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Porsche Taycan does 165 km/h inside a building – a new Guinness World Record (w/VIDEO)

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During this period of the pandemic, we are urged to ‘Stay indoors’ to avoid being infected and also to help cut the transmission of the virus. For many people, ‘indoors’ may mean a boring time but not for racer Leh Keen: while being ‘indoors’, he achieved a Guinness World Records title for the fastest speed by a vehicle indoors.

It’s not a new category in the world famous list of records and the last person set it at a speed of 138.5 km/h. That was 7 years ago. The rules – strictly enforced by Guinness World Records – are tough. The record tun must be done up to a standstill within the space of the building. There can be no run up, no safety net and no doors open and therefore no escape route. It means not just being able to accelerate to a very high speed but also being able to come to a stop in time.

Leh therefore required a car that would be able to perform with such challenging conditions. It had to be one that he could trust his life with in order to safely break the record safely. With an output equivalent to 750 bhp, 4-wheel drive providing maximized grip, powerful carbon ceramic brakes and the ability to accelerate to 60 mph (96 km/h) from standstill in just 2.6 seconds, the all-electric Taycan Turbo S by Porsche was the car to use.

Selecting the right building was just as challenging. In the end, it was the Ernest N. Morial Convention Centre in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. At around 93,000 square metres, the convention centre boasts having the largest contiguous exhibit hall in the country, ideal for the distance it provided. However, like many other indoor facilities, the polished concrete surface replicated ice when being driven over at speed…

“I didn’t really appreciate the scale of the record attempt until my first exploratory run. The surface is so unpredictable, so slick, that you have to have complete trust in your car. It truly was like ice – and you’re accelerating flat out, facing a really hard wall at the end. Suddenly, even in a massive space like the one we had, it seemed very small,” said Leh Keen after his record attempt. “I could feel the Taycan’s systems figuring it out, working so hard to keep me heading straight – it was such an impressive feat. To accelerate so hard on such an erratic surface was incredible. Not for a moment did I doubt I could do it.”

Leh’s strategy was to build up slowly, with low-speed exploratory runs. The standard street tyres were pre-heated as a precaution. And, when it came to the record attempt, one run was all it took. “I did take a moment on the starting line – knowing I was going to have to go as fast as I could – and stop again – all before reaching the wall I was facing. It got my attention.”

“I used the car’s launch control and the Taycan just hooked up – the sensation of speed indoors, even in such a big space, is enormous – that wall rushed up fast. I was gentle on the brakes at the end… the Taycan’s brakes were more than up to the job. Of course, I didn’t look down at my speed, so it came as a surprise and a relief that I’d beaten the record, and by such a margin. It was a rush! I’m thankful for Porsche for trusting my abilities and for their preparations and encouragement – 165 km/h (officially 102.6 mph) inside a building. What was I thinking?”

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The Taycan is available in Malaysia from Sime Darby Auto Performance. Click here to find out more.

UMW Toyota Motor introduces Toyota Synergised Mobility to present a new aspect of the brand

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has a new brand pillar and branding initiative known as Toyota Synergised Mobility (TSM), driven by Toyota’s advanced technologies. With its leadership in the automobile industry and growing as a mobility services company, Toyota has developed numerous innovative, advanced and cutting-edge technologies. Through Toyota Synergised Mobility, these advanced technologies will be simplified for easier understanding and their relevance explained.

“Toyota is moving beyond being just a manufacturer of cars to other forms of mobility for modern lifestyles. In pursuit of this, it creates innovations featuring cutting-edge technologies with the potential for expanding the possibilities of future mobility for the wider community. With Toyota Synergised Mobility, the public will gain greater awareness of the new and available technologies – as well as what is to come in the future. There will be even greater synergy between man and machine,” said Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.

TSS and TNGA
Two examples of the latest technologies are Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) and Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), both available and associated with the latest models. They make possible features which exemplify the meaning of ‘smart motoring’ to enhance safety, comfort and performance. With TSM, the customer will be able to see the synergy between trust and technology as it applies to his or her daily life.

Under the All About The Drive theme, introduced in 2016, UMWT will apply Toyota Synergised Mobility to bring to the forefront the technological leadership of Toyota that will be used to make ever better cars. Over the past 5 years, the brand has undergone a rapid transformation of its image, gaining a perception of being more sporty, youthful and exciting. This has been largely supported by the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) brand which has been used for events such as the TGR Racing Festival, GR Velocity E-Sports Championship, GR Garage and GR high-performance products.

New technologies to come
While the Toyota brand now has greater appeal with an energetic, fun-to-drive, sportier character, TSM will propel its image of being advanced, innovative and cutting-edge. TSM will also pave the way for new Toyota technologies to be introduced very soon, symbolising Toyota’s synergy with the future, living with tomorrow’s technologies, today.

“We believe that technology should be simple, yet intelligent. With Toyota Synergised Mobility, UMW Toyota Motor will present to Malaysians a new aspect of the brand which is advanced, cutting edge and innovative,” said the President of UMW Toyota Motor, Ravindran K. “Customers will understand and embrace ‘Smart Driving’ with Toyota where they will enjoy and experience seamless driving experience where technology is in perfect synergy – designed for and by humans.”

More about Toyota Synergised Mobility can be found at toyota.com.my/synergised-mobility.

All food courts at PLUS R&Rs open for business (dine-in as well)

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PLUS Malaysia Berhad has reopened its food court dining areas at all its rest and service areas (R&Rs), including the two overhead bridge restaurants and lay-bys along PLUS-operated highways as well as the Lebuhraya Pantai Timur 2 (LPT2). This follows the government’s announcement effective February 10, 2021.

While interstate travel is not permitted and inter-district travel is controlled, there are still motorists who will be using the highways to go to work, and they will be able to stop at the R&Rs to get food or drinks.

However, PLUS advises all customers to comply with the Standard Operations Procedure (SOP) which allows 2 persons per dining table with one-metre physical distancing when stopping over to have their meals at the respective areas. The highway concessionaire also advises all highway customers to adhere to the standard safety SOPs of wearing a facemask, registering on the MySejahtera App, checking temperatures at the designated points and keeping a safe distance of one-metre apart when lining up for food or using the facilities at the R&Rs and other public places during this period.

During the Movement Control Order (MCO) period, all facilities at the R&Rs and lay-bys such as public restrooms and suraus are open 24-hours. Meanwhile, restaurants, stalls and mobile food trucks including convenience stores are operating from 6 am to 10 pm.

Additionally, many of the stalls at the R&Rs can accept orders via a pre-order function in the PLUS App. The app can be downloaded for free through the Google Play Store for android devices or the App Store for iPhone users.

Government will maintain RON95 petrol and Euro2M biodiesel ceiling prices – but at lower levels than before

In 2019, under the Pakatan Harapan government, the ceiling price of RON95 petrol and diesel (Euro2M) were set at RN2.08 and RM2.18 per litre, respectively. The move was to shield the economy from the effects of high fuel prices which could cause inflation. The capping of fuel prices meant that when oil prices rose and retail prices should have been higher, the government subsidised the different to keep them at the promised levels. That cost hundreds of millions of ringgit a week at times.

After a new government took over without any general elections, the prices of oil fell quickly due to the global pandemic. So there was no need for any subsidies from the government as pump prices kept falling to very low levels.

Lower levels than before
But oil prices are now creeping up again, and pump prices are likewise increasing a few sen each week. Nevertheless, the government will still provide subsidies to maintain a ceiling price for RON95 petrol and diesel as before. However, the ceiling price per litre has been revised to a lower level – RM2.05 for RON95 petrol, RM2.15 for diesel.This was announced by the Minister of Finance this evening. He said the government remains committed to reducing the cost of living of the people and will always monitor the impact of changes in world crude oil prices.

“The government will also take appropriate measures to balance the government’s subsidy burden with the need to continue to preserve the welfare and well-being of the people,” he said, adding that the decision was taken based on the rising market price of petroleum products following the increase in world crude oil demand.

“It was also influenced by the reopening of various economic sectors around the world. Furthermore, the global oil price trend is also influenced by the COVID-19 vaccination plan which is starting to be rolled out gradually around the world,” he added.

Based on Automatic Pricing Mechanism
The prices each week are based on the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM) which takes into account various factors and is adopted by the government and industry. RON97 and RON100 petrol are not subsidized and generally follow global oil price trends while for Euro5 biodiesel, a 10 sen charge per litre is permitted at the pumps for the significantly cleaner fuel.

2021 Audi e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT

The performance game is starting again; from the time the car was born, rivalry between carmakers saw performance levels rising as internal combustion powerplants grew more powerful with new technologies. Now, in the 21^st century, there is again the same competition in the industry – but with a zero emissions electric powertrain. It’s not just the traditional performance measures that are the challenge but also how far an electric car can go.

Audi’s latest representative in this race is the new e-tron GT, which mark its entry into a different segment of the electric range. With the e-tron GT, Audi is demonstrating that electric mobility can still offer exhilarating motoring in complete contrast to the perception 30 years ago that electrically-powered cars would be dull machines.

Third and fourth all-electric models
The e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT join the e-tron SUV and e-tron Sportback that debuted in 2018 and 2019, respectively. They are part of the electrified model offensive Audi has planned up till 2025 which will see more than 30 electric and hybrid models being introduced into markets around the world.

Relative of Porsche Taycan
The exterior of the e-tron GT is a dynamic work of art. A relative of the Porsche Taycan, Audi’s new 4-door coupe offers a new, very progressive interpretation of the classic Gran Turismo. It has the proportions like a sportscar, with the usability of a 4-seater. Each surface and each line is harmonious, from the headlights, which are available with Audi laser light, to the large diffuser at the rear.

Following the Audi Prologue design study, which offered a preview of the design language of the subsequent full-size class models as a showcar in 2014, the e-tron GT constitutes the next evolutionary stage of the Audi design language. In combination, the details create a sculpture that looks like it was shaped by the wind. The body line is extremely aerodynamic, and the drag coefficient is just 0.24 Cd.

Classic gran turismo interior
The interior also corresponds to that of a classic gran turismo. The strong focus of the interior on the driver, inspired by the monoposto idea, is a characteristic of sporty Audi models and the e-tron GT in particular. The driver and front passenger seats are installed in a sporty low position and separated by a wide centre console, and the rear seats provide sufficient space even for adults.

The central dashboard is tilted slightly to the left, and the pronounced three-dimensional instrument panel looks light and lean. Its upper section is drawn away from the driver in a large, elegant arc. The display of the Audi virtual cockpit plus stands freely in this space, while the MMI touch monitor is surrounded by a black piano finish bezel that seems to float above the instrument panel.

Like all Audi models, the e-tron GT is connected extensively. The infotainment, the online services from Audi connect, and the assist systems are state-of-the-art. And since the dynamic work of art must also sound good, Audi has composed a unique sound – powerful and progressive – for the e-tron GT.

Range of up to 487 kms
Depending on the version, the electric motors can generate 350 kW (476 ps) or 440 kW (598 ps). The stated range of up to 487 kms which is made possible by the battery and its net capacity of 85 kWh, is equally important. Its 800V technology enables fast DC charging with an output of up to 270 kW.

The suspension is also based in the balance of dynamism and comfort, thanks to technologies such as Audi drive select, all-wheel steering, controlled damping, three-chamber air suspension, electric all-wheel drive, and the rear-axle differential lock. The brake discs – which are available in carbonfibre ceramic as an option – have a diameter of up to 420 mm.

Presales of the two models start this month with the e-Tron GT priced in Germany from €99,800 (about RM490,000), rising to €138,200 (about RM677,235) for the RS e-tron GT.

BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia contributes over RM20,000 to BMW Safety 360° subsidy programme

In October last year, BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia pledged, on behalf of their customers, to donate RM100 to the BMW Safety 360° subsidy programme for every contract funded via its online financing platform (BMW Engage). The total amount raised was over RM20,000, which the company, a subsidiary of BMW Group Malaysia, contributed to the subsidy programme

“We are pleased to announce that we will be able to subsidize over 300 more child car seats for families in need, from donations raised on our platform in the last three months. We are especially grateful to our customers who have played a key role in contributing to this fundraising initiative. Although there is less travel during this period, we want to continue accelerating the adoption of child safety seats to ensure children are safe on the road when travelling is allowed again,” said Tobias Eismann, MD of BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia.

First introduced in December 2019, the BMW Safety 360° subsidy programme received over 25,000 applications from parents in the B40 income group – signalling an urgency for such seats to be available in Malaysia, more so in view of the imposition of mandatory usage.

*One of the recipients of the subsidised child seats being advised on the proper installation and placing of the child.*

In the first phase, recipients were selected based on their qualification for the B40 income group. This is mainly determined with a monthly household income of below RM3,000. The second phase serves to work with the remaining list of registrants from the first phase, to equip as many of the eligible registrants as possible with child safety seats.

Other supporters of the programme
The programme also gained support from Shopee who came on-board as the Exclusive E-Commerce Partner; baby and children goods brands, KU.KU Duckbill and Otomo; educational toys and games distributor, Mideer; food storage sealing solutions provider, Ankou as well as car performance parts and accessories provider, Kakimotor.

Each child car seat is made available with a RM50 subsidy and a RM13 delivery subsidy, in addition to a discounted price from Safe ‘n Sound that is exclusive for recipients of the subsidy programme. As such, recipients of the subsidy programme will receive a unique Shopee voucher worth RM113 which can be applied upon checkout at its dedicated microsite.

A shared responsibility
“Despite the delay on the ruling for child car seat enforcement, BMW Group Malaysia continues in our effort to promote the adoption of child car seats via the BMW Safety 360° Programme. We believe this is a shared responsibility not just amongst our partners, but the parents and the community around them as well, that can help ensure the highest level of safety on the road – even if travelling is restricted in the current climate,” said Sashi Ambi, Head of Corporate Communications at BMW Group Malaysia, adding that registrations for the subsidy programme closed in December 2019.

“We hope more individuals, partners and companies will reach out to us to make more contributions to the programme. Only then will we be able to open registrations for a new batch of families in the B40 income group,” he said.