or when they are driving along tolled routes. The feature, which is compatible with high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes, is automatically enabled and users will see a Toll tag on the route if it includes a toll road.

The Toll Prices feature will help drivers make better planning decisions by giving them visibility of prices ahead of time, enabling them to compare prices of different routes. At the same time, they can also compare the estimated times of arrival (ETAs) to see if the savings are worth it.

Info through efforts of Waze community

This hyperlocal feature is only possible due to the work of Waze’s volunteer community of over 30,000 monthly active map editors. The 6 volunteers from the Malaysian Waze community who played a part in this latest feature for Waze were Kadyus, Kweeheng, Rickylo103, EpailXi, Izuaniz and Lutfi_bihar. They helped collect and input toll price information, underscoring once again that Waze is truly people-powered and community-driven.

“We are delighted to bring Toll Prices to Malaysia. Thanks to the phenomenal efforts of our volunteer community, we’ve been able to make one of the most requested features on Waze a reality. Until now, Waze was trying to reduce your time spent in traffic – now, we’re also helping our users save as much money as possible by giving them the absolute best choice of routes, based both on ETA and potential costs of tolls along the way. We look forward to continue working with our community to make this feature available in all markets,” said Moriah Royz, Waze Product Manager.

Click here to download the Waze app
, if you don’t already have it.

No more TAMBAH NILAI at exit toll plazas on PLUS highways from November 5, 2019


Peugeot to offer Mobil lubricants at service centres

Mobilub Trading Sdn Bhd, ExonMobil’s distributor in Malaysia has signed a three year agreement with Nasim Sdn Bhd, Peugeot’s local authorised dealer, which will see all 35 Peugeot service centres use Mobil lubricants.

According to the automaker, this partnership signifies both companies’ commitment to bringing high-quality products to customers in Malaysia and to strengthen their reputation as the wold leading brands in the automotive industry.

“Mobil lubricants is the recommended choice for Peugeot car owners who are looking to protect their engines without compromising on their vehicle’s performance”, said Dato Samson Anand George, Group Chief Operating Officer, Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn.Bhd.

“At ExxonMobil, we are committed to providing the best lubricant solutions for car owners to bring out high-performance and proven long engine life”, said Pajaree Meekangvan, Southeast Asia Cluster Sales Manager at ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.

Both Mobilub and Nasim have been working together for the past two years and this new agreement cements their commitment to each other and Peugeot owners in Malaysia to offer the best automotive solutions that are available right now.


Original Aston Martin Vantage racing cars offered as a special edition collection

Between 2009 and 2018, Aston Martin scored two 24 Hours of Le Mans class victories (in 2014 and 2017) and seven FIA World Endurance Championship titles, as well as numerous international sportscar championship titles in British GT, GT World Challenge (Europe) and the European Le Mans Series.

This was one of the most successful periods in the luxury British sportscar brand’s racing history and in commemoration, as well as to pay tribute to one of the company’s most successful racing cars, Aston Martin Racing has created the Vantage Legacy Collection.

The trio of Legacy Vantages, based on V8 Vantage road car launched in 2005, have been created in Aston Martin Racing’s workshops and are being offered for sale as a collection. This includes a V8 Vantage GTE, a V12 Vantage GT3 and Vantage GT4.

All three are brand new chassis, ready to race, and have been identically liveried in sterling green with the distinctive and classic Aston Martin yellow trim lines around the radiator and cant rail.

Vantage GT4

The Vantage GT4 was the first racing car created around the VH-era architecture. It made its debut in 2009 and, by the end of 2018, Aston Martin Racing had built 107 cars, winning races and international championships across the world. Many of these cars are still competing today. The car in the collection is the 108th and final car to be made.

Vantage GT3

The V12 Vantage GT3 followed the GT4 three years later, making its debut in 2012. It soon became the dominant car in the British GT championship, winning outright titles in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018, proving its competitiveness right up until it was replaced by the new Vantage in 2019. Over 7n years, up until the end of 2017, 46 cars were built.

Vantage GTE

The V8 Vantage GTE made its debut with the Aston Martin Racing works team in 2012 at Sebring. It spearheaded Aston Martin’s works return to production-based racing following three years of competing in the LMP1 class. The V8 Vantage GTE took its first win at the final round of the FIA World Endurance Championship in Shanghai in October that debut year.

Only six V8 Vantage GTEs were originally built, with the car racing for the last time in the GTE Am class at Le Mans in 2018. During this time, it became the most successful car in the FIA World Endurance Championship, winning 7 titles and two Le Mans class victories, including a famous final-lap triumph in 2017. The GTE in this collection is the seventh and final car to be made, chassis number 007.

“For a collector, this trio of Aston Martin Racing Vantages represents the ultimate tribute to a halcyon period for the brand in international sportscar racing. While Aston Martin has since gone on to record world championship titles with the current generation turbo-charged V8 Vantage, the foundations laid by the huge success of the original car won it admirers the around the globe and led to it becoming a firm favourite with racing fans. The Legacy collection is a beautiful sign-off for this wonderful car,” said President of Aston Martin Racing, David King.

Click here for other news and articles about Aston Martin
.


Audi RS Q e-tron E2 ready for more off-road competition with improved performance

In March 2022, the Audi RS Q e-tron won its first desert rally in Abu Dhabi, an important achievement for an electrically-powered vehicle. Audi was the first carmaker that committed to develop a viable alternative drive concept for the gruelling event, making it a pioneer in motorsport.

The original RS Q e-tron development had been rushed as it had to be done during the difficult period of the coronavirus pandemic in 2021 and limited testing opportunities. However, with the experience and learnings from that tough first event, Audi Sport’s engineers have developed a new and significantly improved prototype which will be entered in the 2022 Morocco Rally and the 2023 Dakar Rally.

“We’ve managed a good debut at the Dakar with the Audi RS Q e-tron and even our first stage victories in a motorsport discipline that is new to us,” said Rolf Michl, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH and responsible for motorsport at Audi. “The entire team is working excellently together and pulling in the same direction. As is usual at such an early stage, the drivers, co-drivers and technicians quickly agreed on the next development targets. We have summarized the result in a new evolution package – the RS Q e-tron E2.”

Main components of the first RS Q e-tron

Second phase of development program
Reminiscent of the legendary Audi Sport quattro in its final development stage for Group B rallying in the 1980s, the body is completely new and features significantly enhanced aerodynamics. It also has a lower weight and centre of gravity.

“The Audi RS Q e-tron E2 does not adopt a single body part from its predecessor,” said Axel Loffler, Chief Designer of the RS Q e-tron. In order to comply with the prescribed interior dimensions, the cockpit, which was previously narrowly recessed towards the roof, is now significantly wider. The front and rear hoods have also been redesigned.

“We are now doing away with the underflow of the rear hood to the left and right of the B-pillars. In conjunction with modified lay-ups – optimized fabric layers of the composite materials – this solution reduces weight,” said Loffler.

The T1U prototypes will have to weigh 2,100 instead of 2,000 kgs in the future. Given that the first generation of the RS Q e-tron was overweight, it was still necessary to save several dozen kilograms. This is accompanied by the lowering of the vehicle’s centre of gravity.

New aerodynamic concept
The aerodynamic concept in the area of the body below the hoods is completely new. This section is somewhat like the shape of a boat’s hull: its widest point is at the height of the cockpit, while the body tapers significantly towards the front and rear.

The designers dispensed with the part of the fenders that was behind the front wheels and formed the transition to the door. Internally, this structure was called the ‘elephant foot’ and as a result, it  saved more weight and optimized the airflow.

“The aerodynamic aspect should not be underestimated in desert rallying either,” said Axel Loffler, Chief Designer of the RS Q e-tron. “Admittedly, the new cockpit dimensions mean that the body has a larger and therefore less favourable cross-section. Nevertheless, it was possible to reduce the overall aerodynamic drag by around 15%. But this does not change the top speed, which remains limited to 170 km/h in the regulations.”

Nevertheless, the improved airflow offers one major advantage. “It further reduces the energy requirements of the electrically powered car,” explained Loffler. “We implemented the aerodynamic calculations entirely using computational fluid dynamics. These computer simulations replace the time-consuming work in the wind tunnel and still deliver highly precise results.”

Simplified operation in the cockpit
The drivers can look forward to their new workplaces. The displays are still in the driver’s field of view and located in the centre console in the usual style, and the central switch panel with its 24 fields has also been retained. However, the engineers have restructured the displays and controls.

They can also work much more easily when there is a puncture, which is not uncommon in off-road events. Simple, flat and easily removable body components replace the previous bulky covers for the spare wheels in the flanks. The new 10-spoke rims are much easier to handle, making the change of wheels safe and quick.

New operating strategies further improve the efficiency of the electric drivetrain. The drivetrain of the RS Q e-tron E2 comprises an energy converter consisting of an internal combustion engine and a generator, as well as a high-voltage battery pack. Two electric motors are used to power the front and rear axles.

Better energy management
Energy management plays a crucial role here. The electronic control system of the complex electric drivetrain proved its worth in the first rally events and issues only occurred in extreme cases. At the Dakar Rally, for example, it was noted that there were short-term surpluses of power in situations where the wheels made less contact with the ground while jumping or on uneven terrain.

The so-called auxiliary consumers also benefit from optimized control. The servo pump, the air-conditioning cooling pump and the fans have a measurable impact on the energy balance. In the course of the debut season this year, the Audi and Q Motorsport rally team gained valuable experience that enables better assessment.

The air-conditioning system, for example, works so aggressively that it could cause the coolant to freeze when constantly running at its maximum output. In the future, the system will run in an intermittent mode. This saves energy, yet the interior temperatures only fluctuate slightly, even over longer periods.

“We have combined all the important lessons in a very short time. The result of our ideas is the E2 evolution,” says Uwe Breuling, Head of Vehicle Operations Audi Sport. “Our development team’s determined and cost-efficient work has prepared us perfectly for our second Dakar Rally.”


Proton to explore e-commerce platforms to expand reach

As consumer purchase patterns change and shopping online becomes more popular, some car companies have strived to meet these new developments by offering their products online. Their initial efforts have not been in a big way nor long-term as they want to see the effectiveness first. Proton is among those companies and recently collaborated with Shopee to explore new avenues to connect with its customers.

“Commerce today has changed drastically from what it was even as recently as just 5 to 10 years ago. Proton has to keep up with these changes to remain relevant and while we are pursuing our strategy to increase customer touchpoints via the growth of 3S/4S outlets, we must also utilise technology to drive mobility for the business. Our campaign with Shopee is a good example as it offers ease and convenience for consumers but also puts them in contact with our network of outlets for aftersales services,” said Dr Li Chunrong, CEO of Proton.

Online shopping is becoming popular but for purchases of cars, the process of loan approvals and vehicle registration in Malaysia still require direct contact between the sales representative and the customer to finalise documentation.

Over 200 units booked online

Over 200 units of the X70 SUV were booked in the first few days of the ecommerce platform’s 12.12 Birthday Sale, and as a special incentive, customers using Shopee are able to place a booking for just RM99 instead of the usual RM1,000 booking fee.

The first 50 Proton X70 customers who successfully register their vehicle before December 31, 2019 will also receive RM2,000 of Shopee vouchers and enjoy additional ongoing promotions for the month by Proton.

This isn’t the first time Proton is using the internet to allow customers to book its cars. Prior to its launch on December 12, 2018, the
X70 SUV could be booked online from October
, contributing to the pre-launch booking of over 10,000 units.

An alternative sales platform in future

A similar campaign was also utilised for the launch of other models in 2019 with the success experienced pointing to the increased importance of the channel. “We started to enable online bookings of our cars since late 2018 and over the next few years, we could expand the use of this as a sales platform. With improved online security and transaction platforms becoming widely accepted, there could be a time when financing could be applied for and approved online so Proton aims to be at the forefront of adopting these new technologies,” added Dr Li Chunrong.

Click here for other news and articles on Proton
.


F1 (Round 2): 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Highlights & Results

The second round of the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship saw reigning champion Max Verstappen starting from 15
th
 after driveshaft failure forced him out of qualifying, and Charles Leclerc in 12
th
 after taking a 10-place grid drop for using more than his 2 allotted ECUs for the season,

Verstappen’s team mate in Red Bull Racing, Sergio Perez, had a poor start from pole position and was passed by a forceful Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin. However, the Stewards would give Alonso a 5-second penalty for incorrect starting location.

Newcomer Oscar Piastri didn’t have finish his race in Bahrain and also started off badly in Jeddah when his McLaren made contact with the car of Scuderia Alphatauri’s Pierre Gasly as everyone moved off. The Australian driver lost time as he had to enter the pits to get a wing changed.

The early order of the race was Alonso leading Perez, with Mercedes-AMG’s George, Russell and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll following. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz held onto fifth, ahead of Alpine’s Esteban Ocon.

By lap 4, Perez was close to Alonso and shot down the main straight using DRS. Holding his line, he charged in at Turn 1 and pushed past the Aston Martin to take the lead. As for Verstappen and Leclerc, the Red Bull car was passing through 11
th
 while Leclerc was in 9
th
 and steadily making progress to the front which was almost 13 seconds away.

Gasly  was in 8
th
 and pushing Hamilton whose hard tyres were still taking time to reach optimum temperature. But the Alpine driver also had to keep an eye on the Ferrari closing in, so he could not give full attention to passing Hamilton.

On lap 7, Verstappen had reached 10
th
, where Alfa Romeo’s Zhou GuanYu was. He was setting up to pass but then went wide over the kerbs, allowing the Chinese driver to stay ahead for a while. But the Dutchman would get past one lap later and started to look for Hamilton.

In an effort to get his hard tyres’ temperature up, Hamilton tried weaving on the straight. His actions were spotted by the Stewards who ordered the black and white flag to be shown to the Mercedes-AMG driver.

As the race entered its 10
th
 lap, Perez remained in the lead, 3 seconds ahead of Alonso. The Spaniard was building the gap to Russell who was over 5 seconds behind so that he could serve the time penalty. Verstappen was now up to 8
th
, just a second behind Leclerc. The Ferrari driver was still able to stay ahead of Verstappen in the 13th lap, having moved up to 6
th
 after overtaking Ocon who had to deal with Verstappen.

The tyre changes began in lap 14, with Stroll coming in and switching to hard tyres. Alonso didn’t see a need to do so yet and kept Perez in sight, who was 4 second ahead. Sainz was called in on lap 16, also going to hard tyres and rejoining ahead of Stroll. Leclerc was on the softs and making progress, eating into his team mate’s advantage.

Halfway through lap 17, Stroll’s car showed a slower pace and then he was told to stop while still on the track. Out came the Safety Car (Aston Martin Vantage this time) for the third year at the Corniche Circuit. The back runners who had yet to go past the pit entry quickly shot in, and Perez also did likewise. Alonso also comes in and does serve his 5-second penalty. Verstappen and Russell also pit.

Two laps later, on lap 20, the Safety Car left the track and racing resumed. The Aston Martin engineers were busy looking through the telemetry data to see what had caused Stroll’s problem so they could pre-empt the possibility of it happening to Alonso’s car.

Perez was still at the front, chased by Alonso. Further back, the two cars of Alonso’s former team were fighting hard, with Ocon ahead of Gasly. Hamilton had passed Sainz but Verstappen was still stuck in 4
th
 and trying to move around Russell. Sainz too was caught weaving and given the black and white flag.

On lap 24, Verstappen finally got past Russell on Turn 27, using the slipstream with the DRS wide open. He didn’t stop there either and zoomed past Alonso to make it a 1-2 for Red Bull Racing. Behind displaced Alonso, Russell had his team mate behind eager to make a bid for the podium and so was trying harder.

Williams Racing’s Alexander Albon was reporting brake problems on lap 27. The Thai driver was in 17
th
 and trying to stay out of the way of other cars as he tried to get back to the pits. When he finally did get in, it was lap 29 and he had to retire, the second driver to do so in the Saudi Arabian GP after Stroll.

Perez was still in command with a 5-second gap and Verstappen was not trying too hard to take over the lead. Likewise, Alonso was not under pressure as Russell was busy with his own team mate. The Aston Martin driver was probably showing his long experience by not wasting effort chasing Verstappen at this time and waiting for an opportune moment to push harder.

Leclerc was unhappy being stuck in 7
th
,  cruising behind his team mate. Neither could improve their positions and it was likely that Ferrari would end this race in the same order. They were not under any threat as the closest car was that of Ocon’s, 7 seconds away.

On lap 36, there were signs that Verstappen was ready to move forward as his pace speeded up. But Perez was not giving up easily and each time his team mate seemed to close in, he would maintain the gap. After what had happened in qualifying, Verstappen was sensitive to any unusual noises and reported hearing some so he eased off in his pursuit of Perez.

Perez was also a bit concerned as he reported a ‘long brake pedal’. This would have meant that the brakes were not working as well as they should and he had to press harder. His engineer assured him that the data showed things in that department to be fine. He had a 4-second lead, while Verstappen was comfortably 16 seconds ahead of Alonso as 7 laps remained.

Further back, Valtteri Bottas wasn’t happy with his Alfa Romeo, apart from the fact that he was last. He could not get it to go faster but the team told him there was no problem. Haas’ Kevin Magnussen was duelling with Scuderia Alphatauri’s Yuki Tsunoda for 10
th
 and eventually grabbed it from the Japanese driver.

6 laps from the end of the 50-lap race, Perez readied for a final push by his team mate to take over the front spot. But the Mexican still had at least 6 seconds of space with Verstappen when just a lap remained. Russell meanwhile was told to close up to Alonso within 5 seconds as there seemed to be some talk that he might not have served his penalty correctly. But the Aston Martin driver realized this and kept out of the 5-second reach.

Perez cruised past the finish line and Verstappen never stopped trying because he wanted to get a bonus point so that he could at least stay in the lead. He did get the fastest lap and so he has just one point more than Perez after both drivers won a round each.


Chevrolet Corvette C7 Aerowagen by Callaway

Ever wondered what a shooting brake Corvette would look like? Well, wonder no more because Callaway, a US based company has done to the C7 Vette. Considered sacrilege by die hard Corvette fans, the car is offically known as the Aerowagen. Despite the extensive work on the car, the styling and fitment wouldn’t look out of place if it did roll off GM’s production floor.

The Callaway name is synonymous with modified performance Vettes since the early 2000s. And this Aerowagen in particular, has received more than just styling adjustments, Callaway gave the car performance tweaks as well. Originally, the Vette’s 6.2-litre V8 produced 650 horsepower in stock form, but Callaway has bumped up the power to 757bhp.

The car was featured on former The Tonight’s Show host Jay Leno’s famous YouTube channel, Jay Leno’s Garage. Jay did his usual walk-around of the car while interviewing owner/producer of the respective car that is on his show. This time around for the Aerowagen, it was Peter Callaway, General Manager of Callaway Cars Inc and his father Reeves Callaway, the founder of the company. And as you will see in his video, and as expected, he takes the car on his signature test drive. Take a look at this clip for the full video:

Like Brabus is to Mercedes-Benz, Shelby is to Ford, Callaway has been been tuning and upgrading Corvettes for a very long time. That said, the company, which was incorporated in the 1970s, initially gained recognition for offering Alfa Romeos and BMWs with a lot more horsepower then when they came from the factory. And despite being supercharger experts today, from the 1970s to 1990s, the company’s bread and butter was turbochargers.

As impressive as the Aerowagen is, this particular type of styling isn’t to everyone’s liking as it’s more of an acquired taste. Ferrari too tried its hand at a shooting brake with the introduction of the GTC4Lusso and despite coming from the Mac daddy of sports car makers, it wasn’t a stellar hit. Only time will tell if the Aerowagen does gain any popularity.


VR experience to enhance journeys for passengers in future

In the not-too-distant future when cars start to operate without humans managing, the environment in the cabin will surely change. On long journeys, there may be a need for more infotainment to pass the time. To demonstrate how we might be using media in our vehicles in the future, Porsche, start-up Holoride and media company Discovery have proposed a new VR (Virtual Reality) solution for use in vehicles.

The aim of the collaboration between Porsche and Holoride is to give vehicle passengers the opportunity of immersing themselves in virtual worlds. Development plans include entertainment, edutainment, as well as solutions for productivity and relaxation in the vehicle.

Maximum immersion for passengers

For this purpose, Holoride software links a VR headset with sensors and the vehicle so that content can be adapted to the car’s driving movements in real time. For instance, if the car is being driven around a corner, the ‘vehicle’ that the passenger is virtually travelling in will also change direction. Consequently, users experience maximum immersion into a fictitious world to significantly reduce the symptoms of travel sickness. This also applies to watching 2D content.

Passengers can choose from various 2D or 3D experiences ranging from documentaries and, for now, an underwater adventure through to a journey in time. The newly presented VR experience transports users in a drone moving through a futuristic city.

In future, the system could also evaluate navigation data in order to adapt the length of a VR experience to the calculated duration of the journey. Holoride software makes it possible to offer elastic content which is a new form of media especially designed for use in vehicles. Such content will adapt to not only to motion and context but also projected driving time so that the presentation ends when the destination is reached.

“Our joint projects with Holoride and Porsche Digital have demonstrated what the technology is capable of. In future, we also envisage Porsche-specific solutions, for instance for the race track,” added Anja Mertens, Project Manager for Smart Mobility at Porsche AG.

VR experience to be commercialised by 2021

Holoride is pursuing an open platform approach so automotive manufacturers and content producers can readily use the technology. “Now that we have teamed up with Discovery, we can demonstrate for the first time how users can also experience 2D content such as films in the virtual 3D world. We call this an ambi-environment,” explained Nils Wollny, CEO of Holoride.

As part of the Startup Autobahn innovation platform, the young company had shown that the Holoride software works seamlessly with manufacturer vehicle data for motion-synchronised, real-time generation of virtual reality (VR) and cross-reality (XR) content. The cooperation with Discovery underlines Holoride’s approach to also bring edutainment content to the vehicle in addition to gaming and entertainment. Holoride aims to bring this new form of entertainment using commercially available VR headsets for passengers in the rear seats of production cars to market by 2021.

Having Discovery, already well known for its documentaries, as a partner for 2D content means benefiting from their expertise in the area of real-life entertainment as the company supplies topically matching documentary material for the in-car VR experience.


Day 2 of Toyota GAZOO Racing Festival and Vios Challenge at Sepang International Circuit

The second day of the Toyota GAZOO Racing Festival (TGR Racing Festival) saw an even larger crowd turning up to watch the second half of Round 2 of the Vios Challenge one-make series. After not having had a chance to be at the trackside for the past two years (due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions), thousands of fans and spectators turned up at the Sepang Circuit today to enjoy the sights and sounds of what has come to be called the ‘People’s Race’.

To start off the day, the early arrivals – including families with children – had a chance to get onto the circuit for an ‘All Wheel Fest’. In some of the past TGR Racing Festival events, there have been runs around the track on Sunday mornings but this time, it was on wheels…. any kind of wheels. There were bicycles, push scooters, roller blades, skateboards and some still chose to use their own two legs. This was followed by a Zumba session to heighten the energy.

Following the official ceremony to mark the TGR Racing Festival, with all the racing cars and participants on the starting grid, spectators were able to do a grid walkabout to see the various teams preparing their cars and to meet the drivers.

Super Sporting Class

After a procession around the course, which uses half the Sepang International Circuit, it was time for the serious activities to start – the racing, with the Super Sporting Class for veteran and professional drivers. As the cars started to line up, rain came down and as it was quite heavy, the Race Director decided to delay the start of the 20-lap race for 25 minutes.

It then got underway but with the Safety Car (a Toyota Camry) at the front. Under racing regulations, when the Safety Car is ahead, racing is suspended and the cars must maintain their positions in a convoy behind. They followed the Safety Car around for 2 laps and then, with the rain having ended, the Safety Car pulled in and off shot the racers on the wet track.

M7 Japan Project Team’s Mohammed Fariqe Hairuman, an experienced international racer, made the best of his pole position to lead the fiercely-contested front pack. No less than 6 drivers were on his tail and after 2 laps, Mohammed Fariqe lost his lead to Axle Motorsport’s Hayden Haikal with Laser Motor Racing’s Mark Darwin in tow.

With the lead exchanging hands between the two drivers several times over the next 10 laps, there was lots of excitement to keep spectators on their feet as they waited to see which car would come round the turn in the lead. But they did not know that Prima Pearl TD Racing’s Tengku Djan was the fastest driver going round on almost every lap. Gradually, he moved up from the 12
th
 position he had started from to shoot past both Darwin and Hayden, winning the race by 1.5 seconds.

“It was a very difficult race for sure, especially with so many of us fighting to get ahead of the pack. For wet driving, what is important is the finesse and to have a good understanding of the track conditions. Sepang is a very challenging track… the conditions can vary so much and the racing lines that we normally take can be extremely slippery therefore forcing a driver to explore new racing lines to get around the corner,” said Tengku Djan.

Having missed the first 2 races of the season due to COVID-19 and then bad luck with an incident in the early stages of the race yesterday, Tengku Djan will only have 3 more races remaining in Season 5 to keep his overall Super Sporting Class title which he has won 3 times.

“I have to be optimistic. When I missed Round 1, I knew it will be difficult to contend for the championship. But I have team mate Mitchell Cheah and therefore I’m definitely going to be working with him to make sure he has a fair chance at the championship,” he said.

The two important vehicles in motorsport – the Safety Car (above) which was the latest Toyota Camry, and the Medical Car (below), which was a Toyota Fortuner.

Rookie Class

In the Rookie Class, Muhammad Hamdany took his first ever race victory to retain his sterling record of 4 podium finishes in 4 races so far. The 19-year-old karter from Kuching finished ahead of simulator racer Nabil Azlan, and the only female driver in the Vios Challenge series, Adele Lew who came in third.

“I was so worried before the start and I changed the set-up of the car which included readjusting tyre pressures (due to the rain). I’m extremely happy everything worked out well and I was able to finish in P1,” said Muhammad Hamdany.

For Adele, the third-place finish marked her first ever podium finish. The 20-year old would have received much coaching and encouragement from her father, Eddie Lew, who is one of the veteran drivers in the Super Sporting Class.

“I’m extremely happy with my first podium. It was a wet race and this was also my first ever experience racing in these conditions. I had to do some defending at the start of the race but I managed to steer clear of any incidents and maintained my position for 14 laps,” said Adele, who is in the GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program.

Sporting Class

The Sporting Class for amateur drivers also provided the spectators with a lot of excitement, Axle Motorsport’s Naquib Azlan ( a graduate of the GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program) concluded a perfect race weekend with 2 race wins. Finishing second and perhaps the biggest surprise of the weekend was 23 Motors’ Abdul Miqail, followed by M7 Japan Project Team’s Ahmad Tarmimi Tahang.

Starting from sixth position on the grid following a reverse grid format after yesterday’s victory, Naquib was on a very determined charge from the startline, taking control of the race lead and building a 5-second gap from as early as the third lap of the 20-lap race.

“I’m very happy with how this weekend went. I came in with very high expectations this weekend, wanting to rectify the mistakes of Round 1 and thankfully I was able to rectify that with two wins,” said Naquib, who gained part of his racing skill on simulators. “It was however, never going to be straight forward, because carrying a weight penalty of 35-kg meant it would be difficult especially starting sixth. It then became a matter of how to get pass everyone else and fortunately, Abdul Miqail and I were able to do this quite quickly in the first lap. Overall, I am really happy and the competition was super tough,” he added.

Ahmad Tarmimi was also the biggest gainer, climbing from ninth to third place, but the highlight of the race was certainly the performance by 16-year-old Abdul Miqail who also finished on the podium twice in two races this weekend. “I am very grateful to have been able to do my best for the team and in the process improved on my own driving. It was a good weekend,” he said.

Standing in the sun and rain, the Marshalls are also an important part of every race. They ensure that the drivers are warned of any dangers and signal important messages with their flags.

Promotional Class

The Promotional Class, which is only for the celebrities, has always been a favourite of spectators, many of whom are fans of the celebrities. Though a few of them have racing experience, all received special training to prepare them for the events.

They are proficient drivers and have learnt the fundamentals of racing but still provide lots of drama on the track. Today’s race had predictions of actors Zizan Razak and Shukri Yahaya easily winning the 18-lap race as they had done yesterday. Being the race favourite, Zizan was eyeing a second race win and had held on to the lead for much of the race until a technical issue with his transmission forced him to concede 5 places with 3 laps left to go.

Shukri was the first to take full advantage of his misfortune, but would later suffer a similar fate which promoted television host Nabil Ahmad to race leader. And with 2 laps to go, singer Wany Hasrita and actress Janna Nick pushed past Zizan and Shukri to move into second and third positions, respectively.

Finishing fourth was singer Nabila Razali, while Shukri and Zizan crossed the line in fifth and sixth positions, respectively. TV personality Ahirine Ahirudin actually posted quick laps times but could only manage seventh place ahead of TV host Ain Edruce. Singer Khai Bahar had a disappointing race weekend as he never made it to the finish line.

“This is my first podium finish in two seasons. I started from pole position and sitting there waiting for the green starting lights to come on, I prayed for good race. It was indeed a very good race and I am extremely thankful, despite facing numerous challenges on the track from going off the track, accidentally hitting and being hit by others,” said an elated Janna.

Nevertheless when the racing was over, it was time for a different type of high-energy performance – a live concert. Popular Indonesian singer Judika was on stage as a special treat for fans, along with local rock group Bunkface (on Saturday). Throughout the weekend, there were many different activities to keep everyone occupied and having a good time.

“We would like to thank all the spectators and fans who came to the TGR Racing Festival. The enthusiasm and the level of excitement we witnessed has certainly motivated us to now begin planning for a more exciting Round 3 and Season 5 finale for them in September,” said UMW Toyota Motor President Ravindran K.

GAZOO Racing parts now available in Malaysia for sporty personalisation


Porsche might join F1 in 2021 as an engine supplier

Porsche has made it known that it is mulling over the idea of joining Formula 1 as an engine supplier for the 2021 season. The news was reported by
Autosport
 where it mentioned that changes to engine regulations for that time, will allow the automaker to step in.

The article also reported that, Lutz Meschke, deputy chairman of Porsche’s executive board and member of the board for finances and IT, met with a number of key people in the Formula 1 fraternity.

His meeting was with Ross Brawn and a number F1 boses at the Italian Grand Prix to help gauge the feasibility of getting involved this late in the game. Porsche has not been directly involved in F1 since the early 1990s but has played a smaller roll in the sport.

This decision to participate was probably due to the F1 governing body moving to simpler and more affordable engines for the start of the 2021 season. Cost is a serious concern for less established teams, which means the new ruling could be beneficial to all.

The Stuttgart based automaker will be pulling out of the LMP1 class of the World Endurance Championship at the end of 2017 citing poor return on investment. It will however, have a works team in Formula E for the 2019/2020 season.

At the moment, Porsche has no plans to field a works team in F1, rather it will be content with supplying engines to teams who are looking for a business partner that will allow them to remain competitive.

Teams like Williams and Red Bull are considered potential customers for Porsche but nothing has been set in stone as yet. Though this may seem like exciting news, the automaker hasn’t given a definite answer of its involvement in the sport.

Source:
Autosport


11th generation Honda Civic Sedan arrives in Malaysia, with 1.5-litre turbo engine for entire range

Although 2021 saw businesses being disrupted, with an extended lockdown in the middle of the year, many car companies were able to continue their planning, thanks to online meetings with their principals overseas. If such a situation had occurred in the 1980s, perhaps a lot of projects would have to be suspended and delayed.

Now that things are returning to normal (although there is also the ‘new normal’), it is apparent that in companies like Honda Malaysia, a lot of planning was done during 2021 and while launches were probably delayed, now the new models are being rushed into the market. And even before the excitement of the launch of the City Hatchback has died down, the all-new 11
th
 generation of the Civic Sedan has been officially launched today – less than 12 months after its global debut in America.

The Civic would be the longest locally-assembled Honda model, having been assembled since the first generation in the mid-1970s. It was assembled at the Oriental Assemblers plant in Johor then, and then when Honda Malaysia built its own factory in Melaka in the early 2000s, assembly of all Honda models was transferred there.

For the new generation, Honda Malaysia has three variants – the Civic RS, Civic 1.5V and Civic 1.5E. This time round, there is only the proven turbocharged VTEC Earth Dreams engine offered. This means all the variants get the same output of 182 ps with 240 Nm of torque, which is more powerful than a conventional 2.4-litre engine. Power delivery to the front wheels is via a CVT.

According to Maduko Chujo, Managing Director & CEO of Honda Malaysia, the company is also looking at the possibility of offering a hybrid powertrain with the Civic later on. Such a version exists for the
new Civic Hatchback
 in some markets and so it could be also used in the sedan. Or Honda Malaysia might add the Hatchback to its range, a bigger brother to the new City Hatchback. But we’ll probably know if and when this is going to happen by seeing what appears in the Thai market which usually gets new products before Malaysia.

The new styling retains some elements of the previous generation but also has a refreshed character with a low-slung look to the profile. The use of Laser Brazing technology (for the first time at the plant), gives a smooth and clean roofline that makes the car look sleeker.

Compared to the tenth generation, the frontal appearance looks less aggressive with a ‘thin and light’ appearance. It would appear that the EXCITING H!!! DESIGN philosophy which was adopted in 2013 is evolving to something new. The Solid Wing Face that has been in the frontal character is no longer evident and a simpler form is being introduced, which also has some elements used in the new HR-V.

Likewise, at the rear, the distinctive ‘claw’ lighting signature that identified the 10
th
 generation from far away is also gone. The new LED rear combi units wrap around the corners and taper towards the centre.

As with other models, there is the option of adding Modulo accessories for a sportier look or more functionality. There are 5 different packages ranging from RM1,241 to RM7,089. These can be specified at the time of purchases so they can be included in the total cost of the car for calculation of the H-P loan.

The overall size is almost the same as before with the only 2-digit increases being in the length (+30 mm) and wheelbase (+33 mm). Usually, extending the wheelbase would improve rear space and comfort, which Honda says is the case.

The first Civic was half the weight and almost a metre shorter than its 11th generation successor launched 50 years later.

Comparing to the first generation model which was launched in 1972, it’s amazing how the size of the car has changed. The overall length of the first generation, which was a hatchback, was almost 1 metre shorter – around 3.5 metres versus the 2022 model’s 4.7 metres. In 50 years, it has widened to 1.8 metres, 300 mm more, and not surprisingly, being a much bigger car, the latest generation weighs around 1,350 kgs whereas the original was about
half
 that weight!

[
Click here for our first driving impressions
]

The chassis of the new Civic has been further stiffened, not only for better resistance to collisions but also to improve handling and ride comfort. Compared to the tenth generation, there’s an 8% increase in torsional rigidity and 13% increase in bending rigidity. Over 10 generations, the Civic has been continuously moving upwards in its image and with this elevation towards a more premium product, Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels have had to be reduced. In the latest models, NVH is lower as a result of the application of insulators, floor undercover and spray foam in the chassis areas.

For the new interior, the designers looked at the early Civics, particularly the first one. Those who remember that first generation will see some styling elements in the dashboard of the latest Civic. Some good ideas are still good and so the original design approach of ‘Man-Maximum, Machine-Minimum’ (or ‘M/M’) was used.

While the shelf-like design of the original dashboard has not been revived, the narrow Honeycomb Mesh Panel that runs across two-thirds of the fascia (and also on the right side of the steering column) is in some ways reminiscent of the first generation design. The metal panel serves both form and function, creating a dramatic visual dividing line between the audio, information displays and climate controls, while the intricate flow-through design conceals the air vents for an uncluttered look.

The interior designers obviously did a lot of studies on the control knobs and switchgear and have chosen the right types for different adjustments. While touch and slide controls are cool and futuristic, they are not necessarily practical. The fan speed and temperature adjustments, for example, are far easier to make with rotary knobs. To adjust them by touching a panel means you have to be precise about where you touch and you also have to look, which isn’t good for safety. With rotary knobs, you don’t have to look and for changing modes, pushbuttons are provided.

On the top of the dashboard sits a 9-inch HD display panel (7 inches for Civic 1.5E) for the infotainment system. Manufacturers now no longer need to worry about providing navigation software, thanks to the connectivity provided by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which enables compatible smartphones to send popular apps to the display screen from which they can also be operated. Thus issues like updating maps are irrelevant as apps like Waze and Google Maps will do that and for music, there’s Spotify to call on. And even here, the designers have wisely chosen to provide a rotary knob for adjusting the volume, rather than a touch slider on the screen.

Over in the driver’s area, the instrument panel uses a 7-inch TFT display which is clear and sharp in all lighting conditions. As before, there are steering wheel mounted switches for making adjustments and calls without taking the hands off the steering wheel or looking away from the road ahead. With the Civic RS and 1.5V, paddle shifters are also provided for manually changing CVT ‘gears’.

The driver can choose from 3 driving modes to suit personal preference or driving conditions.

Seats look like, well, seats and unless you study the construction in detail, you won’t see any difference. However, there are improvements in the seat design to give better support and reduce tiredness on long drives. The seat frame has been designed so that the body posture is better and for the drivers in the RS and 1.5V, 8-way power adjustments make it easy to get the ideal position.

For convenience, there is Remote Start available (1.5V and RS) which allows starting the engine from a distance so that the air-conditioner can start running to cool down the interior. The doors will also automatic lock after you have left the car and walked 2 metres away or after 30 seconds.

Like other manufacturers, Honda also has its own suite of active safety systems where a number of different systems work together to help the driver avoid an accident or if it cannot be avoided, to reduce the damaging or injurious effects. In the 10
th
 generation Civic, these systems integrated as Honda SENSING captured data for analysis using a single-lens camera and a millimetre-wave radar which scanned the road ahead.

For the 11
th
 generation, the radar is no longer used and instead, there is a new camera system with a wider field of view (100 degrees, double the width of the previous camera). Where the radar was used to measure the distance to a vehicle ahead, this function can now be done by the camera. Honda engineers are confident that the camera system is better than the previous camera/radar system, even in bad weather conditions. Of course, the driver always needs to be aware that the camera’s view can be obscured in very heavy rain so in such situations, care should be taken rather than rely on Honda SENSING.

The system has automatic emergency braking capability, adaptive cruise control which works right to standstill (and resumes automatically), automatic headlight adjustment between high and low beams, lane and road departure detection and warning as well as keeping the car within its lane. Newly added to Honda SENSING is a feature that alerts the driver when the stopped car ahead moves off. How useful this feature is remains to be seen although it might help in congested conditions where drivers will be reminded to move on when the car ahead has departed from its spot.

With the RS and 1.5V, there is also the Honda LaneWATCH system which is a blindspot monitoring system for the left side of the car. This uses a camera mounted on the door mirror which provides an image along the side of the car. The image is shown on the centre display panel whenever the left signal is activated and the driver can know if there is another car or motorcycle coming up along the side. It’s a noteworthy feature as it reduces the amount of turning the head has to do, compared to having to look for a flashing icon on the mirror (as with other systems).

Honda LaneWATCH system provides a view along the left side of the car.

The new Civic is also set up for Honda CONNECT, the third model in Malaysia to have this telematics technology. Using a smartphone, the owner can view information on the vehicle as well as use remote and security applications. The system also has vehicle tracking which is useful if it is stolen as support services will be able to locate it and inform relevant authorities to recover it.

The new Civic is now in all authorized Honda showrooms nationwide for viewing or test-drives. To locate a showroom in Malaysia, visit
www.honda.com.my
.

New Honda Civic gets top safety rating from ASEAN NCAP (w/VIDEO)


Details Of Lotus Eletre e-SUV Released, Pricing To Start from RM487,000

In March last year, Lotus unveiled its Eletre Hyper-SUV to the world, providing a preview of its future in the electrified era that would see it going from a British sportscar company to a global performance car business and brand. At that time, the Eletre was still under development so details were few – but that didn’t stop thousands of customers around the world from ordering one (or more).

Today, the company has released details of the car which has pricing ranging from £89,500 to £120,000 (about RM487,000 – RM653,000) in the UK, with three versions available: Eletre, Eletre S and Eletre R. There will be a choice of two fully electric powertrains – 450 kW (603 ps) single-speed version with a claimed maximum range of 600 kms, and a 675 kW/905 ps dual-speed system with a maximum range of 490 kms. Torque figures are 710 and 985 Nm, respectively, delivering a 0 – 100 km/h) performance said to be either 4.5 or 2.95 seconds. The 112-kWh battery pack that is installed in both versions has a charging time (10% – 80%) of just 20 minutes using a rapid charger.

With the exterior details already familiar, it is the inside of the Eletre that now gets a lot of attention. The advanced ‘digital cockpit’ cabin mentioned earlier has an Operating System called Lotus Hyper OS. Lotus is using ‘Unreal Engine’ technology from the gaming industry, allowing the Lotus User Experience/User Interface team to create next-generation real-time 3D content and experiences.

With Lotus Hyper OS, there will be a a seamless interactive experience that is said to offer best-in-class performance in terms of visual effects and interactive feedback, putting the two occupants in complete control.

A next-generation Digital Head Unit from global mobility tech company ECARX will debut on the Eletre. It reconfigures the user’s in-car experience by providing fully customisable displays, hosted on an advanced Driver Information Module, and ultra-slim floating one-billion-colour OLED touchscreen for more realistic graphics and a more futuristic visual effect.

The platform includes ECARX’s first dual-chip system to enable server-level computing power for rapid processing and smooth rendering. The resulting immersive multi-screen user experience can be continuously improved during the lifetime of the car via future Over-The-Air (OTA) updates.

Lotus has also revealed it is partnering with HERE Technologies to deliver integrated navigation services for the Eletre. The service includes EV Routing, EV Range Assistant and Predictive Routing, and can be updated via OTA updates.

In a new collaboration with Dolby, the Eletre will have the immersive audio experience enabled by  Dolby Atmos. Together with the KEF speaker system, the occupants should be able feel like they’re sitting in the middle of the recording studio alongside the artist. The Eletre is the world’s first car to combine Dolby Atmos and KEF Audio.

The premium cabin takes Lotus interiors to an all-new level. As standard, the Eletre comes with wireless smartphone charging, 12-way electrically adjustable front seats, 4-zone automatic climate control and an ‘intelligent cockpit’ infotainment system. All versions of the Eletre have 5 seats as standard, with a 4-seat version available as part of the Executive Seat Pack.

Naturally, customers have further opportunities to customize and personalize their car using option packs. Those available at launch include the Lotus Dynamic Handling Pack, Ceramic Brake Pack, Executive Seat Pack, Comfort Seat Pack, Carbon Fibre Pack, Extended Carbon Fibre Pack and Interior Carbon Fibre Pack. Many options from the packs are also available individually.

Also standard is the deployable LIDAR technology, a world-first in a production car which supports end-to-end autonomous driving technology. Integrated OTA software update capability ensures the system will be fully ready when individual market regulations allow for the more advanced levels of autonomous driving.

Lotus will be supplying cars to customers in Europe and China first, and the arrival of the Eletre in North America, Middle East, Asia Pacific and other regions will only begin from 2024.


First Apollo Tyre Service Centre opens in Malaysia

The first-ever Apollo Tyre Service Centre has just been launched here in Malaysia called the Apollo Truck Tyre Zone (ATTZ) where it focuses to be the ultimate one stop solution centre for commercial vehicles. Focused on providing added services and convenience, this service centre located in Batu Pahat, Johor will be assisting the southern region. Managed by tyre specialist, Sin Chu Hin, this Apollo Tyre Service Centre is the first one to be opened outside of India.

According to Satish Sharma, President, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Apollo Tyres Ltd, “Apollo is committed towards bringing the best of our products and services to our customers. This state-of-the-art truck service centre brings together Apollo’s extensive experience in truck and bus radials along with Sin Chu Hin’s 80-year long local experience for a range of services and solutions for our fleet customers in Malaysia, further cementing our steadfast commitment to the Malaysian automotive industry.”

Loads or high-tech gizmos will be equipped at the state-of-the-art facilities including a computerized truck tyre alignment machine, automatic tyre changer, nitrogen inflator and would offer end-to-end tyre related services for trucks and buses. There’s also a training centre to guide its consumers through their purchase decision.

In conjunction with the grand launch and the upcoming Hari Raya festive period, Apollo Tyres is offering its customers with exclusive vouchers with every purchase of its tyres. The ATTZ will also offer special service packages for all types of fleets in the market.

To know more, call 07 – 415 2682 or head over to the Apollo Tyre Service Centre located at:

No 2, Jalan Kolek,

Kawasan Perindustrian Tongkang Pecah,

83010, Batu Pahat, Johor.


Is The Honda City RS Hatchback Truly Worth The RM108,000 Asking Price?

When Honda Malaysia first announced the pricing of the top of the line Honda City RS, many thought that the company had lost the plot.

The Honda City is a loved car in Malaysia. Many swear by it for its practicality and simplicity. It’s a fuss-free car that offers a good ownership experience.

The latest generation City though takes it all a notch up and includes spaciousness and impressive build quality into the mix.

But to ask RM108,000 is just borderline absurd.

The RS model is the top of the line model and features an impressive powertrain designed for fuel economy and power offered in a handsome package that also features space and quality that can rival some European marques.

Many were floored when Honda Malaysia first announced the price.

The Honda City has always been the cheap sedan that you bought if you wanted a reliable means of transport for you and your family. And you can still get that with the “lesser variant” such as the S-Spec that only costs a little under RM76,000.

But that’s also what some would call “taxi-spec”, referring to a model that only offers the bare minimum.

The RS is the model you truly want if you are the type that appreciates all the bells and whistles and the cattle they hang from.

But a Honda City at RM106,000? That’s like asking people to pay RM50 for a ‘Ramly Burger’.

Lets get metaphorical and imagine this – instead of the mass produced two millimetre thick patty that we usually get in a ramly burger, imagine that same burger but with a wagyu beef patty cooked in virgin olive oil with blue cheese and premium organic vegetables and condiments placed in between soft bread sprinkled with sesame and chia seeds.

And instead of being served in a sloppy piece of wrapping paper, you get it properly wrapped in a premium paper box placed inside a woven tote bag. And best of all, it is hand delivered to you within 30 minutes of ordering.

That RM85 does not sound so bad now does it. I know that referencing a burger against a Honda City is also absurd, but you get the point.

So that’s basically what Honda has done. Taken a well known and much loved product, plonked in a cleverly engineered powertrain, increased the quality of everything and made the interior a very nice place to be in.

And then there is the Honda City RS hatchback.

It is basically all of the above but in a hatchback body. And at RM108,000, Honda wants RM2,000 more for it. Why? Because it has something called Ultra Seats, which gives the hatchback a level of practicality that you do not get in the sedan variant.

The Ultra Seats is basically a fancy word for seats that can either fold up to let you store tall items, fold down for long items, and amazingly can fold in such a way that you can basically create a bed which makes the City RS hatchback perfectly suited for all you ‘glamping’ lovers.

The City RS Hatchback is also powered by the same 1.5-litre hybrid powertrain that powers the sedan.

It puts out a mere 98hp and 127Nm of torque. But it has an electric motor that pushes up the torque figure to an impressive 236Nm.

This gives the car a fun character around the corners. I imagine that weekend warriors will love the urgent response and nimble front end the hatchback offers while their parents will appreciate the spaciousness and the fuel economy.

The only thing though is that there is a setback in terms of top speed, while the regular combustion powered variants max out at 194km/h, the RS has a top speed of 175km/h. But while the other variants need 10.7 seconds to reach 100km/h, the RS needs just 9.7. And best of all, according to Honda, the other variants will need 5.6 litres of fuel to reach 100 kilometres. The RS though needs just 3.6 litres, which with today’s fuel prices puts it at just under RM10 to travel 100km.

But it’s not just the powertrain that makes the RS model stand out from the rest. It is also the interior that works a charm for me.

The seats are the first thing that charm your senses. And the fact that they come wrapped in something Honda calls Ultra Suede makes it nice to touch and even nicer to sit on.

And because this is the RS variant, the side bolstering holds you in place every so gently.

The dash is easy on the eye and to the touch. The steering wheel feels meaty in your hands and the buttons actually do feel like they belong in a RM100,000 car.

On that point, even the tiny weighted clicks of the air-conditioning dial invoke a premium feeling that you would not expect to get in a City.

The entertainment system is accessed through an eight-inch display that also offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also offers smartphone mirroring capability that lets you access your navigational and other favourite applications and mirror those on the screen.

Honda has undoubtedly done a remarkable job with the interior of the new City. During our test drive event, there was a Toyota Yaris available for comparison and the interior of that felt dated and unimaginative.

The final thing that makes the argument for this City costing above RM100,000 is the fact that it comes with Honda’s popular Sensing safety suite.

Honda Sensing is basically a collection of advanced safety technologies that make the City an incredibly safe car, perhaps one of the most laden with safety tech.

Before we dive into what is on offer with Honda Sensing, keep in mind that the City RS hatchback already has LaneWatch, Hill Start Assist, Auto Brake Hold, Vehicle Stability Assist, six airbags, ABS and EBD.

Honda Sensing takes it all a notch higher by further offering Lane Departure Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Colliding Mitigating, Auto High Beam and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Consider for a second that these are exactly the same safety systems also available in the pricier Honda Civic and the Honda CRV. The only omission being that the adaptive cruise control does not offer stop and go function.

Now, is the Honda City RS hatchback worth the RM107,000 asking price?

There is no doubt that it is a fine car with premium feel and a powertrain that balances the holy grail of power and economy. It is also packed with safety tech and has a drive that will put a smile on the faces of the young and not so young.

The simple answer would be yes for those who appreciate the tech. And the not so simple answer would be to consider the V-Spec which is a full RM15,000 cheaper and features all of the above but minus the hybrid powertrain and the Ultra Suede seats with red stitching. I actually prefer the leather seats available in the V-Spec than the fabric seats of the RS, as plush as those may be.


TUMI announced as McLaren’s official luggage partner

McLaren together with TUMI has announced a new partnership where TUMI now becomes the official luggage partner. This will also include catering to the world-famous race team, McLaren Racing, as well as the McLaren Automotive company itself. Time to step up your travel game, fellow hype beasts and enthusiasts?

TUMI which is considered by many as one of the leading brands in travel and lifestyle has been around since 1975 and their products are almost second to none when it comes to quality and range. The TUMI McLaren collection is expected to be released for public purchase sometime in 2020 where they focus is mainly on ‘unparalleled quality, technical innovation and excellence in design.’

According to Mike Flewitt, CEO of McLaren Automotive, “McLaren supercar owners the world-over value the experience of travel with a clear emphasis on performance, luxury and style. We see that echoed by TUMI who, like McLaren, pursue a like-minded focus on the innovative use of lightweight materials and optimized performance all brought together by a holistic design-led approach.”

Rob Cooper, President of TUMI, stated “It’s an exciting step for TUMI to venture into this collaboration with McLaren. At TUMI, we pride ourselves on truly understanding our customers, as well as having the foresight to develop products that meet their evolving travel needs. We believe that partnering with McLaren to bring their cutting edge, lightweight technologies to a collaborative collection will support TUMI’s mission of providing high-performance solutions and innovative products that optimize the journey.”

This is the 800hp McLaren Elva – no roof, windscreen or windows!