[Event]
 The venue was the Symphony Lake Suite @ KLCC

Headed over to the 2015 Mercedes-Benz AMG Petronas F1 Party on 28 March 2015 at Symphony Lake Suite, KLCC for an F1 party featuring a fashion show by Zang Toi, Joe Chia, and Bon Zainal, Designer of the Year of the Mercedes-Benz STYLO Fashion Grand Prix 2014. Symphony Lake Suite is actually a building situated across the Symphony Lake (the lake with the fountain outside Suria KLCC) which serves as a versatile event space for events, launches and parties.
Surprisingly this year was a rather quiet year for F1 in Kuala Lumpur, and there were hardly any F1 parties unlike previous years when a lot of F1 team sponsors would throw their parties. Guess with the worsening economy and the onset of GST a lot of brands were hesitant to spend their marketing budget, or perhaps as F1 has been coming to Malaysia since 1999 perhaps it doesn’t garner so much attention as it did previously.
Well that certainly didn’t stop the 2014 world champions Mercedes-Menz AMG Petronas F1 team in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and STYLO from going all out by throwing a really good party for their customers and invited guests. We got to enjoy lots of delicious food, loads of drinks, good entertainment, and there was even a photo booth with props.
Definitely the F1 party of the year, and if F1 is back in Malaysia next year I certainly hope that Mercedes-Benz will throw another awesome party!

 Outside the event venue was a really cool outlined model of an F1 car
 Inside there was a model of the Mercedes-Benz AMG Petronas F1 car which I think is from the 2013 season before the new lower nose regulations were introduced in 2014. Girls just couldn’t keep themselves off it.
 Dian Sharlin with it
 The beautiful Dian Sharlin with the sexy new Mercedes-Benz CLS 400
 With the MC of the night – Megan Tan
 With STYLO Model of the Year 2015 Eleen Yong
Didn’t take any photos of the fashion shows as we were rather far back in the hall mingling with our friends and enjoying the food and drinks. Also as we had already seen the collections by the designers during the previous STYLO nights at The Strand we didn’t quite mind.
 Dato Jimmy Choo with Jiali and Roland Folger, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (L-R)
 With Mei Yuen and Vicye
 Mei and her friends
 Later in the night the party was in full swing!
 With the sexy Jiali
 With the sweet (looking) Isabelle

More info on Mercedes-Benz Malaysia at http://www.mercedes-benz.com.my/
More info on the Mercedes-Benz AMG Petronas F1 team at http://www.mercedesamgf1.com/
Photo credits: Andy Kho Photography (www.andykho.com) and author’s own
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DRUK MY NIET Wine Pairing Dinner at Villa Danieli Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur

[Restaurant]

Mikasa and I headed over to Villa Danieli in the Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur on 5 July 2017 for the 5-course DRUK MY NIET wine pairing dinner. I was actually at Villa Danieli recently for their Sunday brunch (which you can read here – https://timchew.net/2017/06/23/italian-prosecco-brunch-at-villa-danieli-sheraton-imperial-kuala-lumpur/), however it’s nice to keep up my once a year wine pairing dinner tradition there.
DRUK MY NIET (http://www.dmnwines.co.za/) originates in the Boland – a region of the Western Cape province of South Africa where there is a small 24ha boutique winery amongst the endangered fynbos and several species of proteas. The winery which is situated in a biosphere reserve, is a proud member of the Biodiversity Initiative, and uses only sustainable farming methods.
Over the years the wine cellar has grown to an 80 tonne boutique winery with state of the art machinery and equipment, where the boutique wines are allowed to mature at their own pace. The farm used to be a part of Kleinbosch Farm and was bought by Huguenot Francois du Toit in 1692. In 2002, the Kirchners bought the farm and began a six (6) year period of renovation and replanting of the estate together with Malherbe Rust Architects and Future Growth Landscapers.
This renovation returned some of the oldest buildings in the Paarl Valley to their former glory, notably the old shed, which was built in 1692, which was converted into a more modern 80 tonne cellar. DMN also renovated the original historical open fermenter and installed new steel tanks. In 2008 the first wine, Mapoggo White, was produced on the farm. Mapoggo Red followed in 2009.
As DMN is a boutique wine, it is not available in supermarkets and mainstream wine shops here in Malaysia. However you can find DMN wines at some of the top hotels in Kuala Lumpur, such as the Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur. On to our wine pairing dinner at Villa Danieli.

Antipasto
Terrina Di Polpo
Octopus Terrine served with Fennel and Orange Salad, Pomegranate Reduction
Druk My Niet C68 Chenin Blanc, 2016
Grape:  100% Chenin blanc
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 12.5 % Vol
6-8 hours skin contact. Overnight settling at 10˚C.  80% of the juice is fermented in stainless steel tanks, the other 20% was fermented spontaneous in 2nd fill 225L oak barrels. Five (5) months later, the two (2) components are blended and bottled with only a light filtration. Fruity flavours of baked apple and vanilla carried on a savoury minerality that lingers with lime and butterscotch notes.
The octopus terrine was certainly an interesting and pretty dish, and the ever so friendly Chef Gaetano shared with us the techniques he used to make it. This appetiser featured some really fresh flavours which delightfully greeted the octopus making it an irresistible dish that was fully complemented by the fruity flavours of the Chenin Blanc while the slight minerality served to provide a unique aftertaste and added some balance to the flavours.

Zuppa
Seafood Bisque served with Marinated Crispy Oyster
Druk My Niet C68 Chenin Blanc, 2016
The really flavourful seafood bisque was simply heartwarming while the crispy oyster provided a little contrast of texture. Both went well with the Chenin Blanc which provided fresh and fruity flavours to complement the dish.

Pasta
Double Stuffed Raviolo with Duck and Pumpkin served with Parmesan Sauce and Duck Jus
Druk My Niet Malbec, 2012
Vintage: 2012
Grape: 100 % Malbec
Alcohol 14%
Rigorous hand sorting of berries. 18 months in traditional futs de Chene with minimal intervention to let the energy of the Terroir come to life. Intense, alive, complex. Beautiful black fruit backed with great spice complexity, firm youthful tannins on the palate which is accompanied with wonderful freshness and finesse.
This was a really wonderful pasta! The earthiness of the duck combined with the creaminess of the pumpkin and cheese, all brought together by the medium bodied Malbec which added some (slightly) spicy black fruity flavours. The result? A really inspired pairing that was truly wonderful!

Sorbetto
Lavender Sorbet

Piatto Principale
Sous Vide Australian Beef Striploin
Served with Sauté Green Peas, Jerusalem artichoke, Confit Saffron Potato and Shallot Beef Jus
Druk My Niet T3 Mediterranean Blend, 2011
Vintage:  2011
Alcohol : 14.16%
Grape:  45% Tempranillo, 29% Tannat, 26% Tinta Amarella
Rigorous hand sorting of berries. 22 months in traditional futs de Chene with minimal intervention to let the energy of the Terroir come to life. A handcrafted blend which is unique, the three (3) grape varietals combine to provide a full-bodied expression that complements the striploin.
Red meat and red wine, honestly it’s hard to go wrong however you need to choose one that is full-bodied enough to complement the flavours of the meat and not to be overwhelmed by it and this one pretty much did the job. The combination of the three (3) grape varietals provided a lot of complexity to the wine which in turn made this pairing a unique adventure of flavours.

Dolce
Pineapple Tarte served with Mango Soup and Pineapple Granita
A nice and surprisingly not too sweet end to the meal! I really dislike sweet desserts but this one was mildly sweet with lovely fresh piquant flavours that really perked up the palate instead of weighing it down with sweet/ rich flavours. A bright and cheery finish, capping off a lovely five (5) course dinner!

Mikasa with Chef Gaetano Di Stefano of Villa Danieli
Us with Chef Gaetano Di Stefano and Sheraton Imperial KL’s F&B Director Rajesh Kanna. Thanks for having us!

The raviolo (pasta course) was my pick for dish and pairing of the night as it was such a lovely and delicious combination that I simply couldn’t stop eating it and wished there was more when I did. Definitely adding it to my list of favourite dishes at Villa Danieli which also includes Chef Gaetano’s remarkably awesome lasagna which I had during the Sunday brunch!
As fully expected, the DMN wine pairing dinner at Villa Danielie featured dishes that were well thought out and complemented the flavours of the different wines. It was certainly a pleasure to be able to experience the boutique DMN wines as well, together with good company in a quaint free-standing Italian trattoria. Definitely looking forward to the next one!

Villa Danieli opens for lunch from 12 noon to 2.30pm from Mondays to Saturdays & Public Holidays, Prosecco Brunch from 11 am to 2.30pm on every Sunday and serves dinner from Mondays to Sundays from 6.30pm to 10 pm.
For table reservations at Villa Danieli, call 03-2717 9922 or email villa.danieli@sheraton.com.
For more info, head over to http://www.villadanielirestaurant.com

Panasonic Lumix LX10
Photos shot with the Panasonic Lumix LX10.
To find out more about the camera, head over to http://www.panasonic.com/my/consumer/cameras-camcorders/lumix-digital-cameras/advanced-creative/dmc-lx10.html
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Tech News – October 2021

[Tech & Gadgets]
Samsung Malaysia Electronics Debuts the New Samsung Galaxy M22 in Malaysia

Samsung Malaysia Electronics launched the new Galaxy M22, the latest addition to Samsung’s popular mid-range smartphone portfolio, to the Malaysian market on 1 October 2021. The phone’s standout features include a 6.4-inch HD+ Super AMOLED display with smooth 90Hz refresh rates, a 48MP quad-camera and a 5,000mAh battery that supports 25W fast charging.
“With the Galaxy M22, Samsung continues to re-invent mid-range smartphones that balance power and value for consumers. Packing an array of features and capabilities in the palms of users, the Galaxy M22 helps users to stay connected, capture memorable moments and remain on top of their tasks for work, play and everything in between, to make the most of their every day,”Edward Han, president of Samsung Malaysia Electronics
Besides the 6.4-inch HD+ Super AMOLED Infinity-U Display on the Galaxy M22 to for crisp visuals, Samsung has introduced a 90Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling. An upgrade from its predecessor with a 60Hz refresh rate, the Galaxy M22 also has a brightness level of up to 600 nits in High Brightness Mode that stays clear even under glaring sunlight.
The Galaxy M22 features a versatile quad camera setup which includes a 48MP main camera, a 8MP Ultra Wide Camera lets the user take in even more of the landscape with a 123° angle of view, and a 2MP Depth Camera allows the subject to stand out against the soft blur of the background. For close-up shots, there’s the Macro Camera to capture details, while in front is a 13MP front camera for selfies.
Additionally, the Galaxy M22 comes with camera modes like the AR Function for users to add more fun to their pictures, and the Night Mode to capture vivid photos in low lighting.
The Galaxy M22 features a powerful octa-core Helio G80 processor with up to 6GB of RAM. For smartphone power users such as content creators, Samsung has expanded the storage up to 128GB for the new Galaxy M22, and the phone also allows for extended memory of up to 1TB via an external memory card.
The large 5,000 mAh battery on the Galaxy M22 supports hours of entertainment and usage, and has 25W Super Fast Charging capability.
Offering multi-layered security against threats, Samsung Knox protects the Galaxy M22 right of the box. It supports the latest Android 11 and One UI for a focused and seamless user experience to get more done with content and features easily accessible.
The new Samsung Galaxy M22 is available in two colour offerings: Black and Light Blue.
The new Galaxy M22 will be sold on Samsung Online Store from 5 October 2021* with a Recommended Retail Price of RM899. In conjunction with the Shopee 10.10 campaign, new owners can enjoy RM120 off when you purchase a Samsung Galaxy M22 on Shopee at only RM779 from 3 to 10 October 2021 (while stocks last).
You can purchase a new Galaxy M22 at https://samsung.com/my/ or on Shopee.

Samsung Brings Industry-leading Partners into the Galaxy Z Series
My friends have so far been very impressed with the Galaxy Z Fold3
Samsung Malaysia passed me a Galaxy Z Fold3 5G to try out and so look out for my review of it soon.
One thing that amazed me was the fact that the apps on the Galaxy Z Fold3 have been optimized for operation on an almost square screen. That is because Samsung expanded its partnership with companies including Google and Microsoft to deliver the most optimized foldable experience for users.
From now until 31 October 2021, purchase the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G to receive a RM500 e-voucher and a one year plan of Samsung Care+ worth RM799. Consumers who purchase the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G within the same promotional period will receive a RM350 e-voucher and a one year plan of Samsung Care+ worth RM699.

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The Danna Langkawi Welcomes Back Travellers to their Luxury Beach Villas

[Travel News]
The Deck Beach Bar
The Danna Langkawi welcomes guests back with genuine island hospitality with the most spacious and largest one-and-two-bedroom private pool villas in Langkawi, each with direct access to the beach and lavish Salvatore Ferragamo bath amenities, designed to provide a top-class luxe experience.
The 10 private beach villas come with a tropical design and are surrounded by a manicured garden terrace, ideal for a luxury lifestyle getaway. Generously spaced from 490 sqm to 1,080 sqm, there are 9 units of 1-bedroom villas and 1 unit of 2-bedroom villa, each with its own private infinity pool and sun loungers, private spa therapy treatment area, living room and dining area.
The beach villas are perched along the pristine and secluded beachfront of Pantai Kok overlooking the majestic Andaman Sea, and are located adjacent to the main resort. Named the Princess Beach Villa and Empress Beach Villa, expect a refined and tranquil ambience, structured to merge the indoor and outdoor living spaces seamlessly, creating a connection between sophistication and inspiring views of lush nature.
At the Empress Beach Villa, guests can swim in their own large private lap pool with an outdoor jacuzzi while soaking up some rays and enjoying sweeping vistas over the coastline and turquoise ocean.
Empress Beach Villa
Empress Beach Villa
Highlights of the villas include a dedicated Guest Relations team attending to the needs of guests 24 hours a day for the duration of the stay, from intimate in-villa dining to arranging excursions on Pulau Langkawi.
Guests can relax on the high thread count plush linens, while the in-room entertainment includes a 65” smart TV with unlimited Netflix and YouTube access, iPad, iPod dock and Bluetooth audio system. There’s also a separate bath with rainforest shower, sunken bathtub, complimentary minibar replenished daily and a secluded outdoor deck.
Princess Beach Villa
Princess Beach Villa
Salvatore Ferragamo Bath Amenities
Filled with earthy tones, the design of the villas is inspired by the tropical island landscape where colonial architectural influences abound, reflected in the sleek dark wood furniture, lush sofas, marble flooring and floor-to-ceiling windows that create a bright living space allowing guests to enjoy the unobstructed sea view.
Enjoy an floating breakfast in your villa’s private pool, afternoon tea or a private BBQ dinner on the villa deck at your convenience. Guests can have the option of having their spa treatments at the dedicated spa area that was specially built to cater for further privacy. The maximum capacity for the one-bedroom villa is 4 adults, or 2 adults and 2 children while the two-bedroom villa is suitable for a family of 6 with 4 adults and 2 children.
Floating breakfast in the private pool
Private afternoon tea
The resort’s all-inclusive concept offers a dash of colourful culture and exotic island life with its complimentary welcome amenities, dining, rejuvenating relaxation and exciting exploration, combined with wellness and adventure. Guests can choose from a menu of daily meals, premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, water sports and other leisure activities.
The Danna Langkawi is also home to distinctive dining venues which feature the best from Italian and Western to Asian and Malaysian cuisine. As the sun approaches dusk, guests can ennjoy the sunset and soothing sounds from the gentle waves over dinner at the Terrace. The Danna Langkawi’s Italian Executive Chef, Giuliano Berta, helms the resort’s elegant dining outlet with an open show kitchen concept.
The Verandah serves a variety of spirits and cocktails curated and prepared by the bartenders. For those who fancy a dram of whisky or perhaps a glass of wine, step into the wine cellar, pick your choice, and pair your beverage with a cigar from the generous selection and have your nightcap at the Churchill Room.
At Straits & Co, where British colonial meets local favourites, enjoy a traditional aristocratic afternoon tea amidst the breezeway or indulge in light bites and delightful beverages at The Deck, in a chic island setting while overlooking prime views of the ocean as the sun goes down. Planter’s, the all-day dining restaurant, serves a wide selection of European-inspired and Asian flavours as well as a daily bubbly breakfast spread.
The resort also sports a main swimming pool – the largest 3-tiered infinity pool on the island – with a separate jacuzzi and kids’ pool. Among the other facilities are a fully-equipped gym that overlooks the mountains and marina, The Danna Spa, a kids club, library, billiard and games room.

Strategically located in Telaga Harbour Park, this colonial-Mediterranean inspired resort is easily accessible to many of Langkawi’s famous attractions and outdoor activities. It is located approximately 15 minutes from the Langkawi International Airport and 25 minutes from Pantai Cenang.
For reservations, call +604 959 3288, email reservation@thedanna.com or head over to www.thedanna.villas

Photo credits: The Danna Langkawi
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The New Range Rover Velar Launched in Malaysia

[Automotive News]

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia launched the New Range Rover Velar nationwide today, offering Malaysian drives a mid-sized SUV that exudes glamour, modernity and elegance. The new Velar was designed and engineered at Jaguar Land Rover’s development centres in the UK, and is manufactured at the company’s Solihull production facility with designs based on ‘reductionism’ and elegant simplicity,
The Velar comes with pioneering consumer technologies such as the flush deployable door handles, and the Touch Pro Duo infotainment system which features two 10-inch high-definition touchscreens integrated seamlessly behind secret-until-lit surfaces. These slim, intuitive displays work in harmony with the cabin architecture while adding an overall sense of modernity to the vehicle’s design. The Touch Pro Duo system allows the driver to multitask with greater safety by using two screens simultaneously. When travelling to a new destination, the lower screen can be used to make a call without losing the navigation on the upper screen. Other technology-advanced features include a Head Up Display (available only with the R-Dynamic), Interactive Driver Display and Navigation Pro.
Winner of the Car Design of the Year at the 2018 World Car Awards, the Velar carries a progressive design featuring a seductive silhouette, flush deployable door handles, integrated rear spoiler as well as distinctive design cues from the front bumper to the rear of the vehicle, foil stamped grille and Matrix LED Headlights.

Some of the Velar’s high-tech features include:
·       Flush Deployable Door Handles
The flush deployable door handles are unique to the Velar in the Land Rover family. A futuristic feature, the door handles deploy when the vehicle is unlocked and the handles retract once the vehicle is locked. The door handles contribute to the low drag coefficient of only 0.32, making it the most aerodynamically-efficient Land Rover ever produced.
·       Matrix LED Headlights
The most slender ever to appear on a Land Rover vehicle, these boldly designed Matrix LED headlights produce a quality of light close to daylight, giving excellent illumination and reducing eye fatigue.
·       12.3-inch Interactive Driver Display
The new Interactive Driver Display makes driving the Velar more interesting especially with four visual themes and a full-screen 3D navigation display.

The interior of the Velar is uncluttered, exquisite in detailing, and notably refined with the use of premium and luxury materials. Fortified with the Sports-Command driving position, the Velar’s front seats balance its performance-oriented design and support with luxurious comfort. Meticulously weight-optimised and designed to liberate additional interior space and legroom, the seats have also been carefully sculpted for ease of entry and egress to and from the cabin. Kvadrat highly durable wool-blend premium textile contrasted with Suede cloth is made optional for customers who prefer the option over the perforated grained leather for the P250 variant or perforated leather with suede cloth (depending on interior colour choice) that comes with the R-Dynamic variant. Kvadart is Europe’s leading manufacturer of high-quality design textiles, and its use in the Velar is unique to luxury SUVs of this segment.
The Velar’s body is built with aluminium-intensive monocoque using Jaguar Land Rover’s Lightweight Aluminium Architecture. Aluminium alloys account for more than 81 percent of the body-in-white – resulting in the Velar being top of its class in this aspect. Its light, stiff, aluminium-intensive body, together with double-wishbone front and Integral Link rear suspension provides the perfect basis for agile handling, and superior ride comfort,  while delivering exceptional levels of crash protection that the Velar has been developed to meet.
It is also one of the safest vehicles due to its comprehensive safety system that includes six airbags and a suite of technology advanced driver assistance systems including Head Up Display (available only with the R-Dynamic), Navigation Pro System and Cruise Control Speed Limiter.

The Velar was designed to deliver exceptional composure and agility on-road, as well as class-leading capability off-road. The most significant of these is an intelligent, efficient, torque on-demand all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, which provides the optimum torque distribution to suit various road conditions. Depending on road conditions, it can make the transition from 100 percent rear bias to fully locked in only 165 milliseconds; transient torque delivery to the front axle can take as little as 100 milliseconds. This makes the AWD system incredibly responsive, delivering exceptional performance in all conditions.
Exceptional performance and efficiency comes from its Ingenium powertrain, that is matched to a smooth-shifting ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive with Intelligent Driveline Dynamics. The Velar is fitted with the P250 powertrain. It is the first of the two new petrol engines that develops peak power of 250PS and high maximum torque of 365Nm, which is maintained from just 1,200rpm to 4,500rpm. This means that the Velar can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds and return an impressive 7.6-litres/100km and 173g/km CO2 on the European combined cycle.
The Velar is available in eight exterior colours namely Fuji White, Yulong White, Corris Grey, Santorini Black, Kaikoura Stone, Firenze Red, Silicon Silver and Carpathian Grey; and five interior colour options of Ebony/Ebony, Acorn, Vintage Tan/Ebony, Eclipse/Ebony and Light Oyster/Ebony. The Velar (P250) comes standard with 20-inch rims while the Velar R-Dynamic (P250) comes with 21-inch rims.
The Velar is available in two (2) options in Malaysia, both of which are inclusive of 6% GST but excludes Road Tax, Registration and Insurance:
·       Velar (P250) – RM529,800*
·       Velar R-Dynamic (P250) – RM588,800*

All vehicles distributed by Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia are compatible with the Malaysian climate, environment, fuel quality and meet the Malaysian emission standard. All Land Rover vehicles distributed by authorised dealers also come with Land Rover Care programme which includes a five-year warranty, five years’ free service and three years’ roadside assistance.
For more info, head over to http://www.landrover.com.my
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Official Launch of SISMA Auto’s Glenmarie 3S Centre

[Automotive News]

Jaguar Land Rover dealer SISMA Auto Sdn Bhd’s opened its new Glenmarie 3S centre on 17 June 2015, marking its second major new branch in less than a year. This comes hot on the heels of the opening of the first SISMA Auto Kuala Lumpur, which is located at Menara Worldwide, Jalan Bukit Bintang, back in October 2014.
SISMA Auto is an authorised dealer and service provider for Jaguar and Land Rover in Malaysia, and is the automotive arm of the SISMA Group of Companies. The company was founded by the late Dato’ Syed Ibrahim Syed Mohamed and his brother, Syed Hussain Syed Mohamed, the current Chairman.
SISMA Auto began operating in 1994 as the sole importer, distributor and exclusive accredited aftersales service provider for Jaguar cars in Malaysia. A joint venture between SISMA Auto and Sime Darby Motors later created Jaguar Land Rover (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, which is the exclusive importer for Jaguar and Land Rover in Malaysia. The joint venture was formed via SISMA Auto’s acquisition of a 40% share in Sime Darby Motors’ Land Rover (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, which was then renamed Jaguar Land Rover (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

 The reception area
 The gorgeous Jaguar F Type

This expansion is to support incoming new models that are expected to grow Jaguar Land Rover’s customer base in Malaysia, and will include the new Land Rover Discovery Sport; and the new XF sport sedan, all-new XE compact executive sedan and F-Pace, the first-ever performance crossover from Jaguar. The new models combine design, innovation, performance, practicality and capability to help broaden the appeal and reach of the two brands which are generally regarded in Malaysia as more niche or enthusiasts brands.

SISMA Auto Managing Director Syed Khalil Syed Ibrahim pledged that the company would retain its signature family-owned business approach and emphasis on personalised service even as it embarked on a network expansion.
“This approach has served us well for the past two decades as SISMA Auto became synonymous with the Jaguar brand.  Nothing will change despite our new expanded role as a dual-brand Jaguar Land Rover dealer and the fact that we are now growing our network. We will ensure that our customers are able to focus on enjoying the ownership experience while leaving the rest to us,” he said.
He cited the complimentary pick-up and drop-off service from customers’ residences or offices as one of the highlights of the premium ownership experience from SISMA Auto.
“The city-centre location of our Menara Worldwide showroom also makes it an extremely convenient and accessible service drop-off point for our customers,” he added.
 We were taken on a tour of the centre

SISMA Auto’s new Glenmarie 3S centre is located adjacent to its existing facility at Temasya Industrial Park, Glenmarie, and has a total build up area of 25,000 square feet. This new dual-brand 3S centre features a service capacity with 16 work bays and an interactive bay.  The spacious showroom is twice the size of the previous showroom, and has the capacity to showcase the complete range of Jaguar and Land Rover models.
The new Glenmarie 3S centre brings to life SISMA Auto’s Total Care philosophy which offers a full spectrum of services including all major vehicle repair and maintenance services; mechanical and electrical systems, steel and aluminium body and paint works, air-conditioning systems and even auto-detailing.

SISMA has also invested in a sophisticated Corghi Blue Light Laser Wheel Alignment equipment that enables alignment with maximum precision.

The new showroom is equipped with some of the most sophisticated tools and equipment, including more than 500 special tools and diagnostic equipment unique to Jaguar and Land Rover, making it a one-stop facility for all repair and maintenance needs.
 Car customisation lounge
 You get to customise your car before you purchase it

 Waiting lounge
If you choose to wait in the centre while your car is being serviced, you get to enjoy the massage chair, drink freshly brewed premium coffee and tea and refreshments, and watch TV at the waiting lounge.  The centre also comes with a vehicle configuration section and dedicated delivery bay enhance the purchasing experience while ample parking spaces at the front make customers feel more welcome.
 We were given a sneak preview of the soon to be launched Discovery Sport in the delivery bay
 The most popular chair in the whole centre

Since I was there I also took the opportunity to test drive the Jaguar XJ and XF.

SISMA Auto will also be investing up to RM20 million in a new Jaguar Land Rover 3S centre in Penang to cater to the Northern region.  In the meantime, the company would be opening an interim facility there later this year.

SISMA Auto Glenmarie is located at:
21 Jalan Perintis U1/52,
Section U1,
Temasya Industrial Park Glenmarie,
40150 Shah Alam,
Selangor.

For more information on SISMA Auto, head over to http://www.sismaauto.com
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TUMI Unveils Premium Capsule Luggage and Travel Collection Inspired by McLaren

TUMI, the leading international travel and lifestyle brand, unveiled its new collection designed and developed in partnership with luxury supercar maker and Formula 1 team, McLaren.
McLaren’s designers, engineers, and racers travel thousands of miles around the world each year in pursuit of perfection. Just as each driver relies on their car to get them across the finish line, the team depends on their luggage and travel necessities to get them to their destination. That inspiration manifests in the superior made-to-last quality of the collection.
For over 45 years, TUMI has built a reputation for innovation, functionality and durable design, with a focus on optimising the journeys of Global Citizens.
Since announcing in 2019 that the two companies would work together, TUMI’s Creative Director Victor Sanz and Rob Melville, McLaren’s supercar Design Director have created a premium capsule collection of elegant business, travel and everyday essentials. Each piece is designed to uncomplicate, while elevating performance in all aspects of life on the move.
From automotive to sports, TUMI is inspired by the world’s most innovative industries. For McLaren—a renowned global leader in embedding cutting-edge technology into products with a clear design aesthetic—travel and lifestyle are integral. The two brands share the common vision of continually pursuing higher levels of excellence, which is reflected in the considered details and choice of materials in the McLaren inspired TUMI range.
Embodying TUMI and McLaren’s mutual ethos of performance luxury, the capsule collection is comprised of nine pieces. Each encompasses elements of McLaren’s sleek, bold supercars and race cars. All are highlighted with McLaren’s signature Papaya colourway and feature CX6® carbon fibre accents.
Key travel pieces include the Aero International Expandable 4 Wheel Carry-On and the Quantum Duffel. The carry-on is crafted in a hybrid of materials, including Tegris®, an extremely hard-wearing thermoplastic composite found in race cars. The hard shell is contrasted by a moulded-fabric front panel with a supercar-influenced design that is echoed throughout the collaboration.
This solid build allows the collection to protect the contents it carries, incorporating further elements of McLaren’s supercar designs. The interior features a compression strap that takes its cues from the six-point racing harnesses found in its race cars and track-only models such as the limited-edition McLaren Senna GTR.
The Velocity Backpack was created to keep wearers connected all day long thanks to the inclusion of a USB port and padded laptop compartment. TUMI’s hallmark “Add-a-Bag” sleeve makes it a fitting companion to the collection’s carry-on.
The Torque Sling and Lumin Utility Pouch are additional contemporary styles for light-carry and hands-free days. The Orbit Small Packing Cube, Trace Expandable Organizer, and split compartment Teron Travel Kit are all ultra-portable accessories to keep your belongings protected, organised, and readily available through every leg of your journey.
Victor Sanz, Creative Director, TUMI said:“For me, this is the ultimate collaboration as TUMI and McLaren have an innate synergy.We’re two like-minded brands who share the same values—unparalleled quality, technical innovation and design excellence. The value of this partnership, however, extends beyond the product. With a keen focus on lifestyle, we design for the betterment of the customer experience. With McLaren’s advanced technology and our top-of-the-line materials, our gear can tackle the most arduous excursions and still effortlessly translate into daily life.”
Rob Melville, Design Director for McLaren Automotive, said: “When I first met with Victor to define the collection we quickly realised that we each brought a shared creative vision for what we wanted to achieve.
“At McLaren we focus on articulating a clear design language and materials selection which combines and leads into our car’s performance. We wanted to capture those aspects with TUMI so we’ve spent a great deal of time working to analyse and refine every aspect of this collection. The result is something that I am incredibly proud of and that I believe will elevate the owner’s experience while serving as a reminder that, like our cars, it’s about enjoying the journey and not simply the destination.”
Mark Waller, Chief Commercial Officer for McLaren Racing, said: “McLaren strives to push the boundaries of design, performance and perfection in everything it does, whether on the road or on the track. This collaboration exemplifies that spirit. We are delighted to be collaborating with TUMI on this collection. We look forward to seeing our race team use it around the world as we commence the 2021 Formula 1 season.”
The collection will be available 31 March 2021 via TUMI.com, TUMI’s Global retail stores, McLarenstore.com, and select McLaren retailers Globally.
Photo credits: TUMI

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PEUGEOT Launches the New Futuristic & Young 208 (2019)

[Automotive News]
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Building on its 208-year history, PEUGEOT is calmly and practically committing to the energy transition era by offering an exciting yet reassuring vision of the future with the launch of the new PEUGEOT 208 generation on 25 February 2018. The new model is distinguished by its keen design that brings with it a breath of youth and energy, and has three (3) different energy source options – electric, petrol or diesel.
In addition to original, distinctive styling, new PEUGEOT 208 is also breaking ground with a new generation PEUGEOT i-Cockpit© including a 3D head-up display and myriad driving aids normally reserved for higher market segments.
The new PEUGEOT 208 asserts a youthful image and communicates all its energy, spontaneity that reflect the values of the PEUGEOT brand –   High Expectations, Style and Emotion. Its lithe appearance epitomises cheerful, sporty vitality, brimming with promise. Its sleek, quality, and assertive design is combined with distinctive innovation and technology.
The great story of our brand is moving forward with serenity and purpose. Treat yourself by choosing the trim level and the engine type of your new PEUGEOT 208.

New PEUGEOT 208 sits on the PSA Group’s latest generation vehicle platform, CMP (Common Modular Platform). Dedicated to segments B and C, this new vehicle base complements the EMP2 (Efficient Modular Platform).
The CMP platform is adaptable in terms of dimensions and engine variants. Accommodating all power sources, it will enable customers to select their preferred type of power train, a traditional combustion engine (petrol or diesel) or an electric motor.
The car was developed with economy was the watchword throughout the development phase. This new platform helps to limit new PEUGEOT 208’s CO2 emissions, due to a reduction in weight (30 kg lighter vs. the F1 platform), improved aerodynamics (levelled floor-pan, electronically controlled air inlets), reduced roll resistance (Class A tyres, reduced suspension friction), and
power train optimisation (improved combustion output, down-sizing, reduced mechanical friction, transmission extension and generalisation of Stop & Start).
The CMP platform also provides for increased comfort and safety levels; greater acoustic and thermal comfort on board, lower vibration levels, as well as driving aids normally reserved for higher market segments and unprecedented in the B segment.

The new PEUGEOT e-208 offers a lively, stimulating driving experience with its 100% electric engine with an output of 100 KW (136 bhp) providing  260 Nm of torque (available from 0 km/h) for instant reactivity, silent engine, zero vibration, technology display on central screen (real-time drive train functional display).
The new PEUGEOT e-208 includes three drive modes:

Eco: to optimise range
Normal: optimum comfort for everyday use
Sport: priority is given to performance and sensations, maximum power and torque (0 to 100 km/h in 8.1s)

Two (2) braking modes are also available via the gear lever with appropriate battery regeneration:

Moderate, providing a sensation close to that felt when braking with a combustion engine
Augmented, for controlled deceleration by means of the accelerator pedal

New PEUGEOT e-208 offers the best thermal comfort on the market with:

a high-power heater element (5 kW) powered by the HV battery,
a heat pump and automatic temperature control in the passenger compartment, providing the same comfort standard as in a vehicle powered by a combustion engine. Vehicle range is preserved due to improved power efficiency compared to conventional climate control,
heated seats (according to version),
programmable thermal pre-conditioning, controlled from touch screen or remotely by the MyPeugeot® smartphone application. Besides comfort, this function allows vehicle range optimisation (the set temperature is reached more rapidly during start phases) and enables the optimum battery functional temperature to be attained sooner.

Interior and boot-space are identical to the ICE version. The batteries, which take up a volume of 220L, are distributed under the floor pan in new PEUGEOT 208.
The new PEUGEOT e-208’s running gear has been optimised and specific technical solutions have been applied (optimum mass distribution), enabling the car to achieve dynamic performances on a par with the combustion engine version.
The new PEUGEOT e-208 is fitted with a 50 kWh large-capacity battery enabling a vehicle range of up to 340 km, according to the WLTP (Worldwide harmonised Light vehicles Test Procedures) certification protocol and 450 km according to NEDC (New European Driving Cycle).  Linked to the passenger compartment cooling system, fluid-cooled temperature control enables fast recharging, optimised range and increased life-span.  This battery is guaranteed for 8 years or 160 000 km for 70% of its charge capacity.
There are three (3) charge modes:

using a conventional domestic socket or for a full charge in 16 hours, using a heavy duty Legrand® Green Up™   socket, supplied complete with charging cable,
from a Wall Box, providing a full charge in 5 hours 15 minutes for the three-phase version (11 kW) or in 8 hours for mono-phase (7.4 kW),
using a dedicated public charging terminal: battery thermal regulation permits the use of 100 kW chargers, 80% of the charge being reached in 30 minutes.

The new PEUGEOT e-208 can also be remotely charged if programmed via the Connected Navigation screen or using the MyPeugeot® smartphone application. This system also enables you to start or stop charging at any time and allows you to check the charge status.
PEUGEOT is launching a new service offering, based on three keystones:

Easy-Charge or how to facilitate access to the different charging solutions:

A range of at-home or office charging solutions with a broad choice of equipment (heavy-duty socket, Wallbox, Smart Wallbox, etc.), a diagnostic service to assess the electric installation and plan for a better charging solution and final installation,
A public charge offering via Free2Move Services, including a charge pass giving access to over 85,000 charging points in Europe : pre-selection of terminals according to distance, speed and price of recharging. The connected navigation takes care of the guidance to the chosen terminal.

2. Easy-Move

Trip planner : a trip planning and organisational tool for long journeys via Free2Move Services ; proposal of the best routes taking into account the residual autonomy and the location of charging stations on the road. Sending the route to Connected Navigation allows to find this route within the vehicle,
Mobility Pass: extended and guaranteed mobility by means of a pass for a rental vehicle at any time as a function of requirements,
E-coaching: a tool in the MyPeugeot application that allows to receive advice on how to optimize the driving and the autonomy of new e-208.

3. Serenity

New digital journey simulators to promote discovery of the electric vehicle world on the PEUGEOT websites,
Special service contracts and road-side assistance, which may be included in a single finance package, to ensure peace of mind at all times,
A battery capacity certificate to facilitate vehicle resale with a guarantee of the vehicle’s battery charge capacity.

The new PEUGEOT 208 possesses a full range of cutting-edge, EURO 6.d-compliant petrol engines and EURO 6.d-temp-compliant diesel engines. Unique in segment B, PureTech 100 and 130 are available with the EAT8 eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Petrol, 3-cylinder, 1.2L cc engines:

PureTech 75 S&S BVM5
PureTech 100 S&S BVM6 or EAT8
PureTech 130 S&S EAT8

Diesel, 4-cylinder, 1.5L cc engine:

BlueHDi 100 S&S BVM6

For regions where emission control requirements are less stringent, engines fitted with a mechanical gearbox (BVM6) or automatic gearbox (EAT6) will also be available.

The new PEUGEOT 208’s exterior is distinctive and tasteful, revealing an expressive design with pleasing proportions. Longer, wider and lower than the current PEUGEOT 208, this new generation reveals a distinctive bodyline, suggesting sportiness with its clean, taut lines. There is also a clear touch of sensuality conferred by the wide shaped wings and overall body curves – a discreet balance between soft and firm.
From the side, the new PEUGEOT 208 reveals its pared-back windscreen that allows space for a longer, sculpted bonnet. To underscore the sporty look, the extreme-angled quarter light is perfectly aligned with the rear wheel arch. The GT Line or GT versions feature glossy black wheel arch flaring: this streamlines the body, making the wheel diameter appear larger. On these premium versions, the 17-inch wheel rims are adorned with screw-in, customisable inserts which improve the aerodynamic effect and reduce the un-sprung mass (-3.6 kg per vehicle).

Immediately recognisable, the front end is a clever blend echoing the visual signature of the lower section of new PEUGEOT and the Full LED 3-claw headlight signature (according to version). The front bumper is designed as a single contour containing a perfectly-integrated, single outlet radiator grill in the centre, bearing the iconic PEUGEOT Lion. The tip of the bonnet shows off the 208 badge.

As a follow-on from PEUGEOT 3008/5008/508, the rear end of new PEUGEOT 208 stands out with its black band running over the width of the boot lid, linking the 3-claw lights (which are also day-running). The design is exact, shapes are taut. The rear diffuser is available in a gloss black finish and, depending on the engine variant, may be enhanced by a chrome exhaust tail pipe.

In addition to standard body colours and the Black Diamond roof, the new PEUGEOT 208 has a range of tints which complement the vehicle’s energetic and dynamic character:

Metallic Faro yellow,
Triple coat Vertigo blue,
Elixir red with colour top-coat: this process deepens the depth of colour. The body shape is enhanced with reflections.

New PEUGEOT e-208 is adorned with instantly recognisable exterior signs:

Body colour-coded radiator grill,
Dichroic Lions (the Lions appear to change colour as a function of the angle of view),
“e-208 ” badge at the rear and an “e” on the rear wings.

Inspired by the PEUGEOT FRACTAL concept car, the new PEUGEOT 208 benefits from a new  generation of the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit® which features the same seamless 3-tier ergonomic structure as on the other models in the range.
Eye: all information is easy to see, carefully placed in the drivers field of view. Depending on the spec. level, the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit® 3D instrument panel display information that can be read at two levels. On the upper digital pad, information is projected in hologram form. The data is dynamic, being displayed closer or further to the driver’s eye as a function of importance or urgency, thus increasing reactivity by around half a second. Above the toggle switches in the central section, the touch screen is available in 5, 7 or 10-inch versions, depending on the spec. level and options selected.
Hands: all materials used are agreeable to the touch, gaps and alignments are minimal, tactile or physical controls are cleverly positioned. From the Active finish level (depending on the country), the dashboard is padded and the central section is embellished with a “carbon” finish. The compact steering wheel has been adopted from the higher market segments. The EAT 8 Shift and Park by Wire control is intuitive and ergonomic. The associated steering wheel paddle controls allow occasional manual gear-shifting without ever losing automatic mode.
Body: the passenger compartment forms a cockpit enveloping the occupants. The seats are exceedingly comfortable and easy to maintain.
Great attention was paid to the proportions and layout of the new PEUGEOT 208’s storage spaces. In addition to the door bins and glovebox, there are 3 storage areas along the vehicle (depending on version):

A large storage area under the armrest between the front seats,
An easy-access tray in front of the gear lever
A clever concealable storage space in the central console can be used to discreetly induction-charge a smartphone. The cover rear section is designed to enable a smartphone to the positioned in the open position.

The new PEUGEOT 208 is available in five (5) spec levels: Like, Active, Allure, GT Line and GT.

The high-end versions, GT Line and GT feature distinctive styling cues:

Full LED headlights with 3-claw lighting signature
Gloss black wheel arch trim and window weather strips
17” alloy wheel rims with inserts
Neat passenger compartment details: black roof lining with Adamite overstitching, 8 ambient lighting colour options, sport seats, aluminium pedal assembly

Specially for PEUGEOT e-208, the GT spec. level is even more distinctive, with:

Exclusive Alcantara©/Greval gray upholstery in association with 3D technical mesh knit,
17’ wheel rims with special inserts.

With Drive Assist, the new PEUGEOT 208 provides semi-automatic driving with its latest, best-in-segment generation of driving aids:

Adaptive Cruise Control, Stop & Go with the EAT8 (or Automatic Cruise Control Stop & Go) with adjustable inter-vehicle distance information. In a traffic queue, vehicle restarting is automatic if the stoppage lasts less than 3 seconds Otherwise, by a quick flip on the accelerator pedal or the tip of the steering column stalk, the function is re-initiated.  The function is available from 0 km/h. With the 30 km/h function available with the manual gearbox, following a braking operation bringing the vehicle to under 30 km/h, cruise control then is put on hold and the driver has to take over, use the clutch and brake until the vehicle comes to a full halt
Lane positioning assistance, whereby the driver can chose the lane position (associated with ACC Stop & Go)
Full Park Assist with Flankguard (with the EAT8 AGB). The system automatically manages steering, acceleration and braking when entering or leaving a parking space
Latest generation Automatic Emergency Brake Assist (detection of pedestrians and cyclists by day and night from 5km/h to 140 km/h) and warns of a risk of collision
Active lane (or verge) keeping assist with course correction from 65 km/h upwards
Driver Attention Monitoring, which detects the driver’s alertness on long journeys as from 65 km/h using steering wheel micro-movement analysis techniques
Automatic headlight dipping
Speed limit recognition and recommendation
Extended traffic sign recognition (Stop, No Entry signs)
Active Blind Spot Monitoring (with course correction). This function is available as from 12km/h
Electric parking brake

The new PEUGEOT’s Mirror Screen function is compatible with the MirrorLink™, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ connection protocols. An induction charging spot is conveniently positioned in the storage space under the central console and up to four USB sockets are available (including a type C).
TomTom® Traffic connected 3D navigation indicates the traffic conditions and risk zones in real-time.
New PEUGEOT 208 will be on the market in the autumn of 2019 and is to be shown for the first time at the Geneva International Motor Show.
For more info, head over to http://www.peugeot.com/
Photo credits: Peugeot
.

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Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Kuala Lumpur 2022

[Automotive News]

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia recently completed the fourth instalment of the annual Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week KL 2022 (MBFWKL), which was themed “Electrifying Sustainability.” MBFWKL 2022 saw the participation of some of the biggest and emerging stars in the local and regional fashion industry, including Carven Ong, Justin Yap, Joe Chia, and many more.

“Over the years, our MBFWKL event is an establishment of how design features as a nucleus in both fashion and the automotive world, and therefore it is only natural for us to move towards co-creating sustainability together in a creative and emotive manner. This is in line with our global commitment to go carbon neutral by 2039 as well as our commitment to fashion which spans over 20 years in the international arena. Through our ‘Sensual Purity” designs and innovative technology, we want to create an emotional experience when it comes to luxury and sustainability.”
Sagree Sardien, CEO & President of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia & Head of Region, South East Asia II

 “Design is deeply rooted in our core and so is sustainability. With our newly launched EQ range and our global commitment to lead in electric, it is amazing to see how these designers drew inspiration from our EQ models and is also leading sustainable change in the fashion industry without compromising the unique emotional and sensual appeal. We also want to continue creating a platform for budding designers through our Fashion Futures initiative and to further drive sustainable change.”
Michael Jopp, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
Through the Fashion Futures Design competition, MBFWKL continues to act as a platform for new and seasoned designers to exhibit their collections and inspirations. This year, five designers were selected and were required to create four sets of original ready-to-wear looks, while also having to integrate sustainability into their final collection, which was assessed by a jury of recognised industry professionals. The winner of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week KL 2022 Fashion Futures design competition will receive an all-expense-paid trip to an international Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week event. Aside from meeting prominent worldwide designers, the winner will obtain exposure and insights into the fashion business.

“Over the years, our MBFWKL event is an establishment of how design features as a nucleus in both fashion and the automotive world, and therefore it is only natural for us to move towards co-creating sustainability together in a creative and emotive manner.”
Sagree Sardien, CEO & President of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia & Head of Region, South East Asia II

Mercedes-Benz uses an integrated design approach as a fundamental building block to display its products and brand to perfection and provide consumers a superior experience. Since 2009, Sensual Purity’s design ethos has developed steadily and now encompasses the bipolarity of intelligence and emotion, a crucial component of product designs. Traditional luxury is being transformed into modern-day interpretations, which makes it intriguing, real, and most importantly, enticing.
Mercedes-Benz actively strives to future-proof the responsible expansion of its fashion collaborations as part of its commitment to the long-term viability of luxury design. This is achieved by showcasing best practises and collaborating with artists that uphold principles like outstanding and intuitive design, creativity, and innovation. Mercedes-Benz has supported nearly 170 designers in over 30 platforms worldwide, including Milan, London, New York, Beijing, Australia, Prague, Istanbul, Berlin, and Accra, through its Mercedes-Benz Fashion programmes and creative collaborations.
Over 1,000 visitors attended MBFWKL 2022, which was held over three days at Zepp Kuala Lumpur. These guests included local designers, celebrities and socialites, fashion muses, key opinion leaders, as well as Mercedes-Benz customers and fans.
For more information on Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Kuala Lumpur 2021, head over to www.mbfw-kl.com

Photos and videos by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
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Huawei P20 and Huawei P20 Pro Launched in Malaysia

[Tech & Gadgets]

Being a HUAWEI user (no I’m not sponsored by them currently however I did purchase my own Huawei Mate 10 Pro a couple of months back), I was pretty excited about the launch of the new Huawei P20 and P20 Pro in Malaysia after watching the video of the international launch in Paris last week. Huawei (Mobile) has grown from a virtually unknown brand (in the smartphone category) in Malaysia back in 2014, to setting new standards for smartphone photography with the HUAWEI P9 – equipped with the first Leica dual camera, to becoming the second largest smartphone brand in Malaysia to date. A pretty impressive feat in a span of less than four (4) years!
So off I went to the Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre on 2 April 2018 for the media unveiling of the much-anticipated HUAWEI P20 and HUAWEI P20 Pro (unfortunately Huawei is not bringing in the Porsche Design Mate RS at the moment but that could change if demand picks up) which seeks to make capturing professional quality images a truly effortless experience for everyone. The HUAWEI P20 Pro is quite a revolutionary device as it features the world’s first Leica triple camera, while both devices have improved AI which was debuted on the Mate 10 Pro.

“We look for inspiration from artists to continuously evolve our approach to design and innovation,” said Bill Liu, Country Director, HUAWEI Malaysia (in the centre). “The HUAWEI P20 Series builds on the legacy of our collaboration with Leica. With a breakthrough triple camera on the HUAWEI P20 Pro, an advanced dual camera on the HUAWEI P20, and powerful artificial intelligence on both, today’s most vibrant consumers can capture and share the brilliance of the world around them.”
          Huawei P20             HUAWEI P20 Pro

The combined sales for the P10 and P10 Plus have crossed the total of 10.4 million units globally, while a total of 5.31 million units of Mate 10 Series were sold. Overall, across all divisions, HUAWEI’s global revenue for 2017 grew to an impressive value of USD 1,022 billion, which is a rapid 26% increase from 2016.
In Malaysia, HUAWEI’s brand awareness stands at 94%, which indicates that 9 out of 10 people have heard of HUAWEI. Apart from that, HUAWEI is also ranked in YouGov ranking, an international internet-based market research and data analytics firm. HUAWEI ranked 6th in the top 10 brand advocacy ranking and number one improver from 2016 to 2017. In 2017, the sale of HUAWEI’s flagship products soared, gaining a 13% year on year growth with the P series. The Mate series, on the other hand, grew by 65% year-on-year in a short 3 months’ time.
Achieving DxOMark’s highest overall scores (DxOMark scores in the mobile camera category – HUAWEI P20 Pro: 109; HUAWEI P20: 102), the HUAWEI P20 Series includes advanced, intelligent camera systems that bring consumers features that ultimately enhance every part of the smartphone photography experience.

Matthew Ng – Deputy Country Director of HUAWEI Malaysia presenting the idea of humanising technology
Luke Au – Product Marketing Director of HUAWEI Malaysia presenting the revolutionary features of the HUAWEI P20 (and in the photo below the P20 Pro)

Shot this pic from quite far away with my Mate 10 Pro but I’m itching to get my hands on the new P20 Pro
The P20 Pro has really high levels of ISO, way higher than most system cameras and on par with mid to high range DSLRs!

The HUAWEI P20 Series is encased with a pretty striking, fashion-forward aesthetic, and both new models are available in Black and Midnight Blue. The 5.8-inch screen HUAWEI P20 and 6.1-inch screen HUAWEI P20 Pro feature ultra-thin bezels and impressive screen-to-body ratios for better viewing experiences with more on-screen information, whether reading or gaming. The HUAWEI FullView Display seamlessly blends with rounded edges, making the device comfortable to hold due to the lack of sharp edges.
The HUAWEI P20 Series is essentially a phone built around a seriously good camera (or should I say 3 or 4 cameras depending on the model), with the objective of drastically enhancing the smartphone photography experience. The HUAWEI P20 builds on its predecessor’s foundation with a Leica dual camera featuring a 12MP lens with a pixel size as high as 1.55 μm, and a 20MP monochrome lens, enhancing the HUAWEI P20’s ability to capture photos in low-light settings.
The HUAWEI P20 Pro on the other hand, features a Leica triple camera (on the back) with the highest total pixel count on a smartphone available in the market – comprising of a 40MP RGB sensor, a 20MP monochrome sensor and an 8MP sensor with telephoto lens. It also features a colour temperature sensor for better colour reproduction. The lenses come with f/1.8, f/1.6 and f/2.4 wide aperture which allows lots of light in to capture crisp, clear details, while the brand new Leica 3x telephoto (VARIO-SUMMILUX-H 1:1.6-2.4/27-80ASPH) lens enables users to take long-range photography of up to 5x Hybrid Zoom. The highly sensitive image sensor captures low light photos with up to ISO 102400 which way higher than most system cameras and on par with mid to high range DSLRs!
Both devices support six-axis stabilization and 960fps super slow motion, which is 4x higher than the standard 240fps and captures details that cannot be seen with the naked eye. With Ultra Snapshot mode, the devices can capture an image in as little as 0.3 seconds by just double clicking the down volume button, even from an off screen.

During the launch, we got to try the phone’s photography capabilities during experiential session which was conducted to highlight the most light-sensitive mobile camera, lossless zoom and Master AI.

Huawei P20 Pro
Huawei P20

With the Kirin 970 processor, the HUAWEI P20 Series automatically identifies more than 500 scenarios in 19 categories and selects photography modes and camera settings which assists to deliver the best quality photos possible, something that is useful for novice photographers and even more advanced users.
The HUAWEI AIS steadies handheld night shots for incredible long exposure images without a tripod. Brand new to HUAWEI’s advanced camera system is 4D predictive focus. In this mode, the camera predicts moving objects and focuses on them with extreme efficiency to capture minute details of objects in motion. In addition, the HUAWEI P20 Series features AI-Assisted Composition, providing intelligent suggestions to frame group shots and landscapes.
On the front, both the HUAWEI P20 and HUAWEI P20 Pro feature a 24MP selfie camera with AI beautification and 3D portrait lighting (which you can manually edit) which can deliver beautiful selfies with healthy-looking skin tone adjustments, delicately outlined facial details and realistic 3D feature enhancements.
The HUAWEI HiAI Ecosystem enhances a variety of app experiences. One example is the on-device Prisma processing, which supports real-time filter recommendations based on scene and object recognition – the calculation speed is three to four times that of the cloud version. In partnership with Google, the HUAWEI P20 Series supports Google ARCore delivering advanced AR capabilities. The new HUAWEI P20 Series devices are compatible with two new audio accessories: HUAWEI FreeBuds and HUAWEI Active Noise Cancelling Earphones.

The HUAWEI P20 Series will be available in Malaysia from 6 April 2018 onwards priced at:

Model
Version
RM

HUAWEI P20
4GB + 128GB
RM2,599.00

HUAWEI P20 Pro
6GB + 128GB
RM3,299.00

HUAWEI P20 Roadshow
In commemoration of the launch of the HUAWEI P20, HUAWEI will be having a HUAWEI P20 Roadshow from 6 till 8 April 2018 at LG Floor, Blue Concourse, Sunway Pyramid. With every purchase of the HUAWEI P20 series, customers can stand a chance to win attractive prizes worth more than RM999 (terms and conditions apply) such as a Canon Pixma E3170 printer, a HUAWEI Sport Bluetooth headphone (AM61) and other exclusive rewards. Additionally, customers will stand a chance to be awarded with another HUAWEI P20 Pro smartphone when they purchase from the HUAWEI P20 Roadshow.
Folks in Penang, the HUAWEI P20 Roadshow experience will also be organised in Sunway Carnival Mall, Penang.

For more information please visit HUAWEI’s website at http://consumer.huawei.com or HUAWEI’s official Facebook page www.facebook.com/HUAWEIMobileMY

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 @huaweimobilemy launched the new #Huawei P20 and P20 Pro in Malaysia today priced at RM2,599 and RM3,299 respectively. The P20 Pro comes with triple cameras developed with @leica_camera with one being a 40 megapixel camera!  #seemooore #huaweip20pro #huaweip20 #ArtificialIntelligence #triplecamera
A post shared by  Tim Chew (@timchew1311) on Apr 3, 2018 at 5:31am PDT

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ADV: RICOH Aficio™ SP 100 e Series Printers

[Advertorial]
Opens in Malaysian cinemas on 19 July 2012

Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/ Batman
Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle/ Catwoman – gorgeous!!!
Thanks to the nice folks at Ricoh Malaysia, I got to attend their premier screening at GSC Signature at The Gardens, Mid Valley together with Chammaine, Povy, Sarah, Casey, Adrienne and Sandy from Malaysia’s Hottest Bloggers on 18 July 2012 (a day before the movie opened in cinemas).
Here’s a little info on the movie:
Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “The Dark Knight Rises” is the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.
Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar® winner Christian Bale (“The Fighter”) again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose”), as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake.
Returning to the main cast, Oscar® winner Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules”) plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar® winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”) reprises the role of Lucius Fox.
The screenplay is written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer. The film is produced by Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven, who previously teamed on “Batman Begins” and the record-breaking blockbuster “The Dark Knight.” The film is based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by Bob Kane.
The movie is nothing short of awesome with in-depth character development, stunning cinematography and a well thought out storyline. Do yourself a favour and watch it in IMAX if you can.
Before the premier screening, Ricoh who is the official partner of ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ unveiled their latest range of consumer printers! What? Consumer printers?
.
The launch at GSC Signature, The Gardens Midvalley
SP 100SU e, SP 100SF e, SP 100 e (Left to right)
Adrienne, Casey, Povy, Sarah, Chammaine and Sandy from Malaysia’s Hottest Bloggers
.
Hahaha! I bet those of you who are working are definitely accustomed to seeing Ricoh products particularly photocopy machines and laser colour printers. Ricoh is one of the world’s leading suppliers of office automation equipment, including copiers, facsimile machines, data processing systems, and related supplies. Ricoh is also renowned for its state-of-the-art electronic devices and photographic equipment.
Wouldn’t you like to have Ricoh quality printing right in your home? Well now you can with the 1st Black & White Compact Laser Printers from Ricoh the Aficio™ SP 100 e Series Printers that offers you quality printing without bursting your piggy bank.
Visit Ricoh Malaysia’s website (click here) or read on for more info.

The recommended retail price (RRP) for the is SP 100 e is RM299.00. It is an affordable A4 mono laser printer ideal for personal use.
RRP for the SP 100SU e is RM499.00 and is a multifunction printer (print, copy and scan) that provides small (or SOHO) businesses the option of keeping overheads low.
RRP for the SP 100SF e is RM669.00 and is also a multifunction printer (print, copy and scan) with an in-built fax!
.
Ok I bet you’re wondering…what’s so cool about the Ricoh Aficio™ SP 100 e Series Printers?
Well the printers are:
•AFFORDABLE: Look at the pricing above! The toners are also affordably priced around RM180.00 and can print up to 1,200 pages.
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•HIGH PRODUCTIVITY: Don’t you just hate it when you press the ‘print’ icon on your PC/ laptop then nothing happens for a minute or two? With print speeds up to 13ppm A4 with 16MB memory (SP 100 e & SP 100SU e) / 32MB memory (SP 100SF e) waiting for your prints will be a thing of the past.
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•HIGH QUALITY: Prints up to 1,200 x 600 dpi resolution.
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•EASY TO USE & RELIABLE: Simple and fast USB connectivity. Full front operation and machine access for easy paper jam removal. Easy to change cartridges as well. For those of us who doesn’t have an IT guy in the office.
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•ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY: The printers come from a brand with superior environmental credentials. Everything is going green nowadays even printing!
•Devices without the ID chip, have been designed with the industry-first toner refilling option—a feature that also reduces costs
•Energy Saver Mode uses as little as 5 W or less – saves on your electricity bill!
•Manual duplex printing and the ability to print using recycled paper helps you to cut costs by reducing paper waste thus saving trees and reducing the impact on the environment! It’s no longer ‘save the cheerleader save the world’. Now it’s ‘save money and save the world!’.
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•COMPACT & PORTABLE
•No more huge, cumbersome printers! These babies won’t take up much space on your desktop, shop counter or open shelf – freeing up valuable space for you and at the same time adding a bit of style.
•If you’re a business person who needs to print on the go you can easily bring these lightweight devices (the SP 100 e is just 6.2kg) to conferences or meeting rooms providing access to print, copy and scan functionality.
•These portable devices can be placed in a carry bag and transported wherever they are required.
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•EASY TO USE & RELIABLE
•All models come with the starter AIO (All-In-One) cartridge which is easy to maintain and replace.
•Robust and durable, these devices have a unit life of 50,000 prints.
•Setup time is reduced as you can plug the device into the USB slot of the host computer and be ready to print in minutes.

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Exclusive Rewards Upon Purchase
From now until 31 August 2012 simply buy a Aficio™ SP 100 e Series Printer and get instant rewards. You will also stand a chance to win the weekly and monthly rewards upon registering the printer online.
Head over to Ricoh Malaysia’s website (click here) for more info and the terms and conditions.
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Free Printing for Students!
Simply follow these steps:
1) Like RICOH MALAYSIA (Official) Fan Page.
2) Fill up your details.
3) Print up to 50 pages per student.
Head over to Ricoh Malaysia’s website (click here) for more info on the tour schedule, venues and dates.
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Daily Giveaways
Here are more stuff for you to win!
1) Like RICOH MALAYSIA (Official) Facebook Fan Page (click here)
b) Click on the ‘Daily Giveaways’ tab
c) Follow the instructions
The list of winners will be posted on the campaign site as well as Ricoh’s Facebook fan page every evening.
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Make sure you visit and ‘Like’ the RICOH MALAYSIA (Official) Facebook Fan Page (click here) to get updates about new products and offers and who knows, you might even win yourself a new printer!
Good luck!

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Romantic Dining Spots – Cedar on 15 (Revisit)

[Romantic Dining Spots]

My last visit to Cedar on 15 at Impiana KLCC Hotel was back in December 2013 (which you can read here – https://timchew.net/2014/02/06/romantic-dining-spots-cedar-on-15/) and since then the restaurant has revamped their menu so I thought it was time for me to head over for another review.
Now since my first visit, I’ve been regularly recommending Cedar on 15 as a good venue for special occasions to my friends who want to bring their partner to somewhere nice to celebrate their birthday/ anniversary/ special occasion.

 With me this time round was Amanda as my regular partner in crime was occupied
Reaching early, we decided to try out some of the signature cocktails at the bar section of Cedar on 15 which is also the al fresco section with a nice view of the KL Convention Centre, the Petronas Twin Towers, and surrounding buildings.

Mango Tango – London Hill Dry chilli, Monin Spicy Mango, Soda – RM30.00
OMG was this one spicy!!! Order this if you’re feeling adventurous…or like chilli.

Cedar’s Whisper – Whispering Angel Rose, Monin Peach, Cranberry juice – RM30.00
Something sweet and good for the ladies.

Classic Mojito – Matusalem Platino, Fresh mint leaves, Lemon juice, Soda, Sugar – RM33.00
Nice and refreshing and just nice to cool the heat from the Mango Tango.

 Here’s the bar section of Cedar on 15. We enjoyed the view of the sun setting over KL city then we headed into the dining room for dinner.

 The main dining room still looks the same – a very romantic setting indeed
 The instrumental band added to the romantic ambience of Cedar on 15
 Cedar on 15 has an open kitchen so you can watch the chefs in action
 There’s even a private dining room which fits up to a dozen persons

 Amuse Bouche
 Some lovely house made breads and dips to start the meal

Cream of Topinambour with Truffle Oil and Bocconcini Cheese with Truffle Oil = RM38.00
We purposely chose to have this soup as it’s one that I’ve never tried before. Topinambour or Jerusalem artichoke is a North American tuber that somewhat resembles a potato but tastes like an artichoke. This turned out to be an inspired selection as the soup was absolutely delicious! The combination of artichoke with the creaminess of the Bocconcini Cheese which is from the Mozzarella cheese family, combined with just a bit of truffle oil to add a little luxuriousness to the dish, resulted in a soup that I just couldn’t stop ingesting!

Creamy Tomato Bisque Soup with Pine Nut Dumpling and served with Vodka – RM38.00
This was something a little more familiar nevertheless it was no less flavourful than the previous one. The pine nut dumpling gave a great contrast in textures and added some nutty flavours to the soup. Vodka is a pretty neutral tasting spirit so I didn’t really taste much of it but I added a whole lot of it anyway (me and alcohol…). The bisque was very flavourful and had the right amount of cream to it as not to make the soup too cloying. The tomato flavours were strong – just how I’d expect a good tomato soup to be. A nice hearty dish indeed!

 Fresh Burrata Cheese – Air flown from Italy with Roma Tomatoes and Extra Virgin Olive Oil – RM45.00
Burrata is a very young Mozzarella Cheese wrapped in Balsamic Gelee Basil Olive Oil and this dish is normally found in higher end Italian restaurants as it originates from Italy. The black thing covering the cheese was the balsamic “gelee” or jelly which imparted some sour flavours which together with the sliced tomatoes, worked to counter the richness of the cheese while the pesto and extra virgin olive oil added some depth to this dish. If you’re a cheese lover you definitely must order this one!

Cedar Salad – Baby Spinach with shaved Parmesan, toasted Pine Nuts and Mustard Walnut Vinaigrette served with pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar – RM42.00
Loved the combination of different flavours and textures in this dish. The mustard walnut vinaigrette was certainly an uncommon dressing and was a very refreshing and nutty one indeed. We added some pomegranate balsamic vinegar to add even more sweet and piquant flavours to this dish. BTW I do love how all the dishes are paired with a little something like the pomegranate balsamic vinegar in this dish, the vodka for the tomato bisque, truffle oil, extra virgin olive oil, etc. etc. which you can added to your dish. It works to complement and bring out the flavours of the dish and you can experiment with adding different amounts.

Tiger Prawns, 350g/3pcs – Arrives sizzling at your table on the Salt Block served with Asparagus and Garlic Baguette served with Organic Hazelnut Oil – RM88.00
Nice and fresh and juicy prawns that were perfectly grilled. The sides of asparagus and garlic baguette were a nice accompaniment to the prawns and we drizzled the hazelnut oil which imparted lovely earthy and nutty flavours quite liberally on the prawns.

Pumpkin Seed Crusted Black Cod, 180g – Pan-friend, served with mushroom tomato chutney, fennel mousse and Sugar Pea Snaps served with Organic Hazelnut Oil – RM78.00
This was absolutely delicious! Different from most cod dishes that I’ve eaten as the pumpkin seeds add a lovely crunch while there are a lot of complementing flavours from the mushroom tomato chutney, fennel mousse (love the texture!) and the hazelnut oil.

Wagyu Tenderloin, Marbling 7 (180g) – RM88.00
Take it off the hot salt block immediately when it reaches your table otherwise it will continue cooking your steak! That being said, this was a juicy and super tender cut of beef and oh so flavourful! It is very reasonably priced too!
The steaks are served with one (1) sauce, three (3) mustards, one side dish and rosemary olive oil. We chose the creamy spinach as our side dish.

 Creamy spinach
The creamy spinach provided just the right amount of green leafy taste to complement the richness of the steak. Who knew spinach could be so tasty!

 Birthday cake for two (2) November babies!
 As both Amanda’s and my birthday were in November, the outlet was so nice to arrange a candle atop the Chocolate Molten Cake for us
 Just look at the lava oozing out!
Chocolate Molten Cake with fresh Raspberry and homemade Marzipan ice-cream served with Strawberry Lime Liquor – RM35.00
This dish is their signature dessert and I can see just why it is. Beautifully presented and with a myriad of flavours that both complemented and contrasted. The piquant flavours of the berries and the strawberry lime liquor sauce prevented this dish from becoming overwhelmingly rich while the ice cream complemented the dark chocolate cake and lava. What a delightful ending to the meal.

Like my first visit, Cedar on 15 remains a very good venue for romantic dinners. A great place to bring that special someone to celebrate a special occasion. Watch the sunset over KL city if you’re there early or take in the view after your meal over some drinks. The food is very reasonably priced and is delicious, while the ambience is perfect for setting the mood. Somehow this outlet remains rather off the radar for a lot of couples but at the rate I’m recommending it it shouldn’t stay that way for long.

Cedar on 15 is located at:
15th Floor, Impiana Hotel KLCC,
13, Jalan Pinang,
50450 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
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Tel: 603–2147 1111 extensions 3711 or 3320
Email: cedaron15@impiana.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CEDARon15

Operational Hours
Monday to Friday: 6.30am – 1.00am
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: 6.00pm – 1.00am

For more info on Impiana KLCC Hotel
Email: info.impianaklcc@impiana.com
Toll-free: 1800 883 100
Website: http://www.impiana.com.my
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/impianaklcchotel

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[ADV]

Montblanc recently invited MHB’s Stephanie Lim and me over to their boutique in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur for the exclusive preview of their “Meet the Modern Trailblazers” campaign and their new StarWalker Urban Speed, Heritage Spirit Moonphase, and Nighflight collections. Also at the preview was popular model Venice Min, who together with Stephanie, tried on the various items from the collections.
Montblanc’s new print and digital advertising campaign features brand ambassador Hugh Jackman, the A-list Hollywood actor who is best known for playing Wolverine in the X-Men film series, as well as for his lead roles in various movies including Kate & Leopold (2001), Van Helsing (2004),  The Prestige (2006), Australia (2008), Real Steel (2011), and the film version of Les Misérables (2012),
The campaign features images of the actor seen as the modern explorer, captured in a stolen moment, on an airfield next to a helicopter as he sets off on his latest travels wearing his favorite Montblanc timepiece around his wrist and carrying a Nightflight Traveler Bag on his shoulder.
Montblanc’s “Meet the Modern Trailblazers” was created as an invitation to free-spirited modern men and women with an unyielding passion for the unexpected, reflecting their mindset of not just physically moving forward and exploring the world, but achieving that forward-thinking and independent state-of-mind; the same way of thinking that drives Montblanc forward to keep reimagining and rethinking timeless luxury.

 MHB’s Stephanie Lim trying out the Montblanc StarWalker Urban Speed
 An up close view of the Montblanc StarWalker Urban Speed
 Popular model Venice Min also giving the Montblanc StarWalker Urban Speed a try

 Venice wearing the Montblanc Heritage Spirit Moonphase
 A close-up view of the Montblanc Heritage Spirit Moonphase on Stephanie’s wrist
 Stephanie with a piece from the Montblanc Nighflight Collection
 A close-up view of the Montblanc Nighflight Collection

“With this new campaign, we are celebrating modern trailblazers who are always seeking to explore new horizons, to push boundaries, and challenge the status-quo unrestrained by habit and convention,” explains Jérôme Lambert, CEO Montblanc. “Hugh Jackman is not only a world traveller because of his profession but also an explorer in life, a true visionary who does things differently. He is the perfect embodiment of the Maison’s unrelenting desire to pioneer with sophisticated, innovative and high quality products.”
The campaign was shot on location in New York by leading fashion photographer and director Mikael Jansson, renowned for his technical prowess, emotionally charged images and his sense of adventure. “Meet The Modern Trailblazers” is Jackman’s second campaign with Montblanc, and captures the pioneering spirit and the passion for perfection shared by both the actor and Montblanc.
Montblanc continues to push the boundaries to create the unexpected through innovation, with beautiful yet highly functional pieces that deliver on performance to become a fine lifetime companion.  The first watch out of three featured in the campaign is the Heritage Spirit Moonphase in Red Gold, followed by Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph and Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Collection Quantième Complet Vasco da Gama Special Edition.

“I spend a lot of time on the move, traveling from one place to another, across continents and time zones, often facing the unexpected,” Hugh Jackman commented, “Life is certainly about exploration, experiencing new situations and challenges, thinking differently and occasionally going off the beaten track. With the right tools that deliver flawless performance, I am inspired to go even further.”

Apart from Hugh Jackman, the campaign also features various personalities.

Here in Asia, we have the gorgeous Taiwanese actress Gwei Lun-Mei.

While badminton superstar Lin Dan is a household name in China and among badminton fans throughout the world.

Lin Dan  was born on October 14, 1983 in Longyan, Fujian province in China and is a renowned professional badminton player. In his early years, Lin’s parents had ambitions for him for a career in music and he was encouraged to learn the piano. However, fate intervened when he was five when he witnessed his friends joyfully enjoying the sport, and Lin Dan developed a personal passion for badminton. He joined the sports troop of the People’s Liberation Army at the age of 13 and at 18, earned a place on China’s national badminton team.
Lin Dan is considered the greatest singles player of all time – a two-time Olympic champion, five-time world champion, and five-time All-England champion. By the age of 31, Lin completed the “Super Grand Slam” twice, having won all nine major titles in the badminton world: Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup, Thomas Cup, Sudirman Cup, Super Series Masters Finals, All England Open, Asian Games, and Asian Championships. Lin Dan is the first and only player to achieve this feat.
In 2008 Olympic Games, Lin overwhelmingly beat all of his rivals to become the first men’s singles player to win the Olympic gold as a first seed. Four years later in the 2012 Olympic Games, Lin Dan successfully defended his title, beating Lee Chong Wei from Malaysia to be the only men’s singles badminton player to retain an Olympic title.
Lin Dan’s relentless pursuit for excellence and perfection identifies with values are shared by Montblanc, who also strives to exceed expectations and achieve value that transcends time, making him the ideal spokesperson for the brand especially in the Far East and Asia.

Lin Dan attended the Montblanc ‘Celebrating the Spirit of Meisterstück’ Beijing Exhibition in a tailored suit that complements the Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Moonphase watch that he was wearing.
At the event, Lin Dan presented guests and media with the Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Collection, and commented on his appointment ‘I am honoured to join the Montblanc family. I have always respected Montblanc’s 100-year heritage, exquisite craftsmanship and their timeless pieces. The Maison’s long term commitment to continuous exploration and innovation perfectly reflects my own values, as I strive to push boundaries and reach out for new life adventures ahead.”

Also worth a special mention is celebrity male fashion blogger Adam Gallagher (read his blog here – http://iamgalla.com/).
 Adam Gallagher aka @iamgalla

Here’s a look at some of the beautifully designed items in the collections.

The Montblanc Heritage Spirit Moonphase is simply a gorgeous automatic timepiece adorned with an 18 K red gold bezel, red gold-plated dauphine hands, sapphire crystal, and a black alligator-skin strap with an 18 K red gold pin buckle. This timepiece continues the tradition of Montblanc’s outstanding quality, traditional craftsmanship, perfect functionality, and sophisticated and timeless design – made for the Modern Trailblazer.

The Montblanc StarWalker Urban Speed is available in Fountain Pen with a brushed ruthenium-plated Au585 gold nib, in Fineliner and Ballpoint, as well as a ScreenWriter for use on touch screen devices. Partnering with Samsung, Montblanc also released an e-Starwalker version of Urban Speed to complement the technology of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, and features both an e-refill and an analog ink refill. Why use a normal stylus when you use the Montblanc StarWalker which has cutting-edge design combined with contemporary and premium materials.
The cap and barrel in precious resin are enhanced with ultra black “Physical Vapor Deposition”  plated fittings which is a scratch, chemical and temperature resistance plating is primarily used in the automotive and aerospace industry.

The Montblanc Nighflight Collection is an expression of independence of the experienced traveller, and a statement of style for urban explorers and Modern Trailblazers. When travelling, it is essential to have luggage that provides comfort and functionality, and with that in mind, each piece in the Nightflight collection ensures swift and easy access to tickets and passports, electronic devices, work documents, magazines, and even cosmetics.
Both the large and slim document cases fit snugly on top of trolleys, while the duffel bags, city bags and trolleys all come with a removable pouch for flight tickets and documents which can be taken out when needed.
High functionality comes in the form of the signature Montblanc wheels specially designed to ensure smooth rolling from check-in through to boarding and on-board storage, a two-step press mechanism to adjust the height of the soft leather trolley handle bar, and an ultra-comfortable and lightweight 4-wheel trolley fashioned from light and resistant polycarbonate.

The Montblanc boutique in Malaysia is located in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.
For more information, head over to www.montblanc.com

Photos courtesy of Montblanc Malaysia.

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Nissan Teana (3rd Generation) Launch

[Automobiles]

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) launched their new (3rd generation) Nissan Teana on 3 June at the Grand Hyatt in Kuala Lumpur. More than 600,000 units of the Nissan Teana have been sold globally since its launch in 2013, and this new model that is locally assembled at Tan Chong Motor Assemblies (TCMA), Serendah Plant, offers a more prestigious look by way of a wider, more aggressive front styling, crisp new grille design and projector-lens headlights.
Executive Director of Edaran Tan Chong Motor, Dato’ David Chen said: “ETCM is delighted to introduce the third generation All-New Nissan Teana to the Malaysian motorist. This latest D-segment sedan is our flagship model. The theme of “Drive to Greatness” the new Teana’s tagline embodies the ultimate driving performance, luxury and comfort for all our discerning consumers and youthful entrepreneurs. Every inch and detail of the All-New Nissan Teana has been meticulously crafted for those who appreciate the finer things in life. We believe the sleek stylish curves, advanced innovation and luxury of the All-New Nissan Teana will definitely offer an exceptional ride to the top!”

A major change in the All-New Nissan Teana is its newly-developed QR25DE engine with major improvements in low and mid-range torque, enhanced combustion and emission efficiencies that make the driving performance of the 2.5XV very smooth and more economical. This powerful engine comes with Nissan’s Twin CVTC (Twin Continuously Variable-valve Timing Control) system.
The Teana 2.5XV comes with a maximum power output of 173hp with a higher torque of 234Nm compared to the previous (from 228Nm). Nissan has retained the proven MR20DE engine for the 2.0XL and 2.0XE, with the four-cylinder, 16-valve, 1,997cc engine delivering excellent power with its maximum 136hp and 190Nm torque.
All three variants come with the next-generation XTRONIC CVT which is fuel efficient and provides powerful and precise acceleration especially when overtaking on highways, and durability as compared to a conventional automatic transmission. 70% of the components of the XTRONIC CVT were re-designed to reduce internal friction and make the unit more compact. Based on Nissan’s internal test data, the new Nissan Teana 2.0 litre can deliver 13.5km/l while the Teana 2.5 litre can go up to 13.3km /l.

The new Rear Multi-link Suspension and EHPS (Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering) systems both combine to enhance a smooth ride with more stability and better road traction. ETCM claims that this provides a good balance between responsive steering and comfortable riding helping to provide a safer and more confident driving experience when cornering.
The AUC (Active Understeer Control) utilizes intelligent control logic and high-response brake actuators to activate the braking of the inside front wheel during sharp cornering. The technology acts in tandem with VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) and TCS (Traction Control System), as the base, helping drivers control the vehicle, while providing safe and smooth cornering especially on slippery, wet or sandy roads.

The more aerodynamic new look includes flowing, yet sharp character lines extend from front to rear and evoke fluid momentum resulting in a co-efficient drag, while a chromed front grille sits in between the projector type headlights. The interior comes with high-quality black leather seats and silver finishing, and is roomy and comfortable, with the optimized shape of the front seats giving a feel of spaciousness beyond its actual size. There is a big improvement in rear legroom compared to the previous (2nd generation) model.

The All-New Nissan Teana comes with 516 litres of luggage space, while the 60:40 split-fold seats replace the trunk-through design of the previous generation to provide easier storage for larger items. The seats have a “Zero-Gravity Inspired” Seat Design that helps reduce muscular and spinal loads, and improve blood flow, helping to reduce fatigue over long periods behind the wheel ensuring a comfortable driving experience especially during long-distance trips.
Interior noise has been greatly reduced in the All-New Nissan Teana thanks to the improved noise-absorbing materials, dampening vibration and harshness (NVH). The 2.5XV variant even comes with a BOSE Premium Audio System and 9 speakers that provide a premium surround sound experience and a sunroof. The 4-inch ADAD (Advanced Drive Assist Display) with 3D-effect graphic colour display is situated right in front of the driver for easy visibility, while the control for the audio and cruise control systems are on the new leather steering wheel for easy operation. For further comfort and convenience, the All-New Nissan Teana is equipped with a Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control with Rear Vents, an Intelligent Key (keyless entry) and an engine Push Start Ignition Button.

The All-New Nissan Teana is equipped with 6 SRS Airbags, VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) and TCS (Traction Control System), together with a host of control safety systems including AUC (Active Understeer Control), ABS (Anti-locking Braking System), EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and BA (Brake Assist System) to help the driver stay in control and avoid obstacles in emergency situations. These advanced features enhance the vehicle’s stability and prevent skidding on slippery roads. There’s also HSA (Hill Start Assist) which prevents the car from rolling back when starting on a slope.
Xenon Headlights with Auto-levelling and Washers (available only in the 2.5XV), improve night vision. The headlights come with an Advanced Auto Light System which will turn on automatically during rainy weather (or dim lighting conditions) when the windshield wipers are operated continuously.

Other safety features include LED High Mounted Rear Stop Lamp, ISOFIX childseat points, front seat belts with load limiters and pre-tensioners, 3 point Emergency Locking Restraint (ELR), Front Speed Sensitive Variable Intermittent Wipers, high strength body construction and front construction for pedestrian protection.
The All-New Nissan Teana is available in 3 variants: 2.5XV, 2.0XL and 2.0XE. The five colours available include a new colour, Storm Blue, as well as Tungsten Silver, Diamond Black, Bronze Gold and Brilliant White.
The on-the-road price of the All-New Nissan Teana is RM169,900 for the 2.5XV, RM149,800 for the 2.0XL and RM139,800 for the 2.0XE. All variants come with a warranty of 3-years or 100,000KMs, whichever comes first.
More info at www.nissan.com.my or call 1800 88 8368

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A Busy Saturday

[Sneak Peak!]
Here’s a little preview of the posts to come soon! It was a busy Saturday for me as I attended four events back to back.
First up was the Wanderlust + Co & Rebellz – Tea Party SS10/11 at The Hill, Damansara Heights.
The owners of the Rebellz fashion label.
Does this photo look familiar? Well we (Malaysia’s Hottest Bloggers) tried to recreate the photo we took when we did our food review here 2 months back.
Then on to the ALCON launch at Souled Out in Desa Sri Hartamas. By the time I got there I had missed most of the performances but the food and drinks were still flowing. Snapped this pic of Cher Ru (L) with her friend.
Then on to the 3rd event of the day – the X Top Model Search 2011 at Pyramid Ice, Sunway Pyramid. Spotted Amber on the panel of judges and she happily posed for me.
Yes that is Henry Golding (I can see you girls swooning) with the 10 finalists
Then on to the last event of the day – FREEDOM 360 which was at MAP KL, Solaris Dutamas. They didn’t allow cameras so I had to use my Samsung Galaxy S II instead.
Spotted my old clubbing kakis – Mabel, Diane and Pamela (L-R)
More photos on my Facebook page and the Malaysia’s Hottest Bloggers Facebook page.

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[Technology]

Headed over to Pavilion Kuala Lumpur on 19 September 2019 for the HUAWEI 5G experience media preview at the HUAWEI Experience Store at Pavilion Elite. The 5G Experiential Zone which is located right outside the store features Malaysia’s first ever trial Indoor 5G LampSite, and is available for consumers to get a taste of Huawei’s 5G technology from 19 September 2019 to 6 October 2019.
The HUAWEI 5G Experiential Zone which was officiated by Carlson Leong, Retail Director, HUAWEI Malaysia, Consumer Business Group, comprises of several demonstration zones. The Education Section will showcase HUAWEI 5G network advancement, while the Gaming Zone allows the public to experience seamless, latency-free VR (Virtual Reality) cloud gaming enabled by HUAWEI 5G. The Speed Test Zone will showcase the powerful download speed that is realised by HUAWEI’s trial Indoor 5G LampSite which has been introduced and demonstrated in public for the first time.
“HUAWEI 5G Experiential Zone at HUAWEI Experience Store at Pavilion Elite is a great way to showcase benefits of 5G technology to consumers. We are entering a new era of 5G technology and we are excited to be able to deliver to consumers possibilities of the future, today,” said Carlson during his opening remarks.

The HUAWEI 5G Experiential zone powered by Maxis 5G, demonstrated the benefits of hi-speed and ubiquitous connectivity across a range of 5G enabled services for consumers. “Maxis is proud to be the 5G network provider for the HUAWEI 5G Experiential Zone, which is a testament to our network leadership and capabilities. This showcase will give a glimpse into an exciting future of connectivity for consumers,” said Morten Bangsgaard, Chief Technology & Information Officer, Maxis.
HUAWEI’s Chief Testing Engineer also carried out the HUAWEI 5G Experiential Demonstration, highlighting the revolutionary network and technology that is capable of hitting a high 1.3Gbps download speed on the HUAWEI Mate20X 5G device with the trial Indoor 5G LampSite.
“With supported HUAWEI devices and through the HUAWEI 5G Experiential Zone, we could reimagine the possibilities – almost instantaneous download speeds, higher resolution video and next-level VR cloud gaming capabilities. Earlier this year, we collaborated with HUAWEI to accelerate 5G in Malaysia, followed by our commencement of the first 5G live trials in the country. We are excited at the potential of 5G in a future of smart solutions for both consumers and businesses, and we look forward to more milestones as we progress in this journey with HUAWEI.” Morten added.
“HUAWEI is pioneering 5G to bring faster internet speed, but more importantly HUAWEI is pushing for a completely interconnected and intelligent world across devices, services and applications at an unimaginable speed.” Carlson added.

VR gaming through data-streaming from a cloud using Huawei’s 5G technology

After the demo, we headed over to the Huawei Mate 30 Series Global Launch media viewing dinner.

For more information please visit: http://consumer.HUAWEI.com
Photo Credits: Huawei Mobile Malaysia and author’s own
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