Unique features for Rolls-Royce Cullinan owners to enjoy their outdoor adventures

Even the wealthiest people will enjoy a drive into the countryside where they can have a picnic and enjoy the fresh air and natural environment. For Rolls-Royce owners, until recent times, this would have meant using a vehicle other than their Rolls-Royce (perhaps a Range Rover) which could comfortably go off-road. With the addition of the Cullinan to the range in 2018, they no longer need to use another brand as they can now enjoy ‘
Effortless, Everywhere
’ motoring with the SUV.

In addition to conveying its occupants to their destination with the same comfort and serenity as, say a Ghost or Phantom, the Cullinan offers two unique Bespoke features to ensure that, on arrival, they are equipped with everything required for their outing.

Designed as an original feature

The first is the Recreation Module, a motorised drawer cassette designed to fit securely and invisibly into the luggage compartment floor of the Cullinan. The idea for such a feature was originally included in the development of the model, the first SUV in Rolls-Royce history. While the Recreation Module adds to the Cullinan’s versatility and individuality, it does so without compromising the car’s spacious 2245 mm loading length and boot capacity of up to 1930 litres.

At the touch of a button, the Recreation Module slides open to reveal equipment, accessories and other items which can be personally selected by the owner. Whatever shape and size, the Bespoke department will create an individually tailored container for the item. The Recreation Module can be trimmed to match or contrast with the car’s interior and exterior colourway according to the owner’s preference.

Modular approach for different purposes

The Recreation Module provides up to 48 litres of space and the entire assembly can be removed and stored separately. The modular approach means that the owner can have different modules for specific hobbies and applications. For example, one Recreation Modules could accommodate guns for shooting, while another could be filled with equipment to fly a drone. A third could be all the necessary gear for a weekend of fishing.

One example was a personalised Urban Photography Recreation Module for use by photographer Mark Riccioni who, in 2019, was commissioned by the company to create a series of innovative and subversive images featuring Black Badge Cullinan, under the cover of darkness, among the distinctive automotive subcultures of Greater Los Angeles.

To support the project, a module was developed incorporating specialist equipment including a DJI drone, 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro and 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro for image capture and editing on location. The Bespoke Collective of Designers, Engineers and Craftspeople also found room for his noise-cancelling headphones, sunglasses and outerwear.

Hosting Service for picnics

The second feature is a permanent Bespoke feature for the Cullinan named the Hosting Service. This marries design, craftsmanship and engineering to offer a range of accessories to create the perfect beverage while enjoying beautiful vistas. Suited to hosting up to 8 adults, the Hosting Service comes complete with glassware and the utensils for creating a fresh cocktail or gin and tonic.

Elegant highball glasses are adorned with discreet Rolls-Royce monograms whilst wooden chopping boards are made of the highest quality American walnut. Additionally, space is provisioned for a light snack service.

A Viewing Suite

As well as the Recreation Module, the rear compartment can accommodate another Bespoke feature which is unique to the Cullinan. It offers seating looking rearwards which, in other SUVs, would be on the fold-down tailgate or boot floor. Rolls-Royce, however, provides a Viewing Suite with two seats. With the tailgate open, a touch of a button deploys the rear-facing seats sociably arranged on either side of a retractable cocktail table.

The price of a Cullinan, which has a 6.75 litre twin-turbo V12 engine, starts from RM1.5 million (excluding taxes) but it is unlikely that anyone pays that amount. Virtually every owner would specify some degree of personalisation and items like the Recreation Module and Viewing Suite would add to the final price.

Black Badge Cullinan – The King of the Night completes the Rolls-Royce Black Badge family


Lotus Evija prototypes complete high-speed testing as electric hypercar debuts in China (w/VIDEO)

The Lotus Evija has entered its initial build phase in the UK as the first British electric hypercar’s global tour continues this week with its Chinese debut at the Guangzhou Auto Show. To celebrate, Lotus premiered a new film during its press conference at Guangzhou which reveals engineering prototype #2 in high-speed action on a private circuit.

The film highlights just how far development work has progressed since the Evija was unveiled last July. It also confirms the pioneering 2-seater is on course for start of production next year. Dynamic testing will involve track time at the home of Lotus and on other demanding high-speed and performance handling circuits across Europe.

Most powerful road-legal car

Over the coming months, several prototypes will cover many thousands of kilometres and many hundreds of hours of driving assessment, including on public roads. The Evija – with a target output of 2000 ps making it the most powerful production road car in the world – has already been through kinematic and compliance testing and endured multiple dynamic load and suspension simulations.

Both the dynamic and static testing are part of a comprehensive validation process designed to guarantee the car will meet customer expectations and demands in key global markets and environments. They are in addition to the extensive programme of computer simulations already completed as part of the hypercar’s development.

“Physical prototype testing at speed is a landmark moment for the Evija and hugely exciting for everyone involved. Our aim is to make sure it’s a true Lotus in every sense, with exceptional performance that’s going to set new standards in the hypercar sector,” said Gavan Kershaw, Director of Vehicle Attributes, Lotus Cars.

“Everything about the Evija is ‘For The Drivers’. I don’t believe there is another EV in the world that can claim this. From the mid-engined-inspired Lotus layout, to the aerodynamics and downforce, the driving position, vehicle stance and unbelievable performance. It is instantly recognisable as special with a unique character, yet it is unquestionably a Lotus,” added Matt Windle, Executive Director, Sports Car Engineering.

Illustrative of the innovative thinking and ingenuity which has always been part of the Lotus DNA, the Evija is a technical tour de force. It continues the legendary Lotus bloodline that’s rich in firsts and technical game-changers, both in the automotive and motorsport sectors.

Lotus Evija Revealed! Facts & Figures + Video of the world’s most powerful series production road car


No charges for scheduled servicing during first two years of Ford Ranger ownership

Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC) is constantly looking for ways to give its customers a better deal and for those who are interested in buying a new Ford Ranger WildTrak or XLT Plus model, there is now free scheduled servicing for the first two years of ownership.

Available for 2021 model year units, the 2-year free servicing package (terms and conditions apply) is available on a first come, first served basis (while stocks last). As with all Ranger models, the WildTrak and XLT Plus are backed by
Ford’s new 5-year/160,000 kms manufacturer’s warranty
.

“We’re constantly evolving to find ways to deliver more value-add to customers. The 2-year free service offer aims to provide peace of mind for customers, especially in these challenging times,” said Turse Zuhair, MD of Sime Darby Auto ConneXion.

“Additionally, virtual consultations with a Ford Ranger Specialist not only ensures customer safety amidst the ongoing pandemic, it also raises the level of personalised experience and convenience that customers are looking for,” he said.

He was referring to the company’s recent enhancement of its customer service with the introduction of the Ford Ranger Specialists. These are dedicated experts on the products who can help new and existing customers to be more familiar with the many vehicle features and benefits. By knowing more about their vehicle, they will be able to get the most out of their Rangers and enjoy using the pick-up truck.

There are two powertrain choices – a 213 ps/500 Nm 2-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission with the Ranger Wildtrak, and a 180 ps/420 Nm 2-litre Single-Turbo diesel engine with the Ranger XLT Plus.

Besides refinement that is above average for a pick-up truck, the Ranger Wildtrak also comes with very high safety standards. The smart safety technologies include first in-class features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking with Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning and Semi-Automatic Parallel Parking. There are also convenience features such as keyless entry with pushstart button and the Easy Lift Tailgate.

For more information, visit
www.sdacford.com.my
 or send a WhatsApp message to
+6019 204 1200
. A Ford Ranger Specialist will respond to the message and provide assistance and information.  Test-drives and viewing at showrooms are not available at this time due to ongoing MCO restrictions.

2021 Ford Rangers get 5-year warranty as standard


F1/Round 5: Preview & Starting Grid for 2021 Monaco Grand Prix

Race starts at 3 pm in Monaco/9 pm  in Malaysia

After a forced cancellation last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Formula 1 World Championship is able to return to the classic street circuit of Monaco this year for the fifth round. This will be the 67
th
 Monaco Grand Prix since the first one was held in 1950 as the second round of the inaugural Formula 1 World Championship. Although it was not run in the first half of the 1950s, when it resumed as a venue on the calendar, it would remain there every year with 2020 being the first time that there was no Monaco GP.

The Monaco circuit runs around the seaside resort city and is narrow with many tight turns, but the drivers love it. It is a challenging track with no run-offs, just concrete walls and barriers, and the relentless nature of the circuit is what makes it so special.

This year, Aston Martin joins Mercedes-AMG to supply the FIA Official Cars. At Monaco, the Safety Car will be a Vantage (below) while the Medical Car will be a DBX SUV (above).

“For me, personally, in terms of workload for the driver, Monaco is the toughest because there is no time to rest” said Mercedes-AMG’s Valtteri Bottas. “It is literally corner after corner, and even the straights aren’t really straight, you are always turning even just a little bit.”

“There’s really no race like it… it’s such a unique, intense weekend for the drivers and the team, with no margin for error. It puts the fire under your ass, and we love the challenge!” added his boss, Toto Wolff.

The 3.337-km circuit has been resurfaced in a number of locations and it’s in good condition, according to Mario Isola, Pirelli’s Head of F1 and Car Racing. “There’s significant track evolution, thanks also to the support events. We saw solid performance from all three compounds, with a similar time gap between all of them. We’ve seen nothing to suggest that teams will deviate from the usual one-stopper at Monaco, with the soft and the medium preferred,” he said.

The key to competitiveness is to gradually build pace through each session in order to peak during Saturday’s crucial qualifying session. That process is even more difficult this year due to the reduced duration of Friday’s practice sessions. With the narrowness of the track, it is vital to get a good position on the starting grid.

While completing a lap, the driver’s vision at high-speed and their ability to react quickly to any changes in the environment is crucial. This is especially challenging at a track like Monaco, which is narrow and twisty, with blind corners and potential surprises around every one of its 19 corners (8 left-handers and 11 right-handers).

As the weekend progresses, the drivers are filtering through different reference points to pick the quickest lines, the latest braking points and progressively build confidence. This is particularly crucial in Monaco, knowing any accidents in the practice sessions could limit their running and even their chances to take part in Qualifying.

Intense super-short, super-quick lap

With limited overtaking opportunities in Monaco, single lap pace in qualifying is vital which puts pressure on the outlap to ensure the car crosses the start line in optimum shape to begin the timed run. The driver will adjust their brake balance continuously through the outlap while weaving, accelerating and braking to generate temperature in the brakes and tyres, while also charging the ERS system so they have maximum power to deploy on the timed lap.

In Monaco, the challenge and intensity are crammed into a super-short, super-quick lap that requires maximum precision and maximum concentration. There’s no relenting… one slip of focus, and the driver and team’s hard work will be wiped away.

Hamilton at the top

Lewis Hamilton continues to lead in the Drivers Championship, as does his team. His closest challenger is Max Verstappen who is 14 points behind and whose Red Bull Racing team is also second, 29 points behind the Mercedes-AMG team.

The most successful driver at Monaco has been the late Ayrton Senna, with 6 wins that started when he was with Lotus in 1987. Senna also contributed 5 wins to McLaren’s total of 15 wins, the most of any constructor.


F1/Round 4: Preview & Provisional Starting Grid For 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

Race starts at 3 pm in Italy/9 pm in Malaysia

Round 4 of the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship returns to Europe to start in Italy at the Imola Circuit, also known as Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. Initially named after Enzo Ferrari’s son Dino, when Enzo himself passed away in 1988, the decision was taken to add the father’s name to that of his son. The Ferrari founder was closely associated with the circuit and he recalled its birth in a book he wrote in 1980: “My first contact with Imola dates back to the spring of 1948. I assessed from the first moment that that hilly environment could one day become a small Nurburgring due to the natural difficulties that the construction of a road belt would summarize, thus offering a truly selective path for men and machines. From my opinion, the promoters of Imola felt comforted. In May 1950, construction began. I was present at the ceremony of the first stone, which was laid by the lawyer Onesti with the greeting of the CONI and a contribution of 40 million which I believe was the first gesture of the organization towards motor racing. A small Nurburgring – I repeated to myself that day as I looked around – a small Nurburgring, with the same technical resources, spectacular and an ideal route length.”

How the Mercedes-Benz team transported their Silver Arrows Formula 1 cars around Europe in the 1950s. The custom-built transporter was nicknamed the ‘Blue Miracle’ and ‘Blue Wonder’, and it had the same engine as the 300 SL Gullwing sportscar so it could travel at high speeds.

It’s one of the old circuits of F1 (opened in 1953) but is relatively new to the racers as this is the third year a F1 round is held there. Before the 2020 event, the last time the circuit had a F1 race was in 2006. In 2020, when F1 returned, there was no data available but now after two rounds, the teams and especially Pirelli have enough data to help in set-up and tyre selection.

The 4.9-metre long circuit is a highly technical one, with a wide range of corners. Its layout has changed over the years but it remains narrow and bumpy, as the older tracks tend to be. This makes overtaking more challenging and puts more emphasis on strategy to make up places.

The cornering speeds and gears used by the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS racing cars.

“Imola is an old-school, challenging track, where overtaking can be tricky, also because the circuit is quite narrow in places. So the strategy is likely to centre around avoiding traffic, and effectively the teams start from scratch here in terms of tyre knowledge – as the compounds are completely different this year, and last year’s race also began on the wet-weather tyres, before being interrupted by a lengthy red flag period,” said Pirelli’s Motorsport Director,  Mario Isola.

“Generally speaking, Imola is a medium severity track for the tyres, and it’s a venue that is used quite frequently. This means that we might see a little less track evolution than we’ve been accustomed to at other circuits as the track is well rubbered-in already. The first round of the Pirelli-equipped GT World Challenge took place at Imola last month, which gave us some useful data. These are just some of the factors that the teams will have to take into account when establishing the tyre strategy for the opening sprint session of the year: another first for the 2022 season,” he added.

The tyres are all-new but the track is just as it was at this time last year, and the asphalt dates from 2011, which makes the 11-year old surface reasonably abrasive. The more mature surface at Imola generates more grip and therefore more heat in the tyres, requiring a more robust softest compound.

Pirelli has therefore chosen C2, C3 and C4 tyres for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix as P Zero White hard, P Zero Yellow medium and P Zero Red soft respectively. This is the same nomination as last year, although the compounds are different with the latest generation of 18-inch tyres.

With 19 turns and the reduced length of the final straight (358 metres), the circuit has fast direction changes and extremely difficult braking sections of every imaginable kind. It’s therefore a sort of mini Nurburgring, as Ferrari expected it to be.

Imola has one of the longest pit lanes of any F1 track on the 2022 calendar, measuring 549 metres. This means one of the longest pit lane times, too, with at least 24.7 seconds. This is an interesting strategic factor as you lose more time making a pit stop compared to other races.

At Imola today was the first of 3 planned Sprint events during the 2022 F1 season, the others being in Austria and Brazil. This moved Qualifying to Friday afternoon, after FP1, to determine the grid for the 100-km race today. The result of the Sprint race, when the drivers will go flat out, decides the grid for Sunday’s main race. There are also points for the top 8 finishers.

The Sprint Race

Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen must have been delighted to get pole position for the Sprint race after the disappointments of the first 3 rounds which have resulted in him being 6th in the championship rankings. Rain had come down during the qualifying session which saw a number of incidents. Pushing hard even on the wet and slippery track, he beat championship leader Charles Leclerc, while McLaren’s Lando Norris was surprised to get third on the grid for today.

A slow start by the Red Bull driver allowed Leclerc to reach Turn 1 first but as the pack headed to Turn 9, GuanYu Zhou (Alfa Romeo ORLEN) collided with Scuderia AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly and headed into the wall. The crash was a bad one, bringing out the Safety Car.

The Safety Car left the track on lap 4 and although Verstappen was waiting to move, the new ruling did not allow him to be alongside Leclerc who was ready to rocket off the moment it was allowed. While Zhou would not get to complete his first Sprint race, Gasly was able to return to the pits and get a new wing and continue racing.

Both team mates of the leaders – Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz – had made good progress to move up a few positions. Norris meanwhile was slipping back as the two leaders pulled further ahead. As for the two Mercedes drivers, their positions were still out of the Top 10, George Russell doing better at 12
th
 and Lewis Hamilton at 15
th
.

By the halfway point of the short 21-lap race, Perez was starting to challenge Norris. Within one lap, he was past into fourth with 9 laps to go. Just behind, Haas F1’s Kevin Magnussen was steadily dropping back as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz got past him and closed in on the McLaren to try to take fourth before the race ended. He did it by lap 15 and would keep the position till the end, collecting 5 extra points this weekend.

Verstappen was waiting as the plan was to wait for the Ferrari’s tyres to degrade and then he would make his push but the number of laps was running out. Leclerc remained in control even though the Red Bull was less than a second away.

Finally, on lap 20, Verstappen powered through the final corner and although he had to take a wide line, he got past the Ferrari into the lead. Once past, he went flat out for the finish line with Leclerc and Perez following.

Brembo develops new brake systems for new 2022 F1 cars (w/VIDEO)


Mercedes-Benz release entertaining ad of upcoming X-Class

Mercedes-Benz has released a new TV ad to build more hype for its soon to be launched
X-Class
. The short video clip illustrates the versatility of Merc’s new pick-up truck as it tackles the toughest terrain while being docile enough to be used as an ‘elegant’ daily driver.

The vehicle is driven on some challenging terrain while being pursued by a heard of bison and rhinos, a team of hockey and rugby players, a weird looking monster, as well as a number of others. It’s a pretty entertaining 1 minute and 16 seconds, within which Mercedes-Benz tries to strongly drive home the notion that, though its a pick-up truck, it’s still a classy Merc.

Despite the fact that it is a pick-up truck, the German automaker believes that the vehicle will still appeal to a wide variety of drivers. Like the TV advert, the automaker says that the X-Class will be adored by adventure seekers, sports enthusiasts as well as those only needing utilitarian functionality.

Based on the Nissan Navara, the X-Class should reach global markets sometime next year. It shares quite a bit with its Japanese counterpart such as its wheelbase and dimensions. That said, the vehicle is more than just a Navara in a fancier suit.

The X-Class gets a Mercedes-Benz engine and transmission, typical All-Wheel-Drive capabilities and a slew of driver aids that include Active Brake Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Traffic Sign Assist, Trailer Stability Assist, as well as broadcasting live traffic information.

For the full scoop on the Mercedes-Benz X Class,
Click Here
.


Ford Fiesta crowned champion of MPG marathon

At the recent MPG (miles per gallon) Marathon, an annual competition in the UK where fuel sipping cars go head to head to prove, which is most efficient, Ford came out on top. Compared to its rivals, the new Fiesta proved to be the most frugal on the 563km event.

Despite having a turbocharged 125bhp engine, the little Fiesta managed to achieve a fuel consumption figure of 41km/l, which overshadows the previous record that was set at 36km/l. This effectively made the Blue Oval’s contender the champion for the petrol category.

As for the diesel category, another Fiesta was crowned champion, allowing Ford to lay claim to the title of the manufacturer with the most efficient cars on the market. The diesel powered Fiesta set a new recorded too, by achieving 52km/l, which was significantly higher than the previous record of 46.2km/l.

This feat was enough to crown the oil burning Fiesta as the overall champion of the competition. And with that, Ford can expect a surge in demand for cars such as these in the near future.

Though the various Fiestas did tremendously well in their individual categories, their respective drivers played pivotal roles that lead to the clean sweep at the MPG marathon. Ex- works rally team Andy Dawson and Andrew Marriott drove the petrol Fiesta and journalist Paul Clifton with Ian McKean piloted the diesel.

Equipped with six-speed gearboxes, both cars managed to exceed their official fuel consumption figures thanks to conservative use of the accelerator pedal and the cars’ frugal consumption of their respective fuels.

Andy Dawson, Ford lead driver on the MPG Marathon, said, “Maximising fuel economy not only saves money, but smooth driving can also be fun thanks to the new Fiesta’s brilliant steering and suspension. Using less fuel also means reduced emissions, limiting motorists’ environmental impact.”

The new Fiesta has been on sale in the UK market since July of this year and to date, more than 15,000 examples have been sold to customers. According to official sales numbers, the Ford Fiesta has been Britain’s best selling supermini since 2008.


Ford Says US Not Ready To Compete With China In EV Production

Bill Ford Jr., executive chairman of Ford Motor Co., stated that his business is putting “all hands on deck” to prepare for electric vehicles because the US is “not quite ready” to compete with China in the manufacture of EV’s.

According to Bill, China has developed very quickly, and they’ve developed them on a large scale, and now they are exporting. China is on track to overtake the United States as the second-largest exporter of passenger cars, which could fundamentally alter the global auto market and challenge the dominance of its rivals and trading partners in the auto sector.

Chinese-made automobile
exports
 have tripled since 2020 and exceeded 2.5 million last year, posing a threat to established auto exporters like Germany.

Ford made a controversial political statement when it announced this year that it will invest US$3.5 billion (RM16.1 billion) in a Michigan-based electric vehicle battery plant. Ford said the plant would use technology and assistance from China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd. to operate.

In an interview with Bloomberg Television on Sunday, US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg addressed the issue and said that increasing the capacity for refining important materials is “addressable” in order to reduce China’s advantage in EV batteries.

The US must make sure it is putting itself in a position to have an approach to these critically crucial components of their economy that is economically sensible, environmentally sensible, and geopolitically stable.

Bill Ford noted that there might be an opportunity for Ford engineers to understand the technology and it is really important that their engineers gain that knowledge so they can eventually do it themselves instead of just licensing the technology.

Ford disputed the notion that more US output will result in higher pricing by stating that manufacturing employment has a multiplier effect that can result in a stronger economy.

Chinese-owned former European brands such as Volvo and MG, and other models like Dacia Spring and the BMW iX3, are also produced exclusively in China.


Very affordable McLaren Senna GTR to be available in January

The McLaren Senna GTR may be out of reach of most people but thanks to LEGO Technic, another segment of the public can still build one of their own. Though the CKD kit comes in 830 pieces, they won’t need to invest in a factory or manufacturing licence either.

The supercar icon will soon be available and is the first McLaren model to be recreated in LEGO Technic form. It provides the ultimate thrill for sportscar lovers and motorsport fans alike looking for their next building challenge.

A different building experience

“Recreating a car that is so extreme to the core as the McLaren Senna GTR with LEGO Technic gave us an incredibly interesting challenge. This track car is not like any road car I’ve worked on before. It’s got some unique details, like its silhouettes and the awesome rear spoiler, which differentiates the building experience from others,” said Uwe Wabra, Senior Designer at LEGO Technic.

“Just like the incredible engineers at McLaren do when designing their supercars, we really pushed things to the max so the resulting model perfectly honours the art form that is the McLaren Senna GTR,” he added.

Attention-getter for any desk

Suitable for anyone above the age of 10, the scaled-down replica of the Senna GTR is packed with authentic features and design details that make it equally impressive. From the V8 engine with moving pistons, beautiful aerodynamic curves, opening dihedral doors and a one-of-a-kind blue livery, the 32-cm long model will be an attention-getter on any desk it is placed or in a cupboard.

“The team responsible for the design of the McLaren Senna GTR worked incredibly closely with their design counterparts at the LEGO Group to capture the extreme looks, excitement and essence of such an incredible supercar for LEGO Technic builders,” said Robert Melville, Design Director at McLaren Automotive.

The LEGO model (above) and the full-sized Senna GTR (below).

More than 75 units, less than US$1.65 million

Unfortunately, the Senna GTR by LEGO Technic will not be on sale in time for Christmas as it will be launched globally only from January 1, 2021. It can be obtained from LEGO.com for £44.99 (about RM245), excluding shipment costs and local taxes. McLaren will be building only 75 units of the Senna GTR but LEGO Technic will produce considerably more…

A full-size 1:1 scale LEGO McLaren Senna was created for the Microsoft Xbox E3 event in America in July 2019. It required close to half a million bricks to create and took months to build.

The LEGO Technic McLaren Senna GTR is the latest model to be released as part of the long-standing partnership that started in 2015. LEGO builders of all ages have so far been able to create such iconic supercars as the McLaren P1, the 720S in 2017 and the McLaren Senna in 2019.

McLaren celebrates 1995 victory at Le Mans with 5 exclusive Senna F1 GTRs – News and reviews on Malaysian cars, motorcycles and automotive lifestyle (piston.my)


One-Off Alfa Romeo Giulia SWB Zagato Celebrates collaboration between Alfa Romeo and Zagato

A year ago, as part of the centenary celebrations for the collaboration between Alfa Romeo and Zagato (which began in 1921 with the TIPO G1), the creation of a new model was proposed as a commemorative exercise.

The idea was to celebrate the current Alfa Romeo production of Giulia and Stelvio, together with the legendary 6-cylinder engine in its latest GTAm evolution with a 2-door Coupe Zagato body in carbonfibre and a shortened wheelbase.

Not surprisingly, the project attracted a lot of interest from collectors and one of them in Germany was the lucky one who got to sign the order form. This customer is a Zagato fan with many Alfa Romeos in his garage including, in addition to a rare 8C Competizione, all the different models of the Alfa Romeo’s recent era.

As a fan of Granturismo Zagato models, he drives regularly an Alfa Romeo S.Z. (1990) as well several Aston Martin Zagatos of the latest generation. Certainly, he was just the right person to take ownership of the car.

To add a further touch of exclusivity, the project started from the Giulia Quadrifoglio Manual updated by Zagato in its specifications to the GTAm, to retain the 6-speed mechanical gearbox. As far as design is concerned, the theme was ‘SZ’. This relates to the 100th anniversary of Alfa Romeo’s foundation (2010) when Zagato chose the ‘TZ’ theme, creating the TZ3 Corsa with 8C engine followed by the TZ3 Stradale based on the Chrysler Viper. It was immediately named by the international press as the first ‘American Alfa Romeo’.

The design of the prototype Giulia SWB (short wheelbase) Corsa, is, therefore, a natural evolution of the Alfa Romeo SZ models starting with the Codatronca version, born in 1961, and which dominated its GT Class in 1962 and 1963 up to the more recent S.Z. whose front end inspired the front treatment of the very recent Tonale.

Unlike the S.Z. of 1990, based on the Alfa Romeo 75 Evoluzione, which did not have a shortened wheelbase, this new prototype is named ‘SWB’ because it was developed in-house by Zagato from the Giorgio modular floorplan of the Giulia and Stelvio. This optimizes its overhangs and wheelbase, in keeping with Zagato’s sporting tradition.

While the design process was carried out with the support of Alfa Romeo Design. the conception, development and production of the car were carried out entirely independently by Zagato without external support. The presence of the Alfa Romeo badge on the car is solely for descriptive and promotional purposes, and Zagato’s choice to draw inspiration from the Alfa Romeo S.Z.

Commenting on the Alfa Romeo Giulia SWB Zagato, Alejandro Mesonero, Alfa Romeo Design’s Vice- President, said: “The philosophy of this new SZ is that of the 1960s, with a body driven by simplicity, aerodynamics and lightness. The new SZ offers a dynamic, simple body, where long lines run from the front to the rear creating ‘a strong but discreet muscularity’ at the same time.”

He also noted that the front end is characterized by the 3+3 headlamp concept widely seen on the new Alfa Romeos, and was also on the SZ of the 1990s. “The cabin, totally in carbonfibre, re-proposes another characteristic element of the brand with the two humps on the roof in search of height reduction, improving aerodynamics without affecting interior ergonomics. At the rear is the ‘truncated tail’, a typical Zagato body style solution, aerodynamic and visually powerful,” he added.


Puspakom Introduces Approved ‘Runners’ For Its Services

Puspakom is concerned about some runners who take advantage of drivers by demanding exorbitant costs and giving incorrect information.

Puspakom claimed that many of its clients who hired runners for car inspection-related issues at its branches experienced this. “The customer then files a complaint saying that Puspakom is not transparent. As a result, Puspakom has a bad image,” it said in a statement.

The corporation has recently launched the Puspakom Approved Customer Representative (PAR) initiative to address the issue of runners or middlemen manipulating service charges.

Puspakom will use this system to do background checks on all runners with the assistance of the appropriate authorities. Those that make it through the screening process are recorded as PARs.

Customers who want to employ runners’ services can consult the website’s list of registered PAR.

In order to protect their own safety, Puspakom stated that it advised drivers to stop by one of its many branches for a vehicle inspection.

Why are customers encouraged to use the services of PAR?

PAR has undergone a vetting process by Puspakom with cooperation from the relevant authorities
Transparency of information related to fees
Able to provide feedback on the services of the PAR

Every transaction or transaction agreement (whether in writing or not) between the Client and PAR:

Is a personal transaction beyond the control of Puspakom, made with the consent of the Customer
Is not monitored and controlled by Puspakom
Puspakom does not provide any commission to PAR
Puspakom does not accept any commission from PAR
Customers are at their own risk when agreeing to get the services of third-party representatives (whether registered or not)


F1/Round 11: Highlights & Provisional Results For 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix

Rain had already started to come down before the cars began to get into position, with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas at the front of two Red Bulls. The weather forecast was for up to 30 minutes of rain, which suited the two title rivals fine as they like such conditions.

Hamilton got a good start and as his team mate was slow to get off, Max Verstappen shot past him into second. But then came another incident as Lando Norris (McLaren) got bumped by Bottas who must have been too eager to get going, and Norris hit Verstappen before the first corner. The other Red Bull driver, Sergio Perez also went off as Bottas slid into him.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc got bumped by Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, which ended his race, while Daniel Ricciardo was a helpless victim of  the collision. Meanwhile, Alfa Romeo ORLEN’s Antonio Giovinazzi had slipped into the pits as the race started to take a gamble on different tyres. However, he was at the back of the pack when he joined the race and 25 seconds behind the leader as the Safety Car zoomed to the front.

When the situation became clearer, at least 4 cars were potentially out of the race as the red flags came out by the third lap, and the race had to be stopped. The Safety Car was in motion while the debris was cleared and the immobile cars removed. Hamilton had managed to escape the collisions, along with Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel.

The Red Bull team was obviously very unhappy – after Silverstone, another incident again, this time with Bottas and Perez (who suggested the Finn had made a ‘big mistake’). Verstappen’s car was fixed in time but he had a lot of work ahead of him as he was in 13th place when the race was stopped.

The race resumed after 15 minutes but only Hamilton seemed to start off as the rest of the cars were in the pits. He returned to change the tyres and when he rejoined on lap 5, he was at the back and Ocon was at the front – a rare instance of an Alpine leading the rest. The early drama had continued in the pits as well, with Nikita Mazepin (Haas) colliding with Kimi Raikkonen’s Alfa Romeo as the Finn suddenly came out of his box. The Russian driver was the sixth retirement of the Hungarian GP. Raikkonen’s team mate, Giovinazzi, got a 10-second penalty for speeding in the pitlane and it was likely that Raikkonen would also get a penalty.

Williams’ George Russell, holding seventh on lap 11, impressed with his spirit of teamwork as he told his team that if his own position had to be compromised, they should go ahead as it was more important for his team mate, Nicholas Latifi, to maintain his third position behind Vettel and Ocon.

Verstappen’s progress through the field was not easy and even to get past Haas’ Mick Schumacher was tricky and the two cars were seen to touch. Hamilton was just two places behind on the 15th lap but experiencing brake problems. It was an unusual race this time with drivers usually further back being up front and battling for the best positions with points.

Hamilton came in again on lap 19 to get onto hard tyres, a strategic move as the track was drying out by then. He only lost one position but was still some 50 seconds behind the leader and had at least 10 cars – including Verstappen’s – to pass before he reached Ocon. Verstappen came in on the next lap and dropped 2 places behind his arch-rival. Ocon had come in before Vettel and was able to do his tyre-change in 2.3 seconds and kept his lead.

The battles up front were between Ocon and Vettel, and about 16 seconds behind, between Latifi and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. Latifi and Sainz came into the pits on the same lap and the Ferrari raced back out to grab third place, as Latifi lost 4 places. Now it was Sainz who had to defend his position from another Alpine driven by Fernando Alonso.

Halfway through the 70-lap race, Ocon and Vettel were still up front, separated by a second or two. Alonso had passed Sainz and was in a fairly secure position with generous gaps in front and behind. Hamilton had moved up to fifth and was pushing harder than ever.

Vettel came in on lap 37 and lost just one position, giving Alonso the second place. Hamilton was still busy duelling with Sainz to get within range of Alonso. Verstappen, down in twelfth and over  a minute from the leader was still unable to move into a points position. On lap 43, he made his fifth visit of the race to the Red Bull pits to switch to medium tyres. His stop took an incredible 1.8 seconds – the fastest pit stop this season.

On lap 45, Sainz was still under attack from Hamilton and thought that the Mercedes-AMG driver would go back into the pits again. However, Hamilton decided his tyres were still good enough and did not allow the Ferrari driver to get any relief.

As 10 laps remained, an announcement was made concerning the Stewards’ findings on the first lap incidents and Bottas was deemed to have been responsible for “causing an avoidable collision in Turn 1”. The penalty for him was a drop of 5 positions on the starting grid for the next race in Belgium as well as 2 penalty points.

While Alonso was trying hard to prevent Hamilton from getting past, Verstappen had managed to finally overtake McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo and get back into a points position at tenth. Less than 10 laps remained so he would only be able to improve his position another one or two places, the only Red Bull driver to bring home some points this time.

As the lap counter got closer to the 70th lap, Hamilton got more desperate to pass Alonso, with at least one instance of contact between cars. Vettel was not under threat from Sainz who was 7 seconds behind so he was focussed on trying to get his first win with Aston Martin.

Despite being a 2-time world champion, Alonso must have let the pressure get to him as he locked up and Hamilton immediately slotted into fourth place on lap 65. The Spaniard had also been having a tough time with his older tyres.

And it was Esteban Ocon’s day as he won the Hungarian Grand Prix, his first ever F1 win too. Vettel also had reason for a celebration in the Aston Martin camp as he finished second, and Hamilton coming in third. However, in spite of the speed of the Mercedes-AMG, it was Pierre Gasly of AlphaTauri’s Honda who got a bonus point for the fastest lap of the day. In the Williams camp too, there was jubilation as both Latifi and Russell finished within the top ten to give the team their first points of the season.

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


Hyundai Tucson Ranked Most Dependable Small SUV By J.D. Power

The Hyundai Tucson has received the distinct honor of
Most Dependable Small SUV
 by
J.D. Power
 in their 2018 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). The annual Vehicle Dependability Study shows Tucson ranked highest in its class, beating out leading competitors. Overall, Hyundai scored an impressive sixth-place finish in the entire industry and third-best in the non-premium category, while the Hyundai Santa Fe also ranked second in its segment. Earlier, the
Ioniq
 won the
What Car?
 Best Hybrid Award too.

“In one of the most competitive segments in the industry, Tucson places highest in its class,”
 said
Barry Ratzlaff, vice president of customer satisfaction, Hyundai Motor America
.
“Hyundai is committed to providing customers with high-value vehicles that withstand the test of time. The quality and dependability of our models is important to reassuring owners that we care about their Hyundai experience beyond their initial purchase at the dealership. The results for Santa Fe and Tucson show, as our CUV lineup expands, long-term quality will be a real strength for us.”

For the 2018 model year, Tucson adds a 7-inch audio display system with expanded availability of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio and heated seats. More than 90 percent of 2018 model year Tucsons have these technologies included and are at dealerships now.

More on the J.D. Power VDS…

The study, now in its 29th year, examines problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of 2015 model-year vehicles. Overall dependability is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles, with a lower score reflecting higher quality. The study covers 177 specific problems grouped into eight major vehicle categories.


All-New Kia Niro EV Launched in Malaysia: 201hp, 255Nm, 460km Range – RM255,888

The first-generation Niro was introduced in 2016 and was based on the same platform as the Hyundai Ioniq, followed by a plug-in version in 2017, an electric version in 2018 and a facelift variant in 2019.

On November 25 during the 2021 Seoul Mobility Show, the second-generation Niro was unveiled. The model was officially launched on January 25, 2022, and the second-generation Niro EV made its premiere in April later that year.

Finally, Dinamikjaya Motors Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor for the Kia brand in Malaysia has introduced the second-generation all-new Kia Niro EV for the Malaysian market.

Exterior

The exterior of the Niro EV is heavily influenced by the 2019 Kia HabaNiro concept car. The front still features Kia’s signature “Tiger Face” that extends from the hood to the fender below.

It features daytime running lights (DRLs) known as the “heartbeat” along with a bold skid plate that enhances the ruggedness of the Niro EV.

The side profile comprises a high-tech two-tone body with a wide Aero C-Pillar at the rear, enhancing air flow to improve aerodynamics that blends into the boomerang-shaped rear taillights. Also found on the exterior design is the Active Air Flap within the grille which contributes to the new Niro’s competitive 0.29 co-efficient (Cd) achievement.

The all-new Kia Niro has a length measuring 4,420mm, a width of 1,825mm and a height of 1,570mm. It is redesigned based on Kia’s third-generation “K” platform.

The colours available are Snow White Pearl, Mineral Blue and Cityscape Green, making a total of 3 colours available.

Interior

The all-new Niro features an eco-friendly interior, yet it has premium quality materials and textured surfaces. The off-centre dashboard curves combines the bold horizontal and diagonal lines that has ambient mood lighting which is available in no fewer than 64 colour options.

Two cutting-edge 10.25-inch high-definition digital display panels combine the infotainment and instrument cluster into a single, streamlined panorama between the diagonal lines. It features Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

Below the centre screen, you can find the integrated infotainment and climate control system that ensures front-seat passengers can access these controls. The smartphone’s wireless charging space can be found on the centre console together with the Niro EV’s electronic rotary dial shift lever.

At the push of a button, the front passenger seat may recline into a very comfortable position. Rear-seat passengers benefit from USB-C outlets that are built into the sides of the front seats and storage pockets, and the thin headrests double as coat hangers. The Niro EV comes standard with Black Leatherette upholstered seats.

To decrease environmental effects and reduce waste, the headlining is constructed from recycled wallpaper, the seats are made of Bio PU (Biobased polyurethane), which contains Tencel from eucalyptus leaves, and the door panels are painted with BTX-free paint.

When the back seats are folded down, the Niro EV’s cabin storage capacity increases to 1,392 litres from 475 litres when the seats are upright.

The Niro EV also features a useful 20-litre frunk (front trunk) under the bonnet as an additional storage option. The vehicle’s charging cable and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) adapter are intended to be kept in the frunk storage area because of its proximity to the charging port in front of the car.

Powertrain

The Kia Niro EV is powered by a 64.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that has an output of 201hp and a maximum torque of 255Nm. It has a top speed of 167km/h and does 0 – 100km/h in 7.8 seconds.

According to Kia, on a single charge, the Niro EV can travel up to approximately 460 kilometres and can be charged up from 10% to 80% within 43 minutes using the DC rapid charging.

With Kia’s Smart Regeneration braking system, the driver can select from a range of regeneration levels to quickly slow down the vehicle while also allowing it to recover some of its lost kinetic energy to extend its range.The Niro EV has a Macpherson strut-style front suspension and a four-link-style rear suspension.

The vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, which is able to discharge energy from the car battery and is able to operate lifestyle electronic items, is one of the added convenience features. The Kia Niro EV has a V2L, and it can produce up to 3.6 kWh of power when in use.

Safety

The standard safety features of the Kia Niro EV include:

8 SRS airbags (front driver & passengers, front side, side, curtain and driver’s knee)
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD)
Safe Exit Assist (SEA) system which automatically provides a warning if a vehicle is approaching from the rear side is detected within the blind-spot
Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
Traction Control System (TCS)
ISOFIX child restraint anchor points
Rear Occupant Alert (ROA)

In terms of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features, the Kia Niro EV is equipped with:

High Beam Assist (HBA)
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)
Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Assist (RCCA) which detects oncoming vehicles approaching from either side when reversing out of a tight parking spot.
Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Junction Turning, which provides preventive safety when navigating through junctions.
Lane Following Assist (LFA)
Smart Cruise Control (SCC)

Price

The starting price of the all-new Kia Niro EV is RM255,888.00 and it comes with a 5-Years Manufacturer Warranty (or 150,000km), whichever comes first. Additionally, it has a 160,000-kilometer mileage cap and an 8-year warranty on the high-voltage battery pack.


All-new Mazda3 is 2019 Women’s World Car of the Year

There are many ‘Car of the Year’ (COTY) award programs run each year all over the world. While they are generally ‘gender-neutral’, the general perception is that the people who sit on the judging panels are usually males. There is, however, one COTY program which has a judging panel made up of only women – the Women’s World Car of the Year (WWCOTY).

This year, the winners were announced at the Dubai International Motor Show.

WWCOTY has been presenting awards annually for the past 10 years, and its judges have used criteria such as safety, value-for-money, aesthetic appearance, storage space, child–friendliness, ease-of-driving, colour, sex appeal and environmental footprint.

The winning car may not reach 0–100 km/h in less than so many seconds or have eye–popping Newton metres of torque. But it will be a car that appeals very strongly to women and that, in essence, is what this award is all about.

Experts in their chosen field, the 41 women (from 34 countries) of the judging panel are all published and specialist motoring writers, some of whom even have had motor racing experience.

Mazda3 – the latest winner in the Women’s World Car of the Year program.

For the 2019 edition of WWCOTY, the announcement of winners was made at the Dubai International Motor Show, with the all-new
Mazda3
 picked as the Car of the Year. The model was also tops in the Family Car category.

There were five other categories and the winners are:  Urban Car-
Kia XCeed
; Green Car –
Kia Soul EV
; Luxury Car –
BMW 8-Series
; Performance Car –
Porsche 911
; and SUV/Crossover –
Range Rover Evoque
.

Visit
www.mazda.com.my
 to know more about the latest Mazda3 and other models available in Malaysia.

FIRST DRIVE: 2019 Mazda3 “Japan’s Art of Motion”


BHPetrol holds Cerah Ceria 2019 road safety programme at SK Kementah Kuala Lumpur

BHPetrol, the Malaysian petroleum brand, has been tirelessly working on efforts to raise road safety awareness among primary schoolchildren for some time now. And in 2019, for the tenth consecutive year, BHPetrol has spread the interest and focus of the local community in the centre of Kuala Lumpur.

This year’s awareness programme was held in SK Kementah Kuala Lumpur where over 1,000 students participated in various road safety activities which complements the current road safety education curriculum taught in schools.

Part of BHPetrol’s Corporate Social Responsibility

The programme, which was carried out recently, is part of BHPetrol’s Corporate Social Responsibility and focuses primarily on the importance of being visible on the road. The idea behind the programme originated in 2010, when BHPetrol felt that there was very little awareness on road safety initiatives for young children particularly in the non-urban areas.

Since then, the
Cerah Ceria
 programme has travelled extensively within Peninsular Malaysia to schools in Sabak Bernam, Hulu Langat, Pelabuhan Klang, Muar, Temerloh, and the latest in Kementah Kem Kuala Lumpur. Thousands of primary schoolchildren have benefitted from the programme.

Focus on being visible

The focus on visibility stems from the fact that young children are physically small and not easily visible to drivers, in particular, drivers of huge vehicles such as petroleum tankers. The program stresses the importance of seeing and being seen as well as equipping children with essential road safety skills and knowledge.

Aptly named
‘Cerah Ceria Bersama BHPetrol’
, the program uses the firefly as its road safety icon to convey to children and adults signifying that despite its size, it is bright and visible from afar.

Practicing safe behaviour on the road

All 9 activities for children help them to understand the importance of being visible and practicing safe behaviour on the road. Some of the activities include stopping distance of vehicles, 5 steps to cross safely, physical limitations, wearing bright clothing and cycling safely. BHPetrol employees were involved in the activities.

Every year, as part of the programme, a short road safety talk is also given by the local district Traffic Police or by the road safety department. This year, Azharul Izwan Puaadi, the Federal Territory Director of Road Safety Department, addressed the students on the importance of being safe on the roads and following traffic rules.

The event was also attended by Fardzi Shah Razali, General Manager, Operations and HSSE of Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd, and Leftenan Kolonel Azizul bin Abdul Kadir, Kem Kementah Commanding Officer.

“Over the last 10 years, we have continuously inculcated the importance of safety amongst the schoolchildren through
Cerah Ceria Bersama BHPetrol
programme
.
We hope the activities organized have increased the students’ understanding to become more cautious towards their safety at all times,“ said Encik Fardzi Shah  Razali.

Essential part of the children’s learning

The programme has been warmly received as an essential part of the children’s learning and educational process. The annual programme dedicated to school children has been creating a lasting impression in the minds of young students, parents and teachers.

BHPetrol firmly believes that the programme develops these young minds to be ever more conscientious in practicing safe behaviour on the road which may contribute significantly towards reducing road deaths and injuries among primary schoolchildren.

MAI, BHPetrol & MKJR Promote Road Safety During Festive Season


PETRONAS wants to help you #Celebratelikeneverbefore this Chinese New Year

It’s the Chinese New Year festive season again and, beginning today, PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad (PDB) adds joy for customers, providing them with a seamless and frictionless traveling experience to make their journey a more rewarding one.

With the theme of #
Celebratelikeneverbefore
, there are exciting promotions and discount vouchers on PETRONAS merchandise, Kedai Mesra items, Setel, Tealive, Dunkin’, Shopee and Touch ‘n’ Go.

“Exclusive to PETRONAS customers only, PDB wants its customers to
celebrate like never before
 and be delighted by the privilege extended to them during this celebration,” said Azrul Osman Rani, PDB’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer said, “This year, we want to reward our customers in a big way. Together with our partners, we are pooling together our resources to throw in a galore of rewards that will appeal to all customers.”

Rewards Curated for the Best Traveling Experience

With a big influx of motorists anticipated driving into petrol stations this festive season, the Setel app enables a motorist to skip the queue (without upsetting others, of course) and save on travelling time. To encourage usage of Setel, PDB is offering RM5 cashback for new users who register with Setel and perform a top-up of RM30 in the e-wallet.

You can also refer a friend, who will get to enjoy RM5 cashback as well when they fuel up a minimum of RM30 at a PETRONAS station. Once fueled up, rewards can be claimed at the Kedai Mesra counter, depending on the fuel amount purchased.

For a minimum of RM30 fuel, customers will receive exclusive PETRONAS
angpow
 packets and enjoy RM2 discount off any Tealive beverage at selected participating PETRONAS stations. They are also entitled to RM6 discount on the specially designed Formula One 6-time World Constructors’ Championship t-shirt.

F1 6-time World Constructors’ Championship t-shirt

For those who spend RM50 and above on fuel, they will also receive a complimentary coffee from Dunkin’ besides the abovementioned rewards. All customers will also receive a special Shopee promo code.

While at the Kedai Mesra, be sure to stock up on drinks and snacks for the long drive. Check out the Prosperity Deals where selected items from 26 participating brands are being offered at special prices. There’s also the special edition Star Wars tumbler for only RM49.90 when you spend a minimum of RM10 or if you buy the PETRONAS Syntium (4 litres) lubricant, a complimentary Syntium thermos bottle and backpack come with it.

Special Edition STAR WARS Tumbler

Need to top up the Touch ‘n Go card? Between January 23 and 29 2020, the 50-sen charge will be waived when you reload at any PETRONAS station not just along highways but also nationwide.

PETRONAS Coffee Break

The PETRONAS Coffee Break is a yearly tradition for PDB and offers complimentary Nescafe coffee and snacks. This year, 160 station are participating and besides the coffee to perk you up, there are also other F&B goodies from, Julie’s Marketing Sdn Bhd, Delfi Marketing Sdn Bhd, and Adabi Consumer Industries Sdn Bhd.

Since it was started in 2000, the PETRONAS Coffee Break has become a tradition during the major festivals.

On top of that, to help travelers stay safe on the road, PDB will also be offering motorcycle inspection in partnership with Hong Leong Yamaha Motor Sdn Bhd as well as health screening by St. John Ambulance Malaysia (SJAM) at selected stations. The campaign’s partner, the Road Safety Department (JKJR), will also be carrying out an advocacy programme which offers tips to stay safe on the road.

Additionally, PDB is also sponsoring fuel for 50 of SJAM’s ambulances. The vehicles will be stationed along highways to provide emergency assistance to motorists, should they require it.

More Rewards!

Don’t forget that there’s also the Mesra Bonanza campaign which is ongoing till January 31, 2020. To participate, customers need to only spend a minimum of RM30 on fuel or Kedai Mesra items to be in the running for the monthly prizes where 1,000 winners will be rewarded with 20,000 Mesra points (equivalent to RM200).

For the cash prizes that will be awarded every 2 months, customers need to spend a cumulative amount of RM500 within a period of 2 months. Prizes include three Grand Prizes of RM100,000 each with another 14 winners being rewarded with RM3,000 cash each.

For more information on the promotions, visit
www.mymesra.com.my
 where you can also locate PETRONAS stations nationwide.

All PETRONAS stations now have Euro4M RON95 petrol, ahead of January 1 introduction date


Audi R8 Performance RWD for the purists

Until the Quattro came along in the early 1980s, Audi was known for its front-wheel drive (FWD) cars and showed no interest in rear-wheel drive (RWD). With the quattro system, the company didn’t have to discuss the merits of FWD or RWD; it powered the wheels at both ends of the car. The quattro system has been synonymous with Audi, an exclusive feature on its high performance models.

But the company has not refused to make RWD cars, except that they have been in small numbers and used in competition. Models like the Le Mans-winning cars with hybrid powertrains have had what is essentially RWD, along with the R8 LMS GT4 used by customer racing teams. There has also been the R8 RWS which was a limited-production run of 999 units and ‘made for purists’.

Now, Audi Sport GmbH (which is the company that makes the R8) has come out with a new R8 Performance RWD as a complement to the V10 performance quattro version. It has the same mid-mounted V10 5.2-litre FSI engine with enhanced output of 570 ps/550 Nm to take the car from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 329 km/h. Available in Coupe and Spyder bodystyles, it replaces the previous R8 V10 RWD which had served as an entry-level version.

Balanced for rear-wheel drive

The suspension and driving dynamics are specifically balanced for the rear-wheel drive. A mechanical limited slip differential distributes the torque ideally based on the driving situation, ensuring maximum possible traction even when the roads are wet. When Sport Mode is activated in the Electronic Stabilization Control system, the suspension set-up and control systems will allow controlled drifts.

The electromechanical power steering provides has Dynamic Steering, available for the first time for the RWD R8. This provides even more precise reaction and feedback with more direct steering. At the same time, it also increases comfort by making steering easier, such as when parking or manoeuvring.

The RWD suspension, with double wishbones and a passive differential lock, is adapted specifically for rear-wheel drive. The weight distribution is 40:60 and extra-light 19-inch and 20-inch aluminium cast wheels are fitted, or optional Cup wheels in 245/30 R20 up front and 305/30 R20 at the back can be specified. An 18-inch high-performance steel braking system with a wave design and an optional 19-inch high-performance ceramic braking system provide the necessary deceleration.

As with all R8s, the body is built of aluminium using the Audi Space Frame (ASF) design which has been around since the mid-1990s. The structure has evolved over the years and large parts are now made of carbonfibre reinforced plastic for more lightening. The Coupe version thus weighs a mere 1,590 kgs, with the Spyder weighing another 105 kgs more.

Recognizable design features

The overly sporty design is inspired by its GT4 siblings and elements of this include the broad, flat Singleframe radiator grill in matte black with an R8 emblem. There are also the large air intakes, front splitter and rear air outlet grid as well as the oval tailpipes. Enthusiasts will note that the slit under the front bonnet is reminiscent of the legendary Audi Sport quattro.

Racing car cabin

Given the exterior appearance, it would only be expected that the interior will have a ‘racing car feel’ and Audi’s designers have provided that. The eye-catching element inside is the ‘Monoposto’ – the large, heavily contoured arch that spans the area in front of the driver’s seat and is strongly reminiscent of a racing car cockpit. The Monoposto encloses the Audi virtual cockpit with a 12.3-inch screen, which is integrated into a freestanding casing. The R8 leather steering wheel with Multifunction plus has 4 control satellites, each for using Audi drive select, to start the engine, to activate Performance Mode and the engine sound as well as to control the Audi virtual cockpit.

Production largely by hand

The R8 V10 performance RWD is built – largely by hand – at Audi Sport’s factory. This is also the production site of the LMS GT4 racing car, which is derived from the production model and uses roughly 60% carryover parts. In Germany, the base price for the Coupe is €149,000 (about RM717,000), with the Spyder costing another 13,000 euros (about RM63,000).


BIKES: Ducati Malaysia Offering 80% Rebates @ Ducati “Red Christmas” Year End Special Promotion!

Bikers take note!
 From now until
31
st
 December 2018
, you can enjoy savings up to
RM50,000
 on selected
Ducati
 bikes; exclusively for Ducati PJ customers, including the fun and versatile Multistrada 950 from only RM76,000 which comes with a free Touring Pack. At just RM115,000 onwards, customers can now own a Diavel Diesel (just the model name, runs on petrol); the timeless and unique bike reflecting Diesel’s hard rock DNA, complete with
a
Termignoni
 full system exhaust package
.

Ducati Malaysia is also offering amazing storewide discounts up to
70%
 on
Ducati and Scrambler Ducati apparel until 2
nd
 January
 at the official Ducati merchandise shop in Ducati PJ. To celebrate the jolly season, customers are encouraged to take this opportunity to gift their loved ones with festive Ducati merchandise gift sets. Additionally, Ducati fans can usher in the New Year with brand new
Ducati Performance Parts & Accessories
 as the brand will be offering fantastic discounts at all authorised Ducati stores and dealerships nationwide of up to
80%
 for Ducati accessories and spare parts from
10
th
 December 2018 to 13
th
 January 2019
.

Customers will also be treated to a
25%
 rebate for
Desmo service parts
 as part of its pre-purchase program. To sweeten the deal, customers with minimum spend of
RM600
 in a single receipt will bring home a complimentary authentic
Ducati T-shirt worth RM250
! As a token of appreciation for the continuous support from Ducati fans and owners, Ducati Malaysia will also be providing a
free 15-point check
 at the
Ducati Service Clinic Ducati Malaysia, Next Bike Sdn Bhd, Lot 1, Jalan 51A/221, 46100 Petaling Jaya,Selangor, from 21
st
 – 23
rd
 December
. This special value added service is available from 10am to 5pm and is open to all Ducati models, including official imports and grey import bikes.

For more information, Ducati fans can visit our Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/DucatiMY/
 or Instagram page at
https://www.instagram.com/ducati_my/
.


Brabham adds Competition Spec variant to BT62 range, priced from RM4 million

To celebrate the return of a Brabham works car to the race track this month, Brabham Automotive is has announced the inclusion of a Competition specification within the Brabham BT62 range. There will be three variants for customers to choose from: Ultimate Track Car;  Competition spec; and   Road-Compliant Conversion.

Production remains limited to just 70 cars – irrespective of variant – with all cars available in either ‘Celebration’ or ‘Signature’ liveries.  All variants including the Competition specification vehicles are available in either left or right-hand drive. Competition specification units are fully upgradeable to either Ultimate Track Car or Road Compliant specifications at any time.

The Competition specification, priced from £750,000 (around RM4 million), is stripped back and ready for racing. It is lighter than the full-specification Ultimate Track version, with a Celebration or bespoke wrap rather than exterior paint and exposed interior carbon with no interior trim.  The Competition specification is delivered without a passenger seat or an Initial Spares Pack (although they can be included as optioned extras), both of which are standard with the Ultimate Track version.

Most importantly, the Brabham BT62 Competition spec features all the performance of the Ultimate Track version. It has the same lightweight, FIA-compliant carbon-chromoly safety cell with integrated roll cage.

It retains all the performance of the Brabham 5.4-litre, naturally aspirated V8 engine delivering 700 bhp mated to a 6-speed sequential gearbox. Advanced aerodynamics provide an outstanding 1200 kgs of downforce.  Completing the performance package are Brabham’s carbon-on-carbon brakes, which, coupled with motorsport ABS and traction control, are said to provide unrivalled on-track stopping power and control.

The BT62 Competition specification also retains Brabham’s centre-locking wheels, pneumatic jacking system, competition-ready gauge display and lightweight, removable, multi-function steering wheel.

The first BT62 Competition deliveries are in early 2020, in time for the northern hemisphere racing season.


All-new 10th generation Honda Accord due for launch before end of March 2020

The 10th generation Honda Accord is finally coming to Malaysia and will be launched before the end of March 2020. Announcing this today, Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd (HMSB) said that bookings for its all-new flagship model can be made at 100 authorised dealerships nationwide from today.

Prices have not been revealed nor the variants available. The current generation, launched in September 2013, has two variants priced at 147,733.50 (2 litres) and RM167,862.00 (2.4 litres). HMSB says over 32,500 units of the 9
th
 generation have been sold and it has maintained its position as segment leader.

While the full specifications are not available yet, HMSB’s Managing Director & CEO, Toichi Ishiyama, revealed that the new Accord will have an enhanced turbocharged engine. “The much-anticipated All-New Accord is set to move the yardstick for next-generation sedans and further excite the market and segment. Honda is the only Japanese mass market manufacturer to introduce the powerful engine in the D-segment,” he said.

1.5 more powerful than 2.4

This would be the 1.5-litre VTEC engine and it would be the smallest engine ever offered in the Accord since the model line was added to Honda’s range in 1976. The earliest generations (up to the third generation) had 1.6-litre engines before the model began using engines with larger displacements as its size grew.

In the 21
st
 century, displacement is no longer an indicator of performance and with turbocharging, the new Accord’s engine can produce maximum power of 201 ps/260 Nm – more powerful than the 2.4-litre engine! While the turbocharger gives stronger acceleration, the smaller displacement means better fuel efficiency and you also pay less roadtax each year.

The Accord line started with a hatchback in 1976 and 1.6-litres was the smallest engine size for the first three generations.

The design of the new Accord is described as a ‘revolutionary design incorporating fastback styling’. It has a wider stance, coupled with lower bonnet height as well as lower and longer roofline. At the front and rear are stylish full LED headlights and taillights. There’s a Twin Tailpipe Chrome Finisher and newly-designed 18-inch alloy wheels.

Complete Honda SENSING system

In line with HMSB’s aim of providing Next Generation Advanced Technology, the new Accord will have more advanced safety features. The 10th generation will come with the complete Honda SENSING system that has three categories and eight features:

Driver Cruising Aids
 – Adaptive Cruise Control, Low Speed Follow, Auto High-Beam

Frontal Collision Deterrence
 – Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System

Side Collision Deterrence
 – Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning

In addition to the Honda SENSING package, there will also be Smart Parking Assist System with Brake Assist (Rear), a Multi View Camera System and Honda LaneWatch which uses a camera on the left door mirror to give the driver an image of the blind spot along the side of the car.

Visit
www.honda.com.my
 to locate an authorised dealer anywhere in Malaysia.

Evolution of the Honda logo


Porsche’s 911 Dakar Off-Road Sportscar

The new Porsche 911 Dakar will bring back memories of the 953 that entered and won the Paris – Dakar Rally in 1984. That impressive achievement also saw the birth of all-wheel drive in the 911, not for off-road adventures but for even better on-road performance.

Now Porsche pays tribute to that Dakar winner with a limited edition 911 Dakar which will make its global debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show soon. Limited to only 2,500 units, the 911 Dakar will also be available with an optional Rallye Design Package, reminiscent of that iconic winning car. Each unit will be priced from US$223,450 (about RM1.02 million) in the US market.

Ground clearance to rival SUVs

The first striking detail of the 911 Dakar is its ground clearance, which is 50 mm higher than that of a 911 Carrera with sports suspension. The front and rear ends can rise another 30 mm with the standard lift, giving it ground clearance and ramp angles that rival those of conventional SUVs.

The lift system is not only used to slowly cross obstacles but is an integral part of the retuned chassis. The ‘high level’ setting is available for ambitious off-road adventures at speeds of up to 170 km/h. Above that speed, the car automatically lowers to its normal level for stability and aerodynamics.

The 911 Dakar in standard form (left) and with the Rallye Design Package which gives it a look reminiscent of that iconic Porsche that won the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally (right).

Complementing the car’s off-road attributes are specially developed Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain Plus tyres (245/45 ZR 19 at the front, 295/40 ZR 20 at the rear). The tread pattern has blocks that are 9 mm deep, with reinforced sidewalls and treads consisting of 2 carcass plies. This ensures that the tyres are highly cut-resistant and able to take challenging terrain.

Commanding power on all surfaces

The 3-litre biturbo 6-cylinder engine with 480 ps/570 Nm generates that compelling boxer sound familiar to Porsches. The sportscar can sprint to 100 km/h in a claimed 3.4 seconds but for safety (due to the all-terrain tyres), the top speed is limited to 240 km/h.4

As standard, the engine is coupled to an 8-speed PDK and Porsche all-wheel drive. The standard equipment also includes rear-axle steering, engine mounts from the 911 GT3, and PDCC anti-roll stabilisation. These components give the 911 Dakar dynamic performance on sand and loose surfaces as well as on high-speed circuits like the Nurburgring Nordschleife.

Maximum off-road performance is also available with 2 new driving modes. Rallye mode is optimised  for loose, uneven surfaces with rear-focused all-wheel drive. In Offroad mode, the high clearance is activated automatically and this mode is programmed for maximum traction on difficult terrain and on sand. Both of the driving modes also have the new Rallye Launch Control which enables powerful  acceleration on loose surfaces and allows wheel slippage of around 20%.

The 911 Dakar in standard form.

Options for off-road image

The 911 Dakar has a the newly developed, fixed lightweight rear spoiler made of CFRP, and the CFRP front luggage compartment lid with striking air outlets taken from the 911 GT3. There are also standard off-road details such as the red aluminium towing lugs at the front and back, the widened wheel wells and sills, and stainless steel protective elements on the front, rear and side sills. The side air intakes on the redesigned front end are also protected against flying rocks by stainless steel grilles.

The roof incorporates a visible 12V power outlet for the auxiliary lights on the optional roof rack. With a capacity of 42 kgs, the rack can accommodate off-road equipment such as fuel and water canisters, folding shovels and traction boards. A roof tent has also been developed for the model.

Within the 911 Dakar, the sporty feel is provided by standard full bucket seats but there are no rear seats. Lightweight glass and a lightweight battery reduce the weight further, which has been brought down 1,605 kgs – 10 kgs heavier than the 911 Carrera 4 GTS with PDK – even with the extra features.

A defining feature of the interior is the standard Race-Tex surfaces with decorative stitching in Shade Green, which is also exclusively available as a metallic exterior finish for the 911 Dakar. The Rallye Sport Package with roll-over bar, 6-point seatbelts and fire extinguisher is optional.

The Rallye Design Package

At the heart of the optional Rallye Design Package from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur is a 2-tone paint finish in White/Gentian Blue Metallic (which mimics the Rothmans colours that the factory team had on the 1984 car). This is the first time that Porsche has offered the combination of bi-colour paint and decorative foiling in a production model. On the sides, the customer can choose an individual race number between 0 and 999.

In addition to the rally stripes in red and gold, the 911 Dakar with Rallye Design Package (which has its appearance based on the winning car of the 1984 event) also bears the ‘Roughroads’ lettering on the doors. The term is a registered trademark and reflects the concept of the 911 Dakar and its suitability for driving off-road.

Porsche Design Chronograph
: 911 Dakar customers can exclusively order the Porsche Design Chronograph 1 ‒ 911 Dakar or the Chronograph 1 ‒ 911 Dakar Rallye Design Edition to match the car. For the first time, the housing is made of titanium carbide that is especially scratch-resistant and light.

Going Where No Porsche 911 Has Gone Before…

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


Euro4M RON95 petrol available from all BHPetrol stations nationwide

In accordance with the government’s directive for all petroleum companies to supply RON95 petrol formulated to meet the Euro4M standard from January 1, 2020, Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd – the company marketing BHPetrol – confirms that all its stations nationwide are supplying the upgraded fuel.

“Our tankers have been delivering the upgraded BHPetrol Infiniti RON95 Euro4M to stations nationwide since the final week of 2019. We are proud to confirm that all our BHPetrol stations nationwide now supply only Infiniti RON95 petrol with the Euro4M standard,” said Ir. Azizul Azily Ahmad, Acting CEO of Boustead Petroleum Marketing.

BHPetrol Infiniti RON95 petrol is now formulated to the Euro4M standard, like the RON97 grade, while BHPetrol Infiniti Diesel is available with Euro5 formulation.

Better for the environment

The Euro4M standard replaces the Euro2M standard for RON95 petrol (RON97 petrol was upgraded to Euro4M earlier). With the higher standard, the sulphur content has been significantly reduced to 50 parts per million (ppm) from 500 ppm that was allowed for the Euro2M standard. The reduction of sulphur means that exhaust emissions will be cleaner, a benefit to the environment.

Less sulphur will also decrease the engine’s acid levels, extending the life of the engine and there will also be less clogging in the fuel delivery system. BHPetrol Infiniti RON95 Euro4M will therefore keep the engine operating efficiently, ultimately giving the best fuel economy and performance.

High-performance additives

Like BHPetrol Infiniti RON97 Euro4M, the new Infiniti RON95 Euro4M also has a package of high-performance additives from a global specialist supplier of fuel additives. These additives have various functions such as cleaning and preventing deposit formation as well as reducing internal friction. The additive package is included at maximum strength (800 ppm) for the best performance.

“Our imported BHPetrol Infiniti fuels are now cleaner and of a higher grade. We include the exclusive additive package in the advanced formulation at no extra cost to customers to give them the best performance. This is another extraordinary result of our commitment to better meet customer needs,” said Ir. Azizul.

400 stations and expanding

At present, there are about 400 BHPetrol stations around the country. 290 of these include a BHPetromart convenience store offering services that include Touch ‘n Go reloads, E-Pay, ATM and of course, the sale of food and drinks. Certain stations also have car-wash services as well as charging stations for electric vehicles.

“We will continue expanding our station network this year in order to make BHPetrol fuels and other services easy to obtain. Even if you don’t need to refuel, do drop by for a break, especially when you are on a long journey,” Ir. Azizul said.

Customers and the public wishing to know more about BHPetrol Infiniti fuels and other BHPetrol products and services as well as the locations of stations can visit
www.bhpetrol.com.my
.


MRC signs agreements to provide data and tools for vehicle insurance industry

Motordata Research Consortium Sdn Bhd (MRC) has signed agreements with Thatcham Research, Proton Holdings Bhd and The General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) at its annual symposium to help improve vehicle repair and claims processing in the country.

Under the new agreement with Thatcham Research, MRC will license software that will be able to aid in standardising claims of motor vehicle insurance. This could help streamline the process, which will make things easier both for consumers and manufacturers. In the agreement that it made with Proton, MRC also has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the local automaker to research and distribute data on local vehicle repair times. Such data will provide a clearer picture  of vehicle repair information in the country and will help lower the cost of repair works but boost quality as well.

Steve Miller, CEO of the MRC said, “The new agreements will bring great benefit in terms of giving us a benchmark and standards for motor vehicle repair and claims processing, especially once the motor insurance is fully liberalized in July. I am very happy to continue extending our collaboration with Thatcham Research, whereby the MRC can leverage the experience and expertise that Thatcham already has in this industry”.

Through the three agreements, MRC is committed to be the sole provide in data collection for the insurance industry. As a means to cement that notion, it has singed an extended agreement with PIAM to provide training and accreditation programs for employees in the motor vehicle repair industry. These accreditations come with an international award from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).

MRC has been conducting regular training programs in vehicle damage assessment since 2012. The programmes are certified by the IMI and are said to be globally recognized. The company is also working towards accrediting the entire industry here in Malaysia by the end of 2017 as part of its ‘Duty of Care’ quality standards.

We can only hope that these efforts eventually trickle down to us, car buyers, making it easier and more affordable to claim for vehicle repair costs from our motor vehicle insurance providers.


Brembo brakes have been stopping cars in 800 F1 races

At the 2021 Russian F1 Grand Prix over the weekend, brake manufacturer Brembo celebrated a historic milestone of its vital components having a presence for the 800
th
 Formula 1 race. This milestone comes after 46 years when the company supplied a small number of cast iron discs to Scuderia Ferrari in 1975. At that time, Brembo, which had been founded in 1961, was still a small machine shop but it would grow and remain a supplier to the sportscar maker till today.

Brake supplier for almost all F1 teams

Over the decades, Brembo has supplied brake systems to almost every F1 team, from the most prestigious to the smallest. Initially, these were standardized parts but over time, the solutions have become increasingly customized to suit the design characteristics of the different single-seaters as they evolved (especially with regulation changes). Indeed, co-design activity today involves practically all components destined for the F1 customers, from the brake calipers to the Brake-by Wire (BBW) systems, resulting in very geometrically diverse products.

Brembo has long been well known for innovations in its field. For example, in 1982, it created the first radial mount brake caliper. In 1988, when it introduced the first monobloc caliper to racing, making a caliper from a single block of aluminium seemed like a feat verging on science fiction.

However, Brembo’s engineers managed to create the program and the tooling for the internal machining operations. The result helped write the history of motoring, initially only for competition cars, but later also transferred to road cars.

The wire technology for brake systems – referred to as ‘brake-by-wire – was first used in Formula 1 cars (above) and then appeared in production cars. The Toyota Estima Hybrid (below) launched in 2001 had an Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB) system which is believed to be the first brake-by-wire system installed in a production model.

From discs to whole systems

After starting with brake discs (first cast iron and then carbonfibre), Brembo began to supply other related components – calipers, pads, disc housings, brake master cylinders and the development of complex braking systems. These include by wire technology, the electronically-controlled braking system that has been used for rear braking systems of F1 cars since 2014. Like many other technologies which originated in racing cars, wire technology is today available in many cars sold to the public.

During the 800 Grands Prix, cars equipped with Brembo brakes have driven on 56 tracks worldwide, most of them in Europe. However, the number of Asian events has increased since the 1990s, having first appeared on the calendar in 1976.

Whether a race was long or short (as in the 3-lap ‘race’ of the 2021 Belgian GP recently), the brakes supplied by Brembo have still had an important role.

Stopping power needed, whatever the race

No two races are ever identical in course, weather conditions and competitors (constructors and drivers). The longest was the 1975 Swedish GP, a 321.44-km race won by Niki Lauda won with the Ferrari 312T. Last month’s Belgian GP was the shortest – just 3 official laps that were run behind the Safety Car due to the heavy rain. However, the next shortest was the 1991 Australian Grand Prix and there was actually some racing over the 52.92 kms.

Not every car used Brembo’s brakes but of the 800 races, 455 of them were won by cars with their brakes. The driver who won the most number of times in cars with Brembo brakes is Michael Schumacher – 91 times out of the 307 races he entered. All 7 of his world titles were won in cars that had Brembo brakes.

Is the Monaco Circuit the hardest on brakes in the F1 championship? (w/VIDEO)


Tech Company Targets 1,500km Drive in EV Without Recharging

An Israeli firm, Electreon Wireless expects to reach a key milestone by driving a four-day, 1,500-kilometer distance in an electric car without stopping to recharge. This is made possible by the deployment of its unique
in-road charging strips
.

The usefulness of its wireless charging technology has been demonstrated by Electreon, a publicly traded business on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, through multiple fruitful pilots, tenders, and commercial projects around the world.

The business has been receiving a lot of backing from influential decision-makers and executives in the industry, demonstrating the growing popularity of wireless charging.

At Electreon’s headquarters in Beit Yanai, Israel, the record-breaking push got underway on Sunday (May 21) and is scheduled to end on Wednesday (24 May).

To emphasise the importance of this accomplishment, a number of key performance indicators will be tracked and shown along the way. These metrics include the precise duration of the trip in days and hours, the kilometres travelled, the energy input into the vehicle, and information on the CO2 emissions decrease compared to diesel engines.

Electreon’s recent achievements include the launch of the first public commercial line in Germany powered by Electreon’s wireless charging system. Notably, a project in Germany showcased the transfer of over 1 megawatt-hour to an electric bus, eliminating the need for the bus to halt operations for charging, day or night.

The corporation saw a large increase in revenue in 2022 as a result of higher sales and numerous agreements for the implementation of landmark projects in the USA and Europe.

With the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement with Toyota, one of the top automakers in the world, and Denso, a well-known provider of automotive technologies and components, Electreon achieved yet another important milestone in March. The deal calls for the combined creation of a wireless charging kit that would enable easy installation in vehicles made by different industry players, hastening the distribution and use of Electreon’s technology around the world.

With all these great achievements, there is no doubt that Electreon will set a record by accomplishing the 1,500km trip.


Buy a Volkswagen Passat and enjoy a free stay at Pangkor Laut Resort

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

Owning a Volkswagen Passat will undoubtedly give much driving pleasure and Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is enhancing that ownership experience with a complimentary stay at the Pangkor Laut Resort in Perak. The offer is for customers who purchase a new
Passat Elegance
 or
Passat R-Line
 before April 30, 2021.

Additionally, during this promotion period, the Passat Elegance comes with insurance premium (worth RM5,500) covered by VPCM for the first year, while the Passat R-Line comes with a year’s free supply of petrol (worth RM2,500).

The Pangkor Laut Resort stay is for two nights for two persons in a Hill Villa up on the hillside of the island which offers a magnificent view of the sea and overlooks beautiful tropical gardens. Inclusive in the package are all three daily meals, and guests will also receive a 50-minute massage treatment. The package covers return scheduled speedboat transfers to and from Marina Island Pangkor on the mainland.

Pangkor Laut Resort in Perak

Valid until December 2022

Of course, for now, interstate travel is not permitted so new Passat owners from outside Perak would not be able to drive to Lumut, from which the speedboat starts. However, the stay is valid until
December 20, 2022
 which is over one year away so restrictions should end by then. You can help bring that end as soon as possible by doing your part to bring the COVID-19 case numbers down.

Related:
Behind the wheel of the Volkswagen Passat R-Line

“The current travel implementations by the government meant that we have not been able to travel and get away from the hustle and bustle of our city lives. With this campaign, we are delighted to offer our customers the opportunity to experience two award winners – the Passat, the world’s best-selling mid-sized sedan – and Pangkor Laut Resort, previously voted ‘Number One in the World’ by Condé Nast Traveller,” said Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM.

The Passat Elegance and its sportier sibling, the Passat R-Line are the world’s best-selling mid-sized sedans. Both are powered by a 2.0TSI turbocharged petrol engine with 190 ps/320 Nm output, and paired with a 7-speed wet clutch direct shift gearbox (DSG). The top-of-the-range R-Line also comes with Dynamic Chassis Control and other technologically advanced features. With the current sales tax exemption (until June 30, 2021), the Elegance is priced at RM181,856 and the R-Line is at RM203,411 (excluding insurance).

The Passat Escape

On April 10/11, Volkswagen dealerships nationwide will be hosting ‘
The Passat Escape
’, an event to showcase the features of the two models and highlight attractive deals and promotions. Customers are invited to tune in to the respective dealers’ social media channels or visit any authorised showroom.

All Volkswagen models come with 3 years of free scheduled maintenance, 5 years warranty with unlimited mileage, and 5 years of complimentary roadside assistance. For more information on the Passat and other models available in Malaysia, visit
www.volkswagen.com.my
.

Review: Volkswagen Passat R-Line – Very Nearly Perfect!


Lister LFT-C – for those who want an even more powerful Jaguar F-TYPE R

The Lister Motor Company is one of those British carmakers that thrived in the 1950s and it specialised in sportscars, becoming well known in motorsports activities. In 2012, the company was acquired by Andrew and Lawrence Whittaker who specialised in tuning Jaguar cars for enhanced performance.

Recently, the company unveiled the first example of its new LFT-C, of which just 10 cars will be built. Pricing starts from
£139,000
 (about RM723,000), making it the most powerful UK-built convertible on sale at this price point.

The LFT-666 coupe, launched in 2018 with production limited to just 99 units, has been universally well received with new cars being delivered around the globe. Requests for an open-top LFT-666 created the concept for the LFT-C, a car giving true supercar performance with the excitement and exhilaration of a convertible, and yet retaining the core Lister DNA of performance and driving precision.

666 bhp Lister-tuned supercharged V8

Based on the Jaguar F-Type R with a supercharged V8 engine producing 666 bhp after being Lister-tuned, the LFT-C becomes the most powerful open-top model in the 65-year history of the company. It can reach over 330 km/h and cover the 0 – 100 km/h sprint in just over 3 seconds, it is claimed.

Increased visual presence

Each LFT-C is manufactured with bespoke Lister carbonfibre body panels to give increased visual presence and a more aerodynamic profile. These unique additions comprise a new front bumper, front splitter, rear diffuser, rear lip spoiler, rear extended wheel arches and a new grille design with the improved aerodynamic qualities of each aiding the LFT-C to reach the very high speeds.

To give the dynamic elements drivers expect from a road-going Lister, the LFT-C uses the same bespoke wheels, exhaust, suspension and braking system as featured on the LFT-666, extensively tuned to suit the characteristics of an open-top supercar.

While performance is at the heart of any Lister, the new-generation of road cars also puts luxury high on the agenda. The LFT-C gets a handstitched Bridge of Weir Nappa leather interior, created to client specification, covering every element of the cabin, including roof-lining and dashboard.

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M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 wins first round of new hybrid era of World Rally Championship

It’s been a while since Ford had a victory in the World Rally Championship (the last one was in the Rally Great Britain in 2018) and Sebastien Loeb’s win in the 2022 Monte Carlo Rally was all the more significant as it was the first one in the
new hybrid era of rallying
.

Loeb won using the new Ford Puma Rally1 with the British M-Sport Ford team run by Malcolm Wilson, a former rally driver as well. Aged 47, Loeb, from France, was also the oldest winner of an FIA World Rally Championship round. Loeb’s win in Monte Carlo makes it 8 for him, putting him alongside Sebastian Ogier as far as wins on the classic event are concerned.

Loeb had beaten his Ogier, who was using a Toyota GAZOO Racing Yaris Rally1, on the final day when Ogier, driving a, was given a 10-second penalty for a jump-start earlier. To make things worse, a puncture on a front tyre slowed him although he made it to the finish but by then, Loeb had ended with a 10.5-second lead. Incidentally, Ogier will only enter selected events this year after stepping away from full-time competition.

Loeb, accompanied by co-driver Isabelle Galmiche (a 50-year-old teacher), had been running behind Ogier initially but then clocked 4 fastest times consecutively to move into the lead. The Toyota driver’s puncture on the penultimate stage of the rally had lost him his lead of 24.6 seconds but he fought hard and, even with the penalty, cut the deficit down to 10.5 seconds.

Another Ford Puma, driven by Craig Breen, finished in third and added to the team’s points to gain an early lead in the Manufacturers’ championship. Fourth was an impressive result for young Kalle Rovanpera and his co-driver Jonne Halttunen, who made huge strides forward in pace and confidence in their new GR Yaris Rally1.

For the Hyundai Motorsport’s Ott Tanak, the opening round of the 2022 World Rally Championship was one to forget. Tanak, champion in 2019, and his team mates experienced troubles during the second last day and had only 2 of the new Hyundai i20 cars to finish the rally.

“We had a tough weekend,” said Thierry Neuville. “There has been a huge amount of work behind the scenes to prepare for this event, from me and Martijn, as well as the team, so to come away without any reward is hard to accept. We won’t give up. There are different areas we are going to work on but most important is the reliability.”

The WRC2 category was also fiercely contested, with Andreas Mikkelsen/Torstein Eriksen working hard to keep their titles again this year. Signs are good that they can, with victory in their Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo ahead of Erik Cais who was in a Ford Fiesta, and Mikkelsen’s team mate in Toksport, Nikolay Gryazin.

Sami Pajari marked the start of the new-look FIA WRC3 category, which is now for Rally3 cars, beating Jan Cerny to the class win with a margin of just 7.6 seconds. Enrico Brazzoli rounded out the top three with all drivers competing in Ford Fiesta Rally3s.

The new era of WRC, which starts its 50
th
 season this year, focusses on hybrid powertrains for the Rally1 cars, with 100 kW electric motors coupled to 1.6-litre turbocharged engines that generate at least 500 bhp. The new regulations are aimed at moving the championship towards a more sustainable future and include use of 100% hydrocarbon fossil-free fuel.

TOP 10 FINISHERS

1. Sebastien Loeb/Isabelle Galmiche |
Ford Puma Rally1

2. Sebastien Ogier/Benjamin Veillas |
Toyota GR YARIS Rally1

3. Craig Breen/Paul Nagle |
Ford Puma Rally1

4. Kalle Rovanpera/Jonne Halttunen |
Toyota GR YARIS Rally1

5. Gus Greensmith/Jonas Andersson |
Ford Puma Rally1

6.Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe |
Hyundai i20 N Rally1

7. Andreas Mikkelsen/Torstein Eriksen |
Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo

8. Takamoto Katsuta/Aaron Johnston |
Toyota GR YARIS Rally1

9. Erik Cais/Petr Tesínsky |
Ford Fiesta Rally2

10. Nikolay Gryazin/Konstantin Aleksandrov |
Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo

Hybrid power for new era of World Rally Championship starts this year