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Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has gained the brand a listing in the Guinness World Records with an altitude achievement by the Hyundai Kona Electric. The first fully Made-in-India electric SUV was driven to an altitude of 5,731 metres at the Sawula Pass in Tibet, breaking the previous record of 5,715.28 metres set by any electric car.

During the entire drive, the Kona Electric was charged every night using portable chargers that are provided as standard with the e-SUV. The crew reported that there were no performance issues while climbing the peaks. When descending on the steep gradients, the smart power regeneration system in the vehicle helped to improve the driving range.

Hyundai
Electric powerplant of Kona Electric produces 136 ps/395 Nm. The range on a full charge is certified at 452 kms.

With this achievement, the Kona Electric has proven its reliability, even in extreme operating conditions. During the journey, it performed as a true SUV and coped with harsh weather conditions like low temperatures, continuous snowfall and icy terrain. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system helped the driver to maintain control as it ensured the stability of the vehicle in all road conditions.

‘Emission Impossible Mission’
Commenting on this achievement, S.S. Kim, MD & CEO of Hyundai Motor India said: “Hyundai KONA Electric making to the prestigious Guinness World Records feat is a very proud moment for everyone and remarkable feat for HMIL. KONA Electric has brought Electric Revolution by demolishing various myths about electric vehicles and is a true expression of Hyundai’s spirit of staying ahead of the curve. Under the ‘Emission Impossible Mission’, KONA Electric has proved its mettle in the world’s toughest terrains without compromising its performance.”

Hyundai

The Kona Electric, priced at Rs 23.71 lakh (around RM135,500) is the First Long Range Green SUV in India with a certified range of 452 kms on a fully charged battery pack. To avoid any range anxiety, customers are provided with two chargers along with the car – a portable charger and an AC Wall Box Charger.

Additionally, in certain Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai, a Special Kona Electric fleet (KONA Electric to KONA Electric) fitted with power converter will provide emergency charging support to owners. All Hyundai dealerships which sell the Kona Electric have 7.2 kW AC Charger stations which are available to customers.

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BHPetrol RON95 Euro4M

Carmakers must be very optimistic about continuing their business in the distant future, with Porsche having designed a starship in collaboration with LucasFilms. Now, Lexus has revealed a vehicle for use on the moon, joining an elite group of design industry luminaries selected to contribute a suite of design concept drawings to Document Journal’s prestigious portfolio.

For Document Journal‘s issue No. 15, the art & fashion magazine invited a selection of the culture’s most compelling architects and designers to imagine human life on the moon for The Lunar Design Portfolio. How shall we live? What will it look like? What will we wear? What will we drive?

Lunar Mobility

ED2, the European Advanced Design Studio for Toyota and Lexus dedicated to advanced concept proposals and groundbreaking design, was selected to contribute a lunar mobility concept.  Drawing on the just-released LF-30 Future Concept vehicle, the studio created a series of 7 concepts from 5 different designers, all ready to tackle the lunar landscape.

”When Document Journal approached us about the Lunar Design Portfolio, our team was working on the LF-30 Concept, which represents the ‘Lexus Electrified’ futuristic vision for the brand. The design team was already looking beyond near-term production and ahead to how advanced technology will change the way we interact with vehicles,” said Ian Cartabiano, President of ED2.

“The lunar project came at the right time, halfway through the LF-30 development. It gave the team a chance to dream further out, and then apply some of the design language from the LF-30 interior to their lunar proposals,” he added.

Lunar Mission
Lunar Mission
Zero-Gravity
Zero-Gravity

Zero Gravity, the concept sketch selected to appear in the print issue of the magazine, is a single rider vehicle that evolves the LF-30’s ‘Lexus Electrified’ vision to incorporate Magnetic Levitation technology.  The design reinterprets the signature Lexus spindle grille and uses the motorcycle-style of driving to employ the new concept of Tazuna (which mean ‘reins’ in Japanese): the fundamental human-centered philosophy.  Inspired by how a single rein can be used to achieve mutual understanding between horse and rider, the steering control provides active driving enjoyment created by the direct communication between human and machine.

Cosmos
Cosmos
Lunar Cruiser
Lunar Cruiser

The other proposals are the Lunar Cruiser, a multipurpose vehicle that can provide a smooth ride over rough lunar terrain and the Cosmos, which has a lot of glass for a panoramic view. The Moon Roller is a rotating vehicle while the Moon Racer could be the future Lexus LX for exploring the moon. The Lunar Mission is a transport vehicle to take earthlings to the moon.

Visit www.lexus.com.my to know more about Lexus models you can buy in Malaysia today.

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BHPetrol RON95 Euro4M

As part of the INDIA 2.0 project, Skoda Auto, the Czech subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, is leading the activities of the Group brands on the Indian sub-continent. Several cross-brand Skoda and Volkswagen models will be created based on the MQB A0 IN variant of the Modular Transverse Matrix, which the 125-year old carmaker is developing with a focus on India and Indian customers.

The new localised sub-compact platform is being showcased for the first time in the Skoda VISION IN concept model with two design sketches that show the exterior style of the VISION IN. The vehicle, which is approximately 4.26 metres long, have been serving as a study for a new compact SUV model developed especially for the Indian market.

The first design sketch shows the dynamic front which has a wide bonnet with a large Skoda grille incorporating solid ribs shapes the visual impression. The upper, very flat units of the split headlights progress directly to the grille. Beneath is a robustly designed front apron with large side air intakes and a massive front spoiler made of aluminium.

2020 Skoda VISION IN concept

The second sketch illustrates a clearly structured, distinctive rear with sharply contoured, three-dimensional rear lights; an additional horizontal light strip connects the reflectors. Illuminated Skoda lettering is prominently positioned in the centre of the rear; an aluminium diffuser is integrated into the rear apron underneath.

Earlier, the interior was revealed in a sketch which showed a wide dashboard arranged on several levels, echoing the symmetrical contours of the Skoda grille in the centre. The colour orange, which inspires vitality and creativity, is used extensively throughout the interior, for example, on the centre armrest and door panels.

2020 Skoda VISION IN concept

In addition to the large, free-standing central screen and virtual cockpit, a new crystalline element on the instrument panel creates an optical highlight. The three-spoke multifunction steering wheel features buttons and knurl wheels following Skoda’s new operating concept. The reduced and clearly structured centre console has a small control lever for gear selection.

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BHPetrol RON95 Euro4M

Ever since the East Coast Expressway (LPT2) was opened in 2015, providing a fast and smooth highway link from the Klang Valley to Kuala Terengganu, many people have found it preferable to drive to the East Coast than use the bus. Prior to the LPT2 being available, the highway link was only up to Karak and the rest of the way was on winding roads which limited speeds and a journey would take many hours.

As a result, traffic volumes have been increasing over the past 4 years and it is common for congestion to occur from the Bentong toll plaza all the way to the toll plaza at Gombak. Naturally, it doesn’t help that the terrain is undulating with slopes causing traffic to slow down further. Fortunately, heavy commercial vehicles will not be allowed to use the highway on January 23rd/24th and 27th/28th.

Karak Highway

ANIH Berhad, the concessionaire which maintains the 60-km highway from the Gombak toll plaza to the Bentong toll plaza offers suggestions on the best times to travel during the Chinese New Year period. It notes that the express buses heading to destinations on the East Coast enter the highway during two periods of the day – between 9:30 am and noon and 9:30 pm and midnight. Therefore, motorists are advised not to also start their journeys during these periods.

The chart below shows the suggested times for travel to the East Coast on January 23rd – 25th (Thursday to Saturday), and then if returning on the 26th or 27th (Sunday or Monday).

Travel times for Karak Highway

Travelling between midnight and 6 am would be congestion-free but be sure you are up to it and have had sufficient rest to remain awake and alert! If you are drowsy, pull over at a R&R and have a nap rather than struggle to continue. There is the danger of what is known as ‘microsleep’ where you doze off suddenly and you would no longer control the car – and an accident could occur.

Night driving
You won’t have to endure congestion when travelling after midnight but be sure you are up to it and have had enough rest before starting the journey so you do not become drowsy.

RFID

ANIH Berhad also reminds motorists to ensure that their Touch ‘n Go and RFID e-Wallets have sufficient balance for the toll payable. Reloads can usually be done at the Gombak and Bentong Toll Plaza Customer Service Centres from 7 am – 10 pm but between January 23rd and 27th, reloads will not be available at the toll plaza booths.

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The beginning of the second quarter of 2020 will see the 718 Cayman and 718 Boxster arriving in European showrooms in the new GTS 4.0 form. The new versions of the mid-engine sportscars are powered by a naturally-aspirated 4-litre 6-cylinder boxer engine developing 400 ps/419 Nm of torque. This engine is closely related to the engine used in the 718 Spyder and the 718 Cayman GT4 but detuned to produce about 20 ps less (but still more than the old turbocharged 4-cylinder 718 GTS engine).

2020 Porsche 718 GTS

The new GTS engine revs effortlessly to 7,800 rpm and emits a particularly rich 6-cylinder boxer engine sound via the standard Sports Exhaust System. The 718 GTS 4.0 models adopt the twin tailpipe Sport Exhaust System from the 718 Spyder and 718 Cayman GT4. Its saddle-type design creates space for the contrasting black rear lower fascia, which was specifically designed for the GTS models.

As in the 718 Spyder/718 Cayman GT4, the boxer engine also features adaptive cylinder control that alternately switches off one of the two cylinder banks at low engine loads, direct fuel injection with piezo injectors and a variable intake system to enhance the car’s efficiency which is claimed to be up to 9.2 kms/litre.

Equipped exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission and standard Sport Exhaust System, the 718 GTS 4.0 models can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 4.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 293 km/h.

Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) sport suspension with a 20 mm lower ride height (compared to other 718 Boxster and Cayman models) is standard. Other standard equipment on the 718 GTS 4.0 models includes Porsche Stability Management (PSM) with individually selectable PSM Sport mode, Porsche Active Drivetrain Mounts and Porsche Torque Vectoring with a mechanical limited-slip differential.

With the increased power, the brake system has been enhanced compared to the 718 S and previous 718 GTS models. The cross-drilled cast-iron front rotors now measure 350 mm in diameter (up from 330 mm previously) and are equipped with red 6-piston calipers, while the rear rotor size has been increased to 330 mm. The Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) is available as an option.

2020 Porsche 718 GTS

The 20-inch light-alloy wheels are painted in satin black and fitted with high-performance tyres (235/35ZR20 at the front, 265/35ZR20 at the rear).

As is typical for GTS models, the spoiler lip, the all-black air intake of the Sport Design front fascia and the redesigned lower rear fascia are kept in black, while the front running light lenses and taillights are tinted.

2020 Porsche 718 GTS

2020 Porsche 718 GTS

Black Alcantara is the material of choice for the interior, covering the centre sections of the standard Sport Seats Plus as well as the steering wheel rim, centre console, gear lever and door armrests. In the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0, Alcantara also covers the A-pillars and roof lining.

With the optional GTS Interior Package, the tachometer, seatbelts, all decorative stitching including the embroidered GTS emblem in the headrests and the Porsche lettering on the floor mats are kept in either Carmine Red or Chalk. The interior trim for the 718 GTS 4.0 models is dominantly in carbonfibre but other trims are optionally available.

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Another long weekend is coming with the Chinese New Year festival and PLUS Malaysia expects traffic volumes on the highways, especially the North-South Expressway (NSE) to start increasing from Monday, January 20. At least 2 million vehicles are expected to be on the highways daily, and make the return journey on February 2.

With data collected over the years, PLUS has been able to formulate a Travel Time Advisory (TTA) for highway travellers which can help to reduce traffic congestion during this period. Basically, if you are departing from the Klang Valley and going north or south on the NSE, make your start before 9 am.

For travellers who are going to other places in Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka, it would be better to start your journey afternoon. This should make the journey less stressful without delays to endure.

PLUS

For the return trip to the Klang Valley, PLUS suggests starting on the NSE before 9 am. Obviously, there will be traffic joining from various entry points along the 748-km long highway. The 9 am time will help to ensure the traffic flows in stages from all locations towards the Klang Valley.

If your journey is a long one, do take a break along the way. Facilities at the R&R are plentiful with a wide range of food and drink. Or you can also drop by at the petrol stations to pick up snacks and drinks. BHPetrol stations, for example, have hot food available and for the festive period, special offers on many items.

BHPetrol
The BHPetromart convenience stores at BHPetrol stations have a wide variety of items to pick up for a long journey.
Toll plaza
Be sure the balance in your TnG card is sufficient to cover toll charges. Don’t cause inconvenience to other motorists by getting stuck at the toll plaza because your card has insufficient balance.

Needless to say, you should ensure that your tollcard has sufficient balance to cover the toll charges for the entire journey. If you need to reload, there are numerous places along the highway (self-service kiosks at R&R locations and petrol stations) as well as many convenience stores in towns. Don’t create problems for other motorists by not having enough balance and being stuck in the toll plaza.

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