Tips For Going Further On Each Litre Of Fuel

With global oil and gas prices remaining high, the cost of transportation has also been impacted with increased fuel prices which, in turn, raises the prices of goods and consumables. For Malaysians, these are challenging times and those who own and use motor vehicles would want to minimise running costs as much as possible so that their money can be used for other essentials.

Ravi Tallamraju, Group Chief Technology Officer for PETRONAS Lubricants International (PLI) offers some fuel-saving tips which can help you stretch each litre of fuel:

Tip #1: Remove excess weight from your car
The simplest way to cut your car operating cost is to have a lighter vehicle load which helps contribute to saving fuel. Whether it’s a golf bag that is taken out on weekends from the boot or some forgotten water bottles still rolling around in the rear footwells, it’s good to carry out monthly checks to remove unnecessary weight that’s slowing your vehicle down. The lighter the vehicle, the more fuel-efficient it will be!

Tip #2: Make sure your tyres are properly inflated
Did you know that having tyres under-inflated or over-inflated can increase fuel consumption as well as decrease the lifespan of your tyre? If a range is recommended by the manufacturer, the higher pressure should be used to maximize fuel efficiency. Under-inflated tyres tend to get too hot and can jeopardise driving safety. It also decreases the fuel economy by increasing rolling resistance, so always make sure that your tyres are inflated to

Tip #3: Use high quality lubricants
Using an engine lubricant with the right quality and viscosity can make a huge difference in extending the life of the engine, reduce the need for maintenance and increase fuel economy. Lubricants formulated with a careful balance of additives and base fluids protect surfaces within the engine and control friction to reduce the energy needed to operate these mechanical systems. With improvement in the fuel efficiency of the engine, energy consumption and emissions are lowered.

The new PETRONAS Syntium with CoolTech+ technology is an example of a quality that can provide superior lubrication inside the engine. It is crafted to boost thermal efficiency, control engine heat dissipation, and reduce the exhaust emissions of vehicles. This helps boost the performance of road car engines, while achieving cleaner, more cost-effective mobility.

With the new CoolTech+ technology, motorists can have the confidence to take on the open road, safe in the knowledge that the impact on their engines, wallets and the planet as a whole are reduced.

Tip #4: Avoid high speeds
It’s important to keep to the speed limit to save on fuel, as well as avoiding a speeding ticket! Most motor vehicles are most fuel-efficient when they’re travelling between 50 and 80 km/h. Above this speed range, the engine will use increasingly more fuel the faster they go. In fact, over 50% of the engine power is used to overcome aerodynamic drag or wind resistance, causing
fuel consumption to be higher when running over 90 km/h
.

Data generated at PLI’s engine test laboratories confirm this trend of optimum engine tuning by most automakers to maximize the fuel economy in the 50 and 80 km/h range.

Tip #5: Maintain your car regularly
Skipping routine maintenance to save few ringgit may not be the best approach as it can actually cost lot more in overall operating cost in the longer term. Regular, periodic maintenance is more sensible and can improve your vehicle’s fuel economy.

According to a report in Fuel Economy, using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil can improve the fuel consumption 1% – 2%. Even by replacing air filters, changing oil, or just fixing any kind of maintenance issues with a vehicle
can improve mileage by up to 40%
. Extensive testing on many different engines by PLI confirms that properly a formulated lubricant can improve fuel economy up to 4% under standard testing conditions.

“It may seem simple, but these 5 tips will definitely help you stretch your ringgit further and might also help keep your car in its best shape for longer. It might even do some good for the environment as well while you’re at it!” says Ravi Tallamraju.


Winners of BHPetrol ‘Kaya Raya’ contest receive their prizes

In spite of the Movement Control Order (MCO) – which is still in effect as the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) – reducing motoring for two months, BHPetrol’s Kaya Raya promotional contest still received half a million entries from around the country.

This was revealed by Leslie Ng, CEO of Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd, which distributes and markets BHPetrol fuels, lubricants and other services. The contest, which began on March 15 was on until June 20, 2020. It was open to customers at BHPetrol stations who made a purchase of RM30 of BHPetrol Infiniti fuel or purchased items from the BHPetromart convenience store.

Leslie Ng, CEO of Boustead Petroleum Marketing (left) and Ir. Azizul Azily Ahmad, Senior GM Supply, Retail and GPA (right) with the Grand Prize winner, Lye Wan Sin from Perak.

During the contest period, there were weekly prizes of 100,000
e
Points given to 10 winners each week, for a total of 140 winners. The ePoints can be redeemed for BHPetrol fuel or various products at the stations. 1
e
Point is normally given for every RM1 spent at BHPetrol service stations or partner outlets. Motorists can redeem 550
e
Points for RM5 worth of fuel or 950
e
Points for RM10 worth of fuel.

12 Malaysians, randomly chosen from those who submitted all-correct answers on the entry form, became the finalists and were invited to attend the ceremony for the final draw. Mr. Ng and his senior colleagues drew the winning names for the big cash prizes and BHPetrol eCard loyalty points.

The prizes were one Grand Prize of RM100,000 + 200,000
e
Points; two 1st Prizes of RM50,000 + 100,000
e
Points each; three 2
nd
 prizes of RM20,000 + 40,000
 e
Points each; and six 3
rd
 prizes of RM15,000 + 30,000 ePoints each.

“I would like the congratulate all the lucky winners and express my gratitude to all customers who have participated in the contest. This is one of our ways of rewarding our valued customers who have been supportive to the brand all these years,” said Mr. Ng.

He gave assurance that the company is committed to bringing more exciting promotions while providing excellent products and services at our network of 400 service stations.

While Infiniti fuels are the most prominent products, Boustead Petroleum Marketing is also involved in the distribution of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) which is branded as BHPetrogas. It is available in a range of capacities, from 12-kg and 14-kg cylinders, to 50-kg industrial cylinders for home or commercial use

Engine lubricants under the SYNGARD brand are also available in different grades and formulations to suit a wide variety of vehicles on Malaysian roads. They are developed with advanced US additive technology sourced from one of the world’s biggest specialists in additives.

To know more about BHPetrol products and services and to locate a station, visit
www.bhpetrol.com.my
.

Click here for other news and articles about BHPetrol


UMW Toyota Motor’s Mohd Shamsor bin Mohd Zain Is New President of MAA

Mohd Shamsor bin Mohd Zain - new President of the Malaysian Automotive Association

The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) has announced its Council members for 2023/2024 after the association’s recent Annual General Meeting. Leading the Council as President is Mohd Shamsor Bin Mohd Zain, who succeeds the late
Datuk Aishah Ahmad
.

Encik Mohd. Shamsor, who is the Director, Marketing Group & ITSD at UMW Toyota Motor, said the new MAA team will continue with the good work undertaken by Datuk Aishah Ahmad. “We will uphold the strong working relationships with key stakeholders such as government ministries and agencies, as well as the media. Together with all MAA members, we will grow this association from strength to strength, for the good of our industry, society and country. I look forward to the continued strong support from all MAA members as we contribute to the robust development of the nation’s automotive industry,” he said.

Two past MAA Vice-Presidents have also returned to their respective positions on the council. They are Tan Keng Meng (Tan Chong & Sons Motor Co. Sdn Bhd) and Sarly Adle Bin Sarkum (Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd).

Low Yuan Lung (Sime Darby Hyundai Sdn. Bhd) was also elected as a Vice-President, with Arman Mahadi (Daihatsu (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd) having the role Honorary Secretary/Treasurer.

Completing the leadership team for the term 2023/2024 are five re-elected Council Members, namely Derrick Sim (Hap Seng Trucks Distribution Sdn Bhd), David Nah (Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd), Dato’ Samson Anand George (Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd), Hoffen Teh (Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia Sdn Bhd), and Say Teck Ming(Tan Chong Industrial Equipment Sdn Bhd). Syed Muzri Syed Faiz (Jaguar Land Rover (M) Sdn. Bhd) has been elected as a new Council member.

History and role of the MAA
The MAA was originally established in 1960 as the Federation of Malaya Motor Traders Association (FMMTA). The objective of the FMMTA was to discuss issues relating to the motor industry which, at that time, involved the import and distribution of motor vehicles only in completely built-up (CBU) form.

The founding members of the FMMTA were Ampang Motors, Asia Motors, Borneo Motors, Champion Motors, Cycle & Carriage, Anglo-American Corporation, Orchard Motors, Tan Chong & Sons Motor Company, Wearne Brothers and The East Asiatic Company.

When the Malaysian government announced the motor vehicle local assembly programme in the mid-1960s, another industry group was established in response to the government initiative. This was the Malaysian Motor Vehicle Assemblers Association (MMVAA) which was formed in April 1966.

As the country’s name had become ‘Malaysia’, the name of the FMMTA was also changed to reflect this, and it became the Malaysian Motor Traders Association (MMTA) in 1968. In the years that followed, the role of the MMTA would become more significant as the association represented the rapidly growing motor trade and industry in many ways. The association served as the point of contact between the industry (the motor companies, in particular) and the government to clarify issues and resolve any difficulties encountered by members. At the same time too, the MMVAA represented the assemblers’ interests, particularly in the area of local content requirements.

For decades, the MAA has represented both the manufacturing and sales sides of the Malaysian auto industry.

In the late 1990s, the government urged associations and agencies within the same industry to merge for more efficient interaction. This led to the merging of the MMTA and MMVAA and the formation of the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) on January 26, 2000.

As the MAA was a major industry group, it was accorded recognition by government agencies and was thus able to effectively make representations. Also equally important has been the MAA’s role in informing the public on the issues relating to the industry, its position and objectives, as well as compiling data.

The MAA has also been recognised internationally as a representative of the Malaysian motor industry and is actively involved in many regional and international auto industry activities. It has close links with leading organisations in ASEAN and Japan and has had a good presence in numerous international forums.

From being a small group of 10 companies, the MAA today has the membership almost all the companies holding franchises for various brands as well as the plants involved in assembling vehicles. It continues to play a major role in the development of the industry, serving as a vital link between the government and those involved in the industry and trade.


Grab To Lay Off Over 1,000 Employees

On Tuesday, the CEO of Singapore-based tech giant Grab announced that it would dismiss around 1,000 workers or about 11% of its staff.

Before becoming the largest ride-hailing company in Southeast Asia and branching into financial services like digital payments, Grab started in 2012 as a taxi booking app in Malaysia.

By the end of this year, the business hopes to break even after decreasing its losses.

CEO Anthony Tan claims that the company is not doing this as a shortcut to profitability but more of a reconstruction of the company that requires a painful but necessary step.

The primary goal of this is to strategically reorganise the company so that it can move faster, work smarter, and rebalance its resources across its portfolio in line with the company’s longer-term strategies.

2020 saw Grab lay off 360 workers, or approximately 5% of its full-time workforce, as the pandemic reduced demand for its services.

Grab acquired Uber’s regional operations in 2018, solidifying its position as Southeast Asia’s largest ride-hailing company and putting an end to a bitter rivalry with its US-based rival.

In 2021, after merging with a SPAC (special-purpose acquisition company), the business went public on Wall Street. According to Grab at the time, the deal represented the largest-ever US public market debut by a Southeast Asian company and valued the business at US$39.6 billion (RM184.1 billion).

But its shares have plummeted since debuting at US$13 (RM60). They were selling at around US$3.40 (RM16) on Tuesday.

Technology companies in Southeast Asia have been reducing their workforces as they prioritise profitability. One such company is Singapore-based Sea Ltd., which last year cut more than 7,000 workers, frozen salaries, and reduced spending. GoTo, Grab’s competitor in Indonesia, cut 600 positions this year in addition to 1,300 jobs last year.


The World’s First Globally-Connected Hypercar

For most people who can afford Pininfarina’s Battista pure-electric hypercar, communications on the move will be with the best available devices. If they are in the remotest areas on the planet, they would have satphones which make use of satellite networks encircling the earth.

However, when driving, they may find that access to online services are inconsistent or unreliable when crossing different countries. Understanding this, Automobili Pininfarina and Deutsche Telekom have come up with a way for Battista owners to easily access online services in more than 50 countries worldwide – a first in the world of hypercars.

Optimised connectivity worldwide

Every Battista will come with an embedded SIM card and roaming technology for optimised connectivity worldwide. Using these components, Deutsche Telekom’s roaming partner network and roaming traffic steering logic enables the vehicle to search for the strongest network, so owners don’t find themselves in communication blackspots even as they cross international borders.

This superior connectivity also means greater convenience for owners to receive Over-The-Air (OTA) updates, the latest thing in the industry. By sending software updates online, the vehicle’s systems or devices will always be up-to-date and perform at their best.

The system is able to remotely update 26 individual electronic control modules in the Battista across functions covering the pure-electric powertrain, advanced safety and driving dynamics systems, vehicle control, infotainment as well as digital services.

Future-proofing the hypercar

These software updates can be delivered via wifi when parked within range in the garage, or using the embedded SIM on the road. In this way, the Battista is future-proof and owners will continue to benefit from the latest software advances as the years pass.

“All of these elements of connectivity contribute to our seamless ‘Life on Board’ Concept. Everything from the driver-orientated user-experience to the convenience features such as the global roaming and OTA updates have been developed and engineered to bring heightened convenience to our luxury hyper GT,” said Paolo Dellacha, Chief Product and Engineering Officer of Automobile Pininfarina which is owned by India’s Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

Digital concierge

The ‘digital concierge’ experience includes Smart Diagnostics technology, which monitors the car’s system to spot potential issues before they arise to ensure the pinnacle of electrified performance and safety at all time. If the system detects an issue that cannot be dealt with remotely by a software update, Automobili Pininfarina will dispatch one of its team of engineers to resolve the issue –  wherever the car is parked in the world.

A specially developed smartphone app keeps owners connected to their Battista at all times, enabling customers to remotely lock and unlock the car, view telemetry, check the state of charge and monitor the location of Battista. On the move, drivers can seamlessly link their smartphone which will mirror key apps and functions within the vehicle for enhanced music streaming and real-time navigation capabilities.

This wider connected and digital ecosystem is enhanced by the Battista’s advanced infotainment system. The two logically-arranged and intuitive touchscreens and an additional slim display located in the centre, deliver all the key telemetry, dynamic functions and information as well as featuring selected media and navigation elements and controls. All have been designed and positioned in a way to ensure minimum driver distraction while providing all the required information while on the move.

The Battista will be the most powerful car ever designed and built in Italy, with the claim that it will deliver a level of performance that is unachievable today in any road-legal sportscar using internal combustion engine technology. With 1,900 bhp/2,300 Nm, it will be faster than a current Formula 1 race car in its 0 -100 km/h sub-2 second sprint and, with a 120 kWh battery pack, travel over 500 kms. 150 hypercars will be built, each said to cost no less than US$2.5 million (almost RM10.3 million).

Battista Anniversario – the world’s first luxury pure-electric hyper GT


Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team returns British marque to the starting grid

Aston Martin returns to Formula 1 this year with its own team and racing car – the AMR21. The new contender will be the first works Formula 1 car to carry the famous wings since Maurice Trintignant’s DBR5 crossed the finish line at Silverstone in 1960.

Officially known as the Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team, the team’s two drivers will be 4-time F1 World Champion, Sebastian Vettel, and rising star Lance Stroll (who happens to be the son of Aston Martin’s Executive Chairman).

Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll will drive for the team in 2021.

Not a fresh new team

The team also boasts a strong bloodline, building on the foundations of Team Silverstone which, in its various guises has won 5 GPs, and is coming off the back of a race-winning campaign as the Racing Point Formula One Team, having been revitalized under the leadership of Lawrence Stroll and Team Principal and CEO Otmar Szafnauer.

“I’ve dreamed about this day for a very long time. I’ve always been a car guy and I’ve always loved racing, too. My first dream was to own a Formula One team. My second dream was to acquire a significant shareholding in Aston Martin Lagonda. Today is about the merging of those two dreams. So, as I say, today is all about dreams, and it shows that dreams really can come true, in the shape of our new AMR21,” Aston Martin’s Executive Chairman said.

Mercedes-AMG engine

The new AMR21, powered by a turbocharged Mercedes-AMG F1 M12 E Performance engine with hybrid energy recovery, ran for the first time at Silverstone in England during a promotional event today. Next week, the team will begin a full test programme at Bahrain, where the opening round will also be held on March 28.

The AMR21 carries a striking Aston Martin Racing Green livery in recognition of Aston Martin’s traditional racing colours and glorious sporting legacy. It is also bedecked by a host of global partners, led by American IT giant Cognizant, while the chassis features a magenta stripe down the side in reference to the team’s longstanding partner BWT.

Showcase for the brand

The spotlight is also on an energizing shift within Aston Martin as the team is set to become the global showcase for the brand’s engineering and performance capabilities. A new 200,000 square-foot facility will complement the existing Aston Martin F1 factory at Silverstone when completed in the second half of 2022, and the team is well positioned to become an innovation lab to drive forward the brand’s future road car technologies. These will include the suite of mid-engined sportscars, inspired by the Aston Martin Valkyrie, which will become central to the product portfolio through the next decade.

“Today is a truly historic moment for Aston Martin, as we return to the pinnacle of motorsport for the first time in more than 60 years. The Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team will have far-reaching positive effects on the Aston Martin brand, our culture, and the design and technology of Aston Martin road cars. Our return to Formula One will positively and profoundly affect every employee and foremost our customer journey all over the world; and will help us bring a focused, agile Formula One way of thinking to the whole Aston Martin business,” said the CEO of Aston Martin Lagonda, Tobias Moers.

Opening F1 round in Australia postponed, Chinese GP date to be rescheduled


New Bentayga Hybrid – first of two Bentley PHEVs for 2021

Bentley has launched the first of two PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles) – the Bentayga Hybrid which the company says is the only electrified true-luxury SUV in the world. It is the third model in the Bentley SUV portfolio and after deliveries start in mid-2021, it is expected to become the best-selling version of latest Bentayga family.

The hybrid powertrain consists of a 94 kW (126 bhp) E Motor which can produce up to 350 Nm of torque. Working together with the electric motor is a 3-litre twin turbocharged V6 petrol engine that provides additional torque as required or when going at speeds above 135 km/h. To warn pedestrians of the vehicle’s near silent movement, a dedicated speaker emits an exterior sound at low speeds.

The 17.3-kWh lithium-ion battery pack consist of 168 individual cells with an expected life of 160,000 kms or 8 years, and can be charged to 100% in as little as 2.5 hours (depending on region and charging facilities). The power electronics convert the energy stored from the high voltage battery to supply the E Motor or supplement the existing 12V vehicle electrical infrastructure.

Three E modes

The driver of the Bentayga Hybrid can choose different drive modes for optimum motoring performance and efficiency. A dedicated button allows control over the 3 E Modes – EV Drive, Hybrid Mode and Hold Mode. These will enable the driver to manually manage battery usage during a journey – though this can also be managed automatically by the car.

There is also an Efficiency Accelerator Pedal which provides a pressure point when in EV Drive to denote the boundary between pure electric and hybrid power. This encourages the driver to stay in EV Drive for as long as possible but can also be disabled if required. In pure electric drive, the E Motor continues to function up to speeds of up to 135 km/h.

Bentley Hybrid Efficiency Braking blends seamless integration of braking between the E Motor and conventional hydraulic braking, to provide a conventional feel to the brake pedal for comfort and the driving experience while maximising recuperation of energy.

Real-world usage studies

Bentley’s research shows over 90% of owners use their first-generation Bentayga Hybrid on a daily basis or several times a week, and nearly 100% of them use EV mode, with half of them consistently undertaking journeys of less than 50 kms.

It was also found that 78% of zero emissions journeys (those in pure electric mode) were achieved regularly over a 900-km activity. In a more urban environment, one of Bentley’s development drivers achieved 67% in EV model over 1,080 kms around San Francisco. In the UK, Chris Cole (Project Leader for the Bentayga Hybrid) did 64% with zero emissions commuting to and from the factory. In real-world terms, therefore, the majority of journeys can be achieved completely in electric mode only.

Unified Bentley design DNA

The new exterior and interior design emphasise Bentley design DNA across the entire model range. It has been completely refreshed from the previous generation to create an even more stylish and purposeful car. Every panel at the front and rear of the car has been altered to give it a cleaner and more modern look.

At the front, a larger and more upright new matrix grille allows the Bentayga’s elegant bonnet to sweep down to the very edge of the chrome work. This gives the car a more dominant, upright profile and pushes the new elliptical LED matrix headlamps further apart, raising them 30 mm higher leading to a more muscular aesthetic. The new headlamps also include the marque’s now-signature cut crystal design, which makes them appear to sparkle even when not lit.

Perhaps the most dramatic design changes can be seen at the rear of the car where the new Bentayga range can be clearly differentiated from its predecessor. In line with the Continental GT, it features elliptical tail lamps for the first time.

The new looks are further accentuated with numerous individualisation possibilities, including the contemporary urban appeal of the Blackline Specification that replaces all exterior chrome with black versions.

Re-imagined interior

A quieter and more refined driving experience is promised with the Bentayga Hybrid. The interior has been re-imagined and now contains a modernised combination of luxury materials and intricate craftsmanship. Bentley designers have created an even more relaxing environment for passengers with major changes to the door trims and steering wheel, plus a redesigned centre fascia and digital instrumentation cluster. These are complemented by new seats that further improve on seat comfort.

Two seating configurations are available. The standard 5-seat layout benefits from an all-new seat frame, doubling the travel of the rear-seat recline angle, and the optional 4-seat configuration has  two individual rear seats separated by a centre console. The ergonomics of the 4-seat configuration are further enhanced from a 30 mm increase in knee room in the upright seated position, with an improvement of almost 100 mm in the reclined position, making luxury travel even more comfortable.

A new quilting design is included in Mulliner Driving Specification cars, while customers can choose from 8 sustainably-sourced veneers including two straight grained options new to Bentayga – Koa and Crown Cut Walnut.

A next generation infotainment system is integrated seamlessly into the handcrafted, Bentley ‘wing’ dashboard design and features a 10.9-inch display screen with edge-to-edge graphics. The all-new digital display includes super high-resolution and dynamic graphics which are configurable to suit driver preferences.

The latest hardware and software bring all-new navigation with satellite maps, online search and other features. Wireless Apple CarPlay is standard for the first time, alongside the existing wired system, along with Android Auto. Rear seat occupants benefit from the introduction of a new, larger touchscreen remote control tablet, similar to that introduced in the all-new Flying Spur.

Connectivity around the car has been significantly improved, with USB-C data ports and a wireless phone charger now standard. The new Bentayga range is now provided with an embedded SIM, as with the latest Continental GT models, meaning My Bentley connected car features no longer require customers to provide their own data connection.

Virtual experience introduces new Bentley Bentayga in Asia-Pacific region


BMW Group Malaysia Unleashes The New BMW M5 – The Most Powerful BMW 5 Series Sedan At Almost RM1 Million! [+Videos]

Priced at
RM952,759
 (OTR w/o insurance & options*), BMW Group Malaysia has introduced Malaysians to the New
BMW M5
.
Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia
 said,
“The fascination for BMW M has lived for more than forty years; its legacy carried on and renewed by people who express their passion for motorsports through the driving experience of these exceptional vehicles, and this is evident in the BMW M5 – which has long made history as a powerful premium business sedan. The BMW M5 still dominates the segment it competes in and is a statement of supreme engineering skill and innovative driving intelligence.”

Hoelzl added that the New BMW M5 already has several accolades to its name, most notable is ‘World Performance Car 2018’ at the 2018 New York International Motor Show, making the win the seventh time BMW has received a World Car Award from the ‘World Car of the Year’ organisation.

“This new luxurious performance sedan has also set not one, but two Guinness World Records for the longest drift and the longest twin-vehicle drift. BMW instructor Johan Schwartz completed a sustained drift of 374.2 kilometres on a skid pad, setting a new world record for the longest drift in eight hours. Schwartz then collaborated with BMW Performance Centre Chief Driving Instructor Matt Mullins to perform a twin vehicle drift over a distance of 79.3 kilometres in one hour.”
 said Hoelzl.

For the first time, the New BMW M5 powers through to new territory with the M xDrive all-wheel drive system with various modes customisable to suit the driver’s needs. The various M xDrive modes (4WD, 4WD Sport, 2WD) take the driving dynamics of the New BMW M5 to a whole new level. The 2WD mode even switches the car to rear-wheel drive for the ultimate driving experience.

Here’s a great video on the new M5 from SoL (Supercars of London)

More on the new BMW M5 – Form driven by function.

In its design, the newly developed front bumper trim with larger air intakes is tasked to keep the cooling systems and brakes sufficiently supplied with cooling air, especially when put to the test on the race track. Aluminium is used to manufacture the bonnet; whose precise lines carve an eye-catching sculpture and extend visually in the shaping of the roof. The roof, meanwhile, is made from extremely lightweight, high-strength carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP).

The rear diffuser has also been redesigned. Together with the side skirts, the M rear apron and M rear spoiler do their bit in giving the New BMW M5 its powerful sporting appearance, and the exterior mirrors have a dynamic, M specific design. The hexagonal central air intake in the front end not only separates itself sculpturally from the side air intakes, as it also incorporates the oil cooler, further reinforcing the form following function concept.

Sublime drive power and supreme shift comfort.

The 4.4-litre V8 engine with BMW M TwinPower Turbo Technology is now more potent than ever, and the high revving power unit in the New BMW M5 delivers an exceptional output of 600 hp at 5,600 – 6,700 rpm, while the tremendous peak torque of 750 Nm is on tap from just 1,800 rpm and remains constant all the way up to 5,600 rpm. In comparison to the outgoing model, maximum torque has been increased by 70Nm. The engine characteristics can be changed with the push of a button from the default Efficient setting to either Sport or Sport Plus, resulting in an even more willing response to movements on the accelerator.

The car’s impressive performance does not stop there. The New BMW M5 sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds. A whole range of enhancements have also been implemented by BMW M engineers to endow the twin-turbo V8 with its phenomenal performance capabilities. These include newly developed turbochargers and a higher maximum injection pressure of 350 bar, which allow for shorter injection times and improvised atomisation of the fuel for sharper engine response as well as more efficient mixture preparation.

Further improvements encompass the lubrication and cooling systems, including an oil pan with a small front sump and indirect charge air cooling, which exceeds the efficacy of its predecessor despite taking up less space. The oil supply system uses a fully variable, map-controlled pump and has been designed for outings on the race track, where it has been made to handle high levels of longitudinal and lateral acceleration.

Furthermore, the twin-turbo V8’s power is channelled to the road via the newly developed M xDrive all-wheel-drive system. This is achieved by bringing the front wheels into play when the rear wheels are unable to transmit any more power to the road and an additional tractive force is required. This then allows the car to be controlled with ease by the driver, paving the way for an extraordinary experience of the business sedan’s phenomenal performance.

For those on the more ambitious spectrum, they can configure the M xDrive at any time to suit their needs. The driver can choose from five different configurations based on combinations of the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) modes (DSC on, MDM, DSC off) and M xDrive modes (4WD, 4WD Sport, 2WD).

In the basic setting with DSC and 4WD activated, the system permits a certain amount of slip at the rear wheels when accelerating out of corners, giving the New BMW M5 its sporting agility. In the M Dynamic mode (MDM, 4WD Sport), M xDrive allows easily controlled drifts. The three M xDrive modes with DSC switched off were conceived to satiate the appetites of keen drivers primarily for use on the track. Drivers can choose from three configurations including pure rear-wheel drive (2WD). This mode gives drivers the freedom to pick their own drift angle and offers connoisseurs driving dynamics in their purest form.

Power is transmitted through the new eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, which is operated sequentially via the new, short gear selector in S mode, or manually via paddles on the steering wheel. The D button allows the driver to choose between three Drivelogic modes; Mode 1 for efficient and comfortable driving, Mode 2 for shorter shift times, and Mode 3 for extremely short shift times in a racing set-up. The short shift times and optimal ratio spacing will keep even the most demanding driver happy. The wide ratio spread of the eight-speed M Steptronic unit helps to optimise fuel efficiency as well.

A new dimension in driving dynamics.

The team tuning the New BMW M5 chassis only had one goal in mind – unbeatable driving dynamics with maximum directional stability. This took place in part on the company’s own race circuit in Miramas in the south of France, and the world’s toughest test track, the Nϋrburgring Nordschleife.

Sophisticated stiffening elements in the front and rear structures ensure the body structure is extremely rigid and provides instantaneous feedback. The driver can also choose from Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus modes for the Variable Damper Control (VDC) system, which has M-specific tuning and M Servotronic steering. The two M1 and M2 buttons on the M leather steering wheel can be used to store two set-ups combining the driver’s preference of engine, transmission, suspension and M xDrive modes, the DSC mode and Head-Up-Display settings. The preferred set up can then be activated with just a press of the relevant button.

The New BMW M5 is fitted standard with M compound brakes, which are lighter than the conventional grey cast iron offering and therefore also reduces the car’s weight. With blue-painted six-piston fixed callipers at the front and single-piston floating callipers at the rear, plus perforated, inner-vented brake discs all around, the M compound brakes have the speed shedding power to befit the car’s dynamic potency.

As an alternative option, BMW Group Malaysia offers a step up with the M Carbon Ceramic Brakes, which are identifiable by callipers painted in gold. The M Carbon Ceramic Brakes shave another 23 kilograms off the New BMW M5’s weight, provide even better deceleration and are considerably more resistant to fading. Standard offering in terms of wheel option for the New BMW M5 are 20” M Double-Spoke style 706M light alloy wheels.

The Driver at the core.

The New BMW M5 sets the benchmark for interiors in the executive sedan segment. This includes innovative infotainment concept as well as outstanding functionality with features such as BMW Navigation Professional 10.25” with Touch Display capability, BMW Head-Up Display with M-Specific Content as well as the full suite of BMW Driver Assistance systems as part of the BMW ConnectedDrive features.

All switches and buttons can be operated with optimum ergonomic convenience, and all of the New BMW M5’s functions are sited directly in the driver line of sight. The large digital instrument cluster has an M-specific design and keeps the driver informed on the driving dynamic mode, M xDrive all-wheel-drive system’s setting and Drivelogic option currently engaged.

For sporty drivers, the variable rpm pre-warning field and shift lights that show the best time to change gears when in manual shift mode, which can be reflected into the M-specific Head-Up Display. Virtually all the driving dynamic systems can be configured using the central touch display, buttons on the centre console or M sports steering wheel, and the central information display offers Gesture Control. The red starter button stirs the New BMW M5’s engine to life.

The New BMW M5 comes standard with the new M multifunction bucket seats trimmed with Merino leather which further emphasises the car’s luxurious sporting appeal. The driver and front passenger seats are also fitted with multifunction adjustments, but the most prominent are the visually integrated and illuminated M designations embossed on the headrests to denote the speciality of the premium sedan from BMW M. Seat and upholstery choices include a two-tone combination of Aragon / Black and complete Black matched with interior trim finishers in Aluminium Carbon structure with Dark Chrome highlight.

Additional equipment for added luxury.

BMW Malaysia also offers step-up options to the standard offerings on the New BMW M5 in the form of the Performance Pack, Advance Safety Pack and Entertainment Pack.

Complete Premium Ownership Experience.

Customers of the New BMW M5 can also enjoy the complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership experience which includes:

BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Programme.

BMW 2-Year / 24 Month Tyre Warranty Programme for its Run Flat Tyre offering and services.

BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline.

The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App – BMW White Card Elite.

BMW Service Online.

The New BMW M5 is available in a variety of exterior colours – Marina Bay Blue metallic, Donington Grey metallic and Singapore Grey metallic. The New BMW M5 will be available at all authorised BMW dealerships nationwide from
Friday, 1
st
 June 2018.

*Options Pack:

Performance Pack – RM30,000

Advanced Safety Pack – RM15,000

Entertainment Pack – RM55,000

M Carbon Ceramic Brakes – RM95,000


F1/Round 6: Highlights & Provisional Results For 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

As the cars in the front got off to a good start, Williams Racing’s George Russell quickly headed to the pits for a change of tyres to a Hard compound.

While fighting to get ahead at the start, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Haas F1’s Michael Schumacher banged wheels, but fortunately remained on the track and didn’t hit the walls to bring out the dreaded red flags that upset Qualifying.

Lewis Hamilton, determined to rectify his loss of championship lead, pushed hard to pass Charles Leclerc and did it within the first 3 laps. The Mercedes-AMG could outrun the Ferrari on the straight but the Italian car had the edge through the tight corners. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s team mate, Valtteri Bottas, seemed unable to improve from the 10th position he had started from.

For Esteban Ocon (Alpine F1), the race ended after just 3 laps as his car lost power. Fortunately, he was able to reach the pits and get off the track so there was no need for disruption with a Safety Car.

On lap 8, Red Bull racing’s Max Verstappen slipped past Hamilton into second for a while but by Hamilton managed to regain it and then when Leclerc went into the pits for a tyre change, inherited the lead while being chased by Verstappen. Though Leclerc’s stop was not slow, when he rejoined the race, he was already down in 10th.

Both Mercedes-AMG cars came in on lap 12, Hamilton first. He had lost the lead not to Verstappen but Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Pererz who had been setting quicker and quicker laps and then passed his team mate. As Verstappen also came into the pits, Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel moved into second position with Perez visible just ahead.

Then Perez had to pit so Vettel took over the lead, but it wouldn’t be for long as he would have to go for new tyres. Verstappen was back in second and with fresh tyres, waiting for Vettel to get out of the way.

Hamilton’s pit stop dropped him to 4th place and he had to deal with Perez, who had managed to get ahead of him, before he could start going after the leader, He was certainly trying as he recorded fastest laps.

The two Aston Martins were still staying out of the pits as lap 15 passed, the only two remaining not to get new tyres. Stroll had started on Hards while Vettel was on Softs, and came in on lap 19.

With Vettel dropping out of the lead position, Verstappen took over with Perez and then Hamilton 3 – 4 seconds behind him. It was a reverse of the usual situation where the Red Bulls are seeing the rear end of the Mercedes… It was vital for Hamilton to minimise the points Red Bull could score so they would not move further ahead in the championship.

As the race passed the halfway mark, Stroll was still amazingly on his original set of tyres – the only car that had not come in. That Hard compound must have been really hard!

It seemed like Hamilton just could not find a way past Perez and it didn’t help that he was also in the ‘dirty air’ behind the Red Bull. The gap from Verstappen was also widening, from 4 seconds to 8 seconds as the Dutchman put in faster laps.

After 26 laps, Bottas was still in 10th place, with drivers like Norris and Tsunoda ahead of him. In spite of urging from his team, Bottas just didn’t seem to be in the groove today.

On lap 30, the ‘Tyre King’ Lance Stroll went into the wall, bringing out the Safety Car because debris was all over the track. He was travelling quite fast on the straight when it appeared that the rear left tyre failed but he was able to get out of the car on his own.

With the Safety Car circulating, a number of drivers chose to visit the pits and have the tyres changed. Up to that point, all of them had only done one change. The Safety Car would come in on lap 35 and off went Verstappen again, with Perez and Hamilton on his tail.

With fresh tyres, Vettel could afford to push harder and got past Gasly to fourth place and start thinking about the possibility of a podium placing if he could challenge his old rival Hamilton.

Leclerc, who had started from pole position, saw his race worsen and with the restart after the Safety Car, he locked up and flat-spotted his tyres. Bottas too was having a very bad day and seemed unable to prevent 4 other cars from passing him.

With 10 laps remaining, Hamilton was pushing harder, setting the fastest laps on each round of the Baku City Circuit. He didn’t have Bottas behind him as would sometimes be the case, so it was all up to him to get the points for the team.

Disaster struck on lap 46 as Verstappen crashed while speeding along the main straight. Tyre failure (also at the rear) lost him the race that he most likely would have won. Out came the Safety Car as Perez inherited the lead and Hamilton was elevated to second, with Vettel now on a podium position – if the tyres didn’t fail too.

With 2 laps remaining, the Stewards decided that the race would be suspended as there was a lot of debris on the track. Some drivers were beginning to wonder about the tyres as well. A tyre-change was allowed if any team felt it necessary to be on the safe side.

The race did not end with the suspension even with two laps left and there was a standing start, with Perez in the first slot. All eyes were on the Mexican and how he would hold off Hamilton in the 12-km sprint to the chequered flag.

And Hamilton lost out – trying too hard to outrun the Red Bull, his car went off the track into the run-off and rejoined at the tail end of the pack. Just before the restart, he had been thinking of just completing the race and getting the points, but not necessarily pushing too hard for an overall win. Neither he nor Bottas would bring home any points from Baku, Bottas finishing in 12th and Hamilton in 15th.

Perez had a clear run to the end, pursued closely by Vettel, with Gasly less than 3 seconds behind. It was a bitter-sweet victory for the Red Bull Racing team and a heartbreaking day for Verstappen who could have led a 1-2 finish.


2019 Mazda6 ready to roll – From RM173,659

If you’re in the market for a sleek premium sedan that won’t cost a bomb, the updated 2019 Mazda6 might just be the one for you. Recently unveiled, the 2019 Mazda6 together with other updated models (like the
 2019 Mazda CX-5
) are currently on display all weekend at the Bangsar Shopping Centre.

For 2019, the Mazda6 comes with a host of enhancements that have improved its overall driving dynamics as well as comfort and convenience. The biggest upgrade has to be the G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus).

The new system improves handling stability by applying pressure to each individual brake which helps add more direct yaw moment control especially in corners. This is done via a system that detects yaw, roll, and pitch and always helps to keep the car stabilized.

As for comfort and convenience, the 2019 Mazda6 now comes standard with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto®. Accessible via the Mazda Connect Infotainment display, any customer can now experience seamless connectivity with other integrated apps like Waze, Google Maps, Spotify, and many more.

All models for the 2019 Mazda6 are CBU direct from Japan and for the Malaysian market, there are three different engine options; 2.0L, 2.5L, and a 2.2L Diesel. All of them come with the SkyActiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission with Manual Shift Mode. Pricing are as follows:

VARIANT

SEDAN

TOURING

MAZDA6 2.0L

RM 173,659.00

–

MAZDA6 2.5L

RM 211,148.00

RM 215,148.00

MAZDA6 2.2L

RM 219,851.00

–

2019 Mazda CX-5 now open for booking


𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗮 𝗔𝘅𝗶𝗮 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝟰 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗜𝗻 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗡𝗖𝗔𝗣

ASEAN NCAP, the organization which assesses new models in the market (especially those made and sold in ASEAN), has released its report after testing the
new Perodua Axia
. The hatchback is the second generation of the Axia and will be officially launched on February 14. ASEAN NCAP was provided a unit for their assessment which included a crash test and after analyzing the results, the Axia received 4 stars (out of the maximum of 5 stars).

The first generation of the
Axia tested by ASEAN NCAP in 2014
 also received 4 stars then. According to Perodua engineers, the new Axia, with its new structure and increased safety features, should be able to score 5 stars if the same protocols are used as for model tested in 2014.

However, in 2023, the bar has been raised with new protocols that are more demanding. ASEAN NCAP periodically upgrades its assessment protocols, which the industry is informed of, and this serves to advance the safety standards that the industry should provide.

For example, in its early years, ASEAN NCAP required a pass in the Lateral Impact test (UN R95) in order for a vehicle to score 3 stars and above. Then it made the Seatbelt Reminder for both driver and front passenger, along with the fitment of an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system, a requirement to get 5 stars. If a vehicle did well in all tests and could be rated as 5 stars, it would not get the full rating if it did not have the Seatbelt Reminder and ESC.

The new Axia has an entirely new platform and structure – DNGA – which has greater rigidity. It therefore can perform better in crash tests without deformation of the cabin. Under the current 2021 – 2025 assessment protocol, the new Axia underwent a more stringent assessment with two additional assessment categories. The testing was done at ASEAN NCAP’s PC3 lab in Melaka.

In its report, ASEAN NCAP noted that the new Axia (a SE version) performed ‘remarkably well’ and had a total score of 73.55 points. It achieved the maximum rating of 5 stars for the Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), Child Occupant Protection (COP) and Safety Assist (SA) categories. Additionally, in the Motorcyclist Safety category, the maximum rating of 4 stars was achieved. Overall, the new Perodua model was awarded 4 stars.

For Motorclist Safety, ASEAN NCAP assesses the functioning of the Blind Spot Monitoring system which alerts the driver of a motorcycle coming alongside the car.

ASEAN NCAP noted that the Axia offers 2 airbags as standard for all variants, with up to 6 airbags fitted in the highest variant (Axia AV). Additionally, safety assist technologies such as Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) City, AEB Inter-Urban, AEB Pedestrian, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Detection for both sides and Auto High Beam are available.

The Axia comes with two ISOFIX points on the rear seat for installation of compatible childseats. ASEAN NCAP’s assessment for COP includes a Dynamic Test for an 18-month old child and 3-year old child restrained in a childseat during a crash test.

Autonomous Emergency Braking will occur if the driver does not respond to a possible collision with a vehicle in front. For the Axia, the active system uses a camera to scan ahead to detect vehicles. The same camera is also used for the Lane Departure Warning system.

For AOP, the report stated that both of the adult occupants (represented by instrumented dummies) received good protection in the frontal offset test. However,  the driver’s lower leg and passenger’s chest were said to have adequate protection in the test and marginal protection to the driver’s chest in the side impact test.

ASEAN NCAP’s assessment provides consumers with information for them to understand the level of protection they will have with the Axia. Perodua will no doubt study the findings and see how to improve in areas where scores were low. Changes may be made while this generation is still in production or incorporated in the next generation – but the protocols may be even tougher by then!

First Driving Impressions And More Details Of New Perodua Axia

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


Better protection for your wheels with 3D-printed locking nuts

It’s one of the worst experiences for a driver – finding their car up on blocks (or sometimes not even off the road) with all four wheels gone. Now Ford has developed unique rim nuts that can make wheels more secure using 3D printing technology.

Together with EOS, a leading supplier for high-end solutions in 3D additive manufacturing, Ford has created locking nuts with contours based on the driver’s voice. Like an iris scan or a fingerprint, a person’s voice can be used as a unique biometric identification.

Engineers record the driver’s voice for a minimum of one second, saying something like ‘I drive a Ford Mustang’, and use software to convert that singular soundwave into a physical, printable pattern. This pattern is then turned into a circle and used as the design for the locking nut’s indentation and key.

With the geometry in place, the nut and key are designed as one piece, then 3D-printed using acid and corrosion resistant stainless steel. When finished, the nut and key are separated, with a small amount of grinding required to make them ready for use.

Additional security features

The design also includes second-level security features that prevent the nut from being cloned or copied. The unevenly spaced ribs inside the nut and indentations that widen the deeper they go prevent a thief from making a wax imprint of the pattern, as the wax breaks when it is pulled from the nut.

If not using the driver’s voice to create the contours, the nuts could feature designs specific to a vehicle, such as with the Mustang logo, or use the driver’s initials. The design could also take inspiration from a driver’s interest, for example, by using the outline of a famous racetrack.

Expanding use of 3D printing

3D printing, or additive manufacturing, offers design flexibility to help reduce weight, improve performance and create parts that wouldn’t be possible using conventional methods. For more than 30 years, Ford has increasingly used 3D printing to make prototype parts which help reduce the development time for new vehicles.

The company has also used this technology to create parts that feature in the Ford GT, Focus and Mustang GT500, and will make more 3D-printed parts in the future. Special bespoke car parts are also 3D printed, including the intake manifold in Ken Block’s Hoonitruck and the pair of wind louvres found on the M-Sport Ford Fiesta World Rally Championship car.

On the Ford production line, 3D printing is used to create assembly line tools that are up to 50% lighter, which makes repetitive tasks less physically stressful and helps improve manufacturing quality. As many of these tools are made of nylon, Ford has introduced a recycling programme that turns old 3D-printed pieces and plastics from manufacturing areas into 100% recycled nylon.

Ford also creates 3D-printed safety equipment, such as protection sleeves for rotating tools used on the production line, which prevent operators from incurring finger and arm injuries.

“Having our very own plug-and-play printer enables us to make tools and parts exactly when we need them, and to replace them faster than ever before. For some tools, the delivery time was up to 8 weeks but with 3D printing, the turn-around has been reduced to just five days. Best of all, anyone can sit down, create the part they need and start printing it using recycled plastic,” said Lars Bognar, a research engineer for Advanced Materials and Processes at Ford of Europe.

Save money while switching to a more active and adventurous lifestyle with the Ford Ranger XLT


KIA Announces 0% GST Prices While Turning Aspirations To Reality In “Champ Into The Arena” Futsal Tournament

NAZA Kia, the official importers of the Kia brand in Malaysia have announced the prices of its vehicles with 0% GST, effective immediately. This reduction in prices sees the new Kia Picanto priced at only
RM47,079.43
! The new prices can be downloaded here:
Naza Kia GST Rebate for May 2018 Sales Campaign

Read more about the new Kia Picanto in our review
here
.

Also as the Official Partner of
FIFA World Cup 2018
, Kia lent its support to aspiring young football players and fans to be a step closer to achieving their dreams through the
Kia “Champ Into The Arena”
 futsal tournament and the
Kia Official Match Ball Carrier
 competition in Malaysia which were held over two weekends.

Dato’ Samson Anand George, Group CEO, Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings
 (below) said,
“Through these competitions, Kia seeks to build bonds with potential customers and fans of these events and give them a chance to connect with the brand in a more personal and meaningful manner by nurturing young football talent.”

The Malaysia leg of the Official Match Ball Carrier competition was held at the Kuala Lumpur Football Association (KLFA) on
22
nd
 April 2018
 for children from the age of 10 to 14. The competition saw 14-year-old
Adam Riezman
 taking home the title of
“Official Match Ball Carrier”
 to represent Malaysia as one of 64 children from all over the world who receive a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to carry the match ball onto the pitch during FIFA World Cup 2018.

A Portugal supporter at the FIFA World Cup and an avid fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, Adam (above) hopes to see his favourite team and player in action at the world event in Russia.
“I am thankful to my parents for supporting my ambition and passion for football since I was 9. I can’t wait for this trip to Russia where I will get to meet football fans alike who share the same love for football. Thank you also to Naza Kia Malaysia for giving me this opportunity to represent Malaysia as their Kia Official Match Ball Carrier,”
 said Adam.

The Kia Official Match Ball Carrier competitions are held in countries worldwide in search of young football fans. The Malaysian leg of the competition saw more than
 200 participants
 from every corner of Malaysia gathering at KLFA Sport Centre Kuala Lumpur to show off their abilities to vie for the coveted spot. Participants were tested on several areas such as agility, skill, attitude and teamwork in a nationwide tournament held at the Kuala Lumpur Football Association (KLFA).

Team TOT United from Kuala Lumpur emerged as the champions of the Malaysian Kia Champ Into The Arena tournament and will represent Malaysia in the international Kia Champ Into The Arena World Finals in Russia

About 170 teams who took part in the Kia ‘Champ into the Arena’ 2018 tournament went through a vigorous competition, where qualifying rounds were held from 31 March to 21 April 2018 in Peninsular Malaysia – namely Penang (Northern), Terengganu (East Coast), Johor (Southern) and Selangor (Central). Only top four successful teams from each region progressed to the Malaysians Grand Finals which took place at KLFA Sport Centre in Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur last Sunday.

Held on
29 April 2018
, the ‘Champ Into The Arena’ futsal tournament aims to search for a talented futsal team that will represent Malaysia to compete on a world stage. This is the fourth time Naza Kia Malaysia organised this futsal tournament in conjunction with the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2018. The first was in 2010.

Team TOT United, from Kuala Lumpur emerged champion and earned the right to represent Malaysia in the international Kia Champ Into The Arena World Finals in Russia! The competition will run concurrently with FIFA World Cup 2018 from 15 June to 15 July in Russia.

“My team and I are ecstatic and proud to be representing Malaysia at the international Kia Champ Into the Arena World Finals in Russia! Our team was only formed during the qualifying round in Penang. To prepare for the final few matches, we had to undergo intensive training for a short period of time and I am so glad that the blood, sweat and tears we shed paid off,”
 said
senior TOT United team member, Hazizi bin Mansor.

25-year-old Hazizi is no stranger to the international stage as his previous team also emerged as victors for the Malaysian Kia Champ In The Arena tournament in 2014 and represented Malaysia that year in Brazil.

The winning team, TOT United comprising six players aged 23 to 26, will fly to Russia on an all-expenses paid trip inclusive of accommodation, flight tickets, tour,
RM5,000
 cash prize and exclusive tickets to watch one of the World Cup Final Match live.

Kia Champ Into The Arena
 is more than just a futsal tournament as it is a way of Naza Kia Malaysia giving back to the public and customers for their loyalty and support. Apart from the futsal tournament, there were a variety of activities such as an exhibition match and a photo booth station, and the chance to test drive and have a feel of the Kia’s product line-up that were on display.


Lucky Caltex Customers Fly Away With Awesome Holiday Packages Worth RM 125,000!

Chevron Malaysia Limited
, which markets the brand
Caltex
®, recently concluded its
“Awesome Holiday Package”
 campaign in conjunction with the final episode of its sponsored reality TV show, Celebrity Car Wars Season 3. The show saw popular Malaysian celebrity
 Dato’ Hans Isaac
 driving home as the champion, who was recently announced as Chevron’s partner.

Five lucky persons were awarded all-expenses paid trips to
Japan, China, Australia, Istanbul
and
 Dubai
 for spending a minimum of RM40 at Caltex service stations. The lucky winners were S
ia Lee Ping, Amiruzairie Bin Roskushairi, Mohamad Nazlishah Bin Othman, Nurhanani Binti A Rasid @ Ab. Durasid
and
 Daniel Khaw Tze Ming
.

“On behalf of the team at Chevron, I want to congratulate the line-up of winners and thank them for their support. Chevron is committed towards ensuring the quality of our customers’ journeys and this campaign is to reward them for their never-ending loyalty towards the Caltex® brand. We hope to continuously engage and reward our customers in the near future so stay tuned to our social media for updates on other exciting activities,”
 said
Shahid Ahmed, Chevron Malaysia Country Chairman.

“The “Awesome Holiday Package” campaign caught my attention; it stood out from the rest of the contests because I have been a Caltex® user and decided to try my luck while I was fuelling up one day. Winning an all-expenses paid trip as the grand prize was definitely something I appreciate being rewarded for as a loyal customer,”
 commented
Nurhanani Binti A Rasid @ Ab. Durasid
, one of the winners.

“Caltex has definitely made my journey a truly memorable one. Since I started driving, Caltex has been my fuel of choice. Its commitment to providing convenience to consumers is an assurance to me when it comes to choosing fuel for my vehicle,”
 she added.

Throughout the
 “Awesome Holiday Package”
 campaign period, in addition to the all-expenses paid trips to great locations, Caltex customers also walked away with cash prizes and more.

More! Caltex announces Spend & Sweep Promotion…

Maintaining the positive relationship with its customers, Chevron also announced its latest exciting initiative – the
“Spend & Sweep”
 promo campaign, in partnership with local hypermarket chain
MYDIN
.

Shahid added,
“Due to the positive and encouraging response we had for the “Awesome Holiday Package” campaign, we partnered up with MYDIN to give our customers a reason to start 2019 on a happy note.”

From now until
15
th
 March 2019
, Caltex customers stand a chance to be one of the lucky 35 customers to win a shopping spree at MYDIN worth
RM 3,000
 when they Spend
RM30.00
 and above in a single receipt on fuel purchases (RON97, RON95 & Diesel) at any Caltex Stations with
Caltex JOURNEY™ Card
and
 B Infinite Card
, which is equivalent to 1 entry;
and/or
Spend RM30.00 and above in a single receipt on any purchases at any MYDIN outlets, which is equivalent to 1 entry;
and/or
* Combine both receipts from Caltex and MYDIN, which brings a bonus entry (i.e. a total of 3 entries).*

Just like how Caltex speeds through challenges, participants will only be given
three (3) minutes
 to grab as many items as they can if selected as a winner for the shopping sweep.

Caltex is calling out to all Malaysians to stand a chance to grab the highest amount in just 180 seconds by heading over to the nearest Caltex service station and/or MYDIN outlet to take part now! To ensure no one is left behind, Caltex will be organizing the sweep once a month up until March 2019, with the first session to be held in MYDIN Bukit Mertajam, the second session in MYDIN Gong Badak and the final session to be held in MYDIN USJ!

For more information on the Caltex® Spend & Sweep Promotion, please visit
www.caltex.com/my
 or follow their official Facebook Page at
https://www.facebook.com/Caltex.Malaysia/
 for the latest updates.


Ultra-thin, Super-light Speakers Could Be In Your Car In Future

Space is at a premium in a car’s passenger compartment and interior designers have to find ways to install the various features and equipment. It doesn’t help that over the years, more and more equipment has been introduced and with audio equipment, the number of speakers has increased for what used to be just two to a double-digit number. For example, a Mercedes-Maybach with a Burmester system can have up to 27 speakers.

The specialist audio system companies have been constantly advancing their technologies as well as the designs so the dimensions of speakers have become more compact, allowing them to be more easily and discreetly integrated in panels around the cabin.

However, weight is still an issue and while each speaker is not really heavy, a number of them (especially with magnets) can add weight. Ten speakers could add up to 40 kgs, although tweeters might be insignificant in this respect. And there is still the physical thickness which needs to be accommodated but this too could see a reduction in future.

Engineers at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in America have now developed a loudspeaker that can turn any surface into an active audio source. About the size of a hand, it is paper-thin and weighs about as much as a coin! It will generate high-quality sound no matter what surface the film is bonded to, while using a fraction of the energy required by a traditional loudspeaker.

The innovation does not actually require sophisticated technology as the researchers pioneered a simple fabrication technique. It requires just three basic steps and allows for sizing of the ultra-thin speakers to suit any surface, be it a trim panel in a car’s cabin or even mounted on a picture frame. The speakers can also be used for active noise cancellation to reduce ambient noises. They can generate soundwaves of an opposite phase to cancel out the disturbing noises.

Low energy requirement
While the speakers are said to produce high-quality sound, they only require such a small amount of power to operate. The energy-efficient device only requires about 100 milliwatts of power per square metre of speaker area. By contrast, an average home speaker might consume more than 1 watt of power to generate similar sound pressure at a comparable distance.

Limousines like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class can have over 25 speakers around the cabin and in the boot.

Along with being very light (just 2 gms), these are attributes which will be well suited for electric vehicles (EVs) where minimising weight is very important and also keeping the draw on electricity by ancillary devices to a minimum.

“It feels remarkable to take what looks like a slender sheet of paper, attach two clips to it, plug it into the headphone port of your computer, and start hearing sounds emanating from it. It can be used anywhere. One just needs a smidgeon of electrical power to run it,” said Vladimir Bulovic, the Fariborz Maseeh Chair in Emerging Technology, leader of the Organic and Nanostructured Electronics Laboratory (ONE Lab), Director of MIT.nano, and senior author of the paper describing the innovation.

A new approach
The researchers developed their innovative speaker by taking a different approach to how sound is generated. Conventional speakers use electric current inputs that pass through a coil of wire which generates a magnetic field to move a speaker membrane. This membrane then moves the air above it to create sound.

The new speaker uses a thin film of a shaped piezoelectric material that moves when voltage is applied over it. The material can also move the air molecules over it and this generates sound. To construct the speaker, the researchers used a laser to cut tiny holes into a thin sheet of PET, a  lightweight plastic commonly used for containers. They laminated the underside of that perforated PET layer with a very thin film (8 microns) of piezoelectric material, called PVDF. Then they applied vacuum above the bonded sheets and a heat source, at 80 degrees C., underneath them.

Because the PVDF layer is so thin, the pressure difference created by the vacuum and heat source caused it to bulge. The PVDF can’t force its way through the PET layer, so tiny domes protrude in areas where they aren’t blocked by PET. These protrusions self-align with the holes in the PET layer. The researchers then laminate the other side of the PVDF with another PET layer to act as a spacer between the domes and the bonding surface.

Speakers are mounted flush against trim panels but still have a thickness that has to be accommodated behind the panel. The ultra-thin speakers can be attached to the surface of a panel with no intrusion.

Can be simple to manufacture
“This is a very simple, straightforward process. It would allow us to produce these loudspeakers in a high-throughput fashion if we integrate it with a roll-to-roll process in the future. That means it could be fabricated in large amounts, like wallpaper to cover walls, cars, or aircraft interiors,” said Jinchi Han, lead author of the paper which will appear in the January 2023 issue of IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics.

The research work is funded, in part, by the research grant from the Ford Motor Company and a gift from Lendlease, Inc. With proof of concept demonstrated, the ultra-thin speakers should attract the attention of manufacturers in various industries, including the automotive industry, and eventually lead to commercialisation. Certainly, such speakers would be a revolution in the audio industry.

Bentley and Naim sound architecture sets global benchmark for in-car audio systems

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


Aznom creates the Palladium hyper limousine SUV

When Rolls-Royce introduced its
Cullinan
, it seemed to signify the end of the journey of the SUV from being a spartan workhorse to a luxurious off-road limousine. That it has been selling in large numbers is evidence that even in the uppermost levels of the market, there is demand for SUVs.

This probably encouraged Aznom,  an Italian company which started business in 2006, to produce a super luxurious SUV. Its automotive business unit has been offering customized version of production cars and manufacturing of one-off vehicles and limited editions, so a SUV was well within its capability.

Artisanal manufacturing techniques

“We have produced this vehicle choosing artisanal manufacturing techniques that are almost lost today, such as panel beating and handcrafting the body of the car, together with other technological solutions,” said Aznom’s founder Marcello Meregalli. “Our engine builders, tanners, panel beaters, designers and engineers are all heirs to a tradition that has made Italian cars famous all around the world”.

Now Aznom has created a luxurious model – the Palladium – with off-road capability to cater to an exclusive niche. Described as a ‘hyper-limousine’ that follows the traditional characteristics of great luxury sedans, it is designed and will be manufactured in Italy. The Palladium will be handmade, with only 10 units on the production schedule. These will be tailor-made for each client who has a wide range of customization options.

Inspired by RAM-based model

The Palladium is a large vehicle, measuring nearly 2 metres in height and almost 6 metres in length. It is engineered to travel over any type of terrain with an all-wheel drive system and a 5.7-litre biturbo engine capable of delivering more than 700 bhp/950 Nm (a mild hybrid powertrain can also be installed).

Inspiration for the Palladium goes back to the Atulux which was created in 2018. This was a luxury sedan based on the American RAM pick-up. Thought the Atulux looked like the RAM externally, it was totally different inside with high-end design and reclining seats ‘business class’ style.

The Atulux

“In truth, I’ve always been passionate about large automobiles,” said Meregalli, “Like the huge American sedans manufactured from the Thirties to the beginning of the Seventies. Or the incredible Rolls-Royce and Bentleys of those periods. I’ve always been fascinated by big vehicles; I liked the super large bonnets and the imposing stance of those cars.”

“I thought about creating something similar for a long time and I even considered a ‘resto-mod’ operation on a vintage Rolls-Royce. Then, in 2008, Cadillac unveiled the new presidential limousine for President Obama. This was not a stretched vehicle, but it had been built with different proportions. Starting from a mega-SUV, Cadillac had built a luxury sedan, big and imposing but with the proportions of a classic sedan,” he explained.

Unique design for access to rear cargo area.

That particular Cadillac gave the final push to an idea Meregalli had since even before the Atulux – of a car completely manufactured by his company, both outside and inside. “I can say today that we pushed that idea even further, conceiving a vehicle that can take its owner wherever. It is a true extra-luxurious limousine that is also able to trek the desert and this is why our Palladium is so unique!”.

Meregalli wanted to have an off-road vehicle personally too as his other business dealing with wine required him to often visit remote farms and vineyards. “In those situations, a 4×4 off-road vehicle is truly necessary. And how many times have I seen sedans stuck on the road to ski towns in the winter … the car that I had in mind had to be beautiful, luxurious, comfortable … but also unstoppable!” he said.

Limited production of 10 units

The Palladium project started two years back and as there are only 10 buyers, the company has been in the process of establishing a close relationship with those few special customers.

“With the Palladium, we have tried to bring together our entire experience of 15 years in order to create a really unique vehicle,” said Matteo Bertanelli, Project Manager Palladium. “To work on the body, we have paired handmade techniques to innovative technologies. We have used panel beating, an artisanal method that comes directly from historic coachbuilders, when men would beat the body panels by hand directly on wooden molds … but also hi-tech solutions like precision molding and working with carbonfibre.”

Most of the car’s main body is made of high resistance steel with only certain details made of aluminium to reduce weight. The bonnet and roof are carbonfibre while both forward and rear bumpers are made of composite materials. On the rear section of the chassis frame, the engineers have built a steel cage that helps improve torsional stiffness.

Extensive attention to cabin design

The styling responsibility was handled by Studio CAMAL in Torino, and as would be expected, the  interior has received much attention to the tiniest of details. A large rear seat, not unlike a throne, gives ample comfortable space to the passengers while hidden drawers and compartments offer all sorts of amenities. The air-conditioning functions with two entirely separate and independent systems so that the back passengers can choose a completely different setting and temperature from the front.

The standard specs of the Palladium start with Foglizzo leather throughout (ceiling included). The seats, which have a custom pattern, incorporate large headrests designed with the same philosophy as the rear recliner. The door panel and the dashboard follow the pattern of materials and colours used in the upholstery, bright and dark leather spaced out by wooden parts, everything enriched by solid aluminium details.

As in the very expensive limousines, there is an exclusive clock on the dashboard. Handmade from gold and palladium, it has the Palladium logo on its face. The clock can also be removed and become an elegant piece of home furniture.

Besides the  Harman/Kardon sound system, there are two Microsoft Surface X PRO and Aznom is also providing owners of the Palladium with a full set of luggage pieces, manufactured with the same leather and stitching as the limousine’s interior. A notable piece is the umbrella, signed by Francesco Maglia, historic company manufacturing umbrellas in Milan since 1854.

Lister Stealth to be the fastest, most powerful British SUV (w/VIDEO)


There’s a new Proton 3S Centre in Kota Kinabalu

Harapan Maju Sdn Bhd has opened a new Proton 3S Centre in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah yesterday. This is the second dealer outlet to be opened in the city with Proton’s new corporate identity and to make things even more special, it was officiated by the Minister of Youth and Sports Sabah, YB Phoong Jin Zhe.

A total of RM 8 million was invested in the new Proton 3S Centre which consists of 12 service bays, six service hoists, and a huge parking lot that can accommodate up to 50 cars at any given time. Customers can also reap the benefits of their free Wi-Fi, coffee bar, laptop charging area, kids’ area as well as prayer room available in the showroom.

According to Jovinia Wong Kyau Yun, Director of Harapan Maju Sdn Bhd, “We took the opportunity to start a PROTON dealership because we have a lot of faith in the brand. Currently the brand resonates well with the market. People are taking notice especially with the new line-up of exciting models. The technologically advanced features as well as the competitive pricing have also caught the attention of the public.”

“We are delighted that many are taking up PROTON dealerships. The fact that they are happy to be associated with the brand says a lot about the future of the company.” To date, the sales in Sabah alone has increased by 32% compared to the same time last year,” said Dr Li Chunrong, CEO of Proton.  He added that, to date, sales in Sabah alone have increased by 32% compared to the same time last year.

Proton 1 Tank Adventure conquers 650km without refuelling


VPCM Announces New Prices of Volkswagen Cars With Zero GST

In line with the newly-revised GST rate of zero percent by the Malaysian Government, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) today announced the updated prices of its model range, effective
1
st
 of June 2018.

The new prices will remain in effect, pending the reimplementation of the Sales and Services Tax (SST) by the Government. The table below lists the current recommended retail price (RRP) of Volkswagen models (with 6% GST) and the new RRP (with 0% GST) valid from the
1
st
 of June 2018.

Model

Variant

Current Price with 6% GST

New Price Without GST

Polo

RM 76,888

RM 72,488

Vento

Comfortline

RM 86,888

RM 81,888

Highline

RM 93,888

RM 88,488

Jetta

Highline

RM 128,990

RM 121,488

Passat

Comfortine

RM 179,990

RM 169,488

Comfortline Plus

RM 184,980

RM 174,478

Highline

RM 198,990

RM 187,488

Tiguan

Comfortline

RM 148,990

RM 139,888

Highline

RM 168,990

RM 158,888

Beetle

Sport

RM 147,888

RM 139,488

Golf

Sportline

RM 155,990

RM 146,888

R-Line

RM 166,990

RM 157,488

GTI

RM 239,990

RM 225,888

R

RM 295,990

RM 278,888

Note: Prices listed are retail price and does not include insurance and registration.

With limited stocks available, customers should take this opportunity to place their bookings now as come 1 June, they will enjoy prices without GST as well as the current ongoing Raya promotions.

The
Managing Director of VPCM, Erik Winter
 said that the Malaysian public is in a position to benefit from the current situation.
“This period in time is a windfall for Malaysians, and so I would like to urge those considering our products to grab this opportunity as there is no better time to own a Volkswagen.
Customer peace of mind is always a priority for us, and we want to be able to provide this during the transition period until the implementation of the SST. We want our customers to benefit from the revised prices, and enjoy our ongoing promotions,”
 he added.

VPCM is currently running its ‘Fuel Up Your Gaya’ promotion, where customers can enjoy low interest rates of 0.88% per annum and cash rebates of up to RM15,000 on selected Volkswagen models. Additionally, those who purchase a Volkswagen (till 30
th
 June 2018) will also receive a petrol card worth RM1,188.

On top of that, every new Volkswagen comes with a 5-Year Manufacturer’s Warranty, 5-Year Roadside Assistance and 3 Years of Free Service. For more information, visit
www.volkswagen.com.my
.


Art works accepted as payment for Polestar 1

Polestar, the company created as a joint venture between Volvo and Geely Holdings, is known for exploring
new ways of operating in the car industry
. For example, rather than following the decades-old way of selling cars via a network of dealerships, it is connecting directly to the customer with a digital sales model through its website or via an app.

Its latest idea is a first-of-its-kind initiative which allows artists and collectors to trade art for a Polestar 1, a low-volume model which will have production coming to an end later in 2021. It’s not known exactly how many cars have been built at the
factory in China
 although the company did mention, in 2019, that its production run would be 500 cars a year over a 3-year period.

The halo electric performance hybrid has a price of 155,000 euros (about RM777,720) and Polestar will consider all forms of art, including paintings, sculptures, photography, installations and more. It is Polestar’s intention to, after a period of ownership, sell the art, either via the above auction houses or through the dealers that represent the artists. So the items are not going to end up permanently on display at the company’s headquarters or CEO’s office.

“I love the idea of letting artists and collectors buy a Polestar 1 with art – it is such a special car and we wanted to find a unique way of celebrating it before its production reaches an end. It is hand-made, precious and tangible, much like a piece of art,”  said Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar.

Polestar’s initiative comes amidst a recent art boom with new ways of trading art emerging, from non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to a pair of Kanye West-designed shoes selling for US$1.8 million at a recent auction – as well as auction prices for classic and contemporary art recently soaring.

“Historically, many significant art transactions have taken place outside of what we today associate with the art market,” explained Theodor Dalenson, a leading private art advisor who serves as Polestar’s advisor on this initiative. “Going back several hundred years in time, art trading mainly took place between artists and patrons. Painters like Picasso were known to trade sketches for restaurant meals. Polestar’s initiative is essentially a very natural extension of the tradition of art being used as payment for precious goods.”

Incoming proposals will be reviewed by Dalenson and, if deemed relevant, receive a valuation estimate by the two largest auction houses: Sotheby’s and Philips.

The scheme began on June 10, 2021, and will be on until August 15, 2021 in Europe and North America.

In April 2021, a
special edition Polestar 1
 (above) was revealed at the Shanghai auto show, featuring a bespoke matte gold exterior paint job with matching brake calipers and black wheels. Inside, colour-matched gold stitching gives the interior an even more unique feel. A maximum of 25 will be built and a handful will be eligible for this initiative.


Ferrari does well in first quarter of 2017

Ferrari has announced that the first quarter of 2017, has been good to them with 2,003 vehicles sold, which is a 6.4% increase compared to the same period last year. The major contributor to this figure was the sales of V12 engine models, which saw a 50% increase in sales compared to the same period last year. The surge in demand for the 12 cylinder engine vehicles off set the 3% decrease in sales experienced by the V8 models. The V12 models that were the most sought after of the lot, where the GTC4Lusso, LaFerrari Aperta and F12tdf.

Besides the sales of fully assembled vehicles, Ferrari is also in the business of selling engines to other manufacturers, racing divisions and Formula One teams. For this quarter, engine revenue increased by 81%, which amounts to RM494 million in total net revenue. This increase can be attributed to strong sales for Maserati models that managed to offset loses due to the termination of an engine partnership between one Formula 1 racing team and Ferrari.

According to the Italian automaker, overall, all regions contributed to its success this year. Market share in Germany, France, Italy and United Kingdom grew at a double digit pace in the first quarter. Ferrari sales in the Americas saw an overall increase of 4.2% with Asia Pacific bolstering sales figures further with a 4.0% increase. China, Hong Kong and Taiwan markets, in total, grew by a commendable 3.2% meaning that demand for Ferrari and sports cars in general, haven’t been hampered by the current uncertain economic climate.

Before this financial year is over, Ferrari plans to ship 8,400 vehicles that include supercar models, which should amount to a net revenue of RM 15.8 billion. Whether or not Ferrari achieves this sales figure remains to be seen, but judging by the current market demand for Maranello’s latest offerings, Ferrari should be able to achieve said targets with relative confidence.


Update on fuel prices – May 9 to May 15, 2020


MINI Vision Urbanaut concept becomes a real model

In November 2020, MINI revealed the Vision Urbanaut virtual concept vehicle, an interpretation of mobility through an innovative vision of space. Now, the BMW Group has made a physical model of the vehicle showcasing its space and sustainable materials.

The full-sized model was designed from the inside out. The designers created the spacious interior experience before developing the exterior, using floor plans, pieces of furniture plus wooden scale models to provide an indication of size. Over the course of the project, augmented reality was employed to create a digital model, which was then systematically optimised.

The MINI Vision Urbanaut shows how the MINI attributes can be exploited in the future of mobility – in a typically MINI way. It brings the user’s personal space into the car and opens up various possibilities for them.

Three MINI Moments

The exterior and interior of the vehicle change to reflect the MINI moment at hand – ‘Chill’, ‘Wanderlust’ and ‘Vibe’ –  and so give the on-board experience the best possible stage and environment. Fragrance, sound and ambient lighting continue to enrich the baseline mood initiated by the chosen MINI moment. A fourth option is the customisable ‘my moment’ which provides users with further scope for tailoring the design of the vehicle to their needs and desires.

The Chill moment relates to being in a kind of haven where you can relax or work with full concentration. While the rear seat bench (a.k.a. Cosy Corner) offers various seating and lying positions, the backlit Loop above it takes on an appearance inspired by a green forest canopy and can also be dimmed. In the central area, the circular instrument folds down to become a table lamp, eliminating displays or switches that might remind the customer of their automotive surroundings.

Wanderlust is the only MINI moment where the Vision Urbanaut is being driven or driving with automated driving functions. In this moment, the interior becomes the ideal place for driving the car, or being its passenger, and enables those on board to rediscover the romance of travel. A tap of a finger on the MINI logo brings out the steering wheel and pedals when driving is desired. The user interface on the central circular instrument also adapts its visuals; alongside an animation of the route, additional journey information – such as visitor attractions and arrival time – is displayed here for those on board.

The Vibe moment puts time with other people at centre stage – in every way. Opening the side door and folding up the windscreen creates a welcoming scene that blurs the boundaries between the outside and inside. The central circular instrument becomes a media control centre, creating a club atmosphere.

Renewable or recyclable materials

The interior of the Vision Urbanaut has a high proportion of recycled materials, and they are almost exclusively renewable and recyclable. Dominant are textiles made from recycled materials (including wool, polyester and Tencel) which blend cosiness and quality with softness and comfort.

The designers also paid extra attention to solutions composed of a single type of material – known as ‘mono-materials’. These are easy to recycle further down the line and can be turned into new products. The use of renewable and recyclable cork on the steering wheel and sections of the floor adds a special touch, thanks to its natural feel.

Focus on sustainability

The Vision Urbanaut also focuses on sustainability, demonstrated in various aspects of the vehicle. The ‘Clever Use of Space’, for which MINI is renowned, offers maximum space on the smallest possible footprint. Although measuring only 4.46 metres in length, the height provides an interior space that can be used in many different ways and offers a whole new ease of movement inside the car. . The vehicle can also be an urban space for people when it’s parked, significantly increasing the amount of time they will want to use the vehicle or just hang out in it.

The electric drive system ensures emission-free mobility, yet another aspect is the scope for using the vehicle for purposes beyond mobility.

Driveable electric vehicles

The MINI Vision Urbanaut is not only a static model, it’s driveable too, with an electric drive system. Every part has been specially designed, precision-manufactured using cutting-edge tools and crafted by hand. The high degree of artistry inside is highlighted by an interior design that is reminiscent of a modern living space. The construction of the model therefore extended from a classical vehicle build via furniture-making all the way to programming and smart high-tech integration.

“At MINI, we see it as our responsibility to preserve and develop the unique characteristics of our brand over the upcoming years and those further ahead,” explained Bernd Korber, Head of MINI. “With our eyes fixed on the future, we have developed an idea, with the MINI Vision Urbanaut, of how we can take the MINI attributes – as here, with the focus on the ‘Clever Use of Space’ – into the future of mobility and interpret them in a typically MINI way.”

MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW is the new Formula E Safety Car


The dangers of driving when you are not well or taking medicines

It’s a very serious offence to be driving while under the influence of alcohol (or ‘DUI’ as they refer to it in America). In some countries, it is not just alcohol but the offence includes drugs and even medicines that cause any effect which can make driving unsafe. Generally, motorists only give attention to alcohol and make it a point to consume amounts that do not exceed the limits, or are responsible enough to avoid driving home themselves if they have taken too much.

How medicines can affect driving

Many motorists give less thought to the times when they have taken medicines for an illness and while the effects vary from person to person, there is a risk that some may be affected seriously enough to make their driving dangerous for themselves and other road-users. It depends on how much medicine you are required to take. Factors such as gender, age, weight and dose all play a part in how the medicine affects you.

The effects can affect concentration and usually, the effect is strongest in the beginning of treatment and when the dose is increased. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the doctor to warn you or you should ask about the effects and declare that you will be driving or riding a motorcycle.

The effects of medicines

Some medicines can affect your driving for a short time after you take them. For others, the effects can last for several hours, and even till the next day. Sleepiness or drowsiness may be one of the effects but some people may also feel dizzy, weak, nauseous or even have their reaction time slowed down (which can be dangerous as they may not be able to avoid an accident in time).

For allergy sufferers, medications containing antihistamines can help relieve many different types of allergies. But these medicines may interfere with driving as antihistamines can slow your reaction time, make it hard to focus or think clearly, and may cause mild confusion even if you don’t feel drowsy.

While it is best to go home and rest (and remain on medical leave if allowed), you can also ask a doctor to help minimize the side effects by adjusting your dose, adjust the timing of when you take the medicine, or change the medicine to one that causes fewer side effects for you.

If you find that you can’t concentrate because you have just taken medicine, it imay be better to pull over rather than continue driving.

It should be noted that even if you have not taken medicines but are sick, your condition can also put your driving at risk. Depending on the illness, you may be more tired than usual, less able to concentrate or even experience pain in certain parts of your body that could cause you to drive dangerously. If you find that you are extremely affected, you should pull over to the side and park safely, and notify someone who can come and help you get home.

Even sneezing can be dangerous!

One of the most dangerous aspects of driving while sick is sneezing, believe it or not. In fact, there are studies that have shown that sneezes cause over 2,000 accidents in the UK per week! When you sneeze, your eyes usually close, usually for about 600 milliseconds. In that span of time, if you are travelling at about 100 km/h, the car would have moved 17 metres forward – while your eyes were closed! That could result in ramming a vehicle ahead or worse, knocking down a pedestrian.

A sneeze or a cough when you are ill could result in a collision.

The same risk could probably occur when you cough, especially if it is a cough that is ‘strong’ and causes you to momentarily stop having control of other actions. You may also cough a number of times at one go, again affecting your ability to control the car.

The Lane Keep Assist system, available in some of the new models, acts when the car moves out of its lane.

Some of the new car models today have driver assistance systems which can detect when the car weaves out of its lane. This can indicate that the driver may be losing concentration and not guiding the car properly, perhaps due to being ill or being on medication. Such systems will alert the driver of the situation and also exert forces to turn the vehicle back into its lane. However, these systems are still not standard features like seatbelts so the majority of motorists would not be able to enjoy their safety benefits.

NOTE: This article has been presented in good faith for general information of the public, especially motorists. PISTON.MY accepts no responsibility for any loss or effect arising from following the advice and information given.


2024 Volkswagen Passat; Wagon-Only Model, First Specs Released

Volkswagen has just released the first sneak peek of the brand-new Passat, which will make its global debut at the end of August this year. However, the all-new Passat variant will only officially be launched in the first quarter of 2024.

This new variant will be 144 mm longer than its predecessor, measuring 4917 mm in length. It will also have an extra 50 mm of legroom due to its larger size. Cargo space has increased by 40 litres to 690 litres with the rear seats in place. When the seats are folded, the volume increases by 140 litres over the original Passat waggon to 1,920 litres.

Front seats with ergoActive technology will be available as an option. These have electrical adjustability (up to 14-way, depending on model and equipment) as well as massage and air conditioning capabilities that can be programmed variably.

It will include a newly designed cockpit as well as a new infotainment system. The new standard infotainment display is 12.9 inches. A new 15-inch display will also be available as an option or dependent on the equipment. Under the infotainment system display, there are backlit touch sliders that may be used to control the volume and temperature of the interior.

Volkswagen will also make a brand-new head-up display available as an option that projects data onto the windscreen and into the virtual world in front of the car. In order to make operation even simpler, the multifunction steering wheel also features buttons. This was after Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen, asserted that the widely criticised addition of
touch-sensitive controls
 (haptic buttons) to his brand’s models “definitely did a lot of damage” and committed to provide more straightforward, practical interiors in all subsequent vehicles.

Numerous individual measures, such as increased camber stiffness and greater lateral force steering of the four-link rear axle (increased rear axle stability and thus increased driving safety), a new electromechanical steering setup, modified anti-roll bars and shock absorbers, and adaptations for different wheel rims, improve the running gear of the new model.

The Passat Variant’s more direct steering ratio and longer wheelbase improve the driving dynamics even more.

Volkswagen now offers a more advanced iteration of its best-selling adaptive chassis control: the optional DCC Pro with two-valve shock absorbers. This technology continuously responds to the road surface and driving situation, taking into account steering, braking, and acceleration motions.

The optimal damping is calculated for each wheel and changed in fractions of a second at the shock absorbers. The driver can tailor the DCC to his or her preferences, ranging from comfort to sport.

A Vehicle Dynamics Manager is also included as standard equipment, an MQB technology that debuted in the current Golf GTI. The system regulates the functions of the electronic differential locks (XDS) and the lateral dynamics components of the DCC Pro system’s controlled shock absorbers. Wheel-specific braking interventions and wheel-selective shock absorber hardness modification make handling more neutral, stable, nimble, and precise thanks to the Vehicle Dynamics Manager.

In addition to that, a new generation of IQ.Light LED matrix headlights will be available for the Passat Variant. At the back, it sports a continuous horizontal LED strip for the tail light clusters.

Turbodiesel engines (TDI), turbocharged petrol engines (TSI), mild hybrid turbocharged petrol engines (eTSI), and plug-in hybrid systems (eHybrid) will be available.

According to Volkswagen, in comparison to predecessors, the electric range of the new plug-in hybrid drives has been expanded to up to 100km, depending on equipment. Furthermore, AC charging will be faster in all eHybrid models, and DC charging will be available as standard for the first time.

There will be no sedan body type, unlike
previous
 Passat versions. As VW moves towards an all-electric future, this Passat is expected to be the last model of the marque to be offered with an internal combustion engine.