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UMW Toyota Motor reopens selected service outlets

Following the activation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia on March 18 2020, all businesses except those related to essential services were required to stop operations. Service centres were among the businesses that had to remain closed, although emergency assistance services were permitted.

After the extension of the MCO until April 28 2020, MITI has given permission for car companies to resume aftersales services at selected outlets, with certain conditions to be followed. UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) has received approval from MITI to re-open selected authorised Toyota service centres which will operate for emergency and urgent service requirements only, at minimum capacity.

Toyota owners are advised that the services are by appointment only. Customers should first contact the nearest service centre to their home to check if the outlet is in operation and then plan a suitable appointment time/date.

Click here for the list of authorised Toyota service centres to contact regarding operating status

Every effort will be made to ensure the safety and protection of customers when they visit the service centres who will continue to practice social distancing and remain at least 1 metre or more apart to avoid possible transmission of the virus.

With regards to those vehicles purchased from UMWT or their authorised dealers with existing warranties that are valid and expiring during the MCO period, the company announced earlier that there will be a 30-day extension calculated from the last day of the MCO.

The company will continue to provide all customers with assistance for any emergencies or enquiries during the MCO period through its existing helplines. Customers may contact the following numbers throughout the duration of the MCO:

“As we always place customer care as a top priority, all Toyota vehicles sent to our service centres will receive a thorough inspection to ensure they are in good running order. However, we also urge customers to adhere to the regulations of the Movement Control Order and help to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus,” said Ravindran K. President of UMW Toyota Motor.

Increase in traffic to be expected as more sectors are permitted to resume operations

Secrets of the Audi V10 engine

At its 8,700 rpm limit, each one of the pistons found in the 10-cylinder Audi R8 engine is traveling approximately 27 metres every second. Or you can put it another way: adding up all 10 cylinders’ worth of work, the engine’s pistons can cover more than 950 km/h. That’s about as fast as your standard domestic commercial aircraft. Each piston outpaces those found in today’s Formula 1 cars.

The 90° 5.2-litre V10 Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) engine was born from the necessity that its performance exceeded the greatest expectations of a supercar customer while still providing refinement and smoothness. Its FSI system was refined through development in Audi’s original Le Mans endurance cars.

Compared with a V8 engine of similar size, the V10 has smaller, lighter pistons, allowing it to rev more freely. Compared with a V12, it has fewer moving parts, reducing complexity and internal friction.

For the US market, the current street-legal R8 V10 Performance is able to generate up to 602 ps at 8,100 rpm and 560 Nm of torque at a 6,700 rpm. That speed and the firing pattern of the cylinders – 1 – 6 – 5 – 10 – 2 – 7 – 3 – 8 – 4 – 9 – give the R8 a hissing tenor exhaust note that builds to a crescendo. Where in turbocharged engines, a turbocharger can act as a sound muffler in the engine, the naturally aspirated V10 wails, with its exhaust baffles opening at higher rpm for full effect.

The V10 engine went into production in 2009, initially making 525 ps and serving as a higher engine option for the R8. Like the entry 4.2-litre V8 engine at the time, which made 420 ps, it was developed by what is now Audi Sport GmbH, the performance sub-brand of Audi.

Like the V8 of the era, the basis of the V10 engine could be found in other Audi models, such as the S6 and S8 sedans. Unlike its sedan counterparts, however, the V10 in the R8 had a different engine crank, designed for a lighter weight, freer-revving engine and adopted dry-sump oil lubrication, which eliminated the need for a traditional oil pan.

In its place, the R8 had and continues to have a baffle plate below the engine that collects outgoing oil and serves as a reservoir for cycling oil through the engine. The oil pump module consists of a suction and feed pump for filling the oil reservoir and a suction and pressure pump for supplying oil to the engine.

This allowed engineers to mount the engine lower, which drops the centre of gravity of the car. It also allows the engine to withstand higher lateral forces as the oil pump will never be starved from cornering too aggressively. An oil cooler is run from the left-side air intake blade to keep the engine running cooler.

The dry-sump lubrication system is identical from the road-going R8 to the R8 LMS GT3 racing car, which can see much higher G-forces on tracks like Daytona and the Nurburgring due to extreme banking, slick tyres and aerodynamic changes increasing downforce.

Extensively re-engineered from the first to the second generation, the current R8 V10 performance engine still retains 40 valves (two intake and two exhaust valves per cylinder), but its springs and the roller-type rocker arms are now made of ultralight and ultra-high-strength titanium, versus steel alloys in previous applications, among other modifications.

The latest V10 also features cylinder on demand (COD) technology, which also contributes to the engine’s efficiency. Under low to intermediate load conditions – when one of the four upper gears is engaged – it shuts down the cylinders of one bank by deactivating their injection and ignition processes. The driver does not notice the transition; at stronger acceleration, the cylinder bank is activated again immediately.

The gripping story of Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system

Covid-19 — *Fighting COVID-19 is our joint responsibility. Protect yourself and others: make these 6 simple precautions your new habits.*

Ford Mustang is bestselling sportscar in the world – for the fifth consecutive year

When sportscars are mentioned, those of Italian or German brands often come to mind. But when it comes to the most widely sold sportscar in the world, it’s from America – the Ford Mustang. Now in its 56^th year of production, the Mustang has again captured the best-selling sportscar title for the fifth consecutive year and it’s also been America’s best-selling sportscar for the last 50 years.

According to the most recent new vehicle registration data from IHS Markit, 102,290 units of the Mustang were sold worldwide last year. During this period, the model’s sales in Germany increased 33% while in Poland, sales rose by nearly 50% and, in France, they nearly doubled.

Ford Mustang — *With this generation having righthand drive variants, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion has been able to offer the Mustang in Malaysia.*

Greatest-ever Mustang performance line-up
In addition to continually adding personalization and technology options, Ford keeps up the Mustang momentum with this generation having greatest-ever performance line-up. Since making its debut in 2015, the Mustang range has expanded to 12 versions globally and more significantly, righthand drive variants are also available.

The Mustang variants include EcoBoost and GT models each with two Performance Pack options, Mustang BULLITT, Mustang Shelby GT350 and Handling Pack, Shelby GT350R, plus Shelby GT500 with Handling Pack and Carbonfibre Track Pack options.

Fastback and convertible bodystyles are available and depending on the market, the powertrains customers can choose from are a 2.3-litre EcoBoost 4-cylinder (291 ps) and 5-litre V8 (449 ps).

The special edition Mustang BULLITT featuring an enhanced 460 ps 5.0-litre V8 engine is offered in fastback body style with a choice of Shadow Black or classic Dark Highland Green exterior colours, and unique exterior and interior details.

“We’re proud of our growing Mustang stable and performance variants,” said Jim Farley, Chief Operating Officer, Ford Motor Company. “From Sweden to Shanghai, more and more driving enthusiast are enjoying the feeling of freedom and the American open road in these new Mustangs. We are honoured to serve our owners, enthusiasts and fans for 56 years and counting,” he said.

Visit www.sdacford.com.my to know more about the Mustang and availability in Malaysia.

2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is the most powerful Mustang yet

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia shows appreciation for efforts of frontliners

To show appreciation to the nation’s frontliners in the War against COVID-19, Volkswagen Passengers Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has updated its ‘Welcome Back’ aftersales campaign announced earlier. The frontliners refer to the government hospitals doctors, nurses and administrators, personnel of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and Malaysian Armed Forces as well as RELA and Malaysia Civil Defense (Angkatan Pertahanan Awam).

For this brave and dedicated group of Malaysians, there are additional benefits if they are Volkswagen owners. The benefits are a small token of appreciation to ease their burden and offer peace of mind.

The additional benefits include priority booking, complimentary car sanitization and a 10% discount off the total bill (terms and conditions apply). Volkswagen owners who are frontliners are required to indicate their respective occupational areas when registering online, and a Volkswagen representative will be in touch for verification.

Once verified, the additional benefits will be credited into their Volkswagen Cares App wallet and will be ready to be used for their pre-booked appointment. The appointment must be made within 30 days after the Movement Control Order is lifted.

The ‘Welcome Back’ campaign, announced earlier, offer Volkswagen owners a gift and an additional RM50 engine oil voucher (for owners not redeeming their free maintenance service and non-Volkswagen Cares Plus members).

To register and book an appointment, visit www.volkswagen.com.my where the Volkswagen Cares mobile app can be downloaded to enjoy the benefits.

Volkswagen prepares to welcome back owners in Malaysia after MCO ends

Increase in traffic to be expected as more sectors are permitted to resume operations

Over the past week, there have been remarks on social media by motorists who have become frustrated by what seems to be the increasing number of vehicles on the road. This is in spite of the Movement Control Order (MCO) restricting a large portion of the population to their homes. This being the case, it is expected that the traffic volumes should be less.

However, it has to be noted that the MCO does not stop people from travelling if they wish to go to the supermarket to buy essential items or to pick up food orders. So there will still be many vehicles on the road daily and their occupants (should be one person in the vehicle) are not breaking the law.

70% of motorists are in essential services
What the police have found is that 70% of the vehicles on the road are those being driven by people in essential services – those who work in banks, hospitals and telcos, for example. And as additional sectors have been allowed to resume operations, there will be more and more vehicles on the road in coming weeks when the companies receive their approval letters and recall their employees for daily work.

The other thing to also remember is that the roadblocks will inevitably create a queue. On the Federal Highway between Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya, for example, three lanes are closed off and traffic is directed to a single lane. Each vehicle has to stop and be checked which requires a bit of time. It may be helpful of the police have two lanes instead but manpower may be an issue as they have had to set up roadblocks nationwide.

Travel during off-peak hours
From the police studies, about 25% of the motorists are those who are buying essential items or doing other permissible things such as going to a hospital. Of course, there are also those who travel for invalid reasons which is why the checking is needed, and those who are found to be doing so are likely to be arrested and have to pay a RM1,000 fine as well as spend time in jail.

The police recommend that those who are out buying stuff travel at non-peak hours which would be after 9 am or before 5 pm. In this way, there will be less traffic on the road so those who are working in the essential services can proceed with less delay.

Less crime, less accidents
Meanwhile, it has also been found that crime and road accidents have fallen significantly. Since the MCO started on March 18, the number of road accidents has dropped by almost 70%, with a total of 10,382 accidents recorded between March 18 to April 14.

However, the reduced traffic on many roads has also led some motorists to ignore laws. There have been complaints of speeding and even more dangerous, not stopping for red lights at junctions. Yes, it’s nice to drive around but you still need to adhere to laws.

The police and army personnel are manning the roadblocks day and night, in the hot sun and lately in the rain. If you wish to do so and can afford it, drop off a box of water or drinks for them on your way home after buying your essentials. Let’s show our appreciation to these frontliners.

Face mask not compulsory
Incidentally, wearing a face mask is not compulsory when out of the home (unlike in Singapore now). So if you choose not to wear one while driving, you will not be committing any offence. Of course, for the personnel at roadblocks who have to check thousands daily, it would make them feel more comfortable if the driver has a face mask on but there are no grounds for being detained if he or she does not wear one.

All other earlier regulations relating to travel remain in force and we are not aware of any changes. The authorities have clarified that those who have to travel beyond the 10-km range because they have to go for specialised medical treatment are permitted to do so. Of course, they should have documents to prove their need to travel further. The police are not insensitive to genuine cases and what angers them is people who tell lies or simply refuse to follow the basic instruction to #stayathome.

Limited activities in auto industry permitted in final (hopefully) phase of MCO

Shell Rimula campaign offers free face masks to truck drivers

While most Malaysians are staying at home during this period of the Movement Control Order (MCO), there are also many who are in essential services who are working daily. Apart from the brave and dedicated frontliners in the healthcare services, there are also those who ensure that supplies of food, equipment, materials and other essential items are not disrupted.

These are the truck drivers who have to collect the goods from the port or warehouses and then drive long distances across the country. No doubt their journeys are different now with less traffic on the roads but the driving is still the same, perhaps with completion in a shorter time.

Recently, as part of the Shell Rimula #HeroKami campaign, Shell Malaysia has been distributing face masks to the truck drivers to provide them with protection against the possibility of getting infected by the virus.

The distribution has been done in the Port Klang, Selangor area and so far, some 20,000 face masks have been given out. The masks were handed over at selected participating truck service centres and the Northport.